Winds of Fury

by Peter Duysings

  “This is Heinrich. He just started working here yesterday.”

  “Kind of young to be taking a grown man’s job, isn’t he?” stated another man rather than making it a question.

  “He’s seventeen, Karl. Just a little small for his age; I’m sure he’ll catch up in size in time,” Otto lied to try making the situation sound better.

  “Ja, well even seventeen-year-olds shouldn’t be taking older men’s work,” the same man stated defiantly.

  “Well, let’s have Herr Weber have that say so; he was impressed enough to hire him,” Otto shot back, and that ended the squabble.

  The door opened, and everyone piled through, and greeted their boss with “guten morgen.”

  “Stay close to me,” Otto said to Heinrich in a soft voice so others wouldn’t hear. Some of these fellows are not the kind you want to trifle with.”

  Heinrich nodded and followed his friend into the cavernous warehouse, and Becker called out everyone’s tasks for the morning, and they all went to work. Again, the lifting, packing, pushing, and dragging, was hard labor especially for someone not acclimated to it. Heinrich was drenched in sweat within minutes, but he liked what he was doing. To him, this was honest work, and he knew that over time it would also strengthen him.

  * * *

  For an entire year, Heinrich came to work and did the same job of loading and unloading ships. Yet, he had not sailed onboard a ship, which he had been originally hired for. He didn’t pursue an answer and was content with working in the warehouse. He knew he was doing well at his job. He felt physically more robust, and had grown taller, gained weight, and added muscle.

  Late one afternoon, Becker found Heinrich loading water containers onto a ship and called him over.

  “Herr Becker, is there something you would like me to take care of for you?” young Heinrich asked his taskmaster.

  “Jawohl, Heinrich. Herr Weber would like to see you before you go home today. Make sure you don’t forget now. By the way, lad, in the last year you have filled out considerably. I am very proud of you for not only sticking it out at such a young age but because you have caught on to the work in short order.”

  “Vielen dank, mein Herr. I do truly appreciate the chance to prove my worth to the business, and someday I hope to be part of a sailing crew.”

  “Well, son, that is entirely up to the big boss, and he will decide that when he thinks you’re ready. Now run along and again, don’t forget to stop by Herr Weber’s office later.”

  “Jawohl, I will not forget something so important.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHANCE to SAIL

  With fifteen minutes ‘til his shift ended, Heinrich washed his hands and face before going to see Herr Weber. He stood at the office door and rapped two times before Weber’s voice beckoned him. Young Heinrich entered the office, which had business ledgers scattered about, and saw the elder merchant perched on a wooden stool searching through a pile of documents.

  “Ah, mein bursche – my young lad. I have not laid eyes on you for some time, and here you are almost a head taller. You are not at all as I remember, so forlorn and emaciated. The hard work must agree with you.”

  Heinrich had never heard the words; “forlorn” or “emaciated” before and didn’t understand what they meant, but he assumed they were not intended as unkind, especially coming from this compassionate old gentleman and so he readily agreed with him.

  “Mein Herr, I owe it all to your kindness.”

  “Well, Heinrich, from the reports Herr Becker provides me, I am quite satisfied with your work. You have thrown yourself into your studies with an equal amount of enthusiasm. You are a fast learner, and you are not lazy; those are two essential traits.”

  Without being subtle, the old man cut to the chase. “How would you like it if I told you I want you to join a crew on the next voyage to England?”

  Heinrich was speechless; he had long desired this very opportunity. He reacted with such elation he could barely stand still. If he were alone, he would have howled and jumped up and down from the thrill of hearing those words.

  “Herr Weber, I don’t know… what to say. I would give back a month’s wages for the opportunity to sail aboard one of your ships.”

  “Now I must warn you that it is not a pleasure cruise, young man. There is much hard work aboard a ship. Perhaps upon your return, you may not be as thankful. But I do want you to get a taste of what it is like to sail and what that experience teaches you. I have already spoken with Captain Richter, and he has agreed to take you along under the condition that you hold your own doing the chores you are assigned.”

  “Mein Herr, I will do my very best and then some, I promise you that.”

  “I knew you would say that, Heinrich. But as I said earlier, it is not a joy ride. You must do your part – and perform it well – to show that my decision was not a mistake. Do you understand?”

  “Jawohl, I will not let you down. When do we shove off?”

  “Next week. I want you to report to Captain Richter first thing tomorrow morning so you can start training. Make darn sure, Heinrich, that you listen very carefully to his instructions. If things are not managed properly at all times, a ship can become a very stubborn contraption to control. Captain Richter is a forceful shipmaster, but he is also fair and just, as long as everyone does their jobs as expected. Don’t let me down, son.”

  “I will conduct myself as a first-rate sailor. I will not let you down. I have been dreaming about this opportunity for a long time.”

  “I know you have, lad. Now get on your way, I need to do this darn paperwork.”

  “Jawohl, Herr Weber, and thank you so very much for letting me prove myself,” Heinrich turned and lunged for the door.

  “Wait just a moment, lad,” the old man called after him. “Don’t forget to take along your travel bag; you will certainly need everything that is inside it for the trip,” Weber pointed to the wall by the door.

  Heinrich followed his finger and laid his eyes on a large bag with handles. He stepped over and hauled it up. It was indeed bulky when feeling the weight of it. Glancing back at the merchant, the lad saw a smile light up the old man’s face in delight at surprising Heinrich with the gift. Heinrich had never in his life been treated with such generosity until he met Otto and Helga and now the old man was playing as if he was his grandfather. He had indeed found a family. Weber treated him as kin, not only employing him but also seeing to it the lad received an education. What was happening to him? The feeling was so strange but felt so wonderful. With a million more thank you’s and finally having Herr Weber escort Heinrich to the door to get him out of his hair, the lad almost pranced in ecstasy as he carried his new gear.

  Heinrich had relocated nearly a year ago to a boarding house. The place was run by a cheerful cherub of a woman who played mother to the half dozen boarders. Not that she was a push-over; instead she was a large woman with a fiery attitude and when it came to proper behavior; she expected everyone to comply with her demands, yet could be as sweet as a mother hen concerned for her little flock by ensuring they had mended clothes and plenty to eat. It was a marvelous household, and Heinrich had never before experienced such a wholesome environment.

  As soon as Heinrich came through the door, he sought out Greta to share the exciting news of his future voyage and show her the gear his boss had given him. Greta was so proud of her young boarder that she bestowed a squeeze that forced the boy’s nose between her bountiful breasts.

  “Fraulein Greta, please let go; you’re squeezing … all the breath out of me. Besides, the others might think we’re having a tryst,” Heinrich said in jest as he laughed.

  “Why you little tramp. I ought to spank you for even thinking that way. You should be happy to have a voluptuous woman such as me take you in such a tender embrace,” she giggled in her usual high-pitched voice filled with mirth. “One of these days when you grow up to be a real man, maybe you will appreciate such a gesture.”

>   She let go of him and gleefully beamed at hearing that this sweet young lad had been given the opportunity to go to sea to learn the ropes aboard a merchant ship.

  “Now be off with you; I have supper to finish. And watch that filthy mouth of yours before it gets you in trouble. You can’t expect me to be there all the time to keep you out of the reach of vile women who seek to show a young laddie like yourself the ways of the world and take your hard-earned money for doing so. Now go!”

  Heinrich was still laughing as he went down the hall. Greta tried to make her tone harsh as she scolded him, but her high-pitched voice never seemed to exert the proper effect she wanted to get across. She shook her head and smiled, then turned back to her work in the kitchen.

  She was extremely fond of the boy from the very start, after being introduced by Otto, whom she had known for several years, she had concluded the boy was honest and forthright. Heinrich had proven his genuine character in no time at all as he always paid his monthly rent on time and was at hand when she needed someone to help keep the boarding house in tip-top shape. Even though she was motherly in her treatment of all the men that lived on the premises, Heinrich was her favorite.

  CHAPTER THREE

  FIRST VOYAGE

  Captain Richter, of the merchant ship the Winged Heron, had questioned the logic in Herr Weber’s decision to have Heinrich sail as part of the crew. The first day the lad walked up the gangplank, Richter could tell right off just how green Heinrich was.

  “So, du bist der junge Mann, den ich zu einem Seemann machen muss. – So, you are the new lad I have to make into a sailor.” It was a statement and not at all a question.

  “Jawohl. Ich bin bereit, in irgendeiner funktion zu dienen, Kapitän – Yes, sir. I am ready to serve in any capacity you see fit, captain.

  “So, you will, lad. So, you will,” Richter stated with an authoritative tone.

  And indeed, he did, as Richter dispensed to the lad the lowliest and most despicable tasks that would have prompted any other sailor to take on a defiant attitude. Heinrich humbly performed these duties, all the while keeping his spirit up and not giving in to the perils of despair that could have easily overcome him. He always kept in the forefront of his mind that he was a member of a bona fide merchant vessel – no matter how detestable and filthy the job he was assigned.

  Captain Richter soon saw worth in the hard-working lad who was always ready to please. His liking for Heinrich began to grow. He planned to include the boy on future voyages because of Heinrich’s non-complaining dependability. The lad had substance and that impressed Captain Richter immensely.

  A most delightful surprise awaited Heinrich on his very first day at sea; he found his dear friend Otto was part of the crew. Otto continued to be the lad’s mentor and began to teach him seamanship. It wasn’t until much later that Heinrich learned that Herr Weber had tactfully arranged for Otto to sail along, he knew this would help the lad have every chance to succeed in his trial at sea. They continued to be an inseparable pair throughout the voyages to come.

  As they entered the North Sea, the water became much more volatile, and the swells grew bigger causing the ship to roll and pitch like an untamed stallion. Heinrich began to feel the queasiness of seasickness under the conditions. It took some getting used to, and it would take him many more voyages to master the ever-shifting ocean. In spite of the misery he felt when his guts were being turned inside-out, Heinrich did not give up his longing for a life at sea. He eventually won over the wild stallion.

  For Heinrich, the excursion to Liverpool, England and back was a mixed ordeal; he experienced several bouts of seasickness, which were overshadowed by the thrill of sailing the bountiful waters and seeing the breathtaking sights of a different land. Between chores, he would lean on the railing, taking in the captivating vastness of the sea; its endless presence reminding that they were sailing on a small body of water and there were immense oceans beyond. It made him feel tiny in comparison, but at the same time giddy with excitement.

  * * *

  By the time Heinrich turned twenty-one he had logged thousands of nautical miles and experienced a myriad of exotic places. He also had a keenly developed nautical skill-set, making him a first-rate sailor. He had become a full-fledged rated Able Seaman and long since had been replaced by younger lads to perform the menial tasks. He had grown even taller and more muscular in the last few years. Heinrich was not only an imposing figure but a handsome young man that caught the eye of many women, attracted by his striking good looks and dandy personality. He even repeatedly called on several women in different ports during the short layovers.

  Heinrich’s voyages so far had been limited to European ports, mostly in the Baltic Sea, but also trips to the Mediterranean. Over the months at sea, he had heard stories told by other sailors about foreign lands, great distances away, they had sailed to. These fantastic tales began to intrigue Heinrich, and he yearned for a chance to visit some of these places one day.

  Heinrich had met and befriended a handful of sailors, forming strong bonds. Besides his usual closest sidekick, Otto, there was Günter, Fritz, Conrad, Johann, Martin, Waldo, Wolfgang, and Aldo – all experienced able-seamen. It wasn’t long before this group began discussing ways to acquire their own merchant vessel and go into business for themselves. However, it would take quite a bit of money, and although it was their ardent dream, they had no idea how they could make it their outcome. Even if they all put their wages together, it would not be nearly enough to purchase a decent size rowboat! But it didn’t stop these men from continuing to dream and discuss the possibility of one day having their own ship and be partners in their own merchant business.

  * * *

  Back in Bremerhaven, after a long journey, Otto and Heinrich were working in the warehouse unloading cargo. One evening after the day shift was over and all the men were leaving for home, Herr Weber asked Heinrich and Otto to stay. He had something to discuss with them. The two stayed around for over an hour after everyone had left before the old man came out of his office and summoned them. They stepped into Weber’s office and were asked to take a seat. They had no idea what was on old man Weber’s mind. Weber shuffled some papers and cleared his desk before he said anything at all. Otto and Heinrich threw each other several questioning glances as they patiently waited.

  “Men, I have asked you to stay because I have always found you both to be extremely trusted workers, and I have a proposition to make,” he paused and looked at the two. “Herr Becker, who was recently promoted to head manager because our business has experienced a tremendous boon in the last year, requires someone he can trust to help supervise the warehouse shifts and has specifically mentioned you two as his personal choice to be the new supervisors. Since you have served faithfully; especially you, Otto, for many years now. And everyone sees the two of you as close comrades – inseparable, and I want to offer you both the positions.”

  Weber paused for a moment, casually glancing up to take in each man’s expression trying to see their reaction. He was unsure as to how Otto and Heinrich felt regarding what he just proposed to them. Weber cleared his throat in an exaggerated fashion before he went on. So far, he hadn’t noticed any glint of excitement in the two men’s eyes. This was not going to be as easy as he had initially thought.

  “Well, I must say you both qualify for the position because you are sincere and hardworking souls. I cannot but agree with Herr Becker regarding his choices for the positions. It will come with an increase in your monthly stipend, of course. How do you each feel about such a promotion?”

  Otto and Heinrich hesitated, hoping the other would answer the question. An awkward stillness encircled the room; the wall clock was heard clamorously ticking away.

  “Now I know both of you have not lost your tongues as I heard you conversing earlier today, so please speak up,” the older man encouraged them.

  Heinrich looked over to Otto and catching his eye; he gave a slight nod indicating Otto should say
something.

  Otto took the cue. “Herr Weber,” Otto finally spoke. “I have never had any … notions of ever wanting to work in the warehouse on a permanent basis. For the last thirteen years, I have been a seaman first and a landlubber second.” He was nervously scratching his stubbly chin as he thought about how to explain his lack of interest, even with the additional money, without seeming to be ungrateful. “My heart is with the sea” he staunchly stated.

  “But Otto, would it not suit you better to have a job close at hand to be able to go home to such a fine woman as your Helga every evening?”

  “Jawohl, Herr Weber. That is a very good thing, but I know that I would regret not going back to sea. I will not lie to you and cannot lie to myself.”

  “I see. And what about you, young man,” Weber pointedly asked Heinrich, who was fidgeting, dreading the question. “I can certainly understand Otto’s explanation since he has been a sailor for so many years and it is definitely in his blood. But you, Heinrich, have been at sea for what … maybe a little over five years now? And those have been between work stints in the warehouse. How do feel about taking this job?”

  “Herr Weber, I have fallen head over heels for the rush of the sea ever since you gave me the chance to go on my first trip. I yearn to venture to lands I have not yet seen. When we come home to port, after only a few days have gone by, I hear the siren’s call to mount the gangplank and climb the fore gaff topsail. I would give a year’s salary to stand on the bowsprit with the wind blowing through my hair and the salt water splashing in my face. It is the first time in my life I recall feeling such a calling. I believe it has beckoned my very being…”

  “Oh, please, please, young man,” Herr Weber cut in, waving his hand to stop the lad’s litany. “Spare me the Shakespearean dialog and let us dispense with this fanciful exchange. I get your point quite clearly. You both do not desire this position in the very least – that you have both firmly convinced me of. I can’t say that I am somewhat surprised that both of you have spurned the offer and I fully respect your feelings. We will have to find someone else who has more of a yearning for land legs. Thank you for your time and your candid honesty in this matter. Now I must be off before my dear wife worries herself sick over my absence, I am certain the evening meal is ready on the table, getting cold.”