ORIGINAL: 1275psi
gawd i wish i could spell............[8|]
During my service time, my mother would correct the spelling and grammar in my letters and return them with hers. I kid you not. [X(] [8|]
The little ship that could.
-
Smoky Stoker
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:34 pm
RE: The little ship that could.
During my service time, my mother would correct the spelling and grammar in my letters and return them with hers. I kid you not. [X(] [8|]
"Leveling large cities has a tendency to alienate the affections of the inhabitants and does not create an atmosphere of international good will after the war." -Rear Admiral Daniel V. Gallery
RE: The little ship that could.
Over the last week or so, I have read this entire AAR. I could not put it down. your spelling may suck but your writing is fantastic. Keep up the good work.
RE: The little ship that could.
11/10/43
The day begins for the majority of Zuihos crews at 0200 hours
They are roused from their hammocks, tumbling into the narrow areas between them, feet landing onto trembling decks. Minds will automatically register that Zuiho is pressing on at full speed, that the attack then, is still "on'.
It is a strange time this, this hour between midnight and dawn, the body and mind seems to dissocciate themselves from each other.
The body, almost automatically, will struggle through the motions of dressing in this crowd of bodies, of making its way to breakfast, wolfing down the seafood rolls, the sweet buns, the tea, then joining the straggle of others to the hanger decks, or the gun pits, damage control centres, or any one of the 700 odd places that must soon be manned for battle.
The mind, the mind does its own thing. It contemplates mortality, life, death, but above all the one thing that all Japanese carry as an impossible crushing invisible load.
Their duty. Their obedience.
They will not let Zuiho, her captain, japan, her emperor down.
They will not.
By 0230, the hanger deck is alive with work.
The 12 Jills today are parked in the lower hanger deck. The work today then, will be a lot easier.
In turn, each zero is fuelled, hoses snaking through out the hanger, the sickly smell of aviation gas , despite the blast of the great ventilation fans, permeates the air.
Fuelled, the snakes of cannon shells and machine gun bullets loaded, each in turn is pushed to the forward elevator.
By 0300, the bells are tinkling, and it lowers, and a blast of cold, and wet, very wet air sweeps through the deck
It is raining.
Heavily, but not consistantly. Scattered showers of heavily blown rain, cold for the tropics, are scuddering across the ocean, obscuring many of the carriers.
It does not matter though, no messages are being sent, nor are they expected. The fleet is going to strike , on time.
Full stop.
Each fighter, gleaming, the water beading on polished canopies, are manhandled aft, chocked.
By 0400, they are ready
It is now that Zuiho's life again takes purpose. Her pilots are called from their beds.
The day begins for the majority of Zuihos crews at 0200 hours
They are roused from their hammocks, tumbling into the narrow areas between them, feet landing onto trembling decks. Minds will automatically register that Zuiho is pressing on at full speed, that the attack then, is still "on'.
It is a strange time this, this hour between midnight and dawn, the body and mind seems to dissocciate themselves from each other.
The body, almost automatically, will struggle through the motions of dressing in this crowd of bodies, of making its way to breakfast, wolfing down the seafood rolls, the sweet buns, the tea, then joining the straggle of others to the hanger decks, or the gun pits, damage control centres, or any one of the 700 odd places that must soon be manned for battle.
The mind, the mind does its own thing. It contemplates mortality, life, death, but above all the one thing that all Japanese carry as an impossible crushing invisible load.
Their duty. Their obedience.
They will not let Zuiho, her captain, japan, her emperor down.
They will not.
By 0230, the hanger deck is alive with work.
The 12 Jills today are parked in the lower hanger deck. The work today then, will be a lot easier.
In turn, each zero is fuelled, hoses snaking through out the hanger, the sickly smell of aviation gas , despite the blast of the great ventilation fans, permeates the air.
Fuelled, the snakes of cannon shells and machine gun bullets loaded, each in turn is pushed to the forward elevator.
By 0300, the bells are tinkling, and it lowers, and a blast of cold, and wet, very wet air sweeps through the deck
It is raining.
Heavily, but not consistantly. Scattered showers of heavily blown rain, cold for the tropics, are scuddering across the ocean, obscuring many of the carriers.
It does not matter though, no messages are being sent, nor are they expected. The fleet is going to strike , on time.
Full stop.
Each fighter, gleaming, the water beading on polished canopies, are manhandled aft, chocked.
By 0400, they are ready
It is now that Zuiho's life again takes purpose. Her pilots are called from their beds.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
It is no coincidence that these men gather together, eat together
Uto, Ogawa, Hidaka, Diogawa.
Zuihos best, almost Japans very best .
They gather at the breakfast table together, silent, eating the special meal prepared for them.
Such a casual gathering of men.
Uniforms, flight kit hanging of 3 skinny and one pouchy frames, as if these bodies have worn this leather and fur and steel since birth.
What seperates them from Zuiho's crew, from us?
What binds them so invisibly to each other in a way we can never comprehend?
They are different. We must admit it. We sail on zuiho, and if the enemy comes, we will fight to live.
These men, they sail on Zuiho.
But they fight to kill.........
And these 4, they are very, very good at it.
They barely speak these men, their is little to speak about.
You cannot , when bodies are wound as tight as clock springs.
Finally, Hidaka speaks to the men here, these 18 men, this team of his.
"0430 men. Good hunting. Let none get through"
And that is that. They know the mission. Constant CAP over this mighty fleet.
Heads tilted into the rain, they move across the slick deck to the eagles, propellers now spinning, engines warming.
0415, we attack at 0500.
Uto, Ogawa, Hidaka, Diogawa.
Zuihos best, almost Japans very best .
They gather at the breakfast table together, silent, eating the special meal prepared for them.
Such a casual gathering of men.
Uniforms, flight kit hanging of 3 skinny and one pouchy frames, as if these bodies have worn this leather and fur and steel since birth.
What seperates them from Zuiho's crew, from us?
What binds them so invisibly to each other in a way we can never comprehend?
They are different. We must admit it. We sail on zuiho, and if the enemy comes, we will fight to live.
These men, they sail on Zuiho.
But they fight to kill.........
And these 4, they are very, very good at it.
They barely speak these men, their is little to speak about.
You cannot , when bodies are wound as tight as clock springs.
Finally, Hidaka speaks to the men here, these 18 men, this team of his.
"0430 men. Good hunting. Let none get through"
And that is that. They know the mission. Constant CAP over this mighty fleet.
Heads tilted into the rain, they move across the slick deck to the eagles, propellers now spinning, engines warming.
0415, we attack at 0500.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Takeji peers through the rain swept bridge screen
This is no good. I cannot see. Bloody rain. Where is the dawn?
The sky groes brighter, but............
damanation!
Why, why this weather now!
I cannot see.
He moves to the starboard wing, out into the open. The rain, seems to be lightening. Yes. yes, we are moving into the clear. Another shower 2 miles ahead.............
Akagi is turning into the wind........
We go!
Swiftly, back into this cave of a bridge.
"OOW!, bring us into the wind!, Full ahead all!. Commence launching!"
This is no good. I cannot see. Bloody rain. Where is the dawn?
The sky groes brighter, but............
damanation!
Why, why this weather now!
I cannot see.
He moves to the starboard wing, out into the open. The rain, seems to be lightening. Yes. yes, we are moving into the clear. Another shower 2 miles ahead.............
Akagi is turning into the wind........
We go!
Swiftly, back into this cave of a bridge.
"OOW!, bring us into the wind!, Full ahead all!. Commence launching!"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Shwebo.
55ths train arrives.
Well, the trains arrive.
The division, Hosho's company at the front, disgorges in a flood.
A road runs parrallel to the rail, it fills with men, guns, trucks, the vast collection of kit that a division must carry
It is no battle formation this. But it will sort itself out on the march, the guns will be positioned, the support units will be placed, the combat regiments will take the point.
Eventually.............
But now, now there is only one word.
March!
March north. March day, and night. The whip, the boot, the curse, the glare, the beating, will drive them all.
They must, simply must get north, regain the road, and beat the british.
Individual lives mean nothing now, not when the life of entire armies are at stake.
55 th division, 20000 human bullets, race north.
55ths train arrives.
Well, the trains arrive.
The division, Hosho's company at the front, disgorges in a flood.
A road runs parrallel to the rail, it fills with men, guns, trucks, the vast collection of kit that a division must carry
It is no battle formation this. But it will sort itself out on the march, the guns will be positioned, the support units will be placed, the combat regiments will take the point.
Eventually.............
But now, now there is only one word.
March!
March north. March day, and night. The whip, the boot, the curse, the glare, the beating, will drive them all.
They must, simply must get north, regain the road, and beat the british.
Individual lives mean nothing now, not when the life of entire armies are at stake.
55 th division, 20000 human bullets, race north.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Hidaka's left hand rests easily on the throttle, fore finger and thumb of the right rest easily on the stick.
Water beats on his face, mist beating from the great blade bellowing ahead.
He is not even aware of it.
All attention on the little bridge, on his Bomber Commander standing stiffly at its peak.
For a brief moment, he feels that mans disapointment.
Far better to be here, about to fly.
The man raises a small flag.
A light on the bridge turns green.
'launch!'
swiftly, eager to go, he looks ahead.
grey sky, grey angry sea. Steam trailing straight down the deck, a stiff breeze.
It takes no effort at all. Throttle forward, brakes off............rolling, tail up so swiftly, and away.
Slamming shut the canopy, heeling her over...........strange, the body is not quiet timing it, rusty my friend, rusty.
Ceiling at 2000 feet, or 15000, depending on this bloody strom front.
It is going to be a tricky day.
Water beats on his face, mist beating from the great blade bellowing ahead.
He is not even aware of it.
All attention on the little bridge, on his Bomber Commander standing stiffly at its peak.
For a brief moment, he feels that mans disapointment.
Far better to be here, about to fly.
The man raises a small flag.
A light on the bridge turns green.
'launch!'
swiftly, eager to go, he looks ahead.
grey sky, grey angry sea. Steam trailing straight down the deck, a stiff breeze.
It takes no effort at all. Throttle forward, brakes off............rolling, tail up so swiftly, and away.
Slamming shut the canopy, heeling her over...........strange, the body is not quiet timing it, rusty my friend, rusty.
Ceiling at 2000 feet, or 15000, depending on this bloody strom front.
It is going to be a tricky day.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Genda salutes
'Our strike is away sir. 120 fighters. All ships report Combat air patrol is away. "
Yamaguchi nods
"Another two signals this morning Genda"
"Sir?"
Whatever monster has gathered at Pearl has gone quiet............which my friend seems to say more than heavy radio traffic. Also another piece in the puzzle. Heavy traffic Suva, New Zealand."
"Your thoughts sir?'
The Admirals face breaks into a smile. 'Ahh no, Genda, what are your?'
The little man does not hesitate. This man who invented this mighty weapon, who blazed the way for the development of carrier war fare, has already formed his opinion.
"Truk, Siapan. One or the other sir."
Yamaguichi's smile expands. "I agree. We will deal with today. Its good training. After that, lets try and hide an entire Navy yes?'
'Our strike is away sir. 120 fighters. All ships report Combat air patrol is away. "
Yamaguchi nods
"Another two signals this morning Genda"
"Sir?"
Whatever monster has gathered at Pearl has gone quiet............which my friend seems to say more than heavy radio traffic. Also another piece in the puzzle. Heavy traffic Suva, New Zealand."
"Your thoughts sir?'
The Admirals face breaks into a smile. 'Ahh no, Genda, what are your?'
The little man does not hesitate. This man who invented this mighty weapon, who blazed the way for the development of carrier war fare, has already formed his opinion.
"Truk, Siapan. One or the other sir."
Yamaguichi's smile expands. "I agree. We will deal with today. Its good training. After that, lets try and hide an entire Navy yes?'
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
The fighters sweep into Darwin.
It is as predicted. despite the heavy rain, the scattered storms, enough of the harbour, of the city surrounds can be seen.
The port is empty. The fields too.
No invasion, it would seem, will be coming from here............
24 P 40e's are up for defence.
The sweeping fighters have been scattered coming in, the weather breaking the raids into packets.
Today it does not matter.
Compared to the furnace of fighting over Burma, this is a little affair.
2 zeros are lost, 12 P40e's are taken down
2 more zeros crash landing on return
A damp sqwib.
But that is war, yes?.
A massive club has been deployed. But the enemy has ducked..........
Zuiho recovers her planes, Hidaka, the rest at midday. The weather deterioates to impossible.
The fleet turns north, and vanishes into the mist.
A new mission.
Hide.
It is as predicted. despite the heavy rain, the scattered storms, enough of the harbour, of the city surrounds can be seen.
The port is empty. The fields too.
No invasion, it would seem, will be coming from here............
24 P 40e's are up for defence.
The sweeping fighters have been scattered coming in, the weather breaking the raids into packets.
Today it does not matter.
Compared to the furnace of fighting over Burma, this is a little affair.
2 zeros are lost, 12 P40e's are taken down
2 more zeros crash landing on return
A damp sqwib.
But that is war, yes?.
A massive club has been deployed. But the enemy has ducked..........
Zuiho recovers her planes, Hidaka, the rest at midday. The weather deterioates to impossible.
The fleet turns north, and vanishes into the mist.
A new mission.
Hide.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
12/10/43
38th division moves 9 miles through the jungles towards lashio, lost and seperated
The Bulk of the Katha army has marched 33.
The 8th div lags at 22
15th Army covers 11
And the target of all this marching, 54th division, hold, and report yet more enemy troops emerging from the jungles, deploying against them.
38th division moves 9 miles through the jungles towards lashio, lost and seperated
The Bulk of the Katha army has marched 33.
The 8th div lags at 22
15th Army covers 11
And the target of all this marching, 54th division, hold, and report yet more enemy troops emerging from the jungles, deploying against them.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
13/10/43
Hoshos men have covered 23 miles.
The division has shaken itself into shape.
They march on, ignoring the pain.
Ahead, the distant thunder, the rumble.
B17's, in clouds, bombing that damn road...............
Hoshos men have covered 23 miles.
The division has shaken itself into shape.
They march on, ignoring the pain.
Ahead, the distant thunder, the rumble.
B17's, in clouds, bombing that damn road...............
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Minobe enters Zuiho's bridge
"refuelling complete sir. we are at 103 percent"
Takeji raises an eyebrow '103 percent?"
"charge has a few hidy holes ..........."
"I am sure. How are things below Engines?"
Minobe pauses.
A year ago..............all is fine sir, all is good. But what did that buy him....?
"The fuel is no good sir. We are going to slowly choke to death, or cook a tube. I am very worried about the pre heaters"
Takeji looks surprised.
It is not usual, in his experience, to be told such blunt news.
He too, pauses.
A moment, to face reality
Or revert to Japanese form..............
"I don't give a S&^%t about fuel Engines, only that they go. That is all"
"refuelling complete sir. we are at 103 percent"
Takeji raises an eyebrow '103 percent?"
"charge has a few hidy holes ..........."
"I am sure. How are things below Engines?"
Minobe pauses.
A year ago..............all is fine sir, all is good. But what did that buy him....?
"The fuel is no good sir. We are going to slowly choke to death, or cook a tube. I am very worried about the pre heaters"
Takeji looks surprised.
It is not usual, in his experience, to be told such blunt news.
He too, pauses.
A moment, to face reality
Or revert to Japanese form..............
"I don't give a S&^%t about fuel Engines, only that they go. That is all"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
A man enters a prison cell of a cabin
Closes a door, sits on a hard chair, contemplates in silence a locker.
Contemplates it for a long, long time.
Then savagedly, he opens it, with draws a golden bottle.
Snaps the cap, and drinks deep of the contents
It will be many hours befor Minobe emerges.
Closes a door, sits on a hard chair, contemplates in silence a locker.
Contemplates it for a long, long time.
Then savagedly, he opens it, with draws a golden bottle.
Snaps the cap, and drinks deep of the contents
It will be many hours befor Minobe emerges.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
extract from 'Falling cherry blossoms' ............
The weather, it seemed, would always be cruel to us.
But if it prevented us flying, it prevented them as well.
Undetected, we slipped from the banda sea, refuelled, and headed towards our new area of operations, the waters near Siapan.
We were acting on a guess. On a hunch. But what else could we do.
Our greatest weapon remained surprise. An ambush.............
But, I know now, many great problems faced us.
The first, the overiding one, was fuel
We emptied the tankers this day, they would have to return all the way to Soerabaya, or even further for more.
Only 4 tankers awaited us North, with another new carrier, the Katsaguri.
The plan, yet another one. Hover north east of Siapan.
And wait.
For as long as the fuel lasted.
The weather, it seemed, would always be cruel to us.
But if it prevented us flying, it prevented them as well.
Undetected, we slipped from the banda sea, refuelled, and headed towards our new area of operations, the waters near Siapan.
We were acting on a guess. On a hunch. But what else could we do.
Our greatest weapon remained surprise. An ambush.............
But, I know now, many great problems faced us.
The first, the overiding one, was fuel
We emptied the tankers this day, they would have to return all the way to Soerabaya, or even further for more.
Only 4 tankers awaited us North, with another new carrier, the Katsaguri.
The plan, yet another one. Hover north east of Siapan.
And wait.
For as long as the fuel lasted.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
14/10/43
The bulk of the Katha army arrives to reinforce the 54th div
8th division does not.
Again the road is cut.
The battle gound contains now the African division, the british, and Indian, and a few gun regiments.
15th Army, 33rd div, 55th div, reinfoced with 2nd guard and another division from Burma command, will arrive in two days.
High command hopes are rising.
The road will be held
Thoughts, especially those of the Tigers, are even thinking counter attack.
But first, we must rescue 8th
and the 38th
and the stuation in the air.................
The bulk of the Katha army arrives to reinforce the 54th div
8th division does not.
Again the road is cut.
The battle gound contains now the African division, the british, and Indian, and a few gun regiments.
15th Army, 33rd div, 55th div, reinfoced with 2nd guard and another division from Burma command, will arrive in two days.
High command hopes are rising.
The road will be held
Thoughts, especially those of the Tigers, are even thinking counter attack.
But first, we must rescue 8th
and the 38th
and the stuation in the air.................
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
and no more turns in in tray,.................poo
I ask every one to PM cantona, and say, hurry up![:D]
I ask every one to PM cantona, and say, hurry up![:D]
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
15/10/43
It is inevitable I suppose.
Too many ships manouvering, in too tight of waters
CVL Ryuho and DD Yagure strike each other.
A glancing blow, the CVl suffers surprisingly litle damage. The destroyer loses a funnel, and other sundry embarrasments.
As Ryuho is scheduled to recieve a new air group shortly, both ships are detached to manilla.
They have reached the phillipine sea now. Still (as best can tell), unsighted.
A good sign.
Japan swings air assetts, sallies mainly, to Siapan, they wil hunt for SS. If they find many west of there, then this surely is a sign of intent.
Cantona always covers his operations with the buka's -why not now?
North by north east. A long way to go yet. But how sweet the freedom of open waters again.
It is inevitable I suppose.
Too many ships manouvering, in too tight of waters
CVL Ryuho and DD Yagure strike each other.
A glancing blow, the CVl suffers surprisingly litle damage. The destroyer loses a funnel, and other sundry embarrasments.
As Ryuho is scheduled to recieve a new air group shortly, both ships are detached to manilla.
They have reached the phillipine sea now. Still (as best can tell), unsighted.
A good sign.
Japan swings air assetts, sallies mainly, to Siapan, they wil hunt for SS. If they find many west of there, then this surely is a sign of intent.
Cantona always covers his operations with the buka's -why not now?
North by north east. A long way to go yet. But how sweet the freedom of open waters again.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
The battle for the Katha / Shwebo road takes a pause.
On both sides, the lines are thickening, the front forming.
It runs now about 5 miles west of the road, the Katha army having deployed its length, swinging in regiments and in turn off it, facing west.
But to the North, it is now well and firmly cut.
8th division faces the 254th armoured brigade, the 268th motorised brigade.
And the aussies are coming along behind fast.
The commander of the eigth orders his men to disperse, to form small companies, and to try to infiltrate home. 45 miles is a wide front. there has to be gaps.
His men need no urging to hurry. If they cannot make it to the relief army quickly, they know what will happne.
They will be abandoned.
55 division reaches the front late on this day, peeling in turn to the southern most part of the front.
Hoshos company is given 500 yards of front............a 4 foot high embankment marking a wagon /oxen track winding its way across the paddie fields.
there is no time for anything else other than to deploy before darkness swallows them.
The enemy facing them..........unknown..........
The terrain ahead.............unknown........
The situation on the flanks, to the rear............unknown
The supply dumps................are you kidding me?............of course, unknown
What to do now.
Instinctive.
They dig.
On both sides, the lines are thickening, the front forming.
It runs now about 5 miles west of the road, the Katha army having deployed its length, swinging in regiments and in turn off it, facing west.
But to the North, it is now well and firmly cut.
8th division faces the 254th armoured brigade, the 268th motorised brigade.
And the aussies are coming along behind fast.
The commander of the eigth orders his men to disperse, to form small companies, and to try to infiltrate home. 45 miles is a wide front. there has to be gaps.
His men need no urging to hurry. If they cannot make it to the relief army quickly, they know what will happne.
They will be abandoned.
55 division reaches the front late on this day, peeling in turn to the southern most part of the front.
Hoshos company is given 500 yards of front............a 4 foot high embankment marking a wagon /oxen track winding its way across the paddie fields.
there is no time for anything else other than to deploy before darkness swallows them.
The enemy facing them..........unknown..........
The terrain ahead.............unknown........
The situation on the flanks, to the rear............unknown
The supply dumps................are you kidding me?............of course, unknown
What to do now.
Instinctive.
They dig.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
"Bridge port engine room!"
Bridge!'
'Reporting flame out, fwd port boiler!, cross connecting, revolutions restricted to 166 revolutions!"
Damnation..............what has happened?
'Revolutions 166!"
"revolutions 166, rung down and repeated sir!"
Check your 6 Takeji, check your 6, do not want to get run down now do I?..................too many bloody elephants about out here...........
Zuihos bridge carries on in silence...........whatever is happening below will be reported soon enough............
"Bridge port engine room!"
The Captain himself takes the voice pipe.
""Bridge!"
"Problem located sir!, approximate time to repair unknown!'
Unknown?.............double damnation!
"When you can engine room!, when you can.............."
Bridge!'
'Reporting flame out, fwd port boiler!, cross connecting, revolutions restricted to 166 revolutions!"
Damnation..............what has happened?
'Revolutions 166!"
"revolutions 166, rung down and repeated sir!"
Check your 6 Takeji, check your 6, do not want to get run down now do I?..................too many bloody elephants about out here...........
Zuihos bridge carries on in silence...........whatever is happening below will be reported soon enough............
"Bridge port engine room!"
The Captain himself takes the voice pipe.
""Bridge!"
"Problem located sir!, approximate time to repair unknown!'
Unknown?.............double damnation!
"When you can engine room!, when you can.............."
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Charge, of course, is there already.
No pipes needed to be made, no announcements, no messengers.
from somewhere he has heard those fans un naturally climb in revs, followed by that mournful sound of them beginning to wind down, felt the boiler shudder through his feet.
Already he is in deep conversation with the Steamer of the watch, as seamen, panting, sweat stained and soaked sailors complete the task of isolating the boiler.
charge catches one.........."Pull the burners!, and be quick about it!"
"Thoughts leading seaman?"
Although, I think, I fear that I know what the problem is already............but we will see, we will see...................
"We came down in revs chief!, I wound the fuel back, , pulled two burners.............
"And when we came back up again................"
'Yes chief!, when we came back up again.............she just sort of snuffed on me.............never seen the like before!"
A panting seaman brings the first burner over. he holds it in leather gloved hands, the 3 foot long heavy tube smaking at one end, black evil fuel dripping from the other.
The end is a black , solid lump of carbon, the fuel channel a crazy river etched into this lump of coal like material...........
Buka!...........the end cap is stuck solid..............this fuel. This bloody fuel is killing me,..........
"What is your fuel heater temperature Leading seaman!'
"Nominal chief!'
Not enough. Not nearly enough.............but this rubbish is gumming up everything, including the relief valves. But I must thin it, thin it if I can........
"crank it up to 180!. lets see if that helps. Get some new burners in, and lets get this bitch re lit"
No pipes needed to be made, no announcements, no messengers.
from somewhere he has heard those fans un naturally climb in revs, followed by that mournful sound of them beginning to wind down, felt the boiler shudder through his feet.
Already he is in deep conversation with the Steamer of the watch, as seamen, panting, sweat stained and soaked sailors complete the task of isolating the boiler.
charge catches one.........."Pull the burners!, and be quick about it!"
"Thoughts leading seaman?"
Although, I think, I fear that I know what the problem is already............but we will see, we will see...................
"We came down in revs chief!, I wound the fuel back, , pulled two burners.............
"And when we came back up again................"
'Yes chief!, when we came back up again.............she just sort of snuffed on me.............never seen the like before!"
A panting seaman brings the first burner over. he holds it in leather gloved hands, the 3 foot long heavy tube smaking at one end, black evil fuel dripping from the other.
The end is a black , solid lump of carbon, the fuel channel a crazy river etched into this lump of coal like material...........
Buka!...........the end cap is stuck solid..............this fuel. This bloody fuel is killing me,..........
"What is your fuel heater temperature Leading seaman!'
"Nominal chief!'
Not enough. Not nearly enough.............but this rubbish is gumming up everything, including the relief valves. But I must thin it, thin it if I can........
"crank it up to 180!. lets see if that helps. Get some new burners in, and lets get this bitch re lit"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt