Across to America: A Tim Phillips Novel (War at Sea Book 9) by Richard Testrake Page B
Authors: Richard Testrake
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generally followed on the way to the Channel. He had hoped to join up with a convoy, but the next was not due for weeks yet, and Vice-Admiral Sawyer was explicit with the necessity for her to depart as soon as possible. The first matter on the agenda was to look for enemy privateers. After several weeks of that, it would be time to search for the next convoy from home. He hoped to meet up with that shipping near Bermuda, but he well knew there was always the possibility they would miss each other. He would have been more comfortable with several more ships. However, he must make do with what he had.
One problem with travelling alone was, according to a recent Order in Council, British commercial shipping was forbidden to sail unless in convoy. This action had been taken soon after the American declaration of war had been received in London. Thus, posing as a lone British merchantman might be suspicious.
Mister Harding voiced his doubts about the effectiveness of the disguise, but Goodrich, the third officer assured him a previous Order in Council had removed the requirement of sailing in convoy because of the elimination of the French threat in the Caribbean. It was only after the American entry into the war that it was re-imposed. “Who is to say we did not sail before we learned of the new order”, Goodrich assured the sailing master.
After making their offing, the ship was readied for the closest inspection by a marauding privateer. The tops’ls were replaced by the ancient canvas secured from the dockyard. It had been reinforced by the sailmaker so no splits were likely to occur at in-opportune moments. The ship’s cook got into the act by throwing some visibly noxious substance over the side, leaving an unsightly stripe down to the waterline.
Some of the empty boxes and casks secured ashore were place strategically about on the weather deck. The remainder were disassembled and struck below into the hold. In the event the ship would clear for action, the material on deck could be thrown over the side in a minute.
The hands entered into the scheme with a will, often coming up with their own notions. Despite this however, Andromeda was not a universally happy ship. The extra draft of men taken aboard severely strained the living space in the berth deck. Then too, some of the levied men were those their old captains thought they could well do without. Already, the sea lawyers among them were muttering about their outrageous transfer away from the old ship and mates. The landsmen had not had the opportunity to be disgruntled yet. Most of them were too incapacitated from sea-sickness.
Phillips had asked Admiral Sawyer for the extra men. He had thought if he took several prizes, the extra hands would come in handy to man them. Otherwise, captured ships would necessarily be torched. Now though, with the new turmoil on his previously well-ordered ship, he was not so sure he had done the right thing. On the third day out, he had about come to the conclusion he must start flogging some men, if but to just get their attention. There had been some downright disobedience toward his officers and petty officers, and names had been taken.
He mentioned to Mister Gould, who was standing on the quarterdeck, just aft of a party of men holystoning the deck early one morning, that it was time to have a mast for defaulters. He knew this would be discussed by the men on the berth deck on their off watch.
Late in the fore-noon watch that day, the masthead lookout reported a sail approaching on their starboard beam. He soon advised the stranger to be ship rigged but was still hull down. It seemed to be altering course to intercept their own.
Phillips did not regard this as unusual. The likely explanation was a King’s ship coming up from southerly regions. As he went to his quarters, after taking the noon sights, everyone on the ship with a glass was leaning over the rail to examine the sail plan of the newcomer to see
One problem with travelling alone was, according to a recent Order in Council, British commercial shipping was forbidden to sail unless in convoy. This action had been taken soon after the American declaration of war had been received in London. Thus, posing as a lone British merchantman might be suspicious.
Mister Harding voiced his doubts about the effectiveness of the disguise, but Goodrich, the third officer assured him a previous Order in Council had removed the requirement of sailing in convoy because of the elimination of the French threat in the Caribbean. It was only after the American entry into the war that it was re-imposed. “Who is to say we did not sail before we learned of the new order”, Goodrich assured the sailing master.
After making their offing, the ship was readied for the closest inspection by a marauding privateer. The tops’ls were replaced by the ancient canvas secured from the dockyard. It had been reinforced by the sailmaker so no splits were likely to occur at in-opportune moments. The ship’s cook got into the act by throwing some visibly noxious substance over the side, leaving an unsightly stripe down to the waterline.
Some of the empty boxes and casks secured ashore were place strategically about on the weather deck. The remainder were disassembled and struck below into the hold. In the event the ship would clear for action, the material on deck could be thrown over the side in a minute.
The hands entered into the scheme with a will, often coming up with their own notions. Despite this however, Andromeda was not a universally happy ship. The extra draft of men taken aboard severely strained the living space in the berth deck. Then too, some of the levied men were those their old captains thought they could well do without. Already, the sea lawyers among them were muttering about their outrageous transfer away from the old ship and mates. The landsmen had not had the opportunity to be disgruntled yet. Most of them were too incapacitated from sea-sickness.
Phillips had asked Admiral Sawyer for the extra men. He had thought if he took several prizes, the extra hands would come in handy to man them. Otherwise, captured ships would necessarily be torched. Now though, with the new turmoil on his previously well-ordered ship, he was not so sure he had done the right thing. On the third day out, he had about come to the conclusion he must start flogging some men, if but to just get their attention. There had been some downright disobedience toward his officers and petty officers, and names had been taken.
He mentioned to Mister Gould, who was standing on the quarterdeck, just aft of a party of men holystoning the deck early one morning, that it was time to have a mast for defaulters. He knew this would be discussed by the men on the berth deck on their off watch.
Late in the fore-noon watch that day, the masthead lookout reported a sail approaching on their starboard beam. He soon advised the stranger to be ship rigged but was still hull down. It seemed to be altering course to intercept their own.
Phillips did not regard this as unusual. The likely explanation was a King’s ship coming up from southerly regions. As he went to his quarters, after taking the noon sights, everyone on the ship with a glass was leaning over the rail to examine the sail plan of the newcomer to see
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