HMS Aphrodite (Sea Command Book 1) (10 page)

With no personal views on the efficacy of the plan, Mullins would also do his duty. There had been discussion of adding an old third rate to the convoy, in case an enemy ship of force should make a try at it, but in the end, this was not done. Captain Ford would command the escort from his frigate and a mixture of other smaller warships would shield the convoy. Another ship-sloop, HMS Raven would assist as well as brig-sloop Harrier. Other vessels that might prove useful in the islands could later be added to the escort.

Six transports would carry troops with two more horse transports. Another ship, hired from the East India Company, would transport the artillery train being sent across.

Two days were spent taking aboard the consumables that would see them across the Atlantic. Almost at the last minute Harrier was taken off the list of escorts and HMS Impatient, still under Captain Brewer, was added. As a duly commissioned post captain, with a ship of his own, Brewer was not to be interrogated, but Mullins learned he now had a crew of sorts to man his frigate and was now to begin earning his pay. No mention was made of the return of the Marines lent by Aphrodite.

With the last of her water aboard, Aphrodite was herself ready to sail and only awaited the order from the convoy commander.

Soon after first light, a dispatch cutter sailed into harbor. Her boat splashed into the water and all with a glass watched the midshipman commanding the boat climb the side of the old second rate serving as the flagship. Soon after, flag signals ordered captains from Reliant, Impatient and Aphrodite to come on board.

Wondering what could have transpired this close to their sailing, Mullins descended into his gig and was pulled across to the flag. Being the farthest one away, he was last to arrive and was met on the deck by the ship’s first officer, who hurried him along to the great cabin.

There, he learned from the port admiral that Admiral Jervis, off the mouth of the Tagus River in Portugal, had learned the Spanish fleet had exited the Mediterranean. There was speculation the enemy fleet might have been destined to Cadiz, but no one knew that for a certainty.

At any rate, a storm had blown the fleet out to sea, and where it was now, or its destination, was anybody’s guess. Wherever it was found though, Admiral Jervis was determined to bring it to battle if he could locate it. Sir John had few scouting vessels and was requesting such to assist him in locating the missing fleet.

Accordingly, HMS Aphrodite and Impatient were to disregard their previous orders for escort duty and sail as soon as they were ready to begin a search for the Spanish fleet. It was feared these ships might rendezvous with the French fleet at Brest and thus be in a position to defeat the British Channel Fleet. To improve their chances of locating the enemy, both ships were to sail independently. Sir John was to be notified of any significant discoveries.

HMS Impatient was already winning her anchors when Mullins boarded his own ship. As they were about the same task, a shore boat was seen approaching, her oarsmen almost bending the looms of their oars as they sped toward the ship.

In the stern sheets was their Midshipman Raynor, last seen taking command of their most recent prize. The lad was most excited when he reported to his captain. He had taken his prize into Plymouth, where his crew was immediately pressed into another ship. He had taken coach to Portsmouth and had promised a guinea to the boat crew if they could get him aboard Aphrodite before she left the harbor.

Many of the hands Mullins had sent away to man prizes were lost to him, drafted onto other ships, but on the other hand, the Impress Service had sent him 20 men, of what rating or use they might be he had no idea. At present, these men were shivering on the foredeck, awaiting their fate. In addition, since it was anticipated his ship might be going into battle with the Fleet, he had been sent 20 privates of the 68th Foot. It was thought they might be used in lieu of his absent Marines in any action.

Lieutenant Gridley, his Marine officer was none too pleased to have his few Marines eked out by soldiers, but Mullins informed him these additions would surely be valuable to the ship and he must make do with what he had.

Gridley countered with the information that he had presently not a single corporal or sergeant to supervise these mixed Army and Marine troops.

“My only sergeant went to Impatient, with the Marines levied upon us. We have never had a corporal assigned to us. Private Hallet, who was sent to us recently, was once a corporal but was reduced to the ranks by order of Admiral Onslow.”

Mullins wondered. “Just how is Hallet getting along as a private?”

“Actually, sir, not all that well. When he was a corporal, he was hard on his men. Now, they are getting back at him.”

“Are there any other men, whether Army or Marine we might promote?’

“Not without a few years of seasoning, sir. All, except Hallet are fresh from their training depots.

Mullins decided, “Very well, Hallet it is. You may tell him you are recommending him for promotion. Make sure he understands how lucky he is that he escaped being lashed around the fleet. There must be no further episodes.”

HMS Aphrodite set out to sea on the heels of Impatient. As soon as they cleared the land, Impatient’s crew began exercising the ships’ guns. Mullins had no doubts of his crew’s abilities in that regard, but decided to follow Impatient’s lead, if only for the sake of the new hands.

From their own deck, the officers with glasses could see the red coats among the Impatient’s gun crews. Apparently, Impatient also had received a draft of foot soldiers aboard and was using them as gunners. Mullins decided to try the same experiment with his own troops. While they had trained as infantry and were probably ignorant of the big guns, still it would be easier to train them to handle the guns than to attempt to make seamen out of them.

While he was happy with the number of able seamen he had aboard, he knew well that number would fall every week as men were injured, became ill or became casualties in combat. If he could train the soldiers to man the guns, he would have more seamen to handle the complex duties that untrained men might take years to master.

While the matter of his Marines manning some guns was in mind, Mullins called for his Master Gunner.

When that worthy came through the great cabin door, cap in hand, Mullins explained his idea.

“Sir, we could give the Marines the starboard nine-pounder forward to practice with. One of my gunner’s mates can supervise. We could let the Marines trade their men in and out of the crew until it is found which ones have the ability.”

After discussing the matter at length with Gunner Jones, he was dismissed and the first officer, Marine Lieutenant Gridley and Marine Hallet were called to report to the cabin.

Mullins had already discussed the promotion of Hallet to the lieutenant and to the first officer, but Hallet had not heard of the plan yet.

“Marine Hallet”, Mullins asked. Have you had experience with the great guns?”

Hallet answered, “Aye sir. I did a commission on the old Indefatigable, Captain Jervis, sir. He had the Marines serve some of the guns, sometimes.”

“Hallet. I am in mind of giving you your corporal’s stripes again. I will expect you, in addition to your other duties, will give your Marines as well as those Army troops aboard, instructions on gunnery. You will have a gunner’s mate to assist you, but you would be in charge of your men.”

Stunned at the news of his reinstatement, Hallet expressed his thanks.

Mullins had some advice for the corporal. “Corporal, I understand some of your men were severe with you following your demotion. There will be the temptation for you to avenge yourself upon them now that you have the opportunity. Refrain from that temptation. Treat them properly.’

“You will be given one of the guns which your Marines and the Army troops will use for training. Over a period of the next few weeks, I want you and the gunner’s mate to select those people, both Marine and Army who do the best work at the guns. Understand, there will be no discrimination between the two services. Now, I will hand you over to Gunner Jones, who will explain anything you need to know. Dismissed!”

Separating from her consort, once out to sea, Aphrodite ranged out into the Atlantic, hoping to spot some evidence of the Spanish fleet. The ocean was much too large to cover, so after a few days he put about to see what he might find in coastal waters.

Well off the Portuguese coast, a sharp-eyed lookout spotted a small boat adrift. Investigating, they found it contained two British fishermen, who had been long-line fishing for cod from their boat, separated from the lugger. Upon questioning, the desperately thirsty men reported their lugger had been taken by an enemy frigate two days before. Well away from their mother craft, the men had not been seen by the enemy. They had no idea of what flag the frigate flew since it was too far away.

They did know the frigate and her prize sailed off toward the southeast. Cadiz was a logical destination so Mullins ordered the ship to proceed in that direction. At daybreak the next day, numerous topsails were spotted ahead. It was a cloudy, cold day with frequent areas of fog, so they were fortunate to spot these ships. Hull down, it was not possible to identify them, fog soon moved in and they were lost to sight.

Guessing at their course and speed, Mullins ordered the course maintained in the light, fitful winds they were sailing on. Without spotting anything by that evening, Mullins was sure he had lost whatever fleet this was.

At daybreak, ships were again spotted as the fog blew aside briefly. From close range, the easily distinguished first rate British ship, HMS Victory was identified. Before the fog closed in again, Aphrodite fired off a gun and ran up her number and the recognition signal.

Victory had time to acknowledge and order Aphrodite to come into Victory’s lee. It took hours before she could get into the desired position. Admiral Jervis ordered Aphrodite’s captain to come aboard the flag immediately. Mullins was already in his best coat with a good hat. His shave was perhaps not as fresh as the admiral might desire, but there was no time to rectify the matter.

Making the long climb up Victory’s tumble-home, he was met by Captain Calder who escorted him to the cabin. Calder explained the admiral found this raw weather unpleasant and had contracted an ague, which his surgeon insisted on treating by bleeding. He was recovering now, wrapped up in blankets with a drink his servant had mixed especially for him.

The admiral waved him to a chair, asking if he has seen any evidence of the Spanish fleet.  Mullins explained about the two British fishermen he had picked up, who had watched their lugger being taken off by a strange frigate while they tended their lines some distance away. Sir John speculated the frigate that made the capture might possibly be one of the scouts for that fleet.

He ordered Mullins to board his ship again and scout in that direction. With the warning in his ears not to waste time by hunting prizes, Mullins left.

This was horrible February weather off the Iberian coast. Raining almost constantly, it was hard on the men who found it impossible to dry their clothing after a watch on deck. Most of the time, there was nothing to see, since fog was now almost constant. There was a slight clearing in the forenoon watch and the lookout, as well as several hands on deck almost simultaneously shouted, “Sail ho!”

It was a simple fishing lugger and one of the seamen on deck immediately shouted, “That’s my Emily Jane!”

The hand was one of the fishermen rescued and identified it as the one taken prize earlier. The lugger seemed to be alone, and Aphrodite ranged alongside without incident. Her British crew was gone and four Spanish hands were sailing the craft.

Mullins had been ordered to refrain from prize-hunting, but he felt the admiral would forgive him this time if he returned with four Spanish prisoners who might have information of the enemy’s location.

Neither Mullins nor his sailing master had more than a dim idea of where their exact position might be, having not had a chance to take sights for several days now. He was navigating by dead reckoning, and thought he was a comfortable distance from the Spanish coast, but he knew very well winds and currents could make a dog’s breakfast of their calculations.

With nothing to see in this fog and rain, there was no reason for him to remain on deck getting wetter by the minute. Mullins went into his cabin and handed his wet cloak to his servant. He would have to persuade the cook to allow him to spread it by the galley fire to dry.

Thinking a brandy would be just the elixir to drive the chill from his bones, he sat at his desk going over condition reports with the drink in his hand. Wondering at some questionable figures, he did not notice when the midshipman of the watch first entered. The lad cleared his throat and said, “Captain sir, some of us on deck think we can hear gunfire off in the distance.”

The cloak was gone, so he wrapped a blanket around himself and went out on deck. There was dead silence as everyone strained their ears. Eventually, Mullins heard the sounds. They were far-distant shots, apparently being fired from several ships. He immediately realized these were guns being fired from a fleet. Undoubtedly, they were meant to warn other ships of their presence so they would not run afoul of each other in this weather.

There could be little doubt. This must be the Spanish fleet. In the light winds, Mullins put the ship around and set out to locate Sir John and his fleet. The sun came out a bit on the next day so the sailing master could get a better idea of where they were now, and the position of the Spanish fleet the previous day.

It was a surprise when the British fleet was sighted on the afternoon of the 13
th
. As she closed on the fleet, a frigate was seen to be in trail behind the flag. She was soon identified to be HMS Minerve. Signals from Victory called for Aphrodite to pass within hail.

When an officer with strong lungs aboard Victory shouted, “What news?” Mullins shouted through his speaking trumpet.

“Spanish fleet, off Cape St. Vincent!”

The officer aboard Victory, ordered an officer be sent across at once. Since he had not been asked specifically to come over himself, he sent his first officer, the four Spanish crewmen recovered from the lugger and a party of soldiers to guard them. Lieutenant Doolittle had fully recovered from his wound and climbed the side of Victory as though he were a young mid, despite his recent injury.

When he returned, an hour later, he carried a packet of orders and some news. Captain Nelson had sailed HMS Minerve right through the Spanish fleet, probably about the same time as Aphrodite had discovered it. Admiral Jervis thanked the captain and crew of Aphrodite for their efforts, but told Mister Doolittle it was Captain Nelson who first brought the news to him.

In the packet of orders were instructions on actions to be taken in various circumstances. Sir John had informed Doolittle that he was going to sail through the Spanish line and would do his best to smash the enemy. In the early stages of the battle, Aphrodite would repeat all signals from the flag.

In doing so, she must stand away from the battle so as many ships as possible in the fleet would be able to see and read her signals. She must also maintain a position where she could read Victory’s signals.

When the battle became general, and damaged ships were falling out of the battle line, she must do what she could to assist, even if it meant giving some third rate a tow. Men in the water, both British and enemy, should be picked up if possible. In addition, she must maintain a sharp look-out and relay to the flag any unusual or unexpected sightings.

All the ships of the fleet were busy preparing for battle. Aboard Aphrodite, officers, warrants and petty officers inspected every piece of gear to make certain nothing would fail at a critical moment.

Additionally, Mullins instituted a search of the ship for those hands who could write a clear hand. As a signal repeating ship, there would be numerous signals to take down and accurately record. Every mid in the ship, as well as a few intelligent hands, were given a crash course of the contents of the signal book.

By the end of the afternoon watch, Mullins felt the ship was as ready as she would ever be. This was when Mullins received orders to scout out ahead of the fleet to learn as much about the enemy as he could. Sir John was still not informed of the numbers of the fleet he might be facing.

With the fog still prevalent, nothing was sighted as night fell, but the continued explosions of individual guns could be faintly heard as the Spanish ships signaled their positions to others of their fleet.

Next morning, the masthead lookouts were sent aloft before the sun actually came up in the hope something might be sighted soon. With the first glimmer of daylight, the first report was shouted down, “Sail off the starboard bow. Hull up and it’s a big one!”

Immediately, other reports were made. The Spanish fleet was nearby and some were visible through the fog. The midshipmen scribes on the quarterdeck were kept furiously busy, recording the reports. The body of the British fleet, although close by, was hidden in the fog, but HMS Niger was visible, so the first reports were signaled to her.

As the sun came up, more of the scene was visible and soon both fleets were in view of each other. It was then Sir John was informed he was facing 27 Spanish ships-of-the-line with 15 of his own. The Spaniards seemed to be formed in two loose groups of 9 and 18, with the smaller group a bit closer to the British fleet. Later in the morning, the larger group, to windward, was seen to turn to port, giving the impression they might be planning to form battle line and pass down the windward column of the British fleet.

Soon, Aphrodite read the signal “Form line of battle, ahead and astern of Victory as convenient.” This signal was repeated to the fleet.

With the British fleet in single line, it moved between the two separate elements of the Spanish fleet, with the object to fire upon each element as the chance arose. Aphrodite, in her position as repeating ship, was out of the line to port, when contact was made. She found herself with several big enemy battleships close by, with no place to escape. A big second-rate turned in front of her and for a moment, Mullins thought his time had come. A broadside from that behemoth would erase his ship from existence in a moment.

However, there was a convention sometimes observed, that the big ships would not fire upon the little ones, unless provoked. In this case, the only sign of displeasure was an officer leaning over the taffrail and shaking his fist at Aphrodite.