Chapter 12
Chip woke up the next morning, took care of his morning duties and made his way to the wardroom for breakfast. He grabbed some eggs, bacon, toast and coffee. He was just finishing his meal when Jamie arrived. He saw that Chip had eaten breakfast and was looking a lot better.
"Good morning, Chip," Jamie said. "Have you heard from Lee?"
"No, not yet but I'm sure he'll be calling soon. I'll find out how the Admiral is doing so you don't have to worry."
"Thanks, I'll check in with you later," he replied as Chip walked out and headed to the control room.
He entered the aft hatch and saw all the men were at their stations. He sensed the mood in the control room was definitely better than the past few days. He walked over to the plotting table where Bobby was checking their position and speed.
"Good morning, Mr. Morton," he said. "We're on course and a little ahead of schedule."
"Thanks, Bobby," Chip replied and walked over to the radio shack.
"Sparks, has the Skipper checked in?"
"No sir, not yet."
"When he does, pipe it over to the plotting table," Chip told him.
"Aye, sir," Sparks replied.
No sooner had Chip returned to the plotting table when Sparks called him to let him know Lee was calling.
Chip picked up the mic, "Good morning Lee, is everything okay?"
"Yes, Chip, just fine. How long before you arrive?"
"About six hours, we've managed to shave off about thirty minutes. It seems your 'grey lady' misses you," he teased.
"I'm looking forward to seeing her and the rest of you," Lee chuckled. "I don't think you're going to be able to get into the dock. None of the slips look large enough to accommodate her. Leave her two hundred yards off shore and send a zodiac for us."
"Aye sir," Chip replied. "I'll contact you as soon as we're in place."
"Thanks, Chip. Crane out."
Chip clicked off Lee's call and double clicked the mic. "Chief Sharkey report to the control room."
"Aye, aye, sir," Sharkey replied a few seconds later.
Sharkey made his way to the control room and went over to the plotting table where Chip was standing.
"Sir, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, Chief, when we arrive, I want you and Kowalski to take a zodiac out to pick up the Admiral, the Skipper and Mrs. Crane."
"Aye, aye, sir," Sharkey answered enthusiastically. "We'll make sure they get safely aboard."
Chip had a special surprised planned for their arrival or he would have been on the zodiac.
He picked up a pencil and started tapping it on the plotting table just like Lee would when he was nervous.
()()()()()()()
Lee turned off his SAT phone and entered the clinic where he was stopped by Doctor Atkins. "Let's check out your hand and I'll leave you alone until you're ready to leave. I'd like to accompany the Admiral to the dock and get a look at the Seaview," he told Lee as he led him into an exam room.
"You can accompany him but I'm afraid there isn't a slip large enough for her. She'll be two hundred yards off shore so you can see her," Lee said as the doctor looked at his hand.
"That'll be just fine," he remarked. "Your hand looks a lot better. I told your wife that I'll make sure you get copies of the treatment for you and the Admiral to give to your doctor."
Atkins re-bandaged Lee's hand and left him to go back to Harry's room as he had another patient to attend to.
()()()()()()()
Before Lee could return to Harry's room, he met Janet in the hall.
"He's napping," Janet said when she saw the worried look on Lee's face. "How soon will Seaview be here?"
"About six hours," Lee replied. "How about we go for a walk. I don't think Harry will miss us."
"Sounds good," Janet answered and Lee helped her with her jacket.
Even though it was cold out the fresh air felt good. They walked down to the docks and looked out over the ocean.
"It's really pretty here," Janet said turning around and looking back at the town. "Lee, thanks for not saying anything about me being strangled. I'm sure Doctor Atkins would have said something to Chief Elston. I don't think he would have accepted that there was no one on the boat and assumed that you or Harry tried to strangle me. I was afraid he wouldn't let us leave if you told him," Janet commented and put her arm around Lee's waist and gave him a hug.
Smiling he returned her hug, "You catch on fast but I'm worried about you."
"I'll be fine once I get aboard Seaview."
They walked hand in hand in silence back to the clinic. Harry was still dozing but they sat down and waited for him to wake up.
()()()()()()()
Seaview had arrived at the coordinates and was stationed at two hundred feet facing east when Chip told the engine room to stop all engines.
"Lt. O'Brien, surface the boat," Chip ordered.
"Aye, sir," he replied and pressed the klaxon three times.
Removing the mic from the periscope island, "Surface, surface, surface," he said. "Blow all ballasts, ten degrees up bubble."
As Seaview slowly broached the surface, Phil called to Bobby, "All green."
"Crack the hatches," he ordered and stowed the mic.
Ron brought Chip and Bobby their cold weather gear before they climbed up the ladder to the flying bridge and looked over the small town of Nanortalik. They watched as the deck crew helped launch the zodiac with Chief Sharkey and Kowalski. They would stay on the bridge until they saw the zodiac returning, then station themselves on the quarterdeck to wait for Harry, Lee and Janet to board.
The zodiac cleared the sub and made its way to the dock to pick up its very important cargo.
Chip removed the mic on the bridge, "Sparks, contact Captain Crane and let me talk to him."
"Yes, sir," he replied and made the connection to Lee's phone.
()()()()()()()
Lee and Janet sat waiting with Harry for Chip to call. When the phone did ring, all three of them jumped.
"Skipper, I have Mr. Morton," Sparks reported.
"Hi Chip," Lee said when the connection was made.
"The zodiac is on its way. They'll be waiting for you at the first dock."
"Thanks, Chip. We're ready to go."
Chip took a deep breath. "We're looking forward to seeing you. Seaview out."
"Our ride is on its way," Lee said as Doctor Atkins walked into the room.
"It seems your submarine has caused quite a stir in town," he told them.
Smiling Lee replied, "She does do that to a lot of people."
"Here are the reports I promised you," Atkins said as he handed two folders to Janet.
Lee helped Harry with his parka and they walked out of the clinic. When they got outside, Hugo was waiting with the cart to take Harry and Doctor Atkins to the dock. Janet and Lee would walk as it wasn't that far and there's was no room for them. Doctor Atkins waited for them to come to the dock before letting Harry out of the cart. Chief Sharkey and Kowalski were waiting for them.
"It's sure great to see you, sir," Sharkey said as soon as he saw the admiral. Kowalski nodded in agreement.
"Same here, Chief," Harry answered as Lee and Janet walked up alongside of him.
"Admiral, she's a mighty fine looking boat," Doctor Atkins remarked as he stared at Seaview.
"Yes, she is," Harry replied proudly as he shook his hand.
"Thank you for everything, Doctor," Lee said nodding his thanks as he hand was still bandaged. Janet also shook his hand and thanked him.
"You're welcome. Come back and see us again."
"If we're ever in the area, we just might do that," Lee replied.
Sharkey and Ski helped Harry aboard the zodiac and then helped Janet aboard with Lee following behind. Sharkey started the motor as Ski pushed them away from the dock. He slowly gathered speed and cruised to the boat. When they arrived, the quarterdeck was lined with every crew member not on duty standing at attention.
Lee was first to disembark and smiled at Chip, "Permission to come aboard?"
"Permission granted," Chip replied with a huge grin.
Once Harry and Janet were on the deck, Lee put the men at ease and smiled at his best friend. "You don't know how happy we are to be back here. Thanks for the greeting."
"You don't know how glad we are that you're back," Chip responded shaking Harry's hand and went to shake Lee's but noticed the bandage so he patted him on the arm instead. He then patted Janet's arm.
They made their way into the service hatch where Chip and Lee went down the ladder first so they could help Harry into the control room followed by Janet. Jamie was waiting for the three of them as he couldn't wait to get his hands on them. When she got to the bottom of the ladder, Janet handed him the folders from the clinic. He quickly perused them and she could see the disappointment on his face that he wouldn't have to worry about taking care of them.
()()()()()()()
Janet wandered into the observation nose while Lee and Chip prepared to get underway and vaguely heard Lee and Chip talking. She stared at the trawler that had saved their lives but also almost cost them their lives.
"Chip, once the zodiac is stowed, set a course for Groton," Lee ordered. "I'm going to change into a uniform."
"Admiral, let me help you get into a uniform," Jamie said as they headed for the staircase.
"Thanks, Jamie. I think this calls for a celebration, so have Cookie serve dinner in the nose. Jamie, you'll be joining us as you'll want to hear our tale."
"Yes sir," Jamie replied and helped Harry up the staircase.
Chip and Lee were standing by the plotting table, "Mr. Morton, the zodiac is stowed and we're ready to dive," Bobby reported.
"Dive the boat, Lt.," Chip ordered. "Bring her to two hundred feet and full speed"
"Aye, aye sir," Bobby replied setting the dive procedure in motion, calling maneuvering with the course and the engine room with the speed.
"At depth and speed," Bobby told Chip.
Chip noted the course and speed in the log book.
Once Seaview was underway, Chip and Lee noticed Janet standing in the observation nose. Lee walked into the nose and gently put his arm around her waist causing her to jump as she didn't hear him.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
"Yes, now I am. I just can't get what happened on the trawler out of mind but I guess I'll have to accept it," Janet sighed. "Let's get changed."
They walked up the staircase as Janet gave the red boat one last look before they sailed away.
()()()()()()()
Lee and Janet returned to their cabin happy to be 'home'. Lee quickly changed into his uniform while Janet changed into a pair of pants and a turtleneck still trying to hide the faint bruises on her neck. Her throat as still a little sore and her voice still raspy. She hoped Jamie wouldn't notice. They left the cabin and made their way into the observation nose. Harry, Jamie and Chip were already there waiting for them. Lee noticed that Chip had closed the crash doors separating the control room with the nose.
"Everything okay?" Lee asked knowing Jamie would have checked Harry out.
"Yes, I looked over the treatment and x-rays they did at the clinic and they were very thorough," Jamie replied. "But he's still going to rest for a few days, either in his cabin or the observation nose. No work will be allowed."
"Harrumph," Harry snorted. "We'll see about that. I'll have plenty of time to rest once we get to Groton."
"Lee, I'll look at your hand later but Doctor Atkins wrote that the burn was getting better and he gave you some antibiotics. Have you been taking them?"
"You sure got a lot done while the admiral was changing," Lee commented. "And yes, I've been taking them."
"Janet, you managed to escape unscathed," Jamie remarked.
"Well…" she replied not finishing her sentence as Harry interrupted.
Harry knew Jamie would take her away if she told him what happened so he piped up, "Lee, go into the cabinet and select a bottle of wine for dinner."
"Yes sir," Lee replied and took out a nice vintage that would go with Cookie's dinner of steak, baked potatoes and corn.
Lee uncorked the bottle and poured all of them a glass. "There's no place like home," Harry toasted.
They all raised their glasses and took a drink. Cookie had brought some appetizers for them to enjoy until dinner was ready. Once dinner was ready, they sat down and while they were eating Lee told them about the sea monsters that forced them out of the flying sub.
"How is FS-1?" Lee asked concerned about his 'baby'.
"By the time we found it, the radiation had risen almost to dangerous levels. We saw your red warning and donned protection gear before we boarded. She was pretty beat up but they've managed to get the reactor repaired and the dents. You should have no problem using it if you need to while the boat is undergoing the repairs. Angie notified the shipyard about the delay and there's no problem if we arrive later than expected. But I want to know what did you run into to do that much damage?"
"We ran into some unruly denizens of the deep that actually ran into us," Harry stated and continued. "They resembled an ichthyosaur but were a lot larger and pretty riled up. Normally, they stay deep in the ocean but when we were submerged, they must have thought the flying sub was food as they pounced on her and pushed her around like she was a piece of fish. Even on the surface they continued to attack her."
Lee continued where Harry left off. "We couldn't stay on the flying sub, so we got out the raft and took what we needed to survive. It was cold but the scuba suits and parkas helped us survive the night but we knew we'd never make out there in the raft. By the way, we'll have to get another raft and suits."
"Yes, we know," Chip interjected. "We searched for you but knew we needed help, so I alerted the Navy. There was a Nor'easter blowing down and the Navy sent all the boats to the south and the planes couldn't fly. I called Gary Easton in Admiral Dickinson's office for help and ended up talking with Admiral Starke."
"Jiggs got involved," Harry remarked as he took a sip of wine.
"Yes sir, and thank goodness he did. He got the planes out to look for you and a couple of boats. It was a pilot that spotted the deflated raft, scuba gear, a parka and women's clothing. Since we had no idea you were aboard a boat we assumed the worse," Chip said quietly. "How did you get on the boat…why didn't you keep the raft?"
"I'm getting to that part," Lee responded. "We spotted the trawler the next morning. It was strange that the boat made no effort to help us. We managed to maneuver the raft to the boat and when we boarded it, we found it deserted. We tied the raft to the back of the boat just in case we needed it. We checked out the wheelhouse and found a radio shack but the radio didn't work nor did our SAT phones. We didn't know if we were in a dead area or what. There was food aboard so we knew someone had to be on the boat recently.
Lee stopped momentarily to take a large sip of his wine. Since the bottle was almost empty, Harry suggested they open another one. Lee refilled their glasses and sat down continuing on with their adventure.
"While the Admiral tried to repair the radio, I was trying to fix the engines. I almost had them running but when I connected the parts together it started a fire, so that's how I got burned. At that point I knew the engines would never start."
"How did you survive the cold…didn't you get hit by the storm?" Jamie inquired.
"We got lucky as there was a separate gas generator on board that ran some of the boat's mechanicals like the heater, desalinization system and electric. There was gas in the tank and a couple of extra gas cans. We got that running so we had water, heat and electric for two days. As for the storm, we were right in the middle of it and we had to turn the heat off to conserve gas. We wrapped ourselves in every blanket we could find. The boat was rocking pretty badly but we made it through."
"I thought you said you had extra tanks," Chip asked. "Why didn't you use them?"
Lee looked over at Harry and then Janet. Chip noticed the look but didn't say anything as Lee continued. "The cans were empty when I went to fill the tank. Don't know how but they were empty."
"Admiral, how did you get hurt?" Jamie questioned.
"I went to look for some more tools and anything that I could use to fix the radio and I lost my balance and fell into one of the holds they used to store the fish. I must have hit my head on the deck and landed on my arm. Lee and Janet pulled me out."
Jamie looked at Chip and back at Harry, Lee and Janet.
Janet took up the story, "I found the Captain's log book and read the entries. According to his log book, he was sailing back to Newfoundland after his crew hitched a ride on another boat leaving him to sail The Lorybova alone. He'd been drinking and one of the entries he'd written suggested he thought the boat was cursed because they changed the name. I searched his cabin and found another log book with a different boat name. She was originally called Lyobulova and had another captain's name in the log. There were only a couple more entries before they stopped. We assume he fell overboard trying to secure a hook to the crane."
"Okay so now what aren't you telling us?" Chip asked. He knew Lee well enough to know that he was hiding something.
Lee knew he wasn't going to be able to fool Chip so he figured he better tell it all. "Things started to disappear, ropes mysteriously became untied while I was trying to secure the same hook to the crane and I was nearly washed overboard. The gas cans were empty when I know they were full. The ropes on the raft were purposely cut during the storm. Our scuba suits, a parka and Janet's clothing that they found floating were removed from the boat. The generator was purposely sabotaged and the admiral didn't lose his balance he was pushed into the hold. All the netting was cut so it made it harder to get him out."
"And what else?" Chip wondered as he sat back in his chair arms crossed over his chest.
"Someone tried to strangle Janet," Lee said waiting for Jamie to explode.
"I knew her voice sounded funny. Didn't they examine her at the clinic?" Jamie shouted.
"No, because we didn't tell them," Janet answered. "I was taking a shower and someone or something tried to strangle me. How do you explain that to a doctor who'd assume Lee or the Admiral did it.?"
"Janet, you'll report to Sick Bay before you turn in for the night," Jamie ordered.
"Yes sir," she reluctantly replied.
"Lee, you're sure there was no one hiding on that boat as I hate to think what the other alternative is."
"Chip, I swear there was no one on that boat."
"Before we could leave, we had to answer questions from the Chief of Police because they were looking for the trawler. Some of the captain's log entries were lies. The boat was impounded in Newfoundland and he took off. So it has two strikes against her. A name change and the captain's death as I think his spirit is still on that boat but he's not a very friendly one."
Sighing deeply, Chip remarked, "I guess not. How did you manage to land on that sand bar anyway?"
"I had found maps and charts but nothing else to find out where we are. You know a sailor never leaves port without a sextant or something to use for locating where they are. This boat didn't have any modern equipment so there was no GPS. I searched the captain's cabin again and tripped over a rug on the floor where I found a door panel cut in the floor. In there I found a sextant and hoped it was accurate. We got one glimpse of the sun but I was able to find out where we were. Our only hope was that small town but the wind picked up again and I was afraid we'd miss the town which we did but managed to catch the sand bar."
They sat there quietly for a few minutes before Jamie piped up, "That's quite a tale but had you not found that trawler you'd…"
"You're right Jamie," Lee said. "We'd never have made it in raft so I guess a little trouble is better than what could have been."
"Admiral, I told Admiral Starke that you would contact him when you returned. Also, Dr. Moray was very worried and asked that you contact him."
"I'll call them as soon as I get to my cabin. Does Angie know we're safe?"
"Yes sir. I was going to notify her, Edith and Lee's mom when the plane found the raft but I put it off for a day and I'm glad I did."
"Me too," Harry agreed and let out a yawn. "I'm going to my cabin, make my phone calls and retire for the night. I'll see all of you in the morning. You stay and enjoy yourselves."
They all stood up when Harry got up. He turned down their offers to help him and made his way up the staircase to his cabin where he was looking forward to sleeping in his bunk.
Chip opened the crash doors so Jamie could return to sick bay.
"Janet, make sure you stop and see me before you retire," Jamie instructed as he walked out the hatch.
Lee, Chip and Janet remained in the nose for a few minutes.
"Thanks for taking care of things," Lee said to Chip. "I know we messed up your plans to meet Julie in New York."
"It's okay, she understood and was very upset when we thought you were dead," Chip replied. "We were both wondering how we'd get along without you."
"No need to worry about that now," Lee said with smile. "It's sure good to be back."
()()()()()()()
Janet and Lee left for sick bay while Chip checked in with Jenkins and Taper giving them some last-minute instructions before going off duty.
Once in sick bay, Jamie checked out Janet and found she suffered no ill-effects from her ordeal. Her voice was raspy because she was getting a cold.
Lee and Janet made their way up to their cabin. "I would really like to take a walk-about the boat. Do you mind?"
"If you didn't want to walk your boat, I would have sent you to sick bay. I'll be here when you get back."
Lee gave her a kiss and hug and left to check out his 'grey lady'.
()()()()()()()
Seaview docked in Groton, two days later and only six days late. They immediately started to tear down her engines and propellers once she was dry docked.
Edith had a car waiting and whisked Harry away to the airport and Florida as soon as they docked where they would visit their friend, Carolyn.
Chip was going to stay behind and wait with Lee while they dry-docked Seaview but Lee told him to go. He got lucky and caught a flight to Chicago a few hours after they docked. He couldn't wait to see Julie and his parents, of course, and knew Julie wouldn't be upset that they missed their rendezvous in New York.
The rest of the crew took off to their destinations where they would have three weeks of shore leave before heading back to work at the institute. Janet made sure Chip had the rosters of where each man would report.
()()()()()()()
Janet and Lee finally left Groton two days later as Lee wanted to check on how the overhaul was progressing. The foreman broke out in a smile when Lee told him to call if he had any problems. Janet felt bad for him as Lee was always hovering over them as they did the repairs.
Lee's mom had purchased a secluded house on the beach so when Lee would fly in on FS-1 no one would be able to see him. Most of the time he would come in submerged and surface when he got there. By the time they arrived at her house, she had already left for her assignment in Europe. They were disappointed that they missed seeing her but were happy that they were alone.
They enjoyed walking on the beach, shopping and reading books or proposals as Lee had brought them with to look over. On one particularly nice day, Lee had returned from town and found Janet out on the patio staring at the ocean. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned back into him.
"You know you have to let it go or it will drive you crazy," Lee said softly.
"I know it's just hard to believe there was a ghost on the boat," Janet replied frankly as she turned to face him.
"This might help," Lee answered and handed her a book.
She looked at the title and grinned. "Thanks, honey, but I know something much better that will make me forget," she remarked with a mischievous grin.
She took his hand and led him back into the house leaving the book on the table titled, "Ghost Ships: Tale of Abandoned, Doomed and Haunted Vessels."****
The End.
**** Ghost Ships: Tales of Abandoned, Doomed and Haunted Vessels, by Dr. Angus Konstam. Published by Lyons Press in 2005.
Thanks to everyone who read the story. I hoped you enjoyed it. A special thank you to everyone who posted a review. You'll never know how much I appreciate you taking the time to post one.
Thanks to my beta, Christy, for her suggestions and finding my errors.