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diff --git a/17032-h/17032-h.htm b/17032-h/17032-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e22e133 --- /dev/null +++ b/17032-h/17032-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12408 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> + <meta name="generator" content= + "HTML Tidy for Windows (vers 1st August 2004), see www.w3.org" /> + + <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Lieutenant And + Commander, by Captain Basil Hall.</title> +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .poem span.i9 {display: block; margin-left: 9em;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: smaller;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px; font-size: smaller; font-size: smaller;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ +</style> +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lieutenant and Commander, by Basil Hall + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Lieutenant and Commander + Being Autobigraphical Sketches of His Own Career, from + Fragments of Voyages and Travels + +Author: Basil Hall + +Release Date: November 8, 2005 [EBook #17032] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIEUTENANT AND COMMANDER *** + + + + +Produced by Steven Gibbs and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + <h1>THE LIEUTENANT AND COMMANDER</h1> + + <h3>BEING AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES<br /> + OF HIS OWN CAREER<br /> + <br /> + FROM</h3> + + <h2>FRAGMENTS OF VOYAGES AND TRAVELS</h2> + + <h3>BY</h3> + + <h2>CAPTAIN BASIL HALL, R.N., F.R.S.</h2> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 159px;"> + <img src="images/flower1.png" width="159" height="188" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h4>LONDON:<br /> + BELL AND DALDY, 186, FLEET STREET,<br /> + AND SAMPSON LOW, SON, AND CO.<br /> + 47, LUDGATE HILL.<br /> + 1862.</h4> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE.</h2> + + <p>The present volume is rather a condensation than an abridgment + of the later volumes of Captain Hall's "Fragments of Voyages and + Travels," inasmuch as it comprises all the chapters of the second + and third series, only slightly abbreviated, in which the author + describes the various duties of the naval lieutenant and + commander, the personal narrative being the framework, and his + own experience in both capacities providing the details.</p> + + <p>The editor has no hesitation in stating, after the careful + perusal and analysis he has necessarily made of this work, and + that, with a tolerably extensive knowledge of books, he knows of + none which may, with more propriety, be placed in the hands of + young men, whatever may be their destination in life; but more + especially are they adapted for the use of young officers and all + aspirants to a seaman's life. The personal narrative, slight + though it is, renders it very amusing, and every point the author + makes inculcates a rigorous attention to "duty" duly tempered + with discretion and humanity in commanding officers.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + + <p><a href="#PREFACE"><b>PREFACE.</b></a><br /></p> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Taking a line in the service—Duty of + officers—The dashing boys—Dashing boys + ashore—Philosophers afloat—Naval + statesmen—Scientific officers—Hard-working + officers—Poetical aspirants—Taking a line</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>A sailor on shore—Irish hospitality—A sailor + ashore—Irish factions—Irish + scenery—Land-locked bay—Reflections and + plans—An awkward dilemma—A retreat—A country + party—A medical experiment—My reception</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Tricks upon travellers—Irish refinement—A wise + resolve—After dinner—The second bottle—One + bottle more—Second thoughts best—The game of + humbug—The climax—You're off, are you?—A + practical bull—Irish hospitality</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>The Admiralty List—Chances of promotion—The + Admiral's list—My own disappointment—A good + start—Homeward bound—A spell of bad weather</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>The tropical regions at sea—Sir Nathaniel + Dance—The old Indian ships—Social life at + sea—Details of the voyage—The Canary + Islands—The Trade-winds—Changes of + climate—The variable winds—North-east + Trades—Our limited knowledge—The great monsoons</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>The Trade-winds—The monsoons—Theory of the + Trade-winds—Explanations—Tropical + winds—Motion of cold air—Direction of + clouds—Equatorial Trades—Calms and + variables—South-east Trades—Application of + theories—Atlantic winds—Monsoons of + India—Trade-winds of the pacific—Monsoons of Indian + seas—Velocity of equatorial air—Obstructions of the + land—Horsburg's remarks—Dampier's essay</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Progress of the voyage—Cape of Good Hope—Ships' + decks in the tropics—Sweeping the decks—Marine + shower-bath—Flying-fish—A calm—Ships in a + calm—A tropical shower—Washing-day—Comforts + of fresh water</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Aquatic sports—Weather wisdom—An equatorial + squall—Flying-fish—A chase—The + dolphin—Capture—Porpoises—Harpooning—The + bonito—Dolphin steaks—Porpoise steaks—The + albatross—Shark-fishing—A shark-hook—Habits + of sharks—Seizing its prey—Flying at the + bait—The shark captured—Killing the shark—The + buffalo skin—A narrow escape</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>A man overboard—Crossing the line—Duty of + officers—Rival Neptunes—A boy + overboard—Affecting incident—A true-hearted + sailor—Bathing at sea—A well-timed + action—Swimming—A necessary acquisition—A man + overboard—What should be done, and how to do + it—Effects of + precipitancy—Life-buoy—Regulations for + emergencies—Managing the ship with a man + overboard—Stationing the crew—Directing the + boats</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Sunday on board a man-of-war—Mustering by + divisions—The fourth commandment—Short services + recommended—Order for rigging—Scrubbing and + sweeping—Sunday muster—Jack's dandyism—Jack + brought up with a round turn—Mustering at + divisions—Inspection—The marines—Round the + decks—The sick-bay—Lower + deck—Below—Cockpit—The gun-room—Quarter + deck</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>The ship church—Rigging the church—Short + services recommended—Short sermons + recommended—Religious duties necessary to + discipline—Church service interrupted—The day of + rest</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Naval ratings and sea pay—Mustering + clothes—Between decks on Sunday—Piping to + supper—Mustering by lists—A seaman disrated and + rerated—Ratings of seamen—Tendency to do + right—Examining stores—Captain's + duties—Clothes' muster—Responsibility—A + sailor's kit—A sailor's habits—Mizen-top + dandies—Hammocks—Piping the bags + down—Pressing emigrants—A Scotchman's + kit—Improved clothes' muster</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Sailors' pets—Purchasing a monkey—Jacko's + attractions—Gets monkey's allowance—Jacko and the + marines—Jacko's revenge—Jacko turns on his + friend—Spills the grog—Is pursued, but is + pardoned—Condemned to die—Commuted to + teeth-drawing—Surgeon's assistant appealed to—He + can't bite—The travelled monkey—Trick on the + marines—Its consequences—A potent dose—Its + operations—Jack's superstitions—The grunter + pet—Jean's advocate—Her good qualities—Jean's + obesity, and its attractions—Her death and + burial—Well ballasted</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Doubling the Cape—Southern + constellations—Intelligent chief officer—Sailors + and their friends—Parting company—The + cape—Simon's town—A fresh breeze—Rising to a + gale—All hands shorten sail—Value of experience to + an officer—Taking in reefs—Taking in + mainsail—Heaving the log—Before the + gale—Effects of a gale—Value of a chronometer + proved by the want of one—Awful catastrophe</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Suggestions towards diminishing the number and severity of + Naval punishments—Corporal punishment—The author's + own case—An old shipmate—Admiralty + regulations—Appeal to officers to avoid + precipitation—Dangers of precipitation—Instance of + its dangers—A considerate captain—A case for + pardon—An obdurate officer—Pardon + granted—Retrieving of character</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>CHAPTER XVI.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Bombay—First glimpse of India—Bombay and its + scenery</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><b>CHAPTER XVII.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Sir Samuel Hood—Naval promotion—Hopes and their + disappointment—An ant-hunt—The Admiral's triumph + over the engineers</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><b>CHAPTER XVIII.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Excursion to Candelay lake in Ceylon—Starting of the + expedition—Pearl-divers—A strange + tunnel—Hindoo bathing—An amusing exhibition—A + tropical forest—A night scene—An alarm—A + supper—A midnight burial—Cingalese game—Lake + Candelay and its embankment</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><b>CHAPTER XIX.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Griffins in India—Sinbad's valley of diamonds—A + mosquito-hunt—Deep anchorage—Local + names—Valley of diamonds—Ceylon gems</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><b>CHAPTER XX.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Ceylonese canoes—Peruvian balsas—The floating + windlass of the Coromandel fishermen—American + pilot-boats—Balsas of Peru—Man-of-war + boats—Ceylonese canoes—Canoe mast and + sails—Local contrivances—Construction of the + balsa—Management of the sail—Indian method of + weighing anchor—A floating windlass—Failure of the + attempt—The Admiral's remarks—An interesting feat + of mechanical ingenuity</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><b>CHAPTER XXI.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>The surf at Madras—Sound of the waves—Masullah + boats—Construction of the boats—Crossing the + surf—Steering the boat—How a capsize in the surf + occurs—Catamarans of the surf—Perseverance of the + messenger</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><b>CHAPTER XXII.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Visit to the Sultan of Pontiana, in Borneo—Sir Samuel + Hood—Borneo—A floating + grove—Pontiana—Chinese in Borneo—The sultan + and his audience room—Interior of the palace—The + autograph—Anecdote of Sir S. Hood—Getting out of + the trap—Sir S. Hood at the Nile—The Zealous and + Goliath—Captain Walcott's disinterestedness—Sir S. + Hood's kindness</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><b>CHAPTER XXIII.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Commissioning a ship—Receiving-hulk—Marines and + gunners—Choice of sailors—The ship's + company—Choice of officers—Stowing the + ballast—Importance of obedience—Complement of men + in ships of war—Shipping the crews—A Christmas + feast afloat—A Christmas feast in Canton + River—Self-devotion</p> + </div> + + <p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><b>CHAPTER XXIV.</b></a></p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>Fitting out—Progress of rigging—The + figure-head—Progressive rigging—The + boats—Fitting out—Stowage of ships' + stores—System requisite—Painting the + ship—Policy of a good chief—Anecdote of Lord + Nelson—Scrubbing the hulk—Leaving the + harbour—Sailing</p> + </div> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">TAKING A LINE + IN THE SERVICE.</p> + + <p>That there is a tide in the affairs of men, has very naturally + become a figure of frequent and almost hackneyed use in the + cockpits, gun-rooms, and even the captains' cabins of our ships + and vessels of war. Like its numerous brethren of common-places, + it will be found, perhaps, but of small application to the real + business of life; though it answers capitally to wind up a + regular grumble at the unexpected success of some junior messmate + possessed of higher interest or abilities, and helps to contrast + the growler's own hard fate with the good luck of those about + him. Still, the metaphor may have its grateful use; for certainly + in the Navy, and I suppose elsewhere, there is a period in the + early stages of every man's professional life at which it is + necessary that he should, more or less decidedly, "take his + line," in order best to profit by the tide when the flood begins + to make. It is difficult to say exactly at what stage of a young + officer's career the determination to adopt any one of the + numerous lines before him should be taken: but there can be + little doubt as to the utility of that determination being made + early in life. In most cases, it is clearly beyond the reach of + artificial systems of discipline, to place, on a pair of young + shoulders, the reflecting head-piece of age and experience; + neither, perhaps, would such an incongruity be desirable. But it + seems quite within the compass of a conscientious and diligent + commanding officer's power by every means to cultivate the taste, + and strengthen the principles and the understanding of the + persons committed to his charge. His endeavour should be, to + train their thoughts in such a manner that, when the time for + independent reflection and action arrives, their judgment and + feelings may be ready to carry them forward in the right path; to + teach them the habit, for instance, of discovering that, in + practice, there is a positive, and generally a speedy pleasure + and reward attendant on almost every exercise of self-denial. + When that point is once firmly established in the minds of young + men, it becomes less difficult to persuade them to relinquish + whatever is merely agreeable at the moment, if it stand in the + way of the sterner claims of duty.</p> + + <p>Although the period must vary a good deal, I should be + disposed to say, that, in general, a year or two after an officer + is promoted to the rank of lieutenant, may be about the time when + he ought fairly and finally to brace himself up to follow a + particular line, and resolve, ever afterwards, manfully to + persevere in it. His abilities being concentrated on some + definite set of objects; his friends, both on shore and afloat, + will be furnished with some tangible means of judging of his + capacity. Without such knowledge, their patronage is likely to do + themselves no credit, and their <i>protégé</i> very + little, if any, real service.</p> + + <p>Some young fellows set out in their professional life by + making themselves thorough-bred sailors; their hands are familiar + with the tar-bucket; their fingers are cut across with the marks + of the ropes they have been pulling and hauling; and their whole + soul is wrapped up in the intricate science of cutting out sails, + and of rigging masts and yards. Their dreams are of cringles and + reef-tackles, of knots, splices, grummets, and dead-eyes. They + can tell the length, to a fathom, of every rope in the + boatswain's warrant, from the flying jib down-haul to the + spanker-sheet; and the height of every spar, from the + main-top-gallant truck to the heel of the lower mast. Their + delight is in stowing the hold; dragging about kentlage is their + joy; they are the very souls of the ship's company. In harbour + they are eternally paddling in the boats, rowing, or sculling, or + sailing about; they are always the first in fishing or bathing + parties; in short, they are for ever at some sailor-kind of work. + At sea, their darling music is the loud whistle of the hardest + storm-stay-sail breeze, with an occasional accompaniment of a + split main-topsail. "The harder it blows, and the faster she + goes," the merrier are they; "strong gales and squally" is the + item they love best to chalk on the log-board; and even when the + oldest top-men begin to hesitate about lying out on the yard to + gather in the flapping remnants of the torn canvas, these gallant + youngsters glory in the opportunity of setting an example of what + a gentleman sailor can perform. So at it they go, utterly + reckless of consequences; and by sliding down the lift, or + scrambling out, monkey fashion, to the yard-arm, where they sit + laughing, though the spar be more than half sprung through, they + accomplish their purpose of shaming the others into greater + exertions. It is well known that one of the ablest, if not the + very ablest, of the distinguished men whom the penetrating + sagacity of Nelson discovered and brought forward, owed his first + introduction to the notice of that wonderful commander by an + exploit of this very description.</p> + + <p>These are the dashing boys who cut out privateers, jump + overboard after men who cannot swim, and who, when the ship is on + fire, care not a farthing for the smoke and heat, but dive below + with the engine-pipe in their hands, and either do good service, + or perish in the flames with a jolly huzza on their lips. Such + may fairly be called the muscular parts of our body nautical, for + there is no gummy flesh about them; and when handled with skill, + they form the stout instruments which help essentially to win + such battles as the Nile and Trafalgar.</p> + + <p>The young persons I have just been describing are, however, by + no means servile imitators of the sailors; they possess much + useful technical knowledge, as well as mere energy of character; + and often both think and act with originality; yet they are + docile to the last degree, and delight in nothing more than + fulfilling, to the very letter, the orders of their superiors. + They may amuse themselves, as youngsters, by affecting the gait, + the dress, and the lingo of the man before the mast; and are at + times supposed to be a little too familiar with these models, on + whom they pretend to shape their manners; but still they never + carry the joke so far as to become what is called "Jack and Tom," + even with the leading men in the ship. They can sing, upon + occasion, snatches of forecastle ditties, or fling off a hornpipe + worthy of the merriest cracked fiddle that ever sounded under the + bow of a drunken musician amongst a company, half-seas over, at + the back of Point Beach. Not content with</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"Their long-quartered shoes, check shirt, and blue + jacket,"<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>they will even thrust a quid into their cheek, merely to gain + the credit, such as it is, of "chewing backy like a sailor."</p> + + <p>But there must be a limit to the indulgence of these fancies; + and if even an elder midshipman or mate of the decks were + permanently to distinguish himself after this masquerade fashion, + he would speedily lose caste even with the crew. When a mid, for + example, is promoted to lieutenant, he must speedily decide + whether he shall follow up in earnest a course of strictly + seaman-like objects, of which the mere outward show had + previously captivated his young fancy; or he must enter into some + compromise with himself, and relinquish a part of his exclusive + regard for these pursuits, in consideration of others less + fascinating, to be sure, but more likely to bear on his + advancement; for, without some knowledge of many other things, + his chance must be very small in the race of professional + life.</p> + + <p>In tolerably wide opposition of habits to these tarpaulin men + follow the less dashing and showy race sometimes called + "star-gazers," sometimes "dictionary-men," who are also + occasionally taunted or dignified by their messmates with the + title of "philosophers." The object of most of these young + philosophisers is to get at the reason of all things, and to be + able not only to work by the rules laid down for them in printed + books, or in the written orders of their superiors; but to + investigate the foundation of these rules and regulations so + thoroughly, that when new cases occur, they may have it in their + power to meet them by fresh resources of their own: according in + spirit, with those which experience has shown to be conducive to + the happiness of the crew and the efficiency of the service. Out + of the class of officers now alluded to, the growth of which it + has been the wise policy of late years to encourage, there have + sprung up the numberless voyagers, surveyors, and other strictly + nautical men, who are always to be found when the public service + requires a practical question to be settled, or a professional + office of responsibility and trust to be filled up. If the arctic + circle is to be investigated by sea or by land, or the deserts of + Africa traversed, or the world circumnavigated afresh, under the + guidance of the modern improvements in navigation, the government + at once calls upon such men as Parry, Franklin, Clapperton, + Beechey,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href= + "#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> to whom they can safely + entrust the task.</p> + + <p>From the same class, also, a valuable race of naval statesmen + have been drawn. For a considerable number of years, the whole of + the diplomatic duties of South America, as far as concerned the + interests of England, were carried on by the naval + commanders-in-chief. Who can forget how important a share of Lord + Nelson's command, or, after him, of Lord Collingwood's in the + Mediterranean, consisted of duties of a purely civil description? + And it may be questioned if diplomatic history offers a more + masterly specimen of address and statesman-like decision, as well + as forethought, than was displayed by Captain Maitland, in + securing the person of Buonaparte, not only without committing + himself or his government, but without wounding the feelings of + the fallen emperor. The case was, and ever must remain, unique; + and yet the most deliberate reflection, even after the event, has + not suggested anything to wish changed. Fortunate, indeed, was it + for the reputation of this country that the delicate task fell to + the lot of an officer possessed of such inherent vigour of + character, and one so familiar with the practical exercise of his + own resources, that difficulties which might have staggered + ordinary minds vanished before his.</p> + + <p>In so extensive a service as the Navy, accident might perhaps + occasionally produce such men as have been named above; but it is + very material to observe, that unless there existed, as a + permanent body, a large class in the Navy, who follow the + pursuits alluded to from taste as well as from motives of public + spirit, and from whose ranks selections can be made with + confidence at moments of need, such opportunities as those above + alluded to might often be allowed to pass unprofitably. It is, + moreover, important to recollect, that it is in these matters as + in everything else where there is a great demand, and + consequently a great supply, there will from time to time start + up a master spirit, such as that of my lamented friend, the late + Captain Henry Foster, to claim, even in the very outset of his + career, the cheerful homage of all the rest. So far from the + profession envying his early success, or being disturbed at his + pre-eminent renown, they felt that his well-earned honours only + shed lustre on themselves.</p> + + <p>It is also very pleasing to observe the reciprocal feeling + which belongs on such occasions to all rightly constituted minds. + When Captain Foster, in 1828, then only lieutenant, received the + Copley medal, the highest scientific honour in the gift of the + Royal Society, it never occurred to him merely to hang it at his + breast in solitary dignity, or to chuckle presumptuously at his + own particular good fortune. So far from this, he thought only of + the service; and proceeding straight to the Admiralty, he showed + the medal, and declared modestly, but firmly, to their lordships, + that he considered the honour only nominally bestowed upon + himself, but essentially conferred upon the naval profession at + large. This generous and manly appeal could not fail to make its + due impression; and within the same hour, his commission, as + commander, was signed, his appointment to a ship ordered, and a + voyage of scientific research carved out for him. But I need not + add how bitter a grief it is to those who were personally + acquainted with this rising young officer, to think that so much + knowledge—such useful talents—such unmatched zeal and + industry—and such true love for science—all so + fertile in promises of future service and renown—should + have been lamentably quenched in a moment.</p> + + <p>Besides the regular-built sailors, and the saltwater statesmen + and philosophers, there is yet another set which greatly + outnumbers both, and which, if comparisons must be made, equals, + if it does not far exceed them in utility. I allude to that large + and very important body of strictly professional persons who are + not remarkable for anything in particular, unless it be for a + hearty and uncompromising devotion to the service. Captains, it + is to be feared, are generally too apt to consider these + meritorious persons as less entitled to attention than their more + showy companions; just as schoolmasters are, not unnaturally, + disposed to devote most of their time to the cleverest boys, to + the comparative neglect of those who cluster round the point of + mediocrity. It may, however, be easily conceived that the persons + least attended to, afloat as well as on shore, often stand more + in need of notice and assistance than their gifted brethren, who + are better able to make their own consequence felt and + acknowledged; for it must not be forgotten that these honest, + hard-working men actually perform the greater part of all the + routine drudgery of the service, and perhaps execute it better + than men of higher talents could do in their place.</p> + + <p>The class amongst us who devote themselves to sober literary + pursuits is necessarily very small; but that of the happy youths, + who dream the gods have made them poetical, has many members, who + "rave, recite, and madden round the ship," to their own + (exclusive) satisfaction. Others there are who deal desperately + in the fine arts of painting and music,—that is, who draw + out of perspective, and play out of tune: not that the ability to + sketch the scenes and phenomena continually passing before them + is objectionable; I allude here to the pretenders to art. Their + poor messmates can have little respect for these pretending + Rembrandts and Paganinis; and the happiness of the mess would be + considerably improved if authority were given to pitch every such + sketch-book and every flute out at the stern-port.</p> + + <p>Finally come the raking, good-looking, shore-going, + company-hunting, gallivanting, riff-raff set of reckless youths, + who, having got rid of the entanglement of parents and guardians, + and having no great restraint of principle or anything else to + check them, seem to hold that his Majesty's service is merely a + convenience for their especial use, and his Majesty's ships a + sort of packet-boats to carry their elegant persons from port to + port, in search of fresh conquests, and, as they suppose, fresh + laurels to their country.</p> + + <p>Few men do anything well which they do not like; for the same + reason, if an officer be capable of performing services really + valuable, his success must arise from turning his chief attention + to those branches of the profession which he feels are the most + congenial to his peculiar tastes, and which experience has shown + lie within the range of his capacity. Some officers deliberately + act upon this, while the greater number, as may be supposed, + adopt their line unconsciously. Still, it is the bounden duty of + every well-wisher to the service to use the influence he + possesses to lead the young persons about him to follow the true + bent of their genius, and to select as a principal object of + study the particular branch of the profession in which they are + most likely to benefit themselves permanently.</p> + + <p>I well remember, in my own case, the day, and almost the very + hour, when these convictions flashed upon my mind. I then saw, + for the first time, that unless I speedily roused myself, and + "took my line" vigorously, the proper occasion might swiftly pass + away. I was quite astonished how, up to that moment, I had seen + so little of what now appeared so very palpable; every other + consideration was instantly dismissed, and all minor vanities + being shaken off like dew-drops to the air, I set resolutely + about the attainment of my promotion, the grand object of every + officer's ambition. But before describing how this important + affair was put in train, I shall attempt a sketch of the kind of + life I was leading about this period. In looking back to those + days, and glancing the mind's eye along the intermediate years, I + sometimes ask myself whether or not I should act very differently + if permitted to make the voyage over again, under the guidance of + experience bought by the practice of life. The retrospect, of + course, offers some unavailing regrets; but still I can hardly + believe that the result would, on the whole, have proved + materially happier for myself.</p> + + <p>Such being the case, I trust there is no unpardonable egotism + in mentioning, in a work intended for young people, that one of + my chief motives for bringing these Fragments of my life and + adventures before them, is the hope of imparting to others, + similarly circumstanced, a portion of that spirit of + cheerfulness, and that resolute determination to make the most of + things, which, after thirty years of activity and enjoyment in + foreign climes, have landed me in perfect contentment at + home.</p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> All gone + since our author wrote. Now it looks for Osbornes, Maclures, + and other names as trustworthy.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">A SAILOR ON + SHORE.</p> + + <p>It is a far easier thing to get into a house in Ireland than + to get out of it again; for there is an attractive and retentive + witchery about the hospitality of the natives of that country, + which has no match, as far as I have seen, in the wide world. In + other places the people are hospitable or kind to a stranger; but + in Ireland the affair is reduced to a sort of science, and a web + of attentions is flung round the visitor before he well knows + where he is: so that if he be not a very cold-blooded or a very + temperate man, it will cost him sundry headaches—and mayhap + some touches of the heartache—before he wins his way back + again to his wonted tranquillity.</p> + + <p>I had not a single acquaintance in Ireland when first I + visited that most interesting of countries: before leaving it, + however, after about a year and a-half's cruising off and on + their coasts, I was on pretty intimate terms with one family at + least for every dozen miles, from Downpatrick on the east, to the + Bloody Foreland on the west, a range of more than a hundred and + twenty miles.</p> + + <p>The way in which this was brought about is sufficiently + characteristic of the country. I had inherited a taste for + geology; and as the north of Ireland affords a fine field for the + exercise of the hammer, I soon made myself acquainted with the + Giant's Causeway, and the other wonders of that singular + district. While engaged in these pursuits, I fell in with an + eminent medical practitioner resident in that part of the + country, a gentleman well known to the scientific world: he was + still better known on the spot as the most benevolent and kindest + of men. In no part of the globe have I made a more agreeable or + useful acquaintance. During a residence of a week under the roof + of this delightful person, he frequently urged me to make + acquaintance with some friends of his, living also in the north + of Ireland, but at the opposite angle. He was, in particular, + desirous that I should see a family with whom he described + himself as being very intimate, and who were then on a visit far + in the west.</p> + + <p>Influenced by the extreme earnestness of my worthy friend, + who, indeed, would hardly let me stir from his house until I had + promised to deliver, with my own hands, a letter of introduction + to a lady alluded to, who, he assured me, would introduce me to + the family with whom she was then living as a guest. I thought it + rather an odd arrangement that a mere guest should introduce a + stranger to another person's house: but I had already seen enough + of the hearty hospitality of Ireland not to wonder at anything + having a kind purpose in view. I therefore promised that, if at + any time I could obtain leave of absence for a few days, the + introductory letter should be delivered.</p> + + <p>I did not discover, until long afterwards, the secret motive + of my friend's anxiety that I should pay the visit in question, + though, at the time alluded to, I was quite coxcomb enough to + suppose that it all arose from personal consideration. It + mattered little to me, however, to what the kindness was due; + and, my leave having expired, I set off to the Endymion, of which + I was then second lieutenant, with a firm resolution to avail + myself of the first opportunity of visiting the persons to whom + my excellent friend the doctor had given me an introduction. I + had been so frequently absent before, that I expected to be fixed + on board for a long time to come, and was therefore agreeably + disappointed to discover that my brother-officers had formed so + many pleasant acquaintances at Burncrana, a town on the banks of + the magnificent Lough Swilly, that they were quite willing to + remain on the spot, and to take upon their shoulders the extra + duty which my renewed absence imposed upon them. I had only, + therefore, to obtain the captain's permission for a fresh run. + This was easily gained, for he was the most indulgent of mortals; + and his only caution was, "Now, mind, don't you be falling in + love with any of these Irish girls. It will be quite time enough + for that when you are a post captain."</p> + + <p>I promised to attend to his advice, and set out in the highest + glee, wishing for no better sport than to try the firmness of my + resolutions on this head, though, it must be confessed, I was + fully more inclined to follow the precept enjoined upon me by + another friend, who, by way of improving the captain's + instruction, said,—</p> + + <p>"Do take care what you are about when you mix with those fair + and fascinating witches, and never hold yourself as heart-safe, + unless you are in love with at least two of them at once!"</p> + + <p>Off I went; but it matters not whether the course steered was + to the east or to the west after leaving Londonderry: a letter of + introduction in my pocket naturally determined my route; and, + having hired a good stout horse, I strapped my valise behind, and + set out on a fine summer's evening in quest of adventures. Yet I + was in no respect prepared to find myself so soon in what + appeared very like a field of battle. I had not proceeded twenty + miles before I came to a village surrounded by troops, and + guarded at the ends of its few streets by loaded cannon, with + lighted matches smoking by their sides. A considerable encampment + was formed on a slightly rising eminence near the village; and on + the neighbouring ground, still farther off, might be seen large + irregular groups of people, who, I learned, upon inquiry, were + chiefly Orangemen, preparing for a grand ceremonial procession on + this the 12th of July, the well-known anniversary of the battle + of the Boyne. In order to resist this proceeding on the part of + the Protestants, an immense multitude on the Roman Catholic side + of the question were likewise assembled, and all the roads + converging towards that quarter were lined with parties of men + carrying sticks in their hands, flocking to the expected scene of + action. The military had been called in to keep the peace, but + the angry passions of the respective factions were so much + roused, that even the precautions above described seemed hardly + sufficient to prevent the threatened conflict.</p> + + <p>As a matter of curiosity, I could have no great objection to + seeing another such battle as the one I had witnessed near + Corunna between those long-established fighting-cocks, the French + and English; but to look on while honest Pat and Tim were + breaking one another's heads upon abstract political grounds, and + English soldiery interposing with grapeshot and fixed bayonets to + make them friends again, was what I had no mind for. I tried, + therefore, to extricate myself forthwith from this unhappy + struggle; but my horse being tired, I was forced to sleep in a + village which, for aught I knew, might be sacked and burned + before morning; nothing occurred, however: nevertheless, I felt + far from easy till out of reach of the furious factions; the + strangest thing of all being that some quiet folks, a few miles + distant, with whom I took breakfast, seemed scarcely to mind it, + although the country round them was all on fire. From thence the + course lay across a wild range of mountains, one of them having + on its top a sheet of fresh water called Loch Salt. Nothing can + be conceived more desolate or dreary than this part of the + country; and as there were few inhabitants upon it at any time, + and none at all at this moment, I had no small difficulty in + making good my way. On coming nearer to the noble bay or lough, + on the banks of which the country-seat of my unknown friends was + to be found, the aspect of things changed as if by magic. A + slight inequality in the ground concealed this "jewel in the + desert," as it was often called, till the whole of its rare + beauties could be seen to the greatest advantage. Even without + the contrast of wild moors, the singular beauties of the spot + claimed the highest admiration; but after such a preparative they + appeared doubly grateful to the senses, and I put spurs to my + horse, anxious to come nearer to such a delicious scene.</p> + + <p>The mansion of my future friend, of which only partial + glimpses could be caught now and then, was well guarded on every + side by fine old trees, rising from the surface of + carefully-dressed grounds, richly stocked flower-gardens, long + and wide avenues, and graceful terraces, some of which reached to + the very water's edge, along a delicate beach on which the ripple + scarcely broke. This charming domain occupied a narrow spit of + land, or promontory, jutting forwards into a landlocked bay, or + arm of the sea, in which the water appeared to lie always asleep, + and as smooth as if, instead of being a mere branch uniting with + the stormy Atlantic, it had been some artificial lake. Nothing, + indeed, which the most fertile imagination could suggest seemed + to be wanting.</p> + + <p>There was one extremely well-conceived device at this + delightful spot, which I never remember to have seen anywhere + else, though, there must often occur in other places similar + situations in which it might be imitated. Not far from the house, + but quite hid under a thickly-wooded cliff, overhanging a quiet + bight or cove, about ten or fifteen yards across, lay a perfectly + secluded pool, with a bottom of snow-white sand. It was deep in + the middle, but shelved gradually to its margin, which rested on + a narrow strip, or beach, of small round polished pebbles. This + fringe, encircling the cove, was surmounted by a dry grassy bank, + or natural terrace, reaching to the foot of the rock, the face of + which was not merely perpendicular, but projecting so much that + the top more than plumbed the edge of the basin. Along the + sky-line there was drawn a fence or veil of briars, honeysuckles, + and other impervious bushes, interspersed with myrtles, wild + roses, and foxgloves, so thickly woven together, that all + external view of this <i>beau ideal</i> of a bath was rendered + impossible. The only access was by a narrow, steep, and winding + path; and at the upper end was placed a high, locked gate, the + key of which was in the exclusive charge of the ladies.</p> + + <p>As I rode on, ignorant as yet of these and many other rich and + rare beauties of this singular spot, and only admiring the + general aspect of things, I began, for the first time, to reflect + on the extreme awkwardness of my situation.</p> + + <p>Here was I merely the bearer of an introductory letter to a + lady, herself a guest in the house; and although it might have + been allowable enough to have called to deliver such an + introduction, had business or accident brought me to the + neighbourhood, now it seemed rather a strong measure to travel + fifty or sixty miles across a wild and disturbed country merely + to pay a morning call. The inference that my intention was to + make a visit of some duration, became inevitable; and I pictured + to myself the string of explanations I had to give, which might, + after all, not be followed by any invitation to remain. After + long cogitations, I resolved to steal up to the house, if + possible, unperceived; have my horse turned over to the groom, + and my portmanteau stowed out of sight, and then to walk boldly + up to the door, with a visiting-card in one hand, and my + credentials in the other, to be delivered to the servant for the + lady to whom the letter was addressed. I next proposed to stroll + about the woods, to give time for any good things said of the + bearer to work their way, hoping, by this rather clumsy + manoeuvre, that by the time I returned to the house its inmates + might be prepared to receive the stranger; and then, if their + invitation to remain should happen not to be very pressing, I + might pretend to be collecting specimens for my geological + friends, and so make my escape; though, to own the truth, nothing + was farther from my thoughts than geology.</p> + + <p>In spite of these ingenious plans, I felt myself rather + absurdly situated, and half wished I had not engaged at all in + such an unpromising adventure. It seemed, however, too late to + retreat, and therefore I jogged on, as earnestly hoping not to be + detected as ever did any troops in advancing to the attack of a + besieged fort.</p> + + <p>What, then, was my speechless horror, on riding up the + approach, to discover a cavalcade of not fewer than a dozen + ladies and gentlemen bearing right down upon me from the house. + Had it been a troop of French cuirassiers charging across the + ground, and threatening annihilation to the unfortunate hack and + his rider, I could not have been much more astounded. The master + of the house was probably of the number; he would stop to inquire + the business of the suspicious-looking stranger invading his + territories. The person for whom I brought a letter, being an + elderly lady, was not likely to be on horseback amidst a party of + young folks. There would be a general halt ordered; while the + poor new-comer, with his draggled horse and swollen valise + indicative of anything but a hasty departure, would become the + subject of a pleasant criticism to the quizzical dandies and + young ladies of the party. Even when this scrutiny was over, what + were they to do with their unexpected, self-elected companion? + His horse was now too tired, and much too ugly at any time to + accompany such gay palfreys as were prancing over the lawn; yet + they could not, in common civility, leave a stranger adrift; nor + could they accompany him back to the house, without breaking up + their expedition for the day.</p> + + <p>All this flashed through my mind in a moment, and left me in a + dire dilemma. I pulled up my jaded nag, however, with such a + jerk, that I well-nigh threw him on his haunches. Fortunately, a + little unevenness in the ground hid me from the view of the + advancing cavalry; and at the same critical instant I discovered + an opening in the fence on one side. Without considering or + caring whither it might lead, I turned my charger round, urged + him forwards with whip and spur, and dashed into the gap as if I + had been flying from the arm of justice, instead of making my + escape from as companionable a set of people as ever breathed. + Had any of the party detected the bashful fugitive, and given + chase, he must have been caught; for the path into which I had + fled terminated in a road leading to some farm offices, but with + no opening beyond.</p> + + <p>The awkwardness of my situation, which was already + considerable, became greatly augmented by this ridiculous + proceeding; and I heard the riders pass within twenty yards of my + hiding-place, with the most unspeakable alarm lest any one of + them should catch a glimpse of me nestling behind a cart of hay. + I breathed freer when the last servant's horse crossed the ridge; + and then, creeping from my hole, soon gained the stables + adjoining the house, gave up my horse, secured the well-stuffed + valise out of sight, and repaired, according to the original + precious scheme, to the front door with my letter. I stood for + five minutes with the knob of the bell in my hand, irresolute + whether to go on with the adventure, or fairly to cut and run + from it. At length, when the fatal pull was given, I listened to + the sound, and felt myself what statesmen call "fully committed." + There was now nothing left but to screw up my courage, as I best + might, to meet the dangers and difficulties of the crisis.</p> + + <p>There happened to be no one at home except the old lady, to + whom my introduction was addressed, so that the plan succeeded + very well; I forget now the details of the introduction, but I + can never cease to remember the unbounded cordiality of the + reception, not only from this excellent person, but from the + master and mistress of the house, and all their assembled + friends, showing how totally I had miscalculated the nature and + extent of Irish hospitality. There were several elderly persons, + then in the autumn of life, and several were very young folks, + scarcely able to walk, who now count many "daughters and sons of + beauty." There was a pretty equal admixture of Irish and English, + amongst them several persons of rank; also one or two foreigners; + besides much native wit, worth, and beauty, of the highest order, + and all most delightfully set off by the graces and nameless + enchantments of refined manners, and tasteful as well as useful + accomplishments. I have rarely, if ever, seen in any part of the + world so fascinating an assemblage of all that would render a + country party agreeable as was here collected in one of the most + out-of-the-way corners of Ireland. My worthy captain's advice was + now thrown to the winds; and indeed any heart, aged twenty-two, + must have been made of cast-iron to have resisted the rides and + walks, the picnic dinners, the dances, and the music parties, and + suppers, besides the infinitely varied round of other amusements, + grave and gay, which contributed to render, and will for ever + preserve, this nook of Ireland the true terrestrial paradise of + my early days.</p> + + <p>How the deuce I ever contrived to get out of the magic circle, + I hardly know; but if I could only feel myself at liberty, + without a breach of confidence, to give a few details of those + hours, I would stake great odds on the side of the effect which + the description of such a reality might produce, against the + interest of the imaginary scenes in almost any romance.</p> + + <p>I have already mentioned that the gentleman whose introduction + I carried was most urgent for me to deliver the letter in person; + but he gave no reasons for this anxiety; nor indeed was I then + aware, that, besides his being an intimate friend, he was their + family physician. While acting in this capacity, he had seen with + regret how ineffectual his art had proved to alleviate the + mother's sorrow caused by the recent loss of her favourite son. + The young man had been in the Navy, and would have been about my + own age and standing in the service. These accidental + coincidences suggested to her judicious and kind-hearted friend, + that as I, in some degree, resembled him in appearance and in + manners, the poor mother's thoughts and feelings might possibly + be diverted into a new channel, by the society of a person in so + many respects similarly circumstanced to the child she had + lost.</p> + + <p>It so happened, fortunately for me, that the experiment + completely succeeded—I hope and believe, to the mother's + consolation. To me, of course, the reception I met with was + matter of delight and astonishment; so much so, indeed, that I + occasionally felt somewhat startled, and almost oppressed, with + the sense of obligation imposed by such unusual and unmerited + attentions.</p> + + <p>The first explanation of the mystery is really so touching in + itself, that I give it without reserve as I received it in a + letter from this most excellent old lady, about six months after + my first acquaintance with her, and just before I quitted England + for the East Indies:—</p> + + <p>"Once more adieu!" She concludes, "I must hope you will write + to me often; let me constantly know how you proceed, and how I + can address you; and recollect, you have received the freedom of + this house. I believe I told you I had lost a son, a lieutenant + in the Navy, and of superior talents. I therefore consider that + Heaven has given you to my care in his place—and may the + Almighty protect you!"</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">TRICKS UPON + TRAVELLERS.</p> + + <p>A curious and vastly pleasing fashion prevails in that part of + Ireland where I was so nearly bewitched as almost to forget my + ship, my duties, and everything else, but beauty! When a party, + such as I have been describing, had passed a certain time + together, they seldom broke up entirely, but generally shifted, + or emigrated in a body (flitted, I think they used to call it) to + the house of some one of their number. Now and then various + members of the group dropped off by the way, but their places + were presently filled up by others, who soon found their way to + the new hive when the well-known sounds of festivity were heard + in the neighbourhood.</p> + + <p>In this manner the party, into which I had been so kindly + admitted, made several moves, with sundry losses and accessions + to its numbers; and as every day rendered this life more and more + grateful, I could scarcely bear to think of returning to the tame + occupations and rugged society of the frigate, the duties of + which had so recently been my greatest and most sincere delight. + Meanwhile, since my good-natured captain, and still + better-natured messmates, made no difficulties about this + protracted absenteeism, I continued to involve myself deeper and + deeper at every step. I failed not to perceive at times that I + was getting into rather a dangerous scrape for a younger son and + a young officer, who had yet to work his own way in the world. + But as these reflections interfered rather impertinently with the + enjoyments of the hour, they were crushed down, and kept out of + sight as much as possible at that gay period.</p> + + <p>What surprised me most, all this time, was the air of + refinement and high polish in the Irish society amongst which I + was thus casually thrown. I had previously entertained an idea + that their hospitality, proverbial in all parts of the world, was + of a rude and rather troublesome description. I found it, on the + contrary, marked not only by the strongest lines of sincerity and + kindness, but by many of those delicate touches of consideration + for the feelings of others which form the most indubitable + symptoms of genuine good-breeding.</p> + + <p>Instead of discovering that the stories were true about the + sort of compulsion used in matters of drinking, I can safely say + that, during the course of experience in joviality I went through + in the north of Ireland, I seldom met with anything at a + gentleman's table approaching even to exigence on this score. I + do not deny that our friends the Irish have a wonderfully winning + way of insinuating their good cheer upon us, and sometimes of + inducing us to swallow more claret than is perhaps good for + us.</p> + + <p>I landed once at Burncrana, a pretty quiet little village, + with a watering-place look, on the eastern banks of that great + and beautiful bay Lough Swilly. One side of this fine harbour is + formed by the bold promontory of Inishowen, celebrated in every + land for its noble whiskey, second only (which, as a Scotchman, I + am bound to assert) to Ferntosh or Glenlivet. I was accompanied + by an English gentleman, on the first day of his landing in + Ireland. As he then seriously imagined the inhabitants to belong + to a sort of wild and uncouth race, I could see he was rather + surprised at the gentleman-like deportment of an acquaintance of + mine resident on the spot, for whom he had brought a letter. We + had walked together to his house, or rather cottage, for he was + not a fixed resident, but came there for summer quarters. The + neatness, and even elegance, of the domestic arrangements of his + temporary establishment, both without and within the dwelling, + gave token of a taste many degrees removed from the state of + people far back in civilization. Presently the ladies came; and + their national frankness, modified by the most entire and + unaffected simplicity, puzzled my friend completely. In due + season the dressing-bell sent us off to prepare for dinner; and + while we were getting ready, my companion said, "I see what this + fellow is at: he means to sew you and me up. You may do as you + please; but I'll be shot if he plays off his Irish pranks on me. + I will eat his dinner, take a couple of glasses of his wine, make + my bow to the ladies, go on board by eight or nine o'clock, and, + having given them a dinner in return, shall have done my duty in + the way of attention; after which I shall totally cut the + connection. I have no idea of their abominable fashion of forcing + strangers to drink."</p> + + <p>"We shall see," said I; and having knocked the dust off our + shoes, down we went to dinner.</p> + + <p>Everything was plain, and suitable to the pretensions of a + cottage. There was no pressing to eat or drink during dinner; and + in process of time the cloth was removed, the Ladies sipped a + little sweet wine, and disappeared.</p> + + <p>"Now for it," whispered my friend; "he has sent the women out + of the way, that he may ply us the better."</p> + + <p>And I must own things looked rather suspicious; for our host, + instead of sitting down again at the dinner-table, walked to a + bow-window overlooking the anchorage, and exactly facing the + setting sun, at that hour illuminating the whole landscape in the + gorgeous style peculiar to combined mountain and lake scenery. + "Why should we not enjoy this pleasant prospect while we are + discussing our wine?" said the master of the house. At that + instant the door opened, and in walked the servant, as if he knew + by intuition what was passing in his master's head.</p> + + <p>"Tim," said our host, "put the card-table here in the + bow-window, and give us some other glasses; also, if you have + such a thing, bring up a bottle of claret."</p> + + <p>Tim nodded, smiled, and made the fitting adjustments. The + table was barely large enough to hold a noble long-corked bottle, + for the fashion of claret decanters had not as yet reached that + remote district of the empire. Round the margin was placed the + necessary accompaniment of capacious glasses—famous tall + fellows, with such slender stalks that they seemed scarcely equal + to the weight of their generous load.</p> + + <p>My friend and I exchanged glances, and I could see his + shoulders slightly raised, as if he was saying internally, "Now + we are in for it! but I will not drink a drop more than I + choose." The claret, which in itself was most delicious, was + cooled in perfect style. The party consisted, I think, of four or + five persons, and this one bottle, I remember, just passed round + the group twice. As the flavour of the beverage appeared to have + become more exquisite at the second turn than at the first, + though but a short interval had been allowed to elapse, it seemed + odd that another bottle was not instantly called for. Instead of + this our landlord went on expatiating on the beauties of the + Lough, and the fineness of the season in general, and the sunset + in particular, for full five minutes after the wine had + disappeared; when he suddenly said, with a half-hesitating tone, + towards my English friend, who sat at his elbow——</p> + + <p>"I beg your pardon! perhaps you would take some more + wine?"</p> + + <p>As no one made any objection, the bell was rung, and Tim + re-appeared, bearing with him another bottle. This likewise + vanished in a trice, and Tim was again summoned. "Bring some more + claret," said the master to the man, or rather boy, as he was + called, though twice as old as any of the party.</p> + + <p>At this instant I caught my companion's eye; and I could see + he was becoming alive to the plot against him, so much so, + indeed, that he seemed to be preparing to rise. The following + conversation, however, attracted his attention, and fixed him to + his seat. "Well, Tim, what are you gaping at? Why don't you run + for the clar't?"</p> + + <p>"I didn't know," replied the other, "whether you'd like to use + the whole of it."</p> + + <p>"Use the whole of it!" exclaimed his master—"what does + the boy mean? Why, Tim, what are you at?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, sir," quoth the well-instructed rogue, "as the wine you + brought was but little, I thought you might not wish to use it + all entirely to-day." And then he whispered something in his + master's ear, the words of which we could not distinguish. The + reply, however, showed, or seemed to show, what had been said. + "Nonsense, Tim, nonsense! you're an ass, man; bring it up."</p> + + <p>Tim accordingly disappeared, but soon returned with a basket + apparently full of straw; at the bottom of which, however, after + some considerable show of hunting, a couple of bottles were said + to be found. "Confound you, Tim, is this all?" said the host.</p> + + <p>"It is, sir," lied Tim; "and in faith, sir," added he, still + lying, "it's one more bottle than I thought; for there was but a + dozen when we started from Derry a week ago; and you know, sir, + you and the collector on last Tuesday"</p> + + <p>But the catalogue of circumstances which were intended to act + as buttresses to Master Tim's inventions was cut short by a + peremptory order to leave the room. This he did so soon as he had + made a circumbendibus to escape notice, and deposited the basket + behind his master's chair, muttering, as he put it down with a + thump, "There's a couple of bottles of as good wine as ever was + uncorked."</p> + + <p>The fresh broach was indeed so delicious that we could hardly + believe it was of the same vintage as that of the previous bin, + though our host assured us it was "the identical." Tim's basket + well merited a higher eulogium than he had given it; but while + his reputation as a judge of wine rose, his character for + veracity fell in about the same proportion, since we beheld, in + due season, not merely two, but three, and at last a fourth + long-necked gentleman from Bordeaux emerge from under the + straw!</p> + + <p>The trick played upon us by these confederates was now + apparent enough; but the wine, fortunately, was of that light and + pure kind which does not produce much effect on strong heads, and + that of my companion was proof against far greater trials than + this. He was indeed perfectly aware of what was passing; and + though dearly loving the wine, which was superior to any he had + ever before tasted, yet he had no notion of being made tipsy by + means of a common-place concert between host and butler. He + therefore rose to leave the room, expecting, of course, to be + forcibly detained, or, at all events, being begged and entreated + to sit down again. Not a whit! The wily native merely observed to + him that "if he had a mind to admire the prospect, there was + still daylight enough to command a view down the bay from the + little knoll on the right." The Englishman was sorely puzzled by + all this. There was none of the detention he expected would be + practised upon him, and yet he had a strong consciousness that he + was undergoing the operation well known afloat and ashore by the + title of "the game of humbug." At the same time, he felt the most + eager desire to take another good pull at the claret.</p> + + <p>There was no wine before us at this critical juncture of the + evening, and our landlord, who, most unaccountably, seemed + indifferent to this material circumstance, went on prosing for a + quarter-of-an-hour about Protestant ascendancy, the eternal siege + of Derry, the battle of the Boyne, and such like stale topics. At + length one of the company became somewhat impatient, and, + watching for a pause, asked his host if it were the custom in + Ireland to discuss Orange politics with empty glasses?</p> + + <p>"God bless me," cried the other, with well-feigned surprise, + "is there no wine on the table?" and ringing the bell furiously, + scolded poor Tim so naturally that the confederate was almost + thrown out. "Well! you numskull, why don't you make off with you, + and bring something for the gentlemen to drink?" Tim stood fast + till interrogated a second time, and then replied with perfect + gravity that "there wasn't another drop of wine in the house." + Upon this the master got up in a rage, and brushing past the + servant, declared his intention of searching the cellar himself. + He was absent some time, and we had just prevailed on our + hesitating companion to sit down again, when, as if there had + been some electrical communication between his chair and the + handle of the door, it opened, and in walked our generous + entertainer, exulting in his success, crowing like chanticleer, + and bearing in each hand a couple of bottles, clicking against + each other; while Tim, with a degree of impudence equalled only + by that of his master, substituted clean glasses, of a still more + capacious swallow than the first. To these were added two pair of + candles which towered high above the jolly crew, and promised to + last till another dawn should look in upon our revels. By this + time the twilight had almost entirely ebbed away, and was + succeeded by that cheerful, aurora-kind of brilliancy in the sky, + which points out the place of the sun during the whole of his + summer night's journey in those high latitudes. Politics dropped, + for the joyous juice of the grape soon melted us all into one + mind; and a hundred topics of more pleasing interest were + started, in which the strangers could join without fear of any + angry discussion. The mirth and animation of the company rose + very pleasantly as each fresh bottle found its way by some + magical process to the table. But it became rather difficult to + tell who were the listeners amongst us, or to say who was guest + and who landlord, for the party seemed like a circle of brothers, + all equally at home.</p> + + <p>This went on for an indefinite length of time, but I should be + the veriest conjuror on earth to say how long. Through the hazy + atmosphere of my recollection of that jolly evening, I remember + that about eleven o'clock, more or less, our host was enchanted + almost beyond the power of words by seeing his wine so much + relished, and tickled also with the success of his joke, in + making his suspicious guest drink just as much wine as he thought + fit to impose. On this occasion, however, he inverted the + proverb, and reckoned without his guest; for, by one imprudent + remark, he had well-nigh torn the laurels from his brow.</p> + + <p>"Well, sir!" he exclaimed, "although this is the first day you + ever set foot on the island, you have seen enough, I hope, to + satisfy you that we are not quite such savages as you supposed; + liberty hall, you see, is the true title of every Irish + gentleman's dining-room: there's no compulsion here, you must see + very clearly." It was little that my English friend could now see + very clearly of anything; but the above premature announcement of + victory brought back all the stranger's suspicions. Fired with + this idea, he started on his feet, and eyeing the door for a long + time before he ventured on the voyage, with a bold determination, + and taking a good departure from his chair, he gained his port. + He had undoubtedly expected to be lugged back again; for he + whisked the tails of his coat out of reach, while, with his other + hand on the lock of the door, and swaying himself about from side + to side, like a ship in a calm, he stood the very image of + tottering equilibrium, as the mathematicians call it. Our adroit + landlord, who was not a man to shrink from difficulties, mustered + to his aid all the resources of a long well-practised + hospitality, and gallantly met this great occasion. His devices + were, probably, exhausted; so he took another line, and called + out, "Oh, you're off, are you? Very well—you'll find the + ladies in the drawing-room. I think I hear the tinkle of the + piano: I prefer the tinkle of the glass. Pray tell the damsels we + are coming by-and-bye: mind you say 'by-and-bye.' I don't like to + be too particular, for fear of seeming rude: don't you see?"</p> + + <p>This speech was wound up by a telegraphic flourish of the hand + towards Tim, who stood near, with a bottle between his feet, the + screw buried in the cork, and his body bent to the effort, which + he only delayed to exercise till ordered by his master to pull. + "Out with him, man! out with the cork!" cried the host. The loud + report which succeeded rang over the apartment like the sweetest + music to the souls of the ever thirsty company. Tim's thunder was + echoed back by a truly bacchanalian shout, such as nothing on + earth can give proper emphasis to, except a double allowance of + claret. The Englishman, fairly subdued by the sound, glided again + to the table; then seizing his brimming glass in one hand, and + grasping the fist of his merry host in the other, he roared + out,—</p> + + <p>"You really are an uncommon good fellow; and hang me if ever I + distrust an Irishman again as long as I live!"</p> + + <p>But within three minutes afterwards this promise was broken; + for as soon as we had discussed the bottle which the incomparable + Tim had so opportunely introduced, the master of the house, + seeing us at length quite at his mercy, and eager to go on, rose, + and said, to our great amaze,—</p> + + <p>"Come! we've had wine enough; let's join the ladies in the + next room."</p> + + <p>The disappointed company stared at one another, and loudly + proclaimed that it was not fair to limit them in this way. The + Englishman, in particular, wished to remain; but our host was + inexorable. Meanwhile, Timothy grinned from ear to ear; familiar + with his master's tricks upon travellers; and the landlord + deliberately opening the door, marched off the field of battle + with flying colours.</p> + + <p>As we moved along to the drawing-room, my companion whispered + to me,—</p> + + <p>"I must own I have been rightly served for my suspicions. I + made quite certain of being bullied into drinking more than was + agreeable to me; but it turns out," added he, laughing, "quite + the reverse; for I cannot get a drop of wine, now that I want + it."</p> + + <p>"Well! well!" cried our hospitable friend, who overheard the + conclusion of this remark, "you shall do as you please ever after + this evening."</p> + + <p>He then showed us to a couple of snug rooms, which he said + were ours, as long as we chose to occupy them.</p> + + <p>For myself, I went off to the Giant's Causeway in the course + of next day; and on returning, at the end of a week, found that + my friend, instead of cutting the connection, according to + promise, had not been once out of sight of the house, and had + never been asked to drink a bottle, or even a glass, more than he + liked. He declared, indeed, that he had rarely met, in any + country, with persons so truly hospitable, or more + gentleman-like, in the truest sense of these words.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">THE ADMIRALTY + LIST.</p> + + <p>In the midst of these gay doings, which were all very well for + a time, but rather profitless on the whole, an extremely + favourable opening for promotion suddenly occurred. The late Sir + Samuel Hood, on being appointed commander-in-chief of the East + India station, was applied to by my friends, and agreed to take + me with him as one of his lieutenants. His list of + <i>protégés</i>, he said, was a long one, and I + must come in last; after his old followers were provided for, but + there could not be a moment's doubt on the occasion. In his + letters, the Admiral dwelt very strongly on the importance of + having the name of his young friend, as he was good enough to + call me, placed likewise on the Admiralty List.</p> + + <p>The purpose of this advice is easily explained. The Admiral on + a foreign station is allowed actually to appoint, or promote, to + certain vacancies only, any officer whom he pleases, while on the + occurrence of all other vacancies, except those which are thus + specifically placed at his disposal, he is furnished with what is + called an Admiralty List. In former times, whatever it be now, + the Admirals abroad were allowed to appoint officers of their own + selection to vacancies occasioned by death, or by the sentence of + a court-martial; while they were instructed to nominate those + persons only who stood on the Admiralty List to such vacancies as + arose from officers falling sick and invaliding; from the + accession of ships captured and purchased into the service; from + officers deserting (which strange event has sometimes happened); + or from the squadron being increased by ships built and launched + on the station. But as these last enumerated are, generally + speaking, of much more frequent occurrence than those which fall + to the Admiral's peculiar share, an officer on the Admiralty List + has a proportionately better chance of promotion than one who + stands merely on that of the commander-in-chief.</p> + + <p>These two lists differ essentially in one material feature. As + a matter of course, the Admiral's List possesses some degree of + stability; since a place upon it is generally won by long service + under his flag, and retained there by personal esteem or family + connection. An Admiral's follower, indeed, far from being a term + of reproach, is always one of honour, as it implies the + confidence and regard of the flag-officer. To get placed + therefore, however near the end, on the good books of a rising + Admiral is almost a certain road to promotion.</p> + + <p>On the other hand, the Admiralty List is kept a profound + secret, or, what comes nearly to the same thing, is kept strictly + out of sight of those it most concerns. It is well known to be + formidably intricate in its arrangements, and very slippery in + its promises; indeed, from the circumstance of its depending on + the fluctuating interests of party politics, it must be + essentially pie-crusty in its texture. For it is sometimes + thought in the political world that as much may be done by + propitiating antagonists as by rewarding friends. How all this + may be in sound principle I cannot tell; but nothing in practice + can be more unsteady, or less to be relied upon, as I too well + know, than this said Admiralty List. Still, the advantages of + getting his name on this precious little slip of paper are very + great, though it be a most unofficial-looking note sheet, as I + can testify, from having once incidentally been afforded a + glimpse of one, on which, to my horror, my own name was not! If + the admiral of the station be also a personal friend, that source + of favour, of course, always adds another string to the young + man's bow. Circumstances likewise occasionally arise which enable + an admiral, who has an officer's interest really at heart, to + give him an extra lift at the right moment, and in the right + direction, provided his name actually stands on the Admiralty + List, even though it be ever so low down.</p> + + <p>Before sailing for India, accordingly, I took a world of pains + to make out this grand point, tormented my friends and relations + most wofully, and, as I conceived, with eventual success. A + distinct assurance was given to a near connection of my own, and + a member of parliament, that my name would certainly stand on the + First Lord's list, to be sent out to India in his Majesty's ship + Volage, of which I had the farther good fortune to be appointed + junior lieutenant. A change at the Admiralty was then confidently + expected; and I took every care, as I thought, to have it + arranged that my name should not be omitted when the new First + Lord came into power. Little dreamed I that, in the + <i>mêlée</i> of official patronage and personal + favour which shortly afterwards took place at headquarters, my + poor name would be dropped out altogether. The provoking + consequence was, however, that I had the mortification of seeing + sundry capital vacancies in India pass by, one after another, + which, had I occupied even the very low place on the fresh list + which I had filled on the old one, might have secured my + promotion several years sooner than it came.</p> + + <p>The old Volage, in which we sailed for India, I am forced to + confess, was one of the least good-looking of all his Majesty's + ships and vessels then afloat. But by this time I cared not one + fig for the looks of my ship, though, a month or two before, I + should have considered it a point of honour to maintain its + beauty. I was delighted beyond measure to think that, at length, + I was on the right road to promotion; and this satisfaction was + more than doubled by finding the East was the region in which + that great prize was to be sought for.</p> + + <p>Although the men-of-war and their convoy sailed from Spithead + on the 25th of March, they did not reach Madeira till the 19th of + April. It is always more teasing to be delayed at the outset of a + voyage than at any other stage of its course, just as it is + mortifying and hurtful to be checked in the commencement of a + profession. Upon this occasion we had a fine rattling easterly + breeze for eight-and-forty hours after starting, which swept us + all, dull sailers and good ones, merrily out of the British + Channel. This fair start is always a grand affair, whatever + succeeds; for if the prevalent westerly wind catches a ship + before the channel is left well behind, she may be driven back to + Plymouth or Falmouth, and all the agony of bills, news, + leave-taking, and letters, has to be endured over again. Whereas, + if she once gets the Lizard Light some fifty leagues astern of + her, all these worrying distractions may be considered at an end. + A totally new world—the "world of waters"—is now + entered upon, far beyond the reach even of those long-armed + persons, the "gentlemen of the press," or the startling sound of + the postman's knock; that call which so often sets off the + steadiest-going pulse at a gallop!</p> + + <p>Oh, the joy! the relief unspeakable! of feeling oneself fairly + under weigh, and of seeing the white cliffs of Old England + sinking in the north-eastern horizon right to windward! Let the + concocters of romances and other imaginary tales say what they + please of the joys of returning home; give me the happiness of a + good departure, and a boundless world of untried enjoyments + ahead. If a man be out of debt and out of love, or only + moderately involved in either of these delicate predicaments; if + he have youth and health and tolerable prospects, a good ship + under his foot, good officers over him, and good messmates to + serve with, why need he wear and tear his feelings about those he + leaves behind? Or rather, why need he grieve to part from those + who are better pleased to see him vigorously doing his duty + rather than idling in other people's way at home? Or wherefore + should he sigh to quit those enjoyments in which he cannot + honourably participate till he has earned his title to them by + hardy service?</p> + + <p>On the other hand, who is there so insensible as not to feel + the deepest apprehension, on returning from a long and distant + voyage? Busy fancy will conjure up images of death and sickness, + of losses and sorrows. And when the accumulated pile of letters + is first placed in our hands after a long voyage, with what + sickening eagerness do we not turn from the superscription to + discover the colour of the seal?</p> + + <p>It happened once to me to be nearly fifteen months without + receiving a single line from home, or seeing an English + newspaper. On reaching the port of rendezvous, I found that as + the ship I commanded was the only man-of-war in the harbour, + there devolved upon me an immense load of official business + requiring immediate and careful attention. All this I learned on + my way to the consul's office, where a huge budget of letters was + delivered to me. My first impulse, naturally, was to tear away + the envelopes, and dive into the secrets of these domestic + dispatches; but I paused on detecting several ominous-looking + patches of black wax, and, thrusting them all into a drawer, did + not open one till next day. Officially considered, it was well I + imposed this restraint upon my curiosity; for the fatal news + these letters contained must have seriously interfered with the + exclusive professional attention which the nature of the service + required me to bestow upon various public matters admitting of no + delay; whereas, in regard to the private intelligence, a single + day, added to so many months, signified nothing.</p> + + <p>After leaving Spithead, our two days of fair wind were enough + to take us clear of the channel, and well off the bank of + soundings, far beyond the danger of return. A tolerable spell of + bad weather then came on, which in one sense was of essential + service, by contributing greatly to assist the first lieutenant's + arrangements, though it discomfited most grievously the apple-pie + order of those disturbers of his peace, the shore-going, + long-coated gentry, our passengers, whom the sailors, in their + coarse but graphic vocabulary, call "dog robbers," from their + intercepting the broken meat on its way to the kennel from their + master's table. Our gale of wind, indeed, was no gale to speak + of; but as the sea rose, and a heavy press of canvas laid the + creaking old barky well over on her broadside, many of the + beautifully piled boxes, the well-packed portmanteaus, the + polished dressing cases and writing-desks, the frail glass, + crockery, and other finery, fetched way, and went rattling, + smash! dash! right into the lee scuppers. In the next instant, + the great bulk of these materials were jerked back again to their + original situation, by that peculiar movement, so trying to + unpractised nerves, called a lurch to windward. To unaccustomed + ears, the sounds on this occasion lead one to suppose the ship is + going to pieces; while the cries for help from the + broken-shinned, sea-sick landsmen, the bawling for cleats and + lashings from the mate of the decks, the thumping of hammers, and + the loud laugh of the light-hearted middies, enchanted with the + uproar, make a fine concert. The sedative effect of two or three + hours of this work exceeds fresh-water belief; so that in a day + or two, Messrs. Neptune, Boreas, First Lieutenant, and Co., have + re-established their legitimate authority so completely, that + neither servants, nor any other passengers, ever afterwards + venture to indulge in those liberties which, at first coming on + board, they fancied might be taken with impunity.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">THE TROPICAL + REGIONS AT SEA.</p> + + <p>There sailed along with us in the Volage, from Spithead, the + Princess Caroline, 74, and the Theban frigate, to aid in + protecting a fleet of East India Company's ships, all for China + direct.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href= + "#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> As these ships were of + the largest class, well manned, well commanded, and were likewise + pretty well armed, and got up to look like men-of war, our force + had not only an imposing appearance, but was capable of baffling + an enemy, even in considerable strength. There is, indeed, one + signal instance on record in which a fleet of East India + Company's ships actually beat off, unassisted, a French squadron + of very powerful vessels. These striking incidents, peeping out + from time to time, show what is called the true blood, and are + extremely valuable, proving how essential it is that an officer + in command should "Never say die while there is a shot in the + locker!" a pithy old phrase, which will apply to many situations + in life, civil as well as military. Had the gallant commander + alluded to, Sir Nathaniel Dance, yielded when the French Admiral + Linois, and his squadron, consisting of the Marengo, a + line-of-battle ship of 84 guns, and the Belle Poule and + Semillante frigates, each of 44, bore down on the China fleet, + not less than six millions of English property, and some of the + noblest trading ships that float on the ocean, must have been + carried into the Isle of France.</p> + + <p>This memorable affair took place near Pulo Aor, in the China + seas, and by a very interesting, and no doubt useful coincidence, + on the 14th of February, 1804, the seventh anniversary of the + glorious action off Cape St. Vincent. Had the enemy only known + the real force of his opponents, which he most certainly ought to + have found out before he quitted them, the bold front these ships + put forward might indeed have served them nothing. A less + resolute man than Captain Dance might have said this good fortune + was hardly to be calculated upon; but it is the duty of a + commander, at all times and under all circumstances, to afford + himself every possible chance, and never to give up while there + is one of these chances left.</p> + + <p>A useful chapter in naval history and tactics could be written + on the defence of convoys, by which it might perhaps be made + manifest that a determined bearing, accompanied by a certain + degree of force, and a vigorous resolution to exert that force to + the utmost, would, in most cases, save the greater part of the + convoy, even against powerful odds. In the well-known instance, + in which Captain Richard Budd Vincent sacrificed his ship, in a + contest where he was from the first sure to be overpowered, he + gained sufficient time for most of his flock of merchant-ships to + escape.</p> + + <p>In February, 1805, this gallant officer, in the Arrow, of 18 + twenty-four pounders, ably supported by Captain Arthur Farquhar, + in the Acheron bomb, carrying not half that number, actually + engaged two large French frigates, mounting in all 90 guns and + 1300 men, while the English force was only 26 guns and 90 men. + The damage and delay caused to the enemy by this spirited + resistance enabled the convoy to disperse, and all get off but + three, out of thirty-two. The English ships did not strike till + they were so much cut up that one sunk immediately afterwards, + and the other was burned by the captors as useless.</p> + + <p>On the occasion of our voyage in 1812, however, the fortitude + and skill of our East India ships were put to no such proof, as + our most interesting evolutions were confined to the interchange + of good dinners; for your Indiamen know as well how to eat, + drink, and be merry, as to fight, if need be. Their chief + business is to trade; but their trading is a widely different + thing from that of the ordinary merchant service. The East India + Company's officers are bred in many respects like naval men, and + they feel in the same manner. Being sprung from as good a stock + as the officers of the Navy, they possess a kindred + gentleman-like spirit, and are in every respect suitable allies + in battle.</p> + + <p>In fine weather, during our whole voyage, there scarcely + occurred a day on which, in the course of the morning, if the sea + were tolerably smooth, and the wind not too strong, the dinner + invitation signal was not displayed from the commodore, or from + some of his flock. When there was a breeze, and the ships were + making way through the water, some technical address was + necessary to avoid delay. This will easily be understood, without + going into minute details, when it is remembered, that there must + always in a convoy be found certain ships which sail worse than + others, and that, although these tubs, as they are most + deservedly called, crowd all their canvas, the rest are obliged + to shorten sail in order to keep them company; as Lightfoot, in + the fairy tale, was obliged to tie his feet in the race. If it be + the commodore who gives the dinner, he either heaves to, while + the boats of the several captains come on board, or he edges down + to the different ships in succession, passes them at the distance + of a quarter of a cable's length, picks up his guests, and + resumes his station ahead, or to windward, or wherever it may + suit him to place himself so as best to guard his charge. If any + of the fast sailers have occasion to heave to, either before or + after dinner, to lower down or to hoist up the boat which carries + the captain backwards and forwards to the ship in which the + entertainment is given, and in consequence of this detention any + way has been lost, that ship has only to set a little more sail + that she may shoot ahead, and regain her position in the + line.</p> + + <p>The bad sailers of all fleets or convoys are daily and hourly + execrated in every note of the gamut; and it must be owned that + the detention they cause, when a fine fresh breeze is blowing, is + excessively provoking to all the rest, and mortifying to + themselves. Sometimes the progress of one haystack of a vessel is + so slow that a fast-sailing ship is directed to take her in tow, + and fairly lug her along. As this troublesome operation requires + for its proper execution no small degree of nautical knowledge, + as well as dexterity, and must be performed in the face of the + whole squadron, it is always exposed to much sharp criticism. The + celerity with which sail is set, or taken in, by the respective + ships, or the skill with which broken spars are shifted, likewise + furnish such abundant scope for technical table-talk, that there + is seldom any want of topic in the convoy. Sailors, indeed, are + about as restless as the element on which they float; and their + hands are generally kept pretty full by the necessity of studying + the fluctuating circumstances of wind and weather, together with + due attention to the navigation.</p> + + <p>These occupations served to give a high degree of interest to + this Indian voyage, which, to most of us, was the first; the mere + circumstance of having to pass successively and quickly through a + number of different climates, first in the order of increasing + warmth, and then in the reverse order of increasing cold, was of + itself most striking. The change of latitude being the chief + cause of these phenomena, a succession of astronomical variations + were necessarily attendant upon the progress of the voyage; + easily explained by reasonings, and the actual, practical + exhibition, as it may be termed, of the truths of astronomical + science failed not to strike the unfamiliarised imagination as + both wonderful and beautiful.</p> + + <p>When we sailed from England the weather was very cold, raw, + and uncomfortable; and although we had a couple of days' fair + wind at starting, we were met in the very chops of the channel by + hard-hearted southerly and south-westerly winds, which tried our + patience sorely. On the evening of the tenth day we caught a + glimpse of the north coast of Spain; and the rugged shore of + Galicia was the last which most of us saw of Europe for many + years. It was not till after a fortnight's hard struggling + against these tiresome south-westers that we anchored in Funchal + Roads, having by the way dropped several of our convoy. These + stray sheep came in during the few days we remained to refresh + ourselves at this most charming of resting-places. After nearly a + week's enjoyment, we proceeded on our course to the southward; + within three days we came in sight of Palma, the most northern of + the Canary Island group. It was thirty miles distant in the + south-east quarter; and Teneriffe, the sea "monarch of + mountains," lay too far off for us to perceive even his "diadem + of snow," which at that season (April), I presume, he always + wears. Some years after the period in question, when I paid him a + visit, in the month of August, the very tip-top was bare, and the + thermometer at 70°.</p> + + <p>Under more favourable circumstances, we might possibly have + seen Teneriffe from the Volage, for our distance was not above a + hundred miles. This, however, it must be owned, is a long way to + see the land, unless it form a continuous ridge of great + elevation, like the Andes; and even then, to be distinguished + well, it requires to be interposed between a bright sky and the + ship. At day-break, and for about half an hour before sunrise, if + the weather be clear, even sharp peaks, like the cone of + Teneriffe, may be seen with a degree of distinctness which is + very remarkable, when viewed from the distance of a hundred miles + and upwards, as I have several times experienced when navigating + in the Pacific. But when the full splendour of the sun's light + begins to fill the air, these gigantic forms gradually fade away + amongst the clouds, or melt into the sky, even when no clouds are + visible. I have likewise been told, that, in sailing directly + away from Teneriffe (or other high insulated peaks), and keeping + the eye pretty constantly fixed in the proper direction, it may + be retained in sight at much greater distance than it can be + discovered on approaching. I am disposed to consider this very + probable, but have never had a good opportunity of trying the + experiment.</p> + + <p>It was late in April, as we were stealing slowly past these + distant Canary Islands, when the first real puff of the + Trade-wind caught our sleeping sails, and made the braces, + haulyards, and all the other ropes connected with the yards, + crack again. This breeze served more effectually to detach our + thoughts from European interests than anything which had occurred + since our leaving England. At the very moment, however, when we + were chuckling at this disentanglement of our feelings from + domestic anxieties, and all the varied agitation of home + concerns, we observed a ship crossing our path at some distance. + Signal being made to chase, we instantly darted off from the + convoy to examine the stranger, which proved to be an English + ship from Lisbon. We hailed, and asked, "What news?"</p> + + <p>"Badajoz has fallen," replied the other, "after a terrible + siege."</p> + + <p>This was received with a general buzz of joyous congratulation + along the decks. In answer to further questions, we were told of + some three or four thousand men killed and wounded in the + trenches and breach. Then, indeed, the glorious intelligence was + greeted by three jolly huzzas from every ship in the convoy!</p> + + <p>Nothing so startling as this occurred to us again; but the + serenity of our thoughts was in some degree interrupted, a few + days afterwards, by the north-easterly Trade-wind dying away, and + a gentle south-wester springing up in its place. This occurred in + latitude 25-1/2° N., where, according to our inexperienced + conception of these singular winds, we ought to have found a + regular breeze from the very opposite quarter! Nor was it till + long afterwards that I learned how much the force and direction + of the Trade-winds are liable to modification by the particular + position which the sun occupies in the heavens; or how far the + rotatory motion of the earth, combined with the power which the + sun possesses of heating certain portions of the circumambient + air, are the regulating causes of the Trades, Monsoons, and, + indeed, of all the other winds by which we are driven about. It + is by no means an easy problem in meteorology to show how these + causes act in every case; and perhaps it is one which will never + be so fully solved as to admit of very popular enunciation + applicable to all climates. In the most important and useful + class of these aërial currents, called, <i>par + excellence</i>, and with so much picturesque truth, "the + Trade-winds," the explanation is not difficult. But before + entering on this curious and copious theme, I feel anxious to + carry our convoy fairly across the tropical regions; after which + an account of the Trades will be better understood.</p> + + <p>I have just mentioned that the changes of temperature, on a + voyage to India, are most remarkable. We set sail, for instance, + in the month of March, when it was bitterly cold in England; then + we came off the coast of Spain, where it was a little more + moderate; next to Madeira, which is always agreeable. Then we + passed the Canaries; after which we sailed over the tropic of + Cancer, and got well toasted in the torrid zone; steered down + upon the equinoctial line, passed the tropic of Capricorn, and + again became conscious of the weakened influence of the sun; + till, at length, off the Cape of Good Hope, we were once more + nipped with the cold. Anon, having rounded the south point of + Africa, we put our heads towards the line, and a second time, + within a few weeks, emerged from the depth of winter into the + height of summer.</p> + + <p>The proximate cause of all these vicissitudes was, of course, + our approach towards and removal from the direct influence of the + great source of light and heat. At one time, the sun, even at + noon, was seen creeping stealthily along, low down in the + horizon, at another his jolly countenance was blazing away right + overhead. On the 5th of May, when our latitude was 17-1/2° + N., the sun's declination was 16-1/4° N., his centre being + only one degree from our zenith: shadows we had none. On that day + we saw St. Antonio, the north-westernmost of the Cape de Verde + Islands, the summit of which is about seven thousand feet above + the sea.</p> + + <p>On the next day I well remember going on deck with a certain + flutter of spirits, to see, for the first time in my life, the + sun to the northward, and moving through the heavens from right + to left, instead of from left to right. No one doubts that the + earth is round; yet these conspicuous and actual proofs of its + rotundity always amuse the fancy, and frequently interest the + judgment, almost as much as if they were unexpected. The gradual + rise, night after night, of new stars and new constellations, + belongs to a still higher order of curiosity; for it not merely + places well-known objects in strange positions, but brings + totally new subjects of contemplation before our eyes, and leads + us to feel, perhaps more strongly than upon any other occasion, + the full gratification which novelty on the grandest scale is + capable of producing. I shall never forget the impatience with + which I have often watched the approach of darkness after a long + day's run to the south, knowing that, in a few moments, I was to + discover celestial phenomena heretofore concealed from my + view.</p> + + <p>After slanting through the north-east Trade-wind, we reached + that well-known but troublesome stage in the voyage, so difficult + to get over, called the Variables. This region has acquired its + title from the regular Trades not being found there, but in their + place unsteady breezes, long calms, heavy squalls, and sometimes + smart winds from the south and south-westward. These Variables, + which sorely perplex all mariners, even those of most experience, + while they drive young ones almost out of their senses, are not + less under the dominion of the causes which regulate those great + perennial breezes the Trades, blowing to the northward and + southward of them. Their laws, however, are not quite so readily + understood, and consequently are not so easily allowed for in the + practice of navigation.</p> + + <p>When we actually encounter, on the spot, and for the first + time, a crowd of new circumstances, of which, previously, we have + only known the names, or have merely heard them described by + others, we feel so much confused and bewildered, that we fly + eagerly to the nearest authority to help us out of the scrape. It + generally happens, in these cases, that the reference does not + prove very satisfactory, because the actual circumstances with + which we are engaged are rarely similar in all their bearings to + those with which we compare them; and when this is not the case, + the blindfold method of proceeding in the beaten path is very apt + to mislead.</p> + + <p>As an illustration of this kind of deception, it may be stated + that navigators, whose actual experience has not extended to the + tropical regions, are very apt, in poring over the voyages of + others, to acquire, insensibly, a very confident notion that each + of the great Trade-winds blowing on different sides of the Line + (the North-east and the South-east by name), are quite steady in + their direction; and that, in the equatorial interval which lies + between them, only calms and light winds are to be found. + Moreover, inexperienced persons generally believe this interval + to be equally divided by the equator, and that both the breadth + and the position of this calm region continue unchanged + throughout the whole year. Now, here are four important + mistakes,—important both in a scientific and in a practical + point of view. For, 1st, Not calms and squalls alone, but + occasionally fresh and steady winds, are found between the + Trades; 2ndly, The belt called the Variables is by no means + equally divided by the equator; neither, 3rdly, is that belt + stationary in its position; nor, 4thly, is it uniform in its + breadth. It will thence be easily understood, even by a person + who has never quitted one of the midland counties in England, and + to whom the ocean is an unseen wonder, that a new-comer to the + tropical regions, his head loaded with these false views, will be + very apt to mistake his own ignorance for the caprice of Nature, + and perhaps call out, as I once heard a man do, in all the agony + of impatience caused by a protracted head-wind,—"Now, this + is really scandalous usage of the clerk of the weather-office!" + The scandal, however, lay not so much with the clerk's usage as + with his own limited knowledge; for if, at the very time of his + imprecation, instead of abusing the foul wind, and keeping his + yards braced sharp up, and making his sails stand like a board, + the grumbler had known how to take advantage of it, and had kept + away two or three points, set his fore-topmast studding-sail, and + flanked across or through the breeze which he had in vain tried + to beat against, he might not only have saved his temper, but + have made his passage in half the time.</p> + + <p>I am not sure that, in the whole range of this extensive + subject, there could be picked out an instance more in point to + what has just been said, than these interesting phenomena of the + Trade-winds. To sailors of every age and rank, and especially to + naval officers, an acquaintance with the laws which regulate + these extraordinary aërial currents must be of great + importance. For a commander may be ordered, at a moment's + warning, either to carry his own ship, or to lead a squadron, or + to guard a convoy, from the northern to the southern hemisphere, + or perhaps from the West to the East Indies. If, however, he have + not previously made a tropical voyage or two, or have not studied + the subject in its genuine theoretical spirit, as well as in the + log-books of his predecessors, he may expect to find himself most + wofully embarrassed, both on entering and on leaving the + Trades.</p> + + <p>Independently of all such public objects concerned in these + inquiries, there appears to exist a very general interest in the + Trade-winds, sufficiently strong to engage the attention even of + unprofessional persons. These vast currents of air, which sweep + round and round the globe, in huge strips of more than twelve + hundred miles in width, are in a manner forced on every one's + notice, from contributing to that boundless interchange of the + productions of distant regions by which modern times are so + agreeably distinguished from the old.</p> + + <p>The great Monsoons, again, of the Indian and China oceans play + almost as important a part in this grand nautical drama along the + coasts of those remote countries. These great phenomena will be + found to obey precisely the same laws as their less fluctuating + brethren the mighty Trades; and hence springs one of the chief + delights of science when its study is conducted in a proper + spirit. If the pursuit of truth be engaged in with sincerity, + phenomena apparently the most opposite in character, for example, + winds in different parts of the earth, but in the same latitude, + blowing in totally different directions at the same season of the + year, will always prove in the end illustrative of one another, + and of their common theory.</p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> On the + renewal of their Charter, in 1833, the East India Company + ceased to be traders, and these noble ships no longer sail + under the Company's flag.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">THE TRADE + WINDS.</p> + + <p>There are few things more curious in the history of human + knowledge than the establishment of extensive errors as to + matters of fact, and the perverse tenacity with which they retain + their hold on the public mind. In some cases it would almost seem + that the pleasure which springs from genuine philosophical + inquiry is subordinate to that which arises from the indolent + process of taking things for granted. This applies peculiarly to + the phenomena of the Trade-winds, respecting which many erroneous + ideas are generally entertained. To professional men these + fallacies are calculated to prove extremely mischievous; while + even to persons not directly connected with the sea, the + existence of error may often be injurious: and, although it is + not very easy to explain these things in a popular way, I shall + attempt to give a description of the facts as they really + exist.</p> + + <p>The main characteristics may easily be described.</p> + + <p>The great belt of the earth's surface, nearly three thousand + miles in width, lying between the tropics (from 23-1/2° north + to 23-1/2° south latitude), is the chief region of the + Trade-winds; though in some parts of the world they extend to the + latitude of 28° both north and south of the equator; while at + other places well within the tropics, and even close to the line, + totally different winds prevail. It is only in the open parts of + the Pacific and Atlantic oceans that the true Trade-winds blow. + In the Indian and China seas, and in many other portions of the + great tropical belt, periodical winds, called Monsoons, are + found. These shifting Trades exact the closest study from the + practical navigator, in consequence of their extensive variety + and seeming complication. But they are not less deserving the + attention of merely curious inquirers, from the beautiful manner + in which these modifications of the regular breezes obey the same + general laws which direct the grand phenomena of the Trades. + Indeed, the most extensive observation serves only to link the + whole into one harmonious chain or series of explanations, + exhibiting the uniformity as well as the exquisite adaptability + of Nature, even in those departments called "inconstant," where + she is supposed to be most capricious.</p> + + <p>The only general assertion that can safely be made with + respect to the Trade-winds is, that they blow more or less from + the eastern half of the compass towards the western. On the north + side of the equator, the north-east Trade-winds blow; and on the + south side, the south-east Trade-winds. These two names have + undoubtedly contributed to mystify the subject by naturally + suggesting to the imagination currents of air blowing + respectively from the north-east and the south-east, or at an + angle of 45° with the meridian. And I have even seen sailors + (old sailors too) quite surprised, and rather provoked, when they + have encountered very different winds in those parts of their + voyage, where, being misled by the force of names alone, they had + taught themselves to expect a regular breeze from a particular + quarter. But, in point of fact, the Trade-winds do very seldom + blow directly from north-east and south-east; neither are they + uniform in their direction on the same spot at different seasons + of the year, nor is their strength uniform from month to month. I + may add, that the equatorial limits, or bounding lines, of the + trades, are not steadily confined to the same latitude. In short, + so far from these winds being perfectly fixed in direction, + force, and position, they are subject to very considerable + mutations, dependent on the position of the sun. Their vast + nautical value, in fact, as well as philosophical curiosity, + turns mainly on their uniformity, which, in spite of all the + fluctuations alluded to, gives them a very distinctive + character.</p> + + <p>Dr. Young and Hadley, the great authorities on the subject, + are both wrong in their conclusions.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id= + "FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class= + "fnanchor">[3]</a> Where Hadley obtains his "experience" he does + not tell; but certain it is, that no sailor who ever crossed the + equinoctial line could possibly have furnished him with two of + his principal statements. The Trades are not strongest near the + equator, as he states, nor when they reach that district do they + blow along it, or in a parallel direction, but almost always at + right angles to it.</p> + + <p>If the earth had no motion on its axis, but were surrounded as + at present with an atmosphere, and if the sun moved round and + round it exactly above the equator, without varying his + declination, the following effects would ensue: That portion of + the earth lying, say thirty degrees, on each side of the equator, + being more exposed to the action of the sun than those further + from it, would become much warmer; while the superincumbent air, + being greatly heated by the contact, would expand, or become + specifically lighter, and would consequently rise. The adjacent + air, both on the north and south, being cooler, and, of course, + heavier, would rush in to supply the place of the heated air. + This air coming from the regions beyond the tropics would, in its + turn, be heated, and rise on reaching the warmer equatorial + regions, giving place to a fresh supply, which, it is easy to + see, must be furnished by the descent of that portion of air + formerly heated at the equator, raised into the cold regions of + the sky, and forced into a regular circuit by fresh elevations of + heated air. All these and many other interesting results are + clearly developed in Daniell's Meteorological Essays, a book + which every one at all interested in such inquiries will find it + advantageous to study. The first edition of this work was + published in 1823, some years after these speculations had been + forced upon my notice by a long course of service between the + tropics.</p> + + <p>It will be understood, that, as long as we imagine the globe + at rest while this circulation is going on, the course of the + lower air along the surface would be directly towards the + equator, from due north in one hemisphere, and from due south in + the other; while in the upper regions the currents would follow + the opposite directions, and stream towards the poles. But the + instant we conceive the earth put into rotatory motion from west + to east, a change would take place in the course of these + aërial currents, both above and below. It must be + recollected that a volume of air, when once put in motion, will + move on, like any other body, by the mere force of its own + momentum, till that motion is destroyed by its friction against + the substances along or through which it is impelled. Any one who + has observed the ring of smoke sometimes projected from the mouth + of a cannon will be sensible that this is true.</p> + + <p>It may likewise be of use, before going further, to consider, + that, if the globe, instead of being unequally heated; were + equally heated at all parts, from pole to pole, and being + surrounded by an atmosphere, were then made to revolve on its + axis, it would carry the atmosphere round with it exactly at the + rate at which it was itself going. That portion of the air in + contact with the equator would move about 1000 miles in one hour, + while that in latitude 90° would be as motionless as the + poles themselves.</p> + + <p>From this it will be seen, that, while the equator moves at + the rate of 1000 miles an hour, the district about the latitude + 30° moves only 860, or 140 miles slower. The average whirling + velocity of the earth's easterly motion, in the space between the + equator and latitude 30°, may be stated at 950 miles an hour; + and that of the belt lying between 30° and 40°, at about + 800 miles.</p> + + <p>In the hypothetical case, above suggested, of the whole + surface being equally heated, and consequently the whole + atmosphere at the same temperature, there would be a universal + calm, whatever might be the rotatory motion impressed upon the + earth. If, however, we next suppose, what really is the case, + that the air over the tropical region is more heated than that + which is farther from the equator, this rarefied air will + instantly ascend, and occupy a place above the colder and denser + air, which will flow in from the belts lying beyond the + tropics.</p> + + <p>When the comparatively slow-moving air of the temperate zone, + lying beyond the tropics, first comes in contact with those + quicker-moving parts of the earth forming the tropical edges of + the torrid zone, the apparent motion of the air from the east, + caused by the relative difference of the rotatory velocity + between the air and earth, is great, compared to the other motion + of the air, caused by its being drawn directly towards the + equator, to supply the place of the heated portions raised into + the sky. Consequently, at the tropical borders of both Trades the + wind is found to blow very nearly from the east point.</p> + + <p>Since the cool air of the temperate and comparatively + slow-moving zones beyond the tropics is thus drawn towards the + equator, and comes successively in contact with parallels of + latitude moving faster and faster towards the east, there must be + gradually imparted to it, by the increased friction, a + considerable degree of the increased rotatory velocity belonging + to the low latitudes it has now reached; that is to say, there + will be less and less difference of velocity between the easterly + motion of this temperate air and the easterly motion of the + earth; and, consequently, the wind, as it approaches the equator, + will appear to blow less and less directly from the eastward. + But, while the earth's rotation within the tropics is thus acting + on the slower-moving air which has travelled to it from beyond + the tropics, with increased friction at every successive moment, + there has been no such powerful counteracting influence in + operation to diminish the meridional motion impressed on the air + in question; for, although in proceeding from the tropics towards + the equator, the wind might, at first sight, be supposed to have + its speed somewhat lessened by friction along the earth's + surface, the retardation due to this cause, if there be any at + all, must be inconsiderable, compared to that which affects the + motion caused by the difference in the rotatory velocity of the + earth at the different parallels. It must be recollected, also, + that there is a constant demand for fresh air from the north and + south, to occupy the place of the heated and rarefied air which + is raised up in the torrid zone; and this demand being pretty + equal, the motion it produces on the air in the direction of the + meridian must likewise be uniform.</p> + + <p>If it be admitted that all the easterly character of the + Trade-winds is due to the difference of velocity between the + rotation of the torrid zone of the earth from west to east, and + that of the air impressed only with the slower rotatory motion to + the east of the temperate zone, it will follow, that, if this + difference of velocities between the earth and the air in contact + with it be diminished or annihilated, the easterly character of + these winds will be diminished or annihilated likewise. At the + same time, there is no cause in operation, that I can discover, + to alter the direction of the meridional motion, as it may be + called, of the Trade-winds, or that by which they are impelled + directly towards the equator.</p> + + <p>At first starting from the temperate zone, on its voyage to + the equator, the cold air of that slow-moving region is impressed + with a rotatory velocity of only 800 miles per hour to the + eastward, but it soon comes over parts of the earth moving more + than 100 miles per hour faster to the eastward than itself. The + difference of velocity in the earth's rotation between latitudes + 30° and 20° is 74 miles an hour, while between 20° + and 10° it is only 45 miles, and in the next ten degrees the + difference in rate per hour is reduced to 15 miles.</p> + + <p>The velocity with which the air drawn from beyond the tropics + travels along the sea towards the equator is probably not above + twenty miles an hour, a rate slow enough to allow time for the + constantly-increasing friction of the earth's rotation to act + upon it, and draw it more and more entirely to the east. By the + time it has reached the equatorial regions, the friction of the + earth's surface has operated long enough to carry the air + completely along with it; and, of course, all relative motion + being done away with, everything easterly in the character of the + Trade-winds will be at an end.</p> + + <p>But, although this constantly-increasing friction of the + earth's rotation has thus annihilated all relative easterly + motion between the air and earth, that air still retains its + motion towards the equator; and accordingly we do find the + Trade-winds, at their equatorial limits, blowing, not from the + east, as Hadley, Dr. Young, and others, conceived, but directly + from the north and from the south respectively. The strength and + velocity of the Trades at these places is, in general, + considerably diminished, chiefly, perhaps, by the air becoming + heated, and rising up rather than flowing along; and also, no + doubt, by the meeting of the two opposite currents of + air—one from the north, the other from the + south—which produces the intermediate space called the + Calms, or the Variables.</p> + + <p>In strict conformity with these theoretical views, the clouds + above the Trades are almost invariably observed to proceed in the + contrary direction to the winds below. On the top of the Peak of + Teneriffe I found a gentle breeze blowing from the + south-westward, directly opposite to the course of the + Trade-wind.</p> + + <p>The more detailed circumstances usually met with in that part + of a voyage to India which lies between 30° north and 30° + south, and which I am about to describe, will now, I imagine, be + readily understood. Before setting out, however, I must strongly + recommend any one wishing to see these matters clearly, to have + them fixed in his mind to useful purpose, to follow both the + theoretical and the practical parts of this explanation with the + assistance of a terrestrial globe.</p> + + <p>Most ships touch at Madeira, either to take in a stock of + wine, to get fruit and vegetables, or to form a pleasant break in + the early and most disagreeable part of the voyage. Some ships + pass barely in sight of the high mountain which rises above the + town of Funchal, and satisfy themselves with taking sights for + verifying the rates of their chronometers when on the meridian of + the island; while others tantalise their passengers still more by + sweeping through the roads, without anchoring, or communicating + with the shore. The captains by such ships are pretty deeply, if + not very loudly, abused by all hands, passengers especially, who + are perhaps the most dissatisfied, because the most idle, of + mortals. Shortly after leaving Madeira, which is in 32-1/2° + north latitude, a ship may expect to meet the Trades; but she + cannot calculate with any certainty upon catching them till she + arrives at the parallel of 28°. On first reaching the + Trade-wind it will be found to blow very nearly from due east, + and with this a course is easily steered past or amongst the + Canaries, and thence for the Cape de Verdes. Some navigators pass + within this group, others keep so far out as barely to make San + Antonio; and this, I think, is considered the best route. As the + ship proceeds to the southward, the wind draws gradually round + from the east to north-east, and eventually to north-north-east, + and even to north, at the southern margin of the north-east + Trade-wind.</p> + + <p>The position of this margin or southern edge, which in + technical language is called the equatorial limit of the Trade, + varies considerably with the season of the year. From December to + May inclusive it frequently reaches as far as the 3rd degree of + north latitude, though it ranges about 5° and 6° north. + From June to November it is shifted back as far, sometimes, as + 13° north, but it seldom extends as far south as 8° + north. Subjects which are treated of in a series of tables + showing the equatorial limits of both Trade-winds, deduced by the + late Captain James Horsburgh, hydrographer of the East India + Company, from the observations of 238 ships. These tables show + very clearly the effect of the absence or presence of the sun in + shifting the limits of the Trades, drawing them after him, as it + were. The presence of the sun in either hemisphere obstructs + considerably the regularity and strength of the Trade-winds in + that hemisphere, and <i>vice versâ</i>.</p> + + <p>The great difficulty experienced in making the outward-bound + voyage commences after the ship has been deserted by the + north-east Trade, for she has then to fight her way to the + southward across the region of Calms and Variables. But as these + Variables blow generally from the southward and westward, from a + cause afterwards to be explained, it is obvious enough why this + part of the homeward voyage is always more easily made than the + outward passage. These southerly breezes, which are met with in + the Variables, blow at times with considerable force, and greatly + perplex the young navigator, who, trusting perhaps to some of the + erroneous published accounts, not unnaturally reckons upon + meeting the regular Trade-wind, blowing, as he supposes, from the + east near the equator, not from the south; still less is he + prepared or pleased to find it blowing from the + south-westward.</p> + + <p>This troublesome range, intervening between the two Trades, + varies in width from 150 to more than 500 miles. It is widest in + September, and narrowest in December or January. I now speak more + particularly of what happens in the Atlantic. In the wide + Pacific, far from land, fewer modifying circumstances interfere + with the regular course of the phenomena, than in the + comparatively narrow sea formed by the opposite shoulders of + Africa and South America.</p> + + <p>Calms, also, are met with in this intermediate region, or + purgatory of the outward-bound voyage, and occasionally violent + tornados or squalls, which in a moment tear away every rag of + canvas from a ship's yards. For several hours at a time, also, + rain falls down in absolute torrents. Even when the weather + clears up, and a fresh breeze comes, it is generally from the + southward, directly in the outward-bound navigator's teeth. He + must have patience, however, and strive to make the most of it by + keeping on that tack by which most southing is to be gained. It + is now, I believe, generally held to be the best practice to + place the ship between 18° and 23° of west longitude on + losing the north-east Trade; and likewise to endeavour, if + possible, to cross the equator somewhere between these two + longitudes. Before reaching the line, however, the navigator will + almost always be met by the south-east Trade-wind. From January + to May he may expect to meet it in 1° or 2° north + latitude; but in summer and autumn he will find the northern or + equatorial limit of the south-east Trade a degree or two still + further to the northwards of the lines.</p> + + <p>On first encountering the south-east Trade an outward-bound + ship is obliged to steer much more to the westward than she + wishes to do, in consequence of the wind blowing so directly + towards the equator, and not along it, as some of the books will + insist on, in spite of Nature. So that if she be a dull sailer + she may have some difficulty in weathering the coast of Brazil + about Cape St. Roque. As she proceeds onwards, however, and makes + a little more southing, the wind will haul more and more round + from the south to the south-east, then east-south-east, and + eventually to east at the southern limit of the Trade-wind. An + inexperienced sailor, on first entering the south-east Trade, is + very apt to be too solicitous about making southing, and hugs the + wind much too close; whereas he ought rather to keep his ship off + a little, give her a fathom or two of the fore and main sheets, + and take a small pull of the weather topsail and top-gallant + braces, to ensure making good way through the water. Indeed, many + officers go so far as to recommend flanking across the south-east + Trade with a fore-topmast studding-sail set. Although, I think, + there can be no doubt of the soundness of this advice, I confess + that it does require no inconsiderable degree of faith to adopt a + course, which, apparently, takes the ship not directly away from + her object, but very much out of the straight road. In this + respect, it may be remarked that the scale of navigation on every + Indian voyage is so great, and the importance of getting into + those parallels where favourable breezes are certain to be met + with, of so much more consequence than the gain of mere distance, + that two or three hundred miles to the right or left, or even + twice that space, is often not to be regarded. Accordingly, in + cutting or flanking across the south-east Trade-wind, the object, + it should be remembered, is not to shorten the distance, but to + reach those latitudes where strong westerly gales are to be met + with, by help of which five hundred or a thousand miles of lost + distance are speedily made up, and the rest of the passage + secured.</p> + + <p>In those regions lying beyond the southern tropic westerly + winds prevail during the greater part of the year, exactly as we + find on this side of the northern tropic. In the southern + hemisphere, and far from the land, the wind may be said to blow + from the westward almost as steadily as the Trades do from the + eastward. The great object, therefore, for an outward-bound ship + is to get far enough south to ensure this fair wind. Beyond the + latitude of 30°, and as far as 40°, this purpose will + generally be answered.</p> + + <p>We are sufficiently familiar in England with the fact of + westerly winds prevailing in the Atlantic. From a list of the + passages made by the New York sailing packets across the + Atlantic, during a period of six years, it is shown that the + average length of the voyage from Liverpool to America, that is, + towards the west, was forty days; while the average length of the + homeward passage, or that from west to east, was only + twenty-three days. And it may fix these facts more strongly in + the recollection, to mention that the passage-money from England + to America (in the days of sailing packets) was five guineas more + than that paid on the return voyage.</p> + + <p>This prevalence of westerly winds beyond the tropics is + readily explained by the same reasoning which has been applied to + the Trades blowing within them. The swift moving air of the + torrid zone, on being rarefied and raised up, flows along towards + the poles, and in a direction from the equator, above the cooler + and slower-moving air, which, as I have already described, is + drawn along the surface of the earth from the temperate regions + beyond the tropics. When the rarefied equatorial air has + travelled some thirty or forty degrees of latitude along the + upper regions of the atmosphere towards the poles it becomes + cooled, and is ready to descend again, between the latitudes of + 30° and 60°, to supply the place of the lower air, drawn + off towards the equator by the Trade-winds. But this + partially-cooled air falls on a part of the earth's surface which + is moving much more slowly towards the east, in its diurnal + rotation, than the air which has descended upon it, and which is + still impressed with a great proportion of its eastern velocity + due to the equatorial parallels of latitude, where it was heated + and raised up. The necessary consequence of this is, to produce a + rapid motion in the air from the west over the earth's surface; + and this, combined with the other motion of the same portion of + air, or that which has driven it from the equatorial regions, + produces this remarkable prevalence of south-westerly winds in + the northern hemisphere, and north-westerly winds in the southern + hemisphere, in those districts lying between the latitudes of + 30° and 60°.</p> + + <p>In all that has been said above it has been assumed that the + quickest-moving or equatorial belt of the earth is also the + hottest, and consequently that over which the air has the + greatest tendency to rise. But, although this is generally true, + it is not, by any means, universally so. The variations, however, + which are observed to occur in those places where the + circumstances form an exception to the general rule, tend + strongly to confirm the theory of Hadley. The monsoons of India, + as I shall presently show, are examples of this; but the most + striking instance with which I am personally acquainted occurs in + the Pacific Ocean, between the Bay of Panama and the Peninsula of + California, from latitude 8° to 22° north. If the huge + continent of Mexico were taken away, and only sea left in its + place, there can be no doubt but the ordinary phenomena of the + Trade-winds would be observable in that part of the Pacific above + mentioned. Cool air would then be drawn from the slow moving + parallels lying to the northward, towards the swift moving + latitudes, near the equator, in order to supply the place of the + rarefied air removed to the higher regions of the atmosphere, + and, of course, north-easterly breezes would be produced. But + when the sun comes over Mexico, that vast district of country is + made to act the part of an enormous heater, and becomes a far + more powerful cause of rarefaction to the superincumbent air than + the ocean which lies between it and the equator. Accordingly, the + air over Mexico, between the latitudes of 10° and 30°, is + more heated than that which lies over the sea between the line + and latitude 20°; and as the coolest, or least heated, that + is, the most dense fluid, always rushes towards the place lately + occupied by the hottest and most buoyant, the air from the + equator will be drawn towards the coast of Mexico, the great + local source of heat and rarefaction.</p> + + <p>But as this equatorial air is of course impressed with a more + rapid eastern velocity than those parts of the earth which form + the southern shores of Mexico, a westerly wind must be produced + by the relative difference in these two motions. At that + particular season of the year when the sun is in high southern + declination, Mexico is not exposed to his perpendicular rays. The + equatorial regions are then more heated than Mexico, and + accordingly we actually find north-easterly breezes nearly as + they would be if Mexico were out of the way, and quite in + accordance with our theory.</p> + + <p>In like manner, in the Atlantic, when the sun is far to the + north, the great deserts of the western angle, or shoulder of + Africa, become as vehemently heated, or more so, perhaps, than + Mexico, and this draws the air from the equator, so as to produce + the south-westerly winds I have already spoken of in the + troublesome range called the Variables.</p> + + <p>Finally, the great monsoons of the Indian ocean and China sea + contribute to establish this theory of Hadley, though I am not + aware that he ever brought it to bear on these very interesting + phenomena. They are eminently deserving of such notice, however, + from being periodical Trade-winds of the highest order of utility + in one of the busiest commercial regions of the world. Their + periodical or shifting character is the circumstance upon which + their extensive utility in a great measure depends, amongst + nations where the complicated science of navigation is but in a + rude state. Myriads of vessels sail from their homes during one + monsoon before the wind, or so nearly before it, that there is no + great skill required in reaching all the ports at which they wish + to touch; and when the wind shifts to the opposite quarter, they + steer back again, in like manner, with a flowing sheet. Thus, + with an exceedingly small portion of nautical skill, they + contrive to make their passages by means of what we blue-jackets + call "a soldier's wind, there and back again." It will sometimes + happen that these rude navigators miscalculate their time, or + meet with accidents to retard them till the period of change has + gone past, and then they have no resource but to wait for + half-a-year till the monsoon shifts.</p> + + <p>Experienced sailors, in like circumstances, acquainted with + the varieties of winds prevailing in those seas, would speedily + get their vessels out of this scrape, into which the lubberly + Chinese junks sometimes fall. They might, and certainly would, + lose time in making a roundabout of some two or three hundred + miles in searching for a wind; but, if they really knew what they + were about, they would be sure to catch it at last, and to turn + it to their purpose.</p> + + <p>From April to October, when the sun's rays fall with greatest + effect on Arabia, India, and China, and the several interjacent + seas to which these immense countries give their name, the air in + contact with them, becoming heated, rises, and gives place to + fresh supplies drawn from the equator. But this equatorial mass + of air has had imparted to it by the earth's rotation a greater + degree of velocity in the direction from west to east than + belongs to the countries and seas just mentioned; and this + additional velocity, combined with its motion from the equator, + in rushing to fill up the vacuum caused by the rarefaction of the + air over those regions intersected by the tropic, causes the + south-west monsoon. "This wind," says Horsburgh, "prevails from + April to October, between the equator and the tropic of Cancer, + and it reaches from the east coast of Africa to the coasts of + India, China, and the Philippine Islands; its influence extends + sometimes into the Pacific Ocean as far as the Marian Islands, on + to longitude about 145° east, and it reaches as far north as + the Japan Islands."</p> + + <p>The late Captain Horsburgh thus describes what takes place in + the winter months:—"The north-east monsoon," he says, + "prevails from October to May, throughout nearly the same space + that the south-west monsoon prevails in the opposite season + mentioned above. But the monsoons are subject to great + obstructions by land; and in contracted places, such as Malacca + Strait, they are changed into variable winds. Their limits are + not everywhere the same, nor do they always shift exactly at the + same period."</p> + + <p>During this last named period, when the north-east monsoon is + blowing, viz. from October to May, the sun is acting with its + greatest energy on the regions about the equator, and the seas + lying between it and the southern tropic, while the countries + formerly mentioned (Arabia, India, and China), lying under the + northern tropic, become comparatively cool. The air over these + regions becomes relatively more dense than the rarefied air near + the line; consequently the cool air rushes to the southward to + interchange places with that which has been heated; and as the + cool air comes from slower-moving to quicker-moving parallels of + latitude, that is, from the tropical to the equatorial regions, + the north-easterly monsoon is produced, very much resembling in + its effect, as it strictly does in its cause, the ordinary + trade-wind of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.</p> + + <p>This is a very general view of what may be called the great + monsoons of India; but there are many variations in different + places, all of which are so readily explained by the foregoing + theory, that they form by no means the least interesting branch + of the subject, or the least satisfactory of its + illustrations.</p> + + <p>One of the most extensive of these varieties, though of a less + general and sweeping character than those which blow in the + Arabian sea and bay of Bengal, is found in a very remote part of + the world. "From October to April this north-west monsoon + prevails between the north-east part of Madagascar and the west + coast of New Holland; and it is generally confined between the + equator and 10° or 11° south latitude, but subject to + irregularities." This westerly wind is evidently produced by the + air drawn actually from the equator towards the slower moving + latitudes of the earth, by the rarefaction of the air to the + southward when the sun is near the tropic of Capricorn. "The + south-east monsoon predominates from April to October in the + space last mentioned, and in some places reaches to the equator." + In this case, the slow moving air near the southern tropic is + brought, as in the ordinary case of the south-east Trade wind, to + the quick-moving parts of the earth's surface.</p> + + <p>The following remark of Horsburgh's, in describing the + monsoons, is extremely valuable, and assists to explain Hadley's + theory of these matters:—"The parts where the north-west + and the south-east monsoons prevail with greatest strength and + regularity are in the Java sea, and from thence eastward to + Timor, amongst the Molucca and Banda islands, and onward to New + Guinea;" for it will be obvious to any one who inspects the + globe, on reading this passage, that there occurs in the + neighbourhood of the spots alluded to a powerful cause for the + strength and regularity of the monsoons. The enormous island, or + continent, as it might almost be called, of Australia, may well + be supposed to act the part of a heater from October to April, + when the sun is so nearly over it. During that period the + equatorial air is drawn to the south, along the intermediate + seas, amongst the Moluccas and other Spice islands, so as to + produce a strong and steady north-westerly monsoon. Of course, + the opposite effect will be produced when the sun retreats to the + north, and leaves Australia to cool.</p> + + <p>These instances are quite enough, I should imagine, to satisfy + ordinary curiosity on this point; but professional men ought not + to be contented till they have investigated all branches of this + important topic; including that elegant and very useful episode, + the land and sea breezes of all hot climates, and Horsburgh's + East India Directory, which I have quoted above so frequently, is + by far the best authority with which I am acquainted on these + subjects. At the same time, I must not omit to do justice to a + beautifully-written and accurate Essay on Winds and Currents, by + that Prince of all Voyagers, Old Dampier; who, with means far + more circumscribed than most of his successors, has contrived to + arrange and condense his information in such a way as not only to + render it available to practical men, but to make it intelligible + and interesting to every class of readers.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" + id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class= + "fnanchor">[4]</a></p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> It is + necessary to note here that these questions have been + examined since Captain Hall wrote, by Commander Maury, late + secretary to the American navy, in the true analytical + spirit, and immense progress made in our knowledge of these + winds by the mass of practical observations on the subject + made by practical navigators, and published under his + directions.—ED.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> The + principle of "Great Circle Sailing," which now guides the + navigator to the Indian Ocean, must be studied in connection + with this chapter. "For every degree the ship changes her + longitude south of the Line she sails a shorter distance + along the great circle than on any other curve; for on the + parallel of 60° thirty miles corresponds to a distance of + sixty at the equator."—ROBERTSON'S <i>Theory of Great + Circle Sailing</i>: Bell and Daldy.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">PROGRESS OF + THE VOYAGE.</p> + + <p>Let people say what they please of the fine bracing weather of + a cold climate, I have never seen any truth-speaking persons who, + on coming fairly to the trial, did not complain of a cold frosty + morning as a very great nuisance, or who did not cling eagerly to + the fire to unbrace themselves again. For my own part, I have + always delighted in the relaxation caused by hot weather; and, + accordingly, I have very seldom, if ever, felt the weather + disagreeably warm, even in India, especially when sailing on the + open sea, or enjoying the free range of a wide country, under + awnings and bungaloes, or stretched in a palanquin, or shaded by + an umbrella on the back of an elephant. Soldiers and sailors, + whose duty exposes them at all hours, either on a march or in + boats, are often struck down by the heat, and sigh with all their + hearts for the bracing frosts of higher latitudes. But those who + have the means of bringing to bear on their comforts the + innumerable contrivances which the ingenuity of wealth has + devised in the East, indeed, make its climate not only bearable, + but one of the most enjoyable in the world.</p> + + <p>As we sailed along on our voyage to India, gradually slipping + down from the high to the low latitudes, the sun crept up higher + and higher every day towards the zenith, while the thermometer, + of course, rose likewise. What was most agreeable in this change + from cold to warmth was the little difference between the + temperature of the day and that of the night. As we approached + the equator, the thermometer fell only from 82° in the + day-time to 79° or 80° at night, which, on deck, was + delightful. We did not, of course, come to this high temperature + all at once; for on the 6th of May, the day after we passed + directly under the sun, the average of the twenty-four hours was + 73°, and at night 69° and 70°.</p> + + <p>It is not to be imagined that everyone was pleased with these + changes; for on board ship, as on shore, there exist discontented + spirits, whose acquired habit it is to find fault with the + existing state of things, be these what they may. To such + cantankerous folks a growl of misery would really seem to be the + great paradoxical happiness of their lives, and, in the absence + of real hardship, it is part of your thorough-bred growler to + prophesy. I have seen a middy of this stamp glad to find, on + coming below, that some insignificant portion of his dinner + really had been devoured by his hungry messmates, while he + himself was keeping his watch on deck.</p> + + <p>"I am used worse than a dog!" he would cry, secretly delighted + to have gained the luxury of a grievance, "I can't even get a + basin of pease-soup put by for me; it's an infernal shame, I'll + cut the service!"</p> + + <p>The diversity of climate on an Indian voyage furnishes capital + nuts for these perturbed spirits. It is first too cold, then too + hot; then there is not wind enough; then it blows too fresh in + the squalls: by-and-bye the nights are discovered to be + abominably close and sultry, and in the day the fierce flaming + downright heat of the sun is still worse; then the calms are + never to be over; or the lying trades, as they call them, have + got capsized, and blow from the west instead of the east! After + the line has been crossed, and the south-east wind is met with, + the weather soon becomes what these ingenious fellows call too + temperate, then it grows too cold again; and next off the Cape + the latitude is too stormy. In this alone they have some reason; + and I have often regretted that, by a royal ordinance of the King + of Portugal, the name of this mighty promontory was changed from + Cabo de Tormentos, the headland of storms, to its present spoony + title. In short, this grand voyage is merely a peristrephic + panorama of miseries, which if they survive, say they, it will be + happy for them.—Happy! Not a whit. It is out of their + nature to be happy. To find fault, to fling away the good the + gods provide them, and to aggravate the pain of every real wound + by the impatience of idle complaints, is their diseased joy. + "Evil, be thou my good!" they might well exclaim; for, instead of + heightening the pleasures of life by full participation, or + subduing its inevitable evils, or, at all events, softening their + asperity by enduring with fortitude and cheerfulness what cannot + be helped, these self-tormentors reject what is substantially + pleasing, and cling with habitual but morbid relish to whatever + is disagreeable.</p> + + <p>As we glided along, through the Trade-winds, towards the neck + of sea which divides Africa from South America, the symptoms of a + change in climate became daily more manifest. Every skylight and + stern window was thrown wide open, and every cabin scuttle driven + out, that a free draught of air might sweep through the ship all + night long. In the day-time, the pitch in the seams of the + upper-deck began to melt, and, by sticking to the soles of our + shoes, plastered the planks, to the great discomfiture of the + captain of the after-guard. The tar, oozing from the cordage + aloft, dropped on our heads, speckled the snow white boat covers, + and obliged us to spread the hammock-cloths, to prevent the + bedding being ruined by the spots. On the larboard or eastern + side of the ship, which, of course, is always presented to the + sun when crossing the Trades on the outward-bound voyage, the + pitch and rosin with which the seams had been payed ran down in + little streams across the lines of paint. To prevent, as far as + we could, some of these annoyances, we spread the awnings over + the decks, and triced up the curtains, fore and aft, while every + art was used to introduce air to all parts of the ship. The + half-ports were removed from the main-deck guns, the gratings put + on one side, and as many windsails sent down the hatchways as + could be made to catch a puff of air. Blue trousers and beaver + scrapers soon gave way before the elements, and were succeeded by + nankeens, straw hats, and canvas caps. In the captain's cabin, + where the presence of the governor, our passenger, still kept up + the strait-laced etiquette of the service, coats and epaulettes + appeared at dinner; but in the gun-room, the officers, the + instant they came below, slipped on their light white jackets, + and, disdaining waistcoat, seized their flutes and books, and + drew their chairs as near as possible to the mouth of the + windsail. In the midshipmen's berth, outside in the steerage, the + shirt without neckcloth or stock, and sometimes with its sleeves + rolled up to the elbows, was the most fashionable rig. The seamen + and marines, of course, dined on the main-deck, not only that + they might enjoy the fresh air breathing gently in upon them + through the ports on the weather side, and sweeping out again by + those to leeward, but that the lower deck might be kept as cool + and airy as possible against the sultry feverish night + season.</p> + + <p>On such occasions the men leave their tables and stools below, + and either seat themselves tailor-fashion, or recline + Roman-fashion. Nor is this in the least degree unpleasant; for + the deck of a man-of-war is made as clean every morning as any + table, and is kept so during the day by being swept at least once + an hour. Of all the tunes played by the boatswain's pipe, that + which calls the sweepers is the most frequently heard. When the + order is given for dining on deck, the different messes into + which the crew are divided occupy the spots immediately above + their usual mess-places below, as far as the guns allow of their + doing so. It has always struck me as very pleasing, to see the + main-deck covered, from the after hatchway to the cook's coppers, + with the people's messes, enjoying their noon-day repast; while + the celestial grog, with which their hard, dry, salt junk is + washed down, out-matches twenty-fold in Jack's estimation all the + thin potations of those who, in no very courteous language, are + called their betters.</p> + + <p>Until we had crossed the North-east Trade, and reached the + Calms, the ship's way through the water was too great to allow of + bathing alongside; but we easily contrived a shower-bath, which + answered very well. This consisted of a packing-box, the bottom + of which was perforated with holes, triced up between two of the + skids, near the gangway, and under the quarter of one of the + boats on the booms. A couple of the top-men with draw-buckets + supplied the water from above, while the bather stood on the + main-deck, enjoying the shower. The time selected for this + delightful bath was usually about four o'clock in the morning, + after the middle watch was out, and before the exhausted officer + tumbled into bed. A four hours' walk, indeed, in a sultry night, + be it managed ever so gently, has a tendency to produce a degree + of heat approaching to feverishness; and I have no words to + describe the luxury of standing under a cool shower when the long + task is ended. We were generally just enough fatigued to be sure + of a sound, light, happy sleep, and just enough heated to revel + in the coolest water that was to be had. In fact, we found that + of the sea much too warm, being only two or three degrees below + the temperature of the air. To remedy this, our plan was, to + expose a dozen buckets-full on the gangway at eight or nine + o'clock in the evening; and these, being allowed to stand till + morning, became so much cooler by the evaporation in the night, + that the shock was unspeakably grateful.</p> + + <p>Perhaps there is not any more characteristic evidence of our + being within the tropical regions than the company of those + picturesque little animals, the flying-fish. It is true, that a + stray one or two may sometimes be met with far north, making a + few short skips out of the water, and I even remember seeing + several close to the edge of the banks of Newfoundland, in + latitude 45°; but it is not until the voyager has fairly + reached the heart of the torrid zone that he sees the flying-fish + in perfection. I have hardly ever observed a person so dull or + unimaginative that his eye did not glisten as he watched a shoal + of flying-fish rise from the sea, and skim along for several + hundred yards. There is something in it so totally dissimilar to + everything else in other parts of the world, that our wonder goes + on increasing every time we see even a single one take its + flight. The incredulity of the old Scotch woman on this head is + sufficiently excusable. "You may hae seen rivers o' milk, and + mountains o' sugar," said she to her son, returned from a voyage; + "but you'll ne'er gar me believe you have seen a fish that could + flee!"</p> + + <p>The pleasant Trade, which had wafted us with different degrees + of velocity, over a distance of more than a thousand miles, at + last gradually failed. The sails began to flap gently against the + masts, so gently, indeed, that we half hoped it was caused, not + so much by the diminished force of the breeze, with which we wore + very unwilling to part, as by that long and peculiar swell + which,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span class="i9">"In the torrid clime<br /></span> <span>Dark + heaving,"<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>is productive of oscillating motion on the ship; but the faint + zephyrs, which had coquetted with our languid sails for an hour + or two, at length took their leave, first of the courses, then of + the topsails, and lastly of the royals and the smaller flying + kites aloft. In vain we looked round and round the horizon for + some traces of a return of our old friend the Trade, but could + distinguish nothing save one polished, dark-heaving sheet of + glass, reflecting the unbroken disc of the sun, and the bright + clear sky in the moving mirror beneath. From the heat, which soon + became intense, there was no escape, either on deck or below, + aloft in the tops, or still higher on the cross-trees; neither + could we find relief down in the hold; for it was all the same, + except that in the exposed situations we were scorched or + roasted, in the others suffocated. The useless helm was lashed + amidships, the yards were lowered on the cap, and the boats were + dropped into the water, to fill up the cracks and rents caused by + the fierce heat. The occasion was taken advantage of to shift + some of the sails, and to mend others; most of the running-ropes + also were turned end for end. A listless feeling stole over us + all, and we lay about the decks gasping for breath, seeking in + vain some alleviation to our thirst by drink! drink! drink! Alas, + the transient indulgence only made the matter worse!</p> + + <p>Meanwhile, our convoy of huge China ships, rolling very slowly + on the top of the long, smooth, and scarcely perceptible ridges, + or sinking as gently between their summits, were scattered in all + directions, with their heads in different ways, some looking + homeward again, and some, as if by instinct, keeping still for + the south. How it happens I do not know, but on occasions of + perfect calm, or such as appear to be perfectly calm, the ships + of a fleet generally drift away from one another; so that, at the + end of a few hours, the whole circle bounded by the horizon is + speckled over with these unmanageable hulks, as they may for the + time be considered. It will occasionally happen, indeed, that two + ships draw so near in a calm as to incur some risk of falling on + board one another. I need scarcely mention, that, even in the + smoothest water ever found in the open sea, two large ships + coming into actual contact must prove a formidable encounter. As + long as they are apart their gentle and rather graceful movements + are fit subjects of admiration; and I have often seen people + gazing, for an hour at a time, at the ships of a becalmed fleet, + slowly twisting round, changing their position, and rolling from + side to side, as silently as if they had been in harbour, or + accompanied only by the faint, rippling sound tripping along the + water-line, as the copper below the bends alternately sunk into + the sea, or rose out of it, dripping wet, and shining as bright + and clean as a new coin, from the constant friction of the ocean + during the previous rapid passage across the Trade-winds.</p> + + <p>But all this picturesque admiration changes to alarm when + ships come so close as to risk a contact; for these motions, + which appear so slow and gentle to the eye, are irresistible in + their force; and as the chances are against the two vessels + moving exactly in the same direction at the same moment, they + must speedily grind or tear one another to pieces. Supposing them + to come in contact side by side, the first roll would probably + tear away the fore and main channels of both ships; the next + roll, by interlacing the lower yards, and entangling the spars of + one ship with the shrouds and backstays of the other, would in + all likelihood bring down all three masts of both ships, not + piecemeal, as the poet hath it, but in one furious crash. Beneath + the ruins of the spars, the coils of rigging, and the enormous + folds of canvas, might lie crushed many of the best hands, who, + from being always the foremost to spring forward in such seasons + of danger, are surest to be sacrificed. After this first + catastrophe, the ships would probably drift away from one another + for a little while, only to tumble together again and again, till + they had ground one another to the water's edge, and one or both + of them would fill and go down. In such encounters it is + impossible to stop the mischief, and oak and iron break, and + crumble in pieces, like sealing-wax and pie-crust. Many instances + of such accidents are on record, but I never witnessed one.</p> + + <p>To prevent these frightful <i>rencontres</i> care is always + taken to hoist out the boats in good time, if need be, to tow the + ships apart, or, what is generally sufficient, to tow the ships' + heads in opposite directions. I scarcely know why this should + have the effect, but certainly it appears that, be the calm ever + so complete, or dead, as the term is, a vessel generally forges + ahead, or steals along imperceptibly in the direction she is + looking to; possibly from the conformation of the hull.</p> + + <p>Shortly after the Trade-wind left us, a cloud rose in the + south, which soon filled the whole air, and discharged upon us + the most furious shower I ever beheld. The rain fell down in + perpendicular lines of drops, or spouts, without a breath of + wind, unaccompanied by thunder or any other noise, and in one + great gush or splash, as if some prodigious reservoir had been + upset over the fleet from the edge of the cloud.</p> + + <p>Our noble commander, delighted with the opportunity of + replenishing his stock of water, called out, "Put shot on each + side, and slack all the stops down, so that the awnings may slope + inwards. Get buckets and empty casks to hand instantly!"</p> + + <p>In a few minutes the awnings were half full of water, and a + hole connected with a hose having been prepared beforehand near + the lowest point, where the canvas was weighed down by the shot, + a stream descended as if a cock had been turned. Not a drop of + this was lost; but being carried off, it was poured into a + starting-tub at the hatchway, and so conveyed by a pipe to the + casks in the hold. By the time the squall was over we had filled + six or eight butts; and although not good to drink, from being + contaminated by the tar from the ropes and sails, the water + answered admirably for washing, which was our object in catching + it.</p> + + <p>Ever since the days of Captain Cook it has been the practice + to allow the crew two washing days per week, on the details of + which proceeding we all know the misery of putting on wet + clothes, or sleeping in damp sheets. Now, a shirt washed in salt + water is really a great deal worse than either; putting on linen + washed in salt water, you first dry your unhappy shirt by + exposing it to the sun or the fire till it seems as free from + moisture as any bone; you then put it on, in hopes of enjoying + the benefit of clean linen. Alas, not a whit of enjoyment + follows! For if the air be in a humid state, or you are exposed + to exercise, the treacherous salt, which, when crystallised, has + hidden itself in the fibres of the cloth, speedily melts, and you + have all the tortures of being once more wrapped in moist + drapery. In your agony, you pull it off, run to the galley-range, + and toast it over again; or you hang it up in the fiery heat of + the southern sun, and when not a particle of wet seems to remain, + you draw it on a second time, fancying your job at last complete. + But, miserable man that you are! the insidious enemy still lurks + there, and no art we yet know of will expel him, save and except + that of a good sound rinsing in fresh water.</p> + + <p>I need scarcely add, then, that there are few favours of the + minor kind which a considerate captain may bestow on his crew + more appreciated than giving them as much fresh water as will + serve to carry off the abominable salt from their clothes, after + they have first been well scoured in the water of the ocean; it + is a great comfort, and an officer of any activity, by a + judicious management of the ship's regular stock, and, above all, + by losing no opportunity of catching rain water, need seldom be + without the means of giving to each man of his crew a gallon + twice a-week during the longest voyage.</p> + + <p>It was from an old and excellent officer I first learned, + that, by proper and constant care, this indulgence might almost + always be granted. It is not easy, I freely admit, at all times, + and in all climates, to keep a supply Of washing-water on board. + But a captain ought to do what is right and kind, simply because + it is right and kind, regardless of trouble; and his conduct in + this respect should not be uninfluenced by the manner in which it + is received; at all events, he may be certain that if his favours + be not well received, the fault lies in his manner of giving + them. Sailors have the most acute penetration possible on these + occasions; and if the captain be actuated by any wish except that + of doing his duty uniformly and kindly, the Johnnies will see + through it all, and either laugh at him or hate him.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER + VIII.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">AQUATIC + SPORTS.</p> + + <p>One day, after we had lost the north-east Trade wind, a + furious squall, unperceived till it reached us, swept through the + fleet. These violent tornadoes are generally called white + squalls, from being unattended by those black heavy rain clouds. + On the occasion of ordinary squalls, even with the advantage of + the warning given by rising clouds, it is not always easy to + escape their force unhurt. If the wind be fair, a natural + reluctance is felt to shorten sail, at all events, until the + squall is so near that there is an absolute necessity for doing + so, and inexperienced officers are often deceived by the + unexpected velocity with which the gust comes down upon them. + Even the oldest sailors are apt to miscalculate the time likely + to elapse before the wind can touch them. In these cases, unless + the men be very active, the sails are torn, and sometimes a mast + or a yard is carried away. It is, besides, often doubtful whether + there is wind or merely a plump of rain in the squall; there are, + therefore, few points of distinction more remarkable between the + seamanship of an old and a young officer, than their power of + judging of this matter. To a man quite inexperienced, a squall + may look in the highest degree threatening; he will order the + top-gallant clew-lines to be manned, place hands by the topsail + haulyards, and lay along the main clew-garnets. His more + experienced captain, however, being apprised of the squall's + approach, steps on deck, takes a hasty look to windward, and says + quietly to the officer of the watch, "Never mind, there's nothing + in it, it's only rain; keep the sails on her."</p> + + <p>But although the older authority nine times in ten proves + correct in his judgment, even he might find it difficult, if not + impossible, to tell exactly upon what his confidence rested. + Sailors boast, indeed, of having an infallible test by which the + point in question may be ascertained, their secret being clothed + in the following rhymes so to call them:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"If the rain's before the wind,<br /></span> <span>'Tis + time to take the topsails in;<br /></span> <span>If the + wind's before the rain,<br /></span> <span>Hoist your + topsails up again."<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>The practical knowledge alluded to, however, comes not by + rhymes, but by experience alone, with a kind of intuitive + confidence. Many long and hard years of study, and myriads of + forgotten trials must have been gone through to give this + enviable knowledge.</p> + + <p>No experience, however, can altogether guard against these + sudden gusts or white squalls, since they make no show, except, + sometimes, by a rippling of the water along which they are + sweeping. On the occasion above alluded to there was not even + this faint warning. The first ships of the convoy touched by the + blast were laid over almost on their beam-ends, but in the next + instant righted again, on the whole of their sails being blown + clean out of the bolt-ropes. The Theban frigate and the Volage, + then lying nearly in the centre of the fleet, were the only ships + which saved an inch of canvas, owing chiefly to our having so + many more hands on board, but partly to our having caught sight + of the ruin brought on the vessels near us, just in time to let + fly the sheets and haulyards and get the yards down. But even + then, with the utmost exertion of every man and boy on board, we + barely succeeded in clewing all up.</p> + + <p>When this hurricane of a moment had passed, and we had time to + look round, not a rag was to be seen in the whole fleet; while + the Wexford, a ship near us, had lost her three top-gallant masts + and jib-boom, and, what was a much more serious misfortune, her + fore-topmast was dangling over the bows. Part of the fore-topsail + was wrapped like a shawl round the lee cat-head, while the rest + hung down in festoons from the collar of the fore-stay to the + spritsail yard-arm. A stout party of seamen from each of the + men-of-war were sent to assist in clearing the wreck, and getting + up fresh spars; and a light fair wind having succeeded to the + calm in which we had been lolling about for many days, we took + our wounded bird in tow, and made all sail towards the equator. + By this time, also, the China ships had bent a new set of sails, + and were resuming their old stations in the appointed order of + bearing, which it was our policy to keep up strictly, together + with as many other of the formalities of a fleet in line of + battle and on a cruise as we could possibly maintain.</p> + + <p>While we were thus stealing along pleasantly enough under the + genial influence of this newly-found air, which as yet was + confined to the upper sails, and every one was looking + open-mouthed to the eastward to catch a gulp of cool air, or was + congratulating his neighbour on getting rid of the tiresome calm + in which we had been so long half-roasted, half-suffocated, about + a dozen flying-fish rose out of the water, just under the + fore-chains, and skimmed away to windward at the height of ten or + twelve feet above the surface. But sometimes the flying-fish + merely skims the surface, so as to touch the tops of the + successive waves, without rising and falling to follow the + undulations of the sea; that they also rise as high as twenty + feet out of the water is certain, being sometimes found in the + channels of a line-of-battle ship; and they frequently fly into a + 74 gun-ship's main-deck ports. On a frigate's forecastle and + gangways, also elevations which may be taken at eighteen or + twenty feet, they are often found. I remember seeing one, about + nine inches in length, and weighing not less, I should suppose, + than half-a-pound, skim into the Volage's main-deck port just + abreast of the gangway. One of the main-topmen was coming up the + quarter-deck ladder at the moment, when the flying-fish, entering + the port, struck the astonished mariner on the temple, knocked + him off the step, and very nearly laid him sprawling.</p> + + <p>I was once in a prize, a low Spanish schooner, not above two + feet and a-half out of the water, when we used to pick up + flying-fish enough about the decks in the morning to give us a + capital breakfast. They are not unlike whitings to the taste, + though rather firmer, and very dry. They form, I am told, a + considerable article of food for the negroes in the harbours of + the West Indies. The method of catching them at night is thus + described:—In the middle of the canoe a light is placed on + the top of a pole, towards which object it is believed these fish + always dart, while on both sides of the canoe a net is spread to + a considerable distance, supported by out-riggers above the + surface of the water; the fish dash at the light, pass it, and + fall into the net on the other side.</p> + + <p>Shortly after observing the cluster of flying-fish rise out of + the water, we discovered two or three dolphins ranging past the + ship, in all their beauty, and watched with some anxiety to see + one of those aquatic chases of which our friends of the Indiamen + had been telling us such wonderful stories. We had not long to + wait; for the ship, in her progress through the water, soon put + up another shoal of these little things, which, as the others had + done, took their flight directly to windward. A large dolphin, + which had been keeping company with us abreast of the weather + gangway at the depth of two or three fathoms, and, as usual, + glistening most beautifully in the sun, no sooner detected our + poor dear little friends take wing, than he turned his head + towards them, and, darting to the surface, leaped from the water + with a velocity little short, as it seemed, of a cannon-ball. But + although the impetus with which he shot himself into the air gave + him an initial velocity greatly exceeding that of the + flying-fish, the start which his fated prey had got enabled them + to keep ahead of him for a considerable time.</p> + + <p>The length of the dolphin's first spring could not be less + than ten yards; and after he fell we could see him gliding like + lightning through the water for a moment, when he again rose, and + shot forwards with considerably greater velocity than at first, + and, of course, to a still greater distance. In this manner the + merciless pursuer seemed to stride along the sea with fearful + rapidity, while his brilliant coat sparkled and flashed in the + sun quite splendidly. As he fell headlong on the water at the end + of each huge leap, a series of circles were sent far over the + still surface, which lay as smooth as a mirror; for the breeze, + although enough to keep the royals and top-gallant studding sails + extended, was hardly as yet felt below.</p> + + <p>The group of wretched flying-fish, thus hotly pursued, at + length dropped into the sea; but we were rejoiced to observe that + they merely touched the top of the swell, and scarcely sunk in + it, at least they instantly set off again in a fresh and even + more vigorous flight. It was particularly interesting to observe + that the direction they now took was quite different from the one + in which they had set out, implying but too obviously that they + had detected their fierce enemy, who was following them with + giant steps along the waves, and now gaining rapidly upon them. + His terrific pace, indeed, was two or three times as swift as + theirs, poor little things! and the greedy dolphin was fully as + quick-sighted as the flying-fish which were trying to elude him; + for whenever they varied their flight in the smallest degree, he + lost not the tenth part of a second in shaping a new course, so + as to cut off the chase; while they, in a manner really not + unlike that of the hare, doubled more than once upon their + pursuer. But it was soon too plainly to be seen that the strength + and confidence of the flying-fish were fast ebbing. Their flights + became shorter and shorter, and their course more fluttering and + uncertain, while the enormous leaps of the dolphin appeared to + grow only more vigorous at each bound. Eventually, indeed, we + could see, or fancied we could see, that this skilful sea + sportsman arranged all his springs with such an assurance of + success, that he contrived to fall, at the end of each, just + under the very spot on which the exhausted flying-fish were about + to drop! Sometimes this catastrophe took place at too great a + distance for us to see from the deck exactly what happened; but + on our mounting high into the rigging, we may be said to have + been in at the death; for then we could discover that the + unfortunate little creatures, one after another, either popped + right into the dolphin's jaws as they lighted on the water, or + were snapped up instantly afterwards.</p> + + <p>It was impossible not to take an active part with our pretty + little friends of the weaker side, and accordingly we very + speedily had our revenge. The middies and the sailors, delighted + with the chance, rigged out a dozen or twenty lines from the + jib-boom end, and spritsail yard-arms, with hooks baited merely + with bits of tin, the glitter of which resembles so much that of + the body and wings of the flying-fish, that many a proud dolphin, + making sure of a delicious morsel, leaped in rapture at the + deceitful prize.</p> + + <p>It may be well to mention that the dolphin of sailors is not + the fish so called by the ancient poets. Ours, which I learn from + the Encyclopædia, is the <i>Coryphoena hippurus</i> of + naturalists, is totally different from their <i>Delphinus + phocoena</i>, termed by us the porpoise, respecting which there + exists a popular belief amongst seamen that the wind may be + expected from the quarter to which a shoal of porpoises are + observed to steer. So far, however, from our respecting the + speculations of these submarine philosophers, every art is used + to drag them out of their native element, and to pass them + through the fire to the insatiable Molochs of the lower decks and + cockpits of his Majesty's ships, a race amongst whom the constant + supply of the best provisions appears to produce only an increase + of appetite.</p> + + <p>One harpoon, at least, is always kept in readiness for action + in the fore part of the ship. The sharpest and strongest of these + deadly weapons is generally stopped or fastened to the fore-tack + bumpkin, a spar some ten or twelve feet long, projecting from the + bows of a ship on each side like the horns of a snail, to which + the tack or lower corner of the foresail is drawn down when the + ship is on a wind. This spar, which affords good footing, not + being raised many feet above the water, while it is clear of the + bow, and very nearly over the spot where the porpoises glide + past, when shooting across the ship's forefoot, is eagerly + occupied by the most active and expert harpooner on board, as + soon as the report has been spread that a shoal, or, as the + sailors call it, a "school" of porpoises, are round the ship. + There is another favourite station which is speedily filled on + these occasions; I mean, alongside of the slight-looking + apparatus projecting perpendicularly downwards from the end of + the bowsprit. This spar is not inaptly called the + dolphin-striker, from its appearing to dash into the waves as the + ship pitches; perhaps it may have acquired its name on account of + its being so capital a position from which to strike that fish. + The lower end of the spar is connected with the outer end of the + jib-boom, by means of a stout rope, which, after passing through + its extremity, extends to the ship; and it is upon this guy that + the fortunate wielder of the harpoon fixes himself. The harpoon + is a triangular, or rather a heart-shaped barbed weapon, somewhat + larger than a man's head, and in the centre about as thick as his + knuckles. Its point and edges are made of iron so soft that they + can easily be brought to a rough edge by means of a file. This + javelin-head, or, as it is technically called by whalers, the + "mouth," is connected by a slender arm or shank, terminating in a + socket. The barbed head or mouth is eight inches long, and six + broad; the shank, with its socket, two feet and a-half long. The + shank is not quite half an inch in diameter; and as this part is + liable to be forcibly extended, twisted, and bent, it requires to + be made of the toughest and most pliable iron.</p> + + <p>A piece of small, but stout line, called, I think, the + foreganger, is spliced securely to the shank of the harpoon. To + the end of this line is attached any small rope that lies + handiest on the forecastle, probably the top-gallant clew-line, + or the jib down-haul. The rope, before being made fast to the + foreganger, is rove through a block attached to some part of the + bowsprit, or to the foremost swifter of the fore-rigging; a gang + of hands are always ready to take hold of the end, and run the + fish right out of the water when pierced by the iron.</p> + + <p>The harpooner has nothing to attend to but the mere act of + striking his object; and there are few exploits in which the + dexterity of one person is more conspicuous over that of another + than in delivering the harpoon. I have heard Captain Scoresby + say, that, when a whale is struck, it is an object of importance + to drive the weapon socket-deep into the blubber, or outer rind, + of the floating monster; but in the case of the porpoise the true + point of skill appears to lie in the aim alone: for the mere + weight of the instrument, with its loaded staff, is sufficient to + lodge the barbs in the body of the fish, and in many cases to + carry it right through to the other side.</p> + + <p>The strength of the porpoise must be very great, for I have + seen him twist a whale harpoon several times round, and + eventually tear himself off by main force. On this account, it is + of consequence to get the floundering gentleman on board with the + least possible delay after the fish is struck. Accordingly, the + harpooner, the instant he has made a good hit, bawls out, "Haul + away! haul away!" upon which the men stationed at the line run + away with it, and the struggling wretch is raised high into the + air. Two or three of the smartest hands have in the mean time + prepared what is called a running bowline knot, or noose, the + nature of which may be readily described by saying that although + it slips up, or renders, very easily, it is perfectly secure, + without being subject to jamming. This running bowline, of which + several are always previously made ready, is placed by hand round + the body of the porpoise, or it may be cast, like the lasso, over + its tail, and then, but not till then, can the capture be + considered quite secure. I have seen many a gallant prize of this + kind fairly transfixed with the harpoon, and rattled like a shot + up to the block, where it was hailed by the shouts of the victors + as the source of a certain feast, and yet lost after all, either + by the line breaking, or the dart coming out during the vehement + struggles of the fish.</p> + + <p>I remember once seeing a porpoise accidentally struck by a + minor description of fish-spear called a grains, a weapon quite + inadequate for such a service. The cord by which it was held, + being much too weak, soon broke, and off dashed the wounded fish, + right in the wind's eye, at a prodigious rate, with the staff + erect on its back, like a signal-post. The poor wretch was + instantly accompanied, or pursued, by myriads of his own species, + whose instinct, it is said, teaches them to follow any track of + blood, and even to devour their unfortunate fellow-fish. I rather + doubt the fact of their cannibalism, but am certain that, + whenever a porpoise is struck and escapes, he is followed by all + the others, and the ship is deserted by the shoal in a few + seconds. In the instance just mentioned, the grains with which + the porpoise was struck had been got ready for spearing a + dolphin; but the man in whose hands it happened to be, not being + an experienced harpooneer, could not resist the opportunity of + darting his weapon into the first fish that offered a fair + mark.</p> + + <p>The dolphin, the bonito, and the albacore, are sometimes + caught with the grains, but generally by means of lines baited + either with bits of tin, or with pieces of the flying-fish, when + any are to be had. In fine weather, especially between the + tropics, when the whole surface of the sea is often covered with + them, a dozen lines are hung from the jib-boom end and spritsail + yard, all so arranged, that when the ship sends forward, the + hook, with its glittering bait, barely touches the water, but + rises from it when the ship is raised up by the swell. The + grains, spoken of above, resembles nothing so much that I know of + as the trident which painters thrust into the hands of Daddy + Neptune. If my nautical recollections, however, serve me + correctly, this spear has five prongs, not three, and sometimes + there are two sets, placed in lines at right angles to one + another. The upper end of the staff being loaded with lead, it + falls down and turns over the fish, which is then drawn on board + on the top of the grains, as a potato or a herring might be + presented on the point of a fork.</p> + + <p>The dolphin is eaten and generally relished by every one, + though certainly a plaguy dry fish. It is often cut into slices + and fried like salmon, or boiled and soused in vinegar, to be + eaten cold. The bonito is a coarser fish, and only becomes + tolerable eating by the copious use of port-wine.</p> + + <p>It happened in a ship I commanded that a porpoise was struck + about half-an-hour before the cabin dinner; and I gave + directions, as a matter of course, to my steward to dress a dish + of steaks, cut well clear of the thick coating of blubber. It so + chanced that none of the crew had ever before seen a fish of this + kind taken, and in consequence there arose doubts amongst them + whether or not it was good, or even safe eating. The word, + however, being soon passed along the decks that orders had been + given for some slices of the porpoise to be cooked for the + captain's table, a deputation from forward was appointed to + proceed as near to the cabin door as the etiquette of the service + allowed, in order to establish the important fact of the porpoise + being eatable. The dish was carried in, its contents speedily + discussed, and a fresh supply having been sent for, the steward + was, of course, intercepted in his way to the cook. "I say, + Capewell," cried one of the hungry delegates, "did the captain + really eat any of the porpoise?"</p> + + <p>"Eat it!" exclaimed the steward, "look at that!" at the same + time lifting off the cover, and showing a dish as well cleared as + if it had previously been freighted with veal cutlets, and was + now on its return from the midshipmen's berth.</p> + + <p>"Ho! ho!" sung out Jack, running back to the forecastle; "if + the skipper eats porpoise, I don't see why we should be nice; so + here goes!" Then pulling forth the great clasp-knife which always + hangs by a cord round the neck of a seaman, he plunged it into + the sides of the fish, and, after separating the outside rind of + blubber, detached half-a-dozen pounds of the red meat, which, in + texture and taste, and in the heat of its blood, resembles beef, + though very coarse. His example was so speedily followed by the + rest of the ship's company, that when I walked forward, after + dinner, in company with the doctor, to take the post-mortem view + of the porpoise more critically than before, we found the whole + had been broiled and eaten within half-an-hour after I had + unconsciously given, by my example, an official sanction to the + feast.</p> + + <p>On the 24th of May, the day before crossing the equator, I saw + the grandest display of all these different kinds of fish which + it has ever been my fortune to meet with. In my journal, written + on that day, I find some things related of which I have scarcely + any recollection, and certainly have never witnessed since. A + bonito, it appears, darted out of the water after a flying-fish, + open-mouthed, and so true was the direction of his leap that he + actually closed with the chase in the air, and sought to snap it + up; but, owing to some error in his calculation, the top of his + head striking the object of pursuit, sent it spinning off in a + direction quite different from that which his own momentum + obliged him to follow. A number of those huge birds, the + albatrosses, were soaring over the face of the waters, and the + flying-fish, when rising into the air to avoid the dolphins and + bonitos, were frequently caught by these poaching birds, to the + very reasonable disappointment of the sporting fish below. These + intruders proceeded not altogether with impunity, however; for we + hooked several of them, who, confident in their own sagacity and + strength of wing, swooped eagerly at the baited hooks towed far + astern of the ship, and were thus drawn on board, screaming and + flapping their wings in a very ridiculous plight. To render this + curious circle of mutual destruction quite complete, though it + may diminish our sympathy for the persecuted flying-fish, I ought + to mention that on the same day one dropped on board in the + middle of its flight, and in its throat another small fish was + found half swallowed, but still alive!</p> + + <p>All this may be considered, more or less, as mere sport; but + in the capture of the shark, a less amiable, or, I may say, a + more ferocious spirit is sure to prevail. There would seem, + indeed, to be a sort of perpetual and hereditary war waged + between sailors and sharks, like that said to exist between the + Esquimaux and the Indians of North America, where, as each of the + belligerents is under the full belief that every death, whether + natural or violent, is caused by the machinations of the other + side, there is no hope of peace between them, as long as the high + conflicting parties shall be subject to the laws of + mortality.</p> + + <p>In like manner, I fear, that in all future times, as in all + times past, when poor Jack falls overboard in Madras roads, or in + Port Royal harbour, he will be crunched between the shark's + quadruple or quintuple rows of serrated teeth, with as merciless + a spirit of enjoyment as Jack himself can display. Certainly, I + nave never seen the savage part of our nature peep out more + clearly than upon these occasions, when a whole ship's company, + captain, officers, and young gentlemen inclusive, shout in + triumphant exultation over the body of a captive shark, + floundering in impotent rage on the poop or forecastle. The + capture always affords high and peculiar sport, for it is one in + which every person on board sympathises, and, to a certain + extent, takes a share. Like a fox-chase, it is ever new, and + draws within its vortex every description of person. Even the + monkey, if there be one on board, takes a vehement interest in + the whole progress of this wild scene. I remember once observing + Jacko running backwards and forwards along the after-part of the + poop hammock-netting, grinning, screaming, and chattering at such + a rate, that, as it was nearly calm, he was heard all over the + decks.</p> + + <p>"What's the matter with you, Master Mona?" said the + quarter-master; for the animal came from Teneriffe, and preserved + his Spanish cognomen. Jacko replied not, but merely stretching + his head over the railing, stared with his eyes almost bursting + from his head, and by the intensity of his grin bared his teeth + and gums nearly from ear to ear.</p> + + <p>The sharp curved dorsal fin of a huge shark was now seen, + rising about six inches above the water, and cutting the glazed + surface of the sea by as fine a line as if a sickle had been + drawn along.</p> + + <p>"Messenger! run to the cook for a piece of pork," cried the + captain, taking command with as much glee as if it had been an + enemy's cruiser.</p> + + <p>"Where's your hook, quarter-master?"</p> + + <p>"Here, sir, here!" cried the fellow, feeling the point, and + declaring it as sharp as any lady's needle, and in the next + instant piercing with it a huge junk of rusty pork, weighing four + or five pounds; for nothing, scarcely, is too large or too high + in flavour for the stomach of a shark.</p> + + <p>The hook, which is as thick as one's little finger, has a + curvature about as large as that of a man's hand when half + closed, and is from six to eight inches in length, with a + formidable barb. This fierce-looking grappling-iron is furnished + with three or four feet of chain, a precaution which is + absolutely necessary; for a voracious shark will sometimes gobble + the bait so deep into his stomach, that he would snap through the + rope as easily as if he were nipping the head off an + asparagus.</p> + + <p>A good strong line, generally the end of the + mizen-topsail-haulyards, being made fast to the chain, the bait + is cast into the ship's wake; for it is very seldom so dead a + calm that a vessel has not some small motion through the water. I + think I have remarked that at sea the sharks are most apt to make + their appearance when the ship is going along at a rate of + somewhat less than a mile an hour, a speed which barely brings + her under command of the rudder, or gives her what is technically + called steerage-way.</p> + + <p>A shark, like a midshipman, is generally very hungry; but in + the rare cases when he is not in good appetite he sails slowly up + to the bait, smells at it, and gives it a poke with his + shovel-nose, turning it over and over. He then edges off to the + right or left, as if he apprehended mischief, but soon returns + again, to enjoy the delicious <i>haut goût</i> of the + damaged pork, of which a piece is always selected, if it can be + found.</p> + + <p>While this coquetry or shyness is exhibited by John Shark, the + whole after-part of the ship is so clustered with heads that not + an inch of spare room is to be had for love or money. The + rigging, the mizen-top, and even the gaff, out to the very peak, + the hammock-nettings and the quarters, almost down to the + counter, are stuck over with breathless spectators, speaking in + whispers, if they venture to speak at all, or can find leisure + for anything but fixing their gaze on the monster, who as yet is + free to roam the ocean, but who, they trust, will soon be in + their power. I have seen this go on for an hour together; after + which the shark has made up his mind to have nothing to say to + us, and either swerved away to windward, if there be any breeze + at all, or dived so deep that his place could be detected only by + a faint touch or flash of white many fathoms down. The loss of a + Spanish galleon in chase, I am persuaded, could hardly cause more + bitter regret, or call forth more intemperate expressions of + anger and impatience than the failure in hooking a shark is + always sure to produce on board a ship at sea.</p> + + <p>On the other hand, I suppose the first symptom of an enemy's + flag coming down in the fight was never hailed with greater joy + than is felt by a ship's crew on the shark turning round to seize + the bait. The preparatory symptoms of this intention are so well + known to every one on board, that, the instant they begin to + appear, a greedy whisper of delight passes from mouth to mouth + amongst the assembled multitude; every eye is lighted up, and + such as have not bronzed their cheeks by too long exposure to sun + and wind to betray any change of colour may be seen to alter + their hue from pale to red, and back to pale again, like the + tints on the sides of the dying dolphin.</p> + + <p>It is supposed by seamen that the shark must of necessity turn + on his back before he can bite anything, and, generally speaking, + he certainly does so turn himself before he takes the bait; but + this arises from two circumstances—one of them accidental + and belonging to the particular occasion, the other arising out + of the peculiar conformation and position of his mouth. When a + bait is towed astern of a ship that has any motion through the + water at all, it is necessarily brought to the surface, or nearly + so. This, of course, obliges the shark to bite at it from below; + and as his mouth is placed under his chin, not over it, he must + turn nearly on his back before he can seize the floating piece of + meat in which the hook is concealed. Even if he does not turn + completely round, he is forced to slue himself, as it is called, + so far as to show some portion of his white belly. The instant + the white skin flashes on the sight of the expectant crew, a + subdued cry, or murmur of satisfaction, is heard amongst the + crowd; but no one speaks, for fear of alarming the shark.</p> + + <p>Sometimes, the very instant the bait is cast over the stern, + the shark flies at it with such eagerness that he actually + springs partially out of the water. This, however, is rare. On + these occasions he gorges the bait, the hook, and a foot or two + of the chain, without any mastication or delay, and darts off + with his treacherous prize with such prodigious velocity and + force that it makes the rope crack again as soon as the whole + coil is drawn out; but in general he goes more leisurely to work, + and seems rather to suck in the bait than to bite at it. Much + dexterity is required in the hand which holds the line at this + moment; for a bungler is apt to be too precipitate, and to jerk + away the hook before it has got far enough down the shark's maw. + Our greedy friend, indeed, is never disposed to relinquish what + may once have passed his formidable batteries of teeth; but the + hook, by a premature tug of the line, may fix itself in a part of + the jaw so weak that it gives way in the fierce struggle which + always follows. The secret of the sport is, to let the voracious + monster gulp down the huge mess of pork, and then to give the + rope a violent pull, by which the barbed point, quitting the edge + of the bait, buries itself in the coats of the victim's throat or + stomach. As the shark is not a personage to submit patiently to + such treatment, it will not be well for any one whose foot + happens to be accidentally on the coil of the rope, for, when the + hook is first fixed, it spins out like the log-line of a ship + going twelve knots.</p> + + <p>The suddenness of the jerk with which the poor devil is + brought up, when he has reached the length of his tether, often + turns him quite over on the surface of the water. Then commence + the loud cheers, taunts, and other sounds of rage and triumph, so + long suppressed. A steady pull is insufficient to carry away the + line; but it sometimes happens that the violent struggles of the + shark, when too speedily drawn up, snap either the rope or the + hook, and so he gets off, to digest the remainder as he best can. + It is, accordingly, held the best practice to play him a little, + with his mouth at the surface, till he becomes somewhat + exhausted. No sailor, therefore, ought ever to think of hauling a + shark on board merely by the rope fastened to the hook; for, + however impotent his struggles may generally be in the water, + they are rarely unattended with risk when the rogue is drawn + half-way up. To prevent the line breaking, or the hook snapping, + or the jaw being torn away, the device formerly described, of a + running bowline knot, is always adopted. This noose, being + slipped down the rope, and passed over the monster's head, is + made to jam at the point of junction of the tail with the body. + When this is once fixed, the first act of the piece is held to be + complete, and the vanquished enemy is afterwards easily drawn + over the taffrail and flung on the deck, to the unspeakable + delight of all hands. But, although the shark is out of his + element, he has by no means lost his power of doing mischief; and + I would advise no one to come within range of the tail, or thrust + his toes too near the animal's mouth. The blow of a tolerably + large-sized shark's tail might break a man's leg; and I have seen + a three-inch hide tiller-rope bitten more than half-through full + ten minutes after the wretch had been dragged about the + quarter-deck, and had made all his victors keep at the most + respectful distance. I remember hearing the late Dr. Wollaston, + with his wonted ingenuity, suggest a method for measuring the + strength of a shark's bite. If a smooth plate of lead, he + thought, were thrust into the fish's mouth, the depth which his + teeth should pierce the lead would furnish a sort of scale of the + force exerted.</p> + + <p>I need scarcely mention, that, when a shark is floundering + about, the quarter-deck becomes a scene of pretty considerable + confusion; and if there be blood on the occasion, as there + generally is, from all this rough usage, the stains are not to be + got rid of without a week's scrubbing, and many a growl from the + captain of the after-guard. For the time, however, all such + considerations are superseded; that is to say, if the commander + himself takes an interest in the sport, and he must be rather a + spoony skipper that does not. If he be indifferent about the fate + of the shark, it is speedily dragged forward to the forecastle, + amidst the kicks, thumps, and execrations of the conquerors, who + very soon terminate his miserable career by stabbing him with + their knives, boarding-pikes, and tomahawks, like so many wild + Indians.</p> + + <p>The first operation is always to deprive him of his tail, + which is seldom an easy matter, it not being at all safe to come + too near; but some dextrous hand, familiar with the use of the + broad axe, watches for a quiet moment, and at a single blow + severs it from the body. He is then closed with by another, who + leaps across the prostrate foe, and with an adroit cut rips him + open from snout to tail, and the tragedy is over, so far as the + struggles and sufferings of the principal actor are concerned. + There always follows, however, the most lively curiosity on the + part of the sailors to learn what the shark has got stowed away + in his inside; but they are often disappointed, for the stomach + is generally empty. I remember one famous exception, indeed, when + a very large fellow was caught on board the Alceste, in Anjeer + Roads at Java, when we were proceeding to China with the embassy + under Lord Amherst. A number of ducks and hens which had died in + the night were, as usual, thrown overboard in the morning, + besides several baskets, and many other minor things, such as + bundles of shavings and bits of cordage: all of which were found + in this huge sea-monster's inside. But what excited most surprise + and admiration was the hide of a buffalo, killed on board that + day for the ship's company's dinner. The old sailor who had cut + open the shark stood with a foot on each side, and removed the + articles one by one from the huge cavern into which they had been + indiscriminately drawn. When the operator came at last to the + buffalo's skin, he held it up before him like a curtain, and + exclaimed, "There, my lads! d'ye see that? He has swallowed a + buffalo; but he could not disgest the hide!"</p> + + <p>I have never been so unfortunate as to see a man bitten by a + shark, though, in calm weather, it is usual to allow the people + to swim about the ship. It would seem that they are disturbed by + the splashing and other noises of so many persons, and keep at a + distance; for although they are often observed near the ship both + before and after the men have been bathing, they very rarely come + near the swimmers. I remember once, indeed, at Bermuda, seeing a + shark make a grab at a midshipman's heel, just as he was getting + into the boat alongside. This youngster, who, with one or two + others, had been swimming about for an hour, was the last of the + party in the water. No shark had been seen during the whole + morning; but just as he was drawing his foot into the boat the + fish darted from the bottom. Fortunately for my old messmate, + there was no time for the shark to make the half-turn of the body + necessary to bring his mouth to bear; and he escaped, by half an + inch, a fate which, besides its making one shudder to think of, + would have deprived the service of an officer now deservedly in + the higher ranks of his profession.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">A MAN + OVERBOARD!</p> + + <p>The strange and almost savage ceremonies used at sea on + crossing the equator have been so often described that a voyager, + at this time of day, may be well excused for omitting any minute + account of such wild proceedings. The whole affair, indeed, is + preposterous in its conception, and, I must say, brutal in its + execution. Notwithstanding all this, however, I have not only + permitted it to go on in ships which I commanded, but have even + encouraged it, and set it agoing, when the men themselves were in + doubt. Its evil is transient if any evil there be, while it + certainly affords Jack a topic for a month beforehand and a + fortnight afterwards; and if so ordered as to keep its + monstrosities within the limits of strict discipline, which is + easy enough, it may even be made to add to the authority of the + officers, instead of weakening their influence.</p> + + <p>In a well-regulated ship, within one hour from the time when + these scenes of riot are at their height, order is restored, the + decks are washed and swabbed up, the wet things are hung on the + clothes' lines between the masts to dry; and the men, dressed in + clean trousers and duck frocks, are assembled at their guns for + muster, as soberly and sedately as if nothing had happened to + discompose the decorous propriety of the ship's discipline. The + middies, in like manner, may safely be allowed to have their own + share of this rough fun, provided they keep as clear of their + immediate superiors as the ship's company keep clear of the young + gentlemen. And I must do the population of the cockpit the + justice to say, that, when they fairly set about it, maugre their + gentleman-like habits, aristocratical sprinklings, and the march + of intellect to boot, they do contrive to come pretty near to the + honest folks before the mast in the article of ingenious + ferocity. The captain, of course, and, generally speaking, all + the officers keep quite aloof, pocketing up their dignity with + vast care, and ready, at a moment's warning, to repress any undue + familiarity. As things proceed, however, one or two of the + officers may possibly become so much interested in the skylarking + scenes going forward as to approach a little too near, and laugh + a little too loud, consistently with the preservation of the + dignity of which they were so uncommonly chary at first starting. + It cannot be expected, and indeed is not required, that the chief + actors in these wild gambols, stripped to the buff, and shying + buckets of water at one another, should be confined within very + narrow limits in their game. Accordingly, some mount the rigging + to shower down their cascades, while others squirt the + fire-engine from unseen corners upon the head of the unsuspecting + passer-by. And if it so chances (I say chances) that any one of + the "commissioned nobs" of the ship shall come in the way of + these explosions, it is served out to him like a thunder-storm, + "all accidentally," of course. Well; what is he to do? He feels + that he has indiscreetly trusted himself too far; and even if he + has not actually passed the prescribed line, still he was much + too near it, and the offence is perhaps unintentional. At all + events, it is of too trifling a nature; and, under the peculiar + circumstances of the moment, to make a complaint to the captain + would be ridiculous. Having, therefore, got his jacket well wet, + and seeing the ready means of revenging himself in kind, he + snatches up a bucket, and, forgetting his dignity, hurls the + contents in the face of the mid who has given him a sousing but + two seconds before! From that moment his commission goes for + nothing, and he becomes, for the time being, one of the biggest + Billy-boys amongst them. The captain observing him in this mess, + shrugs his shoulders, walks aft, muttering, "It's all your own + fault, Mr. Hailtop; you've put yourself amongst these mad + younkers; now see how they'll handle you!"</p> + + <p>Nothing, I confess, now looks to me more completely out of + character with our well-starched discipline than a "staid + lieutenant" romping about the booms, skulling up the rigging, + blowing the grampus, and having it blown upon him by a parcel of + rattle-pated reefers. But I remember well in the Volage being + myself so gradually seduced by this animating spectacle of fun, + that, before I knew where I was, I had crossed the rope laid on + the deck as a boundary between order and disorder, and received a + bucket of cold water in each ear, while the spout of a + fire-engine, at the distance of two feet, was playing full in my + eyes. On turning my head round to escape these cataracts, and to + draw breath, a tar-brush was rammed half-way down my throat!</p> + + <p>Far different was the scene, and very different, of course, my + deportment, four or five years afterwards on the same spot, when, + instead of being the junior lieutenant, I was the great gun of + all, the mighty master-nob of the whole party, that is to say, + the captain himself. I was then in command of the Lyra, a ten-gun + sloop-of-war; and after the shaving operations were over, and all + things put once more in order, I went on board the Alceste + frigate to dine with my excellent friend and commanding officer, + the late Sir Murray Maxwell. Lord Amherst, the ambassador to + China, was on board, and in great glee with the sight of what had + been enacted before him; for although, as I have always said, + these scenes are not of a nature to bear agreeable description, + they certainly are amusing enough to see—for once.</p> + + <p>We soon sat down to dinner; and there was, of course, a great + deal of amusement in telling the anecdotes of the day, and + describing Father Neptune's strange aspect, and his still + stranger-looking family and attendants. I ventured to back one of + my figures against all or any of theirs, if not for monstrosity, + at least for interest of another kind. Our dripping Neptune in + the Lyra was accompanied, as usual, by a huge she-monster + representing Amphitrite, being no other than one of the + boatswain's mates dressed up with the main-hatchway tarpaulin for + a cloak, the jolly-boat's mizen for a petticoat, while two + half-wet swabs furnished her lubberly head with ringlets. By her + side sat a youth, her only son Triton, a morsel of submarine + domestic history ascertained by reference previously made to + Lempriere's Dictionary. This poor little fellow was a great pet + amongst the crew of the brig, and was indeed suspected to be + entitled by birth to a rank above his present station, so gentle + and gentleman-like he always appeared. Even on this occasion, + when disfigured by paint, pitch, and tar, copiously daubed over + his delicate person, to render him fit company for his papa old + Neptune, he still looked as if his ill-favoured parents had + stolen him, and were trying in vain to disguise their roguery by + rigging him up in their own gipsy apparel.</p> + + <p>It was very nearly dark when I rowed back to the Lyra, which + had been hanging for the last half hour on the frigate's + weather-quarter, at the distance of a cable's length, watching + for my return. The wind was so light, and the brig so close, that + no signal was made to heave to; indeed I had scarcely rowed under + the Alceste's stern, on my way back, before it was necessary to + call out, "In bow!" The rattle of the oar on the thwarts gave the + earliest notice of my approach to the people on board the little + vessel, and I could hear the first lieutenant exclaim in haste, + "Attend the side! Where are the sides-men?"</p> + + <p>Scarcely had these words been spoken, when I heard a splash in + the water, followed by a faint cry of distress and despair. In + the next instant the brig was hove about, and the stern-boat + lowered down, accompanied by all the hurried symptoms of a man + having fallen overboard. I made the people in the boat tug at + their oars towards the spot; but though we pulled over and over + the ship's wake twenty times, the water was everywhere unruffled + and unmarked by any speck. At length I rowed on board, turned the + hands up to muster, to ascertain who was gone, and found all + present but our poor little Triton! It appeared that the lad, who + was one of the sides-men, fatigued with the day's amusement, had + stretched himself in the fore-part of the quarter-deck + hammock-netting, and gone to sleep. The sharp voice of the + officer, on seeing the gig almost alongside, had roused the + unhappy boy too suddenly; he quite forgot where he was, and, + instead of jumping in-board, plunged into the sea, never to rise + again!</p> + + <p>There are few accidents more frequent at sea than that of a + man falling overboard; and yet, strange to say, whenever it + happens, it takes every one as completely by surprise as if such + a thing had never occurred before. What is still more + unaccountable, and, I must say, altogether inexcusable, is the + fact of such an incident invariably exciting a certain degree of + confusion, even in well-regulated ships. Whenever I have + witnessed the tumultuous rush of the people from below, their + eagerness to crowd into the boats, and the reckless devotion with + which they fling themselves into the water to save their + companions, I could not help thinking that it was no small + disgrace to us, to whose hands the whole arrangements of + discipline are confided, that we had not yet fallen upon any + method of availing ourselves to good purpose of so much generous + activity.</p> + + <p>Sailors are men of rough habits, but their feelings are not by + any means coarse; and, generally speaking, they are much attached + to one another, and will make great sacrifices to their messmates + or shipmates when opportunities occur. A very little address on + the part of the officers, as I have before hinted, will secure an + extension of these kindly sentiments to the quarter-deck. But + what I was alluding to just now was the cordiality of the + friendships which spring up between the sailors themselves, who, + it must be recollected, have no other society, and all, or almost + all, whose ordinary social ties have been broken either by the + chances of war, or by the very nature of their roving and + desultory life, which carries them they really know not where, + and care not wherefore.</p> + + <p>I remember once, when cruising off Terceira in the Endymion, + that a man fell overboard and was drowned. After the usual + confusion, and a long search in vain, the boats were hoisted up, + and the hands called to make sail. I was officer of the + forecastle, and on looking about to see if all the men were at + their stations, missed one of the foretop-men. Just at that + moment I observed some one curled up, and apparently hiding + himself under the bow of the barge, between the boat and the + booms. "Hillo!" I said, "who are you? What are you doing here, + you skulker? Why are you not at your station?"</p> + + <p>"I am not skulking, sir," said the poor fellow, the furrows in + whose bronzed and weather-beaten cheek were running down with + tears. The man we had just lost had been his messmate and friend, + he told me, for ten years. I begged his pardon in full sincerity, + for having used such harsh words to him at such a moment, and bid + him go below to his berth for the rest of the day.</p> + + <p>"Never mind, sir, never mind," said the kind-hearted seaman, + "it can't be helped. You meant no harm, sir. I am as well on deck + as below. Bill's gone, sir, but I must do my duty."</p> + + <p>So saying he drew the sleeve of his jacket twice or thrice + across his eyes, and mastering his grief within his breast, + walked to his station as if nothing had happened.</p> + + <p>In the same ship, and nearly about the same time, some of the + people were bathing alongside in a calm sea. It is customary on + such occasions to spread a studding sail on the water, by means + of lines from the fore and main yard-arms, for the use of those + who either cannot swim, or who are not expert in this art, so + very important to all seafaring people. Half-a-dozen of the + ship's boys, youngsters sent on board by that admirable and most + patriotic of naval institutions, the Marine Society, were + floundering about in the sail, and sometimes even venturing + beyond the leech rope. One of the least of these urchins, but not + the least courageous of their number, when taunted by his more + skilful companions with being afraid, struck out boldly beyond + the prescribed bounds. He had not gone much further than his own + length, however, along the surface of the fathomless sea, when + his heart failed him, poor little man! and along with his + confidence away also went his power of keeping his head above + water. So down he sank rapidly, to the speechless horror of the + other boys, who, of course, could lend the drowning child no + help.</p> + + <p>The captain of the forecastle, a tall, fine-looking, + hard-a-weather fellow, was standing on the shank of the sheet + anchor, with his arms across, and his well-varnished canvas bat + drawn so much over his eyes that it was difficult to tell whether + he was awake, or merely dozing in the sun, as he leaned his back + against the fore-topmast backstay. The seaman, however, had been + attentively watching the young party all the time, and, rather + fearing that mischief might ensue from their rashness, he had + grunted out a warning to them from time to time, to which they + paid no sort of attention. At last he desisted, saying they might + drown themselves if they had a mind, for never a bit would he + help them; but no sooner did the sinking figure of the + adventurous little boy catch his eye, than, diver-fashion, + joining the palms of his hands over his head, he shot + head-foremost into the water. The poor lad sunk so rapidly that + he was at least a couple of fathoms under the surface before he + was arrested by the grip of the sailor, who soon rose again, + bearing the bewildered boy in his hand, and, calling to the other + youngsters to take better care of their companion, chucked him + right into the belly of the sail in the midst of the party. The + fore-sheet was hanging in the calm, nearly into the water, and by + it the dripping seaman scrambled up again to his old berth on the + anchor, shook himself like a great Newfoundland dog, and then, + jumping on the deck, proceeded across the forecastle to shift his + clothes.</p> + + <p>At the top of the ladder he was stopped by the marine officer, + who had witnessed the whole transaction, as he sat across the + gangway hammocks, watching the swimmers, and trying to get his + own consent to undergo the labour of undressing and dressing. + Said the soldier to the sailor, "That was very well done of you, + my man, and right well deserves a glass of grog. Say so to the + gun-room steward as you pass; and tell him it is my orders to + fill you out a stiff norwester."</p> + + <p>The soldier's offer was kindly meant, but rather clumsily + timed, at least so thought Jack; for though he inclined his head + in acknowledgment of the attention, and instinctively touched his + hat, when spoken to by an officer, he made no reply, till out of + the marine's hearing, when he laughed, or rather chuckled out to + the people near him, "Does the good gentleman suppose I'll take a + glass of grog for saving a boy's life?"</p> + + <p>It is surely very odd that there should ever be such a thing + as a sailor who cannot swim. And it is still more marvellous that + there should be found people who actually maintain that a sailor + who cannot swim has a better chance than one who can.</p> + + <p>This strange doctrine, as may well be supposed, derives but + slender support from any well-established facts. It is merely + asserted that, on some occasions of shipwreck, the boldest + swimmers have been lost in trying to reach the shore, when they + might have been saved had they stayed by the ship. This may be + true enough in particular cases, and yet the general position + grounded upon it utterly absurd. The most skilful horsemen + sometimes break their necks, but this is hardly adduced as an + argument against learning to ride. I suppose there is not an + officer in the service, certainly not one who has reached the + rank of captain, who has not seen many men drowned solely from + not being able to swim; that is, because they had not learned a + very simple art, of which, under his official injunctions, and + aided by due encouragement, they might readily have acquired a + sufficient knowledge. My own conscience is not quite clear on + this score, whatever that of my brother officers may be; and + certainly, should I again take the command of a ship, I shall use + every exertion, and take advantage of every opportunity, to + encourage the men and officers to acquire this invaluable + accomplishment. Would it be unreasonable to refuse the rating of + A.B. (able seaman) on the ship's books to any man who could not + swim? If it be our duty to ascertain that a sailor can "hand, + reef, and steer," before we place against his name these mystical + letters, might we not well superadd, as a qualification, that he + should also be able to keep his head above water, in the event of + falling overboard, or that he should have it in his power to save + another's life, if required to leap into the sea for that purpose + by the orders of his superior? At present, in such an emergency, + an officer has to ask amongst a dozen persons, "Which of you can + swim?" instead of saying to the one nearest him, "Jump overboard + after that man who is sinking!"</p> + + <p>This, then, seems the first material step in the establishment + of an improved system in that branch of seamanship which relates + to picking up men who fall overboard. There can be no doubt that + highly-excited feelings always stand in the way of exact + discipline, and especially of that prompt, hearty, and thoroughly + confiding obedience to the officer under whose orders we are + serving. Such obedience is necessary on this occasion, above all + others, and is essentially required, in order to accomplish the + purpose in view.</p> + + <p>Different officers will, of course, devise different plans for + the accomplishment of the same end. Every one who has been + exposed to the misery of seeing a man fall overboard must + remember that by far the greatest difficulty was to keep people + back, there being always ten times as many persons as are + required, not only ready, but eager to place themselves in the + situations of greatest risk. In executing the duties of a + ship-of-war, there should be no volunteering allowed. Every man + ought to have a specific duty, or a set of duties, to perform at + all times. But these duties, in the case of a man falling + overboard, must, of course, vary with the hour of the day or + night, with the circumstance of its being the starboard or the + larboard watch on deck, with the weather being fine or + tempestuous, or with the course the ship is steering relatively + to the wind, the quantity of sail, and so on. The crew of every + ship should be exercised or drilled, if not as frequently, at + least specifically, in the methods of picking up a man, as they + are trained in the exercise of the great guns and small arms, or + in that of reefing topsails.</p> + + <p>Every one who has been much at sea must remember the peculiar + sounds which pervade a ship when a man is known to have fallen + overboard. The course steered is so suddenly altered, that as she + rounds to the effect of the sails is doubled; the creaking of the + tiller-ropes and rudder next strike the ear; then follows the + pitter-patter of several hundred feet in rapid motion, producing + a singular tremor, fore and aft. In the midst of these ominous + noises may be heard, over all, the shrill startling voice of the + officer of the watch, generally betraying in its tone more or + less uncertainty of purpose. Then the violent flapping of the + sails, and the mingled cries of "Clear away the boats!" "Is the + life-buoy gone?" "Heave that grating after him!" "Throw that + hen-coop over the stern!" "Who is it, do you know?" "Where did he + fall from?" "Can he swim?" "Silence!" An impetuous, and too often + an ill-regulated rush now succeeds to gain the boats, which are + generally so crowded that it becomes dangerous to lower them + down, and more time is lost in getting the people out again than + would have manned them twice over, if any regular system had been + prepared, and rendered familiar and easy by practice + beforehand.</p> + + <p>I could give a pretty long list of cases which I have myself + seen, or have heard others relate, where men have been drowned + while their shipmates were thus struggling on board who should be + first to save them, but who, instead of aiding, were actually + impeding one another by their hurry-skurry and general ignorance + of what really ought to be done. I remember, for example, hearing + of a line-of-battle-ship, in the Baltic, from which two men fell + one evening, when the ship's company were at quarters. The + weather was fine, the water smooth, and the ship going about + seven knots. The two lads in question, who were furling the + fore-royal at the time, lost their hold, and were jerked far in + the sea. At least a dozen men, leaving their guns, leaped + overboard from different parts of the ship, some dressed as they + were, and others stripped. Of course, the ship was in a wretched + state of discipline where such frantic proceedings could take + place. The confusion soon became worse confounded; but the ship + was hove aback, and several boats lowered down. Had it not been + smooth water, daylight, and fine weather, many of these absurd + volunteers must have perished. I call them absurd, because there + is no sense in merely incurring a great hazard, without some + useful purpose to guide the exercise of courage. These intrepid + fellows merely knew that a man had fallen overboard, and that was + all; so away they leaped out of the ports and over the + hammock-nettings, without knowing whereabouts the object of their + Quixotic heroism might be. The boats were obliged to pick up the + first that presented themselves, for they were all in a drowning + condition; but the two unhappy men who had been flung from aloft, + being furthest off, went to the bottom before their turn came. + Whereas, had not their undisciplined shipmates gone into the + water, the boats would have been at liberty to row towards them, + and they might have been saved. I am quite sure, therefore, that + there can be no offence more deserving of punishment, as a matter + of discipline, and in order to prevent such accidents as this, + than the practice of leaping overboard after a man who has fallen + into the water. There are cases, no doubt, in which it would be a + positive crime in a swimmer not to spring, without waiting for + orders, to the rescue of a fellow-creature whom he sees sinking + in the waves, at whatever hazard to himself or to others; but I + speak of that senseless, blindfold style in which I have very + often witnessed men pitch themselves into the water, without + knowing whether the person who had fallen overboard was within + their reach or not. Even in highly-disciplined ships this will + sometimes take place; and the circumstances which increase the + danger seem only to stimulate the boldest spirits to brave the + risk. I conceive there is no method of putting a stop to the + practice but by positively enjoining the people not to go + overboard, unless expressly ordered; and by explaining to them on + every occasion when the ship's company are exercised for this + purpose, that the difficulty of picking a man up is generally + much augmented by such indiscreet zeal.</p> + + <p>The following incidents occurred in a frigate off Cape Horn, + in a gale of wind, under close-reefed main-topsail and + storm-staysails. At half-past twelve at noon, when the people + were at dinner, a young lad was washed out of the lee + fore-channels. The life-buoy was immediately let go, and the + main-topsail laid to the mast. Before the jolly-boat could be + lowered down, a man jumped overboard, as he said, + "promiscuously," for he never saw the boy at all, nor was he ever + within half-a-cable's length of the spot where he was floundering + about. Although the youth could not swim, he contrived to keep + his head above water till the boat reached him, just as he was + beginning to sink. The man who had jumped into the sea was right + glad to give up his "promiscuous" search, and to make for the + life-buoy, upon which he perched himself, and stood shivering for + half-an-hour, like a shag on the Mewstone, till the boat came to + his relief.</p> + + <p>At four o'clock of the same day a man fell from the rigging; + the usual alarm and rush took place; the lee-quarter boat was so + crowded that one of the topping lifts gave way, the davit broke, + and the cutter, now suspended by one tackle, soon knocked herself + to pieces against the ship's side. Of course, the people in her + were jerked out very quickly, so that, instead of there being + only one man in the water, there were nearly a dozen swimming + about. More care was taken in hoisting out another boat, and, + strange to say, all the people were picked up, except the + original unfortunate man, who, but for the accident, which ought + to have been prevented, would in all probability have been saved. + Neither he nor the life-buoy, however, could be discovered before + the night closed.</p> + + <p>The life-buoy at present in use on board his Majesty's ships, + and, I trust, in most merchant ships, has an admirable + contrivance connected with it, which has saved many lives, when + otherwise there would hardly have been a chance of the men being + rescued from a watery grave.</p> + + <p>This life-buoy, which is the invention of Lieutenant Cook of + the Navy, consists of two hollow copper vessels connected + together, each about as large as an ordinary-sized pillow, and of + buoyancy and capacity sufficient to support one man standing upon + them. Should there be more than one person requiring support, + they can lay hold of rope beckets fitted to the buoy, and so + sustain themselves. Between the two copper vessels there stands + up a hollow pole, or mast, into which is inserted, from below, an + iron rod, whose lower extremity is loaded with lead, in such a + manner, that when the buoy is let go the iron rod slips down to a + certain extent, lengthens the lever, and enables the lead at the + end to act as ballast. By this means the mast is kept upright, + and the buoy prevented from upsetting. The weight at the end of + the rod is arranged so as to afford secure footing for two + persons, should that number reach it; and there are also, as I + said before, large rope beckets, through which others can thrust + their head and shoulders, till assistance is rendered.</p> + + <p>On the top of the mast is fixed a port-fire, calculated to + burn, I think, twenty minutes, or half-anhour; this is ignited + most ingeniously by the same process which lets the buoy down + into the water. So that a man falling overboard at night is + directed to the buoy by the blaze on the top of its pole or mast, + and the boat sent to rescue him also knows in what direction to + pull. Even supposing, however, the man not to have gained the + life-buoy, it is clear that, if above the surface at all, he must + be somewhere in that neighbourhood; and if he shall have gone + down, it is still some satisfaction, by recovering the buoy, to + ascertain that the poor wretch is not left to perish by + inches.</p> + + <p>The method by which this excellent invention is attached to + the ship, and dropped into the water in a single instant, is + perhaps not the least ingenious part of the contrivance. The buoy + is generally fixed amidships over the stern, where it is held + securely in its place by being strung, or threaded, as it were, + on two strong perpendicular iron rods fixed to the taffrail, and + inserted in holes piercing the framework of the buoy. The + apparatus is kept in its place by what is called a slip-stopper, + a sort of catch-bolt or detent, which can be unlocked at + pleasure, by merely pulling a trigger. Upon withdrawing the + stopper, the whole machine slips along the rods, and falls at + once into the ship's wake. The trigger which unlocks the + slip-stopper is furnished with a lanyard, passing through a hole + in the stern, and having at its inner end a large knob, marked + "Life-Buoy;" this alone is used in the day-time. Close at hand is + another wooden knob, marked "Lock," fastened to the end of a line + fixed to the trigger of a gunlock primed with powder: and so + arranged, that, when the line is pulled, the port-fire is + instantly ignited, while, at the same moment, the life-buoy + descends, and floats merrily away, blazing like a lighthouse. It + would surely be an improvement to have both these operations + always performed simultaneously, that is, by one pull of the + string. The port-fire would thus be lighted in every case of + letting go the buoy; and I suspect the smoke in the day-time + would often be as useful in guiding the boat, as the blaze always + is at night.</p> + + <p>The gunner who has charge of the life-buoy lock sees it + freshly and carefully primed every evening at quarters, of which + he makes a report to the captain. In the morning the priming is + taken out, and the lock uncocked. During the night a man is + always stationed at this part of the ship, and every half-hour, + when the bell strikes, he calls out "Life-buoy!" to show that he + is awake and at his post, exactly in the same manner as the + look-out-men abaft, on the beam, and forward, call out "Starboard + quarter!" "Starboard gangway!" "Starboard bow!" and so on, + completely round the ship, to prove that they are not + napping.</p> + + <p>After all, however, it must be owned, that some of the most + important considerations, when a man falls overboard, have as yet + scarcely been mentioned. These are,—</p> + + <p>First, the quickest and most effectual method of arresting the + ship's progress, and how to keep her as near the spot where the + man fell as possible.</p> + + <p>Secondly, to preserve entire, during these evolutions, the + general discipline of the ship, to maintain silence, and to + enforce the most prompt obedience, without permitting foolhardy + volunteering of any kind.</p> + + <p>Thirdly, to see that the boat appointed to be employed on + these occasions is secured in such a manner that she may be cast + loose in a moment, and, when ready for lowering down, that she is + properly manned, and fitted, so as to be efficient in all + respects when she reaches the water.</p> + + <p>Fourthly, to take care in lowering the boat neither to stave + nor to swamp her, nor to pitch the men out.</p> + + <p>And, lastly, to have a sufficient number of the + sharpest-sighted men in the ship stationed aloft in such a manner + as to give them the best chance, not only of discovering the + person who is overboard, but of pointing him out to the people in + the boat, who may not otherwise know in what direction to + pull.</p> + + <p>It is conceived that all these objects may be accomplished + with very little, if any, additional trouble, in all tolerably + well-disciplined ships.</p> + + <p>Various opinions prevail amongst officers as to the first + point; but, I think, the best authorities recommend that, if + possible, the ship should not merely be hove aback when a man + falls overboard, but that she ought to be brought completely + round on the other tack. Of course, sail should be shortened in + stays, and the main-yard left square. This plan implies the ship + being on a wind, or from that position to having the wind not + above two points abaft the beam. But, on one tack or the other, + this will include a large portion of the sailing of every + ship.</p> + + <p>The great merit of such a method of proceeding is, that, if + the evolution succeeds, the ship, when round, will drift right + down towards the man; and, although there may be some small risk + in lowering the boat in stays, from the ship having at one period + stern-way, there will, in fact, be little time lost if the boat + be not lowered till the ship be well round, and the stern-way at + an end. There is more mischief done, generally, by lowering the + boat too soon, than by waiting till the fittest moment arrives + for doing it coolly; and it cannot be too often repeated, that + almost the whole depends upon the self-possession of the officer + of the watch. This important quality is best taught by + experience, that is to say, by a thorough and familiar practical + knowledge of what should be done under all circumstances. The + officer in command of the deck ought to let it be seen and felt, + by his tone of voice, and by the judicious promptness of his + orders, that he, at least, is perfectly master of himself, and + knows distinctly what course it is best to adopt.</p> + + <p>If the ship be running before the wind, or be sailing large, + and under a press of sail, the officer must exercise his judgment + in rounding to, and take care in his anxiety to save the man, not + to let the masts go over the side, which will not advance, but + defeat his object. If the top-gallant-sheets, the topsail, and + top-gallant-haulyards, be let fly, and the head-yards braced + quickly up, the ship when brought to the wind will be nearly in + the situation of reefing topsails. Under these circumstances, it + will hardly be possible to bring her about, for, long before she + can have come head to wind, her way will be so much deadened that + the rudder may have ceased to act. Still, however, I am so strong + an advocate for the principle of tacking, instead of merely + lying-to, when a man is overboard, that, even under the + circumstances above described, as soon as the boat is lowered + down and sent off, and the extra sail gathered in, I would fill, + stand on till the ship had gained head-way enough to render the + evolution certain, and then go about, so as to bring her head + towards the boat. It must be recollected, that when a ship is + going well off the wind, in the manner here supposed, it is + impossible to round her so quickly as to replace her on the spot + where the man fell; to reach which a great sweep must always be + made. But there seems to me no doubt, that, in every possible + case, even when going right before it, the ship will always drift + nearer and nearer to that spot, if eventually brought to the wind + on the opposite tack from that on which she was luffed up.</p> + + <p>It will conduce greatly to the success of these measures, if + it be an established rule, that, whenever the alarm is given of a + man being overboard, the people, without further orders, fly to + their appointed stations for tacking ship; and that only those + persons who shall be specifically selected to man and lower down + the boats, and for other duties, shall presume to quit the places + assigned to them on going about. It so happens that when the men + are in their stations for tacking, they are almost equally in + their stations for shortening sail, or for performing most other + evolutions likely to become necessary at such moments.</p> + + <p>The excepted men should consist of at least two boats' crews + in each watch, and of others whose sole duty it should be to + attend to the operation of lowering the boats, into which no men + but those expressly appointed should ever be allowed to enter. + These persons, selected for their activity, strength, and + coolness, should belong to the after-guard, main and mizen-top, + and gunner's crew, men whose duties lie chiefly abaft or about + the mainmast. Midshipmen in each watch should also be named to + the different boats; and their orders ought to be positive never + to allow more than the proper crew to enter, nor on any account + to permit the boat to be lowered till fully and properly manned. + I grant that it requires no small nerve to sanction the delays + which an attention to these minute particulars demands; but the + adequate degree of faith in their utility will bring with it the + requisite share of decision, to possess which, under all + circumstances, is, perhaps, one of the most characteristic + distinctions of a good commanding officer.</p> + + <p>There ought, in every ship, to be selected a certain number of + the sharpest-sighted persons, who should be instructed, the + instant the alarm is given, to repair to stations appointed for + them aloft. Several of these ought to plant themselves in the + lower rigging, some in the topmast shrouds, and one, if not two, + might advantageously be perched on each of the cross-trees. Those + persons, whose exclusive duty is to discover the man who is + overboard, should be directed to look out, some in the ship's + wake, some on either side of it, and to be particularly careful + to mark the spot near which the ship must have been when he fell, + in order that when she comes about, and drifts near the place, + they may know where to direct their attention, and also to take + care that the ship does not forge directly upon the object they + are seeking for. The chief advantage of having look-out-men + stationed aloft in this manner consists in their commanding a far + better position compared to that of persons on deck, and still + better when compared to the people in the boat; besides which, + having this object alone to attend to, they are less likely to be + unsuccessful. Moreover, from their being in considerable numbers, + and scattered at different elevations, their chances are, of + course, much increased of discovering so small an object as a man + on the surface.</p> + + <p>The people in the boat possess no such advantages, for they + are occupied with their oars, and lose between the seas all sight + of the surrounding objects near them, while they can always see + the ship's masts; and as soon as they detect that any one of the + look-out-men sees the person who is overboard, and points in the + proper direction for them to pull, they can shape their course + accordingly. Presently another look-out, instructed by the first + where to direct his eyes, also discovers the man; then another + sees him, then another, and so on, till all who are aloft obtain + sight of the desired object, and join in pointing with their + hands to where it is to be found. The officer in the boat, thus + instructed by innumerable pointers, rows at once, and with + confidence, in the proper direction, and the drowning man is + often rescued from his deep-sea grave, when, had there been no + such look-outs, or had they been fewer in number or lower down, + he must have perished.</p> + + <p>It is curious to observe the electric sort of style in which + the perception of an object, when once pointed out, flashes along + from man to man. As each in succession catches sight of his + shipmate, he exclaims, "There he is! there he is!" and holds out + his hand in the proper direction for the guidance of the boat. + Indeed, I have seldom witnessed a more interesting sight than + that of eighty or a hundred persons stationed aloft, straining + their eyes to keep sight of a poor fellow who is struggling for + his life, and all eagerly extending their hands towards him, as + if they could clutch him from the waves. To see these hands drop + again is inexpressibly painful, from its indicating that the + unfortunate man is no longer distinguishable. One by one the arms + fall down, reluctantly, as if it were a signal that all hope was + over. Presently the boat is observed to range about at random; + the look-out-men aloft, when repeatedly hailed and asked, "if + they see anything like him?" are all silent. Finally, the boat's + recall-flag is hoisted, sail is again made on the ship, the + people are piped down, and this tragical little episode in the + voyage being concluded, everything goes on as before.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">SUNDAY ON + BOARD A MAN-OF-WAR.—MUSTERING BY DIVISIONS.</p> + + <p>The first article of war runs as follows:—"All + commanders, captains, and officers, in or belonging to any of His + Majesty's ships or vessels of war, shall cause the public worship + of Almighty God, according to the Liturgy of the Church of + England established by law, to be solemnly, orderly, and + reverently performed in their respective ships; and shall take + care that prayers and preaching, by the chaplains in holy orders + of the respective ships, be performed diligently, and that the + Lord's day be observed according to law."</p> + + <p>The precision with which these injunctions are attended to + will depend chiefly on three things:—The personal + disposition of the captain; the nature of the service upon which + the ship is employed; and the state of the weather. It is nearly + always in the captain's power to make the Sunday a day of rest to + the people committed to his charge. Sooner or later he is sure to + reap the fruits of his conduct in this matter, and is made to + feel, that, to command the respect or to win the regard of his + crew, he must show them, on all ordinary occasions, that he is + himself under the guidance of right principles. In the same + spirit, his authority will be strengthened by every touch of + consideration with which the inevitable sternness of his rule is + softened; and the more he manages to impart to all such + indulgences the character of routine, or matters of course and + constant usage, so much the better. We feel obliged to a person + who confers almost any favour upon us; but if this favour be one + of daily or weekly occurrence, and, at each time of its + concession, we are reminded of the weight of our obligation, all + kindliness is in danger of being removed from it, and we would + sometimes rather go without than hold the advantage by a tenure + thus avowedly capricious.</p> + + <p>A captain of sense and feeling, therefore, makes it his + business, in the first place, to find out what is right and + proper, consistently with the rules of the service, and then to + ascertain how far the peculiar nature of the employment upon + which the ship is engaged will admit of indulgences. Having + settled with himself what is possible to be done with propriety, + he should grant it not as a matter of personal favour, but simply + because it is fitting in itself.</p> + + <p>It is not possible, at sea, to comply to the letter with the + fourth commandment; but we have no right on that account to + dispense with its spirit, which is at all times and in all places + within every man's reach. The absolute necessity, however, of + performing some work, appears a sufficient reason with many + people for doing away with the ordinance of Sunday altogether, + and converting it into a day of hard and irksome toil, instead of + a season of at least comparative rest. On the other hand, some + officers either allow essential public interests to be neglected + which ought to be attended to, or they harass their people by + exacting more attention to religious observances than the poor + sailors can bestow with any chance of profit. Which of these + courses is the worst, I really cannot say. If Sunday be made a + working day, and no attention is paid to its appropriate duties, + the crew are by no means satisfied, and but too readily contract, + by degrees, the habit of neglecting their obligations both to God + and man. On the contrary, if the day be entirely taken up with + devotional exercises, to the fatigue of their minds and bodies, + they are exceedingly apt, after a time, to vote the "whole + concern," as they call it, a bore, and to make up for this forced + attention by the most scandalous indecencies, when out of sight + of their "psalm-singing captain."</p> + + <p>I would accordingly recommend every officer in command of a + ship to bring as many of the arrangements of his Sunday as + possible into a jog-trot order, not to be departed from unless + there should arise an absolute necessity for such deviation. + Nineteen Sundays might, indeed, pass over without any apparent + advantage being gained from this uniformity, but on the twentieth + some opportunity might occur, of infinite value to all concerned, + which opportunity might, in all probability, prove unavailing but + for the previous preparation. To borrow a professional + illustration of the most familiar kind; it may be asked, how many + hundred times do we exercise the great guns and small arms, for + once that we fire them in real action? And why should it be + supposed that, for the useful application of our mental energies + to the most important of all warfare, habitual training is less + necessary?</p> + + <p>Without going needlessly deep into these speculations, I may + observe that, even in the least regularly disciplined ships, + there is now a marked difference between Sunday and any other day + in the week. Although the grand object seems to be to have + everything as clean as possible, and in its most apple-pie order, + great part of the labour employed to produce this result is over + before Sunday arrives. The decks, for instance, receive such a + thorough allowance of holy-stoning and scrubbing on Saturday, + that a mere washing, with perhaps a slight touch of the brushes + and sand, brings them into the milk-white condition which is the + delight of every genuine first lieutenant's heart. All this is + got over early in the morning, in order that the decks may be + swabbed up and the ropes nicely flemished down before seven + bells, at which time it is generally thought expedient to go to + breakfast, though half-an-hour sooner than usual, in order to + make the forenoon as long as possible. I should have mentioned + that the hammocks are always piped up at seven o'clock. If they + have been slung overnight, they are as white as any laundress + could have made them; and, of course, the hammock-stowers take + more than ordinary care to place them neatly in the nettings, + with their bright numbers turned inwards, all nicely lashed up + with the regulated proportion of turns, each hammock being of a + uniform size from end to end.</p> + + <p>While the people are at breakfast, the word is passed to + "clean for muster," in any dress the commanding officer may think + most suitable to the climate or weather. Between the tropics, the + order for rigging in frocks and trousers is generally delivered + in these words:—</p> + + <p>"Do you hear, there! fore and aft! Clean for muster at five + bells—duck frocks and white trousers!"</p> + + <p>In colder regions, it is "Blue jackets and trousers;" and in + rainy, cold, or blowing weather, the following order is sung out + along the lower deck, first by the husky-throated boatswain, and + then in a still rougher enunciation by his gruff satellites, the + boatswain's mates:—</p> + + <p>"D'ye hear, there! Clean shirt and a shave for muster at five + bells!"</p> + + <p>Twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, the operation of + shaving is held to be necessary. These are called "clean-shirt + days." Mondays and Fridays are the days appointed for washing the + clothes.</p> + + <p>It is usual to give the men three quarters, instead of + half-an-hour to breakfast on Sundays, that they may have time to + rig themselves in proper trim before coming on deck. The watch, + therefore, is called at a quarter-past eight, or it may be one + bell, which is half-past. The forenoon watch bring their + clothes-bags up with them, in order that they may not be again + required to leave the deck before muster. The bags are piled in + neat pyramids, or in other forms, sometimes on the booms before + the boats, and sometimes in a square mass on the after part of + the quarter-deck of a frigate. It strikes my recollection that in + most ships there is a sort of difficulty in finding a good place + on which to stow the bags.</p> + + <p>As soon as the forenoon watch is called, the between decks, on + which the men live, is carefully cleaned, generally by what is + called dry holy-stoning. This is done by rubbing the deck with + small smooth pieces of freestone, after a layer of well-dried + sand has been sprinkled over it. This operation throws up a good + deal of dust; but it makes the deck white, which is the grand + point aimed at. The wings, the store-rooms, and the cockpits, + undergo a similar dose of rubbing and scrubbing; in short, every + hole and corner of the decks, both above and below stairs, as + folks on shore would say, is swept, and swept, and swept again, + on a Sunday morning, till the panting sweepers are half dead; + indeed, the rest of the ship's company are worried out of all + patience, from eight o'clock to half-past ten, with the eternal + cry of "Pipe the sweepers!" followed by a sharp, interrupted + whistle, not unlike the note of a pet canary.</p> + + <p>What with cleaning the decks and cleaning themselves, the + watch below have fully enough to do to get all ready by five + bells. It must be remembered, too, that they have had the morning + watch to keep, since four o'clock, and the whole trouble of + washing the upper decks, shaking out the reefs, stowing the + hammocks, and coiling down the ropes; all easy matters of + routine, it is true, but still sufficiently tiresome when + multiplied so often.</p> + + <p>At the appointed hour of half-past ten, to a single stroke of + the bell, the mate of the watch, directed by the officer on deck, + who again acts in obedience to the captain's orders, conveyed to + him by the first lieutenant, calls out,—</p> + + <p>"Beat to divisions!"</p> + + <p>It should have been stated, that, before this period arrives, + the mate of the decks and the mate of the hold, the boatswain, + gunner, and carpenter, have all severally received reports from + their subordinates that their different departments are in proper + order for inspection. Reports to the same effect being then + finally made to the first lieutenant by the mates and + warrant-officers, he himself goes round the ship to see that all + is right and tight, preparatory to the grand inspection. I ought + also to have mentioned that the bags of the watch below are piped + up at ten o'clock, so that nothing remains between decks but the + mess-tables, stools, and the soup and grog kids. Long before this + hour, the greater number of the whole ship's company have dressed + themselves and are ready for muster; but the never-ending + sweepers, the fussy warrant-officers' yeomen, the exact purser's + steward, the slovenly midshipmen's boy, the learned loblolly boy, + and the interminable host of officers' servants, who have always + fifty extra things to do, are often so sorely pressed for time, + that at the first tap of the drum beating to divisions, these + idlers, as they are technically much miscalled, may often be seen + only then lugging their shirts over their heads, or hitching up + their trousers in all the hurry-scurry of a lower-deck toilet. I + should have recorded that in the ship's head, as well as on the + fore-part of the main-deck, and likewise between the guns, + chiefly those abreast of the fore-hatchway, there have been + groups assembled to scrape and polish themselves ever since + breakfast-time, and even before it. Some are washing themselves; + others cutting, and combing, and trimming their hair; for, + now-a-days, there are none of those huge long tails, or club + ties, which descended along the back of the sailors who fought + with Benbow and Rodney. The dandyism of Jack has now taken + another turn, and the knowing thing at present is to have a + parcel of ringlets hanging from the temples almost to the + collar-bone. Some of the youngest and best-looking of the + foretop-men would also very fain indulge in the feminine foppery + of ear-rings; but in the British Navy this is absolutely + forbidden.</p> + + <p>I remember once, on the beach of Madras, witnessing an amusing + scene between Sir Samuel Hood, then commander-in-chief in India, + and the newly-promoted boatswain of a sloop-of-war belonging to + the squadron. The Admiral, who was one of the bravest, and + kindest, and truest-hearted seamen that ever trod a ship's decks, + was a sworn foe to all trickery in dress. The eye of the veteran + officer was directed earnestly towards the yeast of waves, which + in immense double rows of surf, fringe and guard the whole of + that flat coast. He was watching the progress of a Massullah + boat, alternately lost in the foam, and raised in very uncertain + balance across the swell, which, though just on the break, + brought her swiftly towards the shore. He felt more anxious than + usual about the fate of this particular boat, from having ordered + on shore the person alluded to, with whom he wished to have some + conversation previous to their parting company. This boatswain + was a young man, who had been for some years a follower of the + Admiral in different ships, and to whom he had just given a + warrant. The poor fellow, unexpectedly promoted from before the + mast to the rank of a warrant-officer, was trigged out in his + newly-bought, but marvellously ill-cut uniform, shining like a + new dollar, and making its wearer, who for the first time in his + life had put on a long coat, feel not a little awkward.</p> + + <p>As soon as the boat was partly driven up the beach by the + surf, and partly dragged beyond the dash of the breakers by the + crowd on shore, this happiest of warrant-officers leaped out on + the sand, and seeing the Admiral above him, standing on the crest + of the natural glacis which lines the shore, he took off his hat, + smoothed down the hair on his forehead, sailor fashion, and stood + uncovered, in spite of the roasting sun flaming in the + zenith.</p> + + <p>The Admiral, of course, made a motion with his hand for the + boatswain to put his hat on; but the other, not perceiving the + signal, stood stock-still.</p> + + <p>"I say, put on your hat!" called the commander-in-chief, in a + tone which made the newly-created warrant start. In his agitation + he shook a bunch of well-trimmed ringlets a little on one side, + and betrayed to the flashing eyes of the Admiral a pair of small + round silver ear-rings, the parting gift, doubtless, of some + favoured and favouring "Poll or Bess" of dear, old, blackguard + Point Beach. Be this as it may, the Admiral, first stepping on + one side, and then holding his head forward, as if to + re-establish the doubting evidence of his horrified senses, and + forcibly keeping down the astonished seaman's hat with his hand, + roared out,—</p> + + <p>"Who the devil are you?"</p> + + <p>"John Marline, sir!" replied the bewildered boatswain, + beginning to suspect the scrape he had got himself into.</p> + + <p>"Oh!" cried the flag-officer, with a scornful laugh. "Oh! I + beg your pardon; I took you for a Portuguese."</p> + + <p>"No, sir!" instinctively faltered out the other, seeing the + Admiral expected some reply.</p> + + <p>"No! Then, if you are not a foreigner, why do you hoist false + colours? What business has an English sailor with these + d—— d machines in his ears?"</p> + + <p>"I don't know, sir," said poor Marline. "I put them in only + this morning, when I rigged myself in my new togs to answer the + signal on shore."</p> + + <p>"Then," said Sir Samuel, softened by the contrite look of his + old shipmate, and having got rid of the greater portion of his + bile by the first explosion, "you will now proceed to unrig + yourself of this top hamper as fast as you can; pitch them into + the surf if you like; but never, as you respect the warrant in + your pocket, let me see you in that disguise again."</p> + + <p>When the drum beats the well-known + "<i>Générale</i>," the ship's company range + themselves in a single line along both sides of the quarter-deck, + the gangways, and all round the forecastle. In a frigate, the + whole crew may be thus spread out on the upper deck alone; but in + line-of-battle ships the numbers are so great that similar + ranges, each consisting of a division, are likewise formed on the + opposite sides of the main-deck. The marines, under arms, and in + full uniform, fall in at the after-part of the quarter-deck; + while the ship's boys, under the master-at-arms, with his ratan + in hand, muster on the forecastle.</p> + + <p>In some ships the men are sized, as it is called, the tallest + being placed at the after-end, and so on down to the most + diminutive, who is fixed at the extremity. But this arrangement, + being more of a military than of a naval cast, is rarely adopted + now-a-days. It will seldom happen, indeed, that the biggest and + burliest fellows in a ship's company are the leading men. They + may chance, indeed, to be poulterers, cook's mates, or fit only + to make sweepers of; personages who after a three years' station + barely know the stem from the stern, and could no more steer the + ship than they could take a lunar distance. Officers, however, on + first joining a ship, are very apt to be guilty of some injustice + towards the people by judging of them too hastily from appearance + alone. We are insensibly so much prepossessed in favour of a + fine, tall, good-looking sailor-lad, and prejudiced against a + grizzled, crooked, little wretch, that if both happen to be + brought before us for the same offence, we almost instinctively + commit the injustice of condemning the ugly fellow, and + acquitting the smart-looking one, before a tithe of the evidence + has reached our ears.</p> + + <p>Leaving these speculative questions, however, for the present, + let us return to the divisions, which are arranged along the + deck, not, as formerly, by sizes, but, in the proper way, by the + watch-bill. The forecastle-men, of course, come first, as they + stand so in the lists by which they are mustered at night by the + mate of the watch; then the foretop men, and so on to the + gunners, after-guard, and waisters. Each division is under charge + of a lieutenant, who, as well as the midshipmen of his division, + appears in full uniform. The people are first mustered by the + young gentlemen, and then carefully inspected by the officer of + the division, who sees that every man is dressed according to + order, and that he is otherwise in proper trim. It is also usual + in hot climates for the surgeon and his assistants to pass along + the lines, to ascertain, partly by the men's looks, and partly by + an examination of their limbs, that no traces of scurvy have + begun to show themselves.</p> + + <p>While the mustering and inspecting of the divisions is going + on, the captain paces the quarter-deck, in company with the first + lieutenant. No other voices are heard except theirs, and that of + the midshipmen calling over the names of the men, or the officers + putting some interrogatory about a spot of tar on a pair of duck + trousers, or an ill-mended hole in the sleeve of a shirt. In a + few minutes even these sounds are hushed, and nothing is + distinguishable fore and aft but the tread of the respective + officers, on their way aft to report to the captain on the + quarter-deck that all are present, properly dressed, and clean, + at their different divisions. The marine officer likewise makes a + report of his party and their equipments. The first lieutenant + now turns to the captain, takes off his hat, and says,—</p> + + <p>"All the officers have reported, sir."</p> + + <p>To which the other replies,—</p> + + <p>"We'll go round the ship, then, if you please;" and off they + trudge, after leaving the deck in charge of the second + lieutenant, or the master, as may be determined upon at the + moment.</p> + + <p>As the captain approaches the first division, he is received + by the officer commanding it, who touches his hat, and then falls + into the train behind. Of course, the moment the skipper appears, + the men along the whole line take off their hats, smooth down + their locks, make many clumsy efforts to stand erect, fumble + interminably with the waistband of their trousers, and shuffle, + to more or less purpose, according to the motion of the ship, to + maintain their toes exactly at the line or seam in the deck along + which they have been cautioned twenty times they are to stand. + The captain, as he moves slowly past, eyes each man from head to + foot, and lets nothing pass of which he disapproves. The officer + of the division is ready to explain, or to take a note of what + alteration is required; but supposing all to be right, not a + syllable is spoken, and at the end of the division the captain + again touches his hat to the officer, who returns the salute, and + remains with his people.</p> + + <p>He then proceeds to the forecastle, at the break of which he + is received by the three warrant-officers, the boatswain, gunner, + and carpenter, in their best coats, cut after the fashion of the + year one, broad-tailed, musty, and full of creases from bad + packing and little use, and blazing from top to bottom with a + double-tiered battery of buttons of huge dimensions. Behind these + worthy personages, who seldom look much at home in their finery, + stands the master-at-arms, in front of his troop of troublesome + small fry, known by the name of the ship's boys, destined in good + time to be sailors, and perhaps amongst the best and truest that + we ever number in our crews.</p> + + <p>In this way, in short, it is a most important, and almost an + imperative duty, on the officers of every man-of-war, to + ascertain, by actual investigation, how far their people are + entitled to the ratings they claim. If we do not see to this, we + are perpetually misapplying the resources of the nation, by + mistaking their true quality.</p> + + <p>I should have mentioned, that before leaving the upper deck + the captain proceeds to inspect the marines, who are drawn up + across or along the quarter-deck abaft. Most captains think it + both judicious and kind to visit the marines first, and I have + never seen this practice adopted without manifest advantage. The + marines are excellent fellows, well-trained, hardy, cheerful, + duly respecting themselves, and proud of their service: while, + from belonging to a fixed corps, and from not being liable to be + perpetually disbanded and scattered, they acquire a permanent + interest, or an inherent <i>esprit de corps</i>, as well as a + permanent footing in the Navy. In like manner, the marine + officers constitute one of the most gentleman-like bodies of men + in the King's service. They are thoroughly imbued with all the + high sentiments of honour belonging to the military character; + and they possess, moreover, in a very pleasant degree, the + freedom of manner and versatility of habits peculiar to those who + go down to the sea in ships.</p> + + <p>The utility of this important body of men on board a + man-of-war is so great, that it becomes the duty of every lover + of the profession to support all its ranks and classes, and to + render their situation when afloat one of respectability, + happiness, and contentment. In speaking of the utility of the + jolly marines, as they are kindly enough called by the sailors, + who, in spite of all their quizzing, really esteem their + pipe-clayed shipmates, I refer less to their services in action, + than to their inestimable value in sustaining the internal + discipline of the service. The manner in which this is brought + about forms one of the most interesting peculiarities in the + whole range of naval affairs; but it deserves to be treated of + separately, and at length.</p> + + <p>The two divisions ranged along the main-deck, supposing the + ship's company so distributed, next engage the captain's + attention. I think it is usual to take that first which stands on + the starboard side of the deck, with the after-end, or its left, + as military men would say, close against the bulkhead of the + captain's cabin, while the foremost men of the division extend + under the forecastle. On arriving at the galley or kitchen, the + captain is received by the cook (or as much as may be left of + him, according to the Greenwich Hospital joke), behind whom + stands his mate, generally a tall, glossy, powerful negro, who, + unlike his chief, has always a full allowance of limbs, with a + round and shining face, about as moist as one of the tubful of + huge suet puddings, tied up in bags alongside of him. The cook, + aided by "Quamino," lifts the lids off the coppers, that the + captain may peer into them, and ascertain whether or not all is + clean and nice. With the end of his wooden leg the cook then + gives a twist to the cock of the coppers, to let some of the + pease-soup in preparation run off and show itself to the noble + commander's inspection. The oven-doors are next opened, the range + or large fire stirred up, and every hole and corner exposed to + view; the object of the grand visitation being to see that this + essential department of the ship is in the most perfect state of + cleanliness and good order.</p> + + <p>Still further forward, before the galley, in the very nose of + her, as the foremost nook or angle of the ship is called, and a + little on one side, lies the sick-bay, or hospital; at the door + of which the surgeon, backed by his assistants, receives the + captain and his double the first lieutenant, and his double the + mate of the main-deck. In they march, all in a row. The captain + takes care not to pass any invalid's hammock without dropping a + word of encouragement to its pale inmate, or begging to be + informed if anything further can be done to make him comfortable. + Only those men who are very unwell, however, are found in their + beds; the rest being generally seated on the chests and boxes + placed round the bay, a part of the ship which, I need scarcely + mention, is kept, if possible, more clean, airy, and tidy than + any other. If a speck of dirt be found on the deck, or a gallipot + or phial out of its place, woe betide the loblolly-boy, the + assistant-surgeon's assistant, and the constant attendant upon + the hospital. This personage is usually a fellow of some small + knowledge of reading and writing, who, by overhearing the daily + clinical lectures of the doctor, contrives to pick up a + smattering of medical terms, which he loses no opportunity of + palming off upon his messmates below as sublime wisdom sucked in + at Alma Mater.</p> + + <p>Just before leaving the sick-bay, the captain generally turns + to the surgeon, and says, as a matter of course, "Doctor, mind + you always send aft at dinner-time for anything and everything + you require for the sick;" and I have frequently remarked that + his whole tone and manner are greatly softened during this part + of the rounds, perhaps without his being conscious of any + difference. A very small share of attention on the part of a + commanding-officer on such occasions, if kindly and unaffectedly + exercised, leaves a wonderfully favourable impression, not only + among the invalids to whom it is more particularly addressed, but + seldom fails to extend its salutary influence over the rest of + the ship's company, and thus, of course, contributes materially + to strengthen and to maintain his authority. Such expressions of + sympathy never fail to act like drops of oil on the machinery of + discipline, making all its wheels work smoothly and sweetly.</p> + + <p>The lower deck is next examined. The bags have been carried on + deck, so that, as I mentioned before, nothing remains but the + people's mess-tables and mess things, their kids, and crockery. + As Jack is mighty fond of a bit of show in his way, many of the + berths or mess-places exhibit goodly ranges of tea-cups and + regiments of plates worthy of the celebrated Blue Posts Tavern, + occasionally flanked by a huge tea-pot, famously emblazoned with + yellow dragons and imitation Chinese. The intervals between the + shelves are generally ornamented with a set of pictures of rural + innocence, where shepherds are seen wooing shepherdesses, + balanced by representations of not quite such innocent Didos + weeping at the Sally Port, and waving their lily hands to + departing sailor-boys. On the topmost-shelf stands, or is tied to + the side, a triangular piece of a mirror, three inches perhaps by + three, extremely useful in adjusting the curls of our nautical + coxcombs, of whom one at least is to be found in every berth.</p> + + <p>The mess-tables, which are kept so bright you would suppose + them whitewashed, are hooked to the ship's side at one end, while + the other is suspended by small ropes covered with white canvas. + Against these lines rest the soup and grog kids, shining in a + double row along the deck, which is lighted up, fore and aft, for + the captain's visit, by a candle in each berth. In frigates it is + usual, I believe, to let the people have a certain number of + chests, besides their bags. These not only form convenient seats + for the men at meals, and couches on which to stretch their + worn-out limbs during the watch below, but they afford a place in + which the sailors may stow away some part of their best attire, + deposit their little knick-knacks, and here and there a book, or + mayhap a love-letter, or some cherished love-token. A chest, in + short, or the share of a chest, even though it be only a quarter, + or a sixth part, is always so great a comfort that this + indulgence ought to be granted when it can possibly be allowed. + In single-decked ships, I conceive it may generally be permitted: + in a line-of-battle ship hardly ever. In a frigate, as there are + no guns on the lower deck, where the people mess and sleep, there + is nothing to clear away on coming into action; but in a ship of + the line the men pass their whole lives amongst the guns, by + night as well as by day, and as it is absolutely necessary to + keep every part ready for action at an instant's warning, nothing + can be allowed to remain between the guns but such articles as + may be carried out of the way in a moment. It is sometimes + nonsensical, and even cruel, to carry this system into a frigate, + where the same necessity for keeping the space unencumbered does + not exist. Doubtless the mate of the lower deck, and often enough + the first lieutenant, and sometimes even the captain, will be + anxious to break up all the men's chests, in order to have a + clear-looking, open, airy, between-decks, to make a show of; but + with proper care it may be kept almost as clear and quite as + clean with a couple of chests in each berth as without. Even were + it otherwise, we ought, I think, rather to give up a little + appearance to secure so great a share of comfort to those who, at + best, are not overburdened with luxuries.</p> + + <p>As the captain walks aft, along the lower deck, he comes to + the midshipmen's berth, or room, in which the youngsters mess. It + is the foremost and largest of a range of cabins built up on each + side, and reaching as far aft as the gun-room, or mess-place of + the commissioned officers. It is only in line-of-battle ships + that the mids mess in the cockpit; while in frigates they not + merely mess but sleep in the part of the lower deck called, I + know not why, the steerage. I ought to have mentioned that before + the cabins of the officers, and abaft those of the sailors, lie + the berths of the marines; but, of course, those mess-places of + the men are not partitioned off, being merely denoted by the + tables and shelves. The boatswain, gunner, and carpenter, have + their cabins in the steerage.</p> + + <p>The captain peeps into each of these dens as he moves along. + In that of the midshipmen he may probably find a youth with the + quarantine-flag up; that is, in the sick-list. His cue, we may + suppose, is always to look as miserable and woe-begone as + possible. If he have had a tussle with a messmate, and one or + both his eyes are bunged up in consequence, it costs him no small + trouble to conceal his disorderly misdeeds. It would be just as + easy, in fact, to stop the winds as to stop the use of + fisty-cuffs amongst a parcel of hot-blooded lads between thirteen + and nineteen, although, of course, such <i>rencontres</i> are + held to be contrary to the laws and customs used at sea, and are + punishable accordingly. The captain, pretending ignorance, + however, merely grins; and, without exposing the boy to the + necessity of getting up a story, remarks:—</p> + + <p>"I suppose, Master Peppercorn, you fell down the + after-hatchway ladder, and struck your eye against the corner of + a chest? Didn't you? And, what is odd enough, I dare say, when I + cross to the starboard berth, I shall find Mr. Mustardseed, who + has met with exactly the same accident about the same time. What + do yo think? Eh?"</p> + + <p>"I don't know, sir," answers the badgered youngster; "Mr. + Mustardseed and I are not on speaking terms."</p> + + <p>"Very likely not," chuckles the skipper, as he proceeds to + thrust his nose curiously into the warrant officers' little + boxes. On arriving at the gun-room, he merely glances, with a + well-bred air of assumed indifference, at the apartment of the + officers, with whose habits and arrangements he scarcely ever + ventures to meddle. He next dives into the cockpit, which in a + frigate is used only for the purser's store-room, leading to the + bread-room, both of which he examines carefully. The spirit-room + hatchway, too, is lifted up for his inspection, as well as that + of the after-hold. He then takes a survey of the cable tiers, + which are lighted up for the occasion; as also different + store-rooms of the boatswain, gunner, and carpenter; all of which + ought to be objects of his particular care, for it is of great + consequence that every article they contain should not only have + an assigned and well-known place, but that it should actually be + kept in that place. It is, indeed, quite wonderful how much may + be done in the way of stowage by dint of good management. In a + well-regulated ship, there is not a bolt or a bar, nor any kind + of tool belonging to the carpenter, nor a single rope great or + small; canvas fine as duck, or coarse as No. 1, belonging to the + boatswain; nor any description of warlike store in charge of the + gunner, which cannot instantly be laid hold of, and conveyed in + half-a-minute to any part of the ship, alow or aloft.</p> + + <p>At length, when every square inch of the holds, tiers, + sail-rooms, and all the cabins and berths below, have been + examined, the visitation party return to the quarter-deck, after + a full half-hour's ramble. As the captain re-ascends to the + different decks in succession, the men, who have never budged + from their divisions, again pluck off their hats, the marines + carry arms the moment his head shows above the coamings, and all + the officers stop instantaneously in the middle of their walk to + salute their commander, as he once more treads the + quarter-deck.</p> + + <p>"And now, sir," says the captain, turning to the first + lieutenant, "if you please we will rig the church."</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">THE SHIP + CHURCH.</p> + + <p>The carpenters and the watch on deck soon carry aft their + benches and mess-stools; but these not being sufficient to afford + accommodation for all hands, as many capstan-bars as may be + required are likewise brought up and placed athwart the + quarter-deck, with their ends resting on match-tubs and + fire-buckets, or on the carronade-slides. These seats occupy the + whole of the space from the break of the quarter-deck and the + belaying bits round the mainmast, as far as the + companion-hatchway. Chairs from the cabin and gun-room are also + placed abaft all, for the captain and officers, and on the lee + side for the warrant-officers and mids; for it need scarcely be + mentioned that due subordination is made to keep its place even + in our church.</p> + + <p>The pulpit stands amidships, either on the after-gratings, or + on the deck immediately before the hatchway. In some ships, this + part of the nautical church establishment consists of a moveable + reading-desk, made expressly for the occasion, but brought up + from the carpenter's store-room only when wanted; sometimes one + of the binnacles is used for this purpose; and I remember a ship + in which the prayer-book was regularly laid on a sword-rack, or + stand, holding six dozen naked cutlasses. The desk is covered + over with a signal-flag, as well as the hassock for the chaplain + to kneel upon, which is usually a grape or canister shot-box, + surmounted by a cheese of great-gun wads, to make it soft.</p> + + <p>All this implies that the weather is fine, the awnings spread + overhead, and the curtains stretched fore and aft, to keep out + the heat and glare. In rainy or blustering weather the church is + rigged under the half-deck, much in the same way, except that the + pulpit is placed between two of the guns, and generally on the + larboard side, as nearly abreast of the quarter-deck ladder as + may be.</p> + + <p>When all is ready, the bell is tolled by one of the + quarter-masters; and the crew, quietly clustering aft, occupy the + bars, stools, planks, and gun-slides, prepared for their + accommodation. The marines range themselves on the front seats; + while the officers take their places, of course not avowedly in + the order of date in their commissions, but, more or less, they + do fall into their respective stations according to seniority. + The chaplain is now informed that every one is assembled; or, if + there be no clergyman on board, the report is made to the + captain, who generally officiates in that case. When the service + begins, if there be any other ship in company, a pendant, such as + men-of-war carry at their mast-head to distinguish them from + merchant-ships, is hoisted at the mizen peak, to show that the + ship's company are at prayers. This signal, which is kept flying + during the performance of divine service, is respected by every + other ship, whether commanded by a superior officer or not.</p> + + <p>Besides the prayers, which, as I have already mentioned, are + "according to the Liturgy of the Church of England, established + by law," the chaplain gives a short discourse, not exceeding at + most twenty or twenty-five minutes in length. Some captains are + in the habit of reading a sermon; but more commonly, when there + is no clergyman on board, the prayers are deemed sufficient. + These points, as may be supposed, become frequent matters of + discussion in the fleet. I shall not enter into them further just + now than by observing that the majority of right-thinking + officers appear to agree, that, if the church service on board + ship be not "solemnly, orderly, and reverently performed," + according to the terms and in the spirit of the first article of + war, it is either useless or worse than useless. It ought + therefore to take place as regularly and habitually as the nature + of the ship's duties will allow of. In the next place, it seems + clear, that if the service be rendered so long, or be otherwise + so conducted, as not to arrest the attention of the crew, or not + to maintain it alive when once fixed, it is too long.</p> + + <p>I will venture to say, there is rarely to be met with anywhere + a more orderly or a more attentive congregation, in all respects, + than on board a man-of-war.</p> + + <p>But, notwithstanding all Jack's decorum and his discipline, to + say nothing of his natural inclination, when duly encouraged, to + reflect seriously and properly on any subject, as he is made of + ordinary flesh and bones, his eyes will sometimes refuse to keep + open under the infliction of a dull or ill-delivered discourse; + so that if the person who officiates happens not to read very + well, his best chance for securing any useful attention consists + in the brevity of his prelections. If the quality, rather than + the quantity, of instruction be his object, he should be + exceedingly careful not to fatigue his hearers. The inverse rule + of proportion obtains here with such mortifying regularity, that + the longer he makes the church service beyond the mark of + agreeable and easy attention, the more certain will he be of + missing his point.</p> + + <p>The analogy, not to speak it profanely, between overloading a + gun and overloading a discourse applies especially to + ship-preaching. Sailors are such odd fellows that they are nowise + moved by noise and smoke; but they well know how to value a good + aim, and always love and honour a commanding-officer who truly + respects their feelings, nor by means of long-winded and + ill-timed discourses, or what they irreverently call + psalm-singing, interferes too much with their religious + concerns.</p> + + <p>It would be easy, though perhaps rather invidious, to point + out in what other respects many officers are apt, besides the + protracted length of the church service on Sunday, to err in + excess in these matters. I am very sorry to say it would be still + easier to show in what respects all of us err in defect. I should + rejoice much more in being able to make officers who have not + sufficiently reflected on these things, duly sensible that it is + quite as much to their immediate professional advantage that the + religious duties of their ship should form an essential part of + the discipline of the crew, and be considered not less useful in + a moral point of view, than rigging the masts properly is to the + nautical department of their command.</p> + + <p>If, indeed, religion, when applied to the ordinary business of + life, should be found inconsistent with those moral obligations + which are dictated to us by conscience; or even were we to + discover that the ablest, most virtuous, and most successful + person, amongst us were uniformly despisers of religion, then + there would certainly be some explanation, not to say excuse, for + young and inexperienced men venturing to dispute on such + subjects, and claiming the bold privilege of absolutely + independent thought and action. But surely there is neither + excuse nor explanation, nor indeed any sound justification + whatsoever, for the presumption of those who, in the teeth of all + experience and authority, not only trust themselves with the open + expression of these cavils, but, having settled the whole + question in their own way, take the hazardous line of + recommending their daring example to those around them. It is + also material to recollect that there is not a single point of + duty in the whole range of the naval profession, which, when well + understood, may not be enforced with greater efficiency by a + strict adherence to the sanctions of religion, than if it were + attempted single-handed; so that most of the objections which one + hears made to the due performance of the church service on board + ship, on the score of its interfering with the discipline, are + quite absurd, and inapplicable to the circumstances of the + case.</p> + + <p>The captain of a man-of-war, therefore, if his influence be as + well-founded as it ought, may, in this most material of all + respects, essentially supply the place of a parent to young + persons, who must be considered for the time virtually as + orphans. He may very possibly not be learned enough to lay before + his large nautical family the historical and other external + evidences of Christianity, and, perhaps, may have it still less + in his power to make them fully aware of the just force of its + internal evidences; but he can seldom have any doubt as to his + duty in this case more than in any other department of the + weighty obligations with which he is charged; and if he cannot + here, as elsewhere, make the lads under his care see distinctly, + in the main, what course it best becomes them to follow, he is + hardly fit for his station. I freely own that it is far beyond + his power to make them pursue that line, if they choose to be + perverse; but he will neglect an important, I might add, a sacred + and solemn part of his business, if he leaves their minds more + adrift on the score of religion than he can possibly help. Their + steering in this ticklish navigation, it is true, depends upon + their own prudence; but it is his bounden duty to provide them + with both a rudder and a compass, and also, as far as he is able, + to instruct them, like a good pilot, in the course they ought to + shape. The eventual success of the great voyage of life lies with + themselves; the captain's duty, as a moral commander-in-chief, is + done if he sets his juvenile squadron fairly under weigh. It is + in vain to conceal from ourselves, that, unless both officers and + men can be embodied more or less as a permanent corps, every ship + that is commissioned merely furnishes a sort of fresh experiment + in naval discipline. The officers are brought together without + any previous acquaintance with one another; and many of them, + after a long residence on shore, have lost most of their naval + habits. The sailors, being collected how and where we can get + hold of them, are too frequently the off-scourings and scum of + society. With such a heterogeneous crew, the first year is + employed in teaching them habits of cleanliness and common + decency; and it is only in the third year of their service that + the ship becomes really efficient. Just as that point has been + reached, all hands are turned off, to make room for another + experiment. If a few active men of the crew have become better + sailors, they generally go into the merchant-service for higher + wages; while the officers are again laid on the shelf. Something + has been done lately to retain the petty officers in the navy, + but perhaps not enough. It has been suggested that, instead of + giving men pensions for long servitude, it might be more useful + to allow their wages to increase gradually year by year, at some + small rate, and at the end of fourteen years give them half-pay + of the rating to which they had reached, if they chose to + retire.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href= + "#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p> + + <p>In returning to the subject of the church, it must be + remembered that the circumstances of wind and weather will often + interfere with the regularity of our Sunday service. In some + parts of an Indian voyage, for instance, it may be safely + calculated that no interruption will take place; while there + occur other stages of the passage when Divine service must of + necessity be stopped, to shorten sail or trim the yards. In + peace-time, or in harbour, or in fine weather at sea, no such + teasing interference is likely to arise; but in war, and on board + a cruising ship, the public service frequently calls a ship's + company to exchange their Bibles and Prayer-books for the sponges + and rammers. The collect in which they have petitioned to be + defended from the fear of their enemies, and that their time + might be passed in rest and quietness, may hardly have passed + their lips, before they are eagerly and joyfully scampering up + the rigging to shake the reefs out in chase of an enemy, with + whom, in the next hour, they will perhaps be engaged in hot + fight!</p> + + <p>I remember once in a frigate, cruising deep in the Bay of + Biscay, just as the captain had finished the Litany, and the + purser, whose greatest pleasure it was to officiate as clerk, had + said Amen, that the man at the main royal-mast head screamed + out,—</p> + + <p>"A strange sail, broad on the lee bow!"</p> + + <p>The first effect of this announcement was to make the + commander turn round involuntarily to the man at the wheel and + exclaim, "Put the helm up!" He then closed the book, with a + degree of energy of which he was made somewhat ashamed when the + sound was echoed back by that of the rapidly closing volumes all + around him.</p> + + <p>"My lads," said he quickly, but not without solemnity, "our + duty to our King is our duty to God; and if, as I hope, this sail + turn out to be the ship we have been so long looking after, you + will not give a worse account of her to the country, I am sure, + for having applied in good earnest for assistance from aloft." + After which, suddenly changing his tone and manner, he sung out + loudly and clearly,—</p> + + <p>"Hands, make sail! Let go the bow-lines! Round in the weather + braces! Mast-head, there! let me know when the strange sail is + right ahead!"</p> + + <p>Then leaping on the hammocks, and resting his glass against + the after-swifter of the main-rigging, he swept the horizon + impatiently for the stranger. Meanwhile, the rattling of the + chairs, capstan-bars, match-tubs, and shot-boxes, gave token of + the rapid demolition of our nautical church. The studding-sail + booms shot out like spears from the yard-arms, and the sails + which these spars were to expand hung dangling and flapping in + the air, as if the canvas had been alive, and joined in the + eagerness of the chase; while the ship herself, trembling fore + and aft under these fresh and spirit-stirring impulses, dashed + away at the rate of ten and a-half knots.</p> + + <p>Such are the incidents which happen on board single frigates; + those rattling, joyous, fly-along, Salee-rover sort of cruisers, + which range at large over the wide ocean, scour every coast, and + keep the war famously alive. A much more stately ceremonial is + observed on board fleets, whether at sea, blockading a port, or + lying in harbour. The ships of the different divisions, or + squadrons, wait till the admiral hoists at his mizen-peak the + signal indicating that Divine service has commenced, the bell is + then tolled in each of the other ships, the usual pendant is + displayed, and the first article of war is complied with, not + only to the letter, but often, we may hope and trust, fully up to + the spirit. I have heard many clergymen declare that they never + beheld any congregation in which more attention and decorum + prevailed than in our ship churches.</p> + + <p>At sea, both in fleets and on board single ships, the + afternoon of Sunday is generally a season of rest and quietness; + but in harbour it is frequently the most annoying period of the + whole week. There is nothing for the men to do, and the time + hangs terribly heavy on their hands; to which it must be added, + that our ships are too often infested by some of the vilest + contaminations of the shore. Bad as these influences are, at any + time or place, I believe they may he considered at their worst + when they come afloat; so that whenever it can possibly be done + without injury to the service, portions of the ship's company + should be allowed to go on shore in turn, albeit their + proceedings when "on liberty," as they call it, are none of the + most commendable. But we must let that pass. In foreign ports, + however, this indulgence is frequently impossible; and in cases + when the people cannot be permitted to land, the different + men-of-war in company are sure to send boat-loads of visitors, or + what are called "liberty men," on board one another's ships, to + pass the afternoon of Sunday. This practice is the very bane of + good discipline, and ought at all times to be discouraged in + every way; for it almost inevitably leads to drunkenness, + rioting, and bitter heart-burnings. It has, moreover, the effect + of making the men discontented with their own ship and their own + officers. The sailors are sufficiently sharp criticisers of the + conduct of their superiors, even when they have all the facts + before them, and the power of observing closely, and from day to + day. But when they pass on board other vessels, and interchange + exaggerations over an extra pot of grog, the mischievous + consequence is certain; for each of the parties is likely enough + to break up the visit miserably discontented, and to return under + a thorough conviction that, while everything done in their own + ship is wrong, all the officers are either foolish or tyrannical, + or both. If there must be ship-visiting, let it be on week days, + and in the morning; but, clearly, the less the better; and most + assuredly it ought never to be allowed on Sunday evening.</p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> It would + have gratified Captain Hall if he had lived to see that some + of the changes for which he pleads so earnestly are being + adopted, and that the best hands in the navy are now retained + as continuous service men.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">NAVAL RATINGS + AND SEA PAY.</p> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">MUSTERING + CLOTHES.</p> + + <p>The dinner-hour on Sunday is noon, the same as on other days; + but there is this distinction, which ought to mark the afternoon + in every well-regulated ship, the people are never disturbed + between twelve o'clock and four, unless some particular service + occurs which cannot without impropriety be deferred. It is + customary during the rest of the week to turn the watch up at one + o'clock, but on Sunday, if possible, the people should be left + alone: to be idle if they choose it, or to read, or otherwise to + employ themselves according to their own fancy. This, after all, + is but a trifling indulgence, which hardly ever puts the captain + or officers to any inconvenience. Even if it did, what would it + matter? The interests of the country will not be worse attended + to in the long-run for an occasional relaxation of strict + etiquettes and formal observances. Even if the ship be making a + passage, and that, in strictness, all sail ought to be carried, + no eventual loss will ever attend such very trivial abatement of + speed; for the men will probably be far more active in making and + shortening sail at other times, when their minor comforts are + thus regarded, than when treated as if they had no feelings to be + considered.</p> + + <p>The circumstance which most distinctly marks the afternoon of + Sunday on board a man-of-war, even more than on land, is the + absence of all the usual stir caused by the multifarious + occupations of the artificers and crew. Indeed, the lower deck of + a man-of-war on Sunday afternoon, between dinner time and the + hour of tea, or evening grog, a cast of idleness is the most + characteristic feature. Groups of men may be seen sitting on the + deck chatting over very old stories, a few are reading, and many + are stretched out flat on their backs fast asleep, or dosing with + their heads laid on their arms on the mess-table. But the habit + of locomotion amongst sailors is so strong, that there are always + numerous parties walking on the main deck in pairs, or in threes + and fours, along a short space, backwards and forwards, although + there seems no reason why their walk should not be twice or + thrice as long. Both sides of the forecastle, too, and the + lee-gangway, are generally filled with these walking + philosophers, as they may in truth be called; for they enjoy the + hour that passes, and are ready to take whatever comes in good + part. The weather-gangway is usually left for the occasional + transits of that most restless of mortals, the officer of the + watch, who, as in duty bound, is eternally fidgeting about the + trim of the sails, and must often step forward to the chestree, + from whence, while resting his foot on the tack-block of the + mainsail, he may cast his eye aloft to detect something to alter + in the position of the head-yards. Or if he hears any noise in + the galley, or even on the lower deck, he can walk forward till + he is able to peer down the fore-hatchway, by stooping under the + bows of the boat on the booms. Most of this fidget probably + arises, not so much from any wish to find fault with what is + wrong, as to maintain what is right. The true preventive service + of an officer is to interpose his superintending vigilance + between the temptation, on the part of the men, to err, and their + first motion towards offence. Were this principle fully acted up + to in all ships, how rapidly might not our punishments + subside!</p> + + <p>At four, or half-past four in the afternoon, the merry pipe to + supper awakes the sleepers, arrests the peripatetics, and once + more clusters young and old round the mess-table. At sunset the + drum beats to quarters, when the men's names are carefully called + over, and the sobriety of each ascertained. Other duties may be + intermitted on the day of rest, but not that of the guns, which + are minutely examined, and all their appendages got ready every + evening with as much earnest care as if the ship were that + instant sailing into action. A moment's reflection, indeed, will + show that there can, of course, be no difference in this respect + between Sunday and any other evening. Then come in succession the + following routine orders, and their correspondent + evolutions:—"Reef topsails!" "Stand by the hammocks!" "Pipe + down!" "Roll up the cloths!" "Call the watch!" "Pipe the + sweepers!" And thus, at last, the first day of the week at sea, + in a man-of-war, is at an end.</p> + + <p>In old times, I recollect, the fashion was for the men to + press aft in a disorganised crowd; but of late years the + following more appropriate and orderly arrangement has been + universally adopted. The men are distributed in a close double + row round the quarter-deck gangways and forecastle, each standing + in his place according to the order of his name on the Open List. + A small table is then brought up, on which are spread the + muster-books; and the captain's clerk, who is the only person + seated, begins calling over the names. Each man, as his turn + comes, pulls off his hat, smooths down his hair, and passes over + from the lee side of the deck to the weather side, stepping + across the gratings just before the binnacle. The captain stands + to windward, so that the men advance directly up towards him, and + then pass forward in review. By this means, not only the captain, + but the officers, who, of course, are all present, become better + acquainted with the men, learn their names, and ascertain their + respective ratings and merits. The first lieutenant plants + himself at the captain's elbow to furnish such general + information as may be required, or to appeal for more minute + details to the other lieutenants, warrant-officers, mates, or + midshipmen, as the case may be.</p> + + <p>The captain avails himself of this public opportunity of + telling any of the men that they have been advanced a step on the + books since the last muster; and if these intimations be given + without parade, and in good taste, they afford great satisfaction + to the people, though it may often happen that the changes of + rating are almost nominal. It is a great point gained in all + discipline, if the persons we wish to influence can be made duly + sensible that their merits and exertions are not neglected. It is + obvious, too, that if giving a man a higher rating be a source of + encouragement, to disrate him may readily be used as a means of + punishment. I remember, in the Lyra, on my way home from China, + in 1817, that the captain of the foretop, a fine active lad from + North Shields, got into some scrape, not quite bad enough to + bring him within the reach of the terrible gangway, but close to + it, and I was rather perplexed how to chastise the offender. The + first Sunday in the month was close at hand, so I waited till + this man's name was called, and then, after a suitable lecture, + desired the clerk, in the hearing of the whole ship's company, to + change his rating to that of able seaman from captain of the top. + The poor fellow looked bewildered, and, instead of passing on + when another name was called, stood stock-still half-way across + the deck.</p> + + <p>"Don't you hear?" I said; "you are no longer captain of the + foretop, you are disrated on the ship's books."</p> + + <p>I then turned to the clerk to see the entry properly made; but + on looking again at the disrated seaman, I observed, to my + astonishment, that he was in tears!</p> + + <p>I certainly had not reckoned upon such a scene; but it at once + flashed upon me that here was an opportunity of gaining two + important points. The first and most obvious of which was to + secure this particular man's future good services by enlisting + all that was hearty in his nature at the instant of its strongest + expression; and the next, to avail myself of the circumstance to + stamp a still higher degree of importance in the eyes of the men + than before upon the value of these ratings. I therefore + instantly called out to the clerk to stop his pen; and then + addressing the man, in a voice loud enough to be heard by all the + crew, said, I was quite sure any one who felt so sensibly the + degradation implied in the loss of rank which he had just + incurred was never likely to expose himself again to such a risk. + I should therefore not only give him back his former rating, and + replace him in his station as captain of the top, but assure him + that all trace both of his offence and its punishment should from + that moment be entirely forgotten.</p> + + <p>It is hardly within the range of popular explanation to show + in what particulars the different shades of technical merit + consist, by which many of these ratings are awarded. The letters + A.B., which mean Able Seaman, are placed against the names of + those only who are thorough-bred sailors, or who, in sea phrase, + can not only "hand, reef, and steer," but are likewise capable of + heaving the lead in the darkest night, as well as in the + day-time; who can use the palm and needle of a sail-maker; and + who are versed in every part of a ship's rigging, in the stowage + of the hold, and in the exercise of the great guns. Of course, an + A.B. must be able to pull an oar, as well as use it in sculling, + understand the management of a boat under sail, and know how to + cross a surf. He must also learn the art of placing an anchor in + a boat, in order to its being laid out; and how to get it in + again when weighed. In these, and twenty other things which might + be pointed out, he ought to be examined by the boatswain and + other officers before his rating of A.B. is fully established on + the books.</p> + + <p>The higher ratings of quarter-master, gunner's mate, captain + of the forecastle and of the tops, and so on, are given chiefly + to men who may not, in fact, know more than every Able Seaman is + supposed to be acquainted with, but who have recommended + themselves by their superior activity and vigilance, and have not + only shown themselves fit to command others by their decision of + character, but evinced a sincere anxiety to see the work of their + department well performed. It is of great consequence to assist + in every way the authority of these leading hands over the other + men stationed in the same part of the ship; and judicious + officers will generally be able to avail themselves to great + purpose, in moments of trial, of the energetic co-operation of + these persons. Much of the internal, or what may be called + domestic, discipline of the crew, depends upon the conduct of + these men; for each mess has one of them at its head, who is held + more or less responsible for the behaviour of the people in that + knot or party. I have, however, known some officers exact a great + deal too much from these captains of the messes, and expect them + to become spies and informers against their companions; or, which + is just as unreasonable, hold them fully answerable for all + delinquencies committed in their part of the ship. This is cruel; + because, although they undoubtedly may contribute materially + towards the maintenance of good order, they cannot, by + possibility, do more than act as assistants to the first + lieutenant, and chiefly by explaining to the rest of the people + what is required of them. Most men in the long-run, and perhaps + in all ranks of society, but certainly on board a manof-war, find + it so much more agreeable in every respect to do what is right + than what is wrong, that when they come distinctly to know what + is wanted, they almost invariably set about executing it + cheerfully. The first grand point, therefore, in the ship's + discipline, after a system has been adopted which shall be + consistent in all its parts, is, to let the details of this + system be thoroughly understood by every one on board. When a + good plan has been once fixed upon, and the officers are + vigilant, patient, and exact in their own personal conduct, and + the leading men have been made fully acquainted with what is + required, the rest of the crew will be but too happy to do their + duty manfully and well, without the instrumentality of the lash, + except in extreme cases.</p> + + <p>In former times, the distinctions amongst ratings of the + seamen on the ship's books were so few that it was impossible to + discriminate correctly, or to assign to each man, with any + justice, the exact rating which his knowledge of seamanship, his + experience in the exercise of that knowledge, his general good + conduct, and his abilities, might entitle him to. An Order in + Council, dated November, 1816, established a new system of + Ratings; and by another Order, dated the 23rd of June, 1824, "the + net sea pay of the flag-officers of His Majesty's fleet" was + established, "together with the net sea pay and number of their + retinue; the number of commissioned, warrant, petty, and + non-commissioned officers, and the ratings of every description + both of seamen and marines, allowed to each class of His + Majesty's ships, with their rates of net sea pay respectively; + and distinguishing the several classes for sharing the produce of + seizures."<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href= + "#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> + + <p>As soon as the ship's company have been mustered, the captain + takes off his hat and reads the Articles of War, to which, out of + respect to this important act of parliament, the people listen in + like manner uncovered. Between breakfast and divisions, some + captains occupy themselves in examining the weekly reports of the + expenditure of boatswain's, gunner's, and carpenter's stores; and + in going over with the purser the account of the remains of + provisions, fuel, and slop-clothing on board. After which he may + overhaul the midshipmen's log-books, watch, station, and quarter + bills, or take a look at their school-books. If the ship be in + harbour, he also glances his eye at their accounts; and he + generally takes occasion to indulge in a little kindly gossip + about their mess, their love of the sea, and the last letters + they received from home.</p> + + <p>Thus the gallant skipper, as well as his gallant crew, has + seldom much spare time on his hands during the forenoon of + Sunday. I should be right glad, indeed, to be informed what day, + or hour, or even what half-hour, in the whole week, from end to + end, the captain can fairly call his own. Not one! Every other + person on board has his hour, or his four hours, or his eight + hours of rest, and of relief from all anxiety; but the poor + captain has not a minute. He is the chief over all, it is true; + but he pays dearly and deeply for this distinction in the shape + of heavy responsibilities, and perpetual trials of various kinds. + Our poet says, "uneasy lies the head that wears a crown"—I + am quite sure that unburdened never lie the shoulders that wear + two epaulettes. The captain is at all calls, and must be ready at + all seasons with resources, good or bad, to supply the failures + or indolence of others; while his own fate, fortunes, and + character, as well as the credit of the service, and sometimes + that of the country, are made to hang upon the instantaneous + nature of his decisions, and upon the vigour and efficiency of + his exertions, at moments perhaps when his powers are nearly + exhausted, and his spirit all but crushed by sheer fatigue. The + simple enumeration of a captain of a man-of-war's ordinary + responsibilities, I have often thought, would win for his class a + degree of considerate forbearance, and candid allowance for his + difficulties, which, perhaps, it has never yet fairly received + from the public. If, to such enumeration, a notice respecting the + duties of each were appended, an interesting peep might be + afforded to the curious of the internal government of our + singular community, and information supplied on not a few points, + respecting which most people are entirely ignorant.</p> + + <p>It is frequently the practice in the navy on Sundays to muster + clothes at divisions, and to take a list of what slops are + required by the men to complete their kit, or stock of worldly + goods. This overhaul or inspection happens once a month; and when + such is the intention, the word is passed along the lower deck at + breakfast-time, that the ship's company are to "muster clothes at + divisions." When the drum beats, each man brings his bag to the + place where he stands in his division, and proceeds to arrange + his things in order on the deck before him, each article being + placed separately, that the officer may count, and, if he + pleases, examine them, after the mates and mids have first called + over the names, to ascertain that every man has the proper + complement of articles, in good order, and well washed. A note is + then taken of what things are wanted, in the way of slops, to + supply worn-out and condemned clothes. "Slops" is the technical + name for jackets, trousers, shirts, and other articles of a + sailor's wardrobe, before they have been used. They are sent on + board in bales and boxes by government, and placed in charge of + the purser.</p> + + <p>All this is reported in detail to the lieutenant of the + division, who continues walking backwards and forwards while the + inspection is going on, ready to answer appeals in the event of + any difficulties or doubts arising. He carries in his hand a + complete list of his division, and of each man's clothes; and + when the young gentlemen under his orders have finished their + work, and taken down what is wanted, the lieutenant goes along + the line to investigate the whole anew. He then collects the + different memorandums of slops wanted, and proceeds to make his + report to the captain, who either sanctions or disapproves of the + decision of the officer, as he pleases. Frequently the captain + himself goes along the divisions, to look at the men's clothing; + but the glance which he takes is necessarily of a more cursory + nature; his object is, to let the men feel that he is ready to + interfere, if need be, but also to show, that, unless there is + any special call for the interposition of his authority, he + confides in those under him.</p> + + <p>A commander should recollect, that, whether it be he himself, + or chiefly his officers and crew, who perform any useful public + service, he invariably reaps at least his full share of the + credit. His real interest, therefore, must always be, not merely + to draw about him the ablest men he can induce to follow him, but + to allow them the utmost latitude of independent action and + responsibility, and as much of the merit of success as possible. + If he persevere sincerely in this course, he will soon discover + that the more he endeavours to remove the credit from himself, + or, rather, to divide it handsomely with those who are acting + with him, the more will he generally find the merit given back to + himself.</p> + + <p>I suspect few people have the smallest notion of what a + sailor's wardrobe consists. Every one has, indeed, a vague idea + that he must have a blue jacket and trousers, and a low, canvas, + shining sort of affair, stuck on one side of his head, and called + by him a hat. But of any further particulars, the shore-going + world really knows about as little as they do respecting the + dresses of the Emperor of China. Honest Jack, it is very true, is + not much encumbered with clothes; and too often his wardrobe + sadly resembles that of the Honourable Mr. Dowlas, which was so + easily transportable in the Honourable Mr. Dowlas's + pocket-handkerchief. Yet if he have the opportunity, poor fellow, + and be duly encouraged, he is not a little of a dandy in his + way.</p> + + <p>In a well-regulated ship, a sailor's kit consists generally of + at least two blue jackets, and one pea jacket, which is a sort of + lumbering shaggy surtout, or curtailed great-coat, capable of + being wrapped round the body, so as to cover the thighs. Why it + is called a pea jacket I should be glad to be informed by any + knowing person; and I beg leave accordingly to refer the question + to that corner of the United Service Journal reserved for + technical queries, a valuable niche in that ably conducted + periodical. A seaman must also have two pairs of blue trousers, + two pairs of shoes, six shirts, four pairs of stockings, two + Guernsey frocks, made of a sort of worsted stocking-work, without + any opening in front; two hats, two black handkerchiefs, and a + comforter to wrap round the throat; together with several pairs + of flannel drawers and waistcoats; for in hot, as well as in cold + climates, and at all times of the year, the men are now + encouraged, as much as possible, to wear flannel next the + skin.</p> + + <p>The above forms the kit of a sailor in a ship stationed in + high latitudes. On the Mediterranean station, or on that of North + America, there is such a mixture of severe and mild weather, that + a larger stock is necessary than when the ship is employed + exclusively in a cold, or in a hot climate. On the Indian, South + American, and West Indian stations, which lie almost entirely + between the tropics, woollen clothing gradually disappears, and + the men are apt to suffer a good deal on returning to colder + regions; it being hardly to be expected that folks of such + improvident habits as sailors will be able to take care of + articles of dress, for several years together, for which they + have no immediate use.</p> + + <p>I remember a captain, whose ship had been often exposed to + these alternations, amusing his people very much on entering the + tropics, by directing them to roll up all their blue clothes, + worsted stockings, and so on, in neat bundles, each having the + name and number of the person it belonged to written on a wooden + tally, and fastened to it. These being all collected, and packed + carefully in well-dried, watertight casks, were stowed away in + the hold, and forgotten, till the pinching blasts off Cape Horn + made the unpacking of the casks a scene of as great joy as ever + attended the opening of a box of finery at a boarding-school + gala.</p> + + <p>In warm climates, the stock of a man-of-war sailor consists of + four duck frocks, which are more like shirts than anything else, + with sundry strings, and touches of blue binding about the breast + and collar, which is generally lined with blue, and allowed to + fall over the shoulders. It is totally contrary to Jack's habits + to have anything tight about his throat; and one of the chief + causes of his invincible estrangement from the royal marine corps + is their stiff-necked custom of wearing polished leather stocks. + I hardly suppose there could be found any motive strong enough to + induce a genuine sailor to buckle a permanent collar round his + neck with any tolerable grace; the alternative of the yard-arm + would almost be preferable! His delight is to place a black or + coloured silk handkerchief lightly over his neck, and to confine + its ends across his breast by means of one of the small bones or + vertebræ of a shark, which forms a neat, white, perforated + cylinder. Some very prime dandies of the mizen-top fold a part of + their handkerchief over the shoulders and back; but it requires + the aid of a handsome person, and a good deal of modest + assurance, to make this tolerable.</p> + + <p>They must also provide themselves with four pairs of duck + trousers, a straw hat for fine weather, and a canvas or beaver + one for squalls, though this need not be insisted on. Shoes are + not much used, except by those whose work lies aloft; and prudent + hands generally keep a blue jacket by them, in case of rain or + night-work. It is not a bad rule to muster the crew occasionally + with blue jackets, even in hot weather, to see that such things + are really in existence. Each man has, of course, a bed, a + pillow, and two blankets; sheets are never heard of. He has also + two hammocks, one of which is slung and in use, the other + scrubbed, dry, and stowed away, ready to be exchanged for the + dirty one. The hammocks, at the time I first went to sea (1802), + were made of a coarse brown stuff, which it was difficult, if not + impossible, to make white by any amount of scrubbing; and, what + was worse, so thick that it was by no means easily dried. + Now-a-days, they are generally made either of canvas, or of a + twilled sacking, and, when spread out, measure 4-1/2 feet by + 3-1/2; but when lashed up, and ready for stowing away in the + netting, they form long sacks, about as big as a man's body, but + not tapering to the ends.</p> + + <p>In ships where much pains is taken to have the hammocks stowed + properly, they are lashed up, so as to preserve the same width + all along, and with neither more nor fewer than seven turns with + a well-blacked small lashing, carefully passed round at equal + intervals. When the hammocks are prepared in this way, and all + made of the same size, (which condition may be secured by putting + them through a ring of given dimensions,) they are laid in + symmetrical order all round the ship, above the bulwark, on the + quarter-deck and forecastle, and in the waist nettings along the + gangways. Each hammock, it may be mentioned, has a separate + number painted neatly upon it on a small, white, oval patch, near + one of the corners; so that, when they are all stowed in the + nettings, a uniform line of numbers extends round the ship, and + the hammock of any man who may be taken ill can be found by his + messmates in a moment. The bags, in like manner, of which each + person has two, are numbered separately. In rainy weather the + hammocks are securely covered by painted cloths.</p> + + <p>As a seaman's kit generally forms his whole property, it ought + to be carefully preserved, and every possible facility given that + the service will allow of for his keeping it in good order. A + captain of any consideration will naturally bear in mind, that, + as the comfort and health of the men under his command depend + most materially upon the manner in which they are clad, and + especially upon the damp or dry state of their dress, it becomes + an important branch of his duty to see that their things are + taken care of with as much exactness as the spare sails, cordage, + or provisions. It much too frequently happens, however, that the + unfortunate sailors' clothes are more torment to them than + advantage, and they may think themselves lucky if they can catch + hold of a jacket or trousers to shift withal, so eternally are + they interfered with by some inconsiderate officers. "Pipe the + bags up!" "Pipe the bags down!" "Stow the bags afresh!" "Pipe to + scrub the bags!" and twenty such orders are given in a day in + some ships, to the endless misery of the people. It is, no doubt, + necessary that the bags should be scrubbed and stowed properly, + and be piped up and down at the proper times and seasons. But + there are two ways of doing these things: one, which gives the + men no more trouble than is absolutely unavoidable; the other, + which harasses and justly provokes them. It is not enough to say + that they must submit, whether they like it or not. They will + submit, it is true; but in what temper? and how will these men + work when called upon to exert themselves, if they are habitually + treated with disrespect, and exposed to needless, and even + impertinent worry? I have even heard of some crack ships, as they + are termed, where the poor devils are obliged to pipe-clay their + bags, to make them look white, forsooth! Why, the very idea of + pipe-clay is gall and wormwood to the taste of the Johnnies. Of + late years I understand there have been introduced black painted + water-proof bags, which are a great comfort to the men. Besides + keeping out wet, they require no trouble to scrub and dry, and, + after all, are fully as clean, and far more useful in every + respect.</p> + + <p>To show the various sorts of outfit which the men composing a + man-of-war's crew may be furnished with on first coming on board, + I shall describe a scene which took place on the Leander's + quarter-deck, off the Port of New York, in 1804. We were rather + short-handed in those days; and being in the presence of a + blockaded enemy, and liable, at half-an-hour's warning, to be in + action, we could not afford to be very scrupulous as to the ways + and means by which our numbers were completed, so that + able-bodied men were secured to handle the gun-tackle falls. It + chanced one day that we fell in with a ship filled with + emigrants; a description of vessel called, in the classical + dictionary of the cockpit, an "Irish guinea man." Out of her we + pressed twenty Irishmen, besides two strapping fellows from + Yorkshire, and one canny Scot.</p> + + <p>Each of this score of Pats was rigged merely in a great coat, + and a pair of something which might be called an apology for + inexpressibles; while the rest of their united wardrobe could + have been stowed away in the crown of any one of their hats. + Their motives for emigrating to a country where mere health and + strength of body are sure to gain an independent provision were + obvious enough; and I must say, that to this hour I have not been + able to forget the melancholy cry or howl with which the + separation of these hardy settlers from their families was + effected by the strong arm of power. It was a case of necessity, + it is true; but still it was a cruel case, and one for the + exercise of which the officer who put it in force deserves almost + as much pity as the poor wretches whose feelings and interests it + became his bounden duty to disregard.</p> + + <p>In most admired contrast to this bewildered drove of + half-starved Paddies stood the two immense, broad-shouldered, + high-fed Yorkshiremen, dressed in long-tailed coats, corduroy + breeches, and yellow-topped boots, each accompanied by a chest of + clothes not much less than a pianoforte, and a huge pile of + spades, pick-axes, and other implements of husbandry. They + possessed money also, and letters of credit, and described + themselves as being persons of some substance at home. Why they + emigrated they would not tell; but such were their prospects, + that it was difficult to say whether they or the wild Irishers + were the most to be commiserated for so untoward an interruption. + Be this as it may, it cost the clerk half-an-hour to write down a + list of their multifarious goods and chattels, while a single + scratch of the pen sufficed for that of all the Irishmen.</p> + + <p>At last honest Saunders came under review. He was a tall, + raw-boned, grave-looking personage, much pitted with the + smallpox, and wearing a good deal of that harassed and melancholy + air, which, sooner or later, settles on the brow of an assistant + to a village pedagogue. He was startled, but not abashed, when + drawn to the middle of the deck, and asked, in the presence of + fifty persons, what clothes and other things he possessed? Not + choosing at first to betray his poverty, he made no answer, but + looked round, as if to discover where his chest had been placed. + He then glanced at his thread-bare sleeve and tattered shoon, + with a slight touch of dry and bitter humour playing about the + corners of his mouth, and a faint sparkle lighting up his grey + and sunken eye, as he returned the impatient official stare of + the clerk, who stood, pen in hand, ready to note down the + items.</p> + + <p>"Don't be frightened, man," said the captain; "no one is going + to hurt you, your things are quite safe. What does your property + consist of?"</p> + + <p>"A trifle, sir, a trifle," quoth poor Sawney; "fourpence + ha'penny and an auld knife!"</p> + + <p>Before concluding this subject, it may perhaps be useful to + remark, that, unless in those cases where such a measure is + absolutely necessary, the actual examination and minute recording + of the men's clothes might, in general, be advantageously + dispensed with. I have, indeed, occasionally fancied I saw traces + of irritation and wounded pride amongst the men, when all their + little knick-knacks, every hat, hose, and handkerchief, or old + shoe, was examined into and noted down, to be reproduced that day + month, or its absence accounted for. I tried a middle course in + my own ship, which appeared to answer all the purposes required. + From time to time the men were ordered to bring their bags to + divisions, and to spread out their clothes to air on the deck, + over the guns, along the hammock-nettings, or in the rigging. In + this way the officers and mids, who passed repeatedly up and down + the line, had opportunities enough, if they did their duty, to + see that all the clothes were clean, dry, and in good order. When + any man's things were observed not to be in the condition + demanded by the regulations of the ship, or he was found ragged + in his clothes, or not properly dressed, then such delinquent was + no longer indulged with the exemption, but had his kit subjected + to a daily, or weekly, or monthly scrutiny, as the case might be. + As long as he was in this predicament, he was obliged to exhibit + every article in proper condition, and was not at liberty, + without asking leave, to destroy even such worn-out things as an + old Jew clothesman would turn up his beard at. I took care that + no part of this surveillance should be talked of as a punishment, + although, unquestionably, it was intended and felt as such; but + studied rather to give it the character of a necessary duty in + the instance of individuals who, if not so watched, would, by + their misconduct, hurt the general discipline of the ship. It was + very seldom that any one exposed to such drilling for a month or + six weeks ever brought himself within the range of its + humiliation a second time.</p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> CLASSES + AND DENOMINATIONS OF HER MAJESTY'S SHIPS.</p> + + <p>1. Rated Ships, viz.:—</p> + + <p><i>First Rate</i>.—All Three-decked Ships.</p> + + <p><i>Second Rate</i>.—One of Her Majesty's Yachts, and + all Two-decked Ships whose war complements consist of 700 men + and upwards.</p> + + <p><i>Third Rate</i>.—Her Majesty's other Yachts, and + all such Yachts as may bear the Flag or Pendant of an Admiral + or Captain Superintending one of Her Majesty's Dock-yards; + and all Ships whose complements are under 700 and not less + than 600.</p> + + <p><i>Fourth Rate</i>.—Ships whose complements are + under 600 and not less than 400.</p> + + <p><i>Fifth Rate</i>.—Ships whose complements are under + 400 and not less than 250.</p> + + <p><i>Sixth Rate</i>.—Ships under 250.</p> + + <p>2. Sloops and Bomb-Vessels; all such as are commanded by + Commanders.</p> + + <p>3. All other smaller Vessels; such as are commanded by + Lieutenants or inferior officers.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER + XIII.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">SAILORS' + PETS.</p> + + <p>A dog is the most obvious and natural pet for a gentleman; but + still, a dog, with all his familiarity, is a selfish sort of + companion, for he generally bestows his whole sociability either + upon his master, or his master's servant who feeds him, or upon + his master's friend who accompanies him to the fields. To all + others he is not only cold, but often surly and impertinent. + This, indeed, would matter little, if there were not + unfortunately a proverb extant, which has led perhaps to more + squabbles, duels, and other uncharitableness, than most other + causes of dispute. This pugnacious proverb, "Love me, love my + dog," being interpreted, signifies, "If you kick my dog, I kick + you." Then follows, if not the kick, words which hurt honour + quite as much, and in the end too often draw away the life-blood + of warriors who, but for some mangy cur, might have fought + themselves into companionship in public usefulness and fame with + "Duncan, Howe, or Jarvis."</p> + + <p>No dog, therefore, can ever become a very general favourite of + the crew; for it is so completely his nature to be exclusive in + his regards, that were a whole pack of hounds on board, they + would not be enough, nor afford a tenth part of the amusement + which a single monkey serves out to a ship's company. I take good + care, accordingly, never to be without one in any ship I command, + on the sheer principle of keeping the men employed, in a good + humoured way, when they chance to have no specific duty to attend + to. It must be recollected that we are often exposed to long + periods of inaction, during which mischief is very apt to be + brewed amongst the people.</p> + + <p>But if a good monkey be allowed to run about the ship, I defy + any one to continue long in a bad humour. Jacko is an overmatch + for the demon of idleness, at least if light hearts and innocent + diversions be weapons against which he cannot long contend. Be + this as it may, I make a rule of entering a monkey as speedily as + possible after hoisting my pendant; and if a reform takes place + in the table of ratings, I would recommend a corner for the + "ship's monkey," which should be borne on the books for "full + allowance of victuals," excepting only the grog; for I have + observed that a small quantity of tipple very soon upsets him; + and although there are few things in nature more ridiculous than + a monkey half-seas over, yet the reasons against permitting such + pranks are obvious and numerous.</p> + + <p>When Lord Melville, then First Lord of the Admiralty, to my + great surprise and delight, put into my hands a commission for a + ship going to the South American station, a quarter of the world + I had long desired to visit, my first thought was, "Where now + shall I manage to find a merry rascal of a monkey?" Of course, I + did not give audible expression to this thought in the First + Lord's room; but, on coming down-stairs, I had a talk about it in + the hall with my friend, the late Mr. Nutland, the porter, who + laughed, and said,—</p> + + <p>"Why, sir, you may buy a wilderness of monkeys at Exeter + 'Change."</p> + + <p>"True! true!" and off I hurried in a Hackney coach. Mr. Cross, + not only agreed to spare me one of his choicest and funniest + animals, but readily offered his help to convey him to the ship. + "Lord, sir!" said he, "there is not an animal in the whole world + so wild or fierce that we can't carry about as innocent as a + lamb; only trust to me, sir, and your monkey shall be delivered + on board your ship in Portsmouth Harbour as safely as if he were + your best chronometer going down by mail in charge of the + master." Accordingly he was in a famous condition for his + breakfast next morning, when the waterman ferried him off from + Common Hard to the hulk, on board which the officers had just + assembled. As the ship had been only two or three days in + commission, few seamen had as yet entered; but shortly afterwards + they came on board in sufficient numbers; and I have sometimes + ascribed the facility with which we got the ship manned, not a + little to the attractive agency of the diverting vagabond, + recently come from town, the fame of whose tricks soon extended + over Portsea; such as catching hold of the end of the + sail-maker's ball of twine, and paying the whole overboard, hand + over hand, from a secure station in the rigging; or stealing the + boatswain's silver call, and letting it drop from the end of the + cat-head; or his getting into one of the cabin ports and tearing + up the captain's letters, a trick at which even the stately + skipper can only laugh.</p> + + <p>One of our monkey's grand amusements was to watch some one + arranging his clothes bag. After the stowage was completed, and + everything put carefully away, he would steal round, untie the + strings, and having opened the mouth of the bag draw forth in + succession every article of dress, first smell it, then turn it + over and over, and lastly fling it away on the wet deck. It was + amusing enough to observe, that all the while he was committing + any piece of mischief he appeared not only to be under the + fullest consciousness of guilt, but living in the perfect + certainty that he was earning a good sound drubbing for his + pains. Still the pleasure of doing wrong was so strong and + habitual within him, that he seemed utterly incapable of + resisting the temptation. While thus occupied, and alternately + chattering with terror, and screaming with delight, till the + enraged owner of the property burst in upon him, hardly more + angry with Jacko than with his malicious messmates, who, instead + of preventing, had rather encouraged the pillage.</p> + + <p>All this was innocent, however, compared to the tricks which + the blue-jackets taught him to play upon the jolly marines. How + they set about this laudable piece of instruction, I know not; + but the antipathy which they established in Jacko's breast + against the red coats was something far beyond ordinary + prejudice, and in its consequences partook more of the + interminable war between cat and dog. At first he merely + chattered, or grinned contemptuously at them; or, at worst, + snapped at their heels, soiled their fine pipe-clayed trousers, + or pulled the cartridges out of their cartouch-boxes, and + scattered the powder over the decks; feats for which his rump was + sure to smart under the ratan of the indignant sergeant, to whom + the "party" made their complaint. Upon these occasions the + sailors laughed so heartily at their friend Jacko, as he placed + his hands behind him, and, in an agony of rage and pain, rubbed + the seat of honour tingling under the sergeant's chastisement, + that if he could only have reasoned the matter, he would soon + have distrusted this offensive but not defensive alliance with + the Johnnies against the Jollies. Sometimes, indeed, he appeared + to be quite sensible of his absurd position, caned by his enemy, + and ridiculed by his friends, in whose cause he was suffering. On + these occasions, he often made a run, open-mouthed, at the + sailors; in return for which mutinous proceeding he was sure to + get a smart rap over the nose from his own party, which more than + counterpoised the anguish at the other extremity of his person, + giving ludicrous occupation to both his hands, and redoubling the + shouts of laughter at his expense. In short, poor St. Jago + literally got what is currently called monkey's allowance, viz. + "more kicks than halfpence."</p> + + <p>In process of time, as Mr. Monkey, by dint of that bitter + monitor, experience, gained higher knowledge in the art of marine + warfare and ship diplomacy, he became much more formidable in his + attacks on the "corps," and generally contrived to keep himself + well beyond the reach of the sergeant's merciless ratan. One of + the favourite pranks of the sailors was to place him near the + break of the forecastle, with a handspike, taken from the + bow-chaser gun, in his paws. It was quite as much as he could + carry, and far more than he could use as a missile against the + royals; but he was soon instructed in a method of employing it, + which always grievously annoyed the enemy. Theoretically, I + presume poor Jacko knew no more of the laws of gravitation, than + his friends, the seamen, did of centrifugal action, when swinging + round the hand-lead to gain soundings, by pitching it far forward + into the water; but both the monkey and his wicked associates + knew very well, that if a handspike were held across the top of + the forecastle ladder, and let go when a person was about + half-way down it, the heels of the said individual would be sure + to bring up, or stop the bar. The unhappy marine, therefore, who + happened to be descending the steps when Jacko let his handspike + fall, generally got the skin taken off his heels, or his instep, + according as his rear or his front was turned towards the foe. + The instant Jacko let go his hold, and the law of gravitation + began to act, so that the handspike was heard to rattle down the + ladder, off he jumped to the bow of the barge, overlooking the + spot, and there sat, with his neck stretched out, his eyes + starting from his head, and his lips drawn back, till his teeth, + displayed from ear to ear, rapped against one another like a pair + of castanets in a bolero, under the influence of the most + ecstatic alarm, curiously mixed up with the joy of complete + success. The poor wounded Gulpin, in the mean time, rubbed his + ankles as he fired off a volley of imprecations, the only effect + of which was to increase the number of his audience, grinning and + laughing in chorus with the terrified mischief-monger.</p> + + <p>I remember seeing a marine, of more than usual activity, and + who had before been served this trick, catch hold of the end of + the weather middle stay-sail sheet, hanging from the booms, and, + before Jacko knew what he was about, succeed in giving him such a + cut across his sconce as the animal never forgot or forgave. Next + morning the monkey stowed himself away behind the pumps, till the + same marine passed; he then sprung out, and laid hold of him by + the calf of the leg; and, in spite of sundry kicks and cuffs, + never once relaxed his jaws till the teeth met amongst what the + loblolly boy, in the pride of his anatomical knowledge, called + the "gastrocnemii muscles" of his enemy's leg. The cries of + "murder!" from the soldier, brought the marines and many of the + sailors under the half-deck to the poor fellow's rescue; while + the author of the mischief scuttled off among the men's feet, + chattering and screaming all the way. He was not again seen + during two or three days; at the end of which, as the wounded + "troop" was not much hurt, a sort of truce was proclaimed between + the red and the blue factions of the ship. Doubtless the + armistice was all the better kept in consequence of some + tolerably intelligible hints from the higher powers, that the + peace of the ship was no longer to be invaded to make sport for + those who were evidently more idle than they ought to be, and for + whom, therefore, a little additional work might possibly be + found.</p> + + <p>Old Jacko, however, like one of the weaker states of Europe, + whose fate and fortunes are settled by the protocols of the + surrounding political giants, was no party to these treaties; and + having once tasted the joys of revenge, he could not keep his + teeth quiet, but must needs have another bite. Upon this + occasion, however, he kept clear of the corps, and attacked one + of his oldest and dearest friends, no less a personage than the + captain of the foretop. It was in warm weather, and the men, as + usual, were dining on the main-deck; the grog had been served + out, and the happy Johnnies were just beginning to sip their + darling beverage, when Mr. Mischief, incessantly occupied in his + vocation of wrong doing, and utterly incapable of resisting any + good opening to get himself into a scrape, saw the grog-kid of + the captain of the top's mess standing by the fore-hatchway. So + he paced round, as if seeking for a bit of bread, but all the + while keeping his face turned just so far from the fated + grog-vessel that no one suspected his design. On reaching the + spot his heart began to fail him, but not his wickedness; indeed, + his was the very beau ideal of that character described in the + satire of Junius, which, "without courage enough to resist doing + a bad action, has yet virtue enough to be ashamed of it." Whether + or not these mixed motives influenced old Jacko, I cannot pretend + to say; but there he sat chattering, screaming, and trembling, as + if the sergeant's cane had been within an inch of his hide.</p> + + <p>"What ails you, my dear Mr. St. James?" said the captain of + the top, playfully addressing the monkey. "What are you afraid + of? Nobody is going to hurt you; we are all sailors and friends + here, man. Not a marine within hail of you!"</p> + + <p>At this stage of the colloquy the sly rogue having mustered + all his energies, fairly grasped the grog-kid in his arms, and, + making a clean spring from the deck, placed himself, at the first + bound, beyond the reach of the horror-stricken seaman. This + exploit was not so adroitly performed as it might have been if + Jacko had been less agitated, and one-half of the delicious + nectar in the sailor's cup was jerked out.</p> + + <p>"You bloody thundering rascal of a monkey!" bellowed the + astounded topman; "let go the kid, or I'll shy this knife at your + head!"</p> + + <p>The threat was no sooner uttered than executed; for the + sailor, without waiting to see the effect of his summons, threw + the knife; and had not his saintship ducked his head, there would + have been an end of monkey tricks for that cruise. As the + glittering steel passed before the wicked scamp's eyes, the flash + deprived him of all recollection of the mischief in hand: with a + loud yell he leaped on the booms, and in his terror let the prize + slip from his grasp. It fell on the cooming of the hatchway, hung + for one instant, and then dashed right down into the + fore-cockpit, to the infinite astonishment of the boatswain's + yeoman, a thirsty soul, and familiar with drink in all its + shapes, but who declared he never before had tried grog in a + shower-bath.</p> + + <p>Up started the enraged party of seamen on their feet. "All + hands catch monkey!" was the cry; and in ten seconds the whole + crew, including the cook with his ladle, and his mate with the + tormentors in his hand, were seen scrambling on deck. Jacko + scampered like lightning up the main-stay, and reached the top + before any of the men, who had mounted the rigging, were + half-a-dozen ratlines above the hammocks. The officers rushed to + the quarter-deck, naturally fancying from the bustling sounds + that a man was overboard; but they were soon undeceived by the + shouts of laughter which resounded from every part of the ship, + low and aloft.</p> + + <p>For a few moments Jacko sat on the main-cap, chattering at + such a rate that, had it been dark, one of the men said, you + could have seen the sparks of fire from his teeth. I do not quite + believe this; but certainly I never witnessed such an expression + of fear. A dozen men were soon pouring into the top, while two + others were stealing up the stay, and four or five had got into + the topmast-shrouds, to cut off his retreat in that direction; + finally, an active fellow leaped from the rigging to the topmast, + and sliding down the well-greased spar, almost plumped on the + devoted head of this master of the revels. It was now absolutely + necessary for Jacko to do something; so he made a clear run down + the main lift to the lower yard-arm. The gunner's mate foreseeing + this manoeuvre, had sprung to guard his department, and had + already lain out as far as the inner boom iron, with a gasket in + his hand, and quite certain of catching the chase. Not a bit! "A + gunner's mate catch a monkey!" The fable of the Tortoise and the + Hare affords but a feeble simile to characterize such a match; + and before old Hard-a-weather and his gasket had reached the + yard-arm, our nimble Mona had trotted half-way up the leach of + the topsail, and was seated as familiarly on the bridle of the + maintop-bowline, as if he had been perched on the feathery branch + of a cocoa-nut tree, enjoying the sea breeze, in his native + island, amongst the beautiful Cape de Verdes.</p> + + <p>The sailors were now fairly baffled, and still more so when + the expert rogue chose to climb a little higher, and then to walk + deliberately along the standing part of the main-topsail brace to + the mizen-topmast head; whence, as if to divert himself, or force + his pursuers to mingle admiration with their rage, he made a + flying leap downwards to the peak haulyards, scampering along the + single part till he reached the end of the gaff. There he sat + laughing at a hundred and fifty men and boys, employed in the + vain attempt to catch one monkey!</p> + + <p>Sailors are certainly not men to give up a pursuit lightly; + but after an hour of as hard labour as I ever witnessed, they + were all obliged to relinquish the chase from sheer fatigue, and + poor Jacko was pardoned by acclamation. The captain of the + foretop, however, a couple of days afterwards, more out of fun + than from any ill-will on the old grog score, gave the monkey's + ear a pinch, upon which the animal snapped at his thumb, and bit + it so seriously that the man was obliged to apply to the doctor. + When this was reported to me by the surgeon, I began to think my + four-footed friend was either getting rather too much licence, or + that too many liberties were taken with him, so I gave orders + that in future he should be let alone. Nevertheless, Jacko + contrived to bite two more of the people, one of whom was the + sergeant, the other the midshipmen's boy. These were all wounded + in one day; and when the surgeon came to me next morning, as + usual, with the sick-list in his hand, he was rather in + dudgeon.</p> + + <p>"Really, sir," said he, "this does seem rather too much of the + monkey. Here are no fewer than three persons in my list from + bites of this infernal beast."</p> + + <p>"Three!" I exclaimed, and straightway got angry, partly at my + own folly, partly at the perversity of my pet, and also somewhat + nettled by the tone not very unreasonably assumed by the doctor. + "Send Black, the quarter-master, here directly." He soon + came.</p> + + <p>"Don't you take care of the monkey?" I asked.</p> + + <p>"Yes, sir, I do. You gave me charge of him."</p> + + <p>"Well! and why don't you prevent his biting the people?"</p> + + <p>"I can't prevent him, sir."</p> + + <p>"No! Then throw him overboard!" I cried—"over with him + at once! There he stands, in charge of the corporal and two + marines; pitch him right over the lee-gangway. I will not have + the ship's company killed and wounded at this rate. Over with + him, I say!"</p> + + <p>The quarter-master moved off to the lee-gangway, and took the + terrified animal in his arms; while, on its part, the poor + creature seemed conscious of its approaching fate, and spread out + its arms over the seaman's bare breast, as if to supplicate his + mercy. The old sailor, who looked mightily as if he were going to + melt upon the occasion, cast a petitioning glance to windward + every now and then from under the edge of his straw hat, as I + paced up and down the deck, still fuming away at the doctor's + demi-official reproach. As I saw the fellow wished to say + something, I at length asked him whether he had any proposal to + make respecting his wicked and troublesome pet. The old man's + face brightened up with this prospect of a respite for his + favourite; and, after humming and hawing for a minute, he + said,—</p> + + <p>"It is all owing to these two great teeth, sir; if they were + out, he would be as harmless as any lamb."</p> + + <p>"I tell you what it is," I replied, catching at this + suggestion, "I positively will not have the whole ship's company + driven one after another into the sick list by your confounded + monkey; but if you choose to draw those wild-boar tusks of his, + you may let him live."</p> + + <p>Few reprieves were ever hailed at the foot of the gallows with + more joy by the friends of a felon than this announcement of a + commutation of Mr. St. Jago's sentence was received by his + affectionate companions. Even the marines, though + constitutionally predisposed against him, were glad of the + change; and I heard the sentry at the cabin door say, "I knew the + captain had too much regard for the animal to do him an + injury."</p> + + <p>Injury, indeed! I question whether poor Jacko thought the + alternative any favour. At all events, his friends seemed + grievously puzzled how to fulfil the conditions of his exemption + from a watery grave; for I could perceive a council of war going + on upon the lee side of the main deck, as to the best method of + proceeding in the affair of the tusks.</p> + + <p>"Who'll hold the monkey?" said one.</p> + + <p>No answer was made to this. It was like the old story of + belling the cat; but there was no Douglas so bold as to try the + experiment on Master Jacko, who at any time was a powerful + animal, and would, it was naturally inferred, make a tenfold + effort when his teeth were the objects of attack.</p> + + <p>"Even suppose we could tie the poor unfortunate victim," said + the quarter-master, "who knows how to pull out these great big + teeth? We might break his jaw in the operation."</p> + + <p>There was a long pause.</p> + + <p>"I dare say," at length cried one of the party, "that the + doctor's mate, who is a good-natured gentleman, would be so kind + as to tell us how we can manage this affair."</p> + + <p>A deputation of the monkey's friends was accordingly + despatched to present a humble petition to the surgeon's + assistant, praying that he would be graciously pleased to lend + his professional aid in saving the jaw, and perhaps the life, of + one of the most diverting vagabonds in his Majesty's service.</p> + + <p>Fortunately, the assistant medico was not one of those + priggish puppies who, having little professional knowledge to + balance their own inherent stupidity, fancy it necessary to + support their dignity by the agency of etiquettes alone. He was, + on the contrary, a young man of skill, good sense, and right + feelings, who cared nothing at all about his dignity when he + could be of any use; or rather, who left it to take care of + itself, without thinking of anything but his business. To tell + the truth, he was so much a lover of his art that he felt + secretly tickled with the idea of a new operation, and + experienced on the occasion that peculiar pleasure, known, it is + said, only to the faculty, when a complicated and difficult case + falls into their hands. He had just mixed a glass of grog, after + the day's work was done, and was eyeing the beverage with that + sort of serene anticipation which the sober certainty of waking + bliss is sure to produce, when the deputation made their + appearance, having first sent in the boy, whose arm was still in + a sling from the bite of the monkey.</p> + + <p>"Are you in a hurry?" said the doctor, on hearing the novel + petition; for he had nestled himself into the corner of the + berth, with one foot on the bench, the other on the table, and + his glass of "half-and-half" glowing like amber between his eye + and the solitary glim of those profound regions, those diamond + mines from which the Hoods and the Hardys of times past and times + present have been drawn up to the very tip-top of their + profession.</p> + + <p>"Yes, sir," replied the spokesman of the party. "There is no + time to be lost, for the captain, who is in a great rage, says, + if we don't extricate the monkey's grinders, overboard he goes to + a certainty."</p> + + <p>"Extricate is not the word, you blockhead; extract, I suppose + you mean. Besides, I fancy it is not his grinders which the + captain has ordered to be removed, but his eye-teeth, or tusks, + as they may fairly be called."</p> + + <p>"Well, sir," said the impatient seaman, "just as you please, + tushes or high teeth, if you'll only be kind enough to come and + help us out of this plaguy mess, and save the poor dumb animal's + life."</p> + + <p>The quick clatter of feet up the ladders gave the signal that + the successful deputation were returning to the anxious party + assembled between the two guns just abaft the gangway-ladder, and + nearly abreast the after-hatchway, and immediate preparations + were made for the operation.</p> + + <p>While these preparations were going on, the learned doctor had + leisure to consider the case more attentively; and it occurred to + him that it would be needless cruelty to draw the poor beast's + tusks, and therefore he exchanged that too well-known instrument, + the dentist's key, for a pair of bone-nippers, with which he + proposed merely to break off the points.</p> + + <p>"I don't know exactly about that," said the perplexed + quarter-master, when the assistant surgeon explained his views of + the matter. "The captain said to me, 'Draw those wild bear's + tushes out of him;' and I am afraid, if they are only broken, the + monkey may still have a chance for going astern."</p> + + <p>"Nonsense, nonsense!" interrupted the judicious doctor. "Can + you suppose the captain wished that anything should he done to + the animal but just enough to prevent his biting the people?"</p> + + <p>And, suiting the action to the word, he closed the fatal + pincers, and nipped away the ends of the offending tusks, it is + to be hoped without causing him any great pain. But although poor + Jacko probably did not suffer much, his rage knew no bounds; and + no sooner was the canvas unfolded, than he sprang towards the + after-hatchway, and catching the sergeant's hand in his mouth, + closed his jaws with all his force. Instinctively the soldier's + cane was in the air, but a dozen voices roared out, "He can't + bite! He has got no tushes left! Don't hit him!" And, sure + enough, although Mr. St. Jago gnawed and struggled, he could make + no impression on the well-tanned fist of the veteran, but, at + length, slunk off quite abashed, amidst the shouts and laughter + of the crew.</p> + + <p>When the ship came to England, and was paid off, I turned over + the monkey to the boatswain, who always remains in the ship, + whence he found his way back to his old haunts in Exeter 'Change, + after an absence of nearly three years; for happening one day, + not long after the ship was paid off, to be in attendance upon a + party seeing the wild beasts, one of the monkeys set up such a + chattering in his cage, that he attracted the attention of the + keeper of the establishment. "That animal seems to know you, + sir," said he to me; and upon going nearer, I discovered my old + and mischievous friend grinning with delight. I must own, indeed, + that my heart smote me a little as I looked at the broken teeth, + while the poor fellow held out his paw to catch my hand, in the + spirit of perfect kindness and forgiveness.</p> + + <p>A far different fate, I am sorry to record, befell another + monkey of mine, in another ship, and in a very different quarter + of the globe. I was then in command of the Lyra, on the homeward + voyage from China, after the embassy under Lord Amherst had been + concluded. We touched on our way to Calcutta at the Philippine + Islands, and, amongst other live stock, laid in a monkey which + had seen the world. He was born, they assured us, at Teneriffe, + bred at Cadiz, and had afterwards made the voyage across the + Pacific Ocean, <i>viá</i> Lima and Acapulco, to Manilla. + Our extensive traveller had made good use of his time and + opportunities, and was destined to see a good deal more of men + and manners, indeed almost to make out the circuit of the globe. + This distinguished monkey had a particular liking for the + marines, who caressed and fed him, and sometimes even ventured to + teach him to play off tricks on Jack, which the sailors promised + one day to pay back with interest on the soldiers. In so + diminutive a vessel as a ten-gun brig, there is but a small party + of marines, merely a sergeant's guard, and no commissioned + officer, otherwise I hardly think the following trick would have + been attempted.</p> + + <p>One Sunday, while going the formal division rounds, I came to + a figure which at first sight puzzled me not a little. This was + no other than our great traveller, the monkey, rigged out as a + marine, and planted like a sentry on the middle step of the short + ladder, which, in deep-waisted vessels, is placed at the gangway, + and reaches from the deck to the top of the bulwark. The animal + was dressed up in a complete suit of miniature uniform, made + chiefly of the coloured buntin used for flags with sundry bits of + red baize purloined from the carpenters. His regimental cap was + constructed out of painted canvas; and under his lower jaw had + been forced a stock of pump-leather, so stiff in itself, and so + tightly drawn back, that his head was rendered totally + immoveable. His chin, and great part of the cheeks, had been + shaved with so much care, that only two small curled mustachios + and a respectable pair of whiskers remained. His hair behind + being tied back tightly into a queue, the poor devil's eyes were + almost starting from his head; while the corners of his mouth + being likewise tugged towards the ears by the hair-dresser's + operations, the expression of his countenance became irresistibly + ludicrous. The astonished recruit's elbows were then brought in + contact and fastened behind by a lashing, passed round and + secured to the middle step of the ladder, so that he could not + budge an inch from his position. One of the ship's pistols, + fashioned like a musket, and strapped to his shoulder, was tied + to his left hand, which again had been sewed by the sail-maker to + the waistband of his beautifully pipe-clayed trousers; in short, + he was rigged up as a complete sea-soldier in full uniform.</p> + + <p>As the captain and his train approached, the monkey began to + tremble and chatter; but the men, not knowing how their chief + might relish the joke, looked rather grave, while, I own, it cost + me no small official struggle to keep down a laugh. I did + succeed, however, and merely said, in passing, "You should not + play these tricks upon travellers; cast him loose immediately." + One of the men pulled his knife from his breast, and cutting the + cord which fastened the poor Spaniard to the ladder, let him + scamper off. Unluckily for the gravity of the officers, however, + and that of the crew, Jacko did not run below, or jump into one + of the boats out of sight, but made straight for his dear friends + the marines, drawn up in line across our little hurricane-house + of a poop. Unconscious of the ridicule he was bringing on his + military patrons, he took up a position in front of the corps, + not unlike a fugleman; and I need hardly say, that even the + royals themselves, provoked though they were, now joined in the + laugh which soon passed along the decks, and was with difficulty + suppressed during the remainder of the muster.</p> + + <p>A day or two afterwards, and while the monkey was still + puzzled to think what was the matter with his chin, he happened + to observe the doctor engaged in some chemical process. As his + curiosity and desire for information were just such as ought to + characterize a traveller of his intelligence, he crept gradually + from chest to chest, and from bag to bag, till he arrived within + about a yard of Apothecaries' Hall, as that part of the steerage + was named by the midshipmen. Poor Mono's delight was very great + as he observed the process of pill-making, which he watched + attentively while the ingredients were successively weighed, + pounded, and formed into a long roll of paste. All these + proceedings excited his deepest interest. The doctor then took + his spreader, and cut the roll into five pieces, each of which he + intended to divide into a dozen pills. At this stage of the + process, some one called the pharmacopoeist's attention to the + hatchway. The instant his back was turned, the monkey darted on + the top of the medicine-chest, snapped up all the five masses of + pill stuff, stowed them hastily away in his pouch, or bag, at the + side of his mouth, scampered on deck, and leaped into the main + rigging, preparatory to a leisurely feast upon his pilfered + treasures.</p> + + <p>The doctor's first feeling was that of anger at the + abstraction of his medicines; but in the next instant, + recollecting that unless immediate steps were taken, the poor + animal must inevitably be poisoned, he rushed on deck, without + coat or hat, and knife in hand, to the great surprise and scandal + of the officer of the watch.</p> + + <p>"Lay hold of the monkey, some of you!" roared the doctor to + the people. "Jump up in the rigging, and try to get out of his + pouch a whole mess of my stuff he has run off with!"</p> + + <p>The men only laughed, as they fancied the doctor must be + cracked.</p> + + <p>"For any sake," cried the good-natured physician, "don't make + a joke of this matter. The monkey has now in his jaws more than a + hundred grains of calomel, and unless you get it from him, he + will die to a certainty!"</p> + + <p>Literally, the quantity Jacko had purloined, had it been + prescribed, would have been ordered in these terms:—</p> + + <p>Rx Hydrargyri submuriatis, 3ij. (Take of calomel 120 + grains!)</p> + + <p>This appeal, which was quite intelligible, caused an immediate + rush of the men aloft; but the monkey, after gulping down one of + the lumps, or twenty-four grains, shot upwards to the top, over + the rail of which he displayed his shaven countenance, and, as if + in scorn of their impotent efforts to catch him, plucked another + lump from his cheek, and swallowed it likewise, making four dozen + grains to begin with. The news spread over the ship; and all + hands, marines inclusive, most of whom had never been farther in + the rigging than was necessary to hang up a wet shirt to dry, + were seen struggling aloft to rescue the poor monkey from his sad + fate. All their exertions were fruitless; for just as the captain + of the maintop seized him by the tail, at the starboard royal + yard-arm, he was cramming the last batch of calomel down his + throat!</p> + + <p>It would give needless pain to describe the effects of + swallowing the whole of this enormous prescription. Every art was + resorted to within our reach in the shape of antidotes, but all + in vain. The stomach-pump was then, unfortunately, not invented. + Poor Jacko's sufferings, of course, were great: first, he lost + the use of his limbs, then he became blind, next paralytic; and, + in short, he presented, at the end of the week, such a dreadful + spectacle of pain, distortion, and rigidity of limb, that I felt + absolutely obliged to desire that he might be released from his + misery, by being thrown into the sea. This was accordingly done + when the ship was going along, for the British Channel, at the + rate of seven or eight knots, with a fine fair wind. Very shortly + afterwards it fell calm, and next day the wind drew round to the + eastward. It continued at that point till we were blown fifty + leagues back, and kept at sea so much longer than we had reckoned + upon, that we were obliged to reduce our daily allowance of + provisions and water to a most painfully small quantity. The + sailors unanimously ascribed the whole of our bad luck to the + circumstance of the monkey being thrown overboard.</p> + + <p>I had all my nautical life been well aware that a cat ought + never to be so treated; but never knew, till the fate of this + poor animal acquainted me with the fact, that a monkey is + included in Jack's superstition.</p> + + <p>In the same vessel, and on the same voyage to China, the + sailors had another pet, of a very singular description; viz. a + pig—literally a grunter: nor do I believe there ever was a + favourite more deeply cherished, or more sincerely lamented after + her singular exit. On our sailing from England, six little sows, + of a peculiarly fine breed, had been laid in by my steward. In + the course of the voyage, five of these fell under the relentless + hands of the butcher; but one of the six, being possessed of a + more graceful form than belonged to her sister swine, and kept as + clean as any lap-dog, was permitted to run about the decks, + amongst the goats, sheep, dogs, and monkeys of our little ark. + The occurrence of two or three smart gales of wind off the Cape + of Good Hope, and the unceremonious entrance of sundry large + seas, swept the decks of most of our live stock, excepting only + this one pig, known amongst the crew by the pet name of Jean. + During the bad weather off the Bank of Aguilhas, her sowship was + stowed in the launch on the booms, and never seen, though often + enough heard; but when we hauled up to the northward, and once + more entered the trade-winds, on our course to the Straits of + Sunda, by which entrance we proposed to gain the Java Sea, Miss + Jean was again allowed to range about the decks at large, and + right happy she seemed, poor lady, to exchange the odious + confinement of the longboat for the freedom of the open + waist.</p> + + <p>In warm latitudes, the men, as I have mentioned before, + generally take their meals on deck, and it was Jean's grand + amusement, as well as business, to cruise along amongst the + messes, poking her snout into every bread-bag, and very often she + scalded her tongue in the soup-kids. Occasionally, the sailors, + to show the extent of their regard, amused themselves by pouring + a drop of grog down her throat. I never saw her fairly drunk, + however, but twice; upon which occasions, as was to be expected, + she acted pretty much like a human being in the same hoggish + predicament. Whether it was owing to this high feeding, or to the + constant scrubbing which her hide received from sand, brushes, + and holystones, I know not, but she certainly grew and flourished + at a most astonishing rate, and every day waxed more and more + impudent and importunate at the dinner-hour. I saw a good deal of + this familiarity going on, but had no idea of the estimation Jean + was held in, till one day, when we were about half-way across the + China Sea, and all our stock of sheep, fowls, and ducks, was + expended, I said to the steward, "You had better kill the pig, + which, if properly managed, will last till we reach Macao."</p> + + <p>The servant stood for some time fumbling with his hair, and + shuffling with his feet, muttering something to himself.</p> + + <p>"Don't you hear?" I asked. "Kill the pig; and let us have the + fry to-day; the head with plenty of port wine, as mock-turtle + soup, to-morrow; and get one of the legs roasted for dinner on + Saturday."</p> + + <p>Off he went; but in half-an-hour returned, on some pretence or + other, when he took occasion to ask,—</p> + + <p>"Did you say Jean was to be killed, sir?"</p> + + <p>"Jean! Who is Jean?—Oh, now I remember; the pig. Yes, + certainly. Why do you bother and boggle so about killing a + pig?"</p> + + <p>"The ship's company, sir—"</p> + + <p>"Well; what have the ship's company to say to my pig?"</p> + + <p>"They are very fond of Jean, sir."</p> + + <p>"The devil they are! Well; what then?"</p> + + <p>"Why, sir, they would take it as a great kindness if you would + not order her to be killed. She is a great pet, sir, and comes to + them when they call her by name, like a dog. They have taught her + not to venture abaft the mainmast; but if you only call her, + you'll see that what I say is true."</p> + + <p>"Indeed! I'll soon try that experiment;" and seized my hat to + go on deck.</p> + + <p>"Shall I tell the butcher to hold fast?" asked Capewell.</p> + + <p>"Of course!" I exclaimed. "Of course!"</p> + + <p>Off shot the steward like an arrow; and I could soon + distinguish the effect of the announcement, by the intermission + of those horrible screams which ever attend the execution of the + pig tribe, all which sounds were instantly terminated on the + seizings being cut that tied poor Jean's legs.</p> + + <p>On reaching the quarter-deck, I told what had passed to the + officer of the watch, who questioned its propriety a little, I + thought, by the tone of his answer. I, however, called out "Jean! + Jean!" and in a moment the delighted pig came prancing along. So + great, in fact, was her anxiety to answer the call, as if to show + her sense of the trifling favour I had just conferred upon her, + that she dashed towards us, tripped up the officer's heels, and + had I not caught him, he would have come souse on the deck. Even + as it was, he indulged in a growl, and muttered out,—</p> + + <p>"You see, sir, what your yielding to such whims brings upon + us."</p> + + <p>I said nothing, and only took care in future to caution my + friends to mind their footing when Jean was summoned aft, which, + I allow, was very often; for there was no resisting the + exhibition to all strangers of such a patent pet as this. To the + Chinese in particular our comical favourite became an object of + the highest admiration, for the natives of the celestial empire + soon recognized in this happiest of swine the celebrated breed of + their own country. Many a broad hint I got as to the acceptable + nature of such a present, but I was deaf to them all; for I felt + that Jean now belonged more to the ship's company than to myself, + and that there was a sort of obligation upon me neither to eat + her nor to give her away.</p> + + <p>Under this tacit guarantee she gained so rapidly in size, fat, + and other accomplishments, that, on our return to China, after + visiting Loo Choo and other islands of the Japan Sea, the + gentlemen of the factory would hardly credit me that this huge + monster was the same animal. In talking of Jean's + accomplishments, I must not be understood to describe her as a + learned pig; for she could neither play cards, solve quadratic + equations, nor perform any of those feats which enchant and + astonish the eyes of the citizens of London and elsewhere, where + many dogs and hogs are devoutly believed to be vested with a + degree of intelligence rather above than below the average range + of human intellect. Far from this, honest Jean could do little or + nothing more than eat, drink, sleep, and grunt; in which respects + she was totally unrivalled, and the effect of her proficiency in + these characteristic qualities became daily more manifest. At + first, as I have mentioned, when her name was called from any + part of the ship, she would caper along, and dash impetuously up + to the group by whom she was summoned. But after a time she + became so excessively fat and lazy that it required many a call + to get her to move, and the offer of a slice of pine-apple, or a + handful of lychees, or even the delicious mangosteen, was now + hardly enough to make her open her eyes, though in the early + stages of the voyage she had been but too thankful for a potato, + or the skin of an apple. As she advanced in fatness, she lost + altogether the power of walking, and expected the men to bring + the good things of their table to her, instead of allowing her to + come for them.</p> + + <p>At the time of Sir Murray Maxwell's attack on the batteries of + Canton, the Lyra, under my command, was lying at Macao, and + during our stay the brig was visited by many of the Chinese + authorities. We were also watched by a fleet of men-of-war junks, + and had some reason to suppose that we might have a brush with + them. In that event, I think our worst chance would have + consisted in the enthusiasm with which the Chinese admiral, + captains, and crews, would have fought to have put themselves in + possession of such a prize as Jean.</p> + + <p>While things were in this interesting position, I received + orders to get under weigh, and run up the Canton river to Wampoa. + Off we set, escorted by the Chinese fleet of a dozen sail of + junks. The wind was against us, but we soon beat up to the Bogue, + and passed, unharmed, the batteries, which, to use Lord Nelson's + expression, Captain Maxwell had made to look very like a + plum-pudding. We had scarcely anchored at Second Bar, in the + midst of the grand fleet of tea ships, when we were boarded by a + host of Chinese mandarins and Hong merchants, wearing all the + variety of buttons by which ranks are distinguished in that + well-classified land. This was not to compliment us, or to offer + us assistance, or even to inquire our business. One single object + seemed to engage all their thoughts and animate the curiosity of + half the province of Quantung. The fame of our fat sow Jean, in + short, had far outrun the speed of the Lyra, and nothing was + heard on every hand but the wondering exclamations of the + natives, screaming out in admiration, "High-yaw! High-yaw!"</p> + + <p>We had enough to do to clear the ship at night of these our + visitors, but we were by no means left in solitude; for the + Lyra's anchorage was completely crowded with native boats. The + motive of all this attention on the part of the Chinese was not + merely pure admiration of Jean; the fact is, the acute Chinese, + skilled especially in hog's flesh, saw very well that our pet pig + was not long for this world, and knowing that if she died a + natural death, we should no more think of eating her than one of + our own crew; and having guessed also that we had no intention of + "killing her to save her life," they very reasonably inferred + that ere long this glorious <i>bonne bouche</i> would be at their + disposal.</p> + + <p>Our men, who soon got wind of this design on the part of the + Chinese, became quite outrageous against Fukee, as the natives + are called, and would hardly permit any visitors to come near + their favourite, lest they should accelerate her inevitable fate + by poison. At length poor dear Jean gave token of approaching + dissolution; she could neither eat, nor drink, nor even grunt; + and her breathing was like that of a broken bellows: in short, + she died! Every art was taken to conceal the melancholy event + from the Chinese; but somehow or other it got abroad, for the + other English ships were deserted, and long before sunset a dense + mass of boats, like a floating town, was formed astern and on + both quarters of the Lyra.</p> + + <p>The sailors now held a grand consultation as to what was to be + done; and after much discussion, and many neat and appropriate + speeches, it was unanimously resolved that the mortal remains of + the great sow now no more should be deposited in the mud of the + river of Canton, in such a way that the most dexterous and hungry + inhabitant of the celestial empire should not be able to fish her + up again.</p> + + <p>As soon as it was quite dark, and all the Chinese boats sent, + as usual, beyond the circle limited by the ship's buoys, the + defunct pig's friends set to work to prepare for her obsequies. + The chief object was to guard against the ravenous natives + hearing the splash, as she went overboard; and next, that she + should not afterwards float to the surface. The first point was + easily accomplished, as will be seen presently; but there was a + long debate, in whispers, amongst the men, as to the most + expedient plan of keeping the body of their late pet from once + more showing her snout above the stream. At length, it was + suggested by the coxswain of one of the boats which had been sent + during the morning to sound the passage, that as the bed of the + river where the brig lay consisted of a deep layer of mud, it + would be a good thing if Jean's remains could be driven so far + into this soft stratum as to lie below the drags and hooks of the + Chinese.</p> + + <p>This advice was much applauded, and at once acted upon with + that happy facility of resource which it is the pride of the + profession to have always in store for small as well as for great + occasions. The dead sow was first laid on its back, and then two + masses of iron ballast, being placed one on each side of the + cheek, were lashed securely to the neck and shoulders in such a + manner that the ends of the kentlage met across her nose, and + formed, as it was very properly called, an extra snout for + piercing the mud.</p> + + <p>When all was ready, the midship carronade was silently + dismounted, the slide unbolted, and the whole removed out of the + way. Jean's enormous corporation being then elevated, by means of + capstan bars and handspikes, was brought on a level with the + port-sill. A slip-rope was next passed between her hind legs, + which had been tied together at the feet; and poor Miss Piggy, + being gradually pushed over the ship's side, was lowered slowly + into the water. When fairly under the surface, and there were no + fears of any splash being caused by letting her go, one end of + the rope was cast off, upon which the well-loaded carcass shot + down perpendicularly at such a rate that there could be no + question of its being immersed a fathom deep, at least, in the + mud, and, of course, far beyond the reach of the disappointed + Chinese!</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">DOUBLING THE + CAPE.</p> + + <p>As our merry little ship approached the far-famed Cape of Good + Hope, I often remained on deck after the watch was out, feasting + my eyes on the sight of constellations known to me before only by + name, and as yet scarcely anchored in my imagination. Each + succeeding night, as the various clusters rose, crossed the + meridian, and sunk again into the western waves, we came more and + more into the way, not only of speaking, but thinking of them, + under their conventional titles of hydras, doves, toucans, + phoenixes, and flying-fish, not forgetting the enormous southern + whale, whose beautiful eye, called Fomalhaut, while it flames in + the zenith of the Cape, is hardly known to the astronomers of + this country, from its greatest altitude, as seen by them, not + being ten degrees.</p> + + <p>But of all the Antarctic constellations, the celebrated + Southern Cross is by far the most remarkable, and must, in every + age, continue to arrest the attention of all voyagers and + travellers who are fortunate enough to see it. I think it would + strike the imagination even of a person who had never heard of + the Christian religion; but of this it is difficult to judge, + seeing how inextricably our own ideas are mingled up with + associations linking this sacred symbol with almost every + thought, word, and deed of our lives. The three great stars which + form the Cross, one at the top, one at the left arm, and one, + which is the chief star, called Alpha, at the foot, are so placed + as to suggest the idea of a crucifix, even without the help of a + small star, which completes the horizontal beam. When on the + meridian, it stands nearly upright; and as it sets, we observe it + lean over to the westward. I am not sure whether, upon the whole, + this is not more striking than its gradually becoming more and + more erect as it rises from the east. In every position, however, + it is beautiful to look at, and well calculated, with a little + prompting from the fancy, to stir up our thoughts to solemn + purpose. I know not how others are affected by such things; but, + for myself, I can say with truth, that, during the many nights I + have watched the Southern Cross, I remember no two occasions when + the spectacle interested me exactly in the same way, nor any one + upon which I did not discover the result to be somewhat + different, and always more impressive, than what I had looked + for.</p> + + <p>This constellation being about thirty degrees from the south + pole, is seen in its whole revolution, and, accordingly, when off + the Cape, I have observed it in every stage, from its triumphant + erect position, between sixty and seventy degrees above the + horizon, to that of complete inversion, with the top beneath, and + almost touching the water. This position, by the way, always + reminded me of the death of St. Peter, who is said to have deemed + it too great an honour to be crucified with his head upwards. In + short, I defy the stupidest mortal that ever lived to watch these + changes in the aspect of this splendid constellation, and not to + be in some degree struck by them.</p> + + <p>These airy visions are sometimes curiously broken in upon by + the most common-place incidents, which force us back upon + ordinary life. On the 28th of May we overtook a packet on her way + to the Brazils from England, which had sailed more than a month + after us, but she had not a single newspaper, army list, navy + list, or review on board. The mate was totally ignorant of all + the interesting topics of that most interesting moment of the war + (1812); and in reply to all our questions, merely observed that + everything was just the same as when we left England. The captain + was ill in bed, and could not be spoken to, so that this + intelligent gentleman, his chief officer, had been lugged on deck + to tell the news. He honestly confessed, after being sufficiently + baited and badgered by our interrogatories, that even when in + England he had no time to look at the newspapers, but that he + left public affairs to the management of those whose business it + was to look after them, while he found enough to do in looking + after the packet.</p> + + <p>"I dare say," added the fellow, with rather more dryness of + humour than we had imagined was in his doughy composition, "I + dare say the whole story you are asking about, of Buonaparte and + the Russians, is told very exactly in these bags (pointing to the + mail), and if I deliver them safe at Rio, it will be wrong to say + I bring no news."</p> + + <p>On the 4th of June we had a jollification in honour of good + old King George the Third's birthday. In how many different parts + of the world, and with what deep and affectionate sincerity, were + cups quaffed and cheers rung out in the same loyal cause! If + sailors would tell the truth, we should find that when abroad and + far away, they generally use their distant friends as the + captain, mentioned some time ago, did his ship's company's + European clothing—stow them away for a future occasion. I + do not say that they forget or neglect their friends; they merely + put them by in safety for a time. In fact, as the song says, a + sailor's heart and soul have plenty to do "in every port," to + keep fully up to the companionships which are present, without + moping and moaning over the remembrance of friends at a distance, + who, in like manner no doubt, unship us also, more or less, from + their thoughts, if not from their memory, for the time being; and + it is all right and proper that it should be so.</p> + + <p>On the 5th of June we parted from our convoy, the China ships; + and, alas! many a good dinner we lost by that separation. Our + course lay more to the left, or eastward, as we wished to look in + at the Cape of Good Hope, while those great towering castles, the + tea ships, could not afford time for play, but struck right down + to the southward, in search of the westerly winds which were to + sweep them half round the globe, and enable them to fetch the + entrance of the China seas in time to save the monsoon to Canton. + Each ship sent a boat to us with letters for England, to be + forwarded from the Cape. This was probably their last chance for + writing home; so that, after the accounts contained in these + dispatches reached England, their friends would hear nothing of + them till they presented themselves eighteen months afterwards. + Neither did they expect to know what was passing at home till + they should touch at St. Helena, on the return voyage, in the + latter end of the following year.</p> + + <p>I remember looking over the lee-gangway next day, at the first + blush of the dawn, during the morning watch, and I could barely + distinguish the fleet far to leeward, with their royals just + showing above the horizon. On taking leave of our convoy, we were + reminded that there is always something about the last, the very + last look of any object, which brings with it a feeling of + melancholy. On this occasion, however, we had nothing more + serious to reproach ourselves with than sundry impatient + execrations with which we had honoured some of our slow-moving, + heavy-sterned friends, when we were compelled to shorten sail in + a fair wind, in order to keep them company. A smart frigate + making a voyage with a dull-sailing convoy reminds one of the + child's story of the provoking journey made by the hare with a + drove of oxen.</p> + + <p>Our merry attendants, the flying-fish, and others which + swarmed about us in the torrid zone, refused to see us across the + tropic, and the only aquatics we fell in with afterwards were + clumsy whales and grampuses, and occasionally a shoal of white + porpoises. Of birds there were plenty, especially albatrosses. + The captain, being a good shot with a ball, brought down one of + these, which measured seven feet between the tips of the wings. I + have several times seen them twelve feet; and I heard a + well-authenticated account of one measuring sixteen feet from tip + to tip. On the 22nd of June we came in sight of the high land on + the northern part of the peninsula of the Cape of Good Hope, the + far-famed Table Mountain, which looked its character very well, + and really did not disappoint us, though, in general, its height, + like that of most high lands, is most outrageously exaggerated in + pictures. The wind failed us during the day, and left us rolling + about till the evening, when the breeze came too late to be of + much use. Next day we rounded the pitch of the Cape, but it blew + so strong from the northward, right out of False Bay, accompanied + by rain and a high sea, that we found it no easy job to hold our + own, much less to gain the anchorage. But on the 24th of June, + the day after, the wind moderated and became fair, the weather + cleared up, and we sailed almost into Simon's Bay, a snug little + nook at the north-western angle of False Bay. It then fell calm, + but the boats of the men-of-war at anchor, his Majesty's ships + Lion, Nisus, and Galatea, soon towed us into our berth. During + the winter of that hemisphere, which corresponds to our northern + summer, the only safe quarters for ships is in Simon's Bay, on + the south side of the Cape peninsula.</p> + + <p>I have a perfect recollection of the feelings with which I + leaped out of the boat, and first set foot on the continent of + Africa, but am prevented from describing these poetical emotions + by the remembrance, equally distinct, of the more engrossing + anxiety which both my companion and myself experienced about our + linen, then on its way to the laundress in two goodly bundles. + For the life of me, I cannot separate the grand ideas suitable to + the occasion, from the base interests connected with cotton + shirts and duck trousers. And such is the tormenting effect of + association, that when I wish to dwell upon the strange feelings, + partly professional and partly historical, caused by actually + gazing on the identical Cape of Good Hope, a spot completely + hammered into the memory of all sailors, straightway I remember + the bitter battling with the washer-folks of Simon's Town + touching the rate of bleaching shirts: and both the sublime and + the beautiful are lost in the useful and ridiculous.</p> + + <p>The 3rd of July was named for sailing; but the wind, which + first came foul, soon lulled into a calm, then breezed up again; + and so on alternately, baffling us in all our attempts to get to + sea. Nor was it till the 5th that we succeeded in forcing our way + out against a smart south-easter, with a couple of reefs in the + topsails, and as much as we could do to carry the mainsail. A + westerly current sweeps at all seasons of the year round the Cape + of Good Hope, and sometimes proves troublesome enough to + outward-bound ships. This stream is evidently caused by the + trade-wind in the southern parts of the Indian ocean. For three + days we were bamboozled with light south-easterly airs and calms, + but on the 8th of July, which is the depth of winter in that + hemisphere, there came on a spanking snuffler from the + north-west, before which we spun two hundred and forty miles, + clean off the reel, in twenty-four hours.</p> + + <p>Nothing is more delightful than the commencement of such a + fair wind. The sea is then smooth, and the ship seems literally + to fly along; the masts and yards bend forwards, as if they would + drop over the bows, while the studding-sail booms crack and + twist, and, unless great care be taken, sometimes break across; + but still, so long as the surface of the sea is plane it is + astonishing what a vast expanse of canvas may be spread to the + rising gale. By-and-bye, however, it becomes prudent to take in + the royals, flying-jib, and top-gallant studding-sails. The + boatswain takes a look at the gripes and other fastenings of the + boats and booms; the carpenter instinctively examines the + port-lashings, and draws up the pump-boxes to look at the + leathers; while the gunner sees that all the breechings and + tackles of the guns are well secured before the ship begins to + roll. The different minor heads of departments, also, to use + their own phrase, smell the gale coming on, and each in his + respective walk gets things ready to meet it. The captain's and + gun-room steward beg the carpenter's mate to drive down a few + more cleats and staples, and, having got a cod-line or two from + the boatswain's yeoman, or a hank of marline stuff, they commence + double lashing all the tables and chairs. The marines' muskets + are more securely packed in the arm-chest. The rolling tackles + are got ready for the lower yards, and the master, accompanied by + the gunner's mate, inspects the lanyards of the lower rigging. + All these, and twenty other precautions are taken in a manner so + slow and deliberate that they would hardly catch the observation + of a passenger. It might also seem as if the different parties + were afraid to let out the secret of their own lurking + apprehension, but yet were resolved not to be caught + unprepared.</p> + + <p>Of these forerunners of a gale none is more striking than the + repeated looks of anxiety which the captain casts to windward, as + if his glance could penetrate the black sky lowering in the + north-west, in order to discover what was behind, and how long + with safety he might carry sail. Ever and anon he shifts his look + from the wind's eye, and rests it on the writhing spars aloft, + viewing with much uneasiness the stretching canvas all but torn + from the yards. He then steps below, and for the fortieth time + reads off the barometer. On returning to the deck he finds that, + during the few minutes he has been below, the breeze has + freshened considerably, or, it may be, that, coming suddenly upon + it again, he views it differently. At all events, he feels the + necessity of getting the sails in while he yet can, or before + "God Almighty takes them in for him," as the sailors say when + matters have been so long deferred, that not only canvas and + yards, but even masts, are at times suddenly wrenched out of the + ship, and sent in one confused mass far off to leeward, whirling + in the gale!</p> + + <p>The men, who are generally well aware of the necessity of + shortening sail long before the captain has made up his mind to + call the hands for that purpose, have probably been collected in + groups for some time in different parts of the upper deck, + talking low to one another, and looking aloft with a start, every + now and then, as the masts or yards give an extra crack.</p> + + <p>"Well! this is packing on her," says one, laying an emphasis + on the word "is."</p> + + <p>"Yes!" replies another; "and if our skipper don't mind, it + will be packing off her presently," with an emphasis on the word + "off." "Right well do I know these Cape gales," adds an ancient + mariner of the South Seas; "they snuffle up in a minute; and, + I'll answer for it, the captain will not carry sail so long off + Cape Aguilhas, when he has gone round that breezy point as often + as old Bill has."</p> + + <p>At this moment the tardy voice of the commander, long + unwilling to lose any part of the fair wind, is at length heard, + giving the reluctant order, "Turn the hands up, shorten sail!" + The ready clatter of feet, and the show of many heads at all the + hatchways, and perhaps the sound of a suppressed laugh amongst + the men who have been gossiping and wagering about the gale, give + sufficient indication that this evolution has been expected for + some time.</p> + + <p>"All hands shorten sail!" calls out the boatswain, after a + louder and sharper note than usual from his pipe, winded not half + the ordinary length of time, though twice as shrilly; for his + object is to mark on the ears of the people the necessity of + unusual expedition and exertion. A clever and experienced person + filling this important situation will soon teach the men to + distinguish between the various notes of his call, though to + unpractised ears the sounds might appear unvaried.</p> + + <p>"Shorten sail! that's easier said than done," growls forth + some hard-up old cock.</p> + + <p>"No! not a bit easier said than done," unexpectedly observes + the captain, but quite good-humouredly, having accidentally heard + the seaman's remark. "Not a bit, old fellow, if you and the young + hands only work as smartly and cheerfully as I know you can do + when you have a mind. Come, my lads, are you all ready + forward?"</p> + + <p>It is a trying moment both for the sails and yards, when the + order is actually given to commence shortening sail; if the + pressure from the wind be considerable, it is necessary to have + men stationed to lower away the haulyards and ease off the tacks + at the proper moment, while others gather in the sails as they + come down, fluttering a little perhaps, if not carefully managed, + but still quietly and easily, as well as quickly. When, however, + the wind has risen to a pitch beyond its due proportion to the + canvas spread, and the captain's anxiety to make the most of a + fair wind has tempted him to carry on too long, the case becomes + very difficult, the ropes which keep the sails in their places + contributing also an important share to the support of those + spars to which the sails are bent, or to which they may be hauled + out. Consequently, the moment the ropes alluded to, which are + technically named the haulyards and tacks, are slackened, the + yards and booms, being suddenly deprived of these material + supports, are very apt to be sprung, that is, cracked across, or + even carried away, which means being snapped right in two as + short as a carrot, to use Jack's very appropriate simile.</p> + + <p>It is quite true, that lowering away the sail and easing off + the tack of a studding-sail does diminish the pressure of the + sail on the spar, and, of course, both the yard and the boom have + less duty to perform. Still, the moment which succeeds the order + to "Lower away!" is especially trying to the nerves of the + officer who is carrying on the duty. I have not unfrequently seen + comparatively young officers handle the sails and yards of a ship + with perfect ease, from their superior mechanical knowledge, at + times when the oldest sailors on board were puzzled how to get + things right. One officer, for instance, may direct the + preparations for shortening sail to be made according to the most + orthodox rules laid down in Hamilton Moor's "Examination of a + Young Sea Officer," and yet when he comes to give the fatal word, + "Lower away! haul down!" everything shall go wrong. The tack + being eased off too soon, the spar breaks in the middle, and the + poor topmast studding-sail is spitted like a lark on the broken + stump of the boom, while the lower studding-sail, driven + furiously forward by the squall, is pierced by the spritsail + yard-arm, the cat-head, and the bumpkin; or it may be wrapped + round the bowsprit, like so much wet drapery in the inimitable + Chantrey's studio over the clay figure of an Indian bishop.</p> + + <p>"What the blue blazes shall I do next?" moans the poor puzzled + officer of the watch, who sees this confusion caused entirely by + his own bad management. On such an occasion, a kind and + considerate captain will perhaps fairly walk below, and so leave + the mortified youth to get himself out of the scrape as he best + can, and rather lose a small spar, or a bolt of canvas, than + expose his officer to the humiliation of having the task + transferred to another; or he will edge himself near the + embarrassed officer, and, without the action being detected by + any one else, whisper a few magical words of instruction in the + young man's ear, by which the proper train of directions are set + agoing, and the whole confusion of ropes, sails, and yards, + speedily brought into order. If this fails, the hands are called, + upon which the captain himself, or more generally the first + lieutenant, takes the trumpet; and the men, hearing the + well-known, confident voice of skill, fly to the proper points, + "monkey paw" the split sails, clear the ropes, which an instant + before seemed inextricably foul, and in a very few minutes reduce + the whole disaster to the dimensions of a common occurrence. + "Now, you may call the watch," says the captain; and the reproved + officer again takes charge of the deck. I need hardly say, that + any young man of spirit ought rather to wear his hands to the + bone in learning his duty, than to expose himself to such + mortification as this.</p> + + <p>Let us, however, suppose all the extra sails taken in without + accident, and rolled up with as much haste as may be consistent + with that good order which ought never to be relaxed under any + degree of urgency. In fine weather, it is usual to place the + studding-sails in the rigging, with all their gear bent, in + readiness to be whipped up to the yard-arm at a moment's warning; + but when a breeze such as we are now considering is on the rise, + it is thought best to unbend the tacks and haulyards, and to stow + the sails in some convenient place, either on the booms, between + the boats, or in the hammock-nettings. For the same reason, the + small sails are sent on deck, together with as much top hamper as + can readily be moved. These things are scarcely bundled up and + lifted out of the way before the long-expected order to reef + topsails is smartly given out, and crowds of men are seen + skipping up the tight weather-rigging, with a merry kind of + alacrity, which always makes a captain feel grateful to the + fellows—I do not well know why; for, as there is then no + real danger, there seems nothing particularly praiseworthy in + this common-place exertion. Perhaps the consciousness that a + storm is coming on, during which every nerve on board may be + strained, makes the captain see with pleasure a show of activity + which, under other circumstances, may be turned to trials of the + utmost hardihood and daring.</p> + + <p>Be this as it may, the yards come sliding down the + well-greased masts; the men lie out to the right and left, grasp + the tumultuous canvas, drag out the earings, and tie the points, + with as perfect deliberation as if it were a calm, only taking + double pains to see that all is right and tight, and the + reef-band straight along the yard. The order has been given to + take in the second and third reefs only; but the men linger at + their posts, expecting the further work which they know is + necessary. The captain of the top, instead of moving in, + continues to sit astride the spar, dangling his legs under the + weather yard-arm with the end of the close reef-earing in his + hand, quite as much at his ease as any well-washed sea-bird that + ever screamed defiance to a pitiless south-wester.</p> + + <p>Johnny's anticipations prove right, for the anxious commander, + after gazing twice or thrice to windward, again consulting his + barometer, looking six or eight times at his watch in as many + minutes, to learn how many hours of daylight are yet above the + horizon, and perhaps also stealing a professional opinion from + his first lieutenant, an officer probably of much more technical + experience than himself, decides upon close-reefing. If he be a + man of sense, and wishes the work to be done quickly and well, he + must not now hesitate about starting the topsail sheets, and it + will certainly be all the better if one or both the clew-lines be + likewise hauled close up.</p> + + <p>The mainsail is now to be taken in; and as the method of + performing this evolution has long been a subject of hot + controversy at sea, I take the opportunity of saying, that + Falconer's couplet,—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"For he who strives the tempest to disarm<br /></span> + <span>Will never first embrail the lee + yard-arm,"<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>has, in my opinion, done a world of mischief, and split many + thousands of sails.</p> + + <p>I, at least, plead guilty to having been sadly misled by this + authority for many years, since it was only in the last ship I + commanded that I learned the true way to take in the mainsail + when it blows hard. The best practice certainly is, to man both + buntlines and the lee leechline well, and then to haul the LEE + clew-garnet close up, before starting the tack or slacking the + bowline. By attending to these directions, the spar is not only + instantaneously relieved, but the leeward half of the sail walks + sweetly and quietly up to the yard, without giving a single flap. + After which the weather-clew comes up almost of itself, and + without risk or trouble.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile the ship is spinning along very nearly at the same + rate as at first, though two-thirds of the canvas have been taken + off her. These variations in speed are odd enough, and, at times, + not easily accounted for. When the breeze first comes on, all + sail set, and the water quite smooth, the ship can be steered on + a straight course without any difficulty, and she really seems to + fly. When the log is hove, it is discovered, we shall suppose, + that she is going eleven knots. Well, the wind increases, and in + come the studding-sails; but as the water is still smooth, the + single-reefed topsails and top-gallant-sails may be carried, + though it is evident the ship is rather over-pressed, or, at all + events, not another stitch of sail could be set.</p> + + <p>"Heave the log again, and see what she goes now!" says the + officer. "How much?"</p> + + <p>"Eleven knots and a-half, sir," replies the middy of the + watch.</p> + + <p>Presently the sea rises, the masts bend, the ship begins to + stagger along, groaning and creaking in every joint, under the + severe pressure. The topsails are close-reefed to meet the + increased wind; but still, as before, she is under quite as much + canvas as she can possibly bear.</p> + + <p>"Heave the log now!" again says the officer. "Ten knots!" + reports the middy.</p> + + <p>By-and-bye the courses are reefed, and before dark the + mainsail is rolled up, the fore and mizen topsails handed, and + the top-gallant yards sent on deck. The sea has now risen to a + disagreeable height, and the steering, in spite of every care, + becomes wilder and much more difficult; and as the ship forges + into the breast of the waves, or rises with a surge not much less + startling, her way seems deadened for the moment, till she bounds + up again on the top of the sea, to woo, as it were, the embraces + of the rattling gale. The storm is not slow to meet this rude + invitation; while, if the ropes, sails, and masts, be all wet, as + they generally are in such a breeze, it is difficult to conceive + any tones more gruff and unsentimental than the sounds of this + boisterous courtship.</p> + + <p>In line-of-battle ships, and even in frigates, the + close-reefed main-topsail and foresail may be carried, for a very + long time, when going nearly before the wind; and indeed it is + the best seamanship to crack on her; for when the gale rises to + its highest pitch, and the seas follow in great height, they are + apt to curl fairly on board, and play fine pranks along the + decks, even if the violence of the blow on the quarter do not + broach the ship to, that is, twist her head round towards the + wind in such a way that the next sea shall break over her + gangway, and in all probability sweep away the masts. In small + vessels it becomes a most anxious period of the gale when the sea + has got up so much that it is difficult to steer steadily, and + when the wind blows so strong that enough sail cannot be carried + to keep the ship sufficiently ahead of the waves, except at the + risk of tearing the masts away. When the requisite degree of + speed cannot be secured, the inevitable consequence, sooner or + later, is, that a monstrous pea-green solid sea walks most + unceremoniously on board, over the taffrail, and dashes along the + decks like those huge debacles, of which some geologists so + confidently point out the traces on the earth's surface.</p> + + <p>I never happened actually to witness a catastrophe of this + kind on the great scale, though I have seen one or two smartish + gales in my time. Indeed the most serious evils I recollect to + have been present at occurred on board the Volage, on the very + passage to India which I am now describing. The following are the + words in which these incidents are noticed in my + journal:—</p> + + <p>"On the 13th of July, off the Cape of Good Hope, in the midst + of a heavy winter's gale, our worthy passenger, Sir Evan Nepean, + governor of Bombay, was thrown down the ladder, by the violent + rolling of the ship; and another gentleman, the Baron Tuyll, the + best-natured and deservedly popular passenger I ever saw afloat, + was very nearly washed out of his cot by a sea which broke into + the stern windows of the captain's cabin."</p> + + <p>I have often enough been close to wars and rumours of wars, + but was never in a regular sea-fight; and though I have also + witnessed a few shipwrecks and disasters, I never was myself in + much danger of what might be honestly called a lee shore; neither + is it my good fortune to be able to recount, from personal + knowledge, any scenes of hardship or suffering from hunger, cold, + or any other misery. My whole professional life, in short, has + been one of such comparative ease and security, that I cannot now + remember ever going far beyond twenty-four hours without a good + bellyful. Still I have often been forced to take a high degree of + interest in formidable adventures of this kind, from their + happening in fleets of which my own ship formed a part, or from + these incidents including among the sufferers persons to whom I + was attached.</p> + + <p>In the year 1815, I accompanied a convoy of homeward-bound + Indiamen from Ceylon, and a right merry part of the voyage it was + while we ran down a couple of thousand miles of the south-east + trade-wind; for these hospitable floating nabobs, the East India + captains, seldom let a day pass without feasting one another; and + we, their naval protectors, came in for no small share of the + good things, for which we could make but a poor return. Along + with our fleet, there sailed from Ceylon a large ship, hired as a + transport by Government to bring home invalid soldiers. There + were about 500 souls in her; of these a hundred were women, and + more than a hundred children. I was accidentally led to take a + particular interest in this ill-fated vessel, from the + circumstance of there being four fine boys on board, sons of a + military friend of mine at Point de Galle. I had become so well + acquainted with the parents of these poor little fellows during + my frequent visits to Ceylon, that one day, before sailing, I + playfully offered to take a couple of the boys in my brig, the + Victor, an eighteen-gun sloop of war; but as I could not + accommodate the whole family, the parents, who were obliged to + remain abroad, felt unwilling to separate the children, alas! and + my offer was declined.</p> + + <p>Off we all sailed, and reached the neighbourhood of the Cape + without encountering anything in the way of an adventure; there, + however, commenced the disasters of the unfortunate Arniston, as + this transport was called. She had no chronometer on board; a + most culpable and preposterous omission in the outfit of a ship + destined for such a voyage. The master told me that he himself + was not in circumstances to purchase so expensive an instrument, + the cost of a good chronometer being at least fifty or sixty + guineas, and that the owners considered the expense needless. He + also stated that on his remonstrating still more, and urging upon + these gentlemen that their property would be ten times more + secure if he were furnished with the most approved means of + taking good care of it, he was given to understand, that, if he + did not choose to take the ship to sea without a chronometer, + another captain could easily be found who would make no such + new-fangled scruples. The poor master shrugged his shoulders, and + said he would do his best; but having often rounded the Cape, he + knew the difficulties of the navigation, when there was nothing + but the dead reckoning to trust to.</p> + + <p>During our passage from Ceylon, it was the practice every day, + at one o'clock, for the Indiamen, as well as the men-of-war, to + make signals showing the longitude of each ship by chronometer. + Thus we had all an opportunity of comparing the going of our + respective time-keepers, and thus, too, the master of the + Arniston was enabled to learn his place so accurately, that if he + had only kept company with his friends the Indiamen, each of whom + was provided with at least four or five chronometers, the + deficiency in his equipment might never have led to the dreadful + catastrophe which speedily followed the loss of this + assistance.</p> + + <p>It was late in the month of May when we reached the + tempestuous regions of the Cape; and we were not long there + before a furious gale of wind from the westward dispersed the + fleet, and set every one adrift upon his own resources. The poor + Arniston was seen at sunset, on the day the gale commenced, with + most of her sails split, but not otherwise in danger, for she had + a good offing, and the wind was not blowing on shore. Three heavy + gales followed in such quick succession during the next week, + that not only the ordinary course, but the velocity of the + current was changed, and instead of running, as it almost always + does, to the westward, it set, on the days in question, to the + south-eastward. According to the most moderate allowance for the + current, all circumstances being taken into consideration, any + navigator might fairly have supposed that, in the five days which + elapsed from the 24th of May to the 28th inclusive, his ship + would have been drifted to the westward by the current at least a + hundred miles. Our chronometers, however, distinctly showed us + that we had been carried, not, as usual, to the westward, but + actually to the eastward, a distance of more than a hundred + miles; so that, in less than a week, there occurred upwards of + two hundred miles of error in the dead reckoning.</p> + + <p>The master of the Arniston, doubtless, after making every + allowance, according to the best authorities, and working by the + most exact rules of navigation of which he could avail himself, + naturally inferred that his ship was more than a hundred miles to + the westward of the Cape, and he probably considered himself + justified in bearing up before a south-easterly gale, and + steering, as he had so much reason to suppose he was doing, + straight for St. Helena.</p> + + <p>It is very important to remark, in passing, to professional + men, that no ship off the Cape, and under any circumstances, + ought ever to bear up, without first heaving the deep sea-lead. + If soundings are obtained on the Bank, it is a sure symptom that + the ship is not sufficiently advanced to the westward to enable + her to steer with safety to the north-north-westward for St. + Helena. It is clear the ship in question must have omitted this + precaution.</p> + + <p>All that is known of this fatal shipwreck is simply that the + Arniston, with a flowing sheet, and going nine knots, ran among + the breakers in Struy's Bay, nearly a hundred miles to the + eastward of the Cape. The masts went instantly by the board, and + the sea, which broke completely over all, tore the ship to pieces + in a few minutes; and out of her whole crew, passengers, women, + and children, only half-a-dozen seamen reached the coast alive. + All these could tell was, that they bore up and made all sail for + St. Helena, judging themselves well round the Cape. This scanty + information, however, was quite enough to establish the important + fact that this valuable ship, and all the lives on board of her, + were actually sacrificed to a piece of short-sighted economy. + That they might have been saved, had she been supplied with the + worst chronometer that was ever sent to sea, is also quite + obvious. I am sure practical men will agree with me, that, in + assuming sixty seconds a-day as the limit of the uncertainty of a + watch's rate, I have taken a quantity four or five times greater + than there was need for. Surely no time-keeper that was ever sold + as such by any respectable watchmaker for more than thirty or + forty guineas, has been found to go so outrageously ill as not to + be depended upon for one week, within less than ten or fifteen + seconds a-day. And as I have shown that a chronometer whose rate + was uncertain, even to an extent five or six times as great as + this, would have saved the Arniston, any further comment on such + precious economy is needless.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">SUGGESTIONS + TOWARDS DIMINISHING THE NUMBER AND SEVERITY OF NAVAL + PUNISHMENTS.</p> + + <p>I trust that most of my brother-officers who have commanded + ships can lay their hands upon their hearts and conscientiously + declare they have never inflicted an unjust punishment. I can + only confess with much sorrow, that I, unfortunately, am not of + that number. But as mere regret on such occasions contributes + nothing towards remedying the evils committed, I have long + employed my thoughts in devising some plan which might lessen the + number of punishments at sea, and thus, perhaps, save others from + the remorse I have felt, while it might tend to relieve the + service from the discredit of an improper degree of severity in + its penal administration.</p> + + <p>Before proceeding to the main point under consideration, the + diminution of the number and the degree of punishments on board + ship, I must entreat officers not to allow themselves to be + misled by the very mischievous fallacy of supposing that any of + the various substitutes which have yet been proposed for corporal + punishment are one whit less severe than those so long + established. It is well known to officers of experience that this + powerful engine of discipline may be rendered not only the most + effective, but essentially the most lenient, and when duly + reported and checked, far more likely to contribute to the peace + and comfort of the men themselves, than any of the specious but + flimsy substitutes alluded to. Solitary confinement, for example, + I take to be one of the most cruel, and, generally speaking, one + of the most unjust of all punishments; for it is incapable of + being correctly measured, and it almost always renders the + offender worse. It prompts him, and gives him time to brood over + revengeful purposes; it irritates him against his officers, and + if long continued almost inevitably leads to insanity and + suicide. All the beneficial effects of example, likewise, are + necessarily lost; because the solitary culprit's sufferings, + horrible though they no doubt are, never meet the eye of the rest + of the crew, nor, indeed, can they ever be truly made known to + them, while he himself, when he quits his cell, makes light of + his punishment. But not one man in a thousand, even of our + hardiest spirits, can maintain this air of indifference at the + gangway. And although it must be admitted that a man, at such + moments, can feel no great kindness to his officer, the transient + nature of the punishment, compared to the prolonged misery of + solitary confinement, leaves no time for discontent to rankle. I + never once knew, nor ever heard of an instance in which a + corporal punishment, administered calmly and with strict regard + to justice and established usage, was followed by any permanent + ill-will resting on the mind of a sailor, either towards his + captain or towards the service.</p> + + <p>It happened to me once, when in command of a ship in the + Pacific Ocean, to have occasion to punish a very good seaman. The + offence was in some degree a doubtful one, but, upon the whole, I + felt it my duty to correct it rather sharply. On mature + reflection, however, I began to suspect I had done wrong; and on + joining the commander-in-chief, some weeks afterwards, I laid all + the circumstances of the case before him, and begged him to tell + me fairly what he thought. He examined the details minutely, + cross-questioned me about them, and, after some deliberation, + said, that although I had the letter of the law with me, I had + acted hastily, which in this instance was acting unjustly; for + had I waited a little, the true bearings of the case must, he + thought, have made themselves apparent. This judgment of Sir + Thomas Hardy squared but too well with my own feelings upon the + matter, and doubled the shame I was already suffering under. From + that hour to this, I have never ceased to catch with eagerness at + any suggestion which I thought might contribute to save deserving + men from a similar misfortune, and well-disposed officers from + the fatal errors of precipitancy. A little incident has perhaps + had its effect in quickening these speculative ideas into a + practical shape.</p> + + <p>Several years after the period alluded to, I happened to be + sailing about Spithead in a gentleman's yacht, when a + man-of-war's cutter came alongside. As no officer had been sent + in the boat, the message was delivered by the coxswain, whom I + did not recognize as an old shipmate till he came to me aft, took + off his hat, and held out his hand. I then recollected the face + of the seaman I had unjustly punished! To all appearance he had + entirely forgotten the circumstance: but the commodore's words, + "You ought to have let that man off," rang in my ears, and my + heart smote me as I felt the honest fellow's grasp. "I shall + never rest," I afterwards vowed to myself, "till I have succeeded + in suggesting some regulations which, as far as possible, shall + prevent other officers from falling into the same error."</p> + + <p>It seems to be now generally admitted, by all who have + attended to the subject, that ever since the period when it + became the duty of captains to make periodical reports to the + Admiralty of the corporal punishments inflicted, those + punishments have gradually decreased. Meanwhile the discipline + has gone on improving; and therefore it becomes a matter of much + practical importance to investigate the true bearings of a + measure by which such invaluable results have been brought about. + It should never be forgotten, that there is an absolute necessity + for maintaining the present strictness of our discipline, which + is one of the most essential sources of naval success; and, next + to the spirit of honour and patriotism which pervades the + profession, it may be considered the very life-blood of that + branch of our national strength. But there are two very different + methods by which this vital object of exact discipline may be + accomplished: one is the prevention, the other the punishment, of + offences. Some officers have endeavoured to do away with corporal + punishment altogether; and some, on the other hand, have had + recourse to hardly anything else. The just union of the two + systems will, I believe, in the end, perform the greatest public + service, at the least cost of human suffering.<a name= + "FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" + class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p> + + <p>Antecedent to June 1811, the date of the order by which + officers in command of ships were required to send quarterly + returns of punishments to the Admiralty, there was little or no + restraint upon the despotic authority of the captain, as far as + corporal punishments were concerned. And it must be in the + recollection of every one who served in those days, that + captains, not really cruel by nature, nor more intemperate than + the ordinary run of men, were sometimes led, by the mere + indulgence of unlimited and unscrutinised authority, to use a + degree of severity not only out of proper measure with the crime, + but, by reason of its questionable justice, hurtful to the + discipline of the ships, and to the general character of the + service. Such things may also possibly have happened even of late + years; but certainly, they have been much less frequent; for + although no Admiralty regulations can convert a hot-headed + captain into a cool, experienced, or reflecting person, + nevertheless, it does seem to be quite within the legitimate + range of official power, to compel all intemperate officers, + whether young or old, to behave, as far as their nature will + allow, in the same manner as men of sense, feeling, and thorough + knowledge of the service would act in like circumstances.</p> + + <p>It is a rule, now very generally observed by the best + authorities in the Navy, never to punish a man on the day the + offence has been committed. And experience having shown the + wisdom of this delay, there seems no reason why so simple a rule + should not be established imperatively upon every captain without + exception.</p> + + <p>It is important, in discussing the subject of naval + discipline, to recollect under what peculiar and trying + circumstances the captain of a man-of-war is placed, and how much + he stands in need not only of every assistance that can possibly + be afforded to guide his judgment, but of every artificial check + that can be devised to control his temper. As he is charged with + the sole executive government of the community over which he + presides, he is called upon to exercise many of the legislative, + as well as the judicial functions of his little kingdom. Having + made laws in the first instance, he has to act the part of a + judge in the interpretation of those laws; while, in the very + next instant, he may stand in the place of a jury to determine + the facts of the case, and of a counsel to cross-question the + witnesses. To this strange jumble of offices is finally added the + fearful task of allotting the punishment, and seeing it carried + into effect! If ever there was a situation in the world, + therefore, requiring all the aids of deliberation, and especially + of that sobriety of thought which a night's rest can alone + bestow, it is surely in the case of a captain of a man-of-war. + And if this rule has been found a good one, even by prudent and + experienced officers, who, it appears, never trust themselves to + punish a man without twenty-four hours' delay at least, how much + more important might not such a regulation prove, if less + discreet persons were compelled to adopt invariably a similar + course of deliberation? Nor does it appear probable that, in the + whole complicated range of the service, cases will often occur + when its true interests may not be better answered by punishments + inflicted after such delay, than if the reality or the semblance + of passion, or even the slightest suspicion of anger, were + allowed to interfere with the purity of naval justice. It is so + difficult, indeed, to detach the appearance of vindictive warmth + from punishments which are made to follow quickly after the + offence, that in all such cases there is great danger incurred of + inflicting much pain to little or no purpose.</p> + + <p>In the first place, therefore, I consider it might be very + advantageously established, by a positive order from the + Admiralty, that one whole day, or twenty-four hours complete, + should, in every instance, be allowed to elapse between the + investigation of an offence, and the infliction of the punishment + which it may be thought to deserve. The interval in question, to + be of use, should take its date from the time the circumstances + of the case have been inquired into by the captain himself. The + reason of this limitation will be apparent, if it be recollected + that the moment at which the officer's anger is likely to be the + greatest, is when he first becomes acquainted with the details of + the offender's misconduct.</p> + + <p>In order still further to circumscribe the chances of passion + interfering with the judgment, not only of the captain, but of + the officer who makes the complaint, as well as the witnesses and + other parties concerned, I think it should be directed, that all + offences whatsoever are to be inquired into between nine o'clock + in the morning and noon. This is perhaps the only period in the + whole day perfectly free from suspicion as to the influence of + those exciting causes which tend materially to warp the judgment, + even of the wisest and best men. The ship's company take their + dinner and grog at mid-day, and the officers dine soon after. To + those who have witnessed in old times the investigation and + punishment of offences immediately after the cabin dinner, the + importance of this regulation will require no further argument. + At any other period of the day, except that above specified, the + irritation caused by fatigue, hunger, or repletion, is so apt to + interfere with the temper, and consequently with the judgment, + that it should never be chosen for so delicate an affair as an + inquiry into details which may be followed by so dreadful a + consequence as corporal punishment.</p> + + <p>It is undoubtedly true, that the essential characteristics of + naval discipline are, and ought to be, promptitude of action, and + that vigorous kind of decision which leads to certainty of + purpose at all times, and under all circumstances. But these very + qualities are valueless, unless they are regulated by justice. + Without this, a man-of-war would very soon become worse than + useless to the country, besides being what a "slack ship" has + been emphatically termed, "a perfect hell afloat!"</p> + + <p>Independently of every other consideration, it is assuredly + most desirable to establish throughout the fleet the conviction, + that, although the punishment of flogging, which has prevailed + for so long a time, cannot possibly be discontinued, it shall be + exercised with a due regard to the offence, and without any added + severity on personal grounds. It is difficult to estimate how + essentially this conviction, if once fixed in the minds of the + seamen, and guaranteed, as I think it might be, in a great + measure, by a very simple Admiralty regulation, would contribute + to extend the popularity of the naval service throughout the + country.</p> + + <p>There are some minor details, in addition to the above + suggestions, which it may be useful to consider in connection + with them. All punishments should take place between the hours of + nine in the morning and noon, for the reasons hinted at above. If + possible, also, not more than one day should be allowed to elapse + after the inquiry; for, although there is always something like + passion in a punishment which is too prompt, there may, on the + other hand, frequently appear something akin to vindictiveness in + one which has been delayed until the details of the offence are + well-nigh forgotten. The captain should avoid pronouncing, either + during or immediately after the investigation of an offence, any + opinion on the case; much of its influence would be destroyed if + the captain were to commit himself by threats made in the moment + of greatest irritation; he might be apt to follow up, when cool, + a threat made in anger, to show his consistency.</p> + + <p>I could relate many instances of injustice arising from + precipitancy in awarding punishment; but the following anecdotes, + for the accuracy of which I can vouch, seem sufficient to arrest + the attention to good purpose.</p> + + <p>Two men-of-war happened to be cruising in company: one of them + a line-of-battle ship, bearing an admiral's flag; the other a + small frigate. One day, when they were sailing quite close to + each other, the signal was made from the large to the small ship + to chase in a particular direction, implying that a strange sail + was seen in that quarter. The look-out man at the maintop + mast-head of the frigate was instantly called down by the + captain, and severely punished on the spot, for not having + discovered and reported the stranger before the flag ship had + made the signal to chase.</p> + + <p>The unhappy sufferer, who was a very young hand, unaccustomed + to be aloft, had merely taken his turn at the mast head with the + rest of the ship's company, and could give no explanation of his + apparent neglect. Before it was too late, however, the officer of + the watch ventured to suggest to the captain, that possibly the + difference of height between the masts of the two ships might + have enabled the look-out man on board the admiral to discover + the stranger, when it was physically impossible, owing to the + curvature of the earth, that she could have been seen on board + the frigate. No attention, however, was paid to this remark, and + a punishment due only to crime, or to a manifest breach of + discipline, was inflicted.</p> + + <p>The very next day, the same officer, whose remonstrance had + proved so ineffectual, saw the look-out man at the flag ship's + mast-head again pointing out at a strange sail. The frigate + chanced to be placed nearly in the direction indicated; + consequently she must have been somewhat nearer to the stranger + than the line-of-battle ship was. But the man stationed at the + frigate's mast-head declared he could distinguish nothing of any + stranger. Upon this the officer of the watch sent up the captain + of the maintop, an experienced and quick-sighted seaman, who, + having for some minutes looked in vain in every direction, + asserted positively that there was nothing in sight from that + elevation. It was thus rendered certain, or at all events highly + probable, that the precipitate sentence of the day before had + been unjust; for, under circumstances even less favourable, it + appeared that the poor fellow could not by possibility have seen + the stranger, for not first detecting which he was punished!</p> + + <p>I must give the conclusion of this painful story in the words + of my informant, the officer of the deck:—"I reported all + this to the captain of the ship, and watched the effect. He + seemed on the point of acknowledging that his heart smote him; + but pride prevailed, and it was barely an ejaculation that + escaped. So much for angry feelings getting the better of + judgment!"</p> + + <p>The following anecdote will help to relieve the disagreeable + impression caused by the incident just related, without + obliterating the salutary reflections which it seems calculated + to trace on the mind of every well-disposed officer.</p> + + <p>Three sailors, belonging to the watering-party of a man-of-war + on a foreign station, were discovered by their officer to have + strayed from the well at which the casks had been filled. These + men, it appears, instead of assisting in rolling the heavy butts + and puncheons across the sand, preferred indulging themselves in + a glass of a most insidious tipple, called Mistela in Spanish, + but very naturally "transmogrified" by the Jacks into Miss + Taylor. The offenders being dragged out of the pulperia, were + consigned, without inquiry, to the launch, though they had been + absent only a few minutes, and were still fit enough for work. + The officer of the boat, however, happening to be an iron-hearted + disciplinarian, who overlooked nothing, and forgave no one, would + not permit the men to rejoin the working party, or to touch a + single cask; but when the boat returned to the ship, had the + three offenders put in irons.</p> + + <p>When these circumstances were reported to the captain in the + course of the day, so much acrimony was imparted to his account + by the officer, that the captain merely said, "I shall be glad if + you will defer stating this matter more fully till to-morrow + morning, after breakfast; take the night to think of it." + Tomorrow came, and the particulars being again detailed, even + more strongly and pointedly, by the officer, the captain likewise + became irritated, and under the influence of feelings highly + excited had almost ordered the men up for immediate punishment. + Acting, however, upon a rule which he had for sometime laid down, + never to chastise any one against whom he felt particularly + displeased without at least twenty-four hours' delay, he desired + the matter to stand over till the following morning.</p> + + <p>In the meantime, the men in confinement, knowing that their + offence was a very slight one, laid their heads together, and + contrived, by the aid of the purser's steward, to pen a + supplicatory epistle to the captain. This document was conveyed + to its destination by his servant, a judicious fellow. Though it + proved no easy matter to decipher the hieroglyphics, it appeared + evident that there were extenuating circumstances which had not + been brought forward. The only remark, however, which the captain + made was, that the letter ought not to have been brought to him; + and that his servant was quite out of order, in being accessory + to any proceeding so irregular.</p> + + <p>The steward took the hint, and recommended the prisoners to + appeal to the complaining officer. Accordingly, next day, when + the captain went on deck, that person came up and + said,—</p> + + <p>"I have received a strange letter, sir, from these three + fellows whom I complained of yesterday; but what they say does + not alter my opinion in the least."</p> + + <p>"It does mine, however," observed the captain, after he had + spelled through it, as if for the first time.</p> + + <p>"Indeed, sir!" exclaimed the other; adding, "I hope you won't + let them off."</p> + + <p>"I tell you what it is," quietly remarked the captain, "I + would much rather you let them off than that I should; for it + strikes me, that all the useful ends of discipline will be much + better served, and your hands, as well as mine, essentially + strengthened, by your taking the initiative in this business + instead of me. My advice to you, therefore, is, that when I go + below you send for the men, and say to them you have read their + statement, and that, although it does by no means excuse, it + certainly explains, and so far extenuates, their offence, that + you feel disposed to try what your influence with the captain can + do to get them off altogether."</p> + + <p>"I do not see the force of your reasoning," answered the + offended officer; "nor can I conscientiously trifle with the + service in the manner proposed. I thought at first, and I still + think, that these men ought to be punished; and, as far as I am + concerned, they certainly shall not escape."</p> + + <p>"Well, well," cried the captain, "you will not, I hope, deny + that I am the best judge of what is right and fitting to be done + on board this ship; and I tell you again, that I consider the + discipline will be better served by your being the mover in this + case, than by my taking the affair, as you wish me to do, + entirely out of your hands. Will you do as I suggest?"</p> + + <p>"I beg your pardon, sir, but really I cannot, consistently + with my sense of duty, adopt the course you propose. I think it + right to insist, as far as I can with propriety, on these men + being punished."</p> + + <p>"Turn the hands up for punishment, then!" said the captain to + the first lieutenant, who had been walking on the other side of + the deck during this colloquy; "and let the three prisoners be + brought on deck."</p> + + <p>The gratings were soon rigged under the mizen-stay—the + quarter-masters placed with their seizings on either + side—the boatswain and his mates (with the terrible weapons + of naval law barely concealed under their jackets) arranged + themselves in a group round the mast—while the marines, + with fixed bayonets and shoulder arms, formed across the + quarter-deck; and the ship's company, standing in two double + rows, lined the sides of the deck. Not the slightest sound could + be heard; and a person coming on deck blindfolded might have + thought the ship lay in dock, without a soul on board.</p> + + <p>In the middle of the open space before the hatchway stood the + three culprits, with their hats off, and their eyes cast down in + hopeless despair; but, to all outward appearance, firm and + unmoved.</p> + + <p>When all was declared ready, the first lieutenant descended to + the cabin, but returned again almost immediately, followed + closely by the captain, in his cocked hat and sword, grasping in + one hand the well-known roll of paper containing the articles of + war, and in the other the master-at-arms' report of prisoners. + Every head was uncovered at his appearance; and as he lifted his + hat in answer to this salute, he laid it on the capstan, against + which he leaned while reading the article under which the + delinquents had fallen.</p> + + <p>"Now," said he, addressing the three prisoners, "you have been + found guilty of an offence against the good order and discipline + of this ship, which cannot be permitted, and which must + positively be put a stop to. Heretofore it has not occurred, and + I trust this will be the last case. Do you admit that you deserve + punishment?"</p> + + <p>No answer.</p> + + <p>"Have you anything to advance why you should not be + punished?"</p> + + <p>The fellows nodged one another, scraped the deck with their + feet, fumbled with their hats and waist-bands, and muttered + something about "a letter they had written to the officer what + reported them."</p> + + <p>"Letter!" exclaimed the captain; "let me see it."</p> + + <p>The epistle being handed to the captain, he read it aloud to + the assembled ship's company, who listened with all their ears. + At the conclusion, he folded it up, and, turning to the officer, + asked,—</p> + + <p>"What have you to say to this?"</p> + + <p>"Nothing, sir—nothing," was the obdurate reply.</p> + + <p>"Well now, my lads," observed the captain to the crew, after a + pause of several minutes, "I shall give you a chance. These + fellows appear, by their own confession, to have done what they + knew to be wrong; and accordingly, as you perceive, they have + brought themselves close aboard of the gangway. It would serve + them all perfectly right to give each of them a good sound + punishment. But I am willing to hope, that if I forgive them on + your account—that is to say, if I let them off in + consideration of the good conduct of the ship's company, and in + confidence of your all behaving well in future—they will be + quite as much disposed to exert themselves to recover their + characters, as if they had tasted the bitterness of the gangway: + at all events, I'll try them and you for once. Pipe down!"</p> + + <p>It is only necessary to state further, that for nearly a year + afterwards there occurred no instance of drunkenness or neglect + at the watering parties.</p> + + <p>There is one other point of importance in this discussion, and + as it seems to possess a considerable analogy in its bearing to + the suggestions already thrown out, it may possibly have greater + weight in conjunction with them than if it were brought forward + alone. In every system of penal jurisprudence it seems to be of + the first importance to let it be felt that the true degradation + lies more in the crime itself, than in the expiatory punishment + by which it is followed. Whenever this principle is not duly + understood, punishments lose half their value, while they are + often virtually augmented in severity. The object of all + punishments is evidently to prevent the recurrence of offences, + either by others or by the offender himself. But it is not, by + any means, intended that he should not have a full and fair + chance allowed him for a return to virtue. The very instant + punishment is over, he should be allowed to start afresh for his + character. If a man is never to have his offence or his + chastisement forgotten, he can hardly be expected to set + seriously about the re-establishment of his damaged + reputation.</p> + + <p>Neither ought it to be forgotten, that a man so circumstanced + has really stronger claims on our sympathy, and is more entitled + to our protection, than if he had never fallen under censure. He + has, in some sort, if not entirely, expiated his offence by the + severity of its consequences; and every generous-minded officer + must feel that a poor seaman whom he has been compelled, by a + sense of duty, to punish at the gangway, instead of being kept + down, has need of some extra assistance to place him even on the + footing he occupied before he committed any offence. If this be + not granted him, it is a mere mockery to say that he has any fair + chance for virtue.</p> + + <p>It might, therefore, I think, be very usefully made imperative + upon the captain, at some short period after a punishment has + taken place (say on the next muster-day), and when the immediate + irritation shall have gone off, to call the offender publicly + forward, and in the presence of the whole ship's company give him + to understand that, as he had now received the punishment which, + according to the rules of the service, his offence merited, both + the one and the other were, from that time forward, to be + entirely forgotten; and that he was now fully at liberty to begin + his course anew. I can assert, from ample experience, that the + beneficial effects of this practice are very great.</p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> The recent + instructions issued by the Board of Admiralty would have + gratified Captain Hall had he lived to read them; harmonizing + as they do with the system he so earnestly advocates.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">BOMBAY.</p> + + <p>Early on the morning of the 11th of August, 1812, we first + made the coast of Asia; and, on steering towards the shore, + discovered, close under the land, a single sail, as white as + snow, of a cut quite new to our seamanship, and swelled out with + the last faint airs of the land-breeze, which, in the night, had + carried us briskly along shore. As we came nearer, we observed + that the boat, with her head directed to the northward, was piled + half-mast high with fruits and vegetables, cocoa-nuts, yams, + plantains, intended evidently for the market of Bombay. The water + lay as smooth as that of a lake; so we sheered close alongside, + and hailed, to ask the distance we still were from our port. None + of the officers of the Volage could speak a word of Hindustanee; + and I well remember our feeling of humiliation when a poor + scullion, one of the cook's assistants, belonging to the + governor's suite, was dragged on deck, with all his grease and + other imperfections on his head, to act as interpreter. Sad work + he made of it; for, though the fellow had been in the East on + some ten or twelve former voyages, the languages of the countries + he visited had not formed so important a part of his studies as + the quality of the arrack and toddy which they produced. The word + Bombaya, however, struck the ear of the native boatmen, who + pointed in the direction which they themselves were steering, and + called out "Mombay! Mombay!" This word, I am told by an oriental + scholar, is a corruption of Moomba-devy, or the Goddess of + Moomba, from an idol to which a temple is still dedicated on the + island. Others, less fanciful in their etymology, say that the + Portuguese gave it the name of Bom-Bahia, on account of the + excellence of its Port. That nation held possession of Bombay + from the year 1530 to 1661, when it was ceded by the crown of + Portugal in full sovereignty to Charles II.</p> + + <p>It was not long before we came in sight of several headlands. + When the next day broke, and the sun rose upon us over the flat + topped Gauts or mountains of the Mahratta country, I remember + feeling almost at a loss whether I had been sleeping and dreaming + during the night. But the actual sight of the coast gave reality + to pictures which, for many a long year before, I had busied my + fancy with painting, in colours drawn partly from the Arabian + Nights and Persian Tales, and partly, if not chiefly, from those + brilliant clusters of oriental images which crowd and adorn the + pages of Scripture.</p> + + <p>Captain Cook asserts somewhere, speaking of the delights of + voyaging and travelling, that to such rovers as he and his + companions nothing came amiss; and I can safely venture to boast, + that, as far as this goes, I may claim a corner of my great + brother officer's mantle. At all events, in sailing over the + Indian seas, or travelling in those countries by land, I hardly + ever met anything which did not so much exceed in interest what I + had looked for, that the grand perplexity became, how to record + what I felt, or in any adequate terms to describe even the + simplest facts which struck the eye at every turn in that "wide + realm of wild reality."</p> + + <p>Of all places in the noble range of countries so happily + called the Eastern world, from the pitch of the Cape to the + islands of Japan, from Bengal to Batavia, there are few which can + compare with Bombay. If, indeed, I were consulted by any one who + wished as expeditiously and economically as possible to see all + that was essentially characteristic of the Oriental world, I + would say, without hesitation, "Take a run to Bombay; remain + there a week or two; and having also visited the scenes in the + immediate neighbourhood, Eliphanta, Carli, and Poonah, you will + have examined good specimens of most things that are curious or + interesting in the East."</p> + + <p>For this remarkable distinction, peculiar, as far as I know, + to that one spot on the earth's surface, this presidency is + indebted to a variety of interesting circumstances. Bombay is an + island, and by no means a large one, being only between six and + seven miles long by one or two broad. It is not, however, by + geographical dimensions that the wealth of towns, any more than + the power and wealth of nations, is determined. The harbour + unites every possible desideratum of a great sea port; it is easy + of access and egress; affords excellent anchoring ground; is + capacious beyond the utmost probable demands of commerce; and, + owing to the great rise and fall of the tides, is admirably + adapted for docks of every description. The climate is healthy; + and the country, being diversified by numerous small ridges and + hills, furnishes an endless choice of situations for forts, + towns, bazaars, and villages, not to say bungalows or villas, and + all sorts of country-houses, and some very splendid retreats from + the bustle of business. The roads which intersect this charming + island were beautifully Macadamised, as I well remember, long + before that grand improvement was heard of in England; and as the + soil of the island is made up of that rich kind of mould + resulting from decomposed basalt or lava, the whole surface + affords a good sample of the perennial verdure of tropical + scenery, which dazzles and surprises the new-comer, while its + interest seldom fails to rise still higher upon a more prolonged + and intimate acquaintance.</p> + + <p>Such are among the eminent physical advantages enjoyed by + Bombay; but even these, had they been many times greater, would + have been light in the balance compared to those of a moral, or + rather of a political nature, which conspired in 1812 to render + it one of the most important spots in that quarter of the globe. + At the time I speak of, it was almost the only possession + exclusively British within several hundred miles in any + direction. The enormous territory of the Mahrattas lay close to + Bombay on the east.</p> + + <p>On the morning after my arrival at Bombay, I got up with the + first blush of the dawn, and hastily drawing on my clothes, + proceeded along greedily in search of adventures. I had not gone + far, before I saw a native sleeping on a mat spread in the little + verandah extending along the front of his house, which was made + of basket-work plastered over with mud. He was wrapped up in a + long web of white linen, or cotton cloth, called, I think, his + cummer-bund, or waist-cloth. As soon as the first rays of the sun + peeped into his rude sleeping-chamber, he "arose, took up his + bed, and went into his house." I saw immediately an explanation + of this expression, which, with slight variations, occurs + frequently in the Bible, in connection with several of the most + striking and impressive of Christ's miracles, particularly with + that of the man sick of the palsy. My honest friend the Hindoo + got on his feet, cast the long folds of his wrapper over his + shoulder, stooped down, and having rolled up his mat, which was + all the bed he required, he walked into the house with it, and + then proceeded to the nearest tank to perform his morning + ablutions.</p> + + <p>I remember mentioning this, amongst many other illustrations + of the incidents recorded in Scripture, to a worthy old Scotch + lady, upon whom I expected it to produce the same pleasing and + satisfactory effect which it had wrought on me. I made, however, + a great mistake; for so far from raising myself in her + estimation, on the score of correct observation, I sunk, I fear, + irrecoverably, in her good graces, by presuming, as she alleged, + to interfere with the wonder of the miracle, the essence of + which, according to her, I discovered to consist, not in the + recovery of "the man, who was made whole," but in his being able + to shoulder a four-post bed, and carry it off without + inconvenience!</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER + XVII.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">SIR SAMUEL + HOOD.</p> + + <p>As soon as the Volage was refitted, and her crew refreshed, + after our voyage from England of four months and a half, we + sailed from Bombay to the southward along the western coast of + India; and having rounded Ceylon, at Point de Galle, on the + extreme south-western corner, where we merely touched to land the + governor's dispatches, before we hauled up to the northward, and, + after twelve days' passage, sailed into the beautiful harbour of + Trincomalee. There, to my great joy, we found the + commander-in-chief, Sir Samuel Hood; who, to my still greater + joy, informed me that a vacancy had been kept open for me in his + flag ship, the Illustrious. In a few minutes my traps were packed + up, my commission made out, and I had the honour of hailing + myself a professional follower of one of the first officers in + his Majesty's service. It is true, I was only fifth lieutenant, + and not even fifth on the Admiral's list for promotion; for I + came after a number of old officers who had served under Sir + Samuel for many long years of patient, or rather impatient, + expectation: but my first and grand purpose was attained, + although my chance of advancement was very small, and very + remote.</p> + + <p>In capstans, and other machines, there is a mechanical device, + with which every person is acquainted, termed a pall or catch, by + which the work gained in the effort last made shall be secured, + and the machine prevented from turning back again. Something of + this kind takes place in life, particularly in naval life; and + happy is the officer who hears the pall of his fortunes play + "click! click!" as he spins upwards in his profession. + Proportionately deep is the despair of the poor wretch who, after + struggling and tugging with all his might at the weary windlass + of his hopes, can never bring it quite far enough round to hear + the joyous sound of the pall dropping into its berth! I well + remember most of these important moments of my own life; and I + could readily describe the different sensations to which their + successive occurrence gave rise, from the startling hour when my + father first told me that my own request was now to be granted, + for on the very next day I was to go to sea—up to that + instant when the still more important announcement met my ear, + "Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder!"</p> + + <p>"It is easy to be cheerful when one is successful," says a + high authority; and there are "few people who are not + good-natured when they have nothing to cross them," says another + equally profound recorder of common-places; but the secret of + good fortune seems to lie far less in making the most of + favourable incidents, or in submitting manfully to disastrous + ones, than in studying how to fill up to advantage the long + intervals between these great epochs in our lives. So that there + is, perhaps, no point of duty which affords more scope for the + talents of a superior than the useful and cheerful employment of + the heads and hands of his officers and people during those + trying periods of inaction which occur in every service. Sir + Samuel Hood possessed this faculty in a wonderful degree, as he + not only kept us all busy when there was nothing to be done, but + contrived to make us happy and contented, though some of our + prospects were poor enough in all conscience. My own, for + example, since I was placed at the tip of the tail of his long + string of private followers; and when the Admiralty List came + out, on which I had built so many beautiful castles in the air, + my poor name was not upon it at all. I had not expected to be + first or second, or even third; fourth I had reckoned upon as + possible; fifth as probable; sixth as certain; so that my horror + and disappointment were excessive when this kindest of + commanders-in-chief broke to me the fatal news, in the following + characteristic manner.</p> + + <p>A telegraphic signal had been made from the flagstaff at the + Admiral's house to the ship, in these words:—</p> + + <p>"Send Mr. Hall on shore, with a crow-bar, two pick-axes, and + two spades."</p> + + <p>All the way to the landing-place I puzzled myself with + thinking what on earth could be the object of these tools; little + dreaming, good easy lieutenant! that I was so soon to dig the + grave of my own hopes. The Admiral received me at the door with + his coat off; and holding out his remaining hand (his right arm + was shot away in action), he squeezed mine with even more than + his wonted kindness.</p> + + <p>"I have been waiting for you with some impatience;" he said, + "to be present at the hunt after a white ant's nest, a sort of + thing I know you like. These rogues, the <i>Termites + bellicosi</i>, as I find the naturalists call them, have made + their way into the house! and having carried their galleries up + the walls and along the roof, have come down in great force upon + a trunk of clothes, which they would have destroyed entirely + before night, had I not caught sight of them. Now let us to work; + for I propose to rip up the floor of the verandah, in order to + follow their passages and galleries till I reach their nest, if + it be a mile off; won't this he a glorious piece of service?" + exclaimed the Admiral, as he warmed himself by anticipating the + chase. He could hardly have been more delighted, I am persuaded, + had he been giving orders for a fleet under his command to bear + down upon the enemy's line. I could not venture to do more than + bow, and say I was much obliged to him for having so + considerately thought of me at such a moment.</p> + + <p>"Oh!" cried he, apparently recollecting himself, "but I have + something else to show you; or rather to tell you, for I must not + show it; though I fear it will not please you quite so much as + the prospect of a white ant-hunt. Here, Gigna," called the + Admiral to his steward, who stood by with a tea-kettle of hot + water, ready to pour over the ants, "put away that affair, which + we shall not require this half-hour yet; and hold this crow-bar + while I step into the office with Mr. Hall."</p> + + <p>"It is of no use to mince the matter," said the veteran, + shutting the door, and turning to me with somewhat of the air + which he might be supposed to have put on, had he been instructed + from home to tell me that one or both my parents were dead; "it + is no use to conceal the fact from you; but here is the Admiralty + List, just come to my hands, and your name, in spite of all you + tell me of promises, verbal and written, is NOT ON IT!"</p> + + <p>Had the Admiral fired one of the flag-ship's thirty-two + pounders, double-shotted, down my throat, he could not have + demolished more completely my bodily framework than this fatal + announcement shattered to pieces the gilded crockeryware of my + fondest hopes. All the gay visions of command, and power, and + independence, in which I had indulged my fancy during the voyage, + vanished like the shadows of a dream I fain would recall, but + could not. I was at first quite stupified, and can remember + nothing that passed for some minutes. As I recovered my scattered + senses, however, I recollect gazing at the anchorage from the + open window of the Admiralty House, near which we stood. The + flag-ship then lay just off Osnaburg Point, with her ensign, or, + as it used to be called in old books, her Ancient, the "meteor + flag of England," dropped, in the calm, so perpendicularly from + the gaff-end, that it looked like a rope more than a flag; while + its reflection, as well as that of the ship herself, with every + mast, yard, and line of the rigging, seemed, as it were, engraved + on the surface of the tranquil pool, as distinctly as if another + vessel had actually been inverted and placed beneath. I have + seldom witnessed so complete a calm. The sea-breeze, with which + the shore had been refreshed for twenty minutes, had not as yet + found its way into the recesses of the inner harbour, which, take + it all in all, is one of the snuggest and most beautiful coves in + the world. And such is the commodious nature of this admirable + port, that even the Illustrious, though a large 74-gun ship, rode + at anchor in perfect security, within a very few yards of the + beach, which at that spot is quite steep to, and is wooded down + to, the very edge of the water. I gazed for some moments, almost + unconsciously, at this quiet scene, so different from that which + was boiling and bubbling in my own distracted breast, and + swelling up with indignation against some of my friends at home, + who I had such good reason to believe had either betrayed or + neglected me, maugre all sorts of promises.</p> + + <p>In the midst of my reverie, which the kind-hearted Admiral did + not interrupt, I observed the wind just touch the drooping flag; + but the air was so light and transient, that it merely produced + on it a gentle motion from side to side, like that of a pendulum, + imitated in the mirror beneath, which lay as yet totally unbroken + by the sea-breeze. Presently the whole mighty flag, after a faint + struggle or two, gradually unfolded itself, and, buoyed up by the + new born gale, spread far beyond the gallant line-of-battle + ship's stern, and waved gracefully over the harbour. It is well + known to nice observers of the human mind, that the strangest + fancies often come into the thoughts at a moment when we might + least expect them; and though, assuredly, I was not then in a + very poetical or imaginative humour, I contrived to shape out of + the inspiring scene I was looking upon a figure to soothe my + disappointed spirit. As I saw the ensign uncurl itself to the + wind I said internally, "If I have but life, and health, and + opportunity, I trust, notwithstanding the bitterness of this + disappointment, I shall yet contrive to unfold, in like manner, + the flag of my own fortunes to the world."</p> + + <p>Just as this magnanimous thought crossed my mind's eye, the + Admiral placed his hand so gently on my shoulder that the + pressure would not have hurt a fly, and said, in a cheerful tone, + "Never mind this mishap, master Hall; everything will come right + in time; and if you only resolve to take it in the proper and + manly temper, it may even prove all the better that this has + happened. Nothing is without a remedy in this world; and I'll do + what I can to make good this maxim in your case. In the mean + time, however, come along, and help me to rout out these rascally + white ants. Off coat, however, if you please; for we shall have a + tough job of it."</p> + + <p>It cost us an hour's hard work; for we had to rip up the + planks along the whole of the verandah, then to shape a course + across two cellars, or <i>godongs</i>, as they are called in the + East, and finally the traverses of these singular insects obliged + us to cut a trench to the huge hillock or nest, which rose to the + height of five or six feet from the ground, in numberless shoots, + like pinnacles round the roof of a Gothic church. We might have + attacked them at headquarters in the first instance, had we + wished it; but the Admiral chose to go more technically to work, + and to sap up to his enemy by regular approaches. In this way we + had the means of seeing the principles upon which these ants + proceed in securing themselves, at every step of their progress, + by galleries or covered ways, which, though extremely feeble, are + sufficiently strong to keep off the attacks of every other kind + of ant. It is curious enough, that, although the white ant be the + most destructive of its species, it is said to be, individually, + by far the weakest, and cannot move a step without the artificial + protection of the galleries it constructs as it goes along; just + as the besiegers of a fortification secure themselves in their + trenches and zigzags.</p> + + <p>We now brought our spades into play; and having cut the hill + across, laid open the secrets of these most curious of all the + ant tribe. At last we reached the great queen ant, the mother of + millions of her race, a most enormous personage to be sure, + nearly four inches long, and as thick as a man's finger, with a + head not larger than that of a bee, but a body such as I have + described, filled with eggs, which continually rolled out like a + fluid from a reservoir. Never shall I forget the shout of rapture + which the gallant Admiral sent over half the harbour, as he + succeeded in gaining the object of his labour.</p> + + <p>There are some men who go about everything they undertake with + all their hearts and souls, and this great officer was one of + those. He did nothing by halves and quarters, like so many other + people. The greatest deeds of arms, or the most trivial objects + of passing amusement, engrossed his whole concentrated attention + for the time. He was equally in earnest when holding out examples + of private generosity, or lending the heartiest and kindest + encouragement even to the least distinguished of his followers, + as when performing acts of the highest public spirit, or making + the greatest sacrifices to what he considered his duty. + Everything, in short, that he did, or thought, or uttered, bore + the stamp of the same peculiar impress of genuine zeal. So + eminently exciting, and even fascinating, was this truly + officer-like conduct, that even those who had served under him + the longest often wondered at the extent of their own exertions + when roused by his example, and were led almost to believe that + his very look had something stimulating in it which actually gave + fresh vigour to their arms as well as to their thoughts. With all + this, he was the gentlest of the gentle, and accomplished + whatever he undertook without apparent effort, or the least + consciousness that what he was doing was remarkable.</p> + + <p>I remember an instance of his skill in the small way. One + morning, near the spot where he had headed the storming party + against the white ants, a working party of the crew of the + Illustrious had commenced constructing a wharf before the + dockyard. The stones of which this platform or landing-place was + to be built were, by Sir Samuel Hood's orders, selected of very + large dimensions, so much so, that the sailors came at last to + deal with a mass of rock so heavy, that their combined strength + proved unequal to moving it beyond a few inches towards its final + position at the top of one corner. The Admiral sat on his horse + looking at the workmen for some time, occasionally laughing, and + occasionally calling out directions, which the baffled engineers + could by no means apply. At length, his Excellency the + Commander-in-chief became fidgety, and having dismounted, he + tried to direct them in detail; but never a bit would the stone + budge. Finally, losing all patience, he leaped from the top of + the bank, and roared out, in a voice of reproach and provocation, + "Give me the crow-bar!" Thus armed, he pushed the officers and + men to the right and left, while he insisted upon having the + whole job to himself, literally, single-handed. He first drove + the claws of the instrument well under the edge of the stone, + then placed with his toe a small iron pin on the ground under the + bar, and across its length, to act as a fulcrum, or shoulder. + When all things were carefully adjusted to his mind, he slipped + his hand to the upper end of the lever, and weighing it down, + gave what he called "life" to the huge stone, which, just before, + half-a-dozen strong men had not been able to disturb. Sure + enough, however, it now moved, though only about half-an-inch, + towards its intended resting-place. At each prize or hitch of the + bar, the rock appeared to advance farther, till, after five or + six similar shifts, it was finally lodged in the station prepared + for it, where, I doubt not, it rests to this day, and may occupy + for centuries to come.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER + XVIII.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">EXCURSION TO + CANDELAY LAKE IN CEYLON.</p> + + <p>The fervid activity of our excellent admiral, Sir Samuel Hood, + in whose flag-ship I served as lieutenant, from 1812 to 1815, was + unceasing. There was a boyish hilarity about this great officer, + which made it equally delightful to serve officially under him, + and to enjoy his friendly companionship. An alligator-hunt, a + sport in which the Malays take great delight, was shared in by + the Admiral, who made the place ring with his exclamation of + boyish delight. Scarcely had we returned from the alligator-hunt, + near Trincomalee, when Sir Samuel applied himself to the + collector of the district, who was chief civilian of the place, + and begged to know what he would recommend us to see next.</p> + + <p>"Do you care about antiquities?" said the collector.</p> + + <p>"Of course," replied the Admiral, "provided they be genuine + and worth seeing. What have you got to show us in that way? I + thought this part of the country had been a wild jungle from all + time, and that the English were only now bringing it into + cultivation."</p> + + <p>"On the contrary," observed our intelligent friend, "there are + manifest traces, not very far off, of a dense and wealthy + population. At all events, the inhabitants appear to have + understood some of the arts of life, for they formed a huge tank + or pond for the purpose of irrigation; so large, indeed, that + there still exists, in one corner of it, a sheet of water + extensive enough to deserve the name of a lake."</p> + + <p>"Let us go and see it," exclaimed the admiral. "Can we ride? + Order the horses; who minds the heat of the sun?"—for, like + almost all new-comers, Sir Samuel cared nothing for exposure, and + laughed at the precautions of more experienced residents.</p> + + <p>The collector of Trincomalee soon satisfied the Admiral that + an expedition to Candelay Lake, as the ancient tank of the + natives was called, could not be undertaken quite so speedily. + Boats and horses indeed were all ready, and tents could easily be + procured; but it was likewise necessary to prepare provisions, to + pack up clothes, and to send forward a set of native pioneers to + clear the way through brushwood, otherwise impenetrable. The + Admiral was in such ecstacies at the prospect of an adventure + which was to cost some trouble, that he allowed nobody rest till + everything had been put in train. Early in the morning of the + next day but one, we accordingly set out in several of the + flag-ship's boats, accompanied by a mosquito fleet of native + canoes to pilot and assist us; Lady Hood, whom no difficulties + could daunt, accompanied Sir Samuel; the captain of his ship, and + his flag-lieutenant, with the collector as pilot, and one or two + others, made up the party; and our excursion, though nearly + destitute of adventures vulgarly so called, proved one of the + most interesting possible.</p> + + <p>The early part of our course lay over the smooth and beautiful + harbour of Trincomalee, after which we passed through a series of + coves, forming what is called the Lake of Tamblegam, a connecting + bay or arm of the sea, though far out of sight of the main ocean. + We soon lost ourselves amid innumerable little islands clad + thickly in the richest mantles of tropical foliage down to the + water's edge, and at many places even into the water; so that, as + not a stone or the least bit of ground could be seen, these fairy + islets appeared actually to float on the surface. We had to row + our boats through a dense aquatic forest of mangroves for nearly + a mile, along a narrow lane cut through the wood expressly for us + the day before by the natives. These fantastical trees, which + grow actually in the water, often recall to the imagination those + villages one sees in countries liable to frequent inundation, + where each house is perched on the top of piles. We saw with + astonishment clusters of oysters and other shell-fish clinging to + the trunk and branches, as well as to the roots of these trees, + which proves that the early voyagers were not such inventors of + facts as folks suppose them, nor far wrong in reporting that they + had seen fish growing like fruit on trees!</p> + + <p>Shortly before entering this watery wilderness, we encountered + a party of native pearl-divers; and the Admiral, who was at all + times most provokingly sceptical as to reported wonderful + exploits, pulled out his watch, and insisted on timing the best + diver amongst them, to see how long he could remain under water. + In no case did the poor fellow make out a minute complete; upon + which, the Admiral held up his watch exultingly in his triumph, + and laughing to scorn the assurances that at other parts of the + island divers might be found who could remain five minutes at the + bottom. "Show me them! show me them!" cried he, "and then, but + not till then—begging you pardon—I shall believe it." + The challenge remained unanswered.</p> + + <p>The method used by these divers is to place between their feet + a basket loaded with one or two large lumps of coral, the weight + of which carries them rapidly to the bottom. The oysters being + then substituted for the stones, the diver disengages his feet, + and shoots up to the surface again, either bringing the full + basket with him, or leaving it to be drawn up by a line.</p> + + <p>Nothing could be imagined more wild than the mangrove avenue + through which we rowed, or rather paddled, for the strait was so + narrow that there was no room for the oars when pushed out to + their full length. The sailors, therefore, were often obliged to + catch hold of the branches and roots of the trees, to draw the + boats along. The foliage, as may be supposed, where perennial + heat and moisture occur in abundance, spread overhead in such + extraordinary luxuriance that few of the sun's rays could + penetrate the massy net-work of leaves and branches forming the + roof of our fairy passage. Not a single bird could be seen, + either seated or on the wing; nor was even a chirp + distinguishable above the dreamy hum of millions of mosquitoes + floating about, in a calm so profound, that it seemed as if the + surface of the water had never been disturbed since the Creation. + The air, though cool, felt so heavy and choky, that, by the time + we had scrambled to the end of this strange tunnel or watery + lane, we could scarcely breathe, and were rejoiced to enter the + open air again,—although, when we came out, the sun "flamed + in the forehead of the morning sky," and beat fiercely and hotly + upon the parched ground, from which every blade of grass had been + scorched away.</p> + + <p>The village of Tamblegam, to which we soon came, is inhabited + by a colony of Hindoo emigrants from the coast of Malabar. It is + a neat little place, of which the huts, formed chiefly of + branches of the tamarind-tree and leaves of the plantain, + standing under prodigiously high cocoa-nuts, are so very + diminutive, that the whole looks more like a child's toy-box + village than the residence of grown people. The principal edifice + is a pagoda built of stone, exactly ten feet square. Not fancying + there could be any harm in taking such a liberty, we entered the + pagoda unceremoniously, and one of our artists set to work + sketching the bronze image which the natives worship as a deity, + a figure not quite three inches in height; but the Hindoos were + shocked at our impiety, and soon ousted the Admiral and his + party. Close by was a little tank or pool of water, beautifully + spangled over with the leaves and flowers of the water-lily. Here + several groups of Indian girls had assembled to enjoy the + coolness of the water in a style which we envied not a little. + Instead of plunging in and swimming about as with us, one person + sits down, while others pour pitchers of water over the head. We + took notice also of one particularly interesting party of young + damsels, who waded in till the water reached nearly to their + breasts. Each of these girls held in her hand a chatty, or + water-pot, shaped somewhat like an Etruscan vase, the top of + which barely showed itself above the level of the pool. Upon a + signal being given by one of the party, all the girls ducked out + of sight, and at the same time raised their water-jars high in + the air. In the next instant, just as their heads began to + re-appear above the surface, the vessels were simultaneously + inclined so that the water might pour out gradually, and in such + measure that by the time the bathers again stood erect, the + inverted jars might be quite empty. Nothing could be more + graceful than the whole proceedings; and we sat in the shade of + the pagoda looking at these water-nymphs for half-an-hour in + great admiration.</p> + + <p>In the mean time a slender pole, forty feet in height, had + been erected by a set of native tumblers, who presently exhibited + before us various feats of extraordinary agility and + strength—some of these are almost too curious to be + believed by those who are not aware of the flexibility and + dexterity of the Hindoos. We were most surprised and amused by + the exploits of a lady of forty, which is considered a very old + age in that climate, who ran up the pole more like a monkey than + a human being, and then sticking herself on the top horizontally + like a weathercock, whirled herself round, to the great + astonishment of the European beholders. What tickled us + particularly on this occasion was the good lady accompanying her + strange movements with a noise so exactly like that of our old + and respected friend Punch, when drubbed by his faithful wife + Judy, that we all burst out a-laughing.</p> + + <p>The sun had now fallen past that particular angle in the sky + above which it is considered by the bearers inexpedient to + travel, we nestled ourselves into our respective palankeens, and + proceeded on the journey through what seemed to us a very + respectable forest, growing on lands which had once been under + the plough, but apparently very long ago. To our inexperienced + eyes and European associations, it seemed as if a century at + least must have elapsed from the time such a matting of wood + first supplanted the labours of the husbandman; but our friend + the collector soon explained to us, that, if any spot of ground + in that rich district were neglected for a very few years, + natural trees, as tall as those we now admired so much, would + soon shoot up spontaneously, and occupy all the soil. We shook + our heads at this with the confident scepticism of ignorance, and + exchanged glances amongst ourselves at the expense of our + official companion; but in the course of an hour we were + compelled, by the evidence of our own senses, to alter our note + of disbelief. On coming to the real untouched virgin forest of + the climate, we beheld a most noble spectacle indeed, in the way + of scenery, such as I at least had never seen before, and have + but rarely met with since. I do not recollect the names of the + principal trees, though they were mentioned to us over and over + again. The grand Banyan, however, with which European eyes have + become so correctly familiar through the pencil of Daniell, rose + on every side, and made us feel, even more decidedly than the + cocoa-nut trees had done in the morning, that we were indeed in + another world.</p> + + <p>Shortly after we had left the Indian village, the night fell, + and, while we were threading the gigantic forest by the light of + torches, the only thing at all like an adventure promised to + occur to us; but it ended in nothing. The party consisted of six + palankeens, each attended by eight bearers, though only four at a + time, or at most six, supported the poles; these trotted along by + the side of the bearers, between two and three dozen coolies or + porters carrying provisions and torches.</p> + + <p>With a mixture of vague alarm and curiosity we now listened to + the accounts of wild elephants in these woods, though in the + morning we had heard the same stories with indifference and + incredulity; while the old hands of the party, who had felt + rather piqued at our distrust of their marvellous narrations, + pointed out with malicious satisfaction the recent foot-marks of + these undisputed and formidable lords of the soil.</p> + + <p>Sir Samuel and Lady Hood, with some of his staff, had left + their palankeens and walked forward on the path, which barely + admitted two people abreast, in order to enjoy the exceeding + beauty of the Indian jungle, lighted up with the blaze of our + torches. Suddenly the headmost musalgee or torch-bearer paused, + listened, and then retreated precipitately, upon the hinder + ranks. Nothing was said by them, and nothing could we hear in the + woods to explain the cause of this panic, which, however, soon + became general amongst the natives. The bearers set down the + palankeens, and in an instant they, as well as all the coolies, + took to their heels, while the torches flitted about in the + forest in a style which, had there been no apprehension, might + have been acknowledged as very picturesque. Sir Samuel not only + stood fast himself, but ordered all of us to do so + likewise—remarking, that, until we knew what to fly from, + we might only be making matters worse by moving. Presently the + loud crashing of the underwood of the forest, and a heavy + thumping on the ground, gave abundant evidence that a wild + elephant was close to us.</p> + + <p>Some of the natives told us afterwards that they had seen the + monster; but, although we peered into the forest with all our + eyes, none of us could honestly take upon us to say we actually + saw him—though assuredly we heard his footsteps as he broke + his way through the jungle. Robinson Crusoe and his wolves in + Tartary came to our recollection; and upon our asking the natives + what effect fires really had on wild beasts, they all assured us + that hardly any animal, however ferocious, would come up to a + light, and that we were safe so long as we kept near a torch. + This might be consolatory reasoning for the musalgees, each of + whom carried a light, but it afforded little security to us, who, + it was evident, would again be left in the dark should an + elephant cross our path a second time. The Admiral, therefore, + and by his desire all of us, made an attempt to carry the torches + ourselves. But we were soon so plaguily smoked and scorched for + our pains, that we rested contented with the risk, and the + bearers having gradually crept back to the palankeens, we once + more moved on. In spite of all that had passed, some of the party + remained so doggedly sceptical, from being habitually distrustful + of all things wonderful, that they declared the whole affair a + mere matter of panic, and dared to swear there could not be found + an elephant within fifty miles of us. Scarcely had this opinion, + so injurious to the honours and glories of our late adventure, + been uttered, when the commander-in-chief, who, as usual, was + leading the way, snatched a light from one of the men's hands, + and waved it over what the geologists call a "recent deposit," + half the size of a wheelbarrow, and out-rivalling in its column + of smoke the muggiest torch in the line.</p> + + <p>"There!" exclaimed the Admiral, better pleased than if he had + found a pile of rupees, instead of so much recent Album + Græcum. "Will that evidence satisfy you? How many hundred + yards off do you think can the fellow be who left this trace of + his proximity?"</p> + + <p>It was past ten o'clock when we reached our tents, which had + been pitched in the morning on the borders of the celebrated lake + we came to visit. All the party were well fagged, and so + ravenously hungry, that we shouted for joy on seeing supper enter + just as we came to the ground.</p> + + <p>"This," said our excellent caterer the collector, "is the dish + upon which we pride ourselves most at Trincomalee. It is the true + Malay curry—rich, as you perceive, in flavour, and more + than half of it gravy—which gravy, I beg you particularly + to take notice, is full of minced vegetables, while the whole is + softened with some of the youngest kind of cocoa-nut, plucked + this very evening since the sun went down."</p> + + <p>These praises really fell far short of the merits of this + glorious supper; nor can I remember anything in the way of + gourmandise in any part of the world comparable to this exquisite + midnight feast.</p> + + <p>At the door and windows of our supper tent were hung up by the + neck sundry well-bedewed goglets of spring water, cheek by jowl + with a jolly string of long-necked bottles of Lafitte and + Château Margaux, joyously fanning themselves in the + thorough draught of the cool night-breeze, breathing so gently + along, that we could just hear it whispering through the leaves + of the damp forest, and sweeping towards the lake past the tents, + the curtains of which it scarcely stirred.</p> + + <p>The wine perhaps was almost more chilled than a fastidious + wine-fancier might have directed; nevertheless, it flowed over + our parched palates with an intensity of zest which I do not + believe it is in mortals to be conscious of enjoying till they + have toiled a whole day in the sun within half-a-dozen degrees of + the equator. Bottle after bottle—each one more rich and + racy than its valued and lamented predecessor—vanished so + fast, that, ere an hour had elapsed, we felt as if a hundred mad + elephants would have stood no chance with us!</p> + + <p>As we straggled off to our respective beds, made up in the + palankeens, according to the custom of the country, we became + sensible of a serious annoyance, of which we had taken but little + notice while baling in the hot curries and cool clarets within + the tent. A most potent and offensive smell was brought to us by + the land-wind; and the Admiral, who was not a man to submit to + any evil capable of remedy, insisted on an immediate + investigation into the cause of this annoyance.</p> + + <p>After hunting about in the wind's eye for a short time in the + jungle, with torches in our hands, we came upon a huge dead + buffalo, swollen almost to double his natural size. Upon seeing + this, the bearers and servants shrugged their shoulders, as if + the case had been hopeless. Not so the gallant Admiral, who, in + his usual style of prompt resource, called out, "Let us bury this + monster before we go to bed." And, sure enough, under his + directions, and by his assistance, we contrived, in a quarter of + an hour, to throw sand, earth, and leaves enough over the huge + carcase to cover it completely. "There's a cairn for you!" + exclaimed the Admiral, throwing down his spade, which he had been + using with his only hand; "and now let us turn in; for by the + first peep of the morning we must have a touch at the wild ducks + and peacocks on the sides of the lake, and perhaps we may + contrive to have a shot at a buffalo or a stray elephant."</p> + + <p>Accordingly, next morning, actually before it was light, I + felt the indefatigable Admiral tugging at my ear, and bidding me + get up, to accompany him on a shooting excursion, and as he said, + "Mayhap we shall get sight of some of those elephants, the + existence of which you presumed to doubt last night. Come, Mr. + Officer, show a leg! I know you are a bit of a philosopher, and + curious in natural history; so rouse up and come along with + me."</p> + + <p>Most cordially did I then anathematise all philosophy, and + wish I had never expressed any curiosity on the score of wild + beasts, peacocks, or ancient tanks; but as the Admiral was not a + person to be trifled with, I made a most reluctant move, and + exchanged the delightful dream of hot curries and cool sherbet + for the raw reality of a shooting-match, up to the knees in + water, at five in the morning. At one place, such was his + Excellency's anxiety to secure a good shot at some ducks, that he + literally crawled for a couple of hundred yards among the muddy + shore of the lake on his knees, and at the end expressing himself + fully repaid by getting a single capital shot at a wild peacock! + He was also gratified by bringing down a magnificent + jungle-cock—a bird which resembles our barn-door fowl in + form, but its plumage is vastly more brilliant, and its flight + more lofty and sustained, than any of which the bird can boast in + its tame state. Our scramble in the mud brought us within sight + of a drove of several hundred buffaloes. We saw also several + troops of wild deer; but, to our great disappointment, not a + single elephant could we catch even a glimpse of. We counted, at + one time, several dozens of peacocks—some perched on the + trees, some high in the air; we fired at them repeatedly, but I + do not believe any came within shot. Their plumage exceeded that + of our tame peacocks less in the brilliancy of the colour than in + the wonderful fineness of the gloss—a characteristic of + animals of all kinds in their native state. We scarcely saw one + small bird during our whole excursion, or heard a single note but + the hideous screams of the peacock and parrot—tones which + dame Nature, in her even-handed style of doing things, has + probably bestowed upon these dandies of the woods, to + counterbalance the magnificence of their apparel.</p> + + <p>While discussing this point, the collector took occasion to + point out to us the great importance of such artificial means of + irrigating a country as the ancient lake of Candelay, by the side + of which we were now encamped, must have furnished to + agriculturists of former days, when its precious waters were + husbanded and drawn off to fertilise the surrounding country.</p> + + <p>This stupendous monument of the wealth and industry of some + former race is placed on ground slightly elevated above the + districts lying between it and the sea, which, in a direct line, + may be distant about twelve or fourteen miles. We could not + ascertain exactly what was the precise elevation, but, from the + remains of trenches, sluices, and other contrivances for drawing + off and distributing the water, it appeared that the fall in the + ground must have been sufficient to enable the husbandmen to + irrigate the fields at pleasure; though, to our eyes, no + inclination could be perceived. The lake itself is now greatly + diminished in extent, from the dilapidations in its "bund," or + retaining embankment, but still it stretches over many square + miles of area. On three sides it is confined by the swelling + nature of the ground, and it is only on the fourth that any + extensive artificial means have been resorted to for confining + the water. At this place, across a flat broad valley, there has + been thrown a huge embankment, constructed chiefly of oblong + stones, many of them as big as a sofa, extending in a zig-zag + line for several miles. At some places it rises to the height of + thirty or forty feet, and the courses of stone being laid above + one another with considerable regularity, this great retaining + wall assumes the appearance of a gigantic flight of steps, and + being crowned at top by an irregular line of tall trees, it + breaks the sky-line beyond the lake in a manner extremely + picturesque. Here and there lateral gaps between the hills occur + in the other sides, all of which are filled up with similar + embankments.</p> + + <p>Near one end of the principal wall we could distinctly trace + the ruins of a considerable tower, beneath which the great tunnel + or outlet used for tapping the lake most probably passed. It is + said that some early European settlers, a century or two ago, + impressed with an idea that treasure was hid in this building, + had torn it down to get at the gold beneath.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">GRIFFINS IN + INDIA—SINBAD'S VALLEY OF DIAMONDS—A + MOSQUITO-HUNT.</p> + + <p>On the evening of the 18th of November, 1812, we sailed, in + his Majesty's ship Illustrious, from the magnificent harbour of + Trincomalee. In attempting to get out we were sadly baffled by + light shifting winds, which knocked us about from side to side of + the entrance, in which, unfortunately, no good anchorage is to be + found, owing to the great depth of water and the rocky nature of + the ground. This serious evil of a rocky bottom is now almost + entirely obviated by the admirable invention of iron cables, when + the water is not too deep. The links of the chain merely acquire + a polish by their friction against the coral reefs and other + sharp ledges, by which the best hempen cables of past times would + be cut through in ten minutes.</p> + + <p>The chain-cable, however, is difficult of management in deep + water, that is to say, when the soundings are more than twenty or + twenty-five fathoms. Nothing is so easy as getting the anchor to + the bottom in such cases; it is the "facilis descensus," with a + vengeance! But when the anchor is to be pulled up again, then + comes the tug. I once let go my anchor with a chain-cable bent to + it in forty-five fathoms, without having calculated on the + probable effects of the momentum. Though the cable was bitted, + all the stoppers snapped like packthread; and the anchor, not + content with shooting to the bottom with an accelerated velocity, + drew after it more than a hundred fathoms of chain, in such + fearful style that we thought the poor ship must have been shaken + to pieces. The noise was like that of rattling thunder, and so + loud that it was impossible to hear a word; indeed it was even + difficult to speak, from the excessive tremour caused by the + rapid and violent passage of the links, as the chain leaped, or + rather flew, up the hatchway, flashing round the bits, and giving + out sparks like a firework. Finally, it tore its way out at the + hause-hole, till the whole cable had probably piled itself on the + anchor in a pyramid of iron at the bottom of the sea. The inner + end of the cable had of course been securely shackled round the + heel of the mainmast; but the jerk with which it was brought up, + made the ship shake from stem to stern, as if she had bumped on a + rock, and every one fully expected to see the links fly in pieces + about the deck, like chain-shot fired from a cannon. It cost not + many seconds of time for the cable to run out, but it occupied + several hours of hard labour to heave it in again. The ordinary + power of the capstan, full manned, scarcely stirred it; and at + the last, when to the weight of chain hanging from the bows there + came to be added that of the anchor, it was necessary to apply + purchase upon purchase, in order to drag the ponderous mass once + more to the bows.</p> + + <p>When we got fairly clear of the harbour of Trincomalee, and + caught the monsoon, we dashed along-shore briskly enough; and + having rounded the south point of Ceylon, well named Dondra Head, + or thunder cape, we paid a visit to Point de Galle, celebrated + for its bread-fruit and cocoa-nuts. We then passed on to Columbo, + the capital of the island. Ceylon, I may take occasion to + mention, is not considered by our countrymen of the East to be in + India. We stared with all our eyes when this unexpected + information was first given us, and fancied our merry friends + were quizzing us. But we soon learned that, in the technical + language of that country, Ceylon does not form a part of India; + still less does Sumatra, Java, or any indeed of the islands in + the great tropical Archipelago. New-comers are, of course, a good + deal perplexed by these and sundry other local peculiarities in + language and manners, which they at first laugh at as a good + joke, then ridicule as affected, and lastly conform to as quite + natural and proper. Among Anglo-Indians the straits of Malacca, + Sunda, and so on, together with the China sea, and those + magnificent groups of islands the Philippines and Moluccas, are + all included in the sweeping term—"To the eastward."</p> + + <p>At almost every part of this immense range I found further + local distinctions, of greater or less peculiarity and extent + according to circumstances. At one place I was puzzled by hearing + the name of a whole country appropriated to a single spot. At + Bombay, for example, I remember it was the custom, at a certain + season of the year, to talk of going to the Deccan, which word + properly includes an immense region consisting of many provinces; + whereas those who used this expression meant, and were understood + to express, only one point in it—a little watering-place. + Mere local words, in like manner, come to have a much more + expanded signification. The word Ghaut, I believe, means, in + strictness, a pass between hills; and hence, some bold + etymologists pretend, comes our word gate! The term, however, is + now applied to the whole range of mountains which fringe the + western coast of India, just as the more gigantic Cordilleras of + the Andes guard the shores of the Pacific.</p> + + <p>But whether Ceylon be in India or not, this island is + celebrated for its precious stones; indeed, there are writers who + believe that Mount Ophir of the Scripture is Adam's Peak of + Ceylon. Be this also as it may, our ever-enterprising and + active-minded Admiral determined to bring this reputation to the + proof; and, one day at dinner at the governor's table, actually + announced his intention of having a hunt for the sapphires, + rubies, tourmalines, chrysoberyls, and corundums, for which the + island has been long celebrated. His Excellency smiled, and the + company at large scarcely knew whether to treat the proposal as a + joke or as a serious affair. Sir Samuel, however, was not a man + to be quizzed out of his purposes; he begged to have a party of + workmen sent to him next morning, and that each of the men might + be furnished with a basket, a request which naturally produced a + titter; for it was made in such a tone as led us to fancy the + worthy Admiral expected to collect the rubies and garnets in as + great profusion as his far-famed predecessor, Sinbad the sailor, + found them in the Valley of Diamonds.</p> + + <p>His precise plan he kept to himself till he reached the river, + in which the finest stones are said to be found, the alluvial + strip of ground bordering which was formed chiefly of fine gravel + mixed with sand, leaves, and mud. Here he desired the men to fill + their baskets, and to carry the whole mass, just as they picked + it up, to one of the ship's boats, which he had directed to meet + him at the landing-place.</p> + + <p>Not a word more was said on the subject at Government-house, + nor on board the ship, till a couple of days after we had left + Columbo, when the Admiral ordered the bag of gravel into his + cabin, along with a great tub of water and half-a-dozen wash-deck + buckets. The whole stuff collected on shore was now thoroughly + cleaned, and when only the gravel remained, it was divided into a + number of small portions, and laid on plates and dishes on the + table of the fore-cabin. As soon as all was arranged, the + Admiral, who superintended the operation, called out, "Send all + the young gentlemen in the ship, and let every one take a + plateful of gravel before him, to catch what jewels he can."</p> + + <p>Before the party had time to assemble, the delighted Admiral + had himself discovered in his own dish three or four small + garnets, one ruby, and several small crystals of corundum. + By-and-bye, to the astonishment of every one, a collection was + made, which not only furnished the promised ring to the + governor's lady, but half-a-dozen others of equal beauty. These + precious stones were certainly not of the largest dimensions; + but, for all that, the Admiral established his point.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">CEYLONESE + CANOES—PERUVIAN BALSAS—THE FLOATING WINDLASS OF THE + COROMANDEL FISHERMEN.</p> + + <p>The canoes of Ceylon, as far as I remember, are not described + by any writer, nor have I met with any professional men who are + aware of their peculiar construction, and of the advantages of + the extremely elegant principle upon which they are contrived, + though capable, I am persuaded, of being applied to various + purposes of navigation.</p> + + <p>Among the lesser circumstances which appear to form + characteristic points of distinction between country and country + may be mentioned the head-dress of the men, and the form and rig + of their boats. An endless variety of turbans, sheep-skin caps, + and conical bonnets, distinguish the Asiatics from the "Toppee + Wallas" or hat-wearers of Europe; and a still greater variety + exists amongst the boats of different nations. My purpose, just + now, however, is to speak of boats and canoes alone; and it is + really most curious to observe, that their size, form, cut of + sails, description of oar and rudder, length of mast and so on, + are not always entirely regulated by the peculiar climate of the + locality, but made to depend on a caprice which it is difficult + to account for. The boats of some countries are so extremely + unstable, and altogether without bearings, that the smallest + weight on one side more than on the other upsets them. This + applies to the canoes of the North American Indian, which require + considerable practice, even in the smoothest water, to keep them + upright; and yet the Indians cross immense lakes in them, + although the surface of those vast sheets of fresh water is often + as rough as that of any salt sea. The waves, it is true, are not + so long and high; but they are very awkward to deal with, from + their abruptness, and the rapidity with which they get up when a + breeze sets in.</p> + + <p>On those parts of the coast of the United States where the + seasons are alternately very fine and very rough, our ingenious + friends, the Americans, have contrived a set of pilot-boats, + which are the delight of every sailor. This description of + vessel, as the name implies, must always be at sea, as it is + impossible to tell when her services may be required by ships + steering in for the harbour's mouth. Accordingly, the Baltimore + clippers and the New York pilots defy the elements in a style + which it requires a long apprenticeship to the difficulties and + discomforts of a wintry navigation, in a stormy latitude, duly to + appreciate. In the fine weather, smooth water, and light winds of + summer, these pilot-boats skim over the surface with the ease and + swiftness of a swallow, apparently just touching the water with + their prettily formed hulls, which seem too small to bear the + immense load of snow-white canvas swelling above them, and + shooting them along as if by magic, when every other vessel is + lost in the calm, and when even taunt-masted ships can barely + catch a breath of air to fill their sky-sails and royal + studding-sails. They are truly "water-witches;" for, while they + look so delicate and fragile that one feels at first as if the + most moderate breeze must brush them from the face of the ocean, + and scatter to the winds all their gay drapery, they can and do + defy, as a matter of habit and choice, the most furious gales + with which the rugged "sea-board" of America is visited in + February and March.</p> + + <p>I have seen a pilot-boat off New York, in the morning, in a + calm, with all her sails set, lying asleep on the water, which + had subsided into such perfect stillness that we could count the + seam of each cloth in the mirror beneath her, and it became + difficult to tell which was the reflected image, which the true + vessel. And yet, within a few hours, I have observed the same + boat, with only her close-reefed foresail set—no one + visible on her decks—and the sea running mountains high, + threatening to swallow her up. Nevertheless, the beautiful craft + rose as buoyantly on the back of the waves as any duck, and, + moreover, glanced along their surface, and kept so good a wind, + that, ere long, she shot ahead, and weathered our ship. Before + the day was done, she could scarcely be distinguished from the + mast-head to windward, though we had been labouring in the + interval under every sail we could safely carry.</p> + + <p>The balsas of Peru, the catamarans and masullah boats of the + Coromandel coast, and the flying proas of the South Sea Islands, + have all been described before, and their respective merits dwelt + upon, by Cook, Vancouver, Ulloa, and others. Each in its way, and + on its proper spot, seems to possess qualities which it is + difficult to communicate to vessels similarly constructed at a + distance. The boats of each country, indeed, may be said to + possess a peculiar language, understood only by the natives of + the countries to which they belong; and truly, the manner in + which the vessels of some regions behave, under the guidance of + their respective masters, seems almost to imply that the boats + themselves are gifted with animal intelligence. At all events, + their performance never fails to excite the highest professional + admiration of those whom experience has rendered familiar with + the difficulties to be overcome.</p> + + <p>Long acquaintance with the local tides, winds, currents, and + other circumstances of the pilotage, and the constant pressure of + necessity, enable the inhabitants of each particular spot to + acquire such masterly command over their machinery, that no + new-comer, however well provided, or however skilful generally, + can expect to cope with them. Hence it arises, that boats of a + man-of-war are found almost invariably inferior, in some + respects, to those of the port at which she touches. The effect + of seeking to adapt our boats to any one particular place would + be to render them less serviceable upon the whole. After + remaining some time at a place, we might succeed in occasionally + outsailing or outrowing the natives; but what sort of a figure + would our boats cut at the next point to which the ship might be + ordered—say a thousand miles farther from, or nearer to, + the equator, where all the circumstances would be totally + different. We should have to change again and again, losing time + at each place, and probably not gaining, after all, any of the + real advantages which the natives long resident on the spot alone + know the art of applying to practice.</p> + + <p>The hull or body of the Ceylonese canoe is formed, like that + of Robinson Crusoe's, out of the trunk of a single tree, wrought + in its middle part into a perfectly smooth cylinder, but slightly + flattened and turned up at both ends, which are made exactly + alike. It is hollowed out in the usual way, but not cut so much + open at top as we see in other canoes, for considerably more than + half of the outside part of the cylinder or barrel is left + entire, with only a narrow slit, eight or ten inches wide, above. + If such a vessel were placed in the water, it would possess very + little stability, even when not loaded with any weight on its + upper edges. But there is built upon it a set of wooden upper + works, in the shape of a long trough, extending from end to end; + and the top-heaviness of this addition to the hull would + instantly overturn the vessel, unless some device were applied to + preserve its upright position. This purpose is accomplished by + means of an out-rigger on one side, consisting of two curved + poles, or slender but tough spars, laid across the canoe at + right-angles to its length, and extending to the distance of + twelve, fifteen, or even twenty feet, where they join a small log + of buoyant wood, about half as long as the canoe, and lying + parallel to it, with both its ends turned up like the toe of a + slipper, to prevent its dipping into the waves. The inner ends of + these transverse poles are securely bound by thongs to the raised + gunwales of the canoe. The out-rigger, which is always kept to + windward, acting by its weight at the end of so long a lever, + prevents the vessel from turning over by the pressure of the + sail; or, should the wind shift suddenly, so as to bring the sail + aback, the buoyancy of the floating log would prevent the canoe + from upsetting on that side by retaining the out-rigger + horizontal. The mast, which is very taunt, or lofty, supports a + lug-sail of immense size, and is stepped exactly in midships, + that is, at the same distance from both ends of the canoe. The + yard, also, is slung precisely in the middle; and while the tack + of the sail is made fast at one extremity of the hull, the + opposite corner, or clew, to which the sheet is attached, hauls + aft to the other end. Shrouds extend from the mast-head to the + gunwale of the canoe; besides which, slender backstays are + carried to the extremity of the out-rigger; and these ropes, by + reason of their great spread, give such powerful support to the + mast, though loaded with a prodigious sail, that a very slender + spar is sufficient.</p> + + <p>The method of working the sails of these canoes is as follows. + They proceed in one direction as far as may be deemed convenient, + and then, without going about, or turning completely round as we + do, they merely change the stern of the canoe into the head, by + shifting the tack of the sail over to leeward, and so converting + it into the sheet—while the other clew, being shifted up to + windward, becomes the tack. As soon as these changes have been + made, away spins the little fairy bark on her new course, but + always keeping the same side, or that on which the out-rigger is + placed to windward. It will be easily understood that the + pressure of the sail has a tendency to lift the weight at the + extremity of the out-rigger above the surface of the water. In + sailing along, therefore, the log just skims the tops of the + waves, but scarcely ever buries itself in them, so that little or + no interruption to the velocity of the canoe is caused by the + out-rigger. When the breeze freshens so much as to lift the + weight higher than the natives like, one, and sometimes two of + them, walk out on the horizontal spars, so as to add their weight + to that of the out-rigger. In order to enable them to accomplish + this purpose in safety, a "man rope," about breast high, extends + over each of the spars from the mast to the backstays.</p> + + <p>But of all the ingenious native contrivances for turning small + means to good account, one of the most curious, and, under + certain circumstances, perhaps the most useful, is the balsa, or + raft of South America, or, as it is called on some part of the + coast, the catamaran. The simplest form of the raft, or balsa, is + that of five, seven, or nine large beams of very light wood, from + fifty to sixty feet long, arranged side by side, with the longest + spar placed in the centre. These logs are firmly held together by + cross-bars, lashings, and stout planking near the ends. They vary + from fifteen to twenty, and even thirty feet in width. I have + seen some at Guayaquil of an immense size, formed of logs as + large as a frigate's foremast. These are intended for conveying + goods to Paita, and other places along-shore. The balsa generally + carries only one large sail, which is hoisted to what we call a + pair of shears, formed by two poles crossing at the top, where + they are lashed together. It is obvious that it would be + difficult to step a mast securely to a raft in the manner it is + done in a ship. It is truly astonishing to see how fast these + singular vessels go through the water; but it is still more + curious to observe how accurately they can be steered, and how + effectively they may be handled in all respects like any ordinary + vessel.</p> + + <p>The method by which the balsas are directed in their course is + extremely ingenious, and is that to which I should wish to call + the attention of sailors, not merely as a matter of curiosity, + but from its practical utility in seamanship. No officer can tell + how soon he may be called upon to place his crew on a raft, + should his ship be wrecked; and yet, unless he has been + previously made aware of some method of steering it, no purpose + may be answered but that of protracting the misery of the people + under his charge. Nothing can be more simple, or more easy of + application, than the South American contrivance. Near both ends + of the centre spar there is cut a perpendicular slit, about a + couple of inches wide by one or two feet in length. Into each of + these holes a broad plank, called guaras by the natives, is + inserted in such a way that it may be thrust down to the depth of + ten or twelve feet, or it may be drawn up entirely. The slits are + so cut, that, when the raft is in motion, the edges of these + planks shall meet the water. It is clear, that if both the guaras + be thrust quite down, and held fast in a perpendicular direction, + they will offer a broad surface towards the side, and thus, by + acting like the leeboards of a river-barge, or the keel of a + ship, prevent the balsa from drifting sidewise or dead to + leeward. But while these guaras serve the purpose of a keel, they + also perform the important duty of a rudder, the rationale of + which every sailor will understand, upon considering the effect + which must follow upon pulling either up the guara in the bow or + that in the stern. Suppose, when the wind is on the beam, the + foremost one drawn up; that end of the raft will instantly have a + tendency to drift to leeward, from the absence of the lateral + support it previously received from its guara or keel at the bow; + or, in sea language, the balsa will immediately "fall off," and + in time she will come right before the wind. On the other hand, + if the foremost guara be kept down while the sternmost one is + drawn up, the balsa's head, or bow, will gradually come up + towards the wind, in consequence of that end retaining its hold + of the water by reason of its guara, while the stern end, being + relieved from its lateral support, drifts to leeward. Thus, by + judiciously raising or lowering one or both the guaras, the raft + may not only be steered with the greatest nicety, but may be + tacked or wore, or otherwise directed, with precision.</p> + + <p>I never shall forget the sensation produced in a ship I + commanded one evening on the coast of Peru, as we steered towards + the roadstead of Payta. An immense balsa was dashing out before + the land-wind, and sending a snowy wreath of foam before her like + that which curls up before the bow of a frigate in chase. As long + as she was kept before the wind, we could understand this in some + degree; but when she hauled up in order to round the point, and + having made a stretch along-shore, proceeded to tack, we could + scarcely believe our eyes. Had the celebrated Flying Dutchman + sailed past us, our wonder could hardly have been more + excited.</p> + + <p>It will generally be found well worth an officer's attention + to remark in what manner the natives of any coast, however rude + they may be, contrive to perform difficult tasks. Such things may + be very simple and easy for us to execute, when we have all the + appliances and means of our full equipment at command; but, as + circumstances may often occur to deprive us of many of those + means, and thus, virtually, to reduce us to the condition of the + natives, it becomes of consequence to ascertain how necessity, + the venerable mother of invention, has taught people so situated + to do the required work. For example, it is generally easy for a + ship of war to pick up her anchor with her own boats; but it will + sometimes happen that the launch and other large boats may be + stove, and then it may prove of consequence to know how a heavy + anchor can be weighed without a boat at all.</p> + + <p>We happened, in his Majesty's ship Minden, to run upon the + Coleroon shoal, off the mouth of the great river of that name, + about a hundred miles south of Madras. After laying out a bower + anchor, and hauling the ship off, we set about preparing the + boats to weigh it in the usual way. But the master-attendant of + Porto Novo, who had come off to our assistance with a fleet of + canoes and rafts, suggested to Sir Samuel Hood that it might he a + good opportunity to try the skill of the natives, who were + celebrated for their expertness in raising great weights from the + bottom. The proposal was one which delighted the Admiral, who + enjoyed everything that was new. He posted himself accordingly in + his barge near the spot, but he allowed the task to be turned + over entirely to the black fellows, whom he ordered to be + supplied with ropes, spars, and anything else they required from + the ship. The officers and sailors, in imitation of their chief, + clustered themselves in wondering groups in the rigging, in the + chains, and in the boats, to witness the strange spectacle of a + huge bower anchor, weighing nearly four tons, raised off the + ground by a set of native fishermen, possessed of no canoe larger + than the smallest gig on board.</p> + + <p>The master-attendant stood interpreter, and passed backwards + and forwards between the ship and the scene of + operations—not to direct, but merely to signify what things + the natives required for their purpose. They first begged us to + have a couple of spare topmasts and topsail-yards, with a number + of smaller spars, such as top-gallant masts and studding-sail + booms. Out of these they formed, with wonderful speed, an + exceedingly neat cylindrical raft, between two and three feet in + diameter. They next bound the whole closely together by lashings, + and filled up all its inequalities with capstan-bars, handspikes, + and other small spars, so as to make it a compact, smooth, and + uniform cylinder from end to end. Nothing could be more dexterous + or seaman-like than the style in which these fellows swam about + and passed the lashings; in fact, they appeared to be as much at + home in the water as our sailors were in the boats or in the + rigging.</p> + + <p>A stout seven-inch hawser was now sent down by the buoy-rope, + and the running clinch or noose formed on its end, placed over + the fluke of the anchor in the usual way. A couple of round turns + were then taken with the hawser at the middle part of the + cylindrical raft, after it had been drawn up as tight as possible + from the anchor. A number of slew-ropes, I think about sixty or + seventy in all, were next passed round the cylinder several + times, in the opposite direction to the round turns taken with + the hawser.</p> + + <p>Upwards of a hundred of the natives now mounted the raft, and, + after dividing themselves into pairs, and taking hold of the + slew-ropes in their hands, pulled them up as tight as they could. + By this effort they caused the cylinder to turn round till its + further revolutions were stopped by the increasing tightness of + the hawser, which was wound on the cylinder as fast as the + slew-ropes were wound off it. When all the ropes had been drawn + equally tight, and the whole party of men had been ranged along + the top in an erect posture, with their faces all turned one way, + a signal was given by one of the principal natives. At this + moment the men, one and all, still grasping their respective + slew-ropes firmly in their hands, and without bending a joint in + their whole bodies, fell simultaneously on their backs, flat on + the water! The effect of this sudden movement was to turn the + cylinder a full quadrant, or one quarter of a revolution. This, + of course, brought a considerable strain on the hawser fixed to + the anchor. On a second signal being given, every alternate pair + of men gradually crept up the spars by means of their slew-ropes, + till one-half of the number stood once more along the top of the + cylinder, while the other half of the party still lay flat on the + water, and by their weight prevented the cylinder rolling back + again.</p> + + <p>When the next signal was given, those natives who had regained + their original position on the top of the cylinder threw + themselves down once more, while those who already lay prostrate + gathered in the slack of their slew-ropes with the utmost + eagerness as the cylinder revolved another quarter of a turn. It + soon became evident that the anchor had fairly begun to rise off + the ground, for the buoy-rope, which at first had been bowsed + taught over the stern of our launch, became quite slack.</p> + + <p>I forget how many successive efforts were made by the natives + before the anchor was lifted; but, in the end, it certainly was + raised completely off the ground by their exertions alone. The + natives, however, complained of the difficulty being much greater + than they had expected in consequence of the great size of our + anchor. In fact, when at length they had wound the hawser on the + cylinder so far that it carried the full weight, the whole number + of the natives lay stretched on the water in a horizontal + position, apparently afraid to move, lest the weight, if not + uniformly distributed amongst them, might prove too great, and + the anchor drop again to the bottom, by the returning revolutions + of the cylinder. When this was explained to Sir Samuel Hood, he + ordered the people in the launch to bowse away at the buoy-rope. + This proved a most seasonable relief to the poor natives, who, + however, declared, that, if it were required, they would go on, + and bring up the anchor fairly to the water's edge. As the + good-natured Admiral would not permit this, the huge anchor, + cylinder, natives, launch, and all, were drawn into deep water + were the ship lay. The master-attendant now explained to the + natives that they had nothing more to do than to continue lying + flat and still on the water, till the people on board the ship, + by heaving in the cable, should bring the anchor to the bows, and + thus relieve them of their burden. The officer of the launch was + also instructed not to slack the buoy-rope till the cable had got + the full weight of the anchor, and the natives required no + farther help.</p> + + <p>Nothing could be more distinctly given than those orders, so + that I cannot account for the panic which seized some of the + natives when close to the ship. Whatever was the cause, its + effect was such that many of them let go their slew-ropes, and + thus cast a disproportionate share of burden on the others, whose + strength, or rather weight, proving unequal to counterpoise the + load, the cylinder began to turn back again. This soon brought + the whole strain, or nearly the whole, on the stern of the + launch, and had not the tackle been smartly let go, she must have + been drawn under water and swamped. The terrified natives now + lost all self-possession, as the mighty anchor shot rapidly to + the bottom. The cylinder of course whirled round with prodigious + velocity as the hawser unwound itself; and so suddenly had the + catastrophe occurred, that many of the natives, not having + presence of mind to let go their slew-ropes, held fast and were + whisked round and round several times alternately under water + beneath the cylinder and on the top of it, not unlike the spokes + of a coach-wheel wanting the rim.</p> + + <p>The Admiral was in the greatest alarm, lest some of these poor + fellows should get entangled with the ropes and be drowned, or be + dashed against one another, and beaten to pieces against the + cylinder. It was a great relief, therefore, to find that no one + was in the least degree hurt, though some of the natives had been + soused most soundly, or, as the Jacks said, who grinned at the + whole affair, "keel-hauled in proper style."</p> + + <p>In a certain sense, then, this experiment may be said to have + failed; but enough was done to show that it might be rendered + exceedingly effective on many occasions. The Admiral, one of the + best practical sailors of his day, thus explained it:—</p> + + <p>"In the first place," said Sir Samuel, "you must observe, + youngsters, that this device of the natives is neither more nor + less than a floating windlass, where the buoyant power of the + timber serves the purpose of a support to the axis. The men fixed + by the slew-ropes to the cylinder, represent the handspikes or + bars by which the windlass is turned round, and the hawser takes + the place of the cable. But," continued he, "there appears to be + no reason why the cylinder should be made equally large along its + whole length; and were I to repeat this experiment, I would make + the middle part, round which the hawser was to be passed, of a + single topmast, while I would swell out the ends of my cylinder + or raft to three or four feet in diameter. In this way a great + increase of power would evidently be gained by those who worked + the slew-ropes. In the next place," said the Admiral, "it is + clear that either the buoy-rope, or another hawser also fastened + to the anchor, as a 'preventer,' ought to be carried round the + middle part of the cylinder, but in the opposite direction to + that of the weighing hawser. This second hawser should be hauled + tight round at the end of each successive quarter-turn gained by + the men. If this were done, all tendency in the cylinder to turn + one way more than the other would be prevented; for each of the + hawsers would bear an equal share of the weight of the anchor, + and being wound upon the raft in opposite directions, would of + course counteract each other's tendency to slew it round. The + whole party of men, instead of only one-half of them, might then + mount the spars; and thus their united strength could be exerted + at each effort, and in perfect security, against the formidable + danger of the cylinder whirling back by the anchor gaining the + mastery over them, and dropping again to the bottom. But without + using their clumsy, though certainly very ingenious, machinery of + turning men into handspikes, I think," said he, "we might + construct our floating windlass in such a way that a set of small + spars—studding-sail booms, for instance—might be + inserted at right angles to its length, like the bars of a + capstan, and these, if swifted together, could be worked from the + boats, without the necessity of any one going into the + water."</p> + + <p>While speaking of the dexterity of the natives of India, I may + mention a feat which interested us very much. A strong party of + hands from the ship were sent one day to remove an anchor, + weighing seventy-five hundred-weight, from one part of Bombay + dockyard to another, but, from the want of some place to attach + their tackle to, they could not readily transport it along the + wharf. Various devices were tried in vain by the sailors, whose + strength, if it could have been brought to bear, would have + proved much more than enough for the task. In process of time, no + doubt, they would have fallen upon some method of accomplishing + their purpose; but while they were discussing various projects, + one of the superintendents said he thought his party of native + coolies or labourers could lift the anchor and carry it to any + part of the yard. This proposal was received by our Johnnies with + a loud laugh; for the numbers of the natives did not much exceed + their own, and the least powerful of the seamen could readily, at + least in his own estimation, have demolished half-a-dozen of the + strongest of these slender Hindoos.</p> + + <p>To work they went, however, while Jack looked on with great + attention. Their first operation was to lay a jib-boom + horizontally, and nearly along the shank of the anchor. This + being securely lashed to the shank, and also to the stock, the + whole length of the spar was crossed at right angles by capstan + bars, to the ends of which as many handspikes as there was room + for were lashed also at right angles. In this way, every cooly of + the party could obtain a good hold, and exert his strength to the + greatest purpose. I forget how many natives were applied to this + service; but in the course of a very few minutes, their + preparations being completed, the ponderous anchor was lifted a + few inches from the ground, to the wonder and admiration of the + British seamen, who cheered the black fellows, and patted them on + the back as they trotted along the wharf with their load, which + appeared to oppress them no more than if it had been the jolly + boat's grapnel!</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">THE SURF AT + MADRAS.</p> + + <p>From Ceylon we proceeded after a time to Madras roads, where + we soon became well acquainted with all the outs and ins of the + celebrated surf of that place. This surf, after all, is not + really higher than many which one meets with in other countries; + but certainly it is the highest and most troublesome which exists + as a permanent obstruction in front of a great commercial city. + The ingenuity and perseverance of man, however, have gone far to + surmount this difficulty; and now the passage to and from the + beach at Madras offers hardly any serious interruption to the + intercourse. Still, it is by no means an agreeable operation to + pass through the surf under any circumstances; and occasionally, + during the north-east monsoon, it is attended with some danger. + For the first two or three times, I remember thinking it very + good sport to cross the surf, and sympathised but little with the + anxious expressions of some older hands who accompanied me. The + boat, the boatmen, their curious oars, the strange noises they + made, and the attendant catamarans to pick up the passengers if + the boat upsets, being all new to my eyes, and particularly odd + in themselves, so strongly engaged my attention, that I had no + leisure to think of the danger till the boat was cast violently + on the beach. The very first time I landed, the whole party were + pitched out heels over head on the shore. I thought it a mighty + odd way of landing; but supposing it to be all regular and + proper, I scrambled up the wet sand, and merely + muttered,—"What the devil will the fellows do next?"</p> + + <p>The surf at Madras consists of two distinct lines of breakers + on the beach, running parallel to each other and to the shore. + These foaming ridges are caused by a succession of waves curling + over and breaking upon bars or banks, formed probably by the + reflux action of the sea carrying the sand outwards. The surf + itself, unquestionably, owes its origin to the long sand of the + ocean-swell coming across the Bay of Bengal, a sweep of nearly + five hundred miles, from the coasts of Arracan, the Malay + peninsula, and the island of Sumatra. This huge swell is scarcely + perceptible in the fathomless Indian sea; but when the mighty + oscillation reaches the shelving shores of Coromandel, its + vibrations are checked by the bottom. The mass of waters, which + up to this point had merely sunk and risen, that is, vibrated + without any real progressive motion, is then driven forwards to + the land, where, from the increasing shallowness, it finds less + and less room for its "wild waves' play," and finally rises above + the general level of the sea in threatening ridges. I know few + things more alarming to nautical nerves than the sudden and + mysterious "lift of the swell," which hurries a ship upwards when + she has chanced to get too near the shore, and when, in + consequence of the deadness of the calm, she can make no way to + seaward, but is gradually hove nearer and nearer to the roaring + surge.</p> + + <p>At last, when the great ocean-wave approaches the beach, and + the depth of water is much diminished, the velocity of so vast a + mass sweeping along the bottom, though greatly accelerated, + becomes inadequate to fulfil the conditions of the oscillation, + and it has no resource but to curl into a high and toppling wave. + So that this moving ridge of waters, after careering forwards + with a front high in proportion to the impulse behind, and for a + length of time regulated by the degree of abruptness in the rise + of the shore, at last dashes its monstrous head with a noise + extremely like thunder along the endless coast.</p> + + <p>Often, indeed, when on shore at Madras, have I lain in bed + awake, with open windows, for hours together, listening, at the + distance of many a league, to the sound of these waves, and + almost fancying I could still feel the tremour of the ground, + always distinctly perceptible near the beach. When the distance + is great, and the actual moment at which the sea breaks ceases to + be distinguishable, and when a long range of coast is within + hearing, the unceasing roar of the surf in a serene night, heard + over the level plains of the Carnatic shore, is wonderfully + interesting.</p> + + <p>Any attempt to pass the surf in an ordinary boat is seldom + thought of. I remember hearing of a naval officer who crossed + once in his jolly-boat in safety, but on a second trial he was + swamped, and both he and his crew well-nigh drowned. The masullah + boats of the country resemble nothing to be seen elsewhere. They + have flat bottoms, perpendicular sides, and abruptly pointed + ends, being twelve or fourteen feet long by five or six broad, + and four or five feet high. Not a single nail enters into their + construction, all the planks being held together by cords or + lacings. Along the planks, at a short distance from the edge, are + bored a set of holes, through which the lacing or cord is to + pass. A layer of cotton is then interposed between the planks, + and along the seam is laid a flat narrow strip of a fibry and + tough kind of wood. The cord is next rove through the holes and + passed over the strip, so that when it is pulled tight the planks + are not only drawn into as close contact as the interposed cotton + will allow of, but the long strip is pressed against the seam so + effectually as to exclude the water. The wood of which these + boats are constructed is so elastic and tough, that when they + take the ground, either by accident or in regular course of + service, the part which touches yields to the pressure without + breaking, and bulges inwards almost as readily as if it were made + of shoe-leather. Under similar circumstances, an ordinary boat, + fitted with a keel, timbers, and planks nailed together, not + being pliable, would be shivered to pieces.</p> + + <p>At the after or sternmost end a sort of high poop-deck passes + from side to side, on which the steersman takes his post. He + holds in his hand an oar or paddle, which consists of a pole ten + or twelve feet long, carrying at its extremity a circular disc of + wood about a foot or a foot and a-half in diameter. The oars used + by the six hands who pull the masullah boat are similar to that + held by the steersman, who is always a person of long experience + and known skill, as well as courage and coolness—qualities + indispensable to the safety of the passage when the surf is high. + The rowers sit upon high thwarts and their oars are held by + grummets, or rings made of rope, to pins inserted in the gunwale, + so that they can be let go and resumed at pleasure, without risk + of being lost. The passengers, wretched victims! seat themselves + on a cross bench about a foot lower than the seats of the rowers, + and close in front of the raised poop or steersman's deck, which + is nearly on a level with the gunwale.</p> + + <p>The whole process of landing, from the moment of leaving the + ship till you feel yourself safe on the crown of the beach is as + disagreeable as can be; and I can only say for myself that every + time I crossed the surf it rose in my respect. At the eighth or + tenth transit I began really to feel uncomfortable; at the + twentieth I felt considerable apprehension of being well ducked; + and at about the thirtieth time of crossing, I almost fancied + there was but little chance of escaping a watery grave, with + sharks for sextons, and the wild surf for a dirge! The truth is + that at each successive time of passing this formidable barrier + of surf we become better and better acquainted with the dangers + and possibilities of accidents.</p> + + <p>However, as all persons intending to go ashore at Madras must + pass through the surf, they step with what courage they can + muster into their boat alongside the ship, anchored in the roads + a couple of miles off, in consequence of the water being too + shallow for large vessels. The boat then shoves off, and rows to + the "back of the surf," where it is usual to let go a grapnel, or + to lie on the oars till the masullah boat comes out. The back of + the surf is that part of the roadstead lying immediately beyond + the place where the first indication is given of the tendency in + the swell to rise into a wave; and no boat not expressly fitted + for the purpose ever goes nearer to the shore, but lies off till + the "bar-boat" makes her way through the surf, and lays herself + alongside the ship's boat. A scrambling kind of boarding + operation now takes place, to the last degree inconvenient to + ladies and other shore-going persons not accustomed to climbing. + As the gunwale of the masullah boat rises three or four feet + above the water, the step is a long and troublesome one to make, + even by those who are not encumbered with petticoats—those + sad impediments to locomotion—devised by the men, as I + heard a Chinaman remark, expressly to check the rambling + propensities of the softer sex, always too prone, he alleged, to + yield to wandering impulses without such encumbrances! I know to + my cost, from many a broken shin, that even gentlemen bred afloat + may contrive to slip in removing from one boat to the other, + especially if the breeze be fresh, and there be what mariners + call a "bubble of a sea." In a little while, however, all the + party are tumbled, or hoisted into the masullah boat, where they + seat themselves on the cross-bench, marvellously like so many + culprits on a hurdle on their way to execution! Ahead of them + roars and boils a furious ridge of terrific breakers, while close + at their ears behind, stamps and bawls, or rather yells, the + steersman, who takes this method of communicating his wishes to + his fellow-boatmen. The steersman stands on his poop, or + quarter-deck, just behind the miserable passengers, whose heads + reach not quite so high as his knees. His oar rests in a crutch + on the top of the stern-post, and not only serves as a rudder, + but gives him the power to slew or twist the boat round with + considerable rapidity, when aided by the efforts of the rowers. + It is necessary for the steersman to wait for a favourable moment + to enter the surf, otherwise the chances are that the boat will + be upset, in the manner I shall describe presently. People are + frequently kept waiting in this way for ten or twenty minutes, at + the back of the surf, before a proper opportunity presents + itself.</p> + + <p>During all this while, the experienced eye of the veteran + skipper abaft glances backwards and forwards from the swell + rolling in from the open sea, to the surf which is breaking close + to him. From time to time he utters a half word to his crew, with + that kind of faint interrogative tone in which a + commanding-officer indulges when he is sure of acquiescence on + the part of those under him, and is careless whether they answer + or not. In general, however, he remains quite silent during this + first stage of the passage, as do also the rowers, who either + rest the paddles horizontally, or allow their circular blades to + float on the surface of the water. Meanwhile the boat rolls from + side to side, or is heaved smartly upwards as the swell, just on + the eve of breaking, lifts her into the air, and then drops her + again into the hollow with the most sea-sickening velocity. I + should state, that, during this wofully unpleasant interval, the + masullah boat is placed sideways to the line of surf, parallel to + the shore, and, of course, exactly in the trough of the sea.</p> + + <p>I have often watched with the closest attention to discover + what were the indications by which these experienced boatmen + inferred that the true moment was arrived when it was safe to + enter the surf, but I never could make out enough to be of much + professional utility. It was clear, indeed, that the proper + instant for making the grand push occurred when one of the + highest waves was about to break—for the greater the dash, + the greater the lull after it. But how these fellows managed to + discover, beforehand, that the wave, upon the back of which they + chose to ride in, was of that exact description, I could never + discover. On the approach of a swell which he knows will answer + his purpose, the steersman, suddenly changing his quiet and + almost contemplative air for a look of intense anxiety, grasps + his oar with double firmness, and exerting his utmost strength of + muscle, forces the boat's stern round, so that her head may point + to the shore. At the same time he urges his crew to exert + themselves, partly by violent stampings with his feet, partly by + loud and vehement exhortations, and partly by a succession of + horrid yells, in which the sounds Yarry! Yarry!! Yarry!!! + predominate—indicating to the ears of a stranger the very + reverse of self-confidence, and filling the soul of a nervous + passenger with infinite alarm.</p> + + <p>Those fearful noises are loudly re-echoed by all the other + men, who strain themselves so vigorously at the oars, that the + boat, flying forwards, almost keeps way with the wave, on the + back of which it is the object of the steersman to keep her. As + she is swept impetuously towards the bar, a person seated in the + boat can distinctly feel the sea under him gradually rising under + a sheer wave, and lifting the boat up—and up—and up, + in a manner exceedingly startling. At length the ridge, near the + summit of which the boat is placed, begins to curl, and its edge + just breaks into a line of white fringe along the upper edge of + the perpendicular face presented to the shore, towards which it + is advancing with vast rapidity. The grand object of the boatmen + now appears to consist in maintaining their position, not on the + very crown of the wave, but a little further to seaward, down the + slope, so as to ride upon its shoulders, as it were. The + importance of this precaution becomes apparent, when the curling + surge, no longer able to maintain its elevation, is dashed + furiously forwards, and dispersed into an immense sheet of foam, + broken by innumerable eddies and whirlpools, into a confused sea + of irregular waves rushing tumultuously together, and casting the + spray high into the air by impinging one against the other. This + furious turmoil often whirls the masullah boat round and round, + in spite of the despairing outcries of the steersman, and the + redoubled exertions of his screaming crew, half of whom back + their oars, while the other half tug away in vain endeavours to + keep her head in the right direction.</p> + + <p>I have endeavoured to describe the correct and safe method of + riding over the surf on the outer bar upon the back of the wave, + a feat in all conscience sufficiently ticklish; but woe betide + the poor masullah boat which shall be a little too far in advance + of her proper place, so that, when the wave curls over and + breaks, she may be pitched head foremost over the brink of the + watery precipice, and strikes her nose on the sandbank. Even + then, if there happen, by good luck, to be depth of water over + the bar sufficient to float her, she may still escape; but, + should the sand be left bare, or nearly so, as happens sometimes, + the boat is almost sure to strike, if, instead of keeping on the + back or shoulder of the wave, she incautiously precedes it. In + that unhappy case she is instantly tumbled forwards, heels over + head, while the crew and passengers are sent sprawling amongst + the foam.</p> + + <p>Between the sharks and the catamaran men a race then takes + place—the one to save, the other to destroy—the very + Brahmas and Shivas of the surf! These accidents, however, are so + very rare, that during all the time I was in India I never + witnessed one.</p> + + <p>There is still a second surf to pass, which breaks on the + inner bar, about forty or fifty yards nearer to the shore. The + boatmen try to cross this, and to approach so near the beach, + that, when the next wave breaks, they shall be so far ahead of it + that it may not dash into the boat and swamp her, and yet not so + far out as to prevent their profiting by its impulse to drive + them up the steep face of sand forming the long-wished-for shore. + The rapidity with which the masullah boat is at last cast on the + beach is sometimes quite fearful, and the moment she thumps on + the ground, as the wave recedes, most startling. I have seen + persons pitched completely off their seats, and more than once I + have myself been fairly turned over with all the party, like a + parcel of fish cast out of a basket! In general, no such untoward + events take place, and the boat at length rests on the sand, with + her stern to the sea. But as yet she is by no means far enough up + the beach to enable the passengers to get out with comfort or + safety. Before the next wave breaks, the bow and sides of the + boat have been seized by numbers of the natives on the shore, who + greatly assist the impulse when the wave comes, both by keeping + her in a straight course, and likewise by preventing her + upsetting. These last stages of the process are very + disagreeable, for every time the surf reaches the boat, it raises + her up and lets her fall again, with a violent jerk. When at last + she is high enough to remain beyond the wash of the surf, you + either jump out, or more frequently descend by means of a ladder, + as you would get off the top of a stage-coach; and, turning + about, you look with astonishment at what you have gone through, + and thank Heaven you are safe!</p> + + <p>The return passage from the shore to a ship, in a masullah + boat, is more tedious, but less dangerous, than the process of + landing. This difference will easily be understood, when it is + recollected that in one case the boat is carried impetuously + forward by the waves, and that all power of retarding her + progress on the part of the boatmen ceases after a particular + moment. In going from the shore, however, the boat is kept + continually under management, and the talents and experience of + the steersman regulate the affair throughout. He watches, just + inside the surf, till a smooth moment occurs, generally after a + high sea has broken, and then he endeavours, by great exertions, + to avail himself of the moment of comparative tranquillity which + follows, to force his way across the bar before another sea + comes. If he detects, as he is supposed to have it always in his + power to do, that another sea is on the rise, which will, in all + probability, curl up and break over him before he can row over + its crest and slide down its back, his duty is, to order his men + to back their oars with their utmost speed and strength. This + retrograde movement withdraws her from the blow, or, at all + events, allows the wave to strike her with diminished violence at + the safest point, and in water of sufficient depth to prevent the + boat taking the ground injuriously, to the risk of her being + turned topsy-turvy. I have, in fact, often been in these masullah + boats when they have struck violently on the bar, and have seen + their flat and elastic bottoms bulge inwards in the most alarming + manner, but I never saw any of the planks break or the seams open + so as to admit the water.</p> + + <p>It is very interesting to watch the progress of those honest + catamaran fellows, who live almost entirely in the surf, and who, + independently of their chief purpose of attending the masullah + boats, are much employed as messengers to the ships in the roads, + even in the worst weather. I remember one day being sent with a + note for the commanding officer of the flag-ship, which Sir + Samuel Hood was very desirous should be sent on board; but as the + weather was too tempestuous to allow even a masullah boat to pass + the surf, I was obliged to give it to a catamaran man. The poor + fellow drew off his head a small skull-cap, made apparently of + some kind of skin, or oil-cloth, or bladder, and having deposited + his despatches therein, proceeded to execute his task.</p> + + <p>We really thought, at first, that our messenger must have been + drowned even in crossing the inner bar, for we well-nigh lost + sight of him in the hissing yeast of waves in which he and his + catamaran appeared only at intervals, tossing about like a cork. + But by far the most difficult part of his task remained after he + had reached the comparatively smooth space between the two lines + of surf, where we could observe him paddling to and fro as if in + search of an opening in the moving wall of water raging between + him and the roadstead. He was watching for a favourable moment, + when, after the dash of some high wave, he might hope to make + good his transit in safety.</p> + + <p>After allowing a great many seas to break before he attempted + to cross the outer bar, he at length seized the proper moment, + and turning his little bark to seaward, paddled out as fast as he + could. Just as the gallant fellow, however, reached the + shallowest part of the bar, and we fancied him safely across, a + huge wave, which had risen with unusual quickness, elevated its + foaming crest right before him, curling upwards many feet higher + than his shoulders. In a moment he cast away his paddle, and + leaping on his feet, he stood erect on his catamaran, watching + with a bold front the advancing bank of water. He kept his + position, quite undaunted, till the steep face of the breaker + came within a couple of yards of him, and then leaping head + foremost, he pierced the wave in a horizontal direction with the + agility and confidence of a dolphin. We had scarcely lost sight + of his feet, as he shot through the heart of the wave, when such + a dash took place as must have crushed him to pieces had he stuck + by his catamaran, which was whisked instantly afterwards, by a + kind of somerset, completely out of the water by its rebounding + off the sandbank. On casting our eyes beyond the surf, we felt + much relieved by seeing our shipwrecked friend merrily dancing on + the waves at the back of the surf, leaping more than breast-high + above the surface, and looking in all directions, first for his + paddle, and then for his catamaran. Having recovered his oar, he + next swam, as he best could, through the broken surf to his raft, + mounted it like a hero, and once more addressed himself to his + task.</p> + + <p>By this time, as the current always runs fast along the shore, + he had drifted several hundred yards to the northward farther + from his point. At the second attempt to penetrate the surf, he + seemed to have made a small miscalculation, for the sea broke so + very nearly over him, before he had time to quit his catamaran + and dive into still water, that we thought he must certainly have + been drowned. Not a whit, however, did he appear to have + suffered, for we soon saw him again swimming to his rude vessel. + Many times in succession was he thus washed off and sent whirling + towards the beach, and as often obliged to dive head foremost + through the waves. But at last, after very nearly an hour of + incessant struggling, and the loss of more than a mile of + distance, he succeeded, for the first time, in reaching the back + of the surf, without having parted company either with his paddle + or with his catamaran. After this it became all plain sailing; he + soon paddled off to the Roads, and placed the Admiral's letter in + the first lieutenant's hands as dry as if it had been borne in a + despatch-box across the court-yard of the Admiralty.</p> + + <p>I remember one day, when on board the Minden, receiving a note + from the shore by a catamaran lad, whom I told to wait for an + answer. Upon this he asked for a rope, with which, as soon as it + was given him, he made his little vessel fast, and lay down to + sleep in the full blaze of a July sun. One of his arms and one of + his feet hung in the water, though a dozen sharks had been seen + cruising round the ship. A tacit contract, indeed, appears to + exist between the sharks and these people, for I never saw, nor + can I remember ever having heard of any injury done by one to the + other. By the time my answer was written, the sun had dried up + the spray on the poor fellow's body, leaving such a coating of + salt, that he looked as if he had been dusted with flour. A few + fanams—a small copper coin—were all his charge, and + three or four broken biscuits in addition sent him away the + happiest of mortals.</p> + + <p>It is matter of considerable surprise to every one who has + seen how well the chain-pier at Brighton stands the worst + weather, that no similar work has been devised at Madras. The + water is shallow, the surf does not extend very far from the + beach, and there seems really no reason why a chain-pier should + not be erected, which might answer not only for the accommodation + of passengers, but for the transit of goods to and from the + shore.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER + XXII.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">VISIT TO THE + SULTAN OF PONTIANA, IN BORNEO—SIR SAMUEL HOOD.</p> + + <p>In the summer of 1814, Sir Samuel Hood made a voyage, in his + Majesty's ship Minden, to the eastern parts of his station. We + called first at Acheen, on the north end of the island of + Sumatra, where we held some very amusing intercourse with the + king of that district, whose capital the Admiral visited. From + thence we steered over to Pulo Penang, or Prince of Wales' + Island, and thence down the Straits of Malacca, entering the + China Sea by the beautiful Straits of Sincapore. The Admiral's + chief object was to visit Java; but as there lay three routes + before him to choose between, viz. the Straits of Gaspar, the + Straits of Banca, and the Caramata passage, he preferred taking + the last and widest, which also led him near the western shore of + the immense island of Borneo. On reaching the equator, he steered + in for the mouth of the great river Lava, which passes the town + of Pontiana. The weather being very favourable, the ship was + anchored, and the barge got ready for an expedition.</p> + + <p>At four in the morning, on receiving the joyful intimation + that I was to be officer of the boat, I lost no time in getting + together everything likely to be useful—a sextant, + artificial horizon, spy-glass, chart, compass, and Nautical + Almanac, besides a Malay Dictionary.</p> + + <p>We had some little difficulty in finding our way in the barge, + for the mouth of the river of Pontiana lay so completely hid + amongst low cane-brakes, mangroves, and other aquatic trees and + shrubs, which grow thickly along the western shores of Borneo, + that, until we came quite close, no inlet was perceptible. The + first hit we made proved wrong, and lost us three or four miles; + and it was not till nearly noon that we reached the rush of fresh + and troubled water, which indicated the true entrance. The + Admiral desired greatly to observe the sun's meridian altitude. + His Excellency, however, though he could command many things, + could not command this; for although our fellows gave way + lustily, so as to stem the current running out, and we had a full + half-hour to spare, we could not effect a landing in good time. + On reaching what had seemed the shore, no footing could be found + anywhere. Even the little boat which we carried with us in tow of + the barge, though she threaded the mangrove stems and roots, and + went in much further than the barge, could not reach anything + like dry land. As the main bank refused to afford us a + resting-place, we put off, and rowed as briskly as we could to a + small island about half-a-mile from this treacherous shore; but + this, too, proved a cheat, for what we took to be solid ground + consisted merely of a mass of green shrubs, growing on the ridge + of a soft slippery mass of mud just peeping above the water.</p> + + <p>As the sailors, by this time, were pretty well exhausted with + rowing so long in the hot sun, they hailed with great joy the + sea-breeze which just then set in. They soon stepped the masts, + hoisted the sails, and laid the oars in.</p> + + <p>"Now go to dinner, men," said the considerate chief, "this + rattling breeze will not carry us up far, and you will pull all + the better for a good bellyful."</p> + + <p>Just as this judicious order was given, and while we were + still laughing at the recent adventure, which reminded us of + Sinbad's mistaking a whale for a solid rock, our eyes were + attracted by the sight of another island, much smaller than the + first. It seemed, indeed, like a little grove or tuft of + palm-like foliage, rising out of the water somewhat in the + fashion of our Prince of Wales' feather. None of the party had + ever seen such a tree before, and every one tried to guess what + it might be; but all were puzzled. At length, a diminutive moving + black speck showed itself at the root, or centre, from which + these fairy-like branches radiated.</p> + + <p>"It is a rock with a tree on it," cried one.</p> + + <p>"Nonsense!" said Sir Samuel, "there are no rocks hereabouts; + the soil for many a league is alluvial."</p> + + <p>"It skims along like a witch," exclaimed a third; "it is + surely alive!"</p> + + <p>"Let us sail to it whatever it be," said the Admiral, waving + his hand to the coxswain to sheer the barge further from the side + of the river.</p> + + <p>As we drew near, we discovered our phenomenon to consist of a + fishing-canoe, gliding along merrily before the sea-breeze, with + no other sails than half-a-dozen branches of the cocoa-nut tree + placed in the bow, and spread out like the feathers of a + peacock's tail. These were held together by a slender bar of + bamboo, and supported by small strips of bark to the stern, in + which sat a naked Malay.</p> + + <p>The Admiral proved a true prophet, for the deceitful + sea-breeze presently lulled, and it cost us a very hard row to + accomplish our purpose against the stream. The town of Pontiana + stands on a low point of land formed by the confluence of two + mighty rivers. This particular spot is always held sacred in + India, and is known under the Hindoo name of Sungum. I suspect, + however, that the Malays and other Mahometans, who inhabit the + coasts of most of the Indian Islands, acknowledge no + superstitious predilections for one spot more than another, and + consider such things as mere prejudices unworthy of the followers + of Mahomet, their great military prophet. Probably the Sungum + point has some local advantages belonging to it, as I observe it + is generally appropriated by the strongest party in every + country. At all events, it has the advantage of communicating + directly with both the rivers, by whose junction the Sungum, or + solid angle, is formed. In the instance of Pontiana, the + Mussulmans had taken possession of it, though it was formerly a + Dutch settlement, while the Chinese were left to occupy the + corners opposite to the Sungum, on the right and left banks, + respectively, of the river formed by the junction of the two + streams. Thus three considerable cities had been built facing one + another, and each displaying on the river a multitude of boats + and barges, canoes and proas, in crowds which would not have + disgraced the show at London Bridge, and, of course, indicating + considerable wealth and activity.</p> + + <p>We came upon this grand view quite abruptly, and having no + expectation of encountering anything so magnificent, were taken + rather by surprise. Two enormous Chinese junks occupied the + centre of the stream, each of them rising out of the water nearly + as high as the poop of a line-of-battle ship. Along the shore, on + both sides, lay a fleet of eight or ten sail of junks, some of + them very large, and all bearing enormous white flags, in the + centre of which sprawled huge dragons and other monsters familiar + to the eyes of all fanciers of old China jars.</p> + + <p>In the mean time, as there existed no dispute about the + navigation of the River Lava, we rowed up very peaceably towards + the great city of Pontiana. On our meeting a canoe with a Malay + in it, the Admiral, who had been studying Marsden's dictionary + all the way, stood up in the barge, made the men lie on their + oars, and to their great astonishment, and probably to that of + the native, called out in the Malay tongue,—</p> + + <p>"Which is the way to the sultan's house?"</p> + + <p>To Sir Samuel's unspeakable delight, the man whom he addressed + understood him, and after offering to show us the landing-place, + paddled off ahead of us. Our fellows gave way as hard as they + could, but the Malay kept the lead; and as we shot past the + Chinese towns, one on each bank, the natives crowded to the + beach, as much astonished, no doubt, with our strange cocked + hats, swords, and oddly-shaped boat, as we could be with their + long tails and wild-looking junks, or with the creases which + every Malay carries by his side. This fierce-looking weapon is + not, in form, unlike the waving sword one sees in the pictures of + the angel Michael, though it is not above a foot and a-half in + length.</p> + + <p>The sultan's cousin received the Admiral and his party at the + gate of the palace, and led him by the hand along a causeway of + flag-stones to the residence of the monarch. Directly in the + middle of the gateway, which was only ten feet wide and about as + many in height, there stood a twenty-four-pounder gun. On the top + of the arch there was built a small square room, from holes in + which peeped out the muzzles of five or six field-pieces, the + whole affair resembling very much that part of a child's box of + toys which represents the stronghold or castle. Within the high + wall surrounding the palace we counted innumerable large guns + scattered about, apparently with no other object than to be seen, + as if the mere look of a cannon were expected to do the work of a + fight! The same number of mock barrels of gunpowder, similarly + disposed, would have answered the purpose equally well, or + perhaps better; for there appeared no way in which the guns could + be fired, without doing much more injury to the besieged than to + the besiegers.</p> + + <p>On we went, till we were met by the sultan himself, at the + inner side of the quadrangle. He courteously conducted the + Admiral to a large room or hall of audience, and, having begged + his guest to sit down at a small table, took a chair by his side, + and began a conversation as if they had been long acquainted. Of + course, in spite of the Admiral's proficiency, this could not be + accomplished without an interpreter; and the services of a very + clever Malay boy, whom we had brought with us from the ship, were + brought into requisition. The hall, in which we were first + received, might have been about fifty feet square, bleak, + unfurnished, and comfortless, with an uncovered mud floor. It was + so feebly lighted by a few windows almost hid by Venetian blinds, + that we could only discover that the roof had been left bare and + unfinished. After sitting for about ten minutes, the sultan rose + and led the way to another apartment apparently of still larger + dimensions, but literally so dark, that, had it not been for the + light entering by the door we had left, and the one ahead of us, + we could not have moved along without breaking our shins over the + stones, sticks, and other rubbish lying in the way. We had next + to make rather a difficult transit along a precarious kind of + bridge, formed of a single plank laid across an ominous-looking + pool or puddle of mud, which divided these two branches of the + palace from each other.</p> + + <p>All at once we were ushered into a splendid room, seventy or + eighty feet square, brilliantly lighted, and not ill furnished, + but strongly contrasted with the darkness and dirtiness of the + suite we had passed through. This total want of keeping, it may + be mentioned, is quite in Oriental taste. They know tolerably + well how to be magnificent on occasions; but they never learn how + to be uniformly decent. The Asiatics, and even some other nations + which might be named nearer home, can seldom afford to be taken + by surprise. Indeed, I am not sure if more than one country can + be alluded to, in which the people are at all hours ready to + receive strangers, and have no occasion to make a fuss, or to + change anything when a rap comes to the door.</p> + + <p>In the centre of this gorgeous room, on a dais, or a part of + the floor raised to about a foot and a-half above the level of + the rest, and laid with a rich Turkey carpet, stood a long table, + at the top of which the sultan placed the Admiral, and then made + the signal for tea. First entered an attendant, bearing a large + tray, on which were ranged several dozens of exceedingly small + cups. This he placed on the carpet, and then squatted himself + down, cross-legged, beside it. Another attendant soon followed, + bearing the tea-pot, and he likewise popped himself down. After a + conjuration of some minutes, the cups were brought round, + containing weak black tea, exquisite in flavour, but marvellously + small in quantity. There appeared no milk, but plenty of + sugar-candy. Some sweet sherbet was next handed round, very + slightly acid, but so deliciously cool, that we appealed + frequently to the vase or huge jar from which it was poured, to + the great delight of the sultan, who assured us that this was the + genuine sherbet described by the Persian poets. It was mixed, he + told us, by a true believer, who had made more than one + pilgrimage to Mecca.</p> + + <p>At the upper end of the apartment, in a deep recess, partly + hid from our view by a rich festoon of shawl drapery, we could + just discover the sultan's bed, flanked by large mirrors, beyond + which, in an adjacent chamber, was probably stowed away the + sultan's most favoured wife. But all this department of the + establishment was thrown into such deep shade, that we could see + none of the ladies, nor any of his highness's progeny, except one + little boy, whom he introduced to us at supper. He appeared to be + about five or six years old, very like his papa in miniature, + rigged with turban and robes of cloth of gold. At first, the + little fellow looked somewhat startled; but he soon recovered his + dignity, and sat on our knees, without much apprehension of being + swallowed up.</p> + + <p>Both the upper corners of the room were screened off by white + curtains, eight or ten feet high, so as to form smaller chambers. + One of these served the purpose of a pantry, or subsidiary + kitchen, at least we observed the dishes issuing from it, and + thought we could distinguish the well-known sound of the cook's + angry reproaches—a note which, like that of muttering + thunder, is nearly the same in every climate. The other corner we + soon made out to be a sort of temporary nook, from which the + ladies of the palace and the young sultans and sultanas might spy + the strangers. This we ascertained from seeing sundry very pretty + faces thrust out occasionally between the folds of the curtain, + and by the sound of many an ill-suppressed giggle amongst the + peeping damsels.</p> + + <p>The sultan appeared to enter into his guest's character at + once, and neither overloaded him with attentions, nor failed to + treat him as a person to whom much respect was due. I heard Sir + Samuel say afterwards, that he was particularly struck with the + sultan's good breeding, in not offering to assist him in cutting + his meat. The sultan merely remarked that few people were so + expert as his guest even with both hands; adding, neatly enough, + that on this account the distinction which his wound had gained + for him was more cheaply purchased than people supposed. While + the Admiral was hunting for some reply to this novel compliment, + his host remarked, that in Borneo it was considered fashionable + to eat with the left hand.</p> + + <p>The supper, which soon followed the tea, consisted of about a + dozen dishes of curry, all different from one another, and a + whole poultry yard of grilled and boiled chickens, many different + sorts of salt fish, with great basins of rice at intervals, jars + of pickles, piles of sliced pine-apple, sweetmeats, and cakes. + Four male attendants stood by with goblets of cool sherbet, from + which, ever and anon, they replenished our glasses; besides whom, + a number of young Malay girls waited at a distance from the + table, and ran about nimbly with the plates and dishes.</p> + + <p>After a great deal of ceremonious rigmarole, in which the + Admiral was asked for his autograph, and it was wonderful how + well the shrewd little Malay interpreter expressed to the + Admiral, who cheerfully agreed to the proposal, and desired me to + send for his writing-case. As I rose, the Admiral whispered to + me, "I wish you would contrive, at the same time, to see what the + boat's crew are about. Try, also, if you can get them something + to eat; the fellows must be hungry enough by this time—but + mind they don't get too much toddy."</p> + + <p>I found the crew seated on the mud floor of a large room close + to the beach, and open on all sides, like a tent without walls. + The Johnnies were in such high glee, that I feared they had + already trespassed too deeply on the toddy pot; but I was glad to + find that their satisfaction arose from a safer source, namely, a + glorious hot supper, which Jack was tucking in to the great + delight and astonishment of the natives, who had been ordered by + the sultan to supply them with as much curry and rice as they + chose to eat.</p> + + <p>Very early in the morning, long before there was the least + peep of dawn, the Admiral roused us all out of bed, ordered the + boat to be manned, and declared his intention of dropping down + the river while it was yet cool, so as to reach the ship before + the fierce heat of the sun had set in. I suspect, also, that he + wished to escape the salutes for which he had seen some + preparations over night. But scarcely had we gained the distance + of two or three hundred yards from the shore when the heavy guns + of the batteries began to fire a royal salute. The night was + uncommonly dark and still, and the successive flashes and reports + of the cannons were followed by a long series of echoes from the + edges of the damp forests lining the banks of the three different + branches or forks of the river. The Admiral, who had the finest + perception possible for all that was picturesque or beautiful, + was exceedingly struck with the grandeur of this nocturnal + salute, and having made the men lay their oars across the boat, + while she drifted quickly down the river, he stood up in the + stern-sheets in order to enjoy the scene more completely.</p> + + <p>A trifling incident occurred shortly afterwards, which + recalled to our thoughts another important service of Sir Samuel + Hood's, which, although it be familiarly known in the navy, may + not be so fresh in the recollection of persons on shore. A + question arose in the boat as to whether or not the land-wind was + blowing. Some said there was a breeze up the river, while others + maintained that the wind blew down, towards the sea. The Admiral + let us go on speculating and arguing for some time, and then + said, "You are both wrong; there is not a breath of air either up + or down the river. At all events we shall soon see, if you will + strike me a light." This was done accordingly; and the Admiral, + standing on the after-thwart, held the naked candle high over his + head, while the men ceased rowing.</p> + + <p>"There, you see," exclaimed he, "the flame stands quite + upright, which proves, that if there be any breeze at all, it + blows no faster than the stream runs down."</p> + + <p>As he yet spoke, the flame bent from the land, and in the next + instant was puffed out by a slight gust from the forest.</p> + + <p>"Ay! that's something like!" exclaimed the commander-in-chief; + adding, in an under tone, as he resumed his seat, "I have known + the time when a flaw of wind, not greater than has just blown out + this candle, has rendered good service to his Majesty." This was + the incident to which he alluded:—</p> + + <p>Early in the year 1794, when Captain Hood commanded his + Majesty's ship Juno, the port of Toulon, though in possession of + the English at the time of his departure on a short trip to + Malta, had been evacuated while the Juno was absent; and as the + land was made in the night, no suspicion of that important change + of affairs arose in the mind of any one. With his wonted + decision, therefore, into the port he dashed; for, although the + Juno carried no pilot, Captain Hood's knowledge of every port he + had once visited rendered him comparatively indifferent on that + score. A couple of the sharpest-sighted midshipmen were stationed + with glasses to look out for the fleet; but no ships were + seen—for the best of all reasons—none were there!</p> + + <p>One vessel only, a small brig, could be detected, and the + captain, supposing the fleet had run into the inner harbour + during the recent easterly gale, resolved to push up likewise. + The batteries all kept quiet, and though the brig hailed the + frigate as she passed in a language so indistinct that no one + could make it out, not the least suspicion was excited. Supposing + they wanted to know what ship it was, I told them it was the + Juno. The brig, however, was not quite so courteous in return; + for they merely replied by the word "Viva," but made no answer to + the captain's repeated inquiry as to the brig's name, and the + position of the British fleet. As the Juno passed under the stern + of this treacherous little craft, a voice called out, "Luff! + luff!" which naturally induced Captain Hood to put his helm down, + from an idea that shoal water lay close to leeward of him. + Nothing could have been more adroitly managed, for before the + frigate came head to wind, she stuck fast upon the shoal, to + which the words "Luff, luff!" had no doubt been intended to + direct her.</p> + + <p>A boat was now observed to proceed from the brig to the town. + As there was but little wind, and the water perfectly smooth, the + Juno's sails were clewed up and handed; but before the men were + all off the yards, a gust of wind came sweeping down the harbour, + and drove her off the shoal so suddenly as to give her brisk + stern-way. The anchor was speedily let go, but when she tended, + the after-part of her keel took the ground, and the rudder could + not be moved. The launch and cutter being instantly hoisted out, + the usual preparations were made to lay out a kedge, to heave the + ship off.</p> + + <p>At this critical moment a boat came alongside. The people + appeared anxious to get out of her, and two of them, apparently + officers, came up the side. They said it was the regulation of + the port, as well as the commanding officer's orders, that ships + should go further into the harbour, there to perform ten days' + quarantine. In the despatch relating this transaction, Captain + Hood says, "I kept asking them where Lord Hood's ship lay;" the + two Frenchmen knew not what to do or say next. In the mean time, + one of the mids, who happened to be thrusting his head forward + after the investigating manner of this enterprising class of + officers, said apart to the captain,—</p> + + <p>"Why, sir, they wear national cockades!"</p> + + <p>"I looked at one of their hats more steadfastly," says Captain + Hood in his narrative, "and by the moonlight clearly + distinguished the three colours."</p> + + <p>"Perceiving they were suspected," continues Sir Samuel in his + narrative, "and on my questioning them again about Lord Hood, one + of them replied, 'Soyez tranquille, les Anglais sont de braves + gens, nous les traitons bien; l'amiral anglais est sorti il y a + quelque temps.'"</p> + + <p>In an instant, the situation of the poor Juno became known + throughout the ship. The officers crowded round their captain, + while the Frenchman, bowing to the right and left, grinned and + apologised for the disagreeable necessity of making them all + prisoners! It was said of Hood's ship, that, fore and aft, there + was but one heart and one mind, and this was an occasion to test + its truth. At this moment a flaw of wind coming down the harbour, + Lieutenant Webley said to me, "I believe, sir, we shall be able + to fetch out if we can get her under sail." I immediately + perceived we should have a chance of saving the ship; at least, + if we did not, we ought not to lose her without a struggle. Every + person was ordered to their stations; but the Frenchmen, + perceiving some bustle, began to draw their sabres, but I + directed the marines to force them below, which was soon done. In + an instant every officer and man was at his duty; and within + three minutes every sail in the ship was set, and the yards + braced ready for casting. The steady and active assistance of + Lieutenant Turner and the other officers prevented any confusion. + As soon as the cable was taut, I ordered it to be cut, and had + the good fortune to see the ship start from the shore. The head + sails were filled; a favourable flaw of wind coming at the same + time gave her good way. Not to be retarded by the boats, I + ordered them to be cut adrift as well as the French boat. The + moment the brig saw us begin to loose sails, we saw she was + getting her guns ready, and we also saw lights in all the + batteries. When we had shot far enough for the brig's guns to + bear on us, which was not more than three ships' lengths, she + began to fire; as did a fort a little on the starboard bow, and + soon after all of them, on both sides, as they could bring their + guns to bear. As soon as the sails were well trimmed, I beat to + quarters. When abreast of the centre of Cape Sepet, and were + ready to go about, she came up two points, and just weathered the + Cape. As we passed very close along that shore, the batteries + kept up a brisk fire. When I could keep the ship a little off the + wind, I ordered some guns to be fired at a battery that had just + opened abreast of us, which quieted them a little. We now stopped + firing till we could keep her away, with the wind abaft the beam, + when, for a few minutes, we kept up a very lively fire on the + last battery we had to pass, which I believe must otherwise have + done us great damage. At half-past twelve, being out of reach of + their shot, the firing ceased.</p> + + <p>The whole of this admirable piece of service was performed so + quickly, and at the same time with so much coolness, that there + occurred little or no opportunity for any remarkable individual + exertion. Everything, as I have heard it described by Sir Samuel + Hood himself and by the officers, went on as if the ship had been + working out of Plymouth Sound at noon-day. One little incident, + however, which caused much amusement in the ship, will help to + show the degree of regard in which Sir Samuel was held by those + immediately about him; and to disprove the proverb of no man + being a hero to his valet-de-chambre.</p> + + <p>Dennis M'Carty, an old and faithful servant of Captain Hood's, + who was quartered at one of the main-deck guns in the cabin, + stood firm enough till the batteries opened on the Juno. No + sooner had the firing commenced, and the shot began to come + whizzing over and through all parts of the ship, than Dennis, to + the great amaze and scandal of his companions, dropped the side + tackle-fall, and fairly ran off from his gun. Nothing in the + world, however, could be further from poor Pat's mind than + fear—except fear for his master, behind whom he soon + stationed himself on the quarter-deck; and wherever Captain Hood + moved, there Dennis followed, like his shadow; totally + unconscious of any personal danger to himself, though the captain + was necessarily in the hottest of the fire. At length, Sir + Samuel, turning suddenly round, encountered the Irishman full + butt.</p> + + <p>"Hallo! Dennis," exclaimed the captain, "what brings you here? + Go down to your gun, man!"</p> + + <p>"Oh, by the powers! your honour," replied Dennis, "sure I + thought it likely you might be hurt, so I wished to be near you + to give you some help."</p> + + <p>There was no resisting this; the captain laughed; and poor + Dennis was allowed to take his own way.</p> + + <p>Another remarkable instance of his courage and + disinterestedness was afforded at the battle of the Nile. + Previous to entering into that great action, Nelson hailed + Captain Hood's ship, and consulted him as to the best method of + attack.</p> + + <p>"What think you," said the Admiral, "of engaging the enemy + to-night?"</p> + + <p>"I don't know the soundings," was the answer, "but, with your + permission, I will lead in and try."</p> + + <p>The result is well known; but I believe it is not so generally + known that, in the first draft of the despatch which Nelson + wrote, he gave to Captain Hood the merit of confirming him in his + determination of attacking the French fleet that night. On + showing this letter, however, to Hood himself, he entreated that + it might be altered, saying "that they were all brothers, engaged + in the cause, and that the admiral would have received exactly + the same advice from any other captain in the fleet whom he might + have consulted." The paragraph was therefore omitted in the + despatch.</p> + + <p>I have this anecdote of the change in the despatch from one of + his nearest connections, and one of the dearest friends to his + memory. He himself particularly wished the alteration in the + despatch not to be told at the time; but, as the story crept out + somehow, it seems very material that the facts should be well + authenticated. When the circumstance was mentioned to Sir Samuel + Hood many years afterwards, by the friend from whom I have + received authority to state it, he confessed that it was so; but + exclaimed,—</p> + + <p>"How the devil could all this have got wind?—I never + mentioned it before to a living soul."</p> + + <p>As there is hardly any professional anecdote which retains its + freshness of interest more entire than the memorable parley above + described between Nelson and Hood, on the eve of the battle of + the Nile, I venture to give another version of it, which is + substantially the same, and is calculated to confirm, in a + pleasing manner, all that is essential. The following particulars + I have been favoured with by Captain Webley Parry, then first + lieutenant of the Zealous.</p> + + <p>When steering for the enemy's fleet, Sir Horatio Nelson hailed + the Zealous, and asked Captain Hood if he thought he might + venture to bear up round the shoals. The answer was,—</p> + + <p>"I cannot say, sir; but if you will allow me the honour of + leading into action, I will keep the lead going."</p> + + <p>"You have my permission, and I wish you good luck," was the + reply; and, as Nelson said this, he took off his hat. Captain + Hood, in his hurry to return the courtesy of his admiral, dropped + his hat overboard. He looked after it, laughed, and + exclaimed,—</p> + + <p>"Never mind, Webley, there it goes for luck! Put the helm up, + and make all sail."</p> + + <p>Captain Foley of the Goliath, being close to the Zealous, + perceiving this manoeuvre, guessed what the orders were, and bore + up likewise, so that when the two ships had shaped their course, + they were nearly abreast of each other. The Goliath being a + little in advance, which of course was rather annoying, Captain + Hood stood on for some time, in hopes of being able to take the + lead in the Zealous, but finding this could not be without + jostling and confusion, he turned round and said—</p> + + <p>"This will never do! Well, never mind; Foley is a fine, + gallant, worthy fellow. Shorten sail, and give him time to take + up his berth. We must risk nothing that will tend to the enemy's + advantage."</p> + + <p>This was instantly done! The Goliath shot ahead, and Captain + Foley had the glory of leading the British fleet into action. By + some accident, however, he failed to place the Goliath in + opposition to the headmost ship of the enemy's line. The + experienced eye of Hood instantly saw the consequences, and while + the Goliath passed on to the second in the line, Sir Samuel + placed his own ship, the Zealous, alongside the first, exclaiming + in the joy of his heart, "Thank God! my friend Foley has left me + the van ship!"</p> + + <p>The indifference to danger and fatigue which was habitual to + this great captain cost him, I believe, his life when travelling + in the interior of India, near Seringapatam. He reached a station + at which a fresh set of palanquin bearers were to have met him, + but had been prevented by some accident. "It matters not," he + cried, "let us walk." And sure enough he set off to perform on + foot a stage which might have been dangerous on horseback; for + the sun had nearly risen to the meridian, and there was hardly a + breath of wind. Possibly no mischief might have followed this + march, but he had been spending some days in the island of + Seringapatam, the most unhealthy spot in Mysore; and it is a + curious circumstance connected with the malaria of the noxious + districts, that its effects frequently lie dormant long after it + has been breathed. Sir Samuel Hood did not escape; but he felt no + inconvenience till after he descended from, and entered the + Carnatic at Madras. The jungle fever, of which the fatal seeds + had been sown at Seringapatam, attacked him after a few days. + When, unfortunately for the profession and for his country, he + fell sick at Madras, and knew that his last moments were fast + approaching, he called his faithful friend and old follower in + many ships and many actions, Lieutenant, afterwards Captain + Walcott to his bedside, and said to him,—</p> + + <p>"It will be very hard, Walcott, to die in this cursed place; + but should I go off, let nothing deter you from going home and + accounting to the Admiralty for my command of the East India + station."</p> + + <p>These were nearly the last intelligible words he uttered; and + they serve to show how strong, even in the hour of death, was his + sense of professional duty. As Lieutenant Walcott had served + during the whole of Sir Samuel's India command in the double + capacity of flag-lieutenant and secretary, and had enjoyed the + Admiral's entire confidence, he, and he alone, possessed the + means of "accounting to the Admiralty" for the measures + completed, or in progress, for the good of the service, and + therefore the Admiral suggested to him the propriety of his going + home to report matters in person.</p> + + <p>The senior officer, who succeeded to the command in the Indian + seas, felt so desirous of following up the friendly intentions of + his lamented predecessor, that knowing the late Admiral's + attachment to Lieutenant Walcott, he offered to promote him into + a death vacancy, which had either actually taken place, or was + certain to fall within a week or two. Moreover, he assured him, + that after the necessary time had been served, he should have the + first vacancy for post promotion. These were indeed tempting + offers to a young officer, devotedly attached to his profession; + but they had no influence over a man bred in the "Sam Hood + School." The Admiral's dying injunction appeared to this + right-minded officer fully as binding, or, if possible, more so, + than a written command must have been in his lifetime.</p> + + <p>To England Walcott went accordingly; and the difference in + professional standing which it made to him was this:—had he + remained in India, as Sir Samuel Hood's successor proposed, he + would undoubtedly have become a post-captain of 1816, instead of + which, his name stood in 1822, six years later on the list! Had + it been sixty times six, however, it would have made no + difference in his conduct.</p> + + <p>When the army returned from Spain, after the battle of + Corunna, in 1809, there were between twenty and thirty officers + accommodated in Sir Samuel's cabin. Among them was a young + officer, a connection of Lady Hood's, whose father and mother + called to thank him, conceiving that he had been indebted by this + connection for the attention he had received, but Sir Samuel did + not even know of the connection or the name. "Indeed," said he, + "I hardly knew the names of half my guests. But who," he + continued, "would make any distinctions amongst such war-worn and + brave fellows."</p> + + <p>The fact is, such was his general kindness, that each of these + military officers, his passengers, fancied the Admiral was more + civil to him than to any one else. He suspended on this occasion + all the usual strait-laced etiquettes of the quarter-deck + discipline, and permitted the harassed soldiers to lie down and + read between the guns, or wherever they pleased. His great + delight was to coddle them up, and recompense them, as far as he + could, for the severe privations they had undergone during the + retreat, and nothing entertained him so much as seeing the relish + with which these hungry campaigners partook of his hospitality. + On the day after the battle of Corunna, when these gentlemen came + on board, he ordered a cock to be driven into a hogshead of prime + old sherry; and his satisfaction was perfect, when his steward, + with a rueful countenance, communicated to him, on arriving at + Spithead, that "his very best cask of wine had been drunk dry on + the passage by the soldier officers!"</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER + XXIII.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">COMMISSIONING + A SHIP.</p> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">Most people + are curious to know how, from a state of total inaction, or what + is called "laid up in ordinary," a ship is brought forward into + real service. I have therefore thought it right to "begin with + the beginning," and tell how a man-of-war is first commissioned. + This leads to the fitting-out; that is, getting in the masts, + putting the rigging overhead, stowing the holds, and so on. The + next obvious point to be considered in the equipment of a ship + is, the force she is to carry, which brings us to the very + curious question of naval gunnery. Finally, if we suppose a ship + equipped, armed, manned, and disciplined.</p> + + <p>As soon as an officer receives official intimation that he is + appointed to the command of a ship, he proceeds either to the + Admiralty or to the dockyard at the port where the ship may + happen to be laid up in ordinary, and takes up his commission. In + the first place, however, he must wait upon the admiral + commanding at the out-port where the ship is lying, and having + reported himself, he proceeds to the admiral-superintendent of + the dockyard, to whom he communicates his commission; he has the + exclusive charge and responsibility, having the care of the ships + in ordinary, of all the moorings, and generally of all the + vessels, and every description of stores in the naval + arsenal.</p> + + <p>The first thing to do is to get hold of one of the + warrant-officers to "hoist the pendant," which is a long slender + streamer, having a St. George's cross on a white field in the + upper part next the mast, with a fly or tail, either Red, White, + and Blue, or entirely of the colour of the particular ensign worn + by the ship; which, again, is determined by the colour of the + admiral's flag under whose orders she is placed. The pendant + being hoisted shows that the ship is in commission, and this part + of the colours is never hauled down day or night. At sunset, when + the ensign is hauled down, a smaller pendant, three or four yards + in length, is substituted for the long one, which, in dandified + ships, waves far over the stern. Ships in ordinary hoist merely + an ensign. The boatswain, gunner, and carpenter, who are called + the warrant-officers, always remain on board, even when the rest + of the officers and crew are paid off, and the ship laid up in + ordinary. These valuable personages, under the general + superintendence of the captain of the ordinary, an old officer of + rank, and assisted by a few lads to row them to and from the + shore, keep the ships clean, and guard against fire and pillage, + to which they might otherwise be exposed at their moorings in the + different creeks.</p> + + <p>The next step, after the ship is commissioned, is to open a + muster-book. The requisite blank books and other papers are + supplied to the captain by the superintendent of the dockyard, in + order that the names of the officers and men may be entered as + they assemble. The admiral being then informed that the ship is + in commission, he orders the commandant of marines to embark the + proper complement of men from the barracks.</p> + + <p>The master-attendant, in the mean time, is applied to for a + receiving-ship or hulk, alongside of which the ship may be + placed, and in which the crew may live while she is fitting out. + The same officer will likewise give the boatswain a "note" for + one or more of what are called harbour boats—strong + affairs, but good enough to perform the rough sort of work + required in fitting out. The boatswain's demand for scrapers, + buckets, and junk for swabs, is made out and approved, that, from + the first moment to the last, the hulk may be kept clean.</p> + + <p>The officers of the newly-commissioned ship take possession of + the hulk assigned them, the purser gets from the + victualling-office provisions enough for present use, and draws + from the same quarter a quantity of slop clothing, as well as + bedding and haversacks, for the marines, who are generally the + first men on board. They are supplied by the boatswain with + hammocks, and thus the Jollies soon feel themselves at home. The + captain's clerk having prepared what is called an "open list," he + enters the names of the officers and men as fast as they arrive. + Hammocks and bedding, as well as blankets and shoes, are issued + to those sailors who may come on board without any kit, which is + too often the case. The senior lieutenant ought, if possible, to + be one of the very first persons who joins, and the sooner he + establishes himself on board the hulk the better. The marines, + being a standing portion of the service, are always ready, and, + if necessary, they may be sent on board at a few hours' warning. + On this account, as well as many others, they are a most + invaluable body of men. When there is no particular hurry, + however, they will be embarked in two or three days at the + furthest from the time they receive orders.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" + id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class= + "fnanchor">[8]</a> Application should also be made for boys, who + are supplied as soon as possible; a certain number being sent + from the flag-ship, while the remainder are enlisted from the + shore. A boat's crew of sailors will very soon be picked up from + the stray hands lounging about the Common Hard and Jack's other + well-known haunts.</p> + + <p>Thus, in a very few days, the foundation of a ship's company + is laid; and under good management, with a little patience and + cheerfulness, the superstructure will advance rapidly. A + rendezvous should be opened at a public-house in some street + frequented by the seamen; and a flag, with the ship's name on it, + exposed before the door; while bills, containing the ship and + captain's name, should be stuck up and distributed in the proper + quarters. If her destination be India, South America, the + Mediterranean, or any other favourite station, that circumstance + will of course be sufficiently noticed in these cards of + invitation. The master-at-arms, the captain's coxswain, or some + old and steady hand who has an interest in getting the ship + manned, will be usefully employed at the rendezvous, to talk to + the sailors as they drop in to consider the <i>pros</i> and + <i>cons</i> of the new enterprise in which they are invited to + engage. The captain himself, and the first lieutenant also, will + generally find it worth their while to look in occasionally, + perhaps periodically, at the rendezvous, ostensibly to speak on + some business, but chiefly to show themselves, and by a word or + two of encouragement, to decide the waverers. It is of great + consequence, on these occasions, to keep clear of anything which, + by possibility, can be construed into false pretences; for the + moral impropriety of such enticements, their impolicy very soon + betrays itself, and when the men detect the fallacy, the result + shows itself in the paucity of volunteers. The truth is, Jack, + with all his vagaries, possesses a quick discernment in such + matters, and is very seldom deceived by chaff. It will seldom, if + ever, retard the proper manning of a ship to be very fastidious + in choosing amongst the volunteers who offer. The best men will + not enter for a ship where sailors are received indiscriminately; + and the lower order of mere working hands are easily picked up to + complete the crew.</p> + + <p>The men are always carefully examined by the surgeon before + being received; but it would not be a bad rule that no volunteer + should be finally entered until he has been seen and approved of + by both captain and first lieutenant. It is, indeed, of great + consequence to the eventual comfort of the ship, which always + turns upon her good and consistent discipline, that the first + lieutenant and captain should be cordially agreed on so material + a point as the choice of the individual seamen forming the + crew.</p> + + <p>During the short visits which the captain pays to his ship at + this time, he will seldom find it useful to supplant his first + lieutenant, by taking upon himself the conduct of the ship's + detailed operations. The peculiar duties of the captain, when his + ship is fitting out, necessarily require him to be absent from + her every day during a considerable portion of the working hours. + He has to wait on the admiral to receive fresh instructions; he + has to carry on a correspondence with the Admiralty on the + various equipments of the ship; he has representations and + applications to make to the port-admiral, respecting officers and + men, and to the admiral-superintendent of the dockyard, + respecting stores. In short, whether at the rendezvous, at the + dockyard, at the admiral's office, or at his own lodgings, the + captain will generally find ample employment on shore for most of + the best hours of his day, in really co-operating with his first + lieutenant afloat, by seeing those duties properly executed which + lie beyond that officer's reach. If these multifarious and + important obligations, out of the ship, be fully complied with by + the captain, he will seldom have more time left than is barely + necessary to go on board—- just to see what is + doing—to learn what has been done—and to give his + orders, in a general way, to the first lieutenant, for his + further guidance.</p> + + <p>As a captain has not always the choice of his first + lieutenant, it may sometimes happen that a person unfit to fulfil + the duties of that office will be appointed. Filling this station + well implies not only knowledge and talents, but a disposition to + enter cordially into the views of the captain, as well with + regard to the general system of discipline, as to all the details + of managing the ship. When an unfit person is appointed, it is + much better for the lieutenant, as well as the captain, that they + should part; and certainly this is more conducive to the + discipline of the ship, and therefore to the good of the service, + than if they went on for ever like cat and dog. This, indeed, is + so well understood, that the Admiralty throw no obstacles in the + way of officers exchanging.</p> + + <p>In case the unfitness of the first lieutenant arises from + absolute incompetence or negligence of his duties, it will soon + appear in some palpable instance, for which he must be + accountable before a court-martial, unless his captain permit him + to quit the ship to avoid that alternative. On the other hand, it + will sometimes happen, that an officer who is both competent and + zealous, is rather too fond of having his own way, and + interpreting the rules and customs of the service in his own + particular fashion, in opposition to the views of the captain. + This pertinacity detracts from his efficiency as an officer, and + more particularly from his fitness for the arduous and delicate + situation of first lieutenant, by preventing the establishment of + a hearty co-operation with his superior. But if the considerate + line of conduct before suggested be acted upon by the captain, + unless the lieutenant be a very pig-headed person, who mistakes + opposition for zeal, he will readily see that the true way of + forwarding the service is to enter heartily, cheerfully, and + attentively, into the peculiar plans of his chief. If he does not + do this, he will only find his duties become more and more + irksome to himself, and all his zeal will often be thrown away in + ineffectual efforts.</p> + + <p>When a ship is fairly commissioned, the first proceedings of + the captain, in respect to her equipment, must be determined by + the particular state in which she happens to be. The ship may be + in dock, or in the basin, or riding at the moorings—masted + or unmasted; she may have only just been launched, or may have + been "paid off all standing." In any case, one of the first + points to be attended to is the stowage of the ballast. If the + ship has been in commission before, a record of her sailing + qualities, and the plan of stowage which was found to answer + best, will be supplied by the superintendent of the dockyard, + together with her draught of water, forward and aft, light as + launched and in ballast; and, lastly, when completely equipped + for sea, with guns, powder, provisions, and men on board. If the + ship be new, the captain will be furnished by the Surveyor of the + Navy with every particular respecting her trim, and the manner in + which he conceives her hold should be stowed. If this very + important part of the ship's economy be one that has occupied its + due share of the commanding-officer's attention, he will + carefully examine the conformation of the ship's bottom, and be + enabled to tell whether or not the former plan of stowing the + ballast agrees with his own theoretical views, and his experience + in such matters, and then putting the ship's recorded sailing + qualities by the side of these actual observations, he will be + enabled to decide how the ballast shall be distributed.</p> + + <p>The Signal Books, Printed Naval Instructions, the Admiralty + Statutes, and other works of reference and guidance, are supplied + by the port-admiral, while a copy of all the Port Regulations and + Orders should be made, and so carefully perused by the captain + and officers as to be almost got by heart. A minute attention, + indeed, to the injunctions contained in these written orders, is + absolutely necessary to keep the officers of a ship out of + eternal hot water with admiral, flag-captain, secretary, and + first lieutenant of the flag-ship, all of whom are put out of + their way by any neglect on the part of an officer fitting or + refitting a ship.</p> + + <p>I remember once a grand row which I, in common with three or + four other commanding officers, got into. A signal was made from + the flag-ship at Spithead, the Royal William, or the Royal Billy + as she was universally called. The order was, "The ships at + Spithead are to send boats to assist the vessel in distress." On + looking round, we could see nothing but a collier aground on the + end of the spit. One boat, or perhaps two, were sent from some of + the ships—but not enough to save her; so poor Jock lay on + the shoal till he capsized, and there was an end of him; for it + came on to blow, and the shore, from South Sea Castle to + Blackhouse Point, was a complete beach of coal shingle. Next + morning out came a swinging reprimand to all of us, ordering a + "report in writing to be made forthwith of the reasons why the + signal made at four P.M. to send boats to the collier had not + been obeyed." I recommend folks fitting out, therefore, as they + value their peace, to trifle with anything rather than the port + orders. For it is well to consider, that a scold resembles a + snow-ball—it always gathers weight as it rolls along. Thus + the Admiralty send down, by post or by telegraph, a rap on the + knuckles to the old admiral—very moderate as naval things + go, but such as, in civil life, would make a sober citizen + frantic, though it merely squeezes out a growl from the venerable + commander-in-chief. Straightway he rings for the secretary, and + issues a smartish general order, in which the wretched captain of + the offending ship catches the reprimand, with a most usurious + allowance of interest. Off goes the said skipper to his ship, in + a great fume and hurry, carrying a whole sail in the gig, though + on ordinary occasions he chooses to have a reef in. Souse comes + the wigging on the hapless first lieutenant; and he, in turn, + only waits till the captain goes below, that he may open a + volcano of reproaches on the long-suffering middies, who, though + they probably now hear of the offence for the first time, know + much better than to make any reply.</p> + + <p>Such is naval discipline! a strange mixture of justice and + injustice, severity and indulgence—frankness and + wrong-headedness, encouragement and unfair dealing; but still we + may be sure, that talents, industry, perseverance, and, above + all, resolute cheerfulness, with an absence of the litigious + habit of self-justification, must ensure success and happiness, + or, at least, give the best chance for them.</p> + + <p>The first lieutenant of the ship fitting out will do well to + have by him a sheet of paper, ruled according to some tabular + form, in which he may insert the names of the men who enter, that + he may form some idea, when he comes to station them, what part + of the ship each is fit for.</p> + + <p>A watch bill should be commenced at once; and the men, as fast + as they come on board, appointed, as near as may be, to the + stations which the officers think they will ultimately occupy. + This lets a man know at once what duty he will be required to + perform, and makes him feel at home. Some crack sailors will not + volunteer unless they can be made reasonably sure of being placed + in a station they like; and although it would be highly + injudicious to make such absolute stipulations without some + previous trial of the candidate's abilities, it may be of great + advantage to the service to enter men more or less on this + principle. For instance, it is of the utmost importance to obtain + steady petty officers, that is to say, quarter-master's, + gunner's, boatswain's, and carpenter's mates; captains of the + forecastle, of the hold, and the tops; sail-makers, armourers, + caulkers, and coopers; with others of less consequence, but all + valuable in their respective departments, and contributing to + make up the singular population of a man-of-war. The following + list contains the peace establishment of the Conway, a ship of + twenty-eight guns, which I fitted out in the beginning of 1820. + The document may perhaps interest persons who like to inquire + into the details of a community and <i>ménage</i> so + differently constructed from any they are likely to meet with + elsewhere.</p> + + <p><i>A Scheme of the Establishment of His Majesty's Ship Conway, + with a Complement of 125 men.</i></p> + <pre> + Brought forward 18 +Captain 1 Schoolmaster 1 +Lieutenants 3 Master at Arms 1 +Master 1 Caulker 1 +Second Master 1 Armourer 1 +Purser 1 Sailmaker 1 +Surgeon 1 Carpenter's Mate 1 +Boatswain 1 Gunner's Mate 1 +Gunner 1 Boatswain's Mates 2 +Carpenter 1 Quarter-masters 3 +Master's Mate 1 Captain's Coxswain 1 +Midshipmen 4 Capts. of the Forecastle 2 +Assistant Surgeon 1 Cooper 1 +Clerk 1 Capts. of the Foretop 2 + --- --- + Carry forward 18 Carry forward 36 + + Brought forward 36 Brought forward 58 +Capts. of the Maintop 2 Barber 1 +------------- Afterguard 1 Purser's Steward 1 +------------- Mast 1 Captain's Steward 1 +Ship's Cook 1 Captain's Cook 1 +Volunteers, First Class 3 Gun-room Steward 1 +Gunner's Crew 5 Gun-room Cook 1 +Carpenter's Crew 4 Steward's Mate 1 +Sailmaker's crew 1 Able Seamen } +Gunner's Yeoman 1 Ordinary Seamen } 29 +Boatswain's ditto 1 Landmen } +Carpenter's ditto 1 Boys, Second Class 5 +Cook's mate 1 ----- Third Class 5 + --- Widows' Men 3 + Carry forward 58 --- + 107 +Marines:-- 1 Lieutenant; 1 Serjeant; 1 Corporal; + 1 Drummer; 14 Privates. 18 + --- + Total 125 +</pre> + + <p>The last odd entry of three widows' men was an official + fiction (now abolished) by which the pay of so many imaginary + persons was transferred to a fund for the relief of the widows of + commissioned and warrant officers. Real men are now allowed in + their places.</p> + + <p>If any other ship be paying off at the same time, it is well + worth trying to get some of her best men to enter for the ship + fitting out. People who have been for several years together in a + comfortable ship feel unwilling to part, and the prospect of + continuing still companions, often influences them to volunteer + in considerable numbers, if other circumstances appear suitable. + When this takes place, the men generally transfer their whole kit + at once, see their names placed on the new ship's books, and + obtain what is called "long-leave" of absence to visit their + friends, after depositing a portion of their ready money in the + hands of the commanding-officer until their return. These men + almost always form a valuable part of a ship's crew, and, I am + convinced, the practice will become more general of removing + direct from one man-of-war to another, whenever the system of + frequent payments shall be established in the Navy. The sailors + will then learn the proper use of money, and will acquire, in + consequence, more orderly, decent, and rational habits.</p> + + <p>By these and other means, if the captain and officers be at + all popular in their manners, or be known favourably in the + service, or if even without these advantages, the intended + station to which the ship is going be a favourite one, and + ordinary pains be taken at the rendezvous, the ship's company + soon begins to assume a respectable and business-like appearance. + It then becomes of infinite importance, that the first lieutenant + should introduce a uniform and well-explained system of + discipline on board, especially as regards cleanliness and + neatness of appearance, which are best effected by frequent and + regular musterings, without too much fastidiousness in the first + instance, as this might only teaze the men, and prevent the + effectual establishment of those observances which it is the + chief purpose of good discipline to render habitual. Great + efforts should always be made to give to Sunday its true + character of a day of repose; and in the weekly mustering, in + particular, a good deal may generally be accomplished towards + imparting to the ship and crew the appearance of order, which in + times more advanced ought to characterize them during the whole + week. The stock of clothes amongst the men will, it is true, + generally be scanty at first, but a portion of it may, with + proper management, be always kept clean, and a well-bleached + shirt and trousers, with a good scrape of the chin, and a + thorough scrubbing from top to toe, render poor Jack's toilet, if + not the most refined in the world, certainly very effectual + towards its purpose. I have often been amused to see the merry + style in which they employed great lumps of coarse soap and hard + brushes, in vain endeavours to remove the umber tints of tar from + their hands, and the tanning of the sunshine from their brawny + arms. These indelible distinctions of their hard service are + rendered more striking at such moments by their contrast with the + firm and healthy whiteness of the skin round their shoulders and + chest.</p> + + <p>An officer must be cautious how he issues slop clothing to + newly entered men, who have no pay due; and have a sharp, but + reserved look-out kept on doubtful characters as they go over the + side on leave, for there will ever be found at the great naval + stations a certain number of regular-built swindlers, who wander + from port to port expressly to pilfer. These vagabonds enter on + board newly-commissioned ships, make a great show of activity, + and remain a certain time to lull suspicion. They then take up + slops, that is, obtain from the purser as many shirts, trousers, + shoes, and other articles, as they can persuade the + commanding-officer they are in want of; after which they desert + upon the first opportunity, only to run the same rig in some + other ship. When a character of this kind is caught in the act of + making off with his own or his messmate's blanket, it is best to + let him go on shore (minus the blanket, of course), and the + chances are he will not return again. You lose the man, but you + are rid of a knave.</p> + + <p>It is a fatal error in an officer to court popularity by + unworthy means, or indeed by any means, except those of + fair-dealing and strict propriety, equal justice to all, and as + much indulgence as the nature of the service will admit of. But, + at the same time, advantage may be taken of accidental + opportunities of putting the people into good-humour during an + outfit; and by indulging them in a jollification, we may + occasionally give them something to think of at the moment, and + to talk of for weeks afterwards.</p> + + <p>When I was fitting out his Majesty's sloop Lyra at Deptford, + in 1815, to accompany the embassy to China, under Lord Amherst, + it occurred to me one cold morning, the 24th of December, that it + might not have a bad effect on the good name of my pretty little + craft, if I gave the ship's company a regular blow-out the next + day. I communicated this idea to the first lieutenant, who, + seeing no objection, sent for some of the leading men, and said + each mess was to have a goose and a turkey for their Christmas + dinner. My steward was then told to arrange the details; and + presently he came to report that the men had taken it into their + heads, that, as the best poultry was to be procured in London, + they should like exceedingly to be allowed to despatch an embassy + to Leadenhall Market for that purpose; the first lieutenant + agreed also to this, and two seamen and one marine were forthwith + landed at Deptford to execute the mission. A cart being hired, + off they set, returning before sunset, with as noisy a cargo as + ever I saw packed together. It so happened, that while we lay on + one side of the hulk, I forget her name, another ship was lashed + on the opposite side for some temporary purpose. The crew of our + neighbour dined on Christmas-day on soup and beef as usual, and + remained contented enough till some of our fellows, waddling + under the effects of double allowance of solids, and perhaps with + a trifle too much of fluids, came singing and capering along the + deck of their hulk. In the most good-humoured way possible, they + asked their neighbours how many geese and turkeys they had + discussed that day. The meagre answer called forth shouts of + merriment, and the poor fellows belonging to the other ship were + rather unhandsomely taunted with the scantiness of their + Christmas fare. "Look at that and weep, you hungry-faced + rascals!" exclaimed one of our jolly blades, holding up the + drumstick of a goose in one hand and that of a turkey in the + other. He was answered by the practical joke of having the two + bones twisted from his hands and shyed in his face, according to + the most approved tarpaulin manners. This was the signal for a + general <i>mélée</i>, and the officers had enough + to do to separate the contending hosts.</p> + + <p>A few days before the next Christmas-day came round, when we + were lying in the River Canton, my steward came to me and + said,—</p> + + <p>"The people, sir, have been talking for the last two or three + weeks of hardly anything else but the 'row' at Deptford this time + twelvemonth, when you gave them a feast on Christmas-day."</p> + + <p>"Well, what of that?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, nothing, sir; I only thought you might like to know it. + There are plenty of ducks and geese at the Chinese village close + to us."</p> + + <p>I seized the idea in a moment; and having, as before, + consulted with the first lieutenant, I bade my steward prepare a + good stock accordingly. I took no further charge of the matter; + nor did I expect to hear anything more of the dinner or its + preparations. In this, however, I was deceived; for when daylight + appeared on Christmas morning of 1816, such a racket was heard + from our little vessel as brought up all hands on board every one + of the ten or a dozen huge East India Company's ships amongst + which we were anchored, at a place called Second Bar. Our fellows + had carried the whole of their Christmas poultry aloft, and + having perched themselves at the yard-arms and on the + cross-trees, gaff, and flying jib-boom ends, they made each of + the wretched birds fast with a string six or eight feet long, in + such a manner that they could flap their wings, but could not + escape. The great difficulty, as I afterwards learned, was how to + keep the ducks and geese from making a noise till the proper + moment arrived, and this was not effected without sundry bites + and scratches. As soon as broad daylight came, the word was + given, and the whole flock being dropped to the full length of + their lines, they set up such a screaming, cackling, and + flapping, as could not fail, when aided by the mingled laughter + and shouts of their future demolishers, to call the envious + attention of the whole surrounding fleet!</p> + + <p>It is very useful to keep the people in a good humour at all + times; though, as I have already suggested, the captain must + avoid even the appearance of courting popularity at the expense + of his officers. Such an unworthy course of proceeding strikes at + the root of discipline. A truly right-minded officer, therefore, + at the head of any department, whether it be that of a ship, a + fleet, an army, or a cabinet, will seldom, if ever, take into his + calculations the effect which any measure is to produce on + himself or his own interests—but will steadily seek to + discover what is best for the public service. And if such + research be made in the proper spirit of generous self-devotion + to his duty, he may essentially advance the cause of good + discipline, by transferring the credit of success, which might be + his own due, to those with whom he happens to be co-operating, + and without whose companionship and attention to details, though + unseen and unknown to the world, he might never have gained his + point. It is more difficult indeed, but also more generous, and + more useful in practice, for the chief to bear manfully the brunt + of failure; and in seasons when measures of an unpopular + character become necessary, to charge himself with a large share + of that loss of favour which he is best able to afford.<a name= + "FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" + class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> By the + recent regulations each ship also receives her complement of + seamen gunners from one of the gunnery ships, in the + proportion of a lieutenant and thirteen gunners to a + line-of-battle ship, a mate and ten men to a frigate, and + eight men to smaller vessels. These are passed gunners, and + their duties are to instruct the crew in gunnery.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> The + introduction of the system of registration of seamen has, of + course, been an admirable check upon desertion after + receiving advances, both in the naval and commercial + marine.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> + <img src="images/flower2.png" width="432" height="121" alt= + "Printer's Flower" title="" /> + </div> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER + XXIV.</h2> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">FITTING + OUT.</p> + + <p>In the course of a week or ten days after a ship is + commissioned, the officers are collected on board their hulk, and + they bestir themselves to gather their comforts about them. In + the first instance they look after their "noble selves" by + selecting, at some small salary extra, a boy or a marine a-piece + for a valet. They next find out a good steward, and having + installed him in possession of the nascent stock of gun-room + crockery, make him hunt for a cook, generally a black man, who + takes into his sable keeping the pots and pans of the growing + mess. The mates and mids, a portion of whom are appointed by the + Admiralty, and a portion by the captain, gradually make their + appearance, and settle into their dungeon of a berth under the + caterage of some old boy of a captain's clerk or a hard-a-weather + mate of the decks. A pretty large proportion of youngsters also, + or squeakers, who cannot be appointed without the previous + consent of the Admiralty, spring up like mushrooms, with rosy + cheeks and tender hands, totally unconscious, poor little + fellows! of the rugged lives they are soon to lead.</p> + + <p>If these boys had only sense enough to look on quietly, and + pay attention to all that is passing, with a sincere desire to + understand it, and were they to be assisted a little in their + inquiries, they might on such occasions as that of a ship fitting + out, manage to learn and store up much that would prove valuable + on a future day. But these youths are generally let loose from + the Naval College, or from school, or from mamma's apron-string; + and unless they are looked after and encouraged, they are too + volatile to pay a proper degree of attention to the duty which is + going on. After all, it does not require much ingenuity to + arrange some employment for them, even at first, provided their + numbers be not so great that they stand in one another's way. + Three or four youngsters, even though absolute novices, might + always be kept well employed in a sloop-of-war, and perhaps twice + that number in a frigate or line-of-battle ship fitting. In peace + time, however, it will happen that the crowd of young gentlemen + is so great, and the disposition to learn so little diffused + amongst them, that the first lieutenant is often glad to get rid + of them altogether by letting them waste their time and money on + shore.</p> + + <p>The state in which the ship happens to be at the time she is + commissioned, must decide, as I said before, the course to be + followed in her equipment. If she be already masted and alongside + the hulk, and the ballast in, the officer will most likely wish + to make some show in the way of rigging—for as yet the + masts are naked to the girt-lines, or single ropes rove through + blocks at the mast-head, by which first the men and then the + shrouds are drawn up, and the eyes of the rigging placed over the + mast-heads. If there be only a few sailors on board, these can be + employed to get off the furniture, that is, all the blocks, ready + stropped in the rigging loft; and to draw the present use stores + from the dockyard. These can all be kept under lock and key in + the store-rooms of the hulk; and if the rigging, and everything + required in placing it aloft, be previously fitted and arranged + by the boatswain, so that he can put his hand at once on the gear + as soon as a sufficient number of the crew join, much time will + be saved. Even the lower rigging may be got off all ready fitted + from the loft; while the runners and tackles, the luffs, and + other purchases, may be put in preparation for use the moment + there are hands enough to employ on them.</p> + + <p>By application to the boatswain of the yard, assistance will + be given to gammon the bowsprit, preparatory to its being + clothed, which is the technical term for rigging that important + spar. One of its principal offices is to support the foremast and + fore-topmast, by means of their stays, as the slanting ropes are + called which stretch forwards and downwards from the head of + every mast, great and small, in the ship. Some of these, as the + main-stay, lie at so inconsiderable an angle with the horizon, + that they possess great power of sustaining the mast; while + others, such as the fore-stay, being necessarily more + perpendicular, do not act to such good mechanical purpose. There + is a peculiar disadvantage attending the method of securing the + fore-stay, arising from the position of the mast. It is placed so + near the extremity of the ship, that the stay, which forms its + only support in the forward direction, cannot be attached to the + body of the vessel, without making so very small an angle with + the mast as would divest it of nearly all its character as a + supporter. To remedy this, the bowsprit has been devised, chiefly + as an out-rigger for the fore-stay. But in order to render the + spar effective for that purpose, it requires to be very strongly + bound down. There has, therefore, been contrived what is called + the stem, or cut-water, which is a strong but narrow projection + from the bows, securely fastened by long and thick bolts of iron + and copper to the body of the ship. The chief purpose of this + stem is to furnish a point of support for the ropes securing the + bowsprit. Of these, the most important is called the gammoning, + which consists of a strong and well-stretched hawser, passed up + and down successively, in perpendicular turns, over the bowsprit + and through a hole horizontally cut in the stem. At each turn the + gammoning hawser is hove taut, while every effort is used to + bring the bowsprit down into its place. A heavy boat is sometimes + suspended from the end, the weight of which greatly assists the + gammoning process. Another set of ropes, called bob-stays, + extending from about one-third from the outer end of the bowsprit + to the cut-water, nearly at the water-line, contribute + essentially to its stability. It is further secured in a lateral + direction by shrouds reaching from its extremity to the bows of + the ship.</p> + + <p>I need not mention, that, in order to give a finish, as it + were, to the end of the ship, and to convert that into a source + of ornament which might otherwise be deemed a deformity, the top + of the stem has been appropriated as the position of the + figure-head, the characteristic emblem of the vessel. In some + ships the sailors pride themselves especially on the beauty of + their figure-head; and many a time have I seen the captain of the + forecastle employed for hours in painting the eyes, hair, and + drapery of his favourite idol. I suppose few commanding-officers + will allow of this liberty; for it must be owned that as Jack's + taste in female beauty, and in the disposition and colours of + dress, are borrowed from a very questionable model, his labours + in adorning the figure-head are apt to produce strange monsters. + I once heard of a captain who indulged his boatswain in this whim + of representing his absent love as far as the king's allowance of + paint could carry the art; and it must be owned, that, as the + original Dulcinea owed her roses to the same source, the + representation "came very close aboard of the original," as the + delighted boatswain expressed it. This very proximity in + colouring, scantiness of drapery, and so forth, which formed the + boatswain's pride, perplexed the worthy captain, who had given + his sanction to the work, for he could never cross the bows of + his own ship with a party of friends, without raising a laugh at + the expense of his taste in figures. The whole crew, however, + soon fell as much in love with the damsel as the boatswain had + done before them; and it would have been cruel to have sent the + painter to daub her ladyship all over with one uniform colour, + according to the general fashion. The considerate commander took + a different line.</p> + + <p>"You seem proud of your head, Mr. Clearpipe, I shall gild her + for you!"</p> + + <p>In a few days, the sparkling eyes and blushing cheeks of Mrs. + Boatswain, like Danaë, had yielded up their charms to the + golden shower. The glittering figure-head soon became the delight + of the ship's company, and on one occasion furnished the captain + with rather an odd means of calling out their energies. The ship + was sailing in company with several others of the same class, and + when they all came to reef topsails together, she was beat on the + first occasion. As they were setting about a second trial of + activity, the captain called out to the people aloft,—</p> + + <p>"Now, I tell you what it is, my lads, unless you are off the + yards, and the sails are hoisted again before any other ship in + the squadron, by the Lord Harry I'll paint your figure-head + black!" From that time forward, she beat every ship in the + fleet.</p> + + <p>As soon as a sufficient number of hands are collected on board + the ship which is fitting out, all the spars, except the spare + ones, may be got off to the hulk. These consist of topsail yards, + topmasts, and top-gallant masts and yards, jib and spanker boom, + studding-sail booms, and one or two others. The lower and topsail + yards can be fitted on the hulk's decks, ready to be swayed into + their places when the masts are in a state to receive them. If a + dockyard lump, or lighter, can be got to put all the spars in, + together with the tops and other things which are usually made + into a raft and floated off, it may save a great deal of trouble; + as it frequently happens that they cannot all be got in before + night, and if bad weather comes on, they may break adrift and be + lost.</p> + + <p>There seems no fixed rule for rigging a ship progressively. + Different officers adopt different ways of setting about the + operation, and slight variations occur in the arrangement of the + ropes; but, generally speaking, everything is disposed according + to the long-established rules of seamanship. The grand object is + to support each mast laterally by a number of shrouds on each + side, inclining slightly abaft the perpendicular, to prevent its + falling either sideways or forwards, and also, by means of two + stays, the principal stay and the spring stay, both stretching in + the line of the keel, to hold it forwards. The width of the ship + affords what is called a spread for the rigging, which spread is + augmented by the application of broad shelves, called channels, + carrying the rigging three or four feet further out on each side, + and making its angle with the masts greater, and consequently + increasing the support of the shrouds. These channels act merely + as out-riggers, for the ultimate point of fixture, or that + against which the shrouds pull, is lower down, where long links + of iron called chain-plates, are securely bolted through and + through the solid ribs of the ship, and rivetted within. The + upper ends of these chain-plates are furnished with what are + called dead-eyes, great round blocks of wood pierced with holes, + through which the lanyards are rove by which the rigging is set + up, or drawn almost as tight as bars of iron. The topmasts, + rising immediately above the lower masts, are supported chiefly + by rigging spread out by the tops, or what people on shore + miscall round-tops. These, like the channels for the lower + rigging, are mere projections or out-riggers; the true point of + support for the topmast rigging is the lower shrouds, the + connection being made by what are called futtock shrouds and + catharpins. The top-gallant masts, at the next stage aloft, are + supported by shrouds passing through the ends of small spars + called cross-trees, at the head of the topmast; and so on in + succession, up to the sky-scrapers and moon-rakers in some very + fly-away ships.</p> + + <p>As early as possible, the boats, which are duly warranted for + the ship, should be selected, and their equipment superintended + by the officers of the ship, who are the persons most interested + in their completion. The master boat-builder attends to any + little extra fittings that the first lieutenant may have a fancy + for—such as the arrangement of the kedge and steam-anchor + davits, the slide for the carronnade in the launch, and so on. + The boats will be painted of any required colour, provided that + colour be consistent with the dockyard regulations; if any other + be required, the captain must purchase it himself, but the + dockyard painters will lay it on. In the same way, if the gun + carriages are to be painted of any particular or fancy colour, + the people at the gun-wharf will prime them in a manner suited to + that colour, but no more.</p> + + <p>I may here take occasion to remark, that in the numberless + dockyards I have drawn stores from, I never met with any real + difficulty in getting all that was reasonable from the officers + in any department. I have heard, indeed, one and all of these + persons abused over and over again, for being crusty and + disobliging; for pertinacity in sticking to the mere letter of + their instructions, and forgetting its spirit; and for throwing + obstacles in the way of the service, instead of promoting its + advancement. But I can only say for myself, that I never met with + anything but a hearty zeal to furnish all that was right, and + that, too, in the pleasantest manner, provided the proper degree + of civility were used in making the application.</p> + + <p>People too often forget, that politeness, punctuality, and + general attention to business, are all reciprocal qualities; and + that, unless they themselves employ such means in their + intercourse with official authorities, it is hopeless to expect + these authorities will put themselves one inch out of their way + to oblige persons who manifestly hold them in contempt. At least, + until we can procure angels to take the office of + master-attendant, master-shipwright, storekeeper, and so forth, + the laws and customs of human nature will continue to regulate + such influences. Your gruff and sulky letter-of-the-law man will, + no doubt, get his ship fitted, in process of time, but not half + so well, nor nearly so quickly, as he who takes matters + cheerfully.</p> + + <p>When a sufficient number of hands have been volunteered at the + rendezvous, and stationed to the different parts of the ship's + duty, the first lieutenant should form them into separate working + parties, as carefully selected as possible for the different + kinds of work required. The gunner will take one of these gangs + to the ordnance-wharf, to fit the tackles and breechings; another + party will be sent to the sail-loft to fit the sails; a third + party may be occupied with stowing the water-tanks, and preparing + the holds for the provisions; while some hands should be sent to + weave mats for covering the different parts of the rigging. The + carpenters form a most important department of the crew, as there + are many little jobs to be attended to in every part of the ship + which the dockyard pass over; and it is useful to have one or two + carpenters always ready at a call to drive in a nail here, or fix + a cleat there, or to ease or fill up what does not fit + nicely.</p> + + <p>When a ship is first commissioned, the captain should apply to + the builder to have the caulking of the sides, and especially of + the decks, carefully examined, and if this important operation is + to be repeated, it should be got over as soon as may be. If the + caulking be delayed, as too frequently occurs, till after the + ship is equipped and painted, and the guns mounted; off comes a + noisy gang of caulkers, who daub her all over with pitch, the + removal of which is a troublesome, and always a dirty + operation.</p> + + <p>Old hammocks are generally supplied for the men to sleep in + while the ship is fitting, and returned when she goes out of + harbour. But two sets of new hammocks ought to be got on board + the hulk, ready to be numbered as soon as a neat-handed man of + letters can be enlisted for that purpose; and as every hammock + requires to have a legible number marked on it, this occupies + some time, and should be set about as early as possible, that all + may be dry and ready against going to sea.</p> + + <p>If the ship be new, it will be of great advantage that the + captain or first lieutenant should point out to the dockyard + officers what he considers the best place for the bulk-heads, or + partitions separating the different holds from one another. The + main hold, for example, if fitted strictly according to rule, or + if it be left to the general guess of the superintending + shipwright, may chance to be long enough to stow a certain number + of water-tanks, together with a foot or two over and above; now + this lost space, if thrown into the after-hold, might prove + sufficient to gain another entire "longer," or range of + provision-casks. In the same way, the bulkhead which is common to + the spirit-room and after-hold may, by timely adjustment, be so + placed as to gain much useful space. These things are now much + better attended to than formerly in the original fitting of the + ship; but I mention them to prevent, as far as may be, the + dangerous practice of taking that for granted which admits of + further examination. Moreover, as no two vessels are exactly + alike in all their dimensions, and correct seamanship is guided + by principles, which an officer ought to understand, it will not + do to rely upon things being done properly when they are done by + rule-of-thumb. Thus the position of the main-tack block, and + those of the fore and main sheets, the main-brace blocks, topsail + sheet and brace bitts, with the number of sheeves in each, and + twenty other things relating to kevils, cleats, and belaying + pins, will be dependent for much of their eventual efficiency on + the length of the yards, the size of the sails, and other + circumstances which it is quite in vain, and quite unreasonable + to expect the dockyard workmen to take into account.</p> + + <p>By the time the ship, to which every one has ere this become + attached, is so far advanced as to have all her spars on end, the + artificers will have completed their hammerings, sawings, and + nailings, and the main-hold will have been stowed with + water-tanks. It is then time to draw the heavy stores from the + dockyard, such as anchors, cables, spare anchor-stocks, fishes + for the lower masts, and other spars, forming, when packed + together in two lines, one on each side of the upper deck, what + are called "the booms." Great care must be taken in stowing these + clusters of spars so as to leave room enough between them, and + just room enough, for stowing the launch or largest boat. This is + managed by the carpenter taking what is called her midship + section, and making a slight framework model to guide the stowage + of the booms.</p> + + <p>It may be useful to remark, that, although the operations in + fitting out a ship are multifarious, and often apparently much + confused, it is of great consequence to carry into them as much + routine method as possible. For example, in spite of the frequent + interruptions to which the seamen are exposed by the arrival of + dockyard and victualling-office vessels, which must be cleared, + it will be found very advantageous to adopt a uniform plan by + which one set of men shall begin, carry on, and complete the same + jobs. In this way the several working parties will come to take + an interest and pride in executing their tasks well and quickly, + which they never could feel if the responsibility and credit were + divided or dissipated by their being sent backwards and forwards + from one operation to another. For the purpose of such + arrangements, as well as to assist his memory, the first + lieutenant may find it useful to write out in the evening a + programme of the next day's intended operations, and commencing + every morning by this, adhere to it throughout the day as + strictly as circumstances will permit. A character of consistency + will thus be given to a vast crowd of operations which otherwise + become confused and desultory. The people employed to execute + these tasks will soon insensibly discover that their labours are + guided by substantial method, and they will work all the more + cheerfully and effectively, from a conviction that no time is + lost, and that their services are duly appreciated.</p> + + <p>The main hold being now stowed, the cables, anchors, and spare + spars, all on board, the quantity of provisions required to + complete for the service appointed may be applied for, and will + be sent off in the victualling-office lighters. The purser then + gets on board coals, candles, lanterns, and other stores in his + department. The rigging has been repeatedly set up, and is now so + well stretched that it is ready for the last pull before going + out of harbour. This done, and the dead-eyes and ratlines + squared, the shroud and backstay mats are put on, and the masts + and studding-sail booms carefully scraped. The lower masts, and + the heads of the topmasts and top-gallant masts, are next + painted, the yards blacked, and the rigging and backstays fore + and aft tarred down. The whole ship ought now to be scraped + within and without, and thoroughly cleaned and dried; after which + the painters may be sent for from the dockyard, and when they + have primed the ship it will be well to give her decks another + good scouring. Next black the bends, while the painters finish + the upper works with one or two more coats; and, finally, retouch + the bends with the black-brush.</p> + + <p>When the paint is thoroughly dry, the guns and ordnance stores + are to be got on board, and all the remaining stores drawn from + the dockyard, leaving nothing, if possible, excepting the + gunpowder, to be got off. At this stage of the equipment, the + ropes forming the running rigging may be rove and cut. At the + same time, both suits of sails ought to be got on board in a + decked lighter, one for stowing away in the sail-room, but + completely fitted and ready for use; the others to be bent to the + yards. The hammock-cloths also being now fitted, are brought off; + and if the ship be "going foreign," double sets are allowed, both + of which in former times used to be painted; but the spare cloths + are now very properly supplied unpainted.</p> + + <p>The ship being all ready for going out of harbour, the captain + makes a report to that effect to the admiral, the working boats + are returned, and the new ones drawn, and hoisted in. At the same + time all unserviceable stores, worn out in fitting the ship, are + returned to the dockyard, including the hulk hammocks, which must + be well scrubbed, dried, and made neatly up. The new hammocks are + issued and slung, and the bedding being lashed up in them, they + are stowed in the nettings, with their numbers ranged in a + straight line, in regular order fore and aft. This arrangement + not only gives symmetry, but is useful in affording the means of + getting at any particular hammock which may be required; for + instance, if a man is taken sick, or persons are required to be + sent to other ships.</p> + + <p>Generally speaking, indeed, it will be found that the + attention bestowed on regularity, neatness, and even dandyism, in + all these minor details, brings with it more than a correspondent + degree of practical advantage. The men soon feel a pride in what + their officer approves of and shows himself pleased with; and, + when once they fall into habits of mutual obligation in the + accomplishment of a common purpose, everything goes on smoothly + and cheerfully. I need scarcely recall to the recollection of any + one who has witnessed the practice of such things, the marvellous + difference in the efficiency of a ship where the system of + discipline is to bully and reproach, and of another where the + principle is encouraging and gentleman-like. In one case the crew + work as little as may be, and even take a morbid pleasure in + crossing the views of the officers as much as they possibly can + without incurring the risk of punishment; and they never stir a + finger in works not strictly within their assigned duty. In the + other case, where good will, a temperate exercise of authority, + indulgence, when it can by possibility be granted, and, above + all, when no coarse language unworthy the lips of an officer and + a gentleman is used, the result is very different. All the + subordinate authorities, and indeed the crew at large, then + become insensibly possessed of an elasticity of obedience which + exerts a two-fold influence, by reacting on themselves even more + than it operates upon the commanding-officer whose judicious + deportment has called out the exertion. I may safely add, that in + the strict discipline which is absolutely indispensable in every + efficient man-of-war, and under all the circumstances of + confinement, privation, and other inevitable hardships to which + both officers and men are exposed, such a course of moderation + and good-breeding, independently of its salutary effect on the + minds of the people, works most admirably for the public service, + and more than doubles the results, by rendering men, who + otherwise might have been disposed to retard the duty, sincerely + zealous in its advancement.</p> + + <p>Lord Nelson, that great master of war and discipline, and all + that was noble and good in the cause of his country, understood, + better perhaps than any other officer, the art of applying these + wholesome maxims to the practice of duty at the exact moment of + need. During the long and weary period when Lord Nelson was + blockading Toulon, he was joined from England by a line-of-battle + ship, commanded by an officer who, as the story goes, had long + applied for and expected an appointment to a cruising frigate, + and who, in consequence of this disappointment, came growling out + to join the fleet, in high dudgeon with the Admiralty at being + condemned, as he called it, to the galley-slave duty of a + blockade, in a wretched old tub of a 74, instead of ranging at + large in a gay frigate over the Atlantic or the Adriatic, and + nabbing up prizes by the dozen. It appears farther, that he + rather unreasonably extended a portion of his indignation to the + Admiral, who, of course, had nothing to do with his appointment; + and this sulky frame of mind might have proved the captain's + ruin, had his Admiral been any other than Nelson. But the genius + of that great officer appeared to delight in such occasions of + recalling people to a sense of their duty, and directing their + passions and motives into the channels most useful to themselves + and their country. Knowing the officer to be a clever man, and + capable of performing good service if he chose, it was Nelson's + cue to make it his choice. When, therefore, the captain came on + board, full of irritability and provocation, the Admiral took no + notice, but chatted with him during breakfast on the news from + England, and other indifferent matters, as if his guest had been + in the best humour possible. The other, who was nursing his + displeasure, waited only for an opportunity of exploding, when he + could do so without a breach of decorum. Lord Nelson soon gave + him the occasion he appeared to seek for, by begging him to step + into the after-cabin, and then asking him what he thought of the + station, and how he should like cruising in the Levant and other + interesting parts of the Mediterranean.</p> + + <p>"Why, as to that, my lord, I am not very likely to have any + choice. I am sent here to join the blockading fleet, and here, no + doubt, I am doomed to stick. I care nothing about the + Mediterranean, and it would matter little if I did."</p> + + <p>"I am sorry to hear you speak in that way," said Nelson, "for + I had reckoned a good deal on your activity, personal knowledge, + and abilities, to execute a service of some consequence in the + upper parts of the station. In this view I have been cutting out + a cruise for you, which I had hoped might enable you to see + everything that is interesting, and at the same time to execute a + delicate and difficult piece of service. But if you really do not + fancy it, only say so—it is not a business that can be done + well on compulsion, but must be done cheerfully. If you have a + mind to go, well and good—if not, I must look out for some + one else—but you are the man I should prefer, if it be + agreeable to you. Here is a sketch of your orders, and there is + the chart—look them over at leisure, and make your + decision."</p> + + <p>As Lord Nelson spoke these words he went on deck, leaving the + poor man bewildered at the prospect of the very employment he + most desired, and not a little ashamed of himself for having + anticipated so different a reception. The captain gratefully + accepted the Admiral's offer, sailed on the appointed service, + which he executed with such diligence and zeal, that he actually + returned to the blockading fleet long within the period he was + authorized to bestow on the cruise; and there he remained ever + afterwards, performing all the drudgery of the blockading + service, not only with zeal, but with the heartiest good humour, + springing out of an anxious desire to manifest at once his + respect and his affectionate devotion to the matchless officer + who had so judiciously taught him the true path to honour.</p> + + <p>The last thing to be done in fitting out, and before quitting + the harbour, is to turn all hands over to their proper ship, and + then to scrape, and scrub, and wash the hulk as effectually as + possible, preparatory to her being inspected by the dockyard. + This duty is too frequently executed in a negligent manner; and + really it is not much to be wondered at, for the hulks are such + abominable ugly-looking monsters, that one can take no pride or + pleasure in treating them with common decency. The + commanding-officer, therefore, should be particularly cautious in + seeing this operation effectually performed; for, if he does not, + he will be sure to be called upon next day to send a party of + hands, probably at a great inconvenience, to repeat the + process.</p> + + <p>There are, as will readily be conceived, a hundred minor + points to be thought of in the equipment of a ship, to which I + have not adverted, relating to the watching, stationing, and + quartering of men and officers; the berthing and arrangement of + the people into messes; the rules respecting their having leave + to go on shore, and so on. It may be well, however, to remind + officers that they should never forget that the mere appearance + of their ship is a matter of considerable consequence; and + therefore, even in the very busiest times of the outfit, the + yards should be carefully squared every evening after the work is + over, all the ropes hauled taut, and the decks swept as soon as + the artificers leave off work. Not a single person beyond the + sentries should ever be allowed to go from the hulk to the ship, + except during working hours. This rule prevents any interference + with the tools or unfinished work of the dockyard men. In a word, + the crew should never be allowed to suppose that the discipline + of forms and appearances, so to call it, is relaxed, because the + usual regularity of working is in some degree interrupted. That a + ship is essentially in good order can at once be discovered by a + professional eye, in the midst of her most bustling occupations + and at any stage of the outfit.</p> + + <p>Last of all the pilot comes on board; the sails are loosed and + hoisted; and the lashings being cast off from the hulk, the gay + ship sails joyously out of harbour, and takes up her anchorage at + the anchoring ground. The officers and crew set to work in + getting things into their places; and being all thoroughly tired + of harbour, and anxious to get to sea, a fresh feeling of zeal + and activity pervades the whole establishment.</p> + + <p>The powder is now got on board; the warrant-officers "indent" + or sign the proper acknowledgments for their stores at the + dockyard; and the purser, having completed the stock of + provisions, closes his accounts at the victualling-office. The + captain's wife begins to pack up her band-boxes in order to + return home, while the Jews and bum-boat folks are pushing all + the interest they can scrape together to induce the first + lieutenant to give them the priority of entrance with their goods + and chattels on the approaching pay-day. The sailors' wives about + this period besiege the captain and his lady alternately, with + petitions to be allowed to go to sea in the ship; to all, or most + of which, a deaf ear must be turned. When all things are put to + rights, the port-admiral comes on board to muster and inspect the + ship's company, and to see how the different equipments have been + attended to.</p> + + <p>At length, just before sailing, pay-day comes, and with it + many a disgusting scene will ever be associated until the present + system be modified. The ship is surrounded by a fleet of boats + filled with gangs of queer-looking Jew-pedlars sitting in the + midst of piles of slop-clothing, gaudy handkerchiefs, tawdry + trinkets, eggs and butter, red herrings and cheeses, tin-pots, + fruit, joints of meat, and bags of potatoes, well concealed + beneath which are bottles and bladders filled with the most + horribly adulterated spirituous liquors. As many of these dealers + as can be conveniently ranged on the quarter-deck and gangways + may be admitted, that the market may be as open and fair as + possible; but it is very indiscreet to allow any of them to go on + the main-deck.</p> + + <p>Right happy is that hour when the ship is fairly clear of all + these annoyances—sweethearts and wives inclusive—and + when, with the water filled up to the last gallon, the bread-room + chock full, and as many quarters of beef got on board as will + keep fresh, the joyful sound of "Up Anchor!" rings throughout the + ship. The capstan is manned; the messenger brought to; round fly + the bars; and as the anchor spins buoyantly up to the bows, the + jib is hoisted, the topsails sheeted home, and off she goes, + merrily before the breeze!</p> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">FINIS.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bolder;">POETRY + PUBLISHED BY<br /> + MESSRS. BELL AND DALDY,<br /> + 186, FLEET STREET, LONDON.</p> + + <p>Legends and Lyrics, by Adelaide Anne<br /> + Procter, <i>6th Edition</i>. Fcap. 8vo. 5s. Antique<br /> + or best plain morocco, 10s. 6d.<br /> + <br /> + —SECOND SERIES. <i>2nd Edition</i>.<br /> + Fcap. 8vo. 5s.; morocco, 10s. 6d.<br /> + <br /> + Teuton. By C.J. Riethmüller. Crown 8vo. 7s. 6d.<br /> + <br /> + The Legend of the Golden Prayers, and other Poems.<br /> + By C.F. Alexander, Author of "Moral songs," &c.<br /> + Fcap. 8vo. 5s.; morocco, 10s. 6d.<br /> + <br /> + Verses for Holy Seasons. By the Same Author.<br /> + Edited by the Very Rev. W.F. Hook, D.D. <i>4th Edition</i>.<br /> + Fcap. 8vo. 3s. 6d.; morocco, 8s. 6d.<br /> + <br /> + Day and Night Songs and The Music Master, a<br /> + Love Poem. By William Allingham. With Nine Illustrations.<br /> + Fcap. 8vo. 6s. 6d.<br /> + <br /> + Wild Thyme. By E.H. Mitchell. Fcap. 8vo. 5s.<br /> + <br /> + Lyrics and Idylls. By Gerda Fay. Fcap. 8vo. 4s.<br /> + <br /> + Pansies. By Fanny Susan Wyvill. Fcap. 8vo. 5s.<br /> + <br /> + Io in Egypt, and other Poems. By R. Garnett.<br /> + Fcap. 8vo. 5s.<br /> + <br /> + Poems from the German. By Richard Garnett.<br /> + Fcap. 8vo. 3s. 6d.<br /> + <br /> + Poems. By Thomas Ashe. Fcap. 8vo. 5s.<br /> + <br /> + Dryope, and other Poems. By Thomas Ashe.<br /> + Fcap. 8vo. 6s.<br /> + <br /> + NIGHTINGALE VALLEY: a Collection<br /> + of the Choicest Lyrics and Short Poems in<br /> + the English Language. Fcap. 8vo. 5s.<br /> + Morocco, 10s. 6d.<br /> + <br /> + Ballads and Songs of Yorkshire. Edited by C.J.D.<br /> + Ingledew, M.A., Ph.D. 6s.<br /> + <br /> + Percy's Reliques of Early English Poetry. 3 vols.<br /> + small 8vo. 15s. Half-bound, 18s. Antique-calf, or<br /> + morocco, 1l. 11s. 6d.<br /> + <br /> + Ellis's Specimens of Early English Poetry. 3 vols.<br /> + small 8vo. 15s. Half-bound, 18s. Antique-calf, or<br /> + morocco, 1l. 11s. 6d.<br /> + <br /> + The Book of Ancient Ballad Poetry of Great Britain,<br /> + Historical, Traditional and Romantic; with Modern<br /> + Imitations, Translations, Notes, and Glossary, &c. + Edited<br /> + by J.S. Moore. <i>New and Improved Edition</i>, 8vo. + Half-bound,<br /> + 14s. Antique morocco, 21s.<br /> + <br /> + Poets' Wit and Humour. Selected by W.H. Wills,<br /> + with 100 Illustrations by C. Bennett, and G.H. Thomas.<br /> + Crown 4to. 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