The Derelict’s Story

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 45, 16 November 1940, Page 16

The Derelict’s Story

(Original by Flotsam (15), Pahiatua).

I was enviously watching the ships sail in and out of the harbour and wondering why I was neglected, when a voice said, “Why so sad? I suppose you haven’t seen a storm in your life —although you are old and battered.”

“Yes I have,” I retorted looking down on the neat little cutter beside

“Well, tell me about it,” she said with a shake of her snowy sails.

I cleared my throat and began in an impressive voice: “The weather had not been promising all day. Bill and his small crew were sailing me at the time, and I could not help tossing them high and low in the heavy sea. Toward the end of the day the wind grew stronger and the roar of the breakers grow louder and louder. On I was driven until there was a crash. Another sea lifted me and flung me through the breakers, grounding me on a sand bank. The sea dashed over the reef and spent its fury on my hull, and the coast seen through masses of spray looked barren and uninviting. The crew recovered from the shock

and made a dive for a dinghy (which was used for getting ashore), hastily packed some provisions and rowed—or rather tossed —for the shore. They gained it after a great deal of hard work. There I was, left to be smashed on the reef or washed away. All through the night I was tossed on the. foam tipped waves. The breakers rolled over my decks with triumphant booms. I was still there when a grey sullen dawn broke. The storm had eeased and the crew and several other men were returning in the dinghy doubtless, I supposed, to see what damage' was done to me. I was right, and from what the men said I gathered that I was to be towed home. Towed home I How awful. Next morning the other ship appeared and when we were tied together she llauntingly danced before me,' shaking her sails and, I supposed, laughing at my plight. Now here I am and here I stay,” I finished.

“Oh,” said the little cutter, “you’ll make a good boat for small boys to play on.” She giggled as she dipped skilfully out of my way.