December 26th, 1851.
The first expedition against Lagos having failed solely from want of
sufficient force to keep possession of the town, Commodore Bruce
resolved, as soon as he could collect a sufficient number of vessels,
to send one of ample strength and thoroughly organized, which should
not fail to drive the slave-dealing chief, Kosoko, from his
stronghold.
The British squadron which, towards the end of December, the
commodore had assembled off Lagos, consisted of H.M.S. 'Penelope,'
46, flag-ship of Commodore Bruce, Captain H. Lyster; H.M.S.
'Sampson,' 68, Captain Lewis T. Jones; H.M.S. 'Waterwitch,' 8,
Commander A. Gardner; H.M.S. 'Volcano,' 5, Commander Coote; H.M.S.
'Harlequin,' Commander 'Wilmot; H.M.S. 'Bloodhound,' Lieut. Patey,
tender to 'Sampson;' H.M.S. 'Teazer,' 2, Lieut. Leckie, tender to
'Penelope;' H.M.S. 'Sealark,' 8, Commander Edward J. Southeby. The
smaller of these vessels were able to cross the bar of the river,
while the rest furnished an ample supply of boats for the expedition.
The command was given to Captain Lewis T. Jones, of the 'Sampson,'
with Captain Henry Lyster, of the 'Penelope,' as his second, both
volunteers on the occasion. They were accompanied by Commander
Hillyar, of the 'Penelope,' and Lieut. Saumarez, of the 'Sampson.'
An iron boat with rockets, belonging to Mr. Beecroft, which was also
sent, was commanded by Lieut. John Corbett, and two paddle-box boats,
by Lieutenants Edward Marshall and F. D. Rich. Everything being
ready by the 23rd of December, Captain L. T. Jones anchored the
'Sampson' at the back of the surf, in the most advantageous position
for throwing shells occasionally across the lagoon into the town. He
then crossed the bar of the Ogan with the boats of the 'Sampson' and
some of the other vessels, preceded by the 'Bloodhound,' and anchored
off Point Bruce for the night. On the morning of the 24th, on
landing on the shore some way from the town, he found Mr. Beecroft
with the ex-king, Akitoye, who had arrived just before, bringing with
him from Badagry and Abbeokuta some 500 men; while others, who came
in through the course of the day, made their numbers amount in all to
640. Having mustered and inspected these troops, Captain Jones
distributed to them, as a mark of recognition, a white neck-tie, with
which they seemed much pleased. He likewise ordered that they should
be supplied with three days' bread from the 'Bloodhound.'
At 2 P.M. the 'Bloodhound' weighed, and crossed to the opposite side
of the river, where the boats of the 'Sampson,' under the orders of
Lieut. Thomas Saumarez, were sent to launch all the canoes at the
slave-station on the left bank worth bringing off. At 3 Lieut.
Saumarez returned, having in a very short time launched seven large
and two small canoes--a most desirable acquisition for the conveyance
of the auxiliary forces. The landing party was covered by the guns
of the 'Bloodhound,' firing to the right and left, and over the heads
of the men, to check the advance of an armed force seen from the
mast-head approaching. This service accomplished, the 'Bloodhound'
dropped up the stream with the tide, for the purpose of gaining a
knowledge of the navigation of the river, and of examining the lines
of defence. The line of sea-defence extended from the south point of
the island of Lagos to the north point, along the west point, a
distance of nearly two miles; and in parts where the water was
sufficiently deep for boats to land, stakes, in double rows, were
driven in 6-feet water; and along the whole of this distance an
embankment and ditch for the protection of infantry, and at chosen
points exceedingly strong stockades, made from stout cocoa-nut trees,
were erected for guns, the guns being laid for the difficult points
of the passage. Twenty-five guns were found to be so placed. As the
'Bloodhound' ascended the river, three guns from the south end of the
island opened on her, the fire being very well directed, but faulty
in elevation. As her commander now knew the channel, he was able to
return under steam. At 3.30 P.M., she, according to agreement,
accompanying the boats of the 'Penelope,' was seen crossing the bar;
and at 5 the 'Bloodhound' and 'Teazer' anchored near together, out of
range of the enemy's shot. Captain Lyster, then on board the
'Bloodhound,' arranged with Captain Jones the plan of attack. They
decided that the auxiliaries should keep on the right bank of the
river, proceeding up as the steam-vessels advanced; then that the
steamers and boats should pass the line of defences as quickly as
possible; and then, keeping round the north of the island, should at
that point make the grand attack. It was there that the king Kosoko
and the slave-dealers resided; and it was considered right that they
should be the first to receive punishment. The day was now too far
advanced to commence the attack; and the following day, the 25th,
being Christmas-day, it was resolved that it should be spent as
quietly as possible, and be a day of rest. This it was, except that
the enemy wasted a vast quantity of ammunition by firing their guns
at the squadron, which was far beyond their range.
At dawn of day on the 26th the 'Bloodhound' weighed, accompanied by
the 'Sampson's' boats in two divisions, the one preceding, the other
following, and proceeded up the river. The 'Teazer' came directly
after her, with the boats of the 'Penelope' arranged in the same
order, and accompanied by Mr. Beecroft's iron boat 'Victor,' fitted
for rockets. As soon as the vessels got within range, the enemy
opened a fire of great guns and musketry from the whole line of the
embankment, which was filled with men; but so well sheltered were
they, that the muzzles of their muskets only were visible. This fire
was returned by the steamers with their great guns only, and though
with very beautiful precision, yet with very little apparent effect;
indeed, from the soft nature of the green wood of which the stockades
were composed, the shot could not do them much injury, while the guns
themselves, being retired, could not be seen. At 7.20 A.M. the
'Bloodhound' and her division of boats had passed the north-west
point, and in trying to get round the north point, grounded in 8
feet. The black pilot, John Johns, was in no respect to blame for
this, as the channel had filled up since he was there last. Mr.
Beecroft, who was on board with his interpreter Richards, had also
been assisting in piloting the steamer. She had hitherto carried
three fathom all the way up; but now, on sounding, it was found
impossible to get further. Anchors were, therefore, immediately laid
out to heave her off. During this time a very beautiful and
deliberate fire was kept up from her 18-pounder, directed by Mr.
Barry, the gunner, and from her 12-pounder howitzer by Lieut.
M'Arthur, R.M.A., with shrapnel and common shells, by which means the
enemy's great guns abreast of her were silenced. Nothing, however,
could put an end to the perpetual showers of musketry which the
blacks kept discharging at the vessel. The greater part of the
balls, however, fell short; but every now and then one or two would
fall on board, and hit the men slightly. As they were of necessity
very much exposed, very few escaped a slight touch. Meantime the
'Teazer,' in following the 'Bloodhound,' had also grounded at a
considerable distance from her, so that the two vessels could afford
no support to each other. While the 'Bloodhound' remained on shore,
the division of boats under Captain Jones continued to throw shot and
shell as any movement was observed on shore, and to check the
operations of the enemy, who had succeeded in bringing a gun under
shelter to bear, the shot at each discharge coming nearer and nearer,
though the gun itself could not be seen. At 10 A.M. Captain Jones
despatched Lieut. T. Saumarez in command of the 'Sampson's'
gun-boats, viz., first and second life-boats and pinnace, round the
north-east point, to ascertain the strength and position of the guns
on that side the island. As they neared the stockades, a fire from
four guns in a strong position was immediately opened on them. This
fire was returned from the life-boats and pinnace by the 24 and
12-pound howitzers with such good effect as to have upset and turned
out of its carriage one of these guns.
The object of ascertaining the position of the guns on the north-east
side being attained, the boats were recalled, as it became requisite
to reserve the ammunition and shells for the grand assault, when the
other division under Captain Lyster should have joined.
As the fire from gingals, petrals, and muskets continued from the
ditch and embankment abreast of the ship, and as the enemy were
observed trying to bring their guns into position, at 2.30 Lieut.
Thomas Saumarez, with the boats of the 'Sampson,' accompanied by
Lieut. E. M'Arthur, R.M.A., in command of the marine artillery, was
despatched to attempt a landing and to spike the guns. They did all
that men could do; but it was found impossible to make their way
through the showers of musketry opened against them. Mr. Richards, a
gallant young midshipman, was mortally wounded, and 10 men severely
wounded; while so hot was the fire, that there seemed every prospect
of the whole party being cut off. Still they bravely persevered.
While undaunted efforts were being made to get on shore, Mr. William
J. Stivey,[1] carpenter of the 'Sampson,' setting a noble example,
which others followed, leaped on shore, and, axe in hand, hewed
manfully away at the stakes to make a passage for the boats to go
through them. All, however, was in vain; their numbers were thinning
rapidly, and at length Lieut. Saumarez himself, being hit in three
places, reluctantly, but very properly, gave the signal for return.
The remainder of the day was spent in throwing shot and shell, as
circumstances required, so as to prevent any guns being moved against
the steamer. The nearest shot passed about 10 yards astern of her.
We must now return to the 'Teazer,' and the operations connected with
her. As soon as she grounded, Captain Lyster ordered the anchor to
be run out immediately, and kept up a steady fire from the ship and
boats. At half-past 8 the water seemed to rise, and all the
exertions of her own crew, and the crews of the boats accompanying
her, failed to get her off, up to this time her 32-pounder bore on
the enemy's battery, and kept it in check, but it was not long before
two guns were brought to a stockade, about a point on her quarter,
and in a position which none of the 'Teazer's' guns could reach.
These guns were admirably served, and it soon became evident that
they would destroy the vessel before the tide rose again. Under
these circumstances but one of two courses remained, either to blow
up the 'Teazer,' to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy,
should the expedition have ultimately failed, or to land and destroy
the guns annoying her. As may be supposed, Captain Lyster, supported
by Commander Hillyar and the other officers with him, were not very
long in deciding on the course to be pursued. Not a doubt existed on
the minds of any of them of the success of the proposed plan, but all
were aware of the great loss of life they would too probably suffer
in carrying it into execution. The following boats were at once
formed in line abreast, ready for the attack:--
1, gig, Captain Lyster, Mr. Wroughton, midshipman; 2, whaleboat,
Commander Hillyar, Mr. Park, midshipman; 3, 1st lifeboat, Lieut. P.
Marshall, Mr. Puddicombe, midshipman; 4, 2nd lifeboat, Lieut. E. D.
Rich, Mr. E. Brown, naval cadet, Mr. Wilson, carpenter; 5, Victoria
(rocket-boat), Lieut. J. Corbett, Mr. Gillham, master's assistant,
Mr. B. F. B. Clark, master's assistant, Mr. James Blight, boatswain;
6, pinnace, Mr. H. Hathorn, mate; 7, 1st cutter, Mr. S. B. Balfour,
acting mate. Mr. H. A. Dewar, gunner; 8, 2nd cutter, Mr. F. R.
Fletcher, midshipman.
All being ready, the boats, as before mentioned in line abreast,
pulled in towards the stockade, where the best place for landing
appeared to exist, keeping up all the time a continued fire of
spherical, grape, and canister shot. As the boats touched the shore,
they received a discharge directly in their faces, of some 1,500
muskets, but, notwithstanding this, they undauntedly landed, and
forming on the beach, after some severe fighting they forced their
way into the stockade, driving out the enemy, who fled into the thick
bush close to the rear of it. Among those who landed and charged
with Captain Lyster were Mr. Walling and Mr. Spruole, surgeons of the
'Penelope,' and who afterwards exposed themselves equally in their
attendance on the wounded under fire. Scarcely had the blacks
retreated than Lieut. Corbett rushed ahead, and spiked all the guns
in the fort.
This object being accomplished, Captain Lyster issued orders for the
re-embarkation of the party, but scarcely had he done so, when it was
discovered that the enemy having made a desperate rush at the 1st
life-boat, had succeeded in getting hold of her, and were tracking
her along the beach towards the spot where the guns were posted which
had first opened on the 'Teazer.' On seeing this, the British,
headed by their gallant leader, Captain Lyster, hurried down to the
shore for the purpose of retaking her, but some delay occurred in
consequence of having to divide her crew of 60 men among the other
boats, which somewhat crowded them. The enemy, on seeing this,
rushed back from their concealment in the woods, by swarms, and
poured in a destructive crushing fire on the boats, at pistol range.
On this occasion, a gallant young officer, Mr. F. B. Fletcher,
midshipman, in command of the second cutter, and who had charge of
the boats while on shore, was shot through the head and killed.
Several officers and men had before been wounded on shore, among whom
was Lieut. Williams of the Marine Artillery, who, though hit in three
places, had continued at the head of his men till they returned to
the boats. Commander Hillyar was also wounded, and very many of the
men were killed. Among the latter was James Webb, gunner's mate,
belonging to the first life-boat. When he saw that she was likely to
fall into the hands of the blacks, he made a desperate attempt to
spike her guns, but while thus engaged, he was cut down by the enemy
and mortally wounded. While Commander Hillyar was arranging the
boats, so that they might keep up their fire as they retreated to the
'Teazer,' some of the Kroomen on board Mr. Beecroft's 'Victoria,' let
go her anchor, and there she lay exposed entirely to the fire of the
blacks. On seeing this Captain Lyster pulled back to her to learn
what was the matter--"What has occurred now?" he asked of Mr. Blight,
the boatswain. "The Kroomen let go the anchor without orders," he
replied. "Then slip your cable and get out of this," exclaimed
Captain Lyster. "It's a chain-cable, clenched to the bottom, and we
can't unshackle it," replied Mr. Blight. On hearing this
disheartening intelligence, Captain Lyster jumped on board to see
what assistance he could render. Just then, Lieut. Corbett staggered
up towards the stern, exclaiming, "I have done it, and am alive!" In
truth, he had cut the chain-cable with a cold chisel, and in so
doing, while leaning over the bows of the boat, had received five
different wounds, which, with the addition of a severe one received
on shore, rendered him almost helpless. His right arm was hanging to
his side, but he still with his left worked away, and assisted in
getting the 'Victoria' off to the 'Teazer.' While Captain Lyster was
leaving the 'Victoria' to get into his own boat, he was shot in the
back with a musket-ball. On account of the hot fire to which they
were still exposed, and the number of men already killed and wounded,
he judged that he should not be justified in attempting to recover
the life-boat on that occasion. Leaving her, therefore, on the
beach, the party returned to the 'Teazer.' The people who had at
first got possession of the life-boat had afterwards abandoned her,
but they now returned, and some 40 or 50 got into her, intending to
carry her off. Seeing this, Mr. Balfour, acting-mate, assisted by
Mr. Dewar, gunner, pulling back to the shore in the first cutter,
threw a rocket towards her, and so well directed was it, that it
entered her magazine, and blew it up. As soon as the party got back
to the 'Teazer' (having now pretty well silenced the fire of the
enemy), they set to work to get all the provisions out of her, and
then having thrown overboard all her coals, with the exception of 10
tons, they contrived to shore her up, to await the rising of the
tide. At length their exertions were crowned with success, and at
sunset they succeeded in heaving her off. Then getting up the steam,
they anchored out of gun-shot for the night.
On this unfortunate occasion there were no less than 13 men killed
belonging to H.M.S. 'Penelope,' besides Mr. Fletcher and Mr. H. M.
Gillham, master's assistant, who afterwards died of his wounds; while
Captain Lyster, Commander Hillyar, Lieut. Corbett, and First-lieut.
of Marines, J. W. C. Williams, were wounded severely, together with
57 men of the 'Penelope,' and 2 of the 'Teazer,' most of them also
very severely wounded. Crowded together in so small a vessel during
the night, the poor fellows suffered severely, though the medical
officers of the expedition, Mr. R. Carpenter, senior surgeon, Mr.
Walling, assistant-surgeon of 'Penelope,' Dr. Barclay,
acting-surgeon, and Dr. Sproule, assistant-surgeon, exerted
themselves to their very utmost in the performance of their duty on
the wounded. During the day they had never flinched from exposing
their own lives, as, in the midst of the fire, they stepped from boat
to boat to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded and dying.
Soon after 7 o'clock in the morning, the 'Teazer' was got under
weigh, and finding the right channel, steamed up towards the
'Bloodhound,' with the squadron of boats in her company. As soon as
she was seen from the 'Bloodhound,' Captain Jones ordered that the
guns of the 'Bloodhound's' gun-boats, should open a deliberate
flanking fire on the west part of the enemy's defences, and he then
sent a boat under Mr. Bullen, his clerk, who was acting as his
aid-de-camp, to point out to Captain Lyster the position in which he
wished the 'Teazer' to be anchored. At 8.10 the 'Teazer' having
anchored, Captain Jones pulled on board her, to consult further with
Captain Lyster on their plan of proceeding. The rocket-boats were
then ordered to take up a position to the northward of the
'Bloodhound.' This was quickly done, and Lieut. Marshall threw some
rockets with beautiful effect, setting fire to several houses, among
which, to the satisfaction of all, was that of the Prime Minister
Tappis. When this was seen, a hearty and spontaneous cheer ran
through the whole squadron for the crew of the rocket-boat who had
thus punished the chief instigator of the former attack on the
British boats. After this, the rocket-boat shifted her position
ahead of the 'Teazer,' and a general but deliberate fire was opened
from the whole force. At 10:45 Lieut. Marshall threw a rocket which
struck the battery below Tappis's house, and at the same time a shot
from the 'Teazer' capsized the gun. The firing became still more
rapid--an awful explosion ensued--a magazine of the enemy's had blown
up, and from this moment the fate of Lagos was decided, house after
house caught fire, and the whole town was shortly in a general blaze.
At half-past 10 A.M:., Commander Coote was seen coming up the river
with the boats of the 'Volcano,' and at a quarter before 2 Commander
Gardner, with the boats of the 'Waterwitch,' joined the expedition.
At a quarter before 3, Commander Coote was despatched with the
gun-boats of the squadron, and accompanied by the rocket-boat, to
attack Kosoko's house, with directions, however, to fire only a few
rounds, Captain Jones being unwilling further to destroy the town,
which, it was very evident, must soon fall into the possession of the
British and their allies. The boats being recalled, the firing
ceased, and a summons was sent to Kosoko, by a friendly chief,
belonging to the Island of Eschalli, with a flag-of-truce, urging him
to capitulate. He was allowed till Monday morning to consider the
proposals of the British Commander. All acts of hostility were to
cease till then.
The following day was Sunday, and Captain Jones determined to make it
a day of rest, provided the enemy showed no signs of hostility. "He
felt it" (as he observes) "as a national question that they should
duly observe the Sabbath." Every preparation, however, was made for
the final assault, which it was intended should take place on the
following day, should Kosoko still reject the proffered terms.
During the whole of the day canoes from the north-east side of Lagos
were observed crossing to the island of Echalli, loaded with
furniture and household goods, but they were not stopped, though a
jolly-boat might have hindered them, as Captain Jones considered it a
matter of no consequence on which side of the river the property of
the inhabitants remained, especially that of persons flying for their
lives. He also wished to show the people that the British had not
come to plunder, but that their sole object was to stop the
slave-trade. At 3:45 it was ascertained that Kosoko and his
followers had abandoned the town, and fled into the woods. The women
and children had been sent away some days before, and it now appeared
that Akitoye and 2,000 had absconded during the night in 50 or 60
canoes. Captain Jones therefore sent his aid-de-camp, Mr. Bullen,
with the interpreter, Richard, to the chiefs of the auxiliary forces,
desiring them to close with the canoes, and to escort the rightful
King Akitoye to his house, and to instal him in office, preferring
that those who had remained faithful to him in adversity should have
the satisfaction of acting as his bodyguard in the hour of success.
Akitoye, therefore, and the blacks, who had accompanied him from
Abbeokuta, crossed the river, and took possession of those buildings
which had escaped destruction. Fortunately a creek and swamp,
running some two hundred yards inland from the river, had checked the
flames, and saved the eastern part of the town. The only portion of
the British forces landed was a small body, under Commander Coote,
who went on shore to spike guns.
The next morning he, with Commander Gardner and the boats of the
'Sampson' and 'Penelope,' were employed in a similar way. They
returned in the afternoon, having by extraordinary exertions embarked
or destroyed 52 pieces of ordnance.
On examining the town, desolate as it now appeared, considerable
cleverness was perceptible in the cunning methods devised for
entrapping assailants into ambush. In fact the place in every
respect was far stronger than was supposed, even when this second
attack was planned. Every officer and man engaged in it deserves the
greatest credit for their zeal, courage, and perseverance. There can
be no doubt that its capture struck one of the severest blows the
slave-trade has ever experienced; and that thus, though we must
deplore the sad loss of so many valuable lives, and the amount of
suffering experienced by the wounded, yet we must feel that these
exertions and sufferings have not been thrown away, but have much
advanced the cause of religion and civilization in Africa, and will
aid in wiping away the darkest stain which exists on the present
history of the world.
Besides the killed and wounded already mentioned, Lieut. Thomas
Saumarez, of the 'Sampson,' was severely wounded, and Mr. Thomas
Richards, midshipman, was killed, shot through the brain, while ten
men belonging to the same ship were wounded.
Captain Jones in his despatch especially mentions Capt. Lyster and
Commander Hillyar, neither of whom, though severely wounded, would
return on board till they had seen the success of their exertions.
He speaks also in high terms of Lieutenants Marshall, Rich, Corbett,
and Saumarez; of Mr. J. Cook, gunner of 'Sampson;' of Charles
Blofield, boatswain's mate, who commanded the pinnace when there
remained no officer to put into her; of George Tule, gunner of Royal
Marine Artillery, who served a 24in. howitzer in the first life-boat
with admirable precision; of Mr. Donelly, the surgeon of the
'Sampson,' who nearly lost his life in coming to the assistance of
the wounded; of Mr. Hacking, purser; and of Mr. Robert H. Bullen, who
acted as his secretary and aid-de-camp, and "than whom," he observes,
"no Lieutenant could have done better."
It is to be hoped that Akitoye will not forget the lesson he may have
learned at Abbeokuta, and that thus Lagos may be from henceforth as
well known for its advancement in Christianity and civilization as it
has hitherto been for its slave-dealing and wickedness.
[1] "He is one of those men always where he is wanted," says Captain
Jones, in his despatch to the Admiral.