The early morning fog was burning off as the passengers made their way to the docks. It was the usual time for boarding, and each traveller had come prepared to find the ship that would safely transport him to the other side of the sea. Expectations were always greatest when this point in the journey was reached.
Many ships graced the harbor: some were nearly 500 years old. One of the oldest was a German vessel; it bore the builder’s name, although he had specifically requested that it not be named after him. Another stately ship had been built by a Frenchman who had moved to Geneva at a rather young age; he revived the style of an ancient architect. Many could not imagine why anyone would board any other ship; this one just seemed to be “meant” for them. An English king commissioned another vessel, specifically to accommodate his wife. Fewer people booked passage on it than formerly had; even its American replica had lost its popularity.
One of the newer ships was only made to last until 1914, and it was only built to hold 144, but people still kept clamoring to board it, despite the safety risks. Another man had built a newer ship and then lost the original plans to it. Even though the grammar on the original ship’s manifest was atrocious, and it was rumored that he performed strange wedding ceremonies while at sea, nothing could seem to stop the flood of people desiring to entrust themselves to this ship. There were other newly-built rigs which had been designed and piloted by women: one of these captains said that the sea was just an illusion; the other claimed that everyone else was sailing on the wrong day.
There was an old relic in the harbor that claimed to have been built around the time of Christ, but most people knew that this ship was not authentic. That glorious vessel had suffered shipwreck, and, although the new boat had lasted a long time, it was not constructed after the original pattern. It is true that some of the planks and sails had been salvaged and were borrowed for the new ship, but the design varied considerably from the original builder’s intent.
Now some of those preparing to sail that day talked among themselves. They asked each other about the features that were part of each person’s chosen ship. One man volunteered, “Our ship is oldest, and the decorations are very ornate. All of the crew wears formal attire, and meals are served sometimes three or four times in the morning for the convenience of the passengers. For those who really enjoy sleeping in, breakfast is served the night before.”
Another man agreed, “It sounds like you have a good package, but don’t you have to ‘pay as you go’–all away across the ocean?” The first man nodded. “We have a better plan,” the second man lowered his voice just a little. “Our tickets have already been purchased for us, and we get to continue the journey even if we get sick or don’t really want to finish.” The first man said thoughtfully, “But why would anyone not want to complete the journey begun today? Anyway, the only choice he would have would be to jump ship.” “Exactly,” replied the second man. “We have a theory about that. We think that anyone who jumps ship was never on it in the first place.” The first man inwardly questioned the second’s rationality and quietly walked away.
The Newest Ship
Some of the people, while waiting in line, began to become quite argumentative about which ship was best. In fact, no little dissension arose. Meanwhile, a huge, almost new (certainly newer than any of the others), very attractive ship (probably bigger than the Queen Elizabeth II) slid into the harbor. “What ship is that?” a man asked of what he assumed was a dock worker.
“Why, that is the new vessel from Amalgamated Pleasure Cruises. It will hold more people than most of the rest of these put together.”
“Really? What makes it so popular?”
“Well, only the things that are really popular with people were made a part of its construction. In fact, the owners did a survey of prospective passengers, to see what they would like in a ship. There’s nothing really original about it; it has a little bit of all the features that the other ones have.”
“Since it is new and fairly unproved, why are so many people trusting in it to give them safe passage?”
“Because the owners are not selective as to their clientele. They will accept a ticket purchased from any of these other cruise lines. Just watch. Some of these people came here today with every intention of boarding their traditional, family ship, but they’ll end up on the large one instead.”
As he looked, sure enough, several people were forsaking the shipping firm they had always trusted and began forming a line where the new ship would dock. The questioner, Mr. Pilgrim, was now able to read the name of the increasingly popular vessel as it glided toward its mooring; it was called: The Fellow Ship.
The Strange Ship
Mr. Pilgrim said to his newfound friend, “It’s clear to see what is the most popular, but tell me, if you will, which vessel leaves here with the fewest passengers?”
“Oh, that’s easy. See that rather odd-looking craft over there?”
“The Bride?”
“That’s it. Few there are who board that one.”
“Why is that?”
“First of all, it ain’t like the other ships. It obviously isn’t the original, but when that ancient one over there shipwrecked, some of the sailors got away in lifeboats with the original plans in their possession. They claim they duplicated the original ship.”
“But most people don’t think so?”
“Naw! There’s no Crow’s Nest, for one thing. Why, every ship has to have one of those in order to guide the ship. How can the captain be pleased without one? It would be like a great chorus singing off-key.”
“So does that line have a lot of wrecks?”
“No, they have the best record of anybody. They have never yet failed to arrive at the Safe Harbor on the other side of the ocean.”
“And the other ships?”
“They all reach a destination, but they never sail into Safe Harbor.”
“What about The Fellow Ship?”
“They aim for Safe Harbor; but without the rudder of Truth, they merely zigzag through the sea. They’re not too concerned, however, because they have such a good time.”
“But why would people board a ship that doesn’t take them where they want to go?”
“Some just like the accommodations better. Many prefer to travel in comfort even if it means being a few miles off course when they arrive.”
Mr. Pilgrim could not understand that kind of thinking at all. He said to the man who had been so helpful, “Thanks for all of the information; I believe I’ll try to book passage on The Bride.”
The Cost of Boarding
“It’s not that simple, mister.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, first of all, their rates are quite high. They will require of you all that you have on you.”
“I guess that would be okay; I don’t intend to come back here.”
“The second thing is that they will check your baggage. If there is anything inside that is deemed offensive, they will ask you if you are ready to part with it.”
“Really? That seems awfully personal.”
“That’s not all. Then there’s the oath of allegiance to the captain that you must sign. He doesn’t want anyone jumping ship.”
“Why would anyone do that?”
” Lots of things happen out on the sea. Some just get tired of the voyage, and when they spot a junk, they fling themselves over the side, thinking they’ll be picked up and brought back to the world they left behind.”
“You mean people that leave this port sometimes return to it?”
The source of information nodded. “And then there are some who jump into the sea when one of other ships is close enough to rescue them.”
“No!” Mr. Pilgrim was astounded. “But didn’t they choose this ship for a reason?”
“Sure, but some of them just booked passage because their parents were on this ship. Some leave because they find a hypocrite on board, or maybe it just looks like the passengers on the other ships are having a ‘raucous’ good time.”
“And the other ships pick them up?”
“Oh, gladly. Especially The Fellow Ship. They take such delight in those who abandon The Bride that they fire their cannons and parade them around their decks.”
“Do any ever swim over to this ship?”
“All the time. In fact, the passengers even man lifeboats to see if any want to be added to their company.”
“I’ve made my decision. The Bride sounds like the only ship that knows what it’s doing and where it’s going.”
“Remember, friend, you will not just be a guest; you are one of the crew. And there’s one other thing. You must bathe before you go on board. The captain will meet you at the top of the gangplank and take you through his purification room.”
“I never heard of such a thing. All of the other vessels allow you to bathe after you board the ship and are shown to your state room. This really is an odd ship.”
“That’s the way the captain is, sir. Only those who have washed and been made clean are allowed aboard. It’s His ship; He refuses to let anyone enter His ship who has not bathed. And not just his face or forehead, either. One must be totally clean. But after the cleansing is concluded, one exits directly onto the ship.”
“Sounds a bit demanding, but as you said, it is his ship. But what about those who come from other ships?”
“When they have a change of heart, sailors pick them up and row them back, but they cannot enter the ship without passing through the purification room like everyone else, for they have not been properly cleansed.”
“Is there any way to verify what you’ve said?”
“Why, sure. There’s the Maritime Manual right over there,” he said pointing to an ancient volume written for both sailors and passengers. It was easily accessible and written in print large enough for everyone on the wharf to read.
“You mean that everything you told me is in that book?”
“Certainly, and more besides.
“Then why doesn’t everyone here read it?”
“Oh, they do, but sometimes they only read the parts they find interesting. Why, even each ship has one on board, but the passengers frequently do not read carefully enough.”
“Is it too hard for them to understand?”
“No, but one must read it for himself and not take some petty officer’s word for what it says. You need to verify what I have told you in this brief conversation.”
“I will. I’ve noticed many disputes taking place; it’s too bad these passengers don’t consult the Maritime Manual when it is so available to them.”
“True. This is the time and place to resolve differences–here, on the wharf. People come here with many different ideas, but if they would submit to the teachings of the Manual, they could all sail on the same ship. It’s not possible for all of these passengers to obey different boarding policies, sail on different ships, yet be united; they do not all arrive at the same destination.”
“Say, why are you still on the dock? Why haven’t you boarded a ship?”
“I am on board The Bride–even now. It is my holographic image to which you have been speaking. At each port of call before we cross the sea, those of us on board are permitted to cast their images before prospective passengers who have come to the wharf. Here is the place where most people make the decision that will affect them forever. We try to find them and help them. I trust that after you have studied the Maritime Manual, we will see you, Mr. Pilgrim.”
“How did you know–” he broke off as the image disappeared. As the sailor briefly saluted him before his departure, he noticed what he had not seen before, a grotesque absence of flesh in his hand, which made him wonder if he had not in fact been speaking to the Captain himself!
After studying the Maritime Manual in the clear daylight, he made his way to that peculiar ship. He removed anything that might be construed offensive from his luggage, signed the oath of allegiance, and met the Captain, the man he had spoken with, in the purification room.
*Send comments or questions concerning this article to Gary Summers. Please refer to this article as: “THE WHARF (11/9/97).”