Bligh
02-03-2016, 04:29
Preamble.
19775
The thick walls of Government house, Bombay Castle did little to dispel the humidity of the afternoon heat. Captain David McBride felt the trickle of sweat run down his neck and disappear into the damp collar of his uniform coat. for the umpteenth time since the Mid Day Gun he fidgeted with the dress sword draped across his knees.
19776
The clerk behind his desk looked up as the Double doors to the Inner office were thrust open by one of the Secretaries.
" Captain McBride the Governor will see you now."
Stiffly McBride got to his feet, adjusted his sword, and placing his cocked hat firmly on his head strode toward the Governor's' Office.
19777
Jonathon Duncan Governor of Madras, and controller of The Honourable East India Company's vast interests in the region, stood up, rounded the huge heavily carved desk on which were piled numerous document bearing the Seals of the Company, and shook McBride firmly by the hand. "Good to see that you have recovered David. We were worried that our most enterprising captain may have been lost to us after you took that Ball from those Sumatran Freebooters".
"Just a flesh wound sir," The totally embarrassed David replied in his soft Scottish accent.
" Nevertheless, many a good man has been carried off by wounds such as that one you had, turning infected in this climate."
All told you came off pretty well with a prize, and only five men wounded apart from yourself."
McBride felt a twinge run down his left side at the thought of the wound that the panga had inflicted only two months previously.
"Now to business." Duncan reached back across the desk and picked up one of the sealed packets, handing it over to David.
" As you know EIC "Cormorant", was damaged far more than your crew in the battle, and is not yet ready for action. The Commandant of the Bombay Marine and I have therefore given you command of the HEIC "Nottingham." She is a Madras Teak built 44,and I think you will find her sailing qualities far better than the old Cormorant.
19778
You will find your commission in that packet, and here" he added handing McBride a second packet," are your orders.
Now that the formalities are completed will you take a dram David.
Much later, McBride left Government House and made immediately for the Nottingham.
Once aboard he read himself in, sent two able seamen to collect his sea trunk from the lodgings, and entering the Captain's cabin,
19779
hung up his now sodden woollen Dress coat, and breeches, donned his seagoing uniform,
19781
and sitting at the desk sent for his Steward and the Purser. Turning to the packet he broke open the seal, and read his orders.
Couched in the flowery language of the diplomats at the Castle it stated that he was to proceed to the vicinity of the Isle de Bourbon, and Isle de France to seek out and destroy the French Privateers who had been preying upon the Company's Merchant shipping. Also to assist any vessels of the Royal Navy who were undertaking the same task, until such a time as his ship needed replenishing. He was then to proceed to the Cape, repair and replenish stocks, and return to Bombay via the Mozambique Channel.
Two days later with his stores taken on board and a full crew, he sailed out of the bay, passed the castle,
19780
and said goodbye to Bombay and its oppressive heat, bound for The Isle de France.
19782
Kyte.
19775
The thick walls of Government house, Bombay Castle did little to dispel the humidity of the afternoon heat. Captain David McBride felt the trickle of sweat run down his neck and disappear into the damp collar of his uniform coat. for the umpteenth time since the Mid Day Gun he fidgeted with the dress sword draped across his knees.
19776
The clerk behind his desk looked up as the Double doors to the Inner office were thrust open by one of the Secretaries.
" Captain McBride the Governor will see you now."
Stiffly McBride got to his feet, adjusted his sword, and placing his cocked hat firmly on his head strode toward the Governor's' Office.
19777
Jonathon Duncan Governor of Madras, and controller of The Honourable East India Company's vast interests in the region, stood up, rounded the huge heavily carved desk on which were piled numerous document bearing the Seals of the Company, and shook McBride firmly by the hand. "Good to see that you have recovered David. We were worried that our most enterprising captain may have been lost to us after you took that Ball from those Sumatran Freebooters".
"Just a flesh wound sir," The totally embarrassed David replied in his soft Scottish accent.
" Nevertheless, many a good man has been carried off by wounds such as that one you had, turning infected in this climate."
All told you came off pretty well with a prize, and only five men wounded apart from yourself."
McBride felt a twinge run down his left side at the thought of the wound that the panga had inflicted only two months previously.
"Now to business." Duncan reached back across the desk and picked up one of the sealed packets, handing it over to David.
" As you know EIC "Cormorant", was damaged far more than your crew in the battle, and is not yet ready for action. The Commandant of the Bombay Marine and I have therefore given you command of the HEIC "Nottingham." She is a Madras Teak built 44,and I think you will find her sailing qualities far better than the old Cormorant.
19778
You will find your commission in that packet, and here" he added handing McBride a second packet," are your orders.
Now that the formalities are completed will you take a dram David.
Much later, McBride left Government House and made immediately for the Nottingham.
Once aboard he read himself in, sent two able seamen to collect his sea trunk from the lodgings, and entering the Captain's cabin,
19779
hung up his now sodden woollen Dress coat, and breeches, donned his seagoing uniform,
19781
and sitting at the desk sent for his Steward and the Purser. Turning to the packet he broke open the seal, and read his orders.
Couched in the flowery language of the diplomats at the Castle it stated that he was to proceed to the vicinity of the Isle de Bourbon, and Isle de France to seek out and destroy the French Privateers who had been preying upon the Company's Merchant shipping. Also to assist any vessels of the Royal Navy who were undertaking the same task, until such a time as his ship needed replenishing. He was then to proceed to the Cape, repair and replenish stocks, and return to Bombay via the Mozambique Channel.
Two days later with his stores taken on board and a full crew, he sailed out of the bay, passed the castle,
19780
and said goodbye to Bombay and its oppressive heat, bound for The Isle de France.
19782
Kyte.