Rotterdam

My friend George M. was Chief Engineer on the S.S. AMERICAN JURIST on an eastbound transatlantic voyage circa late 1960s. He and the Captain were on the bridge together when they noticed another vessel on a parallel course - both heading for the Rotterdam pilot station. Our captain wanted to beat the other fellow to the pilot so he asked the Chief to turn up a few revolutions and they successfully arrived at the pilot station first and docked at the berth before the competitor. Our captain was pleased with his achievement and expressed same to the harbor pilot. The pilot said it was too bad that you beat him in as the other vessel was the 5000th arrival at the port of Rotterdam and their ship was feted and all the crew were given wrist watches. Our captain was chagrined and said "Don't tell my crew!" The moral here might be "Be careful what you wish for!"
tjs
(I have taken some literary license with George's story but you get the essence)
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