Mir Pacifica

Published: 14 Sep 2020

The days began to all look the same as the ships sailed on a course of north by north east while the wind blew steadily from the south west which they knew were called the southern trade winds. The steady wind and almost calm seas saw the ships plow their way forward at a good pace and the mood aboard was almost light hearted.

There had been no sighting of what they had been told was a pirate haven off the African coast and, as they pulled further and further away from any possible problem area there came a quiet sense of security over the three vessels.

Ten days out from Madagascar and the lookout up in the masthead was almost nodding off as the hot sun beat down and the boredom of the open vista of nothing but blue sea, blue sky and the steady rocking of the ship sent him into a dazed state. With a less experienced man aloft there may have been unforeseen trouble but, for this man who had been at sea longer than most it took just the slightest of foreign movement to catch his heavily lidded eyes and make him jerk upright and become extremely alert; something a young and less experienced sailor may not have been able to do.

Below on the quarterdeck the watch crew were almost in the same bored state as the lookout when they heard the call from far above.

“Ahoy the deck; sails fifteen points off the port bow.”

Lieutenant Williams looked aloft and called back as the rest of the ship’s crew on deck stopped what they had been doing to listen for orders.

“Can you call them and how many?”

By now the topman had his looking glass to his eye and began to call back what he could now make out in better detail; just above him stood the signal boy with his smaller glass to his eye as the lookout called down.

“Six ships Sir but don’t rightly know their kind or the banners being flown. All are lanteen sailed and two masted.”

By now Lieutenant Williams had placed his own powerful telescope to his eye and was sweeping the ocean back and forth to catch sight of the oncoming ships. Williams took a step closer to the side rail so he could steady his stance and soon had the oncoming double line of ships in his glass. Lieutenant Williams could not have told you what it was about the scene but something did not seem right and he was not about to put the three ships in danger.

“Midshipman Carter; call for the Captain immediately and then rouse the gun crews from below decks.”

“Aye Sir.” Carter replied as he took off at his best speed to go below and call the Captain who had only left the deck less than two hours hence after a long haul on watch to rest his junior officers. Roger Scully stepped onto the quarterdeck and took in everything at a glance. As he went to stand beside Lieutenant Williams at the rail, Midshipman Carter handed Roger his large telescope.

Midshipman Carter had had to scurry quickly to both call up the gunners from below and also be there for his Captain.

Carter had just made it onto the quarterdeck as Roger had made his way up to the deck and the sound of the gunners also arriving gave the ship a sense of urgency.

“What do you make of it Mister Williams?”

“Not sure Sir. I don’t recognise the ship type but they have altered course towards us and seem to have added sail.”

Roger stood quietly for more than a minute while he ran through many possibilities until he came to his final decision.

“Mister Williams call up the Marines to parade at the centre deck. Midshipman Carter, make signals to the other ships to come about to form line astern and prepare for battle on my signal.”

Once he had the two officer’s replies, Roger turned to look over the upper rail and down onto the main-deck.

“Master Gunner Morgan!”

“Aye Sir?”

“Charge and run out the port and starboard guns, main deck with chain shot, and lower deck with solid shot if you please.”

“Aye Sir.”

Roger watched as the Master Gunner went about his business as the guns were made ready while the Marines began to appear from below decks. It was best in this day and age to be prepared for all eventualities; his instincts had served Roger well in the past and he also had a feeling the six fast approaching ships were not in a friendly mood. Roger returned his attention to his Midshipman.

“Mister Carter, make a signal to all ships. ‘Ships will sail the centre line. All guns port and starboard to be used. Main deck to use chain shot for the rigging. Lower deck to use solid shot and aim for the hulls. The Scully will take the lead with the Diego astern then the Marcello to bring up the rear. Please send to all ships Mister Carter.”

“Aye Sir”.

While Midshipman Carter went about his duties, Roger Scully went back to take in the six approaching ships with his glass; it would not be much longer before he would be able to make out their details without the aid of his telescope.

Thomas was just making his way up to the quarterdeck to stand with Roger when the man lowered his glass and turned towards his old friend and companion.

“It would appear as though we may have some unwanted visitors Thomas.”

“So it would seem Roger, I wonder why they would try to attack three armed naval ships? It makes no reason in the smaller ships they have.”

“Perhaps they have not come across ships such as ours before or, they may just be curious. Whichever it is we will wait until they make their intentions clearer; if it’s a fight they want then I am only too glad to oblige however I see no reason to start something if they are just curious and want a closer look at us. We will have to wait and see when they are closer.”

Amid the sounds of the guns being run out and the patter of bare running feet on the wooden deck as the crew prepared for any sail changes that may be required; Roger and Thomas watched the now quickly approaching ships. The six strange looking ships were still running in two lines with a wide gap between them. If there had been any doubt as to their intentions they were quickly quashed in the next ten seconds.

As the two friends watched the ships approach they suddenly saw two very large clouds of smoke appear from the bow of the two front ships; it took little imagination for the two men to know what that meant as they also caught sight of two large metal balls flying directly towards them at great speed. The Roger Scully had been fired on without so much as a hail or any attempt to communicate in any way.

As they watched the large shot fall harmlessly into the sea on each side of the Roger Scully, Roger called out loudly to the crew.

“Bosun! All men to the tops and give us full sail. Mister Morgan, we will take the masts on the first ship with chain, as we come onto the second ships I want a full broadside into both hulls. Mister Carter, signal to all ships, ‘The Diego will take the first ship with solid and the second with chain at the masts. The Marcello is to take whatever is left as we thread the needle.’

As the orders went out Thomas and Roger watched the two ships in the front suddenly begin to veer port and starboard so as to open up the way for the second pair in line to fire their forward cannon; as the front two ships parted those aboard the Roger Scully saw that along each side of the attacking ships were what appeared to be only six guns and the size of the barrels looked to be quite small whereas the bow cannon had been a very large calibre.

With the wind abaft and the ship quickly coming under full sail, the Roger Scully almost immediately picked up speed as the next two smaller ships in line fired their large forward cannon. It must have been the unexpected rise in speed that the enemy gunners had not banked on as both large shots landed close to the Scully’s side but almost past the stern; Roger’s voice bellowed out of the rumble of the now closer guns.

“Mister Morgan you may fire when your guns bare but adjust for the course change. All Marines, you are to take targets of opportunity as we pass their hulls.”

There was once again the stamping of boots and patter of bare feet as the gun crews took new sightings on the first two ships and the Marines cocked their muskets ready to fire into both ships at only a range of some twenty to thirty yards as the front two ships had now straightened their course once again to bring their own side cannon to bare on the Scully as she sailed past. Roger took note of the small cannon and almost let a smile cross his lips as he thought of what little damage they could do to the well built and very thick side of the one-time French Frigates.

Roger knew from experience that the thick Oaken slabs that made up the side of his ships would probably bounce the small shot or, at worst would only be slightly damaged; the two ships would not have time for a second shot as Mister Morgan’s guns would lay devastation on them before they could reload. The Roger Scully was soon pushing her bow past the first two ships and coming within range and sight of the small guns of the first two smaller ships.

“As you bare Mister Morgan.” Roger Scully called down into the main deck.

“Aye Sir.” Came the immediate reply from Mister Morgan as his gun crews set about the final process of readying the guns to fire.

Before Morgan could fire, they heard the small sound of the six guns on the port and starboard ships, within seconds they also heard the heavy thump of the smaller shot hitting the heavy Oaken sides of the frigate, there were no breeches and now it was their turn as Mister Morgan called loudly over the usual hubbub of noise when a ship was in action.

“Port and Starboard main-deck! All guns fire as you bare.”

Mister Morgan had placed one of the Midshipmen near the main hatch leading to the below decks, when they came abreast of the second two ships he would relay the order to fire while Mister Morgan and his main deck crews reloaded with chain shot for the last two ships in the enemy line.

With the advantage of a following wind and the sails full and taut, the three frigates were almost at the top rate of knots as they sped down the centre of the two enemy lines. When the guns did fire it sounded like a rolling of thunder as the much larger guns spouted fire and smoke one after the other as each gun came onto the ship on each side.

By the time the Roger Scully had passed the first two ships and was preparing for the next two inline all could see the devastation wrought on their enemy; both ships were totally demasted and obvious chaos ensued onboard both and they had yet to be met by the lower guns of round shot by the Diego, there would be little left for the Marcello to do but perhaps try to take a few of the foreign sailors aboard for questioning.

After the passing of the Diego there was little left of the two front line ships, one was already slipping below the waves and the other was now a blazing fire with the few remaining men jumping into the water in the hope of salvation from the flames. The Marcello began to slow as the Captain gave the order to lower the long boat and try to save those they could in the water while the other two ships continued on their mission of retaliation, there was to be no forgiveness on the enemy for the unprovoked attack.

As the Diego came upon the second two ships, those on the main-deck could already see the huge amount of damage caused by the Roger Scully’s round shot. The hulls were holed in numerous places and it appeared the decks had been swept almost clear by the accurate fire of the Marines. They also saw some men trying to stand or aid those who could not; it did not stop the raking fire from the Diego’s main-deck guns loaded with chain shot from taking out the masts and leaving the second two ships rocking helplessly, dismasted and at the mercy of the sea.

The Roger Scully now only had the last two ships in the line to deal with and it was now obvious they really didn’t want anything to do with the huge ships and their devastating guns as they turned away and tried to make for open sea before the two Frigates could come close enough to bring their big guns to bare on them.

While the last two ships were lighter and perhaps a little faster with the wind in the right direction, Roger Scully was not about to let them escape so easily and he quickly saw where his own advantage may lay. Yes the smaller and lighter ships were a little faster but their lanteen sails made them far less manoeuvrable and this would lead to their downfall; that and the excellent gunnery of the men on the two Frigates.

Roger sent out the signal for the Diego to adjust course and run down the starboard ship while his went after the one turning to the port. With their advantage in manoeuvrability the two Frigates were soon within gun range and the final act began to unfold; first with the two bow chasers and then; as the ships drew closer and were able to bring to bear their main armament the smaller ships knew their time was up.

The two smaller ships foolishly tried to make a fight of it but could not bring their heavy forward guns into the fray and were therefore left with the much smaller deck guns to try to stave off the inevitable, it would not be enough as Roger Scully gave the order to open fire with a full broadside from the port guns.

When the heavy cloud of smoke cleared it was easy to see there would be no need for a second broadside as those who could watch saw the smaller ship slowly fold in the centre and quickly sink below the gentle waves. The Roger Scully slowed to look for survivors but only managed to pick up a lone survivor who was desperately clinging onto a piece of shattered wood with one hand while trying to stem the flow of blood from a vicious cut on his forehead with the other.

When Roger finally had the time to look to his other ship, he saw the Diego had done much the same although the small ship was still afloat but had a raging fire onboard and would not last long. With the battle quickly put to rest it was time to try and find out what they could from the few men plucked from the ocean, some would not survive the night due to their wounds but the few that did survive would have to be questioned if they could find a common language as Roger was sure the language may well be a problem.

Roger had one of the men lower a rope and then shimmy down to help the injured sailor, after looping the rope around the man’s chest, the men on deck hauled him up where he collapsed onto the deck; the look of abject fear in his eyes told their own story.

Roger called for the surgeon to look at the man’s injuries and sent one of the cabin boys off to the cook for something for the man to eat and water to drink; at this stage the man had done nothing but look in disbelief at the way he was being treated and, apart from an occasional moan of pain when the surgeon touched a particular tender spot, he remained silent.

The Diego had not been able to save any of the crew on the ship he had damaged but the Marcello had gathered three crewmen from the water and was holding them in the brig until all three ships could come together once again and confer on what was to be done with them.

After the battle, Snot Morgan had taken over duty from Midshipman Carter and was on the quarterdeck when Roger told him to make a signal for the ships to come together and reduce sail until they were barely moving at three knots. The sun was sinking in the west and the night would soon be upon them; it was time for the captains to come together and discuss the day and the results of their first engagement in the Mir Pacifica. Little did they know it was not to be their last nor their hardest.

When the three ships were within easy distance of each other, the Captains of the Marcello and Diego were ferried by longboat over to the Roger Scully where they were asked to join Roger for dinner along with all of the officers who were free from duty.

At the end of the dinner Roger told them it was time to try to question the sailor they had taken from the sea. Roger sent Snot Morgan to gather two Marines and then down to the brig where the prisoner had been made as comfortable as he could be after the surgeon had finished his ministrations.

Upon his return with the prisoner, Snot Morgan again took his seat at the table with the other officers while the two Marines stood at the ready to watch over the sailor. Roger was now in a quandary, how do you establish a common language when you do not know or understand a man’s lineage.

The sailor looked to be in his early twenties with a dark swarthy visage, while his clothing was a little worse for wear after the battle they seemed to consist of a lightweight cotton shirt which flowed to just above his knees and his breeches were more pantaloons that flowed down into a narrow tie around his bare ankles as he wore no boots or shoes; he also had on a small waist length jacket that had no sleeves and was held closed by a simple tie.

The sailor’s long dark hair fell to below his shoulders in an unruly mass and covered part of his face apart from where the white bandage held it back, the faint blemish of his blood showing through in a dark red smudge. The young man’s look showed he was still aware he was being held by the same men that had destroyed not only his ship with great ease but had left him the only survivor, they were to be feared and now he was in their hands and totally helpless.

Roger took note of the fear showing on the young man’s face and then tried to calm his voice to show he was not angry or that the young man was in any immediate danger. First he asked the young man his name in English; of course the wrinkles in the young man’s forehead and the shake of his head told Roger he did not understand a word so Roger then tried what little he knew of the Germanic language, again the same reaction from the young man.

Thomas took over and asked the same question in Portuguese with the same result and then turned to Spanish but again there was no comprehension on the man’s part. The group of officers were now almost out of ideas until Roger decided to try the only other language he knew, French.

The recognition on the sailors face was immediate and his reply came instantly.

“Achmed”

Roger, now that he had established a language both could understand, continued his questioning until he had all he needed; once complete he ordered the Marines to take the sailor below to the brig until the Officers made a decision on his future.

Once the sailor was out of sight and hearing, Roger began to relate the man’s story for those who did not understand the French language.

“It would appear that our enemy is named Achmed, he is a Barbary sailor, or as we know them, a Barbary Pirate. It would seem they were under pressure to find new seas to ravage and so they transported their boats across the great desert with oxen and camels and reassembled them once they arrived on this side of the continent.

They had had only two victory’s since their arrival on the Mir Pacifica but both proved to be of only minor value; when they saw us they supposed there would be far more loot to be had and they outnumbered us two to one and so ventured into the attack.

If I understand the man rightly he has nothing to go back to and has asked for a station on one of our ships, I think we have to take it into consideration as he said he has the language of a number of these coastal areas and was a second mate on his ship so has knowledge of these seas as far as the Indus coast. So gentlemen I would ask you your opinion, do we drop him off at the nearest land and be done with him or do we make use of his skills and hope that he pays his way in the future?

It took a few minutes for the others present to discuss the sailor’s future but finally all agreed it could do little harm to at least give the man the benefit of the doubt until or if he proves otherwise; there was also the fact of their lack of knowledge of what lay ahead of them.

It was finally agreed he could join the crew and they would continue on their way at first light, in the meantime the ships would carry only minimum sail during the rest of the night and give the crew a chance to right the ship after the furious but short battle. For the rest of the night the sailor would remain in the brig and then brought up in the morning to be told his future and the rules that governed the ship.

As it was getting late, Roger called a halt to their evening and the two captains prepared to return to their ships in preparation for full sail in the morning, the captives on the Marcello would be questioned at a later date and a decision about them would result in the answers they received; it was time for those not on duty to retire to their bunks and ready for a new day.

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

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