The Edge of the World

“The final turn is always the tricky one,” Hennessy remembered. “Most ships don’t make it that far.” She adjusted the metal-framed spectacles that adorned her top hat and looked out toward the horizon. “I’ve known many a dear captain that never returned.” She handed Jameson her watch that once belonged to her father and murmured, “Would you be so kind as to drop this off at the watchmakers’ shop when you’re in town? I believe it’s a bit off.”

Jameson was happily accustomed to being used as errand boy. Hennessy was his older sister, and in 1870 their parents died when the dirigible they were traveling in crashed, leaving his sister in charge of the family. “As you wish. Shall I get anything else?”

She retied the black ribbon on her black corset. “Some greens from the grocer if he has it. A bit of Earl Grey. And a few tomatoes. Nice red ones, this time.” Hennessy smiled at her little brother, an elfin-sized lad with the darkest eyes. “Please.”

Hennessy watched her brother trot out the door headed toward the main village near the outskirts of London. He was fast and didn’t need a hansom cab to take him. Her responsibilities included taking care of three siblings: Jameson, Brandy, and Ginny. All three were raised well, minding their manners and aspiring to bring good into the world. Jameson was destined to design churches and cathedrals; he had an eye for angles, buttresses, and the interplay of lighting from the colorful stained glass. Brandy enjoyed fashion world and would soon be apprenticed to a renowned tailor in London. Ginny, the youngest and most imaginative, wanted to become an adventurer, possibly joining Queen Victoria’s navy. There weren’t many options for her, but she continued to dream.

While the girls enjoyed afternoon naps, Hennessy took a stroll down the main thoroughfare that would bring her to the edge of London. She enjoyed taking in all the sights, the Beefeaters at Buckingham Palace, the high society women walking with their umbrellas and little dogs, the beautiful horses high stepping through the streets. She thought about all the wonderful sights when her shoe caught the edge of the road. She began to falter. Immediately she felt a pair of strong arms support and lift her up. Breathlessly she said, “Thank you, kind Sir. I don’t know what may have happened if you had not been along.”

The dashing young man, with long dark hair covering his finely made red uniform coat and blue cape, introduced himself. “My name is Morgan, Captain Morgan. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.” He helped her back up onto the sidewalk area and tipped his scarlet hat.

“Hennessy,” she replied. “I am in debt to you.”

Morgan assessed the situation and said, “May I be so forward as to accompany you to your destination?” He held his arm out, and she demurely took it.

“I truly have no destination. I just wanted to enjoy the outdoors.”

“Then let me enjoy it with you,” Morgan requested. “There is nothing more that I should wish to do right now.” They strolled past many buildings with smoke and steam erupting from the industrial chimneys, mechanical machines rumbling and screeching, apothecaries hanging their wares in the windows. “So many items for sale. ‘Tis a shame I must leave soon to fetch some precious cargo for Her Majesty.”

Hennessy was suddenly intrigued. “Do you work under Her authority?”

He smiled. “No, I’m more of a privateer for hire. My next journey to is the Americas to get whiskey, molasses, and furs from a trader in Boston. That molasses makes the finest rum. My ship is anchored at the wharf in Southwark. HMS Cutty Sark has brought me safely around the world.”

“Even to the edge? That is quite dangerous.”

“It is dangerous, my dear, only if one is inexperienced.” He found a bench beneath an elm tree and beckoned her to sit down. “I’ve sailed to the edge and over many times. We are not in danger if we remain mindful of the extreme curvature leading to the other side. While the earth is flat, it does have an underside that is quite comfortable. There is land parallel to ours, but in a different direction.”

Hennessy thought of her parents who died in that ill-fated trip; those who go too far out over the edge beyond the grasp of gravity are gone forever. “It seems so worrisome. I hope the Queen pays you well.”

“Her compensation provides me with all the creature comforts the world offers, free travel, and the ship herself. The ship’s maidenhead is of Amphitrite, and I like to think she provides us protection across her waters.” He took out a gold handkerchief and handed it to Hennessy. “Take this. Keep it safe for me and upon my return, we shall again meet.”

Hennessy took the starched linen and held it tight. “I will, indeed, Sir.”

“Morgan.”

“Morgan,” she corrected. “I will indeed.” He escorted home past the main street in town, the little cottages, and the short field beside her house. She invited him in. “Would you like some tea?”

He thought about it for a moment, and replied, “That would be lovely, if you don’t mind.” Morgan came through the door and promptly removed his hat and coat. Brandy and Ginny looked up from their sewing, and their eyes grew wide with amazement at this remarkable man.

“Brandy, Ginny, this is Captain Morgan.” He bowed, and the girls both rose and curtsied. “Captain, may I introduce my sisters, Brandy, and Ginny. My brother is in town at the moment. Do sit down.”

Morgan sat down in an ornate tapestried chair while Hennessy prepared the tea. “So, Miss Brandy, what is it you want to be one day?”

“I would like to design clothes one day, Sir. There are new ways of assembling pieces that are far beyond our understanding.” Brandy showed off her brooch of metal pieces, watch machinations, and pearls. “I made this myself.”

He examined its detail. “It is quite beautiful.” He noticed the shiny buckles on her boots. “Did you make your shoes as well?” Each boot had 12 silver buckles with a chain across the top.

“Indeed, I did,” she replied proudly.

Hennessy brought out a porcelain tray with a pot of tea and two cups along with some biscuits and blackberries. She set it down on the small table in the center of the room and offered Morgan some tea.

Morgan accepted the cup and addressed Ginny. “And Miss Ginny, what would you like to do?”

Ginny said confidently, “I am going to be an adventurer. I will be the first woman in the Queen’s navy.”

Morgan sat back. “That is most admirable. Pray tell, what experience do you have?”

Ginny face seemed to deflate a little as she looked at Hennessy, and said in a quiet voice, “I have visited the wharf and watched the ships and clippers come and go.”

“Why,” Hennessy interrupted, “why would you do that when we agreed it wasn’t safe?”

Morgan answered the statement for her. “I’m sure she was keeping an eye from afar. I see she has a nautical telescope at her side. She must see ships at a good distance.”

Hennessy shifted in her seat. “I do hope he’s correct, Ginny. We agreed.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Ginny replied.

At that moment the door opened, and Jameson brought the wrapped package to Hennessy after laying the sack of goods on the kitchen table. He looked over at the man in red and gold, wondering what business he had here.

Hennessy introduced Morgan to Jameson, and the two men shook hands. Morgan said, “It’s fine to meet such a strong lad.”

Jameson said, “I will need that strength to build churches, high up so all the ships may see them from afar.”

Morgan nodded and said, “Those are respectable aspirations. I wish you well in your endeavors.”

Hennessy thanked Jameson, took the repaired watch from the box, and attached it to a long silver filigree chain to her belt. It matched the silver accoutrements on her jacket lapels. After the conversation concluded, Captain Morgan stood up and said good-bye to each of the girls. He shook hands with Jameson once more and wished him the best. He bowed toward Hennessy and took his leave while she watched him walk away. Her heart beat wildly, first from infatuation and then from fear. Going over the edge of the earth might be the end of him. She still had his handkerchief tucked inside her bosom, close to her heart.

The sun’s rays began to touch the sky when Morgan set sail. He carried his cutlass on one side and his pistol just inside his belt. The seas were dangerous in more ways than one. He also knew Hennessy was a special young woman, and he yearned to be near her again. This would be his last trip over the edge, he thought to himself. I now have a reason to stay closer to home. The sails filled out and pushed the clipper against the water, and he began his long journey across the sea.

Hennessy arose the next morning thinking about the Captain. He was handsome, and charming in his own way. She walked into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She called everyone to the table. Brandy and Jameson appeared in their bedclothes, still sleepy and quiet.

“Where’s Ginny?” Hennessy asked.

“I don’t know,” Jameson replied. “I said good night to her last night.”

Hennessy began to panic. The conversation yesterday had turned to his journey to the other side of the earth, and Ginny appeared eager to hear more. She was afraid… afraid…perhaps not… “Jameson, would you be kind enough to watch Brandy for a moment or two? There is an urgent matter I must attend to. I might take longer than I expect. You can stay with Mr. Daniels down the street if you prefer.”

Hennessy hurried outside, lifting her silk dress as she ran toward a cab on the other side of the street. The driver picked her up and directed his horses to the wharf. She hoped that the situation would easily be resolved. She found the port master and asked about Ginny. The port master said, “Aye, Miss Hennessy. I saw the wee lass this morning. She said she had something to give to Captain Morgan.”

“Did you see her come back?”

“No, I weren’t paying attention. A ship in distress was coming in after a night’s travel.”

Hennessy’s heart sank. Ginny must have stowed away on board the Cutty Sark.

She did not want to lose her baby sister; her parents had entrusted them to her, and she would not let them down. Ideas popped into her head about what to do, how to save her. There was only one way to head them off-she needed to find a dirigible pilot to outrun them. Deathly afraid of them as she was, she knew this was her only chance to save her sister.

Asking around town, she finally found a pilot who was willing to help. And Irishman, Jim Beam was well known in these parts, and he told her, “I knew ye parents well. I would be doing good by them to help you out. You ready to go?”

She didn’t stop to think what she might need. “Yes. I am ready.”

“All right, then. Let’s get the Grey Goose ready.” It took nearly four hours to get the steam-powered gas ship ready to float. He had two other men on board to help with steering and ballast. “Miss Hennessy, after you.”

She hesitated a moment and then stepped lightly into the large basket-like section underneath the ship. The men on the ground released the ropes, and the ship rose like a cloud in the sky. It became colder, and Hennessy regretted not bringing a coat. From high above looking down, she saw the docks fall behind and open water ahead of her. She didn’t know why thought this was a good idea. “How safe have these become?” she shouted to Jim over the loud winds.

“They’re much safer now that they were ten years ago. These air ships are fast and fairly reliable.”

“Fairly?”

“Mostly. The tricky part is when we get to the edge. We have to stay as low to the sea as possible to stay in the earth’s gravity.”

“I thought we’d stop them before they got that far!”

Jim looked at Hennessy. “The Cutty Sark is the fastest ship in the fleet. It’s probably over the edge by now.”

She didn’t think this through. This is how her parents died, and she was about to follow. “How far away is it?”

“Not far from this section at all. You can see it up ahead.”

In the distance she could see the edge. She picked up Jim’s telescope and focused in. She thought she saw the clipper just disappear over the edge. Her breath was getting ragged, and she felt ill. She divested her breakfast over the railing, heaving until she was spent. She sat on the floor and cried.

“Now, now, Miss. It’s going to be all right. I’ll get you there. Take some deep breaths and think of something happy.”

Hennessy thought of the picnics her family would take out in the countryside. She was six years old and had only one sibling at the time. Meadows of daisies and bright purples, bright sunshine, and obliging trees to climb. The thought brought a smile to her pale face.

“OK, Miss. Hold on to that rope right there. We’re about to make the Turn.”

She slowly stood up, holding on to the looped ropes with both hands. She would see this through until the very end. Jim brought the Grey Goose close to the water; she could see dolphins and turtles swimming below her.

“Here we go.” Ahead of them the inky darkness of the sky abounded. The shadow of the ship over the water began to disappear. She felt as if she were falling and closed her eyes. Turning, turning, turning, then it all paused, and the forward motion continued. “We made the Turn. I see the Cutty Sark up ahead.”

Hennessy cried and hugged Jim. “Thank you!” she shouted. As the airship flew closer to the clipper, one of the crew put one ballast bag out to lower the ship. She saw the vessel in more detail now and recognized the bright red figure at the helm. “HALLOOO there! Morgan!” She shouted, her voice straining to be heard.

On the ship, Captain Morgan looked up as the shadow of the airship flew overhead. He looked up through a telescope and spotted Hennessy. She was frantically waving and shouting. He couldn’t make out what she was saying. Then he heard a voice behind him. “She’s probably looking for me.”

Captain Morgan spun around and saw Ginny standing there. “Oh, what are you doing here, lass? This is not safe for you. Your sister – she’s up there probably worried to death about you. Oh, no.” He took Ginny and held her up for Hennessy to see. “She’s right here!” he shouted. “She’s good!”

Hennessy could finally take the breaths she needed to calm down. Jim brought the airship a little higher up and accompanied the Cutty Sark to Boston. They were quite the spectacle as Americans had never seen a dirigible before. The clipper docked at Boston Harbor, and the air ship landed in a field west of the harbor. Hennessy climbed out and was greeted by curious Americans who were eager to learn about this airship. “Pardon me, I have to find my sister!” she stated as she felt firm ground beneath her feet. She started running as fast as she could toward the harbor, her lungs burning with fear, exhaustion, and the change in altitude. Up ahead in the distance she saw another figure coming toward her, arms wildly flailing. “Is that you, Ginny? Ginny!”

They came together in a fierce hug, Hennessy crying and Ginny trying to speak at the same time. “It was magnificent! We went right over the edge. I’ve never dreamed of something like this.”

Hennessy pulled apart and said, “What were you thinking? I was scared you were gone forever.”

Captain Morgan caught up with them. “We could never be gone forever when there is so much to return to.” He took Hennessy is his arms and embraced her like a familiar friend. “I must say, she was quiet as a church mouse. None of the men knew she was on board. I apologize for not noticing.”

“Ginny has always been good at hiding.” Hennessy looked at Ginny. “Missy, you have a lot of explaining to do.”

Morgan asked, “If you two don’t mind, would you like to come back with me once the ship is loaded? It’s a tad safer than the air ship.”

Hennessy forgot about Jim. “I must check with Jim. He was so kind as to bring me here. He knew my parents, and they-“

Morgan put his finger against her lips. “Shhh. I know. Ginny told me as we disembarked.” He embraced her again. “Go talk with Jim. I must attend to my crew here and secure the cargo.”

Back at the airship, Jim had his hands full of gawkers looking at this marvel. They wanted to take a trip and were willing to pay good money for it. Hennessy walked back up to the airship to have a discussion with Jim about sailing home with Morgan instead. “I can’t believe how excited they are about the Grey Goose. We have nothing much at home. I think we’ll stay here. We can make a fortune just carting these people around the town.” The other two men nodded fervently in agreement, and Jim told Hennessy, “I did right by your parents. Captain Morgan is a good man, and I trust him to take you and Ginny back home safely.” Jim hugged her and said with a grin, “Right now I have to go back to my adoring crowd.”

Hennessy stayed in town with Ginny as the clipper was loaded with goods. A knock on the inn door brought the visitor in. “I hope you two are ready to go. We leave tonight at sunset,” Morgan explained. “There’s something special I want you two to see.”

The Cutty Sark was loaded per the Queen’s wishes, the girls and the crew embarked at twilight. “What is it you want us to see?” Hennessy asked.

“In a few hours. Just the sunset at the edge of the world,” Morgan replied. The vessel cut the waves smoothly as the sails propelled them closer to the edge. The sun set in pinks and oranges, blues and purples. Then the colors disappeared and stars filled the void. “Hold on. We’re ready to make the Turn.”

Hennessy found a railing to hold on to, and she kept her father’s watch in a starched gold handkerchief within the top of her corset. She felt the ship slowing down as the sun was now below the horizon. Was the load too much? Would they sail right off the earth? She closed her eyes again, ready to feel the unsteady force of the Turn. Turn, turn, the whooshing of the sails as the clipper caught the edge of the earth. The ship continued moving, picking up speed as it sailed back on the top toward England. She looked up at the sky and felt her father watching over her. Beyond the starboard railing a magnificent image filled her with awe. It was a brilliant sunrise. Hennessy looked over at the Captain. “It’s beautiful.”

Morgan looked over the railing beside her and whispered, “And so are you.”