Blakely (DE 1072) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 55 text:

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Page 56 text:

The boats aren't made for racing, and they look like it. Every ship has the same boat, the same slightly fat looking, unpretentious motor whale boat. But they held a race anyway, and the energy and time went into visible substitutes, for a race that would be invisible to most of us. The boat looked good and the crew looked ready. We deserved to win. We had a good boat. lt carried us ashoreat Kalamata, and brought us back, steady when our steps were uncer- tain, and the browlights hazy in our eyes. And we had a good crew. They worked hard at Kalamata. They would work hard at Alassio, Toar- mina, Syracusa, Sousse and Portafer- raio. They would stay up until three in the morning getting us back, and then get up early to get those of us who couldn't, or wouldn't, come back the night before. We deserved to win. Because the people who made the boat as fast as possible for the race, would, in the future, work harder just to make it run, so we could go ashore. We deserved to win for all the landings made well, and all the stum- bling to the ladder, and all the strand- ings ashore that were waiting down the road for us. We finished fourth. But the boats aren't made for racing, Our victories would come later, over fatigue, our own folly, and the sea itself.