CHAPTER III

THE _TWEED_

[Sidenote: 1825. Feb. 28.]

The _Tweed_ at Spithead became one of the Channel Squadron, and commenced refit.

First visit was to my brother Tom at the College. Landing in the dockyard, our shortest route lay through the lower-mast and boat-houses. In the latter we found one of our masters’ mates returning condemned, and drawing new stores. He, too, wanted to see my brother; so, leaving the stores to the care of the warrant officer, he joined us.

I must attempt to describe this good-tempered salt, Peter Dobree by name. He was from Guernsey. Although not too young, he was the junior of our masters’ mates; and had a shock head of red hair which protruded from under his hat. I was told that, when on board the hulk during our outfit, if he saw a child about the deck unprotected, he would imitate its cry and a dog’s snarl so closely that half the wives would rush to the rescue. It did not matter how often he repeated the joke, the effect was the same. When he got leave to go on shore late in the evening, he scorned the use of a boat; he would jump overboard and swim to the logs--this, too, in the winter months. He kept a change of raiment at the “Keppel’s Head.”

Dobree followed us to the College, where I found Tom. It was winter; we could only make a short tour. Dobree, passing the area near Dr. Inman’s, espied a large round dish of setting cream. He was down the steps and his mouth in the cream, when the dairymaid pushed his head in, to which the cream adhered. It was just closing time as he escaped through the storehouse doors.

[Sidenote: Mar. 3.]

I started by mail with my monkey, and the following evening was at Quidenham. Jacko appeared to take possession. The excitement he caused was great. At first he would not trust himself out of my reach, but was only too much at home afterwards. The ship was again wanted for service. I had not time to visit my sister Anne, who had in February 1822 married Mr. Coke.

[Sidenote: Mar. 8.]

I was much vexed, when I got back, to find that some good-natured messmate had on Sunday afternoon given my brother at the College a small bottle of first-rate Jamaica. Now Tom’s position in the ranks at prayers was, unfortunately, just in front of the Governor. During the short service the poor boy lost his balance, and prostrated himself on the floor. The next morning in the cupola he ascertained what a birch administered by a Blue Marine sergeant was like.

[Sidenote: Mar. 21.]

We sailed in company with a small experimental squadron. Got as far as Lymington and back, through Spithead to off Dover, Dungeness, and Downs. In the latter anchorage lay the _Ramillies_, 74.

In addition to her Captain and officers, she had 103 lieutenants and 33 assistants borne for coastguard service. She was a show ship, and for the convenience of ladies getting on board had a large cask fitted with a seat. On the bottom, outside, was painted a clown’s grinning face, which made people laugh, while the occupant in mid-air believed her little ankles were being seen.

[Sidenote: Mar. 27.]

We were ordered to Harwich, where we embarked Rear-Admiral Plampin, and saluted him with 13 guns. It was the end of the week before we had embarked suite and luggage and sailed.

[Sidenote: April 1.]

Still no hurry, and, with occasional anchorings it was April 1 before we reached Cork to assume the command in place of Lord Colville, who had sailed in the _Semiramis_, which ship returned on May 7 without his lordship, when we transferred our flag.

We were glad to get back among our kind and hospitable friends.

We had, however, a visit from a pedlar, whose wares were various. He was rash enough to venture on the lower deck of a man-of-war, whose inhabitants were mixed. Now, Dobree, who, I suppose, had got tired of snuffing the purser’s dips with his fingers, invested in a pair of plated snuffers.

Unluckily, before the pedlar had cleared out, and on the third time of asking, the plating came off the snuffers. The pedlar bolted, and his box followed, the contents dispersed in front of the marines’ mess. Luckily they spread no further and were recovered.

I believe I was the only loser, inasmuch as the pedlar lodged a complaint with the kind and good Mrs. Dunsterville. The pedlar knew no names, he could only describe his enemy as the “foxy-headed gintleman.” As I was the only “gintleman” with red hair Mrs. Dunsterville knew, my invitations to that cheery establishment ceased, and her son John, my messmate, never came on board if he knew of it.

[Sidenote: May 8.]

We left Cork, and arrived at Portsmouth on the 12th.

[Sidenote: May 17.]

Captain going away, and as there would be no particular service for gig’s midshipman, I got him to endorse a cheque on Woodhead and Co. for £5, and obtained the usual leave from the First Lieutenant to go on shore.

With a small bag I took up my quarters at the “Keppel’s Head,” intending to enjoy myself.

On the afternoon of the _third_ day, before returning on board, I was taking a parting cup of tea with Mrs. Harrison, the landlady, when the sergeant of marines from the _Tweed_, trailing a halbert, for which there was no room, put his head in, without taking his shako off, stated that I was his prisoner, and withdrew.

[Illustration: _Arrested._]

The back window of the parlour opened into Havant Street, by which I found my way with the small bag to the “Hard,” where my faithful water-man, James Sly, instead of taking me on board the _Tweed_, conveyed me to Ryde Pier.

[Sidenote: May 24.]

I knew some of the good fellows of the 60th Rifles, Colonel A. Ellis, quartered at Newport. After a few days’ enjoyment, money expended, I returned to the _Tweed_, without the help of the sergeant. Of course I was put under arrest.

[Sidenote: June 25.]

Sailed from Spithead on a cruise to the eastward, reaching Sheerness the following day, which we left and anchored off Boulogne.

[Sidenote: July 1.]

The Duke of Northumberland and suite having been to attend the coronation of Charles Dix, on His Grace’s re-embarking on board the _Lightning_, we fired a salute of 19 guns, which we, as well as the _Brazen_, 28, Captain Willes, repeated on His Excellency’s landing at Dover.

[Sidenote: July 12.]

We returned to the Nore and remained until 12th, when we started on a pleasant summer cruise along the east coast.

[Sidenote: July 15.]

Exchanged numbers with the _Glasgow_, Captain Hon. J. A. Maude, a 50-gun frigate under sail. No prettier sight! She had fitted out at Deptford. We anchored in Yarmouth Roads. The east coast was seldom frequented by anything larger than a revenue cruiser.

[Sidenote: Yarmouth, July 19.]

We were crowded with visitors. I had some kind Wilson cousins. One day, when they were not on board, I selected two pretty young women to show round. My dignity was hurt; when I helped them into their boat they offered me sixpence, my uniform having been taken for livery, but not liking to hurt their feelings I pocketed the coin.

Fired royal salute, His Majesty’s birthday. We sailed from Yarmouth; 22nd, anchored off Grimsby; next day joined party to Hull; the pilot of the packet we were in sounded his way with a pole.

[Sidenote: July 31.]

Visited Scarborough, a very different place, but did not stay long, Captain thinking anchorage exposed.

[Sidenote: Aug. 4.]

Off the Dogger Bank we caught a lot of cod-fish. On August 4 we came into Peggy’s Hole, North Shields.

[Sidenote: Aug. 8.]

Sent an officer and party to Sunderland to quell small disturbance. In four days they returned, and we sailed for Leith Roads. We really enjoyed Edinburgh.

[Sidenote: Aug. 18.]

The _Parthian_, 10, Commander Hon. George Barrington, arrived. Next day we sailed, getting back to Spithead on 28th.

The worst of belonging to the Channel Fleet, you were never safe to go any distance; but we had many kind friends in the neighbourhood. One of my brother mids was Charles Patterson, the son of an Admiral, who lived at Cosham. He was a friend of my Captain, and I often stayed with him. The old gentleman was kindness itself, with no end of good stories. He swore a good deal, but only at himself: his heart, or liver, etc.

The latter part of his service as Captain was as Governor of Porchester Castle, which was, and will always be, a most interesting ruin. Built by the Romans, in the fourteenth century it was used by King John as a State prison.

At the period of the Revolutionary wars it held French prisoners, and Dutch sailors taken at the battle of Camperdown.

The Admiral had a pretty daughter, with whom we midshipmen were in love. Mrs. Patterson was so kind to us. She was a wonderful horsewoman. I never saw the Admiral in any other costume by day than yellow leathers and mahogany tops. Miss Patterson had a collection of animals carved by the prisoners out of their meat-bones. I have some of them now.

[Sidenote: Portsmouth, Sept. 14.]

We got notice to receive on board Bishop Inglis and family for Nova Scotia.

While at the Naval College I had watched with interest the building of the _Princess Charlotte_, not only on account of her grand proportions, but there were associations connecting the name of that fair Princess with our family, my grandmother, Lady de Clifford, having been governess to Her Royal Highness.

In those days a ship of the line frequently remained ten or twelve years on the stocks. To stand on the keel near the sternpost and look forward, at a time before beams or planking of any sort had been placed, and to reflect that 800 full-grown oak-trees had been expended in her construction, made you lost in wonder. The _Princess Charlotte_ was laid down in 1812, and was to carry 120 guns and have a round stern: an innovation in those days on the present square old _Victory_.

Thursday, September 13, was the day fixed for the launch, ushered in by a royal salute, announcing the arrival of Leopold, Crown Prince of Belgium, who was to christen her.

Being anxious for a good place, I landed early from the _Tweed_. Climbing to the top of a building-shed I commanded a fine view. Spectators assembled in thousands.

As large ships were only launched on the top of spring tides, a larger quantity of water than usual had been admitted into the floating-basin.

When the moment arrived the great ship started, and the lock of the dry-dock burst. On the one hand I saw the huge ship majestically sliding into the harbour; while on the other, hundreds of human beings were being precipitated into the dry-dock by the bursting of the lock and breaking of the bridge, which was crowded.

Some of those who were in the centre were carried the whole length of the dock and managed to escape.

Full particulars may be found in the _Hampshire Telegraph_, September 13, 1825.

[Sidenote: Sept. 28.]

Having embarked the Very Rev. J. Inglis, Bishop of Nova Scotia, Mrs. Inglis, and two tall, handsome daughters, we sailed for Halifax. The summer was over, and we had no time to lose, as we hoped to escape being frozen in for the winter in Canada.

Things generally go on smoothly while ladies are on board. However, we were detained two days at Cowes and ten at Falmouth.

[Sidenote: Oct. 21.]

We anchored in Fayal Roads on 21st until 23rd, when we again sailed into more bad weather.

[Sidenote: Halifax, N. S. Nov. 7.]

It was the 7th before we reached Halifax. How thankful our poor passengers must have been! We saluted the flag of Rear-Admiral W. T. Lake; afterwards landed our good Bishop under salute of 13 guns.

The Bishop and family did all they could to make our short stay pleasant, particularly to us youngsters. A ball was given, at which I was too shy to dance with one of the tall and handsome Miss Inglises. General Sir James Kempt was the Governor, one of the most popular as well as the smartest officers I had seen. Years afterwards he seconded Lord Lyndoch’s proposal for me as a member of the United Service Club.

[Sidenote: Sunday, Nov. 20.]

We received on board Commander Canning and officers of the _Sappho_ for passage home, she having been wrecked on the coast. The flagship _Jupiter_, 60, shifted nearer entrance preparatory to going into milder winter quarters.

[Sidenote: Monday, Nov. 21.]

In proof that we had remained long enough, our sails were frozen to the yards. It took marling-spikes to hammer the gaskets before the sails could be loosed.

We sailed after breakfast, with the _Pelter_, 10, brig in company. I fancy junior commanders don’t care about being in co., and after Wednesday evening we saw no more of her.

[Sidenote: Dec. 1.]

December 1 found us in 43° north latitude; unpleasant mornings for washing decks. I saw but little of our passenger, the Prime Minister’s son, nor did he much of his half-uncle.

[Sidenote: Sunday, Dec. 11.]

Just at dark came to in Plymouth Sound. Sailed 13th, arriving at Spithead 14th.

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