A Ship's Tale (50 page)

“We have succeeded! We've come through the English Channel, run the Irish Sea, survived storms and bad situations, and there isn't a man among ye that I would not take pride in serving with again. The point of this voyage is that this ship has reached her destination. People who wish no harm to come to her will be discussing her fate and ye played the largest part in our achieving that. Another major result has been getting a new life for everyone aboard.”

At that moment the bear gave a large burp. Boys with tears in their eyes managed a smile. Bowman looked over at the huge beast and said, “Bear with me,” which brought outright laughter from everyone.

“My wish is that we all succeed in our lives and with our new friends. We've all become family, and I'd like to ask that ye still help each other and keep in touch with us and each other. Never forget that orphanage! May ye never have to endure that type of treatment from anyone again and try to make sure no one else has to in the future. There's no telling exactly what will happen, but we'll all try to meet up again when the dust has settled. As for the Royal Navy, they sit there defeated. We've outdone them. As for us, this voyage and all that went into it, was done solely by arm, heart, and brain,” Bowman finished.

While we were all applauding the speech, few of us without wet cheeks, Boris came and whispered to Bowman, who called to the boys, “Right, the tugs are almost here. Go forward and get the towing hawsers and prepare for the last step of our journey.”

For a moment we all stood frozen in silence, tears visible everywhere. Then Larry, as spokesman, stepped forward.

“Captain Bowman, this has been the best home we've known and the closest we've had to family. It's not fair, and I'm speaking for all of us, to leave you to whatever might happen. Well, we just don't want to leave.”

Bowman was clearly touched by this gesture and removed his cap to cover his emotion. I noticed his eyes were wet. Pretending to wipe his forehead, he rubbed his eyes and replaced his cap. He said firmly, “Part of my job, or should I say responsibility, was to make sure ye're all here safe and have new homes. I've done my part, so now ye must do the same and make new lives.” He turned and called out to Boris, “Take charge!”

All the boys followed Boris forward to prepare the long lengths of hawser needed for the tow.

Edward, Harris, Robert, Katherine, and I stood silent for a few moments before Harris said to Bowman, “Dammit, Uncle Billy, you were nearly eloquent there,” and put his great arm around Bowman's shoulder affectionately.

“Ye certainly know how to ruin a moment,” Bowman shot back in mock anger, with difficulty shaking off the heavy arm. He glared about him, “Well, what the bloody hell are ye all standing around here for? Get busy! Robert, did ye strike the flag?”

“Yes, sir,” Robert answered, showing him the British Ensign we'd flown from the beginning.

“Well, it's been more than two minutes. Run up the new one immediately!”

Bowman went forward to check that the tow was taken up properly, as the two tugs fanned out on each side of the
Bonnie
to reel in the hawsers. Harris and Robert pulled the pumps and petrol aboard tied hastily to a line. One pump had stopped for lack of petrol, and we were now racing time as the other sputtered running low.

Suddenly all hands raised a cheer as the flag of Scotland, the St. Andrew's white cross on a blue field, now unfurled in the breeze as Robert hoisted it up the mast next to the red duster.

“That'll give the English something to think about, don't you agree, Mr. Flynn?” Bowman said with a grin.

“That'll raise some interesting questions, I'll wager,” I smiled. With that he came over and put his hand on my shoulder. “Thank ye, Flynn. Without you and Robert I don't think we'd be standing here,” he said softly. I put my hand on his shoulder likewise, but I could only choke out, “Thank you, sir.”

Nothing more was said as he went off to oversee another project, but his eyes exuded gratitude for all we had been through together. At that moment, besides the respect and admiration I already had for Captain Bowman, I felt closer to him than ever. It was one of those moments that would long endure, and on this voyage we had all shared many such.

As the tugs moved into position, no effort was made by the MTB to hinder the operation. When we finally felt the heavy hemp hawsers take up the strain of the tow, everyone seemed to relax a bit, but we were all still emotionally unsettled till we heard the pumps come alive with a steady roar. Harris took up the position at the helm to guide the ship round the right-hand sweep of the Firth at Greenock, leading directly into the River Clyde. It was hard to take in that Robert and I were going to split up after seeing more activity than we had known during our entire service in the Navy.

Our reception at Port Glasgow seemed to have just begun. There were more small boats waiting for us, led by the Harbour Master's own launch. I saw one raincoated figure come out of the wheelhouse and hold a placard over his head. There was an arrow pointing downwards and the sign read, RICHARD AP. I went rushing down to the port side of the bridge deck, waving both arms like a mad thing, and then hitting myself on the chest and shouting, “Flynn!” By this time, the other seniors were all also waving, including the unmistakable figure of Bowman in his full dress captain's uniform. Richard must have taken the night train to be here in time to meet us.

As we rounded the bend, all the ships moored up on both sides of the river began to sound foghorns, whistles, and bells. Stevedores stopped work and there were some large painted banners hanging from the sides of the ships: WELCOME TO DUMBARTON, DOWN WITH THE SASSENACH, CONGRATULATIONS, and WE LOVE YOU MR BEAR. This last banner looked like one done by young schoolchildren. All along the bank road by Gourock and Greenock, where there was a space between docks and wharves, there were groups of people standing, waving small Scottish flags and cheering.

Through binoculars I could see the same thing on the far side of the river as well. Perhaps we were the only outlaws they'd seen in the history of their town—or at least the latest. This was much more than I'd expected. That so-called British reserve was a myth—nothing more than a misreading of everyone's wish not to intrude on other people's privacy. Given a real cause or something to capture the imagination, the British could be as sentimental as a Frenchman or as demonstrative as an Italian any day of the week.

Damaged buildings and bombed-out boat docks lay in ruin here just as in London. The Luftwaffe had taken its revenge not only against ships being built here during the War, but also against the Free French Navy dockyard that the British had provided when France had fallen.

Bowman was now into the spirit of things, waving his hat and ordering signal flags to be hoisted aloft.

After securing the tow, the boys moved off to their quarters to pack. I suggested to Katherine that we should do the same. We went below to combine enough necessary items for the both of us in one small suitcase, though that seemed scarcely possible.

“Now that we're man and wife,” I whispered, “this'll have to tide us over until we can return to collect the rest.” Once in the cabin, packing was not on our minds and amongst the socks and sweaters we spent a blissful few minutes, kissing and touching. This left us breathless but unable to go further through lack of time. We arranged everything into two trunks, two suitcases, and one over-stuffed duffel. It would mean making several trips, but that seemed no great task after all we'd been through.

I had to dash off because I'd be needed to help with the mooring when we docked. Katherine had a special surprise for everyone and needed to get back to the galley at once. As we left the cabin, Bowman came slowly down the companionway and we again thanked him for our impromptu ceremony.

“It was my pleasure. I haven't done that in many years. I hope it wasn't too embarrassing,” he said.

“Not really, just surprising,” Katherine answered.

“Too bad, I was hoping for some embarrassment,” he said with a smile. “Well then, I shall now retire to my cabin for a brief rest. I'll prepare the marriage certificate and give it to ye later.”

Katherine went off to complete preparations for what she called our wedding reception. The ceremony had thrown out her plans, for she'd already drawn the galley fire, and so there was no way to make things hot. Still…off she went to the galley.

I went up on deck to rejoin the rest of the crew, who were just as busy watching as working. The tugs were making good progress, still escorted by the flotilla of small boats. We were being led by the Harbour Master, in front of the tugs, while the rest of the boats formed a skirmish line astern, keeping the MTB at a respectful distance. This would give us time to tie up and disembark without harassment from them if everything went according to plan. But no skirmish line can cover every inch of ground, and the same is even truer of water. Boats are affected by various forces and must keep a reasonable distance apart to avoid collisions.

So now the MTB decided to test the line. The boat suddenly shot off towards the north bank at what must have been its maximum speed, streaking along with the line of boats to his starboard side. After passing the last boat he ordered right full rudder and brought his boat between the line and the
Bonnie Clyde
.

This manoeuvre was successful in getting round the flotilla, but it was a different matter to try playing games with the tugs spread in front of the ship and the Harbour Master leading a civic procession. At this point we'd nothing left to do except stand by, as Harris was now in control of the helm, working with the tugboats to negotiate the narrowing passage of the river.

Up ahead, clouds of grey smoke hung in the sky above the city and the familiar smell of burning coal filled the air, pouring out of blast furnaces, kilns, and chimneys in one of the biggest shipbuilding areas in the world. This smokiness was the first thing to be noticed when returning from a voyage at sea.

Below the haze, the people thronged the banks of the river where they could see, or else came in small boats, or looked out from their houses. The flotilla around us was becoming a huge armada.

Before long the accident waiting to happen, did so. The MTB collided with another boat and a small pier, though little damage was done. It was nothing serious, but it effectively took the enemy out of the picture. The captain had to stay there in order to collect all the information that would be needed by the Official Court of Enquiry. Our company gleefully applauded the mishap as we continued along.

The boys had finished doing their packing and were getting ready to disembark as per Bowman's orders. Their belongings easily fit in small bags and they were now lining up near the starboard rail with them. It's a good thing memories don't take up much space. There were a good many young girls among the people standing to see us pass, no doubt attracted by Richard's newspaper pieces about twenty strapping young men now looking for a new life in Scotland—or whatever he'd written. Their delighted shrieks pierced the other noises around, and I saw several of the boys preening themselves at the thought of a personal welcome from some of them!

At Harris's request I'd been down to the bilge and found the pumps were holding their own now that we were in calmer water. Shifting the ballast had given the
Bonnie
a definite list to port, partly disguised by the way the sails were held, adding to the slant of the deck.

We were still being greeted with foghorns and ship's whistles from passing boats. Along the coastal roads, we could see lorries and cars flashing their lights. It was all very cheering, but for the MTB captain's actions. Having hastily concluded minimal attention to his unfortunate collision, he now settled for following far astern, a brooding presence that might awake at any moment with some new blasted fool idea from his masters, as he must surely be in touch with them over the radio. We cared little for him now!

Suddenly there was a terribly loud jangling noise. When I looked round, I saw it was one of Katherine's helpers banging a big saucepan with an iron spit-rod, getting everyone's attention. He called out that everyone was invited to the wedding reception in the officers' wardroom. Leaving Harris at the helm, the rest of us headed for the wardroom.

What a marvellous spread had been prepared. Pillaging our ample remaining stores, Katherine had sliced up an entire ham and laid out potato salad, smoked chicken, cheese, and tins of fruit. A small side table was covered with bottles of beer and soft drinks. Everyone was in the mood for celebration of our arrival, our wedding, or both. Those still left on deck took part as well, from plates thoughtfully brought to their stations. Katherine had outdone herself with this feast, which she'd prepared without using the stove. I was being congratulated, not only for having married such a beautiful girl, but also for having found such a great cook. She encouraged everyone to collect and take any food left over, for none of us knew when or where we'd have our next meal.

I found Bowman sitting at the end of the table. He looked quiet and thoughtful, and I went and sat next him.

“How are you?” I asked.

“Are you asking for yerself, or is Harris having ye spy on me again?” he said with a smile.

“You just looked deep in thought,” I said.

“Aye, wondering what will happen in the next few days and weeks. Actually I hadn't given much thought to anything except arriving here safely—unless it was whether we'd be arriving here at all,” Bowman admitted. “How's that old bear doing?”

“So, you've become fond of him, eh?” I said.

He only smiled and told me that he and the bear had a lot in common, although he didn't go into detail about the comparison. “I'm going to take one last stroll about the deck to make sure everything is shipshape, and then I'll take a bit of a rest until we're secured.” He rose and climbed up the companionway to the deck above. I was about to follow him when Katherine came over.