The Threat in the Baltic (The Merriman Chronicles Book 5)

by Roger Burnage

  Chapter 15 – Merriman meets Admiral Nelson

  Merriman stared gloomily out of the carriage window. It was pouring with rain and the city was dank, dark and miserable. The streets were littered with sodden indescribable rubbish and the smell –---------------- Well! He tried to breathe no more than absolutely necessary through the kerchief he held to his nose. Mr Grahame was with him and they were making their way to a hotel Grahame knew of. He had brought his ship creeping into the Medway River, carefully avoiding the changeable mud banks on either side, to Chatham dockyard. Merriman and Grahame had decided to take the ship there and then a post-chaise to London which would be quicker than sailing round to Portsmouth and then coaching back to London.

  They had not sent word ahead of their arrival in London but once they were settled in the hotel and in fresh clothes, a messenger was sent to the Admiralty and they were trusting that Admiral Sir David Edwards would be eager to hear what they had discovered during their foray to Denmark. The usual harassed Lieutenant took their names and showed them into the waiting room which was surprisingly almost empty except for a single Lieutenant worriedly biting his lip and a Midshipman, little more than a nervous boy who almost cringed when Merriman, a Captain, looked at him.

  The inner door opened and another Captain emerged smiling broadly. He walked past, hardly noticing anybody there. “He's had some good news I think” thought Merriman, “Maybe a new command” . The Lieutenant and the Midshipman were called next, to come back after some twenty minutes with the Lieutenant white-faced and the boy in tears. Obviously they had received bad news or a censure, perhaps the end of their career in the Navy.

  Merriman recalled the time he was waiting here when a pasty faced and miserable Captain had emerged from the inner sanctum with his career in ruins. He had been the Captain of a frigate which suffered a mutiny only put down with difficulty by the loyal men. That frigate was renamed the Lord Stevenage and given to Merriman when he was promoted to Post Captain. He was brought out of his reverie by the Lieutenant calling “Sir David will see you now Gentlemen”.

  The big room was just as Merriman remembered it with its ornate, coved and plastered ceiling, the weather repeater on the wall so that the wind direction could be seen at a glance. A beautiful, highly polished mahogany table was in the centre of the room with Admiral Edwards sitting at it with another officer near him. Merriman was startled to realise that he must be the famous Admiral Horatio Nelson. The pinned up sleeve of his coat confirmed it “Ah, Merriman” said Admiral Edwards, “Maybe you know my other visitor- eh?”

  “Yes Sir, I do. It is an honour to meet you my Lord, your name is known everywhere” said Merriman bowing. “Oh never mind that Captain, Admiral Edwards has been telling me about your exploits round Ireland and the Caribbean Sea. I hear that you were in India defeating pirates when I was trouncing Napoleon's fleet at Aboukir Bay in Egypt”.

  Nelson sat for a moment staring at Merriman, “Merriman? Merriman? I remember a very good frigate Captain, Joseph Merriman, from when I was a Lieutenant, are you related by any chance?” “Y-y-yes Sir” stammered Merriman “He was my Father, but he is dead now Sir”.

  “Ah well, it catches up with us all in the end, you have my condolences”.

  Edwards spoke “Sit down Gentlemen, Mr Grahame my Lord, is the Treasury's agent and reports to the Prime minister and Lord Stevenage and he was with Captain Merriman in those events you just mentioned and is just back from Copenhagen“. Nelson nodded to Grahame and asked “What have you found out in The Baltic about defences and such and are those countries really allied in that damned treaty?” “Yes Sir, I believe they are but Mr Grahame can tell you more about the diplomatic side of that. I have my report here Sir and charts of the defences of Copenhagen harbour. They are as complete as we could make them from looking round from where the ship was forced to anchor. The Danes wouldn't let any of us ashore Sir except for Mr Grahame”.

  “Well done Captain” exclaimed Nelson almost leaping up from his chair, his one good eye alight with interest, “Spread them out on the table and let me see” Merriman had brought with him copies of the charts which had been laboriously copied by his clerk Tomkins and he unrolled them as requested and stood back. “My word Captain Merriman, these are wonderful, I see you have made estimates of the depth of water there also”. “Yes Sir, I couldn't use a boat with a leadline without the Danes noticing but I took note of the sizes of different ships and where they passed at all states of the tide”.

  “Excellent Captain” said Nelson and turning to Admiral Edwards he said “I definitely need this officer under my command in the events to come. As always I will be desperately short of frigates and I would be happy to have Captain Merriman with me in the Baltic if that could be arranged”.”.

  “Very well my Lord that can be arranged. Now Mr Grahame, tell us what you know about this damned treaty”. Grahame duly obliged and whist he was recounting what he knew, Merriman was nearly hugging himself with delight. He was going to join the famous Lord Nelson. What action and excitement awaited him? Nelson was not as big as he had imagined, a slight, erect figure well known in the Navy for his deeds and injuries. His lost arm was clearly signified by his empty sleeve but Merriman was surprised to see that his eye injury did not show, there was no disfigurement and the eyeball was visible but cloudy. He was noted for his impetuosity in battle and frequent disobedience of orders but equally well known as a great naval tactician with many victories to his credit.

  Merriman was aroused from his thoughts by Admiral Edwards speaking to him “So that is settled Captain, you will join the fleet presently assembling at Spithead before moving to Great Yarmouth. Admiral Nelson is to be the second in command under Admiral Sir Hyde Parker and you will be part of that fleet, attached to his Lordship here. Where is your ship now?” “Chatham Sir David, We judged it would be quicker if we came here by post-chaise from there”.

  The Admiral nodded, “Yes probably, Captain, I'll have your orders drafted immediately so don't leave without them. Now I must speak to Mr Grahame alone so if you would wait in the next room –-------” He was only waiting for a few minutes before Grahame appeared again. “I'm afraid it's bad news James, Lord Stevenage is very ill and as I am the senior agent of the Treasury I am charged with replacing him temporarily, so I shan't be with you this time”. Merriman was aghast, Lord Stevenage was his patron and responsible to a large degree in Merriman's advancement. “Ill Sir, how ill is he, can we visit him?”

  “I don't know any more James, he is at his country estate and not able to carry out his duties at present, indeed if ever again. I shall be going to see him immediately so if you wish to write a letter I will be pleased to take it to him. But you have your orders so you will not have time to visit him”.

  Chapter 16 - March 1801, the fleet sails for the Baltic

  In October of the year 1800, Merriman brought his ship round to Spithead to join the fleet being assembled for the Baltic. And there the ship stayed, swinging on her mooring. The only excitement was when another Ship-of-the-Line arrived to join them bringing the total up to twelve plus several frigates, brigs and bomb-ships. During that time Merriman was at his wits end to find new exercises for his crew to keep them sharp and up to his required standard. The men were getting bored with inactivity and fights had broken out, one with knives but thankfully the others were just fisticuffs although Merriman censured the men and only punished the two knifemen. On a happier note some Captain decided to arrange boat races between all the ships, each boat crew to consist of no more than eight men and a Midshipman on the tiller. There were so many ships wanting to compete that they were divided into three groups with the winner in each group to compete in the final.

  Naturally this caused much excitement, and careful selection of the strongest oarsmen from each crew with much good natured banter between the men such as “Don't know why you was picked Jacko, you 'ave trouble pullin' a belayin' pin, ne'mind an oar” and “Don't forget that you all 'ave
to face the same way when rowin' “ and “Bernie, you dozy bugger, don't fall asleep will yer”. The officers were as keen as the men and small wagers were made between them. Two days had been allowed for selection and practice until the day of the race dawned and the boats assembled in their groups.

  Of course the smaller ships, sloops, brigs and bombships with smaller crews to pick from formed a competition among themselves and the bigger ships-of-the-Line and frigates made up the other competition. Winner of the smaller ships came from the brig-sloop HMS Harpy eagerly urged on from another boat by their Captain William Birchall. Then came the turn of the boats from the bigger ships. The boat from the Lord Stevenage won in the first heat by a good margin and rested watching the two other groups.

  Then it was the final, with a boat from the seventy-four gun HMS Monarch, a boat from the thirty-six gun HMS Blanche and the boat from Merriman's ship Lord Stevenage. At a trumpet blast from the Flagship, all three crews set off pulling madly. At first the other two forged ahead but Midshipman Greene carefully kept his crew at a slower stroke until he could see that the other boats were slowing, their crews having almost exhausted themselves, then he urged his men on to a supreme effort and passed first one and almost passed the other, only losing by half a boat's length. Other boats from the ships followed with men shouting to and cheering for their mates.

  As the weary men climbed back on board Merriman met them and shook hands with them all. The Purser, Grummage, was also there with a tray of tin mugs and a bottle of rum from which he grudgingly provided the boat's crew with a double tot. “That was well done men, very well done” said Merriman, “You beat all the boats from the bigger ships and nearly beat the lot of them”. “Yes Sir”, said Greene, ”We did and if the course had been fifty yards longer we would have won”.

  That excitement lasted for days with spirited discussions going on all round the ship and Merriman was pleased to see how much morale had improved. As he toured the ship on his weekly inspection he was met by grinning men in each watch and at his duty station.

  After that nothing happened until January of the next year when it was confirmed that Admiral Sir Hyde Parker was to be in command with Rear Admiral Nelson to be second in command. Again there was a delay until the end of February when the fleet received orders to get underway for Great Yarmouth. That short voyage gave the crews of all ships the opportunity to be practised in heavy weather sailing.

  Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, at the age of sixty- one had just married a young eighteen year old girl and he took her to Yarmouth with him to stay at an inn in the town. Of course this news gave the seamen the opportunity to come up with all kinds of ribaldry as the news rapidly spread from ship to ship Merriman was on the quarterdeck staring at the shore when he heard one of the marines say to his fellow “Admiral Parker! Rambunctious old goat he is, no wonder he wants to stay ashore”. That was one of the least offensive comments and Merriman had difficulty in keeping his face straight and pretending not to have heard. “Didn't think he had it in 'im mate” said another. “No, but I bet he had it in somewhere” laughed another.

  Merriman coughed to remind them that he was there and just then the mail boat came alongside with a bag of letters and orders. There was one from the Admiralty Prize Office confirming that the money from the sale of two frigates captured in India had been paid into his account and another letter from Helen reporting on events at home and repeatedly using phrases of endearment he would not have wanted anybody else to see.

  Eventually, Admiral Nelson, recently promoted to Vice Admiral of the Blue, arrived at Yarmouth on the eighth of March and expressed his annoyance that the Commander-in-Chief was still ashore, with his wife planning a Ball for the following week. He called all the Captains to a meeting aboard his Flagship the St. George to discuss the situation in the Baltic and what they may find it to be. Nelson was angry, “We should sail immediately Gentlemen, every day we lose means that Denmark can increase its defences and if the ice in the Baltic melts enough we could have the Russian fleet against us as well. We can't sail until Admiral Hyde Parker joins us but I think our friend is a little nervous about dark nights and ice or perhaps he prefers a warm bed”, he said mischievously.

  There was some laughter and Nelson continued, “Gentlemen, I don't believe you all know Captain Merriman here. He was in Copenhagen some months ago and he has made excellent notes of the defences there and some of the soundings. Copies of his own chart with all the main features of the defences are being prepared for each of you as fast as possible. I suggest you study Captain Merriman's own chart here and feel free to ask any questions”.

  They all wanted to see the chart and soon the questions came thick and fast Merriman could hardly answer one before another. Nelson said “You will all notice that the bearings of each fort and the floating battery are taken from the one point where his ship the Lord Stevenage was forced to anchor. Now Gentlemen, make your own notes for now and your copies of the chart will be sent out to you”.

  It transpired that Nelson had written a letter to the Admiralty about the delay and the effect of that was that Hyde Parker received formal orders to set sail immediately and on March the twelfth the fleet set sail for the Baltic. It was a strong force of fifteen ships-of-the -line two fifty gun ships and frigates and brigs and bombships.

  Chapter 17 - The battle of Copenhagen

  Merriman , in common with most men in the fleet was excited to see the coast of Norway to larboard and Denmark to starboard and the fleet eventually reached the narrows between the Danish shore and the batteries on the Norwegian side leading into the Kattegat, but there was no cannon fire from either side and the fleet sailed on heading for the much narrower strait between Kronborg Castle in Denmark and the shores of Sweden, keeping well away from the Danish side and fortunately the Swedish guns remained silent.

  There was great speculation amongst the officers on the quarterdeck and Lieutenant Bristow summoned up the courage to ask Merriman if he knew the Admiral's plans. “No Mr Bristow, I don't but it wouldn't surprise me if the fleet was divided into two squadrons, one under Admiral Hyde Parker and the other under Admiral Nelson's command, splitting up to be able to attack from north and south behind that big shoal called The Middle Ground. But we can only wait and see”.

  They had not long to wait, there was a great flurry of signals from both Flagships and the fleet began to separate as Merriman had foretold. The Commander-in-Chief gave Nelson ten ships- of-the-line all with the shallowest draught and all the smallest ships in the fleet, including some of the frigates, bombships and fireships, while he would stay with the rest of the fleet to the north-east ready to engage the northern defences.

  Nelson moved his flag from the St. George to the Elephant which had a shallower draught and then both squadrons anchored to the north of Copenhagen while Parker, Nelson and other senior officers went aboard two frigates for a reconnaissance, one was the Amazon and the other the Lord Stevenage. Merriman was surprised to hear the signals Midshipman Small call out “Signal from Flag Sir, 'Prepare to receive senior officers' Sir.

  Merriman hastened below to change into his best uniform after telling his officers to do the same and to order the side party to close up. He was back on the quarterdeck in time to hear somebody say “It's the Admiral Sir, both of them actually”. Admiral Hyde Parker was the first to come aboard closely followed by Nelson and a retinue of Army officers and some naval captains to the squeal of bos'n's pipes and the rigid lines of marines at the present arms.

  “It's good to see you again Captain Merriman” said Nelson, “Admiral Parker Sir, this is the Captain who drew up the latest charts showing the Danish defences”. “Well done Captain” said Parker, “I'm sure they are right but I want to see for myself as does Nelson here”. “Can I interest you Gentlemen in a drink, I have some exceedingly fine claret below”, said Merriman trying to be the perfect host. “No time for that Captain, we need to see all we can before it's too dark to see” replied the Admiral, “
Set sail at once”.

  They approached Copenhagen from the north, as close as possible while staying just out of range of the biggest guns in the batteries. Merriman had a leadsman in the fore-chains taking soundings as fast as he could while Lieutenant Bristow noted them all down. Then the two frigates moved south-eastward past The Middle Ground to see the defences there. “Just as you said Captain, your description of it all was excellent”, Nelson told Merriman, “and I congratulate you on a task well done. Now I would like to try your claret while we sail back to the fleet”.

  In Merriman's stern cabin, which must seem small to the Admirals after their spacious cabins aboard the flagships, he apologised for the lack of space but Nelson interrupted him “Captain Merriman, don't worry. We have all been frigate Captains in our turn and know what it is like. Some of my happiest memories are of when I was a frigate Captain”. He took a sip of the claret served by a nervous Peters and continued “By Jove Captain, this is a fine claret Sir, do you not agree Gentlemen?” There were sounds of agreement from the rest of the group and Peters hastily topped up the glasses.

  When the visitors had gone back to their own ships and Lord Stevenage was safely anchored, Merriman all but collapsed in his chair in his cabin with relief. All captains want their ship to appear at its best with so many senior officers aboard and he had been worried that something would go wrong, until Nelson took him by the arm as he was leaving and said “You have a fine ship Captain, I've seen many but none better than yours Sir”.

  At last Nelson's squadron was under way and in the last of the daylight passed down the outer channel and anchored to the south of The Middle Ground. That night, under cover of darkness, Captain Hardy of Nelson's Flagship spent hours being rowed up and down the channel between the Middle Ground and the Danish line of ships, now named the King's Channel, taking soundings, returning to report that the channel was suitable for an attack and confirming most of Merriman's estimates.