HMS Willow 18

Commander Ian West

Commanding

Leftenant James Rhetnug

First Lieutenant

Commander West you assumed command of the Willow one month ago in Kingston Jamaca. Commander Kensington was killed acting as a second in a duel involving Leftenant Rhetnug that got out of control. The entire incident has been very hush-hush and few details have leaked out. You do know a young Army Noble was badly wounded and a prominant young lady was put on the first suitable ship for England. Your previous assignment had been First Lieutenant HMS Diamond 32 a frigate that has been on convoy escort duty for the past two years. A qualified officer who was not currently serving in the West Indies Squadron was needed and your own Captain; acting under your family’s influence as well as local political pressure was pursuaded to recommend you. The Admiral Commanding the West Indies Squadron quickly arranged to have your promotion confirmed and ordered

you back to Bermuda. The passage was uneventful and you arrived two days ago.

Leftenant Rhetnug seems very populer with crew. Rumor also has it he is secretly courting Lady Sarah Rupert, but Lord Rupert has forbidden them to see each other. The grapevine also says the Rapide 12 (carries10-9 pdrs and 2-12 pdrs) a French Corvette brought in as prize will be taken into service. She suffered some hull damage and extensive repairs are required to her rigging which the French Crew failed to maintain. To be classed as a sloop she would rate a Commander as Captain.

Fleet / Squadron / Island Rumors

Squadron

Leftenant Rhetnug is quite the Lady’s Man

Captain Giles has been considered foe appointment to Commodore

Rear Admiral Medicus will be retiring for health reasons

The HMS Sunnydale 74 is a recent capture from the French

Fleet

USS Columbia 74 is flagship for a small squadron consisting of a 44 USS Constitution and a 38 USS Constellation as well as several brigs and sloops.

Bermuda’s Harbor defenses have been seriously depleted to beef up several expeditionary forces short on artillery and trained gunners

A Spanish frigate 40 Maria is said to be in these waters enroute to St Augustine

Island

14th Light Dragoons, 1st Foot Royal Scots, and a large Royal Marine Detachment are awaiting transport for operations on the American East Coast

The Willow has been in port two days. Due to convoys loading and unloading no resupply or provisioning has been possible.

Tom; your turn starts here and is due 15 Mar 02.