The Fever Islands

The Game (Part 1)

Lt. Commander, USN

by Peter Lawson

Lt. Commander USN Briefing THE GULF February 1803

You are Lt. Commander.....of the 'juvenile' United States Navy. Both your father and grandfather perished at the hands of the British during the struggles for independence, but in your travels around the Gulf and the Caribbean, your hatred mellowed sufficiently for you to take an English wife. She now resides at your farm in Connecticut with your two sturdy sons.

Your command is the USS RESOLVE, a splendid frigate of 40 guns, recently purchased from the French.

    Armament: 26 x 12lb., 10 x 6lb., 4 x 36lb. Carronades.
    Complement: 244 officers and men, 40 US Marines.

Having distinguished yourself in many minor actions against river pirates in the Louisianas, you are fortunate indeed to be in command of one of only three American vessels protecting American shipping and Tnterests in the Caribbean.

Although severely undermanned, your frigate glides through the ocean like a porpoise, and the crew are in excellent spirits, despite your having been forced to cancel the recent shore leave in order to comply with your hastily delivered orders.

You should accomplish this latest mission with speed and efficiency to avoid any possible ramifications from foreign powers; indeed, some of your valued crew members are British deserters without the required Protection papers. It would be inadvisable to become embroiled in a dispute with the British authorities or their representatives....

Without a word to your junior officers at present (and with a stiff breeze at your back) you lay a course for the north-western coast of Grand Cayman.

THE CHARACTERS

(with defererence to Patrick O'Brien et al)

Fever Islands Part 2: The Game

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