Game Turn 10

The sun was up, but Leftenant James MacDonald did not notice the as he shut his Captain’s door and walked towered the wardroom in a daze. With each step Captain West’s orders became more and more real, “I’m to command Willow for the rest of this action, and by his good word the Admiralty will confirm this promotion” He wanted to retrieve his orders from his jacket pocket and read them again. He had spent a lifetime working toward this day. How sweet the air smells this morning he thought to himself as he called for Midshipman Wolf to help him with his chest.

Later that Morning-

The warrant officers and midshipmen were drawn up along with the Royal Marines. Their eyes were fixed very attentively on their new commander. Each came forward and each made his bow all of this was witnessed by the crew of Willow. James said “Gentlemen I’m glad to make you acquaintance. Mr. Hanes, all hands aft, if you please. As there is no Lieutenant. I shall read my orders to the ship’s company.” “ALL Hands AFT! All hands aft!” The call rang throughout the ship. James stepped forward to the break of the quarter-deck and took out his orders. “OFF HATS”, James began fealing a little knot in the pit of his stomach he had done this twice before for two different captain’s coming aboard Watcher. As he read through the familiar lines, now with infinitely more meaning then ever before his feelings of dread disappeared and where replaced by such pride that he thought he might burst. After the reading he nodded to his men then folded the paper and returned it to his pocket. “Very good, dismiss the hands and lets have a look at our lady Willow”

Sailing Master Burke has the deck and sends a messenger to report Crab in site of flotilla.

Crab is in site of the entire flotilla and closing fast. She advised she has dispatches for the flagship and mail for the entire flotilla. Barely acknowledging replies she reports there has been a major naval engagement off  the North Carolina Coast.

As the flotilla prepared to received an send boats for dispatches and mail...The Crab's rigging was full of signals
Battle of Cape Fear
HMS Britannia, Nelson, Impregnable, Hibernia, Queen Charlotte, and four frigates engaged USS Independence, Washington, Franklin, Columbus, North Carolina, four frigates, and five transports as they broke out of Wilmington, North Carolina...