评论
打印
Congress has decided suddenly to increase the navy, the young officer explained,
年轻的军官解释道，国会突然决定要扩充海军，
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.
而且已经下达了快速修建12艘船的指令。如果你愿意接受的话，这有一个合同是为你准备的。
They are even in such need that they have not had time to draw up full plans;
他们太需要快速修建这些船只了，以至于没有时间指定详细的计划。
so the man who builds this ship and the officer who superintends the construction can really have something to say about the design.
所以建造这艘船的人和监督建造的军官可以对船的设计有一些话语权。
He looked his old friend very steadily in the eye and saw a slow smile of deep,
他目不转睛地盯着他的老朋友，只见这位造船工人脸上缓缓露出了一种深沉的、
unspoken delight dawn upon the shipbuilder's face. Jonathan Adams' hard hands did not often tremble,
带着无言的喜悦的微笑。乔纳森·亚当斯结实的双手并不会常常颤抖，
but they shook a little now as he reached up to the shelf above the bench and brought down his model.
但当他伸手到长凳上方的架子上取下自己的模型时，手却微微颤抖了一下。
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.
他说自从我十岁时就想着这样一种船只的设计，实现它的机会最终还是来了。
We will make them a real ship, Humphrey, and the whole world will open its eyes when it sees you sail her.
汉弗莱，我们会建造一艘真正的船，当你驾驶它航行的时候，整个世界都会眼前一亮。
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,
这条船建造的速度很快，船的船首斜桅远远地立在邻近的街道上，
and with people stopping in the lane to watch Jonathan's whole force of workmen toiling up and down her sides.
人们会在巷子里停下来，看着乔纳森的工人们在她身边辛苦地劳作。
Old navy officers, some of whom had seen the ships of the Revolutionary War,
老海军军官们，其中有些是见过独立战争的船只的军官，
and who had all fought in the War of 1812, would inspect her and would shake their heads.
而且他们都参加过1812年的战争，他们都会审视着这艘船，摇起自己的头。
Look at that sharp bow and narrow hull, one would say; such a ship will never be seaworthy in the world.
有人说看看它分明的首舷和狭窄的船体，这种船不适合航行。
Why can't these young fellows stick to the models we have tried out for them?
为什么你们不按照我们为你试验的模型建造？
And see the spread of sail this drawing shows, another would comment, pointing fiercely with a stubby forefinger;
另一个人指着短粗的食指说到，看画图上帆的展开模样；
why, the whole ridiculous affair will capsize in the first good puff of wind!
为什么，一阵风就能把它掀翻！
I'm thankful I don't have to go to sea in her.
幸亏我没有乘坐这艘船。
But the two comrades closed their ears and sat, often far into the night,
但这两名指挥官却没有听，他们静坐下来，通常到深夜，
in the cramped little office, poring over drawings and comparing designs.
在狭小的办公室，思考图纸并相互比较设计。
