me of the 17th August, together with the enclosure to yourself
from Lieut.-Colonel L’Estrange, and I have great satisfaction
in obeying the commands of His Royal Highness, by requesting
that you will express to Lieut.-Colonel L’Estrange, and to the
officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, that served
under his command at Manchester on the 16th of August, His Royal
Highness’s high approbation of the exemplary manner in which
they assisted and supported the civil authorities of the County
Palatine of Lancaster on that day.
“I have, &c.
(Signed) “SIDMOUTH.”
“New Bailey Court-House, August 17th, 1819.
“The Magistrates of the two counties of Lancaster and Chester,
assembled at Manchester, request Lieut.-Colonel L’Estrange will
accept for himself, and convey to the officers, non-commissioned
officers, and privates under his command, their best and
sincerest thanks, for the energy, tempered by the greatest
humanity, displayed in their conduct yesterday, a conduct
peculiarly characteristic of the British soldier.
(Signed) “WM. HUTTON, _Chairman_.”
[Sidenote: 1820]
The disturbances among the manufacturing classes having subsided,
the THIRTY-FIRST regiment left Manchester on the 2nd of June,
1820. The troops had been much harassed throughout the winter, in
consequence of the ill spirit which prevailed among the people
of the surrounding districts, and on the removal of the regiment
the municipal authorities of Manchester and Salford addressed a
letter to Lieut.-Colonel L’Estrange, expressing their regret at its
departure, and their esteem for its conduct during the eventful
period the corps was stationed in those towns.
On the 10th of June, 1820, the regiment arrived at Sunderland.
[Sidenote: 1821]
In February, 1821, the regiment marched from Sunderland to Port
Patrick, in Scotland, whence, on the 7th of March, it embarked for
Donaghadee, and on the following morning proceeded to Belfast.
While quartered in this town, the establishment was reduced from
ten companies of sixty-five rank and file, to eight companies of
seventy-two rank and file each.
During the period the head-quarters remained at Belfast,
detachments of the regiment were stationed in Coleraine,
Downpatrick, and Carrickfergus, where they were employed on the
revenue and other duties generally required from the army in
Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1822]
In April, 1822, the regiment was removed from Belfast and its
neighbourhood, occupying fresh quarters at Armagh, Newry, and
Dundalk.
[Sidenote: 1823]
[Sidenote: 1824]
The regiment, in October 1823, marched from Armagh to Naas, and
in January, 1824, proceeded to Dublin, where it occupied Richmond
barracks.
In the year 1824 the regiment received orders to prepare for
foreign service:--the island of Ceylon was, in the first instance,
selected as its destination, but it was eventually changed to
Bengal. On the 20th of July the left wing of the THIRTY-FIRST
regiment marched to Kingstown, and embarked on board of transports
for Portsmouth, where it arrived on the 26th of July; the right
wing, following soon afterwards, joined on the 2nd of August, and
the regiment went into barracks at Gosport.
[Sidenote: 1825]
On the 12th of January, 1825, the regiment marched from Gosport for
Chatham, where it arrived on the 20th of that month. On the 7th of
February the regiment marched to Gravesend to embark for Calcutta:
the right wing on board the Honorable East India Company’s ship
“_Kent_,” under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Fearon; the left
wing on board the “Scaleby Castle,” under Major Tovey. The two
ships parted company off Portsmouth at the end of February, and
the “Scaleby Castle,” after making a favourable voyage, arrived at
Sangor, in the mouth of the Hoogley, on the 7th of June.
The men had been remarkably healthy during the long confinement on
board ship; two only had died during the passage, and only eight
were on the sick list when the vessel came to anchor. The men were
transferred, after a few days’ delay at Sangor Point, to sloops, a
particularly uncomfortable and clumsy description of vessel, then
used to transport troops up the River Hoogley from the sand-heads,
and on the 21st of June they arrived opposite Fort William, where
boats had been prepared to receive them, for they were not yet
destined to land. It was the 26th, however, before the left wing
was able to sail again; it was therefore five days, during the most
trying season of the year, confined in small thatched boats, which
were moored to the river’s bank: it nevertheless reached Berhampore
on the 2nd of July, with the loss of only one man.
Berhampore, on the Bhagaritty river, is the cantonment of the city
of Moorshedabad, and in 1825 was the depôt of the regiments on the
Bengal establishment, then on service in Burmah. The companies of
the left wing of the corps took possession of the barracks, and
remained in them till the 22nd of September.
[Illustration: THE KENT EAST INDIAMAN.
ON FIRE DURING A STORM IN THE BAY OF BISCAY, HAVING THE HEAD
QUARTERS AND 5 COMPANIES OF THE 31^{ST} REG^T ON BOARD, THE BRIG
CAMBRIA, OPPORTUNELY APPEARS IN SIGHT, & 553 OUT OF A TOTAL OF 637
SOULS ARE RESCUED. 1^{ST} MARCH, 1825.
_Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t Strand._
_For Cannon’s Military Records._]
The voyage of the _right_ wing of the regiment from England was
interrupted very early in its progress by one of the most unhappy
events that could befall a ship at sea. The _Kent_ took fire on the
1st of March, in the Bay of Biscay, and was totally destroyed: the
accident was first perceived about ten o’clock A.M., towards the
end of a violent gale of wind, when the sea was disturbed, and the
ship rolling heavily.
“It was a little before this period that one of the officers of
the ship, with the well-meant intention of ascertaining that
all was fast below, descended with two of the sailors into the
hold, where they carried with them, for safety, a light in a
patent lantern, and seeing that the lamp burned dimly, took the
precaution to hand it up to the orlop deck to be trimmed. Having
afterwards discovered one of the spirit casks to be adrift, he
sent the sailors for some billets of wood to secure it, but the
ship in their absence having made a heavy lurch, the officer
unfortunately dropped the light, and letting go his hold of the
cask, in his eagerness to recover the lantern, it suddenly stove,
and the spirits communicating with the lamp, the whole place was
instantly in a blaze.”[25]
When all hopes of saving the ship vanished, exertions were made to
rescue the troops and the crew. Encouraged by the noble example
of their officers, the soldiers preserved the utmost order and
firmness in their perilous situation.
During the long and honorable services of the regiment, no
opportunity had occurred to put its discipline and conduct to
such a severe trial, but it brought from the ordeal a reputation
even more distinguished than it had previously gained. In the
field, when the spirits of men are excited by the animating
circumstances of the contest, where honor is sure and death
uncertain, valour and good order may be expected; but in the midst
of dangers against which it appeared hopeless to struggle,--at
a time when no aid appeared, and passively to die was all that
remained,--the manly resignation, the ready obedience, and the
unfailing discipline--characteristics of a good soldier--evinced
by the THIRTY-FIRST, entitle the regiment to dwell at some length,
in its Record, upon the events that called forth those admirable
qualities. Although Lieut.-Colonel Fearon and Major M‘Gregor were
most conspicuous, yet all who were on board deserve that their
names should be recorded.
In the following statement is shown the number of officers and men
of the THIRTY-FIRST embarked in the “Kent,” specifying also the
number saved:--
Officers. Men. Women. Children. Total.
Embarked in the Kent 20 344 47 73 484
--------------------------------------
Saved by the Cambria 20 276 46 52 394
Saved by the Caroline -- 14 -- -- 14
--------------------------------------
Total lost 54 1 21 76
--------------------------------------
_Names of the Officers saved._
_Lieut.-Colonel_ Robert Bryce Fearon.
_Major_ Duncan M‘Gregor.
_Captains._
_Sir_ Charles Farrington, _Bart._
Robert Thomas Greene.
Edward Wm. Bray.
James Spence.
_Lieutenants._
Charles Shaw (_Adjutant._)
George Baldwin.
D. B. T. Dodgin.
---- Ruxton.
William Booth.
Alexander Douglas.
Ronald Campbell.
Edmund Gennys.
_Ensign_ Thomas Tait.
” Asaph Shaw.
” Henry Evans.
_Paymaster_ Richard Monk.
_Quarter-Master_ John Waters.
_Ass.-Surgeon_ Edward Graham.
The following letters will explain the providential means of escape
afforded by the brig _Cambria_, and do justice to the humanity
and gallantry of Captain Cook, who commanded it, as well as of
his officers and crew. The name of this gallant officer must ever
be held in great estimation by the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, to him,
under Providence, it owes the power of being enabled to record the
many high qualities shown by its members in the extremity from
which he rescued them.
“Brig Cambria, Falmouth, March 4, 1825.
“GENTLEMEN,
“You are aware of my leaving this port on the 24th ultimo, with
passengers and goods for Mexico, and I beg to acquaint you of
my return here this morning at one o’clock, under the following
circumstances:--
“On Tuesday last, the 1st instant, being then in latitude 47°
30′ and longitude 9° 45′, laying-to, with a strong gale from
the westward, under a close-reefed main-topsail, we discovered
a large sail to the westward, and on approaching found her to
have a signal of distress flying, which induced me immediately to
render every assistance in my power, and on nearing, found her to
be on fire.
“About three P.M., being then on her bow, we succeeded in
getting the first boat from the vessel, which proved to be the
Hon. Company’s ship ‘Kent’ (Captain Cobb), of 1400 tons, for
Bengal and China, with troops and passengers amounting, with the
crew, to 637 souls. From three to eight P.M. the boats were
constantly employed in bringing the people to the ‘Cambria,’ and
succeeded in saving 296 officers, non-commissioned officers, and
privates of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, 46 women and 52 children
appertaining to ditto, 19 male and female private passengers,
and Captain Cobb and 139 of the crew, amounting in all to 553.
The flames now becoming exceedingly fierce, I could not urge the
sailors again to return to the ship, nor deem it at all prudent
for the preservation of the lives already on board my vessel to
remain longer near the ‘Kent,’ expecting her instantly to blow
up. By accounts since made it is supposed that 68 soldiers, 1
woman and 21 children, and 4 of the crew were left when Captain
Cobb quitted the vessel, whose conduct during the trying occasion
is beyond my humble praise, displaying the greatest coolness and
intrepidity, and by his exertions, and those of Colonel Fearon,
the commander of the troops, who were the last to quit, the
women, children, and passengers were got into the boats; and they
did not leave themselves until their influence to induce any more
to go into them was useless.
“At two A.M. the ‘Kent’ blew up, after being completely enveloped
in flames for four hours previously. The fire originated in
the after-hold, where the spirits were stowed for the use of
the troops; a cask of which breaking adrift, and bursting, the
contents were unfortunately ignited by a candle in a lantern. I
feel the greatest gratification in stating that the gentlemen
and their Cornish miners, in all 36, with my own crew, 11 more,
behaved throughout the trying period with the greatest kindness
in getting the people from the boats, soothing their sufferings,
giving up their own clothes and beds to the women and children,
volunteering to go into the boats (which I had good reason to
prevent), and leaving nothing undone to make them as comfortable
as the limited size of my brig would allow (only 200 tons). It
would be pleasing also could I speak as highly of the crew of the
‘Kent,’ but I cannot refrain from expressing my disappointment
of their conduct (in which I am borne out by Captain Cobb)
derogatory in every respect to the generally received character
of a British seaman,--by refusing to return to the ‘Kent’ for the
people, after the first trip, and requiring my utmost exertions
and determination to compel them to renew their endeavours to
get out the soldiers, passengers, and the remainder of their own
shipmates, who were left behind; and it was only by coercive
measures, in conjunction with my own crew and passengers, and
telling them I would not receive them on board unless they did
so, that they proceeded, though reluctantly, in their duty. I
must, however, except the officers, particularly Mr. Thomson,
fourth mate, and Mr. Phillips, the boatswain, whose conduct and
behaviour, in every respect, justify my warmest praise.
“It may not be amiss to state that, two hours after the ship blew
up, a soldier’s wife was delivered of a fine boy on board the
‘Cambria,’ and both mother and child are doing well.
“I remain, Gentlemen,
“Your most obedient servant,
(Signed) “W. COOK.
“To Messrs. Wm. Broad and Sons, “Agents to Lloyd’s.”
“Falmouth, 4th March, 1825.
“SIR,
“It is with feelings of the deepest regret I have to report, for
the information of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief,
the melancholy calamity which has befallen that portion of the
THIRTY-FIRST regiment under my command, embarked on board the
Honorable Company’s ship ‘Kent,’ for conveyance to Bengal, owing
to her loss, she having taken fire towards the close of a heavy
gale of wind on the 1st instant, about noon, in the Bay of
Biscay. The moment it was discovered bursting from the after-hold
of the vessel every possible effort was made to get it under,
and by the immediate application of wet blankets, soldiers’
great-coats, and other woollen articles that could be obtained
on the emergency, we had for a short period every reason to hope
these efforts would have proved successful; but, unhappily,
having communicated to the spirits, the hope of extinguishing
it was soon dispelled, and all further exertion to save the
vessel appeared evidently vain; the conflagration, owing to the
state of the weather, gaining ground so rapidly. Under these
circumstances it became the imperative duty of Captain Cobb and
myself to endeavour to save the lives of as many of the people
as possible, for which purpose the boats were hoisted out, and
some rafts hastily constructed, and as many of the women and
children put into the former as we could at the moment assemble.
At this instant, by the Divine interposition of Providence, a
sail hove in sight, which, discerning our perilous situation,
came promptly down to our relief; and, owing to the persevering
heroism of the commander, at the evident risk of losing his own
vessel, and by the cool and intrepid conduct of Captain Cobb,
whose attentions were unremitting, a larger portion of the troops
than could even have been anticipated under so unforeseen a
calamity were preserved, though, I lament to add, sixty-eight
men, one woman, and twenty-one children appear to have perished,
exclusive of five seamen.
“It is some alleviation to our afflictions to be enabled to
state, that the origin of the fire is in no way attributable
to the troops; a pleasing part of my duty to bear testimony
to the cool and subordinate conduct of both officers and men
under my command,--the former affording me every aid which so
critical and trying an occasion demanded, and none more so than
Major M‘Gregor, to whose collected counsel and manly example,
throughout this agonizing scene of distress, I feel greatly
indebted.
“I have, &c.
(Signed) “R. B. FEARON,
“_Lieut.-Colonel com^{dg} 31st Foot_.
“To the Adjutant-General, “Horse-Guards, London.”
“Horse-Guards, 7th March, 1825.
“SIR,
“His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief has received, with
sentiments of the deepest concern, your letter of the 4th
instant, communicating the awful and afflicting calamity which
has befallen the right wing of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment,
embarked on board the Honorable Company’s ship ‘Kent.’
“I am at the same time to observe, that if anything could
alleviate the measure of His Royal Highness’s regret at the
loss of the many valuable lives which have perished on this
melancholy occasion, it would be the satisfaction experienced by
the Commander-in-Chief at the safety of so large a proportion of
the detachment, and which, by the happy interposition of Divine
Providence, aided by your own collected firmness, and the united
discipline and courage of Major M‘Gregor and the officers and men
under your command, have been preserved for the future service of
their country.
“His Royal Highness commands me to add, that he appreciates in
the fullest manner the heroic and humane assistance afforded to
you by the master of the ‘Cambria’ brig; and that it will afford
His Royal Highness the greatest satisfaction to bear testimony to
it in any manner most calculated to advance the interests, or to
do credit to the conduct, of this individual.
“Arrangements have been made by the Quarter-Master-General
for the transport of the detachment under your command by sea
to Chatham, as soon as it is possible to obtain the necessary
vessels from the Navy Board for that purpose; and I have
further to acquaint you, that immediate measures will be taken
for sending down to you, by the quickest inland carriage, the
most essential articles of supply and equipment; and that the
Commander-in-Chief will contribute, by every means in his power,
to the restoration of your comforts, and the remuneration for
the losses sustained by your officers and men, consistently with
the regulations of the service.
“I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) “HENRY TORRENS,
“_Adjutant-General_.
“Lieut.-Colonel Fearon, “Thirty-first Regiment, Falmouth.”
It was two hours after midnight when the ‘Kent’ blew up; all the
individuals of the regiment and of the crew that it had been
possible to save were now on board the “Cambria;” their number,
however, was diminished by sixty-eight men, one woman, and
twenty-one children:--about twenty of the former were left on the
poop of the vessel, when it became unsafe for a vessel to approach
her; whence, abandoning themselves to despair, they would make no
exertion to escape; it was absolutely necessary therefore to leave
them: others had thrown themselves into the sea, and were drowned
before help could be extended to them, or had come in contact with
part of the wreck and had been killed; while the anxiety of some
few to board the “Cambria” lost them their lives;--they were jammed
to death between the brig and the boats. The only woman lost was
suffocated in the orlop deck, with her three children; she was not
able to escape. Among the children lost there were four, three
girls and a boy, the family of Serjeant Jack, an old and deserving
soldier, who had seen much service with the second battalion in the
Peninsula. While the women and children were being lowered into
the boats, Mrs. Jack fell overboard; the serjeant leaped into the
sea to save his wife, and was not able to return to the ship. In
the confusion unavoidable on board, the children were overlooked;
missing their parents, they had sought refuge, it is supposed, in
the Colonel’s cabin, and no one knew, until it was too late, that
they were still on board; for the soldiers were not backward in
giving their aid to save the families of their comrades; there were
instances of men who tied the children of their brother soldiers on
their backs, and, leaping overboard, swam with their burdens to the
boats. There were indeed proofs among the non-commissioned officers
and soldiers of a fortitude, courage, and good-feeling that would
have done honor to the highest station. It happened, however, that
fourteen of the men, who had remained on the wreck, were picked
up the following morning, clinging to some portions of it, by the
“Caroline,” a vessel bound from the Mediterranean to Liverpool,
and carried by her into that port. The lives lost amounted,
therefore, to seventy-six, being two serjeants, two corporals, one
drummer, forty-nine privates, one woman, and twenty-one children,
as specified at page 82. The “Cambria” was of 200 tons only;
notwithstanding her crowded state, she providentially reached
Falmouth on the third day (the 4th March), when the regiment landed.
It is needless to observe that nothing was saved from the wreck,
and many had found it difficult to preserve even the clothes they
happened to have on at the time; the motley and forlorn appearance
the corps presented on its landing, was never equalled,--at any
rate, in the British army. The kind exertions of the gentry and
residents generally in Falmouth, to soften the sufferings of the
women and children, must ever be remembered with gratitude by the
regiment; the officers are more particularly indebted to this
calamity for the brotherly attention and friendship it procured for
them from the officers who then belonged to the Division of Royal
Marines at Chatham, where on the 26th of March it arrived, having
sailed on the 16th of that month in the “Diadem” transport from
Falmouth.
The following letter from the Military Secretary, Major-General
Sir Herbert Taylor, conveying the sentiments of his Royal Highness
the Duke of York of the conduct of the officers and men of the
regiment, will show that the discipline received approbation from
the quarter from which it was most valuable:--
“Horse-Guards, March 9, 1825.
“SIR,
“The Court of Directors of the East India Company having
transmitted to the Commander-in-Chief the report made to them
by Captain Cobb of the circumstances attending the destruction
of the ship ‘Kent’ by fire, on the 1st instant, I have received
his Royal Highness’s commands to assure you of the high sense
his Royal Highness entertains of the admirable conduct of the
detachment of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment embarked in that ship
under your command, and, more particularly, of the steadiness
and coolness which you evinced, under circumstances so critical
and trying. His Royal Highness is well aware that no occasion
could offer in which the effects of a well-established system
of discipline and subordination would be more apparent, or in
which they would in a more important degree tend to assist
the efforts of those who so nobly afforded their aid towards
preserving the lives of all concerned;--and he desires that you
will convey his thanks to the officers and soldiers forming
the detachment embarked, under your orders, in the ship ‘Kent,’
and assure them that he gives them due credit for their orderly
and meritorious conduct. He considers his thanks to be due more
especially to yourself, for the example which you set them, and
for the persevering and gallant exertions which contributed so
essentially to lessen the sad result of the catastrophe.
“His Royal Highness orders me to add, that he shall deem it his
duty to report to his Majesty a conduct, on your part and that
of the officers and men committed to your charge, which so well
deserves his Majesty’s approbation.
“I have, &c.
(Signed) “H. TAYLOR.
“Lieut.-Colonel Fearon, 31st Regt.”
His Majesty was graciously pleased to confer upon Lieut.-Colonel
Fearon the distinction of a Companion of the Bath, for his conduct
on the 1st of March.