Merriman and the French Invasion (The Merriman Chronicles Book 2)

by Roger Burnage

  “Men, my name is Merriman and I’m now in command of this ship. You will know that your shipmates who mutinied will be flogged or hanged for their crimes, but I’m told that you all remained true men. If that is so you have nothing to fear if you do your duty. Most of you will remain on board to join my own ship’s company who will move here from the sloop Aphrodite you see astern. My officers will now take your names and rates so that we can see who we have. The midshipmen and warrant officers come here to me.”

  A ragged cheer went up from the men and a voice said “Thank’ee Captain, you’ll have no trouble from us.”

  Merriman became aware of a sailor bobbing up and down and knuckling his forehead with a big grin spread across his face, obviously trying to catch his new captain’s eye and with surprise he recognized Biggins, the simple minded man who had been one of his crew in Conflict over four years ago. After the loss of Conflict the surviving men had been allocated to other warships at Gibraltar and presumably Biggins had found himself aboard the Thessaly.

  “You there, Biggins isn’t it? With me in Conflict weren’t you?”

  “Aye Sir, Biggins it is ‘an I still ‘ate the Frogs Sir.”

  Merriman also remembered that to Biggins every enemy was a Frenchman and in Conflict’s last fight with corsairs Biggins had saved his, Merriman’s, life at the expense of a savage pike wound in the leg.

  “Yes I know you, I trust that your wound is satisfactorily healed.”

  “Aye Sir, right as ninepence” said the man with a grin.

  “Very good Biggins, I’m glad to see that you have lost none of your fighting spirit.

  “No Sir, just let me get at ‘em.”

  Merriman knew that his remembering Biggins would have made a favourable impression on the men. They were used to being treated badly and for a post captain to remember one man’s name was exceptional.

  “Sergeant, the men may remain on deck, but you and your marines will maintain the usual harbour watch against desertion.”

  Some hours later, back aboard Aphrodite Merriman leaned back in his chair, and surveyed his officers. They had spent the time re-organising the watch bill to assimilate as many of the new men as possible. Merriman was well satisfied; his new command would start with the unbelievable good fortune of having a full complement of men and first class officers although short of both third and fourth officers. At this stage of the war with France it was a very fortunate captain who left harbour with a full crew. He shouted for Peters.

  “Ah Peters, I believe that we still have some of that excellent claret we took from the Frenchman off Martinique. Gentlemen, I propose we drink to the future of our new ship which is to be renamed Lord Stevenage.”

  “To the future and Lord Stevenage,” they chorused.

  “Lord Stevenage” exclaimed Lieutenant Andrews “Wasn’t that the name of the gentleman we rescued from the corsairs off Africa in ‘92 and who spoke at your court martial after the loss of Conflict, Sir?”

  “The very same Mr Andrews. The name Thessaly had to go, so when I was asked if I had a new name for the ship, the Admiralty approved of my suggestion.”

  The next few days passed in a whirl of activity, settling the two crews together in the new watches and assessing their capabilities and all the while the work to refit the ship continued at an increased pace. Even with the full crew transferred from Aphrodite, so many more men were needed to supply the needs of a frigate that there were no more than thirty men surpluses to his needs. Merriman removed some of the frigate’s senior warrant officers as he had full confidence in the ones from Aphrodite.

  Tomkins proved to be a great help in sorting out the multitude of forms and reports without which it seemed that the navy could not exist. He was intelligent and quick to learn. His writing and spelling left something to be desired but it was legible and improved with practice and very soon Merriman came to rely on him to carry out the duties of Captain’s clerk. It was for him to write up the multitude of reports from lists of bos’n’s stores, cordage and sailcloth used or replaced, the gunners report on his supplies and on powder and shot used, to maintain the muster book, to write up the punishment book and sick book and copy the Captain’s reports in a fair hand.

  He was quick to check the inventories and actual totals of stores left aboard against the amount of stores listed by warrant officers, the carpenter, bos’n and others, and he gained the hatred of the Purser, a surly individual by the name of Grummage, by reporting the irregularities to the Captain. It was almost to be expected of a ship’s purser that he would attempt to feather his own nest by trying to make money from the stores under his control and falsify the lists of condemned food and Merriman gave the man a verbal tongue lashing as a result. As the days went on Merriman began to wonder how he had managed without his new clerk.

  Every day brought more problems to be solved and questions to be answered. The gunner Mr Salmon wanted to know if the two twenty–five pounder bow chasers and the two carronades could be appropriated from the Aphrodite.

  “I’ve checked the scantlings under the fo’c’s’le Sir, and spoken to the shipwright and he agrees that the timbers will stand the recoil of the big guns Sir,” said Salmon eagerly, “and we can take the nine pounders and the two carronades from the fo’c’s’le to make room for them.”

  Merriman pondered for a moment. It would be good to have those big bow chasers aboard and with the twenty-six eighteen pounders on the main deck and two carronades, or smashers as they were generally known, added to the two on the quarterdeck, Lord Stevenage would be a formidably armed ship indeed. He made up his mind immediately.

  “A good idea Mr Salmon, see to it. We’ll have the two big guns but leave the two smashers on Aphrodite and replace two of the nine pounders on the quarterdeck with the smashers from the fo’c’s’le. Ask Mr Laing for a working party and the use of the longboat. And see to it that the appropriate size of shot is transferred. You can tell the purser not to fill the fore hold completely until we see what the extra weight forr’ard does to her.”

  “Aye-aye Sir.” Mr Salmon knew his job and didn’t need his captain to remind him of what to do. “I’ll send the spare guns over to Aphrodite Sir.”

  “Very good Mr Salmon, carry on.”

  Then the bos’n was complaining that the dockyard workers had skimped on the parcelling and serving of some of the new standing rigging.

  “Mr Brockle, if we complain to the dockyard about every little fault, we’ll never get to sea. You have enough men so put them to work.”

  Amongst all this confusion Merriman had sent Midshipman Oakley ashore to take the opportunity, with a board assembled, to take his examination for Lieutenant. Both he and Midshipman Shrigley had been acting Lieutenants for the past twelve months but Oakley was the senior and Shrigley was still some six months short of the age and sea time required to be able to take the examination. Oakley passed and was moved to one of the other ships needing a junior lieutenant, so Merriman was another officer short, and was waiting for new ones to be appointed. Shrigley had matured over the last few years from the squeaky voiced imp that Merriman first knew and would make a fine sea officer, but for the present would remain a midshipman acting fourth lieutenant. Merriman was determined to try to keep him when eventually he passed his examination.

  Most midshipmen of the day obtained their appointment by influence or from a favour owed by a captain to a relative or friend, or by personal recommendation. One day when in the Port Admiral’s office, Merriman was asked by Sir George FitzHerbert if he could find room for another boy.

  “My sister’s son, you see, she’s been pestering me for weeks to find the boy a place. In confidence Captain, he’s a bit wild and needs discipline, his father died some years ago and now there’s a bad business involving a female servant. Thinks no end of himself he does and needs to be brought down a peg or two, so if you could --- .”

  A suggestion from an Admiral was tantamount to an order and Merriman had no choice but to a
ccept the boy, although to be fair, the Admiral had given him warning and freedom to deal with the boy as he saw fit.

  Two midshipmen had been aboard the Thessaly, one fifteen years old, Alan Hungerford, a rather sullen pimply faced lad, and one of barely thirteen years, Gideon Small, a slight youth but with a bright, alert look to him. When the Admiral’s protégé arrived on board Merriman was not impressed. The Honourable Arthur Dorrington was seventeen and the possessor of an aloof manner as if everybody and everything was beneath his notice.

  Merriman decided to have Shrigley to bring all three to his cabin to assess their nature as far as possible and to tell them what he expected of them. The two younger ones stood stiffly in front of him but Dorrington promptly sat down without being told.

  “On your feet boy, you’re in front of your Captain……NOW” shouted Shrigley as Dorrington made no effort to rise and the arrogant youth coloured and slowly took his place with the others and stared idly about him, as if trying to show his complete indifference to what was happening.

  Looking them over slowly, Merriman said “You boys are on the lowest rung of the ladder here and you must understand that I expect nothing less than complete dedication to your duties and studies. You must learn to take orders from the warrant officers as well as the ranking officers. In time you may become of some use and be valuable members of my ship’s company, but until then, remember that you are now training for a career in the king’s service.”

  “Now then Mr Small, you’re the youngest so we’ll start with you. How old are you and how long have you been at sea?”

  “Twelve years old Sir and I came aboard less than six months ago.” Merriman thought the boy seemed keen to please and would become useful very quickly.

  Very good, you have a lot to learn. And you Mr Hungerford?”

  “Fifteen Sir, I’ve been here for almost two years, but I know I’ve still got a lot to learn too Sir.”

  “You have indeed.” Merriman already knew that the lad was willing but slow to learn and easily confused.

  “Remember, the both of you, if you have a question at any time don’t hesitate to ask any of the officers, petty officers or even members of the crew who will be pleased to help you. Is that understood? Now you two may go.”

  “Yes Sir, thank you Sir,” they replied and left together.

  “Now Mr Dorrington, stop fidgeting and tell me about yourself.”

  ‘I’m seventeen ………..Sir.” The ‘Sir’ came out slowly, as an afterthought.

  “You are older and making a later start than is usual for a midshipman Mr Dorrington so you will have to be even more assiduous in your studies if you wish to succeed.”

  “I don’t want to. I’m only here because my mother and that damn fool uncle of mine made me. As soon as I can I’ll be gone. As the son of an earl I expect a cabin of my own and better treatment than the others.”

  “Well you won’t get it. You are all equal and don’t you forget it. There will be no favouritism here. And by ‘that damn fool of an uncle’ I assume you are referring to Admiral FitzHerbert. You need to find more respect for your elders and betters my lad, or you’ll be in trouble. Now get out,” said Merriman keeping his temper with an effort.

  “Soon change that attitude when he’s kissed the gunner’s daughter a few times” he thought. Kissing the gunner’s daughter was naval parlance for a flogging, but in the case of a midshipman was usually only the humiliation of a few strokes of the bos’n’s cane on his backside.

  As Mr Shrigley was the senior midshipman, Merriman advised him to keep a sharp eye on the juniors, especially Mr Dorrington.

  Admiral FitzHerbert had given orders that the spare men and spare marines should be moved over to Aphrodite as soon as officers were appointed and a day came when a boat pulled alongside and two lieutenants climbed aboard. Merriman was on the quarterdeck at the time and greeted the two men.

  “Good day Gentlemen, what can we do for you on this fine morning?” Merriman was in a good mood; pleased with the way the repairs were progressing and confident that his ship would be ready for sea very soon.

  “Lieutenant Withers Sir, and this is Lieutenant Gorringe. We are appointed to Aphrodite Sir. Admiral FitzHerbert told us that you have some men here to transfer. With your permission we are to take them and start preparing the ship for sea.

  “Are you to be in command Mr Withers?”

  “No Sir, to my regret. Another officer is to take command; I’m told he should arrive tomorrow.” Withers paused and then said “I believe you had Aphrodite before your appointment to this ship Sir.”

  “Yes, you’ll find that we left her in good order and ready for sea except for needing a new mainyard and a crew and supplies. But, your captain should know that she has been in West Indian waters for four years and the bottom really should be checked to see that none of the copper is missing. I have informed the dockyard but I don’t know what they intend to do about it. However, please inform your new captain that I’ll be pleased to tell him anything he wishes to know about her.”

  “Thank you Sir. If you please Sir, we are ordered to move the men as soon as possible and get the ship ready to receive some men from the assizes.”

  “Very well Mr Withers.” Merriman issued the necessary orders and the men for transfer were soon climbing down to the boats, clutching their small bundles of possessions. As Withers and Gorringe climbed down after them, he wondered whether or not he should have told Withers about the mutiny but decided it would be better to talk to the new captain whoever he may be.

  The new mainmast had been set up and the final setting up of rigging being completed when another new face appeared on board. Lieutenant George Weston was a young man possessed of an almost completely bald head and a three year seniority which made him the third officer under Laing and Andrews.

  It appeared that his abiding enthusiasm was gunnery and he was soon involved in deep conversations with Mr Salmon over the best way of amending the mounting of the two twenty-five pounders on the fo’c’s’le, so as to give the widest arc of fire possible.

  The new marine officer also appeared, a Lieutenant Charles Goodwin, who it seemed, met with Captain St James approval. “Soon have him trained in our ways Sir,” replied St James cheerfully when Merriman asked him how his detachment of marines was shaping up.

  “As you know Sir, I kept our own marines and from the marines left aboard this ship I selected Sergeant Gordon, a corporal and fifteen men which gives me a total of thirty four. All experienced men Sir, I am well content with them.”

  One day in the middle of all the activity a boat came alongside and Lieutenant Gorringe presented himself to Merriman.

  “Lieutenant Yelland’s compliments Sir, and he would be obliged if you could join him for dinner this evening aboard Aphrodite.”

  “Thank you Mr Gorringe. You may tell Mr. Yelland that I shall be delighted.”

  And so, a pleasant evening ensued. Yelland was a large man, no longer young, who had only recently achieved his present rank. He had been second Lieutenant aboard a three decker in the West Indies when Merriman had first met him two years before, a taciturn man not given to excitement and great imagination but a solid reliable officer. Aphrodite was his first independent command and he was eager to learn as much about her sailing abilities as possible.

  He was still short of men even though he was under orders to leave for Antigua as soon as his new mainyard was fitted and supplying completed, and he confessed that his efforts to find more had been unrewarded apart from a mere handful found drunk in an alley.

  “It’s a difficult time Sir. The press gangs have been so active of late that sensible men steer clear of the town at night unless they have an exemption. The only ones we can find are old men and cripples.”

  It was not unusual for King’s ships to put to sea shorthanded with captains at their wit’s end to find a crew and once again Merriman congratulated himself on having a full complement aboard his own ship.

&nb
sp; “I sympathise with you Commander. Have the assizes been of no help?”

  “Oh yes Sir, I’ve twenty men from there aboard now, but as you know they will be practically useless until they’ve learned enough to know one rope from another.”

  “I see that there’s another old ship by the name of Captivity, moored with the prison hulks, what about the French prisoners aboard the hulks, they’re not all Frenchmen, there must be some who would exchange prison for the comparative freedom of your ship?”

  “I know Sir, and sorry I am to see that ship there. She’s the old Monmouth. I served as fourth lieutenant aboard her many years ago. It’s sad to see her reduced to this. As far as the prisoners are concerned, I thought of that Sir, but I am hesitant, not knowing where their real loyalties lie. And I don’t know that the Admiral would approve.”

  “Well, they are probably all seamen. A few of them mixed with your other men are unlikely to cause any trouble, and as for the Admiral I expect he will be only too happy to be rid of them. Also you could try sending a party ashore at night to some of the villages along the coast when you leave, there must be some prime seamen to be found. Or you could try stopping merchant ships on your way down Channel and taking a few men there.”

  “I’d like to,” admitted Yelland, “But there would probably be complaints to the Admiralty if I did and I can’t risk that. It’s taken me too long to reach this rank and I’d never have another chance.”

  “I appreciate your concerns Mr Yelland, but I’m certain the Admiralty will not concern themselves over much with his methods if an enterprising officer contrives to find the men he needs to fill his ship. Besides, you’re off to the Indies and could be away for years. Time enough for any complaints to be forgotten before you return.”

  “You are right Sir, thank you for the advice. I’ll do it.”