The Captain's knife.

Now, that struck a chord.

It's been nearly 40 years since I first stepped on the deck of a training vessel.

Six months later, I would be in Lisbon with a different ship, and in a modest chandler's shop along the back streets of a small community -- almost a village of its own -- down from the wharfs, I selected a plain black handled rigging knife with a wide, thin, flat-ground sheepsfoot and a marlin spike. I fashioned a lanyard for it from some nylon cordage and a snap clasp.

I would have that knife for another ten years, both on sea and land.

When I flew back to London in 1983, I had to hand it over at security. They bagged it and tagged it with my name, told me to pick it up when we landed. Being occupied with my young daughter (as a single dad in those days), I completely forgot about the knife. It wasn't until much later that I realized I would never see it again.

It's one of two knives I've lost, both of which meant a great deal to me.

I'd like to think that knife found its way into the hands of someone else who needed it on the decks. It's a harmless dream.

What's real, though, is the ten years of use and the miles of rope it handled.

Thanks, Carl.

 
Cool story!!...reminds me of my grandad...he was chief engineer in the merchant navy in WW2...sea dogs run in the family...thanks for the memories......FES
 
Thank you, Carl.

I'm not really a picky man, but when you publish your book I'd like #9 or #28 or #67 and could you autograph it please?
 
One of the many joy's of this Traditional forum are your stories Carl.

Thanks you!!!

Paul
 
Sinbadsan.JPG

Thanks for story,i will contribute photo...
Maybe ocean apart,but some things are same...not forty as Arfin,but about 28 years since apprenticeship,and first thing i got onboard was Mora that bosun gave me.
 
Thanks for another great story Carl!
Your stories are one of the many reasons why I keep coming back to this subforum.
It is also one of the reasons my interest in traditionals are growing everyday!

KG
 
Great story! Made me want to take to sea, and I get seasick in harbours. I recognise that knife. Could this be the mad hermit of Lacompte Marsh?
 
Pete1977 said:
your stories involving watermen are my favorite! :D
Click to expand...

There's a lot more to the Eastern Shore than Ocean Sh!tty. Pete, wish I would've made it a point to get to Chincoteague when you were down there. Just complete opposite of OC, and I really enjoyed myself there.

chincoteague-island-channel.jpg


cfiles32189.jpg
 
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