Posts from the Denis Sullivan No. 3: Of Ship’s Cats & Non-Sinkings

Late last Monday, seventeen high school students hugged (or at least semi-embraced) their parents one last time on the dock in Cleveland before climbing aboard to sail with the Sullivan on our next leg of the journey, Bay City, Michigan. Fit for a crew of 32, the Sullivan was at full capacity—all bunks occupied—as we motored up the blue Detroit River, day and night, through St. Claire Lake and River, and finally, set sail in Lake Huron.

While aboard, the students—all of whom were local essay contests winners (writers! like me!)—learned the layout of the ship, how to stand watch, tie knots, and of course, the one thing we all get to take part in: galley duty. Directing classes on deck was Joe Ewing, with the help of Sullivan’s professional crew. In one activity, the students were asked to write about their impressions of ship life. Here’s a sample:

“People may have superstitions of sailing far ways from home on a Friday, or may have superstitions of sailing too far out on a Monday morning. They may have superstitions of a myth or sea monster…superstitions are things that sailors or people do to make sure they are safe…. [and] a ship’s cat is a familiar reminder of life ashore, adept at keeping down the rat population. Rats lleaving or abandoning the ship would probably signify the ship is going to sink.”

Well, thanks to decent weather, wizened captain Jesse Loge and modern navigational technology, the

Sullivan did not become the stuff of legends by sinking. Rather, the students have made it safely ashore and are on their way home to Cleveland (hopefully catching up on some of the sleep they missed while on night watch).

Jesse Loge, Captain of the Denis Sullivan

As for me, I was eager to explore Bay City. Setting forth early this morning from the Sullivan, I ducked into a local café, Brewtopia, to enjoy some piping hot Chamomile tea and escape a short rain.

Brewtopia in Bay City, MI

Continuing onwards, I stumbled across Bay City’s Farmer’s Market a few blocks away. The sun was coming back, glistening on the asphalt of each wet parking lot, and people began to trickle in again, gathering around the vendor’s tents. The Michigan blueberries, I could tell, had been picked at peak. They sat full in their little green baskets, dotted with the rain that had just left.

Bay City is whispered to be a kind port—maybe even the kindest on our Tall Ships tour.

Today, I have a good feeling that they’ll live up to the buzz.

~Nat

Comments

So glad you enjoyed Bay City

July 21, 2010 - 11:04pm — Anonymous

So glad you enjoyed Bay City & here's to hoping it is THE BEST port you visit! This was my first visit to a Tall Ship & I am hooked! Never have I been so drawn with curiosity and dreamy eyes of what lies out ahead. I must follow this passion! Keep us posted of your journey.
~rb