Blood Warm Waters: A WWII Submarine Adventure Novel (USS Bull Shark Naval Thriller series Book 8) by Scott Cook

Author:Scott Cook [Cook, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Spindrift Press
Published: 2024-02-26T00:00:00+00:00

14

USS MEGALODON

NOVEMBER 25, 1942

MONA PASSAGE, CARIBBEAN SEA – 18°N, 67°W

“Iknow these waters well, Captain,” Oliver Weatherby was saying as he buttered a second piece of bread. “We traversed them frequently, as you might expect. Here, the Winward passage… Jamaica Channel, etc. Remember that all of this water is a great funnel into and out of the Panama Canal.”

“Maybe we should camp out on the Caribbean side of it,” Reg Greer said wryly. “See if the Germans make a play for any ship going in or out.”

Kramer scoffed, “Yeah, as if Coco Solo wasn’t right there. I doubt any Kraut, even a crazy one, would try that, Lieutenant.”

“I agree,” said Michner, his friendly tone belying the strain on his face. “Speaking as a crazy Kraut, that is, Mr. Kramer.”

Jarvis hefted a fork full of green beans and cocked an eyebrow. He’d noticed over the past few weeks that there was tension brewing in the midst of his junior officers. Strangely, Greer and Michner seemed to get along fine, in spite of the fact of the general way in which the German’s countrymen thought about race. Kramer, on the other hand, seemed to be rubbing the former two men the wrong way. His own views on ethnicity were deeply rooted in his old southern family history, and it was clear that in spite of an obvious effort, the man wasn’t quite ready to embrace a Black officer nor a foreigner serving aboard his ship.

“Oh, he’s the craziest,” Web Clayton added after swallowing a bite of meatloaf. “Risked his neck to save Joan Turner from the SS. Takes a lot of guts and a good heart in my book.”

“There’s a story I’d like to hear,” Greer said.

“No doubt,” added Kramer. “You was on Bull Shark still back then, right, Captain?”

Jarvis smiled thinly, “Our first patrol. First, we leave Fritzie stranded in a life raft… and then a few days later, ole Bren here lands his float plane beside us and out comes Mrs. Turner and nobody other than Schwimmer. Damnedest thing you ever saw. Bet somebody wrote a book about it; nobody’d believe the tale.”

Clayton snorted, “Not half of the tales of the Bull Shark. Then again, boys, your skipper here has a few tall ones of his own. Trading broadsides with a U-boat… capturing one like in the old days? You were there for that one, Reg.”

Weatherby’s eyes widened, “Do tell, sir!”

Jarvis waved it off, “All in the line of duty, huh, Reg?”

Greer and Jarvis shared a private look and smile. Although he wasn’t there for it, Michner managed a smile, too. He understood what such things meant. Kramer, on the other hand, frowned slightly and Jarvis wondered if the man felt as if he’d been cut out of something.

Clayton seemed to notice as well and said, “You’ll have some tales to tell yourself soon, Wally. You’ve got the right skipper for it.”

“Crikey,” Weatherby added. “You can already write home and tell your family how Ernest Hemmingway himself attacked you! Ah-ha-ha-haaa… oh, my word… what a wag I am, eh?”

Jarvis smiled as he felt what the rest of the men did.

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