Folks,

Dux:

Here's yet another.

Early on in his career at sea, Dad was on a big tug pulling a barge of Av-gas. It was a freezing cold night with snow and mist that made visibility almost nil. Out of the gloom bore a huge tanker headed straight for them. These things do not turn on a dime and it looked to the crew that their number was up. Several of the better swimmers finally dove over board.

Dad held fast to the wheel and turned for all he was worth, the laboring tugs horn and whistle were screeching into the blackness. Get this, because of his previous infirmity, Dad had never learned to swim. If the gas had exploded or if the tug had sunk he had no hope unless he got on the bottom and walked out.

A deadly collision was avoided at the very last second. All aboard desperately needed to take their soiled undies to the laundry but they were safe. Those good swimmers who dove overboard all perished. Sadly, tragically ironic.