captainhornblower | Second Dispatch

Second Dispatch - [written]

December 2nd,

I have asked a few individuals before my time with our [His pen hesitates, but he doesn't know what they can see. Since this book is obviously magical, he may as well be cautious.] hosts, and now, given the task they assigned me, I wish to ask the community at large.

In your harbour, there is a sloop-of-war with British colours on her called Britannia. Does she have a captain here?

I believe, with a bit of work (as she has been adequately maintained but requires attention in a few areas), she would be ready to take to sea come spring, provided there is a crew to do it. I am willing to [eager to, desperate to] take on that responsibility, but I would not wish to interfere with an already-present chain of command.

H. Hornblower

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Bastards.

I have a better lot than others, so I suppose it isn't my place to complain.

[Because there's no reason to complain about being penniless if the cards go too far against him.]

Of course it's your bloody place. Had a gazette myself what went two and a half years before Horse Guards saw fit to tell me it had been refused.

[ but not until after he'd been feted in london, dined by the patriotic fund, presented with a fifty guinea sword in recognition of his capture of a french eagle. the bloody newspapers had taken to calling him the scarred hero of the field of talavera. all of london had wanted to meet him; he'd hated it. but he hadn't hated it to much as the disdain army headquarters had showed him when their dutiful little hero sought to check in at whitehall only to be told he wasn't a captain at all. it had only taken them this long to tell him. ]

How is it that men with so much power and who command such forces can be so utterly inefficient?

[Normally, it would never be said or written, but hearing that brings it out. The wounds are still too raw-- losing Archie, parting from Bush, having to command that hateful ship, only to be plunged into poverty and denied being at sea.]

I arrived with my field promotion and dispatches two days after the preliminary treaty with France had been signed. With a fairer wind, I might have had it in hand before.