Watkins, Richard Howells "Morale in the Margie"

Comic feuding between a ship’s captain and his Chief Engineer (the latter described as a “Brooklyn Scotsman”) on a freighter in the North Atlantic convoy lines during the early days of World War 2. The Post’s tie-in reads: “Any man in the crew could have cautioned the U-boat commander against muscling in on the private war between the Old Man and the Chief Engineer.” Set aboard the fictitious freighter MARGARET BLACKENHAM during a westbound convoy. Engine problems cause the “MARGIE” to fall out of convoy, and as the Old Man fusses and fumes (and fights with his Chief), the ship encounters not one but two German U-boats. Quick thinking by the feuding ship officers saves the MARGIE and results in the destruction (by ramming) of one of the enemy submarines. Once safely back in port, the MARGIE heads for the drydock and her captain gets a new command – and his nemesis the Chief goes with him. So does the entire crew for, as one remarks, “Sure the men know they’re in a terrible world war. But the scrap between the Chief and the Old Man – they don’t want to miss a real honey like that.” For two other Watkins’ short stories set aboard the MARGARET BLACKENHAM see “Court Ship” (1944) and “The Spy-Gazers” (1944).