All Blog!
Although it isn't the same as face-to-face communication, cadets on Sea Term 2020 have had the opportunity to send daily emails to family and friends and call them on weekends in port.
This was not the case during Sea Term 1963, Sea Term 1968, and Sea Term 1972. Back then, communication required pen, paper, and stamps.
Here's what cadets had to say about communication "way back when"...
Sea Term 1963
“After ten days at sea, mail and words from home as well as the good old “green stuff” were the main concern of many. To the disappointment of middies, the mail expected wasn’t the mail received.”
Sea Term 1968
“…and of course the weekly ritual of, ‘Dear Mom and Dad, I know you said…
Llama skins? Alligator handbags?
That's not what you'll find tucked away in the sea bags carried TS Kennedy on Sunday.
Step into our time machine! Read what cadets had to say about souvenirs during Sea Terms in...1946...1952...1959...1961...1962...1963...and 1964.
Sea Term 1946
“A good part of the afternoon liberties and an even greater part of of the paychecks were spent at the Ship’s service at Coco Solo, the Post Exchange at Fork Gulick (Cristobal, Panama) and the many stores on Front Street where business was never without a great deal of bartering. Rare and expensive items were purchased at amazing prices. Silks from the Orient, French perfumes, alligator handbags from…
Have you ever done something so many times that you feel that you could do it in your sleep?
Did you ever find yourself exclaiming, "I could do that with my eyes closed!"
Each day, 1/C Training Rates have assisted underclassmen as they took apart and reassembled Briggs & Straton Lawnmower engines.
Over...and over...and over again.
Day after day!
Until one day, the Rates exclaimed in unison, "We could put that engine together with their eyes closed!"
And that's when they came up with the Blindfold Engine Competition! Check out these photos of this fun-filled evening!
What could you do with your eyes closed? With assistance from your teacher or a parent,…
Little Buc: Ahoy, Followers! Ahoy, Giles!
Giles Hopkins: Good Morrow, Followers! Good Morrow, Little Buc!
Little Buc: Well, this is it, my Pilgrim friend! Our final blog!
Giles Hopkins: I am sad that our blogging time is drawing to an end, but I am excited to get home to start the countdown to the return of Mayflower II from Connecticut to Massachusetts.
Little Buc: On Sunday, there will be excitement in the air as the TS Kennedy transits the Cape Cod Canal before arriving at Taylors Point. Relatives, friends, and Follow The Voyage – Share The Experience participants will line the banks of the canal with signs and banner. The pier at Massachusetts Maritime Academy will be…
Good morning, Followers,
Yes, there is a chill in the air! Cadets are wearing shirts or sweatshirts under their boiler suits. I have even seen a few cadets break out their woolen watch caps.
I've received a few emails from Followers who anxious to see photos from my family's visit to Tampa. I will ask my wife Joyce to email a few photo back to campus to be posted along with this log. I am not sure what she'll choose.
Does your teacher have a test scheduled for today? Back when I was in school, my teachers always seemed to schedule tests and quizzes on Thursdays or Fridays.
If you have a big test today or tomorrow, you have something in common with every cadet aboard the…
Many cadets are returning home with small surprises for their loved ones.
Tucked away in overstuffed sea bags, are t-shirts, jewelry, artwork, and crafts from Balboa, Panama, Golfito, Costa Rica, Willemstad, Curacao,and Tampa, Florida. Making room for the souvenirs is a big challenge. Some cadets have decided to throw away a few pieces of clothing to make room for their purchases. Others have donated a few books to the ship's library in hopes of securing a little bit of space.
If our cadets had been returning from sea between 1830 and 1880, they would be trying to squeeze a Sailor's Valentine into their bags.
Are you thinking that a Sailor's Valentine was only given by sailors…
Ahoy, Ye Mateys!
Yesterday, I went on a search for all of the Watertight Doors on the TS Kennedy. It was quite a workout, but I found all six of them.
Watertight Doors are special types of doors are placed on the ships to prevent water from flowing from one compartment to another in the event of flooding or accidents.
The WTDs are located in areas where the chance of flooding is high. On the TS Kennedy, there are WTDs located on the Tank Top Deck and the Lower Tween Deck.
I stopped at WTD #5, examined the hand lever, and read all of the warning signs. A cadet explained that the doors may also be closed on the Bridge or on the Quarterdeck. On the Bridge, there is a…
Jousting On The Helo Deck
Being away from home for five weeks has really been taking its toll on a lot of the ship’s crew and cadets. However, any frustration that could be felt was taken out in the jousting ring.
Last night was Fight Night for Sea Term. Fight Night is a fundraiser for the Children of Military Families that COMCAD puts on every year. Cadets sign up to joust their buddies in an inflatable ring on the Helo Deck.
This event definitely raised the morale of the ship. We still have almost two weeks until we are back in Buzzards Bay, but for now we are having a little fun.
Until next time,
Heather Gaughan