Zealand

59. The Dutch Attack

We all turned to watch the French ships withdraw downwind. But to our left, we saw the Dutch advancing toward our now disorderly line. Most of our guns had fired. How long to reload? The starboard ones likely done while they turned about to return.

But the Dutch approach their port side, and those have just fired. Can they reload in time? Or will Captain Berry have the line turn again? Will this cause more disorder?

As they sailed toward our ships, I wondered why the Dutch had not formed a line. Is it because our ships are no longer in one? Or is it because they must tack into the wind to approach? Aha! Another advantage of the windward position.

How long for them to close within range? Half a sandglass? More than that. And at each tack, they make themselves increasingly vulnerable to our guns. More than sufficient time for our ships to reload all and ...

The ringing of eight bells interrupted my thoughts. Then, Captain called, "While we wait ever ready, red watch to breakfast. The white at one bell and the blue at two."

Oh, I must fetch ours. But would he want to leave here to eat? I do not. Then, remembering the bread, ham and cheese assemblages we had up the mast, I thought similar would serve here. And Mate has many borels [1] of fresh loaves from ashore.

Seeing Captain unoccupied, I approached. "Should I bring ham and cheese assemblages for us here, sir? And Tae?"

"A fine idea, Boy. A large pot and tankards - I have grown a great thirst."

While awaiting the preparation, I headed up the ladder from the cookery to watch. The Dutch were still beyond range, and our ships had begun tacking. A long while yet before the encounter.

When I returned aft, I set the pannier on the hatch cover and poured tae into the tankards. After Captain had sipped, he pointed across our port quarter. "Yonder, they prepare fireships, Boy."

"Fire ships? What are they, sir?"

"Usually, they are ships grown tired or too badly damaged to repair. Their holds are filled with highly combustible materials and gunpowder, ready to ignite."

"Oh! And for what purpose is this?"

"A small crew sails them toward enemy ships, and when collision is unavoidable, they set them afire."

I nodded. "To burn the enemy ship with them." I paused to picture the action. "And before it hits, the crew jumps into the sea."

"Nay, Boy. At least, not from the fireship. They sail with a longboat secured alongside beneath rope ladders. When collision is inevitable, all but those lighting the fuses take to the boat, and they all have a fast, easy and dry escape."

With it now clear in my mind, I said, "This is another advantage of being to windward."

"Indeed. Success with this is nigh on impossible to accomplish from alee. From windward, if aimed and timed properly, they blow onto the enemy."

"So, Nevis is far better protected than I had thought."

"Indeed, Boy. Its natural defences are likely why it remained uncaptured while all our others were lost."

I pondered this for a while before I said, "But the effective use of these is the defence. Without that, they mean nothing."

"True. You have a clear -"

A loud clap interrupted Captain. Then he said, "The engagement has recommenced."

We both turned to watch billows of white smoke engulf the bows of a Dutch ship. "Appears to be a signal, Boy. They are not yet within effective range, nor are their guns brought to bear on a target."