Thomas Sigismund Stribling

Name: The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Last of the Vulcan
Author: Thomas Sigismund Stribling

The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Last of the Vulcan (1917)

Summary

“The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Last of the Vulcan”, published in 1917, is a work by Thomas Sigismund Stribling. It explores elements such as Madden, dock and spume.

Quotes from The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Last of the Vulcan (Thomas Sigismund Stribling)

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Last of the Vulcan (1917)

“ One minute the great structure would rise dizzily, high into the black blast, a skyscraper flung up on a mountain Madden could look far below on the lights of the struggling Vulcan. Up there the storm yelled and screamed at every corner and brace of the weltering dock, and wrenched at the midget helmsman. Then came the sickening drop, down, down, down, into the profound, and the Vulcan would swing far above her towering consort. For the instant the storm would be blanketed by the prodigious waves. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Last of the Vulcan (1917)

“ Hogan saluted in the darkness and turned about for his cabin. Madden began a careful journey aft toward the wheel.
He fought his way to the ladder and climbed up into the night, sometimes clinging like a fly to the underside of the reeling wall, sometimes going up a steep slant. Gusts of spume and foam whipped him all the way up. Once on top of the wall, he clung to the inside rail and began pulling himself carefully around toward the rear bridge. At this height the full force of the wind almost tore him from his reeling anchorage. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Last of the Vulcan (1917)

“ Without his force, tug and dock would part company instantly. Each watery mountain that he climbed, each gulf that he fathomed, was a victory over infinite odds.
However, if the man worked with subtlety, the sea likewise worked with subtlety. As the long hours of Madden's watch roared by, one thing was borne in on the youth: the rudder gradually was becoming harder to manage. Madden thought this was caused by the rising storm and strained more rigidly against the wheel. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Last of the Vulcan (1917)

“ The long arms of the shoring stanchions smote the walls in a kind of terrific anvil chorus to the blaring orchestra of the tempest. The joints of the three huge pontoons sounded as if they were being rent asunder every moment. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Last of the Vulcan (1917)

“ I'd have been mate myself if I had toadied and flattered that upstart Malone as you did!” He laughed sarcastically. “Then I could have had decent dinners, been wearing the mate's sou'wester, been—”
“Cut it out!” snapped Madden. “Will you do your duty or not?”
The dock gave a great lurch that flattened both men against the door, juggled Caradoc in his berth and sent kit bag and demijohn sliding toward the visitors.
“Not!” bawled Smith. “I, Caradoc Smith-Wentworth, can't think of going to stand watch for a gang of siz-seasick navvies an' a t-toady American Yankee—Not!” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Last of the Vulcan (1917)

“ Make the men step, lively, same as if you was me.”
By this time the tug had slowed down a trifle and a boat put out from her. While it came bobbing over the water, Malone bawled his men together and briefly explained his transfer of authority.
“Be back jest as soon as Parker's all right,” he said as he climbed from dock to dancing boat below. “And, by the way, Mr. Madden, you will bunk in my cabin.”
That “Mister Madden” from the mate was the great seal of authority. The men looked at him with new eyes.
Somehow, Malone's confidence pleased Madden. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Last of the Vulcan (1917)

“ When he had finished his meal, the youth arose with the intention of going to the sailors' mess house to see about the watches. He had no sooner stuck his head out of the door, however, than a whisk of spray leaped at him out of the darkness and drove him inside. He was preparing to venture out again, when Gaskin opened a locker and brought out an oilskin. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Sigismund Stribling, The Cruise of the Dry Dock — The Last of the Vulcan (1917)

“ Out there lay adventure, mystery—more than either dreamed.
CHAPTER III
THE LAST OF THE VULCAN
A temporary rudder had been installed on the unwieldy dry dock, and each twenty-four hours Mate Malone detailed seven men to stand watch, which gave the regulation dog watch, although there was no need of it with a double complement of men. Thanks to his bruised ribs, the American had thus far escaped duty at the wheel. About a week after the pilchard incident, he reported ready for this service, when a twist of circumstance rendered it unnecessary. ”

Thomas Sigismund Stribling

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