Jackass Frigate
Page 27
Banks began to pace the quarterdeck, his hands clasped behind his back. Fraiser and Caulfield were standing in front of the taffrail looking forward, while King still officially had the conn, and was with Lewis and Parry, the senior quartermaster, by the wheel. All were tired, and all were waiting for the orders that would send them into battle once more. Then Banks stopped in his pacing and looked to the masthead.
“What of the enemy?”
Although clearly in sight from the deck, the height of the main mast would give a better perception of the fleet’s movements.
“No change, sir. Still heading towards us; wait, no, they’re coming around.”
All eyes on deck turned towards the far-off ships; sure enough the leading Spanish first rate was visibly altering course, her braces swinging round until her hull was almost parallel with the British line. Banks looked doubtfully at Caulfield, who shrugged and shook his head. They might be intending to form a line, then wear once more in succession, although that would be foolish tactics, as each ship would mask her neighbour’s broadside. The men on the quarterdeck watched in puzzled silence, as the line was seen to alter course once more.
“They’re pulling out,” Frasier said softly, although his words carried across the silent deck.
“Aye,” Caulfield nodded. “Belikes they’ve had enough of us for one season.”
The ships were clearly heading away now, and throughout the British line men drew breath and thanked whatever they held dear. A loud retort rang out; the Barfleur had fired a gun, either by accident or in salute it was hard to say; there was no chance of doing damage, the enemy were now considerably out of range.
“Victory’s making another hoist.” Dorsey’s voice held the tone of wonder. “Not a signal though, she’s raising the Spanish flag.”
Once more all turned to look; sure enough the Spanish ensign could be seen boldly flying from the British flagship’s jack.
“Culloden’s hoisted one too!” a voice from the lower deck shouted, “and Orion.”
Caulfield looked to Banks and received a nod in reply. The first lieutenant bellowed an order, and soon Pandora had joined the rest of the British ships, who now all flew the Spanish ensign.
King walked over to Fraiser and smiled. “A nice compliment,” he said.
The master nodded. “Aye, it’s always good to show respect.”
“Hardly the act of barbarians, though.”
Fraiser smiled and placed a hand on King’s shoulder. “I said war was barbaric, and it is; there’s few who could be doubting that.” His eyes twinkled. “Mind, there’s nothing to say that it cannot be fought by gentlemen.”
About the Author
Alaric Bond was born in Surrey, England, but now lives in Herstmonceux, East Sussex, in a 14th century Wealden Hall House. He is married with two sons.
His father was a well known writer, mainly of novels and biographies, although he also wrote several screenplays. He was also a regular contributor to BBC Radio drama (including Mrs Dale’s Diary!), and a founding writer for the Eagle comic.
During much of his early life Alaric was hampered by Dyslexia, although he now considers the lateral view this condition gave him to be an advantage. He has been writing professionally for over twenty years with work covering broadcast comedy (commissioned to BBC Light Entertainment for 3 years), periodicals, children’s stories, television, and the stage. He is also a regular contributor to several nautical magazines and newsletters.
His interests include the British Navy 1793-1815 and the RNVR during WWII. He regularly gives talks to groups and organizations and is a member of various historical societies including The Historical Maritime Society and the Society for Nautical Research. He also enjoys Jazz, swing and big band music from 1930-1950 (indeed, he has played trombone for over 40 years), sailing, and driving old SAAB convertibles.
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS BOOK,
YOU’LL LOVE ALL OF THE BOOKS
IN ALARIC BOND’S
FIGHTING SAIL SERIES
His Majesty’s Ship
by Alaric Bond
The First Book in the Fighting Sail Series
A powerful ship, a questionable crew, and a mission that must succeed.
In the spring of 1795 HMS Vigilant, a 64 gun ship-of-the-line, is about to leave Spithead as senior escort to a small, seemingly innocent, convoy. The crew is a jumble of trained seamen, volunteers, and the sweepings of the press; yet, somehow, the officers have to mold them into an effective fighting unit before the French discover the convoy’s true significance.
Based on historical fact, His Majesty’s Ship will take you into the world of Nelson’s Navy, and captivate you all the way to it’s gripping conclusion.
“Bond has an extraordinary talent for describing the sights and sounds of an 18th Century man-of-war. When you finish this book you genuinely feel like you have been there—and no novel can receive higher praise than that.”
The Jackass Frigate
The Second Book in the Fighting Sail Series
December 1796. It was a time of unrest and discontent for Britain, made even worse by the war with Revolutionary France and the possibility of imminent invasion. Fresh from the dockyard, HMS Pandora, a 28-gun frigate, is about to set sail to join the Mediterranean Fleet.
For Captain Banks the harsh winter weather and threat of a French invasion are not his only problems. He has an untried ship, a tyrant for a First Lieutenant, a crew that contains at least one murderer, and he is about to sail into one of the biggest naval battles in British history—the Battle of Cape St. Vincent.
True Colours
The Third Book in the Fighting Sail Series
The Royal Navy is immobilised by mutiny, and the only thing that’s standing in the way of an invasion is a commander who is communicating with a fleet that isn’t there.
While Great Britain’s major home fleets are immobilised by a vicious mutiny, Adam Duncan, commander of the North Sea Squadron, has to maintain a constant watch over the Dutch coast, where a powerful invasion force is ready to take advantage of Britannia's weakest moment.
With ship-to-ship duels and fleet engagements, shipwrecks, storms and groundings, True Colours maintains a relentless pace that culminates in one of the most devastating sea battles of the French Revolutionary War—the Battle of Camperdown.
Alaric Bond has stepped into the first rank
of writers of historic naval fiction.
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THE MIDSHIPMAN PRINCE
How do you keep a prince alive when the combined forces of three nations (and a smattering of privateers) want him dead? Worse, how do you do it when his life is in the hands of a 17 year old lieutenant, an alcoholic college professor, and a woman who has fired more naval guns than either of them? The first book in the Sir Sidney Smith nautical adventure series.
HMS DIAMOND
After surviving the horrors of the destruction of Toulon, Sir Sidney is given a critical assignment. British gold shipments are going missing. Even worse, the ships are literally disappearing in plain sight of their escorts and the vessels around them. The mystery must be solved, but to do that Sir Sidney must unravel a web of intrigue that leads all the way to the Board of Admiralty.
THE TEMPLE
Napoleon is massing ships, troops, and supplies at Toulon and a number of other ports. He is clearly planning an invasion; but an invasion of who, where, and when, no one knows. The key is a captured message, but it’s encoded in a way that has never been seen before. From a dreary prison in Paris, to an opulent palace in Constantinople, to the horror of the Battle of the Nile—The Temple will take you on a wil
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ACRE
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Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
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
About the Author
Other books from Fireship Press
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
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
About the Author
Other books from Fireship Press