Phillips was satisfied with the initial practice but knew very well it should be continued, although without the authority to expend more ammunition, he was at a stand as how he should do this.
Coming on to dusk, lookouts sighted the sail on the port beam. Only the most cursory sight was able to be made before the light failed, but Phillips was sure the convoy had been spotted. With the few moments of light available, there was uncertainty of the identity of the sighting. He would like to alter course to foil any attempt for an enemy to rendezvous with them the next morning, but knew well any signals would be misinterpreted by a few ship captains, leaving the stragglers in danger next day.
The convoy sailed on. While clearing for action before dawn the next morning, the sail came in sight once again when the lookouts went aloft at first light. It was closer this time and was accompanied by two more vessels. The original sighting was a brig of perhaps three hundred tons, pierced for fourteen guns. The trailing craft were fore-and-aft rigged former fishing boats, probably armed with a few guns and large crews of men. This far out at sea, these craft would doubtless soon be reaching the limits of their provisions. Of course, if they could snap up one of the convoy’s merchants, their stores could be replenished from their captive’s own larder.
Active had regained her position in the van of the convoy, with Hornet on the windward flank and Asp trailing. Some of the merchants were sluggards, unwilling or unable to set more sail, and the strangers soon sorted themselves out and began to make runs on the convoy. One of the fishing-type schooners came right into the convoy at mid-point and Hornet fearlessly tried to engage. The cutter had only a few four-pounder pop-guns and Phillips did not wish to see her become embroiled in an action that could go either way, so he put the frigate about to go to Hornet’s aid. Asp was first to the scene though and with Hornet safe, Phillips decided to see if the big enemy brig was serious in her attempt on the leading portion of the convoy.
Matters were confused now, with the enemy making repeated runs and the escorts fending them off the best they could. Once, one of the schooners was able to come up alongside a merchant for just a few seconds, and a dozen men scrambled aboard, losing two boarders falling between the ships. By chance, Active was closest, so she went after the little fishing craft. Seeing the danger, the privateer captain tried just too late, to boom off from his prey, but two twelve-pound balls from Active’s port broadside ended his hopes for riches. The heavy shot beat in his side and left the ship in a sinking condition.
Hurriedly loading and deploying the trailing launch with an armed boarding party to secure the merchant, Phillips went back into the fray. The second small fishing boat, realizing it could not play in this game, went about and made off to the west, leaving the larger brig and sinking schooner to fend for themselves. The launches crew had secured the boarders on the merchantman, and dropped another boat from the merchant into the water to take on any of the privateer’s crew that did not wish to drown.
With the convoy safe for the time being, Phillips made for the enemy brig, which was sailing northeast. She had all her sail set and was really flying, but Active, without the convoy to slow her down, was just the slightest bit faster. It was still early in the day and the sailing master confirmed the wind, in his opinion, would remain steady for some hours. Wishing to engage in some target practice at Crown expense, Active sailed up on the chases port quarter, and began firing his forward starboard guns. The forward six-pounder and the twelve-pounder aft of it had most of the shots, although when Active began to overtake her quarry, he would sometimes veer a bit so more guns could fire. As gun crews tired, they exchanged with gun crews from farther aft until most crews were able to get some useful practice. The six-pounder seemed to be the most accurate and got most of the hits, but sufficient numbers of the larger twelve-pound balls struck to give their share of destruction.
At length, tiring of the punishment, the chase’s captain pulled down his flag and surrendered. Phillips sent his first officer over and enough men to get the enemy crew under control. Now, it was time to return to the convoy, which had been out of sight for some hours. With belated fears to the remainder of his career if another enemy found the convoy while he was out chasing glory, he was able to breathe more easily when the convoy appeared climbing over the horizon. The commander of Asp, too, was glad to see him since he had a large contingent of enemy crewmen on board and he was fearful of their trying to take the ship that night.
Phillips had a new problem on his hands. Mister Handley had supervised some of the guns for much of the day and there was little to complain about regarding his actions. After Mister Reynolds went over to the prize, Handley automatically became first officer.
Looking about vainly for the man, Phillips had him summoned. Eventually Mister Wilcox reported that Handley was in his cabin and refusing to emerge.
This was most strange. Calling for Mister Wentworth, the ship’s surgeon, Phillips went below to the wardroom and opened the flimsy door that sealed it from the main space. Handley was laying on his bunk, shivering and crying. Standing their speechless, Wentworth nudged him aside and asked if he could see the patient alone.
Phillips went back to the quarterdeck and called over Wilcox who had been on duty all day.
“Mister Wilcox, Mister Handley seems to be disabled somewhat. I will ask you to take over the duties of first officer for a short time until we can see what we have. In the meantime, perhaps Mister Fitzwilliam, the sailing master can spell you. Later, if we must, we will look over our midshipmen to determine if we could trust the deck to one of them.
Finished with this conversation, the ship’s surgeon was announced. “Sir, in my opinion, Mister Handley is no longer competent to resume his shipboard duties. His need for spirits has taken away his faculties and he has become a fearful wreck, afraid of everyone and everything on the ship. I could moderate his difficulties with a little rum every watch but I doubt if he will be competent for the remainder of this voyage.”
Fitzwilliam was called and the situation explained. He had no objection as taking over as second officer while he thought a young master’s mate he had his eye on would likely serve as third.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Mister Connors, a passed midshipman, now rated as master’s mate, was summoned to the quarterdeck and took his promotion with barely concealed emotion. Finding it difficult to keep a professional appearance on his face as he addressed the elated youth, Phillips explained, “I have no idea of what will happen when we reach Portsmouth, Mister Connors. Should you do your duties in a workman-like manner, I will recommend your temporary rank of lieutenant be made permanent. However, their Lordships may well have other ideas, so we must all wait until we see what develops.”
As they reached the channel, the convoy began breaking up, each escort leading its own segment to its own destination. Once the other members of the convoy went their separate ways, Active took her flock into Portsmouth and made her number. Firing off the salute, the frigate made her way to the mooring indicated by the officer patrolling in the duty boat of the harbor.
Admiral Bickerton was still in command, but was absent at the moment, tending to some business ashore. A portly captain, long ashore on half pay, was now back on full pay in command of the port, hoping the task would continue indefinitely.
Captain Pickering showed no sign he had ever heard of Phillips before and appeared to know nothing about his previous mission. Deeming it unnecessary to inform the captain, Phillips accepted his welcome and found, since his frigate was not needed on the American coast, she could be utilized on blockade duty with the channel fleet.
Since Phillips deemed his ship to be in good order, he was told to renew his stores and be ready to report to Vice-Admiral Lord Keith. He would probably be required to escort some store ships and transports to the fleet. The problem with Lieutenant Handley was brought to Pickering’s attention. Captain Pickering could not understand what the difficulty might be. A little drunkenness
in the wardroom was certainly nothing unusual. However, when Handley was brought ashore strapped to a board, screaming and shivering, his attitude changed. While he readily agreed to the necessity of sending Mister Handley to the naval hospital at Greenwich, he would have nothing to do with assigning a new officer to the ship, or even approving Acting Lieutenant Connor’s commission. He would just have to wait until he met with Lord Keith.
Before returning to the frigate, Phillips stopped by the office of the official who handled the disposition of captured enemy property. Much of that, of course, was sold at auction, but sometimes it was possible to purchase material for cash. This time, Phillips wished to obtain some powder to be used in gunnery practice.
The only powder available, was captured enemy powder, which the Royal Navy required to be remanufactured to bring it up to its own specifications. Some of it was in poor condition, from improper storage, Phillips had been on the receiving end of French gunpowder before though, and was duly impressed with its effectiveness, even if the Navy was not. A purse changed hands and the official promised the required amount of the powder would come aboard by way of the hoy late that afternoon. Of course, a further present must be given to the crew of that hoy for their efforts.
Now, it would be necessary to find some shot. While there was French shot available that could be fired from British guns, it was not quite the right size, and would be a loose fit in the gun bores. His master gunner, Mister McTavish had the answer. He was acquainted with the operator of a foundry a few days distance away by coach. He was certain the proper amount of currency would produce the required balls.
McTavish set out that afternoon with Phillips’ purse, accompanied by a gunner’s mate and Lieutenant Withers, their new Royal Marine officer who had just come aboard. With all three armed, it was felt the purse would be well protected against highwaymen.
Two weeks went by, with no sign of the men and Phillips was beginning to be concerned. While he could get along without the ammunition, and the money was not of desperate importance, he hated to lose the services of McTavish, one of the better gunners he had met. He would have to sail when the convoy had formed and it was nearly ready. The master of a hired transport was forced to delay when his first mate was injured in the ship’s hold when a cask shifted and caught his leg, and this gave Phillips an excuse for the delay.
A letter from Mister Reynolds arrived in the post advising he had been given leave to settle affairs at home after the death of his wife and to collect his son. He assured Captain Phillips he and his boy would post to Portsmouth soon and would join the ship when she was next in port.
An angry missive from the port commodore informed him he must sail at once even if he had to furnish one of his own officers for the transport. At the last minute, a replacement mate arrived and then a slatternly brig sailed into harbor. It had on board his missing men and a quantity of nine and twelve pounder shot, all of perfect size. Not wishing to be the recipient of any more flag hoists from shore, Phillips ordered the master of the brig to follow the convoy out into the channel where they could shift the ammunition out of sight of the impatient commodore.
McTavish informed his captain it had been necessary to wait until the foundry had finished another order, and then he decided it would be faster to charter a ship and move the heavy iron by sea, rather that attempt to cart the heavy load over bad roads.
The transports were destined for LeHavre and the convoy set out for that destination but in mid channel a pair of privateers made their attempt upon the transports. There were three of the transports, two were ship-rigged merchants hired by the Navy. The third was a long-retired frigate now put to the ignominious task of transporting rations to the fleet. Commanded by a one-legged Royal Navy lieutenant glad to be given even this paltry command, she did have six twelve-pounder guns aboard and even a few men who could man them.
The privateers were two ship-rigged corvette types, whose commanders probably thought they had an excellent chance to cut out at least one of the transports who were only defended by a single twelve-pounder frigate. Had they both been National ships, part of the French navy, perhaps that idea might have been correct. Two corvettes against one small frigate could have given that warship some serious trouble.
In this case though, instead of being national warships, the corvettes were owned by private citizens, out to make a profit, and averse to taking un-necessary risks. When the leading corvette sailed into the convoy, she met HMS Active with her men at quarters and her guns run out. Dodging this threat, the privateer almost fouled the former frigate Aphrodite. Her commander, Lieutenant Waylon, had been a hard-charging officer destined for better things until he lost his leg.
Now, his chances in the navy were almost at an end, but he had lost none of his resolve. When the privateer closed his transport, he ordered his starboard gunport lids opened and the weapons run out.
When the privateer approached the supposedly unarmed transport at pistol range, the three twelves on that transport exploded, sending every shot into the target. The privateer was not desperately damaged, but her injuries did give its commander pause to think of what the owners might have to say. The necessity to make expensive repairs instead of receiving a valuable prize to sell was not a report the privateer captain would chose to make to his owners. Without further delay, this corvette sheered away from the action and distanced herself from the activities.
In the meantime, her counterpart thought to take advantage of the confusion and make her own attempt. Almost out of range, Active fired off her own broadside and one ball clipped the corvette’s foremast, weakening it, requiring its crew to reduce sail, if they did not want to have the mast fall. This ended the dance. Had more escorts been present to guard the flock, Phillips would have felt it his duty to collect this antagonist and take his prize. As it was, he had to be satisfied to sail off, leaving the two wounded privateers behind.
At LeHavre, the three transports joined the blockading fleet there, but Active was ordered to continue on to Brest, where it was expected he might find Admiral Lord Keith. Phillips set sail to round the Cotentin Peninsula on the way to Brest. Perhaps he might look in at Cherbourg while he was in the vicinity. On the way, a storm brewed up, with violent winds out of the south driving the blockading fleet away from Cherbourg. With the storm mostly over, as Active approached the port she encountered a pair of French warships. One was an example of the new forty-gun frigates that the French had been building lately. She was accompanied by a twenty-gun corvette, Phillips had no intentions at all of engaging the pair, even after a British brig approached, flying her number with the proper identifying signal for the day.
Of course, the frigate and corvette could have swung at anchor for months with the crews losing their proficiency, but when the enemy shook out their sails to come after him, there was no fault with their work. Phillips doubted their crews were seasick landsmen drafted on board on the spur of the moment. He calculated if the pair did not take his ship in an action, they could abuse it so badly that she would be worthless.
Making his course due north for the moment, Phillips thought the pair might sheer away. Surely they had a mission in mind to perform before the blockading squadron returned. Apparently they did not, though. Both pursuers settled down in chase astern and made it evident they were serious about bringing him to action.
The British brig, identified now as Callisto, signaled her request to assist HMS Active in any action with the enemy. This, Phillips denied. He ordered the brig to search out and notify whatever British ships there were in the vicinity.
Altering course to the north-east Phillips thought he might happen across some members of the Channel Fleet, but the horizon remained empty. As the day wore on, it began to appear Active had the legs on the big frigate but the corvette was just a bit faster and was slowly coming up to them.
Active had no gun ports in the stern itself but her aftermost guns would serve if the ship could veer occasionally to bring her pursue
r under fire. The big frigate was still behind them and surely a danger but with her position far in the rear, Phillips judged he could veer a few points, fire off the guns that would bear then resume his course without putting his ship at undue risk.
With his best crews on the three aftermost guns, and the guns run out, he ordered the helmsmen to bring the ship to starboard a bit. As the ship steadied on her new course, the crews levered the guns around so they could bear on the corvette. They were still at long range and not a shot hit. With extra men on the tackle, the guns were reloaded and run out. The corvette was now overtaking rapidly, and this time two of the guns struck their target. Both balls, one a nine pounder, the other twelve, struck the corvette in the bows, one impact down near the waterline.
This was a most difficult part of a ship to repair and Phillips wished them luck at the task. Straightening her course, it was now seen Active was holding her own or perhaps gaining a bit on the corvette. That damaging shot had increased the drag and slowed the corvette just a bit.
An exchange of signals between the big frigate and the corvette occurred and both soon sheered away as if to return to Cherbourg. Active also changed course to head for Brest to see if Admiral Lord Keith might be there.
Once they neared their objective, they met a three frigate squadron whose senior captain ordered Active to take over their patrol station so they could return to port for stores, being seriously short of water. The frigate was to sail between Brest and Lorient, interdicting any and all commerce between them. Should any large French warships be sighted, which Active could not handle, they were ordered to attempt to locate Lord Keith and the fleet.
Ships of Oak, Men of Iron: A Tim Phillips Novel (War at Sea Book 10) Page 8