TURN TEN

The first three days out from Kingston the weather has been clear and the wind fair. You have averaged 6 knots. As daylight breaks on the morning of the sixth day Amber is leading the convoy, the merchantmen are in two ragged lines of six each, and Buffonia is covering the rear. Almost simultaneously Amber signals and the masthead lookout reports a sighting.
Lieutenant Fender the 4th Lt has the deck, he sends Mr Rag to report. He bangs  on the Captain's door loudly and bursts in with  a Marine sentry who has apparently been caught napping right behind him. "Mr Rag's compliments sir and Amber  has signaled "Enemy in sight" at the same time the masthead lookout can be heard hailing the deck unknown sail dead astern. Mr Rag is already turning to rush back up on deck.... "Thank you Mr Rag, I'll trouble you, in future, to wait until you are invited to enter before come in here like a raging bull! My compliments to Lieutenant Harris and he may clear for action. You can also tell him that I expect him to knock two minutes off the time taken!" As the young midshipman turned to dart back to the quarterdeck, Willoughby roared at him "WALK! Mr Rag, WALK! The people will be watching you and I'd rather you didn't excite them too much! Tell Mr Harris I'll be up shortly."
>>>"Aye Sir" as he restrained himself
As he turned back into his cabin to finish dressing, he caught the quaking marine out of the corner of his eye. "Hmmm, Stimson, isn't it? Report to Lieutenant Ring or Sergeant Highway and explain that I would like a marine sentry who has his wits about him, damn your eyes sir!!"
>>>"Sir yes Sir
Stepping out onto the Buffonia's quarterdeck, Willoughby looked around him. The ship was well on its way to clearing for action, senior ratings occupied strategic positions, men rushed hither and thither preparing the ship. The bulk of the Buffonia's officers were gathering on the deck.
>>>Lieutenant Harris reported, "cleared for action 7 min 30 seconds sir"
"Right, Lieutnant Fender, can I ask you for a proper sighting report if you please?
>>>"Sir  Amber reports a Yankee Frigate of approx 38 guns six miles off the port bow, she is requesting permission to engage." He continued, "masthead lookout reported an unknown sail dead astern approx 4 miles and closing fast. He believes she's a Baltimore Clipper
Master Gregon, some idea of the set of the wind and the weather conditions.
>>>My call would be fair weather with moderate wind, we'll get 9 knots out of the old razee sir. We have the weather gauge but  those American 38's are very handy and the Constellation is one of the fastest afloat. As for the clipper she's very fast and has the positional advantage, probabily lightly armed.
Mr Midshipman Hammer, you can oblige me with a signal to the convoy, Prepare for action to be followed by Maintain proper station and Make more sail.
Aye Sir , you note the time its about 0900 and the convoy is already tightening up its lines with the Marine contingents mounting swivel guns
Mr Harris, I should relish a report on the ship's state of readiness, thank you. Come along now, gentlemen, jump about. Remember information and communication are the watchwords!"
>>>Ship cleared for action, standing by to load on order and run out, a dozen marine sharpshooters are aloft with balance ready for a boarding action
>>>Midshipman Hammer reported "another signal from Amber second frigate in site. Respectfully request permission to engage"
>>>Masthead lookout reports "Clipper closing astern, two frigates beyond Amber maintaining distance. Thank you Mr Hammer. Make to Amber 'Permission denied... Second signal Enemy in Site Form Line of Battle. The midshipman loked puzzled as he said, “Siganal who sir, there is no one else in site”You know that, Mr Hammer, and I know that but do those 'gentlemen' off the larboard bow know that" said the Captain with a tight smile
>>>Aye sir as the signals went up and the convoy began to reshuffle itself.

Lieutenant Harris reported, "cleared for action 7 min 30 seconds sir" "Well done Mr Harris, things are certainly beginning to come close to the timings I should like to see. The "clear for action" drills have obviously paid dividends; let's hope we get a chance to see if the gun drills have paid off equally well!"

Master Gregon, some idea of the set of the wind and the weather conditions. My call would be fair weather with moderate wind, we'll get 9 knots out of the old razee sir. We have the weather gauge but those American 38's are very handy and the Constellation is one of the fastest afloat. As for the clipper she's very fast and has the positional advantage, probabily lightly armed. "Ah! Mr Gregon my thanks for that. . What is it makes you think one of those "pirates" over there may be the Constellation? The Master spoke with deliberate care realizing he had perhaps volunteered more than asked for still no biting reprimand had erupted. "She's known to frequent these waters, but more likely she's the Congress. They only built 3 of that class." "Well done, Mr Gregon, nice to see that someone takes an interest in the enemies we face. Take a telescope up to the yardarm and see if you can make out any more about her or her consort. Or a better idea of what you think that damned clipper is up to back there!" The masthead lookout again hailed the deck "Clipper is veering off and dropping back maintaining about 3 mile distance, could be American colors sir" "Keep your eyes peeled up there, my lad, and let us know the moment anything happens. I dare say I may be able to persuade Mr Chuso to allow you an extra tot next time we serve out!" Mr Hammer waited then reported "From Amber second Frigate appears to be larger possibily a 44, maintainting distance. Quite a bit of signaling between the Yanks. Mr Harris smiled, "my and he wanted to take them on with his 28 popguns" "Indeed, Mr Harris. Still it is up to the Yankees to make the first move - a fine fool I should look trying to explain to the admiral why I took on a superior force when I had all these damned merchantmen to look after!"

The following morning

Buffonia’s Convoy; the clipper has diasappeared and the two frigates have been shadowing you for the past day from 6-10 miles out. Refusing any attempts to close or engage. Weather has been good with fair winds averaging 4-5 knots "Xander" said his captain "what are we going to do about these two damned Yankees on the horizon?" He paced up and down the cabin for a while, thinking hard, as the First Lieutenant drank his glass of claret, knowing already that it was best to leave Captain Ponsonby-Smythe to think when he was in this mood."Well" he said finally, "there are a couple of things we can do. Tell the master I would like his best estimate of what the weather is likely to do and, most particularly, whether we can expect any fog or mist. Call Amber under our lee and ask Captain Kanev whether he has recently had the opportunity to careen his ship and clean the hull. I am particularly interested to see if he believes that he can outrun both of those two American ships. Mind you, the young hound is just as likely to say anything to please, so try and get a good look yourself. Ask Mr Inklet, the gunner, to see me as well. I'd like him to look at the possibility of preparing a large charge of powder. Just so you know my thoughts, Xander, I'm considering the following plan. If we are likely to get a misty or foggy night, a small party will embark on the Amber and get close to the Yankee ships under cover of the mist or darkness or even both. We will load the charge of powder into one of the boats and then two boats will row down to the enemy ships. Tie the boat with the charge to one of them, embark the men into the other boat, back to the Amber and sit back and watch the fireworks! It's only a plan at the moment and there are several things we need to come together before we can even think about putting it into action but, nevertheless, it is a plan! Anything you care to add?"

Lieutenant Harris seemed a bit taken back, an intriging idea sir, though not without risk. If it works it will give us a yarn to spin that will top even the Admiral's Harem Girl tales." He paused, "Frankly sir I've never heard of this being tried out on the open sea, surprise would definitely be in our favor..."Sir I request permission to command the expedition"

Well, Xander, if you want to undertake this hare-brained scheme, who am I to stop you, eh?! I want a very close watch kept on the two frigates to observe their routine. But the watch must also be discreet, so I suggest that we send a couple of capable master's mates on to some of the merchant ships to observe from there. That way, undue suspicion will not be aroused in the Yankees. I will not allow you to throw your life away needlessly so it is important that we have as much intelligence as we can about the firigates' routine. However, if the opportunity arises, we will approach the rearmost of the two frigates under cover of darkness with the ship cleared for action. A signal can be taken, by hand, to the other ships of the convoy to warn them of what we are about and to prepare them without undue signalling. Then you take one of the longboats and, approaching the ship from the rear, hang Mr Inklet's charges from the rudder pintles and get out of there as if all of the hounds of hell were on your heels!! If we reduce the speed of the convoy to only 1 or 2 knots before nightfall, it is likely that the Yankees will reduce speed as well and give you the best possible chance of sneaking up on them. Remember to get some slush from the cook to grease the rowlocks and pintles on the longboat and make sure that the oars are well-muffled. See Lieutenant Ring and see if you can "borrow" a couple of his best marksmen in case of trouble but the key, Xander, is stealth and cunning! If you need the "bullocks" to save you, the game will be up anyway. If we accept Master Gregon's verdict on the weather, you should have a mist to cover your retreat back to the ship and the Buffonia will be awating your return with her teeth bared. If nothing else, the Yankees will hardly be expecting the attack!

The who ship was abuzz with the captain's eccentric plan as one seamen put it. "What that mean," one ship's boy asked? If it was your or my idea it would be crazy if its an officer's idea its eccentric...

Mr Gregon when consulted feels the weather will not change for a day or two and early morning allows a good chance for a light fog and or heavy mist conditions "Mr Gregon, would I be right in thinking that, if the weather is misty in these parts, it is generally because there is hardly any sea running? The plan would require calm as well as mist and I rather think that we may have to make the attempt under cover of darkness with the mist to cover the recovery of the longboat after the charge has been set."
Captain Kanev reports his ship was last careened over 9 months ago but he has been in northern waters most of that time. He feels he could probabily outrun the 44 his own sailing master thinks the 38 could catch them. Lieutenant Harris questions even Amber's ability to outrun the 44. Her hull appears clean but those 28 gun 9 pdr frigates are old sir, if he pushes her to hard something could carry away

"I tend to agree with you, Xander, but I cannot imagine we are faster than the Amber; three years in the Carribbean and we will have weed 30 feet long trailing from the underside. Perhaps it may be better if it were the Buffonia that undertakes the attempt anyway as we can deliver a larger punch if push comes to shove and we end up fighting the colonials." Ask Mr Inklet, the gunner, Lator... "How big a charge will you be wanting sir, if we use a longboat I can pack a pretty big bang.” "Well, having considered the plan a bit more, Mr Inklet, I think that, rather than attempt something ambitious like blowing her out of the water, we will attempt to approach the frigate from the stern and try to attach charges to her rudder pintles. If we can damage the ship sufficiently to prevent her from steering properly, then her consort will either have to face two against one or withdraw and cover her companion. Either way, the Yankees won't be around to see us make landfall and to discover something of the Admiral's plans for the east coast of the colonies. So, with that in mind, I would like you to prepare charges that can be attached easily to the rudder pintles and, hopefully, will not be too conspicuous."

Almost 24 hours lator.
Lieutenant Harris, Sailing Master Gregon, two of his mates, Gunner Inklet had briefed Captain Ponsonby-Smythe as he was entertained in the wardroom at a late night supper. Harris had several fine bottles of wine, obviously serving as Flag Lieutenant had its perks. Each of the other Lieutenants appeared to have donated from their personal cabin stores. All seemed genuinely please to be entertaining their Captain As they passed on what they had discovered. The Masters Mates Newt and Forton reported the two Yankee Frigates were the President 44 and the Congress 38. The 38 usually stayed about 4 miles ahead with the 44 two miles beyond her. The ships were smart, well handled and appeared to have alert crews. Gunner Inklet reported two small charges of 10 pounds each with 15 minute slow match fuses were ready. Mr Gregon advised that sea conditions were calm and we should have a light fog with misty conditions early this morning. Lieutenant Harris added Captain Kanev is peeved but he'll get over it. Lieutenant Ring said I’ll have a detachment of picked marksman for the boat crew but as you've pointed out stealth is the better option.....The officers looked on eagerly as their captain considered all he had been told...

"Well, gentlemen, I thank you indeed for the wardroom's excellent hospitality and I hope Mr Harris will forgive me for discussing service matters in the mess but a decision must be made. We cannot have those two Yankee frigates trailing the convoy all the way to Gopher Island, snapping at our heels, and possibly picking up the odd straggler. But, equally, it is foolish for us to attempt to set about the two of them with the forces at hand

The Buffonia will pick you up as soon as we can and, hopefully, we will be in position to see the havoc you have created. Now, does anyone have anything to add? Come on now, speak up – very well-Well, gentlemen, I think that is everything. We can but wish you well, Mr Harris, and we will drink a toast to the success of the mission. Come, Mr Beloch, as junior of the mess it is your privilege to give us the toast."

The young Midshipman was a little nervous as spoke a brief phase in Latin which translated into WHO WILL GUARD THE GUARDINS?

{OOC}
Two local players with no PBEM contact were given command of the Yankee Frigates to resolve this engagement. They were briefed on US objectives.
{IC}

As evening approached, the convoy reduced sail to 2 knots. As expected the Yankees reduced sail as well, but rotated ship positions. Apparently they were suspicious as they doubled the lookouts for awhile but slacking off around midnite. {OOC Concerned about crew fatige} The 44 remained 4 miles ahead and the 38 two miles beyond her. About 2 hours before dawn, Buffonia quietly cleared for action. Lieutenant Harris comment, "cleared for action 28 minutes sir." The Buffonia ghosted down towards the enemy, the Master Gregon himself at the wheel. Lieutenant Harris and his volunteers had lowered their boats much earlier, and when Gregon brought them within a mere quarter mile. The two boats shoved off and made for the President's stern to attach the charges to the rudder, light the fuses and then get away as fast as possible. taking the Captain's suggestion Xander (Lt Harris had opted for 5 minute fuses) As the boats moved off under muffled oars and disappeared into the gloom the Buffonia settled down to wait, but tention was evident as everyone not otherwise occupied engaged stared off into the mist. All that could be seen was a faint outline of a large frigate approx 400 yards ahead and to port.

SUDDENLY A SHOUT COULD HEARD FOLLOWED BY TWO GUNSHOTS AND AN EXPLOSION THAT LIT UP THE AMERICAN FRIGATE BRIEFLY. THE FLASH THAT HAD MOMENTARILY BLINDED EVERYONE DIED OUT...

"Double the lookouts, Mr Balton, and I'll thank you to check that those on the starboard side of the ship to keep their eyes front and keep a good watch. I think we can run out the port battery and train it on yonder frigate. Once we have recovered the longboats, we'll thump a couple of broadsides into that frigate for good measure. Everyone, keep your eyes peeled for Mr Harris and his men!" The blast had stunned everyone monetarily and just Lieutenant Bolton began giving orders cannon fire astern was heard, the crash of a heavy broadside followed by the higher pitched bangs of lighter guns replying could indeed be heard close by. Wreckage and bodies off  the bow, ship closing fast, indeed the President had backed her sails and was dropping back on them like gazelle. The squeel of gun carriages running out and sound of beat to quarters was clearly heard across the water as the two frigates rapidly closed the distance...As the range dropped rapidly to 200 yards the American Frigate appeared like a giant out of the gloom. Lieutenant Bolton acting on his earlier orders had run out the guns and gave the order to fire as the President was still running out her guns. The broadside hit home. The Yankee shuddered but kept coming several ports remained empty as her own guns finished rumbling out...Mr Gregon the Sailing Master looked at the officers on the Quarterdeck "let us be thankful for what we are about to receive..."