Across to America: A Tim Phillips Novel (War at Sea Book 9) (17 page)

The men of the Roebuck were in a better frame of mind after their liberty away from the ship. They found a creek which they used to fill the few empty water barrels and set sail again. Thinking back, Phillips thought he remembered Lord Forsythe mentioning his caregivers telling him of the pirates sometimes frequenting Viequez. Even if they did not make the island a permanent base, it might be worthwhile to make exploratory visits now and then.

Their minds and bodies refreshed, the crew of Roebuck set sail again. Still sailing along the Puerto Rican coastline, they tried to inspect every small bay and inlet they came to. Their interpreter learned a few inhabitants had seen a big frigate, but whether it was the pirate, nobody knew.

Approaching San Juan harbor, Phillips decided to enter and learn of any news before going on to inspect Viequez.

Having already visited the port before, Phillips was ready this time and the fortress did not find it necessary to fire a warning shot. They hoisted the signal for a pilot who came to them as soon as he had delivered his previous ship to her mooring.

As they were ghosting through the quiet harbor to the anchorage, Phillips spotted a trim little sloop-of-war flying the American flag. After the port doctor came aboard to listen to Phillips oath that no man had suffered any contagious disease recently, they were granted practique. Certain officers, including the ship’s doctor, were permitted to go ashore to make necessary arrangements. The doctor needed to purchase certain medicaments, as well as some green foods for the relief of health problems among the men. The purser had his own purchases to make. The men’s tobacco supply was getting low and this was a good port to purchase rum.

Phillips went ashore with the ostensible purpose to meet with Don Quevido again. The official was indeed free and met with him in front of a posada by a nearby plaza. Warning Phillips he himself had a meeting scheduled with the archbishop that very morning, they had a short discussion where it was soon found that neither had any new information. The pirate frigate was still continuing its depredations and it was still not known where it might be based. There were a thousand islands where it could be and the corsairs could be using several or many of them alternatively. Quevido left for his appointment and Phillips sat there at the little table wondering how he was to spend the time ashore. While he was debating himself, he noticed a uniformed man settling in at another table.

When the stranger shifted his sword to a more comfortable position and removed his hat, he paid more attention. During his service in the Mediterranean, Phillips had met several American Naval officers, and this one was wearing the uniform. He must be from that American warship in the harbor.

With most of a bottle of wine in his belly, Phillips began thinking of his options. This was an officer of a nation with which his country was at war. But, he was in a neutral country where it would be folly to go forth, waving his sword. He could just sit here and ignore the fellow. Or, he could saunter over and introduce himself. Of course, neither could discuss their missions or plans, but they were officers of respectable services. Surely a little courtesy could not be amiss?

A waiter came by then and asked an undecipherable question in Spanish. He did not understand the language but when the lad pointed to his empty bottle, Phillips nodded and put a coin on the table. A new, opened bottle was promptly placed before him. Picking up the bottle and his glass, he went over to the stranger’s table and looked questioningly at the empty chair.

The American officer had obviously been observing him also and waved him to the empty seat with a grin. “Master Commandant Harrison of the USS Ethan Allen, sloop-of-war”. He said. You are with that British sloop anchored near me.”

“Well”, answered Phillips, “Since I’m actually a post captain, she has to be a post ship.”

“Yes, Your Majesty”, offered Harrison, knuckling his forehead like a seaman approaching a senior officer.”

“That’s alright, Master Commandant. I just did not want you to get the idea my ship was a mere sloop.”

The waiter had brought a glass and placed it before Harrison, so Phillips filled it with wine. Wordlessly, the two officers sat and meditated the subjects they were to discuss with each other.

It was Phillips who brought up the subject of the pirate. Surely that would not conflict with his duty.

Harrison responded. “It is curious that you mention that, Captain. My Secretary of War dispatched me down here to see what I could do about the fellow. It seems Secretary Jones is upset over the un-necessary barbarities the pirates are inflicting on their captives.”

Phillips nodded. “I have been chasing him for weeks now. I can’t seem to pin him down. But, I have intelligence he is using haunts around Puerto Rico, One said he was using a base on the Isla Vieques, off to the east of Puerto Rico recently.”

“Then, you should be thanking your lucky starts you have not found him. That frigate has some serious armament aboard his ship!”

“Oh, as a King’s ship, we are expected to go up against serious opposition. And this pirate, even though he is sailing in an old French 40 gun frigate, is not quite up to the standard of her former owners, the professional French Navy. Most of those guns were missing when the ship began its new career. It has been re-armed with whatever could be gleaned from its merchant prizes, probably four and six pounders.”

Nodding, Harrison answered. “I think that was true originally. However I spoke a Spanish Garda Costa vessel early yesterday and learned the pirates had sacked an old Spanish fortress near here. The fort was nearly abandoned but the pirates got the guns, twelve pounders, all on naval carriages. They also seized a large supply of ammunition that had just been delivered. I think either of us encountering the frigate will have a fight on our hands!”

With plenty to think about, Phillips returned to the ship.

Early in the morning watch the next day, he was wakened by the midshipman of the watch. “Sir, a boat from that Yankee sloop is alongside with a message.”

“Well, have them hand the damned thing up!”

“Shall we allow them to board?”

“No, we will not. We are combatants, for God’s sake!”

When Phillips had shrugged into his uniform coat and placed his hat on his head, he emerged onto the quarterdeck. The officer of the deck nervously presented him with a sealed document. Phillips ripped the thing open ungraciously.

It was from Master Commandant Harrison, expressing his interest in the subject of their
tête-a tête
ashore yesterday. If the captain of HMS Roebuck were interested, he would like to propose further discussion of that topic, only at a place of Captain Phillips choosing.

Phillips needed to think this over carefully. Discussions with an enemy combatant could easily lead him into shoal waters. It was only after he read over his orders advising him of the importance of dealing with this pirate that Phillips decided to gingerly approach the subject with this American captain.

A brief visit to the British Consulate brought additional news that gave him thought. He needed to discuss this news with another person of like mind as himself.

Accordingly, for the sake of secrecy, he sat down without the aid of his clerk, who had a better hand with a pen than himself and penned a letter to Master Commandant Harrison advising him that he must be very circumspect about approaching any level of co-operation between the two warships, but expressed his interest in re-visiting the subject at the same establishment they had met before at the same time of day.

Addressing the note to Master Commandant Harrison, USS Ethan Allen, and sealing it, he impressed his personal seal into the wax and called for his coxswain.

Cox’n Mullins, as Phillips knew from the ‘X’ he had signed the muster book, was perfectly illiterate, although an excellent seaman for all that. Taking Mullins out on deck, he looked out at the American warship.

“Mullins, I have a task for you which I hope you can perform without it being discussed on the mess deck. I wish you to deliver this note to that American warship, and hand it up to her anchor watch officer. There will be no reply. There will be no banter between your boat’s crew and people aboard the American. Our countries are at war, as you know, so we must be discreet. Do you understand?”

“Sir, I didn’t understand some of the words you used, but I will deliver the note, and the boat’s crew will keep their mouths shut.”

“There you have it, Mullins. Take care of it at once, if you please.”

Harrison was waiting at the posada when Phillips arrived. They each ordered a bottle of wine and cigars from the waiter. A lamp was placed on the table with the drink and tobacco, and the waiter trimmed the cigars for them.

“Well”, began Harrison. “What are we to discuss?”

“Just this! Both of us must be circumspect if we do not want to bring down the wrath of our respective governments upon our heads. In my own case, my instructions are to do what I can to eliminate this pirate. I assume you have similar instructions. From the intelligence you gave me yesterday, it seems this fellow may be a tough nut to crack, by either one of our warships. I have a little added intelligence that I have since learned from our consul here.”

“A British officer, a former lieutenant of the Royal Navy, Mister Granger, has deserted his post to avoid probable court martial proceedings. It is suspected he has joined this pirate, a Monsieur Henri Poulain, aboard the old French frigate, ‘Hortense’. From the reports of the few survivors, the Hortense has seemingly became more capable in recent months, and it is thought this Granger has begun training his people to the standards of the Royal Navy. I feel he has probably not been able to bring them along that far, but they could still be a formidable enemy.”

“Should either of us engage that enemy on our own, there is the probability that either ship will become so battered that it may well be in-effective.”

“My government, furthermore, will be very upset with me if I were to enter into any alliance with you against this pirate. At best, I could expect to be drummed out of the Royal Navy. The worst, I would not like to think about.”

Harrison, having now fired up his smoke satisfactorily, wondered, “Just where are you going with this, Phillips? It looks like you think this will be an impossible situation.”

“Not at all, Harrison. I believe there may be a place where our enemy is based, on the Isla Vieques off the end of Puerto Rico. I am not sure exactly where on that island he may be, but I do think it well worth searching. I propose to leave tomorrow, as early as the wind and tide permit. I will proceed directly to the island and begin my search.”

“Of course, as a Royal Naval officer, I am unable to enter into any alliance with you as to actions to be taken, but I will say, should you happen to stumble upon a battle between myself and the pirate, I would be unlikely to protest, if you happen to join in. Should we, independently, bring this pirate to action, I myself, will not mention in my log any assistance you might give.”

Harrison took a drink from his glass, then attempted unsuccessfully to blow a smoke ring. “I can never do this properly,” he grumbled. He then wondered, “The Spanish probably won’t let me follow you right out. They will think we will go at it hammer and tongs in their territorial waters.”

Phillips thought a bit. “My sailmaker bought some good canvas here in San Juan.  My fore mast staysail is becoming thin, and we have to think of hurricanes come spring.”

“If the weather permits, I may take my time sailing around Puerto Rico to allow a new staysail to be made up. They may have to send it up a few times before it is correct. Even if you left a day after myself, you could probably still find me easily enough.”

The morning breeze wafted Roebuck from San Juan Harbor. USS Ethan Allen, immediately slipped her mooring and set out after her, only to have the harbor Guarda Costa gunboat pull up and fire a gun.

The American warship could have easily blown the fragile gunboat from the water, but the guns of the harbor defenses were loaded and trained. Any offensive action would bring a swift reply. Accordingly, Allen went back to her mooring accompanied by the Guarda Costa. The gunboat’s commander smiling incomprehensively at Harrison’s threats and sputtering.

After picking up her mooring, Harrison after some reflection, ordered Mister Hunter brought up from below. He had long since been released from his shackles, and had been set to work performing menial chores for the senior petty officers of the crew.

Harrison gave him a little talk about the danger he was in, trading with the enemy, and assured the former ship-owner he would leave his name and past smuggling activities with the American consul. He reminded the man the American  government could have a long memory and he would be well advised to do his business elsewhere in  the future. The fellow was then bundled into a bum-boat and set free. With no funds, alone in a Spanish seaport, it would be a long time before the fellow could get back into the smuggling business up north.

Roebuck’s lookout spotted the island early in the forenoon watch and hands were sent to stations. They had been searching for their quarry for weeks now, and no one really expected to sight the frigate. It was with some surprise, with Roebuck sailing by the entrance of the very bay they had entered weeks ago to rescue Lord Forsythe, a boat was seen in the process of emerging from the heavily overgrown mangroves concealing the entrance.

Phillips had no real reason to believe this boat was not just some innocent fishermen trying their luck and he put back out to sea. Hove to, a mile offshore, the crew waited to see what would emerge from the dense foliage. The boat had gone back inside, but now, here she was again, accompanied by three more. One appeared to be a scout and came out under sail, while the other three were towing something at the end of heavy cables.

The scout, a standard ship’s launch under sail, approached within easy viewing distance, then put about instantly and went back to the others. The towing boats, with some effort, pulled a heavy frigate slowly from its refuge. Stopping long enough to put its people back on board, the frigate took her boats in tow and set sail. Phillips was taken aback when he saw the behemoth. She was one of the ubiquitous French-built frigates, of which the Royal Navy had taken a few in battle.

This one had been modified by the addition of new gun ports haphazardly cut into the ship’s side. These guns were now being run out and there were more than two dozen of them protruding from the frigate’s gun ports of the side facing HMS Roebuck.

Looking carefully through his glass, he could see there were an interesting variety of weapons, but many of them appeared to be of about twelve pounder caliber. One of those guns spouted smoke and fire and a worrisome sized splash lifted a column of water. That was no twelve pounder. More like a thirty two!

Mister Hornady was beside him on the quarterdeck. He observed, “It looks to me he has overloaded himself with guns. I wonder that she has not warped her keel.”

Phillips looked carefully through his glass. “She doesn’t look hogged to me Mister Hornady, although I think you are right. She could well find herself in trouble soon. For now, though, we are the ones who could find ourselves in trouble with all of those guns she has.”

Hornady offered, “It’s too bad the Americans can’t take part in this fight too. It would be in their interest.”

“I don’t see how, Mister Hornady. We have just about ruined their Caribbean trade, so the pirates can’t be harming them all that much. And, you will note, we are at war with the Americans.”

The big frigate was now under sail and moving right along. Phillips wished to see just how she sailed, compared with Roebuck. It soon looked as though the heavy frigate was having difficulty with all the weight she had aboard, much of it on her upper deck. It seemed there would be no difficulty in staying out of her clutches, but the question was, how the devil were they to damage that huge frigate?

Roebuck was sailing easterly, with the trade wind on their port quarter, Hortense following to port a bit, abaft their stern. Having gained a bit, Phillips told Mister Layton, the sailing master to wear ship and put her across the frigate’s bow.

Coming on her new course, about south-west, her starboard battery was aimed directly at Hortense. The frigate was heading for them as Roebuck crossed her bow, but her commander probably did not fancy being raked by the post ship’s starboard battery, so she tried to tack. Unfortunately, tacking was a skill the frigate’s officer of the deck, a former cane cutter in the fields of his home island, had not quite mastered yet.

Mister Granger was at the guns of the big pirate, planning to match broadside with broadside when his ship came around. Unfortunately, the ship missed stays, and she lay there, unable to get around. The big ship was right in position to receive the broadside of Roebuck, and there were more than a few of the crew that wished they were back in the comparative safety of those cane fields right then.

The fusillade of heavy balls ripped the length of the pirate ship maiming men and dismounting guns. Unfortunately for the British ship, no important rigging or spars were damaged.

Granger ran to the quarterdeck and got the ship back to the wind again and under control, when he was able to tack successfully, this time. Both ships turned to the northwest, Hortense inside the Roebuck now, and just within range of her portside guns. They raced along, Hortense pacing Roebuck for a bit, until she began falling behind again.