SEA STORIES SOUTH AMERICA

ADVENTURE OF A  LIFETIME: WILSON SWILLEY
Text Box: GOT TO STAY ON BOARD: Rated: XXX I don’t know to this day who kept me on board, generally you are taken off after one trip on a C card.. I’ve made two trips to Africa and South America. Had to be the Union, Captain West or the Boson. The last trip to Africa had its moments but nothing out of the ordinary. We did go to Accra, Ghana. Unloaded a lot of the bagged grain and deck load. The city was struggling to survive. The bar that we went to was an old theatre from the past the floor sloped toward where the screen use to be. You did not want to fall down drunk. You would have rolled to the stage area. They had vendors in the street selling a shish kabob of meat. What type of meat is unknown. It was so seasoned hot who cares. I finally got laid. Got drunk on STAR beer. That’s what it took. Next day I was standing gangway watch. The Boson came aboard walking bow legged and yelled out so everyone could hear, “Now I know what feels like to jack off with a Brillo pad!” I knew what he meant and I guess a few others did. We just smiled. We were back in New Orleans on a beautiful day. The BA asked if I want to stay aboard as I was paying my dues. Of course I did. The boson gave me the 4 to 8 watch so I could earn more OT. Made my day. The ship wasn’t due to leave for a week or so. Went back to the quarter to visit some places I had worked and had friends. Bourbon Street Art Gallery (Eddy Mangham) and Dixieland Hall (Al Clark). They were located across the street from Al Hirt’s place. I stayed upstairs over the Gunga Den with an old girl friend for a while. She had an Irish girl living there that was a nymph. Everybody went to Sgt. Hans, seaman that is. The owner was a retired New Orleans police sergeant. Also visit Bill Mahood, a street artist who did portraits in pastels. He was set up on the side walk around Jackson Square across from the church. Hit all my favorite bars in town Archie's, Holladay House and Blue Note, owned by a black friend who knew Fats real well. I use to go to a lot of black bars in those days because of my love for R&B music. Got to meet a lot of good musicians which later became famous. Met most of them in the fifties as a teenager. Did not want to go to the union hall De Salvo would think I owed him for the trip. Used to give a hundred bucks to put me on ships that need a crew member in a hurry. This way I didn’t have take my chances on the job call every hour at the board. Didn’t see too many hustlers I use to run with. Did get the news one was in Angola prison for grass and the other had started a successful porn and music studio. The two of us hang out around bars on south Canal St. The whore would take care of us. Ray’s record company only had one hit. It was Murray Kellum “Long Tall Texan.” I dated that singer’s cousin years ago in Jackson. Back in my drag race days. Out one night she told me that he was her cousin. I was still having to work on board while in port. One day while on gangway watch I recognized this guy coming up the gangway he looked at me and said. “Hey aren’t you the guy that stepped in back.” Sure enough while running across the old court house yard one night, I jumped a hedge and landed in the middle of this guys back while he getting a piece of ass. We laughed about it and he said it was lucky he was on the down stroke. Of all people on the day we were leaving, Steve Price came up to the ship in his XKE with a good looking girl to be our passenger to Rio. She was a TV star in Brazil and wanted to travel on a tramp steamer I guess. I met Vincent Price a year or so back when he came to the Art Gallery while I was working there.. He liked some of the surrealistic paintings from the local artist. With passengers, this meant the boat deck would be limited access. We had two cadets from Kings Point, also on board one deck and one engine room. We were about the same age and became friends during the trip especially the deck cadet. She took on her final load that night and we were under way. The weather was mostly great. We hit a few squalls but nothing serious. Off the Venezuelan coast the seas got rough. Like ground swells when you get close to shore, mainly caused by the centennial shelf. One sunny day I was assigned to paint the King Post aft (refer to photo sea stories Africa, looking aft) of the mid ship starboard side in front of hold number four. Had a boson chair shackled to a hook and my paint can bale was held to the chair with a bended welding rod. I used the hook to fasten on top of the ladder rungs. These rungs are pretty worn from rust, they were made of a 3/4” square bar turned on edge so the sharp ends up, better traction. The rust make them very uneven the hook did not slide very easy from side to side. I worked my way down the post painting each side. Of all things this TV star came out in a bikini and pulled a deck chair out from underneath the cover aft the boat deck. The top of the cover was flush with the fiddle deck (sky light to the engine room behind the stack). I was painting black on the top of the King Post because the stack when they blew the boiler tubes would put out black soot. Anyhow, she proceeded to untie her top straps and lie face down on the lounge chair. Well of course I’m quite as a mouse watching this. I didn’t know the boson and Deck maintenance were watching me. It must have been obvious what I was doing. You could see the side of her breast as she laid with her hands under head. Her legs were spread to where you could almost see, well you know. But to get a better view I had to lean over a bit. The hooked grabbed as though it was locked against the side plate of the ladder. It was not, it slipped over with a jolt and I lost my footing. Dropped my brush and some paint came out of the bucket. There was laughter from the weld deck. Boson yells out watch what you are doing. The girl jumped up wiping paint of her legs. I had to apologize to her and she took it well. Of course I was kidded about it. But some were jealous. We docked at pier one you could see the airport and look down President Avagar Ave. which led to Coca Cabaña beach. The cadets ask me to joint them ashore. They were going to a jewel store that the actress knew the owner and he would give them a good deal. Her limo pick us up at the gangway. I felt out of place. They talked about jewelry all the way there. I just want to fuck the hell out this girl, damn what a body, but a snob. She introduced the owner to us and left. The guy took us to a private room and offered us drinks. Of course I had a Rum and coke. The coke was more expensive than the rum. I had no interest in any of this. I finished my drink and excused my self, thanked them for the ride and the drink. I headed for the Florida Bar at pier one. It was like a large roomy place with lots of tables. Adair and Eric, the guy I stepped in his back, were with a couple of girls. I joined them. We drank and shot the shit for a couple of hours, found a girl that was up to my standards and we left to shack up for the night. Olive skinned woman, black hair and brown eyed beauty and fuck you as if they really loved you. We left the next day for Santos but would return in a week according to the scuttlebutt. We dock in Santos the next day. One of the black gang, Oilier or Fireman not sure which, had a wife and kids in New Orleans, also in Santos. A wife and kids met him at the dock in Santos. Had a cousin like that. Always though you had to marry them to fuck them. He got arrested for bigamy. He was in Two Lane Black Top the movie. Got caught up in his world during the drag racing days of the early sixties. First bars we hit were the ABC and The Golden Key. Being Friday night we had whores from Sao Palo which I guess was a hundred miles away. These girls were secretaries and teachers but made more money on the week end with us than they did at their jobs. The cadets never did go with the crew to the bars. Most officers never did. Now and then we might see a mate in the bar, the likes of Henry Maze and Ski. Went ashore with the cadets the next day on tour of the beaches. Shopping in the market area. Ate at a fancy hotel restaurant. Steak was cheaper than chicken. The coffee was strong. You could get a high on the coffee. That night went back to the ABC or Golden Key to get laid. Damn that was what the whole trip was about, women. I really didn’t care for the drinking it was just part of the game. Most of the whores would not go with you if they knew you were with another whore. It was like a union. They called you a butterfly (Papillion) if you were going from whore to whore. These were great days for Merchant Marines. The pay was good. The Navy and civilian tourist have not ruined it. Inflating the market that is. It was expensive to travel in those days and some were not that accessible. Plus the rich didn’t play in our territories. They just did not have that many Americans around for the picking. Five to twenty dollar for short time and all night was about it. Hotels and restaurants were cheap and I mean some of the best five star rated. So it was nothing to see a drunk oiler with his ugly whore in one. On the other hand some ordinary seaman dressed as if he was James Bond or a rock star. You could play the role and get away it. Money was the sex appeal and the price of making the bullshit work. We left Santos, great little town, for Porto Alegra with a stop at the entrance to Rio Grande Del Sol. There was a Salon mess man on board that was kin to Trini Lopez the singer, Henry was his first name. He told us this anyhow. Couple of us in the deck gang got off early to go ashore. We hit the first joint Susann’s, a whore house and bar. No surprise Henry and Adair were already there. Adair was a nut like every ship had one. Party animal first class, do anything for fun. He was young and not a bad looking guy which helped. It was about 4 of 5 in the afternoon and we had been there for about an hour. The girl who was bringing our beers at the time had a great body. Adair bragging how he would like to eat her pussy. He would even do it right here in front of everybody. Adair got up to go to the rest room. While he was gone Henry called over a the girl. Henry took up a collection from us to pay the girl to come over to the table and pull up her dress with out her panties of course and sit on the table in front of Adair with her legs open. When Adair got back from the rest room, seemed in a good bullshit mood and feeling his beers. Here comes the girl from out behind the bar. She proceed to go between Adair and the table. Adair made room not knowing what was about to happen. She got up on the table and open her leg. What a beautiful sight. Adair with out hesitation cut our viewing time short with his face in her snatch. In a few seconds and he standing up with legs on his shoulder like eating a melon and off to a room he went. We did not see Adair until the next morning of course with a smile on his face. He got a free piece of ass on us. The joke was on us. We did enjoy it and Henry had learned his lesson. Going up the river was a trip. The river was shallow and you had to go up with the tide I guess. We passed a Packing house own by Swift and Co. Apparently this area was cattle country. Found our later it fed Europe with it’s beef. Docked in front of ship that had sunk at the dock. I wasn’t clear why. Had to do with something about coming up the river. Capt. West had an invitation to a class whore house that was by invitation only. Casa Grande du something. I can not remember. He gave me the card to go with the Cadets. We were to leave that afternoon. A limo would pick us up and bring us back the next day. It was explained to me that the ticket was good for one night with the whore of your choice in a Bungalow. You paid for food and the drinks. The limo, a Mercedes no less, picked us up. After about a half hour drive out of Porto Alegra we came to a driveway covered with trees that lead up to this real modern looking two story building with all glass front. It had a circled drive in front surrounded by trees. A hostess (mama san) came out to greet us. Took our tickets or invitations which ever. She welcomed us to the Casa Grande and hoped to make this a night most enjoyable. I was thinking, this had possibilities of being just that. We had drinks first and scoped out the bar. There were a few girls at the bar and damn good looking. They were well dressed and had real class. Hostess invited to take us on a tour of the place. As we were walking upstairs she said, “You choose your room before the night begins. There were some special rooms you could have for an additional price. Also depends if you want more than one girl, there is an additional charge.” She added, “By the way, we have girl from every country in the world.” “From the U.S,” one of the cadets asked. “Sure a couple” she replied. “You have to pick the one you want during the night and feel comfortable with.” Upstairs, the first room was the mirror room nothing but mirrors on the ceiling and walls. Of course all the sex toys. The second room had picture of different sex acts all over. One room had a basket for the famous basket fuck suspended from the ceiling with a ropes. They had rooms with movies and live acts and homosexual acts. All us youngster wanted was the girl we could make our own fantasies. She took us downstairs and out back were the bungalows were. There was a pathway covered by trees and flowers with little romantic benches set off the path. Paths lead off to each bungalow. The first place we came to I took. I wanted to be close to the action when I got hot. I was ready to go to bed and fuck. The room was very nice it had a raised floor after about six feet in the room and the bed was sunk into the floor with a mirror across the top. The Bathroom was in the back. It’ll do just fine. I would have hated to be an older guy, he would probably need help getting off the floor. They put my ticket on the door and gave me the key. I went back to the bar while the cadets went to find their rooms. Went straight up to the bar there was a good looking blonde sitting there. I said hi and ordered a drink. She responded and seemed inviting to me. She was Dutch or German but spoke pretty good English. She was in her twenties, well built 36-22-36, had brown eyes and dishwater blonde hair. Inviting her to sit at a table with me. We did so for only about five minutes before the cadets return. Really hated that, order their drinks and began talking to the others girls. Before you know it was close to 7 pm and we had four girls at the table. We order our dinner and who walked in Captain West and a couple of officers from the ship, they joined us. He ordered a round for us all and you could see he was in command again. They ordered their dinner, also. We all were talking, eating and drinking having a merry old time. I notice that I was going to lose my date to the captain. They were hitting it off. Well I would not be here if it was not for him. All the girls at our table were taken by the other guys. I didn’t want to try to pick up one of their girls. I left the table and went up to the bar while they were dancing leaving me there sitting alone. I could see Mama san at the end of the bar, she kind of nodded to me as if to say hi. I got my drink and looked around to see who was left without a date. It was late, 10 or ll. Normally I would like to be settled in by now. Feeling sorry for my self turned to see the captain and a few of them leaving the dining room. Guess he going to fuck that good looking bitch. Damn!!! I did not see any girls that interested me at the bar so I went back to the table with one of the cadets and his girl. They asked what had happened to me and I explained. They decide to keep me company for awhile. Now it was ll:30 or so. Hostess came over to the table and sat down next to me. She told me she had seen what had happened. Not to worry, she would take care of me. She said, she had the prefect girl for me. An Argentinean girl that spoke only Italian and Portuguese but was new and would be her first time. She had called her to come down. The cadet left with his girl before she arrived. Hostess was right she was beautiful. Black hair, brown eyes, olive skin and only nineteen. On the thin side and nice breasts. In fact perfect if I must say so. Very beautiful face. In fact today I think she could be a movie star. She didn’t want to drink so we went to the room. I tried speaking to her in French. I could only speak Japanese and French, and with as little Spanish that I knew, we got along great. I found out that she played the guitar and sang. So we got her guitar and sat in the room. I was drinking a beer as she played the guitar and sang in Portuguese. Tell you, I was impressed with her talent. She made love to me as if it was her honey moon. You’ve never seen such beautiful black pussy hair. And taste good too. Thank you Hostess……! I did not have an invitation to return to the Casa Grande the next night. I went ashore with some the crew. I found another nice girl but after the one last night. I’ve never known a bad piece of ass. We stayed a couple of more days in Porto Alegra. Then off to Rio to pick up coffee and other cargo. We didn’t dock at pier one this time but down stream of it. We went to the Florida bar and few bars around the dock area. We didn’t go to Coca Cabaña Beach for some reason that escapes me. It was not long before the same girl I was with before found me. She was ready to shack up for the night. It ended up being a couple of days. She saved my ass once in the Florida bar. A fight broke out and the police were called. This place was so big I didn’t pay any attention to the fight. She gabbed me and told me get under the table. I wonder what for but I did so anyhow. There was gun fire. The cops down here meant business. We ran out a side door and back to her place. Next day I had to turn to get the ship ready to shift over to Ipanima to load coffee bags off of barges. Some sort of political shit was going on. The crew had to load it on board. I never understood this but it paid good, double time. I heard some idiot running aft from the gangway yelling at the top of his lungs. Had no idea what the hell was going on. I was on the portside next to hatch no 3, we were docked starboard side at the time. Adair ran by me at a pace that would have made lightning look slow. He took one step on a ten step stairway, I swear. He was on the fore peak ran around the no 1 hatch. He didn’t touch any of the steps come back on the starboard side. This is a good ten foot drop. He was still screaming, his face was red a beet. He entered the starboard passageway next to the gang way. He exit the same with someone chasing after him. He leaped on top of hatch no. 3, lucky we just put on the covers and tarps. He ran across the hatch and made a leap to gunnels. It was a good twelve feet to the gunnels. He made the bitts, lucky they were there. That was still an eight foot jump. With one foot on the bitts over the side into the drink he went. I ran to the side to see if he was still alive. That damn guy was swimming as fast as he was running. He swam around the bow. Somehow he got himself out of the water and on to the docks. They wrapped him in blankets. Then took him to sick bay. In no time he was out. I He told me later. He got high on yellow jackets and booze and was burning up. The only way he keep cool was by running. But the water did the trick. We anchored off Ipanima and worked all night It was about six in the morning before we finished loading hundreds of bags in the between decks. Some of us were about to drop from exhaustion. Some skipped breakfast and chose to hit the rack. I wasn’t so lucky one of my ABs took the ship out of the harbor the other hit the rack. I was to relieve the other one as soon as we got the pilot off. Was that a rough two hours, normal only hour and twenty but relieve him early so he could get some sleep. Not that I didn’t need some too. Finally when I got relieved I slept like a baby. At least until 4 that afternoon for watch. Next day after our watch about nine o clock we arrived in Natal next to Recife. I had no idea my step dad and mom were there with my sister. As we were motoring into port some bum boats met us in the bay. I was shouting at the girls on the boats. They were taking off their tops showing us their tits. I played like I was going to jump in with them. The boson dared me too, chief mate gave me a dirty look. That’s all it took, boots off and I was in the drink swimming to the bum boat. Capt West came to the port side as I floated by. I had done something like this on the African trip I forgot. The boson for some reason said “Fuck you Swilley.” Told him to go ahead and I drop my pants and bent over. On the fore peak in plain view of the wheel house while docking. Where the captain and pilot were at the time. Never hear if they saw me. As I floated by West played like he did not see me. I approached the stern. The aft crew was looking at me when out of the crowd came Adair to join me. We were reamed out needless to say but I think him stealing my girl got us both off. Nothing was written into the log. By the way we didn’t get laid in Natal. While docked there we were painting the flukes of the bow around anchor hawse pipe on a stage. Had to use a choke line to hold us in to the hull. The winch used to pull us in was steam operated. It did not react in time as we were being pulled in. We could see us being crushed, so we had to jump. Well, I had been here before, but with the red lead paint and paint rollers on top of us was new. Back to New Orleans and payoff. A great ship with good memories. I will never forget her. Future Sea Stories: Couple of coast wise trips, another grain trip to India, Vietnam and Bangkok on Victory ships. Ending with prison in Japan. My “Midnight Express” movie experience.

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (sugar loaf)

Me in Santos, Brazil

NATAL, BRAZIL

PORTO ALEGRA, BRAZIL

RIO GRANDE DE SOL, BRAZIL

GOING UP THE RIVER TO PORTO ALGERA

HATCH NO. 3

          U.S. MERCHANT MARINES