A negro rebellion had broken out in Jamaica; many had been killed and
much property destroyed. The 6th Regiment was quartered at Newcastle,
and one of the West India regiments at Port Royal, but these were
unable to restore order. General Doyle received a telegram asking for
a regiment to be dispatched at once to assist in quelling the
rebellion. The 17th was immediately placed under orders to proceed to
Port Royal. It was arranged that we go in two ships, the right to
embark on H.M.S. _Duncan_, under the command of Colonel McKinstry; the
left wing in H.M.S. _Sphinx_, a gun-boat.
The morning for the embarking of the right wing had arrived and the
scene on the wharf at the dockyard was painful. The wives and children
of the departing troops were present, as was the general and staff.
The brigade-major (Captain Stokes, 16th Bedfordshires) read aloud the
latest dispatches from Jamaica, which caused much anxiety as to
whether all would return again. The embarking of the troops completed
and good-byes exchanged, the _Duncan_ left for her destination. The
left wing of the regiment, under command of Major Colthurst, embarked
on the _Sphinx_.
A fatal accident occurred as our ship was clearing the harbor. Peter
Jackson, "B" Company, venturing too far out on the bulkhead, was washed
overboard. There was a heavy sea running at the time, and poor Jackson
was soon lost sight of; there was no chance of saving him.
Lieutenant Rolph was appointed adjutant, and the writer orderly room
clerk. It was October and the weather was beautiful. We found we were
handicapped regarding quarters. The ship was so small we could not find
sufficient room in which to swing our hammocks. When we arrived in a
warmer climate we took our blankets on deck and slept there, but the
men were not allowed on the quarter-deck.
Captain Hamilton was commanding the ship, and I asked his permission
for the men to occupy the quarter-deck. He referred me to Major
Colthurst. I saw him and promised that for the privilege we would sing
glees, part songs, etc., while the officers were at mess each evening.
We had the use of the deck during the remainder of the voyage. We had a
very pleasant run for three days, when we reached Bermuda.
The steamer went to her dock at Boaz Island for the purpose of coaling,
and remained three days. We enjoyed the opportunity of visiting the
several islands and places of interest. On resuming our voyage we
arrived at Port Royal about midnight--four days later. It was a
magnificent night as we steamed in under the lofty Blue Mountains. We
anchored, and were soon visited by a lieutenant and boat's crew from
the guard ship, who reported that quiet had been restored and in all
probability our fighting services would not be required. Our men were
quite disappointed in not having an opportunity of chastising the
negroes for their insolence.
There was no barrack accommodation at Port Royal and we were
transferred to the receiving ship _Aboukir_, and awaited a transport
to take us back to Halifax. The weather was very hot, but we had
plenty of room under the great awning that covered the upper deck. We
were taken to the bathing grounds twice a week at 5 a.m. They supplied
us with coffee and light lunch. We enjoyed the gentle breeze that came
up generally in the afternoon. When the ripple on the water was
observed the men shouted, "The doctor is coming!" and the boatswain's
whistle was heard calling the hands to the capstan to swing the ship
broadside to get the zephyr as much as possible to enter the
port-holes of the monster. Commodore Smyth read the prayers on Sunday.
The services were held on the quarter-deck with good singing.
The crew of H.M.S. _Bulldog_ had been added to the already large
family of the _Aboukir_, but there was plenty of accommodation for
them.
I must inform the reader of the experience of this crew. It appears
that while a mail steamer carrying the British flag was passing a
Haytian fort she was fired upon. On arriving at Port Royal the captain
reported the circumstance to Commodore Smyth, who immediately ordered
the _Bulldog_ to go down and investigate. The captain informed the
authorities of his business, but they would not confer with him or any
of his officers, and instead fired on the ship. The _Bulldog_ at once
opened fire on the forts, but it was soon discovered that the
navigating lieutenant had run the ship on a sand bar, at once becoming
a target for the Haytians. Captain Wake took in the situation and
concluded that his charge was lost, and in order to save his crew
summoned them to the quarter-deck, where he proposed that they abandon
the ship and blow her up. This was agreed to. Boats were lowered and
supplied with provisions, etc., and a train laid and connected with
the magazine. When all was ready the train was ignited; the boats
moved away and were out of danger when the explosion took place. The
men saw their ship sink, and all they had to remind them of the
circumstances was a bulldog's head, the same being the figurehead of
the ship. The boatswain and several seamen were killed by the Haytian
fire. The lost vessel was a gunboat, and her crew would not be more
than 150. These were not long in their boats, but were rescued by
passing ships and brought to Port Royal and placed on board the
_Aboukir_. The captain, navigating lieutenant and paymaster were
placed under arrest.
The frigate _Galatea_, Captain McGuire, arrived at the port. This was
the ship that H.R.H. Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh went around the
world in. She was to take us back to Halifax. Previous to that she
went to Hayti to see what could be done with these people for
insulting the British flag. She soon destroyed the batteries,
returning to Port Royal, and after coaling embarked us for Halifax.
After the arrival of the crew of the _Bulldog_, Major Colthurst
permitted me to assist the paymaster in preparing the evidence,
statements, and other documents in connection with the loss of the
_Bulldog_ for transmission to England.