The Moth Radio Hour: Bathtub Sailor, Seamstress, Spy

Release Date: April 26, 2016

Introduction

In the April 26, 2016 episode of The Moth Radio Hour titled "Bathtub Sailor, Seamstress, Spy," listeners are treated to three compelling and diverse true stories, each showcasing extraordinary personal journeys and resilience. Hosted by Meg Bowles, the episode features tales from Tim Fitzhayam, Catherine Cross, and Noreen Reels, delivered live from The Moth’s London main stage. This detailed summary delves into each story, highlighting key points, notable quotes, and the profound insights shared by the storytellers.

1. Bathtub Sailor: Tim Fitzhayam ([02:24] – [19:36])

Summary: Tim Fitzhayam presents an adventurous and humorous account of his audacious attempt to row across the English Channel in a bathtub. Combining determination with British eccentricity, Tim's story is a whirlwind of preparation, unforeseen challenges, and unexpected accolades.

Key Points:

• Inception of the Idea ([02:24] – [04:10]): Tim begins by humorously describing himself rowing in a bathtub amidst the vastness of the English Channel, maneuvering to escape a colossal oil tanker. He reflects on how a spontaneous idea during bath time led to the realization that no one had ever attempted such a feat.

  “I was lying in the bath and I had this idea. I was thinking to myself, I wonder if anyone has ever rode the English Channel in a bathtub.” ([05:15])

• Preparation and Obstacle ([04:11] – [08:30]): Tim details the extensive preparations, including sourcing a Victorian-era copper bathtub from Thomas Crapper and Company, and modifying it with outriggers to ensure stability. He highlights the formidable challenge of navigating the busiest shipping lane in the world, managed by massive tankers with lengthy stopping distances.

  “I have to go from east to west, from England to France. So I am going to be like, crossing the busiest motorway in the world at right angles to the direction of traffic, riding a concrete snail.” ([07:45])

• Legal and Logistical Hurdles ([08:31] – [12:00]): Encountering bureaucratic setbacks, Tim narrates his interactions with the French government, who initially opposed his endeavor. By registering his bath as a British ship and engaging with the Royal Navy, he ultimately gains unexpected support, including a letter from the Queen.

  “Should we just recap on what's going on here? I've set off to row the Channel in a bath and I now have a letter from the Queen saying, not only do I not mind you rowing the Channel in a bathtub. You have my heartiest support.” ([12:45])

• The Crossing and Its Perils ([12:01] – [15:51]): Tim recounts the harrowing moments during his crossing, including close encounters with tankers and surviving a severe storm that damaged his makeshift vessel. Despite physical injuries and extreme adversity, his perseverance leads to a historic naval precedent when the tanker avoids him, a first in maritime history.

  “The tanker did divert around a bathtub for the first time in the maritime history of the world and create what the admiral later called a naval precedent in law.” ([15:10])

• Accolades and Aftermath ([15:52] – [19:36]): Post-crossing, Tim receives multiple honors, including being made a Commodore in the Royal Navy and an audience with the Queen. His story concludes with reflections on British resilience and public support, culminating in a commemorative lavatory named in his honor.

  “It turned out to be that Great Britain is a land where you can turn to the great British public, look them directly in the eye and go, I'm going to do something really quite hard… and the great British public will look you directly in the eye and go, this man's a hero.” ([18:50])

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Fitzhayam: “Imagine if you will, I'm out rowing in the middle of the English Channel… it's a bathtub.” ([03:00])
• Tim Fitzhayam: “Britain is a land where you can turn to the great British public, look them directly in the eye and go, I'm going to do something really quite hard.” ([18:30])

Insights and Conclusions: Tim’s story is a testament to human ingenuity and the spirit of adventure. It humorously underscores the lengths to which one can go to turn an unconventional idea into a reality, highlighting the unexpected support and recognition that can follow such endeavors. The narrative also delves into themes of perseverance, national pride, and the impact of individual actions on broader societal norms.

2. Seamstress: Catherine Cross ([21:18] – [34:38])

Summary: Catherine Cross shares a deeply personal and emotional journey of reconciling with her transgender child. Her story portrays the complexities of parental love, societal acceptance, and the transformative power of understanding and support.

Key Points:

• Initial Disclosure ([21:18] – [24:30]): Catherine introduces the moment her 15-year-old daughter, initially identified as female, confesses struggles beyond sexual orientation, hinting at deeper gender identity issues. The initial confusion is portrayed with a touch of humor as she navigates her lack of understanding about transgender issues.

  “Funny really, because I always imagined she'd come out to me as being gay. But the moment she said as I knew that wasn't it, I knew she was going to have to dig a bit deeper.” ([23:50])

• Realization and Acceptance ([24:31] – [28:15]): As the daughter's true feelings emerge, Catherine grapples with denial and fear, leading to heated conversations and self-reflection. She highlights the internal conflict of wanting to support her child while struggling to comprehend the reality of their identity.

  “What's so bad about this anyway? Still have my child. She's not dead. She's not dying. Why am I so sad?” ([26:45])

• Seeking Support ([28:16] – [31:30]): Upon discovering support groups, Catherine and her husband decide to attend a weekend retreat organized by the Transgender Equality Network in Ireland. The experience is initially awkward but becomes transformative as Catherine begins to understand and support her child’s identity.

  “I thought I was going to have to drop some other kind of bombshell on me. So I decided to try our very best to call you by your new name and use male pronouns.” ([30:10])

• Community and Advocacy ([31:31] – [34:38]): Through the support group and interactions with other families, Catherine gains the confidence to advocate for her child. She shares the positive reception from the community and her daughter’s increased happiness. The narrative concludes with Catherine embracing her role in the Transgender Equality Network and pursuing higher education to further support transgender rights.

  “I realize that the daughter I'm mourning is the daughter I had expected to have. And maybe the pain of that would ease over time.” ([34:05])

Notable Quotes:

• Catherine Cross: “You're gay, oh, for God's sake. Is that all?” ([22:30])
• Catherine Cross: “What’s so bad about this anyway? Still have my child. She's not dead. She's not dying. Why am I so sad?” ([26:00])
• Catherine Cross: “I find it really, really strange, but he was so happy. I couldn't but be happy for him too.” ([32:20])

Insights and Conclusions: Catherine’s narrative emphasizes the profound challenges and rewards inherent in supporting a transgender child. It sheds light on the emotional turmoil parents may experience and the critical importance of support systems and education in fostering understanding and acceptance. The story underscores themes of unconditional love, personal growth, and the societal shifts towards greater inclusivity and awareness of gender identity issues.

3. Spy: Noreen Reels ([34:38] – [51:55])

Summary: Noreen Reels unveils her concealed past as a secret agent during World War II. Her poignant recounting of undercover operations, personal sacrifices, and enduring love offers a gripping glimpse into the clandestine world of espionage and its lasting impacts.

Key Points:

• Recruitment and Early Missions ([34:38] – [38:00]): Noreen begins by recounting her entry into the Women's Royal Naval Service, initially motivated by admiration for the uniform. She describes the intense training and recruitment process, leading to her assignment in the France section, where she became involved in covert operations supporting occupied countries.

  “Behind those walls, members of every occupied country were organizing acts of sabotage and the infiltration into enemy territory at night of secret agents by parachute, fishing boat, Felucca and submarine.” ([36:00])

• Training and Operations ([38:01] – [44:20]): Detailing her role at the secret training school in Beaulieu, Hampshire, Noreen explains the rigorous training agents underwent, including surveillance techniques and psychological resilience. She shares stories of agents' personal struggles and the high stakes of their missions, emphasizing the emotional toll of secrecy and loss.

  “Brave men are always afraid. Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's the willingness, the guts, if you like, to face the fear.” ([40:30])

• Personal Tragedy and Love ([44:21] – [48:10]): Noreen narrates her brief, intense romance with a fellow agent named Bill, highlighting the fragility of love amidst the chaos of war. Bill’s ultimate sacrifice on a perilous mission underscores the perpetual risk agents faced and the enduring grief of loss.

  “I didn’t want a dead hero. I didn’t want a medal in a velvet box. I wanted Bill.” ([47:50])

• Legacy and Reflections ([48:11] – [51:55]): Reflecting on her contributions and the secrecy imposed by the Official Secrets Act, Noreen expresses pride and sorrow over the sacrifices made by herself and her colleagues. Her story concludes with a tribute to the courage and dedication of secret agents, honoring their legacy and the personal costs of their service.

  “Almost half of them never returned. Like Bill, they gave their youth their joie de vivre, their hopes and dreams for the future. They gave their all for us. They gave their today so that we might have our tomorrow.” ([51:30])

Notable Quotes:

• Noreen Reels: “Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's the willingness, the guts, if you like, to face the fear.” ([40:00])
• Noreen Reels: “I fell madly, hopelessly in love with an agent. He was one of our best agents. A crack. He'd just returned from a very successful second mission and he was a legend in the section.” ([45:00])
• Noreen Reels: “But I didn’t want a dead hero. I didn’t want a medal in a velvet box. I wanted Bill.” ([47:45])

Insights and Conclusions: Noreen’s story illuminates the hidden sacrifices made by countless individuals during wartime, shedding light on the personal and emotional costs of espionage. It explores themes of love, loss, duty, and the national conscience, emphasizing the understated yet profound impact of these unsung heroes. Her revelations also highlight the enduring effects of secrecy on personal relationships and the collective memory of wartime contributions.

Conclusion

This episode of The Moth Radio Hour masterfully encapsulates the breadth of human experience through its three distinct stories. From the eccentric ambition of rowing the English Channel in a bathtub to the heartfelt journey of a mother supporting her transgender child, and finally, the silent heroism of a WWII secret agent, each narrative underscores resilience, transformation, and the intricate tapestry of personal and societal challenges. Notable quotes punctuate these stories, providing depth and authenticity to the storytellers' experiences. Collectively, the episode celebrates the extraordinary within the ordinary, offering listeners a rich, engaging, and thought-provoking auditory experience.

Notable Production Details:

• Presenter: Meg Bowles
• Producer: Jay Allison with Vicki Merrick at Atlantic Public Media, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
• Support: The episode was produced with funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
• Additional Contributors: Stories were enhanced with theme music by The Drift and performances by Dickie Nolan and Harry Jones James and his Orchestra.

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