Author’s note: The idea for
this story came many years ago while watching “Submarine Sunk Here”. The
newspaper headline about the sinking got me thinking about what it would have been
like for the families ashore and this story was born! It was published in
Silent Running 6 but, like my other early stuff, I thought it could be improved
so this is the revised version!
Reluctant Hero
By
S. James
"Mom! Mom!
The Seaview's sunk!" Eight year old Derry Marshall yelled at her mother while
keeping her eyes glued to the television screen.
Several rooms
away Helen Morton Marshall let a sigh escape as she heard her younger daughter
shouting. She didn’t hear exactly what
Turning round she
found her elder daughter standing in the doorway, a stricken look on her young
face. “Mom! You’ve got to come!” Katie’s voice was pitched higher than usual
and Helen frowned with concern at the nine year old as she continued, “Seaview’s sunk! Uncle Chip might be
dead!”
Helen’s frown
deepened and it was on the tip her tongue to say: "Don't talk
rubbish" but it was obvious that something had upset Katie and she felt
herself turning cold all over as the full meaning of her daughter's words sunk
home. Surely, it couldn't be true? Surely, Katie had made a mistake?
She heard her own
voice ask calmly: "Who said Seaview
sank?"
"It was on
TV," Katie replied quietly, her eyes fixed on her mother’s face. “It was a
News Flash. They said Seaview had sunk.
“I don’t know,”
Helen replied honestly. I hope not, she
thought fearfully. She hoped that whatever the children had heard on the
television it wasn’t the unbelievable news that Seaview had sunk. Submarines
couldn’t sink, could they? Especially not submarines as powerful as Seaview!
Entering the den
she found her three younger children sprawled on the floor watching cartoons.
"Did you
tell her?"
"Tell me
what?" her mother queried before Katie could answer.
"The Seaview's sunk,"
Half annoyed,
half amused by
"Yes," they
both nodded solemnly, disconcerted by their mother’s tone of voice. "They
said the radio doesn’t work and they have to look for them."
Helen frowned. It
was obvious to her that her daughters had heard something about the Seaview
but surely it couldn’t have just disappeared; it was far too sophisticated to
just disappear. Wasn’t it? To hear her younger brother talk Seaview was the most advanced submarine
in the world so how could she possibly sink?
“Did they say
anything else?” she asked patiently.
Two sets of
shoulders shrugged. They hadn't really listened to the facts. Only the
headline, interrupting their program had caught their attention and that was
only because they knew their uncle was someone important on the submarine Seaview.
“Mom! Can we put
Tom and Jerry back on?” Five year-old Jason whined suddenly. “This is boring!”
“Okay, Jason,”
her mind still wrestling with concern for her younger brother and the submarine
on which he was executive officer Helen put her finger on the controls intending
to switch back to the cartoons but just as the screen changed she saw a faint
image of the Seaview disappear under
Bugs Bunny and she switched straight back to the news ignoring the howls of
protest from her sons.
“…..radio contact
was lost approximately forty-five minutes ago,” the bespectacled newsreader
spoke solemnly, “but the coastguard do have a fix on Seaview’s last known position and are confident of locating the
submarine within the next few hours. Apparently, if they have sunk…as appears
to be the case…they should send up a marker buoy which will show their exact
position but this does depend on somebody on board being able to release the
buoy.” The newsreader’s voice dropped to an almost reverent whisper.
“Unfortunately, it’s always possible that there might not be anyone alive to do
that. In which case….”
In which case Chip could be dead! The horrifying words echoed in Helen’s brain as she
turned the television off abruptly. She didn’t want to hear any more and she
certainly didn’t want her children to hear any more. Going to the window she
glanced out at the clouds chasing across the sky and was relieved to see that
it had stopped raining.
“Okay,” she
turned back to the children who were watching her with expressions that varied
from confusion to annoyance to anxiety depending on the individual. Forcing
herself to sound cheerful Helen smiled as she announced, “It’s stopped raining;
it’s time you all went outside for some fresh air.”
“Yeah!” Jason and
three year-old Tim were out the door before she had finished speaking with
“Go on, Katie,”
Helen urged her eldest daughter. “I need to phone Daddy.”
“About Seaview?” Katie asked solemnly.
“Yes,” Helen
nodded.
“Do you think they
have all died?” Katie’s voice was
small and her blue eyes, so like her uncle’s, were dark with fear.
“Of course not,”
Helen spoke confidently and hoped she wasn’t giving her daughter false hope.
“It might be there isn’t anything wrong at all, Katie. It could just be that
the radio is broken.”
“You think so?”
Katie sounded doubtful being at an age where she was more inclined to believe
the television rather than her parents.
“I do,” Helen nodded.
“Now out you go, Katie while………” The ringing of the telephone interrupted
Helen’s words.
“I’ll get it!”
Katie rushed across the room to pick up the receiver.
“Hello, Katie
Marshall speaking,” she spoke brightly into the receiver and then cocked her
blond head slightly to one side as she listened to the caller. “Yes, she is,”
she glanced at her mother and held out the receiver. “It’s Gran…” she said as
Helen took the phone from her.
“Gwen?” Helen
spoke into the receiver while simultaneously glaring at her elder daughter,
daring her to stay and listen to the conversation. She felt the relief sweep
over her as Katie disappeared only to feel a renewed sense of dread as her
mother-in-law said ominously, “Have you seen the news Helen?”
“I have,” Helen
acknowledged swallowing over a sudden lump in her throat.
“So what’s going on? “ Gwen demanded
anxiously. “Surely that submarine Chip thinks so much of can’t have sunk!
Submarines don’t sink, do they?”
.....................................................................................................................................
Completely
oblivious to the anxiety his family were suffering Chip Morton was, at that
moment, struggling to come to terms with the unbelievable news himself. Ashore in
With
a heavy sigh Chip wandered over to see how the repairs were going on the diving
bell. Could be they might need it when Seaview
was found. At least that would give him a chance to do something practical
instead of wondering and worrying. He knew that he should feel grateful not to
be stuck down there at the bottom of the ocean but he wasn’t. It was
agonizingly frustrating to be stuck on shore when he believed his place was on
the boat supporting his Captain, looking out for the crew and coordinating
repairs not sitting here in the sunshine twiddling his thumbs!
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Meanwhile, across the world, the news that the famous
submarine Seaview had sunk was
spreading rapidly. While television stations disrupted their schedules to
follow the story live, newspapers were preparing their front pages to carry the
shocking story. Throughout the
In
"They should
have contacted the families first," his wife fought against the tears that
were hovering close to the surface. "They shouldn't just let them announce
it on TV like that.”
"I doubt the
Institute had much say in the matter," Chris said wisely. "From all reports
they've gone down off the coast here. The media probably found out before the
Institute did."
"I told
him,” Helen exclaimed suddenly. She bit her bottom lip as Chris turned to look
questionably at her. “I told him submarines were dangerous,” she continued
almost angrily. “But did he listen? No! He just went ahead and joined up
anyway. And now…now he’s down there waiting to be rescued, he might even…” She
bit down on her lip again struggling to get a grip on her emotions and to block
out the very vivid images that were invading her overactive imagination.
Chris pulled his
wife close but remained diplomatically silent unwilling to contradict Helen’s
memories of the past. She had never voiced her fears to Chip over his decision
to join the submarine service although Chris had always been well aware of how
she felt. He was also well aware that his brother-in-law suspected that his
sister wasn’t keen on his choice of career but the younger man had only ever
received one hundred percent support from both of them.
Now Chris sought
for something positive to say that wouldn’t sound patronising but unable to
think of anything he went for the obvious, forcing his voice to sound
optimistic. “I’m sure he’s fine. The last report said they've sent up the
marker buoy; that means someone is okay."
"It doesn't
mean Chip is," Helen snapped and she pulled away from Chris, her brown
eyes shining with unshed tears.
"We have to
believe that he is," Chris said, his calm voice masking his own fears for
his young brother-in-law. "It could just be something like engine trouble, Helen. You have to remember
that the media revel in making news like this sound worse than it is. Chip
wouldn’t want us to panic unnecessarily, would he?”
"I suppose
not," Helen frowned doubtfully and wiped at her eyes with a tissue as she
sat down and returned her concentration to the television screen where a
reporter was regurgitating facts about the Seaview
and her inventor/owner, Admiral Nelson while waiting for more news about the
disaster to break. Helen wanted to yell at the reporter, to tell him to shut up
and tell her what she really wanted to know which was whether her beloved
younger brother was alive or dead. It was so frustrating, so terrifying to have
to sit here and wait for news that could turn your whole world upside down.
Helen wasn’t at all sure that she could keep control of her rising anxiety if
they didn’t get some definite news soon. She was grateful that, despite their
worries for their adopted grandson, her parents-in-law had driven over and
taken the four children out for the rest of the afternoon. It was a huge help
not to have the children around demanding attention and witnessing their
mother’s growing distress.
"I'll try
calling the Institute again later," Chris sat down and put one arm round
his wife’s shoulders. "Maybe they’ll have more idea what’s going on when
someone has made contact with the sub.”
“How will they do
that?” Helen asked bleakly.
"Dad said
the marker buoy should have a telephone system linked to the sub," Chris
explained. "Someone will call them up; find out what the problem is.”
“Do you…” Helen
started to speak and then stopped as Chris sat up straighter, his grey eyes
fixed intently on the television. Following his gaze Helen noticed that the
scene had shifted from the studio to a live scene on the dock in
“It appears that
one of Seaview’s own men is here in
“CHIP!” Whatever
else the reporter said was lost as Helen suddenly shrieked at the screen.
“LOOK!” She grabbed almost hysterically at her husband’s arm. “It’s Chip,
Chris! He’s there…he’s in
Chris Marshall's
own eyes widened in surprise and disbelief as he saw the definite figure of his
young brother-in-law striding purposefully towards the launch that was waiting
to transport him to the site of the sinking.
Even from behind there was no mistaking that it was Chip....the
purposeful stride, broad shoulders set and determined, hat tipped back on his
short blond hair.
"He's all
right," Helen tightened her hold on Chris’s left arm, tears of joyful
relief running down her face. "He's all right! He’s not even down there!
He's all right!"
"I
know," Chris's own smile was one of relief but his deep voice held a note
of puzzlement as he wondered out loud, "But what's he doing there Helen?
Why isn't he on Seaview?"
"I don't
know," Helen replied in a voice that
said, "I don't care". “It
doesn’t matter, Chris. At least we know he’s safe!”
.....................................................................................................................................
Lieutenant-Commander
Chip Morton ignored the television cameras as he strode purposefully towards
the motor cruiser that was waiting to transfer him to the site where the Seaview had gone down. To be fair he
barely noticed them. Always single-minded and determined in his approach to his
work his mind was focused entirely on his friends and colleagues aboard the
stricken sub. As he was ashore he had been given the opportunity to be the
first to make contact with Seaview and
he was oblivious to anything else as he walked briskly past the cameras and
reporters. However, the news reporters were also single-minded and
determined...determined to get the first interview with a member of Seaview's crew and he suddenly found
himself facing a barrage of microphones and flashing lights.
"Commander
Morton. What do you hope to find out there?"
"Commander
Morton, do you think your colleagues are still alive down there?"
"Commander!
Why aren't you on the Seaview?"
"Commander
Morton, how does it feel to be here when your submarine is in trouble?"
The questions
flew thick and fast but Chip steadfastly ignored them keeping his eyes on the
launch ahead of him as he moved towards it through a path cleared by the
military police.
Less than fifty miles down the coast in the
home where Chip had spent most of his teenage years his much older half-sister
found that the relief she had felt when she discovered he was safe was rapidly
being replaced with intense irritation. She was irritated not just with the
reporters who insisted on questioning her brother when it was obvious that he
didn’t want to talk but also, irrationally, at Chip himself because he wouldn't
speak or look at the cameras and she desperately wanted him to. She felt that
if he would just look at a camera he would see her and Chris watching him,
supporting him even though she knew that was totally ridiculous. Silently she
and Chris watched as Chip and several other naval personnel boarded the motor
launch and headed out to sea. According to the reporters Seaview was just twelve miles out to sea and she wondered what they
were doing so close to the
.....................................................................................................................................
As
the navy launch sped across the waves on its way back to New London Chip stared
ahead, his eyes fixed on the horizon. His elation at knowing Seaview had been found had been tempered
somewhat by discovering that she was stranded in a minefield and he had found
it hard to be honest during his brief conversation with Admiral Nelson. His
employer had been so pleased to hear his exec’s voice and Chip’s gut had
twisted into knots as he admitted to his superior that the diving bell was in
no fit state to negotiate a minefield and deliver the air they so desperately
needed. He slammed a fist against the side of the launch and winced at the
impact as his mind absorbed the bleak reality of the situation. With the bell’s
guidance control, so vital to a safe descent, currently in bits there was very
little Chip could do to help yet he couldn’t tell the Admiral that. Desperate
to say something positive and encouraging he had assured the Admiral that he
would take the bell out whether it was fixed or not but he knew his words had
been foolhardy; trying to negotiate the minefield without the guidance control
would be suicide.
As
the launch slowed on its approach to the dock Chip suppressed a groan at the
mass of reporters and cameras he could see on the dockside. He was positive
there were twice as many now as there had been when he set out and his heart
sank at the thought of facing them again as he left the boat. It crossed his
mind that his family could well be watching events on TV and he wondered if he
should call them but he didn’t really have time and he reasoned that if they
were watching it they would see him and know he was okay so it wasn’t really
necessary. Steeling his mind for the barrage of microphones and flashing bulbs
that would be thrust in his face Chip swung himself skillfully onto the ladder
and ascended swiftly to the dockside.
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
As the launch carrying Chip came back into view on the television screen Helen and Chris leant forward for a
better view. They saw Chip almost immediately as he had his hands and feet on
the ladder to disembark before the boat had even completed docking procedures.
He climbed swiftly up the ladder on to the dock wearing the same set and
determined expression that he had worn on his way out. It was an expression
that turned momentarily to irritated annoyance as he found his way blocked by
the same barrage of cameras and microphones that had followed him earlier.
"Commander
Morton, Commander Morton......what happened out there?"
"Commander
Morton, did you speak to anyone? Are they dead?"
"Commander,
is Admiral Nelson okay? What about Captain Crane?"
"Commander,
what happened? How did they sink? Can they be rescued?"
The questions
flew thick and fast once more giving Chip no
real opportunity to answer them. Again the military police came to his aid and
it was with a clear look of relief that he made his way to a waiting jeep while
a naval press officer answered the reporters' questions.
As they listened
to the press officer Helen and Chris learnt, along with millions of other
viewers around the world that the massive submarine was stranded in a
minefield, that the crew were okay but they were running out of air. Air tanks
could be sent down to them by diving bell but only the Seaview's bell was able to descend that deep and it was currently
undergoing repairs in New London and wasn’t able to be used right at that time.
Apparently, Chip had gone to see if repairs could be completed rapidly so that
they could deliver the air that the men on Seaview
desperately needed.
The news did not
sound good and despite knowing that her brother was safe on dry land Helen felt
a new wave of anxiety wash over her as she listened to the pessimistic droning
of the reporter. Chip might be physically safe but Helen knew that he must be
terribly anxious about the fate of his friends and colleagues and that he would
be devastated if they could not be rescued in time. Seaview was Chip’s other home, the crew his other family and, most important
of all, her captain, Lee Crane was Chip’s best friend. Lee and Chip were as
close as brothers and Lee had spent a great many holidays at the
.....................................................................................................................................
Lee
Crane ran his hands through his sweat-dampened
hair while his eyes swept again around the hot, airless control room. The men
looked as fatigued as he felt and he could see the bleak look of despondency and
dejection in some of their eyes. He couldn’t blame them. If he was honest Lee
had to acknowledge that their current situation did look quite hopeless,
stranded in a minefield and running short of air. In addition some compartments
were flooded, they had lost a lot of good men and their only real hope…their
diving bell…had a malfunction in its guidance control system. All in all, their
chances of a successful rescue were slim but while he could still breathe he
could still hope and Lee was still prepared to hope that something would
materialize. After all, they could have been blown to bits in the original
collision with the mines but they weren’t, they were still here, the hull
was…for the most part…still intact and Chip was in New London undoubtedly doing
all that was in his power to get the bell fixed.
Although
he was glad that his friend was ashore focusing on a way to reach them through
the minefield Lee found that he missed having Chip Morton by his side right at
that moment. He missed his friend’s calm, unemotional manner, the silent
support he would offer with just a brief look, a touch of a hand on an arm or a
shoulder, his no nonsense handling of the men and his ability to co-ordinate
what was happening around the boat in his head. Knowing Chip as he did he
suspected that his exec was probably wishing that he was there right now, too.
Lee knew that Chip’s instincts would have him wishing he was on board to
encourage the men, to support his Skipper and to protect the boat but, much as he missed his calming influence, Lee was glad that
his exec was ashore. If there was any way to get oxygen to them all before time
ran out Chip Morton would find it. His tenacious personality wouldn’t allow him
to give up even if those around him thought it was impossible. It was the one
positive thought Lee Crane knew he could hang on to in the dark hours
ahead.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
As the afternoon
turned into early evening Chip Morton made a decision.
As he checked his watch yet again he knew their time was up; they
couldn’t spend any longer looking for the fault in the guidance system. The stark reality was that he no longer had a choice.
Although Chip didn't relish the idea he
would have to make the descent in the diving bell without the benefits of the
guidance system. Even with guidance control descending through a minefield
would be a delicate, almost suicidal task. Without the guidance control it was
madness; the sort of irresponsible behaviour that he would normally condemn. But what else could he do? He just couldn't let his friends and colleagues slowly suffocate not if
there was a chance, however slim, that he could make a difference. Of course,
if he hit a mine it would be all over anyway but at
least he'd have tried. And he had to try.
.....................................................................................................................................
"It
seems that the Seaview's Executive
Officer, Lieutenant-Commander Chip Morton, has decided to take the oxygen down to the submarine in the
diving bell even though the fault with the guidance
system is still not repaired. Remember that Seaview is lying in a minefield so it will be a very dangerous
descent but if he doesn't leave here within the next hour it will be too late
to save the men on the stricken sub." The reporter paused for breath and
Helen Marshall turned to her husband with a look of terror on her face.
"Chris! He can't
do that!" Helen yelled at
her husband. "He's safe and now he wants to kill himself. Phone them,
phone the navy and tell them he can't do that! They can’t let him do that!"
"They
can," Chris, said quietly as he put his arms around her and pulled her
close. "He has to do it, Helen you know that. If he doesn't, Lee and the rest will die. Do
you want that? Wouldn't you want someone to get oxygen to them if Chip was
still on board? If he doesn't make this trip they're all going to die."
"If he hits
a mine they'll all die," Helen sniffed, “including
Chip!”
"I know,”
Chris swallowed hard. “But he has to
try, Helen. If I thought differently I’d drive up there and try and stop him
but Chip would never be able to live with himself if he didn't try. You know
that, Helen."
Helen
sighed heavily and returned her attention
to the television screen. The strain was almost unbearable but she knew she
couldn't argue with the truth of Chris's words. There were over a hundred men
on board the Seaview including Chip's best friend, Lee Crane. They all had
families waiting to hear if their sons, husbands, brothers had survived. She
thought back to the moment when she'd realized that Chip was safe, that he
wasn't on board the stricken submarine. The relief had been overwhelming. She
had no right to deny the relatives of the other men that same relief. Chip was
now their only hope and he'd volunteered for this because he wanted to save his
friends. Deep down Helen was immensely proud of him but she still wished he
didn't have to risk his own life in the rescue attempt. If only she could be sure that he would be
successful. She knew Chip was highly
skilled and capable of intense concentration but he had been working hard all
day and must be feeling tired and stressed. Was he taking the most terrible
risk without thinking it through properly?
It was going to be a very long and stressful
evening and she wasn’t sure she would be able to bear the tension involved
watching it on television.
.....................................................................................................................................
As he arrived
back at the dockside accompanied by Chief Jones and the diving bell Chip Morton
scowled as he saw the cameras and reporters waiting for them.
"Like a load
of vultures, huh, sir?" Curly Jones grunted.
"You can say
that again," Chip nodded, grimly. In his opinion the reporters only wanted
to be first to announce the deaths of the crew or a triumphant rescue.
He didn't think that they were personally
interested, as he was, in the fate of the men trapped at the bottom of the sea.
As he jumped down from the truck that was transporting the diving bell he was
grateful for the security teams that kept the reporters at a distance as he and
Curly began supervising the loading of the diving bell on to the launch that
would take them out to the rescue site. Although aware that the cameras were
filming their every move while reporters kept up a running commentary Chip
steadfastly ignored their attempts to distract him, his
face set in a mask of cool professionalism. He was, as all who knew him could
testify, a master at hiding his true feelings. It was a skill he'd acquired as
a child traumatised by the deaths of his parents and younger brother and
whenever his emotions threatened to overwhelm him he would cope by assuming a
cool, detached air of control. He knew that it fooled some people into thinking
that he had no feelings while it annoyed those who were desperate, like these
reporters were, to see his emotions played out on his face. Chip didn’t care. All
he was interested in was the life or death mission that lay ahead of him.
Nothing else mattered to him at that moment.
As Chip and Curly
headed out to sea with the diving bell the reporters followed them in various
different vessels. They kept up a steady stream of commentary, including giving
mini biographies of the two rescue "heroes", Chip and Curly. Helen
began to feel that she was dreaming as a photo of Chip when he had graduated
from
It was a long,
nail biting wait not only for the men on the rescue barge and the millions of
people watching on television but also for the men on the Seaview who were anxiously hoping that somebody was going to come
to their rescue. Knowing that the only hope was Seaview’s own diving bell Lee Crane tried not to think about the
risk his best friend would be taking if he ventured into the minefield. He knew
Chip would be very careful but, even so, it would be so easy to hit a mine and
he didn’t like the thought of telling Chip’s sister that her brother had been
blown into fish food. Then it crossed his mind that if his friend did
hit a mine he and the others wouldn’t be getting out of here anyway and someone
else would have to tell Helen…and his own mother. It was a morbid
thought and one that Lee quickly banished to the back of his mind as they
continued the interminable waiting and wondering.
For the million
watching anxiously on televisions around the world there was a heart-stopping
moment when the dull sound of an underwater explosion was heard and one of the
reporters declared loudly that the diving bell had probably hit a mine. Helen
Marshall burst into tears of anguish convinced that her brother had just been
blown to pieces. Burying her face in her husband’s chest she was stunned when
Chris urged her to listen again to the reporter and she heard him say
excitedly, “… the bell is still descending at a steady, controlled rate.... a
sure sign that it and its occupants are safe. Whatever that explosion was it
hasn't stopped this very courageous rescue attempt."
After a long,
nerve wracking wait cheers suddenly broke out on the main rescue ship and a
reporter came back to the fore: "THEY'VE
DONE IT!! The diving bell has made contact with the Seaview. The oxygen is on board. It is a moment of great relief
here on the rescue ship as it surely must be for the families of the crew as
they watch these dramatic events. It was an enormous risk that Commander Morton
and Chief Jones took when they descended in that faulty diving bell and it is a
measure of their immense bravery and skill that they carried out their mission
successfully. But it's not over yet. The men on the Seaview now have the oxygen they need but they still need to be
brought to the surface. This won't be possible until the mines have been
cleared and the mine clearance operation is just about to begin here. For
safety reasons we have been asked to return to the shore but we will be back as
soon as it is safe to bring you the first pictures of the men of the Seaview coming back to the surface. In
the meantime, let’s look again at the moment when the diving bell set out on
its dramatic and successful rescue mission."
A recorded
picture appeared on the screen of various men loading oxygen tanks into the
diving bell while Chip stood in the background in conversation with the ship's
commander. Helen turned to Chris and
smiled rather shakily, a smile of great relief. For the second time in one day
she'd gone through heartbreaking anxiety to emerge gratefully relieved and now
she was exhausted and it still wasn't over. The mines still had to be cleared
and then the men rescued in small groups aboard the diving bell. It was going
to be a long night and Helen knew that Chip, along with Admiral Nelson and Lee
Crane, would be in the last group to leave their precious submarine.
Nevertheless, she knew that she couldn’t go to bed until she knew that he was
safely back in
As if reading her
thoughts Chris announced that he was going to call his parents and ask them to
keep the children overnight. “Then I could phone for takeout,” he stood up and
stretched his arms above his head. “If we’re going to stay up half the night we
need food. What do you want? Pizza?”
"Chinese,"
Helen said decisively. "I never realized how hungry I was until now. I
hope they’ve got food down there. Chip must be starving.”
Chris grinned. “I
daresay he managed to pack some food into that bell if he thought it was
necessary! I doubt very much that Chip’s going to starve, Helen.”
“No, I guess
not,” Helen, grinned back. “You go and make those calls and I’ll open the
wine!”
.....................................................................................................................................
While his sister
and brother-in-law ate Chinese food on the mainland, Chip Morton sat on the
deck of Seaview's control room
alongside his best friend and skipper. Although
they now had oxygen on board they were still trying to conserve air and energy
as they didn't know exactly how long it would be until they were rescued and
the deck was full of men either sleeping or quietly chatting.
"I learnt to
sail in these waters," Chip said suddenly. "I'm sure we never knew
there was a minefield here."
"You'd have
been a bit south of here, wouldn't you?" Lee queried.
"We used to
cover a lot of ground," Chip said, a faraway look on his face. "I’d
always liked boats but it was in these waters that I fell in love with the sea
and decided on a career in the Navy."
"I bet you
never pictured yourself being involved in such dramatic events so close to
home," Lee grinned.
"I didn't
picture myself being involved in dramatic events anywhere," Chip said
dryly. "I’m sure Helen did though. She’s never said as much but I know she
thinks I could have chosen a safer career and events like this just confirm her
beliefs!”
“I remember you
were worried how she would react when you opted for the submarine service,” Lee
said reminiscently. “You put off telling her for months!”
“Yes,” Chip
nodded. “And when I finally told her she didn’t react at all! I don’t suppose
she’ll say much about today either but I bet she isn’t very happy with me for
taking such a dumb risk," he sighed heavily. "I do hate to think that
she may have been watching everything on TV."
"Least
she’ll know you’re safe if she was watching," Lee said seriously. "I
bet my mother is convinced I'm dead. She always thinks the worst and nobody
will be able to convince her otherwise until she sees us come out of here.”
“She’s going to have
a bit of a wait,” Chip yawned suddenly. “It’s going to take them hours to clear
that minefield.”
“Yes,” Lee nodded
his dark head, “but at least we will eventually get out…thanks to you!”
.....................................................................................................................................
Finally, as dawn
broke the following morning Admiral Nelson, Lee Crane, Chip Morton and those
members of the crew who'd agreed to wait until last emerged from the diving
bell on to the deck of one of the rescue vessels. They were immensely relieved
to find that there were no reporters on board although their arrival was being
filmed from boats some distance off. However, tired, cold and hungry they were
ushered below immediately and the viewing public barely caught a glimpse of
them. As the rescue boats headed back to New London they just had time for a
cup of coffee and, in Nelson's case, several cigarettes before they had to
disembark and face the reception committee that was awaiting them.
Although they
were expecting to be met by reporters they were still overwhelmed by the sheer
numbers of people, microphones and cameras waiting for them on the dockside.
"Remember...don't
answer any questions about the accident that put us on the bottom," Nelson
reminded all of his men before they stepped ashore. "Just smile, be
polite, but don't tell them anything!"
The men found
that the reporters were mostly interested in how they felt when they were on
the bottom and how they felt now that they'd been rescued. The more probing
questions were kept for the senior officers.
"Admiral...Admiral
Nelson...how did Seaview run into the
minefield?"
"Captain
Crane...was it a technical error or human error that caused this terrible
accident?"
"Admiral Nelson...what
will happen to the Seaview now? Can
she be salvaged? Will you build another submarine?"
"Captain
Crane....is it true that some of your men were killed?"
"Commander
Morton, what was it like going through the minefield?"
"How does it
feel to be a hero, Commander Morton?"
Together the
three men nodded and smiled grimly as they strode together towards the car that
was waiting to speed them to hot showers, hot food and warm beds. Frustratingly
for the reporters they chose not to answer any of the questions that were fired
at them.
Helen Marshall
felt such overwhelming relief as she watched her brother and his friends walk
towards the waiting car that she came close to tears again. They all looked
pale and tired. Their faces were unshaven, their hair uncombed and their
uniforms streaked with dirt and sweat. She wished that the car would bring Chip
straight home where she could ensure to her satisfaction that he had plenty of
rest and plenty of his favourite food. She wondered whether they would be given
any time to visit their families. She was sure that all the crews' families
would want to see their men in the flesh, just to be sure that they were really
safe. Or would the need to rescue the submarine, currently still on the ocean
floor override such human concerns?
.....................................................................................................................................
Thirty-six hours later, on a Friday evening Lieutenant-Commander
Chip Morton gave his sister and brother-in-law their second shock in as many
days when he turned up unexpectedly on their doorstep. Refreshed after a long
sleep and good food he couldn't resist making the most out of his surprise
visit and, rather than knocking the front door he made his way round the back
and through the side door. The kitchen was empty but he heard the sound of
someone singing in the utility room. Stepping quietly through the partially
open door he found his sister, with her back to him, loading dirty clothes into
the washing machine. She obviously hadn't heard him come in and he stood for a
moment watching her before saying, casually: "Need any help?"
He grinned
broadly as Helen jumped and spun round, still holding a pile of dirty laundry.
"CHIP!!"
She stared stupidly at him. "How'd you get here?"
"Through the
door," he grinned at the mixed expression of shock, joy and confusion on
his sister's face
"You
should've called," she admonished him as she crossed the room and threw
her arms around him.
"I know but
it was more fun this way," he replied as he returned her hug.
"I've been
worried about you," Helen told him as she stood back and looked intently
at him, noting with relief that he looked fit and unharmed.
Chip stared back,
his expression a bit sheepish. "I'm sorry. Did you...did you see it
all?"
Helen nodded.
"I had to do
it," Chip's gaze was unblinking. "I know you must have been terribly
worried but I didn’t have a choice."
"I
know," Helen smiled hoping to banish the anguished look that had come to
her brother’s face. "You don't have to apologise."
“But I do,” Chip disagreed, anxious to reassure his beloved sister. “I’m
really sorry you had to go through that Helen but it wasn’t as bad as it
looked. The only tricky part was getting through the minefield.”
"So you say but I
didn't think I'd ever see you again," Helen hugged him again as if to
convince herself he was real. "How long are you staying?"
"I have to
be back in
"Of course
it's okay," Helen indicated that he should follow her into the kitchen.
"Are you hungry? Do you want a drink?"
Chip grinned
broadly as he answered: "Yes and yes. I’m starving.”
"You’re
always starving," Helen remarked with a grin as she opened the
refrigerator. "Do you want a sandwich or shall I cook you something?"
"A sandwich
will be fine," Chip replied as he sat down at the kitchen counter. "A
big sandwich! Where is everyone?"
"The boys
are in bed. The girls are at a party. Chris had just gone to fetch them when
you arrived. They should be back soon. Where’s Lee?"
“He’s gone to his
Mom’s. She won’t believe he’s safe until she sees him for real."
“I know how she
feels,” Helen said as she sliced cheese. “How is Lee?”
"A bit
subdued," Chip shrugged. "We
lost some good men."
"How did it
happen?"
"You know I
can't answer that."
"No. I'm
sorry," Helen apologised as she sliced tomatoes for his sandwich.
"They said on the news that Seaview
will be rescued."
"That's
right," Chip nodded. "The Navy are going to raise her and bring her
back to
"Is he
okay?"
"Who?
Admiral Nelson? I think so," Chip grinned. "One of the men's wives
had a baby when Seaview was on the bottom
and they’ve called it Harriman. Lee said he was proud and embarrassed all at
once."
“They should’ve
called it Chip,” Helen grinned as she handed him his sandwich. “You were the
hero of the hour after all!”
Chip shrugged
embarrassed. “It wasn’t just me, Helen; it was
Curly as well. I couldn’t have done it without him. He’s more of a hero than I
am really. I was the one who made the decision to go and I was the one calling
the shots. Curley had no choice but to trust me and he just followed my orders
without question. He’s one hell of a guy!”
“I’m sure he is,”
Helen smiled warmly at him while wondering if it would be out of order to write
and thank this Curley for supporting her brother. Chip would probably kill her
if she did and she dismissed the idea as quickly as she’d thought of it.
“This is good,”
Chip said as he swallowed a mouthful of sandwich and reached for the glass of
beer Helen had placed by his plate. He frowned slightly, “What are you thinking
about?”
“You!” Helen
grinned at him. “I was just thinking about how I wished you weren’t there when
the rescue was taking place but now I’m so glad that you were. And I’m even
happier that you’re here!”
"Not half as
much as I am," Chip grinned back at her. "Two whole days of being
thoroughly spoilt; I can't wait!"
"Who says
I’m going spoil you?" Helen asked with one raised eyebrow.
"Me,"
Chip smiled easily at his sister. "It might be a
pain when the media insist on calling me
a hero but I'm not going to argue if you want to treat me like one."
"You'll be
lucky," Helen laughed. "You won't get a moment's rest when the
children find out you're here."
As if to verify
her words the door from the hall suddenly flew open and his two nieces threw
themselves at him. "Uncle Chip! Uncle Chip!!" They spoke together.
"You was on the TV. Gran's cut your picture out of all the papers. Are you
really a hero? What is a hero?"
Chip laughed as he gathered both of them into his arms. "Ask your mother." He winked at his sister over the girls' heads. "Because she's going to treat me like one all weekend!"
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