Happy New Year fic : A grand tradition
By way of a Happy New Year to all Following Sea folk, this is shameless fluff really but has its origins in some historical reality.
Inspired by anteros_lmc and her lovely Horatio in Justinian fic and by the stories of naval jests then contributed by vespican and eglantine_br and others
and grounded in the evidence that Edward Pellew would not whether as a middy punching those who hurt his friends or as a captain ever have countenanced sad and lonely and despairimg yougsters if he coudl help it ..
this scene takes place on the Indy shortly after Horatio's musing in Anteros recent fic " light in darkness " and is a Happy New Year from me and from the admiral himself - who brought me to this place in the beginning !
Author: Nodbear
Characters: the historical Edward Pellew,Henry Hart,Pownall Pellew and George Cadogan and the fictional John Bracegirdle,Thomas Bowles and Archie and Horatio
rating :G
Word count:Approx 2000
Disclaimer: The fictional characters are various people's invention.The heroism and gallantry, courage and love of the real guys cannot be invented but should be admired.
A Grand Tradition
This little vignette is deemed to take place immediately following Archie’s watch ending in Anteros’ fic Light in Darkness
Horatio came up on deck at change of watch smiling inwardly and full of schemes for the reception of a chilled and sore throated Archie ...
All of which had to be temporarily put on hold due to the object of his desire being in close conversation with the object of his devotion .Both of whom spotted him, the former smiling, knowingly radiant, and the latter clearing his throat as he was wont to do when being just a little too wicked for a commanding officer.
“ Ah Mr Hornblower , timely as ever. Mr Kennedy has been acquainting me with the news that young Hart is most unhappy since joining us this week past-Nothing worse than the usual midshipman horrors such as the testing by the gun crews and other ragging but the lad is sensitive and still but 13 and -what the mess may not know, has no father at home to have helped him. I will not have him suffer too long ,poor child. I think we need to convene a ‘grand tradition’ dinner tonight in my cabin.
Mr Kennedy tells me his friends at the moment seem to be young Cadogan and my Pownall, would you concur ? “Horatio nodded and replied
“ indeed sir , both of them seem very protective of him and I think he will feel braver with them present”.
“Very good then ,gentlemen. This evening then. Inform Mr Bracegirdle and Mr Bowles and so on and the young gentlemen -but get yourself warm first Mr Kennedy ,you have had a long cold time of it.”
“ Mr Hornblower ! “
“Yes, sir ?”
“no doubt you cam assist your colleague- some warm grog and er ..well carry on gentlemen.”
With that the captain was off, striding aft, leaving Archie grinning broadly and Horatio pleasantly scandalised as ever, as they both descended to the confines of the lieutenants’ cabins. “ I like it when we get ordered to do this “ grinned Archie reaching for the long body next to his “ and I am very cold Horatio and you heard what the captain said....”
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Henry Hart lay in his hammock staring through tear rimmed eyes at nothing while his two companions tried to comfort him ;not with much success. George, trying to sound reassuring, realised he was somehow sounding just hollow and Pownall was not doing much better;his offer to speak to Mr Kennedy or Mr Hornblower having been misunderstood .
“ Well its fine for you - no one rags you because your papa would flog them “
“ Henry, everyone rags me just because of papa and anyway papa doesn’t flog boys and in any case, he knows it is just teasing,all this stuff bu the knows it can hurt- but he won’t want you to be sad like this - He does care very much doesn’t he Georgy ? -but the lieutenants are kind- especially Bracey and Mr Kennedy and they will want to help you”
Pownall tried ..but it did no good .Henry was tired and lonely and far from home and humiliated in acute boyish ways and further by the fact of his crying And his hair, a very visible shade that his mother called auburn and everyone else called carrot did not help either .It had been the subject of some very harsh remarks earlier that week. He did not believe Georgy’s reassurances and Pownall’ s faith in the system - but he mutely accepted Georgy holding his hand and Pownall tucking an extra blanket round him to try to stop the shivering.
All three froze as they heard footsteps approaching the middie’s berth and the two youngsters were on their feet and protectively standing in front of their friend before a moment had elapsed.
“ Sir , we were just ..that is ... Mr Hart is not well sir and he isn’t on watch and we thought ... they faltered though both still stood tall before their shivering friend. All of them were in awe of Mr Hornblower and Mr Kennedy, both of whom they admired beyond adulation, but this unprecedented visit scared them.
Horatio, seeing in Pownall’s proud and brave bearing so much of his father’s courage and presence and in Georgy the same courage mirrored, heaved an inward sigh, leaving it to Archie to speak first .
Archie said very gently: “ as you were, Mr Cadogan, Mr Pellew..Mr Hart”. We are here to extend an invitation. The Captain’ s compliments to all three of you and he would wish you to do him the honour of your company at dinner today. You are to join myself and Mr Hornblower and Mr Bracegirdle and Master Bowles and we shall be marking the grand tradition.
“So mind you present yourselves smartly dressed and in full uniform “added Horatio .
“ you know the captain does not approve of slovenliness in midshipmen- or not in formal circumstances such as these.”
The two lieutenants departed, unaware of the gaping jaws that they left behind then - though they could quite likely have guessed.
The knock at the door of the aft cabin was not timorous , but the three figures who came in ,hats under arms ,looked fairly pale and certainly anxious. Their eye s fell on a well laid table, and fortunately, on the kindly face of the first lieutenant , as well as the sterner one of their captain.
Bidden to sit, they did so, but somewhat on the edge of the chairs while Mr Bracegirdle explained that they were waiting for the master and Mr Hornblower and Mr Kennedy and then they would begin. “Begin what ? wondered Henry disconsolately - shooting a glance at Pownall who shrugged thinking - not for the first time- that it was unfair that everyone assumed he knew everything just because papa - .
The door opened and Mr Bowles, followed by the two. handsome and unwontedly immaculate lieutenants bustled in , to be welcomed by the captain as he poured them all a glass of fine claret. Henry felt his heart hammering even though it did not seem like a setting for punishment and though he knew that Sir Edward and indeed the whole Indefatigable officer’s mess had a reputation for fairness and even kindness compared to many .
He felt his apprehension justified though when the captain’ s gimlet stare was suddenly trained on him .
“ Mr Hart, it has come to my attention that there was an incident after gun drill at general quarters this morning where you may have found yourself a little confused . would you like to elucidate ?
Henry felt his cheeks burn with the shame of it but he stood and stood to attention , fixing his eyes on the bulkhead lantern so that he missed the amused gleam in the captain’s narrowed gaze and the sympathetic smiles in the faces of Lieutenants Bracegirdle and Kennedy .
“ Sir I must apologise that i had not studied shipboard life as well as I thought that I had - the men sent me for a long stand and of course it does not exist and I held up the armourer and wasted his time and I have undermined my authority and I have been..”
“ inducted into the oldest and noblest of naval traditions “ the captain finished for him, laying a large but gentle hand on his shoulder, “ and , as the latest in the noble line you are invited after dinner to be the first to name the day and ship in which your induction took place and honour with a toast the friends who helped you through it.
Throughout dinner Henry kept pinching himself to believe that he had not misheard - oldest and noblest tradition - then perhaps the others has experienced something similar -surely not the clever Mr Hornblower or the so confident- seeming Mr Kennedy ? He wriggled in his seat and picked a little nervously at the dessert - dessert ? He had heard the captain was also famous for his generous table but this was something beyond imagining.
After dinner, port and brandy were set out and the glasses charged , all faces turned to Henry who s
rising to his feet , raised his glass and this time regarded the assembled company , seeing the nervous fellow -feeling in George and Pownall, the kindly smiles of Mr Kennedy and Mr Bracegirdle and the studied neutrality of Mr Hornblower and Mr Bowles, and in the captain’s face ?- Henry shook himself for imagining that there was something softer there than there had ever been known to be yet and bravely plunged in :
Sir, gentlemen, I have to admit then to my induction to the long stand being here on His Majesty’s Frigate Indefatigable in December 1797 and I would like to toast Mr Pellew and the Honourable Mr Cadogan for standing my friends. To his surprise his audience applauded and, much overcome , he sat down abruptly in the chair again, only to see Pownall rise to his feet and respond” Pownall Pellew, rated Able seaman, my induction was also on the Indefatigable , best of frigates, and was also to “the long stand “and I too toast The Honourable George Cadogan, best of friends.
George himself rose to confess to much the same and to cite as his friend their fellow midshipman John Gaze. George was also admitting to some ragging over his title. Henry had rather been assuming that this was a rite of passage for midshipmen but found, to his surprise Lieutenant Hornblower was on his feet , a rueful smile making his solemn face more handsome than ever , and regarding Mr Kennedy first and then the assembled company;
“ I regret to say as a midshipman on the JustinianI fell for not only the’ long stand’ but also the “Lieutenant needs you in the main top”- and me afraid of heights - he said, and lifting his glass continued “ and my toast is of course to Lieutenant Kennedy , a friend without comparison “- applause followed this too - with Mr Kennedy smiling his radiant smile and rising in his turn.
“ Archie Kennedy then of the Justinian - mine was the ’special cannonballs for Spanish vessels’ “ said he, laughing at himself even as he nodded to Mr Bracegirdle with whom this was evidently a shared joke-_ well - that and ‘the long stand ‘of course “ And here is a toast - he paused just momentarily and then continued “ to Midshipman Clayton , a noble and brave man”.
this time the applause was forestalled by the captain adding “ may he rest in peace” and the other officers echoing “ aye “ in softened voices.
“ Thank you Mr Kennedy ,” said Bracegirdle, rising and accepting a refilled glass from the captain
“Well, in my day on the Hebe it was the Americans who had special cannon balls reserved for them , he said ,”but the’ long stand’ was as in vogue as ever - as were the references to my girth I fear to say , to which I have long since grown used “ And my toast is to Lieutenant , now Captain Edwards , then of the Hebe who was kindness itself to a poor bewildered and confused middy.
Applause and a sotto voce “ that was your model then, John “ from the captain again followed.
Mr Bowles rose, and smiled - yes, actually smiled- at Henry , before adding” I came from the merchant service and all our traditions were different so I was very easy prey indeed - every piece of terminology, every tradition... I had no idea .. and I was utterly convinced by the “long stand” .but my toast is to Sir Edward Pellew, who is a man who values honour and seamanship more than any status and is a friend - and a captain - any man should be proud to follow ..
At this Bracey and the two younger lieutenants stood to echo the cheers - stayed by the Captain ‘s outstretched hand and gruff thanks as he , finally rose to his feet:
“ The Juno 1780 , he said reflectively - “ and I was impetuous enough to be easy prey too -I even believed that admirals were to be saluted by headstands on the foretop ...but as for the ‘long stand’ ...he paused and then that rarest of things treasured by the Indefatigables occurred -a smile that made him look for a moment so like Pownall - “ yes , the long stand was indeed in tradition then too - I practically bawled the Juno’s gunner out - and he laughing himself fit to burst all the while..And my toast is to Captain Frank Cole, fellow middy and dearest of friends , who managed to see in an uncouth and pugnacious scamp someone worthy of friendship which continues to this day - the more precious because of how rarely we can meet.The toast was echoed and the captain put down his glass on the table.
Captain Pellew watched the young midshipmen closely as he continued “ you see, Mr Hart, there must inevitably be rituals and some of them reveal to us our inadequacies and pretentions - but if they also reveal the love of friends and of comrades in adversity then they are worth a little humbling. And by the way did I not hear that you had endured a little discomfort over your appearance also ?
Hart blushed deeply and said low voiced -“ there were two midshipmen - from another ship in our squadron - who thought it sport to call me’ carrot-head’ yesterday .
“f it should help you to know, you are not the first to bear that epithet “ ,the captain said , aware that Mr Bowles and Mr Bracegirdle were both suddenly afflicted by a tendency to cough ...
Now you are on watch ere long Mr Hart and Mr Cadogan so I think you should do and rest - and remember if things become no longer ragging merely but something truly hard to bear then I wish to know - and immediately “. “ Aye, sir” they chorused and left the cabin heads ducked and bright eyed. On route to their berth George looked at Henry , whose eyes shone “ that is something Henry he said - to share a nickname with the old man himself - maybe you will be called the Old Lion too one day
Back in the cabin Pownall bowed politely to all the officers and begged to excused .His father, perhaps affected by the thought of young men and their struggles and knowing the company present to be discreet, held out his arms to the young man and hugged him, then pulled his uniform collar straight, muttering the while “ your mother says you get your untidiness from me “, before gently propelling him towards the door and shutting it behind him.
Turning to the officers he offered “ another glass gentlemen? Now that we have finished nursery duty for another few months until we get sent another lost lamb “
“ its my belief most of your lost lambs will make admiral one day “ said Bowles loyally .
“ I should like to think they might,” the captains said quietly “ and here is one more toast , to Philemon Pownall, who taught me that a midshipman should face an angry captain if he has done wrong , and an educating captain to widen his horizons, and a comforting captain when he is young and ill formed in manners or when afraid and lost and should never - never- face a captain of whom he is truly afraid. To have inspired fear and only fear is to have lost the boy and lost the man he will become.”
All five of them stood for the toast and one by one took their leave afterward, so that there were no witnesses remaining to hear the last words that went with the toast “and I pray God daily I do not fail too often in the task.”
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‘Author’s note : Henry Hart was another real midshipman and contemporary of Pownall Pellew and George Cadogan on the Indefatigable.His red hair is of course merely a plot device - or non plot device !
He and George Cadogan fulfilled Mr Bowles ‘predictions as they were among the five middies and one lieutenant of that era from the Indy ( six if you count Horatio !) to become admirals.
While Mr Bowles and Mr Bracegirdle are of course TV canon, their career notes are taken from their historical equivalents - John Thomson who came from the merchant service and George Bell who was in the Hebe .And Captain Pellew was indeed a midshipman on the Juno where hi sbest friend was Frank Cole who became a captain but died young in 1799 sadly.
Happy New Year to all on Following Sea !
Inspired by anteros_lmc and her lovely Horatio in Justinian fic and by the stories of naval jests then contributed by vespican and eglantine_br and others
and grounded in the evidence that Edward Pellew would not whether as a middy punching those who hurt his friends or as a captain ever have countenanced sad and lonely and despairimg yougsters if he coudl help it ..
this scene takes place on the Indy shortly after Horatio's musing in Anteros recent fic " light in darkness " and is a Happy New Year from me and from the admiral himself - who brought me to this place in the beginning !
Author: Nodbear
Characters: the historical Edward Pellew,Henry Hart,Pownall Pellew and George Cadogan and the fictional John Bracegirdle,Thomas Bowles and Archie and Horatio
rating :G
Word count:Approx 2000
Disclaimer: The fictional characters are various people's invention.The heroism and gallantry, courage and love of the real guys cannot be invented but should be admired.
A Grand Tradition
This little vignette is deemed to take place immediately following Archie’s watch ending in Anteros’ fic Light in Darkness
Horatio came up on deck at change of watch smiling inwardly and full of schemes for the reception of a chilled and sore throated Archie ...
All of which had to be temporarily put on hold due to the object of his desire being in close conversation with the object of his devotion .Both of whom spotted him, the former smiling, knowingly radiant, and the latter clearing his throat as he was wont to do when being just a little too wicked for a commanding officer.
“ Ah Mr Hornblower , timely as ever. Mr Kennedy has been acquainting me with the news that young Hart is most unhappy since joining us this week past-Nothing worse than the usual midshipman horrors such as the testing by the gun crews and other ragging but the lad is sensitive and still but 13 and -what the mess may not know, has no father at home to have helped him. I will not have him suffer too long ,poor child. I think we need to convene a ‘grand tradition’ dinner tonight in my cabin.
Mr Kennedy tells me his friends at the moment seem to be young Cadogan and my Pownall, would you concur ? “Horatio nodded and replied
“ indeed sir , both of them seem very protective of him and I think he will feel braver with them present”.
“Very good then ,gentlemen. This evening then. Inform Mr Bracegirdle and Mr Bowles and so on and the young gentlemen -but get yourself warm first Mr Kennedy ,you have had a long cold time of it.”
“ Mr Hornblower ! “
“Yes, sir ?”
“no doubt you cam assist your colleague- some warm grog and er ..well carry on gentlemen.”
With that the captain was off, striding aft, leaving Archie grinning broadly and Horatio pleasantly scandalised as ever, as they both descended to the confines of the lieutenants’ cabins. “ I like it when we get ordered to do this “ grinned Archie reaching for the long body next to his “ and I am very cold Horatio and you heard what the captain said....”
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Henry Hart lay in his hammock staring through tear rimmed eyes at nothing while his two companions tried to comfort him ;not with much success. George, trying to sound reassuring, realised he was somehow sounding just hollow and Pownall was not doing much better;his offer to speak to Mr Kennedy or Mr Hornblower having been misunderstood .
“ Well its fine for you - no one rags you because your papa would flog them “
“ Henry, everyone rags me just because of papa and anyway papa doesn’t flog boys and in any case, he knows it is just teasing,all this stuff bu the knows it can hurt- but he won’t want you to be sad like this - He does care very much doesn’t he Georgy ? -but the lieutenants are kind- especially Bracey and Mr Kennedy and they will want to help you”
Pownall tried ..but it did no good .Henry was tired and lonely and far from home and humiliated in acute boyish ways and further by the fact of his crying And his hair, a very visible shade that his mother called auburn and everyone else called carrot did not help either .It had been the subject of some very harsh remarks earlier that week. He did not believe Georgy’s reassurances and Pownall’ s faith in the system - but he mutely accepted Georgy holding his hand and Pownall tucking an extra blanket round him to try to stop the shivering.
All three froze as they heard footsteps approaching the middie’s berth and the two youngsters were on their feet and protectively standing in front of their friend before a moment had elapsed.
“ Sir , we were just ..that is ... Mr Hart is not well sir and he isn’t on watch and we thought ... they faltered though both still stood tall before their shivering friend. All of them were in awe of Mr Hornblower and Mr Kennedy, both of whom they admired beyond adulation, but this unprecedented visit scared them.
Horatio, seeing in Pownall’s proud and brave bearing so much of his father’s courage and presence and in Georgy the same courage mirrored, heaved an inward sigh, leaving it to Archie to speak first .
Archie said very gently: “ as you were, Mr Cadogan, Mr Pellew..Mr Hart”. We are here to extend an invitation. The Captain’ s compliments to all three of you and he would wish you to do him the honour of your company at dinner today. You are to join myself and Mr Hornblower and Mr Bracegirdle and Master Bowles and we shall be marking the grand tradition.
“So mind you present yourselves smartly dressed and in full uniform “added Horatio .
“ you know the captain does not approve of slovenliness in midshipmen- or not in formal circumstances such as these.”
The two lieutenants departed, unaware of the gaping jaws that they left behind then - though they could quite likely have guessed.
The knock at the door of the aft cabin was not timorous , but the three figures who came in ,hats under arms ,looked fairly pale and certainly anxious. Their eye s fell on a well laid table, and fortunately, on the kindly face of the first lieutenant , as well as the sterner one of their captain.
Bidden to sit, they did so, but somewhat on the edge of the chairs while Mr Bracegirdle explained that they were waiting for the master and Mr Hornblower and Mr Kennedy and then they would begin. “Begin what ? wondered Henry disconsolately - shooting a glance at Pownall who shrugged thinking - not for the first time- that it was unfair that everyone assumed he knew everything just because papa - .
The door opened and Mr Bowles, followed by the two. handsome and unwontedly immaculate lieutenants bustled in , to be welcomed by the captain as he poured them all a glass of fine claret. Henry felt his heart hammering even though it did not seem like a setting for punishment and though he knew that Sir Edward and indeed the whole Indefatigable officer’s mess had a reputation for fairness and even kindness compared to many .
He felt his apprehension justified though when the captain’ s gimlet stare was suddenly trained on him .
“ Mr Hart, it has come to my attention that there was an incident after gun drill at general quarters this morning where you may have found yourself a little confused . would you like to elucidate ?
Henry felt his cheeks burn with the shame of it but he stood and stood to attention , fixing his eyes on the bulkhead lantern so that he missed the amused gleam in the captain’s narrowed gaze and the sympathetic smiles in the faces of Lieutenants Bracegirdle and Kennedy .
“ Sir I must apologise that i had not studied shipboard life as well as I thought that I had - the men sent me for a long stand and of course it does not exist and I held up the armourer and wasted his time and I have undermined my authority and I have been..”
“ inducted into the oldest and noblest of naval traditions “ the captain finished for him, laying a large but gentle hand on his shoulder, “ and , as the latest in the noble line you are invited after dinner to be the first to name the day and ship in which your induction took place and honour with a toast the friends who helped you through it.
Throughout dinner Henry kept pinching himself to believe that he had not misheard - oldest and noblest tradition - then perhaps the others has experienced something similar -surely not the clever Mr Hornblower or the so confident- seeming Mr Kennedy ? He wriggled in his seat and picked a little nervously at the dessert - dessert ? He had heard the captain was also famous for his generous table but this was something beyond imagining.
After dinner, port and brandy were set out and the glasses charged , all faces turned to Henry who s
rising to his feet , raised his glass and this time regarded the assembled company , seeing the nervous fellow -feeling in George and Pownall, the kindly smiles of Mr Kennedy and Mr Bracegirdle and the studied neutrality of Mr Hornblower and Mr Bowles, and in the captain’s face ?- Henry shook himself for imagining that there was something softer there than there had ever been known to be yet and bravely plunged in :
Sir, gentlemen, I have to admit then to my induction to the long stand being here on His Majesty’s Frigate Indefatigable in December 1797 and I would like to toast Mr Pellew and the Honourable Mr Cadogan for standing my friends. To his surprise his audience applauded and, much overcome , he sat down abruptly in the chair again, only to see Pownall rise to his feet and respond” Pownall Pellew, rated Able seaman, my induction was also on the Indefatigable , best of frigates, and was also to “the long stand “and I too toast The Honourable George Cadogan, best of friends.
George himself rose to confess to much the same and to cite as his friend their fellow midshipman John Gaze. George was also admitting to some ragging over his title. Henry had rather been assuming that this was a rite of passage for midshipmen but found, to his surprise Lieutenant Hornblower was on his feet , a rueful smile making his solemn face more handsome than ever , and regarding Mr Kennedy first and then the assembled company;
“ I regret to say as a midshipman on the JustinianI fell for not only the’ long stand’ but also the “Lieutenant needs you in the main top”- and me afraid of heights - he said, and lifting his glass continued “ and my toast is of course to Lieutenant Kennedy , a friend without comparison “- applause followed this too - with Mr Kennedy smiling his radiant smile and rising in his turn.
“ Archie Kennedy then of the Justinian - mine was the ’special cannonballs for Spanish vessels’ “ said he, laughing at himself even as he nodded to Mr Bracegirdle with whom this was evidently a shared joke-_ well - that and ‘the long stand ‘of course “ And here is a toast - he paused just momentarily and then continued “ to Midshipman Clayton , a noble and brave man”.
this time the applause was forestalled by the captain adding “ may he rest in peace” and the other officers echoing “ aye “ in softened voices.
“ Thank you Mr Kennedy ,” said Bracegirdle, rising and accepting a refilled glass from the captain
“Well, in my day on the Hebe it was the Americans who had special cannon balls reserved for them , he said ,”but the’ long stand’ was as in vogue as ever - as were the references to my girth I fear to say , to which I have long since grown used “ And my toast is to Lieutenant , now Captain Edwards , then of the Hebe who was kindness itself to a poor bewildered and confused middy.
Applause and a sotto voce “ that was your model then, John “ from the captain again followed.
Mr Bowles rose, and smiled - yes, actually smiled- at Henry , before adding” I came from the merchant service and all our traditions were different so I was very easy prey indeed - every piece of terminology, every tradition... I had no idea .. and I was utterly convinced by the “long stand” .but my toast is to Sir Edward Pellew, who is a man who values honour and seamanship more than any status and is a friend - and a captain - any man should be proud to follow ..
At this Bracey and the two younger lieutenants stood to echo the cheers - stayed by the Captain ‘s outstretched hand and gruff thanks as he , finally rose to his feet:
“ The Juno 1780 , he said reflectively - “ and I was impetuous enough to be easy prey too -I even believed that admirals were to be saluted by headstands on the foretop ...but as for the ‘long stand’ ...he paused and then that rarest of things treasured by the Indefatigables occurred -a smile that made him look for a moment so like Pownall - “ yes , the long stand was indeed in tradition then too - I practically bawled the Juno’s gunner out - and he laughing himself fit to burst all the while..And my toast is to Captain Frank Cole, fellow middy and dearest of friends , who managed to see in an uncouth and pugnacious scamp someone worthy of friendship which continues to this day - the more precious because of how rarely we can meet.The toast was echoed and the captain put down his glass on the table.
Captain Pellew watched the young midshipmen closely as he continued “ you see, Mr Hart, there must inevitably be rituals and some of them reveal to us our inadequacies and pretentions - but if they also reveal the love of friends and of comrades in adversity then they are worth a little humbling. And by the way did I not hear that you had endured a little discomfort over your appearance also ?
Hart blushed deeply and said low voiced -“ there were two midshipmen - from another ship in our squadron - who thought it sport to call me’ carrot-head’ yesterday .
“f it should help you to know, you are not the first to bear that epithet “ ,the captain said , aware that Mr Bowles and Mr Bracegirdle were both suddenly afflicted by a tendency to cough ...
Now you are on watch ere long Mr Hart and Mr Cadogan so I think you should do and rest - and remember if things become no longer ragging merely but something truly hard to bear then I wish to know - and immediately “. “ Aye, sir” they chorused and left the cabin heads ducked and bright eyed. On route to their berth George looked at Henry , whose eyes shone “ that is something Henry he said - to share a nickname with the old man himself - maybe you will be called the Old Lion too one day
Back in the cabin Pownall bowed politely to all the officers and begged to excused .His father, perhaps affected by the thought of young men and their struggles and knowing the company present to be discreet, held out his arms to the young man and hugged him, then pulled his uniform collar straight, muttering the while “ your mother says you get your untidiness from me “, before gently propelling him towards the door and shutting it behind him.
Turning to the officers he offered “ another glass gentlemen? Now that we have finished nursery duty for another few months until we get sent another lost lamb “
“ its my belief most of your lost lambs will make admiral one day “ said Bowles loyally .
“ I should like to think they might,” the captains said quietly “ and here is one more toast , to Philemon Pownall, who taught me that a midshipman should face an angry captain if he has done wrong , and an educating captain to widen his horizons, and a comforting captain when he is young and ill formed in manners or when afraid and lost and should never - never- face a captain of whom he is truly afraid. To have inspired fear and only fear is to have lost the boy and lost the man he will become.”
All five of them stood for the toast and one by one took their leave afterward, so that there were no witnesses remaining to hear the last words that went with the toast “and I pray God daily I do not fail too often in the task.”
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‘Author’s note : Henry Hart was another real midshipman and contemporary of Pownall Pellew and George Cadogan on the Indefatigable.His red hair is of course merely a plot device - or non plot device !
He and George Cadogan fulfilled Mr Bowles ‘predictions as they were among the five middies and one lieutenant of that era from the Indy ( six if you count Horatio !) to become admirals.
While Mr Bowles and Mr Bracegirdle are of course TV canon, their career notes are taken from their historical equivalents - John Thomson who came from the merchant service and George Bell who was in the Hebe .And Captain Pellew was indeed a midshipman on the Juno where hi sbest friend was Frank Cole who became a captain but died young in 1799 sadly.
Happy New Year to all on Following Sea !