Fireship

FIRE AND FURY He guessed that the mission wasn’t going to be particularly adventurous or suited to his style of command. But when he saw the ship he’d been given, the Nuthatch, he knew. It was a sorry bucket of boards and canvas. But no matter, it was to be a fireship, the most dangerous of maneuvers in any battle. However, there was a bright prospect to the mission. Captains of successful fireships are often rewarded handsomely, if they survive. Fireships that miss their target, or burn out uselessly, or blow up with all on board... well, death or disgrace. Fox had dealt with both before. Given a half-decent crew and fair weather George Abercrombie Fox would sail a leaking scow into Hell’s mouth. Pushing this gunpowder-laden old ship into the French port was just another part of the job, bigod! A minor tactic in the grand strategy. Or so he thought. Commander Fox would soon be in the midst of smoke, fire, and chaos again ... his favorite situation. Who else but Fox could glory in the joy of combat, laughing and leaping across a flaming deck, on a sinking ship, surrounded by the enemy?