Game Turn
Three
Commander Kinsington stands to, swallowing the lump
in his throat and turns to the Admiral "Sir, I wish to promote Mr Rhetung
and keep him aboard the Willow in his assigned billet as well as increase Mr
Burkes pay.
*Rear Admiral Medicus looks around the table and
says, “It takes three Post Captains or higher to confirm a Lieutenants
Commission, so I’ don’t see a problem there. Captain Giles have Leftenant
Harris fill the appropriate papers and get the appropriate signatures.
As for changing the naval pay scales that is beyond
me.
Do you have any advice for me in regards to my
mission?....
*Medicus commented, “I suppose dropping her over the
side would be inappropriate.”
For the Navy, my family and the Admiral I shall
succeed"....he then exits the ‘Buffonia’ for the ‘Willow’...coming aboard
the ‘Willow’ Commander advises 2nd Lt NNewman to step up the sailing
preparations and that he will delay until evening to get the supplies aboard.
**Cross decking to the ‘Buffonia’ 1st Lt Patrik
‘Willow’ and seeking out Captain Giles...without interrupting anyone senior, Lt
Patrik presents himself in a highly professional manner carrying him self with
the highest of military standards......
..."Good day sir, I was seeking your insight about the privateers and their most
probable course of action.
*Captain Giles looks at Leftenant Patrick, “young
sir as far as I’m concerned engagement is at the discretion of your Captain,
declarations of war are fine and good but parchment doesn’t stop cannon shot.”
I have been
told you are well versed in this area. I will be heading the landing force in
Grenada sir, how much do we know about the privateers locations and allies.
* We believe Lady Sarah is being held ashore and the
privateer and her prize is anchored near Hog Island but that information is
almost a week old
The name of the ship and her colors.
*The ship involved was the ‘Angel’ a converted East
Indiamen of 40 guns, 18 pdrs I’m told on the main deck. She flies the Striped
Bunting, but I’ll bet there is a black flag in her signals bag.
Are there any crew members of the boarded vessel on
island?.....and lastly sir, is there any ports or parishs we may rehearse our
actions at, enroute to Greneda?.......
No formal base but they do have some collection of
spices and the manufacter of rum, the captured ships crew is probably working
the fields.
Can you read a chart young man? {GM assume there
are; Giles is just being hardnose}
*Lastly, lets understand each other Leftenant, you
are an officer in the Royal Navy, I do not care for your background and I say
this to your face. Should you care to ‘Call Me Out’ I will not stand behind
rank and will leave orders regardless of the outcome that no reprisals shall be
taken.
**On hearing the news that departure is the next day
Lt (2nd) Newman comes to
an understanding with acting Lt Rhetnug to work on
collecting the stores all
night long. " I (1st Lt) grant you the
permission to take the working party ashore and begin loading the ‘Willow’ In
this way stores will be replenished by the morning. Lt Rhetnug will work on shore to load the boats and Lt Newman and
Mr. Vico
(after his mission to the regiment)"Mr Vico, go
forth with the aqcuisition of the Bakers and ball, I (1st Lt) will be visiting
with Captain Giles today regarding some other matters"
See to it that the supplies are stored properly.
*Newly promoted Mr Rhetnug not only gets provisions
and munitions out to the ship in record time, he even procurs a new uniform for
himself.
Midshipman Wallace is sent on a mission with a party
of
seamen on Main Island to get as many sheep and
chickens as he can get, in
this way the crew will at least on the first days
out have fresh meat.
*The ‘Willow’ sounds like a blooming Noah’s Ark as
one of the seamen put it. I’ll bet those farmers will never miss them. Mr
Wallace suddenly has an urgent errand to attend to upon hearing this.
The Sailing Master, Mr. Burke with with bossun Tom
Carter and his party
manage to get the jibboom rigged allright. They have
been able to collect
sufficient cable length of cable from the
‘Buffonia.’ They also got three spars
which Lt Newman orders to be stored as spares for
the moment, now we have no
time to rearange the rigging of the foremast. Lt
Newman plans to do that on
any of the Leeward Islands on the way to Grenada, as
there is talk of a
rehearsal of an amphibious assault.
*The Chief Bosn of the ‘Buffonia’ says we oh him one
sir
Commander Kinsington then to Lt Patrik" prepare
your men for a rescue operataion in Grenada of the Lord’s
Daughter"......"Mr Wallace signal the Commanding Officer of the Crab
and have him report at once.” Flags
quickly go up the halliards “Aye sir” Leftenant Raine arrives and reports as
ordered. He tells you the ‘crab is fast but only carries 6pdrs.
**Then have the Marines from the ‘Buffonia’ sent
over they will travel with us...also advise the ‘Buffonia’ that 1st Lt Patrik
will conduct a landing rhearsal at dawn and conduct some drills and we are requesting to depart tomorrow
evevning"....Sgt. Morgan I understand you concerns and your prefernece for
the muskets however we will employ them ashore and your men will be trained on
how to operate and employ the properly before we go into our assault. You will
not be employed under the standard "Dunda regulations" in which you
are accustomed to. The idea of standing in rank 100yd or less apart from the
enemy and firing is suicide. You and your marines will be outfitted in green or
brwn tunics with the Baker Rifle when we go ashore. You will be able to engage
the enemy at 500yds well outside of there small arms range. Furthermore you
will advance on the enemy in skirmishers or sharpshooter teams allowing you to
use your own initiative and self reliance. You are a Royal Marine and most
feared throughout the world as warriors of the sea. I think after you and your
men have the opportunity to use the Baker and see her accuracy you will take to
them. In our assault you will be supported on your flanks with standard men bearing
muskets they will provide your high volley of fire and keep the enemy engaged
while you advance on the enemy selecting your mark as you see fit. Assemble
your men in the galley after mess tonight, I will adress them and the landing
party at that time, is there anything tour detachment requires before we set
sail?....continue to drill your men."
*Sergeant Morgan remains unconvinced, tradition dies
hard, as he tells you his men have had limited training as skirmishers but can
hold their own as marksman. He further advises you that Lieutenant Watson from
the ‘Buffonia’ will be in charge of the Marines ashore, answerable to his naval
superiors of course but he has been known to be deaf when the situation isn’t
to his liking.
Thirty Marines under Royal Marine Lieutenant Watson
arrive and crowd an already jammed packed ship. they bring two longboats each
mounting a 4pdr swivel gun and good supply of grapeshot. He reports himself and
his detachment in to the First Leftenant; As Lt Patrick finishes up with several
seamen...
**The gunners mate and chief boatswaing..."The
Gunners' who have been manning the swivel guns til date' will remain in place.
I see no need to reassign billets whihc will involve retraining men."
The boson is satisfied the gunner very pissed, but
they both say aye.aye. sir and leave when dismissed. After they leave...
>Seaman
Winters, Carstairs do not make the error of judgeing me bymy past employers.
There will be plenty of time for you to observe my actions and furthemore
another illfavored comment or belligerent outburst will find you at Captains
mast understood!"
Aye sir both reply sullenly< He then reviews the
Royal Marines and finds them berthing spaces.
**The Commander then request a status report from
1st Lt, 2ndLt, Mr Rhetung, Mr Wallace,
"Mr Greg,....ensure we have enough small boats
between us and the crab to move 40 men ashore,.I want to know who the best
coxswains are and have them report to me after evening mess the mission briefing will go above
decks.....where there is ample room and fresher air...
*Lieutenant Watson has supplied us with two
longboats sir.
Mr Burke, Mr Vico, Mr Thompson and Sgt
Morgan........" I will adress the ship prior to setting sail and advise
them of our mission and its rewards"......adjusting to the heat Commander
Kinsington stands on deck observing the scurry of his men making preparations
to sail...wondering what the future brings....
LATER THAT EVENING THE FOLLOWING DAY Signal from the
flagship, make sail when ready. “WHO DARES WINS”
GAME TURN FOUR
Write up your next turn to cover a weeks time,
assume moderate weather and a fair wind that allows an average speed of six
knots. There will be several islands where training and ship repairs can be
made enroute. Give me a general course and distance covered.