Sail Training Cadet Programme

SEA FEVER

by John Masefield (1878 – 1967)

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song, and the white sail's shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

The majesty and romance which fills the mind immediately John Masefield’s poem is read or one of these beautiful vessels is sighted in no way reflects the hard times experienced by those who sailed them in years gone by, and yet...

There is no doubt that sail training develops both seamanship and personal skills in all those who participate as crew aboard a square rigged vessel. Many modern navies employ sail training vessel as a method of training their Officers.

Sea Rover members who participate in the Sail Training Cadet programme will initially be trained in all aspects of boatwork utilising the fleet of longboats currently being amassed.

Each longboat carries a different rig in order to expose the cadets to as many variations of sail plan as possible thus giving them a thorough understanding of the intricacies of sailing.

Cadets are also trained in the skills that will be required at sea aboard a tall ship and should experience little difficulty in adapting to shipboard routines.

It is a long term plan of the Sea Rovers Association to eventually build or otherwise acquire a square rigged sail training vessel. In the meantime however, cadets who so desire may be assisted to secure a berth aboard vessels operated by other organisations.