It was at this juncture that a hail from the foretops made Captain Smithers blood run cold. Another Frigate had appeared on the scene drawn to the sound of the guns. With half his crew either dead or aboard the three prizes, and Bombay in a shambles, he was in no position to take on yet another Frenchman.
Last edited by Bligh; 12-11-2021 at 05:24.
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.
With resignation he made sail and turned toward the new foe resigned to the fact that Bombay would at least go down fighting.
Last edited by Bligh; 12-11-2021 at 05:24.
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.
Captain Smithers could see that the newcomer had the legs on Bombay, with its damage and the pumps working overtime, and it was obvious that it was going to cross his bow. Just as he was about to give the order to turn to starboard and meet the Frenchman gun for gun, her colours were broken out at the jack staff.
With utter relief through his Dolland Glass he could see that she was sporting the Blue ensign of the Cape Squadron and not the Tricolour of France.
Last edited by Bligh; 12-11-2021 at 05:24.
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.
In no time at all Captain George Farthing of HMS Juno, had dispatched his ships boats to the aid of the Bombay, and working parties to the three prizes she had taken, thus releasing her own hands to return to help with the repairs to their own ship.
That evening, over a meal and a good bottle of Port, Captain explained to Captain Smithers how the Cape Squadron happened to be in the area, and all about the loss of the Aurora.
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.
What they did not learn was that she had already been partly avenged by the taking of the Alligator. It was Commodore Pennyman’s decision to blockade The Isle de France with the ships of the line whilst his Frigates patrolled the known areas where the French were known to operate, hence the arrival of Juno in time to see the demise of the small French flotilla.
After the interrogation of the remaining French Officers and crew it was discovered that Aurora’s crew had been taken as prisoners to the Isle de France and that the battered Aurora was undergoing repairs there prior to joining the French Squadron when the Frigates returned from their marauding.
A couple of days later, with repairs and jury masts erected on a couple of the prizes, the ships set off for Bombay escorted by Bombay and Juno.
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 Butcher’s Bill.
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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