Speaking of pianos …… it has been gently suggested that perhaps
the wardroom might be a good home for the piano Simon has acquired. However the Captain is normally excluded from
the wardroom, except by invitation. (In the Army we called them anterooms and
it would be a foolhardy officer who told the CO that he was not welcome!) Even if the protocol could be ignored, there
is the problem of practicality. The piano must weigh over 300lb and is not the handiest
shape. Readers may remember the difficulties with the deck tiling (Photo 911).
Getting the piano along that walkway would be quite a feat, even for the most
experienced (and physically strong) removers. Then there is the gangway. Again
readers may remember its size and inclination (Photo 912).
Twice a day it is
horizontal but with a large step down onto the deck; at high tide that step is
impossibly large; so low tide probably offers the best conditions – downhill
slope and a small step. The temptation will be to remove and discard the heavy
iron frame which houses the strings and make some sort of cupboard of the
instrument!
Molly the dog seems to have taken to her new quarters
without any persuasion or inducement (Photo 913). Its position at the foot of
the gangway makes it ideal for a guard post, although Molly’s qualifications in
this area are not proven. Not a good spot to be if pianos come tumbling down
the gangway!
What has all this
got to do with the history or the renovation of the lightship? Not a lot.
Progress has not been made on either front I regret to admit. I have heard nothing about the Victoria
Shipbuilding Company, West Passage, so either I do not have any readers in the
Cork area, or the Company never existed – which I suspect is the truth. Where
are the Irish historians when you need them?
David
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