AAR. November Nation v Nation: A Dark Day.

[Bligh]

Preamble.

Admiral Joshua Pound sat in his day cabin aboard the Royal George with his Flag Captain Josiah Pennyman opposite to him on the long Settle. To his right stood George Farthing Captain and Commander of His Majesty's Sloop of War Swan, clutching his hat so tightly as if it were saving him from drowning.



Pound turned towards Pennyman with the opened dispatches still in his hand clutched almost as tightly as Farthing's hat.


" Dispatches from the Admiralty Josiah" he said waving the Buff packet with it's red ribbon and seal slit open." Farthing here has just delivered them from the Cape. hence they are nearly four months old, but I felt you should know the contents before any Indiaman puts in and the news gets all around Bombay. Apparently there has been a Mutiny among the Channel fleet at Spithead last April followed shortly by one at the Nore in May. The First Sea Lord dispatched this information to all foreign stations immediately before the outcome of the Mutiny is known, but he is very clear that we are to prevent the news from becoming general knowledge amongst our Squadrons. To that end I have summoned all ships Captains to repair aboard the Flagship for appraisal of the situation."



Farthing here tells me that the original message was sent by Post Office Packet, which was unfortunately apprehended by the French three weeks ago. that is why we are only just informed of this catastrophe.
All ships must expect an attack by the French within days."
Despite all efforts to keep the information secret, within hours of the next Merchantman putting in to Bombay Roads, the news spread like wildfire throughout the Squadron, and three ships raised the red flag.



Two days later, news arrives that a strong French Squadron is sailing down the coast towards Bombay.



Pound calls all his Captains to the flagship exhorting them to appeal to the loyalty of their men to put to sea and defend Bombay against the Old Enemy.
As he gets The Royal George underway, the Admiral really does not know whether any of his ships will answer the call to duty.





Bligh.