The work on installing the donkey engine was put on hold. The tide would be flowing in and right for getting along to the sugar dock. The new yawl boat with its lines and fenders was tied off amidships to starboard. The motor was in reverse to back clear of the soon to be abandoned ship. Judd was getting the first try at handling the “LIZZIE MAE” from alongside. Svenska signaled all clear from her stand. With her in the rigging to give warning to a crossing situation from port, Judd could manage very well.
Judd shifted the gear to forward and bit by bit advanced the throttle. The captain gave the change of courses. Svenska pointed out the big “Sugar” sign it was just after four bells in the afternoon when Cappi put the wheel hard to starboard to enter the slot to dock alongside the wharf. The schooner looked small as she passed close to the bow of a big steel freighter unloading on the outside of the wharf. Four huge cranes and a crew of men were working loading the big freighter.
Emery and Chips had the hatches uncovered while moving in on the wharf. They were left in charge of the unloading which would be done by way of a big long reaching crane. There would be no work with the booms.
The Captain wanted to get to a ship chandler before the office closed. Judd was to go along. He wanted to go uptown with Svenska and show her the sights. “While you are busy with the chandler I can show her places that I haven’t seen in twenty years,” he said to Cappi.
The yawl without the load of the schooner made good time across to Manhattan. The yawl boat tied up at a ship chandler dock at the Bowery. Cappi wasted no time as he hurried to seek a load for his ship.
Judd with Svenska made their way to the subway. They passed by the aquarium. She wanted to stop and go inside when Judd told her what it was. “If we stop now we will miss what I want you most to see. There will be time to spend there later,” he said. The crowded subway was the most interesting sight she had ever seen. All kinds and colors of people sat or swayed from straps hung along overhead. Some got off but more got on. She was still watching the ever changing flow of people when Judd took her arm and alighted. The hurrying crowds of Times Square and the closeness of the tall buildings that she had seen from the vessel amazed her. Judd hurried her onto Broadway Street.
This street was not quite as busy as was Time Square. She saw the marque of theater after theater. She wondered why and where Judd was taking her. He bought tickets and ushered her inside, the show was about to start. He wanted to point out and explain things to her during the show. He picked seats near the back and over to the right side. The chorus line girls did their best with high kicks. Svenska was exclaiming with delight. During the dirty little skit by the master of ceremonies Judd occupied her mind with talk of the specialty dancer that was to perform. “These are the ones with talent, watch her every move. I enjoy your dancing. You will enjoy it more and have a sense of dramatics after today.”
“The headliner for this week is Bell Starr I have never seen her, but have read about her in Variety magazine.” The lights grew dim, now the spotlight was searching; it came to rest on a beautiful head of auburn hair. The bent over creature with the hair sprung erect and out of the spotlight. It tried to follow the dancing red head. The light came on so the audience could follow her across the stage.
The music sped up; the dancer was at mid stage. The light dimmed and the spotlight caught the hair in full glow. Bell Starr whipped her hair round and round. She tossed it back then forward it was a beautiful sight to remember.
She was still dancing in the clouds as the hurrying audience pushed the two outside. “We will have to get back now the Captain will be waiting,” said her guide.
“Oh! Look,” she said. “The posters say Blaze Starr not Bell Starr as I thought it was.” “Yes, I remember now that is the name,” replied Judd. They started along toward the subway. Between two of the theaters was a costume store. She exclaimed aloud and stopped to window shop. Judd was anxious to get along, but he had to concede to her wishes to go inside. She had become excited over the pretty dancing slippers. She bought a pair with blue ribbon for tying around her ankles. They hurried along and down the steps to the subway. Walking toward where the yawl boat was docked it was necessary to pass a section of the Bowery. Svenska saw drunks sprawled out along the way. Waiting on one corner to let a string of cars, busses and trucks pass, she heard one drunk ask another, “Say pal is my fly open.” After hesitation as the drunk rolled upon his side to look, “Hell no”, he answered. “Damn it should be I’m leaking.” She could not keep herself from turning to look. Sure enough there was a stream running from the bum’s pants to the curb.
Judd moved her along, but not before she saw the black enclosed truck stop. Out jumped two blue uniform clad policemen. They dragged the two to the “Black Mariah”. They were on their way to the slammer.
They were past the Bowery limits. Svenska saw another store that she wanted to shop at. The big lettered sign over the two big windows with a door in between read. “Atlantic Uniform Company.” “That’s Bennie Zelmire’s place. I used to buy my uniforms there,” said Judd. Here interfering with getting to the door lay another drunk. A man came out of the store. He carried a sauce pan of water. “Just a minute ma’am,” he said. “I will have him move.”
Though they were in a hurry, curiosity had them wait. Svenska did want to get inside to buy something. The drunk, he did not look dirty like the bums of the Bowery, had one arm extended. The man from the shop poured water slowly into the outstretched palm. Sure enough, this started a flow that ran down and across the sidewalk. The wet discomfort caused the drunken sleeper to wake up and look himself over. He gave the man a look (if looks could kill) and staggered away. The rest of the water was thrown to flush the walk. “May I help you Ma’am?” He indicated the door with a nod of his head. Inside she looked at caps with a Captain insignia. “Seven and one eighth,” she said. Judd was looking at a pile on the counter. A sign hung over the lot, “West Coast Blues.” The pile of sailor pants and blouses with large collars were of a pretty light blue color.
This light color was much more pleasing to the eye than the dark blue denim she was used to seeing. “Pick out the sizes Judd.” “I want two sets of each of the three sizes,” she said to the salesman, “Along with the hats.” She was about to order sneakers too, but realized that these could be bought in Cuba for much less money. While Judd was selecting sizes Svenska looked at the officers uniforms. Fifty nine dollars seemed quite steep. She decided to wait on this and he should be with her to get the right fit.
She turned back to the glass covered counter top. There were four, not three piles. She checked the smaller of the piles. “That’s the smallest sailor outfits they make, you should have your sets of blues too,” Judd smiled. The salesman grinned with his approval. She nodded and he added up the lot along with the Captain cap. The bill was considerable, but she was satisfied that she had made wise purchases. They would spruce up her men and make them happy. She pictured the new cap sitting jauntily on the head of her lover Captain.
It was getting dark and lights of the city were coming on here and there. Cappi looked like he was furious for having to wait. The look changed quickly to relief as he realized they were back and safe. She pointed to the aquarium. “I want to go there and see all of the fishes. Today we did not have the time,” she said. Her Captain hugged and kissed her. They stepped into the yawl boat. Judd took the controls while the two sat close together up forward. He asked about the bundles. She said, “That will have to wait except for this,” she took his new cap from its box. With the new cap on his head, he turned to salute Judd. “You see, she knows who is boss; wants him to look his best,” he squeezed her again.
The schooner was unloaded and the hatches covered. There was no load waiting here for the schooner, none anywhere as of now. The chandler had found nothing for south that was not scheduled for a steamer. “We may have to dead head (go light without a pay load) back to Cuba. I will check a
round again tomorrow,” the Captain said as the yawl turned to bump alongside of the schooner.
Svenska and Cappi went aboard, Judd made the lines fast to tow while Emery and Chips hauled aboard the docking lines from the wharf. There was no one on deck of the dead schooners as Judd slowed to a stop alongside. This spot was closer for the Captain to visit to the ship chandler or as it turned out to sail outside and south.
The men were long over breakfast when Svenska came on deck. She had donned her blues for the first time. The men including her man clapped or verbally gave their approval. The fit of the blues was perfect, especially over her stern when she bent to pick up their sets of blues. Cappi stepped to her and laid an affectionate slap to the well rounded posterior. She handed him the bundle to hold, while she distributed them. She said, “I want you to wear these in good health and with the appreciation of the Captain and I, we know good sailormen.” Each man said his thanks and went forward to change.
Captain Donovan came to the rail to see what was happening. Donovan spotted Cappi’s new cap. His eyes showed his approval of her sailor outfit. The long white hair hanging out over the wide collar showed beautifully. “That new cap needs a new uniform to match. I did not think to show you a new one that I will never wear; thirty dollars and it’s yours,” he said. “I saw one priced at fifty nine dollars yesterday. That sounds like a very reasonable price and if it fits him, which it should. You are about the same size, go try it on,” she said.
The Captain came back aboard carrying his old uniform over his arm and a satisfied grin on his face. He gave some orders to Chips and then talked to Judd. Judd said, “I used to walk around the Bowery, often saw some shipmates there. I would visit China town and see the two wheel wagons piled with junk.” Someone’s junk is often a treasure to another. “When I tired of that I walked to the subway and got off at Fourteenth Street. The sidewalk venders with their marked cards and glasses are fun to watch.”
Svenska came close to show that she was ready to go. The sailor outfit was just right for her when climbing around from yawl boat to schooner and around docks. Judd continued his tale of an excursion ashore as he had done it years ago. “We will watch those guys, they will act as if they are selling stolen jewelry at rock bottom prices. It’s only cheap costume stuff. You will see them fold their case (set up on folding stands) to slither away around the corner as if they have spotted a plain clothed cop. There are hot boiled chestnuts for sale. After a time at this I would use my subway transfer to get to Broadway. I either went to a movie or just looked the people over. Sometimes I went uptown to see the night ladies of the eighties, but that is another story and a long ago time.” He looked toward where Svenska was setting over the rail. “You won’t need to know of this part, just remember to get back with plenty of time to show her the fish at the aquarium, she will enjoy that.”
The men watched them depart in the yawl. “She sure makes it a pretty picture,” Chips said. He could see in his imagination even the melting pot people of New York City turning to watch this handsome couple. He turned from his day dreams; the others were already at work. The new blues were off, paint and varnish along with sheets of sandpaper was in view along the deck.
This was a work day aboard the “LIZZIE MAE”. The scraping, sandpapering and painting reminded Captain Donovan of another source of supply to be sold. He had a pile of paints brushes and etc. that he brought on deck for Chips to choose from, or Cappi on his return.
Cappi and his pretty sailor went through the motions much as Judd has described his day. The pretty sailorett caused many to stop and look. She enjoyed and exclaimed over the sights. At the Brooklyn Bridge she found it hard to believe that there were that many cars and trucks in the whole world. They had lunch in a crowded cafeteria. The first one she had seen or even heard about. She got such a kick out of everything. Cappi found it exhilarating to show her around. The aquarium was entered at last. After an hour he left to again confront the chandler. There was not a thing for the “LIZZIE MAE”.
Cappi found Svenska studying the barracuda if she might meet one while swimming, she wanted to know of its traits. They sat to rest while Cappi assessed the situation. She said, “Won’t the molasses trips more than pay expenses?” “Oh! Yes much more, it’s just that I have always managed to get pay loads each way, hard habit to break.” “Well things are changing, if it wasn’t for our old men crew and old men waiting to die free. The “LIZZIE MAE” could be anchored along with those other schooners.”
The supplies Cappi had ordered were ready and waiting at the chandlers. There was no word of a load south. With hand trucks the supplies were brought to the dock and piled into the yawl. Cappi covered the big hundred pound chunks of ice with canvas. Svenska noticed several cases of a new bottled drink, Mavis. She had tasted it with lunch at the cafeteria. It had a chocolate taste that she liked, but she was equally fond of Coke and there was an orange flavored Zarex, a drink mix that made stale water taste good. “If we are to go yachting we might as well have fancy drinks too,” Cappi said.
They arrived at the schooners anchorage. There was wet Kelley green paint where Cappi had planned to lay alongside. With the load of supplies he must get the yawl close to unload. The davit tackles were hooked in place. Svenska followed Cappi up the Jacobs ladder that was lowered. The sailor pants were just right for this.
Judd slid down a davit tackle to hook on the supplies to be hoisted. She was resting in her bunk. She heard the heavy ice being slid over the deck to its cool locker up forward. Cappi had changed from his new uniform. “I will go help; they have done a lot of work today.”
Tired as he was, Judd was about to go to work under the stern. Cappi saw that he was about to work there while the yawl was in place to work from. It would keep from hanging a staging and would save time and work.
“Whoa! Judd, enough for today I don’t want any of you to kill yourself. We will let her hang there until you are finished here. Let’s go drink some of the new drinks and eat some fresh groceries. I hope Emery has enough energy left. I am going to the galley to lend him a hand.”
Old as he was the cook was at it preparing a hearty meal. The crew worked hard and deserved to eat well. The captain was about to place the dishes and set up’s around when he saw that the cook already had a helper, one that he would rather have than a Captain under foot. Cappi went to put away some of the deck gear the workers had brought up from the paint and storage locker.
Svenska with a big white apron tied around her slim middle shouted, “Come and get it.”
All ate his or her fill. The men were shooed outside to rest. Svenska volunteered to clean up the galley. Cappi said, “I haven’t worked hard today, I will help you.” Chips said, “I wonder how much he is helping and at what, as the resting men heard the squeals and laughter coming from the galley.” It was late when the lamps were turned off and the work done. The lights from the stars in the heavens lighted the way for the lovers to their bunk. It was quiet tonight in the cabin. Maybe the physical affection had already taken place in the galley. The sounds of music were heard coming from Coney Island.
The sun was climbing out of the sea. The Captain was on his way to the galley for his breakfast. Chips he saw was already up and as usual at some job. “Too early for painting Captain, it is still damp. Since we are going to be riding light and looking yachtish we will shine the bright work.”
He was polishing the ship bell. It had not seen brass polish in many a day, the green tarnish was hard to remove. It took lots of rubbing to bring out the shine.
“Next time you strike the bell Captain, it will ring out loud and clear,” Chips said with pride in his voice.
Judd came from the galley patting his full belly. “Let’s get the ship turned around, got to paint the port topside before the skipper gets anxious to be away.” The schooner was turned by getting all lines in except the port spring line. The light wind here in the shelter of land b
lew the “LIZZIE MAE” clear. The line to the donkey engine wharbed her back alongside to be re-tied.
The staging was soon hanging over and Emery and Judd were slapping on green paint. Svenska had taken over in the galley for this work day. The Captain was kept busy tending to the wants of the two on the plank staging and Chips working from the hanging yawl.
Svenska made a big platter of sandwiches at noon time. At four o’clock the painting gear was put away and the tired crew rested.
The evening breeze again brought the sound of music across the water from the Ferris wheel at Coney Island. After a moment of thought Cappi said, “We will be shoving off with the morning ebb tide, anything left to do can be done as we sail along. Does anyone want a Coney Island ride?” There was only one “yes” answer. The old men were more contented just to relax.
Cappi and his sailorett slipped to the yawl to motor to a dock not far from the bright lights of the amusement park. Cappi squeezed and kissed her along the way. She sighed with delight and was glad that fortune or fate had brought him and his schooner to the Outer Banks and ultimately to her. She loved him so.
At the midway it was game after game with rides in between. The Ferris wheel ride was high to the sky and climaxed the outing. She bought boxes of salt water taffy to bring back to the schooner. Cappi said, “You wouldn’t be satisfied for me to walk back to the yawl without my arms full.” “As long as you have one arm left for me I’m satisfied,” she answered.
Chips was waiting for their return. He took a strain on the davit tackles as Cappi hooked them forward and aft. A hoist in the morning with the aid of the donkey engine and all would be ready to sail away with the tide. Of course if a wind did not come, the yawl would be used alongside. “I hope we get the wind Captain, don’t want to scar that new paint.”
Kathleen Of The Outer Banks Page 7
