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Francis Drake's Story! :-

Chapter VII: A Channel Crossing!

After some time at sea, sailing East-by-south-east up the English Channel, we were in our lookout position in the crows nest when we spotted a huge sea monster passing us in the opposite direction off the starboard bow. (To the front, on the right-hand side!) Our visitors know that Felix, please don't be patronising. (Oh, all right then but maybe not everyone knows!). It blew a great water spout into the air and showed us a large tail fin as it performed a graceful dive before re-emerging two or three minutes later to repeat the performance. We called down to the captain who told us it was a whale, and off course from its normal route. We were fascinated at this new discovery as we watched it swim out of sight. A beautiful and very memorable occasion. 

As we marvelled at this spectacle, Sam sighted another ship about a mile away on our starboard stern (I'm not giving guidance this time. I know when it's not wanted!), bearing down on us from the south-west. He alerted Walt, the Captain, who hoisted our identification signal. There was, however, no response from the approaching vessel. Then Walt recognised the threat. It was what he had feared most: French pirates. "Battle Stations", he yelled. Everyone, though shocked at the reality, responded as we had rehearsed. He called for all possible sails to be set for maximum speed. The pirates fired a cannon at us but at that distance the erratic shot fell short.

The ship's Mate and two senior sailors were charged with battening down the hatches and soaking the decks and the lower sails and rigging with buckets of sea water kept in the longboat for fire emergencies. They then scattered sand on the deck to prevent slipping; and afterwards helped to man the sails and the tiller.

Papa was responsible for three pre-loaded arquebuses issued from the ship's armoury. And Mama, having doused the galley stove, was deputed to re-load them as they were fired. Papa was to fire them from behind a screen which Adam and he had previously made from wood, lined with toughened leather. Francis and Sam took their slings and pouches of sharpened stones to their lookout posts in the Crow's Nest and mizzen-top respectively. The yeoman farmer Adam had prepared some fire arrows for his longbow and was ready to discharge them with the aid of a fire bucket on Walt's command. The fire bucket was organised and sustained by Liz from the galley stove's embers, and the arrows were ignited by her when Adam gave the word. Everyone was issued with swords, pikes or daggers from the armoury, with instructions to use them on an enemy if attacked.

On Walt's signal Papa fired three rapid (Well, as rapid as possible. Whoops! Sorry!) rounds towards the pirates' ship from three different positions behind the screen. Meanwhile Mama speedily reloaded an arquebus as soon as Papa had fired it. At the same time Francis and Sam were slinging lethal sharp stones down at the enemy with deadly accuracy. The unexpected shock of the explosions, round-shot and flying stones unsettled the pirates temporarily. During this 'lull' our sailors raced up the rigging to hoist the additional square rigged sails. "Aim at their port-side-gunners", called Walt. Papa again fired three more re-loaded rounds at the gunners, which, although not lethal, averted the pirates' attentions for a little longer. 

At this point Walt ordered: "Hard to starboard", a complicated sailing ship manoeuvre which took the enemy by surprise and unsighted their gunners. This slowed our ship, but as we slewed across their bows our bowman Adam fired off a couple of iron-tipped arrows to gauge the enemy's range. One hit their deck to hoots of derision from the pirates, the other hit a pirate in the heel which annoyed them intensely. Papa sent another three arquebus shots at their crew; and there was a steady stream of stones from the boys' slings above.

Then, amidst these distractions, Adam nodded and Liz ignited one of the fire-arrows from the fire-bucket. Adam aimed it at the enemy's sails. Then another. "And another, Liz". " And another." . . . Soon the pirates' sails were ablaze and they consequently panicked, losing way immediately. We then managed rapidly and surely to outdistance them. The pirates attempted to fire one more ineffectual round from their cannon, which again fell far short and wide of our ship as we beat a hasty retreat from the pirates' threat.

This had been a frenzied hour or two of very hard, terrifying but exhilarating work, and it challenged (proved?) our potential to defend ourselves in the event of real need. It was a much sharper lesson than all our previous (But essential!) training sessions put together. A diligent guard was maintained for several hours in case of further attacks; after which all arms were returned to the armoury, and the ship adopted its normal routine. "Shorten the sails to 'plain sail', Mr Mate, and resume our original course of East-by-south-east", called Captain Walt.

That evening Papa arranged a very special short service for his family on deck. With Walt's permission he invited anyone who desired, to join in and take part. Everyone aboard participated (No-one wanted to be left out!); and Papa asked Francis to say an extra special prayer of thanks for our safe deliverance. 

This was Francis Drake's famous prayer :-

When thou givest to thy servants
To endeavour any great matter,
Grant us also to know that it is not the beginning
But the continuing of the same unto the end
Until it be thoroughly finished.

(The prayer continues to be used in churches and at official functions to this day).

Mama, assisted by Papa, then cooked an extra-special celebratory meal on the re-established galley stove. (Is this another of Liz's futuristic pictures of the event?!) There were congratulations and thanks to the Captain for his skills in training the crew, manoeuvring the ship, and outwitting the pirates. Extra special commendations were proclaimed for Papa and his gun-loader-lady, and the masthead slingers. Also there was much admiration for Adam the yeoman archer and his assistant Liz with their brilliantly effective fire-arrows. And there were three cheers and an extra ration of grog to all members of the crew for their exceptional bravery and calm in the face of an enemy attack. 

We must surely have a smoother passage to Calais now. Mustn't we?

Click the vessel's Bowsprit to make for Calais in the exciting tale . . .

Francis Drake's Story! :-

Chapter VIII: Castles In the Sand!

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