An Awkward Commission by David Donachie

Author:David Donachie [David Donachie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780749013318
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2012-02-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

HMS Leander had joined the fleet by the time Midshipman Farmiloe came aboard the flagship, his news occasioning an immediate conference of the senior officers, both Spanish and British, with the youngster, invited to stay for questioning, surprised at the sheer quantity of admirals. Hood’s first captain, in essence the executive officer of the fleet, was Rear Admiral Sir Hyde Parker. Vice Admiral Hotham had in the same capacity another Rear Admiral of the Blue Squadron called Cosby, with the actual Rear Admiral of the Fleet, Samuel Cranston Goodall, accommodating on his ship Rear Admiral Gell, and that was without the Spaniards who, in terms of flag officers, out-numbered their allies two to one. To Farmiloe’s unformed mind, as he listened to the introductions, it all seemed a tad unwieldy. There was a civilian taking notes, but it was a telling indication of where he stood in the hierarchy that the actual captain of HMS Victory was not invited to attend; his job was to sail the ship.

‘So gentlemen, according to Captain Gould’s despatch our enemy has immediately available to him some seventeen ships- of-the-line, with some thirteen in various states of refitting or repair.’ Samuel Hood waited until that was translated for his Spanish counterparts, his heavy eyebrows lowered over a nose that dominated his ruddy, cratered complexion. ‘Thus it seems obvious that delay is not in our interest. The French fleet will only grow stronger. My view is that we should let them sail in order that we take on and destroy them.’

Admiral Hotham spoke then, toying with an apple in his hand. ‘I do not think we should be precipitate. It would not do to charge on with such flimsy evidence.’

Hood’s eyebrows closed even more, and a crooked finger summoned Farmiloe forward. ‘You made several casts across the bay, boy, is that correct, and reported accurately to Captain Gould, so this list of ships is comprehensive.’

Farmiloe replied more like a croaking frog than a human being, so nervous was he, with Hood admonishing him to, ‘Take your time, young feller.’ He acknowledged what he and Glaister had done, sailing close in a fishing boat which had seemed risky at the time, but now, related to these elevated personages, seemed tame. He added the names of ships they had been able to make out, but faltered when asked by the Spanish translator how they looked.

It was Hyde Parker, a substantial, rosy-cheeked man who looked very comfortable in his slightly corpulent state, who clarified matters. ‘I think our friend is asking if they looked capable of giving battle.’

‘That I could not give you an opinion on that, sir. I lack the experience.’

‘Properly said, lad,’ Hood interjected, his look aimed at his second-in-command. ‘Properly said. We would not want anyone giving views which were based on faulty assumptions.’

A little blood suffused Hotham’s cheeks, and he put the apple to his mouth to cover for what had clearly been a rebuke, but he declined to take a bite, putting it, untouched, back on the table.

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