Frigates of War: A John Phillips Novel

by Richard Testrake

  Once the coach arrived, Peabody mounted to the top of the coach, even though Phillips had paid for an inside seat. After they arrived in London, Phillips ensured his chest and other gear would be forwarded on to the final destination. At the Admiralty, he gave Peabody a shilling to buy food from street vendors, while he went inside. Giving his name to the porter, he joined the others in the waiting room. It was only an hour before he was called in. A harried official gave a brief explanation. The HMS Stag, 36 gun frigate at Great Yarmouth, had lost her captain through illness. Was Captain Phillips interested in replacing him?

  Captain Phillips was. He asked the official, “Will there be any wardroom vacancies?”

  “As far as I know, Captain, no. The former captain is reported to have all officers and warrants appointed, already.”

  “What about crew?”

  “As to that Captain, I have no information.”

  Phillips accepted his commission, and went outside. Peabody was still guarding those belongings Phillips had not wanted to take inside. He had been observing others, and when Phillips mentioned hiring a vehicle to take them to the coaching inn, Peabody, with great aplomb, raised his hand, and a hackney carriage pulled up. Loading their portable belongings, they were off to the coaching inn, where they boarded the coach. This time, Peabody elected to ride inside.

  Upon arrival, Phillips engaged a shore boat to take them out to the ship. On the way out, he carefully pointed out to Peabody that it would not be customary for him to go aboard through the official entry port. One of the oarsmen offered to put him right. The boat being challenged, stroke oar yelled ‘Stag’, while Phillips stood and pulled his boat cloak down to show his epaulettes. Phillips went aboard to the sound of bosun’s pipes and the stamp of Marines. Phillip’s quick explanation to the first lieutenant, got a few men lowered into the boat, who assisted Peabody into the ship through a forward gun port. Phillips was nonplussed by the few seamen in evidence. There seemed to be a few officers, Midshipman were all over, the requisite number of standing officers, a few petty officers, and that seemed to be about it.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  After reading himself in, Phillips asked his first officer to enter Peabody into the ships books as Captain’s servant. Then, he invited the ship’s officers into his new cabin to discuss events. His sea chest was waiting on the bare deck, making him feel much better. He mind had been going over the possible ramifications of his going to sea with no uniforms. The first lieutenant, Mister Prescott, presented him with a canvas envelope containing all written communications with the shore, as well as copies of all signals. A quick glance through all this revealed the ship was not expected to sail at a moment’s notice. Without a complete crew, that was good.

  A comment about midshipmen revealed that Mister Lynch had reported aboard on the authority of the note from Captain Phillips. Nothing had been seen of Mister Onsley yet, though. After going over all ship’s business various officers wished to discuss, Phillips went over the previous captain’s orders. Finding nothing striking him as inappropriate, he ordered these be used as Captain’s Orders, at least until he decided to modify them.

  With everything said, Phillips excused the officers, and asked the word be passed for Mister Rainey, the carpenter, and for Mister Lynch. Lynch came first, and Phillips asked him to open the sea chest and locate paper, pen and ink. With that in hand, he looked around at the absolutely barren cabin, devoid of all furnishings or conveniences. When the carpenter arrived, he was able to discuss his needs with both.

  He asked the carpenter if he knew why the captain’s quarters had been stripped so absolutely. “Well Sir, after the captain went over to the flag, Mister Prescott had been called over too, and Mister Horton, the second, was in command. A boat load of civilians came aboard with a paper signed by our old captain, saying the crew should clean out his quarters. At the time, we didn’t know the captain wasn’t coming back, so Mister Horton thought he should obey the signed orders.”

  “The problem being, Mister Rainey, is that I have no bed, table, or other furnishings. Can you help me out?”

  ‘Yes Sir, I’ll get right on it.”

  “Now then Lynch. I want you to make a list of everything I need that we can’t make for ourselves onboard. That includes cabin stores. After that list is done, I will look at it, When we are satisfied, I will send you and my new servant ashore to purchase what we need.”

  While Phillips was addressing Lynch, another mid was standing near shifting nervously from one foot to another. Addressing the lad, Phillips said, “Yes?”

  “Sir, Signal from Flag. “Captain (our number) report aboard.”

  “Damn, youngster. Next time you have something like this to report, I get it before anything else. Has it been acknowledged yet?”

  “Er, . . . Yessir, Sir.”

  “Lynch, see Mister Prescott. My compliments. Make sure that the signal was acknowledged. Tell him I will be up in a moment. I will require a boat and crew.”

  Admiral Nelson greeted Phillips courteously as he came aboard HMS St George, Nelson’s flag ship, at the time. A prosperous looking gentleman in civilian dress stood by. Nelson introduced the man as ‘Mr. Jackson of the Foreign Office’. After some conversation about the Nile, Nelson got to it. “It’s the Baltic, Captain. Tell me, what have you heard about the League of Armed Neutrality?”

  “Admiral, I have been out of the country for some time. I’m afraid I’m not current in some of the current political difficulties.”

  “Captain Phillips, we have been very strict among neutral countries in this war, regarding especially who they trade with. Of course, France is too, but since our warships are much more ubiquitous at sea, our actions are also more noticeable than theirs. To put it simply, our actions in enforcing the trading regulations have irritated certain countries. Tsar Paul of Russia has drawn up a trading alliance between Russia, Prussia, and the Three Kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. This is called the League of Armed Neutrality, and will enforce free trade with France. Our government believes the existence of this League to be against the interests of Great Britain and in favor of the French. The supply of naval stores from the Baltic region is considered vital, and this treaty threatens that.”

  “Captain, the livelihood of the countries we are speaking of depends greatly on trade; specifically seaborne trade. Of course, the Royal Navy controls the sea lanes. However, General Bonaparte’s army poses a serious threat to the governments in those areas. Given half an excuse, he can bring any of the smaller northern countries to heel in no time at all. Russia is another part of the story. Tsar Paul, who sometimes perhaps does not think like the rest of us, has become upset with Britain. Thus, this League of Armed Neutrality. Probably, he will convince the other members to fight us. These countries of course face a terrible risk to their merchant marine and naval forces should they do so.”

  “There is a strong possibility that we may have to resort to force to convince those allied countries to modify their political stance. Admiralty has decided to send a ship to the Baltic to investigate matters before sending in a fleet. Would you be interested in commanding that ship?”

  “Yes Sir, I would. At the moment, I have Stag. Will she be that ship?”

  “I knew I could count on you, Phillips. Yes, HMS Stag will be carrying you to the Baltic. There is one more difficulty facing us. I know you were successful in getting your last frigate pried free of the mutineers hands in the disturbance a few years ago. Other captains were not so fortunate, and there were red faces at Admiralty. At the conclusion of the various mutinies, most men were pardoned and released. A few others went for the high jump. However, there were a few hundred that Government was unable to make its mind up about. These men have been convicted at court martial and sentenced to hang, however certain parties thought evidence against these men was weak. At the time, it was thought inadvisable to send the men directly to the gallows, so they were placed in the hulks instead. I suppose the thought was; out of s
ight, out of mind. At any rate, the plan was to keep these men from the public’s eye. At this late date, few want to bring the mutineers back into the press by executing them now.”

  “An idea has been proposed to put them on a ship going foreign, commanded by a captain with strong abilities to control recalcitrant crews. Yours is a name that has surfaced several times in that regard. Admiralty had decreed that you will be the one to test these seamen. If they do their duty without entering into mischief, they will be pardoned after the voyage. Otherwise, executions will take place, perhaps out of the country, and the whole problem will be resolved.”

  “Admiral Nelson, the thought occurs to me the Baltic mission is of such importance that it would be risky superimposing new theories of prison management on to it.”

  “Captain, you should know I thoroughly agree with you. However, what I have just related to you are not requests, but orders. You have the option, of course, of refusing the command, but you should know some highly placed officials would be upset should you do so.”

  Nelson added, “Captain, while we have Mister Jackson with us, would you like to ask him any questions pertaining to your mission?”

  “Yes Sir.”

  “Mister Jackson, I understand I am to cruise around in the area, taking measure of how the Balts feel about us; that is, are they in a fighting mood?”

  “What will I do about merchant ships, especially those I catch carrying prohibited goods to French ports?”

  “Excellent question, Captain. I do not believe you must walk too lightly there. Our embassies have been discussing the subject for months. Should you encounter a Dane, Swede, Prussian or Russian ship carrying, say naval stores, to a French port, you will take control of that vessel and send it to a British port. Should any of these people become too offended, Admiral Nelson will be available later on to give satisfaction, although it would be best not to say that for now.”

  Back aboard Stag, Phillips wondered if he should just resign his commission and move to America. He had just had an impossible task placed on top of a difficult mission. He was meditating upon the injustice of it all, when the Marine sentry slammed his musket butt against the deck and shouted, ‘Leftenant Foss’, Sir.”

  Foss, he knew was his Marine officer on board, although he had not met the man yet. When he had come aboard, Foss was ashore, tending to some obscure Marine business. Phillips asked the man in, and the officer crashed to a halt in front of Phillip’s new desk, and reported. Phillips knew the man had courage when after his report, he commentated on the beauty of his desk. The temporary desk was simply two crates standing on end, with a board over the top.

  “What can I do for you Leftenant?” Phillips asked.

  “I had to collect some prisoners ashore, plus take delivery of an extra twenty Marines. Very strange.”

  “How many prisoners did you sign for, Leftenant?”

  “There are a few more than two hundred, Sir.”

  “I believe I know who these people are, Leftenant Foss. What are their circumstances, now?”

  “I have them in an open field, in irons. Guarded by Marines. They are in poor condition, having marched long and hard on limited rations and shelter.”

  “At the moment, Leftenant, I hardly have enough seamen aboard to make a boats crew. The question is; how the devil are we to get them aboard?”

  “Sir, at a quay near the field I placed the men, there is a large sailing barge. I’d be surprised if you couldn’t rent the barge to transport the men.”

  “Yes, and I’d be very surprised to be reimbursed for the expense. However you are right. Let me discuss matters with Lieutenant Prescott, and I will accompany you on shore.”

  After warning Mister Prescott of the new arrivals, Phillips went ashore in Foss’s hired shore boat. Negotiations with the barge captain went rapidly, and the first load of people was being transported within minutes. These people really were in pitiable condition. Some could barely stand up. Fortunately, he had some experience dealing with people in this condition. Phillips accompanied the barge on its next trip also, and observed as the men came aboard.

  While still signed out with the big sailing barge, Phillips ordered Mister Jones the purser to go ashore, and requisition the proper amount of rations to suit the now greatly enlarged crew numbers. The ship’s captain knew his convicts had not been breakfasted yet, so ordered an early dinner. Boiled beef was on the menu today, but it would take hours to cook, so he ordered an interim meal of ship’s biscuit and cheese,

  After a brief washdeck bath and haircut, the men were issued new slops and hammocks, and left to their own devices for the rest of the day. A discussion next day with the surgeon and first officer elicited the idea the men would have one more day of easy duty. Any such light duty after that would need to come from the orders of the surgeon.

  Next morning at dawn, had all the new men gathered on deck. Phillips made clear he was addressing the new crew, those who had been convicted of various segments of the Articles of War, and who were subject to the death penalty. A cold wind seemed to go over the ship when he mentioned that.

  “Men, I have to tell you your fate is now in your own hands. I do not want to run anyone up to the mainyard. I am sure no other officer aboard wants that either. I have been assured by Admiral Nelson himself that he feels all was not right with your previous conviction, and providing you do nothing on the voyage to aggravate the situation, he will do what he can to obtain the King’s Pardon for you. If you stay out of trouble this voyage, when you leave the ship, you will be clear of the Kings Justice.”

  “All of you new men have spent time in the hulks, and some may not be in the best of health. Those who feel they may not be fit enough to do the duty specified, may report to the surgeon, or to Mister Prescott. Be sure of your facts though. It would be hard duty to be run up to the main yard simply because you wished simply to have one more easy day.”

  The day came when the flag displayed Stag’s number, and asked when she was ready to sail.

  Replying, ‘Immediately’, Phillips was then ordered to report aboard the flag for last minute orders.

  Nelson was not present, so the Flag Captain did the honors. “You are ready for sea? Your crew problems resolved?”

  “Yes Sir.”

  “Very well, you may depart when wind and tide permit. Now, if I am not mistaken, you have no Master aboard?”

  “No Sir, but we do have a pair of master’s mates.”

  “That is of no matter. You will be going into the Baltic, and as it happens, we have a merchant master who has spent ten years sailing in those waters. Mister Hancock has his warrant, and will be sailing with you. He has good charts, and will be able to advise you professionally as to sea conditions, bottoms and the like. As you know, your mission in the Baltic will be to determine the intentions of the nations there. “

  “Of course, there seems no doubt of the belligerence of Russia, but we want to make sure of Denmark and Sweden. The Russian fleet will still be frozen in, but the Swedes and Danes should be able to get to sea.”

  With Stag ready to cast off her mooring, her captain was surprised to see a heavily laden launch coming from the ordnance wharf toward them. The cox’n handed a sheaf of documents to the midshipman who scrambled down to find out what was going on. The perplexed youth obviously had no idea of what was going on. Phillips, who did, told the lad to bring the paper to him. It was as he thought. Those infernal swivel guns, he had last seen in a warehouse well over a year ago. He had paid for a year’s storage, but that had apparently expired, and the warehouse manager, going through the papers, found they had been consigned by one Captain Phillips of the Royal Navy. For some reason, he had the weapons shipped to him at the Nore, rather than just sending them to a foundry. A bill for shipping and extra storage charges was in the paperwork, along with a warning that a bill would be sent to Admiralty should he neglect to pay this.

  A shudder of what might happen should the Admiralty find out about these
lost weapons – weapons he should not have. Dashing out a note of hand for the required fees, he enclosed it in a separate wrapper and beckoned the midshipman of the watch. Fishing a half crown from his purse, he handed the coin and note to the lad, telling him he should go ashore, buy postage to London, and make sure the note was placed in the outgoing mail. Only after this was done, was he free to indulge himself with whatever change was left.

  Hancock and Prescott were beside Phillips as HMS Stag stood out of the harbor next morning. It was typical late winter weather, and Phillips was glad when Peabody brought his cloak. When Hancock went over to the starboard main chains to check with the leadsman there, Phillips asked Prescott, “How are the new men working out?”

  “Probably better than most crews I have sailed with, Sir. At least, most seem to be seamen. I am sure there is bitterness, but when has there not been? After being in the hulks for so long, their level of fitness is not as high as I wish it was. We have few young, fit topmen, which I’d like to correct, if we could.”

  Phillips pondered, “About the best we can hope for there, is to meet up with a returning convoy of East Indiamen.”

  Seamen could not be pressed from outgoing Indiamen, but could from incoming ships. Prescott assured his captain he would have a word with all deck officers standing watch to mark down all incoming ships.

  By the time the frigate was ready to pass through the Kattegat, a seaway between Denmark and Sweden, leading into the Baltic, the crew had mainly shaken down. Those men capable of improving through a better diet and vigorous exercise had done so. A few men were incapable. These men were accommodated by finding them duties that required little physical strength or agility.

  The new sailing master, Mister Hancock showed his mettle by taking the ship round the Skaw and through the deep channel of the Kattegat at night. Phillips thought with two governments involved, Sweden and Denmark, it might be better to get through the narrow passage without being seen. Neither Danish nor Swedish batteries fired. It was different at the other end of the Kattegat. Now daylight, the batteries of Saltholm and Amager were alerted long before their arrival, and were pounding out sighting shots before coming into range. Prescott had been warned to have their guns ready as soon as the first enemy guns fired.