GAME TURN EIGHT

As the Admiral pulled away in his barge to the Buffonia, Willoughby Ponsonby-Smythe turned to the young man who had just relieved him. "Good luck with the ship, Captain West. Although I have only been aboard her for a short while, she has the makings of an excellent command, given the right captain. And my feeling, sir, is that you are probably that man."

Making his way down the side of the Watcher into his barge, Willoughby waited whilst the young midshipman supposedly in charge squeaked out his orders "Give way there, men. Handsomely does it!" Turning away from his poker-faced cox'n, Willoughby fought hard to surpress a smile at the thought of the young officer ordering around his barge crew, all of whom had retained the long pigtail of old sailors. There was not one of the barge crew who could not have been the midshipman's father and even, in one or two cases, his grandfather. Still, to arrive aboard his new command with a sickly grin on his face would never do, and Willoughby composed himself as, in reply to the challenge from the ship "What boat?", McDonald roared out "BUFFONIA", leaving the entire harbour in no doubt that her new captain was about to come aboard.

Having read himself in, dismissed the crew and seen the Admiral and Captain Giles over the side after the obligatory glass or two of wine, Ponsonby-Smythe called to the marine sentry outside his door. "Send for the officer of the watch and the first lieutenant, if you please. Both to report to the cabin." While waiting for them to report he attended to some pending corresponence.

To James Callaghan, Commander

HMS Willow

Captain Callaghan,

You, sir, must be the first officer in the history of His Britannic Majesty's Navy to find himself short of midshipmen; a happy state that I am sure many officers must envy!

I have only just assumed command myself of the Buffonia and have yet to establish if I have any to spare; I await my First Lieutenant's response to your request and will communicate in due course.

In the mean time, there seems to be rather an excess of the "young gentlemen" with plenty of time to line the gangway of the Sunnydale with their hands in their pockets, gazing at the town. Perhaps Captain Giles can spare you a couple of the more capable ones?

I remain

Your obedient servant

The Honourable Sir Willoughby Ponsonby-Smythe,

Captain HMS Buffonia

The Marine Sentry showed the two Lieutenants in to the Captain's Cabin both came to attention and reported "Lieutenant Xander Harris, First sir" {OOC you know him as the Admiral's former Flag Lieutenant}, Lieutenant Don Fender, Fourth, sir {OOC the ship's books show him as an Acting Lieutenant for the past three months}

"Gentlemen, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I look forward to a happy and fruitful commision for both officers and crew. Mr Fender, I shall be grateful if you would arrange for the ship's warrant officers to present their books to me for examination and prepare both ship and crew for an inspection in 2 hours time. I also require the ship to be warped into the centre of the harbour, if a berth there is available. Please arrange for a request to be submitted to the Admiral to that end."

"Now, Mr Harris, or Xander as I should prefer. You have been with the ship some time, although your duties as Flag Lieutenant would have kept you somewhat busy I should imagine. I should like you to give me a feel for the crew and the officers without, of course, betraying any confidences. What I have seen thus far is very smart and pleasing to the eye and entirely as an admiral would like. What I should like is a ship that can fire three broadsides in five minutes in order to pound the enemy into submission with the minimum of losses to our crew! Of course, your duty as First Lieutenant requires you to achieve both!! I have said what I would like, Xander, but what I absolutely require is a ship where the crew know their duty because they have had it explained to them by officers who know each man as an inidvidual. There will always be the odd man who is work-shy or lazy and they can well be "started" by the bosun and his mates to bring them to their duty. What I will not tolerate is hands being bullied by other crew members or punished for not understanding their job. Both cases are indicative of poor officers and poor officers do not have a place on any ship of mine."

"I have asked for the ship to be warped into the middle of the harbour as I will require both gun and sail drill in the next few days and I would rather any mistakes be made out of sight of the inhabitants of Bermuda town! My understanding is that we have a period of three weeks before we are required to commence a campaign against the colonials. I intend to use the first of those weeks here in harbour, completing sail and gun drills. At the end of this week, there will be a short "run ashore" for those hands who have performed to my satisfaction. We will then, with the Admiral's permission, embark on a short "shakedown" cruise over the last two weeks to get the men working together out of sight of the rest of the squadron

"Finally, I have had a note from Captain Callaghan of the Willow who seems to find himself in the fortunate position of having no midshipmen! He asks if we have any to spare and, whilst I am loath to part with any of the little scoundrels and will direct him to the Sunnydale, which seems to have an excess of the lazy blighters, he also says that he will take a man from the lower deck if we have anyone suitable. Do you have anyone you wish to commend?"

The First Lieutenant says, "Aye Sir Xander is fine sir. The ship is excelent condition and the men are well trained; however to much ceremony and to little sea time have made them rusty. "Three broadsides in 5 minutes, aye sir, our time during the attack was more like 1 every four. I'll make arrangements to have us warped out into harbor sir.

Do you have anyone you wish to commend? I agree with you sir and prefer not to lose anyone except perhaps Mr Rag and that would not reflect well on the ship

"Well, Xander, I would not want anyone to reflect badly on the ship, from the lowliest cabin boy right up to, and including, the captain! What is Mr Rag's problem? “I think he’s homesick” Is he inattentive to his duties? “He tries but no seems to be able to get through to him” Is there something in his background that might be causing him a problem? “His father is Merchant Ship captain” For the moment, I would like to see him in command of the the ship's launch, with an experienced petty officer and crew under him, and kept busy with duties back and forth to the harbour master's office etc. Let us see if we can coax this seedling into flower! Or maybe he will turn out to be a weed and we need to pluck him out and cast him aside! I would rather give him a chance to prove himself if at all possible."

“Aye Sir” The First Lieutenant continued:

Second Lieutenant Kelly Balton runs the gundeck, his performance during the attack was adequate but showed the gun crews need practice

Third Lieutenant James Fitzrag is a former Master's Mate who earned a commission as a prize master, he was tasked with bringing a merchant brigatine into Portsmouth and showed up with two schooners as well, streching his tiny prize crew to the limit. If he had the any connections he would have got his own command. He supervises the men aloft with an eagle eye.

Fourth Lieutenant (Acting) Don Fender Newly appointed, highly skilled in navigation and signals but lacks experience.

The inspection goes well, the ship is immaculate. Overall condition is good having undergone a local refit less than two years ago. A review of the Midshipmen and Warrant Officers logs reveals:

Senior Midshipman Sam Greco is exceptional in Navigation and speaks French

Signal Midshipman Kenny Hammer is average in all departments

Midshipman Louis Newman reads Latin as he was studying for a position in the church prior to joining the navy

Midshipman Nicholas Rag seems scared of his own shadow and below average in most areas

Junior Midshipman Shelton Jammerson very young, but very motivated, and popular with the crew

Junior Midshipman Robert Beloch Newly joined he speaks French and Dutch.

Sailing Master Vladimir Gregon extensive service turned down an offer to serve on a First Rate in the Channel Fleet to stay aboard

Surgeon Doogie Howser excellent credentials and medical training, rumor control says he joined the Navy to avoid gambling debts and consequences there of...

Purser Fred Chuso His books show the ship to be well supplied, over and above the norm. "Captain Giles insisted the men be well fed and provided extra funds to that end.

Gunner Samual Inklet average in most respects, he informs you they have a captured 42pdr long and a small amount of shot, in the hold which he would like to mount as a bow chaser. Captain Giles wouldn't allow it.

Marine Lieutenant George Ring Recently took over from Major Surtees. The Major's evaluations rate the man very highly.

Marine Sergeant Tom Highway Crack Shot and strict disciplinarian.

The Captain also picks up through the grapevine and conversation in general that Lieutenant Harris got his position due to his father a retired Post Captain and Admiral Medicus being long time friends. He is a knowlegable officer having served on a ship of the line in the Channel Fleet and a frigate in the Med. He is said to be the Second best swordman in the squadron one of two who wears a dueling rapier.

Captain The Honourable Willoughby Ponsonby-Smythe

Aboard HMS Buffonia

To Ships and Vessels of the Bermuda Squadron

Gentlemen,
In the absence of the Admiral and Captain Giles, I would be delighted to offer any assistance I can. I would also like to propose, in order to improve morale amongst the men, a series of inter-ship competitions be held. These can be in the noble art of pugilism, at the various weights, wrestling, boat handling, shooting and the like. Suggestions are appreciated and I will be happy to put up a purse of 20 Guineas to go to the winning crew which will, I sincerely hope, belong to the HMS Buffonia! Perhaps this can take place on Sunday following Divisions and the main meal.

I look forward to your replies, gentlemen and may the best ship win

Events:

Boat Race 1

Boxxing 1

Fencing 9

Marksmanship 9

Midshipman Rag is chosen to "captain" the boat racing crew and, even if they come last (which seems likely!), he and the crew are to be brought before Captain Willoughby-Smythe after the race and given considerable praise for their efforts. (An attempt to boost Mr Rag's self-esteem)

The First Lieutenant, Mr Harris, is chosen to represent the Buffonia in the fencing competition and it is to be hoped that "Lady Luck" smiles on him and gives him a chance to beat his rival.

Marine Sergeant Tom Heighway is to represent the Buffonia in the Marksmanship competition; given his high standards and his training by Major Surtees, I expect him to do very well!

His Majesties Sloop Janna
On the Bermuda Station

The Most Honourable Captain Ponsonby-Smythe,
Am just in possession of your letter of the other day. Thank you much for the opportunity to participate in the Fleet competition. However, due to the action Janna has fought on the day before last, I am afraid I have lost some of my prized competitors. I must therefore with most sincere regrets decline the invitation.
I remain Sir,
Thomas Bryant

(Janna lost too many men who could have competed in the events in the action fought against the Defender. Rhetnug, the best fencer is seriously wounded. It's a great idea though)

The first week, the crew exercised daily at the guns, starting from clearing for action to three broadsides in dumb show(no actual firing to take place), all to be timed by a midshipman and the timings recorded in the log.

“Times are improving Clear for Action averages 11 minutes, gun drill three simulated broadsides in 8 minutes

There was also to be sail drill, boat drill and repelling boarders practise.

Sail drill the crew seems quite proficient, just a little out of practice, Lieutenant Harris seems to have a natural talent for instituting improvements and correcting deficiencies in this area. Boat drill is fair. The Marines appear top notch in boarding practice and marksmanship Marine Lieutenant George Ring and Marine Sergeant Tom Highway demand and receive near perfection from the men. Major Surtees the previous Commander had established a rep with these men as some of the best Royal Marines on the America Station. They were instrumental in rescuing Lord Rupert’d daughter two years ago.

The crew will be allowed a Make-and-mend on Thursday to clean and repair clothes The uniform issue appears above average in most respects. Captain Giles appears to have spent heavily out of his own pocket to provide for his crew.

Divisions were held on Sunday with Captain Ponsonby-Smythe contenting himself with reading the Articles of War. No shore leave is to be allowed during this time, until the reports of the first week's activity are in.

Inspection is one area the ship excells at due to being the Squadron Flagship for over twoyears.

Second week; whilst the Sunnydale is away, there will be more gun practice every day, with the starboard and larboard batteries being timed against each other to see which is fastest. More work needs doing on Clearing for Action with a target time of 8 minutes. The crew should also practise sail drill and raising and lowering t'gallant yards. The hands are to be pushed hard but, if all goes well, the slower of the two watches is to be allowed 2 hours ashore and the faster 4 hours at the end of the week, prior to sailing on shakedown cruise. If the squadron competition is held before the "run ashore" then the hands will be warned to behave themselves if they come across other crews.

Buffonia to go to sea for the last of the three weeks just to "work up" with more sail drill and live firing of the guns.
No encounters enroute to Kingston.

Per the Squadron Orders Buffonia will make a slow passage with her convoy

If possible, I would expect the "quiet" trip to Kingston to be used to continue training, especially in live firing of the guns. My only concern would be that the noise fo the cannon might bring someone down on us but that's a risk I think we can take!