AAR. May Scenario Who fired the first shot.

[Bligh]

At anchor in the Harbour, Kingston Jamaica.








As Rear Admiral Thomas Jackson got up from the chart he had been studying donned his Frock coat and began to pace back and forth in his day cabin in deep thought. It was obvious to him that from all the signs his Frigate captains had brought that a renewal of the War with France was imminent.

From well outside the harbour at Martinique, it was easy to see from the foretop of his Frigates sent to spy out the land that all the French ships within the outer basin had now got their masts crossed, and some already had sails furled.





It was no surprise to him when that morning Captain James Roberts' Frigate Amelia had put into Kingston with the news that a French Squadron had been seen making its way up from the Azores not six days earlier.





Dictating some quickly prepared orders to his captains, he summoned his Senior Post Captain and commander of his Flagship, Captain John Merrick to join him. Within a minute he heard the Marine guard snap to attention as Merrick arrived outside his door. A knock followed by his Steward Carter.
"Excuse me Admiral. But Captain Merrick is here sir."
"Show him in Carter." Boomed the Admiral.
"Good day John. Take a seat. Port?"
Within minutes both of them were poring over a chart of the Windward Channel.





"Do you think we can prevent a union with the Squadron in Martinique John."
"If we sail with the tide we should be able to catch them here sir."
"My very thoughts John. Make a signal for all Captains to repair aboard the Flagship to receive sailing orders at 7 bells of the forenoon watch."
"Aye aye Admiral."
He saluted, and with that John Merrick left the Admiral to his pacing and thoughts once more.

Bligh.