"Sheet in!" Kydd roared. The chasse-marée leaned and showed her breeding, perfectly suited to the shallow waters of the Brittany coast. But it would not be enough against the half-dozen vessels now in fierce pursuit.
Then quickly it was all over. In obedience to orders, and at the appointed time, HMS Teazer appeared round the headland, her colours flying and guns ablaze.
* * *
CHAPTER 5
THE LARGE, AIRY UPPER ROOM at Government House, St Peter Port, with sunlight beaming in from tall windows, was ideally suited for a captains' conference. The commanding officers of His Majesty's ships in Guernsey Roads sat round the long table with, at the head, in his gold lace and decorations, Admiral Sir James Saumarez. Distinguished at St Vincent and the Nile, victor of Algeciras, he made an imposing figure.
"Gentlemen." His grave glance took them all in—Selby, captain of the frigate Cerberus at the foot, with the sloop commanders on each side: Carthew of Scorpion, O'Brien of Harpy, Kydd of Teazer and the rest.
"I have no need to remind you of the utmost seriousness of our situation with Bonaparte adding daily to his arsenal for his enterprise against England. We have now received intelligence of a most disturbing nature directly affecting this station, concerning the harbour of Granville, which is, as you must be aware, apart from St Malo, the only anchorage worth the name in all the two hundred miles between Cherbourg and Brest."
Studied blank looks indicated that this was old news to most.
Saumarez continued: "It would appear that Granville is being readied to play a major role in the armament and building of invasion barges and support craft, concentrating them there in great numbers—yes, Captain Selby?"
"Sir." The frigate captain leaned forward, "But do we have recent intelligence as will—"
"This last two days Commander Kydd has returned from a reconnaissance of the harbour. By means of remarkable exertions he was able to look into the port directly and make an account of the shipping therein. I have no reason to doubt his information."
Selby sent a quick smile of respect to Kydd, who did not acknowledge it.
"I've heard something of this daring, sir," Carthew interjected, looking pointedly at Kydd, "and I rather feel it would be of interest if we could hear his justification for taking prize a fishing-boat, contrary to the common usages?"
O'Brien murmured something but Saumarez cut across quickly: "The vessel was not made prize, and was restored immediately afterwards. And I understand the master did not decline the sum that was offered him for the, er, hire of his craft. You should understand Mr Kydd has my entire approbation for the initiative he displayed in this matter."
Carthew exchanged a significant glance with the others.
Saumarez frowned. "And I shall be looking to more of the same from all of you in the very near future." Heads rose as the implication of his words penetrated.
"Yes, this meeting is not one about defences, gentlemen. We are to make an assault on Granville."
There was stunned silence, then a hubbub of excited talk. If it went forward it would be the first real offensive operation in these waters against the French so far in the war—and the best chance in sight of some form of distinguished action. But Granville? In so formidable a defensive position with forts and a walled town overlooking the harbour? It would take considerable military resources—did Saumarez have these?
The admiral called the meeting to order and went on, "The essence of my plan is this. The primary objective can only be the invasion craft: I propose to inflict such damage on them that their sailing to join in concentration those readying opposite England's shores cannot be in contemplation before the winter season is upon us.
"And by no means may we consider a landing. This leaves us in prospect of a massed boat action, which I can only think will be a bloody affair indeed, and I will not have it. There is, however, one possibility left us. Bombs."
Saumarez paused while his captains took his words in. A bomb-vessel was a specially constructed craft with a huge mortar throwing explosive shells. If it could be manoeuvred into position . . .
"I have therefore sent for a pair from the Downs Squadron to assist us in the assault. Sulphur and Terror will be joining us, with their tenders, and then we sail against the enemy."
There was no mistaking the feeling in the pugnacious growls round the table.
"With shoal water out beyond cannon fire before Granville, there is limited sea-room and thus our force is constrained. Therefore I am making the following dispositions: I will be shifting my flag to Cerberus frigate from Diomede to close with the coast more nearly and will, of course, be in overall command. The two bombs will also be under my direction and will form the core of the assault. To this end, there will be a force of three sloops and cutters whose sole duty will be the protection of the bomb-vessels."