Captain De Sade

Chapter  1

The S/S Ulysses

It was the third week in June, 1961, young Timothy Erickson was strolling nonchalantly along New York’s waterfront.  He was carrying a medium size suitcase containing mostly work clothes and necessary personal toilet items. He had been to the National Maritime Union hall the day before and received a temporary permit and assignment papers for the position of Ordinary Seaman to serve aboard the steamship Ulysses.

Tim had just graduated from high school and just turned eighteen years of age. His mother wanted him to sign up for college and he assured her that he would, but he just had to get away from books and studying for awhile.

He spotted the Ulysses and walked up the gang plank. He was met on deck by a young man who asked him what business he had aboard the ship. Tim showed him his papers and he said, “So you’re the one. Now we have a complete crew”. He said, “Come along and I’ll show you to your cabin and you can stow your gear”. As they approached the cabin he explained to Tim that it was referred to as the 8 to 12 fo’csle. Of course this was all new to Tim so he explained that he would be occupying this cabin with two AB’s (that’s Able Bodied Seamen). That is because all three would be on the same watch together. Of course watches had to be explained to Tim also. This was all new to him.

And so he explained that he would work from 8 AM to noon and from 8PM to midnight, seven days a week. When Time looked surprised, he explained that a ship does not stop in the middle of the ocean on week ends, but that he would receive overtime pay for Sundays. He went on to explain that the watch is divided up into three one hour and twenty minute sections. They are on the helm (steering the ship), on look out {at the bow in good weather or from the bridge in bad weather), and on stand by. Stand by means being available for emergencies such as one of the other deck hands on watch needs to “hit the head”, that’s go to the washroom.

Tim was shown where the washrooms were (small, but adequate) and where the mess hall was.  In due time, he would see the bridge, and become familiar with other parts of the ship. He would eventually even get a tour of the engine room (the very heart of the ship).

Tim was also advised that sleep was important and probably the best time would be when he gets off watch at midnight until going on watch again at 8 AM. He was also advised to have breakfast before going on watch and, of course, the noon meal when he comes off watch. The evening meal is usually around 5 PM.

He was also given another bit of advice that he figured he would have to work on if and when such a condition should arise. And that was simply how to handle rough weather. He was told that he would learn to keep his balance when the ship rolls from side to side as it is hit broadside by wind and waves.

Cargo loading was completed and the hatch covers were secured. With the aid of a pilot the Ulysses moved to another dock area where they proceeded to take on oil and water under the direction of an engineer.  Fuel oil and water for the boilers and, of course, water for domestic purposes, the galley and wash rooms (sinks and showers), toilets are flushed using sea water, or naturally whatever water the ship is in at the time.

The following morning the pilot brought her out of the harbor. Then she stopped long enough for the pilot to climb down the rope ladder on to the waiting tug boat that would take him ashore. Then the Ulysses continued on her way in the open sea..