condensed master

Will Bonner
Will was trying his hardest to get a ship that was going to the USA. Ships built
there called Liberty ships, were manned by British crews who were transported
over, to bring them back to England.
As each day went by, the possibility of getting one seemed to be more remote.
A further week went by, and he was beginning to resist the urge to be selective.
On the following Monday morning he found himself standing once more in front of
a controller at the shipping pool.
"There's a ship called the "Wiltshire" crewing up," the controller informed him,
"your credentials qualify. Would you like to go down there and have a look?"
What the heck Will thought, why not? "She's berthed at Gravesend, I'll give you
a travel pass for the train. The arrangements will be made for you to see someone
on board tomorrow, at 10.00 a.m. Report back here on Wednesday."
Arriving at Gravesend the next morning Will had no difficulty finding the berth,
but his first sight of the ship came as a shock. It was so small, in comparison to
his previous ship, appearing to be only a quarter of it's size.
A single funnelled motor vessel, with the crew's quarters above decks and
behind the bridge-house, all positioned two-thirds back from the bow. Just four
lifeboats and four Carley floats, indicating a fairly small crew. Taking a second
look, and by now getting used to it's size, the ship looked brand spanking new,
and the shape was pleasing to the eye. Things might be better than I first thought.
I wonder where she's bound?
Once on board Will searched around looking for someone to get directions,
finally approaching a welder doing some repairs on the upper deck. "Are there
any ship's officers about?"
"No, but somebody came aboard about twenty minutes ago, they are in a
cabin at the end of that passageway," pointing to an open doorway.
Will knocked on the door finding that it was a small office-room, and inside
sitting behind a desk was a man dressed in civilian clothes.
"You'll be Brenner I suppose? Come in and sit down, there's no crew aboard.
I'm from the company."
The interview was a formality, followed by a quick tour of the ship, during the
course of which Will was shown his cabin. In comparison to his previous ship, this
cabin was in the luxury class. Just two berths and well equipped with drawers and
locker space.
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