At length, at daylight on the 8th of April, when I, acting as signal
midshipman, was on the look-out, I saw a frigate standing towards us and
making signals. I immediately communicated the information to the
commander, who was on deck.
"The _Andromache_, Captain Byron," he exclaimed. "She tells us that she
has seen the enemy's fleet with a large convoy coming out of Port Royal
Bay, and standing to the north-west."
Tom Pim was immediately sent down to call the captain, and, as he
appeared, the admiral threw out a signal from the _Formidable_ to put to
sea in chase of the enemy. Cheers resounded from ship to ship, and
never did fleet get under weigh with more alacrity. By noon we were
clear of Gros Islet Bay, when we stretched over to Port Royal, but,
finding none of the French ships there or at Saint Pierre, we stood
after them in the direction they were supposed to have taken. We
continued on for some hours during the night, still uncertain as to
whether we should overtake the enemy, when, to our joy, we discovered
their lights right ahead.
As morning broke, a large portion of the convoy was discovered under
Dominique, while to windward we could see the French fleet forming the
line of battle. As the light increased, the admiral threw out signals
to prepare for action and to form the line.
It was welcomed by a hearty cheer from ten thousand throats. As,
however, we got under Dominique, to our bitter disappointment the sails
flapped against the masts, and most of the ships lay becalmed, unable to
obey the orders which had been received. It was tantalising in the
extreme. At length, however, the lighter canvas filled, and the
sea-breeze freshened. The _Barfleur_, Sir Samuel Hood's flag-ship, then
our ship, then the _Monarch_ and _Warrior_, the _Valiant_ and _Alfred_
got the wind, and the whole of the van division, of which we formed a
part, stretched to the northward on the starboard tack in chase, while
the central and rear divisions, under Sir George Rodney, lay still
becalmed and unable to join us. Our gallant admiral, however, anxious
to bring on an action, continued his course, when we saw the French
fleet also forming their line on the starboard tack, in the hope of
attacking us before we could be joined by Sir George Rodney.
"Now, Paddy, we shall see what a real fight is like," said Tom Pim, as
we stood on the quarter-deck.
"I hope we shall see what a victory is like, too," I answered, as I eyed
the approaching enemy, numbering fifteen ships, to oppose which we had
but eight. Sir Samuel Hood, however, knew what he was about, and the
order was given to heave to, which brought our broadsides to bear upon
the French, and at the same time would allow the other two frigates to
come up with us as soon as they could get the wind. The first shot was
fired from the _Barfleur_ a few minutes before 10 a.m., and then all our
eight stout ships began blazing away at the French, as they stood down
intending to break our line; but so tremendous was the fire with which
they were received, that they found the attempt hopeless. They,
however, returned it vigorously, and for a full hour we were pounding
away at each other, not a few of our brave fellows being killed, and
many more wounded. Towards the end of the time, as the smoke cleared
away, I saw the rest of our fleet coming up with the breeze, which had
at length reached them. The French admiral also saw them, and, having
had a taste of how eight ships could treat him, he stood away under all
sail after the remainder of his fleet. Sir George Rodney now threw out
a signal for a general chase, but the Frenchmen beat us hollow in
running away, and we in vain attempted to come up with them. For two
whole days we were engaged in chasing.
"I'm afraid, after all, the mounseers will get off, and reach Jamaica
before us," said Tom Pim to me; "and if they do, what will become of Mr
Talboys and his family? Poor Lucy! she will be marrying a French count,
perhaps, and I shall never see her again."
"They are not quite out of sight, and though they're gaining on us, the
wind may change, or some other accident may occur, and we shall have
another stand-up fight," I answered.
This was soon after sunrise on the 12th of April, when our fleet was
standing to the northward, about five leagues north-west of Prince
Rupert's Bay, with a light breeze. The French were upon the same tack
to windward of the Saintes, with a fresh sea-breeze. The light
increasing, we saw a ship which had lost her foremast and bowsprit, in
tow of a frigate standing in for Guadaloupe. On perceiving this the
admiral threw out a signal for us and three other ships to chase; and,
disabled as the French line-of-battle ship was, we made sure of
capturing her.
"We shall get hold of one ship, at all events, and the frigate too, if
she doesn't up stick and run," said Nettleship, as he watched the two
Frenchmen ahead.
Presently he exclaimed, "Not so sure of that, though. I see the French
admiral making signals, and we shall know what he has been saying
presently."
A short time afterwards he added, "His fleet is bearing up for the
purpose of protecting the wounded bird."
We stood on, however. The captain told Tom Pim, who was signal
midshipman, to keep a sharp eye on our admiral.
"If he keeps on that course he'll give us the weather gage, and we shall
catch him as sure as his name is De Grasse," cried Nettleship.
Our crew of course were at their quarters, and we expected ere long to
be exchanging broadsides with the enemy. Presently the French again
altered their course, and formed their line on the larboard tack.
"The admiral has hoisted the recall signal," cried Tom. Directly
afterwards we saw the signal made for our ships to form the line of
battle on the starboard tack. Rear-Admiral Drake's division was now
leading, the _Marlborough_ being ahead. The island of Dominique was on
our starboard hand, the wind coming off the land, and the French between
us and it. Thus they were to windward of us, standing almost directly
for Guadaloupe. We were now gradually nearing each other. Just at 8
a.m. the _Marlborough_, in gallant style, opened fire on the rear of the
French. At the same time Rodney made the signal for close action. Soon
after it was hoisted all the other ships and Rear-Admiral Drake's
division commenced firing their broadsides. For a time Admiral Hood's
division was almost becalmed, as were many of Sir George Rodney's ships,
but as they drew ahead they got the wind much stronger clear of the
land. After the action had continued for some time, the wind shifted,
enabling us to get to windward of the enemy.
"Look out there, Paddy, at the _Duke_. See, that gallant fellow Gardner
is endeavouring to force the Frenchman's line," cried Nettleship.
We watched for some minutes, when a shot carried away the _Duke's_
main-topmast, and she dropped to leeward, and Sir George Rodney,
followed by the _Namur_ and _Canada_, stood right in between the enemy's
ships, not far from the _Ville de Paris_, carrying their admiral's flag.
Others quickly followed, when Rodney wore and doubled upon the enemy,
all the time, it must be understood, keeping up a tremendous and
incessant fire. By this gallant manoeuvre the French line was
completely broken, and thrown into the utmost confusion. Their van bore
away, and endeavoured to form to leeward, but our division, under Sir
Samuel Hood, now getting the breeze, came up, and joined in the close
fight which had long been going on. To describe it so that my account
should be understood would be difficult in the extreme. All the time
the shot of the enemy came crashing aboard. Our object was to catch
sight of the hulls of the Frenchmen amid the clouds of smoke, and to
pound away at them. Each of our ships did the same. Amongst the ships
was the _Glorieux_, commanded by the Vicomte d'Escar. Though surrounded
by enemies, he continued to fire his broadsides until his masts and
bowsprit were shot away by the board, and not till he saw that he must
abandon all hope of rescue did he haul down his colours. We almost
immediately afterwards came up with another ship, which we found to be
the _Caesar_, Captain M. de Marigney. We got so close up to her that
our guns almost touched, and began furiously pounding away at her sides.
She had already been severely battered before we attacked her. The
gallant Frenchman, however, continued to engage us, and, looking up, as
for an instant the smoke was blown aside, we saw that he had nailed his
colours to the mast.
"We must knock them away notwithstanding," said Nettleship.
Soon afterwards down came the enemy's mainmast, followed by her
mizzenmast, fortunately falling over on the opposite side.
Still the Frenchmen continued working their guns, but one after the
other ceased firing, and at last an officer waved a handkerchief, to
show that they surrendered. As he did so the foremast went by the
board. We immediately ceased firing, and our second lieutenant was sent
to take possession in one of the few of our boats which could swim. I
accompanied him. I by this time had seen a good deal of fighting, but I
had never yet witnessed any scene so dreadful as the decks of the
_Caesar_ presented. On reaching the upper deck, one of the first
objects which met our eyes was the body of the gallant captain, who had
just breathed his last. Near him lay three or four other officers, and
a little farther off two young midshipmen; while fore and aft lay the
dead and wounded, their shipmates having had no time as yet to carry the
latter below. Everywhere there was wreck and confusion, masts and
rigging trailing overboard, the stumps alone remaining, the bulwarks
shattered, the guns upset, the carriages of some knocked to pieces,
every boat damaged, while it was impossible, as we stepped along, to
avoid the pools of blood and gore. The third lieutenant, his head bound
up, stepped forward, saying that he was the officer of the highest rank
remaining, and offered his sword. In the meantime the fight continued
raging: the _Ardent_ struck to the _Belliqueux_, and the _Hector_ to the
_Canada_; but the gallant Cornwallis, leaving his prize, made sail after
the Count de Grasse, who, together with his second, was endeavouring to
rejoin his flying and scattered ships. We were fast approaching.
Notwithstanding this, the Count de Grasse held out till the _Barfleur_
came up, and poured in so tremendous and destructive a fire, that at
length the gallant Frenchman, deserted by his ships, was compelled to
haul down his flag, just as the sun sank beneath the horizon.
The French fleet were now going off before the wind, pursued by some of
our ships. Others would have joined in the chase, but Sir George
Rodney, wishing to collect the fleet and secure his prizes, made the
signal to the fleet to bring to.
Our captain meantime had ordered us at once to commence removing the
prisoners.
I had shoved off with one boat-load, and just got alongside the
_Cerberus_, when I heard the cry, "The _Caesar_ is on fire!" I hurried
the prisoners up the side, eager to assist in extinguishing the flames,
or to bring away as many as I could of those on board. Several of the
other ships were also sending their uninjured boats to the rescue; but
before they could reach the blazing ship, we heard a fearfully loud
explosion. Up went her decks. Fragments of planks and timbers, and
even heavy guns, with human bodies torn and rent asunder, rose in the
air; the whole ship blazed furiously, lighting up the surrounding
vessels with a lurid glare, when suddenly her hull sank, and all was
dark around. In her perished our third lieutenant and boatswain, and
fifty of our gallant crew, besides four hundred Frenchmen.
Our most valuable prize was the _Ville de Paris_, as she had on board a
quantity of specie, and she was considered the finest ship afloat; but
we had a heavy price to pay for our victory: Captain Bayne, of the
_Alfred_, and Captain Blair, of the _Anson_, were killed, besides
several lieutenants and other officers. Altogether we lost two hundred
and fifty-three men killed, and eight hundred and sixteen wounded. The
French ships, having numerous troops on board, and carrying more men
than ours, suffered more severely in proportion, and it was generally
believed that three thousand were killed, and double the number wounded.
On board the _Ville de Paris_ alone four hundred were slain.
We remained three days under Guadaloupe, repairing damages, when Sir
George Rodney ordered Sir Samuel Hood to proceed with his division in
search of stragglers. In spite of the fighting we had had, with
cheerful alacrity we stood away; and on the 19th sighted five of the
enemy's ships. They were standing for the Mona passage.
"They hope to escape us," said Nettleship. "But never fear, if they can
get through, so can we."
This proved to be the case. Just then Sir Samuel Hood threw out the
signal for a general chase. A shout rose from our deck when it was seen
that the wind had died away, and that the enemy lay becalmed.
The _Valiant_ early in the afternoon got alongside the _Caton_, which
immediately struck. Captain Goodall then stood on, leaving us to pick
her up, and attacked the _Jason_, of the same force, with so much
impetuosity, that after a stout resistance of twenty minutes she also
hauled down her colours. Two other smaller ships were shortly
afterwards captured, and only one, which got through the passage,
effected her escape.
A few days afterwards we rejoined Sir George Rodney under Cape Tiberoon,
and with him proceeded to Jamaica.
Great was the rejoicing of the inhabitants. Guns were thundering, flags
flying on steeples and houses and hundreds of flagstaff's; and the whole
town of Kingston turned out, with the military and civic authorities at
their head, to receive the conqueror as he landed, accompanied by the
Count de Grasse, the admiral who had threatened their subjugation.
We aboard the _Cerberus_ saw little of the festivities which took place,
as we were engaged in repairing her, and fitting her for sea,--it being
understood that in consequence of the damages she had received she was
to be sent home.
Tom and I got leave only for one day to go up to Kingston, in the hopes
of seeing our friends the Talboys. Tom was in a great state of
excitement.
"I say, Paddy, I wonder whether Lucy still cares for me," he said.
"Perhaps she'll have forgotten all about me by this time; and if that
fellow Duffy has been stationed at Kingston, as soon as we left he'll
have done his best to cut me out."
"I don't think her papa, at all events, would prefer an ensign to a
midshipman; and depend upon it, that if she has transferred her
affections, it would be to a post-captain or a colonel," I answered.
"But cheer up, Tom, don't be down-hearted; we'll hope for the best."
Almost the first gentlemen we saw on landing were two French officers,
strolling along arm in arm. As we got close to them they turned their
heads, and I recognised Lieutenant Dubois and La Touche. They knew me
in a moment, and held out their hands with more cordiality than I should
have expected.
"You see us again prisoners to your brave nation; but we have given our
parole, and are allowed to be at large during the day," said Dubois.
"You'll come to our lodgings, I hope, and allow us to show you some
hospitality," added La Touche. "In this life we have many ups and
downs. One day you are prisoners to us, and the next day we are
prisoners to you. What matters it if we retain our honour and our
lives. It's a miracle that we're alive."
"How is that?" I asked.
"We were aboard the _Ville de Paris_," he said, "and were doing duty on
the lower deck. We fought to the last, and fully believed that the ship
would go down. At one time the admiral was the only person left
unwounded on the upper deck. Officer after officer was killed as they
went up to join him. We were about to follow, when our flag was hauled
down. However, we expect to be exchanged soon, when, for my part, I
intend to return to France."
This was said as we walked along with the young Frenchmen.
The lodgings to which they introduced us consisted of a single room, in
which they slept and took their meals; but they didn't seem a bit
ashamed of it, and did the honours with as great an air as if they were
receiving us in a magnificent saloon. They had evidently won the heart
of their mulatto landlady, who placed an elegant repast on the table,--
indeed, in a country where fruits and delicacies are abundant, that is
not any difficult matter.
"The English are very polite to us here; and some of the young ladies
are charming," observed Dubois. "There is one family especially
polite,--that of a Monsieur Talboys. Ah! _ma foi_! his little daughter
is perfectly charming."
On hearing the name of Talboys, Tom Pim pricked up his ears and looked
at me, for he was not able to understand all that was said.
"We are acquainted with Mr Talboys," I observed, "and all must admire
his daughter. Is she not engaged to be married yet?"
"Ah, yes, there's the pity," said Dubois, shrugging his shoulders; "to a
military officer, I'm told,--the Capitaine Duffy. He has lately
obtained his promotion, and appeared at a ball in a bright new uniform,
which completely captivated the young lady's heart."
"I'll not believe it until I see her, and she tells me so," exclaimed
Tom, starting up. "You must have been misinformed, monsieur."
"_Ma foi_! I hope so," said Dubois; "for I thought I was making great
way, and resolved, if her father would accept me as his son-in-law, to
give up the sea and settle down as a planter in Jamaica."
On hearing this Tom became very fidgety, and proposed that we should go
in search of our friends. As I was afraid that he might say something
which might annoy our hosts, I agreed, and, wishing them good-bye, Tom
and I started for Mr Talboys' town house.
We had no great difficulty in finding it. Just as we reached the
entrance, who should I see but Duffy himself, strutting out in a
captain's uniform. He didn't know me at first, until I hailed him.
"What, Duffy!" I exclaimed. "It must be yourself or your elder
brother. Let me congratulate you on obtaining your captain's
commission. You have faster promotion in your service than we have in
the navy."
"Ah, Paddy! is it you?" he cried, taking me by the hand. "It's myself,
I can assure you. Thanks to this torrid climate, sangaree, and Yellow
Jack, you're right, my boy. All the fine fellows you knew at Savannah
are invalided home, or are under the sod; but as I eschew strong drinks,
and keep in the shade as much as I can, I have hitherto escaped the fell
foe. I suppose you're going to call on my friends the Talboys? They
will be very glad to see you. We often talk about you, for the gallant
way in which you, Pim, and your other messmates behaved when the house
was attacked."
"Here is Pim," I said.
"What! I beg your pardon," said he; "I really did not recognise you;"
and he put out his hand, which Tom took rather coldly. "We all owe you
a debt of gratitude which none of us know how to repay."
"I don't require payment," said Tom, drawing himself up stiffly. "Good
morning, Captain Duffy! I don't wish to detain you."
"Well, as I have to go on guard, I mustn't stop, or I should like to go
back and join Lucy in thanking you."
"I don't require thanks," said Tom, gulping down his rising anger.
"Come along, Paddy."
As I saw that the sooner the interview was brought to an end the better,
we entered the house. Tom was even half inclined to turn back, and I
think he would have done so had not Mr Talboys seen us, and insisted on
our coming into the drawing-room.
Both of us followed him over the slippery floor, and nearly pitched down
on our noses, making a somewhat eccentric entrance into the room.
Mrs Talboys, with Lucy and her younger girls, were seated on
cane-bottomed sofas, dressed in white, with fans in their hands. The
weather was unusually hot. A blush rose to Lucy's cheek as she saw Tom.
She, however, came frankly forward, and we all shook hands. Nothing
was said about Duffy. They were all eager to hear our adventures, which
we narrated as briefly as we could. They knew Dubois and La Touche, and
Mr Talboys thought them very agreeable Frenchmen, but they didn't
appear to be much in Lucy's good graces. I was much inclined to speak
of Duffy, but Lucy evidently didn't wish to mention him. We had
observed the marks of fire on some of the houses as we came along, and
Mr Talboys told us that since we had been there there had been a
fearful conflagration; and had not the wind shifted, the whole town
would have been burned down. He and his family were at that time in the
country, and so escaped the alarm which the fire caused.
Mrs Talboys invited us to spend the evening at the house, but Tom at
once answered for himself and me, and said that we had to return on
board, and we were not pressed to stay. At last we got up to take our
leave.
"Lucy is very anxious again to thank you, Mr Pim, for your brave
conduct in saving her from the blacks. Perhaps you'll meet in England,
as she expects to go there shortly, should peace be established; but we
are unwilling to allow her to risk the danger of the passage in war
time."
Lucy had managed to get Tom to the window, so I didn't hear what she
said, but he looked far from happy.
"I must tell you, Mr Finnahan, that my daughter will probably be soon
married. Captain Duffy," said Mrs Talboys, "her intended, is an
excellent young man, and heir to a good estate, with a sufficient
fortune already in possession; and she could not expect to make a more
satisfactory match. It has our entire approval. You know him well, he
tells me?"
I of course said that I did, that he had treated me very kindly at
Savannah, and that I must congratulate him on his good fortune.
While we were speaking, Tom came up, and said somewhat abruptly, "Paddy,
we must not delay longer." He didn't again turn towards Miss Lucy, to
whom I went up and wished good-bye. Tom and I then paid our adieus to
the rest of the family. Lucy was well-nigh crying, I thought, but the
yellow light admitted through the blinds prevented me from seeing
clearly.
"It's all over," cried Tom, as we got outside. "I thought it would
happen. I've been and made a fool of myself, and I'll never do so again
as long as I live; no, never--never!"
I comforted Tom as well as I could, and indeed he soon recovered his
equanimity. I told him I was sure that Miss Lucy was very grateful,
though she was not inclined to wait till he had become a post-captain,
or even a commander, to marry him.
We looked in on our way down to the harbour on our two French friends.
We found them in high spirits, for they had just received information
that they were to accompany the Count de Grasse, and other French
officers, who were about to return home, on board the _Sandwich_, Sir
Peter Parker's flag-ship, on their parole. As Sir Peter was on the
point of sailing in charge of a homeward-bound convoy, Sir George Rodney
remained as commander-in-chief at Jamaica. A short time after, Admiral
Pigot arrived out from England to supersede him, and Sir George returned
home in the _Montague_.
At length, after lying idle for some time, Admiral Pigot, with his flag
on board the _Formidable_ made the signal for the whole fleet to put to
sea.
A report reached us just before this that we and the other ships were to
return to England, and highly delighted every one was at the thoughts of
going home. We were, however, kept cruising for some time, till we fell
in with the fleet of Admiral Graves off Havanna; thence we proceeded to
Bluefields, on the south coast of Jamaica, towards its western end.
Here Admiral Graves, whose flag was flying aboard the _families_,
received orders to convoy a hundred sail of merchantmen, together with
the French prizes, consisting of the _Ville de Paris_, no guns, the
_Glorieux_ and _Hector_; of 74 guns each, and the _Ardent_ and _Jason_,
of 64 guns each. The men-of-war accompanying them were the _Canada_,
our ship the _Cerberus_, of 74 guns each, and the _Pallas_, of 36 guns.
"It's to be hoped that we shall have fine weather," said Nettleship one
day at mess. "Even now we're obliged to keep the pumps going every
watch. It's a wonder the hull and rigging hold together; while we're
terribly short-handed, and, as far as I can judge, the rest of the ships
are in no better condition, and the prizes are still more battered."
"What an old croaker you've become," cried Tom. "I thought you would
have been the last person to talk in that way."
Others, joining Tom, made the same sort of remarks.
"I'm not croaking. I only say that never fleet put to sea in a worse
condition; but I do hope we shall be blessed with fine weather, and not
meet with a heavy gale, or have to encounter an enemy of superior
force."
Those watching us from the shore could certainly not have supposed that
the fine-looking fleet sailing along the coast of Jamaica was unable to
cope with the fiercest gale that it was likely to encounter.
As we got away from land we found that the _Jason_ had not joined us,
being employed in completing her water, while during a calm the officers
of the _Ardent_ sent a memorial to the admiral stating that she was
totally unseaworthy; and they had therefore the good fortune to be
ordered back to Jamaica to refit.
For some time the fine weather lasted, and few doubted that we should
convoy the merchantmen committed to our charge, and the trophies of our
hard-earned victory, in safety to England. We had got about the
latitude of the Bermudas, when some of the convoy parted company, on
their way to New York, leaving us, including the men-of-war and
merchantmen, with only ninety-two sail,--the _Ville de Paris_, under an
experienced navigator, leading the van through the Gulf Stream. The
wind and sea, however, shortly after this got up, and two ships, the
_Caton_ and _Pallas_, made signals of distress, each having sprung a
leak. The admiral therefore ordered them to bear away for Halifax, then
less than a hundred leagues distant. Scarcely were they out of sight
than the wind shifted to the south-east, blowing strongly, while a still
heavier sea got up. The admiral on this made signals for the whole
fleet to collect together, and prepare for a heavy gale. He hove-to on
the larboard tack under his mainsail, with topgallant masts struck. We
and the other ships followed his example, with all our other canvas
furled.
Nettleship, Tom Pim, and I, being in the same watch, were on deck
together. We had just got the ship snug, and, our duties for the moment
performed, were standing together, watching the fast-rising seas.
"I say, Nettleship, we have got that gale you hoped we should escape,
and no mistake about it," said Tom Pim; "but the old barkie rides
easily, and the wind must blow a good deal harder than it does yet to
hurt her."
"But we can't say that it won't blow harder, youngster," said
Nettleship, who was much graver than usual. "To my mind the weather
looks as threatening as it well can be, and those in authority would
have shown more wisdom had they waited till the equinox was over to send
us to sea. Just look round; now did you ever see a wilder sky?"
Nettleship was right. The clouds were rushing madly on overhead, while
to the southward and east it had a peculiarly angry appearance.
Foam-capped waves were tossing and tumbling, the spoon-drift flying off
their heads covering the ocean with a sheet of white, while a lurid
light occasionally gleamed forth from the point where the sun was going
down, tinging for a moment the crests of the seas and here and there a
tossing ship on which it fell. The sea with thundering blows struck our
bows and washed along our high sides, the blocks rattled, the wind
whistled in the rigging, the masts groaned, the bulkheads creaked. We
had to speak at the top of our voices to make each other hear, while the
lieutenants had to shout their loudest through their speaking-trumpets
as they issued their orders. We were the leewardmost of the men-of-war
who were in sight, the merchantmen scattered around, all pitching and
rolling together, in a way which threatened to send their masts
overboard. The latter we could see had now a yard, now a topmast
carried away, but as far as we could make out, no great damage had been
done. Each dog-watch the pumps were manned. Their clanking was heard
amid the uproar as night closed in. My old shipmates and I had to keep
the morning watch, so as soon as the hammocks were piped down, we turned
in to get some sleep first. Seldom that I had my head on the pillow
many seconds before my eyes closed, but this night the fearful uproar,
the violent swinging of my hammock, and the plunges which I felt the
ship making, kept me awake. My watch below seemed twice as long as
usual. At length I heard eight bells strike. I turned out, and with my
two messmates went on deck.
"Things haven't mended since sundown," observed Nettleship, as he, Pim,
and I were together on the quarter-deck.
Indeed, the wind was howling more furiously than ever, and the big ship
plunged and rolled in a way which made it difficult to keep our feet.
"We've plenty of sea-room, that's one satisfaction, at all events," said
Nettleship. "I shouldn't like to be on a lee shore on a night like
this."
"Faith, nor should I, unless there was a good harbour to run into," said
I.
"It must have a broad entrance, and be well lighted, then," he answered,
"or we shouldn't be much better off than we are at present."
Two--four bells struck in the morning watch, and there appeared to be no
improvement in the weather. The captain and second and third
lieutenants came on deck, and, by the way they stood talking together, I
saw that they considered matters growing serious. The pumps were kept
going twice as long as usual. Six bells had just struck, when there
came a sound like thunder breaking over our heads. Looking up, I saw
the mainsail aback.
The captain shouted out, "Man the clew garnets, let fly tacks and
sheets;" but the words were scarcely out of his mouth before the ship
heeled over, with a suddenness which nearly took us all off our feet.
There was no need for the officers to cry out, "Hold on for your lives."
We struggled to windward, grasping whatever we could clutch. More and
more the ship heeled over; then there came another loud report, the
mainmast went by the board, the fore-topmast fell over the starboard
bow, and the next instant the mizzenmast was carried away half up from
the deck, while the sound of repeated blows which came from the
after-part of the ship, showed us that the rudder had been wrenched from
the pintles, and was battering away under the counter. All these
accidents happened in such rapid succession that it was impossible to do
anything to avert them. The utmost vigilance was required to save
ourselves from being crushed by falling yards and blocks, while cries
and shrieks arose from many of our poor fellows, some of whom had been
struck down, and others carried overboard, vainly endeavouring to regain
the ship. Suddenly she righted, with a violence which tore away the
guns from their lashings, and jerked the shot out of the lockers. The
captain, not for a moment losing his self-possession, shouted to the
crew to clear away the wreck of the masts,--himself, axe in hand,
setting the example. Before, however, many strokes had been given, the
sea came roaring up astern, and, bursting into the captain's cabin,
swept everything before it. The doctor, purser, and several other
officers who had remained below, came rushing up, some only in their
shirts and trousers, others in their shirts alone, believing very
naturally that the ship was going down. Tom Pim and I, with the other
midshipmen, were exerting ourselves to see that the men obeyed the
orders received. I met Larry, axe in hand, chopping away vigorously at
the shrouds.
"Ah, then, Mr Terence, things have come to a bad pass, I'm after
fearing," he exclaimed. "Will you be letting me keep by you, if you
please? If the ship goes down, I'd like to see how we could save
ourselves on a boat, or a raft, or one of the masts, if we can't get
into a boat."
"If it comes to that, Larry, I'm afraid we shall have little chance of
saving our lives," I answered; "at all events, however, I should like to
have you near me."
I can scarcely find words to describe the fearful condition of the ship.
Gun after gun broke loose, crushing several of the men against whom
they were cast; shot, hove out of the lockers, were rolling about
between decks, injuring many others. The water from below rushed from
side to side, making a clean sweep of everything it encountered, doing
almost as much mischief as the seas which broke aboard on the upper
deck. The officers who had last come from below were unable to return,
and stood shivering in their scanty clothing, no one having even a coat
to spare. While some of the crew were clearing away the masts, which
were striking with every surge against the ship's side, tearing off the
copper, and, as the oakum washed out, increasing the leaks, others,
encouraged by their officers, were labouring at the pumps, while a third
party was endeavouring to bale out the water with buckets. I didn't
expect to see another dawn; but the morning came notwithstanding, and a
fearful sight it presented to us. Away to leeward we discovered the
_Canada_, with her main-topmast and mizzenmast gone. The flag-ship,
more to windward, seemed in no better condition. The _Glorieux_ had
lost her foremast, bowsprit, and main-topmast. The _Ville de Paris_
still proudly rode the waves, as far as we could judge, uninjured, yet
ere long she was to share the fate of many others, for after that day
she was never again seen, and must have foundered with all her crew. Of
the merchantmen several had already gone down, others had lost many of
their spars, and some their masts, while out of the whole fleet not
twenty remained in sight. Not far off from us lay a large ship on her
beam-ends. Nettleship pointed her out to me. "Poor fellows, they're
worse off than we are," he said. The crew were attempting to wear her.
First they cut away the mizzenmast, then shortly the mainmast went;
still she lay helpless.
"See, she's hoisting the ensign, Union downwards," said Nettleship.
"It's her last despairing signal for help."
No help could any one give her. We watched her for a few minutes, when
her stern rose, the sea rolled up and plunged into it; down she went,
the fly of her ensign the last object visible.
She was the _Dutton_ formerly an East Indiaman, and then a storeship.
Her fate might soon be ours.
"Some of her poor fellows have escaped," cried Nettleship.
He pointed out to me a boat under sail, not far from where the _Dutton_
had foundered. We watched the boat. Now she was hid from sight in the
trough of the sea, now she rose to the summit of a billow. Still it
seemed impossible that she could escape being swamped. Yet on she went,
driving before the gale.
"That boat is well handled, or she would have been under water before
this time," observed my messmate. "What she can do others can do, and
some of us may have a chance for our lives if our old ship goes down.
Paddy, my boy, if that happens, do you try and get aboard a boat.
You're young, with a good chance of promotion. I'm old, and have none;
and I should like to have you and Tom Pim save yourselves."
"But I can't go without Larry," I answered; "and you too, Nettleship, if
you have any hope of a boat living in this sea, you must try to get
off."
He shook his head.
"No, no, Paddy. I have long made up my mind for the worst, and am ready
for it. I should be thankful, though, to see you and Pim escape, and
your honest fellow, Larry. There are two or three boats still
uninjured. It's a pity that the lives of some of us should not be
saved, if we can but manage to launch them."
While he was speaking I was watching the progress of the _Dutton's_
boat. First she steered for a ship some way to the eastward, but those
on board at length saw that they should have to haul up to reach her,
and again she kept away for a large merchantman to leeward. Presently
the boat ran alongside the merchantman, from whose deck a number of
ropes were hove into her, and the men, clutching them as the boat surged
by, were hauled up, and, as far as we could see, none were lost, though
the boat herself almost immediately rilled and disappeared. In other
directions most melancholy spectacles met our sight. The whole sea was
literally covered with pieces of wreck and human beings clinging to
them, among whom we observed several women lashed to spars or gratings,
probably by brave fellows who themselves had perished after in vain
attempting to preserve those they loved. No help could be given to the
unfortunate wretches; and even had we been able to haul some who came
near us on board our ship, it would only have been to prolong their
lives for a few short hours.
Our captain and officers were making all possible efforts to save our
ship, but from the first, I suspect, they must have seen they were
hopeless. Every possible weight was got rid of. The anchors were cut
away; then the upper deck guns were hove overboard, though the operation
in itself was a dangerous one, for, after the gun tackles were cut
loose, there was the risk of the guns upsetting and crushing those
standing near. All this time the pumps were being worked. The captain
ordered all hands not otherwise engaged to bale, and we were formed in
gangs to pass the buckets up and down and along the deck.