to hauled down the rough road to the quay in the harbor, the guns were dismounted, using a tripod and tackle.
Two span of oxen were taken from their byres in the hamlet and used to drag the guns to the pier. Each gun was lowered by tackle into a boat and pulled out to the ship. Upon their return, with no evidence of their discovery by French forces, the gun carriages themselves were also taken out to the ship.
Although, these were locally made gun carriages, Mullins thought they might be used until the carpenter had the opportunity to construct new ones of the proper pattern.
The ship continued to search for enemy shipping. While the recent activities had furnished valuable training to the crew, Mullins wanted badly to take a prize. Doing such would furnish evidence to the crew that cruising against the enemy could furnish them extra income. Taking a profitable prize would definitely improve the crew’s morale. Destroying enemy fortifications was all very well, but there was nothing like a profitable prize to lift men’s spirits.
The ship did encounter several small trading vessels, but most of them were able to duck into protective coves, in which Mullins was reluctant to enter. In addition to un-marked gun positions, it was wise to be wary of shallows and obstructions. Consequently, Valkyrie spent much of her time offshore, hoping to encounter a prosperous victim.
Off Dieppe, a small convoy was sighted, possibly bound for Le Havre. A brig was shepherding a half dozen vessels. When first sighted, this brig was wearing neither a commission pennant nor national colors, so it was agreed she likely was a privateer.
Soon, the brig raised British colors but when asked to give the private number, her signal was gibberish. To remove all doubt, HMS Valkyrie set her course to intercept the convoy, her pennant, colors and private number streaming in the stiff breeze.
With that, the brig dropped the British ensign and deserted her charges, escaping out to sea. Mullins was tempted to pursue the erstwhile guardian to bring her into port as his prize. Instead, he made for the closest merchant vessel, a slow brigantine, low in the water. Valkyrie ran her down, then put a prize crew aboard before and went after another of the scattering convoy. This was a larger ship-rigged vessel, also with a full hold.
This ship, although a heavy one, was also fast enough to give them a chase, and it was coming on dusk when she hove to. Deciding to leave the remaining ships of the convoy to their own devises, Mullins opted to give this one his personal attention, so he went over to it with the prospective prize-master, Master’s Mate Gainer.
The ship’s crew was busily swilling as much of the cargo of wine as they could drink, and some were already incapable. The prize crew was armed with pistols and a few muskets. These weapons were used when necessary, with more than a few of the drunks receiving broken heads when they refused to follow orders or resented being put below.
The ship’s cargo was mostly wine in barrels, with a few cases of bottled wine in secured compartments. In the hold, were quantities of military hardware, consisting of cased muskets, bayonets and accoutrements. Altogether, a most profitable prize.
The brigantine, previously taken, was now out of sight in the night, but her midshipman commanding had been ordered to take her into Portsmouth. Valkyrie followed her in.
Chapter Four
It was a satisfactory report Mullins had to submit to the flag. The ship had experienced no particular problems, the crew had received some training and experience at little cost and it had proved to be a financially rewarding cruise for captain and crew.
Almost immediately after mooring, signals were received from shore demanding the status of the ship, crew and stores. Shortly after these reports were submitted, lighters began to come alongside, delivering the required supplies. It took two days for the ship to load
Two span of oxen were taken from their byres in the hamlet and used to drag the guns to the pier. Each gun was lowered by tackle into a boat and pulled out to the ship. Upon their return, with no evidence of their discovery by French forces, the gun carriages themselves were also taken out to the ship.
Although, these were locally made gun carriages, Mullins thought they might be used until the carpenter had the opportunity to construct new ones of the proper pattern.
The ship continued to search for enemy shipping. While the recent activities had furnished valuable training to the crew, Mullins wanted badly to take a prize. Doing such would furnish evidence to the crew that cruising against the enemy could furnish them extra income. Taking a profitable prize would definitely improve the crew’s morale. Destroying enemy fortifications was all very well, but there was nothing like a profitable prize to lift men’s spirits.
The ship did encounter several small trading vessels, but most of them were able to duck into protective coves, in which Mullins was reluctant to enter. In addition to un-marked gun positions, it was wise to be wary of shallows and obstructions. Consequently, Valkyrie spent much of her time offshore, hoping to encounter a prosperous victim.
Off Dieppe, a small convoy was sighted, possibly bound for Le Havre. A brig was shepherding a half dozen vessels. When first sighted, this brig was wearing neither a commission pennant nor national colors, so it was agreed she likely was a privateer.
Soon, the brig raised British colors but when asked to give the private number, her signal was gibberish. To remove all doubt, HMS Valkyrie set her course to intercept the convoy, her pennant, colors and private number streaming in the stiff breeze.
With that, the brig dropped the British ensign and deserted her charges, escaping out to sea. Mullins was tempted to pursue the erstwhile guardian to bring her into port as his prize. Instead, he made for the closest merchant vessel, a slow brigantine, low in the water. Valkyrie ran her down, then put a prize crew aboard before and went after another of the scattering convoy. This was a larger ship-rigged vessel, also with a full hold.
This ship, although a heavy one, was also fast enough to give them a chase, and it was coming on dusk when she hove to. Deciding to leave the remaining ships of the convoy to their own devises, Mullins opted to give this one his personal attention, so he went over to it with the prospective prize-master, Master’s Mate Gainer.
The ship’s crew was busily swilling as much of the cargo of wine as they could drink, and some were already incapable. The prize crew was armed with pistols and a few muskets. These weapons were used when necessary, with more than a few of the drunks receiving broken heads when they refused to follow orders or resented being put below.
The ship’s cargo was mostly wine in barrels, with a few cases of bottled wine in secured compartments. In the hold, were quantities of military hardware, consisting of cased muskets, bayonets and accoutrements. Altogether, a most profitable prize.
The brigantine, previously taken, was now out of sight in the night, but her midshipman commanding had been ordered to take her into Portsmouth. Valkyrie followed her in.
Chapter Four
It was a satisfactory report Mullins had to submit to the flag. The ship had experienced no particular problems, the crew had received some training and experience at little cost and it had proved to be a financially rewarding cruise for captain and crew.
Almost immediately after mooring, signals were received from shore demanding the status of the ship, crew and stores. Shortly after these reports were submitted, lighters began to come alongside, delivering the required supplies. It took two days for the ship to load
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