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Charles J. Royster, Jr.

Jack Punch Duty Calls

Jack Punch
The First Black Captain In

His Majestys Royal Navy

Duty Calls
By Chuck Royster 1

Charles J. Royster, Jr.

Jack Punch Duty Calls

This Book is Dedicated To My Mother Iris Elizabeth Royster

Charles J. Royster, Jr.

Jack Punch Duty Calls

Jack Punch
Of

His Majestys Royal Navy

Duty Calls
By Chuck Royster

Charles J. Royster, Jr.

Jack Punch Duty Calls

Charles J. Royster, Jr.

Jack Punch Duty Calls Jack Punch Of

His Majestys Royal Navy

Duty Calls
Table Of Contents
Chapter 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Dame Clbre and the First Punch Sir Peters Dilemma The Colonial Connection Antigua A New Direction Two Bells in the Forenoon Watch Snotties Farleys Foot Where the Antelope Plays Sir Peters Plan Pig Boat Commander, His Majestys Brig Punch
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His Majestys Royal Navy

Forward

As an African American, I have a keen interest in the history of my people. I want to know what we have done, what we said and how we have affected the world both today and historically. I also have a keen interest in other areas, which includes military, nautical, transportation and information processing arenas. From time to time, I use my time to pursue, track and gain additional knowledge in these areas through books, the internet and any other means at my disposal. I have pursued this hobby, that of learning more about things that interest me, since I was a boy and I first ventured into a library, at the age of eight. This book has been written to commemorate Royal Navy Captain John Perkins, a great, magnificent and yet unsung, National Hero of the Royal Navy of Great Britain. Within his guise as commerce raider Jack Punch, Captain Perkins was known to be a great seaman, a great warrior and spy, a nautical tactician and also a great leader of men. 6

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His leadership skills were such that he was promoted from the lower deck to the rank of Lieutenant in 1797; to the rank of Post Captain in 1803, and around 1805, to the field rank of Commodore, where he directed his and several other ships under his command to challenge, defeat and capture French warships many times his size and firepower. During his career, Captain Perkins had commanded more than six different British warships, and was ultimately was given command of a powerful 5th rate 32 gun frigate, The HMS Tartar (This ship was 1/3 larger than the 24 gun, 5th rate HMS Surprise commanded by Captain Jack Aubrey in the movie Master & Commander). All of these promotions were sanctioned and approved by King of Great Britain and confirmed by publication in the London Gazette, the voice of the Crown. In his lifetime he served as a spy for the British against the French and the Spanish, fought and fired broadsides on the Dutch, captured and took possession of the Dutch island of St. Eustatius from the French, and assisted in the negotiations and arming of the revolutionary resistance on the island of Haiti, which ultimately went on to win its independence from the France. Of curious note is the fact that Captain John Perkins was a Black, native born Jamaican who never set foot on the 7

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English mainland for the whole of his life. Captain John Perkins was a real, hard charging, seagoing hero. The best description of Captain Perkins career that I have found was written by N.A.M. Roger, the famed nautical historian and author of The Wooden World: An Anatomy of the Georgian Navy for the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. You can also find more information about him and his historical accomplishments by searching for his name in the online dictionary, Wikipedia. I would like to thank Professor Rodger for providing me valuable insight during my initial research on Captain Perkins, and for the time and candor he provided to me during our multiple transatlantic telephone conversations. By researching the pages of the London Gazette, I have found many letters and reports written and signed by Captain Perkins to his superiors showing proof of his daring accomplishments, his unwavering tactical skills and, his literacy. The following is a actual letter published in the London Gazette on April 22nd, 1801: (On Board the) Arab, St. Eustatia, April 22, l801 S I R*. 8

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THE enclosed is a Copy of a Letter I received from the President of St. Kitts, in consequence of which I immediately proceeded in compliance with the Contents, after having embarked the Troops at Sandy Point, on board the Arab, and the Spanish Armed Schooner her Prize; I have to inform you that after having sent into St. Eustatia to be acquainted with their Resolutions, on the Morning of .the 21st Instant, I received the enclosed Articles of Capitulation. I am, &c. JOHN PERKINS. As commander of the 22 gun ARAB, Commodore Perkins negotiated the siege, surrender and capitulation of the French on the island of St. Eustatius, which was actively involved in the supply of slaves and arms to the colonies during the American War of Independence and continued as a base of operations in the Caribbean for the French, Dutch and Spanish during the Forth Dutch Anglo War (1780-1784). In his letter to his superior, Admiral J. T Duckworth, Commander In Chief of the Leeward Islands dated April 22, 1801 (published in the London Gazette Issue No. 9

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15370, May 30, 1801) Commodore Perkins reported the results of his negotiations with the President of St. Kitts. It should be noted that when Commodore Perkins took the island he also had, in addition to the two ships under his command, a commissioned Royal Marine Captain and an entire regiment of Royal Marine Buffs to support his efforts in taking the island. Together with his crew, the island was sacked and stripped of all items of value which included powder, shot, cannon and ships. His letter details all of the items taken with specific descriptions of each item. The above citation is but one Captain Perkinss many written descriptions and reports of his actions and accomplishments that reside amongst the pages of the worlds oldest, and most distinguished and respected newspaper. The London Gazette was, and continues to be published under the authority and auspices of The Crown of Great Britain, who to this date holds its copyright. Wikipedia, the free, on-line encyclopedia describes the London Gazette as follows: The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the United Kingdom government, and the most important among such official journals in the UK, in which certain statutory notices are required to be published. The London Gazette is the oldest surviving 10

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English Newspaper and the oldest continuouslypublished newspaper in the United Kingdom, having been first published on 7 November 1665. After spending considerable time researching the life achievements of Commodore Perkins, I found gaping holes in the very same historical records that so accurately documented the careers of Admirals Nelson, Parker, and many other Royal Navy nautical heroes. I also noted that within the writings of several of those Admirals who commanded Commodore Perkins, such as renowned Royal Navy heroes Sir Hyde and Sir Peter Duckworth, I found true hearts demonstrating an equality of respect for Captain Perkins achievements. Their correspondence to the Admiralty was rich with praise and appreciation for his actions, and they continually encouraged and implored the Crown to reward him with promotions, bigger ships, greater responsibility and increased financial rewards. I have a high respect for these gentlemen, as they openly encouraged the Crown to adopt an attitude of the equality and respect for Commodore Perkins achievements long after it was no secret that he was a Black Jamaican, and long before such an attitude was accepted or popular. I should note that while the real Captain Perkins life and adventures served as the stimulus for the book, this book is 11

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a work of fiction. It is an imaginative story loosely constructed around some actual facts. As such, everything in it, including the names of the characters, the descriptions of those characters, the ships, crewmembers and places described are all fictional. Any resemblance to anyone, living or dead is a matter of pure coincidence. In many ways, this work is similar to the efforts of other authors who utilized the splendid career of Admiral Horatio Nelson as a framework for their great literary tales. In this manner, this work is somewhat similar to the works of C. S. Forrester (Horatio Hornblower) and Patrick O'Brian (Jack Aubrey of the Master and Commander series.) This book is not written to provide the reader with a wealth of actual, On the Scene historical facts, but to utilize the periodicity of Captain Perkins career as a framework and backdrop for an enjoyable, and yet purely fictional, tale of adventure and accomplishment. Within this process, this book is also written to highlight the real fact that two centuries before Americas Civil Rights came to being, there were Gentlemen of Color who were daring, courageous and successful who conducted their affairs with precision, civility and professionalism, the very same professionalism that has powered the Royal Navy for more than four centuries. 12

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Captain Perkins nickname, Jack Punch was derived from the fear that the his enemies held for his first official command, a small 70 foot two mast vessel which served as a fleet tender or Brig, called His Majestys Brig (HMB) Punch. During the period Captain Perkins commanded The Punch, he chased, captured, burned, blasted, and liberated more than 300 ships and 3000 prisoners from his enemies, the Americans, the French, The Dutch and the Spanish. There are many documented cases wherein the enemy captains, upon seeing The Punch approaching, would run aground and/or swim to shore (leaving the ship abandoned) rather than face Jacks cannon and voracious appetite for battle. It is for this reason that I have chosen Perkins feared and respected nickname, Jack Punch as the name of the main character for my imaginary events. With these tales of bravado, I have attempted to Put some imaginary meat on the bones of the few bare facts that I have been able to glean concerning the achievements of Captain John Perkins life. It is my belief that to be as great as he was, and of African descent, Captain Perkins must have been a complete man, with intelligence, perseverance, culture and polish, as he was able to accomplish so many magnificent achievements.

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His Majestys Royal Navy Preface The fourteen years which elapsed between the Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762) and the adhesion of France to the cause of the revolted Colonist were spent by the French in a resolute attempt to build up their navy and to strengthen the family compact which united the Royal Houses of France and Spain. Nor was the British Navy allowed to decay at this time, as it had so often been before in time of peace. A regular standard of naval strength was maintained: namely, equality to the combined navies of the House of Burbon. That standard prevailed, at least nominally, at the outbreak of the war. Nevertheless, Great Britain entered upon the struggle under circumstances very unfavorable to her. The merchant shipping of the North American Colonies amounted to very nearly half her own, and the reservoir of trained seamen which had thus possessed was now cut off from her.

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In addition, she (Great Britain) was committed to a war far from her own shores, while her principal enemies at sea were close to them, and, in the distant sphere, had, moreover, a great part of the resources of the Colonies to rely on. For the first time in history she fought at a serious disadvantage in geographical position. As a further embarrassment, the Dutch, disloyal to their ancient treaties, resisted to the application of the rule of 1756 to the point of declaring war. Antwerp and the Scheldt were at the disposal of the enemy. And Russia, Sweden, and Denmark joined in the armed neutrality, which aimed at asserting the right of neutrals to trade with belligerents in all articles save contraband of war, and denied the right of blockade. Since naval stores then chiefly came from the Baltic, and these were denied to Great Britain, the armed neutrality scarcely differed from actual war. The Royal Navy of France was never so formidable. The operations in the West Indies, which form the main naval interest in the War of American Independence, are anything but easy to follow. The capture of (the) Sugar Islands; the reestablishment of France and Spain in their predominating 15

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position in the West Indies became the (enemys) objective. Sea Power and Freedom, Pages 186-188 Gerard Fiennes 1918

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His Majestys Royal Navy Chapter One Dame Clbre and the First Punch

The year was 1775 and the cool Caribbean wind blew across the shallow bay over the twelve black men hunkered 17

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down in the captured French longboat. With the folding mast collapsed across the boats centerline, the men waited quietly behind a clump of Eucalyptus trees, in the shadow of a rocky outcrop supporting the cliffs above. The men listened intently to the agonizing cries, screams, curses and rattling chains emanating from the French slaver reloading its miserable cargo at the dock located on the other side of the rocks. As most of these men had, at one time or another, been slaves themselves, they were all too familiar with these sounds, and the pain, punishment and degradation that came along with them. They recognized them as the invariable sound sounds of suffering, deprivation and profit as unsold slaves were once again being beat, kicked and prodded into the man-made hell of filth and stench of the slavers hold. But they made not a sound. At the command of their leader, they waited quietly. They waited for the perfect time, and the perfect place to affect their intentions; to take the slaver, and relieve the French owners of their slavegained riches. John (Jack Punch) Perkins, the leader of this motley collection of humanity, lay prone, next to the five pound cannon mounted on the bow of the longboat. Jacks eye was focused through a short brass telescope watching the hubbub of activity on the dock to which the French slaver, the Dame Clbre, was moored. From appearances, there 18

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was also a small brig moored to the same dock behind the slaver loading stores of powder and shot, apparently destined for a trip to America. Jack was intensely focused on his target and carefully watched the motions, activities and habits of each man on the slavers crew. This habit, of carefully studying ones adversaries, was known to be as much as part of his character as his powerful build and good looks. At 5 8and stripped to the waist, his muscular upper body, bulging biceps and broad, chocolate colored back spanned the entire width of the bows of the small cutter. With two pistols tucked in his waistband, and a wide blackstrap cutlass scabbard, he formed the picture of a formidable adversary to any of his potential enemies. And a formidable adversary he was. Born free in Jamaica in 1747 in the town of Kingston, he had watched the brutalities of slavery forced upon his sisters, cousins and friends. He hated slavery with a passion. At the age twelve, he left his fathers home in Kingston, and joined his with Uncle Perkins as a powder monkey on a British privateer operating under a letter of marque from the Governor of Port Royal. Inasmuch as England was at war with both the Dutch and the French, he spent his time raiding Dutch and French ships laden with gold, slaves and any other cargo headed for the slave based economy of America. 19

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But this was a life that was not to be, for at the age of 19, his ship was attacked by two French warships, and he was taken, as a slave, to the Dutch on the island of St. Eustatius, where he was to await transportation to America. Fortunately, his knowledge of ships, and the caves and coves of the Caribbean paid off. During the voyage to Charleston, South Carolina, he led a rebellion which resulted in the capture of the slaver, and the killing of the Dutch captain and crew. He sailed his prize back to Port Royal, where he sold the vessel to a friend of his father, the Governor of Port Royal, and freed his fellow captives. From that point on, he was viewed throughout the Caribbean as a wanted man in the eyes of both the French and the Dutch, and sentenced to death by them in abstention. For the next 10 years, Jack spent his life driving his former masters absolutely mad. Operating under Letters of Marques from the several Governors of Port Royal, he led his growing crew of freemen and former slaves to continue the harassment of the French and Dutch shipping with special emphasis on the slave trade, by capturing their ships and taking the profits they gained from their sales of their vessels, their cargo, and his unfortunate brethren. Adopting a policy he learned as a crewmember on the British privateer, the profits were split up, in equal shares according to position, with his crew. He became known as 20

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an expert with respect to his almost photographic knowledge of the dangerous reefs, caves, cays and passages throughout both the West Indies and the Leeward Islands, and a very wealthy man. At home in Jamaica, this life had allowed him to become a very well known, and reasonably well off, member of Jamaican society. He had a fine home on a small plantation, with paid servants and Jamaican workers who raised sugar cane, distilled rum and sold it for a huge profit. As a free man in British society, he was well respected by both Whites and Blacks of the small island nation. Under the protection of British law, he enjoyed many of the privileges of his White counterparts, and was frequently sought out for their advice during the planning of British military matters. These thoughts were turning over in Jacks mind as he lay in the bows of the cutter. All that he was, and all that he worked for now lay before him, at risk, in the cutter with him. But this was his chosen way of life, so he put the thoughts out of his head and continued to concentrate on the problem at hand, and waited. It was then that he felt the wind on his cheek, and he knew that the time for his attack was rapidly approaching for as the morning mist faded, and the land began to warm up, the offshore breeze began to stir. 21

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The slaver, which had completed the loading and securing of its human cargo, was preparing to slip its mooring and catch the morning breeze to continue its journey to the next slave trading port to the souwest. Unfortunately for the slaver, it would attempting to sail into the wind, which meant that it would have to sail on a starboard tack from a lee shore, giving Jack and his crew the weather gage, and perfect positioning for the attack by the small cutter. The Dame Clbre was now ready to sail. Jack watched as the French Captain hauntingly strode to the quarterdeck. Prparez au depart! The French Captain shouted to his crew. Followed by Tout en haut! (All hands aloft!) Jack watch as the crew scrambled up the mainmast and released the sails. As the sails gathered the wind, the clumsy vessel began to awkwardly gain speed and drifted slowly away from the dock. As soon as the she had cleared the dock moved away from the headland, the American brig, with the name Commerce Venture painted on her bows, also slipped her mooring and followed slowly behind the Dame Clbre on the same tack. The trap was set. Mounting four six-pounders, with two four pounders as both bow and stern chasers, the Dame Clbre could not 22

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exactly be considered Easy Prey. Slavers usually carried a crew of about 50 men who were known as vile and vicious sorts, and were accustomed to battling pirates, privateers and even the British Royal Navy to retain the spoils of their livelihood, the slaves and the profits from the sales of their slaves. They could therefore always be counted upon to put up a fierce fight for their spoils. Jack and his crew knew this, and were amply prepared to accomplish their mission with equal zeal. Weapons ready! Jack whispered to this crew. On this command, each man opened the frizzen covering the charge in the weapons priming pan and checked to ensure that the black powder in the pan did not cover the touchhole of his flintlock. Each man took the toothpick that he kept in their mouth and poked it through the touchhole, which is a small hole drilled from the pan of the weapon to the powder charge in the firing chamber. This ensured that the hole was clear, and the fire created in the pan would proceed down the touchhole and ignite the powder charge in the chamber with a Bang!, and thereby propelling the ball in the barrel in front of the powder charge in the firing chamber into the guts of a perspective adversary with deadly consequences. Clearing the touchhole of the weapon was necessary to prevent whats called a flash in the pan. A flash in the 23

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pan occurs when you pull the trigger, the powder in the pan ignites, but the weapon doesnt shoot. If the touchhole is not clear, the fire created in the pan by the flint striking the frizzen cannot proceed down the touchhole to set off the powder in the firing chamber. In a battle, this can be a potentially deadly occurrence. As the men cleared their weapons, Jack watched and listened as each man removed the small, oiled leather bag tied over the front of the barrel of his flintlock (to keep out any water) and then pull the hammer back to its halfcocked, or Ready position. The Weapons Ready status was signified by a loud Click! sound emanating from each mans flintlock. This was essentially the flintlocks Safety On setting, as the weapon would not fire from the first click but had to have its hammer pulled further back to a second fully-cocked position, which was signified by yet another click, to fire. Hence the old adage, Dont go off half-cocked. With each click, the man would stare at Jack to await his nod of approval. Jack knew his crew was now ready for battle. Jack waited until the Dame Clbre had cleared the headland and he watched as she came about on her larboard tack with the open sea before her. But he also knew that she would have to tack again, and that, this time, she would 24

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be out of the range of the French cannon mounted at the fort on the headland erected to protect the dock and its slave trading customers. Jack knew these waters. He knew that the Dame Clbre had to tack to avoid getting her bottom ripped out by Clemmetts Reef, a long line of coral reefs stringing from North to South, which was directly in her path as she lay on the larboard tack. Jack saw the French captain place the speaking trumpet to his mouth and shout Se prparent virer le navire tribord! He watched the slaver as she began her turn to starboard to avoid the oncoming reefs. Her sails fell slack and she proceeded almost dead slow as she wheeled around in preparation to re-gather the wind and continue her voyage to the open sea. It appeared that the master of the American brig was unaware of this reef, which was uncharted, as he headed directly for the reef and what appeared to be a date with sudden disaster. This was the moment Jack had been waiting for. Hoist the mainsl, hoist the jib! whispered Jack.

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Immediately the cutter caught the wind and shot from behind the outcropping of rocks which had hidden it from the view of the Dame Clbre. Jack, now at the tiller, guided the shallow draft cutter through a break in the line of Clemmetts Reef directly across the path of the Dame Clbre. With the weather gage, and the wind to his back steadily mounting, the cutter quickly gained speed and skipped across the bay towards the port bow of the slaver, the captain of which was just now beginning to realize what was about to happen. Tout aux canons! shouted the French captain. As the bulk of the crew were still aloft working the sails, those who remained on deck raced towards their assigned cannon stations to repel Jack and his band of marauders. Several crewmen could be seen running to the bows of the ship, attempting to load the cannon and struggling to get the primer and ball ready to fire. But it was too late. Fire! shouted Jack. The cutters bow cannon, loaded with chain shot, roared to life. The massive explosion of the close ranged direct hit ripped away the slavers bow chaser, port side anchor cats and the upper halves of the four men attempting to fire the cannon with it. With the anchor cats gone, the slavers 26

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anchor, chain and hawser line fell into the sea and immediately lodged itself in the rocky coral bottom of the bay, dragging the slaver to a dead halt. Fire at will! shouted Jack. All at once, Jacks men in the cutter fired their muskets and pistols, therein picking off the other hapless Frenchmen racing along the decks to assist the unfortunate few that were attempting to fire the slavers cannon. The slaver now lay dead in the water and virtually helpless. She was unable to defend herself, as her port cannon could not be brought to bear on Jacks low-slung cutter. As the cutter bumped up against the hull of the slaver, Jack and his men raced up the boarding ladder and climbed over the bulwarks of the slaver while shouting to the top their lungs and firing pistols at any Frenchman they saw. As Jack tumbled over the port side rail of the slaver a French officer fired his pistol from across the deck directly at him, but the ball missed Jack and killed Asanni, his second in command who was just mounting the rail behind him. Jack was furious, he bounded across the deck as the officer frantically cocked his other pistol, but the French officer was too slow, as Jacks cutlass blithely came across the mans body, and struck the arm holding the pistol. This fatal blow cut off the arm and the hand holding the pistol, 27

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all of which, hand, arm and pistol, fell clattering to the deck. Jacks second upwards swipe of the cutlass took off the right side of the officers face, killing him instantly. It was at this time that something struck the ship with force and fury of a bomb, and every timber of the slaver shook and shuddered to the impact. The other half of Jacks crew, on what appeared to be an American brig named Commerce Venture, had driven their vessels bows directly into the mid-ship of the Dame Clbre, and the ships crew were now streaming across her bows onto the Dame Clbre, while screaming, firing and killing every Frenchmen they encountered on sight. Seeing this, the French captain gave up. Assez! Nous nous rendons! He shouted, dropping his empty pistols and presenting his sword to Jack. You have won, Monsieur, said the French captain, in English. Immediately the clattering sounds of the French crews pistols, cutlasses, and repelling pikes could be heard dropping to the deck. The battle was over, and the slaver was Jacks.

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Rolling his eyes up in disgust, the French captain looked up at the yardarm of the brig and spotted the British ensign. He then read the real name of the ship which was now exposed under the torn canvas attached to the disguise his captors ship. It read: The Punch. He looked at his captor and gasped with realization. You are no slave, Monsieur. You are Jack Punch, the pirate! Privateer, Sir, not a Pirate. I bring you greetings from His Majesty King Charles under whose command I gladly perform my duties. Your sword, if you please, Monsieur, .and your gold. Said Jack. Using the barrel of the pistol from the officer he had killed, Jack motioned to the captain to proceed below. This way, Monsieur. sneered the French captain. McKenzie, Jacks long-time friend and mate, accompanied the two to the cabin below. Jack kept his pistol pointed at the French captains head. The cabin was small and cramped. In the starboard corner a swinging wooden hammock rocked to the motion of the ship. In it lay a sobbing young Jamaican girl stripped to the waist with one of her wrist chained to the upper works of 29

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the hammock. She was bleeding from her forehead and with her free hand, held the blood soaked remnants of a long pink skirt which she held tightly between her legs. Seeing Jack and McKenzie, she struggled to cover herself with the bedding of the hammock. The captains preoccupations were obvious, and it appeared that Jacks raid had interrupted the captains continued pursuit of his carnal pleasures. A l-bas, said the Frenchman, ignoring the girl. The captain motioned towards a chest sitting on the table in the middle of his cabin. Open it. said Jack. The captain opened the chest reveal hundreds of gold coins, payment for slaves he had sold over the entirety of his voyage. You are a filibustere, monsieur, a pirate. said the captain. The king of France will see you hung for your crimes, you Black bastard. But you never will, said Jack.

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He fired his pistol, and the Frenchmans head disappeared through the aft window of the cabin.

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His Majestys Royal Navy Chapter Two Sir Peters Dilemma

April 17th, 1775 His Lordships regret, that they can only be answerable to the loyalty and fidelity of the King, and, with resolution of 32

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doing what appears to them to be the best for his service, which under the current circumstances, preclude the selection and assignment of an officer of post-captain rank from the fleet at Portsmouth to the West Indies under your command. We therefore hereinafter charge you to select, appoint and or post, as the requirements of your command may deem necessary, the specific officers and charges of your choice to support your fleet officer manning requests (sic.) in support of the success and completion of your assigned mission Faithfully Yours, First Lord Gerald Leland Pitt The ADMIRALTY BOARD

As he read his latest dispatch from Whitehall, Vice Admiral Sir Peter Parker, Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica station, methodically paced the weather side of the quarter deck of his new flagship, the 52 gun, 4th rate HMS Antelope. As customary in the Royal Navy, the lesser officers left him to his thoughts, and stayed on the lee side of the quarterdeck to assure his privacy. The good admiral had a lot on his mind. His last dispatch to the Admiralty contained an urgent request for additional 33

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ships staffed with officers with experience cruising the West Indies. His answer, which he repeatedly read to insure that he had interpreted it properly, in effect told him that they could not help him, and that he must use his own devices to complement his fleet and staff his charge. He was on his own, and the Admiralty had empowered him to use his own devices to select, appoint and or post officers and leaders to meet his needs. But where, 3000 miles from Whitehall, the center of the worlds combatant naval activity, was he to find these men? Suddenly, Sir Peters thoughts were interrupted by a shout from the main foretop. Deck, There! Where, away? Shouted Sir Peter, as he struggled with the claps securing his telescope in its case. Cannon fire and smoke abaft two points to larboard! Came the reply from the foretop. Finally snatching his telescope from its case, Sir Peter wheeled around and peered through the mist to view what was going on inside the small harbor he had been patrolling for the past 12 hours. Yesterday at this very hour, he and his squadron had chased what appeared to be a French brig almost directly under the guns of the French fort in the harbor. The French immediately fired on his fleet at their 34

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approach. Being unsure of the dangers of the coral reefs of an unknown harbor, and facing the devastation that would be inevitable from mounted stationary cannon, he wisely signaled his fleet to patrol the entrance of the harbor, and await the departure of the prize from the safety of the forts cannon. Through his telescope he watched, with unanticipated amazement, the swift capture of his intended prize, and succumbed to the reluctant realization that the associated prize money thereof was not destined to be his. To his left, his Flag Captain, John Montrose, and the other officers of the watch simultaneously gazed through their telescopes at the swift efficiency of the ongoing action. Damn! scoffed Montrose. Who the hell is that? My God, carefully planned and beautifully executed. Where did he come from? Are they pirates, or what? They appear to be privateers. said Sir Peter. They are flying the British ensign. They must be out of Port Royal. Well, it appears that they are out of Port Royal, and we are Out of Pocket! That French brig would have brought a handsome price. So it seems. said Sir Peter. Could you make out the name of the ship? 35

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No, Sir said Montrose. She appears to be one of the new American designs, fast, shallow draft, and more sail than timber. Ill imagine her to be a real pitching bear in a following sea. Aye, but perfectly designed for her current occupation. said the Admiral. Better luck next time, Gentlemen. said Sir Peter, as he snapped his telescope close. Perkins, the Admirals old Black steward, was standing nearby with his first cup of hot tea. Make sail for Port Royal, there is nothing more we can do here. Said the Admiral Aye, Aye, Sir. came the reply. Immediately the ship began to buzz with life as the Master called All hands to make sail, and the crew scrambled aloft in preparation. Losn the headsls, Losn the topsls. Helm alee called the Master. With the new press of sail, the Antelope warped around like a spanked greyhound, and spun on her heels as she leaned before the wind. As indicated by the expanding 36

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froth of her bow wave, she quickly picked up speed towards her new destination: Port Royal. Old Perkins, the Admirals steward, had been in the Royal Navy for almost half a century and with the Admiral for the greater part of the last decade. As such, he was allowed, at choice moments, to speak directly to Sir Peter, without admonition. A Jamaican by birth, he had signed on with Sir Peter during the waning years of his youth as an Able Seaman. Over the years, Perkins had sailed with Sir Peter across the globe and proven his loyalty, and bravery to him on many occasions, in many battles, in numerous far off ports of call. Now, at the twilight of his career, he was too old to scamper up the ratlines to the work the foretop sails and a bit too feeble to grab a marlinspike and help manhandle a four ton cannon into firing position. So, Sir Peter, acquiescing to his pleas to remain at sea, signed him on as his steward. As per his daily ritual, Perkins stood by Sir Peter to return his favorite porcelain china cup and saucer to its protected cupboard in the Admirals cabin. The other officers returned to their duties, and left Sir Peter to his space on the quarter deck. As he handed Sir Peter the tea cup, Perkins, in his soft-spoken Jamaican accent, leaned over and whispered in Sir Peters left ear: 37

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Da ship be da Punch, Sah. Whispered Perkins. Me nephew John be da Captain. Him be known to take more ships den anybody in da Caribbean, Black or White. Him be me brothers son, him who take the ship, Sah. You know him? asked Sir Peter. Aye, Sah. When him Mama die, me brother be fighting the Spanish on Hispaniola. Him beg me to take him care. Ah took him to sea w me when he be twelve years, and him been dere ever since. Him took his first slaver when he but 19 years. Him real name be John, John Perkins. Same as me, Sah. Perkins. Him love the sea, Sah. Hmmm. So it seems. Replied Sir Peter. Thank you, Perkins.

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His Majestys Royal Navy Chapter Three The Colonial Connection

England was an island nation whose very existence depended on her ability to ensure that her great merchant marine fleet could move throughout the world freely. The mission to ensure that these freedoms were protected throughout the West Indies was the charge of the new Chief of the Jamaica Station, Sir Peter Parker. Sir Peter knew upon his assignment that it would be difficult, if not impossible to complete his mission without a cadre of aggressive, talented and well-trained seaman officers to 39

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assist him in his endeavors. Moreover, he needed officers that were familiar with the navigational nuances of the many inlets, coves, reefs and rocks of his assigned territory, as these hidden hazards were making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to fulfill his mission without endangering the ships of his fleet. England was at war, a three navy war, taking on not just the fledgling navy of its revolting American colonies, but also the French, Spanish and the Dutch, those traditional enemies with powerful, world-wide naval forces who allied with the colonies, and would ally with anyone else who would raise a hand against the British Empire. Englands old arch enemies maintained a significant level of naval forces to protect their possessions in the West Indies and the Leeward Islands. Sir Peter knew that these possessions served, in addition to their highly profitable slave trade, as ammunition, powder and smuggling transshipment import and export ports for the colonies, and that much of the Colonies ability to wage war against the Crown came through these ports. It was, therefore Sir Peters intention to close these ports down, and kill, capture or dismantle the systems of forts, fleets and harbors that protected these activities. On the other hand, the three other nations were clandestinely, or openly, doing everything in their power to 40

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aid and assist the colonies in gaining their independence. They all were involved in smuggling in slave labor, weapons, powder, shot and anything else they could sell to the American rebels, while exporting timber, cotton, tobacco, sugar and numerous other cash crops to back to Europe to gain profits from the American efforts of war. They were, after all inclined to protect their own interest, and the enormous profits of slave trade would not be given up easily. Consequently, Sir Peter was tasked with the problem of protecting and patrolling miles and miles of empty Southern ocean between North and South America, Jamaica and the Leeward islands with a ragtag fleet of schooners, brigs and frigates, with only a few worn but qualified, Ships of the line. The Royal Navy was, in fact, overextended. The task of victualing, crewing and staffing a fleet that was on constant patrol, and more than 3000 miles from their homeport was an enormous burden. Able seamen were coerced, pressed and virtually grabbed from every available source: merchant ships, captured rebel ships, British slavers, and from the bars and brothels of Port Royal, and every other element within the British Empire. These forced impressments were a significant contributor to the problem with the American Colonies, who no longer 41

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considered themselves to be subjects of the Crown, and therefore decried pressed service in the British military as a form of slavery. From the British perspective, nothing could be further from the truth. The colonies, though rebellious, still belonged to the Crown, and, by the standards of the day, British seamen were well-paid, and generally well treated. Moreover, the Royal Navy was by necessity, crewed by men (and sometimes women, in disguise) from all over the world. The average crew of a Royal Navy ship was a mixed bag of humanity which hailed from England, Ireland, Ethiopia, Madagascar, India, China, South America and all other parts of the world, as the Captain of a Royal Navy ship was ultimately responsible for recruiting the crew for his ship, so he recruited wherever in the world he was. Not exactly a formula for the attraction of a single race, monolithic crew. But this worked well for the Royal Navy, as the Admiralty did not allow slavery on its ships. The men who made up the leadership of the most modern and powerful navy in the world were a mixture of the British aristocracy and naval professionals who, for the most part, worked their way up through the ranks. Many of these men were Cornishmen, who had started their naval careers as young, 12 year old 42

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Midshipmen, or Young Gentlemen as they were called in the orlop of the lower deck. These men, many the sons of doctors, shopkeepers, merchants and cobblers therefore supported and defended the dignity of their fellow crewmen, and the profession to which they mutually belonged. They were not prone to allow this profession, which demanded duty, honor and courage as its namesake, to be tainted and disgraced by stench of slavery. As early as 1847, the British Empire, and ultimately the Royal Navy, led the world in its efforts to eradicate slavery from every corner of the globe. The empire fought slavery on against every European nation including France, Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands. In the Royal Navy, an able seaman was an able seaman, be he yellow, black, white or any other color. Having served the majority of his life on board Navy ships, Sir Peter had also shared his fears, dangers, berths and victuals with men of every color, race and nation in the world. He had seen bravery, cowardice, fear and daring from these men who were his shipmates. He understood the world of the Navy, what made it work and why it worked. He knew that there were two mainstays which held up the efficiency of the Royal Navy: The inherent trust of a ships company in its officers and each other, and the fairness with which the rules, laws, discipline, respect and 43

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rewards, i.e. promotion and prize money, were equally and fairly distributed. This worked because the Navy way to success was relatively simplistic: new ships, promotions to larger commands and prize money went to those captains and crews who stormed into the heat of battle, and were successful in killing the enemy and taking their ships. The officers that did not perform received assignments to hulks in port, ship decommissions, paid-off crews and half-pay, which effectively beached and/or ended their careers. The system was not complicated, and you didnt need a Sea Lawyer to understand it. At 37, Sir Peter was not going to end up with the status of an Admiral of the Yellow, which in effect, meant he would become an Admiral with no Squadron to command. In other words, he would be an Admiral of nothing. As with todays modern navies throughout the world, there were very few real commands for 18th century Royal Navy Admirals to aspire to: Admiral of the Red (who commanded the Red Squadron and also served as Admiral of the Fleet), Admiral of the White (who served as Vice Admiral of the Fleet and commanded the White Squadron, and the Admiral of the Blue, who served as the 2nd Vice or Rear Admiral of the Fleet while commanding the Blue Squadron). Each commanded a squadron that flew an 44

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ensign appropriately colored to the rank of their commanding Admiral. Old, has been or non-performing captains, having served their time in the Navy and no longer promotable, were given the title Admiral and then retired. It was the original implementation of the famed up or out system that all modern navies utilize to this day. It worked then, and it still works to this day in modern navies across the globe. In order to be successful, Sir Peter knew that in addition to his current cadre of followers, he had to recruit, retain and promote a larger following of industrious, smart officers and crews who would assist him in his quest for rank, glory and profit. And with Sir Peter, he didnt particularly give a damn where they came from, or what they looked like.

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His Majestys Royal Navy Chapter Four Antigua

McKenzie stood staring out of the aft cabin window of the Dame Clbre, watching the churning froth of water caused by the feeding frenzy of the ever present channel sharks 46

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below. The water, now tainted bright red with the French Captains blood, churned and boiled as the sharks fought to devour chunks of their new found breakfast, the bloody remains of what used to be the French captains head. McKenzie had known Jack for over five years and was somewhat surprised by Jacks reaction to the French Captains remarks. He had never seen Jack kill an unarmed prisoner in cold blood before. My Gawd, Capn? Ya blow da mons head offen cause he call you Black? He asked Jack. Hell, no, Mack. answered Jack. I blew his head off because he called my mother a whore. I aint nobodys bastard! My mother and father were married for more than 30 years. Jacks attention turned to the young girl chained to the hammock, And for another reason.Look at his left sleeve. He said as his mind strayed off. McKenzie picked up the left arm of the French captains crumpled remains and a small derringer clattered to the deck. Ahhhh! Exclaimed McKenzie. Now dat me understands! Him make poor choice of words, den. Orders, Capn? Asked McKenzie. 47

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Aye, Mack. Get topside and have the cutter crew lock up the prisoners, cat that anchor and get ready to make sail. Then get back to the Punch, have the crew untangle us from the bow spirit and get us under way. Tell them to hurry and be ready to make sail. Ill take over here. We need to get away before the French patrols get wind of what has happened. Where we goin, Capn? Hispaniola, where we can drop off the slaves. I think they will have the best chance of survival there, and then its on to Port Royal. Aye, Aye, Capn. And Mack, Ask Ol Timer to come aft to see to the girl, and have him brings two of his mates to clean this mess up. Aye, Aye, Capn McKenzie left the cabin to get things moving on deck. Jack walked over to the table and stared at the chest full of gold. He set the empty pistol on the desk and picked up the ring of keys the French captain had used to open the chest. He opened the door to the wardrobe in the port corner of the 48

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cabin and removed a cloak, which he wrapped around the shivering young Jamaican girl. She looked up and him with thanks in her eyes. How old are you, child? asked Jack. But she said nothing. Jack found the key to the locked wrist iron holding her fast to the bunk, and removed it. She then turned her eyes downward, and stared into the bunk. Fourteen, sir. She said meekly. You called for me, Capn? At 72 years, Old Timer was the oldest member of Jacks crew. He had been at sea with Jack for the past seven years. It was said that he left his home in Antigua after his wife of 55 years, who was a midwife, died. Timer was a kind, grey bearded wiry old gentleman, and served as the surgeons mate for the crew, bandaging cuts, mixing potions for the sick and usually responsible for tending to the wounded. Timer dropped his eyes in disgust when he saw the young girl. My God! Exclaimed Timer upon seeing the girl. You go head, Capn, I tends to the young lady. said Timer. 49

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Timer found a shirt in the wardrobe and immediately began tearing it up to make a bandage for her head wound. The splash of the French Captains remains hitting the water could be clearly heard as Jack left the cabin and headed towards the forward hold. As he approached the hold, the familiar sounds of rattling chains, cries and moans met his ears, and at the same time, the stench of slavery, that of rotting flesh, vomit, urine and human waste attacked his nostrils. Before descending into the hold, he held his breath to allow his senses to adapt and his eyes to get used to the darkness. He then descended into the hold. His men were already removing the shackles and chains from the occupants and helping those that were strong enough to move up on deck. As he passed through the hold the men, women and children were grabbing at his cloths, and kneeling in prayer to thank him for their freedom. As the last of the slaves were being helped to the deck Jack was approaching the forward ladder of the hold which led to the hatch above. Behind the ladder was a locked door which led to the chain locker for the anchor. Jack was surprised to hear a clear Jamaican voice from behind the door:

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Hey Mon, dont you be forgetn me here! I be inna chain locker. Get de key and set us free, Mon! Who are you? asked Jack. I be a Jamaican, Mon! Same as you! Now open dis door and gimmie outa here! Jack was surprise that the owner of the voice recognized the Jamaican accent in his speech. He took the keys from his pocket and opened the door. As Jack peered through the din of the chain locker, he saw what appeared to be two African girls and a skinny White boy shackled together, with their hands tied behind their backs, around the foremast stump. Where are you? called Jack. I dont see you in here. The young man kicked Jacks boot and said, Close your eyes, Mon, and listen to me voice stead of glarin at da color o me skin! Den you will know where I am, and from where I be from! The two girls giggled as a shocked Jack jumped back towards the doorway. Jack had heard many stories of White Jamaicans who spoke and sounded the same as the majority of Black Jamaicans, but he had never seen one, and he had surely not ever heard one speak. 51

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You...You are Jamaican? stammered Jack. O course I am, Mon! Do ya tink I be talkin like dis ifn I be from Boston? I be a Jamaican, Mon! Jus like you! Now stop ya galkin and git dese shackles offn me!

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His Majestys Royal Navy Chapter Five A New Direction

Governor Sir Basil Keith solemnly stared out of the window of his mansion perched on the hilltop overlooking 53

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Port Royal. He was obviously distraught. He turned around to his desk, picked up his pen and began to write: The 5th of November, 1774 Your Most Gracious Majesty: With respect to your concerns relating to the state of preparation of the American colonies for war, I have this to report: The North Americans are amply supplied with Gun powder and other Military Stores by the French in Hispaniola; which is sold at an advanc'd price by the Inhabitants who I find import great quantitys from Old France, finding it such an advantageous article of Commerce; But I do not learn that they get any out of the Royal Stores or magazines. Sir Basil was a man of torn emotions. As the son of Britains Landed Gentry dating back more than two centuries, he was rich in property, land and heritage, but in reality he had sought this assignment to alleviate the consequences of his real problem: he was poor in cash, and then, as now, cash is king. His vast holdings at home would be lost if he did not develop and provide industrious means to support his inheritance, and the Governorship of Jamaica provided him with the opportunity to implement and 54

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support an ever expanding array of schemes that brought him huge profits to pay his bills. For in truth, the actual Governorship did not pay very much, but it placed him in a position to profit from his favoritism with the Crown, as he governed almost 14,000 whites, 4000 free blacks and almost 200,000 slaves that lived in Jamaican territory. The West Indies was alive with opportunities: The islands cheap labor provided the means for his support of sugar cane plantation farming, commercial trading, smuggling, privateering, and his many other enterprises, both legal and illegal. This arrangement was very convenient, as the determination of the legality or illegality of such activities, were his, in the name of the Crown. Sir Basils patronage extended far and wide, throughout the entirety of the West Indies. As such, he was known to be a powerful man in Jamaica, and few were willing to risk the loss of his patronage. As a die-hard Protestant, Sir Basil did not own slaves, but this did not stop him from profiteering from the ownership, sales and labors of slaves by others. After all, as the Kings representative in Jamaica, it was his duty to protect the trade and property ownership rights of all the Crowns subjects in Jamaica and its surrounding seas. This included the legally owned property of British slave owners, the slaves. 55

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But in addition to his official duties for the Crown, Sir Basils utilized his patronage to protect and develop his profitable network of privateers. Privateers were privately owned ships that operated under Letters of Marque that Sir Basil could issue, in the name of the King. Sir Basil, and other well-to-do investors, owned, supported, and, in the name of and with the King, profited from the exploits of these ships. These privately owned vessels prowled the waters of Britains enemies on missions to capture, sink and/or confiscate enemy ships and cargos which were then sold on the open market. The profits from these captures and cargos were enormous. As the owner of a privateer, one half of the value of the plunder gained from the ships activities went to Sir Basil and the King, shared equally. Another quarter went to the captain of the privateer, and the rest to the crew. Captured enemy vessels were immediately purchased for their value by the Crown and either put up for sale by the Admiralty, or converted for use to further the efforts of the war. In either case, the full value of the vessel, and its cargo were realized in the pockets of the King, Sir Basil, and the capturing crew. It is through this arrangement that Jack made his fortune and supported his livelihood. As the son of Sir Basils long time friend and civic leader, Reverend Robert Perkins (Jacks father) of Jamaicas largest church, the Mount Sinai 56

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African Methodist Episcopalian Church, Jacks experience as mariner, leader and officer in the merchant service was almost preordained. The two men had agreed on this path for him whilst Jack was a toddler still learning to walk. Consequently, Jack was a valuable asset to Sir Basil, and he did not want to lose him and the profits of his services. But, the arrival of his most recent visitor, the new Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Navys Jamaica Station, Admiral Sir Peter Parker, had made this loss a distinct possibility. Soon after his arrival in Port Royal, it did not take Sir Peter long to recognize the connection between Sir Basil and the famed Caribbean commerce marauder, John Perkins. The last heated words of Sir Peter were still ringing in Sir Basils ears: I dont give a damn how long you have known him or what his father is. Nor do I care about the color of his skin. I need an experienced pilot to protect the bottoms of my ships! You will have this Perkins or Punch or whatevers arse is called to repair to the quarter deck of my flagship by two bells in the forenoon watch, or by God, I will have your hide before the Kings court to decide the matter! The knock on the door interrupted Sir Basils thoughts. Come! he answered. 57

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The door opened and Jack walked in followed by McKenzie and Nick Butler carrying the heavy chest they had removed from the Dame Clbre. Good morning, Sir Basil! said Jack. I have come with your share of the spoils of our last venture. You do not appear to be in good spirits this fine morning. How are you, Sir? Welcome, Jack. Its good to see you home and safe. From appearances, I trust all went well with on The Punch over the last three months? Very well, Sir. came the reply. But, I am sorry to report that we lost Asanni last month as we boarded our last capture. Damn! Replied Sir Basil. He was a good man. Have you taken care of his family? Aye, Sir. He only had a brother, and we saw that he was put away nicely. And McKenzie, how did you fare on this venture? We does well, Sah! Replied McKenzie. Ah tinks we do much mo better dan our Frenchie friends. 58

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This comment gave Sir Basil a chuckle, and his eyes turned to Nick Butler. And, who might this be? Asked Sir Basil. I be Nicholas Butler, Sah, of His Majestys Ship Dartmouth The Dartmouth? But she was captured by the French last March. How did you get here? Aye, Dat she was, Sah. But de Frenchies don watch too good, and when de guard him turn him back, I be jumpn through the gun port, and I swims to de shore. Den de French slaver crew catch me and locks me up til Capn here finds me on board chained to de mast. Oh, I see, Ah,.Jamaican are we? Said Sir Basil, as he raised an eyebrow upon hearing Nicks accent. Aye, Sah. Kingston. Born and bred. Very well, Jack, I need to speak with you, about a personal matter. Have a seat, please. Sir Basil motioned to the men to place the chest in the corner of the room, and, sensing that Sir Basil wanted some privacy; McKenzie and Nick moved towards the door. 59

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We waits outside, Capn. said McKenzie. He and Nick then proceeded to leave the room and closed the door as they left the two men alone. Sir Basil walked around to the other side of the desk and, with his back to Jack, stared outside of the window pondering where to begin and how to approach Jack with his problem. Finally, he spoke: Jack, what do you think of the Royal Navy? I have worked with their ships on many occasions, their officers can sometimes be rather harsh, but they seem to be fair enough. Sir Basil turned to face Jack. His face was stern, and somewhat sad. He spoke slowly and deliberately: Well, Admiral Sir Peter Parker, the new Commander-inChief of the Jamaica Station just left here. He apparently saw your last action with the Dame Clbre, and I have been requested to ask you to consider joining his ship. Now why would I want to do that? I m doing just fine the way things are. What do they want with me?

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He now knows that you know these waters better than any man in the Caribbean, Jack. You proved it to him when you took the French slaver, his intended prize, from under his nose. He couldnt bring his ships into the harbor for fear of the reefs. So now he knows who you are and what you can do. As you are a British subject and an experienced mariner, he can have you and your crew pressed as Able Seamen. Pressed? What does he want me to do? He wants you to report on board his flagship tomorrow as his Pilot, on the Antelope. He will sign you on as a Masters Mate in the Royal Navy. He also said that any members of your crew that wishes to sign on with you are also welcome. Your choices are not too good here Jack. You are a British citizen. You either report tomorrow or run from the press. Then you would have to keep on running, until they catch you. But, Sir Basil, I Sir Basil waived his hand, and cut Jack off. Jack, Your father and I have a long history together. If there was something I could do I would. But England is at war, and I have no choice. If I were to disobey the order and give you another commission, you and your men would 61

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be considered pirates, not privateers. I cannot cross the Admiralty, and I cannot continue the Letter of Marque for you and the crew of The Punch. Its best for you and your crew to report by two bells in the forenoon watch as ordered. The matter is settled, Jack. To hide his sadness, Sir Basil turned his back to Jack, placed his hands behind his back and starred out of the window. Jack stood up and walked towards the door. Jack? called Sir Basil. Yes Sir? Listen to Sir Peter, and learn. He is a good man, and a progressive man. There is no telling where your future could go if you could convince him to be a patron for you. Good Luck, Jack, and for Gods sake, be safe. Aye, aye, Sir. replied Jack. Jack opened the door and left the room. Sir Basil moved from the window behind his desk to the side window, and watched Jack and his men leave the compound. He then stared at the chest of gold Jack and his mates had brought him. For the while, at least, he knew there would be no more. 62

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His Majestys Royal Navy Chapter Six Two Bells in the Forenoon Watch

In the nautical world, crew duty hours were, and are today, divided into either two or four duty groups. Each group is known, assigned work and referred to on board as a Watch. The watches are numbered sequentially, i.e. a 64

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crewmember may be assigned to the First Watch for example. It is also necessary to understand that the term watch onboard a vessel actually has two meanings; (1) the working group to which a crewmember belongs and (2) the specific duty time period of the day that a working group is assigned to work ; i.e., be on duty or on watch. When on duty, the watch (working group meaning) performs all duties associated with the running of the ship. This includes navigation, keeping a lookout for other vessels, weather patterns, sailing duties (sail trimming and handling on sailing vessels and engine operation on powered vessels) and so forth. A leader, called the Watch Officer, who may be either an officer or a senior enlisted man (such as the Master, or a Masters mate), bears the responsibility for the proper performance and completion of all tasks his group must execute to run the ship during his watch (duty time period meaning). In other words, if something goes wrong while he is in charge, it is his fault. It is from hence, the dual meaning of the term Watch, and the responsibility that is associated with it, that caused the rise of the old, well-worn nautical statement; Not on my Watch! as this statement is actually three different statements; (1) I will not allow this. (2) It is my time of 65

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responsibility for everything that happens. and (3) I am in charge! The hours and times that a watch (the working group meaning) performs duty is determined by seven time of the day work assignment periods, and each of these periods is also called a watch. The time of the day watches cycle every 24 hours, and each is normally, with two exceptions, a four hour working duty period. Each watch period has a name; the First watch runs from 8 PM to Midnight, the Middle watch from Midnight to 4 AM, the Morning watch from 4 AM to 8 AM, the Forenoon watch from 8 AM to Noon, and the Afternoon watch, Noon to 4 PM. In order to allow the crew to all have dinner around the same time, the final four hour period, from 4 PM to 8 PM, is divided into 2 two-hour short watches which run from 4 PM to 6 PM and 6 PM to 8 PM. These two short watches are called the First Dog Watch and Second Dog Watch respectively. The splitting of the final period and therein the addition of another Watch brings the total number of watches to be manned on a ship to seven for a 24 hour period. As the watch time assignments are alternated between the Watch groups of the crew, the duties of running the ship are spread across and distributed evenly amongst the crew. 66

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Inasmuch as clocks and other timepieces were rare and expensive during the colonial period, ships used an hourglass, which ran through every one-half hour, to tell time. When the hourglass was restarted bells, which could be heard all over the ship, were sounded to tell all aboard the time, in one-half hour periods relative to the remaining time of the ongoing watch. The number of bells rung designated how many half hour periods had expired during course of the watch. For example if the watch started at 8 PM, when the hourglass ran empty and was turned over at 8:30 PM, one bell would be sounded indicating that the 1st one half hour period of the watch had expired. At 9:00 PM, two bells would be rung, and so forth. The end of a normal four hour watch and the start of the next one were announced by the ringing of eight bells. The ringing of the bells served as a tool to tell all the ships company when they were expected to be on duty for their Watch. These practices, and the understanding of the of a ships company and duty assignment periods, lead to the common nautical practice of telling time by a number of bells that would be rung relative to the name of the watch period in effect during the day on board a working ship.

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The next morning, at two bells in the forenoon watch (9:00 A.M) Third Lieutenant Phillip Affleck was on duty as the Watch Officer when Jack and his crew reported on board the HMS Antelope. Affleck and the ships Purser, Mr. Kratch, watched as each of Jacks men climbed the Jacobs ladder from the jolly boat below. As each man stepped on board they turned to salute the quarterdeck. The process was quiet and orderly, for as each man of Jacks crew reported to him each would give his name, rank and qualifications. Inasmuch as he had repeated this process in many ports, and on many previous occasions, he had acquired an eye for experienced seamen and could spot them by their shipboard mannerisms. He knew that experienced seamen had a specific way of climbing a Jacobs ladder and stepping on the deck while holding their sea bags. If Affleck wasnt sure of the particular qualifications of a particular man reporting to him, one or two pointed questions would quickly sort the issue out. Affleck leaned over the railing and shouted down to the mass of humanity in the jolly boat: Step lively, gentlemen, lets get a move on. Admiral wants to make sail before the suns over the yardarm. Move smartly now! 68

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McKenzie, the first of Jacks crew reported to him. Name? he asked. Thomas McKenzie, Gun Captain, last of the Punch, Sah. Experience with 24 pounders? Aye, Sah. I be a gunner on the Albacore fo two years afore she paid off. Very well. Kratch, sign him on as a gunners mate. Make your mark and report to Lt. Kitel below. Next! Nick Butler, Able Seaman, of His Majestys Ship Dartmouth, Sah. Although his appearance was somewhat scruffy, Lt. Affleck snapped his head upwards at the sound of Nicks voice. He stepped over to him, grabbed Nicks hand and shook it vigorously. Nick! Where the hell have you been? We thought you were dead! Aye, Sah. And so did the Frenchies! But I be back to help dem out som more! Its good to see dat you be on de deck again too, Sah.

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Make your mark, Nick, and welcome aboard. Then go forward and report to bosun Snight. Hell be glad to see you also. I don t'ink he be dat happy to see me agin, Sir. Me an Snight had a row about a lady in Lucia, last year. Could be he be still tinkn bout her a bit, Sah. Jesus, Nick. Still drinking, raising hell and chasing trollops, What? Anyway, its good to have you back, Nick. Tank you, Sah. It be good to be back on a Kings ship agin, Sir! To the man, all of Jacks Punch crew volunteered to join him in his new profession, on his new ship, The HMS Antelope. In some respects, this was actually an improvement in their lives, as life on a privateer, which are always smaller and more crowded than the ships of the Royal Navy, was in fact a bit less comfortable than their new accommodations. They knew that their new situation would provide them with a continuation of the opportunity to earn prize money, and bring on the additional benefits of three squares (three hot meals a day, served on square, wooden plates), a hammock, and regular pay.

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Jacks complement of 60 new souls barely made a dint on board the massive crew of the Antelope, which carried a crew of 400. They easily blended into the social order of the lower deck, and, as experienced seamen, were welcomed on board to share in the duties of working the ship. The press usually produces a large complement of farmers, day workers and other landsmen as they are called by the experienced seamen. These men are usually ignorant of the ways of navy and shipboard life and consequently, they are considered to be somewhat unreliable by the experienced crewmen until they learn their way around as a call to belay heaving, or make fast that line meant nothing to a landsman. Jacks crew brought with them a complete knowledge of all of the nautical skills, language and experience required for them immediately become useful contributors to the working of the ship. Therefore, no one had to take time to explain the difference between a clew and a cleat, or a bollard and a binnacle to them. They were already familiar with the terminology associated with these parts of the ship, as well as the intended purposes and usage of those items. As the last man to report, Jack stepped across the coaming and onto the deck. Name? asked Affleck. John Perkins, Master, Punch. 71

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Lt. Affleck looked up to Jack standing before him. The surprise on his face was obvious, and the ship fell silent, as all the officers and men who were all busy loading stores, holystoning the deck and attending to the many duties required to get a ship of the line underway, all stopped what they were doing, and turned to get their first look at Jack. So, Perkins, you are the infamous Jack Punch. Said Lt Affleck. We have been expecting you. Funny, I though you would betaller. said Affleck with a wry grin. Make your mark, and follow me. As Jack shook his outstretched hand he said nothing, picked up the pen and carefully signed his name. Affleck, noting that Jack could read and write, said. Oh, excuse me, Mister Perkins. Kratch, carry on here. I have been instructed to escort Mr. Perkins to the Admirals cabin upon his arrival. This way please, Mr. Perkins. By this time, Sir Peter had become very much aware of the skills of Jack and his crew as his men had been combing the bars and brothels in Port Royal to learn more about them and their successes. He was now also aware of their allegiance to their leader, and he desired to have these skills and allegiances as a part of his squadron. In preparation for 72

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his first meeting with Jack as a crewmember under his command he planned to ensure Jack that he would allow him and his followers to achieve that which they would have done on their own, and more. As Sir Peter was an proven leader of men, he knew that true warriors did not trust their lives to men with titles and property, but only to men that they believed in and that could be trusted to stand at their sides in the midst of shot, shell, blood and death. It was now time to convince Jack that he was that type of man. The knock on his cabin door brought Sir Peter back to reality. Admiral Parker, John Perkins here to see you, Sir. Said Affleck. Enter. Came the reply. Affleck opened the door and led Jack into the ornate cabin. Able Seaman John Perkins, Sir. Said Affleck. Ships Pilot, John Perkins, if you please, Phillip. corrected the Admiral. Please see to the change in the ships muster book, and inform Mr. Dobson, the Master, that I would like to see him. And Phillip, would you see that Mr. Perkins affects are placed in the cabin next to that of the Master, if you please? Have a seat Mr. Perkins and thank you, Lt. Affleck. 73

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Aye, Aye, Admiral. replied Affleck, somewhat chagrined. As he left, he closed the door to the great cabin. Governor Basil sends his compliments, Sir. said Jack. He said that you needed an experienced Pilot, so I am here as ordered, Sir. Thank you, Jack. But what I need is more than a pilot. What I need is an aggressive, battle hardened ship leader and commander who knows the Caribbean and knows how to fight. I had the opportunity to watch you in action, and then your uncle told me about you so I had a few of my crew ask around. said the Admiral. And what did you find out about me, Sir? asked Jack. I found out that you have apparently done quite well for yourself, and that the French, Dutch and Spanish cannot stomach the sight of you and your notorious Punch! chided the Admiral. The Admiral continued: Jack, You are quick witted and intelligent, and you move in and out of the different cultures of these islands with ease. You speak Spanish, French, and the Kings English fluently. You have passed yourself off as a free Black, a 74

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slave and the Master of one of the most successful privateers in these parts. You apparently have the ability to hide in plain sight. I need someone like that. I need someone who can get up close, look and listen to what is going on and tell me what my enemies are planning. I need someone with the leadership and command experience that can help me kill these bastards and rid this region of their presence. Jack, I believe that you are that man. I intend to make you an Officer in the Kings Navy and give you a real warship to help me kill the enemy. A Black ship Captain? In the Royal Navy? Admiral, with all due respect, that has never happened in the Royal Navy. I find that dream hard to fathom, Sir. We are at the beginning of a new world, Jack. Traditions, beliefs and values are changing quicker that you believe. As of this moment, I cant bring you on as a Mid, youre to old. But, I can make you a ships pilot, and move you in the direction of a field commission to Lieutenant. Slavery and racism will not last forever, Jack, and, thank God. It cannot. As you know, at this very moment, slavery has been outlawed in the British Isles. Nations cannot exist in the modern world with half of its people being free and half being enslaved. England almost had a civil war over the issue of slavery. It will not work in todays era of free trade and commerce. So now we are out to eliminate it from the world. 75

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Admiral, I know what you say is true. But the French, Dutch and Spanish are up to their necks in the slave business, and they are getting rich supporting it in the Americas. Aye, Jack. But as Brits we have learned that the economic advantages to be gained by free trading and global commerce will far outstrip anything that can be gained by the continuation of slavery. If slavery last another 25 years in the Caribbean, I would be surprised. We must begin to prepare the world, and the Royal Navy, for the new age, an age based on a mans achievements and abilities, not his color. So, while youre here, Jack, I want you to prepare to take the Lieutenants exam. Lieutenants exam and the end of slavery? Beggin your pardon, Admiral, but I dont see the Admiralty ever letting me become any kind of officer in the Royal Navy, much less a Captain of a Kings ship. I dont see how that will happen in my lifetime. It will happen, Jack, and I am going to see to it. What you dont know is that the Admiralty needs money to finance this war, and aggressive captains who capture the enemys ships are providing it. We sell the ships and the cargo, and the prize courts split up the money between the Crown, the Admiral in charge, and the captain and crews of the 76

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capturing vessel. For the time being, I believe that what London doesnt know about you wont hurt them, and by the time they do find out, they will be too busy counting their money to care. In the meantime, you and I will be very well off. With this, the Admiral stared Jack straight in the eye, and offered his outstretched hand. Jack appreciated the mans straightforwardness and conviction, to both the Crown and his beliefs about men. Moreover, he believed him, and was beginning to trust him. Jack reached out and firmly shook the Admirals hand in agreement. Very well, Admiral. said Jack. If you believe that we can do this, then we shall sail together on this journey. Jack, you trust me, and I promise you, it will happen. We have to start somewhere, and as an experienced Pilot, I can bring you in on the Kings Payroll. For right now, officially, you are a Ships Pilot and your crew is a part of this ships company. But later on, I see you rejoining your crew and operating in more of, shall we say a detached capacity. Detached, Sir? queried Jack. Aye! Grinned the Admiral. Very detached! But, we will start here to get to our ultimate objective. I want you 77

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to report to Captain Stanley. He will introduce you to Mr. Dobson, the Master of this ship. As a masters mate, Dobson will teach you how to use a sextant, and the basics of navigation. Learn what Dobson teaches you for you are going to need it. That is all, Jack. Please report to Captain Stanley. Aye, Aye, Sir. said Jack.

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His Majestys Royal Navy Chapter Seven Snotties

It was now 1778, and after more than two years of service on the HMS Antelope Jack, and his Punch gang was considered to be an active part of the crew. The squadron, 79

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which included the HMS Ruby, the HMS Niger, the HMS Lowesloffe, and the HMS Bristol, continued to blockade the island of Hispaniola (now the split island nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic) with specific focus on the ports of Santo Domingo and Port O Prince. This was tedious work, as the ships and crews of the squadron had battled storms, bad weather, reefs and the French continuously for the past three years. But as long as the good Admiral kept the French fleet bottled up, they could not aid the American colonies, nor mount an attack on Jamaica and the other British colonies. Moreover, the British fleet stopped and inspected every ship laden with any cargo whatsoever, thereby preventing the belligerent American rebels from getting access to slaves, shot, power and money needed to support their war with the Crown. As the ships Pilot, Jack used his privateering knowledge to guide the Antelope, or any of the other many ships he was assigned to through and around the dangerous reefs, rocks and coral barriers which were scattered throughout the many islands of the Caribbean. He and his crew had also proved their worth by participating in many seizures, onshore cutting expeditions and battles of the squadron. Jacks normal duty would be to stand by the helm station and, at the behest of Captain Stanley, direct the ship in and out of the many harbors and coves they frequented while 80

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searching for, finding and destroying and/or capturing the enemys ships. His additional duties included being boatswain (master) of the longboat, which was used to lay and retrieve the Antelopes massive anchors, to carry messages and bring supplies to the flagship. As a warrant officer, Jack also assisted Mr. Dobson with the charting and planning of the navigation of the fleet. His most tedious duty, however, was being more or less in charge of the young Midshipmen (or Mids as they were commonly called on board), a duty that is traditionally performed by the Ships Master. On this day Jack was seated in the Masters cabin, finishing the cleaning and polishing of the sextants that he would take up to the quarter deck for the Mids noon navigation class. This class was conducted daily by Mr. Dobson. The class commenced each day with the noon sighting. This noon sighting determined the official latitude and longitude of the ship, which was then entered into the ships log as the exact official position for that day. Jack assisted Mr. Dobson in these efforts by making sure that all of the sextants were properly maintained and in working order for the ships Young Gentlemen, and occasionally supervising the class with the determination of the sighting. The term Young Gentlemen was indeed quite a misnomer, for the ages of the six boys ranged from eleven years to almost twenty-seven. Moreover, their individual 81

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temperaments ranged as far apart as their ages. Jacks youngest charge, Thomas Kilkenny, was a high-spirited, handsome youth of 11 years who was the grandson of the Admiraltys Second Sea Lord, and he was a indeed a handful. Young boys on ships were a common practice in the Royal Navy. They were sent to sea either by families that could not afford to support them, or by well-to-do families that wanted a sea-going career for their soon to be gentlemen sons. Those without social standing were assigned duties such as being a Powder Monkey who transported bags of gunpowder from the ships magazine below to the gun decks during battle, and as or various departmental helpers to the ships cook, carpenter or surgeon for example. The Powder Monkeys wore felt slippers to prevent sparks from being created by the nails in their shoes. Their job was to move the dangerously explosive bags of gunpowder from the ships magazine to the guns and cannon located around the ship during battle. The boys assigned as Cooks Helpers always smelled of cooking grease. The boys with parents that enjoyed social standing and had adequate resources and connections (read: Money) entered the service as Midshipmen. But even this life was a very hard life for a young boy. Many were literally brought to the ship and torn away from their mothers arms by a rough, foul tempered Bosuns Mate, leaving both the 82

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mother and the child screaming, scratching and crying in tears and despair. After this horrific experience, and the shock of separation, the new, young Mid would spend many homesick hours in the cold environs of the crowded, foul smelling orlop deck of the ship crying for his mother and his now lost home comforts. Legend has it that the three buttons on the cuffs of the Mids dress uniform jacket were placed there to prevent them from wiping their tear-stained runny noses on their sleeves and thereby ruining their uniform. Hence they were given the nickname Snotties by the crew. The common value of the Mids was that to the man, they each wanted to be an officer in the Royal Navy, and, some day, to command his own ship. For Jack, who was charged with keeping them from running around the ship and doing a vast array of stupid, life threatening stunts, it was difficult to see them in command of anything, for he spent much of his time trying to persuade them to stop running across the decks, climbing to dangerous heights in the rigging or playing Hide and go seek or tag throughout the ship. When the offences were truly bad, Mr. Dobson, the Master, would administer punishment by having the Mid bent over a cannon and be the recipient of several well founded strokes of discipline across his bare bottoms. This sort of 83

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punishment would generally get the youths attention, and thereby restore order. By this time, Jack was very frustrated. It was now 1779 and he had been on the Antelope for the better part of three years. Under Mr. Dobsons tutelage, Jack had learned to use the sextant to take the noon sightings, determine his latitude and longitude, plot the ships course and speed, and read and relate the maps of all of the cays, bays and inlets of all the islands in the Caribbean to the map coordinates. He had added all of this new knowledge to the practical knowledge he had already gained from his privateering experiences prior to volunteering for service in the Royal Navy. Jack was ready to do something different. Just then a knock came on the door, and Nick Butler poked his head inside. Hey, Capn! How da ol boy be doin dese days, Mon? I be worried bout ya, cause ya be lookin a bit grumpy de otter day when ya be chasin Lil Tommy round da focsl! Him damn near git away from ya too! No shit. answered Jack. The little snotty ran under the anchor windlass and slid down the ford ladder without even losing a step, much less slowing down. I finally caught him by the seat of his trousers when he tripped over the midship hatch cover. Captain Stanley was so pissed 84

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that he wanted Tommys arse bent over a 12 pounder but I talked him out of it. said Jack. Aye! Him be a fast lil bastard! Nick said with a chuckle. So lil Tommy almost kissed the gunners daughter fo dat one, eh? Laughed Nick. Me n McKenzie all saw ya doin ya duty and laffed our arses off! Somebody say somtin bout you done fall from Capn of a ship to Snot Nurse! You and McKenzie can kiss my arse, Nick! Jack retorted with a grin. Tommy is a smart kid, a bit high strung because hes so short, but hes a good kid. He will do well. Now whats up? I know you didnt stop in here just for a social call. What are you and the crew of the old Punch buzzing about? Aye, Skipper. Scuttlebutt has it dat deys tinkin bout splittn us off ta do somtin stupid!. Wes hopin to git back to som reel cruzin and reel prize money. We was a tinkn ya might knows somtin bout it, Sah? No, Nick, I havent heard a thing. But if I do get wind of anything, you know that I will think of the Punch gang first, and you will be the first to know. Pass that on to the crew. Aye, Sa. Sos I will. Tanks Capn. 85

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Jack Punch Of His Majestys Royal Navy Chapter Eight Farleys Foot

Through the blackness of the November night, Jack could see the tops of the bare poles of the Antelopes mast swaying violently as the wind howled across the deck. 86

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Two bells had sounded, indicating the middle of the Second Dog Watch. As Officer of the Watch, Jack hung on to the mizzen brace to steady himself against the sheets of rain and sea water that poured across the deck. He also took intermitted stints at the large tiller wheel to help the helmsman fight to keep the ponderous vessel on course. His little Mid nemeses, Tom Kilkenny, stood beside him. Just then the ship was struck by a large wave and, in an instant, violently heeled from starboard to port. Little Tom was not holding on to anything solid and therefore lost his footing. The abrupt heave of the deck left him in mid-air, careening towards the open gun port on starboard side. Jack managed to get his hands on Toms slicker and hold him before he sailed out of the gun port and into the storm whipped Atlantic Ocean. With his powerful arm around Little Toms waist and Toms feet dangling behind him, Jack carried him back to the centerline of the ship and then set him down next to the binnacle (the sturdy wooden mount stand bolted to the deck to house and protect the ships compass) to recover. Tom was soaking wet, cold and obviously terrified by the almost near-death experience. Always remember, one hand for you, and one hand for the ship, Tom. Jack scolded. 87

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Little Tom was unnerved a bit but looked up and smiled at Jack as he held him against the slope of the deck. This was definitely a night to follow that practice. The velocity of the wind was again increasing, and the Antelope began to heel to starboard to the point where her gun ports would soon be awash. Mr. Kilkenny, please inform the Captain that the Officer of the Watch requests that we take in a reef before we tack to port Jack said to Tom. Aye, Aye, Mr. Perkins. came the reply. Young Tom turned aft, faced the blinding rain and, while clinging to the lifelines strung to keep the men from washing overboard, began to pull himself aft towards the ships quarterdeck to reach the captains cabin and make the request. It had been a hard day, for the squadron had spent it chasing a convoy of heavily laden French merchant ships escorted by a French 74, The Gendarme. The Gendarmes escort included two frigates, an armed brig and a schooner. The weather was miserable as it was in the middle of the hurricane season. The tropical storms had been gathering in speed and intensity over each of the six days since the initial sighting of the convoy off the island of Aruba. The storms proceeded in their customary direction to the 88

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norwest, marching like soldiers across the Caribbean. As such, the storms would continuously allow and then thwart the Antelopes chase as they marched through the area. There would be a sighting by one of the squadrons forward patrolling schooners, a flurry of signals ordering continuation of the chase, and then another storm would blow through, bringing more rain, lost visibility, and subsequently a lost of the sighting of the convoy as the enemy would change course under the cover of the storm. The wise old French Captain continually utilized the cover of the storms to lose its pursuers. Throughout the day this process had repeated itself to the point where the crews of the all the squadrons ships were exhausted and they were no closer to their prey than they were when the sun rose over the yardarm that morning. Below decks, Ol Timer, who, at Jacks suggestion was dubbed a surgeons mate, lay asleep in his hammock. The hammock was swaying wildly with the motion of the storm tossed ship. It was apparent that neither the violent motion of the ship, nor the water dripping on Ol Timers belly from the overhead had any affect on his ability to get in a good nap. Now off watch, he was snoring loudly, and slept through it all. Many of the recently pressed landsmen around him were new to this world, and as such were not accustomed to the 89

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tormented swaying and rocking environment of the lower deck. They were coughing, heaving and puking as the others in the packed lower deck were trying to eat their evening meal. Most of the landsmen were too sick to move, much less eat, as the ship banged and pounded across the stormed tossed Caribbean Sea. McKenzie, Nick and their new messmates were eating at the mess table which dropped from the overhead over their assigned 24 pound cannon. How the hell does he do that? asked Farley, one of the new landsmen brought in by the press. How can he sleep through this madness? Pale as a ghost, Farley doubled over, turned away from the mess table, and began to heave out his just eaten meal on the deck. McKenzie, his new messmate, grabbed him by the scuff of the neck and directed the putrid flow into the scuppers, which ran adjacent to the hull (the inside walls) of the ship where they met the deck. The water pounding and pouring in through the leaking hatches collected in the scuppers, and Farleys vile mess, along with that of the other sick members of the crew, washed and sloshed down to the scuppers, where it eventually went overboard into the sea. The cramped, dank, and dark lower deck was filled with the odors of 200 sick and unwashed men. The whole scene, which could have emanated from the far reaches of Dantes Inferno was one which simultaneously defiled all of the senses and tolerances of modern man. 90

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He been doing dat since afore you was born, boy. answered McKenzie. Don worry, you be getting used to it too. He said. Now, drink your Tot an soon you won feel a thing. I dont think so, said Farley. I think Im about to die. It was at this point that the ship heeled over almost 90 degrees from the starboard tack to port, and everything, plates, dishes, dinners and tots of rum flew off of the mess table swinging over the cannon and went crashing to the deck. This shift caused the weight of the cannon under the mess table to shift and roll downhill until it overstrained its lashings, and the more than three tons of iron broke one of its restraining lines. The cannon began rolling across the dangerously tilted deck towards Farley, and McKenzie, seeing what was about to happen, jumped from his stool to grab the lashing line and secure the cannon. Unfortunately, the wheel of the cannon caught Farleys foot before McKenzie could catch the line. Farley began to scream like a scalded dog. McKenzie grabbed a handspike to move the cannon off Farleys foot and the other men of the mess raced to grab the errant cannons tackle lines. Straining against the weight of the cannon, there were seven or eight men attempting to move the cannon off of Farleys foot, but it was a no go. The tons of dead weight 91

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were just too much for the men to move up the 60 degrees of slope in the violently rocking world of the lower deck. Ultimately, it took all eight men of McKenzies gun crew, Nick and several other men of the adjacent guns mess several minutes to wrestle the cannon uphill to its position back at the gun port, and to free Farleys foot. As expected, Farleys foot was now a bloody mess. Pass de word for the surgeons mate! yelled Nick. Nick and McKenzie watched as Ol Timer and two other surgeons mates collected Farley and helped him limp to the surgeons station in the orlop. They then up-righted their stools to sat down to eat what remained of their evening meal. Well, him didnt die! said McKenzie. It was just at this point the shrill calls of the Bosuns Mate screaming: All hands on deck to shorten sail! Oh, Damn! cursed McKenzie. Here we goes up de poles agin in dis miserable shit storm. Ya, said Nick, Farley didnt die, but me tinks him foot did! At least he be missin dis crap, de lucky bastard! 92

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His Majestys Royal Navy Chapter Nine Where the Antelope Plays

Perkins emerged from the aft companionway just as a world of water poured over the starboard weather rail. 93

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Instantly, he was soaked to the bone and almost swept off of his feet by the foaming surge of seawater. He clung on the to lifeline and pulled himself hand-over-hand to the midship helm station where jack was standing next to the three helmsmen as they were all fought to hold the ship steady in the middle of the storm. He motioned to Jack that he wanted to tell him something and cupped his hand over Jacks ear. Jack, de Admiral wan to see you in him cabin, Mon. yelled Perkins over the wind. Whats up Uncle? asked Jack. I not sure, but I tink deys all planin' somting big. Replied Perkins. Dey been yellin and fussin in dere fo more dan an hour, dey has. Whos they? asked Jack. He be with Captain Montrose, Captain Stanley, Lt. Affleck and Mr. Dobson. Very well. Mr. Collins, you have the deck. Ezra Collins, one of Tom Kilkennys fellow Mids, was about 14, and unlike Tom, was a bit tall for his age. 94

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Aye, Aye, Mr. Perkins. yelled the young midshipman, elated at the opportunity to be in command. Jack followed Perkins to the cabin door located under the poop deck and removed his dripping wet greatcoat. He hung the greatcoat on one of the pegs inside the hallway and knocked on the cabin door. Over the din of conversation in the cabin, he heard Admiral Parker shout Enter! Jack entered the cabin. Admiral Parker and all of his staff were gathered around the great table of the cabin, in a big discussion around a large chart of the Caribbean. This discussion was spirited, and somewhat heated. Jack! exclaimed Admiral Parker. Come over here and look at this chart. I want your opinion on an operation we are planning. Jack walked over to the table and looked at the chart. The other officers fell silent and continued to stare at the chart. Gentlemen, for those of you who do not yet know, our Masters Mate, Mr. Perkins here, was also known in these parts as Jack Punch the Master of the Privateer Punch. As Master of the Punch he has captured and sunk more enemy ships than any man in the Caribbean. I want you to welcome him to our wardroom. 95

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Captain Montrose stared at Jack with his mouth open. He had seen Jack many times going about his duties, but he had just come to the realization that Jack was the man that robbed him of his prize some three years earlier. John PerkinsJackWell, Ill be damned! So you are the feared privateer raider people have been talking about in these parts! I saw your work years ago, and all this time I had no idea who you were! Thank you, Sir. said Jack, I will continue to try to do my best to make the enemy remember me as well as you do. Jack, I asked you here to get your opinion on an action that we are planning, and I cant think of anyone who has more experience in this area of operations than you do. continued the Admiral. Pointing to the chart he asked Jack, Do you recognize this island? Jack looked down at the chart. Aye, Sir. Said Jack That is Saona island, just leeward of Santo Domingo. There is a narrow passage between the island and the mainland, but it is much too shallow for this ship. Jack, we have reason to believe that our French friends are using the natural harbors in San Christobal and the Nicola Mole as a staging points for privateers attacking our 96

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shipping. We also believe that the privateers are actively involved in supplying the colonies while protecting the French transports full of sugar and coffee. They do all this while raiding British ships headed back to England. Do you know anything about that? Jack looked around the room at the faces in the room. It was obvious that Captain Montrose, the oldest of the four gentlemen, had very little interest in anything that he had to say. On the other hand, Captain Stanley, a slim, energetic, red haired gentleman, seemed to hang on every word, as did his new found friends, Lt. Affleck and Mr. Dobson. The ships of which you speak are in the harbor at San Christobal. They use it as a re-supply and victualing point and they sail in and out under the protection of the fort until they are behind the island. There they can wait for the wind and tide until they can weather the headland and head to America. I have been there many times, and each time I have found many ships in the harbor loading slaves and powder for the colonies while they re-supply for more raids on British shipping. The traffic moves from the Mole at Cape Nicola around the island to Port O Prince, and then continues to San Christobal. There they offload and re-supply, and then continue their voyages to the American Colonies. They repeat the process in the other direction as they head 97

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towards France and Spain. The French, Spanish, Dutch and American Colonies are all working together against a common enemy, us. They are all heavily involved in the slave trade, and equally heavily involved in trading powder, shot and supplies to support the Colonies. Jack continued. Exactly! interrupted Sir Peter. The system of heavily armed forts, protected bays and harbors, and shallow back channels prevents our fleet from being able to intercept the bulk of the shipments, gentlemen. We have to devise a tactic which will interrupt this trade and choke off the Colonies. The enemy knows we are here blockading the harbors. They also know that we cannot move fast enough to pursue them into the shallows. We need a fleet of quick, shallow draft vessels to be able to move inshore. From that vantage point we can track, chase and capture enough vessels to build pursuit squadrons that are better designed for that purpose, and I intend to utilize the skills of Mr. Perkins here, and his crew to get to those ships. Captain Montrose, who was in charge of the Antelopes contingent of marines, stood behind the Admiral peering over the map. At the mention of the potential use of Jack and his crew his facial expression changed to one of skepticism. In his vision, the only way to accomplish the mission was with a large naval battle between two large naval fleets, followed by a land battle to take the forts and the town. He obviously did not relish the idea of depending 98

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on a rag-tag bunch of convicts and ex-slaves to lead the charge into the enemy. After a quick turn around the cabin he addressed the Admiral: Sir, with all due respect, it appears that what we need are the resources, in the form of ships, men and artillery to accomplish this goal. Why dont we apprise the Admiralty of the situation, and then petition them for what we need? This would seem to be a much better approach than some hair-brained scheme based on a bunch of - Sailors, Captain! Interrupted the Admiral. Well trained, well led, experienced sailors who are masters at the art of cutting out ships from under then enemys nose. Our navy is stretched to the limit, so we will get our ships, crews and supplies from where we now stand. You would be well advised to look, listen and learn Captain. The Admiralty has already informed me that they have nothing more to spare for our campaign. The Royal Navy is already fighting three wars stretched across three continents. We are therefore left to our own devices to be successful in this sphere of operations. We must use hound and hare tactics to be successful, and here is how we are going to do it...

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His Majestys Royal Navy Chapter Ten Sir Peters Plan

3:00 A.M., November 27, 1778 Seated at the tiller of the longboat, Jack surveyed his surroundings. It was a pitch black, moonless night with hardly any wind at all. He looked over the 30 odd souls in 100

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the longboat as they methodically, and quietly pulled against their muffled oars. Behind him he could barely see the outline of the other six boats that had been assembled from around the fleet as they too pulled themselves silently to the shore. Each man carried a cutlass and pistol which had been carefully wrapped in rags and placed under the thwart upon which he was sitting. Rags had also been wrapped around the oars to ensure that the enemy did not hear them clanking and rattling in the oarlocks as they rowed to the shore. The plan was actually quite simple. Jack and the other five boats comprised a force of about 300 men. It was now 3:00:A.M. on Sunday morning. There were three enemy ships in the harbour: one frigate, a brig and a small schooner. Three of the fleets boats, which comprised about 150 men under Lt. Affleck, were assigned to overpower the crew of the frigate, while the other two boats would do the same for the brig and the schooner. Jack and his men were assigned to take the brig. The other men were to enter the town from the back side and use the dark alleys and small streets to quietly work their way to the dock. At 4:00 A.M. all of the crews were to quietly move in, overpower the sentries on board and capture their respective ships. Knives and cutlasses were the order of the day, and no shots were to be fired to alert the nearby fort. They were then expected to cut the dock lines, head out to sea and meet the fleet. 101

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The Antelope, and the rest of the fleet, were standing out more than a mile from the shore, where they remained readily visible from the harbour. The boats had been loaded with the ships under full sail, from the off-shore side of the ships, thus preventing the ever present French lookouts and sentries from having a view of the landing preparations. They then rowed towards the sea, away from the shore, in the shadow of the ships from which they had each departed. While this forced the boat crews to row in a wide circle to get to the shore, it prevented any possibility of the enemys detection of their presence. The landing was planned for a rocky shoreline about a mile south of the harbour, but the wide circular course provided a three mile pull to reach the shore. As they were now rowing parallel to the shoreline within 250 yards of the landing spot, Jack could see that his men were getting a bit winded from the long pull. Farley, who had only lost two of his five toes on his left foot and was now back on duty, leaned over to Nick and whispered, Jesus, Nick, long pull aint it? Nick rolled his eyes up in his head in expectation of the verbal abuse that he was about to receive: Quiet! admonished Jack. You want us to all be killed before we leave the damn boat? No Talkin! 102

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Jack headed his longboat for a landing behind an outcropping of rocks that would shield the boat from the lights of the harbor to his right. When the bow touched the shore, McKenzie and a marine in the bow of the boat silently stepped out and eased the bow up on the shoreline. They then crawled up to the road running along the shore to watch for patrolling sentries. Half of Jacks men, led by Nick, followed. Upon reaching the beach, they silently slipped across the road and began to make their way through the dense underbrush towards the brig. Jack and Meechum, one of the Antelopes petty officers, and the remaining crew eased the longboat back into the water and headed in the direction of the harbor. They deftly moved in the shadows of the shoreline as they silently rowed towards the brig. Upon reaching the bow of the brig, Jack reached up and secured a stern line to the brigs anchor while Meechum silently tied on another line to the brigs Jacobs ladder. They then hunkered down in the darkness and waited for the other half of his crew to reach the brig. It was then that Jack heard footsteps approaching his side from the deck of the brig. He looked up to see a French sentry, lighting his pipe while sitting on the port side taffrail at the stern of the brig. Fortunately, Jacks boat was in the shadows of the brigs bows, and the sentry did not look down below himself to spot Jack and his men. 103

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Wait here. Jack whispered. He reached up to the brigs bowspirit and pulled himself up. He then straddled the bowspirit and slowly crawled aft until he reached the deck of the ship. He slipped on board and silently hid behind the starboard bow chaser. More footsteps. Still puffing on his pipe, the sentry stood up and began to walk towards the bow of the brig, looking out into the harbor as he slowly strode along. When he reached the bows of the ship, he stood silently and took a long pull on his pipe, his final one. Jack flashed across the deck, wrapped his hand over the sentrys mouth and snatched his head back while simultaneously slitting his throat. He held on to the sentrys lifeless body while grabbing his musket. He then eased both the sentry and the musket down quietly to the deck. Wasting no time, Jack signaled for Mckenzie and his men to come aboard. As the men arrived on deck, he motioned to Mckenzie to take half of his men below and secure the sleeping crew of the brig and the other half to cut the lines which secured the brig to the dock. Jack took his cutlass and cut the bow line securing the brig to the dock. He then ran over to the other side of the bow to signal Meechum to begin to warp the brig away towards the sea.

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It was then that all hell broke loose. Jack heard screaming curses in French from the schooner docked behind the brig, a single shot and then, almost as suddenly, the schooner erupted in a ball of flame. The explosion lifted him up and sent him flying into the forward stays of the brig, which entangled him and prevented him from being blown overboard. Through the din of smoke and flame, he could see screaming, dying men in the water around what remained of the schooner, and burning pieces of the schooner landing on the brig. He pulled himself up by the forward stays and looked to see if Meechum and the longboat crew were still there. Of the 15 men in the longboat, the rear most two men had been caught almost directly in the line of the explosion, and while one was completely blown out of the longboat and floating face down in the water, the other was doubled over, screaming in pain with a huge splinter from the schooner lodged in his chest. Meechum! Jack yelled. Get us out of here, now! Aye, Sir! came the response. Cmon you lubbers! Pull, Pull for Gods sake! As the brig began to ease away from the dock a hail of bullets began to hit the ship. Jack looked up to see musket flashes from the upper windows of the buildings adjacent to 105

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the dock. Apparently many of the French sentries, who would normally be on board the docked vessels, had decided to avail themselves of the better accommodations, and the better female company that was available in the towns bordello district adjacent to the dock. They were now standing out on the balcony and utilizing their positions of advantage to rain musket fire down on Jack and his men. Jack looked aft and noted that the sailor sent to cut the brigs stern line was now slumped over the taffrail, dead. The ship was still tied to the dock. McKenzie and Nick emerged from below. Nick! Jack screamed. Load that cannon and take out those snipers! Jack ran to the stern rail and began to hack off the stern line to the dock. Just before he cut the last strand on the dock line, the forward bow chaser erupted, and the balcony and half of the top floor of the snipers vantage point disappeared in fire and smoke. It was then that McKenzie ran up to him and yelled: Skipper! Look! We got wounded comin Jack turned to look back at the dock and saw about fifteen of the remaining men sent to cut out the now sinking schooner dragging themselves, and two of their wounded mates, toward the brig. The French frigate captured by the other boats was already underway and headed out to sea. The remaining British sailors and marines from the sinking schooner had no way to leave. Jack knew he couldnt leave 106

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them here as the French would kill them. Jack held up on cutting the last strand of the dock line. Nick, move your crew to the port stern chaser and keep firing! Mac, grab a musket and come with me! he yelled. Jack jumped to the dock on a dead run with Mac following closely on his heels. The schooners prize crew was stumbling towards them, still dragging the two wounded men. They were under fire from the windows of a building across from the burning remains of the schooner. Jack and Mac took cover behind a load of barrels stacked on the dock and used their muskets to provide cover fire for the stumbling prize crew. When the crew reached their position, Jack and Mac each dropped their muskets, grabbed a wounded man and raced towards the brig. Musket balls were whizzing by their heads and striking all around the dock as they ran. It was then that the stern chaser of the brig roared and belched a plume of fire. The second floor of the warehouse disappeared and the musket fire ceased. Tank God fo Nick! said Mac. When they reached the brig, they lifted the wounded men on board. Jack took his cutlass and cut the last strand on the dock line. The brig was now free, and Meechum and his crew had warped it around in position to catch the land breeze. 107

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Make Sail! yelled Jack. Give me every stitch of canvas on this bucket! Nick, get your men moving on that jib and then take the helm. Mac, hoist the main and get Meechum and his crew on board. Skipper! yelled Mac. What you wan to do wid da Frenchies? Give em a choice Yelled Jack,, You can shoot em, or they can have a nice swim to shore!

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His Majestys Royal Navy Chapter Eleven Pig Boat

January 12th, 1779 Perkins, carrying a tray with the Admirals customary morning tea, whispered to Jack: Jack, Capn Stanley wants to see ya. Somtin bout some pigs!

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Pigs? Jesus, thought Jack, another boring trip in the longboat for supplies. From their first meeting Jack knew that Captain Stanley was not exactly one of his supporters. The good Captain had earned his way to where he was, and he didnt care for Hotshots who burn their way through to the top of the Navy. Moreover, he thought Jack, and those like him, should be and remain at the rank of Able Seaman for the entirety of their career. But he was true Royal Navy, and ensured that whatever his superiors said was the way things should go. So, while he didnt exactly hinder Jacks progress in the navy, he didnt support it either. In Captain Stanleys eyes men like Jack did not fit the traditions of the Royal Navy, and should be respected, tolerated, and when possible, passed over. Jack followed Nick out of the cabin to the amidships longboat chocks where Captain Stanley was standing with a small map spread out over the ships binnacle. Did you send for me Sir? asked Jack, saluting. Yes, Jack, I did. Admiral Parker and I want you to return to Port Royal for supplies and dispatches. Here is the pursers list of items. Please choose up about 50 men to help you load and store, and then leave on the evening tide. 110

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Thats quite a load for the longboat, Sir. I dont think she will hold 50 men plus the supplies. Answered Jack. You are not taking the longboat. The captain interrupted. You are to see Admiral Parker for the details of your assignment. Taking a step back and saluting, Jack replied, Aye, aye, Sir. It was obvious to Jack that Captain Stanley did not truly support whatever the Admiral had in mind for him. As Jack made his way to Sir Peters cabin, he read over the pursers list of supplies. It was a short one: 10 Casts Madeira Wine 60 Casts Fresh Water 200 bushels Fresh Potatoes 30 Live Pigs (To be delivered around the Fleet) Oh, my God. Thought Jack. Pigs. 30 Stinky, filthy, squealing pigs. The longboat crew, which included many of his former Punch crewmates, hated transporting any type of livestock, especially Pigs. Pigs foul up the boats hold (which had to be cleaned up) and cause havoc amongst the crew, as they hated the feeding, tending and poop management duties that went along with them. Also, when the shifting seas allowed the slippery bastards to get out of 111

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their pen, they had to chase them all around the ship to be caught and re-secured. This did not appear to be the beginnings of a good cruise. Jack arrived at Admiral Parkers cabin and knocked on the door. Come! Came the answer. Admiral Parker was seated at his desk, finishing the last of the dispatches that Jack would carry to Port Royal. The Admiral looked up with a terse grin. Have a seat, Jack. He said and then continued his writing. Finally, the good Admiral set down his quill and looked Jack squarely in the face. Jack, you have done your time as pilot and masters mate. He began. Now I want you to do what you do best. Have you seen the latest issue of the Gazette? It has an article which describes your recent actions at Cape Nicola. Jack picked up the Gazette and read the article: Extract from a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Parker, Commander in Chief of His Majestys ships at Jamaica, to 112

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Mr. Stephen Thompson, dated on board the Antelope July 22nd, 1778, a list of prizes taken by the squadron under his Command on June 10th , 1778 from the Mole at St. Nicola: 1778. June 26th. French Frigate Le Gideon, 320 Tons, Jean Monopy Master, of 32 Guns and 230 men, by Lt Affleck of the Antelope. Ditto. Brig La Juan Elizabeth, taken by ditto Orman Coustor, Master and Owner, 120 Tons, 8 cannon, 20 Men, cut out and taken by the boats of the Antelope, Captain Stanley What does this mean, Sir? Jack asked. What does it mean? It means that London now knows of you, Jack. answered Sir Peter. Even though your name is not mentioned, everyone knows that you and your crew cut out that brig. She has been purchased for naval service by the Crown. The public announcement in the Gazette officially tells Captain Stanley and all of your mates that they will share in the prize money that we get for her. Everyone now understands what you can do. Thats what it means. It means we are ready to begin to do what I brought you here for in the first place. Look aft, Jack. Jack walked over to the large windows facing aft in Sir Peters spacious cabin. There, riding at anchor was the two 113

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masted brig that he had captured last June. He had not seen her up close since her capture she was immediately taken by another prize crew to Port Royal for a refit, and at the time of her capture Jack was to busy trying not to get killed to really get a good look at her. He now noted that she about 70 feet long with clean lines and a broad forefoot of the American design. Jack thought she was beautiful and perfect for commerce raiding and prize work. I have re-named her HMB Punch, Jack, in honor of your old command. As of now, shes yours. The Admiral continued. Shes carried on the Royal Navy Ship List as the Tender to the Fleet. She was built in the Colonies in 1761 and purchased by the French two years ago. She is a bit old, but still very fast. I am giving you temporary command of her, as a warrant officer. Ive seen her at a distance many times, Sir. She sails around the fleet delivering casts of wine, potatoes, and other supplies. I think she will be perfect for inshore work, Sir. Said Jack. Aye. Said sir Peter. Right now, shes unarmed, but we will fix that. She has a shallow draft like the old Punch, but she is nimble and fast. I believe that with a proper commander, she should be just as quick and maneuverable as your old command. I want you to show me what you can do with her work the bays and Cays inshore where 114

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our draft is too deep for us to enter. You have three weeks to make the best of her abilities, and to prove to these idiots in London what you can do with her. I, I though you wanted me to take her to Port Royal, and pick up a load of pigs, Sir. Stammered Jack. Pigs my arse, Jack! The pig trip is just a ruse to keep the Admiralty watchdogs off my back. By assigning you to the fleet tender they will envision you loading potatoes, unions and water casks to serve the pleasure of the fleet. They have no problem approving such a duty for you as fits their feeble minded mental picture of what they think you are qualified to do. I will get no complaints for such an assignment. But what I really want you to be concerned with is this letter The Bristol intercepted from a French packet captured yesterday. It is a French dispatch to the rebel headquarters in Philadelphia. Here, read it. Admiral Parker handed Jack what appeared to be the second page of a letter he took from his desk: CAPE NICOLA MOLE, JUNE 10, 1779. ..The French here are, to a man, in favour of America. There are ten thousand men in this island, one thousand here, who, with five hundred Negroes, are busy employed in building forts. A French frigate arrived the other day 115

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from France, with orders to the General to protect all American vessels. A pilot boat belonging to a merchant in Philadelphia, was taken by the British he day before yesterday and sent to Jamaica; a French frigate of thirtysix guns, and a guarda-costa, which last hoisted Continental colours, were immediately sent after her, with orders to follow her into Port-Royal harbour, if they could overtake her before, to demand her. What will be the consequences only time will discover. The French were very much exasperated at her being taken, which was within two leagues of the land. This letter was intercepted yesterday. Continued Sir Peter, so if you get a move on, you can catch them. With a good wind and hard sailing, you can make Port Royal and back in two days. But remember, I dont want pigs. I want you to find the enemy, close with him and kill him! I want you to take the Punch, overtake those French bastards trying to retake those ships and capture them. On your return, I want you to take the long way around and cruise between Cape Nicola and Port O Prince, inshore, like you know how to do. While the fleet and I are watching the front door, these bastards are using shallow draft vessels to sneak everything from cannons to ships-of-the-line to America through the back door! You and the Punch will close that back door.

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But Admiral, once they know that I am in command, wont they assign another officer to take over the Punch? asked Jack. Hell no, Jack. By the time the Admiralty realizes that you are in command of a Royal Navy fighting ship, they will be too busy counting their prize money to give a damn where its coming from. They will just not want it to stop! You have to trust me Jack. Are we clear? Aye, Aye, Sir. Jack responded. Very well, then. Put four 6 pounders on board the Punch, and make sure all of your men have a full complement of rifles, power and shot. Also make sure that each man has a pistol and cutlass. We expect you to conduct yourself as the commander of a Royal Navy vessel, which means that should you see enemy suspect vessels, we want you to take whatever action you deem necessary. It was then that Admiral Parker looked at Jack with a wry smile of mutual understanding and said: Good luck and good hunting Jack. The trip should take about four days, but take your time on your return. I told Captain Stanley to put an entry into his log that officially, you were assigned to the fleet tender to transport and distribute a large load of pigs to the fleet. Board and 117

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commandeer any enemy ship you encounter, Jack, but dont make a liar out of me. Just make damn sure that when you return, you have my pigs!

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His Majestys Royal Navy Chapter Twelve Commander, His Majestys Brig (HMB) Punch

As he left the admirals cabin, Jack pondered how he was going to take on a heavily armed and well manned French frigate with an aging brig, but he had longed for this day 119

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for three years, and now he once again had his own command, His Majestys Brig Punch. He knew that once he had his own deck under his feet, he would work out the details. In the middle of his thoughts he passed Nick Butler and McKenzie who were down on their knees performing the daily morning ritual of holystoning the ships decks. He stooped over and whispered in Nicks ear: Nick, pass the word and get the Punch gang to join me at the longboat. We have another mission to perform for King and country, so we might as well make a reunion out of it. Aye, Skipper. We all heard that you had been promoted to Pig Captain! Ya wants me to git someone to watch the snotties while wes gone? Chided Nick. Keep talking and Ill leave you here to watch them! retorted Jack. Now you and Mckenzie hurry on and round up the crew. I will square your release from this work with the Bosun. Aye, aye, skipper. Said Nick as he dropped is holystone in the bucket. Cmon Mac Nick said to Mckenzie. Hell, I rather be cleann pig shit den crawln round here on me hands and knees!. 120

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It took the better part of the morning to dismount the cannon, hook up the block and tackle to the main yard, and swing them out over the towering sides of the Antelope. One by one they were lowered ever so gently into the longboat for transit over to The Punch. This was followed by the arduous task of swinging them over the side of the Punch and remounting them on their cradles on the deck, and then helping the carpenter from the flagship set up the tackles so they could be secured and fired. Dotter Meechum, the Antelopes second oldest petty officer, was promoted to the Punchs Bosun. Dotter was a heavy set fellow, about average height but strong as an ox. Jack chose him because the crew respected Meechum and looked to him for directions and advice on everything from proper line handling to shipboard life. Jack directed Meechum to hurry the crew along in that the time to load and secure the cannon, powder and shot on the Punch was extremely limited. Meechum, sporting his new ceremonial round rig (the well-known tall navy bosuns hat indicating his new position) and starter rope in hand, encouraged the members of The Punch crew to move quickly with discriminate swats across their rumps with the starter rope. Meechum spotted Farley leaning across the barrel of one of the six pounders talking to a fellow crewmember. He reinforced Farleys sense of urgency 121

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with a stinging swipe across his buttocks with the starter rope. Farley screamed out in pain: Ooooch, Boats! Ya neednt be swattin me like that! Im a workin! Like hell you are, ya lazy pallyyard! Ya be dere beatn your gums and mashin ya arse! Retorted Meechum. Now get a move on! The bulk of Jacks old Punch crew didnt need very much persuasion, as to a man each was eager to get off the mighty Antelope and avoid the back breaking work it took to keep a ship of that size in working order. So they approached the new task with zeal and enthusiasm. As much of the new Punchs crew consisted of the remaining members of Jacks original Punch gang, there was not a great deal of persuasion for Meechum to do. They were eager to get back to independent operations with Jack, and more than ready to collect and count the prize money that was sure to come. As they worked, Admiral Parker would occasionally stride over to the forward railing of the poop deck and peer down at the men laboring in the heat. Jack knew he was checking the progress of his new crew. When all the stores were loaded, Nick, Mckenzie and the crew went over the side into the longboat boat below. In 122

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preparation to leave the ship, Jack issued his final report to Captain Stanley, who was standing at the base of the mainmast. All stores loaded Sir. The Punch is ready to sail. Permission to leave the ship Sir? He asked as the knuckled his forehead in salute. Very well, Perkins. Just one more thing before you leave, If you please. responded Captain Stanley. Yes, Sir? queried Jack. I mentioned to Sir Peter that you might have need of a bit of additional help with your new command, so I suggested that you take one of the Mids with you. AAMid, Sir? stammered Jack. Which one? He asked with a look of exasperation. Thomas Kilkenny, of course, I am told the hes your favorite.. Captain Stanley continued, with a grin: The trip will do the boy good. And Jack, I really do believe you can use the help. At that moment little Tommy stepped out from behind the mast with his sea bag and a broad smile. Jack was 123

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obviously taken aback by this change of events, but he weathered through it. Thank you, Sir. I am sure he will be exactly. what we need. Come along, Tommy, into the boat with you. said Jack. With a big smile, Tommy scampered past Jack and across the deck. In a flash he was over the side and into the waiting longboat. He had obviously engineered this whole affair with Captain Stanley when he heard that Jack had received his own command. Permission to leave the ship is granted. said Captain Stanley. Good Luck, Captain Perkins. Jack knuckled is forehead in salute to Captain Stanley and strode across the deck. The crew, watching this comical turn of events, had a great laugh, for they knew that Lil Tommy had been Jacks greatest nemeses, and that Jack was of the belief that with his new assignment, as Commander of His Majestys Brig Punch, he was done with his Snott Nurse duties. Apparently not, thought Jack.

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****** The End *****

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About the Author

Charles J. (Chuck) Royster, Jr. was born in Washington DC where he attended Howard University and received is B.A and M.A. in Economics. He is a retired CEO of a computer systems management firm that he co-founded and managed until 2007. His current interests include writing, boating, nautical and military history and research. Chuck and his wife Cecelia live in Gaithersburg, Maryland. They have three children, Tara, Jamelle and Charles III. If you enjoyed this book, and would like to read more, please e-mail your comments to cjroyster@mail.com. 126

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