評論
打印
Congress has decided suddenly to increase the navy, the young officer explained,
年輕的軍官解釋道，國會突然決定要擴充海軍，
and the orders are going out to build twelve ships in haste. One of the contracts is to come to you, if you will take it.
而且已經下達了快速修建12艘船的指令。如果你愿意接受的話，這有一個合同是為你準備的。
They are even in such need that they have not had time to draw up full plans;
他們太需要快速修建這些船只了，以至于沒有時間指定詳細的計劃。
so the man who builds this ship and the officer who superintends the construction can really have something to say about the design.
所以建造這艘船的人和監督建造的軍官可以對船的設計有一些話語權。
He looked his old friend very steadily in the eye and saw a slow smile of deep,
他目不轉睛地盯著他的老朋友，只見這位造船工人臉上緩緩露出了一種深沉的、
unspoken delight dawn upon the shipbuilder's face. Jonathan Adams' hard hands did not often tremble,
帶著無言的喜悅的微笑。喬納森·亞當斯結實的雙手并不會常常顫抖，
but they shook a little now as he reached up to the shelf above the bench and brought down his model.
但當他伸手到長凳上方的架子上取下自己的模型時，手卻微微顫抖了一下。
I have been thinking about such a design since I was ten years old, he said, and the chance to build it has come at last.
他說自從我十歲時就想著這樣一種船只的設計，實現它的機會最終還是來了。
We will make them a real ship, Humphrey, and the whole world will open its eyes when it sees you sail her.
漢弗萊，我們會建造一艘真正的船，當你駕駛它航行的時候，整個世界都會眼前一亮。
BUILDING THE SHIP
建造船只
She grew up quickly on the ways, that ship of theirs, with her bowsprit standing far out over the neighboring street,
這條船建造的速度很快，船的船首斜桅遠遠地立在鄰近的街道上，
and with people stopping in the lane to watch Jonathan's whole force of workmen toiling up and down her sides.
人們會在巷子里停下來，看著喬納森的工人們在她身邊辛苦地勞作。
Old navy officers, some of whom had seen the ships of the Revolutionary War,
老海軍軍官們，其中有些是見過獨立戰爭的船只的軍官，
and who had all fought in the War of 1812, would inspect her and would shake their heads.
而且他們都參加過1812年的戰爭，他們都會審視著這艘船，搖起自己的頭。
Look at that sharp bow and narrow hull, one would say; such a ship will never be seaworthy in the world.
有人說看看它分明的首舷和狹窄的船體，這種船不適合航行。
Why can't these young fellows stick to the models we have tried out for them?
為什么你們不按照我們為你試驗的模型建造？
And see the spread of sail this drawing shows, another would comment, pointing fiercely with a stubby forefinger;
另一個人指著短粗的食指說到，看畫圖上帆的展開模樣；
why, the whole ridiculous affair will capsize in the first good puff of wind!
為什么，一陣風就能把它掀翻！
I'm thankful I don't have to go to sea in her.
幸虧我沒有乘坐這艘船。
But the two comrades closed their ears and sat, often far into the night,
但這兩名指揮官卻沒有聽，他們靜坐下來，通常到深夜，
in the cramped little office, poring over drawings and comparing designs.
在狹小的辦公室，思考圖紙并相互比較設計。
