My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

31.  Revelation

“Don’t worry sir. You’ll do fine,” the specialist said as Lee, (guided by me this time), Chip, and I entered the communications center.

“I’ll do my damnedest not to put my foot in my mouth,” I said.

Lee, in his khaki’s, stood at my right. Chip, also in uniform, took his stance to my left. Neither were going to let me face this alone. In spite of my newest and rather well tailored business suit, I felt, for lack of a better word, naked.

“Five seconds,” a rating said and began to count down with his fingers. Suddenly the little green light glowed from my podium. I was ‘on’.

“Good afternoon. My name’s Harriman Nelson of the Nelson Institute of Marine Research. As many of you know, we recovered a number of skeletal remains from a shipwreck that we found in the Bermuda Triangle.  The wreck itself has been logged for further archaeological investigation. Most of the skeletons found were in what was left of the hold and secured to chains and manacles, irrefutable proof that the vessel was a slave ship. Other remains were found as well, in and around the crevasse where the vessel was wedged.

“It is hoped that with today’s advanced forensic technology, headed by the Boston Maritime Museum, facial and full body reconstructions may be possible. And of course DNA tests may help family members or nations of origin claim some of the remains, slave and crew alike.  In fact, I myself have contributed DNA in the hopes that we may be able to prove or disprove if one of the skeletons is Sheamus O’Hara Nelson, the captain of the Sea Nymph.

 “Most of the skeletons are in remarkably good shape. Some are not, missing anatomical parts, or simply being isolated bones. Of these, many bones showed signs of trauma in that they’d been cut or sheared off, which would suggest that the Sea Nymph’s cabin boy was right about the sea monsters and sharks that he’d seen in the area. We ourselves, aboard Seaview on our way from Bermuda, saw mutated giant squid and large sharks, no doubt gigantic enough to be labeled monsters in that time. They were probably powerful enough to easily cut a man in half.”

“Too bad they didn’t get Sheamus,” a familiar voice said. A female voice. Lee heard it too. Kate’s voice from her stance behind the Prime Minister from the Bermuda feed. I couldn’t help noticing that Dr. White was there too.

“As I’ve just indicated, we don’t have any identification yet. Did you have a question, Miss Peabody?” I asked.

“If  your captain had agreed to Dr. White’s  examination,” she said, as he put his arm around her shoulders, “we could have already proved it or not. His specialized equipment could have proven or disproved if what Captain Nelson-Crane ‘saw’ was a legitimate ESP episode which has credibility as assumptive proof in many archeological organizations. Or we could have learned if these visions were merely hallucinations brought on by stress or medications.”

“Kate,” the  Prime Minister warned as I glanced at Lee, seeing he’d tensed up at Kate’s tone, “I’m sure we’re all most anxious to hear more from the Admiral. But first, I believe I speak for all gathered for this conference, that we sincerely hope that Captain Nelson-Crane will get well soon. I trust that the doctors are correct that the blindness caused by your recent accident aboard Seaview is temporary.”

“Well,” Lee said, “they hope it is, buut there’s nothing certain in this life, is there, except, as Benjamin Franklin put it, death and taxes.”

“Admiral,” the Prime Minister said after the applause and laughter died down, “please continue.”

“There really isn’t much more to say. In answer to Miss Peabody, even if the captain had  undergone the  tests and been proven to have had a ‘legitimate’ episode as she put it, the vision still wouldn’t hold up as evidence. We hope that the ship’s bell may do that. Otherwise, the DNA matches of known crew aboard the Sea Nymph to living relatives, or even to myself and my sister regarding Sheamus Nelson will identify the vessel. Other questions? ”

“We understand,” CBS said, “Seaview also found a strong box in the wreck. Didn’t you have a vision regarding Sheamus holding one, Captain?”

“Any slaver’s captain,” Chip answered before Lee could, “who’s mission in life was to garner wealth from the misery of others, would have sought to save what was most important to him.” “But you do believe, don’t you, Captain Nelson-Crane, personally, that the skeleton recovered with the box is Sheamus Nelson?”

“I know what I saw in my vision and what I felt. Yes, personally I do think it’s him. But just because I want  to believe a puzzle’s been solved, doesn’t mean it has been.”

“Have you had a DNA test yourself, Captain?” WESH asked. “There’s some curiosity about a possible relationship to the  conquistador you also saw in one of your visions.”

“I had the DNA test, but it can’t prove anything about being connected to remains that weren’t found.”

“Just what is your ethnicity, Captain?” CNN asked.

“Well, according to the tests, I’m supposed to be primarily of Near Eastern descent, with a very high probability of Armenian within that group. There were also traces of Grecian descent, native South American…”

“As in Indian?” London interrupted.

“Yes, actually. From the Amazon delta. And there are also traces of Spanish and Portuguese from the Iberian peninsula in Europe. But even a little Spanish or Portuguese blood can’t prove that there’s any relation to the man I saw wearing the helmet and breastplate.”

“You yourself claimed he looked just like you.”

“Many people look like each other,” Chip interjected. “Sometimes it’s been shown that even a twin like resemblance occurs without any genetic relation whatsoever.”

“I know this is getting away from the great discovery, Captain,” CNBC asked, “but if your DNA shows a biological match to someone in the voluntary family tree DNA pools, would you try to meet them? Especially if any might prove to be your biological parents? How would you and Mrs. Crane feel about meeting your real mother and father?”

“I’m sure my mother would welcome the truth. And she’ll always be my ‘mother’, even if a biological mother might be out there someplace.”

I winced inwardly knowing just how unlike her that had been for most of the cruise.

“As for myself, well,” he continued, “ while I’m not sure I’d actually like to meet the people who threw me away, I’d like to think I’m open to at least a civil meeting. But don’t expect any hearts and flowers.”

Sock it to them, Lad, I said to myself. I knew he’d been tossed over the wall of a city dump as a newborn, left to freeze to death, forgotten and abandoned. Only a lactating guard dog saved his life by providing warmth and milk.

“What about you, Admiral Nelson,” PBS asked, bringing me out of my musings, “what is your ethnicity? What if you discover any long lost family members?”

“As far as I know, only Edith and I are the remaining Nelsons of our line but we would be delighted to discover any previously unknown cousins, however distant. As for our ethnicity, I’m sure you won’t be surprised that we’re primarily Irish, with a smattering of Northern and Eastern European, including Scot, Scandinavian and German. Now, returning to the topic at hand…. Eventually the Boston Maritime Museum will have an exhibition utilizing all of the data we find, the reconstructions, medical conditions, dietary habits, etc., these people may have had. My Chief Medical Officer tells me that you can learn a lot from bones. But even without the test results yet, I can tell you that most of the teeth are pretty bad. Worn and rotted. The skeleton believed by most of our crew to be Sheamus, however, shows remarkably good teeth, surprising since most seafarers of the time, had terrible dental hygiene, and often  broke their teeth on the hard tack that hadn’t been softened enough in the stewpot.

“This particular skeleton was wearing a wedding ring, as were thirteen other skeletons. Rings, buttons, and buckles found on and around all the skeletons  are being examined for age and manufacture. As for distribution of any unclaimed remains, the Boston city government has offered a mass burial and memorial, the location yet to be decided.”

“If it turns out that the ship isn’t the Sea Nymph,” Dr. White asked, his arm tightening around Kate’s waist, “will you continue searching for it? After all, that’s what you wanted to do, wasn’t it? Salvage your family name by returning Sheamus’s slaves home?”

“When I began my quest,” I reflected, “it was for that very reason.  But it was wrong of me to think that in doing so I could somehow remove the shame that Captain Nelson brought to the family name. But I’ve also learned since, that a name, even a family name, is just a word, after all. Our names are of little if of any real consequence aside from identifying oneself with another. What’s important, is what we do with our lives. Sheamus chose to do evil. I’ve tried do what is right. And God willing I’ll continue to do what is right, and for the betterment of mankind. As for continuing to search for the Sea Nymph, should this vessel not be her, I think we’ve pretty much done what we can for now. Seaview is a research vessel but we’re not really marine archeologists.”

“If it is the Sea Nymph,” CNN asked, “if that skeleton turns out to be Captain Nelson, where will you bury it?”

“I had thought  of donating the bones to science, but I’ve been reconsidering. We all have skeletons in the closet, no pun intended, but while Sheamus O’Hara Nelson doesn’t deserve to rest in hallowed ground, there’s still a vacancy in the family plot. ”

“Shouldn’t you be afraid of vandals?” ABC asked.

“I’d like to trust that that whatever one’s personal feelings, that the sanctity of consecrated ground will be kept intact.”

“What about any profit from the gold or silver you may find in the strong box?” London asked.

“We’re not sure what’s in the strong box. X Rays couldn’t penetrate the lead. Should there be coinage, I’d like the Institute to recoup some of the expense of this expedition. After all, NIMR is not a public company. Nor do we receive funding from the Navy aside from what official jobs Seaview occasionally undertakes as a Reserve vessel.

“The cost of the expedition, forensic tests,  transportation and burial for any identified or requested remains, as well as the interment of the unknown, well, you can imagine the ledger. However, should there be any remainder after expenses, it will be donated to select charities, with a percentage going to Bermuda for their government’s invaluable help. And possibly a percentage to Spain for the recovery of those few Spanish doubloons we also found on our trek.”

A disturbance at the door interrupted. Miss Bates, whom I’d momentarily forgotten had sought and received permission to join in the forensic examinations, was with several of the Boston Maritime Museum’s team, excited as a schoolgirl.

“I believe we may have an update from the forensic exam…” I said and waved them to the podium, “please…”I offered the microphone to one of the men stepping up.

“Your accountants may have their work cut out for them,” he said, “we managed to open the strong box “The coinage isn’t impressive as far as quantity is concerned. Basically American from the late 1790 through early 1800’s. It will hardly cover your expenses at current market prices for such gold and silver. But, we also found a small cache of Spanish doubloons from the late 1400’s. Now, those are really worth something. But the biggest surprise is that in addition to the coins, there was a solid gold helmet and breastplate at the bottom of the chest.”

“The captain’s conquistador,” someone whispered from a video feed amid the gasps.

“The coins are Spanish, also from the late 1400’s,” the man continued, “We understand that gold, even ancient gold, was still widely used as currency in Bermuda up until the mid-1800’s.”

Another technician took over now. “The ship’s bell was forged at the Taunton Iron Works between 1790 and 1800, well within the range that the Sea Nymph would have been in use.”

“That doesn’t mean it’s her,” I replied.

“But this does,” Miss Bates said, handing me a printout. “What is it Harry?” Lee whispered as I studied it.

“It’s him. The skeleton’s DNA proves he’s my…our,” “ great great great great grandfather. Sheamus O’ Hara Nelson. We found the Sea Nymph.”

Congratulations and applause reverberated from the video links.

“Well, the real work,” I said, holding my hands up for silence, “the work of identifying everyone and giving them a proper burial is just beginning. Hopefully when we close this most painful chapter of our American history, we’ll at least have done something to remember the victims of men’s greed.”

Applause again, and while I could tell that  Lee was pleased, I could also tell that Chip was seething as he watched the Bermuda feed. Then I saw. Kate and White, arm in arm  as they walked out of the Prime Minister’s office just before the feed was cut.

“We need to talk, Lee,” I said. But my plans were interrupted as I was practically dragged to the lab by Miss Bates and the forensic team. I only managed to turn in time to see Chip speaking with Lee, his face troubled, and Lee’s in dismay.

It was late when I finally returned to Seaview. She was still restricted from leaving Norfolk and her crew restricted from leaving the base so I wasn’t surprised to learn from  O’Brien that most of the men were having a party in the aft crew’s mess and if I didn’t hurry, there wouldn’t be any cake and ice cream left. And Seaview always had an abundant supply of ice cream.

I was just about to head aft, when I noticed Kowalski leaning against the spiral ladder, his arms folded across his chest, looking bored.

“Ski, what…”

“Shhhh,” he whispered and nodded toward the darkened Observation Nose.

Lee was stretched out in one of the loungers, Rum bottle in his hand. But it had hardly been touched.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked quietly, having heard me come aboard or smelled my after shave (strong stuff, that scent).

“Yes, Chip told me what he saw. He also said that you saw them all cuddly in Bermuda. That he thought you were just finding a way to tell me. Why didn’t you?”

“I didn’t know Chip had seen it from the taxi as well. It was just an arm around her waist. It was a supportive gesture for all I knew. I didn’t want to hurt you. And I didn’t want to butt in. I’m….I’m sorry, son. Perhaps if I had told you, it wouldn’t have come as a shock.”

“She was so…loving the last time we spoke…”

“Excuse me,” the duty ‘Sparks’ called out, “Bermuda calling. On the monitor.”

I dragged myself away from Lee and faced The Prime Minister on the screen. “Admiral, I just wanted to thank you for your contribution.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Is Kate there?” Lee called out. “Ski? Help me over…”

I noticed that he really didn’t need much assistance now.

“I’m afraid not Captain,” the Prime Minister said after waiting for Lee to arrive in front of the monitor. “Is it important? I can take a message.”

“No. only…she could have told me it was over,” he pouted.

“Over? Oh, I see. I thought you knew. Oh dear. You see, she’s had an off and on affair with Dr. White for ages. I’m afraid you must have been the latest in her string of trophy dates; the younger the better. Please don’t be too angry with her.  It’s not uncommon for an older woman to want to relive her youth. With you, she was. Lee? Do you want me to give her a message?”

“No, Maggie,” he sighed, “No message, thank you.”

“Very well. Admiral? Do let me know when you have details about the Boston memorial for the slaves that won’t have a relative or home to go to. I’d like to attend.”

“Of course. You’ll be my honored guest, ma’am.”

And with that the call ended and Lee and I stared at the dead monitor.

“You still sore at me, son?”

“Yes…no…oh hell.”

“My sentiments exactly. You see,  I would have been damned if I’d butted  in, and dammed if  I didn’t…I can be a little confused as to what to do when it comes to you, son.”

He was silent for a moment, then, “I suppose we ought to go check on all your money in the morning.”

“And I’d like to get another look at that helmet and breastplate. For all we know it could have belonged to one of your ancestors.”

“Rather doubtful. I wonder how Sheamus got them though.”

“Gambling debts? Or payment for his cargo?”

“God only knows,” Lee sighed.