Rebel Yell Appendix by Jason Scott

 

Afterword

Rebel Yell continued on past the Seychelles to Djibouti and then to Tel Aviv, where she was wintered and Jason returned to the States, leaving an Aussie crewman, Ron, in charge. Ernie returned to the Philippines from Israel when he received word that his family back home was in difficulty.

The following year, Jason returned and continued the sail into the Mediterranean. He visited the Greek islands. While waiting for me to join him at the Athens airport he got into a conversation with an editor from Doubleday who gave him his card and encouraged him to write a novel about his experiences. After a short summer in Greece, I returned, and Rebel Yell made a stop in Italy, then went to Mallorca, Spain, where a Swiss gentleman purchased Rebel Yell in gold. Jason sold Rebel Yell for less than he paid, then returned to the States to begin work on the novel you have just read.

The Doubleday editorial board was happy to read the novel but found it had certain problems, problems which had already been pointed out to Jason in letters he received from friends whom he asked to evaluate the book. He felt it would compromise his artistic integrity to address these issues, and briefly shopped the novel to other publishers, but was unsuccessful.

Over the succeeding years, he wrote several fiction novels but did not attempt to publish them. He interspersed this work with other activities such as motorcycle cruises and brief attempts to return to work and get off disability, such as working as a taxi driver, school bus driver, RV driver, and professional umpire. These were all unsuccessful due to his heart problems and eventually the pig valves in his heart began to disintegrate.

After his death, the manuscripts to those other novels were acquired by the executor of his will who chose to keep the will secret and did not contact any of the family members regarding the terms of the will. Both these actions were of course illegal. The manuscripts are presumed destroyed, for they were never seen again. I am reluctant to identify the individuals responsible for the destruction of the manuscript because Jason had warned me of their intimate connections with the Mafia and of the untimely and mysterious deaths that met those who opposed or questioned members of their family. How and what he knew and to what extent these connections are still alive I do not know, nor do I wish to risk my life to find out.

Several of the chapters from this novel were reworked into magazine articles and were tremendously popular to the point that “Another Jason Scott Adventure” would headline magazine covers and sales of the magazine would skyrocket whenever his stories would appear. The articles also stirred up tremendous controversy among the magazine’s readers, many of whom were highly offended by the articles. Below are some letters sent in by readers. These letters were highly prized by Jason.

DEAR OFFSHORE:

I read the (pirate) article in the May issue of your magazine. It was very interesting however it is something to be expected in the South Pacific. Not all of those islands in that area were occupied by the Japanese or American troops. In fact it is common knowledge that a lot of these islands are inhabited by aborigines. Let’s get to the reason for my letter. Your article was well-written and very interesting. A friend of mine took his 50-foot power cruiser through the inland waterway to Florida late fall 1983. While going through the South Carolina area he was attacked by pirates. When he managed to get away from the attack and arrived at his planned overnight dockage, he talked to the dockmaster about it and was told of an attack one week earlier in which shots were fired and just missed the captain. My friend was advised that he had made a mistake in not staying with the flotilla.

I send you this information with the idea that you may want to research and validate it for a future article about pirates in the American waters where an unknowing American yachtsman may end up a victim. I enclose the business card of my friend. Please excuse my terrible typing and story structure. I’m sure you will get the message I’m trying to send.
Joseph Couillard
East Lyme, CT
 

DEAR OFFSHORE:

A friend visiting your State brought me the May issue of your rag, and I read the article about “piracy” in Baja California, Mexico, with such disgust and hurt that I am barely able to write this: I would much prefer to deliver my comments to you and the writer in person, with physical emphasis.

You have not only lied about piracy in Mexico, which does not happen at all, but you have maligned the people of Baja California, including all of the villagers and humble fishermen who regularly welcome and aid visiting boaters. As I write this, I am thinking about the many incidents I have seen and experienced while cruising these waters; not only are boaters absolutely safe from harm from these gentle people, but they are always ready to lend a hand in protection from hazards.

I have cruised the area, and camped in Baja over many years. There is no place in the U.S. which is safer.

If this article is a sample of the accuracy of articles in your magazine, I hope you soon go bankrupt.
Walter Colby
Baja Califonia, Mexico
 

Jason Scott’s story in the May issue was about Moro pirates in the Philippines. His reference to pirate activity in Baja California is found in his “afterthought” appended to the main story. The closest the editor has been to Baja is Urbana, Illinois. Offshore, therefore, only knows what I read. I have now read a second opinion on the subject, Mr. Colby’s. Anyone care to add a third?

LETTERS

Dear Sir:

As a New Englander who has sailed (raced & cruised) the coast from York, Maine to St. Thomas for over 20 years, I have been following with delight the adventures of Jason Scott as they appeared in Offshore. He seems to be able to share the excitement of world cruising with all of us who have had just enough of the taste of honey to know that, to use your own language, the sea is where the gusto is! And he does it on an extremely literate manner.

I do not read arrogance in his tales, but confidence & knowledge. He always seems to respect his ship & crew. It appears he has knowledge of the sea, weather, & his ship & that’s the bottom line.

I certainly want his writing to continue & I look forward to reading his next article. I hope this criticism doesn’t stop future articles. Offshore is a class magazine & Jason adds that much more class to it. Keep it up!

Yours Truly
Joanna Ward
Hinesdale, PA

On Jason Scott

Dear OFFSHORE,

A few words about Jason Scott: He battles savage pirates. He wheels and deals with the inscrutable Chinese. He endures lazy foreign crew members. He alienates his wife. He annoys the hell out of me. Have we heard the last of this pompous, racist braggart? Maybe you should run his articles under “Adventures in Boating Stupidity.” The only good that I can see in his “adventures” is that they keep him far away from New England. If the “John Wayne” of boating ever sails the “Rebel Yell” in this direction, let me know far in advance so can head for some safer harbor, like Nicaragua.
P. Bodine
Medford, MA
 

Dear OFFSHORE,

I suppose arrogance insensitivity and stupidity are their own reward, in which case Jason Scott’s cup must be running over. I have diligently followed all three of this stories, searching for more than the glimmer of sanity or common sense and have found little. His macho attitude leaves little room for any compassion for his real troubles. By the time he was done swaggering through a foreign country, abusing its customs, attitudes and advice I could only cheer for his difficulties, and sorely wished the pirates had got him.
Sincerely,
Sarah E. Amyes
 

Come an guys. Many of us may have approached a foreign custom yard more cautiously; but once in the pickle would you expect Scott to write glowingly of Keelung and his builder friends? Ed.

Notes

“I suppose arrogance insensitivity and stupidity are their own reward, in which case Jason Scott’s cup must be running over” thrilled Dad no end. This was his favorite letter. He took particular delight in sharing these last two letters with friends. When people get this emotional, it’s good news for a writer.

^^Rebel Yell
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