Entry 2. The New Articles of HMS Terror

[goingtobeunwell]

It has become apparent, with more and more new arrivals by the day, that our current situation will not be as temporary as some might have hoped.  Our provisions appear to be stable, but if we are to live together in such close proximity - which we seem destined to now - there must of course be an equitable assignment of duties. 

The first order of business is the assignment of cooking duties. I assume we would all enjoy partaking in hot meals daily, so I am proposing two be served - one in the morning, one in the evening. Lieutenant Jopson can manage provisions and oversight of the actual cooking, of which we should all take part lest we survive on stale biscuits and Poor John. 

[This is scribbled in later, as though Crozier was trying Very Hard not to think about it:] It should also be noted that we have access to spirits aboard Terror. Each man or woman who wishes to imbibe may have one ration of either rum or wine with the evening meal. 

Second order of business is the removal of ice and snow from the top deck. It must not be allowed to accumulate. Our situation aboard Terror is precarious, and should the ice pile up too high the whole deck just may collapse on our heads. It must be a daily chore, and we must all share the duty of clearing it. 

Lastly, until it can be determined that the creature in the ice will not attack, we must have a watch. No more than an hour at the time for those unaccustomed to arctic temperatures. Proper outwear will be necessary if extremities wish to be kept. 

Linens and clean crockery seem to replenish, but I must insist on a clean ship.  To whoever left the library in the great cabin in disarray - do not let it happen again. 

I also do not expect any man (or woman) who has not enlisted to follow the Ship's Articles, but there will be order.  Until such time it becomes necessary to change them, these are the Ship's New Articles:

1. The doors that are locked must not be unlocked. 
2. No man or woman shall purposely harm another. 
3. Shared provisions may not be hoarded or destroyed for whatever reason. 
4. The medicines in sick bay are not to be handled by anyone other than Mr. Goodsir, or a medical assistant he sees fit to assign to added duties.
5. Do not eat from the tins. 

Defying these rules will result in punishment. [Which he leaves at that.]

I expect you all to volunteer your time to keep our ship running in an orderly manner. 

Capt. F.R.M. Crozier

Comments

[bestsir]

[ Harry was often in Terror's great cabin between the events of the Carnivale and the abandonment of the ships, but every time he's been in there, he remembers that one night: Silna's furious frustration, Crozier's drunkenness, Blanky trying to keep the peace, Fitzjames—morbing on about what you're due!—no matter that his opinion of Crozier is much higher than it was then, he can't ever forget it. Perhaps some of that is obvious in his caution as he sits and marshals his thoughts. ]

I read your Articles and your statement, Captain, and while I am largely in agreement I—

May I speak plainly, sir?

[goingtobeunwell]

[Crozier nods; it’s no mystery why the ships’ surviving surgeon is in the cabin speaking with him now.]

If anyone has earned that right, it’s yourself and Jopson. Please, Goodsir. You wishes to discuss punishment, I believe?

[bestsir]

[ A younger Harry Goodsir would have probably dissembled for a bit further. He's past that now. ]

Yes. You left an implicit threat in your articles and I should like to know exactly what you have in mind.

[goingtobeunwell]

[Crozier smiles, perhaps a bit too brightly considering the subject matter. He shakes his head and sets his pipe down for the moment.]

Christ, Goodsir. I’m not going to have anyone flogged, if that’s what your worried about. They’re civilians!

[Not to mention any semblance this ship has to a naval ship is long gone. It’s being held together by little more than ice and a few nails.]

No, I was thinking we’d strip them of their spirit rations for a length of time, or some such measure. They have to make the biscuits for a week. They’ll be assigned an extra duty of counting rations or shoveling ice.

[bestsir]

[ Harry relaxes a little; he's slightly ashamed of having thought that Crozier might resort to corporal punishment, but ... ]

That seems fair. I hope it won't come to that.

Forgive me, sir—I ought not to have assumed ... it is simply that I would not want to see you make an implacable enemy of any of these people.

[goingtobeunwell]

[Crozier understands this worry too. The mutiny is a blight on the already wretched story of their expedition.]

It isn't my intention to make enemies of these people. Rather, I'd hoped to take care of them.

[bestsir]

Good. [ He nods. ] I apologise if I have overstepped, sir.

[goingtobeunwell]

I'm the captain of a ghost ship, Goodsir.

[He picks up his pipe again; it clinks as he sets it between his teeth.]

I doubt anyone can overstep now.

[bestsir]

You may depend on me to look after the sick, sir.

[goingtobeunwell]

[Crozier inclines his head, meeting his gaze for one long moment.]

Thank you.

[bestsir]

You are welcome.

[ A pause. ]

And ah, the library. You may recall that I helped maintain the library on Erebus, and I am happy to do so here as well if you wish.

[goingtobeunwell]

[He seems to slump down some in his chair, a look of relief passing over his face.]

I was hoping you'd offer, doctor. I'd tried, but--

[Crozier glances behind him. There's no real organization to the library anymore, but to his credit the books are at least on the shelves.]

[bestsir]

[ Harry smiles, wry. ]

I'll see to it, sir.

[ Those years as curator at the Royal College of Surgeons did teach him a thing or two about organisation on a non-existent budget, after all. He rises to look at the shelves, winces just a little, and gets to work. ]