Previous Version
This is a previous version of Captain of the Gale.
“Hard about!” 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 pop-corn, as they hoped to ride the mountainous waves and drop their sails. No time to consider the rigging as blade was taken to rope, cascading waves of canvas fall to the ships floor.
No pint-sized tempest would out bellow de captain his very stance was power and his voice boomed over the wind and thunder. White hot shots of lightning blazed from the ceiling of the storm, splintering the foremast in pieces. It would take a month of sunshine to dry the hull of this ship but somehow the bow was aflame.
Men scurry about like ants that are fighting the dessert wind. Their feet float upon the surface of deck, burning pieces of the mast is tossed overboard. The jetting tides rock the vessel with re-energized vigor and a man is lost to the deep. The captain has feet of iron and seems affixed to the ship has he now holds the helm and waits for the calm.
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
Posted 6 Years Ago
6 Years Ago
Thank you, I love the sea and the power of its beauty
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.
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.
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
I am a published poet and love poetry. I live near the White River, and love trout fishing. I find my surroundings a great inspiration to me. I also have two books on Amazon Kindle: Obsession Starts.. more..