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| The Cabin Boy Program has been set
up by the SKVR, a number of Rotterdam elementary schools and
several local museums to stimulate children's interest in culture
and history. The schools are provided with a packet of teaching
materials including a CD-rom. Shipyard De Delft is involved
too; it provides a series of special learn and do activities
that can keep energetic children busy for a couple of hours |
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| photograph:
Walt Massie |
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| A group of children from the Palet
elementary school in Delfshaven were the first to try out De
Delft's cabinboy activities on Thursday, 26 January. Huib van
Zijl, the instigator and motor behind this project, got the
trial to a good start by greeting and instructing the arriving
children with their teacher. Each of four children's teams covered
the entire shipyard during about two hours of activities. Specialist
guides were stationed at strategic points to explain tasks and
coach the teams when necessary. |
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| After measuring the length of a rope
in feet (literally), each team member was given hands-on experience
with various knots and other seaman's work. Each made his or
her own key ring and tried to caulk a seam with oakum. These
tasks were led by Arie van der Hoek who can often be found at
work in the Rigger's shop making all sorts of things from canvas
and rope. |
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| Making the key ring turned out to
be harder than it looks! The next task - to determine whether
all sorts of wood float - was a bit easier. |
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| The scent test related more to the
VOC than to warships. The children had quite a time recognizing
the aromas from each of 12 spices and flavorings that were common
in better kitchens during the 17th and 18th centuries. The scent
of coffee or tea was easy to recognize; ginger was more difficult.
Luckily, the teams could check their answers (or guesses?) as
they finished this task. |
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Each team made its own compass by
magnetizing a needle and very carefully laying it on a piece
of paper floating on the surface of water in a small bowl. They
soon discovered that the needle would only point north if other
magnets were quite some distance away!
After going outside, the children checked the length of De Delft
by comparing it to known distances along the building. Luckily
this task went quickly on such a cold day.
Back inside, they warmed themselves by experimenting with a
block and tackle. |
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| photograph:
Walt Massie |
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| In retrospect, the day was a learning
experience for everyone - not just the children. The trial has
stimulated us to expand this cabin boy program and activities
so that we can share enthusiasm for our rich maritime heritage
and its technology with many more of the younger generation. |
