Nine Men

LIGHTSHIP--Archie Binns--Reynal & Hitchcock ($2.50). Anchored off a reef on the Pacific Coast, Lightship No. 167 is called by neighboring Indians "the ship that goes nowhere." But within its battered hull an assorted crew of nine finds plenty of action before the story is over. In dull spells they indulge in philosophical speculation, with religion a favorite topic. When, however, a hurricane comes up, tearing No. 167 loose from her moorings, casting her adrift amid mountainous seas, there is no time for talk. Whether she makes port or not is not told. It is sufficient that the tale ends in a burst of action and heroism.

But life aboard the lightship is not Author Binns's chief concern. The more poignant portions of his book record the stormy lives of the nine men prior to their seeking sanctuary on No. 167. Samples:

When Clark was a youngster, he and his friend Hal discovered an old cutter, shored up but with timbers still sound. They spent happy hours putting her in shape; Virginia and Grace helped them. The four planned to sail away together until money ran short. Hal skipped out promising to return. Clark married Virginia. Years passed. After his wife died Clark took to the sea, but it was too late for roving. He preferred the lightship where time stands still.

Little Oscar hated women. He was brought up by two pious maiden aunts, had never played with other boys. All he knew was that there was some mystery between men and women. When he was 15 he joined a training ship. There he heard plenty about sex but never could quite figure it all out. One night he mustered up courage, went to a prostitute. She was so old and repulsive she frightened him. From under the bed he saw a child's foot protruding. He tried to escape but the woman held him. Harry had never been outside New York but was daft about Indians. Once he bought an Indian tepee, pitched it on an apartment roof where he and his little daughter spent long evenings talking about the Wild West. Then Harry was shanghaied to a freighter bound for Australia. For years he tramped the seas until the lightship claimed him.

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