Chapter 163 The Southern! Set Sail!
November 11, 1990, the day when the Southern set sail.
The dock area of Fulan Port was crowded and bustling.
Anyone who had heard about the opening of a new route came to the dock to watch the excitement. Driving a ship to the Horn Bay area in one breath was a great adventure that many people had never heard of.
The officers and soldiers on the Southern were busy making final preparations for the upcoming voyage, while the shipyard supervisor Rubin and the old shipwright Benjamin led the craftsmen to check around the ship.
Even the underage cadets were running around on the deck, moving things according to the orders of their superiors.
Little boy Allen and another companion were struggling to carry a large wooden barrel down the ladder to the cargo hold.
The two teenagers put down the wooden barrel and saluted the ship's food service staff.
"Mr. Foodsman, this is the last barrel of wine."
"6 barrels of rum, 4 barrels of wine, 4 chickens, ... 10 boxes of canned food ... biscuits ... bread..."
Foodsman counted the supplies in the cargo hold while looking at the notebook in his hand.
"Very good, the food is ready, you can take a break."
"Yes!"
After working for most of the day, they finally had some free time, and Alan and his companions climbed out of the cabin happily.
For this southward operation, the cadets who were still children were extremely excited, because they could see a wider world. Anyway, they were orphans. For such a long time, they had long been accustomed to taking the warship as their home. Wherever the ship went, home was there.
Alan ran to the side of the ship and looked at the dock. He saw many familiar figures, but it was a bit regrettable that he did not see the figures of Doctor Wade and Sister Susan. They went to the Lake Heart Town to participate in some training and have not returned yet.
He suggested to the midshipmen who were idle on the deck: "Hey! Everyone, the captain said that this voyage may last more than a month. Let's go to the dock and say goodbye to the people in the town. They have taken good care of us some time ago."
"Okay!" "Yeah!"
This proposal was quickly echoed by many people. They got off the ship together and walked outside the warning area.
...
"Gentlemen, please follow me!"
Captain Quick led five people who were obviously not dressed like navy men to board the South.
Four of the five people were business representatives, not just from Alda, but one of them was from Emden, Bayerding.
As for the fifth person, he was personally arranged by the lord to board the ship. He was a pretty boy named Dirac. It was said that he was a scholar who was going to take the South to the Horn Bay to bring his family to the Northwest Bay.
It was really appropriate to call him a pretty boy. This Mr. Dirac was too handsome. If it weren't for the two mustaches, Quick would have suspected that the other party was a woman dressed as a man.
Quick thought with a little jealousy: "If it was in the South, based on the appearance of this pretty boy, he must be a frequent visitor to those ladies' salons."
He said to everyone: "We will have to spend at least one month on this ship. Let me take you to visit the South."
Quick led everyone to walk around the ship slowly. They first entered the cargo hold.
It is called a cargo hold, but it is also the place where all crew members except the captain sleep and rest. There are rolled hammocks hanging here, which are only unfolded when sleeping.
Quick led the five people to the area behind the cabin.
He extended his hand and introduced: "This is where you rest."
Unlike other places, this area uses thick canvas as "walls" to separate five "small rooms", with hammocks hanging on them and a box below to store personal belongings.
Although each "small room" is only about two square meters, it is a rare luxury on the South, which is a special care for the five passengers.
Quick walked to the back and opened a door. "This is the captain's room, hehe... that's where I live."
This captain's room can be said to be the most luxurious place on the entire ship. It is about four square meters, with a bright window on the back wall. In addition to a hammock and a box, there is also a small table and a stool, on which are placed ink bottles, quill pens and other items, which should be used to record the logbook.
In addition, there is a ladder in the captain's room that leads directly to the top open deck.
"Next we have to see a very important place."
Quick led everyone to the front of the cargo hold.
There are two doors on the left and right here. Quick opened the door on the left, and everyone found that it was a very small compartment, and the special thing was that there was a downward hole inside.
Soon someone guessed what this place was for, "Captain, this isn't... isn't this a toilet?"
"Yes." Quick nodded, "Congratulations, you guessed it right, there's the sea below that hole, very convenient! In addition, I know many people are more particular, and are embarrassed to take a shower in public, so they can also take care of it here."
Everyone looked at each other in silence, but no one found it difficult to accept, after all, everyone used to travel all over the country, and had lived through many days of eating and sleeping in the open air.
"Mr. Dirac" secretly breathed a sigh of relief, if there wasn't even a formal toilet on this ship, it would be a bit troublesome for "him".
Quick led them to the place where food was stored.
"Sir, we stored enough food and drinks for 15 days. We must first eat these fresh vegetables, fresh meat, eggs and breads, because these things are usually broken first, and then we eat these dried dried dried dry Vegetables, pickles and biscuit.
Magnoma? Oh my god!
Everyone endured the nausea and listened to the captain to continue introducing: "After the end of the other things, we have to rely on those cans. In addition, we have four hens on the deck. Fresh egg. "
Quick clapped his hands, "Okay, you. Let's say goodbye to your relatives and friends on the dock. We will sail for about two hours."
There is no mistake, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one 619, one book, one, one, one, one, one, one, a book!
Nympho
About two hours later, it was almost noon at this time.
"Everyone, this task must be successful, never lose!"
Austin was standing on the deck, and all officers and soldiers in the South, including Quick, stood neatly in front of him, listening to the training of adults of the Navy.
"No exaggeration to say, you shoulders the hope of the Northwest Bay, and the hope of the lord!"
"Waiting for you to come back, all officers and soldiers involved in this operation will rise by level, and there are other material rewards!"
Quick shouted on behalf of the entire ship personnel: "Please rest assured, we must complete the task!"
"Very good, then I won't delay you, let's set sail right away!"
"yes!"
Austin turned and left. Before leaving, he glanced at the green "son brother", and the other party compared him with a "no problem" gesture.
Then he walked at ease of the piping to the pier.
Quick quickly entered the role of captain.
"Put away a springboard!"
"Emperor anchor!"
"Set the sail!"
"Southern! Sailing!"
Today's wind is quite strong, the boat quickly moved and drove outside the port.
"All the way!"
"Be sure to return safely!"
The onlookers on the dock were boiling. While waving their hats or handkerchiefs, they gave blessings to the warships from the dock. The Nanfei waved, as if looking at the children who were about to travel, showed their pride and concerns on their faces.
The idle sailors on the boat also waved their hands towards the people, and some people even cried. Most of them left their hometown for the first time and went to the south thousands of miles away.
In this way, under the strong sea breeze blowing, Nanfei drove towards the depths of the ocean by the wind and waves ...