captainhornblower | Fifteenth Dispatch

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

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.]

Edited 2012-06-07 22:25 (UTC)

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.

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

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

Two bells in the forenoon watch.

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

Learn your bells, Midshipman. And your signals.

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.

[Note to Self: Ask Archie for help!]

...Aye, Captain.

[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.]

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.

I'll be sure to ask them before the sixteenth.

I would advise you ask them before then. All times at sea? Will be given by bells. And as a midshipman, it will be part of your duties to relay my orders, including times I want things done, to the rest of the crew.

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.]

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.]

[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?

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.

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?

Yes, Archie?

[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.]

Edited 2012-06-08 02:56 (UTC)

[He swallows, knowing this is almost certainly the worst person possible to ask, but...]

H-How did you propose to Maria?

[Can't expect a ship to sail without an able crew, taught how to man her.]

She will sail. Not to the best of her ability, but she'll see open water.

[His tone has quieted, talking about a bride, for instance, who had longed to see the country and was finally being taken there by her husband.]

[... ... ...

He opens his mouth. Then closes it.

... ... ...

Another try. Nope.

... ... ...]

I... Why? [Stalling!]

Ah. Well.

[What do you think, Horatio? Seriously.]

You...

[Okay, brain is processing.

...And will finish later. Right now.]

You don't want to do what I did.

...That does go without saying. I want to know what she did, really. What to...expect.

She... was speechless for a few moments. Then threw her arms around me.

[And it hurts to say it. To remember how happy she had been. And all he'd wanted to do was get her to accept his help. He had known, of course, that hers was out of love.

God help him.]

[Yeah, this really was a bad idea. Archie looks guilty, eyes venturing away.]

Page 1 of 4

Fifteenth Dispatch - [written]

[Action]

[written]

[Voice]

[Voice]

[written]

[Voice]

[Action]

[Voice]

[Voice]

[Voice]

[Action]

[Action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[Action]

[action]

[Action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]