REVIEW AT SPITHEAD--ADMIRAL TRITON'S OPINION OF STEAM-VESSELS--THE
ALLIED FLEETS IN CAVARNA BAY--JACK VISITS MURRAY ON BOARD THE BRITON--
BOMBARDMENT OF ODESSA--LOSS OF THE TIGER--JACK IN COMMAND OF THE TORNADO
RUNS INTO THE HARBOUR OF SEBASTOPOL--A VISIT TO THE GUARDS' CAMP.
"A magnificent sight! What would Nelson have done with such a fleet?"
exclaimed the admiral, as, with his eye at a telescope turned towards
Spithead, at an early hour on the morning of the 11th of March 1854, he
gazed at the fleet collected there under Sir Charles Napier. "We must
have a nearer look at them, ladies; the _Gauntlet_ goes out of harbour,
and Adair has sent his coxswain to say that his gig is waiting at the
pier. Come, Deborah; come, Mrs Murray; get on your wraps. Lucy, my
dear, you mustn't mind appearances; though the sun is bright, the wind
is still keen, and you will find it cold enough coming on shore again."
The ladies, who had already finished breakfast, were soon equipped; and
the admiral, helped by Miss Rogers and his sister, had got into his
pea-jacket, and, Lucy having tucked the ends of the comforter which
surrounded his throat well into it, he was ready, stick in hand, to
tramp across the common. Lucy's well-fitting yachting-dress, with an
overcoat calculated to withstand all weathers, became her well. The gig
was soon alongside the _Gauntlet_, at whose gangway Adair stood ready to
receive his guests. It was the first time Lucy had come on board, and
with no little pride and happiness he helped her up the accommodation
ladder.
The next instant, casting off from her moorings, the _Gauntlet_ steamed
out of the harbour towards Spithead. "Well, after all, there is
something to be said in favour of steam," observed the admiral; "and
though I did once think it would never come to much, I must confess I
was wrong; though, had it never been invented, we should not have felt
the want of it."
"At all events, admiral, it enables us to get out to Spithead, which we
otherwise should have found it a difficult job to do," answered Adair,
laughing. "Look at the magnificent _Duke of Wellington_, with her 131
guns; see the _Royal George_, and _Saint Jean d'Acre_, with what ease
they can now manoeuvre, by the aid of their screws. I suspect Nelson
would have been willing to exchange the whole of his fleet for three
such ships at Trafalgar, and not only would have gained the victory, but
would not have allowed one of the enemy to escape."
"It might have been so," said the admiral; "but I suspect, had the
chance been given him, he would have preferred having his tough little
_Victory_ and the other stout ships of his fleet, to all the new-fangled
contrivances." The admiral, it was evident, had still a hankering for
the good old days when he first went to sea.
The _Gauntlet_ was able to steam through a considerable portion of the
fleet before she took up her destined station; thus passing in
succession the _Duke of Wellington_, Sir Charles Napier's flagship, the
_Neptune, Saint George_, and _Royal George_, 120-gun ships, the _Saint
Jean d'Acre_, 101 guns; fourteen other ships carrying from 60 to 91
guns, most of them fitted with screws; five frigates, each able to
compete with an old line-of-battle ship; and eighteen paddle-wheel and
screw-steamers, anyone of which would speedily have sunk the largest
ship of ancient days.
In a short time the Queen appeared in the _Fairy_ yacht, passing through
this superb fleet, when, the yards being manned, the crews greeted her
with hearty cheers, and such a salute broke forth from their guns as had
never before been heard.
"Well, admiral, I hope when we come back we shall be able to give a good
account of our proceedings, if the Czar ventures to go to war," observed
Adair; "we may at least expect to take Sweaborg, Helsingfors, and
Cronstadt, and perhaps lay Saint Petersburg itself under contribution."
"If Sir Charles is at all like what he was a few years ago, I hope you
may," answered the admiral; "but though Charley is some years my junior,
I should have declined ten years ago accepting such a command. He may
be tough enough, but the sort of work he has to do wants nerve, and
that, as a man advances in life, is apt to slacken."
Still, notwithstanding Admiral Triton, the prognostications of Adair
were shared in by all in the fleet, as well as by the nation at large,
and grand results were expected. The admiral had engaged one of the
steamers plying between Ryde and Portsmouth to come alongside and take
his party on shore. Poor Lucy, it was very trying to her, though Mrs
Murray from experience could give her heartfelt sympathy. Alick had
already sailed for the Black Sea, and Jack some weeks previously had
proceeded in the same direction.
We will make our way on board the _Tornado_. She had a quick passage
under sail and steam to Malta, where she lay taking in a fresh supply of
coals, and thence proceeded on through the Aegean Sea up the Bosphorus.
Jack recognised with no small amount of pleasure many of the islands he
had visited as a youngster; he had then thought them very beautiful, and
he acknowledged that they were so still, though the proportions of the
scenery appeared lessened in his eyes after the grander features of the
West Indies and South America.
Tom and Desmond were inclined to turn up their noses at them, not having
any great respect for the surrounding classical associations. "Very
pretty hills to adorn the surface of a moderate-sized lake," observed
Tom, "but Trinidad and Jamaica completely take the shine out of them."
Higson, whom Jack had obtained as his first lieutenant, was much of the
same opinion. Mildmay, who had been appointed by the Admiralty, not
having seen the West Indies, was in raptures, and, with notebook in
hand, stood dotting down the lines inspired by his muse. Jos Green, the
master, suggested that he would be better employed in making outlines of
the headlands and other prominent features of the land.
"Very well for you, master, who have to navigate the ship, but we are
above such grovelling notions," answered Mildmay; "you have nothing
Byronic in your composition."
"Just take care when it's your watch that you don't run the ship ashore
in a fit of poetical abstraction," said Green, laughing; "your Byronic
enthusiasm would not be received as a valid excuse at a court-martial."
Besides the officers named, Jack had several of his own and Murray's old
shipmates--Dick Needham as gunner, Ben Snatchblock as boatswain, with
the two midshipmen, Dicky Duff and Billy Blueblazes; Jerry Bird; the
Irishman, Tim Nolan; and several others, all good men and true.
With patriotic pride Jack saw the magnificent fleet under Admiral Dundas
lying at anchor in Cavarna Bay as the _Tornado_ steamed into that
roadstead. It lies on the western side of the Black Sea, a little to
the north of Varna. There lay the _Britannia_ and _Trafalgar_, of 120
guns, the admiral's flag flying at the masthead of the first; the
_Queen_, of 116 guns; the _Agamemnon_, a name renowned in naval story,
of 101 guns, carrying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons; the
_Albion_, of 91 guns; the _Rodney_ and _London_, of 90; the _Vengeance,
Bellerophon_, and _Sanspareil_, of 84, 80, and 70 guns respectively; the
_Arethusa_, of 50 guns, twice the size of her predecessor, known in song
as the "gallant _Arethusa_;" and numerous other frigates and steamers,
the smallest equal in power to any frigate of the olden times. There
too lay the French fleet, fifty sail of the line and twenty-one frigates
and smaller vessels, with the flag of Admiral Hamelin flying on board
the _Ville-de-Paris_, of 120 guns, and that of the second in command,
Admiral Bruat, on board the _Montebello_, of the same force. What might
not these fleets accomplish if only the Russians would dare to sail out
from amid their stone walls and fight? There was the rub.
Jack, having paid his respects to the admiral, made his way on board the
_Briton_, accompanied by Archie, whom he knew Murray would be glad to
see. Jack, of course, brought despatches from Stella. "Now, Alick," he
said, after the first greetings were over, "you read those quietly,
while Gordon and I look up some of our old shipmates whom you have on
board."
Jack was not disappointed, for though he could not boast of having as
many friends as Jos Green, he seldom went anywhere without finding some
former shipmates. All were in high spirits at the thoughts of active
service, though as yet nothing of importance had been done. A very
gallant act, however, had been performed, of which Jack now heard. It
was very important to gain exact information as to the present state of
the harbour of Sebastopol and the forts protecting it, for there was
every reason to believe considerable alterations had of late been made.
As soon as the news of the massacre of Sinope had reached England, the
Government sent out orders to the admirals to enter the Black Sea, to
stop every Russian ship they met, and to prevent by force, if necessary,
any fresh aggression on the Turkish flag, that no repetition of such
atrocity might occur. As war had not yet been formally declared, it was
necessary to inform the Cabinet of Saint Petersburg and the Governor of
Sebastopol of this resolution. Captain Drummond, commanding the
_Retribution_, a steamer of twenty-eight guns, was accordingly ordered
to proceed to Sebastopol, and to deliver the despatches to the governor.
In order to make the necessary survey, he was to remain there as long
as he possibly could without allowing his design to be suspected by the
Russians. It was the middle of winter; the weather, as is generally the
case at that time of the year, was very thick. This was favourable to
the design. As he had a good chart of the coast, he stood boldly on,
keeping the lead going, till he made his way between the two outermost
forts into the mouth of the harbour, when he came to an anchor before he
was discovered by the Russians. Great must have been their astonishment
at seeing an English frigate thus boldly bearding them.
The fires were kept banked up, so that she might, if necessary, make her
way out again, should the Russians venture to fire at her, of which
there was a very great probability; indeed, it was said that the guns in
the forts were actually loaded, ready at a moment to sink the audacious
intruder. The instant the anchor was dropped, the boats were sent out
to take the necessary soundings, while an accurate survey was commenced
of both shores of the harbour and the forts, with the number of their
guns which guarded the entrance. The fortifications were indeed of a
most formidable character. On two sides of the harbour eleven forts and
batteries were counted; one, which appeared to be the key to the entire
works of the place, had its guns concealed from view, but in the other
ten no fewer than 722 guns, mostly thirty-two pounders, were counted,
half of which pointed seaward, and commanded the approach to the
harbour; and the other half commanded the harbour, in which lay the
Russian fleet itself. In every direction men could be seen
strengthening the works and erecting new ones. The town was surrounded
by a wall fifteen feet in height, and loopholed for musketry, with a
ditch in front. So narrow was the entrance that two line-of-battle
ships could barely sail in abreast.
Having delayed as long as he could, Captain Drummond sent a boat with an
officer to convey the despatches to the governor, who at first expressed
himself very much astonished at the appearance of an English ship at
such a juncture. Being assured, however, that the frigate had come to
perform an act of courtesy, he was satisfied, and, salutes having been
exchanged, the _Retribution_ lifted her anchor and steamed again out of
the harbour, with the important knowledge which had been obtained, and
which was quickly conveyed to Admiral Dundas. Captain Drummond was of
opinion that the place was entirely unassailable by ships alone, but
that it might easily be blockaded and harassed by shells thrown into it
at night, though he was convinced that should a ship enter the harbour
in order to destroy the Russian fleet lying there, it must be
annihilated before it could get out again. He advised, therefore, that
Sebastopol should be attacked by a combined naval and military force;
and, as far as could be learned, the authorities had determined on this
mode of proceeding.
Jack, having left Murray time to read his despatches, rejoined him, and
heard more of what had taken place. "The army have suffered
dreadfully," said Murray, as Jack was seated in his cabin; "not from the
enemy, but from cholera and fever. It has also appeared on board the
fleet, and nearly every ship has lost a good many men. Upwards of fifty
have died on board the flagship, and we have had thirty or forty on the
sick list at a time, many of whom have succumbed to the disease. The
steamers have, I hope, a better chance of escaping, but it has not left
them entirely alone."
"Well, I trust we shall keep free," said Jack. "The best thing we can
hope for is that the commander-in-chief will give us something to do
before long."
After describing the halt of the British forces at Scutari, and various
incidents which had occurred, Murray went on with an account of what had
since taken place: "After remaining for some time at Scutari, the
greater part of the English force was moved on to the neighbourhood of
Varna, where they have been distributed on the heights south of Varna
Bay, and at various other points," he continued. "The first division,
consisting of the Guards and Highlanders, with two field-batteries, are
encamped at Gevreckler, a dreary common covered with a short, wiry
grass, one of the most desolate-looking plains I ever visited."
"I am sorry to hear that," said Jack, "for my brother Sidney is out
there. I must try if I can get the chance of paying him a visit. Poor
fellow! he was very anxious to come out, but he will find campaigning
very different sort of work from a review in Hyde Park."
"The chances are you are sent there on duty," observed Murray; "if you
go, remember me to Mackenzie, Gordon, and Douglas, of the
-- Highlanders. Heaven knows whether we shall meet again, for the
cholera, I am sorry to say, has got among them, and it is expected that
the allied army before long will have some hot work with the Russians,
who are now besieging Silistria. The place is holding out nobly, the
Turks being aided by those two gallant fellows, Captain Butler and
Lieutenant Nasmyth. The Russians have already lost several thousand men
before the place, but everybody believes that it must fall ere long, and
that the Russians will then march on Constantinople. We shall do our
best to stop them; and though we, of course, shall win, it will not be
without heavy loss."
"The fortune of war," said Jack. "I only hope that the Russian fleet
will soon sail out of Sebastopol and give us something to do. I have no
fear but that we shall lick them."
"Of course we shall," answered Murray; "and if Charley Napier can meet
their fleet in the Baltic and give them a drubbing too, they will have
had enough of it, and we shall shake hands and be friends."
Little did the young commanders, who thus easily settled the campaign,
dream of the prolonged and sanguinary struggle which was about to take
place. Jack and Archie remained on board to dine. The latter went back
to the _Tornado_ full of the news he had picked up, which he was as
ready to impart to Tom and his shipmates as they were anxious to hear
it.
"Look here," said Archie, as he sat on one side of the berth, with Tom
opposite to him, and most of the midshipmen surrounding the table, "I've
been studying the chart, and I think I've a pretty correct notion of the
position of the different places. Here's the Black Sea, which we'll
call an irregular oval running east and west, and at the north side is
the Crimea, something like a shoulder of mutton in shape, hanging on by
the Isthmus of Perekop to the mainland. Sebastopol, the fortress we
hear so much of, is at the southern end of a broad bay on its western
side. Going back to the mainland, we find on the southern side of the
Danube, which as it approaches the sea runs north, and then again to the
east, at a considerable distance from the sea, the fortress of
Silistria, where the Turks are bravely holding out against a numerous
Russian army. South of Silistria are Varna and Schumla, between which
places our troops are encamped, to be ready to intercept the Russians
whenever they have captured Silistria, and thus to prevent them from
getting to Constantinople. Some way north of the Danube, on the
seashore, is Odessa, not far from the mouth of the Dnieper. To the
north-east of the Crimea, with a narrow passage between it and the
mainland, is the Sea of Azov. Near the entrance to that sea is the
mouth of the river Kouban, where the gallant Circassians have long held
out against the Russians. Here we have the Bosphorus at the south-west
corner of the Black Sea, with Constantinople on the one side, and
Scutari on the other; and rather more than half-way along the southern
coast is Sinope, where the Russians so barbarously massacred the
unfortunate Turks. Thus Russia possesses the northern shore of the sea,
Turkey the western and southern, and Circassia the eastern. Still, with
a tremendously strong place like Sebastopol almost in its centre, Russia
may be said to command the whole of its waters; and that's the reason, I
suppose, that we shall try to destroy Sebastopol and the fleet, which at
present lies snugly under the batteries."
All hands agreed that they understood Archie's account. He forgot to
mention that several fortresses had been erected by the Russians on the
Circassian coast. Their garrisons were, however, seldom able to venture
far beyond their walls, the brave mountaineers being continually on the
watch to attack them. Among other pieces of news that Archie had heard,
was that the _Furious_, Captain Loring, had been sent to Odessa with a
flag of truce, to bring off the British consul and any British residents
who might be in the town. The day after Jack had joined the fleet, the
_Furious_ was seen coming in from the northward, and, soon after she
anchored, it was reported that, notwithstanding her flag of truce, the
Russians had fired at her, and also at the people she was bringing off.
This, of course, made the admirals very indignant, and several steamers
were sent to the north to blockade the port; and, on the 17th of April,
the combined fleets weighed and proceeded in the same direction,
arriving off Odessa on the 28th.
"I thought it wouldn't be long before we had something to do," said
Archie, as he and Tom stood on the deck, watching the coast along which
the _Tornado_ was steaming.
The city stands on the southern shore of a bay, with the houses built on
the slopes, with moderately high hills rising up from it. In the centre
of the bay was a citadel armed with heavy guns, overlooking the whole of
the bay, with strong batteries placed at different points, so as to
sweep it with a crossfire; while the ends of three piers were heavily
armed with batteries.
As soon as the ships came off the place, the admiral sent in a summons
to the governor, demanding, as an atonement for the insult offered to
the flag of truce, that all English and French ships should be sent out,
and the Russian ships surrendered; and threatening, should this demand
not be complied with, that the combined squadron would open fire on the
place. The officers and men on board the ships waited eagerly for the
governor's answer, whether he would yield to their demands and send out
the vessels, or would try the chances of war. All hands hoped that he
would prove obstinate, and give them the chance of trying their shot and
shell against his stone batteries.
By the evening of the 21st no answer had been given, and Jack, with the
other captains and commanders, having been summoned on board the
flagship, returned in high spirits with the announcement that the place
was to be attacked.
The next morning, Ben Snatchblock's shrill pipe sounding along the decks
roused up the watch below, who sprang on deck with even more than their
usual alacrity. The midshipmen, turning out of their hammocks, quickly
dressed. Everybody by this time knew that work was to be done. The
grey light of morning was just breaking in the eastern horizon, beyond
the combined fleets of England and France, which lay outside of the
steamers. On the west was the city of Odessa, rising to a considerable
height above the calm surface of the water, green fields and woods on
either side, while in front could be seen the citadel and its numerous
forts armed with heavy guns, ready to pour showers of shot and shell on
the ships which might dare to oppose them.
The English and French admirals threw out the signal for the
steam-squadron to weigh. It was answered with alacrity--the vessels,
urged rapidly through the water by their paddles, stood in towards the
shore. As they approached, the silence of the morning was broken by the
loud roar of the Russian guns from the citadel and lower forts,
responded to by those of the allies fired from the decks of the
steamers; which, having delivered their broadsides with excellent aim,
stood off again to give place to their successors in the line. Having
made a semicircle and reloaded, they again came into action; this
manoeuvre being repeated without cessation, so that not a moment of
breathing-time was allowed to the Russians in the batteries. Most ably
were the guns of the latter served, many of them firing red-hot shot as
well as round-shot. At length, several of the former striking one of
the French steam frigates, flames were seen to burst out from her, and
she was compelled to stand out of action while her crew, not without
difficulty, extinguished the fire.
A breeze springing up, the gallant _Arethusa_ was seen standing in under
sail, and as she closed with the batteries, she opened her fire with
tremendous effect; then, putting down her helm, she came about and stood
off once more, amid showers of shot and shell which came sweeping over
and about her; though, close as she was, not a shot touched her.
Greatly to the disappointment of her gallant captain, he saw the signal
made from the flagship for his return. Thinking that he might shut one
eye, as Nelson did at Copenhagen, he however once more stood in,
delivering a fire from his eight-inch-shell guns, standing in even
closer than before. This manoeuvre he repeated several times; but again
the admiral, fearing that he would receive more damage than would be
compensated for by the injury inflicted on the enemy, finally recalled
him, and, sending for him on board the flagship, complimented him upon
his gallantry and the skilful way in which he had manoeuvred his ship.
The attacking squadron was now strengthened by several other steamers
and gunboats. The _Tornado_ had been playing her part. "We shall make
our fire tell before long," observed Jack to Higson, who stood by his
side, just as the ship had delivered her broadside and was standing out
of action. "See, flames are bursting out from the fort at the end of
the mole,--that won't trouble us again,--look there on the other side,
there must be numerous works and storehouses on fire. If we keep on in
this fashion the Russians will have the whole place burnt about their
ears."
The men were at their quarters, with shirt-sleeves tucked up, their
heads bound by handkerchiefs, and belts round their waists. Another
circle was made, when, just as the _Tornado_ had delivered her fire, a
terrific sound was heard; the fort in front of her seemed to rise in the
air, the flames shot upwards, and huge blocks of stone came hurtling
down on either side. Loud cheers burst from the British crew.
"Hurrah!" cried Tom, "I hope that won't be the only fort blown up before
long." As he spoke, it was seen that several other forts were in
flames. Soon after the squadron was brought closer in to attack the
shipping within the mole. The shot and shell poured upon them rapidly
did its work. Some of the vessels were sunk; others, with the rest of
the storehouses, were set on fire. No efforts made by the Russians
could quench the flames, which continued burning all night.
The work was most complete; all the Government vessels, barracks,
storehouses full of ammunition and military stores, were completely
destroyed. Next day the Russians were, however, seen attempting to
rebuild their earthworks; but a few shells from the _Arethusa_ dispersed
them. Several Russian vessels having been captured at sea, the admiral
sent in to propose to exchange their crews for those on board the
vessels which had been detained in the harbour. The governor, however,
replied that he had no authority to make an exchange of prisoners, which
personally he much regretted. Admiral Dundas, on hearing this, sent his
prisoners, who were all merchant seamen, on shore, observing that he was
at war only with the Government of the country, and did not wish to
inflict annoyance on the peaceable inhabitants. Some time after the
return of the fleet to Baljik, the English merchant seamen who had been
detained at Odessa made their appearance, having been released by order
of the Czar, who would not be outdone in generosity by the English.
Several vessels had been left in the north to cruise up and down the
coast. Among them were the _Tornado, Tiger_, and two others. Several
prizes had been made when the _Tiger_ parted company in a thick fog.
Jack had been for some time looking out for her, when the sound of heavy
guns was heard inshore. The _Tornado_, in company with another steamer,
stood on in the direction from whence the sounds proceeded; in a short
time a rapid firing of musketry was heard.
"One of our cruisers is being engaged with the enemy," observed Higson.
"I suspect so," said Jack; "but I very much fear that she must be on
shore. At all events, we must stand in and drive away the enemy, while
we try to get her off."
Jack hailed his consort, and, putting on all steam, the two vessels
stood towards the land. Just then the firing ceased, and directly
afterwards, the fog lifting, Cape Fortan, a headland about four miles to
the south of Odessa, appeared in sight. Every glass on board was turned
in the direction of the land.
"There is a vessel on shore close to the cape," observed Higson.
"She must, I fear, be the _Tiger_" said Jack; "we may still be in time
to help her. Perhaps she has driven off the Russians."
"I am afraid not," said Higson, "for I can make out several boats
surrounding her. I fear that Captain Giffard has been compelled to
strike his flag, and that the Russians are removing the prisoners."
"He would not have done that as long as he had the slightest hope of
saving his ship," said Jack; "still we may be in time to prevent her
from falling into the enemy's hands."
While all on board were watching the ship on shore, flames were seen to
burst out from her fore and aft.
"She's done for; and all her crew, I fear, will be made prisoners," said
Jack.
Deep sympathy was felt on board for the unfortunate ship's company, and
vexation that so fine a vessel should be lost. Little hope remained of
their being able to extinguish the flames. Still Jack determined to try
what could be done. In a few minutes, however, the matter was set at
rest--the fire increased, the masts and spars of the doomed ship were
enveloped in flames; and then there came a thundering report, her deck
lifted, the masts shot upwards, and an instant afterwards, as they came
down hissing into the water, a few blackened timbers alone remained of
the stout ship which had lately floated buoyantly on the ocean with her
gallant crew.
Jack and his consort opened their fire on the Russian troops, who still
remained in sight; but they, knowing that their field-pieces could
produce no effect upon the ships, quickly retired out of harm's way, and
the steamers again stood off the shore.
It was not till some time afterwards, on the release of the crew, that
Jack heard of the circumstances connected with the loss of the _Tiger_.
She had gone on shore during a fog, when her situation was perceived by
a body of Russian troops, who at once brought a battery of field-guns to
bear upon her, assailing her incessantly also with a fire of musketry.
Her captain was suffering from a severe fever at the time, but,
immediately going on deck, was giving directions for hauling her off
when he fell mortally wounded, both his thighs broken by a round-shot.
Several of his men were struck down at the same time; and at length the
first lieutenant, finding it impossible to get the ship off, hauled down
his flag. Directly the Russians ceased firing, boats came off, and the
officers and crew, with their wounded captain, were carried on shore.
Instead, however, of receiving the rough usage they expected, all the
prisoners, especially the wounded, were treated by the Russians with the
most considerate humanity; and they acknowledged that, had they been
wrecked on their own coast, they could not have received greater
attention and kindness than was bestowed on them by their enemies.
Nothing, however, could save the life of Captain Giffard, who quickly
sank from the effects of his terrible wound.
Jack, as well as several of his brother commanders, had long been
wishing to take a look at Sebastopol, knowing that the information they
might gain would be acceptable to the admirals. The Russian fleet,
supposed to be numerous and powerful, had not yet shown itself outside
the harbour since its cowardly attack on the Turks at Sinope. Jack
talked the subject over with Mildmay; the latter was ready for anything.
He especially wished to take a sketch of the renowned fortress, and
purposed making some lines on the subject. Jos Green was delighted with
the idea; but how was it to be accomplished? They might run in at
night, but then, as he observed, as they should see nothing, they would
not be much the wiser. They were discussing the matter, when the
look-out shouted, "A sail on the weather-bow."
The vessel's head was turned in the direction of the stranger, and, the
wind being light, she had no more chance of escaping than a mouse has
from a cat in open ground. She proved to be a brig under Russian
colours, though the master and several of the crew were Austrians. They
took their fate very quietly, and were ready to give all the information
they possessed. The master had frequently been at Sebastopol in former
days; he stated that an Austrian steam-packet, about the size of the
_Tornado_, occasionally called off the port. Jack got a full
description of the vessel from his informant, and he and his lieutenants
agreed that they could give the _Tornado_ much the same appearance.
"I have often read in the old war of the way vessels were disguised to
deceive the enemy. It is quite a lawful proceeding," Jack observed.
Sail-makers and painters were fully employed in shaping and painting old
sails to conceal the heavy guns and figure-head, and to alter the
general appearance of the ship. When all was done, Jack, with his first
lieutenant and Needham, pulled off to a distance to have a look at her,
and were fully satisfied that the keenest of eyes on shore would not
discover her real character. The crew were also ordered to rig in their
working-day clothes, and it was arranged that one watch should go below,
while only a few officers in undress uniform were to appear on deck.
Highly delighted, Jack steered towards the lion's den. The Austrian
skipper was in a state of great trepidation. "If discovered, the ship
will be inevitably sunk!" he exclaimed.
"No fear," said Jack; "we'll see what's to be seen, and then steam out
again at a rate which will give the Russian gunners no little trouble to
hit us."
The midshipmen were of course in high glee; Tom was only sorry that
Desmond was not with them. "How he would have enjoyed the fun!" he
exclaimed; "only perhaps he's finding some still better in the Baltic."
That night, few slept out the morning watch, all being so eager to have
an early look at the fortress, as Jack had determined to enter the
harbour soon after daybreak, when, as might be supposed, the garrison
would not have got the sleep out of their eyes. As morning broke, the
high cliffs on either side Sebastopol appeared in sight. The Austrian
colours were hoisted, the greater portion of the crew were sent below,
the remainder being ordered to lounge about in merchantman fashion;
while Jack and Jos Green and the two lieutenants, with the Austrian
skipper, walked the deck with the perfect composure of men who were well
acquainted with the place. Keen eyes were, however, looking out from
many a port at the rocky shores ahead, as the _Tornado_ drew in to the
land. Two brigs-of-war were discovered at anchor on either side of the
harbour's mouth, and as of course they would be on the alert, there was
a great probability of their discovering the character of the stranger.
A few shot might, however, quickly send them to the bottom, in case they
should attempt to stop her. The crew were ordered to be in readiness to
spring on deck at a moment's notice, and every man below hoped that that
notice would be given. On stood the _Tornado_, no sign being given on
board the brigs that her character was suspected. Jack and his
officers, as the steamer ran in, had time to count the guns which
frowned down upon them from the four forts on either side of the
harbour, each with three tiers of batteries; and, what was of more
importance still, to make out the number of ships in the harbour.
"I can see three three-deckers and several two-deckers," said Jack.
"There are at least four frigates," added Higson, "and fully half a
dozen smaller craft; and see, over the point, those mastheads; there are
four of them, and evidently ships of the line. That makes not much
fewer than our fleet; if they've any pluck in them, they'll come out and
fight us; and our admirals are the men to give them every chance of
doing so."
The _Tornado_ had now got as far up the harbour as Jack considered
prudent, and she was gradually brought round as if about to come to an
anchor, with her head turned towards the harbour's mouth. It had
required no small amount of resolution to bring her into that position;
at any moment twelve hundred pieces of artillery in those frowning forts
above their heads might open their fire, and send their shot, which,
plunging down upon the ship's deck, would turn her into a sieve in a few
seconds. Jack and his officers were equal to the occasion. He and
Higson calmly lighted their cigars, and, as they walked backwards and
forwards on deck, puffed away with might and main; both of them,
however, keeping an eye on the forts, waiting for the moment when they
might open fire. The ship, having been brought round, glided slowly on
for some distance; then Jack gave the order to turn ahead at full speed,
and out she shot between the two brigs, their crews even then wondering
what had induced her so suddenly to take her departure. Not till she
was well outside them did they begin to suspect the character of the
stranger which had paid them a visit that morning, when their
signal-flags were seen run up to the mastheads, answered by two or three
of the outermost frigates.
Just then a schooner was seen entering under Russian colours. "We must
take her," cried Jack; "the impudence of the act will have a good
effect, and show the Russians what Englishmen can dare and do. Haul
down those colours--hoist our ensign," he added. The change was rapidly
effected; the signalising between the brigs and frigates went on still
more vehemently, while the former sent a few ineffectual shot at their
audacious visitor.
"Keep her for the schooner," cried Jack. The skipper of the Russian
merchantman was evidently much astonished at perceiving the Austrian
steamer suddenly turned into an English man-of-war. Finding that he
could by no possibility escape, he hauled down not only his colours, but
his sails, when the steamer, running alongside his vessel, took her in
tow, having first removed him and his crew to her deck. He proved, like
the first, to be an Austrian; the two skippers mutually condoled each
other on their misfortunes.
Away the _Tornado_ steamed out to sea, but a sharp eye was kept on the
proceedings of the Russian fleet. The two brigs were seen getting under
way; presently afterwards three of the outside frigates slipped from
their moorings, and stood out under all the canvas they could spread in
chase of the daring intruder. The officers and crew had now mustered on
deck, and, the painted canvas being got rid of, the ship was quickly
made ready for action.
"Only let two of them come on at a time, and we shall have them in tow
before long," observed Dick Needham, a sentiment which was heartily
responded to. The breeze, however, increased, and the frigates came
dashing on, keeping pretty close together, at a rate which made it more
than possible that they would overtake him. Jack heartily wished that
he could have carried off the schooner as a prize, but it was not worth
while to risk the loss of his ship in making the attempt. He could not
hope to capture even one of the enemy, unless he could separate them,
and this, as they were favoured by the wind, he saw that he should be
unable to do. Prudence, therefore, compelled him very unwillingly to
cast off the prize, upon which the Russians speedily pounced, but only
to find her empty.
The crew cheered heartily, while many a laugh resounded through the
ship, as they witnessed the Russians' disappointment, and saw the
squadron sail back again into port, jack communicated the information he
had received to the admiral. Soon afterwards the fleet of the allies
appeared before Sebastopol, two or three of their ships having been sent
out of sight in order to make their forces equal, and to induce the
Russians to come out and fight them. The latter, however, knew too well
what would be the result to make the attempt. Admiral Lyons sailed away
with a small squadron to reconnoitre the shores of Georgia and
Circassia. During the trip, he endeavoured to persuade Schamyl, the
far-famed Circassian chief, to co-operate with him in taking the
fortresses of Soujak and Anapa, two of the only three fortresses still
held by the Russians; but the old warrior was not in a condition to
undertake the enterprise. Redoubt Kaleh was however attacked, and the
garrison, after setting fire to it, retreated. The number of prizes
captured by the squadron, which sailed throughout the Black Sea,
sweeping it of every vessel except those of the allies, was very great.
Jack was elsewhere, he having been employed in running several times to
Constantinople, and back to Cavarna.
He at length obtained the wished-for opportunity of visiting his brother
at Gevreckler. Taking Tom with him, they landed at the nearest village
on the shore, where they obtained horses. The scenery was picturesque,
and sometimes exceedingly beautiful. They passed through a Turkish
village at the base of some low hills. The village consisted of
mud-walled and thatched houses built on either side of green lanes
bordered by trees, with farmyards attached, and enormous whitewashed,
dome-shaped clay ovens. The streets all led to a common centre, like a
village green in England; here and there were wells, from which girls in
Oriental costume were drawing water. They were perfectly ready to chat
with the strangers had they understood each other's language, but, as
that was not the case, they laughed and smiled in friendly fashion. On
the level ground vast cornfields appeared spread out, already yellow
with ripeness, and here and there patches of tall guinea-grass of
deepest green, the fields being intersected by low copses, and
occasionally rows of trees of greater height, while to the west appeared
numerous hills of graceful form covered by waving woods. Far in the
south could be seen the blue outline of the Balkan range.
At length, mounting the last height, Jack and his companions reached the
plateau of Gevreckler, when the white tents of the Guards and
Highlanders appeared, extending far and wide before them. Here lay
encamped the flower of England's warriors; but, alas! Jack, as he rode
through the camp, was struck by the pallid countenances and feeble gait
of many of those he met, while from the canvas walls of a large tent
came the cries of strong men in mortal agony. He inquired of a soldier
near the cause of the cries.
"Some more fellows down with the cholera," was the answer; "they've got
the cramps, and they are precious hard to bear, I know; had them myself
last night, but they passed off." As the man spoke, his countenance was
overspread by a deadly pallor; he sank on the ground, shrieking out.
His cries attracted several of his comrades, who, lifting him up,
carried him into the nearest hospital tent. A little farther on Jack
came upon an open space, where groups were collected round a person
acting as an auctioneer, who was disposing of uniforms, clothes, camp
equipage, and even horses and various other articles which had belonged
to officers and men just carried off by cholera. It could not fail to
have a depressing effect; he almost dreaded to ask about his brother
Sidney. Regaining his composure, he inquired the direction of his tent,
and was relieved to hear that he had been seen a short time before alive
and well.
In a few minutes he found him, seated in front of his tent, in a
washing-tub, which served as an arm-chair, with a book on his knee, and
a cigar in his mouth. "What! Jack! Tom!" he exclaimed in a more
animated tone than was his wont in England; "I am very glad to see you,
for I little expected that you would be able to make your way out here.
I can't give you a very hospitable reception; but here's a camp-stool
for you, Jack; and bring yourself to an anchor on the top of my hat-box,
Tom. Things don't look as bright as we should wish, but we can keep up
our spirits with the hopes of a change for the better. The Turks are
tremendously hard pressed in Silistria, and we are expecting every hour
to hear of the fall of the place; when we shall have the Russians down
upon us. I turn out every morning in the belief that before the day is
over we shall be ordered to march and meet the enemy; when the wind's
from the north we can hear their guns and those of the fortress
thundering away at each other; and any day we can hear the sounds of
mines exploding, and other music of glorious war," and he smiled
faintly; "I painted the pleasures of fighting in a very different light,
and cannot say that the reality comes up to them. However, you must
have some luncheon, and then we'll ride towards the Schumla, where we
can hear, though we can't see, what is going forward."
As soon as luncheon was over, Sidney ordered his horse, a sorry steed,
not quite suitable for Rotten Row. He, with his two brothers, set out
for the position of the second division. They had got but a short
distance from the camp, when they passed a party of men carrying
stretchers, on each of which was laid a human form, the rigid outline of
the features and feet showing through the blanket shroud. The chaplain
followed to read the funeral service; but few, except those required
officially to attend, followed their comrades to their last
resting-place. Farther on were two groups of men, six or eight in each,
shovelling out the earth from some oblong holes. Silently they
laboured; no smiles were on their countenances, no jokes passed between
them; they themselves might soon be the occupants of similar
resting-places. Tom shuddered. "I have been too much accustomed to
scenes like these to take notice of them," said Sidney; "we seldom pass
a day without the loss of two or three men, and sometimes many more."
They at length reached the height towards which they were riding, and,
on dismounting from their steeds, they could hear the rolling thunder
which came from far-off Silistria, one continued roar, as the garrison
poured the fire of their guns on the persevering hosts of Russia.
"It seems to me as if every man in the Russian army must be blown to
pieces by this time," observed Tom.
"So they would if they were above ground," answered Jack, "but they are
in their trenches, and only occasionally do those iron missiles carry
death in their track, except when an assault is being made, and then
they sweep them down by hundreds."
The despatches Jack had to convey not being ready, he was compelled to
remain on shore till the following morning. All night long the low
thunder of the siege was heard even more continuously than before. He
awoke just at dawn, and listened; the wind came from the same quarter,
but no longer was the booming sound of the cannon heard. "It is all
over with the brave garrison of Silistria, I am afraid," he observed to
Sidney, who had joined him outside the tent.
"If it is, we shall soon have a brush with the Russians," was the
answer; "I heartily hope so, for active service will help to stop the
fearful ravages of the cholera. Half a dozen of our poor fellows have
died during the night, and the army will be decimated unless something
is done to arrest the disease." Just then the reveille sounded, and the
camp was quickly astir. The news spread that Silistria had fallen. The
hope that the time of inaction was over was expressed by everyone in the
camp. The event detained Jack on shore much longer than he had
expected. At length a Turkish horseman was seen spurring towards the
camp of the allies. Officers and men hurried out to meet him, fully
expecting to hear that the enemy were advancing. He pointed to the
north, however, and an interpreter explained what had happened. He
brought glorious news, of which his countrymen might well be proud.
Prince Paskiewich, with his shattered hordes, had raised the siege, and
was in full retreat from before the brave city he had in vain assailed
for so many long weeks; but one of its gallant defenders, Butler, after
exhibiting the most heroic bravery and skill, had fallen.
Soon afterwards another important victory was gained over the Russians
by the Turks, led by General Cannon and several other English officers,
in which also Lieutenant Glynn and Prince Leiningen, of the _Britannia_,
commanding some gunboats, took an active part. This compelled the enemy
to abandon the Principalities. Jack after this had to return to
Constantinople, where Sir Edmund Lyons and Sir George Brown were busy in
preparing rafts and chartering steamers for the embarkation of the
artillery and cavalry.
On Jack's return he again paid a visit to Murray on board the _Briton_.
The cholera had been making sad ravages among her crew, as well as on
board other ships of the fleet, but, strange to say, not an officer had
been attacked. Hearing that Murray was below in the sick-bay, he sought
him there, and found him, with two lieutenants, assisting the surgeons
in attending to the sufferers, of whom there were at least thirty in
various stages of the disease. Murray was standing by the hammock, and
holding the hands of a poor fellow--a stout, thick-bearded man, whose
countenance was of a livid hue.
"It's hard to bear, sir, it's hard to bear!" cried the sufferer,
writhing in agony. "Shall I get over it, do you think, sir?" looking up
in the commander's face with an inquiring glance, such as a child might
cast at its mother.
"I hope you may," answered Alick; "but cheer up--many have been as bad
as you are, and have recovered; hold on bravely." The man seemed to
grow calmer; again, however, there came over him a fearful paroxysm of
pain. "Don't leave me, sir, don't leave me!" he exclaimed, as soon as
he could speak. Alick, who was about to go on to another man, again
held his hands, pouring some cordial down his mouth, which the doctor
handed him. He was soon quiet, but it was the quiet of death; and the
commander passed on to others who required his aid.
Thus he and the other officers went from hammock to hammock,
endeavouring to soothe the pain of those to whom their services could be
of any avail. The dead man was lifted out and quickly sewn up in his
blanket, with a shot at his feet, to be launched overboard. Three were
committed to the deep at the same time.
Such were the scenes going forward on board most of the ships in the
squadron; the _Britannia_ alone was destined to lose upwards of a
hundred men. On board other ships the officers devoted themselves in
the same way, and in many cases succeeded, where the medical men might
have failed, in arresting the malady. It was now known that a descent
on the Crimea was to be made; as, however, in the suffering state of the
ships' crews, it would be impossible to embark the troops, the admirals
put to sea, in the hopes of arresting the progress of the cholera. It
appeared not to have the desired effect, and many more lost the number
of their mess; and fears began to be entertained that the enterprise
must be abandoned, when suddenly the disease stopped; not a man more was
attacked.
The ships sailed back into Cavarna Bay, and soon the operation of
embarking the army commenced. The duty was under the charge of Sir
Edmund Lyons. By the aid of the rafts he had constructed, which
consisted of two boats lashed together with a platform on the top, he
got on board the ships destined to carry them sixty pieces of field
artillery and the complement of horses belonging to every gun. He then
commenced embarking the cavalry, to the number of a thousand horses, and
twenty-two thousand infantry, on board the numerous large transports
waiting for their conveyance.
The officers of the fleet were engaged under him in superintending the
operation. During some days a heavy swell set in, which put a stop to
the business of embarking the cavalry. The weather again changing,
however, the whole of the force was got on board without the loss of a
man. Never before had so large a fleet anchored in those waters. There
were hundreds of sailing transports, steamers innumerable, both
men-of-war and merchantmen, while above all towered the tall masts of
the line-of-battle ships. The French, having only their own infantry to
embark, most of whom were taken on board their men-of-war, got through
the process more rapidly than the English.
Men-of-war's boats were pulling backwards and forwards, some carrying
messages, others towing-off the rafts; while smaller craft of all sorts
were moving about in every direction, bringing stores and provisions.
It was hard work for all hands, but it was cheerfully and willingly
performed.
Jack, having to pass near the French fleet, observed a boatful of
Zouaves pulling off to a transport; the French steamer was approaching
her; the crew of the Zouaves' boat attempted to pass her bows, while
those on board her were keeping a bad lookout. The consequences was
that the steamer ran right into the Zouaves' boat. The poor fellows,
encumbered with their knapsacks and greatcoats, being utterly unable to
swim, the larger number, uttering shrieks of despair, sank like shots
before help, so near at hand, could be afforded them.
Unhappily the cholera lingered among the troops on board the transports,
and every day several were launched into their ocean graves, as it was
impossible to carry them on shore for burial. Under such circumstances
it is usual to secure shot to the foot of the corpse in order to sink it
rapidly to the bottom. In some instances shot of insufficient weight
were used; for though the body at first sank, yet when decomposition set
in and gases were generated, it again rose to the surface; and those on
board the ships, as they looked over the side, were horrified at seeing
the bodies of their late comrades floating about, bowing to them as if
in mockery, moved by the undulations of the water.
One evening Billy Blueblazes was on duty at the gangway, with orders to
report any boats coming alongside; as he was looking out in the dusk, he
saw, as he thought, a man swimming and approaching the ship. He hailed,
but there was no answer; still the figure came nearer and nearer, and
presently touched the foot of the accommodation ladder. "What is it you
want?" asked Billy; no answer was returned. As in duty bound, he went
up to report the circumstance to the first lieutenant.
"There's a Turk, or some fellow of that sort, has swum off to the ship,
sir; but he won't give his name, or say what he wants."
Higson ordered Tim Nolan, who was acting as quartermaster, to go down
and ascertain who the man was.
"Arrah, sir, it's not a living being at all!" shouted Tim; "he's one of
the poor fellows who slipped his cable in the cholera on board the
transports, and the sooner he's made to go back where he come from the
better, seeing he isn't altogether pleasant company to living men."
Higson was of Tim's opinion, and, ordering a shot to be securely slung,
he directed Tim to make it fast round the neck of the corpse; this was
quickly done, and the unwelcome visitor disappeared beneath the surface.
Many other similar occurrences took place, to the great annoyance of the
seamen, as well as of the soldiers, and made them all the more anxious
to get away from the spot beneath which lay so many of their unhappy
countrymen. The English fleet having an ample supply of transports, no
troops were taken on board the men-of-war, which were thus left free for
action; but the French having secured only small vessels, their
men-of-war were so encumbered with troops that they were ill prepared to
go into action should the Russian fleet come out to attack them. The
information was received with unmitigated satisfaction on board the
British men-of-war, and all hoped that the Russians, gaining courage,
would venture from beneath their fortifications, as on the English fleet
would devolve the honour of engaging them.
To every English sailing-ship-of-war a steamer was attached. The
English army was under the command of Lord Raglan; Admiral Dundas had
his flag flying on board the _Britannia_; while Admiral Sir Edmund
Lyons, in the _Agamemnon_, had charge of the transports. To each vessel
was assigned her particular place, so that there might be no confusion.
It was generally believed that the Russian fleet would sail out of
Sebastopol and intercept the flotilla, and that they would have to bear
the brunt of the fight. The masters of the transports were accordingly
called on board the _Emperor_, the largest of their squadron, where the
admiral's instructions were read to them, and they were asked whether
they would willingly take a part in the naval engagement, should one be
brought on. Having satisfied themselves that their widows would receive
compensation should they fall, they replied to the question with three
hearty British cheers. Thus were the preparations made for the
contemplated descent on the unknown shores of the Crimea.