_FORTE_ FLAG RE-HOISTED
[Sidenote: 1860. Nov. 9.]
Re-hoisted flag in _Forte_. Fired Royal Salute at noon, in honour of
Prince of Wales’s birthday.
[Sidenote: Mauritius, Nov. 14.]
_Persian_, 12, arrived from Seychelles, and saluted flag. Commander
Hardinge, having sustained a severe but accidental wound in the foot,
was unfortunately rendered unfit for duty.
[Sidenote: Nov. 15.]
French war steamer _La Somme_ arrived from Réunion, bearing the broad
pennant of the Commodore, with whom we exchanged salutes. In afternoon
proceeded to Tombeaux Bay. Came to off Monsieur de Courson’s sugar
mills.
[Sidenote: Tombeaux Bay, Nov. 17.]
Joined by _Persian_, 12, sloop. Made arrangements for sham fight to
come off on the 20th. _Wasp_, in dock, was found to have sustained
considerable damage while on shore off Slave Krop Point.
[Sidenote: Nov. 20.]
Soon after daylight observed the troops, consisting of 5th and part
of 24th Regiments, with artillery, marching down and crossing pontoon
bridge at head of bay. These were followed by a strong party of police.
From that time until afternoon there was one continuous string of
natives and people of all sorts arriving from Port Louis and country
round, taking up positions to see the fight, for which nothing could
be better adapted than the high land about the head of Tombeaux Bay.
At noon visitors arrived on board. After luncheon we commenced landing
them on a commanding point out of range, but from which I could command
by signal, assisted by a very pretty French lady.
_Forte_ and _Persian_, having been swung broadside to the point of
attack, the boats formed into two lines abreast: lighter boats landing
storming parties, gunboats following to cover disembarkation.
The point to be carried was a high mound at the head of the bay, about
two hundred yards inland. The landing to be effected under cover of the
ship’s guns. The enemy’s picquets were driven in, and their skirmishers
retired. The hill was stormed and carried, supposed forts blown up.
Enemy, having received reinforcements, endeavoured to outflank and cut
off retreat. On the order to retire, the mound was reoccupied by the
enemy, and pressing us with artillery on a retreat, desperate fighting
was the result. The storming party would have been made prisoners, had
not their re-embarkation been covered by the ships, who opened fire and
kept the enemy in check.
So ended the Battle of Tombeaux Bay, a successful exhibition which
delighted some twenty thousand natives and residents, without an
accident. A ball in a house kindly lent by Mr. de Courson, the Mayor,
finished the night.
[Sidenote: Nov. 21.]
Returned to Port Louis.
[Sidenote: Mahébourg, Nov. 22.]
Grand ball given by Governor and Mrs. Stevenson. Weighed at daylight.
_Persian_ in company. Came to in the harbour of Mahébourg, where I was
kindly entertained by the Colonel and officers 5th Regiment.
[Sidenote: Nov. 28.]
Inspected _Persian_--fine crew and in good order.
Steamed out of the harbour: exchanged cheers from the rigging on
parting company.
[Sidenote: Simon’s Bay, Dec. 15.]
2.15 A.M.--Storm coming on, ran for Simon’s Bay. Furled sails. Came
to with both bower anchors after having brought up with 75 fathoms
of cable ahead; ship drifted to a fresh squall; parted small bower
cable, and, as we afterwards discovered, stock of best bower broken.
Ship brought up by sheet and spare anchors when within half her length
of the rocks, but held on by help of steam screw until evening, when
gale moderated. It _can_ blow in the neighbourhood of the Cape! Found
here _Brisk_, _Lyra_, _Hornet_, and _Enchantress_, the latter our
prize, _Manula_, rechristened, and bought into the service for use in
suppression of slavery on the east coast. Found also the _Pioneer_ from
England refitting for the Zambesi expedition.
[Sidenote: Dec. 16.]
Rather bored with continued gales, unusual at this time of year. Went
up to Cape Town to visit my kind friends. The races were going on at
Green Point, to which I went, attended by groom only. Among others
found myself, without seeking him, close to His Excellency Sir George
Grey, my late passenger in the _Forte_, surrounded by his staff.
Found a letter from my clergyman friend, Eyre, dated September 30, in
which he stated that he had some qualms of conscience about writing on
the Sabbath, but recollecting what he had read in the Gospel for the
day, he determined to continue.
In Cape Town was Doctor Livingstone waiting for an opportunity to get
to the Zambesi. Informed him of one in the _Pioneer_; and, like the
sinewy-looking man that he was, he walked the whole way to Simon’s Bay.