1895 Captain's Trunk (another Moment in Time)

Another slideshow hauled up from the depths of CD wreckage. Toni had long since declared a no more stray trunks aboard policy, and for a while I sailed under that flag… at least until this beauty crossed my bow. The moment I spotted this trunk for sale, I knew she was something special. A true heavy duty steamer—built like a ship’s hull, dressed in ornate hardware, fancy latches, extra wooden ribs, and wrapped in stamped faux alligator metal sheathing. She was in remarkable condition, the kind of trunk that had clearly never been stowed at the bottom of a cargo pile in a ship’s hold. This one belonged to someone of rank. When I asked about her history, the seller told me she had been in the family for generations and once belonged to a steamship captain who sailed the Great Lakes and Atlantic coastlines. The trunk had lived most of its life in the captain’s quarters, and later under the watchful care of his heirs. The only work ever done was a simple re lining of the interior. I bought the trunk—or perhaps I bought the story of the trunk—with a promise that she’d continue her long, respected voyage with me. I made a few repairs to the tray, and Ben and I carried her into the living room. When Toni came home, she was… let’s just say, less than thrilled, and ordered us to get that thing off her deck immediately. I stalled, hoping the winds would shift. After a week—and a bit of gentle, subliminal navigation—Toni finally saw the trunk for the treasure she was. Today, the Captain’s Trunk serves as our living room coffee table, and inside it we stow the board games of our youth—our own little cargo of memories. Here’s hoping the Captain’s Trunk is ready to gather new moments in time on this next leg of her journey. Subscribe and share in our adventure! Become part of the conversation on Facebook by liking https://www.facebook.com/SV.MomentsInTime/ As always, please feel free to comment and let us know your thoughts.