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Thread: March Scenario: The Commodore's Dilemma: Where could they have gone

  1. #1
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    Default March Scenario: The Commodore's Dilemma: Where could they have gone

    The Commodore’s Dilemma

    It was early on the morning of March 5, 1801 when the leather case containing the two letters along with other dispatches was placed on Commodore Isaac Hull’s desk. Yeoman Klerikos looked apologetic as he stood at attention and gave an ever so slight nod of his head at the packet.

    “Oh, what is it, Klerikos, is there something I should see,” grumbled Hull.

    Without a word the yeoman untied the thong that secured the case and opened it. Reaching inside he pulled out the contents, but jogged two envelops to one side and tapped them with a soft, silent touch.

    “Very good Klerikos, you’re dismissed.”

    This silent routine went on every time the dispatch packet was delivered for the commodore’s inspection. The yeoman wasn’t supposed to have an opinion about the communications that were directed to him, but he had learned a long time ago that this old Greek knew what he might need to know first.

    One of the letters was from Major Moribund, the commander of land forces, such as they were, in the Lesser Antilles. The major rarely contacted Hull unless something needed to be delivered or someone needed to go someplace. This old relic of the Revolution enjoyed the warmth of his posting and the rum of the islands. Given these two things, he was usual complacent about life.

    The other letter came from the British Harbor Master of Bridgetown, Barbados. Ewing McMasters was a wealth of information about the area. His sources were fishermen, merchant seamen, sailors of all kinds, dock workers and sometimes ne’er do well. His information was rarely wrong. Hull would open that letter first.
    __________________________ . __________________________

    March 4, 1801,

    Isaac,

    Simian Wethersfield is a local waterman. He found himself at Savannes Bay over on St Lucia a few days ago and says that there is a third rated ship-of-the-line anchored there making some serious repairs. He described the ship to me and it sounds like the Frenchman that has been raiding American shipping over the last several months. Just thought you would want to know.

    Your servant,

    Ewing
    __________________________ . __________________________

    “Yeoman!“ called the commodore. “Klerikos, where the hell are y . . .”

    “Here sir,” Klerikos said as he came through the door.

    “Get Captains Bainbridge and Sever here now!”

    “Aye, sir.”
    __________________________ . __________________________

    That afternoon Isaac Hull held his weekly meeting with the captains of the squadron. Absent were Captains Bainbridge, Cross, and Sever.

    “Gentlemen,” began the commodore,” As you know I have sent Mr. Cross and the General Greene to escort an official from the Department of State to Havana and Bill Bainbridge is taking the United States and Congress with Jim Sever to St. Lucia to investigate the sighting of that French privateer that has been harassing shipping the past few months.”

    “We have received a request to escort a convoy to Wilmington to deliver their cargo bring back naval stores,” he continued, “And we have our usual patrol to send out as well. With President, Constitution, and Swiftsure still getting a refit from that last encounter with the enemy that leaves Chesapeake and Boston for these two duties.”

    Lieutenant Little, George, you are to take Boston and the three merchantmen to Wilmington, North Carolina to deliver their goods and the escort them back here with the shipment of naval stores for the squadron. Keep an eye out for the French and engage only if you are sure that it won’t interfere with your convoy duty.

    “Captain Barron, that leaves the patrol to you. Sam, we really need to get that privateer. If Bill and Jim don’t find her then I hope you do.”

    “Happy hunting, gentlemen” Hull concluded, “Dismissed.”
    Bob

    Rules are rough approximations of what you think I might do!

  2. #2
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    A Letter Home

    It was a warm day in early April, bright white billowing cloud lined the horizon, a dejected Commodore Hull confided to his yeoman what everyone already suspected.

    “Klerikos,” he quietly said, “We have to act as if the worst has happened, three of our ships are lost, three captains and the diplomate that was left in our care. Here is a draft of a letter; copy it in your best hand and bring it to me for signature.”
    __________________________ . __________________________

    April 1, 1801

    To: Samuel Nicholson, Assistant Secretary of the Navy of the United States of America

    From: Isaac Hull, Commodore of the Lesser Antilles Squadron, United States Navy

    Sir:
    I regret to inform you of the possible loss of three of our vessels during the month of March 1801.

    USS United States and USS Congress were sent on a search and destroy mission to St. Lucia to check out the sighting a large French vessel in the area of Savannes Bay. The ships have not been heard from since, but debris from a battle was found some of which belonged to USS Congress.

    USS General Greene was escorting William Hampton, and envoy for the Secretary of State to Havana. This ship did not arrive at its destination and is presumed lost.

    These losses, in so short a period of time, make it difficult, but not impossible, to accomplish the tasks that are required of this station. Please send replacement ships to augment our numbers.

    Your servant,

    Isaac Hull.
    Bob

    Rules are rough approximations of what you think I might do!

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    The Response

    May 18, 1801

    To: Isaac Hull, Commodore of the Lesser Antilles Squadron, United States Navy

    From: Samuel Nicholson, Assistant Secretary of the Navy of the United States of America

    Sir:

    The State Department has no record of a William Hampton nor have they sent anyone to Barbados or to Havana Cuba in the past two years.

    There are no ships available for your squadron at this time. You are authorized to bring into the service any captured enemy man of war and may convert any enemy merchant ship to strengthen your squadron.

    You are further authorized to elevate Ezekiel Fulbryte to acting captain with full pay and privileges effective January 1, 1801.

    Your esteemed servant,

    Samuel Nicholson

    Assistant Secretary of the Navy

    United States of America
    Bob

    Rules are rough approximations of what you think I might do!

  4. #4
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    So what did happen to the Commodore's ships?

    Coming Soon
    Bob

    Rules are rough approximations of what you think I might do!

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    Damnation man, you've left me dangling on a hook........

  6. #6
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    Fear not Captain Union, I am about to dispatch a Squadron from the Bahamas to search for them.
    Bligh.
    The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.

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