Ft. Sewell, Marblehead - After Action Report
Humbly Submitted by Seaman Smith
July 12th, 2004

Friday
After rolling in at around 8:30pm I found that the camp was already set up and the firepit ready to go. Both Lt. Clarke and Condrick were present as was Seamen Dixon and Leet. We were lucky enough to have several of the Marines join us as well. A quiet night, the crew sat around our campfire drinking beers and writing "Dear Marblehead" letters. Later on, Bear (from Big Bear Trading) joined us.

Saturday
It seems that the Glover’s musician are cramming an entire season’s worth of music into one event. Up at 6:30 Seamen Smith and Leet got the stupid fire going after a brief struggle. I would personally like to thank Kelly who saved the day on more than one occasion. First, by helping out in the mess and providing some cookware and the cooler. The crew slowly woke up and were served breakfast. Mr. LePage, our new ship surgeon arrived and set a grand display of grim surgical tools. (a real crowd pleaser). We were also joined by Master Kersting, Seaman Marsden and were lucky enough to draft two hands from the Richmond. After doing a bit of shopping the crew headed down to the beach to do a bit of practice rowing.

Having no ladder - the crew was forced to swim out to the boat in order to board her. Seaman Dixon acted as coxwain and in rough seas maneuvered the craft out and around the point. After a little practice the crew was in good form and soon had the boat docked right near our favorite place - the Landing Pub. Of course, the crew retired to the pub. Lunch and then off to board the Pin-car-aye-something-or-other. Back to the pub, errr, I mean dock and after running the landing up against the Brigantine - we were off to open water (sort of).

Rough seas having snapped THREE different lines, the brave Somerset boarded the landing craft in heavy seas with full battle gear. With Seaman Smith at the sweep and Seamen Leet, Valentine, Marsden, and Kersting at the oars the crew purposely made its way to a now exposed causeway heading out to Gerry Island. We were soon fired upon from the rabble dug in in their holes at Ft. Sewell. Seaman Dixon in the bow soon let them have it a with heavy barrage from his blunderbuss. The landing boat swiftly ran up upon the beach with the full fury of the British Navy and the crew sprang forth and valiantly took and held the beachhead. Soon it was a firefight with two companies of rabble coming down the beach to make a fight. With fierce mortar support, the Somerset pressed the front and owned the full causeway before a group of the crew sprang forth with cutlasses drawn and cleared out a small company of the enemy. Now with the causeway fully secured and our flank protected, the Somerset called up the Marines to join in the glory. Joined now by the Marines - the British forces pour volley after volley into the Rebels who wavered at the sight. Lt. Condrick seeing his chance rallied the crew and ordered us to take the sea wall. Blood boiling the crew surged forth and stormed the wall taking it without issue. Now off the beach - the crew spread out and prepared to give fight. The remaining rabble were then, and untimely, reinforced in strength and with moral improved renewed their stance. Seaman Smith then, and perhaps not very wisely, charged a company of the scum a was hit with a volley and fell. The Somersets, undaunted, but getting thirsty, continued the fight. After several exchanges, our brave officers realized that the pub was on the other beach and decided that it was time to retire. The crew picked up the wounded Smith and fought back to the landing boat. The crew was soon at sea and thus the battle was ended. I must add that while the landing craft was putting out we witness a powerful sight. An entire company of the rebel scum, thinking us retreating - (ignorant bastards) decided to charge our brave Marines. Seeing the challenge. The Marine lined up and unflinching unleashed a devastating volley utterly destroying the rebel company to a man. Take heed friends. That is what happens when you cross blades with the mighty British Marines.

Battle having ended the crew retired and a group walked back down to the beach for a swim. Upon returning the crew was horrified at the sight of a woman being mount by her dog. Such things can not by explained in this humble report, however please believe this writer when he says - horrifying. (not to mention the daughter - ewwww). The crew quickly formed and it was to the pub we went. Food and beer and then back to the camp. When low and behold a beer truck had arrive with TAPS STICKING OUT OF THE SIDE!!!! Taking the canvas buckets the quick thinking Seaman DeVeau filled both and returned with about 4 gallons of the sweet liquid. Drink here, drink there and down to the campfire to join the Glovers with a song. Wanting to be with our own the crew retired and while some reveled late into the evening, other retired.

Sunday
What can I say. With nothing to do - the crew called on an amazing lady - Judy Anderson - the curator of the Lee Mansion. She VERY graciously gave us a tour of historic Marblehead where Pete and Aaron found their new home (an old 1730 brewery - complete with still working cistern). After a tour of the Lee Mansion (amazing - go see it) the crew hung out, packed up, and finally - called it a day.

Humbly Submitted,
Taffy

PS: Dear Marblehead, thank you for the bikinis. Your friends, the Somersets.