A Busy Season (The Duty and Destiny Series, Book 8)

by Andrew Wareham

  “Highly successful, Sir Frederick! I already have word that you made an excellent impression on the Berbers. They have a great hatred for the Spanish, and regard Bonaparte as a nasty upstart of no family. The corsairs of the African coast are their brothers in religion and thus are to be supported by them – they are glad to hear that a fierce sailorman in a very large ship is not to be sent to hunt them down. Your presence is thus most welcome and they will take some pains to further the trade with the Fleet, quite possibly going so far as to seek protection for the convoys for a year or two. They will be very pleased to hear that you have made another successful onslaught upon the Spanish.”

  “I much hope it will be so, Mr Deptford. All depends on my admiral, of course. What of this meeting you thought might take place tomorrow, sir?”

  “Ah, yes, Sir Frederick. I can confirm that it will occur, and in this room, sir! Four of the leading Jewish families, the last of the important merchants of their community, wish to discuss the possibility of fleeing Tetuan, of going first to Gibraltar and then to London. They have substantial amounts of bullion to hand, having been slowly and secretly liquidating their assets over the past several years, and they will hope to discover assistance in safely moving their wealth to English territory.”

  From all that Admiral Clerke had said, gold would be very welcome in England. Frederick had no hesitation in saying that he would be pleased to help.

  The four merchants met him next morning, very ordinary seeming gentlemen, in no way out of place in appearance and dress. Deptford had suggested that they had found it wise not to stand out as alien in the town where they lived and had become rich on tolerance. There had been a massive repression of their community only twelve years before, many of the families having been destroyed and the soldiers given a free hand with their womenfolk.

  “Why?”

  “Why not? They are Jews and as such are targets for the hatred of all. Much like Catholics in England, but even less protected.”

  The four men had asked whether it would be possible for a small ship to enter the inner harbour and tie up to a wharf, there to be loaded discreetly while a larger English ship of war waited in the roadstead to provide an escort across the sea to Gibraltar.

  “Of course it is possible that there might be suspicion of our intents, Sir Frederick, and thus a corsair galley waiting offshore to intercept us. Hence our desire for a powerful ship to accompany us.”

  “When?”

  “Within the month, sir? We can be ready on no notice at all. The sooner, the safer, we fear. Our tribute was sneered at this year – it was implied that we were disloyal, though we offered more than last year’s, which was acceptable.”

  “I will speak to my admiral when I see him next, probably two days from now. It may be possible to come almost immediately to your aid.”

  Frederick was not at all sure that he trusted Mr Deptford; disclosure of the Jews’ intentions might result in a substantial reward, and he had little loyalty to England by his own confession.

  “The Governor of Gibraltar has the functions of a Viceroy, I believe, Mr Deptford. I must make sure of my facts, but I understand that to include the power to issue pardon of previous offences. With such a pardon a man might choose to domicile himself in Gibraltar, or indeed return to England.”

  “More than tempting, Sir Frederick. My habits and way of life are sometimes seen as offensive by the more orthodox of my neighbours. A denunciation is never impossible. I would not survive being brought before a court.”

  Frederick had noticed, but not seen, the presence of more than one epicene youth in the household, and Deptford’s early confession of his younger days had more than hinted at unconventional habits. Despite a few of the more evangelical sort wishing to offer persecution of those who rode side-saddle, there was a general toleration of such behaviour in England. Even in the Navy where the Articles roundly condemned ‘unnatural acts’, a prosecution was rare provided the parties were discreet. The man would find life far safer in England, it seemed.

  Deptford obviously thought the same and asked Frederick to discover the possibility of a dispensation for the errors of youth.

  "Jews, Admiral Clerke, possessed of some little wealth, in the form of bullion, one is given to understand, and anxious to leave the lands of the Moors. They would no doubt be happy to place their gold in our banks and take notes in exchange; they would also be in the way of trading with the Levant, much to the profit of the nation. I am sure, sir, that they would pay freight for the carrying of their bullion, and that, as you know, sir, accrues wholly to the Admiral commanding."

  "So it does, Sir Frederick, normally at the rate of two or even three per centum. There is the possibility of a respectable sum... The frigate that carried you here needs not to sail to Malta for another seven days at least, and I am sure that I can discover a small storeship that may be diverted to Tetuan to pick up a cargo of fruit and onions for the markets of the Rock. There is a possibility of scurvy among the ordinary folk, and that must be averted, you know, Sir Frederick!"

  Frederick broached the question of a pardon for Deptford.

  "A boy, enmeshed in Jacobite plots as a lad, you say. Abused by the Papist priests as well! Poor young fellow! Let us take advice from Captain Murray - he has returned to his office, despite the protests of his doctor!"

  "I understand that I am to 'ship a hook', Sir Frederick!"

  "That is normal practice, Captain Murray. Not until the wound is healed and the stump has gained a thickness of new skin, sir. I am told that it is generally the case that one must repeatedly dip the limb in brine to strengthen the padding at the base and prevent chafing when the hook is strapped into place. You will remember Mr Cheek of Trident, who was most dextrous in his use of the appliance - he informed me that it was months before he was comfortable with the device."

  "You counsel patience, it would seem, Sir Frederick."

  "I fear so, Captain Murray, tedious though that may be."

  "If I must bear with the inconvenience, then so be it, sir - but it is a damned nuisance. Writing, for example, without a hand to hold the paper steady, is a penance!"

  "It need not be, Captain Murray. You should talk with Milliken, the Carpenter of Euripides, sir. I will be amazed if he cannot come up with a board with clips port and starboard to hold a sheet of quarto in its place. May I send Chips to wait on you, sir?"

  Murray was very happy to accept the favour, was a little annoyed with himself that he had not thought of so obvious an expedient.

  "Now then, Sir Frederick, the man Deptford. A Jacobite in his early youth - through no fault of his own, and the fear of such is now long past. The Stuart line is effectively dead and their claim is of no significance. He could be pardoned for that with little problem. He is, however, in converse with any number of overseas offices. He is in receipt of a regular payment from at least one of the French people on the Barbary Coast, and is also on a retainer from the Spanish while taking money at intervals from the Two Sicilies. I believe, but my sources are very limited in the area, that he is pensioned by the Sublime Porte as well, to give information on the doings of the Empire. Was he to be brought into Gibraltar I have no doubt he would very soon be in the way of giving information on all that is toward here."

  "Oh! I am to rebuff him then, Captain Murray."

  "Good God, no, sir! I shall write his reports in person and we shall poison every well in Southern Europe for a year or two, until it becomes obvious that he has been doubled. He will cast the renowned agent, d'Antraigues, quite into the shadows! I shall beg his pardon of the Governor this very day, Sir Frederick, and shall have it conveyed to him on your ship that is to collect the Jews and their gold."

  Frederick had made no mention of the Jews to Captain Murray; he realised after a few moments that Murray was twitting him, intentionally displaying his omniscience.

  "There are no secrets on the Rock, it would seem, Captain Murray!"

  "None at all, Sir Frederick.
I understand that Mrs Clerke has persuaded the admiral to her bed and that he believes he has performed his marital duties. A simple precaution, I doubt not, sir!"

  Just in case she should discover herself in the family way, Frederick realised. Nothing was hidden on the Rock!

  "If I might offer the advice, Sir Frederick, you should not yourself return to Tetuan. Your presence could not but be observed, and it would occasion remark."

  "Noted, sir; I shall remain on the Rock. I have much to do aboard ship as the admiral has chased Captain Epworth and Euripides is remasted already. We shall, with a little of luck, sail within the month."

  The frigate sailed and returned within three days, a little ketch in her lee discharging thirty tons of fruit and vegetables, to the delight, no doubt, of many, and also sending ashore a number of passengers, all of whom transpired to be Jews fled from the Moorish lands. The ketch delivered a number of sealed chests, said to be the baggage of the passengers and some little of trade goods; a few onlookers noticed that a guard of Marines was present as the boxes were carried ashore.

  "Gold, silver and plate to the value of more than two hundred thousand guineas, Sir Frederick. An amount of other valuables, including opium and hashish which will sell in London at a high price, and some small quantity of pearls traded from the Red Sea and quantities of turquoise and lapis lazuli said to come from the Hindu Kush by way of Persia. Not less than a quarter of a million, sir!"

  Assuming three per cent as a charge for freight then the admiral was better off by seven and a half thousand guineas - for there were no prize court fees to pay, and no shares to juniors. Small wonder he seemed happy.

  "They are to be conveyed to London on the next Indiaman, Sir Frederick, under escort, as you will appreciate. I have no doubt that the government will appreciate your initiative, sir! Euripides is almost fit to sail, as you know, and has but to ship her guns and all will be ready."

  Frederick knew nothing of guns, realised that he was to be surprised, amazed indeed, by the admiral's gratitude.

  "What is this, sir? I know that the Artillery Park was to inspect the chasers and carronades to assure themselves they were not damaged."

  "The twelve pound chasers, Sir Frederick, were ancient - brass guns and not such as we would wish to see on our ships today. They are replaced by a pair of long eighteen-pounders, iron guns and the most modern, bored from the block on the lathe. 'Low-sulphur iron', I am told, not that I know any more for having that information; but very straight bore, that I understand! The carronades were damaged, it transpires, and the Master Intendant has condemned them, fearing the barrels themselves to be cracked. They are replaced by all that we have, which are no more than thirty-twos - but we have found eight of them, sir! All to be placed on the quarterdeck, there being space to work them there. The lower-deck guns have also been replaced, Sir Frederick. Still twenty-fours, but all of them new from the foundry, 'thirty-proved' guns and wholly to be trusted. A broadside of the most powerful, best-ranged guns in the fleet, Sir Frederick, in many ways, at least."

  "I am most grateful, sir. Euripides will carry a far greater punch as a result. Mr Iliffe is to be Fourth, of course, sir, but a master's mate and some young gentlemen would be of value to the ship."

  Admiral Clerke shook his head - gentlemen of any sort were in very short supply on the Rock. For another master's mate, well Frederick must look to his own ranks. He had discovered young Monk; perhaps there was another gentleman to hand.

  "It does occur to me, Sir Frederick, that you might wish to look in the merchant service for a master's mate, possibly a mid as well. There are a few of our ships laid up due to a downturn in trade along the coast to Portugal and south to the Azores. The Spanish have taken several of our merchantmen and we must convoy the remainder."

  The admiral had already made it clear that these folk would not be gentlemen as such, certainly not by birth, but they might well be more than competent sea-faring men.

  "Could the word be passed, sir, that I am in need of warrant officers, and could use petty officers as well? The prizes that have come in already should serve as an advertisement for the ship."

  Euripides was officially discharged from the hands of the dockyard and shifted to a mooring in the harbour, Frederick returning to his cabin, reflecting that shore life was all very well but it did lead him into bad habits. He was safer on the bosom of the ocean.

  A less attractive bosom perhaps... but he must behave himself a little better in future - such lapses were not at all the thing. Sir Iain, of course, was renowned for them, and Lord Nelson was hardly a paragon of virtue; even so...

  He must call the new master to him, a formal first meeting sat over a cup of coffee to add a civilised edge to the welcome. They were in harbour - a glass of wine, perhaps? No! Second thoughts suggested that might be too much of a good thing, taking welcome to the verge of casual indiscipline.

  "Olsen, would you bring the master to me, please? A pot of coffee then."

  The boy scurried, face showing his delight at performing a service for his captain.

  He was back with the master in a matter of seconds, which was to be expected - the man would have been waiting the summons.

  "Mr Calver, please to take a seat, sir. I am glad to meet you, sir, trust we shall sail together to success. You are here from a frigate, I believe?"

  "Yes, sir. I broke three fingers, sir, thrown off my balance by a rogue wave, sir, off the coast of Sardinia, and could not take my noon sights, of all foolish things! I was set on shore from the old Lark, 28, while I healed, sir. A most fortunate turn-out for me, sir!"

  Frederick smiled and nodded and made a note to watch Calver for drinking - it might have been a rogue wave, but it could have been an ill-behaved bottle that had destroyed his equilibrium.

  "You have two master's mates, Mr Calver. Truckle, the older man, is able to do his job by rote, no more; Monk, who is just made, is probably capable of a great deal, and should be brought on in the service if it is possible. We have but one midshipman, young Masson, since Mr Iliffe was given his commission. You will wish to look after Mr Iliffe, of course - he is young, but he is a brave lad and has his navigation, and the men like him. He will become a good officer, given a month or two to settle. I would wish to bring more young men to the quarterdeck, of course."

  "A Third Rate can always use three or four master's mates, sir. Six midshipmen is not too many and often there are Captain's Servants besides, not always young men, sir."

  "You have served on Third Rates in the past, Mr Calver?"

  "I was midshipman on Royal Sovereign, sir, First Rate, before becoming master's mate on Lark and then rising to her master, sir."

  Never a chance at a commission, it seemed - a familiar enough story. It was too late now; masters did not, in Frederick's experience, ever take a commission.

  "I shall look to the local merchant ships for a likely man or two, Mr Calver. I am told that a number have been beached through no fault of their own, the war interfering with trade."

  "There will be a number who might wish to enter the King's service, sir, so long as 'twas not on the lower deck as such."

  "Petty officers?"

  "Could be, sir - not so many of them."

  There was little in the way of employment on the Rock, other than smuggling, which was in eclipse at the time, due to the war. Seamen who were cast ashore were likely to stay there, with very little in the way of an income. The word that Euripides was seeking skilled men as warrant and petty officers rapidly brought recruits to the dockside. There was a difficulty at that point as almost none were willing to take a boat a cable across the harbour and onto her decks, for fear of being pressed out of hand.

  Word came to Frederick that there was a good dozen of men stood on the quay and wondering whether they might not discuss the possibility of volunteering for service.

  The dignity of a captain did not permit him to take his barge across and talk to them, and the First Lieutenant was reluctant to
lower himself, and was not sure that he was best suited to the task. Blenkinsop, as Second, was sufficiently senior to embody authority and junior enough that he had no august persona to protect. He was sent off with instructions to select, if at all possible, a pair of master's mates, up to four or five of Captain's Servants or midshipmen and an experienced man who could become Captain of the Mizzenmast. He was not best pleased with the task, and had very little idea how to go about it.

  Luckily, it came on to rain and he ventured into the shelter of a dockside bar where, naturally, he bought for all who wished to speak with him. Discussion proceeded far more easily with a drink in hand.

  Three of the volunteers had been mates on trading vessels and had the basics, at least of navigation. They had tended to rely on an intimate knowledge of local waters more than any formal use of sextant and tables, but they could perform the calculations given a few minutes and a large slate. They would rapidly improve with time and a little of practical tuition. Two were happy to take warrants as master's mates while the third and youngest rather fancied trying directly for a commission; he also had a few pounds in his pocket, the source of which he did not disclose, and could equip himself with the uniform of a midshipman.

  One man in his late twenties had been, he said, boatswain on a ship sailing the African coast down to the south, 'trading for this and that'. He looked like a seaman, and slavers notoriously provided a breeding ground for the best of privateersmen; it was less common for them to appear in the navy but not wholly unheard of.

  Blenkinsop brought the four to the ship for the approval of the First and the master.

  "Barber, Fitzpatrick, Watson and Ryder, sir. I believe them to be capable men. Mr Watson wishes to become a midshipman, sir, and Ryder will take the mizzen mast with an eye to becoming a boatswain's mate when the opportunity may come his way."