Jonathon Giddings wrote:

Robie's wonderful email motivated me to find the few photos I have from my "Beloit College Field Term" aboard Romance from January through April 1978. I really had no idea of what I was getting into when I arrived, made a bad initial impression and continued to perform poorly for most of the four months I was aboard as we plied the waters of the Virgin Islands for a series of excursions of 8 glorious days and 7 glorious nights.

I hadn't memorized the lines before I arrived (as I had been strongly admonished) and, in the same way that I ran in on fly balls over my head in right field as a little leaguer, I found myself running to port when Skipper called for starboard and starboard when he called for port. These shortcomings were just a few of my weaknesses as a sailor. I could go on and on recalling how I seemed to disappoint Skipper and Mrs. K. I do have wonderful memories and on our last cruise through the BVI, we sailed out towards Anegada before turning back and runnin with the wind. The waves were pretty good sized as Skipper ordered me aloft to loose the royal.

As I headed to the ratlines, Skipper shouted "Jawnathaaan - one hand for yourself and one hand for the ship." I must have had a quizzical look on my face because Robie leaned close and told me to always keep a firm grip with at least one hand. I imagine you all understand what it's like to climb so high with the mast whipping from side to side in great arcs.

I hope it was a lesson or an honor Skipper had for me. I was very proud to have been ordered to do it and to have made up and down without incident. It is one of my proudest life memories. As Skipper dropped me at the wharf in Charlotte Amalie, he smiled, shook my hand and said "Jawnathaan, you worked hard." That he found something positive to say to me was very kind and forgiving. I have to say that he really helped me straighten out my life from that point on. He taught me to pay attention, live in the moment and do the best you can.

I had two more semesters to complete my college degree and when I returned, I went from someone who scraped by with Cs to all As and Bs.