Infected Waters: A Titanic Disaster Read online

  “He bit someone? Why on earth would a human do that?” Gil was incredulous.

  The nurse lowered her voice. “It seems that he had some deep scratches which were infected, and when they poured the alcohol on them, he reacted and bit the hand that was holding him down.”

  “Oh my Lord,” the cook exclaimed. “That’s terrible. Was he hurt?”

  “Of course he’s hurt, but Nurse Ryan took care of it. The patient is still unconscious and must be watched in case he wakes up.” Shaking her head at his ignorance, even she knew the answer to that kind of question.

  “Uh, thanks for the food. I hope both of those fellas turn out all right.” Gil put his washed and dried bowl on the drying towel.

  “Oh, you can’t tell anyone about this. They are trying to keep the passengers from knowing they’ve got a sick person on board. You know how these uppity people are over things like this. Promise me?”

  At their nods of acceptance, the nurse exhaled in relief. “Thank you both. I don’t need any more trouble with this Nurse Ryan than I already have.”

  Gil waited until she left before asking the cook, “Is it just me, or does this sound serious?”

  “I’ve heard of sleeping sickness, but with the scratches, it could be anything.” The cook shrugged in puzzlement.

  “Well, thanks for the food. I’ve been working all morning and I need to stretch my legs for a bit.” Gil gave a two fingered salute as he began to leave.

  “If you hear anything, will you let me know about it? I hate the unknown. It’s never a good sign of things to come.” He spoke worriedly, making Gil pause in the doorway.

  “Sure thing. I’ll look you up next meal if there is anything new to share. Who do I ask for?” Gil questioned.

  “Cook Harrison, or Freddie to friends. I’ll be here most of our journey so I shouldn’t be too hard to find.” Freddie grinned. “I’ll be waiting for Nurse Judith to come back. I am always up for a shipboard romance myself.”

  His portly figure jiggled with mirth at the thought of a woman picking him for a quick romance.

  “I think I’ll wait a few years for that to happen. I’m not exactly looking for someone who requires high maintenance.” Gil moved aside as a few other crew members came through the doorway. “Catch you later, Freddie.” Waving as he walked out into the stale corridor, Gil couldn’t help but wonder where the cute girl from earlier was at the moment.

  ~~~~~~

  Lillian was certain the groans coming from her mother would never stop. Having arrived back in their staterooms as the ship moved out to sea, Richard and Lillian were greeted to an unpleasant surprise.

  The sounds of retching were continuous and they paused in the doorway to exchange glances.

  “Lillian, why don’t you and your brother go wait in the room next door while I help your mother?” Richard suggested, making a face at the smell coming from their room. “Samuel, could you go find a maid who can change out the chamber pot?” he asked, taking charge of the situation while his wife continued to empty the contents of her stomach.

  “Yes, Father.” Samuel was only too glad to leave the room.

  “When you find the maid, go ahead and ask for the infirmary. See if there is anything we can give your mother for the sea illness.” Richard started to shut the door when Lillian popped her head in.

  “Can I go with him? Please?” Lillian pleaded.

  When Samuel didn’t protest at having his sister tag along, Richard agreed.

  “Sure. Just stay together and remember which room is ours in case you become lost.” Richard hurried them along, wishing he could leave as well.

  Millie Jean was not a person that weathered illness very well, and when embarrassed she tended to lash out at those around her. She was too sick to complain at the moment though, and for this, Richard was truly thankful.

  Samuel and Lillian found a stewardess and headed in the direction of the infirmary only to be met by a line of others waiting to be seen for what their mother had.

  “I think we should go see what is happening on deck instead of waiting here. We can come back when the line goes down a little bit.” Samuel made the decision for both of them.

  Once on the deck breathing in the sea air calmed their nerves from seeing and hearing so many who were sick from the motion of the waves.

  “We must take after Papa’s side when it comes to sailing. I do feel bad for Mother though,” Lillian commented, only to be met with a sneering stare.

  “What? Can’t we be like him just a little bit?” Lillian questioned, tired of the fighting between their parents.

  “I let you tag along because anything was better than being in that room, but I don’t want to hear about him. Why don’t you wander around and find something to keep yourself occupied with?” Samuel suggested roughly.

  “Sure. I guess I can watch the fish swim or something.” Lillian walked over to one of the lounge chairs and took an empty seat far away from everyone milling about the second class deck.

  Samuel adjusted his jacket and began to look around at all the pretty girls as they walked past him. Catching sight of a few young men around the same age, he approached them, hoping to bum a cigarette off them.

  “Do any of you gents have a spare cig I could have?” Samuel hated making new friends, but it would be a long journey unless he found some companions to hand out with.

  “Sure thing.” The one called Charlie offered.

  Taking the cigarette, he lit it from the lighter he kept hidden in his pocket. Being a pastor’s son, he was expected to keep up the moral standards associated with the church, but what his father didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.

  “Where are you folks headed when we reach America?” Samuel asked, trying to make conversation.

  “I’m headed to the Midwest, Missouri. I hear they have wild west traveling shows that start from there, and I would love to see some real live Indians,” James spoke up.

  “I aim to get a job learning how to fly one of those airplanes,” Charlie explained. “That is where the real excitement is to be had these days.”

  “Where are you going?” Charlie inquired of Samuel as they inhaled the smoke from their cigarettes.

  Turning, Samuel caught a glimpse of Lillian’s face as she saw him smoking. “I’m attending—” coughing interrupted his reply.

  “Not used to smoking, eh?” James laughed.

  “Sorry, caught me off guard. Williams and Mary College is where I’ll be attending for my law degree come the fall.” Samuel turned his back to avoid Lillian’s stare.

  “Ah. An intellectual, huh? Not one up for a bit of adventure then?” Charlie challenged.

  “Adventure is exactly what I’m looking for—a way to pass the time on this voyage,” Samuel responded as he filled his lungs with smoke.

  “Guess you wouldn’t be interested in a poker game we are getting together over in one of the cabins later this evening then?” James questioned.

  “I might be able to swing it. What’s the ante?” Samuel asked, hoping he had enough saved to join them.

  “Oh, just pennies to start with, and we throw in whatever else as the night goes along.”

  “Sounds good. I’m in.”

  “We are using one of the empty cabin rooms since the powers that be don’t like us to have fun in front of them, if you know what I mean.” Charlie winked in conspiracy.

  “Meet us here at ten o’clock, when all the parents should be safely tucked into their beds, and we’ll let you know which room we will be playing in.” James informed.

  “Oh, and entrance to the room is a bottle of liquor,” James added to the requirements for joining. “If you have no bottle when we meet, then we will just have to leave you here by yourself.”

  “How am supposed to get one of those?” Samuel asked, frustrated.

  “I guess it’s up to you to see how well you work under pressure,” James retorted without remorse.

  “Bribe, steal, or talk your way into someone’s good
graces, but this way we know you aren’t ratting us out to the Master-at-Arms,” Charlie interjected.

  Glancing at Lillian, Samuel quickly nodded. “All right. I’ll find a way to get some.”

  Clapping him on the back, both James and Charlie started walking away as Charlie mimed a rope around the neck, pointing at Lillian.

  Shocked they had noticed Lillian with him, Samuel vowed to get rid of the noose around his neck and make sure that Lillian was far away for the remainder of the voyage.

  Leaning over the railing as he finished his cigarette, Samuel came up with a plan to rid himself of his sister and collect the whiskey needed so his new friends didn’t think he was a mommy’s boy.

  ~~~~~~

  Lillian had followed Samuel’s movements around the deck while appearing uninterested in what was going on around her.

  When she caught his glances at her, Lillian continued to ignore him, watching the ladies parade around in their finery.

  As he lit a cigarette, she knew it would be a long afternoon. Samuel always took it out on her when he was doing something against the rules.

  Leaving her seat, she determined to move as far away from him as possible while staying in sight.

  Sighing in relief when his new friends left, Lillian felt a nudge on her elbow and turned to find a smiling Gil.

  “Hello again.”

  “We were supposed to meet again.” Lillian beamed.

  “I have to confess, I was looking for you in hopes you weren’t stuck in your room somewhere.” Gil grinned mischievously.

  “Won’t you get in trouble for being seen out here instead of the crew decks?” Lillian asked, worry lacing her voice.

  “If we were on the first class decks it would be unheard of, but down here they aren’t watching that closely.” Gil lowered his voice, looking around to make sure no one was close enough to hear. “I didn’t get the training because I kind of snuck onto the ship.” Gil watched her, trying to gauge her reaction.

  “Really!” Lillian squeaked loudly. “How is that possible?” she whispered as she realized the secret Gil was telling her could get them both into trouble.

  “I thought they had guards until the launch today.” Lillian couldn’t believe he would do something like that.

  “You’re a stowaway.” Her faith in people took a huge plummet. “I didn’t think you were like most people. You have a genuine goodness.”

  Laughing, Gil explained. “I’m not a stowaway. I went to sleep on the wharf in a crate and I slept longer than I normally do. When I woke up I was nailed into the crate and had to break out. The ship was sailing to Southampton and I found the baker who took me under his wing.”

  “Oh my goodness. What will your family say when they discover you’re gone?”

  “They kicked me out a few years ago. I take whatever I can make back to Ma once a week on Sundays, so she won’t go missing me until then at least.” Gil swiped at his eyes. “I hadn’t thought about my family because I was so thrilled to be on my way to America. The baker put me down as crew so I’ll have my pay to bring her when I get back home.”

  “That’s just awful. I would hate to be away from my…” Lillian paused as she thought about being away from her mother. “I would miss my Papa, but my family, I might have to think more on how that would work.”

  “I think we should take a walk. There’s a guy eyeing us like he wants to end us. He’s making me nervous.” Gil switched the topic from family, not wanting to dwell on his own past.

  “What guy?” Lillian turned around to scan the deck. “Oh, him. It’s my brother, Samuel. We can just ignore him.”

  “He’s giving you really nasty looks.” Gil frowned. “Do you have to hang out here?”

  “No. In fact, I need to go back to the infirmary and see if the line is shorter. My mother is down with the sea illness. We were to get her something to help, but the line was so long that Samuel suggested we wait up here instead.” Lillian grimaced, thinking of her mother’s temper if her illness was prolonged in any way.

  “I heard they have an interesting patient there I wouldn’t mind hearing more about. Lead the way milady,” Gil said with a flourishing bow.

  Giggling, Lillian accepted his offered arm. Taking a last look at Samuel’s angry stance, Lillian left him to contemplate his issues alone.

  ~~~~~~

  Nurse Judith arrived back from her meal just as the line of people thinned out. Trying to sneak in, she went straight in to check on the patient.

  “The patient is just fine, Nurse Judith. We need your help over here. In fact, bring that box from the cabinet marked sea illness. We are almost out.” Nora’s voice stopped her motion.

  Frowning, she did as she was asked.

  Finding the box, Judith carried it only to drop it at Nurse Nora’s feet with a thud.

  “There. That should take care of the crisis for the moment,” Judith responded sarcastically.

  “You’re correct, Nurse Judith. It’s over for the first and second class passengers. Now, you and I are going to go and make sure that our third class passengers are taken care of properly.” Nora smiled, waiting to see what her reaction would be.

  “Seriously? I don’t work with…” Judith trailed off as more patients came in the door.

  “Yes, nurse? You were saying?” Nora questioned.

  “Nothing, Nurse Ryan,” Judith mumbled.

  “Perfect. If you will carry the box, I’ll take the extra doctor’s bag and we can be on our way.” Nora paused as a younger girl opened the door with an attractive older boy following her.

  “Angie, can you take care of things for a short while?” Nora tilted her head in the direction of the patient behind the dividers.

  “Yes, Miss. Nurse Peggy and I will keep things under control until you return,” Angie replied confidently.

  Nora turned back to see Judith tapping her foot impatiently.

  “Let’s go.” Nora opened the door, allowing Judith to leave first.

  “About time,” Judith mumbled under her breath as she passed Nora.

  Completely ignoring her, Nora continued down the corridor until she reached the main hallway with access to the lower decks.

  ~~~~~~

  Passing through second class and continuing onto third class, the ship’s elegance lessened, but was still better than most cruise ships crossing the Atlantic.

  Judith held her nose up at the type of people they began to pass in the hallways.

  “Is it really necessary to come down here? Couldn’t they just visit us in the infirmary?” Judith wrinkled her nose on disdain.

  “You know that’s not really possible. They deserve to have medical care just as much as the first class does.” Nora responded, looking for the steward of third class. “Ah, over here.” Nora started to move through the crowded room to reach the overwhelmed steward.

  “Sir, I think we can be of service.” While her words might not have normally taken her to the front of the line, her uniform made everyone push her toward the front. “If you are feeling sick from the boat’s motion, just form an orderly line over by the nurse at the door and we will get you some medicine to help calm your stomach aches.” Nora smiled as Judith was rushed by those in need of help.

  ~~~~~~

  The trumpet sounded, signaling the arrival of dinner, causing first class to become deserted, allowing Samuel to wander around, contemplating how to handle the matter of his sister.

  Watching her walk off with that guy, Samuel decided not to follow her simply because she was out of his hands. As long as she didn’t tell their parents about his smoking, he would be able to sneak off later to play poker.

  If he got into trouble, he could always play that Lillian went off with some guy and that would take the focus off him for a while.

  He casually strolled up to the first class deck. When he wasn’t stopped, he continued on to the smoking room that housed the bottles of whiskey.

  Standing just inside the room, he watched the movement o
f the attendant.

  Seizing a moment when he went to bring out more bottles, Samuel dashed behind the bar, pulling three bottles out. He almost ran into someone who was opening the door in his haste not to get caught.

  Politely holding it open for the other gentleman, he held two of the bottles behind his back while almost dropping the other one as the door swung back with more force than Samuel was expecting.

  He placed his foot to keep the door open as he hurried through, hoping no one had noticed his departure.

  Back downstairs in second class, he looked around for a hiding place that wouldn’t be noticed by the staff. Turning several corners, he finally found a room labeled ‘Supplies,’ where he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

  Smaller than a berth, the room had many shelves filled with extra blankets and bedding. Walking over to the corner, Samuel bent down and hid all three bottles under the blankets on the bottom shelf so they wouldn’t be discovered before the voyage was over.

  Deciding to face the music for abandoning his sister, Samuel returned to their berth only to meet Lillian as she lifted her hand to knock on their mother’s door.

  “You’d better not mention anything you saw earlier, if you know what’s good for you,” Samuel hissed under his breath before the door opened.

  “I know how this works, big brother. Let’s just make sure she gets the medicine and goes to sleep, all right?” Lillian agreed with a shrug of her shoulders.

  Their father opened the door with a finger to his lips.

  “Quiet. She finally fell asleep. What took so long?” Richard asked his children as they went into the other room.

  “There was a line out of the infirmary and down the corridor. So we walked around and…”

  Samuel stopped as Lillian interjected, “When we went back it was empty, so they got us taken care of quickly.”

  “They found a patient who is unconscious and in the infirmary, but they have no idea what is wrong with him.”

  “Wonder what illness could cause that kind of unconsciousness in a person.” Lillian had overheard the nurses muttering while they were getting the medicine for their mother.