Field Trip: Tall Ships Tour, Redwood City

Replica of the Lady Washington

When: March/April, when ships are in town (check dates).
Where: Redwood City Seaport (451 Seaport Ct, Redwood City, CA 94063)
Who: Best for grades 4-6, other ages may participate
Cost: Approximately $8/person for the "Voyage of Explorers" tour (as of 2019)

Every year, the "Lady Washington" and "Hawaiian Chieftan" ships sail along the West Coast, stopping briefly at various ports including Redwood City. During the time they are docked, they offer self-guided tours (free, but $5 donation suggested), as well as field trips which can be dock-side (no sailing) or include a sailing component.

Our group participated in the "Voyage of Explorers" tour, which was dock-side only. When we signed up for the trip, the organization sent out links for 5 days worth of prep material. These were unit-study style lessons covering topics such as navigation tools, trade in the 1800s and a sailor's life.

On the day of the field trip, students were excited even before boarding the ship. We were divided into groups of approximately 10-15 people. Each group then went to a different section of the ship where crew members explained their duties in that area, and ran hands-on activities.

1) Trading

In this activity, students examined trading commodities of the 1800s, such as otter pelts, teas of brick and shells. They simulated trading as sailors of different nations - since they had no language in common, no talking allowed!  - and judging from the wild gesticulations and flushed faces, they enjoyed the activity.

2) Navigation

Here the crew demonstrated a lead line, chip board and traverse board. This is where pre-reading the lesson material added a lot of value, since the tools seem nondescript but the lesson plans explain how they work. This is where students can see how simple tools were used to solve difficult problems, which allows them to appreciate the ingenuity of the sailors.

3) A Sailor's Life

On the deck, the students examined a variety of items from sailing life such as scrimshaw, rope knots and hardtack. The hardtack is freshly baked and yes, hard enough to chip a tooth though none of us had that experience (thankfully). The crew member then answered questions, though he politely declined to sing a sea shanty for our ears' sake. :)

In summary, we recommend the field trip. For slightly more than the public tour, you get vastly more information and hands-on experience. Besides the general 'wow' factor of seeing a ship, students may also be interested to know that the Lady Washington has appeared in various films, such as Pirates of the Carribean and Star Trek.