Stars and Stripes 1 Stars & Stripes Forever by Harry Harrison

Author:Harry Harrison
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-01-16T00:00:00+00:00

The USS Rhode Island did not try to outrun the British warships, probably could not. Instead she tied up at the wharf of Deer Island, guns rolled out and waiting, under the protection of the 30-pounders of the battery. The British ships nosed close, but beat a speedy retreat when the batteries fired a salvo that sent spouts of water close around them. When the British ships had rejoined the fleet, and showed no evidence of returning, Rhode Island slipped her lines and steamed east.

Before she had been forcefully impressed into the navy and sent to join the blockading fleet, the Rhode Island had been a coastal ferry. Her engines were old but reliable. With a good head of steam—and the safety valve tied down—she could do a steady seven knots. She was doing this now, her big side-wheels churning steadily, driving her east along the coast at her best possible speed.

"You saw them clear as I did, Larry, didn't you?" Captain Bailey asked—and not for the first time.

"Sure did, Captain, no missing a fleet that size," the first mate said.

"And the way that sloop sailed up toward us, bold as brass," the captain said. "That old Union Jack flapping away top of her mast. We're at war and there she was running right up to the guns of the battery. Commander should have held his fire a mite longer."

"I think he hit her a couple of times."

"May be. At least she skedaddled and led us right up to the others."

"Never saw an ironside like that English one before." The captain looked out at the coast of Mississippi slowly moving by. "What do you think? About another four hours to Mobile Bay?"

"About."

"I'll bet the admiral will be mighty interested in what we got to report."

"Every ship in the blockade there will be more than interested. Isn't the Monitor supposed to be joining them about now?"

"Should be. I read the orders. Supposed to join the others in the blockade just as soon as the new Monitor-class iron ship, the Avenger, got to Hampton Roads to take her place."

"I'll bet the boys on the Monitor will be more keen than anyone else. They must have been mighty tired of just being the cork in the bottle, looking out for the Merrimack to appear again. I hear she has a new commander?"

"Lieutenant William Jeffers, a good man. Poor Worden, wounded in the eyes. Shell hit the lookout slit, blew scrap into his eyes. Blind in one and the other not too good. Jeffers will be interested in our report."

"Everyone will be mighty interested as soon as word of all this gets to Washington."

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