THE HISTORY

OF SHOPPOLIS ISLANDS

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The Arrival of the Fawn, May 1784

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The Fawn

     ......The next ship to sail into the islands was a modest 14-gun brig, recently from Philadelphia, crewed by 30 men and 3 officers.  The date was May 30, 1784.  To this day, no one knows how the ship drifted into SI without being noticed by all the high-placed watch personnel.  She just seemed to appear. 

    The Fawn, as she was named, was quite impressive, though long in the tooth.  She had royals on both masts and studding sails.  She flew no flag, so her allegiances could not be determined nor her intentions anticipated.  When the alarms of her startling appearance were sounded, the islands became alive with practiced activity.  Everyone knew what to do, where to be and how to protect against, and prepare for, what could happen.  If the ship was hostile, certain procedures would be followed, and if the ship friendly, others exercised.  Regardless of which situation materialized, the islanders were as ready as they could be.

      When the brig rounded the point at the bay's mouth, her crew was obviously taken somewhat by surprise.  Her rudder was, most likely, hard over, and to turn away would mean showing a broadside to those in the cove.  This could be interpreted as a sign of challenge.  They moved about in a manner that suggested that the did not expect to see a ship already anchored ahead.  They also showed signs that indicated their immediate respect for a ship moored in a manner that had all her port guns to bear on the mouth of the bay.  In addition, the Fawn's actions spoke of clear resignation that there was nothing her crew could do to equalize the situation.  The Fawn was drifting bow-on right toward the Prize Mary and her threatening weaponry.  A brig with her bow toward a double-decker was certain suicide.  Quickly, the Fawn's drooping and flopping sails were dropped, and the vessel drifted within hailing distance of the Prize Mary.  Without any word, the men of the ship began waving happily and swinging out on the ratlines and deck rails.  Their antics were disarming, but those on the Prize Mary and beaches did not show any signs of lowering their guard.

     The crew of the Fawn, continued to drop sail in a way that clearly indicated to the Prize Mary complement that they had no intent upon engaging the larger ship in any form of conflict or combat.  She continued on until she slowed enough to let her anchors go.  Captains Shopp and Cryde watched the folly of the smaller ship assuming that some type of cleverly masked engagement could be possible.  Just as Cryde was thinking about a single cannon shot toward the maverick ship, he eyed the quarterdeck of the vessel as she pivoted on her rodes.  An interesting picture of a man revealed himself.  He obviously knew he was being studied, and had clearly been told by the man with the glass next to him, that now would be a good time to signal.  The captain of the brig removed his hat in a salute.  Cryde did not give the order to fire, but he remained on full alert.  These probable pirates could be quite charming when required to be that way.

     Suddenly, the anchors gripped the bottom, and the brig rested back on her lines by swinging her stern to.  Everyone was thrown about, and in short order, the ship's stern was facing the Prize Mary.  Without hesitation, a longboat was winched over the side, and a number of men boarded it.  Just before shoving off, a colorful figure in full regalia stepped into a lift of some sort and was lowered ceremonially into the skiff.  Once aboard, the man, dressed in a manner of the last century, assumed a position due an admiral.  He had one foot on a thwart and the other cocked.  He was dressed in a flamboyant manner more fitting a beau on land than a captain at sea, but as Cryde had pointed out, pirates were not known for the conservative natures or modest styling. 

     The crew on Prize Mary made ready a welcoming committee that included small arms and cutlasses.  Captain Shopp allowed Captain Cryde to leave the quarterdeck and make his way across the waist to the rail.  It was not long before the longboat aligned itself perfectly against the ship.  The senior officer looked up and waved a cheery greeting and greeted Captain Cryde and his staff in at least ten languages.  Cryde made a gesture of respect and addressed the stranger in English.  The officer seemed relieved to note his own native language being spoken.  The officer turned his eyes to his captain then back to Cryde.  "Sir, may I present the owner and captain of the independent brig, Fawn, recently of the waters of French Polynesia and vicinity, Captain Ezra Baleau."  The officer almost bowed, as the colorful master of the ship stepped forward.  He was invited aboard by Mr. Cryde.  "And your ship is?" he inquired.  Cryde did not respond at first.

     Once the makeshift formalities were behind them, the two captains spoke for a moment or two before, Cryde escorted the man to the quarterdeck.  Once facing Captain Shopp, the man smiled a vibrant, capturing smile, removed his hat, bowed deeply and introduced himself as Master Captain Ezra Benford Baleau of the independent, commercial Brig, Fawn.  This unusual officer was dressed like he was from a recent play, and seemed delighted with its effect on the conservative officers of the Prize Mary.  His effect on the women who peeked out from various hatches and companionways about the ship was also interesting.  His demeanor was quite effective, and Captain Shopp was forced to smile.  The other captain grinned a wide toothy grin and put out his hand.  There was a most effective gap in his row of teeth, but it only seemed to lend the man more character than detract from his well-chiseled face.  The two men shook.  Neither realized at that moment how intense their friendship would become over the next few years and how indispensable they would be to each other.  It was almost like two halves of the same puzzle coming together in one flash of time, one decorative and elaborate, the other staid and conservative.

     Having made the officer comfortable in Shopp's cabin and his immaculately uniformed boat crew relaxed on deck, the group of Prize Mary people began inquiring of the mission of the Fawn.  For the next few hours the buoyant officer strode about waving his hands and speaking in figurative language.  He emphasized various points with references from a variety of languages including a few local ones complete with dialects.  It appeared that he cursed occasionally, but this was not clear.  He relayed story after story of his adventures over the last few years and the reputation the Fawn and its crew had developed in the Indies.  It appeared that the ship was part of a loose arrangement with the East India Company in its Country Service area in Asia and was in continuous commerce trading in used equipment and parts.  The captain pointed out that used equipment and parts were easy to handle, store, and nothing ever rotted, "a bit rusty at time, but never rotted.". 

     Baleau had personally met and had brandy with Samual Wallis in 1767, was in the company of Captain Louis-Antoine de Bougainville when he claimed French Polynesia for France in 1768.  He said he sat fascinated with the remarkable Captain James Cook, whom he had the pleasure of dining with in 1769 and was a friend of various chiefs on various islands around "the area" as he called it. His various dealings and quick exits from threatening situations had everyone laughing as he relayed an assortment of predicaments from which he had escaped throughout Indonesia.  He told of one event where he had to actually run down to the waterfront, "naked as the day I was born," to avoid the pursuit of a gentlemen who seemed "unwilling to share the charms of his woman, one of unequaled beauty and grace."  The fact that this striking woman was the wife of the town's lead official did not seem to enter into Captain Baleau's equation of right to wrong.

     Suddenly, he stopped and struck an imposing contrapasto.  He let his eyes roam over the roomful of men and asked quietly what ship he and his men had the pleasure of meeting.  It had suddenly dawned on the vibrant captain that he had no idea to whom he was speaking.  Shopp deferred to Captain Cryde who introduced each individual in the room.  He referred to Captain Shopp last.  The officer seemed immensely pleased and actually moved about the room shaking various hands.  He stood back and announced that he would have his crew transfer a keg of marvelous brandy to the Prize Mary as a gift of friendship.  All eyes went to Captain Shopp who smiled at the man.  In an even voice, Shopp informed the officer that he was in command of a dry ship, and that he had no objection to a single toast, but that was all. 

     The officer summoned a young cabin boy, who, after receiving his directions, requested his leave of Captain Shopp.  It was granted.  It was surprising that Shopp showed signs of being impressed.  The boy made his way on deck and dropped down to the Fawn's boat crew who immediately rose to their feet and stood firmly.  He made some gestures and conveyed his message.  The men immediately manned the longboat and rowed off toward their ship.  It was some fifteen moments later that the boat returned with a small cask and the cabin boy.  The cask was brought aboard and presented to Captain Shopp for his acceptance.  Captain Baleau respectfully stated that it would be his privilege and honor to provide the Prize Mary with a toast, and that the Captain should distribute the brandy as he saw fit.  He waited for Shopp's response.

     Shopp accepted the gift and had it set before the quarterdeck rail.  A nod brought those hiding below decks topside in rows.  The number of people and their range of types astonished the brig captain who removed his hat and stared at the rows of women, children and men.  Silently the entire ship stood in quiet as if waiting for a pass-in-review.  Captain Shopp announced that this good captain and his crew had seen fit to provide a gift of brandy to those of the Prize Mary.  A cheer went up, and Baleau bowed deeply.  His boat crew were smiling in return.  Both captains had their crews stand down, and only those on each ship stood watch remained armed and ready.

     The rest of the day was spent relaxing until a deluge of rain sent everyone scrambling for cover.  Shortly, everyone reappeared on deck and trying to ignore the oppressive humidity and impending darkness.  Soon, the air normalized, the temperature returned to its comfortable range for the evening.  Candles were lit, and some stores were opened to celebrate and to relieve the tension that was almost ten months old.  Even though the cask of brandy did not allow for more than one serving each, those who enjoyed the gift seemed quite merry.  Enough was conserved to allow those on watch and on the nearby peaks to enjoy later.

    The brig's Captain, a robust man of 49, by his own admission, had many of the mannerisms typical of a dashing younger man, and seemed to attract many an eye from the young women of the Prize Mary.  His grace and demeanor was quite impressive, and he was polite to a fault.  Shopp felt that if this man was willing to admit it, he was probably from the privileged class of England or transposed to America.  Either way, his bearing was too ingrained to be learned; it seemed instinctive. 

   The Fawn's crew, comprising mostly old salts and experienced hands, was quite enough to operate the compact ship, but a trained eye could see that she should experience a thorough refurbishing soon.  The crew seemed relaxed and appeared to need refurbishing as well.  Captain Shopp offered to assist in adding provisions for the brig's impending departure, which Baleau accepted graciously.  What Shopp did not anticipate was various delays would cause that departure to be realized close to three months later.  The Fawn sparkled in the tropical sun and sailed away complete with newly constructed and installed drum steering and a beautiful spoked wheel, but without Captain Baleau, who decided at the last moment to turn the ship over to the second-in-command, Master's Mate Dan Tackle, a 42-year old grizzly man who looked like he would bite.

      After the ship was waved away, and the beach people returned to the settlement, they found Baleau seated within a ring of Prize Mary ladies.  He was describing the construction and history of his hat.  Shopp, who had come into the clearing from another direction was surprised at seeing him, but after a moment's thought, realized that he might have to face this type of surprise for some time.  He reacted to the situation by laughing out loud and returning to the bush.  Those who remained looked at each other with eyebrows raised.  No one had ever seen the Captain laugh out loud.  One of the young ladies, Margaret Blaine, whose brother had been married to Ms. Carla Bowen on the first leg of their voyage by Captain Shopp, was particularly taken with the Captain's laugh. 

    The new terms of their service impressed the men of the Fawn, which made Shopp and his staff much more relaxed.  A ship like the Fawn, if in the hands of the right people, and manned correctly, could cause considerable harm to the new community.  Five of the crew came ashore and were replaced by five crewmembers from the Prize Mary.  The date was February 21, 1784.  The wealth of knowledge Shopp gleaned from Captain Baleau and his five men, and the wealth of experience and local information Crenna and Devlin got from the crew of the ship, more than compensated for the outlay Captain Shopp provided.  Some of it would almost be considered priceless.  Shopp and Baleau had much time to reminisce about Philadelphia; they actually found that they had some common acquaintances.  Captain Shopp was not surprised that some of their mutual friends were down back streets and in the darkness.  They seemed mildly surprised that they both were familiar with Captain Sweet and his "Feenick."  Shopp did not mention the rolled manuscript.

     Captain Baleau equipped Crenna with papers of introductions and many more, "items" of barter and negotiation he knew to be essential to make their missions easier and more profitable.  Crenna treated these items like gold and was delighted when his new crew gathered to brief him and Devlin on their back-street, alley connections.  The Fawn was renewed, and her crew rejuvenated.

TABLE 1.  THE ORIGINAL CREW OF THE FAWN (33)

(as conveyed by Midshipman Barry Drill)

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