Odyssey Marine & Co, L.T.D
Sturgeon Bay, WI | 5:15p
"Over 23 minutes in, and the ship's stern is lowered by almost nine feet, and the bow is raised by nine feet. Assistance en-route; the Dauntless right?" Greg said as he pushed his chair back from the table.
"The Dauntless arrived by 8:30, far later than I thought. Why it took so long, was beyond me. It's not like we were in the middle of the North Atlantic, no."
The office was nearly empty, with many of the overhead lights being turned off. Only a few were left on. Harold was in his office, packing his briefcase. Greg walked over to the door, opening it but turning around to look back at everyone.
"It's that time gents," Greg said, "The Glass Onion awaits."
John was confused. Being from Michigan, he's rarely traveled to Wisconsin. The Glass Onion is a Bar 20 minutes north of the firm. Named after the famed mystery movie of the same name, it only recently opened its doors. It's been a favorite Bar of Greg's since its grand opening in March of last year.
"First round's on me," Greg told everyone as he waited for someone to say something.
Dallanie got up from her chair, then pushed it back under the table. She walked over to Greg, wrapping her arm around his. She had a bright, gleaming smile on her face.
Harold, by this time, had finished up in his office. He turned off the lights and closed the door. His coat was draped over his shoulder, while he carried his briefcase in his other hand. He was coming over to the conference room to collect John to take him back to the hotel. His collar shirt button was undone, and his black tie was loosened.
"Glass Onion? First round's on me," Greg told him as he walked past him, not turning an eye to look at him. To keep things short, they haven't gotten along all that well since Harold was hired three years ago at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. They have a complicated past; him and Greg.
John turned around in his seat. He had all but lost track of time. The sun was only just beginning to set, with plenty of daylight left.
"John, my good man. How'd everything go? Greg wasn't an asshole to you, was he?" Harold said with a sarcastic, devilish smile on his face.
"And that's our queue to leave," Dallanie said as she looked up at Greg. She could see he was irritated by that comment. The only way to defuse the ticking time bomb was to leave.
"He's not serious, you know that," she told him, reminding him of the complicated relationship between the two of them.
"Better not be," he muttered. Jeff and Dalton both pushed their chairs back and got up too. Jeff picked up his backpack off of the floor, setting it down flat on the table.
"That's it?" John asked with confusion in his tone, "just like that – and we're done?"
Russel and Dorothy had been present (in spirit), but remained quiet to not distract John from his retelling of that dreaded May night.
"Well, it is after 5:00 dear," Dorothy reminded John. "Nine to five? Remember?"
He looked over at them, but didn't say anything. They were standing by the back wall; next to each other; holding hands.
"They're making progress," Russ said, "it's only a matter of time, dear."
"I did mention that we would require one or two days of your time," Harold reminded John, "or did I not?"
"You did," John responded as he gave in and got up from his seat. He too pushed his chair back under the table.
"Shall we?" Harold said as he stepped out of John's path.
"No takers?" Greg asked, looking around the room at them. "Serious? Nobody?"
"Suit yourselves," Dallanie said with a chuckle as she and Greg walked out of the room, quick to leave. "Let's go."
John was confused by their strange feelings and behavior. He wondered. He raised an eyebrow and pointed at them as they walked out of view.
"Dalton and I are heading out too," Jeff told Harold and John.
"Are–are they? Dating?" John asked.
Jeff perked his head up and looked over at John. He shook his head.
"Nope," he answered, "strictly sexual."
"Fuck buddies?"
Ring. Harold's phone had started vibrating in his pocket. He sets his briefcase down on the floor, and puts his coat on. Only then did he grab his phone out of his pants pocket. The screen turned on, revealing he'd received a text notification. It was from a familiar sender. He recognized the number.
Today 5:16 PM
Hello, Captain.
He turned the screen off, putting it back in his pocket. He leans over to grab his briefcase.
"Coming old timer?" Harold asked John as he turned around and walked over to the door.
"Goodnight gentlemen," John said as he followed Harold out the door.
"Night John," Jeff said as he smiled and waved goodbye.
As they made their way past the many rows of cubicles, they were out of sight of the conference room. Even though Dalton and Jeff couldn't see them, John and Harold could see them.
Ding. Harold had pressed the down button for the elevator. It chimed as it descended past a floor. The firm was located on the second floor, inside a building that has eight floors total. The elevator stopped. It then opened its doors.
"Are you okay?" John asked with a confused facial expression, "I'm one to recognize when something is wrong. Guess you could say it's kinda my "thing"," John explained.
Harold glanced to his left where John was standing. Tilting his head slightly, he said: "you don't say?"
Ring. Harold's phone vibrated in his pocket. He chose not to acknowledge the notification.
"There's something off about him," Dorothy said, "he looks familiar, but who, I cannot remember."
As Harold stepped into the elevator, he turned around, facing John.
"You comin'?" He asked John.
He had his head turned slightly, almost as if he were listening for someone or something. This confused Harold and made him wonder. John then subtly nodded his head as he then looked back ahead at Harold. Walking into the elevator, he turned around as well.
Harold pressed a button that would bring them down to the first floor. From there, they'd depart from the offices for tonight. Back again tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM.
The elevator chimed and shuddered. Once it came to rest, its doors opened. Harold and John stepped out; Russel and Dorothy spiritually followed John.
"Might I tempt you to join me in a slight detour before we head back to the hotel?" Harold asked, looking back over his shoulder.
"Might I ask where to?" John asked.
"Might you come, then you'll see," Harold responded.
"I appreciate the offer, Harold, but I'm more eager to return to my room for the night."
He smiled and nodded his head. "Of course. Another time perhaps?"
Maybe Russ and Dorothy were on to something, John thought.
S.S Allure
April 20, 1966 | 4:33 AM
The S.S Allure was one day into her maiden voyage, traveling northward towards her next destination. Visibility had been reduced to a quarter mile after a thick fog bank crept over the lake. This ultimately brought Captain Lewis Clarke to bring the ship to a stop until conditions improved; thus also delaying arrival to the next destination. This action would also delay the duration of the voyage as well.
Lewis Clarke, a 31 year old man, is in command of the new ship. The youngest Captain of the Midwestern Cruises company, he is also amongst a select few people to be a certified captain at his age. Born and raised in Detroit, he grew up with the sea.
A father who frequented the Atlantic on his tuna fishing boat, Lewis would accompany him during the summer months. Since, his passion for water-going and traveling on the sea stuck with him like glue.
Aboard for the maiden voyage were (87) crew and (788) passengers. Although he was recently certified to become a Captain, he was hired and assigned to the Sunscape. and stationed on the company's first ship, the S.S Sunscape. For the first two years of employment, he worked aboard the ship as an engineer.
On his morning rounds, something he's done as far back as being on the Sunscape, the fog wasn't clearing up as predicted in weather reports received the night prior. This worried him greatly. He would complete his morning rounds before going onto the Bridge for the morning debrief from the overnight crew.
The sun was due to rise soon. The sky was still dark. Sunrise wouldn't be for another hour and a half.
"Good morning, Captain," an elderly passenger said as they walked past each other.
"Good morning," he responded pleasantly.
"Pardon me, but I'm afraid I've misplaced my itinerary. Would you happen to have another?"
"It's your lucky day, kind Sir," Lewis said as he reached into his inner coat pocket, "It just so happens I do. Here you are."
"Thank you," the man thanked.
"Most certainly," Lewis said, "Good day to you."
"As to you Captain," the man said as they then parted ways.
As he continued his rounds, a slight noise caught their attention. Walking over to the railing in between lifeboats one and three, he listened to the loudening noise. It was a familiar sound. A sound in which he heard and knew all too well. He had to be sure first that is.
With the water splashing and breaking at the surface, it could only mean one thing, a ship was barreling towards his ship. As he looked out into the vast thick fog, small green and red lights appeared. Lights that indicated a ship's presence.
He backed away from the railing and started running down the boat deck as fast as he could. Another couple, passengers, came outside from their cabin just in time to see their Captain running past them and down the boat deck. His hat had fallen off his head, landing on the deck in front of the two passengers.
"OUT OF MY WAY!" Lewis shouted as he waved his arm back and forth to signal to them to move.
"Pardon me?" A woman said as she looked back
As the door leading onto the Bridge came into view, he held his hand out to push it open. Everyone was still at their posts.
"Full power to the Port thrusters, now!" He shouted to the helmsman.
What was supposed to be a routine debrief of the night crew's shift, turned into trying to avoid an seemingly inevitable collision.
The helmsman threw the left bow thruster throttle all the way forward. There was a revving noise as the motor started turning the turbine, which would turn the propeller to turn the ship.
"Hard a port!" Lewis followed up.
"Radio the other ship. Announce to them our presence."
"On it, Sir," Burt replied as he picked up his radio and began calling out to the approaching ship. "This is the S.S Allure calling to the approaching ship off our Starboard stern, over!"
There was no response at first. Approximately ten seconds would pass before Burt would receive a response.
"Hard over, Sir," the helmsman announced to the Captain.
"This is the Edmund Fitzgerald," a man replied, "evasive actions taken, turning hard a starboard."
"One point into our turn," the helmsman informed Captain Clarke.
"That's it?" Lewis asked, confused as to why his ship was turning so slow. It never occurred to him that his engines were idle and not producing forward thrust.
He ran over to the Starboard Wing. He gazed out the window at the behemoth of a vessel that the Edmund Fitzgerald was. Its lights are ever so clear as day.
"Turn at fifty-five percent (55%) Sir."
As Lewis watched the bow of the Edmund Fitzgerald approach his ship, he realized a mistake he made. Turning around, he shouted: "ENGINES FULL AHEAD!"
Just as the helmsman threw the throttle levers forward, the two ships collided. Captain Clarke's mistake cost him his chance of avoiding the collision. His hands shook and the hair on his arms stood up.
The Edmund Fitzgerald bow sliced right through the hull of the stern, creating a gaping hole the height of a single-story house, and the width of an apartment living room. The damage had been done.
Its bow crushed and crumpled back like aluminum foil. The lights on the Allure flickered and faded as fresh water poured into the engine and electrical room. The forward tower of the Fitz took severe damage, almost collapsing from the force of the impact.
The S.S Allure listed heavily to Port as the two ships collided. The stern sank six feet deeper into the water. Alarms on the Bridge began blaring, notifying the crew of water flooding the engine and electrical room; an entire compartment lost.
Captain Lewis Clarke was tossed off his feet, falling onto the floor on his back. As for Roan, the helmsman, and Burt, they all managed to remain in their seats.
"Close the doors!" Lewis ordered. "All of them. Now!"
It was only a matter of time before the collision would make front page news. Lewis suspected that this would be the case. And so:
"Radio HQ," he told Burt, "tell them we've been in a collision with the Fitzgerald. Not in danger of sinking, but will need to return to Stratford by tugboat."
!! BREAKING NEWS !!
April 20, 1966
S.S Allure On Maiden Collides With Freighter Edmund Fitzgerald. Voyage Canceled, Passengers Off-loaded Onto S.S Dauntless As S.S Allure Towed Back To Shipbuilder For Repairs
Written By: Maria Hill | Published By: Patrick Sweeney
BREAKING NEWS - - At around 4:30 AM this morning, the S.S Allure and the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald collided in heavy fog. After a thick fog bank engulfed the two ships, the S.S Allure was ordered to stop and wait out for the fog to clear. Captain Lewis Clarke was in command, and is currently being questioned about the events leading up to the collision.
It's a miracle no one was killed in this collision. Passengers claim to have heard muffled shouting from the Bridge, but many were asleep at the time the ships collided. It's clear fog had a part to play in the accident. A similar incident occurred in May 1914 when the R.M.S Empress of Ireland and S.S Stockholm collided in thick fog. Over 1,000 were lost; deemed "Canada's Titanic."
Towed back to Stratford, Michigan by the State Coast Guard boats, the Allure was lucky to have survived such an accident. Although, her stern rested five feet (5 FT)lower in the water. The ships bow was raised; also five feet (5 FT).
Joanne Webster and Midwestern Cruises have been contacted for comment, but have not responded to our request. Waylen Bros, the builders of the S.S Dauntless and S.S Allure are expected to release a statement sometime later today. It is unclear if they will release a memo or anything.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was severely damaged too. She limped back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to undergo temporary fixes. It is unclear how long it will take the Allure to be repaired and returned to service. Our estimates predict the ship could be out for the rest of the 1966 summer cruise season. With only the S.S Dauntless, MidWestern Cruises is thinking of options to remain profitable. Rumor has it that the CFO is requesting to put the Sunscape back into service until the Allure is repaired and returned to service.
We've also received word that a fourth vessel, which remains unnamed, has been postponed due to the collision. An anonymous insider at Waylen Bros came forward, stating that the Allure is severely damaged, and will take 3 to 8 months to repair what has been damaged.
As more information becomes available, you can trust that we'll be your source for new developments. State representatives are launching an investigation into the incident. This is expected to take months or even years. One thing is certain: Midwestern Cruises earnings, which are privatized, will definitely feel the weight of lost profits and expensive repair costs.
Jeff and Dalton were still at the office, going through old company records. Something they've put off until after hearing John's story. It was late, and John and Harold had been gone for about two hours. It was past 7 PM.
"Dalton!" Jeff shouted.
Dalton was grabbing some things from his cubicle, and was walking back into the conference room with his jacket.
"Yeah?" Dalton asked as he walked back into the room. Jeff got up from his seat, walking around the table and over to Dalton. He was holding a piece of paper in his hand. It was a photocopied picture of an unpublished newspaper article.
"April 20, 1966. One day into the maiden voyage of the Allure, she's involved in a collision with the Edmund Fitzgerald. And where did the ships collide? The stern! Edmund Fitzgerald's bow slammed into the engine and electrical rooms located at the stern of the Allure."
Dalton was processing what Jeff was saying. He was mentally putting the pieces of the puzzle together. And when he did, a light bulb lit up.
"She sank by the stern a year later," Dalton said.
"My point is: these two incidents are connected. The collision. Being out of service for the remainder of the '66 cruising season. If anything, we're going down the wrong path. We're chasing something with no end. I have a theory, but I need more evidence to back it up."
"You think the collision had something to do with the sinking?" Dalton asked.
"Look, look," Jeff said as he showed the article he had read. "This article."
"Yeah, what about it?"
"It was never published. I think Midwestern Cruises wanted to keep this off the record and the books. This is the last thing they wanted: was to have word get out about their newest ship having an accident on the maiden voyage."
"Sounds like Titanic," Dalton chuckled.
"You're not wrong. But there's more to this, I'm certain. Just need to keep digging."