It seemed very probable, and the Spanish had a name for being vindictive.
“There will be as much as four thousand in my hand, sir, and whatever price I can get for the brigantine, which is all mine. I have it in mind to make contact with the lawyer, Mr Rakeman, again and to discover if we cannot set up an enterprise of some kind, now that I have a little more cash of my own.”
“I wish you would, David! I would so much rather see you a rich man ashore. You know my love for you, sir – as a brother, a much younger member of my family!”
“Thank you, sir! Very much!”
Two mornings later Bosomtwi was rowed across and spent a couple of hours on the frock-coat, breeches and half-boots which comprised David’s formal wear. He provided a starched cravat and a low tricorne as well, to create an appearance which was nautical without being encroachingly naval.
The Court of Inquiry sat in the offices of the admiral, semi-judicially, being both an investigatory and a verdict making body. There was neither prosecutor nor defender, but lawyers and ‘friends’ were permitted to help the court.
The Advocate-General stood in person to make an opening speech in which he stated that the Kingdoms of Great Britain and of Spain were currently at peace. He noted as well that they had recently been at war and that it was by no means impossible that they might be so again in the future, which facts were wholly irrelevant to conditions at the present time. He detailed by name, rig and tonnage nine island traders, all admitted to be Spanish and which had been taken by the privateer, Durdle Dor, and were now anchored in English Harbour. Much though he regretted the proposition, this could hardly be seen as other than piracy. It was the case that many valiant seamen had thought themselves to be at war with Spain, but a captain must be quite sure before he fired upon a mariner conducting his honest business; there was no room for misapprehension in such an affair.
The three captains noted his words and looked very grave. They asked whether there was any other deposition to be made.
Captain Murray stood and introduced himself, stating that he had some slight acquaintance with legal affairs and was a friend to Mr LeGrys. He begged to introduce some few facts that he believed must be of relevance.
“It is accepted, I believe, that the Batavian Republic, the puppet state to which Holland has been reduced by the Corsican Tyrant, Bonaparte, is at war with His Britannic Majesty.”
The court agreed that it was and waited patiently to be told why this might be relevant.
“Where a neutral vessel may be shown to be trading contraband goods with a belligerent, then that neutral may in law be taken prize. I wish, gentlemen, to assert that the Spanish ships taken were discovered in convoy in Dutch waters, off the island of Bonaire; that their cargoes were such as to give aid and comfort to the military of the Batavian Republic; and that British ships of war were in the vicinity and were in effect policing a blockade.”
The Advocate-General, who had little relish for his brief, stood to accept that if the three propositions could be demonstrated as true then there could be no case of piracy.
Murray then proceeded to place Mr LeGrys’ personal log before the Court, giving the latitude and longitude of the action. Following that he produced the prize-agent’s inventory of the cargoes of the Spanish ships, pointing out that there was quantities of leather for army boots and an amount of gunpowder as well. Finally he adduced entries from the log of the frigate Trident, Commodore Sir Frederick Harris, which had spoken Mr LeGrys off the Dutch islands.
The senior captain asked whether the masters of the Spanish ships might give evidence relating to these matters, but Murray pointed out that they must be Romanists and therefore could not be sworn before the Court.
There was a general feeling of grave satisfaction as the Court rose. The young privateer captain, wounded as a boy and yet still bold and active, had made a fine impression and the intelligent justification of his actions, while not believed for a minute, had given more than enough excuse to clear him of misconduct, which they had hoped for but thought impossible. The Court, it was felt, could cobble a report together that would seem wholly convincing at three thousand miles distance.
The arrest was lifted next morning and a celebratory dinner was held on Trident that evening.
“There is much to be said for the due processes of the Law, Captain Murray. You should sit your Terms at the Inns of Court, sir. You would be a fine barrister-at-law!”
They agreed, happily, and were at the stage of the evening when none felt foolish raising their glasses and giving three loud cheers.
David LeGrys stood, with more than usual difficulty, and announced his intention of renouncing the sea. He was to cleave to the land and a life of sober virtue, he said, and they cheered again. He gave his thanks to Sir Frederick, to Captain Murray and to all of his many friends in the Squadron; he would always love the Navy, he declared, almost tearfully. They lacked the energy to cheer again, but they drank to his sentiment.
There were black hangovers in the morning, the crews all aware of them and happily tip-toeing whenever they could be seen, and dropping tools and making the most almighty racket whenever they were invisible.
It was traditional; nothing was to be done; the warrant officers shouted and roared for silence, just to be helpful.
Frederick conferred with Admiral Makin; between them they decided that he should lead the squadron on a patrol of the French islands, so as to be seen to be busy while keeping well away from Spanish waters.
Before they could sail the fleet from England arrived and proceeded to fill the harbour. Frederick was presented with his new orders.
The Vice-Admiral had called Frederick before him. He was one of the many Scots in the service, a minor laird, the McArdle of that Ilk, so he said. Murray explained to Frederick that the title was hereditary and might be considered Aristocratic rather than Commoner, such as Frederick’s baronetcy was, but still offered no seat in the House of Lords.
“He is also poor as a church mouse, Sir Frederick – owns three of the biggest mountains in Scotland with two farms, six small holders and mile upon mile of bare rock!”
“Long on pride, short on cash, Mr Murray. An incendiary mixture, sir!”
Frederick entered the cabin and waited the Admiral’s words; the Admiral begged him politely to sit, which was a reassuring beginning.
“Originally, Sir Frederick, we were first to take Tobago and then to fortify and garrison the island before displacing the Dutch, in the short run at least, on Curacao and the other islands. I understand that there is no longer a force to oppose us on Tobago, sir.”
“There was only ever one battery, sir, the Spanish having landed and then it would seem having changed their original intention. Tobago should still be garrisoned, sir, it being a rich island.”
“Very strange folk, the Spanish, it would seem, Sir Frederick!”
“I do not pretend to understand them, sir. My adviser, Captain Murray, says that he believes their empire is in a state of dissolution and that as a result, the Spanish in the New World are obstructive of those in the Old.”
“A useful observation, sir. Admiral Makin informs me that the reduction of the Dutch islands may be none too difficult a task also.”
“Again, sir, I rely upon Captain Murray, and he informs me that the commander of the Dutch forces will surrender to a powerful fleet. They discussed the matter face-to-face, sir.”
“Then I must take his word on the matter, Sir Frederick. What, sir, of the Dutch colony of Guiana?”
Frederick could detect a touch of exasperation in the admiral’s tone – he was being deprived of the opportunity of conquest. Three simple surrenders would lead to no more than a pat on the back and the admiral being told he had done well at a levee; he needed a battle to be made baron in the English peerage, with a seat in the Lords and all of the opportunities that offered a poor man.
“The Dutch will fight, sir, on the Main. They have some Regular forces and a large and
efficient Militia; there is a fortified harbour; the terrain is hostile and will require a protracted campaign. Their naval forces have been effectively destroyed, sir, leaving them probably with no more than armed schooners, though they may be able to purchase and arm a sloop from their merchants. I am told – but how reliably, I cannot judge – that the Dutch have artillery and trained men. Captain Murray has submitted his appreciation to your Flag Captain, I believe.”
That was far better; every prospect of a profitable campaign in the offing.
“Very good, Sir Frederick! You have added more laurels to your name, sir.”
Frederick made his thanks.
“Now, sir, orders! The First Lord bade me give them you in person, so that I might convey his personal approbation – compliments that must not at the present time be placed in writings that might come to the attention of the Spaniards!”
Frederick smiled and expressed his understanding.
“Your Captain Jackman has distinguished himself, again, sir. His close action with the Cloudesly Shovell has attracted much favourable comment – as it should have! To cross her three times at pistol shot, no less! That is the way to use carronades, I believe! I shall do myself the honour of inspecting his Arnheim and whispering that he may expect a knighthood on return to England, which return will not take place on Arnheim’s quarterdeck!”
“He is to rise to a greater rate, sir?”
“He is to be given Trident, Sir Frederick, with immediate effect. His Arnheim is to be made the command of one of my young men who is to take her to the East Indies, where her unique qualities can be best used.”
“I cannot dispute that, sir. She will do well in the shallows of the islands there.”
Frederick very determinedly allowed no expression to show, asked nothing of his own fate.
“You, Sir Frederick, are to have Hercules, 74, a ship you know well, of course.”
He had taken her in the Atlantic, just a few days east of Antigua, had built his career on that monumental piece of boldness and luck.
It was a promotion – the captain of a seventy-four, a third-rate, earned much higher pay than the owner of a fifth and had allowance for a greater number of servants. He had the liner at an earlier age than most, was shown to be favoured. It was also a way of clipping his wings – line-of-battleships flocked together, were under the command of an admiral, almost never had the chance to shine in single ship action. There were six third-rates in this particular fleet, for example, and their captains’ prime concern would be to maintain station, to be no slower than the pendant ship in reefing or making sail, to be the smartest and prettiest of all. Probably as well he would serve on blockade.
“I did not see Hercules in the fleet, sir, but I will admit that I paid the liners no particular attention.”
“She is in dock in Portsmouth, Sir Frederick, undergoing repair and refit consequent on a collision with Royal Sovereign on the Brest blockade. That is why she is in need of a captain, of course.”
She was in bad heart then – a poor captain who would undoubtedly have demoralised his crew and probably broken his officers. Serious damage as well, for she would have been in dock some six months by the time he arrived. The best men of the crew would have drifted away in those six months – a ship in the dockyard would be stripped of idle hands.
“What are her orders, sir?”
“None, as yet. She will not sail for at least four more months. It is hoped that she will be ready in time to join the projected expedition to the Cape, Sir Frederick, but it is not impossible that it will be Malta instead. It is not currently intended that you should take her to the blockade, sir. Of course, all may change consequent upon the demise of the current First Lord following the resignation of Mr Addington, which may not be long delayed. It will be an interesting few months ahead of us, Sir Frederick.”
“Mr Jackman is to read himself in today, you say, sir?”
“In the forenoon, as soon after dawn as he wishes. He is to take Trident to commence the blockade of New Amsterdam. He will be joined by a pair of sloops, at least, and will be senior on station. The experience will be good for him. You, Sir Frederick, are to take passage on the Raven sloop which is ordered to England, sailing by end of this week.”
“Thank you, sir. I shall make arrangements with Captain Jackman to strike my broad pendant immediately after first light. I shall inform the squadron so that they may make the correct salutes. I must tell my man, Bosomtwi, as well – he will have my Commodore’s coat whipped off my back and a post-captain’s in its place as the pendant reaches the deck!”
It was necessary to fulfil the demands of courtesy and ceremonial – and to be seen to do so in good spirits and with a proper decorum.
“May I enquire of Captain Murray, sir?”
“He is to return to England with you, sir. I am given to understand that he is to be offered a post in London, still holding his rank of post-captain but to work out of uniform.”
“Excellent, sir. He is a man of vast ability and abundantly suited to the role I assume he will fill. I trust the same will be said of me.”
They smiled at each other, both aware that the First Lord had the reins firmly in his grasp. Frederick was his tool now and must do very much as he was told because Jervis could always come across new evidence that made the Court of Enquiry he had declared unnecessary to be essential. Frederick was open to genteel blackmail, and he must express his thanks most kindly to the First Lord for being so privileged.
He hoped that he might possibly retain the public appearance of honour, for the First Lord would undoubtedly use him for dirty business.
# # #
Book Seven – The Odd-Job Man: Frederick Harris is once again given command of a small squadron of ships with orders to discover Bonaparte’s invasion capabilities and to generally ruffle a few feathers along the French coast. Later he is sent to Gibraltar to undertake more tasks including trying to protect a merchant convoy from murderous Barbary Pirates.
A short excerpt from the start of Book Seven:
“Sir Frederick, an early and in many ways a fortunate return! How was your voyage? And the journey from Liverpool?”
Sir Frederick made his bow and gave the correct smile.
“The voyage, my Lord? A small ship crossing the Atlantic and myself a passenger. Tedious in many ways, but there was a degree of pleasure at hearing the night watches called and rolling over in my cot and going back to sleep!”
Jervis laughed – his watch-keeping days were long past, but he could still easily recall the deadly tedium of the small hours, and of the unending, unspoken worry. Was there a convoy, then had he lost contact; if they were on blockade, had he strayed inshore, might dawn find them under the guns of a coastal battery? He felt a twinge of indigestion at the very memory.
“As for the overland journey, my Lord – indescribable! It rained! A post-chaise and four, and not dagger-cheap, and plodding through mud, rarely at more than a walk!”
“A pity it could not have been Bristol. The Great West Road is far better, but Raven is due to the German Ocean, the stretches towards Denmark and her Norwegian waters particularly.”
Frederick had assumed that to be the case – Liverpool was not one of the Navy’s chosen harbours and was used only for specific purposes, for ships soon to be sent north.
“Word has been spread of the action with Santiago – Cloudesly Shovell, as she now is, Sir Frederick. Hardly surprising that it should be so, of course. On paper it seems a surprising victory, one that should be trumpeted to the very heavens!”
“A pair of heavy frigates, my Lord, matching her for broadside weight, even if not so heavily built and able to take punishment. It was not so uneven a fight, though it could have been made so with clever ship-handling. Fortunately for myself and for Captain Jackman, the Spanish captain was over-ruled by the army officers aboard. Strange as it may seem to us, the fact that the General was a duke enabled him to give orders on the captain’s quarterdec
k!”
Jervis snorted his opinion of that particular ordinance; it would in his opinion have been a very unusual duke who had attempted that with him.
“Add to that, my Lord, the captain was killed in the first exchange of fire and his lieutenants may well have been appointed for their breeding rather than for their professional competence. Rather than use the advantage of their long guns, they allowed us to close them and cross bows and stern – three times in the case of Captain Jackman!”
Jervis showed his approval – a rare enough event, but he had been an aggressive captain himself.
“I remember you telling me that he was a fighting seaman of the finest kind, Sir Frederick. At the time I discounted your words to an extent – he is a follower of yours, after all. I must now acknowledge my error. As well, Sir Frederick, I have another error to confess. Hercules, 74, will not leave dock in Portsmouth for several months yet. It seems that repairs made to her bows in English Harbour were skimped – the damned dockyard used unseasoned wood – though I doubt not they billed us for the best! Rot has been discovered and must be cut out and almost the whole of the bows rebuilt. And then she is to be re-rigged; while she is in dock it is as well to complete the whole job at once. As a result, as you will appreciate, you are not to be given her just yet!”
Frederick achieved a smile and managed to say that it was unfortunate but a matter of luck. He could afford a few months of half-pay.
“That, Sir Frederick, is not the Board’s intention. The upstart Bonaparte is assembling a great army along the Channel Coast and is building invasion craft quite literally by the thousand in every port from the north of Holland to the south of Spain. He must, of course, have control of the Channel for a week to mount his invasion, and that, I am convinced, will never eventuate. Lord Nelson agrees with me. The politicians, however, are not so sanguine and demand that action must instantly be taken against his armada. They have heard of Singeing the King of Spain’s Beard – what they wish to do to Bonaparte is unrepeatable! You are offered the privilege of being the officer who will meet their demands.”
Sugar and Spice (The Duty and Destiny Series, Book 6) Page 19
