Ever wondered what it was like for early adventurers on a sailing ship? I got a taste of this during a day sail on the One and All, an 1850’s style tall ship.

On a sunny day, we set off down the Port River. With 12 sails and an impressive mast height of 27 metres, bridges had to open up to let the ship through. Then we cruised into the open water of the Gulf.

Passengers had the opportunity to join in activities on deck such as steering, helping set the sails, and climbing the rigging and bownet, or alternatively you could just relax and do very little. I recommend venturing onto the bownet (the netting at the front of the ship) and lapping up the sunshine with the deep green water below. Throughout the day, dolphins appeared as if popping up to say hello, and some cruised alongside riding the bow wave. It’s always a joy to see dolphins in their natural habitat.

The crew was welcoming and friendly. One of the deckhands referred to them as her ‘floating family’, a sign of the camaraderie that develops working together on a ship with a shared love of sailing. Chatting to the first mate – Adrian, his enthusiasm for his job was evident. He summed up his passion for the sea when he said, ‘I love the sea life, the sunsets and the joy of a good swell.’ He also pointed out the significance of the One and All saying ‘this ship keeps history alive.’ And it was great experiencing this piece of history first hand, but of course with much better food than the sailors had in the 1800s, as we were well fed with hot and cold food, including dips, bruschettas, antipasto platters, quiches, scones, fruit and a variety of drinks.

You can also feel good that the money made from these trips goes to a worthwhile cause. It’s used to fund programs for troubled youths where they learn sailing and teamwork skills. More importantly though are the other positive effects, such as an increase in self-confidence and in the teenagers’ concept of trust, as they learn to trust each other working on a ship in all types of weather.

The five-hour trip passed quickly but was a relaxing, beautiful day on the water. One of the crew commented that he likes the escapism of voyages to sea. And I can see why. There’s something very calming and almost meditative about the ocean, feeling the gentle movement of the ship and the rhythm of the water. In future, I may have to ditch my meditation classes and go sailing instead.

You can experience the One and All with a variety of events from a few hours of sailing to 4-day adventures.  Check out their website for more information: www.oneandallship.com.au/events/

By Carolyn J Wild