Winter madness Constantza 1972

Winter madness of Youth in 1972, at the port of Constantza, Rumania, recalled.

31 December 2013

Winter madness of Youth in 1972, in Nov-Dec in the port of Constantza, Rumania 
On m.v. Chennai Okkam Bulker with Ore ex Port Redi to Constantza, Rumania.
We were just Married and this was Sudhas first voyage .It had been a long and rough sea passage and via Cape of Good Hope, as the suez was closed then . On arrival , my ship was held up at Anchorage for a long time and after that winter sea passge this was not too easy.ThePort of Constantza- was Sudha's first foreign port in Winter. I was Chief Mate then (3 stripes only) -
A bleak winter and a long stay at Anchorage awaiting berth is no fun and even for us Seafarers can be maddening -no TV or what Video etc those days; just novels and a music cassette recorder . My dear wife's nerves and patience had been surely tested--possibly leaving her wondering "How did I ever come on this crazy ship.(marry this Guy anyway!! Hmmm, should have listened to all my friends -- LOL ). Besides that ship was not a very social crowd -as it happens once in a way , although courteous and formal- Sudha was the only Lady on board too.
So we decided a little fun and games was in order :
1. Snow man on deck ...was first planned ; Some of my crew peered through portholes to see us two on deck  must have wondered -Bada Maalim Saab (British term for Ch/Off)  Kya Kar raha hai- (Never seen him like that.. !!) -Then we had snowball throwing like kids (but gently) as snow packs can hurt---returned to our cabins feeling better-hot Coffee and food and snuggled up with music on my small Sony Cassette Recorder -usually Carpenters. My crew may have been  convinced that the long voyage had affected us...crazy kinda.
Our ship  finally berthed; My wife had enquired about Movie theatres and one kind soul said to her "Mem saab Yaahan bahut saare  Hindi filum bhi chalta hai -Rajkapoor Saab ka bhi -OMG - --Dear God that was it as Sudha was rearing to go out....In a bleak harsh winter without proper thermals,-just simple  woolens and overcoat  it was not advised, but a 19 yr old wife has different views. But we were young --jawani ki josh, abs pagal - that youthful spirit prevailed and in that biting cold we went hand in hand.There was no proper transport as Rumania was a severely impoverished country .Pathetic scene really. The abject poverty was evident .
So it was Oh, Saathi Chal--I think the movie started at about 3.30 and ended by 5.30 . The film AWARA was running in a dingy, badly lit box theatre to packed houses and women cheering every song , some dancing esp. with Nargis's songs; seemed to love the film and story with subtitles -and of course romace " The song  “Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi” by Lata Mangeshkar and Who can forget the great songs that really  made it a hit and Shanker-Jaikishan’s greatest hits  “Dum Bhar Jo Udhar…” and evergreen Mukesh hit  “Awara Hoon, Awara Hoon” by Mukesh  which every Youth seemed to be singing there.The movie goers realised we were from India and sort of mobbed us for cigarettes and Sudha was in fact nicknamed Rita ...Rita (From the film!!) Hmmm- she was pleased too. WE just ran, just ran after the movie. A lone Restaurant sold the only item viz. a bowl of Hot Veg Soup and Bread and then it was trudge back what a mad  jaunt !
This seemingly enchanting and innocent fairy tale has a some what unexpected turn -The overcoats & caps etc not withstanding; Sudha came from Madras summer temperatures and was quite unused to Winter cold,  soon developed a chest congestion and then it touched her lungs. Pleurisy. Dear God .Called a Medico with influence and of course much inducement through the Safety Inspector, with liberal gifts of Johnny W Walker, Indian Curry & Rice and 777 Pickle Bottles to take home!! In Rumania currency has to be supplemented and esp cigarettes Cartons too helps a lot . The cold and wind had affected Sudha  and she was quite weak and had to be nursed gently  back to health with medication on board. Finally, with Polybion injections for a week as we had a very long port stay foe some reason I cannot recall. Ironically a few felt I was negligent n taking her out in Winter!! Hmmm tell that to Sudha.
Looking back I wonder!. Life is all about courage and maybe some adventure and with it take all what comes within reasonable limits. She recovered fast and was fine and we were sailing out to take bunker fuel  in Sicily and then to Norfolk, USA  to load Coal.
So, this real  life ( may call adventure)  story ends here --a true story.
Dec 5th is our Engagement Anniversary and we cherish this date as very special -42 years gone by-Thank you God-
Cheers
TR
ps Next visit to Constantza was in summer 1973 on same ship-it was a lot better.Mamiya Beach is nice and I ahd arranged a summer picnic for with some of our officers and ships crew.
885 words

Dec 1972

Now--2012- Dec

Nov Dec 1972 at Constantza Anchorage

Just engaged 5th DEc 1971

Our ship -a Bulker of SISCO Chennai Ookkam of -in DryDock -at Malta

Star Fixes at Sea- at Twilight.

Star Fixes at Sea

Greetings
Sextant sights for a navigation and position fixing is an art and a science and doing it gave a sense of  accomplishment and immense  job satisfaction to us Seafarers till GPS took over in the 90s.

In the 60s, esp  on West Coast US port calls, we used to have USCG Sea Charts titled Pacific Pilot issued to ships at U.S.Ports. Apart from weather and current information, the reverse of the chart  had a fund of interesting information. One such was the WW2 experience of naval and merchant navy navigators taking sextant sights after getting eyes adjusted with a special reddish tint goggles to have a delayed time for taking sights,before the nautical twilight. In short for adjusting the "Eyes to a horizon" to fix position by star fixes after identifying suitable  navigational stars.

Twilight in many places is short and so this was a good idea.In any case better that a basic Dead Reckoned Position. Possibly more needed for tracking own vessel's position in submarine infested waters of the Atlantic and Pacific. Historical details of submarine torpedo attacks are spine chilling and also the tonnage sunk by the German Submarines tells; all this, despite the excellent Convoy systems and the effort taken to stay in position and on course and speed.                                   Looking at the definition of Twilight i.e. before actual day break when the sun rises above the Visible horizon.

Astronomical dawn is defined as the moment after which the sky is no longer completely dark. This occurs when the Sun is 18 degrees, below the horizon in the morning i.e. astronomical dawn (and also at dusk)

Nautical dawn is the time at which there is enough sunlight for the horizon and some objects to be distinguishable; formally, when the Sun is 12 degrees below the horizon in the morning & also just after sunset in the evening

Civil dawn is the time at which there is enough light for objects to be distinguishable, so that outdoor activities can commence; formally, when the Sun  6 degrees below the horizon in the morning. The sky is bright and all clearly seen.
But-Taking sights is not practicable then as stars are no longer visible in the bright light.

The duration of the twilight period between dawn and sunrise varies greatly depending on the observer's latitude, from about 15  minutes in the equatorial regions to more in the higher Latitudes. Our data and books tell us that it is many hours in polar regions to weeks at the poles.

                                 Going for morning sun sights (long by chron) at about 0800 hrs

                                                               Plotting the position
Celestial Navigation had been the mode for several centuries and served the shipping well. Allthings change with Time & Technology. I feel like an Ancient mariner when writing this blog post-
TR

Passing ships at night.

Greetings

Passing ships in the night

Thinking aloud--On  relationships in many areas today esp Corporate  meetings and employee employer or client contacts today. It is now strictly  biz as usual applies.-(in sms language BAU). I also noted that even within offices,  relationships are now brief and most impersonal. CRM is almost lost as people are transferred or are shifted too frequently or they  just quit -some times not even 6 months in a desk or portfolio. In many corporate meetings I found the basic courtesy of a tea or coffee shared and some polite exchange is replaced by just Money Talk and close.  
In our time a Marine Superintendent was the identity and face of the company.With personnel dept we used to have a reasonably good exchange of views and experiences and thus a bond was built. Today it is all lost ...

NOTE In the 60s- Isolation was felt by most on the long sea voyages of abt 35 days across Pacific (US Ports to -India at 12 kts speed)  via Spore-In Winter it was rough seas being tossed about and in summer it was Fog!! The sea and sky -that was all--Books alone, were the best companions and work---(or go to Sleep). Abt 35 days sailing to Bombay with No radio, newspaper (DVD- Video unheard of then-) was an experience.A very brief stop for refueling of about 8 hrs at Singapore gave a little respite. A few managed about 4 hrs of  shore leave -rest on duty on board . This was quite an experience- 

Passing ships in the night esp on 12 midnight-4 am Watch (also called Graveyard watch by early Mariners  ) was something.  The chance passing of another Ship on an opposite route or crossing meant a very brief 2mts exchange of Morse Flash lamp  Signals-later on VHF in 70s." What ship where bound"-and Reply---then Bye ----Over and out 
 quote" :

Ships that pass in the night, and speak to each other in passing,

only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness;
So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another,
only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.
Unquote--H.W.Longfellow.
Thinking aloud today:
Applies even now when we meet briefly -and move on...
TR

                                               Photo I had taken at Mumbai -anchorage scene

As Two Ships Passing in the Night

As two ships passing in the night,
So quietly neath the stars soft light;
Our paths cross but now and then.
Reaching out, seeking one another again.

We say hello and then we part,
Knowing we've shared a piece of our heart.
Some friendships stay and sadly some go.
My prayers remain steady hoping ours will grow.

I ache when you're hurting,
I cry when you're sad.
Wanting to comfort and hold you so bad.
Know that I'm waiting here, with open arms,
To share all your troubles and relish your charms.

I have nothing to offer but the soul of a friend,
Strong shoulders to lean on that don't easily bend.
I offer these freely with no strings attached,
For in caring and sharing you'll not meet my match.

So on some long and lonely night
When nothing seems to go just right
Close your eyes and think of me,
Under the moon's glow is where I'll be.

Author unknown

 Photo source ackd--Thanks

Wondered what is happening and why and reconciled that after all Life was summarised in a that poem by Henry Wadsworth long fellow.