Their Lordships Request: A Harry Heron Adventure Read Online Free PDF

Yards.
     
                  He keyed his comlink as he strode toward the office allocated to him. " Valerie, could you come to my office immediately please. Couple of things I need to discuss. "
     
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Chapter 4 — 1802: Convoy
     
                  " Gentlemen! " Captain Robert Blackwood rapped sharply on his table. " Your attention if you please! "
     
                  The assembled group, the civilian dress of the Merchant service Masters in distinct contrast to the naval uniforms of Spartan and her consorts ' officers, stilled their conversations and settled back in their seats.
     
                  " My clerk will shortly be passing to each of you copies of your sailing orders for this voyage. We will be sailing as a convoy, even though it is now all peace and tranquillity with our French neighbours. " He paused as a murmur of discontent ran around the merchant Masters, and then continued, " I am aware some of you do not see any need for this. But I can assure you their Lordships have excellent intelligence there are a number of ' privateers ' still operating from various ports along the West African coast and even on the East African seaboard. Furthermore some of you are carrying a large number of convicts to our destination and both the government and the Admiralty feel you should be sailed in company with a large ship as escort to ensure any attempt at mutiny is dealt with quickly and effectively. " He surveyed the group, and asked, " Have you any observations you wish to make at this stage? "
     
                  A burly Master spoke up. " Aye, Captain, we all know the reasons they give for this convoying in London. But, what with the French suing for peace, many of us feel we can make a faster passage unescorted and unencumbered by, begging your pardon, your sluggish ships. " There was a rumble of agreement to this.
     
                  " Sadly, sir. " Captain Blackwood glared at the man. " It is not the French alone we must have regard to. There are pirates and others to contend with on our voyage south and the news of the projected peace may not reach all outposts as swiftly as we may prefer. I am aware many of you consider your ships to be faster and handier than mine, but we will have two frigates in company and I assure you they will afford protection and the ability to ensure this convoy remains intact. " The threat was thinly veiled, but not missed by those to whom it was addressed. " Now gentlemen, your orders, " he added as the Clerk began to distribute a number of sealed packets.
     
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                  " Make the signal if you please, Mister Heron. Lively now, don ' t give these Transports and the John Company layabouts an excuse to be tardy. " The First Lieutenant seemed to have eyes everywhere as his attention focussed on the men swarming aloft to make sail. On the fo ' c ' s ' le the Second Lieutenant and his men manned the halliards and the braces, while below, the Third Lieutenant urged the men at the capstan to greater efforts as the anchor was drawn free of the mud and sand. An apparently incomprehensible clamour arose as the cries of command and response, the occasional yelp as a man felt the bite of a Boatswain ' s Mate ' s starter and the sudden banging and rustling as the great fore topsail and its companion on the main mast were loosed and sheeted home as the ship slowly gathered way.
     
                  Harry ' s party hauled the coloured flags aloft, the signal to all the ships of the convoy to assemble between the great seventy-four and the pair of frigates already cramming on more sail to take their stations ahead and to windward of the reluctant convoy. The signal was acknowledged by the frigates and two brigs added to the convoy for the voyage to Gibraltar swiftly and efficiently, by the Indiamen condescendingly and by the three prison ships tardily. The last, Maid of Selsey , had to be