His Majesty's Ship by Alaric Bond

Author:Alaric Bond [Bond, Alaric]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, Naval - 18th century - Fiction, War & Military, rt, mblsm, Royal Navy
ISBN: 9781611792836
Amazon: 1611792835
Publisher: Fireship Press
Published: 2013-10-14T04:00:00+00:00

*****

Light from the large stern windows cast strong shadows over the assembled group as Shepherd's glance swept over each man in turn. The majority of his officers had served with him for the entire commission and in the main he felt he could depend on them. In turn he had proved himself to be a reliable captain, if at times somewhat unpredictable. He smiled grimly to himself; this would be one of those occasions. And as for knowing his officers, the next few hours would tell him more than he had learnt in the last two years. It was one thing to sail with a fleet in eager anticipation of action and victory, quite another to face odds that made capture and prison the most promising outcome.

“You all understand the situation, and that I have been in contact with the commodore. Some of you also know of the signal recently sent to the other escorts. For those who do not; briefly, we will be staying with five merchant ships who cannot make sufficient speed. They are Jenny Rose, Orcadese, Hampshire Lass, Hever Castle, and Duke of Kent. The rest will make for the blockading squadron off Rochefort, in company with the other two escorts. It is possible that the enemy will try to take them, as well as the slower members of the convoy, and it is up to us to see that they do not.” He cleared his throat, his mouth was unusually dry.

“It is not widely known, but the flagship is carrying British consular staff bound for the Far East; it was made very clear to me that they should not be allowed to fall into French hands, and I feel this to be the best course to take to see that it does not happen.” At that moment his mind stupidly wandered; on the cabinet to one side he could actually see an invitation delivered by boat the previous evening, inviting him and some of his officers to dinner that night, and he felt a mild sensation of relief that he would not now have to attend. With an effort he brought himself back to the matter in hand. “With luck Taymar will make contact with other British ships that can come to our aid.” There was a brief pause. “In which case it is even more important that we detain the French for as long as we can, possibly even until nightfall.”

A general murmur spread about the room. These men were professional officers, and knew the chances of help being found and arriving in time. Similarly, stretching out such a simple scenario as they were now presented with to last until dark would take some memorable manoeuvres.

“That is all. I shall delay clearing for action until after dinner, so the people will have hot food inside them. Are there any questions?”

Rogers raised his hand.

“The French, sir. Are they from Brest?”

The fact that Rogers should ask an unnecessary and unanswer-able question fulfilled all Shepherd's expectations of him. He swallowed, struggling to make something more from the answer.

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