Naval Chronicle - 02 - May, 1721

Foreword
The first edition of the Naval Chronicle turned out very well indeed. I am most pleased with the result and can happily note the increasing success with which our Port Battles were fought towards the end of the month. Captain Middlemore submitted an excellent account of the Council of War meeting in Port Royal, and I would like to encourage other Captains to send in similar accounts or other treatises to be published in the Chronicle.

Enjoy!



Awards
The Senior Officers have discussed and voted in accordance with the rules of the Squadron for those medals that are to be distributed this month. They hereby announce this month's awards:

James Maddox

I want to nominate Captain Sir James Maddox for a Distinguished Service Cross.

His bold actions in the Port Battle in Spanish Town (16. May) helped the Invincible first rate of Captain Bennet Cumberland to survive the fight and the later sacrifice of his Archelon Frigate, while covering the sterns of our colossal groups deserves to be honoured.

Without his actions our losses in battle would have been much higher and more expensive. As I have already written in my After Action Report.

Nominated by: Captain the Baron Leo Davis

Nathan Blatchford

Captain Blatchford has, over the course of the last month, filled up the Chronicle with his exploits aboard the Javelin. He has repeatedly placed himself in combat, and has defeated several of the King's enemies and sunk two fifth-rates. His courage, audacity and seamanship all testify to his skill as a Captain.

Captain Blatchford is a budding frigate Captain whose name will surely before long be known across the Caribbean. His actions have, in my opinion, earned him the honour of wearing a Military Cross in recognition of his service so far.

Nominated by: Captain Sir Will Collister

Nicholas Ventura

There were two outstanding acts of PvP heroism by SGS captains at the May 16th port battle at Spanish Town against France: Captain Maddox's suicidal defence of a First Rate, and Captain Lyden's equally suicidal charge to successfully finish off and sink a French Second Rate. Both of these received their due public praise in the aftermath, and I considered recommending them for a medal (as I'm sure others will too).

But given that they are likely to receive other nominations, I thought it worth flagging up a third, perhaps less outright spectacular, but equal if not more important demonstration of skill and bravery by SGS that night - the actions of Captain Nicholas Ventura.

I am not sure if Captain Ventura was leading the Green Group of frigates charged with protecting the sterns of the Colossals in the battle, but he acted and sounded like it where nobody else did so. Regardless of whether he was the official group leader, his voice could be constantly heard giving calm, measured, concise maneouvring orders and firing targets, as well as relaying situation reports to the Fleet Admiral at the front of the formation.

He consistently ordered himself and his group into the most desperate and vulnerable positions, bearing the brunt of horrific French flanking maneouvres and successfully soaking up their fire and cutting off their doubling attempts on at least two major occasions, ensuring the Colossals were well-protected. Despite being repeatedly personally targetted and primaried, he remained calm and concerned only with calling for Guardians and Blocks for his group-mates rather than himself, and ensuring they remained well-ordered and in-position even when outnumbered and facing half the French fleet on their own - a position he remained in until the very last moment when ordered out, and then was able to lead most of the group away from when surely more Green ships should have been lost.

He may not have personally pulled off any single, individual heroic manouevre, but in my view he did something just as crucial: he kept a group disciplined, calm, and focused in the face of overwhelming odds. He ensured that they did their job, and did it excellently, and there is no doubt in my mind that were it not for Captain Ventura's brilliant demonstration of brave and dogged leadership throughout the whole battle, far more British colossals would have been lost.

Nominated by: Captain Sir Robert Middlemore

Francis Lyden

I would like to nominate Captain Francis Lyden for a Military Cross.

His selfless actions in the Spanish Town Port Battle (16. May) helped our fleet to sink at least three french capital ships, which otherwise would have been able to find cover and repair. His bold maneuvers put him in the harms way countless times and led finally to the loss of his Mordaunt Sleek fourth rate. but without his maneuvers and the damage he inflicted to hte enemy the losses of the french would have been much lower. His actions in the battle were also highly praised by the Port Battle leaders. Which is also mentioned in my After Action Report.

Nominated by: Captain the Baron Leo Davis

Nexeo Grey

I would recommend that Captain Nexeo Grey receives this for his splendid initiative to build a strong economy and fleet in the Squadron.

Nominated by: Captain James Wilmore

Promotions
The senior officers have voted on this month's promotions, in accordance with the rules governing the Squadron, and have seen fit to promote the following officers:

James Maddox

Leo Davis

Will Collister

Robert Middlemore

Nexeo Grey

Henrik Highway

James Wilmore

Nicholas Ventura

James Cowan

Victor Dist

Francis Lyden

Kyle McAvoy

Roderick Morrow

Louis Mountbatten

Recruits
The following Captains have joined our honourable Squadron. We bid them welcome and look forward to sailing alongside them into the fray of many a battle to further the interests of His Brittanic Majesty's Royal Navy:

James Cowan

William Clinton

Spencer Graves

James Hesketh

John Paul Jones

Adrian Lamport

Jake Langston

Francis Lyden

Charles Morley

Titus Wallenstein

Jonathan Wignall

Ships Launched
The following ships have been launched and commissioned to Captains of the St. George Squadron:

Services and businesses
Here follows a list of the major shipyards, plantations, mining industries, etc., present in the Caribbean which offer their services to the Squadron.

Lao's Provisionings
Mr. Lao is the owner of Lao's Provisionings; a professional supplier of ship provisions for shipyards and individuals alike. Famous for his Mr. Lao's Chicken, he is well-known on the lower deck for providing both tasty and healthy food for British seamen.

Contact: Kai Chang Lao.

Lupus Enterprises
Mr. Lupus is the proprietor of the Wolf's Wood Trade and Sweet Fang Supplies. He produces and sells teak planks, refined sugar, molasses and, to a lesser extent, common wine. Mr. Lupus can proudly boast a healthy surplus of molasses and sizeable stocks of teak and sugar.

Contact: James Lupus.

Grey Shipyards
Grey Shipyards have the capacity to produce any vessel. They are a well organised and structured company and this is reflected in their delivery times. An excellent choice of contractor for the Captain considering a new command.

Contacts: Munitia Grey, Nexeo Grey.

Cowan Drydocks
Cowan Drydocks are most known for their production of the Navies work horses. They produce the best quality frigates and regularly supply ships to sail the seas. They prefer to build ships that can be completed quickly to free up dock space, although can also, of course, build the larger Ships of the Line when the need is great.

Contacts: James Cowan.

Treaty signed in Europe
Spain has capitalized politically on its current dominance in the Caribbean; a treaty has been signed by the Regents of Great Britain, Spain and France which will return all ports to their original owners but also grants Spain several advantageous taxation regulations. The East India Company and French Trading Companies will have to abide to this legislation until such a time as it can be overturned. Great Britain intends on retaking the control of the Caribbean theatre and scrapping this new legislation, and so open conflict can be awaited once more within short. The neutral, and hence unbiased, Dutch government has ranked the relative strengths of the European nations in the Caribbean, from strongest to weakest, accordingly:

Spain

Great Britain

Pirates

France

Lord Fletcher resigns
The honourable Lord Fletcher has resigned from his post as Sea Lord, having served as such for no less than five years and three months. His inevitable move upwards into the canon of British Naval society has taken him to offices of greater weight and importance to Great Britain. Though the Squadron will lose a great man and a great leader, the Senior Officers of the Squadron feel confident that a swift transition will be executed between Lord Fletcher's leadership and a new order.

We must endeavour to honour the leadership and previous office of Lord Fletcher through our future actions, and make sure that the name of the Squadron continues to live on.

The Right of the Reel
To Lord Viscount Seth Seaborn, Viscount Torringon, and the Most Honourable Lords of the Admiralty,

My Lords, on May 9th in this year of 1721, I had the Honour and Privilege to recieve Orders from Captain Sir Robert Middlemore Directing Captains Sir William Collister, William Blakeny, James Castor and Myself to dock at Port Royal, there to Proceed without the Loss of a Minute to the Naval Headquarters in said Port...

As we entered the Headquarters, Sir Robert was standing near a table, shuffling through some papers. Lifting his head at the sound of our footsteps and recognizing our faces, he wished us welcome, and after an exchange of pleasantries and civil questions about our journey, he asked us to step closer to the table. "Gentlemen" he said as he took a last glance at a piece of paper, "The situation is dire, and a competent set of discreet captains are called for." Exchanging private looks (the captains present had many virtues, though few had ever been commended for discretion) we waited for Sir Robert to continue. "Some time ago" said he, "the Vaquelin, a French packet-boat, were seen setting sail from Brest. It is expected to arrive in the Caribbean shortly. Pray have a look at these charts, gentlemen." Sir Robert unrolled a map of the West Indies, weighing it down with a candle and an ink jar. While looking at the charts we were told that the boat, most likely a cutter or a sloop, was under the command of a Monsieur Sebastien Ricaud, and that this man had certain papers of immense interest to the Admiralty. It was expected that the Vaquelin was headed for the coast of Florida, and that in order to seize the papers she had to be intercepted before she reached her destination. "Time is of the essense, gentlemen" said Sir Robert, "The packet-boat might have arrived in these waters already, and it is imperative that you should find her exact position as quickly as possible. It is expected that her presence shall be noticed by local fishermen, and I strongly suggest seeking out someone with local knowledge of the North-Eastern edge of the Caribbean." We waited as he shuffled through another stack of documents before pausing on a brown piece of paper, moving it closer to the candlelight. "There so happens to be such a man with the name of Jeremiah Watson in Spanish Town. He may have information on the Vaquelin's whereabouts. Now then, any questions, gentlemen?" A question was raised about the use of false colours as a ruse the guerre. We were told that the usual conduct of war applied, and that our ensigns could remain on deck as long as they were raised before the first shot was fired. Sir Robert told us that unfortunately, he could not join us in this mission, as his ship, the Warrior, was undergoing repairs and maintenance of such importance that her captain had to be present. He shook our hands, wished us the best of luck, and returned to his examination of the charts as we left the Headquarters.



'Due to his Rank and Stature, Sir William was the Natural Choice for the Position as Commodore, and after hoisting his Broad Pennant and giving the Signal for Line Astern, His Majesty's Vessels the Triton, Javelin and Merciless set course for Spanish Town. Captain Blakeny had at this time Recieved Orders from the Admiralty that was to take Precedence over this Particular Assignment. Upon reaching said Port, we made our way to the local Drinking House in Search of Mr. Watson...'



The Weeping Spaniard was not one of your clean, quiet, well-run inns, and as we entered the main room a nearby group of sailors dancing drunkenly suddenly froze at the sight of our naval uniforms. The hum of conversation stopped and a group of sinister-looking fellows in dark, ragged coats turned to scowl at us. So much for discretion. As we walked deliberately over to the bar however, the noise regained its strength, and leaning close to the bartender Sir William asked quietly after the man we sought. He recieved a discreet nod towards a bearded man in a dark brown coat at the end of the bar, and as we positioned ourselves behind him Sir William asked him in an authorative voice if he was indeed Mr. Watson. In a gesture of extreme rudeness the man did not even turn around, but only said that he was and then asked us who we were to ask after him. In an impressive display of restrain, Sir William ignored Mr. Watson's question and asked after the Vaquelin and if he knew her exact position. The situation of three King's Officers asking him for information seemed to amuse the bearded man, for he took his time, giving us half-useful hints and bits of information, his silent demand for compensation loud in our ears. Drawing his sword, Sir William shouted "I've had enough of this thoughtless toying with serious business sir, and do not turn your back on a King's Officer when he is adressing you, God damn your soul! Now answer my questions or I shall run you through this instant!"

'I am happy to Report that through Sir William's Excellent Display of Peaceful Negotiation, Mr. Watson willingly gave us the Vaquelin's last Reported Position. By our Reckoning, it was Probable to find her due West of Sommer's Isle, and after Ordering a Line Abreast, with Fifty Miles of Searoom between each of His Majesty's Ships, Sir William set course North by East to Intercept the Frenchman...'



"On deck, there!", Old Eagle's confident voice reached the crowded quarterdeck of the Javelin from high above, "Sail ho! Two points off the larboard bow! She's a cutter, allright." he added in a satisfied undertone. She was right where she should be, or near enough. We had expected her to be more to the West of the island North-East of us if Mr. Watson's now dark brown marking of the chart (For he had nicked his finger to write in his own blood, for want of a pen) was correct, not South-West of it. But there was no doubting her nationality, or course, or description, and with the signal Enemy spotted N by E bearing SSW streaming from her mizzen, the Javelin gave chase. The Vaquelin was a very fast vessel and she was handled well, and was it not for excellent coordination between the Squadron ships, she might have slipped away. With British frigates on every side, firing dismantling-shot at her rigging, the Vaquelin soon lost headway. Positioning the Javelin so that her next broadside would blow the cutter out of the water, I fetched my speaking-trumped and drew a deep breath. In my broken French, I cried "Cutter Franchais! C'est le frégate anglais, the Javelin! Frapp vos couleurs! Vous no pas escape! No escape, sir!" I waited for a reasonable time before repeating the words, and when she still didn't show any signs of striking, I angrily told to the Master to "lay the ship alongside, grapples at the ready, boarders away on my signal." The Javelin looming over the Vaquelin, massive next to the small cutter, hooks flying out from her, and presently the cheer of the boarders. A hundred javelins quickly overwhelmed the small deck of the boat. The Frenchmen fought gallantly but they were quickly cut down, and Monsieur Ricaud's desperate cries of "Je me rends, Monsieur! Je me rends!" came a moment too late. Recieving a murderous blow from a hatchet he collapsed on his quarterdeck. Roaring "Vast fighting, there! Vast fighting, God damn your eyes! Can't you see she has struck?", I looked sadly at the French colours lying on the deck, soaked through with blood. It had been lying there for some time.

'As we had no notion of the Look, Size or Contents of the Documents we were Assigned to Take, and the Unfortunate Death of Msr. Ricaud, we searched the cutter from Stem to Stern, and Took out of her any Paper and Written Word we could find. After reading some of the Captured Documents' content, Sir William decided to investigate Sommer's Isle more Closely, and Ordered Captain Castor and Myself to Return to Port Royal, there to hand in the Captured Documents to Sir Robert. To our Extreme Satisfaction, the Correct and Vital Documents were Indeed among the Papers that we had Taken out of the Vauqelin. The Documents, we were Told, was Immediately Forwarded to Naval Intelligence. The Mission was a Clear, Unmistakable Success.'

I remain, my Lords, your most humble, obedient servant,

Nathaniel Blatchford, Royal Navy

Naval Engagements
Here follows a summary of all engagements, actions and battles, in which our British ships have taken part during the month. For ship-to-ship duels and flotilla actions, the result column depicts the damage given to each ship. Critical damage in this column represents that the ship sank but lost a point of durability rather than being lost forever.

The red text depicting losses is also used in tables summarizing Port Battles. The black number under each column gives the amount of ships of that class present, and the red number in brackets gives losses from that group.

If any Captain finds any errors in the following account, feel free to edit the erroneous details.

May 1st
Battle of Port of Spain:

May 2nd
Engagement off Fort-de-France:

Engagement off Santo Dominigo:

Engagement off Island Harbour:

May 3rd
Engagement off San Juan:

Engagement off San Juan:

Battle of Santa Clara:

May 4th
Engagement off Spanish Town:

Battle of Spanish Town:

May 7th
Battle of Nassau:

Battle of Roseau:

May 9th
Engagement off Gibara:

Second engagement off Gibara:

Engagement off Matthew Town:

Engagement off Port Royal:

May 10th
Engagement:

Second engagement:

May 12th
Engagement off Irish Point:

May 14th
Battle of Roseau:

May 15th
Engagement off Ruddy Cove:

Second engagement off Ruddy Cove:

May 16th
Battle of Riding Rocks:

Battle of Spanish Town:

May 18th
Battle of West End:

May 20th
Engagement off Havana:

Battle of Turtling Bay:

May 21st
Engagement off Jaqueme:

May 22nd
Battle of Cartagena:

May 23rd
Battle of Jaqueme:

May 25th
Battle of Belize:

Battle of Roseau:

Battle of Roseau:

May 26th
Battle of West End:

Battle of Leogane:

May 29th
Battle of Spanish Town:

Ships Launched in Europe
The following ships were launched in Europe this month:

Pope Innocent XIII becomes 244th Pope
Pope Innocent XIII succeeds Pope Clement XI and becomes the 244th Pope. Other than his annoying habit of supporting James Stuart, he has aired few political views. The editor sincerely hopes that he, along with the rest of the Papists, keeps his opinions of British affairs to himself.