CHAPTER XIV
THE _CHILDERS_
[Sidenote: 1835. Jan. 5.]
On January 5 we were ordered to precede the fleet with despatches for Malta. Weather looking dirty, took two reefs in the topsails; topgallant sails over. Before getting clear of Vourla Bay, we had to weather Cape Karabonu. Breeze freshening and sea getting up; wet fore and aft. However, we were battened down as tight as a bottle.
About noon an extra heavy squall struck the brig, throwing her on her beam ends; main yard under water. The First Lieutenant, Goldsmith, standing on the hammock-netting, holding on to the topmast backstay, was thrown off his legs. He sang out: “Put the helm up!”
I, sticking to the weather-quarter like a limpet, called out, I am afraid: “The helm be d----d! I see the keel.”
For a few seconds, which appeared like minutes, the brig lay like a log. The squall over, the tight little craft righted, but with loss of half-ports, hammock-netting and rails, port watch of hammocks, harness-cask, and everything movable from under the forecastle. The wind had shifted to a fair point, and in a few minutes we were running free, under all sail.
[Sidenote: Jan. 12.]
Arrived at Malta on 12th. Secured to a buoy in the Quarantine Harbour, with nineteen days to ride out; time to refit. Shortly afterwards the fleet, with Commander-in-Chief, arrived in the Grand Harbour.
[Sidenote: Jan. 28.]
On the morning of the 28th, having reported “brig ready,” quarantine expired. Signal was made for “boats to tow,” which always caused an amount of emulation from the vast number of ships. Not only were two tow-ropes passed along, but the leading boats were partly up the Grand before the _Childers_ was clear of the Quarantine Harbour.
“Helm be d----d! I see the keel,” was my greeting from the old Captains.
On securing to a buoy, we were not a little proud of our brig. I knew that all idle glasses were fixed on her. Such ships as were ready had sails loosed to air or dry. Of course, it was important that _Childers_ should “follow motions.”
On the sails being let fall, two great rats dropped out of the bunt of our mainsail, showing a hole you might push your fist through. One rat dropped into the chains, the other overboard. But, as Jack remarked, “they had not got pratique,” and were knocked on the head. However, that did not save me from the chaff of my brother small craft for having reported “_Childers_ ready.”
[Sidenote: Feb. 3.]
_Tribune_, 24, arrived from Smyrna with despatches from our Ambassador at Constantinople, requiring the presence of the fleet again to the eastward.
Signal made, “Prepare for sea.” Many of the ships were dismantled; some had even their tanks on shore. Every ship was, however, ready within forty-eight hours. Owing to northerly winds, they were detained until the afternoon of the 8th, when the _Medea_ and _Confiance_ steamers towed them out.
At 8 P.M. the fleet made sail, forming in two lines; small craft on flag’s weather beam.
[Sidenote: Feb. 11.]
Ran through Cerigo passage; sailed between Zea and Therima; through the Douro passage on 12th, and outside Ipsera.
[Sidenote: Feb. 13.]
Made sail per signal to proceed to Smyrna. Wind headed after rounding Cape Karabonu.
[Sidenote: Feb. 14.]
Hove to off Smyrna. Saluted French Commodore, communicated with Consul, filled and made sail. Observed fleet at anchor in Vourla Bay; signal made, “Keep under way”; communicated with Admiral, and returned to Smyrna with despatches.
[Sidenote: Feb. 15.]
Rejoined flag. High land covered with snow.
[Sidenote: Feb. 20.]
4 P.M.--Rounded Cape Karabonu, ran through Scio passage, and shaped course for Anti-Milo.
[Sidenote: Feb. 25.]
Running along shore, observed a United States man-of-war coming out of Navarino Harbour.
[Sidenote: Mar. 8.]
Ran into Milo Harbour, in order that the pilot (Mitchelle) might see his wife. Met the “Behind” cutter coming out. Ran between Serpho and Siphanto.
[Sidenote: Mar. 10.]
I need not bother my kind readers with the number of times _Childers_ had to pass through this beautiful Archipelago; no yachtsman could have enjoyed himself more.
[Sidenote: Malta, Mar. 17.]
Worked up the Quarantine Harbour; found _Favourite_ and _Columbine_.
[Sidenote: April 22.]
Slipped from the buoy, made sail, having been ordered to Dardanelles with despatches for our Ambassador at Constantinople.
As I had to go to Malta before rejoining the fleet, Captain Percy, of the _Canopus_, had asked me to bring back his kinsman, young Drummond, to whom Ingestre had given a passage in the _Tyne_. I mention his name here, for Drummond, a promising young Guardsman, was the cause of doing away with the mastheading of midshipmen--a good old custom, which had been in existence long before I was born.
The case was this. One day at sea, Ingestre sent a mid to the gunroom to say he wished to speak to Drummond, who was playing backgammon, and delayed obeying the summons until he finished his game. When he appeared, Ingestre told him that on board a man-of-war orders must be obeyed, and, in joke, said he would next time send him to the masthead. On which Drummond replied he would see the Captain blowed first! Ingestre hailed the main-top, and ordered a hauling-line to be sent down.
Henry Murray, one of the Lieutenants, seeing his Captain had been put out, advised Drummond to mount just a few steps of the rigging, and he would accompany him. Which advice being followed, the matter ought to have ended.
The story was talked about in Malta as an amusing joke, but in London was viewed differently. The incident was referred to in Parliament. Lord Brougham put the question to Lord Auckland, as to an “outrage” alleged to have been committed by a Captain in the Navy, in respect to a gentleman who was a passenger on board his ship on the Mediterranean station.
Lord Auckland said the whole thing rested on vague rumour; if brought before him, he should consider it his duty to act on the advice of those he should feel it necessary to consult. Lord Colville hoped their lordships would draw no such inferences from newspaper reports. The Lords Melville, Beresford, Salisbury, and other peers spoke. Subsequently an order was issued from the Admiralty prohibiting mastheading as a punishment, which the class of officer to whom only it could apply greatly regretted. I always found a seat on the fore topmast cross-tree, with a book, far preferable to walking the lee side of the quarter-deck, with the main try-sail set.
[Sidenote: April 29.]
At daylight observed a fleet to leeward, consisting of a ship of the line, and twenty-three others of different sizes. As they did not seem inclined to show colours, stood into the centre of them, when they hoisted the Turkish flag, on which I fired a royal salute. They were bound to Tripoli with troops to quell the insurrection.
[Sidenote: April 30.]
Came to in Basaika Bay.
[Sidenote: May 1.]
Rode with attendants and despatches to the Consul of the Dardanelles, Mr. C. A. Lander. Finding the plague raging, returned same day, a forty-four miles’ ride. Weather intensely hot.
[Sidenote: May 4.]
Weighed, and came to abreast the ruins of Alexandria--Troy--having left the pinnace to await the _Courier_ from Constantinople. Visiting Basaika Bay afforded endless amusement in picnics and searching for antiquities. From the ruins of the marble palaces of Troy the Turks made the huge round shot for their Dardanelles guns. Our youngsters made collections of ancient Greek coins: good imitations imported from Birmingham.
[Sidenote: May 8.]
Despatches having arrived, sailed.
[Sidenote: May 12.]
Between Zea and Long Island communicated with _Portland_, 52, Captain David Price, the same good fellow who ended his promising career off Petropaulooski, in the North Pacific Ocean.
[Sidenote: May 15.]
Joined the fleet off Cape St. Angelo. Received orders to proceed to the Piræus for pratique.
1 P.M.--Came to close to the beach in Epidamas Bay in 6 fathoms. Brig swinging by attaching a hawser to a tree on shore, into 3 fathoms. Smooth water, and good watering-place in rainy weather. In dry weather the water is turned off for the purpose of irrigation.
[Sidenote: May 21.]
Came to in the Bay of Salamis. Found, in addition to our own fleet, four French and two Russian men-of-war.
[Sidenote: May 28.]
Fleet visited by King Otho of Greece. Manned yards and fired royal salute.
1 P.M.--Fired a royal salute in honour of the birthday of King William IV.
[Sidenote: June 1.]
It being King Otho’s birthday, dressed ship and fired royal salute. His Majesty was this day proclaimed at Athens; an interesting ceremony, the Admiral, Captains, and Commanders attending. We afterwards dined with His Majesty.
[Sidenote: June 6.]
1.30 P.M.--Weighed in company with the fleet on a cruise. Rendezvous off Pigeon Island, south of Paros.
[Sidenote: June 10.]
An enjoyable excursion with the fleet to Anti-Paros, famous for its immense caves and beautiful stalactites. Best seen from an inner cave of considerable height. Admiral, all the Captains, and many officers assembled. The blue-jackets managed to fix a rope ladder to the upper cave; how they managed it I did not see, but up the ladder the Commander-in-Chief and Captains ascended, according to seniority. Most of their commissions dated prior to my birth. Had the ladder given way, the chances were that I should have had to command the fleet. However, the sight was splendid.
[Sidenote: June 11.]
At daylight weighed in company with the fleet. Worked between the islands; came to in 8½ fathoms in Strongiolo Bay.
[Sidenote: June 15.]
Syra; saluted Consul on his coming on board. Weighed, and took him and his family out to the fleet. Hove to while they visited the Admiral. Received orders to proceed to Zante to meet the mail.
[Sidenote: June 22.]
Arrived _Orestes_ with Lord High Commissioner (Sir Howard Douglas) on board. Fired salute of 19 guns.
[Sidenote: June 23.]
The High Commissioner did me the honour to visit the brig; saluted him. Arrived _Confiance_ with the mails.
[Sidenote: June 24.]
5 P.M.--Sailed to rejoin the fleet. Rejoined the flag at sunset off Cape Matapan; fresh breeze. Ordered round the fleet to deliver letters.
[Sidenote: July.]
Hove to and communicated with _Columbine_. Parted company to rejoin the fleet in Kalamanta Bay.
[Sidenote: July 8.]
Weighed in company with the fleet, steering in the direction of Malta. During the passage we had repeated trials with _Vernon_, Captain John McKerlie, _Portland_, _Endymion_, Captain Sir Samuel Roberts, and “Behind” cutter.
In light breezes we had the advantage, in strong the _Vernon_ by far the best. _Endymion_ always bad, and _Portland_ worse.
[Sidenote: July 17.]
Ran into Malta and made fast to a buoy, rejoining fleet off Cerigo.
[Sidenote: July 28.]
_Volage_ and self to windward of the flagship; at daylight, while washing decks, ropes coiled up; hove to to keep station. _Volage_ up in the wind, got sternway, and cut our flying jib-boom off at the cap.
At 9 A.M. _Thunderer_ asked permission to communicate with _Childers_. Permission being granted, _Thunderer_ signalled, “Dimensions of spar.”
At 4 P.M. she signalled to _Childers_, “Spar completed.” Permission given to pick up spar, which I observed towing astern of _Thunderer_ by deep-sea line. It was in its proper place and sails set by the time we recovered station.
Rode out twelve days’ quarantine, fleet taking guardians and cruising outside.
[Sidenote: July 30.]
Joined the fleet at daylight, they having stood to the eastward in company with the United States squadron, consisting of the _Delaware_, _Potomac_, _Constellation_, and _Shark_. Our fleet beat them sailing.
[Sidenote: July 31.]
In the afternoon, having been invited by signal to dine with the Admiral, stood out on the starboard tack, intending to pass under the stern of flagship, she with the fleet being hove to, Admiral leading in-shore line.
Just when my newly-painted _Childers_ was halfway off, signal was made, “Air bedding.” Not liking to cover my ship with the dust of some 800 hammocks, turned to Coaker and said, “I shall pass ahead of the flag.”
Jonas looked doubtful.
Had all but succeeded, when, standing on the weather hammock-netting, I observed the pressure of _Caledonia’s_ flying jib-boom scraping across the belly of our main topsail. When within two cloths of the lee-leach, the canvas gave way, but the leach rope would not. By this time the flagship had stern way, but too late; jib and flying jib-boom were snapped off close to the cap, and dropped into the water. Conceive the position of the junior Commander of the fleet!
I stood on, tacked and wore, shifted the topsail, and hove to under the lee quarter of the Admiral: went on board. The little performance in shifting the main topsail within five minutes of the accident gained the admiration of the old Captains. Instead of abuse, I was congratulated by all, with the exception of the Flag Captain, Brown. I could hardly realise all the kind feelings until I had reported myself to the Admiral, who kindly remarked, “Commander Keppel, there is nothing like experience for a young officer. You will not again attempt to pass ahead of a line-of-battle ship hove to. When her main topsail is pressing against the mast, she has generally some headway on her. Come in to dinner.”
My spirits were restored by a glass of wine. The Captains continued their congratulations, but Brown never forgave me!
[Sidenote: Aug. 14.]
Came to off the Castle Corfu. Secured our cable on shore at the arsenal.
[Sidenote: Aug. 17.]
Lord High Commissioner gave a grand ball to the navy. Ordered to meet the mail at Zante afterwards. At no other place did our mids enjoy themselves more. One Jacky Day, with more money than other youngsters, sported a drag, which he drove down the steep hills, over loose stones and sharp turnings, without coming to grief.
Following the troop of boys, saw my youngest pet mid, Edward Rice, roll over and over with his pony. Thought he must have been killed, but he was none the worse.
[Sidenote: Aug. 21.]
On reaching Zante found the mail from England. Proceeded with it to rejoin the fleet. Late in the afternoon, breeze freshening, observed a small pleasure-boat plunging under reefed sail. On closing, near dinner-time, persuaded her occupants to come on board, promising to tow their boat.
They proved to be Colonel Brown and Captain Lawrence, of the Rifle Brigade, who had come across from Cephalonia, likewise to get their letters. Landed them next morning at their port.
[Sidenote: Aug. 22.]
On my rejoining the fleet with the mail, found the Commander-in-Chief had received orders to send _Malabar_, _Endymion_, _Tribune_, and _Childers_ to the coast of Spain.
[Sidenote: Aug. 23.]
After dining with the Admiral and Captains, took leave with regret of my kind and indulgent friends.
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