JUST FOR FUN-
The sailing ship writing prompt called for 500 words. My small entry was 537 words.
Chapter 1
The sun climbed slowly out of the Atlantic Ocean East of Norfolk Navy Shipyard. A fog that had laid over the area like a death-shroud began to fade. In the bay, a Sloop-of-War named the USS Mannford sat moored to the dock. She was 225 feet long, with a beam of 44 feet at the waterline. She displaced 2,900 tons and was powered by a steam-engine and a sail rigging that helped her slice through the briny at a surface speed of 13.5 knots or about 16 miles per hour.
With a compliment of 310 men, her range was essentially unlimited. Armament consisted of 20, 9" Dahlgren smoothbore cannons that were backed up by 4 rifled-barrel 20-pounders. She was commissioned on June 14th, 1859. Little did the crew and her officers know but very soon she would play a major roll in the greatest and most tragic civil war in American history.
A guard holding a long-barrelled Joslyn rifle snapped stiffly coming to attention as an officer stepped from below deck.
The young boatswain's mate saw the Captain as well. Coming to attention he shouted, "Officer on deck."
Lieutenant Grafton, the officer on deck turned towards the tall man he also came to attention, "Good morning Captain."
"Ensign," The tall silver-haired man said.
A young boy of eleven or twelve came up from behind the senior officer. "Sir," he said extending a tray with a cup of hot coffee. "Your coffee sir."
The man nodded his approval. Taking the cup in his hand before raising it to his lips. He blew a breath across the dark brew before taking a sip. "Thank you, Davie. My compliments to the galley, " he said.
"Thank you, sir, " the young boy snapped giving a smart salute, he spun on his heel before disappearing down a hatch.
The ship's master took another sip from the cup before setting his cup on the 'gun-wale' he took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the cool sea air. "Beautiful morning isn't it Ensign?"
Lieutenant Grafton stood at ease with his hand behind his back. A thin smile broke the corners of his mouth, "Aye, Captain. Beautiful morning sir, "
The tall silver hair man searchingly gazed out into the fog. Wrapped his hand around the warm porcelain cup. "Stand ready to make way Mister Grafton," he ordered taking another drink.
Lieutenant Grafton came to attention and answered briskly, "Aye Aye sir." Turning to seaman standing off to one side of him he spoke sharply. "Boatswain's mate, play us a tune, " he ordered.
The boatswain's mate put his pipe to his lips and began blowing a series of shrill notes. As if a small boy had kicked an anthill, men instantly poured from below deck out of every hole and doorway. Some ran across the deck grabbing lines that were lashed to a bit post. Some scrambled into the rigging.
"Weigh the anchor, Mister Grafton."
"Aye, Aye sir, " he answered before shouting out, "Weigh the anchor."
As the anchor cleared the water he looked forward and shouted, "Heave the front Hawsers," he ordered before turning to the aft. "Heave the rear Hawsers. Hand over fist lads."
"Make Ready to trim the sheet, Ensign,"
"Aye, Aye Sir. Aloft," Grafton shouted. Men scrambled upwards into the lines, disappearing into the fog above.
