HMS Vigilant: A Charles Mullins Novel (Sea Command Book 5)

by Richard Testrake

  The mids though, were usually unable to restrain themselves around this striking woman. Mullins had already informed the lads they were permitted to make what conversation with Anna as they could. Benton, however was having none of it. Mostly, she sat without saying a word.

  Now came a most profitable part of their cruise. Traffic was heavy in this portion of the Adriatic, much of it was French-flagged, perfectly legal to take. Nearly every day saw the launch taking over a prize crew to some unfortunate craft, taken with its hold filled with valuable cargo.

  Soon it became difficult to provide a commander for each prize. All of his mids that he trusted were gone, as well as his master’s mate. In desperation, he selected his carpenter to take in the most recent prize, a brig laden with a cargo of wine in casks. The carpenter had no navigational abilities, but was a good enough seaman to take station on the frigate and remain with her, whatever the weather. It was time to return to Valetta on Malta, to drop off their prize and hopefully find some of their prize crews sent there previously.

  Valetta Harbor was crowded. Much of the traffic was destined for the new base at Port St. George on Lissa. Mullins made his way among the British warships and found a third-rate on her way back to Gibraltar. He approached her captain about taking Miss Benton aboard for passage. Captain Hastings was most suspicious, guessing the lady was an ugly ancient with warts on her nose. Mullins invited the captain to dinner with his proposed passenger to see for himself.

  With nothing else on his plate for that afternoon, Hastings agreed, although not before ordering his first officer to fly a ‘Blue Peter’ signal flag an hour after he boarded the frigate. Normally used to announce imminent sailing, Hastings would use the signal as an excuse to leave should the lady prove to be unbearable.

  Miss Benton was on her best behavior that afternoon. Mullins had explained to her she might obtain passage to Gibraltar aboard the third-rate and further advised her that no one on the liner knew anything about her and her mission. Captain Hastings was mesmerized by the effervescent young woman and ignored the report of the ‘Blue Peter’ reported to be flying from his ship’s top.

  Miss Benton was last seen being assisted into the sternsheets of Hasting’s launch on the next stage of her journey, being entertained by a rambling account of a foxhunt the portly, long-married captain had taken part in, long ago, during his youth.

  Vigilant was able to take aboard most of the men he had sent away on prize crews. Some had been pirated away by unscrupulous captains of other ships, but Lieutenant Heyward, himself having commanded a rich prize into Valletta harbor, had made acquaintance with a pair of mids from other ships. On the beach for a lengthy period with their crews, Heyward influenced these lads into coming aboard Vigilant with their hands. In addition, a few Maltese seamen were induced to sign aboard the frigate.

  When it became time for her to leave, she was better manned than when originally leaving home.

  During his stay in Valetta, Mullins was introduced to a pair of privateer captains who had made their way to this distant port upon hearing of the profits being made here. After listening to the plans of these men, Mullins decided he would take Vigilant to other pastures. With the pair of eager privateer captains snapping up prizes, it would be better if he just went elsewhere.

  Vigilant cruised among the Greek islands for several weeks, taking a few small coasters and burning them to avoid sending away men in the prizes. Finding the pickings slim here, he decided to stretch over to the Egyptian coast to see if the French were up to any mischief there. On their way, Vigilant began to overtake a small convoy heading for that same coast.

  The frigate was unable to close the convoy enough to determine its composition since one of its escorts broke off and came their way. This one gave Mullins pause. A forty-gun frigate of the Coquille class, she would be armed with twenty-eight twelve-pounders and twelve sixes. HMS Vigilant had thirty-two twelve-pounders as well as a half dozen eighteen-pounder carronades, which did not count in her rating. Four extra guns a side, over the French frigate’s inventory, would certainly count when the frigates came to blows. And, if he were able to close to carronade range, his opponent would have a most difficult time withstanding his force. All-in-all, Vigilant’s captain was well satisfied with his ship and crew.

  Both antagonists stripped down to fighting sail. Vigilant had long since cleared her decks and she was as prepared for combat as Mullins knew how to make her. The British frigate was headed right at the enemy with the wind on her port beam, just slightly aft. The Frenchman was beating into the wind that was fresh on her forward starboard quarter and seemed eager enough to come to blows.

  Mullins idly searched for the enemy convoy with his glass and found it hull down as it was about to disappear over the horizon. The thought was in his mind that he might quickly dispatch this frigate and perhaps cut out a few of the convoy, but this looked now to be impossible. Long before he had any hope of defeating this powerful frigate, the convoy it was shielding would be gone and with nightfall looming, unlikely to be found again.

  Vigilant’s crew was silent as the enemy frigate drew closer. This could well be a bloody fight. Confident though he was, Mullins well knew an unplanned accident could easily bring disaster. It was his duty to foresee any such mishap and give the proper orders to forestall any adverse consequences.

  His eyes now off the enemy, Mullins paced his quarterdeck, imagining all the possible difficulties the ship might find itself in. He was deep in thought when a disturbance about him alerted him. He realized his first officer was speaking to him. “Sir, the enemy is putting about!”

  Now, this was certainly unusual. It was most uncommon for the captain of a French national ship, especially an important command like this frigate, to show the white feather. Perhaps there was some sudden misfortune in the enemy. He examined the turning frigate closely for any sign of smoke or fire. Everything appeared to be nominal, but why on earth should she be running away at this moment?

  Soon the Frenchman was setting her courses and shaking out reefs in her topsails. Vigilant followed suit and the race was on. It soon became evident the enemy had the legs on Vigilant, gaining ground ever so slowly over the British frigate.

  Soon it became clear the enemy was not being as careful as she might. Watching closely, Mullins observed the enemy making many small course changes. Every time its rudder was put over slightly of course, the ship was slowed by a small amount.

  The more knowledgeable members of the crew had already observed these activities and had come to the same conclusion, the Frenchman was just toying with them.

  Mister Heyward said much the same to his captain. “He knows he is faster than we are sir. He does not choose to bring us to action and is toying with us until he has humiliated us enough and will then likely disappear over the horizon.”

  Mullins was not quite convinced but had nothing profound to add, either. He became distracted by a sudden flurry on his quarterdeck. Jason Cooper, surrounded by a group of the younger midshipmen, boys that were too young to be of much use in an action, had come onto the sacred quarterdeck. Normally, of course, only those who had business there were allowed access. Since action with the enemy was still possible, these boys with their mentor, Mister Cooper, were forbidden to set foot there.

  Mister Howard indignantly stepped over to send them away but Mullins intervened. He knew Cooper, an uninformed civilian, knew very little about the sea or the navy’s customs. He liked the young man and had no wish to see him chastened.

  Greeting the young man, he asked him what he was about. Cooper replied, “Well sir, seeing the enemy is running away and it being a fine day, I thought I would bring my pupils on deck for a class in the sun.”

  After Cooper had displayed his expertise with identifying the recovered artifacts from the sea bottom, he had been encouraged to teach ancient history to the younger members of the midshipmen’s berth. Some of these lads were too young to be of value overseeing adult seamen and Mullins
had them attending classes of one sort or another.

  Mister Weatherby, the sailing master conducted classes on mathematics and practical seamanship while Lieutenant Baker taught classes on the French language. Cooper gave lessons on the ancients and their accomplishments, while instructing the mids in their Greek and Latin classes.

  Wishing to give his mind a rest from his concern over the enemy’s plans, Mullins asked him why he thought the enemy was running away.

  “Sir, I have listened to the hands talking. They say the enemy ship is faster than we are, but is pretending to be slow. They say he will soon pile on his sails and leave us behind.”

  Looking at Cooper’s pupils, his eyes fell on young Mister Broadhurst. Broadhurst was the son of a neighbor, a senior captain of the Royal Navy. When the officer mentioned he would be obliged to any commander who took his son to sea as a midshipman, Mullins had immediately grasped the implications. Broadhurst was nearly at the top of the captain’s list and would doubtless soon be promoted. It could be profitable to have a rear admiral indebted to oneself.

  Young Broadhurst was now well ensconced in Vigilant’s midshipman’s berth. The sight of him when he delivered a message did not exactly inspire any great confidence in his abilities. Short and rotund, like his father, the older lads took much delight in persecuting him. He did seem to have a head on his shoulders though, and Mullins thought he might one-day amount to something.

  Idly, Mullins addressed the midshipman. “Mister Broadhurst, we have all heard the hands telling us the chase is faster than we are. Have you any idea of why this might be so?”

  Blushing, the lad answered. “Because she is so long for her size, sir?”

  Surprised by Broadhurst’s accurate answer, Mullins asked, “You are indeed correct, Mister Broadhurst. Did you learn that from Mister Weatherby?”

  “No sir, one-night back home, my father had some other officers over at the house. My father appointed me steward and I was to bring wine and cigars to the table as needed. The officers were talking about how longer ships were often faster than shorter ones.”

  “Very good indeed, Mister Broadhurst. I hope you learned many other valuable ideas from your father. Mister Cooper, I am not at all certain that we will not engage this enemy. I would be obliged if you would postpone your lessons until after the situation is resolved.

  Cooper and the lads filed below, while Mister Hakes approached his captain. “Captain, do you think the chase will come about to engage us?”

  “I cannot read the enemy’s mind, Mister Hakes. However, I do believe the fellow is up to something. We will continue as long as the chase remains within sight.”

  The enemy continued on course, adjusting speed according to that of Vigilant, allowing her to neither gain or lose distance. Finally, long after the convoy the Frenchman had been protecting went over the horizon, the chase was seen to take in her courses.

  As Vigilant now began to close the enemy, Mullins spoke to his quarterdeck officers. “I think gentlemen, that we now know what the enemy was up to. I believe that French captain was merely trying to draw us away from the convoy. Having done his duty, perhaps we may see him offer to engage.”

  Even as Mullins spoke, the enemy frigate was seen to come about and again approach Vigilant. “This time gentlemen”, he warned his officers, “I think we will see action, see to your men, please.”

  The enemy was again on her course beating against the quartering wing on her starboard bow. As she neared, it appeared as if she was planning on passing well to windward of Vigilant. Hakes commented. “It appears she does not wish to come within range of our carronades, sir. I am surprised though. Generally, French warships try to engage to leeward.”

  Mullins replied, “I expect all French captains have been warned about our carronades. Since we have sufficient long guns though, I doubt we will embarrass ourselves. We should give a good account of ourselves in a long-range duel.”

  Although prepared for the enemy to cut across their bow in a raking attempt, the Frenchman did not oblige. She continued on course, apparently prepared to pass at long cannon shot range.

  Mister Weatherby ordered the helmsmen to edge closer to the enemy, which Vigilant accomplished without any evident change of course by the foe. Almost on cue, the forward guns of both ships began firing at near the same time, with the after-most guns opening as they began to bear on the target. The mizzen forestay parted with a ‘twang’ as a French twelve-pound shot clipped it, while a fore staysail collapsed on the Frenchman.

  No effort was being made on Vigilant to fire in disciplined broadsides. The gunners had been previously ordered to fire as soon as their individual gun bore on the target, and they were doing this. Mullins was glad to observe not a single one of his carronades had attempted to fire. They were far out of range. Just perhaps one might get a lucky hit by firing very high, but he preferred to wait until he could deliver their smashing fire en-masse to the target.

  Both ships were firing furiously as they passed. Mullins was appalled when a French ball penetrated the quarterdeck rail and splinters cut down one of the hands stationed at one of the carronades there, as well as badly injuring a helmsman.

  The sailing master peremptorily ordered a replacement to the helm and, with a glance at Captain Mullins, received the nod to come to port with the intention to approach the enemy. The enemy was caught by surprise by this maneuver and her fire died until she was able to come about to answer. Vigilant, as she turned toward the enemy was able to continue her fire and managed to inflict additional damage to the enemy frigate.

  Both ships continued their fire well into the evening, gradually closing the distance between them. Damage and casualties on both ships continued to mount as the fire became more accurate at the shorter ranges.

  Vigilant had a main topmast shot away, and the bosun was now driving his men to get a replacement spar sent aloft in the face of the enemy fire. The guns of the British frigate had badly wounded the foremast of the enemy. The enemy was forced to take in sail on that mast to prevent it from going over the side.

  Now within range, the carronades opened on the enemy. The Frenchman had no comparable guns with which to answer, and the carnage inflicted upon the enemy ship and crew was terrible. When the enemy’s foremast finally fell, Vigilant was able to come across the enemy’s after quarter and fire her merciless charges into the nearly unprotected after portion of the enemy.

  When the British guns switched to grape, the hail of death upon the enemy ship became overwhelming and her crew began to desert their positions and seek safety below. It was night now and there was no overt sign of surrender visible, but the firing gradually slowed and Lieutenant Baker called to the nearby enemy to determine if they wished to cease.

  Over the sounds of screaming crewmen on both ships, an uncertain voice on the enemy shouted, “Je crois que oui!”

  Mullins impatiently asked the Marine officer. “Well, what did he say?

  Baker replied, “I asked him if they wished to cease fire, and someone replied, ‘I think so!”

  Mullins answered, “That is good enough for me. Pass the word, all guns to cease fire.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Both ships lay rocking in the swells in the night’s darkness. From the frigates, Conquérant and Vigilant, came a chorus of shouts and moans from the many wounded. Most of Vigilants’ officers and crew were at this moment in the prize, attempting to keep her afloat until the sun rose and they could see what they were about.

  Of course Vigilant had her own hurts. It had been difficult, parceling out healthy hands between the two ships, Mullins compromised by sending the more-or-less intact men to Conquérant while keeping the lightly wounded on Vigilant where he could watch over them himself.

  As the slight glow in the east indicated, it would be soon time for a new day. He was beginning to realize how dreadfully exhausted he was. No relief could be expected, until the most important tasks had been taken care of, at the very least.

&n
bsp; Mullins became aware of a movement over by the lee quarterdeck rail. There were no lights burning on either ship. They were in enemy-controlled seas and even the smallest warship spotting them in the present circumstances would have them at their mercy. Despite the need for men on both ships, Lieutenant Baker had insisted on leaving a Marine to watch over his captain. Actually, Private Persons had been lightly wounded and now wore a bandage wrapped about his face.

  Curious about the small form now becoming evident over by the rail, Mullins was about to send Private Persons to investigate, when he realized he already recognized the figure. It must be Mister Broadhurst, one of his younger midshipman. He was almost sure he heard a choked-off sob.

  Strolling over to the figure, Mullins idly asked the lad if he was injured. The mid stood up with a start and apologized for being in such a state. “I am perfectly fit sir. It is only that Mister Carter is dead. He had his head shot right off, sir!”

  Mullins was puzzled for a moment. He could not recall a petty officer or warrant aboard ship named Carter. Then the boy amplified his statement.

  “Mister Carter was my sea-daddy. He was fore-top yardman and looked out for me. Before the action, he told me to go below with Mister Cooper and the other boys. When I learned he had fallen, I came up to see what I could do. Gunner’s mate nabbed me and set me to bringing powder charges up from the magazine to number four gun. But then that gun was hit and the crew was all dead. The action was about over and I did not know what to do then.”

  “Mister Broadhurst, it sounds to me that you have done very well. I know well how important a sea-daddy is to a young mid. I well remember my own from many years ago. He taught me my knots and told me when the older mids were making game of me. He talked to me when I felt alone and went to the first officer for me when he thought I was being unjustly punished.”