_DIDO_
[Sidenote: 1844. Sept. 5.]
Steamer’s crew cutting wood, I writing distressing letters to the
friends of Wade, as well as to the father of Dr. Simpson. Hospitably
entertained by Belcher.
Landed sundry parties after deer and hog. Oysters fine, the best things
here.
[Sidenote: Sept. 9.]
At an early hour started on a pleasure excursion. Late at night
anchored in the Lundu River, having tiffed by the way at one of the
small islands on splendid oysters.
[Sidenote: Sept. 10.]
Anchored off the town; visited, and was hospitably entertained by, the
Dyaks. In the evening had a feast and a war-dance; was in other ways
much amused. Slept in the Dyak “scullery” house.
[Sidenote: Sept. 11.]
Collected all the dogs and beaters and proceeded to the mouth of the
river. All sport confined to the Dyaks, we never getting a shot; very
good fun, though--a hog was caught by dogs and speared by natives.
[Sidenote: Sept. 12.]
Landed again early; more hogs taken by the natives. Working on towards
Santobong; capital luncheon on the finest oysters. Dined on board the
_Samarang_.
[Sidenote: Sept. 13.]
Brooke and self returned to _Dido_ in gig, twenty-five miles’ pull.
Found heavy sick-list, one marine just expired of dysentery.
Took up quarters with Brooke at The Grove. Deputations and tenders of
allegiance from all the surrounding chiefs satisfactory.
[Sidenote: Sept. 14.]
Preparing for moving down. Boats to finish; spars to get on board;
captured guns to embark. Visited the Rajah and the Datu, “Father of
Hopeful,” his women sprinkling us with yellow rice and gold-dust--one
graceful and pretty and well dressed.
[Sidenote: Sept. 15.]
Too much to do on board. Did not go off to muster.
[Sidenote: Sept. 16.]
At daylight saw from my window _Dido_ salute Rajah and commence
dropping down the river.
[Sidenote: Sept. 18.]
Went down after breakfast, accompanied by Brooke, and found my _Dido_
at anchor off the junction. Moved further down on rising of tide.
[Sidenote: Sept. 20.]
Williamson, Turnour, Partridge, Charlie Johnson, and Douglas came down
from Sarawak to dinner.
[Sidenote: Sept. 21.]
Cruikshank and Williamson to dinner. Finished my claret.
[Sidenote: Sept. 22.]
Reached the mouth of the river. Present of warlike weapons from
Budrudeen. Took leave of dear Rajah Brooke, and worked the ship over
the bar of the Maratabu.
[Sidenote: Singapore, Oct. 1.]
Arrived in Singapore. Ordered home. More anxious for passage than my
one cabin can hold. Selected a rough diamond, but great character,
one Michael Quin, lately Captain of _Minden_, hospital ship, also
Lieutenant Inglefield. I had but one cabin, but could swing more than
two cots.
Pleasure of thoughts of home damped by news of the death of my sister,
Lady Leicester.
[Sidenote: Oct. 3.]
News of _Pelican_ having sprung a leak; hope not. _Phlegethon_ off
for Brooke and Borneo. Dined with Oxley. His nutmeg plantation worth
seeing--cinnamon and cloves.
[Sidenote: Oct. 5.]
Lots of rain. Napier spliced this morning. Tiffin at Balestiers’ to
meet the happy pair. Good fellow Napier, and a pair well matched.
[Sidenote: Oct. 9.]
Up very early. On board _Diana_ steamer with Governor and Mrs.
Butterworth. Lady party; _Dido’s_ band. Returned by Rhio Straits. Dance
on board. Pleasant day.
[Sidenote: Oct. 10.]
Called on the Blundells. Like her and her sister much. Dined with
Stevenson.
[Sidenote: Oct. 11.]
A snug little dinner of ten good fellows prior to a dance given by Tom
Church in honour of the _Dido’s_ Captain. Band got drunk.
[Sidenote: Oct. 14.]
My _Dido_ visited by Governor and Mrs. Butterworth, Mrs. Blundell, and
sister--the three nicest women in Singapore. A grand parting dinner
given to me by the inhabitants of Singapore. Nervous, very, making my
speech.
[Sidenote: Oct. 15.]
Old Balestier, American Consul, on board; salutes, etc., Governor,
giving a grand dinner to “meet Captain Keppel”; ladies there; more
nervous in returning thanks.
[Sidenote: Oct. 16.]
Weighed from Singapore. Fort saluting me. Invalids improving.
[Sidenote: Oct. 19.]
Passed mouth of the Moowar, of bygone memories. Came to off Malacca at
sunset.
[Sidenote: Oct. 20.]
Called on Governor; both nice people. Visited Salmona and stopped to
dinner; drove in with Morrison afterwards.
[Sidenote: Oct. 22.]
Young Barney Rodyk embarked; sadly pressed for room; made sail.
_Wolverine_ in co.
[Sidenote: Oct. 23.]
Well ahead of _Wolverine_. Came to off Parcelar Hill; boarded by a
boat from a ship full of pilgrims from Mecca, having struck on a bank
with loss of rudder and hard up for water. Sent _Wolverine_ to her
assistance.
[Sidenote: Oct. 26.]
No use fretting about the wind. Hardly consider myself as homeward
bound until round Acheen Head.
[Sidenote: Oct. 28.]
Decided, against Master, on southern passage, and anchored off Penang
at sunset. Went to Captain’s house, the most comfortable quarters in
India. Issued invitations: “Captain Keppel and officers request the
pleasure of everybody’s company to-morrow evening.” Dined with Sir
William and Lady Norris. Mrs. Hall at home.
[Sidenote: Oct. 30.]
Visited various hospitals with Cantor--one of lunatics of all sorts.
Got “Chopsticks” from school. Dined with old Lewis. Capital ball and
supper given by “Didos.” Kept up till daylight did appear.
[Sidenote: Oct. 31.]
Weighed before turning in; very seedy, though. Fort saluted me with 13
guns. Really off for home.
[Sidenote: Nov. 1.]
Lots of talk about the ball; everybody pleased.
[Sidenote: Nov. 5.]
One of the invalids from _Driver_ died--a young man; the effects of
Hong Kong climate. Committed his remains to the deep. Sensible to the
last that he was going, but did not seem to trouble himself as to the
road; a good man, too, in his way.
[Sidenote: Nov. 22.]
Anniversary of the birthday of Princess Royal. Run of 251 miles in last
twenty-four hours.
[Sidenote: Simon’s Bay, Dec. 4.]
My cabin-meeting of the fine arts. Inglefield doing me pictures of my
_Dido_. Ran into Simon’s Bay with a leading wind, saluting the flag of
my kind friend Sir Jos. Percy, of Mediterranean memory, whose flag was
now flying on board _Winchester_--Captain Charles Eden. Found George
Woodhouse here in the _Thunderbolt_, 6, a steam vessel. In fact, I felt
myself already at home--scarcely a stone on shore that did not convey
some pleasant reminiscence of happy days. In every house a home. While
refitting I had scarcely time to call on half my kind friends. Among
those I undertook to entertain at my table, in addition to my two
passengers, was Edward Drummond, a nephew of the Admiral, and about
to enter the Church. [Years afterwards I was his guest at Cadland,
Southampton, and he the head of the great Drummond Bank at Charing
Cross.] My other guest, a quiet, retiring Swede, who had served his
term in our service, by name Adleborg, a clever artist as well as a
good fellow.
[Sidenote: Dec. 16.]
Luncheon with Lady Sarah Maitland--like the Lennoxes, nice family. At
Wynberg; a very agreeable dinner and evening. Kerr Hamilton there.
[Sidenote: Dec. 18.]
Ship ready. Stopped to luncheon with Admiral at one. Went over
_Winchester_: nice order and beautifully clean. My _Dido_ under way,
Charles Eden putting me on board. Outside, a freshening breeze from
the south-east, but we had to weather the Cape. Topgallant sails over
double-reefed topsails; a strong set against us. It was not until
close to the Anvil and Bellows that we felt the full strength of the
current. The Master and self had taken our position on the forecastle,
each holding on to the up-and-down part of the fore-topsail sheets,
spray breaking over us. We now became aware of what we had undertaken.
On looking under the foot of the fore-sail, the Cape and South Africa
appeared to be rushing at us: it was too late either to bear up or
attempt to tack. Held on, I am afraid, with eyes closed. The Master
was the first to call out, “Wave weathered”; the offset from the rocky
Cape alone saved us: we appeared to be rushing up the west side of the
African coast. On the weather-quarter the Cape appeared close to, but
towering far above our mast-heads. By degrees, but slowly, we drew off
the west coast. I do not believe that any other ship could, under the
circumstances, have been saved.
[Sidenote: Dec. 20.]
Adleborg a first-rate artist, clever at allegorical sketches of _Dido_,
which I value; very clever and witty they are.
[Sidenote: Dec. 27.]
2 A.M.--Anchored at St. Helena. Visited old Solomon and his shop; also
Colonel and Mrs. Trelawney. Weighed at 1.30 P.M. According to notice,
made sail 3 P.M. Found _Larne_ and _Rapid_.
[Sidenote: 1845. Jan. 13.]
Sails splitting and ropes giving way; foolish economy, ships not being
better supplied.
[Sidenote: Jan. 27.]
Breeze freshening up; thermometer falling; bitter cold, hazy weather.
Hauled in; made the land to the eastward of Bill of Portland; bore up
for the Needles: arrived at Spithead. Reported myself to my old friend
Hyde Parker, Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard, Commander-in-Chief
Sir Charles Rowley being on leave. It was blowing fresh from the S.E.,
but having an experienced pilot, gave the Master leave to stay on shore
the night, and sent my gig on board.
[Sidenote: Jan. 27.]
Admiral Parker said I had better call in the afternoon, as he had
telegraphed to the Admiralty. I then visited my old friend Casher, the
wine merchant, and inquired if he knew anything of the whereabouts of
my wife, as he had always forwarded parcels between us. He informed me
that she had come home from Boulogne: only two days ago he had sent
parcels to my place at Droxford, where she had joined her father, who,
with his family, had taken possession.
The days were short, and it was dark before I got back to the Admiral;
he informed me that _Dido_ was ordered to Sheerness. I ventured to
state that I had ordered my gig on board. He said: “I have anticipated
that; you will find the _Fanny_ tender fast to a buoy at the harbour,
with orders to take you off.”
Now this _was_ a go; I had been more than four years absent: my wife
within thirteen miles.
I went to Casher’s and inquired if he had a man acquainted with
Gosport, or any one who could find a Mr. Allen, Master of the _Dido_,
and bring him to me. I waited a good while, in cocked hat, sword, and
epaulettes, before the poor Master appeared in pea-jacket and oilskin,
etc. I soon explained the state of affairs.
He was just about my size. It ended by my saying that he must change
clothes with me. The _Fanny_ was waiting at the buoy. He would
personate me, find orders on board, and obey them. Allen muttered
something about losing my commission. We went off in a wherry. On
his getting on board he received his orders, opened and read them. I
touched my hat, and said “Goodbye, Sir,” and told the waterman to land
me at Gosport. Reached Droxford in time for dinner! Brother-in-law soon
rigged me in proper costume.
Following morning took wife and self off in a yellow post-chaise, but
my danger of being found out was not over. The Captain Superintendent,
W. H. Shireff, was an old friend of mine; fond of driving a team of
horses, and we used to think he managed it in a seamanlike way.
[Sidenote: Sheerness, Jan. 28.]
When we arrived at the dockyard gates it was luckily quite dark. Drove
to the Superintendent’s house and took him at once into my confidence.
[Sidenote: Jan. 29.]
No news of _Dido_! Shireff gave us a steamer to Sheerness. Took a fly
to the pilot, where we had lodged while fitting out.
[Sidenote: Jan. 31.]
It was the third night before _Dido_ arrived, when, in the early
morning, the good pilot Taylor took me off and I returned the Master
his hat and pea-jacket. Soon after 8 A.M. reported arrival of _Dido_ to
Vice-Admiral Sir John Chambers, K.C.B.
[Sidenote: Feb. 3.]
My _Dido_ inspected for last time by Admiral Sir John White. Very cold
and rainy weather. Men showed themselves well to the last. My brother
Tom came down.
[Sidenote: Feb. 4.]
Getting on with the dismantling. Went on board with Tom and wife.
Bitter cold weather. Tom stopping with us--affectionate, good fellow.
[Sidenote: Feb. 6.]
Preparations for paying progressing. Dirty and bitter cold weather
continuing. Custom House people troublesome. Smuggling progressing.
Paying off days much alike!
[Sidenote: Feb. 12.]
My reign in _Dido_ finished this morning. Paid off, men receiving
about £4000. Glad as I am to get back, I do not leave my ship without
feelings of regret.