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Date Posted: 21:37:40 01/25/02 Fri
Author: Vito
Subject: Chapter. 3
In reply to: Vito 's message, "Of Guns and Canvas" on 14:11:55 01/22/02 Tue

It is an extremely satisfying thing to see the sails fill with a calm breeze, but it is even more satisfying to view the results of the month together at sea. Almost all orders were anticipated, each slight change was made by the seaman before the officers could point them out, and each was thoroughly used to their ship and the ways of the sea.

As she gained speed, the Spectre began making a fantastic way, with a high bow wave spewing off her stern. She was already at eleven knots, and still fast speeding up as the Captain changed course, with a heading west northwest of their position.

To the hope of all hands, there they would enter one of the densest trade routes for Asia. Great Britain was not at war with any Asian country, but with luck the Spectre would encounter a few hostile merchantmen blending with the other ships in the route.

The lieutenant, Mr. James Donavan, and the second lieutenant, the man directly under the rank of lieutenant who was named William Roach, both stood side by side after James had assisted the boson in securing the maintop. Both lieutenants were the same height, same body structure, and same looks, with red hair and green eyes. But Roach was an Englishman, and a very strict officer unlike James who was Irish and almost lax with his punishment.

Roach more then made up for this want of strictness, and though he was not a feared man the seaman still considered him not to be trifled with.

But today the second lieutenant was in a good mood, and he hefted his sextant with an almost jolly dexterity. James put this down to their uncommon good luck, but nearly every other man thought it was something more.

It wasn’t either lieutenant’s job to find their bearing and position, it was the master’s and the midshipman. Mr. Marshall was an almost legendary navigator. He was found to be right with nearly all his complex calculations, and he taught the midshipman their trade with a mien of experience and power.

“What does it look like?” Captain Arbator asked anxiously as the master lowered his sextant.

“I make us 35 and two minutes east, 12 and four and a half minutes south,” replied the stony-faced master.

“Alright, please come down into the cabin so we can consult the chart.” John said, leading the master to the stairs.

They entered the great stern cabin, the Captain’s private quarters. On the far wall, the whole back of the ship was a mass of curving windows and elegantly carved wood. There was a long bed, a mahogany desk, a bolted-down easy chair and two smaller round guilt chairs.

Spread upon the desk were duty reports, official letters, prize money estimates, and odd notes from his officers. All these the Captain cleared off, along with a half-written letter to his wife, and pulled out a curling parchment. When he spread this out, it revealed a map of the known Pacific Ocean.

The master checked his calculations that he had written on another sheet of paper, took out a compass and said: “Sir, I believe that our island was here,” placing a finger down on a clear part of ocean, “and that our current position is here,” taking the compass, he shifted its size and plotted a single point about a eighth of an inch from the island.

The captain knew from experience that the master didn’t just “believe” it, but that he was willing to bet his life upon it. “Very good, Mr. Marshall, please give me an approximate distance to our hunting grounds,” meaning the Asian trade ways.

The master considered again, and after a few more plots with his compass, he said: “based on our current position, I estimate that it is just over seven hundred and fifty miles, sir. About a week and a half’s travel.”

“Excellent, truly remarkable Mr. Marshall,” the Captain would have said, if the cry of “SAIL HO, ON DECK THERE, SAIL HO, TWO POINTS OFF THE LARBOARD BEAM, ON DECK THERE, SAIL HO!” hadn’t cut his words from his tongue.

The master smiled, and the captain donned his blue, three pronged hat and invited the Mr. Marshall on deck.

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Replies:

  • Chapter. 4 -- Vito, 18:42:55 01/27/02 Sun
  • Re: Chapter. 4 -- SoHee, 03:42:11 01/28/02 Mon
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