by Michael Aye
Out of the corner of his eye, Gabe realized Dagan was being overwhelmed by two men. As he gave ground he slipped and fell. As one of the men lunged at Dagan with his cutlass Gabe shot him with his pistol. At seeing his friend downed the other man turned facing Gabe. The man’s face twisted in rage as he rushed at the man who shot his friend. Gabe met the man’s rush head-on and his sword clanged with the other’s cutlass.
Then the man spat tobacco juice into Gabe’s face. Some of it went into his eyes and caused his vision to blur, his eyes stung as if on fire. Gabe’s opponent thought he’d won; a smile appeared on his face as he raised his cutlass to finish off Gabe. However, the man had forgotten about Dagan who had quickly regained his footing. The man’s smile suddenly changed as his arm was severed from Dagan’s crashing blow with his cutlass. Then Dagan whirled and drove the cutlass through the man’s chest. Gabe had wiped his eyes with his coat sleeve and vision was returning as he gathered his wits.
“Earl! Stephen Earl!” Gabe called. “Earl!” His calling seemed to attract the attention of a group still fighting. The sight of the British sailors appearing unexpectedly had the privateers throwing down their weapons and raising their hands. Then it was over.
Dagan walked up to Gabe clapping him on the shoulder. “Any sign of Mr. Earl?”
“Not yet.”
Seeing Lavery approaching, Gabe called, “Take a party and take possession of the brig.”
“Aye, cap’n. Mr. Graf, lend a hand with your party if you please.”
“Aye, sir. You heard Mr. Lavery lads, lets be quick about it now, move it. Este’s, They’s dead, them buggers, they ‘aint gona bother you none but careful where you step, ‘at bloods still wet and slick ‘lak.”
“Sir…sir!” It was one of the bosun mates.
“Yes,” Gabe answered.
“We’ve found Mr. Earl, sir, he and a group of men are on board the frigate. He’s trying to prevent their escape but ‘ands are cutting grappnel lines.”
Gabe again felt a sense of urgency, “Lieutenant Baugean!”
“Aye, sir.”
“Have your marines board the frigate aft if you please.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Mr. Baugean!”
“Sir.”
“Put a couple of sharpshooters in the brig’s riggings and have them mark down anyone not on our side who approaches the frigate’s quarterdeck.”
“Aye, cap’n.”
Then Gabe called to Dagan, “See if we can’t find a few more grappnels to lash the ships together then meet me on board that frigate.” Without waiting for Dagan to answer, Gabe gathered his men about him and boarded the frigate.
The frigate being a taller ship meant the men had to make their way up to her decks. This meant they were vulnerable to musket fire, exposed as they were. The sudden sound of gunfire filled the air and made Gabe pause to look, but none of his boarders appeared to have been hit, then a quick glance behind him told him it was Sergeant Schniedermirer firing onto the frigate. Then Gabe’s men were on board joining the melee.
Earl’s men were mostly gathered around the mainmast and most of their resistance seemed to be from the direction of the quarterdeck. Set Fire! A sudden volley of musket fire struck down a number of the privateers.
“Second rank fire” Lieutenant Baugean had divided his marines into two groups. The second volley caused the resistance to realize they were surrounded and then a sailor threw down his cutlass and raised his hands in surrender. Seeing the action of their comrade the rest of the men threw down their weapons as a group.
“Where’s your officer?” a bruised and bleeding Earl demanded. When no one spoked, Earl grabbed the man nearest him and with his pistol leveled it at the man’s face and said, “Well?”
The poor man stood there tongue-tied, to afraid to speak. From within the group a voice, “I think they’re all dead, sir.”
“Who are you?” Earl demanded.
“Lawson, sir, master’s mate.”
“They damn well better be,” Earl responded with clenched teeth. His arm dropping suddenly, Gabe and Dagan took a step forward to support him.
“I’m fine,” Earl spoke, “son of a bitch showed a white flag, then as we were boarding fired on us with a swivel gun. I’d be dead but Mr. Boyd was in front of me and he took most of the load. Poor man was screaming in agony. He’s done for I’m sure.”
At that moment a hail…Markham was there with Swan and so was Kerry with the ketch. Caleb, who had been sent for, was now coming over to check on Earl. As order was being restored the death and destruction was overwhelming. Bodies were strewn so you had to step over them to get across the ship.
“Have you ever seen such a butcher’s bill?” Earl asked his friend.
“Nay,” replied Gabe, “But better them than us.”
Epilogue
Lieutenant Kerry was sent in the ketch, Pigeon, to inform Captain Buck on Merlin and Lieutenant Bush on the cutter, Audacity, that the invasion had been repulsed. Le Frelon, SeaWolf and Swan headed back to Halifax with the frigate and the brig as prizes.
Warrior was anchored at the mouth of the harbour and Drakkar was just beyond. Both ships situated so that their guns protected the entry into the harbour from either a northern or southern approach.
All eyes were on the approaching ships. Bart had been among the first to spot the approaching ships so he had hurried down to the admiral’s quarters. Lord Anthony felt a burden lift from his shoulders as a grinning Bart approached his desk.
“Well, spit it out man,” Lord Anthony said to Bart, who had a smug grin on his face. “Don’t just stand there like the cat that ate the canary.”
“Well,” Bart said, “Reckon ‘ow much money do the admiralty got?”
“How much money?” Lord Anthony responded not believing his ears or understanding Bart’s question, “Why I guess they’ve enough, but why should that matter?”
“Cause it ‘pears Gabe ‘know’d what ‘e was talking bout. Here they comes and ‘hit looks like they done got themselves a big ole frigate and a fat brig as prizes.”
“ Damme,” Lord Anthony responded as he quickly rose, grabbed his coat and headed topside. Seeing the admiral come on deck Moffett strode over to where he was and offered Lord Anthony his glass.
“A beautiful sight, is it not, my Lord?”
“Ah…but that it is, Dutch, that it is. Have the captains repair on board as soon as convenient and send the surgeon and his mates across. I’ve a feeling they’ll be needed.”
“Aye, my Lord.”
Captain Moffett greeted the three captains on deck of the flagship while reports were sent below for the admiral. After his congratulations Bart led them on down to the great cabin. As they entered the cabin the first thing that came to Lord Anthony’s mind was ‘they look older’.
“War turns boys into men and men into old men before their time,” he thought.
Anthony then noticed not only the strained looks on his officer’s faces but their wounds were showing in the stiffness of their moves. Earl’s shoulder seemed to be causing him considerable pain.
“It’s good to see you all in one piece,” Lord Anthony spoke trying to lighten the situation, then turning to Earl asked, “Do you need the surgeon?”
“No, my Lord, Caleb has done a good job. He relates I’ll be stiff for awhile but should mend completely,” he grimaced.
“Be seated while Silas provides a glass of wine. I think we could all do with a glass after what has transpired over the last few days,” said Lord Anthony. “I’m sorry it took such a sacrifice but we can’t afford to lose Nova Scotia, if we do I fear the war is lost before it begins. I know it’s hard to see the worth when we lose such good men as Mr.Boyd, Mr. Blake and others. I hear its touch and go for Hazard. We’ll hope and pray for the best.
“From your reports,” Lord Anthony continued, “ O ne gunboat was sunk, three schooners sunk, one schooner turned her heels after a battering engagement. A frigate and a brig were take
n prize. Both appear to be seaworthy. I think their Lordships at the Admiralty will consider it a bargain, especially when we lost no ships even though you say Le Frelon is in a bad way.”
Thinking aloud, Gabe spoke, “But what about the men? Not just ours but theirs. I will not soon forget the cries from the men in the water as I passed them.”
Lord Anthony took a breath, then gave a sigh, “What would have happened to Earl and his men had you not?” he answered.
A silence engulfed the men as Silas served the wine, each thinking of those lost in battle. When Silas finished and drew back Earl asked, “We saw Drakkar anchored, my Lord, what happened at Sable Island?”
“Not much actually. Two privateers made a feint but seeing Drakkar and the gunboat before them, turned heels and sailed away without so much as firing a shot.”
“Prudent, I would say,” Markham responded.
“I guess the Willing Maid was not so willing,” Lord Anthony joked.
“What was that?” Gabed asked. “What was the name of the ship?”
“It was the Willing Maid. Do you know of her?”
“Aye, my Lord, she is commanded by Malachi Mundy, a seemingly capable man. It was to him and Jack Cunningham’s Norfolk Gold that we transferred the women captives we released from Montique’s jail.”
“Oh yes, I remember now,” Lord Anthony replied. “Well maybe prudent is a good description.”
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and the marine sentry announced, “Flag captain, suh.”
As Moffett entered the cabin he announced, “Dispatch ship making its way to anchor, my Lord.”
“Very well, gentlemen, lets go about setting your ships to rights. Unless this dispatch ship brings word to change things I’d enjoy the company of each of you for dinner tonight. As I recall two of you have just had a birthday which will add to the cause for celebration.”
***
After the lieutenant from the dispatch vessel had left Bart brought a cup of Silas’ special coffee to his Lordship.
“Something to warm ‘yew’s bones on a frigid night, sir.”
“Aye, thank you, Bart. It’s most welcome and not a moment to soon.”
Seeing the papers on the admiral’s desk before him, Bart asked, “New orders?”
“Aye, Bart, Lord Howe is of the opinion Nova Scotia is no longer an objective of the Colonials. They’ve failed to secure Quebec by the army and they’ve now failed Nova Scotia by sea. Even though, he doesn’t know of the failed invasion as of yet. His Lordship feels our forces are needed south. As soon as convenient we are to sail south to Philadelphia were his lordship’s words. There I’m to report to Admiral Graves for further orders.”
“Well, ‘I’s don’t mind going south,” Bart volunteered, “But I wishes it’d be a bit further south. It’s still cold in ‘Fillydelfia ‘hein’t it?”
“Aye, Bart, that it is and with December coming on I fear we will be iced in some cold harbour for months with nothing to do but try to keep from freezing.”
“Well, could be you ‘mighten talk Admiral Graves ‘inta sending ‘us’s to Florida to keep an eye on them dago’s. We knows they’s helping the privateers.”
“Well, Bart, I’ll pass your concerns on to the admiral and see how he responds.”
“He’d respond in the right way iffen he ‘ad a brain,” Bart replied.
“Bart!”
“Aye, I know’s I’m talking ‘bout a King’s officer.” Then Bart was out the door.
“ Damme,” Lord Anthony exclaimed, “Will I ever get the last word in?”
A smiling Silas sat in the pantry and said to himself, “I doubt it.”
Notes
[1] The name brigantine comes from the fact that these ships were the favorite vessels of sea brigands (pirates).
The brigantine was the second most popular type of ship built in the American colonies before 1775. (The most popular ship type was a “sloop”.)
A brigantine is swifter and more easily maneuvered than larger ships, and therefore it was employed for purposes of piracy, espionage, and reconnoitering, and as an attendant upon larger ships for protection and supply or landing purposes. In the earlier days the brigantine was a vessel with two masts, square-rigged like a ship’s fore-and-aft sail with a gaff and boom.
Little was required to convert a brigantine from use as a merchant ship to use as a privateer or vice versa.
[2] Verbatim orders to an escort captain during the American Revolutionary War.
[3] Captain Jack Cunningham’s character is from C.D. White’s, The Broken Sword.
Glossary
aft . Toward the stern (rear) of the ship.
ahead. In a forward direction.
aloft. Above the deck of the ship.
bosun. Also boatswain, a crew member responsible for keeping the hull, rigging and sails in repair.
bowsprit. A large piece of timber which stands out from the bow of a ship.
brig. A two masted vessel, square rigged on both masts.
bulwarks. The sides of a ship above the upper deck.
burgoo. Mixture of coarse oatmeal and water, porridge.
canister. Musket ball size iron shot encased in a cylindrical metal cast. When fired from a cannon, the case breaks apart releasing the enclosed shot. (not unlike firing buckshot from a shotgun shell.)
Cat-O’-Nine Tails. A whip made from knotted ropes, used to punish crewmen. Used for flogging.
chase. A ship being pursued.
coxswain. (Cox’n) The person in charge of the captain’s personal boat.
cutter. A sailboat with one mast and a mainsail and two headsails.
dogwatch. The watches from four to six, and from six to eight, in the evening.
fathom. Unit of measurement equal to six feet.
flotsam. Debris floating on the water surface.
founder. Used to described a ship that is having difficulty remaining afloat.
frigate. A fast three masted fully rigged ship carrying anywhere from twenty to forty-eight guns.
full and by. A nautical term meaning proceed under full sail
furl. To lower a sail.
gaff. A spar or pole extending diagonally upward from the after side of a mast and supporting a fore-and-aft sail.
galley. The kitchen area of a ship.
grog. British naval seaman received a portion of liquor every day. In 1740, Admiral Edward Vernon ordered the rum to be diluted with water. Vernon’s nickname was Old Grogram, and the beverage was given the name grog in their disdain for Vernon.
halyard. A line used to hoist a sail or spar. The tightness of the halyard can affect sail shape.
handsomely. Slowly, gradually.
hard tack. Ship’s biscuit.
haul . Pulling on a line.
heave to. Arranging the sails in such a manner as to stop the forward motion of the ship.
heel. The tilt of a ship/boat to one side.
helm. The wheel of a ship or the tiller of a boat.
holystone . A block of sandstone used to scour the wooden decks of a ship.
idler. The name of those members of a ship’s crew that did not stand night watch because of their work, example cook, carpenters.
jetty. A manmade structure projecting from the shore.
jib. A triangular sail attached to the headstay.
John Company. Nickname for the Honourable East India Company.
jonathan. British nickname for an American.
keel. A flat surface (fin) built into the bottom of the ship to reduce the leeway caused by the wind pushing against the side of the ship.
ketch. A sailboat with two masts. The shorter mizzen mast is aft of the main, but forward of the rudder post.
knot. One knot equals one nautical mile per hour. This rate is equivalent to aproximately 1.15 statute miles per hour.
larboard. The left side of a ship or boat.
lee. The direction toward which the wind is blowing. The direction sheltered from the wind.
letter of Marque. A commission issued by the governmental authorizing seizure of enemy property.
luff. The order to the steersman to put the helm towards the lee side of the ship, in order to sail nearer to the wind.
main mast. The tallest (possibly only) mast on a ship.
mast. Any vertical pole on the ship that sails are attached to.
mizzen mast. A smaller aft mast.
moor. To attach a ship to a mooring, dock, post, anchor.
nautical mile. One minute of latitude, approximately 6076 feet—about 1/8 longer than the statute mile of 5280 feet.
pitch. (1) A fore and aft rocking motion of a boat. (2) A material used to seal cracks in wooden planks.
privateer. A privateer is a captain with a Letter of Marque which allows a captain to plunder any ship of a given enemy nation. A privateer was supposed to be above being tried for piracy.
prize. An enemy vessel captured at sea by a warship or privateer. Technically these ships belonged to the crown, but after review by the Admiralty court and condemnation, they were sold and the prize money shared.
powder monkey. Young boy (usually) who carried cartridges of gunpowder from the filling room up to the guns during battle.
quarterdeck. A term applied to the afterpart of the upper deck. The area is generally reserved for officers.
rake. A measurement of the top of the mast’s tilt toward the bow or stern.
reef. To reduce the area of sail. This helps prevent too much sail from being in use when the wind gets stronger (a storm or gale).
roll. A side-to-side motion of the ship, usually caused by waves.
schooner. A North American (colonial) vessel with two masts the same size.
scuppers. Drain holes on deck, in the toe rail, or in bulwarks.
sextant. A navigational instrument used to determine the vertical position of an object such as the sun, moon or stars.
shoal. Shallow, not deep.
skiff . A small boat.