GAME TURN SEVEN

From HMS Buffonia
To ships and vessels of the Bermuda Squadron
Packet sent to all Captains

Gentlemen;
Socializing aside the entire Squadron will put to sea Monday. See to it that your ships are provisioned and have adequate munitions on hand. Do to the highly sensitive nature of our objective I will expect you to send your First Lieutenant's to receive the appropriate navigational charts.
For the Admiral
Lt Harris
Flag Lt

Lieutenant Bryant had made himself familiar with the ship during the voyage. Lieutenant David Gun joined Sparrowhawk just prior to the start of the voyage as Second Lieutenant.
Captain Hurst gained his position and rank through family connections. He is notorious for taking the credit for things done by his junior officers. He has a serious drinking problem. The First Lieutenant Gregory Hampton III is a weasel who plays favorites among the crew and is a yes man to the Captain.
HMS Sparrowhawk 38, (20-12 pounder long guns and 18-9 pounder longs), newly coppered and with almost all her crew rated AB she can produce a good turn of speed, is escort for a supply convoy (4 merchant ships) and is overcrewed (60 able bodied seamen Captain Giles called in some favors) because she is bringing out replacements for the the Bermuda Squadron. Captain His Grace Akron Hurst commanding. In charge of the replacement draft is a new officer Thomas Edward Bryant, Leftenant of His Majesty’s Navy en route to his new assignment. Bryant is 24, has straight black hair cropped short, with a olive complexion from being atsea. He has blue-grey eyes, a small, fairly straight nose and a small, set mouth.He stands 5’10, is broad-shouldered and has a lean fairly muscular body. Lieutenant Bryant has spent an uneventful passage aboard the Sparrowhawk. As all Lieutenant's careers depend on their seniority and date of rank, the subject naturally has come up in wardroom conversation and Thomas is the Senior Lieutenant aboard. However as he was not assigned to the ship but only supervising a draft of replacement seamen Captain Hurst has given him no duties.
Bryant, wearing a brand new duty uniform he'd purchased in London before departure left the wardroom, just having finished the evening meal of pork and biscuit, washed down with coffee. As he placed his cocked hat on his head, he wouldn’t think of going to his stuffy cabin this early in the evening, and instead decided to take in some fresh air on the quarterdeck. He would have to see to the men of the draft later this evening, make sure they weren't making nusiances of themselves, but that could wait for now, until at least after they've all had supper. As he reached the top of the companion, he heard a call from the tops of ‘sail ho,’ followed by what he thought was ‘she looks to be a ship of the line.’ He had to refrain himself from yelling ‘where away’ by habit, and instead, continued his walk onto the quarterdeck of the frigate, taking in his surroundings as he did so.

Lt Gunn was officer of the deck and had just sent the midshipman of the watch Mr Cunningham below to inform the Captain. The lookout continued, "Ship of the Line, looks like a Frog but English Colors sir." The midshipman returned and looked scared, finally he blurted out a bit to loud "the Captains drunk sir!" The lookout continued, "Big Yankee frigate just popped out the mist astern of her sir" Long pause..."Damn, beg your pardon sir the Yankee just raked her!!!” Lieutenant Hampton came on deck and Lt Gunn gave him a brief report. "Orders sir?" Lt Hampton said, "Maintain course, our responsibility is to the convoy."

Bryant stopped his walk within listening range of Hampton and Gunn, placed his hands behind his back, heard Hampton’s reply to the question Gunn presented him with. He disliked the decision, and although he had seniority over Hampton, he had no authority on this frigate. He looked over the quarterdeck railing to the ships of the convoy, making headway to the leeside of the frigate, then back to Hampton and Gunn. He wanted to speak, but would consider options first before opening his mouth and being impetuous, especially when he was only a passenger. The Sparrowhawk was fast, and with the amount of topmen on her she could be made extremely maneuverable, but her small twelve and nine pounders caused a small hint of doubt to settle in his consciousness. As he took all of this into consideration, his thoughts fell to what he remembered about the Yankee frigates from his reading of the Chronicle and newspapers. A recent discussion in the Naval Chronicle had elaborated on the big American Frigates, some called them small ships of the line.
The Big Yankee frigates were rated 44's but carried up to 55 guns, normally 30-24 pounders on the main deck with up to two dozen carronades of 32 or 42 pdr's. on the quarterdeck The wealthier American Captains often payed for Rifles to equip their Marines, this resulted in a lower rate of fire but greater accuracy and range. Speedwise they were fast and handy for their size. The Constitution was noted as very maneuverable, the President less so, and the United States was especially sluggish. As rule they had large veteran crews with high percentage of seamen rated AB. Several Brit frigates the Guierre and Java had proved no match. The Bermuda squadron's own Watcher had fought a successful delaying action against the United States but had suffered heavy damage and high casualties. The United States was know to be in these waters.
Mr Cunningham spoke up again, "merchantman signaling Gopher(unarmed) wants to know what to do, Monica (unarmed) has jibberish flying, Stuart (10-6pdr) is running out her guns, and Drew (unarmed) is setting all sail possible and starting to pull ahead.
Lieutenant Hampton looked at the young midshipman and said, "Damn your eyes, for interupting, Mr Gunn signal the convoy to keep better station, and find a masthead for this young gentleman!"

Bryant calculated the firepower of the American vessel in his head, and was interrupted from it by first the midshipman, then Lieutenant Hampton, whose outburst was certainly not becoming an officer. He obviously must be very frustrated. Bryant glanced to the merchantmen once more, saw them plying through the waves in a broken formation, saw one had its guns ran out, that could be to their advantage he thought as he turned then back to Hampton, and shifted the weight from one foot to another as an idea materialized in his head. That American frigate must be driven off or taken, if it were to seize that Ship of the Line, and it was known to the Admiralty that Sparrowhawk was in sight of the action, then all of their careers would be gone. With all of this floating in his consciousness, he opened his mouth, and his voice poured forth in a cool, reserved tone, “Lieutenant Hampton, I would like to offer a suggestion as to dealing with that American if you'd be willing to listen.”
Lieutenant Hampton was about to turn on heel when he paused..."Indeed Lieutenant Bryant, what would that be? Lt Gunn I believe I gave you some instructions regarding this young gentlemen...perhaps you would like to be on watch and watch?"

Bryant cleared his throat, and let the idea clearly form in his head, it was, well, risky to say the least, but anything to get the upperhand on that American frigate with its big guns would be useful. He voice rolled forth again in the reserved tone, “It may be possible to scare that Yank off by show of readied force Mr. Hampton. He must have got the jump on that ship, or he’d never have challenged a vessel that large, so I say we give him a little taste of him own medicine eh’. You, well, first, you would need a word from the top of that far merchantman there, make sure there are no other vessels in sight to our lee horizon. Then you would signal the merchantman to take station directly astern of Sparrowhawk, that one there,” he pointed to the Stuart, “have her fall into line second, so her guns can be seen, thereby forming a would be squadron line of battle. Next Sparrowhawk would be cleared for action. With all of the guns run out, plus those of that merchantman, it may give the American the impression that the escort of that Ship of the Line is coming down on him. At the least it would force him to give way and give the ship of the line time to return fire...at the most he’ll disengage.” Bryant took a moment, recollected his thoughts, cleared his throat again. “If not, the merchantmen will break to the lee, make for Bermuda with all possible haste, and you shall engage the American and render assistance to that vessel of His Majesties Navy.” He knew it was a long shot, but Bryant kept his eyes in a hard stare at Hampton as he spoke, and awaited his reply.

He knew it was a long shot, but Bryant kept his eyes in a hard stare at Hampton as he spoke, and awaited his reply. Bryant could see several of the junior officers nodding very discreetly with his suggestion, and the Marine Lieutenant was covertly gesturing several armed men at a time, aloft. Lieutenant Hampton looked clearly annoyed, our responsibility is to this convoy, that 74 can take care of herself Lt Bryant." The masthead lookout reported yet again "Yankee frigate has yawed and running out her guns on the other broadside, no return fire from the liner"
Bryant saw the Junior Officers nodding, and felt the anger begin to rise within him. His voice was still fairly cool, but it had a new harshness and quickness added to it “Damn your eyes and your lack of judgement Mr. Hampton, do you realize that if that liner is taken and we’re known to be in the vicinity that we’ll all end up rotting in Portsmouth for the rest of our lives. If you know what’s good for your career, and that of every man on this vessel, you will have your guns run out, and will engage that ship.” As he heard the word from the top he couildn’t help but smirk. “And the way it looks, the Yankee is making your decision for you...and now, probably any element of surprise we might have possessed is now lost.” He had stood his ground and he kept his pericing glance on Hampton, and now awaited his reply. He knew there was no need for bickering on a King’s frigate, and he was prepared to take command if there was no action taken on part of the Lieutenant

Lieutenant Hampton looked clearly annoyed, our responsibility is to this convoy, that 74 can take care of herself Lt Bryant."

As he heard the word from the top he couildn’t help but smirk. “And the way it looks, the Yankee is making your decision for you...and now, probably any element of surprise we might have possessed is now lost.” He had stood his ground and he kept his pericing glance on Hampton, and now awaited his reply. He knew there was no need for bickering on a King’s frigate, and he was prepared to take command if there was no action taken on part of the Lieutenant.
The ships were coming into view from the deck. A ship of the line with distinctly French appearance but English colors and a large American frigate. The Sparrowhawk's convoy was getting more spread out as precious minutes elapsed
The 74 slowly started to come around and a few of her upper deck guns began to run out. The American fired again, the 74's response was to ragged to be called a broadside but at least they were shooting back.
Lieutenant Hampton said, "I believe my orders were clear gentlemen!" The Marine Lieutenant looked clearly uneasy and muttering could be heard from several of the nearby gun crews...
Bryant felt the anger creep up his neck, gritting his teeth as he sought all of his willpower to control it. He shifted his weight from one other, as the murmurs from the gun crew reached his ears. He knew he probably had the confidence of the crew, and that was important, but any attempt to counter Hampton’s orders could be classified as Mutiny. He looked around the deck, over to the convoy, growled at the helpless midshipman who was on the quarterdeck to help counter the frustration he felt. “Mr. Cunningham, signal the convoy to keep better station.” Then turned back to Hampton, and continued without taking a breath, hoping this last bit of coercion would work, rather than revert to actually taking over command from him. “You know...if we stay in sight and assist in the capture of that frigate, as acting-Captain of this vessel, you would be entitled to a healthy sum of prize money.”

“Mr. Cunningham, signal the convoy to keep better station.” Then turned back to Hampton, and continued without taking a breath, hoping this last bit of coercion would work, rather than revert to actually taking over command from him. “You know...if we stay in sight and assist in the capture of that frigate, as acting-Captain of this vessel, you would be entitled to a healthy sum of prize money.”
Prize money seemed to snap Hampton out of his foul mood if only for a minute.
Everyone could almost see him doing the sums in his head. "Indeed..."
The midshipman out of disciplined habbit ordered the proper flags run up before realizing who had given the order. Lt Hampton glared at him and then Lt Gunn in turn when suddenly he jumped back as musket ball thudded into the deck not one foot away. Lieutenant Barston (3rd) glanced nervously around and said "Can Yankee Rifles fire that far? The Marine Lieutenant who quickly returned his glance from aloft said, "apparently so it would seem..."
The American Frigate and the Ship of the Line exchanged fire again, with sickening crash the mizzen mast of the larger ship went over the side and faint cheers could be heard from the American Frigate.
He grimaced at the whizz that went by his head and then stuck into the bulwark beside him. Bryant grinned and shot a glance back to the American Frigate, back to Hampton, the Marine Lieutenant, Gunn, and Raston. “Right that settles it then,” he could feel the fighting blood and excitement begin to rise in him... “Mr. Hampton, you may have the Marine drummer beat to quarters, clear her for action. Mr. Cunningham, signal the convoy, proceed to Bermuda post haste, then run a signal up the main yard to that seventy-four, give her our number, tell her we shall render assistance, get Mr. Raston to assist you in that if you need it.”

As the Marine Drummer started Beat to Quarters, most of the men were already near their guns and an old Quartermaster known as Wicky had the replacement draft mustered in three groups near each mast waiting on orders to go aloft. Lieutenant Barston 3rd proved quite agile as balance his ship's glass in one hand and flipped through the fleet list and captain's roster book with the other. Suddenly he called out, " The 74's replying she's Sunnydale 74 Captain Summers, French built," he paused, "Captain Stark enroute to relieve Captain Giles is also believed to be on board. Seniority is Captain Summers, Stark, Hurst, sir." The young Lt suddely realized he may have overstepped his bounds by adding fleet gossip into his report
Hampton appeared stunned and kept stairing at the splintered deck . A young powder monkey nearby manning one of 9 pdrs said a little to loud to the gunner, "You told me this here cannon won't reach that far, how can them rifles do it? The gunner just grinned and replied, " you don't need to worry about that just make sure that cartridge bucket stays full."
The reactions drummed into Lieutenant Gunn when he'd been a young Midshipman soon took over, especially the one regarding obeying superior officers commands, even bad
ones. "Mr Cunningham, signal the convoy to hold to their ordered station. Get Drew’s number from the book and send the message to her again again just to emphasise it, we don't want those ships scattering yet. Then you'd better take a glass with you up the Foremast, where you can put your talent for gossip to good use by keeping me informed as tohow the convoy has carried out those orders" Mr Cunningham called from aloft "Drew is shortening sail and signaling but it gibberish sir"
David glanced in sympathy at Lieutenant Bryant during Hampton's outburst, and then looked with some concern at the '74. He decided to approach the First Lieutenant from another tack. "Sir, that '74 is taking bad fire from the Yankee, and we're in plain sight. It won't look too good when the Admiral reviews todays events." "Especially for Captain Hurst, when old Medicus finds out he was 'indisposed' belowdecks. I urge you to engage that Yankee, even if just to protect the Captain, Sir" Gunn didn't go so far as to mention the words court martial that now hung in the air. "Besides, sir, what better way to protect the convoy than to remove the threat that Frigate poses ?"

Lieutenant Hampton looked first at Lt Bryant, then Lt Gunn, then other gathered officers
very well gentlemen what do suggest?" He was interupted as Cunningham called out Sunnydale signalling "Respectfully SUBMIT you engage if possible"
Lt Barston up, "Submit??? Summers is senior to...oh my God..."

Bryant kept his stare on Hampton, as Raston ranted on about seniority, placed his hands behind his back, then spoke in a hurried form of his cool fashion “Well Mr. Hampton, I would get word from Cunningham as to whether there are any other sails in sight, there’s a good chance that Yankee isn’t alone.”
" No other sails in site sir,” reported the midshipman.
“Next, we’ll have to turn into the wind and beat back towards him on the port tack. I think our best line of action would be to box him in between the Sunnydale and us.”
Mr Hampton ordered the Sparrowhawk put about, to close on the ship of the line
He glanced around, then back, a blank expression on his face as he calculated in his head. “We might be under fire for sometime however until we can bring these 12 pounder pop guns to bear with some bite. I do suggest we do something quickly however, as it would appear your Captain Hurst is now senior officer in this engagement”
Suddenly Mr Cunningham called out again, "Yankee is breaking off from the Sunnydale and bearing down on us. Sir I can see a Commodore's broad pennant from the American sir!" In matter of minutes the big American Frigate had left the crippled 74 behind and was ready to go toe-to-toe with smaller English Frigate.’
Mr Hampton looked at large black hull with yellow checkered gunports bearing down on them and started to say something but only managed a throat clearing croak...

Bryant breathed an uneasy sigh as he watched heard Hampton’s croak. Obviously the man had no fire for battle within him. He turned and saw the United States bearing down on the Sparrowhawk, coming in quickly from a point or two off her port bow. He moved to the weather side of the quarterdeck, started down into the waist at the gun crews, then back onto the Yankee frigate, had no time to wait for Hampton to find his voice “Mister Raston, Mister Gunn, take your stations on the gun deck...hold your fire until your guns came come to bear. Make sure every shot counts...this first broadside will be critical to the outcome of this engagement. Watch for my signal to open your ports, Mr. Raston, I suppose your batteries will be engaged first, so be prepared at any moment. Gunn, I plan on putting her before the wind and coming about after that, I want your batteries firing the minute you have her in sight once we complete that maneuver." He turned to face the Lieutenants, "Right then, good luck gentlemen, to your stations.” He watched them move down into the waist, and then paced over to stand by the quartermasters who stood by the wheel. “Hold her steady lads, wait for my mark,” he focused his glance once more on the American frigate, picked the speaking trumpet from its position. “You there, with the replacements, yes, get some of them aloft, and reef the tops’ls if you please, and place enough at the braces should they be needed.” He replaced the speaking trumpet and began to shift his weight from one foot to the other to compensate for pacing, and all the while, keeping his stare on the frigate, all the while feeling the excitement of the prospect of a battle rising inside of him.

The two frigates came rushing down on each other. Lieutenant Hampton just nodding as Lieutenant Bryant gave his commands and most of the crew ignoring the First Lieutenant relieved that someone had taken charge. As both ships maneuvered for the advantage both ended up passing close barely a 50 yards yards apart, the broadsides crash out. The United States took half a dozen hits but didn't appear hurt. Sparrowhawk shuddered as over a dozen heavy shot slamed into her hull and grapeshot swept her deck. Casualties were heavy over 20 men killed and an equal number wounded with half a dozen guns knocked out. Cries from below she's taking on water. The quartermaster called, "out wheel spinning free tiller ropes must have been hit sir." Suddenly the ping of small arms fire swept the deck as Lieutenant Hampton fell, a signals midshipman collapsed, and Bryant felt a sting in his left arm and saw blood. The Sparrowhawks own Marines with returning fire with vigor and an individual on United States quarterdeck with a speaking trumpet and lots of gold lace dropped and gun crews were disrupted. Bryant could feel the sluggishness in Sparrowhawks movement as she tried to come about. The to everyone's amazement the United States went from battle sail to full sail clearly intent on breaking off the action.

Bryant grasped at his arm, holding it tightly in his right hand. He looked into the waist at the carnage, then over his shoulder at the Yankee frigate. He yelled an oath at it as it began to make full sail, then released his stinging arm and reached for the speaking trumpet near the wheel. “Mister Gunn...have some of those men man the for’ard pumps if you please, and get the wounded below.” he pasused a moment gathering his wits. “Raston, get a party below and replice the tiller stays. I want full control over our rudder again within the hour.” He then replaced the trumpet, felt the warmness covering his left coat sleeve, and then looked down to see how badly he was hit.

Lieutenant Bryant saw the Yankee frigate disappearing into the darkness, when Mr Cunningham came dow the ratlines with a monkey's agility and speed to do a topmen credit.

"Sir signal from the United States, Commodore Brock's compliments to commanding officer Sparrowhawk 'we will meet again and finish this on more equal terms, until then well done sir'

Bryant noticed his bloody arm while painful could still move, the musket ball had not hit the bone but passed clean through. It was then he realized the young midshipman had reported a message addressed to the commanding officer of the ship to him. Not the drunk below or any of the other officers on deck.

The Following Morning...As the Sparrowhawk beats into Bermuda Harbor

Bryant stood on the portside ganway, taking in this new island, on which he will be
stationed for the next, ...his thoughts paused a moment, and he didn’t know how long he’d be on this station. He looked down at his arm, and the sling which kept it close to his chest. He had been somewhat aggrevated at first when he realized what had happened, but his mind was cleared when Cunningham read that signal from the United States. He grinned in self congratulations, but knew the whole ordeal was muted, by the fact that Captain Hurst was now over his spell, and pacing the quarter-deck next to Gunn, who had taken over for the incapacitated Hampton as First Lieutenant. He knew an after action report was in order, but loathed to write it, as it, again would be probably overshadowed by Hurst. The grin he was wearing over the signal from the American was wiped from his face as he comtemplated this problem. After running it through his mind for several minutes, all the while keeping his blankstare at the ships in the harbor, he decided to retire to his cabin, and write the report.

In the Cabin
He sat in the chair, cramped against the near bulkhead in the small cabin. Had a sheet of clean paper in front of him, and pulled his left side pen and ink from a wrapping within his seachest. He placed the pen to the paper and started to write, and after carefully mulling over the correct wording, finished an hour later, signing,
I have the honour to be, &c., &c., &c.,
Thomas Bryant, Leftenant.
He folded the letter carefully, placed the pen and ink back into there wrapper, and then into the seachest. Left the cabin and made his way back on deck, where the Sparrowhawk had just hoven-too and dropped her anchor. He stood to the lee side of the quarter-deck, and once again took in the sights of the harbor until he recieved further orders on what the Admiral wanted to do with the replacement draft.

Lieutenant Bryant watched as the convoy dropped anchor followed by the battered Sunnydale 74. He received instructions to have his draft of replacement seamen report to the the ship of the line later that day. He saw Captain Hurst report to the flagship with his report and dispatches. He returned rather quickly. Apparently the Admiral hadn’t wasted much time in small talk. He overheard Lieutenant Gunn talking with the surgeon who told him that Lieutenant Hampton had been hit by a musket ball and not a rifle bullet. He moved on out of earshot. Later that evening as the last of the seamen from the replacement draft had been transfered; some dandy from the flagship came aboard and to his surprise and Captain Hurst’s clear annoyance sought him out. Lieutenant Harris handed him a packet and said, “With Rear Admiral Medicus’ compliments.”

Rear Admiral Medicus KCB

Aboard HMS Buffonia 44

To Lieutenant Thomas Bryant

Sir you are directed and required to assume command of HM Sloop of War Jana 22 with the rank of Acting Commander. Said rank to be confirmed by the Admiralty at their earliest convenience.

For the Admiral

Lieutenant Harris

Flag Lieutenant

Commander Bryant finished reading the order and thought to himself. Well I’ll be damned there’s a small amount of justice in this world after all.

Approx 60 miles from Bermuda early evening

>Wind
>Light Breeze

1 Broadside
US Frigate///>
2 Broadsides 1 Broadside
UKSOL////>
////>Sparrowhawk

>Convoy

US Frigate and SOL approx 400 yards apart, the SOL and Sparrohawk approx 1 mile apart, convoy approx 1/2 mile beyond Sparrowhawk

Meanwhile back in Bermuda...

A rocket lights the early evening sky as the senior officers of the various ships and vessels Bermuda Squadron make their preparations for the Admiral Dinner Party.
A towering wall of flame erupts from the harbor mouth as a small merchant brigatine bursts into flames
From Crab
To All ships
Being boarded fireship enroute....