Stranded on St. Lucia

By Hans Faasse

A lovely young lady boarded a banana ship in Liverpool for passage back to St. Lucia.
She fell instantly in love with an officer and two months later the two were engaged.
She needed him at her side, but he wanted to become a captain and they had to break up.
Then, one day at sea he fell victim to a dangerous illness and was moved to
the nearest hospital ......on St. Lucia.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hans Faasse
• Release date: Nov 16, 2010
• ISBN: 9781458172549

Hans Faasse

Hans Faasse, best-selling author of 'Love on the high seas' and ‘Stranded on St. Lucia’ was born on February 23, 1946.Hans grew up as the fourth child of five children in Ede, The Netherlands and graduated from the Navigator College in Delfzijl, a decidedly prestigious institute that produced many Captains of the high seas for decades. In fact it was on his father's advice that he decided to follow the family tradition of taking to the seas as navigator. His Father, Kees, was himself an exception to the family heritage and had chosen a life of creative entrepreneurship which would prove to be an inspiration for Hans after a lengthy period of sickness ended his dreams of becoming a merchant navy captain. In sharp contrast, his mother, Corrie, was a pious woman and dedicated housewife with a love for gardening and home grown cooking.Only when he married his sweetheart of the Christian youth club and started a family did Hans settle into his life as a landlubber. Two children and a few jobs later he realized that his desire for adventure was still in his blood. When the opportunity to combine his commercial skills with the desire of adventure suddenly landed on his plate, he did not think twice and went for it. As a result the family moved to Singapore in 1984 and Hans became the regional manager for a European dairy company.The family had some great years together and although the couple got along fine when he was at home in between travels they slowly drifted apart in those first years in Singapore. His wife, pious as his own mother, had never been truly happy in the Far East. Once the kids left for Holland the marriage was doomed.After their divorce Hans took some time off and for many months traveled through South America with his son and a few years later took his daughter on a similar journey through North America. After this time of bonding with his kids and away from all other worries he was ready for a fresh challenge. These new challenges took Hans from Singapore to Hong Kong and finally Malaysia. In 1998 he remarried and settled in Kuala Lumpur. The newly wed couple got two lovely daughters and they have been enjoying their family life since.Hans puts his writing career down to his own love for reading fiction and an inner urge to go beyond his comfort zone and give something totally different a try.In 2007 he decided to write his first novel drawing from his own experience in the merchant navy and his personal struggle with his Calvinistic upbringing. Adding to this a healthy dose of romance and the result was the enthusiastically received novel ‘Love on the high seas’.Recently, Hans completed his second maritime novel, ‘Stranded on the high Seas’ which delves into the plethora of emotions that come when losing your self in an impossible love. ‘Stranded on St. Lucia’ was the result.The sales figures for 'Love on the high seas” kept on growing - to the extent that Hans has now made both of his books available as e books on www.smashwords.com

Book preview

Introduction

Paul van Gelder returned to the sea and became the third mate on board of the Geestland, a small Dutch reefer ship with passenger accommodation that transported bananas from the Eastern Caribbean Islands to England.

A lovely young lady boarded the Geestland in Liverpool for a trip back home. Love sparks went flying back and forth and in no time Gail and Paul were in a blaze.

Twelve days later, when the ship reached Vieux Fort, Gail did not want to leave Paul and only the promise of an engagement persuaded her to disembark the ship.

A marvellous engagement party was held on board the Geestland. However, soon after, Gail slowly sank into an emotional depression. She could not live a day without Paul and he had not the strength to break off his career at this stage. In the end they agreed to separate and end their engagement. It took huge mental effort on Paul’s part, to put Gail forever out of his mind. He finally did manage thanks to some unexpected aid, but his conservative belief got another hammering, from which there was no return.

During an outbound trip, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, he fall victim to a dangerous illness. Nobody knew the cause or the cure for it. He could not stay on board and had to be treated ashore in the only hospital of St. Lucia.

This love affair gives the reader a unique insight into the life of a sailor in the sixties, the atmosphere and camaraderie on board of this banana ship and the adventures in some ports.

Gail

The big black taxi came to a stop next to the gangway of the only ship in this desolate section of the Liverpool docks. However, in the bright sunlight the freshly painted white Geestland stood out like a jewel against the background of sombre brown ram shackled dock sheds.

The taxi was a typical English black box with the meter sticking out near the left front door and back doors that swung open to the rear. Only one person seemed to be sitting in the back seat. Upon the driver’s announcement of ‘here we are’ the person got up and moved closer to the left back door. The door opened slowly and a lady became visible. She looked carefully as to where to place her foot from this uncomfortable position. Her face was hidden behind a thick shock of dark hair and all the attention went to her dress. The sleeveless soft pink mini dress rode up a little when she put one foot on the quay and a well shaped leg became visible.

She now enjoyed the full attention of all the Nosy Parkers hanging over the railing of the ship. She then put her right foot next to her left one, raised herself and came to stand eye-to-eye with the taximeter, which was likely located in this position for exactly that purpose. She first turned her attention to the Geestland and took in the ship from stem to stern and then again.

Her face showed a telltale expression of: ‘is that all?!’

Her eyes continued their exploration and passed over the castle of the ship and the row of spectators. By doing so her hair fell back and a pretty face became visible.

"Wow,’ Paul thought, ‘that looks like a real pretty lady!’

Suddenly she held her gaze and to Paul it looked as if her glance rested on him. His heart missed a beat, his breath caught, his cheeks turned red and his temperature rose. He could not take his eyes off her and kept staring.

The taxi driver, who had remained seated in his black box like a wooden Willie, called her and she turned towards him.

In order to look at the man’s face through the front door window, she had to lean forward and by doing so she showed the spectators more of her pretty legs. They were perfectly straight and close together. She fished her wallet from her white shoulder bag and paid the driver the fare.

A new boatswain had replaced the earlier one here in Liverpool and was standing next to Paul admiring the lady. He talked a lot of gibberish that did not really get through to Paul, who was too focused on this lovely creature. However, Paul noticed that the boatswain had given a signal to his sailors to go down the gangway and help the lady with her luggage. At the same time he gave Paul a prod in the ribs and said: Hey, mate, take a look at what sticks out from under that cute dress. I tell you, those are great legs!’

Paul was bent over and holding his ribs while whining: ‘Yeah, you are absolutely right, man, but that does not mean you can ram me into a hospital, okay?’

The boatswain ignored Paul’s comments and said with a false smile on his face, ‘look at her pretty shape and firm arse.’

Meanwhile Paul had recovered from the onslaught and drove his elbow into the stomach of the boatswain while saying: ‘Yes, boats, she is really a very pretty lady. You think she is single?’

The boatswain did not show any sign of having felt Paul’s forceful jab and replied "who knows, but looking at you, you are all set and ready to find that out soon, no?’

‘Why don’t you bring her on board first, bos’un, only then I can find out.’

They laughed together and Paul knew that all his staring had not gone unnoticed by his fellow ship mates.

The boatswain followed his men down the gangway and together they unloaded four cases from the booth of the taxi and one wooden crate from inside.

‘That lady is not going on a holiday to Barbados. It looks more like moving houses,’ Paul thought, while the sailors each loaded a case on their shoulder and the boatswain picked up the wooden crest like it was a box of feathers. With one single movement the crest came off the quay to rest on the shoulder of this incredibly strong guy.

‘This bos’un is unbelievably strong,’ said Erik, who came to stand next to Paul.

‘Yeah, like he wants to prove something, because that is by no means a light crate. I bet its weight is close to one hundred kilograms.’

The boatswain asked the lady to follow his men and he followed from behind. Paul could see that the guy only had eyes for one thing, the legs of the young lady and considering the big smile he sported he did enjoy the view. Most crew members did notice as well and started to laugh. Either the lady did not know or she simply ignored the attention and moved step by step up the gangway. Paul edged inadvertently up to the small platform at the top of the gangway, while his eyes kept studying her face, as if he wanted to drink in her entire appearance and store it forever in his mind.

‘Where are you going, Paul?’ Erik asked smiling.

‘Now, that is what I call a face that launches a thousand ships, Erik.’

‘Nothing wrong with your eyes, mate. This time I fully agree with you.’

‘If she is still single the chase will start immediately.’

‘Single or not single, Paul, she is by herself and that makes her big game.’

‘Yeah, you are right and this time I will join the pack.’

‘You would be crazy if you don’t go for her, man, she is gorgeous.’

Paul’s attention was back on the lady and he continued his observation of her face.

Her short-cut hair did not reach below her chin. It was a trendy hairstyle whereby it was evenly cut horizontally around her head and made it look like a frame around a beautiful picture. The short hair accentuated her neck, which appeared longer than it really was. But it was her eyes that fascinated him most. They were big dark ones below thick, but well trimmed eyebrows and above wide cheekbones.

Her mouth was not big, but her lips were full, while her nose looked like a piece of fine art. Altogether her face had an attractive and exotic radiation. Paul was smitten by her beauty.

She was only a few steps away from the platform when she suddenly looked Paul straight in his eyes and slowly a little smile appeared on her face, like she knew what was going on in Paul’s head at that point of time. He felt his cheeks blushing and his insides went to pieces. Before he could get a grip on himself he heard the first mate saying: ‘Welcome on board, Miss Gail, We hope you will have a pleasant sailing with us. Let me show you to your cabin. This way, please.’

Miss Gail thanked him for that and started to follow him into the castle, but not before giving Paul a broad smile. As soon as she was out of sight the comments over her appearance could be heard from everybody’s mouths, like, ‘what a master piece.’ ‘Did you see those great white legs?’ ‘And what about her big brown eyes?’

There was no doubt, Miss Gail had made her entrance on board and every crew member had noticed this woman of fine presence.

Paul thought ‘Now, Miss Gail, you are not very tall, but you have silenced us all with your beauty. I was completely dumb folded and could not say a word and I admit I must have looked a little stupid when your smile paralysed me.’

He let her name roll over his tongue, forgot the correct spelling and said ‘I hope we do have a beautiful and stormy voyage.’

He started to look forward to her visits to the bridge when he was on duty and hoped for…

‘What are you hoping for?’ asked suddenly a voice in his head.

‘This is a lady I can fall in love with on the spot and because I am looking for a steady date, I want to give it my best try.’

‘Your best try?’

‘Exactly’

‘How do you plan to do that?’

‘By being nice to her, pleasing her and putting every effort to make her to like me. You get it?’

‘You have not even exchanged one single word. You do not know anything about her; especially if she is of the same belief as you and you already want to chat up that bird?’

‘You are slow, but you are starting to understand. Of course I will give it my best. You did not see how our glances were locked on one another. We already established contact without having said a single word. Now, if that is not a miracle of God, than what is?’

‘But not too long ago you asked God for Jennie?’

His conscience had touched here a sensitive spot. During his recent furlough Paul had fancied Jennie, a girl from the youth group in his church. He knew her already some time, but this time his feelings for her had grown and had become strong enough for him to consider that she could become his life partner. Without doubt she was the prettiest of all the girls. She was slim, well shaped and with nice legs. Her face was very attractive because of her high cheekbones and long dark hair that she wore loose all the time. Her eyes were not big, but because the corners of her eyes seem to be lifted, they gave her an Asian look and that set her apart. What made her also attractive to him was her character. She did not give her opinion without being asked and neither did she join the heavy debates that sometimes occurred among the young and fanatic Pentecostals. On the other hand that did not make it easy to find an opening for approaching her. It was also not possible to learn from her behaviour and few remarks whether she did like one or another guy more than the others. There were a few youths about Paul’s age that were eyeing her as well, including two sons of brother Bakker, who was the youth leader. Since the father liked Jennie almost as much as his sons he did put a lot of effort in arranging opportunities for his sons to get close to her. The competition was thus not really fair and easy, a situation that did not work in Paul’s favour. To make things even worse, Jennie never went anywhere without her sister Maloes, who was two years her senior. Their relationship was very close and they were hard to separate. Hence, these were for Paul three major obstacles to get to her and on top of that he spent most of his days at sea.

In every evening prayer Paul had asked his Father in Heaven for support in this matter. He asked Him to soften Jennie’s heart and make her to like him. He also asked God for a confirmation or sign that He really intended Jennie to become his wife. The Bible told him to ask for such things, but the Bible did not say that he would receive an answer. However intensely Paul beseeched or begged his God, there came no response, no reply, no sign, no nothing from that side and that made it extra hard for him. Paul was missing the certainty of a future with Jennie and he did not accept going back to sea with such a feeling.

Not only during this furlough but over the past two years Paul had given a range of signals to Jennie that he liked her. According to him she must have understood those hints as did many of his competitors. The girls of this youth group discussed among themselves, like all other girls did, about boys, dating, falling in love, who was eyeing whom, and so on. Through their brothers or sisters they could learn more about their flame’s preferences. However, not even through that channel could Paul get an indication of Jennie’s feelings for a boy and neither could any of his competitors. That was a situation Paul felt very uncomfortable with.

A few weeks before his return to his ship he decided to take the initiative and approach Jennie. After a good deal of entreaty to be given the opportunity to speak to her in private he had his mind set and focussed on the job ahead.

One day shortly after Saturday’s youth meeting the chance was unexpectedly there and Paul grabbed it with both hands. He was just a step ahead of brother Bakker and invited Jennie and her sister in his car to see them home. Luckily they agreed and got in, while Paul showed off a big smile to brother Bakker. He now had mustered all his courage and thought, ‘it is now or never!’

He parked his car in front of their house. The living room was dark as a sign that their parents had gone to bed already. When they started to get out of the car Paul asked Jennie ‘can I see you alone for a few minutes, Jennie?’

She was rather surprised by his request and did not react immediately, but after a few seconds she said: ‘Yes, what is it about?’

‘Private matter,’ Paul answered with a little nervousness, because now he had to get rid of Maloes. However, she had gotten the message and said: ‘I am going straight to bed, I am sleepy.’

Jennie had not many options left and asked Paul in.

Paul switched off the engine, took his keys and followed the ladies into their house. Maloes went straight up to her room, while Jennie went into their living room, switched on the light and took a seat at the dining table. She invited Paul to sit opposite and stared at him with curious eyes.

Paul started nervously and with a stammering voice said, ‘I wanted to tell you something and ask you a question at the same time.’

Jennie did not react and waited for Paul to continue.

‘I don’t know what your plans are for your future, but one day you want to get married, no?’

‘Yes, that seems to be the way, although I am not thinking about it yet.’

‘But you will choose a guy of your own religion, won’t you?’

‘Of course, that goes without saying. Why are you asking?’

‘It is because I want to be that person.’

That answer must have surprised her because her cheeks started to turn red and she was speechless. She took a minute to get control of herself and softly replied ‘you have taken me by surprise with your statement, Paul. I have no idea of how to react or answer, because this is difficult for me.’

‘I agree,’ Paul said, ‘that it may come as a surprise, but you must have noticed that I have been interested in you for some time.’

‘No, I have not really. As I just said, I am not thinking of a boy friend.’

Her answer came as a big blow to Paul, because it meant she had not picked up on any of his signals or understood his blandishments of the past months.

He then asked her in a soft voice, ‘do I leave you impassable, Jennie?’

‘No you don’t, but I find it difficult and I do not know what to say.’

‘That cuts no ice,’ Paul thought, ‘there is nothing I can do with such a reply.’

He said, however, ‘No problem, think about it as long as you like, because within a few days I am going back to sea.’

‘I will surely think about it, but it remains very difficult for me.’

Paul did not want to ask her what exactly gave her that difficult feeling. She should say so herself or not at all.

They talked a little more for a while, but all was said and asked. Paul thought he better be heading home, ‘I am going home. I will see you tomorrow in church.’

Jennie walked Paul to the front door and there they shook hands and said their goodnights. Paul got into his car and drove home. During the journey he thought aloud, ‘She is not without feelings for me. She needs time to think. She finds something difficult, but actually she does not know exactly her feelings.’

The only positive answer for Paul in all of this was that she was not totally without any feeling for him, but that was all.

‘Not much I can do with her answers. Too many uncertainties and they do not make a solid base for a relationship.’ He had told himself that and on past voyages on the Geestland he had actually given up hope entirely. Now this beautiful woman had boarded his ship and his annoying conscience started to remind him of Jennie.

‘Are you daydreaming, mate?’ Erik asked.

‘You could say that,’ Paul laughed and cut his thoughts over Jennie and Gail.

Together with his colleague Freek, the second mate, they had to make sure that the ninety tonnes of cargo would be well stowed and tied to the ship to avoid sliding during bad weather. Freek was slightly taller and slimmer than Paul. He had his thick dark hair tightly combed backward and sported a wild growing goatee and moustache, which he fiddled with constantly. Behind that little forest, he was hiding a friendly smile and he was as much an amicable person as Paul. Obviously they could get along very well. Freek was by dispensation the second navigator as he had not yet managed to pass for his second rank, although he had tried already three times.

‘Not easy to go back to school, Paul, when you are used to a boarding school mentality.’

‘You mean you do not have the discipline to do your homework without somebody kicking your arse?’

‘You got it!’

‘I understand, but looking at how many apprentices are joining our ranks every year, I got enough pressure of wanting to pass through my ranks very fast, otherwise I may never be able to achieve my dream of becoming a captain.’

‘I get what you mean, but it is still tough, you know.’

‘Freek, do you notice what is happening around us with the Dutch merchant navy?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘There are lesser ships and fewer shipping companies because of mergers and some are sailing under foreign flag for tax reasons as well as to be able to employ a cheaper crew.’

‘Yeah, if you look at it that way I should do my very best and pass soon for my second rank. Anyway, I am doing only two trips and can enjoy Christmas at home.’

The same morning they had discussed with the chief mate their tasks for the day ahead.

‘We got a first for this trip, guys.’ he had started.

‘We got a first of what, Sir?’ Freek had asked.

‘For the very first time we are getting some reefer containers on board. The company wants to use these boxes to transport the bananas right from the plantation to the ripening chambers in England.’

‘We all heard about these cool boxes, but will it really start soon?’

‘You bet! I am sure, it will. You better be prepared, because the future is in transporting cargo in these boxes, no more loose cargo. How they will actually get this started, I don’t know exactly, but keep your eyes open, nobody will stop this development!’

‘But, what are the advantages?’ Freek asked again.

‘A ship will be in port to load and unload for one or two days only. That means much lesser fuss from all those uncooperative unions,’ answered the chief mate.

‘I agree, sir,’ Paul said, ‘door-to-door transport is the future.’

‘You know what the two of you are saying? Sailing will become boring! That is what I see coming with those boxes.’ Freek reacted.

‘Yes, Freek, you indeed can forget about going on a pub-crawl in every port. Once a voyage, if you are lucky.’ the chief said.

‘That does not sound interesting to me at all, because without the pub-crawls sailing is no fun.’ Freek responded in a sad voice.

‘You are right there, but do you think any shipping company would have a sleepless night over you having to skip your pub-crawls?’

Freek got a bit more teasing from his mates about his famous shore trips, but had gotten the message, because he said: ‘You were right then, Paul, about the competition, we need to get through our ranks bloody fast or those young buggers will overtake us.’

After the ninety tonnes were taken on board and stowed in the right spots of the shelter deck of hatch number one, Freek and Paul double checked all the lashings and afterwards the chief mate did the same in order to be absolutely sure that the cargo could not start ‘walking around’. The weather forecast raised a surmise that there was a big chance the ship would be rolling and pitching on the high seas, the moment it left St George Channel. As soon as the Geestland had left the docks, water would be pumped into the ballast tanks, located in the double bottom. That would result in a more stable ship and the long rolls that were so typical for an empty ship, could be avoided.

Along with Miss Gail another six passengers had boarded this afternoon, but during dinner the ship’s officers were only talking about one of them. They were unanimous in their opinion about her appearance and already doing some daydream talking of who could chat up this pretty bird.

‘With your eight-twelve watch you got the best chances to get close to her, Paul,’ Freek said with a little trace of jealousy in his voice.

‘That is subject she will be visiting the bridge. If she has no interest to climb up those stairs then I got as many chances as our friends in the engine room,’ Paul answered, but meanwhile secretly wishing that he would see her often in the wheelhouse.’

‘She will appear on the bridge, Paul, if not you will send for her,’ Erik teased him.

Lingering at the dining table was not possible today, because it was time for ‘fore-and-aft’, to cast off the ship, stow the mooring cables and to prepare stem and stern for the coming rough seas.

Freek was in charge of ‘aft’ or the poop of the ship and Paul of the fore ship, where he did the job together with the boatswain and two sailors. The size of the ship required only three mooring cables at the stem and three at the stern. Within a few minutes the ship had slipped the cables and was on her way to Barbados. After another ten minutes the ship had been prepared for sea and Paul could change clothes after a quick shower and report for duty on the bridge.

The captain, a pilot, the chief mate and the helmsman were already there and it got crowded in the small wheelhouse. He made sure to stay out of the way and positioned himself between the helmsman and the radar unit. By doing so, he could observe everybody. Once he had familiarised himself with the situation he went inside the chart-room and studied the course the captain had set out in the sea-charts. He noted the positions where, during his watch, the course would have to be altered.

The Geestland was sailing in the mouth of the Ribble River and when coming out of it, at Lytham, the pilot would leave the ship. A course of 258 degrees was then to be maintained towards the north-western tip of Wales, the island of Anglesey with cape Holyhead. Close to this cape were a few very dangerously located little islands with the fitting name of ‘The Skerries’. Many a ships’ captain had gotten a scare when these small folks had suddenly appeared out of a fog or from the heavy seas.

When rounding Holyhead, over four hours later, Paul’s watch would be finished and it was then up to the second mate to give them a wide berth and steer a 210 degrees course towards Carusore Point in the southeast of Ireland. At that point was another dangerous island located, Tuscar Rock, and one should give that one an even wider berth as the currents of the ocean could cause additional unwanted trouble. Not a worry for Paul because when he starts his morning watch, the Geestland would be sailing the Atlantic.

After the pilot had crossed over from the rope-ladder into that tiny pilot-cutter the captain would set course and switch on the automatic pilot. That was also the end of the job for the chief mate.

He left almost immediately the bridge while telling Paul: ‘I am heading for my bunk, need to make up for some lost sleep. Enjoy your watch!’

‘Good night, chief!’

The chief mate was a man of sturdy built. He was about the same height as Paul, but twice his weight. He was of mixed Dutch-Indonesian blood, which featured in his face, boyish, smooth skin and black hair. The shape of his body was more of a farmer than a sailor, but he was a marvellous character and Paul could get along with him very well.

The captain and Paul stayed in the wheelhouse, while the helmsman had moved to the port wing of the bridge where he had to look out for ships and other floating objects. The captain was in charge until he had passed on command to his officer on duty and Paul knew that this old-man would go by the rules. Yet, he still surprised him by suddenly remarking: ‘I will make myself invisible, third mate, call me only when really needed.’

‘Aye, aye, sir!’

As the only officer left on the bridge and in charge of the ship he now could get on his way of doing the navigation job. He was kept busy keeping an eye on all ships that appeared within his range of view. He made the necessary cross bearings and marked those fixes in the sea chart and he analysed the ship’s position by radar and had the feeling he had it all under control. At three points to starboard he noticed a ship with very unusual navigation lights and he studied her through his binoculars.

‘Hhmm, it is carrying the red-white-red perpendicular signal and that means this craft is a stand on vessel. She is making headway because I can see her stern-light and a red glow of her port-light reflected on the white background of her hull’.

‘I better keep my eye on her as it seems she is crossing our heading,’ Paul said out loud in order to make himself concentrate even harder.

‘What gibberish are you mumbling there?’ asked someone in a pleasant voice.

Paul turned around and saw Harmen, the sparks, with a big smile on his face standing just behind him.

Harmen was close to forty years old and a skilled radio-officer for almost twenty years. His domain, the radio-cabin, was located behind the wheelhouse and accessed through the chartroom, like on many a merchantman. During his free time he often visited the bridge, especially when there were a few female passengers walking around. He was of the same height as Paul, but square-built and some stones heavier. His face had a boyish expression with a permanent grimace.

As radio-officer he knew of all confidential and personal communication and for that reason enjoyed the privilege to join cocktail time with the captain, chief mate and chief engineer. Other officers, below the rank of chief did not share the same privilege and had to pay for their own drinks. The sparks, as he was called on board, was well positioned to mediate between the commander and the lower ranks, but not everybody was happy with the way Harmen did that job and they were reluctant to tell him anything confidential. Paul thought him likable and as long as he would not encounter anything unpleasant he maintained a positive attitude and by doing so they got on rather well with each other.

‘Oh, hello sparks. I was only observing the behaviour of that vessel,’ Paul said while he pointed at the ship.

‘That one got a lot of lights on, looks like a Christmas tree.’

‘Yeah, you can say that, but those lights are ‘red-white-red’ and she seems not able to manoeuvre.’

‘Crossing our heading?’

‘Yes, likely far behind us. I don’t see the need for changing our heading. We are sailing much faster than she is.’

‘What are they doing out there?’

‘Beats me! Her speed varies, but they hold their heading. Maybe she is checking underwater cables.’

‘You are not going to call the captain?’

‘For what reason? We are not running a risk. Better let him sleep.’

Paul continued to walk up and down between the radar and the bridge wing till he was entirely at ease with the situation of that ship and his decision not to call for the captain. He came to stand next to Harmen and the telegraph and started to relax.

Exactly at that moment they heard the door of the chart-room and a few seconds later the captain pushed the curtains aside and entered the wheelhouse. Naturally he was not really walking erect, always slightly bent forward, as if he did not want to feel the collar of his jacket in his short neck. He had a high forehead and sported a forelock that made him look taller; he actually was shorter than Paul. He looked much older than forty and that was because of his lined face and pot-belly. Coming through the black curtain he even bent a bit more as if he was afraid of banging his head or spoiling his greased forelock. With five big steps he reached the window-sill, which he gripped with both hands and only then stretched himself while looking around for his officer of watch.

It appeared all so comical that Paul had to chuckle a bit and he noticed Harmen doing the same.

‘All well, officer?’ the captain asked.

‘Aye, aye, captain, no problems.’

‘I see, you are still here, Harmen.’

‘I am having a chat with Paul before checking out my bunk, sir.’

The old-man turned his head and gazed outside. Suddenly he got that course rigid vessel in view and must have gotten the shock of his life. Then he took two steps to the telegraph at high speed and pulled the handle in one smooth movement into the ‘Stop’ position and said in a reproachful manner, ‘why don’t you give way, officer?’

Paul did not think twice and pressed the handle down to the ‘full ahead’ position and while keeping it down he answered: ‘The past hour I have been continuously monitoring and plotting that vessel, captain, and there is absolutely no danger for either one of us. Please, convince yourself, sir.’

The captain must have been surprised by Paul’s bold and confident action, because he was speechless and likely considering how to respond to it. He looked again at the situation, checked the radar and the radar plotting Paul had made on the screen. He then went to the starboard wing, looked one more time at that funny vessel and disappeared from there downstairs without having said another word.

When Paul saw him disappearing he breathed a deep sigh, grabbed a cigarette and with the first whiff, the tension left his body. Harmen got his voice back also and almost shouted: ‘Jesus Christ, Paul, how the hell did you dare to go against his decision? This is insubordination, an undermining of his authority. That could cost you your job, man, and no other shipping company will ever employ you.’

‘Putting it that way, it could indeed mean the end of my career, but it was a reaction without any second thoughts.’

‘In time of war it could even mean a bullet,’ he said jokingly.

‘Yeah, Harmen, paint it more dramatic than it already is. He should have asked me first before making such a move, no?’

‘I agree, Paul, and I am surprised, because usually he is not that panicky.’

The phone rang and Paul said, ‘Oh my God, there he is.’

He picked up the phone and said with a shaky voice ‘Bridge’

‘Hey, Paul, what the shit were you doing with the telegraph?’ asked the third engineer and Paul’s nervousness was gone at the same time.

‘I stumbled over that rotten mat here on the bridge and just caught myself from falling by grabbing the handle. It was a reaction. Sorry about that.’

‘Absolute nonsense, Paul, our hearts skipped a beat, because banging it from ‘full ahead’ to ‘stop’ can cause a big breakdown of the engine.’

‘Yeah, yeah, I know you got a sensitive sweetheart there, reason why I pulled the handle back in the same second.’

‘I have to make a note in our log-book.’

‘Do your best, engineer, but write there what I just told you about my stumbling.’

‘I shall, but keep your tentacles off the telegraph in the future, will you?

‘I shall bear it in mind. You better return to your sweetheart.’

After putting down the phone he said to Harmen, ‘he will make a note of it in their log-book. So, I better do the same.’

‘You gave it a nice twist, but I wonder whether you have to see the old-man after your watch.’

‘Let’s wait and see. Nothing I can do now, but if I don’t hear from him I will look for him after my watch, then I don’t have a sleepless night. He can tell me what to put in our log-book.’

‘Good thinking. But I now will go for a long snore as I missed some sleep because of three nights pub-crawl back in Liverpool.’

‘Sweet dreams, Harmen!’

‘Goodnight, Paul’

The Geestland sailed on and that ghost vessel crossed her wake two miles astern.

‘With this action I may have lost a few points on my roll of conduct. How can I ever make up for it,’ he had asked himself a few times during the last hour of his watch, but had not found a solution.

When Freek took over from him at midnight he said, ‘Freek, I have to pee like a horse, I’ll be back in a minute.’

‘Rush, man, otherwise I will have it all here in the wheelhouse.’

Smiling Paul went downstairs, but not to the toilet but straight to the captain’s cabin. The door was closed, but some light showed from underneath it. Paul took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

‘Come in!’ sounded the voice of the captain.

Paul opened the door and stepped inside. The captain was sitting behind his desk and writing.

‘Blimey! Is he already writing my letter of termination?’ went through Paul’s head.

‘What’s up, officer?’ the captain asked in a friendly tone.

‘That sounds much better than I was expecting,’ Paul thought, but said, ‘I want to apologise for my action with the telegraph. I should never have done that, I am sorry, captain.’

‘Indeed, you should not have done that, but I made a mistake of not consulting you first. So, we are even, Paul and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.’

‘You really mean that, captain?’ asked a very relieved Paul.

‘No more about it. Is that clear?’

‘Aye, aye, captain, very clear.’

‘Now go and get some rest, you deserve it.’

‘Captain, shortly after you left the third engineer called and was plumbing the debts about the telegraph incident.’

‘What did you tell him?’

‘That I had stumbled over that rotten mat and by luck held on to the handle, otherwise I would have hit the deck.’

‘Did he swallow it?’ the captain asked half smiling.

‘Right away, but he also mentioned that he needs to report it in their log-book. Shall I do the same?’

‘Good solution, Paul, go ahead with it.’

Paul did not stay a second longer, wished the old-man good night and went back to the chartroom, where Freek was studying the map.

‘Now, that was a huge relief, mind you,’ Paul joked to Freek, who thought he spoke about his draining.

‘I shall finish my report of the watch and then join you for a cigarette.’

‘The plotting on the radar, what were they about?’

‘Oh, that was a stand on vessel with lots of lights in her mast. The funny thing was that her speed varied and that was the reason for my plotting. In the end it crossed our wake at two miles.

‘That sounds very weird indeed.’

‘Tell me! I still don’t really know what they were doing.’

‘Maybe she was checking her engine?’

‘Yes or maybe their engineers. Anyway, it is no longer my worry.’

‘I will wipe it off the screen. See you later.’

Paul completed his report in accordance with what he had discussed with the captain and then went for a chat and a cigarette. He spoke with Freek about the telegraph incident, but did not give him the real story, of course.

‘The old-man came upstairs afterwards?’ Freek asked.

‘Yes, but he accepted my apologies without further questioning and disappeared again.’

‘I have tripped over the bloody mat myself a few times because the edges are always pointing to the sky.’

‘We better ask for a new one.’

‘You can ask till kingdom comes, but they won’t change it. Besides, these coco mats outlast any ship.’

After finishing his cigarette Paul said to him ‘Enjoy your watch, Freek, I am heading for a vertical position and want to dream of a nice beach with coconut palms and nicely tanned girls.’

‘Indeed, I rather stumble over nice girls than this lousy mat. Sweet dreams!’

Walking through the corridor towards his room he was again pleasantly surprised by the smooth running of the ship’s engine, unlike the eight cylinders of the Baltrum, which would rumble all the while.

It surely improved the liveability of the passengers.

‘Great ship,’ he said loudly, but there was no one to hear it.

He was happy they were sailing and no longer moored in a port, but most of his happiness came from not being punished for his bold action of this evening. It could have cost him his job and that would have been the biggest disaster of his life so far. After taking a shower, he pulled open a bottle of cold beer and went to sit in the lounge. He lit up a cigarette and now that he was off-duty his thoughts almost immediately went to Gail.

‘Is not this special? I do have the gut feeling that this girl is meant to become my wife.’

Paul had come to that simple conclusion because of their exchange of glances and the way they had interlocked. As far as he was concerned, this was love at first sight. He also got an inkling of certainly not understanding a dime of what God had in mind for him or what His plans were with Paul. As long as this was not made clearer to him he would have to choose his own way in life and Gail was a good place to start.

The beer was finished, as well as two cigarettes and he said to himself, ‘Time to saw a tree,’ and went to his bunk.

Acquaintance

The next morning the Geestland left Tuscar Rock far behind as well as the south-eastern tip of Ireland. It was now heading a 240 degree course towards Fastnet Rock, located on the south-western tip.