DIW
Well-Known Member
My Fellow Forumites I greet you all well.
How good it was to board the vessel this forenoon and to once again feel the rolling deck beneath ones feet and, blessed with little wind and a rising tide, set a southerly course from Pompey. An uncomfortable Solent chop gave some distress to a junior ranked cabin servant who being of a difficult nature turned in and refused to participate any further in her allocated tasks methinks a disciplinary may be required. It causes me much misery when junior ranks show good intent and then other interests hold sway. Following many months on the hard the sea trials went exceeding well and am much pleased with the vessels handling and demeanour.
The Shipwrights had taken to their tasks with good endeavour , but I am informed by my Agent that the poor devils are on such a pittance that when offered vitals remaining from the summers voyage they seized the opportunity eagerly and devoured the food and ale with gusto.
I feel obliged to speak to their employer and inform him of my heartfelt concern at their hardships and the shortage of hours they are allowed to work as it causes me great distress to observe men obliged to abandon their labours so early in the day.
The First mate confirmed my worst fears that a return to Port was inevitable as other members of the crew were becoming sullen and unco-operative, due in no small part to the temptations that were conceived to be awaiting on the vessels return to Gun Wharf if we turned about with immediate effect, I was under no pressure to carry out this manoeuvre but gave the order of my own free will.
I am content that the vessel is of a good nature and can be sailed well when short handed as I am of the opinion this may well be the case this season following a mass desertion by the crew, who having assisted reluctantly in making fast, took off shouting abuse like ‘boating is minging, tiger tiger is cool’ expressions the like of which I am at a complete loss to understand.
The First Mate and myself felt obliged to stay aboard should any of our mutinous crew return and require refreshment and a bunk for the night.
I remain Sirs your obedient servant Captain R.C.Killjoy Sulk
How good it was to board the vessel this forenoon and to once again feel the rolling deck beneath ones feet and, blessed with little wind and a rising tide, set a southerly course from Pompey. An uncomfortable Solent chop gave some distress to a junior ranked cabin servant who being of a difficult nature turned in and refused to participate any further in her allocated tasks methinks a disciplinary may be required. It causes me much misery when junior ranks show good intent and then other interests hold sway. Following many months on the hard the sea trials went exceeding well and am much pleased with the vessels handling and demeanour.
The Shipwrights had taken to their tasks with good endeavour , but I am informed by my Agent that the poor devils are on such a pittance that when offered vitals remaining from the summers voyage they seized the opportunity eagerly and devoured the food and ale with gusto.
I feel obliged to speak to their employer and inform him of my heartfelt concern at their hardships and the shortage of hours they are allowed to work as it causes me great distress to observe men obliged to abandon their labours so early in the day.
The First mate confirmed my worst fears that a return to Port was inevitable as other members of the crew were becoming sullen and unco-operative, due in no small part to the temptations that were conceived to be awaiting on the vessels return to Gun Wharf if we turned about with immediate effect, I was under no pressure to carry out this manoeuvre but gave the order of my own free will.
I am content that the vessel is of a good nature and can be sailed well when short handed as I am of the opinion this may well be the case this season following a mass desertion by the crew, who having assisted reluctantly in making fast, took off shouting abuse like ‘boating is minging, tiger tiger is cool’ expressions the like of which I am at a complete loss to understand.
The First Mate and myself felt obliged to stay aboard should any of our mutinous crew return and require refreshment and a bunk for the night.
I remain Sirs your obedient servant Captain R.C.Killjoy Sulk
