The shot ricocheted off the surface of the sea and as it descended again hulled the Ceres on the waterline just to the left of its rudder.
The shot ricocheted off the surface of the sea and as it descended again hulled the Ceres on the waterline just to the left of its rudder.
Last edited by Bligh; 11-07-2021 at 09:01.
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.
Within seconds of the report from her chaser, Aurora was engulfed in a veritable maelstrom of devastating cannon fire.
Last edited by Bligh; 11-07-2021 at 09:01.
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 trap had been sprung! Tucked up under the concealing headland of the outer isle was a second French sloop lurking in wait for the perusing ship.
Last edited by Bligh; 11-07-2021 at 09:00.
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.
Although sails were rent and men fell, the actual damage was not as bad as might have been expected and. although taken unawares. Aurora was able to return a pretty reasonable broadside of her own, the results being very similar.
Last edited by Bligh; 11-07-2021 at 09:00.
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.
Faced by this unexpected threat Captain Cope was now taken on the horns of a dilemma. Did he continue his pursuit of the Ceres and leave a danger in his rear, or abandon the chase and take on the aptly named Alligator which had just closed the jaws of the trap?
He decided that the greatest threat was the Alligator, and decided to box it up before it could get underway. Consequently he ordered hard a-port and all sails taken in preparatory to anchoring off the Frenchman’s bow.
Last edited by Bligh; 11-07-2021 at 09:00.
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.
Whilst all this was taking place, the wind had veered more South Westerly, but as events were to demonstrate this was to have no effect on the outcome of the action.
Last edited by Bligh; 11-07-2021 at 09:00.
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.
However, one irrevocable mistake had been made by the captain of the Ceres who had intended to come about at the far end of the bay, starboard his helm and anchor, thus blocking the only escape for the Aurora.
From here he could play his guns upon the British Sloop from long range. By leaving his sails fully set in fear of the British chasers, he had left the order to reduce too late and could now not make his turn without running aground. He was left with no option but to leave the anchorage, come about outside the confined area and retrace his course, or circumnavigate the whole island and re-enter where he first came in. This was the course he chose rather than present his bows to a raking shot from the Aurora.
Last edited by Bligh; 11-07-2021 at 09:00.
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.
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