One Man’s Hero
by
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The sun shone and the sea sparkled as the crew of the F/V Nina & Maria hauled back the net. The fishing dragger rolled on the placid waters of Ipswich Bay on a perfect New England August day as Captain Joe Scola, in command and stationed behind the winch, brought the net and gear from the sandy bottom. As the winch spooled the main wire, the short and stocky captain kept his eyes roving over the gear, the position of the crew and the spots of the ocean where he expected the doors to break the surface. The doors, 600 pound steel and wood devices, used resistance to the water pressure combined with the angle it was pulled through the ocean, to open and spread the mouth of the net, which dragged the ocean floor. The doors, in combination with the floats which lifted the top of the net’s mouth and the heavy rubber and steel rollers which kept the net’s bottom on the ocean floor and able to bounce over bottom obstructions, effectively allowed the mouth of the net to collect the cod, haddock and sole which was the lifeblood of this historic fishing port. As the net was pulled along the ocean floor the fish would be pulled down the cone shaped net into the cod end, or point of the cone where the fish would stay until brought to the surface and onto the deck.
The doors broke the surface, one to port and one starboard. Captain Scola hauled the doors to the vessel, where the crew, Joe, Jr. and Paul Dimato, hooked the doors to the gallows frame and freed the wire. Once the doors were hung, Captain Scola re-engaged the winch to haul the net to the surface. The net broke the surface to the starboard side and was pulled alongside the rail. Deckhand, Paul DiMato wrapped a strap around the belly of the net and attached the tackle hook, connected to the tackle line, which ran to a block high in the mast and from the block back down to the winch head. The Captain wrapped the tackle line around the rapidly spinning winch head and used the hydraulic power of the winch head to pull the net out of the sea. Once free of the buoyancy of the ocean, the weight of the net required the Captain to take another turn on the winch head. A small smile of satisfaction played at Captain Joe’s lips as he raised the net to swing above the rail to be positioned over the deck. Joe, Jr. then pulled the cod end strap to open the net and allow the still flipping fish to fall onto the deck, to be contained in the checkerboards. Once again the captain and crew were rewarded for their efforts and skill, as the sole and haddock overflowed the checkerboards.
Joe, Jr. thigh high in fish, rose to his 6'1" and flashed a smile that lit his handsome face.
Deckhand, Paul Dimato let out with a string of expletives culminating with, “great, we’re on fish and we have to pack the nets and head home.” Captain Scola merely shook his head at DiMato and moved onto the deck to assist the men to store the net and gear, clean and ice the fish and make ready to head back to dock in Gloucester.
With the fish cleaned, iced and ready for market the dragger moved slowly around Halibut Point, past Thatchers Island with the famed twin lights, toward home. Joe joined his father in the wheelhouse, a cup of coffee in hand flavored to his dad’s preference.
Deep in thought, the captain acknowledged his son with a nod and returned his eyes to the course he’d set as he absently sipped his coffee. Captain Joe Scola was a Gloucesterman, a man one with the sea. He didn’t have the advantage of a formal education, as he had been sent fishing at age 14, but he had a wisdom and decency that had earned him the respect of the community. Twenty- five years ago he was stunned to learn that Nina Curcuru, a pretty and popular cheerleader, had decided that she preferred the short and stocky Joe Scola over the tall and handsome Doctor’s son that she had dated through high school. Joe had known Nina his entire life, but never believed such a beautiful girl could be interested in him. At his friend’s urging, he asked her to be his date at the Fiesta. To his surprise, she agreed. One month later, she accepted a friendship ring, which he had nervously offered.
“I’ll understand if you don’t want to be my steady girl,” he said, eyes down.
Her face lit with pleasure. “I’d love to be your girl.” She responded with genuine joy.
His eyes met hers. “Really?”
“Absolutely,” she affirmed, with a warm smile. As they kissed, she whispered, “Joe, I love you.”
A look of astonishment colored his expression. “I’ll love you forever.” He vowed.
“You better.” She teased.
That began a love story between the tall, willowy, and elegant brunette and the less than dashing fisherman. It was a relationship that culminated in a happy marriage. To this day, Captain Joe Scola felt blessed to have her.
“I guess that completes your fishing days for the month.” Joe offered with an understanding smile.
The captain pulled from his thoughts, glanced over at his son. “I’m just happy that you will have a different future.” Sadly, he shook his head. “This is no life for you.” Shaking himself out of his mood, he angled a grin at his son, “so, a senior this year and then on to college.” The thought had Captain Scola smiling.
“We report to camp in two weeks.” Joe said. “This year we win the conference.” He said with a look of determination.
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About the Book
At the age of ten, Sicilian John Palermo was sent by his dying papa, alone and terrified, to live with the Amico family in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Accepted by a loving family and taken in by the community, John grew to cherish and finally defend his hard-working neighbors in court against those forces that would steal their rights and their dignity.
Following the death of his beloved wife, John struggles to continue his fight for what’s right while being a single father and finding comfort in new love. He’s not only recovering from grief but also a difficult trial in which he uncovered the secrets of his nemesis. But the fight is never over as now, a badly injured fisherman and young father desperately needs defense.
Despite personal battles, John finds himself back in the courtroom, up against a malignant, high-powered force that will do anything to keep its reputation intact. He must deal with a clash of cultures between Gloucester values and a corrupt Washington DC political establishment. Does this David have enough strength to once again go toe to toe with Goliath?
About the Author
Joe Orlando is a litigation attorney. Designated a “Proctor in Admiralty” by the Maritime Law Association, he has represented fishermen, blue water seamen, and other maritime workers for over thirty-seven years. Born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Joe has spent his life on Cape Ann. Married to Connie for forty-one years, Joe is the father of three—Amanda, Lisa and Joe Jr.—and is the grandfather to six boys.