H.M.S Valor: Treachery And Triumph: A war time adventure on the high seas by Cal Clement (best way to read an ebook TXT) 📗

most basic of fundamentals and give him enough perspective from a viewpoint he was previously unaccustomed to make him all the better an officer in the end. William had also discovered, in his conversation with Mr. Ordman, that Captain Grimes had stayed the hand of the Master at Arms very recently when a landsman pressed into the service had been caught stealing from the officer’s mess. This was a very unorthodox treatment of crew; William had never heard of restraint like that amongst the fleet.

Their departure from port had been a hurried affair, William scarcely had time to retrieve his belongings from the inn in between preparations. His introduction with Captain Grimes had been similarly rushed and informal although William suspected now that the ship was underway, he would very soon get to know him better. Even as William was in awe of his commander, he had heard Captain Grimes’ reputation far before setting foot on the H.M.S Valor. Jonathan Grimes was known for his extraordinary skill at seamanship and combat, but in some circles, he drew ire and criticism as being a bit of a rogue. Bucking tradition and protocol were often career ending mistakes, but the Lords of the Admiralty overlooked Grimes’ occasional departure choosing to relish in his almost exclusively successful exploits. This caused a resentment among competing officers of the fleet, especially those who did not personally know Grimes. Usually, once a man met Captain Johnathan Grimes he would be endeared by his charm and eventually made a friend by his relentless loyalty. Captain Grimes would give a man the shirt off his back if in need and as several sailors could personally attest, his boat cloak on a cold watch at night.

Captain Grimes materialized from his cabin and made his way up the stairs to the quarterdeck. His uniform coat and hat missing caused no confusion among the crew, passing sailors all touched brow and spoke their greeting. Grimes was a man of formidable stature and composure, his blouse did little to disguise his powerful broad shoulders and chest and his sleeves, though designed to be loose fitting, barely contained the man’s arms. William instantly began to understand some of the unflattering things he had heard about Captain Grimes. For a commanding Captain to present himself this way before the crew was unheard of, although the crew responded to him all the same. Discipline aboard seemed to be of the highest order, in fact the ship was the cleanest and most kept William had ever seen. It seemed odd to William but at the same time, strangely endearing. He had never worked for a Captain who was as approachable or informal as this man.

“Lieutenant Pike,” Grimes said beckoning him, “Follow me forward man, we have a few things to discuss if you will humor me.”

“Aye Sir,” William responded, instantly following his leader and simultaneously struggling to keep pace with him.

“A brisk walk in the wind should help the mind digest.” Grimes said, almost as much to himself as to William, then turning toward the quartermaster at the wheel, “Make your course south west by south, we should be into channel rollers in two hours’ time, if the wind holds we will make our way west.” Grimes looked over to the officer on watch, “Young man, top gallants and royals if you please and see to it that the sheets are addressed on the main, they look slack to my eye.” Midshipman Shellam turned and began issuing orders to the crew, causing a cascade of officers and petty officers to give in kind directions to accomplish the Captain’s orders.

“William,” Grimes continued to his new First Lieutenant, “It may not seem as such, but our crew is out of sorts. The press brought in mostly landsmen and we are still fourteen men shy of full compliment. Our tasking from the Admiralty will take us across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, such is not for an un-seaworthy crew.” Grimes stepped over a line and seeing it laying about on the deck, uncoiled and a mess, began to set it right himself. A passing bosun’s mate, recognizing the situation, rendered his respects and interrupted the Captain mid-task.

“My apologies Sir, I should have caught this long before you, Sir. Here Sir, I will finish it and double check the rest.” The bosun’s mate said.

“No apologies, get a seaman to do it and ensure the crew understands the conditions for line on a King’s Ship.” Grimes responded, again setting off to walk the deck with William.

“I will see to it at once Sir.” William said, “Also, I meant to ask you when you would permit me to gun drill the crews?”

“You may start as you see fit Will, the sooner the better, old bony still has men o’ war prowling about and I won’t be caught with my pants down. See to it that the men understand quarters though first, they need to be in the right place when contact is made. Anyone dithering about in the face of the enemy won’t fare well through a fight.” Grimes continued as they approached the bowsprit in the very front of the Valor. Grimes took a step up, bracing himself on a line and stepped onto the rail. William, sensing he was expected to follow suit, also stepped up and looked out over their intended course. He could see the gently rolling waves ahead gleaming in the midmorning sun. The southern horizon was foreboding and showed large, dark cloud formations hovering over the English Channel almost warning the Valor’s crew of the ever-present threat from the seas compounded by the current state of war with France.

“As First Lieutenant, I want you to understand the extent of our orders,” the Captain continued, still looking out over their course. “We are to cross the Atlantic to report to the fleet in Nassau. From there we will be making patrols through the Caribbean, hunting for Bonaparte’s privateers. They have been causing all manner of havoc for