AAR. October Mission Solo Scenario.

[Bligh]

Captain David McBride stepped back from the Bulwarks and relaxed his stance. The French Packet which he had been chasing up the Mozambique channel since early that morning was now safely heaved to under the Guns of HEIC. Nottingham, and His Second Lt. John Carstairs together with the detachment of Bombay Marines had complete control of the enemy ship with little damage save the fallen Mizzen mast which had brought the chase to such a precipitate end.




McBride made a mental note to reward Bentinck and his gun crew for their excellent work on the long nine bow chaser. A sovereign a man and double Rum ration should see them well pleased with their day's work.



Casting his eye over the ship he could see the Master, carpenter and their men already putting right the slight damage done by the only round that had come aboard from the stern chaser of their prize. One man wounded seemed a good return on the ship they now had in hand. Just how good he had yet to find out.

With another glance across the water, McBride left the deck and repaired to his Cabin to await the arrival of the French Captain and the formal surrender. He had only just summoned his steward Rowley to bring in the Madeira when he felt the touch of the returning Longboat, and a few minutes later the stamp of the Marine sentry outside his door announced the arrival of his First Lt. Richard Pullford with the French Captain.

Pullford introduced the Frenchman as Lt. Jean Duplex of the French Mercantile Marine. The formalities being over David invited Duplex to join him in a meal together with his First Officer.
Half way through the meal there was a commotion outside the cabin door. He could hear the deep voice of the Sentry and the answering even more gruff reply of the Boatswain.
After a few seconds there was a knock on the door and the Boatswain stood framed in the doorway accompanied by the Marine.

"Beggin yer pardon Capain sir but I fink you are urgently needed on deck. I wus sent down to arsk cause the young Genelmen are wi Mr. Carstairs on the Frenchie."
Giving a silent curse, McBride put down his glass of wine, and muttering an apology to the Officers, followed the Boatswain up onto the Main deck.

Here he was greeted by the sight of a seaman from the French Packet firmly held between two of his hands. " This here Frog says he has somfink important to tell yer sir." the Boatswain intoned.
"Right man out with it then." replied McBride still none too pleased at having his meal going cold.
The "Frenchman" introduced himself to the Captain as løytnant Esben Thrane of the Øst Indiaman Thor. Taken by the French Frigate Circe, he was drafted into the Packet as Boatswain's Mate rather than be sent to the Isle de Reunion and prisoner of war camp. No lover of the French he was quick to pass on all he had learned of French intentions in the Indian Ocean including one piece of information which threw all McBride's plans into the melting pot.

It appeared that in a secluded harbour not three days sailing distance from Nottingham's position and waiting for the dark of the Moon to slip through the straits was a French Sloop, escorted by a Frigate. Their orders to deliver an enemy Agent, plus a substantial amount of Gold bullion to recruit troops for an invasion of the Carnatic States.




McBride's conundrum was threefold. Did he believe Thrane, or was he planted to lure the Nottingham into a trap under the guns of the enemy. With the dark of the moon five days hence, he had barely time to reach the port and reconnoiter. There was certainly no time to repair and dispatch the prize to inform the Governor at either Bombay Castle nor alert Admiral Pound at the Cape.

After deliberating over the charts in his cabin for an hour or more, he came to the decision that the only option was to grasp the nettle, and with a plan of action coalescing in his mind he gave Mr Pullford orders to set all plain sail, and steer a course toward the enemy harbour.



Bligh.