Chapter twenty eight
From the sidelines it was an impressive sight; seeing the two fleets coming together. Once the battle had commenced, however, the smoke and viewpoint made the battle one of complete confusion for the watchers in the frigates, the general situation with guns firing and smoke billowing made Robert restless and seeing the enemy frigates hovering around the fringes of the battle was enough to cause Richard to decide to take action himself. Signalling his two consorts to follow him he turned Furious towards the nearest French frigate. Ordering the battle ensigns to be raised, he had the drummer beat to quarters and with all guns loaded and ready to run out, he sailed into battle. The Frenchman turned to face him and the two ships manoeuvred to take the best advantage. Furious had the weather gauge and was best placed to fire first; the French had to endure the first broadside before having the chance to reply. The three other enemy frigates, seeing the action beginning, came to support their ally. Seeing this, Robert—rather than concentrating on the first frigate—ran down the line and fired her reloaded guns into the next frigate in line.
“Oh, well done, Billy!” Lieutenant Walker cried as the Roister followed suit and fired her first broadside into the first frigate, which had commenced turning to re-engage the Furious. Captain Archer in the Pharos, seeing what was happening, followed suit and, despite taking the remnants of the broadside from the first ship, put the whole of her broadside into the shattered ship, that was now contending with a broken mainmast and several dismounted guns, her ensign was lying hanging over the side to the remnants of the mizzen mast; effectively out of the battle. The second was already suffering a similar fate as all three British frigates poured their fire successively into her. The last in range was a 44 gun frigate, the Captain of which seemed undecided whether to take part in the action or not. The sight of the three British ships descending on him bristling with guns made up his mind for him; the British ships all had the weather, making it a case of fight to the death, or yield. She fired her bow chaser, the ball skipping across the water across the bow of Roister. She then struck her colours. The other two French ships were still reeling from the hammering they had received and when the Furious and Roister came about to renew the attack, the two ships—one dismasted, the other trying to make sail for the bulk of the enemy fleet—the fugitive was caught by Phoebe and struck her colours thus the captives plus the dismasted French ship were all secured as prizes.
The casualties on the Frenchman were horrific, she had lost half her complement and, being undermanned to start with, was very poorly off. Leaving prize crews aboard the three frigates, Robert returned to the main battle area, trying to see what was happening. Furious came up with the battle between a British 74 lying between two enemy battle ships Sending as many riflemen as he could into the tops, Robert ordered them to clear the Quarterdeck of the nearest ship. The withering fire put up by the riflemen was sufficient for the battle ship to pay attention to the little frigate lying off her stern. The stern windows opened and two guns were run out preparing to fire upon the annoying ship, however the guns could not be depressed enough to effectively harm the frigate. Then a group of men armed with muskets appeared and were promptly shot by the riflemen. With men keeping the stern windows clear, a group of men under Lieutenant Ogilvie ran along the main yard and jumped aboard the French ship. Grapples were hooked on and more men boarded, the stern rail had been swept with fire from the swivel guns mounted in the tops, so a party of riflemen made the climb up ropes to the stern rail where they crouched and slipped their rifles through the rails made sure the quarterdeck was clear before climbing over the rail and securing the wheel. The balance of the rifles went to the break of the poop where they lay down to open a withering fire on the gunners serving the guns along the main deck. The party within the main cabin below seeing the deck being cleared came out from the cabin and joined with the Quarterdeck party in shooting at anyone that moved. The survivors from the main deck ran below to escape the deadly fire. Ogilvie called down to the Furious below, “We have secured the deck, boarders away?”
Robert turned. “Signal Roister, close and assist! Away boarders,” He ran to the shrouds where he climbed to the main yard and boarded the ship through the stern windows. Rallying the boarders, he went through to the main deck. The dead and injured were piled everywhere. The boarders went to the main hatch to the gun deck, and two bold souls leaped down the stairs into the inferno of noise and confusion of guns being run out and fired, withdrawn and reloaded. A group of men followed the first two down, and then Robert appeared. “Take aim!” He called “Fire!” and the collection of rifles and his own pistol cleared two guns of their crews. The officers in charge of the guns realised something was wrong at that point, and turned to organise resistance. Effectively it was too late as more men had boarded the ship and joined the boarders below deck swords swinging, pistols firing. The boarders on deck had already begun the process of extracting the ship from her position broadside to the British ship. The French flag was cut down and the union flag was raised.
The combined efforts of Furious and Roister had taken a French 74 gun line of battle ship. Importantly, the Frenchman had been plucked from occupying its place in the line and the gap made allowed more room for manoeuvre for the British ships. The need for prize crews caused Robert to stand off from the immediate action once more, allowing temporary repairs to be made and permitting the surgeons to work on the wounded. By transferring the prisoners to the dismasted frigate, it allowed the captive 74 gun Agen to be used for the care and treatment of the bulk of the casualties both French and British, the four surviving surgeons working together.
By the evening, all six ships had worked clear of the battle that was still raging. From the maintop Robert was able to see many of the ships in sight were without masts, the smoke from the guns was creating a huge cloud rolling across the surface of the water obscuring many of the ships. The crash of guns was followed by red highlights in the smoke. It was impossible to tell who was winning, the flags of many of the ships were tangled and wrapped around the rigging. He could just make out the string of signal flags which indicated the position of the Victory, though it was too far away to read what it said.
The dismasted frigate was jury rigged with some sail giving her steerage way. The others were all able to sail, so the Phoebe was left to escort the damaged frigate, while Robert sought to give assistance where he could to the other ships in the fleet.
They learned of the death of Nelson from Captain Rutherford of the 74 gun Swiftsure.
The voyage home was a sombre affair, the people stunned by the loss of their little Admiral, the atmosphere in Plymouth affected everyone and despite the resounding victory there was little celebration. For the navy the war went on. Although Napoleon appeared to have ignored his fleet, the ships of the British fleet continued with the daily grind of the blockades mounted at the various ports that still sheltered French warships. The escape of the Brest fleet in December that year with its five ships of the line made it clear that while threat of invasion was over, there was still work to be done.
For Robert, the return home and seeing his family was everything, Tamar House was alive with the sound of young people, Jenny and Peter Stephens were renewing their acquaintance, and newly promoted Lieutenant Alan Dawson who spent most of his time with the Grahams, was also to be heard as he carried a struggling David Graham on his shoulder through to the Garden room where he dumped him on the settee. “That will be enough out of you, young man, just you wait until I get you on the deck of my ship, your feet won’t touch the ground!”
“You’re a bully, Alan Dawson,” said a soft voice from the door.
“Oh, am I? I’ll show you a bully.” He turned and ran to the door while Jenny Stephens ran, skirts flying, down the garden with Alan in pursuit.
Barbara smiled to herself as she heard the exchange; it was as she had thought, Alan and Jenny were getting on nicely, they were good for each other. She had been told by the doctor that David would be her only child, but looking and hearing the noises through the house, she considered herself blessed.
In the garden, Alan caught Jenny in the copse of trees at the far end. He did not realise that she had allowed him to catch her. Having caught her he was at a loss with what to do with her.
“Let me go, bully!” She laughed he held her in his arms.
Without thinking, he laughed and said, “I demand a forfeit; an apology and a kiss!” He almost let go as he realised that he may have spoiled everything, gone too far.
“Very well then,” she said seriously, “I’m sorry.” She leaned forward and kissed him carefully on the lips, melting against him and slipping her arms round his neck. They stood seemingly for a long time. He could feel her body trembling up against him; neither seemed to want to stop. Then a voice from the trees called “I see you. You’re kissing.” There was a peal of laughter and David ran up the garden shouting that Alan and Jenny were in love.
In the trees Alan uncertain stood back. “Well we’ve been found out.”
Jenny replied, to his surprise, “It was bound to come out sooner or later. Let’s face the music together.” She took his hand and together they walked up the garden to face the rest of the family.
For Alan it was a complete revelation, he had not realised that Jenny felt as he did. Looking back, he could see it had always been there, when there were problems they always sought each other out to discuss them. It was with a full heart that he endured the teasing of the others in the family, openly holding Jenny by the hand in public.
Robert, at thirty-six, was now a full captain for over two years and on the list for promotion to Flag rank, though with the war now largely confined to the land he considered the prospect distant. Furious was in the dockyard getting yet another few replacement timbers, the frigate was not the most well-constructed ship in the fleet. Jaipur was also in Plymouth, which was why Peter was at Tamar House with Jenny, Alan and David.
Adam Tamar had been invited to join Sam Callow and Abel Jackson at the Half Moon for a few days. Martin Walker had been reported in the company of, of all people, Amelie Porter, who was staying with friends in Plimpton, just over a mile along the coast. Lieutenant Ogilvie had charge of the ship while she was under repair.
Robert and Barbara went with the family to London for the funeral of Lord Nelson after the subdued celebration of Christmas and the New Year.
They stayed at the house in Knightsbridge and prepared for the ceremony in two days time. As one of the Captains under command at Trafalgar Robert would walk behind the carriage, after the crew of the Victory who would follow the coffin.
The two days in London were overshadowed by the occasion, and despite the appearance of Billy and his wife and son, Mathew, were staying with his aunt the Countess, it was no time for good cheer.
The occasion of the funeral was a time of extraordinary preparation and the crowds started to gather in the streets during the night, gathering together for warmth and comfort. Wherever the procession was due to pass the streets filled with people, but it was the quiet that impressed Robert most, as he returned from a meeting at the Admiralty, he was astounded by the behaviour and the discipline of the silent crowd.
The cortege travelled through the streets of London from its resting place in the Painted Hall at Westminster where it had lain for three days. Robert was filled with pride as he walked through the streets in the train of his hero.
During the week that followed Robert and Barbara stayed close to home with their family, the pall of gloom that hung over London seemed to them to have stopped all normal social life.
For Robert it was the realisation that their family so recently brought together was now about to separate once more. Alan now a Lieutenant would soon be off to sea once more, Jenny would be here but Peter her brother would also be off to sea.
As for himself, he had no idea at present what he would be doing; the path his career had followed had been completely unpredictable. Where it would lead in the future was anyone’s guess.
He sighed; Barbara still had David at home, but for how long?
Barbara came into his study and joined him; slipping onto his knee she put her arms around his neck and kissed him. “You are looking tired and troubled, my love, what’s wrong?”
He explained about his feelings, about the family splitting up……!”
“Shush.” Barbara said putting her finger to his lips. “They are our family, and they will always be our family, whether they are in Rangoon, Macao or London. Don’t ever forget it. Now come to bed and let me enjoy my husband while I may, for you will be off again without doubt and it is for us to live our time together as best we can.”
She kissed him and rose from his lap leaving the room swiftly so that he would not see her tears as she went.
~*~*~*~
Counterstroke # 1....Exciting, Isn’t It?
O’Neil’s initial entry into the world of action adventure romance thriller is filled with mystery and suspense, thrills and chills as Counterstroke finds it seeds of Genesis, and springs full blown onto the scene with action, adventure and romance galore.
John Murray, ex-Police, ex-MI6, ex management consultant, 49 and widowed, is ready to make a new start. Having sold off everything, he sets out on a lazy journey by barge through the waterways of France to collect his yacht at a yard in Grasse. En route he will decide what to do with the rest of his life
He picks up a female hitch-hiker Gabrielle, a frustrated author running from Paris after a confrontation with a lascivious would-be publisher Mathieu. She had unknowingly picked up some of Mathieu’s secret documents with her manuscript. Although not looking for action, adventure or romance, still a connection is made.
An encounter with Pierre, an unpleasant former acquaintance from Paris who is chasing Gabrielle, is followed by a series of events that make John call on all his old skills of survival to keep them both alive over the next few days. Mystery and suspense shroud the secret documents that disclose the real background of the so called publisher who is in fact a high level international crook.
To survive, the pair become convinced they must take the fight to the enemy but they have no illusions; their chances of survival are slim. But with the help of some of John’s old contacts, things start to become... exciting.
Counterstroke # 2....Market Forces
Market Forces, Volume Two of the Counterstroke action adventure romance thriller series by David O’Neil introduces Katherine (Katt) Percival, tasked with the assassination of Mark Parnell in a hurried, last-minute attempt to stop his interference with the success of the Organization in Europe. As a skilled terminator for the CIA, Katt is accustomed to proper briefing. On this occasion she disobeys her orders, convinced it’s a mistake. She joins forces with Mark to foil an attempt on his life.
Parnell works for John Murray, who created Secure Inc that caused the collapse of an International US criminal organisation’s operation in Europe, forcing the disbanding of the US Company COMCO. Set up as a cover for money-laundering and other operations designed to control from within the political and financial administration, they had already been partially successful. Especially within the administrative sectors of the EU.
Katt goes on the run, she has been targeted and her Director sidelined by rogue interests in the CIA. She finds proof of conspiracy. She passes it on to Secure Inc who can use it to attack the Organization. She joins forces with Mark Parnell and Secure Inc. Mark and Katt and their colleagues risk their lives as they set out to foil the Organization once again.
Counterstroke # 3....When Needs Must...
The latest action adventure thriller in the Counterstroke series opens with a new character Major Teddy Robertson–Steel fighting for survival in Africa. Mark Parnell and Katt Percival now working together for Secure Inc. are joined by Captain Libby ‘Carter’ Barr, now in plain clothes, well mostly, and her new partner James Wallace. They are tasked with locating and thwarting the efforts of three separate menaces from the European scene that threaten the separation of the United Kingdom from the political clutches of Brussels, by using terrorism to create wealth by a group of billionaires, and the continuing presence of the Mob, bankrolled from USA. An action adventure thriller filled with romance, mystery and suspense. With the appearance of a much needed new team, Dan and Reba, and the welcome return of Peter Maddox, Dublo Bond and Tiny Lewis, there is action and adventure throughout. Change will happen, it just takes the right people, at the right time, in the right place.
Donny Weston & Abby Marshall # 1 – Fatal Meeting
A captivating new series of young adult action, romance, adventure and mystery.
For two young teens, Donny and Abby, who have just found each other, sailing the 40 ft ketch across the English Channel to Cherbourg is supposed to be a light-hearted adventure.
The third member of the crew turns out to be a smuggler, and he attempts to kill them both before they reach France. The romance adventure. now filled with action, mystery and suspense, suddenly becomes deadly serious when the man’s employers try to recover smuggled items from the boat. The action gets more and more hectic as the motive becomes personal
Donny and Abby are plunged into a series of events that force them to protect themselves. Donny’s parents become involved so with the help of a friend of the family, Jonathon Glynn, they take the offensive against the gang who are trying to kill them.
The action adventure thriller ranges from the Mediterranean to Paris and the final scene is played out in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower in the city of romance and lights; Paris France..
Donny Weston & Abby Marshall # 2 – Lethal Complications
Eighteen year olds Donny and Abby take a year out from their studies to clear up problems that had escalated over the past three years. They succeed in closing the book on the past during the first months of the year, now they are looking forward to nine months relaxation, romance and fun, when old friend of the family, mystery man Jonathon Glynn, drops in to visit as they moor at Boulogne, bringing action and adventure into their lives once again.
Jonathon was followed and an attempt to kill them happens immediately after his visit. They leave their boat and pick up the RV they have left in France, hoping to avoid further conflict. They are attacked in the Camargue, but fast and accurate shooting keeps them alive. They find themselves mixed up in a treacherous scheme by a rogue Chinese gang to defame a Chinese moderate, in an attempt to stall the Democratic process in China.
The two young lovers, becoming addicted to action and adventure, link up with Isobel, a person of mystery who has acquired a reputation without earning it. Between them they manage to keep the Chinese target and his girlfriend out of the rogue Chinese group’s hands.
Tired of reacting to attack, and now looking for action and adventure, they set up an ambush of their own, effectively checkmating the rogue Chinese plans. The leader of the rogues, having lost face and position in the Chinese hierarchy, plans a personal coup using former Spetsnaz mercenaries. With the help of a former SBS man Adam, who had worked with and against Spetsnaz forces, the friends survive and Lin Hang the Chinese leader suffers defeat.
Donny Weson & Abby Marshall # 3....A Thrill A Minute
They are back! Fresh from their drama-filled action adventure excursion to the United States, Abby Marshall and Donny Weston look forward to once again taking up their studies at the University. Each of them is looking forward to the calm life of a University student without the threat of being murdered. Ah, the serene life.... that is the thing. But that doesn't last long. It is only a few weeks before our adventuresome young lovers find that the calm, quiet routine of University life is boring beyond belief and both are filled with yearning for the fast-paced action adventure of their prior experiences. It isn't long before trouble finds the couple and they welcome it with open arms, but perhaps this time they have underestimated the opposition. Feeling excitement once again, the two youths arm themselves and leapt into the fray. The fight was on and no holds barred!
Once again O’Neil takes us into the action filled world of mystery and suspense, action and adventure, romance and peril.
Donny Weston & Abby Marshall # 4....It’s Just One Thing After Another
Fresh from their victory over the European Mafia, our two young adults in love, Abby Marshall and Donny Weston, are rewarded with an all-expense-paid trip to the United States. But, as our young couple discover, there is no free lunch and the price they will have to pay for their "free" tour may be more than they can afford to pay, in this action adventure thriller. Even so, with the help of a few friends and some former enemies, the valiant young duo face danger once again with firm resolve and iron spirit, but will that be sufficient in face of the odds that are stacked against them?
And is their friend and benefactor actually a friend or is he on the other side? The two young adults look at this man of mystery and suspense with a bit of caution. Action, adventure and romance abound in this, the latest escapades of Britain’s dynamic young couple.
Donny Weston & Abby Marshall # 5....What Goes Around...
Just when it seems that our two young heroes, Donny Weston and Abby Marshall are able to return to the University to complete their studies, fate decides to play another turn as once again the two young lovers come under attack, this time from a most unsuspected source. It appears that not even the majestic powers of the British Intelligence Service will be enough to rescue the beleaguered duo and they will have to survive through their own skills. In the continuing action adventure thriller, two young adults must solve the mystery that faces them to determine who is trying to kill them. The suspense is chilling, the action and adventure stimulating. Finding togetherness even among the onslaughts, Donny and Abby also find remarkable friends who offer their assistance; but will even that be enough to overcome the determined enemy?
Better The Day
From the W.E.B. Griffin of the United Kingdom, David O’Neil, a exciting saga of romance, action, adventure, mystery and suspense as Peter Murray and his brother officers in Coastal Forces face overwhelming odds fighting German E-boats, the German Navy and the Luftwaffe in action in the Channel, the Mediterranean, Norway and the Baltic – where there is conflict with the Soviet Allies. This action-packed story of daring and adventure finally follows Peter Murray to the Pacific where he faces Kamikaze action with the U.S. Fleet.
The Mercy Run
O'Neil's thrilling action adventure saga of Africa: the story of Tom Merrick, Charlie Hammond and Brenda Cox; a man and two women who fight and risk their lives to keep supplies rolling into the U.N. refugee camps in Ethiopia. Their adversaries: the scorching heat, the dirt roads and the ever present hazards of bandit gangs and corrupt government officials. Despite tragedy and treachery, mystery and suspense while combating the efforts of Colonel Gonbera, who hopes to turn the province into his personal domain, Merrick and his friends manage to block the diabolical Colonel at every turn.
Frustrated by Merrick's success against him, there seems to be no depths to which the Colonel would not descend to achieve his aim. The prospect of a lucrative diamond strike comes into the game, and so do the Russians and Chinese. But, as Merrick knows, there will be no peace while the Colonel remains the greatest threat to success and peace.
New Dynamic Series with Jonathan Penroc
Book one, Sarah Paige Chronicles
A New World Order?
A one government world?
The United States with a weak president and a divided government. The world in chaos and turmoil. Happenstance or a diabolical scheme? Emerging from the dark shadows are "The Raptors," human birds of prey seeking to establish a new one-world government under their iron rule. For more than a century, no one has been able to stop this mysterious force from altering entire governments, forcing resignations and where necessary, assassinations. No one is safe, not the President of the United States, not the Shah of Iran, not the Russian Premier. No one has even been able to slow down the onslaught that is gradually, nation by nation, acquiring control of the entire world. Resistance is met with overpowering force and nothing has stemmed their advance as they annihilate one obstacle after another. Then they made a mistake. They killed the wrong person and now they are faced with an infuriated woman out to revenge the killing of her one true love. Having finally found romance only to have it rift away by terrorist fanatics under the control of "The Raptors," Sarah has only one goal: vengeance or death. Can one distraught and determined female take on a clandestine world power? There is a saying, "Hell has no fury...."