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Allison; Taking Control Chapter 49
“We’ve been given little, if any, direction from our superiors, I know,” he started, turning back to look at his officers, “and I understand, in light of that fact, why we may feel the need for greater assertiveness at times. Mind you, I’m not at all saying that I find that particular characteristic detrimental or undesirable. You are all here, obviously, because you have talents and skills that allow you to see things where others may not. Even so, I caution you, yet again, not to let yourselves be completely swayed by suppositions which, no matter how compelling, simply fit the available facts but lack corroborating evidence.”Allison paused once again, taking a deep breath.“Gentlemen, I firmly believe we were not brought together as a unique command on this vessel of the Royal Navy merely to solve a simple crime on one small island, no matter how illustrious its alleged victim. We were given this small, maneuverable ship for a reason. We were given valuable navigational implement
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 50
A referral to the navigational plot showed them to be holding on their intended track, traveling the shortest possible distance to their destination which would split the twenty or so mile distance between Anguilla and St. Martin to the North and St. Christopher to the South. It was effective and efficient in terms of time spent, but Washburn and his mates continuously grumbled over the necessity to constantly change course.“It’s just the man’s nature,” said Caldwell, who had the watch, as he and Allison stood on the quarterdeck one evening. “Give him some of the best charts to be had by humankind, not to mention two wondrously accurate marine clocks, and it will still never quite do. In his estimation, things can always be done in a better fashion.”“I think he’s just asserting what authority he can,” said Allison , speaking his mind. “We all know he’s the bullish headstrong type, so he’ll always have his own opinion. However, sailing through the Virgin Islands was a prudent measur
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 51
“I would certainly agree with your assessment of his overall ability, William,” Allison concurred. “In the short period of time I spent with the man, I believe he actually managed to teach me something as well. He mentioned that in the capacity in which we now serve, we would have to take actions that were unorthodox and irregular – a notion that was echoed by Lord Haig. If your foray to the Pink Conch is any indication, he was quite correct.”The two shared a laugh.“I only wish we could have seen your performance, Mr. Weyland,” Allison continued. “Anyone who has the ability to just walk into Louisbourg and collect intelligence must have been able to put on a fine show in a simple English tavern.”“I was quite glad that I didn’t have to speak French in this case,” Weyland explained, “and I believe my Cockney was quite good, if I can pay myself a compliment.”“Well, all I know is that we owe a great deal of what we now know to your talents, William. It was a job well done. Now we ha
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 52
“What’s this, then, Mr. Fortescue?” Allison asked, visibly perturbed. “Have you forgotten how to make a proper report?”“N-no, sir. Sorry, sir.” The young man took a moment to catch his breath. “Wreckage in the water, sir. Two points off the starboard bow. Mr. James has sent more men aloft and has stationed idlers to help spot and survey the debris. He respectfully requests your presence on deck and wishes to know if we should change course to search for any bodies in the flotsam.”“I’ll be there momentarily. Tell Lieutenant James he can make whatever change in heading is necessary.”“Aye, sir!” Fortescue acknowledged with a proper salute. He quickly ran back the way he came.Allison knew that his Midshipman’s fit of nerves stemmed from the obvious knowledge of what wreckage in the sea almost always signified; and during times of war it took little if any imagination to envision just how it could have happened.“Come, Doctor!” he said to the surgeon. “If we find anyone alive out t
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 53
Allison was unsure exactly how to feel at that moment. From his conversations with Peele, he understood that the Dutch and the Spanish habitually carried French trade, given that the Royal Navy’s control of the seas made it almost a necessity for their colonies in the region. However, he also knew full well that British privateers, in their insatiable lust for profit, had preyed upon the shipping of neutral countries even if they weren’t necessarily suspected of carrying French goods. Such activity was worrisome given that it served to create potential enemies of nations that would otherwise be uninvolved in the current conflict. Still, as the Royal Navy’s power only increased, a good many persons in positions of power seemed more than willing to overlook these incidents since they felt that no one on earth could truly challenge Britain’s mastery of the seas. That opinion wasn’t necessarily shared by all, however, including Admiral Haig if his last set of orders were any indication.
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 54
It seemed that some unusual events had taken place prior to the day Valk was attacked. The last stop she made before that fateful day was at the French island colony of Martinique. Van der Voorde had apparently done business there in the past, presumably to both trade and to transport French goods to other markets. This was obviously one small part of the aforementioned Dutch involvement in French mercantile affairs during the war. But while in port for this particular visit, something had gone amiss. The captain went aAllison to speak with his contacts in the town of Saint-Pierre as was his normal routine, but this time according to those who witnessed it, he returned to the ship far more quickly than was usual and looked to be in a distinctly bad humor. After some rather harsh words were exchanged between the captain and his mates, Van der Voorde ordered the ship to weigh anchor and set sail without the offloading or exchange of a single item of cargo. In addition, as Valk made her
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 55
“Attacks by British privateers on Dutch ships have happened in the past,” he began after a few moments. “As you said, it’s generally known that they carry trade goods for the benefit of the French colonies in this part of the world. Even if the Empire isn’t at war with the Dutch, there’s a definite logic to such an occurrence.”“Quite so,” Allison agreed, “but it heightens our chances of pushing another nation toward allying with our enemies.”“Indeed it does, sir, however it’s a common belief that the Royal Navy can withstand and overcome any challenge on the seas of the world.”“You don’t find such a thought to be a product of overconfidence?”“I suppose it’s only so if we ultimately fail, sir, but a victorious outcome would surely be in greater doubt if we acquire more enemies. Much depends on the temperament of the Dutch. The Spanish have suffered even more from attacks by British privateers on their commerce, and yet they remain neutral,” James said.“True,” Allison replied, “
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 56
Troubled though he was, the transit was mercifully straightforward and uneventful. It felt as though hardly any time had passed at all when, the next morning, forward lookouts reported sighting land on the south coast of St. Martin, or Sint Maarten, as the Dutch would have it. They controlled the southern portion of the small island, maintaining their plantations and other affairs under the auspices of the West India Company. The northern part of the island was actually French territory. The very existence of this divided colony was testament to the fact that although the two nations had found common interests in the present conflict, historical relations between their peoples were by no means always so cordial.Even so, the shared border was of great potential use to both sides during this war, and to not avail themselves of the opportunities it presented made little sense. Given the mercantile arrangements between the two countries, it would be an easy matter for the Dutch to have n
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