The Torrid Zone (The Fighting Sail Series) (38 page)

At a time when slavery was generally accepted in British colonies, Brooke was one of the first to bring in legislation to improve matters, making the importing of new slaves illegal, and introducing harsh penalties for any found abusing their charges. His measures effectively raised the status of such labour to something nearer to that of serfdom, but by no means ended the atrocity: it would be another forty years or so before St Helena's last 800 slaves began a programme of phased emancipation. That was still ahead of any government ban, however, and Brooke's efforts certainly signalled the start of the later war against slavery that the British were to take up with all the gusto of reformed sinners.

The island itself deserves rather more explanation than I was able to give, and some of St Helena's latter history might also be related. Almost since its discovery in 1502, St Helena has been known as a place with therapeutic powers. Access to a plentiful supply of good, fresh water as well as fruit, vegetables and meat are obviously contributing factors, as is the prevailing south easterly trade wind which keeps the island healthy and the climate pleasant, despite its proximity to the equator. Consequently many members of the military that were discharged from Far Eastern service due to illness found their health miraculously restored after even a brief stay. The majority went on to either re-enlist in the garrison or volunteer for militia service, giving an unusually large force of seasoned men that could be called upon. Such strength, when added to the island's natural defences and extensive fortifications, ensured that St Helena remained immune from invasion. One plan, proposed in 1804, ironically on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte, did come close to being adopted. The French minister, Decres, even allocated eight ships and fifteen hundred men for the task, but the expedition was abandoned at the last moment, with the force subsequently being sent to Surinam.

Then, in 1815, when a remote and impenetrable prison was required to detain the defeated emperor, St Helena became the natural choice, and accommodated Napoleon and his staff in relative comfort. His first home was at Briar's Pavilion, a beautiful estate just south of Jamestown. Then, following its rebuilding, Longwood House, the Lieutenant Governor's country residence mentioned in my story. During Bonaparte's residency the island was fortified still further, and housed an unprecedented military force, much of which was removed following his death in 1821.

As with the passing of many famous people, Bonaparte's demise is not without conspiracy theories, some of which are gloriously far fetched. The original autopsy report of stomach cancer has been regularly disputed, with St Helena itself being named as a suspect on occasion. It appears that high quantities of arsenic were used in the paint and wallpaper when renovating Longwood House, and traces of the drug have been found in remaining samples of the late emperor’s hair. But such is the manna of those who enjoy this kind of tale, and it is hoped that one of the world's greatest soldiers did not die at the hands of his interior decorator.

Thirteen years after Napoleon's death control passed from the East India Company, and St Helena became a Crown Colony. Within ten years a substantial naval base was established to combat the African slave trade and for some while St Helena remained a favoured refuelling and replenishing station. However, with the opening of the Suez Canal in 1870 the island's value diminished dramatically and, apart from brief periods during major and minor wars, it has not figured significantly in British history since.

Today the island is a British Dependant Territory, although the islanders, who currently number roughly four thousand, have no right of abode in Britain, and are mainly reliant on a Royal Mail Ship for supplies and personal transport. Despite, or possibly because of, the island's isolation, St Helena remains a fascinating and breathtakingly beautiful place, with a predominantly friendly population who are loyal to the crown and genuinely welcome visitors. An airport is due to open in 2016 and will inevitably bring change: some may argue that such development can only harm what is almost a unique environment, although that should surely be for those more directly affected to decide. Certainly a regular air link can only encourage travel, while also bringing much needed finance and trade to what has become something of a backwater. Most of all it will make an island that so excels in both beauty and historical significance far more accessible, while hopefully retaining more than a small amount of St Helena's inherent mystery.

Alaric Bond

Herstmonceux 2014

A
ble Seaman  One who can hand, reef and steer and is well-acquainted with the duties of a seaman.

Amphitrite  Neptune's wife or consort (in Roman mythology).

Back  Wind change; anticlockwise.

Backed sail  One set in the direction for the opposite tack to slow a ship.

Backstays  Similar to shrouds in function, except that they run from the hounds of the topmast, or topgallant, all the way to the deck. (Also a useful/spectacular way to return to deck for a topman.)

Backstays, running  A less permanent backstay, rigged with a tackle to allow it to be slacked to clear a gaff or boom.

Bargemen 
(Slang)
Weevils commonly found in hard tack.

Barky 
(Slang)
Seamen's affectionate name for their vessel.

Belaying pins  Pins set into racks at the side of a ship. Lines are secured to these, allowing instant release by their removal.

Binnacle  Cabinet on the quarterdeck that houses compasses, the deck log, traverse board, lead lines, telescope, speaking trumpet,
etc
.

Bitts  Stout horizontal pieces of timber, supported by strong verticals, that extend deep into the ship. These hold the anchor cable when the ship is at anchor.

Block  Article of rigging that allows pressure to be diverted or, when used with others, increased. Consists of a pulley wheel, made of
lignum vitae
, encased in a wooden shell. Blocks can be single, double (fiddle block), triple or quadruple. The main suppliers were Taylors, of Southampton.

Board  Before being promoted to lieutenant, midshipmen would be tested for competence by a board of post captains. Should they prove able they will be known as passed midshipmen, but could not assume the rank of lieutenant until they were appointed as such.

Boatswain 
(Pronounced Bosun)
The warrant officer superintending sails, rigging, canvas, colours, anchors, cables and cordage
etc
., committed to his charge.

Boom  Lower spar to which the bottom of a gaff sail is attached.

Braces  Lines used to adjust the angle between the yards, and the fore and aft line of the ship. Mizzen braces, and braces of a brig lead forward.

Brig  Two-masted vessel, square-rigged on both masts.

Bulkhead  A partition within the hull of a ship.

Bulwark  The planking or wood-work about a vessel above her deck.

Canister  Type of shot, also known as case. Small iron balls packed into a cylindrical case.

Careening  The act of beaching a vessel and laying her over so that repairs, and maintenance to the hull can be carried out.

Carronade  Short cannon firing a heavy shot. Invented by Melville, Gascoigne and Miller in late 1770's and adopted from 1779. Often used on the upper deck of larger ships, or as the main armament of smaller.

Cascabel  Part of the breach of a cannon.

Caulk 
(Slang)
To sleep. Also caulking, a process to seal the seams between strakes.

Channel  Projecting ledge that holds deadeyes from shrouds and backstays, originally chain-whales.

Channel Gropers 
(Slang)
The Channel Fleet.

Chippy 
(Slang)
A carpenter. Originally from the ship builders who were allowed to carry out small lumps of wood, or chips, and the end of their shift.

Close hauled  Sailing as near as possible into the wind.

Coaming  A ridged frame about hatches to prevent water on deck from getting below.

Come-up glass  A device using prisms and lenses that can detect the speed at which another vessel is gaining or falling back.

Companionway  A staircase or passageway.

Counter  The lower part of a vessel's stern.

Course  A large square lower sail, hung from a yard, with sheets controlling and securing it.

Crown and Anchor  Naval board game.

Crows of iron  Crow bars used to move a gun or heavy object.

Cutter  Fast, small, single-masted vessel with a sloop rig. Also a seaworthy ship's boat.

Deadeyes  A round, flattish wooden block with three holes through which a lanyard is reeved. Used to tension shrouds and backstays.

Ditty bag 
(Slang)
A seaman's bag. Derives its name from the dittis or 'Manchester stuff' of which it was once made.

Driver  Large sail set on the mizzen in light winds. The foot is extended by means of a boom.

Dunnage  Officially the packaging around cargo. Also
(slang)
seaman's baggage or possessions.

Fall  The free end of a lifting tackle on which the men haul.

Fetch  To arrive at, or reach a destination. Also the distance the wind blows across the water. The longer the fetch the bigger the waves.

Fen 
(Slang)
Common prostitute.

Flash man  One who provides an element of security in a bawdy house.

Futtock   A lower frame in the hull of a ship (similar to a rib). Futtock shrouds run down from the edge of a top to the mast.

Forereach  To gain upon, or pass by another ship when sailing in a similar direction.

Forestay  Stay supporting the masts running forward, serving the opposite function of the backstay. Runs from each mast at an angle of about 45 degrees to meet another mast, the deck or the bowsprit.

Fribble 
(Slang)
A fool.

Gansey  A seaman's knitted woollen sweater.

Glass  Telescope. Also, hourglass: an instrument for measuring time (and hence, as slang, a period of time). Also a barometer.

Go-about  To alter course, changing from one tack to the other.

Halyards  Lines which raise yards, sails, signals
etc
.

Hanger  A fighting sword, similar to a cutlass.

Hard tack  Ship's biscuit.

Hawse  Area in bows where holes are cut to allow the anchor cables to pass through. Also used as general term for bows.

Hawser  Heavy cable used for hauling, towing or mooring.

Headway  The amount a vessel is moved forward (rather than leeway: the amount a vessel is moved sideways) when the wind is not directly behind.

Heave to  Keeping a ship relatively stationary by backing certain sails in a seaway.

HEIC  Honourable East India Company.

Holder  One aboard ship who spends much of his time moving stores in the hold.

Hoppo  Chinese custom house officers.

Humbug 
(Slang)
To deceive or fool someone with a story or device.

Idler  A man who, through his duty or position, does not stand a watch, but (usually) works during the day and sleeps at night.

Interest  Backing from a superior officer or one in authority, useful when looking for promotion.

Jib-boom  Boom run out from the extremity of the bowsprit, braced by means of a martingale stay, which passes through the dolphin striker.

John Company 
(Slang)
The East India Company.

Jolly 
(Slang)
Marine. (One of many such terms.)

Junk  Old line used to make wads, etc.

Jury mast/rig  Temporary measure used to restore a vessel's sailing ability.

Kerseymere  Woollen cloth.

King Arthur  A game often played as an alternative to the traditional crossing the line ceremony. A nominated 'King Arthur' sits on the side of a half cask of water, and each player takes a turn in pouring a bucket of water over him. But should the player laugh or smile (something that is greatly encouraged by royalty), he becomes King in his place.

Landsman  The rating of one who has no experience at sea.

Lanthorn  Lantern.

Larboard  Left side of the ship when facing forward. Later replaced by 'port', which had previously been used for helm orders.

Leaguer  A long cask with a capacity of 127 imperial gallons, normally used to hold water.

Leeward  The downwind side of a vessel.

Leeway  The amount a vessel is pushed sideways by the wind (as opposed to headway, the forward movement, when the wind is directly behind).

Leige Barometer  Also known as a Dutch Weather Glass. A simple and slightly outdated instrument, although remarkably accurate.

Liner 
(Slang)
Ship of the line (of battle). A third rate or above.

Linstock  A forked staff to hold a lighted slowmatch. Using a linstock enables a gun captain to fire his weapon from a distance, without the aid of a gunlock.

Lobster 
(Slang)
Soldier.

Lubber/lubberly 
(Slang)
Unseamanlike behaviour; as a landsman.

Luff  Intentionally sail closer to the wind, perhaps to allow work aloft. Also the flapping of sails when brought too close to the wind. The side of a fore and aft sail laced to the mast.

Manger  Area aboard ship where livestock are kept.

Martingale stay  Line that braces the jib-boom, passing from the end through the dolphin striker to the ship.

Molly 
(Slang)
General term used to cover homosexuals; from the Latin meaning soft or sissy. Also used to describe prostitutes, many of whom were from Ireland (and were often called Molly).

Mother Midnight 
(Slang)
A midwife
.

Packet / Packet Service  The HEIC maintained a number of fast sailing vessels to maintain communications and carry light cargo.

Pipeclay  Compound used to polish and whiten leatherwork.

Point blank  The range of a cannon when fired flat. (For a 32 pounder this would be roughly 1000 feet.)