He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 367

(367) Sidney Smith Dreams of Kidnapping the Vice-King

Jamaica, a British colony since 1655.

“Those famous British pirates thrived right here in Port Royal, Jamaica! Heh heh!”

Eugene gazed at the island of Jamaica, south of Cuba, from the ship.

Originally, this place would only be known for reggae music in the original history.

But now, it is infamous as a sugarcane slave plantation and the base of those famous [Caribbean Pirates].

It’s ironic that these words are coming from a French ‘Caribbean’ pirate.

Eugene turned to look at Robert Surcouf, who until recently had been plundering British-held islands.

“I haven’t seen any pirates since we came near here. Is it true?”

“That’s because we’ve caught them all. The British Royal Navy is someone to avoid when they clash, but pirates are nothing.”

“Then, what would happen if a battle broke out now?”

Standing on the deck of the warship [Conqueror], which was too high-spec to be a pirate ship, Robert laughed heartily.

“Shall we try a threatening maneuver? Your Highness?”

In the distance, a total of 20 warships, 10 frigates, and 15 brigs were approaching.

Edward Berry’s existing Caribbean fleet.

The Bermuda fleet guarding the Bermuda Island base.

The Canadian fleet attacking America from Halifax.

And even Sidney Smith’s Atlantic fleet, which had come as a support fleet to the Atlantic and was implementing the Continental Blockade [a trade embargo against Great Britain enacted by Napoleon].

Of course, judging by numbers alone, Nelson’s fleet that fought off Alexandria was larger and more splendid.

However, unlike the Mediterranean, which is Europe’s backyard, the Caribbean is very far from Britain.

Moreover, the British government is more interested in the Indian Ocean than the Atlantic.

So, the British fleet gathered off the coast of Jamaica is almost the entire Atlantic force.

It seems like an overreaction, but it can’t be helped.

On this side, the French-Spanish fleet has 21 warships alone.

The disguised pirate, Robert’s fleet, has 2 warships and 15 frigates.

In addition, 3 steamships have gathered.

Eugene smiled, looking around the fleet where the entire French-Nueva España navy was gathered.

“I want to test a new tactic. We’re going to fight Britain anyway.”

“If you allow it, I will cut off Sidney’s head in an instant.”

“What if I get thrown into the sea? Sidney is not someone to be careless with. Consider him an opponent on the same level as Nelson.”

At that, Robert, who was always full of confidence, paused for a moment.

Robert had never clashed head-on with Sidney before.

But what if he was an admiral on par with Nelson?

Robert remembered the naval battle that took place off Malta before the Battle of Alexandria.

Remembering the Mediterranean fleet that was completely defeated at that time, Robert twisted his lips.

“Even so, dying together is possible. Your Highness.”

Of course, that tactic was a secret weapon that Eugene had also considered against Nelson.

But if he used that method here, Eugene would never be able to return to Europe.

Because 200 warships of the British Royal Navy would rush in from all over the world.

Eugene smiled quietly and raised his telescope towards the northeast.

“That will be the job of the American navy, not us.”

At that moment, another fleet appeared between the horizon and the islands.

-Swish!

Robert also hurriedly raised his telescope and burst into cheers.

“They really came!”

The Stars and Stripes fluttered in the wind.

The American Atlantic Fleet had appeared.

There wasn’t a single warship yet, but the frigates looked huge.

Especially noticeable was the ship that visited Pensacola, the Constitution.

Eugene lowered his telescope and nodded.

“It must be Admiral John Rodgers. But the admiral is just testing the waters. What are you going to do, Robert?”

“Heh heh heh! A sailor who doesn’t want to fight must be driven into an environment where he has no choice but to fight. Just watch!”

“What are you going to do? The Horus approaching the British fleet is a signal of engagement, which is dangerous. Also, the British will practically consider the Conqueror a French ship.”

However, Robert Surcouf laughed and directly raised the flag.

“I’ll show you there’s another way. Boys, show His Highness your skills!”

On the deck of the Conqueror, the sailors began to move busily.

-Swish, swish, swish!

Moving the complex sails, adjusting the ropes, and riding the wind.

They watched the direction of the current through the fish, and then readjusted the sails with a shout.

That’s how sailing ships, powerless ships without engines or oars, move on the sea.

-Squeak!

Seeing the American ship approaching so quickly, Eugene raised his eyebrows.

“Are we attacking the American fleet?”

“Anyway, all the frigates in our fleet are privateers, commonly known as pirates. So, does it matter whether it’s America or Britain?”

“What if the Americans start firing?”

Robert chuckled and raised his telescope.

“That’s what I’m aiming for!”

Moving the ship is the job of the navigator and sailors.

So, what does the captain do?

Urgently respond to changes in the situation.

For example, a tense American gunner on the Constitution accidentally ignites a cannon, or some other unexpected situation.

-Bang!

Seeing the cannonball pass far in front of the ship, Robert boldly said.

“Look. The American fleet started the engagement first. Hahaha!”

Thus, in April 1806, the Battle of Jamaica suddenly began.

***

The man who is most pleased at this moment exists in the Caribbean.

“Good! Finally, Eugene Freiherr is in my hands!”

On the flagship Theseus, Vice-Admiral Hardy rebuked Sidney, who was shouting with joy.

“He’s not in your hands yet, Admiral.”

“Hardy, you were never a beloved subordinate under Admiral Nelson either, were you? Huh?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t hear as much as the Admiral hears from the Secretary of the Navy. Besides, what about that ship presumed to be a [steamship]?”

Suddenly, Sidney turned his gaze.

At sea, with the island of Jamaica in the Caribbean visible.

A large-scale force of nearly 40 warships from both sides has gathered.

The American fleet, which suddenly joined in, is firing and engaging in battle.

Of course, they seem to be attacking pirate ships without flags, presumed to be French privateers, so they don’t even know who the enemy is.

However, the British fleet has the best steering skills in this sea.

But there is one thing that is bothering me.

A ship covered in steel that emits smoke from time to time, without sails.

A new type of ship from the Nouvelle France government, presumed to have a steam engine installed.

Sidney actually witnessed this ship when he encountered Robert’s privateer fleet, and now that ship is visible.

It’s the Nautilus.

“Hmph, I don’t know if it’s a steamship, a charcoal ship, or just a disguised chimney ship, but it’s slow anyway. It’s only threatening when there’s no wind.”

Sidney lightly dismissed the Nautilus and raised his baton.

“Now, charge in a column!”

Sidney’s order was transmitted to the entire fleet by the flag signal at the bow.

-Swish, swish, swish!

Strictly speaking, Sidney is not the highest-ranking officer in the British Atlantic Combined Fleet.

However, the British admirals who had been assigned to the Atlantic had different ideas, but they all agreed on one thing.

The Vice-King of Nouvelle France, Eugene Bonaparte, is the greatest threat to Britain.

But today, the opportunity to catch him has come.

That’s why even Admiral Berry follows Sidney’s words.

“Are the coastal batteries ready?”

“They probably are. But it depends on how diligent the Governor of Jamaica is.”

“Then, let’s rely on luck and let the French Navy and the American Navy clash with each other!”

Suddenly, Sidney gestured as if twisting his hand and shouted.

“This is the maneuver of the world’s strongest British fleet!”

As if by wireless transmission, the fleet moved according to Sidney’s gestures.

There is only one fleet in the world in the early 19th century that can show such movement at sea, let alone on land.

The British Royal Navy.

Of course, it’s not that they’re moving because Sidney is gesturing now, but because they’ve been sending hand signals and flag signals all along.

Above all, Britain is completely familiar with the waters around here.

“Now, Eugene Freiherr! You’re in my hands!”

On the other hand, the Nouvelle France fleet is just traveling around the New World.

Knowing the sea is similar to knowing where the roads are on land.

Even if the waterways look similar on the surface, the flow of the currents is completely different.

Now the French fleet, especially Eugene’s famous [Horus], is in sight.

-Bang!

Sidney frowned at the sudden sound of gunfire.

“What is this?”

Suddenly, along with the explosion of the cannonball hitting the ship, a simultaneous explosion occurred.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

Sidney staggered for a moment from the fierce explosion and grabbed the ship.

This situation is unfamiliar even to Sidney, a veteran of naval battles.

But Hardy, who had fought Eugene in Alexandria, was different.

Hardy, who had turned pale, shouted.

“It’s a bursting shell, Admiral!”

“A new type of French shell? Isn’t that only available in the home country, and even then, only for the army?”

“It seems they’re producing it in the New World too! Also, I remember seeing those shells in Alexandria!”

Sidney frowned and scoffed.

Even if there are new shells, they only have an effect if they hit.

However, in Sidney’s view, the Nouvelle France fleet is not showing very skillful movements.

The allied Spanish fleet, surprised by the sudden shelling, doesn’t even move.

Rather, now that there is a battle situation, no one will protest even if they capture the Vice-King of Nouvelle France.

“Hmph, it won’t work against our elite navy! Besides, this is actually a good thing! Huh?”

At that moment, Sidney saw a strange sight.

-Poo-ooo!

A ship emitting smoke can be seen in the distance.

The steamship, Nautilus.

But the direction is strange.

Instantly, Sidney threw down his telescope and screamed.

“Why is the Nautilus appearing from over there!”

Before he knew it, the Nautilus was running along the northeastern coast, beyond the battlefield.

***

Of course, the Nautilus is not the only one going.

“Eugene, what’s going to happen now?”

In an era when steamships were slow when they couldn’t catch the wind.

Therefore, the Nautilus always moves with two or more sailing ships.

Currently, the Horus, which Eugene is on, and the accompanying Mercury.

Eugene smiled at Marie, who was standing next to him.

He was impressed that she had endured well without trembling, even though she was watching from afar and there was a battle situation.

“We have to go full speed ahead.”

“Huh? We’re still in the middle of a battle.”

“That’s why we have to go.”

Eugene looked back.

“While the entire British Navy is fighting here.”

This was Eugene’s plan from the beginning.

Concentrate the forces of France, Spain, and the privateer fleet in Jamaica.

Then, wait for Britain to bring as many fleets as possible.

Soon after, request help from the United States to form a blockade.

After that, create a battle situation to confuse the waters and escape.

However, there is one problem here.

Looking at the warships bombarding and floundering, Marie frowned.

“Won’t this be considered a declaration of war?”

“It doesn’t matter. War will break out anyway when you and I return to Europe.”

“What?”

Eugene turned to Marie and shrugged.

“Our return has that meaning, Marie. But, anyway, Father will be preparing for war.”

In the meantime, Eugene has been avoiding fighting Britain directly.

But it is 1806, and three years have passed since the birth of the French Empire.

By now, Napoleon will be annoyed with the unyielding Britain.

Conversely, Pitt [William Pitt the Younger, British Prime Minister] will surely be terrified of the growing France.

In an era when Europe dominates the world, the two major powers of Europe are now on the verge of clashing.

Eugene turned his gaze.

In the distance, Sidney’s flagship, Theseus, is trying to get out somehow, but Robert is grabbing him by the scruff of the neck.

Eugene lightly took off his hat and waved it as if to say goodbye.

“Well then, Sidney Smith. Let’s meet in the Atlantic off Europe next time.”

April 1806.

Nouvelle France and Britain finally entered a state of engagement in Jamaica.

Meanwhile, Eugene and Marie secretly left for the Atlantic.

Just like when Napoleon left Egypt in the original history.