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To make especially
sure things were in order, I went to the wheelhouse to check the public
address system over which the announcement would be broadcast. I knew
almost nothing about the equipment, but it was immediately obvious
to me that someone had inadvertently placed the power switch in the
"off" position. Throwing the switch to "on", I
congratulated myself on averting this potential glitch and made my
way to the quarterdeck to await the arrival of the Lord Mayor.
Word was passed
that the distinguished visitors had arrived at the head of the pier.
The Bosun Mate of the Watch took station in the wheelhouse and all
officers formed a welcoming party at the head of the gangway.
As our Canadian
visitors approached the ship, the Bosun's voice could be heard as
he practiced his important announcement. Unaware that a helpful
Ensign had thrown the microphone into an open-mike position, and
getting no response to his repeated efforts to key the microphone,
all who were within range of the PA system were treated to the Bosun's
awesome repertoire of profanities developed over a 20-year naval
career: "His Honor…what the$%^%?…the Lord %$&#…who's
been %$@# around with this &%$#?!"
By this time,
the Commanding Officer had fixed me with a withering glare. The
Lord Mayor's arrival at the foot of the brow coincided with the
Bosun's discovery of the out-of-position switch, and proper honors
were finally rendered as he set foot aboard the ship.
The Captain
stepped forward, prepared to apologize for the unusual protocol
we had just inflicted on our Canadian host, when the Lord Mayor
stuck out his hand and said with a straight face but a twinkle in
his eye, "Captain, can I expect to be sworn at again as I leave
the ship, or was that just part of the welcome aboard program?"
A brief moment
passed before they both erupted in laughter.
After a tour
of POLK COUNTY, Mr. Scurrah left the ship to the unembellished announcement:
" His Honor, the Lord Mayor of Victoria, British Columbia,
departing."
So,
wherever you are today, Mr. Percy B. Scurrah (and I wouldn't be
the least surprised if that were at the highest levels of the Canadian
Diplomatic Corps), I salute you and will always have a warm place
in my heart for the city of Victoria and the man whose sense of
humor may have salvaged a young Ensign's naval career.
 Jean
d'Isle
is a retired naval officer living in Hawaii. During his military
career he served in a number of overseas assignments, including
Germany, England, Spain, Viet Nam and Puerto Rico. Following his
retirement, he was an adjunct faculty member of Hawaii Pacific University
and is currently under contract with the U.S. Navy at the submarine
base in Pearl Harbor.
Also by Jean
d'Isle:
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