John Looks Out On Life

This shanty is a continuation of the “three hour tour” across the Bay of Fundy.

0300. There it was, the red light bouy that marks the entrance to Digby harbour. I was cold and wet and tired and was really glad to know the trip was done. Limping in at four knots we got alongside. Berthing hausers put out and secured.

The CO called us all together and praised us for ourcool heads and professionism. Then he opened up the ships bar for a round of “potatoe juice”.

Our sister ship, the Rally” was give the task of night watch as they actually had a three hour trip across the Bay of Fundy. With that happy knowledge, I surrendered to the siren call of my pillow. I am sure I remained awake up until the moment my head hit the pillow – though i have no proof. Sleep caught up to me swiftly.

Some time later my body awoke, mind refused to follow suit. I stumbled up the ladder and through the hatch leading to the upper deck.

Blinding white light streamed from a clear blue sky. I stumbled back against the bulkhead and looked around. The first thing i saw was a heavily tarred pole – support structure for the jetty. Then i looked up, i looked up some more, i kept looking up until i found where the jetty deck actually was.  It was 30′ up. And 30′ up there was a very lovely sun dress, lit up by the bright sunshine.

 I hadn’t ever heard of the great tides of the Bay of Fundy. 30′ of tide, it was awesome. And that was a small tide, the really big tides hit 50′.

And that my friends is the end of that little shanty