Noble Duty

20. Dinner and More

While we discussed midshipmen, a man knocked on the open library door and entered. "Beg pardon, gentlemen. I am asked to inform you that dinner will be served in the west dining room in five minutes."

Charles looked up and nodded. "Thank you, Cameron."

As we rose, I asked Charles, "West? How many dining rooms have you?"

"Only two. As the family grew, we added an extension on the west side with a withdrawing room and a dining room for more intimate entertaining of guests." He chuckled. "And at other times, as a place for us to find quietude."

When we arrived, Gillian, Camille, and Camelia were already seated at the table. As we sat to join them, Mary smiled at Charlie and said, "We will begin with your favourite – clam chowder."

Hearing this unknown word, I asked, "What is chowder?"

Mary chuckled. "It is how the children pronounced chaudrée."

"Oh, but that word is also unfamiliar to me."

"Yes, of course, our cook brought it and many other words and recipes from Acadia, and among our favourites are his chaudrées. Thick, creamy soups of fish or shellfish with bacon, onions and potatoes – and in season, with leeks, tomatoes and parsley."

"Ooh! That sounds delicious. How did he find himself here from Acadia?"

"His ship was captured during Queen Anne's War, and when he was released after the peace, he decided to remain here. He had been taken aboard by the French Navy to cook for the officers."

I nodded. "Yes, I have heard that French naval officers enjoy a far finer fare than do their crew. Similar, I suppose, to the way our passengers dine compared to us."

"Ah, I remeber it well," Camille said. "What splendid fare we had aboard Bermondsey."

Camillia grimaced and turned to Gillian. "Does this mean that being with the officers, I forego fine dining to avoid the lecherous oaf? Is he really so bad as that?"

"Worse. In his demented state, he has lost control of his lasciviousness. He regarded me only as an object to plunder, and his attempts were unrelenting."

Charlie shook his head as he turned to Mary. "What? A lecherous oaf aboard with our daughter? And you approved this?"

Mary smiled. "His penchant is now known, and with Camelia accommodated a deck above among the officers, he poses no danger."

"But with her epicurean appetency, she will surely find a way below and –"

I interrupted. "There is no need for her to do that. With our losses from the attack, we have more than sufficient stores and culinary talent for the officers to be regaled in the same manner as the passengers."

Charlie nodded. "The midshipmen, as well?"

"Yes, sufficient. But it would be better to have them mess in the forecastle to begin. Allow them to gain an understanding of the life of the crew before we move them aft to the gunroom."

"And the cabin boy?"

Camille chuckled. "My quarters – as Charles called it – was the cloak closet at the entrance to the great cabin with a ticking on the shelf serving as my bed."

Charles smiled and nodded. "Oh, my! The memories. Yes, the closet there because of the way the crew had taunted the former cabin boy in the forecastle. Taunted him until he begged to be set ashore."

Charlie pursed his lips. "Would they similarly taunt David?"

"No, that lad was a braggart and a fabricator with a condescending attitude toward the crew – very unlike your young David."

We paused our discussion as staff brought in a large tureen and ladelled chowder into our soup dishes, the wondrous aroma setting my mouth salivating.

Between spoonfuls of chowder and bites of warm bread, we continued our discussion, moving to examine the attitudes and aptitudes required of lads wishing to pursue becoming ship's officers. Then Camille asked me, "What age is required?"

"At a minimum, having begun his pubescent changes, and ideally, well along with them."

She nodded. "So, at least a dozen of our grandchildren would qualify – both with maturity and attitude, and most of them would be eager for the opportunity. How many can you take?"

"Three. Each officer has one, initially to tutor and guide, and eventually, to use as an assistant. It usually takes a year and a half to two years for the lad to be sufficiently competent and experienced to stand watches as an officer."

"I sense we will have many disappointed." Camille shrugged. "But dashed hopes are part of maturing."

"True." I raised my finger. "But we are launching two new ships this summer, and each requires three. Also, we need regular replacements in our other ships. We can take aboard now as many of them who qualify and are interested."

Mary tilted her head. "Would that not be an awkward burden on your officers?"

"No, not at all. During the first few months, much of the training and experience is from assuming each crew position and task until they are fully learnt. The officers organise and oversee this, but the training is provided by the senior hands and the mates."

"Oh! Why are they made to do that?"

"So they understand what is involved when they much later give orders as an officer."

"Ah, of course."

"And if we remove Sir Cedric and restore proper duties and taxes, New York will again become our prime trading port, allowing them frequent visits home."

We returned to our chowder, and after enjoying another spoonful, Gillian paused and looked at me. "You must arrange for our cookery mate to meet with Camille's chef de cuisine."