Unlucky for some

[happy daze john in oz]

For many Friday the 13^th is one fraught with danger, a time of trepidation that sees some reluctant to even leave home infear of calamity striking them.

Not so the case for me, for at the time in question I wasinvincible, as were so many young men of our day. We owned the world nothingcould stand in our way.

Shake down at sea was 0545 with turn to at 0600; in portthis was extended to 0700 hours. It was just after 0700 hours when I awoke frommy slumber, but this time I was not in my bunk. Laying beside me an Oliveskinned lady, once of some beauty, that somehow during the night hours haddiminished. The pillow straggled with blonde hair, smudged mascara around theeyes, and the remains of a ruby red lipstick in the corners of her mouth,resembling the mad smile of a circus clown.

Reaching for a Chesterfield I took a long draw of the sicklycloying smoke so common with American cigarettes. My mouth like the inside of abird- cage, sand and seed husk, a drink was needed. Stumbling from the bed Imade my way across the small bedroom to the lounge/ diner, in the corner ofwhich there was a small sink. As I drank I looked at my surrounds, thereperched on the table one half for the reason of my current predicament, anempty KWV bottle. Carelessly slung across a chair back my trousers, here ashoe, there a sock. In the middle of the floor my once white shirt, in themiddle of which lay a pair of black frilly panties, the other half that was thereason for my current situation.

Returning to the bed I gazed upon the form of this stillsleeping lady considering how I had come to this? This lady had used my abilityon more than one occasion during the night. As I lay there I began to realise Iwas still in need of a drink, but not from the tap, this was a thirst thatcould only be quenched in the well of voluptuousness. Reaching across I touchedher arm; she awoke and turned to face me. I could see by the look in her eyethat she had the same thirst as I.

I was awakened by the sound of gunfire, that rang out fromunder the mountain and out across the bay, the noon- day gun, the day was nowhalf over. For catering crew leave ended at noon on sailing day, I was now verylate and in danger of missing my ship. A breakfast of hot buttered toast washeddown with a mug of black coffee put me in a better frame of mind. I still havetime to catch the tide I informed the lady.

Saying my goodbyes I stepped out into the street, a lateautumn day with the sun low in the sky, crispness in the air. A Cape doctor was beginning to drift in, whispering around the streets. My wallet like myself wasnow empty so perambulation was the order of the day. Arriving at the gangway atabout 1400 hours the master at arms greeted me. A kindly man, with whom I hadenjoyed many a drink in Southampton. Greeting me with a knowing smile he bid mewait by the gun port door while he summonsed the second steward. Brough by nameas well as nature this man was hated not only by all the catering crew, but bymany others as well. Married to a member of the owner’s family he consideredhimself to be above all others. He informed me that I had contravened thecompany’s policy of return to the ship and that the local police had beeninformed of my absence. I was ordered to return to my department and that on themorrow I would be required to climb the steps that lead to the captain’ office.Nothing new there I considered.

Returning to the boat deck where I was employed as anofficer’s steward, Bob the officer’s steward in charge greeted me like theprodigal son. Bob was gay but was fully aware of our needs and had turned ablind eye on many an occasion when we had returned just in time to begin theday. But today he could do nothing for me, but promised to speak with Charnleythe chief officer on my behalf, considering me to be a good reliable crew-member.

Saturday morning 0900 hours I made my way to the bridge deckready to meet the captain. I was informed that captain Patey was otherwiseengaged and that the staff captain, Sowden, would be seeing me. His admonishmentof me was a long protracted affair, telling me of the concerns of the captainthat the local police had to be informed of my absence, the late return to theship etc. My mind was far away as he spoke, away in a small bedroom a ten-minute walk from the ship, wondering whom the lady would be seeing tonight? Iwas brought from my thoughts rudely when Sowden informed me that my sojourn ofthe previous night was to cost me three days pay, and to add insult to injury Ialso lost my four hours daily overtime for the Friday. The only good news Iwould still get two VG in my book.

Two days late I came to realize the lady had given me agoing away present, a common practice by many of the ladies of the Cape. Apiece from Henry V crossed my mind, ‘Once more to the doctors surgery myfriends, once more, and bare your rear for the needles prick’
This was to be my last time in Cape Town; on return to UK I decided there were other ports in other countries, and other ladies who would be in need of my services.

[Captain Kong]

Wonderful Story John,
very descriptive and full of feeling,
We have been there many times and could see the picture you painted quite clearly and it brought back many a good memory. If only we could go back and do it all again.
A good start to my day, Thanks.
Brian.

[john sutton]

Personally I,ve never been to bed with an ugly woman.I,ve woken up with a few though
john sutton

[English Margaret]

For many Friday the 13^th is one fraught with danger, ..

poor bugger

[j.sabourn]

They used to say you werent a seaman until you had made that visit to the surgery 7 times, one for each ocean.
John Sabourn.

[Captain Kong]

Going through my files I came across a true story about the old superstition of it being bad luck to sail on a Friday.

Even up to the 1900`s Insurance Companies charge an extra premium for any ship that sailed on a Friday.
In 1894, a Liverpool Shipowner became incensed at having to compensate his Captains and crews for laying over until Saturday.Nor was he excited by the prospect of paying outrageous premiums to greedy insurance companies.
He decided to kill the old wives tale once and for all.
He ordered a ship to be built with the keel laid on a Friday, the vessel was launched on a Friday and christened `Friday`,
The Captain was even found who had the name Friday. Then after an expensive cargo was loaded he refused to insure it. The Liverpool Merchant waved farwell to the good ship `Friday` and with Captain Friday in command sailed for New York on a Friday.

The good ship `Friday` together with her crew and Captain Friday were never seen of nor heard of again.
Cheers
Brian