Free A Ship for The King by Richard Woodman Page A

other ships in the squadron. On the 28th the wind hauled ahead, veering to the south and then the south-west, compelling Rutland – at Mainwaring’s instigation – to hang out the signal to come to an anchor in Plymouth Sound. Here they all lay at the end of the month, when Faulkner, along with Slessor, Brenton, Whiting and the other officers, found themselves called to council in Rutland’s cabin. Here they were joined by the inferior flag officers, Lords Morely and Windsor, and their flag captains and the commanders of the other men-of-war in the squadron, Trevor of the Defiance , Steward of the St George , St Leger of the Bonaventure , Palmer of the Rainbow – all of whom were knights – and Love of the Charles with the lesser captains of the two pinnaces, Charles and Seven Stars . The admiral stood resplendent in red and black slashed silk, the pale-blue sash of the Garter across his breast, his hand on the basket-hilt of a long and highly chased rapier. Behind him were two courtiers, Sir John Finett and Sir Thomas Somerset, both men part of the suite whose duty was to conduct any diplomacy contingent upon receiving Prince Charles or Buckingham and of extricating them from any impasse into which their dubious conduct had embroiled them during the course of their importunate Spanish adventure. They watched the assembled sea-officers with a mixture of hauteur and rank curiosity, though several were known to them. However, it was Mainwaring who, after a brief welcome by Rutland, addressed the assembled officers.
    â€˜My Lords and gentlemen, as you all know, our progress has been hampered thus far by contrary winds and the season is already well advanced. We must therefore hold ourselves ready to move with all despatch the instant the wind lies fair. To this end all ships are required to make good their deficiencies in stores and water . . .’
    â€˜What about men?’ asked Sir Sackville Trevor. ‘I am two score short of my establishment.’
    â€˜What rating, Sir Sackville?’ asked Rutland wearily.
    â€˜Why, able seamen, my Lord, we are always in want of them . . .’
    â€˜I suggest a press in Plymouth might solve your problem, Sir Sackville, though the sight of our fleet has likely driven able men inland faster than their kine,’ remarked Lord Morley, ‘though we all want seamen.’
    â€˜Aye, and provender too . . .’ added St Leger, a remark accompanied by a grumbling of assent from the other captains. Faulkner heard one or two of them mention Finett’s name, as though blaming the courtiers for these deficiencies. There was, he knew from Whiting and Slessor, some justification at the slight, for Faulkner had learned of the desperate want of good provisions, both fresh and casked, that the fleet stood in need of and without which they would not only be on short commons but soon find sickness rampant among them. The observant Faulkner also noticed Mainwaring mutter something from the corner of his mouth as Rutland drew himself up and faced his officers.
    â€˜Gentlemen, I must ask you to do what you can in the short time we have available. May I remind you that we are bound on a diplomatic service of the utmost importance to the country and our Royal Master. To this end Sir Henry has other matters to impart to you, matters which My Lords Morley and Windsor are already privy to and have given their assent.’
    The grumbling subsided and attention again focussed upon Mainwaring, who made a motion to Whiting. The master spread a rolled chart across the cabin table and Mainwaring spoke again.
    â€˜My Lords and gentlemen,’ he began, ‘in consideration of the lateness of the season, the prevalence of the likely winds as being from the south-west, and in anticipation of the Equinoctial gales that will shortly belabour us, I propose that our progress is made not to Corunna, as has been planned, but to here,’ and at