Stand by to Ram! by J.E. Macdonnell

Author:J.E. Macdonnell [Macdonnell, J.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: naval warfare, maritime fiction, Royal Australian Navy, RAN, Naval Fiction, World War II
Publisher: Piccadilly
Published: 2022-07-31T23:00:00+00:00

“Mr Macintosh.” Gus smoothed his starched drill tunic and eased the collar round his sweating neck. Macintosh grinned at the signs. “I think you should come with me. You know—first-officer. These naval johnnies usually have a spare hand along when they go visiting. And you’d probably like to board a destroyer. Ever been on one? I haven’t, and I think—”

Macintosh laughed up in his face.

“All right, captain, all right. I was going to suggest it, anyway. There’s a certain character I want to meet—again. I’ll just collect my cap.”

Gus noticed as they walked down the pier beside the destroyer the only sign of her battering was the salt rime high up on her funnel. The strong sunlight set the salt crystals sparkling, and she looked as though she had been sprayed with tinsel. But the quartermaster who saluted them aboard was as smart as her quarter-deck, its bright-work twinkling in the hot morning sun. He led them down a steep ladder into the wardroom flat, where, waiting, Gus shifted about as if he were still storm-bound.

Then the quartermaster came out and a cheery voice called, “Do come in, won’t you?” and a trim, slight, khaki-clad figure followed the voice, lost his hand in Gus’s paw, and ushered them to leather-covered chairs.

He bustled round a tray, handed them a frothing glass, cocked his up, said “Skol,” and took a sip. Gus gulped thankfully and felt for his pipe.

“Er—Mister—I mean captain—I want to say what a damned fine bit of work you put in out there. I—”

“Forget it, old chap, forget it. Nothing at all. You handled her nicely yourself, hundreds of miles stern-first. Damned unlucky that sub should spot you, but look what you did to her, eh?”

Gus spluttered in his beer.

“Now, look here. I’ve got to tell you about that. The whole thing was my bloody stupid idea. Those lights ...”

“Good heavens!” exclaimed Sainsbury. “You’re glass is empty. Steward!”

Macintosh looked at him shrewdly. How much did he know, or guess? Sainsbury went on.

“I’m afraid I was a bit terse in my signals out there—bit rattled, I suppose. The least thing rattles me, y’know. Bad show, really.” The gunner coughed over his pipe. “By the way, we’re throwing a little dinner party aboard tonight. Last one before we get up to face the foe, sort of thing. Like to join us?” Gus drained his glass and got up.

“Thanks, captain, but no. I’m a bit tired, I guess.” He looked at Sainsbury’s spare frame. There seemed no sign of fatigue there. “Anyway, I’ve got a report to make-on the Australian Navy. But you could come and have a pre-party snort aboard with me—about six?”

“Love to, captain, love to,” said Sainsbury, and held out his hand.

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