I can’t believe it. A week from tomorrow I will be back at sea aboard a Canadian frigate. I’ve been thinking about the chances of being allowed to take the helm for a minute or so but I know that is really out of the question. Thinking about it did, however, remind me of one night when I was on the helm of my old frigate.
The wheelhouse was roughly an 8' by 8' enclosed room behind the bridge. It lacked any windows so steering was by magnetic compass or gyro repeater. For the most part we used the repeater. In the centre of the room was the old wooden-spoked wheel. To the left of the wheel, an engine room revolution counter and to the right, the engine room
telegraphs.
It was middle watch (midnight till 0400) and we were maneuvering into position to follow line astern. As it was pitch black outside we could only keep station by following the stern light of the ship ahead of us. On the bulkhead (wall) above the gyro repeater was a small hatch that when opened up gave the helmsman a view through the bridge to the sea.
The bosun's mate opened the little hatch and said, " Okay, 'Stainless' just keep your eyes on that stern light." I wasn't tall enough to see through the hatch! I was quickly relieved from the helm and I dashed back to the quarter-deck and rooted through the gash that was going to be chucked overboard during the morning watch. I found an orange crate and hustled it back up to the wheel house. I took over the wheel again and for the remainder of my hour on the helm I stood on the box and drove the Cap de la Madeleine. The box stayed tucked away in the corner and I made use of it on several other occasions. The box probably travelled with the ship to Italy when she was sold for scrap.
The wheelhouse was roughly an 8' by 8' enclosed room behind the bridge. It lacked any windows so steering was by magnetic compass or gyro repeater. For the most part we used the repeater. In the centre of the room was the old wooden-spoked wheel. To the left of the wheel, an engine room revolution counter and to the right, the engine room
telegraphs.
It was middle watch (midnight till 0400) and we were maneuvering into position to follow line astern. As it was pitch black outside we could only keep station by following the stern light of the ship ahead of us. On the bulkhead (wall) above the gyro repeater was a small hatch that when opened up gave the helmsman a view through the bridge to the sea.
The bosun's mate opened the little hatch and said, " Okay, 'Stainless' just keep your eyes on that stern light." I wasn't tall enough to see through the hatch! I was quickly relieved from the helm and I dashed back to the quarter-deck and rooted through the gash that was going to be chucked overboard during the morning watch. I found an orange crate and hustled it back up to the wheel house. I took over the wheel again and for the remainder of my hour on the helm I stood on the box and drove the Cap de la Madeleine. The box stayed tucked away in the corner and I made use of it on several other occasions. The box probably travelled with the ship to Italy when she was sold for scrap.
so when you are up on your soap box, it is really your orange box.
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