Chapter 39
The Ship’s Afire
“SHE’S AWAY, SIR,” the pilot reported to the captain.
“All right, let’s bring her downriver to the Williamsburg Bridge and then swing her around and proceed upriver to the Long Island Sound.”
“Yes, sir.”
The throngs of merry churchgoers waved to onlookers on the shore as they enjoyed being the center of attention. A bell clanged in the engine room as the Slocum prepared to make a one-hundred-eighty-degree turn once at the bridge. The chief engineer charged his staff to generate more steam, and the steamship surged ahead.
The sudden increase in speed made Eddie lurch forward and laugh. “Thanks for bringing me, Mrs. H. I ain’t ever had this much fun.”
She patted his head. “Hold on, Eddie.”
John Coakley gripped his first beer of the day and stood by the sta
