Spitfire Ringers Read online

  The twins returned the length of the ship and headed a few blocks away for breakfast to a restaurant recommended by the cab driver. After ordering some scrambled eggs and hash browns, with Dylan adding bacon and Payton opting for sausages, the two finally decided to have the conversation that they’d been avoiding all morning.

  “So, this is it. This is our last chance to walk away.” Dylan offered.

  “I’m not so sure how Lt. Colonel Bradley would take it, but we could probably find our way back in to the Army if necessary.” Payton responded. “We could probably come up with a plausible reason for not going to pacify him.”

  “Does that mean you think we should turn back?” Dylan asked.

  “No, we made it this far, so we should see it through. We made our decision long before we left New York. If you’re in, then I’m in. And, if I’m in, then you’re in. We’ve never done it any differently, so why start now.”

  “I think you’re right. No reason to turn back now, and imagine what we might miss sitting back here.” Dylan replied nonchalantly, and his half jesting declaration hung in the air as they finished breakfast. The twins did not agree on everything, and when they didn’t the exchanges could get a bit testy, but more often than not they were on the same page. After all, they had grown up together with the same nurturing family around them, attended the same schools with the same teachers instructing them and shaping their outlook. They had similar experiences and a similar predisposition shaping them, but they were not exactly the same and had fraternal reads and reactions to life just like they were fraternal twins. Either way, just as in life, they were in this together.

  ***

  After wandering around the docks for a while longer, the twins arrived at the gangplank precisely on time for WestPoint, which is to say fifteen minutes early. Without much else to do, they loitered on the dock while the crew loaded the provisions for the trip. With such a small passenger list the loading took only a fraction of the usual time. After just a few minutes, a large military truck, known as a deuce-and-a-half for its two-and-a-half ton cargo rating, pulled up next to the loading dock. The driver yelled for a foreman to come over and oversee the unloading of some very expensive looking steamer trunks. Both boys noted the Royal Coat of Arms on each of the steamer cases. The distinctive crowned lion stood guard atop the crowned knight known as the imperial crown proper and was offset by the lion rampart and Scottish unicorn supports holding either side of the quartered shield. The unicorn was chained because it was believed that a free unicorn was dangerous. Each quadrant represented a part of the realm; a harp for Northern Ireland, a lion rampart for Scotland, and a double set of three guardian lions taking up two quadrants for England. The ancillary parts included a surrounding garter with the motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense,” (“Shamed be He who thinks ill of it.”) The base looked like a meadow with shamrocks, the union rose, and the motto “Dieu Et Mon Droit,” (“God and my Right.”)

  The large, dark leather trunks gave way to two small pink trunks. The young princesses’ luggage made it aboard without incident the same as the rest of the royal party’s luggage. Mr. Eriksen had not indicated with whom His Royal Highness was traveling, but the smaller pink trunks gave away that his family accompanied him on this trip. On December 11, 1936 King George VI ascended to the throne of England after his brother, Edward VIII abdicated so he could marry the twice divorced American Socialite Wallis Simpson. Dylan and Payton read the many articles in the New York Times delivered to West Point that day. The articles ranged from the diplomatic ramifications of the abdication in Washington DC to a profile of the new Queen and her devotion to her family. The raft of articles also included a contrast of the retiring King, and his brother, the new King. Where Edward VIII (with a given name of David) was described as outgoing and friendly, George VI (with a given name of Albert) was described as shy and reserved on account of a pronounced stammer. However, Albert had proven a fine family man, according to the articles. George called Princess Elizabeth, his oldest and now heir to the throne, his Pride and his younger daughter, 10-year-old Princess Margaret, his Joy.

  In the last year, the boys estimated, the world benefited from King George’s stewardship of the monarchy. King George served in the navy and air force during WWI, so he knew both the horrors and necessities of war. He backed Chamberlain in trying to avert war, and now he would help Winston Churchill, announced the day before as the new Prime Minister from his position as First Lord of the Admiralty, muster all the resources of the realm against Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich. Despite their previous disagreements and differing views, the tall saturnine monarch King George VI and shorter, rounder politician Prime Minister Winston Churchill now stood together as veterans of The Great War to try to stave of Germany again in what amounted to the second act of the conflict twenty years prior. If the battle lines in France cannot hold, let alone developing the momentum to forcefully turn back the Germans, which seemed unlikely based on the news so far, then King George VI, Sir Winston Churchill and the British Isles would stand as the last holdout in northern Europe against Hitler and the Third Reich.

  Once the luggage loading finished, the large truck rumbled away back towards the town. Payton checked his watch and indicated to his brother that it was time for them to board. They approached the gangplank manned by the steward. The steward smiled as they approached, indicating that perhaps he knew the twins.

  “You must be the young charges of my friend Mr. Eriksen.” The steward said in a very proper English accent. “Of course, it is easier to recognize two instead of one. I am Mr. Collins. I’m the head steward on the ship in charge of caring for the King and his family from the time he steps on the ship until he steps off.”

  “Good morning, sir.” the twins intoned together in response. “I’m Ryan Stewart, and this is my brother Justin.” Payton offered on his own. “We appreciate you taking us on board, and we are happy to do anything to help serve the royal party.”

  “Excellent. You are, in fact, extra serving crew. We had a full complement of stewards and pages aboard, but we also have a relatively empty ship. Mr. Eriksen told me your true purpose once you reach Europe, so I am pleased to offer any help to those that wish to help Great Britain. I assume Stewart is not your real name, but everyone else on the ship will never know. Your duties should be light; though I’m sure I will find some things for you to help out with around the ship. The King and his family are due to the ship in another quarter hour, so I will show you to your quarters and to the livery for your uniforms in short order. This way please.”

  The steward walked briskly up the gangplank while deftly handling the gentle sway of the ship in the ebbing tide. Dylan and Payton carried their small suitcases holding the few belongings they brought with them up the steep gangplank keeping pace with the steward. All three walked with the ramrod straight posture belying a military background. Once they reached the top, the steward turned sharp left and led the twins to a staircase leading below decks. After descending only a few flights, the steward surprised the twins by turning towards the outer set of rooms. He stopped at room 910. The twins expected small servant’s quarters near the engine, but the small sailing party meant that they were afforded a beautiful stateroom with excellent views out of the starboard side portholes. They would enjoy a southerly view from their stateroom for the trip across the Atlantic, which in these early summer months meant plenty of sunshine as the sun arced from one horizon to the next. The stateroom yawned larger than expected in front of the twins. The retro fit to a troop transport had stripped some of the luxury from the stateroom, but this particular stateroom must have been for higher up officers because many of the amenities remained. It had a private bath with gleaming copper fixtures, as well as a desk set complete with pen and paper emblazoned with the Empress of Britain logo. Opposite the desk sat a very large and ornate headboard suitable for a king size bed, but the bed had been replaced with two slightly offset twin beds indicating shared officer’s quart
ers.

  “Sir, this room is more than we deserve. We are just grateful for the ride and glad to help in any way that we can.” Dylan said a little sheepishly.

  “Mr. Eriksen indicated that you graduated from the US Military Academy. That means you are officers and at the very least I can try and accommodate you as such. Most of the help on the ship have nice state rooms as well, so it is not overly generous to give you this particular room.” Mr. Collins kindly replied. “Please, after you put down your things, follow me to the livery where we store the uniforms. Mustn’t be late for the King” Mr. Collins urged the twins. “I know that you are due your commissions from the US Army, but I’m afraid the best rank I can give you here is that of Midshipman. Technically you’ll rank above the enlisted Petty Officers, but most Midshipman are new and still do what the older Petty Officers ask of them. It is a bit like a new lieutenant in your army listening to the veteran Sergeants. I hope that will not be a problem.”

  “Of course not, thank you for the deference in asking.” Dylan politely answered.

  “Excellent, follow me please.” Mr. Collins said and turned to resume his brisk pace down the hallway.

  As the boys hustled to catch up, Payton asked his brother “Did you catch the room number we’re in?”

  “I did, apparently the same as you” Dylan answered.

  “Yes, 910. Our birthday, September 10th, or 9/10. Probably a good sign for the rest of the trip, I’d say.” Payton elaborated.

  “Let’s hope so.” Dylan replied.

  Chapter 4

  May 12th, 1940

  After a day at sea Dylan and Payton began to find their sea legs. The massive ship plowed through the calm seas with little rocking or effort, but Mr. Collins wanted to make sure that any seasickness the boys might endure, after all this trip marked their maiden voyage on a seagoing vessel, was left in their stateroom. Fortunately, the intestinal fortitude for flying carried over to the seagoing motion and neither twin found any trouble from the gentle and constant swaying of the ship. They spent their time instead exploring the ship and learning where to find everything aboard. They avoided the Royal Family, but otherwise engaged the rest of the crew to learn as much as possible about both the goings on of the ship and the elite passengers. While on this specific voyage, the name of the ship changed from the standard RMS Empress of Britain, denoting a Royal Mail Ship, to HMS Empress of Britain showing that his was now indeed His Majesty’s Ship. The ship measured 760 ½ feet long by 97 ½ feet wide at the widest point. At the bow of the ship and running back for 150 feet of the stem the outer steel plating measured double the normal thickness to deal with the ice of the North Atlantic. When all four propellers pushed the ship forward it could reach a maximum of 25 ½ knots, but most of the time only the inner two screws turned for more efficient running at closer to twenty knots. In its configuration as an all first class luxury cruiser it could carry 700 passengers in style, or when dressed down it could carry just fewer than 1200 passengers combined between first class, tourist class, and third class. The stately ship looked off painted slate grey and not the standard blacks and reds of the cruise line, but the ship continued to slip along the calm waters peacefully. The trip would take eight days total, but the first part stayed mainly in the St. Lawrence River before heading in to the open ocean where the dangerous Uboats waited like wolves looking for easy prey. Running straight ahead and fast on the river and into the Gulf of St. Lawrence made up some time, but zigzagging across the Atlantic slowed the voyage considerably. Zigzagging helped avoid Uboats, and helped convoys run away if they did hit a Uboat trap. The type VII uboat, the most common in the German Kriegsmarine, topped out at 17.7 knots on the surface and only 7.6 knots submerged on battery power. The converted cruise liner carried no defenses save for the speed advantage. The large cruise liner target could only run for safety like a hare from a wolf.

  With so few passengers aboard, the ship ran on a skeleton crew. The captain and several officers ran the bridge with only a few more men down in the engine room. The King’s staff took care of the galley and personal services under the guidance of the Head Steward, Mr. Collins, so more than just the nooks and crannies remained empty on the voyage. Knowing the ship from stem to stern might help the twins in their duties, but it also helped pass the time. The twins fought off their natural proclivity and walked the upper decks first, but then the twins naturally gravitated to the engine room. After studying the inner workings of steam turbine engines in their interminable thermodynamics classes at West Point and touring some smaller navy boats in the nearby Hudson River, they wanted to see a big one for themselves.

  The Empress of Britain had four Parsons Turbines, one for each propeller. The turbine engines used high pressure steam from the ships boiler to create the horsepower required to turn the propeller screws. The double reduction turbine system for each screw actually consisted of two turbines to increase the efficiency of the system. One turbine took the high pressure steam directly from the boiler while the second turbine then took the lower pressure steam from the first turbine. The steam forced over the turbine blades forced each turbine to spin at over 1000 rpm. If the propellers spun at that high rate, the ship would shake apart. So, a very precise set of reduction gears reduced the revolutions output by the turbines to a speed suitable for the screws. The turbines strengths lay in its relatively small size and its proven reliability. The former attribute meant smaller engine rooms and more room for passengers, while the latter meant that the properly maintained turbine would hum along peacefully for many years. The twins spent a couple hours touring the engine room and peppering the engineer on duty on how the whole system worked. They talked about firing up the boiler, pre-heating the turbines, and how the coils helped condense the superheated steam back through the system. The fact that simple steam pushed the mammoth ship ahead at such a fast clip simply amazed the boys. The technology spawned decades ago, starting the industrial revolution, still pushed modern society forward powering ships across the vast oceans.

  The second day dawned and the twins reported promptly to Mr. Collins to receive their duties for the day. Dressed in the standard issue naval uniforms, the twins wore the standard navy blue open collar shirt, navy and white striped kerchief around the neck, matching pants and white circular hats with blue headbands.

  “We look a little bit like Donald Duck” Dylan had muttered as they put on the uniforms that first morning. The British Sailor suit was the template for most sailor suits in the 19th and 20th century, so the sentiment did not stray much from the mark.

  “Gentlemen, good morning, I hope you enjoyed your first day on the ship. I’d say at sea but we aren’t quite there yet. I believe we leave the Gulf of St. Lawrence sometime this morning. A pleasant way to start the trip, I believe, as we pass between Newfoundland to the north and Nova Scotia to the south before we get to the North Atlantic .” Mr. Collins said by way of greeting the twins. “The Royal family should begin stirring in a few minutes, so I’ll have one of you take in the morning tea to his Grace while the other takes it to Her Royal Highness. Incidentally, I should remind you that the King is always referred to as his Majesty or his Grace, the queen her Royal Highness, and the children as Princess or your Royal Highness as well. Americans seem to muck up these things, so I thought it best to let you know.”

  “Thank you, sir. I had no idea. Hopefully we won’t embarrass ourselves now.” Payton said. “We hope to keep a low profile.”

  “King George usually takes no offense, and I’ve even heard some lower nobility refer to him simply as Albert, his given name, but servants should know their place.” Mr. Collins continued. “And, I don’t think your American accents will help your quest for anonymity.” he noted rather dryly.

  The twins followed Mr. Collins directions to the mess and then took the silver tea sets quickly up to the royal suites while only pausing briefly to admire the exquisite hand etched silver sets marked with the royal crest. Dylan turned left and headed for the Queen
’s stateroom suite while Payton turned right and entered the King’s stateroom suite. These staterooms obviously avoided the troop transport retrofit. The Kings Suite stretched the length of the two largest staterooms and had a separate sitting area with the bedroom through a door in the rear of the first compartment. Elegant artwork bolted to the mahogany paneled walls showed several seascapes and naval scenes throughout the front room. Payton immediately recognized a scene depicting the Spanish Armada fighting vainly against gale force winds, and Adm. Horatio Nelson’s Battle of Trafalgar depicted on another wall. The two greatest British naval victories no doubt hung on the walls for good luck both on this voyage and, hopefully, throughout the war.