Stormy Night on Sea

Blackness was all around me. No star reflected on the wet deck, no faint moonlight between the rigging. At this time of the day it was surreal to stay at the helm. It seemed as if I was surrounded by nothing other than impermeable darkness and the gentle sound of the backwash.

I enjoy the edifying feeling, steering a huge ship like this for the first time. The ponderousness of the helm made me fully aware of where I had been. The constant movement of the ship left me absentminded.

Unexpectedly the Sørlandet was illuminated and for a very short while I could see every detail of the three-master. All of a sudden the North sea fell into blackness.

A storm was rising. The helmsman shouted new directions faster and faster. We were struggling to sail around the storm. Crossing it would be dangerous. Coming closer more and more flashes were dancing on the water. For a short moment I was blinded by the light, my eyes needed a while to get used to the darkness again.

The rising wind was making my work challenging. I could barely hold the helm. My arms were becoming as heavy as lead while turning the helm around. Raindrops were falling down and very soon I became drenched.

The crew was very confident about the ship and their knowledge so they allowed us, the trainees, to stay on the deck. After my shift at the rudder they asked me to help. We had to sheet home the sail (Segel anholen). Cordage (Tauwerk) was lying on the ground. Because of the darkness I could barely see where to go. The wet cloths (Segel) were heavy so we had to pull the cordage with all our strength. Being careless we were poured with the water which had collected on the sail. Every short break gave me time to take a deep breath. The crew members were shouting Norwegian commands. Having no idea what they were talking about I just followed them upstairs and downstairs. Pulling every cordage, somebody gave me it doesn’t matter that I can’t understand a word. Every hand was needed and so I belonged to the crew.

Every cloth seemed to be heavier than the one before, every way longer, every step higher. The storm was taking it’s toll.

This night was exhausting but even more exciting. And so I was savouring the task. Feeling more alive than for a long time I was ignoring my muscles screaming out loud.

Sailing on a changed course we barely touched the storm. As the sky rumbles in the distance it reminded me of being scared of thunder storms.

Through the easing rain I can see the other trainees joining us for their shift one by one. Tired but happy I was longing for my settee berth (Koje im Salon). Before I went down the companionway (Niedergang) I stopped for a moment and looked up to the sky. On the starboard bow (Steuerbord voraus) the first star was gleaming at the sky; a comforting view following the pouring rain. The star vanished behind the clouds and all of a sudden the bright moon appeared on port. The first seagull shouted out loud. More and more feathered companions of the ship were answering her. And as if they called the day, the dawn was breaking.

(Übersetzt mit der nicht unerheblichen Mithilfe von Alex Martin)