Fog of Battle
A short from Seasick
The sail frigate was moving slowly through the fog bank. The Captain was standing near the bow, all eyes were peeling in all directions as the HMS Spinaker slowly drifted. The Captain was listening for the Spanish galley that he was ordered to sink. Every time he heard the sails move he listened for the sails of his opponent. Mick the old sailor was curled up just ahead of him, nearly blind he could still hear a pin drop at one hundred paces. The Captain sees Mick's hand raise and he points a finger into the fog makes a fist and points again. The Captain turns slowly and gives the signal to Mr. Rye who relays it to the helm. The ship turns slowly and the Captain can hear a creaking sound, huridly he turns and orders the cannons fired.
Far closer than he realized his opponent is hit broadside by his fifteen port side cannons. The cannon balls explode and the light of the fires can seen. The enemy is only a hundred feet or so away. He hits the deck as a few cannons from the enemy ship return fire. The Spinaker gets off another volley and more explosions are heard as it becomes clear that the enemy powder supply is exploding.
Minutes later the Captain gets up and dust himself off. He starts to make his way to the bridge when a junior officer stumbles up holding a piece of wood. The Captain ask him why he is holding it at which point he holds it up and the Captain curses to himself.
The ship he just sank was French. The Captain turns to the first mate, "Damn it I told you to fix the IFF!"
A short from Seasick
The sail frigate was moving slowly through the fog bank. The Captain was standing near the bow, all eyes were peeling in all directions as the HMS Spinaker slowly drifted. The Captain was listening for the Spanish galley that he was ordered to sink. Every time he heard the sails move he listened for the sails of his opponent. Mick the old sailor was curled up just ahead of him, nearly blind he could still hear a pin drop at one hundred paces. The Captain sees Mick's hand raise and he points a finger into the fog makes a fist and points again. The Captain turns slowly and gives the signal to Mr. Rye who relays it to the helm. The ship turns slowly and the Captain can hear a creaking sound, huridly he turns and orders the cannons fired.
Far closer than he realized his opponent is hit broadside by his fifteen port side cannons. The cannon balls explode and the light of the fires can seen. The enemy is only a hundred feet or so away. He hits the deck as a few cannons from the enemy ship return fire. The Spinaker gets off another volley and more explosions are heard as it becomes clear that the enemy powder supply is exploding.
Minutes later the Captain gets up and dust himself off. He starts to make his way to the bridge when a junior officer stumbles up holding a piece of wood. The Captain ask him why he is holding it at which point he holds it up and the Captain curses to himself.
The ship he just sank was French. The Captain turns to the first mate, "Damn it I told you to fix the IFF!"
