Patrol - 1720 - December 24 - Mysterious Sighting off Port Royal

Ships in Action:
ALLIES:

Virgil Kyle - HMS Aquila ('Mercy' Naval Frigate)

Action Setup:
Well, I suppose it all started when my men convinced me to make port in Port Royal for the holiday season. Weary from dealing with a seemingly unending supply of pirate raiders and French patrols, the men were eager to spend the holidays in Port Royal, where many of their loved ones lived, to enjoy the season with their families in peace and happiness. Well, okay, relative peace and happiness, no doubt, as we all know how family can be!

The Action Itself:
Upon approaching Port Royal by night under a full moon, the lookout suddenly reported not an interesting sight, but an interesting sound wafting o'er the ocean waves. Moments after hearing him cry out, we all heard the sound, drifting across the open seas - the sound of bells, it seemed, ringing dimly through the night air. Soon, we heard a most peculiar refrain begin to accompany the bells, as well as the seas lapping against the ship's hull: 'Ho ho ho', a voice cried out over the waves and surf. Suddenly, my first mate cried out, and pointed towards the pale full moon. At that moment, we spied a chariot of sorts, perhaps even a sleigh, being pulled across the heavens by a team of galloping... deer of some sort! Riding in the sleigh, we saw a plump, jolly fellow rise from it's interior, and wave to our lonely little ship as he passed before the midnight sun. As he disappeared from the moonlight into a dense cloudbank, we heard him call out one final refrain: 'Merry Christmas to all,' he said, 'and to all, a good night!'

The Result:
Obviously, these events caused quite a furor on the deck of my ship. Some men were laughing, other crying, and others just standing in dumbfounded silence. I quickly reminded them of their families waiting for them in Port Royal, and of all their loved ones eagerly awaiting to see them again after many months away at sea. This served to quiet down the commotion on deck, and we made port just a few hours later due to a fortuitous wind at our back, as well as calm and peaceful seas.

Lessons Learned:
Merely that there is a danger during this time of year to get caught up with the business and bustle of the day, and to forget about the true meaning of the holidays. I hope that everyone finds the time on this, the eve of Christmas, to spend it with the ones they love, hopefully in body but certainly in spirit, and to give thanks for all the blessings of our lives that we so often overlook.

Merry Christmas, and happiest of holidays to you and yours!