"Is something wrong, Captain?"
I rushed up to the bridge at the sound of the siren.
"Look... look over there."
Captain Yoon Sang-soo pointed straight ahead.
It was impossible to see anything against the black sea and sky, but it was indeed pitch-black, almost ominously so.
"Could it be... is a low-pressure system approaching?"
"It's not just a low-pressure system. The barometer reads 980mb. At this level... in the North Pacific, a low-pressure system like this..."
Captain Yoon couldn't bring himself to say it was a typhoon.
His face looked even more grave than when he had received the engine malfunction report earlier. His complexion was not just pale but completely ashen.
980 millibars, even I, a layman, knew that was indicative of a low-pressure system.
Most merchant ships take the great circle route (high-latitude navigation) across the Pacific, and the high-latitude seas of the North Pacific are extremely rough in winter, causing accidents even in the 21st century.
March is still winter in the North Pacific, so encountering a low-pressure system at this time is akin to facing a typhoon.
"Can you push through it?"
"If we try to push through and the engine fails, we're dead. The ship will lose course-keeping ability and sink."
Captain Yoon spoke grimly.
Course-keeping ability is the ship's capacity to maintain its intended direction and speed. Even if hit by waves, as long as the engine operates properly, we could somehow make it through.
"You mean..."
"It's impossible to penetrate the low-pressure system with a malfunctioning engine. The safest course is to turn south towards Hawaii..."
It was a statement that we couldn't guarantee the safety of the ship. In fact, he was saying that the ship would almost certainly sink.
Damn... we were so close... just a little further and we'd be in Portland.
"What are you talking about? Hawaii! This Daehan needs to reach Portland to pay off our national debt. The short-term foreign debt matures in March."
"Deputy Minister Yeom!"
"President Woo, there's no point in hiding it now. If we don't unload the cargo in Portland, our country will go bankrupt. Literally, we'll be utterly ruined."
Deputy Minister Yeom Won-chul erupted.
"As the captain, the crew's safety is my top priority."
"What safety! If we go to Hawaii, we're dead anyway. If the country defaults, we can't borrow dollars. We'll all starve to death. We'll have to bow to the Japanese for money."
"Deputy Minister..."
"President Woo, say something. We have to push through. We must go to the mainland, not Hawaii."
Deputy Minister Yeom grabbed Captain Yoon by the collar, then let go with a look of realization.
He turned to me and shouted.
I was just as frustrated.
"Let's turn back. We can't risk lives for money."
"Are you insane? Turn back?"
"Turn the ship, Captain."
"..."
Captain Yoon took the wheel from the helmsman.
"You're wrong, Captain."
"What are you doing?"
The helmsman wouldn't let go of the wheel.
"I'm telling you this isn't what we agreed on. Our goal is to break through the North American route, as Professor Yoon clearly stated."
"Who doesn't know that? A typhoon is coming. We have no time! If we're turning, it has to be now."
"Who here wants to turn back? Raise your hand. If even one person wants to turn back, I'll turn the wheel."
Despite being a student, he spoke to Captain Yoon in a commanding tone.
He shouted for anyone who wanted to turn back to raise their hand.
All the students from the Maritime University gathered around the helmsman. Against the backdrop of the dark sea, their eyes blazed with determination.
"Huh, we may not know much, but we're not fools. We won't go back and be treated like idiots."
"Of course! Tell that to the guys working with oil below. They'd quit on the spot! They'd rather die here than live as beggars back home!"
The technicians chimed in.
"Our engineers also oppose turning back. We can't let all our efforts go to waste."
Even the engineers agreed.
"You're all young. It's too early to die in the middle of the Pacific. If we continue, we're almost certainly dead."
"Everyone dies someday. What's your decision, President! Make up your mind."
"Right. What do you really want to do, President! Are we pushing through or giving up? We'll follow your lead."
"I'm not the captain."
"As the captain, I'll follow your decision."
Boom.
Whether because we didn't turn or the low-pressure system arrived faster than expected, the waves had already become rougher by the second.
The waves before us looked rougher than those in crab fishing documentaries.
The approaching typhoon in the North Pacific was terrifying.
I got goosebumps.
But after making a decision, I felt goosebumps of a different kind. The air around us was ablaze.
"When else can we make a legend? Am I right?"
"Woooooooaaaaaa!"
"Let's go. Our goal is not behind us, but ahead!!!!"
"Uraaaaaaaa!"
"Please, Captain."
Once I made up my mind, Captain Yoon, who had been worried about the students, straightened his back and gave orders.
"Head straight through. Full speed ahead!"
"Full speed ahead! Maximum engine output!"
The engine room responded immediately via the ship's intercom.
We headed straight into the low-pressure system.
***
"Disengage the main engine gear. Switch to auxiliary engines!"
"Disengage the main engine! Engage the auxiliary engines!"
It was a good thing we had modified the main shaft to use the engine as a generator, just in case.
This basic design applied to warships in the 21st century turned out to be immensely helpful.
Whirrrrr.
The engine, which had been used for the helicopter, was slightly overheated but could cool down the main engine sufficiently within 15 minutes.
If the main engine rested for 15 minutes, it could run at full speed for at least an hour.
Boom! Boom!
The waves relentlessly pounded the hull from outside.
"Keep repeating this. Got it?"
"Don't worry about us. To the deck! To the deck!"
Dozens of technicians wrapped in cable ties worked madly to cool the overheated engine despite the intense heat.
It was hotter than a blast furnace, but they endured it well. The MAN engine, glowing red-hot, also held up admirably.
There was no time for admiration.
Cracks had started appearing all over the hull.
The rusted hull, patched with steel plates, was peeling off like scales.
If the vertical and horizontal cracks met on the deck, this ship might split in half.
"Everyone available, follow me! Hurry!"
"Gather up!"
"Bring the oxygen cutters and welding machines."
"Grab the equipment!!!"
Leading dozens of technicians out of the engine room, I saw the crew members, pale with fear, wandering aimlessly.
"President, the hull... the hull is breaking apart."
"Weld it! Weld wherever there's no rain, be it the cabin or the engine room!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Not you, go to the other side!"
Engineers and technicians alike grabbed welding machines and distributed them among the crew.
"Take the oxygen cutters to the deck!!!"
"To the deck!!!"
"The deck is dangerous."
"Shut up and help!"
A maritime student tried to dissuade us, but a technician scooped him up under his arm and ran.
Boom! Boom!
As soon as we stepped onto the deck, a wave the size of a house engulfed us. It was madness, but we'd die if we didn't go mad now.
"Can you see the cracks on the deck!!!!"
"Yes, I can!!"
"Drill holes around the cracks. We're going to stitch them like wounds."
"Aaaahhhh! Run!!!"
"What if the cracks widen with holes... Gah!"
"Shut up! If the President says do it, just do it! Hurry, idiot!"
Those who had been to the Vietnam War with me didn't hesitate at my words. Some rookie technicians muttered dissent but were quickly kicked by their seniors.
Ssss! Ssss!
Even with waves crashing and rain pouring, the oxygen cutter worked perfectly.
No need for coolant.
"We've drilled the holes. What next!"
"Link the chains! We'll twist them tight!"
In the rush, I barked orders in plain language.
"The President says we're going to twist the deck!"
"Chain them! And add the steel pipes, you idiot!"
An experienced technician quickly understood my intention when I mentioned twisting the deck.
We drilled holes in the cracked deck, linked chains, and threaded steel rods diagonally.
The senior technicians shouted at the rookies to get their act together, shaking them fiercely and running around like mad.
I was also busy drilling holes with the oxygen cutter.
"President, give us the signal. The signal!!!!"
Someone shouted at me.
The chains were already in place in all the holes.
When twisting chains, all sides must twist simultaneously to avoid one side breaking.
"Get ready! Everyone, thread the steel pipes into the chains!"
"All set. Signal!!!"
"Three! Two! One! Twist the chains!"
"Twist the chains!!!"
Waves crashed from all directions.
Even the burly technicians struggled to twist the chains with the steel pipes.
"Put more effort into it! Are you saving your strength for what
! We'll all die!!!"
"Arrrghhhhh!!!"
"Urrgghhhh!"
Curses erupted.
No matter how much I screamed, tears wouldn't stop from the sheer terror.
Boom! Boom!
It was pure horror.
When another house-sized wave crashed onto the deck, the glass windows of the bridge shattered.
Crash!
Reinforced glass breaking, was there any part of this ship still intact?
"President! Over there! Over there!"
Someone pointed to the bridge where no one was holding the wheel. They must have been knocked out by the shattered glass.
"I'm going. Everyone, hang on!!! Hang on!"
"Chain yourselves! Tie yourselves to the chains!"
The technicians tied themselves to the chains stitched onto the deck and clung to the steel pipes.
There were no life jackets, but even if we had them, falling into this sea meant 100% death.
Reaching the bridge, I saw a gruesome scene.
The helmsman was lying unconscious with a bleeding head.
I tore my shirt to wrap his head and dragged him to a corner. Since he was breathing, I couldn't afford to waste more time on him.
Below the wheel, Captain Yoon was also collapsed.
Seeing the blood streaming from his ears, I realized how hard he had fought after the helmsman fell. His eyes were unfocused.
"Get a grip! Get a grip, Captain Yoon!!!!"
Confirming he was breathing, I slapped him hard.
There was no time for him to be out of it.
To fight, you must first get your wits together.
"Ugh... President Woo... this is... insane..."
"You're the captain! Even if everyone else gives up, you can't!"
"... Ugh... ugh..."
I grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up.
"Can't you see? Everyone is risking their lives. They are betting their lives on you. They believe we'll break through!"
"Huff... huff..."
I forced the completely exhausted Captain Yoon to stand and look straight ahead.
Ssss!
"Ptoo!"
Another wave slapped my face.
Spitting out, I saw blood mixed with the water.
"President, grab the megaphone. Hurry... do as I say..."
Barely standing, Captain Yoon leaned on the wheel and spoke between heavy breaths.
"What do I do? Tell me!"
I barely kept my sanity.
"Shout it. Announce the start of the voyage to the underworld."
Captain Yoon, holding the wheel, uttered the words 'voyage to the underworld' clearly despite his exhaustion.
Voyage to the underworld? Is that a sailor's term?
What's a voyage to the underworld?
"Announce the start of the voyage to the underworld!"
Beeeep! Beeeep!
Not knowing its meaning, I pressed the emergency bell and shouted into the megaphone.
"Announce the start of the voyage to the underworld!"
Out of nowhere, Maritime University students appeared.
They held flares and stepped onto the dangerous deck.
"First flare... throw it..."
"Throw the first flare!!!!!"
Following Captain Yoon's instruction, I shouted again.
"Throw it!!!!"
Fwoosh....
A student shot a flare high into the sky.
The red light with a white tail scattered widely.
"Starboard 15 degrees, head to!!"
The student who fired the flare shouted as if coughing blood.
Leaving the now completely unconscious Captain Yoon beside me, I took the wheel.
"Starboard 15 degrees, head to!!"
I turned 15 degrees to starboard as per the student's instructions.
Boom! Boom!
The ship's bow hit the waves perfectly.
It struck the waves at a precise 45-degree angle.
My eyes opened wide.
The impact was completely different from the previous waves.
Just like a boxer dodging a straight punch, the wave slid along the streamlined hull and passed sternward.
Now I understand!
We use the flares to predict the direction of the waves and wind. Navigating through the waves moment by moment is the voyage to the underworld.
"Second flare, throw it!!!!!"
"Throw it!!!!"
Screech!!!
"Port 10 degrees! Head to!!"
"Port 10 degrees! Head to!!"
The student and I coordinated perfectly.
Thanks to this, the technicians struggling on the deck twisted the chains properly.
I also clearly understood the meaning of 'head to.'
"Third flare, throw it!!!!!"
"Throw it!!!!"
"Starboard 5 degrees! Head to!!"
With each flare thrown, we advanced into the storm. Though the storm intensified, it felt like we were moving to a safer place.
Sam-bok must have loaded tons of flares.
I'll promote you if we survive, you rascal.
"Scudding! Scudding!"
How many flares had we thrown?
The maritime student, who had been continuously shouting 'head to,' suddenly cheered, shouting 'scudding.'
"I'll take over. Take care of the captain."
The helmsman, having regained consciousness, approached and took the wheel.
"You've come to. What's scudding that they're so excited about?"
"It means we've entered navigable waters. The waves will now push us out of the typhoon."
Navigable waters? Scudding? The waves will push us out?
I couldn't quite grasp it, but his expression of relief said it all.
"Have we survived?"
"Take a rest. Leave the rest to me."
"Scudding!"
"Scudding!"
The students on the deck shouted and pointed forward.
Somehow, the waves indeed started pushing the stern.
"Engine room, reduce engine output to 80rpm."
<80rpm! Woohoo.>
Cheers erupted from the engine room.
At 80rpm, the engine should have no issues.
"Captain Yoon, passing out is cheating."
Thud.
I lost consciousness right after dragging Captain Yoon to a safe corner.
Everyone had done their best.
***
A few days later,
Squawk. Squawk.
We stepped onto the bow at dawn.
At the sound of someone spotting seagulls, everyone rushed to the bridge.
Land was indeed in sight.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
"This is Portland. Respond to the signal. Over."
"This is the Daese 1, a Republic of Korea-flagged vessel. Requesting permission to dock at Portland. Over."
"Daese 1, we've been expecting you. The seas have been rough. Is everyone safe? Do you need assistance? Over."
"Everyone is safe. Thank you for your concern. May we dock? Over."
"Daese 1, permission to dock granted. On behalf of the United States, we warmly welcome the first Republic of Korea-flagged vessel to Portland. Over."
"Thank you. Over."
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Portland fired a salute in our honor.
A massive crowd at the docks waved at us.
"Raise the Taegukgi."
"Raise the Taegukgi!"
A maritime student hoisted the Taegukgi and saluted crisply.
"Sir! I report that the first Republic of Korea-flagged vessel, the Daese 1, has opened the North American route."
Captain Yoon saluted me.
Instead of Daehan, he used the name Daese 1.
Everyone on the bridge and deck saluted me.
I swallowed my rising emotions and returned the salute.
"Well done."
"Wooooooaaaaaa!!!"
"We'll become legends. Rejoice!"
"Yeeeeaaaaaaa!!!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Amongst the shouts, I was the only one speaking clearly.
A hundred crew members all roared towards the front with one heart.
Portland's salute sang of our legend.
Never in my life had I felt such gratitude.
I couldn't hold back my tears.
Pop.
I popped open the beer I'd been saving like champagne.
"Let's drink."
"It's a festival!!!"
"Wooooooaaaaaa!!!"
It was a celebratory cannon for the romantic era.
We'd never have to endure such hardship again.