TRS Triton rescues USS Orion crew, Helps USS Phillidelphia search efforts.. Options

[FSL KM Shook]

Aboard TRS Mt. Olympus
Cruising SSW Atlantic search

DSL, Commodore Shiflett, USN:

Sir,
Received today via dispatch vessel was the following information:



Aboard TRS Triton(68)
Atlantic cruise

To FSL Shook, DSL Shiflett, Sea Lords Admiralty HQ,

Today we found the wreckage of the USS Orion Commanded by Commander Jme Weston and 13 crew members and officers. It would appear that last night his ship and the accompanying ship, USS Phillidelphia were attacked by 2 Corsair vessels, the Pantre and the Nostradamus. After coming out from a fog bank they first fired on and sank Orion then turned to Phillidelphia until they shot away her mizzenmast and a prison (Say'yid Baquir)being transported for trial, was seen jumping out of a stern gun port. At that time, both CBC vessels broke off from the attack and picked up the Corsair and slowly sailed off. It appears this occured while under the guide of ships from the RN and the MFr.

After interveiwing Capt. Hatter, he basically confirmed the speed and surprise of the attack, damages inflicted, and that Say'yis Baquir did in fact escape ending the battle before they could fire much more than 3 broadsides at the aggressor ships. Capt. Hatter indicated that both MFr and RN ships did turn about to check on the crew of Phillidelphia but refused to chase the CBC ships after an extensive arguement over responsibilty of protection of our (USN) ships. "If they hadn't been 'racing each other' they might have heard the guns sooner. I admit they did help our crew and our surgeon but they wouldn't stop their arguing long enough to chase the corsairs!" "We had the loss of 3 crew and 7 to the Orion before the sail was seen NNW bearing down on us. Everyone cheered seeing she wore the colors of the Sea Lords Admiralty fleet. As to the RN and the MFr ships, they saw your ship, the Triton coming down, fired chasers at each other with a curse and sailed off. We don't know who started the race leaving us open for the attacks and don't care. They can figure that out. I'll just be glad to get home now that you have helped replace our mast and rigging."

At this point sirs, I escorted Phillidelphia for 3 days to where we met a small squadron of his navy vessels and made our departure from there. We shall dispatch SL battle fleets to alert them of the Corsair's escape, return to see with his partner, Amir Hussein ibn Ali. We have already discover another ships crew afloat in long boats who lost their ships to the corsairs.

This dispatch respectfully submitted for your approval,

Adam Sturggis,
Post Captain and commander TRS Triton

DSL Shiflett, pls alert your battle groups and squadrons of your navy on fast ship.

Respectfully,

[Rolf Krake RDN]

Algiers,
7th June '04

Secretary of the Navy,
Wash'ton, D.C.

Mister Secretary,

It is my sad duty to report an surprise attack on my squadron 120 nautical miles nor' nor' east of Algiers late last night. The Philadelphia and Orion were proceeding with caution in a true peasouper, fog as thick as any I have seen in my service in the Medierranean, wary of a collision with the accompanying ships under Amiral de Flotilla Vilaret de Joyeuese and Commodore Hugh Jeego.

It was after the second bell that we received tremendous fire from the stern bring down the mizzen mast in one fell swoop. We immediately went hard a starboard to bring our batteries to bear. As we turned I saw an explosion aboard the USS Orion as their powder magazine ignited and I feared the loss of all her souls - until I was greeted with by the sight of Commander Weston and the few surviors aboard the TRS Triton.

At this time the two vessels from the Mfr and RN behaved in a most cavalier manner with disregard for the safety of my squadron. These too age old foes were content to race one another in a most ridculous manner with HMS Galatea determined to steal the wind from the sails of Le Trajan that showed some inclination to provide aid. However, the two ships aggrevated each other to the extent that chasers were exchanged and the pursuit of the Moors forgotten. A most disgraceful performance that I would consider beneath the contempt of an officer of the USN.

It was my distinct pleasure to encounter the Captain Sturggis shortly after the corsair had made its escape, although I must confess to feeling great shame in reporting the escape of the villaineous Say'yis Baquir. I hope the citizens of the United States will not judge me too harshly, for it is my ultimate responsibility as commander of this squadron.

Sadly I must report the death of Midshipmen Corzine, the Sergeant at Arms, and two able seaman aboard the Philadelphia and the grave loss of the USS Orion with Lieutenant O'Donoghue, Midshipmen Davis, Miller and Winthrop, along with the Master all other petty officers, and over one hundred souls aboard the Orion. It is a day of mourning for all citizens and subjects to whom civilization is not a stranger.

I remain, Sir, &c. &c.

This post has been edited by L.B.A. Hatter USN: Jun 8 2004, 05:11 AM

[Hugh Jeego]

What Capt. Hatter cannot have known, for my topman only espied it by chance, and this at such a very great distance in the thick fog that they were barely visible even to "hawkeye" Evans, was at least 4 foreign sail on the weather bow, some considerable distance hence, but making fair way considering the weather, such as it was in that thick fog. Wary of their nature, and unable to make out their flag, but in the knowledge that none of His Majesty's vessels were anywhere near the vicinity, we determined to make the chase. I cannot speak for A. de F. Villaret- Joyeuse, but I perceieved the threat from 4 unknown vessels approaching at speed in the fog to be greater than that from a couple of Araby pirates.
Sadly, the 4 ships tacked away and were soon lost in the fog once more.
Ah, that elsuive prize money

[Villaret-Joyeuse]

Sur Le Trajan à Sète
8 Juin

À la Captiane L.B.A. Hatter, USN


First let me begin, Capitaine Hatter, by exepressing my condolonces for the losses that you suffered during your most recent engagement. While the loss of Say'yis Baquir and the USS Orion are lamentable, the safety of both you and Capitaine Weston.

Had it not been for the sottise of Capitaine Jeego to attempt to pass me along my windward, I would have been able to reach you in your hour of most dire need. Having stolen my wind, I was unable to tack in time to bring myself about. By the time, I had come about the fog bank had descended upon me and I was unable to locate any of the culpirits as they had easily slipped back into Alger.

In a recent letter, Capitaine Jeego excused his maneuver de sottise by claiming to have spotted four suspect sails. Two things I must say are, first, there was no effort on the part of l'Anglais to make any signal to notify me of any suspect sails. Second, prior to the arrival of the fog bank, my lookouts had spotted some small local fishing boats off the coast, which appear to account for the suspect sails spotted by their lookouts.

It is lamentable to say that the English desire for prize money cost everyone the satisfaction of kwowing that one of the most dreaded scourges of the sea, Say'yis Baquir. Although, I have no proof, I would not be surprised to learn that les Anglaises in fact wished for Say'yis Baquir to make good his escape. Nothing less could account for Capitaine Jeego's untimely maneuver.

With this letter, I have sent 100 livres to be given to the wife of the Lieutenante O'Donoghue. Please pass onto her my condolances and apologies.



This post has been edited by Villaret-Joyeuse: Jun 8 2004, 01:38 PM

[Hugh Jeego]

I can assure you that "hawkeye" Evans is perfectly able to tell a fishing boat from a warship. As we had seen the intruders, and the A de F clearly hadn't, it seemed only right that the Galatea give chase, allowing the A de F to come to the aid of the stricken vessel. Of course, had we been aware of the A de F's inability to tender such assistance (regardless of his excuses), you can rest assured we would have remained with the convoy, even though we would have all been made the more vulnerable to the oncoming interlopers.

There is nothing easier than imputing noble intentions to oneself, and ignoble to another, when one has failed to act appropriately, whether by design or incompetence.

As for your blatant attempt to slow the Galatea with some rather poorly-placed chaser fire, I fail to see how that was intended to be of assistance to the stricken USN vessels. Or were you so keen for the prize money, after all?

This post has been edited by Hugh Jeego: Jun 8 2004, 05:34 PM

[Guest_Commodore Shiflett USN_*]

The United States is issuing a protest against the MFr and RN for their failure to attend to their duties guarding the Dread Pyrate Say'yid ibn Baqir.

We expect action to be taken in a timely fashion.

We extend our thanks to all those who provided aide to our ships and crews in their time of need.

[Hugh Jeego]

You already have my account of the action. I would suggest that anyone who thinks it anything other than the truth consider very carefully the consequences of any accusations they may make in that regard.

[FSL KM Shook]

Aboard TRS Mt. Olympus
At sea


Commodore Shiflett,

t was to the pleasure of the crew of the TRS Triton and the Mt. Olympus to render assistance to your countrymen. I hope they had safe passage home under the Triton's escort. Be so kind as to meet with me off the Barbados in 2 weeks for a conference sir.

Until then and Respectfully,

[DSL1 Shiflett]

Captain Jeego, I would suggest you allow YOUR admiralty respond, ere someone takes your comments seriously, with regretable results.

Wearing one's honour on one's sleeve can become....tiresome after awhile.


I hope to remain yours &c.

Lets remember that this is indeed a roleplaying thread pls.

[Albert de Rions]

50.7 degre N, 2.2 degre W en la Manche
un quelques kilometres NW de Cherbourg dans le Bretagne

Mon esteem Monsieur President en members de Congress de Le United States,

I am without words to express my condolences to the families of the crew members of the USS Philadelphia and the USS Orion who were lost during the recent attack by members of Say'yis Baquir’s band of roving cut-throats! I have already submitted a formal request to King Louis XVI for financial sustenance to be provided to the immediate family members of the dead and wounded of both ships on behalf of the nation of France for their selfless sacrifice on behalf of all nations in the world. At the same time, I would wish to express my relief at hearing that the gallant Captain L. B. Hatter USN was fortunate enough to survive the attack. I am confident that had his mizzen mast not been shot away both the corsair vessels would have been made to strike notwithstanding their numerical superiority! I would also wish to take this moment to express my sincere gratitude to the First Sea Lord for his fortuitous arrival at the scene whereby additional, unnecessary, loss of life was avoided.

It is lamentable that the Marine Francaise was forced to be a bystander during the entire affair by the actions of the representative of His Most Britannic Majesty’s Royal Navy present at the time of the attack. Having reviewed the report forwarded to me from Amiral de Flotille Louis Thomas Villaret de Joyeuse I can find no fault with his actions. Having been the ‘victim’ of having my wind stolen from me whilst underway I can attest to the impossibility of maneuvering with the alacrity of which, I am certain, Amiral de Flotille Louis Thomas Villaret de Joyeuse would undoubtedly have displayed.

As to the firing of ‘stern chasers’, this is sometimes done to add emphasis to a signal. I would argue that Amiral de Flotille Louis Thomas Villaret de Joyeuse was simply adding emphasis to his displeasure and frustration at being prevented the opportunity to render timely assistance to our honored friends, the United States Navy. Had I been there, I can assure you, I would have done more than fire a few stern chasers.

Votre Servante,

Amiral de France Albert de Rions Duc de Lyon
Commandant Escadre Brest de la Marine Francaise

This post has been edited by Albert de Rions: Jun 9 2004, 10:20 AM

[Bearington]

HMS Caledonia, at sea, undisclosed location

His most Britannic majesties Government presents its condolences to the President of the United States, its Senators, Congressmen and above all to the families of the officers and crew of the attacked American Naval vessels. In my hand at the moment I have the report from the captain of the HMS Anson, the senior British officer of the squadron sent to escort the captured pirate to port. The captain was among those reluctant to serve during the American rebellion due to having grown up in Boston, and is outraged at the behaviour of the French navy.

According to this report it seems clear that the French squadron was not only handled in a most unprofessional manner as it tried to reach the attacking pirate ships, trying to block the British ships in order to recapture the pirate themselves and gain the honour, but there is also mentioning of loud drunken singing originating from the French flagship during the action.

Hearing the singing and the horrible way the French ships handled the Captain decided that staying in close proximity to the French endangered his squadron and hence decided to increase the distance. In order to make this clear he ordered the starboard bow-chaser to be fired to signal his intentions.

It is hence clear to the British Admiralty and indeed of the Kings Government that this disaster was entirely the fault of the French Navy, and they have dispatched a strong diplomatic protest to the French Government.

[DSL1 Shiflett]

News of the Day


The National Shipyard in Brest reports that the refit of the Bretagne (110), has been delayed do to a shortage of proper wood for the system of diagonal timbering, for which the world's navy is indebted to Sir Robert Seppings, to give auxiliary strength to that ship after her return from the Mediterranean.

A convoy returning from Sweden was raided by a brace of warships, reputedly flying the Union Jack, this report has not been verified by independent sources.
White Hall denies any Royal Navy Ships were operating in the area at the time.

Captain McDonough, USS Essex(32) On May 26, 1804, captured the Moroccan ship Mirboka (24 guns) together with her American prize, the brig Celia, and brought them both into Gibraltar.

MFr & RN ships have been reportly been in several close calls, and minor collisions in the channel.

Do to the foul weather of late, several coastal luggers and fishers have appeared to have foundered off the Normandy coast in the last week, search efforts continue.

The Earl of Warwick, Chadwell shipping, LLC of London; insured by Llyods enroute from Bombay is late arriving, her cargo of tea, spices & teak appraised at L10,000.

Capt. Wm. Bush, Senior Officer present Great Lakes districk has embarked on a construction campaign, the first vessel-USS Oneida, a brig to be armed with 16 24pdr carronades is to be launched soon at Oswego, New York.

[Commodore Ikerd ...]

Gibraltar, 19th June '04

Secretary of the Navy,
Washington, D.C.

Mister Secretary,


Per your orders I have taken command of the USS President and have made haste to the Mediterranean. Landfall was made on June 15th at the Western Islands where we were joined in company by the frigate Warren and the brigs Argus and Enterprise. A packet was received from Master Commandant McElroy aboard the USS Augusta, which due to unforeseen circumstances shall not make the Mediterranean for several more days.

With the winds being favorable, I expect our flotilla to make Algiers by nightfall tomorrow. Post Captain Hatter has been informed of our arrival and is standing by aboard Philadelphia to receive us. Fishermen in the area seem nervous at the sight of any man-o-war but are quickly put at ease at the sight of our colors. It seems the recent departure of our former prisoner Say'yid ibn Baqir, has increased tension greatly in these waters.

With tensions so high in the area between the Marine Francais and the Royal Navy, in addition to the BarbaryCoast pirates, I have requested that Commodore Shiflett join me in the Mediterranean at his earliest convenience. By the latest accounts the USS United States should be in the vicinity of Brest which makes her less than a fortnight away.

As soon as I am informed of the current situation in the Mediterranean from Post Captain Hatter, I shall forward my findings and recommendations.


I have the honor to be sir, with much respect, your obedient servant.

Commodore Ikerd
Fleet Admiral, USN
USS President 44

This post has been edited by Commodore Ikerd USN: Jun 20 2004, 04:37 AM

[KM Shook]

Aboard Jacobin
Nearing Med.


Signal to FAdm Commodore Ikerd, Commodore Shiflett USN

Sirs, I understand you have had some difficulty with maintaining the presence of a guest to your vessel by the name of Say'yid. If I or the crew of the Jacobin may be of service in returning your guest to the dinner table, feel free to let us know. The RSN remains everwatchful of the saftey of all freinds at sea.

Respectfully,