CHAPTER LIV

_ST. JEAN D’ ACRE_

[Sidenote: 1854. Ledsund. Aug. 17.]

Ships and steamers coming from Bomarsund.

Launches employed in conveying prisoners from steamers to troop-ships. The lately promoted Rear-Admiral Michael Seymour hoisted his flag in _Duke of Wellington_.

[Sidenote: Aug. 19.]

Plumridge sailed in _Leopard_ to relieve Henry Martin, in command of the reserve division at Nargen.

[Sidenote: Aug. 20.]

Sailed _Hannibal_, Commodore Hon. Frederick Grey, _Algiers_, _St. Vincent_, _Royal William_, _Termagant_, _Sphynx_, and _Gladiator_ with Russian prisoners. Several pleasure steamers from Stockholm passed on their way to Bomarsund.

[Sidenote: Aug. 22.]

Three block-ships, with _Bulldog_, bearing flag of Commander-in-Chief, came down from Bomarsund.

[Sidenote: Aug. 26.]

Dressed ship with masthead flags, and at noon fired a royal salute in commemoration of Prince Albert’s birthday.

[Sidenote: Sept. 1.]

_Cuckoo_ arrived from Bomarsund with flag of Rear-Admiral Seymour, which was transferred to the _Duke_.

[Sidenote: Sept. 2.]

All the paddle-steamers went up to assist in towing transports with French troops; they, as well as the French men-of-war, preparing to quit Bomarsund on the destruction of the forts.

It was a grand sight, the blowing up of the forts: expensive as well.

[Sidenote: Sept. 3.]

Heard that my old shipmate of _Dido_, Jim Hunt, now in command of _Pigmy_, had gone wrong side of the red buoy and was on shore. Went in gig to ascertain amount of assistance required. Found that anchor had been laid out, but the crew were tired or else too lazy to work. It was evident that they had been observed by Russians on the high ground beyond the Narrows, and shortly two pieces of artillery hove in sight.

My boat’s crew were ready to help, when Jim Hunt thus addressed his crew:

“The enemy in sight with guns! We shall be made prisoners. You,--you lazy blackguards, will be marched off to Siberia, fed on sour krout and tallow candles; while _I_ shall be fêted and fed on shore in the best society!”

[Sidenote: Ledsund.]

The speech told. _Pigmy_ arrived at Ledsund. Field-Marshal Barraguay d’Hilliers came down from Bomarsund in a French war steamer. Both fleets manned yards, the flagships saluting, and at 3 P.M. he sailed for France.

[Sidenote: Sept. 12.]

Arrived _La Reine Hortense_, bringing a Field-Marshal’s baton for General Barraguay d’Hilliers.

[Sidenote: Sept. 14.]

_Leopard_, with flag of Rear-Admiral Martin, came from Bomarsund, having remained to witness destruction of all the works completed.

[Sidenote: Sept. 19.]

Fleet weighed per signal and proceeded under steam. French fleet in company. Formed order of sailing in two columns. French Admiral saluted. On his salute being returned by the _Duke_, fleet hoisted French colours. Parted company with French fleet.

[Sidenote: Sept. 20.]

Arrived Russian steamer with flag of truce, and communicated with Commander-in-Chief. Fleet weighed, proceeding under steam. Formed order of sailing in two columns.

[Sidenote: Sept. 21.]

_Euryalus_ joined company. Came to, per signal, off Nargen Island.

[Sidenote: Nargen Island, Oct. 10.]

2 P.M.--Arrived _Bulldog_ with mail. Dressed ship with masthead flags, and fired a royal salute in commemoration of the victory gained by the Allied Army at Alma on September 20 in the Crimea.

[Illustration: _The Battle of the Alma._]

[Sidenote: Oct. 23.]

Came to in Kiel Harbour. Received the following interesting letter from my nephew, Augustus Stephenson:--

ROOKSBURY, _October 12, 1854_.

MY DEAR UNCLE--We have this day received your letter of October 3, and are delighted at so good an account of yourself.

We hope before you receive this that little Harry will have rejoined you.

By your letter I suppose you have heard of the false news we received here in England of the taking of Sevastopol.

The news was false at the time; though I believe it was only premature, as before now, I trust, we are in the possession of it.

The papers of to-day say that the bombardment commenced at 5 P.M. on the 4th of this month.

You say you now receive no newspapers, though before you receive this you will no doubt have heard of the glorious victory of the Alma, on the 20th.

The despatches are too large to put into this letter, and, moreover, you must get them before you receive this.

It seems to have been a wonderful affair.

Menschikoff, whose private papers, carriage, etc., were taken by the French, had written to the Emperor to say he could hold the position for three weeks at least.

It was stormed in three hours!

Poor Wenny (Coke), after all his trouble to be in time, was left in charge of the baggage at Varna!

We had a letter from him, written in the highest spirits; he was to have embarked (as he then thought) on the following day.

Our friends in the Fusilier Guards have been sadly knocked about. Chewton is reported as having died since. That report is now contradicted, but he is fearfully wounded. He was bayonetted on the ground and has eleven wounds.

Haygarth was lying with his leg broken, and a Russian, attempting to blow his head off, shot away the upper part of his shoulder.

He, however, has got as far as Malta on his way home.

Astley, I hear, has written home for all his friends in hospital. He himself is shot through the neck, but says he would not have been altogether missed on any account!

Buckley very badly shot. Eumismore many wounds. Black Dal, but slightly wounded in the knee. Hepburn lost an arm. Bulwer hit in the head only.

I believe you know most of these men. You remember Hugh Drummond at Woolmer; he is reported to have bagged three Russians, who came at him after his horse was shot, with his revolvers!

Burghersh, who brought home the despatches, says that the pluck of our troops was perfectly wonderful.

The only Guardsman killed was Cust: leg carried off by a cannon ball. He died after undergoing amputation. As for family news, we are all well. I am off to-morrow on my sessions and hope to come to you when you arrive to welcome you back all safe.

Love from all to you and the young ’un.--Ever your most affectionate nephew,

(Signed) AUGUSTUS K. STEPHENSON.

[Sidenote: Kiel, Nov. 9.]

Dressed with masthead flags, and at noon fired a royal salute in commemoration of the birth of the Prince of Wales.

[Sidenote: Nov. 22.]

Signal to _Princess Royal_ and _Acre_ to “Prepare for sea.”

My vanity may be excused in inserting the following paragraph from a book published recently by my friend Clarence Paget:--

At last came the joyful day when we were to return to England.

We were to hoist Seymour’s flag and take _St. Jean d’ Acre_ with us. I know not why we were always sent in couples; perhaps it may be that we were known by the authorities to be what is called “chummy ships,” but we are always in company, and very good company she is with her jolly, cheerful skipper, Harry Keppel, brave as a lion, gentle as a lamb.

[Sidenote: Nov. 24.]

Rear-Admiral Michael Seymour hoisted his flag on board _Princess Royal_ and exchanged salutes with Commander-in-Chief, _Acre_ being placed under his orders.

[Sidenote: Nov. 25.]

Daylight.--Weighed under steam. Exchanged cheers from rigging with _James Watt_, George Elliott’s ship, which was disapproved of by signal from Commander-in-Chief, _Princess Royal_ in company.

[Sidenote: Nov. 30.]

Weighed and proceeded under easy steam in wake of flag.

[Sidenote: Dec. 2.]

2 P.M.--Furled sails. Came to at 4.30 in West Port, Christiansund. Landed and bought in market twelve brace of capercailzie. Country covered with frozen snow, over which we drove in carriages.

[Sidenote: Dec. 3.]

Being the Sabbath, coals not to be obtained until the afternoon, when _Princess Royal_ took in some from lighters sent alongside, containing about fifteen tons each.

[Sidenote: Dec. 4.]

Decks covered with 5 or 6 inches of snow. Weighed and followed _Princess Royal_.

[Sidenote: Dec. 8.]

Westerly wind and dirty weather. Asked permission, per signal, to stand in under shelter of Yarmouth. Answer, “Rendezvous, Plymouth,” in case of parting company. At 7 lost sight of flag.

[Sidenote: Dec. 9.]

6.15.--Came to in the Downs. Landed Baltic pilot, he having been on board nine months, at fifteen shillings a day, without being of the slightest use.

[Sidenote: Dec. 10.]

2.30 A.M.--Came to in Plymouth Sound. Found _Princess Royal_, _Cæsar_, and _Monarch_. Saluted flag of Admiral Sir William Parker, K.G.C.B.

[Sidenote: Dec. 13.]

Steamed into harbour; ship’s company turned over to _Bellona_ hulk. Ship taken into Keyham Dock.

[Sidenote: Plymouth, Dec. 18.]

Orders to prepare ship for reception of troops, and proceed to the Crimea. Seeing no other chance I started for London before their arrival, and was followed by a most kind letter from the First Lord to dine _en famille_ and so meet his son on Christmas Day.

What could have been more agreeable? But I had to take leave of a dear shipmate, Fred Horton, of whom the doctors gave a bad account, to prepare to receive a General and Staff, and embark 1200 troops at Cork for the Crimea.

[Sidenote: Dec. 26.]

Slipped moorings and proceeded under steam into the Sound.

[Sidenote: Dec. 30.]

Received the following from Admiralty:--

_December 30, 1854._

MY DEAR KEPPEL--Make haste or you will be too late for the fun.

Admiral Lyons writes in high spirits, date 13th inst.

Admiral Seymour, to whom I have written, will do all that is right about cabins for your passengers.

Lyons is not the man I take him for if he does not find you something to occupy you, even if you are not in time to charge the barrier across Sevastopol Harbour.--Yours sincerely,

(Signed) M. F. H. BERKELEY.