Petticoat Sailors

By Dorothy O'Malia

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 26, 2007
• ISBN: 9781462832927

Dorothy O'Malia

Dorothy O’Malia is a native of Montana and attended school in Denver, Colorado. She started her career in the advertising department of the Denver Post and also worked in hotels and went back to school taking business administration and alter held hotel management positions in Montana and California. Then went into the Merchant Marine. After severe injury, Dorothy retired to Sacramento, California where she has made her home since. She became interested in the Ancient Chinese Astrology and has practiced the art since, taking time out to write novels based in historical events and experience.

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Copyright © 2007 by Dorothy O’Malia.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Contents

Prologue

San Francisco—en route to—Wilmington

at sea-en route to Tahiti

AUCKLAND—en route SYDNEY

SYDNEY—en route to AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND—en route to SUVA

SUVA—PAGO—en route—HONOLULU

HONOLULU—en route to SAN FRANCISCO

Prologue

October 1958

Victor, General Manager of the Newsome Hotels was making the rounds of the firm’s hotels, when Mrs. Newsome, Victor’s sister and owner of the hotels, cam to Marysville. As was her habit, she immediately went to church to have her little talk with God, she belatedly confessed she had divorced woman in her employ.

On returning to the hotel, Mrs. Newsome came into the accounting office, which Anne retained as her own on becoming manager and advised Anne of what she understood as the will of God, ‘To get rid of that heretic!

Well, thought Anne, the hotels are debt free, refurbished and the Marysville Hotel had made it all possible without the burden some loan Mrs. Newsome had requested… so it’s time to go.

Anne returned to San Francisco hoping for another neglected hotel to bring back to life, when she had a call from a friend, just back from a vacation in Cuba, to take her to dinner at the Fairmount.

They were enjoying a leisurely dinner, with Sam mournfully relating conditions in the land of his birth, when a group of men came into the dinning room. Anne gave little notice, until one came to their table and shook hands with Sam, Anne looked at him and was surprised to see Walter, the chef she had kicked upstairs in Marysville.

Anne! What are you doing in San Francisco?

Sam here is trying to convince me to go into the Merchant Marines, what do you think of that?

If you make up your mind… about going, I can get you on the Monterey… let me see… how about Sunday.

He took a card from his billfold, I’m with Matson now, go see this woman, he wrote a name on the back of another card, at the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union you’ll be turned down. Then you go back down in the lobby, there’s a phone there, call me. The Monterey sails at noon Sunday. If you want on her, I’ll see you on board, See you.

San Francisco—en route to—Wilmington

In the foggy San Francisco morning, the last blast of the horn sounded and the slightly thickened, monotone voice of the Third Mate warned, ALL ASHORE THAT’S GOING ASHORE… . ALL ASHORE THAT’S GOING ASHORE

The visitors began to stream off at a leisurely pace while the sailors waited for the Bos’n’s order to pull in the lines.

It was eleven o’clock of a Sunday morning and sailing time. Determinedly the S.S. Monterey broke away from the confetti tied dock, the tugs pulling her gently into the bay. The S.S. Monterey was sailing for Sydney, Australia. Her first port of call would be Wilmington where the greater share of her passengers would embark.

Forty two pleasure filled days, Anne quoted from the ship’s brochure as she and Dorothea leaned against the aft rail, drinking coffee and watching the wake.

A ship famous for its cuisine, speed, air; conditioned throughout and our Gyro stabilizers,"

Dorothea continued, and now my friend, it’s time to start serving some of that famous cuisine which is guaranteed to put on twenty pounds between here and Tahiti, giving their dressmakers a chance to make some money, Dorothea laughed. Anne pulled her heavy knit sweater tighter around her slim form and looked up at the sky.

Don’t let the gray sky worry you, Anne, we’re going into the sun, better worry about the high ballast we’ll be riding, that will be rough going out.

They left the aft deck and went into the galley, picked up some little Swedish rolls and more coffee and went into the dining room. Pat, Dorothea’s roommate was pouring coffee at Dorothea’s side stand.

Hi, I heard we had more crew than passengers this trip, she told them.

That gives certain members of this crew more time for mischief, Dorothea answered her, glancing meaningly at Pat~

No chance at all then for our room mates to stay out of trouble? Anne asked.

Could we be so lucky!? Dorothea laughed.

Oh, is your room mate back, Anne? Pat asked slyly.

You would be the first to know, wouldn’t you, Pat, her gear’s on board.

I wonder how she made out, Dorothea mused. She’s back, that should tell you how she made out, Anne turned to Pat, Didn’t your boy friend tell you all about it, Pat. Without waiting for an answer from Pat, which she knew she would not get, Anne turned to Dorothea, you and Emily came on here together, and you’ve been friends, can’t you talk to her?

I don’t know, Anne… Emily and I came out here at the same time, when Matson began to hire women. But I can’t criticize her, I’d rather have her on my side. You know, there was a time out here that wasn’t so pleasant and she was the only one who lifted a hand and protected me when no one else made a move.

Dorothea, a tall blond Scandinavian came into the Maritime Service from the Brown Palace in Denver she read in the paper Matson was hiring women in their dining room on the Mariposa, Monterey and Matsonia, came to San Francisco in time to be one of the first women hired for the Monterey.

Emily, also a tall blond of German descant was a Secretary in a San Francisco law firm came in at the same time, just to see a bit of the world, then back to GREAR GREAR & GREAR.

Pat was a small Irish girl with a fine honed taste for Gibsons. She lived on a small houseboat in Sausalito when she was home.

It isn’t Pete’s fault that Emily doesn’t mind her own business! Pat fired back, defending the man she was in love with.

Of course not, but do tell us what charming company our Chief Steward must have been after trying to rip Emily’s reputation to shreds!

Betty, another Scandinavian, this time from Sacramento said as she came into the Pit tying her apron and poured herself a cup of coffee. I’ll bet after he did his dirty work he promised every thing would be roses and champagne from now on, HA HA… Betty laughed.

This trip will be different, you just wait and see, Pat insisted.

Anything different won’t be of his making, I can promise you that.

You just wait and see, Pat said smugly.

Betty was having an affair with the Chef, a sometimes violent affair with consistent broken promises.

Sure, Pat, we’ll wait and see, Dorothea told her. Dorothea was engaged to Bill, the chief radio operator.

Elaine, the union’s sub-delegate, Representing the women on board, came into the Pit, the lowered section in the center of the dining room, officially called the Captain’s Square, commonly called the PIT. Elaine was a tall Native American, her make-up proudly proclaiming her heritage. Elaine was also the Captain’s waitress.

Hi, have any coffee left?

Dorothea pulled a cup and saucer from under her side stand, and filled it from the silver pot the girls shared. She handed it to Elaine and said, you’d better eat something too, before you blow away.

Do you and Emily have the stations next to me? Elaine asked Dorothea without acknowledging her advise.

Yes, but I’m worried about Em, Dorothea told her.

Elaine sipped on her coffee and looked around the PIT, her eyes lighting on Anne, she said, I thought you were going to sign off.

Decided to go one more round.

I see Ginnie’s back too, Elaine noted.

My God! Would you look at the color of that girl’s hair! Betty groaned.

That’s our Ginnie, a different color every trip, Dorothea laughed.

What would we have to laugh about if it were not for Ginnie, Anne said shaking her head at Ginnie’s bright orange hair.

I’m afraid there will not be much to laugh about this trip, beginning with your room mate, Betty said to Anne. I don’t know why Emily can’t get into the usual trouble, like drinking and missing watch, instead of bringing charges against the Chief Steward.

She had good reason, Anne defended.

How about it, Elaine, how did she come out on that hearing, Dorothea asked.

P.M.A decided in her favor, but they wanted her to take another ship…

Well?

That wasn’t good enough for our Em, she felt the value of the decision in her favor would be lost if she didn’t sail on the Monterey, that it would prove to everyone that justice could not be served out here. That a reprimand that was no more then a slap on the wrist was not good enough. But she thought a reprimand for Peters was not enough. I suppose that’s why they let her sail on the same ship.

You mean she actually told them and they let her get away with it? Betty asked, amazed.

What could the union or the company do, P.M.A. said she was right and had the right to sail.

Heaven help us with her and Peters on the same ship.

She’ll be the one who needs help from heaven, Dorothea, Elaine told her, I thought you were getting off to be married, Betty?

He’ll wait and I still have something to get out of my system.

what you see in that Chef…Pat taunted.

He has more on the ball then that spindly legged little Caesar you’re so crazy about! BETTY glared at Pat, there’s been nothing but trouble and shitty little power plays ever since he’s been on this ship!

That’s enough, girls, Elaine told them, where’s Emily, Anne?

I haven’t seen her, Anne told her.

Do me a favor girls, and Pat… you stay out of this, the rest of you… I need you to help me keep an eye on Emily. Don’t let her talk to Charlotte or the Chief Steward without some one with her.

Pete’s taking orders just like everyone else! Pat jumped to the Chief Steward’s defense. Charlotte was the hostess.

I’m making this request and I don’t want any interference from you, Pat! I’ll not have anyone going over the side while I’m a delegate!

The girls were shocked at Elaine’s statement. Shocked! They stood wordless and the breakfast bell sounded.

Saved by the bell, Dorothea tried for a lighter mood, I wonder what Papa gave us this time?

Knowing Papa… . Betty said, just to be saying something and thought, ‘are things so bad with Em that it made this alarming statement necessary?’

Thanks for the coffee and remember, fire and boat drill tomorrow in Wilmington, Elaine announced.

Oh damn, I was planning on some shopping in Long Beach, Betty gripped and went to her station.

Emily came into the dining room, took the coffee Dorothea had kept hot for her and smiled her thanks. She set about her tasks without conversation.

Anne’s first passenger came in. They were a Family of three. A boy about ten, crew cut and shining clean. He settled himself after trying various ways of fitting into his chair. Anne came to the table, he rested his chin on his hand and watched her. The father offered the family name, Our name is Smith, and this is my wife Mrs. Smith and our son. We’re making the round trip to Honolulu via of Sydney, Australia.

My name is Anne, I’ll be waiting on you from her to Sydney.

She poured water and distributed butter, the boy watched her every move. Anne took Mrs. and Mr. Smith’s order, then she came to the boy.

My name’s Terry.

Hell’o Terry, she smiled at him.

Are you going to wait on us all the way and what happens in Sydney?

Some times, Terry, people wish to changer their tables.

Wel l l, we’ll see how good you are, I’ll take a peanut butter sandwich with pickles.

Terry! his mother gasped.

With pickles… what kind of pickles?

With dill pickles, he grinned at her.

Dill… pickles… yes, young sir.

At the next table Mr. Henricks, the Maitre’d, "Papa’ seated a tall, very thin woman in her seventies, clad in pink from the top of her pink head to the tips of her pink toes, in a gown that would be best described as a pink Victorian tea gown she allowed Papa to hold her chair for her. Miss Howard was a teacher from Florida.

The lady who joined her was Miss Thomas, from Connecticut, they had been in college together, and although one was from the south and the other the north, they had made a pledge that when they retired, they would take a trip to the South Pacific and Australia.

Miss Thomas was a heavyset woman, swathed in imitation furs. She seated herself, saying to Anne, as Anne poured water and distributed the butter.

I’ve waiting twenty five years for this trip, every summer I’ve stayed home and saved, buying one item of of apparel each year.

Had you also planned a Scandinavian trip?

No, it’s always been the South Seas.

The South Seas are Equatorial, Miss Thomas.

It’s July isn’t it? I’ve read the season’s are reversed when we get to Australia.

That’s true, Miss Thomas… .

I’ve seen pictures of Melbourne, that’s where we’re going after Sydney and I’m sure I saw snow there.

Yes, Miss Thomas it does snow in Melbourne.

Mr. Peeples, a missionary, on an inspection tour for his Canadian parish came in at that moment and joined the ladies. Of small stature and gentle of manner, he would go as far as Auckland, New Zealand.

All through breakfast and again at lunch Terry watched Anne. Occasionally on noting his attention, she would wink at him. She could feel his wheels going around and around, did he like her? Did she like him? At lunch, he declined dessert and excused himself, breezily informing her he would see her at dinner. She watched him swagger from the dining room and smiled.

The second seating came in. Doctor and Mrs. Temple en route, via Sydney to Honolulu. The Temple’s were a beautiful, sophisticated couple from New Jersey. This was their twenty-fifth honeymoon anniversary.

Anne finished her work and went to quarters.

Everyone would be resting this afternoon, recovering from lost sleep in homeport.

When Anne came into the cabin Emily was already there.

Hi, I didn’t see you come aboard, Anne told her.

I came on at the last minute, didn’t feel like answering a lot of questions. What kind of passengers did you get?

Quite a variety, what about you?

V.I.P.’s

That will change in Wilmington.

With my luck… .

With your luck, I’d say you came out pretty good, charging an officer. Why did you do it?

For Christ sake, Anne, I had to, he was charging me with insubordination… and I was right!

But why come back on and throw it in his face?

Anne, don’t you see… it would have been a victory for him just to get me off this ship.

Elaine’s worried about you.

So am I, period. How was San Francisco?

We had lunch one day… I don’t think I should have come back, Emily, but…

Anne had intended to make one trip and get her wits together and decide her future, her career field while growing and admitting women was a far cry from what she had grown accustomed to. Management was now by memorandum which left her only option to buy or lease a hotel… and that had been her only problem… then she came out here and met Doctor Edward Miller. She fell in love the first trip out and for the past three years they’ve been sparring with friendship vs commitment. Having found the love she would give up a career for, it was going nowhere.

What did he have to say, in San Francisco, I mean?

Why spoil a beautiful friendship.

That’s better then nothing, isn’t it?

That’s what I’ve been telling myself for the last eighteen trips, now I have to think of my future. I’m not going to sail these ships for the rest of my life, no thanks.

When we get to Tahiti maybe you can use some of that Tahitian witchcraft on him, Emily laughed.

That at least gave you a laugh. Speaking of witches, did you notice those two I have?"

I noticed two verrry strange women, where are they from?

One is from Florida and my furry friend is from Connecticut, spinster ladies, both, also both school teachers, retired, anything else?

Yes, what about that presumptuous child you have?

"Really, Em, he isn’t a bit presumptuous… he’s… he’s a little precocious, as boys his age should be, it adds to their charm. Anyway… I don’t know what to make of him yet, I think he’s trying to figure out