by Michael Aye
A whole fleet lost to a storm and then this. More lives thrown away to a man-made storm. The fury of cannons, small guns and blades, all in the name of the King. The politicians, men who had never stood the deck as the enemy fired its broadsides at you, facing sure death but counting on the odds that you would be one of the lucky ones to survive. Why!
“Captain.”
“Yes, Mr. Vallin.”
“I’ve a boat ready to go over to the big Frenchie.”
Gabe looked at his first lieutenant. Multiple bandages, his uniform stained in blood and in tatters, but still functioning as a first lieutenant should.
“We’ll go,” Dagan said. Vallin nodded, he’d not contradict the man. If the captain allowed Dagan to speak for him, who was he to argue.
Turning to his uncle, Gabe saw his clothes smoke stained and a few blood stains, but no obvious wounds. “I see you are well, Uncle.”
Dagan gave a slight nod, “As are you, Gabe.”
Two boats were in the water. One filled with marines and his gig. As he went down the side, he saw a flash of fins. Sharks…the damnable fiends, devouring those who’d went over the side. I hope that they were dead before they hit the water, Gabe thought.
***
THE BIG FRENCH MAN-O’-WAR sat lifeless, still, barely rising with the swell of the ocean. “She sits low,” Dagan volunteered. More bodies floated in the water. Drowned men with bloated bellies, which was caused by the gas in their bodies, it had caused them to rise. Some with torn or missing limbs, where the carrion eaters of the deep feasted upon them. They floated all about, the boats bumping into a few.
Another flash of fins caused a man in the boat to speak, “Don’t worry you idjet. No shark is going to waste ’is time on ye sorry carcass.” This brought a laugh before Hex at the tiller growled, “Silence.”
Tying up at the entry port, the men gave way for Gabe to board the French ship. Hex laid his hand on Gabe’s shoulder. “Let me go first, sir.” Without waiting for a reply, Hex, followed by Dagan, went up the battens and through the entry port. Hex’s hand quickly covered his nose. The stench of death was overpowering. Once on board, Gabe tied his handkerchief over his nose. Dead bodies floated in the well.
“She’s settling,” Dagan said, “ready to take her men to their grave.”
“Aye,” Gabe and Hex both responded. “Go check the captain’s cabin,” Gabe ordered. As the men started off, he added, “See if there’s an address. Someone we can write.”
The boat with the marines bumped alongside. Before anyone could start up the side of the ship, Gabe ordered them to stay in the boat. After five minutes, Gabe was wondering what was keeping Hex and Dagan so long. Standing on the deck, alone except for the bodies of drowned men was eerie. A chill came over Gabe and he shivered involuntarily.
Damnation, where are they, he wondered again. Settle down, he told himself. Soon Dagan and Hex walked back on deck carrying a chest that was so heavy it took two to carry. In addition to the chest, they carried a sword with inlaid jewels and several papers
Seeing Gabe, Dagan spoke, “Captain’s personal effects.” Handing the sword to Gabe, he added, “May want to send the captain’s sword to his family.” Lowering the chest and other articles into the boat, Dagan and Hex headed back to the captain’s cabin before Gabe could protest.
This time, they returned quickly, carrying two sacks each. The sacks held glass bottles that clanked. As they lowered the sacks, Dagan called down, “Break a bottle and I’ll have your gizzards.”
Hex ran back to the cabin and returned with one more bag that he carried down into the boat as he went. “A little something extra to go with our tot this evening with the captain’s permission,” he volunteered.
“That was thoughtful,” Gabe said, but wondered what was in the bag. More ‘retirement’, he wondered. Damn Dagan’s, and now Hex’s, larcenous ways.
***
BACK ABOARD LEOPARD, GABE saw his time aboard the sinking ship had not been wasted. Under the muskets of marines from Bulldog, Vallin had the captured French sailors putting Sirene back to rights while the carpenter, bosun, and Leopard’s lieutenants were making repairs aboard their ship. By the time dusk settled the two ships were ready to get underway. Sirene was jury-rigged but with normal conditions should make it to Antigua.
Vallin approached Gabe just before they set sail. He had a French officer with him. “Frenchie has a request, sir,” Vallin said.
“If M’sieur Capitan would allow it, sir, we’d like to place our capitan aboard our mother ship. We will need only a boat.” Gabe was overwhelmed and agreed.
The French officer called his men together and gently lowered their captain into one of Sirene’s surviving boats. They rowed over to the dying ship and carried their captain aboard. The ship’s deck was now awash and it was listing badly.
“They’ve not headed back,” Laqua said as the minutes passed.
“They’re not coming back,” Dagan said. “They’ll be the final honor guard.”
As the sun sank over the horizon, the once proud French seventy-four slipped beneath the waters.
“Damn,” Vallin said. Tears had trickled down his face and Gabe was trying hard to hold back his emotions. With a cracked voice, Gabe ordered, “Take charge of the prize, Mr. Vallin, and let’s be on our way.”
“Aye, Captain, it’s time.”
CHAPTER FORTY ONE
SAIL HO!” THE LOOKOUT’S voice could be heard in Lord Anthony’s stateroom. By the time, he was on deck, the sighting had been recognized. Captain Earl saw the admiral and approached him.
“It’s Captain Markham in Dasher, sir. It appears he’s got the remainder of the squadron with him, sir.”
In an hour’s time, Captain Markham made his way aboard the flagship, followed by several women passengers. A bosun’s chair had been quickly rigged and as the ladies were hoisted aboard, Markham reported.
“Barbados is gone, sir, destroyed by the hurricane. I took the ships and ran for it. Antigua is saved, only high winds, but Saint Lucia was hit hard as well. Admiral Rodney’s fleet was there and he lost half of his ships. One ship was picked up by the winds and fell on the city’s hospital, destroying all. We understand the French island of Martinique was hit hard and a whole French fleet is missing.”
Before Markham could go further, Lady Deborah was settled on deck. Paying no heed to naval customs, she rushed over to her husband and embraced him, giving him a kiss that caused the crew to send up a cheer. “Huzza, huzza, for the admiral’s lady.”
Deborah released her husband, turned and bowed for the crew, which sent up another cheer. Next a seaman brought up Macayla, followed by Ariel, then Faith with little James, and Livi, Admiral Buck’s lady, who was followed by Nanny. Shunning the bosun’s chair, Lum climbed up the battens. He’d served with Gabe a few years ago and knew the proper way to board a ship.
Lastly, Linda, Lady Ragland, came aboard via the bosun’s chair. Seeing her husband’s gaze, Lady Deborah spoke, “Rupert stayed on Barbados with Lord Ragland to help put the island back to order. They will need lots of help, I’m afraid.”
***
CALLING HIS CAPTAINS ABOARD ship, Lord Anthony discussed the needs of the people on Barbados. The first needs were the obvious, fresh water, food, and medicine.
“I’m making you acting commodore,” Lord Anthony informed Markham. “We will load all the water and food we can spare on your ships. It’s not much but will help. Take it back to Barbados. Those who need medicine more than can be handled by the ships doctors will be evacuated. I will leave that all to your judgment, Francis,” Lord Anthony said, using Markham’s given name. “I will head to Antigua and send you what supplies I can. If the situation allows, I will return. Until then, you are the naval authority there. Do I make myself clear?”
“Aye, sir. Admiral Buck has no official standing at the present.” Markham responded.
“Yes, but don’t hesitate to listen to his recommendations, but in the end the decisi
ons are yours. Now hoist your pendant and go help the people on Barbados, Commodore.”
“Aye, my Lord. Thank you for your trust.”
“Nonsense,” Anthony responded. “You’ve earned it.”
Once the ships had come about and headed back to Barbados, Lord Anthony spoke to his flag captain, “A bit of shifting about needs to be done, Stephen.”
“Aye, my Lord. I’ve given my quarters to Faith and Livi. I’ve ordered Captain David to repair on board. It’s likely he’s spotted Ariel already.”
“Yes,” Lord Anthony smiled. “I’m sure our young captain will find space for his beautiful bride.”
“Aye,” Earl smiled. “I’d think something was amiss if he didn’t.”
EPILOGUE
ENTERING PORT WITH HIS prize, Gabe felt a bit melancholy. He was glad to be back, the only thing better would be setting foot on Barbados and seeing Faith and his son. Still, it was with a bit of sadness that he’d be giving up Leopard. Surely, Captain Price would have recovered enough to resume command of his ship. Probably far longer than he had expected to have to wait. How had things gone with Trident, he wondered. Would she be ready for service again? So many questions?
He was still deep in thought when he realized the harbor was nearly full of ships…both Navy and civilian vessels. The expected signal was hoisted for him to repair aboard the flagship. On deck, Dagan was waiting.
“Well, Uncle, we shall find out what our future holds before long.”
Smiling, Dagan touched his nephew’s shoulder. “I see clear skies, Gabe. Bright days ahead, my boy.”
It always sent a thrill through Gabe to be piped aboard. But after today, he’d not be piped aboard as ‘Leopard’ or would he? Thinking on Dagan’s words, a glimmer of hope rose only to be shattered as he recognized the figure standing beside Admiral Moffit, with one sleeve pinned up.
***
“GABE…GABE, GET UP. YOU have to come see this.” It had to be Dagan tugging on him. Nobody else would be at him so early. His head hurt and he was hung over. He had supped with the admiral and Captain Price the previous evening. Price had turned out to be a jovial sort.
After telling Gabe how much he appreciated what Cornish had done to save his life, he thanked him for making a name for his ship’s reputation. “They’ll not speak ill of the ship attacked by Don’s and used so terribly. They’ll talk about the Leopard who took revenge on the bastards who dishonored her. You’ve done my ship proud, Sir Gabe.”
After the evening was over, Gabe had been taken back to Leopard. Captain Price would resume command today.
“Get moving,” Dagan urged Gabe, and then swore. “Hurry now, and chew a bit of mint leaf. Your breath would stop a regiment.”
Gabe quickly dressed and hurried on deck. Dropping anchor was SeaHorse. Why, he wondered? As he looked, he saw women…several women. Faith! Yes, by the Lord Almighty, it was Faith holding little James. Why? Damnation, he thought. Why can wait.
“Hex,” Gabe called. “Clear away my boat.” Yes, until Price returned it was his ship and he was going to get his wife and son. “Hex, dammit man, hurry.”
History
THE IDEA TO USE HMS Leopard as Gabe’s next ship arose from a painting by the very talented Johannes Ewers. Mr. Ewers has allowed several of his paintings to grace the cover of Michael Aye books. In this book, Gabe’s assignment was what is known as a job captain. I believe Richard Woodman had done the same in one of his books.
HMS Leopard is on the cover of Rif Winfield’s book “The 50-Gun Ship”. Dating back to the 1600’s, many ships have been named Leopard. The ship in my book was not actually ordered until 1775 and construction began January, 1776. However, she was not completed until ten years later, long after my time period. But hey, it’s fiction.
Spain’s entry into the war was in 1779, mainly as an ally to France, but its goal was the recapture of Gibralter. Along the Colonial Gulf Coast, Count Bernardo de Gálvez, the Spanish Governor of Louisiana, removed British ships along the lower Mississippi River. In 1780, he captured Mobile, Alabama. In 1781, he took Pensacola, Florida. Spanish troops and supplies from Cuba, including Cuban cigars were used to entice Pensacola’s commander to surrender. The attempt failed but he later surrendered to overwhelming odds.
The attack on Georgetown by the Rattlesnake is very much as I described it. About the only thing fictional with the events on Grand Cayman are my characters. My wife and I visited Grand Cayman and the description of Pedro Saint James, including the house and grounds, are from our visit. For anyone desiring to read more about the castle, I found a good review by Fodor that was spot on.
The events that took place on Cat’s Island were staged in places we visited last year. An in-depth review of this trip was posted in Quarterdeck. The cavern where Gabe’s men burned the privateer’s plunder was the “Cave of the Shipwrecked Sailor.” The attack on the privateer’s ships at anchor was at the area known as New Bight. It is also where the Fish Fry is located.
Jamaica – I remember seeing the island of Jamaica rising up out of the sea as we approached the island as a young sailor on a Navy destroyer. The Blue Mountains seemed so high. The older sailors, my sea daddies, warned me about going ashore by my seventeen year old self. Much as it was in the days of Henry Morgan, Port Royal was a town where anything could be had. Rum was plentiful, food was expensive for a young sailor and I had no desire for other things. I found most of the things I wanted to see had vanished. Some by an earthquake, and some by years when the island hadn’t realized its history could indeed be a huge tourist attraction. Today the island’s main economy is the tourist trade. But instead of history, it is the island’s beautiful beaches where all inclusive resorts bring in people by the thousands. Without the tourist and sugar industry, the island would be bankrupt.
Admiral Peter Parker was Jamaica’s commander-in-chief during my time period. The admiral’s house and comments about Lord Cornwallis, and his mistress, were all taken off the internet,
The battle between Lord Anthony’s squadron and the French off of Jamaica, where the wind died and the ships lay in calm, was actually taken from a battle between Lord Cornwallis and the French.
The hurricane I described was actually the “Great Hurricane of 1780.” It has been said it was the deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record. It struck Barbados with winds thought to exceed 320 mph. Every house on Barbados was lost, as were the forts. The wind even stripped the bark off the trees.
After Barbados, it moved to Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Eustatius and later passing Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. After passing Hispaniola, the hurricane struck Guadeloupe and then turned west-northwest. It hit the island of Mona in the Mona Passage. On Saint Vincent, 584 of 600 houses were destroyed in Kingstown. At Grenada, nineteen Dutch ships were lost. On Saint Lucia, one of Admiral Rodney’s ships at Port Castries was lifted and fell on top of the hospital, destroying it. Many of the admiral’s ships were lost at sea. Admiral Joshua Rowley lost HMS Thunderer with all hands.
HMS Stirling Castle was smashed on the coast with only fifty survivors. His other six ships were severely damaged.
A fleet of forty French ships, some carrying troops, capsized off Martinique. About four thousand soldiers drowned. The French warships Palmier, Intrepede, Magnifique, and Junon and all hands were also lost.
The hurricane produced a twenty-five foot storm surge on Martinique, destroying all the houses in Saint Pierre. The storm killed nine thousand on the island. While the winds were felt at Antigua, no ships or heavy damage was noted. At Saint Kitts, many ships were washed ashore.
Harrison’s Cave, Barbados - The cave was named for Thomas Harrison who owned much of the land in the area in the 1700’s. In 1733, he established Harrison’s College. Harrison’s Cave sits in a deep valley with high walls in the Barbados Parish of Saint Thomas. This is located in the center of the island. To get there in the allotted time given in my book may have been pushing it a bit but not overly so. The cave entrance was certainly la
rge enough to fit all the occupants as described in my book. Had the men wandered a bit further in the cave, they’d have found streams, pools and even a lake of fresh water. There is even a thirty foot waterfall. In 1647, historian Richard Ligon wrote the cave was frequently used by runaway slaves.
About the Author
Michael Aye is a retired Naval Medical Officer. He has long been a student of early American and British Naval history. Since reading his first Kent novel, Mike has spent many hours reading the great authors of sea fiction, often while being “haze gray and underway” himself.
Table of Contents
PROLOGUE
Faith to Gabe
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
Oh Blow You Hurricane
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT
