Post by PIC on Jul 8, 2023 20:11:56 GMT -5
The HMS Atalanta was a 26-gun frigate of the Royal Navy berthed in 1844. By January 1880, she had been relegated to serving as a training ship, setting sail from Falmouth, England en route to Bermuda. It was presumed that she sank in a powerful storm which crossed her route a couple of weeks after she sailed on her return voyage that September.
Though the exact circumstances of the ship’s loss remain uncertain, the ship’s company numbered only about 11 able seamen, with the remaining 268 crew members having little to no sailing experience. The Royal Navy refused to investigate, citing the crew’s lack of experience and likely incapacitation due to seasickness along with the devastating storm as the reason for the ship’s loss. The case was closed. A tragic end to a training mission gone wrong.
That is, at least, what the British government wants you to believe. The truth is far more nefarious. That truth has its roots in the Anglo-Nepalese war in 1814. Coming off yet another embarrassing loss in the war of 1812, King George shifted his focus for colonization into the mountainous regions north of India. Nepal defended its borders at all costs, but in the end, Nepal was defeated and became a British protectorate.
King George’s motivations, however, were far from pure. Sinking into a deeper state of insanity than ever before, the king was hell bent on using all of Britain’s resources to recover mystical ancient artifacts that could restore England’s role as the world’s most powerful empire. His lust for power was as far-reaching as ever, and his sights were firmly set on the most prized artifact in history…
The TRIAD.
With the king’s death in 1820 and the country’s crippling war debt, the search for the TRIAD was stalled. It would take thirty years until, under Queen Victoria’s reign, that Britain would set her sights on world domination once again. Expedition after unfruitful expedition were launched into the Himalayas over the next two decades. The rumors of the great pyramid that was lost at the foot of Mount Everest would consume the queen in her later years, much as it did her grandfather years earlier. However, the queen was persistent. She would not stop until the TRIAD was in British hands. Thus, in 1878, she commissioned one last grand expedition. The crown would spend 300,000 British pounds ($62 million in today’s money) amassing a crew of nearly 300 of England’s most experienced seamen helmed by the distinguished Captain Francis Stirling.
The HMS Juno was selected as his vessel of choice, first being renamed as the Mariner before its eventual re-christening as the HMS Atalanta in January 1880. Stirling and his crew set sail for greater glory on the 31st, and the rest, as they say, is history…
—May 21, 1880 | Khandbari, Nepal—
The cool Nepalese rain is a welcome gift to Captain Francis Stirling. The 22-year veteran of the British Royal Navy has spent his career sailing the seven seas, not trapesing up the vast mountain range known as the Himalayas. He and his team are nearing the crest of one such mountain as the sky opens upon them. Their guide shouts back toward the navy team.
“हामीले आँधी पास हुनको लागि पर्खनु पर्छ। यी चट्टानहरू धेरै चिप्लो छन्।.”
“What did he say?” the captain yells to the Nepalese man beside him.
“He said we need to wait for the storm to pass. The rocks are slippery ahead,” came the reply.
Stirling spins around to the 8 navy men accompanying him on this mission. “We’ll wait here until the storm passes.”
The men acknowledge his command as the group takes cover just as the light rain becomes more significant. The navy men quickly pitch two makeshift tents, one to house themselves and the other for Captain Stirling, Batsal the mountain guide, and Achut his translator. As each group settles in under their respective tents, Stirling begins to inquire more about the pyramid that was lost, shouting more than normal to compete with the rain pelting the roof.
“So he thinks there’s an opening to the pyramid just over the other side?”
Achut asks the guide the question in Nepali, then begins interpreting as Batsal speaks.
“He has lived in this area his whole life and heard the stories about the pyramid passed down for generations. There is a small opening in the ground in what looks like a mound, no taller than a man. The door remains hidden behind ice and snow most of the year, but this time of year the rain helps to melt it enough to be seen.”
Stirling sits quietly for a moment before responding. “And has anyone gone through the door?”
Achut once again interprets. “Yes, he has known of several men who thought themselves brave enough to enter, looking for the mysterious piece of the TRIAD that is said to still exist beneath those ruins.”
“And?” Stirling asks.
“None have made it out alive.”
Stirling’s face turns white as he begins fidgeting in his seat. The sound of raindrops on the top of the tent has dissipated. Batsal stands to his feet as he speaks.
“He says we can get going now,” Achut quips, as he too stands up. Stirling is still quite shaken, but knows he must exude bravery despite his deepest fears. He exits his tent and motions for his men. They make quick work taking down and packing both tents, and the group is back to hiking in no time.
As they reach the mountain’s crest, Batal points to a small snowy area at the base of a mountain. There, amid the fresh fog brought on from the rain, is what appears to be nothing more than a pile of dirt and rock. Batal shouts to Achut.
“There it is. That is what is left of the great pyramid that was lost.”
“It’s so… pedestrian,” Stirling says. “Is he sure?”
After a brief back and forth between the two Nepalese men, Achut responds. “He’s sure.”
Stirling turns to his men.
“Boys, there it is! We stand only a few thousand feet away from history. Make no mistake about it, if we are able to secure this relic, Her Majesty will forever be in our debt. For Queen Victoria!”
Then men reply in unison. “Long live the queen!”
Though the exact circumstances of the ship’s loss remain uncertain, the ship’s company numbered only about 11 able seamen, with the remaining 268 crew members having little to no sailing experience. The Royal Navy refused to investigate, citing the crew’s lack of experience and likely incapacitation due to seasickness along with the devastating storm as the reason for the ship’s loss. The case was closed. A tragic end to a training mission gone wrong.
That is, at least, what the British government wants you to believe. The truth is far more nefarious. That truth has its roots in the Anglo-Nepalese war in 1814. Coming off yet another embarrassing loss in the war of 1812, King George shifted his focus for colonization into the mountainous regions north of India. Nepal defended its borders at all costs, but in the end, Nepal was defeated and became a British protectorate.
King George’s motivations, however, were far from pure. Sinking into a deeper state of insanity than ever before, the king was hell bent on using all of Britain’s resources to recover mystical ancient artifacts that could restore England’s role as the world’s most powerful empire. His lust for power was as far-reaching as ever, and his sights were firmly set on the most prized artifact in history…
The TRIAD.
With the king’s death in 1820 and the country’s crippling war debt, the search for the TRIAD was stalled. It would take thirty years until, under Queen Victoria’s reign, that Britain would set her sights on world domination once again. Expedition after unfruitful expedition were launched into the Himalayas over the next two decades. The rumors of the great pyramid that was lost at the foot of Mount Everest would consume the queen in her later years, much as it did her grandfather years earlier. However, the queen was persistent. She would not stop until the TRIAD was in British hands. Thus, in 1878, she commissioned one last grand expedition. The crown would spend 300,000 British pounds ($62 million in today’s money) amassing a crew of nearly 300 of England’s most experienced seamen helmed by the distinguished Captain Francis Stirling.
The HMS Juno was selected as his vessel of choice, first being renamed as the Mariner before its eventual re-christening as the HMS Atalanta in January 1880. Stirling and his crew set sail for greater glory on the 31st, and the rest, as they say, is history…
—May 21, 1880 | Khandbari, Nepal—
The cool Nepalese rain is a welcome gift to Captain Francis Stirling. The 22-year veteran of the British Royal Navy has spent his career sailing the seven seas, not trapesing up the vast mountain range known as the Himalayas. He and his team are nearing the crest of one such mountain as the sky opens upon them. Their guide shouts back toward the navy team.
“हामीले आँधी पास हुनको लागि पर्खनु पर्छ। यी चट्टानहरू धेरै चिप्लो छन्।.”
“What did he say?” the captain yells to the Nepalese man beside him.
“He said we need to wait for the storm to pass. The rocks are slippery ahead,” came the reply.
Stirling spins around to the 8 navy men accompanying him on this mission. “We’ll wait here until the storm passes.”
The men acknowledge his command as the group takes cover just as the light rain becomes more significant. The navy men quickly pitch two makeshift tents, one to house themselves and the other for Captain Stirling, Batsal the mountain guide, and Achut his translator. As each group settles in under their respective tents, Stirling begins to inquire more about the pyramid that was lost, shouting more than normal to compete with the rain pelting the roof.
“So he thinks there’s an opening to the pyramid just over the other side?”
Achut asks the guide the question in Nepali, then begins interpreting as Batsal speaks.
“He has lived in this area his whole life and heard the stories about the pyramid passed down for generations. There is a small opening in the ground in what looks like a mound, no taller than a man. The door remains hidden behind ice and snow most of the year, but this time of year the rain helps to melt it enough to be seen.”
Stirling sits quietly for a moment before responding. “And has anyone gone through the door?”
Achut once again interprets. “Yes, he has known of several men who thought themselves brave enough to enter, looking for the mysterious piece of the TRIAD that is said to still exist beneath those ruins.”
“And?” Stirling asks.
“None have made it out alive.”
Stirling’s face turns white as he begins fidgeting in his seat. The sound of raindrops on the top of the tent has dissipated. Batsal stands to his feet as he speaks.
“He says we can get going now,” Achut quips, as he too stands up. Stirling is still quite shaken, but knows he must exude bravery despite his deepest fears. He exits his tent and motions for his men. They make quick work taking down and packing both tents, and the group is back to hiking in no time.
As they reach the mountain’s crest, Batal points to a small snowy area at the base of a mountain. There, amid the fresh fog brought on from the rain, is what appears to be nothing more than a pile of dirt and rock. Batal shouts to Achut.
“There it is. That is what is left of the great pyramid that was lost.”
“It’s so… pedestrian,” Stirling says. “Is he sure?”
After a brief back and forth between the two Nepalese men, Achut responds. “He’s sure.”
Stirling turns to his men.
“Boys, there it is! We stand only a few thousand feet away from history. Make no mistake about it, if we are able to secure this relic, Her Majesty will forever be in our debt. For Queen Victoria!”
Then men reply in unison. “Long live the queen!”