Mir Pacifica
Published: 28 May 2018
As they all stood waiting for the men to arrive, Thomas noted the looks of the town’s people as Roger Scully set the extra men of the small Marine force to take up their positions as a guarding force. The oarsmen were also now out of the boats and Thomas was sure that seeing the sailors also armed to the hilt only went to increase the amount of concern for those watching.
Among the watchers Thomas could see what appeared to not only be the usual rough necks that abounded in any port but also those a little better dressed who could only be merchants or agents of merchants. Among the building throng were also the usual strays and waifs that could be found all over the known world in places such as this out of the way settlement.
Thomas’s little force was now all ready for the new arrivals. Thomas stood at the centre with the three Captains on each side. Just behind stood his two body guards and the midshipmen in charge of the Marines stood behind them with the Marines standing as though on parade. The oarsmen were lined along each side of the three longboats also now in a guard position. Anyone wanting to cause trouble could now plainly see they would be in for a fight.
The small group from the town was now close enough for all to see that they were led by a very large and imposing figure who was dressed rather better than the average townsperson. It was not hard to know who would speak first and take charge.
When the small group had finally arrived before Thomas and his friends, as guessed, it was the large man who took centre stage. Like his large framed body his voice also had power and certainty. The large man looked at the three captains and totally ignored the much younger teen in the fancy short jacket as though he was of little concern to grown men and Thomas found it a little difficult to understand his words as his accent was not one he had previously encountered.
“Good morning Captains. I am Paulus Van Der Heusen and the Berger of this town, who are you and what are you doing in my port?”
Roger Scully took over as spokesman for the group as was his right by seniority.
“Good Morning Mister Van Der Heusen, I am Commodore Scully and senior Captain for the Marking Shipping Company and these are my fellow Captains. Captain Du Maurier and Captain Samson, also we have Don Thomasino De Toro the senior representative of the company. We have come ashore to trade a little and to take onboard a few more provisions for our further travel into the Mir Pacifica. Our crews will not be coming ashore so you will have no trouble from them and we hope to return to sea at our earliest convenience.”
“Well Captain Scully you may address me as Meneer Van Der Heusen, I take note that you are both Rooineks and a Frenchman as well. A most unusual combination Captain if I may say so. This young one! You say he is a Portuguese noble? I find that a little unbelievable that he would hold any position of importance in a company, however that is not my concern. What is my concern is why the English have anchored war ships in my harbour and what are you intentions?”
“My intentions Meneer Van Der Heusen is as I stated and nothing more. We will be making our way into the Mir Pacifica and have only stopped for provisions and to offload our hides and skins as they have little value where we are going. We have no other motive apart from that Meneer.”
Thomas watched the look on the big man’s face. The dark heavy eyebrows lowered as he looked around at the Marines. He scratched at his full thick black beard until his eyes settled on Thomas’s two body guards. Turning back to Roger, Van Der Heusen spoke again and the timbre of his voice changed as he spoke.
“What are you doing with those two kafirs, it makes me wonder if you are not in fact slavers Captain Scully?”
“I can assure you we have little interest in slavery Meneer, in fact we stopped a slaver not too long ago and hung the entire crew and burnt their ship so your accusations are totally unfounded. The two men are servants of Don Thomasino and are freemen.”
“I suppose I will have to take your word for that Captain but if they cause any trouble in my town I will have them hung on the dock for all to see. You have two days to complete your needs and then you will have to leave finished or not. I want nothing to do with you Rooineks and your nasty ways.”
“We may need a few more days than that to complete all we have to do Meneer.”
“Two days and that’s that Captain, if you fail to follow my orders I will call out the militia.”
“Very good Meneer, two days it is but I would make sure you keep your militia well out of our way until we leave.”
“Are you making a threat Captain?”
“Take it as you will Meneer. I will abide by your time but do not try to make any road blocks for us to finish our needs, it would be very unwise.”
The Berger just harrumphed and turned his back and led his small entourage back into the town while Roger turned back to those waiting for him.
“Thomas I think it wiser for you to stay here and keep watch on things. Captain Samson I think it would be better for you to return to the ships and get the men to start bringing up the bundles of hides we have ready for sale. Captain Du Maurier I would like you to accompany me into town to see if we can find a trader to take the hides and exchange it for provisions. Midshipman Morgan I want you to select four Marines to go with us into town. You will be in charge of them so watch our back. I don’t think we can put our trust in that man too much. Thank you gentlemen let’s get things done if you please.”
While Roger was getting things organised, Thomas took note that like he himself, Roger was carrying his small black, silver topped baton tucked into his waistband. Thomas was carrying his cane as per normal when ashore and he was sure they had been taken note of by some of the sailors from the three ships anchored in the bay. It was just a small point but it may be the difference between safety and trouble.
With his men ready Roger led the way into the town; what he saw on the port front did not inspire confidence. As they moved further into the town, Roger noted that the shops and homes became a little better and that the slums on the waterfront only went back a street or two but the acrid smell of the whole town could not be evaded as the breeze was now onshore. It was little wonder that the wealthy of Cape Town preferred to have the homes high on the slopes.
Thomas and the remaining Marines along with the boat crews waited patiently for Roger’s return. When that would be they could only guess at but the interest they had garnered when they first arrived had now waned and they were left mostly to themselves.
Thomas took notice that the day was becoming even more humid than when they had arrived just the previous day. He did not miss the glances skyward that the boatmen were giving but his lack of knowledge about such things made him assume the crews were just a little nervous. Had he known the truth he may well have given it far more serious thought than he did.
Two hours passed before they saw Roger Scully and his band returning along with a number of well fed and well dressed men they could only assume were local business men. Thomas was not mistaken when the large group arrived on the shoreline where the first long boat filled with the hides was just being pulled onto the shore. There were only six men rowing the longboat and the rest of the space was filled almost to overflowing with the bundles of dried hides.
Trade bargaining was not one of Thomas favourite things to do and so he left it up to the others to work it all out. It was a surprise for Thomas that Roger let Captain Du Maurier take over as the first bundles were opened and the trading began.
As more of the longboats arrived with the rest of the hides, the bargaining grew even more intense as the townsmen saw the quality of the hides. Many of which they could not get a hold of by any other means than to have contacts within the savages tribes, and that was not about to happen any time soon. Captain Du Maurier showed his experience and ability to bargain well as the prices grew higher and the bidding took on an appearance of a trade war as the men tried to outbid each other for the quality goods.
Two hours later and all the hides had found a new home and Thomas’s three ships would be fully provisioned for the next leg of the journey with even a little left over for the crew’s wages. Thomas saw that the boat crews were not the only ones looking above at the bright clear sky. Now it looked as though something also captured Roger Scully’s eye as well.
It was late in the day by the time all the longboats were back at the ships and the men were once again aboard. For the three Captains it was another matter as they now had a lot to do the next day to get all their provisions aboard before the time expired to leave the port as they had been ordered. Dinner that evening was a large affair as Roger had asked for all the Captains and officers, except those on duty, to join them for a meal before they took on the next leg.
The humidity had risen even high as the sun sank and there was a strange charge in the air as all the officers sat to table; every window in the main cabin was opened wide to get the faintest of breezes to cool the men. Half way through dinner and Roger had had enough and so told the officers to remove their heavy jackets and try to relax in the building humid heat as they ate.
While the dinner continued, the talk turned to what would be needed the following day and how they could complete their work before their time was up. Roger did not want to force the Berger’s hand but he would if needs be. After all, he had three frigates at his disposal and they could be a very good bargaining tool if the occasion was needed.
Thomas was awoken the next morning just as the sun was showing its first rays in the east. It was the sound of fast running footsteps that had him rubbing the sleep from his eyes as Fairley placed his morning cafe beside the bunk. The sound of anxious voices soon had Thomas dressed in shirt and pants and heading up to the quarterdeck while still carrying his morning drink.
On arrival at the stair leading up to the quarterdeck he heard the sound of Roger Scully’s voice asking the watch officer why he had been called so early. Thomas made his way up onto the deck and stood to the side as Lieutenant Williams gave his report.
“Sir I thought you should see this before things went too far.”
Thomas turned in the direction that Mister Williams was pointing but could not make out what all the fuss was about. The look on Roger’s face told him it was something that he should be concerned with. On the southern horizon Thomas could just make out what appeared to be a very black line but was well out to sea and so he could not see what all the running and yelling was about. His lack of knowledge was soon enhanced when Roger Scully swore under his breath and turned back to the map table where the Cape Town harbour was situated at the centre.
“How long do you think we have Mister Williams?”
“I would suggest around four bells of the forenoon watch Sir.”
“Yes my sentiments exactly Mister Williams. Have the dory put over the side and send for the other two captains. I see no way we can leave today with what’s waiting in store out there.”
“Yes Sir, I’ll get to it now Sir.”
As Williams left the deck Thomas sidled up to look over Roger’s shoulder and ask why the sudden concern.
“That black line to the south is a storm Thomas and not a small one. I think we would be fools to even attempt to take it on; it seems to be building by the minute. Even if we had full sea room we would be in trouble. I think our friendly Berger will have to change his mind about us leaving later today, it would be totally irresponsible to even try. I’m going to go ashore and talk to the man and see if he will change his mind about us leaving and sailing into what is waiting out there.”
“And if he still says no? What then Roger?”
“Well I hope his humanity will see that he is sending men and ships to their death and pray he will change his mind. If not? Well there is always a little frigate diplomacy if all else fails.”
“Frigate diplomacy…what’s that?”
“Sixty cannons aimed at his little town and the promise he will have no town if he refuses. I am not going to put men’s lives or the ships in danger for some backwater beaurocrat to play games with.”
As Roger spoke of his plans, Thomas noted that two of the ships anchored in the bay were making for the heads in full sail. It appeared they planned to make it to open water and turn north on their homeward course before the dark looking storm hit them. The third ship which was larger by far than the other two still sat at anchor and Thomas turned back to watch as the smaller dory was put over the side as Midshipman Carter and two oarsmen went down into it and began to pull for the other ships.
Thomas finished the last of his cafe as Roger called for the Boatswain to ready six men to row him ashore to meet with the Berger. He would also take six Marines with him just as a precaution. Thomas returned to his cabin to finish dressing and then back to the quarterdeck where he would wait for Roger’s return. Just after Roger left, Thomas watched as every longboat was put into the water and pulled for the shore, they still had to provision the ships and hopefully their needs were waiting for them as had been asked for the previous day.
Thomas wiled away the day up on the deck watching the longboats furiously going back and for and filled to the gunnels with goods for the ships. He had been joined by the other two Captains as they waited for Roger’s return. Now that he understood the urgency and the meaning of the dark clouds in the south he kept a better watch on them. That they were moving at pace was undeniable as the southern sky turned from a dark grey to a very ominous black.
It was the first rattling of the upper yards that drew Thomas attention upwards; the temperature had begun to drop and there was now a distinct chill in the once humid air. Looking out at the longboats Thomas could now see they were beginning to bounce around on the broken wave tops as they made their way back and forth. Roger Scully’s estimate of what was waiting for them out at sea seemed to be spot on, not that Thomas had ever doubted him.
It was three hours after he left that Thomas saw Roger returning and only another few minutes before Roger climbed over the side. The look on his face was like thunder as he strode over the deck and took the short flight of steps up to the quarterdeck. Thomas wasn’t sure if he should say a word when he saw the furious look on Roger’s face and a whispered comment of “”Oh damn”” by Captain Samson did not help any but he had to know.
The three men followed Roger onto the quarterdeck where he still seemed to be struggling with the news he had received from on shore.
Captain Samson broke the ice, “I assume Commodore that the meeting was less than savoury?”
“That bloody man is a menace to a decent society. He insists we leave our anchorage before the end of this day so here is what I plan to do. Gentlemen it’s time to live up to the ideals of Don Thomasino De Toro. If that bloody man wants to show us what his power is then we should at least try to show him the error of his ways.”
The three men waited as Roger Scully looked around before taking one more glance at the darkening sky to the south.
“Captain Samson, Captain Du Maurier I want you to return to your ships and raise your topsils, we will use them for steerageway. Captain Samson I want you to come onto my port beam while Captain Du Maurier sets to my Starboard. We will advance to the head of the bay and then set our anchors in the normal set for rough weather but I want you to also set a kedge once your two bow anchors are set. I have worked out that the bay is almost two miles across at the narrowest point so we will anchor a half mile apart with our bows to the oncoming storm and furl all sails. Any comments Gentlemen?”
“Ahh…Commodore if we anchor in such a fashion then it will look like a blockade of the port. Do you think that it is wise to provoke this man if he is such an ass?” Captain Du Maurier remarked.
“Why Captain Du Maurier I must say I never thought of it that way but you do have a point and it would make it very difficult for any shipping to pass us by without coming under threat of our guns.”
The three men were not in the least put out by the smile on Roger’s face as he spoke to them. It was plainly obvious this was exactly what he had intended to do and at the same time in some small way abide by the Berger’s orders to whey anchor from their present berths.
“And what are your orders if there happens to have a ship or two try to enter the port Commodore?” Captain Samson asked.
“Well Captain Samson in the tradition of the Royal Navy it is standing orders for any foreign ship that comes within five hundred yards of an anchored ship may be treated as a threat to that vessel. My suggestion is to put a shot or two across their bows and dissuade them from trying to enter the port. Of course if that ship just happens to be English or Portuguese then I would assume them to be friendly and let them pass.”
“Thank you Commodore then if there is nothing else for the time being I will get back to my ship and whey anchor. Captain Du Maurier, do you wish to accompany me in my dory?”
“Yes thank you Captain Samson. Commodore I was told in Lisbon that I may find this voyage a little interesting when the owner was taken into consideration so I can only assume you also learned a few lessons from his unorthodox ways. If you will excuse me Commodore I will accompany Captain Samson as I am sure we will have a lot to discuss on the way back to our ships.”
“Of course Gentlemen and I will set the battle colours at the mast when we are ready to whey anchor and move into our new positions.”
Thomas turned to look to the south, the sight that met his eyes did not inspire confidence as he saw the towering thunder clouds that roiled at the front of the oncoming storm and below that it was darker than the night itself. Already there was a chop on the waters of the harbour and the wind was starting to make itself heard in the upper rigging. Roger called for Lieutenant Williams to get the watch to set the topsils and make ready to whey anchor. Their time was running short and they would need to be well anchored by the time the real storm hit.
For the next half hour the decks sounded like a hundred drum beats as the bare footed crew ran to their places. The loud snap of the topsils told them all they were ready t o make way and go to their new anchorage.
The first of the swells drove into the harbour just as the kedge anchors were finally set and the longboats were almost back onboard. The three ships now effectively blockaded the harbour and yet left space for a desperate ship to pass by although it would be under the threat of the three frigates guns.
The first real blast of the storm saw all three ships heel over as the wind had turned a little more easterly so their bows were not directly facing into the wind. Roger told Thomas it would only be a minor inconvenience as they would still have their bows facing into the growing swell that was now growing higher as it came into the harbour and reached the shallower waters.
Roger turned to Thomas as the men went below to find a place out of the growing storm. Only the deck watch stayed up to watch over the ship as the wind began to howl in all its true anger.
“Well Thomas, time to take a rest I think. Don’t worry we are far safer here than out at sea in that lot and I am sure that the Berger will not find any men to brave the seas to come after us. By the by, did you happen to notice that Merchant ship at anchor?”
“Yes but I didn’t take a lot of notice, you had my mind on other things.”
“Ahh yes this little blow. Well would you like to guess what it was carrying?”
“Honestly Roger I have no clue whatsoever, why do you ask?”
“Well on my way back from the visit with the esteemed Berger I had the men pull the boat closer to her. She has a very distinct odour about her. What do you think she is carrying?”
“If it’s bloody slaves again then I want it sunk just as soon as we can get near her.”
“Then we are in luck Thomas but no, she is not carrying slaves but something far more valuable. It’s a pity we are outward bound or she would be well worth taking as a prize.”
“Come on Roger, don’t keep me guessing.”
“Spices Thomas! She is filled with Vanilla and Cinnamon, they are worth more than their weight in gold. I recognised their smell just as soon as I was close to her. The ship must be carrying her cargo to the Nederlands, it would be such a shame if she had an accident in this foul weather that cost her such a valuable cargo.”
“It would indeed Roger but unfortunately we are not at war with the Nederlands or not officially so anyway.”
“Well we do have to consider the information you have on the missing packet boats and it would only be the Dutch East India Company that would want to keep its secrets about the Spice Islands and their possible locations.”
“I have a feeling that you are not yet finished with our friendly Berger. Do you wish to enlighten me or am I to wait for your twisted mind to work it all out?” Thomas watched the smile widen on Roger’s lips as they made their way below and into Roger’s cabin. Not unsurprisingly Roger’s new cabin boy had a hot meal on the table and Fairley was standing close by as the two entered the cabin.
“Let’s get some hot food into us and I’ll tell you what I have in mind.”
As they ate Thomas listened to what Roger had to say. He had to admit it was a little daring and had the possibility of causing a great deal of trouble should they ever put into a Dutch port in the future but at the same time Thomas was also taken by the daring idea. If nothing else it may make the pompous Berger think twice about sending another ship out into a full blown storm just to satisfy his own ego.
The storm raged for three days and the usually calm waters of the harbour looked more like a raging whirlpool of white water and made more dangerous by the solid walls of rain as they pounded the ships and the coastal shores. The Diego, being the most outer of the three ships did pull its port anchor but fortunately the starboard and kedge anchors held and stopped her from being driven onto the shore.
Any movement onboard the three ships had to be done with the assistance of the safety ropes strung along the main deck from bow to stern. To prevent unwanted accidents, Roger had given orders for the deck watches to be lowered to two hours instead of the normal four so that the crews would not be injured because of tiredness.
On the dawn of the fourth day the storm had relented enough for the harbour to settle into something resembling its former self. With the use of his spy glass Thomas was able to see some of the damage to the waterfront houses and businesses but his main attention was on the large trade ship sitting at anchor somewhat closer than it was before to the shore. It appeared that not only the Diego had dragged her anchor, but that the trader looked to be in danger of actually running aground had the storm lasted any longer.
By the middle of the day, all three ships had wheyed anchor and the main sails had been set as they began to move away from their anchorages but not towards the now calmer waiting ocean. The Roger Skully led the way with the other two ships in line astern as they turned their bows inward towards the port. Roger’s next order, which was relayed via the flag system to the other ships left little doubt as to his intentions.
“Lieutenant Morgan! Run out the starboard guns and prepare to fire on my command.”
“Aye Sir, what be the target?”
“The Trader Mister Morgan; a full broadside if you please.”
“Aye Sir. All guns will fire as you come to bear. Master Gunners to the lanyards.” Craven Morgan yelled loudly to the gun crews.
The main deck became a hive of activity as the starboard gunners went to work and it was not long before the sound of the wooden wheels rumbling on the deck told everyone they were now ready for a parting salute to the pompous Berger.
Followed by the other two ships Roger took the MSC Roger Scully in a wide circle that would bring his guns to bear as they swept past the hapless Trader with the other two following at their heels. There would not be much left of the well loaded Trader after three full broadsides from the Frigates and by the time there could be any sign of retaliation, the three fast sailing ships would be well out of the harbour and into the southern ocean for the next leg of their journey.
The Roger Scully swept in towards the anchored Trader and, as the guns came to bear the quiet of the harbour was broken by the loud yelling voice of Craven Morgan.
“Starboard guns! FIRE.”
Thomas could not see the looks on any of the faces onshore but he could easily guess what may be happening as the ships came closer and closer to shore with their starboard gun ports open. At Craven’s command the once quiet harbour shuddered under the roar of the guns as the smoke filled the air and the thunder of the discharge echoed over the once sleepy town. There would be no mistaking what was happening to his harbour by the pompous Berger when he heard the crashing of the guns.
The Roger Skully drove past the already crippled Trader to quickly be replaced by the Marcello who’s own broadside only added to damage and confusion and the Diego was close on her stern with her own guns at the ready.
The Trader had already lost her main mast to the guns of the Roger Scully as well as being holed along her sides and the additional heavy shot of the Marcello only went to add more holes and the loss of the Trader’s foremast. On the trader’s decks there was pandemonium as the masts fell and the screams of the wounded only went to add more confusion as many of those who had managed to avoid any wounds dove over the side in an attempt to swim for shore rather than stay under the guns of the foreign ships.
By the time the Diego made her run and fired her broadside into the now doomed Trader the Roger Skully was already nearing the heads and looking out into the southern ocean. The horror they had left behind for the stunned people of Cape Town was not so much a message not to tamper with Don Thomasino’s ships, but had anyone been able to see into the future it may have been a warning of what was to come for the Dutch colony.
With the Diego out of the harbour and the heavy pall of black smoke rising into the sky behind them, the three ships set course for the Mir Pacifica and what lay ahead. The plan was for the ships to make all haste around the southern cape and then turn northward and into the Indus Ocean. There they would sail on until they came to the Island of Madagascar which was ruled by King Radama the 1st of the Merina Kingdom.
As yet they did not know what they were going into as there had been many tales of pirates that had been the scourge of the seas around the large Island. It was their last hope of supplies before venturing further north and east into the empty ocean that would take them to the Indian lands and further into the seas controlled by the Asean. Thomas knew they were still a long way from George’s homelands and had little idea how long it would take to get there. Of one thing he was sure, there could be no turning back now they had left their mark on the cape colony.
It was midday on the third day when the three ships finally rounded the cape and set their course northward. The seas had been on their beam for most of the rounding as the dregs of the storm tried to push them ever closer to the cliffs that ran along the coast. Their slow progress was also hampered by the need to tack and their speed was down to little more than seven knots as they finally broke out into the southern Indus Ocean.
Ahead of the small flotilla was the wide open expanse of ocean that was now settling down, although the long swells were still coming from the south but the wind had dropped from twenty knots down to a more acceptable ten knots as the ships began their next long voyage into the unknown.
If the three ships thought things were going to go easily they were soon disappointed as the wind turned even further to the west and dropped to not much more than five knots; even with every stitch of canvas spread on the spars the ships were barely making three knots; it looked as though their hoped for fast voyage to Madagascar was going to be delayed.
After four days of almost calm seas there seemed to be no end in sight as the sea took on an appearance of flat blue glass and any hint of wind was no more than the faintest of zephyrs that barely moved the slack sails. There was little they could do but wait for a change in the wind and hope that they achieved more distance from the southern latitudes before another of the infamous storms hit them.
The skies above remained clear and unblemished by any hint of clouds as the ships made slow headway at only two knots with the lookouts high in the tops to look for even the faintest of breezes to help them and their shipmates on their way.
For five days there was little relief as the sun bore down on the three semi becalmed ships and their crews. The only relief was that some of the crew took it into their heads to run a few fishing lines over the side for no other reason than to fill in the long tortuous days when they were not on duty. The illogical idea of fishing from the ship seemed to improve the morale of the crew as some even suggested asking their Captain to be allowed to lower the dory so it could be towed behind the ship so they could fish closer to the water.
There was little objection from either of the captains which turned out to be somewhat of a blessing in disguise. Not only did it fill in the boring time for the crew, but it even produce some fresh supplies for the evening tables which was appreciated by all on board.
It was during the last hour of the devils watch on the morning of the sixth day that things began to look up for the three ships. As the first faint hint of dawn broke in the east, a puff of wind indicated a change in its direction. Roger Scully had just come on deck as the puff of wind hit and it was not long before he was yelling orders for every inch of canvas to be once again hoisted and the crews prepare for what may lay ahead.
The only promising thing was that the wind was now almost directly from the east and did not appear to have any intentions of turning further south where the bad weather was known to come from. While an easterly would mean they would have to do a great deal of tacking, it would at least now get them moving at a better speed towards the eventual destination of Madagascar where they would now definitely require more supplies.
During the early morning hours the wind grew until it was blowing at a good steady fifteen knots and the three ships were now under full sail and covering the distance at a good twelve knots. At last there was some headway and they could now only hope that any southern storms stayed well away from them as they made their way north. As they cleared the 39th parallel their hopes grew, they were now well out of the direct path of the notorious roaring forties and well onto their way to better sailing and their eventual destination.
TBC
You are reading Book 3 of Thomas Markings incredible journey. Let Arthur know what you think of this latest chapter. Arthur at CastleRoland dot Net