Ships of Oak, Men of Iron: A Tim Phillips Novel (War at Sea Book 10) Read online

  “Sir, I think Amazon will be fine. If you want me, I am your man.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  The next few weeks were busy for Captain Phillips. He had posted to Portsmouth immediately after accepting the commission, where he found his newly arrived first lieutenant had taken matters in hand. Lieutenant Anderson was the only commission officer that had reported as of yet, although most of their standing officers were present. Few hands were aboard yet, so those few that were present had to work that much harder.

  Phillips and Mister Anderson organized recruiting parties that went around to surrounding towns, setting up at local taverns and inns, and attempted to entice local men and youths to sign on. Of course, unskilled people would be of little initial use on a complex ship of war, but gradually, once work leaked out that Captain Phillips was taking the ship to foreign waters, men he had formerly sailed with gradually came dribbling in. These were often accompanied by mates who had heard of the prize money earned by crew men on his earlier ships.

  It was difficult to be a professional sailor in wartime. While those men employed on commercial shipping were often paid fairly well, the question always asked, was how long might it be before a warship hailed the merchantman and pressed many of its crew? A man taken aboard a man of war against his will would often spend years of his life in unspeakable living conditions at poor pay.

  Some experienced hands believed it better to volunteer aboard a ship with a captain known for the decent treatment of crew and luck with prizes. The chance of prize money increased the prospect of a fat purse to take to one’s family or to spend on shore-side amusements.

  If a captain known for his prize-taking was recruiting, knowing hands would find a way to get to his ship to sign on.

  Some of the pressure lifted from Captain Phillips shoulders when a coach pulled up at the quay and a pair of young lieutenants disembarked. Suspecting these officers were bound for Amazon, Mister Anderson hailed the duty boat, which he had rowing guard about the ship to prevent the new hands from deserting. Upon investigating, the new officers were indeed coming out to the ship, and Lieutenants Perkins and Lawson reported on board, dressed in their number one togs. A quick word from Mister Anderson took them below, from where they emerged wearing garb more appropriate to getting the ship ready for sea.

  Matters began looking more promising when first the Impress Service turned over fifty men taken from returning merchantmen. A dozen more were freed prisoners captured by the French and then traded for their own people taken by the British. Phillips empathized with these particular people, some had been taken returning from a long voyage, sent to France for a lengthy period, then, finally freed, immediately taken up by the press for service in the Royal Navy. The desperate need for men, however, enabled the captain to harden his heart. These, to a man were trained seamen, without whom it would be hard for Phillips to explain how he could take the frigate to sea.

  When a militia company marched in a party of Quota men to join, the muster book was beginning to fill up. These people were nothing one would be especially proud to serve with. Most were unfortunate souls. The officials of their home counties wanted to see their backs. Many had been imprisoned for petty crimes or debt, others were impoverished, all were filthy and vermin ridden.

  A word with the first officer brought up the wash-deck pump and the victims were ordered to strip down. After being hosed-down thoroughly in the frigid water, the ship’s barber went on his rounds shearing the hair from all; and every single man was required to soap down and be rinsed clean. All who had the sense to take the bounty as a volunteer received two months wages, from which sum it was necessary to purchase fresh slop clothing from the purser, in addition to any incidental supplies.

  A ship’s surgeon had reported, with his new warrant from the Sick and Hurt Board. An interview with his captain revealed he had read medicine at Edinburgh and was a qualified physician, but a serious lack of funds prevented him from setting up as a practicing physician, so he had thought to attempt to mend his fortunes in the Royal Navy. He was immediately set to work examining the new crewmembers, with special emphasis given to the Quota men.

  When he had finished his examinations, he brought his notes to the captain in his shipboard office. After examination, the doctor reported two men to be ruptured. Having no useful skills, they were taken to the entry port and sent down to the boat where they were pulled ashore. Set free, on their own, they received an ovation from the remaining crew members when it was discovered a man could actually be discharged from the Royal Navy.

  Another man had a gimp leg. He had apparently been injured at some time in the past, and the leg had healed improperly. Normally, such a man would hardly be useful aboard ship, but the doctor discovered the fellow had an education and could read and write. This was an altogether different situation. Upon investigating himself, Phillips found the man had beautiful copperplate handwriting and had once earned a living as a solicitor’s clerk, but the death of his employer and his own crippling injury brought that career to an end. The man was offered a choice, he could go ashore as being too injured to serve in the Navy, or he could take service as the captain’s clerk. John Dardin avidly accepted the new position.

  A more appealing group of men were added to the roster when the recruiting parties began returning. Finding pickings very slim indeed in the nearby towns and villages, some had gone farther afield and had garnered some two dozen healthy farm laborers, who it seems, had been having a hard time making a living with their labor. After listening to the glowing promises of the recruiters, many of the more innocent thought the Navy might be a way out of their present difficulties.

  These farm workers of course, with no knowledge of the sea, would be worse than useless for a few weeks, but once they got their sea legs, could lend their strength to the braces under their petty officer’s direction, and hopefully, after gaining some knowledge, might soon be able to earn their rations.

  A flock of midshipmen came aboard, many of them new to the sea, some mere children. A few however, had several commissions under their belts, and might be of use as petty officers. As soon as they had struck their possessions below, some of the more experienced got up into the rigging and began showing off their aerial talents.

  Mister Lawson, as the deck officer, soon put a stop to their aerial acrobatics, but Phillips was impressed at some of their abilities. He knew he was going to have to watch these boys to insure none of them were killed or disabled by these activities.

  Some of the quota people on board, Phillips also kept an eye on. He had five young lads, under the age of sixteen, who had been taken up as pickpockets. These would likely have been executed or transported had not the needs of the navy interfered. The lads he had his eye on looked as though they might have the makings of topmen in them. A word to Mister Anderson advised him to give each of these new people the opportunity to learn the most valuable skill of topman.

  Each would be placed under the wing of one of the more active mids, as well as an experienced older hand, wise in the ways of working aloft.

  With all the men aboard he was likely to get, it was now time to begin lading ship. Although supplies had been coming on board at an ever increasing clip, now, with the number of hands he had, there was the ability to take on the heavier tasks. Her guns had been installed while still in the dockyard, now the loading of the massive amounts of ammunition could commence. The powder would have to wait until later, when the ship could be pulled out farther from shore for safety, but the heavy projectiles, ball, grape, canister and bar shot could come aboard.

  The heavy casks of salt pork and beef, bags of biscuit, firkins of butter, sauerkraut, dried peas and all else the men would be consuming for the oncoming months at sea were swayed up on board from the ever present lighters.

  With the ship riding low in the water from the quantity of stores aboard, it was time to load the powder. With other ships moored close to HMS Amazon, Phillips elected to kedge the ship away f
rom the others. The kedge anchor was lowered down to the launch and seized to it. After the launch was pulled out to starboard for the length of the cable, the seizing was cut and the kedge dropped to the bottom. The anchor cable was nipped to the messenger cable aboard ship and the capstan manned. The hands put their bodies to the capstan bars and began to pull the ship toward the kedge. At this moment, the line to the mooring point was slipped and the ship began to move toward the kedge. With Amazon towing free from the other ships, men were sent aloft to set sail, and sail handlers took their posts.

  When the ship was over the kedge, and it was lifted from the bottom, sail was set and trimmed to the wind. Free from the bottom, the ship sailed to the other side of the harbor to the waiting powder hoys. Picking up another mooring point, HMS Amazon moored briefly while she took aboard her powder. The decks had been wet down and all men were in bare feet as long as powder was being brought on deck. During this evolution a well-appointed boat from shore pulled out near the ship, where its crew rested on their oars until the powder had been loaded aboard and stowed in the magazine.

  When the explosives flag was lowered, the admiral’s flag lieutenant in the boat came aboard and handed over their sailing orders along with Admiral Bickerton’s best wishes. They were free to leave.

  Unfortunately, a storm coming up channel was preventing ships from leaving. A word with his sailing master convinced him this unfavorable weather would last for at least another two days, possibly more. This might give him opportunity to coach up to London and conclude his business there. Mister Anderson was distressed when he was told of the reason and offered to accompany him to act for him at the meeting. Phillips explained he already had two friends acting for him and he needed his first lieutenant on the ship, handling any last minute emergencies.

  Fortunately or not, a storm coming up channel was preventing ships from leaving. A word with his sailing master convinced him this unfavorable weather would last for at least another two days, possibly more. This might give him opportunity to coach up to London and conclude his business there. Mister Anderson was distressed when he was told of the reason and offered to accompany him to act for him at the meeting.

  Phillips explained he already had two friends acting for him and he needed his first lieutenant on the ship, handling any last minute emergencies.

  Mister Anderson was told he would do his best to get back immediately after the meeting, but if the ship was given peremptory orders to sail before his return, his absence should be reported to the admiral.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Phillips hired a private coach and good horses to speed him on his way to London. At every posting inn, they changed horses and sped onward. Leaving at first light, they reached London the next evening and Phillips found a bed available in the inn.

  Rising the next morning, he found he had acquired a crop of tiny insects from the bedding, but had not the time to see about ridding himself of the pests. The innkeeper accommodated him by allowing his hostler to drive him to the Forsythe residence to determine the status of the encounter.

  Lord Forsythe was there and prepared to make the arrangements, although Lomax had reported back to his regiment. After Phillips explained his schedule, informing Forsythe his ship was expected to sail as soon as the weather allowed. If there was to be a meeting, it must be at once.

  Lord Forsythe immediately summoned his clerk who drafted a note to Major Hamilton, who strangely enough was acting for the young lieutenant who had instigated the duel. After dashing off his signature and entrusting it to the messenger, Forsythe leaned back and predicted.

  “We should be finished with this trouble very shortly, Captain. I have already discussed this matter with friends in Horse Guards who are not pleased with the actions of your antagonists. I am told both men will be asked to sell their commissions.”

  It was early afternoon before the answer came. Major Hamilton was now willing to delay matters until Phillips returned from his posting. Phillips was not pleased. He did not wish to have this matter hanging over his head for possibly years. When Phillips shook his head, Lord Hamilton sent a curt message reminding the other parties of the passing of time, informing them if their party was not willing to fight, then a public apology would be accepted.

  That evening, the messenger returned, Major Hamilton advising his principal would be at the proposed meeting place at dawn the next day for a resolution.

  Hamilton offered Phillips a bed for the night. Before retiring, he had a barber called and his hair cut. After a long bath, he hoped he was free of the tiny vermin that had been troubling him all day.

  After little sleep, Phillips rose and dressed. Forsythe was waiting at the door and the pair stepped up into the coach. Another coach followed, this one, Forsythe commenting, carried a surgeon. The sun was nearly up when they reached the agreed meeting ground. A sward along a stream, grazed down by sheep. It would have been an idyllic place for a lunch with one’s paramour. Now, of course, its intended use was to be a killing ground.

  Two coaches awaited, one carrying the regimental surgeon for his opponent. The other was occupied by Major Hamilton. Phillips and Lord Forsythe emerged and examined the ground. The sun was well up, but cloud cover prevented it from hindering vision.

  It was some minutes later when another coach arrived, this carrying Lieutenant Ranson. A foaming horse arrived a moment later carrying an exhausted Major Lomax who had ridden much of the night to arrive before the duel.

  When the judges arrived, the meeting was considered ready to begin. The judges walked the ground with the seconds, and dropped widely separated handkerchiefs. Phillips and Ranson were both called over with their seconds and asked if the matter could be resolved.

  Phillips assured the judges resolution could only occur if Ranson would apologize publicly for pushing him at the dance. Ranson stood silent. A judge the explained the rules.

  “Your friends have agreed the encounter will be at a distance of twenty paces. This distance has been paced off and each position marked by a handkerchief on the ground. They are laid on a north-south line so the sun should not be a factor. However, I will throw a guinea into the air. I will ask Lord Forsythe to call it while it is in the air. If he calls the coin correctly, his principal will have the choice of which position he shall occupy. If incorrect, the other party may choose.”

  “After you are standing at your position, pistols shall be brought to each participant. Upon receiving the weapon, it will be held pointing into the air. When both men are armed and facing each other, I shall ask once again if there is any possibility of resolving this matter without bloodshed.”

  “If this cannot be done, I will stand to the side, with a handkerchief in my hand. I will begin my count. At the count of ‘One’, each participant, still holding his weapon upright, will cock his pistol.”

  “At the count of ‘Two”, you will bring your pistol down and take your aim.”

  “At the count of three, I will simultaneously drop my handkerchief and say “Fire”.

  “Only after the handkerchief drops are you permitted to fire. We judges as well as the seconds are armed. Should either participant fire while the handkerchief is in my hand, he will be fired upon by the judges as well as his opponent’s seconds. At this time, seconds may have a word with their principal then the meeting will commence.”

  Lomax and Forsythe both approached Phillips. Forsythe informed him his opponent had apparently spent the night drinking and was probably not in the proper condition to fight. However, his surgeon had agreed to the match so it would proceed.

  “The pistols are my own. They are exactly alike and shoot where they are pointed. I will now go over to oversee their loading. Your pistol will shoot to where you point it.”

  Forsythe and Lomax went over to the little table someone had erected. Each pistol was laid on it with its accoutrements. With the judges and seconds watching closely, the loader thrust a rod each bore to insure it was not already loaded. A measured charge o
f powder was dropped down each muzzle, then the pistol was passed to another party at the table. This person placed a greased patch over the muzzle with a ball atop that. A push with the ramrod sent the ball down the barrel to rest on the powder. After a pinch of fine powder was placed in each pan, and the frizzen closed, the weapons were ready.

  One judge had Forsythe come over and call the toss. Flipping the coin high in the air, it was called heads as it fell to the ground. Calling the participants over, the judge announced, “The coin has fallen tails up. Lieutenant Ranson may choose his position now.”

  The now bemused officer stumbled over to his position, obviously not in his peak condition.

  Concerned, the judges called to his surgeon to see if he would like to postpone the meeting. The doctor, somewhat impaired himself, assured the judges young Ranson could shoot better drunk than sober.

  Announcing then the meeting would proceed, everyone took their place, and the pistols were handed to the participants. Glancing at his weapon, Phillips saw immediately that it was an exquisitely made Manton. As instructed, he pointed his weapon at the sky.

  Looking at his opponent, he was alarmed to see Ranson standing there weaving, his pistol pointing horizontally in all directions. Both Forsythe and Lomax raised their own pistols in case they should need to defend their principal. After the judges shouted at Ranson though, the young fool raised his weapon into the air.

  The judge began his count, and Phillips cocked his weapon at the count of ‘One’, then presented it at his opponent at the count of ‘Two’.

  He was surprised to see the officer fumbling with the cock at this time, apparently unable to prepare the weapon. He was ready to abandon the proceeding, judging his opponent was surely not capable of continuing. The judge making the count hesitated, seeing the difficulty the young man was having, when Ranson’s weapon fired, without the order being given or the handkerchief dropping.