AN: This is based on a true event that happened to the British Channel Squadron in 1890. I just pushed it back in time about a hundred and forty years give or take.

A Tale of Midshipmen, Mother Nature, and Mayhem

The dozen or so ships that made up the British Channel Squadron were now anchored side by side in the middle of Portsmouth Harbor in such an orderly nature one might imagine their positioning had been done by godly hands. The midshipmen aboard each vessel took pride in, and were content to know it was by their hands the deed had been done. Of course a few 'Well done lads' by the officers when the maneuver was accomplished just minutes ago also fed the pride and contentment they were feeling.

Each ship's company was now, or in a few minutes would be, mustered into formation on deck and addressed by their Commanding Officer. Aboard the HMS Britannia Midshipman James Norrington stood at attention with the rest of the lads.

"Wonder what the Old Man's going to go on about this time?" Midshipman Groves whispered out of the side of his mouth to James.

Midshipman Andrew Gillette, who was standing on the other side of James heard Theo's comment and with a little snort and a lot of sarcasm replied, "Probably going to complain about your less than seamanly handling of the lines during our docking maneuver Theo."

"At least I didn't get my foot tangled in the rigging…." Theo shot back before James broke his 'at attention' expression long enough to give each of them a frown and whisper at a volume both could hear, "If you two keep this up he will more than likely be announcing the withdrawal of our shore leave. Please do be quiet!"

The Captain began to speak, and when one of the sub-lieutenants gave them a stare they wisely decided it would be best to continue their discussion at a later time.

"Gentlemen, you may stand at ease." Captain O'Hare said in a loud clear voice, then went on, "The first thing I would like to do is congratulate you on such a fine anchoring maneuver. I have no doubt we have made the companies of our fellow vessels most jealous, well done lads!" This brought a cheer from the midshipmen. Captain O'Hare raised his hand after a moment or two to silence them. "I'm sure the officers of the Britannia feel as I do, that we are leaving the ship in good hands. Do not disappoint us." With this last statement Captain O'Hare turned and walked off into his cabin.

Every midshipman aboard was looking to his fellow midshipman questioningly. What did that last bit mean? The Captain and Officers weren't really going to leave the Britannia in the hands of a bunch of midshipmen were they? There was much whispering and questions flying around the deck when First Lieutenant McNally called for their attention. As the lads quieted he spoke, "Now lads, I'm sure you're all wondering just what the Captain meant by that. So listen up and I will explain. The Captains and Officers of the British Channel Squadron, myself included, have all been invited to a Ball tonight at the Governor's Palace. Therefore a few sub-lieutenants and midshipmen will be the only ones left aboard the fleet. Now we're all anchored out far enough in the harbor so as not to have to worry about you beaching the ships, or accidentally running into the docks." This brought a round of nervous laughter from the lads, none of them being sure about being left alone with no officers above a sub-lieutenant aboard.

"I'm sure you will all do fine lads, just don't burn her down or sink her while we're gone." Lt. McNally said and seconds later another nervous laugh arose from the lads.

"Now each of our fleet will appoint one of the sub-lieutenants to be in charge, and aboard the Britannia Captain O'Hare has decided on Mr. Ellis. Mr. Ellis step forward."

Mathew Ellis stepped to the front, clearly embarrassed by the attention.

"Now I don't know what could possibly go wrong in the few hours we'll be gone, but in case something would, this is the person to see about it. I don't think I should have to stress everyone better be on their best behavior. Upon my return I do not want to hear about any quarrels amongst you, nor gambling going on, nor fighting or the likes of any of that. The Captain's trusting you with his ship lads, not something done lightly, so do him proud. Dismissed."

As the group broke up James, Andrew, and Theo made their way towards their cabin. "I thought sure you would be the one they chose." Andrew said with a shake of his head.

"I thought you should have been the choice as well James." Theo added.

"Mr. Ellis is more qualified than I gentlemen, and will be a fine officer one of these days." James replied.

"Still think it should have been you James." Andrew repeated as Theo nodded his head in agreement. "And Ellis isn't more qualified, he's a bit of a stick, he just has a Father who is an advisor to the Lord Chancellor."

"Never the less gentlemen Mr. Ellis was chosen."

They had entered the passageway outside their cabin as Theo spoke, "You can honestly say you weren't wishing it would have been you that was chosen?"

"Yes James, you aren't going to try and tell us you didn't wish it to be you now are you?" Andrew added.

"I have wished a lot of things; I have wished I slept better at night, wished I did not have to rise so early each morning. I have wished I had not partaken of so much ale on our last shore leave, wished I would have chosen my words to be a little less harsh towards that strumpet when I turned her down on our last shore leave." James had a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth as he continued, "But the thing I have wished the most was that I was sharing a berth with anyone but the two of you." His grin widened as he finished and gave both of them a shove. It only took a moment for them to shove him back and in just a few moments they were laughing and playfully roughhousing with each other, shoving and wrestling each other back and forth until James accidentally got shoved through a door and found himself on his back in the middle of Third Lieutenant Pryce's room. Now Mr. Pryce was known through out the ship as one of the dourest men anyone had ever met. His expression always looked as if he had lost his best friend; the man never so much as cracked a smile for anything, even a letter or package from home.

James scrambled to his feet, his mouth spewing out any manner of apology that came to mind to the man sitting on his bunk staring at him as he headed as fast as he could toward the door, expecting any minute to hear the man begin to shout, just as James' foot made the threshold of the room Mr. Pryce spoke, "Hold there a minute."

James came to a dead halt; sure he would be reported for this and a black mark placed against his record.

"Your Norrington aren't you?"

James took a deep breath, straightened his posture, pivoted smartly to face his inquisitor, and with a sharp salute answered, "Yes Sir, James Norrington

Sir."

"I thought so." The man said thoughtfully as he peered at James.

James' insides were doing flip flops as he waited for the man to speak again, waited for the censure for his actions to begin.

"Where are your friends, they surely haven't run off and left you to your fate alone?"

James, being the honorable friend that he was answered, "Friends Sir?"

"Mr. Norrington, you don't appear to be drunk, and I doubt you purposely broke through my door to steal my valuables now did you? As unlikely as it may seem to you I have done my fair share of rough housing in the past, although I haven't actually wound up crashing through the cabin door of an officer, so either your cohorts involved have abandoned you or are even now lurking about outside this room waiting for you to emerge."

Just as James opened his mouth to speak Andrew and Theo, who could hear every word stepped into view, saluted and in turn said, "Midshipman Gillette Sir." "Midshipman Groves Sir."

"Step in gentlemen and close the door behind you, if it is still able to close, you may as well all hear this." Mr. Pryce said.

To Be Continued

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