At last Captain Maynard in the Richard got in on the action as he began his turn to follow the Essex. With his forrard guns he continued the destruction of the Al Mutaraqa damaging its steering and maiming crewmen with splinters from the smashed gun-ports.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
the wind now took a hand in events, having been blowing strongly into the harbour mouth throughout the night, although it did not lessen in strength, it veered two points to the North.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
As Essex veered away to avoid the sandbars guarding the mouth of the harbour, it served to uncover the second Galley, which with the change of wind and her turn was attempting to set sails. Richard’s full broadside fired at long range, nevertheless, still served out a deal of punishment.
Last edited by Bligh; 11-22-2020 at 13:33.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Essex now served the third Galley, the Alrube in similar manner.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Essex’s turn along with the change in wind direction had now pushed her further toward the coast than Captain Millington had intended, and as he endeavoured to bring her about, he came under fire from a small battery positioned on a small islet guarding the harbour entrance. To add to his problems its heavy guns brought down his main topmast weakened earlier by fire from the galley. With this sudden loss of handling capability things were looking dark indeed for the Essex and her crew.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Fortunately for Essex the old guns of the Castle cast in the previous Century were firing cold and at extreme range, consequently doing very little damage. However, it was essential to get Essex out of range before they found the range. With the damaged mast this was easier said than done and a team of hands were working on the damage with a will borne out of desperation.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
To add insult to injury, the wind chose this moment to veer back more Easterly.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks