Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

The St Nicholas Boat

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE ST NICHOLAS BOAT (J8x48) 3C (4C set) John Drewry Canadian Book

1- 8 1s+2s set and dance ¾ Double Fig of 8 (1s cast to start)
9-16 2s+1s+3s set, cross RH, set and ½ turn RH into centre
17-24 2s+1s+3s dance a Tandem reel of 3 (Men following partners with 1s giving RSh to 2s to start)
25-32 1s dance parallel reels of 3 on opposite sides (1s RSh to 2s to start) ending with 2M+1M BtoB facing other partner
33-40 2s+1s dance reel of 4 across (RSh to Ladies) Men end by curving into BtoB position facing own partner
41-48 2s lead down between 3s as 1s ½ turn RH and follow 2s, cross below 3s, cast up (2s to top and 1s to 2nd place) and cross RH to own sides

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)


Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams


Dance Instruction Videos

The St Nicholas Boat - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

John Drewry stated that this dance is "A Jig containing a reel of three in couples with each man following his partner. This figure is found in traditional dances from Orkney and Shetland."

I think it is a fair bet that since this dance appears in John Drewry's Canadian Book, the dance title probably refers to The St. Nicholas VI, a historic boat in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

It is located at the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks at Dodecanese Boulevard and on August 3, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Nestled along the picturesque shores of Tarpon Springs, Florida, the St. Nicholas VI boat has become a charming emblem of the city's rich maritime heritage. Tarpon Springs, renowned for its Greek influence and sponge diving traditions, welcomes visitors to explore its waters aboard this distinctive vessel.

Named after St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, the St. Nicholas VI is often associated with the Greek Orthodox community in Tarpon Springs. The boat serves both as a connection to the city's cultural roots and a means to experience the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico.

Sailing enthusiasts and tourists alike have the opportunity to go on excursions aboard the St. Nicholas VI, immersing themselves in the sights and sounds of Tarpon Springs' coast.




Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original St. Nicholas VI article on Wikipedia.
Image copyright David Tschanz, Creative Commons Licence 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Additional search terms: Saint.

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