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JANE WAS WAVING HER arm and pointing at her earphones. Sue Lee acknowledged and found hers in a side pocket. They were approaching Gibraltar, and she heard the crackle sounds of the radio and Jane's voice. "Sorry, tower, I don't know my call sign but this is Jane Snodgrass, and we are a low on fuel and request permission to land in the bay, over."
“Flying Doctor Jane is that you?"
"Samuel, you're still in the tower. I feel so much safer now! However, dear, I do have a problem or two. One of our wing struts is coming loose. The second thing is, I have never landed a float plane before you see! Any suggestion's old thing?"
Sue Lee crossed her fingers listening to the silent tower, finally an answer.
"Doctor, we have no one here but are still checking, how is your fuel status?"
There was a pause before Jane answered, "Low but not critical yet! I have an idea. I will give you our number in London. Call my Uncle, Sir Jonathan, explain our situation and tell him I need Sebastian’s help, over!"
Sue Lee knew Sebastian was a captain of a Pan America Clipper, Flying boat in the past.
During the war, he was involved in the training of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy pilots in Bermuda on Darrell's Island in the use of seaplanes.
Sue Lee was calculating the time differences, hoping everyone was home in London, and Sebastian’s would be home in the Bahamas.
They circled while Jane checked her fuel gauge, again, and visually checked the loose strut. It seemed to be hanging on by a thread, but the addition vibrations would eventually destroy it.
Her mind was racing trying to remember the conversations she had with Sebastian about landing a seaplane. “Always check your water surface,” he said for floating debris. “Circle until you feel comfortable that it's clear.”
She banked and could see Sylvester's motor cruiser. The La Vie below was positioned to come to their aid, if needed. Jane could see everyone on the deck looking up, watching and waiting.
“Bless their hearts, she was turned into the wind with all flags flying, indicating the wind direction to help us land.”
Sebastian also at one time discussed the step procedure of the floats with her. “Make sure to contact the water allowing the pontoons to hit the water behind the step. Remember, you need to do a water landing at the slowest speed possible in a nose-up position. What was it? He said about judging your height above the water before touchdown? Damn, I can't remember that part! I could come in too soon and bounce out of control! Maybe I could land parallel to the La Vie, to help me judge?”
A few more minutes went by, and a Navy rescue boat arrived along with an ambulance standing by on shore.
Now she was worried. “What's taking so long? Blast! If I don't hear anything in the next few minutes, I'm attempting it alone.”
Jane extended her hand over her head and reached back. Sue Lee knew Jane was signaling her. “They were going down!” Sue Lee reached forward and squeezed her hand passing a reassuring feeling between them. They were both reluctant to let go, but then the radio came alive.
"I got him, hang on I'm setting my microphone down next to the phone, use the same communication protocol procedure. I will handle the crossover on my end. Let me know if you have trouble hearing. I will be on the other line listening, over!”
Sue Lee heard a few clicks, and then Sebastian said in a reassuring voice.
"Jane, let us forget the niceties shall we, and get down to business, what is your fuel status, your altitude, wind direction and tell me how the seas are running, over?"