May 9, 2025 • 29 mins
Follows the naval adventures of a British officer during the Napoleonic Wars, highlighting his leadership and bravery. The series combines historical context with maritime action.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The quarters.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
I I forgot stand by this talbot battery one broadside.
Inn't worry to please, Captain Bush.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Point us on the pocket. It's not ready.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
I already.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Presenting Michael Redgrave as Forester's indominable Man of the Sea, Ratio.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Hornblower, as bite, sunny and calm. As we glided into
(01:54):
the Bay of Gibralter and I stood on the quarter
deck with my telescope trained toward Dolger Theater for more
than an hour. Yeah, it was a strange situation that
major naval bases of Spain.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
And England should.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Be no more than six miles apart. There was well
to keep close watch on, Manager, Sir, that's were at
any moment a squadron of Spaniards might push out suddenly
and punts on it. But we reached Giborto without incidents,
and Captain Pilliul left the ship to pay his respect
to the port Admiral, and he returned. He sent for
(02:28):
me in his cabin.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
As I went below, I wondered nervously what crimes I
had committed.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
Telly, acting Lieutenant Hongbarser, Ah, mister Horbler, acting Lieutenanity, you
like that duchess vision to welser better than midship ey oh, yes,
still not so good as lieutenanty h n. Well, mister horblar,
and you ought to consider this good news. There would
(02:58):
be an examination for leftop tomorrow. Captain's bad. What do
you think of that?
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Eh?
Speaker 4 (03:03):
Well, I certainly interested, of course you are. The examination
would be held about the old present health over there,
Santa Barbara, you are ready to take it? I hope
it's stormable. Well I are you? Yes, let's see you'll
help my order as acting lieutenant for two months? Now?
Is that right? If you pass this examination rather than
(03:25):
the day after tomorrow, you will be a full lieutenant
with no nonsense about it, and you'll have two months seniority. Well,
it's sounds wonderful, but what what nothing samples? I was
just thinking what would happen if if if I should fail,
you would revert to midship and naturally and you'd lose
about eight months of seniority, because it'll be six months
(03:47):
at least before you could try again. That's well, Well,
did you say you do feel ready for this examination? Well? I, oh, yes,
very well. Reports of the Santa Barbara at three pm
tomorrow with your depicts and journals. My EYESA tell mister Bolton,
you have my permission to go. You may use one
of the ship's boats. Thank you, that's all. Oh, and uh,
(04:09):
by the way, yes, sir, good luck for love.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
I wish that I could be as confident of the
examination as I pretended. The truth was, I hadn't expected
it become so soon. Well, there was nothing for it
then but to get at Noddy's Epitomey and Navigation and
Clark's Complete Handbook of Seamanship, and try in the next
twenty four hours to be up on everything in those
two sex volumes. There were other things to be attended
(04:43):
to besides and my friend Midshipman Jack Brace never let
me forget them. Choose hm hm?
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Or was that I said?
Speaker 5 (04:54):
Choose?
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Look, figure nom It's it's difficult enough without your going
cryptic on the embracement. Boy, what do you I mean?
Speaker 5 (05:00):
You have to weigh your bottle shoes?
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Remember, Oh, good it happens, that's true.
Speaker 5 (05:03):
We'll chuck them to me, Laddy back, I will go
to the gunroom and get them polished.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
So he took my shoes and I went back to
my navigation. It was a long time before Brace came back.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Yeah, take this, mm hmm. What's their night clean shirt?
You don't any clean? Thanks very much, not at all.
What about my shoes? Oh well, don't worry. Okay, Neptune,
haven't you got them polished yet?
Speaker 5 (05:27):
The gun room supplied shoe blacking is dried to a chip.
Oh no, that's all right. I had two of the
men work it so off with lard. Oh unfortunately the
results in compound stubbing and refuses.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
To take a polish. Well, then you got what am
I to do there? I have two men not work
with the gunroom's melting shoe brush.
Speaker 5 (05:42):
When they're through with that, they lose a soft cloth.
And don't worry, we'll bring your shoes up to a
condition of brightness worthy of an examination left in it.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
That was by no means satisfied with what I knew
of navigation.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
But I did have to close that book and start
on the Handbook of seamanship.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
And oh I felt so abysmally ignorant.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Jack Brace's interruptions at least served the purpose of taking
my mind off my desperate lack of knowledge.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
Bridges, Uh, what are you talking about this time? Based Bridges?
Speaker 5 (06:18):
Hey, you give me the bridges to your number one uniform.
Oh I haven't, bread boy, Oh yes.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
I don't mean to me, Lady Buck.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
The words of the Complete Handbook of Seamanship began, and
after a while to dance before my eyes. It seemed
completely meaningless to my befuddled bray, because, as if from
a great distance. Some time later I again heard the
voice of midship and brace.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Lick up.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
What's that? What's what is it? I said?
Speaker 5 (06:52):
Liquor your spirit writing from the British Navy.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Give it to me quickly.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
You haven't drunk it?
Speaker 5 (06:57):
Have you try?
Speaker 4 (06:58):
It looks hard?
Speaker 5 (07:00):
Why so that the gun room attendant will be able
to press your bridges?
Speaker 4 (07:03):
What is he going to press them with a tin
cup half full of rub of course?
Speaker 5 (07:06):
Not the liquors for the warrant cook?
Speaker 4 (07:08):
pH Why should he have my rum mers?
Speaker 5 (07:10):
Because if the gunroom attendant is to press your breeches,
he has to heat a flat iron in the galley. Well,
cook went a line to do that without some.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
Payment, and all, it's all right. First today, spit it
Russian over there. I I was keeping it till later.
Speaker 5 (07:24):
If you want to be a lieutenant, you have to
make sacrifices on there.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
He went on like that through the afternoon, most of
the night, and all of the next morning. By the
end of that time, I was turning rather frantically from
Noy's text to cocks and back again to not his navigation.
And the only question in my mind was which one
baffle the all. Finally the boat was ready to canny
(07:54):
me into the Santa Barbara. I'd made myself respondent with
my sword and white breeches and buckle shoes, my bundle
of journals under my arm.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
My certificates of sobriety and good conduct in my pocket.
Brace had only one last word of advice.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
You're hat I couldn't get the dents out of it. What,
I'll take it off as soon as you can keep
it under your arm.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Maybe they won't see you come.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Off the ship's side. When I got aboard the Santa Barbara,
I was directed aft to a port side cabin. And
when I entered that cabin, my heart sank down to
those buckled shoes, For there was a whole cabin full
of other midshipmen, all of them dressed like myself, all
of them ready to take that examination. One of them
(08:37):
spoke to me, Welcome to the black hole of Calcutta.
Speaker 5 (08:40):
Oh for I love them?
Speaker 4 (08:41):
How many are they here? Anyhow? You're the fortieth thirty?
How many? How many will they passed?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Do you think five?
Speaker 4 (08:49):
I doubt it. Do you know who's examining that? No,
dread nought faster for a while.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
No, he's a tail twister of whatever.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
There was one, and Captain Harvey of the Dockyard don't
know him. You wouldn't want to. Who's the third? I
don't like to tell you. I don't like to have
you tell me then, but you might as well come on,
black Charlie Hammer. Oh oh, oh, he's almost as bad
as dread On Foster, isn't he. Yes? He passed through
here looking as if he'd lost a guinea and bound six.
(09:17):
Then huh, Well, we may as well sit here and
wait our turn. But that's good. It'll do us.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
We waited.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
The first man came back from his examination, but she
had failed, and informed this as they began by asking
him to find a rum line. Thirty nine midshipman had
their textbooks open on the instant and re.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
Read about rum lines.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Candidates departed and candidates returned most gloomy, some smiling. The
afternoon wore on, twilight came, night came. Finally, my new
friend left, and ten minutes later he was back.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
He had failed.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
It was my turn now.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
I straightened my neckcloth and saw to it that my
sword hung correctly at my side. In an agony of nervousness,
I went into the examining room to stand before the
three grim faces across the table.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Well, sir, report yourself. We have no time to waste
horn Bler, Horatio, Honbler, midshipman, I mean acting with them
and the hums indefatigable. Your certificate PERI? Yes, yes, yes, yes,
here and order you're off close hold on the paw
tact with all beating up channel nor easterly wind dying
(10:44):
hard with dover bearing.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
North two miles?
Speaker 4 (10:48):
Is that yeah? Yeah, yes, sir. Now the wind bears
four points and takes you fatter back. Why do you
do the what do you do? No? No, rum life,
what's that?
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Nothing?
Speaker 4 (11:02):
What do you do?
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Quickly?
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Well?
Speaker 4 (11:04):
If I know you're dismusted, dismasted with a dover cliff
and yours your inferious trouble, mister run or I think
that did you say four point, sir, because if.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
You put it, that's gunfire out there.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
Can come on, let's get back to our ships.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Unceremoniously, they rushed out of the cabin, sweeping inside the
center at the door, and I followed them with the
three captains. I arrived in the waist just in time
to see a rocket saw up into the night sky
and shows big stars.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Right, it's a general.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Now fire ships are watch call my game.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
You can't expect to find the king now, dear Heaven.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
All our ships in the harbor beat to quarters of course.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Half a mile of dark water, a yellow nighte grew
ships wrapped in fray. A line of fire ships was
running before the wind straight into our crowded anchorage. Let
one of those blazing howls make contact with one of
our vessels, and instantly the fire will be transmitted to
the dry painted timbered, the tarred cordage, to the inflammable sails.
(12:26):
The men in highly combustible ships filled with explosives.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
Fire is the deadliest and most dreaded pedal of the sea,
unless was the pedal will faced nigh.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
You saw there, use aw come alongside, come along side,
and hard go I'm alongside out far you sier than anybody.
Speaker 4 (12:49):
There is a way to bring a cupped popper. He's
coming here, gentlemen, we'll go. This flunder bed would take us.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
In longer.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Three captains ran to the Mizzen chains and flung themselves
down into the boat.
Speaker 4 (13:10):
I was right at their heels.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
It was my abandoned duty to get back to my
ship as soon as possible. Then I knew there was
no chance of a junior officers finding a boat to
take him back. Perhaps after the captains reached their ships,
if they reached them, well I could do the same.
Perhaps I threw myself in as they pushed off, nearly
knocking the breath out of Captain Harvey, and so I
(13:36):
didn't mean to knock into.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
You somewhere you're then where are you going?
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Well?
Speaker 2 (13:40):
I should go to the indefatigable sir, after all, all
convert to your ships.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
Of course, well, osbond, whoa can't you? This is no
time to sit their leaving floye where to I'm not
in the navy.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
I'm a British civilian.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Pull for my ship, but printall.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
No nook bo.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
I'm the Celia, Hover the Calypso and if one Batbot's miller.
I'm s woman, we we we must get started. Call
it thirty Oh lord, my oh, I have a pillar.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
The day when earlier I had faced the Captain's Board
from my examination for lieutenant ended with me in a
boat in Gibraltar Harbor, in the middle of a dangerous action.
My companions were a reluctant oarsman and the three captains
of the captain's board. Their tempers have not markedly improved.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Po Oh pool, my ships and jem forever? Who can
think that miney is too Foster?
Speaker 4 (14:54):
What's says?
Speaker 1 (14:55):
It's one of the fire ships. Now, well what just
out of us?
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Serve over there?
Speaker 1 (14:59):
She's around, She's across the center Barbara's cable. She's thinking
of Rama Barbara. Everye help on on Barber, sir.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
The old Santa Barbara has two thousand prisoners battened down
below the decks.
Speaker 4 (15:09):
Hasn't she that.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Fires she will be alongside or any minute?
Speaker 2 (15:11):
So with a man at the wheel of the fire ship,
she she couldn't be a steered cleared him.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Well, don't you think so? We ought to do it?
Speaker 1 (15:18):
Put the tiller over, Captain Harby over it, our pool,
You was, but he said pool, I don't want you
watch that. You say, if I pull alongside that fire ship, we'll.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
All go up in smoke.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
Your sword helen, Yeah, wow, you horsman, you'll see the
sword pole pall yes, yes, play us under the counter.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
I don't jump for it. Let me go.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Captain b said, I will handler come with me if
you like one girl.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
Pictures of mainly draw us.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Our boat swung under the stir of the fire ship.
She was before the wind again, now just gathering away,
just heading down upon the center bar I stood up
on the thwart and jumped my hands, got something, and
with a kick and a struggle, I had dragged myself
up onto the empty deck.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Captain Foster followed.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
With a brig Before the wind the flames were blown.
Fardowed right off where we were. The heat was terrifying.
I ran followed to the wheel.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
It was last with a loop of line.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
And as I cast this off and seized the spokes,
I like a fume a ladder below me. Bite into
the water.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
We're going to collide with the sect of Barber all over. However,
it is high leave over, flames coming this way. What's
old on to the wheel boom, I my gunners hold
but sta heep where over we might still rare. We're
(16:54):
gonna turn as the SALII, so we're gonna passa.
Speaker 5 (17:00):
We did.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
This is all on my knees.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
Old burr oh, starvel a pot starve the point of
the side layer brown on and show but the youthful gold.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Ha.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
There's the horses on the floor. Oh seper c please
hurt h hurs im sir. Such for example, one is
if I wanted it, star routes must have burned away
the who used skinning like I can't steal us all right?
Speaker 2 (17:40):
For the tabril, water closed over me, and I felt
panic because I struggled back to the surface. It was cold.
I could see nothing in the darkness with my eyes
still dazzled by the roar flames. Somebody splashed beside me.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Oh oh, I'll say they were. They were fooling us
in the boats to take us off. They they get
to us him can you swim?
Speaker 3 (18:22):
No?
Speaker 4 (18:22):
What now they wash?
Speaker 1 (18:25):
I can't either? Oh? Oh hon arey, oh.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Tell us sam, sir?
Speaker 1 (18:38):
Oh? Where are they?
Speaker 4 (18:41):
No?
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Well?
Speaker 4 (18:43):
Are they.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Go back? With a splun almost choking with water. They
were both going weakened I wondered if he felt the
same despair that I said, And that's because he did,
or even captains of much seniority and the mortal men.
After all, how long we struggled side by side in
the water until he spoke to me again, I don't know, oh,
(19:12):
old bro, the boot west, the who call them?
Speaker 1 (19:23):
I can't h.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Boy, Oh there he is the world.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Juracns a here here it is, hanging out onto the size.
Got tom on you been up there? Leave the out.
Speaker 4 (19:59):
Oh h s h woh woll out, my young friend.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
I felt hands on my arms, and the water fell
away from me like a weight, and they lifted me
and dragged me over the serve. A fell face downward
in the bottom of the boat, gasping for breath. I
was conscious only of Captain Foster beside me. Then prisonaly
for the first time, somebody in this boat spoke. I
(20:32):
felt a cold shiver pass over my skin. A man
was speaking in Spanish.
Speaker 4 (20:38):
Uh, don't be on, I did to both mmer.
Speaker 5 (20:44):
Captain get past me.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Uh, I heard it Spanish. Him must be the woo
that steered the fire ship and then escaped the uh
pepy mosters.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
It will with the prisoners, howie, indeed we will see
about that.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
I have heard he.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
Now mayamat and so you sell her.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
Saving all right, then, all right we'll Christmas.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
And then answer colors armor under.
Speaker 4 (21:34):
There's one how eddie h North?
Speaker 5 (21:38):
I think, sir, yes, North.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Maybe they're going to land on the neutral ground and
make for the Spanish borders.
Speaker 4 (21:45):
That's their best chance. That's a dark knight.
Speaker 2 (21:48):
There are two other ships burning themselves out as ads.
There were three fire ships came in and all I think,
well that was my concert. Well that means that none
of them didn't you damn good? But a bold and
cover who well would have credited the dongs with making
such an a templon. I'd learned about fire ships from U. S.
(22:08):
Pets her. We may have nursed the opinion that didn't
held the steel here?
Speaker 4 (22:13):
Well, yes, possible where it is.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
So let's lean back home, for if we were to
be prisoners, let's at least try to make ourselves comfortable.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Captain Fostor was a cool enough customer, quoting poetry and
discussing the naval situation while being carried off into captivity.
I tried to emulate him, leaning back unconcernedly against the
side of the boat. I would not have wanted, dreadnought
posta to realize that I was shivering from something other
than the tea. And I wondered what hardships the prisoners
(22:53):
of the Spaniards might have to undergo. And suddenly there
was a voice, an English voice from across the world.
Speaker 4 (23:01):
Oh ho, there's an undo, or the British condos about time?
Speaker 1 (23:08):
Oh now I can go contin an hour? Continue in
our oh im Ohmian the automatie.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
You yeah, we best require one bloss he finishes if
we're not, oh.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
H where for our fall? You continue one in our
stop rowing or I'm king the one that in our
wholl us and roll us.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
Tell us love the love.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
Of the grand away you know sure that's it's not
friend too much.
Speaker 4 (24:04):
Steep seep w w raised her and then that's better.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Sit down there in that boat, stop you off, give
me a hand. Captain Foster, jump in here, drunk it
is now you're mister mitchebon I guess sir, why you
all right? You too? Why not?
Speaker 4 (24:22):
I'm a racer.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
Keep your gun train on those bang of Hammond and
I get into that boat. Then I'll keep a gun.
Make them follow go ahead hard all right, why I'll
call you in the pri POWs and love your sake, Foster,
And of course mister Bombla, no thanks to you, however,
(24:46):
I might add, Captain Hammond, not your passion here the
Santa Barbara, A puff of wind took you on so
fast we couldn't keep up with your.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Most interesting Captain Harven. It called for spenniards to save
us from drumming.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
I thought I could rely two brother captains.
Speaker 1 (25:01):
May I ask what your impryings are?
Speaker 2 (25:03):
I make new implications? Brothers me read ipplications and were
simple statement of fact.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
I consider that an offensive remark.
Speaker 5 (25:10):
I conrector.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
If you on your perspic cassiges.
Speaker 4 (25:12):
Are apparently, I should have to send a friend to
wait on you.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
He will be welcome.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
I sat amazed listening to the two British captains planning
to duel with each other, and on top of everything
that happened, they didn't speak to each other again, and
Fosta came aft and sat beside me for some time.
We drifted along in silence, and my thoughts went to
my interrupted examination for Lieutenant. I had a wild hope
(25:44):
I had, after all, it seemed to me they have
got a well that night, and Captain Foster was even
in a position to know it. I had, as I say,
a wild hope. Finally Pastor spoke to.
Speaker 4 (25:55):
Me, Oh girl, I answer, I shall have much to
do before morning.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
Mister Holgall will carry out my orders.
Speaker 4 (26:03):
These prisoners. I wanted to find someone who can.
Speaker 1 (26:06):
Speak their lingo and have it explained to them that
I shall send them back to Carter Gina under cartel.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Wee without exchange. They saved our lives, and that's the
least we can do in return.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
I think that I think that's very just. And you,
my fire breathing.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
Friend, well for you, my thanks, thank you, sir, you
did well. Should I live beyond tomorrow, I shall see
that the proper authorities are informed of your worthy action.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
Well, thank you.
Speaker 4 (26:34):
And that's sir.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Well my examination the lieutenan had said, my certificate.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
That particular examining board will never reassemble. Of course, you
must wait your opportunity to go before another one. But sir,
I well, I thought possibly well by thought says it
didn't view of all that's happened.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Well here yourself, sir said that I did all right
to NASA and I'm I mean, now, looky here, mister Hogbler.
The examination is a thing entirely separate from the events
of this evening.
Speaker 4 (27:06):
Yes, in the examination, the best of my recollection.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
You were fretted back about to lose your spouse and
the Gilbert Cliffs under your lead. One more minute you
would have failed. It was the Spanish attack.
Speaker 4 (27:18):
But to save do Isn't that? So?
Speaker 2 (27:20):
I suppose it is quite su then be thankful for
small mercies, and even more thankful for big ones, mister Holmeblow,
I as.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
I, well, I suppose your right, so of course no.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
Well, I suppose that when I've acquired the viewpoint of
a well as a two navy men more completely Well, then,
so I suppose I can.
Speaker 4 (27:47):
Fully realize when I when I look back, that well,
on the whole I was well A very fortunate Midshipment.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Night ratio Hornblower, starring Michael Redgrave, is based on the
novels by CS Fornasters. Music composed and conducted by Sydney Torch,
(28:21):
produced by Harry Allen Towers,
The quarters.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
I I forgot stand by this talbot battery one broadside.
Inn't worry to please, Captain Bush.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Point us on the pocket. It's not ready.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
I already.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Presenting Michael Redgrave as Forester's indominable Man of the Sea, Ratio.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Hornblower, as bite, sunny and calm. As we glided into
(01:54):
the Bay of Gibralter and I stood on the quarter
deck with my telescope trained toward Dolger Theater for more
than an hour. Yeah, it was a strange situation that
major naval bases of Spain.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
And England should.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Be no more than six miles apart. There was well
to keep close watch on, Manager, Sir, that's were at
any moment a squadron of Spaniards might push out suddenly
and punts on it. But we reached Giborto without incidents,
and Captain Pilliul left the ship to pay his respect
to the port Admiral, and he returned. He sent for
(02:28):
me in his cabin.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
As I went below, I wondered nervously what crimes I
had committed.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
Telly, acting Lieutenant Hongbarser, Ah, mister Horbler, acting Lieutenanity, you
like that duchess vision to welser better than midship ey oh, yes,
still not so good as lieutenanty h n. Well, mister horblar,
and you ought to consider this good news. There would
(02:58):
be an examination for leftop tomorrow. Captain's bad. What do
you think of that?
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Eh?
Speaker 4 (03:03):
Well, I certainly interested, of course you are. The examination
would be held about the old present health over there,
Santa Barbara, you are ready to take it? I hope
it's stormable. Well I are you? Yes, let's see you'll
help my order as acting lieutenant for two months? Now?
Is that right? If you pass this examination rather than
(03:25):
the day after tomorrow, you will be a full lieutenant
with no nonsense about it, and you'll have two months seniority. Well,
it's sounds wonderful, but what what nothing samples? I was
just thinking what would happen if if if I should fail,
you would revert to midship and naturally and you'd lose
about eight months of seniority, because it'll be six months
(03:47):
at least before you could try again. That's well, Well,
did you say you do feel ready for this examination? Well? I, oh, yes,
very well. Reports of the Santa Barbara at three pm
tomorrow with your depicts and journals. My EYESA tell mister Bolton,
you have my permission to go. You may use one
of the ship's boats. Thank you, that's all. Oh, and uh,
(04:09):
by the way, yes, sir, good luck for love.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
I wish that I could be as confident of the
examination as I pretended. The truth was, I hadn't expected
it become so soon. Well, there was nothing for it
then but to get at Noddy's Epitomey and Navigation and
Clark's Complete Handbook of Seamanship, and try in the next
twenty four hours to be up on everything in those
two sex volumes. There were other things to be attended
(04:43):
to besides and my friend Midshipman Jack Brace never let
me forget them. Choose hm hm?
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Or was that I said?
Speaker 5 (04:54):
Choose?
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Look, figure nom It's it's difficult enough without your going
cryptic on the embracement. Boy, what do you I mean?
Speaker 5 (05:00):
You have to weigh your bottle shoes?
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Remember, Oh, good it happens, that's true.
Speaker 5 (05:03):
We'll chuck them to me, Laddy back, I will go
to the gunroom and get them polished.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
So he took my shoes and I went back to
my navigation. It was a long time before Brace came back.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Yeah, take this, mm hmm. What's their night clean shirt?
You don't any clean? Thanks very much, not at all.
What about my shoes? Oh well, don't worry. Okay, Neptune,
haven't you got them polished yet?
Speaker 5 (05:27):
The gun room supplied shoe blacking is dried to a chip.
Oh no, that's all right. I had two of the
men work it so off with lard. Oh unfortunately the
results in compound stubbing and refuses.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
To take a polish. Well, then you got what am
I to do there? I have two men not work
with the gunroom's melting shoe brush.
Speaker 5 (05:42):
When they're through with that, they lose a soft cloth.
And don't worry, we'll bring your shoes up to a
condition of brightness worthy of an examination left in it.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
That was by no means satisfied with what I knew
of navigation.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
But I did have to close that book and start
on the Handbook of seamanship.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
And oh I felt so abysmally ignorant.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Jack Brace's interruptions at least served the purpose of taking
my mind off my desperate lack of knowledge.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
Bridges, Uh, what are you talking about this time? Based Bridges?
Speaker 5 (06:18):
Hey, you give me the bridges to your number one uniform.
Oh I haven't, bread boy, Oh yes.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
I don't mean to me, Lady Buck.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
The words of the Complete Handbook of Seamanship began, and
after a while to dance before my eyes. It seemed
completely meaningless to my befuddled bray, because, as if from
a great distance. Some time later I again heard the
voice of midship and brace.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Lick up.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
What's that? What's what is it? I said?
Speaker 5 (06:52):
Liquor your spirit writing from the British Navy.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Give it to me quickly.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
You haven't drunk it?
Speaker 5 (06:57):
Have you try?
Speaker 4 (06:58):
It looks hard?
Speaker 5 (07:00):
Why so that the gun room attendant will be able
to press your bridges?
Speaker 4 (07:03):
What is he going to press them with a tin
cup half full of rub of course?
Speaker 5 (07:06):
Not the liquors for the warrant cook?
Speaker 4 (07:08):
pH Why should he have my rum mers?
Speaker 5 (07:10):
Because if the gunroom attendant is to press your breeches,
he has to heat a flat iron in the galley. Well,
cook went a line to do that without some.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
Payment, and all, it's all right. First today, spit it
Russian over there. I I was keeping it till later.
Speaker 5 (07:24):
If you want to be a lieutenant, you have to
make sacrifices on there.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
He went on like that through the afternoon, most of
the night, and all of the next morning. By the
end of that time, I was turning rather frantically from
Noy's text to cocks and back again to not his navigation.
And the only question in my mind was which one
baffle the all. Finally the boat was ready to canny
(07:54):
me into the Santa Barbara. I'd made myself respondent with
my sword and white breeches and buckle shoes, my bundle
of journals under my arm.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
My certificates of sobriety and good conduct in my pocket.
Brace had only one last word of advice.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
You're hat I couldn't get the dents out of it. What,
I'll take it off as soon as you can keep
it under your arm.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Maybe they won't see you come.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Off the ship's side. When I got aboard the Santa Barbara,
I was directed aft to a port side cabin. And
when I entered that cabin, my heart sank down to
those buckled shoes, For there was a whole cabin full
of other midshipmen, all of them dressed like myself, all
of them ready to take that examination. One of them
(08:37):
spoke to me, Welcome to the black hole of Calcutta.
Speaker 5 (08:40):
Oh for I love them?
Speaker 4 (08:41):
How many are they here? Anyhow? You're the fortieth thirty?
How many? How many will they passed?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Do you think five?
Speaker 4 (08:49):
I doubt it. Do you know who's examining that? No,
dread nought faster for a while.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
No, he's a tail twister of whatever.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
There was one, and Captain Harvey of the Dockyard don't
know him. You wouldn't want to. Who's the third? I
don't like to tell you. I don't like to have
you tell me then, but you might as well come on,
black Charlie Hammer. Oh oh, oh, he's almost as bad
as dread On Foster, isn't he. Yes? He passed through
here looking as if he'd lost a guinea and bound six.
(09:17):
Then huh, Well, we may as well sit here and
wait our turn. But that's good. It'll do us.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
We waited.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
The first man came back from his examination, but she
had failed, and informed this as they began by asking
him to find a rum line. Thirty nine midshipman had
their textbooks open on the instant and re.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
Read about rum lines.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Candidates departed and candidates returned most gloomy, some smiling. The
afternoon wore on, twilight came, night came. Finally, my new
friend left, and ten minutes later he was back.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
He had failed.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
It was my turn now.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
I straightened my neckcloth and saw to it that my
sword hung correctly at my side. In an agony of nervousness,
I went into the examining room to stand before the
three grim faces across the table.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Well, sir, report yourself. We have no time to waste
horn Bler, Horatio, Honbler, midshipman, I mean acting with them
and the hums indefatigable. Your certificate PERI? Yes, yes, yes, yes,
here and order you're off close hold on the paw
tact with all beating up channel nor easterly wind dying
(10:44):
hard with dover bearing.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
North two miles?
Speaker 4 (10:48):
Is that yeah? Yeah, yes, sir. Now the wind bears
four points and takes you fatter back. Why do you
do the what do you do? No? No, rum life,
what's that?
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Nothing?
Speaker 4 (11:02):
What do you do?
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Quickly?
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Well?
Speaker 4 (11:04):
If I know you're dismusted, dismasted with a dover cliff
and yours your inferious trouble, mister run or I think
that did you say four point, sir, because if.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
You put it, that's gunfire out there.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
Can come on, let's get back to our ships.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Unceremoniously, they rushed out of the cabin, sweeping inside the
center at the door, and I followed them with the
three captains. I arrived in the waist just in time
to see a rocket saw up into the night sky
and shows big stars.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Right, it's a general.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Now fire ships are watch call my game.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
You can't expect to find the king now, dear Heaven.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
All our ships in the harbor beat to quarters of course.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Half a mile of dark water, a yellow nighte grew
ships wrapped in fray. A line of fire ships was
running before the wind straight into our crowded anchorage. Let
one of those blazing howls make contact with one of
our vessels, and instantly the fire will be transmitted to
the dry painted timbered, the tarred cordage, to the inflammable sails.
(12:26):
The men in highly combustible ships filled with explosives.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
Fire is the deadliest and most dreaded pedal of the sea,
unless was the pedal will faced nigh.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
You saw there, use aw come alongside, come along side,
and hard go I'm alongside out far you sier than anybody.
Speaker 4 (12:49):
There is a way to bring a cupped popper. He's
coming here, gentlemen, we'll go. This flunder bed would take us.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
In longer.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Three captains ran to the Mizzen chains and flung themselves
down into the boat.
Speaker 4 (13:10):
I was right at their heels.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
It was my abandoned duty to get back to my
ship as soon as possible. Then I knew there was
no chance of a junior officers finding a boat to
take him back. Perhaps after the captains reached their ships,
if they reached them, well I could do the same.
Perhaps I threw myself in as they pushed off, nearly
knocking the breath out of Captain Harvey, and so I
(13:36):
didn't mean to knock into.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
You somewhere you're then where are you going?
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Well?
Speaker 2 (13:40):
I should go to the indefatigable sir, after all, all
convert to your ships.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
Of course, well, osbond, whoa can't you? This is no
time to sit their leaving floye where to I'm not
in the navy.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
I'm a British civilian.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Pull for my ship, but printall.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
No nook bo.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
I'm the Celia, Hover the Calypso and if one Batbot's miller.
I'm s woman, we we we must get started. Call
it thirty Oh lord, my oh, I have a pillar.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
The day when earlier I had faced the Captain's Board
from my examination for lieutenant ended with me in a
boat in Gibraltar Harbor, in the middle of a dangerous action.
My companions were a reluctant oarsman and the three captains
of the captain's board. Their tempers have not markedly improved.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Po Oh pool, my ships and jem forever? Who can
think that miney is too Foster?
Speaker 4 (14:54):
What's says?
Speaker 1 (14:55):
It's one of the fire ships. Now, well what just
out of us?
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Serve over there?
Speaker 1 (14:59):
She's around, She's across the center Barbara's cable. She's thinking
of Rama Barbara. Everye help on on Barber, sir.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
The old Santa Barbara has two thousand prisoners battened down
below the decks.
Speaker 4 (15:09):
Hasn't she that.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Fires she will be alongside or any minute?
Speaker 2 (15:11):
So with a man at the wheel of the fire ship,
she she couldn't be a steered cleared him.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Well, don't you think so? We ought to do it?
Speaker 1 (15:18):
Put the tiller over, Captain Harby over it, our pool,
You was, but he said pool, I don't want you
watch that. You say, if I pull alongside that fire ship, we'll.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
All go up in smoke.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
Your sword helen, Yeah, wow, you horsman, you'll see the
sword pole pall yes, yes, play us under the counter.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
I don't jump for it. Let me go.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Captain b said, I will handler come with me if
you like one girl.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
Pictures of mainly draw us.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Our boat swung under the stir of the fire ship.
She was before the wind again, now just gathering away,
just heading down upon the center bar I stood up
on the thwart and jumped my hands, got something, and
with a kick and a struggle, I had dragged myself
up onto the empty deck.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Captain Foster followed.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
With a brig Before the wind the flames were blown.
Fardowed right off where we were. The heat was terrifying.
I ran followed to the wheel.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
It was last with a loop of line.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
And as I cast this off and seized the spokes,
I like a fume a ladder below me. Bite into
the water.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
We're going to collide with the sect of Barber all over. However,
it is high leave over, flames coming this way. What's
old on to the wheel boom, I my gunners hold
but sta heep where over we might still rare. We're
(16:54):
gonna turn as the SALII, so we're gonna passa.
Speaker 5 (17:00):
We did.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
This is all on my knees.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
Old burr oh, starvel a pot starve the point of
the side layer brown on and show but the youthful gold.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Ha.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
There's the horses on the floor. Oh seper c please
hurt h hurs im sir. Such for example, one is
if I wanted it, star routes must have burned away
the who used skinning like I can't steal us all right?
Speaker 2 (17:40):
For the tabril, water closed over me, and I felt
panic because I struggled back to the surface. It was cold.
I could see nothing in the darkness with my eyes
still dazzled by the roar flames. Somebody splashed beside me.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Oh oh, I'll say they were. They were fooling us
in the boats to take us off. They they get
to us him can you swim?
Speaker 3 (18:22):
No?
Speaker 4 (18:22):
What now they wash?
Speaker 1 (18:25):
I can't either? Oh? Oh hon arey, oh.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Tell us sam, sir?
Speaker 1 (18:38):
Oh? Where are they?
Speaker 4 (18:41):
No?
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Well?
Speaker 4 (18:43):
Are they.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Go back? With a splun almost choking with water. They
were both going weakened I wondered if he felt the
same despair that I said, And that's because he did,
or even captains of much seniority and the mortal men.
After all, how long we struggled side by side in
the water until he spoke to me again, I don't know, oh,
(19:12):
old bro, the boot west, the who call them?
Speaker 1 (19:23):
I can't h.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Boy, Oh there he is the world.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Juracns a here here it is, hanging out onto the size.
Got tom on you been up there? Leave the out.
Speaker 4 (19:59):
Oh h s h woh woll out, my young friend.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
I felt hands on my arms, and the water fell
away from me like a weight, and they lifted me
and dragged me over the serve. A fell face downward
in the bottom of the boat, gasping for breath. I
was conscious only of Captain Foster beside me. Then prisonaly
for the first time, somebody in this boat spoke. I
(20:32):
felt a cold shiver pass over my skin. A man
was speaking in Spanish.
Speaker 4 (20:38):
Uh, don't be on, I did to both mmer.
Speaker 5 (20:44):
Captain get past me.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Uh, I heard it Spanish. Him must be the woo
that steered the fire ship and then escaped the uh
pepy mosters.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
It will with the prisoners, howie, indeed we will see
about that.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
I have heard he.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
Now mayamat and so you sell her.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
Saving all right, then, all right we'll Christmas.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
And then answer colors armor under.
Speaker 4 (21:34):
There's one how eddie h North?
Speaker 5 (21:38):
I think, sir, yes, North.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Maybe they're going to land on the neutral ground and
make for the Spanish borders.
Speaker 4 (21:45):
That's their best chance. That's a dark knight.
Speaker 2 (21:48):
There are two other ships burning themselves out as ads.
There were three fire ships came in and all I think,
well that was my concert. Well that means that none
of them didn't you damn good? But a bold and
cover who well would have credited the dongs with making
such an a templon. I'd learned about fire ships from U. S.
(22:08):
Pets her. We may have nursed the opinion that didn't
held the steel here?
Speaker 4 (22:13):
Well, yes, possible where it is.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
So let's lean back home, for if we were to
be prisoners, let's at least try to make ourselves comfortable.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Captain Fostor was a cool enough customer, quoting poetry and
discussing the naval situation while being carried off into captivity.
I tried to emulate him, leaning back unconcernedly against the
side of the boat. I would not have wanted, dreadnought
posta to realize that I was shivering from something other
than the tea. And I wondered what hardships the prisoners
(22:53):
of the Spaniards might have to undergo. And suddenly there
was a voice, an English voice from across the world.
Speaker 4 (23:01):
Oh ho, there's an undo, or the British condos about time?
Speaker 1 (23:08):
Oh now I can go contin an hour? Continue in
our oh im Ohmian the automatie.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
You yeah, we best require one bloss he finishes if
we're not, oh.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
H where for our fall? You continue one in our
stop rowing or I'm king the one that in our
wholl us and roll us.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
Tell us love the love.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
Of the grand away you know sure that's it's not
friend too much.
Speaker 4 (24:04):
Steep seep w w raised her and then that's better.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Sit down there in that boat, stop you off, give
me a hand. Captain Foster, jump in here, drunk it
is now you're mister mitchebon I guess sir, why you
all right? You too? Why not?
Speaker 4 (24:22):
I'm a racer.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
Keep your gun train on those bang of Hammond and
I get into that boat. Then I'll keep a gun.
Make them follow go ahead hard all right, why I'll
call you in the pri POWs and love your sake, Foster,
And of course mister Bombla, no thanks to you, however,
(24:46):
I might add, Captain Hammond, not your passion here the
Santa Barbara, A puff of wind took you on so
fast we couldn't keep up with your.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Most interesting Captain Harven. It called for spenniards to save
us from drumming.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
I thought I could rely two brother captains.
Speaker 1 (25:01):
May I ask what your impryings are?
Speaker 2 (25:03):
I make new implications? Brothers me read ipplications and were
simple statement of fact.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
I consider that an offensive remark.
Speaker 5 (25:10):
I conrector.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
If you on your perspic cassiges.
Speaker 4 (25:12):
Are apparently, I should have to send a friend to
wait on you.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
He will be welcome.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
I sat amazed listening to the two British captains planning
to duel with each other, and on top of everything
that happened, they didn't speak to each other again, and
Fosta came aft and sat beside me for some time.
We drifted along in silence, and my thoughts went to
my interrupted examination for Lieutenant. I had a wild hope
(25:44):
I had, after all, it seemed to me they have
got a well that night, and Captain Foster was even
in a position to know it. I had, as I say,
a wild hope. Finally Pastor spoke to.
Speaker 4 (25:55):
Me, Oh girl, I answer, I shall have much to
do before morning.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
Mister Holgall will carry out my orders.
Speaker 4 (26:03):
These prisoners. I wanted to find someone who can.
Speaker 1 (26:06):
Speak their lingo and have it explained to them that
I shall send them back to Carter Gina under cartel.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Wee without exchange. They saved our lives, and that's the
least we can do in return.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
I think that I think that's very just. And you,
my fire breathing.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
Friend, well for you, my thanks, thank you, sir, you
did well. Should I live beyond tomorrow, I shall see
that the proper authorities are informed of your worthy action.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
Well, thank you.
Speaker 4 (26:34):
And that's sir.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Well my examination the lieutenan had said, my certificate.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
That particular examining board will never reassemble. Of course, you
must wait your opportunity to go before another one. But sir,
I well, I thought possibly well by thought says it
didn't view of all that's happened.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Well here yourself, sir said that I did all right
to NASA and I'm I mean, now, looky here, mister Hogbler.
The examination is a thing entirely separate from the events
of this evening.
Speaker 4 (27:06):
Yes, in the examination, the best of my recollection.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
You were fretted back about to lose your spouse and
the Gilbert Cliffs under your lead. One more minute you
would have failed. It was the Spanish attack.
Speaker 4 (27:18):
But to save do Isn't that? So?
Speaker 2 (27:20):
I suppose it is quite su then be thankful for
small mercies, and even more thankful for big ones, mister Holmeblow,
I as.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
I, well, I suppose your right, so of course no.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
Well, I suppose that when I've acquired the viewpoint of
a well as a two navy men more completely Well, then,
so I suppose I can.
Speaker 4 (27:47):
Fully realize when I when I look back, that well,
on the whole I was well A very fortunate Midshipment.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Night ratio Hornblower, starring Michael Redgrave, is based on the
novels by CS Fornasters. Music composed and conducted by Sydney Torch,
(28:21):
produced by Harry Allen Towers,
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