Tall ship adventure on the low seas

Last year, the Guide unit had the amazing experience of staying overnight on the James Craig Tall Ship, a restored 19th century baroque ship which is docked in Sydney's Darling Harbour.

Photo credit: Fairlight Manly Scouts

We were participating in Sydney Heritage Fleet's education program which gives youth the experience of learning about history while living and working as a sailor.

Arriving late in the afternoon, after everybody rushed to get home from school and work, we were immediately set to work. The Guides were divided into three groups: main watch, starboard watch and port watch, which allowed them to rotate through different activities. Their very first task upon arrival was to haul the cargo (backpacks and sleeping bags) on board the ship, making sure it didn't fall into the water!

This was followed by a ship tour, which was filled with interesting and humorous stories of the history of the ship and life as a sailor in the 19th century.

A lovely view of the city from on board the James Craig.

Everybody then had to hang their own hammock which they would be sleeping in that night. A couple of the other Leaders chose to stay in the bunk beds rather than brave the hammocks, but the girls and I agreed that the hammocks were much more fun!

After all the hard work we were ready for our delicious dinner!

The night we stayed up chatting, being silly and enjoying the lights of the city (sadly there were no fireworks the night we were there).

The next morning, we were woken at 6.30am to begin our day. This involved taking down and folding up the hammocks, eating breakfast and then back to the watch groups for a rotation of activities.

Knotting - much more fun when you are on board a ship!

Hauling buckets of salt water onto the ship and then scrubbing the deck.

Working with simple machines. Can one girl beat 6 girls with the help of a pulley?

Hoisting the sails.

By 9am, our time onboard the James Craig was over and we said a sad farewell. There were a few hiccups along the way with organisation (mostly for dietary requirements for meals) but I felt that overall the girls (and Leaders) had a wonderful and unique experience. I definitely want to return to the James Craig, although i'll wait a few years so that I have a new group of girls. It was a little pricey at $65 for youth and $35 for adults.