In 1925, Harold Hathaway of Taunton, Massachusetts commissioned the John F. James & Son shipyard in Essex to construct a 137’ wooden schooner and named her “Roseway” after an acquaintance who “always got her way.”
Roseway has a rich history; she was put into service during World War II as a pilot schooner, guiding ships through the minefields and anti-submarine netting in Boston Harbor and has been used as both a fishing and a racing schooner.
Today she is used as a floating classroom for the World Ocean School, a non-profit educational organization that takes youths sailing anywhere from three hours at a time to a couple of weeks at a time.
On the morning of July 4, Roseway will arrive in Greenport and 12 student ambassadors from all over the country will give guided tours, teaching seamanship to interested community members.
According to World Ocean School program manager Jessica Jozwik, the students range in age from 12 to 16 years old and all had to go through a lengthy process to be chosen for this trip.
“The application process started months ago,” said Jozwik in a telephone interview. “Students had to put work into applying and they did so because they really wanted to participate.”
Roseway will leave Boston on Thursday, June 29 and return on July 9, stopping at different ports along Long Island Sound. They will be doing service projects, learning about the communities where they dock and learning seamanship and socio-emotional skills along the way, said Jozwik.
Students who participate in the World Ocean School aboard Roseway must follow a strict set of rules, some of which have a zero-tolerance policy. There is no drinking, smoking or drug use on board. No electronics are allowed except cell phones, which are secured by the captain and only handed out for use in emergencies. They are not allowed to wear clothing that advertises alcohol or tobacco.
“On the trips, kids are challenged in many ways,” said Jozwik. The programs are hands-on and include academics, hard work and behavior guidelines.
The educational curriculum aboard Roseway is held in a classroom onboard. Students keep journals and participate in a nautical book club.
“We’re really excited to bring Roseway back to Greenport,” said Jozwik, referring to the ship’s visits in 2011 and 2012. “Everyone was so hospitable and welcoming.”
Tours of Roseway will be held on July 4 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the railroad dock behind the East End Seaport Museum in Greenport.
