On Brandaris
Observations and Comments from Rocky Hill School Students
in Grades 4 and 5
The 4th graders said:
- Before we got on the Brandaris we took a motor boat to get to it. We had to wear big life jackets.
- I learned a lot about the Brandaris. Here are some of the things: The Brandaris was built in Holland. The Brandaris was used as the Harbor Master's ship...
- ... (then) the Germans attacked Holland so they hid the ship in the canals until it was safe enough to leave (for England). When it left it had 300 people on it. I felt like a Dutch soldier on the Brandaris.
- It was used for troops to evacuate Dunkirk.
- I learned that Brandaris is 62 years old. It has three sails. Its owners live on it all year around. The people that own it are Doug, the captain, and his son, Brandon. Brandon is twelve years old...
- Brandon got named that because of the boat's name, Brandaris
- The bottom of the boat is steel...
- On the bow the winch pulls the anchor up. On the stern is a Greek mermaid.
- In the cabin there are lots of rooms. There is a kitchen, two bedrooms and one guest room, a bathroom, and a parlor.
- It has locks on everything! Like bookcases, lanterns, lights, and more!
- It's like being in a really small apartment.
- ...I thought it would be neat to live on a boat. It would be really cramped but you could get all the fresh seafood you could ever want.
The 5th graders said:
- During my visit to the Brandaris I learned that the masts on some canal boats lower and raise to go under bridges. I also learned that some boats instead of a keel or a centerboard have two lee boards.
- I learned what gaf and marconi rigs are. I also learned the different parts of the boat.
- I've seen the boat in Wickford during the winter; it is all lit up with Christmas lights (it is very beautiful).
- My favorite was the saloon down below.
- One thing I learned was that the Dutch used it for bringing children who wanted to escape to England.
- I learned that the boat took 5 years to restore.
- I think I could live on that boat for a few days. Couldn't you? It was like we were in history class on a boat.
- Something that I learned is that the ship is very old and that she weighs about 16 tons.
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