Early in January, 1807, H.M. ship Flora, of 36 guns, under the command
of Captain Otway Bland, had been cruizing off the Texel, for the
purpose of reconnoitring the ships of the enemy. This object having
been effected, they shaped a course towards Harlingen, the captain
ordering the pilots not to run the slightest risk, but to give the
sands of the island sufficient berth, so as not to endanger the Flora;
and so often did he reiterate these instructions, that the pilots
appeared hurt that their nautical skill and knowledge of the track
should be doubted. However, to the astonishment of all on board, and
to the dismay of the pilots, the ship took the ground, and struck on
the Shelling Reef, about noon on the 18th of January. It was only just
past high water when she struck, and there was therefore no chance of
getting her off till the next tide. In the meantime all weight was
removed from aloft, and the topmasts were lowered over the side, to
shore her up. Towards evening the wind increased to a gale, and a
heavy swell came on, which prevented their getting out a bower anchor,
although a raft was made for the purpose; but the night became so
dark, and the sea so rough, they were obliged to relinquish the
attempt, and resolved to wait with patience for high water, lightening
the vessel as much as possible, by starting the water, and heaving
most of the shot and other heavy articles overboard. All hands took
their turn at the pumps, and worked vigorously; yet the water gained
rapidly upon the vessel: this was partly attributable to her having
struck amidships, and having a hole through her bottom, instead of her
side, to supply the cistern. At about nine o'clock P.M., she began to
heave, but as the tide made, the wind freshened, the sea rose, and she
brought home the stream anchor, backed by the kedge, and forged on the
sand. At half-past nine o'clock, a last effort was made to get her
off, by letting go a bower anchor with a spring abaft, which brought
her head round. They then made all sail and forced her over the reef.
The ship once more floated in deep water: but this object was not
attained without a most serious loss. The rudder had been carried
away, and with it the launch and the jolly-boat, so that only one
anchor and the worst boat were left for service. After those moments
of breathless anxiety, and after giving utterance to a short but
fervent expression of thankfulness that they had got clear of the
reef, the men, almost worn out as they were, by so many hours of
continued labour, again betook themselves to the pumps, in hopes of
keeping the water under until they could reach an English port. But in
spite of every exertion, in spite of continued bailing and pumping,
and though a thrumbed sail was under the ship's bottom, the water
gained to eight feet. As the danger increased, so did the vigour of
the men. All was order, energy, and steady obedience throughout. The
captain perceiving that it would be impossible to keep the vessel much
longer afloat, gave orders to wear ship, and run her on the enemy's
shore; nor could even this be done without much difficulty and danger,
as it was necessary to let go their last anchor. Most of the guns were
now thrown overboard, and everything done to lighten the ship; and
about half-past six A.M., on the 19th, her head was brought round,
and, steered by the sails and a cable veered astern, towards the
islands. The weather was becoming more gloomy and threatening, and
before ten o'clock A.M. the vessel was so terribly shaken, that it
became absolutely necessary to cut away the main and mizen masts,
leaving the foremast standing, with sail set, to force the ship on as
much as possible, and also to prevent her drifting off with the ebb,
or with a change of wind. Although the dangerous situation of the
Flora was clearly perceived by the people on shore, no boat put out to
her assistance, the authorities having forbidden them to render such
aid on pain of death.
Captain Bland, during his cruize on these seas, had allowed the
fishing-boats of the enemy to range unmolested, and had given strict
orders that not a fish should be taken from them without payment; but
even these boats now came near the labouring ship and passed on,
leaving her and her crew to perish. About four o'clock in the
afternoon when she seemed to be sinking, she took the ground and there
remained, surrounded by breakers, the crew in vain firing guns, and
making other signals of distress, which were totally disregarded. All
hands that could be spared from the pumps had been employed in making
rafts, and these were now launched into the surf, and about one
hundred and thirty of the crew got upon them, and were fortunate
enough to gain the high land.
Captain Bland, with a few officers and men, pushed off in the barge,
the only boat that was left, and after rowing for eighteen hours
without any sustenance, they reached the Island of Amoland, where they
were made prisoners.
The rest of the crew, who had chosen to stay by the ship, remained on
board for four days and nights, and, excepting nine, who perished from
the severity of the weather, they all got safe on shore. The above is
a plain, unvarnished account, taken from the narrative of Captain
Bland: it is a true tale, and needs not the aid of romance to give it
interest. For more than twenty-four hours the crew suffered the
horrors of uncertainty; their vessel thrown upon a hostile shore,
whose inhabitants were forbidden on pain of death to assist them,
whilst of all their boats one only remained. Yet, even during this
time of trial and danger, discipline was not for a moment abandoned;
no man's heart appeared to fail him; each one performed his duty with
cheerfulness and alacrity; and nobly did they all earn the praise
bestowed on them by their commander.
'I cannot help paying here,' said Captain Bland, 'the last tribute of
praise to my crew; they behaved with order, respect, and perfect
coolness to the last moment; nor would they quit the ship's side in
the barge, though at the risk of her being dashed to pieces, till I
took the place they had reserved for me.'
The gallantry and seamanship displayed by Captain Otway Bland, when in
command of the Espoir, 14-gun brig, in his attack and subsequent
capture of a Genoese pirate, well deserve a place in these pages.
On the 7th of August, 1798, the Espoir was sailing near Gibraltar in
charge of part of a convoy, when a large vessel, which appeared to be
a man-of-war, was seen steering apparently with the intention of
cutting off some of the convoy. Captain Bland, notwithstanding the
superiority of the force with which he had to contend, determined upon
attacking the stranger, which proved to be the Liguria, mounted with
26 guns of various calibres.
On approaching within hail, an officer on board the Liguria ordered
the commander of the Espoir to surrender, or he would sink his ship,
enforcing the demand by one shot, and afterwards by a whole broadside.
The fire was returned in a spirited manner by the Espoir, and was kept
up on both sides by the great guns and musketry for upwards of three
hours, when the captain of the Liguria hailed the Espoir, begging her
captain not to fire any more, as he was a Genoese. Upon this, Captain
Bland desired him to lower his sails, and come on board. As no
attention was paid to this demand, and the Genoese appeared to be
attempting some manoeuvre, the Espoir poured in another broadside,
which the Liguria returned; but on the Espoir tacking to fire her
opposite broadside, her opponent surrendered.
The crew of the Liguria consisted, of one hundred and twenty men of
all nations, whilst that of the Espoir was but eighty men, of which
the master was killed, and six men wounded.
Captain Bland died in 1810.