CHAPTER LI
_ST. JEAN D’ ACRE_--CRUISING
[Sidenote: 1854. Madeira, Jan. 2.]
Many friends on shore, besides residents; among them Frederick Grey, with his charming but invalid wife. My intention was, weather permitting, to anchor in the Roads on Saturdays, remain Sundays, and proceed on a cruise Monday mornings. Among sailing and yachting friends was Sir Charles Lyall, requiring change of air.
Frederick Grey had brought his wife, but she was delicate, and preferred the shore; in such an open anchorage the swell is uncertain. Regular exercise improved health and strength of crew. We sometimes anchored among the Deserter Islands. On Saturdays, if smooth, the poor invalid ladies, mostly young and consumptive, used to come on board in charge of their doctors. Music was always at hand, and very willing partners.
It was pitiable to see the pretty girls, with that sad hectic flush on the cheek, pleading with their doctors for “one, only one” quadrille, and the doctors reminding their patients of the one month, or so many weeks, they had to live, and that each dance would shorten life so many days. Most of the poor dears preferred the dance.
[Sidenote: Jan. 13.]
Anchored in Porto Santo, leaving Grey to amuse himself. Started in gig to explore the interior harbour. On nearing the land, found a surf breaking: pulled to the eastward. Approaching the Stone, further on, observed smooth water inside the surf. I entered, pulling a good half mile in perfect safety. We amused ourselves in dredging for shells, etc.
[Illustration: _Gunnery Exercise._]
On returning on board found that Fred Grey had watched the gig carefully through my best Dolland. Seeing her disappear behind the surf, he told me that he had written the Admiralty an account of my loss, and requested he might be appointed to the vacancy!
[Sidenote: Jan. 14.]
Weighed at daylight, arriving next day in Funchal Roads.
[Sidenote: Jan. 17.]
Had a party on board to breakfast and dance.
[Sidenote: Jan. 19.]
Weighed and made sail, having been most hospitably entertained during our visit.
[Sidenote: Jan. 21.]
The last month’s cruise gave me thorough confidence in the crew. We had throughout the usual exercise before sunset in reefing and other manœuvres. The officers of the night watches were at liberty to use their discretion in making or shortening sail, reporting any change to the Captain. Weather beautiful. Until midnight I had walked the deck with the officer of the watch. My cot was under the poop.
[Sidenote: Jan. 22.]
About an hour after I heard the “pat” of single drops of rain. Recollecting the old saying, “Rain before the wind, take topsails in; wind before the rain, make sail again,” I rang the bell for the officer of the watch. He said it was a beautiful night. I cautioned him to keep a good look-out, hands by halyards, etc. Not many minutes after, the three topgallant masts were over the side. The ship was hove to. The wreck was cleared by daylight.
[Sidenote: Jan. 23.]
The wind abated, but not the sea, and, horror of horrors, at daylight the main topmast was found sprung just below the rigging. The main topmast of such a ship was heavy, and with ever so light a swell difficult to control, but I determined to risk the responsibility. The chief danger was, after the head of the new topmast had been passed through the main cap, a lurch might spring the head of the mainmast.
A victory after a fight could not have given me greater pleasure than when the fid was in its place, and support spread like a cobweb. Fair readers, forgive my attempting to describe the event; such a thing can never happen again. Nor should you hear of it now, had I not registered a vow to tell the “truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me ----.” By the 31st we were in Gibraltar Bay, and soon got rid of every vestige of our mishap.
[Sidenote: Gibraltar, Feb. 4.]
12.30.--Weighed and steamed out, having received orders to rejoin the Fleet at Lisbon, without delay.
[Sidenote: Feb. 5.]
3 P.M.--Observed the fleet in the Tagus, Rear-Admiral Corry having shifted his flag from blue to white. 4.30.--Came to in 12 fathoms off Belem Castle, having eight days’ quarantine to complete from the time of leaving Gibraltar.
[Sidenote: Feb. 6.]
De Crispigny promoted to rank of Lieutenant, and appointed to _James Watts_. Put him on board _Desperate_ as she steamed past on her way home.
[Sidenote: Lisbon, Feb. 12.]
11 A.M.--Weighed, rejoined fleet, came to off Packet Stairs.
[Sidenote: Feb. 15.]
Weighed and made sail as per signal. Hove to for fleet at noon; filled and took station in line-of-battle astern of flag, _Duke of Wellington_ leading division.
[Sidenote: At Sea, Feb. 21.]
9 A.M.--Fleet formed ahead of lee column. Hove to; laid out targets and exercised at general quarters.
[Sidenote: Mar. 1.]
Arrived Spithead. Found _Princess Royal_ with flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier; _Edinburgh_, flag of Rear-Admiral Chads; _Boscawen_, _Hogue_, _Odin_, _Leopard_, _Magæra_, _Dragon_, _Simoom_, and _Frolic_. 5 P.M.--Sailed _Simoom_, one of our early magnificent class of transports, with First Battalion Scots Fusilier Guards _en route_ to Crimea. Manned rigging and cheered.
[Sidenote: Mar. 2.]
Completed water. Sent Phipps, one of our promising youngsters, to the hospital. Laid out, and had constant practice at target (an exercise which continued to end of the chapter!).
[Sidenote: Mar. 5.]
Arrived _Royal George_, Codrington.
[Sidenote: Mar. 10.]
Arrived _Duke of Wellington_, and hoisted flag of Admiral Sir Charles Napier. Manned yards, fired royal salute, and cheered as Her Majesty passed through the fleet.
[Sidenote: Mar. 11.]
12.30--The Queen visited the fleet in the _Fairy_ yacht. Cheered from the rigging as Her Majesty passed. Later, signal from the yacht for Admirals and Captains to be presented to Her Majesty by the First Lord of the Admiralty.
Each ship had friends on board. I had my due proportion of visitors. Among them Brierly, nephew Bury; Edward, now Lord Digby; young Harry Stephenson, whose father, my brother-in-law, had quarrelled with me not long before for having offered to take one of his boys to sea. He now was the greatest child, dancing a hornpipe on the forecastle in Hessian boots! His son Harry, too young to enter the Navy, was stowed away, and remained with me, as did Brierly and Bury.
The wind was west-north-west. Made sail before weighing. Yards braced for casting to port. Although on the poop with friends had assumed charge. Signal made, “Fleet to weigh.” Her Majesty in yacht ready to lead.
The master at that moment reported there was only one ship’s length between us and the head of the Spit. The anchor was already at the cathead. Piped “Belay.” “Man starboard braces.” As she came head to wind, ran the jibs up, heading towards the Spit. With the stern-way thus secured we were in deep water, and shortly in position next astern of the flag. Old seamen may ask, “Why starboard instead of port braces?”
For increase of purchase I had the head braces, when they reached the main bitts, led across, which was quickly understood by that useful body of men the Royal Marines. When this little manœuvre was explained, Digby went below and wrote a cheque for £100. Never was a tip more welcome. Her Majesty led the fleet as far as the Nab. 2.30.--Hove to. Friends left according to their arrangements as we ran slowly along the coast. Wind fair, weather fine, and constant communication. Many remained until following day. With yachts and pleasure boats it was a grand sight. At 4 P.M. we, by signal, formed into two lines--
PORT.
_Edinburgh._ _Hogue._ _Blenheim._ _Ajax._ _Tribune._ _Amphion._
STARBOARD.
_Duke of Wellington._ _St. Jean d’ Acre._ _Royal George._ _Princess Royal._ _Imperieuse._ _Arrogant._
Frigates: _Leopard_, flag of Admiral Plumridge, _Valorous_ and _Dragon_.
[Sidenote: Mar. 12.]
_Hecla_ joined with Baltic pilots. Rough lot; huge pipes, sealskin caps, and waistcoats!
[Sidenote: Mar. 13.]
Fleet weighed. Proceeded. Dense fog.
[Sidenote: Mar. 15.]
No rendezvous given.
[Sidenote: Mar. 16.]
Admiral firing a gun every fifteen minutes. Fog continuing. Several of the fleet missing.
[Sidenote: Vinga Sound, Mar. 19.]
Admiral shifted flag to _Valorous_ and proceeded to Copenhagen.
[Sidenote: Mar. 22.]
Sunset.--_Valorous_ returned with Commander-in-Chief, bringing lots of cherry brandy.
[Sidenote: Vinga Sound, Mar. 23.]
Weighed in company with fleet. Formed prescribed order of sailing, proceeded towards the Great Belt. 3. P.M.--_Neptune_, with flag of Rear-Admiral Corry, in sight. Salutes exchanged between Admirals. Signal made “Prepare to anchor.” The usual routine of manœuvring, firing at targets, etc., went on. _St. Jean d’ Acre_ being one of the few fitted with distilling apparatus, we were constantly supplying other ships with pure water.
[Sidenote: Kioga Bay, April 3.]
Squally weather. 1.30.--Parted B.B. cable while veering quickly after letting go, but saved fouling _Royal George_. Struck topmasts and let go sheet-anchor.
[Sidenote: April 4.]
Succeeded in hooking B.B. cable, but too much swell to weigh. Succeeded later.
Following communication made from Commander-in-Chief by signal flags from each yard-arm as well as masthead.
“Lads! war is declared; with a bold and numerous enemy to meet.
“Should they offer us battle, you know how to dispose of them.
“Should they remain in port we must try and get at them.
“Success depends on the precision and quickness of your firing.
“Lads! sharpen your cutlasses, and the day is your own!”
[Illustration: St. Jean d’Acre.]