JohnLock 3: Missing Sherlock

Salvaging the Mariner

The two tugs, having maneuvered into position to connect grappling hooks to the "Shelby's Mariner" were not waiting for anyone's permission to proceed. The salvage preparations began at once. The first order of business was to raise the prow of the sinking vessel to better allow it to be towed. Approaching the bow with a huge deflated bladder, four small boats moved in careful precision on both sides of the "Mariner" with the weighted bladder slung between them, the object being to slide it under the prow with equal parts exposed on either side.

Once the hooks and bladder were in place, air was pumped into the bladder with a bellows manned by a squad of sailors aboard the larger salvage vessel. As the canvas bladder began inflating, it lifted the prow of the "Mariner," at first a few inches, and finally almost three feet higher above  the level of the lake. More importantly, it evened out the listing ship until it floated with the deck almost level, port to starboard. The aft end still rode several feet higher than the bow. Water poured out of port holes, "blown" holes, and any other "holes" on the hull of the damaged "Mariner."

On board the trawler, the tug negotiators offered their proposal. Their leader suggested, "First, ve vill need your assiztance to take care of de perished souls on dis ship. Do you 'ave ice in de hold for de fish?" The trawler captain nodded. " Ve propose to transport as many of de bodies as possible to your cargo hold." The Captain thought that that was a reasonable request and quietly sent a couple sailors to start that prep for the transfer.

"Ve vill tow de ship to de nearest port in exchange for all de salvag'ble materials. Once zey have been sold, ve vill share twenty percent of de profits with your ship."

The Captain had been nodding his head and ordinarily would have been more than pleased with that offer, but instead, he glanced around at his crew and turned to face Adrian and Shelby. "I am sorry that I am unable to accept your generous offer. I truly am. (... And he "truly" meant it...) But this situation is complicated by a most unusual circumstance. Usually in the case of a disaster of this sort, the aftermath of an explosion and a rapidly sinking ship, marine salvage laws would apply... but ... Well, let me turn this over to the man most responsible some miraculous salvations of his own."

Adrian flashed a half-smile and stood facing the Salvager's Captain. "In this case, sir, we have the surviving owner of the vessel, and many other survivors who have family and friends still on board the "Mariner." He placed his hand on Shelby's shoulder as Shelby also rose to face the Captain. "We must consider the far-reaching consequences of this disaster. This is Shelby, only son of King Karlssgard of Aristosa, and heir to the kingdom. There are many royal and diplomatic families that have been diminished or completely wiped out by this explosion, which I have reason to believe was not an accident."

Shelby turned a surprised and interested look on Adrian. "Shelby would like your assistance in investigating the destruction of the "Mariner." Adrian squeezed his shoulder and shook his head one quick time. Shelby understood and displayed a blank face again. "He has an alternative proposal." The Captain looked disgruntled but was still willing to listen, even as he saw his profits dwindling into the sea.

"As you suggested, we need to retrieve as many bodies as possible, working with the survivors to identify as many as we can, hopefully all." The Captains nodded. "I propose we tow the "Mariner" to Watson Hold. I believe it is the closest port with facilities capable to do the things we need to do." Reluctantly, the Captains again agreed.

"Any recovered goods and personal properties will be assigned to the owners or their survivors, that is if there are any. The ship and all its fittings will become your property once everything with a prior claim on it has been secured." He bowed slightly to the Salvage Captain. "You may share that with whomever you please." The Trawler Captain bowed slightly in the direction of the Salvager.