Their Lordships Request: A Harry Heron Adventure
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"What ails you, man?" demanded Lieutenant Rae. "It did not strike us, though it came damnably close. No closer than a French ball in fact."
Barclay looked abashed, "Sorry, sir. It made me remember a tale of my grandfather; he was struck while riding in a storm at home and was left paralysed. It won't happen again."
"I expect not." The lieutenant paused, about to add some further comment, but changed his mind, saying instead, "Very well, see you are ready first thing for our departure."
***
Following their breakfast Lieutenant Rae assembled the party on the veranda. The Mahouts and their charges were already waiting patiently and he said, "Come, we must begin our return before the afternoon storms begin their progression." The lieutenant turned to the Parson and said, "Ready, Mister Bentley? Then let us depart."
-
Chapter 33 — Outward bound
Captain Heron removed his Mess jacket and sank into a comfortable chair in his private quarters with a sigh. The last guests had just departed, the Admiral had returned to his Flagship and now he had time to himself at last to consider his newly commissioned ship. He stared at the pale amber liquid in his tumbler. The rich aroma of the twelve year old Irish Whiskey stirred his senses as he considered the work of the last nine months. The months of training had finally been completed. Training that was as much about teaching the ship's AI computer its functions and responses, as it was about teaching the human crew to work with it and the systems they must manage in order to make the ship as efficient as possible. For now the ship's company could rotate to their homes on leave. In two weeks the ship would receive her orders and commence her first mission, a trip out to the planet Pangaea the Admiral had said. The colony there was in trouble according to all the reports.
The link on his wrist chirped. With a sigh he touched the pad and said, "Captain."
"Sorry to disturb you, sir." The voice was that of his executive Commander. "The Admiral has sent a package FYEO. Shall I bring it in?"
"Please, Richard," the Captain said. "He's obviously keen not to let me off the hook. Come on in and join me in a celebratory glass."
Very few people realised that James Heron had a trick when it came to social events. While others indulged in the drinking, he was always careful. In fact he drank very little and though it appeared that he was drinking drink for drink, he wasn't necessarily drinking what an observer might think. The secret lay in what he was drinking, usually a mixer so it always looked like the real deal. Only when he knew he could relax fully and drop his guard did he indulge in the real thing. It also meant that he kept all his faculties alert in company and often heard opinions or news that under different circumstances might have been withheld. It stood him in very good stead – particularly when dealing with large numbers of politicians or when 'Dining In' with junior ranks. He put down his tumbler and fetched the decanter and a second tumbler, placing them on the low table between the chairs. The door alarm sounded and he said, "Come in, Richard."
"Thank you, sir." The Executive Commander handed over a small sealed package. "It was delivered by the Admiral's Sergeant of the Guard with a verbal instruction that it was to be handed to you immediately."
"I expected something, but not this soon." The Captain accepted the package and indicated the decanter. "Join me while I see what this is all about. Is the Sergeant still waiting?"
"No, his orders were to return as soon as he had handed it over to the OoD. Curiously, there was no signature required for its delivery, but there was a slip with it instructing that you were to have it immediately." Richard Grenville poured a careful measure of his Captain's whiskey and took a seat.
The Captain scanned the information now scrolling across his tablet and nodded, saying absently, "From the content, I'm not surprised. I'll need time to consider some of this." He put the tablet down carefully and picked up his glass. "In the meantime, Richard, here's to our new ship. I have a feeling she will set a standard others will envy."
"I'll drink to that." Commander Grenville raised his glass, saying, "There were times I didn't think we'd pull her together, but with Val, Nick, Ben, Mary and of course Fritz driving their teams and the dockyard people when necessary – we've done it."
The Captain smiled, "Yes, we've done it. And just in time too, if I make my guess correctly. I expect we'll be assigned as a flagship any day now as we are to be part of a force being sent out to that colony world where there is a bit of trouble stirring. All a bit hush-hush at present though. I expect I'll be told more in the next few days."
"We'll be ready, wherever it is," the Commander replied. He drained his glass. "Well, if you'll excuse me, sir, I'm for my bunk."
"Certainly, Richard." The Captain stood. "I am going to get my head down as well. I will be going to the Admiral first thing. I may know who we will be shipping once I've seen him." He downed his drink. "Good night."
***
The morning would see the start of preparations for taking on the stores, equipment and replenishments necessary for deployment. He stretched out on his bed and wondered what they would find in this place called Pangaea.
***
The lightning strike seemed to confirm a major change in the personalities in the Gunroom. Harry, hitherto the junior, always the target of Barclay and his cronies, had become an adult, though still in years a youth. His bearing, attitudes and abilities had grown by leaps and bounds and, while he had grown in stature and personality, it seemed almost the reverse had been happening to his adversary.
"I note that Mister Barclay seems to be amending his attitude toward Mister Heron," the Captain remarked to the first lieutenant. "He seems wary of provoking him. Has some exchange passed between them I should be aware of? One that undermines the authority of the senior midshipmen?"
"Nothing I am aware of, sir," replied the first. "Mister Beasley has remarked on it as well. Heron has gained in confidence and despite everything Barclay has attempted on him, has shown himself well – better in fact – able to control both his temper and to overcome the provocation. Perhaps that is what is holding Barclay in check."
"I dare say, though Barclay seems to be less assertive in all his duties. Still aggressive toward his people, but less sure of himself perhaps?" The Captain mused thoughtfully. "I have a report from Mister Rae that he has had to reprimand Barclay several times for failure to ensure that work is done correctly. Perhaps a word from you might encourage him to greater diligence?"
"I shall do so directly, but perhaps a change of duties or station for Mister Barclay might be productive. I shall discuss it with the other officers, sir. Perhaps if I move him to a new station where I will have him under my eye? It may encourage him to renewed diligence."
***
Harry stood with the large signal telescope resting in the crook of his elbow as his signal party folded and stowed the flags from the signal just hauled down. His life aboard this ship had been varied and interesting, he thought. This voyage had proved far more interesting and adventurous than he had ever thought possible. The expedition to the hills and the fabulously carved caves had certainly been a highlight and so had their brief glimpse of a tiger, that most magnificent of beasts. But there were the memories too, of the Sultan of Oman and his retinue and their visit to this very ship and of their exploration of Botany Bay, of Pieterzoon and the storms of the Great Southern Ocean. These more than compensated for the punishments meted out by Eamon Barclay, the constant attempts to bully and the animosity that sometimes almost provoked him into losing his temper and engaging in a brawl.
On reflection he realised that Barclay's provocations had lately subsided somewhat. He still lost no opportunity to attempt to browbeat Harry and the other juniors, but this seemed to have lost its venom. Even some of his former cronies had become less supportive and their eagerness to join him in his bullying tactics had waned. Harry wondered if it had, perhaps, stemmed from the incident in Colombo. Certainly his adversary's demeanour had changed dramatically fo
llowing the visit to the Vihara and the subsequent storm. He put all this from his mind as he was joined by Kit.
Ahead lay more adventures he was sure. They had yet to traverse the Indian Ocean, round the Cape – in Dutch hands and by their alliance closed to Spartan and her squadron – and the Atlantic Oceans on their way home to a nation once more at war. The French were again engaged in their attempts to destroy British trade and Ile d'France lay on their route home. Perhaps an opportunity to gain some Prize money lay in wait for them as well? Though a Midshipman's share was paltry, it would certainly make a promising start to his independence. To Kit he said, "They make a fine sight do they not? And what adventures we have had since leaving the Billy Ruffian."
"Aye," Kit was silent a moment more staring ahead. "What think you; will we encounter any of the French? We pass Ile d'France on our route – think of the glory we could win if we fell in with a Frenchman and captured him."
"There is most certainly a chance," Harry replied. "They keep some frigates and sloops there do they not? It would be strange indeed if they did not make some appearance."
Lost in their own thoughts the pair fell silent. Harry watched as the sloop Swallow, crowded on sail in order to beat her way to the station assigned to her as the eyes of the squadron in the van, ahead of the ponderous seventy-four. He acknowledged the report from the Master's Mate that all was now stowed and ready, sinking again into his own thoughts with one eye and an ear on the Captain as he stood talking to the First. Astern, the sleek country built frigate Rajahstan settled into the larger ship's wake. Harry had been twelve when he joined this ship after six months in HMS Bellerophon. Now, his fifteenth birthday recently behind him, he was already a seasoned sailor and trusted by his officers as a promising leader. He had enjoyed this voyage and felt very privileged to have been able to see and do so much. Now he was looking forward to seeing his home again, in the soft and cooler climate of County Down.
With luck, he reflected, they would be home in a little over six months.
***
The newscaster paused in her delivery and then continued briskly, "In other news, the activation of the Near Earth Gate for ships entering and exiting Transit to the stars took place earlier this week. Located over the Southern Indian Ocean in a Geostationary orbit, the gate enables ships leaving Orbit Three to enter transit close to home. Some anomalies have been reported by ships using it but a spokesman for the Gate operators has dismissed these as 'teething troubles' with the new technology being used. And now I hand over to our Regional Studios for the weather in your part of the world. Good night."
The End
Glossary:
Parts of a ship:
Head: The bow or the "sharp" end -
also: Heads: the toilets for the crew, mounted on either side of the "Beakhead" (The decorated "prow" and extension of the stem), which is essentially a bench seat or bar on which to sit while relieving oneself directly into the sea. On larger ships enclosed but still communal, on small ships protected by a screen to stop you being swept overside in bad weather.
Beam: the sides or more accurately, anything outside the ship and to one or other side. As in "the enemy is abeam"
Stern: The back of the ship.
Quarter/Bow/Beam: For reporting purposes the ship has six "sections" so that if another ship or obstacle is ahead but not directly ahead it is reported as being on the Larboard or Starboard Bow, Likewise if it astern it is "on the Larboard or Starboard Quarter" and equally with objects on either Beam, in other words at 90* to the ships course.
Larboard: the left side also called the Port side.
Starboard: the right side of the ship, so called because the earliest ships were steered by shipping an oar over this side.
Gundeck: Upper and Lower; the continuous decks stretching fore and aft on which the guns were carried.
Quarterdeck: The Command deck of the ship. Beneath this were the officers' quarters in the "Wardroom" at the aftermost end of the Upper Gundeck in a two decker, with the Captain's Great Cabin at the aftermost end of the Quarterdeck.
Poop Deck: the deck over the Captain's quarters and the highest deck in the ship.
Break of the Poop: the access to the Captain's quarters, the Sailing Master's Cabin and Chartroom. Also the position from which the ship is steered, the poop deck providing some shelter from enemy fire for the helmsmen and from the weather.
Gangways: the extensions along the upper Gunwales (Literally Gun Walls) and providing cover for the Upper tier of guns and their crews, but also access to the Forecastle (fo'c's'le) from the Quarterdeck and to the Boat Tiers where the larger boats were carried between the Foremast and the Mainmast.
Gunroom: The space allotted to the Midshipmen and Senior Warrant Officers in a large ship. It takes its name from the practice of keeping small arms in a "protected" space below decks. Usually located at the aftermost end of the Lower Gundeck or on the Orlop Deck below that. Frequently used as an operating theatre during a battle.
Masts:
Foremast, Mainmast and Mizzenmast, with a "Lower", Topmast and Topgallant and sometimes a Royal mast above identified as the Fore/Main/Mizzen Topmast/Topgallant Mast etc.
Crosstrees: At the junction between the topmast section and the topgallant mast a small platform was provided as a perch for the lookouts, but it also provided a springing point for the shrouds and ratlines to the Topgallant Mast. Where a "Royal" Mast was carried, a further set of crosstrees appeared at the junction between the Topgallant and the Royal.
Fighting Top: A platform at the junction between the Lower Masts and the Topmasts. These had a wooden parapet in the larger ships which allowed the Marines to man them and use them as a fighting platform for sharp shooters and to mount "swivel" guns firing "grape" shot - think shotgun firing twenty musket balls at a time.
Rigging:
Shrouds, the great side "stays" that hold the masts up.
Ratlines: the rope ladders used to climb the masts and reach the sails and "tops".
Stays: The fore and aft supports for the masts.
Braces: The lines that haul the yard arms around to trim the sails to the wind. Hence the expression "To splice the Main Brace" something only a drunken man would do!
Halyards: The lines used to hoist and lower sails and the yard arms they are attached to.
Sails:
Courses: the lowest of the square sails set on each mast
Topsails: The sails set above the Courses
Topgallants: The sails above the Topsails
Royals: The uppermost sails on the mast.
Staysails: Fore and aft sails set between the masts on the stays that run fore and aft.
Foresails and Jibs: Triangular sails set on the foremasts stays running forward onto the jib boom and bowsprit.
Spanker: The large fore and aft sail set on the mizzen mast and steadied by a Gaff above and a boom below.
Boats:
Quarterboat: a boat kept on davits at the stern, often suspended outboard near the Mizzen shrouds and ratlines for use in an emergency at sea.
Launch: A large rowing boat usually propelled by eight or more oars and capable of carrying a large number of people or goods. Sometimes they could mount a cannon (On big one's often as much as a 6 Pounder) on the bow, and even the smaller ones could carry a "Swivel" gun in this position. They could be sailed and carried a mast that had either a "Dipping Lug" rig or a Gaff Cutter rig. Usually stowed inboard on the boat tiers between the fore and main masts
Barge: The largest boat carried. Carried on the boat tier.
Gig: Usually the Captain's personal boat, manned by a crew of eight (Six oars and the two "boatmen", one of whom would be the Captain's personal Coxswain) The gig was often the smartest boat and its crew were dressed according to the Captain's personal taste.
Helm and other Orders:
"Put the helm down" meant turning the tiller to leeward. This would swing the ship's head into the wind and cause a turn "through the wind".
"Full and By" meant to keep the ship's head in such a position that the ship had the wind on her quarter so that all sails were drawing wind and the ship would lie easily on the set course.
"Heave to" means to bring the ship round and stop her using opposing forces by reversing the set of sails on one mast so that the ship is trying to move forward but is held back by the pressure trying to reverse her.
"Shorten sail" meant to either take in sails or to "reef" them by using tie points on the sail itself to reduce the sail area exposed to the wind.