Friday, 4 January 2013

1814 Overture



Copyright - Lora Mitchell
© Lora Mitchell


1814 Overture



“We must flush these rats from their holes, Number One, their continued defiance is an affront to our Sovereign’s forces. Once this task is complete we can be about our main mission.”

“How shall we accomplish this, Captain? Are not the enemy entrenched in a well prepared, fortified position and prepared for our onslaught?”

“We have our new weapon to deploy against them. The effect will be to shock and awe them. Mark my words, Number One, men will sing of this day for many a year. Helmsman, bring us about. Prepare the Congreves! We’ll dismast that dishrag ensign first.”



100 words

@nickjohns999



This story was written for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields Friday Fictioneers Challenge
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11 comments:

  1. janet4 January 2013 at 23:34

    Once I looked up "Congreves", all became clear to me. Love the "dishrag ensign." To a mind that's been wrapped around episodes of Battlestar Galactica, it was of a piece with what I've been seeing.

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    Replies
    1. Nick5 January 2013 at 16:24

      Janet
      Thanks. I consciously tried to avoid any of the words from the poem that later became their anthem, so the much clearer 'rockets' was out, I'm afraid :-)

      Delete
  2. billgncs5 January 2013 at 05:27

    Rockets? I had always read that both sides feared where they would end!

    Enjoyed the story.

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    Replies
    1. Nick5 January 2013 at 07:09

      Thanks for popping in Bill!
      Yes, the early Congreve rockets were notorious for veering off on their own path. The addition of a stick (rather like those on domestic fireworks)ameliorated this to some extent but their chief battlefield effectiveness seems to have lain in frightening both side's animals!

      Delete
  3. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields5 January 2013 at 11:19

    Dear Nick,
    You taught me something today. Well done! I was there on the deck watching the rockets red glare.
    Shalom,
    Rochelle

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  4. Mary G Shipman5 January 2013 at 13:23

    Enjoyed your post, and I too had to look up Congreves. So new knowledge has been obtained. ;) I thank you for that.

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  5. Nick5 January 2013 at 16:23

    Thanks for your comments Guys. I am glad that you enjoyed the story - imparting new knowledge comes as a no cost option :-)

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  6. tedstrutz6 January 2013 at 00:49

    The War of 1812... Nice!

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  7. Douglas MacIlroy7 January 2013 at 00:58

    Dear Nick,

    This was a great slice of history served up with good dialog and a great deal of panache. Well done.

    Aloha,

    Doug

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    Replies
    1. Nick7 January 2013 at 06:09

      Thanks Doug.
      Whilst we could not enter Baltimore harbour, we did manage to burn the White House, so the war wasn't a total failure :-)

      Delete

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