NMHSNEWS "A Sail of Two Cities": NMHS Takes the Young Idea to Sea Forry-o ne students fro m Boston and New Yo rk City experienced life at sea in the frigate Rose, a replica of an historic square rigger, in a new program organized and sponso red by the National Maritime Historical Society. Wo rking with two groups that run maritime programs for inner-city middle and high school students-Floating the Apple in New York and the Hull Life-Saving M useum in Boston-N MHS's Sea Experience Program, "A Sail of Two C ities, " provided a once-in-a-lifetime experience fo r students who otherwise wo uld never have had a chance to participate in this challenging, life-changing adventure. As part of the two week-long voyages, which took Bostonians from N ew Yo rk to Boston and New Yorkers on the return passage, the students learned first hand about our maritime heritage, the roles of the ports of Boston and New Yo rk in American co mmercial growth, and the importance ofH MS Rose to the story of the American Revolution, as well as the work that goes into sailing, navigating and maintaining a square rigger. But beyond the lessons of histo ry and science, they gained a new confidence, the knowledge that they can meet and conquer unfamiliar and potentially risky environments, and the abi lity to live and work with different people, to wo rk hard as individuals to become a team responsible
fo r the safety of a ship and its crew. T hese are new ideas and abilities that they take with them to their regular lives as individuals and as members of a communi ty. Some students recognized the broad lessons experienced at sea. O ne remarked: "I learned yo u need teamwork to run this boat and probably other stuff in yo ur life because yo u can 't always do it on yo ur own. " Ano ther reported: "Some of us had to work harder than others who couldn't do the work because they were so sick, and some still tried to wo rk despite being seasick. O vercoming that experience together felt good." Others found an enj oyment and a freedom that they did not find elsewhere in their lives, reporting: "H aving to do watch at 4AM was the best time fo r me. I got to see the sun rise. I can't see that where I live." This program , funded by N MHS trustees and Operation Sail 2000, was a first for New York education. In recognition of its importance, the H onorable George Pataki, Governo r of the Scare ofNew Yo rk, was the honorary chairman of the ceremony welcoming the New Yo rk students back to their home port. And New Yo rk City's M ayor Rudolph G iuliani sent a warm letter of welcome to th e teenagers (see "Letters," p. 2) . The H onorable ] . W inthrop Aldrich, D eputy Commissioner for the New York
Stare Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, addressed the students, encouraging them to "lean forward into life" (see p. 7). NM H S plans to continue voyages of this type in other ports and with other vessels, to carry the lessons of our seafaring heritage into communities and classrooms around the country. W e are actively engaged in fund raising to get more young people to sea in innovative, challenging programs that bring the maritime heritage to life, inspiring them to reach out to the pas t through the present. To participate, contact NMH S at 9 14 737-7878. ]A
-----------------NMHSANNUAL AWARDS DINNER Thursday, 5 November 1998 CELEBRATING AMERICA'S SAIL TRAI NING SHIP, USC G BARK EAGLE at the
N ew York Yacht Clu b
$200 p er p erson Fo r reservation s and in formation contact: NMHS
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PO Box 68, Peekskill NY 10566 91 4 737-7878
World Marine Millennial Conference
NMHS on the Web The National Maritime H istorical Society's new web site is now on-line. W e introduced it in August, and we have already received complimentary comments and suggestions fo r improvements from members and b rowsers, as well as new members and numerous requests fo r membership information. T h e site provides info rmation about N MHS and Sea H istory, a fo rm fo r membership, a calendar of maritime exhibits and events around the country, and an invitation to new Sea H istory advertisers. W e will add features from time to time, particularly info rmation fo r members about special projects, events, N MHS merchandise and activities. Do visit us on the web, and watch us grow! T he address is www.seahistory.org. The corresponding e- mail address is nmhs@seahistory.o rg. JA
SEA HISTORY 86, AUTUMN 1998
Salem, Massachusetts, 9-1 3 November 1999 Scholars led by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto and] ohn H attendorf will gather at a conference sponsored by Sea H istory and The American Neptune to discuss seismic historic maritime developments of the pas t two thousand years. The conferen ce, to be held at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, M assachusetts, will take up four major themes: • T h e Sea as Inspiration- stimulus for the humanities • T h e Sea as a Highway-exploration and commerce • T h e Sea as an Aren a fo r C ultural Change an d C onflictmigrations and warfare • T h e Sea as a Resource-sustenance, minerals, sciences and "psychic reward" Plenary sessions each morning will be led by distinguished scholars covering critical maritime events. In the afternoons and evenings conference participants can choose to attend a rich variety of up to fifty papers from areas such as marine technologies, model building, shore establishments, underwater archaeology, the evolution of small craft, and others. News and calls fo r papers will appear in Sea History, The American Neptune and other maritime journals. M ailings to subscribers will p rovide additional information . PS
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