I had the privilege of overlaying a newspaper tale in regards to the la Maritime Institutes TopSail software in San Pedro, California, cofounded by means of retired instructor and coast protect authorized captain Jim Gladson and a handful of buddies, together with Captain Alice Robinson, who's the muse in the back of the ballad. I observed them on a weekend journey at the hundred-foot-tall ships to Catalina Island with dozens of preteens manning the 2 brigantines. some of the junior-high-age childrens have been thought of at-risk early life. one of many ladies had purely residence slippers to put on on deck whereas others have been basically neglected-looking and shy. Alices first and in basic terms rule on board send was once everyone seems to be pals right here, that means every body was once to place any gang-like squabbles at the back of them and paintings as a group. through the tip of the weekend, less than Alices humorous, carefree tutelage, the bonny group may perhaps rig and lift sails, reduce dinghies into the water, prepare dinner their very own nutrition, switch the decks, and extra. the final transformation was once significant and bittersweet to behold, and Alice set the mood.