Published: 9 Oct 2023

Eden is a pretty town on Twofold bay on the south east coat of New South Wales. The bay was named by George Bass the English naval surgeon and explorer, whose last voyage was on the Venus in eighteen hundred and three, while travelling to South America for supplies for the almost failing colony at Port Jackson and never again heard from. The bay was earlier mentioned in James Cook’s log as a fine harbour with well watered grassland and by his observation few natives. Before his fatal voyage on the Venus, Bass had sailed a small craft he named Tom Thumb from Sydney Cove south along the coast to Westernport in now Victoria, later he sailed around Van Diemen’s Land proving it to be a separate island.

The site of Eden was chosen for the sea voyage footage as it was the home of The Pelican, which was a reproduction of a nineteenth century barque that Barrington had hired for filming of Logan and Chance’s voyage from Sydney to the southern gold fields.

As the small aircraft approached the coast the pilot pointed towards a town below, “Eden he calls back to his passengers.

“Where is the airport?” Alun asks as the town appears to be surrounded by forest.

“There isn’t an airport with traffic control at Eden, we will land at Merimbula and you will be met by a vehicle to take you down to Eden.”

“Look!” Taylor exclaims as he points out a sailing rigger, “that must be the Pelican.” Moments later they are away from the ocean over the adjoining forest, with what was obviously Merimbula some distance ahead.

“Five minutes and I’ll have you down,” the pilot assures.

Once landed the boys are met and quickly taxied away towards Eden. On reaching town it was a short drive to an historic dockside bond store that had been set up as a temporary studio for the duration of filming. Arriving at the bond store they discovered the filming crew already hard at work preparing for the following days filming. It soon became apparent one of the crew was missing, “where is Michael Long?” Alun asked Simon.

“Haven’t you heard?” Simon says.

“I guess not.”

“It was Michael Long who took those photographs of you and Taylor and posted them on the net.”

“Oh, I would never have thought that of Michael.”

“He admitted doing it, besides the IT people traced the posting back to his mobile internet connection.”

“So what has happened with Michael?”

“He quit before being dismissed.”

“That’s a shame as he is a good cameraman.”

“We have replaced him with an even better cameraman. He is flying out from Hollywood as we speak and should arrive first thing in the morning.”

“I am surprised with Michael as we got along with most things,” Alun says, although he remembers occasions when the cameraman would appear irritated towards a simple remark or request and he did display a sarcastic trend on most topics.

“He always had a dark side and despised you and Taylor.”

“What did we do to deserve his attitude?” Taylor questions believing he had a measure of concord with Michael, often sharing a beer and a joke after filming.

“You can act – Michael can’t.”

“Then why become a cameraman?”

“Those who can act stand in front of the camera, those who can’t act stand behind it,”

“Even so it is hard to believe he would stoop so low as to damage our reputation.”

Early the following morning and in full costume the boys made their way to the dock and the Pelican. What they find surprising, the ship’s crew and its captain are all in period costume with all modern conveniences removed, or hidden from the camera lens. Once on board the boys are show to their cabin doubling as dressing room, then after settling they returned topside to meet with Simon, finding him busy going over his filming notes.

“Is the cabin suitable,” Simon lifts his eyes and asks.

Both agree positively.

“We had filming scheduled for today but unfortunately Bruce Willard, our replacement camera has been delayed until tomorrow.” Simon flicks the page on his clipboard. “Instead we’ll do some long shots of you walking about the deck in general conversation.”

“What about the cabin scenes?” Alun asks realising their cabin appeared far too modern to be that on a nineteenth century ship and too small to hold a filming crew as well as the cameras and lighting equipment.

“There has been a mock-up of a ship’s cabin at the studio, so those scenes will be shot onshore.” Simon pauses and gives the boys the onceover, “I do have a problem with your costumes.”

“What would that be?” Taylor asks.

“Shoes.”

“What’s wrong with our shoes they are authentic to costume?” Taylor questions.

“For land-lovers yes but sailors went barefooted, they never wore shoes.”

“Why?”

“It is for traction on timber decks and when climbing in the rigging, wearing shoes would be dangerous.”

Alun quickly casts his eyes upwards, “will we have to climb up there?”

“No and if you were required to do so, we would use a stuntman, we can’t have our stars injuring themselves.”

Without further the camera is set up to follow the boys as they promenaded.

“How do you want to handle the filming?” Alun questions realising there hadn’t any script for the shooting.”

“No script, I would like spontaneity. Put yourselves in period, it is the eighteen fifties and you are at sea while everything is new and exciting.

Alun gives a cheeky grin, “right,” he says and turns to Taylor, “Chance, care to perambulate the poop deck,” he says.

“Logan I should think it is the forecastle deck, you will find the poop towards the rear,” Taylor comically replies.

“You don’t have to get that technical Chance.”

“When in Rome Logan -,”

“Hey you two, cut the frivolity and get into character!” Simon shouts from his position behind camera.

The boys lose their humor and fall into character as they approach the ship’s bow. After a number of minutes of incidental footage Simon is satisfied. “Right boys stand down that’s enough for today,” he calls and takes the cameraman aside, “is any of it useable?”

“I think so, although it would be better with dual angles.”

“We have Michael Long’s replacement arriving tomorrow,” Simon informs.

“Yes you said; Bruce Willard,” Arnold Bishop the stand in cameraman says.

“Do you know Willard?” Simon asks.

“I’ve worked with him before during a shoot in Tahiti. He knows his chops.”

Simon beckons the boys to approach.

“Are you satisfied with the footage?” Taylor asks.

“Some will be useable but we need deepwater footage.”

“What out at sea?”

“Yes Alun out at sea that is where the deep water is, do you have a problem with that?”

“Alun gets seasick,” Taylor comically implies.

“Take your pills Alun. As soon as Willard arrives tomorrow we will be taking the ship out.”

“How far is out?” Alun asks.

“As far as the captain deems it necessary.”

There is a gentle breeze coming off the ocean and cool for the season. Alun gives a slight shiver as Taylor approaches, “the breeze is a little brisk,” he says.

Taylor gives a nod of agreement as he peers down at the jetsam that gathered around the ship’s hull and the dock pylons, “we’re a messy lot,” he considers.

“Why do you say that?’

“Look down there,” he points to the gathered jetsam.

“Most of it is plastic, more than likely coming from storm water drains.”

“Taylor points and laughs, “look there is a condom wrapper, someone has had a good time.”

“I was thinking of Michael Long,” Alun diverts from the jetsam.

“What’s brought Michael to mind?”

“With the new cameraman arriving tomorrow being from Hollywood and how Michael wished to find work there.”

“Simon said Michael did so out of jealousy.”

“It is a pity, I like Michael but I can’t forgive him for what he did, as it has put me bad with my father.”

“I didn’t think of it at the time but now I remember Michael was using his mobile when we were dressing,” Taylor recollects.

“You should have said something to Simon.”

“As I said, it didn’t register because I was concerned with how the swimming scene had gone,” Taylor laughs, “and your awkwardness from being naked.”

“Even so it is a pity to lose a good cameraman.”

Taylor takes a deep breath and gives a slight head shake and a single tongue click as he often did before becoming profound, “In the words of my old Gran, we reap what we sow:

“True but often it is the grim reaper, as dad’s attitude couldn’t get grimmer and Michael has given him plenty to reap.”

Taylor diverts, “what do you think of the ship and taking a sea trip?” he asks as he feels concerned for his friend’s admittance of suffering from seasickness.

“Impressive but I’m not looking forward to the ocean trip.”

“It will be fun, besides you’ve been on a ship before.”

“Only on the ferry to Tasmania, most of that was in the ships bar or our cabin. The trip was overnight and dark when we left with a calm crossing.”

“And you still got seasickness?”

“I suppose it was the gently rolling once we hit the open water of Bass Strait, after which I spent much of the night bent over the cabin’s toilet.”

“How were you on the return trip?”

“We flew back.”

“I will say this acting caper has its perks,” Taylor diverts from his friend’s concern.

“Yea like having photographs of your tackle posted on the net,” Alun growls

Taylor laughs; “that also could be considered a perk. I’ve already had offers.”

“Offers you say?”

“Yes on Twitter.”

“Offers from women?”

“Some but not all were women.”

“I gave up my account for that very reason.”

Simon arrives on deck and approaches the boys. “How are your sea legs going?” he asks.

“I don’t have any,” Alun admits.

“As I mentioned earlier tomorrow we will be taking a little trip.”

“Where to?”

“Not far, more than likely it will be overnight and possibly a second day. We will need footage of the ship on the open ocean and some twilight shots. I believe they have great sunsets this time of the year. We all know about your aversion to sea travel Alun but what about you Taylor, do you suffer sea sickness?”

“I don’t know, I guess I’m about to find out.” Taylor admits.

“If you do you can share some of Alun’s pills. We will be through filming here in Eden by the end of the week and there will be some downtime. Have either of you been to Sydney?”

“I have,” Taylor admits.

“I have booked you a hotel for a couple of nights before returning to continue filming in Ballarat,” Simon offers.

“Perks,” Alun laughs.

“What do you mean?” Simon questions.

“It was something Taylor mentioned earlier.”

“Well perks or not, we are now a little ahead of schedule even with Michael Long resigning, so you could do with a break and while in Sydney I’d like you to have a look at the city’s colonial past and get a feel for it.”

It was a second days before the new cameraman was on board. Now they had lost momentum and the Eden schedule is once again behind with the costs mounting. During the late morning the Pelican set sale and is soon beyond the haven of Twofold Bay, travelling under a brisk southeasterly breeze. The Introduction to Willard the new cameraman went without ceremony as he arrived just in time for sailing, with promise of a proper introduction during the short sea voyage.

After the Pelican was away with the southeasterly guiding the vessel northwards along the coast, Simon calls the crew and cast together.

“Right, Ocean scene twelve; you need to imagine the ship is travelling south from Sydney heads on its way to Victoria, Logan and Chance are on deck watching a native camp on the shore.”

“Simon you say the shoot is of the ship leaving Sydney, when will the filming of arriving at Geelong in Victoria be shot?” Taylor asks.

“That is a good question Taylor and won’t be for at least a month coinciding with the Pelican’s visit to Melbourne for a tall ship reunion.” Simon turns and speaks to one of the extras, “the ship’s captain comes into scene here. That is you Robert, as you are Captain Toft.”

“In part and ready,” Robert agrees, straightens his captain’s hat then clears his throat for voice.

“Boys are your ready as Logan and Chance?”

“I do have another question.” Taylor says.

“Explain.”

“If we are in conversation on native camps along the shoreline, wouldn’t the Pelican be travelling in the wrong direction?”

“Astute young Taylor but no prob’ as that footage will be shot on our return to Eden. For now you only need to act out the part and the camera will only be focused on you and not the direction of the coast, we will splice in extra footage later,”

“What would we do without splicing,” Taylor chuckles.

“This isn’t a comedy Taylor.”

“Sorry.”

Simon glances about and is satisfied.

“Cameras ready?” he questions.

“Ready.”

Places,” Simon calls, “and please let us get it in one, I believe we are about to hit some heavy sea which could make filming difficult.”

Alun and Taylor take their positions.

“Ocean scene twelve, cameras roll,” Simon calls over the sound of the clapperboard.

Logan finds Chance on the foredeck, his eyes fixed across the short distance to the shore as a column of smoke rises lazily through the tall eucalyptus trees. Chance points towards an imaginary beach and equally imaginary scene with knowledge the natives will be added later.

“What are you looking at?” Logan asks.

“The natives, they appear to be waving.”

Chance waves back.

“They are not waving Chance, look again one has hurled something in our direction. I think if you could understand their shouting, it would translate as go away.”

“Enters Captain Toft,” Simon softly announces bringing Robert to approach the boys. There is a slight hesitation in commencing dialogue but Simon remains satisfied. At that moment the ship is caught by a wind gust and the jolting makes everyone reach for support. Moments later the breeze is again calm. The cameras remain rolling and true to their profession the actors remain in script without faulting.

“Good afternoon lads.” The captain greets and gently doffs his hat.

“Good afternoon Mr. Toft,” Logan greets.

“What holds your interest?” the captain asks.”

“We are watching the natives and by their attitude not so please with us sailing by.”

“You will see many native camps during our passage, especially along the southern coast. How are you enjoying your travel?”

“So far good but my gut is churning a little,” Logan admits,” and in truth it was as he hadn’t as yet taken the pills.

“I’ve been at sea for near on forty years and I can still come down in a heavy swell,” the captain admits.

“Don’t you miss home?”

“The sea is my home lad. Do you know what the French call sea sickness?”

“No,” Taylor answers; “you are ad-libbing Robert,” he whispers while stealing a glance towards Simon who is frowning and obviously in half a mind to stop filming.

“They call it Mal-de-mer.”

“Is that so?” Taylor supports the captain’s addition to the conversation.

“Will we have rough weather during our passage?” Chance asks bringing the conversation back to script.

A second glance back towards Simon but he appears settled.

“We could once we are in Bass Strait as it is considered to be one of the most treacherous stretches of water found anywhere.”

“Is that far from the port of Geelong?”

“Leading to – Right lads, enough talk, as was agreed it’s time to earn your passage,” the captain says and leads away.

“Cut!” Simon calls, bringing the filming to an end.

“Stand down and well done,” Simon beckons Robert to approach, “what was that mentioning of the French for sea sickness?”

“I thought it added a little je-ne-sais-quoi into the conversation.”

“Robert you aren’t paid to rewrite the script.”

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“Never mind I like it so we will leave it in – but no more ad-libbing okay.”

Simon approaches the boys, “Taylor you handled Robert going of script rather well.”

“Will we have to reshoot?”

“No I’ll leave it in but I’m not entirely happy with the dialogue on the natives.”

“It is in script, Simon.”

“Yes I realise it is in the script but it is a little soft, I may have to spice it up a little.”

“In what way?” Taylor asks.

“I think we can add a little drama when we splice in the native beach scenes and we could have the natives show more aggression towards the ship’s passing than the script suggests. I’ll pass it by Mr. Barrington later and make a few suggestions and see what he thinks.”

“What did Robert have to say about his ad-libbing?” Taylor asks.

“Je-ne-sais-quoi.”

“What does that mean?” Alun questions.

“You will have to ask Robert, I don’t speak French.”

“It literally means I don’t know what but in English it loosely translates to having a certain style,” Taylor explains.

“I didn’t know you could speak French?” Alun says.

“Also German but the German translation is even stranger, so I guess ein bestimmter stil, would be close enough.”

“I am impressed.” Alun confessed as a further wind gush, catches the sails giving the ship a leeward lurch, almost sending Simon from his feet as he reach for the closest support, “Opps,” Simon laughs but his response is more concerning than it appears.

The lads are playful towards Simon’s reaction, as the ship settles back into gentle rolling.

“That’s better,” Simon confesses and takes a deep reassuring breath.

“Are you worried Simon?” Alun asks while masking his own apprehension.

“No – no not at all.”

“What about you Simon have you been to sea before?” Alun asks and by his expression he is enjoying Simon’s unease.

“Yes,” Simon admits, “well on the bay, I am a member of the Brighton Yacht Club.”

“You can’t describe Port Phillip as ocean Simon,” Alun contradicts.

“It is ocean enough for me.”

As dusk came out of the western land with the sun setting behind Eden’s green rolling hills, the Pelican headed further out and for the first time they were away from any sight of the coast with a gentle sea and a light breeze.

During the evening meal with the crew and cast below deck in the galley, Terry Walsh the ship’s captain and part owner of the Pelican joins them.

“How’s the food?” Terry questions.

“First class,” one of the crew complements, “it’s great,” another agrees, followed by much um’ing and ah’ing.

“How are the stomachs?” Terry smiles broadly, as he knows something they don’t.

“Okay so far,” was the general response.

“How many of you have been to sea before?”

Two of the filming crew and one of the extras give a show of hands.

“How many have experienced a storm at sea?”

This time all hands remained lowered.

“I’ve been in contact with Eden meteorology and there is a storm coming up from the south east, it should hit us about midnight.” The captain pauses while being confronted by a collection of concerned faces.

“Any questions?” the captain asks.

No one speaks.

“I don’t believe that not even one in this galley is remotely concerned.”

“Very concerned Terry,” Simon answers, “but I was waiting for you to give your worst scenario.”

“There will be squalls and heavy rain but the ship has auxiliary diesel power so we will ride it out.”

A single voice rises from the crowd, “will we sink?” a young extra squeaks.

Realizing the sound of anxiety the captain laughs and lowers to a more jovial tone. “No there isn’t any chance of sinking but I would ask for everyone to remain in the cabins, it may be dangerous being on deck. One more request, each cabin will be supplied with a nice shiny metal bucket.”

“A bucket?” comes quizzically from the group.

“Yes a bucket, I don’t want anyone chucking their cookies over the decking.”

With concern for the following day’s filming Simon has a question, “Will we be continuing or heading back?”

“No, we will head further to the north east and with a little luck will miss the most of the storm, if we head back we would be heading into the front.”

It was past midnight when the front arrived and out of a calm sea with a gentle rocking, everything changed, firstly the ship lurched to port throwing Taylor from his bunk. Startled he cried out and swore as he righted himself with the help of the bunk railing.

“Are you okay?” Alun called across the small space that was their cabin as their sick buck began to roll about the decking. The metal bucket’s clanging and bumping brought Alun to further comment, “I’m glad it is empty.”

“How’s your gut?” Taylor asks as the emergency lights came on.

“Don’t know, I think the pills are working but my nerves are a little shattered; how about you?”

Taylor simply replies, “so far.”

Again the ship heaves, this time it was Alun’s turn to hit the floor, “why did I fucken’ agree to this he loudly curses as their cabin door flies open. It is Captain Walsh.

“Are you lads alright?”

“Shaken and a little bruised.” Alun had fallen on an elbow and his knee hurt. He rubs his elbow as proof.

“Then stay calm and remain in your cabin, we have more to come but it should blow itself out before dawn.

The captain’s words were true. Hour after hour the Pelican rocked and tossed, while its timbers creaked and groaned. Eventually it was too much for Alun, emptying the contents of his stomach into the bucket, “so much for pills,” he moaned.

“I’m okay,” Taylor assures as he remained prostrate on his bunk.

Again Alun reaches for his bucket.

Taylor is laughing at his friend’s discomfort while clinging anxiously to his bunk rail for support.

“Aw shut it.”

As Captain Walsh promised, by dawn the storm had blown itself out and the Pelican is once again sailing on calm water, with the new day’s sun showing a happy face from far off across the Tasman Sea. It was now time to check for storm damage and surprisingly there is little. Some of the equipment from the upper deck had moved and the forward hatch had been badly fastened, allowing a little water below but not enough to cause any lasting damage and as the ship had switched to auxiliary power the sails were kept from renting.

“How’s your gut?” Taylor asked of Alun as they come up on deck.

“Empty.”

“They they have called breakfast.”

“I think I’ll give it a miss. How do you feel?”

“Fine, I managed to hold everything down.” As Taylor speaks Simon arrives on deck. He appears worried, firstly he enquires of their wellbeing. Satisfied he returns to what was concerning, “we have had some damage,” he says.

All quietly wait for Simon’s explanation.

“One of the cameras wasn’t secured properly and fell in its packing box and was badly damage. The second has a cracked lens and easily replaced but not out here.”

“So what now?” Alun asks.

“We will need to return to Eden.”

“What about the extra footage?”

“I think we will have enough, besides we can improvise when we rejoin the Pelican later in Melbourne.” Simon approaches the Captain, “what do you think Terry?”

“It is your decision Simon, you are paying the bills but as your equipment is damaged, there wouldn’t be any reason to remain away from port.”

Simon turns his head towards the wide expanse of ocean and releases a soft chortle, “I don’t even know which way is home,” he admits.

“It is as well I do,” the captain says.

“Therefore Terry, I suppose we should head back.”

Gary’s stories are about life for gay men in Australia’s past and present. Your emails to him are the only payment he receives. Email Gary to let him know you are reading: Conder 333 at Hotmail dot Com

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