Mir Pacifica
Published: 16 Dec 2021
Thomas had to adjust his eyes as he had expected the Dutch ship to be right ahead but found he had to turn a little before he caught sight of it. It was now he began to understand the idea Scully had put forward.
The two ships approached each other at what Thomas thought was an astounding rate of speed, it was as if Roger Scully had been reading Thomas’s thoughts as the ship suddenly began to turn hard to starboard which would bring all eighteen port guns to bare on the bow of the Dutchman; what was to happen next took Thomas by complete surprise.
With the hard starboard turn, Roger had left his port guns less than a cable length from the sharp bows of the large frigate of the Dutch. The calm was broken by the loud roar of Lieutenant Craven Morgans barking voice.
“All port guns to fire as you bare… Fire!”
Thomas’s ears were assaulted by the rolling thunder of the eighteen guns as they fired one after the other at the sharp bow of the Dutch ship. The results were almost a foregone conclusion at such a short range that was now no more the twenty yards as the Roger Scully swept past at almost eleven knots. The enemy ship seemed to almost bury its bow in the water as though hitting a huge wall; its bow now shredded and with planks obviously warped and shattered.
On the upper deck, Thomas could see the results of the odd wayward shot. The mass of flying splinters as they swept past and continued with the starboard turn which would eventually bring the Roger Scully’s starboard guns back into line for the second broadside into the same target area; although by Thomas’s observation, that area was far less than previous.
The cacophony of screams and loud yelling of voices from the enemy ship could still be heard by Thomas as Roger continued his starboard turn and was now almost ready for the run back and this time he would cross the bow of the enemy ship from port to starboard and thereby negating any chance of the Dutch ship getting more than one or two guns to bare on them as they raced past.
Unknown to Roger or Thomas was the fact that at least two of the round-shot from their first broadside had torn right through the weakened bow and taken account of both port and starboard guns on the main deck and one more on the second deck which left only a single gun that could take a bearing on the fast returning Roger Scully, perhaps it was nervousness that had the single gun send its only shot well wide of the Roger Scully but, for whatever reason it did not deter the Roger Scully from its next actions.
Once again as the Roger Scully bore down on the now almost defenceless Dutchman, the roar of the starboard guns rang out with only a second or two between them and the Scully was already turning away to port as the last gun fired. The results of the last broadside left no doubt in anyone’s mind there would no need for the third broadside as those who had time to watch saw the foremast start to lean forward and eventually fall over the now shattered bow.
With its bow now open to the sea and the shattered timbers buckled, burnt and splintered beyond recognition; the Roger Scully completed its port turn and sailed once again across the shattered bow of the now becalmed Dutch frigate as it began to settle deeper in the water by its broken bow.
Roger slowed the Scully as he came across the bow, he was not going to take a chance by going alongside. The Dutch still had enough guns to badly damage his ship if he gave them the chance. Roger lifted his hailing trumpet and called out to the now stopped ship as it wallowed helplessly and in full view of his port guns that had had time to reload as he had taken the turn to port.
“Ahoy! Lower your colours and surrender or we will let you founder without aid.”
Roger stood on the quarterdeck watching closely as he waited for a reply, as the minutes clicked by without an answer. So Roger called down to the main deck, “Mister Morgan a single shot close to her bow if you will.”
“Aye Sir, single shot near the bow Sir.”
Seconds later and the single shot roared out and as huge gout of water shot into the sky only yards from the shattered bow. There would be no second warning from Roger Scully as he waited once again. It was in those moments of silence that Thomas had time to look out towards where the other two ships had gone.
The only indication he could see were four thick dark columns of dense smoke just out of sight as his ears picked up the distant sound of gun fire somewhat further away although even his inexperienced ears could tell it was not a full broadside and a while later it was proven his hearing was not deficient.
Thomas turned back just as Roger Scully was about to tell Lieutenant Morgan to fire another full broadside into the damaged ship and sink her, but before he could give the order a large and bearded man stepped up onto the foredeck. His demeanour was obviously that of the captain and he was soon followed by four other men who must have been his officers.
After he had made his unsteady way through the detritus and heavy wooden splinters that littered the foredeck, the large man called out to Roger in heavily accented English. It was noted by Roger Scully that the man had not lowered his colours and was therefore still technically prepared to fight and could do so.
“What is the meaning of you firing on my ship Captain?”
“I will not listen to your bluff Captain, you know full well why, now lower your colours or I will consider we are still at a fighting stage and fire on you.”
“Do not threaten me Captain. Are you not aware of who we are? I certainly will not lower my colours to some foreigner.” The Captain then said what appeared to be some choice words in his own language before he glanced across the short distance at Roger Scully as though to dare him to fire on him again.
Roger continued in a steady and calm voice. For those who knew him well, like Thomas did, it was an ominous sign and not to be taken lightly. “Captain, if you look yonder you can see that your sloops are either sunk or sinking and your merchantmen will by now be under our escort or also sunk. Do not tempt me Captain, I would prefer you to lower your colours and surrender but if needs be then I will sink you.”
Thomas watched the by-play between the two Captains as the Dutch Captain once again said something which sounded rather venomous then crossed his arms over his chest which he also attempted to puff out in a show of strength as he stood with legs spread for balance on the gentle shifting of the foredeck.
Roger had now run out of patience with stubborn Captain and then called down to Lieutenant Craven Morgan, “Mister Morgan, if the colours are not lowered within the next thirty seconds you will open fire with all guns and we will leave to rejoin our friends.”
“Aye Sir thirty seconds all guns Sir.”
Thomas watched as Craven Morgan took out a silver time piece and watched it. The Dutch Captain seemed totally unmoved by Roger’s order; it would appear his sense of power and importance of his company had over taken his sense of reason.
As the seconds ticked by Thomas realised he was holding his breath, it was released just as he heard Craven Morgan call out to his gunners.
“Port side, FIRE.”
The tumultuous roar for the guns along with the long sprouts of flame and smoke filled the short gap between the two antagonists as Roger’s voice could be heard above the crashing of timbers as the last of the Dutch ship’s bow disintegrated under the torrent of heavy shot.
As the Roger Scully began to turn to starboard and its sails fill with the fresh breeze, Thomas looked back at the hapless Dutchman. The bow had disappeared and most of the foredeck was now wrecked beyond recognition; of the Captain and his Officers there was no sight nor sound, they had been caught completely in the full force of the terrible broadside.
As the Roger Scully pulled away from the torrid scene, Thomas noted that all the boats of the Dutch ship were being hastily put into the water and the crew as desperately clambering into them before the ship slipped below the waves by the bow that was now no more. As the wreck slipped further astern, Thomas turned back to glance at the stoic look on Roger’s tanned face; there was no hint of regret on the scared features.
For Roger it was quite simple; he had given the Captain ample chances to save his ship and crew. The man’s own stubbornness had caused his own demise and that of his ship. Roger pushed it out of his mind; his duty was to his own shipping company and his many friends now on board his ships.
It did not take long for Roger and Thomas to make out the approaching ships as the Marcello and Diego came towards them. Between the two ships were the large and slow merchantmen; at the top of the mast of both ships flew the blue flag of the Marking Shipping Company.
Roger also took notice of a number of damaged sails on the Diego and damage to the gunnels of the Marcello; he would have to get their report as soon as they could clear the way. An hour later and the five ships were now once again turned towards their objective of the Indus coast which Roger estimated to still be some fifteen to eighteen days away.
The original plan had been to make for Goa on the west coast of the Indus lands but now they had the prisoners from the merchantmen and Roger, after discussions with Thomas and the other two captains, had decided to drop them off at the first port they came to. It would probably be one of the many English ports along the west coastal region and they had little intention of stopping long as they now felt that the sooner they made landfall at Goa the better they would feel.
It was only fifteen days later that they got the first sight of the distant and hazy land mass of the Indus continent. They had had good following winds that had helped to drive the ship a little faster, although they were still below their best speed due to the two merchantmen being slower. As it turned out, both had actually been full of precious cargo.
The cargo had been mainly spices but there was also a large quantity of fine fabrics and many, wooden carvings and furniture; once again they had stumbled upon what could only be described as a good profitable run; already the Marking Shipping Company was well into a profitable trip and had not yet reached the half way point of their adventure.
As they neared the distant coast, Thomas thought back to the early part of this adventure; it had already turned out to be so much more than he would ever have thought. If he had any doubts, he only had to look over his shoulder at any time of the day or night and see his two dark skinned body guards in close attendance to realise the truth of it all.
As the five ships drew closer to the land before them, Roger began to study what charts he had on the region. Most were vague at best but there was one that had sufficient detail for Roger to work with in trying to find out their present location on the continent.
Roger called for the ships to haul sail and slow to steerage so he could talk with the other two Captains before making a final decision as to their destination. After some discussion with the others, it was decided they would make for the closest port called Kannur as there was an old established fort there by the name of St Angelo. With luck they would be able to offload their captives and be on their way north along the coast to Goa.
Roger had no intention of staying any longer than absolutely necessary; he wanted his captives off the ships and to be on his way as soon as possible. With this thought in mind, Roger led his ships into a wide sweeping bay and to an anchorage just off the shore. Further along the coast to the north could be seen the prominent fortifications, their many large heavy guns facing out to sea.
The five ships were now no more than a few hundred yards off the beaches and right under the guns. But Roger surmised the men in charge of the fort would see he was no threat as all his gun ports were closed and he had deliberately anchored right under their guns.
As the five ships swung around on their anchors and into the light sea breeze, Roger was not at all surprised to see a longboat being launched from nearby the base of the fort. The distance was not so great that Roger and the others could not see the four men on the oars, the two red coated Officers sitting in the stern and the four ordinary soldiers forward with their muskets at the ready as the longboat pulled closer to the front ship of the five that had just anchored in front of their fort.
Roger and Thomas waited close to the boarding ladder as the longboat pulled alongside and with a light thump managed to attach a rope to hold it in place as the two Officers stood up in the stern and made towards the rope ladder slung over the side for them to climb up onto the deck.
Thomas noted that the redcoat Captain was a little on the plump side and sported a large pair of sideburns as was the fashion and his rather bulbous nose indicated he liked a drop of whiskey, the other Officer was far younger and showed the rank of second lieutenant; he was rather fresh faced and this may have been his first posting to a foreign land during his service.
The Captain made it onto the deck with a final heave and a puff that showed he could have been a little fitter for the exercise of climbing rope ladders but the younger man had little trouble as he stepped through the gap in the gunnel at stand at attention behind the senior Officer.
The Captain was the first to salute Roger as he was obviously the main superior and Roger returned the salute with the same respect. The Captain then turned slightly to indicate the young second lieutenant and introduced him to Roger after introducing himself first.
“Good Morning Captain, I am Captain Whithers of His Majesty’s Brigade of the Manchester 2nd foot, my Junior Officer; second Lieutenant Bryce Carterton, recently arrived from home on his first duty abroad.”
“Welcome aboard the Roger Scully Captain Whithers. I am Commodore Scully of the Marking Shipping Company.” Roger turned slightly to indicate Thomas as he stood beside him. “And this is my Principle and Owner Don Thomasino De Toro.”
Thomas gave a small nod of recognition but his real attention was on the young lieutenant. If he had heard right, he would like to get the young man aside for a chat but for now it was more important to take care of their immediate business. It did not take the Captain long to get to the point.“Ah, Commodore Scully, as I am sure you are aware, it is my duty to ask you why your ships would anchor in our bay while flying the Portuguese flags and pennants?”
“Captain Whithers I fully agree it is a little out of the ordinary but, perhaps you would like to come below and out of this hot sun while we settle matters; I am sure my cabin boy can find something cooling for you to drink while we discuss matters?”
“That’s very sporting of you Commodore, so yes I would like to get out of this damn sun, even after two years I still find it difficult to acclimate to it and in the city it is far worse, so yes, let us settle in your cabin. I am sure this will not take too long to settle. Lieutenant Carterton I would ask you to stay topside but out of the way until I return.”
A simple one word reply from the young man sent the Captain off to find shelter from the hot sun, this was the opportunity that Thomas had been waiting for. Turning to Roger he said, mush to both of the new Officers surprise in a voice reminiscent of the London docks.
“If you will excuse me Captain, I think I would like to take up the young Lieutenants time while you discuss your business, I have a feeling we have much in common.”
After getting over his surprise at the sound of Thomas’s London accent on one he thought was a foreign noble, the Captain smiled and nodded as he quickly followed Roger below and out of the sun’s heat.
Thomas turned to the patiently waiting young Officer.
“Lieutenant Carterton, perhaps you would not object to walking the deck with me, I have a few questions to ask that you may be able to answer for me.”
In a very stiff and serious manner the young man stepped up beside Thomas as he led them at a very slow pace to walk around the deck; Thomas did not miss the slightly fearful look the young man gave the two dark skinned men that followed close behind.
“May I ask Lieutenant if you have any siblings? Please excuse my forwardness but I am rather intrigued as I have heard the name Carterton before.”
The young Lieutenant gulped a little before he answered but this strange young man with the Spanish title that talked like someone from the docks was for the moment a superior even though he was a civilian.
“Uhm yes sir, I have an older brother, a younger sister and another younger brother.”
“I see, and are any of them serving in the forces like yourself?”
“There was Sir, my older Brother was in the Iberian campaign but he resigned his commission after a battle at a place called Albuera. From what I understand Sir he then joined up with the forces that were led by…”
Bryce Carterton stopped suddenly as a thought hit him with intensity and he stared at the scarred face of the very young man standing smiling at him. His jaw had dropped open and his eyes were staring widely as it suddenly hit him who he was in company with.
With a most uncharacteristic or soldierly manner, young Bryce Carterton slapped his forehead as it all dawned on him.
“Of course Sir, General Toro, and Marking Shipping Company. Sir my sincere apologies for not realising sooner, you are Thomas Marking, the Hero of Rolica and the Iberian Campaign. Sir I am deeply honoured to make your acquaintance. Do you know how my older brother is doing Sir?”
“Firstly young Bryce, you can stop calling me Sir, those days are over and done and thank the powers for that, secondly yes your brother is doing fine, the last I saw of him he was working on my home in Portugal and doing fine, if you wish and have the time you may write to him and I will see it is delivered at the earliest for you.”
“Would you S..”
“Just call me Thomas Bryce, after all your brother is like family to me so I would deem it an honour to include you.”
“Sir…sorry Thomas, I would be honoured to be thought of as such.”
“Then that is settled, now then how did you manage to get your commission, from what your brother told me your family is not overly wealthy and I know from experience that it is a costly exercise to hold one.”
That’s the strange thing…uhm, Thomas, just after the end of the Iberian campaign a gentleman I never knew appeared at our door and asked for me. He asked if I was going to follow in my brother’s footsteps and join the service; when I explained I would have liked to but finances were not the best as it had taken most to send my brother for his commission. Well he just nodded and walked away, I never did see him again but only two weeks later I received a message to join this regiment and that all my commission fees had been paid in full. I must admit Thomas that it has been a struggle as most seem to have a good and steady income to keep them well supplied, but I am sure that in time all will work itself out and I can do as well as my brother did in his endeavours.”
“Well then someone had your best interest at heart; do you remember what the gentleman looked like by any chance?”
“Oh yes Thomas, I could never forget him after what has happened. He was a rather strange man, very short and a little overly stout and yet seemed rather spry for a man if his apparent age and build. He genuinely seemed to care about people. I only wish I could meet him once again to thank him, even though it was not said he had anything to do with my commission but I am sure it was him because of the strange circumstance.”
“I am sure your quite right Bryce, now then I had better get below and see what those two are about, if you would like to take the time to write to your brother before you leave I will make sure he receives it.”
“Thank you Thomas and thank you for taking in my brother it really meant a lot to the family.”
“Think nothing of it Bryce; perhaps some time in the future if you are in Portugal you would consider dropping by my home to see him.”
“And how would I find your home Thomas?”
“I would hazard a guess that if you ask anyone in Oporto or Lisbon how to find Toro Bay they would be able to tell you. Well I must get below so I will leave you to write to your brother. It was good to meet another Carterton so far from home, my best wishes to you Bryce and I will see you before you leave the ship, I’ll have my batman bring you paper and pen.”
“Thank you again Thomas, I am truly indebted to you for your time.”
Thomas smiled at the young Lieutenant as he turned towards the hatch leading below; it took little time to have Fairley take writing materials to the waiting young man as he joined Roger and the Captain in Roger’s cabin.
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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