Seasoning young, salty dogs

Suzie Harrison

Tying the knot has an unexpected meaning for Rosie Haynes’ Top of the

World Elementary School fifth-grade class. Instead of having anything

to do with marriage, it’s a skill the students are learning as they

study writer and explorer Richard Henry Dana.

“Students get to relive and experience the harsh life of what it

was like to be a sailor aboard [Dana’s ship] the Pilgrim,” Haynes

said. “In preparation for the overnight [stay on the replica ship],

we include activities they will experience being in the 1800s.”

Katie Nally, 10 said they have been preparing for their Nov. 22

excursion aboard the Pilgrim for three weeks.

“We’ve been learning the history of the boat and how Dana Point

was named after Richard Henry Dana,” Katie said. “We’re also learning

words about the Pilgrim, the definition of what words mean and how

sailors used them.”

Retired fifth-grade teacher Toni Flores volunteered Tuesday to

demonstrate knot tying and lead a few role-playing activities.

“Cleats are really important to tie up boats,” Flores said. “One

thing you need to do is to make sure when you’re doing a cleat, you

can get it [the knot] off the cleat easily. But you also need to have

it able to be held fast.”

Taylor Weiss, 10, explained how knot-tying is important to a

sailor.

“They’ve showed us many knots and how to tie them so a boat can’t

get away,” Taylor said. “The knots are my favorite thing we’ve

learned ... the figure eight knot is very easy.”

Role-playing seaward situations being captain, first or second

mate and doctor was helpful, Taylor said.

“It’s teaching me not to disobey the captain, not to say no or

talk back,” Taylor said.

One student castigated a sailor who fell asleep on the job and

suggested flogging as retribution.

“I’ve learned through role-playing how to respect people and

different ways people want to be respected,” Taylor said. “Respect

relates to real life situations.”

When these sailors board the Pilgrim later this month it will be

business as usual for these seasoned salty dogs.