While not having the faintest idea on how to persuade the mutineers to return to their duty, he agreed to at least examine the problem. Phillips dictated to the clerk every suitable lieutenant he could recall. Told it would be another day before he would have an answer, he went outside to wait for Thomas. The lad finally appeared, his gait suggesting he may have had something to drink along with his lunch. Phillips followed him back to the inn, to decide whether the boy was fit to drive the chaise. In the event, he did permit Thomas to drive to his town house; without incident, thankfully. Mullins set the servants scurrying to locate and pack all of the gear that might be possibly required for a long voyage. Henry and Thomas were sent out to secure a wagon and team to carry everything to quayside, and Cook was sent out with her assistant to purchase such foods and supplies for his own private as could keep edible for weeks and months aboard ship. Everything was packed and loaded aboard the wagon that evening. Next morning, he told Thomas to engage a boat that could carry the load down to a quay near the anchorage where the HMS Jason lay at anchor. He himself was going to report to the Admiralty to see if any changes had occurred.
Nepean was not available, but an aide was. He was handed comprehensive orders and asked what his plans were. Glancing through the orders, he found he was almost able to order any naval or military officer of any rank to do his bidding. He told the officer, “I need to get down to the anchorage where I can look over the Jason. I will have to examine matters before I can make any plans.”
“Sir, we have a launch at Whitehall Steps to convey you. I would be glad to get you an escort there.” A smartly uniformed naval lieutenant appeared. He was carrying a leather bag stuffed with papers. The aide said, “Before you leave, I need to tell you that the only officer we could locate on your list was Lieutenant Crawford. He was last second officer on a third rate which paid off last autumn. He has been on half pay since. A messenger was sent to collect him early this morning, and he may be in the waiting room now.”
“Good, let us go see.”
And there was Crawford, standing against the wall, as no seats were open.”
Phillips pointed him out furtively. “Is there a place I could wait, lieutenant? I’d like you to collect Crawford for me, and I need to talk with him before we proceed.”
The officer showed him a tiny room with a desk. A little man sat at the desk behind a pile of papers, scribbling furiously. “James”, the officer said. “We need to use your desk for a few minutes. Please go get some lunch.”
Phillips was sitting behind the desk looking important when Crawford arrived. He dismissed the naval aide, and asked Crawford if he was looking for employment. Crawford, with a huge smile on his face assured him he was indeed. Phillips quickly briefed Crawford on the mission. “Somehow, we have to get aboard the Jason and take command. I am going to need some officers beside yourself. Was there anyone else you know out in the waiting room? We want people that are hard and tough, but intelligent and able to think on their feet also.”
“I saw Dave Anderson out there. We were mids together on the old Sandwich. I’ve seen him a few times since.”
“Very well, go and collect him and bring him back. We don’t have time to fool around, so first see if he knows any lieutenants there. If he does not, collect two more at random. Again, I need capable officers who can take command of men by themselves. We’re also probably going to need a few experienced mids and master’s mates too.”
The collection of officers walked the short distance to Whitehall Steps. The launch was indeed there. It was a tight fit to cram everyone in, along with their kit. The wind and tide sped their journey down river, but it was dusk when they reached the end of their journey.
It was late as they passed the mutinous ships and pulled toward the shore. When they landed on the quay near a rough inn, Phillips had no idea where to take his crew of officers, many of whom, long without employment, were obviously without funds. They were near a disreputable inn, so handing Crawford a guinea and a handful of shillings, he told him to feed the people and get them rested. They were to remain nearby and sober until told otherwise.
He told the people he was going to consult with the military people about ways and means to get on board the ship. In the meantime, all were expected to be ready for action at any time, perhaps this very night. “You will consider yourself to be on duty, so you will be responsible to keep yourselves sober. If you have noticed, you will see we have an extra lieutenant beyond compliment, so I can leave someone behind with no problem. ”
Walking outside in the gathering dusk, he found a Marine guard walking picket around a warehouse. He demanded the Marine call his superior. “Corpril o’ the Guard, post number three,” the man shouted at the top of his lungs. A small corporal with impeccable uniform came trotting up, saluting when he saw Phillips.
”Corporal, I need to talk to your most senior officer. Where can I find him?”
“Sah, only officer here is Lieutenant Atkins. In that tent over there.”
The large tent was next to an encampment apparently of mainly Army troops. Several Army officers as well as a Marine lieutenant came out when Phillips called out. He took Atkins aside and asked if any other Marine troops were available. Atkins assured him that only twenty Marines were at close hand.
“What about these soldiers?”
“They have been sent to provide security to these warehouses in case the mutineers try to land and seize food and materiel inside.”
“Would they have a senior officer here?”
“I know they have a colonel. He comes around, huffing and puffing.”
“Well, I need to see him.”
Atkins went back into the tent and returned with an Army captain who agreed to accompany him to the inn where the colonel was quartered. The colonel was sitting at table, and not inclined to be moved. He delegated a major to deal with this forward naval officer.
Sitting at a table with a glass of wine in his hand, Phillips showed the major his orders, and asked him to read them. The impressed officer asked, “Who do you want me to kill?”
Phillips said he needed a party of armed men who could get him aboard the Jason, pointing out the frigate riding at anchor.
“How many would you need?”
“There are probably two hundred men aboard the frigate, but perhaps not all are in sympathy with the mutiny. Some probably realize it cannot last forever, and when this is ended, the gallows will be crowded. Say one hundred soldiers?”
“Let us say two hundred. I can get in the same amount of trouble for ordering two hundred as one.”
“Should we not check in with the colonel when he finishes eating?”
“You must mean drinking. I doubt if he is able to sit up now, let alone talk. No matter, with orders like yours, I am covered.”
“How the devil will we get them to the ship? We can’t fool around with small numbers of men in many boats. We need to get our people aboard at once, in a rush, so we can overpower any defense they may try to mount.”
The major pointed to a Thames River barge passing by in the river. “Those things go by at all hours, night and day. Nobody pays them any attention. We could easily get a hundred men on one. There are a few empty ones upriver that I know are waiting for a cargo. Their captains would not give tuppence for those orders of yours, but if you showed them some gold, you could charter as many as you wanted.”
Phillips meditated. “How would they get aboard in a hurry? Seamen would have no trouble boarding, but soldiers?”
“We have scaling ladders in store we train with. They will be able to climb aboard with no problem.”
“Very well, I am to charter two Thames river barges. You will supply two hundred armed soldiers. Can we do this tonight? I am afraid the longer we wait, the better chance word will get out and reach the Jason.”
“We can leave as soon as you sign some papers releasing me of liability in the event of a man dropping a musket or losing a ladder. Have you given any t
hought of how those other ships out there will behave when they hear the commotion? They all have guns, some have a lot of guns.”
“As soon as I have command of the ship, I will set sail to get us out of the anchorage. I doubt if the mutineers are fully prepared of all eventualities. They probably are governing by committee. I think if we present them with a sudden situation, they will be unable to react in time to prevent us from leaving.”
As Phillips waited for the soldiers to be formed up, he spied his officers waiting on a quay. While they obviously had had something to drink with their supper, none seemed obviously incapacitated. He went over to explain the forthcoming events. He told them, “I will be commanding. You gentlemen have probably already sorted yourself out as to rank and service dates. I am about to attempt to hire two Thames River barges. If they cannot be hired, we will simply confiscate them. Soldiers will load into the barges and we will sail out toward the frigate, one barge on either side. The barge’s captains will be best able to handle their strange rig, but the senior Royal Navy officer aboard will be prepared to see his barge comes alongside the Jason at the proper time.”
“The mutineers should not notice us until we close, as similar barges come and go here in the estuary at all times. As we approach, soldiers will throw grapnels, as many as we can find. After we lodge against the frigate’s side, we will deploy scaling ladders, and go aboard with a rush. Lieutenant Crawford, I want you and a midshipman of your choice to secure the ship’s wheel. You, Lieutenant “What’s your name.” Greely? I want you to be prepared to cut the cable on my order. You will need a sharp axe. You had also better have a mid with you. As soon as the cable is cut, you may then proceed to assist getting sail on the ship. This should be done as soon as the cable is cut. You other officers are responsible for getting us to sea. Remember, many of the men may not be dedicated mutineers. We have a long voyage ahead of us, and who knows where we can get more crew, so please do not kill more people than necessary.”
The soldiers came marching up in one large body, sergeants counting cadence. When they halted, Phillips asked the major to keep the men silent until the ship was boarded. “We do not want them to know something unusual is occurring.”
The soldiers were marched up to the area where half a dozen barges had been run on shore. Men were hovering around a campfire, among them Thomas and Henry. Their wagon was parked under some trees, and the team was picketed. Phillips approached the party. “I am Captain Phillips of the Royal Navy. I wish to charter two barges to take some people out to my ship, HMS Jason.”
“One whiskered man spat, and asked, “Will this be gold or silver or one of them government bills?”
“I will be paying with guineas, gentlemen.”
“What about those mutineers on the ship? What will they think about this? I ain’t taking my barge into no battle.”
“Gentlemen, we are carrying two hundred soldiers out to the frigate Jason, anchored a mile downstream. We will use two barges to carry them; one barge on each side. When we near the frigate, grapnels will be thrown to secure each barge to the ship. Soldiers will swarm over on scaling ladders. As soon as the troops are aboard, you will be free to go. I am paying five guineas for each barge. That is a good rate for perhaps an hour’s hire.”
“The first two captains that approach me will get the charter. If none of you do, then the troops will confiscate the first two barges they come to. We can crew them ourselves if necessary. However when we cast them off, they may be difficult for you to recover.”
First one captain said ‘Aye’ to Phillips, then another. With the help of the soldiers, the beached barges were shoved off the beach, and rude gangplanks deployed. As the troops began filing on board the craft, Thomas approached. “Yer honour, what do we do with the food on the wagon?”
Damn, he had forgotten all about that. Looking downstream, he saw the launch that had carried the officers. Apparently no one had told the crew they were free to go. He pointed the launch out. “Run over there, and tell the coxswain Captain Phillips needs the boat here. Then tell them to load the supplies and be ready to carry it out to that ship downstream. We will be attacking it soon. Do not approach until the fighting is over. Do you understand all that?”
“Please sir, what is a coxswain?”
“He’s the man in charge of the boat. Just ask.”
Both barges were loaded now, and ready to cast off. It was difficult for Phillips to find a space for himself, but he managed. The current pushed them slowly downstream, then the foresail caught the breeze, as did their main. A wake appeared as the barge began making a few knots. As they pulled out to starboard, it seemed as they were passing Jason on that side, while the other barge remained to port. At first no one paid attention as they neared the frigate. Then, as the barges closed on the frigate, someone up forward on the Jason challenged. Men whirled the grapnels, a half dozen for each barge, and most connected. Soldiers grasped the lines and pulled the barges fast to each side of the ship. Ladders were deployed and soldiers, their muskets slung on their backs swarmed aboard. Men were beginning to boil out of the Jason hatches, but the soldiers beat them, some standing by the hatches, bashing men with their musket butts as they appeared. As the soldiers began swarming on to the ship, the watch stander yelled, “Soldiers coming on board.”
It was very dark, with an overcast sky, but they could hear voices on a third rate anchored nearby. Someone challenged them but received no reply. Phillips heard the axe chopping at the cable, and quietly ordered “Make sail.”
The cable fell into the river as the axe cut the last strand, and most of the officers were now in the rigging, trying to make sail, a job most of them had never done since their midshipman days. Surprisingly, there were more than a few seamen there too, from the ship’s crew helping the officers.
As the sails caught the wind, a gun boomed from the third rate. The fall of the shot was not observed, and they could not answer. A man appeared by the wheel who said he was the ship’s sailing master and could pilot them out to sea.
Phillips remained by the wheel all night. A few of the ship’s crew had approached and asked if they could take it. Phillips gladly agreed. As the night wore on, more men began taking on their old duties. He worried about Thomas. He had forgotten the lad, and hoped he would be able to get back to the house all right. Then, next morning, there he was, on his knees, scrubbing away at the deck with a sandstone ‘bible’. Apparently, he had come aboard on his own, and was now just copying the sailors, as though he was back home and following the servants.
By daylight matters had stabilized. He had had those officers not actually involved in sailing the ship interviewing men and making copious notes. Those crew members felt to be seriously involved in the mutiny were sent into the extra launch now towing astern. A dozen soldiers with loaded muskets were stationed at the taffrail to make sure none of them tampered with the painter. Those involved only incidentally were put to work about ship. There were plenty of vacancies. The mutineers had sent some of the warrants ashore, as well as all of the original ship’s officers. For instance, while they had two loblolly boys, there was no surgeon. The purser had gone, and his records had been destroyed, as well as his stock being rummaged. In the early morning, Phillips himself took a hand in interviewing some of the warrants, to see if he could get a better handle of what was wrong aboard his ship. The results were ambivalent, until he talked with the gunner. That individual was not shy about pointing out the perceived failures of the ship’s former commissioned officers, now removed.
Phillips asked, “Did you bring your misgivings to the attention of any of them?”
“No Sir, none of those would listen to the likes of me.”
“What about myself, Master Gunner. If you heard rumblings aboard ship of a possible mutiny, would you bring them to my attention?”
“Well Sir, I just dunno. I would hate to bring a mate to a noose over something I heard.”
Phillips discussed the mutiny with the
sailing master as they spent the night on the quarterdeck. Mister Johnson claimed he had been told he could leave, but elected to stay to do what he could to protect the ship. Johnson helped identify some of the more ‘bloody minded’ of the mutineers. When they got around to discussing the amount of stores on board, he knew they were going to have to make port soon. In the process of preparing the ship for its voyage to Cape Colony, much of the ship’s stores had been landed in order to more efficiently store the hold. After the mutiny took hold, these stores went to the warehouses, and no further stores had been issued. Some of the huge water butts in the bowels of the ship had been pumped out, and were awaiting fresh water. With the ships in a state of mutiny, it had been decided not to re-supply them until matters were sorted out.
The two hundred soldiers aboard strained the resources of the ship severely. Johnson assured his captain they could make Plymouth before matters became dire. Phillips told him to make it so, and ordered Lieutenant Crawford to cut the water ration to all by one quarter, including himself and the other officers. In desperate straits because of his water problem, he approached Plymouth gingerly. He had escaped one batch of mutineers. He certainly did not want to hand the ship over to another.
Frigates of War: A John Phillips Novel Page 2