Richard Testrake - (Sea Command 2)

by Richard Testrake

  “We doubt the Moors will be able to salvage the brig, but her guns and equipment should be easily accessible to native divers. The Navy wishes to avoid having this equipment falling into the hands of Moorish pirates. What might you have to say about the possibilities?”

  Mullins carefully examined the chart, paying close attention to the depths marked. Some of the tiny harbor was clearly too shallow to safely take a ship the size of Valkyrie. There was a deeper channel that could be used to enter but it would be necessary to remain an uncomfortable distance from the sunken brig. In the approaches to the protected cove, there was deep water right up to the harbor.

  “Sir, what happened to the transport the brig escorted into the harbor? Is she still there?”

  Nepean shook his head. “No, the transport’s master was wiser than the idiot commanding the brig. At the first sign of trouble, he cut his cable and sailed out of the harbor. The crew, by the way, of the brig were ransomed shortly afterward, those that were not killed in the fight.”

  Mullins then wondered about possible gun positions on shore that might threaten salvage operations. Nepean assured him guns were unlikely, save possibly for some old Turkish antiques that might be hidden away. He reported any guns acquired by these people usually ended upon the decks of the ubiquitous raiders.

  Thinking out loud, Mullins said, “I do not like the proximity of the wreck to the shore. Even without guns, tribesmen ashore could give us trouble with musketry fire from the beach. We will need to be able to put fire on any threat while we are salvaging what we can.”

  Nepean said, “I seem to recall you commanded a gun brig similar to Achilles. Supposing we sent a pair of gun brigs into that harbor to offer support?”

  Mullins agreed. “That should work admirably sir. For that matter, since the guns we are to retrieve are probably in only waist deep water on the deck of the wreck, we could use one of the brigs to hoist the guns aboard while the other stands over watch. Anything more than a pair of gun brigs will likely be superfluous.”

  The secretary wondered, “What would you do about the wreck itself? There are doubtless articles, perhaps below deck, that we would not wish the Moors to have. It might even be possible, given enough time, for the locals to salvage the vessel. It would be desirable to prevent this.”

  Mullins replied, “It is difficult to make definite plans from here, but perhaps we may be able to send down some sealed casks of powder, and blow up the wreck.”

  “How would you set off this charge under water?”

  Thinking for a moment, Mullins replied, “Since we will be working in shallow water, I believe we might lower sealed, weighted casks of powder through one of the hatches. A length of lead pipe long enough to reach the surface from the sunken charges will connect to one barrel. All joints sealed of course. Quick match down the pipe will fire the charges.”

  Nepean pondered and said, “This seems to be a good plan to begin with. I realize circumstances may require modifications. Perhaps I may have a little addition to the plan. It occurs to me that a ship of force might come in handy here. As it happens, HMS Leviathan, 74, is here waiting to sail to the Med, where she is to join the fleet there.”

  “Of course we would not wish to bring a liner into this small harbor, but perhaps if she anchored close offshore, where her guns could command the port, she could supplement the fire of the gun brigs. It happens that such a liner, now lies at anchor here in the Pool, manned and ready to sail, save for a captain. Captain Broderick has reported sick and has gone ashore. On my list of callers this morning, I see Captain Hennings wishes to see me about a ship. Do you know this officer?”

  Mullins spirits dropped when he learned a post captain would be joining the venture. He had hoped to be in command of the force himself. Of course, this would be impossible with a senior captain present. However, he assured Nepean that Hennings would be an excellent choice and he was certain he could work efficiently with him.

  Nodding, Nepean called for his clerk to fetch the captain. Hennings, when he came through the door proved to be a rotund, jovial sort. Mullins had met him casually before and knew him to be a capable, intelligent officer.

  Both Nepean and Mullins arose to greet Hennings and the secretary asked the captain if he was familiar with the Achilles affair. Hennings said he was. Pondering a bit, he offered, “Gun brig sunk in a Moorish harbor? Bad show that was!”

  Nepean explained, “Captain Mullins here is developing plans to salvage the guns from the sunken wreck, and hopefully destroy the remains so that it cannot be salvaged. He will take a pair of gun brigs into the enemy-held harbor to raise the guns.”

  “While we know of no enemy gun positions on shore, there is probable musketry fire from the locals to consider. Captain Mullins believes it might be advisable to have a ship of force to lay offshore and provide cover for the brigs.”

  “We have a 74 here in the Pool destined for duty in the Med. Captain Broderick of HMS Leviathan has reported sick and gone ashore. I understand he intends to retire. Now, Leviathan is manned and ready to sail but needs a captain. Would you be interested in the command? Leviathan would accompany the salvage force into the Med and lay offshore while Captain Mullins does his work.”

  Captain Hennings accepted the command with enthusiasm. “Sir, I am sure Leviathan, under my command, will be able to give the salvage fleet all of the fire support they require.”

  Nepean continued, “Of course, Captain Hennings, while at sea, you would be in command of the expedition, but once Mullins and his force enters the harbor, he will command the salvage fleet. After the successful mission, Leviathan would join the Mediterranean Fleet while the gun brigs will return to Britain, perhaps engaging in a commerce-destroying cruise on the way.”

  “Captain Mullins, since you will be in effect, a commodore, commanding two gun brigs while you are in that harbor, perhaps we will leave your Valkyrie at home. I can always find a use for a well-kept sloop-of-war.”

  “When you return successfully from this mission, we will see what ship we can find for you to command.”

  Chapter Twenty One

  Mullins and Hennings left the building together. Captain Hennings decided they must proceed forthwith to his club, Crocklands on St. James Street, where they could discuss the mission at their leisure. They had missed the dinner hour, but Hennings was able to get them a plate of cold roast venison to go with their port.

  He informed Mullins he had to get something said before he had too much to drink. “I have been ashore for two years now, and the war is going by. Chances for a good command are becoming slimmer by the day. I will be your commanding officer for much of this coming mission, so what I need to say must be said now.”

  “I can read between the lines as well as the next man. I know very well you are the one Secretary Nepean is depending on to accomplish this salvage project. You will be the one going in harm’s way, while I remain offshore raining fire on the poor souls ashore who might dare to snipe at you.”

  “I suspect you are the man that I owe for my getting this command, probably the last one available to one in my own circumstances. I have been ashore just too long to be in line for a plum command like this one. Understand sir, while you are in that harbor, you need not ask me a second time to supply any assistance, I am able to provide. I tell you, I am deeply grateful sir!”

  Mullins tried to explain the secretary had made the decision, but Hennings sniffed and retorted, “I know what I know. As your superior, I will have the last word. Now then, let us get into the planning.”

  It was difficult to be specific concerning the details since Mullins had not seen his gun brigs and besides they had no charts to examine. So Mullins merely repeated what he and Nepean had discussed and they decided to meet again after both men had examined their commands.

  Both men were deep in their cups when the mounted Marine messenger from the Admiralty found them. He dug out packets of orders from his dispatch case and presented them with a flourish. T
he messenger was amazed he had been able to find the men so soon. It was only by chance he learned Captain Hennings often frequented Crockland’s and decided to look there first. He had no idea that Captain Mullins would be here also. “Two birds with one stone gentlemen.” quipped the messenger.

  After glancing through the orders, both men took their departure. Hennings would take command of his ship presently moored in the ‘Pool’, while Mullins’ brigs were both at the Nore anchorage at the mouth of the Thames, awaiting their sailing orders.

  He learned each of these vessels had a lieutenant in command. While the force was at sea, Captain Mullins would be a passenger in one of the brigs, and Captain Hennings would command the entire fleet. Once the brigs entered the African harbor though, Mullins would assume command of the salvage fleet.

  Before any of this happened though, he must first reach his command. With responsibility for Valkyrie removed from his shoulders, he was free to concentrate on his new command.

  Dropping by the town house to pick up his sea chest, he penned a message to Mister Granger, the sailing master still aboard Valkyrie, informing him he had another command now and would not likely be returning.

  He was able to find the lieutenant commanding a cutter which was about to make her way down the Thames. Mister Garrison promised to deliver him to his new command. Of course, the anchorage at the Nore was usually crowded, but with two gun brigs to look for, the chances of finding one were doubled.

  Unlike many other ship commanders, Garrison refused to take on a pilot to assist them down the Thames. He reported on an earlier passage, his pilot had run his cutter on a mud bank to avoid colliding with a group of fishing boats blocking the channel. He assured Mullins he had learned his lesson. This time, as the commander of a King’s ship, he would run down any civilian small craft that ventured to block his passage. Mullins was dubious of the wisdom of that plan, but he was not the captain of this craft, only a passenger, so he had no responsibility.

  There was one tight place where they met a big 38-gun frigate on her way upstream. Even the brave Mister Garrison was unwilling to argue the right-of-way with that irascible frigate captain, so he edged his cutter into shallow water. They did touch bottom, but a cable from the windlass carried to a sturdy tree on the shore, pulled them off.

  Upon reaching the anchorage, Garrison spotted spotted the brigs, sitting like ducks in a pond, near several East India Company ships. Garrison wished to signal them that he had their commander aboard, but Mullins told him he was a mere passenger, and should be announced as such.

  He was pulled over to the nearest, Ferret, by the cutter’s boat. Lieutenant Wilkins, the brig’s commander welcomed him aboard, introducing him to his officers. A junior lieutenant served as first officer and a master’s mate was acting as master. Wilkins graciously turned over his own quarters to his guest. Later, both men were invited aboard the Ferret’s consort, HMS Shrike. There, its commander, Lieutenant Andrews had them for dinner. Andrew’s quarters were much too small for so many guests, so the wardroom was pressed into service for the occasion.

  Both officers had received only the sketchiest information about their mission, so Mullins spent the next hour going over all he knew. He emphasized he would be merely a passenger until actually entering the harbor on the North African coast. Early on, when they discussed the destruction of the wreck, Captain Andrews called in the gunner’s mate who was Shrike’s acting gunner.

  Gunner’s Mate Hastings was skeptical of the plan for submerging casks of powder in the hull of the wreck and exploding it. “Sir, I don’t know how you’d ever keep water from getting in to the charge or soaking the quick match.”

  Mullins told him of the plan to use a length of lead pipe to shield the match from seawater. Hastings nodded and replied, “Sure enough, that might work gentlemen. The problem though, we do not have such pipe on the brig. We might have to send up to London for it.”

  The Leviathan had not yet come down the Thames, so there might possibly be time to send a boat upriver to secure the necessary pipe, but it would surely lead to a delay. Nevertheless, some action was necessary, so Mullins directed the effort be made.

  It was then the brig’s armorer came to the quarterdeck, touching his cap to the first officer. After some words, the armorer came to Mullins, accompanied by Mister Andrews. The armorer had an idea. He proposed several of the ship’s muskets be dismounted and their barrels brazed together end-to-end, until they had a hollow tube long enough for the task.

  Mullins immediately ordered a trial be done. An attempt would be made to connect two musket barrels together. The armorer set up his forge on the foredeck and a seaman pumping on the bellows soon had the coal blazing.

  Two musket barrels were placed side by side in the glowing coals until the temperature was judged correct, then the armorer spread flux on the ends and his assistant joined the barrels end-to-end. With the assistant pumping vigorously on the bellows, the armorer placed the end of a long strip of brass in the flux at the proposed joint and waited for it to melt. Melt it did, and soon the liquid brass spread into the joint. More brass was added until the joint seemed well sealed.

  The barrels were held motionless until the fire had cooled, then a little water was dashed on the musket barrels to solidify the brazen joint. More water was poured on the metal to enable it to be held and the joint was examined closely. When no flaws were found, one end of the tube was plugged and then filled with water. No signs of leakage were found.

  By order of Captain Mullins, Seaman Drayer, the armorer, was awarded an extra tot of grog that evening. Gunner’s Mate Hastings was questioned about how he might set the explosive charges.

  After having the details of the sinking explained to him, Hastings answered. “Sir, we know the deck is waist deep. I guess we would have to reckon the charges would be two or three fathoms under water, depending on what is under the hatches. All kinds of material could have gathered there when the brig settled.”

  “I would put weight in each powder cask to make it stay in position, a few shot might do. I would seal each cask and coat it with tar. Wrap the thing with sailcloth and seal that with more tar. Sink several casks down into the hold, and secure them so they touch each other. On the last cask, we will leave its bung open, while the rest of the cask is sealed as best as we can. We will run quick match through the pipe we made and shove the end of the pipe into the bung hole. The other end of the quick match will have a length of slow match bent on to it. I’ll fill the joint with hot pitch and have the sailmaker sew the canvas over it, sealing that as well. We can lower the whole thing, with the cask maybe resting in a net cradle, down onto the other casks and fire the slow match. Then we will wait.”

  Sacrificing a half-dozen muskets, Mullins had a few pipes made up of varying lengths, hoping one might be suitable for the occasion.

  When this operation was completed, HMS Leviathan was seen making its way out of the Thames, to rendezvous with the pair of gun brigs.

  The trio remained at anchor for several days while stores were checked and the charts examined. With everything in order, the little fleet set sail.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  It was a long voyage into the Mediterranean. Mullins travelled in Shrike, occupying Captain Andrews’s quarters. Normally, the little fleet would have stopped at Gibraltar to re-supply and gain access to the latest news. In light of the possibility that the Moors might be attempting to salvage the contents of the sunken brig, they continued without delay, and found themselves offshore of their destination.

  Near their destination, they met with a Khamsin dust storm coming off the African coast. The gale struck suddenly, engulfing the ships with suffocating dust and nearly taking Shrike aback. Hands from both watches remained on deck struggling to take in canvas. The mains’l blew out with a loud report before it could be taken in.

  One of the helmsmen had some ribs cracked by the spinning wheel, and Mullins, in the absence of anyone else, assisted the remaining hel
msman. The fleet was obliged to stand offshore until the gale blew itself out. The ships lost sight of each other when the Khamsin struck, and the brigs were unable to keep station with each other or with Leviathan.

  When it was finally over, Ferret was out of sight, but the liner’s tops were seen in the distance. The pair joined then remained hove-to for the better part of a day until the other brig’s tops’ls came in sight. With the weather now settled, Mullins decided to take one of the brigs into the harbor to see what might have been done since the sinking.

  Shrike eased her way into the harbor, a leadsman at the chains swinging his lead. The location of the wreck was easily seen, because of the cluster of native craft clustered about it. Almost everything above water was gone, already carried away by the natives. As they watched, native swimmers were diving in the water, presumably searching for valuables.

  As they approached, the natives in the boats seemed annoyed by their presence. Several of them produced curved blades, which they brandished at the interlopers. The brig was armed with a pair of eighteen-pounder carronades in the bows, with twelve-pounders on each beam. Mullins ordered Captain Andrews to have the guns manned and prepared to fire if necessary.

  When several boats began to approach Shrike, Andrews ordered one of the forward carronades laid on a shore target, pointing out a mud-brick building that seemed to be on the verge of collapse. The boats continued their approach, their occupants, many of them armed, seemingly intent on boarding the brig. Ordering his other guns to load with grape, Wilkins ordered the carronade loaded with ball to fire at the shore target. When the heavy ball impacted, the whole front of the edifice collapsed in a cloud of dust.