_ST. JEAN D’ ACRE_
[Sidenote: 1854. Ledsund. Aug. 17.]
Ships and steamers coming from Bomarsund.
Launches employed in conveying prisoners from steamers to troop-ships.
The lately promoted Rear-Admiral Michael Seymour hoisted his flag in
_Duke of Wellington_.
[Sidenote: Aug. 19.]
Plumridge sailed in _Leopard_ to relieve Henry Martin, in command of
the reserve division at Nargen.
[Sidenote: Aug. 20.]
Sailed _Hannibal_, Commodore Hon. Frederick Grey, _Algiers_, _St.
Vincent_, _Royal William_, _Termagant_, _Sphynx_, and _Gladiator_ with
Russian prisoners. Several pleasure steamers from Stockholm passed on
their way to Bomarsund.
[Sidenote: Aug. 22.]
Three block-ships, with _Bulldog_, bearing flag of Commander-in-Chief,
came down from Bomarsund.
[Sidenote: Aug. 26.]
Dressed ship with masthead flags, and at noon fired a royal salute in
commemoration of Prince Albert’s birthday.
[Sidenote: Sept. 1.]
_Cuckoo_ arrived from Bomarsund with flag of Rear-Admiral Seymour,
which was transferred to the _Duke_.
[Sidenote: Sept. 2.]
All the paddle-steamers went up to assist in towing transports with
French troops; they, as well as the French men-of-war, preparing to
quit Bomarsund on the destruction of the forts.
It was a grand sight, the blowing up of the forts: expensive as well.
[Sidenote: Sept. 3.]
Heard that my old shipmate of _Dido_, Jim Hunt, now in command of
_Pigmy_, had gone wrong side of the red buoy and was on shore. Went in
gig to ascertain amount of assistance required. Found that anchor had
been laid out, but the crew were tired or else too lazy to work. It
was evident that they had been observed by Russians on the high ground
beyond the Narrows, and shortly two pieces of artillery hove in sight.
My boat’s crew were ready to help, when Jim Hunt thus addressed his
crew:
“The enemy in sight with guns! We shall be made prisoners. You,--you
lazy blackguards, will be marched off to Siberia, fed on sour krout and
tallow candles; while _I_ shall be fêted and fed on shore in the best
society!”
[Sidenote: Ledsund.]
The speech told. _Pigmy_ arrived at Ledsund. Field-Marshal Barraguay
d’Hilliers came down from Bomarsund in a French war steamer. Both
fleets manned yards, the flagships saluting, and at 3 P.M. he sailed
for France.
[Sidenote: Sept. 12.]
Arrived _La Reine Hortense_, bringing a Field-Marshal’s baton for
General Barraguay d’Hilliers.
[Sidenote: Sept. 14.]
_Leopard_, with flag of Rear-Admiral Martin, came from Bomarsund,
having remained to witness destruction of all the works completed.
[Sidenote: Sept. 19.]
Fleet weighed per signal and proceeded under steam. French fleet
in company. Formed order of sailing in two columns. French Admiral
saluted. On his salute being returned by the _Duke_, fleet hoisted
French colours. Parted company with French fleet.
[Sidenote: Sept. 20.]
Arrived Russian steamer with flag of truce, and communicated with
Commander-in-Chief. Fleet weighed, proceeding under steam. Formed order
of sailing in two columns.
[Sidenote: Sept. 21.]
_Euryalus_ joined company. Came to, per signal, off Nargen Island.
[Sidenote: Nargen Island, Oct. 10.]
2 P.M.--Arrived _Bulldog_ with mail. Dressed ship with masthead flags,
and fired a royal salute in commemoration of the victory gained by the
Allied Army at Alma on September 20 in the Crimea.
[Illustration: _The Battle of the Alma._]
[Sidenote: Oct. 23.]
Came to in Kiel Harbour. Received the following interesting letter from
my nephew, Augustus Stephenson:--
ROOKSBURY, _October 12, 1854_.
MY DEAR UNCLE--We have this day received your letter of October
3, and are delighted at so good an account of yourself.
We hope before you receive this that little Harry will have
rejoined you.
By your letter I suppose you have heard of the false news we
received here in England of the taking of Sevastopol.
The news was false at the time; though I believe it was only
premature, as before now, I trust, we are in the possession of
it.
The papers of to-day say that the bombardment commenced at 5
P.M. on the 4th of this month.
You say you now receive no newspapers, though before you
receive this you will no doubt have heard of the glorious
victory of the Alma, on the 20th.
The despatches are too large to put into this letter, and,
moreover, you must get them before you receive this.
It seems to have been a wonderful affair.
Menschikoff, whose private papers, carriage, etc., were taken
by the French, had written to the Emperor to say he could hold
the position for three weeks at least.
It was stormed in three hours!
Poor Wenny (Coke), after all his trouble to be in time, was
left in charge of the baggage at Varna!
We had a letter from him, written in the highest spirits; he
was to have embarked (as he then thought) on the following day.
Our friends in the Fusilier Guards have been sadly knocked
about. Chewton is reported as having died since. That report
is now contradicted, but he is fearfully wounded. He was
bayonetted on the ground and has eleven wounds.
Haygarth was lying with his leg broken, and a Russian,
attempting to blow his head off, shot away the upper part of
his shoulder.
He, however, has got as far as Malta on his way home.
Astley, I hear, has written home for all his friends in
hospital. He himself is shot through the neck, but says he
would not have been altogether missed on any account!
Buckley very badly shot. Eumismore many wounds. Black Dal, but
slightly wounded in the knee. Hepburn lost an arm. Bulwer hit
in the head only.
I believe you know most of these men. You remember Hugh
Drummond at Woolmer; he is reported to have bagged three
Russians, who came at him after his horse was shot, with his
revolvers!
Burghersh, who brought home the despatches, says that the pluck
of our troops was perfectly wonderful.
The only Guardsman killed was Cust: leg carried off by a cannon
ball. He died after undergoing amputation. As for family news,
we are all well. I am off to-morrow on my sessions and hope to
come to you when you arrive to welcome you back all safe.
Love from all to you and the young ’un.--Ever your most
affectionate nephew,
(Signed) AUGUSTUS K. STEPHENSON.
[Sidenote: Kiel, Nov. 9.]
Dressed with masthead flags, and at noon fired a royal salute in
commemoration of the birth of the Prince of Wales.
[Sidenote: Nov. 22.]
Signal to _Princess Royal_ and _Acre_ to “Prepare for sea.”
My vanity may be excused in inserting the following paragraph from a
book published recently by my friend Clarence Paget:--
At last came the joyful day when we were to return to England.
We were to hoist Seymour’s flag and take _St. Jean d’ Acre_
with us. I know not why we were always sent in couples; perhaps
it may be that we were known by the authorities to be what is
called “chummy ships,” but we are always in company, and very
good company she is with her jolly, cheerful skipper, Harry
Keppel, brave as a lion, gentle as a lamb.
[Sidenote: Nov. 24.]
Rear-Admiral Michael Seymour hoisted his flag on board _Princess Royal_
and exchanged salutes with Commander-in-Chief, _Acre_ being placed
under his orders.
[Sidenote: Nov. 25.]
Daylight.--Weighed under steam. Exchanged cheers from rigging with
_James Watt_, George Elliott’s ship, which was disapproved of by signal
from Commander-in-Chief, _Princess Royal_ in company.
[Sidenote: Nov. 30.]
Weighed and proceeded under easy steam in wake of flag.
[Sidenote: Dec. 2.]
2 P.M.--Furled sails. Came to at 4.30 in West Port, Christiansund.
Landed and bought in market twelve brace of capercailzie. Country
covered with frozen snow, over which we drove in carriages.
[Sidenote: Dec. 3.]
Being the Sabbath, coals not to be obtained until the afternoon, when
_Princess Royal_ took in some from lighters sent alongside, containing
about fifteen tons each.
[Sidenote: Dec. 4.]
Decks covered with 5 or 6 inches of snow. Weighed and followed
_Princess Royal_.
[Sidenote: Dec. 8.]
Westerly wind and dirty weather. Asked permission, per signal, to stand
in under shelter of Yarmouth. Answer, “Rendezvous, Plymouth,” in case
of parting company. At 7 lost sight of flag.
[Sidenote: Dec. 9.]
6.15.--Came to in the Downs. Landed Baltic pilot, he having been on
board nine months, at fifteen shillings a day, without being of the
slightest use.
[Sidenote: Dec. 10.]
2.30 A.M.--Came to in Plymouth Sound. Found _Princess Royal_, _Cæsar_,
and _Monarch_. Saluted flag of Admiral Sir William Parker, K.G.C.B.
[Sidenote: Dec. 13.]
Steamed into harbour; ship’s company turned over to _Bellona_ hulk.
Ship taken into Keyham Dock.
[Sidenote: Plymouth, Dec. 18.]
Orders to prepare ship for reception of troops, and proceed to the
Crimea. Seeing no other chance I started for London before their
arrival, and was followed by a most kind letter from the First Lord to
dine _en famille_ and so meet his son on Christmas Day.
What could have been more agreeable? But I had to take leave of a dear
shipmate, Fred Horton, of whom the doctors gave a bad account, to
prepare to receive a General and Staff, and embark 1200 troops at Cork
for the Crimea.
[Sidenote: Dec. 26.]
Slipped moorings and proceeded under steam into the Sound.
[Sidenote: Dec. 30.]
Received the following from Admiralty:--
_December 30, 1854._
MY DEAR KEPPEL--Make haste or you will be too late for the fun.
Admiral Lyons writes in high spirits, date 13th inst.
Admiral Seymour, to whom I have written, will do all that is
right about cabins for your passengers.
Lyons is not the man I take him for if he does not find you
something to occupy you, even if you are not in time to charge
the barrier across Sevastopol Harbour.--Yours sincerely,
(Signed) M. F. H. BERKELEY.