Horse Trolleys in Jackson Square
St. Louis Cathedral
Ship's Librarian: Elizabeth Berilla
Jackson Square
Café Du Monde
Gilded Statue of the Maid of Orleans: Joan of Arc
Huey P. Long Bridge
Bourbon Street
Monday, June 10, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
WOOOOMMMMMMPPPPPPP
After a restless night hearing the fog horn sound its
“WOOOOMMMMMMPPPPPPP” nonstop, we awoke this morning to fog as thick as
peanut butter (or pea soup, whichever you prefer). I knew there was
land just on the other side of the fog somewhere, but it wasn’t until lunch time when the fog cleared and gave way to a
beautiful blue sky and chilly temperatures that I could make out the
horizon. Land ho! Only a few more hours until we dock in St. John’s
now and we’re nearly out of all the handy port guides and maps created from resources in the library. I hope everyone is ready for the “City of Legends”!
It’s been a busy past few days on the final legs of our voyage to Newfoundland. Yesterday we held Fire and Abandon Ship drills, and the day before “salt-and-pepper” uniform inspections for arrival. Last night was the usual Field Day (sounds
much more fun that it is!) where we made sure the ship is spic and span before a few days ashore. Today are final hold inspections and last minute homework assignments being turned in. In just a few hours we’ll be taking on the pilot and
clearing customs for arrival. One of the most common questions I’ve had in the library today is: “Will my cell phone work in Canada?”
I know some of you might be wondering about what the engine cadets are up to these days, while the deckies maneuver us into St. John’s up top. I haven’t made it down to the engine room just yet to check things out myself, but 2nd Class
Engineering Cadet Michael McGuinn shared his experiences of his day on watch with me today. Michael’s watch started yesterday at 2330 (that’s 11:30 p.m.) until 0400 (4:00 a.m.) this morning, when he got to head back to his rack (bed) until
0700. From there, there was of course formation, naptime, and went back to watch at 11:30.
Normally, his job, as he eloquently told me, “Is to make sure the boilers don’t explode,” by which he means that he monitors the water levels in the boilers, making sure the plant is running well on the boiler side (other cadets monitor the
turbine side of the room). Michael got a bit of break today during the Fire and Abandon Ship drills, but then went right back on watch. His favorite thing to do on watch? “I really like to be on watch when we’re pulling into port. Then
we’re maneuvering; taking commands from the deck side [up top on the bridge], changing burners, sending steam to turbines… it’s a very active time!” Other times he helps with the daily cleaning of boilers, “blowing tubes,” as it’s
called. Since the TSES is steam powered, the carbon build up on the inside of boilers creates a sort of insulation and impedes normal use. When he helps clean the carbon out, he’s really helping to make the plant run more efficiently.
Michael would like to send a shout out to his Nubstep: he loves you and misses you too!
St. John’s, here we come! Allons-y!
Until next time,
Books
It’s been a busy past few days on the final legs of our voyage to Newfoundland. Yesterday we held Fire and Abandon Ship drills, and the day before “salt-and-pepper” uniform inspections for arrival. Last night was the usual Field Day (sounds
much more fun that it is!) where we made sure the ship is spic and span before a few days ashore. Today are final hold inspections and last minute homework assignments being turned in. In just a few hours we’ll be taking on the pilot and
clearing customs for arrival. One of the most common questions I’ve had in the library today is: “Will my cell phone work in Canada?”
I know some of you might be wondering about what the engine cadets are up to these days, while the deckies maneuver us into St. John’s up top. I haven’t made it down to the engine room just yet to check things out myself, but 2nd Class
Engineering Cadet Michael McGuinn shared his experiences of his day on watch with me today. Michael’s watch started yesterday at 2330 (that’s 11:30 p.m.) until 0400 (4:00 a.m.) this morning, when he got to head back to his rack (bed) until
0700. From there, there was of course formation, naptime, and went back to watch at 11:30.
Normally, his job, as he eloquently told me, “Is to make sure the boilers don’t explode,” by which he means that he monitors the water levels in the boilers, making sure the plant is running well on the boiler side (other cadets monitor the
turbine side of the room). Michael got a bit of break today during the Fire and Abandon Ship drills, but then went right back on watch. His favorite thing to do on watch? “I really like to be on watch when we’re pulling into port. Then
we’re maneuvering; taking commands from the deck side [up top on the bridge], changing burners, sending steam to turbines… it’s a very active time!” Other times he helps with the daily cleaning of boilers, “blowing tubes,” as it’s
called. Since the TSES is steam powered, the carbon build up on the inside of boilers creates a sort of insulation and impedes normal use. When he helps clean the carbon out, he’s really helping to make the plant run more efficiently.
Michael would like to send a shout out to his Nubstep: he loves you and misses you too!
St. John’s, here we come! Allons-y!
Until next time,
Books
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Sundae Sunday
Just a quiet little Sunday this week… with sundaes! Our first Sunday at Sea went even better as planned, with an abundance of hotdogs, hamburgers, steak (!), ice cream, and a little R&R for all aboard. While midterms were (mostly) completed, Q’s and Celestial Navigation assignments finally were turned in, most cadets and officers alike could spare some time to relax in the warm Atlantic sun. Some cadets even had time to work on their tans. I think the relaxed attitude spilled over into the evening, when a record 60+ cadets came to watch the nightly movies – Dodgeball and Wedding Crashers. (Methinks their enthusiasm has waned, however; tonight we only had a handful join the musical double feature of Les Miserables and Sweeney Todd… or maybe their subtleties were lost on these sailors.) Many thanks to all who made Sunday (and sundaes) at Sea possible!
Today it was back to the grind though and spirits are high as we inch closer and closer to St. John’s on the chart. According to this afternoon’s report, we’re somewhere way off the coast of Maine and just about to make a hard turn to port to head further north. We’re starting to grow accustomed to the clocks being set to “Newfoundland Time” already. The -2:30 GMT setting can come as a bit of a surprise, especially when I found out that the extra half hour has been in place since even before Newfoundland joined the Confederation in 1949!
Mate Lars Turner spotted our first seabird today around 1900 on watch: “Probably a petrel,” he reported earlier to the library. Land – and cell phone reception – will be here before we know it.
Until next time,
Books
Friday, May 31, 2013
Flipper, ahoy!
Dolphins!
Off to starboard! That was the call that rang throughout the ship yesterday
morning, just before lunch as we were heading somewhere past Cape
Hatteras. Even afterwards, during formation, the more curious cadets would
break rank to point over the rail at the arching fins and sprays of ocean water
coming off of the dolphin pod playing along with our course.
We’re making great time up to Newfoundland with the Gulf Stream at our backs. Cadets are alternating between reading about St. John’s in guidebooks, trying to answer the question of the day (“How many species of mammals are indigenous to Newfoundland?”), studying for midterms, and completing Q’s and Cel Nav homework. A few are tarting to burn the candle at both ends, but most are in good spirits with a little extra coffee, chai tea, or cinnamon sugar pretzel from the snack bar late at night. Even a bit more exciting is that word on the MUG path says we’ll be having our first official Sunday at Sea tomorrow!
As for the Med Care Provider class held in the library, from my station over at the Circulation Desk I’m learning all about taking a patient’s vitals. As for a creative back-story or imaginary scenario during today’s lesson, I’m happy to report that Cadet Sporing (who’s “story” was that he fell off one ship and landed on a fishing vessel) was successfully rescued by his classmate, Cadet Archie Williams (who just happened to be on the fishing vessel… with a stretcher and a neck brace). I hope they’re getting extra points for creativity.
Until next time,
Books
We’re making great time up to Newfoundland with the Gulf Stream at our backs. Cadets are alternating between reading about St. John’s in guidebooks, trying to answer the question of the day (“How many species of mammals are indigenous to Newfoundland?”), studying for midterms, and completing Q’s and Cel Nav homework. A few are tarting to burn the candle at both ends, but most are in good spirits with a little extra coffee, chai tea, or cinnamon sugar pretzel from the snack bar late at night. Even a bit more exciting is that word on the MUG path says we’ll be having our first official Sunday at Sea tomorrow!
As for the Med Care Provider class held in the library, from my station over at the Circulation Desk I’m learning all about taking a patient’s vitals. As for a creative back-story or imaginary scenario during today’s lesson, I’m happy to report that Cadet Sporing (who’s “story” was that he fell off one ship and landed on a fishing vessel) was successfully rescued by his classmate, Cadet Archie Williams (who just happened to be on the fishing vessel… with a stretcher and a neck brace). I hope they’re getting extra points for creativity.
Until next time,
Books
Thursday, May 30, 2013
I'll Take "Ship's Life" for $200
"I'll Take 'Ship's Life' for $200"
Midterms are definitely underway now that we’re back in
the routine of things; I can tell by the number of students staring blankly
into their tomes of technical literature, hoping that something might stick in
the 13th hour. At least, I think they’re
studying around their copies of The Hunger Games and Master and Commander. Some are taking leisure reading breaks right
now, while others are still working on perfecting their belt kicks and lunges
with Insanity (just outside the library’s door). Ivan, the dessert chef on board, has
definitely been making us some comfort food lately, whether or not we have
midterms to work on. Today’s special
treats included some delicious bread pudding and warm apple cobbler.
Weather is definitely warm with a side of muggy, and we
passed Jacksonville, FL somewhere far off the port side around lunch time. For a little extra diversion, I’ve restarted
the heated Jeopardy! game from last Summer Sea Term, and many are using it as a
learning experience. If a student
doesn’t know the answer I’ll show them the reference book which they can use to
find it; that way they’ll learn a little more along the way.
(Here’s a sneak peak for tomorrow:
“Ophidiophobia is the fear of what?”)
Name
TS EMPIRE STATE
C/O Avalon Customs Brokers
80 Water Street
P.O. Box 5774
St John’s, NL
Canada A1C 5X3
Speaking of mail, another shout out today comes from
Cadet Adam Gray, who would like to tell his girlfriend Alexia Grant that he’s
sorry for not receiving your letter in New Orleans, but is looking forward to
seeing it in Newfoundland (he hopes)!
Until next time,
Books
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Onward to Newfoundland!
Onward to Newfoundland!
After three days of eating, two-stepping, and wandering
through New Orleans, everyone is back aboard the goodship TSES VI and bound for
Newfoundland. New Orleans was all that
it promised – and more – from the delicious seafood, local delicacies, music,
to the history, we can safely say we did it all. The French Quarter with its modern influences
on timeless history and architecture was the local hotspot for most cadets,
while the more adventurous headed to the neighboring districts of Bywater,
Marigny, and the Garden District. Yours
truly made well on my 3-day streetcar pass and wandered from Frenchman Street
to Magazine, and everywhere in between!
The undisputed favorite? Café du
Monde’s beignets, and an iced café au lait!
Wasting no time getting back underway and into the
routine, we’ve restarted classes and had a little “outdoor time” during today’s
abandon ship drill. Of special note was
today’s Med Care Provider class, during which lucky Cadet Haas volunteered to
be the victim of a back injury demonstration, donned a lovely neck brace, and
reposed aboard a stretcher to demonstrate to the class how to properly care for
such a patient. Performance well done,
Mr. Haas; I’m sure your agent will be hearing from Hollywood soon.
Also, Michael McGuinn says “Hi Mom!”
Until next time,
Books
PS – Don’t worry if your cadet hasn’t written since New
Orleans; it looks like we may be experiencing technical difficulties with the
email server again… standby.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Laissez les bon temps rouler
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"
Waking this morning, we quickly discovered that something
new was on the horizon… land! And not
just on the horizon either; literally to our port and starboard sides. We’re now in the heart of the Mississippi
River and in a few short hours we’ll be docked near the French Quarter of New
Orleans. In preparation for their time
in NOLA, cadets have been given port guides and maps of the area, recommending
the “must sees” and the “must avoids” of the area. Luckily, the latter is only a couple of
points long. I’ve been trying to teach
some cadets the foreign language that Creole and Cajun cultures have introduced
to the area (even an urban one), including:
Where y’at – How are you doing, answered with “Aw-rite”
Fais-do-do – A Cajun dance party
Beignet – The most delicious fried doughnut (liberally
sprinkled with powdered sugar) you’ll ever have Vieux Carré – Another term for
the French Quarter Laissez les bons temps rouler – Let the good times roll!
We’ll see how much of it sticks in a couple of days…
In the meantime, we’ll be heading ashore soon with ample
access to cell service and wifi; however, the shipboard connection continues to
suffer from serious downtime. Please be
patient with your cadets who are just as frustrated that they do not
have the instantaneous email service enjoyed at
home. I’ll be back after departure from
New Orleans, with more to share on our experiences in the Big Easy. Au revoir, mes amis!
Rollin’ down the river,
Books
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