About this story
Captain Rosy holds course through the dark until the lookout sights an iceberg too close to clear, and the collision tears away masts, spars, and men. You wake alone on the wrecked deck an hour later: Captain Rosy dead beneath fallen rope, no other voice answering, and the hold slowly taking water through the winter night.
How it opens
The light brig Laughing Mary entered a violent storm in ballast south of Cape Horn.
Keep the helm lashed and her yards to the wind; we dare not veer onto the other tack.
Ice formed on rigging and clothing while water crossed a deck already difficult to stand upon.
CarpenterThe ballast has shifted, and no fire can be kept long enough to warm food or hands.
As mate, report the danger clearly; the choice of risk remains mine.
Choose
Request extra lookouts forward despite the strain on the watch.
Ask whether any ballast can be reached without opening the labouring hull to more water.