OH 1977-01 - Oral history interview with Carl C. Andersen, interviewed by Will Gates.

Abstract

Carl. C. Andersen, a native of Denmark, and retired boss rigger at Mystic Seaport Museum, was a sailor aboard sail and steam vessels before becoming a rigger at Electric Boat Shipyard, Groton, Connecticut, in 1939.

The interview begins with Andersen's first job at sea, as a deck boy, in 1912. He explains that signing up on a ship seemed more desirable than farming or learning a trad in Denmark at that time. He recounts his rise in rank on the various ships he served on.

Navigation, rigging, seamanship, and seaman's accommodations are important parts of the interview. Andersen explains the day-to-day routine on a square rigger, along with the layout of the officer's and crew's living quarters.He also gives his impressions of the various ports he visited.