Norwell High School - Shipbuilder Yearbook (Norwell, MA)

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The Shipbuilder page mmeen QUALITIES I ADMIRE IN OTHER PEOPLE Sitting still, calm unperturbed by all incidents, is an admirable quality. I enjoy the person who, when moth- er is out, performs all the duties of the perfect hostess with ease and pre- cision, even though Great-aunt Clara, who is practically stone deaf and must tell one of her latest doctor's bill, drops in for just a minute and spends the afternoon with you. Es- pecially do I admire the person, under the same circumstances, who, still restrains herself from throwing things though she is already fifteen minutes late for a skating date with just the cutest boy, and Aunt Clara is only half through her lengthy discussion. Then, too, perhaps one has learned this art from watching mother entertain guests when one absolutely knows the roast is burning. Also, if one can sit still in boring classes while Professor Oglesby, ogles at pretty girls, wheezes, talks through his nose, and generally acts in a dis- gusting manner, one is a marvel. To me, the best and safest outlet during this time, seems to be drawing, espec- ially on blotters. But if this is im- possible, 'talking to your neighbor, particularly if you can utter that an- noying class-time giggle at odd intervals, is a good substitute. Doing proper things at proper times is an art not even geniuses often acquire. For instance, if you had Algebra first period, and Physics the second, Wouldn't you occasionally get mixed- up? That is do the right homework in the wrong period. Another impor- tant thing is, at a banquet, to be able to pick up, from an array of all shapes and sizes, the correct piece of silver without slyly watching your neighbor who is also watching you therefore bringing things to a stand- still. More important still is staying awake during, clapping and laugh- ing pleasantly at, stale jokes and speeches. More of those little-things-that one-must-not-do are C13 stuttering when other people stutter-this is cruel, and 123 walking with feet ex- tremely in-toed or out-toed-a habit impossible to correct. The greatest achievement of all is making people do what you say, and not what you do. It is so em- barrassing, when a little child who idolizes you is scolded for some fault of yours which she has aped. But retribution comes, when some ab- normal the'd have to belperson, takes your advice. Self importance is so comforting in spite of non-fitting hats, etc. JEAN MacLEAN, '38 ENCORE Standing on the bridge of a coast- wise freighter on a cold February night, blinded by mist and drenched by wind-whipped rain and sleet, a man has plenty of time to think. So on the lurching bridge of the An- drea, plowing the water off Sandy Hook as she stood in for New York, the bear-like form of Captain James R. Holbrook paced back and forth. His steel-blue eyes, narrowed to pierce the night, glistened from a round face that reflected old copper in the wan greasy light from the binnacle, when he stopped to peer at the compass. Two bells struck in the first watch. Ever since his last leave in New York, he had reserved the sourest place in his heart for Owen Roberts. Tonight he was ruminating again this tender subject. Roberts, captain of the Faulkner, a grain carrier out of New York, had been introduced by two friends of Holbrook's, one evening at a board- ing house. A poker game which had run its normal course far into the night, had come to a violent ending when Holbrook, nearly cleaned out, discovered an extra card in Roberts' hand. The friends would long remem- ber their difficulty in keeping the two apart. But his hate for Roberts had yet more fertile soil, in which it promptly sprouted like a weed. On a December night, such as this with its mist and driving seas, Hol- brook had glimpsed the lights of a ship off the port bow, in these same waters. Although his engine was reversed, and the helm thrown hard aport, a collision could not be averted. After the impact, he had radioed the other ship for her name and plans for

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Page melee The Shipbuilder , fulj, was held a year later at Annap- olis. There plans were made for a meeting of all states to be held at Philadelphia in the near future. This convention proved to be the one at which our present constitution was drawn up. It met at Independence Hall on the second Monday in May, 1787. Al- though seventv-three delegates had been appointed, only fifty-five came. All states but Rhode Island, which was opposed to this plan, were repre- sented. The delegates came in slow- ly, and it was nearly the end of the month before business could be start- ed. This group of men represented the very ablest political judgment in the country. Never before or since have so many famous men appeared together. It is no wonder that they produced a masterpiece. Represent- ing the propertied classes, they were a conservative group, practical rather than theoretical. Washington was unanimously chos- en president of the convention. Mad- ison, Hamilton, Franklin, and he proved to be the leaders. As soon as the convention was un- der way, Edmund Randolph intro- duced a resolution to set aside the Articles of Confederation and to adopt a new constitution. This was approved. Now came the great task. At times these men differed violent- ly on details, but they worked har- moniously for the most part so that they might achieve their purpose. The Constitution consists of a ser- ies of compromises. Most of them were not fundamental changes - only slight differences in details of organization. Parts of the Articles of Confederation were revised, and even some parts were used as they stood. Under the Articles of Confedera- tion all states had had the same rights. The larger states objected strenuously, believing that they should have more power. This was finally settled by what is called The Great Compromise of the Conven- tion. All states were to have two senators elected by the state legisla- tures to serve for a term of six years. The House of Representatives was to have representatives elected direct- ly by the people every other year, in proportion to the population of each state. This brought another problem. The South wanted their slaves to be counted as part of the population. The North disagreed strongly. Yet taxes were apportioned according to population and the slaves paid none, so the South would be actually pay- ing for its extra power. Finally they compromised by counting each slave as two-thirds. This satisfied both parties. Another compromise was made concerning trade. Many wanted to give Congress the power to regulate trade, but the Southerners were op- posed, fearing that their slaves and export trade would be interfered with. After much discussion the question was settled by permitting Congress to control trade, but pro- hibiting export taxes, and interfer- ence with the slave trade before 1808. Then, of course, there was a dis- cussion concerning form of the gov- ermnent. Many favored a strong central government, others wanted a strong democracy. Among many plans submitted to the commi'ttee, was that of Pelatiah Webster, in which was embodied tfor the most partJ the Hrst draft of the Constitu- tion. Changes were made, but this was the plan which came nearest the finished Constitution. We are also indebted to Baron lilontesquieu, French political philos- opher, for his clear guidance and help in constructing the excellent system of checks and balances between the departments of the federal system. This Constitution of ours which has protected the rights of the people has guided us well through wars, de- pressions, and other emergencies, and bids fair to guide us through as many more. MARION OSBORNE, '38 Qfaif Ncrwell High school has been ap- proved by the New England College Entrance Certificate Board. Iii PKI Ili H4 Sli Our school library is growing, but the shelves still look rather bare.

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page fourteen - The Shipbuilder - taking on her crew as it was evident that she was sinking. When he learned that she was the Faulkner, commanded by Captain Owen Roberts that was a bit too much. Why, the dirty - - , growled Holbrook, as though a fifth ace were not enough, that - - has to go out of his way to get hit, just to land me in trouble. Well, he picked the wrong man, and if it's trouble he wants, he'll have it, and I'll see that he learns to stand clear of James Rhiner Holbrook! Turning to the engine room telegraph, he yanked it to full speed astern, and instructed 'sparks' to wireless, Holbrook can play your game, too. Hope you like it. Having pulled his crumpled bow out from the gaping side of the Faulk- ner, he resumed his course for New York, leaving her to sink with all hands. This association of ideas gave rise to considerable discomfort on the part of Holbrook, who fell into a mood of profane mutterings. His rising tem- per was thus speaking for itself when the first officer suddenly pointed out what appeared to be a reef, dead ahead. The skipper made out a black mass, laced with breaking crests, which grew frighteningly with the passing of every second. We'll hit I With this he rang the telegraph to full speed astern, bellowing, Hard a-port! Mr. Barnes, have the water- tight doors dogged down. lt seemed as though Fate impelled the Andrea's plunging bow irrestis- tibly toward her doom. Poor Hol- brook, your ragged patience is so tried! Then, with a crash followed by a direful grating, the Andrea lurch- ed to port, and lost her headway. After ordering the pumps started, our man of the hour was approached by the carpenter, who announced that the lower part of the collision bulk- head was carried away and that No. 1 hold was rapidly filling. At this, Holbrook ordered all steam On No. 2 and No. Z3 holds. He knew it was hopeless to keep down the water in the forward compartment, but soon he learned more. After twenty min- utes of miserable suspense, word came from the engine room, We've every pump going, but the water 1S rising here, sir! Holbrook answered, Keep them going, and half ahead with your en- gine. He then turned to the helms- man and shouted, Starboard your helm, there I After hitting, the ship had backed off and now was starting around the obstacle. Although the captain had sent an S. O. S., he believ- ed that he might get her into shoal water before she sank. As he was thus plotting his course for the beach the telegraph rang for his attention. Bending over the voice tube, he heard the anxious words of the enginee. The pumps are slowing, sirg engine taking too much steam! And the water has come up eight inches in the last three minutes. Very well! Fire up the other boilers and make it quick! Like a wounded snake, the long minutes of anxiety dragged on, while the crippled Andrea held on for the shore. Chewing a rain-soaked sandwich, Holbrook gazed at her bow as it pitched drunkenly in the wild sea. Again the telegraph pleaded for counsel. After boilers lit, sir but the water is coming up to the grat- ings. Belay the engine, but hold the steam on the pumps as long as you can. At midnight the forward holds were nearly half full. Briny steam from the wetting fires had driven the black gang out of the boiler room, and the pumps were barely moving. At 1 a. in. the forecastle deck was awash, and the ship was now settling rapidly. Two boats were lowered and the crew was sliding down the falls to its last chance for safety and the beach. But Neptune had his own ideas, and the sea reached up great waves that caught each boat, spilling its crew among the raging crests, there to drown them in the wild abandon of the elements. On the bridge, now lashed by spind- rift and the tips of combers that curl- ed over the well deck, Captain Hol- brook retained his stand, urging the engine room force to keep the pumps going until some near by vessel might