“I just hope I can navigate and dive and exec,” March said, “all at the same time.”
“I Want You to Take Over Ray’s Job!”
“Well, I never did think a navigating officer had enough to do just navigating,” Gray said, laughing. “And you’re never busy navigating when you have to dive. As for being an exec, a well-run sub with a good crew doesn’t need much general managing, you’ll find. Anyway, Mac and Stan will help you out in that department if you need any help. And don’t forget that there is, after all, still a Skipper on the boat who ought to do a little work once in a while.”
Later, in the wardroom with Stan and Mac, Larry told them all the new setup, and March was happy to see how obviously pleased with the arrangement McFee and Stan were.
“I was worried,” McFee said. “I was afraid you’d get another officer and he’d turn out to be a guy who pulled puns or was a bridge fiend or something terrible like that. And we wouldn’t have time to find it out before we got under way, so we’d have to drown him at sea.”
“Well, I’d better go report to the Commandant and tell him the arrangement,” Larry said. “The Navy likes to know about these things, even if they do leave most decisions up to a ship’s captain.”
After Gray left, March stepped into the control room. Scotty rushed up to him and shook his hand vigorously.
“Congratulations, Lieutenant!” the radioman cried. “Gee, it’s swell!”
“Thanks, Scotty,” March grinned. “But how on earth did the crew ever learn this so fast?”