Post by Robert de Braose (Caerleon) on May 11, 2016 1:48:04 GMT
Ships log September 1st
Winds proceed fair from SSW, speed steady at 4 1/2 knots, clear skies.
We have departed from Port Estuaire de la Dives following the route taken by fathers missing ship. According to the records left with the factor my father planned the maiden voyage of La Isabel to follow the common route of the spring trade fleets, along the coast of Normandy and then back again.
Ships log September 4th
Winds lessening from the SW, speed at 3 knots, morning showers followed by clear skies.
Sighted two ships heading in morning.
We have put in at Port en Bessin on the evening tide. I have given most of the crew liberty to take leave on shore, keeping a small watch on board the ship. The guard here seems alert enough that I should not need more. I intend to track down my fathers old factors and find out if La Isabel arrived, and if it did what they know of her future plans. I will discover what has happened to my father and my sister.
Ships log September 6th
In port at Port en Bessin, winds fair from WSW, skies overcast.
I had no luck with the factor, he had passed away a number of years back from the winter sickness, thankfully his son had kept his fathers ledgers and I was able to persuade him to let me examine them. From the records my father traded here, selling a load of salted fish and taking on iron ingots and other materials. Speaking to local captains and traders I have determined that it was likely for shipping to Barfleur.
Ships log September 12th
Winds strong from the S, speed at 6 knots, storms.
We have been driven past Barfleur by an early winter storm. While the storm persists we must run with the weather lest we lose our mast.
Ships log September 15th
Winds light from SW, speed 2 knots, clear.
I believe 3 days have passed since my last entry, I do not know as I have not seen the sun. We fled before the storm until it overtook us, I ordered the sail cut free before it could rip our mast from the hull. For what felt like an endless time we floated in storm tossed seas and I thought that the Creator would take us from this world, I admit now that in a moment of weakness I even prayed to the Old Gods of the Sea that they might deliver us from the storm. Finally though the storm passed and we have been able to take stock of what remains. The main sail has been recovered, but has been shredded by the strong winds, we are lucky that there is enough of it left to catch any wind. Half our barrels of water are spoiled with salt, I have put the crew on rations and we have laid out barrels in case there is any rain. Currently we beat to the north, our eyes ever straining for signs of the shoreline.
Ships log September 19th
Winds freshening from the SW to S, speed 2 knots, overcast.
We continue to beat to the south, almost directly into this damnable headwind. Progress is slow, but steady. Water rations are down to 1/4 now and it is only due to my long history with the men, and my quick words that there has not been violence. Unless we get reach land or it rain within the next two to three days I fear we may be all too weak to continue.
Ships log September 21st
Winds extremely strong S, anchored, overcast.
My God why have you forsaken me. Barfleur is in sight but the wind is so strong form the south that we can make no headway, I have had to order out the anchor lest we lose ground. Two men, driven mad by thirst attempted to swim to shore, both where taken by sharks within metres of the boat. I do not know how much longer we can last.
Ships log September 22nd
Winds extremely strong S, anchored, overcast.
It is like a torture, the last of the water was shared out amongst the men this morning, in the afternoon we watched a squall dump rain within sight of the ship. Another man attempted to swim to shore, he didn't make it more than three feet from the ship.
Ships log October 1st
In port at Barfleur, winds fair from N, raining.
It has been raining steadily now for a week, ever since the Creator answered all our prayers. Not only did the wind turn to the north, allowing quick passage to the port, but it rained as we came in to dock. The men are well recovered, and filled with piety they travelled with me to the nearby Jumièges Abbey where we made offerings in thanks. In another sign that the Creator favours my quest the abbess there remarked on my similar appearance to a young lady who had visited them a decade earlier and stayed with them while her father conducted business in town. It must have been my dear sister, Isabel. To think, my long lost sister once sat in these peaceful surrounds as I do now.
Ships log October 5th
In port at Barfleur, winds freshening from the S, blustery.
Interviews with the many fishermen who ply trade in these waters as well the factors and traders have convinced me that my father travelled further north, to the furthest reaches of Normandy. I have also been advised that the winter storms are coming and that I should put to port until the spring but I cannot do that. My meeting with the abbess has convinced me that the Creator smiles on my mission to find my family. I will take on extra supplies in case storms force us to shore but I will not stop my quest.
Ships log October 7th
Departed Barfleur, winds strong from the S, speed steady at 6 1/2 knots.
Sighted 4 ships over the course of the day all beating to the south, likely making for Barfleur. We are making good way and the shore of Normandy passes by quickly off the portside.
Served rum ration with dinner, men in good spirits.
Ships log October 10th
In port at Cherbourg, winds strong from the S.
We made good speed on the Barfleur to Cherbourg run, according to conversations with local fishermen it is normally a 4 day journey but with the strong southern winds we covered the distance in just over 2 days. We have been lucky to arrive on the Feast Day of St Gereon and I intend to reward the crew with a number of days in port, both to resupply, but also to make offerings at the temple that the winds might change otherwise we will be beating into a southerly wind for a week or more to make for the port and monastery at Saint Malo.
Ships log October 18th
Off Saint Malo, winds gusting from S, speed at 5 knots.
Although we make good speed there is little headway towards Saint Malo, rather than work the men beating into the wind I have weighed anchor and we will wait for the winds to change.
Ships log October 24th
Enroute Saint Malo to Brest, winds fair from the S, speed 4 knots.
Sighted ship to the south, it was spotted by the morning watch and appears to have launched from a coastal bay or inlet that we have passed. It appears to be making directly for us.
Ship continues to make directly for us, I judge it's speed to 5 or 6 knots, and it's intent hostile. I have ordered half the men below decks and for those above decks to hide their weapons from view.
The ship appears to be some sort of shallow drafted ship, I can make out what appears to be a bank of oars along each side in addition to a single sail which explains the high speed. They continue to overhaul us and will likely come along side within 1-2 hours.
Ships log October 25th
Anchored off Normany coast between Saint Malo and Brest, winds fair from the SW.
The ship overhauled us late in the day, grappled us and attempted to board. They where unprepared for the number of men we carry, nor the quantity and quality of our arms and we where able to throw them back and then use our higher position to rain arrows upon them. Once they where in disarray I ordered them boarded and we have taken their ship.
It is a strange vessel, long with a shallow draft and a single deck. The construction is most rugged and the ship likely handles storm seas well. It's narrow profile likely helps with the speed.
When we searched the vessel we recovered significant gold, gems and temple relics. Likely they are pirates of some sort who have been raiding temples and monasteries nearby. They shall raid no more.
I have given the men a double ration of rum and a small amount of the gold to share amongst themselves. Tomorrow we will continue onwards to Brest and God willing arrive within a day or two.
Ships log November 1st
Anchored off Normandy coast near Brest, winds strong and gusting from the SW.
We have been anchored here for 3 days now, the strong winds make any headway towards Brest impossible. Thankfully the men are in good spirits, with the extra supplies taken form the pirate we have enough food to last a month and with our enforced break the men have taken to fishing to pass the time.
Ships log November 6th
Anchored off Normandy coast near Brest, winds strong and gusting from the SW.
The main anchor cord snapped this morning and we lost near 5 miles before we got the spare spliced onto the rope and deployed. Brest is now a smudge on the horizon and should the weather not change within 3-4 days we will try beating against this breeze.
Ships log November 9th
Winds strong and gusting from the SW, speed between 4 and 7 knots.
We have been beating towards Brest all morning and have made little headway for all or speed, we lose most all the ground we make every time we wear the ship. Still we are making some ground.
The main sail ripped after a savage gust almost pulled it free, I have had it bought in and all hands are busy with needle repairing it, the anchor is deployed but dragging.
We have lost the bottom and the anchor now hangs free in the sea, we drift I believe to the North pushed by this infernal wind and Brest is long gone from the horizon.
Ships log November 15th
Storm winds from the S, speed above 8 knots.
We have the sail furled but even so the wind is pushing the ship northwards at a great speed. I know not where we are nor where we go. God have mercy on us.
Ships log November 18th
Storm winds from the S, speed above 8 knots.
One of the men sighted land to the northeast with the morning sun, and it was confirmed by the presence of birds soon after. Even though the weather remains stormy we shall risk raising sail and making for shore.
Ships log November 19th
Strong winds from the S, speed unknown.
We had but raised the sail for an hour yesterday before a gust ripped and free and shattered the mast to boot. We are now at the mercy of the current and wind and can do nothing but watch the coast speed by on the starboard.
Ships log November 25th
Ashore in parts unknown.
We where driven ashore this morning, the Vengeance unfortunately is no more. She broke up on rocks and less than a third of men made it to solid ground. We have gathered together and a couple of the younger men have scouted around. They advise that they saw smoke and buildings in the distance, we will make for them and hope they will provide marooned sailors with succour.