In the tepid waters off the western coast of South America, the extended ordeal in Hally’s patented diving apparatus ended with a whimper. “Always knowed I’d die at sea,” Gnarly Dan lamented, “But I never figured it to be hot and boring.” “It is a bit anti-climactic,” Sir Edmund Roberts added looking with bald longing […]
Nora Pregnant Mermaid – Maideus Portentous
There is something inexplicably alluring about a pregnant woman,” Edmund C. Roberts commented to the four females accompanying him in the diving bell. “However, I cannot fathom (no pun intended) what it could be,” he concluded as he watched the drifting, particularly gravid Sea Maiden not three meters from the viewing window. “It’s because she […]
Mermaid Martha and Neptune – Maiden Inebriatus and Magnus Netunus
Replete with a new mizzen mast, a recovered captain and a rested crew, the second attempt at rounding Cape Horn went as easily as “kiss my hand;” and so in fine spirit’s the Baci sailed into the vast Pacific Ocean and up the western coast of South America, fair weather and fine sailing lofting morale […]
Mermaid Lisa – Maidenus Somnolentus
Tempering the handful of victories the H.M.S. Baci savored during her extended and convoluted circumnavigation, was a spat of humiliating failures. Notable was the setback the ship and company suffered when they made their first attempt on Cape Horn in 1833. Weeks of vexing winds, sudden squalls and blasting cold thwarted success. The good ship […]
Mermaid Joy and Octopus – Maidenus Christmas
“I give you Joy!” Edmund C. Roberts exclaimed, both in response to the season and the beautiful Sea Maiden that was before him. As a word of explanation before the remainder of this adventure is related, I feel the need to step from my role as omniscient narrator and inform the reader relative to this […]
Mermaid Couple Grace and Harmony
Edmund C. Roberts’ plans to make his journey sans women had been a bust from the beginning. First his naturalist, Dr. M.R. Gebeaux had shattered his bully world by advancing into his world as a female. His chagrin, his anger, then his petulance that she was Dr. Marie Ryan Gebeaux and not Michael Rufus or […]
Mermaid Flora and Black Tip Shark – Maidenus Perilus
When Edmund C. Roberts went to sea in 1912 he did so with more then a reasonable shares of dislikes: he did not particularly care to be afloat, for the motion of the ship made him ill—he wished to avoid the company of women as they had historically caused him nothing but inconvenience or heartache—he […]
Mermaid Emily and Yellow Fin Tuna – Maidenus Confoundus
When Edmund C. Roberts brought his steamship and had it refurbish inside and out he believed that he was creating his own private island, his escape, his floating kingdom. Every naval gadget available in 1912 was purchased and installed. His quarters extended from the bridge aft; room after room as opulent and comfortable as any […]
Mermaid Donna and Blue Marlin – Maidenus Accompanious
There is, I am convinced, a cascade of unpredictability associated with all great endeavors. Absent is the smoothly patent flow of events, replaced instead with a stuttering succession of disappointments and surprises. Such was the case with the preparations for Edmund C. Roberts’ voyage of discovery. A day did not go by without a new […]
Mermaid Cindy and Dolphin Fish Maidenus Allures sighted August 31, 1912
Edmund C. Roberts sat in the salon on board his steamship, the Baci Finale. While the vessel itself was utilitarian to the extreme—a reconditioned coal carrier deck over to afford his bleriot XI aeroplane, a place which to take off and land—his salon was an opulent celebration of Art Nouveau. Designed by a social acquaintance, […]