Theodore smiled as he said "Now to my story. The evening after my incident with Bulstrode I was working in Tidmouth an issue happened."

Several weeks before

A storm was brewing, around Tidmouth preparations for a massive gale were underway. Theodore was helping by moving barges around, strangely the troublesome ones kept quiet while the trucks, who had heard Theodore had rescued one of their own were respectful around him. The other tugboats though were the biggest issue around.

"Ahoy sinky!" called a tugboat. Theodore blinked as he looked around. Shrugging off the insult the little tugboat travelled to a dock with his barge where a human harbor pilot was waiting.

"Hello there. I am Mr. Wilson. Harbor Pilot here. Could you assist me?" The man called out as the barge was safely docked. Theodore turned and asked "What do you need?"

"Just a ride, my boat has seaweed in the propeller. Could you take me to the last arrival for today?" Theodore honked a yes in response and came alongside the dock.

"Just let me inform the harbormaster of this." Theodore replied. The pilot agreed and went into the wheelhouse to warm himself. The harbormaster agreed and instructed Theodore to pull the ship into port after he delivered the pilot. Eager to redeem himself before he rejoined Rebecca, Theodore eagerly agreed and set off.

Twenty minutes later Theodore came to the ship in question. Around it were three tugboats arguing.

"This is your fault Marge." Said one.

"I told you that wouldn't work. According to the princi-"

"Principles nothing. We just have to get the ship off and no one will know." The largest tug said in a gruff voice. The pilot climbed out of the wheelhouse with a megaphone and said "Know what may I inquire?"

The three turned in surprise and we're about to speak when the tramp steamer said "These three idiots grounded me. They grounded me!" in a indignant tone. He explained the three tugs pulled him in despite knowing there was no pilot. Due to their inexperience, they grounded the steamer who was cross at the turn of events.

Eager to get the disgruntled ship and crew to safety. Theodore said "Its a quick pull, you don't seem too stuck. Let's make it quick."

"Who sank and made you tug in charge?" asked the other male tug derivesely. The Pilot responded "Chances are, he hasn't grounded anybody lately." Theodore froze and then coughed as memories of Cabots* grounding surfaced. The pilot turned and Theodore explained "Long story. Ship name of Cabot caused trouble and I tricked him into grounding himself."

The tramp steamer grinned and said "So your the tug who forced Cabot to clean up his act? Good show. Now work your magic here."

Theodore smiled and said "Don't worry. We have four tugs." He organized the other three who grumbled at being led by the one who sank Bulstrode. This led to the ship congratulating Theodore again on his good deed. Afterwards all went well as the tugboats took position.

All four pulled as the pilot said "Ready!". Progress was non existent and finally Theodore stopped.

"Your stuck deep. We'll have to dump something off. A few tons I'd say." Theodore said with the air of confidence. A decade of Digby Rescues having prepared him for this day.

The tugboats glared at Theodore and Marge said "How do you know?" Theodore explained about his rescues of Digby over the years and the Sudrian tugs and sailors were astonished.

"Will my ballast work?" The ship called. "No. Weathers getting choppy. You need that ballast for corrections. Can't have you going Andrea Doria on us." Theodore replied. The steamer grunted in appreciation at this.

Then Theodore asked "What's your cargo?"

"Kaolin or as we know it China Clay. Why do y-! You lovely tug! Why didn't I think of that!" The ship called, "I admit that my past few voyages have seen a few tons a in my hold. I think the computer has a glitch so I should be alright."

Theodore grinned and said "I'll call the Coast Guard to check. Should be a quick inspection." The leader of the three demanded "What are you planning?"

"Well, he needs a few tons off him. We pour the kaolin into the bay. Then he's off the bar." Theodore explained. The tugboats gaped at this while Theodore grinned.

"Can't we take the fuel off?"

"Not in the time span we have." Theodore replied. The weather has gotten choppy and bringing a barge to drain the ship of oil was just about untenable.

Marge then said "You have no right!"

Theodore replied "It's either that or he splits open in the storm pouring everything into the harbor and shutting it down. Don't worry though, Kaolin has no long or short term damage. Ask the Anangel Liberty**. 2200 tons and the damage is gone."

He began the call while the pilot looked stunned at the turn of events. While dumping was a strategy, he never expected a North American tug to suggest it. Then Marge said "You make that call and I'll report you to the authorities."

"Go ahead." Theodore replied and made the call to the coast guard. After explaining the situation, the Coast Guard sent a choppe to look over the situation.

After finding the clay to be stored securely and uncontaminated by chemicals or materials the man approved the plan. Quickly tons of clay flew over the side as the waves and winds rose in ferocity while the tugboats pulled every ten tons.

At 150 tons the steamer was loose. All four hauled him to harbor where they tied him to a dock then rushed to their own dock. For hours the waves battered the harbor and twice larger tugboats braved the waves to perform heroic rescues. Two days later the storm abated.

As he left the dock for a meeting with the coast guard men, a jury, a judge and the harbormaster Theodore chuckled as he saw clay still in the water around the harbor. Coming to the dock Theodore saw the three tugs who started this mess telling their side of the story about the dumping.

Theodore whistled and the harbormaster turned, "Ah, Theodore. I see your punctual. Now then, explain why there is 300,000 pounds of clay I these waters?" Theodore explained the situation, the consequences of not removing the steamer, and the coast guards approval.

"Now then, are you qualified to handle toxic goods or study the effects?" Theodore responded no, then he said "However, recent literature points to Kaolin not being toxic except in a localized region. Could I call a witness?"

The judge nodded and said "Who is it?"

Twenty minutes later Rebecca the Research Vessel arrived to testify. Rebecca looked annoyed with Theodore, "Whats this I here about you dumping and crushing barges?" She asked.

Theodore explained the situation about the clay and promised to tell about Bulstrode later. Rebecca turned to the judge and said "Luckily for Theodore, the dumping was probably the best solution. According to a environmental report from the Anangel Liberty grounding of 1981, which is being provided to you." As she said so a scientist emerged from her hold with a binder. Throwing it to a deckhand, the hand took it to the judge who looked through and then nodded.

"A year after two thousand tons of Kaolin clay were dumped, little damage was observed by the University of Hawaii. Thus barring the clay being contaminated, the process is safe. A lot safer than having oil, asbestos, grease, machine fuel, WD-40 and all those other lovely substances pour into the harbor." Rebecca explained.

Slowly the inquiry concluded finding the tugs guilty of negligence and misconduct, Theodore found innocent of any wrongdoing, the steamer crew somewhat responsible of failure to prevent the grounding by not guiding the tugs, and the pilot was found partially responsible for not informing the tugboats of his arrival. Theodore was relieved and turned to face Rebecca when the harbormaster came up.

"Hello Theodore, marvellous job with the steamer. I'm here to inform you that your harbormaster is aware of this rescue and that the Barrow tug is here. Your free to rejoin Rebecca. Don't cause anymore issues." He turned briskly and walked back to his office.

Rebecca snorted, "After all you did! What a pity you wasted your time here." Theodore smiled weakly and said "Still it's not awful. How's Shelburne?"

"Very well, he misses you. Now then what's this I hear about a barge?" Rebecca asked. Theodore said "Follow me, you'll see what happened firsthand." and led her to Bulstrodes beach while explaining what happened.

Present Day

"Bloody fools almost contaminated their harbor." Foduck said astounded. "Please tell me they apologized." Theodore thought over for a moment and said "Can't remember seeing them afterwards, besides I was with Rebecca and Shelburne exclusively for the next few weeks."

The tugboats chuckled, "Rebecca got clingy?" Emily asked.

"Given the fact she woke up to me missing and had to wait several days for me to rejoin her I think she had a reason." Theodore defended. George and Hank snorted.

The Dispatcher turned and said "I'm afraid to say it's time for lights out. Busy day tomorrow." The tugboats then shut off their engines and closed their eyes.

*Theodore and the Unsafe Ship

**SS Anangel Liberty did exist.

article/10.1007%2FBF00397121

Document Rebecca used.