Categories
Age 9 to 12

‘A Once in a Lifetime Experience’ by Jessica Cook Age 9 Years

A Once in a Lifetime Experience

Ship’s Log Day 1

Looking over my shoulder I could see my Mum, tears streaming down her face. I could still hear her last words bouncing off the sides of my head. ’’I’m so proud of you, be safe, love you!’’ Everyone was pushing and shoving to get a good view of such a magnificent ship.

I heard the horn and jumped to life. In a frenzied panic I rushed to my cabin, stuffed my stuff under my bed. Suddenly the boat lurched forward. Yikes! I was going to be late. I was going to be missed. That wouldn’t be a good start to my record!

I got up on deck and into position. Some people were startled by my appearance but most ignored me.The bow was out of the harbour by now but the stern had barely left the wall! It gave me an idea of how big she was. The boat lurched again and put on a burst of speed and before I knew it, we were out of the harbour and off. Off exploring the world!

Ship’s Log Day 8

My cabin isn’t the most comfortable place to sleep but I would rather sleep in the crow’s nest than scrub the decks every hour of my life. That is why I haven’t been able to write in here for ages, although we’ve been very lucky to have such a calm trip, just blue skies and waves lapping gently against our boat.

Yesterday I was the cause of something very exciting, I was up in the crow’s nest with a telescope to my eye scanning the horizon for something interesting… I found it, land and it wasn’t a trick of the eye either. I hollered at the top of my lungs “Land ahoy!” We were only a couple of miles off so that gave me enough time to get down from the crow’s nest.

As I was the first person to spot the island, I got to get off first. When I looked up having jumped off the boat, I was awed by the astounding beauty of the island. There was a torrent of water running down the north side of a snow topped mountain. Surrounding the mountain was a grass green jungle bursting with animals we were yet to discover.

For what seemed like hours I stood there. The captain told us that we would explore the island tomorrow I agreed so I went to my cabin and fell asleep instantly.

Ship’s Log Day 14

This island just gets better and better! We were exploring the west side of the volcano scoring the land for new rocks or species. Neither were found but something made up for that… it was a treasure map!

We all crowded around the Captain to get a look at this strange map. Ever so gently as though he was scared to break it he unrolled the map. We all gasped it was a map of our island and in the 1st bog in the marshland was a big fat red cross…treasure!

The captain made up his mind instantly we were going to find that treasure no matter what. Overcome with greed he set off at a brisk walk mumbling every step of the way. The quest was on!

Ship’s Log Day 23

As we entered Greenwich dock colourful crowds of about 7 deep erupted into excitement and laughter.

I don’t know what was wrong with the sea, whenever we travel the sea is flat and calm as anything! I’m so pleased I’ve recounted everything in this log otherwise I wouldn’t be able to tell anything to my Mum! The only thing I can’t tell her is about the fabulous treasure because it is such a big secret.

My emotions haven’t been much of a rollercoaster but my adrenalin has been worn out completely! On the ship I was always one of the most inquisitive people, always asking questions; ‘What’s this?’ ‘How does it work?’ ‘Can we go here?’ The only reason the captain put up with it was because I found the island in the first place!

My eyes scanned the crowd just like when they found the island. I was looking for my family, Mum especially, as she was the one who got me a place on this ship so I owe a lot to her. Suddenly I saw her jumping up and down like a mad lunatic. I yelled, “Mum , Mum over here!” She looked up and saw me, immediately tears started streaming silently down her face. It was over and time to get back to a normal life.

Categories
Age 9 to 12

‘Ship’s Log Day 14’ by Skye Sangster, Age 9 Years

Ships Log Day 14

It was the end of our voyage of exploration and we travelled through the English Channel and sailed up the River Thames. We came into my home town of Greenwich. I could see most of my aunts and uncles, all my cousins were there, and mum and dad were there too. Even my Nan was there and she hardly ever leaves her home.

I could see loads of London’s famous buildings. I could see the O2 arena. I thought it was the sun but it was far too big and on the west. Well maybe west was pushing it because I didn’t have a compass but still… I also saw some of the more ancient buildings like the domes at Greenwich.

A wave of mixed emotions cut right through me like a blade purposely slicing my heart. It was the end but I was at home. I was sad but I was happy. The ship pulled up next to the Shard which was awesome. I slowly plodded down the plank and ambled across to find mum. It was strange not moving up and down but satisfying.

Categories
Age 9 to 12

‘Ship’s Log Day 1’ by Lilly Hird, Age 9 Years

Ship’s Log Day 1

All I could hear was the roaring coming from the crowd from the quayside. My family was waving like mad and my wife was crying weakly. I was carrying a heavy box full of tasty food since I was the ship’s cook. As I walked up the ramp I plonked the box down. I was nervous with butterflies in my stomach. The sailors were undoing the thick rope twisting it round the iron pole.

I felt a big jerk. We were off and then I noticed the Mayor of Falmouth but I only saw a glimpse of him because there was so much pushing and shoving. I waved my last wave to my family and disappeared down to the kitchen. “What adventures am I going to have on this trip” I thought.

By Lilly Hird

Categories
Age 9 to 12

‘A Voyage Of Discovery’ by Edie Vernol, Age 9 Years

A Voyage Of Discovery
I was in the crow’s nest, spying through my telescope, and then I saw it.
“Land Ho!” I cried to the crew of The Neptune, our tall ship.
“Steer North-West”, I shouted again. In no time, the Neptune was docking. We were docking on a shore of golden sand and towering palm trees. As I stepped off the boat, I could feel the heat of the burning sand through my shoes.

Beyond the sandy beach was an array of mountains, hills and, rainforests. The greenery was luscious and bore fruits of many colours. Our crew journeyed on over the nearby hills, and came across something glorious! There in front of us, was a sparkling lagoon. In the clear lagoon were many, new and tropical fish I had never seen before.

The lagoon reminded me, I was meant to be keeping track of where we were! I looked at my compass and frowned deeply. We would never make it back to the Neptune before dark! We left it too far South. My Admiral was nearest to me, so I nervously told him. This time it was his turn. He raised his voice and announced,
“We will set up camp here, and no questions!”

We woke up to an unusual bird cry, not the usual squawking of a seagull. The bird we were hearing was brightly coloured, and had vibrant eyes…

By Edie Vernol

Categories
Age 9 to 12

‘Home at Sea Again’ by Maddie Nagele Age 9 Years

Home At Sea Again

Home at sea again, with the lapping waves underfoot and the white fluffy clouds overtop, but all I ask is a ship to glide on the tide. Standing in an admirals hat hearing the gulls fly by. I boss the tars and they work all day and work all night I feed them well but then they fight. I am an Admiral tall and proud I am a man in a hat with a beard it is me it is me and I am the Admiral.

Home at sea again, with my boat in the sea that sparkles like the stars above, but with the moon hung between hundreds of stars, my tars are here my tars are there doing chores till their hands are red raw when I enter they want to surrender because I am so harsh but fair.

Home at sea again, on my huge immense boat with my sails flapping and whistling in the endless breeze. I am standing on ancient boats traveling over rough seas, I have the cannons I have the crew I am ready to go to battle with you!

Categories
Age 9 to 12

‘A Voyage of Discovery’ by Noah Walker aged 9

A Voyage Of Discovery

9th July 1850
09:30am

I was washed onto a golden yellow beach surround by luscious green forests the sand was flaming hot so I jumped up straight away. All I could remember was that The Fierce was ship wrecked. The water around me was filled with playful dolphins and tropical fish.

I emerged into the forest with a jagged rock from the ground, there were howling monkeys and twittering of birds. Eventually I found a sparkling lagoon full of mudskippers and crocodiles. I swam across. Some crocodiles looked a bit suspicious and they started to snap at me. But on the other side of the lagoon I thought I heard voices and I went further. I swear I saw people watching me and yellow eyes peering through the trees. “Hello?”… No one answered.

Next, I came up to a mountain so I started to climb until I found a cave. Luckily for me, it had an underground lake full of fish! I began to lap up the water, greedily and outside bamboo was growing, so I snapped some down. I jabbed at the water, eager to catch a fish. However, I found a bottle filled with water. I kept it for later. I’m glad I still have this paper to write on and if anyone ever finds this letter… I AM STILL ALIVE!

Noah.

Categories
Age 9 to 12

‘The Deserter’ By Dominic Nichols Age 9

The Deserter

I’d landed on a golden, sandy and tropical beach with shells dotted around. I walked further inland and tall towers rose up above me, Union Jacks and lots of other Britishness around me, being a Spaniard I really didn’t feel welcome.

As I got even further inland stalls were appearing around me and palm trees around every corner, ships captains were bustling about in their hats, long coats and trousers, cutlass hanging by their side. They were stocking their carts up with fresh produce before leaping back into their carts and driving off to their boats.

After abandoning my tall ship of terrors I thought it was a good idea but now I’m regretting it, well I was until the professor came up to me …

I thought he was just an old man until he asked me if I wanted to trial for Colberts Sailing Academy. I thought it would just be a few lame sailing lessons as they would call them but my heart missed a beat when I saw the Academy.

It was probably the most majestic building I have seen so far, tall towers rising into the clouds, the walls 10 men tall, the drawbridge was unravelling and inside it just got better. In the centre there was a giant lake with the coolest ships I’ve ever seen. Some tall ships and canoes. Amazing.

The walls were roughly 5 metres thick and home to the dormitories where I would be sleeping, I was asked a lot of questions and then they decided I was in the house of Professor McDaddles, by coincidence that was the Professor who introduced me to Colberts. They then introduced me to my dormitory. I was sharing with another person called Dickens from the same house as me.

The dormitory was clean with a silk purple mat on the floor and purple silk bed sheets, the walls were also purple. I decided our house colour must be purple. I remember now one of the epic ships was purple. The door read “Purple, house of war and glory”.

Dickens was a small boy who was light on his feet. I discovered he was a soldier. He was also very good with the cutlass and he normally beat me when we were sparring, I’ve never been very good with a cutlass.

It was getting very dark when I realized how tired I was, I walked straight to the inside of the wall where I tried to find my way to my dormitory. After a while I found Dormitory 228 and went inside, Dickens was studying and I climbed into bed.

That night I had a horrible dream. It went like this:
“David get to work!” “Sorry Captain” I called to captain Dr. James Smith of the ‘tall ship of terrors’ or the Dragon Breath as captain called it. “owww” “you deserve it scumbag” captain noted and he kicked me. I went rolling down the deck and the edge of the ship was coming closer and closer then I felt another sharp blow to the head and I lost consciousness…