Captain's Log
2/23/1943
2/23/1943
After surviving a brush with desert madness & narrowly escaping the clutches of the Egyptian authorities, I'm relieved to be leaving Port Said, even if it is under gunfire. I have been contracted to escort notable archaeologist Dr Jack Carothers on a voyage of discovery in the South Pacific. Truth be told, I'm looking forward to settling in for what is bound to be an uneventful voyage. The biggest challenge I foresee, are the difficulties I may face in staying awake.
After surviving a brush with desert madness & narrowly escaping the clutches of the Egyptian authorities, I'm relieved to be leaving Port Said, even if it is under gunfire. I have been contracted to escort notable archaeologist Dr Jack Carothers on a voyage of discovery in the South Pacific. Truth be told, I'm looking forward to settling in for what is bound to be an uneventful voyage. The biggest challenge I foresee, are the difficulties I may face in staying awake.
2/25/1943
2/25/1943
Having accepted the contract to escort the doctor around the Pacific, I can't help but consider the turn of events that led Dr Carothers to me. My methods have been questioned on more than one occasion, but why not this time? Maybe it was desperation, or maybe I was just cheap. The doctor is demanding we use his maps and charts, magnifying my concern.... I wonder how many other surprises the strange doctor has in store for us.
Having accepted the contract to escort the doctor around the Pacific, I can't help but consider the turn of events that led Dr Carothers to me. My methods have been questioned on more than one occasion, but why not this time? Maybe it was desperation, or maybe I was just cheap. The doctor is demanding we use his maps and charts, magnifying my concern.... I wonder how many other surprises the strange doctor has in store for us.
Nothing else to report, except that the doctor is behaving a bit odd. I hope he's just a bit eccentric and hasn't gone bats..
Nothing else to report, except that the doctor is behaving a bit odd. I hope he's just a bit eccentric and hasn't gone bats..
3/8/1943
3/8/1943
Having little to no input from the doctor, other than a course leading us nowhere. I feel like I'm navigating blind. The route charted by the doctor has yielded nothing but foul weather and even more foul temperament from the crew. I have a feeling that if they had their way, the good doctor would've went over the rail more than a week ago. Getting harder and harder holding the crew together in light of the increasingly bizarre behavior of the doctor.
Having little to no input from the doctor, other than a course leading us nowhere. I feel like I'm navigating blind. The route charted by the doctor has yielded nothing but foul weather and even more foul temperament from the crew. I have a feeling that if they had their way, the good doctor would've went over the rail more than a week ago. Getting harder and harder holding the crew together in light of the increasingly bizarre behavior of the doctor.
4/17/1943
4/17/1943
Interesting discovery today shortly before dinner. It seems the good doctor's door was left ajar and the first mate saw gold coins through the opening. First mate reports that the doctor caught him looking and responded angrily. Doctor now refusing to eat with neither me nor the crew. No real loss, but not very healthy on a long voyage. Having his meals delivered to his cabin, crew resents it, but I'll do whatever I can to accommodate him. At least until he fulfills the rest of the contract.
Interesting discovery today shortly before dinner. It seems the good doctor's door was left ajar and the first mate saw gold coins through the opening. First mate reports that the doctor caught him looking and responded angrily. Doctor now refusing to eat with neither me nor the crew. No real loss, but not very healthy on a long voyage. Having his meals delivered to his cabin, crew resents it, but I'll do whatever I can to accommodate him. At least until he fulfills the rest of the contract.
Nothing else to report, except...wondering about that gold..
Nothing else to report, except...wondering about that gold..
The doctor had mentioned "culturally significant artifacts," but said nothing about gold. Asked the first mate to keep quiet about what he saw, have little faith that he will.
The doctor had mentioned "culturally significant artifacts," but said nothing about gold. Asked the first mate to keep quiet about what he saw, have little faith that he will.
5/29/1943
5/29/1943
Walked in on some interesting conversation today. I don't believe it was anything but the men venting their frustration, but I need to start paying closer attention to ship's morale. I told the crew that if we were to find any sort of goods or treasure, that I would make sure they get some kind of cut.. Not sure how long that possibility will be enough to keep them reasonable.
Walked in on some interesting conversation today. I don't believe it was anything but the men venting their frustration, but I need to start paying closer attention to ship's morale. I told the crew that if we were to find any sort of goods or treasure, that I would make sure they get some kind of cut.. Not sure how long that possibility will be enough to keep them reasonable.
7/2/1943
7/2/1943
After dinner tonight, the doctor seemed to have had some sort of mental breakdown regarding our current heading. After flailing and screaming like a banshee, he grabbed a tattered piece of parchment from his shirt. He read it & demanded a new course. I asked about the parchment and he just grunted, said something about monkeys, and retreated further into the ship. I'm starting to think he may be suffering from ocean madness.
After dinner tonight, the doctor seemed to have had some sort of mental breakdown regarding our current heading. After flailing and screaming like a banshee, he grabbed a tattered piece of parchment from his shirt. He read it & demanded a new course. I asked about the parchment and he just grunted, said something about monkeys, and retreated further into the ship. I'm starting to think he may be suffering from ocean madness.
Nothing else to report, except I'm starting to understand why some have (less than lovingly) referred to the doctor as "wretched". He really is a miserable son of a bitch. Under the circumstances I might put more effort into talking with him, it's just difficult to subject myself to such nonsense. Growing concerned about my rum supply. It's currently the only thing fortifying my willingness to tolerate his behavior.
Nothing else to report, except I'm starting to understand why some have (less than lovingly) referred to the doctor as "wretched". He really is a miserable son of a bitch. Under the circumstances I might put more effort into talking with him, it's just difficult to subject myself to such nonsense. Growing concerned about my rum supply. It's currently the only thing fortifying my willingness to tolerate his behavior.
8/30/1943
8/30/1943
Dinnertime has brought another surprise tonight, the doctor has apparently moved out of his cabin. While his whereabouts are currently unknown, I don't believe there's cause for concern. Unless I have reason to believe that he is a danger to himself, the crew or this ship, I don't care what he does.
Dinnertime has brought another surprise tonight, the doctor has apparently moved out of his cabin. While his whereabouts are currently unknown, I don't believe there's cause for concern. Unless I have reason to believe that he is a danger to himself, the crew or this ship, I don't care what he does.
10/10/1943
10/10/1943
We sighted a small island today shortly before sunrise. According to the doctor, this wasn't the island he's looking for, but may hold clues as to it's location. I think he's full of baloney, but if it gets him off the ship for a while and my crew gets to go ashore as well, who cares? So the doctor took a small landing party ashore to check for signs of life. I half expected him not to return..
We sighted a small island today shortly before sunrise. According to the doctor, this wasn't the island he's looking for, but may hold clues as to it's location. I think he's full of baloney, but if it gets him off the ship for a while and my crew gets to go ashore as well, who cares? So the doctor took a small landing party ashore to check for signs of life. I half expected him not to return..
While the party was ashore, I took the opportunity to try to learn something more about the doctor and our intended destination. Thanks to my familiarity with the ship, I was able to find his hiding spot almost immediately. I searched his effects to ensure there were no threats to the ship or crew. I found nothing.
While the party was ashore, I took the opportunity to try to learn something more about the doctor and our intended destination. Thanks to my familiarity with the ship, I was able to find his hiding spot almost immediately. I searched his effects to ensure there were no threats to the ship or crew. I found nothing.
When the ship's launch returned it became clearly evident that the crew and doctor were drunk. I questioned my disheveled crew but got little explanation other than occasional cheers of "Harrington!" I found the doctor in the galley, falling asleep atop a barrel of rum he claims to have brought for me. He told me a man named Harrington living in a shack on the island made it. His story was fantastic and hard to believe were it not for this barrel of rum that has rescued me from the scourge of sobriety. Maybe this doctor isn't so bad after all..
When the ship's launch returned it became clearly evident that the crew and doctor were drunk. I questioned my disheveled crew but got little explanation other than occasional cheers of "Harrington!" I found the doctor in the galley, falling asleep atop a barrel of rum he claims to have brought for me. He told me a man named Harrington living in a shack on the island made it. His story was fantastic and hard to believe were it not for this barrel of rum that has rescued me from the scourge of sobriety. Maybe this doctor isn't so bad after all..
10/11/1943
10/11/1943
Rough seas.. Engine trouble.. Crew and cargo secured..
Rough seas.. Engine trouble.. Crew and cargo secured..
10/13/1943
10/13/1943
At dusk, after a day and a half of fighting a typhoon, we limped through shipwrecks on struggling engines into the protected inlet of an island spotted just this afternoon. We're preparing to go ashore and set-up a base camp. Boiler problems have rendered the ship temporarily unsafe. We will try to collect supplies and fresh water while ashore.
At dusk, after a day and a half of fighting a typhoon, we limped through shipwrecks on struggling engines into the protected inlet of an island spotted just this afternoon. We're preparing to go ashore and set-up a base camp. Boiler problems have rendered the ship temporarily unsafe. We will try to collect supplies and fresh water while ashore.
Growing increasingly concerned with the sound of tribal drums in the distance, with any luck, they will stay in the distance. We established a base camp and settled in for what will hopefully be a short stay on the island.
Growing increasingly concerned with the sound of tribal drums in the distance, with any luck, they will stay in the distance. We established a base camp and settled in for what will hopefully be a short stay on the island.
10/14/1943
10/14/1943
The drums have stopped, however Dr Carothers doesn't seem to understand the risks we're facing. He has been bothering me all day to authorize an exploration party into the island's jungle interior. I finally had to advise him to remain in the camp and that none of my crew will be available to escort him until the ship is fixed at least. He decides instead however, to sneak out of camp while we're working on a shelter. His absence was noticed a short time later, but we couldn't spare anyone to search.
The drums have stopped, however Dr Carothers doesn't seem to understand the risks we're facing. He has been bothering me all day to authorize an exploration party into the island's jungle interior. I finally had to advise him to remain in the camp and that none of my crew will be available to escort him until the ship is fixed at least. He decides instead however, to sneak out of camp while we're working on a shelter. His absence was noticed a short time later, but we couldn't spare anyone to search.
He eventually returned, and his discovery of fresh water and fruit was appreciated by the crew, but arguably not worth the risk.
He eventually returned, and his discovery of fresh water and fruit was appreciated by the crew, but arguably not worth the risk.
10/19/1943
10/19/1943
Despite my instructions to remain in camp, the doctor continues to leave camp anytime it suits him. He brings back supplies, but I wonder what else he may be finding. It may be time to send someone with him, if for no other reason than keeping the doctor honest about his findings. Even if it does leave things a little thin at base camp, it may be well worth the sacrifice.
Despite my instructions to remain in camp, the doctor continues to leave camp anytime it suits him. He brings back supplies, but I wonder what else he may be finding. It may be time to send someone with him, if for no other reason than keeping the doctor honest about his findings. Even if it does leave things a little thin at base camp, it may be well worth the sacrifice.
10/20/1943
10/20/1943
As night fell on the base camp tonight, I realized that Dr Carothers had not returned from his daily hike. It was getting a little dark to organize any sort of search party, however I don't like the idea of the doctor spending all night in the jungle. Just as I was exploring our options, the ship's steam whistle sounded. While I'm anxious to return to the ship, I don't feel comfortable abandoning the base camp while the doctor has still not returned. I hope the doctor heard the whistle and is making his way back to the camp. If he hasn't returned by morning, we will break camp and form a search party.
As night fell on the base camp tonight, I realized that Dr Carothers had not returned from his daily hike. It was getting a little dark to organize any sort of search party, however I don't like the idea of the doctor spending all night in the jungle. Just as I was exploring our options, the ship's steam whistle sounded. While I'm anxious to return to the ship, I don't feel comfortable abandoning the base camp while the doctor has still not returned. I hope the doctor heard the whistle and is making his way back to the camp. If he hasn't returned by morning, we will break camp and form a search party.
If it weren't for the return of tribal drums in the distance, the evening breeze would be making for a peaceful evening. Instead it made for a tense and worrisome first watch. After being relieved I went for a short walk along the beach. However, just beyond the tree line I could hear music playing. The further I walked into the jungle, the louder the music got, until I found myself standing in front of a ramshackle structure. A man opened the door and introduced himself as Sam. He seemed a little absent minded, but overall a nice fellow. Although he had seen the doctor, he had no idea regarding his current whereabouts. He offered me a drink and began to tell me the history of this island, or at least what he knew of it. After a few drinks and some conversation, I returned to camp.
If it weren't for the return of tribal drums in the distance, the evening breeze would be making for a peaceful evening. Instead it made for a tense and worrisome first watch. After being relieved I went for a short walk along the beach. However, just beyond the tree line I could hear music playing. The further I walked into the jungle, the louder the music got, until I found myself standing in front of a ramshackle structure. A man opened the door and introduced himself as Sam. He seemed a little absent minded, but overall a nice fellow. Although he had seen the doctor, he had no idea regarding his current whereabouts. He offered me a drink and began to tell me the history of this island, or at least what he knew of it. After a few drinks and some conversation, I returned to camp.
10/21/1943
10/21/1943
This morning we awoke to find that the doctor had still not returned to camp. So after breaking camp, I decided we would board the ship and sail around to Sam's side of the island. There we could set up a more comfortable base camp adjacent to Sam's place and launch searches from there. After I introduced the crew to Sam and his delightful rum, we set out in search of the strange Dr Carothers, although Sam expressed doubts that we would ever find him..
This morning we awoke to find that the doctor had still not returned to camp. So after breaking camp, I decided we would board the ship and sail around to Sam's side of the island. There we could set up a more comfortable base camp adjacent to Sam's place and launch searches from there. After I introduced the crew to Sam and his delightful rum, we set out in search of the strange Dr Carothers, although Sam expressed doubts that we would ever find him..