A Fleet to Command (The Wormwood Saga Book 3) by David Donachie

Author:David Donachie [Donachie, David]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Two Fingers Books
Published: 2020-03-08T00:00:00+00:00

I cannot tell you how conscious I am of the good fortune providence has shown me, by placing me in such close association to Admiral Dangerfield. It is rare one feels oneself to be in the presence of such a great man. We lay off Toulon and, despite the clamour of lesser mortals, the admiral refuses to be tempted from his duty.

He is here to blockade the enemy and that, to the letter, is what he has done. The French are of course unready for sea, but given the responsibility inherent upon his command, Admiral Dangerfield wisely declines to undertake any offensive operations which will risk the superiority he now enjoys.

I was again the recipient of good fortune to have been at the great man’s side when we spotted four enemy warships, two line of battleships and two frigates. It shows a want of vigour on their part to run away from an engagement with our squadron of eight battleships and four frigates, but turn they did, taking maximum advantage of the wind, even though it took them away from their own home port.

We spent a goodly part of the day chasing them, but we were, of course, confined to the speed of our slowest vessel, so our gain was insufficient to allow us to come up with them and engage before the onset of darkness. A less prudent commander might have been tempted to split his ships, giving our speedier craft a better chance, but our C-in-C showed great acumen in turning a deaf ear to such entreaties, determined, should an engagement take place, odds of four to one provided a proper margin for safety.

Time forced him to re-think and it is one of his better attributes Admiral Dangerfield has no fear of contradicting himself. Seeing the light fading and opportunity slipping with it he split the fleet and sent the fastest vessels in pursuit, accepting the threat he might be sending them into a trap. But darkness nullified the tactic and dawn brought us a sea devoid of an enemy.

Were his inferiors happy? It is one of the drawbacks of command that you are constantly on the receiving end of sniping comments from lesser minds, each of whom is convinced he knows best and Admiral Dangerfield, poor man, is no exception. But he bears these comments with great fortitude. I beg, should you hear gossip alluding to his want of conduct, do as I do, and dismiss it as malice.

I, for one, know my commander’s qualities. I also cannot help but observe he is a man who would suffer any fate, including death, rather than engage in piecemeal actions which would, in time, affect his ability to defeat the French when they finally emerge from Toulon.

I am you most obedient and loving Son etc. etc.

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