Classifications
Leaderboards & Statistics
LaRPS : Legacies Role Play System » [IC] Character Chronicles
Home is the sailor... Nathaniel's Journals....
(6 posts)-
(The remains of a leatherbound book, much stained with salt. The spine is broken and many of the signatures are missing, and those that survive have many pages stuck together. The pages are printed with lines and columns as if intended to be a ledger of some sort. Despite the apparent soaking, much of the writing has survived. A neat hand, in an ink that was once black, but seems to have faded to brown when wet.)
23 February 1880, SS Odiham Castle, Harwich.
Reported to the SS Odiham Castle for my first voyage as Chief Purser. The captain, one Gerald Bryson, seems an agreeable fellow and made much of the fact that I am the youngest person ever to be made Chief Purser, at least, within the Haskins Co. My cabin is much larger than the one I had aboard the Raglan Castle and much better appointed, as befits my rank. The ship is very similar to the Raglan, having been constructed in the same shipyard, so I already feel at home.
I had a tolerable day of bargaining and trading and expect I shall have the vessel fully provisioned at least one day in advance of our sailing to Bremerhaven. The captain and officers are much impressed with the case of fine brandy and one of rum that I managed to extract from my friend, Mr Haggard, by way of a favour he owed me. No doubt this shall contribute to a convivial first evening on board. I do not know if I shall do as well in Bremerhaven, as this will be my first passage to there. My predecessor left more than adequate notes concerning the best traders and my assistant, a Mancunian by name of Eddie Jacobs, assures me that he will be able to make the introductions when we get there. I intend to spend part of the voyage there practising my German with those of the crew who speak it well, so that I may be better understood. While on the subject of introductions, there are a few fellows among the crew that I am well acquainted with from other vessels. They have promised to show me some of the more entertaining parts of Bremerhaven. Part of me fears this could be a bad idea.
I am missing my darling Alexandra already. It will be over a month before I have sufficient shore-leave to be able to go and see her. I am determined, then, to speak with her father, in the hope that the old coot will finally consent to our marriage, now that I hold a respectable position.
-
Haskins European and Atlantic Shipping Company
SS Odiham Castle3 March 1880, SS Odiham Castle, Bremerhaven.
Eddie was true to his word and made most excellent introductions to the various traders in and around the port of Bremerhaven. Indeed, I made most excellent trading and so far as I can fathom the exchange rates, believe I have made a considerable saving in provisioning the vessel for the return trip. My trading completed, I returned to the ship to change out of my uniform so that I might go out with my colleagues to meet the "entertaining" parts of this city.
It was a most interesting evening. After visiting assorted taverns, we ended up, as I had suspected would happen, at a bawdy house of sorts. Somewhat against expectations, despite the myriad temptations, I ended up not indulging. Why, dear diary, you may ask. It is not as if I am shy in such matters normally, for all that I love Alexandra. Well, I ended up talking with a most interesting lady by the name of Katarina. A very attractive woman, for all that she seemed to have some years on me. Hair somewhat the same colour of mine, but a huge riot of curls. I think she said she was from Bavaria, which I believe is far to the south from Bremerhaven. Her English was somewhat better than my German, so we ended up conversing in a mixture of the two. While my friends debauched themselves with the ladies of the night, Katarina and I conversed on literature, poetry, history and many other things. Indeed, such was our conversation that, before I knew it, my colleagues had satisfied their carnal needs and were ready to return to the ship. I don't know is she was a working woman, but I felt that matters more physical may have been possible had we had more time. We parted with a promise to meet next time I was in port. The walk back to the ship with my colleagues took some considerable time, not surprising given that they had a couple of bottles of something called Schnapps, which were passed liberally around as we staggered back to the docks.
Awoke with a foul headache. I regret that my first experience of Schnapps is unlikely to incline me to subsequent experiences. I can report that German beer is most pleasant, if it does take an age to be poured properly. I can also report that I am mightily pleased to have encountered a rum from Austria called Stroh. Given the advertised strength, it is possible that it contributed to the headache. However, given the taste in my mouth, I am inclined to blame the Schnapps. Later, we head back to England, just as soon as we are fully laden and the tides in our favour. It will be good to see England again, even if I shall not have time to visit home.
-
(The remains of a leatherbound book, much stained with salt. The spine is broken and many of the signatures are missing, and those that survive have many pages stuck together. The pages are printed with lines and columns as if intended to be a ledger of some sort. Despite the apparent soaking, much of the writing has survived. A neat hand, in an ink that was once black, but seems to have faded to brown when wet. This entry is somewhat water-damaged...)
5 April 18*0 - SS Odih** **stle, en rout* *n the N***h Se*
Another day that star** ***h a foul he****he. This one I can defi**tely blame on the captain and offic*rs of the Odiham Castle. When I emba**ed, I notified the *aptain of my newly engag*d status, as per compan* ***ulations, and he took it upon himsel* *o arrange a small cele****ion in the officers' mess that evening. Much *um and brand* was **nsumed, hence the aching head today.
Yes, dear jo**nal, the good *ajor Fergus Christopher O'Conno* *retd) finally relented. I had a very sati*****ory interview with the old codger, over a **nvivial brandy or two after dinner at his cl*b. After some considerable disc****** *f my future career prospects, my family **ckground, and not least, my fina***al standing, he consente* ** the matter of all**ing my formal engagem*** *o his daughter, the well-respected Alex**dra May O'Conno*, now my darling fiancée, offic**lly.
It looks like there will be **ugh weath** **ead, so I had better check that **erything is se*ured in the hol*s. Well, that which comp***** *he supplie* *or the vessel. The cargo, fort***tely, is somebody else's pro**em.
-
Haskins European and Atlantic Shipping Company
SS Odiham Castle13 August 1880, A bench overlooking the harbour, Bremerhaven.
Pre-dawn Bremerhaven. At this early hour, the streets are almost empty. Not even the costers and newspaper vendors are around. Just a few people like me, scurrying home from wherever. Late, or early, depending on your point of view. I feel strangely reluctant to head back to the ship. Part of that is running the gauntlet of the knowing stares and winks from the deck watch, but mostly, I need to get things sorted in my head.
The Blumengarten was quiet tonight. After Jerry and Frank went off with their girls, Katharina and I pretty much had the bar to ourselves. We carried on chatting, and then she suggested going back to her flat. I wasn't sure, because, though we have become very comfortable with each other, nothing intimate had happened. There was a moment of embarrassment, when I thought this was going to involve a financial transaction, but she laughed that off. An understandable mistake given the company she keeps.
Back at her rooms, she seemed... almost shy. I got the impression that it had been a while since she had invited a gentleman home. Also, for somebody who had always seemed so confident and self-assured, she seemed a little uncertain. This, I later learned was a slight embarrassment on her part because of the difference in our ages. Which, by then, was demonstrably not an issue on my part. She opened a bottle of schnapps, we talked, we embraced, we kissed. Though we did not make the beast with two backs, we might just as well have done. Through all the heat of our lovemaking, her skin seemed cool, refreshing against mine. She sent me away long before dawn, fearing there would be talk if the building manager were to see me.
So now, I am conflicted. This was not the meaningless whoring I have done before, with only a twinge of conscience. This was different. I still love Alexandra with all my heart, and yet... There is something about Katharina, something I cannot explain. It is not her looks, which are well enough for one her age, but something intangible, some... depth of wisdom and experience that seems almost as though she were older than she appears. I do not wish to hurt Alexandra, yet I do not wish to lose Katharina now. Perhaps the distance between them is my only salvation.
-
(The remains of a leatherbound book, much stained with salt. The spine is broken and many of the signatures are missing, and those that survive have many pages stuck together. The pages are printed with lines and columns as if intended to be a ledger of some sort. Despite the apparent soaking, much of the writing has survived. A neat hand, in an ink that was once black, but seems to have faded to brown when wet.)
83, Princes Street, Chatham
26 October 1880
Two weeks of shore leave. The longest I have had in many months. Even so, it seems impossibly short, there being so much to do. First of all, there are all the wedding preparations. After much wrangling with other family commitments, father's business commitments and the popularity of St Mary's, not to mention my sailing schedule, we have finally agreed upon Saturday 18th June next year. Nearly eight months away! We would have preferred spring, but with a considerable part of Alexandra's family having to make their way over from Ireland that was the earliest that suited all parties. Not that I suppose half of them will come, even for Alexandra, as many of them have yet to forgive the Major for marrying out, still less for not raising Alex as Catholic. Mother is readying herself for many a fight. She has always been scornful of such conflicts. "Who cares?" she always says, "Provided that they are happy and revere their gods in their own way." But then Mother has always tended to regard church attendance as a social obligation rather than a religious one. I am afraid I tend to take after her. Alex is much more pious than I.
But, a date been set - alea iacta est - so there is not going back now. I want this, I really do, but there is still the thought of Katharina, in the back of my mind. I am still undecided what to do. Perhaps it would be best if I transferred to another ship, so that I am no longer tempted by being in Bremerhaven.
On to practicalities now. It looks like there will be a three-way battle royal between me, Father and the Major over who has the best contacts. There's me with all my trading contacts, obtaining ship's supplies; Father with all his business and Masonic contacts; and the Major with all his military pals. Father will no doubt win out on the catering, while I am sure I can get the best price on all the wine. I have no idea what the Major will bring to the party, unless Alex and I want to ride away from church on a gun carriage. One thing I do know - I am best placed to organise a honeymoon cruise. A quick word with old man Haskins should sort that out.
-
(The remains of a leatherbound book, much stained with salt. The spine is broken and many of the signatures are missing, and those that survive have many pages stuck together. The pages are printed with lines and columns as if intended to be a ledger of some sort. Despite the apparent soaking, much of the writing has survived. A neat hand, in an ink that was once black, but seems to have faded to brown when wet. This entry has a piece of newspaper stuck to the page.)
83 Princes Street, Chatham, Kent
Whew, what a time on the honeymoon! Much to write about later. I barely have time as I have to be in Harwich for a 6am sailing tomorrow.
Alex will be staying with Mother and Father for the interim. She and Mother will be looking at houses and no doubt Father will be complaining that he should build us one.
We made the front page of the paper! Mother bought lots of copies and I am sticking one copy of the front page herein. Not only worthy for the wedding report, but that the family is mentioned twice. Father is quoted in the article about the problems at Fort Luton, and there is the wedding article. It would have been three times, had the article about the new school mentioned that Father's company will be building it.
Reply
You must log in to post.