Armada

Robert saw the determination in Larkin’s eyes. He was a master of his craft and no one knew the guns of the Retribution better than he. Once the wind picked up the Armada would continue its relentless progress to the coast of Flanders. It had to be stopped, at any cost.

‘Thomas, I want you to inform your mate and the yeomen that at the first opportunity I intend to grant Mister Larkin his wish.’

‘Aye, sir.’

‘Mister Larkin, you will have your fifty yards.’

The master gunner nodded and rose from the table.

‘Captain to the quarterdeck!’ a call came from above.

Robert left his cabin to go aloft.

‘Pinnace approach, Captain,’ Shaw said as Robert came up. ‘She’s flying Hawkins’s standard.’

Robert went down to the main deck as the pinnace came alongside.

‘Ahoy, Captain Varian,’ Hawkins called. ‘I bid you come aboard and accompany me to the flagship.’

Robert leapt across to the smaller craft as the hulls kissed and they bore swiftly away under oars. Robert stood beside Hawkins at the bow.

‘How’s my ship?’ Hawkins’s eye swept the Retribution from bowsprit to the poop deck, pausing to focus on the more obvious damage.

‘She’s strong.’ Robert was slightly irked that Hawkins would refer to her as his. ‘But we are low on ammunition, sir. Especially for the cannon pedros.’

‘It’s the same throughout the fleet, lad,’ Hawkins replied. ‘Lord Howard has already decided that we won’t engage the enemy again until we come up as far as Dover and rendezvous with Seymour’s squadron. Maybe then we can push this blasted fight with the Spanish to a conclusion.’

Robert nodded. With Lord Henry Seymour’s forty ships the English fleet would outnumber the Spaniards and the Dover squadron still had full shot lockers.

‘Is there a chance we will receive more ammunition before that battle?’

‘Howard asked the Privy Council for more power and shot before sailing from Plymouth,’ Howard replied angrily. ‘Instead they sent him a squad of musketeers to assist in close quarter battle and since then he has received a dispatch asking why we have not boarded and taken any Spanish ships.’

‘Surely the admiral is not contemplating such an attack?’

‘No, lad. Howard knows the value of our ships and the suitability of our tactics. And I for one haven’t created a fleet of race built galleons to see them clap sides with Spanish hulks. But I do fear we have overestimated the effectiveness of our heavy guns.’

‘My master gunner believes we can inflict serious damage if we can get closer, to within arquebus shot,’ Robert said.

‘I have heard similar opinions from other masters. But that approach depends upon first breaking up the defensive formation of the Armada. Without achieving that goal, our superior gunnery is for naught.’

Robert nodded and they lapsed into silence. He studied Hawkins’s narrow face out of the corner of his eye.

‘Why am I needed on the flagship, sir?’

Hawkins turned and smiled.

‘You’ll see, lad.’

The pinnace continued on over the placid sea, weaving in and out of the towering hulls of the stationary warships, passing through their cold shadows. The oars creaked in the locks and between the passing ships Robert looked out beyond to the distant formation of the Armada.

‘Here we are, lad.’

The pinnace came alongside the Ark Royal and Hawkins was swiftly up the rope ladder. Robert followed. The main deck was crowded. Soldiers stood in serried ranks fore and aft while in the centre a large group of captains and senior commanders stood around the Lord High Admiral, Sir Charles Howard. Robert paused hesitantly at the gunwale, unsure of what was happening or how he should proceed.

‘Ah, Captain Varian, come forward if you will.’

Robert walked across the main deck to stand before the admiral. Howard was twenty years older than Robert. He had a long face with a prominent nose, and a sharp chin under a tightly shaped goatee. A favourite at court and an able statesman and soldier, he was a born commander of men.

‘Now, we are all here,’ he said affably. ‘We shall begin.’

‘Begin what, my lord?’ Robert was perplexed.

Howard smiled. ‘It seems Captain Hawkins has not told young Varian why he has been summoned here,’ he said over his shoulder, and the other commanders laughed genially.

‘You are here, Captain Varian, along with these other captains and commanders, because I mean to reward those who are deserving, and encourage others who would aspire.’ Howard raised his voice so all could hear. ‘Your bravery at Cadiz gave you command of the Retribution. Your ability confirmed that captaincy, and thus far in this battle you have proved your worth time and again. You are one of England’s finest sons. To honour your courage you will be counted amongst those I have deemed worthy of the order of knighthood.’