Free Frigate Commander by Tom Wareham Page B

expense. Among seamen they could not pass for such, so they make themselves conspicuous for what a seaman is in general unacquainted with; and ashore, where they could not shine as Petit Maitres , or witlings, they become Rarae Aves as Seamen.
    Nevertheless, he was anxious to record in his journal that his comments described officers who were by no means very common ‘... in the Corps ...’ which was generally ‘... a most meritorious body of men’. He was certainly keen to defend the type of officer who was a seaman above all and hated those who took advantage by drawing
an illiterate person into blunders in order to turn him into ridicule ... When I see it employed against men of simple and modest manners, who have gained the offices they hold, by their hard service, and skill in the useful, though not brilliant, duties of the profession: I say, to see such men made the sport of such reptiles, as are most apt to make them feel their deficiencies, fills me with indignation.
    Another subject of conversation in naval circles related to the conflict in India, where British forces were engaged against those of Tippoo Sahib 29 . Tippoo’s forces had fought stubbornly against the British under Cornwallis, and there were deep suspicions that the French were secretly assisting them. This suspicion seemed to be confirmed by astonishing news which arrived at Spithead with the frigate Thames .
The Thames brings the very extraordinary intelligence of Sir Richard Strachan in the Phoenix having engaged and taken a French frigate which had endeavoured to prevent him from examining two French merchant ships under her convoy.
    Strachan had stopped the French convoy upon suspicion that they were attempting to land arms and supplies for Tippoo Sultan. Moore was particularly interested for two reasons: firstly, he had already met Strachan and had been greatly impressed by him; and secondly, the incident could only heighten the tension that was already growing between England and France.
     
    Regardless of the situation abroad, the Orestes had her own duty to perform, and Moore soon took her out once again, to patrol along the Dorset coast. They searched a number of suspicious vessels and
saw lights along shore towards Lulworth, which I believed were signals to some Smuggling vessels expected on the coast; I therefore sent away three boats well manned and armed under the command of the 1st, 2nd and acting Lieutenants, who rowed all night to intercept any vessels which might attempt to run in for the shore. Yesterday morning they returned having seen nothing of what they were on the look out for.
    Unperturbed by this lack of success, Moore anchored again at Portland, where his curiosity took him on a long walk to the ancient Iron Age fortification of Maiden Castle,
which is said to be the completest Roman Fortification in England. It is about a mile on this side of Dorchester, situated upon a hill, and surrounded by a triple ditch and rampart of great depth and height. I could only observe one entrance which is on the east side. I always thought the Roman Camps had four gates but this station is said to have been altered by the Saxons. There is a curious remnant of Antiquity, about 1/2 a mile nearer to Dorchester, called Mambury, which is said to have been a Roman Amphitheatre, I examined it, it stands close to the high road from Weymouth, is of a circular form with one entrance, it did not by any means answer my ideas of a Roman amphitheatre. I could see nothing but a thick earthen wall surrounding about an acre of level ground. There are no remains of any building. I think it well calculated for a Rural place of exercise, as a great number of people might stand on the high bank or wall and perfectly well see whatever was performing within the circle. I wonder the Boxers have never pitched upon it for the scene of their exploits, it would answer their purpose admirably well.
    Now that Moore had his own – albeit temporary – command, he