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mareislandfoundation · 2 months

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Life and Death at the Gate

At dawn on Sunday, 25 June 1950, the North Korean army crossed the 38th parallel supported by massed artillery fire. With the support of the Soviet Union the invasion was based on a false claim by North Korea that South Korean troops had attacked first. The real aim of the invasion was to take by force and subjugate South Korea under rule of the current North Korean leader's grandfather and his sham democracy. Condemned by the Free World, the invasion drew the first ever response by the United Nations, primarily supported by U.S. troops and aid. The war has technically never ended, and it resulted in millions killed and over 100,000 U.S. servicemen wounded or killed in action. In recognition of the coming carnage, a short time after the invasion, the World War II era hospital ship USS Benevolence (AH-13) was towed from a mothball fleet to Mare Island Naval Shipyard (MINS) in the San Francisco Bay Area to be taken out of mothballs and recommissioned. The US Navy Hospital Ship Benevolence would never make it to Korea. She tragically sank just minutes outside the Golden Gate while returning from sea trials.

Benevolence departed Mare Island at 0800 on 25 August 1950 for limited sea trials following recommissioning. Eight and a half hours later the fully loaded freighter SS Mary Luckenbac passed under the Golden Gate Bridge in thick fog bound for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Visibility was reported to vary from 300 to 400 yards. Radar had become common place by the 1950’s, but the Mary Luckenbac‘s radar had malfunctioned and was turned off. As the Mary Luckenbac passed under the bridge, she was on a collision course with the Benevolence returning from her sea trials. Aboard the Benevolence the radar was on and operating, but for some reason the crew was unaware of the approaching freighter. Both ships had bow lookouts posted and were operating their fog horns, but their combined closing speeds of 27 knots would doom the Benevolence. At an estimated 1,000 yards bow lookouts on the Benevolence sighted the bow wave of the approaching freighter. Benevolence began blasting the emergency signal on the ship’s horn as both ships attempted evasive action. It was too late, within three minutes the freighter slammed into the hospital ship raking her compartments open along the port side.

Following the collision both ships vanished into the fog. Unaware of the extent of the damage to his ship, Captain Barton E· Bacon on board the Benevolence gave no orders to prepare to abandon ship. However, within 5 minutes his ship’s main deck had sunk to sea level at the bow and she was listing 45 degrees, too far over to launch the lifeboats. The Benevolence had managed to transmit a message requesting emergency assistance just after the collision and then radio contact was lost. Twenty minutes later the Benevolence rolled over and sank in the shipping channel between Pt. Bonita and Seal Rocks. Five Hundred and twenty-five men and women went into the frigid water as the outgoing tide scattered them further out to sea. As word of the disaster spread a small armada of fishing boats, yachts, coast guard and naval vessels began scouring the seas in the thick fog looking for survivors. Survivors would continue to be found and pulled from the sea for nearly two days and as they were landed by rescue ships the Red Cross handed them a carton of cigarettes and the Service’s gave them booze. In the end eleven Navy, ten Military Sea Transportation Service and two MINS tradesmen were lost.

The Benevolence laid just beneath the waves in the south shipping channel as a hazard to navigation for sixteen months as separate courts of inquiry were held by the Navy and Coast Guard on Treasure Island and in San Francisco respectively. While the inquiries were underway MINS was directed to study the possibility of salvage. A no cure no pay request for proposals was sent to Bay Area salvage firms to evaluate the feasibility of salvage. A tanker suffered a minor collision with the Benevolence hulk, before MINS officials determined that salvage was not feasible, and the decision was made to remove the hazard with explosives. When you visit the USS San Francisco memorial near Lands’ End on the 49 Mile Scenic Drive and look out to sea you are overlooking the site of the Benevolence sinking.

#mare island #naval history #san francisco bay #us navy #vallejo #Korean War #Mary Luckenbac #Benevolence #Hospital Ship #Golden Gate #sink #collision #fog #survivor #drown

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beansnake · 2 years

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sketchpage commission of the delightfully chaotic siblings Benny and Gen 💜💗

#birov art #birov commissions #dnd #d&d art #tiefling #benevolence #generosity #seriously such delightful names

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zenosanalytic · 3 months

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Just watched Jacob Gellar's New Video Essay on Pinnochio(I watched the nebula vers but that's to the youtube one), and as part of his summation he says, in passing about Geppetto in Del Toro's Pinocchio, something important enough to be The Point of a video essay all on its own:

"...Humanity isn't awarded a single time for good behavior, but maintained through a continuous examination of The Self."

What better definition for Humanity --for Decency, Benevolence, Ethics-- than this?

#Jacob Gellar #Pinocchio #The Self #Ethics #Humanity #Benevolence #Self Awareness #Self Examination #Philosophy #Morality #Good Thoughts #appreciative reblogs #zA Views #zA's Pompous Philosophizing #zA's Hyperbolic Moralizing #zA Musings

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colinarcartperson · 11 months

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I had fun coloring a pen sketch. It’s been a while since I’ve drawn in ballpoint pen and even longer since I’ve drawn this character!

#art #illustration #figure #portrait #fantasy #doodles #benevolence #fantasy art

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tmarshconnors · 3 months

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Samurai code of honour

The Samurai code of honour is commonly known as Bushido, which translates to "Way of the Warrior" in English. Bushido is a moral and ethical code followed by the samurai class in feudal Japan. While the specific details of Bushido may have varied over time and between different samurai clans, some key principles were generally upheld. These principles include:

Rectitude (Gi): This emphasizes moral and ethical correctness. Samurai were expected to act with integrity and make decisions based on a strong sense of justice.

Courage (Yū): Samurai were expected to exhibit bravery in the face of adversity and to confront danger without fear. This aspect of Bushido often emphasized the willingness to face death in battle.

Benevolence (Jin): Samurai were expected to show compassion and kindness towards others. They were encouraged to be generous, charitable, and to act in a humane manner.

Respect (Rei): This involves showing respect to others, especially to those in authority. Samurai were expected to be polite and to uphold social etiquette.

Honor (Makoto or Meiyo): Honor was considered of utmost importance. Samurai were expected to maintain their personal honor and the honor of their family and clan. They were prepared to commit seppuku (a form of ritual suicide) to regain lost honor or to avoid disgrace.

Loyalty (Chūgi): Samurai were expected to be loyal to their lord (daimyō) and to follow orders without question. Loyalty was a key aspect of the samurai's relationship with their feudal lord.

Self-Control (Jisei): Samurai were expected to exercise self-discipline and control over their emotions. They were to remain calm and composed even in challenging situations.

Filial Piety (Kō): This principle emphasized the importance of respecting and honoring one's parents and ancestors. It was considered a fundamental virtue in Japanese society.

Wisdom (Chi or Chie): Samurai were encouraged to seek knowledge and wisdom. This included both academic knowledge and practical wisdom gained through experience.

The Bushido code served as a guide for samurai in their personal and professional lives. It was not a formal written code but was transmitted through oral tradition and written works. The exact interpretation and emphasis on each principle could vary among different samurai and regions in Japan.

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whimsyqueen · 2 years

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To Make a Fool of Death; Opening Scene

Hey friends!

I've finally typed up this draft of the opening scene, so I figured I would share it for everyone on here, so that you can finally get a sense of some of my more long-form writing, and I can post something other than a snippet! I've included the taglist and how to join underneath, if that's something you're interested in!

Word count: 1,502

Tw: mentions of blood, prominent character death, general vampire shenanigans.

The grass was thick with the scent of fresh rain, and the skin of the traitor-woman’s neck was cool in Verity’s hands. It hadn’t been long since they last sat like this, Verity standing over Benevolence, kneeling like a true worshipper. A saint. There was a time where Benevolence had worshipped Verity— had chosen her over all of the false gods that had been chosen for them at birth. That time now seemed eons in the past, and so much had changed. That version of Benevolence would look down on this one in heartache and shame, wondering what had gone wrong. That version of Verity would be able to forgive, to wipe away the blood staining her lover’s lips and neck, replacing the scarlet fluid with the most tender of kisses. But both of those versions were gone now, and in their places knelt a grinning traitor and a horrified would-be vampire queen.

Verity watched as Benevolence’s mouth split open wider, razorblades teeth on full display. Her heart ached to look into B’s intense red eyes, remembering the warm brown they used to be. How comforting and deep, those eyes that used to burrow their way under Verity’s skin and into her soul. Benevolence was cold now. Stiff. Her hands nothing like the ones that used to hold Verity. Caress her. Remind her that everything was okay and no matter how bad things got, at least they still had each other. None of that was true anymore, and the woman kneeling in front of Verity was not capable of such kindness. She was but a monster, plain and true.

A movement in the forest behind them diverted Verity’s attention, but not her gaze. A bystander, she assumed, there to observe Benevolence’s execution. As was their right, of course. Benevolence had gone too far, killed too many without express permission, and as her creator, it was Verity’s responsibility to handle the issue. She had made too many excuses for B in the past, blind defenses in a desperate reach to protect the woman she thought she loved. The woman she thought loved her. But excuses didn’t hold, and it was made known that if Verity couldn’t control her charge, they would both be punished for Benevolence’s mistakes. That was something that Verity had considered, to be sure. Part of her knew that it was possible that Benevolence would take Verity with her upon death, leaving her no more than a shell of who she once was.

But now, looking at the woman on her knees before her, Verity realized that the sacrifice would be useless. She didn’t even know who she would be sacrificing herself for, or if the monster that claimed to be her love would even give a damn. Benevolence’s eyes fluttered shut, long lashes brushing the tops of perfect pale cheeks.

“Are you going to kill me,” she whispered, her voice delicate like broken glass, “or are you just waiting because you get off on it?” She peered one careful eye open, the bastard child of a wink, and shut it again. “Do you even think you could?” Her smile was delicate now, more of a smirk than a grin. “I think you’re far too much of a coward to go through with it.”

“Benevolence, please.” Verity moved her hands from Benevolence’s neck to the sides of her face, some semblance of the way they used to hold each other.

“Do you consider me a monster?” The other girl leaned her cheek into Verity’s left hand, smearing blood across her palm.

“I didn’t.”

“But now?” She lifted her head up, opening her eyes and staring at Verity. Impatient. Expectant.

“Yes.” Verity’s voice shook, betraying the exact cowardice that Benevolence had accused her of. If it meant pausing the moment, letting Verity remember the feeling of Benevolence’s skin on her hand and cherish it, then she would claim the coward’s title happily.

“Have you made peace with all of it being your fault?” Her eyes drifted shut again, and she looked at peace for once. Almost as if she were sleeping.

“I don’t understand.” Verity spoke, her voice much more broken than she would have liked.

“What’s there not to understand, my love?” The question came out with a laugh, “You did this to me. I wouldn’t have done this if it weren’t for you. All those innocent people would still be alive if it weren’t for you.” Her voice rose, growing shrill, and her eyes sealed shut, tight and squinted. “I would have died a century ago if not for you! You made me!” She screamed, “YOU’RE the monster!” She released a painful sob, and Verity found her hands on Benevolence’s neck again, a silent reminder of the threat that loomed over them both.

“I never wanted this for either of us.” Verity silently begged for Benevolence to open her eyes, to look at her just one last time. She didn’t.

“Neither did I.” Benevolence wiped her face, smearing what must’ve been a bloody tear across her cheeks. “Kill me.” She said, her voice clear and strong, “I want you to live with it, and know that I did what I did because you made me do it.” She laughed again, manic, “Kill me, whore! We both know all you want is to wipe your hands of this and go back to pretending to be human.” The laughter didn’t cease, but lessened to a soft giggle. Verity felt the sting of the slap on her palm before she realized what she’d done. Benevolence’s head had turned with the force of the hit, but her expression hadn’t changed.

“Don’t assume to know how I feel about any of this.” Verity’s voice had lost any semblance of the fear it once held, “And if you truly think that, then you don’t know me at all.”

But Benevolence wasn’t listening. Her lips moved silently, and Verity realized that for the first time in over a century, Benevolence was praying. It was almost a comfort. Almost. For those brief seconds, Verity wanted to be able to pretend that her old love was still in there, somewhere. To travel back in time and erase all of her past mistakes. To pretend that Benevolence, her Benevolence, was just a wish away from being who Verity remembered. But it wasn’t possible. That Benevolence was human, and as this Benevolence had so fondly pointed out, human was something they could never be again.

“Benevolence Hayrick,” Verity continued over B’s silent prayer, “I, Verity Hayrick—“ it was a struggle not to choke on the name Benevolence had given her— “sentence you to death as punishment for your crimes. Aforementioned crimes include the following: needless and reckless murder of the innocent for purposes of joy rather than necessity, torture of more than one human, again out of joy, the flaunting of the aforementioned murder and torture to the public, thereby putting all vampires at the risk of reckless and painful exposure.” She took a breath, pausing to look down at the woman below her. Against all odds, Benevolence was crying. Rivers of blood ran down her face, staining her perfect white gown. “Have you anything to say for yourself?”

She shook her head, opening her eyes for the final time.

“Verity,” Benevolence whispered, as Verity placed her hands on either side of her head, “I love you.”

It should have been difficult, tearing the other woman’s head from her body. But it wasn’t. It cracked and shattered like stone, but to Verity, it wasn’t much more than tearing paper. The Vampire Benevolence Hayrick died with her eyes open and the ghost of a smile on her lips.

The sound that Verity made as the body fell to the ground was unholy, but then again, according to her former god, wouldn’t that be said for all sounds that escaped her?

She didn’t remember falling alongside Benevolence, but she ended up on the ground as well, cradling the disembodied head close to her chest. At some point, someone came to take the body away, to toss it into the fire that had been built during the conversation. Verity didn’t truly remember this either— not much more than the faint longing for the body, the feeling of not wanting to give it up, but knowing she had no other choice. She had been right. The loss of Benevolence had broken something within her, and she wept with a sadness she hadn’t felt in years.

She stayed in the clearing for much longer than she should’ve, letting her thoughts and memories consume her. She wanted to bottle them, save them forever so that she would never forget what had happened. What she had done.

Long ago, she had tried to convince Benevolence of the truth that she had known since the moment she was turned. B had always, always pushed back. But in her final moments, Benevolence had realized it as well. There was nothing left for Verity to be other than a monster.

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Thank you for reading! If you'd like to join the taglist, you can do so here! @athenixrose @bardic-tales @drowsy-quill @thelibraryofchaos @cyparissos @kittyphoenix12-xx @destiniescollide @aeipathys @fearofahumanplanet @cactus-motif @writeblrsupport @midnights-melodiverse @ninirito @antique-symbolism-main @annetilney @athenswrites @the-void-writes @wip-nook

#fool of death #writeblr #my writing #creative writing #my ocs #my wips #verity #writing #writer things #writing community #horror #romance #vampires #benevolence #benevolence +verity #opening scene #snippet #wipnook #tmafod snippet

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