* From Keppel's 'Borneo.'
"Lieutenant Charles Francis Wade, whose melancholy death is recorded
in these pages, was the third son of the Rev. Thomas Wade, of the
county of Tipperary, and from an early period of life displayed a
strong predilection for that profession in which Providence ordained
that he should pass a short yet honourable career. His family did
not encourage this disposition, having no interest to ensure its
successful enterprise; but the youth, when in London, having casually
heard that the late Earl of Huntingdon was about to proceed to the
West Indies, in command of H.M.S. 'Valorous,' immediately waited upon
his lordship, and volunteered his services. Though he had no
previous acquaintance, nor introduction, the frankness of his
manners, and the good sense he exhibited at the boyish age of 14, so
won upon the noble Earl, that he at once became his patron and
friend, and he was appointed to the 'Valorous,' and sailed in her on
her destination. On her being ordered home, he was transferred to
the 'Barham,' flag-ship on the West India station, and, by his good
conduct, strongly recommended himself to her commander, the
Honourable Elphinstone Fleming, to whom, as well as to Lord
Huntingdon, he expressed his grateful attachment through life. At a
later time, whilst he was serving as mate on board H.M.S. 'Ocean,' at
Sheerness, it was suggested to him by several of his naval friends,
that he might distinguish himself by joining the British Legion, in
Spain; he accordingly accepted the rank of Captain of Artillery in
the British Legion, under Colonel Colquhoun, R.A. In 1837, he
returned from this employment, after two years' gallant devotion to
it, and memorialized the Government for promotion in the navy as a
reward for his services. In this he respectfully represented his
meritorious actions in common with the navy at sea, and the marines,
and other forces in the field; with both of which he had fought in
several very sharp engagements; in honour of which he had received
the Spanish crosses of St. Ferdinand and Isabella Catolica, and a
gold medal for commanding the guns which breached the walls of the
town of Irun, through which a party of troops entered, and under so
heavy a fire, that he had two-thirds of his gun-detachment killed and
wounded. In short, his conduct throughout was of the most gallant
description, though a slight wound was the only mark he bore of
having fought in almost every affair between the Legion and the
Carlists during the period of his stay. His preceding eight years in
the West Indies; his having been afloat from 1824 to 1835; and his
having passed his examination for a Lieutenant in 1830, with a high
character from every officer under whom he had served, were truly
urged as a farther title to the favour he solicited. Lord Minto,
then First Lord of the Admiralty, consequently appointed him to the
'Rhadamanthus,' in the Mediterranean; and in the June following, at
the coronation of Her Majesty, he obtained his commission as
Lieutenant. In 1840, he joined H.M.S. 'Curaçoa,' in the Pacific; and
here an incident occurred which may serve to show the intrepid and
chivalrous temper which formed so distinguished a feature in his
character. Cruising not far from the Southern Tropic, and a few
leagues from the meridian of the island that became the refuge of the
descendants of Christian and his comrades, another island was seen,
which was thought to be a discovery. The nature of the shore and the
sea that broke against it forbade any attempt at landing from a boat,
but access to a swimmer seemed possible; and it being considered
desirable that the new-found territory should be examined and
possession of it taken, Lieutenant Wade volunteered to perform this
service, and to swim on shore with the union jack secured to him. He
succeeded in landing, explored the island sufficiently to ascertain
that it had neither inhabitants nor shipwrecked mariners upon it, and
that it had already been visited by a British ship-of-war. He then
returned safely on board; but the consequences of the adventure were
serious, for it was followed by a severe attack of rheumatic fever,
occasioned by having remained so long in wet clothes; and finding
there was no hope of regaining his health at sea, he quitted his ship
with regret at San Elas, and returned through Mexico, to England.
"In December 1842, hardly recovered from the effects of the disease,
but determined to deserve and to obtain promotion, he was appointed
First-lieutenant of the 'Samarang,' then fitting for the survey of
the Indian Seas. In March 1844 he joined, for a short time, H.M.S.
'Driver;' and on the 5th June following was appointed First of the
'Dido.'
"It is not easy to express in adequate language, says one who knew
him intimately, the qualities by which poor Wade was distinguished,
and how much he was beloved by all his acquaintance. Brave and
enterprising, yet gentle, affectionate, and considerate of others;
firm in principle, and exact in the performance of every duty, but
unpretending, generous, and loyal: there seemed to be united in him
all the properties which, joined to skill in his profession, would
have ensured to him an eminent place in the brilliant annals of his
service. But he was of those who fall in the front, and who die too
soon for their own glory.
To his family and intimate friends his amiable, generous, and
affectionate manners endear his memory; and although they must mourn
his loss, yet they have the consolation of knowing that his whole
conduct was influenced by a sincere Christian spirit, and that he was
not less willing to devote his life to the service of his country
than to manifest in his whole conduct the exalted principles by which
he was ever influenced.