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_.
The morning before my departure I waited on Lord Aberdeen, requesting a
passport to England; he referred me to Prince Metternich. I reached his
hotel, and had to wade through a host of long-whiskered, long-piped
gentlemen, who were smoking with all their might and main, and spitting in
all directions.
As I advanced, a genteel-looking young man, who was dressed in an
aide-de-camp’s uniform, came to me and asked in French the purport of my
visit. I informed him. He left me, and soon returned and requested I would
walk into another room, where I found the German Prince, who received me
very cavalierly, and asked me what I did in Paris when there were
transports waiting at Bordeaux to carry over the English.
“I thank your Highness for the information, but I do not wish to go by
that route. My intention is to return to England by Havre, and I shall
feel obliged by your granting me a passport to that effect.”
“You should go to Lord Aberdeen for one.”
“I have already seen him, and he directed me to you, as you were in
command of the capital,” I replied.
He muttered something which I could not, nor did I wish to, understand.
After a pause he asked me my rank. I informed him, when he directed his
secretary to make out my passport, and here ended much ado about nothing.
We started next morning, slept at Rouen, revisited its ancient cathedral,
which had been struck by lightning, breakfasted, and arrived at Havre,
where we remained two days, waiting for a vessel to take us across the
Channel. I viewed this town with much interest, as it had saluted the
vessels I had belonged to with several hundred shot.
We arrived at Spithead in the evening, but too late to go on shore. There
were nine of us—men, women, and squalling children—and we had the comfort
of lying on the cabin deck, there being no sleeping berths, as the vessel
was only about fifty tons, and not fitted up for passengers.
When I landed next morning I appeared to tread on air, but I could not
help laughing out aloud at the, I thought, ridiculous and anything but
picturesque dresses of the women. Their coal-scuttle bonnets and their
long waists diverted me, although I was sorry to observe in my healthy and
fair countrywomen such an ignorance of good taste. I took a hasty mutton
chop at the “Fountain,” and started for London by the first stage coach.
On my arrival at dear home I found all I loved in good health. My
excellent wife and affectionate boys and girls clung round me, and I was
as happy as an innocent sucking pig, or, if my reader thinks the simile
not in place, as happy as a city alderman at a turtle feast.
A few days after my appearance at the Admiralty I was ordered to proceed
to Portsmouth, to undergo my trial for the loss of the ship, which, as a
son of the Emerald Isle would say, was no loss at all, as she was retaken
afterwards.
My sentence was as honourable to the officers of the court martial as it
was to myself. I received my sword from the President, Admiral Sir George
Martin, with a high encomium.
The days of my youth have floated by like a dream, and after having been
forty-five years in the Navy my remuneration is a hundred and eighty
pounds a year, without any prospect of its being increased. If the
generality of parents would take my advice they never would send one of
their boys into the service without sufficient interest and some fortune.
If they do, their child, if he behaves well, may die in his old age,
possibly as a lieutenant, with scarcely an income to support himself; and
if he should under these circumstances have the misfortune to have married
and have children, God, I hope, will help him, for I very much fear no one
else will!
Here ends my eventful but matter-of-fact history, which, if it has
afforded my reader any amusement, my pains are well repaid.
APPENDIX.
NOTE A.
If the French accounts are to be credited General Rochambeau had a
garrison of only 600 men, 400 of whom were militia (_cf._ “Victoires et
Conquêtes,” tome iii., p. 249). At any rate, when Fort Bourbon surrendered
the garrison was found to be only 200, including the wounded (_cf._ James,
vol. i., p. 219).
NOTE B.
James, in his account of this brilliant feat (vol. ii., p. 360 _et seq._),
gives several interesting details of the affair. “Every man was to be
dressed in blue, and no white of any kind to be seen. The password was
‘Britannia’ and the answer ‘Ireland.’” The boarding party proceeded in six
boats, each being instructed to effect an entrance on a particular part of
the _Hermione_. “From the moment of quitting the _Surprise_ till the
_Hermione_ was boarded Captain Hamilton never lost sight of her for a
moment. He stood up in the pinnace with his nightglass, by the aid of
which he steered a direct course towards the frigate.” When still a mile
from the _Hermione_ the boats were discovered by two Spanish gunboats.
Some of Hamilton’s boats disobeyed orders by attacking these gunboats
instead of concentrating their attention on the _Hermione_, and thus
nearly spoilt the attack.
James adds that: “In effecting this surprising capture the British
sustained so comparatively slight a loss as 12 wounded, including Captain
Hamilton. Of their 365 in crew the Spaniards had 119 killed and 97
wounded, most of them dangerously.”
NOTE C.
Copy of letter written by Lieutenant Hoffman to his wife immediately after
the action of Trafalgar:—
“TONNANT, _Oct. 27th, 1805_. Off Cadiz.
“MY BELOVED SARAH,—It has pleased Providence once more to bless our
favoured isle with astonishing success. On the 21st of the month the
combined enemy’s fleet, consisting of thirty-four sail of the line, four
frigates, and two brigs, were seen by us. At five minutes after twelve
afternoon we broke their line and engaged them. Captain Tyler gallantly
placed the _Tonnant_, and I hope we as gallantly defended her. We have
lost twenty-six brave fellows and fifty wounded in our ship only. We have
captured sixteen sail of the line, French and Spanish, and sunk one of the
line and one blew up. We are now going for Gibraltar to refit, as we are
decently maul’d. We were twenty-six of the line, three frigates, a cutter
and a schooner. I am very sorry to relate Lord Nelson has gloriously
fallen, covered with heroic wounds. Captain Tyler is wounded rather
dangerously, but I hope he will soon recover. The French Admiral Magon, in
the _Algerzaries_ (_sic_), of equal force, laid us alongside, and
attempted boarding, but found it ineffectual. At the same time we were
engaged by three other sail of the line. After engaging this fine fellow
for about an hour he struck his flag, and we took possession of her
(_sic_); in short, with this noble ship’s company we humbled three of
nearly equal force. This battle, my beloved, plainly shows it is not
always to the strong. An Almighty Hand fought it for us. To Him we trust
in this and every future event. May He protect my Sarah.”
NOTE D.
Captain Hoffman’s report to the Admiralty of the loss of the Apelles:—
“VERDUN, FRANCE, _May 28th, 1812_.
“SIR,—Captain Boxer, of H.M.S. _Skylark_, and my senior officer, having
communicated to me on the evening of the 2nd of May he had received
information of a large division of the flotilla being in readiness to
escape from Boulogne to Cherberg that night, he thought it necessary that
his sloop the _Skylark_ and the _Apelles_, under my command, should be
kept as close in shore as possible between Boulogne and Etaples in order
to intercept them. But it is with feelings of regret I have to acquaint
you, for the information of the Lords of the Admiralty, that on Sunday,
A.M. the 3rd of May, H.M.S. _Apelles_ ran aground about eighteen miles to
the westward of Boulogne, as also did H.M.S. _Skylark_. The wind at this
time was moderate at N.E. with a dense fog.
“The sloop, on a wind, heads E.S.E., going about five knots an hour, the
land not perceived. Shortly after it became clear enough to discern that
we were about a musket shot from a battery elevated above our mastheads,
which, on perceiving our situation, opened a most destructive fire on the
_Apelles_, she being the nearest vessel. During this time the boats were
got out, and an anchor carried astern to heave the sloop off. Guns, shot,
and heavy stores, etc., were thrown overboard, from before the chest tree
the water started and pumped out, in order to lighten the vessel, but
without effect, as, unfortunately, the sloops had run on shore on the
infant ebb spring tide, and it receded much faster than it was possible to
lighten them. About half-past five the _Apelles_ fell over on her
starboard side, with her decks entirely exposed to the battery, field
pieces, and musketry from the beach and sandhills. At six she became a
complete wreck, the shot from the enemy having cut away nearly all the
standing rigging, as well as the sails to ribands. In this state Captain
Boxer sent his first lieutenant on board the _Apelles_ to request I would
set fire to her and abandon her without loss of time, as he thought it was
impracticable to get either of the vessels off. I then called a council of
the officers and pilots, who were unanimous in the positive necessity of
quitting the vessels. The pilots further added that as the tide was so
rapidly ebbing, the vessels would soon be left dry on the beach, and if
the crews were not sent immediately away there would be no possibility of
escape. I then ordered the boats to be manned, and shortly afterwards they
left the _Apelles_ with the greater part of the officers, leaving on board
the following in consequence of their not being able to contain more, some
of them (boats) having been struck by shot:
“F. HOFFMAN, _Commander_.
Mr. MANNING, _Surgeon_.
Mr. HANNEY, _Purser_.
Mr. TAYLOR, _Gunner_.
Mr. JOHNSTON, _Mid_.
WM. WHITTAKER, _Clerk_.
J. THOMPSON }
DAVIES }
CROSBIE } _Seamen_.
GEORGE }
RAYMOND }
Sergt. OWEN }
Corp. CLEVERLY }
READY } _Marines_.
KING }
BAXFIELD }
“On the boats of the _Apelles_ joining those of the _Skylark_ Captain
Boxer, finding I remained behind, he, in a most gallant manner, pulled
towards the _Apelles_ with his deeply laden boat under a heavy discharge
of shot and musketry from the enemy to entreat me to go with him. This I
refused, but begged him to make the best of his way with the boats to
England, for as he had not room in the boats for those remaining as well
as myself I could not, as a point of humanity, as well as duty, think of
quitting the _Apelles_ whilst a man was compelled to remain behind.
Finding he could not prevail he gave up the point. He joined the other
boats, and was soon out of sight. I need not express my feelings to their
Lordships, or to you, Sir, on this trying occasion; I cannot describe
them. Shortly after the boats had left the sloops both masts of the
_Apelles_ fell by the board, having been nearly severed in two by the shot
of the enemy. At this time the _Skylark_, having grounded within hail of
us, was enveloped in flame and partially exploded, some of her shot
striking the _Apelles_. I now ordered a white flag to be shown by holding
it up. This at length appeared to silence the enemy, who had been
incessantly firing at us from the time we grounded until about seven
o’clock. About twenty minutes afterwards the _Apelles_, being partly dry,
was boarded by about 200 men, principally soldiers, who compelled us to
leave the sloop, and almost immediately afterwards followed us, as the
_Skylark_ exploded with an appalling report, setting fire to the
_Apelles_. Owing to her being previously dismasted consisted her safety.
The enemy soon after the explosion returned to the _Apelles_, and
extinguished the fire on board her. Only a vestige of the sternpost of
_Skylark_ now remained, half buried in the sand.
“Through this severe trial of more than three hours, whilst the shot were
going through the sides of the _Apelles_, and destroying her masts and
rigging, every officer and man behaved with that coolness inherent in
British seamen, and which I trust will speak favourably of their conduct
to their Lordships.
“I have now to remark that although we were under the painful necessity of
lowering His Majesty’s colours, which was not done until the last
extremity, the enemy did not desist from firing into us for an hour
afterwards. Seeing the crippled and distressed state we were in, his
motive was certainly not that of humanity. I have to add that Mr. Hanney,
the purser, was wounded in the head, and Mr. Taylor, the gunner, in the
shoulder and left hand, but neither dangerously. I am now happy to add
their wounds are nearly healed.
“The signal books and instructions of every description were burnt in the
galley fire by the Purser and myself when we saw there was no possibility
of our escape.
“I have the honour to remain, Sir,
“Your obedient servant,
(Signed) “F. HOFFMAN,
“Late Commander of H.M.S. _Apelles_.
“WM. CROKER, Esq., &c., &c., &c.,
Admiralty.”
NOTE E.
Letter from Captain Otter respecting the establishment of a school for
midshipmen at Verdun.
“VERDUN, _Oct. 26th, 1812_.
“DEAR SIR,—As I am very anxious that the establishment of a school should
be supported with our utmost endeavours, it is with the greatest
satisfaction I perceive you enter into the plans, and undertake the
conducting of it, with all the energy I could wish. I have already spoken
to Lieutenants Lambert, Brown, Thackstone, Carslake, Robins, Boyack,
Bogle, and Kennicote, who have volunteered to assist you, and I have no
doubt but that they will always be ready to follow such instruction as you
may think proper to give them.
“It is my wish that all the young gentlemen of the age of eighteen and
under attend the school, and that it may be open to those above that age
who will submit to the rules, and who wish to benefit by the attending
masters.
“As the intention of the school is solely for the improvement of the young
gentlemen of the Navy, it is presumed they will be sufficiently sensible
of the advantages they may derive from it, and by their regular attendance
and strict attention when in school, both show their desire of
improvement, and their respect to the gentlemen who have so kindly
volunteered to attend during the school hours.
“Wishing you every success in this your laudable undertaking,
“I remain, dear Sir,
“Yours truly,
“C. OTTER,
“Senior full-pay Captain of the Naval Department.”
NOTE F.
Testimonial from Captain Otter.
“BIDEFORD, DEVON, _Aug. 1st, 1827_.
“MY DEAR SIR,—I have sincere pleasure in acknowledging the great
assistance you afforded me by your voluntarily taking the trouble of
superintending, and also the able manner you conducted the school
established by me, as senior naval officer of the depôt of Verdun.
“I have likewise great satisfaction in testifying to your good conduct as
an officer and gentleman during the time you were a prisoner in France.
“I remain, dear Sir,
“Yours very truly,
“C. OTTER.
“F. HOFFMAN, Esq., Commander R.N.”
FOOTNOTES
1 Plymouth Dock.
2 A pie made of pilchards with their heads peeping through the crust,
hence the name “Star gazing.”
3 See note (_a_).
4 See note (b).
5 Note C.
6 See Note D.
7 See Notes E and F.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
The author’s footnotes have been moved to the end of the volume.
The following typographical errors were corrected:
page XII, “prisoners” changed to “prisoner’s” (see page 311)
page 31, “mens’” changed to “men’s”
page 39, missing quote added (after “in about an hour.”)
page 67, “of” added (between “north side” and “St. Domingo”)
page 190, “lieuteuant” changed to “lieutenant”
page 192, missing quote added (after “fourpence”)
page 251, “manchinel” changed to “manchineel”
page 271, missing quote added (after “he became my servant.”)
page 302, “Lemarois” changed to “Lemaroix”
page 313, “hotel” changed to “hôtel”
page 330, “window” changed to “windows”
Several unusual spellings were retained (“pigstye”, “fidgetty”), as were
small errors in French quotations: “Vive le Garde Impériale!” (for “Vive
la Garde Impériale”), “Presqu’ Isle” (for “Presqu’Isle”), “petit soupers”
(for “petits soupers”).
The following words appear both in hyphenated and unhyphenated forms:
“cocoa-nut/cocoanut”, “cray-fish/crayfish”, “fire-arms/firearms”,
“fire-flies/fireflies”, “flag-ship/flagship”, “flag-staffs/flagstaffs”,
“fore-mast/foremast”, “fore-yard/foreyard”, “gun-boat/gunboat”,
“gun-shot/gunshot”, “main-mast/mainmast”, “main-top/maintop”,
“mast-headed/mastheaded”, “mast-heading/mastheading”,
“pine-apple/pineapple”, “post-chaise/postchaise”,
“quarter-master/quartermaster”, “thunder-storm/thunderstorm”,
“top-mast/topmast”, “top-sail/topsail”.