Winds of Fury

by Peter Duysings

  The proprietor of the prosperous merchant company lifted his head toward Heinrich, as did the others. Heinrich paused just for a moment as four questioning faces stared straight at him.

  “Hell, let’s just get this over with and see where the cards fall,” relented Heinrich.

  In a more business-like tone, he proffered, “I have a personal request that … may sound completely out of line, but I have deliberated over it and believe it is truly what I desire. Please do not take me wrong for asking. I have always held you all in the highest regard and I do not mean to sound arrogant nor ungrateful. I believe I have been loyal to you and the company even though it has been only seven years. May I be so bold to … ah …” He clearly felt he had overstepped his boundaries.

  “It’s alright, lad. You are among colleagues and even more so, trusted friends. State your business without fear, and we can then discuss it like grown men,” Herr Weber consoled Heinrich.

  Heinrich drew in a breath and flatly stated, “It has to do with the schooner, mein Herr. I want … or rather I would like to request that you consider selling her to me,” he finally had his words out and lowered his head and faced the floor in shame, feeling unworthy to have asked such a far-fetched behest.

  The room abruptly fell silent; the only sound was the ticking clock on the wall. Becker and Captain Fischer glanced at each other with astonished expressions. Only Otto did not seem wholly floored by Heinrich’s words even though he did not expect him to ask this. Heinrich saw his friend frozen in place, holding his breath as he held a half-eaten pastry in one hand halfway to his mouth. Heinrich stayed quiet, as the three older men seemed to ponder what they just heard. “Had he been too brash in his request?” Time slowly passed, the tension Heinrich was feeling would have forced any mere mortal to break out in a deluge of sweat. And indeed, sweat droplets began to drip off Heinrich’s forehead and splattered to the wood floor. He quickly wiped a hand across his forehead before resuming his humble posture. He felt utterly weak.

  “I must say, son, I am flabbergasted by what you just said,” Herr Weber broke the silence. “Heinrich?” Weber said, getting the young man’s full attention. “Please explain your keen interest in the schooner. I’m sure all of us, except for Otto, who seems quite happy with his pastry, are startled by your request. You have our attention, son. Give us your reason.”

  Herr Weber’s tone of voice was not at all harsh. Everyone’s eyes were riveted on Heinrich, which didn’t help his clamminess any. He had placed himself on center stage and was duly committed to continuing. It was now or never; and never did not at all feel an option to him for he was serious about the ship.

  “Dear Herren, as much as I find pleasure in serving the company, I have had the privilege to voyage to places such as the Mediterranean and the travels have given me a heart that yearns to forge my own way aboard my own ship. I don’t think my aspiration is any different from any other sailor’s ardent dreams. But, the fact is that none of us have the means to make our dreams happen. I know I am speaking very boldly in requesting the schooner. I could never adequately repay you, Herr Weber, and I will be forever in your debt. I only decided on a lark, realizing you would never keep her for yourself. Let me assure you, mein Herr, that I am not ever going to compete with the company business – I would never even begin to think of doing so. You have treated me as graciously as a son, and I would not do anything to breach our relationship. I hope you can believe that because you have my solemn word. I am good for it.”

  “I know without a doubt you are, Heinrich,” Weber stated without hesitation.

  The old man’s quick response gave Heinrich a new-found sense of confidence, and he went on. “I want to go to the New World; the Americas and the West Indies, and try my hand at business. Plus, I want to sail to many other parts of the world as well – maybe the Far East. I don’t know exactly what else to say at the moment, sir. I just thought that perhaps I should at least try to approach you in this regard. The last thing I want to do is upset you by asking for something too … too unwarranted. I am extremely sorry for being out of line, and I will accept your fair and just discipline for my foolishness.”

  Again, the three older men glanced at each other. And suddenly with great bewilderment, Heinrich was taken aback as Weber broke into a most hearty laugh, clapping his hand on his knee as he did so. Fischer and Becker seeing their employer in high spirit, joined in with a tumultuous interlude as if the biggest joke had just been played on them all. Heinrich wanted to jump up and run for the door. He was so grief-stricken he could barely swallow; his throat was parched.

  “My dear, son, I have to …” Weber broke into another booming laugh before he could speak again. The other two had stopped laughing and were patiently awaiting Weber to continue.

  “I wish I were never born,” Heinrich was thinking. “What on earth was I thinking anyway? I have really stepped over the line this time.”

  “My dear, Heinrich. I am quite taken by your request. I am just completely beside myself, my lad. I never had any indication that you have wanted so badly to strike out on your own. Let me be the first one to congratulate you as the new owner of the schooner.”

  A loud clatter sounded, and everyone turned to see Otto’s porcelain coffee cup shattered to pieces on the floor, a half-eaten pastry hanging limply in his hand. His face was ashen, and his mouth was agape. Heinrich sprung from his chair and grabbed Otto, afraid that his heart had given out.

  “Otto, Otto are you alright? Speak to me, my friend. What is the matter?”

  Otto slowly began moving. He swallowed hard, blinked his eyes several times and seemed to be coming out of the stupor. “I am so … so very sorry, Herr Weber, for breaking your fine … porcelain. I did not … mean to, sir. I was just so … so overcome with shock at your … gracious, ja … gracious answer to Heinrich about the ship. Where can I find a towel? I will clean everything up immediately.”

  “Otto, forget the cleaning up for now – we have more important matters to finish discussing,” Herr Weber said grinning from ear to ear.

  “I believe Otto needs another pastry to calm his nerves,” Captain Fischer commented with a chuckle.

  And as if that was the answer to get Otto’s nerves in order, he said in a dumbfounded tone, “Ja, maybe you are right, Kapitän. I think I will have me another pastry. I am completely speechless.”

  “You speechless? I would never believe that,” Herr Becker chimed in.

  “I think if anyone should be speechless, it should be me,” Heinrich stated. “Herr Weber, this is not a joke then? You are willing to let me buy the schooner?”

  “Nein, lad. I will not sell the schooner to you. I am giving it to you as a reward for your remarkable accomplishment of becoming an excellent seaman and more so for a splendid job in repelling the scoundrels who attacked one of my ships. And furthermore, I will have the vessel’s masts and the rudder replaced as well. I don’t want to hear a ‘no’ from you. I am still the proprietor, I remind you. You have more than earned the schooner by beating off the pirate scoundrels, saving my dear friend Captain Fischer from being shot, and extricated the Baltic Swan from certain doom.”

  “How can I ever repay you for -”

  “You did not hear me very well, my son,” Weber said in a firmer tone cutting him off. “I have made up my mind regarding this as a gift and in addition, young man, I am providing you with a handsome sum that will help you get your own merchant business started. What father would not help his son with such a grand endeavor?”

  Thunderstruck, Heinrich nearly fell off his chair.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  PREPARATION to set SAIL

  Much had happened since the meeting in Herr Weber’s office. The pirate ship’s spoils had indeed been of high value, determined by a formal appraisal. The windfall had been apportioned to everyone who was employed at Herr Weber’s Maritime Trading company. The already strong bond between master and employees gained additional strength with the gracious bonus. A
lways a fair and caring proprietor, it was no wonder many a sailor sought employment at Weber’s establishment; there was no shortage of sailors available when Weber needed them.

  Captain Fischer had announced his retirement after spending over forty years sailing the seas; half of those in the employ of Herr Weber, who had sweetened Fischer’s bonus so that the old captain could retire in style. Weber presented his most proficient captain and dear friend a farewell banquet befitting a king. Captain Bernhard Fischer purchased a coastal villa in southern Italy where he could live out his remaining years without financial worry. Having shared a close friendship for so long, he and Weber would miss each other dearly.

  Besides a hefty bonus and increase in his monthly stipend, Herr Becker was promoted to General Manager of the company, taking over the day-to-day reins from Weber, who wished to spend less time working and more time with matters that lay close to his heart – being in the midst of his men. He would be seen wandering the docks happily chatting away with his workers. The men had come to respect the old man due to his amicable regard for them. Nothing could better sustain a bond between boss and employee than taking the time to show appreciation of the work each man performed personally. A kind word here and there, a personal question regarding the family, went a long way to maintain morale. Weber’s kindness and genuine care for all his employees was his legacy as a proprietor.

  He made a point to escort Frau Weber to the finer establishments in town more often than before, although he made enough remarks at work leaving no doubt as to where he would rather spend his time - the harbor. Everyone knew that Frau Weber understood and was content in her status of life as long as her social pleasantries were not encroached upon.

  One day, Weber found Heinrich standing on the dock evaluating the work on the schooner from a distance. Drope enjoyed taking in the view of his beloved vessel. He was very pleased with the repairs, revisions, and the new paint job. Weber had to agree that the schooner was indeed a beauty. There was no ship in Bremerhaven that could match her graceful lines and speed.

  Several structures on the ship were changed per Heinrich’s wishes. The most significant changes were enlarging the afterdeck house and modifying the helm. Several feet were added to the height and length of the housing; the largest structure topside at the stern. The existing four large rooms were split into more cabins by building a hallway down the center of the structure, now making eight. The captain’s quarters and armory room were in the front of the afterdeck across the hallway from each other and had doors facing forward to the main deck. Other cabins were for the first officer, navigation, and for the surgeon quarters, while the remaining ones would be shared by new officers or section heads once chosen.

  The top of the housing was heavily reinforced and girded beneath so that it could bear the weight of six cannons rated at 36-pounders facing out to both sides, along with fully enclosed bulwarks with cannon slats to keep the guns from view. A small raised platform was built at the forward edge of this deck facing toward the bow and in the middle, with arm rails on three sides. It protruded several feet past the afterdeck and had space for two men. Heinrich had it designed to stand on to address the crew below on the spacious main deck. It wasn’t long after that the crew began referring to it as the pulpit. Two stairways ran parallel on either side of the afterdeck house from the main deck.

  The helm deck section adjoined just aft of the housing was raised the entire width of the ship’s beam topped with a roof perched on four posts in each corner. It was large enough to allow four men to stand beneath and had unobstructed views in all directions. The large deck area at the stern was the quarterdeck where the ship’s masters commanded from. Four 24-pounder long guns faced aft at the stern on this deck. This project required extra structural engineering ingenuity to lengthen the rudder by adding extensions to reach the helm.

  Herr Weber had come through with every promise he had made to par excellence. The young new captain had been taught by his dear benefactor never to be vain, but he was hard-pressed not to gloat over this marvelous ship – his very own. Heinrich couldn’t be prouder admiring his vessel; his heart was beating in jubilation to a rhythm of an enchanting rhapsody. However, he knew he had to keep his mind focused on details that still needed to be done to prepare her for sea.

  “Ich sehe, dass Du ein feiner junger Kapitän geworden bist” – I see, you have become a fine young captain,” said Weber startling Heinrich.

  “Guten morgen, Herr Weber. I did not hear you approaching.”

  “I can understand why, my lad,” the old man replied as his eyes took in the magnificent schooner. Indicating the ship by pointing with his cane, Weber said, “This could easily make an average man quite vain, but in you, Heinrich, I have every bit of confidence, that you will maturely take things in stride and captain this fine ship with skillful oversight.”

  “I still have a hard time believing this is my very own. I have much to be thankful for … especially to you, mein Herr.”

  “You have earned every bit of it, my son. Before your journeys begin, there will be a thousand things to do, and then I’m afraid you will begin seeing that its management will be as tough as being married to a nagging wench,” Weber said with a soft chuckle. “And then before you know it, Heinrich, you will find your hair as gray as mine, if you’re lucky even to keep it at all.” Weber broke out in gregarious laughter at what he just said. Heinrich laughed along with him.

  “Oh, my lad, you will surely see many wondrous lands on your voyages. I wish that I were young; to be able to sail the globe would be marvelous. Now, I can only dream about such things. Heinrich, you must promise me that you will journey to the furthest reaches of the oceans in the long life you have before you. Live life as I should have long ago.”

  The older man was suddenly in a pensive mood knowing that Heinrich would be taking his leave soon. He would immensely miss the lad, who had truly become a son to him in every way over the last eight years. Standing on the dock, deep in thought, Weber reflected on the many memories he and Heinrich had together as he groomed him for manhood. The stints at sea made him an able seaman, and the education made him a thoughtful gentleman. He remembered the young boy that first day they had met on the docks when Heinrich was trying to be cunningly pretentious as he attempted to convince the handful of merchants that he had sailing experience. Weber easily saw through the façade and offered him a job in the warehouse realizing the lad’s ostentatious attitude was born out of an ambitious desire to find work. As he recounted those earlier days, his eyes twinkled and a grin formed upon his lips.

  “Ja, mein lieber Sohn – Yes, my dear son, you will have your day in the sun. Let us plan to meet to discuss what is good business acumen for your voyage. You will also be quite busy picking the proper men for a crew. Herr Becker can be of valuable assistance in that regard. There is much to be done and much to be learned in a short time before you sail off into the sunset – somewhere beyond those darn clouds that plague this northern region.”

  As they both walked side-by-side to the company’s administrative buildings, Weber noted once again the newly painted name on the vessel; See Wolf – Sea Wolf. He nodded to himself in affirmation of the name and the thought of Heinrich having to be cunning and shrewd in his business dealings to be successful in this endeavor.

  * * *

  With the help of Becker, Heinrich also chose his ship leaders. There was no question that his first officer would be his trusted friend, Otto. Otto would handle the day-to-day crew operations, and Heinrich would be the visionary, outlining their business plan.

  Fritz Huber was chosen as master boatswain and Ernst Mayer as assistant boatswain. They had worked together off and on for over ten years and made an excellent team. Working under Otto’s authority, their responsibilities were supervising the crew, the maintenance of the ship, as well as stocking the stores on board. Their daily inspection of the sails and rigging was their most crucial task. They were Otto’s tentacles onboard t
he ship keeping a detailed pulse of all that was happening.

  A talented older seaman and sailing mate, Günter Dietz, was chosen as the ship’s sailing master. Günter had sailed more voyages than any of the crew, many of them with Heinrich and Otto. He was one of the many sailors handpicked from Herr Weber’s merchant company. His vast knowledge of the seas and navigation skills were worth his weight in gold.

  Marten Bauer was the lead carpenter and structural expert; together with his assistant, Johann Keller, they would ensure the hull, masts, rudder, yards, and everything mechanical onboard was inspected and maintained.

  Because of his vast experience with ordinance, Conrad Geiger was assigned the master gunner position. Conrad worked with Otto to pick four men to be supervisory gunner mates, teaching them the finer aspects of handling cannons and gunpowder. Wolfgang Jung, Waldo Lange, Aldo Hofmann, and Ritter Koch were chosen for these positions.

  The ship’s surgeon was a man in his middle thirties by the name of Siegfried Strobel. Looking at him, you’d expected him to be a rough and tumble rig line sailor. The man was large and robust; built like an ox, but with a mind of a scholar and delicate hands in applying his medical skill. When engaged in conversation, he was a soft-spoken, gentle fellow, with a vast knowledge of many subjects. Herr Becker had recruited Siegfried through family acquaintances. The doctor had recently lost his wife to illness and had no children. The offer to sail to distant places had appealed to him; he believed it could help overcome his grief.

  The ship’s chief cook was a man named Karl Schmitt with a Hugo Hartman as second in charge and along with three teenage cabin boys, assisting the cooks and other miscellaneous tasks; Dieter Walter, Roderick Klein, and Jan Beck.

  Each section head had at least one mate as a backup. The seamen were essential; they were the backbone of the ship; an experienced sailor was knowledgeable in sails and riggings, steering the vessel, and able to assist wherever needed onboard ship. The ideal crewman was a jack-of-all-trades and could even read the weather and winds. Above all, the much-sought-after sailor was a man the officers could trust, both to fulfill their duties and as a loyal ally.