HMS RESOLVE: A John Phillips Novel

by Richard Testrake

  The crews of both ships were worn out by the time they reached English Harbor. Governor Elliot was satisfied with their success, knowing with Siréne in British hands, most of the danger to trade in the Leeward Islands was ended, at least for the time being.

  Both ships had been battered and it was thought best to give each enough attention in the dockyard to get them back to Britain, where they would be surveyed as to what needed to be done.

  Two weeks after entering the dockyard, the ships, while not completely restored to operational condition, were at least considered capable of making the voyage home. The frigates were attached to a small convoy, guarded by a gun-brig and a cutter. While neither of the frigates had the men aboard to fight their guns efficiently, it was thought two large warships in the convoy would deter any attempt on it.

  They made an uneventful trip across and reached Portsmouth in late autumn. Both captains were called to visit the port admiral. Phillips allowed Scott to reach shore ten minutes before himself, to give him time to reap a little glory. When Phillips was ushered into the office, Scott already had a couple of glasses of wine in him and was well into the story.

  When finished, Admiral Montagu spent some time going through the dispatches and papers they had delivered to him. Finally he said, “Gentlemen, I always cringe when I get an active officer attached to me, because I know it will mean added paperwork for me in the future. Now, I find I have two such officers who I expect will be plying me with paper. I find I must obtain another clerk or two!”

  “I must congratulate you two for your energy and success in filling out your orders. Captain Scott, I would dearly like to give you Siréne to command, but that is not to be. She will undoubtedly take a year to go through prize court and have the necessary repairs done. I cannot in good conscious allow such a promising officer to cool his heels that long.”

  “Therefore, I think we had better give you a command of a ship-sloop now coming out of the dockyard. She is a former French corvette, almost new and I believe it will make a splendid first command for a new commander. My clerk outside will give you her papers and I wish you good luck.”

  “Captain Phillips, I do not know what to do with you. Your ship needs repair and I am prepared to let you go home on half pay until she is ready to sail and fight again. On the other hand, if you wish, I could give you another ship that will be ready to sail very soon.”

  “Sir, if it’s all the same to you, I would like to wait for Resolve. We are becoming used to each other.”

  “Very well, Captain Phillips. If you will give my clerk outside your address, we will contact you by post when she is ready.”

  Captain Scott was waiting when he emerged from the admiral’s office. They adjourned to a nearby inn, to exchange addresses. When they finished reminiscing, Scott went down to the harbor to find his sloop of war. Phillips ordered another tankard of beer and settled down to wait for the London coach.

  While still at sea, he had written to the various members of his family, including his wife Sarah, explaining he would be arriving home shortly. Mister Andrews lived in Portsmouth and had offered to post the letters on his way home. If everything had gone as hoped, the letters to the Essex house would already be on the London coach and be on the road to Essex the next morning. They should arrive tomorrow, about the time he arrived in London. After that, he would have another long journey by coach back home.

  Once in London, he stopped by the Admiralty to make sure they knew he was in the country. He gave the clerk his address and was leaving when the clerk said, “Captain Phillips, I have a message I am to deliver to you. It was put in my box this morning. You are to meet with Assistant Secretary to the Admiralty, Mister Johnson when you come in.”

  Phillips adjourned to the waiting room, crowded as usual. A young lieutenant, just commissioned by the look of his new uniform, hastily offered his seat. Another offered him a ‘Times’ and he was now prepared for a long wait.

  Fifteen minutes later, one of the warders approached and informed him Mister Johnson was ready to see him.

  Johnson was a bear of a man, over six feet tall and well fed indeed. He looked Phillips over carefully and asked him his immediate plans. Phillips said he was waiting for his ship to be repaired and in the meantime was planning on visiting his home in Essex to spend time with his family.

  The official glanced through a stack of papers and remarked, “Yes, we have your address. Should your presence be required in London, we will be able to communicate with you there?”

  “Yes sir, am I to understand my leave may be cut short?”

  “Not at all, Captain. However, your presence could be required in London for a few days. I am unable to give you further details at this time, but you should be alert for further communication by post.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Phillips left the building, wondering what mischief Admiralty had up its sleeve for him. As he left, he almost stumbled over a familiar figure standing just outside the door. Mister Midshipman Spencer immediately apologized to his captain. “Sir, I am most sorry. I was wool-gathering and not paying attention.

  Phillips was feeling hunger pangs and decided on the spur of the moment to find nourishment. Knowing something of the state of Spencer’s finances, he asked the lad to join him. “Or, are you meeting someone in Admiralty?” Phillips asked.

  “No sir, I just wanted to let the clerk inside know where to find me in case something should come up.”

  “Does this mean you will not be coming on the next cruise with us, Mister Spencer?”

  “Sir, I would dearly love to come on your next commission. But I didn’t know how long I would be on the beach. With no half pay, I need to find an income or a position of some sort.”

  Midshipmen’s pay was miniscule and there was no half pay when they were ashore. “I’ll tell you what, Mister Spencer, I would hate to lose you. What say you accompany me to my home in Essex and stay as my guest until the ship goes back into commission?”

  “Sir, I hardly know what to say!”

  *****

  When the pair finally arrived at the Essex estate, everything was in order. No screaming or black looks from his wife. Abigail was visiting from her new home with Mrs. Norris. Sarah was shy and subdued. Phillips greeted her with a kiss and embrace. Even his horse was happy to see him. Spencer remained in the background while the family got re-acquainted.

  Phillips introduced the family to young Spencer. Abigail seemed especially interested in the youth wearing the King’s uniform. After the introductions, Mrs. Hodgkins, the housekeeper took Spencer in hand to show him his room. Abigail went along to ‘help’.

  Left alone with Sarah, Phillips noted that she seemed withdrawn and sad. Even after he presented her with an expensive necklace he had purchased in London, she seemed quiet. Sarah had been the cause of much trouble in their marriage, but John was determined to see her vibrant again. She occupied herself with knitting a cap for Charlotte Norris’ toddler, while Phillips tried to tell her about his recent adventures, carefully avoiding any mention of their prior difficulties.

  He was at his wit’s end trying to get her out of her mood when Mrs. Hodgkins rapped hesitantly on the door frame. She was bearing an impressive parchment document on a silver salver. “Pardon me, Sir, Ma’am. Henry went to town earlier in the day and the postmaster gave him this letter for the Captain. Henry doesn’t read and his memory is not what it used to be. He forgot about it ‘till just now.”

  “It appears to have the Royal Seal, or something very like it. I am most sorry for the delay in getting it to you.”

  Wondering, Phillips broke the seal and read the document inside. It appeared King George III wished to acknowledge Captain Phillips victory over Siréne and the privateers of the Caribbean which had become such a nuisance to British trade. Phillips was to have an audience with the King and be invested with the rights and privileges of the Knight’s Companion Order of the Bath. His family was invited to the ceremony, which was to be
two weeks in the future.

  Without speaking, he handed the missive to Sarah. “What do you think, dear?”

  She emerged from her reverie and glanced at the parchment. Taken aback, she read it over carefully. “Why this is a great honor for you John. Of course, I will not be able to attend. Perhaps you could ask Charlotte Norris?”

  “Now, just why can you not attend, Sarah?”

  “John, I have nothing to wear at court. And I do not wish to be an object of ridicule.”

  “Sarah, we have two weeks to get you something to wear. We will take the coach to London as soon as you wish and stay in the town house while you get your clothing made.”

  “John, it will cost a fortune and I have spent far too much of your money already.”

  “Sarah, I have earned a great deal of money recently. We have been fortunate with prize money.”

  “John, you know very well why I cannot appear at court. We both know my conduct has been scandalous.”

  “Sarah, I am sure few people we will meet know about it and they will mostly keep their silence.”

  “John, I do need to talk about my difficulties with you.”

  “I met David Forrest while you were at sea. I was lonely and he was a dashing officer in the Hussars. I thought you would never find out about our liaison and I felt so alone. Then, he was scheduled to go to Portugal and he was terrified. He was afraid to fight. He told me he could buy a commission as captain in one of the West India Regiments and avoid the fighting in Portugal. He said his father was ailing and he could pay me back with his inheritance if I could loan him the money.”

  “I took two thousand pounds from our account and gave it to him. He sailed for Jamaica immediately and I never heard from him again. Later, I learned he died of fever shortly after arriving.”

  “I was terrified, John. We have been through these difficulties before and I didn’t know what you might do. Sir George Askins had been after me to go into keeping for a long time. When he asked me again, I accepted. I thought he was a prosperous landowner who would provide a good home for me. I found later that he had gambled his fortune away and his estate was taken from him. He was terrified of debtor’s prison, so sailed for Portugal for refuge there.”

  “I do not understand how you can forgive me for any of the problems I have imposed on you.”

  “Sarah, as I see it, your first suitor is dead and unable to cause more trouble. This second man is hiding in Portugal and unlikely to return to face debtor’s prison. Now, some people of course know of this history, but most will be unlikely to spread gossip. If I hear of any such, I will inform the parties that I am willing to call out any man disseminating such rumors.”

  “We constantly hear of adventures of various members of the Royal Court. Any talk at the investiture will probably refer to such people rather than to such rural nobodies as ourselves.”

  “John, I can’t allow you to put yourself in danger. Please do not offer to call anyone out.”

  “Sarah, the thing we must both do is keep our heads high and dare anyone to blacken our reputations. I am not without financial means myself now and I am willing to take a page out of Charlotte Norris’ book and financially ruin anyone who attacks us.”

  In the end, Sarah decided to attend the investiture in London. The household was awhirl in the excitement and there was much turmoil getting everything ready.

  A snag developed when Henry brought out the coach. It had seen no recent use and it now was very shabby and coated with barn dust. Henry had little sight left and was unable to see well enough to keep the vehicle polished. Henry typically used a dilapidated farm wagon to fetch articles from town.

  Hat in hand, Phillips approached Charlotte and asked her for the use of her carriage. She readily agreed and insisted he take the team of matched greys also. The vehicle itself gleamed with polish as did the horse’s harness. John asked Charlotte to attend the investiture herself, but she had already been presented once to the King and did not want a second visit. She disliked especially the attentions of some of the princes she had received on the previous occasion.

  Not an expert driver himself, Phillips invited young Spencer to drive the carriage. Spencer was happy to be of service, but was reluctant to attend the ceremony because of the state of his uniform. He was assured that would be taken care of when they reached London. Abigail had become infatuated with Spencer and tried very hard to be near him as much as possible. She seemed especially interested in his sea stories.

  Henry would follow behind with the old coach, which would be packed with items that might be needed for a two week stay in London. Abigail was much put out when her mother refused to allow her to ride up on the box with her gallant, but Sarah reminded the girl she would be able to spend much time with him in London.

  It was necessary to travel slowly, so as not to tire the elderly farm horses pulling the coach. They stopped in an inn the first night, then travelled all day the next to reach London before nightfall. The vehicles and horses were put up at a nearby livery and everyone prepared for the upcoming ordeal.

  Phillips detailed Spencer to accompany Sarah and Abigail on their shopping mission. He put the purse in Spencer’s hand, not wishing to tempt Sarah, whose shopping instincts were aggressive indeed. Sarah was asked to take Spencer to a tailor and order a midshipman’s uniform suitable for an appearance at court.

  Phillips himself visited a tailor by himself and commissioned a new uniform, suitable for an investiture. His present best was good enough to call on an admiral, but perhaps not a King. After being measured, he took a cabriolet over to the Palace and gazed at it from the outside.

  Perhaps spending too much time staring, a Captain of Hussars came up to him and asked his business. Fortunately, he was carrying the document that had brought him to London and showed it to the officer. Nodding at the Royal Seal, the officer asked, “Reconnoitering the terrain, I think?”

  Phillips admitted he was very new at this and wanted to get all of the information he could before the fateful date.

  “Well, you are in luck. I am waiting right now for the secretary to the Chamberlain, who I expect to be coming out the door momentarily. We are to lunch together. I suspect if you offer to buy lunch, Sir William will fill you in on all of the ceremonial details.”

  Lunch went well. Sir William was most effusive after the second bottle of wine and disclosed all the details Captain Phillips needed to know.

  Phillips wobbled a bit himself when he left to call a cab. The doorman was kind enough to do that for him and got him in it without mishap. The ladies returned later in the afternoon with an unbelievable amount of gear they had purchased. Spencer warned him in private there was a greater quantity due to arrive in the coming week from the various shops as it was altered or made especially for the women.

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  After everyone had been measured for new clothing, it was decided to spend the next few days experiencing the city.

  George Cooke in Richard III was playing in the Theatre Royal at Drury Lane. Phillips despaired at getting seats there for his family, but a word with the housekeeper brought a rather unsavory looking character to their rear entrance, who was able to get a box for the family at a most exorbitant price. The captain gladly paid the amount asked.

  Abigail had never seen a play and neither John nor Sarah had seen one recently. Cooke was rumored to be an undependable drunk, who frequently missed performances, but all went well with this one and the Phillips family was entranced. In addition to the family, Spencer attended, as well as the housekeeper who had arranged for the tickets.

  John had to glower at his midshipman several times during the performance, thinking the lad was sitting much too close to his daughter. Sarah caught him at it and elbowed him sharply to remind him to leave the young people alone. The parents had differing philosophies concerning their daughter.

  John thought Abigail, at thirteen, was much too young to be courting. Sarah however, thought it perfect
ly proper for a young lady to be thinking about her future mate. She had investigated the young midshipman and found that he was from a good family. It was true, as the third son, he was not likely to inherit, but her husband was grooming him to be a naval officer. Captain Phillips had done well financially in the Navy and it was likely his protégé would also.

  The captain was concerned how he was going to keep the family entertained during the long wait, but there was no problem. As long as both Sarah and Abigail were supplied with funds, they could spend every hour of every day shopping. Spencer was perfectly happy to follow Abigail around and carry their purchases to the carriage.

  Phillips, not being able to abide shopping with the ladies, began to spend much of his time at the Admiralty waiting room, meeting old friends he had known long ago. Several lieutenants and a flock of midshipmen asked him to remember them if there was a vacancy on Resolve when she finally sailed. He dutifully wrote their names down, but warned them he would probably be assigned any officers needed by the port admiral.

  The day finally came for the big event. Phillips and Henry went to the livery the day before and the captain handed over a stack of the new banknotes to get the carriage and horses looking their best.

  On the day of the event, Henry, in the new togs that had been purchased for him, drove the family in the carriage to the palace. There were a long line of men waiting to meet the King and Captain Phillips was well to the rear. Court officials chivvied everyone into their proper place and then the line began to move.

  As his turn came closer, events became blurred as stage fright took over. He remembered reciting his lines, but thought afterwards he had mangled them horribly. He did remember to kneel and King George III, an old hand at this, rapped him on the shoulder with his sword, rather harder than he might have liked. Sarah and Abigail both watched from the gallery during the whole ceremony.