Smudger Snippets
Created | Updated Nov 12, 2003
I suppose it's because I have so much
time on my hands these days, that all these
memories come flooding back to me.
15 Minutes of Fame
I can recall it like it was yesterday - my very brief moment of fame. It was when I was a crew member onboard the Britannia. We were doing our usual anual visit to Cowes for the regatta prior to the trip round the UK. I was bow-man on board one of the Barge escort boats, and it was my first time at Cowes. My coxwain had told me all the horror stories about the dreaded Kings Steps at the Yacht club.
They were made of stone and very slippery due to being tidal, and many a boat crew member had 'come a cropper' while jumping from the boat to tie up on the steps. In fact it had become a bit of a contest between us and the many members of the press, who used to gather at the steps in the hope of one of us 'coming a cropper' as it were. It was with much fear that I prepared myself for the leap, as we drew near, and I could see the crowd, just waiting there. I had tied a knot at the end of my rope, as suggested by the coxwain, who told me he would get us as close to the steps as he could.
This was a very difficult manouevre for him as well, as the tide was very fast, and he required a lot of depth in the water. So this was it; I waited with a great deal of tension, for the coxwains word of 'go' that was my prompt to jump! The gap of six feet seemed like sixty feet to me, especially when you only had four feet of wet slimy, seaweed-covered step to land on. The word came far to early for my liking but I had to go, so I leapt. Now bearing in mind that our footwear was just a simple pair of gym shoes with rubber souls, it was a very slippy landing. I did it, I was totally amazed, but to my horror I kept moving.
It was at this point that the knot I had tied earlier came into its own and, just at the point when I was heading for disaster, I felt the knot hit my hand and it stopped me dead in my tracks. So it was with much pride and relief that I turned to the windows of the Yacht club, removed my hat and gave a gracious bow! I can still hear all the cameras clicking and the flash bulbs flashing to this day. I do not know who was most relieved yet between the coxwain or myself.
