Lieutenant Hamilton's Log 12 October

Halifax

I have ordered the Blue Peter up.
Acasta is re-provisioned and we do have 10 hours to catch the tide. However, after some visits ashore, I fear the crew may have been over socialized by the local …entertainments and thus slow to their duty. We will not miss the tide.
We have been ordered to cruise SSE keeping at least 100 leagues off shore. This I am sure in preparation for the restoration of the Doctor and the Lieutenant to Acasta form their personal trip.

A Report from the Field part 1

Miss Waterman, the Courier

At 10AM on Saturday morning we rendevoused with Mr. Midshipman Raley late of the Terpsichore and Able Seaman Mr Cambell of the same, who were to assist us in our mission. Shortly after, we encountered the courier, Miss Waterman and her travel companion Miss Bosworth.

I delivered my letter of condolence to Miss Bosworth, who was in mourning for her recently departed brother, and bid the ladies good morning. As they departed, we signaled Mr. Campbell to follow them. Mr. Campbell was our first card to play.

The letter to Miss Bosworth was the second card to play. It read as follows:

Miss Bosworth,

Please allow me to pass on to you the my most sincere condolences for the recent misfortune of your family.

Because I respect you and your unfortunate situation, I shall not mince words. It has been brought to my attention that the loss of your brother Thomas places your family in a delicate financial situation with your creditors back in England. Your Father owes a good deal to his creditors, Young & Erskine of Glasgow as well as loans from the Bank of England itself for the capital required to start his plantations here. You may not have been made aware, but with the harsh winter of '09 and last summer's drought, your Father's income from his exports has flagged and the creditors have begun to circle like vultures to collect their due.

I have been assigned by the Royal Navy to capture a treacherous Spy that is here in this country. It is the belief of the Navy that your friend Miss Emily Waterman, is in possession of a packet of papers that she is to pass off to the unknown Spy. It is the intent of the British Government to ferret out the identity of this Spy and place them under arrest.

Miss Bosworth in Mourning.

Your need not fear for the safety of your friend, Miss Waterman, it is our belief that she is being forced to act as courier against her will. The Navy's only concern is finding out the identity of the Agent she passes the sensitive packet on to.

If you are able to reveal to us the recipient of said packet and a successful arrest can be made, the packet returned with its contents intact, it is with great pleasure that I inform you that I have been authorized by the Admiralty Office in Whitehall on behalf of His Majesty to offer a settlement that they hope will be satisfactory to all parties concerned. In return for revealing identity of the recipient of the packet, the Crown will pay off your Father's hefty debts and give you an additional Fifty Pounds  for your cooperation.

It is my firm belief that Thomas would not have wanted to have left this mortal coil and endangered the future of his parents and dear sister. This simple act will ensure your family's well-being into the foreseeable future.

Know Miss, that I offer my best compliments to yourself and Family. If, in any of your affairs here, I can render you any acceptable service, I beg you will use that freedom with which I wish you to command, my dear,

Your affectionate and obedient servant,

etc, etc...

After a long half-hour of waiting for the packet to be delivered to the unknown American Spy, we left the British encampment to detain the courier and to begin our investigation.

We separated Miss Waterman and Miss Bosworth and questioned each of them alone.

Miss Waterman, when questioned about who she had seen in the past half hour, gave up the names of a series of ladies that she had seen that morning.

Mrs. Fast and Mrs. Cooper
Mrs. Birkenbach, and Mrs. Burns
A woman in yellow whom Miss Waterman could not remember the name of
Mr. Kannick and the Dubbelds

...and that her route took her through the Indian camp straight into the American camp, then back around down the main road to 96 Warehouse. The route was confirmed by our tail, Mr. Campbell.

Miss Bosworth gave up the same list of names, except that she stated that while they moved through the American camp, Miss Waterman passed the packet on to a fellow by the name of Sgt. Baker with the riflemen encamped there.

The Doctor, Mr. Campbell, Lt Ramsey on the hunt.

Could it have been so simple? Sgt. Baker of the American Rifle Company? We went to investigate, following the path taken by the two young ladies into the heart of the American Camp.

...to be continued...

Lieutenant Hamilton Personal Journal

In my cabin, throbbing head, blackened eye.
It started so well.
With the ship’s provisioning well underway I obtained three days of leave with permission to sleep off the ship.
The ward room had decided to go shares on livestock, wines, cheeses and other stuffs. I had volunteered, in light of my good fortune in the way of leave, to do the marketing.
After having been rowed ashore, I first headed for the markets on Water Front Street. Purchased 6 cases of port, 2 casks of Burgundy, and 2 casks of Claret. The three wheels of cheddar came quite dear, the merchant claimed privatizing.
The live stock acquisition was more arduous due to the seller being located across Barrington Street on the far side of the Governor’s house. There 2 pigs, 3 lambs, and a score of hen were gained and sent back to Acasta. Meals should be inordinately pleasing for the next few weeks aboard.
With these tasks complete, I was able to turn to my social duty’s as I had been invited that afternoon to tea at an old family friend’s home, the widow Murphy…..

From the Surgeon's Personal Log 5

We have arrived in the Indiana Territory after a good deal of rather exhausting covert travel in order to intercept our target who, we have discover'd, is still in possession of the packet. We hope to be able to surveil her whilst she makes contact with her counterpart. Then once the packet has been passed, we hope to be able to effect an arrest of the still unknown American agent.

There is a great row of shops nearby, and I should very much like to purchase a new telescope with greater magnification, if one is available.

It is our belief that there are Royal Naval officers encamped in the area and I have discussed with Lt. Ramsey the possibility of enlisting their aid in making the arrest. We will have to be careful, as there are several large encampments of American soldiers nearby as well, and neither of us is anxious to encounter them if we do not have to.

We are, each of us, arm'd with our service pistols and a few cartridges, and the red rocket, which MUST be saved for our return to the coast so we can signal the Acasta.

Lieutenant Hamilton Log 6, October

The ship is well anchored in Halifax Harbor. I have made arrangements for the provisioning of the ship. We are especially short on fresh water and fire wood. We have also requested from the Naval yard various spars and booms for either replacement of losses or for spares along with various other items.
I also expect additional salted beef and rice, quantities and quality as yet unknown.
The doctor has requested I secure him a fresh supply of mercury as it is often the Captain’s decision to take the ship out of discipline at an extended anchorage such as this.

From the Surgeon's Personal Log 4

We have kept to the small villages and towns in an attempt to avoid unwanted attention as we move ever further inland.

I have discovered over the course of our travels that Lt. Ramsey (formerly un-named) has a terrible 'American' accent and his attempts at such cause raised eyebrows everywhere we may stop. Yesterday, we were nearly refused service at a tavern because the innkeep decided Mr. Ramsey sounded 'too English'.

This morning on the road we encountered a farmer who called out a greeting to us, and upon Lt. Ramsey's reply, the farmer eyed us with suspicion until we were out of sight.

The Lieutenant and I have discussed it quietly amongst ourselves and unanimously agreed that we do not like being this far from the ship.

Prize Money Chart

The share-out of prize-money is given below in its pre-1808 state.

(a) 1/8 Flag Officer
(b) 2/8 Captain(s)
(c) 1/8 Captains of Marines, Lieutenants, Masters, Surgeons
(d) 1/8 Lieutenants of Marines, Secretary to Flag Officer, Principal Warrant Officers, Chaplains.
(e) 1/8 Midshipmen, Inferior Warrant Officers, Principal Warrant Officer's Mates, Marine Sergeants
(f) 2/8 The Rest.

After 1808 the regulations were changed to give the following:

(a) 1/3 of the Captain's share
(b) 2/8 Captain(s)
(c) 1/8 Captains of Marines, Lieutenants, Masters, Surgeons
(d) 1/8 Lieutenants of Marines, Secretary to Flag Officer, Principal Warrant Officers, Chaplains.
(e) 4/8 Midshipmen, Inferior Warrant Officers, Principal Warrant Officer's Mates, Marine Sergeants
(f) 4/8 The Rest.

from The Historical Maritime Society