GAME TURN FOUR

Commander Kinsington

In the late afternoon after a ensuring every man is aboard ship, with confirmation from the Lt Newman and Lt Patrik.

The muster is correct no AWOL’s or stow aways. The other officers assuring that all preparations are complete.

The ship is provisioned and fully armed for a cruize of three months if necesary.

The ‘Willow’ sets sail for Grenada in a South Westerly Direction. I will check the sailing master from time to time throughout the day ensuring we are on course and traveling at our optimum speed towards Grenada.

The ‘Willow’ is making a steady six knots and you overhear the Sailing Master wisper to one of his Mates. Who’s checking who Sid.

My staff is to keep me abreast of any sightings.

First three days out no sitings

Information pertaining to the crews condition as well as any port time needed outside of our rehresal plans.

The rigging could use some additional work, but more in the nature of touch up and fine tunings than anything major.

From 8am 12pm each day the gun crews will run drills as well as the manning of battle postions and rehearsing sailing under tactical conditions.

‘Willow’ clears for action in 14 minutes and can takes over 20 minutes to go from full to fighting sail.

The rest of the day will be run on the normal shift under the supervision of the assigned leaders of that area.

Normal routine nothing to report

Constant signal will be kept with the Crab and her status is to be reported as well. The Crab is to follow a similiar schedule under their Commanders Guidance

Leftenant in Charge Raine reports the ‘Crab’ clears for action in 8 minutes flat and can go from full sail to fighting sail in 17 minutes rather smuggly.

The pursor is to report to me our account status....."Mr Vico I am aware that your pay is less than adequate and your job is somtimes thankless, I am also aware of how you make ends meet....This practice of yours is acceptable throughout the Navy I am told, I have no problems as long as the crews needs are looked out for and you do not get out of hand...keep my books straight with the victualing board!"....

the ship is well provisioned and you don’tdetect any problems with the books

It is my intent to allow two rehearsals enroute to Greneda for our operation, the first being in Anguilla and the second on the north of Ronde Island in the Grenada islands

The Marine detachments seem to have trouble coordinating activities. Sergeant Morgan doesn’t like the Baker Rifle feeling the added range doesn’t compensate for the decreased rate of fire. Lieutenant Watson seems suitabily impressed with the long range but comments to Leftenant Patrik that such a weapon requires extensive training to be used proficiently. As for the lack of coordination the rehearsals are showing where the problems are and how to correct them.

Further the crew will be rewarded 2/8 of the prize once our mission is complete...." In Ronde we will have a diining of the crews in the galley and the officers in our mess before going in. The food is to be plentiful and the livations limited to 2 pints pre man...."

I will dine with the officers tonite after we are underway....and the food is on my account" at the table "Gentleman we are embarking on a great voyage the table is open for comments at this time"

Listed and passed throughut the ship is the breakdown of prize.

RANK SHARE post1808 SHARE

CAPTAIN 3/8* 2/8**

CAPTAINS of Marines,Lieutenants,Master and Physician, = share in 1/8

LIEUTENANTS of Marines,Secretary of Admiral,Principal Warrant Officers, Masters Mates,Chaplain, = shares in 1/8

MIDSHIPMEN, Inferior Warrant Officers, Principal Warrant Officers Mates, Marine Sergeants, = shares in 4/8

THE REST = shares in 2/8

After listening to Capt Giles' taunt, 1st Lt Patrik stares upon Capt Giles omnisciently showing no emotion or response of any kind to his comment, at the same instance loose and at the ready for a confrontation. Lt Patrik thinking how foolish and arrogant this man is, a warrior?.....knowing that his presence has already been established to draw such a reaction out of somone he has never spoke to. In control of his situation 1st Lt Patrik says "there are more challenging issues at hand, sir " and departs the Buffonia for the ‘Willow’

Passed on by the boats coxwain later that day. I heard from the Admiral’s steward that Admiral Medicus said to Captain Giles. “so the yankee kept his temper and didn’t take the bait eh. Perhaps you should give the young man a chance?”

Aboard the ‘Willow’ on the deck after sunset he presents the situation to the landing party " Marines and sailors, Lord Ruperts daughter is being held ransom in Greneda for 500 Sterling. The Admiral has dispatched the ‘Willow’ and ‘Crab’ reinforced with the ‘Buffonia’s; Marine Det. to serve ransom or liberate Lady Rupert. England will not answer to thieves! Therefore men we will engage the enemy in the near future. I will go over the enemy situation and my concept of operations, please hold all your questions until the end. Lt Watson, we have not yet spoke and your insight will be greatly needed to finalize our plan. The Angel is a 40 gun vessel mounting 18pdrs, it is my intent to land two waves of men some two miles up from their port location and advance from land. The first will be the Marines and in trace another 25 landsmen armed with muskets and cutlass. We will move at night into postion. The Marines from the ‘Willow’ will carry the Baker Rifles and set in firing positions to mutualy support the advance of Lt Watsons marines, who will engage in skirmishers....the remainig shoremen will form in rank and file withing 100 meters of the pirates postion to provide a high volume of fire and conceal the skirmishers advance. Once inside the enemys habitat the Marines will close with and destroy them by musket, pistol and cutlass. When the engament is underway myself and 6 of Sgt Morgans Marine will move in and locate Miss Rupert. Sgt Morgan will provide precison rifle fire from afar with the remaining six Bakers. The 25 shoremen will be in reserve and cover any privateers attempting to flee inland, which is normally their only defensive tactic. At nightfall on the eving of the landing the ‘Crab’ will locate the ‘Angel,’ hopefully careened while the ‘Willow’ deploys the landing party. 1hr before sunrise the ‘Willow’ and ‘Crab’ will engage the ‘Angel,’ if not careened and or the shore site....at dawn the fires will cease and the assault will begin, the gunboats mounitng the swivel guns will come in close along the beach and support the Marines throughout the assault. Men I understand this is brief the final coordinations will be made by your officers and Sergeants and you will be briefed furhter by them. At dawn we will conduct our first rehearsal here in Bermuda across the harbour to the shore....And then walk through our assault finishing with musket training and Baker familirazation for Moragns Marines. By 1000 hours we will be back aboard the ‘Willow’...Are there any questions?...Lt Watson let us meet for noon meal in the galley to trade opinions"

Lieutenant Watson joins Leftenant Patrik for lunch and comments, “Captain Giles does not like you or any other American for that matter. It seems his father was picked off by enemy marksman in a boarding action. The senior Giles took the American Vessel but not before suffering a fatal chest wound and died shortly thereafter..” He paused, “I tell you this sir because I had my reservations as well, but you seem quite knowlegable and your plan may well work.” He thought for a moment then concluded, “the landing doesn’t worry me but this sloop going up against a 40 gunner even with surprise. Can she do it sir, for looking at the ‘Crab’ and her pop guns, ‘Willow will have to carry the burden of the fight.”

Lt John Newman

The first evening I wear my best uniform at the captains dinner where I eat

my belly full. The food the captain serves is better than I and my colleague

officers have otherwise. Although the wine is good I drink it sparingly to

keep my head clean.

The evening is quite enjoyable, the food good the wine excellent, and the conversation enlightened.

I see to it that all hands are at stations at dawn and dusk each day. The

rest of the day I see to it that the decks are scrubbed each day and as the

wind is steady I order the paintwork on the luffside of the ship to be

given a new coating.

The replacements are melding in with original crew and spirits seem high

On the seconds day out I offer an extra tot of grog for the fastest gun crew

from my division. The grog I buy from Mr Vico from my extra prize money.

Number three gun on the port broadside with Able Seamen John Wilshire as gun captain gets off three rounds in two minutes scoring two hits on a target barrel and one near miss

On the Island of Anguilla I see to the lowering of the boats (How many boats

does the Willow carry besides the two longboats from the Buffonia).

Three: longboat, jolly boat and captains gig.

While the practice run on Anguilla is taking place the remainder of the crew on

board work with Mr Burke to complete the rigging of the foremast topgallant.

Slowly but surely the work proceeds

In Ronde we get a second chance to taste the captains food. The captain

gives gives us our orders for the attack on the pirates. I am curious what

the future brings for us.

During the evening The ‘Crab’ under Leftenant Raine’s own iniative went on ahead, swept forward and did a long range recon of the island. ‘Crab’ returned late that evening and Leftenant Raine came aboard ‘Willow’ and reported. A large warship is anchored just outside of Hog Island with a smaller merchant vessel closer inland . Smoke can be seen from several points inland. ‘.

Approximately 10 miles from Grenada in the early morning the peace and tranquility was broken by a signal from the ‘Crab’ “Have taken American merchant vessel ‘Angel’s Haven’ carrying prisoners from the ‘Lady Jane.’

Leftenant Raine reported aboard again; Sir several prisoners report the ‘Angel’ is anchored on springs near Hog Island with the ‘Lady Jane’ nearby. Lady Rupert is being held at a small villa near the Rum Distillery. He unrolls several captured maps. See Grenada Maps 1 and 2. Sir ‘Angel’s Haven’ has been acting as a supply ship for the ‘Angel’ she fully reprovisioned, munitioned and even received several extra officers as prize masters. The crew is well rested and itching for action.

Ok this is your last preparation turn, take your actions right up to where the first shot would be fired and give me your plan of action. Be as detailed and concise as you can but remember no plan survives contact with the enemy.