Ditty Bag
Guardians of the Planet
Staff Facts
What's in a name?
Sea-lebrities
100
In maritime superstition, doing this while on deck is said to summon wind or storms, risking danger to the ship.
What is whistling?
100
This young indigenous leader focuses on community resilience in the fight against storm damage and sea-level rise in southern Louisiana.
Who is Devon Parfait F18, Chief of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw.?
100
This cheery staffer has a dark side--they held Grover hostage for a whole month.
Who is Jenna?
100
This infamous New Bedford fishing mogul was convicted of tax evasion and illegal overfishing practices and served nearly 4 years in federal prison for his crimes.
What is The Codfather?
100
This fictional daughter of the chief defies family tradition by sailing beyond the reef to save her island, Motunui.
Who is Moana?
200
The number 1928 is the number of individuals in this dynamic community.
What is the WM alumni body, which now includes F24?
200
A marine scientist and expert in invasive species, this former Williams-Mystic director studies the impact of human activities on marine biodiversity.
Who is Dr. James T. Carlton?
200
Serial killers aren't on the curriculum at WM, but this staff member had an up-close and personal experience with one.
Who is Tom?
200
This beloved Williams-Mystic mascot, the first of any "official" house mascots, arrived in the fall of 1992.
Who is Grover?
200
This Maine-based female swordfish captain was featured in the 1997 book, The Perfect Storm, and the film, The Perfect Storm. She is the author of several books, including The Hungry Ocean, and four detective novels.
Who is Linda Greenlaw?
400
This shanty, first described in an 1839 account of a whaling voyage from New London, wonders what to do with a _____ _____.
What is Drunken Sailor?
400
This U.S. agency tracks hurricanes, maps the world's oceans, manages the nation’s fisheries and employs several dozen WM alums.
What is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)?
400
This wild and crazy staffer has climbed to the top of the Morgan without a harness and took the fast route down by burning the backstay.
Who is Laurie?
400
"Kleckerburg" is a name for something that many of you created during a field seminar.
What is a drip castle?
400
This sailor was the first American woman to sail solo around the world. She gained an enormous following on Instagram during her voyage.
Who is Cole Brauer?
Seen here with WM hat!
800
The marine dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans is one of many marine organisms that cause this well-known phenomenon.
What is bioluminescence?
800
Many of you attended a talk by this marine biologist and policy expert who co-founded the Urban Ocean Lab, focusing on climate-resilient solutions for coastal cities.
Who is Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson?
800
In the "They Just Can't Stay Away" category, this staffer has worked for WM more than once.
Who is Laurie, Amanda & Anna?
800
This 19th-century New Zealand whaling song became TikTok famous in 2021.
800
This Rhode Island marine scientist, known for his deep-sea explorations, uses submersible technology to uncover hydrothermal vents and shipwrecks, including the final resting spot of the Titanic.
Who is Robert Ballard?
1000
Sharing its name with a type of firearm, this species of shrimp is capable of using its claws to make a noise of up to 210 decibels.
What is Pistol Shrimp?
1000
In 2019, this young Swedish climate activist sailed across the Atlantic Ocean on a zero-emissions yacht to attend a United Nations climate summit.
Who is Greta Thunberg?
1000
This multi-talented staffer once had "interview Santas" as part of her job description.
Who is Amanda?
1000
The shark-obsessed Quint from Jaws was the captain of this boat.
What is ORCA?
1000
As a researcher, this scientist has studied sediment dynamics and biodiversity in coastal ecosystems while championing inclusivity in STEM fields through the org, Black in Marine Science.
Who is Dr. Tiara Moore?
1200
Despite defecating as often as every 12 minutes, these birds can travel up to 70% farther if flying together in v-formation than if flying alone.
What is Canada geese?
1200
This marine policy guest speaker has served as NOAA, Administrator and U.S. Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
Dr. William J. Brennan
BONUS QUESTION: Dr. Brennan said a degree in this subject would have been more useful than his degree in marine biology?
1200
This staff member has a colorful past: they were cast as a "New England prostitute" in the Steven Spielberg film, Amistad, filmed at Mystic Seaport.
Who is Anna?
1200
Made from old rope, this protective covering is used aboard ships to protect sails from chafing against standing rigging.
What is baggywrinkle?
1200
This legendary Hawaiian swimmer, known as the “father of modern surfing,” will no doubt appear in STOKED, the surfing exhibit at Mystic Seaport in 2026.
Who is Duke Kahanamoku?