HMS Athena: A Charles Mullins novel (Sea Command Book 4) (3 page)

Judging the corvette to have been damaged enough that she would be unlikely to sail soon, he left her and began pursuing the remainder of the convoy.

Most of these surrendered after the firing of a gun. Only one had to be battered into wreckage.

Deciding he must make port to have his helm repaired, he located the commodore of the inshore squadron and reported his difficulty. With no objections, Athena set course for Portsmouth. Long before reaching port, new tiller ropes had been rove and a makeshift helm was fabricated, so the ship could be steered from on deck.

Once safely moored in port, the ship became a beehive of activity while the necessary repairs were made and additional stores were brought aboard. Their carpenter was able to obtain additional materials to repair some of the previous damage, and Mullins began to believe the ship might not be put back into ordinary or sent to the breaker’s yard.

Captain Howard, the flagship’s captain, came over one afternoon to look over the ship. He confided Athena had surprised some of the naysayers over her productive cruise. A possible use for the ship had surfaced and he wished to explore Mullin’s thoughts on the matter.

It seemed a minister was being sent to New York to consult with American officials. A frigate, HMS Phaeton, 38 guns, Captain Cockburn commanding, would convey the official.

Once there however, the frigate having concluded her previous business would rendezvous with a hired East India Company ship, the Sir Edward Hughes, that would take on a cargo of specie. These funds were payment for losses incurred by loyalists during the late war. Some of the specie would be loaded in New York, the remainder in Norfolk. Then the frigate would escort the transport with her cargo to Madras in India.

At first, a 64 gun third-rate was tentatively tasked to join the escort, in order to give the expedition some force, but it was soon realized the situation in European waters, especially with the threat of invasion looming, prohibited the sending of such a ship. The suggested third-rate would be needed to help see-off any unwelcome visitors.

Then, some thought another frigate, possibly another 38, might suffice. But again, it was determined the shortage of powerful frigates would not permit sending a second one on a voyage of this length.

Eventually though, Admiralty officials realized sending a battered post-ship like Athena would not unduly deplete the homeland defenses and it was decided to send her. As an additional task, HMS Athena was to deliver dispatches to the Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica Station, Vice-Admiral Duckworth.

He was assured this duty could be accomplished with little delay of the main escort mission. Mullins himself was not so sure, but knew it would not be wise to voice his doubts.

While discussing these matters with the flag captain, he referred to his previous command, which he had reinforced with four thirty-two pound carronades. He proposed doing the same with this post ship, reminding his superior that her present twenty-four nine-pounder guns were woefully inadequate under modern combat conditions at sea.

Mullins offered, “Sir, considering the length of this voyage, it would be impossible to predict what enemy force we might encounter. I would prefer to have some guns aboard my command that can speak with authority.”

Captain Howard was dismissive of the idea, doubting the presence of a few heavy-bore short-range guns might affect the outcome of a battle at sea.

Mullins related his experiences with such guns on his previous command and ventured he might have lost at least one of those contests had not it been for the devastating damage caused by those big 32’s.

The flag-captain had not heard of the presence of the carronades on Aurora and wondered that they had been approved for the purpose. He did offer to approach the admiral with Mullin’s suggestion with a recommendation to test the idea.

Repairs on the ship were steadily moving along and a few days after meeting with Captain Howard, a representative of the Board of Ordnance came aboard to consult with Captain Mullins and the Gunner, Mister Flowers.

It was determined that four 32-pounder carronades might be installed on the ship, a pair up forward and another aft, on an experimental basis. Trials would be held to determine the effectiveness of the guns and any adverse effects on the ship’s sailing qualities. Representatives from the dockyard, a naval officer as well as a man from the Bureau of Ordnance were aboard to oversee the tests.

After the new breeching systems for the guns were installed, and ammunition brought aboard, the ship set sail to test the new armament.

The first days at sea were spent attempting to discover whether the sailing qualities of the ship had been altered by the installation of the new guns. Captain Harkins, the officer charged with testing the sailing qualities of the Athena, took command of the ship and put her and her crew through their paces. Harkins was a senior captain, at the top of the captain’s list. After turning the ship back over to Mullins, he commented that Athena was a well-behaved ship. He could find no serious flaws in her performance.

As expected, when the ordnance official observed the demonstration, he found the guns ineffective at long ranges, but devastating at close quarters. As Mullins stated to the official, most battles at sea were fought at closer ranges anyway, so the lack of effectiveness at great distances would not be a factor.

Discussions took place and after much debate, it was determined the necessary alterations of the ship be made and the guns installed.

One structural change in the ship decided upon, was the addition of another pair of gun ports on either side of the sternpost on the quarterdeck. It was thought a pair of long six-pounders there would not press down the stern excessively, and would be useful as stern chasers. Should the post ship need to flee from a powerful antagonist, the chasers would make it possible to deliver fire to her enemy.

The carronades in the after ports were much lighter than the older long-nines originally located there. The new carronades would not have the range of the old guns, so it was thought the sixes would complement the carronades nicely.

The structural work was soon accomplished but it was found there were no six-pounder guns available at the moment. Athena must wait until another shipment arrived from the distant foundry.

At the same time, orders arrived directing Athena to sail as soon as wind and tide permitted. The tide did not permit at that moment so Mullins took advantage of the delay to visit the naval outfitter to purchase extra cabin stores.

While awaiting his order to be assembled, he examined the display in the front of the establishment. A pair of polished brass six-pounders gleamed in the midst of the nautical scene.

A discussion with the proprietor revealed the guns were indeed for sale, at a most exorbitant price. Mullins did have a respectable balance at his bank, so he immediately wrote out a note-of-hand and the staff set to work loading the heavy guns onto a lighter.

The guns reached the ship just before the tide turned, and were being swayed aboard as the signal asking permission to sail was hoisted.

HMS Phaeton had long since sailed with her passenger, so Athena had to make up lost time. At the time Phaeton sailed, it had not been anticipated Athena would join the mission. Captain Cockburn of Phaeton had no idea of his re-enforcement so it was necessary that Athena locate and rendezvous with Phaeton before that frigate set its course for Madras.

Mullins knew Phaeton would sail, first to New York, then to Norfolk to load the remaining specie. Athena though, must first call at Jamaica to deliver the dispatches. He had several options to explore. He could abandon visiting New York entirely and proceed directly to Norfolk. Another plan would be to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope and patrol there in hopes of meeting with the two ships.

The same problem came to mind with both plans. The leg of the voyage by the treasure ships from New York to Norfolk would require the treasure to be escorted by Phaeton alone. Should the French learn of this shipment, it could be intercepted along the coast. The same applied if Athena sailed to the Cape to wait for the ships. Not only would they be vulnerable, but Cape Colony had been turned over to the Dutch with the advent of the Peace. With the war on again, it could be expected that French warships would likely be patrolling to intercept merchant shipping rounding the Cape.

Following the original plan, the post ship set her course for Jamaica. The plan was to sail south to the latitude of the Canary Islands where he might hope to pick up the north-east trade winds to take him across the Atlantic. In time of peace, he might call at Tenerife in the Canaries to replenish stores and get the latest news. Today though, with tensions with the Spanish government rising, that would not be wise.

The Canary Current took them south until finding the trade wind, then the ship made her way out into the Atlantic. She met other ships, but ignored them, avoiding when she could. In a hurry to meet up with Phaeton, Mullins did not feel it wise to waste time socializing with other ships. If any of those ships had been French, he especially did not wish to waste time on them.

Passing through the strait between Cuba and Hispaniola, Athena met the British frigate HMS Unicorn of 32 guns, Captain Hardyman. Since Unicorn was also bound for Jamaica, the two sailed in company to Port Royal. There, Athena remained for a week, delivering her dispatches and loading fresh stores. While there, Mullins arranged with the Royal Navy Dockyard to deliver a supply of six-pound shot for his stern-chasers. There had not been time in Portsmouth to locate a supply and the chandler from whom he had purchased the guns only had a few rounds to give him.

He also received word of the increased tensions with the Spanish. While no news of a declaration of war had arrived yet, there had been incidents with the Spaniards in nearby Cuba that could have escalated into open warfare. Vice-Admiral Duckworth advised avoiding Spanish waters as much as possible.

With wind and tide suitable, Athena set out, sailing northwesterly up the Cuban coast then through the strait between Cuba and Spanish Florida. She rode the Gulf Stream up the North American coast. Mullins was tempted to make port in Norfolk, but was informed by several local fishing boat captains that no British frigate had been seen in these waters recently. Further, tensions between the Royal Navy and American commercial shipping had to be considered. A generation ago, before the American War, it had been the custom of many Royal Navy captains to obtain needed hands by ‘pressing them from merchant ships. Since at the time, ships from American ports were indeed British and flew the British colors, there was no distinction between American and British shipping. After the war, many Royal Navy captains continued the practice of ‘pressing men from American ships. With a greatly inferior navy to Britain, there was little the new country could do about the matter. The resulting tensions could make any prolonged stay in Norfolk an uncomfortable one. Therefore, he continued up the coast toward New York.

Riding the current up the coast, Athena met many ships of various nationalities. Off the mouth of the Chesapeake, they met a large ship flying the gridiron flag of the East India Company. To seaward of this ship, a brig paralleled the Indiaman. Before Athena could close, the brig set her courses and approached the big merchant. Mullins suspected the Indiaman might be the ship intended to carry the specie to be collected.

While he was observing the vessels, the brig ran up the tricolor and fired a gun. As they closed, the thunder of heavy guns was heard, and smoke was seen over the merchantman as she answered the enemy’s fire. The brig appeared to be pierced for a dozen guns. Probably fewer guns than the Indiaman possessed. However, the brig undoubtedly had a larger crew, better trained for this work. She appeared to be heading for the Indiaman with blood in her eye, but the sight of the post ship’s guns as she cleared for action, changed her mind.

Seeing Athena’s guns being run out, she altered course ahead of the Indiaman, then wore about onto the starboard tack.

Mullins would have liked to pursue the brig but thought his mission too important to jeopardize by precipitous action. The brig sailed blithely back out to sea.

Mullins took his gig over to the Indiaman, taking his orders with him. After the explanations, the master of the Indiaman, Captain Hardesty, explained. “We sighted her two days back. We lost her that night, but she found us this morning. I thought she had us until you ran up the ensign and showed your guns. We got a few shots in and I think we caused a little damage. I am surprised that she ran up her flag and opened fire with you so close.”

Mullins opined the brig’s captain did not recognize his ship to be a British warship, this close to the American coast.

Having located the ship intended to carry the specie, all need to hurry vanished and Mullins accepted Captain Hardesty’s offer of a drink.

In the Indiaman’s cabin the two captains discussed their actions now they were so close to their destination. Mullins had intended to call for a pilot and moor where directed in New York harbor. Captain Hardesty pointed out some flaws in that plan.

“Captain Mullins, I am sure the American officials are doing what they can to protect Phaeton, since she is delivering a diplomat to their shores and will be receiving the specie. We must realize that many Americans still have memories of their late war with our country and sometimes interfere with ships visiting their shores.”

“The General Hughes is flying the East India Company flag, which some Americans associate with the importation of desired goods from Britain. I do not anticipate any trouble with locals. You however, are a British warship, which may not be recognized in having any role in this transfer of funds. If you enter harbor, or remain close off-shore, I think you can expect some interference.”

“Almost certainly, you can expect locals will try to entice your hands to desert and will likely assist in such attempts. There might well be efforts to damage your ship. I would suggest you remain offshore and wait for us to come out. If you are short of provisions, perhaps I could purchase them for you in New York.”

It was agreed that Hardesty would deliver the amended orders to Captain Cockburn, and the two Royal Navy captains would confer later, after the specie was loaded and the ships left harbor. After the General Hughes departed, Athena remained at sea off New York. While waiting, she was visited by USS Adams, a 28-gun American frigate whose captain wished to know what his purpose in these waters might be.

Mullins declined to reply, saying only that he was not in American waters and was on the King’s business. With that, the Adams dipped her flag and sailed off. Eventually both Phaeton and the Indiaman appeared coming out and Athena joined the escort. It was necessary to sail east to escape the effects of the Gulf current before sailing south to the latitude of Norfolk. Captain Cockburn related his difficulties in New York to Captain Mullins during a conference aboard Phaeton. There had been antagonism by the New York locals who were forever trying to persuade crew members to desert. Cockburn decreed Athena should remain offshore again while Phaeton and the Indiaman went into Norfolk to load the remainder of the specie.

While waiting for the ships to rejoin, Mullins kept his crew busy with sail and gun drill. His crew was becoming adept with clearing the ship for action and he judged this crew was faster at that task than any previous crew he had had. He did have to suspend live fire exercises since he had expended all of the ammunition he had purchased at his own expense.

The ship still had her entire issue that could be used in combat, but the Admiralty took a dim view of captains who fired off that ammunition in practice.

During one of these training sessions, the maintop lookout spotted tops’ls off to the west. Investigating, Athena was unable to learn much, since the fleet of three vessels evaded to the north. Not wishing to leave his station, Athena remained in place and did not pursue. It was only at the end of the watch when the captain of the maintop came to the quarterdeck and asked to speak with Captain Mullins.

Jason Horner, a skilled seaman of many years, reported that the lookout who spotted the sails, Jason Phelps, disclosed to him that one of them, a brig, looked very much like that Frenchman they had seen off earlier. He had been hesitant to report it to his officer since he was not entirely sure it was in fact the same brig.

Mullins called the lookout aft and questioned him more closely. Upon reflection, he was now sure it was the same brig, accompanied with two ship-rigged vessels, one larger than the other. That fleet had now disappeared over the horizon and it might be a long chase to try to find them again.

A week later, Phaeton and the Indiaman came out, the specie had been loaded and they would now commence their voyage.

Captain Cockburn signaled that he would take the lead, to windward, while Athens would take her position behind the Indiaman, also to windward. The winds were light and variable, often subsiding altogether. During one calm, Mullins took the opportunity to be pulled over to Phaeton where he informed Cockburn of the sighting of the French flotilla.

When Cockburn wondered what the Frenchmen were up to, Mullins theorized, perhaps they were sweeping for potential prizes. Cockburn replied he would not be taking the course that they might be expected to take for a European destination. He added they would proceed on a southerly course until below the Line, then find the westerlies that would take them around the southern tip of Africa.

He added Captain Hardesty of the General Hughes had supplied him with charts used by the East India Company captains, which he had copied. One of the copies would go to Athena.

The ships continued their southerly course, often being delayed by contrary winds. Out of the customary trade routes, they met with little traffic, until one morning, the lookout reported a sail approaching on the port beam.

After reporting the sighting to Phaeton, Mullins jumped into the mizzen shrouds with his glass to get a view himself. The sail was hull-down and difficult to see, but she seemed familiar to him. He called down to have Phelps sent up. Pointing out the sail to the seaman, he asked if he had ever seen it be before. When he appeared noncommittal, Mullins handed him his glass. There was a delay while the seaman familiarized himself with the telescope. Finally catching a glimpse of the stranger though the now-focused glass, he exclaimed, “That’s the brig we met twice before!”

Captain Cockburn signaled Athena to investigate the brig, but the post ship was unable to close with her. Apparently, the chase had a better slant of wind than Athena and soon vanished below the horizon. Later that afternoon, when the wind died completely, the three captains had a meeting aboard Phaeton to discuss the situation.

When Captain Hardesty was asked his views, he offered his idea that the enemy had somehow learned of the specie transfer and were sweeping for the ships. Captain Cockburn wondered why they did not attack when they last met. Mullins suggested they might have wished for better odds. Perhaps they were expecting additional ships to join them.

After the conference, Cockburn decided to alter course farther to the west, hoping to avoid any meeting with a superior French fleet. This course change seemed successful at first, but then another sail came into view, ahead of them this time. She was a French Leda-class frigate, this one with 38 guns. Although intended to be armed with eighteen-pounders, these guns had been replaced with twelves when the ship was routed to the Caribbean. The twelves being much lighter and causing less stress on the hull over long voyages, the French sometimes replaced them with lighter guns on the long missions. The strange frigate was accompanied by a sleek, American-built schooner, which soon sailed off to the west, while the larger ship remained to windward of the convoy.

That night, Cockburn ordered another course change, hoping to lose their shadow in the night, but next morning, there she was, on their windward beam. Phaeton stood out to meet with the French frigate, with a view to bringing her to action. At once the stranger evaded and took up position farther out to sea.

The ships resumed their course, with the big Frenchman holding course on them. That evening, the stranger began signaling. She then stood away to the northwest until she was nearly hull-down. Next morning, she was back, this time with friends. There was their old acquaintance, the brig, they had met several times before, accompanied by a twenty-gun corvette and another frigate of 32 guns.