Pursuit of the Raven

By William L. Walker

Before the beginning of the nineteenth century, the infamous revolution swept over France, with many falling victim to 'Madam Guillotine' and her horrors. Also, before the turn of the century, the conflict between France and the varied nations of Europe, including England continued until 1814. England remained in continuous hostilities with France, and since France considered them a most important adversary, who at any cost, must be defeated. In 1802, the Treaty of Amiens was achieved, which brought eighteen months of relative peace.
Our story begins near the end of this treaty with Lieutenant Richard Welch, who has served for twelve years in His Majesty's Royal Navy. The French are preparing to once again restart hostilities, and rumors have been spread by French Intelligence pertaining to a mysterious 'ghost ship' meant to play on the fears and superstitions of many English sailors. As First Officer aboard the HMS Essex, Richard and the ships crew are pursued twice by this ship, Ombre de Cordeau or Ravens shadow, during the treaty. Now, the conflict has resumed, and assuming the rank of captain, Richard is thrust into the forefront of the hunt for this mysterious ship.
In the meantime, a young woman, Katharine comes into his life.
This book is styled for an audience of older teens and adults.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667820705

Book preview

cover.jpg

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 by William L. Walker

All rights reserved,

including the right of reproduction

in whole or in part in any form.

ISBN: 978-1-66782-069-9 (softcover)

ISBN: 978-1-66782-070-5 (eBook)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword

That Cursed Black Banner

A Springtime Ramble

Richard’s Declaration

The Letter

An Endless Sea

Growing to Womanhood

Richard’s Ordeal

Mrs. Phillips’ Quandary

Hunt for the Santa Clipe

Fear for a Friend

To Do One’s Duty

A Return to Boulogne

Katharine’s Boundless Love

And so, Into the Pursuit

A Man Haunted

Dinner at Menshikov Palace

A Question of Seamanship

A Ghost from the Raven Ship

About the Author

Acknowledgments

I owe a great debt of thanks to several people for this project. My son, Gary, for his extensive knowledge and assistance. To Brenda and Lois, for their advice and encouragement. My thanks, also, to the different writings groups I have been associated with. My deep appreciation goes to Mrs. Sean Webb for the cover picture. I could not have done it without all of you.

Foreword

Before the beginning of the nineteenth century, the infamous revolution swept over France, with many falling victim to Madam Guillotine and her horrors. Beginning before the turn of that century, the conflict between France and the varied nations of Europe erupted and continued till 1814. Great Britain remained the one nation engaged in continuous hostilities with France, and since Great Britain was an island nation with a powerful army and navy, France considered it an important adversary, who, at any cost, must be defeated. In 1802, the Treaty of Amiens was achieved, which brought eighteen months of relative peace. Of course, this only served to give France a brief reprieve to muster its forces to continue.

Our story begins near the end of this treaty with Lieutenant Richard Welch, who has served for twelve years in His Majesty’s Royal Navy. The French are preparing to restart hostilities, and rumors have been spread by French Intelligence pertaining to a mysterious Ghost Ship meant to play on the fears and superstitions of many English and allied sailors. As first officer aboard the HMS Essex, Richard and the ship’s crew are pursued twice by this ship, Ombre de Cordeau or Raven’s Shadow. Now, conflict has resumed, and assuming the rank of captain, Richard is thrust into the forefront of the hunt for this mysterious ship. In the meantime, a young woman, Katharine, has come into his life.

Chapter One

That Cursed Black Banner

HMS ESSEX, A BRITISH WARSHIP, swayed and rocked along slowly through the swells of the northeastern Atlantic in late March 1803. It had been enshrouded in a blanket of fog and an easy wind for over six hours. With the approach of nightfall, the setting grew more dismal.

A lookout shouted from atop the rigging. Ahoy below! Something off our port quarter!

All eyes turned to that direction, but nothing could be determined.

First Officer, Lieutenant Richard Welch, called out to the seaman. Do you still see it? Richard, twenty-six, had held this post for the past five years. He had joined the navy at fourteen as an ensign.

Nay, sir! Nothing now! the lookout’s voice rang out over the hushed waters. The creaking and groaning of the ship, and the splash of its wake could be heard clearly rocking back and forth in the swells.

Tensions mounted as moments passed. For more than one reason, such a sighting brought heightened apprehensions. Much talk and gossip among many of the superstitious seamen, of a mysterious ghost ship, had spread fear among the crew.

"Dark shape off our starboard bow!" the lookout shouted.

Can you make it out, man? Richard called back.

Not yet, but it comes closer!

All the crew on deck saw the dark shape draw nearer. The silhouette continued to approach, passing within fifty feet of their ship. It resembled only a dark ominous form because of the fog and oncoming darkness.

Look! shouted one of the seamen. She flies that cursed black banner below her flag!

Murmurs spread about the deck among the crew. The men exchanged shocked glances.

Captain Downey’s patience had worn thin. He shouted to the boson’s mate. Higgins, pipe the men to battle stations! His voice carried an unmistakable harshness.

Higgins was an Irishman in his late twenties. Er’ man to his station, he called out. Make haste, make haste. The boson’s whistle and drummer’s cadence ensued.

Men ran to open the ports for the cannon. Many scurried into the rigging to adjust the sails if ordered. Time crawled along as anticipation grew for what might happen next.

When the obscured shape had only just passed them, it turned hard to starboard to pass their stern. This made them vulnerable to the starboard cannons of the strange ship.

Captain Downey called to the helmsman with urgency in his voice. Hard to port, Collins! Higgins, set your braces. The turn took them out of the path of the other ship’s guns. Downey called out to the crew. There will be no more of such foolishness aboard this ship! Number One, we will open fire if they pass us again. I shall not allow these games to endanger my ship. His reason for hesitation was the Treaty of Amiens, which had been enacted in 1802. This had brought a halt to the conflict between Great Britain and France.

Within seconds, the ominous ship sailed out of their sight into the fog as if it had never been there.

Richard stood on the quarterdeck as his mind drifted back to two days ago when all of this had begun. He had ridden up to the dock at Portsmouth. William, the young man in his employ, sat behind the saddle and slid down first. He would deliver the horse home and then return when summoned.

Richard stood at six feet, and two hundred pounds with a solid frame. His hair, dark and almost with a sheen, was pulled back in a neat bob as was usual for officers.

Two seamen waited in a dinghy to carry him to the Essex. They saluted and bid him good morning.

The seamen were quiet on the trip out to the ship, which Richard thought unusual. Crew and officer relations were ordinarily cordial aboard the Essex. Although they both faced him, neither would meet his gaze.

When they reached the ship, the boson’s mate, Higgins, greeted Richard with a salute as he topped the rail. Morning, sir. He also stood at six feet but carried more weight than Richard.

As with any war ship, the officers depended heavily on the boson’s mate, whose function was to work between the officers and the ordinary seamen. Over the years, Higgins had proven to be quite reliable.

Morning, Higgins. Is the captain aboard yet?

Nay, sir. The skiff will return to dock and wait. Mr. Hanson has the watch and is on the quarterdeck, Higgins said, referring to the second officer.

Lieutenant Jonas Hanson, now eighteen, had served for four years as an ensign before recently being promoted. He was a quiet young man, slow to express his opinions, and Richard felt a need to help instill more confidence in him.

Richard nodded toward Mr. Hanson. He is a bit young for a second officer, is he not? But I think he seems capable.

Aye, he is that sir, but he has a good head, he does.

How many new men, Higgins?

We have twelve new men, sir. Some of ‘em young, too. We will be short our third officer, besides. He was down for two days with pneumonia. Captain had him taken ashore yesterday.

Richard observed the new men standing as a group on the main deck. Take them all down to the gun master since we are not to sail until later today. They will not be called upon to work them, but they have need of knowing of all our cannon. After that, instruct them with the rigging and sails. Make certain they are busy when the captain comes on board. Have all our stores been replenished?

Aye, they have, sir.

Higgins called to one of the seamen who coiled rope nearby. Fetch the lieutenant’s bag to the officers’ billet.

Several of the regular crewmen were unusually quiet, and Richard noticed them exchanging puzzled glances.

He lowered his voice. Higgins, what are the men about? Something troubles them, perhaps?

Rumors, sir. Disturbing rumors, at that. I thought I would present them to you, and the captain when he is aboard.

Very well. Tend to the new men for now.

Captain Downey came aboard at noon. He proceeded to the quarterdeck to join Richard and Mr. Hanson.

Downey was near fifty years old and had been at sea for most of his life. His features cast a weathered appearance. His face carried a wind burned look of years in the sun on the ocean. His prominent nose and dark shaded gray hair gave him an ominous look. He was all about the ship’s affairs, and serious most of the time when aboard ship. He normally resided on the ship since the passing of his wife.

A good day to you, gentlemen. How was your time ashore, Number One?

Richard, who had been surveying the channel waters to the south with a telescope, turned and saluted. Quite restful, and a good day to you, sir, he replied. He quickly returned his attention to the water.

Do you expect a French or Spanish armada to come over the horizon, Number One? And do I sense an unusually happy air about you today?

Richard said with a smile, No armada that I can see, Captain. I can only say that my leisure time was quite restful.

Captain Downey laughed. I certainly hope you did not spend your time at the inn, Mr. Welch. This was a rare episode of levity for Downey aboard ship.

Captain, you know that I have never been a drinker, sir. Richard lowered the glass and turned with a frown. Captain, Higgins feels need for a private conference before we sail.

Captain Downey narrowed his eyes and wrinkled his brow as he considered this bit of news. It struck him as unusual in the sense that it should be a closed meeting. Do you think this is warranted, Number one?

Aye, sir. Higgins feels we may have a situation of sorts.

Very well. Perhaps we should adjourn to my cabin. Bring Higgins along. Mr. Hanson, continue with the watch. You shall see more rest as soon as we sail. I appreciate that you have carried the watch almost the entire day.

Hanson nodded and saluted. Thank you, sir.

Richard saluted. Aye, sir. We shall be along straight away.

Richard and Higgins entered Captain Downey’s cabin. The room was cramped in comparison to most of the masters’ cabins Richard was familiar with. This was because the Essex was a compact, fast vessel with a trim-built structure. Captain Downey had stated that it was sufficient for his needs since he considered himself a man of simple tastes.

Double six-pane windows were fitted into the aft wall. A common seaman’s bunk occupied one side. A heavy roughened wood table was anchored to the floor in the center of the room. Around it sat four chairs. A small chart table sat at one side. A rack for rolled charts hung on the wall above it.

A portrait of the captain’s late wife hung on an adjacent wall, and he turned to gaze at it. Richard estimated her to have been in her thirties at the time it was painted. Gentlemen, that lady was the greatest treasure of my life. I shall never love another as I have her. The captain sighed as he sat down at his chart table. Now, Higgins, say your piece.

Higgins stood erect with his hands clasped behind him. Begging your pardon, sir, but the men was talking. Gossip some of them has heard ashore.

What sort of gossip?

"A curse of a French ship. They call it Ombre Du Cordeau. It means—"

Captain Downey raised his hand. "I know what it means. I speak a little French. It means Raven’s Shadow. He shook his head. You are a level-headed man, Higgins. I never knew you to be superstitious."

Not as usual, sir. But they say this craft pops out from fog banks or creeps around in the dark and is gone as fast as it appears. They even say its captain is a ghost.

Captain Downey’s voice carried agitation. Higgins, we have a fine crew and a fast ship. You have too many years at sea to be taken in by such foolishness. I will leave it to you to squelch these rumors among the crew. For God’s sakes, man, do not allow it to affect the new recruits. In addition, we are not even in a state of war with France.

That is one more rumor, sir. They say France is in turmoil right now. Huge changes are about. But be assured, Captain. I will do my best to curb this chatter among the men.

Now, I have heard that last rumor to be true. Finally, a grin crept into the corners of Downey’s mouth. And how does this accursed ghost captain distinguish himself?

They say he flies a black banner from his rigging below their French flag, sir.

Very well, let us get to sea. Remember your promise, Higgins.

Essex sailed through the English Channel and into the open waters of the Atlantic, where they would practice the firing of their cannon. Higgins kept the crew, especially the new men, busy raising and lowering the sails. For them, this became a tedious exercise, but the veterans among them knew their captain and his aim.

Many aboard the ship had seen hostile action under Downey. They knew him to be a cunning seaman and a ruthless fighter in his own right. In times of war, all this training would seem to be humdrum, but would in the long run, save lives, and their ship.

Essex carried several small rafts which would be set out at selected distances from the ship. The gun master would then direct the men who manned the many cannons to fire and hit these platforms.

Two boats were put into the sea the day after reaching open water to set out these rafts. Higgins stood at the port rail to direct the men as they set them into position. Pull those lines taut to keep them set. Pull back to the forward side of the ship once that is done.

Captain Downey stood on the quarterdeck to observe the practice shots. Higgins, tell Thorpe to concentrate on waterline shots to start with. I want the new men to watch from the rails.

The boom of the cannons, fired at a few seconds interval, filled the otherwise tranquil air, and smoke drifted up to enshroud the ship and then blew away. The ball’s flights could be heard as they whistled through the air. Vibration and movement resonated through the hull.

Of six shots, five hit the water only inches from the edges of the rafts. Water sprayed up, and over the targets. Concussions from the impact lifted them without any damage. Higgins explained the procedure to the new seamen.

Excellent shots, Higgins. Now, rigging shots at one hundred yards.

These would have to pass over the targets at an estimated height of thirty feet to be considered accurate. They were used to destroy the sails and rigging of enemy vessels. Faint trails of smoke could be seen.

Chain shots or cannon balls linked together were normally used. Smoke hung in the air until carried away by an easy breeze. Six of six volleys were good.

Good shots, all. Captain Downey turned to Richard. What would be your pleasure, Mr. Welch?

Since the targets were set in a staggered row and number five was between two others, it would present the most difficulty. Have him sink number five, sir.

Downey smiled. Thorpe, Number One would like the fifth one to be hit.

A silence fell over the ship. Private wagers were cast among the veterans. The gun master took charge to aim the cannon. It boomed. All eyes were on that raft. The shot hit the target and sent scraps of wood, rope, and water into the air. A cheer went up from the crew.

Captain Downey’s broad smile told everyone that he was pleased. Excellent shot, Thorpe, he called out.

At that moment, a shout came from the lookout above. Ahoy on the deck! Heavy fog, one mile to starboard! It moves toward us!

Captain Downey turned in that direction. Number One, signal the boats to retrieve the rafts. I want those men aboard before we get into that mess.

Aye, sir. Higgins—

We are already about it, sir.

In ten minutes, the rafts were pulled alongside, and the men had started to climb aboard. As they pulled the small boats and rafts up, the fog settled over the ship. The mist was heavy and carried a chill. Sailing in fog, to some extent, always put everyone on edge.

Richard hoped Higgins had been able to squelch some of the gossip in which the men had indulged. Many seamen were superstitious enough as it was, without the present talk of this Raven ship and its ghost captain.

Captain Downey stood in a rigid stance at the quarterdeck railing and called out to Richard. Our present position, Number One?

Richard had just completed a study with the ship’s sextant prior to entering the fog. We are one hundred-fifty miles south, southwest of Plymouth and seventy miles due north of the northwestern tip of France.

The captain reflected on this information for a moment. He turned to the helmsman. Collins, make our course due east for a few hours. Perhaps we can pull out of this shroud that has come over us.

Aye, sir.

The captain had made his views of the purported ghost ship quite clear. As a result, no further talk was raised by the crew on this voyage, at least not in front of the officers.

The remainder of this outing went without incident. Two more French ships were sighted, but both were at a good distance, and neither flew a black banner from its rigging. Nevertheless, with each such sighting, tensions would abound.

The hours stretched into days, and it seemed the drills and training would never end. Back in the tumultuous waters of the English Channel, these exercises continued. It was necessary that the men meet their duties, even in rough seas.

A few days following the incident with the ship, Captain Downey and his officers sat at breakfast in his cabin. That day the subject came up again. Oddly enough, it was introduced by Captain Downey.

He waited until the mess steward had gone before he spoke. Well, Number One, what do you think of this ghost ship business?

I think it a ploy to play on the superstitions of the ordinary seamen, sir.

Captain Downey sat with his finger at his pursed lips. Humph, he grunted. And your opinion, Mr. Hanson?

The young lieutenant hesitated for a long moment, then chuckled nervously. I really can’t say, sir.

Captain Downey laughed. Oh, come now, Lieutenant. Surely, you must have some thoughts on the subject.

Hanson’s eyes darted from Richard to the captain. He blushed and laughed nervously. I must admit, I was a trifle disturbed by the whole thing.

Captain Downey still held his cordial mood. You cannot tell me that you believe in ghosts, can you?

Hanson’s eyes were wide. Umm . . . nay, Sir, but they came upon us in the fog as if they knew we were there. His reply was in earnest.

Aye, Lieutenant. I think they well knew we were there. In fact, I am of a mind that they had followed us through that fog for some time.

Richard silently nodded in agreement before he spoke. Aye, Captain. I did not think of it as such, but it is the only thing that makes sense. They would not foolishly sail around us unless they knew exactly where we were. We also had lanterns posted, and they did not.

And if truth be known, all these rumors were started by the French, Downey said. They have their spies much the same as we do.

On their nearing Plymouth, the Essex encountered two British ships which were headed for open waters.

Prior to their return into Portsmouth, Captain Downey gathered the men on deck. Men, at present we have a fine crew and a fast, sturdy ship. Although, we are not presently in any conflict, we must stay prepared. Not only is France in turmoil, but many governments are prone to change allegiance almost daily. We do not know what tomorrow will bring. To you newer men, this seems a hard life. Indeed, it is. But our mission is to protect our homeland. Many of you have done well in your training. As far as this mysterious ghost ship is concerned, it is no more than a contrived plan to play on men’s fears. Put it from your minds. It will have no place on this ship. He stopped for a moment as he looked over the crew. That will be all. Lt. Welch, dismiss the men.

At the end of their allotted ten days, they anchored in Portsmouth harbor. Many of them went ashore, but some stayed aboard with the new men. The third officer, Lieutenant Martin Danby, returned, since he had recovered from his illness.

Richard walked up the dock at Portsmouth to see none other than William sitting on a large crate. He held the reins of Richard’s horse in one hand and an open book in the other.

Well, William, how is it that you are here just when I have arrived?

William looked up from the reading he