STO'B 6-2 Captain Fitton

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The prize turned out to be the Tres Hermanas, laden with, as Mister South commented, “anything that could burn or explode, like:” coal, gunpowder, candles, pitch, coils of hempen rope, turpentine, and methylated spirits. Her eleven-man crew was the usual mix of nationalities: two Spanish, two Dutch; and one each of French, lascar, Chinese, Portuguese, American, and Russian; plus one man who spoke neither a word of French nor English and whose nationality was thought to be Swedish. The French and Spanish men he held as prisoners of war; the others he offered wages as members of Badger’s crew, gaining him eight new crew members. “Rate them ordinary to begin with, Mister South,” said Philip, “except for that foreign hand, who should probably be a landsman until he has a few words of English in him.”

“How shall I enter the cargo, sir,” asked Mister South.

“We are in need of coal, Mister South, and I believe there is a provision in the Printed Instructions for ‘supplies captured in time of need,’ or thereabout?”

“Yes, sir. Such supplies 'may be entered as supernumerary, to be used or discharged at first visit to a British class B port or above in a visit of 24 hours or greater'.”

“Very good. Ask the carpenter, bosun, and purser if they have any need for the other items, and the gunner. And please let Mister Horrace know that we will be live-firing at divisions for the foreseeable future, only one of the two guns fired today hit its mark.”

Author's Note|First Post|Previous|Next| last episode with Dr M’Mullen GLOSSARY