[OL-FB] In search of Smugglers

[Franco Clarke]

Ship's Log Day 18

Having left Breshaun in such high hopes, by day 18, moral was running low. Having had to return for resupply, since the Hareng was not well set up for long patrols, we were still no closer to to finding the smugglers which had been reported to have been operating in this area. I was beginning to doubt that they even existed. The sea raged and clawed against the now-familiar rocks which jutted from the sea in an uninspiring random pattern. The only positive outcome of the mission so far had been that we had been able to update the charts of this area of coastline, which is something at least.

Ship's Log Day 24

Still no sign of the smugglers, although when we docked for supplies at Eltina, we did hear that the smugglers were apparently operating a few vessels with white hulls. If this was true, than the smugglers had not managed to evade our searches, for we hadn't seen any white ships during our patrols.

Ship's Log Day 27

What was originally identified as a pair of merchant vessels sailing to Etlina became a more exciting sight when the ships were seen to have white hulls! The crew rushed into action, putting up the main sail and soon we were racing through the choppy seas towards the pair of ships. As the ships drew into sight from the deck, their black flags were visible through the telescope- surely these were our prey?

As if to confirm our suspicions, they pulled a sharp turn and put up full sails, making good speed away from us in the opposite direction. Why would they flee from us unless they had something to conceal?

The larger of the two vessels was slower than the Hareng, and since the smaller ship was also keeping pace with it's larger companion, we began to close up the distance. As if we needed any more proof that the ships were hostile, the smaller boat began to fire at us as puff of smoke followed by a plume of water of the starboard bow announced the arrival of the first shot.

Their shooting was pretty poor as the waves were causing their small hull to rock quite alarmingly. Private Collins move up to the bow with his rifle, and began to return fire, but at this long range, his chances of hitting them were very low. With a sound of splintering wood and exploding gun powder, the smugglers final found their mark. The shot destroyed part of the front railing and blew Private Collins to the deck. Thankfully, apart from some bruising and a scorched uniform, he was ok.

We had now closed the distance to under 200m, and the smaller ship, obviously deciding that a long stay in Breshaun jail was not worth sticking with their friends, broke off and accelerated away. This ship was obviously much faster than the Hareng, so I decided to let them go and focus on the larger ship.

We came up alongside the large smuggling ship and charged aboard, swords and pistols at the ready. The fight was brief as the smugglers soon surrendered when they realised that they were outnumbered 2 to 1. I announced that the ship had been taken for the glory of Oleon and call three cheers for the king.

We used the anchor cable to tow the ship back to Breshaun by wrapping it around the mast. Private Collins and Gunner Perkins kept the prisoners under constant watch as we slowly made our way back down the coast. As we sailed into Breshaun harbour, we drew a lot of attention, since it had been a whilst since the Sea of Storms fleet had captured an enemy vessel. We docked in the imperial sector, and the prisoners were transferred to a secure carriage so that they could be taken to the court for their trial. The Hareng was quickly repaired, and it was determined that whilst the smuggled cargo of weapons were to be added to the arsenal, the ship, being of no use to the navy was officially my property. Since she was of little use to me either, being both slow and hard to convert to escort duty I decided that she be sold, and that the money could be used to buy a larger ship at a later date.

The Fingernail

Playing the role of the small smuggling ship, I present the Fingernail. Built using the same technique as the stone and the pancake, I tried a different method for the railings by attaching them to the sides of the ship. This is certainly stronger and worth further investigation.

The Fingernail is well provisioned for a fight with a pair of swivel guns mounted at the stern, which were put to good use during the fight.

The Sea-Fox

The larger ship, now captured by the Oleons and up for sale. Built using the same technique as the Fingernail, with the railings attached to the hull, she was originally going to be Corrington merchant raider. However, once she was finished I decided she would look better as a sister ship for the Fingernail, and added more gold and a black deck.

The Sea-Fox has a single cannon, making it more suitable for engagements at long range than the Fingernail. A large open deck provides lots of space for cargo or whatever the future owner wants to put aboard.

Both boats will be for sale, although the Fingernail probably should stay as a Sea-Rat vessel.

Postscript

A few weeks later, Erwin boarded a small dinghy to be taken back to the Hareng, having had its refit completed. They bobbed around the harbour in between the large warships and merchantmen before finally approaching an odd little craft. Similar in size to the Hareng, its main mast was set in the centre of the vessel and it lacked the high prow.

'Excuse me, but I don't think this is my boat' Erwin said to one of the rowers.

However, at that moment Private Collins called across from the deck of the vessel.

'This is indeed the Hareng, they've mucked it up well and proper and now she's called the Saler!'

As Erwin stepped up onto his ship, he noticed it bucked and rocked in the waves far more than it had done before. The deck was also far more crowded, and as an enormous cannon filled the fore-deck. Private Collins handed Erwin a letter, which he opened and read. It was a message from local naval command informing him of the reasons for the Hareng's dis-figuration and the mission he was to undertake.

Erwin turned and ordered the anchor raised and the ship sailed out from the harbour to begin it's assignment.

Edited February 28, 2016 by Franco Clarke

[TitusV]

I really like that last ship! Great work!

[Franco Clarke]

Thanks, I was quite pleased with the stern of the larger one too

[Maxim I]

Both are indexed as class 1 WR :D

And both are for sale as well in the index!!!

Your ships are getting better and better :)

[Franco Clarke]

Thanks, you're sure doing a great job of registering all the ships people build! I think I might try and make a larger ship soon to move on from the mostly small ones which I have been doing up till now.

[Captain Dee]

Good story and some more fine small vessels. Those white hulls and gold trim look great. Keep it up.

[Franco Clarke]

Thank you, the gold colour does do quite nicely for adding interest to otherwise bland ships.

[Tomsche]

The lovingly nice little smuggler ship named Fingernail has been found near Quinnsville, and she will live out her days at sea in the Junkyard Fleet. I kindly thank you for having her a quit old day