Captain of the Gale

Captain of the Gale

A Story by Cherrie Palmer
"

ship lost at sea

"
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.

© 2011 Cherrie Palmer




Featured Review




Reviews

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

Posted 6 Years Ago


Cherrie Palmer

6 Years Ago

Thank you I'll return the review very soon
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


Cherrie Palmer

6 Years Ago

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

6 Years Ago

I love the sea too. You are welcome Cherrie.
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.

Posted 8 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

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.

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

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

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

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.....

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Very nice story. The imagery made it so real!

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

[send message][befriend] Subscribe
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!

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

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

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 12 Years Ago



Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Request Read Request
Add to Library My Library
Subscribe Subscribe



Author

Cherrie Palmer
Cherrie Palmer

Oakland, AR



About
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..

Writing

Related Writing

People who liked this story also liked..


Lil' Red Lil' Red

A Poem by OT