They polished brass until their knuckles hurt.
They scrubbed the iron deck until their shoulders ached.
They rubbed oak paneling with oil soap until an aroma of cleanliness filled the air.
Reporting for duty aboard the S.S. Willis B. Boyer in downtown Toledo yesterday were about 30 young deckhands affiliated with Boy Scouts from Maumee's Troop 103 or Cub Scouts from Packs 103 and 104, also in Maumee.
Never mind that many of their peers were flirting with the opposite sex in an air-conditioned mall, taking in a movie at an air-conditioned mega-theater complex, swimming at a year-old water park, or playing video games from the comfort of a couch in an air-conditioned house.
These youths got a kick out of learning what the phrase "elbow grease" meant when told to keep rubbing until the tarnish comes off copper or brass.
They polished leather, swept carpets, and did windows. Even those that plug portholes.
Oh, and yeah - let's not forget the spiders.
The Boyer's executive director, Kim Danes, snickered about how big spiders get aboard the ship by having so much room to hide.
And grow.
"A lot of spiders here get so big you can't even imagine them," Ms. Danes said. "I've seen grown men squeal."
But if this year's annual tidy-up was as successful as previous ones, squeals of fright were displaced by squeals of joy long before the sun set last night.
Once again, as has happened every year since 1998, Troop 103 was rewarded with the rare treat of getting the chance to spend the night sleeping aboard the Boyer - in sleeping bags on the deck.
Ms. Danes said she and Scout leaders try to work in a few surprises. Last night, they were to get an 11 p.m. tour of the Maumee River aboard a water taxi as well as a movie shown by one of the DVD players on board.
For the 2004 event, it was a great view of a postgame fireworks show that followed a Toledo Mud Hens game. That didn't happen last night because the Hens were in Indianapolis. But music from the Rib-Off could be heard from across the river into the night.
"It's been hard work and fun. But when I don't think about [the work], it's just been fun," reasoned Eric Ziems, 12, of Maumee.
Fourteen-year-old John Waterstradt of Swanton was back for the third time. He said he enjoys playing cards on deck and looking out at the downtown skyline at night.
The work he does aboard the ship is gratifying because he knows he has "helped clean a historic site so others can enjoy it."
Eric Oatis, 9, the youngest of the bunch, said he simply enjoyed making new friends.
Scoutmaster Michael Joseph, a Naval officer, said the sense of accomplishment has a lasting effect on Scouts, whether or not they receive a few perks in return.
"We like to be examples for the rest of the city. We're part of a group of people who can make a difference," he said.
Contact Tom Henry at: thenry@theblade.com or 419-724-6079.
First Published August 7, 2005, 11:56 a.m.
