R.A.N.T.: Really Amazing Naval Things!
Without a doubt the finest officers in the Royal Navy - though I admit that I might be biased there...
Pray tell - who are these fine gentlemen?
Sending troublesome naval personnel to the West Indies meant a reduction of twenty-percent in costs and paperwork, as that was the average death rate within the first year of service: very effective and less bother than dealing with the miscreants at home. Was there ever a more efficient administration than that of the British Admiralty?
Lieutenant Thomas Barnett, Captain James Denningham and Sebastian Quinn, the purser. Mr. Shaw, the surgeon, couldn't find his coat and refused to appear in public without it. They are the main characters in my upcoming book, and yes, it WILL be out this year. Hah!
These amazing dolls were made by artist Teresa Thompson, 1/12 scale and are some of my dearest and most precious possessions. Though, writing-wise, I'm the possessed one...
Under Denningham's patronage, the powder monkey had become a seaman, then a midshipman, had even made his lieutenant's patent and followed James Denningham from ship to ship. Indeed, Denningham would have had a hard time recalling a day aboard a ship without Barnett's presence.
Denningham on the other hand was uptight and stiff; his correctness bordered on pedantry. Despite the suffocating heat his uniform was pristine, from his hat to the carefully tied cotton lawn cravat right down to the buckles on his shoes. He stooped, for he was a tall man and regularly hit his head when below deck. Since he had lost several teeth due to scurvy, he hardly ever smiled, and when he did, it was more of an odd, close-lipped smirk. He held himself with the pride of a man who knew he had been wronged but still fulfilled his duty to his best abilities. He never complained, but at times an undertone of impatience was discernible when he briefed Barnett on the latest orders from London.
Barnett sat in a dark corner of the tavern, and considering the empty tankards lined up in front of him, he had left the state of 'drunk' behind quite a while ago and was only a few swigs away from 'four sheets to the wind'. His face was reddened, his dark blue eyes watery and staring into space. Strands of red hair hung wildly across his face.
Disclaimer to avoid confusion: the following quote is taken from a scene set in modern London. "My morals are like the Loch Ness Monster, James: sightings have been reported, but there's no photographic evidence."
Pray tell - who are these fine gentlemen?
Sending troublesome naval personnel to the West Indies meant a reduction of twenty-percent in costs and paperwork, as that was the average death rate within the first year of service: very effective and less bother than dealing with the miscreants at home. Was there ever a more efficient administration than that of the British Admiralty?
Lieutenant Thomas Barnett, Captain James Denningham and Sebastian Quinn, the purser. Mr. Shaw, the surgeon, couldn't find his coat and refused to appear in public without it. They are the main characters in my upcoming book, and yes, it WILL be out this year. Hah!
These amazing dolls were made by artist Teresa Thompson, 1/12 scale and are some of my dearest and most precious possessions. Though, writing-wise, I'm the possessed one...
Under Denningham's patronage, the powder monkey had become a seaman, then a midshipman, had even made his lieutenant's patent and followed James Denningham from ship to ship. Indeed, Denningham would have had a hard time recalling a day aboard a ship without Barnett's presence.
Denningham on the other hand was uptight and stiff; his correctness bordered on pedantry. Despite the suffocating heat his uniform was pristine, from his hat to the carefully tied cotton lawn cravat right down to the buckles on his shoes. He stooped, for he was a tall man and regularly hit his head when below deck. Since he had lost several teeth due to scurvy, he hardly ever smiled, and when he did, it was more of an odd, close-lipped smirk. He held himself with the pride of a man who knew he had been wronged but still fulfilled his duty to his best abilities. He never complained, but at times an undertone of impatience was discernible when he briefed Barnett on the latest orders from London.
Barnett sat in a dark corner of the tavern, and considering the empty tankards lined up in front of him, he had left the state of 'drunk' behind quite a while ago and was only a few swigs away from 'four sheets to the wind'. His face was reddened, his dark blue eyes watery and staring into space. Strands of red hair hung wildly across his face.
Disclaimer to avoid confusion: the following quote is taken from a scene set in modern London. "My morals are like the Loch Ness Monster, James: sightings have been reported, but there's no photographic evidence."