by Michael Aye
“Seven ships and a gunboat, a galley I believe and there’s wreckage aft, probably the gunboat we saw earlier.”
“Probably a forward scout,” Gabe thought.
As quickly as he’d gone aloft Dagan was quicker coming back down and expanding on his report. “Seven ships and a large galley. Looks like three large schooners, sixteen or eighteen guns I’m thinking, a brig at least sixteen guns and the frigate. There’s one ship aft I couldn’t get a good look at and the galley appears to have a thirty-two pounder forward.”
As the ships continued to approach on a converging tack Hazard approached Gabe, “It appears Le Frelon will be on one quarter and we’ll be on the other of that frigate.”
“Aye,” Gabe answered, “If we can time it right we can both give her a broadside and hopefully she’ll not have enough gunners to deliver a full blow from both sides at once. However, don’t forget sir, we have a large schooner to our larboard that will be doing her damnedest to cripple us as well.”
“Aye, sir, I see her more clearly now.”
“Deck there, the schooner has just fired a bow chaser in our direction.”
It was a wet sailing master who turned inboard and growled. “A miss, but close enough to soak me, by Gawd. He’ll have our range with the next one, I’m thinking.”
Hearing the master’s comments, Gabe spoke to his lieutenants, “To your stations now. Keep a good lookout and after my first order to fire, then fire as you will. Remember it will be close action and from all quarters so don’t wait for me to tell you what to do…just do it.”
As the two left Gabe looked over toward Swan. He could make out Markham and Davy. Both gave a wave and Gabe returned it.
“We’ll all share a wet when this is over,” Dagan spoke softly.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Then Gabe made his way to the wheel. “All ready, Mr. Blake?”
“Aye, cap’n, we’re ready by Gawd.”
Then speaking to the crew in general, Gabe called out, “A guinea to every member of the gun crew whose gun scores the first hit.” This set the men to howling. “Mind you…mind you now. Men!” Gabe spoke again after quieting the men, “If there’s a tie you’ll have to share the purse but I’ll double the rum ration.”
This again set the men to howling. This was what he wanted…to get the men in the right mood for what was forthcoming.
***
BOOM! …CRASH!…
The master was right. The approaching ships now had their range, and it would be a minute more before their guns would be in range; h owever, Earl had just let loose with a forward gun.
“Alter our course two points to windward,” Gabe ordered the helmsman, “Then let’s see if yon frigate notices the change before she fires again.”
BOOM! …BOOM!…The frigate fired at Earl who quickly returned fire.
“A hit, a hit. Le Frelon has scored a hit.”
“The hornet has stung its prey,” Dagan quipped.
“Let’s hope he does more than just sting him,” Blake replied after hearing Dagan’s comment.
The converging schooner let off a gun. The shot landed close to SeaWolf’s bowsprit sending a spout of water over the bow and soaking a gun crew. Still Gabe held his fire.
“Alter course again back to original course,” Gabe ordered the helmsman. “No use wasting shots yet,” Gabe spoke his thoughts aloud.
But the frigate was not concerned about range and fired another bow chaser at
LeFrelon.
“She’s hit, Le Frelon has been hit,” called down the lookout but Gabe could see with his own eyes.
The bowsprit was broken and dragging in the water. You could hear the officer’s shouts and soon the bosun and a group of men with axes were chopping away at the wreckage and soon cast it adrift.
More gunfire, more flashes as Gabe made his way forward to get a better view. There was something unreal about all that was taking place. It was dream like. Then they were upon the privateers. A sudden exploding sound, a stupendous roar that could only be a broadside from the frigate filled the air. Loud whooshing howling sounds were heard as the air was rent by flying cannon balls, half the wheel and the gaff boom were shattered with splinters flying everywhere.
Fire, had he given the order to fire? “Fire,” he shouted, “Fire at will.”
Great pieces of the bulwark were missing, a huge gouge in the deck, guns upturned, the rigging falling. Looking up at the sails Gabe saw holes open up as shot after shot passed through them.
Then where there had been “booms”, probably twelve pounders, Gabe thought, there was now “pops” from the schooner, puppies yapping when compared to the frigate’s thunder.
The frigate was now on the starboard beam and the large rebel schooner to larboard. SeaWolf was being fired on from both quarters. Balls whizzed overhead, tearing at the upper rigging while other balls were finding their mark as they tore into the ship’s hull.
CRASH! …loud screams filled the air as another of the frigate’s ball found its mark. The ball had overturned another of SeaWolf’s forward guns, crushing several of the gun crew. Gabe felt dazed as the air felt like it was sucked from his chest as a ball flew past. Watching it cross the deck, it appeared to be moving in slow motion until it hit one of the marines. Suddenly the man was without his legs. He fell to the deck, his lower body a gory pulp. Another crash…a group of men were cut down with the ball leaving a bloody path across the decking before the ball bounced up taking out a stanchion. As the frigate and the schooner continued their onslaught on SeaWolf, Gabe felt a great shudder as if she was trying to shake off the attack from her foes. “Damme,” he thought, “My ship is getting chopped to pieces.”
Men were down, bleeding, reaching out for help. Some were crying while others were screaming and writhing in pain from their injuries. Others mercifully lay silent, staring at the sky through sightless eyes.
The ship was completely engulfed in smoke. From aloft the enemy fire was making its mark as riggings separated then flew apart. Blocks and tackles plunged to the deck, some hitting harmlessly while others crashed into unsuspecting sailors with a sickening thud. That was it, knowing ship to ship they were no match for SeaWolf, the schooners were trying to cripple the brigantine by bringing down her riggings. The smoke began to clear as the wind carried it away. To leeward, they were closing with the islands , too damn close , Gabe thought. Then a bellowing roar as several of the larboard guns let loose; a roar that shook the deck beneath his feet.
“That’s it boys give them another round,” Lavery called out. A cheer came from the gun crews, the schooner had been hit hard…so hard she was dead in the water. The marine’s sharpshooters continued to fire at human targets. Then they were past the enemy and in the clear.
Without hesitating, Gabe called out, “Prepare to go about.”
Dagan appeared at his side, “Mr. Hazard has been hit, sir, hit hard. He may lose his arm if not more.”
“Is he below yet?” Gabe asked.
“Aye, just after we passed through the line.”
“Very well. Mr. Lavery!”
“Aye, cap’n”
“You have the deck. Have the ship put about.”
“Aye, aye cap’n.”
“Dagan, you will take Mr. Hazard’s place with the starboard section.” Dagan nodded and Gabe went below.
Caleb already had the arm removed by the time he got there. Seeing Gabe, Caleb shook his head, “He’s unconscious and maybe he’ll stay that way for a while. I took his left arm off without complications but he has a splinter in his thorax that I can’t remove. He needs to be on land to have his chest cut open. Even then there’s no guarantee. It might be better if he died now…without suffering.”
Nodding his understanding, Gabe turned to leave then paused, “Keep him comfortable, Caleb. Losing him will be a loss I can ill afford.”
***
Back on deck Gabe was surprised at the powder and smoke smudged faces of his crew. They had come about and
were now overtaking a couple of the privateers. The one privateer SeaWolf’s gunners had fired on was down in the stern and he could see several boats in the water around the sinking ship.
Swan had just come about and though she was scarred she seemed to be sailing well as was the Pigeon. Earl had been faster and had already come about and now was dead head off the larboard bow.
“Deck there! The frigate has come about and so has the largest of the schooners, sir. So ‘as the brig, sir. Now the second schooner ‘as come about as well.”
“A final meeting!”
“Sir?”
Again Gabe had spoken his thoughts aloud without realizing it. “I said one final meeting, Mr. Lavery. At least I hope we succeed with this round.”
“Aye, cap’n, I hope so as well. Ah…how was Mr. Hazard, sir?”
“He’s alive…the surgeon says it will be touch and go…”
“Kind of like the fix we’re about to be in, isn’t it cap’n, touch and go.”
BOOM! …BOOM!…
“There goes the frigate and Captain Earl again.”
“Right you are, Mr. Lavery, now back to your station.”
“Aye, aye, cap’n.”
“Mr. Blake.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” a master’s mate replied, “I’m afraid he’s done for!
“Done for? When?” a shocked Gabe inquired.
“When the frigate let loose, sir.”
“ Damme, ” Gabe thought, “I didn’t even realize it.” Then turning to Evans, the master’s mate, he ordered, “You have control of the wheel. Follow my orders.”
“Aye, sir.”
“I must speak with the bosun and carpenter,” Gabe thought, “I fear I may not have time directly.”
***
“Mostly its betwixed wind and water, sir, more in the riggings and the upper decks,” Dover, the carpenter reported. “No more water in the well than usual.”
Then Graf reported, “Dagan got a party together and we’s got two of the guns back into their carriages so they be back ready for action.”
“Are they stable enough?” Gabe asked.
“Aye, cap’n, ‘jus ‘lak a newborn in `is modder’s cradle.” There was another swooshing sound overhead as the enemy renewed their assault.
“Very well men, let’s be about it,” Gabe said dismissing the bosun and the carpenter. Glancing over, Gabe saw Lum. He seemed to be taking it all in, and then Gabe realized his breeches were smeared with gunpowder stains, as was his face and hands. Only it wasn’t as noticeable due to Lum’s black color. He had been involved in fighting the ship and I didn’t even notice Gabe thought. Then he wondered what Faith would say if she could see him now.
As the SeaWolf continued to approach the enemy schooner the lookout called down, “The frigate and the brig be ‘tacking Cap’n Earl, sir.”
“ Damn ,” Gabe thought. He looked and Swan had her own troubles. At least, Pigeon was almost up with her and could help. “Evans, prepare to put your helm down when I order. Dagan! I want every gun loaded, with double shot.”
“Aye,” Dagan replied.
“Mr. Lavery, I want your section loaded with ball and canister.”
“Aye, cap’n.”
As the two ships converged, Gabe looked up. The wind was holding…this never predictable and always perverse wind was holding. “Dagan’s lady luck,” Gabe thought as subconsciously his hand went to the pouch around his neck. The now empty pouch. “Please God…be with her,” Gabe prayed silently then turned his attention back to the battle.
Looking forward, Gabe scratched his jaw and eyed the oncoming schooner. If he timed it right one by one every gun on the larboard side would get a chance to “bloody her nose.” If he mistimed it the schooner would ram them. Looking aloft the commission pennant’s tail stood out like it was pointing the way.
“Now, Evans, put your helm down now!”
It took a moment for the rudder to bit and that moment seemed forever then SeaWolf responded. Now instead of passing side by side, they were crossing the bow of the schooner.
“As you bear Mr. Lavery, fire as you bear. Rake her good.”
Gun after gun gave a bellowing roar. White smoke engulfed the ship and Gabe was temporarily blinded. However, the smoke was quickly swept away. It was sickening to see what was left of the once proud schooner.
“Up helm, up helm, Evans. Dagan, be ready.”
“No need, sir,” this from Lavery. As Gabe looked up he saw the reason for Lavery’s comment.
The schooner was on fire, flames were now shooting up her sails. People were diving into the frigid waters. Every captain’s nightmare, a fire at sea.
“Dagan, see if any of the boats are still in tow and set them adrift as we pass.”
“Your not going to heave to?” Evans asked.
Pointing forward with his sword, Gabe asked, “Would you have me leave Captain Earl without assistance while we pick up enemy survivors?”
“Nay, cap’n, my apologies, my mind was adrift with the sight before me, I’m afraid.”
***
“Mr. Druett,” Gabe called his gunner.
“Aye, cap’n.”
“Do you think your aim is good enough to hit yonder brig and not Le Frelon?”
“Aye, cap’n, when in range I can knock a flea off a cat’s arse without singeing ‘is ‘airs if ‘ye’d like for me to.”
“Nothing so precise Mr. Druett, I just want to lay a few rounds about her deck.”
“Aye, cap’n. ‘Bout ‘er deck it’ll be.”
Any moment now, Gabe was thinking when the forward gun fired. He quickly stood on the bulwark to see if he could tell where the ball landed. He was not quick enough to see the exact spot but he did see shattered planking flying into the air.
Druett was true to his word, and then the gun fired again. This time there was no need to guess, the jubilant gun crew was jumping up and down cheering, their teeth appearing unusually white with powder blackened faces.
“Easy lads, easy now, let’s give them another with the cap’n’s compliments.”
“Another hit by Gawd,” Evans swore! “Damme, if Druett don’t know his business, sir.”
“Look sir,” someone forward called. Through the smoke Gabe could see the brig’s mast was leaning dangerously.
“Surprised we haven’t been fired on.” Dagan said as he made his way to Gabe.
“I’m sure they used all the crew to board Le Frelon. I just hope we’re not too late to help Earl. Alter course, Evans, bring us along side the brig. Mr. Graf, let’s take in another sail.”
Suddenly there was a puff of smoke from the brig and Gabe felt SeaWolf shudder. That had been a hard hit. He was about to call out to Druett when one of the forward guns fired, followed quickly by the other. The gunner had loaded both guns and after firing one, sighted and fired the second.
Another cheer from the gun crew let Gabe know they’d hit Druett’s target. The ships were close now and Gabe was worried he’d waited to late to take in the sails.
“Dagan, Mr. Lavery, prepare boarding parties. Dagan, you forward, Mr. Lavery.”
“Aye, cap’n, we’ll be aft.”
“Mr. Graf, gather the rest of the men and we’ll board amidships.”
“Aye, cap’n,” the bosun replied as he hurried to round up his party.
All too quick they were along side the brig. I should have ordered the sails taken in sooner, Gabe thought. SeaWolf slammed into the brig with such a jar that it shook the deck planks. The two hulls thudded together and then seemed to bounce off each other before SeaWolf grinded to a stop. Graf’s men were ready with grapnels and they were already flying through the air.
“Boarders, boarders away,” Gabe called as he gained his balance. The cry was repeated forward and aft as Dagan and Lavery made their way over to the brig. The privateer’s crew fired at SeaWolf’s boarders. Musket and pistols shots rang out and balls smacked into the deck as men fell. SeaWolf had left a few marine sharpshooters in the ri
gging and they were returning fire, cutting down all they could.
A swivel gun fired defiantly, another of SeaWolf’s marines cutting down a group of would be resistance. The boarders pushed forward, bent on reaching Le Frelon and helping their mates. Curses filled the air with the clang and rasp of steel upon steel.
Bellowing his loudest, Gabe directed his men to a group of four men with muskets that had gathered around the stump of the brig’s mainmast. One of the sharpshooters sagged as Lum threw a boarding pike like a spear, impaling the man who fell forward his musket clanging on the deck and going off harmlessly. Another jerked convulsively as the bosun not to be out done by Lum had hurled his boarding axe into the skull of his foe. Gabe was now upon his man. Apparently the man had already fired his musket, although Gabe couldn’t recall. Maybe it had been a misfire.
At any rate the man was trying to fiend off Gabe’s sword with his musket barrel. Feeling the urgency to reach Earl, Gabe made a feint that the man overreacted to; Gabe stepped inside the man’s guard and brought the hilt of his sword down on the man’s exposed head, felling him like an ox. Another man was racing toward Gabe when a shot rang out. Gabe heard a penetrating thump and the man’s chest turned crimson as he fell to the deck.
SeaWolf’s crew was making their way onto LeFrelon and not a moment to soon. Bodies were all over the deck, some lifeless, others wounded, bleeding and groaning. A horrible scream broke Gabe’s revive. There was something unreal about the scream as it rang out above the den of battle then a falling object from above crashed onto the deck with a crunching sound. It was an enemy sharpshooter. He lay in odd angles, twisted in a heap and blood gushing from his ears and nose. One eye socket was empty. Gabe’s group was rushing forward; resistance now was only in little pockets. Earl’s men had put up a fearsome fight but were in danger of being overrun.
Gabe saw Lavery and his group engaged with a band of privateers. The constant sound of curses and cries were mingled with the clang of metal on metal as blades flashed in the air then clashed together. The sounds of gunshots some muffled as a pistol was shoved against a foe as the trigger was pulled. The air was heavy with the smell of gunpowder mixed with the distinct odor of death.