GAME TURN ONE

Background

The HMS ‘Willow’ rode lightly at anchor as she awaited replenishment of stores. Most of the signs, of her engagement, with an American Forty Gun Privateer were gone. Some repairs to the rigging were being half heartedly done and some touch up painting was in order. All hull hamage had been smartly handled and completed.

The Yankee had been masquerading as a disabled merchantman and fired a deadly broadside as the sloop approached. Both the Captain and First Lieutenant were killed in that opening salvo, and the Sailing Master was stunned by falling rigging. Young Midshipman James Rhetnug rallied the surviving crew and used the sloop’s only advantage her higher maneuverability. She pulled away and attempted to clear for action as another broadside hit the ship. Only bad weather and incredible luck had allowed the battered ship to disengage. After the engagement a dispute over command arose between the Sailing Master William Burke and the Young Midshipman. Most of the crew supported the young gentleman who’s quick thinking they believed had saved them from capture. The Royal Marine Sergeant backed the Sailing Master. A confrontation was only avoided a by the timely siting of another Royal Navy Ship who’s Captain appointed Mr Rhetnug Acting Leftenant and directed him to take the ship back to port.

Current Situation

Commander Kensington you have just arrived in port aboard one of your father’s merchant vessels, the ‘Rebecca,’ that has been contracted to haul supplies for the Army. Both Leftenants have been detached from Admiral Medicus’s flagship, HMS ‘Buffonia’ 44, a razee frigate. You were 4th and 5th Lieutenants respectively on this ship. (Razzee: 64 gun ship of the line cut down one deck to make a powerful frigate; Pellew’s ‘Indefatigable’ was such a conversion). Mr Wallace is the ‘Willows’ Officer of the Deck and normal watch is attending to their duties. The ‘Rebecca’ is just entering port. Aboard the ‘Buffonia’ Captain Giles has just directed both Leftenants to report to the ‘Willow’.

Player Turn One:

Going to the ‘Willow’ by jollyboat from ‘Buffinia,’ Leftenant(2nd) John Newman will be ferried to the‘Willow’ with my sea-chest. As we approach the ‘Willow’ I look at her

wondering what quantity of stores we have; she being so light in the water.

I suppose we will need a lot more. It will be a job for the midshipmen to

collect them from shore. I notice the patched up rigging and make a mental

note on what ropework and spars need replacement . (Excellent roll was made verses seamenship here).The rigging needs extensive repairs as it is jury rigged in many places.

Being on the ‘Willow’ before the captain I have my chest taken to my berth

and see below decks for myself what work has been done on the damage, they

have done a good job on that. The hull is quite sound and the carpenters mate comments how Mr Rhetnug was quite demanding about the repairs to the ship’s hull integrity and directed the Sailing Master to attend to the rigging. As I hear the captain piped on board I go up to meet him and report myself ready for duty. Together with Leftenant

Patrick I inspect the crew standing to attention. Some of them look as if

they have been taken from jail (which they were). In case captain has no

orders for me at the moment I will go to the officers-mess to meet my fellow

officers.

Leftenant Patrick comes up the gangway, stops faces the colors and salutes...then with my well pressed uniform clean shave and smart appearance I approach the watch post..." 1st Lt Patrick repoting as ordered, I am to assume the billet of 1st Lt. Can you locate Mr Rhetung and the Marine Sergeant on the double, our new commanding officer is inbound and I want to present the crew and ship to him when he boards...also locate our new 2nd Lt for me as well and send this dispatch to the admiral" give the watchmen a sealed document and begin to look over the ship and its condition. The rigging appears to be a patch work quilt from close up inspection. Leftenant (1st) Sean Patrick would like to advise the admiral that upon arrival I turned over some American coastal maps which I had from my service over in the U.S...(old maps I found) the Admiral’s Flag Leftenant Xander Harris, via Midshipman messenger, thanks you and will pass your maps on to the Admiral. Leftenant Patrick speaks with the purser to purchase some goods I think we will need to combat american marines, since my tour with them I have alot of knowledge about their operations and tactics.....Mr Vico and asks, “what do you require sir I do have a few connections.” As the purser finishes Mr Rhetnug presents himself immaculately except for his right arm in a sling and a large bruise on his head. “Acting Leftenant Rhetnug reporting sir, as senior officer aboard I formally turn command of this ship over to you sir.” Leftenant Newman joins them shortly coming up from below decks. As the three officers finish their brief inspection, a boat pulls alongside and when challenged the coxswain replied ‘Willow’ indicating the ships new commanding officer was aboard.

Commander Kinsington comes aboard the ‘Willow’ as the Marine Guards and side boys hastily form up and presents arms. He approached the Watch Officer Midshipman Wallace, who had detached himseld with brief nod from the three Leftenants and a “I’ll attend to your orders sir,” earlier. Commander Kensington begin to explain to him that he was the new Commander of the ‘Willow’ and that I would like to take a look around the ship and meet the Acting Lieutennat that saved the ‘Willow’ from the privateer. Mr. Wallace looks a little flustered and says, “right away sir, but don’t you plan to read yourself in first,” rather nervously. Commander Kensington appeared a bit taken back by being reminded of this by a junior officer. “Quite right call all hands.” as he took out his formal orders, Orders from the Lords of the Admiralty to Commander Kensington You are herby directed and required to assume command of the HMS ‘Willow....ect/ect/ect... Now then a report on the damages that are still left unrepaired that are keeping the ‘Willow’ in "questionable" condition. Mr Rhetnug loks at Leftenat Patrick, “with your permission sir and gives his report, Sir the hull damage has been repaired, we had to jetison most of our stores and supplies to effect our escape. The rigging still requires extensive work and in my opinion sir the Sailing Master has not pushed the men to effect these repairs.”

I (CMdr K) try to conceal the fact that I have never actuallly commanded a ship nor I have I seen any action. I then task the Watch officer with sending someone to retreive my belongings from the Rebecca and give explicit directions on the handling and care of my fathers rifles....... I stand waiting aprehensively and feeling uncomfortable from the unbearable heat that I am unused to. (Thinking to myself what an unberable island this is)

Mr Wallace waits until the Mr Rhetnug is finished and reports. “Signal from the ‘Buffonia’

sir, all Captains are invited to dinner aboard the flagship this evening at 1800 hours.”