Captain J. Kurisutofa
The answer you seek comes in two different parts my young friend.
1.) Originally I sailed in Fall of 1995 at the age of 10, when I was rated a ship's boy. It started as a school outing, and ended up being the beginning of a wonderful adventure.
skip ahead five years...
2.) 30th of August 2005 -(My Birthday): It was the end of a great summer and I wanted it to last forever. As the leaves turned a dark golden red, I had invited relatives and a few special friends (1st Mate Mr. John & Kubain) over to my residence to celebrate my 15th birthday. Lots of fun was had and a good time shared amongst good company. As it was midway through, my mother and I snuck out of the party due to the fact that I had heard that my phantom had come into town that day. Informing only Mr. John of my temporary leave, I and my mother jumped into our automobile and headed for the Squalicum Harbour Front.
Once we got there, she was hard to miss. There she stood. Masts and yardarms looming high above the more modern-day vessels. I ascended down the gangway as the crew disembarked the ship. As I passed them, I could smell the salt on thier clothes. It was obvious they had been at sea for quite some time. Noticing that the crew had opened the ship to public viewing, I ignored the ramp and took hold of the block and tackles that held the ratlines in place and hauled myself aboard. For the first time, my heavy boots landed with a mighty thud on the wooden decks.
She was a grande sight. Her paint gleamed in the setting sun, and her lines were that of an angelic sort. In my eyes, I had just embarked into a dream. As I walked around, a crewman whispered in my ear, "She looks better under sail." Laughing, I began a conversation with the man that I came to know as Mr. Devin Davis - Master Gunner. He was a lanky, thin man, but in some ways a stout fellow. His long hair was dred'd and he had a manner about him that I recognized, but can not place until this very day.
After our conversation began to draw to an end, I woahfully sighed and with a sad heart began to leave the splender of the grand ship. As I grabbed hold of the ratlines and began to bound over the rail once more, he called to me, "Would you like to crew?" Instantly, I turned on my heel and landed back on the deck. "Why yes, it's always been a dream. But you can't be serious. I'm only 15." In reply he said,"...And Nelson was 12, but that didn't stop him. Besides, who said dreams don't come true." Smiling and running to get permission from my mother, (who cried when I told her of my decision to go to sea), after fifteen minutes anda f ew phonecalls, I returned with permission from my Stepfather, Father & Mother.
I was informed that the
Lady Washington would sail on the 4th of September, therefore giving me time to outifit with the proper provisions, pack my belongings into my seachest and report that my tenth year of schooling would not begin as previously scheduled. Instead, I would begin my schooling once I returned from sea.
Having put all things aside, I put three sheets to the wind and returned to the docks with my seachest and awaited the
Lady to return, for she was performing routine tacking manovuers out on Bellingham Bay. As I stood at the top of the hill that sat within the harbor, I peered through my glass at the ship. Mr. Davis was right, under full sail, she was even more gorgeous than I had ever hoped for.
Once aboard, I met with Captain Ryan Meyers & 1st Mate Mr. Dillan, in his quarters in the aft gallery. As they read me the rules and obligations of going along with them, they had me sign an insurance article that stated that if I should die, none but myself would be responsible and that I was entitled to a proper funeral. After shacking off the thought, I signed on the dotted line. Thats when they hauled out the Ship's Books. Opening the amazingly large leather bound log, they opened it to the current page. Pointing to where I was to sign, I signed myself into the ships books and was rated a Midshipman & Captain's Servant. As such I would be incharge of the proper handling of the colours and signal flag decipheration. This meant that I'd have to begin my learning expierence quickly.
Time passed and I learned my duties and those of the others aboard the ship. At that time there were twelve crew aboard the ship, including myself. The books read as follows:
Captain Ryan Meyers
1st Mate Mr. Dillan Mathews
Master "Red" Robinson
Steward Ms. Kathryn Robinson
Quartermaster Mr. Erik Colburn
Ships Engineer Ms. Maggie Tumstraen
Master Gunner Mr. Devin Davis
Able Seaman Ms. Cherlyn Dupree
Able Seaman & Musician Mr. Greg Philips
Able Seaman Ms. Shannon Black
Ship's Cook Ms. Emily Burton
Midshipman Mr. Christopher Sorensen
At that time & that the age of 15, I was the youngest to ever crew the
Lady Washington.
Well, that should suffice for the moment. If you have anymore questions, go ahead and ask.
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