[IC] Aboard the Frigate HMS Leer

Portsmouth harbor, England,
April 1, 1800

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Collection on deck

In the spring sun, the new crew of the British frigate HMS Leer were standing listening to their new captain, John Wilson, swear himself in. Captain Wilson, recently Lieutenant Wilson, knew that on the other ships in the harbor, eyes will be trained on him. After the ceremony was over he made an attempt to meet his officers and petty officers, there was his 1st lieutenant, Freeman who was from a long line of sailors. Then there was 2nd lieutenant, Hill, then the ever so young and innocent Midshipmen Moore, Hunter, and Ford. The captain of the marines, Dan Fort, the Master, Rex Baxter, who has been sailing for his whole life, and the Surgeon,Chet Page. As Wilson looked to his hands he saw the seamen with weathered features, and those unlucky enough to be pressed, with their clean faces. Soon enough they will be like the others.

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Rumor has it that orders will be arriving soon.

The HMS Leer

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The Leer is a 28 gun frigate. She is made of live oak and still gleams with fresh wood, She was launched 2 weeks ago. Her armament consists of: 28 9 pounder long-guns on the gundeck, 4 6pounder guns and 4 18 pounder carronades on the Quarterdeck, and 2 18 pounder carronades on the forecastle. She has a crew compliment of 200 men and officers. She has a drought of 11ft. Tip to tip she is 124 ft long. And she has a beam of 23 feet

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[Sirkaithethird]

Portsmouth harbor, England,
April 1, 1800

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Description of Portsmouth Harbor

Portsmouth harbor, the busiest harbor in all of England, or so it would seem to any onlooker. Within the chaos was a carefully orchestrated act of fishing boats going out for the day or coming back with a full load. Merchant ships being loaded or setting out for unknown destinations, and the Crown Jewels of the harbor, the ships in his majesty's navy. Gleaming in the morning sunlight. Some ships to note were the admiral's first rate Gale and the big frigate Dolphin . The Leer was moored near a sloop of war, and a freshly made schooner. The glare on the sea was so great that one could not look out for long periods at a time.

[pandapolio]

As Captain John Wilson turned to face his new crew he felt a flash of panic go through him followed by a wave of steely determination. He was determined to lead this crew in service to the crown and to their people.
"Men, I would like to thank you for your service to your people and your willingness to protect your country. I do not know what our orders will be but we will inevitably receive them within the next few days. All I know is that we must fulfill our duties to the crown no matter what they are. I will not ask you to do what I will not do myself, and I will never abandon you in the field of battle. I swear I will fight by your side and if need be die by it. All I ask of you is to follow the orders given to you and forever stay loyal to your country. I will alert you when we have received orders, but other than that report to Master Baxter for your duties and have a good day men."
As the captain finished his speech he gave a curt nod to the gathering of sailors and walked to the stern of his ship where his cabin was located. As soon as he entered the cabin he let loose a sigh and let his shoulders relax from the military bearing he was maintaining earlier. He walked over to his cot and laid down in it letting a smile spread across his face. He did it, he was finally a captain of a ship, a frigate no less. If his mother could see him now she would be so proud. As he let his mind wander it came back to the crew and he started to worry about the state of the ship and the crew. Even though the ship was new he would have to do a complete review of the ship to make sure she was in fighting condition. The crew seemed like a competent lot even though he had just met them. Tomorrow he would take her out on a test run and see how she handles, but for now he had to deal with the dread of all captains.....paperwork.

[Sirkaithethird]

As Captain Wilson was working on his paperwork, his 1st lieutenant Freeman came into the cabin.
"Sir a gig is coming along side"
The Captain stood up with a sigh, and as he looked up he saw that the sun was setting. Had it really been half a day since he had been piped aboard? He climbed on deck, and took in the sight of his command. It looked different in the evening sun, calmer almost. He went to the port side and looked down, as the lieutenant had said there was a small boat pulling in. As he looked closer he saw a man not pulling at the oars, and realized that his uniform is that of a Captain. When this man got on board he watched as the marines went to attention... rather clumsily And that the pipes were off pitch. But the intention was clear.
"I have orders for the HMS Leer" the man said to no one in particular, as he was looking longingly around the ship. In his hand was a sealed envelope.
@pandapolio @outdoorsguy @arca10tales

[Sirkaithethird]

-null

[Sirkaithethird]

Portsmouth harbor, England,
April 1, 1800
19:00

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The Orders

Captain Wilson broke the seal on the letter, and could see as he unfolded it that it had very little writing.

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The order stated: The HMS Leer is to depart Portsmouth and be underway for a week then return on the 8th day. Do not make contact with any other ships unless signaled otherwise. You have 2 days to load provisions.
Signed Admiral Milbanke
@pandapolio

[pandapolio]

John was slightly confused as he read the order, but knew he shouldn't question the command. He turned to 1st Lt. Freeman to give him his orders.

"I want the ship and crew prepared to set out sunrise tomorrow, check the ship to make sure all her facilities are up to navy standards. I know she is new, but we will take no chances. Master Baxter, get provisions for 10 days and load them onto the ship within sundown tomorrow. 2nd Lt. Hill get me an evaluation of the crew on my desk sun up tomorrow. I want this ship ready with in 2 days to set off. Good day gentlemen."

The captain walked at a brisk pace back to his cabin realizing he probably wasn't going to get any sleep the next few nights.

[Sirkaithethird]

(I will keep filling in for people until they become active @outdoorsguy @arca10tales @tybalt capulet)
05:30
Portsmouth harbor
April 2, 1800
With a knocking on the cabin door Captian White awoke from his short and restless slumber. When he opened the door Hill was there with his report.
It stated, that the Leer is fully crewed with 143 sailors and petty officers. 50 marines plus their Captian, Fort, and the 6 officers of the ship. 73 of the sailors have been pressed and thus are green to the ways of the sea. The last 70 have varying levels of experience. Cpt. Fort reports that his 50 marines need to be drilled and need to practice. The Master, Baxter, reports that some drills must be run. Sail drills and gun drills would be very beneficial.

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18:45
Portsmouth harbor
April 2, 1800

As the last provisions were being stowed, a very tired Lt. Freeman climbed on deck. "Sir the shot and powder are in their place, each man is accounted for and the ship is cleared, anything else?"
@pandapolio