The Threat in the West Indies (The Merriman Chronicles Book 4)

by Roger Burnage

  The third night Merriman felt compelled to go in the boat with Lieutenant Gorman and to go ashore if necessary to find Grahame. They anchored just off shore to wait. The hours passed slowly and dawn was beginning to colour the sky when they heard shots and Jackson, who had been put ashore as a guard, called quietly “Somebody coming Sir, only one or two of 'em.” Sure enough it was Grahame, struggling to support another man. “Into the boat, all of you,” said a very relieved Merriman, “Give way together you men. Back to the ship Mr. Gorman.”

  On board Aphrodite an exhausted Grahame told Merriman that the other man was his uncle. “Will you find a place for him and have Mr. McBride take a look at him James, he's an old man but he has done well. I'll tell you everything tomorrow. Now I need a brandy and a good sleep but please get the ship far out to sea and as fast as possible, some soldiers saw us but I managed to persuade them that I was only taking my drunken uncle home. I thought they believed me but I couldn't be certain and after a short hesitation then they came after us.”

  Chapter 9 - Martinique. Results of Spying

  The next morning a rested Grahame joined Merriman on the quarterdeck closely followed by Doctor McBride. “Ah Doctor, how is my uncle this morning?” asked Grahame. “Tolerably well Sir, he fell asleep as soon as I put him into a hammock last night in the gunroom, he was totally exhausted. He woke about an hour ago and I examined him thoroughly but he seems healthy enough for his age. He is asleep again now.”

  “Thank you Doctor, let us know if there is any change,” said Merriman. Now then Sir, let us retire to my cabin and tell me about your adventures ashore.” Once below and furnished with coffee by the attentive Peters, Grahame began. “It was very worthwhile James. I found my uncle's plantation easily but it was very much reduced in size and is little more than a farm now. There had been a slave rebellion earlier this year and most of uncle's slaves left him and never came back. The French crushed the rebellion and hanged the ringleader with some others, but as I said My uncle's slaves never came back, probably killed by the French.”

  He sipped at his coffee whilst he marshalled his thoughts. “Without slaves the plantation couldn't continue, in fact it had begun to fail after the French took over the island. He couldn't afford to buy more slaves so his holding was reduced to only a small farm, with three cows and a vegetable garden. They left him alone but the upset was too much for my aunt Rachael and she died last year.”

  “Indeed, I'm sorry for them, but tell me, why did you bring him back with you?” “Be patient a little longer James, I have told you the worst and now for the best part. Uncle Edward had lost everything most dear to him but he managed to eke out a living by going into Fort Royal with cheese and milk from his few cows. He also grew vegetables to sell in the market. This allowed him to hear about what the French forces were doing. After the market closed he would go into a tavern on the quayside and sit quietly in a corner with a meal and a drink, listening to the drunken boasting of the French soldiers and sailors. He heard a lot which will be useful to our commanders.”

  Another sip of coffee and he continued, “We haven't spoken about it James but I'm certain you will have realised that our people must try to take these three islands, St Lucia, Martinique and Guadeloupe from the French. The information my uncle has given me will be invaluable. He wrote nothing down but kept it all in his head and he told me that the French have food but are desperately short of supplies of powder and shot. There are three men of war in the harbour but some of the captains have refused to put to sea without some major repairs to their ships, many of which are rotten with shipworm and disease has cut down the number of sailors. The harbour is short of canvas and rope and many other essentials.”

  He paused as there came a knock on the cabin door which opened to reveal McBride and his new patient. Merriman said “I'm pleased to see you Sir, I trust you have quite recovered now under the care of our good Doctor?” “Yes indeed Captain,” replied Edward Grahame, “Thanks to my nephew Laurence and the good Doctor I feel quite rested and glad to be away from the damned French.”

  “Your nephew has told me much about conditions on Martinique. Please sit down and listen as he continues. Add anything you think he has missed. Please continue Sir,” he said turning to Grahame. “Thank you James, Uncle has mentioned that there are several privateer ships closer in and they are also in need of refurbishment. Of course our naval blockade of French ports and our ceaseless patrols here will I hope, stop any supplies from reaching Fort Royal.”

  “The soldiers Laurence, have you mentioned the forts and the soldiers?” asked the older Grahame. “I'm just coming to that Uncle, I haven't forgotten, so about the soldiers James, it seems that there were no more than six thousand of them scattered round the island in small forts and batteries but the bulk of them in Fort Bourbon and Fort Royal which defend the harbour. Of that six thousand many have died and others incapacitated by fever. I think that is all James.”

  “One other important point Captain,” said Grahame's uncle, “Drink. Many of the soldiers drink too much of the local brew of rum which makes them useless for duty in the mornings. Their officers issue warnings and harsh punishments but they can't stop it.”

  “Thank you Sir, you have much useful information which we should take to Antigua as swiftly as we can to where I imagine preparations for invasion may be taking place. I would be pleased if you use my sleeping quarters and this cabin during your stay aboard, but for now I must ask you to leave as this space is too small for everyone. I must have all my officers here to tell them what we now know and then I shall tell them what we are going to do.”

  “Thank you Captain, but I do not want to inconvenience you and I am quite used to sleeping in a hammock so I must decline your kind offer.”

  Dawn of the next day found Aphrodite with a good wind behind her scudding through the channel between St Lucia and Martinique, under all plain sail. Rounding the southern corner of the island, Point De Salines, they picked up a strong northerly current which added to the ship's speed through the water as the Master busy with the log line happily reported. He turned to the two young Midshipmen Shrigley and Oakley, “Now young Gentlemen, it's time for your lessons and never mind grumbling, you have to learn if you are to progress further in the navy.”

  Merriman had ordered the Master to set a course passing as near to the coast as safety demanded so that any of the forts or even new forts could be seen. “From what we have learned Mr. Cuthbert, I don't believe we shall meet any French ships but better to be safe than sorry. Mr. Laing, pass the word 'beat to quarters' if you will, but don't run the guns out yet.” ordered Merriman.

  The ship steered a course to pass between the coast and Diamond Rock, a tall, stiffly upright finger of rock dominating the channel. Merriman, standing aside from all the activity, studied the rock as the ship approached it. He spoke to the First Lieutenant standing close by, “Colin, can you imagine the effect on any French convoys if a pair of twenty five pounders could be swayed up there?”

  “Indeed yes Sir, they could stop French convoys coming this way to Fort Royal. They would have to go round to seaward and Mr. Cuthbert told me that wind and current could carry them past the port there. Possibly somebody will do it.” Passing Fort Royal bay, Merriman ordered the Aphrodite in closer to see if there were any more ships there than Mr. Grahame had told them but all seemed the same as he had said. As they passed the northerly headland protecting the bay, there came a shout from aloft. “Deck there, sail to larboard, a small cutter Sir, making in our direction.” Merriman snatched a telescope from the rack and studied it carefully. Another hail from the man aloft, “Deck there, another ship Sir.”

  Merriman called to a Midshipman, “Mr. Shrigley, aloft with you and take a glass, tell me what you see,” Shrigley scampered aloft up to the foremast crosstrees. “A cutter Sir with a frigate after it. The frigate is one of ours Sir, I can see her colours.” “Come down Mr. Shrigley, Mr. Cuthbert, set a course to intercept that cutter if
you please, and I'll have the colours shown.”

  “Aye-aye Sir” responded the Master. The wheel was put over and the sails adjusted until the ship was on the new course. The cutter immediately swung away to try and escape but fast though it was the Aphrodite was faster, closing fast. “A shot across her bows Mr. Laing.” “Aye-aye Sir,” replied Laing shouting orders. One of the ready loaded twenty four pounder bow chasers fired and the splash ahead of the cutter was enough. The boat swung up into the wind and dropped her sails. Aphrodite hove to, presenting her full broadside to the cutter.

  The following frigate was soon up with them and hove to, a string of flags raised. “Captain to come aboard Sir”, piped young Shrigley. Merriman's boat was quickly in the water leaving Merriman barely enough time to change his uniform and fasten his sword belt before climbing down into it. His big cox'n Owen was at the tiller, roaring orders to the seamen. “Row you buggers, pull like yer lives depend on it or I'll sort you out later.”

  Owen brought the boat smartly round the stern which displayed the ship's name Argonaut before bringing it alongside the frigate. Merriman climbed aboard to the usual ceremony of whistles and saluting marines. A lieutenant met him and introduced himself. “I'm the First Lieutenant, Howard by name. Welcome aboard Sir, Captain Wykeham is waiting below.” Captain Wykeham was standing by his desk as Merriman was introduced. Mr. Merriman, who are you and what are your orders? Your ship and number don't appear in my signal book.” “No Sir, news won't have reached here yet, I was only given command of my ship in December and she is absolutely new. As to why I am here Sir, my documents will explain.” Wykeham's eyebrows shot up when he saw the Admiralty orders and the letter signed by none other than Mr. Pitt. “That is all very clear Mr. Merriman and I won't enquire into your activities, must be important for Mr. Pitt to be involved. Would you like a drink?” Before Merriman could reply he shouted ”Jones, Wine here at once.” Jones must have been expecting the call, waiting just outside the door and he entered almost before his Captain had finished speaking, carrying a silver tray with a bottle of claret and two glasses on it which he proceeded to fill.

  Settled behind his desk with a full glass in his hand, Howard seemed to relax. “Tell me about your ship Sir, I could see that she is fast, probably faster than my ship. I was barely able to keep up with that cutter, but of course Argonaut is heavy with weed, needs a good scraping you know, in fact until you appeared I was doubtful I would catch her.” They were immersed in technical details of the Aphrodite when there was a knock on the door and the marine sentry's voice saying “First Lieutenant Sir.”

  Lieutenant Howard entered with another Lieutenant introduced to Merriman as Devlin who made his report to the Captain. “I boarded the cutter as ordered Sir, she has a cargo of rope and canvas and other ship's tackle. The Captain told me, after a little persuasion, that he was hoping to get into Fort Royal and said he could have done if the sloop hadn't interfered.”

  “Thank you Mr. Devlin, I'll put you in as prizemaster so pick some reliable men to go with you and you can take her to Antigua. I'm sure the Admiral will want to buy her in, always wants more ships as messengers and for small tasks. A little bit of prize money for us all, what! Captain Merriman, perhaps you would escort the prize to Antigua, don't want to lose it to a privateer do we? Oh yes Mr. Devlin, put the Frenchies ashore after dark somewhere along the coast, we don't need them.”

  Chapter 10 - Antigua, Britain's Main base in the Leeward Islands

  English Harbour in Antigua was the navy’s most important base in the Caribbean, heavily fortified, on the south east coast well sheltered from violent storms, and also protected by a coral reef. Not a large island, being only some one hundred or more square miles yet it was the gateway to the Caribbean and had the only major dockyard in the region able to carry out repairs on naval vessels.

  Sugar was the main crop, cultivated by thousands of slaves controlled by only some three thousand white people. An abortive rebellion occurred some years previously with the leaders executed. The main difficulty with Antigua was the almost complete lack of rivers, little water or wood which had to be brought from elsewhere. Some rain was caught in catchments and diverted into cisterns but not nearly enough for the inhabitants needs.

  Aphrodite sailed past Fort Berkley on its headland, into the harbour under a gentle breeze, which did little to blow away the stench of the filthy water. Three large warships plus frigates, sloops and many other vessels were lying at anchor and with all the men, some three or four thousand, each using the heads daily for their easement with everything falling into the sea. With no rivers entering the harbour to flush away the accumulating sewage from the ships no wonder there was stench. One of the biggest ships was presumably the Admiral's flagship but no Admiral's flag was flying. There was no sign of life on some trading vessels at anchor nearby and a small brig which even as Aphrodite approached, was heading outward. They passed a large sandy beach to starboard with some men digging graves for two canvas wrapped bodies.

  After making the necessary formal gun salutes to the Port Admiral’s flag flying over a large building ashore and anchoring in the place indicated by the Harbourmaster’s boat, Merriman was vastly relieved. Every detail of sail handling and anchoring had been done immaculately, thanks to the crew’s continuous practice. He knew that many telescopes would be trained on every evolution of his ship. His gig was in the water as soon as the ship stopped, with its crew urged on by curses from Merriman’s cox’n Owen who would stand for no slackness in the Captain’s boat.

  “Signal from Flag Sir,” squeaked little Shrigley the signals midshipman “Captain to report to Flag, immediately.” Merriman and Grahame had expected the signal and both climbed down into the boat with Merriman in his best uniform, last as tradition demanded. The crew pulled lustily and very soon the boat was alongside a timber wharf where a young but sunburnt Lieutenant waited for them. “Captain Sir, I have orders to take you to the Admiral at once but I don’t know if this other Gentleman is to be included.”

  “He is with me Lieutenant so lead on.” The Admiral’s offices were almost new and the man himself Sir William Howarth, was a slim gentleman with a severely sunburnt nose who welcomed them warmly. Shaking Merriman by the hand he commented; “Smart crew you must have there Captain, we were all watching. I’ve never seen better ship and sail handling, I am looking forward to having your ship under my command Sir. Now then who is this gentleman with you?”

  “May I introduce Mr. Grahame, Sir William, a representative of the Government and Treasury, here on urgent business.” “You are welcome Sir, please sit down Gentlemen. Will you have some refreshment, tea, wine or rum?” said the Admiral calling for his subordinate.

  When settled, each with his preferred drink brought in by an obsequious steward, Merriman began. “I have here dispatches for you Sir,” as he passed them over, “And there are some bags of mail aboard to be brought ashore. This must be a short visit, a courtesy call really. And as to why we are here Sir, I will let Mr. Grahame inform you.”

  The Admiral was beginning to go red in the face at the intimation that he would not have Aphrodite under his command, until Merriman passed over his orders from the Admiralty and the letter signed by no less a person than the First Minister Mr. Pitt requesting all persons in authority to help in any way needed.

  As he read all the documents The Admiral calmed down, looked at them both and exclaimed “All this is quite clear Gentlemen. I regret that I am not to have you under my command, Mr. Merriman, I could always use more ships with the demands made by patrols and convoy escorts. However it is obvious that your task is just as important. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  Grahame coughed to clear his throat and began. “You must know Admiral that we have an intelligence service as do the French. Controlled by our Treasury we have or did have agents all over the Caribbean trying to discover what our enemies are up to. It is my purpose to attempt to contact them all to see what they may have found out o
r even to find out if they are still alive. We know that the French have their agents over here trying to foment trouble between the slaves and their owners, with their ideals of freedom and equality for slaves. Notably the most recent uprising in San Domingue is a case in point. But those agents will work to the same end in all islands, French, Spanish and of course our own possessions. We must do all we can to stop them. That is why I am here Sir and Lieutenant Merriman and his ship are to be under my command.” He passed over his letter of authority from the Treasury.

  “Very Well Gentlemen, obviously your mission must be important, now will you tell me what I can do to help?”

  “Thank you Sir” said Merriman “we have need of nothing except some fresh water and a supply of citrus fruit. Mr. Grahame will visit a few people here and can also arrange for the fruit. I should mention that it would be as well if word of our duties does not leak out, the French will have agents here too, in fact I met Captain Gordon and his convoy three days ago and he told me that his sailing plan was discussed here just before he sailed. But they were intercepted by privateers well out of sight of land so he thinks you might have a spy here.” Merriman went on to describe the action and his good fortune to arrive as it was attacked.”

  “A spy here in my offices? I suppose that is possible but I have no idea who it could be, one of the servants maybe. I will certainly look into it. The biggest problem I have is the shortage of able bodied troops here. These tropical diseases, yellow fever and dysentery kill them off like flies. Another reason is rum, the first distillation from sugar is lethal and kills as many as disease does. The men are so crowded together that disease spreads like wildfire. Things have improved since Colonel Shawcross arrived to take command, he has had the troops spread out more and under canvas but deaths still occur regularly, and more troops are expected here soon which could make matters worse. But that is my problem Gentlemen and so far as the activities of privateers are concerned I can tell you that there has been a suspicious lull in their depredations. They sail from American ports and other islands such as Martinique and Guadeloupe and are either French or American but many of them are no better than pirates. They are the worst and seem to delight in killing innocent seafarers, although some of the privateers are no better regardless of their Letters of Marque.”