‘The ship, Sir, she’s listing badly!’

‘Thank you, Lieutenant!’ As if he needed to be told, as he tried to maintain his balance.

Damn that reef, and that fool of a helmsman.

‘She’s still taking on water, Sir, they can’t stem the flow. Should we abandon ship, Sir?’

They both knew what it meant for him – disgrace, his Naval career over, his reputation in tatters.

On the other hand, he would be alive.

‘Lieutenant, ensure the rum supplies are transported to the rowboats.’

‘Will there be enough room for all the men, Sir?’

‘Priorities, Lieutenant.’

One thing was for sure, he would need a drink..


Copyright Anne Higa

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

I’ll be honest, I have no idea what this is a picture of, but I saw a gushing water and a bottle in a bucket – and I’ve recently been reading the excellent ‘Hornblower’ books by C.S. Forester, so adventure on the high seas was what came to mind!

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.


For the month of April I am taking part in the A-Z blogging challenge, and am posting about my State Trilogy novels each day, including plots, themes, characters and the writing and publishing process. So if you’ve read the books, or haven’t but might be interested in them, I hope it will be of interest to some of you. All the posts published so far can be found HERE.

75 responses to “WRECKED”

  1. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    What a self serving captain, I like where you took this prompt Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael – I would guess many captains were self-serving, when it came to their drink certainly!

      Like

  2. ceayr Avatar

    Shades of the Costa Concordia here, Iain, with a captain more concerned about his life (and a wee dram) than his responsibilities.
    Good stuff, Midshipman!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. neilmacdon Avatar

    I love a flawed protagonist

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Neil, much more interesting than an infallible hero.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. earthskyair Avatar

    Ha, ha, love this! Priorities, indeed – and spoken with absolute authority. What fun it would be to revisit Horatio Hornblower, a happy recollection, read some of them many years ago. 🌷

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      When in doubt, act like you know exactly what you’re doing! Enjoying the Hornblower books for the first time, each one is a gem.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Tannille Avatar

    That drink better be strong! So much for going down with the ship.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The trouble with going down with the ship is that you end up dead!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Tannille Avatar

        Very true!

        Liked by 1 person

  6. AshleyDannie Avatar
    AshleyDannie

    This made me think of Captain Jack Sparrow! lol Great piece!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I hadn’t thought of him specifically, but now you mention it – yes!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Sadje Avatar

    Interesting angle you’ve taken.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sadje

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        You’re welcome 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  8. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    I caught a bit of the Forrester vibe here. If you want the full Royal Navy experience, I suggest the works of Patrick O’Brian. He is to Forrester wat LeCarre is to Tom Clancy.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I read the first O’Brian many years ago and can’t remember why I didn’t read anymore after that! Perhaps after Hornblower’s adventures come to an end, I’ll revisit.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

        You won’t be sorry. It’s one of the greatest works of literature in the English language, especially the first ten books.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    A captain’s got to have his priorities straight. Although I’m not sure the Royal Navy will agree. 😉

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He will be concocting a plausible explanation for his masters over a few tots of rum, no doubt! Thanks Rochelle.

      Like

  10. Mason Bushell Avatar

    Haha! Well done, Captain. Gotta get those priorities straight. Great story, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Mason – I’m glad you understand his reasoning! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Mason Bushell Avatar

        I did, Really good story.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Emine L.A. Beasley Avatar

    Why is the rum gone?! Great story 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps the crew have already drank it! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Dora Avatar

    Shades of that rascal Captain Jack Sparrow! You have to appreciate his planning and forethought.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He knows what he values!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. jenne49 Avatar

    Hm, a captain who knows his priorities!
    So much unsaid, but loudly there, in the formal dialogue between the two men.
    It’s a great wee story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you! Was struggling a bit with the image, just glad I came up with something 🙂

      Like

  14. magickmermaid Avatar

    Aaaaaarrrrr! Sounds like a bit of plank-walking is in order!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I can hear your pirate voice! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  15. pennygadd51 Avatar

    I can see Forrester’s influence! I loved the Hornblower stories when I was a teenager. They had an air of authenticity that I couldn’t resist.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    Yeah, his career needs to be over. No going down with the ship for this captain. But, as you said at least he’ll have his life and a drink to calm his nerves. Such a big story in so few words.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Brenda 🙂

      Like

  17. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    Going down with the ship is so cliché. Can I get some of this rum? Yeah, that’ll be to go. He’s definitely going to need a drink.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Right, and who wants to be a cliche?

      Liked by 1 person

  18. msjadeli Avatar

    Good spin on the pic, a sinking ship, especially with all of the water on the floor. Cheers Capn!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A-Harr, me hearty! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  19. draliman Avatar

    I recently re-watched the Hornblower TV series and also re-read many of Alexander Kent’s “Bolitho” books, so this sounded very true to life back in those days!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Will need to look up Alexander Kent. Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    I had a very rough ride on a sailing ship once – goodness knows how much of the complimentary rum punch I got through, but it helped me survive!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Rum is often the best answer! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  21. GHLearner Avatar
    GHLearner

    What a fun story, although all these men left behind for the rum wouldn’t think so. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m sure the Captain would say something about ‘they chose this life’ or words to that effect! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Dale Avatar

    Well…you gotta give him credit for being honest…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Honesty is a virtue, so I’m told! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar

        It’s what they say 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  23. ahtdoucette Avatar

    Oh man, that is possibly the worst captain ever. Understandably human but still. He wasn’t at all involved with a certain Suez Canal incident was he? Hilarious story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, perhaps too much rum was the problem at the Suez canal too! Thanks Anne 🙂

      Like

  24. granonine Avatar

    That’s quite an accomplishment–a shipwreck and a glimpse into the captain’s character, all in 100 words! Well done 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Linda

      Liked by 1 person

  25. lindafibergal Avatar
    lindafibergal

    Gotta love a challenge with a limit imposed. Great short story. Lisitng? Lieutenant?

    Like

  26. Elizabeth Young Avatar

    I’d like to be a fly on the wall at his court case.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I suspect he may not have a leg to stand on!

      Like

  27. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar

    Oh my, I almost went this way with my story, Iain. Recently, December, 2019/January, 2020, I was on the Costa Luminosa cruise line.There was a lot of conversation about tthe Costa Concordia one evening at dinner. LOL
    Now, there was a self-serving captain. We wondered about our captain the entire cruise.
    Shades of realitiy in every word of your story.
    Be Safe … 😷 🙏🏻 😊 Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thankfully, I think most captains of ships take their responsibility seriously, unlike my Captain!

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Bear Avatar

    Now, that’s one Cap’n I won’t be sailin’ with! A Captain’s priorities are to his ship and his crew. Damn the rum!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He may not be the best Captain, I don’t think he read the rule book!

      Liked by 1 person

  29. plaridel Avatar

    i guess every man has its own priorities even in a life or death situation. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He is being true to himself!

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Haha haha oh dear… priorities !
    This gave me a sad laugh. But what happens when the rum inevitably runs out?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Then there is only desolation…! 😉

      Like

  31. Trishikh Avatar

    Love the way you told story. A mix of anxiousness and assertive action. A time to do and not to think, yet thoughts thoughts playing such an important role at the moment. Extremely well written. Loved it.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Unishta Avatar
    Unishta

    A good stiff drink does help when the ship goes down….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Helps ease the pain 🙂

      Like

  33. athling2001 Avatar

    Nothing like knowing the important things in life.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s nice to have clear priorities.

      Like

  34. subroto Avatar

    Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

    The captain is a rascally survivor but a survivor nonetheless.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s a skill, definitely.

      Like

  35. Girl in Niagara Avatar

    All about priorities right? I like where you went with this. I guess Hornblower was on your mind. Good story Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

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