Chapter 163 Nanfang! set sail!
November 11, 1990 in the Holy Calendar, is the day when the Southern Ship sets sail.
The dock area of Fulan Port is crowded and lively.
Everyone who heard about the opening of the new sea route came to the dock to watch the excitement and sailed the ship to the Cape Bay area in one go. This 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 inspect the ship.
Even the underage candidates were running around on the deck, moving here and there according to the orders of their superiors.
Little Shota Allen and another companion were struggling to carry a large wooden barrel down the ladder into the warehouse.
The two teenagers put down the barrels and saluted the ship's caterers.
"Mr. Waiter, this is the last barrel of wine."
"6 barrels of rum, 4 barrels of wine, 4 chickens,...10 boxes of cans...biscuits …Bread…”
The food serviceman 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 rest."
"Yes!"
After working for a long time, I can finally take some time off. , Allen and his companions climbed out of the cabin happily.
For this move south, the candidates who are still young are extremely excited, because they can see a wider world. Anyway, they are already orphans. In such a long time, I have long been accustomed to calling warships my home. Wherever the ship sails, my home is there.
Allen ran to the side of the ship and looked towards the dock. He saw many familiar figures, but it was a pity that he did not see Doctor Ward and Sister Susan. They went to Lake Town for some training and have not returned yet.
He suggested to the midshipmen who were idle on the deck: "Hey! Guys, the captain said that this voyage may last for more than a month. Let's go to the dock and the town. Say goodbye to me, I have received a lot of help from them some time ago.”
“Okay!”
This suggestion was quickly echoed by many people. Get off the boat and walk outside the security area.
……
"Gentlemen, please follow me!"
Captain Quick led five people who were obviously not dressed like the navy to board the Southern.
Four of the five were merchant representatives, not just from Arda, but one of them was from Emden in Beldine.
As for the fifth person, it was arranged by the lord himself to be on the ship. A pretty boy named Dirac. It is said that he is a scholar and is going to go to the Horn Bay with the Southern Ship to bring his family to the northwest. Come to the bay.
Calling him pretty boy is really appropriate. Mr. Dirac is so handsome. If it weren't for the two mustaches, Quick would have suspected that the other party was disguised as a man.
Quick thought a little jealously: "If it were in the south, with this pretty boy's appearance, he must be a frequent visitor to those ladies' salons."
He said to everyone: "At least for the next month We have to spend time on this ship, let me show you around the South."
Quick led everyone around the ship slowly, and they first entered the cargo warehouse.
It is said to be a cargo warehouse, but it is also the place where all crew members except the captain sleep and rest. There are rolled hammocks hung 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 will rest."
Unlike other places, this area uses thick canvas as a "wall" to separate five "small rooms" with hammocks hanging above them. There is a box underneath for storing personal belongings.
Although each "small room" is only about two square meters, it is a rare luxury on the Nanfang, and it is a special consideration for the five passengers.
Quick walked to the end 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 It is the most luxurious place on the entire ship. It was about four square meters in size. There was a bright window on the back wall of the ship. In addition to a hammock and an item box, there was also a small table and a stool with ink bottles, quills, etc. placed on them. The object should be used to record the logbook.
In addition, there is a ladder in the captain's cabin that leads directly to the uppermost open deck. "Next we have to look at a very important place."
Quick led everyone to the front of the warehouse.
There are two doors here, one on the left and one on the right. Quick opened the door on the left, and everyone found that there was a very small compartment inside. The special thing was that there was a downward hole inside.
Soon someone guessed what this place was for, "Captain, this couldn't be... couldn't be a toilet, right?"
"Yes." Quick nodded, "Congratulations, you guessed it right. There is the sea below the entrance of the cave, which is very convenient! In addition, I know that many people are more particular and are embarrassed to take a bath in public. You can also come here to solve the problem. . ”
Everyone looked at each other and were speechless for a while, but no one found it difficult to accept. After all, everyone used to travel around and live in the open.
"Mr. Dirac" secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If there was not 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.
“Gentlemen, we have stored enough food and drink for us for 15 days. We need to eat these fresh vegetables, fresh meat, eggs and bread first, because these things usually go bad first, and then Let's eat these sun-dried vegetables, pickled meat jerky and biscuits. Oh, I want to remind you, if you find maggots crawling out of the biscuits, please don't yell. This is normal at sea. "
Maggots? Oh my God!
Everyone suppressed their nausea and listened to the captain's continued introduction: "In the end, after we finished eating everything else, we had to rely on those cans. In addition, we also raised four hens on the deck. You can replenish us with a few fresh eggs every day."
Quick clapped his hands and said, "Okay, everyone, go to the dock and say goodbye to your relatives and friends. We will set sail in about two hours. . ”
……
About two hours later, it was almost noon.
"Everyone, this mission must be successful, and there must be no mistakes!"
Austin stood on the deck, and all the officers and soldiers of the Southern, including Quick, stood neatly in front of him, listening to the Navy The Commander gave a pre-flight speech.
“It is no exaggeration to say that you carry the hope of the Northwest Gulf and the hope of the lord!”
“When you come back, all the officers and soldiers involved in this operation will Level up, and there will be other material rewards!”
Quick shouted on behalf of the entire ship: “Commander, please rest assured, we will complete the mission!”
"Very good, then I won't delay you, let's set sail immediately!"
"Yes!"
Austin turned and left. Before leaving, he glanced at the green-haired man. Young Master", the other party gave him a "no problem" gesture.
He then walked confidently across the gangplank to the pier.
Quick quickly stepped into the role of captain.
"Retract the gangplank!"
"Weight the anchor!"
"Lower the sails!"
"Southern! Set sail!"
The wind is strong today Big, the ship quickly started moving and headed outside the port.
"Bon voyage!"
"Be sure to come back safely!"
The crowd of onlookers on the pier became excited. They waved their hats or handkerchiefs while sending blessings to the warships leaving the pier. Rubin and the old shipwright Benjie were also among the crowd. They had tears in their eyes and kept waving to the Nanfei, as if they were looking at their children who were about to travel far away, with a mixture of pride and worry on their faces. expression.
The idle sailors on the boat also waved to the people on the shore, and some even burst into tears. Most of them left their hometown for the first time, and they were going thousands of miles away. Go south.
In this way, blown by the strong sea breeze, the Nanfei sailed towards the depths of the ocean through the wind and waves...
(End of this chapter)