named Hurricane Flats after the thousands of other such storms that had
followed the same route during the memory of man, lay the deeper waters
of the Florida Straits and the miinI and of the continental United
States of America.
At twenty miles an hour, the whole incredible heaven-high mass of crazed
wind and churning clouds trundled north-westwards.
Duncan Alexander stood under the bogus Degas ballet dancers in the
owner's stateroom. He balanced easily on the balls of his feet and his
hands were clasped lightly behind his back, but his brow was heavily
furrowed with worry and his eyes darkly underscored with plum-coloured
swollen bags of sleeplessness.
Seated on the long couch and on the imitation Louis Quatorze chairs
flanking the fireplace, were the senior officers of Golden Dawn - her
Captain, Mate and Chief Engineer, and in the leather -studded
wing-backed chair as, the engineer from across the wide cabin sat
Charles Gr Atlantique. It seemed as though he had chosen his seat to
keep himself aloof from the owner and officers of the crippled
ultra-tanker.
He spoke now in heavily accented English, falling back on the occasional
French word which Duncan translated quickly, The four men listened to
him with complete attention, never taking their eyes from the sharp pale
Parisian features and the foxy bright eyes.
My men will have completed the re-assembly of the main bearing by noon
today. To the best of my ability, I have examined and tested the main
shaft. I can find no evidence of structural damage, but I must
emphasize that this does not mean that no damage exists. At the very
best, the repairs must be considered to be temporary. He paused and
they waited, while he turned deliberately to Captain Randle. I must
urge you to seek proper repair in the nearest port open to you, and to
proceed there at the lowest speed which will enable you efficiently to
work the ship.
Randle twisted uncomfortably in his seat, and glanced across at Duncan.
The Frenchman saw the exchange and a little steel came into his voice.
If there is structural distortion in the main shaft, operation at speeds
higher than this may result in permanent and irreversible damage and
complete breakdown. I must make this point most forcibly. Duncan
intervened smoothly. We are fully burdened and drawing twenty fathoms
of water. There are no safe harbours on the eastern seaboard of
America, that is even supposing that we could get permission to enter
territorial waters with engine trouble. The Americans aren't likely to
welcome us. Our nearest safe anchorage is Galveston roads, on the Texas
coast of the Gulf of Mexico - and then only after the tugs have taken
off our pod tanks outside the 100 --fathom line. The tanker's First
Officer was a young man, probably not over thirty years of age, but he
had so far conducted himself impeccably in the emergencies the ship had
encountered. He had a firm jaw and a clear level eye, and he had been
the first into the smoke-filled shaft tunnel.
With respect, sir/ and they all turned their heads towards him, 'Miami
has broadcast a revised hurricane alert that includes the Straits and
