Thunder On the Sea: A Tim Phillips novel (War at Sea Book 11) (7 page)

Reporting back aboard HMS Prince Rupert, Lieutenant Haynes brought Sergeant Henderson with him when he met with his captain. Both looked much like drowned rats, but still possessed the aura of trained fighting men. Sergeant Henderson stood silent while Haynes praised him and his men for the exemplary work they had done.

As a reward, Captain Phillips poured brandy from a decanter and passes a glass to the sergeant. Surprisingly, the man refused the offering. “Don’t need it, sir. Maybe later.” he said.

Both Captain Phillips and Major Bentley judged the Marines had had enough war for a bit, so all were loaded aboard their transport and all set out for Malta. Wishing to avoid un-necessary wear on his rigging, Captain Phillips set a slow pace and they were overtaken a few days later by a fast packet out of Gibraltar. The packet refused to stop, but an officer shouted over something through a speaking trumpet. Phillips himself could not understand a word, but Midshipman Benson, standing by the helm, was sure he said, “Fighting is over. Boney surrendered.”

That statement was substantially true, as was found when they entered harbor at Valetta. Major Bentley’s Marines were sent ashore until it was determined what was to be done with them. HMS Prince Rupert was determined to be inconsequential now in the new scheme of things and it was decided she could be best used to deliver news and dispatches to London.

Accordingly, as soon as she was provisioned, she set sail for home.

After a short stop at Gibraltar to load what governmental mail had accumulated since the departure of the last mail packet, the post ship went on to Portsmouth, where the mailbags were landed and the ship ordered to be paid off. Apparently, the Spanish America venture had been cancelled.

Captain Phillips was occupied with these details for the next two weeks. In view of the amount of work involved in putting the ship into ordinary, Lieutenant Fitzhugh remained to assist, although most of the crew, other than the standing officers, was now scattered to the winds. He was anxious to return to his home to meet up with his son, but events continually made it impossible for him to leave.

Finally, orders by telegraph arrived, summoning him to London where he was to meet with the First Lord of the Admiralty. Viscount Melville was most insistent that he meet Phillips personally.

Handing over the final dispositions to Mister Fitzhugh, who was still present, Phillips collected his travel warrant and boarded the coach for London. The journey was as tiring as it always was and since the vehicle did not arrive until early afternoon of the next day, he judged it acceptable to visit the London house and rest for the evening.

He arrived at the Admiralty early the next morning. After a brief wait, he was summoned into the First Lord’s office. Another official was present but was not introduced. Phillips suddenly recalled where he had seen this gentleman before. Long ago, while still a midshipman, the King and entourage had come aboard his ship to inspect. This man had been in that entourage, and presumably was still close to the King. Could the Crown be involved in this plan?

Melville got to the point. “Captain Phillips, before this recent unpleasantness caused by M. Bonaparte, it had been intended to send you on a voyage of exploration to Spanish South America. For some years, Spain, occupied by affairs of its own, was unable to effectively govern its colonies on that continent. The local officials became accustomed to govern their own territories.”

“Our own merchants found the new situation profitable, since they could now trade more or less freely without interference from the Spanish government. Now, that government is attempting to resume full control of its colonies, and is limiting access to colonial markets by our merchants.”

“Many members of our Parliament resent our merchants being denied trading rights in Spanish America, especially after our armies drove Napoleon from their country. We also hear that some of the people who ran affairs in the Spanish colonies during the years when Spain was otherwise occupied are not very willing to now step aside and let Madrid run matters for them. We hear that revolt is endemic throughout Spanish America.”

“While HM Government cannot be seen as actively taking part in any insurrection at this moment, we do need accurate intelligence of activities in that part of the world. In addition, many of the so-called ‘privateers’ there, with the war now over, seem to have turned pirate and are now focusing their attention on commercial traffic of every nation.”

“Madrid has emphasized their displeasure with our suggestion of sending a fleet of warships to the region to suppress this piracy. Exactly how they would prevent us from doing so escapes me at the moment, but for now, we will send no such fleet.”

The, thus far silent, official in the room now spoke up. “Let us suggest however, that a wealthy former naval officer such as yourself might purchase a small, surplus warship being disposed of by the Royal Navy. Let us further suggest this vessel be manned by capable former Royal Navy personnel and fitted out as a private yacht. We may be thinking of one of those 18 gun Cruizer class gun brigs that were such a surprise to the French earlier in the war.

“If I am not mistaken, those brigs normally carry sixteen 32 pounder carronades and a pair of six pounder long guns. Surely enough metal to dissuade the most persistent pirate.”

Phillips wondered, “Has any thought been given to Spanish reaction to an armed brig manned by Navy sailors cruising in their territory?”

Lord Melville looked at his associate in the room and resumed, “Well, you see, the brig will not be a Navy warship. Her sale at auction will have been well documented, and all of her people will carry certificates indicating they have been paid off and are no longer serving in the Royal Navy. Furthermore, I am told some of the brig’s guns could be dismounted and stored below decks, out of sight, where they could be quickly retrieved in the case of urgent need.”

“Now then, Captain Phillips, this is my proposal. You will shortly receive orders relieving you of command and responsibility of your last ship. You will officially go on half pay and retire to your estate. You are a wealthy young man who has been lucky with prize money. One could expect such a man to soon become bored with the bucolic life of a country squire.”

“What could be more natural than that man to purchase a former naval vessel, fit her out as a yacht, and go sailing in tropical waters? I might add, I have a secret fund which will be used to purchase the brig, fit her out and pay the crew.”

“Would I have any status as a naval officer?” asked Phillips.

“Officially, you would be an officer on half pay, with no connection to the Royal Navy. Actually, you will be on orders as the commander of a naval expedition. All records of this will be considered most secret, with access denied to all save those at the very highest levels.”

“You would be in effect a commodore with a captain under you. You, together with the officer you select to command your ship, should meet soon at a private location where you can discuss your arrangements. I should add, this officer should be either a senior lieutenant or a commander. No proposals for promotion of this officer will be entertained. Now then, do you have a choice at this time as a commander for the ship?”

Captain Phillips thought for a moment. “The only officer that comes to mind is Lieutenant Fitzhugh who was my first officer on my last ship.”

Lord Melville asked if he had the utmost trust in this officer, and was assured that was indeed the case.

“Well then, Captain Phillips, you had better meet with Fitzhugh as soon as possible and work over the arrangements. Do you know where he might be located at this moment?”

“Yes sir, I left him at the dockyard in Portsmouth. Together with the ship’s standing officers, he is overseeing placing HMS Prince Rupert in ordinary. I might add this officer is on half pay at the moment. He is performing this duty solely as a favor to me.”

“Well then Captain Phillips, I will have orders sent to Mister Fitzhugh directing him to report to the Admiralty forth-with. Once he appears in the waiting room here, I will see that he is sent on to you. I presume you are staying at your family home here in London?”

Captain Phillips did not see his former first lieutenant for another week. Fitzhugh appeared at his doorstep one evening with his uniform in disarray from the rigors of the journey up from Portsmouth.

He was immediately welcomed into the house and the maid was summoned to draw him a bath. An hour later, Fitzhugh clad in one of Phillips robes, was sitting in the gun room with a snifter of brandy in his fist.

Phillips went over the plan as he saw it. “Mr. Fitzhugh, your first task will be to find us a ship. Lord Melville suggested one of those Cruizer class gun brigs that we used earlier in the war.”

“Since I will be posing as a wealthy wastrel, the brig will be fitted out like a yacht. She will carry her full complement of guns and carronades, but some of these may be stowed below. We will have ample funds to make this brig into a vessel of beauty. Only the best materials will be used on it. Should any Spanish authority take interest in us, he must be convinced that we are harmless and incapable of causing any difficulty.”

Fitzhugh asked, "Sir, just what will my status be aboard ship?”

"You will be the captain, I will be the expedition commander, your commodore if you like. You will carry a commission as such, and such commission will be noted on Navy records, but this will be known only at the highest levels until after our return."

"What about the crew, will they be entered on the ship’s books as Royal Navy seaman?

Phillips considered, "There, we get into murky waters, Lieutenant. It is necessary for this expedition to sail without the slightest hint of its true purpose coming to light. I think our best plan would be to select the best people we can find, but sign them on as civilian seamen. Since we will be seen as embarking on a yachting expedition, this should be logical enough. Of course, we must pay the increased wages expected by such seamen, but our manning levels will be the same as any Royal Navy brig of the same size. Later in the voyage, should it be necessary to run up our commission pennant and engage any enemy, it will be a simple matter to press the seamen into the Navy.”

“Our first priority now must be to find a ship. For the time being, we are looking for a seaworthy brig which can be made ready soon. I will give you a purse of my own funds for expense money. You may reach me by post at my place in Essex. Please let me know what you find. I recall some vessels laid up in ordinary along the Thames.  It may be good to look at their offerings before going farther afield.”

Knowing it would be months before there was a possibility of sailing, Phillips decided to take some time and visit the new home he purchased earlier in the last war. He was anxious to see how his new son was progressing.

There was a flurry of activity at the door when his hired chaise pulled up in the drive. He had sent notice ahead by post of his anticipated arrival and he was glad to see it had arrived.

Mary Ferguson was waiting at the door with the housekeeper and butler. Each woman had a baby in her arms and Phillips was caught aback when he could not immediately determine which infant was his own son.

Sensing his confusion, Ferguson held up the infant in her own arms and assured him this was his child. Entering, he noticed all the subtle changes that had been made, that made him realize this was no longer just a house that he owned, but a home for several other people including his son.

After he handed his son back to Mary, the housekeeper informed him that a simple meal could be placed on table very soon if he was hungry. Realizing he was indeed famished, he agreed to the suggestion.

As he looked around at the interior of his home, he realized someone had gone to a lot of trouble to bring it to such a state. He rather suspected Mary was the culprit here, since Mrs. Higgins, the housekeeper, had never before taken such detailed care of the premises.

In any case, he wished to talk to Mary about the state of the property. She had earlier began taking over the operation of the estate, doing a better job than he himself had been able to do.

Diffidently, he asked Mary if she would care to sit at table with him. Later, he had no idea of what they had eaten. He only knew Mary was a most interesting dining companion. She had developed an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the operation of the estate. As the level dropped in his second glass of brandy, he was tempted to ask the woman to accompany him on the South American cruise. It seemed to him at the time perfectly feasible that this could be done under the planned guise of a yachting expedition. Since he would be the putative owner of the vessel and its over-all commander, who would be the one to forbid the plan?

However, caution saved him from indiscretion at the last minute and they talked mostly of generalities. Mary Ferguson had spent some time visiting the nearby Norris estate, where its mistress, Charlotte Norris, had taken the new woman in hand and showed her much of what was necessary to know of running an estate. Loaning Ferguson a well-behaved mare, she instructed the woman on riding. While Mary had no ambitions to ride to the hounds, she was perfectly able to accompany Phillips on his rounds of his own estate and discuss intelligently the problems uncovered.

Time was passing rapidly for Phillips in this delightful atmosphere, and he was dismayed when the post arrived with a letter from Mister Fitzhugh advising him a ship had been found.

A gunbrig of the Cruizer class, she had been laid up in ordinary in a tributary of the Thames not far from Captain Phillips’ estate. Nearby was a small shipyard that could undertake to put the brig back in order. Fitzhugh said he was staying at the Sign of the Blue Boar in an adjacent village, where a letter could reach him.

The brig’s carpenter, boatswain and cook remained aboard, along with the gunner and upon Captain Phillips approval and release of funds, Fitzhugh could have the work begun to put HMS Mastiff back into service.

Phillips called for pen, ink and paper and immediately drafted a note to Fitzhugh informing him he would be with him shortly to inspect the ship. He reminded Fitzhugh the brig should not be referred to as HMS Mastiff, since for all intents and purposes, she would shortly be the privately owned yacht, Mastiff. Handing the sealed note to the potboy, he told him to try to get the letter in the post before the mail coach arrived.

In the meantime, he informed the women he must make a short trip to the river, and asked a sea chest packed for a short stay.

The weather was becoming colder at this time of year, so Phillips elected to take the closed coach for the journey. Lassiter, the hostler who would be driving, assured Phillips he knew where the Blue Boar was located, so off they went the next morning. The roads were in poor condition, so it took up much of the day to travel what was really a short distance.

The Blue Boar, a former coaching inn, had seen its better days and Phillips resolved to spend as little time there as he could manage. There was still some daylight left when the coach pulled up at the old inn. Mr. Fitzhugh was there to meet him and they went on foot to the water's edge. They were overlooking a marshy area of the tributary winding into the Thames.

There were six former Royal Navy brigs mired in the mud. Their masts, rigging and weapons had all been removed. Almost anything portable that was of value was gone. Their decks had been roofed over, and from several of the vessels smoke rose from their galley stoves.

A network of planking ran from shore out to the craft. Leading his captain out onto the shaky walkway, Mr. Fitzhugh led him to the first brig.

There was little to distinguish this vessel from any of the others. Fitzhugh said this one, the Mastiff, had four of its original standing officers aboard, the carpenter, the gunner, the bosun and the cook. The men lived on board and maintained the vessel as best they could with the funds they were provided.

The standing officers on board the Mastiff had been warned they might be visited by the new owner. Mr. Granger, the bosun, produced his whistle and welcomed Captain Phillips aboard in the traditional manner.

Phillips gave a little impromptu speech to the only members of Mastiff's crew. "Gentlemen, while it is in my mind to take the brig to sea again, it will not be as one of his Majesty's warships.”

“My purpose is to purchase this vessel as a private citizen and have her converted to a yacht. I intend to take this yacht on a voyage to South America and waters where I intend to do some exploration and enjoy the tropical waters. You gentlemen, are welcome to remain aboard and serve in your accustomed positions.”

“I must first go over the ship, from stem to stern before I make the final decision to purchase the vessel. If and when I am satisfied with the ship, I will submit my bid, and if accepted begin to refurbish the ship to fit my expectations.”

After going through the ship, Phillips was not displeased. The Mastiff was relatively new, having made only a few cruises before being placed in ordinary. This class of brigs, with their 32 pounder carronades, were fearsome adversaries to presumably superior French warships when first put into use.

At close range, one of these vessels could do serious harm to a French frigate.

Once the French adversaries had learned to remain at a distance beyond the reach of the British carronades however, they could pound the brig with their long guns, while the brig's guns could not respond effectively. The carronade was strictly a short range weapon. A ship armed with a few long guns might be able to remain at arm’s length and punish its opponent until that ship was compelled to strike.

As the war progressed, and their disadvantages came to light, these gun brigs begin to fall into disfavor. Captain Phillips however, believed this vessel would be well-suited for its intended purpose. In her guise as a private yacht, many of the guns could be struck below and the ports caulked shut.

Should the brig encounter pirates however, the guns could be quickly swayed up out of the hold and mounted on their slides. It would take a brave but foolhardy pirate to stand up against a broadside of 32 pounder guns.