A Flock of Ships Quotes

“CAN OFFER YOU A TOW OR WOULD YOU PREFER US TO HEAVE TO AND WIND UP YOUR ELASTIC BANDS AGAIN SIGNED CLINT CHIEF OFFICER END.”
― Brian Callison, A Flock of Ships

“I saw the old petty officer on Mallard’s after end look up momentarily from his crouch over the depth-charge primers as his half ship fell away astern. His arm went up briefly to the lowering sky, then he bent back down again to his self-imposed task. Was it a gesture of supplication ...? No. I closed my eyes in silent prayer as I realised he had been saluting us—a final absolution from a man who knew what war was all about ... A Royal Navyman! And I knew, too late, there was no room for the contempt of differences between Us and Them.”
― Brian Callison, A FLOCK OF SHIPS

“It shouldn’t have happened. But then, theoretically, no collision at sea should. Collisions are invariably an accumulation of small, individually insignificant events which, if unnoticed, make up the formula for disaster. Like this one, where the corvette watchkeeper’s irritating elan had needled Evans into a disgruntled attitude”
― Brian Callison, A FLOCK OF SHIPS

“For anyone who doesn’t know the sea I suppose it’s easy to frown and wonder what all the fuss and nerves are about: to ask how two modern ships with highly competent officers and in full sight of each other, both steaming on the same mean course, could possibly run the risk of collision. But it’s happened before, too often, even without the added stresses and strains of a critical zig-zag plan such as we were involved with. It’ll happen again when this war’s finished—maybe even more often as, presumably, merchant shipping increases in numbers and density. If there are any of us left to increase upon.”
― Brian Callison, A FLOCK OF SHIPS