Nautical Chaos

By JSRobertson

Seaview was preparing to shove-off from her home port in Santa Barbara. She would be heading to Groton, Connecticut for dry dock where her engines and propellers would be rebuilt. It had been sometime since her engines had a total overhaul so Admiral Harriman Nelson, the owner and builder of the submarine, and his Captain, Lee Crane decided it was a good time to have the work completed as they had no missions scheduled for the next two months. Once Seaview arrived, it would take workers a month or more to complete the job.

()()()()()()()

Janet Crane, Lee's wife, was working at her desk when the phone rang. "Good morning, Janet Crane," she answered.

"Hi Mrs. C," Sharkey's familiar voice answered back. "The Skipper wanted to know when the new raft you ordered arrived. We're unloading it now."

"Thanks Chief," she replied. "I'll let him know."

"Let me know what?" Lee asked as he stood in the doorway to Janet's office.

"The raft we ordered is being unloaded and Sharkey said you wanted to know."

"Yes, I was hoping to look it over. I'll go down to the sub pen when I'm finished here, but right now I need your help.

Janet looked at her husband and noticed he had several sheets of paper in his hand. "What do you need me to do?"

"This was supposed to be scanned over to the shipyard yesterday, but it got buried on my desk," he replied sheepishly. "It's the signed contract for the work to be done on the boat. Could you please call them and let them know what happened and then scan it to them?"

"Yes, Lee, I'll take care of it. I even reminded you about it," Janet retorted as she got up from her desk and took the papers from him.

"Thanks, sweetie," Lee replied and gave her a kiss. "We'll have lunch when I return from the sub pen."

"I'll come with you so I can bring the cruise packet down to the boat. Besides, I need to check out how many uniforms you have and what cold weather gear I have on the boat. I know the temperature is always the same on Seaview but when we go under the Polar ice cap, it feels colder. Just let me tell Angie we're leaving the office," Janet said as she grabbed her sweater from the back of her chair and changed her shoes from the high heels into her flats.

She made her way to Angie's office and told her where they would be. By the time she returned to her office, Chip had found out about the trip to the sub pen and would join them.

Lee helped her with her sweater, she grabbed the cruise packet after putting in a copy of the signed contract in the folder and they headed for the elevators.

()()()()()()()

They ventured down to the sub pen and were met on the dock by Jonas and Alex, the guards on duty.

"Good afternoon, Captain, Mr. Morton, Mrs. Crane," they said.

"Hi men," Lee replied as he watched the dock hands load some of the supplies into the boat.

They walked down the gangway to the service hatch where Lee went down the ladder first, followed by Janet and then Chip.

"We'll meet you back here in the observation nose when we're done in the missile room," Lee told Janet as she put the clipboard with the roster on the charting table.

"Okay," Janet replied and headed up the spiral staircase to her office and then their cabin.

Lee and Chip made their way out the aft hatch to the missile room. When they arrived, Sharkey had the raft sitting in the middle of the room.

They looked over the raft and were surprised how compact it was. It was a self-contained raft that weighed only sixty-three pounds and held four people.

As Lee read over the directions on how to inflate and deflate it, Sharkey asked, "Skipper, where do you want me to store this?"

"Put it aboard the flying sub," Lee replied.

"The flying sub, sir?" Sharkey asked. "Are we going to be taking her out on this cruise."

"No, not that I'm aware of but just in case we need to use her, I want her equipped with cold weather gear. How many dry scuba suits do we have?"

"We have twelve, sir," Sharkey responded.

"Put four on the flying sub along with six of the emergency Mylar survival blankets, MRE's, water, and four parkas. Make sure you include the one piece inter-liners for the scuba suits."

"Yes, sir," Sharkey answered knowing Lee liked to be prepared for anything.

"Chip, is there anything more we should have aboard?"

"No, I think you've covered it all," Chip replied mentally going over the list Lee gave Sharkey.

"Chief, will we be ready to shove-off tomorrow morning?" Lee asked.

'Yes, this is the last load to be stowed," Sharkey replied as the crane set the last skid of supplies on the deck.

"Thanks, Chief," Lee said as he and Chip left the missile room and headed forward to the control room.

()()()()()()()

Janet went to her office and put her cruise packet on the desk. She kept her cold-weather gear in the drawers under the bunk as there wasn't enough room for them in Lee's cabin. She noted she had a couple of fleece shirts, sweaters, and woolen socks. She would bring some more sweaters, socks and pants. She returned to their cabin and checked to see what Lee had and added the items he needed to her list. She left the cabin and returned to the control room just as Lee and Chip were entering the aft hatch.

"Ready for lunch?" Lee asked.

"Yes," Janet replied and put the list in her dress pocket and followed Chip up the ladder out of the control room.

The three of them headed to the cafeteria for lunch before returning to the office.

()()()()()()()

It was 1900 hours by the time Lee, Chip and Janet left for the day. They would report back to the sub pen at 0800 hours to make sure Seaview was ready to depart at 1000 hours.

After a quick dinner, Lee and Janet went upstairs to pack for the four weeks they would be on the East coast while the boat was under repair. She took the list out her pocket and started packing what she needed. She had filled her duffel bag and needed another suitcase for the rest of her gear.

"What are your packing?" Lee asked seeing her with an additional bag.

"Honey, I have to pack for a whole month, and winter clothes take up more space.

Chuckling Lee looked at the list Janet gave him showing what he had on the boat. As he started to fill his duffel bag, he realized he too was running out of room. When Janet went to the bathroom to get some items, he put some clothes in her extra suitcase.

"What are these?" Janet asked looking at a couple of pair of black and blue jeans, several turtlenecks and a denim shirt that Lee had put in her suitcase.

Lee was stooped down in the closet looking for a pair of boots, turned around and looked at her through his long lashes, "Sorry, I couldn't fit those items in my duffel and I saw you had some room," he replied guiltily.

She could never resist that look and answered, "No problem, I can fit these items in there too," she replied as she squeezed her items between his.

Finally, they had everything packed, brought the bags downstairs and put them by the door. They went back upstairs where they got ready for bed. Janet pulled back the blankets and climbed in where Lee joined her a few minutes later but sleep was the last thing on their minds. After making passionate love, Lee wrapped his arms around his wife and they both fell asleep.

()()()()()()()

Lee and Janet woke up early the next morning, ate breakfast and loaded the bags in the car for the short trip to the sub pen. Lee parked their SUV and was unloading the bags and suitcase while Janet grabbed Lee's briefcase and her purse. Before they closed the hatch, Chip and Julie pulled up next to them. As they got out of the car, Chip looked at all the gear Lee had sitting on the pavement.

"You moving to the East coast?" Chip teased hefting his duffel bag out of the back of his car.

"Remember, we're going to be gone a month, and winter clothes take up more room," Lee answered.

Janet looked at Lee and groaned. "Good morning, Julie, Chip," Janet said shaking her head at Lee.

Lee picked up the two bags and started to carry them when Kowalski, Patterson and Riley came up behind them and took the bags and suitcase from Lee and Chip.

"We'll see that these get aboard," Kowalski told them.

"Thanks, men," Lee replied as he took the briefcase from Janet who was walking with Julie. This would the first time Chip was going on a cruise since he and Julie got married and Janet could see she was unhappy.

"I didn't think it would be this hard to say good bye," she told Janet. "He's left before we were married but it's different this time. Did you ever have to say good bye to Lee and not go on the cruise?"

"Yes, just one time and I couldn't even say good bye, as I had the flu and Jamie wouldn't let me anywhere near the boat. It was very hard not to be able to say good bye," Janet replied.

As they proceeded to the dock area, Lee asked, "Are you going to meet Julie in New York after we dock?"

"Yes, she found out she is going to the conference after all," Chip responded. "We'll stay there for a few days before heading to Chicago to visit my parents. You know, you and Janet can come with us to Chicago."

"No, thanks for the offer, but we'll stay on the East coast while the boat's under-going the overhaul in case there're any problems so I'll be there to handle it."

"If you change your mind, just let me know," Chip replied as they made their way down to the dock platform.

Since Seaview's engines would be overhauled on the East coast, the crew would scatter across the country taking advantage of their time off before returning to the Institute. Each crew member would get three week's shore leave but would have to work one week in another department at the Institute. Harry would stay at his home in Boston for the first week and then accompany his sister, Edith, to Florida for the rest of his time off. Lee and Janet would spend the first week with him as it had been some time since they had stayed with him and missed seeing Edith, Cora and Alfred, Harry's housekeeper and her husband. They would then go to Lee's moms for the rest of the time. She had moved to a house by the ocean so Lee would be able to use FS-1 to fly to Groton if there was a problem with the overhaul. She would be there only one week before she left for an assignment in Europe. Chip had volunteered to return to the institute to take care of things there since Julie had to report back to the police department after the conference and he didn't want to be away from her for that long. He would have the time off but would check in one day a week and if something came up he would handle it. Once Seaview's overhaul was completed, he would ride back on the charter flight with the rest of the crew and report to the boat.

Lee and Janet boarded the boat while Chip gave Julie a kiss and hug good bye. "See you in a few days," he told her as she gave him another hug.

He walked down the gangway and into the service hatch turning around one last time to wave good bye. Julie waited until he entered the hatch before walking back to the parking lot.

()()()()()()()

Lt's. O'Brien and Jenkins were on the dock checking in the crew members as they reported in. They saluted the admiral as he made his way to the gangway.

"Good morning, sir," they said.

"Morning. Are Captain Crane and Mr. Morton aboard?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," O'Brien replied. "They arrived a few minutes ago."

"Thanks," Harry answered and started down the gangway where one of the crew took his bag and briefcase from him.

Harry climbed down the ladder into the control room which was gearing up for their departure. Consoles and stations were humming and beeping signaling they were ready to leave.

Lee and Chip were at the charting table, looking over the course they had plotted. If they didn't run into any trouble, it would take them ten days to get to Groton.

"Good morning, sir," Lee said when he spotted Harry at the bottom of the ladder.

"Lee, Chip," Harry acknowledged. "Are we ready to leave?"

"Yes, sir," Chip replied just as O'Brien and Jenkins came down the ladder and handed Chip the roster with all the crew checked off.

"Let's get underway," Harry said as he made his way to the observation nose where Janet was already sitting waiting for them to leave the dock.

"Good morning, Admiral," she said rising to get him a cup of coffee so he could sit in his 'front porch' and watch Lee and Chip maneuver the huge submarine out of the dock and into the channel.

Lee and Chip had made their way up the ladder and onto the flying bridge. Lee gave maneuvering the orders as the boat left the berth and made her way into the channel. Janet watched as the water flowed over the front of the sub as Seaview slowly crept through the water. She would stay there until the boat submerged. She heard footsteps on the ladder and the unmistakable sound of Lee jumping off the last two rungs.

He walked over to the charting table and picked up the mic, "Engine room."

"Engine room, aye," they replied.

"Bring her up to full," Lee said and waited for them to reply before issuing orders to maneuvering.

He double clicked the mic, "Maneuvering take her down to two hundred feet."

"Aye sir," they quickly answered.

O'Brien pressed the klaxon three times signaling they were diving. The top hatch was secured and Patterson reported all lights were green to dive.

Harry and Janet watched the water cascade over the windows as Seaview slowly slipped beneath the water.

"I never get tired of watching her submerge," Janet said.

"Me either," Harry responded as they both stood up and went into the control room.

"Nice work, men," Harry said. "I'll be in my cabin if you need me."

"Aye, sir," Lee replied as Harry made his way to the staircase. "Where will you be?" he asked Janet.

"In my office," she replied and followed Harry up the stairs.

Chuckling, Lee looked at Chip, "I guess it's just you and me."

Chip grinned back at his best friend and returned to scanning the charts on the plotting table.

()()()()()()()

Seaview had been at sea for over seven days staying at two hundred feet to avoid any ice formations. Lee knew most of the them were no more than sixty feet down but he didn't want to take any chances on finding some that could be deeper. They were getting close to entering Baffin Bay which would take them into the Atlantic Ocean.

Lee returned to the charting table after he had made his rounds around the control room checking on each station, console and crew. He stopped to chat with each man at every station. Everything was in order just as it should be.

"This is a pretty boring cruise," Lee remarked to Chip as he tapped his pencil on the charting table.

"Were you expecting something to happen?" Chip asked. "I thought this was a routine cruise and nothing more."

"It is," Lee responded, "but I wonder for how long. When was the last time we had just a 'routine' mission?"

"Never," Chip joked and continued, "but sometimes boring is nice, just think of all the work you're getting done."

Since nothing was happening Harry, Lee and Chip were getting plenty of work completed. Janet was kept very busy trying to keep up with them.

Lee looked at his watch and saw it was 1000 hours. "Take over the conn, I'm going to check on Janet and see if she worked out the schedule for the crew and their time off. We'll meet you for lunch at 1300."

"Okay, Lee," Chip responded.

Lee ascended up the staircase and walked to Janet's office where he found her grabbing a sweater out of the drawer under the bunk.

"If you're cold, I have a fix for that," he said mischievously.

She smiled at her husband, "I'm sure you do but since you, the admiral and Chip have so much time on your hands, I've got more than enough work to keep me busy so no time for that."

Lee returned her smile, "Do you have the schedule worked out?"

"Yes, I finally finished it," she replied and handed it over to Lee. He looked it over, signed it and gave it back to her to post.

"Nice job, sweetie," he said as he took her by the waist and gave her a hug and kiss. "I have a few more proposals to go over. I told Chip we'd meet him for lunch at 1300."

"Okay, Lee," Janet answered. "I have a few reports from the admiral to type up, the duty rosters to give to Chip for approval, and inventory. I'll see you in a little while."

Lee left the office and went to his cabin where he loosened his tie, sat down at his desk and opened the folder with the proposals he still had to look over.

()()()()()()()

Harry sat at his desk finishing up some budget reports that needed to be completed and sent to the Institute when Sparks called him on the intercom.

"Admiral, I have a call from a Dr. Kyle Moray."

"Put the call through, Sparks," Harry said as he sat back in his chair waiting for the call wondering why Kyle wanted to talk to him; he was a paleontologist friend based in Scotland.

"Hello, Kyle, what can I do for you?" Harry asked curiously.

"Hi Harry. The reason for my call is I thought you might be interested in the Storr Lochs fossil ichthyosaur."*

"Storr Lochs?"* Harry responded sitting up straighter in his chair.

"Yes, The National Museum of Scotland has finally figured out a way to extract the fossil from the stone it's been encased in for the last 170 million years."

"I remember reading it was found on the Isle of Skye close to the Storr Loch Power Station by a Norrie Gillies,"** Harry added. "You mean they're just removing the fossil now?"

"Correct. They used a vibrating needle made out of hardened steel to free the remains. They're presenting it to the National Museum of Scotland and I thought you might like to attend."

"I'd love to attend and take a look at it. If I recall, didn't Mr. Gillies die."

"Yes, Harry, he did so he'll never be able to see his fossil in all its glory."

"When will they be unveiling it?"

"Day after tomorrow," Kyle answered. "I know it's short notice but I'm hoping you can take that flying sub you have and get here in time. I've taken the liberty of making reservations at a nearby inn hoping you'd attend."

"Could you add a room as I'd like to bring Captain Crane and his wife, Janet, with me on the trip," Harry said.

"I'll see to it. I'm looking forward to seeing you and meeting your captain. I've heard many nice stories about your submarine." Kyle gave Harry the information on the inn and assured him he would be able to secure another room for Lee and Janet.

"Thanks, Kyle," Harry replied and severed the connection.

Harry was very excited about the trip to Scotland. He wanted Lee to come along as co-pilot on the flying sub but also to give them a short vacation since Lee would be tied up with the overhaul and wouldn't get much time off.

Harry pressed down the button on the intercom, "Control room."

"Control room, aye," Chip answered quickly recognizing Harry's voice.

"Chip, could you have Lee report to my cabin?"

"Sir, I believe he's in his cabin right now," Chip replied.

"Thanks, I'll look for him there."

"Yes sir," Chip responded wondering why the admiral wanted Lee and if it had anything to do with the call he received earlier. He would find out at lunch.

()()()()()()()

Janet had finished up some reports and needed Lee to sign them. She was walking to Lee's cabin and before she entered, Harry came up behind her.

"Is Lee in there?" he asked.

"I think so," Janet replied. She opened the door and entered ahead of the admiral.

"Hi sweetie," Lee said as he put down the proposal he was looking at. Not seeing Harry behind her he continued. "Change your mind about me keeping you warm?"

Janet moved out of the doorway and into the cabin followed by Harry. Lee quickly stood up when he saw the admiral standing next to Janet.

"Sorry sir," Lee replied slightly embarrassed.

"No worry," he chuckled. "Do you have a minute, I need to discuss something that just came up."

"I'll leave the two of you alone," Janet said as she laid the reports on Lee's desk and headed for the door.

"No, Janet, please stay as this affects you too."

Lee pulled the two chairs away from the bulkhead and set them in front of his desk where Harry and Janet sat down.

"A palentologist friend of mine in Scotland just called and wants me to attend the unveiling of an ichthyosaur fossil. The remains were found on a beach on the Isle of Skye and has been encased in rock for 170 million years. The National Museum of Scotland put the fossil in safe keeping for fifty years as scientists lacked the technology needed to free it from the dense rock. They now have the expertise to free it and realize that the skeleton is the most complete fossil of a sea reptile ever found in Scotland." Harry explained.

"Sir, what is an ichthyosaur?" Janet asked as she had never heard of them before. "Are they like dinosaurs?"

"No dinosaurs were on land, an ichthyosaur is a prehistoric marine mammal that ruled the seas 170 million years ago. It looks like a dolphin with a pointed mouth and hundreds of cone-shaped teeth. They're about 13 feet long. "I'll show you picture when we're done here," Harry explained. "Anyway, the unveiling is day after tomorrow and I'd like to attend, so I need you to fly over in FS-1. After the unveiling, we can stay for a few days and relax then meet up with Seaview before she arrives in Groton.

"I have no reason not to go. I'm sure Chip can handle getting her to Groton."

"Good, then it's settled," Harry said as he stood up and looked at his watch. "Can you be ready to leave in an hour? We'll grab some lunch first."

Lee looked at Janet and shook her head. "We'll be ready in an hour."

Harry left Lee's cabin and returned to his where he would notify Angie and let her know about the excursion.

Lee got up from his desk and walked to the door, "I better inform Chip that's he's going to be taking over as captain and let him know what we're doing. I'll meet you in ten minutes in the wardroom."

"What do I take with me?" Janet asked. "I've never been there."

"Pack warm clothes and just take the one suitcase for both of us, and leave me some room for my skivvies," Lee teased.

"Yes, sir," Janet replied as Lee left the cabin headed for the control room.

She threw some things in a bag, leaving room for Lee's clothes as well. She took one small bag and put her toiletries in there. She was ready to go so she went down to the wardroom where Cookie had homemade chicken soup.

*Ichthyosaur is a prehistoric marine reptile that ruled the seas 170 million years ago. It resembles a dolphin with its pointed mouth bristling with hundreds of cone-shaped teeth about 13 feet long. Source of information from Yahoo /news/move-over-nessie-real-scottish-sea monster-uncovered.

**All information on the ichthyosaur is from an article located on the Daily dated September 6, 2016.