Tall Ships

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Sail Square Rig

The essence of square rig is to go aloft. There are few adrenalin buzzes in the world to match stowing a sail 100ft above the glistening sea, balanced on a single foot rope.

Ships Crew

It’s not quite the same as Eric Newby’s ‘Last Grain Race’ in the 1920’s where his arrival on board a windjammer was met with a command of “up the rigging” whilst still wearing his best suit and shoes, still the learning curve is fairly steep. Upon arrival on sail training brig ‘Prince William’ or sister ship ‘Stavros S Niarchos’ you will sign on as ships crew. Before you sail everybody undergoes an intensive training period so you can begin to handle a 500 ton sailing ship with 18 sails, including the chance to make your first foray aloft ( not compulsory ) under expert supervision and with plenty of encouragement.

At deck level, the challenge is to make sense of the myriad of ropes than run down to belaying pins everywhere. As a team you might be hauling on a halliard that hoists a huge yard aloft to set an upper topsail, or alone finding the right buntlines to loosen for someone working high above you. The ship’s rig is authentic so it takes physical effort and large numbers of people working together to set all sail and manoeuvre the ship. That’s teamwork, not a cliché in a management training manual. By the end of the voyage friendships can be lifelong and personal satisfaction and pride run high.

A Sail Training Ship is not just for youth. She is not just for the fit and agile. These ships are built for those who believe in human power.

"Can’t see my feet swaying on the foot rope, or the deck below, but I can hear my heart pounding” Dave midnight

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