The Ghost of Ocean Cove
R. David Anderson
Copyright © 2017 by R. David Anderson
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One:
San Francisco 1885
Chapter Two
The Wharves
Chapter Three:
A Day at Sea
Chapter Four
Woodland, California
Chapter Five
The Camping Trip
Chapter Six
Ghost Ships
Chapter 7
The Visit
Chapter 9
A Shipwreck
Chapter 11
The Cave
Chapter 12
Annie’s Research
Chapter 13
The Winslow
Chapter 14
Farewell
Chapter One
San Francisco 1885
The rising sun cast a golden glow on the crowded rows of houses along Russian Hill. The sound of barking dogs and horse’s hoofs on the pavement was a sign that San Francisco was stirring on this early Saturday morning in late September 1885.
The morning air in the city smelled of smoke. The smoke billowed upwards from chimneys and stove pipes that stood like sentinels above the rooftops. Breakfast was cooking on hearths throughout the city, filling the air with the smell of bacon and onions.
Down on Market Street merchants began to prepare for a new day, sweeping walkways and washing windows, and setting up outdoor displays of variety goods.
Rows of brick masonry buildings lined Market Street from one end to the other. Most were at least three stories, with a handful rising to ten, constructed mainly in the Italianate Style. The rooftops had fine crown ledges at the top. Windows were high and narrow, squared or arched, often capped with adorning pediments. At street level, rows of elegantly trimmed windows invited shoppers to look inside.
On Montgomery Street, several guests were checking out of the Grand Hotel. Captain Christian Saunders waited in line at the front desk in the main lobby.
The desk clerk was looking at the hotel registry as Captain Saunders approached the counter. He looked up as the captain cleared his throat.
“Captain Saunders! Good morning sir! Did you enjoy your stay here at the Grand?”
The captain cleared his throat again. “Oh, yes, I really enjoyed my rest and break from the sea,” he said with a smile.
“I’m glad that your stay was a pleasant one,” the clerk said through a wide handlebar mustache. “You headed back out to sea today, captain?”
“Yes. We’re set to leave this morning.”
Captain Saunders handed the clerk a small slip of paper. “Here is my claim check for the items that I placed in the safe.”
The desk clerk went into the mail room directly behind the front desk and opened a large wall safe. He removed a lock box and brought it back to the desk, handing it to the captain. Captain Saunders studied the lock box for a moment. It was a small ornate metallic box with a curved lid, about six inches long and four inches high. He placed the box in the large pocket of his captain’s cloak.
“I’m off to the landings now. I’m leaving to go on the Portland - Seattle run today.”
The clerk smiled warmly. “Well, I wish the best for you on your journey, Captain Saunders. We’ll look forward to your safe return.”
Captain Saunders shook the desk clerks’ hand and walked briskly through the hotel’s plush lobby. The lobby was lavishly furnished with chandeliers, imported mahogany paneling, and marble floors. He pushed open one of the eight doors and stood for a moment in front of the hotel.
Banks and businesses lined Montgomery Street on either side. This was the financial and business district of the city. Many stern-faced customers were already streaming up and down the wide avenue, ready to conduct the day’s business.
Captain Saunders was a tall man of 36 years. He had a strong muscular frame which was accented by his long captain’s cloak. The cloak had two rows of shiny brass buttons that tapered in a ‘V’ towards the waist. There were also three stripes around the cuffs of his cloak…indicating his rank as captain. He wore long black boots, navy blue breeches, and a vest.
He was a very handsome man with a slightly red complexion, hazel eyes, trimmed beard, and short-cropped wavy light brown hair. He was the type of man who stood out in a crowd, very well-known and liked.
Captain Saunders glanced up at the clear sky. “Hmm, no fog this morning,” he thought. “Now that’s rare indeed!”
“Captain!”
A boy’s voice rang out.
“Captain!”
Captain Saunders looked to his right and saw a young boy and girl running towards him. The boy was dressed in a baggy blue shirt with suspenders over his shoulders and brown pants. The girl was wearing a long white satin embroidered dress.
“Well hello there, Jimmy and Marion!” he greeted with a big smile.
“Captain!” Jimmy repeated. “Where are you going?”
“I’m headed out to sea today, mate,” he said, giving the boy a hug.
He picked up Marion, his sister, and gave her a big hug, too; kissed her cheek, then gently set her down.
Marion had long blond hair that was pulled back behind her ears so that it hung down below her shoulders. A pink ribbon was tied on top of her head.
Those blue eyes were so irresistible, along with her pretty pink lips and cute little nose. Jimmy’s brown hair was medium length and wavy, brown eyes, and a pointed chin. Both he and his sister had very fair skin. Jimmy was twelve years old, his sister, nine.
“I saw your mom this morning in the hotel restaurant. She’s working early today.” said the captain.
“We know, that’s why we’re here and not in school, because it’s Saturday!” Marion shouted.
“Yea, Saturday!” Jimmy echoed. “We love Saturdays because we get to play all day and no school!”
They giggled and performed a little dance routine around the captain. Captain Saunders laughed and caught them in his arms and spun them around again. He loved their youthful energy and curiosity.
He had been seeing their mother, Emily Street, for about three months now. They had lost their father, who had worked as a lumber supplier, over a year ago from an unexpected illness. The captain had known John Street, the father, for many years.
After the untimely death of Mr. Street, the captain had visited their home on many occasions, entertaining them with his stories of high seas adventures. Jimmy and Marion listened with their eyes wide open, hanging on every word as he spoke of faraway places and perilous journeys. He would tell his stories as they sat in a circle in the main room of the house, watching a crackling fire; its glow the only source of illumination in the room.
The captain reached out and placed his hands-on Jimmy and Marion’s shoulders. He had a wide grin on his face and a gleam in his eyes.
“I’ve an idea of riding that cable car today down to the landings. How’d you two like to come with me on a cable car ride?”
Jimmy and Marion shouted at once together, “Yes!” They both jumped up and down in excitement.
“Yes, we want a ride!” Marion said.
“We don’t get
to ride the cable cars very often,” Jimmy added.
“Oh, yea, we always walk everywhere we go, because we live so close to everything.” Marion sighed.
“Okay. Go and tell your mom and I’ll wait for you right here,” the captain said.
“Okay, captain. We’ll be right back!”
Jimmy and his sister ran into the lobby of the Grand Hotel. They headed towards a wide entryway to the right that led to the restaurant.
They inquired at the long glossy wooden bar for the whereabouts of their mom. A man with gray hair and a neatly trimmed mustache glanced at them through round wire rimmed glasses. He was drying a glass mug. He sat the mug down on the sideboard, saying “Your mom’s in the back. I’ll go and fetch her.”
He went through some café-style doors and called for Emily. A moment later an attractive woman with her auburn hair braided in layers and tied back with white ribbons came through the café doors. She was wearing a navy-blue service type dress and a long white apron.
“Jimmy, Marion!” she said sternly. “You were supposed to go over to the Daniel’s today to play while I’m at work!”
“We were, but we saw Captain Saunders outside the hotel,” Jimmy quickly explained. “He wants to know if we can ride the cable car with him down to the docks.”
Emily thought for a moment. “Yes, it’s okay with me. But when you get back go over to the Daniel’s house. They are expecting you today.”
She bent down and kissed Marion and Jimmy on their plump cheeks. Then she pulled some coins out of her apron pocket and handed them some nickels.
“If you have any money left over after your ride, you can buy a soda drink at the variety store.”
Emily stood and smiled at both of her children as they left, waving goodbye. “Thanks, mom!” They said politely.
“I’ll be home around 6 o’clock today” she called after them.
“Okay!” Jimmy said, as they were leaving the restaurant.
They walked back outside the hotel. The captain was still standing in the same place, smoking his pipe.
“Captain!” Marion shouted. “She said that we can go!”
“Excellent, excellent!” smiled the captain. “Well let’s get under way, then. I have a ship waiting for me.”
They walked the short distance up to Market Street and stood beneath a street light that was near two benches. Looking towards their left they could see a cable car making its way up the wide street. The street was crowded with people, horse drawn carriages, and open wagons filled with freight. The sounds of horse’s hoofs clopping on the pavement echoed in the cool morning air.
“Captain, how does the cable car work?” asked Marion.
“Well, there are miles of steel cable that move through a narrow passageway beneath the street. At the end of the cable car line there is a powerhouse station. Inside the powerhouse there are huge steam powered wheels that move the cable. I was told this by a man I knew that worked on the lines some years ago.”
“They are terrific!” Jimmy exclaimed. “No horses in front pulling the car. They move like they’re controlled by magic!”
“I think that they are pretty with that round light on the front, and I love the sound of that bell.” Marion said. “It goes ding, ding, ding!”
“Ding, ding, ding!” Jimmy echoed.
Captain Saunders chuckled, saying “We sure have come a long way since I was a boy. First came steam locomotives, then the steam ships, and the telegraph. Now cable cars! I wonder what’s next?”
“Maybe someday we will be able to fly!” Jimmy replied. “Have you heard of airships? I read about two inventors in France who built one.”
“Yea, right!” giggled Marion. “Or maybe someday we will be driving our own cable cars!”
“Now that would just be too crazy – but I have read about horseless carriages in a science journal, and someday everyone may have one.”
“Well, our transportation is almost here”, said the captain, as he looked down Market Street.
A cable car was now drawing very close to their stop, sounding out its distinctive bell as it went. As it stopped, several passengers got off, leaving some open benches in the front. This part of the cable car was open. The rear section of the car was enclosed, and on a side panel in large bold gold letters was printed “The Market Street Cable Car Company.”
Captain Saunders and the children climbed on board and sat together near the front. Here there was a long bench that faced outwards towards the street. The cable car made a little thumping noise and pulled forward with a slight jerking motion as the driver clasped the cable with the lever. They were now moving up Market Street, passing row upon row of brick buildings, each one smack up against the next.
This was a very busy street; the sights and sounds of the city whisked by like a moving panorama. As they passed Greenfelders’, Marion pointed, saying excitedly “There’s the Variety Store!” We’re going to get a soda drink there after we ride the cable car!”
“Now that sounds like a special treat!” The captain said. “There’s nothing like a nice cool soda to satisfy a big thirst.”
“Yep.” replied Jimmy. “We don’t get to have soda drinks very often. The best drink that we get at home is mom’s hand squeezed lemonade.”
Captain Saunders laughed. “I’ve had your mom’s hand squeezed lemonade…. it’s famous throughout the whole city! She makes all kinds of fruit drinks at the restaurant and they’re in high demand!” He looked at the children with a smile. “Your mother is such a remarkable woman. I have enjoyed every minute that I’ve spent with her and you two youngsters.”
Marion suddenly looked a little sad and forlorn. “Captain.” She said. “Why do you have to go? I wish that you could stay with us all of the time!”
The captain looked into Marion’s shinning blue eyes and smiled. He looked like he was in deep thought for a moment.
“I know little darlin’, but the sea is my livelihood. Why, I grew up near the docks. My father was a sea fare n’ man - he sailed ships from New York, all the way ‘round the horn of South America, up to San Francisco during the gold rush days.”
The captain looked down at his black boots, and cleared his throat. “I do have a mind to retire from the sea someday and find another trade. It’s just not like it used to be.”
He looked at Jimmy and Marion for a moment, then pulled the lock box from his coat pocket.
Jimmy saw it first. “What is that?” he exclaimed.
“Let me show you what I’ve got here,” the captain said as he unlocked the box. Inside there was another smaller engraved jewelry box. He opened the hinged lid slowly. There were two gold rings within. One ring had a narrow band with one large sparkling diamond. The other ring was wide with inlaid diamonds all around it.
The captain glanced at Jimmy and Marion, and with a wink said, “Can you two keep a secret?”
“You can count on us, captain!” Jimmy said excitedly.
“Oh, I just love secrets!” Marion quipped. “I’ll never tell, cross my heart.”
Captain Saunders laughed as Marion drew a cross over her heart with her finger.
“Oh, those rings are so beautiful,” Marion said.
“You bet they are. I bought them yesterday over at Levison’s Jewelry Store on Sutter Street.”
“What are you going to do with the rings?” Jimmy inquired.
The captain was silent at first, then he replied, “I plan to ask your mom to marry me when I get back!”
Marion’s blue eyes became wide with excitement. Jimmy jumped up from the seat and yelled, “Yes! I knew it!”
“Now, remember that this is a secret. Don’t give it away now,” the captain said with a smile as he put the rings away in the pocket of his coat.
Marion looked up at the captain’s face, saying “This is so exciting, captain! I can hardly wait! Mom is going to be so happy when you ask her…to get married!”
The captain put is arms around Jimmy and Marion. They both nuz
zled close to his side, clasping their little arms around his huge muscular frame.
Chapter Two
The Wharves
“This is the end of the line,” the cable car operator yelled. “The ferry docks are straight ahead.”
The captain, Jimmy and Marion stepped off the cable car. There was a large crowd gathered, as people were hurrying to get in line for the next ferry, or waiting to climb onto the next cable car as they arrived.
They stopped directly in front of the ferry house. It was already a very busy place. Passengers disembarked and walked briskly towards the main entrance. Captain Saunders and the children joined the crowd entering the building.
There was a row of ticket booths directly across from the main entrance, and long lines of waiting passengers. Many weary travelers rested in a central enclave on long high backed wooden benches. Along the interior walls of the building were many vendors standing behind counters, selling merchandise. They were selling everything from variety goods to food and drink.
Jimmy and Marion spotted a toy counter. There were hundreds of wonderful toys on display.
“Pick any toy you want,” the captain said with a smile and wink of his right eye.
“Oh, wow! Any toy?” Marion excitedly blurted.
“Yes. Your favorite one. Let’s go and see what they have that might interest you.”
Jimmy and Marion galloped over to the toy shop and excitedly scanned the items on display. Marion was interested in some porcelain dolls. Jimmy looked at some yoyo’s and spinning tops.
The captain paid for the toys. Marion hugged her new doll and named it Cindy. Jimmy spun his top across the plank floor of the ferry house. They hugged the captain and thanked him for the toys.
“How about we go and have a closer look at the steamers outside?” The captain suggested, pointing the way to the docks.
There were two ferries docked at the wharf. Jimmy and Marion were bursting with excitement when they saw them. These were imposing steam driven paddle wheelers with two tall black smoke stacks reaching towards the sky. Black sooty smoke billowed forth from the stacks.
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