The swell and waves crashed against the immense bulk of the MV Shire, the world's largest cargo ship, filled with Iron Ore destined for Japan. The Atlantic waters which swirled around the gargantuan ship were mild here in the sheltered inlet of the St Lawrence River in Canada.
After a busy and tough first day the sun was starting to set. The crew were tired after the exhaustion or battening down all the hatches and looked forward to a hearty dinner. The first meal aboard at the start of a new voyage was always special as the cooks had an abundance of fresh food and would normally buy a local delicacy to cook for the crew. Having set off from Quebec and its renowned French influences the crew were looking forward to a delicious Gallic creation.
The crew of forty two were mostly British, predominately from the North of England and specifically from the city of Liverpool.
The summer of 1980 was a time of mixed emotions for the crew. Whist the crew faced the prospect of pay and work many of their friends and family faced strikes and the rapid demise of British Industry. The Prime Minister was not popular amongst the working classes and even less so with the industrial heartlands of the North of England. Privatisation, 20% inflation, recession and job losses at home left the crew feeling unsettled at what the future holds. Whilst they had steady work now they all worked on contract and there was no guarantee that they would get another once this one came to an end. The Oil Crisis of the late 1970's had seen the MV Shire laid up for a few years despite being one of the newest and cutting edge cargo ships. If a multi-million pound cargo ship could be left unused for a couple of years due to an economic downturn it pointed out sharply to all the crew that there was no job security for them.
The big news back home in April had been the Iranian Embassy siege which came to a spectacular conclusion on TV screens across the globe as the SAS stormed the building. The big news internationally had been the huge explosion and eruption of Mt St Helens in the USA.
Economic concerns took a back seat in everyone's mind when the threat of nuclear war between the West and the Soviets reared its ugly head. Some of the crew suspected that the first sign of an attack might be the destruction of the British Merchant Navy by Soviet submarines, which was a cheery thought!
The crew was split into different ranks and departments based on their role. There were six Officers, ten Maintenance staff, twelve in the Catering Dept. including stewards, fourteen General crew and three wives of senior crew members.
*
As the sun was setting it was time for dinner, which would be served in the Ships Mess, a comfortable and spacious room with seating for about twenty-five people. The ship was huge which meant comfortable and spacious common areas. The white and pale green square patterned linoleum which was abundant throughout the common areas was mirrored with matching table cloths which left the crew questioning the imaginative qualities of the ships builders.
The crew did not eat together as the ship operated with strict rules and regulations, which were necessary to maintain order when you were in the wild ungoverned International Waters.
The strict seniority system was also in place as it wasn't practical from them to all eat at the same time. Who would serve food if they were all waiting for it? Who would steer the ship if they all sat down for dinner at the same time?
The Officers ate with the Senior Maintenance crew and the wives whilst the rest of the crew ate after and then eventually the catering staff got to eat.
The Chief Officer sat down hungrily at the top table and then felt a light tap on his shoulder. The Head Steward discreetly spoke to the Chief Officer to inform him that one of the diners was missing. This was highly irregular and could result in disciplinary action. The Captain gave an irked look at the Head Steward for interrupting proceedings and then focused on his wine.
'Who's missing Steward?' the Chief Officer asked impatiently. Chief Officer Eliot Black was usually a friendly and helpful man but no one liked any delay in getting fed especially when it was to be a special meal. At 46 years old Eliot Black had risen through the ranks as a mariner and was keen to enjoy the privilege his hard work had brought him.
'It's Joseph Smith, 4th Engineer' the Head Steward replied with clipped efficiency.
'Well send someone to fetch him' Black replied distractedly.
'Yes sir, well...who do you want sent?' the Head Steward replied apologetically. Normal protocol dictated that disciplinary matters are dealt with by the Chief Officer when it related to senior crew.
The Chief Engineer had been listening discreetly to the conversation and at hearing the mention of one of his engineers started to get up.
'Don't worry Eliot, I will go and speak with him' said John Fox, Chief Engineer, and at 55 the elder statesman of the ship and a well-liked man. John was a short and wiry man with a firm grip and good sense of humour. His thick and shaggy grey hair had earned him his nickname of John 'Silver' Fox.
Eliot stood partially to apologise and offered to send someone else but not wishing to disturb the Captain he did so quietly. John Fox insisted as he didn't want a big fuss being made as Joseph Smith was a good worker and John would ensure he was not dealt with harshly for a minor misstep.
Chief Engineer John 'Silver' Fox strode off to fetch the wayward engineer, he'd probably overslept Fox thought.
*
Chief Engineer John Fox came back into the Senior Mess and tried to hide his concern and impatience as he strode over to the Chief Officer Eliot Black. He lent in close to Eliot's ear as Eliot ate his soup.
'Joe Smith is missing' John Fox said urgently. Eliot Black slowly lowered his spoon into his soup, in an absent minded manner due to the shock of Fox's information as a perplexed expression came across his face.
'I'm sure he'll turn up. How thoroughly did you look?' Black responded pensively.
'I searched his cabin; some of his clothes are missing along with a bag. It looks like he may have snuck off. He was definitely on board when we left so I can only assume he has jumped overboard and swam to shore. I hope he made it, the water here is pretty cold.' Chief Engineer John Fox said ominously to Chief Officer Eliot Black.
*
They waited until the Captain had finished his soup then the Chief Officer and Chief Engineer huddled next to the Captain and explained the situation.
'Ok well first things first I don't want a panic, we won't release this information to anyone else on board. Radio the Coastguard and make them aware of the situation and if they deem it viable they can perform a search. After dinner the majority of the crew will be off to bed and asleep. Once they are below decks we will organise a more thorough search of the ship and then in the morning interview his colleagues and friends on board.' Captain Jones explained patiently and calmly to the two senior officers.
As they both returned to their seats the Captains face darkened as he thought of the possibilities, it was not a good start to the voyage that a crew member had gone missing. Especially as mariners were renowned for their superstitions. Had Joseph Smith, 4th Engineer, left the ship of his own free will or had he been murdered by someone on board? If we never find his body we'll probably never know the Captain thought.
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Floating Lies and Sinking Truth - P1 COMPLETE
Mystery / ThrillerIt's July 1980 and one of the crew go missing on the first day out on a new voyage. Did they jump ship or were they pushed? Were they murdered? If so by who and why? If he is dead and we never find the body we'll probably never know! If his body...
