Absolutely horrific description of the men, the waves, and the sinking of the boat. I could see it,feel it clearly and I reacted physically - a huge knot in my stomach and feeling of panic. That's powerful writing, Ben! I am so impressed.
This is writing that, as I wrote before, takes the reader right into to the story. I could feel the cold, the water drenching everything and everyone in sight.
You have such a wonderful gift and I am so pleased and lucky to read anything you write.
One of the very best .. have ever read.. whether fact or fiction.. Spent a week, early 70’s with a pal in the home of an old German merchant mariner was torpedoed twice WW2 & was interned in Canada. Such stuff is not to be paraphrased by the likes of me.. but may adapt aspects into short fiction ‘chapters’ for use. Must share to this with retired CDN Naval Officer via twitter x who will share within his mates etc. Hiding in plain site is a ‘stack aboard my site - a portal - re a sailing from Liverpool that did not make Port safely - wrecking not far from Port Aux Basque .. Isle Aux Morts - Island Of The Dead ! If you venture in there.. will find how I fictionalize actual Historic aspects regarding Wreck of Despatch & the heroism of Ann Harvey, her family & dog Hairyman ! Have spoken to descendants of survivors of the wreck among many other local descendants - perhaps later will upload one of my contemporary US Naval short fictions.. though glad to share any of them ‘backchannel’ - as you have my email addy. Both parents were active CDN military overseas WW2 btw..Mother in London - Signals & Comms - Father - Artillery - they abandoned us on Toronto Island when the summer I was 2 & my big Sis was 5.
Our father’s older brother, a Wellington Pilot equipped with the new Leigh Light - our Uncle Edmund - & his Night Sub Hunter crew went down off Calais during torpedo run - as witnessed by a second U Boat skipper under attack in his Logbook - damn but the Germans were meticulous regarding keeping records ! Will backtrack more of your stuff .. thanks ! ! 🏴☠️🦎🇨🇦
That's an amazing read! Wow. I have to tell you that all of what I wrote is fiction. My parents were in Holland during the war. No stories from my father about what he did, except for some rumours among us kids.
I used to work in a mill and the vets there never spoke of the "War" as much as they did when they were on leave. When questioned about it, one of the older guys asked why he would want to remember that! He had more fun visiting the whore houses and getting drunk. Can't say I blame him. He was in a tank, so not a lot of "fun".
As for my grasp of Canada, well, I'm glad you noticed it! It's a great place to live!
Absolutely horrific description of the men, the waves, and the sinking of the boat. I could see it,feel it clearly and I reacted physically - a huge knot in my stomach and feeling of panic. That's powerful writing, Ben! I am so impressed.
Thank you Sharron.
This was an amazing read! You made the reader feel as if they were there. Excellent!
This is writing that, as I wrote before, takes the reader right into to the story. I could feel the cold, the water drenching everything and everyone in sight.
You have such a wonderful gift and I am so pleased and lucky to read anything you write.
Thank you so much. I appreciate that and hope you'll always be here.
Thank you - I shall be!! I also am going to re-stack! Very shortly!! ✌🏻
Amazing descriptive writing, Ben. I got completely caught up in the energy on that boat.
Another banger of an episode, Ben....
One of the very best .. have ever read.. whether fact or fiction.. Spent a week, early 70’s with a pal in the home of an old German merchant mariner was torpedoed twice WW2 & was interned in Canada. Such stuff is not to be paraphrased by the likes of me.. but may adapt aspects into short fiction ‘chapters’ for use. Must share to this with retired CDN Naval Officer via twitter x who will share within his mates etc. Hiding in plain site is a ‘stack aboard my site - a portal - re a sailing from Liverpool that did not make Port safely - wrecking not far from Port Aux Basque .. Isle Aux Morts - Island Of The Dead ! If you venture in there.. will find how I fictionalize actual Historic aspects regarding Wreck of Despatch & the heroism of Ann Harvey, her family & dog Hairyman ! Have spoken to descendants of survivors of the wreck among many other local descendants - perhaps later will upload one of my contemporary US Naval short fictions.. though glad to share any of them ‘backchannel’ - as you have my email addy. Both parents were active CDN military overseas WW2 btw..Mother in London - Signals & Comms - Father - Artillery - they abandoned us on Toronto Island when the summer I was 2 & my big Sis was 5.
Our father’s older brother, a Wellington Pilot equipped with the new Leigh Light - our Uncle Edmund - & his Night Sub Hunter crew went down off Calais during torpedo run - as witnessed by a second U Boat skipper under attack in his Logbook - damn but the Germans were meticulous regarding keeping records ! Will backtrack more of your stuff .. thanks ! ! 🏴☠️🦎🇨🇦
That's an amazing read! Wow. I have to tell you that all of what I wrote is fiction. My parents were in Holland during the war. No stories from my father about what he did, except for some rumours among us kids.
Holland during WW2 was a tough gig.. to say the least .. hell ! All of Europe
It’s a common story.. re parents who don’t speak of the War..
In the military fiction I’ve written, nobody dies..
Indeed.. not really sure I have ever ‘killed anyone’ in any of my fiction !
For those who would ‘glorify war’ I suggest they listen to Bob Dylan..
‘John Brown’ tells the tale of ‘a good old fashioned war’ perfectly
& yes.. duly noted you have a fantastic grasp of Canada ..
quite rare in ‘subStack’ .. ! 🏴☠️🦎🇨🇦
I used to work in a mill and the vets there never spoke of the "War" as much as they did when they were on leave. When questioned about it, one of the older guys asked why he would want to remember that! He had more fun visiting the whore houses and getting drunk. Can't say I blame him. He was in a tank, so not a lot of "fun".
As for my grasp of Canada, well, I'm glad you noticed it! It's a great place to live!
Great finishing line of this section "some of the men we were meant to replace, wouldn’t be going home."