by Alaric Bond
“That is good,” Poppy replied without enthusiasm.
“But some are sadly dead,” Kate continued, flipping through the sheets of paper in a businesslike manner. “Michael Caulfield, the first lieutenant, Mr Knolls the boatswain, Mr Blake – I think he was the new surgeon's mate, though we never met. Maxwell, the quartermaster, Clement he was a boatswain's mate – far too many, and it is not a complete list.”
There was a pause while Kate surveyed the girl more carefully.
“And there is news of Joe Briars,” she said at last. “Along with Jackie Brown; they were midshipmen: you will remember them, I have no doubt.”
Poppy was silent, but her dark eyes had become fixed on those of the older woman.
“Mr Franklin says Briars asked after you,” Kate continued. “I cannot truly tell from what he has written, but assume much to have been said after we left the ship. Certainly he is aware of a wrong done by the boys and you would seem to be in some way involved.”
Still the girl said nothing, although Kate noticed she had settled a little deeper into her bed.
“Poppy, I have no idea what this is about, but it seems the lads expressed regret for whatever they did.”
“Regret?” Poppy snorted. “They didn't seem so very sorry at the time.”
“Probably not,” Kate agreed, “But please have some understanding. I can only suppose the circumstances, though were young myself once – and there is no need to look at me like that, miss.” She paused and sighed. “As I say, I know not what went on, but accept that things can get out of hand...”
“No, you were not there,” Poppy agreed. “Yet are content to believe the word of a boy and what some man tells you in a letter.”
“How can I do otherwise when you will not say?” She sighed. “And however terrible it might have been, was what they did truly enough to send you back to your previous ways?”
“You do not know – you can not tell.” Poppy turned away and began to address the wall. “And I am not able to explain.”
“If you try, I will listen.”
Time seemed to hang in the small room but in fact it was only a few seconds later that Poppy began to speak.
“I know how you feel about me and my trade,” her words were slow and delivered so softly they could barely be heard. “And it must be fine to have right on your side; to know absolutely your opinion is correct. But you are right, I do not dispute it. No woman would wish to do the things I did for money. But it was that and survival, or something infinitely worse: I could choose whether to or not.”
“Poppy, I am sorry, I don't see what you mean...”
Her head swung back and she stared her mistress in the face. “I mean I could choose who I lay with and on what terms. With the boys there was no alternative – they held me down.”
“And that is different?” Kate asked.
“Oh yes,” the girl replied. “That is very different.”
Silence returned for a moment, then the girl placed both hands upon her belly, closed her eyes and appeared to lapse into a sulk. Kate considered her professionally; if the dates she had given were correct, Poppy should really be far larger than that.
“You are quite right,” the older woman agreed as she looked at the letter once more. “This is just what one person has written. Although I do have every reason to believe Mr Franklin when he says they were truly repentant.”
“It don't change a thing,” Poppy declared. “There were four of them...”
“So I gather, and agree it was wrong, terribly wrong. I wish you had said something at the time, action could have been taken.”
“And who was I to tell?” Poppy turned back, her eyes opening wide. “The captain? Do you think he'd have wanted to know his midshipmen behaved like animals? The ship were full of men, there was only you, and Mrs Roberts. I should have been a laughing stock in no time.”
“You might still have told me – indeed I am a mite disappointed you did not: the Navy takes such things more seriously than you think.”
“There were four of them,” the girl repeated.
“I would have believed you,” Kate maintained. “As would any woman. And I would have made the officers listen – you should have known me well enough for that.”
Poppy's glance fell away once more and for a moment she appeared more interested in the edge of her sheet.
“Well, that's as maybe, but there is nothing that can be done,” Kate continued. “It is a shame, but then you could say the same about the whole sad affair.”
“Why?” Poppy returned angrily. “Because I am with child?”
“No,” Kate said sadly. “Because they are all dead.”
The statement reverberated for several seconds before Poppy focused once more upon her mistress.
“Young Cross died during the attack off Toulon, as you well know,” Kate began. “And Mr Franklin reports both Brown and Briars were lost when the ship ran aground. Carley drowned in the action with the pirate ship – surely you must remember?”
“I see,” she said, but no more. Then Kate spoke again.
“Poppy, you are correct, I was not there and don't know what happened. And nothing can make up for what they appear to have done. But they were boys, you must see that. Why Brown was barely older than you, and the others far younger – were you aware Briars only turned fifteen a few days before Christmas?”
There was now a total lack of response from the girl; she had settled under the sheet and might not even be listening. But Kate continued, if not entirely for Poppy's benefit.
“I knew all four relatively well and, though they undoubtedly behaved badly, that was as a group. I do not believe any one of them would have contemplated such a dreadful thing had they been alone. It must have been a shared madness; I have seen it amongst women as often as men, and girls as well as boys. They were in the wrong, it cannot be doubted, and you may not find it in yourself to forgive; that is your right. But perhaps consider those who have accepted your faults, and forgiven them. And, as I have said, they were just boys.”
“Just boys?” Poppy questioned, from under the covers.
“Just boys,” Kate confirmed.
“And they are all dead?”
“I fear so.”
Poppy's head reappeared, and she seemed to be considering the matter for a moment. Then her eyes returned to those of her mistress.
“Good,” she said.
Kate turned and walked quietly out of the room. She could understand the girl, and indeed had every sympathy; not just for what had happened with the midshipmen, but how she must be feeling in her stage of pregnancy. Kate could remember the misery she herself felt the first time, and was secretly relieved that, on this occasion, everything seemed so much better. In fact she was looking forward to the child with a joy impossible to describe, while an inner certainty told her this time things would be well.
But it was a shame that Franklin's letter had not brought more positive news of Robert. What she had told Poppy was correct; the French authorities were being annoyingly slow in confirming those held, although it was doubtless better to think her husband missing than dead. And not only Robert: Tom King, Lewis, Brehaut: so many of the men she had come to know were unaccounted for. Kate was no stranger to bereavement and understood the tricks a mind could play, but somehow she simply could not accept that they were all drowned. There must be another explanation: this could not be the end of the story.
Selected Glossary
Able Seaman One who can hand, reef and steer and is well-acquainted with the duties of a seaman.
Back Wind change; anticlockwise.
Backed sail One set in the direction for the opposite tack to slow a ship.
Backstays Similar to shrouds in function, except that they run from the hounds of the topmast, or topgallant, all the way to the deck. (Also a useful/spectacular way to return to deck for a topman.)
Backstays, Running A less permanent backstay, rigged with a tackle to allow it to be s
lacked to clear a gaff or boom.
Banyan Day Monday, Wednesday and Friday were normally considered such, when no meat would be issued.
Barky (Slang) A seaman's affectionate name for their vessel.
Belaying Pins Wooden pins set into racks at the side of a ship. Lines are secured about these, allowing instant release by their removal.
Bilboes Iron restraints placed about an offender's ankles, allowing him to be of some use, picking oakum, etc.
Binnacle Cabinet on the quarterdeck that houses compasses, the deck log, traverse board, lead lines, telescope, speaking trumpet, etc.
Bitts Stout horizontal pieces of timber, supported by strong verticals, that extend deep into the ship. These hold the anchor cable when the ship is at anchor.
Blue Lamp/light Common night signal, often used as a sign of distress and a term borrowed by evangelical officers when referring to themselves.
Block Article of rigging that allows pressure to be diverted or, when used with others, increased. Consists of a pulley wheel, made of lignum vitae, encased in a wooden shell. Blocks can be single, double (fiddle block), triple or quadruple. The main suppliers were Taylors, of Southampton.
Board Before being promoted to lieutenant, midshipmen would be tested for competence by a board of post captains. Should the applicant prove able they will be known as a passed midshipman, but could not assume the rank of lieutenant until they were appointed to such a position.
Boatswain (Pronounced Bosun) The warrant officer superintending sails, rigging, canvas, colours, anchors, cables and cordage etc., committed to his charge.
Bob (Slang) A trick.
Boom Lower spar to which the bottom of a gaff sail is attached.
Bootneck (Slang) Term for a marine. Also guffies, jollies and many more...
Braces Lines used to adjust the angle between the yards, and the fore and aft line of the ship. Mizzen braces, and braces of a brig lead forward.
Brig Two-masted vessel, square-rigged on both masts.
Bulkhead A partition within the hull of a ship.
Burgoo Meal made from oats, usually served cold, and occasionally sweetened with molasses.
Bulwark The planking or wood-work about a vessel above her deck.
Canister Type of shot similar to case. Small iron balls packed into a cylindrical case.
Careening The act of beaching a vessel and laying her over so that repairs and maintenance to the hull can be carried out.
Carronade Short cannon firing a heavy shot. Invented by Melville, Gascoigne and Miller in late 1770's and adopted from 1779. Often used on the upper deck of larger ships, or as the main armament of smaller.
Cascabel Part of the breech of a cannon.
Caulk (Slang) To sleep. Also caulking, a process to seal the seams between strakes.
Channel (When part of a ship) Projecting ledge that holds deadeyes from shrouds and backstays, originally chain-whales.
Chasse Marée A small, decked commercial sailing vessel.
Chips (Slang) Traditional name for the carpenter. Originally from the ship builders who were allowed to carry out small lumps of wood, or chips, at the end of their shift.
Close Hauled Sailing as near as possible into the wind.
Companionway A staircase or passageway.
Counter The lower part of a vessel's stern.
Course A large square lower sail, hung from a yard, with sheets controlling and securing it.
Cove (Slang) A man, often a rogue.
Cutter Fast, small, single-masted vessel with a sloop rig. Also a seaworthy ship's boat.
Dale Drain aboard ship, larger than a scupper.
Deadeyes A round, flattish wooden block with three holes, through which a lanyard is reeved. Used to tension shrouds and backstays.
Diachylon tape An early form of sticking plaster, often used by surgeons.
Dismal Jimmie/y Admiral James Gambier (1756-1833) a noted “Blue Lamp” admiral known to be most insistent on regular worship.
Ditty Bag (Slang) A seaman's bag. Derives its name from the dittis or 'Manchester stuff' of which it was originally made.
Driver Large sail set on the mizzen. The foot is extended by means of a boom.
Dunnage Officially the packaging around cargo. Also (Slang) baggage or possessions.
Fall The free end of a lifting tackle on which the men haul.
Fen (Slang) a prostitute.
Fetch To arrive at, or reach a destination. Also a measure of the wind when blowing across water. The longer the fetch the bigger the waves.
Forereach To gain upon, or pass by another ship when sailing in a similar direction.
Forestay Stay supporting the masts running forward, serving the opposite function of the backstay. Runs from each mast at an angle of about 45 degrees to meet another mast, the deck or the bowsprit.
Glass Telescope. Also, an hourglass and hence, as slang, a period of time. Also a barometer.
Gun Room In a third rate and above, a mess for junior officers. For lower rates the gun room is the equivalent of the wardroom.
Go About To alter course, changing from one tack to the other.
Halyards Lines which raise yards, sails, signals etc.
Hammock Man A seaman or marine employed to tend the hammock of a junior officer.
Hanger A sword, similar in design to a cutlass but usually carried by an officer.
Hard Tack Ship's biscuit.
Hawse Area in the bows where holes are cut to allow the anchor cables to pass through. Also used as general term for bows.
Hawser Heavy cable used for hauling, towing or mooring.
Headway The amount a vessel is moved forward (rather than leeway: the amount a vessel is moved sideways) when the wind is not directly behind.
Heave To Keeping a ship relatively stationary by backing certain sails in a seaway.
Idler A man who, through duty or position, does not stand a watch, but (usually) works during the day and can sleep throughout the night.
Interest Backing from a superior officer or one in authority, useful when looking for promotion.
Jib-Boom Boom run out from the extremity of the bowsprit, braced by means of a Martingale stay, which passes through the dolphin striker.
John Company (Slang) The East India Company.
Jollies (Slang) The Royal Marines. See Bootneck.
Junk Old line used to make wads, etc.
Jury Mast/Rig Temporary measure used to restore a vessel's sailing ability.
Kuffar Term for someone not of the Muslim faith.
Landsman The rating of one who has no experience at sea.
Lanthorn Large lantern.
Larboard Left side of the ship when facing forward. Later replaced by 'port', which had previously been used for helm orders.
Leeward The downwind side of a vessel.
Leeway The amount a vessel is moved sideways by the wind (as opposed to headway, the forward movement, when the wind is directly behind).
Liner (Slang) Ship of the line (of battle). A third rate or above.
Lubber/Lubberly (Slang) Unseamanlike behaviour; as a landsman.
Luff Sail closer to the wind, perhaps to allow work aloft. Also the flapping of sails when brought too close to the wind. The side of a fore and aft sail laced to the mast.
MacLaine Alexander MacLaine, an 18th century cleric who compiled several books of sermons for general use.
Martingale Stay Line that braces the jib-boom, passing from the end through the dolphin striker to the ship.
Miller (Slang) Seaman's name for a rat when it is to be eaten, in the same way as deer is known as venison.
Mot (Slang) Term, usually derogatory, for a young girl.
Orlop The lowest deck in a ship.
Packet / Packet Service The HEIC employed a number of fast sailing vessels to maintain communications and carry light cargo.
Pipeclay Compound used to polish and whiten leatherwork.
Point Blank The range of a cannon when fired flat. (For
a 32 pounder this would be roughly 1000 feet.)
Polacre Small merchant ship common in the Mediterranean.
Portable Soup A boiled down mixture of beef and offal that could be reconstituted with water.
Pusser (Slang) Purser.
Pusser's Pound Before the Great Mutinies, meat was issued at 14 ounces to the pound, allowing an eighth for wastage. This was later reduced to a tenth.
Quarterdeck In larger ships, the deck forward of the poop, but at a lower level. The preserve of officers.
Queue A pigtail. Often tied by a seaman's best friend (his tie mate).
Quoin Triangular wooden block placed under the cascabel of a long gun to adjust the elevation.
Ratlines Lighter lines, untarred and tied horizontally across the shrouds at regular intervals, to act as rungs and allow men to climb aloft.
Reef A portion of sail that can be taken in to reduce the size of the whole.
Reefing points Light line on large sails, which can be tied up to reduce the sail area in heavy weather.
Reefing Tackle Line that leads from the end of the yard to the reefing cringles set in the edges of the sail. It is used to haul up the upper part of the sail when reefing.
Rigging Tophamper; made up of standing (static) and running (moveable) rigging, blocks etc. Also (slang) Clothes.
Running Sailing before the wind.
Salt Horse (Slang) Salt beef.
Sea Daddy An older, more experienced, seaman who teaches a youngster the lore of the sea.
Scarph A joint in wood where the edges are sloped off to maintain a constant thickness.
Schooner Small craft with two or three masts.
Scragged (Slang) to be hanged.
Scran (Slang) Food.
Scraper (Slang) Bicorne hat.
Scupper Waterway that allows deck drainage.
Sheet A line that controls the foot of a sail.
Shrouds Lines supporting the masts athwart ship (from side to side) which run from the hounds (just below the top) to the channels on the side of the hull.
Smoke (Slang) to discover, or reveal something hidden.
Soft Tack Bread.
