In the Navy
Copyright© 2005/2020 to Argon
Chapter 50: Staff Officer
December 1811
Back in their Camden Court house for the autumn season, Tony and Harriet frequently received invitations to dinners and soirees, giving Tony ample opportunities to wear his new civilian finery. They also issued counter invitations to their growing number of acquaintances, keeping their own household staff busy. Still, Harriet found room in their schedule for an evening with the Ansons. She and Missus Anson also invited their mutual friend Anita Heyworth, and even her make-believe paramour, Mister Spencer Penrose, of the Foreign Office.
They had a pleasant and informative evening at the Ansons’ Chelsea house. Again, nobody was fooled by the pretend affair between Anita and Penrose, and somehow, Tony felt that neither of them was concerned about it. Penrose again proved to be a very knowledgeable man, even about Navy matters, and he asked Tony’s views on the developing situation in Venezuela, where patriots had declared their independence from Spain, arguing that the abdication of King Ferdinand had ended their allegiance to the crown.
There was unrest in Mexico, too, and the Spanish exile government had asked for British help, mainly shipping, to transport troops from the loyal provinces to where they were needed to suppress the rebellions. Tony was a little worried that the unrest might spread to Colombia, but so far, Don Alonso had obviously quelled what discontent there might have been.
The growing tensions with the United States were also discussed by the men. The Essex decisions of the Admiralty court allowed the Royal Navy to intercept American ships transporting goods from the French colonies to French ports, disrupting a profitable scheme for American shipowners and enriching Navy captains in the process. Adding to that was a growing desire in the American public to incorporate the Canadian territories into the Union, but also the practice by British captains to search American ships for British deserters. The Foreign Office was suggesting a more lenient stand towards American shipping, but so far, the Ministry was divided on that question.
Anson could add to this that the Admiralty was making preparations to shift a number of third-rates to the North American station, to protect the crucial trade with the Canadian and West Indian colonies in the event of a further escalation. With the French navy blockaded, undermanned and rotting away at anchor, the Royal Navy had the reserves needed for that. There was one worry though: the size of the American frigates. Even the smallest of them carried 18-pounders, and the large ones had 24-pounders on their main decks. In contrast to the French, they had also embraced the use of carronades for their quarterdecks and forecastles. Manned to complement with volunteer sailors, they would be formidable opponents for the average British fifth-rates.
To Tony, a possible solution was to take smaller third-rate ships of the line — 64s and some older 74s shipping 24-pounders on their lower decks — and razée1 them. Reduced to a single gun deck, they would make powerful frigates, as the famous HMS Indefatigable had proven, with hulls as resilient as those of the heavy American frigates. Anson nodded to this, but he explained that the Navy Board was divided over such a scheme, and the Admiralty, too. Fewer third-rates meant less employment for senior captains and less prestige for squadron leaders, although the smaller complement of frigates would ease the scarceness of sailors and reduce the need for provisions and ammunition.
The weight reduction would also make them ride higher in the water, with increased freeboard and higher speed, increasing their battle worthiness in heavy weather in the bargain, Tony added to the boons of razéeing small line of battle ships. In the end, they concurred that this would be something to test.
Meanwhile, their ladies had been busy exchanging news and gossip, and were in an animated discussion about the influence Mister Brummell had held over the Prince Regent and the now growing rift between them. It was something in which neither Tony nor the other men had any interest, but which the ladies discussed with verve. At one point, Harriet gave Tony a wink and a shrug, smiling wryly, but Anita and Missus Anson held on to their opposing views of Mister Brummell and his domination over parts of society.
Once the party broke up, Anson gave Tony a sign to stay behind for a moment, leading him to his study whilst Harriet stayed with Elizabeth Anson.
“I wanted to tell you of some new development. I informed Their Lordships about your availability and your tentative interest to serve in some capacity at the Admiralty. Yorke was indifferent, but Bickerton is very interested in having you join his staff.”
Sir Richard Bickerton was the First Naval Lord and in charge of naval staff and operational planning.
“That’s where you are, aren’t you?”
Anson allowed himself a rather smug smile.
“The idea would be for you to replace me.”
“But why? You have performed admirably on the staff!”
“I also haven’t set foot on a deck in almost three years. Should this idea play out, Bickerton will post me to a third-rate. I am not averse to that idea.”
“Your pay is still tied to your previous posting?” Tony asked, understanding the situation. Anson had commanded a fifth-rate, the Syren, 32, and even the short command of a third-rate would increase his pay considerably.
“Yes, but I also want to grow sea legs again. It’s what and who I am, after all. Being on the Admiralty staff was good for Beth and me, but she understands and supports my aspirations to a command.”
“Were it not for my wife, I should envy you,” Tony smiled.
“Rightfully so,” Anson laughed. “Would you be interested to head Bickerton’s staff?”
“Do you think that I have what it takes for such a position?”
“More than I had when I started! We looked over your career. You have practical experience with almost all aspects of operations, including joint landing operations with the Army. Viscount Wellington expressly praised you in his reports. You have experience as a squadron commander. Your role captaining the Royal Sovereign at Trafalgar is not forgotten either. This all the more since Rotheram disgraced himself. In short, Bickerton wants you. He’s a real sailor himself.”
“Well, I would not be opposed to serving under him. My father-in-law speaks highly of him.”
“I shall let him know. Beth will be in good shape for a year or two.”
“You may of course count on us to assist her in any needs that might arise. My wife is quite fond of her.”
“That is nice of you to say, Sir Anthony, and it will ease things for Beth. She also has my parents and my half-sister for support, but one can never have too many friends.”
“Which ship did Bickerton have in mind for you?”
“Don’t be upset. It’s Asia. Her repairs were finished in March, but Captain Willard saw fit to run her aground a second time. It wasn’t faulty charts this time, but sheer negligence, and the court martial cashiered him. He’s not even getting half-pay, the fool. Now they finished the repairs again, and Bickerton is willing to give her to me.”
“Then by all means, take her!” Tony smiled. “You’ll not find a better third-rate, perhaps except for Malta.”
“That’s what I thought. Can you perhaps visit the Admiralty? Bickerton wants to meet you.”
Tony shrugged. “I have no pressing engagements. When?”
“How about at two bells on the forenoon watch, day after tomorrow? That’s Bickerton’s usual time for arriving.”
“I can agree to that from my side. Should Bickerton choose another time, have him send me a billet.”
“Thank you! Have you any good advice with regards to Asia?”
Tony grinned. “Yes. Don’t trust sea charts!”
On the short coach ride home, Tony quickly filled Harriet in on the offer. She was relieved and delighted, having feared that Anson would offer Tony a seagoing command. She was also astounded that her parents had not known about the development, but she relished the thought of surprising them with the news.
“You are going to be a very important man as Bickerton’s chief of staff. There might be some envy,” she mused.
Tony shrugged. “They could make me the port admiral in Penzance, and there would still be envy. Frankly, I don’t care anymore about that. If push comes to shove, I am not without friends anymore. Besides, Bickerton wants me. It is not as if I badgered the Admiralty for a posting.”
Harriet smiled wryly. “You are right, darling. When all else fails, I’ll unleash Mother on anyone who might bother you.”
“Oh, dear! I almost forgot the biggest gun on our decks,” Tony chuckled.
Vice Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, First Naval Lord, was all cordiality when Tony called on him the day after next. Tea was served, and the three men — Bickerton, Anson and Tony — sat together making light conversation first. Tony assured his superior that Lady Carter was doing well and that he felt rested after nine months on half-pay. He and Bickerton also talked about common acquaintances of which there were quite a few. After all, Bickerton had had an active and wide-ranging career in the Navy, and Tony had served under many distinguished officers. It was only when that topic was exhausted that Bickerton shifted to the business at hand.
“I must say, Sir Anthony, that I am very relieved that you are willing to fill in as my chief of staff. Captain Anson has been a great help to me and to my predecessors. You will bring in a different background, with less experience in staff work, but with a vast experience in diverse operations. The clerical aspects can be handled by Mister Younger, our senior clerk. He and Captain Anson worked well together.”
“I can only promise to do my best, Sir Richard. As you said, my experience as a staff officer is limited to serving as a flag captain.”
“That should be no unsurmountable problem. Asia won’t sail for another 2 months, leaving Captain Anson a few weeks to acquaint you with our current operations. We also have three promising lieutenants to whom you can delegate tasks. When do you envision joining us?”
“As soon as needed, Sir Richard. My private affairs are in good order, and we moved to our London house months ago. I could start this afternoon if needed.”
“Colossal, my dear Sir Anthony! I shall talk to the First Lord this afternoon and then send you a billet. Captain Anson has your address, I trust.”
Anson nodded. “Yes, Sir Richard, I do. I suppose we’ll wait with introductions to the staff until the First Lord agrees?”
“Yes, we better! I recommend that you enjoy the rest of today, Sir Anthony, since you will be busy before long!”
When Tony came home later in the afternoon, his parents-in-law were visiting. Sir Richard Lambert gave Tony a wry smile.
“Didn’t we agree that you should stay away from any public prominence?”
“Yes, why?” Tony asked innocently.
“Being Bickerton’s chief of staff is not exactly away from public notice, don’t you think?”
“You’ll have to blame Captain Anson. He wants to have a ship again, and he suggested me as his replacement. Bickerton wants me, and I believe that I can be useful on his staff. As I told Harriet, I will not hide away to appease a few malcontents. And no, I am not trying to prove anything to Harriet. We are long past that misunderstanding. I simply won’t decline a prestigious posting for fear of stepping onto someone’s dainty feet.”
Tony had spoken with calm deliberation, and Sir Richard gave a measured nod.
“You have clearly come into your own, Anthony. That year on the Spanish coast has transformed you into someone assured of himself. Forget I said something. If you want to accept Bickerton’s offer, I’ll support you, not that you’ll need it.”
“I appreciate your worries, Richard, but I honestly believe that I am the right man for Bickerton’s staff. I may fail, of course, but not for lack of trying, but that is true for any command a Navy officer may get.”
“Richard, dear, Anthony is a one of the most successful captains on the list,” Eleanor Lambert put in. “He’ll be a success at the Admiralty, too, and any possible detractors will look foolish.”
Richard Lambert raised his hands in surrender. “I see that my worries may be overblown. Just remember, Anthony, that we’ll be at your side whenever needed.”
“And I thank you for it, Richard, and you, Mother,” Tony answered with a smile. “I would also appreciate some information regarding the important men at the Admiralty. Some knowledge about them may give me a better start.”
Richard Lambert nodded approvingly. “That is a good idea, not so much the appointees such as yourself, but the senior clerical staff. Appointees come and go with the ministries, but the clerks stay. Let’s retire to your study, and I shall give you what information you may need.”
With a small wink towards Harriet, Tony led his father-in-law to his private study. He also had one of the manservants bring a bottle of fine Spanish brandy and glasses, before the two men sat down to discuss the senior permanent staff of the various departments at the Admiralty. There were many of them, serving under the First Lord, the First to Third Naval Lords, and the civilian members of the Admiralty Board. In the end, Tony had a long list of names, their specialities and what Richard Lambert knew of their personalities. Tony was grateful for that wealth of information, and he spent the next two days going over that list repeatedly.
The next step was an interview with the First Lord, The Honourable Charles Yorke. He was rather unpopular in London, due to some heavy-handed actions as a Member of Parliament. He was also the grandson of the 1st Earl of Hardwicke, and he had briefly served as Home Secretary under Addington almost ten years before.
The interview was rather brief. Chiefly, Yorke wanted to know Tony’s pedigree, and he raised his eyebrows when Tony frankly admitted that his father had been the master-owner of a Kingston merchantman. He also mentioned his mother, the daughter of a Danish plantation owner from Saint Thomas. Next, Yorke asked him about his stand on Catholic emancipation. Briefed by his father-in-law, Tony answered that he had no view owing to his limited time spent in the homeland. Briefly after that, the interview was over, and Tony left with a less-than-favourable impression of his superior.
He met with Anson afterwards, who gave him a first overview over the most pressing current affairs. Not surprisingly, the deteriorating relationship with the United States was at or near the top. Ships were being identified that could be freed for service on the North American Station. The Royal Navy Dockyard in Halifax, Nova Scotia, had to be upgraded and supplied with spare parts. Also, resources had to be allocated for the sweet water Navy on the Great Lakes and shipped there before possible hostilities broke out — not an easy endeavour.
The Jamaica and Bermuda stations also needed reenforcement, to secure the vital shipping of West Indian goods to England. Here, the American frigates were a worry, since British fifth-rates were woefully overmatched by the 44-gun, 2,000-ton lead ships and severely challenged even by the smaller 38-gun, 1,200-ton secondary frigates. The only silver lining was the fact that the Americans had only three ships of the larger type. Still, tactics would have to be adjusted, using numerical superiority or bringing fast third-rates into play. The freshly coppered Asia and her sister ship, Malta, were already earmarked for the purpose.
The inevitable wear on the ships of the British blockade fleets was also an important issue that would need attention. Tony learned that at least twelve clerks at the Navy Board, under the Third Naval Lord’s responsibility, kept lists of all Navy ships and sloops and their planned repairs and rebuilds. Yet, the First Naval Lord’s staff was responsible for the allocation of the ships and their recall for planned repairs. For the first time, Tony realised the magnitude of his new duties.
He returned to their Camden Park house after 7 p.m., his head still whirling with all the information he had gathered. Harriet nodded sagely when she saw him.
“I guess that is why Father always declined any appointments to the Naval Lords.”
“Would he had told me that!” Tony sighed, looking dubiously at the leather bag that held the paper work he had brought home with him.
“Yes, but you would have accepted anyway, my darling. You just cannot help it that you put the Navy first.”
With sudden resolve, Tony turned around.
“Maybe, dear, but no more of that business tonight. Have you dined already?”
“Of course not! Why don’t you freshen up now and join us for dinner in a quarter hour?”
“That is a sound idea, Darling,” Tony admitted, heading upstairs already. After taking off his coat, cravat and buckled shoes, he washed his hands and his face and then joined Harriet wearing a house coat and slippers.
As it turned out, Harriet and Nadine were not above playing a prank on him, for the supper consisted of a pea soup with salted pork and hardtack. He had not eaten this staple of shipboard food in almost a year, but it made him realise that his off-duty time was over.
This became more clear in the next morning, when they broke fast with their children and Richard asked, “Father, are you going back to war?”
Tony mulled the question briefly, but then he shook his head.
“Not really, Richard. They asked me to serve at the Admiralty building. I shall be responsible for making certain that our ships are where they are needed, when they are needed. It is a little like Nadine sees to it that our servants do all the work that is needed.”
“But there are many more ships than servants here at home!”
Tony smiled at his son. “Yes. That is why I shall have other men work for me, so everything will get done. I also get paid more than Nadine.”
Over the next days, Tony was very busy, making the most of the remainder of Anson’s time with the staff. He also strove to meet every clerk and messenger on his staff, to learn who did what work. It was very much like getting to know his wardroom, his warrant and petty officers, and lastly the ratings when he was commanding Clyde and Asia. When Anson left after his last day at the Admiralty two weeks later, Tony felt that he was at least able to keep everything running.
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