St Margarets School - Salmagundi Yearbook (Waterbury, CT)

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shore, we encountered an awe-inspiring pirate ship. Firing upon it, we soon found its crew somewhat superior to ours. Wondering wherein lay our fault, we immediately decided that we had a good crew, but poor organ- ization. Accordingly, we chose the following group of officers, that. any ensuing battles might be more successful: Captain Jones, leader 5 assisted by First Mate, Masong Second Mate, Lampeeg and Lookout, Johnston. To Mate Peasley we entrusted the completion of our log. It was but a happy coincidence that at the same time we received news from the home port that Admiral Chandler would direct our maneuvers. The next attack of the hostile ship can be recorded as a victory for neither side. A few of our daring sailors boarded their craft and unlocking their safe, discovered several of their secret maxims, chief among them, Striving ever upward. But they fired upon our colors. Knowing the necessity of escaping pur- suit, we, the night being dark, hid our ship in an obscure harbor, and there waited, tense and trembling, for the dawn. The enemy almost ran us down 3 about midnight they unknowingly passed us by. What rejoicing in the morning, and what gay singing as we again felt free to resume our voyage. At Venice, we reencountered these would-be pirates, but this time the crews had forgotten their battles, and became so well acquainted that they not only feasted, but even danced together at a festive carnival. September, 1928. The home port had changed, but was more beauti- ful than ever before. The Star of the North unfurled its sails for the fourth voyage, and more new hands came on deck, to be welcomed by the old. The morning sun showed a path of gold on the smooth ocean, and the few soft clouds were tinged with rose. But one of the old sailors was missing-not coming on this voyage. We raised anchor, as the ship must go on. For some days we sailed with flag at half-mast, but We headed eastward courageously, avoiding rocks and easily weathering the usual light squalls. Having sailed for several weeks, we entered a harbor of Morocco, one night, and disembarked in search of a renowned inn. We found it a true Pirates' Den, frequented by sailors, younger than we, from a rival ship. There we utterly surprised them by Haunting before them our newly adopted motto: For the honor of truth. Leaving the Mediterranean, we began again our long voyage on the broad Atlantic. Reaching the Canary Islands, we stopped for supplies and by chance encountered, anchored there, that same rival vessel from Morocco. The two crews became very intimate, and several times the younger sailors boarded our ship. On these occasions, our men exhibited their talent by dancing the hornpipe and acting stunts. One night we invited the Morocco crew to a deck party on our vessel. A light storm arising, they were asked to remain until morning. Although there were plenty of bunks, a few, for some unknown reason, preferred sleeping under ours, thus giving to themselves an anpearance of stealth and to us a feeling of suspicion. Several times we had thought it peculiar that they had no leaders, and wondered at their secretive air. We were not, therefore, utterly surprised when, the next noon, they entered our dining cabin to announce that, following our exam- ple, they had chosen a group of leaders. A huge banquet ensued, at which the officers and crews of both ships ate, sang, and made merry together. It being customary for men having successfully completed four voy- ages to announce some symbol of their nautical skill, we shortly, before Nineteen

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Lllzwa Eiaiurg LOG OF THE STAR OF THE NORTH September, 1925. Accredited seamen, our papers duly signed, we were proud and eager for our first great voyage. With a small but lusty crew, a fair sou'wester filling our sails, we put out of port on a pleasant sea. We first stopped at England, where several of our hands became so proficient in hockey that they were requested to return in the autumns of the three following years. Turning our course from the hockey fans toward the music-loving Germany, we landed at Hamburg for shore-leave. There, three of the crew traveled inland to Munich, where, because of their sweet voices, they were chosen to represent us at a great festival, and so brought us prominence in the musical world. The nine months' voyage ended gaily, with shore-leave for all hands. September, 1926. Our second voyage was comparatively uneventful. Having sent several hands to England to take part in the hockey games, and several others to Munich to reassume their places in the song festival. the remaining ones cruised near the shore of their own continent. Before we were far from port, alongside sailed our sister ship. That night, we invited its crew to visit us, and they accepted whole-heartedly. We indulged in a good old game of cards until an early hour. Before their crew de- parted, we presented them with a treasure chest, for use on their coming voyage. A few weeks previous to their final sailing, they returned our hospitality at a picnic on the mainland shore. September, 1927. We took on several new hands before leaving port on our third voyage, towards the dangerous coast of Spain. Nearing the Eighteen

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leaving, appeared bedecked with shining gems set in gold and boastfully displayed the seal of our home port. The weather being balmy and the winds favorable, we did not hasten the remainder of our voyage, but sailed slowly due west. Arriving in the home port, whom should we find expectantly awaiting to greet us, but our Morocco friends. Astounded, we peered at them, for surely they were fully arrayed in new blue uniforms. Who would have thought that in such a seemingly short time they could have outsailed us, disembarked, and pur- chased new garb! Overjoyed, however, at the meeting, we went ashore, to spend several last weeks together. Time passed all too quickly. The day arrived for awarding distin- guished service medals, the exams taken by all would-be sailors were soon over, and even the long expected and carefully planned ball came and went. Our crew found themselves for the last time in their little home port chapel, and were soon receiving papers assuring them, and all men, of their ability to sail the seas alone, skippers of their own ships. The log of the Star of the N orth was now complete. That trusty ship would never again sail the seas, manned by the same crew. With hearts saddened, because they must leave, but joyous because they had overcome all obstacles of their voyage, its men paid to her a last salute. And the scarlet flag, as it waved triumphantly from its mast, saw happiness in the eyes of those hearty sailors, so soon to depart on a new and longer voyage, captains of their own vessels. To hold, as 'twe1'e, the mirror up to nature. Twenty