By: Katie Guelker-Cone & Barbie Barry

A sailors world is one of ocean and sky. They were completely at the mercy of the weather, which could leave them stranded for days without wind or could harm them with a stormy shipwreck. The sailors depended on the sea for their livelihood, but it could often cost them their life.

The crew of a sailing vessel lived in the forecastle which was an area below the decks and close to the bow of the ship. Officers were given private quarters in the back of the ship. They chose their bunks wherever they could find a place among the cargo, usually on hay or fur. There wasn't a place to bathe or do laundry so the smell of the forecastle was very unpleasant.

Sailors were often great tailors. They made their own clothes from scraps of sail canvas. They wore baggy trousers that hung to their knees and scratchy loose shirts. When it was cold they wore a floppy knit hat and wool pants if they had any. Many sailors couldn't afford shoes, and none had socks. All sailors had belts though where they kept a knife and a marlin spike.

Sometimes a ship would be hauling goats and chickens, so the sailors were able to have eggs and milk. In pleasant weather, stew was made by a fire on the deck. Most often the crew was fed hardtack-a stiff bread often full of worms or dry salted meat. They drank rum, tea, or water which often went stale and became contaminated.

Sailors were confined to a small space full of supplies and trading goods. The crew was divided into two watches, and they alternated shifts working day and night. At any time the entire crew might be ordered to set sail, repair damage, set or raise the anchor, or to perform any other critical duty. Once they reached land they could use the smaller rowing boat to go ashore to survey an area, trade, or get supplies.

When sailors weren't on duty they could relax, but a good sailor was always either sleeping or working. They worked on their knot-tying, scrimshaw, and they made fancywork or macrame out of stray bits of line. They often told sea stories, some fiction and some true. But one of the most well liked things to do was to get drunk ' and sing songs.

While the crew worked they sang sea charities to keep a rhythm together and to keep their spirits up.

II. Sea Chanties

A. Short-Haul Chanties-- Were used when only a single heave or a few short hard pulls were necessary. These were often used when removing slack from the halyards (stout ropes used to hoist the sails).

Examples: 1. Haul Away Joe

B. Halyard Chanties-- Were used for pulling jobs that were too long and prolonged for the Short-Haul Chanties. Hauling the mail sails, securing the anchor or occasionally for pumping the ship.

Examples: 1. Blow the Man Down

C. Capstan Chanties-- These are long, rolling songs for the jobs that require continuous pushing. Was used when hoisting the anchor. The capstan is a barrel-like structure with wooden horizontal bars that fit the anchor chain like the spokes of a wheel.

Examples: 1. Shenandoah

Now that you have learned some examples of sea chanties try to write your own verses to a song pertaining to our voyage.