Theodores Sodor Adventure
March 11th, 1985
One late afternoon at the Big Harbor, the four tugboats of the Great Ocean and Salvage Tug Institute waited eagerly for the return of their fifth tug. The tug in question was named Theodore, a smaller tug who had yet to earn his V word but had been given special dispensation to go with Rebecca the Scientific Research ship and a barge named Shelburne for a conference in foreign seas. Now the conference was done and the three friends were coming home.
Foduck, the safety tug was watching with his eyes peeled on the horizon when his radar picked up three contacts some distance out. Excitedly he turned on his radio and said, "I am picking up three vessels coming to the mouth of the harbor."
The other tugboats quickly finished their jobs and rushed over to greet the trio who slowly came into the harbor. As they saw him, their faces changed into worried expressions as they saw Theodore was missing his hat, the railings were bent as if struck by hard objects and his pumps were throwing out a lot of water, Rebecca and Shelburne were in similar states. Hank, Foduck, and Emily rushed to them and threw tow ropes onto the exhausted vessels. Towing them into the harbor, all three were delivered to the dry dock where they promptly fell asleep.
The tugboats got returned to the company dock and gathered around the Dispatcher. Emily said, "They're asleep – never seen any ship like this."
George grunted out, "I have, I worked near the New England coast before the retirement of the older converted Liberty vessels. Some of the ones near the end of their rope were in worse shape."*
"Constance and I have as well. Still it must've been a heavy storm to keep them awake. No one is that tired unless they've had a long week," Foduck said.
The older two tugs agreed but Hank worridley inquired, "Surely Theodore won't be like this for long?"
George smiled and said, "If he's as tough as advertised then he'll be back quicker than you think."
Hank smiled, "Yay!"
Foduck sighed "I'm going to check on their seaworthiness." and departed to the drydock.
George yawned "Good night."
Hank and Emily followed suit soon while night descended on the port.
At the drydock Foducks sonar pinged the hulls of all three, then he turned to the drydock manager and said, "All three are seaworthy. Shelburne though has a lot of water in him, I suggest doing him first or at the earliest convenience."
The man gave a thumbs up to show agreement and talked to some men. Foduck didn't know them, but knew they were from the Oceanographic institute by their uniforms and mannerisms.
The dock master raised a megaphone and said, "Take Shelburne and Theodore away, Rebecca has highest priority for repair."
Foduck whistled once to let him know that he understood and took the sleeping pair to the old docks and tied them up there. When Foduck returned he saw Rebecca was in the dock which was being drained.
"Had a good trip?" He asked hopeful for an answer.
"Yes," yawned. "Got hit by a sudden gale on the way back. Makes those rogue wave theories believable," She replied exhaustedly.
"How was Theodore?" Foduck asked.
The ship chuckled and said "Wonderful. He kept a clear head in the storm and managed to keep Shelburne afloat. Even managed to find me after the storm."
Foduck smiled "The company will be pleased."
"He better get a V-Word. Surviving a Gale and keeping a barge afloat is no easy task. Navigating back after taking the pounding he took is a great feat. If he doesn't get a V word I assure you all, my wrath will be swift." She said sternly.
Foduck smiled, "As long as he did well at the conference."
Rebecca raised her eyebrow before realizing what he meant, "Forgive me Foduck! I've been focusing so much on recent events that it slipped my mind. That went wonderfully, we met a man called Ballard**, going to take a shot at finding Titanic. I imagine he has a fair chance."
Foduck smiled knowingly "Like the past 20 attempts?"
"Give him a break, he has naval funding. Someone believes in him, that or he did something for them." Rebecca said, her loyalty to the Scientific community showing through.
"I am just saying, not many have succeeded. I remember a young tug interested in the depths until five weeks passed with nothing," Foduck chuckled.
Rebecca frowned "This is why I prefer Theodore. He was such a gem on Sodor. They do want him to come back. Imagine if I took you? They'd throw me out!"
Foduck frowned as some of the workers laughed with her "He really did that well?" he asked, with surprise in his voice.
"Indeed he did. I'll tell more when I'm down and wet again." She said tiredly.
"Have a good rest. I can't wait to hear more," Foduck replied.
For the next several weeks, Rebecca, then Shelburne, and finally Theodore, were repaired and had their water damaged parts replaced. The other tugboats watched in amazement at the storm damaged parts.
Among those parts were the engines for Theodore, Shelburne's generator for his pumps, Rebecca's wiring and various computers. However the Tugs were happy to share the news and all three talked, then after about 4 four months, at last Theodore went back into the water.
That night, the other four tugboats were talking when Theodore blew his whistle cheerfully as he came to the company dock.
The others responded in kind "I am happy your back. Also I apologize for never believing you about Guysborough," started Hank.
Theodore smiled "That's alright Hank. So any new changes in the three months I've been gone?"
"George burned down the refinery, Emily's pregnant, Foduck announced he's moving to Fire Island and Hank got a tattoo." The Dispatcher said. Theodore turned and a minute passed before the normally stoic building chuckled causing the others joined in. The tugboat shook with laughter as the Dispatcher said "A little bit of humor to greet you."
"I never knew you had it in you sir," Theodore said.
"This is a serious workplace and so needs to be treated as one. Only on special occasions will I let a joke out." The Dispatcher said.
Theodore smiled "What was his joke when you two got your 'V' words?" Addressing George and Emily.
George, the eldest and first to get his said, "I was at another harbor so nothing except a party. Then a ship broke apart."
Theodore, startled, looked at George as he added "For the future, if your ship has origins from the last big war. Keep an eye on its radio. It will need it."
Emily chuckled and said "That won't pop up too often Theodore. Now to answer your question. Let me see, '72 was it? Ah yes, George had stolen a ship and had become a cuban smuggler. Foduck was in prison for getting too much Ethanol into his system and running a red buoy. Then I said I ran past a red buoy and the Dispatcher had to send Constance to look for me in the aftermath. I was very young as you could tell."
George chuckled "I remember, I found you at old dock number 93 Her question was 'why I wasn't in Havana?' "
Foduck frowned "It wasn't funny then."
"You're just angry because that was the year you got in trouble after getting too much ethanol in the system." George smirked.
Theodore and Hank turned to Foduck who responded, "I had been out at sea for some time with Rebecca. We had a storm. So I celebrated my return."
"Wow, is that why we don't have ethanol anymore?" Theodore asked.
"That and only Foduck and two other ships could use it safely." The Dispatcher replied sternly, "But let's not get too silly or pry into uncomfortable events." he raised an eyebrow at the tugboat who blushed and said "We all make mistakes."
The three tugboats looked at each other and Theodore said "He's referring to an event that happened while I was away. Before I get my V word I'm going to learn to read harbor maps. Less chance for errors."
The Dispatcher smiled while the three V tugs winced, they all knew what he meant.
"A fine choice Theodore," Foduck said.
"The worst part was that it was my first day on Sodor." Theodore said.
George groaned "Which harbor?"
"Knapford." Theodore replied.
"This ought to be interesting."
"George." Emily warned.
Theodore chuckled, "It wasn't too bad. I just made a bad judgement. However, could you tell us why you groaned when I mentioned Sodor afterwards?"
George rolled his eyes while weighing his options. Then he replied, "Alright. I admit my curiosity won out here. I will."
Emily grinned in approval and Theodore said "Alright. It all began when we reached Arlesburgh Harbour…"
Three months before
Theodore, Rebecca and Shelburne came into Arlesburgh harbor as the sun began to rise. The tugboat was tired but still attentive as Rebecca pointed out various sights all over the harbor.
"That is the loading dock, they load and unload ships." Rebecca said as they passed a dock where a ship was being pulled into.
"Why is the ship so small?" Theodore asked.
"Arlesburgh isn't as big and the amount it lets means smaller docks and ships are needed compared to your harbor. The Big Harbor is one of the few place in the world where ships like the Princess can dock!" Rebecca said causing Theodores mouth to drop in astonishment.
"That can't be true!" Theodore exclaimed.
"It is." Shelburne replied.
Then a whistle sounded out and a small tugboat ran up to them, "And smaller tugboats." Rebecca added.
"Stop! Name?"
"Maurice. We do this every two years or so." Rebecca replied annoyed.
"Name?" Maurice the tugboat said again, tone not changing.
Theodore decided to make it easy, "Theodore Tugboat, in company Oceanographic institute vessel Rebecca and deepwater crane Shelburne."
"Papers?" The ship said and
Rebecca sighed, "Here." one of her cranes lifted a small package up and dropped it on tugs deck.
A crewman came out and read them, "Everything seems to be in order." The tug announced and Rebecca recovered the box.
"Dock 12 for all three. You are also aware you are early by a week?" Maurice said bluntly.
"I practice quite a bit." Rebecca sighed.
Constance is a merciful being compared to egotists like him." Shelburne said.
Theodore had already fallen asleep and Rebecca blew her whistle once to wake him.
"Almost there. We're going to a shady dock so you can rest." Rebecca consoled.
Theodore smiled tiredly but Shelburne said "Wait. Does he know about…?"
A loud whistle sounded out. The tugboat jumped and then said "Those diesels are on fire!"
Rebecca looked and then laughed, "They're not diesels. They are steam engines, Donald and Douglas are the names."
Theodore watched as the two steam engines slowly left the town hauling a lot of wooden trucks.
"What are they pulling?" Theodore asked.
"Troublesome' trucks. They're wooden cargo haulers that use flaws in their design to cause problems." Rebecca said as they headed towards the dock.
"Like what?"
"Put on their brakes, push engines, break the couplings, a metal rope used to connect the trucks to the engine, and sing – Dear god the singing. The first time I arrived was in 1968, an engine called Oliver had gotten in trouble through them. The trucks sang a song called 'Pop goes old Ollie.' "
"Yikes, I can only think of one ship that has caused that many problems intentionally." Theodore replied worriedly.
"Yes, keep me in the water any day." Rebecca agreed.
Soon they had reached the dock and had fallen asleep, several hours later Theodore was woken up by a man on the dock.
"Hello tugboat – err – Theodore. Can you assist us?" The man asked
Theodore yawned "Where?"
"Knapford Junction harbor. It's used to bring in local goods. The tug there took in bad fuel and the other tugboats are busy." The man said.
"Could I get confirmation and a guide?" The man chuckled, took off his hat and said "I am the harbormaster at the harbor in question."
"Oh." Theodore said and felt nervous, then the harbormaster took out a large grey brick and tapped it a few times.
"Hello? Yes, its me again. Theodore seems a bit nervous. Yes I'll put him on." The man walked over to the tugboat and put it next to his face. Then the voice of the Dispatcher came on.
"Hello Theodore?" He heard, Theodore nearly jumped but kept his composure
"Yes sir?" He said causing a yelp,
"Not so loud!" The building said.
Theodore blushed and said "Sorry." In a quieter voice.
"I did indeed give Harbormaster Willard permission to use you. It isn't a big harbor so you should have no trouble." The Dispatcher continued. "Also, Harbormaster Willard is accompanied by tugboat driver Morton, you will hand control over to him so he can deliver you there."
Theodore was uncertain and for a moment remained silent. While he had been crewed for the first 2 years of his life, it was going to be unusual for the controls to be used again. However getting to see places that the other V-tugs hadn't gone to yet, and the chance of talking about them when he got home held a special attraction. Plus, they did need help now.
"Theodore? Is everything alright?" The Dispatcher asked sounding a little worried.
"Yes sir, just thinking. I understand and will do it." Theodore replied.
"Very good." The harbormaster put the grey brick down and said "Sorry for worrying you. This should only take a day or two before we get another tug from Barrow."
"Its a busy season isn't it?"
"Dry winter this year, means that some of the quarries are open early." The harbormaster said.
The two men went into the tugboat who warmed up his engines, twenty minutes later he sailed out to get to the harbor.
Forty minutes later he reached the harbor in question which had two ships waiting outside it, a bunch of fishing boats, and a barge that was grumbling.
Theodore felt himself regain control and whistled at the impatient vessels. "I just have to drop off the men on me off and then I'll get you all sorted!" He shouted and rushed in quickly.
In the harbor Theodore was dazzled by how cramped the harbor looked and nearly stopped to look at the scenery but a horn from a waiting vessel brought him back to reality. He slowed and let the men off while instructions for the docking arrangements were handed to him.
Theodore quickly proved his worth as he brought in the ships carrying vitals like food first, then the fishing boats and then took in the stone barge. It had proven to be a busy afternoon and Theodore saw much he didn't understand including more of these 'steam engines' and 'troublesome trucks'.
That afternoon Theodore finished and the harbormaster let him explore until the 7:45 arrival of a steamer. The tugboat admired the docks as a silver engine came into the harbor and whistled at him. Theodore honked back before something odd happened, the silver engine went off the rails. Behind him the trucks giggled until a orange truck said "You fools! Bulstrodes in the harbor!"
Present
"BULSTRODE!" Emily shouted in shock.
"Yes. Do you know him?" Theodore replied in surprise.
Emily smiled weakly and said "Never get stuck anywhere near him for a night."
Theodores face dropped and he said "You may not have to worry about anymore."
Emilys eyes centered on him, "Go on Theodore." She said.
Flashback
Theodore watched and said "What happened?"
"They pushed me over the points!" The silver engine cried.
"And I'm stuck here." the barge said and then began to whine, and whine, and whine!
The trucks then began to groan and moan while the silver engine began to cry. Theodore wisely kept quiet and was attentive to the fishing boats after Bulstrode ignored every attempt to quiet him down. Then he heard a whistle, a small green steam engine rushed in. The trucks cheered and said "Percy!" The engine, Percy, was surprised and went to collect them. Theodore saw there was only one crane by him though and the rest of the trucks seemed grumpy.
Worried he went to a man who was overseeing the operation and said "Sir? There are two cranes at the end of the dock. We could get Bulstrode unloaded faster if I put him there." The man turned and then said "Which end?"
Theodore turned and the man saw the cranes, "Could work. Alright, get him moved. He's not due to leave until tomorrow but this may quiet him down."
Theodore quickly moved Bulstrode who grumbled dreadfully, then stayed by him in a effort to calm him down.
Percy had finished collecting Stanley's stone trucks and brought them over, however the workmen had wanted to finish the job quickly that they forgot to pin the brakes. Thus when the tank engine pushed the trucks towards the quay there was nothing that could be done should they go too fast.
The sloping oily tracks (a fish delivery had leaked earlier) provided no traction to stop and thus the trucks rolled faster towards Bulstrode.
"HELP!" They cried as they soared towards the horrified barge. Theodore closed his eyes as they rolled through the buffers.
A minute later Theodore opened his eyes and sadly looked at the damage and the new decoration in front of his wheelhouse. The truck rolled its eye and said "Sorry."
Present
"What?" Foduck said, "I have seen railway cars and these 'trucks' sound similar. There is no way one of them could slide over its brethren and land on your deck."
"It somersaulted over its smashed brethren and loads." Theodore replied and then George cut in, "He isn't pulling your bumper. They are quite small and I believe it."
The Dispatcher replied, "We got an image for keepsakes. I'll ask for someone to bring it tomorrow."
Foduck looked at him "I will believe it when I see it."
"Never mind Foducks skepticism. What happened next?" George asked.
"The Fat Controller talked to me." Theodore sadly replied.
3 months before
"So how did this mess occur then?" a stern voice asked Theodore who had taken the blame.
Theodore told him and the man's face softened somewhat. "I do appreciate your help tugboat. However in the future when you work a new harbor on Sodor you must inquire about any features of interest. Percy can inform you that pier was unsuitable due to a slight slope due to some erosion in the ground. If you had, this whole mess would've been avoided."
Then he turned to Percy, "I know it wasn't your fault, my suspicion is the brakes weren't pinned. But could you handle clean up operations until Harvey arrives?" turning back to Theodore, the Fat Controller kindly said "I am going to ask for you to be moved to Tidmouth where the tugboats and harbormaster can keep an eye on you."
Theodores eyes flickered downwards sadly.
Bulstrode sniggered until the Fat Controller turned to him "You have been nothing but a nuisance for the last 60 years. My engines work hard and if not for your constant wailing then this mess would've been avoided in the first place. Your owners have agreed to a special reassignment for you. Theodore, please bring him to the beach near here."
The trucks laughed "This is what you get for always barging in and moaning about!"
Theodore took Bulstrode to the beach where the foreman directed the operation and soon he had beached him.
"There, now you can have children play on you and maybe at last you'll be really useful!" The foreman said.
Present
"Is he still there?" Emily asked in shock, the dangers of being beached too long were well known to all of the tugs.
"He was refloated after a fair came through. If I have British conventions right if the face clay remains the vehicle will be used again." Theodore said.
"You do have it correct." The Dispatcher said suddenly, "He probably needs repairs I imagine."
"He did, Bulstrode had a nasty list as the trucks smashed a hole in him." Theodore said "Still I'm glad he has another chance. Maybe he's learned."
The two older tugs looked at each other, both had known Bulstrode and his type for far longer. However they didn't want to crush his hope and so kept silent. Besides he got Guysborough to calm down so maybe Theodore was right.
"I can't believe it, tiny docks, tiny ships, trucks on rails, and engines that use steam in this day and age. It sounds silly." Foduck said.
Theodore frowned but before he could continue Hank said "What did Percy do at the harbor to learn it sloped?"
"Well, one day he went to the harbor-" And Theodore continued while Foduck cut him out. It was so silly but when he looked at George, the big tug eyed him and said "You shouldn't be so dismissive. Besides Theodore had a long time there and so would know more."
"Its just so silly." Foduck replied.
"Sodor is a unique island." George said as Theodore finished.
"Then Henry said 'I suppose you will enjoy the water next time.' Since then Percy has ensured there won't be a next time."
Hank gawked "He was silly."
"Yes, however he's learned since then." Theodore replied.
"Very good tugs. You can resume tomorrow. We have an early day tomorrow." The Dispatcher ordered and all of tugs went to sleep dutifully.
*-Yes its that robert Ballard and Foduck will be eating his words soon
**- wiki/SS_Marine_Electric Take a good look at it and you'll understand what George means here and why ships have a short usage life.
The final thing, Foduck is an American tug. He has every right to be sceptical The boxcar (50ft) was the type of vehicle the US was using by 1910 for trucks. Is it a wonder he's disbelieving?