Letterstime: Ein Geleitzug

As Strassburg crept towards her berth at the HAPAG terminal, Kommodore von Hoban continued to be amazed at the massive metropolitan area he could glimpse, and the industrial might that was displayed for all the world to see. The city spread up the river valley and on the other side of the various rises of land he could see. Smoke, the badge and bane of heavy industry, plumed into the sky from countless sources everywhere. The city appeared to have no end, as far as he could discern, and what he had seen already made it the equal of Berlin. And this was not even the American capitol!

Up one finger of the great harbor was the United States Naval Yard, New York - though the USN had other yards, as well. Numerous piers had warships tied up several deep, and the distant blocky shapes of dreadnoughts could just be made out in the coal haze in the harbor. The big ships sported those bizarre cable towers in the superstructure that only the USN affected. No recognition problems there, he thought. He still shivered when he thought how near he had come to firing on that small USN light cruiser! Of all the Baron's strictures, that was the one most seriously emphasized. Von Hoban swallowed yet again at how near disaster had been.

"Understand now, far better, the Baron's instructions," he muttered. This was no colonial-provincial backwater of a nation with a third rate navy. This was a rising industrial giant! One already flexing his muscles without the fetters of war or even serious enemies on his borders!

"Captain Siegmund, it appears more salutes and ceremony are ahead."

"Yes, sir," replied Siegmund, looking away from his scrutiny of the tugs' progress. "Ah," he added, as he espied the small knot of uniformed personnel awaiting them on the pier, "I understand. XO, are we ready for the formalities?"

"LT Lionel," called von Hoban.

"Sir?" The young officer had initially welcomed this extra adventure, but had begin to have his doubts a couple days ago. That was when it looked like Strassburg was about to take on a sea of enemies. Now, he was already beginning to play tourist, gaping at the exotic sights of New York. Every day was a gift, he'd concluded, after his experiences aboard Konig.

"What have you learned from the pilot?"

Lionel glanced at the heavily tanned American, almost swarthy in fact, with deep creases in his leathery face. The truth was that the pilot had been taciturn to the point of being effectively mute, except when giving instructions.

"Just the usual, sir. Bearings and depths, that is all."

"Hmmph, ask if there are any British, French, or other belligerent warships in the harbor." Von Hoban had realized the port was big enough to hide whole fleets from his view. The next 24 hours or so were going to be complicated enough as it was.

"Aye, aye, sir."

Lionel was positive he phrased the question properly, but the old salt just gazed at him as if he were spouting Swahili, or something. The young German felt both his kommodore's stare and his own perspiration beginning to bead under his arms. Eventually, the older man shrugged his shoulders, and looked back into the harbor. Lionel suddenly had a suspicion.

"Sir, I do not think he has any knowledge of what ships are in his harbor." The kommodore shrugged, and resumed his examination of the group on the dock. Perhaps a tiny spark flashed in the eyes of the American but, if so, it came and went too quickly for Lionel to be certain.

After another few minutes, there was the expected jar that shook the ship slightly. They had eased up nicely into the fenders and linesmen went about their tasks. Gangways were brought into position. All the normal things that Lionel expected were going on around him; only the place was different. It was a weird combination of normal and abnormal, and he felt disoriented.

"Guten Abend, Kapitan zue See, Kommodore," the pilot suddenly called faultlessly up to the bridge. He smiled at Lionel and just nodded, and went towards the water side.

"Und Sie, aber naturlich," replied von Hoban clearly, but without inflection.

"‘Wiedersehen," he said at last to Lionel, as he swung down nimbly to the tug just below.

"Of course," commented Siegmund to the slightly embarrassed Lionel a few moments later, "in a harbor with this traffic, pilots of all languages must be easily obtained. You did well, lieutenant."

"Yes," agreed von Hoban, "that was a shrewd remark you draped over him. But your serious duties begin ahead." He nodded at the party on the dock. "Remember, your Kommodore does not speak English, though I can read it somewhat and some of the speech I may understand. Less, and they might be suspicious. Take your time, I will need it all." And likely more, he added to himself.

---- 8:45 PM, quaterdeck of Strassburg

"Our intentions, sir," repeated a perspiring Lionel, "are to obtain coal and supplies in accordance with The Hague 1907. Do you want to see one of our copies? I regret we have them only in German."

"So," said the American captain, "you state that you intend to leave within 24 hours?"

"We intend to comply with The Hague."

"Perhaps you would be so kind as to explain what you believe compliance to be?"

"You want Kommodore von Hoban to explain kindly?" Lionel had lost the idiom. Von Hoban worked hard to contain his smile.

"Please provide more details on your intentions."

"Ah," said Lionel, and he turned to von Hoban to explain.

"You know The Hague and our intentions well enough. Explain them."

"Aye, aye, sir." Lionel could feel the moisture pooling in his lower back. "Um, Captain, we intend to recoal as quickly as we are able. If recoaled we are, then in 24 hours will we cast off our lines and leave your territorial waters. If coal there is not, then another 24 hours might we need."

"There's ample coal, I'd say," the American remarked dryly. "Mountains of it, in fact." Though, truth be told, the liners' holds had made decent inroads already.

"Mountains?"

"Never mind. And the liners? Do you intend to escort them out?"

"In 24 hours, I hope them ready to be. Escort them? That is why we are here. With The Hague will we comply."

"Very well, sir. I will hold you to that. To all of the provisions. Commodore," said the American, moving on to another subject, "there are many British, French, and others on the streets of New York this day, like every day. I am concerned there will be trouble."

"On these docks, shall my crew remain."

"Very well, that solves that one. I thank you for your understanding. I will establish a cordon at the end of the pier for your safety and convenience. I'll have my MP officer meet with LT Lionel here on the docks, over there by that crane, to work out the details. Also, Kommodore von Hoban, Admiral Stennis would appreciate it if you would pay him a visit at his offices in the morning. You may bring your interpreter, of course. The United States Navy and Admiral Stennis himself personally will guarantee your safety and prompt return."

The American handed over an envelope. Lionel read it, gave a translation, and handed it to von Hoban.

"It would be my honor. However, with my embassy first must I meet. Would closer to noon be acceptable?"

"Yes, noon would be fine. I will be back then." The American officer looked at his notes, cleared his throat, and raised his voice slightly. "Kommodore, you are cleared for entry. Let me bid you welcome to the United States of America."

The American left and began to shout orders and make signals to various others ashore. Lionel hardly noticed what went on dockside after that. He felt wrung out, his blouse stuck wetly to his back.

jim (Letterstime)