GAME TURN SEVEN

Mail and packets arrived including 100 pounds sterling for Captain Smythe and 25 pounds sterling for Lieutenant Hogarth from several prizes taken over a year ago. The Captain was in good mood, not that money was in short supply, but prize money was always helpful for those odds and ends expenses. When the Marine Sentry told him Lieutenant MacDonald had asked to see him. Captain Ponsonby-Smythe said, "very well tell him to come in." Lieutenant MacDonald came to attention as he reported "sir, for some reason the powder hulk passed us by and spent most of the day tied up alongside the Willow. We weren't able to load any powder and shot. When she was returned back to the warf they
ignored our signals. The Harbor Master claims they never saw our signals." "Ah, Mr MacDonald, is it possible that, between us, Mr Hogarth and I have forgotten to supply you with the neccesary "grease" for the Harbour Master? One thing you will learn, as your career in the Navy progresses, is that all dockyard "mateys" are as corrupt as Old Nick! They love corruption with an avidity that would bring shame to the most corrupt of all Satan's demons! However, if by indulging in their venality, I can make my ship one iota more ready to take on the King's enemies, then I, too, can be persuaded to a deep
love of corruption. Here take these 5 guineas and distribute them as required amongst the dockyard devils; should you need further help, I am sure Master Gunner will give you details of the amounts of the customary "presents" that need to be given. You may well find that the powder hoy will be far more aware of our signals tomorrow!"

As Willoughby Ponsonby-Smythe contemplated the neat uniform laid out for him by Russell, his servant, he thought with some pleasure of the evening ahead. Medicus was known for his table and his delight in wine would also mean that a thoroughly enjoyable evening was in prospect. The heat of the day was beginning to wane and Willoughby stripped off to make use of the small jug of tepid water that Russell had left.

The shout from the lookout about the burning ship and the signal midshipman's spelling out of the Crab’s signal galvanised Willoughby from his reverie and he leapt out of his cabin and up to the quarterdeck. A swift glance round the harbour took in the situation and he roared at the top of his voice" Mr HOGARTH. Clear for action and station men to pole off the burning ship!! MCDONALD (OOC his cox'n) get my barge over the side as quick as you like with cutlasses served out to all the bargemen. There may be a few madmen left on that bloody burning ship! Mr Hogarth, should you like your hammock sent to you or are we going to get this damned ship cleared for action!! When it is, fire at the hull as soon as any cannon will bear and SINK THAT DAMNED SHIP!!!!"

It was taking entirely two much time to clear for action, well over two minutes past there usual 9 minutes, several of the long 12's were finally rumbling out as the 3rd Lt Davion supervised the lowering the Captain's Barge with cox'n and a dozen armed men, the 2nd Lt MacDonald personally sighted and fired a gun ready forward, the water spout was close but short. The 1st Lt's detail stood ready to boom off the approaching firery menace. Suddenly the Buffonia's broadside errupted in a impressive blast of 18's and 24's except out 20 plus shots only two hit.

Then the Watcher’s broadside cut loose every gun missed...

"Come on, Mr MacDonald, you can do better than that!! Reload those guns and pound her again!! Aim low, not for the rigging and hit her 'twixt wind and water; that 's the way to do damage. Mr Davion, see if we can get the bilge pump rigged and cover her with water if she gets any closer. “

Aye Sir"
“Mr Hogarth, what can you see on that damned fireship's decks? Are there any of her people still left aboard?” The First Lieutenant appeared momerntarily deafened by the concussion of the broadside

“Lieutenant Wilson, get your Marines up here and bring down any of the crew still on board.’ Musketry fire was raining down on the brigatine and two of the three figures remaining near her wheel were seen to drop and the third dived overboard
“ Mr Fleming, are there any more signals from the flag or from the Crab?” he replied, “Flag to Jana get underway immediately and do a sweep outside the harbor mouth, Crab, reports half a dozen prisoners on board and is requesting permission to proceed into the harbor; sir”
McDonald, stand away from the ship in the barge and be ready to board her if at all possible to turn her head to the beach, away from the merchant ships. Keep clear of fire from Buffonia though; her gunners couldn't hit a barn door if they were sitting on the hasp!!" He responded Aye sir," they picked up one prisoner from the water.”
As the guns ran out and a second broadside was delivered, the bow of the brigatine caved in and she began to sink. Several guns overshot and came very close to hitting the pusuing Willow who had delivered her own broadside.

“Gentlemen I’ll thank you not to hit the sloop as Commander West is sure to be a bit testy. Especially after those shore batteries nearly hit him earlier”

"What have you discovered from this wretch, McDonald?

“Right McDonald, search the prisoner for weapons and then bring him aft. And none too gentle with him either. Any scoundrel who fires on a King's ship is a pirate and will swing at the yardarm shortly.”

He found a sailor's knife and informs the Captain the man only seems to speak Portugeese and a few English obscenities. Signal to Flag please Mr Fleming "One prisoner aboard Watcher"
Flag ackknowleges
The two shining gold epaulettes broadened Ponsonby-Smythe's shoulders and seemed almost to make him swell in the dimly-lit cabin.The prisoner was clearly nervous but maintaining his composure

"What have you discovered from this wretch, McDonald?

"One of the barge crew speaks a little Portugeese and he says he from the frigate United States And you, sir, what have you to say for yourself before I have you hung from the yardarm as a pirate?" I am not a pirate but then you Brits treat us like pirates anyway. I only ask to have a last confession before you hang me.

McDonald, take this creature out of my sight and see if you can "persuade" him to talk. He must have expected to rendezvous with the United States at some point; not even the colonials would just abandon their men. I want to know when and where that rendezvous was to take place and "I don't know" is not an acceptable answer! MAKE HIM TALK!!

Despite some serious persuasion he refused to talk.

As the fireship finally sank...
Signal from Buffonia to all ships and vessels
Secure from the engagement, take appropriate precautions to guard against further attacks. Captains come aboard and report in one hour
As Captain Ponsonby-Smythe made his way back to his cabin, calling for his servant Russell in the way, several thoughts flashed through his mind. First and foremost, who was responsible for the audacious raid on the British harbour?
Commodore Brock came to mind with his small flotilla of fast privateer schooners as well as his flagship the heavily gunned frigate United States.

Brushing an imaginary piece of dust from the heavy broadcloth of his number one uniform, Willoughby Ponsonby-Smythe waited for the shrill squeal of the bosun’s calls to reach their high-pitched crescendo and then made his way down into the barge, guided by the steady hand of his cox’n, McDonald. “Have you got that bottle of brandy for the Admiral, McDonald, and has the prisoner gone across to the main guardroom at the port?” Aye sir indicated a well wrapped bottle and passing over the hand receit from the garrison officer. As the stroke man of the barge hooked onto the starboard mainchains of the HMS Buffonia, Willoughby made his way up the side in a ceremony that was the mirror image of the one on his own ship. Making his way aft to the Admiral’s quarters, his eye ran briefly over the current flagship. A gust of laughter from the cabin made him smile and hurried to join the other captains. The admiral had always laid an excellent table and, with access to all the provisions that the island could provide, this was one of his better feasts. Talk had initially concentrated heavily on the attack on the port and Willoughby had been pleased to be able to tell the assembled company: “Gentlemen, my cox’n and barge crew managed to fish one of the scoundrels from the fireship from the water. It would appear he is a Portuguese sailor from the Colonial Frigate United States, so it would seem the rumours of the Americans sticking their noses into our waters are true! I have had him“questioned” and I may be able to find out where they were to rendezvous with the United States after they had completed their dirty work here. Hopefully we can get the information from him before he is hung as a pirate anyway!!”
As the conversation moved finally onto other matters, Willoughby held himself quiet, taking an occasional sip from his wineglass and taking the opportunity to study the other officers. He had never met Sir Rupert personally, but they moved in the same social circles and he raked his memory for any hint of a scandal surrounding the cavalry officer . As to
his daughter, perhaps she would be adopting the new French fashion and the entire squadron would see “more” of her. On Willoughby’s own part, he found it very strange that, with the country still immersed in a long war with the tyrant Napoleon, women still looked desperately to Paris for the new fashion.

Next morning

Lieutenant MacDonald applied the grease as his captain had put it and soon had the powder hulk alongside. Soon the shot garlands were full and the powder magzine topped off. work came to a sudden halt in mid-morning as the battered 74 Sunnydale trailed the convoy of four merchantmen escorted by the frigate Sparrowhawk 38.