The Midshipman Prince Read Online Free PDF

What you call a ‘country’ consists of a ragtag Army that has had its butt kicked from one end of the colonies to the other, and a collection of deluded old men that have decided to call themselves a ‘Congress.’
     
           “There is no country, Mr. Walker, and there never will be. There are thirteen colonies— British colonies—and, if you are from one of them as you say, then you are a British subject and therefore may be pressed into service to your king.
     
           “Then there’s your claim to being a naval officer. For two days now I’ve watched you wander around this ship like a child attending his first circus. You barely know the bow from the stern.”
     
           “Sir, I am an officer in the...”
     
           “Enough, Mr. Walker!” Hudson shouted as he banged his hand on the table.  
     
           Hudson paused for a moment. “Let’s say you have command of a ship, Mr. Walker. Suppose you are on a lee shore, and had neither room to veer or stay, nor any anchoring ground, how would you put the ship’s head round the other way? What would you do, sir?”
     
           Walker was silent.
     
           “Quickly, sir. You’re about to go aground! What would you DO?”
     
           Walker remained silent.
     
           Without removing his eyes from Walker, Hudson said, “Mr. Smith. Answer the question.”
     
           Smith looked startled at being included in the discussion, but responded anyway. “Well, sir, first I would put my helm hard a-lee. When she comes head to wind, I’d raise the fore and main tacks directly, make a run with my weather braces, and lay all aback at once. Then I’d haul forward my lee-tacks and bowlines as far as I can, so the ship could fall round on her heel. When the mainsail begins to shiver; I would haul it up, fill my headsails, and shift the helm hard a-weather. When the wind finally comes on the other quarter, I’d haul on board the main-tack, and bring her close to the wind.”
     
           “Mr. Walker that question, or one like it, is a standard one on our Lieutenant’s Exam. There isn’t an officer in the navy—in our navy, at least—that can’t answer it. No, you’re no officer, at least not a naval officer.
     
           “On the other hand, you’re obviously not without education. You’re no gentleman as far as I am concerned; but you are not of the common rabble either.”
     
           Hudson paused again as if thinking over for the last time what he was about to say.
     
           “Tell me, do you know anything of the sciences?”
     
           “I’ve had some courses, yes.”
     
           “Do you have a working knowledge of trigonometry?”
     
           “Yes. Why?”
     
           “As captain of one of His Majesty’s ships, operating independently with no superior officer nearby, I have a fair amount of latitude in terms of how I organize my personnel. Accordingly…” Captain Hudson turned his attention to scribbling something on a certificate, “as of this date in the Year of Our Lord, Seventeen Hundred and Eighty-One, I am hereby appointing you to the rank of Warrant Officer aboard this ship with specialty as Ship’s Philosopher.”
     
           Walker was now totally confused. “Ship’s Philosopher?”
     
           “Yes, it’s an old position, not used much any more, but it’s still on the books. Maybe we should use the modern term instead. You will be the Ship’s Scientist. You will report to Mr. Rooney and will be especially responsible for creating navigational charts of any landmasses we encounter, or improving upon our existing charts. You will pay special attention to the identification and plotting of rocks, shoals, and other navigational hazards on those charts. You will also make such other observations or measurements of wind, tide, ocean conditions and natural phenomena as may be of interest to the Navy