[Illustration: Captain F. W. Hoffman, R.N.]
A SAILOR
OF KING GEORGE
THE JOURNALS OF
CAPTAIN FREDERICK HOFFMAN, R.N.
1793–1814
EDITED BY
_A. BECKFORD BEVAN_
AND
_H.B. WOLRYCHE-WHITMORE_
_WITH ILLUSTRATIONS_
LONDON
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET
1901
BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS,
LONDON AND TONBRIDGE.
PREFACE.
In a memorial presented in 1835 to the Lords of the Admiralty, the author
of the journals which form this volume details his various services. He
joined the Navy in October, 1793, his first ship being H.M.S. _Blonde_. He
was present at the siege of Martinique in 1794, and returned to England
the same year in H.M.S. _Hannibal_ with despatches and the colours of
Martinique. For a few months the ship was attached to the Channel Fleet,
and then suddenly, in 1795, was ordered to the West Indies again. Here he
remained until 1802, during which period he was twice attacked by yellow
fever.
The author was engaged in upwards of eighteen boat actions, in one of
which, at Tiberoon Bay, St. Domingo, he was wounded in the head, and
entirely lost the hearing of his left ear.
As first lieutenant of H.M.S. _Volage_, while attempting to cut out an
enemy’s vessel laden with tobacco from under the guns of the Moro Castle,
St. Jago de Cuba, after a running fight of two hours with three Spanish
privateers, he was obliged to surrender, and was carried prisoner to St.
Jago, where he remained for six weeks until exchanged. In 1802 he returned
to England in the _Volage_, which was then paid off.
In 1803 he was appointed lieutenant of H.M.S. _Minotaur_ on the Channel
Service, but in 1804, in consequence of a very severe attack of rheumatic
fever, which completely prostrated him and for several months necessitated
the use of crutches, he resigned his post.
On his recovery, in the summer of 1805, he was appointed to H.M.S.
_Tonnant_, and was senior lieutenant of her lower deck quarters in the
Battle of Trafalgar, concerning which he gives several new and interesting
details. During the battle he was slightly wounded in the left hand.
His next ship was H.M.S. _Diamond_ (to which he was appointed March 8th,
1806), ordered for service on the West Coast of Africa. In 1807 he became
commander of the _Favourite_ sloop of war in consequence of the death of
her captain, and three months afterwards took the last convoy of slave
ships to the West Indies.
In 1808, while in Jamaica, he was attacked by fever, which affected his
eyesight, nearly producing blindness; and, on the advice of the doctor at
Port Royal Hospital, Admiral Dacres gave him permission to exchange into
the _Goelan_ sloop of war, which was shortly afterwards ordered to England
with convoy.
In 1810 he was appointed to command the _Apelles_ on the Downs station,
and in this capacity he was actively employed until May, 1812, when,
during the middle watch, and in a dense fog, the _Apelles_, with the
_Skylark_, her leader, unfortunately grounded on the French coast, near
Etaples, on “the infant ebb of a spring tide.” All efforts to float the
sloop were vain, and, after being for three hours under the incessant fire
of a French battery, which riddled her hull and cut away her masts, and
having meanwhile sent away all the crew which the boats were capable of
containing, the author and eighteen others were compelled to surrender.
The following is the sentence of the Court Martial held at Portsmouth on
the conduct of Captain Hoffman for the loss of H.M. sloop _Apelles_, Sir
George Martin, Bart., President:—
“That there is no blame whatever attached to the conduct of Captain
Hoffman; that he is fully and honourably acquitted.
“That great praise is due to him for remaining with his ship.
“That the Court regrets he was under the painful necessity of becoming a
prisoner, and that his services were lost to his country for the period of
two years.”
After reading the sentence Sir G. Martin spoke as follows:—
“Captain Hoffman,—In the name of the Court and myself I present you the
sword, which by your conduct you so well merit.”
The author spent about two years in France, and during his captivity there
did excellent service to his country by opening and superintending a
school for the midshipmen who were also prisoners of war at Verdun.
It appears that he wrote these records of his life while residing at Dover
in 1838. He evidently intended to have them published, but for some reason
or another they have never hitherto been printed.
The Editors, in presenting them to the public more than sixty years after
they were originally written, think that they will prove of general
interest, not because they lay claim to literary excellence, but because
they present a simple, unexaggerated picture of the everyday life in the
navy a century ago, and give us an insight into the characters of the men
who helped to build up the sea power of Great Britain, and to bring her to
her present position of political and commercial greatness.
_November, 1901._
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY EXPERIENCES.
My mother consents to my going to sea—Journey to Portsmouth—Join H.M.S.
_Blonde_—Take General Prescott and suite on board—We sail—Supply West
Indiamen with provisions and in return impress six seamen—Windbound at
Falmouth—Again sail—Attacked by four French frigates, but escape and again
make Falmouth—Finally sail for West Indies—Amusements in crossing the
Equator.
_pp. 1-17_
CHAPTER II.
WEST INDIES.
Arrival in West Indies—Cruise among the French Islands—Bombardment and
capture of St. Pierre, Dominique—Attack on Fort Bourbon—Capture of
Forts—Surrender of General Rochambeau and the French garrison.
_pp. 18-29_
CHAPTER III.
RETURN TO ENGLAND.
Sail for England with despatches—A lunar rainbow—A two-tailed fish—Reach
Falmouth after passage of fifteen days—To Plymouth to refit—All leave
refused—Sailors’ frolics ashore—To sea again—Cruise off French coast and
Channel Islands—Run aground off Guernsey—Return to Plymouth to repair
damages—Rejoin fleet—French fleet escapes into Brest—Return to Plymouth to
refit for foreign service—Transhipped to H.M.S. _Hannibal_—Description of
the ship’s officers—Tricks played on the Irish chaplain.
_pp. 30-45_
CHAPTER IV.
OFF USHANT.
Join the Channel fleet off Ushant—Capture the French frigate _Gentille_,
also a twenty-four-gun ship five days later—Fleet returns to
Portsmouth—Prize-money—To sea again in charge of a convoy—Transport with
two hundred Hessian troops on board founders off Cape Finisterre—Suddenly
ordered to West Indies—Fight between a negro and a shark at Port Royal,
Jamaica—Dignity balls—Collision with H.M.S. _Sampson_—Outbreak of yellow
fever—Ordered to sea—Capture two French ships and two privateers.
_pp. 46-56_
CHAPTER V.
WEST INDIES AGAIN.
Owing to ravages of yellow fever go to Jamaica to obtain more
seamen—Difficulties and humours of impressment—Author attacked by yellow
fever—Proceed to Cape St. Nicholas mole—Great mortality among the
officers.
_pp. 57-68_
CHAPTER VI.
TOUGH YARNS.
Tough yarns—The sea-serpent—The fair-wind sellers of Bremen—Mermen and
mermaidens—Capture of Spanish schooner with mulatto laundresses on
board—Boat attack on, and capture of the French privateer
_Salamandre_—Outbreak of malignant scurvy—Novel method of treatment—French
women dressed as men—A voyage of discovery.
_pp. 69-85_
CHAPTER VII.
CRUISING OFF PORTO RICO.
A ball on board—Fishing with a seine—Ordered to cruise off Porto Rico—News
of the Battle of Camperdown—The boasts of Napoleon—Views on matrimony—A
sailor’s courtship—Futile boat attack on a Spanish war vessel at St.
Domingo—Author loses the hearing of his left ear from effect of a wound.
_pp. 86-99_
CHAPTER VIII.
MUTINY ON H.M.S. _HERMIONE_.
Tea with the boatswain’s wife—News of the mutiny at the Nore causes
trouble among the sailors—Sent to cruise in consequence—A white squall and
waterspout—Capture of a Spanish cruiser—Return to Port Royal—H.M.S.
_Hermione_ seized by mutineers and carried to Porto Bello—Recaptured by
Captain Hamilton—An alarm caused by fireflies.
_pp. 100-113_
CHAPTER IX.
A MOCK COURT-MARTIAL.
Transhipped to H.M.S. _Queen_ (98)—Sailors’ appreciation of books—The ship
runs aground and sinks: with difficulty raised—A mock court-martial on the
master—Author made lieutenant with a commission on a twenty-four-gun ship.
_pp. 114-125_
CHAPTER X.
MORE CRUISING.
Requested to act as first lieutenant, but refuses—Description of
officers—A fruitless search for a Spanish treasure ship—Run on a coral
reef, but float off again—A tropical thunderstorm—A futile attempt to cut
out three schooners off Matanzas—Author becomes first lieutenant—Return to
Port Royal—The incriminating papers of an American sloop found in a
shark—Seize a French ship in ballast off St. Domingo.
_pp. 126-138_
CHAPTER XI.
A JAMAICA PLANTATION.
Visit to a Jamaica plantation—Condition of the slaves—A growl against the
House of Commons and the Admiralty—Author attempting to cut out a Spanish
zebec, is taken prisoner—His pleasant experiences while in captivity—At
last released.
_pp. 139-155_
CHAPTER XII.
FIGHTING EPISODES.
Returns to his ship—Capture of a French schooner—An episode with two
American sloops of war—Return to Port Royal—Attacked a second time by
yellow fever—Seize and burn a Spanish gunboat—Return to Port Royal—Wetting
a midshipman’s commission—Ordered home with a convoy—Pathetic farewells
with mulatto washerwomen.
_pp. 156-168_
CHAPTER XIII.
HOME AGAIN.
Ordered to the Black River—Meet the magistrate there, and “bow to his
bishop”—Sail with a convoy of thirty ships—Arrive at Deal—A cruise on
horseback on a baker’s nag, which conscientiously goes the bread round—The
author’s brother comes on board, but he fails to recognise him—Paid off at
Deptford.
_pp. 169-181_
CHAPTER XIV.
A HOLIDAY ASHORE.
On shore—Tired of inactivity—Apply for a ship—Appointed to H.M.S.
_Minotaur_ (74)—Prisoners sent on board as part of crew—Go to
Plymouth—Scarcity of seamen—Ruse to impress an Irish farm labourer—Ordered
to join the Channel fleet off Ushant—Capture French thirty-six-gun ship—In
danger off Ushant—Capture two small French ships and one Dutch one: Author
sent to Plymouth in charge of the latter—Placed in quarantine.
_pp. 182-198_
CHAPTER XV.
A LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP.
The ship arrives—Captain’s attempt to form a band—Sail again—Attacked by
rheumatic fever and invalided ashore—Ordered to join H.M.S.
_Tonnant_—Proceed to Mediterranean—At Oran: experiences ashore.
_pp. 199-209_
CHAPTER XVI.
BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR.
Join Lord Nelson’s squadron—Battle of Trafalgar—Author’s
experiences—Occurrences during action—Severity of operations before the
use of anæsthetics—The _Tonnant’s_ casualty list—Proceed to Gibraltar—A
truce with Spain during horse races on neutral ground there.
_pp. 210-221_
CHAPTER XVII.
OFF BREST.
Return under jury-masts to England—Arrive at Spithead—The admiral, the
middy, and the dirk—Join H.M.S. _Diamond_ as first lieutenant—Attached to
Lord St. Vincent’s fleet off Brest—A change of captains—Weary waiting for
an enemy who never came.
_pp. 222-233_
CHAPTER XVIII.
“ORDERED FOREIGN.”
Ordered on foreign service—Visit Madeira, Cape de Verde, and
Goree—Experiences on shore—Sail for Cape Coast Castle—Difficulty of
landing—The captain’s black lady—Author appointed captain of H.M.S.
_Favourite_—Proceed to Accrah—Sacred alligators.
_pp. 234-245_
CHAPTER XIX.
WEST COAST ADVENTURES.
Cruise along West African coast—Dinner with the Danish consul at Cape
Coast Castle—Ordered to Sierra Leone—A trip inland—We proceed to the Los
Islands—A trip up the River Pongo—Quell disturbance on a slaver—A dinner
with a native prince—His presents.
_pp. 246-258_
CHAPTER XX.
WITH SLAVE CONVOY.
Return to Sierra Leone—Dinner party aboard—Sail with convoy of five
slave-ships—How the slaves were obtained—Arrive Barbadoes—Sail for Tobago
and Trinidad—Visit Pitch Lake—To Jamaica—Cruising off Cuba—Futile attempt
on two Spanish privateers—Capture small Spanish privateer—Return to
Jamaica—Arrange exchange with captain of home-going ship—A challenge to
Spanish corvette declined by the latter.
_pp. 259-268_
CHAPTER XXI.
HOME WITH MAHOGANY.
My new ship—Sail for Belize—Native and alligator—Sail for England with
convoy of ships—Hear of peace being signed between England and
Spain—Arrive in England—Paid off at Sheerness—Return home—Tired of country
life—Apply for ship—Appointed to H.M.S. _Apelles_.
_pp. 269-279_
CHAPTER XXII.
OFF BOULOGNE.
Brig sloop sent to watch the French flotilla off Boulogne—Monotonous
duty—Return to Sheerness to refit—Story of Billy Culmer—More cruising off
Boulogne—Return to England.
_pp. 280-289_
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE SAME WEARY ROUND.
Leave to return home for four days—Visit of the Duke of Clarence—Again off
Boulogne—Down Channel with a convoy—Boulogne once more—Refit at
Plymouth—Return Boulogne—Run aground on French coast—Part of crew escape
in boats—Author and nineteen men remain on board.
_pp. 290-300_
CHAPTER XXIV.
TAKEN PRISONER.
Taken prisoner, and removed to Boulogne gaol—Asked to dinner by General
Lemaroix—News of Perceval’s assassination—Parole refused—Marched to
Montreuil-sur-Mer—On to Hesdin; being footsore, Author insists on having a
carriage—Drives to Arras.
_pp. 301-310_
CHAPTER XXV.
AT CAMBRAY.
Meet an Englishman—At last put on parole—Dine with Lieutenant
Horton—Proceed to Cambray—Relics of Archbishop Fénélon—Meet Captain Otter
at Verdun—Prisoners’ amusements—Author and Captain Otter establish a
school for midshipmen—Author moves into country quarters—Severe censorship
of prisoner’s letters—Ordered to Blois—Purchase a cart and horses.
_pp. 311-320_
CHAPTER XXVI.
END OF CAPTIVITY.
Horses bolt, and cart upsets—Reach Blois after six days’
travelling—Miserable condition of French troops after return from
Moscow—Ordered to Gueret on the Creuse—A miserable journey of five
days—Poor accommodation—Allowed to move to country quarters at Masignon—An
earthquake shock—News of Napoleon’s abdication—Start for Paris—Reach
Fontainebleau in nine days—Proceed to Paris—Lodgings dear and scarce—State
entrance of Louis XVIII. into Paris.
_pp. 321-331_
CHAPTER XXVII.
HONOURABLY ACQUITTED.
Obtain a passport after some difficulty from Prince Metternich—Start for
England _viâ_ Rouen and Havre—Sail to Spithead—Amused at Englishwomen’s
queer dress—Return to family—Acquitted for loss of H.M.S. _Apelles_.
_pp. 332-334_
APPENDIX
_pp. 335-340_
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
CAPTAIN F. HOFFMAN, R.N. (_by V. Varillas, 1818_) _Frontispiece_
FALMOUTH HARBOUR _To face_ 10
PLYMOUTH HARBOUR " 50
PORT ROYAL, JAMAICA " 108
LUXURIOUS VEGETATION, JAMAICA " 140
ENTRANCE TO ST. IAGO, CUBA " 146
THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR (_after C. Stanfield, " 210
R.A._)
H.M.S. _APELLES_ " 280
THE ENTRY OF THE ALLIES INTO PARIS BY THE PORTE " 330
ST. MARTIN, MARCH 31, 1814
A SAILOR OF KING GEORGE.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY EXPERIENCES.
My mother consents to my going to sea—Journey to Portsmouth—Join
H.M.S. _Blonde_—Take General Prescott and suite on board—We
sail—Supply West Indiamen with provisions and in return impress
six seamen—Windbound at Falmouth—Again sail—Attacked by four
French frigates, but escape and again make Falmouth—Finally sail
for West Indies—Amusements in crossing the Equator.
One morning sitting with my mother in the drawing room and entreating her
to comply with my wish to enter the Navy, she was so intent on listening
to my importunities and her patchwork that she did not observe that the
cat was running away with her favourite goldfinch; the cat, with the poor
bird in its mouth, was near the door, waiting to escape. Seeing what had
happened, I immediately ran to the poor little bird’s assistance, but,
alas! too late, as the cruel animal had torn off one of its wings.
Whilst my mother was feelingly lamenting her favourite’s untimely death,
and deliberating whether the cat should be given away, the door opened,
the culprit escaped, and Captain Elphinstone entered. On his observing my
mother’s paleness, he requested to know if anything of a serious nature
had occurred in the family. “No,” replied she, “except the loss of a
favourite bird, which I certainly regret, as it was killed by the cat in a
most distressing manner, and,” added she, “my spirits are not at this
moment very good in consequence of my son’s wishing to enter the Navy.”
“The first,” said he, “I lament, as it has deprived you of a pet; the
latter may in the end be a matter of rejoicing. Who knows but that your
son, if he enters that noble service, may turn out a second Hawke.” My
ears thrilled at his remark.
“Do you really think, Captain Elphinstone,” said my mother, with a
half-sorrowful countenance, “that it would be to his advantage?” “Most
assuredly,” replied he, “as I think it very likely war will shortly be
declared against that unhappy and distracted France, and he will have a
very fair chance of making prize money, and in time will gain his
promotion.”
“Quit the room a short time, my love,” said my mother to me. In about a
quarter of an hour, which I thought an hour, I was sent for. Captain
Elphinstone had taken his leave. I found my mother still very pale. “I am
afraid, dear boy,” she began, “that Captain Elphinstone has almost
persuaded me against my will. He has spoken of the prospects of the Naval
Service in so favourable a manner that I am nearly tempted to let you
enter it, and should war unhappily be declared against our unfortunate
neighbours, the French, and my friend Captain Markham be appointed to a
ship, I believe I must make up my mind to be quite persuaded and let you
have your wish.” “Thank you, my dear mother,” replied I, overjoyed at what
I knew nothing about. A short time after this conversation, war was
declared against France, or rather France provoked it, and Captain Markham
was appointed to the _Blonde_ frigate. My mother instantly wrote to him;
his answer was favourable, and he requested her to let me join him as soon
as possible. All now was bustle and preparation. My brothers were sent for
home, and begged to be allowed to go with me. Poor fellows! they little
knew what they asked. In a few days I was fully equipped. I mounted my
uniform, and I thought my brothers and the young friends who came to take
leave of me appeared to envy me my finery, particularly my dirk, which
they examined so often that I began to think they would wear it out. At
length the evening arrived for me to quit my dear, happy home. My mother
was sensibly affected, my sister looked serious, but my brothers, who were
younger than myself—little rogues!—only looked disappointed that they
could not go with me. I am sorry to say that my spirits were so buoyant
that sorrow did not enter my head.
Captain Elphinstone was kind enough to accompany me to the coach, and on
the 12th day of October, 1793,—oh! happy day, at least I thought so—we
repaired to the sign of that nondescript bird, the “Swan with Two Necks”
in Lad Lane, Cheapside. After taking an affectionate farewell of those who
came with me, I stepped into the vehicle of transport with a light foot, a
light heart, and, I fear, a light head, as I fancied by the people staring
at me that I was the lion of the occasion. When we stopped for supper a
gentlemanly person, who sat opposite, asked me what ship I belonged to. I
informed him, and he told me he was Captain W., of the 31st Regiment,
going to join his division at Portsea, destined for Gibraltar. “It is
probable you will not join the frigate for a few days after your arrival,”
said he, “and if you do not, we have a mess at Portsmouth where I shall be
happy to see you.” I thanked him warmly for his considerate and kind
invitation. I had only one opportunity of dining with him, as he embarked
three days after his arrival. About six o’clock in the evening I reached
the “Blue Postesses” where the midshipmen put their chestesses and eat
their breakfastesses. Next morning, and whilst I was prosing over my
breakfast, in walked a midshipman, about twenty years of age, with a face
which appeared to have been rolled down Deal beach a dozen times.
“Waiter,” said he, “have you in the house a young officer lately arrived
from Lunnen?” “Ho, ho!” thinks I, “my boy, you are from my country the
West, and probably from where it rains upon Dock(1) nine months in the
twelve.” “Yes, sir,” said the waiter, “the young officer is eating his
breakfastesses;” saying this he brought him to my box. “Good morning,
sir,” said he, “I have come on shore to take you on board. Have you all
your things ready?” “Yes,” said I, “I shall be ready in twenty minutes.
Can you spare me that time? But,” continued I, “have you breakfasted?—you
look rather cold,”—I was afraid to say hungry—“I think a cup of tea will
warm you.” I then gave him one. “If you will allow me,” said he, “I’ll put
a poker in it.” I wondered what he meant. It was soon explained. He called
the waiter and told him to bring a glass of rum, which he put into the
tea, and, as he thought I should feel the cold going off, he said I had
better do the same. As I considered him my superior officer I complied,
although the fiery taste of the spirit almost burnt my mouth, which he
perceiving smiled, and told me I should soon be used to it. “You will
oblige me,” said I, “if you will give me a little insight into the
characters of the officers of the ship.” “Why,” said he, “the captain is a
tight one, and sometimes in a hurricane I never heard any officer pray so
well or so heartily as he does: his prayers, if not heard elsewhere, are
certainly heard by all on board, and are generally effective. However,”
added he, “you will soon be able to judge for yourself. The first
lieutenant is one of the old woman’s school, an easy and good kind of
person, but not fit to be first of an active frigate. The second
lieutenant is a regular-built sailor, and knows his duty well, but he is
fond of mast-heading the youngsters when they think they do not deserve
it. The third lieutenant would be a sailor if he knew how to set about it;
he generally begins at the wrong end, and is always making stern way,
but,” said he, “he almost prays as good a stick as the skipper. As for the
other officers, we have not so much to do with them as with those I have
described. However,” added he, “there is one more—I mean the purser: he is
a complete nip-cheese, and as for his steward, he ought to have swung at
the fore-yard arm long ago.” “There is one more question I have to ask,”
said I, “which is, what sort of young gentlemen are the midshipmen?”
“Why,” replied he, “two of what you term young gentlemen are old enough to
be your father, but take them in a lump they are not so bad; four of them
are about your age, and full of fun and frolic. Now,” said he, “it’s time
to be off.” He beckoned to a seaman near the door, who, I found, was the
coxswain of the cutter. “Take this officer’s chest to the boat.” Here the
waiter interposed, and said it was customary for the waterman of the “Blue
Postesses” to take packages down to the water side. To this I consented,
and away we trotted to sally port where the boat was lying. On our arrival
at the stairs, I found another midshipman about my own age, who had been
left in charge of the boat’s crew during the other’s absence. He eyed me
obliquely; then turning to the elder, “I thought,” said he, “you would
never come. I have been so bothered during the time you were away by three
of the men’s confounded trulls, who wanted me to give them a passage off,
that every five minutes appeared an hour, and I have only this moment got
rid of them.” “Never mind, my boy,” said the other, “let’s shove off.”
Passing round a point, going out of the harbour, I observed a gibbet with
part of a human skeleton hanging on it. “You are looking at the remains of
Jack the painter,” said the elder midshipman to me. “Do you know his
history?” I answered in the negative. “Why,” said he, “that burning rascal
set fire to the rope-house in the dockyard about the time you were born,
and there the gentleman’s bones are rattling to the breeze as a warning to
others.” The wind was blowing strong, and we were more than an hour before
we reached the frigate, which was lying at Spithead. My eyes during that
time were fixed on twelve sail of the line ready for sea. As I had never
seen a line of battleship, I was much struck with their noble and imposing
appearance, and I imagined everybody who served on board them must feel
pride in belonging to them. After a severe pull we got alongside as the
boatswain and his mates were piping to dinner. I followed the elder
midshipman up the side, the other came up after me. On reaching the
quarter-deck we made our bows, when I was introduced to the second
lieutenant, who had the watch on deck. He asked me some indifferent
questions, and sent for one of the master’s mates to give orders
respecting my hammock. The first lieutenant, an elderly, weather-beaten,
gentlemanly looking person, now came on deck. I had a letter for him from
my sister’s husband-elect, which I gave him. After reading it he asked me
how I had left my friends, and before I could answer the question I heard
him say to the second lieutenant, “What the devil do they send such
delicate boys into the Service to be knocked on the head for?—much better
make civilians of them.” Then turning to me, “Well, youngster,” said he,
with a good-humoured smile, “you’ll dine in the gun room with us at three
o’clock.” He then sent for the gunner, and requested him to take me into
his mess, who grinned assent. This last was a square, broad-shouldered
Welshman, with an open countenance, and of no little consequence. I
descended to his cabin, which was under water, and I could, when in it,
distinctly hear that element bubbling like a kettle boiling as it ran by
the ship’s side above our heads. I found this said cabin not too large for
three of us, as the surgeon’s mate was an inmate as well as myself. Its
dimensions were about eight feet by six, and when we were at table the boy
who attended us handed everything in we wanted by the door. In a few days
I was quite at home with the mids; some of them began spinning tough yarns
respecting the hardships of a sea life—what a horrible bore it was to keep
night watches, or any watch at all, and you are sure, said one of them, to
catch the fever and ague after you have been four hours walking under the
draught of the mizzen stay-sail; and, added another, to be mast-headed for
three hours with your face to windward by those tyrants, the second and
third lieutenants. They both ought to be turned out of the Service for
tyranny and oppression, and as to the last he does not know how to put the
ship about without the assistance of Hamilton Moore or the old
quartermaster. I thought this all very encouraging. I, however, kept my
own counsel, and as I did not appear much discomposed by the recital of so
many miseries, they considered me a complete Johnny Newcome just caught.
We were now ready for sailing, and only waiting the arrival of a general
officer and his suite. The second morning after I joined the frigate a
most serious accident occurred which might easily have proved fatal to all
on board. In a part called the after cockpit, where, after breakfast, the
surgeon examines the sick, a large piece of iron called a loggerhead, well
heated, is put into a bucket of tar in order to fumigate it after the sick
have left it. On this occasion the tar caught fire. It soon reached the
spirit-room hatches, which were underneath, and the powder magazine
bulkhead. Unfortunately, without considering the consequences, a few
buckets of water were thrown on the flaming tar, which made it spread
more. At length the engine was set to work, and beds and blankets from the
purser’s store-room surcharged with water soon got it under. These last
were of the greatest service in smothering the flame, and were more
effectual in saving the ship than the engine. The captain and officers
behaved nobly on this occasion. I had the honour of conducting the hose of
the engine down the hatchway, and was almost stifled by the smoke for my
pains. On looking through one of the gunports after the danger was over, I
could not help laughing to see two of the women with a rope fastened under
their arms and held by their husbands, paddling close to the ship’s side,
with their clothes rising like large bladders around them. A number of
boats on seeing our danger came to our assistance, but they were ordered
to lay on their oars at a distance. Providentially we did not require
their aid.
On the 2nd of November we received on board General Prescott and his
suite, and immediately afterwards got under weigh and made sail with a
favourable wind down Channel. We had taken our departure from the Lizard,
when, on the same night the wind, which had continued some time from the
eastward, changed to the westward, and came on to blow fresh with very
hazy weather. A number of West Indiamen passed us; they had been beating
about in the chops of the Channel for more than a week. Some of them were
in great distress for provisions. We relieved three of them by sending
some bags of biscuit and casks of salt beef, and as we were feelingly
alive to their situation, we took from their crews six of their seamen. I
was much interested in two of these men. They had been absent nearly
eighteen months from their wives and families, and were fondly looking
forward to a meeting with those for whom they lived and toiled, but, alas!
they were doomed to return to that foreign climate they had a few months
before left, and from whence it was impossible to know when they would
come back.
[Illustration: FALMOUTH HARBOUR. [_Frith, Reigate._]
We kept the sea for two days longer notwithstanding the violence of the
westerly gale, in the hope it would not long continue; but finding we were
losing ground, we on the third day bore up for Falmouth, where we anchored
in the evening and remained windbound four days, during which period we
exercised the guns and sails.
On one of these days I went with a party of my shipmates on shore at St.
Maw’s. Before coming off I bethought me of a pair of shoes, which I had
forgotten to procure at Falmouth. I inquired of a boy who passed me where
I could find a shop to supply my wants; he informed me the mayor was the
best shoemaker in the town. To this worthy magistrate I repaired, who I
found very busily employed on a pair of boots. He had spectacles on nose,
which feature was not very prominent and of a reddish-blue. I acquainted
him with my wish to have a pair of solid, good understanders. Pointing to
some shoes, “Good,” said he, “young officer, here’s a pair will fit you to
a T. They were made for Captain H.’s son, but the ship sailed before he
could send for them.” As they fitted me I bought them. “So I understand,”
said he, “gentlemen,”—for two of the mids were with me—“you are going to
the Indies to make your fortunes.” “Are we?” said I, “that is more than we
know.” “Yes,” continued he, “I am sure of it, and in a year’s time you
will return with your pockets well filled with French money; and I hope,”
added he, “that if you return to Falmouth you will pay my shop a second
visit.” I need not inform my reader that the worshipful shoemaking
magistrate proved a false prophet. We did return within a twelve-month,
and to Falmouth, ’tis true, but nearly as poor as when he told us our
fortunes; consequently we did not visit his shop a second time.
As we were the senior officer, and there being several sloops of war and
cutters in the harbour, we fired the evening and morning guns. The first
evening we fired proved fatal to a pilot and four boatmen, who imagined
the firing proceeded from a ship seen standing for the harbour with the
loss of her fore top-mast. The night was very dark and tempestuous, and a
short time after leaving St. Maw’s the boat upset and they were all lost.
This was the more distressing as they all left wives and families. The
officers among the squadron made a subscription for them, and the mids,
although not rich, were not backward. The wind becoming favourable, we on
the fifth morning made sail out of the roads and stood down Channel. The
same night, which was very dark and squally, we fell in with the _Venus_
frigate, who, before we could answer the private signal, favoured us with
a discharge of musketry. Fortunately, it did no other damage than cutting
some of the ropes.
On the morning of the second day after leaving Falmouth we saw four ships
about five miles distant to the S.W. At first we took them for Indiamen
homeward bound. In the expectation of procuring some good seamen we stood
towards them. After a short time we discovered them to be French frigates.
We immediately altered our course, and made all possible sail to avoid
them. On perceiving this they signalled each other and stood after us
under a press of sail. The wind was moderate, and had again changed to the
westward. The enemy was drawing fast on us. After a chase of five hours
the nearest frigate fired her foremost guns at us, which cut away the
maintop bowline. We returned their fire with our stern chasers. As they
had neared us so rapidly, we thought it prudent to throw overboard the
foreign stores in order to improve our sailing. Two of the enemy’s
frigates were now within gunshot and the two others nearing us fast. We
had almost despaired of escaping, when fortunately one of our shot brought
down the advanced frigate’s fore topsail yard, and we soon found we were
leaving her. The second yawed, and gave us a broadside; only two of her
shot took effect by striking near the fore channels. Her yaw saved us, as
we gained on her considerably. The wind had become light, which still
further favoured us. We were now nearing our own coast, and towards sunset
the enemy had given up the chase and hauled off to the S.W. The wind
veering to the northward, we altered our course to the westward; but,
singular to say, at daylight next morning we found ourselves about six
miles from the same vessels, who, directly they perceived us, made all
sail towards us. We tacked and stood again for Falmouth, where we anchored
that evening and remained three days to complete our stores. We once more
made sail for our destination, which I now found was the West Indies,
without meeting further obstacle. As we neared the tropic those who had
crossed it were anticipating the fun; others were kept in ignorance until
Neptune came on board, which he did with one of his wives. It was my
morning watch, when the frigate was hailed and desired to heave to, which
was done. The cooper, a black man, personated the sea-god. His head was
graced with a large wig and beard made of tarred oakum. His shoulders and
waist were adorned by thrumbed mats; on his feet were a pair of Greenland
snow-shoes. In his right hand he held the grains (an instrument something
resembling a trident, and used for striking fish). He was seated on a
match tub placed on a grating, with his wife, a young topman, alongside of
him. Her head-dress consisted of a white flowing wig made of oakum, with a
green turban; on her shoulders was an ample yellow shawl; her petticoat
was red bunting; on her feet were sandals made from the green hide of a
bullock. In her right hand she held a harpoon; her cheeks were thickly
smeared with red ochre.
After being drawn round the decks three times in order to astonish those
confined below by the noise and bustle it made, Neptune introduced his
young bride to the captain, and informed him he was in mourning for his
last wife, pointing to his skin. “What occasioned her death?” inquired the
captain. “She,” replied the sea-god, “died of a violent influenza she
caught on the banks of Newfoundland nursing her last child in a thick fog,
and,” added he, “I intend next month blockading the coast of Shetland in
order to compel the mermaids to give up one of their young women whom I
hired three months ago to suckle my last infant, since the death of its
mother.” He then requested to know if there were any new arrivals from his
favourite island, England. The captain informed him there were several,
and as some of them were rather delicate, with very little beard, he hoped
his barber would not shave them too close. One of the midshipmen was then
brought up blindfolded. Neptune asked him how he had left his mamma, that
he must refuse biscuit when he could have soft tommy (white bread), that
he should lower his main-top gallant sail to a pretty girl, and make a
stern board from an ugly one. After being taken to the sea-god’s wife, who
embraced him most cordially, leaving no small proportion of the ochre on
his cheeks, he was desired to be seated, and was led to the narrow plank
placed over a very large tub of water. The barber then began his
operations with grease and tar, and as the mid did not admire the
roughness of the razor, he began to be a little restive, when over he went
into the tub, where he floundered for some short time. He was drawn out,
the bandage removed from his eyes, and he appeared not a little surprised
to see so many grotesque figures around him. He soon recovered himself and
entered into the fun which followed.
All the others came up one at a time and went through the same ceremony.
Some were inclined not to submit to Neptune’s directions. This only made
matters worse for them, as the more they struggled the oftener they were
plunged into the tub of water. After about two hours’ amusement the decks
were dried, everything in order, and all hands at breakfast. I could not
help laughing at one of the lieutenants of Marines who, to avoid getting
wet, had placed himself on the forecastle to enjoy the pastime without
partaking in it. One of the mids who had been ducked determined he should
not escape, and had a couple of buckets filled with water on the gangway,
ready to throw on him when he quitted his post, which he did when he saw
the tub removed from the quarter-deck. As the youngster wished, he went
along the main-deck, when, as he passed, over his shoulders went the first
bucket of water; he unfortunately lifted his head to see who threw it,
when over went the other right in his face and breast, so that he was as
completely drenched as if he had been ducked. Unluckily, he had on his red
coat, which was completely spoiled; salt water is a bitter enemy to red
cloth, as it turns it black. A few days afterwards we caught several
dolphins and a shark seventeen feet in length. We were obliged to fire
seven pistol balls into its head to kill it before we could get it on
board. It was cut up and put into pickle for those who chose to eat it.
There was a beautiful fish, striped alternately black and yellow, swimming
under it. The sailors called it a pilot-fish, and they informed me that
sharks are very seldom without one or two, and that they appear to direct
them where to go; this last must be mere conjecture. The pilot-fish is
generally about a foot long, and in shape like a mullet.