HMS Aphrodite (Sea Command Book 1) (5 page)

Continuing downriver, Mullins was shaken by the event, imagining all the trouble he could be involved in.

His pilot assured him he would log the event, swearing the barge had blocked the channel. Besides, it would likely be a year or more before Aphrodite returned from the Med, and by that time everyone here would have forgotten about the incident.

Once reaching the anchorage at the Nore, Aphrodite received her orders to again escort a convoy to the Med. Tensions with the Spanish government had dried up sources of supply to the area, even Gibraltar was now on short commons.

This time, she would be accompanied by an eight-gun cutter being sent out to carry dispatches. HMS Firefly would be of use only to harry independent-minded merchant ship captains into keeping better formation. Her minimal armament would probably be able to overpower only the smallest privateer.

The seven merchantmen carried mostly salt rations, for the sustenance of the garrison of Gibraltar, should Spain declare on the side of France. As on the previous voyage in Havoc, predators came out of Brest to see what they could do with this vulnerable convoy. One appeared to be a corvette, about the same size as Aphrodite. The other two were small luggers, indifferently armed. This last pair, probably privateers, could hardly cause even Firefly much distress, especially when a frigate from the Brest blockade came up to see what these interlopers on her turf were up to.

Aphrodite ran up her numbers and the frigate identified herself as HMS Nymphe. She interposed herself before the convoy, and the trio thought better of their plan. The luggers, finding life a bit too hazardous out here, made for port, while the corvette made for the open sea with Nymphe in pursuit.

The convoy sailed into Gibraltar’s harbor with no other contacts with enemy forces. Mullins reported to the Governor’s office in the Convent to gain any information as to the present difficulties with Spain. A naval officer there assured him that hostilities had not actually begun yet, but thought it to be just a matter of time. Handed a bag of official mail, he was ordered to expedite its delivery to Admiral Jervis, thought to be still blockading Toulon.

The hands had been allowed liberty and most of them returned to the ship before sailing. Landsman Rainer had become overcome with drink and attempted to fight three members of the military garrison, with unfortunate results. This man was one of the men that had been brought to the ship in chains back in Portsmouth.

His loss was not a matter of importance, but three other Aphrodite’s had also been injured in the same fight, while trying to retrieve their mate. Mullins had been able, with much difficulty, to obtain the release of these three from the garrison commander, but no amount of persuasion could produce the Army to give up Landsman Rainer.

While having this little
contretemps
with the authorities, an East India convoy came in from the East. One of the big Indiamen had been badly damaged by a typhoon, and had reached safe harbor only by Devine Grace. With her crew pumping ship constantly on all watches, her passenger and crew were taken off and her cargo, that which had not been spoiled, was unloaded. The City of Bombay, was finally put aground, to wait for a decision on her disposition.

Mullins had no need to await any disposition. He was standing at the door of the Convent early the next morning with his request for the Indiaman’s seamen. Since he already had most of his crew, he was not granted all of the men requested, but he did get six well-trained able seamen and four Lascars.

These latter were natives of the Indian sub-continent and were often disparaged among ship’s officers because of their small physique, but the few Lascars Mullins had known proved to be excellent seamen, even if one did have to solve the major problem of providing them with a diet they would actually eat. Few would touch the boiled salt beef and pork that formed much of the seamen’s diet. The purser was able to purchase a quantity of salt cod which served to quell the objections to the salt meat.

All in all, he felt he had done rather well in the exchange. The three injured men he had rescued from the Provost Marshall, he in turn traded to the captain of a newly arrived third-rate for a launch. Both captains were happy with the trade. The liner captain received three men who, in time, would recover from their injuries and be useful again. Mullins obtained an elderly ship’s launch, partially shattered in a recent action, which the carpenter assured him he could soon make right.

Upon leaving Gibraltar, Aphrodite began meeting with abundant shipping once inside the Mediterranean, all of it, Spanish. Since war had not yet been declared, he was powerless to attack the shipping. His lookouts were ordered to keep their eyes open, watching for anything bearing the tricolor.

A roving British frigate found them off Toulon and directed them to HMS Victory. After delivering the dispatches to the flagship, Aphrodite was directed to Corsica. Sentiment among the Corsican’s had been aroused by some ill-considered actions by the British officials there and now revolutionary groups abounded on the island. It was hardly safe for small numbers of Britons to travel without armed escort. With tensions with Spain rising, fewer resources were available to suppress these groups.

Ordered to obtain the latest intelligence about affairs on the island, Mullins told his sailing master to touch at a port adjacent to a small village, where he had been told he might find an agent employed by the British, who might be able to supply them with the latest news.

They were met in the harbor of Porto Veccio by an obviously ill man in a dilapidated old boat. This was Mister Andrews, a British merchant with interests on this island. Andrews was desperate to leave and assured Mullins he could supply any needed information concerning the island and its politics.

Mister Bellinger, the ship’s surgeon examined Andrews and pronounced he was suffering from malarial fever, a result of breathing the putrid air of this swampy region. An infusion of Peruvian bark made an improvement in Andrew’s condition, and he was soon able to explain at great length the complex details of the political situation on this island. His mind numb with these particulars, Mullins determined it would be better if the ship would return to the fleet, where Sir John could be briefed personally on these details.

Aphrodite had to search for the flagship for two weeks, but eventually, Captain Mullins with his passenger were being pulled over to the flagship. He himself was placed in the hands of the flag lieutenant, while Andrews was sent in to see Admiral Jervis.

After smoking two of the admiral’s cigars at the taffrail with the lieutenant, a servant approached and handed flags a note.

Lieutenant Baker turned to Mullins and explained. “It seems Sir John will be closeted with Mister Andrews for some time yet. I am directed to take you to Captain Calder, who will explain a task he has for you.”

Calder greeted him and invited him to sample some Bordeaux one of the frigates had recently removed from a prize. His throat raw from the unaccustomed cigars, the wine was indeed welcome. Calder was brief.

“It looks more probable every day that Spain will enter the war. With her fleet, together with that of France, we can expect to have much on our plate very soon. Thus, Sir John believes it to be expedient that we begin to reduce our responsibilities here. Some of these reductions will be our forces from the islands of Corsica and Elba. If this action is actually taken, we will need intelligence of the actions being taken by our enemies. At the moment, we have heard of no declaration of war by Spain, but that is expected any day. Admiral Jervis has plans to send ships to remove our military garrisons. Therefore, your ship will proceed directly toward the island of Elba, to determine what enemy forces may present difficulties to the evacuation.”

“You will not involve yourself with any evacuation of either Elba or Corsica yourself, that will be the duty of others. After you are quite satisfied with the intelligence you have gained, you will proceed directly eastward across the strait to the Italian mainland.”

Captain Calder removed his wine glass from a small chart it had anchored to his desk and said, “Perhaps you will glance at this chart, Captain.”

“You will notice that none of the features on this chart are identified, Captain. We hope to amuse the enemy, should he gain access to this map for some reason.”

“At any rate, you will notice this location on the chart. It marks a small village, which does not have even a harbor, merely the remains of an ancient break wall. The locals use the beach behind it to land their fishing boats. In this village, you will find the remains of an old church, which some previous invader wrecked centuries ago.”

“Two of our people, a husband and, wife have taken refuge in this church, or close to it. We believe Mister Roberts and his wife, Nora, possess critical information about French capabilities in the area and it is vital they be returned safely to British control. It is to be hoped the French are not aware of the activities the Roberts’ have been engaged in. All available care should be taken that the enemy does not indeed become so advised.”

“After making an inspection of the waters around Elba, looking for French or Spanish naval activity. You will proceed to the marked village on the mainland and extricate them.”

“Admiral Jervis, who is never quite satisfied with the number of scouting or escorting vessels at his disposal, wishes to add yours to this escort. After arriving off Elba, you will then separate and proceed on your mission to retrieve the Roberts. Once this duty has been completed, and they are safe, you will likely be employed upon general scouting duties. Therefore, I will wish you a good day so that you may be on your way. I understand your orders will be waiting at the entry port.”

Aphrodite met the convoy at sea on its way to retrieve the Elba garrison. After exchanging numbers, they joined the escort. This escort only amounted to another ship-sloop, HMS Ranger, as well as a small armed hired brig. A pair of enemy-flagged craft were busily harrying the convoy, approaching, firing off a few rounds, then retreating when the escort responded. One of the enemy was a tartane, armed with only a few guns. A brig, somewhat larger, seemed to be a more serious opponent.

While the predators were occupied with the convoy, Aphrodite crept closer. When the pair realized they might have allowed this new ship to approach too closely, they broke away. The tartane tried to escape by sailing straight through the convoy, but fouled a ship-transport. With redcoats aboard the ship popping off their muskets at her, the tartane broke free but she had been slowed by the incident, giving Aphrodite a chance.”

At extreme range, Aphrodite fired off her broadside. A long moment later, a hole was spontaneously generated in the tartane’s lateen main-sail, followed by a lengthening tear.

The privateer was in trouble now, and would surely fall victim if vigorously pursued. Mullins was tempted, but continued on toward the convoy. His purpose was to defend the ships, not taking prizes.

The privateers, deciding this new addition to the convoy escort was making their venture too risky, left to pursue other options.

As the convoy re-grouped itself after this encounter, a dispatch-cutter joined. She was flying the flag signal, ‘Have Dispatches”, which was normally flown to prevent other passing members of the Royal navy from interfering with her passage. In this case, she rounded-to and came into Ranger’s lee. Through his glass, Mullins watched a boat pull from the cutter to Ranger.

Minutes later, Ranger signaled Aphrodite, ‘Captain, repair on board’.

Since Ranger’s captain, Commander Hardison, had a commission that was dated a good two weeks before that of Mullins, that made him the convoy’s commander of escorts, and Mullins’ superior. Dropping down into his gig, Mullins was also pulled over to Ranger, where he was shown the dispatch delivered just moments before.

Spain was now at war with Britain, and all Royal Navy ships were to begin offensive operations immediately. However, an additional order by Admiral Jervis required the evacuations to retrieve British garrisons on Elba and Corsica, be expedited.

The Royal Navy was now on the defensive in the Mediterranean, Enemy warships, now augmented by Spain’s fleet, both national and private, were becoming more plentiful. On many occasions, sails were sighted in the distance that would have been closely investigated a few months earlier. Today, both escorts and merchantmen hoped to be ignored or taken for French.

These hopes were dashed though, when a ship was sighted ahead of them, approaching. She was identified as a French 38-gun frigate of the Diane class. This was a very serious opponent indeed, capable of defeating both of the much smaller ship-sloops. Mullins was in his cabin changing into dry clothing after returning from Ranger, when the midshipman of the watch brought him the news.

Going on deck with his glass, he pondered the options. He reckoned his ship was faster in this clear weather than the heavy frigate and he thought Ranger too, would have no trouble evading the enemy. The convoy was a different story though. He well knew every ship in the convoy could be snapped up by the frigate should the ship-sloops leave them. His mind made up, he signaled Ranger. “Submit I attack enemy.”

Several minutes passed while this message was digested on board Ranger. Finally, she signaled a simple “Affirmative.”

With all sail set the ship would bear, Aphrodite changed course a few points to starboard and made directly toward the enemy frigate. The convoy turned to port to hopefully evade combat. Mullins knew the sensible course for the enemy commander to take would be to ignore him and make directly for the convoy.