Ramage & The Freebooters

by Pope, Dudley

  Ramage nodded. A nice command, and a fast ship. Ideal, in fact, for carrying orders between the islands. And he had little doubt that her new commanding officer had, locked up in his desk, a letter for him from the Admiral.

  ‘Must say they look nice,’ Southwick said, gesturing to the Triton’s two prizes ahead. ‘Still plenty of work for the shipwrights ’afore they’re really ready for sea!’

  Again Ramage nodded. It’d taken two days to refloat the two privateers and the Jorum, and he was thankful none was leaking. Two days’ work had repaired them enough to be ready for sea but the Jorum’s foremast had been too badly damaged to repair, so it had been hoisted on board and the Triton had taken her in tow.

  Southwick chuckled. ‘I’ll take a small bet that Gorton never reckoned he’d ever be doing this!’

  Ramage glanced up. ‘Doing what?’

  ‘Well, acting as prizemaster to two prizes. Not bad, considering.’

  Had the old Master guessed?

  ‘Considering what?’

  ‘Come come, sir,’ Southwick chided. ‘He’s got “Run” written all over him!’

  ‘Maybe, but I’ve left my spectacles in England. He’s been more useful to us than twenty extra petty officers.’

  ‘Oh I wasn’t criticizing, sir,’ Southwick said hastily. ‘In fact it was a good idea on your part making him prizemaster. I can just imagine their faces in St George when Gorton sails ’em in and goes alongside the careenage!’

  ‘It’s about the only reward he’ll get,’ Ramage said.

  ‘It’ll be more than enough. He as good as told me so.’

  ‘Good – and I’m glad Appleby understood. Anyway, I had to put him in the Jorum – she could whip our masts out if she started yawing around!’

  Half an hour later, for the wind was light in the lee of the land, the two former privateers tacked in through the harbour entrance and, at a signal from Southwick, the Jorum cast off the tow and anchored. As soon as the hawser was hauled on board the brig she anchored to windward.

  As Southwick made sure the yards were square and ordered the boats to be hoisted out, the Marine sentry at the gangway reported a boat leaving La Merlette. A few minutes later Ramage was greeting her commanding officer as he stepped on board. He’d guessed correctly – it was Fanshaw, the lieutenant who’d been bustling around in the Admiral’s cabin on board the Prince of Wales.

  Fanshaw was proud of his new command but obviously embarrassed that Ramage would guess why he’d been given it. Ramage led the way down to the cabin.

  ‘How does she sail?’ he inquired.

  ‘Well enough,’ Fanshaw said, his tone implying he was speaking from a wealth of experience of all types of ships.

  As soon as Fanshaw was seated on the settee, Ramage inquired: ‘And what brings you from across the water?’

  ‘From the Admiral.’ Fanshaw produced a letter, and his voice told Ramage all he needed to know about its contents.

  Putting it carelessly in his pocket he said: ‘I have to go on shore to see the military commander. Would you care to come?’

  When Fanshaw nodded cautiously, Ramage picked up the report he’d written for Admiral Robinson the previous day, outlining how the privateers had been captured, and led the way on deck.

  Colonel Wilson had been watching from the Fortress and was waiting on the battlements when Ramage arrived, his face flushed with pleasure, and before Ramage could say a word exclaimed: ‘I knew it, I knew it! So they’re the villains, are they–’ he pointed to the two privateers, which Gorton had now secured alongside in the careenage below. ’Well, I hope old Fishpot’s watching from Government House! Now, come along to my office and tell me all about it!’

  Glancing at Fanshaw occasionally, Ramage told Wilson the whole story, and while the Colonel frequently slapped the top of his desk with glee, the lieutenant’s face was getting longer and longer. As Ramage finished, he said to Wilson, ‘I wonder if you’ll excuse me a moment – Lieutenant Fanshaw brought me a letter from the Commander-in-Chief.’

  ‘I know he did,’ Wilson said sourly, ‘he’s been pestering me for the past couple of days to find out what’s been going on.’

  Ramage broke the seal and began reading. The letter was curt, telling him of the Admiral’s extreme displeasure at not having received a report from Ramage indicating that he was carrying out his orders to find and destroy the privateers, and giving him – Ramage hurriedly recalled the date – another five days. If the orders were not carried out by then he was to sail at once for Barbados and report on board the Prince of Wales.

  Knowing his reaction would be reported to the Admiral, Ramage managed to keep his face impassive. He folded the letter slowly and put it in his pocket, taking out his report.

  He tossed it to Fanshaw.

  ‘You’d better get under way at once and deliver that.’

  Fanshaw glanced at the superscription and said without thinking: ‘That’s for me to decide!’

  ‘Do you have orders to the contrary from the Admiral?’ Ramage demanded.

  ‘Well – no, not exactly.’

  ‘Then you’d better sail at once or give me your reasons in writing why you refuse.’

  ‘But–’

  ‘What’s your seniority?’

  ‘Oh, all right. But I’ll have to–’

  ‘–tell the Admiral you refused to sail with an urgent despatch? Yes, do that by all means.’

  Fanshaw stood up, said a stiff goodbye to the Colonel, nodded to Ramage and left the room.

  ‘Pompous young ass,’ Wilson commented as the door shut. ‘Isn’t La Merlette the slaver you captured?’

  Ramage nodded.

  ‘And I’ll bet that lad was fetching and carrying for the Admiral, waiting for a plum to ripen and fall in his lap.’

  Ramage grinned. ‘You seem to know a lot about the ways of the Navy.’

  ‘Hmm,’ Wilson growled, ‘favouritism’s not the Navy’s monopoly. By the way, the Fishpot’s very cross with you.’

  ‘I guessed as much.’

  ‘Hardly a surprise to me, either. Gave him your letter and he stamped and shouted. Reckoned he should have been consulted before you sailed. Told him I couldn’t agree.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  Wilson waved a hand. ‘Pleasure was mine. Anyway, he wrote a report and sent it off to Admiral Robinson – hired one of Rondin’s schooners. She must have passed La Merlette on the way.’

  ‘Fine – he’s done me a good turn!’

  Wilson looked puzzled until Ramage said: ‘Fanshaw brought me a stiff reprimand for not having caught the privateers yet and giving me another five days. Then I must report on board the flagship. So with the Admiral already angry, Sir Jason’s letter will make him livid. Then Fanshaw turns up with my despatch!’

  The Colonel laughed, his whole body shaking.

  ‘Well, your next orders should be more to your liking, anyway.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘My dear chap – he was all ready to make you the scapegoat. Suddenly you succeed in doing what he thought was impossible. He’ll make sure he gets the credit in London – that’s the prerogative of a Commander-in-Chief. But he’ll be anxious to make sure that no one saw through his little scheme. And in case you had any suspicions you can be sure he’ll give you new orders that’ll leave you happy – and grateful!’

  ‘I hope you’re right, sir.’

  ‘Well, I suppose we’d better be getting up the hill to tell Sir Jason his Golden Fleece is safe from moths and freebooters.’

  ‘I was wondering–’

  ‘I have the letter here,’ Wilson interrupted, opening a drawer. ‘She’s well and still staying with us. I don’t think she’s had a proper night’s sleep, worrying and fretting, but the minute your armada was sighted I sent word to her.’

  He slid the letter across to Ramage who looked at it nervously.

  ‘I should open it,’ Wilson said banteringly offering him a paper-knife, ‘it won’t explode.’

  Seri
es order & Synopses

  Dates given are for first publication and (for Ramge series) year in which novel is set.

  Ned Yorke Series

  These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

  1. Buccaneer 1981

  2. Admiral 1982

  3. Galleon 1986

  4. Corsair 1987

  5. Convoy 1979

  6. Decoy 1983

  Ramage Series

  These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

  1. Ramage 1796 1965

  2. Ramage & the Drumbeat 1797 1968

  3. Ramage & the Freebooters 1797 1969

  4. Governor Ramage RN 1797 1973

  5. Ramage's Prize 1798 1974

  6. Ramage's Mutiny 1799 1977

  7. Ramage & the Rebels 1800 1978

  8. The Ramage Touch 1800 1979

  9. Ramage's Signal 1800 1980

  10. Ramage & the Guillotine 1801 1975

  11. Ramage & the Renegades 1802 1981

  12. Ramage's Devil 1803 1982

  13. Ramage's Trial 1803 1984

  14. Ramage's Challenge 1803 1985

  15. Ramage's Diamond 1804 1976

  16. Ramage at Trafalgar 1805 1986

  17. Ramage & the Saracens 1806 1988

  18. Ramage & the Dido 1806 1989

  Synopses (Fiction & non-fiction)

  Published by House of Stratus

  A. Ned Yorke Series

  Buccaneer

  It is the 1650's and Spain considers the Caribbean to be its own private sea. But England, Holland and France conspire to battle for freedom on the oceans set in days littered with the plunder of piracy. Ned Yorke, a loyal Royalist living in Barbados has a small vessel and devoted crew and together they sail, hunted by Roundheads and Spaniards, determined to pay whatever the price for freedom from tyranny. What transpires is a colourful, dramatic retelling of historical events surrounding the capture of Jamaica and the infamous raid on Santiago.

  Admiral

  Charles II returns from exile bringing with him unease to the Spanish Main. In this vivid description of seventeenth-century buccaneers, Ned Yorke, the leader and hero of the swashbuckling band are depended upon for the defence of Jamaica, fighting with captured Spanish guns. Daring raids on the Spanish seem inevitable, as Yorke sets out on the high seas to distant adventures on behalf of the King and his own honour.

  Galleon

  As England falls under a blanket of peace with the restoration of Charles II, in distant Jamaica all is not well. Though there is peace with Spain, there is No Peace Beyond the Line. It seems that the West Indies have become the private estate of the King of Spain. But Ned Yorke, Admiral of the Brethren, leader of the Buccaneers will not kowtow to the new Governor in Jamaica who is bent on weakening the Island’s defences and destroying its currency. Ned Yorke and his Buccaneers must not remain idle. The third in a series set in the Caribbean, Dudley Pope reveals a masterful plot of subtle, seafaring lore wound around the tense excitement of adventure on the high seas.

  Corsair

  In the 1660's Jamaica was an uneasy island, occupied by Spain but settled by the English and French. When Admiral of the Brethren, Ned Yorke, a brave, loyal Buccaneer, learns that Spain is mounting a Caribbean fleet perhaps to protect the treasures of Spanish ships, or carry an army to Jamaica, he vows to find out the truth. Yorke’s audacious attacks on Spanish camps reveal all and the Buccaneers must fight a bloody, desperate battle to try and hinder them.

  Convoy

  A deadly game of cat and mouse unravels its way out of this spine tingling war story as Lieutenant Yorke must find an answer to one vital question: how are German U-Boats sinking merchant ships from inside the convoys? In this gripping saga of heroism and intrigue, Yorke discovers the fate of one entire convoy. Only his wit and daring can lead to its survival and that of himself.

  Decoy

  It is February 1942 and the war in the Atlantic looks grim for the Allied convoys. The ‘Great Blackout’ has started, leaving the spy centre of Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire at a loss as to what the Nazis are planning. U-boat Command has changed the Hydra cipher. The Enigma cannot be broken. Cipher experts can no longer eavesdrop on Nazi command, which leaves convoys open for attack by packs of marauding Nazi submarines. Winning the Battle of the Atlantic will surely give Hitler a final victory. And who can stop him?

  B. Ramage Series

  Ramage

  1796 – sea battles raging and an attack from the French has left third-lieutenant Ramage the sole officer in charge of his frigate. With orders from Nelson to be obeyed and a daring mission to be completed, young Nicholas Ramage must rise to the challenge. Despite the grave adversity of his situation, Ramage embarks upon an intrepid rescue with quite unforeseen consequences. This thrilling adventure is the first in Dudley Pope’s popular and much-loved series.

  Ramage & the Drumbeat

  Ramage and the Drumbeat takes the brave Lord Ramage to the new world where he becomes embroiled in a series of electrifying sea battles and hazardous political shenanigans. He must once again prove his mettle as he undergoes the merciless enemy attacks. Fighting alongside Lord Nelson, this is Ramage at his best.

  Ramage & the Freebooters

  Lieutenant Lord Ramage is given command of the Triton brig and ordered to deliver three sealed dispatches to admirals in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, he is also given command of a mutinous crew that he must overcome if he is to deliver the dispatches and prevent himself from being made a convenient scapegoat…

  Governor Ramage RN

  Lieutenant Lord Ramage, expert seafarer and adventurer, undertakes to escort a convoy across the Caribbean. This seemingly routine task leads him into a series of dramatic and terrifying encounters. Lord Ramage is quick to learn that the enemy attacks from all angles and he must keep his wits about him in order to survive. Fast and thrilling, this is another highly-charged adventure from the masterly Dudley Pope.

  Ramage's Prize

  Lord Ramage returns for another highly-charged and thrilling adventure at sea. Instructed with the task of discovering why His Majesty’s dispatches keep unaccountably disappearing, Ramage finds himself involved in a situation far beyond his expectations. Based on true events, Ramage’s Prize is another gripping story from Dudley Pope.

  Ramage's Mutiny

  Mutiny and rebellion are rife on board a British ship in the Caribbean. A young British naval officer is chosen to rescue the ship from its Spanish captors - yet this means almost certain death. Lord Ramage soon learns that for his mission to succeed - and for him to stay alive - he must resort to almost any means. Will his skill prove a match for the strength of the Spanish attack?

  Ramage & the Rebels

  On a routine patrol, Ramage and his ship 'Calypso' make an horrific discovery. Caught in the process of taking a British ship, a ruthless French privateer has murdered the passengers and crew. Ramage and his men decide to track him down and set out to find his whereabouts in the Spanish Main.

  The Ramage Touch

  Ramage Touch finds the ever-popular Lord Ramage in the Mediterranean with another daring mission to undertake. He soon makes a shocking discovery which dramatically transforms the nature of the task at hand. With the nearest English vessel a thousand miles away, Ramage must embark upon a truly perilous and life-threatening course of action. With everything stacked against him, he has only one chance to succeed…

  Ramage's Signal

  With Bonaparte Napoleon at the height of his powers, the Mediterranean can be safely considered exclusive French territory. So when Captain Ramage and his crew are sent alone into Mediterranean waters, they can expect to be outnumbered. But it is the French who discover they have an enemy they had not bargained for…

  Ramage & the Guillotine

  As France recovers from her bloody Revolution, Napoleon is amassing his armies for the Great Invasion. News in England is sketchy and the Navy must prepare to defend the land from foreign
attack. Lieutenant Ramage is chosen to travel to France and embark upon the perilous quest of spying on the great Napoleon. His mission is to determine the strength of the French troops – but his discovery will mean the guillotine!

  Ramage & the Renegades

  The Treaty of Amiens is signed and Nelson's navy languishes in port. Ramage is at home on half pay and suspects Napoleon will yet break the terms of the Treaty. He is then given secret Admiralty orders to survey a small island off the coast of Brazil. He sails in Calypso, but then encounters more danger than in previous exploits.

  Ramage's Devil

  Ramage is suddenly caught behind enemy lines when on honeymoon in France, as the Peace of Amien unexpectedly ends. The story chronicles his escape and dashing adventures in true Ramage style, as an enemy ship is captured and a sub-plot develops involving a pursuit to the prison colony on Devil's Island.

  Ramage's Diamond

  In 1804, Ramage is newly promoted to be the youngest Captain in the Royal Navy and is despatched to blockade the French in Martinique. The passage proves difficult; a slovenly crew under the command of a now incompetent drunk having to be overcome so as to realise the objective. Diamond Rock is fortified and a French convoy dealt with as this gripping adventure proceeds, emulating the real life exploits of Commodore Samuel Hood RN.

  Ramage at Trafalgar

  Lord Ramage returns to fight in the most famous of Britain's sea battles. Summoned by Admiral Nelson himself, Ramage is sent to join the British fleet off Cadiz where the largest battle in naval history is about to take place. Finding himself in the front line of battle, Lord Ramage must fight to save his own life as well as for his country. The result is a thrilling, hair-raising adventure from one of our best-loved naval writers.