I suppose it was while reading Dana’s Two Years Before the Mast that I first realized how much I didn’t know about ships: mainmast, mizzenmast, stern, bow, port side, starboard side, lee-ward — pronounced “loo-urd” — and fore-castle, which is really pronounced “foke-sull.” If you have the same problem — or you have a child interested in the sea — start with Ships at Work by Mary Elting Folsom, a free eBook covering ships from bow to stern.
Besides sea lingo, you’ll also learn about:
- The various jobs done on a ship.
- Standing watch.
- Daily routines.
- Whalers.
- Various types of ships.
- Charts.
- Code flags.
- More!
Just a quick perusal of the index will give you an idea of how much is covered in this short book.
Wonderful introduction to all things ships — and free!
Free eBook
Additional Resources
Trains at Work ~ Free eBook
And while you are exploring transportation, enjoy this intro to trains from the same author.
Machines at Work ~ Free eBook
Free eBook includes a look at several different Machines at Work. Young machine lovers (boys or girls) will likely enjoy this first look!
Keep Reading
Ships & Ways of Other Days ~ Free eBook
For someone with an interest in sailing ships, Ships & Ways of Other Days will be an engaging read. Free eBook.
Activity: The Shipwrecked Sailor
Use the story of a shipwrecked sailor to hone writing skills.
A History of Navigation ~ Free Interactive
A History of Navigation is a BBC interactive that explains the era of exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries.