Beyond the Ocean's Edge...an excerpt
Hey, I thought I'd start posting some brief excerpts from the Stone Island Sea Stories. This short episode occurs near the beginnings of the story when Pierce is ashore on half-pay, due to the Peace of Amiens. I hope members of this community don't mind me sharing this here.
He had no need for employment, due to his share of prize money, and Pierce soon found that he was bored. While he attempted to stay busy, helping his father clean and polish the squire’s coach, Pierce found the idea of free time to be foreign to him. As a result, he also groomed and tended the horses. Living what would appear to be an idyllic life, he and Isaac spent many evenings deep in conversation with friends, acquaintances, and strangers at the Crooked Oak Inn. There was always food on the table and drink to be had. The next morning they often awoke with aching heads, churning stomachs, and blurred memories.
Once a month they journeyed to Portsmouth, visited the Dockyard, and drew their half pay from the Clerk of the Cheque. They also checked for possible employment in His Majesty’s Ships and Vessels. Neither sought active duty because of the hardships of half pay. Both had done well with prize money, and both had families not in need of their support. Still, Pierce and Hotchkiss felt a need to be back at sea and active in naval service once again. Once they had collected their half pay and made their standard queries for employment, they spent a day or two and a portion of their pay enjoying the sometimes notorious wild life of Portsmouth.
There was a house with rooms to let on Broad Street. The price was reasonable, the rooms comfortable, snug, and clean, and could be had for a day or two. While they could have afforded more luxurious accommodations, they found these convenient and the proprietor hospitable. Each month, they arrived, arranged for lodging, went to the Dockyard, and took in the town. While they had favorite places that they returned to each time, they also endeavored to visit new and different establishments.
During their February 1802 visit, they stopped to eat just up the street from their room. Finished, Pierce and Hotchkiss sat at the table, each nursing a pint, when another Royal Navy lieutenant entered. He was half a head shorter than Pierce, and wore a threadbare greatcoat to fend off the winter’s chill. Shrugging out of his outer garments, he tossed them and his hat into a vacant chair. After stamping a bit of warm into his feet, he sat down at a small table.
“An’ ’ow are ye t’day, Mr. Rowley?” asked the owner. “What can I get ye?”
“I’m well enough, thank you,” replied the lieutenant, rubbing his hands briskly. “A pint of your best and a plate of anything warming would do nicely.”
“Mutton stew?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Rowley? Isaac had mentioned a Rowley in Atlas, where last word placed his brothers amongst the crew. He looked at Hotchkiss. “Do you think?”
“You could ask,” his friend answered.
“I could, yes. We’ll have another pint and one for him as well. Let him join us if he chooses, and I’ll ask him.”
Pierce ordered each of them another pint. He quietly ordered one for the lieutenant who sat a couple of tables away. When his beer was served, the lieutenant protested that he hadn’t ordered it. The girl nodded toward Pierce, indicating that he had bought it. The stocky lieutenant acknowledged the generosity with a grin and a nod. His mouth was full and he could not politely reply any other way.
Pierce rose and approached the other’s table. “I beg pardon, sir, but would you care to join us? I am Edward Pierce and this is Isaac Hotchkiss.”
“Unemployed lieutenants, as am I, I’ll wager. Misery and company, you know. Delighted at the invitation and naturally I’ll accept. By the way,” he added, rising from his seat, “my name is Leonard Rowley.”
“I couldn’t help but hear it when you entered,” said Pierce. “I am wondering if you might be the Lieutenant Rowley who was in Atlas.”
“I was in Atlas, yes,” answered Rowley. “May I ask as to your interest?”
“I do not mean to be abrupt, but I seek information of my two brothers, believed to have been in Atlas during her last commission.”
“You needn’t apologize, sir. As Nelson suggested, one should not waste time with maneuver, but rather go straight at them. I was fourth for some time and don’t recall that a Pierce ever messed in the wardroom or gunroom.”
“My pardon, but they were pressed years ago. They would have been amongst the crew, no doubt experienced hands by the time you may have known them.”
“That sets a different light on it. As I recollect, there was a gunner’s mate, name of Pierce onboard. A topman as well. Good hands, if memory serves. I realized they were brothers, but never guessed a third would be in the service with a commission.”
“We gained appointments as midshipmen to find them. Three other friends were pressed as well.”
“I am sorry I cannot give you any recent news. I was promoted commander in Tickler, a French prize and returned last autumn. As to Atlas since my departure, I know very little, except that she has recently returned to Sheerness. If luck is with you, Lieutenant, you may soon be reunited with your brothers.”
Rowley momentarily turned his attention to his dinner, but soon he looked up. “I understand a Lieutenant Pierce’s actions helped convince the Frogs to sue for peace. Would that be you?”
Hotchkiss added. “My friend was instrumental in capturing of Perpignan a year ago. With her taken, the French were quite ready to ask for peace.”
“My congratulations, sir,” said Rowley. “Now if you will excuse me, my stew grows cold, and I must soon take my leave. A good day to you both!”
“A good day to you, sir!” replied Pierce.
Hope you enjoyed it.
Dave
He had no need for employment, due to his share of prize money, and Pierce soon found that he was bored. While he attempted to stay busy, helping his father clean and polish the squire’s coach, Pierce found the idea of free time to be foreign to him. As a result, he also groomed and tended the horses. Living what would appear to be an idyllic life, he and Isaac spent many evenings deep in conversation with friends, acquaintances, and strangers at the Crooked Oak Inn. There was always food on the table and drink to be had. The next morning they often awoke with aching heads, churning stomachs, and blurred memories.
Once a month they journeyed to Portsmouth, visited the Dockyard, and drew their half pay from the Clerk of the Cheque. They also checked for possible employment in His Majesty’s Ships and Vessels. Neither sought active duty because of the hardships of half pay. Both had done well with prize money, and both had families not in need of their support. Still, Pierce and Hotchkiss felt a need to be back at sea and active in naval service once again. Once they had collected their half pay and made their standard queries for employment, they spent a day or two and a portion of their pay enjoying the sometimes notorious wild life of Portsmouth.
There was a house with rooms to let on Broad Street. The price was reasonable, the rooms comfortable, snug, and clean, and could be had for a day or two. While they could have afforded more luxurious accommodations, they found these convenient and the proprietor hospitable. Each month, they arrived, arranged for lodging, went to the Dockyard, and took in the town. While they had favorite places that they returned to each time, they also endeavored to visit new and different establishments.
During their February 1802 visit, they stopped to eat just up the street from their room. Finished, Pierce and Hotchkiss sat at the table, each nursing a pint, when another Royal Navy lieutenant entered. He was half a head shorter than Pierce, and wore a threadbare greatcoat to fend off the winter’s chill. Shrugging out of his outer garments, he tossed them and his hat into a vacant chair. After stamping a bit of warm into his feet, he sat down at a small table.
“An’ ’ow are ye t’day, Mr. Rowley?” asked the owner. “What can I get ye?”
“I’m well enough, thank you,” replied the lieutenant, rubbing his hands briskly. “A pint of your best and a plate of anything warming would do nicely.”
“Mutton stew?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Rowley? Isaac had mentioned a Rowley in Atlas, where last word placed his brothers amongst the crew. He looked at Hotchkiss. “Do you think?”
“You could ask,” his friend answered.
“I could, yes. We’ll have another pint and one for him as well. Let him join us if he chooses, and I’ll ask him.”
Pierce ordered each of them another pint. He quietly ordered one for the lieutenant who sat a couple of tables away. When his beer was served, the lieutenant protested that he hadn’t ordered it. The girl nodded toward Pierce, indicating that he had bought it. The stocky lieutenant acknowledged the generosity with a grin and a nod. His mouth was full and he could not politely reply any other way.
Pierce rose and approached the other’s table. “I beg pardon, sir, but would you care to join us? I am Edward Pierce and this is Isaac Hotchkiss.”
“Unemployed lieutenants, as am I, I’ll wager. Misery and company, you know. Delighted at the invitation and naturally I’ll accept. By the way,” he added, rising from his seat, “my name is Leonard Rowley.”
“I couldn’t help but hear it when you entered,” said Pierce. “I am wondering if you might be the Lieutenant Rowley who was in Atlas.”
“I was in Atlas, yes,” answered Rowley. “May I ask as to your interest?”
“I do not mean to be abrupt, but I seek information of my two brothers, believed to have been in Atlas during her last commission.”
“You needn’t apologize, sir. As Nelson suggested, one should not waste time with maneuver, but rather go straight at them. I was fourth for some time and don’t recall that a Pierce ever messed in the wardroom or gunroom.”
“My pardon, but they were pressed years ago. They would have been amongst the crew, no doubt experienced hands by the time you may have known them.”
“That sets a different light on it. As I recollect, there was a gunner’s mate, name of Pierce onboard. A topman as well. Good hands, if memory serves. I realized they were brothers, but never guessed a third would be in the service with a commission.”
“We gained appointments as midshipmen to find them. Three other friends were pressed as well.”
“I am sorry I cannot give you any recent news. I was promoted commander in Tickler, a French prize and returned last autumn. As to Atlas since my departure, I know very little, except that she has recently returned to Sheerness. If luck is with you, Lieutenant, you may soon be reunited with your brothers.”
Rowley momentarily turned his attention to his dinner, but soon he looked up. “I understand a Lieutenant Pierce’s actions helped convince the Frogs to sue for peace. Would that be you?”
Hotchkiss added. “My friend was instrumental in capturing of Perpignan a year ago. With her taken, the French were quite ready to ask for peace.”
“My congratulations, sir,” said Rowley. “Now if you will excuse me, my stew grows cold, and I must soon take my leave. A good day to you both!”
“A good day to you, sir!” replied Pierce.
Hope you enjoyed it.
Dave