The first command

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33933, 28 August 1975, Page 15

The first command

When one first goes to sea. one dreams of commanding a liner. But any command eventually is pleasing, no matter how long or short, or how hig or small.

Many qualified master mariners rever attain it through changed ’•oies. but for those who stay ' afloat” long enough,' it is inevitable— unless one does something The title “captain,” and also that of “doctor.” are loosely bestowed today. The former is, strictly, a military title. But to the point.

After World War n. and after a ear ashore, the writer, having renounced the <ea for all time a familiar theme . found if unfamiliar, and shore life. too. Rack to sea again. One evening, in a Singapore dr dock, while inspecting the underwater hull a vessel, the writer, then chief officer was suddenly sent for. and wh?«ked bv Malaysian driver across Singapore Island to Woodland«. adiacent to Johore causp-

nav. ft was a pleasant ride, by Lard-Rover—except that there bad been no rime for an evening Xt Woodlands lay a small ves•e|. the size of a large tug. A Malaysian master had failed to ♦um un. Where he was then was hi< business Seafarers understand thes*» things. A man in topee made th* 1 writer sign nepers, then disaoneared into th" duskv Aonatorial night.

Subconsciously. one looked round for the “old man,” but of cours a 'here was nobody there, only a bur' o fellow "the n***e?* on the hrid»A— a Malay with a w*de grin When one has lost both parents, one siidd*nlv h**cnm*s one’s own ancestor—an* l %e there was the telegraph, and the helmsman; a touch ahead «!ow. a little starboard helm, making a smooth circle: and it j»R worked just as in VkholFs “Cuide on Seamanship” and after years of practical observation and association. Down past the base and Changi. we plugged along the familiar Johore Strait at six knots The mate’s name eludes, but AH Baba wfll do Tn the dark, Ms teeth flashed like piano-a'-ro rd ion keys, and his eve« r’eamed like organ Joseph Onrad would have liked him. \'ou clear, more or le*« to <e»wa*d. and alreadv famished. tb« writer s’anped h<« cMmad, v rfh nleasijrebio anticipation and htoired hopefully a* AH Paha ,o *'h?t have <jot to «*nt nnw°” *’’ Baba scratched his ‘head There was nea»- par»°. Du«kv shaoes mar‘tested. T’Himateh-. somA rice with something which might have been regyv anpeared * r ’ wa< a lionid whieb mierht 1 •»»-« tea. peg ♦hie