Thundering typhoons! The bulk ship Captain Haddock came up the North River Monday, Port of Coeymans bound and partially laden with salt after lightering off some cargo in the Upper Bay to Carver Marine barges last month and then killing some time at Ambrose Anchorage. The Captain is no doubt named for Belgian graphic novelist Herge’s mid-20th century sea-fairing adventurer and sidekick to Tintin.

Archibald Haddock was a stalwart righter-of-wrongs and a competent mariner as long as he stayed away from the booze. Even sober, the irascible captain could unleash a stream of child-friendly profanity at the slightest provocation. Glad I got to see the ship.