Atlantic Challenger 2015
Image Courtesy of Caroline Opacic and to whom all rights are reserved - The Challenger Crew Dinner Post Atlantic Challenge Voyage 13 October 2015 © Caroline Jayne Opacic
Written on 18 March 2015 whilst following Atlantic Challenger’s progress in the night on AI Navigation in Liverpool. Such excitement. Such pride in my nieces. And in 2020 we see Challenger still very much in life’s frame and a nautical theme that underpins both nieces. I admit great pride and joy.
HMS Dragon I had the joy to look out upon, on many a day from my lounge. Sleek, slender, almost an understatement, it never ceased to enthral me that her power is that of a battle fleet.
Part I
The lonely sea and the sky
Of Chichester refrain
White horses
Rolling waves
Gargantuan swells
Heaving seas
Rigging taut
Sails straining
Masts creaking
Wind singing in the rigging
Hull groaning
Helm holding firm
Steering Nor-by-Nor-West
On a bearing for Liverpool
A violent heaving squall
Change course
Steer South by South-East
on a bearing for Southampton
The stars at night
Peaceful
Duty crew
The rest sleeping below
Part II
Dolphins off starboard bow
Leaping
Coming in alongside
Steering her into wind
We take up sail
Hoisting full rigging
Leaning well into wind
Comforted by the Dolphins School
Playing, leaping, chattering , squealing
Alongside me
All is well
they seem to say
Their Presence almost spiritual
At the very least
We, all of us, know we are
At one with Nature
Part III
The lash of spray …
Foremast almost breaking!
All hands on deck !!!
All hands on deck !!
Trim sail
Heave her in
Heave … heave …
Our bearing correcting
Aligning with horizon
Somehow we are riding the storm
This spectacular Image is by Matt Hardy Artist Photographer of Australia through Unsplash
Part IV
Storm approaching
Lightning - sheet and forked
Angry
Queasiness … no time to dwell
Maintain course
Hold steady
All sail : pull in
!
Pump out water
Gib the spinnaker !
Waves now 30 metres [i] above us
Turn her into the wall
Aim for the summit
Ride the crest of the wave
Stomachs heave
Roll down the other side
Hold firm this collosal Wheel
Every hand at station
Working as one
Excitement, danger, beyond measure
We ride the storm
We dominate the sea
Challenger takes on Mighty Neptune
And Neptune gives way …
… a brief lull between waves …
as if in salute
We are worthy!
Odd! From out of no where
I find recall
from long departed Kings
Winchester Days
… and even the winds and seas obeyed Him
A break in the cloud
A glorious light
The Dawn
Beamed smiles observe the breaking day
Tempest subdues
We hold steady and high-five
Set course again
‘Sou-by-Sou-South-East 10 miles nautical
Sou-sou-east Helmsman
Now 20 degrees East
We make good progress
All Crew - All Crew
maintain close Watch
We are in the Shipping Lanes
A light flickers out on port beam
Warship outline
Radio traffic
A surge of excitement below
Wow Girls n Guys!
We’ve just received a message
from HMS Dragon
I’m to pass on their congratulations
to the crew of Atlantic Challenger …!
It sends a buzz of electricity
through everyone of us
I ponder …
that unbelievable feeling
makes me think
of our Dolphins chattering
and squealing and doing
their own high-fives
literally
… before the storm
Part V
Winds quickening
Bracing ourselves
Hold steady ...
Hold, Hold, Hold...
... NOW !
FULL STARBOARD
SWING THE WHEEL CAROLINE
HOIST THE MAIN SAIL
FULL BLOWN BEFORE THE WIND
CHALLENGER CAN TAKE THIS
COME ON!!
Part VI
She leans into wind
Crew lean out
Precarious angle
Salt on lips in eyes in hair
Oh what exhilaration is this!
Oh what joy! what privilege!
Bestowed upon us
To ride before the wings of the wind
Pennants flying
Red Ensign full blown
Britannia herself has taken up the Race!!
Part VII
Landfall
Great cheers and tears
Tears of joy
Hugs and kisses
Lifelong friendships formed
A love of the Sea confirmed
A very, very healthy respect too!!
Proof indeed …
We are an Island People
We are a Maritime People
We will always love the Sea
We will always love the Sea
Part VIII
Challenger
What beauty you are
Every part of you
You are not fabric!
You are life and soul
You are spirit
You reflect our spirits
And by so doing
You reflect truly
The Spirit also
Long may you sail the seas
And teach young people
The challenges of the Ocean Deep
And, in turn, of landward too
Part IX
Farewell most glorious ship
You kept us safe
You took us across the mighty Atlantic
You gave us a glimpse
In the briefest instant of the
Very Face of GOD
1 February 2023
All Rights Reserved
© Kenneth Thomas Webb 2023
HMS Dragon of the Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer. Image by kind courtesy of HM MOD.
2020 - by gracious permission of Caroline - © CJO 2020 - all rights reserved to her
First written 8 March 2015
Ken Webb is a writer and proofreader. His website, kennwebb.com, showcases his work as a writer, blogger and podcaster, resting on his successive careers as a police officer, progressing to a junior lawyer in succession and trusts as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives, a retired officer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and latterly, for three years, the owner and editor of two lifestyle magazines in Liverpool.
He also just handed over a successful two year chairmanship in Gloucestershire with Cheltenham Regency Probus.
Pandemic aside, he spends his time equally between his city, Liverpool, and the county of his birth, Gloucestershire.
In this fast-paced present age, proof-reading is essential. And this skill also occasionally leads to copy-editing writers’ manuscripts for submission to publishers and also student and post graduate dissertations.
