Getting Under Way Aboard The Mouser

The engine room of the Mouser wasn't on the regular tour since there
were so many levers to pull and buttons to push that they became
irresistible to the tourists. The Mouser was originally built of wood
when the brief era of sail-powered iron-hulled ships, properly known
as 'windjammers' was just getting started.

The Mouser was first fitted out strictly as a sail-powered ship, but
she had coal-burning steam boilers and engines fitted in the late
1900's. This made the Mouser independent of the wind and weather,
though she usually made her way by sail.

In the 1920's, the new owner, the famous underworld catnip tycoon,
Seymour (Lefty) Snodgrass used her as a smuggling vessel and had
diesel engines installed.

The upkeep on the ancient diesels was handled by (what else) and old
Scottish Fold. His name was Maxwell Scott, but everyone knew him as
Scotty. Cap'n Pine Cone was always being besieged by requests from
Scotty to update the engines. Pine Cone always listened patiently to
these pleas, but inevitably replied that he knew that Scotty would be
able to get the engines running when they were needed.

One of the times that Pine Cone played it safe and used engine power
was when the ship was either docking or shoving off. Scotty had
assured the Cap'n that once again, the engines would be ready to do
their duty when needed.

The tide was full and the breezes fair when Pine Cone's orders came
down from the bridge. "Get the engines warmed up Scotty, it's time to
get under way. The old tom had his assistants go around the ancient
diesels and operate the manual oilers which hadn't been used in
building diesels since the 1930's. With the throwing of a switch and
the push of a button, the old engines grumbled to life. "Bridge, this
is the engine room. The engines are ready and we are waiting on your
orders, Sir," said Mr. Scott

"Mr. Bos'n", Pine Cone said to Smokey, "stand by to cast off."
Smokey, of course, had the deck crew standing by their appointed posts
and ready for him to relay the Cap'n's orders.

"All's ready sir", replied Smokey.

"Cast us off then," the Cap'n said to the huge Russian Blue and Smokey
set about having the crew untie the ship from the dock. Pine Cone
barked into the ship's communicator, "Let's have astern standard
engines, Scotty."

With the throw of a lever, the engines engaged the propellers and the
ship began to slowly move. "We'll have right full rudder, if you
please, Mr. Helmsman," and with several spins of the wheel, the nose
of the ship began to swing out from the dock. As the ship's bow swung
away from the dock, Pine Cone waited for the right moment and then
called down to the engine room. "Ahead standard engines if you
please, Mr. Scott.

Scotty cut the engine power to operate the gearing and shifted the
gears so the engines would propel the ship forward. "Ahead standard
engines, aye" Scotty called up to the bridge.

"Left full rudder, Mr. Helmsman," said the Captain. The Mouser
started to swing further away from the dock and pull out into the
channel that would take them clear of the harbor. "Mr. Bos'n, we'll
have the sails set if you please."

"Sail crew get aloft and set the mains," barked Smokey. Cats
scrambled into the rigging and untied the lines that lashed the sails
to the spars. The sound that every sailor knows so well, of wind
filling the canvas could be heard above the calls of the gulls and the
cheers and goodbyes of the crowd on shore. "Set the gallants," called
Smokey and the crew scrambled up one level in the rigging and set the
gallant sails. Next were the top-gallants and then the royals. The
ship was a majestic sight with all its canvas to the wind. Pine Cone
would keep the engine power up till the ship was safely out of the
harbor. He was at heart a sailor who would rather run by wind power
alone, but he was aware of his awesome responsibilities and took
sensible precautions.

The ship cleared the lighthouse on the port side and the opposing
point of land to starbord. The year's voyage had begun.

--
Regards and Purrs,
O J