The typhoon rose out of the tropic air and the sky turned black in wickedly short time. I held the course set as long as I could, but the storm was unrelenting, lashing crew and vessel in ceaseless fury. Rains turned into waves of water crashing down on the decks, sweeping loose gear and crew into oblivion. The vessel shuddered as it plunged through a cresting wave and into the trough.
The Captain merely looked ahead, calmly stating, "Take us to calmer waters." His knuckles were as white as mine holding to the rail.
Yeah, sure, that was my job. "Aye, Sir!" I screamed into the wind.
I turned, sliding along the decking toward the helmsman. Then head over heels along the deck as a wave swept me off my feet. Past the sheltered bridge ...and off the deck!
The sea is an even more demanding bastard than the Captain who probably had little else to do but bemoan my incompetence and take direct action to save the ship. Well, these were my later thoughts, at least. In the instant I went over the side, nothing mattered but fighting the great beast of a storm that wanted to drown me. I swam when I wasn't beaten down three fathoms by a wave or blasted by some perverse wind. "Swim damn you sir!" screamed the Captain's voice in my head. Oh, inspired command....I stupidly opened my mouth to reply and took in a gallon of brine. I swam. Sometimes on the surface, sometimes below. I held my air impossibly long periods, always rueing the moment I had to gasp for more. When the storm passed its greatest fury, and nearly exhausted, I labored at just staying afloat. For two days. I think. That was when I saw the first fin cutting the water......... and felt my feet bump on something underwater.
I came to the coral atol with relief. Whatever the shark wanted, it wasn't me. I trudged across the jagged barrier and fell into the shallow lagoon. I walked in to the small pile of sand which was to be my home for another day and night. What I hate shall remain untold, but the only water came from rain falling into shells I left on the sand. It was barely enough.
When the vessle hove into sight I was a puckered mess of swelling sunburned.
"Yer tough as leather, sir!" called out a couple of the shipmen when I was brought aboard. Yes, possibly I was.
| Monday, October 13, 1997 |
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