VOYAGE ON H.M.S. HERCULES
Sir Reginald Macdonald's caricature.--H.R.H. the Duke of
Edinburgh's invitation.--The _Lively_.--The _Hercules_.--
Admiral Sir William Hewitt.--Irish excursions.--The Channel
Squadron.--Fishing party at Loch Brine.--The young Princes
arrive on the _Bacchante_.--Cruise to Vigo.--The "Night
Alarm."--The Duke as _bon voyageur_.--Vigo.--The birthday
picnic.--A bear-fight on board the _Hercules_.--Homeward
bound.--Good-bye.--The Duke's visit to my studio.
In July, 1880, I received an invitation from H.R.H. the Duke of
Edinburgh to go for a cruise as his guest on board H.M.S. _Hercules_,
which he commanded, and which was the flag-ship of the Reserve
Squadron.
It was not an opportunity to lose, although one which had arrived by
chance. It happened that Admiral Sir Reginald Macdonald, a great
favourite at court and in society generally, was a victim of mine in
_Vanity Fair_. I had known him previously, and always found him most
cheerful and entertaining, but on the publication of the cartoon his
merriment frizzled away, and he became severe.
A letter arrived from him upbraiding me, and saying it was not the act
of a friend to depict him as a drunkard. In short it was quite a
furious epistle, and revealed him in an altogether new light.
I wrote at once in the endeavour to persuade him that his idea
concerning the caricature was entirely misconceived, but some days had
elapsed bringing no answer when one morning he dashed into my studio
with a most injured air, and so full of his grievance that he did not
observe his great friend the Duke of Hamilton, who was sitting to me
for his portrait at the time.
[Illustration: 1903
BARON DEICHMANN.]
[Illustration: 1895.
W. BRAMSTON BEACH, M.P.
(_A great runner in his day_.)]
[Illustration: "SAM" SMITH, M.P.
(_Radical and low churchman_). 1904]
[Illustration:
PERCY THORNTON, M.P.
(_A great runner in his day_.)
1900.]
"_Hullo_, Rim![8] What's up?" inquired the Duke, whereupon my victim
appealed for his opinion on my treatment of him; but he received only
chaff in place of the sympathy he expected and very soon he withdrew.
On the next day he called again as I was at my work, and his demeanour
seemed altogether calmer: "Here is a letter I have brought you to
read," he said. "It is lucky for you that opinions differ."
The letter was from the Prince of Wales and ran as follows:--
"MY DEAR RIM,
"I have to-day seen your excellent portrait in _Vanity Fair_, do
you think you could procure for me the original drawing as I
should so much like to possess it."
After reading the Prince's letter and being aware of Sir Reginald's
feeling in the matter, and also knowing that Mr. Gibson Bowles was the
owner of the drawing I thought it diplomatic to make an alternative
suggestion, which was to offer to draw a new sketch of him for
presentation in full uniform and cocked hat.
The idea pleased him, and when it was completed he took it himself to
Marlborough House. Not only did it meet with the approval of the royal
recipient, but the Duke of Edinburgh, who happened to be there at the
time, was so pleased with it that he wanted one done of himself like
it, and this led to the invitation for the cruise of which I am
writing. To quote Sir Reginald's letter to me he says, "The Duke of
Edinburgh considers your sketch the best drawn, and without exception
the most wonderfully like he ever saw, and in consequence he will be
very glad indeed if you will come for a cruise as his guest during the
following dates, etc...."
Previous to making a start I received instructions from Captain Le
Strange, A.D.C., who was to pilot the Duke's guests to Bantry Bay on
H.M.S. (despatch boat) _Lively_. In his letter he informed me that
Admiral Sir William Hewitt, Admiral Hardinge, and Mr. Wentworth-Cole
would be of the party on the _Hercules_; that he thought it would be a
most jovial one, and that if I were a fair sailor I should enjoy the
trip very much. He also said that H.R.H. had just taken his fleet of
eight ships out for the first time, and that they seemed to work very
well.
On July 10th, I started from Paddington by the afternoon train for
Plymouth, and discovered in my vis-a-vis of the railway carriage, Mr.
Wentworth-Cole. Captain Le Strange met us at Plymouth, and we dined at
Devonport, and were escorted on board at 11.30 p.m. Shortly after we
weighed anchor, the wind got up, and the yacht _Lively_ did full
credit to her name. Through Sunday and Monday it blew a big gale, and
Admiral Hardinge did not show up on deck until we steamed into Bantry
Bay, where I was relieved to see the ships coming in with us for I
hoped for steadier boards to tread. On Monday evening, the two
Admirals moved to the flag ship and Wentworth-Cole and I followed
shortly afterwards. It was the first time I had boarded a man-of-war
and the formalities of the quarter-deck were not less striking
because I was still feeling somewhat rocky. However, the sound of the
bugle seemed to pull me together, and the Duke, having received me
most cordially escorted me to his state cabin to which my own was
adjacent. It was evident that the comfort of his guests was to be well
considered, as by this time I knew that a picked marine had already
been selected to valet me, and information had leaked out that the
services of an experienced cook from Gunters' had been obtained.
By degrees I became acquainted with the Captain and Commander and
officers of the ship and I soon settled down.
On the following morning a trip had been arranged by H.R.H. for us to
steam to Glengariff on the _Lively_. The weather was very fine and
after an early breakfast on board her we set out (Mr. Mackenzie of
Kintale joining us). It must have been quite three o'clock before we
reached Glengariff, and sat down to lunch in the hotel. During our
meal a young American visitor anxious to see if royalty ate like
ordinary beings seated herself at a table adjoining ours, and fixed
her eyes steadily upon the Duke. She even ordered marmalade to make
believe it was her midday meal, but we were informed afterwards that
she had lunched. Evidently her interest had not diminished, as when
seeing us seated on the lawn drinking coffee, she refreshing herself
in a similar way, drew up close to our party with the same inquisitive
intention whilst taking it for granted that she also was a centre of
interest to us. The proprietress gave her a hint and she vanished.
By this time we were replenished, and, after a stroll to Cromwell's
Bridge, the owner of the hotel brought her book out for us to sign
our names in, and on our departure presented not only the Duke, but
each of us with a bouquet. Our host, Mr. Mackenzie, with his friends,
proceeded to Killarney, while we returned on the _Lively_ to Bantry.
The officers on board the _Hercules_ were most friendly, and willing
to help in giving me a good time. Every one was pleasant, and the
chaff came readily, especially when I was supposed to discover from
the stern walk where the rudder was. In time I became more accustomed
to the routine, and learned to know when I might venture on the
Captain's bridge, or pace the deck without getting in the way. Among
the many interesting men whose acquaintance I made on the cruise was
one Cole, a paymaster in the Navy and quite a character. He was a very
clever amateur draughtsman, and had accompanied the Admiral on several
of his cruises. His drawings brimmed over with humour, especially in a
kind of log-book in which he sketched the event of the day which was
greatly appreciated by H.R.H. He was full of fun and the favourite of
all, but owing to a peculiarly deep-pitched voice, and a somewhat
serious expression exaggerated by the fact that he wore blue glasses,
some one had christened him "the Sepulchral."
Whilst the Reserve Squadron was anchored at Bantry waiting for the
Channel Fleet to join us, much of the time was spent--when the Admiral
was not engaged on duty--in taking trips on the _Lively_ to various
places, or on fishing excursions. There was the inspection of the
coastguard station in the vicinity of Ballydonogan, and afterwards we
went on to a place called Killmakillog to fish for trout on Glanmore
Lake.
It was on the occasion of our trip to Waterville that a tramp, a rough
looking customer, approached the Duke with a letter which H.R.H.
passed on to me with the directions to give him half a crown.
The letter ran:--
_TO_ THE PRINCE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
"May it please your highness,
"That having served in the 88th of foot during the Crimea War and
afterwards in the East India Mutiny--drink alone disqualified me
for pension.
"I pray you will help to live one of her Majesty's loyal
soldiers.
"DANIEL MORIARTY."
The terrible Irish famine was nearly at an end. To the Duke had been
allotted the mission of official inquiry and relief; but although much
had been done officially to relieve the general suffering, on our
daily trips we frequently came across cases of great distress, usually
where the peasantry refused relief outside their own homes. During one
round we came upon a particularly painful scene. Walking into an old
cabin which was apparently empty, we discovered through the dim light
which penetrated from a hole in the roof, the weird figure of a very
old man scantily clothed in the meanest rags. Stretched upon the floor
by his side lay a young boy in the same deplorable condition. The old
man spoke a few words of welcome in a feeble voice, and the miserable
lad tried to rise to come forward. It was the most painful scene I can
remember, and it would have taken the genius and human understanding
of Hogarth to depict in detail. Needless to say such a case of dire
distress was immediately relieved.
The Duke of Edinburgh was most kind-hearted, and he did much
personally as well as officially to relieve the distress in this
district. I was told on the best authority that he distributed within
a very short time over L200 from his private purse in individual cases
of extreme need.
When the Channel Squadron under Admiral Hood (afterwards Lord Hood)
joined us life on board became more ceremonious and eventful. Admiral
Hood gave a dinner-party for the Duke on board the flag-ship
_Minotaur_, and Admiral Hewitt accompanied H.R.H. During their absence
I was inspired to caricature the latter. When they returned, the Duke
took up my sketch, and it tickled his fancy immensely, in fact I had
never seen him laugh so much. Sir William was getting very stout at
the time, and I had noticed that he always fastened the bottom button
of his jacket leaving the upper ones loose, doubtless with the
intention to give an appearance of slimness to his waist. The effect
was ludicrous, and I had endeavoured to put on paper my impression of
it. I fear, however, that poor Sir William did not appreciate the
joke.
The next day the Duke inspected some of the ships, and I was
privileged to accompany him and found it a great opportunity to
increase my knowledge. The combined fleets lying at anchor made a
glorious naval picture. The ships were seventeen in all, of which I
remember:--
_Northumberland_, Captain Wratislaw; _Defence_, Captain Thrupp;
_Valiant_, Captain Charman; _Audacious_, Captain Woolcombe; _Warrior_,
Captain Douglas; _Achilles_, Captain Heneage; _Hercules_ (flag-ship),
Captain Townsend; _Lord Warden_, Captain Indsay Brine; _Hector_,
Captain Caster; _Penelope_, Captain Nicholson; _Agincourt_, Captain
Buller; _Minotaur_ (flag-ship), Captain Rawson; _Salamis_ (despatch
boat), Commander Fitzgeorge; _Lively_ (despatch boat), Commander Le
Strange.
I was introduced to several of the Captains, and among them were some
whom I was destined to draw years after as Admirals for _Vanity Fair_.
On the evening of the inspection the Duke gave a return dinner-party
on board the _Hercules_. Admiral Hood was, of course, the principal
guest, and I had the privilege of being placed next him at dinner. The
_Hercules_ having no band of its own, that of the _Minotaur_ was lent
for the occasion, and several of the leading officers were present,
notably Captain Heneage of the _Achilles_--known as "Pompo"--who was
certainly the _beau_ of the combined fleets. The immaculate appearance
of this distinguished officer in these days at sea was certainly one
of the distractions of the voyage, and as Admiral Sir Algernon
Heneage, he is still to be seen in the West End, an ornament and a
great favourite in London Society. Eventually he came to my studio and
I made a characteristic drawing of him.
As we were still waiting for the _Bacchante_ (with the young Princes
on board) to join us, H.R.H. arranged a fishing excursion to
Blackwater for an off day. Commander Le Strange was to conduct us. The
_Lively_ weighed anchor at 7 a.m., and we arrived at Blackwater at 10
o'clock. Unfortunately as a bag containing my fishing-rod, footgear
and other articles of wearing apparel appropriate to a voyage of this
kind had failed to reach me yet from Cork, I was altogether unprepared
for the excursion. The Duke hearing of my predicament, very kindly
offered to lend me a rod, at the same time he impressed me with the
fact that he valued it greatly, and that I must take great care of it.
It had been a birthday present given to him by the Prince Consort, and
bore an inscription in silver to that effect.
Mr. Mahony, the landowner, drove to Blackwater to meet us, and from
there took us to Loch Brine, where the fish were plentiful. He with
H.R.H. went out in a boat to fish leaving us to pursue our sport from
the bank. I scrambled on to a rock from which I cast my line, when
alas the rubber soles on my shoes played me false, and I was in the
water, and the rod in pieces. What was to be done? All sport was at
end for me! I turned to my companion who advised me to say nothing
about it, and give it to the coxswain to mend. In a weak moment I
resolved to keep my own counsel, but imagine my consternation a little
later, when the Admiral joined us for luncheon, and exclaimed, "You
are a nice fellow, breaking my rod!"
I had quite forgotten how water carries sound. Every word of the
discussion had been overheard by H.R.H. I was non-plussed and the
matter passed off without further comment. Then we all sat down to
lunch with a good appetite, but it was a poor day's sport for me, and
we returned to the _Lively_, and dined at 9 o'clock.
The next day Mr. Mahony and his family came on board; later in the day
we returned to Bantry, and shortly after the _Bacchante_ came into the
Bay. The young Princes lost no time in paying their respects to the
Admiral, who at once invited them to dinner. I sat next to Prince Eddy
who was a perfectly natural boy, and to my mind immensely tactful,
for he immediately commenced to tell me of the success of my latest
cartoon in _Vanity Fair_--which happened to be Lord Shrewsbury. On the
next day the combined squadrons weighed anchor and started for the ten
days' cruise to Vigo.
[Illustration: SEVENTH EARL OF BESSBOROUGH.
_"M.C.C. Cricket."_
1888.]
[Illustration: REV. F. H. GILLINGHAM.
_"A hard hitter."_
1906.]
[Illustration: ARCHDEACON BENJAMIN HARRISON.
_"Canterbury Cricket."_
1885.]
The naval evolutions and drill were exceedingly interesting to watch
by day, and, on the second night out, came the great excitement of a
"Night Alarm." This proceeding might be described as the supreme
episode of naval drill. It may come at any moment, and although I was
let into the secret it seemed to arrive with startling suddenness to
me. We were at dinner when the alarm was given. "There's not a moment
to be lost," said the Duke. "Stick to me and we'll go down." A
fleeting impression of the blue jackets and marines turning out of
their hammocks like one man, then in a flash every officer gave his
word of command--All hands were at the guns--Every man in his
place!--Lights out! and so on.
On Saturday the weather turned stormy, and I found that even a
man-of-war didn't glide smoothly through a rough sea in the Bay of
Biscay; and, although I managed to put in an appearance at Church
service on Sunday, I thought it more discreet to remain in my cabin
during the gale; but on Monday the Duke, finding that I didn't appear
at the luncheon table, sent for me, and with difficulty I dragged
myself to my place.
"Now," said he, "I am going to be your doctor, and you must take the
prescription I give you. It is the only cure for sea-sickness." So at
his suggestion I drank one glass of champagne and presently another,
but when it came to the third proposal I politely declined, for
although the first two glasses had a most comforting effect "yet
another" would have proved the last straw. "Very well," said he, in
mock sternness, "when you want medical aid in future don't come to me
for it." But I was better.
We continued our voyage with three incidents on the way. A man
overboard--the funeral of a stoker on board the _Hector_, which was
impressive, the court-martial of an offender on the _Defence_, and a
sudden dense fog that came on suddenly when the ships were
manoeuvring and crossing one another. Every light was ordered out,
and I went on the bridge where I found both Sir William Hewitt and the
Captain. The former, who realized the danger of the situation, and who
was always ready with chaff, said to me:
"You had better go down to your cabin and get a wicker chair ready for
emergency. There will be no life-belt for you in case of a collision
as there are only just enough for the crew and of course they come
first."
I needn't say that the precaution didn't recommend itself to me. I
thought to myself if the ship goes down I shall go with her; but the
fog cleared off quite suddenly, and although three of the ships were
lost to sight they turned up in the morning.
During the cruise I heard on all sides how highly regarded the Duke of
Edinburgh was as a seaman and a commanding officer, and he was
undoubtedly much liked by those with whom he came in close contact. To
his guests on board he was kindness itself, and he could be most
entertaining. He told us his experiences of boyhood, how he had been
treated just as any other middy, and subject to their backslidings
also if one might judge by the account of severe punishments which had
their place in the stories. He talked much of Russia, and told us how
well the palace was guarded, that none but members of the Imperial
Family were allowed to enter by the principal entrance, and that on
one occasion he, being unrecognized by a sentry was challenged, and
that he had to beat an ignominious retreat, and go round by the
equerries' door. Not only were his experiences and travels most
interesting, but he had an extraordinary good ear for dialect; with
him a good yarn lost nothing in the telling, and he could hit off a
type in a very few words. When he had an half-hour to spare in the
evenings we would play a game I introduced of "drawing consequences,"
which is played in much the same way as the ordinary schoolroom game,
except that one fills the required space with contributory drawing in
place of the usual words. H.R.H. came out well under its inspiration,
and the combined results of our drawings were occasionally very
amusing.
One evening he produced a crystal and inset was a very tiny portrait
of Dowager Empress of Russia, which the company mistook for a
miniature, and thought it marvellous that any human eye could see to
produce it. I at once detected that a photograph was behind it, and
that it was in fact a very minutely reduced and tinted photograph. I
am afraid I destroyed the general illusion. The Duke smiled, he was
very sincere in his love of art, and particularly proud of the talent
of his sister the Princess Royal--Empress Frederick of Germany, whose
pictures he spoke of in the highest terms, an opinion which I had
heard frequently endorsed.
On Thursday we sighted the Spanish coast, and on Friday there was a
big drill and evolutions; and on Saturday the Fleet arrived in Vigo
Bay at 12 o'clock. Of course the two flag-ships were the centre of
interest, and on our arrival there was the usual demonstration in
connection with naval events. The Duke received visits from officials,
and in the afternoon gave me his first sitting. It was a splendid
evening. H.R.H. gave a big dinner-party. The _Minotaur_ band came over
to the _Hercules_, and there was a fine display of fireworks ashore
and the bay was illuminated by the flashes from the search-lights, and
the general appearance of the Fleet enlivened by the movements of
boats and pinnaces going to and fro between ships and shore.
In celebration of his birthday (August 6th) the Duke had arranged a
picnic for the Princes and their middy friends, Mr. Dalton (the
Prince's tutor) Cole, who as usual brought his sketch book with him,
Wentworth-Cole, and Commander Le Strange were also of the party, but
the presiding spirit was the Duke in his best form, full of fun, and
most anxious that the boys should have a good time.
On our journey out in the pinnace I remember that Wentworth-Cole was
the victim of a practical joke instigated by me for the amusement of
the Royal Middies. He was wearing a hat with several ventilatory holes
on the summit of the crown. It suddenly occurred to me that these
would make suitable receptacles for matches; so, when he was engrossed
in the scenery, I found an opportunity of filling them up, in which
occupation Prince George lent willing aid. When a chance came I
lighted the heads of the matches, but hearing a titter, Wentworth-Cole
turned round, discovered the plot, and saved the situation.
It was a real picnic. We arrived in the steam pinnace at a most
picturesque island some miles out from Vigo, and there in a rural
setting, and on a particularly rugged piece of ground the baskets were
opened and we sat down to a capital luncheon. The coxswain, who was a
very handy man, was of the greatest use in every direction on this
occasion.
By this time the seigning nets had been cast in the bay near at hand,
and the Princes and their shipmates were anxiously awaiting the
opportunity to set to work.
In the meantime we all strolled down towards the sea, Prince Eddy and
I remaining in the rear of the main body, while he on the Q.T. and
boy-like, found the opportunity of taking occasional puffs from my
pipe.
On joining the others Prince George, after noticing its unusual shape
politely asked if he might look at it. Evincing curiosity in its
condition and with an air of a connoisseur he passed several pieces of
dried grass through the stem and thoroughly cleaned it out, then after
filling the bowl with tobacco and lighting it he tested it well by
taking some good whiffs. Afterwards he returned it with the remark
that it was now fit to smoke. The little episode amused me greatly as
it was so completely natural.
By now, finding that the nets were ready to be manipulated we, one and
all, tucked up our trousers and hauled them in, the Duke being the
most energetic of the lot. It was warm work but not wasted, for the
haul was a fine one.
During the afternoon a couple of bull fights in an adjoining field
gave us a good show of a non-professional bull fight, also we saw some
interesting types of Portuguese, who were entered with the other
incidents of the day in Cole's sketch book. He was also clever in
portraying those big-eyed, dark, and picturesque peasant girls.
I think that must have been the last of the very delightful excursions
on the _Lively_, which ship, of pleasant memory, came eventually to a
bad end, as she struck a rock and went to the bottom.
We stayed some time in Vigo Bay, and made several delightful
excursions there. When on board, the young Princes did their best to
kill any chance of monotony. There was a bear fight I am not likely to
forget. I was in the habit of returning to my cabin for a _siesta_
after luncheon, and on this particular occasion I think the officers
on board were occupied on duty. The Princes came to pay the Duke a
visit, but only to find that he had gone ashore, and things were
generally a little on the dull side. I was the sole occupant of the
cabin, and as they peeped in they saw me in my berth asleep, so passed
on to the adjoining one (Mr. Wentworth-Cole's) in search, no doubt, of
a bit of fun. Presently I got the full benefit of their inspiration,
which took the form of squeezing the contents of a very large sponge
from their side of the partition on to my head. It was a thorough
"cold pigging" that I received, that effectually wakened me from
slumber; but I rose to the occasion, and in my turn sent back the
sponge. This ended in a rough and tumble which, of course, they were
inviting. Cole (of the pencil) came along in the thick of it, and
eventually made a caricature of the scene in the Duke's book. It
represented the little bear, the middle sized bear and the big bear at
play, and he called it "A Bear Fight."
It was not until we were homeward bound that the Duke succumbed to
the ordeal of a second sitting for his portrait. He was an interesting
subject; I made two drawings of him, the portrait which he had
commanded, and which I understood was intended as a birthday present
for the Duchess, and I also made a water-colour drawing in similar
style to that which had pleased him of Sir Reginald Macdonald: which
represented him at full length in Admiral's uniform.
After I had thanked H.R.H. for all his kindness and hospitality and
the cruise was at an end, I said good-bye, and returned to London with
Wentworth-Cole.
When I arrived in London, amongst the first letters I received was one
from H.R.H. containing a handsome cheque in payment of the portrait.
Some little time after I was at work one morning in my studio in
William Street, Lowndes Square, when the hall porter announced "a
gentleman to see you, sir," and in walked the Duke of Edinburgh
carrying a parcel under his arm, which proved to be a photograph of
the Duchess, which he suggested I should study and left with me, for
he was most anxious that I should make a drawing of Her Royal
Highness, and suggested that later on her time would be less occupied,
but I gathered that the proposal had escaped her memory.