Perspective Writing Samples

The Engaging Thoughts of a Sailor
by Fred

As I turned to look at San Francisco ablaze, I felt the longing to be back there with my family. There was no turning back now from my beloved city. I would be stuck on this ship for a long two months. A German Shepard named Baron, stole my thoughts quite abruptly when he barked twice and gave a low growl. I hurried down to the moist and gloomy forecastle and stashed my belongings next to my drooping hammock. When I got back up, the wretched first mate, Mr. Scarlet, told us to stand tall, and that we would be meeting the captain shortly. As if on cue, the captain stepped out and shouted elaborate instructions. We were to raise the anchor, the ensign, the sails, and start shoveling coal. When we started moving, I looked back for one final dreary look at San Francisco, jostled and ablaze. The sheets of rain hid the bitter tears streaming from my eyes. After I had done my share of the work with the crew, I headed down to the forecastle, leaving me till 0630 hours to be off watch. It was dreadfully cold. The weather outside is dreadful. There is thunder and lightning, sheets of rain, and enormous waves that rock the C.A. Thayer back and forth like a baby in an uncontrolled crib. I picked up my journal and wrote all my many thoughts and feelings down.

Five bells. It was time to get to work. I hurried up the creaky forecastle stairs to the captain who told the rigger crew that we were going to operate the bosun’s chair. Mr. Durwitt and myself were to switch off painting the towering mizzen mast. When I finished painting my half of the mast, the crew lowered me and Durwitt went up. When we finished painting the mast it was time for lunch. The very floury cornbread with a baked a hair in it made me gag. The stew had many burnt carrots in it. It was revolting.

Mr. Durwitt is my best friend on the ship. We tell jokes and stories to each other. He is a tall brawny man with brown hair. We often sit together when we listen to the music played by the other crew members at night. Mr. O’Malley is the second mate aboard the ship. He often makes unnecessary trips down to the forecastle just to join our joking and storytelling. He is irresponsible, but very polite and humorous. He always wakes up late and goes to the head every hour. As I gaze up I can see that the clouds above right now, are a beautiful creamy, milky color, instead of just dark gray. I can also see the sun actually glistening upon the water. It warms me as I sit on the poop deck.

The life as a sailor is magnificent. Though there was thought of jumping ship at the beginning of the voyage when Baron almost ripped apart my journal, later I decided against it, when I saved Durwitt from falling overboard during a treacherous storm. I am now very strong and can finally stand still on the ship when it pitches. When I get back to San Francisco, rebuilding it will be much easier then it could have been. As I finish writing down these last thoughts, I see my dolphin friends. Their very agile and strong bodies keep the speed of the ship. I feel like a part of them. The sun glistens upon their sleek bodies. As I hear the last echo of the eight bells, I set down my journal and head for dinner. The dolphins leap away towards the setting sun. Fair Winds!

My Life on the C.A. Thayer
by Sarah M.

December 20, 1906
Dear Journal,
It has been one month and my hands feel like rough leather bags and I am cold. I am in the fo’c’sle, writing this in my hammock. My watch is from 2400 hours to 0200 and I cannot sleep. This morning while coiling the hawser, I looked out and saw a city in the mist before me; next to the quietly splashing waves; it was a beautiful sight. Well eight bells just rang; I must go out for my watch. My dislikes about being a sailor increase daily.
My watch is over and I am very tired. What I do not like about being a sailor so far is that, my crew had to coil a hawser five times once, just to please the first mate! The doctor and the galley crew made very spicy stew, yesterday, and it tasted awful but it was warm. And to top it off, two weeks ago we had a very windy, rainy, day with thunder and lightning. That day I went to sleep drenched, and soaked, and I felt cold and miserable. And during the storm the captain made us go up in the bosun’s chair and the ratlines to tie the sails down. Oh well, time for breakfast, I have to stop writing, breakfast is something I like.
Dinner was okay, but all I ate was the cornbread which is very tasty. Breakfast was delicious, because the cold chocolate milk tasted very good, and the coffee cake was okay. These are just some of my likes. I also like the captain but she keeps to herself unless if we are at all hands or at dogwatch. Mr. Hyde and Mr. Watts are nice but they make us work hard. Raising and lowering the ensign is something I like to do with my crew, it is an exciting task. I feel that being a sailor is an exhilarating experience, but I don’t think I will be sailing for long.
We have finally reached Fort Bragg, and I will help carry lumber onto the ship. Then I will sail back to San Francisco and go to my loving family, and maybe someday I shall sail again, but not now. I think sailing is not what I will have as my career; I think I shall work as a doctor instead of a sailor.

Save the City
by Bob

Four weeks into our voyage aboard the C.A. Thayer and my hands are like rough leather. White caps have been visible most of the trip. Off in the distance, I can see the rugged coast of Oregon where we will pick up the needed lumber to help rebuild the city of San Francisco, after an earthquake and fire nearly destroyed the city. As I sit inside the forecastle I hear six bells and will write this journal entry and rest before my next watch.

The screaming first mate, Mr. Wright works us hard as we coil lines and take care of tasks aboard the deck. My crew, the bosuns, sometimes argues with one another as we tie knots, especially the clove hitch. Swabbing the deck and cleaning the bilge water make my stomach turn, but we are reminded these tasks must be completed if we are to get to Portland quickly. The salty, doughy cornbread made my taste buds cringe, but I ate it so I would have the energy needed to work. The screeching seagulls annoy me and make me feel more homesick than ever.

Captain Ramos commands the ship in a gentle, humorous manner. Cookie is a goofy person. I’m not sure he knows how to manage the galley crew because he can’t even read, but the stew sure was tasty. The tip of my nose stings from the cold, but I have enjoyed the cold air as I stand nightwatch and stargaze. After many tiresome watches, I am proud of myself because I am no longer a greenhand, but a young salt.

The sound of seven bells warns me to prepare for my watch. Rest is over and I will continue to work hard aboard the C.A. Thayer. When we arrive in Portland, I will help load the lumber onto our ship and then return to San Francisco. If I’m needed on future voyages, I will use my sailing skills to help others. I’m getting used to these sea legs and have made many new friends. Fair winds!

Thayer
by Scott

As we’re sailing down the coast of California, it is November 8th and there are seagulls on top of the galley house. The shores are rocky and dangerous. The fog is rolling over the hills and it looks like a storm is coming. The clouds are as black as black can be. Rain is approaching fast so we might be in for some trouble. In a few minutes I am going to be standing on a flooded deck.

My crew the deckhands, just finished coiling a hawser. We had to coil the hawser five times because the coil was ugly and then we coiled it counterclockwise instead of clockwise. My hands are bloody and sore. I never imagined sailing on a ship to be like this. My bunk is made out of wood and I would rather sleep on dirt. The coffee cake in the morning was so doughy and moist that I almost threw up; the chocolate milk was more like chocolate water, even though sir said that we were lucky to get it. This is going to be a long voyage.

Night watch has been exciting because Mr. Magee left the boat and then an hour later he was coming aboard and I thought he was a stranger. Also in the morning as I was climbing the ratlines of the mainmast to fix the royal yard, the 33 knot wind almost knocked me into the open sea. For me, that was extremely exhilarating. As we sang the sea chantey “Roll the Old Chariot Along”, I was actually enjoying myself for a second or two. Those were the enjoyable things about sailing on the three masted schooner, the C.A. Thayer.

From the second I boarded the C.A. Thayer I knew I wouldn’t like the life of a sailor. I can’t wait to jump ship at Fort Bragg and leave the C.A. Thayer for good. I want to jump ship because my hands are still extremely sore and I feel like the doctor should cut them off with a dull dirk. Also I am so wet and I don’t have any dry cloths to wear. The ship’s vocabulary is also too hard for me to remember. Going home and seeing my family will be a relief.

Sea Journal
by Caitlyn Ann

A mild breeze cools my parched face and brings a light spray from the waves that seem to gently caress the ship. The glassy surface is a pleasant change from the violent waters and harsh winds we faced coming out of San Francisco bay two weeks ago. The open sea is a lovely change from the fires that burned constantly through out the city. It was depressing walking through the few streets that weren’t blocked or destroyed by the earthquake; everywhere there is a young woman weeping over the body of her dead husband. The Golden Gate Bridge collapsed and we had much difficulty getting out of the bay. I am so caught up in writing that the loud toll of five bells startles me. It is an uncomforting reminder that half an hour ago I awoke abruptly with sweat dripping down my face an a nagging felling that something terrible had happened to my family. But my thoughts soon drift to the flock of artic turns overhead. It would seem strange for artic turns to be over the Pacific Ocean, but then again I don’t know much about their migration patterns. The turns hover in the crisp night air, waiting, suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, they plunge into the icy water in pursuit of fish. As my eyes follow the fascinating birds I see the sky. From the starboard side of the rocking ship near the poop deck, even when looking at the horizon there isn’t even an inkling of light. These kind of balmy summer nights are not unusual but remembering my dream makes it feel like its darker.

The pitch-black sky reminds me of the bottomless pit Mr. Scarlet calls his heart. It could easily be compared to a black hole. Speaking of Mr. Scarlet he obviously enjoys raw provisions because he asks us if the food is done five minutes after the captain orders us to prepare it. Raising the staysail is grueling work, but it must be done. Complaining would be out of the question because my brother told me sailing would be a difficult occupation. Working at the mill with him would be more rewarding.

Not everything about the Thayer is bad. For instance I adore the sudden rush of adrenaline when out of the scalding galley onto the deck and breath the fresh air. Baking in my opinion is better than hauling the thick hawser or lowering the heavy dory. But I do know that being on the ship is just about as exciting a job as you can get.

When I arrive in Portland I won’t “jump ship”, I will do all I can to get the lumber loaded safely and hopefully have a quick voyage back to San Francisco, and into the arms of my waiting family. Many sailors plan of “jumping ship” and I will miss them greatly. I believe I am a worthy sailor, but I have my mind set on being a veterinarian. Six bells, time for some well deserved rest.

Life Aboard the C.A. Thayer
by Marie Jackson

For a dreary eight weeks I have been on the CA Thayer. So I’m now accustomed to the glassy sea, as far as I can see. While sitting on the bow I can barely see the dolphins jumping in the waves of the ship, but I know they are there. I am glad to have left my home where I could do nothing to help rebuild the city of San Francisco. Now that I am off to get lumber for everyone at home, I know I am doing everything right. At home I was just in the way; I left to see if I could be of any use gathering lumber in Oregon. With the soft breeze in my face I hear eight bells. I will have to direct my crew in coiling the hawser in four more bells. Though we have improved very much since we left home we are not perfect at coiling the hawser. With our hands like rough hides we can work longer than we have ever done before.

My crew’s officer, the first mate, is named Mr. Scarlet. With him being so strict and stubborn I have yet to give commands to raise the ensign to his perfection, while he is towering over me. The food is not very tasty and the water has not stopped tasting like bilge water. It is better than at home where we can barely find enough food to fill up one person let alone a town full of hungry people. My crew is always arguing about what to do or who should do a job, but lately we have been too weary to argue. Billy died a while off so all of my crew has been overworked with his jobs. The weather has been incredible. The wind has moved us, and we have not hit a dreadful storm in six weeks. Cleaning the brig and swabbing the deck for punishment has not occurred as often, and I think we have improved since we started.

It was a splendid sight watching Johnny swing up to the royal yard and back down in ten minutes in a storm. The hot chocolate on a bitter cold day is to die for. The captain is very polite and had my crew rode in the longboat during sunlight hours. Finishing a task so you can check the clock and not getting in trouble has happened often. Remembering to ring the bell happens very rarely so when we do remember, we enjoy it as much as possible. Raising the ensign perfectly when the first mate is towering over you makes you feel superior inside. After raising the ensign and hearing it flap in the breeze makes me smile. I think the more we finish a job well, the happier we will be, and the happier we are the more tasks we will get done.

Missing my beloved home has happened more since we left the lumber shore of Oregon, and I saw everyone’s homes. I wonder how my home will look when I get back. I hope we have enough lumber for many people to rebuild their homes. I don’t adore the life of a sailor, but I will choose the life if I have to survive during this vicious time of fire and the need to survive. For the rest of my life, if I could choose, I would never go on a ship. I would miss the peaceful waters and the friends I have made. . I will also miss seeing Joe going up in the riggings, and upon his return, barfing on his dedicated spot on the starboard rail. If my family is alive when I get home I know they will be proud of me, and won’t care if I never go on a ship for the rest of my life. When home, I will help rebuild it and raise livestock. I have a young lady at home waiting for me. When in San Francisco, I hope my life will resume to normal, but with many more stories to share. Fair winds and shall the winds always blow your way.

On The C.A. Thayer
by Sarah H.

December 1906
I have been out at sea for two days now. My whole body aches, and I am very cold. When I am up on deck, I can see only a few lights in the city of San Francisco. There are only a few lights because of the big fire that happened here just less than a week ago. The weather is very bad, especially the wind. We have not gone very far. The captain makes us work very hard. Today, I heard the captain telling the first mate that he wished we hadn’t gone until the bad weather was over. This morning while I was eating breakfast, I saw many birds in the sky, trying to fly against the wind. I hope the bad weather will go away soon. The coast of California is still in sight. Mr. Watts, the first mate, tells us that we should get to Fort Bragg in about two weeks.
The rain makes the food really soggy, and it tastes very bad. My job aboard the ship is to lower the dory, let the captain get ashore, or bring more supplies onto the ship. We have to raise the dory back up after we finish. I dislike the job because when there is bad weather, you get soaked to the bone, my arms, my legs, and my back starts to ache, it is a difficult job, and there is no time to stop until the certain task you must do is done. I dislike the second mate because she seems nice, but really, if you don’t do the right thing, she gets angry at you. There are not as many things I dislike than things I like.
My favorite part of my job is going on the longboat. Even though it is only a short way to go from the ship to the shore, I think it is very exciting. Especially on days when the wind is strong, the rain pours, there is thunder and lightening, because it is very exhilarating. The captain is one of my favorite officers because she is not very strict. The meal I like the best is breakfast because the galley crew is wide awake in the morning, and can make delicious food. I also like the doctor because she keeps you from being bored.
I enjoy the life of a sailor even though sometimes, it is very challenging. If I quit, I think it will be hard for me to find another job that I will like. Rebuilding San Francisco will be a very difficult job, so I want to help make it easier. I have decided to stay on this ship, and not jump ship.