英语励志美文精华 70
时间:2018-11-30 作者:英语课 分类:英语励志美文精华
Philosophy from a Tugboat
BY GEORGE YOUNG
ONE NIGHT many years ago I was on the bridge of a ship that passed
one of our large cities on a quiet night I saw its lights reflected in
the sky and heard the rumblings of the city's noises. As I looked to
my other side, I could see nothing but open space of darkness and
endless water. I realized how small I was and that my own problems
of life did not seem great.
I have spent twenty-five years on boats. Now I am a docking pilot.
My job is to bring in the large luxury liners and stay with them
until they are safely moored 2 in their berths 4. Sometimes this requires
two tugs 5, sometimes many more, depending on the tide, the weather,
and the draft of the vessel 6.
Most of you no doubt have seen these tugs pushing and pulling
at the big liners. What they are doing doesn't seem to make much
sense, but presently the big boat is alongside her pier 7, her hawsers 8
made fast, and the job is done.
These tugs, whether one or ten ? move about in accord with whistle
signals I send them from the bridge of the big liner. These signals
make up a language that is just as dependable as the spoken word;
or even more so, because our docking signals are rarely misunder-
stood. The captain of each tug 1 does his work according to the signals
he receives. He never asks questions. He takes everything on faith,
and it always works out.
Working around tugboats, where so much depends on teamwork,
has had its effect on what I believe. I believe that if I am to attain 9
a successful place in the world I must have the help of my fellow
man just as the great transatlantic liners depend on the help of the
little tugs to bring them safely to port.
I felt very important the first time I ever docked a big liner. She
came riding up the harbor on a flood tide and towered high over the
stout 10 little tug that carried me. As we drew alongside, a doorway 11
opened almost at water level and two smartly rigged sailors helped
me aboard. I was escorted to the bridge where I took over from the
captain. I realized I was in control of a great ship worth millions of
dollars and the owners were depending on me to bring her safely to
her berth 3. After I had docked several of the large liners, I realized
I was not important, but simply the quarterback who called the
signals.
In spite of what we read in the newspapers, I have a great faith in
this country and I pray that a peaceful understanding will come to
this unsettled world, so that my children can grow up in a world
that will give them happiness instead of bloodshed. I believe this
will come about. I remember the understanding and sympathy that
took over this country, back in 1949, when a little girl named Kathy
Fiskus fell into an abandoned well out in California. Engineers and
sandhogs and people in all walks of life worked almost three days,
and when they got her out she was dead. People sent in thousands
of dollars in rescue funds, but those who did the work and furnished
the equipment wouldn't take money. They worked for bigger stakes.
I talked to captains of foreign ships that came into New York Harbor,
and they were just as concerned as we Americans over the tragedy.
I believe some way will be found to work together for world peace
with the same sympathy and understanding that people worked to
rescue little Kathy Fiskus. I believe God will someday bring this
about.
- We need to tug the car round to the front.我们需要把那辆车拉到前面。
- The tug is towing three barges.那只拖船正拖着三只驳船。
- She booked a berth on the train from London to Aberdeen.她订了一张由伦敦开往阿伯丁的火车卧铺票。
- They took up a berth near the harbor.他们在港口附近找了个位置下锚。
- Berths on steamships can be booked a long while in advance. 轮船上的床位可以提前多日预订。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- Have you got your berths on the ship yet? 你们在船上有舱位了吗? 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- The raucous sirens of the tugs came in from the river. 河上传来拖轮发出的沙哑的汽笛声。 来自辞典例句
- As I near the North Tower, the wind tugs at my role. 当我接近北塔的时候,风牵动着我的平衡杆。 来自辞典例句
- The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
- You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。
- The pier of the bridge has been so badly damaged that experts worry it is unable to bear weight.这座桥的桥桩破损厉害,专家担心它已不能负重。
- The ship was making towards the pier.船正驶向码头。
- I used the scientific method to attain this end. 我用科学的方法来达到这一目的。
- His painstaking to attain his goal in life is praiseworthy. 他为实现人生目标所下的苦功是值得称赞的。