The British Ship

Georg heard his children giggle; he held a thought. He was wondering if they would have that same happy demeanor when the saw the British ship, a real battleship.

Archie spoke the moment Georg arrived on the bridge. "Georg, use my binoculars to have a good look at the Port of Gibraltar."

"Thank you, I will."

Georg first had a good look at the huge limestone rock behind the port. When he moved the binoculars to view the port, he was startled by what he saw. And he voiced it.

"Archie, I knew our next ship was a battleship but I didn't think it would be in clear view of everyone. I need to return to Maria to tell her."

"Then you better leave now; we're approaching the port quickly."

Georg hurried off the bridge platform. He discovered Brother Simon had invited everyone to the top deck when only a few of the higher sails still needed to be stored. The children and all the adults were busy watching the two Brothers up high on the masts to reach the last ones. He was able to get Maria's attention and move to the back of the deck.

He whispered to her. "I knew our next ship was a real battleship; I hadn't expected it to be in clear view as we approach the port. I hope it won't scare them."

"Maybe a little, I hear Brother Paul speaking. He may distract them. Let's listen."

Everyone on the deck was listening to him. "We're approaching the port rather quickly. Do you see that big rock I told you to look for?"

He heard them say yes followed by superlatives about its size. He heard huge, gigantic, enormous and others.

"Yes, those are all good descriptive words. Now who remembers what I told you about this rock?"

"That it was like the cover of a book."

"You're correct Liesl. At first you only see this gigantic rock, but it's hiding what is inside of it. Look closely at the rock. Do you see some small openings all around the top of it?"

"Yes, there are many of them. What are they for?"

"They're portals for guns used to defend the island."

"Do they still have guns in them?"

"No, but I'm sure they could have them if there was ever a need to defend Gibraltar. There are also many tunnels inside where soldiers can hide from an enemy."

"So this rock really is like a book."

"You're exactly right Liesl."

Brigitta had been listening to Brother Paul and Liesl's conversation. But her adult like mind held a question which she directed to her father. They were standing together a short distance from the others. She spoke in a whisper.

"Father, I know you didn't bring us here just to see this big rock. I can see a big ship in its port. Are we going to get on it and go somewhere?"

Georg knew he had to give a truthful answer. "We are. I didn't tell you and your brothers and sisters because I didn't want you to worry."

"Father, did we leave Austria because you were in danger?"

"Yes, that's the reason. The Germans wanted me for their new navy. My allegiance still belongs to the Austrio-Hungarian Empire. I'll tell you now that we are traveling all the way to America. That ship you see is a British warship. In two days we will get on an American ship and travel on it to America."

"I can keep your secret. Did we both hear Louisa ask a question?"

"We did. Let me answer her."

Louisa had asked about the guns she saw on the deck of this ship.

"Everyone come close and I'll tell you about the ship. That ship is a real British battleship. What you see are modern guns which can fire explosives in rapid succession."

Georg didn't wait for a response before continuing to speak.

"We are going to board her so we can get away from that man who captured me. I'm sure he was really angry your mother rescued me; he was planning another attempt. The British have been helping people escape from Germany. They were pleased when they were asked to help us leave Europe."

"Your father is correct." Archie said the moment he arrived from the bridge.

"And I'm here to personally hand you off to this ship's captain. Are you ready for your next adventure?"

Louisa spoke for them. "We are. And we want to thank you for your hospitality. We had a lot of fun pretending to be sailors."

"That was my desire. This ship is different but the crew will still help you have fun aboard her. Now please follow me."

Archie had hardly finished speaking when Kurt came up and stood behind him. He didn't get to be first to board. He heard his father.

"Kurt, let your mother and me go first."

Kurt smiled at him and waited right behind them. He heard Archie tell his father and mother the name of the British ship's captain and his mother's response.

"Part of his name sounds familiar"

"Which part, Davy or John Paul?"

"Davy, wasn't he an awful cruel pirate?"

"He was. I'm told the captain's mother read a lot. She had read the book, Davy Jones and his Footlocker. For some reason she liked the name, Davy.

"And she had also read about John Paul Jones, the French navy captain who helped the Americans defeat my country. So she named her son, Davy John Paul. Now he's called Captain Davy Bligh. He thought using John Paul was too confusing. And I see him waiting at the end of the bridge."

And Georg spoke to his son. "Kurt, you can lead your brother and sisters to follow behind us."

Kurt shouted. "Follow me. Captain Archie is taking us on board this ship."

"We're right behind you." Louisa said for the others.

Captain Bligh spoke before they arrived on the British ship.

"Thanks Archie for personally delivering my passengers."

"You're more than welcome. Our paths may cross again in the future." The two captains shook hands before Captain Bligh spoke to Georg.

He was like Archie; he asked to be called Davy. And Georg asked him to use his first name.

"Georg, I was so pleased to learn you made it safely out of Austria. I had no doubt Archie would have a safe sail from Italy. Let's go below and find quarters for everyone."

Both Georg and Franz were in for a surprise when they went below. They noticed the modern equipment and lavishly decorated quarters for both officers and sailors. Maria noticed too.

She whispered to Georg. "I never expected the ship to be so fancy." He squeezed her hand as they came to a large room with two rows of bunkbeds. Davy spoke.

"I thought your children and the other men and ladies could sleep here. There's a private room for you and your wife."

"Georg, this is perfect. I'm sure the children will sleep better here with the other adults sleeping here too."

"I agree with you."

The children agreed too; they were already selecting their bunks. Although there were more than enough bunks on the bottom for them, Kurt and Friedrich decided to take one on top. And Max made a comment.

"Are you sure you want to sleep on a top bunk?"

"Uncle Max, we don't toss and turn very much. I'm eleven now."

Max smiled at Kurt as he remembered what Isabel had told him what Kurt had told Maria upon meeting her. He was almost eleven.

Georg and Maria also exchanged smiles as they listen to Kurt. Now they were anxious to see their room. And when they saw their room, they couldn't believe their eyes. They had a huge room with a big bed with a fancy bedspread and bed skirt. In addition it had two comfortable chairs, a table and a bookcase crowded with books.

And Davy told them. "I must take my place on the Bridge. The ship will be leaving the dock shortly. I'm handing you off to Arthur, one of my most trusted mates. He will serve as your personal orderly. He will bring you topside to see the ship depart."

Everyone was still in awe of this fancy ship. They continued to speak in superlatives about it. Arthur got their attention by using his fingers to make a loud whistle sound.

"Now that I have your attention, I will take you topside. I encourage everyone to use the bathroom first."

They did as he suggested. And soon they were ready. There was no pushing or shoving to be first in line. Franz was there. The others were behind him with Georg and Maria being last.

They arrived topside just as the last rope had been released. No one, not even Georg, could stop themselves from covering their ears when they heard the very loud and continuous blaring sound of the ship's horn.

Maria commented. "I think the angels heard that horn."

"Yes, you're probably right. They will hover over us on our travel on the mighty waters of the world. The waters God told us were good."

"Will we see them Father Wasner?"

"I doubt it Liesl. But I assure you they will be with us."

The group stayed topside as the ship moved rapidly into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Soon Kurt heard his stomach making noises. Arthur rescued him from his hunger.

"Everyone, please follow me. Your breakfast is ready to be served."

It wasn't only Kurt who was hungry; everyone was. They eagerly followed him. And the dining room wasn't at all like what Georg and Franz had expected.

Franz spoke first. "You British sure do treat your sailors and officers well. This room could be on a fancy cruise ship."

And Arthur replied. "I was told that the King directed the ship's designer to make the interior like those on cruise ships. All of us were astounded when we saw it the first time. Now we feel privileged to be one of its crew."

Each of the tables had chairs for four people; and each one was covered with a tablecloth. The only direction Georg gave was for Marta and Gretl to sit with an adult. Isabel motioned for them to sit with her. Liesl sat there too. And as soon as everyone was seated, they were served.

The children were familiar with English food, so a breakfast of a fried egg, sausage, baked beans, fried potatoes, toast with butter and a half of a tomato wasn't a surprise.

As soon as Father Wasner said, Amen, after saying grace; the room became quiet as everyone ate. And then Katia asked.

"Arthur, please give the chef our complements; this was delicious."

"I certainly will, Miss. Now follow me and I will show you other rooms you can use."

They saw two rooms like on the Pope's ship, a library and a game room with many tables for playing card games or board games. It also had two special tables for putting together jig-saw puzzles. Each table had a ridge all around it to prevent the puzzle pieces from sliding off as the ship powered its way through the ocean waters.

Brigitta asked. "Can we go back to the library? I need a book to read."

"Of course we can, young lady. I enjoy reading too."

They found the library to have a wide selection of books. Maria asked.

"Arthur, why do you have children's books?"

"Before the ship was commissioned she was taken out to sea with families aboard her. I suspect they were put there in case the ship ran into bad weather and everyone had to stay on the lower decks. The mothers could read to their children until the storm passed."

"I'm glad they're still here. Our little girls love a story at bedtime."

And Georg's heart swelled with love as he heard Maria say, our little girls. And Maria saw his eyes glisten; she knew her words had touched him.

Everyone left the library with a book to read. They took them into the game room where several began to put together a jig-saw puzzle. Marta, Gretl, Isabel and Katia played the card game, Old Maid. The older children were engaged in the game, Landlord, a game of buying and selling properties.

Maria and Georg walked around observing them. Everyone had been so engaged no one realized it was lunch time. This meal was just as good as breakfast had been.

They had returned to the game room and stayed there until dinner time. The dinner meal was also very good. They went on the top deck as the sky grew darker. Everyone heard Georg explain.

"That object you see shining is the planet Venus; it doesn't flicker like stars do. It gets its light from the sun."

As the sky grew darker they did see a star. And Georg told them it was named the North Star and that sailors used it to stay on course.

The night air and the fact it had been a long day made the children sleepy; they were more than ready to return to the room with the bunk beds. And as Maria had predicted, the children slept well that night as did the couple.

They had taken full advantage of their private time. It was still early in the morning when Georg and Maria lay awake in their big bed; still very close as their heart rates slowed and Georg spoke.

"We weren't awakened during the night; the children must have slept soundly."

"I'm sure sleeping in that big room helped. They're going to be so surprised when they learn we must get on an American ship today."

"Are you still worried about the rope bridge?"

"No, I know you will walk with me."

Georg drew her close for a kiss before getting up to dress. They exited their cabin just as Captain Davy was approaching.

"I received a communique from the Captain of the American ship, the USS Columbia. It's already at the halfway mark between Europe and America. I replied to him.

"I told him we should pull up beside her by early afternoon. That's earlier than I expected because my first mate kept the ship's speed constant during the night. As soon as I drop anchor the rope bridge will then be secured to both ships. Please reassure everyone it's safe to walk across."

"I will, sir. I've told the adults all about it. I think only my two youngest girls will be scared; they will each walk with an adult."

"Very good idea. And I will continue the speed of my ship; we have nothing but clear sailing ahead of us. I will come find you once the American ship is in clear view."

Once he turned and was out of sight, Georg spoke.