Merriman turned to the silent Indian. “Gupta, what more can you tell us about this place Karwar, have you been there?”
“Yes Merriman Sahib. Many times I go there on pirate ship. Is a good harbour with much room, last time I saw maybe ten or twelve pirate ships tied up there. It is hidden behind a small headland and sand dunes which shelter the harbour behind it. I know they were pirates Sir, they all had red flags and they were trading with the people in the village behind. I think they go there many times; it must be one of their best hiding places. Some ships are built there.”
“Very good Gupta. Now then Gentlemen, what we must do is find out more about the place. Whilst the rest of us are keeping well out at sea and out of sight I suggest one of the sloops would be best for this. It could tow a small fishing dhow which with one of your officers and a small crew of your Indian sailors and Gupta aboard could land at night and in the dark find a suitable place to confirm what is there. I propose that your men do this Captain as being Indians they could pretend to be fisher folk.”
He took a drink and continued, “From the chart I can see that there is deep water on the seaward side of the headland and if we can place our bomb ketch there at night to shoot over the headland it would give the pirates a nasty shock. If the place is suitable our marines could land and from the headland they could shoot down on the harbour. I suggest that all our ships go and with the sloops and brigs close inshore and the frigates lying off we could cover the bomb ketch and deal with any pirate vessels that try to escape. “Any Comments Gentlemen?”
“By God, it could work Sir and a use found for my little ship at last,” said Lieutenant Barton, the commander of the bomb ketch gleefully. “We thought we had been forgotten and hoped we might be used. We are ready for anything.”
“Very good Lieutenant, I know that bomb ketches are slow and difficult to handle in bad weather, although I freely admit that I have no experience of them. What is the weight of shell that you can fire and over what distance?” We are talking about a voyage taking three or four days or more, can you do it?”
“Yes Sir we can. As you say we would be slower than the rest but I have no doubt we would get there. As for my large calibre mortars they can fire two hundred pound explosive shells about a mile to a mile and a half depending on the elevation and size of powder charge Sir.”
“Good man. I think we should prepare to leave at dawn the day after next and sail off in a north westerly direction until we are out of sight of land and then turn south. For all we know there may be spies in the town here who pass information to the pirates and I do not want that to happen. You may trust your crews but one careless word could make a difference. I suggest that you tell none of them our plans until we are at sea. Captain Egerton, I presume the Governor will want to be informed so would you join me in seeing him? Secrecy must be our watchword so we must ensure that he has no servants near when we speak with him.”
Certainly I will Captain, my thoughts are in line with yours. I have often wondered if somebody in Bombay tells the pirates what our ships are doing.”
So it was that Merriman, Grahame and Captain Egerton were shown into the Governor’s office by Secretary Morgan. After the usual greetings had been exchanged Merriman leaned forward and began. “Mr. Duncan, we have some news for you but before we tell you I would like to be sure that there are no other persons listening, servants or even Sepoys Sir. We think it likely that there is somebody who passes information to the pirates.” The Governor looked surprised but sent Morgan to the door and he himself opened windows and peered out. “”Nobody outside Gentlemen, Morgan?”
“Nobody outside the door either Sir, all is clear and I sent the Punkahs Wallis away as well.” Declared Morgan.
Satisfied Merriman began. “Sir we have made one small but successful attack on pirates south of here and destroyed three of their ships. We have another planned which will keep us away for five or six days but there is another serious matter we must deal with first. As we know there are many merchant ships waiting here in Bombay, desperate to sail for England, how soon can they be ready to sail in convoy?”
“I think only a few days Captain, most of them are already loaded but will need fresh water and provisions for a long voyage. What exactly do you propose Sir?”
“I propose that we take them in convoy well down south, perhaps a thousand miles or so and then return here. All ships except the bomb ketch and a brig will accompany them, but all captains of the convoy must know that any one of them that falls behind or shortens sail unnecessarily will be left behind. I believe that you have two big Indiamen ready to go. They are well armed and painted to look like frigates. If they could accompany us Sir, making our force appear stronger until we are past the worst pirate areas. Can you order them to do so?”
“Yes I can. The owners and captains will probably object but your plan promises even them with more safety than sailing alone.”
“Excellent, perhaps you could ensure that all the trading ships have powder and shot for their small cannon Sir, it could all help.”
“Thank you Gentlemen, I will endeavor to have all ready by the time you return from your next adventure.”
Chapter 14 – Attack on Tipu’s Shipyard
Four days later the small squadron was nearly at the designated target, the port of Karwar which had been Portuguese but taken over by Tipu Sultan‘s forces. Careful navigation had put them at the point Merriman had chosen but well offshore. With all ships hove-to he called all the captains aboard Lord Stevenage for a final meeting to ensure that they all knew the parts they had to play.
Now in the darkness they moved closer inshore and hove-to once more. One sloop crept as close as possible before the captain, Lieutenant Johnson sent the shore party off as arranged, under the command of Lieutenant Williams. The night was as black as pitch with only the faint glow of stars visible through gaps in the clouds. Almost two hours later and with no alarm raised the boat re-appeared out of the gloom and the men climbed aboard.
“Well, well, how did it go,” demanded an impatient Johnson.
“No trouble at all Sir, there is a narrow beach backed by low sand dunes and then a bit of higher ground from where we could see the anchorage. There are about ten dhows there, mostly tied up together and there is a shipyard there with the part built hull of what may be a frigate. An ideal target for our bombs Sir.”
“Good, then show the signal.” A small lantern was used with only a small gap in the shutter and raised up and down to the masthead. Further off shore Merriman waited in an agony of suspense for something to happen until a quiet word from aloft, “Sir, signal light in sight Sir,”
“Mr. Andrews, send the bomb ketch in, then the sloops and we will follow.” Careful and brief lamp signals, seen by all the other ships set the plan in motion. Silently the ketch moved in and soundlessly dropped two anchors with rope springs attached to the cables to help in positioning the ship. Then Lieutenant Evans and a party of marines were rowed ashore. It was his job to find a place from which he could see the target and in the early dawn light using white flags could signal to the ketch the results of the bombardment. Daylight was slowly beginning to pale the eastern sky when the first shot was fired. With a dull thud from the mortar, hardly heard offshore, the bomb was on its way over the low headland until an explosion signified that something had been hit.
High up on his ship’s foremast Merriman heard it and saw the flash. With Larkin, the crewman with the sharpest eyes on the ship beside him and each with a big telescope he was able to see all. It seemed to be only moments before the mortar fired again with another explosion following.
“Sir, flag from man ashore Sir, traverse left.”
Ashore Lieutenant Evans had to remain hidden from the anchorage so as not to be seen and to be told by a concealed marine where the bombs had landed before he could signal the results. Two more followed in quick succession before the marine called out “Sir the beggars must know we’re ‘ere Sir, a mob of
them are coming this way.”
He stood up to see and shouted “Right then Lads, get back to the boat as fast as you can,” He turned to go then staggered and fell as a musket ball hit his shoulder from behind causing him to roll down the slope to the beach. The marines came leaping after him, grabbed him up and ran to the boat. As they piled in the crew were already pushing it off and the oars pulling hard. In the bows a small swivel gun was ready and a tug on the lanyard sent a hail of grape shot amongst the mob following. In no time they were back at the ketch as another bomb and then another was sent into the harbour. “Your report man.” snapped Barton, Evans, supported by two marines drew himself up and said “A success Sir, though I had hoped to hit more but they realised very soon where we were and came after us. I saw no other defenses.” “Thank you Mr. Evans, now go and have your wound seen to.”
All Merriman’s ships had seen the results and began to close in to protect the bomb ketch according to plan. Indeed, some dhows were beginning to appear round the headland and making for the ketch which already had some sail up and with a man cutting the anchor cable. The nearest sloop and a brig immediately opened fire, the leading dhow was hit on the waterline forward and its mast collapsed. The second one tried to get past it but struck hard and lost its own mast. Other dhows were trying to escape, spreading in all directions but to no avail as all the Company ships were spread out and waiting for them. None of the smaller Company ships had large cannon but the effect of so many shot striking home was devastating and when the frigates closed in those dhows that could turned back for shelter pursued by one last broadside from the Lord Stevenage.
“A very good result I believe,” said Merriman when he heard the reports from the assembled captains. “Five of them were hit by the bombs from Mr. Barton’s ketch and sunk or set ablaze before they could be saved, and four more accounted for by the rest of us when they tried to escape. We have only one casualty in the whole affair, how is Lieutenant Evans Mr. Barton?”
“He’ll be alright Sir, it was only a flesh wound and he’s already boasting about being the only man in the action. But Sir, if I may comment, couldn’t we have sailed in and finished the rest of them with little risk?”
“Maybe Mr. Barton, but we have no knowledge about defenses there, did any of you see any forts on the coast? No, neither did I but I am reluctant to press home the attack without proper knowledge. We’ll leave it for another time. So Gentlemen we can all be satisfied with the results with special thanks to our tame bomb ketch.”
There were satisfied smiles all round as the gathering dispersed to their own ships, a grinning Barton receiving many congratulatory thumps on his back.
Chapter 15 – Convoy planned & Agents sent
In the governor’s mansion back in Bombay a gleeful Mr. Duncan was delighted with Merriman’s report. “At last, at last we are hitting back my dear Merriman. Where are you going next or shouldn’t I ask?”
“It would be better if you don’t know Sir, anyway we have not yet decided and the convoy is our next consideration. Is it all ready?”
“As ready as they will ever be Captain, may I suggest that we have a meeting of all captains before you set sail so that you can ensure that they all know what will happen and they can be told and shown the meaning of your flag signals Sir.”
All captains assembled the following day in one of the large warehouses on the quayside. Some of them were pleased to be going but others were grumbling about being held back by the slowest ships. The noise was rising when Merriman stood up and called for order. “Gentlemen, we will sail at dawn tomorrow, wind and weather permitting. There are twelve of you and once we are at sea I want you to form yourselves into three columns of four so that your escort including the two Indiamen can most easily guard you. My Lieutenants will issue you with a suitable plan and also a list and drawing of signals you will see and which you must learn. Finally, and this is very important, any ship which falls behind through negligent watch keeping or shortening sail unnecessarily because of a captain’s timidity will be left behind. Is that understood?”
There were immediate shouts of protest, many captains shouting together with shouts of “We can’t sail as fast as a bloody frigate, you’ll leave us behind,” and “Why should anybody be left behind?” Another captain shouted “Why should we take orders from a Royal Navy captain instead of our own Marine captain?” More shouts of approval of those questions.
Captain Egerton stood up and raised his hand, waiting until the shouting had died down he said “Gentlemen, you all know me and you also know that the few ships the Company Marine has are not sufficient to fight all the privateers and pirates who might attack us. I am grateful that we have a frigate under the command of Captain Merriman with us. He is very experienced in these matters and I as the senior Marine officer I am happy to have him in overall command.”
A roughly dressed captain shot to his feet and yelled “Why should any ship be left behind? None of us can sail as fast as your ships except for the Indiamen, you’ll all have to wait for us, I’m sure I have one of the slowest of all.”
Merriman rose to his feet “Captain, the convoy escort will include the two well-armed Indiamen and will stay close to the convoy except for one of the Company sloops which being the fastest of us will be ranging well ahead and to the side of us to give advance warning of possible attack. And why do you believe your ship to be the slowest, you are all very much alike and will carry the same amount of sail?”
“Alike we may be, but if any spar is lost or rope work damaged it will take my crew a long time to make repairs, even if we can. We carry only small amounts of spare cordage and canvas, and it is nearly two years since the ships bottom was cleaned”
“And why is that Captain, who is your owner?”
“Mr. Goldberg Sir, he won’t pay what is needful for stores or cleaning, only the minimum he has to.”
“I see, Captain Egerton, what do you know about this?”
I believe he is right Sir, Mr. Goldberg owns three ships in the convoy and will only pay for the cheapest repairs. It wouldn’t surprise me if they all fell behind and if we encounter severe weather some may be lost.”
Very well Captain, I suggest that you and I and the three captains go to see the governor at once and lay the matter before him.”
Barely an hour later, Merriman, Egerton and the three captains were in the Governor’s office together with a hastily summoned Goldberg. Governor Duncan opened the proceedings. “Captain Egerton, what is this all about Sir?”
“Sir, I think Captain Merriman could explain better than I can, but I will support him in all he has to say - Captain?”
“Thank you Sir, now Governor, I will be direct, some of those transport ships are unsafe to travel in. They have no stores for a long voyage and are in poor condition. I think they should not be part of the convoy as they might endanger the other ships and men. They are likely to fall behind and will have to be left. Certainly I would not wish to sail in such ill found vessels or risk men’s lives because of profit” Merriman looked round the group and said forcefully “These three ships are all owned by Mr. Goldberg, who will not spend the money necessary.”
Goldberg was on his feet shouting, “Rot and rubbish Sir, how dare you, they are as good as any other, my captains will tell you. Governor, how can you let this man talk like this?” Goldberg was going redder and redder in the face, “He is insulting me Sir and I demand satisfaction.”
“Sit down Mr. Goldberg, sit down I say, there will be no duels fought over this matter. Have you ever fought a duel? No, I thought not and you would most likely die if you did. Captain Merriman is an experienced naval officer and well able to face you with either pistol or sword. I have no doubt what the outcome would be.” Goldberg sat down, his florid face draining white as he realised what his hasty words had nearly got him into.
Merriman spoke quietly but all present were silent as they listened. “Gentlemen, I propose that a party of my very experienced boatsw
ain and his mates, experienced seamen and one of my own officers together with sail makers and one of Captain Egerton’s officers inspect all three of Mr. Goldberg’s ships and report back to us their findings. How say you?”
All were in agreement except for a reluctant Goldberg, He said “Governor, why should this man tell us what to spend on our ships? He is an interloper and knows nothing of conditions here. Cordage, canvas and fittings are damnably expensive and I for one don’t want his men poking about my ships. I forbid it.”
“Forbid it all you like Mr. Goldberg, it will be done by my authority as Governor here in Bombay. I fully agree with Captain Merriman’s proposals and if any ship is found to be un-seaworthy and unlikely to survive the voyage it will be prevented from sailing.”
“Damn you all, it’s blackmail, that’s what it is and I shall write a full report to the Company Head Office in London of that you may be sure,” shouted Goldberg in a rage as he stamped out of the room.
“Don’t worry Gentlemen, I know that he is too mean to pay anything but his insurance on his ships, in fact I wouldn’t be surprised if he was hoping for one or more to be lost so that he could claim for them.” “That’s very true Sir,” said one of the Goldberg Captains, “He buys only cheap rubbish for a cargo. He stands to make more out of insurance than his trading.”
The Governor nodded, “Captain Merriman, I thank you for bringing this situation to us all, please carry on at once and have your people be very thorough.”
Outside, Goldberg’s three captains crowded round to thank Merriman. “You may have saved our lives Captain. If any ship doesn’t sail we will be out of work but we are all good seamen and some other trading company may employ us. Goldberg has brought this upon himself and I for one won‘t be sorry to see him losing.”
The Threat in the East (The Merriman Chronicles Book 3) Page 7
