I felt really at home when I was with the J.W. Westcott II crew because I was in the company of people who are a lot like me. They love the sense of danger and adventure involved in their work just like I do, so I think we had some bonding moments. I was fascinated by their work lives and the maritime culture. And they were excited to share it with me. Some days we would just sit around watching ships go by while a crewmember would start listing off the year it was built, what it was made of, and other historical information. They were all just really great guys, and I couldn't have had a more enjoyable time.
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The Westcott is a fairly tiny boat, so I knew I was in for trouble when bad weather approached and the waves began to pound. Although I didn't get seasick, I did have a hard time finding a level platform, which made it difficult to get sharp pictures.
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The Wescott Company is the only source of mailed goods on the Detroit River, so it was interesting to see the kind of goods it delivered to passing freighter ships. Everything you can think of went through that boat from Playboy magazines and golf clubs to cigarettes and bicycles people rode on the decks of bigger ships. That little ship has seen it all.
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