North Star
“The biggest problem was rigging a secure platform on which to work in the cramped space between the starboard engine and the hull. After that it was a question of following each tide down as the water poured out of the engine-room through the rent in the hull. The job was slow and dirty, and though we had spring tides, the last six inches or so of steel sheet had to be left unwelded. It was on the Tuesday morning, just as Johan and two of the crew were holding the first sheet in position and I ...was spot-welding it to the hull plates, that Sandford arrived.
No doubt he called my name several times before he tapped me on the shoulder. The arc of the welding torch made a hell of a row in the confined space of the engine-room. I swung round, the arc sputtering in my hand so that I nearly knocked him off the single plank we had rigged as a walkway from the ladder. ‘What do you want?’ ‘That mortgage. I’m told you own it.’ He had to yell to make himself heard. ‘I’ll buy it off you.’ I turned back towards the hull plating.MoreLess
No doubt he called my name several times before he tapped me on the shoulder. The arc of the welding torch made a hell of a row in the confined space of the engine-room. I swung round, the arc sputtering in my hand so that I nearly knocked him off the single plank we had rigged as a walkway from the ladder. ‘What do you want?’ ‘That mortgage. I’m told you own it.’ He had to yell to make himself heard. ‘I’ll buy it off you.’ I turned back towards the hull plating.MoreLess
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