HMS Athena: A Charles Mullins novel (Sea Command Book 4) (10 page)

As they neared Hispaniola, the faster transport began to surge ahead of the frigate. Encouraged by the poor marksmanship of the frigate, Athena began to overtake the frigate, also. Separated by a distance of a bit over two cable lengths, both ships exchanged fire. At this distance of a fourth part of a mile, none of the Spanish shot told, while a hit was seen on the main topsail of the frigate. Few splashes were observed in the water around the enemy so Mullins speculated more hits had been made on the enemy hull.

The enemy frigate was to windward of Athena, and her leeway was pushing her down toward Athena. The transport, with her deeper draft, was able to withstand this movement and the distance between the two Spanish ships was increasing.

Athena continued her fire into the closing frigate, meanwhile taking a few of the enemy shot herself. One of these balls struck a nine-pounder long gun on the muzzle, dismounting it and killing or maiming most of the crew. Captain Mullins was beginning to think he had overstayed his welcome when one of his guns scored a hit on the enemy fore topmast, just above the foretop.

The winds had been increasing in strength during the action and the press of sail on that topmast stressed it to the breaking point, bringing it down. The frigate slowed for a few minutes until the Spanish crew could set the reefed fore course. This gave Athena enough of a speed advantage to surge ahead. Now on the enemy’s fore-quarter, Athena was clear of the fire from all but the most forward of the enemy’s starboard battery.

Coming to port a little, she was now able to get her port carronades into play. The continued fire from the thirty-two-pounders was cutting up the enemy frigate dreadfully. Attempting to turn to port herself to bring more of her guns into play, somehow the old frigate came around too far, suddenly pointing too close into the wind. Now, with her canvas all-aback, she was in irons, almost motionless in the water and beginning to gain sternway.

Mullins had Athena on the frigate’s quarter, pumping iron shot into her as fast as his men could load and fire. The transport, a better handled ship than her consort, had evaded all of this action and was now on her way alone toward Hispaniola. A last parting broadside brought down the frigate’s mainmast and Mullins regarded this fight over. The transport, after all, with its load of soldiers, was the important objective. The old frigate, even though it was still flying the Spanish flag, would never sail again. She might not even make port.

Signaling Havoc to remain by the helpless foe, Athena went for the transport. As he closed on the two-decker, he found she was not quite as helpless as he had been told. Hundreds of uniformed soldiers were at the rails, muskets in hand. From her lower gun ports, a few muzzles emerged. Granted, these were not the twenty-six-pounder long guns which she had carried for much of her career. Those had been removed and were now being utilized in defending the fortress of San Filipe del Morro. Lighter guns, perhaps a dozen twelve-pounders, had replaced some of these.

The gunners on the transport also were more adept than those on the frigate. Several of those guns scored damaging hits on Athena. The enemy transport had another problem though. Actually, there were two problems. The old two-decker was grossly overloaded. In addition to the troops and kit with which they were equipped, she had a rather complete siege train below in her hold. These guns and equipment were intended for the troops ashore, meant to be used in a foray against a rebel stronghold nearby.

Then too, the south-westerly wind was laying her well over, bringing the starboard lower gun ports very close to the sea.

Every time those ports were opened, wave action brought more water aboard. There were many troops aboard who could man the pumps, but these people had not been instructed in their operation. Anyway, most of the troops were on deck with their small arms to bring fire on the ship that was persecuting them. Those that were not, were too sick to be of much use on the pumps.

Athena’s nine-pounder guns that had been so effective against the frigate, were less so against the transport. Built with heavier scantlings to withstand heavy fire in the battle line, the smaller shot from Athena did little damage. The heavy balls from the carronades were much more effective but there were few of them, making it unlikely they might influence the action.

In the end, it was a fluke that decided the issue. A hurricane hundreds of miles distant was now delivering punishing winds and heavier seas. The transport was forced to close her lower gun ports and suspend fire. The now savagely pitching Athena could still get off a shot now and then, but Mullins knew he must soon gain some sea room for safety.

He had just signaled Havoc to leave her watch over the frigate and seek safety when the troop commander on the deck of the transport judged his enemy was close enough for musket shot to score. He had his men poised on the upper deck and gave the order to fire. The spray had dampened much of the men’s powder, and probably not more than one musket in every twenty fired. But, some did and one musket ball struck a helmsman on Athena’s quarterdeck, killing him instantly. The man fell at Mullins’ feet.

Captain Mullins immediately instructed his midshipman messenger to report to Mister Drover, give him the captain’s respects, and ask him to load all guns with canister. This charge used a metal canister filled with musket balls. When fired, upon emergence from the muzzle of the gun, the canister opened up, spreading the shot in a wide killing pattern.

The intent was to cause large numbers of casualties and discourage the enemy from firing muskets. The next broadside caused the desired effect. Blood ran from the transport’s scuppers as the exposed soldiers fell. It was not only the soldiers that fell, much of the quarterdeck staff on the stricken transport went down also, leaving an inexperienced junior officer in command. A sprig of the Spanish nobility, this one had little training and nobody to offer him good advice.

Had he remained on course, Athena could have done little damage to his ship. That broadside was likely to be the last one fired, with the seas beginning to break over her deck. Shaken, the Spanish officer decided he must get closer to land with a view to landing his people should the storm intensify and his ship find itself in serious difficulties. There were several bays and inlets along the coast, perhaps he might be able to seek refuge in one of them.

It would have taken a more experienced seaman than himself to do this successfully. The young trainee had actually studied a chart of this coast recently and was sure he had enough water depth for safety. Unfortunately, he did not understand the ship’s draft, from its additional weight of cargo as well as that of seawater that had come aboard, had increased greatly.

Driven through the sea now with near hurricane force winds, she almost survived. A coral outcrop on the seafloor, rising only inches above the bottom, protruded just inches above the ship’s keel. Running onto this with the full force of the gathering storm tore her bottom out. In a flash, she was on her beam-ends, spilling her crew into the sea. Most of her people died then. A few may have survived for a few minutes longer, but it was the end of the ship.

Collecting her tender, Athena fought her way out to sea. Mullins was concerned with the young Mister Archer, commanding that little lugger, but the lad understood his command. His craft rode the seas like a duck. As long as neither craft came too close to land or shallow water, it appeared they were safe enough.

The storm passed them and next day the sky was clear. With no other duties on their agenda, the pair made their way back to Jamaica. The inner harbor was filled with shipping, driven in by the storm, so the pair anchored farther out. Mullins advised Archer that when making port in the Caribbean, it was always wiser to moor as far from shore as possible. It was well known that the miasmas that caused fevers seldom came out this far. Actually, neither did the mosquitoes, making another reason to stay away from land. As soon as they made their numbers, both commanders were ordered to report to the flag.

Both Mullins and Archer were called into the great cabin where Admiral Dacres greeted them. Initially, both stood at attention in front of his desk while making their reports. Only after he learned of the destruction of the two-decker did he invite them to sit for a repast, after which the two commanders were required to give a more detailed verbal account of the action. Dacres was still concerned about the fate of the three decker, but Mullins was able to convince him that she had probably been hulked or put in ordinary. He reminded the admiral of the poor condition of the transport and the escort frigate supposedly protecting her. It was his opinion that neither ship had been in any condition to go to sea.

After emptying several bottles of Bordeaux, as well as thoroughly discussing the actions, Admiral Dacres said, “Captain Mullins, Admiral Cochrane has been heard from. Since your last orders from Admiralty were to report to him, he requires you to do this at once. Take on what stores you need then you may depart for English Harbor. I will place my assessment of your action in the mail pouch you will be taking with you.”

The admiral added, “I must add that I will be retaining Havoc and Mister Archer. If you wish, I may be able to supply you with another midshipman.”

Mullins shook his head, “Sir, unless the lad is uncommonly seasoned, I would just as soon not. These young snotties are often more trouble than they are worth, at least until they get a few cruises under their belts. What I would be uncommonly grateful for though, would be some able seamen. We had some losses during the recent action, and Athena could really use six more hands.”

Dacres shook his head. “I am afraid that will be on Admiral Cochrane’s plate, giving you more hands. Although, I do have some men the Marines are watching for me that I could furnish.”

Mullins replied, “Gaolbirds are another form of life that are too much trouble. I received my share of them back home. I prefer that I have no more.”

Dacres nodded, “Suit yourself then, Captain. Though I must say these are not exactly the type of fowl of which you are thinking. One of my gun brigs brought in a prize last month, a French merchantman. A curious thing, many of her crew were black slaves. Apparently, her owners were unable to find proper seamen to crew her, so used black slaves to do the work instead.”

“I find myself in a dilemma. I find it difficult to consign them to a prison hulk as captured enemy seamen. After all, being slaves, they had no say in their actions. I could just send them to the slave auction, but I do not care for that idea either. If I could find a captain who would take them on board his ship, they would then, by law, become free and all difficulties would be ended.”

“Sir”, Mullins wondered. “You mentioned these black men were seamen. Would you reckon them to meet the Navy’s standards?”

“As to that I could not say. I would imagine though; you have yourself taken men on board with absolutely no knowledge of the sea.”

Mullins agreed. “Sir, you are most certainly correct. I would be glad to take your black seamen aboard.”

“So be it, Captain Mullins. If I were you though, I would not let them go ashore in this part of the world. Some planter would have them in irons in a flash and your seamen would find themselves back to cutting sugar cane.”

With the new hands on board, Athena set sail, Mister Cartwright setting their course for English Harbor on Antigua. Most of the Leeward Island squadron would likely be there or close by. It was upwind and up current to reach Antigua, but Mullins was in no hurry. He decided he was liable to have his ears roasted for following orders and crossing the sea. The new hands were working out well, though. They seemed happy enough at their change in fortune.

A French speaker back in Kingstown had informed the former slaves that as British seamen they were now free and would never have to serve another slave master again.

They found their food better and more plentiful than the slave rations to which they were familiar. Additionally, the clothing they received from the purser was much better than the cast-off rags they wore when they came to the ship.

None of them spoke English initially, but most were skilled seamen and understood many of their shipboard duties. They would rapidly learn English, if Mullins was any judge.

Athena swung around her anchor for the next month. Despite frequent inquiries, neither Admiral Cochrane nor any of his staff gave any indication of their future. Sailing Master Cartwright, grumbling to Captain Mullins on the quarterdeck one dark night wondered why it had even been necessary for them to leave Jamaica and sail to Antigua in such a hell-fired hurry if all they were going to do was sit in the harbor and wait to go aground on their own beef bones.

Mullins actually had the same opinion, but as captain and a commissioned officer, it would not do for him to cast doubts on their admiral’s wisdom. It was with some surprise however, when a lighter delivering some casks of fresh water also brought a note from shore and one of its hands delivered it to the master’s mate of the harbor watch.

When the note was opened, Captain Mullins learned he was directed to call on the flag captain for instructions. As soon as his servant could give him a quick shave and sponge down his best coat, Mullins boarded his gig and was pulled over to the flag.

Greeted there by the flag’s first lieutenant, he was escorted to Captain Borden’s quarters and invited inside.

Borden offered him some Spanish brandy recently taken by one of the squadron’s frigates and his servant brought bowls of island fruit for them to savor. The flag-captain explained the delay. 

“There was some question of why you went to Jamaica Station before reporting here. Then Admiral Cochrane learned you had done Admiral Dacres some service before coming here. Sir Alexander was unsure whether all this was a deliberate slight or perhaps merely some of the normal confusion we find in the Royal Navy.”

A pause in the conversation then made Captain Mullins realize he should offer some explanation. He did so, explaining his Admiralty orders to report to Admiral Cochrane off Ferrol, finding the admiral was at sea pursuing Spanish warships, then ordered by the senior captain on the Ferrol blockade to follow the admiral, even if it meant crossing the Atlantic.

Continuing, he reported obtaining intelligence on possible locations of the two line-of-battleships Admiral Cochrane had been pursuing and following them to San Juan, where they were finally located. He explained he had reported the Spaniards’ presence to Admiral Dacres on Jamaica Station, not realizing his actions might be misunderstood.

Captain Border said, “You may be interested to hear that Sir Alexander pursued the Spanish warships for only a few days before returning to port and finding you had been sent on a wild goose chase. Well, all’s well that ends well. You found them and they have been neutralized.”

“Another matter is of concern at the moment. As you know, most of our shipments to Britain sail in convoy and are under escort. Locally though, many of our planters must deliver their produce to the major shipping ports in unguarded small craft. These craft are at the mercy of swarms of pirates and privateers. Many of these operate from what are little more than large rowing boats, packed full of men, waiting for a victim to sail past their hidden cove.”

“Admiral Cochrane’s frigates have done an exemplary business of neutralizing the larger raiders, but these small fry have become a nuisance. The frigates find it difficult to navigate in the shallow waters frequented by many of these pirates. The hope is, your ship with its shallower draft, may be able to trap a few of these brigands.”

Mullins, happy enough to get his ship back out to sea, asked when he might receive his sailing orders. Border answered by informing his clerk was ready at this moment to draft the orders. “Tell me when your ship will be ready to sail and the orders will be in your hand shortly.”

HMS Athena was ready to sail. During their stay in harbor, Mullins had kept the crew busy, and little needed to be done at this last moment. The mail bag was sent ashore and some last-minute purchases of cabin and wardroom stores were all that were necessary.

Mister Cartwright saw to getting Athena out to sea, while Mullins sat on the quarterdeck in the folding chair the carpenter had built for him, looking through the papers sent aboard just before sailing.

Athena had no difficulty making it out of the crowded port. One of the papers Mullins was reading detailed the probable locations of attacks on merchant shipping in the Leeward Islands. Little was known certainly, since none of the missing ships was ever seen again. However, an inter-island schooner Athena encountered, reported being chased by two large boats off St. Kits. The winds had died and the schooner was becalmed. The large rowing boats approaching her were jammed with armed men. Shortly before reaching the schooner though, the wind picked up and the schooner was able to sail away. The boats themselves followed under sail for a period, but were not able to close.

Athena sailed in company with the schooner back to Antigua, then resumed her patrol. No suspicious vessels were sighted and the ship’s officers devoted much of their time into training their men. One of the familiar sights on Athena’s deck was Lieutenant Sawyer’s Marines. They had progressed from the clumsy recruits, fresh from the barracks when they had originally come on board, into what now appeared to be professional fighting men.

Sawyer’s main complaint was the lack of terrain where he could take his men on long marches to harden their bodies. Of course, his men took part in most of the normal ship-board labor, along with the seamen. They were fit enough from this work, but they were unable to undergo any of the long marches that their Marine officer wished.

This familiar subject was revisited one afternoon, when the wardroom was hosting their captain at dinner. Mister Cartwright remarked an island close by was uninhabited, but offered a fine beach much of the way around the key. With the islet almost five miles in length, Cartwright thought it would prove to be an excellent training ground for the Marines. Mullins was interested, but feared that Admiral Cochrane might misunderstand their motive in landing on the island. After all, their mission was hunting down pirates, not disporting on sandy beaches.

Cartwright was ready for this argument. “Sir, I could remind you that in this heat we have been going through our water and will soon need to get a resupply. I have never visited this island, but my chart tells me there is a source of fresh water near its center. There are also wild hogs, if anyone here might wish to bag a few to supply fresh meat for the crew.”

This information was something for Mullins to consider. If there was the opportunity to water the ship as well as obtain fresh meat, they could perhaps remain at sea for weeks longer than planned. He gave his tentative approval for the visit. The search for pirates could just as well take them to this key as anywhere else. If they could water ship, obtain meat and provide the Marines with a little training, so much the better.

Mister Cartwright was unsure of the proper name for this islet. Previous visitors had claimed it for France, the Netherlands and Spain, each giving the island a different name. Cartwright’s copy of a century-old Dutch chart had no name at all. When the ship came to anchor in a sheltered cove on the lee side of the island, the place presented almost a fascinating sight for the members of the crew that wished to set foot on solid land.

Normally, Captain Mullins would have to be wary of sending men on shore, knowing that many would desert, given a slight chance. Having men run on this island did not seem likely though. Aside from the shortage of water, save for a freshwater spring coming from the side of an old volcanic vent and a few tiny streams that mostly disappeared before reaching the sea, one had to consider food.

There was little to eat on this island save for the ubiquitous feral pigs, which a deserting seaman might find difficult to collect without firearms.

The ship was moored fore and aft in the cove, and the longboat fitted with a boat carronade, rigged for sail and sent to cruise offshore to bring warning of anyone seeking to come to their party. The crew was hard at work bringing empty water casks from below and lowering them over the side. Once in the water, the floating barrels were fastened to a line, which would be drawn ashore by a ship’s boat. The Marine officer had gone ashore earlier with his sergeant and a few Marines to search possible locations of water.