How the ships fade away…

I don’t remember when was the last time i wrote here. Since my flight training started, i barely had opportunity and felt bad about it. If only today, i could tell better things to you…

I always like the stories about ships. I was even part of some stories, and i always felt happy. But my stories are never as special as the one i am trying to tell you now.

First, you have to meet S/S Aksu. She was launched in Trieste in 1909. In 1934, she was bought by Turkish Maritime Lines and served for long years. She was one of the ships which frequently served in Blacksea coast line. One day, while the ship was steaming in Blacksea, unexpected happened and the passenger count was increased one, by a baby boy. His parents were expecting his birth a little later, but he decided to take his first breath onboard Aksu, flavoured smoke, steam and salt. The news was heard from the bridge quickly. Soon, the baby had a visitor. The Captain. He talked with the boy’s parents and made them promise, they will name the boy “Aksu”. So they did, they named the boy “Ali Aksu”.

I heard this story from the baby boy, few years ago in a crowded family meeting. I should have guessed it way before, since Aksu is not a common name in the family. He told me he will tell the details later, infact he did not remember everything he heard from his mother. But we never had the opportunity to have a conversation about it, because there were other people who missed him, especially my grandpa, i mean his older brother…

S/S Aksu sunk near Tisan, Mersin in 1963. Uncle Aksu passed away today. His loss was unexpected like his birth. No doubt, he is on his way to somewhere beautiful, and i am sure, onboard S/S Aksu. So sad, i did not have the chance to say goodbye…

e.