Chapter 24
Polish Lines
In September Michael and me went again to Poland. The Polish countryside is much more beautiful in the autumn, as rains make it lush green. It was cool and windy, but we could not be aware of that, because we were constantly busy. After the free-turning tests of the model – for this experiments a battery-operated propulsion has been mounted into it – we have been taken back to the university and we had some days to see through the results. By the tests the propeller-screw has proved good and the pitch properly selected. But the turning tests suggested that with one central screw, the traditional three-blade rudder would be ineffective.
Our opinion was discussed by our management and, as the short time forced us into a hurry, on my advice the East-German shipyard Boizenburg has been addressed in a letter. It was the chief designer of that yard, who invented the more effective differential 4-or-5-blade rudders. Their reply has been favourable and a meeting was suggested, but first of all the data of the tug and a drawing of the propulsion has had to be sent to them. Our meeting for the discussion of technical details would realize in February.
On the towing tank results I had to set on my design jobs to finish the final drawings.
In the meantime my final exam has been all right and our economists’ diplomas have been handed over to us in a small celebration.
Once during the autumn, as I was deep in my drawing work, I became aware of somebody standing at my drawing board. It was our former director, now chief engineer.
"You have very precise drawings”, he said, "are you in time still?”
"Yes”, I replied, "some of the arrangements have to be modified, and the documentation can be sent to the customer.”
"In a few days the salesman will be on his way to deliver them.”
It was the same young man who accompanied us to Leningrad. I have not had a high opinion of him, he preferred his personal interests to official duties. But I kept it to myself.
"When will the talks be with them?” I asked with a hind-thought.
"Perhaps in this year, but may be, only in January.”
"If we cannot have the contract in this year, I think, we cannot press them to sign a contract, until their new directives are issued”, I reminded him. He looked on me and I saw in his eyes, I was right, only he tried to bluff.
He went to see the work of others, and in half an hour he was there once more. He was deep in his thoughts.
"We have to get the contract this year”, he said and went on, "you cannot come with us, sorry.”
"You know well, whom you want with you, sitting at your side”, I said, but it disappointed me. "So far, the project manager has always been there.”
"Well, now it is different, your department head will be there.” At last he told the true reason.
I knew that on the talks with Soviets before signing a contract my boss was generally there. And it was an exception in my case to be chosen for project manager, as I have not been from the hull department. That far in 16 months, it did not cause any conflict. This has been the first time. I repeated:
"It is up to you to decide.”
All went on, I mentioned the topic only once to the chief designer. He did not say anything. At present, with all the information gathered afterwards, I think the clouds above me, that at last would cause my decision to leave that place, began to gather at that time. And their springing to life was generated by professional envy in my boss, the head of machinery department.
When in the middle of November my department head told me, I would be there on the talks, he did not look very happy. I sensed a discontent in him. I discussed it with Otto and he mentioned, there were great debates about that in the meetings of the office heads. Otto confirmed my feelings, it was only my boss, who was against my participation. Otto was on my side, I always sensed his respect. He helped me on other fields, too. When the municipal court asked him to be their expert of justice on shipping, he evaded it and suggested my name. By his recommendation I have got my certificate, and have had it since.
When I went home after being informed about my participation, I found Edith there. She heard me tell my wife the news. She said. "You are going far away.” It has not been an unimportant trip that time, the Soviets were very hard to accept a new face.
"Oh”, I said, "it is not a big trip. I am only going to take a visit in the centre.”
"I do appreciate your wit”, she said. She knew me, I have never considered it fair that we were on the periphery and far to the east there was the self-appointed centre.