Tugging On A Heartstring

Tugging On A Heartstring

"Tugging On A Heartstring", followed by its popular sequel, is a true sea story in the United States Merchant Marine. Emily Lambert started crewing at age 13. She held the wheel six hours-on and six hours-off with half hour engine checks on the devoted diesel, checking piston oil pressure, reduction gear oil pressure, raw water input and output, bleeding the air compressor tank of moisture, and measuring the depth of the bilge with a broken broom stick handle. In a storm off Norfolk at age 18, Emily almost died from internal bleeding from deck machinery injuries in a 60 rotations per second spinning winch wheel. At age 19, Emily passed her USCG Able Bodied seaman exam. From dangerous sea action to delightful comedy, this is an unforgettable voyage of strength and courage for all ages. E.V Lambert has a very special book here. Amazing how an adult can tell her story through her childhood's eyes. Story is told effectively and with feeling. I hope Ms. Lambert will have more books forthcoming. An excellent read. --Robert Andrews, Haines, Alaska Immediately drawn in from the very first sentence by her vivid imagery, detailed and rich sensory descriptions, I found myself on board the Tug Babe..... Thanks again for sharing stories of a wonderful family. With admiration......... --Captain Marcia Macone, Tug Stalwart, Crowley Maritime, Valdez, Alaska These two spare little books present a world that few of us will ever experience, the huge, sometimes brutal world of commercial tugging. We may admire the shape or the line of a classic tug from the shore or appreciate the tingle in the pads of our feet from the deep throbbing rumble of impossibly powerful engines, but the routine of daily life aboard is what E.V. Lambert vividly shares. In 1972, when she was just 13, her parents left the family farm in the hands of a tenant, bought the tug, Rose, a 1906 converted steamer and went into business hauling and pushing barges up and down the eastern seaboard. Six daughters rotated as crew, along with Zeke a tent of yellow oil skins and other assorted male crew. Debbie, alias Mom (later to become the first licensed female tugboat operator), the ship s cat, Bilbo and the family dog, Toto filled out the team. Papa was very much the captain. Emily (E.V.) and Alison, her nearest sister in age shared duties for most of their teen years, working on the boat during the summers and (boarding) school vacations... --Carol Standish, Maine Harbors, - January 2009 Book Review Immediately drawn in from the very first sentence by her vivid imagery, detailed and rich sensory descriptions, I found myself on board the Tug Babe..... Thanks again for sharing stories of a wonderful family. With admiration......... --Captain Marcia Macone, Tug Stalwart, Crowley Maritime, Valdez, Alaska These two spare little books present a world that few of us will ever experience, the huge, sometimes brutal world of commercial tugging. We may admire the shape or the line of a classic tug from the shore or appreciate the tingle in the pads of our feet from the deep throbbing rumble of impossibly powerful engines, but the routine of daily life aboard is what E.V. Lambert vividly shares. In 1972, when she was just 13, her parents left the family farm in the hands of a tenant, bought the tug, Rose, a 1906 converted steamer and went into business hauling and pushing barges up and down the eastern seaboard. Six daughters rotated as crew, along with Zeke a tent of yellow oil skins and other assorted male crew. Debbie, alias Mom (later to become the first licensed female tugboat operator), the ship s cat, Bilbo and the family dog, Toto filled out the team. Papa was very much the captain. Emily (E.V.) and Alison, her nearest sister in age shared duties for most of their teen years, working on the boat during the summers and (boarding) school vacations... --Carol Standish, Maine Harbors, - January 2009 Book Review Immediately drawn in from the very first sentence by her vivid imagery, detailed and rich sensory descriptions, I found myself on board the Tug Babe..... Thanks again for sharing stories of a wonderful family. With admiration......... --Captain Marcia Macone, Tug Stalwart, Crowley Maritime, Valdez, Alaska These two spare little books present a world that few of us will ever experience, the huge, sometimes brutal world of commercial tugging. We may admire the shape or the line of a classic tug from the shore or appreciate the tingle in the pads of our feet from the deep throbbing rumble of impossibly powerful engines, but the routine of daily life aboard is what E.V. Lambert vividly shares. In 1972, --Carol Standish, Maine Harbors, - January 2009 Book Review Immediately drawn in from the very first sentence by her vivid imagery, detailed and rich sensory descriptions, I found myself on board the Tug Babe..... Thanks again for sharing stories of a wonderful family. With admiration......... --Captain Marcia Macone, Tug Stalwart, Crowley Maritime, Valdez, Al