Wide eyed...

[caly5]

...and out of breathe the young courier burst through large double English oak doors of the Admiralties office and in to the private office of Capitan Saunders staff to Commodore Vernon.

My apologies sir, but I have a most urgent dispatch from Office of the Lord High Admiral. Capitan James Barclay, captain of the Privateer Ship Black Hall, requested that I deliver this with haste to the Admiralties office. He…
For pity’s sake Mr. Brisdon are you going to give me the dispatch or the entire history of your leisurely stroll from the piers to here?

“sorry sir” said the young man.

With a quick grasp of impatience Capitan Saunders snatched up the envelope from the young midshipman.

Within a few second of reading the document the Capitan eyes went wide with jubilant surprise“Good lord I must get this to the Commodore immediately”.

Now it was Capitan Saunders bursting out of the office bounding up the spiral staircase and down the long marble floored hall to the office of the Commodore of the Combined Caribbean Fleets.

Stopping abruptly at the Commodore’s yeoman’s desk, he immediately gave orders to the man on duty there. “I have urgent and wonderful news for the Commodore and need to see him post haste.” said Capitan Saunders
With out even looking up at the captain, the yeoman replied “Of course sir, as soon as I’m finished with this here…”

Just out side on the windowsill an alarmed seagull relieved it's self on the white washed ledge as it flew away at the sound of a harried and booming voice.

GET OFF YOUR **** MAN AND GET ME THE COMMODORE!

Almost falling out of his chair and with a “Yes Sir!” the yeoman sprang to his feet, grabbed the dispatch, saluted and ran into the Commodore’s office. Seconds later the young man came running back. “Sir, the Commodore will see you now” he said.

“Thank you yeoman.” Capitan Saunders said coldly and with a touch of disdain and walked sternly past the other man.


“Capitan Saunders, as much as you had my yeoman shook up you must have something very pressing”said the Commodore with a curious look on face.
“Well not pressing sir” said Saunders “but of a very important nature and just down right wonderful news. I new you would wish to see this immediately.

With a quick snap the captain presented the newly delivered document to the Commodor.
As he started to read the document, his expression went blank then to a look of surprise, then a slight grin beamed across his face. Yes Mr. Saunders this is most wonderfull news he said slyly.




From His Majesties’ Office of Lord High Admiral

To the Right honorable Commodore Vernon, Commodore of the Combined fleets of the Caribbean.

Commodore, as you know and as you requested in your last correspondence to the Office of Lord High Admiral, my staff and I had agreed to provide you with additional forces to the region. As I mentioned in my last dispatch you have been given command of His majesties ships of the Sovereign Cooperative, Stormsail and various other flotillas. We had also wished to send one other command, however at the time due to unfortunate circumstance we were unable to provide you with their support. As stated previously they had been heavily damaged in a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic on their way to England for upgrades and refits.

However, due good fortune and providence has smiling upon us, and partially to the perseverance of Commander Alexander Nevsky, these ships are now seaworthy and ready to set sail far sooner than anticipated.

Therefore Commodore I present to you the command of His Majesties Ships of the Maritime Consortium.
These ships will arrive shortly by way of the American Colonies where they have re-supplied.

You will soon have at your disposal 10 Ships of the Line and various support vessels along with a highly disciplined squadron of officers and crews.


I understand your current situation and that your fine brave officers and crews are currently hard pressed by the combined powers of the French and Spanish Fleets. Not to mention the constant harassment of pirates in the region.

I hope this dispatch finds you well.

God speed and god luck.
His Majesties Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, James Berkeley, 3rd Earl of Berkeley



GOD SAVE THE KING