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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
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 57
“Ah,” he said after his deep guffaw, “you must please excuse our gunners at the fort. They are still quite – how would you Englishmen say it? Ah, yes, they are still quite green and inexperienced. Fortunately, that means they are also still somewhat... inaccurate as well.” A tight-lipped smirk crossed his face after that statement.“Oh, I see,” Allison said, smiling ingenuously and not believing a word. Those shots were well-placed and meant to accomplish precisely what they had. “Patriotic fervor can test the restraint of anyone who seeks to protect their country’s interests, I suppose.”“Yes, quite true, Lieutenant Allison . Oh, and if I may ask, just what is this act of kindness you mentioned?” De Bruyne asked.Allison held out a hand to indicate where the Doctor had just led a still tired and hollow-eyed but sufficiently ambulatory Gespers up the ladder to the deck. De Bruyne’s glance at the man didn’t indicate any form of initial recognition.“This is Mr. Gespers, sir. A sailor
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 58
Allison had all but surmised that much on his own. If he didn’t know who Van der Voorde was dealing with on Martinique, questions about who might have pursued him – outside of assuming general retribution on the part of the French – were useless. For the same reason, he also decided against any mention or implication of involvement on the part of LaTour. He tried to press De Bruyne for other details.“Do you know what the Valk carried?”“I could never say precisely what was in her holds at the time without the benefit of a full manifest, but the types of goods she commonly carried between here and Curaçao are not things I can reveal.”Allison did his best to hide his disappointment. This was going nowhere.“What was her next port of call? Can you tell me that?”“Van der Voorde made infrequent stops here after doing business in the South; he usually made port in Sint Maarten upon his return from Curaçao. However, in this case I happen to know we weren’t expecting to see him for quite
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 59
Later, as Philadelphia made her way closer, he was even further gratified to learn that Suggs and the Mollusk had managed to travel the final leg of their journey without mishap. He could see the little cutter sitting at anchor amongst other ships in the harbor a few miles ahead with jack and ensign flying. After exchanging salutes with Fort James on the northern headland, Philadelphia carefully maneuvered past the nearby shallows and obstructions, once again thanks to the Admiralty’s charts, and found an anchorage of her own near her sister ship. It wasn’t long after that when Samuel Hardin began to excitedly announce that Mollusk was signaling.“It’s a signal from Mollusk, sir!” the boy shouted out. “Two pennants, red over black!”“Which means?” Allison asked him expectantly, already knowing the meaning himself but insisting upon a proper report from the young gentleman.The boy hurriedly grabbed for the list and quickly looked it up and down. It was a few seconds before he found w
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