Kathleen Of The Outer Banks

by Capt. Gardner Martin Kelley

  The fly jib blew to shreds just before dark. It was quickly replaced with a storm jib made with stouter canvas and rope. The schooner sailed on into the darkness. The wind was almost gone by midnight. The schooner needed only one man at the wheel to maintain steerage. Old Chips feeling no pain due to his quota of rum, took over the wheel watch.

  The newlyweds slipped below and this time closed the hatch behind them. Kathleen had her man at last. Her old grandmother had taught her well. She had also seen with her own eyes some of the antics of two youngsters that had not hidden from sight very well. She was however not prepared for the exuberance that she felt during and after the act. She was completely in love with her husband.

  Judd was at the helm and the sails were filled with a moderate breeze when the two reappeared. He pointed toward the galley. “Emery has your grub ready,” he said.

  So he had and a fair meal too. The cold biscuits and canned corned beef chased down with a drink of water during the storm left much to be desired. Now there was steaming hot biscuits with molasses. Hot mugs of tea to be flavored with thick canned condensed milk sat nearby.

  This was their wedding breakfast and Kathleen loved it. To her it tasted like the ambrosia of the God’s that the grandmother had spoken about. She thanked the cook and pecked his cheek. “I’m trailing a fish line until you get your sight and get the chip log over. Might have fish chowder tomorrow with any luck,” the cook said.

  The noon sight was taken by the captain with his sextant. He then went below to work out the position of the ship. He spoke to Emery; “Get your fish line in and the log out, better luck with a fish next time.”

  She heard a commotion on deck and went to see what was happening. Emery had caught a big blue as he was hauling in his fish line. The big fish about a twelve pound one had evidently swirled to get away. It had entangled itself more with a half hitch and come in backwards. Emery had earned his chowder.

  Emery lowered the chip log to the water and shouted, “Mark” this was to notify the captain to take it’s time. The next mark would be called when the line tightened and the pin pulled. The time between the two marks would indicate the speed through the water.

  The captain through with his plotting had recorded the position in the log. He took over the watch and let the crew do their chores. Tomorrow they would sight the shoreline. His bride was again at his side.

  Chapter 4

  Changes Aboard

  The schooner ran out of wind just before the channel as we went into the dock at Reidsville. The yawl boat was lowered from her davits and guyed off with her bow tight against the “LIZZIE MAE’S” stern. Chips started her naphtha fueled engine. Two hours later just as the tide turned to flow outward it assisted the captain in making a good docking.

  The Captain with his bride accompanying him hurried to the ship chandler to pick up his load papers and order his supplies. Wharfage payment was high and this captain did not plan to stay long tied up. The hatches were opened and the load was soon being loaded. Kathleen was sent to the Custom House for departure permit for foreign port sailing. This allowed the Captain to assist the older crew at loading and properly securing the load. After getting the ship clearance papers in hand, she had time to window shop. It was her first time in a large town with many stores. Soon she gathered the nerve to go inside. Her astonishment at the many delicate under clothes apparel led to further inquiries. She was intrigued with the beauty of the night gowns. To get back to the dock with her many purchases she hired one of the horse drawn carriages.

  The work of loading the ship was halted when she arrived back to the ship side. She had become the most important issue here, not only to the captain but the whole crew. With the arrival of Kathleen and the ship supplies ordered by the captain from the ship chandler were carried aboard. The crew could not help but notice that changes had been made. There were many jars of jams and jellies. More flour than in the past. Evidently the captain had seen fit to use some of the money from the profitable load to the Outer Banks to see that they ate better. They realized this was partially because of the new crew member, which just endeared her that much more. “Four pounds more of butter than the last order and loaves of bread and some cookies. The captain is sure treating us well,” said Emery as he hurried to get the food stored out of the sun. The last of the load was aboard. The lines to the wharf were cast off and the schooner dropped clear. With the ebbing tide she drifted to the anchorage just below. After the anchor was lowered, the tired crew rested from their hard labor.

  Kathleen had busied herself in the galley. Her grandmother had taught her to cook. While she did not intend to take on the job as cook, she would cook a meal or two when all were so busy and tired. She had cooked steaks from the side quarter of beef that had just been brought aboard. The store bought bread was a change from biscuits. She warmed the bread in the oven of the shipmate stove. She called out, “Come and get it.”

  The men came quickly to the table. The captain kissed her as he passed. The looks she received from the three old crewmen led her to believe that they too were kissing her in their memories of when they were young. The meal was a huge success. Chips brought from his workshop two folding deck chairs of wood and canvas that he had made. The young couple after thanking the thoughtful Chips sat together until the sun dropped out of sight.

  Emery was at work in the galley. Chips and Judd stored the last of the payload. The next job was to hang the yawl boat in its nest. The captain did leave his bride long enough to help in this chore. If the wind was fair, the schooner would be away at first light. The men had earned a day of rest. If the wind direction would force the schooner in tacking tomorrow, the captain would declare it a lay day.

  Kathleen told her man to wait ten minutes and then come below. She was anxious to see his reaction to her new flimsy night wear. He showed his approval by a whistle and the quick lifting of her to her bunk.

  The wind was fair at daylight. Kathleen awoke at the sound of the donkey engine bringing up the anchor. She heard the squeal of a block as the sails were hoisted and then the lowering of the starboard side. This indicated that the schooner was away on a fair wind port tack.

  Chapter 5

  Sailing Down the Ocean’s Track

  The days and nights aboard the schooner were happy ones for Kathleen. At night her husband when off his watch, showered her with affection. She spent much of her time on deck with whichever of the old crewmen was at the wheel. Except in heavy weather when her strength was not enough, she could steer the compass course while keeping the sails full.

  Kathleen with her long white hair flowing in the breeze was a joy to behold, not only by the young captain but the old men as well.

  While buying her nighties she was delighted to find that there were cute little panties of every color. She had never seen such delicate garments. Until now she had worn whatever grandmother made for her. She heard two girls talking while in the store. “My mother would never let me wear my skirt this short so I love this four inch belt,” said one.

  Kathleen a new and interested shopper asked the sales woman what the girl meant. The woman laughed then showed Kathleen a rack of short knee length skirts; some were affixed with wide belts. Some girls leave the house and mothers view with the skirt just below the knee; once out of their mother’s sight they simply roll the belt once, this raised the skirt by four inches. This being her first shopping spree, she did as all women before and after her do. She made the sales woman happy.

  Kathleen came on deck in one of the new outfits with a short skirt. She turned to close the hatch. The wind coming over the stern lifted and twisted the short skirt. It exposed the rose colored panties and the expanse of pure white flesh. When she reached Chips at the wheel she thought that he was having a heart attack. She took over the steering when he gave her the course. He petted her hand and a tear ran down his whisker covered cheek. The big mainsail luffed and she real
ized that she was watching his expression more than her steering. Chips was silent and made no comment as she brought the schooner to the right course. She thought that the sight brought back memories to the old sailorman.

  Later she walked forward to where Cappi with the help of Judd and Emery was splicing a heavy hawser. The wind baffled and an updraft of air lifted the skirt high. Cappi whistled with appreciation at the show of the pretty panties. He had no jealousy of the old men. Kathleen pushed down the skirt and sat beside them on the cargo hatch cover to watch the splicing. The two old men were quiet. Kathleen realized that like Chips their thoughts were of long ago.

  The captain was paid off for his whistle. The squall was on the schooner almost before the sails were down, as it was another jib was blown into tatters. The squall was short and over in a few minutes, then the sails were re-hoisted. The heavy storm jib was in place until Chips could mend the tattered one.

  Kathleen would stand for long interval’s in the ratlines of the foremast where she had first dove from the high place. Her feet in the light weight pumps would ache and she would slip down to walk on the deck. Chips made a stand of a wide board and fastened it on the forward side of the tarred rigging. She could watch far ahead from here for long periods. She watched sail fish glitter in the sunlight as they sailed from one wave to another. When the direction of the wind was right some would sail up over the low rail to land on deck. The cook would serve them fried with salt pork and potatoes or yams.

  More and more rafts of seaweed were being passed. “The weed is always plentiful in the Gulf Stream,” Chips told her when she mentioned it. “There always seemed to be a big fish or two under the larger raft,” she said. “Can’t we catch some?” “We will try next time that the ship is slow in the water. I’ll rig a line with a float,” he said. “They are dolphins and darned good eating fish; they will chase a potato down real fine.”

  Kathleen was again at the water barrels stationed permanently near the mainmast. They were placed here because in a rain storm the barrels could be filled with a run off from the big sail. She was lowering the water in the barrels by using so much to keep the clothes washed. At her request Chips had rigged a drying line between the yawl boat davits. The men would look and smile at the colorful clothing swinging there.

  Fearful of a water shortage Chips had brought up from the paint locker another barrel to fasten in place under the foremast. She would have water for her washing.

  Kathleen was on her board step in the shrouds the next sunny forenoon. “Ship a-hoy,” she shouted; “Two points to starboard.” She continued to lookout. “Seems to be in trouble,” she said as the distance was closed between the two ships. With the captain steering the old men were at the bow to help their old eyes see the distant ship better. “It is the “ANNA SOPHIA” Captain, looks like she has been in a hard blow from the looks of what’s left of her sails,” sang out Judd.

  The “ANNE SOPHIA” after a hard wind storm, with her sails damaged. Photo credit by: Jeremy D’Entremont

  The vessel did appear to be in bad shape, making what headway she could with only a tattered foresail and jib. “Stand by to come about,” called out the captain. The sheets were slacked off to dump the wind. The “LIZZIE MAE” soon was close to the other schooner. “That’s Captain Eldridge sir,” declared Judd. “I sailed with him once.”

  “A-hoy Captain Eldridge, can we be of assistance to you?” Cappi’s voice carried across to the other schooner with the help of the bullhorn. The distance between the two was closing. “I need sails real bad, not even scraps left,” the skipper shouted.

  “I have my old mainsail stored below; it should last to get you home. Got patches and is dark with mildew stains. You are welcome to it. Send your yawl boat over,” said Cappi.

  Kathleen went below to the storage locker up forward with Chips. She carried with her the end of a jib halyard. Chips moved a few things about and then hooked the big sail to the halyard. It was still wrapped up as when it was unlaced from the boom and gaff. He showed Kathleen how to guide it as it lifted. He went up on deck to start the donkey engine to lift the load.

  The Yawl boat was alongside and Captain Eldridge aboard when she along with the last of the sail came through the opening. Not stopping for an introduction Kathleen worked to bring the sail over to lower into the yawl. Judd and Emery had been guiding the mass topside, they sprang to help. The three wrestled the heavy sail over the rail and over the waiting boat. It was lowered and furled aboard.

  The Captain of the “ANNA SOPHIA” laughed when Kathleen joined the two captains at the wheel. “I see that you don’t keep any cats around that don’t catch mice,” he said. Nice work and not a minute wasted. Kathleen was pleased at the praise as she was introduced to Captain Eldridge. “She is the lookout that sighted your schooner,” bragged her husband. “I am anxious to be away and to get that sail fixed.

  I must take the time to show you where to go in Cuba to get a profitable load of molasses. This will be my last trip with the old schooner; we are both ready for retirement. I will show you where I have been loading. This old molasses maker has been fighting to stay independent of the bigger shippers for some time. They think that they have him bottled up.

  There is a bar outside of his little harbor that can only be crossed at the height of the tide and only at the western end. I have it marked for you on this chart. Your schooner will bottom out while loading. You will get out of the small boat harbor only with fair wind or your yawl boat pushing. Good luck and fair winds that’s what I’ll need to get my load to Boston. “Thank you again for your generous contribution to another mariner,” Captain Eldridge said.

  The “LIZZIE MAE” stood by until the repaired sail was hoisted aboard and the yawl boat stored in the davits aft.

  Captain Eldridge waved all was well and the Captain of the “LIZZIE MAE” waited for the bow to fall off and fill with the evening breeze. The chip log was lowered for a speed reading.

  As soon as Captain Eldridge had dropped into his yawl boat Chips and Kathleen got to go fishing. The schooners were only making steerage way, while Cappi waited to see that all was proceeding well. Chips was at the bow when the first raft of seaweed drifted by threw his line with a bright colored float as close to it as possible. There was a darting fish then a splash. The float was drawn under by the time the weed was amidships. Kathleen pulled hand over hand while Chips shouted encouragement. He helped to lift it from the water and over the rail. Kathleen was thumped and patted by the onlookers. Chips hurried forward with the hook, looking for more weed. Kathleen saw the pretty fish and almost lost her desire to catch more. “The color fades fast missy, but they eat good,” said Emery. “Try to catch some more.”

  A shout from Chips at the bow and she ran to tend the line. There were six of the beauties brought aboard before the captain called for a halt by getting under way.

  Emery in his cook’s apron filleted them. Three for supper and three salted for another day. For Kathleen it had been a busy and interesting day.

  Chapter 6

  Fair Wind and Blue Water

  The following days were with fair wind on a long reach on a starboard tack. Kathleen stood for hours at a time on her stand in the starboard rigging. She sighted several steam freighters, banana boats Judd called them. Well banana boats or not they were fast taking over the trade of shipping. The fortunate molasses buying trade given to the schooner by the retiring captain could keep the “LIZZIE MAE” sailing for some time.

  There was a flash of pink and white hide as Cappi looked up to see what his sea nymph was shouting. “There is a whole school of turtles just off to starboard.” Cappi looked through his telescope; sure enough there were more than he had ever seen before. Emery as cook reminded Cappi that this was one way that fresh meat could be had.

  The schooner was brought into the wind and the jibs dropped. The yawl boat was lowered and all hands were aboard. Al
l hands that is, except the captain, he was needed at the wheel to hold the schooner into the wind.

  Kathleen stood aft with the steering oar as she has seen her man do it. There was no thought of her staying with the schooner; she was the big toad in the puddle. Chips placed the oar in her hands then sat as stroke oar.

  Chips had left the younger and more rugged Judd in the bow as he took the place at the oar. He told Kathleen, “Steer toward a turtle that is sleeping with his head away from the approaching boat. When we get close, slow the oars to ease up on it without waking it to dive under water, Judd will do the rest.”

  The first one dropped his head and dove with a sweep of its fins. “Try to bring the next one just a little to starboard of the bow, I can flip it over easier,” Judd told her. The next try brought success Judd grabbed hard onto an extended back flipper and turned the thing over. Emery brought his oar across and jumped to help lift.

  Kathleen looked at the magnificent creature. How long had it been swimming and sleeping in this blue sea? She was awakened from her wonders as Judd said, “There is another dead ahead.” The second and third one came easier the team were now working together. The third one was bigger than the first two and more vicious; it bit onto the oar so hard that a spare was used while it relaxed its jaws.

  A williwaw of wind cruised by. “We better get back aboard,” Chips said. “We don’t want to leave the skipper without a crew if the wind blows up a storm.” The yawl boat was aboard and the big turtles were crawling on the deck of the schooner, all was well.

  Emery butchered one of the turtles and hung the meat in a shaded place to age overnight. Kathleen did not like the sight of so much blood. She moved to the wheel and hugged her man and then sat in her deck chair to rest. The live turtles were tame on deck now, not knowing that their time would come later.