Tenacious(6)

Now opposite Ville de Paris, Tenacious backed her main topsail, but an officious half-decked cutter foamed up astern and came into the wind. An officer with a speaking trumpet blared up, ‘The admiral desires you should moor to the suth’ard of the line.’ Obediently Tenacious paid off and got under way for her appointed berth.

Kydd marvelled at the extraordinary sight before him: the grandest port in Spain locked and secured by a fleet of ships so close that the great ramparts of the city were in plain view, with a wide sprawl of white houses glaring in the sun, turrets, cathedral domes – and a curious tower arising from the sea.

At the end of the line they rounded to and came to single anchor, the newest member of the fleet. Captain Houghton’s barge was in the water even as the cable was veered. Resplendent in full dress with best sword and decorations, he was swayed into it by yardarm tackle and chair, and departed to report to the commander-in-chief.

Houghton did not return immediately; rumour washed around. ‘There’s been a fright only,’ Bryant huffed. ‘Just as the Frogs always do, made to put t’ sea an’ when they see us all in a pelt put about and scuttle back. Not like Old Jarvie t’ take a scare so.’

Adams looked disconsolate: the thought of enervating blockade duty was trying on the spirit after the thrill of the headlong race across the Atlantic.

‘Still an’ all, you’ll not be wanting entertainment,’ Bryant mused. ‘The old bugger’s a right hard horse. Marks o’ respect even in a blow, captains to be on deck during the night when takin’ in sail and if there’s a sniff o’ mutiny, court-martial on the Saturday, hangs ’em on the Sunday…’

The captain arrived back at dusk and disappeared into his cabin. Within the hour word was passed that all officers were desired to present themselves in the great cabin forthwith.

‘I shall be brief,’ Houghton snapped. ‘The situation in respect to the present threat to England is unclear. France’s Army of England is still massing for invasion and there are fears for Ireland. Now we’ve heard that its commander-in-chief – this General Buonaparte – has abandoned it for the time being and gone to Toulon, God knows why. Now you know as much as I, and the admiral.

‘To more important matters. Those who have served before with Sir John Jervis, now the Earl St Vincent, know well what to expect in the article of discipline and order. We are now a part of his fleet and his opinions on an officer’s duty are robust and unambiguous. You will each consult the Fleet Order Book until its contents are known intimately. Any officer who through ignorance of his duty brings disrepute upon my ship will incur my most severe displeasure.’

‘Sir, might we know our purpose? Are we to remain while the seventy-fours—’

‘Our purpose is very clear, Mr Adams. In case it has escaped your notice, let me inform you that in this port there are twenty-six of-the-line under Almirante Mazzeredo. Should we fail in our duty and let this armada get to sea…’ His face tightened. ‘We lie before Cadíz on blockade, sir, and here we shall stay until the Spanish see fit to sail. Do you understand me?’





Chapter 2



The sound of firing transfixed the wardroom at their breakfast. After just three days on blockade, any variation to routine was welcome and there was a rush to the hatchway as saluting guns announced the approach of a smart 74 from the north.

Houghton appeared on deck, wiping his mouth with a napkin. ‘Sir,’ called Bampton, who was officer-of-the-watch. ‘Pennants of HMS Vanguard, seventy-four, flag of Rear Admiral Nelson.’

‘Aha! Now we’ll see some action,’ growled Bryant, snatching the telescope from Bampton and training it on Vanguard’s quarterdeck. ‘Ye-e-e-s, that must be him. Always was the popinjay.’ He handed the glass back. ‘Didn’t think to see him back at sea – only last year at Tenerife he lost an arm to a musket-shot, had it sawn off. Right arm it was, too.’

Bampton took a brief sight, then lowered the telescope. ‘Yes, but a vain man, very vain,’ he muttered.

The ship passed close by; gold lace glinted on her quarterdeck, seamen stood rigid at their stations. In Tenacious, boatswain’s calls piped attention to the new rear admiral joining and all hands tried to catch a glimpse of the renowned victor of the great battle of St Vincent, he of the ‘Patent Bridge for Boarding First-rates’, where he had taken one enemy ship, then used it as a stepping-stone to lead an attack on his next victim.

Vanguard rounded the line to join the half-dozen or so vessels close inshore, and the officers of Tenacious returned to their breakfast.