Fifteenth Dispatch - [written]

[captainhornblower]

To all crew of Britannia:

It has been decided by her captain and his first and second lieutenants mates [that word is an insult, as far as he's concerned. Mister Kennedy and Mister Bush are lieutenants in His Majesty's Royal Navy and should be called as such, but here that means nothing.] that the ship Britannia will be taken to sea in her maiden voyage on the sixteenth of June at two bells in the forenoon watch.

She will travel until eight bells in the forenoon watch on the nineteenth, at which time she will begin her return home.

This expedition is, of course, entirely voluntarily [God help him, being partially at the mercy of whether or not the crew decides they want to show up] and I would greatly appreciate being informed in advance of who will be on board.

To those not yet a part of Britannia's crew who would like to join, I will gladly accept new volunteers until the fourteenth, so you may, if you have no experience sailing a frigate have time to acquaint yourself with the basics of her design and your duties.

I thank you all for your time.

Cpt. Horatio Hornblower

Comments

[Action]

[deathsdoctor]

[Sea bless the auto repair shift that had been placed on the Shinonome. Even after the roughest sail at sea, she inevitably was as pristine as the day she first was launched in the water.

Came with its downsides of course. It cut down on much of the work needed to keep up a boat so she could be seaworthy (and the ship coating cut down even more - no need to careen her to remove things like barnacles befouling the hull). And Law, who had blown off training for once after his clinic shift, would have liked that kind of busy work to occupy his hands.

But busy work could always be found, and so from his boat Law turned to his nets, mending any tears he could find. He had perched himself by where the quarterboat for the Britannia was kept. Not a bad spot for some work all told.

And very easily spotted by any incoming man wanting to use the boat to get out to said ship.]

[Action]

[captainhornblower]

[Hornblower knew precisely where he intended to spend part of the day. He wouldn't bring Britannia fully up to par. Painting, washing... All those would be done before she set sail, but his crew was going to learn about all of that, just as he'd been doing his best to teach them what they'd need to know to survive nautical excursions.

Most? Were good students, willing to try, at least. And he could respect that.

He sees the man mending nets, of course, and acknowledges him with a simple, polite nod as he continues on his qay to the quarterboat.]

[Action]

[deathsdoctor]

Good afternoon.

[Law's hands still as his attention shifts from the nets to the man. Hornblower. Not surprising.]

How's the recruitment drive going?

[No hostility. The pirate captain is merely curious.]

[Action]

[captainhornblower]

As well as could be hoped for.

[Poorly.

Very poorly.]

We'll have enough to sail her, at least.

[Barely. And then, if that small crew would not take split second orders and something happened. But the weather has been mild so far, and he could hope it would hold.]

[Action]

[deathsdoctor]

[As he thought, then. Shame. Mister Franky had built a lovely ship and she deserved more crew. As it is...]

I see. Hopefully you'll get a few more bites in that time.

[He will say nothing about properly training them up. Because... short time. But then again, there were plenty of quick learners. The draft showed that.]

[written]

[truthin_bones]

I would still be interested, Captain. The opportunity to observe a nineteenth century frigate and its crew in action is not to be passed up.

[written]

[captainhornblower]

You would be welcome, ma'am, as long as you are not opposed to being put to work. I am afraid we have insufficient crew to promise just passage.

[written]

[truthin_bones]

I have no qualms with that. Perhaps I can convince my partner to assist as well.

[written]

[captainhornblower]

We would be happy to have you both, ma'am.

[Voice]

[selphie_t]

[Why can't you just use a regular clock, Horatio? Jeez.]

I'll be there as soon as I get a time there, Captain.

[Voice]

[captainhornblower]

Two bells in the forenoon watch.

[...Sorry, Selphie. Captain mode is on.]

Learn your bells, Midshipman. And your signals.

[Voice]

[selphie_t]

[Note to Self: Ask Archie for help!]

...Aye, Captain.

[Voice]

[captainhornblower]

One of the lieutenants [not calling them mates when he speaks, can't do it] or Mister Wellard should might be more willing to assist you.

[action]

[simplestgift]

[It is going to be so good to get out to sea for real.

Archie comes seeking Horatio today. Not as his lieutenant, but as his best friend. And he's looking a little worried.]

The sixteenth, yes?

[action]

[captainhornblower]

That's what I intended. Time enough to get new recruits and teach them if need be, but not too long a wait.

[He smiles faintly, trying not to be concerned by that look.]

If need be, I can write a revision of the date, Archie.

[action]

[simplestgift]

No, that won't be necessary. [He doesn't have to go through with his plans then, either, but nothing would be more perfect...]

Not necessary, Captain. Ah, Horatio?

[action]

[captainhornblower]

Yes, Archie?

[voice]

[thedicearecast]

I'm assuming this goes for the people who signed up to be marines too.

Is there any particular reason why you're using bells instead of a clock?

[Yeah, Amelia's already heard Selphie's reply. It just doesn't make sense as of yet.]

[voice]

[captainhornblower]

[Here, they are not likely to get far enough away to have to mark a new noon or the like. A clock would likely answer just as well, but...]

One small tradition kept from home. Time at sea or relating to sea voyages is marked, for the crew, in bells.

You are welcome to use the hours of a clock among yourselves, but your officers will speak in bells.

Re: [voice]

[thedicearecast]

[...And apparently won't make sense ever. All right then.]

It's hard enough learning a new system. Using both would probably mix people up.

[There's something in there Amelia has a bit of a harder time accepting though. Not that she can't follow orders; it's just not something she normally does.]

..."Your officers," huh?

[voice]

[captainhornblower]

There is-- shocking, I know-- a hierarchy at sea. [His voice is dry.

Is he really going to be having an argument about having officers?]

Mister Bush and Mister Kennedy report to me. The midshipmen, bosun, surgeon, master, and captain of the marines report to them. The crew reports to the midshipmen. The marines report to the captain of the marines.

So-- yes. Your officers.

voice;

[dragoneer]

I'll be there, for sure.

[He didn't volunteer for this only to flake out now.]

voice;

[captainhornblower]

[You are such a relief right now, young sir. Simple affirmation. No argument, no complaint.]

Good. I look forward to seeing you then.

[This one? This one we can take pride in.]

voice;

[dragoneer]

Ahh--the cannon should be ready, too. Though transporting it is...a different question.

[He'll probably have to employ someone with magic to get that thing out there.]

voice;

[captainhornblower]

Wonderful.

Though it may be prudent to wait to bring the cannon to the gun until after we return, so as not to provoke worries about our purpose in sailing.