Merchant and naval fleets must remain separate at all times with separate duties unless they are called upon in times of war at the request of the nation's government.
How the Naval and Merchant Fleets Became Separate
It was 1778 and the war with America was reaching its zenith. Warships and merchant ships alike on both sides struggled to find the upper hand.
With France's recent entry into the war on America's side, Britain was more vulnerable to attack than ever. France had the only naval fleet that could present a challenge to Britain's sea supremacy.
At Ft. Cowes, fleet commander HMS Victory was consulting with some of her senior fighters about the reported French line sailing 30 miles off the coast. "We should intercept them." Serapis growled. She knew more about the French fleet than anybody else and Victory greatly valued her expertise.
"What do you think, Princeton?" She asked. Her deputy shrugged. "I agree with Serapis on this one. I think we should give them a little welcoming gift." She said. Victory nodded. "Ok then, Serapis round up the battleships and bring them here for armament." She ordered. Serapis dipped her head and left.
Victory turned to her deputy. "You sure you want to come?" She asked. "Yes." Princeton replied. "I don't like the idea of you fighting with that mast." Victory said.
In the last battle, Princeton's mainmast had been severely cracked by a cannonball fired from a French frigate. "It's fine Victory." She growled.
Victory sighed, knowing there was no arguing with her. For a merchant ship, she was unusually fierce. "Ok." She agreed.
Less than a day later, the British and French fleets were lined up in a bottleneck formation firing broadsides at each other. Victory managed to dodge an incoming shot from French leader Cellous and fired a round of her own.
At the same time, Princeton gave the battleship Atlantique a blow that sent her rearing out of the water, landing a few seconds later on an even keel before developing a severe list to port.
"Nice one!" Victory called. Princeton turned towards her and grinned. "One down, many more to go." She replied.
"Let's show these seaworms whose boss." Victory called. "With pleasure." Princeton replied and fired away.
Victory joined her. Despite her damaged mast, Princeton was a demon. Taking on ships twice her size, she fired away and used her skillful aim to her advantage.
But, just when victory seemed assured, disaster struck. The combined fire of several French battleships proved too much for Princeton. While she managed to dodge the first two rounds, the third hit her injured mainmast and toppled it. The force sent her sliding across the water for several yards.
"Princeton!" Victory cried. When the smoke cleared, the English deputy was still upright but her mainmast lay across her deck, mangled beyond recognition.
Despite this, she continued firing away, knowing full well that whatever she did now, her fate was decided. Even so, Victory refused to see her die.
She rejoined the battle with renewed force, pushing her opponents back. But the relief was only temporary. Soon the French had the upper hand and the British were on the defensive, something that they were not used to. As much as it pained her, Victory knew she'd have to call a full retreat in order to preserve what was left of her fleet.
"Retreat!" She cried. "Back to Cowes, retreat!" Her fleet did, turning around and racing home as fast as their sails would carry them. Victory waited until they had all gotten underway. She thrust her bow against Cellous. "Don't think you've won. You haven't seen the last of us." She warned. Cellous' eyes narrowed. "Go home Victory." She snarled. Victory turned away from her but paused as she neared Princeton.
"Don't bother Victory, I'm not worth it." Her deputy groaned. "I can't just leave you." Victory whispered. "You must, for the sake of the fleet." She said. She moaned and winced. The destruction of her mainmast had severed her main artery and she was slowly but surely bleeding to death.
"Merchant ships should never fight in battle. We don't have the armor to protect us from enemy gunfire like you do. Don't let it… don't let this ever happen again Victory." She begged. Victory leaned in to nuzzle her. "I won't, I promise." She whispered.
Cellous moved forward. "Go Victory, while you still can." Princeton groaned. Victory gave her deputy one last nuzzle before racing off north. She had barely gotten 300 yards when Cellous pounced.
A horrible gurgling cry was heard from Princeton that was abruptly cut off. No Prisoners! That was the rule. Those who fell behind stayed behind.
"Goodbye my friend." Victory whispered and headed for home. "I shouldn't have made her come." She moaned to Serapis. Hours earlier, she had chosen the battleship as her new deputy.
"It's not your fault, she wanted to come." Serapis replied. "But I could've told her to stay and she would've." Victory replied. "Don't let this happen again.' That's what she said." Victory muttered. "What do you plan to do then?" Serapis asked.
"The merchant and naval fleets must remain separate. With the right training, merchant ships are just as good of fighters as us. But in battle, they are more vulnerable due to their thinner armor and lighter guns. Princeton proved that, if nothing else." Victory said. "I believe a new rule to the code is needed. As far as the British Empire is concerned, the merchant and royal marine are two separate fleets with separate duties." She growled.
"Leave the fighting to the navy." Serapis agreed.
