Zealand

60. Fighting with Fire

Throughout the forenoon, Captain and I watched the engagement, the lines tacking-about almost in time to the ringing of Zealand's bell. There seemed to be no gain on either side until one of our ships exploded, shocking us both. "Appears they took a hit in their magazine, Boy."

"Magazine, sir?"

"The space where gunpowder is stowed. It is usually behind thick planking to prevent this, but it seems their angle to the shot allowed it to break through the hull forward. Such is the capriciousness of the Fates."

"So, we are now nine to their ten. Will they now overcome?"

"Nay, Boy." He turned and pointed over the port quarter. "Two of the fireboats are now about ready to sail."

I turned to watch them, and after a while, I asked, "How do you see everything, sir?"

He chuckled. "By not concentrating on one thing at a time. An essential skill for a mariner is to observe all that is about him. Here, by watching the fireboats make ready, you now miss the action of the battle line."

I spun about to look seaward. "Oh! The ship is not only burning; it is now sinking."

"Indeed, Boy. Let us hope most manage to jump and swim clear."

I strained my eyes, looking for crew, but saw none. Of course not. I see none on the other ships, either - the distance is too great for that.

"The first fireboat unfurls sails."

"Oh!" I spun about again. "How do I learn to see everything, sir?"

"By keeping in mind all that is happening. Regularly interrupt your attention to what is of most interest and check all else - in most instances, this need take but a few moments." He shrugged. "But with everything so new to you, and your eagerness to learn, do not berate yourself about this. It will come with experience."

A while later, when the fireboats had sailed past the end of our anchored line, it became easier to watch both them and the ongoing encounter with the Dutch. And beyond that to see the French ships returning. With three happenings only short eye shifts apart, I missed nothing. When eight bells sounded, I turned to ask Captain, finding him no longer beside me.

From the forward rail, he called, "Hoy! Hoy! You may continue watching, but let us not ease our readiness for the possibility of one or more of them daring to break through. White watch to dinner, blue at one bell and red at two."

When he finished, I approached and asked, "Shall I fetch assemblages and tae, sir?"

"Nay, Boy. Remain watching. Mate is preparing our dinner, and it will be brought here."

"Oh! How was this arranged?"

Captain chuckled. "While you were captivated by events to seaward, Mate came to get instructions for dinner."

"Directly to you? Not through the watch officer?"

"Aye. During action or pending action, I take the ship."

"Yes, of course. That is why it was you who announced to the crew."

"Indeed. Though I could have bade the watch officer do it, this was easier."

We returned our attention seaward, and after watching for a while, Captain said, "Predicting the enemy's movements is essential to the success of the fireboats."

I pondered this for a while, nodding. "It determines when to sail and what course to set."

"Indeed, they would have timed how long it takes the ships to turn about."