Captain of the Gale

ship lost at sea

“Hard about, prepare to jibe!” The Captain roared, with no time for delay. The seasoned crew went into action in unison with the verbal command. September’s weather raged extra rank, as the gale waged war against the body of the ship. The stress of the boom vibrated with crackles sounding like gun fire, as they hoped to ride the mountainous waves and drop their sails. No time was given them to consider the rigging as blade was taken to rope, cascading waves of canvas fell to the ship's floor. Even though the crew' was scurrying about the depths of the Sea plagued their thoughts, while fear moved them forward.

No pint-sized tempest would out bellow their Captain his very stance was power and his voice boomed over the wind and thunder. This ship was so named ‘The Gale’ for this was the season of rest for most vessels. However there was no rest this day. White hot shots of lightning blazed from the ceiling of the storm, splintering the foremast in pieces. It would take a month of Sunday’s to dry the hull of that ship but somehow the bow was aflame.

Men scuttled about like ants in a wind tunnel. Their feet floated upon the surface of the deck, burning pieces of mast were tossed overboard. The jetting tides rocked the vessel with re-energized vigor, and a vengeance. Alas a man was lost to the deep. The captain had feet of iron and seemed affixed to the ship as he seized the helm and waited for the calm. Even so, the calm was not in this place, only fierce wind and violent rocking rode with them. All hands signed aboard just to say they knew this Master of the Waves, for a master seaman was he. They were a most salty lot, but they all longed to match his iron.

Sea-legs were not enough for the crew to hold their ground; they grappled for a hand full of tethered rope attached to each section of the ship. The men were arranged like toy figurines in a child's play toy. The eyes of the captain were set fast ahead, and they were as dark as the deep, and like the deep his eyes showed no fear. Nor did he wavier on his decision, he would weather this nor’easter to clear skies or the ocean’s floor. Faith in his maker and a willful constitution brought a smile to his rain-soaked face and the storm raged on.

 

Author's Note

I think I'm done, however a story can be like a woman's hair which always has one more detail to fix:)

Reviews

[genocide]

is this like moby dick or something I don't know

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you I'll return the review very soon

[Coyote Poetry]

A very good tale. I felt the fear and I felt the storm. I liked the realistic feel of the story. You made the reader feel the struggle to defeat and survive the storm. I wanted more. Thank you Cherrie for sharing the amazing story.
Coyote

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you, I love the sea and the power of its beauty

[Coyote Poetry]

I love the sea too. You are welcome Cherrie.

[MelissaAndres]

Cherrie, Thank you for entering this story into our contest. Submissions will be accepted until October 15th. If you have other WC friends who you feel may be interested in entering, please pass along the information.

[madmocha]

Others beat me to the punch. Detail...atmosphere (x3). Great short piece. Yeah, it had the feel of being condensed; like drinking chocolate milk without the milk... ;) But that's ok, because of the brevity it gave you your money's worth.

[Allen Smuckler]

Oh, give me more...reminded me of the classic "Old Man and the Sea"... You sure you weren't a tar in another life...come on, be honest...
This was such a vividly descriptive piece,it sounded like you lived the experience or at least watched "Captain Courageous" a few dozen times...
A really great, fun read, Cherrie
allen

[roarke]

for the life of me I don't know why cruise ships are all the rage....

I like how you've described the men and their actions like that of the sea and storm, nice touch.

I should have guessed by the title that I'd need my Mackintosh.....

[KAREN]

Very nice story. The imagery made it so real!

[Ron]

Goodness Cherrie has re invented Captain Horatio Hornblower. I hope the ship is one in the Royal Navy. Good start, next set of paragraphs please!

[.......]

Wow such vivid detail and imagery.
This is amazing Cherrie.