On the King's Sea Service: A John Phillips Novel (War at Sea Book 1) by Richard Testrake Page B

the battery, the Exeter entered the bay and her people took the brig and the town, capturing some much needed sailcloth and timber in the process.”
    “I wish to see actions like this continued. Thus, I am sending the two of you on a cruise, to see what mischief you can get into. You will patrol between Le Havre and Brest, causing as much harm to the enemy as you may. I will expect you back here in two weeks with a report.”
    Phillips asked Drummond to stop by the Exeter on the way to his own ship. There, he had his servant lay out some wine for his guest. He was no longer embarrassed by his quarters, as the carpenter had finished with his cabinet work and he now had storage space for his clothing and gear. He did need more cabin stores to entertain guests, but that could wait until reaching port. The limited stores he had purchased from the naval outfitter were enough to stave off total embarrassment.
    The first lieutenant and master came in with the charts and a council of war begun.
    The plan, as it developed, called for the two vessels to sail easterly along the coast, right around the Cotentin Peninsula and on toward Ushant. Generally, the Bulldog would remain as close to shore as practicable, perhaps flying the French tricolor, while the Exeter would remain farther out.
     
    Initially, the plan worked well. The Exeter’s lookouts spotted a hull-down sail at seven bells in the forenoon watch. The ship spotted was barque rigged and heading toward a small port at the head of a sheltered bay to the east of the Cotentin Peninsula. The barque was close-hauled to the off-shore breeze and it appeared the ship would, with the advantage of her rig, make port without needing to tack.
    Exeter steered slightly away to avoid appearing threatening. The Bulldog, making to windward a bit, as if she too was trying to make the same port, appeared innocent as a lamb, with her tri-color flying.
    As the Bulldog approached the target, the barque became suspicious and tried to put the wind on her quarter and get out to sea, but the Exeter was already there and now showing her proper colors. The Bulldog came up, with a bone in her teeth and guns bristling, while the barque’s master was dithering. Bulldog’s tri-color dropped and she hoisted the British Union also.
    At that, the prize-to-be let fly her sheets and surrendered. Bulldog’s captain went aboard to inspect, as did Mister Braddock of Exeter. Reporting back, Braddock itemized the cargo as sawn timber, tanned hides, shoes and harness; a valuable prize indeed.
    To make matters better, she had a mixed crew; some of them, Dutch and Germans, seemed willing to change loyalties and ship under the British flag, instead of the Tri-color.
    Leaving Braddock aboard Exeter, Phillips went aboard the prize. Drummond reported he had found six members of the Bonne Citoyenne’s crew who were willing to serve in the British Navy in lieu of being sent to the prison hulks, but he hated to leave the men aboard the prize, in case they had a change of heart later and tried to retake the ship.
    Phillips thought a moment and said, “Send me three of them and you take the other three. We can then make up a prize crew with people from the Exeter and Bulldog. Do you have anybody to take command of the prize?”
    “Well, pondered Drummond, “For navigation officers, I have only my first lieutenant and master’s mate, besides myself. But for my sawbones, I have a surgeon’s mate, who once served on a slaver as mate. I’ve had him on the quarterdeck taking sights and I’d warrant him to bring the ship to port safely.”
    “Fine.” said Phillips. “I have a good bosun’s mate who is a fine seaman and I’ll throw in some prime topmen.”
    “I believe I can furnish the rest of her crew,” said Drummond.
    The warships began transferring the men and their sea chests, with all being complete by mid watch. At first, the enemy battery fired a round occasionally as a warning, but with the offshore breeze