"President Woo, we have arrived in Jinhae."
Assistant Secretary Yeom Won-cheol woke me up.
It seemed I had dozed off.
"Why didn't you wake me up earlier? I could have taken a turn driving."
"No need. I know you've been working late nights. You should at least sleep in the car."
Assistant Secretary Yeom had driven almost all night.
The highways of the 1960s were truly hellish.
After a long drive, we arrived at the Jinhae Naval Base.
"Salute! Welcome."
There was no need to announce our arrival from the Blue House.
Major Son Tae-yang was already waiting for us in front of the naval base.
"Major, it's been a while. You look well."
"Congratulations on your safe return, though belated."
"Thank you. Let me introduce you, this is Assistant Secretary Yeom Won-cheol from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry."
"Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Salute. I am Major Son Tae-yang, commander of the Unbong."
"I assume you received the message from the Blue House. So, you must know why we are here."
Assistant Secretary Yeom, anxious to get to the point, spoke immediately after the greetings.
"There is a ship to show you. Follow me."
Major Son walked briskly into the base.
It was more desolate than I expected.
In the 21st century, it was a beautiful place for cherry blossom viewing, but it was hard to imagine that in the 1960s.
After walking for a while, we reached a calm spot on the shore where a ship was docked.
"Is that the ship?"
"Yes, that's the Navy's training ship."
I had some expectations, but I couldn't help but be disappointed.
Firstly, it was too small.
It didn't seem to be over 2,500 tons.
Of course, there were no larger warships, so it made sense that the training ship wouldn't be bigger.
"Is there no ship larger than that one? Even an old one used for training would do."
"Unfortunately, no. The condition for the US providing us with LSTs was to decommission our existing ships for training or scrap if not used."
It made sense. The US wanted to facilitate joint military operations, so scrapping outdated ships was the better option.
It seemed this was the best available. A sigh escaped me.
Transporting goods to the US with a ship under 2,500 tons would require countless trips.
With the ship's speed in this era, a one-way trip to the US would take over a month. Even if we left now, making two trips would be tight.
This ship alone wouldn't suffice.
We needed more and larger ships.
"Can we test sail this ship? Just a short trip along the coast."
To cross the Pacific, the engine and mechanical condition needed to be checked. It wasn't like going to Jeju Island.
"What? Did you need a ship capable of sailing?"
"..."
My words greatly surprised Major Son Tae-yang.
What is this? Is this ship just for show?
"Yes, we need to cross the Pacific."
"Sorry, I didn't know. This training ship's engine was sold to Japan as a second-hand part."
So, they sold even the engine of the training ship for money.
Right, it wouldn't be intact. If it were, they wouldn't have it parked here.
If it were in good condition, it would be used for transporting timber.
'Damn it... If I can just get past this hurdle, I'll build a ship. I will establish a shipyard. Curse...'
A string of curses ran through my mind.
I now understood why the veterans said they hit their heads on the ground.
This was more than hitting the ground—it was like hitting jagged rocks.
Every hit would make me cough up blood.
There was a way, though. Although it was embarrassing, contacting Van Flint for a large merchant ship might resolve it. Sending an irregular merchant ship from the US directly to Korea shouldn't be a problem with the Japanese government.
'But if I do that... I'm... I'm out forever.'
Getting an American ship might get me through this, but I'd lose both Van Flint and the connection to Nancy.
Needing help from a fellow applicant for the exam was shameful.
'Ah... Damn, but there's no other way.'
All my strength drained from my body.
Considering the national default, perhaps I should bend and go. But with no ships available, how would we transport goods?
The Japanese had me by the throat.
"Major Son, doesn't the Maritime University have training ships? How about their ships?"
Assistant Secretary Yeom carefully asked beside me.
It was a pointless question.
If the Navy's training ship was like this, a university's ship wouldn't be better.
"The situation there is similar. The ship is larger but equally unable to move."
"I see..."
Their conversation made my eyes light up.
What? It's bigger than this?
"Wait, Major. Is the university's training ship bigger than the Navy's? Is that true?"
"Yes, it is. It was hit by a mine near the end of the war and is unusable, but it's much larger. We couldn't tow it to Jinhae because of its size, so it's at the Maritime University in Busan."
"Hit by a mine?"
"Yes, it was hit by an American mine off Busan just before liberation and salvaged. Several attempts to repair it failed due to cost."
"It's called the Daehan."
"Yes, it's named the Daehan, symbolizing the first training ship of Korea."
The more I heard, the more it sounded like the ship I knew. The history of being hit by a mine and the name Daehan fit.
"How many tons is the Daehan?"
"About three times this ship's size, so roughly 10,000 tons."
"Really? Are you sure?"
My heart pounded at the mention of 10,000 tons.
It felt like a lifeline from heaven.
"President Woo, even if it's 10,000 tons, it can't sail... Moreover, isn't it a Japanese ship? This whole problem started because of Japan."
Assistant Secretary Yeom spoke worriedly.
"It's fine. Ships in our waters at liberation are ours. That's the famous US military government proclamation No. 2. That's why it's used as a training ship."
Major Son explained calmly.
The US military government proclamation No. 2 stated that as of August 9, 1945, property in Japan belonged to Japan, and property in Korea belonged to Korea.
Japan, being the defeated nation, had no say.
"Good. Let's go then."
"Go where?"
"To Busan, for the Daehan."
"President Woo, I must clarify. As I mentioned, the Daehan is essentially without an engine."
"So what? The engine is already here in Jinhae."
"An engine in Jinhae?"
"Didn't Major Kim Yong-gwan of the Blue Dragon Unit leave something here?"
"Ah!! Right, he did mention you'd come looking for it... But is it... the engine?"
"Yes, that's it. It was used in a dredger, but it's so large it can be fitted to a ship."
"Wow, really?"
"Is that true? Wow!"
Major Son and Assistant Secretary Yeom cheered, and my heart swelled.
I had intended to use the engine for a dredger someday, but I hadn't imagined it would end up on a cargo ship.
I felt immense gratitude to my past self for salvaging it from the Mekong River.
"Can you move the engine to Busan?"
"Of course. We'll transport it on the Unbong. It will be faster than a truck."
"Ha, that's excellent."
"That's the best news I've heard."
Honestly, I dreaded the thought of driving from Jinhae to Busan, but now I could take the ship comfortably.
**
Blare. Blare.
The LST Unbong sounded its horn as it docked at the Maritime University. We had informed them beforehand, so everyone was waiting at the training port.
"Welcome, Unbong."
"Salute! Thank you, Professor Yoon Sang-soo."
"Welcome, Major Son. It's been a while."
The Maritime University professor and Major Son seemed to know each other. This field was small, so it wasn't surprising they knew each other.
"I brought distinguished guests who wish to see the Daehan."
"I'm Woo Chansu."
When I handed him my business card, he seemed slightly surprised.
Daese Shilup must have become quite well-known.
"Please, follow me."
Although it was called a university, it was like a military academy.
Professors and students alike were in uniform, their movements precise and disciplined.
In those days, Maritime University students received military service exemptions under the 'Naval Reserve Act' in exchange for conscription during wartime.
I knew this well because many marine engineers in the plant division had received this exemption.
Graduates from here were key players in Korean shipping.
The problem was the lack of operational ships.
Most graduates went to Japan to find jobs in foreign shipping companies.
It was peculiar to establish a school and teach navigation without any ships.
"It is an honor to show our guests the Daehan. We use it for training, and some of the cabins are converted into dormitories. Essentially, daily life itself is training."
Professor Yoon explained as we boarded the ship.
Using the ship as a dormitory was either a brilliant idea or a sign of poor conditions.
The university didn't even have proper buildings.
"The hull is quite rusty. Has it never been repaired?"
"This ship was salvaged after being hit by a mine. Only
the holed parts were patched temporarily. Full repairs require extensive work. We hope the government can help."
"I see."
Professor Yoon led us to the bridge with a regretful expression.
The view from the bridge was impressive, and it was evident how much the Maritime University valued and maintained this ship.
Despite the rusted hull, the bridge was polished and spotless.
"We conduct most of our training here. From basic ship operations to points of caution in maritime life, and theoretical education on ship handling and engine operation."
It meant they couldn't conduct proper training.
To properly train, they needed to navigate the ship and dock at major ports, experiencing various port facilities.
Moreover, lacking experience in engine operation was truly unfortunate.
"Of course, our training conditions leave much to be desired. It would be wonderful if the government could assist."
Professor Yoon concluded his introduction in a pleading tone.
Indeed, everyone needed help in those times. I, too, came seeking assistance.
"Professor, may we see the engine room?"
"Yes, this way. The path is rough."
Following Professor Yoon, we descended into the ship.
Perhaps due to the mine hit, there were no proper stairs, and we had to use several iron ladders to reach the engine room.
"Oh... this is..."
Assistant Secretary Yeom grimaced.
It looked like a giant had ripped a part of the ship with his hands.
"There's hardly anything left."
"Yes, indeed. This is likely why the Japanese abandoned this large ship."
"May I take a closer look?"
"Yes, please be careful."
I descended another ladder to examine the inside more closely.
'Please... please... let the main shaft be intact...'
As I climbed down the ladder, I prayed repeatedly. If the main shaft was damaged, there was nothing I could do.
Korea lacked the facilities to machine a main shaft. Finding a massive piece of metal to use as a main shaft would be impossible. Importing one from the US and machining it would take over two months.
'Please... please...'
I prayed and shone my flashlight.
I dug through the blackened, oil-soaked mud with my hands.
"Oh, President. With your hands..."
Assistant Secretary Yeom, who followed me down, waved his hands in dismay.
What's a bit of dirt?
I kept digging.
It was unbelievable how grateful I felt for the caked oil.
The main shaft area was thickly covered in sticky oil.
"Wow... wow!"
"Why, why, President?"
"The main shaft is intact. The main shaft is intact."
"Really?"
"The main crankshaft is intact. This ship can move. Look, this is a German MAN engine. We can cross the Pacific."
Even the broken engine's mark showed it was from the German company MAN.
I felt an overwhelming urge to dance with joy.
"President Woo, I hate to burst your bubble, but repairing the engine is extremely difficult. It was a high-end diesel engine of over 8,000 horsepower. It's a pity. If only the main cylinder had survived, we could have repaired it somehow. We can't afford to buy a replacement, costing 700,000 dollars apiece..."
Professor Yoon lamented, caressing the broken engine. He knew how premium MAN engines were.
"If I tell you I have an engine, would you be willing to repair it?"
"What? You have an engine?"
Instead of answering, I pointed towards the direction of the Unbong.
"No way..."
"Professor, President Woo is telling the truth. We brought it on the Unbong. Would you like to see it?"
"See it? Of course! Let's go!"
Professor Yoon, in his excitement, hurriedly led us out, pushing people along.
Left alone, I carefully examined again.
In addition to the main shaft, several parts were buried in oil, increasing the repair potential.
The problem was the ship's generator engine, which was destroyed, but fortunately, the coil part was intact.
I could use the helicopter engine I had stashed away as a generator power source.
We only needed to make a single trip to the US.
Repay the short-term debt, then repair the ship properly and return.
"This is doable!"
I had survived places where stray bullets flew.
Crossing the Pacific was nothing.
"Hooray!!"
"Hooray!!!"
"We have an engine! We have an engine!!!"
"We have an engine too!!!"
Cheers continued outside the ship.
A one-way trip to the US would take a month, so we had to leave by the end of February.
We had less than two months to repair the ship.
"Don't be scared, Chansu! First, let's fix this ship."
I made a vow to myself.
If I had seen this ship first, I wouldn't have dared. But seeing it after giving up in Jinhae, I felt I could do it.
I had to grab the lifeline that had descended.