When the Night Comes (28 page)

Researching this book has been a life-changing journey for me. I have made many friends all over the world. I have traveled to Macquarie Island, to Antarctica, to Denmark, and experienced many wonderful things.

I feel very blessed.

I owe it all to
Nella Dan
.

Nella Dan
rests at the bottom of the Southern Ocean at 54° 37.5' S, 159° 13.3' E. Twenty-six years of memories, laughter and adventure went down with her. But for those who loved her, she sails on.

“She was the Ship of my Life. She was the perfect ship with the perfect crew—for a young kid just finished school and ready to conquer the world.”

—
Hans Sønderborg

“I will never forget
Nella Dan
.

“She gave me the ice, for the first time, and brought me home from the last.

“She opened for me the jewel box of the south in a time now past.

“She was a fine ship, with a fine crew, and belonged to a braver time.

“She is gone now, but her spirit lives on, in hearts, and in memories sublime.”

—
Lex Harris

“It certainly was an adventure and a privilege to have sailed on and worked with the
Nella Dan
and her wonderful crew. The wooden red coat hanger in my wardrobe with the JL emblem in gold always makes me smile.”

—
Scott Dempster (Trust Me, I'm a Larcie)

“My trip on the
Nella
was one big happy experience. As a ‘newcomer' on the ship, I felt welcome from the very first day, and during my eight months, I experienced a lot of comradeship. Professionally, I learned a lot, not least from my chief steward, Ruben Nielsen.”

—
Niels Hanghoej Sørensen

“She was one of a kind. I'm proud to have been sailing with her. And I wouldn't be without those nine and a half months for anything in the world—that was a great time.”

—
Jan Riisgaard

“I feel pretty lucky to have been involved with the
Nella
and to have seen the life from both sides as I worked for the Antarctic Division during the 1985 season when we were stuck in the ice. I was asked if I'd like to attend Voyage 1 on behalf of my then boss, Dr. Simon Wright. I was so excited! I jumped ship to work as a stewardess and was on board for the 1987 season.
Nella
gets in your heart, it's funny how a ship can do that. I can still remember so clearly the day when we were removed/transported from Macquarie Island by LARC to the
Icebird
.
Nella
was still on the rocks, listing heavily to one side, and as we passed her there was not a dry eye. The connection between the crew and that ship was mind-blowing. Some of the guys had spent a great deal of their lives working and living on
Nella
, and while my time with her was relatively short, I do not think there has been a day of my life where I have not thought about that little red ship.”

—
Trish Richers

“A legacy for
Nella
should be, that she was the kind host to so many adventures and so many lifelong friendships of expeditioners and crew alike. Thank you for inviting us on board.”

—
Anders Hanghøj Sørensen

“
Nella
was a great (little) ship, with a great soul. Sometimes I wish I was back there. A once-in-the-life experience.”

—
Allan Kürbis

“All hands on deck at dawn.”

—
Benny “the Bosun” (Wolle)

“With regards to the loss: while I was not there, I was fortunate to have had eight Antarctic and subantarctic voyages on this sturdy little red ship, so I know how she acted in seas that would sink another vessel. Her will to
survive was almost legendary, she was like a mother to us, she would always come to take us home. Wrapped in the warmth and comforting aromas of food and engine fumes she had a feeling of security and welcome. I too feel the loss of this gallant little red ship
Nella Dan
.”

—
Ivan G. Hawthorn Esq., BEM, JP International Fellow, Explorers Club, New York City, New York, USA, Antarctica 1971 and 1973, officer in charge, 28th and 32nd ANARE to Macquarie Island

“She is still in my mind almost every day.”

—
Per Agergaard Olsen

“For me, sailing with
Nella Dan
(Northeast Greenland and Antarctica) remains as one of my ‘life experiences.' ”

—
Jens Aage Vandenhertz Schulz

“Know the spirit of
Nella
and her crew will always live on through the good hearts and truth of all who walked her deck.”

—
Coral Ann Rigby

E
verything in this book is fiction, except for
Nella Dan
—the little red ship. It is true she was beset for seven weeks but it was in the 1985/1986 season and not the 1986/1987 season, as I have fictionalized in this book.

A young sailor, Kim Nielsen, died from head injuries on board
Nella Dan
on 20 October 1985. A very sad day for those on board and for his family. R.I.P.

So many kind people have told me their stories and I have held them carefully in my heart. To all who so generously shared, I hope I have done your ship justice.

I wish with all my heart that
Nella Dan
were still here.

A number of pieces within this novel have been published as short stories elsewhere.

“No Man Is an Island” appeared in
Griffith Review
, Edition 34.

“Across the Bass Strait” was published in
Griffith Review
, Edition 39.

“Lebanon” was published in
Island
, issue 133 (2013), and
Best Australian Stories 2013
.

Thank you to these journals and the editors for acknowledging my work.

I have used
Papa
for Dad, instead of the Danish
Far
. I am aware that Danes do not use
Papa
, but for reasons I can't explain here, I had to keep
Papa
for my characters. I hope this causes no problems for all my Danish friends. Forgive me!

I was given a grant by the Australia Council to help me survive while writing this book. Thank you!

I also won the Antarctic Arts Fellowship, which allowed me to travel to Casey on
Aurora Australis
—a trip of a lifetime. This book would not exist without that wonderful prize.

Cheers,

FP

I
have had an overwhelming amount of help with this book so there are many people I would like to thank.

Vale Matt Richell—friend, surfer and trusted captain of the Hachette family. I will never forget all you have done for me and your great kindness. I wish that we could have that last beer.

Vanessa Radnidge—amazing friend and publisher extraordinaire, you make everything I write better. Thank you for all of it.

DK—you have put up with me during this obsessive process for many years with grace, a smile and no complaints. Thank you so very much—for the Arctic, for Denmark and for making me coffee. All my love.

Fiona Hazard and the
whole
Hachette Team. I know I found the right home with you.

Finn (Wolle)—you took a chance and met with a stranger. Thank you for sharing the love for your ship and of sailing the south. I met a good friend that day all those years ago. You and your lovely family took me into your home, fed me incredible food (thank you, Camilla—such a great cook!), and gave me all the beer I could drink. I can't wait to see you all again.

Bo SP—what can I say? Thank you for all the stories, e-mails, memories, music and generosity of spirit. Truly—I am so grateful. Can't wait to meet you (again). I owe you many beers! “Comfortably Numb” is for you.

Linda, Amanda, Adam and Apple—the family I found and love.

James, Chiyoko, Haruki and Ikumi—my solid foundations. Thank you for all of the joy and support.

Mum and Steve—for all the chats, memories and great junk-shop finds.

Julia Styles—trusted editor and advisor. Always such a great help.

Elizabeth Cowell—for a great edit.

Melisinka, Ivana and Jikara—for all the manifestation, laughter and guidance.

Janey Runci—friend, writer and mentor. You've pushed me more than anyone to write the best that I possibly can. Thank you.

The members of my writing group (past and present)—Helen, Cath, Janey, Liz, Stephen, Sherri, Kim, Ian. Much of this book grew from scraps written at the writing table with you all. Thank you.

Susan Armstrong—my lovely agent, who took me on when there was nothing to gain. Glad to have you on my team.

Mette Jakobsen—thank you so much for all the help with everything Danish—translations, food and Copenhagen travel guide.

Kenn—you took me walking in search of deer (and we succeeded). Thank you for all the research help and memories. Looking forward to seeing you next time (my shout).