‘I’m glad you see it my way,’ Gabe said unable to prevent a smile at hearing the gunner’s response. ‘What I want you to do, Mr. Druett, is to start firing the bow chasers toward the flagship to get their attention. Keep firing…unshotted mind you, till they cease firing.’
‘Aye, Cap’n,’ Druett said, as he turned to go about his duties. As he made his way forward he thought ’but iffen the sods fail to cease firing, one little nine pounder mighten be amiss.’
Gabe looked about the deck. The crew went about their duties as they’d been trained but he could see the fear in their eyes, a frantic look. The biggest fear of a ship at sea was a fire. Here at English Harbour, with other ships so close the men would have a chance if SeaWolf caught fire. Some would…some could jump overboard and swim till boats picked them up. Others would die as half the men he was sure had never learned to swim. It was a hellish choice, he thought, drown or burn. I’d rather drown.
‘What!’
Damme, I must have been thinking aloud, Gabe thought, then said, ‘I’m sorry, what did you say Mr. Jackson?’
‘I was saying sir we’re going to be cutting it close, there’s not much room for error.’
The bang…bang…from forward distracted Gabe for a moment. Druett had the bow chasers firing but the BOOM…BOOM…continued from the flagship. ‘Get the grapples ready, Mr. Jackson. Put as big a line on them as will feed through the eye. Then have the ‘bitter’ ends tied off, so that alls ready if we are able to affect a tow.’
‘Aye, captain.’
‘Mr. Jackson make sure you’ve got your best men ready to heave the grapples. Their mind must be on the throw and not on the heat from the fireship.’
‘Aye, captain. I’ll be heaving one myself.’
Jackson was a big man and had risen from the ranks to become first lieutenant. There was no doubt in Gabe’s mind that with him leading the men, the heaves would be well timed and well placed. No, Gabe thought. No worries about the first lieutenant getting the job done. ***
Gabe glanced at his watch. It seemed like hours ago he’d been awakened from a dream and placed into a nightmare but in truth it had only been minutes. SeaWolf was now slicing through the water on a collision course with the fireship. It was now a blazing inferno. A blazing inferno not unlike the fires of hell, Gabe thought, headed directly toward the flagship.
The wind blew at the flames and sparks filled the night air as a popping and cracking sound was now easily heard. The flames rapidly spread consuming all in its path, the deck, where the fire was started, the mast, the riggings and now the sails were ablaze. All of which created an intense heat.
No wonder the men had fear on their faces as apprehensively they carried out their duties. The ships were now close enough that Gabe could see two men going over the side of the fireship into a small boat they had been towing. One of the men made it into the boat but the second man’s clothes were suddenly on fire and Gabe thought he could hear the man’s screams as he dove into the water.
‘That one ain’t likely to start any more fires,’ Dagan volunteered.
‘Aye,’ Gabe replied, his thoughts returning to whether he’d rather die from drowning or from burning. At that moment he felt wetness on his shoulder as water dripped down from above.
Seeing Gabe’s look, Dagan said, ‘You told them to soak the sails.’
‘Hopefully they stay soaked,’ Gabe responded. As he continued forward he thought, I hope it’s enough.
Suddenly it dawned on Gabe the flagship had stopped firing. Not only had it stopped firing but men had lined the deck shouting encouragement. Looking up Gabe thought he could see the admiral.
‘They’re cheering us on,’ Gunnells said as Gabe approached.
We’re closing fast now, did we judge it right, should we bring her up a point, Gabe wondered. No, he’d not tell the master his business. Gabe took a few steps forward. The fire was bright and fairly lit up the sky. He could now feel the intense heat as the two ships closed, one hundred yards…fifty yards.
Damn, Gabe thought, we’re going to collide.
‘Hold on,’ he shouted, everyone hold on.’
No sooner had Gabe gotten the words out of his mouth than a crash came from forward then a cracking sound as timber broke and the bows of the two ships collided and ground together sending a shudder through the ship.
Gabe was thrown to the deck hitting his shoulder and causing a sharp pain to penetrate. A crewman helped him to his feet and as he stood he looked aft and saw Gunnells had put two men on the wheel. I’m glad he thought about the need to have two men at the helm, Gabe thought, cause I’ve made a poor showing in that regards.
From forward Lavery shouted, ‘The bowsprit is gone.’
A groaning sound came from forward and Gabe hoped it wasn’t the mast about to come down, and then he realized it was the two hulls grinding together that caused the sound. Lieutenant Lavery and the bosun had a party forward cutting and hacking at the tangled mess that had the two ships locked together.
With her sails full SeaWolf did seem content to stay locked together with the blazing ship and started to slip forward gaining momentum as she did so, and pushing the bow of the fireship to starboard.
‘SeaWolf doesn’t like the heat any better than we do,’ Lancaster, the midshipman, volunteered.
It was the first time Gabe had noticed the boy since he’d come on deck and was glad to see that so far he was unhurt. As SeaWolf drove forward the bow of the fireship slipped further to starboard.
‘Mr. Lancaster.’
‘Aye sir.’
‘Run aft and give my compliments to the first lieutenant and tell him to be ready, hurry now.’
‘Aye, aye sir.’
As the boy scampered away Gabe turned to see the carpenter already had a crew helping Lieutenant Lavery and the bosun clear away the damage from the broken bowsprit. With a few chops the lines holding the dangling timber was cut away and cast over the side which did away with the drag and increased SeaWolf’s speed. They were in position to grapple now, they had but one shot. If they missed the chance the flagship would burn.
‘Grapnels away Mr. Jackson,’ Gabe ordered.
‘Heave men,’ Jackson bellowed. ‘A guinea for every grapnel that hooks.’
Gabe watched as the grapnels flew through the air. Not a miss. What luck, Gabe thought.
Now the slack was playing out. Would the lines hold Gabe wondered? Would they be able to affect a tow?
Snap! The first line parted creating a sick feeling to enter Gabe’s stomach. It was then SeaWolf slowed almost to a halt, like a great anchor was on her. The other lines were holding…so far.
‘Her bows turning,’ Jackson shouted, ‘We’re bringing her around.’
Satisfaction now replaced the sickness Gabe had felt only a moment or two ago.
‘Mr. Gunnells, would you be so kind as to bring us up a point please?’
‘Aye, cap’n, up a point.’
‘Fire, fire forward.’
Gabe looked at the fiery remnant of a sail that had landed near the bow chaser. Lieutenant Lavery and a group of men were working frantically to put out the flames. Hopefully the gunpowder used to fire the bow chasers had been used up or properly taken care of otherwise there might be two ships ablaze instead of the one.
Feeling the deck rumble beneath his feet Gabe could tell they were picking up speed. So far they were successful in creating the tow. He could still feel the intense heat coming from the fireship. Now fiery remnants of the fireship’s sails were filling the air blowing in several directions. Gabe could also hear the hiss as debris hit the water which extinguished the flames. How long would it before the grapnel lines were burned into?
‘Mr. Gunnells.’
‘Aye, cap’n.’
‘Is the wind still off the shore?’
‘Aye, cap’n, almost directly astern.’
‘Very well, now steer a course to take us out of the harbour. We’ll keep that course until the tow lines part.’
‘Aye cap’n.’
‘Looks like we did it captain.’ This was from Jackson who looked dark and sooty.
‘Yes, so far Dagan’s lady luck has held.’