Kookie

While I will agree the chapter definitely seem short, it ended at a natural break in the story so I am not at all upset by it. I expect to see a strong friendship develop between Gatling and Kingsdale (I believe they are the same age). But with the extra midshipmans and assuming good whaling sailors are rescued, the problem of how to handle prizes is reduced.

Correct me if I am wrong. But Granger did not find out that Maidstone had sailed until after he had seen the King and the Duke of Claremont, so he could not have mentioned it. Also Spencer indicated Grangers orders were "discussed" with the privy council plus carrying he is carrying authority to appoint the Govenor if needed, therefore I am sure the King, the Prince of Wales, and Duke are well aware of the circumstances. Now as to handling prizes, assuming he keeps the prizes with him until he has a couple and is sucessful in obtaining the release of the British and American sailors, it should be no problem to send a fleet of prizes under 1 officer to a British port. In addition, remember Granger has interest in a Privateer in West Indies. It might be possible they meet up, thus reducing the demand on Granger to crew the prizes. Also Brazil is a colony of Portugal (a British allie) so friendly ports are available. It will be intersting to see how Mark plays it out. As far as the pardon for Dr. Jackson, I am surprise how quickly it was granted. I'm sure there will be no problem with the terms and seems to limit the Admiralty from posting the Dr to any ship not under Grangers command.

I do not see the Earl's offer as odd. Nor have I seen the "problems" you have indicated. Granger often dropped in on his parents unannounced, such as during breakfast when he recieved the King's summons to appear for his rise to peerage. Or at midnight when he arrived back in England shortly after Caroline had moved the household. Or when the Earl sent Bertie the family ring after it was decided Granger would be sailing to the East Indies. In each of those cases Granger neither had appointments with his parents nor was the hour consider normal visiting hours. In addition, while I have always beeen welcome in parents house (when they were still alive) since I moved out I would usually but not always inform them of plans in advance. That I considered to be common courtesy. As far as maids and nannys raising them as children yes that would limit contact during the early stages of their lives, but that seems to have disappeared when Granger reached his teen-age years (with is the current case of the young Baron).

Where to begin? Let's start with Kingsdale. It appears the young Lord will be taken under the wings of the Grainger, the Earl and Caroline. Between them and with the help of the crown and Royal family, the Kingsdale estate may return to some form of prosperity. Afterall while not an English peer, Kingsdale is part of the aristocracy and they care of their own. Lord Hood chose wisely in asking Grainger in taking the young Lord into crew of the Bacchante. Maidstone's apparent appointment as Bertie's replacement is interesting. I expect the Wilcoxes are involved somehow, but that will difficukt to prove. Given his apparent animosity to Grainger and the power a Governor weilds, I hope Grainger orders are countersigned by the crown to prevent Maidstone from commandeering the ship once they reach the Indies. The good doctor seems to present a problem. At least he will not be tranferred, I can not see anyone overruling the command given by the Duke of Clarence to keep the Dr on board. That leaves the situation between Maidstone and the Dr to ferment while they cruise to the Indies. One can only hope for a reconcilliation or at least an enforced truce during the voyage. Of course there is a slight possibility the the good Dr does not sail but rather is secretived to the estate of Lord Kingsdale, out the hands of Maidstone's lackey's. The replacement of Bertie by Maidstone leads to questions, but will not be resolve before the ship sails. However, in tackling Grainger, Maidstone will find out that he holds a losing hand especially when the Earl, Caroline, the Duke of Clarence and Arthor combine their political forces to undercover the plot.

While your senario might be possible, there are a couple of problems with it. First Dr. Jackson's situation will probably be resolved before the ship sails, it serves no purpose to leave the Dr with a noose around his neck. However a Maidstone as a replacement for Bertie is possible but would lead to animosity aboard ship. Second, the reason for replacing Bertie as Govenor will not permit his staying. He(Bertie) has apparently step on toes in the St James Company and must go, pure and simple.

I have to wonder given that Grainger's Ship is essentially ready for the seas and the Nore Munity all but eliminating Englands capability to bottle up the Dutch fleet if orders were not sent for Grainger to join Duncan's remaining fleet of 2 ships of the line and a few frigates to stop any breakput of the Dutch fleet. Sort of a shake down cruise while the powers to be determine Bertie's replacement.

I seriously doubt that Wilcox (anyone of them) would be considered for the post. The Wilcoxes are associated with Fox who is a thorn in the side of both the King and the Crown Prince, and while expendable the individual would still represent the crown and not a minor political sub-section of a party.

While I agree Calder was acting like an a**hole, his ties to Jervis almost requires that he build up the action and accomplishments of Jervis. What he fails to see is Nelson's deeds reflect positively on Sir John and thus need not diminished. Hopefully, Sir Gilbert as the polished diplomat he is will be able to influence the published reports to credit the entire fleet for their role. As to the Sommers, Sir Phillip and Granger triangle, there is no reason to worry at all. Sir Phillip and Sommers are just enjoying the heretowith forbidden fruit of each other. Once that novelty wears off both will return to the Granger stable (so to speak). It will be interesting what Lennox reports to the Admiralty. Since Lennox's report will surely be made before Calder's formal report reaches London, it is his report as well as Grainger's and Sir Phillips that will slant the opinion of the powers to be.