Saga

This is an old photograph of my paternal grandfather's boat, Saga.  My father and his two brothers spent every summer of their youth on board, reveling in the salt air and the ocean.  My great grandmother, however, had nothing nice to say about the water or boats, and steadfastly refused her son's repeated invitations to come aboard for a pleasant afternoon of gentle sailing. 

Eventually she was somehow persuaded to join them, and even appeared to be almost enjoying the experience when, to her horror, she watched the small dinghy being maneuvered by my father and his brother John capsize.  For the longest time she searched the water frantically for signs of life, but saw only the upturned hull.  Unbeknownst to her, the boys were busily diving down to rescue the contents of the dinghy, coming up for air underneath the boat, and then diving down again and again! 

Poor Nana.  As soon as it was clear that all was well, and her grandsons were safely back aboard Saga none the worse for wear, she demanded to be returned immediately to shore, where she sat for the rest of the afternoon with her back firmly turned towards the water!

Saga was requisitioned by the United States Coast Guard during World War II, and sadly she was sunk in the line of duty before the war's end.

Extra shows my father, aged about 12, aboard Saga.