1633:The Danish Scheme (16 page)

"I'm waiting, son." Sir Thomas' exasperated comment brought Svend back to his task.

"I'm here to speak to you about Agnes."

"You've said that already. Has she done something in class to offend you?"

"Oh, no, sir. It's not that at all."

"Well then, what is it? Your boat will need to be leaving soon." The look on Sir Thomas' face had gotten sterner. Suddenly, a giggle from the other room broke the tension. Sir Thomas broke into a broad grin. He couldn't keep the masquerade up any longer. "All right, son. Agnes has already told me why you're here. Let me have it in your own words."

Svend took a deep breath and said in a rush, "Sir, I would like your permission to court your ward, Agnes Roe."

"When Agnes warned me what you would be speaking about to me, I spoke to Captain Foxe about you. Your father had nothing but praise for your honesty, sense of honor, and future prospects. He said I would be a fool not to have you marry into the family. You have my permission, but nothing more than courting until we reach the new colony."

Svend's feet were frozen to the floor. "Thank you, sir."

Sir Thomas made a circling motion with his hand. "I think the young lady in question has something she'd like to say to you."

When Svend turned around, Agnes was standing directly behind him. She smiled at his confusion, shook her head, stood on her tip-toes and gave him a long, lingering kiss. After they finished, she looked to Sir Thomas, "Thank you, Uncle." A single tear was perched on her uncle's cheek.

* * *

Captain Foxe surveyed the gathered worshippers, concern evident on his face. Every Sunday since the expedition had sailed, an awning and lectern had been set up on the 
Köbenhavn
 's main deck for Pastor Bauman's Sunday sermon. If the previous five Sundays were any indication, the service still had another hour to go. The winds were freshening and the pastor was having trouble keeping his notes in place. Shortly after daybreak, the sun had disappeared behind the clouds and the overall atmosphere for the service was as gloomy as the weather. Luke checked the sails and then turned and whispered to his first mate, "John, the weather appears to be worsening. I think it's time to take in sail and start the other preparations we discussed."

"It'll mean interrupting the sermon," John's solemn tone was betrayed by his look of relief.

"So be it. I always did favor brevity in a sermon."

John rose and called out, "All hands prepare to take in sail!" The sailors in the crowd quickly headed to their stations.

Luke walked over to the lectern, "Sorry, Pastor, we'll have to end early this week. The weather's worsening and we'll need to clear the deck."

Three pages of the sermon escaped and were quickly blown over the side. "I understand, my son."

Luke called out, "Hoist the signal for the other ships to reduce sail. No sense in scattering more than we have to."

As the afternoon wore on, the winds continued to increase, along with the height of the waves. Just before sunset, Luke sent Svend to the foretop crosstrees to check on the other ships. After five minutes, he called down, "They're all still visible. The two fishing boats are just visible to the west, the 
Kristina
and the 
Henriette Marie
 are just about a mile to the northwest, the 
Wilhelm
 is about two miles dead ahead, and the 
Hamburg
 is about a mile to the southwest."

"Can you see any problems?"

"I can see some activity on the 
Hamburg
 's deck around the masts, but can't make out what's going on."

"Very well. Come down." As Svend descended, Luke mulled over the situation. Svend swung down from the chains and headed for the aftercastle to return the telescope. A large wave broke over the side and nearly knocked him off his feet. He came up sputtering. Luke decided it was time.

"John, rig safety ropes. It's going to get worse and I don't want someone swept overboard. I want just the foretopsail set and double reefed. Also, rig relief gear for the rudder and relieve the helmsman every hour. We don't need an accident from worn out gear or men."

"Aye aye, sir." John quickly set about his tasks.

A thoroughly soaked Svend handed the telescope to Luke. "Do you think that the other ships will be all right?"

"I hope so, son. We've done everything we can. I just hope the 
Hamburg
 's masts hold up."

"I do too, sir." Svend was worried about a special person on board her. He certainly wasn't going to be able to see Agnes today like he had promised.

* * *

Throughout the night, the weather worsened. By morning, gale winds lashed the seas to twenty foot waves. The entire ship creaked as her hull flexed on the waves. The pumps were started to keep up with the leaks caused by seams gradually working open. Their monotonous clanking added to the din.

Breakfast consisted solely of dried biscuit. It was too rough to risk lighting a galley fire. After choking down a biscuit, Svend went on deck. He tied on a safety line, and went up in the afterchains to see if any of the other ships could be spotted. Only the 
Hamburg
 and the 
Kristina
 were visible. Two other dark shapes to the northeast might have been the 
Henriette Marie
 and the 
Wilhelm
 . When he reported to the captain, Luke didn't appear concerned about the missing fishing boats.

"They're built for this type of weather. They're probably well ahead and off to the northwest. We're about where they planned to separate from us anyways and they can run with the wind. They'll keep their distance so no one runs them down in the dark. We're more of a danger to them than the weather."

Svend reluctantly went below. The rough weather was affecting the passengers and the smells below deck were worsening. At least the cabin was slightly drier than being on deck.

When the evening watch ended an hour later, John came on deck to relieve Luke. "You need to get some rest, Captain. You'll be no use in an emergency if you're too tired to think quickly."

"You're right, John. I'll be in my cabin. The good Lord knows I need some rest. If the weather worsens, don't hesitate to call me!"

"You can count on me, sir!"

The next morning, it was obvious the ship was struggling. The moan of the wind in the rigging set teeth on edge and the clank of the pumps continued. The smell below decks was revolting. No food had been prepared since the previous noon but many passengers still had the dry heaves. John reported to the captain on conditions below decks. From the companionway door, Svend was able to eavesdrop on them.

"The pumps are barely staying up with the water, sir. The hull's working so much from this action; the seams are leaking. We have to do something. We can't keep the wind and the waves on our quarter. The aftercastle's acting like a sail trying to turn the ship. If we should lose the rudder, we'll turn and broach before we can react."

"I agree. We need to change course. But, if we run with the wind, we could end up near Acadia. We need to hold our position. Summon the hands. We'll turn into the wind and set out a sea anchor. If we do it now, while we still have some men that aren't too worn out, it should succeed."

An older sail was brought up from the sail locker and modified to act as a sea anchor. Four extra men stood by the wheel to help the master. Another stood by with the captain's telescope. Svend just stayed out of the way and watched.

"As soon as the foretopsail's reefed, be ready to drop the sea anchor as soon as you're certain we're going to be able to come about."

"Aye aye, Captain." Fatigue was evident in John's face.

Luke turned to the group at the wheel. "All our lives are going to be in your hands. Once the sail's are reefed, she's going to want to try to turn from the wind pressure on the stern. You have to hold her! We'll go about as we reach the crest of a wave. Let the wind and the rudder work together. I'll give you a warning as the wave approaches. Understand?" The grim nods assured Luke they knew what to do.

As the ship reached the top of the next crest, Luke scanned to horizon to see if any rogue waves could be spotted. The rain and spray reduced visibility. Within the limited horizon from the storm, everything was normal. He called out, "Reef the foretopsail, Mr. Barrow, and prepare the sea anchor!"

John and the sailors in the foretop started to reef in the sail. Immediately, the master at the helm motioned for help. Luke was watching the waves approach from the stern, counting the time between crests. When one of the hands called out that the sail was furled, Luke stepped over to the wheel. "Mr. Cochrane, we're going to do it on the next wave. Let her sag a point off to port now. When I tell you, take her hard-a-port."

"Aye aye, Captain. Hard-a-port on your command."

The ship settled to the bottom of the trough and then the stern started to rise. As soon as he could see over the wave, Luke gave the signal for hard-a-port and the rudder was set hard over. The effect was immediate. The ship tilted to starboard and started turning. John cast loose the sea anchor just as the crest of the wave passed the bow. Two more men joined those at the wheel to hold it. Everyone held their breath, trying to turn the ship by prayer alone.

They had timed it perfectly. By the time the ship sank in the next trough, the sea anchor had taken hold and the result on the ship's motion was noticeable. With her head into the wind, the corkscrew action was gone and one man could handle the wheel.

A cannon shot sounded through the wind.

A quick scan of the horizon showed two ships still within view. The 
Kristina
 was about a mile astern, off the port quarter, and appeared to be readying for the same maneuver the 
Köbenhavn
 had just completed. The other ship was the 
Hamburg
 and she was definitely in trouble. She was missing her bonaventure mast completely and the mizzenmast appeared damaged. Rheinwald's only choice seemed to be to try and run with the wind. She quickly disappeared into the rain squalls.

Luke murmured, "May God have mercy on them," closed the telescope and returned to the tasks of steadying the 
Köbenhavn
 on its new heading. There was nothing he could do to help.

* * *

It took two more days for the storm to blow itself out. By noon the third day, the wind had veered to the south and brought a warm hint of spring. Four very bedraggled looking ships regrouped and hove to within hailing distance to begin repairs. After sunset, Luke retired to his cabin to eat his first hot meal in four days and consider the impact of the damage on the expedition. The 
Kristina
 had lost a mainmast spar that carried away a ten foot section of rail when it came down. Captain Johannson had been able to salvage the spar and was preparing to raise it back into place. The livestock had suffered minimal losses, thanks to an ingenious idea by one of the sheep farmers from Stromness. A little whiskey in the feed grain had kept the larger animals relaxed. The 
Wilhelm
 had suffered the only known casualties of the storm. Two sailors had been washed overboard and an older farmer had died of an apparent heart attack. Luke planned to be rowed over in the morning with Pastor Bauman to conduct a funeral and memorial service. The 
Henriette Marie
 had only minor damage. There was no sign of the 
Hamburg
 or the two fishing boats. Given the situation the last time he saw her, Luke was certain the 
Hamburg
 had gone down. The two fishing boats were probably already off the Grand Banks fishing.

An insistent voice finally broke through his musings. Svend repeated his question again. "How soon do you think we'll sight the 
Hamburg
 ?"

Luke started to voice his thoughts, but paused when he realized why Svend was so concerned. There was a slight chance she was still safe so he softened the answer. "I don't know, son. Rheinwald's one of the best captains I know. Given the damage they had the last time I saw them, they're not likely to be able to rendezvous before we reach Bell Island. If the winds go foul or she meets another storm, we might not see her until after we reach Hudson's Bay."

Svend visibly brightened. "I know she's all right. I'd sense it if she was gone."

Luke started to ask how he could tell when a ship was all right when he realized who the "she" was. He put his arm around Svend's shoulder, "I know you're close to Agnes, but when the sea's harsh, how do you know she's safe?"

"I've known when people close to me were in trouble. I knew when Father died. I'm sure she's fine."

Luke's unspoken thought was, "
Keep your hopes, son. They're all we have now and they're thin at best
 ."

* * *

The next morning, an unexpected cry roused the ship.

"Land ho, off the starboard bow!"

There was a rush of feet on deck as the passengers and crew hurried to catch sight of land. Svend went to Captain Foxe's cabin to make sure he'd been told. He passed John Barrow on the way. When he entered the cabin, Luke was slowly getting dressed.

"Sir, aren't you coming on deck?"

"There's no hurry, we're still nearly a week from land."

"But the sighting?"

"I believe we'll find out shortly that the land is nothing but an iceberg. I'm surprised we haven't seen them sooner."

Two minutes later, John knocked on the door and then entered, "As you suspected, Captain, just an iceberg. I'll have the boat ready for you after you finish eating."

Luke nodded and motioned Svend to have a seat at the table, "After you finish breakfast, make sure to dress warmly. I'd like you to accompany the pastor and me for the service. I'll have some words to say afterward and I'd like you to hear them."

After a quick meal, Svend ducked back to his cabin and picked up his cloak. When he emerged on deck, John already had the boat alongside. A quick glance around the horizon now showed a number of icebergs in sight, including a small one that was passing off the starboard side. In the early morning light, it appeared blue-white and sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. A pair of bedraggled albatrosses were perched on it, resting. "I wish Agnes was here to see this. When I get back, maybe I'll draw a picture of it for her." He hurried across the deck and carefully climbed down the battens to the waiting boat.