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Volume 2" /> + <meta name="DC.Date" content="April 1, 2012" /> + <meta name="DC.Language" content="English" /> + <meta name="DC.Publisher" content="Project Gutenberg" /> + <meta name="DC.Identifier" content= + "http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/39342" /> + <meta name="DC.Rights" content="This text is in the public domain." /> + + <title>The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sea: Its Stirring Story of + Adventure, Peril, & Heroism. 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Volume 2 by Frederick Whymper</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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 <a href= + "#pglicense" class="tei tei-ref">included with this eBook</a> or + online at <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license" class= + "tei tei-xref">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a></p> + </div> + <pre class="pre tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> +Title: The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril, & Heroism. Volume 2 + +Author: Frederick Whymper + +Release Date: April 1, 2012 [Ebook #39342] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEA: ITS STIRRING STORY OF ADVENTURE, PERIL, & HEROISM. VOLUME 2*** +</pre> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"></div> + <hr class="doublepage" /> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-pb"></div><a name="ill001" id="ill001" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_001.jpg" alt="THE NAVAL FLAGS OF THE WORLD" + title="THE NAVAL FLAGS OF THE WORLD." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE NAVAL FLAGS OF THE WORLD. + </div> + </div> + </div> + <hr class="page" /> + + <div class="tei tei-titlePage" style="text-align: center"> + <div class="tei tei-pb" style="text-align: center"></div><span class= + "tei tei-docTitle" style="text-align: center"><span class= + "tei tei-titlePart" style="text-align: center"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 173%; font-variant: small-caps">The + Sea</span></span></span><br /> + <br /> + <span class="tei tei-titlePart" style= + "text-align: center"><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 144%; font-style: italic">Its Stirring Story of + Adventure, Peril, & Heroism.</span></span></span></span><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + + <div class="tei tei-byline" style="text-align: center"> + BY<br /> + <br /> + <span class="tei tei-docAuthor" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">F. + WHYMPER,</span></span><br /> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 75%">AUTHOR OF</span> <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 75%">“</span><span style="font-size: 75%">TRAVELS IN + ALASKA,</span><span style="font-size: 75%">”</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 75%">ETC.</span></span> + </div><br /> + <br /> + <span class="tei tei-titlePart" style= + "text-align: center"><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">ILLUSTRATED.</span></span></span><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <span class="tei tei-titlePart" style= + "text-align: center">* *</span><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <span class="tei tei-docImprint" style= + "text-align: center"><span class="tei tei-publisher" style= + "text-align: center"><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">Cassell Petter & + Galpin</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 120%">:</span></span><br /> + <span class="tei tei-pubPlace" style= + "text-align: center"><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-style: italic">LONDON, PARIS + & NEW YORK</span></span>.</span></span><br /> + <span class="tei tei-titlePart" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 75%">[ALL RIGHTS + RESERVED]</span></span> + + <div class="tei tei-pb" style="text-align: center"></div> + </div> + <hr class="page" /> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="pageiii">[pg iii]</span><a name="Pgiii" + id="Pgiii" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name="toc1" id= + "toc1"></a><a name="pdf2" id="pdf2"></a> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">CONTENTS.</span></h1><a name="Pgv" id= + "Pgv" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a name="Pgvi" id="Pgvi" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <table summary="This is a table" cellspacing="0" class= + "tei tei-table" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> + <colgroup span="2"></colgroup> + + <tbody> + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap01" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + I.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap01" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + HISTORY OF SHIPS AND SHIPPING INTERESTS (<span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">continued</span></span>).</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-size: 75%">PAGE</span></span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">Extent of the Subject—The First + American Colony—Hostilities with the Indians—117 Settlers + Missing—Raleigh’s Search for El Dorado—Little or no Gold + discovered—2,000 Spaniards engage in another Search—Disastrous + Results—Dutch Rivalry with the English—Establishment of two + American Trading Companies—Of the East India Company—Their + first Great Ship—Enormous Profits of the Venture—A + Digression—Officers of the Company in Modern Times—Their Grand + Perquisites—Another Naval Hero—Monson a Captain at Eighteen—His + appreciation of Stratagem—An Eleven Hours’ hand-to-hand + Contest—Out of Water at Sea—Monson two years a Galley + Slave—Treachery of the Earl of Cumberland—The Cadiz + Expedition—Cutting out a Treasure Ship—Prize worth + £200,000—James I. and his Great Ship—Monson as Guardian of the + Narrow Seas—After the British Pirates—One of their Haunts—A + Novel Scheme—Monson as a Pirate himself—Meeting of the sham and + real Pirates—Capture of a Number—Frightened into + Penitence—Another caught by a <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">ruse</span></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">1</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap02" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + II.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap02" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + HISTORY OF SHIPS AND SHIPPING INTERESTS (<span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">continued</span></span>).</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">Charles I. and Ship Money—Improvements + made by him in the Navy—His great Ship, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Royal + Sovereign</span></span>—The Navigation Laws of + Cromwell—Consequent War with the Dutch—Capture of Grand Spanish + Prizes—Charles II. seizes 130 Dutch Ships—Van Tromp and the + Action at Harwich—De Ruyter in the Medway and Thames—Peace—War + with France—La Hogue—Peter the Great and his Naval + Studies—Visit to Sardam—Difficulty of remaining <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">incognito</span></span>—Cooks his own + Food—His Assiduity and Earnestness—A kind-hearted + Barbarian—Gives a Grand Banquet and <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Fête</span></span>—Conveyed to England—His + stay at Evelyn’s Place—Studies at Deptford—Visits Palaces and + Public-houses—His Intemperance—Presents the King with a £10,000 + Ruby—Engages numbers of English Mechanics—Return to + Russia—Rapid increase in his Navy—Determines to Build St. + Petersburg—Arrivals of the First Merchantmen—Splendid Treatment + of their Captains—Law’s Mississippi Scheme and the South Sea + Bubble—Two Nations gone Mad—The <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Bubble”</span> to pay the National Debt—Its one + Solitary Ship—Noble and Plebeian Stockbrokers—Rise and Fall of + the Bubble—Directors made to Disgorge</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">28</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap03" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + III.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap03" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + HISTORY OF SHIPS AND SHIPPING INTERESTS (<span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">continued</span></span>).</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">A Grand Epoch of Discovery—Anson’s + Voyage—Difficulties of manning the Fleet—Five Hundred Invalided + Pensioners drafted—The Spanish Squadron under Pizarro—Its + Disastrous Voyage—One Vessel run ashore—Rats at Four Dollars + each—A Man-of-war held by eleven Indians—Anson at the + Horn—Fearful Outbreak of Scurvy—Ashore at Robinson Crusoe’s + Island—Death of two-thirds of the Crews—Beauty of Juan + Fernandez—Loss of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Wager</span></span>—Drunken and + Insubordinate Crew—Attempt to blow up the Captain—A Midshipman + shot—Desertion of the Ship’s Company—Prizes taken by Anson—His + Humanity to Prisoners—The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gloucester</span></span> abandoned at + Sea—Delightful Stay at Tinian—The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> blown out to + Sea—Despair of those on Shore—Its safe Return—Capture of the + Manilla Galleon—A hot Fight—Prize worth a Million and a half + Dollars—Return to England</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">45</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap04" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + IV.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap04" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + HISTORY OF SHIPS AND SHIPPING INTERESTS (<span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">continued</span></span>).</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">Progress of the American + Colonies—Great Prevalence of Piracy—Numerous Captures and + Executions—A Proclamation of Pardon—John Theach, or + <span class="tei tei-q">“Black Beard”</span>—A Desperate + Pirate—Hand-and-glove with the Governor of North + Carolina—Pretends to accept the King’s Pardon—A Blind—His + Defeat and Death—Unwise Legislation and consequent + Irritation—The Stamp Act—The Tea Tax—Enormous + Excitement—Tea-chests thrown into Boston Harbour—Determined + Attitude of the American Colonists—The Boston Port Bill—Its + Effects—Sympathy of all America—The final Rupture—England’s + Wars to the end of the Century—Nelson and the Nile—Battle of + Copenhagen</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">62</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap05" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + V.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap05" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + HISTORY OF SHIPS AND SHIPPING INTERESTS (<span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">continued</span></span>).</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">Early Paddle-boats—Worked by Animal + Power—Blasco de Garay’s Experiment—Solomon de Caus—David + Ramsey’s Engines—The Marquis of Worcester—A Horse-boat—Boats + worked by Water—By Springs—By Gunpowder—Patrick Miller’s Triple + Vessel—Double Vessels worked by Capstans—The First Practical + Steam-boat—Symington’s <span class="tei tei-pb" id="pageiv">[pg + iv]</span><a name="Pgiv" id="Pgiv" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>Engines—The Second Steamer—The + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Charlotte Dundas</span></span>—American + Enterprise—James Rumsey’s Oar-boats worked by Steam—Poor + Fitch—Before his Age—Robert Fulton—His Torpedo + Experiments—Wonderful Submarine Boat—Experiments at Brest and + Deal—His first Steam-boat—Breaks in Pieces—Trip of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Clermont</span></span>, the first American + Steamer—Opposition to his Vessels—A Pendulum Boat—The first + Steam War-ship—Henry Bell’s <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Comet</span></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">77</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap06" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + VI.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap06" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + HISTORY OF SHIPS AND SHIPPING INTERESTS (<span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">continued</span></span>).</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">The Clyde and its Ship-building + Interests—From Henry Bell to Modern Ship-builders—The First + Royal Naval Steamer—The First regular Sea-going Steamer—The + Revolution in Ship-building—The Iron Age—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“Will Iron Float?”</span>—The Invention of the + Screw-propeller—Ericsson, Smith, and Woodcroft—American + ’Cuteness—Captain Stockton and his Boat—The First Steamer to + Cross the Atlantic—Voyages of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Sirius</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Western</span></span>—The International Struggle—The Collins + and Cunard Lines—Fate of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Arctic</span></span>—The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Pacific</span></span> never heard of + more—Why the Cunard Company has been Successful—Splendid + Discipline on board their Vessels—The Fleets that leave the + Mersey</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">97</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap07" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + VII.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap07" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + HISTORY OF SHIPS AND SHIPPING INTERESTS (<span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">continued</span></span>).</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">A Contrast—Floating Palaces and + <span class="tei tei-q">“Coffin-ships”</span>—Mr. Plimsoll’s + Appeal—His Philanthropic Efforts—Use of Old + Charts—Badly-constructed Ships—A Doomed Ship—Owner’s Gains by + her Loss—A Sensible Deserter—Overloading—The Widows and + Fatherless—Other Risks of the Sailor’s Life—Scurvy—Improper + Cargoes—<span class="tei tei-q">“Unclassed + Vessels”</span>—<span class="tei tei-q">“Lloyd’s”</span> and + its History</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">112</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap08" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + VIII.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap08" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + HISTORY OF SHIPS AND SHIPPING INTERESTS <span class= + "tei tei-sic" style="text-align: center">(<span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">continued</span></span>.)</span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">The Largest Ship in the World—History + of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Great Eastern</span></span>—Why she was + Built—Brunel and Scott Russell—Story of the Launch—Powerful + Machinery Employed—Christened by Miss Hope—Failure to move her + more than a few feet—A Sad Accident—Launching by Inches—Afloat + at last—Dimensions—Accommodations—The Grand Saloon—The + Paddle-wheel and Screw Engines—First Sea Trip—Speed—In her + first Gale—Serious Explosion on Board off Hastings—Proves a + fine Sea-boat—Drowning of her Captain and others—First + Transatlantic Voyage—Defects in Boilers and Machinery—Behaves + splendidly in mid-ocean—Grand Reception in New York—Subsequent + Trips—Used as a Troop-ship to Canada—Carried out 2,600 + Soldiers—An eventful Passenger Trip—Caught in a Cyclone + Hurricane—Her Paddles almost wrenched away—Rudder + Disabled—Boats carried away—Shifting of Heavy Cargo—The + Leviathan a Gigantic Waif on the Ocean—Return to Cork</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">129</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap09" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + IX.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap09" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + HISTORY OF SHIPS AND SHIPPING INTERESTS (<span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">continued</span></span>).</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">The Ironclad Question—One of the + Topics of the Day—What is to be their Value in Warfare?—Story + of the Dummy Ironclad—Two real Ironclads vanquished by + it—Experience on board an American Monitor—Visit of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Miantonoma</span></span> to St. John’s—Her + Tour round the World—Her Turrets and interior + Arrangements—Firing off the Big Guns—Inside the + Turret—<span class="tei tei-q">“Prepare!”</span>—Effects of the + Firing—A Boatswain’s-mate’s Opinion—The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Monitor</span></span> goes round the World + safely—Few of the Original American Ironclads left—English + Ironclads—The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Warrior</span></span>—Various + Types—Iron-built—Wood-built—Wood-covered—The Greatest Result + yet attained, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Inflexible</span></span>—Circular + Ironclads—The <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Garde + Côtes</span></span>”</span>—Cost of Ironclads—The Torpedo + Question—The Marquis of Worcester’s Inventions—Bishop Wilkins’ + Subaqueous Ark—Fulton’s Experiments—A Frightened Audience—A + Hulk Blown Up—Government Aid to Fulton—The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Argus</span></span> and her <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Crinoline”</span>—Torpedoes successfully + foiled—Their use during the American War—Brave Lieut. + Cushing—The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Albemarle</span></span> Destroyed—Modern + Torpedoes: the <span class="tei tei-q">“Lay;”</span> the + <span class="tei tei-q">“Whitehead”</span>—Probable Manner of + using in an Engagement—The Ram and its Power</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">138</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap10" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + X.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap10" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + LIGHTHOUSE AND ITS HISTORY.</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">The Lighthouse—Our most noted one in + Danger—The Eddystone Undermined—The Ancient History of + Lighthouses—The Pharos of Alexandria—Roman Light Towers at + Boulogne and Dover—Fire-beacons and Pitch-pots—The Tower of + Cordouan—The First Eddystone Lighthouse—Winstanley and his + Eccentricities—Difficulties of Building his Wooden + Structure—Resembles a Pagoda—The Structure Swept away with its + Inventor—Another Silk Mercer in the Field—Rudyerd’s + Lighthouse—Built of Wood—Stood for Fifty Years—Creditable + Action of Louis XIV.—Lighthouse Keeper alone with a Corpse—The + Horrors of a Month—Rudyerd’s Tower destroyed by Fire—Smeaton’s + Early History—Employed to Build the present Eddystone—Resolves + on a Stone Tower—Employment of <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Dove-tailing”</span> in Masonry—Difficulties of + Landing on the Rock—Peril incurred by the Workmen—The First + Season’s Work—Smeaton always in the Post of Danger—Watching the + Rock from Plymouth Hoe—The Last Season—Vibrations of the Tower + in a Storm—Has stood for 120 years—Joy of the Mariner when + <span class="tei tei-q">“The Eddystone’s in + Sight!”</span>—Lights in the English Channel</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">156</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap11" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + XI.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap11" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + LIGHTHOUSE (<span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">continued</span></span>).</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">The Bell Rock—The good Abbot of + Arberbrothok—Ralph the Rover—Rennie’s grand Lighthouse—Perils + of the Work—Thirty-two Men apparently doomed to Destruction—A + New Form of outward Construction—Its successful Completion—The + Skerryvore Lighthouse and Alan Stevenson—Novel Barracks on the + Rock—Swept Away in a Storm—The unshapely Seal and unfortunate + Cod—Half-starved Workmen—Out of Tobacco—Difficulties of Landing + the Stones—Visit of M. de Quatrefages to Héhaux—Description of + the Lighthouse Exterior—How it rocks—Practice <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">versus</span></span> Theory—The Interior—A + Parisian Apartment at Sea</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">172</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap12" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + XII.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap12" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + LIGHTHOUSE (<span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">concluded</span></span>).</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">Lighthouses on Sand—Literally screwed + down—The Light on Maplin Sands—That of Port Fleetwood—Iron + Lighthouses—The Lanterns themselves—Eddystone long illuminated + with Tallow Candles—Coal Fires—Revolution caused by the + invention of the Argand Burner—Improvements in Reflectors—The + Electric Light at Sea—Flashing and Revolving Lights—Coloured + Lights—Their Advantages and Disadvantages—Lanterns obscured by + Moths, Bees, and Birds</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">182</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap13" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + XIII.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap13" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + BREAKWATER.</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">Breakwaters, Ancient and Modern—Origin + and History of that at Cherbourg—Stones Sunk in Wooden + Cones—Partial Failure of the Plan—Millions of Tons dropped to + the Bottom—The Breakwater temporarily abandoned—Completed by + Napoleon III.—A Port Bristling with Guns—Rennie’s Plymouth + Breakwater—Ingenious Mode of Depositing the Stones—Lessons of + the Sea—The Waves the best Workmen—Completion of the Work—Grand + Double Breakwater at Portland—The English Cherbourg—A + Magnificent Piece of Engineering—Utilisation of Otherwise + worthless Stone—900 Convicts at Work—The Great + Fortifications—The Verne—Gibraltar at Home—A Gigantic + Fosse—Portland almost Impregnable—Breakwaters Elsewhere</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">188</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap14" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + XIV.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap14" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">THE + GREATEST STORM IN ENGLISH HISTORY.</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">The Dangers of the Seas—England’s + Interest in the Matter—The Shipping and Docks of London and + Liverpool—The Goodwin Sands and their History—The <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Hovellers”</span>—The Great Gale of 1703—Defoe’s + Graphic Account—Thirteen Vessels of the Royal Navy + Lost—Accounts of Eye-witnesses—The Storm Universal over + England—Great Damage and Loss of Life at + Bristol—Plymouth—Portsmouth—Vessels Driven to Holland—At the + Spurn Light—Inhumanity of Deal Townsmen—A worthy Mayor saves + 200 Lives—The Damage in the Thames—Vessels Drifting in all + Directions—800 Boats Lost—Loss of Life on the River—On + Shore—Remarkable Escapes and Casualties—London in a Condition + of Wreck—Great Damage to Churches—A Bishop and his Lady + Killed—A Remarkable Water-Spout—Total Losses Fearful</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">197</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap15" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + XV.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap15" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“MAN THE LIFE-BOAT!”</span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">The Englishman’s direct interest in + the Sea—The History of the Life-boat and its Work—Its Origin—A + Coach-builder the First Inventor—Lionel Lukin’s Boat—Royal + Encouragement—Wreck of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Adventure</span></span>—The Poor Crew + Drowned in sight of Thousands—Good out of Evil—The South + Shields Committee and their Prize Boat—Wouldhave and + Greathead—The latter rewarded by Government, &c.—Slow + Progress of the Life-boat Movement—The Old Boat at + Redcar—Organisation of the National Life-boat Institution—Sir + William Hillary’s Brave Deeds—Terrible Losses at the Isle of + Man—Loss of Three Life-boats—Reorganisation of the + Society—Immense Competition for a Prize—Beeching’s <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Self-righting”</span> Boats—Buoyancy and + Ballast—Dangers of the Service—A Year’s Wrecks</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">209</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap16" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + XVI.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap16" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“MAN THE LIFE-BOAT!”</span> (<span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">continued</span></span>).</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">A <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Dirty”</span> Night on the Sands—Wreck of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Samaritano</span></span>—The Vessel + boarded by Margate and Whitstable Men—A Gale in its Fury—The + Vessel breaking up—Nineteen Men in the Fore-rigging—Two Margate + Life-boats Wrecked—Fate of a Lugger—The Scene at + Ramsgate—<span class="tei tei-q">“Man the + Life-boat!”</span>—The good Steamer <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Aid</span></span>—The Life-boat Towed + out—A terrible Trip—A grand Struggle with the Elements—The Flag + of Distress made out—How to reach it—The Life-boat cast off—On + through the Breakers—The Wreck reached at last—Difficulties of + Rescuing the Men—The poor little Cabin-boy—The Life-boat + crowded—A moment of great Peril—The Steamer reached at + last—Back to Ramsgate—The Reward of Merit—Loss of a Passenger + Steamer—The Three Lost Corpses—The Emigrant Ship on the Sands—A + Splendid Night’s Work</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">215</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap17" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + XVII.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap17" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“MAN THE LIFE-BOAT!”</span> (<span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">continued</span></span>).</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">A Portuguese Brig on the Sands—Futile + Attempts to get her off—Sudden Break-up—Great Danger to the + Life-boat—Great Probability of being Crushed—An Old Boatman’s + Feelings—The Life-boat herself on the Goodwin—Safe at + Last—Gratitude of the Portuguese Crew—A Blaze of Light seen + from Deal—Fatal Delay—Twenty-eight Lives Lost—A dark December + Night—The almost-deserted Wreck of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Providentia</span></span>—A Plucky + Captain—An awful Episode—The Mate beaten to Death—Hardly + saved—The poor little Cabin-boy’s Rescue—Another Wreck on the + Sands—Many Attempts to rescue the Crew—Determination of the + Boatmen—Victory or Death!—The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Aid</span></span> Steamer nearly wrecked—A + novel and successful Experiment—Anchoring on Board—The Crew + Saved</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">225</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap18" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + XVIII.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap18" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“WRECKING”</span> AS A + PROFESSION.</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">Probable Fate of a rich Vessel in the + Middle Ages—Maritime Laws of the Period—The King’s + Privileges—Cœur de Lion and his Enactments—The Rôles + d’Oleron—False Pilots and Wicked Lords—Stringent Laws of George + II.—The Homeward-bound Vessel—Plotting Wreckers—Lured + Ashore—<span class="tei tei-q">“Dead Men Tell no + Tales”</span>—A Series of Facts—Brutality to a Captain and his + Wife—Fate of a Plunderer—Defence of a Ship against Hundreds of + Wreckers—Another Example—Ship Boarded by Peasantry—Police + Attacked by Thousands—Cavalry Charge the Wreckers—Hundreds of + Drunken Plunderers—A Curious Tract of the Last Century—A + Professional Wrecker’s Arguments—A Candid Bahama Pilot</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">235</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap19" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + XIX.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap19" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“HOVELLING”</span> <span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">v.</span></span> WRECKING.</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">The Contrast—The <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Hovellers”</span> defended—Their Services—The Case + of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Albion</span></span>—Anchors and Cables + wanted by a disabled Vessel—Lugger wrecked on the Beach—Dangers + of the Hoveller’s Life—Nearly swamped by the heavy Seas—Loss of + a baling Bowl, and what it means—Saved on an American Ship—The + Lost Found—A brilliant example of Life-saving at Bideford—The + Small Rewards of the Hoveller’s Life—The case of <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">La + Marguerite</span></span>—Nearly wrecked in Port—Hovellers + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">v.</span></span> Wreckers—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“Let’s all start fair!”</span>—Praying for + Wrecks</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">245</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap20" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + XX.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap20" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">SHIPS + THAT <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center">“PASS + BY ON THE OTHER SIDE.”</span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">Captains and Owners—Reasons for + apparent Inhumanity—A Case in Point—The Wreck of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span>—Run down by the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span>—A Noble Captain—The + Vessel Lost, with a Hundred Ships near her—One within Three + Hundred Yards—Official Inquiry—Loss of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Schiller</span></span>—Two Hundred Drowned + in one heavy Sea—Life-saving Apparatus of little use—Lessons of + the Disaster—Wreck of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Deutschland</span></span>—Harwich blamed + unjustly—The good Tug-boat <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Liverpool</span></span> and her + Work—Necessity of proper Communication with Light-houses and + Light-ships—The new Signal Code and old Semaphores</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">261</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap21" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + XXI.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap21" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">A + CONTRAST—THE SHIP ON FIRE!—SWAMPED AT SEA.</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">The Loss of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span>—A Noble + Vessel—Description of her Engine-rooms—Her Boats—Heating of the + Machinery—The Ship on Fire—Communication cut off—The Ominous + Fire-bell—The Vessel put before the Wind—A Headlong + Course—Impossibility of Launching the Boats—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“Every Man for Himself!”</span>—The Boats on + Fire—Horrible Cases of Roasting—Boats Stove in and Upset—The + Remnant of Survivors—<span class="tei tei-q">“Passing by on the + Other Side”</span>—Loss of a distinguished Author—A Clergyman’s + Experiences—A Graphic Description—Without Food, Water, Oars, + Helm, or Compass—Blowing-up of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span>—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“A Sail!”</span>—Saved on the Dutch Galliot—Back + from the Dead—Review of the Catastrophe—A Contrast—Loss of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London</span></span>—Anxiety to get Berths + on her—The First Disaster—Terrible Weather—Swamped by the + Seas—The Furnaces Drowned out—Efforts to replace a + Hatchway—Fourteen Feet of Water in the Hold—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“Boys, you may say your Prayers!”</span>—Scene in + the Saloon—The Last Prayer Meeting—Worthy Draper—Incidents—Loss + of an Eminent Tragedian—His Last Efforts—The Bottle Washed + Ashore—Nineteen Saved out of Two Hundred and Sixty-three Souls + on Board—Noble Captain Martin—The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London’s</span></span> Last Plunge—The + Survivors picked up by an Italian Barque</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">278</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap22" class="tei tei-ref" style= + "text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHAPTER + XXII.</span></a></span></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: center"><a href= + "#chap22" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: center">EARLY + STEAMSHIP WRECKS AND THEIR LESSONS.</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell">The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Rothsay + Castle</span></span>—An Old Vessel, unfit for Sea Service—A Gay + Starting—Drifting to the Fatal Sands—The Steamer Strikes—A + Scene of Panic—Lost within easy reach of Assistance—An + Imprudent Pilot—Statements of Survivors—A Father and Son parted + and re-united—Heartrending Episodes—The Other Side: Saved by an + Umbrella—Loss of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Killarney</span></span>—Severe Weather—The + Engine-fires Swamped—At the Mercy of the Waves—On the Rocks—The + Crisis—Half the Passengers and Crew on an Isolated + Rock—Spolasco and his Child—Holding on for Dear Life—Hundreds + Ashore <span class="tei tei-q">“Wrecking”</span>—No Attempts to + Save the Survivors—Several Washed Off—Deaths from + Exhaustion—<span class="tei tei-q">“To the + Rescue!”</span>—Noble Efforts—Failure of Several Plans—A Novel + Expedient adopted—Its Perils—Another Dreary Night—Good + Samaritans—A Noble Lady—Saved at Last—The Inventor’s + Description of the Rope Bridge—The Wreck Register for One + Year—Grand Work of the Lifeboat Institution</td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">297</td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + </div> + <hr class="page" /> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="toc3" id="toc3"></a><a name="pdf4" id="pdf4"></a> + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="pagevii">[pg vii]</span><a name="Pgvii" + id="Pgvii" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">LIST OF + ILLUSTRATIONS.</span></h1><a name="Pgviii" id="Pgviii" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <table summary="This is a table" cellspacing="0" class= + "tei tei-table" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> + <colgroup span="2"></colgroup> + + <tbody> + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-size: 75%">PAGE</span></span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#ill001" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Naval Flags of the World</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Coloured Frontispiece</span></span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_014.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Raleigh at Trinidad</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-style: italic">To face page</span></span> 5</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_016.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Sir Walter Raleigh</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">5</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_020.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Raleigh on the River</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">9</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_023.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Monson and the Biscayan Ship</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">12</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_028.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Monson at Cadiz</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">17</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_032.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Action in Cerimbra Roads</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">21</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_036.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Monson at Broad Haven</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">25</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_043.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">De Ruyter on the Medway</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">32</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_044.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Peter the Great</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">33</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_047.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Imperial Workman receiving a + Deputation</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">36</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_048.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Old Dockyard at Deptford</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">37</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_050.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Saye’s Court, Deptford</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">39</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_056.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Commodore Anson</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">45</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_060.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> off Cape + Horn</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">49</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_067.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Surrender of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Carmelo</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">56</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_072.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Anson taking the Spanish Galleon</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">61</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_075.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Cape Cod</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">64</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_076.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Dartmouth</span></span> in Boston + Harbour</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">65</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_083.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Destruction of the Tea Cargoes</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">72</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_084.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Nelson and the Bear</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">73</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_088.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Nelson at Copenhagen</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-style: italic">To face page</span></span> 76</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_087.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Lord Nelson</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">76</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_097.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Charlotte Dundas</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">84</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_098.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Symington</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">85</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_102a.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Outline of Fitch’s First Boat</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">89</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_102b.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Fitch’s Second Boat</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">89</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_106.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Clermont</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">93</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_109.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Bell’s <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Comet</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">96</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_110.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Four Great Engineers</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-style: italic">To face page</span></span> 97</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_114.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">United Kingdom</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">99</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_115.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Arrival of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Western</span></span> at New York</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">100</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_116.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Section and Plan of the Stern of a Screw + Steamer</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">101</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_118.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Robert F. Stockton</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">103</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_120.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The First Cunard Steamer</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">105</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_124b.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Cunard Paddle Steam-ship <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Scotia</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">109</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_124a.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Cunard Screw Steam-ship <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Bothnia</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">109</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_127.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Mr. Plimsoll</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">112</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_131.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Mr. Plimsoll Speaking in the House of + Commons</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">116</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_139.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Exterior of Lloyd’s</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">124</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_140.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Interior of Lloyd’s</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">125</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_144.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Great Eastern</span></span> in a Gale off + Cape Clear</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-style: italic">To face page</span></span> 129</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_146.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Mr. I. K. Brunel</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">129</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_146.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Mr. Scott Russell</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">129</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_150.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Launch of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Eastern</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">133</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_153.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Arrival of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Eastern</span></span> at New York</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">136</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_155.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Monitor</span></span> passing the + Vicksburg Batteries</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">138</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_156.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Peace and War</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_159.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Miantonoma</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">140</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_160.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Interior of a Turret Ship</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">141</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_166.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Inflexible</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">145</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_168.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Section of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Alexandra</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">147</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_162.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Preparing for Torpedo Experiments at + Portsmouth</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_172.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Old Style and the New (a Three-decker and a + Torpedo Boat)</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_170.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Lieutenant Cushing’s Attack on the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Albemarle</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">149</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_178.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Different Forms of Torpedoes</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">153</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_176.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Torpedo Experiments at Portsmouth, with the + Electric Light</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a name="corrvii" id="corrvii" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><a href="#illo_179.png" class= + "tei tei-ref"><span class="tei tei-corr">Paraguayan</span> + Torpedo blowing up a Brazilian Ironclad</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">154</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_182.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Tower of Cordouan</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">157</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_186.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Destruction of Rudyerd’s Lighthouse</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-style: italic">To face page</span></span> 161</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_188.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Winstanley’s Lighthouse</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">161</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_188b.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Rudyerd’s Lighthouse</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">161</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_195.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Eddystone Lighthouse</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">168</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_197.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Portrait of Smeaton</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">170</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_198.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Interior of the Light-chamber of the + Eddystone</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">171</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_203.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Lighthouse on the Inchcape Rock</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">176</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_205.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Skerryvore Lighthouse</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">178</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_211.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Revolving Light Apparatus</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">184</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_215.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Breakwater at Venice</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">188</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_219.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Cherbourg from the Sea</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">192</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_220.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Portland</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">193</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_223.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Holyhead Breakwater</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">196</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_227.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Great Storm in the Downs</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">200</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_231.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Storm in the Thames at Wapping</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">204</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_232.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">West-Indiamen Driven Ashore at Tilbury + Fort</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">205</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_236.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">A Life-boat Going Out</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-style: italic">To face page</span></span> 209</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_238.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Greathead’s Life-boat</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">209</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_242.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Life-boat Saving the Crew of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">St. + George</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">213</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_245.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Loss of a Life-boat at the Shipwreck of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Ann</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">216</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_246.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">A Life-boat and Carriage—Latest Form</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">217</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_249.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Ramsgate—The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Aid</span></span> Going Out</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">220</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_250.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref"><span class="tei tei-q">“Curly”</span> + weather</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_260.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">A Group of Life-boat Men</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">229</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_263.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">On the Coast at Deal</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">232</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_267.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Rescue of the Danish Vessel</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">236</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_268.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Survivors Rescued from the Rigging of a + Wreck</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_274.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Wreckers Waiting for a Wreck</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">241</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_279.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Major Warburton at the Wreck of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Inverness</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">244</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_276.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">A Wreck Ashore</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_283.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Loss of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Albion</span></span> Lugger</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">248</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_287.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Map showing Coast of Ramsgate and the Goodwin + Sands</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">252</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_288.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Wreck of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Woolpacket</span></span> on Bideford + Bar</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-style: italic">To face page</span></span> 253</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_290.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Lugger reaching Ramsgate Harbour</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">253</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_294.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Ronayne’s Bravery</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">257</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_297.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">260</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_302.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Wreck of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">265</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_305.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Scilly Islands</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">268</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_306.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Bishop Rock Lighthouse</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">269</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_309.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Wreck of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Deutschland</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">272</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_318.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Burning of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-style: italic">To face page</span></span> 281</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_320.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span> Steam-ship</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">281</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_323.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Rescue of the Survivors of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">284</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_328.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">289</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_331.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London</span></span> Going Down</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">292</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_335.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Getting out the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London’s</span></span> Boats</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">296</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_336.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Wreck of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Rothsay + Castle</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-style: italic">To face page</span></span> 297</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_341.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Menai Straits</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">300</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_346.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Saved at Last</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_348.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Beaumaris</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">305</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_351.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">Entrance to Cork Harbour</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">308</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_355.png" class= + "tei tei-ref">The Survivors on the Rock</a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">312</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-row"> + <td class="tei tei-cell"><a href="#illo_359.jpg" class= + "tei tei-ref">Rescue of the Survivors of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Killarney</span></span></a></td> + + <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">316</td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table><a name="ill009" id="ill009" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src= + "images/illo_009.png" alt="Illustration" /></div> + </div> + </div> + <hr class="page" /> + + <div class="tei tei-body" style= + "margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page1">[pg 1]</span><a name="Pg001" id= + "Pg001" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src= + "images/illo_010.png" alt="Illustration" /></div> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">THE SEA.</span></h1> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap01" id="chap01" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc5" id="toc5"></a> <a name="pdf6" id="pdf6"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER I.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">The History of Ships and + Shipping Interests</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 120%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-style: italic">continued</span></span><span style="font-size: 120%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Extent of the Subject—The First American + Colony—Hostilities with the Indians—117 Settlers Missing—Raleigh’s + Search for El Dorado—Little or no Gold discovered—2,000 Spaniards + engage in another Search—Disastrous results—Dutch Rivalry with the + English—Establishment of two American Trading Companies—Of the East + India Company—Their first Great Ship—Enormous Profits of the + Venture—A Digression—Officers of the Company in Modern Times—Their + Grand Perquisites—Another Naval Hero—Monson a Captain at Eighteen—His + appreciation of Stratagem—An Eleven Hours’ hand-to-hand Contest—Out + of Water at Sea—Monson two years a Galley Slave—Treachery of the Earl + of Cumberland—The Cadiz Expedition—Cutting out a Treasure Ship—Prize + worth £200,000—James I. and his Great Ship—Monson as Guardian of the + Narrow Seas—After the British Pirates—One of their Haunts—A Novel + Scheme—Monson as a Pirate himself—Meeting of the Sham and Real + Pirates—Capture of a Number—Frightened into Penitence—Another caught + by a</span> <span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">ruse</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Many and vast are + the subjects which naturally intertwine themselves with the history + of the sea! Great voyages have not been organised for the mere + discovery of so much salt water—except as a means to an end—and the + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page2">[pg 2]</span><a name="Pg002" id= + "Pg002" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>good ship has almost always sailed + with a definite and positive mission. The history of but a single + vessel involves the history, more or less, of hundreds of people; it + may mean that of thousands. So the history of the ocean is that also + of lands and peoples, far off or near. Subjects the most diverse are + still intimately connected with it. In the space of a few years’ + time, war and peace are strangely contrasted; brilliant discoveries + are succeeded by disastrous failures, and heroic deeds stand side by + side with shameless transactions. Take only a few of the succeeding + pages, and we shall find recorded in them the stories of the early + colonisation of America, and of the disastrous voyages in quest of + the fabled El Dorado, followed by the brave and daring deeds of one + of our greatest naval heroes; these again by the establishment of the + great commercial company which once ruled India, succeeded by stories + of pirates on the sea, and <span class="tei tei-q">“bubble”</span> + promoters ashore. Sketches of maritime affairs must be <span class= + "tei tei-q">“in black and white,”</span> so great are the contrasts. + But let us turn to our first subject, the early voyages to, and + colonisation of, the great New World.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About one hundred + men formed the first little colony landed in Virginia from the + expedition of Greenville in 1585. Raleigh, at his own expense, sent a + shipload of supplies for them next year, but before it arrived the + settlers, and the very Indians of whom such flattering accounts had + been given, had quarrelled, and so many of the former had fallen as + to imperil the existence of the colony; the survivors thought + themselves fortunate when Drake unexpectedly arrived off the coast, + and took them away. When Greenville reached the settlement, a couple + of weeks after, they had left no tidings of themselves, and, wishing + to hold possession of the country, he landed fifteen men, well + furnished with all necessaries for two years’ use, on the island of + Roanoake. This voyage paid its expenses by prizes taken from the + Spaniards, and by the plunder of the Azores on the way home, where + they spoiled <span class="tei tei-q">“some of the towns of all such + things as were worth carriage.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Raleigh, next + season, fitted out a third expedition of three vessels, with one + hundred and fifty colonists, under the charge of John White, who was + to be Governor, with twelve chosen persons as assistants: their town + was to be named after himself. After narrowly escaping shipwreck, + they arrived off Roanoake, and White, taking the pinnace, went in + search of the fifteen men left in the preceding year, but + <span class="tei tei-q">“found none of them, nor any sign that they + had been there, saving only the bones of one of them, whom the + savages had slain long before.”</span> Next day they proceeded to the + western side of the island, where they found the houses which had + been erected still standing, but the fort had been razed. They + <span class="tei tei-q">“were overgrown with melons of divers + sorts,”</span> and deer were feeding on the melons. While they were + employed repairing these, and erecting others, one George Howe + wandered some two miles away, when a party of half-naked Indians, who + were engaged in catching crabs in the water, espied him. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“They shot at him, gave him sixteen wounds with their + arrows, and after they had slain him with their wooden swords, they + beat his head in pieces, and fled over the water to the main.”</span> + Captain Amadas had taken an Indian named Manteo to England with him, + and this man, now with White, was sent to the island of Croatoan, + where his tribe dwelt, to assure them of the friendship of the + English, and an understanding was established. It was ascertained + that the men left the preceding year had been treacherously attacked + by hostile natives, and that two had been killed, and their + storehouse burned; the remainder had <a name="corr002" id="corr002" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">successfully</span> fought through the Indians to + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page3">[pg 3]</span><a name="Pg003" id= + "Pg003" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the water’s edge, and had escaped + in their boat, whither they knew not. Their fate was never learned. + Manteo’s friends entreated that a badge should be given them, as some + of them had been attacked and wounded the previous year by mistake. + Something similar occurred shortly afterwards, when the English, + burning to avenge Howe’s death, attacked a settlement in the night, + shooting one of the men through the body before they discovered that + the natives there were of the friendly tribe. According to Raleigh’s + instructions, Manteo was christened, and called lord of Roanoake. + About this time, the wife of Ananias Dare, one of the twelve + assistants, was delivered of a daughter, who, as the first English + child born in that country, was very naturally baptised by the name + of Virginia. And now the ships had unladen the planter’s stores, and + were preparing for departure. It was deemed advisable that two of the + assistants should go back to England as factors and representatives + of the company, but all appeared anxious to stop. At length the whole + party, with one voice urged White to return, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“for the better and sooner obtaining of supplies and + other necessaries for them.”</span> This he very naturally refused, + as it would look at home as though the Governor had deserted his + band, and had led so many into a country in which he never meant to + stay himself. But at last he yielded to them, and was furnished with + a testimonial setting forth the reasons. White arrived in England at + a period when the danger of a Spanish invasion was imminent, a most + unfortunate time for the colonists. When Raleigh was preparing + supplies for them, which Greenville was to have taken out, the order + was countermanded. White represented the urgency of their wants, and + two small pinnaces were despatched with supplies, and fifteen + planters on board. Instead of proceeding to America, they commenced + cruising for prizes, till, disabled and rifled by two men-of-war from + Rochelle, they were obliged to retreat to England. And now Raleigh, + who is said to have already expended £40,000 over these attempts at + colonisation, appears to have sickened of them, and to have assigned + his patent to a company of merchant adventurers. White did his utmost + for the poor settlers he represented, and learning that some English + ships were about to proceed to the West Indies, tried his best to + arrange that they should take some provisions and stores to Virginia, + the upshot of which was that he only obtained a passage for + himself.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The colony had now + been left to itself for two years. When the vessels anchored near the + spot, they observed a great smoke on the island of Roanoake, and + White, who had a married daughter among the colonists, hoped that it + might proceed from one of their camps. Two boats put off from the + ships, and the gunners were ordered to prepare three guns, + <span class="tei tei-q">“well loaded, and to shoot them off with + reasonable space between each shot, to the end that their reports + might be heard at the place where they hoped to find some of their + people.”</span> Their first search was vain, for though they reached + the spot from which the smoke came, there were no signs of life + there. The next day a second search was made, but one of the boats + was swamped, and the captain and four others were drowned. The + sailors averred that they would not seek further for the colonists; + they were, however, over-ruled, and another attempt was made. Again + they noted a great fire in the woods, and when the boat neared it, + they let their grapnel fall, and sounded a trumpet, playing tunes + familiar at the time; but there was no response. They landed at + daybreak, and proceeded to the place where the colony had been left. + <span class="tei tei-q">“All the way,”</span> says White, + <span class="tei tei-q">“we <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page4">[pg + 4]</span><a name="Pg004" id="Pg004" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>saw in + the sand the print of the savages’ feet trodden that night; and as we + entered up the sandy bank, upon a tree at the very brow thereof were + curiously carved these fair Roman letters, C R O, which letters + presently we knew to signify the place where I should find the + planters seated, according to a token agreed upon at my + departure.”</span> He had told them in case of distress to carve over + the letters or name a cross; but no such sign was found. At the spot + itself where he expected the settlement, he found the houses taken + down, and the place enclosed with logs or trees. Many heavy articles, + bars of iron, pigs of lead, shot, and so forth, were lying about, + almost overgrown with grass and weeds. Five chests, of which three + were his own, were found at last, but they had been evidently broken + into by the savages. <span class="tei tei-q">“About the + place,”</span> says White, <span class="tei tei-q">“many of my + things, spoiled and broken, and my books torn from the covers, the + frames of some of my pictures and maps rotten and spoiled with rain, + and my armour almost eaten through with rust.”</span> But on one of + the trees or chief posts of the enclosure, the word CROATOAN was + carved in large letters, and he now understood that they were with + Manteo’s tribe. It was agreed that they should make for that place; + but again fortune was against them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One disaster + followed another, and when at last they left Virginia, it was with + the intention of wintering in the West Indies, and returning the + following spring; but even this was not to be. Stress of weather + drove them to the Azores, and once there it was naturally decided to + return to England. No later attempt was made to succour them, and the + fate of ninety-one men, seventeen women, and nine children, and of + two infants born there, the names of which are preserved in Hakluyt, + was never known. Raleigh has been greatly blamed for inhumanity in + this connection. His excuse is that it was the busiest part of his + eventful life. He had just borne his part in the defeat of the + Armada; had been one of eleven hundred gentlemen who ventured on the + unfortunate Portuguese expedition; had been sent, in what was + regarded as an honourable banishment, but none the less an exile, to + Ireland; on regaining his place in the queen’s favour had taken an + active part in Parliamentary service; was concerned in a fresh naval + expedition from which he was recalled by the queen, and had his first + taste of that cell in the Tower, which later on he left only for the + scaffold.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In 1595, we find + Raleigh bent on a discovery which had long been a feverish dream with + him—the conquest of the fabled El Dorado. It was but the result of + the discoveries of the Spaniards in Mexico and Peru; and all over the + Spanish main there was a fond belief extant in something greater and + richer than anything yet found. One of the traditions of the day was + that a relative of the last reigning Inca of Peru, escaping from the + wreck of that empire, with a large part of its remaining forces and + treasure, had established himself in a new country, which was found + to be itself as rich in mines as that from which he had migrated. + <span class="tei tei-q">“The Spaniards,”</span> says Southey, + <span class="tei tei-q">“lost more men in seeking for this imaginary + kingdom than in the conquest of Mexico and Peru.”</span></p><a name= + "illo_014.jpg" id="illo_014.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_014.jpg" alt="RALEIGH AT TRINIDAD" title= + "RALEIGH AT TRINIDAD." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + RALEIGH AT TRINIDAD. + </div> + </div><a name="illo_016.png" id="illo_016.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_016.png" alt="SIR WALTER RALEIGH" title= + "SIR WALTER RALEIGH." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + SIR WALTER RALEIGH. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Raleigh was + encouraged in this enterprise by such men as Cecil, and the Lord High + Admiral Howard, who contributed to its cost. His idea was to enter + the land of gold by the Orinoco, and prior to his own voyage he + despatched a ship, under Captain Whiddon, to reconnoitre on that part + of the coast, and to seek information at the island of Trinidad. When + Raleigh and his squadron had arrived at one of its ports he found a + company of Spaniards <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page5">[pg + 5]</span><a name="Pg005" id="Pg005" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>from + whom he cautiously extracted all they knew or believed concerning + Guiana. <span class="tei tei-q">“For these poor soldiers,”</span> + says he, <span class="tei tei-q">“having been many years without + wine, a few draughts made them merry; in which mood they vaunted of + Guiana, and of the riches thereof, and all what they knew of the bays + and passages, myself seeming to purpose nothing less than the + entrance or discovery thereof, but bred in them an opinion that I was + bound only for the relief of those English whom I had planted in + Virginia, whereof the bruit was come among them, which I had + performed in my return if extremity of weather had not forced me from + the said coast.”</span> Raleigh stopped some time here, not merely to + extract all the information possible, but also to be revenged on the + Governor, who the year before had behaved treacherously, entrapping + eight of Captain Whiddon’s men. This he accomplished by taking and + burning one of their new towns, and detaining the Governor, Berrio, + at his pleasure on board. The same day two more of his ships arrived, + and they prepared for the purposed discovery. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“And first,”</span> says Raleigh, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I called all the captains (<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">i.e.</span></span>, + caciques or native chiefs) of the island together that were enemies + to the Spaniards; * * * and by my Indian interpreter, which I carried + out of England, I made them understand that I was the servant of the + queen, who was the great cacique of the north, and a virgin, and had + more caciqui under her than there were trees on that island; that she + was an enemy to the Castellani (<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">i.e.</span></span>, Spanish from Castille) in + respect of their tyranny and oppression, <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page6">[pg 6]</span><a name="Pg006" id="Pg006" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>and that she delivered all such nations about + her as were by them oppressed; and having freed all the coast of the + northern world from their servitude, had sent me to free them also, + and withal to defend the country of Guiana from their invasion and + conquest. I showed them her Majesty’s picture, which they so admired + and honoured as it had been easy to have brought them idolatrous + thereof.”</span> Raleigh used the Governor with courtesy and + hospitality, and sounded him well concerning Guiana; and Berrio + conversed with him readily, having no suspicion of Raleigh’s + intentions. But when Sir Walter told him that he had resolved to see + that country, the Governor <span class="tei tei-q">“was stricken into + a great melancholy,”</span> and tried all he could to dissuade him. + He described the rivers as full of sandbanks, and so shallow that no + bark or pinnace could ascend them, and scarcely a ship’s boat; that + they could not carry provisions for half the journey, and that the + <span class="tei tei-q">“kings and lords of all the borders of Guiana + had decreed that none of them should trade with any Christians for + gold, because the same would be their own overthrow, and that for the + love of gold the Christians meant to conquer and dispossess them + altogether.”</span> The golden country was 600 miles farther from the + coast than he had been informed, which piece of news Raleigh + carefully concealed from his company, for he was resolved + <span class="tei tei-q">“to make trial of all, whatsoever + happened.”</span> After many explorations, on the part of his + captains, of the rivers, the mouths of which were found to be as + shallow as he had been told, he, with 100 men divided in a galley, + four boats and barges, and carrying provisions for a month, resolved + to see for himself.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From the spot + where the ships lay, they had as much sea to cross as between Dover + and Calais, the waves being high, and the current strong. They at + length entered a stream, which Raleigh called the River of the Red + Cross, and where they noted Indians in a canoe and on the banks. + Their interpreters, Ferdinando and his brother, went ashore to fetch + fruit, and drink with the natives, when they were seized by the chief + with the intention of putting them to death, because <span class= + "tei tei-q">“they had brought a strange nation into their territory + to spoil and destroy them.”</span> Ferdinando and his brother managed + to escape, the former running into the woods, and the latter reaching + the mouth of the creek where the barge was staying, when he cried out + that his brother was slain. On hearing this, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“we set hands,”</span> says Raleigh, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“on one of them that was next us, a very old man, and + brought him into the barge, assuring him that if we had not our pilot + again we would presently cut off his head.”</span> The old man called + to his tribe to save Ferdinando, but they hunted him through the + forest, with shouts that made the whole neighbourhood resound. At + length he reached the water, and climbing out on an overhanging tree, + dropped down and swam to the barge, half dead with fear. The old + Indian was retained as pilot.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ascending with the + flood, and anchoring during ebb tide, they went on, till on the third + day their galley grounded, and stuck so fast that it was a question + whether their discoveries must not end there; but at last, by + lightening her of all her ballast, and hauling and tugging, she was + once more afloat. Next day they reached a fine river, where there was + no flood tide from the sea, and they had to contend against a strong + current; <span class="tei tei-q">“and had then,”</span> says Raleigh, + <span class="tei tei-q">“no shift but to persuade the company that it + was but two or three days’ work”</span> to reach their destination. + <span class="tei tei-q">“When three days were overgone, our companies + began to despair, the weather being extreme hot, the river bordered + with very high trees that kept away the air, and the current against + us every day stronger than the other; but we once <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page7">[pg 7]</span><a name="Pg007" id="Pg007" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>more commanded our pilots to promise to + end the next day, and used it so long as we were driven to assure + them from four reaches of the river to three, and so to two, and so + to the next reach; but so long we laboured that many days were spent, + and we driven to draw ourselves to harder allowance, our bread even + at the last and no drink at all; and ourselves so wearied and + scorched, and doubtful withal whether we should ever perform it or + no, the heat increasing as we drew towards the line, for we were now + in five degrees. The farther we went on (our victuals decreasing and + the air breeding great faintness) we grew weaker and weaker, when we + had most need of strength and ability, for hourly the river ran more + violently than other against us; and the barge, wherries, and ship’s + boat had spent all their provisions, so as we were brought into + despair and discomfort, had we not persuaded all the company that it + was but one day’s work more to attain the land, where we should be + relieved of all we wanted; and if we returned that we should be sure + to starve by the way, and that the world would also laugh us to + scorn.”</span> The old Indian now offered to take them to a town at a + short distance, where they could get bread, hams, fish, and wine, but + to reach it they must leave the galley, and proceed up a smaller + stream with the barge and wherries. Raleigh, with two of his captains + and sixteen musketeers started, but when, after hard rowing, it grew + night, and there were no signs of the place, they feared treachery. + The old native still assured them that it was but a little further, + and they rowed on past reach after reach, and still no town or + settlement could be discovered. At last they decided to hang the + pilot, and Raleigh states distinctly that <span class="tei tei-q">“if + we had well known the way back again by night, he had surely gone, + but our own necessities pleaded sufficiently for his safety, for it + was now as dark as pitch, and the river began so to narrow itself, + and the trees to hang from side, so as we were driven with arming + swords to cut a passage through those branches that covered the + water.”</span> At last, an hour after midnight, a light was seen, and + the welcome noise of the village dogs heard, as they rowed towards + it. There were few natives there at the time, but some quantity of + provisions was obtained, with which they returned to the galley next + day. The natives called this stream the river of alligators, and a + negro, who was one of the galley’s crew, venturing to swim in it, was + devoured by one of those animals. Raleigh says of the country through + which it passed, <span class="tei tei-q">“whereas all that we had + seen before was nothing but woods, prickly bushes, and thorns, here + we beheld plains of twenty miles in length, the grass short and + green, and in divers parts groves of trees by themselves, as if they + had with all the art and labour in the world been so made of purpose; + and still as we rowed, the deer came down feeding by the water’s + side, as if they had been used to a keeper’s call.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Still proceeding + up the great river, their provisions almost exhausted, they observed + four canoes coming down the stream, to which they gave chase. The + people in two of the larger escaped into the woods, and left behind a + large stock of bread, which was very welcome. Searching the woods, + Raleigh came across an Indian basket, which proved to be that of a + refiner, as it contained quicksilver, saltpetre, and other things for + gathering and testing metals, and also the dust of such as he had + discovered. Raleigh offered £500 to the soldier who should take one + of three Spaniards known to have been with this party, but they + escaped. He was more fortunate with the Indians who had accompanied + them, and one of them was taken for pilot, from whom he learned that + the richest mines were <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page8">[pg + 8]</span><a name="Pg008" id="Pg008" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-q">“defended with rocks of + hard stones, which we call white spar”</span> (presumably quartz). He + states that in the canoes which escaped there was a good quantity of + ore and gold.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Still proceeding, + on the fifteenth day, to their great joy, the distant mountains of + Guiana came into view, and the same day brought them in sight of the + great Orinoco, about the branches of which river thousands of + tortoise eggs were found, which proved to be <span class= + "tei tei-q">“very wholesome meat, and greatly restoring.”</span> The + natives, too, were friendly, and to Raleigh’s credit, be it said, he + appears in all cases to have treated them fairly and well. With the + cacique he made merry, treating the natives to a small quantity of + Spanish wine, they in return bringing in fruits, bread, fish, and + flesh. The chief conducted them to his own town, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“where,”</span> says Raleigh, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“some of our captains caroused of his wine till they were + reasonably pleasant; for it is very strong with pepper, and the juice + of divers herbs digested and purged; they keep it in great earthen + pots of ten or twelve gallons, very clear and sweet; and are + themselves at their meetings and feasts the greatest carousers and + drunkards in the world.”</span> The settlement stood on a low hill, + <span class="tei tei-q">“with goodly gardens a mile compass round + about it.”</span> And so they proceeded, meeting friendliness + everywhere among the natives, till the rivers commenced fast rising, + and they could not row against the stream. Small parties were then + detailed ashore to look for mineral stones. Raleigh describes the + country as lovely; <span class="tei tei-q">“the deer crossing in + every path; the birds towards the evening singing on every tree with + a thousand several tunes; cranes and herons, of white, crimson, and + carnation, perching on the river’s side; the air fresh with a gentle + easterly wind; <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">and every stone that we stooped to take up + promised either gold or silver by its complexion</span></span>. * * * + I hope some of them cannot be bettered under the sun; and yet we had + no means but with our daggers and fingers to tear them out here and + there, the rocks being most hard, of that mineral spar aforesaid, + which is like a flint, and is altogether as hard, or harder; and + besides, the veins lie a fathom or two deep in the rocks. But we + wanted all things requisite, save only our desires and good will, to + have performed more, if it had pleased God.”</span> Some of the + others brought glistening stones, and among them, apparently pyrites, + which very commonly accompanies gold, but of the precious metal + itself Raleigh could hardly boast a speck in truth. His account of + these discoveries is mixed up with the strangest fables, as for + example of the Ewaipanoma, a people of that country whose eyes were + in their shoulders, and their mouths in the middle of their + breasts!</p><a name="illo_020.png" id="illo_020.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_020.png" alt="RALEIGH ON THE RIVER" title= + "RALEIGH ON THE RIVER." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + RALEIGH ON THE RIVER. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The ships were + regained, and the expedition sailed for England, where Raleigh, in + spite of the work which he published under the boastful title of + <span class="tei tei-q">“The Discovery of the Large, Rich, and + Beautiful Empire of Guiana, with a Relation of the Great and Golden + City of Manoa (which the Spaniards call El Dorado),”</span> &c., + lost both popular and queenly favour, having brought home no booty. + In fact the narrative given to the world rather did him harm than + good, for it is full of excuses, admits that the voyage had been most + unprofitable, and is undoubtedly not veracious in many particulars. + His arguments for immediately attempting the conquest of Guiana were + not regarded. Yet still he had means and friends. Two expeditions to + Guiana were afterwards organised, neither of which resulted in any + discovery or profit.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But others besides + Raleigh and his followers had been inflamed with the accounts + floating about concerning El Dorado. Berrio, the Spanish Governor + before mentioned, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page9">[pg + 9]</span><a name="Pg009" id="Pg009" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>despatched his camp master to Spain to levy men, + sending with him some golden carvings and <span class= + "tei tei-q">“images, as well of men as beasts, birds, and + fishes,”</span> in order to obtain further aid from the king and his + subjects. This agent, Domingo de Vera, was a man of ability, and + thoroughly unscrupulous; he courted notoriety by appearing always in + a singular dress, adorned with golden trinkets and jewels, and being + of great stature, and riding always a great horse, attracted much + attention, being known popularly as the Indian El Dorado. He was + successful in raising seventy thousand ducats at Madrid, and a large + additional sum at Seville: obtained authority for raising a band of + adventurers, and five good ships to carry them out. Men of good birth + left their estates, respectable middle-class men gave up their + incomes and employments, sold everything, and embarked with their + wives and children; even a prebendary, and many priests, gave up sure + prospects of advancement to join the expedition, which at last + aggregated two thousand persons. Berrio had only asked for 300, and + when the expedition reached Trinidad, they had to be apportioned to + various other settlements; the women and children being serious + encumbrances at the time, and enduring great misery. The savage + Caribs attacked their canoes when proceeding to St. Thomas and + elsewhere. One detachment of three hundred were reduced to thirty + souls by the crafty Indians, who, after very partially supplying them + with provisions, watched them sink with weakness and disease till + they became an <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page10">[pg + 10]</span><a name="Pg010" id="Pg010" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>easy + prey. In some places they set fire to the grass, and the wretched + travellers, unable to fly before it, were burned to death. Those who + reached the Orinoco, not merely found no gold, but little of that + abundance so glowingly described by Raleigh. Vera himself soon died + in <a name="corr010" id="corr010" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">Trinidad</span>, and + Berrio did not long survive him. Of the original two thousand who + left Spain, it is doubtful whether a tithe survived the first year. + Had Raleigh been a favourite with the people, or had his character + been above suspicion, it is more than likely that some similar + disaster might have had to be recorded on the pages of English + history.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sir Walter Raleigh + has enlightened us,<a id="noteref_1" name="noteref_1" href= + "#note_1"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">1</span></span></a> as + regards the condition of commerce and of the English mercantile + marine shortly before the union of the crown of England and Scotland, + in a remarkable paper, <span class="tei tei-q">“which + contains,”</span> says a competent authority, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“many remarkable commercial principles far in advance of + the age in which the author lived.”</span> He states that the ships + of England were not to be compared with those of the Dutch, and that + while an English ship of one hundred tons required a crew of thirty + men, the Dutch would sail such a vessel with one-third that number. + Holland became the depôt of numerous articles, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“not one hundredth part of which were consumed by the + Dutch,”</span> while she gave <span class="tei tei-q">“free custom + inwards and outwards for the better maintenance of navigation and + encouragement of the people to that business.”</span> Sir Walter + tells us that France offered to the vessels of all nations free + customs twice and sometimes three times each year when she laid in + her annual stock of provisions, and also in such raw materials as + were not possessed by herself in equal abundance. Denmark granted + free customs the year through, excepting only one month. The Dutch + were the great carriers by sea, in consequence of the facilities + granted them at home, <span class="tei tei-q">“and yet the situation + of England lieth far better for a storehouse to serve the south-east + and the north-east kingdoms than theirs do; and we have far the + better means to do it if we apply ourselves to do it.”</span> He + complained that although the greatest fishery in the world is on the + coasts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, Holland despatched to the + Baltic and up the Rhine more than a million pounds sterling worth of + herrings, where we did not export one. He states that Holland + trafficked in <span class="tei tei-q">“every city and port of Britain + with five or six hundred ships yearly, and we chiefly to three towns + in their country and with forty ships; the Dutch trade to every port + and town in France, and we only to five or six,”</span> and that the + Dutch were even ruining our Russian trade. In spite of probable + exaggerations in Raleigh’s statements as laid before the King, it is + evident that with the laws as they stood, the Dutch must have had, as + regards their commercial marine, very much the best of it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While there was + much depression among the shipowners, they did not overlook the + advantages to be derived from intercourse with the newly-discovered + world of North America. Though the expeditions promoted by Raleigh + and his associates had been unfortunate, profitable ventures were + soon after made, beads, trinkets, and articles of little value being + exchanged for skins and furs obtained by the Indians; and Captain + Gosnold made in 1602 the first <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">direct</span></span> voyage across the Atlantic + to America—all other English sailors at least having sailed by way of + the Canaries and West Indies. <span class="tei tei-q">“Steering in a + small bark, directly across the Atlantic, in seven weeks he reached + Cape Elizabeth on the coast of Maine. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page11">[pg 11]</span><a name="Pg011" id="Pg011" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>Following the coast to the south-west, he + skirted <span class="tei tei-q">‘an outpoint of wooded land;’</span> + and about noon of the 14th of May he anchored <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘near Savage Rock,’</span> to the east of York + Harbour.... Not finding his <span class="tei tei-q">‘purposed + place’</span> he stood to the south, and on the morning of the 15th + discovered the promontory which he named Cape Cod. He and four of his + men went on shore. Cape Cod was the first spot in New England ever + trod by Englishman.”</span> He traded with the natives in peltries, + sassafras, and cedar-wood, and was probably the first to sow English + corn on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard. In 1606 two maritime + companies, the <span class="tei tei-q">“Plymouth Adventurers,”</span> + and the South Virginia Company, were authorised to colonise and form + plantations; the first having right to the territory which now + embraces Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York; and the second, to + that which now includes Maryland, Virginia, and North and South + Carolina. A single steamer of these days has often landed more + emigrants at New York than did a dozen of these early expeditions at + other points, for their progress at first was painfully slow.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The great East + India Company was formed in England more than a century after the + discovery, by Vasco de Gama, of the route to India <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">viâ</span></span> the + Cape. The first voyage of Thomas Cavendish is worthy of more note + than it has received, inasmuch as it contributed more than anything + else to awakening the merchants of London to the importance of the + trade prospects there. Starting in July, 1586, he circumnavigated the + globe, passing through the Straits of Magellan westward, in eight + months less than Drake. He was the first English navigator to discern + the value of the position of St. Helena, to describe with accuracy + the Philippine Islands, and to bring home a map and description of + China; and what is more remarkable is the fact that he was scarcely + more than twenty-two years of age when he took command in this first + most adventurous voyage. He was shipwrecked five or six years later + on the coast of Brazil, and lost his life there. Through Mr. Thorne, + an English merchant, often mentioned in connection with these early + voyages, the London merchants gained a considerable amount of + knowledge relating to the important trade with the Indies enjoyed by + the Spanish and Portuguese; and at length, in the year 1600, more + than 200 shipowners, traders, and citizens associated, and formed a + body corporate, having received many special privileges from the + Crown, <span class="tei tei-q">“including,”</span> says + Lindsay,<a id="noteref_2" name="noteref_2" href= + "#note_2"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">2</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-q">“that of punishing offenders either in body + or purse, provided the mode of punishment was not repugnant to the + laws of England. Its exports were not subjected to any duties for the + four first voyages, important indulgences were granted in paying the + duties on imports, and liberty was given to export £30,000 each + voyage in coin or bullion, provided £6,000 of this sum passed through + the Mint. But not exceeding six ships, and an equal number of + pinnaces, with 500 seamen, were allowed to be despatched annually to + whatever station might be formed in India, with the additional + provisoes that the seamen were not at the time required for the + service of the Royal Navy, and that all gold and silver exported by + the Company should be shipped at either London, Dartmouth, or + Plymouth.”</span> The Company started with a capital of £72,000, and + equipped five vessels for the first venture, the largest of which was + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Dragon</span></span> of 600 tons; her commander, + according to the practice of the day, receiving the title of + <span class="tei tei-q">“Admiral of the Squadron.”</span> The first + voyage was very successful; important commercial <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page13">[pg 13]</span><a name="Pg013" id="Pg013" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>relations were formed with the King of + Achin, in Sumatra; and a factory established at Bantam, after which + the ships returned to England richly laden.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A serious rival + was, however, in the field. The separation of the Dutch provinces + from the crown of Spain had caused their merchants to be sent abroad + to seek new fields of commerce, and as they had gained an intimate + knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese affairs, they were then the + predominant naval power in the Indian Seas, and were quite ready to + contend against any supremacy on the part of England’s traders. + English merchants were, however, ready for them, the profits on the + first expedition having incited them to grander efforts. They + obtained a new Charter in 1609, and the Company constructed a vessel + of larger size than any hitherto employed in the English merchant + service, which they named the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Trades’ Increase</span></span>. She was 1,200 + tons, and even her pinnace was 250 tons. At her launch, the Company + gave a great banquet, at which the dishes were of china ware, then a + great novelty in England. With these and two other vessels Sir Henry + Middleton set sail, touching at Mocha, on the Red Sea, where, + entrapped ashore by the Mohammedans, eighty of his crew were + massacred, sixteen others disabled, and he himself severely wounded. + Proceeding to Bantam, the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Trades’ Increase</span></span> was unfortunately + shipwrecked, and poor Middleton died heartbroken at the failure of + the expedition. But other voyages followed, which were enormously + profitable to the Company. One expedition is mentioned which, + <span class="tei tei-q">“though absent only twenty months, earned in + that time a profit of no less than 340 per cent.”</span> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Factories”</span>—trading posts or forts—were + established, and the Company obtained the favour of the Moghul + Emperor, Jehangir, more especially after they had been fortunate + enough to repel some of the Portuguese who were attacking his posts. + They even contrived to obtain a footing in Japan, through the + influence of William Adams, a Kentish man, who had been pilot on one + of the earliest Dutch expeditions, and who stood high in the + Emperor’s favour. The intercourse then opened was allowed to die out, + and has only been re-established late in our own time. In seventeen + years after the first establishment of the Company its affairs had + become so prosperous that its stock reached a premium of 203 per + cent., and the Dutch East India Company suggested an amalgamation of + the two corporations with a view to exclude and crush their common + enemy, the Portuguese. This was never carried into effect, but in + 1619 a treaty of trade and friendship was established. They were to + <span class="tei tei-q">“cease from rivalry, and apportion the + profits of the different branches of commerce between them.”</span> + Alas! all this amicable billing and cooing were to speedily end; such + self-abnegation was found hardly practicable between business rivals. + A series of hostilities ensued in the following year; a number of + Englishmen were massacred by the Dutch at Amboyna, and sea-fights + occurred between the vessels; the result being that the Dutch had it + all their own way in a few years afterwards. The directors of the + English Company even meditated winding up its affairs. Something + similar happened more than once afterwards before they became a grand + company and the real governors of India. The rise of British power + there is one of those surprising revolutions which never before + occurred in history. The managers of a trading company in London + first became the lords of a manor a dozen times the size of England, + and controlled the destinies of kings and princes, engaging in war or + peace as occasion seemed to demand. Think of the affairs of a great + country settled in a counting-house! But at length the anomaly had to + cease, and, as most readers will remember, the East India Company + lost its powers and privileges in 1858, <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page14">[pg 14]</span><a name="Pg014" id="Pg014" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>and ceased to exist as a governing body. + Retiring allowances were made to commanders and officers. It may be + interesting to note that up to 1814 trade with India, so long a + jealously-guarded monopoly with the Company, was thrown open to + private competition, but that they retained the exclusive trade with + China for a long period after that date.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A trifling + digression may be allowed here, as it really bears on our subject. + The East India Company was long a synonym for everything that was + rich and powerful, and many of its civil servants visited or retired + to England as opulent and independent men. The maritime branch of the + service received a goodly slice of the pie; and some facts relating + thereto recorded by Lindsay, the authority before quoted, himself + long a great shipowner, will astonish and interest the reader. A + commander’s position in the H. E. I. Co.’s service was most assuredly + worth having, for his salary was a very small part indeed of his + receipts. The Company granted a number of <span class= + "tei tei-q">“indulgences”</span> to their naval officers, of which + the following are only part. Ninety-seven tons of space were reserved + for the commander and officers, of which the former of course took + the lion’s share, 56½ tons. They were permitted to import on the + homeward voyage tea to the following extent:—9,336 lbs. for the + commander, 1,228 lbs. for first mate, and the lower grades were each + privileged in the same way, but to a smaller extent. The officers + might bring in China-ware as a flooring for the tea-chests, the + quantity of which might range from 20 to 40 tons, according to the + size of the vessel. They were even allowed surplus tonnage, when it + could be safely and conveniently carried. The commander received as + his perquisite the passage-money paid by <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">all</span></span> + private passengers, the cost of their provisions and wine being alone + deducted. His table was luxuriously supplied, and he was allowed to + import for his own use two butts of Madeira wine. The first mate had, + among his extra allowances, and quite apart from the regular supply + of provisions on board, 24 dozen of wine or beer, 2 firkins of + butter, 1 cwt. of cheese, 1 <a name="corr014" id="corr014" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">cwt.</span> of + groceries, and 4 quarter casks of pickles for the voyage. Lindsay + says, <span class="tei tei-q">“So many were their privileges, and so + numerous their perquisites, that during five India or China voyages a + captain of one of the Company’s ships ought to have realised + sufficient capital to be independent for the rest of his + life.”</span> He was, in effect, a merchant, doing business for + himself while in the employ of a large mercantile concern, and his + officers were the same on a smaller scale. The above writer considers + that the direct and inevitable remuneration to a commander was from + £3,000 to £5,000 per round voyage, out and home, but that with his + privileges and perquisites it might and often did reach £8,000 to + £10,000, or more. He mentions one instance which came within his own + knowledge, where <span class="tei tei-q">“the commander of one of the + ships employed on the <span class="tei tei-q">‘double + voyage’</span>—that is from London to India, thence to China, and + thence back to London, where he had a large interest in the freight + on cotton or other produce conveyed from India to China—realised no + less than £30,000.”</span> And yet some of them were not satisfied, + and the Company had to make laws and investigations concerning + illicit trading and smuggling with the connivance of the Custom House + officers. Some of the commanders had even put into ports for which + they had no orders, to carry out their own purposes.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The internal + economy of an East Indiaman was, as regards discipline and order, + modelled for the most part upon that of a man-of-war, and carried + more men, twice over, than does many a modern steamer double her + tonnage. Thus, one of the finest vessels of <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page15">[pg 15]</span><a name="Pg015" id="Pg015" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>the Company, mentioned by Lindsay, was for a + considerable period the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Earl of Balcarras</span></span>. She was of + 1,417 tons, and had 130 souls on board. After the commander came six + mates, a surgeon and assistant, six midshipmen, purser, boatswain, + gunner, carpenter, master-at-arms, armourer, butcher, baker, + poulterer, caulker, cooper, two stewards, two cooks, eight + boatswain’s, gunner’s, carpenter’s, caulker’s, and cooper’s mates; + six quartermasters, a sailmaker, seven servants for officers, and + seventy-eight seamen. But we are wandering from our + theme.</p><a name="illo_023.jpg" id="illo_023.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_023.jpg" alt="MONSON AND THE BISCAYAN SHIP" + title="MONSON AND THE BISCAYAN SHIP." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + MONSON AND THE BISCAYAN SHIP. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The reign of + Elizabeth was a glorious epoch in the history of naval affairs, and + great names crowd upon us. It is impossible to pass by that of Sir + William Monson, who served his country for fifty years, through three + reigns, and whose <span class="tei tei-q">“Naval Tracts”</span> are + almost as valuable as were his services, illustrating as they do the + condition of the navy and maritime affairs of the period, and + abounding in the details of well-described exploits.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Monson was of a + good Lincolnshire family, and at an early age entered Baliol College, + Oxford, where he remained a couple of years, till the excitement of + the war with Spain determined him to run away to sea, as he did not + expect to get the consent of his parents. At this date, 1585, he was + only sixteen years of age. <span class="tei tei-q">“I put + myself,”</span> says he, <span class="tei tei-q">“into an action by + sea, where there was in company of us two small ships, fitted for + men-of-war, that authorised us by commission to seize upon the + subjects of the King of Spain; then made I the sea my profession, + being led to it by the wildness of my youth.”</span> He had not long + to wait for adventure. <span class="tei tei-q">“A strong and + obstinate ship of Holland”</span> was encountered, whose captain had + the audacity not to strike his flag immediately, when required to do + so. The Dutch vessel had an English pilot on board, through whom + communication was held; and the master of the privateer, by a ruse of + navigation, ordering his helmsman in a loud voice to port his helm, + while in an undertone he instructed him to do just the reverse, + nearly fouled the Dutchman, whose men got out oars and fenders to + prevent the impending collision. <span class="tei tei-q">“When we saw + their people thus employed,”</span> says Monson,<a id="noteref_3" + name="noteref_3" href="#note_3"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">3</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-q">“and not to have time to take arms, we + suddenly boarded, entered, and took her by this stratagem.”</span> + Monson, when an old man, used to chuckle over his boyish share in + this exploit, and includes it among <span class= + "tei tei-q">“stratagems to be used at sea”</span> in his <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Tracts.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But he was to have + speedily a better opportunity of distinguishing himself. The + privateer on which he served—for she was nothing more—encountered a + large Biscayan ship off the Spanish coast, whose captain refused to + strike. A few of the English crew, including Monson, managed to board + her, when the sea suddenly rose, and this mere handful were left on + the Spaniard’s decks, while the privateer was compelled to ungrapple. + The storm increased, and it was not possible to succour the little + band, who fought for <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">eleven</span></span> hours, from eight o’clock + in the evening to seven the next morning. The Spaniards attempted to + blow up the deck which they maintained, but <span class= + "tei tei-q">“were prevented by fire-pikes,”</span> and at last + surrendered after a desperate contest. The decks were covered with + the dead and dying. <span class="tei tei-q">“I dare say,”</span> says + the narrator of the event, <span class="tei tei-q">“that in the whole + time of the war there was not so rare a manner of fight, or so great + a slaughter of men.”</span> Monson, who had now received his + <span class="tei tei-q">“baptism of fire”</span> with a vengeance, + determined that nothing <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page16">[pg + 16]</span><a name="Pg016" id="Pg016" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>should take him from his adopted profession, and + it is presumable that his friends became reconciled to it, for we + find him suddenly raised, at one step, from the grade of a volunteer + to the rank of captain, although but eighteen years old! Family + influence, doubtless, had something to do with it. Gentlemen + captains, who were often brave men, but who knew little enough about + naval affairs, were common in those days. Raleigh distinguishes them + very distinctly from the <span class="tei tei-q">“tarpauling + captain,”</span> or mariner who had learned his profession from a + youth up. Monson, however, as his writings prove, soon became an + adept in navigation and all the arts of seamanship.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Passing over a + voyage in which Monson was nearly shipwrecked, we come to 1589, when + he accompanied the Earl of Cumberland in his expedition to the + Azores. The crews were reduced to great distress from want of water, + and while cruising among the islands, a grand spout was seen issuing + apparently from one of their cliffs. Cumberland asked Monson to go + with four men and find out whether it was available for their use. + While they were rowing towards the land, a great whale, lying asleep + on the water, was noted from the ship, and was mistaken for a rock, + whereupon the vessel tacked about and put to sea, leaving Monson to + his fate. (The original narrative does not explain whether the + waterspout, noticed from the ship, had proceeded from the whale, + before it fell asleep.) <span class="tei tei-q">“I had no + sooner,”</span> says Monson, <span class="tei tei-q">“set my foot + ashore, than it began to be dark with night and fog, and to blow, + rain, thunder, and lighten in the cruellest manner that I have seen. + There was no way for me to escape death but to put myself to the + mercy of the sea; neither could I have any great hope of help in + life, for the ship was out of sight, and there only appeared a light + upon the shrouds to direct me.”</span> The narrative says that a + countryman of Monson’s on board prevailed upon his lordship (the Earl + of Cumberland) to forbear sailing. This was, one would think, hardly + necessary, as Monson was his second in command; but stress of weather + will probably account for the vessel being driven some distance. They + rowed and rowed, but lost all sight of the ship. At length, in + despair, they fired their last charge of powder from a musket. The + flash was seen through the fog, and they were saved. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“We were preserved,”</span> says the narrative, + <span class="tei tei-q">“rather by miracle than any human act; and to + make it the more strange we were no sooner risen from our seats, and + ropes in our hands to enter the ship, but the boat sunk + immediately.”</span> The subsequent sufferings of the crew from the + continued want of water have rarely been equalled. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“For sixteen days together,”</span> says Monson, + <span class="tei tei-q">“we never tasted a drop of drink, either of + beer, wine, or water; and though we had plenty of beef and pork of a + year’s salting, yet did we forbear eating it, for making us the + drier. Many drank salt water, and those that did died suddenly; and + the last words they usually spoke were <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Drink, drink, drink!’</span> ”</span> There were 500 men + on board, and the mortality, though not expressly stated in numbers, + is said to have been something fearful. At last they made the coast + of Ireland, and obtained relief. So severely was Monson’s health + affected by this voyage, that he retired from the active pursuit of + his profession for a year afterwards.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Again he joined + the Earl of Cumberland in 1591 on an expedition directed against + Spain, off the coasts of which he successfully took two caravels by + one of the stratagems for which he was famous. He had boarded one + from the ship’s boat; he manned her with a part of his boat’s crew, + and rowed back to his ship. The Spaniards on the other caravel far in + the distance thought that the first, her consort, had been dismissed, + and so shortened sail to meet <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page17">[pg 17]</span><a name="Pg017" id="Pg017" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>her; and was consequently taken unawares by a + mere handful of men. But Monson only wanted to obtain information as + to the enemy, and let them both off. This act turned out fortunately + for him; for shortly afterwards, being left in charge of a prize + taken from the Dutch, he was attacked by the Spaniards in six + galleys, the consequence being that he was taken prisoner, when he + found that his recent conduct towards the caravels had been reported + favourably, and he was treated with more courtesy than had been usual + before. But he was to suffer a long captivity for all that. At the + Tagus he would probably have escaped had not an unforeseen chance + prevented. While the galleys were in the harbour, a Brazilian, master + of a Dutch ship, chanced to come on board that on which Monson was + confined, and, pitying his hard fate, offered to take him off on his + vessel, if he could devise any plan which should not implicate + himself. Monson gave out to the rest of the prisoners that, tired of + his life, he intended to drown himself. His intention really was to + drop quietly into the water, and if possible swim to the friendly + bark. But just before he had made his arrangements, the galleys were + ordered to sea, and when they returned the ship had sailed. It is + probably fortunate for him that he did not make the attempt, as, had + it been frustrated, he would have probably suffered death, as did an + Italian a short time afterwards, who had been trying to raise a + general conspiracy on board. His execution was effected in the most + horrible <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page18">[pg 18]</span><a name= + "Pg018" id="Pg018" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>manner, his arms and + legs being severally tied to the sterns of four galleys, which were + rowed in four different directions, thus quartering him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Monson was + afterwards removed to the castle of Lisbon, from which an attempt on + his part to escape was frustrated by the treachery of an English + interpreter there, whom he had been forced to employ. Fortunately, + the letter which he had entrusted to a page, who was to have conveyed + it <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">in his + boots</span></span> to Lord Burleigh, became so saturated and + obliterated by rain, that nothing could be made of it, and the whole + matter was allowed to pass. Not so, however, after he had helped a + Portuguese to escape, who had been condemned to death. The latter, + aided by Monson’s skill, managed to pass the sentinels disguised as a + soldier, and then lowering himself by a rope, effected his plans. The + flight having been discovered, Monson was accused of having assisted + him, and was taken before the judge. <span class="tei tei-q">“But + neither threats nor promises of liberty could induce him to confess. + He pleaded that he was a prisoner of war, that he was subject to the + law of honour and arms, and that it was lawful for him to seek his + freedom: he urged the improbability of holding such intercourse as + was imputed to him with one whose language he did not understand; and + he concluded by cautioning them to be wary what violence they offered + him, as he had friends in England, and was of a nation that could and + would revenge his wrongs.”</span> The latter argument probably it was + that carried the day; but until released—no doubt by exchange—he was + closely guarded.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In 1593, Monson + again joined Cumberland, and considering the fidelity which he had + always shown to that admiral, the latter seems to have treated him + very badly. In the course of their voyage, a dozen Spanish hulks + laden with powder were taken, half of which were left to Monson to + haul over, while his admiral put to sea with the rest. Monson had + with him only about fifty men. What was his surprise towards night to + find that Cumberland had released the hulks which he had taken, and + that they were crowding on all sail to join their consorts in his + charge, with hostile intent, which it would be madness on his part to + attempt to frustrate. He barely escaped; when the enemy boarded him + on one side of his vessel, he leaped into the long boat on the other + side, receiving a wound which remained all his days. Southey + certainly puts it mildly when he says, <span class="tei tei-q">“The + conduct of the Earl of Cumberland in this affair admits of no + reasonable or satisfactory explanations,”</span> for it looks far + more like downright treachery. A couple of years afterwards, the Earl + very plainly declared his colours by first inducing him to join him + in his voyage, and then superseding him. Monson could not brook this, + and returned, after some adventures, to England, where we soon find + him with the Earl of Essex, in the expedition to Cadiz. At that most + remarkable siege, he was in the thick of the fight ashore with Essex, + where he received a shot through his scarf and breeches; another shot + took away the handle and pommel of his sword, while he remained + uninjured. But his principal services were in connection with the + destruction of the fleet, which meant a loss of six or seven millions + sterling to Spain. <span class="tei tei-q">“The King of + Spain,”</span> says Monson, <span class="tei tei-q">“never received + so great an overthrow, and so great an indignity at our hands as + this; for our attempt was at his own home, in his own ports, that he + thought as safe as his chamber, where we took and destroyed his ships + of war, burnt and consumed the wealth of his merchants, sacked his + city, ransomed his subjects, and entered his country without + impeachment.”</span> Monson was knighted for his conduct at this + siege.</p><a name="illo_028.png" id="illo_028.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_028.png" alt="MONSON AT CADIZ" title= + "MONSON AT CADIZ." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + MONSON AT CADIZ. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The abundant + <span class="tei tei-q">“pluck”</span> possessed by Monson is + illustrated in the following example. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page19">[pg 19]</span><a name="Pg019" id="Pg019" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>In 1597, on the island expedition, Monson’s ship + was separated some distance from the admiral’s squadron, when a fleet + of twenty-five sail was noted approaching in the dead of the night. + Not being able to distinguish their flag, he determined to + reconnoitre for himself, before signalling to the English ships. He + approached them in his boat, hailing them in Spanish, and they, + replying that they were of that nationality, asked whence he came. He + replied that he was of England, and told them that his ship, then in + sight, was a royal galleon, and could be easily taken, his object + being to make them pursue him, so that he might gradually lead them + into the wake of the squadron. All he got for this impudently gallant + attempt was a volley of bad language and another of shot.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But all Monson’s + exploits pale before an action which occurred in Cerimbra roads, in + which a great treasure-ship was cut out, in sight of a fortress and + eleven galleys, and within hearing of the guns of Lisbon. He was then + associated with Admiral Sir Richard Lewson, but the principal part of + the service was performed by himself. When the carrack and galleys + were discovered lying at anchor, a council was held on board the + admiral’s vessel, which occupied the better part of a day, as many of + the captains thought it folly to attempt to capture a great ship + defended by a fortress and eleven galleys. Monson thought + differently, and it was at length agreed that he and the admiral + should anchor as near the carrack as they could, while the other and + smaller vessels should ply up and down, holding themselves in + readiness for any emergency. It is likely, as Southey remarks, that + <span class="tei tei-q">“the sight of these galleys reminded Sir + William of the slavery he had endured at Lisbon in similar vessels, + if not indeed in some of these identical craft, and he longed to take + revenge upon them.”</span> Monson says that in order to show contempt + of them, he separated from the rest of the fleet, by way of + challenging and defying them. <span class="tei tei-q">“The Marquis of + St. Cruz, General of the Portuguese, and Frederick Spinola, General + of the galleys, accepted the invitation, and put out with the + intention of fighting him; but they were diverted from their purpose + by a renegade Englishman, who knew the force of the vice-admiral’s + ship, and that she was commanded by Monson.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The town of + Cerimbra lies at the bottom of a roadstead, which usually affords + protection for shipping. It had at that time a strong fortress close + to the beach, and a fortified castle, while there was a troop of + soldiers ashore, whose numerous tents lined the coast. The galleys + were partly covered or flanked by a neck of rock, and the batteries + could play over them, thus affording them great protection, while + they could themselves keep up a continuous fire at any approaching + vessel. Again, Monson tells us, <span class="tei tei-q">“there was no + man but imagined that most of the carrack’s lading was ashore, and + that they would hale her aground under the castle where no ship of + ours would be able to come at her—all which objections, with many + more, were alleged, yet they little prevailed. Procrastination was + perilous, and therefore, with all expedition, they thought convenient + to charge the town, the fort, the galleys, and carrack, all at one + instant.”</span> This was done next morning, although a gale sprung + up about the time of the attack. The admiral weighed, fired the + signal gun, hoisted his flag, and was the first at the attack; + <span class="tei tei-q">“after him followed the rest of the ships, + showing great valour, and gaining great honour. The last of all was + Monson himself, who, entering into the fight, still strove to get up + as near the shore as he could, where he came to an anchor, + continually fighting with the town, the fort, the galleys, and the + carrack <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page20">[pg 20]</span><a name= + "Pg020" id="Pg020" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>all together; for he + brought them betwixt him, that he might play both his broadsides upon + them. The galleys still kept their prows towards him. The slaves + offered to forsake them ... and everything was in confusion amongst + them; and thus they fought till five of the clock in the + afternoon.”</span> Monson’s stratagems and rapidity of action + paralysed the commanders of the galleys, and the men rowed about + wildly to avoid him, not knowing what to do. The admiral came on + board his ship, and, embracing him in the presence of the ship’s + company, declared that <span class="tei tei-q">“he had won his heart + for ever.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And so the battle + raged till the enemy showed such evident signs of weakness, that it + was proposed to board the carrack. Here, however, the admiral + interposed, as he wished to preserve the treasure on board. The ships + were ordered to cease firing, and one Captain Sewell, who had been + four years a prisoner on the galleys, from one of which he had only + just escaped by swimming, was selected to parley with them. He was to + promise honourable conditions, but insist that as the English held + the roadstead, as several of the galleys were <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">hors de + combat</span></span>, and the castle powerless, they must expect the + worst in a case of refusal. The captain of the carrack would not + treat with an officer who had so recently been a slave in their + power, but sent a deputation of Portuguese gentlemen of quality, + desiring that they should be met by those of similar rank in the + English service. They were, of course, properly received, but having + delivered their message, evinced a great desire to hasten back; they + revealed the real state of affairs by admitting that it was a moot + question on the carrack whether the parley ought to be entertained, + or the vessel set on fire. Monson’s promptitude once more saved the + situation. Not waiting to hear any more, or receiving any instruction + from Admiral Lewson, he ordered his men to row him to the carrack. + Several officers on board recognised him, and the commander, Don + Diego Lobo, a young man of family, motioning his men apart, received + him courteously. After some little palaver, Monson informing Don + Diego of the rank he held in the expedition, and assuring him of his + high regard for the Portuguese nation, the real business of their + interview was approached. Diego asked that he, his officers and men, + should be put on shore that night; that the ship and its ordnance + should be respected, and its flags remain suspended; the treasure he + would concede to the victors. Monson agreed to the first proposition, + excepting only that he required a certain number of hostages whom he + would detain three days, but laughed at the idea of separating the + ship and its contents; and stated that <span class="tei tei-q">“he + was resolved never to permit a Spanish flag to be worn in the + presence of the Queen’s ships, unless it were disgracefully over the + poop.”</span> A long discussion followed, and Monson, who was + determined to have his way, made a show of descending to his boat. + His firmness won the day, and all his demands were eventually + conceded, after which he conducted Don Diego and eight gentlemen on + board his ship, <span class="tei tei-q">“when they supped, had a + variety of music, and spent the night in great jollity.”</span> This + is Monson’s account; it is doubtful whether the Portuguese were + thoroughly enjoying themselves under the circumstances! When next day + Sir William accompanied them on shore, he found the Count de + Vidigueira at the head of a force numbering 20,000 men, whose + services were not of much account now. The disgust ashore at the + comparatively easy victory attained by the English may be imagined. + Besides the capture of the carrack, two of the galleys were burnt and + sunk; the captain of another was taken prisoner, and the others fled + during the engagement, although they were afterwards shamed into + returning by <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page21">[pg + 21]</span><a name="Pg021" id="Pg021" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the + heroic behaviour of Spinola, who defended the carrack against + desperate odds. The total loss of life in the town, castle, and + vessels, although never accurately known, must have been immense, + while the victory was purchased by the English with the loss of only + six men, scarcely a larger number being wounded.</p><a name= + "illo_032.jpg" id="illo_032.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_032.jpg" alt="ACTION IN CERIMBRA ROADS" + title="ACTION IN CERIMBRA ROADS." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + ACTION IN CERIMBRA ROADS. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The carrack, named + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">St. + Valentine</span></span>, was a vessel of 1,700 tons burthen; she had + wintered at Mozambique on her return from the Indies, where a fatal + malady killed the bulk of her crew; indeed, it is stated that out of + more than 600 men scarce twenty survived the whole voyage. The + Viceroy of Portugal sent the galleys before named to protect her, and + put on board 400 volunteers. The value of this prize was close on + £200,000. It is just to Monson to state that he offered Diego + <span class="tei tei-q">“permission to take out of her whatever + portion of the freight he could conscientiously claim as his + own.”</span> This proposal the proud young commander <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page22">[pg 22]</span><a name="Pg022" id="Pg022" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>declined. His life afterwards was a series + of misfortunes. He was thrown into prison for losing the carrack; + escaped from captivity only to languish an exile in Italy; and at + last died just as fortune once more seemed to smile upon him by + offering him a chance in his own king’s service.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the accession + of James I. a general peace ensued so far as England was concerned. + All in all, the rest was beneficial to the navy, and many defects + were remedied and reforms inaugurated. In one of the earliest reports + presented to the king on the condition of the navy, after enumerating + certain pressing needs, we find the estimate for its <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">annual</span></span> + expenditure placed at rather less than £21,000—an amount which a + single ironclad would have swallowed up entirely, and got + considerably into debt. James caused one fine vessel to be + constructed, in 1610, in which every improvement known at the time + was introduced. She was christened the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Prince + Royal</span></span>. Stow describes her as follows:—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“This year the king builded a most goodly ship for warre, + the keel whereof was 114 feet in length, and the cross beam was + forty-four feet in length; she will carry sixty-four pieces of + ordnance, and is of the burthen of 1,400 tons. This royal ship is + double built, and is most sumptuously adorned, within and without, + with all manner of curious carving, painting, and rich gilding, being + in all respects the greatest and goodliest ship that ever was builded + in England; and this glorious ship the king gave to his son Henry, + Prince of Wales; and the 24th September, the king, the queen, the + Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, and the Lady Elizabeth, with many + great lords, went unto Woolwich to see it launched; but because of + the narrowness of the dock it could not then be launched; whereupon + the prince came the next morning by three o’clock, and then at the + launching thereof the prince named it after his own dignity, and + called it the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Prince</span></span>.”</span> Phineas Pett, one + of a family of leading naval constructors of those days, was its + builder. A well-known authority<a id="noteref_4" name="noteref_4" + href="#note_4"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">4</span></span></a> says, + <span class="tei tei-q">“Were the absurd profusion of ornament with + which the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Royal Prince</span></span> is decorated removed, + its contour or general appearance would not so materially differ from + the modern vessel of the same size as to render it an uncommon sight, + or a ship in which mariners would hesitate at proceeding to sea in, + on account of any glaring defects in its form, that in their opinion + might render it unsafe to undertake a common voyage in.”</span> A + very large number of superior vessels were added to the royal navy + during this epoch, but the commercial marine was in a bad way until + late in James’s reign. What its conviction was at this time may be + gathered from the fact that in 1615, half way in the reign, there + were not more than ten vessels of 200 tons burthen each in the port + of London. Less than seven years afterwards, such was the + improvement, that Newcastle alone could boast more than a hundred, + each of which exceeded that tonnage.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During this + peaceful epoch Monson had to fulfil an unthankful office as guardian + of the narrow seas, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">i.e.</span></span>, the English and Irish + Channels, and adjacent waters. He had to transport princes and + ambassadors while war was going on, and as it would seem from a paper + included in his <span class="tei tei-q">“Tracts,”</span> at his own + expense. This document runs at a first glimpse very curiously. Take + one entry, <span class="tei tei-q">“1604, August 4. The constable of + Castile at his coming over, 200 (followers) 3 (meals).”</span> An + unconscionable number of followers and very <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page23">[pg 23]</span><a name="Pg023" id="Pg023" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>few meals, it would seem, for so many; but it + doubtless means three meals apiece on the passage from Calais or + Dunkirk to Dover. The retinue of <span class= + "tei tei-q">“followers”</span> sometimes aggregated as many as 300. + During this period, however, Monson made some careful notes on the + Dutch fisheries, then a most important source of revenue to that + nation, while ours were almost entirely overlooked. Nine thousand + Dutch vessels were kept in constant employment by these fisheries, a + considerable proportion of which were on our own coasts, and + conducted under our very noses. He was employed at intervals for two + years in combating similar encroachments on the part of French + fishermen. <span class="tei tei-q">“The adventurous spirit of the + age,”</span> says Southey, <span class="tei tei-q">“was averse to an + employment so tranquil and so near home.”</span> Men would rather + seek the uttermost parts of the earth in a vain search for wealth + than settle down to a certain, safe, and profitable employment. + Monson waxes eloquently indignant on the subject in one of his + chapters. <span class="tei tei-q">“My meaning is,”</span> he says, + <span class="tei tei-q">“not to leave our fruitful soil untilled, our + seas unfrequented, our islands unpeopled, or to seek remote and + strange countries disinhabited, and uncivil Indians untamed, where + nothing appears to us but earth, wood, and water, at our first + arrival; for all other hope must depend on our labour and costly + expenses, on the adventures of the sea, on the honesty of + undertakers; and all these at last produce nothing but tobacco<a id= + "noteref_5" name="noteref_5" href="#note_5"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">5</span></span></a>—a + new-invented useless weed, as too much use and custom make it + apparent. * * * * You shall be made to know, that though you be born + on an island seated in the ocean, frequented by invisible fish, + swimming from one shore to the other, yet your experience has not + taught you the benefits and blessings arising from that fish. I doubt + not but to give you that light therein, that you shall confess + yourselves blinded, and be willing to blow from you the foul mist + that has been an impediment to your sight; you shall be awakened from + your drowsy sleep, and rouse yourselves to follow this best business + that ever was presented to England, or king thereof; nay, I will be + bold to say, to any state in the world. I will not except the + discoveries of the West Indies by Columbus; an act of greatest + renown, of greatest profit, and that has been of greatest consequence + to the Spanish nation.”</span> Exaggerated as all this may appear, + Monson was right in his estimation of the profitable nature of the + business. At that time the Dutch used to vend their fish in every + European market, and obtain in exchange the productions of all + countries. Monson also remarks on the carelessness of the English at + that time in regard to lobsters, oysters, and lampreys, all of which + the Dutch obtained from our coasts. In order to encourage the + fisheries an Act had been passed prohibiting butchers from killing + meat in Lent, and Monson wished it to be made compulsory on the rural + population to consume fish. <span class="tei tei-q">“Neither,”</span> + says he, <span class="tei tei-q">“will it seem a thing unreasonable + to enjoin every yeoman and farmer within the kingdom to take a barrel + of fish for their own spending, considering they save the value + thereof in other victuals; and that it is no more than the fisherman + will do to them to take off their wheat, malt, butter, and cheese for + their food to sea.”</span> This agitation did good in calling + attention to a neglected industry. The great enemies of the fishermen + then were the pirates who infested the coasts, and who, if they ran + short of provisions, looked upon them as their natural providers, + rarely, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page24">[pg 24]</span><a name= + "Pg024" id="Pg024" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>if ever, paying for + what they took. And before passing to other subjects, let us + accompany Monson—on paper—on a little expedition he took against some + of the said pirates.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So considerable an + amount of alarm had been caused by piratical adventurers on the + coasts of Scotland, that King James was in 1614 urgently requested to + send some royal ships there. Sir William Monson and Sir Francis + Howard were despatched at once, and after calling at Leith to obtain + information and also the service of pilots, proceeded to the Orkney + Islands. Touching at Sinclair Castle, the residence of the Earl of + Caithness, situate on <span class="tei tei-q">“the utmost + promontory”</span> of Britain, they learned that the accounts had + been much exaggerated. There were only two known to the Earl, and + indeed one of them whom Monson took could hardly be deemed such at + all; he was a common sailor, and when he had found out the nature of + the service to which he had been engaged, he had abandoned it as soon + as possible. Clarke, the other adventurer, to whom the title of + pirate more fairly belonged, had been ashore to the castle a day + previously, and had been entertained in a friendly way, the fact + being that the Earl and his tenants were a little afraid of him as an + ugly customer. Hearing that Sir William was on the coast, he had + fled: Monson, therefore, finding it useless and needless to remain at + Caithness, sailed for Orkney, where he left Sir Francis Howard while + he proceeded to explore the coasts in detail, putting into every + inlet where it was likely Clarke or other pirates might be hidden. He + was unsuccessful in his search, and at length decided to make for + Broad Haven—a noted rendezvous for pirates—partly on account of its + remoteness and inaccessibility, and partly because one Cormat dwelt + there, who, with his daughters, entertained these thieving + adventurers with great cordiality. On the voyage he encountered a + terrible gale, <span class="tei tei-q">“that it were fit only for a + poet to describe.”</span> One of his vessels was engulfed in the + seas, and no traces of it or of its crew remained, while the others + were dispersed and did not see each other again till all met in + England. Monson had now alone to beard the lion in his + den.</p><a name="illo_036.jpg" id="illo_036.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_036.jpg" alt="MONSON AT BROAD HAVEN" title= + "MONSON AT BROAD HAVEN." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + MONSON AT BROAD HAVEN. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Arrived at Broad + Haven, which he describes as <span class="tei tei-q">“the well-head + of all pirates,”</span> he made good use of the half-pirate he had + secured, the only person on board who knew anything of that den of + sea-thieves. This man, with some others of the crew who had had some + experience in piratical pursuits before, were sent to Cormat, + <span class="tei tei-q">“the gentleman of the place,”</span> with a + well concocted story. Monson was described, for the nonce, as one + Captain Manwaring, a grand sea-rover, liberal to all he liked, and + whose ship was full of wealth. <span class="tei tei-q">“To give a + greater appearance of truth to all this, the crafty messenger used + the names of several pirates of his acquaintance, and feigned + messages to the women from their sweethearts, making them believe + that he had tokens from them on board. The hope of wealth and reward + set the hearts of the whole family on fire; and the women were so + overjoyed by the love tales and presents, that no suspicion of deceit + entered into their minds.”</span> Cormat proffered his services, and + recounted how many pirates he had assisted, at great peril to + himself; he further volunteered to send two <span class= + "tei tei-q">“gentlemen of trust”</span> on board next day, as + hostages for his sincerity. He recommended that some of them should + come ashore next day, armed, and kill some of the neighbours’ cattle; + this was intended doubtless to frighten the poor settlers round, so + that he himself might derive all the benefit of Manwaring’s visit. + Next morning the farce began, the first part of the programme being + followed as Cormat had directed; Captain Chester, with fifty men, was + despatched ashore by <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page26">[pg + 26]</span><a name="Pg026" id="Pg026" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>Monson; some cattle were killed, and the + pseudo-pirates, swaggering and rollicking, were invited to Cormat’s + house, where they received a riotous welcome. Cormat’s two + ambassadors went on board Monson’s vessel, and delivered a friendly + message. When they had delivered it, Sir William desired them to + observe everything around them carefully, and to tell him whether + they thought that ship and company were pirates. It was idle to + dissemble any longer, especially as these men could not, if they + would, betray Sir William’s design. He accordingly reproached them + for their transgressions, told them to prepare for death, and ordered + them to be put in irons, taking care that neither boat nor man should + be allowed to go on shore until he was ready to land. When he at + length went ashore to visit Cormat, four or five hundred people had + assembled on the beach to receive the famous <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Captain Manwaring.”</span> He pretended to be doubtful + of their intentions, when they redoubled their protestations of + friendship, three of the principal men running into the water up to + their arm-pits, striving who should have the honour of carrying him + ashore. One of these was an Irish merchant, who did a thriving trade + with the pirates; another was a schoolmaster; and the third was an + Englishman, who had formerly been a tradesman in London. These gentry + conducted Sir William to Cormat’s house amidst huzzas and shouts of + welcome, everybody seeking to ingratiate himself with the supposed + pirate. <span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Happy was + he,’</span> says Monson, <span class="tei tei-q">‘to whom he would + lend his ear.’</span> Falling into discourse, one told him they knew + his friends, and though his name had not discovered it, yet his face + did show him to be a Manwaring.”</span> In short, they made him + believe he might command them and their country, and that no man ever + was so welcome as Captain Manwaring. At the house a scene of revelry + ensued; the harper played merrily for the company, who danced on the + floor, which had been newly strewed with rushes for the occasion. The + women made endless inquiries for their distant lovers, and no + suspicion seems to have crossed the minds of any in regard to the + fate of the two ambassadors, who were supposed to be enjoying + themselves with the sailors on board. In the height of the + festivities, the Englishman was particularly communicative; showed + Sir William a pass for the interior which he had obtained by false + pretences from the sheriff, authorising him to travel from Clare to + make inquisition for goods supposed to have been lost at sea, and + which enabled him to journey and sell his plunder without suspicion. + He even proffered the services of ten mariners who were hiding in the + neighbourhood, and Monson, of course, pretended heartily to accept + their services, promising a reward. He asked the man to write them a + letter, which at once he did as follows:—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“Honest brother Dick and the rest, we are all made men, + for valiant Captain Manwaring and all his gallant crew are arrived in + this place. Make haste, for he flourisheth in wealth, and is most + kind to all men. Farewell, and once again make haste.”</span> Monson + took charge of the letter, and would, doubtless, have used it, had + not the approach of night obliged him to bring about the <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">denouement</span></span> of this play. The + comedy was all at once to change into a tragedy.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the midst of + their riotous mirth, he suddenly desired the harper to cease, and in + serious and solemn tones commanded silence. He told them that, + hitherto, <span class="tei tei-q">“they had played their part, and he + had no share in the comedy; but though his was last, and might be + termed the epilogue, yet it would prove more tragical than + theirs.”</span> He undeceived them as to his being a pirate, and + declared his real business was to punish and suppress all such, whom + his <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page27">[pg 27]</span><a name= + "Pg027" id="Pg027" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Majesty did not think + worthy the name of subjects. <span class="tei tei-q">“There now + remained nothing but to proceed to their executions, by virtue of his + commission; for which purpose he had brought a gallows ready framed, + which he caused to be set up, intending to begin the mournful dance + with the two men they thought had been merry-making aboard the ship. + As to the Englishman, he should come next, because being an + Englishman his offence did surpass the rest. He told the schoolmaster + he was a fit tutor for the children of the devil, and that as members + are governed by the head, the way to make his members sound was to + shorten him by the head, and therefore willed him to admonish his + scholars from the top of the gallows, which should be a pulpit + prepared for him. He condemned the merchant as a receiver of stolen + goods, and worse than the thief himself; reminding him that his time + was not long, and hoping that he might make his account with God, and + that he might be found a good merchant and factor to Him, though he + had been a malefactor to the law.”</span> One can imagine the change + which came over the assembly; all their high spirits were quenched in + a minute, while the principals abandoned themselves to despair, + believing that their hour was at hand. When Sir William left them to + go aboard, the carpenter was still hammering away at the gallows.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next morning the + prisoners were brought out to meet their doom, and were kept waiting + in an agony of terror, while the people generally were sueing for + their lives, and promising that they would never assist or connive at + pirates again. Sir William had never really the intention to hang any + of them, and <span class="tei tei-q">“after four-and-twenty hours’ + fright in irons he pardoned them;”</span> the Englishman being the + only one who suffered any actual punishment. He was banished from the + coast, and the sheriff was admonished to be more careful in granting + passes for the future.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The very next day, + while still at Broad Haven, Sir William nearly captured a pirate who + was entering the harbour, when the latter took alarm at seeing a + strange vessel, and stood off to sea, where he remained six days in + foul weather. A day later the pirate anchored at an island near Broad + Haven, and contrived to forward a letter to Cormat, who having just + escaped one danger, did not desire to risk his neck again; he + accordingly showed the letter to Monson. It ran as + follows:—<span class="tei tei-q">“Dear Friend, I was bearing into + Broad Haven to give you corn for ballast, but I was frightened by the + king’s ship I supposed to be there. I pray you send me word what ship + it is, for we stand in great fear. I pray you, provide me two kine, + for we are in great want of victuals; whensoever you shall make a + fire on shore, I will send my boat to you.”</span> This just suited + Monson, who had a particular aptitude for stratagem. He directed + Cormat to answer his request in the affirmative. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“He bid him be confident this ship could not endanger + him; for she was not the king’s, as he imagined, but one of London + that came from the Indies with her men sick, and many dead. He + promised him two oxen and a calf; to observe his directions by making + a fire; and gave him hope to see him within two nights.”</span> A few + of the ship’s company, disguised in Irish costumes of the period, + were sent to accompany the messenger, with instructions to remain in + ambush. The hungry pirates were keeping a sharp look out for the + beacon fire, and it was no sooner lighted, than they hastily rowed + ashore, and received the letter, which gave them great satisfaction. + Sir William meanwhile was quietly laying plans for their capture. + Guided by the Irish peasantry, he took a number of his company a + roundabout trip by land <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page28">[pg + 28]</span><a name="Pg028" id="Pg028" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and + water till he brought them suddenly upon the place where the fire was + made, and the pirates were taken so unawares that they yielded + without an effort to escape. The whole gang was seized and taken to + Broad Haven, where the captain was hanged as an example to the rest. + Monson so completely cleared the coast of pirates, and frightened + those who had aided them, that on his way home, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“groping along the coast,”</span> he could not obtain a + pilot. Monson’s active career, although it extended to the reign of + Charles I., was now nearly over.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap02" id="chap02" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc7" id="toc7"></a> <a name="pdf8" id="pdf8"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER II.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">The History of Ships and + Shipping Interests</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 144%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 144%; font-style: italic">continued</span></span><span style="font-size: 144%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Charles I. and Ship Money—Improvements made by him + in the Navy—His great Ship, the</span> <span class="tei tei-name" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Royal + Sovereign</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—The Navigation + Laws of Cromwell—Consequent War with the Dutch—Capture of Grand + Spanish Prizes—Charles II. seizes 130 Dutch Ships—Van Tromp and the + Action at Harwich—De Ruyter in the Medway and Thames—Peace—War with + France—La Hogue—Peter the Great and his Naval Studies—Visit to + Sardam—Difficulty of remaining</span> <span class="tei tei-hi" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">incognito</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Cooks + his own Food—His Assiduity and Earnestness—A kind-hearted + Barbarian—Gives a Grand Banquet and</span> <span class="tei tei-hi" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Fête</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">—Conveyed to England—His Stay at Evelyn’s + Place—Studies at Deptford—Visits Palaces and Public Houses—His + Intemperance—Presents the King a £10,000 Ruby—Engages numbers of + English Mechanics—Return to Russia—Rapid increase in his + Navy—Determines to Build St. Petersburg—Arrivals of the First + Merchantmen—Splendid Treatment of their Captains—Law’s Mississippi + Scheme and the South Sea Bubble—Two Nations gone Mad—The</span> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Bubble</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">to + Pay the National Debt—Its one Solitary Ship—Noble and Plebeian + Stockbrokers—Rise and Fall of the Bubble—Directors made to + Disgorge.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Charles I., as we + all know, had a fatal amount of belief in the royal prerogative. One + of his first acts, after ascending the throne, was to assume the + direct government of Virginia, and not only to treat the charter of + the company as annulled, <span class="tei tei-q">“but broadly + declared that colonies founded by adventurers, or occupied by British + subjects, were essentially part and parcel of the dominion of the + mother country.”</span> The Virginia Company vainly complained that + they had expended a fifth of a million sterling over the undertaking; + their territory was appropriated to the Crown, as were shortly + afterwards North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and part of + Louisiana. But these arbitrary acts were as nothing to the ship-money + tax. There was some precedent for it. <span class="tei tei-q">“The + ancient princes of England, as they called on the inhabitants of the + counties near Scotland to arm and array themselves for the defence of + the border, had sometimes called on the maritime counties to furnish + ships for the defence of the coast. In the room of ships, money had + sometimes been accepted. This old practice it was now determined, + after a long interval, not only to revive but to extend. Former + princes had raised ship-money only in time of war; it was now exacted + in a time of profound peace. Former princes, even in the most + perilous wars, had raised ship-money only along the coasts; it was + now exacted from the inland shires. Former princes had raised + ship-money only for the maritime defence of the country; it was now + exacted, by the admission of the Royalists themselves, with the + object, not of maintaining a navy, but of furnishing the king with + supplies which might be increased at his discretion to any amount, + and expended at his discretion for any purpose.”</span><a id= + "noteref_6" name="noteref_6" href="#note_6"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">6</span></span></a> The + resistance which followed, and which <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page29">[pg 29]</span><a name="Pg029" id="Pg029" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>assisted the unfortunate monarch to his + downfall, is too well known to need recapitulation here. Worthy + Monson, who, although bluff and hearty enough as a sailor, was + something of a courtier, defended the levy of the obnoxious tax. But + then he believed that Charles really wanted the money for the navy + alone, and for retaliation upon the Dutch, while the nation at large + had not much faith in their king, or in the alleged purposes for + which the tax was to be levied. This is not the place for any + defence, partial or otherwise, of Charles’s policy. He did, however, + show a considerable amount of energy in his attempts to improve the + navy, and constructed one vessel, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Sovereign of the + Seas</span></span>, or <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Royal Sovereign</span></span>, which was in + every respect an advance on anything built before it. One Thomas + Heywood wrote a very learned and flowery tract concerning it. + <span class="tei tei-q">“There is one thing”</span> says he, + <span class="tei tei-q">“above all things for the world to take + speciall notice of, that shee is beside tonnage so many tons in + burden, as their have beene yeares since our blessed Saviour’s + incarnation, namely, 1637, and not one under or over; a most happy + omen, which, though it was not the first projected or intended, is + now by true computation found so to happen.”</span> A description of + her ornamentation would occupy several pages of this work; gold and + black were the colours alone employed. She was 232 feet long, had + three flush decks, besides quarter-deck and raised forecastle. + <span class="tei tei-q">“Her lower tyre”</span> had thirty ports; her + middle tier the same; and the third, twenty-six ports for guns. Her + forecastle, half-deck, stern, and bows were all pierced for heavy + guns—that is, heavy for those days. On the stern was painted a Latin + inscription, thus <span class="tei tei-q">“Englisht,”</span> as + Heywood puts it:—</p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“He who seas, + windes, and navies doth protect,</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Great Charles, + thy great ship in her course direct!”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was built of + the best oak, and no more seaworthy ship had ever been turned out + from Woolwich previously. <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">The Royal Prince</span></span>, built only + nineteen years before, seems to have been a mere holiday ship, and + was at the above-mentioned date laid up; the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Royal + Sovereign</span></span> was in active service for nearly sixty years, + and would have been rebuilt but for an untoward accident. The history + and fate of this fine ship are thus briefly described by a descendant + of the architect, Phineas Pett, writing in January, 1696:—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Royal Sovereign</span></span> was the first + great ship that was ever built in England; she was then designed only + for splendour and magnificence, and was in some measure the occasion + of those loud complaints against ship-money in the reign of Charles + I.; but being taken down a deck lower, she became one of the best + men-of-war in the world, and so formidable to her enemies that none + of the most daring among them would willingly lie by her side. She + had been in almost all the great engagements that had been fought + between France and Holland; and in the last fight between the English + and the French, encountering the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Wonder of the + World</span></span>, she so warmly plied the French Admiral, that she + forced him out of his three-decked wooden castle, and chasing the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Royal + Sun</span></span> before her, forced her to fly for shelter among the + rocks, where she became a prey to lesser vessels, that reduced her to + ashes. At length, leaky and defective herself with age, she was laid + up at Chatham to be rebuilt; but being set on fire by negligence, she + was, on the 27th of this month, devoured by the element which so long + and so often before she had imperiously made use of as the instrument + of destruction to others.”</span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page30">[pg 30]</span><a name="Pg030" id="Pg030" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Charles, in spite + of his troubles, either rebuilt or added eighteen vessels to the + Royal Navy, leaving it not merely numerically stronger, but improved + in all other particulars. The immense square sterns and full bows + originally copied from the Dutch (who built their ships apparently on + their own model) gave place to more shapely sterns and sharper bows. + Extremely high poops and forecastles—copied, one would think, from + the Chinese—were abandoned as increasing the dangers of seamanship. + Tonnage and number of guns were largely increased. A <span class= + "tei tei-q">“first rate”</span> advanced from fifty to sixty, and + afterwards to a hundred guns.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Holland, during + the reigns of James I. and Charles I., had been carrying off all the + commercial honours from England, and it was becoming evident that + prohibitory laws were needed to stop their triumphant progress on the + sea. In 1646, and again in 1650, two Acts were passed, both having + the same tendency, to prevent foreign ships trading with England’s + new plantations in Virginia, Bermuda, Barbadoes, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“and other places in America.”</span><a id="noteref_7" + name="noteref_7" href="#note_7"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">7</span></span></a> On the + 9th of October, 1651, the celebrated Navigation Act of Cromwell came + into operation. There were no half measures in that Act. It declared + that no goods or commodities whatever of the growth, production, or + manufacture of Asia, Africa, or America, should be imported either + into Great Britain or Ireland, or any of the colonies, except in + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">British-built ships, owned by British subjects, + and of which the master and three-fourths of the crew belonged to + that country</span></span>. This, literally translated, meant that + England wanted the carrying trade of everything that concerned her + own well being. The next enactment went further. It provided that no + goods of the growth, production, or manufacture of any country in + Europe should be imported into Great Britain except in British ships, + owned and navigated by British subjects, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">or in such ships as were the real property of + the people of the country or place in which the goods were produced, + or from which they could only be, or most usually were, + exported</span></span>.”</span> This provision was aimed at the + Dutch; they had little to export. But unless one can understand the + long-stifled animosity and jealousy felt in England regarding their + commercial supremacy on the seas, and as regards the carrying trade, + he can hardly understand why laws, which would nowadays be considered + ridiculous and unjust, were so popular then. So strong had these + feelings become, that when the Dutch despatched an embassy to England + for the purpose of obtaining a revocation of the navigation laws, its + members had to be guarded from the violence of the mob.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">England had now + unmistakably asserted her right to carry on her own over-sea trade in + her own ships, and to enter the lists with any other nation as + regards foreign trade. This action was a defiance hurled at Holland, + and after a little manœuvring ended inevitably in war. A few facts + only regarding that war may be permitted here. The Dutch were at + first, and indeed for the most part, the sufferers. Within a month of + its declaration, Blake captured 100 of their herring boats, and + twelve of their frigates, sinking a thirteenth. In 1652-3 there were + five actions. In the first Blake was successful; in the second he was + thoroughly beaten by Martin Tromp (father of the Tromp best known in + history). The third, early in 1653, resulted in a victory for the + English, the Dutch losing 300 merchantmen they had captured not long + before; the fourth was a decided victory for England, and the + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page31">[pg 31]</span><a name="Pg031" + id="Pg031" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>fifth was an indecisive action. + The English, however, took possession of the Channel, and scarcely a + day passed without Dutch prizes being brought into English ports. + Many of the Dutch ships, returning from distant parts of the world, + rounded Scotland, rather than pass up the Channel. On the fifth of + April, 1654, a treaty of peace was concluded; Cromwell requiring, + before it was signed, an admission of the English sovereignty of the + seas, and the Dutch consenting to strike their flag to the ships of + the Commonwealth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the + greatest maritime successes of the Protector’s time was the capture + of Spanish galleons worth, with their freight, £600,000. The fleet + had been lying idly off Cadiz endeavouring to provoke the Spanish + squadron to an engagement, or trusting to intercept their returning + treasure ships. Captain Stayner in the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Speaker</span></span>, accompanied by the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Bridgewater</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Plymouth</span></span>, left the English fleet + temporarily with the intention of taking water on board in a + neighbouring bay. On his course he luckily fell in with eight + galleons from America. Such an opportunity warmed up the hitherto + drooping spirits of the English sailors, and they fought with fury. + In a few hours one of the galleons was sunk, a second burned, two + ashore, and four taken prizes. They were loaded with plate, ore, and + money. When the treasure reached London it was placed in open carts + and ammunition wagons, and carried in triumph through the streets to + the Tower, with a guard of only <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">ten</span></span> soldiers. This rather + ostentatious display of confidence in the people proved an excellent + move for Cromwell; nothing added more to his popularity among the + lower classes. The Earl of Montague, who convoyed it home, but who in + reality had nothing to do with its capture, was the subject of + universal panegyrics and parliamentary thanks.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">If Charles II. + could have reversed any of Cromwell’s legislative measures, he and + his court would most assuredly have done so. But they were simply + modified, and not to the advantage of the Dutch, who were very much + irritated, but attempted to gain time. Charles, however, without + waiting for a formal declaration of hostilities, seized 130 of their + ships laden with wine and brandy, homeward bound from Bordeaux, which + were taken into English ports, and condemned as lawful prizes, + although such an act could not be justified by any law of nations. + War was again declared in 1665, and an action occurred off Harwich, + in which the celebrated Van Tromp was engaged. The Dutch lost + nineteen ships, burnt or sunk, with probably 6,000 men; the English + lost only four vessels, and about 1,500 men. Then came a coalition + between the French and Dutch, and the great battle of June 1st, 1666, + in which England lost two admirals, and twenty-three great ships, + besides smaller vessels, 6,000 men, and 2,600 prisoners; and the + Dutch four admirals, six ships, and 2,800 soldiers. The Dutch could + fairly claim the victory here, but less than eight weeks later, July + 24th, were thoroughly beaten, De Ruyter being driven into port, and a + large number of merchant ships and two men-of-war being taken + immediately afterwards. While negotiations were going on for peace + next year, the Dutch, believing Charles to be trifling, despatched De + Ruyter to the Thames. All London was in a panic. A strong chain had + been thrown across the Medway, but the Dutch, with favourable wind + and strong tide, broke through it, destroyed the fortifications of + Sheerness, burnt royal and merchant ships, and pushed up the river as + far as Upnor Castle, near Chatham. It was even feared that the fleet + would sail up to London Bridge, and to prevent it, thirteen ships + were sunk in the river at Woolwich, and four at Blackwall. Numerous + platforms furnished with artillery were <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page32">[pg 32]</span><a name="Pg032" id="Pg032" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>hastily prepared at various points. After + committing all the damage that he could in the Thames, De Ruyter + sailed for Portsmouth, intending to cause similar havoc, but finding + the fleet well prepared, he passed down the Channel and captured + several vessels at Torbay. Thence turning back, he hovered about + hither and thither, keeping the coast in continual alarm until the + treaty of peace was signed in the following summer. By its provisions + each nation retained the goods and prizes it had captured, while all + ships of war and merchant vessels belonging to the United Provinces + meeting our men-of-war in British waters, were required to + <span class="tei tei-q">“strike the flag and lower the sail as had + been formerly practised.”</span> From this date the merchant navy of + England steadily increased, and London became that which Amsterdam + had been, the mart of nations, the chief emporium of the commercial + world. In spite of De Ruyter, England had therefore greatly gained by + this war.</p><a name="illo_043.png" id="illo_043.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_043.png" alt="DE RUYTER ON THE MEDWAY" title= + "DE RUYTER ON THE MEDWAY." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + DE RUYTER ON THE MEDWAY. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now France + sought to pluck from England the laurels she had won from the Dutch. + Her naval force had become formidable, and augmented by privateers, + played havoc with our merchant vessels. By the destruction or capture + of nearly the whole of our Smyrna fleet, with two English ships of + war convoying them, and other captures, it was estimated that the + loss to England was a million sterling. But May 12th, 1692, brought + its revenge. On that day the memorable battle of La Hogue was fought, + and the French lost nearly the whole of their navy to + us.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page33">[pg 33]</span><a name= + "Pg033" id="Pg033" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From 1688 to the + death of Queen Anne, the trade of the American plantations had + steadily and rapidly increased, till at the latter date it employed + 500 vessels, a large proportion of which were engaged in the slave + trade from Africa. It started as a monopoly in the hands of the + African Company, incorporated at first under Act of Parliament as + traders in gold and ivory, but soon developing into traffickers in + human flesh. In 1698 an Act of Parliament gave permission to all the + king’s subjects, whether of England or America, to trade to Africa on + payment of a certain percentage to the company on all goods exported + or imported, negro slaves being, nevertheless, exempted from this + tax. How great this inhuman and nefarious trade had developed may be + gathered from the fact that the French, <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">in one + year</span></span>, and to supply <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">one</span></span> + island, that of St. Domingo, transported 20,000 slaves from + Africa.</p><a name="illo_044.png" id="illo_044.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_044.png" alt="PETER THE GREAT" title= + "PETER THE GREAT." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + PETER THE GREAT. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Passing rapidly + over the pages of history, we come to an important epoch in the + progress of merchant shipping, when the trade to Russia was + practically thrown open to our merchants by an Act <span class= + "tei tei-q">“entitling any person to admission to the Russia Company + upon payment of an entrance fee of five pounds.”</span> It was about + this time that the Czar abdicated temporarily, and made a voyage to + Holland and England, travelling <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">incognito</span></span>, or as much so as he + could. Many popular accounts of Peter the Great’s stay in these two + countries are so full of errors that the present writer may be + permitted to give, moderately in <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page34">[pg 34]</span><a name="Pg034" id="Pg034" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>detail, some account of them, derived from the + best authorities.<a id="noteref_8" name="noteref_8" href= + "#note_8"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">8</span></span></a> They have + a distinct bearing on our subject, not merely because one of Peter’s + leading objects was the study of ship-building and maritime affairs, + but because his studies led to an immense increase in Russia’s naval + power. Previously, in fact, she could hardly be said to have had any + at all.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In many published + accounts the Czar is represented as a mere youth at the period of his + visit to the dockyards of Holland and England. The fact is that he + was twenty-five years of age, and had already served in two + campaigns. Indeed, it may be said that the latter campaign, in which + he conquered Azoff, partly by the assistance of foreigners and ships + built by foreigners, was the means of opening his eyes to the + superiority of the Western Europeans over his own barbarous subjects. + Resolute, ambitious, and intelligent, he determined that his people + should not remain half savages. Influenced by such motives, he + dispatched, in 1697, sixty young Russians, selected out of the army, + to Venice and Leghorn, under orders to make themselves instructed in + everything pertaining to the arts of ship-building and navigation; + forty more were sent to Holland for the same purpose, and his own + voyage had largely the same object. <span class="tei tei-q">“It was a + thing,”</span> says Voltaire, <span class="tei tei-q">“<a name= + "corr034" id="corr034" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">unparalleled</span> in history, either ancient or + modern, for a sovereign of five-and-twenty years of age to withdraw + from his kingdom for the sole purpose of learning the art of + government.”</span> It happened that Peter was not as yet represented + at any of the foreign courts, and he therefore appointed an embassy + extraordinary to proceed, in the first instance, to the + States-General of Holland, while he would accompany it simply in the + character of an <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">attaché</span></span>. The three ambassadors + were General Le Fort, a native of Geneva, who had been of immense + service to the Czar, and was now his confidential friend; Alexis + Golowin, Governor of Siberia; and Voristzin, Secretary of State for + Foreign Affairs. With secretaries, attachés, pages, and guards, the + retinue numbered 200 persons. Their passage through Germany was a + grand carouse, and the hard drinking for which the Russians are still + noted, was very much observed. At one of these bacchanalian + debauches, the Czar, who was a hot-headed man, took such violent + offence at something said by Le Fort, that he drew his sword and + ordered him to defend himself. <span class="tei tei-q">“Far be it + from me,”</span> said Le Fort; <span class="tei tei-q">“rather let me + perish by the hand of my master.”</span> Peter had raised his arm, + but one of the retinue dared to interfere, and caught hold of it. + Peter’s anger was of short duration; he displayed, says Voltaire, + <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">autant de regret de cet emportement passager + qu’Alexandre en eut du meurtre de Clitus</span></span>,”</span> and + immediately asked Le Fort’s pardon, saying, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“that his great desire was to reform his subjects, but he + was ashamed to say he had not yet been able to reform + himself.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Having reached + Emmerich, the impetuous and youthful monarch left the embassy, and + proceeded in a boat down the Rhine, not halting till he reached + Amsterdam, <span class="tei tei-q">“through which,”</span> says one + authority, <span class="tei tei-q">“he flew like lightning, and never + once stopped till he arrived at Zardam,<a id="noteref_9" name= + "noteref_9" href="#note_9"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">9</span></span></a> fifteen + days before the embassy reached Amsterdam.”</span> One of his small + party <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page35">[pg 35]</span><a name= + "Pg035" id="Pg035" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>in the boat happened to + recognize a man there who was fishing in a boat, as one Kist, who had + worked for some time in Russia. He was called to them, and his + astonishment may be conceived at seeing the Czar of all the Russias + in a little boat, dressed like a Dutch skipper, in a red jacket and + white trousers. Peter told Kist that he should like to lodge with + him; the poor man did not know what to do, but finding the Czar in + earnest procured him a cottage behind his own, consisting of two + small rooms and a loft. Kist was instructed not to let any one know + who the new lodger was. A crowd collected to stare at the strangers; + and to the questions put to them, Peter used to answer in Dutch that + they were all carpenters and labourers hard up for a job. But the + crowd did not believe it, for the dresses of some of his companions + belied the statement. The Czar, shortly after arriving at Zardam, + paid visits to a number of the families of Dutch seamen and + carpenters whom he was employing at Archangel and elsewhere, + representing himself as a brother workman. Among others he called + upon a poor widow, whose deceased husband had once been a skipper in + his employ, and to whom he had some time before sent a present of 500 + guilders. The poor woman begged him to tell the Czar how <span class= + "tei tei-q">“she never could be sufficiently thankful”</span> for his + great kindness, little dreaming that the rough-looking young man + before her was that monarch. He assured her that the Czar should most + certainly be acquainted with her message. Peter proceeded to purchase + a quantity of carpenter’s tools, and his companions were ordered to + clothe themselves in the common garb worn in the dockyards.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next day was + Sunday, and it became evident that some one had let the cat more or + less out of the bag, for crowds of sailors and dock-hands assembled + before Peter’s lodgings, which annoyed him terribly. But the fact is + that a Dutch resident of Archangel had written home to his friends, + informing them of the projected voyage, and enclosing a portrait and + description of the Czar. Among the crowd a garrulous barber, who + believed he had recognised him, shouted out, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Dat is der Tzar!”</span> and all poor Peter’s little + stratagems could not save him from the curiosity of the populace. A + Hollander has left a description of him, which would indicate that he + was too noticeable to be mistaken by any who had once seen him. He + was very tall and robust, quick and nimble of foot, and dexterous and + rapid in all his actions; his face was plump and round, fierce in his + look, with brown eyebrows, and short curling hair of a brownish + colour. His gait was quick, and he had a habit of swinging his arms + violently, while he always carried a cane, which he occasionally used + very freely over the shoulders of those who had offended him. + <span class="tei tei-q">“His extraordinary rapidity of movement in + landing or embarking used to astonish and amuse the Dutch, who had + never before witnessed such <span class="tei tei-q">‘<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">loopen, springen, en + klauteren over der + schepen</span></span>.’</span> ”</span></p><a name="illo_047.jpg" id= + "illo_047.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_047.jpg" alt= + "THE IMPERIAL WORKMAN RECEIVING A DEPUTATION" title= + "THE IMPERIAL WORKMAN RECEIVING A DEPUTATION." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE IMPERIAL WORKMAN RECEIVING A DEPUTATION. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the embassy + entered Amsterdam formally, Peter took part in the procession, but + only as a private gentleman in one of the last carriages, and he was + not recognised. But little of his time was given to the ambassadors; + it was almost entirely spent in the docks, among shipbuilders, and on + the shipping, and in sailing about the Zuyder Zee and elsewhere, + where he was accustomed to carry so much sail on his little boat as + to alarm his companions for his safety. <span class="tei tei-q">“His + first exploit in the dockyard of Mynheer Calf, a wealthy merchant and + shipbuilder, with whom he was prevailed on to lodge, after quitting + his first cabin, was to purchase a small yacht, and to fit her with a + new bowsprit, made <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page37">[pg + 37]</span><a name="Pg037" id="Pg037" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>entirely with his own hands, to the astonishment + of all the shipwrights; they could not conceive how a person of his + high rank could submit to work till the sweat ran down his face, or + where he could have learned to handle the tools so + dexterously.”</span> While in the dockyard he was entered in the + books as a ship-carpenter, and conformed in every way to its + regulations. He was known among the workman as Pieter Zimmerman, + sometimes as Pieter Bass, or Master Peter. Dutch authorities speak of + his simple habits; he was an early riser, lighted his own fire, and + frequently cooked his own food while living in the cottage. When any + one wished to speak to him, <span class="tei tei-q">“he would go with + his adze in his hand, and sit down on a rough log of timber for a + short time, but seemed always anxious to resume and finish the work + on which he had been employed.”</span> An English nobleman visited + the yard, and asked the superintendent to point out the Czar to him + unnoticed. This was done, and the superintendent, seeing that the + Czar was resting for a moment, called out to him, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Pieter Zimmerman, why don’t you assist those + men?”</span> Peter immediately got up and helped to shoulder the + heavy log they were carrying. He would lend a helping hand at + everything connected with ships, even rope and sail making, and + smith’s work. Once, at Müller’s manufactory, at Istia, he forged + several bars of iron, and put his own mark on them, making his + companions blow the bellows and fetch the coals. The Czar insisted + upon receiving the same payment as the other workmen, and bought a + pair of shoes with the money, remarking <span class="tei tei-q">“I + have earned them well, by the sweat of my brow, with hammer and + anvil.”</span> Peter finished his labours at ship-carpentering by + assisting to put together a yacht, which, at the suggestion of one of + the burgomasters, was to be presented to him as a <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">souvenir</span></span> + of his visit to Holland. He <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page38">[pg + 38]</span><a name="Pg038" id="Pg038" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>worked at it every day till it was finished, + when he christened it the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amsterdam</span></span>. His numerous + investigations into science included surgery, and he carried his + instruments about with him, ever ready to pull a tooth, or bleed, or + even tap a patient for the dropsy. In short, his desire for practical + knowledge was insatiable. Ten times a day, while accompanying his + friend Calf and others about the ships, and yards, and factories, and + mills, he would ask, <span class="tei tei-q">“Wat is dat?”</span> and + being told, would answer, <span class="tei tei-q">“Dat wil ik + zien,”</span>—<span class="tei tei-q">“I shall see that.”</span> His + companions were not half so earnest as their master, and after awhile + they hired a large house, kept a professed cook, and enjoyed + themselves in idleness.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While in Holland, + the news arrived of a Russian victory over the Turks and Tartars, and + the imperial workman received the congratulations of the Emperor of + Germany, the Kings of Sweden, Denmark, and other countries. He + celebrated the event by giving a grand entertainment to the principal + officials and merchants of Amsterdam, their wives and daughters. + <span class="tei tei-q">“The sumptuous dinner was accompanied and + followed by a band of music, and in the evening were plays, dancing, + masquerades, illuminations, and fireworks. His respectable friend, + Witsen, told him that he had entertained his countrymen like an + emperor.”</span> And now, after nine months’ hard work at Zardam, he + had an interview with King William at the Hague, who arranged to + transport him and his suite in one of the royal yachts, accompanied + by two men-of-war.</p><a name="illo_048.png" id="illo_048.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_048.png" alt="OLD DOCKYARD AT DEPTFORD" + title="OLD DOCKYARD AT DEPTFORD." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + OLD DOCKYARD AT DEPTFORD. + </div> + </div><a name="illo_050.png" id="illo_050.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_050.png" alt="SAYE’S COURT, DEPTFORD" title= + "SAYE’S COURT, DEPTFORD." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + SAYE’S COURT, DEPTFORD. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">No secret was made + of the Czar’s rank in London, although he tried to live as privately + as possible. He was placed under the special charge of the Marquis of + Carmarthen, and a great intimacy sprang up between them. A large + house was hired for him and his suite at the bottom of York + Buildings, where the marquis and he used to spend their evenings + together frequently in drinking <span class="tei tei-q">“hot pepper + and brandy.”</span> But then a pint of brandy and a bottle of sherry + was nothing uncommon as a morning draught for the Czar. After seeing + all the sights of London, he paid visits to Chatham, Portsmouth, and + elsewhere, but the larger part of his time was spent at Deptford, + where he repaired to investigate and learn the higher branches of + naval architecture and navigation. There is little or no evidence, + popular tradition to the contrary notwithstanding, that he ever + worked as a shipwright there,<a id="noteref_10" name="noteref_10" + href="#note_10"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">10</span></span></a> or + engaged in more laborious employment than rowing, or in sailing + yachts and boats about the Thames. The writer has before him now one + of the conventional pictures of <span class="tei tei-q">“Peter at + Deptford.”</span> It represents a smooth-faced youth of feminine + appearance, and about sixteen years old at most, vigorously engaged, + apparently, in doing damage to a ship’s bulwarks with a gigantic + hammer and formidable spike. The fact is that Peter was in his + twenty-sixth year, had been the ruler of a great empire for several + years, and was beyond his years in acquirements and earnestness; a + man of strong passions, and sadly given to drink. Peter was glad to + get out of town. Crowds gave him an amount of annoyance that was + inexplicable to a Londoner; and he avoided, as much as he could, + balls and assemblies and public gatherings for the same reason. Nor + could he have desired a more pleasant and suitable place than that + which was provided for him, the <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page39">[pg 39]</span><a name="Pg039" id="Pg039" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>celebrated Saye’s Court, Evelyn’s charming house + and grounds<a id="noteref_11" name="noteref_11" href= + "#note_11"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">11</span></span></a> close to + Deptford Dockyard, which had just become vacant by the removal of + Admiral Benbow, who had been its tenant. A special doorway was broken + through the boundary wall of the dockyard to facilitate communication + for the Czar. Benbow had given poor Evelyn much dissatisfaction, but + the new occupant was rather worse. His servant wrote to him, + <span class="tei tei-q">“There is a house full of people, right + nasty. The Tzar lies next your study, and dines in the parlour next + your study. He dines at ten o’clock, and six at night; is very seldom + at home a whole night; very often in the king’s yard, or by water, + dressed in several dresses. The king is expected there this day; the + best parlour is pretty clean for him to be entertained in. The king + pays for all he has.”</span> But, alas for poor Evelyn’s hedges! The + Czar, by way of exercise, and to prove his strength, used to trundle + a wheel-barrow, full tilt, through a favourite holly-hedge, + <span class="tei tei-q">“which,”</span> says Evelyn, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I can still show in my ruined gardens at Saye’s Court + (thanks to the Tzar of Muscovy).”</span> The Czar employed his days + in acquiring information on all branches of naval architecture, and + in sailing about the river with <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page40">[pg 40]</span><a name="Pg040" id="Pg040" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>Carmarthen and Sir Anthony Deane, commissioner + of the navy. <span class="tei tei-q">“The Navy Board received + directions from the Admiralty to hire two vessels to be at the + command of the Tzar whenever he should think proper to sail on the + Thames,”</span> and the king made him a present of a small vessel, + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Royal + Transport</span></span>, giving orders to have such alterations and + accommodations made in her as the Czar might desire. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“But his great delight was to get into a small-decked + boat, belonging to the dockyard, and taking only Menzikoff, and three + or four others of his suite, to work the vessel with them, he being + the helmsman; by this practice he said he should be able to teach + them how to command ships when they got home. Having finished their + day’s work, they used to resort to a public house in Great Tower + Street, close to Tower Hill, to smoke their pipes, and drink beer and + brandy. The landlord had the Tzar of Muscovy’s head painted and put + up for his sign.”</span> The original sign remained till 1808.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Greenwich Hospital + surprised him, and King William, having one day asked him how he + liked his hospital for decayed seamen, Peter answered simply, + <span class="tei tei-q">“If I were the adviser of your Majesty, I + should counsel you to remove your court to Greenwich, and convert St. + James’s into a hospital.”</span> In the first week of March a sham + naval fight was organised near Spithead, for his amusement, eleven + ships being engaged. The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Postman</span></span>, a journal of the period, + says, <span class="tei tei-q">“The representation of a sea engagement + was excellently performed before the Tzar of Muscovy, and continued a + considerable time, each ship having twelve pounds of powder allowed; + but all the bullets were locked up in the hold, for fear the soldiers + should mistake.”</span> The enterprising journal did not, probably, + send down a special representative, as would any leading paper of + to-day, and the small quantity of powder allowed must be a mistake. + The Czar was greatly pleased with the performance, and told Admiral + Mitchell, who arranged the performance, that <span class= + "tei tei-q">“he considered the condition of an English admiral + happier than that of a Tzar of Russia.”</span> On their way home from + Portsmouth, the Russian party, twenty-one in all, stopped a night at + Godalming. The sea air had done so much good to their appetites that + at dinner they managed to get through an entire sheep, three quarters + of lamb, five ribs of beef, weighing three stone, a shoulder and loin + of veal, eight fowls, eight rabbits, two dozen and a half of sack, + and one dozen of claret. Their light breakfast consisted of half a + sheep, a quarter of lamb, ten pullets, twelve chickens, seven dozen + eggs, salad <span class="tei tei-q">“in proportion,”</span> three + quarts of brandy, and six quarts of mulled wine.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When residing at + Deptford, he made the acquaintance of the celebrated Dr. Halley, + <span class="tei tei-q">“to whom he communicated his plan of building + a fleet, and in general of introducing the arts and sciences into his + country,”</span> and asked his opinions and advice on various + subjects. The doctor spoke German fluently, and the Tzar was so much + pleased with the philosopher’s conversation and remarks that he had + him frequently to dine with him; and in his company he visited the + Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park. An important concession was made + by him to some leading merchants, through the influence of the + Marquis of Carmarthen. Tobacco had been so highly taxed that none but + the wealthy Russians could afford it. The Czar agreed that on paying + him down £12,000 (some accounts say £15,000) it should go in duty + free. He stipulated that his friend Carmarthen should receive five + shillings for every hogshead so admitted. Peter stuck to his friends, + and <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page41">[pg 41]</span><a name= + "Pg041" id="Pg041" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>his kindheartedness in + general does much to obliterate the memory of some traits of + character which are not to his credit. On leaving England, he + <span class="tei tei-q">“gave the king’s servants, at his departure, + one hundred and twenty guineas, which was more than they deserved, + they being very rude to him,”</span> says one plain-speaking + historian. To the king he presented a rough ruby which the jewellers + of Amsterdam had valued at £10,000 sterling. Peter carried this gem + to King William in his waistcoat pocket, wrapped up in a piece of + brown paper. The king had treated him in a royal fashion, so far as + Peter would allow him, and before he departed induced him to sit to + Sir Godfrey Kneller for his portrait, which is now at Windsor. Four + yachts and two ships of the Royal Navy were placed at his disposal + when he departed once more for Holland. Peter took with him to Russia + three English captains who had served in the Royal Navy, twenty-five + captains of the merchant service, thirty pilots, thirty surgeons, two + hundred gunners, and a number of mechanics and smiths, making a total + of little less than five hundred persons, all natives of Great + Britain. A letter from one of them to a relative in England shows how + much Peter did, almost immediately on his return to Russia, in the + interests of his navy. He had already thirty-six ships of war: + twenty, ranging from thirty to sixty guns each, were to be launched + the following spring; eighteen galleys were being constructed by + Italian workmen, and one hundred smaller vessels were on the stocks. + The forests of masts he had seen at London and Amsterdam had fired + his ambition, and we now find him not merely determined to have a + navy, but a port of the first class. Hence St. Petersburg.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Passing over + events in the history of Peter the Great not bearing on maritime + subjects, we learn that <span class="tei tei-q">“Five months had + scarcely elapsed from laying the first stone of St. Petersburg, when + a report was brought to the Tzar that a large ship, under Dutch + colours, was standing into the river. It may be supposed this was a + joyful piece of intelligence for the founder. It was nothing short of + realising the wish nearest his heart: to open the Baltic for the + nations of Europe to trade with his dominions, it constituted them + his neighbours; and he at once anticipated the day when his ships + would beat the Swedish navy, and drive them from a sea on which they + had long ridden triumphant with undivided sway. When Peter was + employed in building his fleet at Voronitz, Patrick Gordon one day + asked him, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Of what use do you expect all the + vessels you are building to be, seeing you have no seaports?’</span> + <span class="tei tei-q">‘My vessels shall make ports for + themselves,’</span> replied Peter, in a determined tone; a + declaration which was now on the eve of being + accomplished.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“No sooner was the communication made, than the Tzar, + with his usual rapidity, set off to meet this welcome stranger. The + skipper was invited to the house of Menzikoff: he sat down at table, + and to his great astonishment, found that he was placed next the + Tzar, and had actually been served by him. But not less astonished + and delighted was Peter on learning that the ship belonged to, and + had been freighted by his old Zaardam friend, with whom he had + resided, Cornelius Calf. Permission was immediately given to the + skipper to land his cargo, consisting of salt, wine, and other + articles of provisions, free of all duties. Nothing could be more + acceptable to the inhabitants of the new city than this cargo, the + whole of which was purchased by Peter, Menzikoff, and the + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page42">[pg 42]</span><a name="Pg042" + id="Pg042" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>several officers, so that Auke + Wybes, the skipper, made a most profitable adventure. On his + departure he received a present of five hundred ducats, and each man + of the crew, one hundred rix-dollars, as a premium for the first ship + that had entered the port of St. Petersburg.”</span><a id= + "noteref_12" name="noteref_12" href="#note_12"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">12</span></span></a> The + second ship to arrive was also Dutch; the third was an English + vessel; both received the same premium. The rapidity with which the + swampy banks of the Neva were covered with wharfs and buildings has + been almost unexampled in history. Peter had Amsterdam in his eye + when he laid out St. Petersburg, and he had secured the services of a + number of Dutch ship-builders and masons, architects, and surveyors + well versed in making solid foundations on swampy land.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now, while + England was distracted by the civil war of the first Pretender, and + by the rupture with Charles XII. of Sweden, she had much trouble with + the Barbary pirates, who, in the West Indies in particular, + constantly harassed her shipping interests. So great a nuisance had + these <span class="tei tei-q">“water-rats”</span> become that £100 + head-money was offered for every captain, £40 for any rank from a + lieutenant to a gunner, and £20 for every pirate seaman. Any private + who delivered up his commander was entitled to £200 on the conviction + of the latter. But there were also at that period <span class= + "tei tei-q">“land-rats”</span> at home, as bad as any pirate, preying + on the public purse. This was the epoch when Hamlet’s words + <span class="tei tei-q">“they’re all mad there,”</span> might almost + have been said of England, and with even greater truth of our + neighbours across the Channel. Two extraordinary schemes, one of + which was to make France the richest of commercial nations, and the + second of which was to pay the national debt of England, were + propounded, great companies raised, and supported by half the people, + from princes to petty tradesmen. As projects depending upon commerce + with foreign countries, they, of course, are intimately connected + with our subject. Need it be said that the writer refers to the two + extraordinary delusions known as the Mississippi Scheme and the South + Sea Bubble?</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The first of these + projects was designed to develop the resources of the great country + lying round the Mississippi, especially Louisiana; to open up mineral + deposits supposed to be wonderfully rich; and to carry on a general + trade with that part of America. The second, which more intimately + concerns us, included a monopoly of trade with the South Sea, a + somewhat elastic title, but which meant at the time commerce with the + countries of Spanish America. The South Sea Company was originated by + Harley, Earl of Oxford, in 1711, with the distinct view of + <span class="tei tei-q">“providing for the discharge of the army and + navy debentures, and other parts of the floating debt, amounting to + nearly ten million sterling.”</span> A company of merchants took this + debt upon themselves, the Government agreeing to secure them, for a + certain period, six per cent. interest, and grant them the monopoly + of the trade to the South Seas. The most exaggerated ideas relating + to the mineral wealth of South America were prevalent at the time, + and when a report, most industriously spread, was circulated that + Philip V. of Spain was ready to concede four ports of Chili and Peru + for purposes of trade, South Sea stock rose in value with + extraordinary rapidity. That monarch, however, never meant to grant + anything like a free trade to the English. After sundry negotiations + had been opened the royal assent was given to a contract, conceding + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page43">[pg 43]</span><a name="Pg043" + id="Pg043" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the privilege of supplying the + colonies with negroes for thirty years, and of sending <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">once a year one + vessel</span></span> <span class="tei tei-q">“limited both as to + tonnage and value of cargo”</span> to trade with Mexico, Peru, and + Chili, the king to enjoy one-fourth of the profits. On these hard + conditions and slender privileges was the great Bubble blown into + popular esteem. Rumours of commercial treaties between England and + Spain were circulated, whereby the latter was to grant free trade to + all her colonies; the rich produce of the Potosi mines <span class= + "tei tei-q">“was to be brought to England until silver should become + almost as plentiful as iron. For cotton and woollen goods, with which + we could supply them in abundance, the dwellers in Mexico were to + empty their golden mines. The company of merchants trading to the + South Seas would be the richest the world ever saw, and every hundred + pounds invested would produce hundreds per annum to the + stockholder.”</span><a id="noteref_13" name="noteref_13" href= + "#note_13"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">13</span></span></a> These + and still more lying statements were spread in every direction. The + stock rose like a rocket. And, so far as the present writer can + discover, the first voyage of the one annual ship, not made till + 1717, six years after the first establishment of the company, was + also its last! The following year the trade was suppressed by the + rupture with Spain.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“It seemed at that time as if the whole nation had turned + stock-jobbers. Exchange Alley was every day blocked up by crowds, and + Cornhill was impassable for the number of carriages. Everybody came + to purchase stock. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Every fool aspired to be + a knave.’</span> In the words of a ballad published at the time, and + sung about the streets—</span></p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“ <span class= + "tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">‘Then stars and garters did + appear</span></span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em"> + Among the meaner rabble; + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + To buy and sell, to see and hear + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em"> + The Jews and Gentiles squabble. + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + ‘The greatest ladies thither came, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em"> + And plied in chariots daily; + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Or pawned their jewels for a sum + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span class= + "tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">To venture in the + Alley.’</span> ”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Not merely South + Sea stock, but schemes of even a wilder nature now deluged the + market. It would seem incredible, but it is vouched for on good + authority, that one adventurer started <span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">A company for carrying on an undertaking of + great advantage, but nobody to know what it is</span></span>,”</span> + and in one day sold a thousand shares, the deposit on which was £2 + per share. He thought it prudent to decamp with the £2,000, and was + no more heard of. Mackay publishes a list of eighty-six bubble + companies, which were eventually declared illegal and abolished. But + the South Sea Bubble was a Triton among these minnows, and the + directors, having once tasted the profits of their scheme by the + rapid rise of its shares, kept their emissaries at work. Nor indeed + were they much needed, for every person interested in the stock + endeavoured to draw a knot of listeners round him in ’Change Alley, + or its purlieus, to whom he expatiated on the treasures of the South + American Seas. Then came the rumour that Gibraltar was to be + exchanged for certain places on the coast of Peru. Instead of paying + a tribute to the King of Spain, the company would be able to trade + freely, and send as many ships as they liked.</p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page44">[pg 44]</span><a name="Pg044" id="Pg044" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Visions of + ingots danced before their eyes,”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">and the directors + opened their books for a subscription of a million, and then for a + second million, and the frantic speculators took it all. Swift + described ’Change Alley as a gulf in the South Seas:—</p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Subscribers + here by thousands float,</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + And jostle one another down, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Each paddling in his leaky boat, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + And here they fish for gold and drown. + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Now buried in + the depths below,</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Now mounted up to heaven again, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + They reel and stagger to and fro, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + At their wits’ end, like drunken men. + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Meantime, + secure on Garraway cliffs,</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + A savage race, by shipwrecks fed, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Lie waiting for the foundering skiffs, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And strip the + bodies of the dead.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The directors used + every art to keep up the price of the stock. It rose finally to + £1,000 per share. A few weeks afterwards it was down to £175, then to + £135, and the Bubble had burst.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To detail the + various plans tried or suggested to bolster up the company, the + Parliamentary inquiries, or the stringent measures adopted to punish + the directors, would be out of place here. Suffice it to say that a + bill was brought in for restraining the South Sea directors and + officers from leaving the kingdom for a twelvemonth. They were + forbidden to realise on their estates and effects, neither must they + will or remove them. Eventually they were obliged to disgorge their + gains. <span class="tei tei-q">“A sum amounting to two million and + fourteen thousand pounds was confiscated from their estates towards + repairing the mischief they had done, each man being allowed a + certain residue in proportion to his conduct and circumstances, with + which he might begin the world anew. Sir John Blunt was only allowed + £5,000 out of his fortune of upwards of £183,000; Sir John Fellows + was allowed £10,000 out of £243,000; Sir Theodore Janssen £50,000 out + of £243,000; Mr. Edward Gibbon £10,000 out of £106,000; Sir John + Lambert £5,000 out of £72,000.”</span> After every effort on the part + of the Committee of Investigation, a dividend of about 33 per cent. + was divided among the unfortunate proprietors and stock-holders. It + took long before public credit was restored.</p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page45">[pg 45]</span><a name="Pg045" id="Pg045" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a name="illo_056.jpg" id="illo_056.jpg" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_056.jpg" alt="COMMODORE ANSON" title= + "COMMODORE ANSON." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + COMMODORE ANSON. + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap03" id="chap03" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc9" id="toc9"></a> <a name="pdf10" id="pdf10"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER III.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">The History of Ships and + Shipping Interests</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 120%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-style: italic">continued</span></span><span style="font-size: 120%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">A Grand Epoch of Discovery—Anson’s + Voyage—Difficulties of manning the Fleet—Five Hundred Invalided + Pensioners drafted—The Spanish Squadron under Pizarro—Its Disastrous + Voyage—One Vessel run ashore—Rats at Four Dollars each—A Man-of-war + held by eleven Indians—Anson at the Horn—Fearful Outbreak of + Scurvy—Ashore at Robinson Crusoe’s Island—Death of two-thirds of the + Crews—Beauty of Juan Fernandez—Loss of the</span> <span class= + "tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Wager</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Drunken + and Insubordinate Crew—Attempt to blow up the Captain—A Midshipman + shot—Desertion of the Ship’s Company—Prizes taken by Anson—His + Humanity to Prisoners—The</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Gloucester</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 90%">abandoned at Sea—Delightful Stay at + Tinian—The</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 90%">blown out to Sea—Despair of those on + Shore—Its Safe Return—Capture of the Manilla Galleon—A Hot + Fight—Prize worth a Million and a half Dollars—Return to + England.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The second of the + greatest epochs of discovery—one, indeed, hardly inferior to that of + Columbus and Da Gama, when Dampier, Byron, Wallis, and Carteret, + Cook, and Clerke may be said to have substantially completed the map + of the world in its most essential and leading features—would follow + in proper sequence here, but for a pre-arranged plan, which will + place <span class="tei tei-q">“The Decisive Voyages of the + World”</span> by themselves. One voyage of this period, that of + Commodore Anson, deserves mention, inasmuch as it was instigated for + the purpose of making reprisals on the Spaniards for their behaviour + in searching English ships found near any of their settlements in the + West Indies or Spanish Main, and not for attempts at discovery. It + also gives some little insight into the condition <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page46">[pg 46]</span><a name="Pg046" id="Pg046" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>of the navy at the period. It was most + wretchedly equipped and manned, and although the ships were placed + under Anson’s command in November, 1739, they were not ready to sail + till ten months later, so great was the difficulty in obtaining men. + They had to be taken from all and any sources. Five hundred + out-pensioners from Chelsea Hospital were sent on board, many of whom + were sixty years of age, and some threescore and ten. Before the + ships sailed, 240 of them, fortunately for themselves, deserted, + their place being filled by a nearly equal number of raw marines, + recruits who were so untrained that Anson would not permit them to + fire off their muskets, for fear of accidents! Of the poor pensioners + who sailed, not one returned to tell the story of their disasters, + while of the whole squadron, consisting of six ships of war, mounting + 226 guns, one alone, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span>, commanded by Anson + himself, reached home, after a cruise of three years and nine months. + The history of this voyage, as told by the chaplain of the + vessel,<a id="noteref_14" name="noteref_14" href= + "#note_14"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">14</span></span></a> is one + round of miseries and disasters.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Mr. Anson,”</span> says the narrator of this eventful + voyage, <span class="tei tei-q">“was greatly chagrined at having such + a decrepit attachment allotted to him; for he was fully persuaded + that the greatest part of them would perish long before they arrived + at the scene of action, since the delays he had already encountered + necessarily confined his passage round Cape Horn to the most rigorous + season of the year. Sir Charles Wager (one of the Lords of the + Admiralty) too, joined in opinion with the Commodore, that the + invalids were no way proper for this service, and solicited + strenuously to have them exchanged; but he was told that persons who + were supposed to be better judges than he or Mr. Anson, thought them + the properest men that could be employed on this occasion.”</span> + All of the poor pensioners <span class="tei tei-q">“who had limbs and + strength to walk out of Portsmouth deserted, leaving behind them only + such as were literally invalids.... Indeed, it is difficult to + conceive a more moving scene than the embarkation of these unhappy + veterans. They were themselves extremely averse to the service they + were engaged on, and fully apprised of all the disasters they were + afterwards exposed to, the apprehensions of which were strongly + marked by the concern that appeared in their countenances, which were + mixed with no small degree of indignation.”</span> Nor can one read + these facts without sharing the same feeling. Brave men who had spent + the best of their youth and prime in the service of their country, + were ruthlessly sent to certain death.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 18th of + September, 1740, the squadron, consisting of five men-of-war, a + sloop-of-war, and two tenders, or victualling ships, made sail. The + vessels comprised the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span>, of sixty guns and 400 + men, commanded by George Anson; the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gloucester</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Severn</span></span>, + each fifty guns and 300 men; the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Pearl</span></span>, + of forty guns and 250 men; the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Wager</span></span>, + of twenty-eight guns and 160 men; and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Tryal</span></span> + sloop, eight guns and 100 men. On their way down the Channel they + were joined by other men-of-war convoying the Turkey, Straits, and + American merchant fleets, so that for some distance out to sea the + combined fleet amounted to no less than eleven vessels of the Royal + Navy, and 150 sail of merchantmen. Anson called at Madeira, and + refreshed his crews, from thence appointing the Island of St. + Catherine’s, on the coast of Brazil, as the rendezvous for his fleet. + Arrived there <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page47">[pg + 47]</span><a name="Pg047" id="Pg047" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>it + was found that a large number of the men were sickly, as many as + eighty being so reported on the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> alone, and the other + ships in proportion. Tents were erected ashore for the invalids, and + the vessels were thoroughly cleaned, smoked between decks, and + finally washed well with vinegar. The vessels themselves required + many repairs to fit them for the intended voyage round the Horn. The + then governor of this Portuguese island, one Don Jose Sylva De Paz, + behaved very badly, doing all in his power to prevent Anson from + obtaining fresh provisions, and secretly dispatched an express to + Buenos Ayres, where a Spanish squadron under Don Josef Pizarro then + lay, with an account of the number and strength of the English ships. + The history and disasters of this squadron would fill a long + chapter.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Pizarro had with + him six ships of war, and a very large force of men, two of the + vessels having seven hundred each on board. But in spite of his + superior strength, he avoided any engagement at this time, and seems + to have been extremely desirous of rounding Cape Horn before Anson, + for he left before his provision ships arrived. Notwithstanding this + haste the two squadrons were once or twice very close together on the + passage to Cape Horn, and the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Pearl</span></span>, being separated from the + fleet, and mistaking the Spanish squadron for it, narrowly escaped + falling into their hands. In a terrible gale off the Horn the Spanish + vessels became separated, and Pizarro turned his own ship’s head, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Asia</span></span>, for the Plata once more. One + of his squadron, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Hermiona</span></span>, of fifty-four guns and + 500 men, is believed to have foundered at sea, for she was never + heard of more. Another, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Guipuscoa</span></span>, a still larger ship, + with 700 souls on board, was run ashore and sunk on the coast of + Brazil. Famine and mutiny were added to the horrors of these voyages. + On the latter-named ship 250 died from hunger and fatigue, for those + who were still strong enough to work at the pumps received only an + ounce and a half of biscuit <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">per diem</span></span>, while the incapable were + allowed an ounce of wheat! Men fell down dead at the pumps, and out + of an original crew of 700, not more than eighty or a hundred were + capable of duty. The captain had conceived some hopes of saving his + ship by taking her into St. Catherine’s. When the crew learned his + intention, they left off pumping, and <span class="tei tei-q">“being + enraged at the hardships they had suffered, and the numbers they had + lost (there being at that time no less than thirty dead bodies lying + on the deck) they all, with one voice, cried out, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘On shore! on shore!’</span> and obliged the captain to + run the ship in directly for the land, where the fifth day after she + sunk with her stores and all her furniture on board her.”</span> Four + hundred of the crew got, however, safely to shore. On another of the + Spanish ships they became so reduced <span class="tei tei-q">“that + rats, when they could be caught, were sold for four dollars apiece; + and a sailor who died on board had his death concealed for some days + by his brother, who during that time lay in the same hammock with the + corpse, only to receive the dead man’s allowance of + provisions.”</span> The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Asia</span></span> arrived at Monte Video with + only half her crew; the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Esperanza</span></span>, a fifty-gun ship, had + only fifty-eight remaining out of 450 men, and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">St. + Estevan</span></span> had lost about half her hands. The latter + vessel was condemned, and broken up in the Plata.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Pizarro + determined, in 1745, to return to Spain, they managed to patch up the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Asia</span></span>, at Monte Video, but had only + 100 of the original hands left. They pressed a number of Portuguese, + and put on board a number of English prisoners (not, however, + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page48">[pg 48]</span><a name="Pg048" + id="Pg048" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>of Anson’s squadron) and some + Indians of the country. Among the latter was a chief named Orellana, + and ten of his tribe, whom the Spaniards treated with great + inhumanity. The Indians determined to have their revenge. They + managed to acquire a number of long knives, and employed their + leisure in cutting thongs of raw hide, and in fixing to each end of + the thongs the double-headed shot of the quarter-deck guns, which + when swung round their heads, became powerful weapons. In two or + three days all was ready for their scheme of vengeance.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was about nine + in the evening, when the decks were comparatively clear, that + Orellana and his companions, having divested themselves of most of + their clothes, came together to the quarter-deck, approaching the + door of the great cabin. The boatswain ordered them away. Orellana, + however, paid no attention to him, placed two of his men at either + gangway, and raising a hideous war-cry, they commenced the massacre, + slashing in all directions with the knives, and brandishing the + double-headed shot. The six who remained with the chief on the + quarter-deck laid nearly forty Spaniards low in a few minutes, of + whom twenty were killed on the spot. Many of the officers fled into + the great cabin, and hastily barricaded the door. A perfect panic + ensued on board. Many attempting to escape to the forecastle were + stabbed as they passed by the four Indian sentries, and others jumped + into the waist, where they thought themselves fortunate to lie + concealed among the cattle on board; a number fled up the main + shrouds and kept on the tops or rigging. The fact is that those on + board did not know whether it was not a general mutiny among the + pressed hands and prisoners, and the yells of the Indians and groans + of the dying, and the confused clamour of the crew, were all + heightened in effect by the obscurity of the night. And now Orellana + secured the arm-chest, which had been placed on the quarter-deck for + security a few days before. It was of no use to him, as he only found + a quantity of fire-arms, which he did not understand, or for which he + had no ammunition; the cutlasses, for which he was in search, were + fortunately hidden underneath. By this time Pizarro had established + some communication with the gun-rooms and between decks, and + discovered that the English prisoners had not intermeddled in the + mutiny, which was confined to the Indians. They had only pistols in + the cabin, and no ammunition for them; at last, however, they managed + to obtain some by lowering a bucket out of the cabin window, into + which the gunner, out of one of the gun-room ports, put a quantity of + cartridges. After loading, they cautiously and partially opened the + cabin door, firing several shots, at first without effect. At last, + Mindinuetta, one of the captains of the original squadron, had the + fortune to shoot Orellana dead on the spot, on which his faithful + companions one and all leaped into the sea and perished. For full two + hours these eleven Indians had held a ship of sixty-six guns, and + manned by nearly 500 hands!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Pizarro, having + escaped this peril, reached Spain in safety, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“after having been absent between four and five years, + and having,”</span> says the narrator, <span class="tei tei-q">“by + his attendance on our expedition, diminished the naval power of Spain + by above three thousand hands (the flower of their sailors), and by + four considerable ships of war and a patache.”</span> He had not + encountered Anson, nor done any of his ships damage. To the disasters + and adventures encountered by that commander we must now + return.</p><a name="illo_060.jpg" id="illo_060.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_060.jpg" alt="THE “CENTURION” OFF CAPE HORN" + title="THE “CENTURION” OFF CAPE HORN" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“CENTURION”</span> OFF CAPE HORN + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Off Cape Horn the + weather was so terrible that it obliged the oldest mariners on board + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page49">[pg 49]</span><a name="Pg049" + id="Pg049" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-q">“to + confess that what they had hitherto called storms were inconsiderable + gales.”</span> Short, mountainous waves pitched and tossed the + vessels so violently that the men were in perpetual danger of being + dashed to pieces. One of the best seamen on the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> was canted overboard and + drowned; his manly form was long seen struggling in the water, he + being a good swimmer, while those on board were powerless to assist + him. Another man was thrown violently into the hold and broke his + thigh; a second dislocated his neck, and one of the boatswain’s mates + broke his collar-bone twice. The squalls were so sudden that they + were obliged to lie-to for days together, almost under bare poles, + and when in a lull they ventured to set a little canvas, the blasts + would return and carry away their sails. Squalls of rain and snow + constantly occurred. The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span>, labouring in the heavy + seas, <span class="tei tei-q">“was now grown so loose in her upper + works that she let in the water at every seam, so that every part + within board was constantly exposed to the sea-water, and scarcely + any of the officers ever lay in dry beds. Indeed, it was very rare + that two nights ever passed without many of them being driven from + their beds by the deluge of water that came in upon them.”</span> + Shrouds snapped, and yards and masts were lost on several of the + squadron. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page50">[pg 50]</span><a name= + "Pg050" id="Pg050" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Two of the vessels, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Severn</span></span> and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Pearl</span></span>, + became separated from the fleet, and were no more seen by them on the + voyage.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But their worst + trouble was a terrible outbreak of that insidious disease, the + scurvy. In April, May, and part of June, the loss on the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> alone was two hundred + men, and at length they could not muster more than six fore-mast + hands in a watch capable of duty. The symptoms of this horrible + complaint are various; but apart from the universal scorbutic + manifestations on the body, diseased bones, swelled legs, and putrid + gums, there is an extraordinary lassitude and weakness, which + degenerate into a proneness to swoon, and even die, on the least + exertion of strength, and a dejection of spirits which leads the + invalid to take alarm at the most trifling accident. Let the reader + imagine what all this meant on closely-packed ships, tempest-tossed + off the dreaded Horn. When at length the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> reached the famed Crusoe + Island, Juan Fernandez, the lieutenant <span class="tei tei-q">“could + muster no more than two quartermasters, and six fore-mast hands + capable of working.”</span> Without the assistance of the officers, + servants, and boys, they might never have been able to reach the + island after sighting it, and with such aid they were <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">two hours</span></span> + in trimming the sails. When their sloop, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Tryal</span></span>, + followed them to this haven of refuge, only the captain, lieutenant, + and three men were able to stand by the sails. When, ten days later + on, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gloucester</span></span> was seen in the offing, + and Anson had sent off a boat laden with fresh water, fish, and + vegetables for the crew, it was found that they had already thrown + overboard two-thirds of their complement. It took them, with some + assistance sent by Anson, a month before they could fetch the bay, + contrary winds and currents, but more their utterly exhausted + condition, being the causes. They were now reduced to eighty out of + an original crew of three hundred men. Severe as have been the + sufferings from scurvy endured on many of the Arctic expeditions, + there is no case on record as painful as this. The three ships which + reached Juan Fernandez had on board when they left England 961 men; + before the ravages of the disease were stopped the number was reduced + to 335, scarcely sufficient to man the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> alone. And it must be + remembered that all this time they were uncertain of the movements of + Pizarro and his fleet, which might appear among them at any moment. + The refreshment obtained at the island, fresh water, vegetables, + fruit, fish in abundance, a little goat’s flesh, and seal-meat, + proved of great value to those of the crew whose constitutions were + not thoroughly undermined by the fell disease; but it was as much as + they could do to effect the many repairs required on the vessels, to + the extent even of removing and replacing masts.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Of the beauty of + many parts of Juan Fernandez the chaplain speaks in enthusiastic + terms. <span class="tei tei-q">“Some particular spots occurred in + these valleys, where the shade and fragrance of the contiguous woods, + the loftiness of the overhanging rocks, and the transparency and + frequent falls of the neighbouring streams, presented scenes of such + elegance and dignity, as would with difficulty be rivalled in any + other part of the globe.... I shall finish this article with a short + account of the spot where the commodore pitched his tent, and which + he made choice of for his own residence, though I despair of + conveying an adequate idea of its beauty. The piece of ground which + he chose was a small lawn, that lay on a little ascent, at the + distance of about half a mile from the sea. In the front of his tent + there was a large avenue cut through the woods to the seaside, which, + sloping to the water with a <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page51">[pg + 51]</span><a name="Pg051" id="Pg051" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>gentle descent, opened a prospect of the bay and + the ships at anchor. This lawn was screened behind by a tall wood of + myrtle sweeping round it, in the form of a theatre; the slope on + which the wood stood rising with a much sharper ascent than the lawn + itself, though not so much but that the hills and precipices + within-land towered up considerably above the tops of the trees, and + added to the grandeur of the view. There were besides two streams of + crystal water, which ran on the right and left of the tent within a + hundred yards’ distance, and were shaded by the trees which skirted + the lawn on either side, and completed the symmetry of the + whole.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meantime, the + other vessels of the squadron did not put in an appearance. That two + of them, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Pearl</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Severn</span></span>, + were not to be expected, we have already learned; but what had become + of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Wager</span></span>? It was learned afterwards + that while making the passage to the island of Socoro, one of the + rendezvous of the squadron, she had become entangled among the rocks + and grounded, soon becoming an utter wreck. The Honourable John + Byron, afterwards a commodore in his Majesty’s service, but then a + youngster on board, has left an account of the disaster in his + well-known work.<a id="noteref_15" name="noteref_15" href= + "#note_15"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">15</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-q">“In the morning, about four o’clock,”</span> + says he, <span class="tei tei-q">“the ship struck. The shock we + received upon this occasion, though very great, being not unlike a + blow of a heavy sea, such as in the series of preceding storms we had + often experienced, was taken for the same; but we were soon + undeceived by her striking again more violently than before, which + laid her upon her beam-ends, the sea making a fair breach over her. + Every person that now could stir was presently upon the quarter-deck; + and many of those were alert upon this occasion that had not showed + their faces upon deck for above two months before; several poor + wretches, who were in the last stage of the scurvy, and who could not + get out of their hammocks, were immediately drowned.”</span> Some + seemed bereaved of their senses; one man was seen stalking about the + deck flourishing a cutlass over his head, calling himself king of the + country, and striking everybody he came near, till he was knocked + down by some of those he had assaulted. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Some, reduced before by long sickness and the scurvy, + became on this occasion as it were petrified and bereaved of all + sense, like inanimate logs, and were bandied to and fro by the jerks + and rolls of the ship, without exerting any efforts to help + themselves.... The man at the helm, though both rudder and tiller + were gone, kept his station; and being asked by one of the officers + if the ship would steer or not, first took his time to make trial by + the wheel, and then answered with as much respect and coolness as if + the ship had been in the greatest safety; and immediately after + applied himself with his usual serenity to his duty, persuaded it did + not become him to desert it as long as the ship kept + together.”</span> The captain, who had dislocated his shoulder by a + fall the day before, was coolness itself, and one of the mates did + all in his power to inspire them with the belief that they would not + be lost so near land. This wrought a change in many who but a few + minutes before had been in despair, praying on their knees for mercy. + It was another illustration of—</p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“When the devil + was sick,”</span> + </div> + </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page52">[pg 52]</span><a name= + "Pg052" id="Pg052" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">for they commenced + breaking in the casks of brandy or wine as they came up the hatchway, + and several got so intoxicated that they were drowned on board, and + lay floating about the decks for several days. The boatswain and some + of the men would not leave the ship so long as there was any liquor + to be found on her; and Captain Cheap, having got off as many of the + crew as would come, about a hundred and forty in number, suffered + himself to be helped out of his bed, put into the boat, and carried + ashore.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After passing a + miserable night, almost without shelter, the calls of hunger—most of + them having fasted forty-eight hours—obliged them to seek for + sustenance. Two or three pounds of biscuit dust, one sea-gull, and + some wild celery, were boiled up into a kind of soup, which made all + very ill who partook of it. It was at first supposed that the wild + herb was the cause, but it was soon discovered that the biscuit dust, + the sweepings of the bread-room, had been gathered in a tobacco bag, + and that the tobacco dust mingled with it had acted as an emetic.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Still a number of + the wretched crew remained on board, pilfering all they could find, + often whether it could be of use to them or not, and showing a + particular desire to provide themselves with arms and ammunition. + They averred that the authority of the officers must cease with the + loss of the ship; but as they came ashore, the arms were taken from + them. When the boatswain came ashore in laced clothes, Captain Cheap + knocked him down. <span class="tei tei-q">“It was scarce possible to + refrain from laughter at the whimsical appearance these fellows made, + who, having rifled the chests of the officers’ best suits, had put + them on over their greasy trousers and dirty checked shirts. They + were soon stripped of their finery, as they had before been obliged + to resign their arms.”</span> The cutter, turned keel upwards, was + now placed on props and covered, so that it made a reasonably + comfortable habitation. Shell-fish were found in tolerable abundance, + <span class="tei tei-q">“but this rummaging of the shore,”</span> + says Byron, <span class="tei tei-q">“was now become extremely irksome + to those who had any feeling, by the bodies of our drowned people + thrown among the rocks, some of which were hideous spectacles, from + the mangled condition they were in by the violent surf that drove in + upon the coast. These horrors were overcome by the distresses of our + people, who were even glad of the occasion of killing the gallinazo + (the carrion crow of that country) while preying on these carcases, + in order to make a meal of them.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such stores as + could be landed were placed in a guarded tent, and doled out + carefully. A few Indians arrived, and, after some parley, proved + friendly, and were presented with sundry trifles. The looking-glasses + astonished them; <span class="tei tei-q">“the beholder could not + conceive it to be his own face that was represented, but that of some + other behind it, which he therefore went round to the back of the + glass to find out.”</span> They left, and in two days returned with + three sheep, which astonished the officers, inasmuch as they were far + from any of the Spanish settlements.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now mutiny and + desertion ensued. One section of the men, <span class="tei tei-q">“a + most desperate and abandoned crew,”</span> attempted, by placing a + barrel of gunpowder close to the captain’s hut, with a train to be + lighted at a distance, to destroy their commander and his authority + by one fell blow, but were dissuaded by one of their number, who had + some conscience left. They eventually built a punt, and converted the + hull of one of the ship’s masts <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page53">[pg 53]</span><a name="Pg053" id="Pg053" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>into a canoe, escaping therewith to the + mainland. They were never heard of more. These men were a good + riddance, but a more unfortunate event was to follow. Mr. Cozens, a + midshipman, had been placed under confinement for being drunk, and + using abusive language to the captain, but was soon after released. + Subsequently he had a dispute with the surgeon, and later with the + purser. The latter told him that he had <span class="tei tei-q">“come + to mutiny,”</span> and fired his pistol at him, narrowly missing him. + The captain, hearing all this, rushed out, and, without asking any + questions, shot Cozens through the head, and then declined to allow + him to be removed to shelter. The wretched young man (whom Byron + believes to have been purposely <span class="tei tei-q">“kept warm + with liquor, and set on by some ill-designing persons,”</span> as he + had always been a good-natured, inoffensive man when sober) was + allowed by the captain to die like a dog, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“with no other covering than a bit of canvas thrown over + some bushes,”</span> fourteen days afterwards. This gave the men a + good excuse for that which they were about to execute.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It had been + arranged that the long-boat, rescued from the wreck, should be + lengthened. The captain proposed that they should proceed northwards + in the Pacific, hoping that they might encounter and master one of + the enemy’s ships, and rejoin Commodore Anson; the men, very + generally, were bent on making their voyage home through the Straits + of Magellan. While the alterations were in progress, the matter + rested temporarily, as they were occupied in saving portions of, or + stores from, the wreck, or in obtaining shell-fish and sea-fowl, + which seem not to have been too abundant. Byron had cherished in his + little hut a poor Indian dog, which had become much attached to him. + One day a hungry party of the men came to him, and, after a little + ineffectual remonstrance, took the dog away and killed it; + <span class="tei tei-q">“upon which,”</span> says Byron, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“thinking that I had at least as good a right to a share + as the rest, I sat down with them, and partook of their repast. Three + weeks after that I was glad to make a meal of his paws and skin, + which, upon recollecting the spot where they had killed him, I found + thrown aside and rotten.”</span> One of the men constructed a novel + craft from a large cask, to which he lashed two logs, one on either + side. In this he ventured out to sea, and often managed to get wild + fowl. One day he was upset by a heavy sea, but managed to scramble to + a solitary rock, where he remained two days, till accidentally + rescued by a boat party.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While the coast + was being reconnoitred, the <span class="tei tei-q">“old + cabal”</span> had been revived, the debates of which generally ended + in riot and drunkenness. The meeting of the leading mutineers was + held in a large tent, which had been made snug, by lining it with + bales of broadcloth driven from the wreck. Eighteen of the ship’s + company had possession of this tent, from whence committees were + dispatched with their resolutions, and quite as often with demands + for liquor. The captain seemingly acquiesced, so far as their + projected voyage was concerned; but when they began to stipulate that + his powers as commander must be restricted, he naturally insisted + upon the full exercise of his rights. <span class="tei tei-q">“This + broke all measures between them, and they were from this time + determined he should go with them, whether he would or no.”</span> + The unfortunate affair concerning Cozens was raked up, and they + threatened to put him under confinement, and bring him to trial in + England. When, however, they found that the long boat, cutter, and + barge were <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page54">[pg + 54]</span><a name="Pg054" id="Pg054" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>barely large enough to carry all, they agreed to + leave him behind, with the surgeon, and one of the officers of + marines. Byron was taken on board, but, as he says, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“was determined, upon the first opportunity, to leave + them.”</span> They were in all eighty-one when they left the island. + Their intention was to put into some harbour, if possible, every + evening, as they were in no condition for long sea-trips, neither + would their scanty provisions have lasted many days. Their water was + contained in a few small powder barrels; their flour was to be + lengthened out by a mixture of sea-weed; and their other supplies + must depend upon their success in hunting or fishing. Next day they + considered it necessary to send back the barge for some spare canvas, + and Byron took the opportunity of leaving them. When they were clear + of the long-boat, he found that the men on board contemplated + deserting the deserters also. They <span class="tei tei-q">“were + extremely welcome to Captain Cheap.”</span> Some attempts were made + to get a share of the provisions from the mutineers, but they + absolutely refused. When they had left the captain and the two other + officers, they had given them six pieces of beef, the same of pork, + and ninety pounds of flour. For a day or two after Byron’s return + with a few of the men, a small allowance was doled out to them; + <span class="tei tei-q">“yet it was upon the foot of favour,”</span> + and soon ceased, after which they had to subsist on <span class= + "tei tei-q">“a weed called laugh,”</span> fried in the tallow of some + candles they had saved, and wild celery. The account of their + sufferings, and eventual escape to Chili, forms the bulk of the + volume from which this narrative is taken. What became of the + long-boat and its crew of mutineers? More than three months after + they deserted the captain, thirty of them arrived at Rio Grande, on + the coast of Brazil; twenty had been left at various points, and a + larger number had died from starvation.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But to return once + more to Anson. Just at the time they were straining all points to + make ready for leaving Juan Fernandez, a sail was espied far in the + offing. Whilst the vessel advanced, they fancied that she might be + one of their own ships; but when she hauled off, it was determined to + pursue her. The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> being in the most + forward state, immediately got under sail; but the wind being light, + they soon lost sight of the stranger. Persuaded that she was an + enemy, they steered in the direction of Valparaiso for a couple of + days; then considering that she must have reached her port, were on + the point of abandoning the chase, when a gale blew them out of their + course, at the same time bringing them once more in sight of the + unknown vessel, which at first bore down upon them, showing Spanish + colours. She appeared to be a large ship which had mistaken the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> for her consort, and was + thought to be one of Pizarro’s squadron; this induced Anson to clear + the guns of all casks of water or provisions which encumbered them, + and prepare for action. When near enough, she was discovered to be + only a merchantman, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Carmelo</span></span>, without even as much as a + tier of guns. A little later, four shot were fired among her rigging, + on which not one of the crew would venture aloft. The ship yielded + immediately. When the first lieutenant went on board, he was received + with abject submission; and the passengers on board, twenty-five in + number, were terrified at the prospect of the ill-treatment they + should receive. But Anson was always humane and generous with a + fallen foe, and they were soon re-assured. His kindness was not + thrown away. When at length Captain Cheap and his brother-officers of + the wrecked <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Wager</span></span> arrived in Chili (then an + appanage of the Spanish Crown) <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page55">[pg 55]</span><a name="Pg055" id="Pg055" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>they were particularly well treated at Santiago. + <span class="tei tei-q">“We found,”</span> says Byron, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“many Spaniards here that had been taken by Commodore + Anson, and had been for some time prisoners on board the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span>. They all spoke in the + highest terms of the kind treatment they had received; and it is + natural to imagine that it was chiefly owing to that laudable example + of humanity our reception here was so good.”</span> They even said + that they should not have been sorry had he taken them to + England.<a id="noteref_16" name="noteref_16" href= + "#note_16"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">16</span></span></a> Anson’s + prize on this occasion had on board large quantities of sugar, cloth, + and some little cotton and tobacco; and in addition, that which was + more valuable, several trunks of wrought plate, and over <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">two tons</span></span> + of dollars (<span class="tei tei-q">“twenty-three serons of dollars, + each weighing upwards of 200 lbs. avoirdupois”</span>).</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Shortly + afterwards, Anson noted two sail, one of which appeared to be + <span class="tei tei-q">“a very stout ship,”</span> and which made + for them, whilst the other stood off. By evening they were within + pistol-shot of the nearest, <span class="tei tei-q">“and had a + broadside ready to pour into her, the gunners having their matches in + their hands, and only waiting for orders to fire.”</span> The ship + was hailed in Spanish, when the welcome voice of Mr. Hughes, + lieutenant of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Tryal</span></span>, answered in English that it + was a prize taken by him a couple of days before. She had tried to + escape in the night by showing no lights, but an opening or crevice + in one of the ports had betrayed them. She was a merchantman of about + 600 tons, and had much the same cargo as that taken by Anson, but not + so much money on board. Her capture at that moment was invaluable, + for the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Tryal</span></span> had sprung her mainmast, and + was altogether unseaworthy. She was condemned, and her crew, guns, + and stores, with some additions, were put on board the prize, now + appropriately christened <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">The Tryal’s Prize</span></span>. The sloop + herself was scuttled and sunk. Shortly afterwards a third prize was + taken, on which several Spanish lady passengers were found, who hid + themselves in corners, till assured of honourable and courteous + treatment. Anson ordered that they should retain their own cabins, + with all the other conveniences and privileges they had enjoyed + before, and ordered the Spanish pilot, the second in command, to stay + with them as their guardian and protector. A fourth prize, of little + value to the captors, as they could not dispose of much of the cargo + in any way, but a clear loss to the Spaniards of 400,000 dollars, was + taken a few days afterwards.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next followed the + capture of Paita, Peru, an important place in those days, though it + offered little or no resistance. When the sailors in search of + private pillage found the clothes of the Spaniards who had fled, they + were seized with an irresistible impulse to try them on; and soon + their dirty unmentionables and jackets were covered by embroidered + clothes and laced hats, not forgetting the bag-wig of the day. Those + who could not find men’s clothes put on women’s, and half the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion’s</span></span> crew were transformed + into <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page56">[pg 56]</span><a name= + "Pg056" id="Pg056" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>masqueraders. The town + was burned to the ground, after treasure, in the shape of plate, + dollars, and other coin, to the amount of upwards of £30,000, had + been taken, besides a number of valuable jewels, and plunder + generally, which became the property of the immediate captors. A + vessel in the harbour was taken, and five others scuttled and sunk. + The Spaniards, in their representations sent to the Court of Madrid, + estimated their total loss at a million and a half of dollars. After + Anson left Paita, there were dissensions on board regarding the + miscellaneous plunder, between those who had been ordered ashore and + those whose duty obliged them to remain on board. The Commodore ruled + that it should be put into one common fund, to which he gave his + entire share, and then divided impartially, in proportion to each + man’s rank and commission. To all but a few greedy grumblers this was + perfectly acceptable, and the discontent, which might easily have + been fanned into mutiny, was quashed at once.</p><a name= + "illo_067.png" id="illo_067.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_067.png" alt="SURRENDER OF THE “CARMELO.”" + title="SURRENDER OF THE “CARMELO.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + SURRENDER OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“CARMELO.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A day or two + afterwards, they rejoined the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gloucester</span></span>, and found that its + captain had taken a couple of small prizes, one of them with a cargo + of wine, brandy, and olives in jars, and about £7,000 in specie. The + people on the other, which was hardly more than a large boat or + launch, pleaded poverty, and that their cargo was only cotton. The + men on the barge had surprised them at dinner upon pigeon pie served + on silver dishes, and suspicion was aroused, which subsided when some + little examination had been instituted. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page57">[pg 57]</span><a name="Pg057" id="Pg057" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>When the packages, however, were more carefully + examined on board the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gloucester</span></span>, a considerable + quantity of doubloons and dollars, to the amount of near £12,000, was + discovered concealed among the cotton. Before leaving the South + American coast, Anson sent fifty-nine prisoners, in two well-equipped + launches taken from his prizes, to Acapulco, where they arrived + safely, and spoke highly of the treatment they had received.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Anson was now on + his way to the China Seas, to intercept, if possible, the Manilla + galleon, of which he had received some tidings. On the voyage it + became necessary to abandon the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gloucester</span></span>. Besides the loss of + masts, which were literally rotted out of her, she was tumbling to + pieces from sheer rottenness; and when her captain reported on her + condition, she had seven feet of water in the hold, although his + officers and men had been kept constantly at the pumps for the past + twenty-four hours. Her crew had become greatly reduced in numbers, + and out of her total complement of ninety-seven, officers included, + only sixteen men and eleven boys were capable of keeping the deck. + The removal of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gloucester’s</span></span> people, and such + stores as could most easily be taken, occupied two days. It was with + difficulty that the prize-money taken in the South Seas was secured; + the prize goods were necessarily abandoned. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Their sick men, amounting to nearly seventy, were + conveyed into the boats with as much care as the circumstances of + that time would permit; but three or four of them expired as they + were hoisting them into the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span>.”</span> The + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gloucester</span></span> was set on fire in the + evening, but did not blow up till six o’clock the following + morning.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At Tinian, one of + the Ladrone Islands, Anson stopped some time, refreshing his worn-out + crew, and strengthening the ship. The island abounded in cattle, + hogs, and poultry, running wild; in oranges, limes, lemons, + cocoa-nuts, and bread-fruit. <span class="tei tei-q">“The country did + by no means resemble that of an uninhabited and uncultivated place; + but had much more the air of a magnificent plantation, where large + lawns and stately woods had been laid out together with great skill, + and where the whole had been so artfully combined, and so judiciously + adapted to the slopes of the hills and the inequalities of the + ground, as to produce a most striking effect, and to do honour to the + invention of the contriver.”</span> These compliments to Nature may + often be paralleled in writers of the last century. When they had + dropped anchor, such was the weakness of the crew that it took them + five hours to furl their sails. <span class="tei tei-q">“All the + hands we could muster capable of standing at a gun,”</span> says the + narrator, <span class="tei tei-q">“amounted to no more than + seventy-one, most of whom, too, were incapable of duty, except on the + greatest emergencies. This, inconsiderable as it may appear, was the + whole force we could collect in our present enfeebled condition from + the united crews of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span>, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gloucester</span></span>, and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Tryal</span></span>, + which, when we departed from England, consisted of near a thousand + hands.”</span> Some Indians ashore fled when they landed, leaving + their huts, one of which, used as a large storehouse, was converted + into a hospital for the sick, one hundred and twenty-eight in number. + Numbers of these were so helpless that they had to be carried from + the boats, the commodore assisting, as he had before at Juan + Fernandez, and the officers following suit. The poor invalids soon + felt the benefit of the abundant fresh fruits and water; and although + twenty-one were buried in the first and succeeding day, they did not + lose above ten more during the two months of their stay at the + island.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page58">[pg + 58]</span><a name="Pg058" id="Pg058" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the + drawbacks of a stay at Tinian was the roadstead, which, with its + coral bottom, afforded a bad anchorage during the western monsoons. + This was convincingly proved to the people of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span>. In the third week of + September the wind blew with such fury that all communication with + the shore was cut off, as no boat could live in the sea raised by it. + The small bower cable, and afterwards their best bower, parted. The + waves broke over the devoted ship, and the long-boat, at that time + moored astern, was on a sudden canted so high that it broke the + transom of the commodore’s cabin on the quarter-deck, and was itself + stove to pieces, the poor boat-keeper, though extremely bruised, + being saved almost by a miracle. The end of all this was that the + ship was driven to sea, leaving Anson, several officers, and a great + part of the crew on shore, amounting in the whole to one hundred and + thirteen persons. The poor wretches on the ship expected each moment + to be their last, as they were altogether too few and weak to work a + large vessel.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The storm which drove the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> to sea blew with too + much turbulence to permit either the commodore or any of the people + on shore to hear the guns which she fired as signals of distress; and + the frequent glare of the lightning had prevented the explosions from + being observed; so that when at daybreak it was perceived from the + shore that the ship was missing, there was the utmost consternation + amongst them, for much the greatest part of them immediately + concluded that she was lost.”</span> Anson, whatever he thought + himself, did all in his power to reason them out of the idea, and + immediately proposed that if she did not return in a few days they + should cut in half a small bark, a Spanish prize they had taken, and + lengthen her about twelve feet, which would enable her to carry them + all to China. After some days the men began to consider this their + only chance, and worked zealously at their allotted employments. + These were interrupted one day by <span class="tei tei-q">“A + sail!”</span> being announced. Presently a second was descried, which + quite destroyed the conjecture that it was the ship herself. The + revulsion of feeling in Anson’s bosom was so strong, that for once he + was quite unmanned, and retired to his tent, with the bitter feeling + that now he could not hope to signalise the expedition by any great + exploit. He was, however, soon relieved by finding that the boats + were Indian proas, which, after cruising off the island for a time, + suddenly departed, and were lost to sight. The recital of the details + connected with the transformation of the bark would be tedious; + suffice it to say, that they had to manufacture many of the necessary + tools, cut down trees, and saw them into planks, and dig a dry dock, + while others were employed in collecting provisions. They were much + mortified to find that all the powder ashore did not amount to more + than ninety charges. What if the Spaniards should appear at this + juncture?</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">However, in spite + of all obstacles, they had proceeded so far with their work as to + have fixed upon a date for their departure from the island. + <span class="tei tei-q">“But their project and labours were now + drawing to speedier and happier conclusion; for, on the 11th of + October, in the afternoon, one of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gloucester’s</span></span> men, being upon a + hill in the middle of the island, perceived the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> at a distance, and, + running down with his utmost speed towards the landing-place, he in + the way saw some of his comrades, to whom he hallooed out with great + ecstasy, <span class="tei tei-q">‘The ship! the + ship!’</span> ”</span> It was indeed the ship; and when <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page59">[pg 59]</span><a name="Pg059" id="Pg059" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Anson heard of it, we can well believe + that he broke through <span class="tei tei-q">“the equable and + unvaried character”</span> he had hitherto preserved. The men were in + a perfect state of frenzy. A boat with eighteen men, and fresh meats + and fruits, was sent off to the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span>, which came to anchor + next day. She had been nearly three weeks absent. The chaplain who + has left us the narrative of Anson’s voyage was on board at the time. + He describes their deplorable condition in a leaky ship, with three + cables hanging loose, from one of which dragged their only remaining + anchor; not a gun lashed or port closed; shrouds loose, and topmasts + unrigged, and no sails which could be set except the mizen. The pumps + alone gave employment for the whole of the available crew. + <span class="tei tei-q">“In these exigencies,”</span> says he, + <span class="tei tei-q">“no rank or office exempted any person from + the manual application and bodily labour of a common sailor. They + eventually raised their sheet anchor, which had been dragging at the + bows, got up their mainyard, and generally got the ship in something + like sailing trim. They were quite as rejoiced to see the island once + more as were their companions to see <a name="corr059" id="corr059" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">them.</span>”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a long stay + at Macao, where the Chinese officials put all kinds of obstacles in + the way of refitting and provisioning his ship, Anson set sail for + the express purpose of intercepting the Manilla galleon or galleons, + which, indeed, had been the object of his long cruise off Mexico and + South America. The annual ship plying between Acapulco and Manilla, + and <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">vice + versâ</span></span>, was always richly laden with the best the + Spanish colonies afforded, and all on board the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> were now eager for the + fray. Anson determined to lay off Cape Spiritu Santo, Samal (one of + the Philippine group of islands), as the galleons always made that + land first on the voyage to Manilla. It was a month after they had + gained the station that the coveted prize hove in sight. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“On this a general joy spread through the whole + ship.”</span> The Spaniards had determined to risk the fight, and it + is needless to say that Anson was ready for them. He picked out about + thirty of his choicest marksmen, whom he distributed among the tops, + and they eventually did great execution. <span class="tei tei-q">“As + he had not hands enough remaining to quarter a sufficient number to + each great gun in the customary manner, he therefore on his lower + tier fixed only two men to each gun, who were to be solely employed + in loading it, whilst the rest of his people were divided into + different gangs of ten or twelve men each, who were continually + moving about the decks, to run out and fire such guns as were loaded. + By this management he was enabled to make use of all his guns; and + instead of whole broadsides, with intervals between them, he kept up + a constant fire without intermission; whence he doubted not to + procure very signal advantages. For it is common with the Spaniards + to fall down upon the decks when they see a broadside preparing, and + to continue in that posture till it is given; after which they rise + again, and presuming the danger to be for some time over, work their + guns and fire with great briskness, till another broadside is ready; + but the firing gun by gun, in the manner directed by the commodore, + rendered this practice of theirs impossible.”</span> Several squalls + of wind and rain about noon often obscured the galleon from their + sight; but when the weather cleared up she was observed resolutely + lying to, waiting her impending doom. Towards one o’clock the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> hoisted her colours, the + enemy being within gunshot. Anson noted that the Spaniards had + neglected to clear the decks, as they were still engaged in throwing + overboard cattle <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page60">[pg + 60]</span><a name="Pg060" id="Pg060" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and + lumber; and as all is supposed to be fair in war, he determined to + worry them at once, and ordered the chase-guns to be fired into them. + The galleon returned the fire with two of her stern chase-guns; + <span class="tei tei-q">“and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> getting her + sprit-sail-yard fore and aft, that if necessary she might be ready + for boarding, the Spaniards, in a bravado, rigged their + sprit-sail-yard fore and aft likewise. Soon after, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> came abreast of the + enemy, within pistol-shot, keeping to the leeward of them, with a + view of preventing their putting before the wind, and gaining the + port of Talapay, from which they were about seven leagues distant. + And now the engagement began in earnest, and for the first half-hour + Mr. Anson over-reached the galleon, and lay on her bow, where, by the + great wideness of his ports, he could traverse almost all his guns + upon the enemy, whilst the galleon could only bring a part of hers to + bear. Immediately on the commencement of the action, the mats with + which the galleon had stuffed her netting took fire, and burnt + violently, blazing up half as high as the mizen-top. This accident, + supposed to be caused by the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion’s</span></span> wads, threw the enemy + into the utmost terror, and also alarmed the commodore, for he feared + lest the galleon should be burnt, and lest he himself might suffer by + her driving on board him. However, the Spaniards at last freed + themselves from the fire by cutting away the netting, and tumbling + the whole mass which was in flames into the sea. All this interval, + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> kept her first + advantageous position, firing her cannon with great regularity and + briskness; whilst at the same time the galleon’s decks lay open to + her top-men, who, having at their first volley driven the Spaniards + from their tops, made prodigious havoc with their small-arms, killing + or wounding every officer but one that appeared on the quarter-deck, + and wounding in particular the general of the galleon + himself.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then for a little + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> lost the superiority of + her original position; but still her grape-shot raked the Spaniard’s + decks with such cruel precision that they were covered with the dead + and dying, encumbering the movements of those still fighting, who + kept up as brisk a fire as they could. But the general himself was + pretty nearly <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">hors de combat</span></span>, while the Spanish + officers were rushing hither and thither, endeavouring vainly to keep + the now disheartened men at their posts. They made one last effort, + pointed and fired five or six guns with more precision than usual, + and then yielded the contest. The galleon’s colours had been singed + off the ensign-staff in the beginning of the engagement, so she had + to haul down the royal standard from her main-top-gallant-mast head, + <span class="tei tei-q">“the person who was employed to perform this + office having been in imminent peril of being killed, had not the + commodore, who perceived what he was about, given express orders to + his people to desist from firing.”</span> And so the great + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Nostra + Signora de Cabadonga</span></span> became Anson’s prize.</p><a name= + "illo_072.jpg" id="illo_072.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_072.jpg" alt= + "ANSON TAKING THE SPANISH GALLEON" title= + "ANSON TAKING THE SPANISH GALLEON." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + ANSON TAKING THE SPANISH GALLEON. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And she was indeed + a prize. She had on board 35,682 ounces of virgin silver, 1,313,843 + pieces of eight, besides some cochineal and other trifles, which + hardly counted in comparison with the specie. She was a much larger + vessel than the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span>, and had five hundred + and fifty men, and thirty-six large guns, besides twenty-eight + pedreroes each carrying four-pound balls. During the action she had + sixty-seven men killed, and eighty-four wounded; whilst the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span> had only two killed, and + seventeen wounded. Shortly after the galleon had struck, an officer + came quietly to Anson, and told him the <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page62">[pg 62]</span><a name="Pg062" id="Pg062" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>ship was on fire near the powder-room. The + commodore showed no emotion, and gave orders to a few in regard to + extinguishing it, which was happily done, without alarming the crew + or informing the enemy. The galleon was constituted by Anson a + post-ship in his Majesty’s navy, the command being given to his first + lieutenant, Mr. Saumarez. All but the officers and wounded of the + prisoners were kept in the hold of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span>, two guarded hatchways + being left open. As the Spaniards were two to one of the English, + every precaution was necessary, but otherwise they were treated as + well as possible. Unfortunately their allowance of water was + necessarily small, one pint per day, the crew only receiving a pint + and a half; and although not one died on the passage to the river of + Canton, they were reduced to ghastly skeletons when they were + discharged. Anson refitted and sold the galleon to the merchants of + Macao, and, with about £400,000 worth of Spanish treasure, sailed for + England, where he arrived in safety. The damage done by him to Spain + was probably three or four times that represented by the above + amount. The great galleon was alone, with her cargo, valued at a + million and a half dollars; whilst the destruction of Paita, and the + minor Spanish prizes, with large parts of their cargoes, were serious + losses to Spain.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap04" id="chap04" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc11" id="toc11"></a> <a name="pdf12" id="pdf12"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER IV.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">The History of Ships and + Shipping Interests</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 120%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-style: italic">continued</span></span><span style="font-size: 120%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Progress of the American Colonies—Great Prevalence + of Piracy—Numerous Captures and Executions—A Proclamation of + Pardon—John Theach, or</span> <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Black + Beard</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—A + Desperate Pirate—Hand-and-glove with the Governor of North + Carolina—Pretends to accept the King’s Pardon—A Blind—His Defeat + and Death—Unwise Legislation and consequent Irritation—The Stamp + Act—The Tea Tax—Enormous Excitement—Tea-chests thrown into Boston + Harbour—Determined Attitude of the American Colonists—The Boston + Port Bill—Its Effects—Sympathy of all America—The final + Rupture—England’s Wars to the end of the Century—Nelson and the + Nile—Battle of Copenhagen.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the early + part of the eighteenth century, while Europe was distracted by war, + the American colonies were, <span class="tei tei-q">“by peaceful and + undisturbed pursuits, laying the foundation of that prosperity which + enabled them, before the close of the century, to demand and obtain + their severance from the mother country, and their social and + political independence.”</span> So early as 1729, Philadelphia had + 6,000 tons of shipping, and received in that year 6,208 emigrants + from Great Britain. New York was then carrying on a large trade in + grain and provisions with Spain and Portugal, besides forwarding + considerable quantities of furs to England. New England was + furnishing the finest spars and masts in the world, while that part + of it which is now the State of Massachusetts had already 120,000 + inhabitants, employing 40,000 tons of shipping, or about 600 vessels + of all sizes. The fisheries were of great value, as much as a quarter + of a million quintals of dried fish being annually exported to Spain, + Portugal, and the Mediterranean. Carolina was doing a magnificent + business in the export of rice, Indian corn, and provisions of all + kinds; in pitch, turpentine, and lumber.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page63">[pg 63]</span><a name="Pg063" id="Pg063" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But one serious + evil caused the colonists great annoyance and loss—the prevalence of + piracy. The State last named suffered far more than the rest. + Commercial restrictions, unwisely imposed by Great Britain, gave rise + to a large amount of smuggling, and from smuggling to piracy was an + easy transition. <span class="tei tei-q">“These gangs of naval + robbers were likewise frequently recruited by British sailors, who + had been trained to ferocity and injustice by the legalised piracy of + the slave-trade.”</span><a id="noteref_17" name="noteref_17" href= + "#note_17"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">17</span></span></a> One + Captain Quelch, the commander of a vessel which had committed + numerous piracies, ventured to take shelter, with his crew, in + Massachusetts in the year 1704. He was detected, tried, and hanged, + with six of his accomplices, in Boston. In 1717 several vessels were + captured on the coasts of New England by a noted pirate, Captain + Bellamy, a man who carried matters with a high hand, having a vessel + with twenty-three guns, and a crew of one hundred and thirty men. The + vessel was wrecked shortly afterwards on Cape Cod, the captain and + the whole of his crew, except six, perishing in the waves. The + pitiful remainder gained the shore, their fate literally realising + Defoe’s words—</p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“When what the + sea would not, the gallows may;”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">for they were + immediately conveyed to Boston, tried, and executed. A number of + pirates were about the same time hanged in Virginia. In consequence + of the repeated complaints of British merchants regarding these + freebooters, George I. issued a proclamation offering a pardon to all + pirates who should surrender to any of the colonial governors within + twelve months; and in 1718 dispatched a few ships of war under + Captain Rogers, who, repairing to New Providence, then a perfect den + of sea-thieves, took possession of the place, and nearly all the + pirates there took the benefit of the royal proclamation. Steed + Bennet and Richard Worley, two pirate chiefs who had fled from New + Providence at the approach of Rogers, took possession of the mouth of + Cape Fear River. They were captured by Governor Johnson and Captain + Rhett; and Bennet, who was a man of good education, and had held the + rank of major in the British army, was executed at Charlestown, with + forty-one of his accomplices. North Carolina had been for a long time + the haunt of one of the most desperate villains of his time, John + Theach, generally known as <span class="tei tei-q">“Black + Beard,”</span> from an enormous beard he wore, and which was + adjusted, Grahame records, <span class="tei tei-q">“with elaborate + care in such an inhuman disposition as was calculated to excite both + disgust and terror.... In battle, he has been represented with the + look and demeanour of a fury; carrying three braces of pistols on + holsters slung over his shoulders, and lighted matches under his hat, + protruding over each of his ears. The authority and admiration which + the pirate chiefs enjoyed among their fellows was proportioned to the + audacity and extravagance of their outrages on humanity; and none in + this respect ever challenged a rivalship with Theach.... Having + frequently undertaken to personify a demon for the entertainment of + his followers, he declared at length his purpose of gratifying them + with an anticipated representation of hell; and in this attempt had + nearly stifled the whole crew with the fumes of brimstone under the + hatches of his vessel. In one of his ecstasies, whilst heated with + liquor, and sitting in his cabin, he took a pistol in each hand, and, + cocking them under the table, blew out the lights, and then with + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page64">[pg 64]</span><a name="Pg064" + id="Pg064" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>crossed hands fired on each + side at his companions, one of whom received a shot that maimed him + for life.”</span> He was an early Mormon, for he had fourteen women + whom he called his wives. His chief security had been the fact that + Charles Eden, the governor, and Tobias Knight, the secretary of the + province, shared in his plunder and protected him. As he was rich, + and had been apprised of Rogers’ operations at New Providence, he + judged it wise to accept the benefit of the king’s proclamation, and, + with twenty of his men, pretended to surrender to Eden, who had been + a receiver of goods or gold stolen by him.</p><a name="illo_075.png" + id="illo_075.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_075.png" alt="CAPE COD" title="CAPE COD." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + CAPE COD. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was, however, + only a blind. He fitted out almost immediately afterwards a sloop, + which he entered at the Custom House as a regular trader. In a few + weeks he returned to North Carolina, bringing with him a French ship + in a state of perfect soundness, and with a valuable cargo on board, + which he deposed on oath that he had found deserted at sea, a + statement which quite satisfied Eden and Knight. Nobody else believed + him, and some of the Carolinians who had suffered by his hands + appealed to the Government of Virginia for aid in hunting down this + pest of humanity. Maynard, the lieutenant of a ship of war, was + dispatched after him, found him in Pamlico Sound, and, after a close + encounter, prevailed. <span class="tei tei-q">“Foreboding defeat, + Theach had posted one of his followers with a lighted match over his + powder magazine, that in the last extremity he might defraud + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page65">[pg 65]</span><a name="Pg065" + id="Pg065" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>human justice of a part of its + retributive triumph. But some accident or mistake prevented the + execution of this act of despair. Theach himself, surrounded by + slaughtered foes and followers, and bleeding from numerous wounds, in + the act of stepping back to cock a pistol, fainted from loss of + blood, and expired on the spot.”</span> The few survivors threw down + their swords, and were spared—to die on the gallows shortly + afterwards. Piracy was checked, but not obliterated, by these means; + and about five years after this period no less than twenty-six of + these <span class="tei tei-q">“sea rats”</span> were executed in + Rhode Island.</p><a name="illo_076.png" id="illo_076.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_076.png" alt= + "THE “DARTMOUTH” IN BOSTON HARBOUR" title= + "THE “DARTMOUTH” IN BOSTON HARBOUR." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“DARTMOUTH”</span> IN BOSTON HARBOUR. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This not being a + history of America, the writer is spared all allusion to events of + the period except so far as they bear on the sea and maritime + matters. One of the greatest among a long series of mistakes made at + the time by Great Britain was an expedient, ascribed to George + Grenville, intended to strike a death-blow at smuggling. All the + commanders and other officers of British ships of war stationed off + the American coasts, or cruising in the American seas, now received + injunctions and authority from the Crown to act as officers of the + customs; they were compelled to take the usual oaths of office + administered to the civil functionaries ashore; and, to reconcile + them to what they might think a service degrading to them, they were + to receive an ample share of contraband and confiscated cargoes. It + must be remembered that they were totally ignorant of the laws which + they were now required not merely to guard, but to administer; and + they had not <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page66">[pg + 66]</span><a name="Pg066" id="Pg066" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the + restraints of the ordinary Custom House officials, for whatever wrong + they might commit, no nearer redress was open to the sufferer than an + appeal to the Admiralty or Treasury of England. Many cargoes were + unjustly confiscated, and a number of others unreasonably detained, + to the great detriment of the owners; <span class="tei tei-q">“and in + several instances these violations of justice were ascribed rather to + eager cupidity and confidence of impunity than to involuntary + error.”</span> In other words, the legitimate merchant was often put + in the same box as though he had been a pirate or smuggler. A traffic + had long sprung up between the British and Spanish colonies of North + and South America, advantageous to both. The same existed, in a + lesser degree, between America and the French West India Islands. + These new auxiliaries of the Custom House now and again seized + indiscriminately and confiscated the ships, American or foreign, + engaged in this trade. Meantime, the Government at home, ill-informed + as it was, learned that there was much discontent in America, and + hastened to repair the damage by passing a special Act of Parliament, + declaring the legitimacy of the commerce between the American + colonies and those of France and Spain. Unfortunately, they at the + same time loaded the more valuable articles with duties which were + nearly prohibitive, and must encourage smuggling.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then came the + passage of the Stamp Act, which was to tax every paper of a + commercial, legal, or social nature, and which was so unpopular that + the merchants of New York directed their correspondents in England to + ship no more goods to them till it should be repealed. The people + very generally agreed to confine their purchases to native + productions. <span class="tei tei-q">“I will wear nothing but + homespun!”</span> exclaimed one angry citizen. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I will drink no wine,”</span> echoed another, angry that + wine must pay a new duty. <span class="tei tei-q">“I propose,”</span> + cried a third, <span class="tei tei-q">“that we dress in sheepskins, + with the wool on.”</span><a id="noteref_18" name="noteref_18" href= + "#note_18"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">18</span></span></a> To + encourage a woollen manufacture in America, it was recommended to the + colonists to abstain from eating the flesh of lambs, and not a + butcher durst afterwards expose lamb for sale. Its operations were + ushered in at Boston by the tolling of bells; effigies of the authors + and abettors were carried about the streets, and afterwards torn in + pieces by the populace. At Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a funeral + procession was organised, and a coffin bearing the inscription, + <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Liberty, Aged CXLV. + Years</span></span>,”</span> was paraded, amidst the booming of + minute guns, and the roll of muffled drums. An oration was made over + a grave prepared for its reception, at the conclusion of which some + remains of life were, it was pretended, discovered in the body, which + was thereupon snatched from the grave. The inscription was altered to + <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Liberty Revived</span></span>,”</span> and + a cheerful and hilarious procession then marched off with it. In + several instances the residences of the governors, officials, and + tax-collectors of States were burned to the ground, or greatly + damaged. So strong was the current of popular will that the Custom + House officers did not, in a large number of cases, attempt to stamp + the clearances of vessels sailing. The law courts remained open, and + ignored the want of stamps on legal documents, and marriages were + consummated simply after putting up the banns, and not by stamped + certificate. The almost total suspension of business with English + shippers and merchants alarmed them greatly, and they were among the + first to petition for its repeal. In Parliament, among many others, + Pitt was <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page67">[pg 67]</span><a name= + "Pg067" id="Pg067" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>a warm friend to the + American cause. In answer to a taunting speech from Grenville, he + replied: <span class="tei tei-q">“We are told that America is + obstinate—that America is almost in open rebellion. <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sir, I rejoice that + America has resisted.</span></span> Three millions of people so dead + to all the feelings of liberty as voluntarily to submit to be slaves, + would have been fit instruments to make slaves of all the + rest.”</span> The Stamp Act was repealed March 19th, 1766, and in + London itself was received with so much joy, that there was a general + illumination, amid the ringing of church bells; and in America it was + hailed with satisfaction, although subsequent action on the part of + the English Government soon obliterated all memory of the + concession.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Passing over + political complications which led to the American Revolution, we must + allude to the Tea Tax, the resistance to which was as strong as to + any previous measure of our misguided Government. The Government + decided to enforce it, although they were aware of its unpopularity, + and the East India Company, which had the vast stock of 17,000,000 + lbs. on hand, freighted several of their ships to America. Mark the + result.<a id="noteref_19" name="noteref_19" href= + "#note_19"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">19</span></span></a></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 28th + November, 1773, the ship <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Dartmouth</span></span> appeared in Boston + Harbour with one hundred and fourteen chests of the East India + Company’s tea. To keep the Sabbath strictly was the New England + usage. But hours were precious; let the tea be entered, and it would + be beyond the power of the consignee to send it back. The Select men + held one meeting by day, and another in the evening, but they sought + in vain for the consignees, who had taken sanctuary in the + castle.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Committee of + Correspondence was more efficient. They met also on Sunday; and + obtained from the Quaker, Potch, who owned the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Dartmouth</span></span>, a promise not to enter + his ship till Tuesday; and authorised Samuel Adams to invite the + Committees of the five surrounding towns, Dorchester, Roxbury, + Brookline, Cambridge, and Charlestown, with their own townsmen and + those of Boston, to hold a mass meeting the next morning. Faneuil + Hall could not contain the people that poured in on Monday. The + concourse was the largest ever known. Adjourning to <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The Old South”</span> Meeting House, on the motion of + Samuel Adams, the assembly, composed of five thousand persons, + resolved, unanimously, that <span class="tei tei-q">“the tea should + be sent back to the place from whence it came at all events, and that + no duty should be paid on it.”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“The + only way to get rid of it,”</span> said Mr. Young, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“is to throw it overboard.”</span> The consignees asked + for time to prepare their answer; and, <span class="tei tei-q">“out + of great tenderness,”</span> the body postponed proceeding with it + till the next morning. Meantime the owner and master of the ship were + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">convented</span></span>, and forced to promise + not to land the tea. A watch was also proposed. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I,”</span> said Hancock, <span class="tei tei-q">“will + be one of it, rather than that there should be none;”</span> and a + party of twenty-five persons, under the orders of Edward Proctor as + its captain, was appointed to guard the tea-ship during the + night.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next morning + the consignees jointly gave in their answer:—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“It is utterly impossible to send back the teas; but we + now declare to you our readiness to store them, until we shall + receive further directions from our constituents!”</span>—that is, + until they could <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page68">[pg + 68]</span><a name="Pg068" id="Pg068" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>notify the British Government. The wrath of the + meeting was kindling, when the Sheriff of Suffolk entered with a + proclamation from the governor, warning the assembly to disperse. The + notice was received with hisses, derision, and a unanimous vote not + to disperse. In the afternoon Potch, the owner, and Hall, the master, + of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Dartmouth</span></span>, yielding to an + irresistible impulse, engaged that the tea should return as it came, + without touching land or paying duty. A similar promise was exacted + of the owners of the other tea-ships, whose arrival was daily + expected. In this way <span class="tei tei-q">“it was thought the + matter would have ended.”</span> Every shipowner was forbidden, on + pain of being deemed an enemy to the country, to import or bring as + freight any tea from Great Britain, till the unrighteous Act taxing + it should be repealed; and this vote was printed and sent to every + seaport in the Province, and to England. Six persons were chosen as + foot-riders, to give due notice to the country towns of any attempt + to land the tea by force; and the Committee of Correspondence, as the + executive organ of the meeting, took care that a military watch was + regularly kept up by volunteers armed with muskets and bayonets, who + at every half-hour in the night regularly passed the word + <span class="tei tei-q">“All is well!”</span> like sentinels in a + garrison. Had they been molested in the night, the tolling of the + bells would have been the signal for a general uprising.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The ships, after + landing the rest of their cargo, could neither be cleared in Boston + with the tea on board, nor be entered in England, and on the + twentieth day from their arrival would be liable to seizure.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The spirit of the + people rose with the emergency. Two more tea-ships which arrived were + directed to anchor by the side of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Dartmouth</span></span>, at Griffin’s Wharf, + that one guard might serve for all. In the meantime the consignees + conspired with the Revenue officers to throw on the owner and master + of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Dartmouth</span></span> the whole burden of + landing the tea, and would neither agree to receive it, nor give up + their bill of lading, nor pay the freight. Every movement was duly + reported, and the town became as furious as in the time of the Stamp + Act. On the 9th there was a vast gathering at Newburyport, of the + inhabitants of that and the neighbouring towns, and they unanimously + agreed to assist Boston, even at the hazard of their lives. + <span class="tei tei-q">“This is not a piece of parade,”</span> they + say, <span class="tei tei-q">“but if an occasion shall offer, a + goodly number from among us will hasten to join you.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In this state of + things it was easily seen by the people of Boston that, the ships + lying so near, the teas would be landed by degrees, notwithstanding + any guard they could keep or measures taken to prevent it; and it was + as well known that if they were landed nothing could prevent their + being sold, and thereby the purpose of establishing the monopoly and + raising a revenue fulfilled.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The morning of + Thursday, the 16th of December, 1773, dawned upon Boston, a day by + far the most momentous in its annals. The town of Portsmouth held its + meeting on that morning, and, with six only protesting, its people + adopted the principles of Philadelphia, appointed their Committee of + Correspondence, and resolved to make common cause with the Colonies. + At ten o’clock the people of Boston, with at least two thousand men + from the country, assembled in the Old South. A report was made that + Potch (the owner of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Dartmouth</span></span>) had been refused a + clearance from the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page69">[pg + 69]</span><a name="Pg069" id="Pg069" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>collector. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Then,”</span> said they to him, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“protest immediately against the Custom House, and apply + to the governor for his pass, so that your vessel may this very day + proceed on her voyage to London.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The governor had + stolen away to his country house at Milton. Bidding Potch make all + haste, the meeting adjourned to three in the afternoon. At that hour + Potch had not returned. It was incidentally voted, as other towns had + already done, to abstain totally from the use of tea. Then, since the + governor might refuse his pass, the momentous question recurred, + <span class="tei tei-q">“Whether it be the sense and determination of + this body to abide by their former resolutions, with respect to the + not suffering the tea to be landed?”</span> After hearing addresses + from Adams, Young, the younger Quincy, and others, the whole assembly + of seven thousand voted unanimously, that the tea should not be + landed.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It had been dark + for more than an hour. The church in which they met was dimly + lighted; when, at a quarter before six, Potch appeared, and satisfied + the people by relating that the governor had refused him a pass, + because his ship was not properly cleared. As soon as he had finished + his report, Samuel Adams rose and gave the word: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“This meeting can do nothing more to save the + country!”</span> On the instant a shout was heard at the porch; the + war-whoop resounded; a body of men, forty or fifty in number, + disguised as Indians, passed by the door, and, encouraged by Samuel + Adams, Hancock, and others, repaired to Griffin’s Wharf, posted + guards to prevent the intrusion of spies, took possession of the + three tea-ships, and in about three hours three hundred and forty + chests of tea, being the whole quantity that had been imported, were + emptied into the bay, without the least injury to other property. All + things were conducted with great order, decency, and perfect + submission to Government. The people around, as they looked on, were + so still that the noise of breaking open the tea-chests was plainly + heard.</p><a name="illo_083.jpg" id="illo_083.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_083.jpg" alt="DESTRUCTION OF THE TEA CARGOES" + title="DESTRUCTION OF THE TEA CARGOES." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + DESTRUCTION OF THE TEA CARGOES. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In Philadelphia, + when a tea-ship arrived, the captain fearing the loss of his cargo, + agreed to sail back again the following day.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the whole + period of her controversy with Great Britain, America was deriving a + constant increase of strength, not merely from domestic growth, but + by the immense volume of emigration from Europe. No complete record + remains of its amount, but sufficient facts are known to show how + vast it had become. <span class="tei tei-q">“Within the first + fortnight of August, 1773, there arrived at Philadelphia 3,500 + emigrants from Ireland; and from the same document which has recorded + this circumstance, it appears that vessels were arriving every month + freighted with emigrants from Holland, Germany, and especially from + Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland. About 700 Irish settlers + repaired to the Carolinas in the autumn of 1773; and in the course of + the same season no fewer than ten vessels sailed from Britain with + Scottish Highlanders emigrating to the American States.”</span> + Connecticut in ten years gained 50,000 in population, and when the + final rupture occurred with the mother country, the United States had + already reached the important number of about three and a quarter + millions, or say a good million over the united populations of the + Australasian colonies of to-day, including New Zealand. And it must + never be forgotten that of the new-comers a large proportion were + flying from grievances at home to which <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page70">[pg 70]</span><a name="Pg070" id="Pg070" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>they could no longer submit, and that they + therefore added to and fanned the discontent prevailing in America. + In view of such facts the action of the home Government is nearly + inexplicable.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the + intelligence of the destruction of the tea reached England, although + it was obvious that the opposition which had been shown was common to + all the colonies, it was determined to make an example of Boston. + <span class="tei tei-q">“It was reckoned that a partial blow might be + dealt to America with much greater severity than could be prudently + exacted in more extensive punishment; and it was, doubtless, expected + that the Americans in general, without being provoked by personal + suffering, would be struck with terror by the rigour inflicted on a + city so long renowned as the bulwark of their liberties. Without even + the decent formality of requiring the inhabitants of Boston to + exculpate themselves, but definitely assuming their guilt in + conformity with the despatches of a governor who was notoriously at + enmity with them, the Ministers introduced into Parliament a bill for + suspending the trade and closing the harbour of Boston during the + pleasure of the king. They declared that the duration of this + severity would depend entirely upon the conduct of the objects of it; + for it would doubtless be relaxed as soon as the people of Boston + should make compensation for the tea that had been destroyed, and + otherwise satisfy the king of their sincere purpose to render due + submission to his Government.”</span> The bill encountered little or + no opposition in Parliament, a few members only contending that + milder measures should be tried. It is impossible to imagine such an + occasion to-day. Think of the ports of Sydney or Melbourne, for + example, being closed to all trade and commerce from outside, and + hundreds of vessels prevented from unloading or loading there, + because of irritation prevailing among the Australians, entirely + produced by unwise legislation, and unjust taxation on the part of + the mother country. Yet this is what was done with our American + colonies little more than a hundred years ago.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mark what + followed. On the arrival of the first copy of the Boston Port Bill a + town meeting was convened in that city, and it was recommended, + <span class="tei tei-q">“That all commercial intercourse whatever + with Britain and the West Indies should be renounced by the American + States till the repeal of the Act.”</span> At Philadelphia a liberal + subscription was made for the relief of such of the poorer + inhabitants of Boston whose livelihood had been ruined by this + arbitrary proceeding. The Virginian House of Burgesses appointed the + date on which the operation of the Act was to commence as a day of + fasting, humiliation, and prayer.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 1st of + June, 1774, the operation of the Boston Port Bill commenced. All the + commercial business of the capital of Massachusetts was concluded at + noon, and the harbour of this flourishing port was closed—till the + gathering storm of the Revolution was to re-open it. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“At Williamsburgh, in Virginia, the day was devoutly + consecrated to the religious exercises which had been recommended by + the Assembly. At Philadelphia it was solemnised by a great majority + of the population with every testimonial of public grief; all the + inhabitants, except the Quakers, shut up their houses; and after + divine service a deep and ominous silence reigned through the city. + In other parts of America it was also observed as a day of mourning; + and the sentiments thus widely awakened were kept alive and + exasperated by the distress to which the inhabitants of Boston were + reduced from the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page71">[pg + 71]</span><a name="Pg071" id="Pg071" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>continued operation of the Port Bill, and by the + fortitude with which they endured it. The rents of all the + land-holders in and around Boston now ceased, or were greatly + diminished; all the wealth which had been vested in warehouses and + wharfs was rendered unproductive; from the merchants was wrested the + commerce which they had reared, and the means alike of providing for + their families and paying their debts; all the artificers employed in + the numerous occupations created by an extensive trade shared the + general hardships; and a great majority of that class of the + community who earned daily bread by their daily labour were deprived + of the means of support.”</span> The sympathy shown by the sister + colonies was highly creditable, and often took the form of + substantial relief. The inhabitants of Marblehead offered to the + Boston merchants the use of their harbours, wharfs, and warehouses, + together with their personal services in lading and unlading goods, + free of all expense. The citizens of Salem (in the same State as + Boston) concluded a remonstrance against the British measures as + follows:—<span class="tei tei-q">“By shutting up the port of Boston, + some imagine that the course of trade might be turned hither, and to + our benefit.... We must be lost to every idea of justice, and dead to + all the feelings of humanity, could we indulge one thought of raising + our fortunes on the ruins of our suffering neighbours.”</span> A + country so thoroughly bound together surely deserved the independence + which a couple of years later it secured.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">No better excuse + can be urged for England than that her hands were constantly full at + this period. When there was not actual war there were always rumours + of war. Fortunately for our country, in its greatest need its + greatest hero’s star was in the ascendant. How often in these pages + must we recur again and again to the name of Nelson? The year after + America had declared her independence, he was, it is true, but simply + a lieutenant, and scarcely over nineteen years of age. He had already + seen some service. He had been to the West Indies and to the Arctic + Ocean, where, on Captain Phipps’ expedition, occurred one of those + little incidents which indicated a hero in embryo. Young Nelson was + one day missing, and though every search was instantly made for him, + it seemed entirely in vain, and all imagined he was lost. Somebody at + length discovered him at a considerable distance off, on the ice, + armed with a single musket, and fighting away with some object which, + on nearer approach, proved to be an immense bear. Always slight in + frame, and comparatively feeble in body, what was the youngster + about? It was found that the lock of his musket proving useless, he + had pursued the animal with the hope of tiring him, and then intended + to knock him on the head. On his return he was reprimanded for + leaving the ship without permission, and asked why he had been so + rash. The young hero replied, <span class="tei tei-q">“I wished, sir, + to get the skin for my father;”</span> and although there is no + record of the fact, it may well be believed that his little escapade + was not very severely punished. Almost immediately after his return + from the frozen regions, we find him in the East Indies, where his + health nearly gave way. For the second time in Nelson’s career we + find him almost abandoning the sea. <span class="tei tei-q">“I felt + impressed,”</span> wrote he long afterwards, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“with an idea that I should never rise in my profession. + My mind was staggered with a view of the difficulties which I had to + surmount, and the little interest I possessed. I could discover no + means of reaching the object of my ambition. After a long and gloomy + reverie, in which I almost wished myself overboard, a sudden glow of + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page73">[pg 73]</span><a name="Pg073" + id="Pg073" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>patriotism was kindled within + me, and hope presented my king and country as my patrons. + <span class="tei tei-q">‘Well then,’</span> I exclaimed, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘I will be a hero, and confiding in Providence, I will + brave every danger.’</span> ”</span> From that moment his aspirations + became inspirations, and he believed fully that</p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“The light which + led him on,</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Was light from + Heaven.”</span> + </div> + </div><a name="illo_084.png" id="illo_084.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_084.png" alt="NELSON AND THE BEAR" title= + "NELSON AND THE BEAR." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + NELSON AND THE BEAR. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The young sailor, + or he who may become one, may learn very much from the earlier part + of Nelson’s career. Again and again was he disappointed, and although + momentarily irritable, he always ended by looking forward to the + inevitable reward due to the man who places country and duty above + all other considerations. After his services at Bastia and Calvi, + where he lost that eye which afterwards served him so well from its + blindness, his bravery was altogether overlooked in the despatches. + <span class="tei tei-q">“One hundred and ten days,”</span> said he, + <span class="tei tei-q">“I have been actually engaged at sea and on + shore against the enemy; three actions against ships, two against + Bastia in my own ship, four boat actions, two villages taken, and + twelve sail of vessels burnt. I do not know that any one has done + more; I have had the comfort to be always applauded by my + commanders-in-chief, but never to be rewarded; and, what is more + mortifying, for services in which I have been wounded, others have + been praised who, at the time, were actually in bed, far from the + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page74">[pg 74]</span><a name="Pg074" + id="Pg074" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>scene of action. They have not + done me justice; but never mind—I’ll have a gazette of my + own!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And what a gazette + it was! When, in 1797, Nelson received a special grant for his + services, a memorial had to be drawn up, when it was found that he + had been engaged against the enemy upwards of <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">one hundred and twenty + times</span></span>! During the latest war up to the above date he + had assisted at the capture of seven sail of the line, six frigates, + four corvettes, and eleven privateers; he had taken or destroyed + nearly fifty sail of merchant vessels.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then followed the + great battle of the Nile. The French fleet having been discovered by + Captain Samuel Flood, the action commenced at sunset. The shores of + the Bay of Aboukir were lined with spectators, who beheld the + approach of the English and the terrible conflict which ensued, in + silent and awe-stricken astonishment. A brisk fire was opened by the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Vanguard</span></span>, which ship covered the + approach of those in the rear; in a few minutes every man stationed + at the first six guns in her fore part were all down, killed or + wounded. Admiral Nelson was so entirely resolved to conquer, or to + perish in the attempt, that he led into action with six ensigns, red, + white, and blue—he could not bear the idea of his colours being + carried away by a random shot from the enemy.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nelson—long minus + one eye and one arm—in this battle received a severe wound in his + head, the skin of the forehead hanging down over his face. Captain + Berry, who was standing near, caught him in his arms. It was the + opinion of everyone, including the sufferer, that he was shot through + the head. On being carried down in the cockpit, where several of his + gallant crew were stretched with shattered limbs and mangled wounds, + the surgeon immediately came with great anxiety to the admiral. + <span class="tei tei-q">“No,”</span> replied the hero, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I will take my turn with my brave fellows!”</span> The + agony of his wound increasing, he became convinced that he was dying, + and sent for the chaplain, begging him to remember him to Lady + Nelson; he even went so far as to appoint Hardy post-captain for the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Vanguard</span></span>. When the surgeon came to + examine and dress the wound, it clearly appeared that it was not + mortal, and the joyful intelligence spread quickly through the ship. + As soon as the operation was over, Nelson sat down, and that very + night wrote the celebrated official letter which appeared in the + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gazette</span></span>. He came on deck just in + time to witness the conflagration of <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">L’Orient</span></span>. So terrible was the + carnage at the battle of the Nile that the Bay of Aboukir was covered + for a week with the floating corpses, and though men were continually + employed to sink them, many of the bodies, having slipped from the + shot, would re-appear on the surface. Alas! the accounts of these + horrible scenes, painful as they are, yet pale before the latest + horror in our own Thames—the loss of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Princess + Alice</span></span>, where more perished than in many a recorded + sea-fight of days gone by.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After the battle, + the officers vied with each other in sending various presents to the + admiral, to show their delight that he had, though severely wounded, + escaped death. Captain Hallowell, who had long been on the most + intimate terms with Nelson, hit on the extraordinary idea of having + an elegantly-furnished coffin constructed by his carpenter from the + wreck of <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">L’Orient</span></span>, a grim present, which he + ordered to be made for the admiral. It was conveyed on board, and it + is stated that Nelson highly appreciated the present of his brave + officer. Nelson kept it for some months upright in his cabin, till at + length an old servant tearfully entreating him, he allowed it to be + carried below. Nelson was now at the height of glory; never had + before, or has since, any admiral received honours from so many + various nations and crowned <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page75">[pg + 75]</span><a name="Pg075" id="Pg075" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>heads. The following is a list of presents + bestowed on him for his services in the Mediterranean between + October, 1798, and October, 1799:—</p> + + <table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <tbody> + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item">From his king and country, a peerage + of Great Britain and gold medal.</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item">From Parliament, for his own life and + two next heirs, per annum, £2,000.</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item">From the Parliament of Ireland, per + annum, £1,000.</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item">From the East India Company, + £10,000.</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item">From the Turkey Company, a piece of + plate of great value; from the City of London, a magnificent + sword.</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item">From the Grand Signor, a diamond + aigrette and rich pelisse, valued at £3,000.</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item">From the Grand Signor’s mother, a rose + set with diamonds, valued at £1,000.</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item">From the Emperor of Russia, a box set + with diamonds, valued at £2,500.</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item">From the King of the Two Sicilies, a + sword richly ornamented with diamonds, valued at £5,000.</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item">From the King of Sardinia, a box set + with diamonds, valued at £1,200.</td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In addition to + these, all accompanied by complimentary addresses or letters, he + received presents from the Island of Zante, the city of Palermo, and + private individuals. Had he not attained a <span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gazette</span></span> of his + own?”</span></p><a name="illo_087.jpg" id="illo_087.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_087.jpg" alt="LORD NELSON" title= + "LORD NELSON." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + LORD NELSON. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The battle of + Copenhagen made Nelson’s talents, in some respects, even more + conspicuous. The Danes were admirably prepared for defence. Upwards + of a hundred pieces of cannon were mounted on the Crown Batteries at + the entrance of the harbour, while a line of twenty-five two-deckers, + frigates, and floating batteries were moored across its mouth. A Dane + who came on board during the ineffectual negotiations which preceded + hostilities, having occasion to express his proposals in writing, + found the pen thick and blunt, and holding it up, sarcastically said, + <span class="tei tei-q">“If your guns are not better pointed than + your pens, you will make little impression on Copenhagen.”</span> + Nelson himself said that of all the engagements in which he had borne + a part, this was the most terrible. He had with him twelve ships of + the line, besides frigates and smaller craft, the remainder of the + fleet being with Sir Hyde Parker, the Commander-in-chief, four miles + off. Three of his squadron grounded, and, owing to the fears of the + masters and pilots, the anchors were let go nearly a cable’s length + from the enemy, whereas, had they proceeded a little further, they + would have reached deeper water, and the victory would have been + effected in half the time. The fight, which commenced at ten o’clock + in the morning, was by no means decided at one in the afternoon, when + Sir Hyde Parker signalled for the action to cease. It was reported to + Nelson, who took no notice of it. The signal-lieutenant meeting him + at the next turn, asked him if he should repeat it. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“No,”</span> answered Nelson, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“acknowledge it.”</span> Shortly afterwards he called + after him to know if the signal for close action was still hoisted, + and being answered in the affirmative, said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Mind you keep it so.”</span> He now rapidly paced the + deck, moving the stump of his right arm in a manner which always + denoted great agitation; for the Commander-in-chief still signalled + <span class="tei tei-q">“leave off action.”</span> At last, turning + to the captain, he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“You know, Foley, + I’ve only one eye, and I have a right to be blind sometimes,”</span> + and he ordered his signal for closer battle to be nailed to the mast. + Admiral Graves disobeyed the Commander-in-chief in similar manner, + but the squadron of frigates moved off. About two o’clock great part + of the Danish line had ceased to fire, some of their lighter ships + were adrift, and some had struck. It was, however, difficult to take + possession of them, as they were protected by the batteries of an + island, and they themselves fired on the English boats as they + approached. This irritated Nelson: <span class="tei tei-q">“We must + either,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“send on shore and + stop these irregular proceedings, or send in fire-ships <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page76">[pg 76]</span><a name="Pg076" id="Pg076" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and burn the prizes.”</span> In this part + of the battle the victory was complete, but the three ships ahead + were still engaged, and considerably exposed. Nelson, with his usual + presence of mind, seized the occasion to open a negotiation, and + wrote to the Crown Prince as follows: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson has directions to spare Denmark + when she no longer resists. The line of defence which covered her + shores has struck to the British flag; but if the firing is continued + on the part of Denmark, he must be obliged to set on fire all the + prizes that he has taken, without having the power of saving the + brave Danes who have defended them.”</span> Captain Frederick + Thesiger was sent in with it. During his absence the remainder of the + enemy’s line eastward was silenced; the Crown Batteries continued to + fire, till the Danish General Lindholm returned with a flag of truce, + when <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page77">[pg 77]</span><a name= + "Pg077" id="Pg077" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the action closed. His + message from the prince was to inquire what was the object of + Nelson’s note? Nelson replied that <span class="tei tei-q">“it was + humanity; he consented that the wounded Danes should be taken on + shore, and that he on his part would take his prisoners out of the + vessels and burn or carry off his prizes as he thought fit. He + presented his humblest duty to the prince, saying that he should + consider this the greatest victory he ever gained if it might be the + cause of a happy reconciliation between the two countries.”</span> + This proposal was accepted in the course of the evening, and a + suspension of hostilities for twenty-four hours agreed upon, during + which it was resolved that Nelson should land and negotiate in person + with the prince.</p><a name="illo_088.jpg" id="illo_088.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_088.jpg" alt="NELSON AT COPENHAGEN" title= + "NELSON AT COPENHAGEN." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + NELSON AT COPENHAGEN. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly next + morning he landed, being protected by a strong guard from the + possible vengeance of the Danish population. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The battle so dreadfully destructive to the Danes was in + sight of the city; the whole of the succeeding day was employed in + landing the wounded, and there was scarcely a house without its cause + for mourning. It was no new thing for Nelson to show himself + regardless of danger, and it is to the honour of Denmark that the + populace suffered themselves to be restrained. Some difficulty + occurred in adjusting the duration of the armistice. He required + sixteen weeks, giving, like a seaman, the true reason, that he might + have time to act against the Russian fleet and return. This not being + acceded to, a hint was thrown out by one of the Danish commissioners + of the renewal of hostilities. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Renew + hostilities!’</span> said he to the interpreter, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘tell him we are ready at a moment; ready to bombard this + very night!’</span> Fourteen weeks were at length agreed upon; the + death of the Emperor Paul intervened, and the Northern Confederacy + was destroyed. Nelson was raised to the rank of viscount, and, + indeed, had not the Government dealt out honours to him slowly and by + degrees, their stock would long ere that have been exhausted.”</span> + The grand sea battle in which he saved his country and lost his life + has been already described in these pages.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap05" id="chap05" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc13" id="toc13"></a> <a name="pdf14" id="pdf14"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER V.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">The History of Ships and + Shipping Interests</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 120%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-style: italic">continued</span></span><span style="font-size: 120%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Early Paddle-boats—Worked by Animal Power—Blasco de + Garay’s Experiment—Solomon de Caus—David Ramsey’s Engines—The Marquis + of Worcester—A Horse-boat—Boats worked by Water—By Springs—By + Gunpowder—Patrick Miller’s Triple Vessel—Double Vessels worked by + Capstans—The First Practical Steam-boat—Symington’s Engines—The + Second Steamer—The</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Charlotte + Dundas</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—American + Enterprise—James Rumsey’s Oar-boats worked by Steam—Poor Fitch—Before + his Age—Robert Fulton—His Torpedo Experiments—Wonderful Submarine + Boat—Experiments at Brest and Deal—His first Steam-boat—Breaks in + Pieces—Trip of the</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Clermont</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">, + the first American Steamer—Opposition to his Vessels—A + Pendulum-boat—The first Steam War-ship—Henry Bell’s</span> + <span class="tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Comet</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The employment of + animal power in the propulsion of vessels is of very ancient date, + and we shall see that steam-power was proposed for the same purpose + as soon as the steam-engine had been utilised for pumping mines, + although it was some time before it could be applied practically and + profitably. We are told that <span class="tei tei-q">“in some very + ancient manuscripts extant in the King of France’s library, it is + said that the boats by which <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page78">[pg + 78]</span><a name="Pg078" id="Pg078" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the + Roman army under Claudius Caudex was transported into Sicily, were + propelled by wheels moved by oxen. And in many old military treatises + the substitution of wheels for oars is mentioned.”</span><a id= + "noteref_20" name="noteref_20" href="#note_20"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">20</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-q">“Although an old work on China,”</span> says + another authority,<a id="noteref_21" name="noteref_21" href= + "#note_21"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">21</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-q">“contains a sketch of a vessel moved by four + paddle-wheels, and used perhaps in the seventh century, the earliest + distinct notice of this means of propulsion appears to be by Robertus + Vulturius, in <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-size: 75%">A.D.</span></span> 1472, who gives several wood-cuts + representing paddle-wheels.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The first use of + steam in connection with the propulsion of vessels is perhaps that + said to have been made by Blasco de Garay, in 1543. He had proposed + to the Emperor Charles V. the construction of an engine capable of + moving large vessels in a calm, and without the use of sails or oars. + <span class="tei tei-q">“In spite of the opposition this project + encountered, the emperor consented to witness the experiment, which + was accordingly made in the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Trinity</span></span>, a vessel of 200 tons, + laden with corn, in the port of Barcelona, on the 17th June, 1543. + Garay, however, would not uncover his machinery, or exhibit it + publicly, but it was evident that it consisted of a cauldron of + boiling water (<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">una gran caldera de aqua + hirviendo</span></span>), and of two wheels set in motion by that + means, and applied externally on each side (<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">banda</span></span>) of + the vessel.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The persons commissioned by the emperor to report on the + invention seem to have approved it, commending especially the + readiness with which the vessel tacked. The Treasurer Ravago, + however, observed that a ship with the proposed machinery could not + go faster than two leagues in three hours; that the apparatus was + complex and expensive; and that there was danger of the boiler + bursting. The other commissioners maintained that such a vessel might + go at the rate of a league an hour, and would tack in half the time + required by an ordinary ship. When the exhibition was over, Garay + removed the apparatus from the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Trinity</span></span>, + depositing the woodwork in the arsenal at Barcelona, but retaining + himself the rest of the machinery. Notwithstanding, however, the + objections urged by Ravago, the emperor was inclined to favour his + project, but his attention at the time was engrossed by other + matters. Garay was, however, promoted, and received a sum of money, + besides the expenses of the experiment made at Barcelona.”</span> The + above account is from Spanish sources, supposed to be authentic, till + Mr. MacGregor, in 1857, made a journey into Spain for the express + purpose of verifying them. The conclusions to which he came were that + the paddle-wheels were turned by men.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About this epoch, + however, frequent mention is made of means of propulsion other than + by sails or oars, and it is evident that men of learning in various + places were nearly simultaneously musing and thinking over the + matter. J. C. Scaliger (who died 1558) published at Frankfort a short + account of a vessel to be propelled without oars. Another + inventor<a id="noteref_22" name="noteref_22" href= + "#note_22"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">22</span></span></a> a few + years later, says quaintly, <span class="tei tei-q">“And furthermore + you may make a boat to goe without oares or sayle, by the placing of + certain wheeles on the outside of the boate, in that sort, that the + armes of the wheeles may goe into the water, and so <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page79">[pg 79]</span><a name="Pg079" id="Pg079" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>turning the wheeles by some provision, and + so the wheeles shall make the boate goe.”</span> Bessoni, in 1582, + describes a vessel consisting of two hulls decked above,—like the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Castalia</span></span> or <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Calais-Douvres</span></span>—and a wheel worked + by ropes and a windlass in the interval between them. Ramelli, in + 1588, designed a paddle-wheel flat-bottomed boat, worked by men + turning a winch-handle. Indeed, Roger Bacon had, three centuries and + a half before, spoken of a <span class="tei tei-q">“vessel which, + being almost wholly submerged, would run through the water against + waves and winds with a speed greater than that attained by the + fastest London pinnaces.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The power of steam + was rapidly becoming understood. In 1601, Baptista Porta (the + inventor of the magic-lantern) made many experiments on steam and its + condensation, and its relative bulk to water. Rivault shortly after + describes the power of steam in bursting a strong bomb-shell, partly + filled by water, tightly plugged, and then heated. In 1615, we find + Solomon de Caus proving that <span class="tei tei-q">“water will + mount by the help of fire higher than its level;”</span> and Branca, + in 1629, applying steam to the vanes of a wheel to make it revolve, + as in some toys to-day. In our own country we find David Ramsey, one + of the Pages of the King’s Bedchamber, obtaining, with a partner, a + patent in 1618, <span class="tei tei-q">“To exercise and put in use + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">divers newe + apt formes or kinds of Engines</span></span>, and other pfitable + Invenc’ons, as well to plough grounds without horse or oxen, and to + make fertile as well as barren peats, salts and sea lands, as inland + and upland grounds within the Realmes of England, &c. As, also, + to raise waters, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">and to make boats for carriages runnin upon the + water as swift in calmes, and more safe in storms, than boats fall + sayled in great windes</span></span>.”</span> Twelve years later we + find Ramsey applying alone for a patent of most comprehensive + character. It was designed <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">To raise water from + lowe pitts by fire</span></span> [the steam-engine]. To make any sort + of Milles to go on standing Waters by continual moc’on without the + helpe of Windes, Weight, or Horse. To make all sortes of Tapestry + without any weaving loome or way even yet in use in this kingdom. + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">To make + Boats, Ships, and Barges to goe against the Wind and Tyde, + &c.</span></span>”</span> And so on through the century. + Woodcroft, in his standard work,<a id="noteref_23" name="noteref_23" + href="#note_23"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">23</span></span></a> + enumerates over a dozen more patents having for their object the + propulsion of boats and vessels, which were granted before 1700, + including one to the celebrated Marquis of Worcester, which, however, + did not contemplate the use of steam. In the <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Century of Invencions”</span> Lord Worcester says: + <span class="tei tei-q">“By it, I can make a vessel, of as great + burden as the river can bear, to go against stream, <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">which the more rapid it + is, the faster it shall advance</span></span>, and the moveable part + that works it, may be by one man still guided to take advantage of + the stream, and yet to steer the boat to any point; and this engine + is applicable to any vessel or boat whatsoever, without being, + therefore, made on purpose, and worketh these effects:—<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">it roweth, it draweth, + it driveth</span></span>, (if needs be) to pass London Bridge against + the stream at low water; and a <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">boat laying at anchor, the engine may be used + for loading or unloading</span></span>.”</span> Woodcroft explains + this as follows: <span class="tei tei-q">“It is obvious that the + Marquis did not, by this, mean a steam-propelled paddle-wheel boat, + the action of which would not have been such as he describes; but a + rope fastened at one end up the stream, and at the other to the axis + of water-wheels laying <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page80">[pg + 80]</span><a name="Pg080" id="Pg080" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>across the boat, and dipping into the water, so + as to be turned by the wheels, would fulfil the conditions proposed + of advancing the boat faster, the more rapid the stream; and when at + anchor such wheels might have been applied to the other + purposes.”</span> Floating mills, worked by large water-wheels, may + be seen on the Rhine to-day.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Papin, the French + philosopher, while in England, witnessed an experiment on the Thames, + in which a boat, fitted with revolving oars or paddles, was worked + from a kind of treadmill turned round by horses. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The velocity with which this horse-boat was impelled was + so great, that it left the king’s barge, manned with sixteen rowers, + far astern in the race of trial.”</span> In 1682, a horse tow vessel + was used at Chatham. It was <span class="tei tei-q">“constructed with + a wheel on each side of the vessel, connected by an axle going across + the boat, and the paddles were made to revolve by horses moving a + wheel turned by a trundle fixed on the axle. It drew but four and a + half feet of water, and towed the greatest ships by the help of four, + six, or eight horses.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In 1729, Dr. John + Allen obtained a patent for his new invention, one which has been + revived with some success in later days. It was to propel a vessel by + forcing water through the stern, at a convenient distance under the + surface of the water, into the sea, by suitable engines on board. + <span class="tei tei-q">“Amongst,”</span> says the doctor, + <span class="tei tei-q">“the several and various engines I have + invented for this purpose, is one of a very extraordinary nature, + whose operation is owing to the explosion of <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">gunpowder</span></span>, I having found out a + method of firing gunpowder in vacuo, or in a confined space, whereby + I can apply the whole force of it, which is inconceivably great, so + as to communicate motion to a great variety of engines, which may + also be applied in working mines and other purposes.”</span> And + again, in 1760, a Swiss clergyman published a pamphlet in London, in + which oars worked with springs were to be used, and the expansive + power of gunpowder was to be used to bend the springs. He states, + candidly enough, that since he arrived in England he had learned that + thirty years before a Scotchman had proposed to make a ship proceed + by means of gunpowder, but that thirty barrels had scarcely forwarded + it ten miles. We may smile at these attempted uses of gunpowder, but + they were doubtless suggested by the scientific studies of the day, + which were particularly directed to the expansive power of vaporised + water. In our own day, steam has been substituted for powder in + discharging a cannon. Perkins’ <span class= + "tei tei-q">“steam-gun”</span> was long one of the curiosities of the + Polytechnic Institution.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 5th of + January, 1769, James Watt obtained a patent for a series of + improvements in the steam-engine, one of which was most important in + its bearing on naval engines. It was that which provided for steam + acting <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">above</span></span> the piston as well as below + it, in, of course, the same cylinder. Here was a grand move at once. + Previously every engine for pumping, the only practical purpose to + which steam was yet put, was worked by a beam engine and pair of + cylinders. In 1779, Matthew Wasborough, an engineer of Bristol, + obtained a patent, as others, indeed, had before him, for converting + a rectilinear into a continuous circular motion. It failed, as the + others had done, because they required ratchet wheels, pulleys, + &c. The following year James Pickard invented the present + connecting-rod and crank, with fly-wheel, and removed the great + obstacle to propelling vessels by steam. The following year, again, + Watt invented what is now known as the <span class="tei tei-q">“sun + and planet motion,”</span> another step in the same + direction.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page81">[pg + 81]</span><a name="Pg081" id="Pg081" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We now approach + the name of one of those who are most intimately connected with the + history of steam navigation, Patrick Miller of Dalswinton. In 1787 he + published a pamphlet<a id="noteref_24" name="noteref_24" href= + "#note_24"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">24</span></span></a> + describing a <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">triple vessel</span></span>, propelled by + paddle-wheels, and worked by cranks. In it he very distinctly says: + <span class="tei tei-q">“I have also reason to believe that the power + of the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">steam-engine</span></span> may be applied to + work the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">wheels</span></span>, so as to give them a + quicker motion, and consequently to increase that of the ship. In the + course of this summer I intend to make the experiment,”</span> + &c. A statement was presented to the Royal Society, Dec. 20th, + 1787, regarding experiments made by Mr. Miller in the Firth of Forth, + the previous summer, in a <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">double</span></span> vessel, sixty feet long and + fourteen and a half feet broad, put in motion by a water-wheel, + wrought by a capstan of five bars. On the lower part of the capstan a + wheel was fixed, with teeth pointing upwards, to work in a trundle + fixed on the axis of the water-wheel. She was worked at from three + and a half to five miles an hour, with four or five men at the + capstan. Two men propelled her at the rate of two and a half + miles.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The vessel was + three-masted, and sailed well with a smart breeze, when the wheel was + invariably raised above the surface of the water. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“After making sundry tacks in the Firth,”</span> says the + narrator, <span class="tei tei-q">“with all the sails set, the wind + fell to a gentle breeze, when all the sails were taken in, and the + following experiments made:—</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The vessel being put in motion by the water-wheel, + wrought by five men at the capstern (<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">sic</span></span>) was + steered so as to keep the wind right ahead, and her going was found + by the log to be three and a half miles in the hour.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“After this the wind was brought on the beam (that + situation being considered as the nearest to trying the effect of the + wheel in a calm), when five men at the capstern made the vessel to go + at the rate of four miles an hour.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“With the wind brought on the quarter, five men caused + her to go at the rate of four and a half miles an hour,”</span> + &c.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And so it goes on. + Miller made some very distinct statements as to the distance the + different vessels should be placed from each other, and further + states that the objection that the sea would separate the different + bottoms is not well founded, <span class="tei tei-q">“top weight not + being detrimental to these ships in point of stiffness, all the beams + on the different decks may be of the same size; and the strength of + these united must be very superior to any weight or force which can + operate against it when the ship is afloat, however agitated or high + the sea may be.”</span> These early experiments are particularly + interesting now, when the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Calais-Douvres</span></span>, a vessel which + must be described hereafter, has proved a success.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. James Taylor + may also be considered as one of the authors or inventors of the + present system of steam navigation. In a memorial laid before a + Select Committee of the House of Commons in 1824, he says:—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Before, however, entering upon the main object, permit + me to introduce it by a short statement explanatory of my connection + with Mr. Miller. In the autumn of 1785, I went to live in Mr. + Miller’s house as preceptor to his two younger sons. I found him a + gentleman of great patriotism, generosity, and philanthropy, and at + the same time of a <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page82">[pg + 82]</span><a name="Pg082" id="Pg082" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>very + speculative turn of mind. Before I knew him he had gone through a + very long and expensive course of experiments upon artillery, of + which the carronade was the result. When I came to know him he was + engaged in experiments upon shipping, and had built several (ships or + vessels) upon different constructions, and of various magnitudes. The + double vessel seemed to fix his attention most. In the summer of 1786 + I attended him repeatedly in his experiments at Leith, which I then + viewed as parties of pleasure and amusement. But in the spring of + 1787 a circumstance occurred which gave me a different opinion. Mr. + Miller had engaged in a sailing match with some gentlemen at Leith, + against a Custom House boat (a wherry), which was reckoned a + first-rate sailer. A day was appointed, and I attended Mr. Miller. + His was a double vessel, sixty feet deck, propelled by two wheels, + turned by two men each. * * * Being then young and stout, I took my + share of the labours of the wheels, which I found very severe + exercise, but it satisfied me that a proper power only was wanting to + produce much utility from the invention.”</span> This led to long and + interesting discussions on the subject, and Miller explained that his + principal object was to enable vessels to avoid or extricate + themselves from dangerous situations, and also give them powers of + motion during calms. He asked Mr. Taylor to give him the benefit of + his brains. At last the latter told him that he could suggest no + power equal to the steam-engine. The question then became how to + apply it. Taylor made sketches according to his ideas, and Mr. Miller + then said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Well, when we go to Edinburgh we + will apply to an operative engineer, and take an estimate for a small + engine, and if it is not a large sum, we will set about it; but as I + am a stranger to the steam-engine, you shall take charge of that part + of the business, and we will try what we can make of <a name= + "corr082" id="corr082" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">it.</span>”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“At this time William Symington, a young man employed at + the lead mines at Wanlockhead, had invented a new construction of the + steam-engine, by throwing off the air-pump. I had seen a model work, + and was pleased with it, and thought it very answerable for Mr. + Miller’s purpose. Symington had come into Edinburgh that winter for + education. Being acquainted with him, I informed him of Mr. Miller’s + intentions and mine, and asked if he could undertake to apply his + engine to Mr. Miller’s vessels, and if he could I would recommend + him. He answered in the affirmative, and from friendship I + recommended both himself and engine, and afterwards introduced him to + Mr. Miller. After some conversation, Symington engaged to perform the + work, and Mr. Miller agreed to employ him. It was finally arranged + that the experiment should be performed on the lake at Dalswinton, in + the ensuing summer (1788). Accordingly in the spring, after the + classes of the College broke up, I remained in town to superintend + the castings, &c., which were done in brass, by George Watt, + founder, back of Shakspear Square. When they were finished I sent the + articles to the country, and followed myself. After some interval I + took Symington with me to Dalswinton to put the parts together. This + was accomplished about the beginning of October, and the engine, + mounted in a frame, was placed upon the deck of a very handsome + double pleasure-boat, upon the lake. We then proceeded to action, and + a more complete, successful, and beautiful experiment was never made + by any man at any time, either in art or science. The vessel moved + delightfully, and notwithstanding the smallness of the cylinders + (four <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page83">[pg 83]</span><a name= + "Pg083" id="Pg083" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>inches diameter), at + the rate of five miles an hour. After amusing ourselves a few days, + the engine was removed, and carried into the house, where it remained + as a piece of ornamental furniture for a number of years.”</span> The + vessel was 25 feet long and 7 broad. Thus was steam navigation + inaugurated! How few of the readers of the <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Dumfries + Newspaper</span></span>, the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Edinburgh Advertiser</span></span>, or the + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scots’ + Magazine</span></span>, when reading the brief account printed in + their columns, dreamt of the revolution which this interesting and + successful little experiment involved. The latter could not see + farther than its utility in canals, and other inland navigation. The + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Annual + Register</span></span> for the year does not even mention it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was now agreed + to repeat the experiment. A double engine with eighteen-inch cylinder + was constructed at Carron under Symington’s directions. In November, + 1789, she was tried on the Forth and Clyde Canal. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“After passing Lock 16,”</span> says Taylor, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“<a name="corr083" id="corr083" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">we</span> proceeded + cautiously and pleasantly for some time, but after giving the engine + full play the arms of the wheels, which had been constructed too + slight, began to give way, and one float after another broke off, + till we were satisfied no accuracy could be attained in the + experiment until the wheels were replaced by new ones of a stronger + construction. This was done with all possible speed, and upon the + 26th December, we again proceeded to action. This day we moved freely + without accident, and were much gratified to find our motion nearly + seven miles per hour. Next day we repeated the experiment with the + same success and pleasure. Satisfied now that everything proposed was + accomplished, it was unnecessary to dwell longer upon the business; + for, indeed, both this and the experiment of last year were as + complete as any performance made by steam-boats, even to the present + day.”</span> Mr. Miller, who paid all the expenses of these steam + experiments, did not pursue them further, and it is to be regretted, + inasmuch as his name has not been so popularly associated with the + infancy of steam navigation as could be wished. He was an enthusiast + in many branches of practical science, and seems latterly to have + given his mind more particularly to improvements in agriculture. Mr. + Taylor’s connection with steam-boat experiments ceased with those of + the second boat in 1789. <span class="tei tei-q">“And it is + clear,”</span> says Woodcroft, <span class="tei tei-q">“from his own + statement and those of his friends, that he was neither the inventor + of the machinery by which either of those boats was driven, nor of + the mode of connecting the engines to the boat and wheels.”</span> + His widow received a small pension from Government, and in 1837 each + of his four daughters received a gift of £50 for their father’s + connection with the experiments. Miller sought no pecuniary aid or + reward of any kind; and, although he devoted his time and talents, + and expended nearly £30,000 of his own fortune in the improvement of + artillery and naval architecture, his services were wholly overlooked + by the powers that were. Mr. Woodcroft has very clearly shown that + Miller, in spite of the apparent success of the experiments, had not + great faith in Symington’s machinery, which he describes in a letter + <span class="tei tei-q">“as the most improper of all steam-engines + for giving motion to a vessel.”</span> We find him much later + describing, in a patent specification, a new form of flat boat, with + centre-boards and paddle-wheels, still worked by his favourite + capstans.</p><a name="illo_097.png" id="illo_097.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_097.png" alt="THE “CHARLOTTE DUNDAS.”" title= + "THE “CHARLOTTE DUNDAS.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center">“CHARLOTTE + DUNDAS.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">More than ten + years elapsed before Symington, the builder of Miller’s engines, + found another patron. In 1801, Thomas, first Lord Dundas, employed + him to fit up a <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page84">[pg + 84]</span><a name="Pg084" id="Pg084" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>steam-boat for the Forth and Clyde Canal + Company, in which he was a large shareholder. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Having,”</span> says Lindsay,<a id="noteref_25" name= + "noteref_25" href="#note_25"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">25</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-q">“availed himself of the many improvements + made by Watt and others, Symington patented his new engine on the + 14th of March of that year, and fitting it on board the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Charlotte + Dundas</span></span>, named after his lordship’s daughter, produced, + in the opinion of most writers who have carefully and impartially + inquired into this interesting subject, <span class="tei tei-q">‘the + first <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">practical + steam-boat</span></span>.’</span> ”</span> In March, 1802, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Charlotte + Dundas</span></span> made her trial trip on the canal. It was in one + sense a fortunate day for the experiment, for a gale of wind blew, + and no other vessel attempted to move to windward. The little + steamer, towing two barges of seventy tons burden, accomplished the + trip to Port Dundas, Glasgow, a distance of 19½ miles, in six hours, + or at the rate of 3¼ miles per hour. Lord Dundas, who was on board, + thought favourably of the experiment, and in a letter of introduction + to the Duke of Bridgewater, recommended Symington’s new engine to his + notice. His grace almost immediately gave him an order to construct + eight vessels similar to the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Charlotte Dundas</span></span>, and the + struggling engineer naturally thought that his fortune was made. + Alas! before the arrangements could be consummated the duke died, and + the committee who had charge of the canal after his decease, came to + the conclusion that the wash from steam-boats would injure its banks. + Woodcroft considers that <span class="tei tei-q">“this vessel might, + from the simplicity of its machinery, have been at work to this day + with such ordinary repairs as are now occasionally required for all + steam-boats,”</span> and claims that to Symington belonged + <span class="tei tei-q">“the undoubted merit of having combined for + the first time those improvements which constitute the <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">present system of steam + navigation</span></span>.”</span> The success of the engine consisted + in this: that, <span class="tei tei-q">“after placing in a boat a + double-acting reciprocating engine, he <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">attached his crank to + the axis of the paddle-wheel</span></span>,”</span> a combination on + which there has been no improvement to the present day, as rotatory + motion is secured without the interposition of a lever or beam. So + much for the engine, but how about the poor engineer? This boat was + laid up in a creek of the canal, where she remained for many years + exposed as a curiosity, and perhaps also as a warning to ambitious + speculators. Symington’s means were nearly exhausted, and after + having had to fight Taylor at law in regard to some of <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page85">[pg 85]</span><a name="Pg085" id="Pg085" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the minor inventions employed, we find him + in 1825 receiving the miserable gift of £100 from the Privy Purse, + and later, a further sum of £50. What a return for labours which so + distinctly led to our present system of steam navigation!</p><a name= + "illo_098.jpg" id="illo_098.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_098.jpg" alt="SYMINGTON" title= + "SYMINGTON." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + SYMINGTON. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In 1797, an + experiment which took place in the neighbourhood of Liverpool is + recorded in the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Monthly Magazine</span></span>, on oars worked + by steam; the engine made eighteen strokes per minute, and propelled + a vessel, heavily laden with copper slag, through the Sankey Canal. + The claims of other countries have also been put forth, but the first + attempts at <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">practical</span></span> steam navigation belong + to Scotland, and, as we shall see, were improved to such an extent in + America, that to that country belongs the credit of having first + organised a steam-boat line for continuous and paying traffic.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Americans had + at an early period turned their attention to new modes of propelling + vessels. As early as 1784, James Rumsey proposed to General + Washington a project of steam navigation, but having been refused a + patent in Pennsylvania, came to England, and succeeded in inducing a + wealthy countryman of his own, then in London, and others to disburse + the expenses of an experiment, for which he afterwards obtained a + patent. In this also oars were worked by steam. A couple of years + later, Fitch obtained from the States of Pennsylvania and New York + the exclusive right to run steamers on their waters, and is said to + have attained with one of his vessels the rate of four or five miles + an hour <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page86">[pg 86]</span><a name= + "Pg086" id="Pg086" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>against the current of + the Potomac. In 1787 he built another vessel, 12 feet beam and 45 + feet long, with a 12-inch cylinder, which progressed at the rate of + seven miles an hour. In 1790 he completed another and larger boat, + which was advertised and used for a time as a regular passenger boat + on the Delaware. The oars or paddles were worked from the + stern.</p><a name="illo_102a.png" id="illo_102a.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_102a.png" alt="OUTLINE OF FITCH’S FIRST BOAT" + title="OUTLINE OF FITCH’S FIRST BOAT." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + OUTLINE OF FITCH’S FIRST BOAT. + </div> + </div><a name="illo_102b.png" id="illo_102b.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_102b.png" alt="FITCH’S SECOND BOAT" title= + "FITCH’S SECOND BOAT." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + FITCH’S SECOND BOAT. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Poor Fitch! He, in + common with many others of the day who did and did not give their + ideas to the world, was on the right track, but could not put them + into practical and practicable shape. He was really a man of + remarkable genius. The son of a Connecticut farmer, he had been + apprenticed to a watch and clock maker, where doubtless he increased + his knowledge of the mechanical arts. During the early part of the + Revolutionary War, he was armourer to the State of New Jersey, and + later, became a land surveyor. While acting in that capacity, the + idea first suggested itself to him, as it did almost simultaneously + to Symington in Scotland, of propelling carriages by steam, but he + soon abandoned it on account of the roughness of the American roads. + After that he turned his attention almost exclusively to the + propulsion of vessels by steam, visiting England and France, but + obtaining no pecuniary advantage from the experiments he proposed or + consummated. In a sketch of his life, which appeared a few years + since,<a id="noteref_26" name="noteref_26" href= + "#note_26"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">26</span></span></a> the + writer describes Fitch’s difficulties in raising the money to finish + his second steam-boat: <span class="tei tei-q">“In a letter to David + Roltenhouse, when asking an advance of £50 to finish the boat, he + says, <span class="tei tei-q">‘This, sir, whether I bring it to + perfection or not, will be the mode of crossing the Atlantic for + packets and armed vessels.’</span> But everything failed, and the + poor projector loitered about the city for some months, a despised, + unfortunate, heart-broken man. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Often have I + seen him,’</span> said Thomas P. Cope, many years afterwards, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘stalking about like a troubled spectre, with + downcast eyes and lowering countenance, his coarse soiled linen + peeping through the elbows of a tattered garment.’</span> Speaking of + a visit he once paid to John Wilson, his boat-builder, and Peter + Brown, his blacksmith, in which, as usual, he held forth upon his + hobby, Mr. Cope says: <span class="tei tei-q">‘After indulging + himself for some time in this never-failing topic of deep excitement, + he concluded with these memorable words: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Well, gentlemen, although I shall not live to see the + time, you will, when steam-boats will be preferred to all other means + of conveyance, and especially for passengers; and they will be + particularly useful in the navigation of the river + Mississippi.”</span> He then retired, on which Brown, turning to + Wilson, exclaimed, in a tone of deep sympathy, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Poor fellow! what a pity he is <a name="corr086" id= + "corr086" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">crazy!</span>”</span> ’</span> ”</span> Fitch, reduced + to utter poverty and despair, threw himself into the Alleghany in + 1798, and thus terminated his chequered life.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The experiments of + John Cox Stevens, of New York, were not particularly successful, + although made at an expense of some 20,000 dollars. His vessel was a + <span class="tei tei-q">“stern-wheeler,”</span> similar to those + common enough on many American rivers to-day. But he deserves the + credit, apparently, of having been the first to practically apply a + tubular boiler to marine engines. His boiler, only 2 feet long by 15 + inches wide and 12 inches high, consisted of no less than 41 copper + tubes, each an inch in diameter. While Fitch and Stevens were + experimenting, another American citizen, Oliver Evans, was + endeavouring to mature a <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page87">[pg + 87]</span><a name="Pg087" id="Pg087" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>plan + for using steam at a very high pressure, to be employed in propelling + road wagons, and in an account of his plans, which he published in + 1786, he suggests a mode of propelling vessels by steam. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“He states,”</span> says Lindsay, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“that in 1785 he placed his engine, used to clean docks, + in a boat upon wheels, the combined weight being equal to 200 barrels + of flour, which he transported down to the water, and when it was + launched he fixed a paddle-wheel to the stern, and drove it down the + Schuylkill to Delaware, and up the Delaware to the city, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘leaving all the vessels going up behind, one at least + half-way, the wind being ahead.’</span> ”</span> In 1794 and 1797 one + Samuel Morey, of Connecticut, is said to have built two steamers, + which were publicly exhibited and made passages, but which do not + appear to have been afterwards employed. It is to Robert Fulton, who + all this time was working at naval applications of many kinds, that + not merely America, but the whole world owes the practical and + continuous use of steam-vessels. He and his associates started the + first paying line of steam-boats.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The life of this + remarkable man is little known in England, and not generally even in + his own country. Pursuing then the plan which has guided the writer + throughout this work, he proposes to give it, for these very reasons, + in fuller detail than has been usual with better known examples of + patient and struggling inventors.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Robert Fulton was + born in the year 1765, in the village of Little Britain, + Pennsylvania, of respectable, but not wealthy, parents. From his + earliest years he showed a great aptitude for the study of the + mechanical arts, and, indeed, for the fine arts also. So marked was + his progress in drawing and painting, that he was recommended to go + to England and study art seriously. This at length he did, and for + several years we find him an inmate of Benjamin West’s house. Most + readers will remember that West, although he spent the larger part of + his life in England, and made his great successes there, was by birth + American. Fulton afterwards lived in Devonshire and other parts of + England, and practised art for a time, while his brain was busy with + schemes for improving inland navigation by the construction of + canals, with new forms of bridges and aqueducts. Next we find him in + France living with the family of one of his countrymen, Joel Barlow; + during this period he painted a panorama, which was a great success. + In 1797 he experimented with carcases of gunpowder—practically + torpedoes—under water, and was engaged in perfecting a wonderful + submarine boat. The French and Dutch Governments gave him some little + encouragement, so far as fair words were concerned, and he wasted a + considerable amount of time in hanging about public offices, to be + eventually disappointed, for his plans were rejected.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the French + Government changed. Bonaparte placed himself at the head of it, with + the title of First Consul. Mr. Fulton soon presented an address to + him, soliciting him to patronise the project for submarine + navigation, and praying him to appoint a commission with sufficient + funds and powers to give the necessary assistance. This request was + immediately granted, and the citizens Volney, La Place, and Monge + were named the commissioners. In the spring of the year 1801, Mr. + Fulton repaired to Brest, to make experiments with the plunging-boat + he had constructed the previous winter. This, so he says, had many + imperfections, natural to a first machine of such complicated + combinations; added to this, it had suffered much injury from rust in + consequence of his having been <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page88">[pg 88]</span><a name="Pg088" id="Pg088" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>obliged to use iron instead of brass or copper + for bolts and arbours. Notwithstanding these disadvantages, he + engaged in a course of experiments with the machine, which required + no less courage than energy and perseverance. Of his proceedings he + made a report to the committee appointed by the French executive, + from which report we learn the following interesting facts:—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“On the 3rd July, 1801, he embarked with three companions + on board his plunging-boat in the harbour of Brest, and descended in + it to the depth of five, ten, fifteen, and so to twenty-five feet; + but he did not attempt to go lower, because he found that his + imperfect machine would not bear the pressure of a greater depth. He + remained below the surface one hour. During this time they were in + utter darkness. Afterwards, he descended with candles; but, finding a + great disadvantage from their consumption of vital air, he caused, + previously to his next experiment, a small window of thick glass to + be made near the bow of his boat, and he again descended with her, on + the 24th July, 1801. He found that he received from his window, or + rather aperture covered with glass, for it was no more than an inch + and a half in diameter, sufficient light to enable him to count the + minutes on his watch. Having satisfied himself that he could have + sufficient light when under water, that he could do without a supply + of fresh air for a considerable time, that he could descend to any + depth, and rise to the surface with facility, his next object was to + try her movements as well on the surface as beneath it. On the 26th + July he weighed his anchor and hoisted his sails; his boat had one + mast, a mainsail, and a jib. There was only a light breeze, and, + therefore, she did not move on the surface at more than the rate of + two miles an hour, but it was found that she would tack and steer, + and sail on a wind or before it, as well as any common sailing-boat. + He then struck her mast and sails; to do which, and perfectly to + prepare the boat for plunging, required about two minutes. Having + plunged to a certain depth, he placed two men at the engine, which + was intended to give her progressive motion, and one at the helm, + while he, with a barometer before him, governed the machine which + kept her balanced between the upper and lower waters. He found that + with the exertion of one hand only, he could keep her at any depth he + pleased. The propelling engine was then put in motion, and he found, + upon coming to the surface, that he had made, in about seven minutes, + a progress of four hundred meters, or about five hundred yards. He + then again plunged, turned her round while under water, and returned + to near the place he began to move from. He repeated his experiments + several days successively, until he became familiar with the + operations of the machinery and the movements of the boat. He found + that she was as obedient to her helm under water as any boat could be + on the surface; and that the magnetic needle traversed as well in the + one situation as in the other. On the 7th August, Mr. Fulton again + descended with a store of atmospheric air compressed into a copper + globe of a cubic foot capacity, into which two hundred atmospheres + were forced. Thus prepared, he descended with three companions to the + depth of about five feet. At the expiration of an hour and forty + minutes, he began to take small supplies of <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">pure</span></span> air + from his reservoir, and did so, as he found occasion, for four hours + and twenty minutes. At the expiration of this time he came to the + surface, without having experienced any inconvenience from having + been so long under water.”</span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page89">[pg 89]</span><a name="Pg089" id="Pg089" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fulton’s boat is + pretty evidently the original from which Jules Verne took the idea of + his wonderful submarine ship, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Nautilus</span></span>. It was utilised for an + important torpedo experiment, and a shallop was successfully blown up + at Brest in the presence of Admiral Villaret and other officials. The + submarine boat approached within two hundred yards of the hull which + was to be destroyed, and fired its torpedo under water. The French + Government employed him for a time to cruise about and watch our + vessels, but no opportunity seems to have occurred for any attack, + and he was evidently looked upon as a failure. In 1803, a + correspondence passed between the English Government and Fulton, and + he was induced to come to London, where he had an interview with Mr. + Pitt and Lord Melville. <span class="tei tei-q">“When Mr. Pitt first + saw a drawing of a torpedo, with a sketch of the mode of applying it, + and understood what would be the effects of its explosion, he said, + that if introduced into practice, it could not fail to annihilate all + military marines.”</span> Fulton accompanied an expedition sent + against the French flotilla in the roads of Boulogne, where his + torpedoes were launched, but did no damage.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 15th + October, 1805, he blew up a strongly built Danish brig, of the burden + of 200 tons, which had been provided for the experiment, and which + was anchored in Walmer roads, near Deal; within a mile of Walmer + Castle, the then residence of Mr. Pitt. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page90">[pg 90]</span><a name="Pg090" id="Pg090" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>He has given an interesting account of this + experiment in a pamphlet which he published in this country, under + the title of <span class="tei tei-q">“Torpedo War.”</span> In a + letter to Lord Castlereagh, of the 16th October, 1805, he says, + <span class="tei tei-q">“Yesterday, about four o’clock, I made the + intended experiment on the brig, with a carcass of one hundred and + seventy pounds of powder; and I have the pleasure to inform you that + it succeeded beyond my most sanguine expectations. Exactly in fifteen + minutes from the time of drawing the peg and throwing the carcass + into the water, the explosion took place. It lifted the brig almost + bodily, and broke her completely in two. The ends sunk immediately, + and in one minute nothing was to be seen of her but floating + fragments. Her mainmast and pumps were thrown in the sea; her + foremast was broken in three pieces; her beams and knees were thrown + from her deck and sides, and her deck planks were rent to fibres. In + fact, her annihilation was complete, and the effect was most + extraordinary. The power, as I had calculated, passed in a right line + through her body, that being the line of least resistance, and + carried all before it. At the time of her going up she did not appear + to make more resistance than a bag of feathers, and went to pieces + like a shattered egg-shell.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Notwithstanding + the complete success of the experiment, the British ministry seem to + have been but little disposed to have anything further to do with Mr. + Fulton and his projects. Indeed, the evidence it afforded of their + efficiency may have been a reason for this. However Mr. Pitt and Lord + Melville may have thought on the subject, there had been a change in + the administration, and the new ministers probably agreed with the + Earl St. Vincent, that it was great folly in them to encourage a + project which, if it succeeded, would revolutionise all maritime + questions. Lord Grenville and his Cabinet were not only indisposed to + encourage Mr. Fulton, but they were unwilling to fulfil the + engagements which their predecessors had made, and that inventor, + after some further experiments, of which we have no particular + account, wearied with incessant applications, disappointments, and + neglect, at length embarked for his native country.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Fulton’s + greatest fame rests on his steam-boats. In his first attempt made in + France, where he was aided by Mr. Robert R. Livingston, a + fellow-countryman, he was not successful. Their experimental boat was + completed early in the spring of 1803; they were on the point of + making an experiment with her, when one morning, as Mr. Fulton was + rising from a bed in which anxiety had given him but little rest, a + messenger from the boat, whose precipitation and apparent + consternation announced that he was the bearer of bad tidings, + presented himself to him, and exclaimed in accents of despair, + <span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, sir, the boat has broken to pieces and + gone to the bottom!”</span> Mr. Fulton, who himself related the + anecdote, declared that the news created a despondency which he had + never felt on any other occasion; but this was only a momentary + sensation. Upon examination, he found the boat had been too weakly + framed to bear the great weight of the machinery, and that, in + consequence of an agitation of the river by wind the preceding night, + what the messenger had represented had literally happened. The boat + had broken in two, and the weight of her machinery had carried her + fragments to the bottom. It appeared to him, as he said, that the + fruits of so many months’ labour, and so much expense, were + annihilated, and an opportunity of demonstrating the efficiency of + his plan was denied him at the moment he had promised it should be + displayed. His disappointment and feelings may easily be imagined, + but they did not check his <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page91">[pg + 91]</span><a name="Pg091" id="Pg091" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>perseverance. On the very day that this + misfortune happened, he commenced repairing it. He did not sit down + idly to repine at misfortunes which his manly exertions might remedy, + or waste in fruitless lamentations a moment of that time in which the + accident might be repaired. Without returning to his lodgings, he + immediately began to labour with his own hands to raise the boat, and + worked for four and twenty hours incessantly, without allowing + himself rest or refreshment; an imprudence which, as he always + supposed, had a permanently bad effect on his constitution, and to + which he imputed much of his subsequent ill health.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The accident did + the machinery very little injury; but they were obliged to build the + boat almost entirely anew. She was completed in July; her length was + sixty-six feet, and she was eight feet wide. Early in August, Mr. + Fulton addressed a letter to the French National Institute, inviting + them to witness a trial of his boat, which was made in their + presence, and in the presence of a great multitude of the Parisians. + The experiment was entirely satisfactory to Mr. Fulton, though the + boat did not move altogether with as much speed as he expected. But + he imputed her moving so slowly to the extremely defective + fabrication of the machinery, and to imperfections which were to be + expected in the first experiment with so complicated a machine, but + which he saw might be easily remedied. Such entire confidence did he + acquire from this experiment, that immediately afterwards he wrote to + Messrs. Watt and Boulton, of Birmingham, ordering certain parts of a + steam-engine to be made for him and sent to America. He did not + disclose to them for what purpose the engine was intended, but his + directions were such as would produce the parts of an engine that + might be put together within a compass suited to a boat. Mr. Fulton + then designed to return to America immediately; but, as we have seen, + he first visited England, and it is probable that he then gave new + orders on this subject, as we find that the engine which was employed + in the first American Fulton boat was of the manufacture of Messrs. + Watt and Boulton, but it did not arrive in America till long after + the time of which we are speaking.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Livingston + also wrote immediately after this experiment to his friends in + America, and through their interference, an Act was passed by the + Legislature of the State of New York, on the 5th of April, 1803, by + which the rights and exclusive privileges of navigating all the + waters of that State, by vessels propelled by fire or steam, granted + to Mr. Livingston by the Act of 1798, were extended to Mr. Livingston + and Mr. Fulton for the term of twenty years from the date of the new + Act. By this law, the time for producing proof of the practicability + of propelling by steam a boat of twenty tons’ capacity, at the rate + of four miles an hour, with wind against the ordinary current of the + Hudson River, was extended for a period of two years. And by a + subsequent law the time was enlarged to April, 1807.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Very soon after + Mr. Fulton’s arrival in New York he commenced building the first + American boat. While she was constructing, he found that her expenses + would greatly exceed his calculation. He endeavoured to lessen the + pressure on his own finances by offering one-third of the exclusive + right which was secured to him and Mr. Livingston by the laws of New + York, and of his patent rights, for a proportionate contribution to + the expense. He made this offer to several gentlemen, and it was very + generally known that <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page92">[pg + 92]</span><a name="Pg092" id="Pg092" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>he + had made such propositions; but no one was then willing to afford + this aid to his enterprise.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“In the spring of 1807, the first Fulton boat built in + America was launched from the ship-yards of Charles Brown, on the + East River. The engine from England was put on board of her; in + August she was completed, and was moved by her machinery from her + birth-place to the Jersey shore. Mr. Livingston and Mr. Fulton had + invited many of their friends to witness the first trial. Nothing + could exceed the surprise and admiration of all who witnessed the + experiment. The minds of the most incredulous were changed in a few + minutes. Before the boat had made the progress of a quarter of a + mile, the greatest unbeliever must have been converted. The man who, + while he looked on the expensive machine, thanked his stars that he + had more wisdom than to waste his money on such idle schemes, changed + the expression of his features as the boat moved from the wharf and + gained her speed; his complacent smile gradually stiffened into an + expression of wonder. The jeers of the ignorant, who had neither + sense nor feeling enough to suppress their contemptuous ridicule and + rude jokes, were silenced for a moment by a vulgar astonishment, + which deprived them of the power of utterance, till the triumph of + genius extorted from the incredulous multitude which crowded the + shores shouts and exclamations of congratulation and + applause.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There can be no + doubt that Fulton derived his general plan from the experiments of + Symington. While that engineer was conducting his experiments under + the patronage of Lord Dundas, a stranger came to the banks of the + Forth and Clyde Canal and requested an interview, announcing himself + as Mr. Fulton, of the United States, whither he intended to return, + and expressing a desire to see Mr. Symington’s boat and machinery, + and to procure some information of the principles on which it was + moved, before he left Europe. He remarked that, however beneficial + the invention might be to Great Britain, it would be of more + importance to North America, considering the numerous navigable + rivers and lakes of that continent, and the facility for procuring + timber for building vessels and supplying them with fuel; that the + usefulness of steam-vessels in a mercantile point of view could not + fail to attract the attention of every observer; and that, if he were + allowed to carry the plan to the United States, it would be + advantageous to Mr. Symington, as, if his engagements would permit, + the constructing or superintending the construction of such vessels + would naturally devolve upon him. Mr. Symington, in compliance with + the stranger’s request, caused the engine-fire to be lighted, and the + machinery put in motion. Several persons entered the boat, and along + with Mr. Fulton were carried from where she then lay to Lock No. 16 + on the Forth and Clyde Canal, about four miles west, and returned to + the starting-place in one hour and twenty minutes, being at the rate + of six miles an hour, to the astonishment of Mr. Fulton and the other + gentlemen. Mr. Fulton obtained leave to take notes and sketches + regarding the boat and engine, <span class="tei tei-q">“but he never + afterwards communicated with Mr. Symington.”</span><a id="noteref_27" + name="noteref_27" href="#note_27"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">27</span></span></a> He, it + has been shown, almost immediately afterwards ordered a marine engine + from Messrs. Boulton and Watt, of Soho, near Birmingham. This engine + reached America before the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Clermont</span></span>, which had <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page93">[pg 93]</span><a name="Pg093" id="Pg093" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>been constructed at the instance of Fulton + and Livingston, had been launched from the yard of Charles Brown, on + the East (Hudson) River. She was decked for a short distance only, at + stem and stern, her engines being open to view, while a house on + deck, and over the boiler, accommodated passengers and crew. + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The boiler + was set in masonry.</span></span> Her engine was of almost identical + size to that of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Charlotte Dundas</span></span>. It is right to + add that Fulton claimed no patent or privilege for this engine, which + was so evidently founded on that of Symington. Her hull was quite as + distinctly his own design, and was vastly superior in build to the + Scotch vessel. The first trip of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Clermont</span></span> was from New York to + Clermont, the seat of Mr. Livingston, returning to Albany, and the + average speed was five miles per hour.</p><a name="illo_106.png" id= + "illo_106.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_106.png" alt="THE “CLERMONT.”" title= + "THE “CLERMONT.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“CLERMONT.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Clermont</span></span>, on her first voyage, + arrived at her destination without any accident. She excited the + astonishment of the inhabitants of the shores of the Hudson, many of + whom had not heard even of an engine, much less of a steam-boat. + There were many descriptions of the effects of her first appearance + upon the people on the banks of the river; some of those were + ridiculous, but some of them were of such a character as nothing but + an object of real grandeur could have excited. She was described by + some who had indistinctly seen her passing in the night, to those who + had not had a view of her, as a monster moving on the waters, defying + the winds and tide, and breathing flames and smoke. She had the most + terrific appearance from other vessels which were navigating the + river when she was making her passage. The first steam-boats, as + others yet do, used dry pine-wood for fuel, which sends forth a + column of ignited vapour many feet above the flue, and whenever the + fire is stirred a galaxy of sparks fly off, and in the night have a + very brilliant and beautiful appearance. This uncommon light first + attracted the attention of the crews of other vessels. + Notwithstanding the wind and tide were adverse to its approach, they + saw with astonishment that it was rapidly coming towards them; and + when it came so near as that the noise of the machinery and paddles + was heard, the crews (if what was said in the newspapers of the time + be true), in some instances, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page94">[pg + 94]</span><a name="Pg094" id="Pg094" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>shrunk beneath their decks from the terrific + sight, and left their vessels to go on shore, while others prostrated + themselves, and besought Providence to protect them from the + approaches of the horrible monster which was marching on the tides + and lighting its path by the fires which it vomited.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Clermont</span></span> was soon afterwards + lengthened and considerably improved in appearance and usefulness. + Her hull was covered from stem to stern with a flush deck, beneath + which two cabins were formed, surrounded by double ranges of berths, + and fitted up with great regard to comfort. Her dimensions now + were—length, 130 feet; breadth, 16½ feet; diameter of paddle-wheels, + 15 feet, the paddles dipping into the water 2 feet. Fulton afterwards + built a number of steam-boats, and, it will be well understood, + encountered a vast deal of opposition from the owners of sailing + craft and ferry-boats. Attempts were also made to put forward rival + inventions, and a company was started who proposed to navigate boats + on the Hudson by the following somewhat incomprehensible mode of + propulsion. The quotation is from the biography of Fulton<a id= + "noteref_28" name="noteref_28" href="#note_28"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">28</span></span></a> by his + friend, C. D. Colden:—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The opposition boats on the Hudson, which the owners had + built to rival the steam-boats, were at first to have been propelled + by a pendulum, which, according to the calculations of some ingenious + gentlemen, would give a greater power than steam, but when their boat + came to be put in the water they soon found that their wheels, which + were turned with great facility and velocity while their vessel was + on the stocks, could not be made to perform their functions without + the application of a great power to the pendulum. The projectors were + utterly at a loss to account for so extraordinary a phenomenon, and + could not conceive why the wheels, which had moved so much to their + satisfaction when they were resisted only by the air, should require + so much force when they turned in the water, and were to drag the + weight of the vessel. But having by actual experiment determined that + a pendulum would not supply the place of steam, and knowing no other + way of supplying steam than that which they saw practised in the + Fulton boats, they adopted all their machinery with some very + insignificant alterations, which were made with no other view than to + give those persons who had set out by professing to make a + pendulum-boat a pretence for claiming to be the inventors of + improvements in steam-boats.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fulton, without + doubt, designed and superintended the construction of the first steam + war-vessel. On the 20th June, 1814, the keel was laid, and in little + more than four months, that is, on the 29th October, she was launched + from the yard of Adam and Noah Brown, her able and active architects. + The scene exhibited on that occasion was magnificent. It happened on + one of the brightest autumnal days. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Spectators,”</span> says Colden, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“crowded the surrounding shores, and were seen upon the + hills which limited the beautiful prospect. The river and bay were + filled with vessels of war, dressed in all their variety of colours, + in compliment to the occasion. In the midst of these was the enormous + floating mass whose bulk and unwieldy form seemed to render her as + unfit for motion as the land batteries which were saluting her. + Through the fleet of vessels which occupied this part of the harbour + were seen gliding in every direction several of our large + steam-boats, of the burden of three or four hundred tons. These, with + bands of music, and crowds of gay and <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page95">[pg 95]</span><a name="Pg095" id="Pg095" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>joyous company, were winding through passages + left by the anchored vessels as if they were moved by enchantment. + The heart could not have been human that did not share in the general + enthusiasm expressed by the loud shouts of the multitude. He could + not have been a worthy citizen, who did not then say to himself, with + pride and exultation, <span class="tei tei-q">‘This is my + country!’</span> and when he looked on the man whose single genius + had created the most interesting objects of the scene, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘This is my countryman!’</span> ”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By May, 1815, her + engine was put on board, and she was so far completed as to afford an + opportunity of trying her machinery. But, unhappily, before this + period the mind that had conceived and combined it was gone. Fulton, + almost to the last day of his life, worked incessantly at this, the + first steam war-vessel.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 4th July, + in the same year, the steam frigate made a passage from New York to + the ocean and back, and went the distance—which, going and returning, + is fifty-three miles—in eight hours and twenty minutes, by the mere + force of her engine. These trials suggested the correction of some + errors, and the supplying of some defects in the machinery. In + September she made another passage to the sea, and having at this + time the weight of her whole armament on board, she went at an + average of five and a half miles an hour, with and against tide. When + stemming the tide, which ran at the rate of three miles an hour, she + advanced at the rate of two and a half miles an hour.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We now reach the + period which brings us to practical steam navigation in Europe. In + January, 1812, Henry Bell, of Helensburgh, Scotland, completed the + construction of a small passenger steam vessel, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Comet</span></span>, + of thirty tons burden. She was only forty feet in length, with an + engine of three-horse power. The circular which announced its regular + trips is worth reprinting, as it is the first advertisement of the + kind made in all Europe. It reads as follows:—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-text" style= + "margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-body" style= + "margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Steam Passage Boat, the</span> + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps">COMET</span></span><span style="font-variant: small-caps">, + between Glasgow, Greenock, and Helensburgh for passengers + only.</span></span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The Subscriber having, at much expense, fitted up a + handsome vessel to ply upon the river Clyde, between Glasgow and + Greenock, to sail by the power of wind, air and steam, he intends + that the vessel shall leave the Broomielaw on Tuesdays, + Thursdays, and Saturdays about mid-day, or at such hour + thereafter as may answer from the state of the tide; and to leave + Greenock on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the morning, to + suit the tide.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The elegance, comfort, safety, and speed of this + vessel requires only to be proved to meet the approbation of the + public; and the proprietor is determined to do everything in his + power to merit public encouragement.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The terms are for the present fixed at four + shillings for the best cabin, and three shillings for the second, + but beyond these rates nothing is to be allowed to servants or + any other person employed about the vessel.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The Subscriber continues his establishment at + Helensburgh Baths, the same as for years past, and a vessel will + be in readiness to convey passengers in the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Comet</span></span> from Greenock to + Helensburgh.</span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page96">[pg + 96]</span><a name="Pg096" id="Pg096" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Passengers by the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Comet</span></span> will receive information + of the hour of sailing by applying at Mr. Houslem’s office, + Broomielaw, or Mr. Thomas Blackney’s, East Quay Head, + Greenock.</span></p> + + <div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right"> + “(Signed), <span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: right"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Henry Bell</span></span>. + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-dateline" style="text-align: left"> + “Helensburgh Baths, Aug. 5, 1812.” + </div> + </div> + </div><a name="illo_109.png" id="illo_109.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_109.png" alt="BELL’S “COMET.”" title= + "BELL’S “COMET.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + BELL’S <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“COMET.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Bell’s claims to + recognition are very much the same as those of Fulton and Livingston + in the United States. He was instrumental in bringing steam + navigation to a practical issue, but was not its inventor or first + introducer. In 1816, he addressed an interesting letter to the + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Caledonian + Mercury</span></span>, showing the intimacy which existed between + himself and Fulton, and proving that the leaders of the new steam + movement were in frequent communication. In this letter he commences + by recapitulating Miller’s experiments in propelling vessels or rafts + by paddles worked by capstans or by wind, like a windmill. These + ideas were communicated to all the Courts of Europe, and the French, + at one time, actually proposed something of the nature of rafts + worked by Miller’s plan, for the conveyance of troops to England. + Miller sent one of his capstan vessels as a present to the King of + Sweden. Bell makes the following statement:—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Fulton came to the knowledge of steam-boats by employing + me (H. Bell) about some plans of machinery, and begged me to call on + Miller and see how he had succeeded in his steam-boat plan; and if it + answered, to send him full drawings and description along with my + machinery. I had a conversation with Miller, who gave me every + information. I (H. Bell) told him that his engineer was wrong, and + that I intended giving Fulton my opinion on steam-boats. I left + Fulton’s letter with Miller.</span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page97">[pg 97]</span><a name="Pg097" id="Pg097" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Two years after, a letter from Fulton arrived, stating + that he had constructed a steam-boat from the drawings I had sent + him, but improvements were required. This letter I also sent to + Miller.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He goes on to say + that he set on foot his steam-boat after making various models, and + when convinced they would answer, contracted with John Wood and Co., + ship-builders, Port Glasgow, to build the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Comet</span></span>, + so called from a comet which appeared in Scotland at that period. He + claims that the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Comet</span></span> was the first steam-vessel + built in Europe <span class="tei tei-q">“that would work,”</span> but + this is unfair to the memories of Miller and Symington.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Oddly enough, + while Bell was experimenting on the Clyde, Mr. Dawson was doing the + same in Ireland. He even claims that he built a fifty-ton steamer in + 1811, and which, by a coincidence simply, as it would seem, he had + also named the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Comet</span></span>. He put the first steamer + for public accommodation on the Thames in 1818, to run between London + and Gravesend. Mr. Lawrence, of Bristol, introduced a steam-boat on + the Severn shortly after Bell put the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Comet</span></span> + on the Clyde, and brought her to London, but so great was the + opposition from the watermen that he took her back to Bristol. She + was afterwards taken to Spain, and long plied between Seville and St. + Lucar. These were the precursors of those grand steam-ship lines + which now run to every part of the habitable world. Bell’s steamer + was made, in the second year of its career, a pleasure-boat to many + parts of the coasts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and may + therefore count as one of the first ocean-going as well as river + steamers.</p><a name="illo_110.jpg" id="illo_110.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_110.jpg" alt="FOUR GREAT ENGINEERS" title= + "FOUR GREAT ENGINEERS." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + FOUR GREAT ENGINEERS. + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap06" id="chap06" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc15" id="toc15"></a> <a name="pdf16" id="pdf16"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER VI.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">The History of Ships and + Shipping Interests</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 144%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 144%; font-style: italic">continued</span></span><span style="font-size: 144%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">The Clyde and its Ship-building Interests—From Henry + Bell to Modern Ship-builders—The First Royal Naval Steamer—The First + Regular Sea-going Steamer—The Revolution in Ship-building—The Iron + Age—</span><span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Will Iron + Float?</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—The + Invention of the Screw-propeller—Ericsson, Smith, and + Woodcroft—American ’Cuteness—Captain Stockton and his Boat—The + First Steamer to Cross the Atlantic—Voyages of the</span> + <span class="tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Sirius</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 90%">and</span> <span class="tei tei-name" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Great + Western</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—The + International Struggle—The Collins and Cunard Lines—Fate of + the</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Arctic</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—The</span> + <span class="tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Pacific</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 90%">never heard of more—Why the Cunard + Company has been Successful—Splendid Discipline on Board their + Vessels—The Fleets that Leave the Mersey.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">What a contrast to + the days of Henry Bell does the Clyde now present! From a mere salmon + stream it has become, in little more than half a century, by far the + largest and most important ship-building river in the wide world. + <span class="tei tei-q">“Ancient historians have told us that when + the first Punic war roused the citizens of Rome to extraordinary + exertions in the equipment of a fleet for the destruction of the + maritime supremacy of Carthage, the banks of the Tiber resounded with + the axe and the hammer, and that the extent of the ship-building + operations then carried on was a matter not merely of surprise, but + of wonder. How insignificant, however, was that sound when compared + with that of the steam-hammer and the anvil, and the din of the work + now to be heard on the banks of the Clyde. For miles on both sides of + the river stupendous ship-building yards line its banks, employing + tens of thousands of hardy and skilled mechanics earning their daily + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page98">[pg 98]</span><a name="Pg098" + id="Pg098" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>bread, as God has destined all + men to do, by <span class="tei tei-q">‘the sweat of their + brow.’</span>... Along those banks there is now annually constructed + a much larger amount of steam tonnage than in all the other ports of + Europe combined, those of England alone excepted.”</span> These great + private yards have been and will be invaluable in war times. Take + such a firm as that of John Elder and Co., Fairfield, Glasgow, whose + works cover sixty acres of ground. They have built vessels in the + course of a year aggregating 35,000 to 40,000 tons, and have + contracted for as many as six 4,000-ton steam-ships at a time. One of + these was delivered to her owners complete and ready for sea, with + steam up, within thirteen months of the time she was contracted for. + Bell’s <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Comet</span></span> was only of thirty tons, and + its engine but of four-horse power! Mr. James Deas, C.E., in a work + on the Clyde and its commerce, &c., says:—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“It was no uncommon occurrence for the passengers, when + the little steamer was getting exhausted, to take to turning the + fly-wheel to assist her.”</span><a id="noteref_29" name="noteref_29" + href="#note_29"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">29</span></span></a> Poor + Bell, like so many of the pioneers of grand and important + undertakings, did not profit much by his successful application of + steam to navigation, and in his declining years was chiefly supported + by an annuity of £50 granted by the Clyde trustees.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While the public, + after the successful experiments already mentioned, and others which + followed, were beginning to appreciate the value of steamers, the + Admiralty would have nothing to do with them, and it took them about + forty years before they reluctantly applied steam to war vessels. The + absolutely first steam vessel built for the Royal Navy was a tug, + also named the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Comet</span></span>. She was constructed in + 1819, after some experiments had convinced Lord Melville and Sir + George Cockburn of the value of steam power in towing men-of-war. + <span class="tei tei-q">“At this period, Mr. Ronnie, who planned the + breakwater at Plymouth and new London Bridge, was <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘advising engineer’</span> to the Admiralty, and on every + occasion urged the application of steam power to vessels of war. More + than this, he hired at his own cost the Margate steam-boat, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Eclipse</span></span>, and successfully towed + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Eastings</span></span>, 74, against the tide + from Woolwich to Gravesend, June 14th, 1819. On this, the Admiralty, + supported by Lord Melville, gave up their objections.”</span><a id= + "noteref_30" name="noteref_30" href="#note_30"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">30</span></span></a></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Still, + practically, it was not till after the Crimean war that steam became + the leading motive power in our war navy. The merchants were more + sensible. Mr. David Napier had, in 1818, launched a steamer of ninety + tons burden—the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Rob Roy</span></span>—from the yard of Mr. + William Denny, of Dumbarton. For two years she ran between Glasgow + and Belfast, carrying the mails, and was the first regular + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">sea-going + steamer</span></span> which had been built in either Europe or the + United States. But she also calls for particular mention for another + reason: she was subsequently transferred to the English Channel as a + packet-boat between Dover and Calais. And there are still, no doubt, + many travellers or residents of those towns who can remember the + inauguration of what is now a most important service. The same + Napier, whose name is very intimately connected with the history of + the marine engine, which he was constantly striving to improve, + inaugurated, with the assistance of capitalists, a line between + Liverpool, Greenock, and Glasgow. Next followed a line from London to + Leith, which commenced with two steamers, each fitted with engines of + fifty horse-power. Now came an immense advance, for in 1826, the + first of the then considered <span class= + "tei tei-q">“leviathan”</span> class of steamers—the <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">United + Kingdom</span></span>—<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page99">[pg + 99]</span><a name="Pg099" id="Pg099" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>was + built for the trade between London and Edinburgh. She was 160 feet + long, with engines of 200 horse-power. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“People flocked from all quarters to inspect and admire + her.”</span></p><a name="illo_114.png" id="illo_114.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_114.png" alt="THE “UNITED KINGDOM”" title= + "THE “UNITED KINGDOM”. (From a Drawing by E. W. Cooke, R.A.)" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center">“UNITED + KINGDOM”</span>.<br /> + (<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">From a Drawing by E. W. Cooke, + R.A.</span></span>) + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Although these two + lines of regular steam communication between Liverpool and the river + Clyde, and between London and Edinburgh, were now successfully + established and proved of considerable importance in the + encouragement of steam navigation elsewhere, some years elapsed + before those rapid strides were made in its adaptation as a + propelling power which have rendered it one of the wonders of the + present age. Indeed, this power would probably never have made such + an extraordinary advance had iron not been adopted instead of wood + for the construction of our ships.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hitherto + throughout all ages, timber alone had been used in ship-building. The + forests of Lebanon had supplied the naval architects of Tyre with + their materials; Italy cultivated her woods with unusual care so that + sufficient trees might be grown for the timber-planking and masts of + ships for its once powerful maritime republics; and in our own time + how often have we heard fears expressed that Great Britain would not + be able to continue the supply of sufficient oak for her royal + dockyards, much less for her merchant fleets? Yet, when shrewd, + far-seeing men, no farther back than the year 1830, talked about + substituting iron for the <span class="tei tei-q">“ribs”</span> of a + ship instead of <span class="tei tei-q">“timber,”</span> and iron + plates for <span class="tei tei-q">“planking”</span> instead of oak, + what, a howl of derision the public raised.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Who ever heard of iron + floating?’</span> they derisively inquired,”</span> says Lindsay. + <span class="tei tei-q">“It is true they might have seen old tin + kettles float on every pool of water before their doors almost any + day of their lives—nay, floating even more buoyantly than their + discarded wooden coal-boxes, but such common-place instructors were + beneath their notice. Timber-built ships had from time immemorial + been in use in every nation and on every sea, and <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page101">[pg 101]</span><a name="Pg101" id="Pg101" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>had bravely battled with the storm from + the days of Noah, and were these, they sneeringly asked, to be + supplanted by a material which in itself would naturally sink? Such + was the reasoning of the period; and, indeed, the best of the + arguments against the use of iron rested on scarcely more solid + foundation.”</span><a id="noteref_31" name="noteref_31" href= + "#note_31"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">31</span></span></a></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is true that so + early as 1809, Richard Trevethick and Robert Dickenson had proposed + to build <span class="tei tei-q">“large ships with decks, beams, and + sides of plate iron,”</span> and had even suggested <span class= + "tei tei-q">“masts, yards, and spars”</span> of iron, which latter + are now by no means uncommon. <span class="tei tei-q">“But,”</span> + says Lindsay, <span class="tei tei-q">“as these inventors or + patentees did not put their ideas into practice, no other person (if, + indeed, any other person gave even a passing thought to the subject) + was convinced that any craft beyond a boat or a river-barge could be + constructed of iron, much less that if made in the form of a ship, + this material would oppose more effectual resistance to the storms of + the ocean, or, if dashed upon the strand, to the angry fury of the + waves, than timber, however scientifically put together. But though + no available substance can withstand the raging elements with less + chance of destruction than plates of iron <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page102">[pg 102]</span><a name="Pg102" id="Pg102" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>riveted together in the form of a boiler (the + principle on which iron ships are now constructed), the public could + not then appreciate their superior value; and it was not until 1818 + that the first <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">iron vessel</span></span> was built.”</span> + This vessel is in use even now. Three years afterwards a steam-engine + was, for the first time, fitted into a vessel built of iron—the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Aaron + Manby</span></span>—constructed for Mr. Manby and Captain Napier, + afterwards Admiral Sir Charles Napier. Gradually the suitableness of + these vessels was becoming apparent, and from this time dates the + establishment of some of the greatest ship-building yards, like those + of the Lairds and Fairbairns. In 1834 the first-named firm built the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Garry + Owen</span></span> for service between Limerick and Kilrush. Almost + fortunately, she was driven on shore with a number of wooden vessels, + all of which were wrecked or seriously damaged, while she got off + with scarcely any damage, and the credit of iron vessels became + improved. But another of the chief and more tenable objections to the + extended use of iron vessels was the perturbation of the compass. + This has been clearly shown to proceed almost entirely from the + proximity of iron <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">not</span></span> forming a part of the + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">hull</span></span> of the ship, the magnetic + influence of which is comparatively even all round. A funnel, tank, + boilers, the machinery, the iron fastenings even of a deck-house, + &c., may all have their influences. Still these influences are + now regulated and understood, and iron ships are more commonly + employed than those of wood, showing that it is not an objection + which can be urged to-day. After the early steamers came by degrees + iron sailing vessels, till at length we find iron applied to a grand + steamer, magnificent then and first-class still, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Britain</span></span>. <span class="tei tei-q">“Experience by degrees + successfully met almost every objection; and science was again + triumphant over prejudice and ignorance. Iron had been made not + merely to float, but to ride buoyantly over the crest of the wave + amid the raging elements.”</span></p><a name="illo_116.png" id= + "illo_116.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_116.png" alt= + "SECTION AND PLAN OF THE STERN OF A SCREW STEAMER" title= + "SECTION AND PLAN OF THE STERN OF A SCREW STEAMER." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + SECTION AND PLAN OF THE STERN OF A SCREW STEAMER. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then came the + introduction of the screw-propeller, which, if we are to believe some + authorities, is an early invention of the Chinese. There have been + many claims to its invention in modern times. In May, 1804, Mr. J. + Stevens, of the United States, put to sea with a steam-boat propelled + with some form of screw. Trevethick, the engineer, in 1815, patented + <span class="tei tei-q">“a worm or screw revolving in a cylinder at + the head, sides, or stern of a vessel;”</span> and the following + year, Robert Kinder applied for a patent for a shaft and screw almost + of exactly the form now in use. The French claim it, and only a few + years since erected at Boulogne a monument to Frédéric Sauvage, as + its inventor. On the front is a bronze bas-relief showing a vessel + with a screw-propeller. Sauvage’s life was similar to those of many + other inventors, in that he spent his days and fortune in perfecting + inventions which brought him no profit. Having lost his own money, + and got into great difficulties, he was thrown into a debtors’ + prison, and subsequently ended his days in a madhouse. Lindsay + remarks properly that <span class="tei tei-q">“the number of + claimants to every important invention is remarkable. An impartial + student will, however, probably come to the conclusion that the + invention of the screw and its application was, like that of the + steam-engine itself, the sole property of no one man.”</span> The + time for its development and proper use had come, and many scientific + students were inquiring concerning its value.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There can be + little doubt that the first demonstration in our country of its value + on a proper scale and in convincing form, was that made by Captain + John Ericsson, a Swedish engineer resident in London. After a + successful experiment with a model, he had a boat <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page103">[pg 103]</span><a name="Pg103" id="Pg103" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>built forty-five feet in length, and + fitted with engine and two propellers. She was named the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Francis B. + Ogden</span></span>. <span class="tei tei-q">“The result of her first + trial went far beyond his most sanguine expectations. No sooner were + the engines put at full speed, than she shot ahead at the rate of + more than ten miles an hour.”</span> Afterwards she towed a schooner + of 140 tons burden at seven miles an hour. The next experiment was + made in the presence of the Lords of the Admiralty, and they were + minute in their inspection. Ericsson felt confident that they were + convinced, and would soon order the construction of a war-vessel on + the new principle. In this, however, he was disappointed, though he + had given them a tolerably good proof of its value by towing their + barge at the rate of ten miles an hour for a considerable distance. + Scientific theorists reported against it, and said that a ship thus + propelled would be unsteerable. Lindsay records how Admiral Beechey, + one of the old school, in 1850, stated that <span class= + "tei tei-q">“he did not believe that the navy of the future—the Royal + Navy—ever could consist of steamers! Nor could he endure iron + ships.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While Ericsson was + thus employed, Mr. Thomas Pettit Smith, who, on the 31st May, 1836, + had taken out a patent for a <span class="tei tei-q">“sort of screw + or <span class="tei tei-q">‘worm,’</span> made to revolve rapidly + under water in a recess or open space formed in that part of the + after-part of the vessel commonly called the dead rising or dead wood + of the stern,”</span> was experimenting, and the following year + exhibited it in practical form in a small vessel. It appeared to + several gentlemen so satisfactory that a company was formed in July, + 1839, to purchase the patent. It was now applied to a vessel called + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Archimedes</span></span>, the burden of which + was 237 tons, and although her speed was somewhat less than + Ericsson’s vessel, the trial was undeniably satisfactory, more + especially as it was obvious that her engine was really not large + enough for a propeller of the size. In her next trials against the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Widgeon</span></span>, the fastest paddle-wheel + steamer then running between Dover and Calais, the success of the + screw might be regarded as an established fact. The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Archimedes</span></span> laboured under the + disadvantage of having ten horse-power less steam, while her burden + was seventy-five tons more; she had the advantage of carrying more + sail. On the first three trials the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Widgeon</span></span> + had a very slight advantage, in spite of her superior steam-power and + smaller tonnage, while on the last two the <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page104">[pg 104]</span><a name="Pg104" id="Pg104" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Archimedes</span></span> made the trip in less + time than it had ever previously been performed by any of the mail + packets. Captain Chappell, R.N., afterwards took her clear round + England and Scotland, calling at numerous ports. The Admiralty at + length ordered the construction of a screw vessel, and the lines of + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Rattler</span></span> were laid down on the same + model as the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Alecto</span></span>, a paddle-wheel steamer + then building.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Another claimant + as an inventor, who should be mentioned most honourably, is Mr. + Woodcroft, some of whose experiments were being patented in 1826. + They were not tried on a suitable scale till after the successes of + Ericsson and Smith. Woodcroft’s <span class="tei tei-q">“varying + pitch screw-propeller,”</span> patented in 1844, the title of which + describes itself, is to-day <span class="tei tei-q">“considered the + best and most useful type.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In following the + progress of the screw, as applicable to the propulsion of merchant + vessels,<a id="noteref_32" name="noteref_32" href= + "#note_32"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">32</span></span></a> and its + use in other countries, we must now recur to the period when Ericsson + was making his experiments on the Thames. At that time an intelligent + gentleman, Captain Robert F. Stockton, of the United States’ Navy, + was on a visit to London; being of an inquisitive turn of mind, like + most of his countrymen, he watched with great interest the trials + with the screw then in progress, and having obtained an introduction + to Ericsson, he accompanied him on one of his experimental + expeditions on the Thames. Unlike the Lords of the British Admiralty, + who allowed eight years to elapse before they built their first + screw-propeller, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Rattler</span></span>, Captain Stockton was so + impressed with the value and utility of the discovery, that, although + he had only made a single trip in the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Francis B. + Ogden</span></span>, and that merely from London Bridge to Greenwich, + he there and then gave Ericsson a commission to build for him two + boats for the United States, with steam machinery and propeller as + proposed by him. Stockton, impressed with its practical utility for + war purposes, was undismayed by the recorded opinions of scientific + men, and formed his own judgment from what he himself witnessed. He, + therefore, not only ordered the two iron boats on his own account, + but at once brought the subject before the Government of the United + States, and caused various plans and models to be made at his own + expense, explaining the fitness of the new invention for ships of + war. So sanguine was he, indeed, of the great importance of this new + mode of propulsion, and so determined that his views should be + carried out, that he encouraged Ericsson to believe that the + Government of the United States would test his propeller on a large + scale; Ericsson, relying upon these promises, abandoned his + professional engagements in England, and took his departure for the + United States. But it was not until a change in the Federal + administration, two years afterwards, that Captain Stockton was able + to obtain a favourable hearing. Orders were then given to make an + experiment in the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Princeton</span></span>, which was successful. + The propeller, as applied to this war vessel, was similar in + construction to that of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Francis B. Ogden</span></span>, as well in + theory as in minute practical details. One of the boats, named after + her owner, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Robert F. Stockton</span></span>, was built by + Messrs. Laird, of Birkenhead, and launched in 1838. She was 70 feet + in length, 10 feet wide, and drew 6 feet 9 inches of water. Her + cylinders were 16 inches diameter with 18 inches stroke, and her + propellers 6 feet 4 inches <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page105">[pg + 105]</span><a name="Pg105" id="Pg105" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>in + length. On her trial trip on the Thames, made in January of the + following year, she accomplished a distance of nine miles in about + half an hour with the tide, proving the speed through the water to be + between eleven and twelve miles an hour. On her second trial, between + Southwark and Waterloo Bridges, she took in tow four laden barges + with upright sides and square ends, having a beam of fifteen feet + each, and drawing four feet six inches of water. One of these was + lashed on each side, the other two being towed astern, and though the + weight of the whole must have been close upon 400 tons, and a + considerable resistance was offered by their forms, the steamer towed + them at the rate of 5½ miles an hour in slack water, or in eleven + minutes between the two bridges, a distance of one mile.</p><a name= + "illo_118.png" id="illo_118.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_118.png" alt="THE “ROBERT F. STOCKTON.”" + title="THE “ROBERT F. STOCKTON.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center">“ROBERT F. + STOCKTON.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">These experiments + having been considered in every way satisfactory, the <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Robert F. + Stockton</span></span> left England for the United States in the + beginning of April, 1839, under the command of Captain Cram of the + American merchant service. Her crew consisted of four men and a boy; + and having accomplished the voyage <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">under + sail</span></span> in forty days, Captain Cram was presented with the + freedom of the city of New York for his daring in crossing the + Atlantic in so small a craft, constructed only for river + navigation.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The first steamer + to cross the Atlantic was the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Savannah</span></span>, of 300 tons, which + arrived in Liverpool from Savannah, Georgia, in thirty-one days, her + voyage having been made partly under sail. So to America belongs the + credit of having shown the practicability <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page106">[pg 106]</span><a name="Pg106" id="Pg106" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>of employing steam power for the most difficult + and dangerous voyages. The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Savannah’s</span></span> horse-power was too + small for her size, and although she arrived safely, the experiment + was not regarded by men of science as particularly successful. Dr. + Lardner in particular, and other scientists, expressed their belief + that no vessel could carry coal enough to steam the whole distance, + and their discussions greatly retarded the progress of Transatlantic + steam navigation. The voyage of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Savannah</span></span> was made in 1819; ten + years elapsed before the Atlantic traffic was renewed, so far as + steam was concerned, by the dispatch of an English-built steam-ship, + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Curaçoa</span></span>, which made several trips + from Holland to the West Indies. In 1833 a steam-ship, named the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Royal + William</span></span>, sailed from Quebec, and arrived safely at + Gravesend. But it was not till 1838 that the practicability of + profitably employing steam-ships on the Atlantic was demonstrated by + the voyages of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Sirius</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Western</span></span>, the latter one of the finest vessels of the + day. Their arrival at New York is thus described by one of the + journals of that city:—</p><a name="illo_115.jpg" id="illo_115.jpg" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_115.jpg" alt= + "ARRIVAL OF THE “GREAT WESTERN” AT NEW YORK" title= + "ARRIVAL OF THE “GREAT WESTERN” AT NEW YORK." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + ARRIVAL OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“GREAT WESTERN”</span> AT NEW YORK. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“At three o’clock p.m., on Sunday the 22nd of April, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Sirius</span></span> first descried the land, + and early on Monday morning, the 23rd, anchored in the North River + immediately off the battery. The moment the intelligence was made + known, hundreds and thousands rushed, early in the morning, to the + battery. Nothing could exceed the excitement. The river was covered + during the whole day with row-boats, skiffs, and yawls, carrying the + wondering people out to get a close view of this extraordinary + vessel. While people were yet wondering how the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Sirius</span></span> + made out to cross the rude Atlantic, it was announced, about eleven + a.m. on Monday, from the telegraph, that a huge steam-ship was in the + offing. <span class="tei tei-q">‘<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The Great Western! The + Great Western!</span></span>’</span> was on everybody’s tongue. About + two o’clock p.m., the first curl of her ascending smoke fell on the + eyes of the thousands of anxious spectators. A shout of enthusiasm + rose in the air.”</span> The movements of a great steam-ship in and + out of port are always watched with interest—why, even the arrival of + the <span class="tei tei-q">“husbands’ boat”</span> at Margate or + Ramsgate is an event! One can, then, well imagine and understand the + excitement caused in New York by the arrival of two fine vessels + almost simultaneously from England. It meant, in some branches of + commerce, a complete revolution. These first passages were made in + seventeen and fifteen days respectively. Almost immediately after + this, the great Cunard Company commenced operations, the Admiralty + awarding them the mail contract. Then came the great contest for the + maritime supremacy, commercially regarded, of the Atlantic Ocean, + when American enterprise came into the field, and organised a + formidable rival to the English company in the Collins Line. The + history of this contest would fill a volume.</p><a name= + "illo_120.png" id="illo_120.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_120.png" alt="THE FIRST CUNARD STEAMER" + title="THE FIRST CUNARD STEAMER." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE FIRST CUNARD STEAMER. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The national pride + of the Americans had been touched by the commercial success of + British steam-ships frequenting their ports, and they determined, + vulgarly speaking, <span class="tei tei-q">“to have a piece of the + pie.”</span> American genius and enterprise had sent forth a fleet of + steamers to trade on their coasts, lakes, and rivers, which a leading + English authority considers <span class="tei tei-q">“were marvels of + naval architecture, unsurpassed in speed, and in the splendour of + their equipment.”</span> Their clipper-sailing ships <span class= + "tei tei-q">“were the finest the world had then produced, while their + perfection in the art of ship-building had even reached so high a + point that they constructed steamers to ascend rivers where + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page107">[pg 107]</span><a name="Pg107" + id="Pg107" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>there was hardly depth of water + for an Indian canoe; indeed, it was proverbially said, in honour of + their skill in the art, that their vessels would traverse valleys if + only moistened by the morning <a name="corr107" id="corr107" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">dews.</span>”</span> + Why should they not have a great ocean line? It was looked upon in + Congress and by the country generally as almost a national question, + and it resulted in a heavy mail subsidy to Mr. Collins and his + colleagues. They immediately made arrangements for the construction + of four large vessels. Later, the Government increased the subsidy by + over one-third (from $19,250 per trip to $33,000) <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">but increased speed was + required in return</span></span>. How much this may have had to do + with the two terrible disasters about to be related will no doubt + strike the reader. The Collins Line commenced its voyages in + 1850.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“A voyage across the Atlantic,”</span> says Lindsay, + <span class="tei tei-q">“must ever be attended with greater peril + than almost any other ocean service of similar length and duration; + arising, as this does, from the boisterous character and uncertainty + of the weather, from the icebergs which float in huge masses during + spring along the northern line of passage, and from the many vessels + of every kind to be met with either employed in the Newfoundland + fisheries, or in the vast and daily-increasing intercourse between + Europe and America.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“In such a navigation the utmost care requires to be + constantly exercised, especially by steam-ships. Nevertheless, + although the Collins Line of steamers performed this passage with a + speed hitherto unequalled, they encountered no accidents worthy of + notice during the first four years of their career; but terrible + calamities befell them soon afterwards.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 21st of + September, 1854, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Arctic</span></span>, according to the usual + course, left Liverpool for New York. She had on board 233 passengers, + of whom 150 were first-class, together with a crew of 135 persons and + a valuable cargo. At mid-day on the 27th of that month, when about + sixty miles south-east of Cape Race, and during a dense fog, she came + in contact with the French steamer <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Vesta</span></span>. + By this collision the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Vesta</span></span> seemed at first to be so + seriously injured, that in their terror and confusion, her + passengers, amounting to 147, and a crew of fifty men, conceived she + was about to sink, and that their only chance of safety lay in their + getting quickly into the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Arctic</span></span>. Impressed with this idea + many of them rushed into the boats, of which, as too frequently + happens, one sank immediately, and the other, containing thirteen + persons, was swamped under the quarter of the ship, all on board of + her perishing. When, however, the captain of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Vesta</span></span> + more carefully examined his injuries, he found that though the bows + of his vessel were partially stove in, the foremost bulk-head had not + started. He therefore at once lightened his ship by the head, + strengthening the partition by every means in his power, and by great + exertions, courage, forethought, and seamanship, brought his + shattered vessel, without further loss, into the harbour of St. + John’s.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the meantime a + frightful catastrophe befell the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Arctic</span></span>, + and was so little anticipated that the persons on board of her + supposing that she had only sustained a slight injury by the + collision, had launched a boat for the rescue of the passengers and + crew of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Vesta</span></span>. It was soon, however, + discovered that their own ship had sustained fatal injuries, and the + sea was rushing in so fast through three holes which had been pierced + in the hull <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page108">[pg + 108]</span><a name="Pg108" id="Pg108" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>below the water-line, that the engine fires + would soon be extinguished. The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Arctic’s</span></span> head was therefore + immediately laid for Cape Race, the nearest point of land; but within + four hours of the collision the water reached the furnaces, and soon + afterwards she foundered. As it was blowing a strong gale at the + time, some of the boats into which the passengers and crew rushed + were destroyed in launching; others which got clear of the sinking + ship were never again heard of, and only two, with thirty-one of the + crew and fourteen passengers, reached Newfoundland. Among those who + perished were the wife of Mr. Collins, and their son and daughter; + but the captain, who remained on board to the last, and the first as + well as the second and fourth officers, were saved. Seventy-two men + and four females sought refuge on a raft, which the seamen, when they + found the ship sinking, had hastily constructed; but one by one they + were swept away—every wave as it washed over the raft claiming one or + more victims as its prey; and at eight o’clock on the following + morning <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">one</span></span> human being alone was left out + of the seventy-six persons, who only twelve or fifteen hours before + had hoped to save their lives on this temporary structure. The + solitary occupant of this fragile raft must have had a brave heart + and a strong nerve to have retained his place on it for a day and a + half after all his companions had perished, for it was not until that + time had elapsed that he was saved by a passing vessel. His tale of + how he and they parted was of the most heart-rending + description.<a id="noteref_33" name="noteref_33" href= + "#note_33"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">33</span></span></a></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As a large portion + of the first-class passengers of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Arctic</span></span> + consisted of persons of wealth and extensive commercial relations in + the United States, as well as in England and the colonies, and + besides more than one member of her aristocracy, the loss of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Arctic</span></span>, and the terrible incidents + in connection with her fate, caused an unusual amount of grief and + consternation on both sides of the Atlantic.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Within little more + than twelve months from this time another great calamity befell the + Collins Company, and the sad loss of their steamer <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Pacific</span></span>—from the mystery in which + it was shrouded, if not as lamentable as that of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Arctic</span></span> + (for the soul of man has never been harrowed with its details)—was + equally deplorable. Although the ocean in this instance has left no + record of its ravages, the stern fact announced in the brief words, + <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">she was never heard of</span></span>,”</span> + tells itself the sad, sad tale that a great ship, with all her living + inmates, in infancy, in manhood and old age, and it may be full of + hope and joy, had been engulfed in the blue waters of the + Atlantic—summoned, perhaps in a moment, to an eternity more + mysterious than that which surrounded their melancholy fate.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The splendid but + unfortunate ship left Liverpool on the 23rd of January, 1856, having + on board twenty-five first-class passengers, twenty second-class + passengers, and a crew of 141 persons, almost all of whom were + Americans. She carried the mails and a valuable cargo, the insurances + effected on her being 2,000,000 dollars. But no living soul ever + returned to tell where or how she was lost, nor were any articles + belonging to her ever found to afford a clue to her melancholy fate; + it can only be supposed that she sprang an overflowing leak, or more + probably struck suddenly when at full speed on an iceberg, and + instantly foundered.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Collins Line + ceased to exist a few years after these serious disasters, but the + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page110">[pg 110]</span><a name="Pg110" + id="Pg110" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Cunard became more firmly + established than ever, and entered on that career of prosperity which + has been the most remarkable of any in the long list of steam-ship + lines. Its fleet consisted of forty-nine vessels in 1875, running not + merely on the Atlantic service, but to Mediterranean and other ports. + A competent authority puts the money value of the ships at about + seven millions sterling. In the ocean line the crews are engaged for + a single voyage out and home. The company shipped and discharged + during the year ending July 1st, 1872, 43,000 men, which means that + they continuously employed about 8,600 persons on their ships. About + 1,500 men find regular employment in loading and unloading the + steam-ships, and from 500 to 1,500 more are engaged at the docks of + the company in Liverpool in fitting and refitting these vessels. + <span class="tei tei-q">“Hence the company, although a private + enterprise in the hands of only three families, is entitled to rank + with the great railway and other public companies as an employer of + labour.”</span><a id="noteref_34" name="noteref_34" href= + "#note_34"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">34</span></span></a> The + Cunard Company, in 1861, enrolled a regiment of Volunteer Artillery + (the 11th Lancashire) 500 strong, composed entirely of their own + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">employés</span></span>, and they have always + shown much public spirit in Liverpool in the promotion of schools, + asylums, and other provident and charitable institutions for the + seamen’s benefit. During the Crimean war, and in 1861, when the + friendly relations between Great Britain and America were put in + jeopardy by the forcible arrest of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, when on + board the Royal Mail steamer <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Trent</span></span>, the resources of the + company were put into requisition for the conveyance of troops and + stores. Their two largest ships, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Bothnia</span></span> + and <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Scythia</span></span>, each of 4,535 tons + burden, have saloons where 300 persons can dine at one time, while + their decks afford an unbroken promenade, for passengers, of 425 + feet.</p><a name="illo_124a.png" id="illo_124a.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_124a.png" alt= + "THE CUNARD SCREW STEAM-SHIP “BOTHNIA.”" title= + "THE CUNARD SCREW STEAM-SHIP “BOTHNIA.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE CUNARD SCREW STEAM-SHIP <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“BOTHNIA.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The wonderful + exemption from shipwreck and casualties, which is the just pride of + this company, is due to the admirable discipline and order enforced. + Take the following description of life on the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Bothnia</span></span> + as detailed in the columns of our leading journal:—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Bothnia</span></span> carries ten boats, which + are capable of containing her full complement of people; and she has + a crew of 150 officers and men, all told, divided into the three + classes of seamen, engineers and firemen, and stewards. It has always + been part of the Cunard Company’s system that every man, whatever his + duties on board the ship, should be a member of some particular + boat’s crew, and that the crew of each boat should be formed from all + three of the classes which have been mentioned.... As soon as all are + on board, each man is informed to which boat he is attached, and who + is the commanding officer of that boat, and each boat’s officer is + expected to know every member of his boat’s crew. In order to prevent + mistakes, each man wears a metal badge, with a brooch-fastening, + which bears the number of his boat,”</span> and so forth. Before the + passengers are on board, there is an inspection, the crew being drawn + up in two lines, each man being expected to answer to his name. The + muster-roll having been called, orders are given to prepare for boat + service; and the men break up into the necessary number of crews. + After the order <span class="tei tei-q">“Boats out!”</span> is given, + the men fall to work with a will, and the ten boats, each containing + a keg of water, oars, spars, sails, an axe, &c., are in three + minutes properly launched into the water, the captain from his place + of vantage on the bridge looking <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page111">[pg 111]</span><a name="Pg111" id="Pg111" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>sharply after laziness or awkwardness. The same + organisation of crews is applied to fire duty. Some have charge of + the buckets; others fetch and join the hose, or take care of the + jets; others are ready with wet blankets to throw over the flames; + but the essential matter is that each man has his place and his duty. + So for manning the pumps and other essential matters. These drills + over, the inspecting party proceeds to make a complete tour of the + vessel. The store-rooms are visited, and the steward cautioned never + to use any other light than a closed and locked lamp. The supply of + rockets and other signals is examined, the steering and signalling + apparatus tried, and only after everything has been found in order is + the word given for the ship to embark her passengers and proceed on + her course. <span class="tei tei-q">“If the smallest defect,”</span> + says the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span>, before quoted, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“is discovered in any part of a ship, no question is + raised whether it will bear one voyage or two voyages more, but the + order, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Out with it!’</span> is given at + once.”</span> The reign of order is as complete as on board a + well-regulated man-of-war. On the many other great steam-ship lines + more or less of the same inspection occurs, and on some, no doubt, + the precautions taken are nearly as careful. The Cunard Line is + generally admitted to be, however, pre-eminent in the care taken of + life and property on board, the fact being that the company has never + lost a ship on the Atlantic. The illustration on page 109 shows one + of their finest ships, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Scotia</span></span>.</p><a name="illo_124b.png" + id="illo_124b.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_124b.png" alt= + "CUNARD PADDLE STEAM-SHIP “SCOTIA.”" title= + "CUNARD PADDLE STEAM-SHIP “SCOTIA.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + CUNARD PADDLE STEAM-SHIP <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“SCOTIA.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From the Mersey + alone there are ten distinct fleets sailing to America, including + such magnificent steam-ships as those of the White Star and Inman + Lines. In the former the luxurious saloons are placed amidships, the + motion being less felt there. The Inman Line has made the quickest + passages across the Atlantic on record, and has carried as many as + 50,000 steerage passengers in one year. In 1856 and 1857 this line + carried 85,000 passengers, of both classes, to and from the United + States, or about one-third of all those crossing <span class= + "tei tei-q">“the Great Ferry”</span> for those years. The shortness + of time to which the Inman steamers have reduced the passage across + the Atlantic was conspicuously shown by the voyage of Prince Arthur + in 1869, who attended service at Queenstown on the Sunday morning of + his departure, and was landed at Halifax in time to attend morning + service at that place on the Sunday following. Their ship, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">City of + Berlin</span></span>, of 5,500 tons, is the largest vessel afloat + except the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Great Eastern</span></span>, and has + accommodation for 1,700 passengers. The White Star Line has two + vessels of 5,004 tons each, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Britannic</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Germanic</span></span>. These few facts will + indicate—although we may not be able to grasp them in their + entirety—the immense growth of the ocean steam navigation in a period + so short as that which has elapsed from the first steam-voyage across + the Atlantic.</p><a name="illo_127.png" id="illo_127.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page112">[pg + 112]</span><a name="Pg112" id="Pg112" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_127.png" alt="MR. PLIMSOLL" title= + "MR. PLIMSOLL." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + MR. PLIMSOLL. + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap07" id="chap07" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc17" id="toc17"></a> <a name="pdf18" id="pdf18"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER VII.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">The History of Ships and + Shipping Interests</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 144%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 144%; font-style: italic">continued</span></span><span style="font-size: 144%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">A Contrast—Floating Palaces and</span> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Coffin-ships</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Mr. + Plimsoll’s Appeal—His Philanthropic Efforts—Use of Old Charts—Badly + Constructed Ships—A Doomed Ship—Owner’s Gains by her Loss—A + Sensible Deserter—Overloading—The Widows and Fatherless—Other Risks + of the Sailor’s Life—Scurvy—Improper Cargoes—</span><span class= + "tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Unclassed + Vessels</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">—</span><span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Lloyd’s,</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">and + its History.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Turning by way of + that contrast which our subject so abundantly presents, let us pass + from the consideration of well-regulated, well-found steam-ship + lines, to a different class of vessels—those <span class= + "tei tei-q">“coffin-ships”</span> of which we heard so much a few + years since. As we all know, the term has been lately used to signify + unseaworthy ships of all kinds—such as that mentioned by Mr. + Plimsoll, which was loaded at Newcastle with nearly twice her proper + tonnage, and dispatched to the Baltic in mid-winter, <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">with her main-deck two + feet two inches below the level of the water</span></span>. She + foundered eighteen miles <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page113">[pg + 113]</span><a name="Pg113" id="Pg113" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>from + the coast. We are told of one man who had in six years lost twelve + rotten ships, and 105 men; and of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Elizabeth</span></span>, a vessel so weak and + leaky, that <a name="corr113" id="corr113" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">it</span> was + necessary to pump her every hour when floating empty in harbour, but + which was sent to sea with 180 tons of coal to founder with three out + of five hands. It was certainly time for legislation when the + statement could be made truly that a ship which had been refused a + class by Lloyd’s Committee, and had been declared utterly unfit to go + to sea by Lloyd’s surveyor, was dispatched across the Atlantic, or + rather to the bottom of the Atlantic, there to lie with one crew, + while another was safe in an English prison for refusing to proceed + in her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In 1870, Mr. + Samuel Plimsoll first commenced, so far as Parliament is concerned, + those benevolent efforts for the amelioration of the sailor’s hard + life, which must always place him among the highest ranks of + philanthropists. Moved evidently by the purest motives, there are one + or two mistakes to be recorded against him, but they were of the + head, not of the heart. Government was at the time endeavouring, as + far as can be seen, to accomplish nearly the same ends, but was + hampered by the pressure of Parliamentary business. Lindsay, who was + somewhat opposed to the views expressed by Plimsoll, and it is rather + unfortunate that he was so, having been so long a ship-owner himself, + yet endorses the remarks of a friend—a Vice-Admiral of Her Majesty’s + service—who wrote to him: <span class="tei tei-q">“Should there not + be some more stringent provisions with respect to the inspection of + sailing vessels? It is an old proverb, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Who + ever saw a dead donkey?’</span> But who ever saw an old sailing-ship + broken up? I am inclined to think that it is more to the interest of + small owners to let an old tub go on shore than to bring her safe + into port. This works two evils:—1, the danger to human life; 2, the + greater rate of insurance on honest owners to make up an average for + the dishonest.”</span> The evil had become a most terrible one, and, + in spite of some little reform, it is to be feared, goes on to-day + with only partially-abated vigour.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Imperfect charts,”</span> says Lindsay, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“were often made to cover, as I fear may be the case to + some extent now, incompetency, drunkenness, or carelessness. Indeed, + about that period, they frequently served as excuses when other + objects were in view. I remember a ludicrous example of this. When a + boy at school at Ayr, I used to accompany my uncle to <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘the meeting of owners’</span> of the brig <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Eclipse</span></span>, in which he held some + eight or ten 64th shares. Every spring the owners met on board to + discuss matters relating to her affairs, and to dispose of what I + recollect best, a round of salt beef, sea-biscuits, and rum and + water. The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Eclipse</span></span> had hitherto been + invariably employed during the summer season in the conveyance of + timber from some one or other of the ports of New Brunswick for Ayr. + On one occasion, a tempting freight had been offered for her to + proceed to Quebec, and the owners in conclave assembled, had all but + unanimously decided to send her to that port. While, however, the + discussion was going on, her skipper, Garratt, or, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘old Garratty,’</span> as he was called, seemed very + uneasy, and gulping down an extra tumbler of rum and water, he at + last said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Weel, gentlemen, should you send + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Eclipse</span></span> to Quebec, I’ll not be + answerable for her safety.’</span> <span class="tei tei-q">‘How + so?’</span> asked one of the owners. <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Ah,’</span> said Garratty, drawing his breath, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">the charts are a’wrang in the St. + Lawrence</span></span>. Ye’ll ne’er see the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Eclipse</span></span> + again gin ye send her to Quebec.’</span> The skipper carried the + day.</span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page114">[pg + 114]</span><a name="Pg114" id="Pg114" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“It is much to be regretted that ship-owners, when they + leave their captains to provide their own charts (instead of + supplying them) do not stipulate that they are to be the best and the + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">latest</span></span>. I remember a ship and + cargo (numerous other instances could be produced), valued at + £70,000, lost near Boulogne from the master mistaking the two lights + at Etaples for the South Foreland lights; and this, as appeared from + the Board of Trade inquiry, because his Channel chart, which was + thirty years old, had not the Etaples lights marked on it.”</span> + The terrible wreck of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Deutschland</span></span> steam-ship, on the + 30th December, 1875, was caused, with hardly the shadow of a doubt, + from the use of an old chart.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Plimsoll in a + most remarkable and vigorous book,<a id="noteref_35" name= + "noteref_35" href="#note_35"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">35</span></span></a> + published in 1873, puts the matter of <span class= + "tei tei-q">“coffin-ships”</span> forcibly before his readers. He + says, <span class="tei tei-q">“No means are neglected by Parliament + to provide for the safety of life ashore; and yet, as I said before, + you may build a ship in any way you please, you may use timber + utterly unfit, you may use it in quantity utterly inadequate, but no + one has any authority to interfere with you.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“You may even buy an old ship 250 tons burden by auction + for £50, sold to be broken up, because extremely old and rotten; she + had had a narrow escape on her last voyage, and had suffered so + severely that she was quite unfit to go to sea again without more + being spent in repairs upon her than she would be worth when done. + Instead of breaking up this old ship, bought for 4s. per ton (the + cost of a new ship being from £10 to £14 per ton), as was expected, + you may give her a coat of paint—she is too rotten for caulking—and + to the dismay of her late owners, you may prepare to send her to sea. + You may be remonstrated with, in the strongest terms, against doing + so, even to being told that if you persist, and the men are lost, you + deserve to be tried for manslaughter.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“You may engage men in another port, and they, having + signed articles without seeing the ship, you may send them to the + port where the ship lies in the custody of a mariner. You may then + (after re-christening the ship, which ought not to be allowed), if + you have managed to insure her heavily, load her until the main deck + is within two feet of the water amidships, and send her to sea. + Nobody can prevent you. Nay, more, if the men become riotous, you may + arrest them without a magistrate’s warrant, and take them to prison, + and the magistrates, who have no choice (they have not to make, but + only to administer the law), will commit them to prison for twelve + weeks with hard labour, or, better still for you, you may send for a + policeman on board to overawe the mutineers, and induce them to do + their duty! And then, if the ship is lost with all hands, you will + gain a large sum of money and you will be asked no questions, as no + inquiry will ever be held over those unfortunate men, unless (which + has only happened once, I think) some member of the House asks for + inquiry.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The river policeman who in one case threatened a + refractory crew with imprisonment, and urged them to do their duty + (!) told me afterwards (when they were all drowned) that he and his + colleagues at the river-side station had spoken to each other about + the ship being dreadfully overloaded as she passed their station on + the river, before he went <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page115">[pg + 115]</span><a name="Pg115" id="Pg115" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>on + board to urge duty (!) and that he then, when he saw me, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘rued badly that he had not locked ’em up without talk, + as then they wouldn’t have been drowned.’</span> ”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Plimsoll + indicates another risk for the poor sailor: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“There is, I fear, great reason to think that ships are + occasionally lost from the very imperfect manner in which some of + them are built; in some cases, I think you will see that something + worse ought to be said. I do not say the cases are many; still, they + exist, and we have done nothing to prevent it. The first time I + introduced a bill to prevent overloading, I alluded (mentioning no + names) to the case of one ship-owner who, trading to the West Indies + for sugar (a good voyage, deep water, and plenty of sea room all the + way) had, out of a fleet of twenty-one vessels, lost no less than ten + of them in less than three years.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“After I had concluded my speech in moving the second + reading, a member accosted me in the lobby and said: <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Mr. Plimsoll, you were mistaken in that statement of + yours.’</span> <span class="tei tei-q">‘What statement?’</span> I + answered. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Oh, that when you said a + ship-owner had lost ten ships in less than three years from + overloading.’</span> <span class="tei tei-q">‘I mentioned no + names,’</span> I said. <span class="tei tei-q">‘No, but I know who + you meant. He is one of my constituents, and a very respectable man + indeed. It is not his fault; it is the fault of the man who built his + ships, for one of them was surveyed in London and was found to be put + together with devils. He knew nothing about it, I assure you.’</span> + <span class="tei tei-q">‘Devils?’</span> I said. <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Yes.’</span> <span class="tei tei-q">‘I don’t know what + you mean.’</span> <span class="tei tei-q">‘Oh, devils are sham bolts, + you know; that is, when they ought to be copper, the head and about + an inch of the shaft are copper, and the rest is + iron.’</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“I have since found there are other and different sham + bolts used, where merely a bolthead (without any shaft at all) is + driven in, and only as many real bolts used as will keep the timbers + in their places. Now these bolts are used to go through the outside + planking, the upright timber, not the inner planking (ceiling) of a + ship, and through the vertical or drooping part of a piece of iron + called a knee, on the upper part of which the deck-beams rest, and to + which the deck-beams are also bolted from above. These bolts, + therefore, are from thirteen to eighteen inches in + length.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The following + examples will speak for themselves. Mr. Plimsoll says:—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“On the occasion of one of my visits to a port in the + north, I was met by a gentleman who knew what my errand there was + likely to be, and he said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Oh, Mr. Plimsoll, + you should have been here yesterday: a vessel went down the river so + deeply loaded, that everybody who saw her expects to hear of her + being lost. She was loaded under the personal directions of her + owner, and the captain himself said to me, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Isn’t it shameful to send men with families to sea in a + vessel loaded like that?”</span> Poor fellow, it is much if ever he + reaches port.’</span> Half a dozen others confirmed this statement. + The captain <span class="tei tei-q">‘was greatly depressed in + spirits,’</span> and a friend—not the owner, mark you!—gave him some + rockets—<span class="tei tei-q">‘in case of the worst.’</span> Two + men averred that they would not go if the owner gave them the + ship.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“She was sent. The men were some of them threatened, and + one at least had a promise of 10s. extra per month if he would go. As + she went away, the police-boat left her; the police had been on board + to overawe the men with going. As the police-boat left her side, two + of the men, deciding that they would rather be taken to prison, + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page116">[pg 116]</span><a name="Pg116" + id="Pg116" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>hailed the police, and begged + to be taken by them. The police said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘they + could not interfere,’</span> and the ship sailed. My friend was in + great anxiety, and told me that if the wind came on to blow, the + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">ship could + not live</span></span>.</span></p><a name="illo_131.jpg" id= + "illo_131.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_131.jpg" alt= + "MR. PLIMSOLL SPEAKING IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS" title= + "MR. PLIMSOLL SPEAKING IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + MR. PLIMSOLL SPEAKING IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“It did blow a good half-gale all the day after + Sunday—the ship sailed on Friday. I was looking seaward from the + promontory on which the ruins of T—— Castle stand, with a heavy + heart; the wind was not above force 7—nothing to hurt a well-found + and properly-loaded vessel: I had often been out in much worse + weather; but then this vessel was not properly loaded (and her owner + stood to gain over £2,000 clear if she went down, by over insurance), + and I knew that there were many others almost as unfit as she was to + encounter rough weather—ships so rotten that if they struck they + would go to pieces at once; ships so overloaded that every sea would + make a clean sweep over her, sending tons and tons of water into her + hold every time, until the end came.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“On Monday we heard of a ship in distress having been + seen, rockets had been sent up by her; it was feared she was lost. On + Tuesday the nameboard of a boat was picked up, and this was all that + ever we heard of her.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Some cases seemed + to be looked on as matters of course, and a gentleman as he saw his + wife reading the newspaper, said to her, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Look out, for the —— in a day or two; <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page117">[pg 117]</span><a name="Pg117" id="Pg117" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>I saw her go out of the river. She is sure + to be lost.”</span> She was lost, and nearly twenty men returned home + never more.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Plimsoll tells + another story of two gentlemen, who told him one day that they saw a + vessel leaving dock; she was so deep that, having a list upon her, + the scuppers on the bow side were half in the water and half out. (A + <span class="tei tei-q">“list”</span> means that she was so loaded as + to have one side rather deeper down than the other; the <span class= + "tei tei-q">“scuppers”</span> are the holes in the bulwarks that let + the water out that comes on deck from the rain, the washing, or the + seas breaking over her.) They heard a slight commotion on board, and + a voice said to the captain: <span class="tei tei-q">“Larry’s not on + board, sir.”</span> He had run for it. Nothing could be done, for + lack of time, to seek him, so they sailed without him. And these + gentlemen heard the crew say, as they slowly moved away from the + dockyard: <span class="tei tei-q">“Then Larry’s the only man of us’ll + be alive in a week.”</span> That vessel was lost.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Another large ship + was sailing on a long voyage, from a port in Wales, with a cargo of + coal. A gentleman called a friend’s attention to her state. She was a + good ship, but terribly deep in the water. He said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Now, is it possible that vessel <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">can</span></span> reach + her destination unless the sea is as smooth as a mill-pond the whole + way?”</span> The sea evidently was not as smooth as a mill-pond, for + that ship was never heard of again, and twenty-eight of our poor, + hard-working, brave fellow-subjects never more returned to gladden + their wives and play with their children.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Plimsoll saw a + large ship put to sea one day. She was so deep that a friend who was + standing by said to him as she went: <span class="tei tei-q">“She is + nothing but a coffin for the poor fellows on board of her.”</span> He + watched and watched, almost fascinated by the deadly peril of the + crew, and he did not watch for nothing. Before he left his look-out + to go home, he saw her go down.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Even more touching + are the records of some visits made by him to the sufferers left + behind to mourn the fate of their husbands, drowned in leaky ships + which should never have left port.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“In this house, No. 9, L——ll Street, lives Mrs. A——r + R——e. Look at her—she is not more than two or three and twenty, and + those little ones are hers. She has a mangle, you see. It was + subscribed for her by her poor neighbours: the poor are very kind to + each other. That poor little fellow has hurt his foot, and looks + wonderingly at the face of his young mother. She had a loving husband + but very lately, but the owner of the ship on which he served, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">S——n</span></span>, was a very needy man, who + insured her for £3,000 more than she had cost him. So if she sank he + would gain all this. Well, one voyage she was loaded <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">under the owner’s + personal superintendence</span></span>; she was loaded so deeply that + the dockmaster pointed her out to a friend as she left the dock, and + said emphatically, <span class="tei tei-q">‘That ship will never + reach her destination.’</span> She never did, for she was lost with + all hands—twenty men and boys. A—— R—— complained to him before he + sailed that she was <span class="tei tei-q">‘so deep loaded.’</span> + She tried to get to the sands to see the ship off with Mrs. J——r, + whose husband was on board. They never saw their husbands + again.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“In this most evil-smelling room, E—— Q—— C—— Street, you + may see in the corner two poor women in one bed, stricken with fever + (one died two days after I saw them), mother and daughter. The + husband of the daughter, who maintained them both, had been + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page118">[pg 118]</span><a name="Pg118" + id="Pg118" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>lost at sea a little while + before, in a ship so loaded that when Mr. B——l, a Custom House + officer who had to go on board for some reason while she was lying in + the river, was told, <span class="tei tei-q">‘She’s yonder; you can + easily find her, she is nearly over t’head in the water,’</span> Mr. + B——l told me, <span class="tei tei-q">‘I asked no questions, but + stepped on board; this description was quite + sufficient.’</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Mrs. R——s, H——n Place, told me her young brother was an + orphan with herself. She said her sister brought him up till she was + married. Then her husband was kind to him, and apprenticed him to the + sea. He had passed as second mate in a sailing ship, but (he was a + fine young fellow—I have his portrait) he was ambitious to + <span class="tei tei-q">‘pass in steam’</span> also, and engaged to + serve in the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">S——</span></span> ship, leaking badly, but was + assured on signing that she was to be repaired before loading. The + ship was not repaired, and was loaded, as he told his sister-mother, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘like a sand-barge.’</span> Was urged by his + sister and her husband not to go. His sister again urged him as he + passed her door in the morning. He promised he would not, and went to + the ship to get the wages due to him. Was refused payment unless he + went, was over-persuaded and threatened, and called a coward, which + greatly excited him. He went, and two days afterwards the ship went + down. Her husband and Mrs. R——s also told me that he and his wife + <span class="tei tei-q">‘had a bit crack,’</span> and decided to do + all they could to <span class="tei tei-q">‘persuade Johnnie not to + go.’</span> The young man was about twenty-two.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Mr. J—— H——l told me that the captain was his friend, + and the captain was very down-hearted about the way in which she was + loaded (mind, she was loaded under the owner’s personal supervision). + The captain asked him (Mr. A——) to see his wife off by train after + the ship had sailed. She, poor soul, had travelled to that port to + see him off. The captain said to him, <span class="tei tei-q">‘I + doubt I’ll never see her more!’</span> and burst out crying. Poor + fellow, he never did see her more.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Now come with me to 36, C——, and see Mrs. J——e R——e. She + is a young woman of superior intelligence, and has a trustable + face—very. She may be about seven-and-twenty. She lost her husband in + the same ship. He was thirty years of age, and, to use her own words, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘such a happy creature; so full of + jokes.’</span> He was engaged as second engineer, at £4 10s. and + board. <span class="tei tei-q">‘After his ship was loaded he was a + changed man; he got his tea without saying a word, and then sat + looking into the fire in a deep study, like. I asked him what ailed + him, and he said, more to himself than to me, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“She’s such a beast!”</span> I thought he meant the men’s + place was dirty, as he had complained before that there was no place + to wash. He liked to be clean, my husband, and always had a good wash + when he came home from the workshop, when he worked ashore. So I + said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Will you let me come on board to clean + it out for you?”</span> And he said, still looking at the fire, + <span class="tei tei-q">“It ain’t that.”</span> Well, he hadn’t + signed, only agreed, so I said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t sign, + Jim,”</span> and he said he wouldn’t, and went and told the engineer + he shouldn’t go. The engineer <span class="tei tei-q">“spoke so + kindly to him,”</span> and offered him 10s. a month more. He had had + no work for a long time, and the money was tempting,’</span> she + said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘and so he signed. When he told me I + said, <span class="tei tei-q">“You won’t go, Jim, will you?”</span> + He said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Why, Minnie, they will put me in + gaol if I don’t go.”</span> I said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Never + mind, you can come home after that.”</span> <span class= + "tei tei-q">“But,”</span> said he, <span class="tei tei-q">“they + called me a coward, and you would not like to hear me called + that.”</span> ’</span></span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page119">[pg 119]</span><a name="Pg119" id="Pg119" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The poor woman was crying very bitterly, so I said + gently, <span class="tei tei-q">‘I hope you won’t think I am asking + all these questions from idle curiosity;’</span> and I shall never + forget her quick disclaimer, for she saw that I was troubled with + her: <span class="tei tei-q">‘Oh no, sir; I am glad to answer you, + for so many homes might be kept from being desolate if it was only + looked into.’</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“I ascertained that she is <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘getting a bit winning for a livelihood,’</span> as my + informant phrased it, by sewing for a ready-made clothes-shopkeeper. + She was in a small garret with a sloping roof and the most modest + fireplace I ever saw; just three bits of iron laid from side to side + of an opening in the brickwork, and two more up the front; no + chimney-piece, or jambs, or stone across the top, but just the bricks + laid nearer and nearer until the courses united. So I don’t fancy she + could be earning much. But with the very least money value in the + place, it was as beautifully clean as I ever saw a room in my + life.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“I also saw a poor woman, who had lost her son aged + twenty-two. She too cried bitterly, as she spoke with <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">such</span></span> love + and pride of her son, and of the grief of his father, who was sixty + years of age. Her son was taken on as a stoker, and worked on the + ship some days before she was ready for sea. He did not want to go + when he saw how she was loaded. She looked like a floating wreck, but + they refused to pay him the money he had earned unless he went, and + he too was lost with the others.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Just one more specimen of the good, true, and brave men + we sacrifice by our most cruel and manslaughtering neglect. This time + I went and called upon an old man I knew, and, after apologising for + intruding upon his grief, I asked him to tell me if he had any + objection to tell me if his son had had any misgiving about the ship + before he went. He said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Yes, I went to see + the ship myself, and was horrified to see the way in which she was + loaded. I tried all I could to persuade him not to go, but he’d been + doing nothing for a long time, and he didn’t like being a burden on + me. He’d a fine sperret, he had, my son,’</span> said the poor old + man.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Here a young woman I had not observed (she was in a + corner with her face to the wall) broke out into loud sobs and said, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘He was the best of us all, sir—the best of + the whole family. He was as fair as a flower, and vah-y + canny-looking.’</span> ”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But it is not + merely rotten hulks which may become coffin-ships: many superior + vessels are woefully deficient in accommodation for the sailor’s + comfort. He may, and often does, wade to his bunk through water, and + the forecastle is too often a miserable hole, full of dirt and filth, + where the men are packed like herrings. The food provided is + principally <span class="tei tei-q">“salt horse”</span> and + <span class="tei tei-q">“hard bread,”</span> <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">i.e.</span></span>, + sailor’s biscuit of the most inferior description; and when scurvy + ensues, as a natural consequence of exposure to damp and cold, with + poor living superadded, the very lime-juice, which is nearly + worthless if not pure, is found to be a miserable imitation or + grossly adulterated with citric acid, which, strange as it may + appear, has no anti-scorbutic properties. In the Russian and French + mercantile marines there is little or no scurvy, in consequence of + the pretty general use of common sour wine, which in some degree + makes up for the lack of fresh vegetables. And in French mercantile + ships the sailor may at any time demand the same rations as + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page120">[pg 120]</span><a name="Pg120" + id="Pg120" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>those served out in the navy of + the Republic. Owing to the carefully prepared dietary of our Royal + Navy, scurvy has entirely disappeared, except in extreme cases of + exposure and lack of precaution, as in the late Arctic + Expedition.<a id="noteref_36" name="noteref_36" href= + "#note_36"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">36</span></span></a></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“In the West India Docks, which contain vessels trading + to the West Indies, I observed a very different class of ships. Some + are large and well supplied with provisions, but the majority are + small, with wretched accommodation, badly manned, provisions + indifferent in quality and deficient in quantity. Even in the larger + vessels there is not that care taken of the men, and that amount of + attention paid to their quarters and to the nature of their + provisions, as in the ships belonging to the owners engaged in the + East Indian and China trade. Captain Henry Toynbee strongly advocates + the better ventilation and comfort of the forecastles, which he + thinks should be under the control of Government. He has himself seen + forecastles and seamen’s chests in first-class ships black from the + gas which rises from the cargo, and which smells like sewage, which + is especially the case in sugar ships. Captain Toynbee informed me a + day or two since that he had actually seen a place containing two + packs of foxhounds and three horses, which received half its + ventilation by a hatch which opened into the sailors’ + forecastle!...</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“In the Commercial Docks are to be seen both English and + foreign ships, varying in size and class, most of which are in the + timber trade, and have arrived from Norway, Sweden, or Memel, or the + Baltic. The number of patients taken from ships in these docks to the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Dreadnought</span></span> hospital ship usually + exceeds that from any other dock; but the cases are those not of + scurvy, but consumption, bronchitis, and other chest diseases, which + occur not so frequently in English sailors as in Norwegians, Swedes, + and Russians—a fact due more, I think, to national predispositions + than to hygienic conditions. In ships belonging to northern countries + the provisions are abundant and good, the men’s quarters are roomy, + and there is nearly always a house upon deck in which there is a fair + amount of space and good ventilation. The hygienic condition of the + men on board Swedish and Norwegian ships is far superior to that of + the ships of our own country; the chief fault is the extremely dirty + and lazy habit of the men themselves, who allow filth of all kinds to + accumulate in the deck-house and galley, without taking the slightest + trouble to remove it. In English ships belonging to owners in the + timber trade the state of things is disgraceful; a house on deck is + an exception, and the men live and sleep in a small, close, + ill-ventilated hole called a forecastle. The quality of provisions + varies in different ships, some owners being more liberal than + others; most of the men, however, live upon salt meat and biscuit, + and sometimes a little salt fish. Timber in itself is considered a + healthy cargo, but the ship is in most cases so overladen that the + forecastle is very much reduced in size—too much so, considering the + number of men that form the crew; these have either to remain on deck + exposed to wet and cold, or have to breathe the foul atmosphere of a + small forecastle, in which are stowed rusty chains, wet ropes, and + all kinds of animal decaying <a name="corr120" id="corr120" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">matter....</span>”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The vessels used + for the coal trade are now principally screw steamers, though there + are <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page121">[pg 121]</span><a name= + "Pg121" id="Pg121" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>still many of the old + class, generally found lying between Blackwall and Woolwich. Our + authority describes them as follows:—They <span class= + "tei tei-q">“are of small size (varying from 150 to 600 tons), and + are built as sloops, schooners, or brigs. The majority are brigs; a + visit to two or three presents a view of a state of things which is + common to all. A collier brig is generally worked by a captain and a + mate, who live in a small dirty cabin, and by four men and a boy, who + live and sleep in the most miserable of forecastles. This forecastle + is very small, and so low that no person of ordinary stature can + stand upright in it. It is dark, and the only approach is by a very + small hatchway. It generally contains a quantity of old ropes, some + rusty chains, a large tub of grease, and some damp canvas. These + things, together with three or four dirty hammocks, take up the whole + space, and it is only from sickness and the most urgent necessity + that the sailor remains there for any length of time. So old and + ill-constructed are some of these colliers, that in rough weather the + forecastle is deluged with water. This condition of things is made + much worse by the negligence of the sailor himself, for it seems to + be a rule that the cook, instead of throwing over the side of the + ship the refuse of material used for food, as dirty water, potato + parings, &c., deposits these with great care in some corner of + the forecastle. No attention is paid by the captain to the sanitary + state of the ship; during the voyage, which is often a rough one, he + is engaged in working the vessel, and while she is in harbour he is + on shore waiting upon the owners of the vessel, or transacting their + business in the Coal Exchange. I was informed the other day by a + friend, who was engaged during the recent cholera epidemic as a + sanitary inspector, that a patient afflicted with cholera was taken + to the Belleisle in the month of September, who had been lying in his + hammock for two days prostrate, and with much vomiting and purging, + and during this time the captain, although on board, was not aware of + the man’s absence from deck. The provisions supplied in this class of + ships vary both in quality and quantity; the supply, though, is very + deficient, and there is an almost universal complaint among the men + and boys that they have not sufficient to eat. Although coasting + voyages last not longer than three or four days, and the ship is very + seldom far away from land, the men scarcely ever get fresh meat; the + supply always consists of salt beef—the coarsest parts of the animal. + To this I may add that the biscuits are of the worst description, + very hard, and are masticated with the greatest difficulty. The + quality of provisions depends entirely upon the liberality of the + captain, who not unfrequently has a share in the ship, and whose + interest is consequently concerned in keeping down all expenses; the + comfort of the men seems to be made subservient to pecuniary + advantages.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now—for a + change—to good owners. There are many, and the present writer + believes fully that the average ship-owner not merely wishes to + preserve his ship, but all on board—crew, passengers, and cargo. The + proprietor of a grand vessel feels, as he should, that her loss is a + very great deal more than his loss. Dr. Stone, some years ago made an + inspection of the docks, and his remarks, published in our leading + journal,<a id="noteref_37" name="noteref_37" href= + "#note_37"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">37</span></span></a> deserve + to be recorded. He says:—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“From conversations I had with many of the officers and + crews engaged in Green’s, Wigram’s, Smith’s, the Black Ball, and + other services, and from what I saw, I judged <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page122">[pg 122]</span><a name="Pg122" id="Pg122" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>that the provisions are good and ample, + and I was informed that scurvy is seldom met with in the vessels + belonging to these owners, owing to the fact of the masters not being + content with simply ordering the crew to take a certain quantity of + lime-juice every day during the ship’s voyage, but satisfying + themselves by personal inspection that the juice is actually drank. + Outside the dock gates, and off Plaistow Wharf, may occasionally be + seen American vessels which have arrived with petroleum. An + inspection confirmed the opinion I have always entertained regarding + the superior accommodation met with in the vessels of the United + States; they are large, well manned, and supplied with good + provisions. The berths and sleeping quarters are better even than + those in large East Indiamen; every ship has a raised house on deck, + spacious, well ventilated, and clean, which, being furnished with a + stove, the men are thereby enabled in wet weather to dry their + clothes, which is of course a great preservation of their health. The + general condition of the men is far better than that of the sailor of + any other nation. Although the cruel treatment exercised by the + officers of American ships is proverbial, there is seldom any + difficulty in obtaining a good crew. The masters in the commercial + marine of America pride themselves upon the general appearance of + their crews, and they say that it is the best economy to give them + good and abundant food, and to pay rigid attention to their sleeping + quarters.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sometimes it is + the cargo itself which is a fatal cause of disease or death. Ships + carrying large quantities of minerals, sulphur, petroleum, &c., + sometimes smell intolerably, but are not considered unhealthy places + of residence. But how of guano and other manure ships? In one of Dr. + Stone’s letters to the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span>, published in 1867, he + says:—<span class="tei tei-q">“The most objectionable and unhealthy + cargoes brought into the Thames are those consisting of the different + kinds of manure. A large bone trade is carried on in the port of + London; barges are constantly passing up and down the Pool laden with + bones collected from bone-dealers and the slaughter-houses of London. + Many of the bones are not dry, but are covered with decomposing + flesh. The smell is very bad, and is not limited to the immediate + neighbourhood of the barge itself, but may be carried for a long + distance. These bone barges discharge their cargoes into some small + coasting ship.... The sailors and bargemen engaged in work of this + kind suffer very much: they are nauseated by the offensive smell; + their appetites fail entirely; they consume large quantities of + spirit; and, as a consequence, are invariably attacked by diarrhœa, + accompanied with vomiting. In the summer time it is a matter of + surprise how anyone can remain, for a short time even, in the + neighbourhood of the vessel; a thick offensive steam is constantly + rising from the bones, and the decks and rigging are covered with + large blue flies. When the vessel (generally a small, very old, and + ill-manned schooner) puts to sea, the hatchways are kept open, so as + to give free egress to the gaseous products of decomposition and to + prevent the ship from taking fire.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Many have been the + instances of ships’ decks being blown up by the gas from coal + becoming ignited, and loss of life has been caused thereby. Gunpowder + may, under certain conditions, become a most dangerous cargo. Take + the case of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Great Queensland</span></span>, which was blown + up entirely, leaving no survivors to tell the tale. The cause is not + far to seek when we learn that two tons of impure wood powder, + sufficient of itself to burst the ship <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page123">[pg 123]</span><a name="Pg123" id="Pg123" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>to pieces, and from its condition likely to + explode, were stored in the same compartment with thirty tons of + ordinary black gunpowder.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Compulsory survey + and no overloading were Mr. Plimsoll’s main remedies for the + prevention of the terrible loss of life in the mercantile marine. He + cites two cases of great firms—the first engaged in the coal + carrying, and the second in the guano trade—who do not permit + overloading, and the first, in fifteen years had not, out of a large + fleet of steamers, lost a single vessel, although they made from + fifty to seventy double trips per annum. And yet the voyage from the + Thames to the Tyne is more dangerous than an over-sea voyage. There + are a whole crowd of dangerous shoals off the Essex coast alone, to + be avoided or steered between, as the case may be, as soon as the + ship leaves the Thames, followed by equal dangers on the Suffolk and + Norfolk coasts. The latter sands are all under water even when the + tide is at ebb, but there is not water enough on them to float a + ship; hence the losses when ill-found, overloaded, and undermanned + vessels get on them. Further north there are others, and then come + the dangerous rocky coasts of Yorkshire and Durham. The second case + deserves particular mention. About the year 1860, the firm of Anthony + Gibbs and Co., of London, took a contract from the Peruvian + Government to charter and load ships from the Chincha Islands with + guano, and as many as three or four hundred ships left those islands + annually for different parts of the world. At first they were allowed + to load and proceed to sea without inspection or surveying, and were + permitted to load as deeply as the masters thought fit. What was the + result? Accidents and losses were reported every few days, and many + of their ships foundered at sea, some with all hands on board. When + the head of the house at Lima, Peru, introduced proper surveying + before loading, to discover what repairs were needed, &c., + allowing no overloading, and not permitting the ships to go to sea + without full inspection of her pumps and gear, a sudden and wonderful + change took place, and for years after not one of these ships + foundered at sea.</p><a name="illo_139.jpg" id="illo_139.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_139.jpg" alt="EXTERIOR OF LLOYD’S" title= + "EXTERIOR OF LLOYD’S." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + EXTERIOR OF LLOYD’S. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We often hear and + read of <span class="tei tei-q">“unclassed”</span> ships; does the + reader understand the term? Nearly all new ships are fit to take + valuable merchandise—silks, tea, provisions, cloth, or what not; and + if <span class="tei tei-q">“tight,”</span> <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">i.e.</span></span>, not + leaky, would be classed A 1 by Lloyd’s Committee. The letter + refers to the ship proper; the numeral to its equipment, rigging, + boats, cables, anchors, &c. The term or period for which she is + classed varies with the quality and kind of timber employed, and the + quality of the workmanship is also taken into account. A ship built + mainly of hemlock, yellow pine, beech, or fir, will generally be + classed A 1 for four or five years; of elm or ash five to seven + years; and so on through various grades, until, if built of English + oak or teak, she may be rated nine to twelve years. All are subject + to the <span class="tei tei-q">“half-time”</span> survey of a strict + character; thus a ship classed A 1 for eight years is examined + by Lloyd’s surveyors at the end of four years. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“She may again, at the request of the owner, be examined + for continuation, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">i.e.</span></span>, to be continued A 1 for + a further term; usually two-thirds of that originally granted. She + may again and again be re-examined for continuation, or, if she have + meantime gone into a lower class, be examined for restoration to the + character A, but each of these surveys is increased in thoroughness + and stringency as the age of the ship increases. When from age she + ceases to be entitled to the character A in the opinion of Lloyd’s + surveyor, but is still tight enough and strong enough to carry + valuable merchandise to any part of the world, she is classed + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page124">[pg 124]</span><a name="Pg124" + id="Pg124" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>A red, usually for a term of + half or two-thirds the original term granted her in the first + character.... When from increasing age she is no longer fit to carry + valuable goods for long voyages, she falls back into class black, + diphthong Æ; while in this class she is deemed fit to carry the same + class of goods, but only on short voyages (not beyond Europe). And + when after survey and re-survey at intervals, as before, she is no + longer fit to carry valuable goods at all, she falls into class E, + and is deemed fit only to carry goods which sea-water won’t hurt, as + metallic ores, coal, coke, &c.”</span> And so it goes on till she + is classed 1; and when she is run through her terms here she is said + to have run out of her classes: to be, in fact, an <span class= + "tei tei-q">“unclassed ship.”</span> The lettering is slightly varied + for iron ships. But it must be remembered that all this submitting to + survey is entirely optional, and that a newly-built ship may be + <span class="tei tei-q">“unclassed”</span> also. <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page125">[pg 125]</span><a name="Pg125" id="Pg125" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>In the former case—a ship which has run + out of all its classes—the vessel is usually fit for nothing more + than a river trip, and ought really to be broken up. It is then that + the disreputable shipowner steps in and purchases her. Happy is it + for its poor crew if she does not prove their coffin!</p><a name= + "illo_140.jpg" id="illo_140.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_140.jpg" alt="INTERIOR OF LLOYD’S" title= + "INTERIOR OF LLOYD’S." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + INTERIOR OF LLOYD’S. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It may be asked, + as Lloyd’s will now have nothing to do with such a rotten tub, How + does the owner get anyone to insure it? It is generally done by + mutual insurance clubs formed among these very owners, though not + exclusively. Plimsoll says: <span class="tei tei-q">“It almost seems + as if there was a race who should lose his ships first on the + formation of a new club, so great are the sums the members are called + upon to pay as premium;”</span> and such clubs are constantly + failing.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To be classed + A 1 in anything is good, and, as applied to a ship at Lloyd’s, + means, as we all know, that the vessel is first-class in every + particular. But what is Lloyd’s? Many readers would find it difficult + to give a clear answer to this query. The secretary of that + institution told M. Esquiros, when that distinguished writer was + visiting England, that he received many business letters addressed to + <span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Lloyd,”</span> and we all know there was + long, in fact, a celebrated Lloyd’s Coffee-house in the City, where + the merchants interested in maritime matters used to congregate. A + poem, <span class="tei tei-q">“The Wealthy Shopkeeper, or Charitable + Christian,”</span> published in 1700, alludes to the establishment, + and the writer adds, as an addendum, that the London merchant at that + time never missed <span class="tei tei-q">“resorting <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page126">[pg 126]</span><a name="Pg126" id="Pg126" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>to Lloyd’s to read his letters and attend + sales.”</span> Later, Steele and Addison both spoke of it in the same + light. <span class="tei tei-q">“The veritable, personal + Lloyd,”</span> says Esquiros, <span class="tei tei-q">“as we see, has + made a great deal more noise in the world after his death than he + ever did during his lifetime.”</span> The name of the coffee-house + keeper has become inseparably connected with the greatest maritime + institution of the world.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The original Lloyd + was a wonderfully good example of a pushing London citizen. Little + was, speaking in these later days, known of Edward of that ilk till + Mr. Frederick Martin unearthed, in the vaults of the Royal Exchange, + a long-forgotten series of its archives. Then he found <span class= + "tei tei-q">“huge stores of manuscript papers and immense + leather-cased folios, partly singed in the great fire which, in 1838, + destroyed the Royal Exchange above them.”</span> Now we know that + Lloyd, early in the reign of Charles II., kept a coffee-house in + Tower Street, and contrived to make it the gathering point for the + underwriters, who had been previously scattered all over the city. + This house was near the Custom House, the Navy Office, and the + Trinity House, as well as to the Thames <span class= + "tei tei-q">“below bridge,”</span> and the position was obviously a + good one for the purpose. Having surrounded himself with a growing + connection in Tower Ward, Lloyd found himself in a position to + approach the haunts of the leading merchants and bankers, and we find + him in 1693 securely established at the corner of Lombard Street and + Abchurch Lane, near the spot where the Lombard Street post-office now + stands. Here he held periodical auction sales <span class= + "tei tei-q">“by the candle,”</span> and started a weekly paper + devoted to maritime affairs, the first of its kind: indeed it was, + saving the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London Gazette</span></span>, the only London + newspaper yet in existence. But he now met a severe blow, for, as we + learn from Macaulay, <span class="tei tei-q">“the judges were + unanimously of opinion that this liberty (of printing) did not extend + to gazettes,”</span> and that, by English law, no man not authorised + by the Crown had the right to publish political news. The said + political news in this case consisted of mere headings and brief + paragraphs, as, <span class="tei tei-q">“Yesterday the Lords passed + the Bill to restrain the wearing of all wrought silks from + India,”</span> or that they had received a <span class= + "tei tei-q">“petition from the Quakers.”</span> Lloyd had to succumb + and stop the publication, but his sales of ships and cargoes + increased, so that in fifteen or twenty years Lloyd’s had become the + recognised London centre of maritime business, including marine + insurance. From this comparatively small beginning has sprung the + all-powerful organisation whose agents are to be found in every part + of the habitable globe.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“When,”</span> says a writer already quoted, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I landed, about three years back, upon one of the group + of rocks lost in the bosom of the waves, and which are called the + Scilly Islands, there was only one thing which brought London to my + mind, and that was the name <span class="tei tei-q">‘<a name= + "corr126" id="corr126" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">Lloyd’s</span>’</span>, in letters of brass, on the + door of one of the least poor-looking houses. I might have gone much + further afield, into some of the still wilder islands of the Old or + New World, and there, even at the very ends of the earth—provided + only that there was a town or port of some sort—I should have found + an agent of this English society. The definition of Lloyd’s which was + given by a City merchant can now be better understood by us. + <span class="tei tei-q">‘It is,’</span> said he, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘a spider planted in the centre of a web which covers the + whole sea, and the shipwrecked vessels are the dead + flies.’</span> ”</span><a id="noteref_38" name="noteref_38" href= + "#note_38"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">38</span></span></a></p><span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page127">[pg 127]</span><a name="Pg127" id="Pg127" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The loose connection existing between the underwriters + of London,”</span> says the leading authority on the subject,<a id= + "noteref_39" name="noteref_39" href="#note_39"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">39</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-q">“as frequenters of the same coffee-house, + where they carried on their business transactions, formed itself into + a final <span class="tei tei-q">‘system of membership’</span> by + transmigration to the Royal Exchange in 1774. The author and leading + spirit in this all-important movement, which had far-reaching + consequences for the commerce, not only of England, but for that of + the whole world, was Mr. John Julius Angerstein, a native of St. + Petersburg, but of German extraction, descended from an old and + highly respected family of merchants.”</span> The writer goes on to + show how young Angerstein, from junior clerk, had risen to be a + successful merchant and underwriter. He became one of the most + honoured of those who assembled at Lloyd’s Coffee-house, as he was a + most sagacious and far-seeing man, of unimpeachable integrity, and + when the movement for obtaining a suitable home for the underwriters + was mooted he was its greatest supporter. He became virtually the + leader in the whole matter, and seventy-nine underwriters agreed to + pay one hundred pounds each to start it fairly. Thus was the + <span class="tei tei-q">“New Lloyd’s,”</span> as it was then called, + first organised. It is not, nor ever has been, an insurance + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">company</span></span>, but rather a fraternity + of merchants, shipowners, bankers, and capitalists subscribing for a + place where they could meet and transact business. It is a maritime + exchange. But each man is guided by his own intelligence, and must + measure the extent of business which he undertakes by the standard of + his personal capital.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The English merchant especially,”</span> says Esquiros, + in his charming work, <span class="tei tei-q">“having so many bonds + of union with the ocean, can hardly expect to always have tranquil + sleep. Let the south-west squalls be ever so little let loose, the + ruin of his house and family is hoarsely muttered through his dreams. + Oh, if he could only see from afar the good ship in which he has + risked the better part of his fortune! In the morning he rushes to + Lloyd’s, the fountain-head of all marine news. Nothing, either in his + face or conduct, shows the least emotion—he has the art of veiling + his features with a mask of indifference; but what a tempest of + anxiety rages under this outward calm! He asks himself a thousand + questions: What does the telegraph say? What ships have touched at + distant ports? What are the names of those which have reached + England? To all these questions and many more he finds answers + affixed to the walls of the vestibule. There the lists and advices + give exactly the maritime bulletin of the day. But the critical + moment has yet to come; this man, whose whole fortune perhaps is on + the sea, has not at present consulted the <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Loss Book,’</span> or, as it is also called, the + <span class="tei tei-q">‘Black Book.’</span> ”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This + gloom-inspiring volume is placed by itself on a high desk, and each + can refer to it in turn. It is, of course, written by hand, and + contains every day the wreck record, briefly told. Laconic as is the + formal record—the name of the ship, destination, nature of cargo, + coast on which shipwrecked, and so forth—there have been as many as + twelve pages blackened with the sad summary of the losses announced + by telegraph during one day. <span class="tei tei-q">“In each of + these announcements—frigid and taciturn as fate itself—the mind may + conjure up many a sad drama. How many human lives are there + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page128">[pg 128]</span><a name="Pg128" + id="Pg128" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>sacrificed? This is often the + fact of which the <span class="tei tei-q">‘Black Book’</span> takes + but little notice; the matter with which it has exclusively to deal + is the property insured against the perfidy of the sea. Who was the + insurer? and who has lost? These are the great questions. It is also + remarkable, after a storm, to see with what anxious and fidgety hands + some of the insurance speculators turn over the pages of this + sibylline book.”</span> And no wonder: for the underwriter<a id= + "noteref_40" name="noteref_40" href="#note_40"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">40</span></span></a> is a + speculator who is taking long odds against a terrible gambler—the + ocean.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Underwriters’ + Room at Lloyd’s to-day is a splendid hall, with Scagliola columns and + richly decorated ceiling, and mahogany tables placed at intervals all + round the room. <span class="tei tei-q">“What an animated, yet + demure, hubbub is here!”</span> says the French writer before quoted. + <span class="tei tei-q">“One might fancy that the sea, with the + thoughts of which every brain is occupied here, had imparted some of + its agitation and uproar to the business world. The current of news, + transactions taking place, and chat going on, runs from one end of + the hall to the other with a kind of deep murmuring roar.”</span> + Those going to and fro are of two very distinct classes—the insurers + of ships and the insurance brokers. The latter have become very + necessary, the reason being as follows:—The merchant who wishes to + insure a ship, or a certain kind of merchandise that he is about to + export, may by no means always meet the underwriter who is prepared + to take that particular risk. While he is trying to insure his ship + she may have already started—may even be at the bottom of the sea. In + the latter case a delay might be fatal, for the news once arrived + that his ship had been wrecked, he could not, of course, effect any + insurance. He therefore goes to a broker who knows the habits of the + place, and probably the very underwriter whose means or known + predilections for certain forms of investment will make him desirous + of taking the risk.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The business of + Lloyd’s is conducted by a committee of twelve influential members, + while the working staff includes a secretary, clerks, and a staff of + assistants technically known as <span class= + "tei tei-q">“waiters,”</span> which would make it seem as though the + odour of the original Lloyd’s Coffee-house still clung to the body. + The funds of Lloyd’s Association, as it might be termed, are large, + and are used to great advantage: partly in charity bestowed upon + deserving, though unfortunate seamen, and partly in rewards, in + various forms, to special cases of merit. It costs an underwriter £50 + entrance fee and £12 annual subscription to belong to it; the brokers + are let off for about half the above rates; an ordinary subscriber + pays £5 per annum for the privilege of entering the rooms of the + Association. We have now traced the history of the greatest maritime + company of the world, one that could only belong to a great nation. + No other could devise, much less support it.</p><a name= + "illo_144.jpg" id="illo_144.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_144.jpg" alt= + "THE “GREAT EASTERN” IN A GALE OFF CAPE CLEAR." title= + "THE “GREAT EASTERN” IN A GALE OFF CAPE CLEAR." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center">“GREAT + EASTERN”</span> IN A GALE OFF CAPE CLEAR. + </div> + </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page129">[pg 129]</span><a name= + "Pg129" id="Pg129" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a name="illo_146.png" + id="illo_146.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_146.png" alt= + "MR. I. K. BRUNEL. MR. SCOTT RUSSELL." title= + "MR. I. K. BRUNEL. MR. SCOTT RUSSELL. (From a Photograph by Mayall, 1858.)" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + MR. I. K. BRUNEL. MR. SCOTT RUSSELL. + (<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">From a Photograph by Mayall, + 1858.</span></span>) + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap08" id="chap08" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc19" id="toc19"></a> <a name="pdf20" id="pdf20"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER VIII.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">The History of Ships and + Shipping Interests</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 120%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-style: italic">continued</span></span><span style="font-size: 120%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">The Largest Ship in the World—History of the</span> + <span class="tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Great + Eastern</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Why she was + Built—Brunel and Scott Russell—Story of the Launch—Powerful Machinery + Employed—Christened by Miss Hope—Failure to move her more than a few + feet—A Sad Accident—Launching by inches—Afloat at + last—Dimensions—Accommodations—The Grand Saloon—The Paddle-wheel and + Screw Engines—First Sea Trip—Speed—In her first Gale—Serious + Explosion on Board</span> <a name="corr129" id="corr129" class= + "tei tei-anchor" style="text-align: center"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">off</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 90%"> Hastings—Proves a fine Sea-boat—Drowning of + her Captain and others—First Transatlantic Voyage—Defects in Boilers + and Machinery—Behaves splendidly in Mid-ocean—Grand Reception in New + York—Subsequent Trips—Used as a Troop-ship to Canada—Carried out + 2,600 Soldiers—An eventful Passenger Trip—Caught in a Cyclone + Hurricane—Her Paddles almost wrenched away—Rudder Disabled—Boats + Carried Away—Shifting of Heavy Cargo—The Leviathan a Gigantic Waif on + the Ocean—Return to Cork.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Many competent + authorities doubt whether the ships of the future will be so very + much larger than the largest now in use, but it is one of those + questions on which it is idle to theorise, and absurd to dogmatise. + The greatest ship of this or any other age has not proved a success, + except for some very special purposes for which no other vessel would + have proved available. The history of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Eastern</span></span> is one of interest to all, and especially to + too sanguine and over-ambitious individuals and companies.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In reply to an + advertisement from the Admiralty in 1851 for the conveyance of the + East Indian and Australian mails, was an application from a new + organisation, the Eastern Steam Navigation Company. This offer was + declined, and then some of the directors, on the suggestion of Mr. I. + K. Brunel, the great engineer, recommended the construction of a + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page130">[pg 130]</span><a name="Pg130" + id="Pg130" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>steam-ship of extraordinary + dimensions to trade with India. Having made calculations that the big + ship intended could maintain a speed of fifteen knots an hour, there + was, in their judgment, no doubt that they would attract a proportion + of the traffic so handsome as to afford full cargoes both outward and + homeward. Many of the original shareholders withdrew, but a large + number held firm. Brunel argued that there need be no limit to the + size of a ship, except what quality of material imposed. He further + urged from scientific theory and actual experience, that upon the + <span class="tei tei-q">“tubular principle,”</span> which provided + the greatest amount of strength of construction with any given + material, it was possible to construct a ship of six times the + capacity of the largest vessel then afloat,<a id="noteref_41" name= + "noteref_41" href="#note_41"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">41</span></span></a> and one, + too, that would steam at a speed hitherto unattainable by smaller + vessels. Mr. Scott Russell, the eminent ship-builder, shared these + views. The idea of having two sets of engines and two + propellers—paddle-wheels and screw—was solely due to Mr. Brunel, as + was also the adoption of the cellular construction, like that at the + top and bottom of the Britannia Bridge. Her model in general + construction was like that of the ships built by Scott Russell, on + the principle of the <span class="tei tei-q">“wave line,”</span> + which he had carried out during the previous twenty years. In spite + of much virulent criticism, the construction of a 25,000 ton vessel + was commenced on May 1st, 1854, in Scott Russell’s yard, at Millwall, + on the north side of the Thames.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Novel as was the + construction of the ship, the mode devised for her launch was no less + novel. As her immense length would render it impossible to launch her + in the usual manner and by the force of her own gravity, she was + built lengthwise to the river on cradles, which carried her upright + and dispensed with <span class="tei tei-q">“shores.”</span> These + cradles were made to travel on a double series of <span class= + "tei tei-q">“ways,”</span> each 120 feet in breadth, which were + carried to low-water mark. The ways were 300 feet in length, with an + incline of one in twelve. At the stem and stern were placed a + powerful hydraulic ram to give the first start, and when she was once + in motion her progress was to be kept up in the following manner. On + the river-side four large lighters were moored in the tideway, and + were to work with crabs and sheaves or pulleys upon chains, fastened + to the vessel amidships. Two lighters were also moored at the stem + and two at the stern of the vessel. The chains passing from the ship + to these latter were returned again on shore, so as to be worked with + a double purchase. Small stationary engines on land were to be used + to haul on these, making a force available to pull the vessel off the + shore. The calculations, as the event proved, were made on a false + notion of the amount of friction to be overcome, and the attention of + the engineer had been chiefly directed to prevent her dashing into + the water with too great a speed. For this purpose two powerful drums + had been constructed, to which the cradles were attached by enormous + sheaves of cast iron, expressly cast for this purpose, and weighing + five tons each. One sheave was fastened to each cradle, and + wrought-iron chain cables of the largest size connected these with + two other sheaves, each of which was screwed to the drum which was to + pay out the chain and, in fact, regulate the whole operation. The + axle of the drum was set in a frame of iron, while <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page131">[pg 131]</span><a name="Pg131" id="Pg131" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>around its outer edge passed a band of + iron, to work in the manner of a friction-clutch, or break. This, + with the aid of strong iron levers twenty feet long, brought such a + pressure to bear upon the discs of the drum as to entirely stop them + in case of the chain being paid out too fast. Everything being thus + prepared that human ingenuity could devise (as was supposed), the + launch was fixed for the 3rd of November, 1857. On that day, although + the sight-seeing public did not congregate in large numbers, and the + scaffolding erected on many points was untenanted, yet there was a + swarm of well-laden craft of all kinds on the river, and crowds on + both its banks and around the yard. The engineers and men of science + mustered strongly, not only from all parts of England, but from + Germany, France, America, and Russia. The Comte de Paris, the Duke + d’Aumale, the Siamese Ambassadors, and some of the Lords of the + Admiralty, were the most conspicuous persons present.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At half-past one + Miss Hope, the daughter of the chairman of the company, appeared, and + dashing a bottle of wine on the bows, bade the Leviathan, as she was + originally called, <span class="tei tei-q">“God speed!”</span> amid + the cheers of those assembled. In a few moments afterwards the word + was passed to commence the launch. At the signals the lighters slowly + but steadily commenced to haul taut their tackle from the river. This + strain appeared to have no effect on the vessel. It remained + stationary for about ten minutes, when the peculiar hissing noise of + the hydraulic rams at work to push her off was heard. It should have + been mentioned that each of the drums was constructed so as to be + turned by ordinary windlasses, in order to wind up the slack chain + between the drums and the cradles; otherwise, if any slack were left + when the hydraulic rams started the vessel, it would run it rapidly + out, and dreadful consequences might ensue. When the <span class= + "tei tei-q">“rams”</span> began to work, the order was distinctly + given to <span class="tei tei-q">“wind up”</span> the slack between + the drum and the cradle. This was done at the forward drum; but, + unfortunately, at the stern of the vessel the men did precisely the + reverse, and uncoiled more slack chain. Suddenly there was a cry + <span class="tei tei-q">“She moves! She moves!”</span> The fore part + of the vessel slipped, and the stern rushed down some three or four + feet in the space of a couple of seconds, in consequence of the slack + chain from the after drum offering not the least check. In an instant + the strain came upon the drum, which was dragged round, and, of + course, as that was connected with the windlass by multiplying + wheels, the latter turned round some ten or fifteen times for every + foot the drum moved. The men at the windlass madly tried to hold it, + but the heavy iron handle flew round like lightning, striking them, + and hurling five or six high into the air as if they had been blown + up by some powerful explosion. A panic seemed to spread as this + disastrous accident took place, and the men stationed at the tackle + and fall of the lever next the windlass rushed away. Fortunately for + the lives of hundreds of the spectators, the men at the lever at the + other side of the drum stood firm, and, hauling on their tackle, drew + their lever up, and applied the break on the drum with such terrific + force that the ship instantly stopped, though she seemed to quiver + under the sudden shock as if she had received a violent blow. The + injured men were then carried off to a neighbouring house, where one + of them shortly died. When the wreck of the accident had been cleared + away, it was determined to make another effort to launch the vessel, + but without effect; for all pressure that the <span class= + "tei tei-q">“rams”</span> could apply was found insufficient to move + her. After straining for <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page132">[pg + 132]</span><a name="Pg132" id="Pg132" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>some + time, the piston-rod of one of the hydraulic rams gave way, and this + accident put an end to the attempt to launch the great ship for this + day.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Numerous hydraulic + machines were now borrowed and fixed, fresh tackle applied, and many + novel and ingenious expedients adopted. It was thought necessary to + await the next spring tides, in order that the monster when she + should be launched might find a sufficient depth of water. The + precaution was needless; many weary weeks were to pass before she was + afloat. On some days, when every exertion seemed vain, she would + capriciously slip a few inches at the stem or stern. After a long + interval, another small distance would be accomplished; sometimes a + day’s journey would be three or four feet, sometimes twenty or + thirty. Finally, by continued perseverance, she was brought down the + ways until she was immersed some eight or ten feet at high water, and + then, as the final launch was certain of accomplishment, it was + thought desirable to leave her till the high tides of January should + rise so far as to aid materially in her final flotation, and make it + practicable to tow her to a secure berth, where her last fittings + could be put in, and she could be made ready for a voyage.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With the spring + tides the water rose under the great ship nearly eighteen feet; and + on the 31st January she gave such signs of buoyancy that it was + resolved to float her on that day. The tide ran up with unusual + swiftness, and as the flood relieved the weight upon the launching + ways some of the hydraulic machines were set to work, for the last + time, to push the monster as far as possible towards the centre of + the river. She moved easily; and at half-past one the men in the + rowing boats stationed alongside observed that she no longer rested + on the cradles—that she was, in fact, afloat. The tugs fastened to + her began steaming ahead, and showed that at last she was fairly + under way. Then the cheers which arose from the yard and from the + decks, from the boats in the river, and the crews of the ships at + anchor up and down the stream, spread the great news far and wide; + and thus, under the most favourable circumstances, the huge vessel + commenced her first voyage on the Thames.</p><a name="illo_150.jpg" + id="illo_150.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_150.jpg" alt= + "THE LAUNCH OF THE “GREAT EASTERN.”" title= + "THE LAUNCH OF THE “GREAT EASTERN.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE LAUNCH OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“GREAT EASTERN.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now we must + give some description of her internal arrangements and + accommodations. The hull is divided transversely into ten separate + compartments of 60 feet each, and rendered perfectly watertight by + bulkheads, through which there is no opening whatever below the + second deck. Two longitudinal walls of iron, 36 feet apart, traverse + 350 feet of the ship. This mighty vessel was destined to afford + accommodation for 4,000 passengers, viz., 800 first class, 2,000 + second class, and 1,200 third class, and a crew of 400. The series of + saloons, which were elegantly fitted and furnished, together with the + sleeping apartments, are situated in the middle of the ship, and + extend over 350 feet of her length. The lofty saloons and cabins are + very imposing, more resembling the drawing-rooms of Belgravia than + ordinary cabins. The <span class="tei tei-q">“Grand Saloon”</span> is + 62 feet long, 36 feet wide, and 12 feet high, with a ladies’ cabin, + or rather boudoir, 20 feet in length. Massive looking-glasses in + highly ornamented gilt frames decorate its sides. The strong iron + beams overhead are encased in wood, the mouldings being delicately + painted and enriched with gilt beading. Around two of the funnels + which pass through this gorgeous apartment are large mirrors, with + alternate highly ornamented panels, and at their base are groupings + of velvet couches. The walls <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page134">[pg 134]</span><a name="Pg134" id="Pg134" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>are hung with rich patterns in raised gold and + white, and at the angles are arabesque panels, while sofas covered + with Utrecht velvet, buffets of richly carved walnut-wood, carpets of + surpassing softness, and <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">portières</span></span> of rich crimson silk to + all the doorways, give an elegance to the whole far surpassing the + gigantic toy ships of ancient monarchs. The paddle-wheel engines can + be made to give 5,000 horse-power, and the screw-engines 6,000 + horse-power; making 11,000 in all.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 9th + September, 1859, the vessel, which had now been re-christened the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Eastern</span></span>, took her first trip from the Thames under the + most favourable circumstances, the weather being very fine, with a + light breeze of wind, and blue sky overhead. Starting with four tugs, + two on the bow and two at the quarter, to guide her through the + narrow parts of the river, after some delay and a few slight mishaps, + she reached Purfleet, where she anchored for the night. At daylight + on the following morning, she started for the Nore, where she arrived + about noon, having attained a speed of thirteen knots an hour, though + going only at half-speed, her engines making not more than eight + revolutions a minute. From the Nore the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Eastern</span></span> proceeded successfully to Whitstable, where she + anchored, getting under weigh there at a quarter past nine on the + following morning, with a fresh breeze. After passing Margate she + encountered a stiff gale, in which she appeared quite at ease when + large ships were under double-reefed topsails, and small vessels were + obliged to lie to. But an unfortunate accident occurred to her when + off Hastings, through the explosion of one of her funnel-casings, + causing the death of six men employed in the engineering department, + injuring various others, and, destroying nearly all the mirrors and + other ornamental furniture in the grand saloon. No injury was, + however, done to the hull or machinery of the vessel sufficient to + prevent her proceeding on her voyage to Weymouth, which she reached + without any further misfortune, on the afternoon of Friday, within + the time anticipated for her arrival. On her arrival, the pilot who + had been in charge of her from Deptford to Portland (Weymouth Bay) + made an official report of her performances to the Company, + confirming, in some measure, the glowing accounts in many of the + public journals, and realising the sanguine expectations of the + directors, though their hopes of profit had been somewhat damped by + the accident which, apart from the loss of life, entailed an outlay + of £5,000. The necessary repairs having been completed, the + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Eastern</span></span> proceeded from Portland to Holyhead, but + without passengers as originally contemplated. Starting at noon of + the 8th of October she made the run to Holyhead in forty hours, at an + average speed of close upon thirteen knots, or more than fifteen + statute miles in the hour, having on some occasions attained a speed + of fifteen knots an hour. But upon the whole the expectations that + had been formed of her were disappointed. The paddles proved + defective either in power or mode of fitting; and the utmost speed + attained fell far short of calculation. It began to be suspected that + the power of her engines was not proportioned to her tonnage, and the + ship was found to roll considerably. It should have been mentioned + that, whilst lying outside Holyhead harbour for the purpose of + further trials, she became exposed to the full fury of the hurricane + of the 26th October. In this terrific storm the ship behaved nobly, + but was at one time in considerable danger of being driven ashore. + She returned to Southampton, and was berthed for the winter in + Southampton Water.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page135">[pg + 135]</span><a name="Pg135" id="Pg135" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 21st + January, the captain of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Great Eastern</span></span>, Captain Harrison, + was drowned in Southampton Water by the capsizing of a small boat + carrying him from the ship to the town. The boat, which was fully + manned by six picked seamen and the captain’s coxswain, was seized in + a sudden squall near the dock-gates, and upset before the trysail + could be lowered. Boats were at once put off from the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Indus</span></span> + to the rescue, but when Captain Harrison was reached, the body was + floating a little under water, and life was quite extinct—death being + apparently the result of apoplexy caused by the intense cold. The + coxswain was found insensible close by, and survived only till the + evening. A fine youth, son of the chief purser, was also drowned; the + chief purser himself (Mr. Lay), and Dr. Watson were amongst those + saved with the crew.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Eastern</span></span> made her first Transatlantic voyage to New York + after a very successful but by no means rapid passage of ten days and + a half. In many respects the vessel fully answered the expectations + of her builders. Her vast bulk aided the fineness of her lines in + cutting through the opposing waves without any apparent shock. To + those which rolled upon her sides she rose with a easy swing, and + they passed to leeward, seemingly deprived of their fury; others + struck her with full force, but no vibration or shock was + communicated to the vast mass. It was speedily discovered that there + were two prime defects in her appointments—it was impossible to raise + the steam in the boilers which animate the paddle-wheel engines to + the full power; and the wheels themselves were not so placed as to + act on the water with effect.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 21st, the + power of the ship was put to a most trying test. A strong + northwesterly gale had raised a rough sea. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“It has always been said that she never could or would + pitch, but the truth is this ship does just the same on a small scale + that ordinary vessels in a sea may do on a very large one. The + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Eastern</span></span> against a head sea makes a majestic rise and + fall, where a steamer of 2,000, or even 3,000, tons would be + labouring heavily, and perhaps taking in great seas over her bows. On + this Thursday she dipped down below her hawse pipes. It was a fine + sight to watch her motion from the bows, splitting the great waves + before her into two streams of water, like double fountains, and to + look along her immense expanse of deck as she rose and fell with a + motion so easy and regular that the duration of each movement could + be timed to the very second.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 23rd, the + ship being off the banks of Newfoundland, the temperature decreased + so rapidly that it was feared that floating icebergs were near, and + the speed was slackened, and precautions taken against accident; and, + on the 26th, when not more than 450 miles from New York, the ship ran + into a dense fog, through which she had to feel her way. These + circumstances materially affected the duration of the voyage. The + most anxious part of the whole navigation was now at hand—the passage + over the shoals and bars which impede the passage to New York + harbour, and the ship was repeatedly stopped to take soundings. All + dangers were boldly passed, and the dawn of the 27th showed the coast + in a dim blue line, with the spit of Sandy Hook lying like a haze + across the sea. The lighthouse was passed at 7·20 a.m., and the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Eastern</span></span> had completed her first Transatlantic voyage. + From Sandy Hook the vessel passed into the harbour, stirring up the + sand on the bar, but escaping all danger by the admirable readiness + with which she <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page136">[pg + 136]</span><a name="Pg136" id="Pg136" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>answered her helm. The advent of the great ship + had been expected in America with an eagerness which cast into the + shade even the interest taken in her at home. She was a great and + startling <span class="tei tei-q">“fact.”</span> Therefore, no sooner + was her arrival telegraphed, than the bay was studded with yachts, + schooners, and steam-ships, whose passengers marked every portion of + her progress with vociferous cheers; all the ships were covered with + flags, the bells rang out, the cannon roared, the wharfs and houses + were crowded with enthusiastic welcomers. Even the Government Fort + Hamilton fired a salute of fourteen guns. The return voyage was + uneventful. In May, 1861, she again started from Milford Haven for + New York, on an ordinary passenger voyage, and made a very + successful, but not very rapid, passage of nine days thirteen and a + half hours, the greatest distance run in one day being 410 statute + miles. She commenced the return voyage on the 25th May, and arrived + off Liverpool in nine and a half days, running in one day 416 statute + miles.</p><a name="illo_153.png" id="illo_153.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_153.png" alt= + "ARRIVAL OF THE “GREAT EASTERN” AT NEW YORK" title= + "ARRIVAL OF THE “GREAT EASTERN” AT NEW YORK." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + ARRIVAL OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“GREAT EASTERN”</span> AT NEW YORK. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When civil war in + the United States forced on the English Government the fact of the + defenceless state of Canada, it was resolved to send out + reinforcements with the greatest speed, and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Great + Eastern</span></span> was taken up as a troop-ship to convey 2,500 + men, 100 officers, and 122 horses. In addition to these, were about + 350 wives and children of the soldiers. She sailed from the Mersey on + the 27th of June, and made her voyage with <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page137">[pg 137]</span><a name="Pg137" id="Pg137" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>such speed and safety that her real use appeared + to have been discovered at last. This success inspired confidence, + and when she was next announced to sail with passengers, nearly 400 + persons engaged first and second-class berths. Among them were + several parties, and an unusual proportion of ladies. A very + considerable cargo was also sent on freight. She left the Mersey on + the 10th September, and commenced her voyage with every prospect of + success. But, when about 250 miles westward of Cape Clear, she was + caught in a tremendous gale. She appears to have been in the very + centre of a cyclone hurricane. In the midst of this whirlwind one of + the forward boats broke loose. The captain ordered the helm to be put + down, in order to bring the ship up into the wind, that the boat + might clear the wheel. The ship refused to answer her helm. Some + hand-sails were then set with the same object, but they were + instantly blown to shreds. Soon a terrific noise was heard, and it + was clear that something had gone wrong with her machinery. The waves + had struck her paddles with such force that they were bent, and + scraped the ship’s side at every revolution, threatening to shear + away her iron planking. Under these circumstances it was necessary to + stop the paddle engines and trust to the propeller for progress. + This, of course, did not add to the power of steering; for, if the + helm was insufficient when the power was amidships, it was, of + course, still less effectual when the power was all astern. The ship, + therefore, lay exposed to the tremendous lashing of the sea, which + ran mountains high. One by one the floats were struck away, and at + daybreak the next morning nothing of the paddle-wheels was left + except twisted iron rods attached to the shaft. Nor was this the + extent of the misfortune. The stress upon the rudder, now that it had + to control the entire length of the ship, was tremendous, and about + 5.45 a.m., during a terrific sea, the top of the rudder-post, a bar + of iron ten inches square, was wrenched away. The ship had now + entirely lost steerage power, and lay utterly at the mercy of the + waves. She rolled tremendously. The hapless passengers were dashed + from side to side; the cabin furniture broke loose, as well as the + cargo, crushing everything they touched. In the hold, tallow-casks, + weighing many hundredweight, and a chain cable of many tons, got + loose in one of the compartments, and threatened to burst out the + ship’s side at every roll. Many of the passengers were severely + injured. The decks were swept, six boats were carried away, and two + were broken to pieces. In this precarious condition the ship lay from + Thursday to Sunday evening, a waif upon the ocean. At length, on + Sunday afternoon, the violence of the wind abated, the sea went down, + and chains were got out and connected with the rudder, so that some, + though a very imperfect, purchase was obtained. Some apparatus was + constructed and got overboard, by which the ship was steadied and the + steering power increased. By these means her head was got round and a + course was made for Cork Harbour. On Tuesday she was off the Old Head + of Kinsale, and in the afternoon at the entrance of Cork Harbour, but + she was unable to enter. She therefore remained outside in great + peril, for she was blown out to sea again, and drifted to some + distance before she was enabled to enter. Her subsequent history, in + connection with the laying of the Atlantic cable, belongs to another + section of this work.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page138">[pg + 138]</span><a name="Pg138" id="Pg138" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><a name="illo_155.png" id="illo_155.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_155.png" alt= + "THE “MONITOR” PASSING THE VICKSBURG BATTERIES" title= + "THE “MONITOR” PASSING THE VICKSBURG BATTERIES." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“MONITOR”</span> PASSING THE VICKSBURG + BATTERIES. + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap09" id="chap09" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc21" id="toc21"></a> <a name="pdf22" id="pdf22"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER IX.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">The History of Ships and + Shipping Interests</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 120%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-style: italic">continued</span></span><span style="font-size: 120%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">The Ironclad Question—One of the Topics of the + Day—What is to be their Value in Warfare?—Story of the Dummy + Ironclad—Two Real Ironclads vanquished by it—Experience on board an + American Monitor—Visit of the</span> <span class="tei tei-name" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Miantonoma</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%"> to + St. John’s—Her Tour round the World—Her Turrets and Interior + Arrangements—Firing off the Big Guns—Inside the + Turret—</span><span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Prepare!</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">—Effects of the Firing—A Boatswain’s-mate’s + Opinion—The</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Monitor</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 90%">goes round the World safely—Few of the + Original American Ironclads left—English Ironclads—The</span> + <span class="tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Warrior</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Various + Types—Iron-built—Wood-built—Wood-covered—The Greatest Result yet + attained, the</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Inflexible</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Circular + Ironclads—The</span> <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Garde + Côtes</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Cost + of Ironclads—The Torpedo Question—The Marquis of Worcester’s + Inventions—Bishop Wilkins’ Subaqueous Ark—Fulton’s Experiments—A + Frightened Audience—A Hulk Blown Up—Government Aid to + Fulton—The</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Argus</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 90%">and her</span> <span class="tei tei-q" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Crinoline</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">—Torpedoes successfully foiled—Their use during + the American War—Brave Lieut. Cushing—The</span> <span class= + "tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Albemarle</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 90%">Destroyed—Modern Torpedoes: the</span> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Lay;</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 90%">the</span> <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Whitehead</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">—Probable Manner of using in an Engagement—The Ram + and its Power.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Early in these + chapters, allusion was made to one of the most important of all vital + topics connected with shipping interests—the ironclad question—and as + it concerns the well-being of the Royal Navy, it concerns that of the + nation itself, and no excuse can be needed for its discussion here. + Day by day we hear of new types of armoured vessels, single specimens + costing the price of a small fleet of former days. That, under + certain conditions, they must prove very formidable, there can be no + doubt. But, it must be asked, are the bulk of them seaworthy ships? + How far is torpedo warfare to interfere with their employment? Are + they worth their price to the nation?</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Their history so + far has been one as much, and indeed far more, of failure than + success. <span class="tei tei-q">“Our submarine fleet”</span> has + become a byword, while none of their exploits have excelled those of + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Merrimac</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Monitor</span></span>, two of the very earliest + examples constructed. Indeed, the writer knows no more successful + results attained than by an improvised <span class= + "tei tei-q">“dummy”</span> ironclad during the American war. The + ridiculous often merges into or mingles with <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page139">[pg 139]</span><a name="Pg139" id="Pg139" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>the important and the sublime, and the story, + little known in England, is inserted here to show how much may + sometimes be done in warfare with insignificant means.</p><a name= + "illo_156.jpg" id="illo_156.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_156.jpg" alt="PEACE AND WAR" title= + "PEACE and WAR." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">PEACE and WAR.</span></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The incident + occurred in February, 1863. An old coal barge<a id="noteref_42" name= + "noteref_42" href="#note_42"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">42</span></span></a> adrift + had been picked up in the James River, and the brilliant idea seized + some of Admiral Porter’s men to convert her into a <span class= + "tei tei-q">“monitor.”</span> The whole scheme was carried out in + twelve hours. In fact, her construction was hardly more solid than + the <span class="tei tei-q">“paper forts”</span> built of canvas and + boards by the Chinese during our war with them, and which collapsed + after a shot or two as readily as would the <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Rock of Gibraltar”</span> or <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Mount Vesuvius”</span> at a firework display. The barge + was built up high with boards, while funnels and turrets constructed + of pork-barrels reared above, and two old canoes did duty for + quarter-boats. A small house, taken from the back yard of a planter’s + dwelling, stood for the pilot-house. Her furnaces were built of mud + or clay; they were only intended to make smoke, not steam. Then a + good coat of black paint or pitch; her furnaces were filled with + pitch and other inflammable materials, and she was ready. As soon as + the <span class="tei tei-q">“dummy”</span> turned adrift on the + Mississippi came in range of the Vicksburg batteries, the alarmed + garrison opened fire upon it. The black monitor glided down the + stream, belching out fire and smoke, but gave not a shot in return. + With amazement the Vicksburg soldiers found that they could not make + the slightest impression on the turreted monster. They did not know + that it was full of water, and had not a man on board! In ominous and + silent disdain she seemed to be making for the Confederate ironclads; + one of them, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Queen of the West</span></span>, leaving part of + her crew ashore, incontinently fled, with all her steam power, making + the best of her way to the Red River. The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Indianola</span></span>, a vessel previously + captured from the Northerners, was lying aground, and not to be taken + by this ruthless monster of a monitor, was ordered to be blown up, + which was accordingly done. Thus was this bloodless victory gained by + the dummy ironclad. It is not impossible that we may hear of similar + tricks in future warfare, as all is fair therein.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The following + experiences on board an American monitor are kindly sent to the + writer by a friend, formerly in the Royal Navy.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Great, indeed, was the excitement caused by the deeds of + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Monitor</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Merrimac</span></span> amongst the officers and + men of Her Majesty’s North Atlantic Squadron. Whether dancing in + Halifax, chasing French fishermen on the Newfoundland coast, or + <span class="tei tei-q">‘sunning’</span><a id="noteref_43" name= + "noteref_43" href="#note_43"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">43</span></span></a> in St. + George, there was always to be found some one, from captain to + loblolly boy, with a new story of the prowess of these formidable + monsters of the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">shallows</span></span>! I write <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘shallows’</span> advisedly, for if the experience which + I am about to narrate proves anything, it will be that as a + <span class="tei tei-q">‘deep water’</span> or sea-going craft the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Monitor</span></span> is practically + useless.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Notwithstanding a certain eagerness to behold a specimen + of their floating batteries, curiosity was not destined to be + gratified until nearly two years after the close of the American War, + when the United States Government determined on sending a + representative—the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Miantonoma</span></span>—to make a tour of the + world. The object of this resolution was to prove that the American + invention was not a mere floating battery, but was destined to + revolutionise the system of armour-plated ships. The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Miantonoma</span></span> was accompanied when + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page140">[pg 140]</span><a name="Pg140" + id="Pg140" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>she made her appearance in the + harbour of St. John’s, Newfoundland, by two tenders, one a + second-class corvette, the other a captured blockade-runner, which + had been mounted with a single <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Parrot’</span> pivot gun, throwing a spherical shot of + 180 lbs. This projectile was dubbed <span class="tei tei-q">‘the + Devil’</span> by those on board, who were by no means anxious to hear + its voice, for the lightly-built blockade-runner trembled in every + knee at each discharge. Nevertheless, such a vessel properly built is + destined to play an important part in the navy of the future, when + our present unwieldy ironclads shall have been relegated to that + bourne where torpedoes cannot terrify.</span></p><a name= + "illo_159.jpg" id="illo_159.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_159.jpg" alt="THE “MIANTONOMA.”" title= + "THE “MIANTONOMA.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“MIANTONOMA.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Miantonoma</span></span> was a twin-turreted + monitor, carrying two of Parrot’s 480 pounder smooth-bore. Her + spar-deck, which was flush fore and aft, was about two and a half to + three feet above the surface of the water in harbour. What we would + call the gun-deck was below the water-line some eight feet, and here + at sea during any sort of rough weather, the men were compelled to + live. Air was supplied (faugh! what an <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page141">[pg 141]</span><a name="Pg141" id="Pg141" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>atmosphere it was, even in harbour!) by means of + pipes which ran up to a scaffolding—I can find no better name for the + structure—elevated above the spar-deck fifteen feet. Here were the + wheel-house and a place for the look-out. But as it was apprehended + that the first respectable gale would take charge of the flimsy + structure and sweep it all away, a <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘preventer’</span> steering apparatus worked below, and + knowledge was gained of what was going on in the upper world by means + of reflectors. Two things struck the eye of an observant stranger on + gaining the side. The first was the formidable appearance of the + turrets—the latter, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">mirabile dictu</span></span>, the number of + spittoons! At once it became evident that such a craft as that which, + if you please, we are now aboard of, could never be taken by + boarding. Given the flush deck filled with an armed host; one of + these terrible turrets would slowly turn round, the shield protecting + the embrasure would fly back, a gaping volcano would belch forth, a + whirlwind of flame and smoke only—no need, indeed, would there be for + iron orbs at such quarters—and, ere its shield had once more covered + grinning death, the armed host would have been swept + away.</span></p><a name="illo_160.jpg" id="illo_160.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_160.jpg" alt="INTERIOR OF A TURRET SHIP" + title="INTERIOR OF A TURRET SHIP." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + INTERIOR OF A TURRET SHIP. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“It is Her Majesty’s birthday, and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Miantonoma</span></span> steams away with those + who have been invited on board to witness the firing of the big guns. + The salute cannot be fired in the little harbour, else surely every + pane of glass from the block-house to Riverhead <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page142">[pg 142]</span><a name="Pg142" id="Pg142" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>will pay the penalty. So Freshwater Bay is + to have the honour of hearing man’s thunder reverberating along its + hill-girded shores.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Bang, bang—pop, pop, bang. You hear the Armstrongs and + old field-pieces go off from Her Majesty’s men-of-war in harbour, and + Her Majesty’s Fort William and water batteries. Then you descend to + utter silence. You ascend again through a trapdoor, and find yourself + in a circular room, some twelve feet in diameter, padded from top to + bottom like the interior of a carriage. By your side is a huge mass + of iron. You are inside the turret. A glimmering lamp sheds its + feeble light on the moving forms around you, and from below comes the + faint whispering of the men, until the trap is shut and you are again + in utter silence.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Prepare!</span></span>’</span> The gunner’s + mates stand you on your toes, and tell you to lean forward and thrust + your tongue out of your mouth. You hear the creaking of machinery. It + is a moment of intense suspense. Gradually a glimmer of light—an + inch—a flood. The shield passes from the opening—the gun runs out. A + flash, a roar—a mad reeling of the senses, and crimson clouds + flitting before your eyes—a horrible pain in your ears, a sense of + oppression on your chest, and the knowledge that you are not on your + feet—a whispering of voices blending with the concert in your ears—a + darkness before your eyes—and you find yourself plump up in a heap + against the padding, whither you have been thrown by the violence of + the concussion. Before you have recovered sufficiently to note the + effects I have endeavoured to describe, the shield is again in its + place and the gun ready for re-loading. They tell you that the best + part of the sound has escaped through the port-hole, otherwise there + would be no standing it, and our gunner’s mate whispers in your ear: + <span class="tei tei-q">‘It’s all werry well, but they busts out + bleeding from the chest and ears after the fourth discharge, and has + to be taken below.’</span> You have had enough of it too, and are + glad that they don’t ask you to witness another shot + fired.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Since the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Miantonoma’s</span></span> time vast + improvements have been made in the matter of turret firing. The guns + are now discharged by means of an electric spark, which obviates the + necessity for having anyone in the turret, and is certainly a great + blessing.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘And what do you think of + her?’</span> I asked a boatswain’s-mate. <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Think of her, sir!’</span> he replied. <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘I think, sir, that she’s a floating coffin, and I would + as soon live in ——. Every time we’re out of harbour she goes under + water, and don’t come up till we get in again, as the saying is. We + are just cooped up here waiting for a big wave to come and swallow + us, for she don’t rise to the waves, she goes through ’em.’</span> + Then, becoming more confidential, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Tower of + the world be hanged, sir! None of us believe we’ll ever see + Queenstown, and if we only had a chance to get ashore, there ain’t a + man but what would desert, I guess.’</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“I must draw the reader’s attention to the fact that I + give this sailor’s statement for what it is worth. The officers, one + and all, as far as my memory serves me, stated that she was a very + good sea boat; better, indeed, than they expected, though somewhat + sluggish in the water. I may add that the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Miantonoma</span></span> not only reached + Queenstown, but <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">did</span></span> succeed in making a tour of + the world. Yet it was alleged that her crew, with the exception of + some twenty men, were put into the tenders, and that she was towed + across the <span class="tei tei-q">‘herring pond’</span> and round + the Horn by them. From these facts and rumours the <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page143">[pg 143]</span><a name="Pg143" id="Pg143" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>reader may form his own opinion as to the + seaworthiness of the American monitor. My belief is, that for a + sea-fight, especially should one occur in a gale of wind, they are + practically as useless as a hay-barge, while for harbour defences + they have proved themselves invaluable. Of all the splendid fleet of + monitors possessed by America at the close of the Federal and + Confederate war, there are scarce any left to keep up the reputation + of the United States as a naval power. They were contract built, of + green oak. The Philadelphia and San Francisco navy yards afford ample + proof that a decade has sufficed to destroy what shot and shell found + almost invulnerable. Such splendid specimens of naval architecture as + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Brooklyn</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Ohio</span></span> + alone are left to keep up the appearance of America’s naval strength + on foreign stations. But let us hope that her <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘shoddy’</span> monitors, like her shoddy blankets or + wooden nutmegs, have passed away with her convalescence from + intestine wounds, and that the next decade may witness the Stars and + Stripes floating powerfully and peacefully side by side with the + Union Jack, omnipotent for good.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Any such + expression of feeling in regard to the safety of English ironclads, + in spite of the terrible loss of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Captain</span></span>, and that of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Vanguard</span></span> (only less serious + inasmuch as no lives were sacrificed), would not be echoed by any + British sailor on board them. The accommodations, barring the general + darkness and sense of gloom inside, only partially illumined by the + fitful light of lamps, are generally good, and it is by no means + certain that when the electric light has attained that perfection at + which its promoters are aiming, there can be any complaint on that + score at all. Still, until some grand success has been attained by + ironclads, it is very questionable whether they can be thoroughly + popular, except to courageous, scientific, and ambitious officers, of + whom the service, the writer is certain, does not stand in need. We + have had a <span class="tei tei-q">“Man of iron”</span> ashore, and + we shall have him afloat when the occasion requires.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The first types of + ironclads introduced into the Royal Navy, as for example, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Warrior</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Black + Prince</span></span>, were nearly identical in general appearance to + the war-ships of the day. Now <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">all</span></span> British ironclads are built + with sides approaching the upright or vertical above water. At first + they only attempted broadside fire; now bow and stern guns are + common. The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Warrior</span></span>, as the earliest example + of an ironclad in the Royal Navy, deserves special mention. She is + doing duty to-day, and is by no means an effete example, but an + excellent and useful vessel. She is armoured at the middle only, in + the most exposed parts. In other words, her engines and leading guns + are protected, while the rest of her hull, though strong, is not + armour-covered. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Now</span></span>, whatever weight of armour + this central, or <span class="tei tei-q">“box-battery,”</span> as it + has been termed, may have, there is always a continuous belt of iron + extending from stem to stern, and protecting the region of the + water-line and steering gear, the counter of the ship being carried + below the water in order to screen the rudder-head. This improvement + is due to Sir Spencer Robinson. The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Warrior’s</span></span> armour was uniform in + thickness; now it is strongest in the vital parts. The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Warrior</span></span> + had only a main-deck battery armour plated; recent ships have had a + protected upper-deck battery given them. The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Warrior</span></span> + carried a large number of guns in an outspread battery; all later + ships, of whatever type, have had a <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">concentrated</span></span> battery of much + heavier guns. This early armoured ship is long; nearly all later + examples are much shorter in proportion to their + breadth.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page144">[pg + 144]</span><a name="Pg144" id="Pg144" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now to the + armour itself, which is sometimes affixed to an iron and sometimes to + a wooden hull, and in a few cases has wood <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">outside</span></span> + it. These facts, by no means generally known, must be studied, for it + can hardly yet be said to be determined which is the better form. It + may be said, in general terms, that the <span class= + "tei tei-q">“adoption of armour-plating was accompanied in this + country by the introduction of iron for the construction of the hulls + of ships of war, and our ironclad fleet is for the most part + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">iron-built</span></span>. We have, it is true, a + number of wood-built ironclads, but most of these are converted + vessels.”</span><a id="noteref_44" name="noteref_44" href= + "#note_44"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">44</span></span></a> Several + were built of wood (and then armoured) for the purpose of utilising + the large stocks of timber accumulated in the dockyards. In the + future it is probable that nearly all will be of iron, with wood + backing. The armour of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Warrior</span></span> is only 4½ inches thick, + with, however, a <span class="tei tei-q">“backing”</span> of 18 + inches of timber. This type includes the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Black + Prince</span></span>, <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Achilles</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Defence</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Hector</span></span>, + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Valiant</span></span>, and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Prince + Albert</span></span>. Then we come to another series, of which the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Bellerophon</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Penelope</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Invincible</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Audacious</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Swiftsure</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Triumph</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Iron + Duke</span></span>, and unfortunate <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Vanguard</span></span> furnish examples. They + average 6 inches of iron-plating to 10 inches of wood backing. The + lost <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Captain</span></span> was somewhat heavier in + both plating and backing. Then again we advance to a still heavier + type—12 inches of iron to 18 inches of wood: the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Glatton</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Thunderer</span></span>, and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Devastation</span></span> furnish examples. Then + there is the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">wood-built</span></span> class, the thickness of + their (wooden) sides ranging from 19½ to as high as 36 inches, with + 4½ to 6 inches of armour. The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Royal Sovereign</span></span> (a turret ship) is + a leading example of this class; she has 5½ inches of armour, + covering 36 inches of wood.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To speak of all + the types of armour-clad ships would most undoubtedly weary the + reader. Let us examine a leading example. The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Inflexible</span></span> (double turret ship) is + probably the greatest result yet attained. She is an ironclad of + 11,400 tons, with 8,000 horse-power, her estimated first cost being + considerably over half a million sterling. She is 320 feet long, and + has armour of 16 to 24 inches thick, with a backing of 17 to 25 + inches of wood. She has no less than 135 compartments, while her + engines are so completely isolated that if one breaks down the other + would be working. <span class="tei tei-q">“But already, as if to show + the impossibility of attaining the stage of finality as regards the + construction of our men-of-war, there is every reason to believe that + she has been excelled.... Designed,”</span> says our leading + journal,<a id="noteref_45" name="noteref_45" href= + "#note_45"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">45</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-q">“as an improvement upon the Russian + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Peter the + Great</span></span>, she will herself be surpassed by the two Italian + frigates which are building at La Spezzia and Castellamare.... While + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Inflexible’s</span></span> turrets are formed of + a single thickness of 18-inch armour, and her armament consists of + four 81-ton guns, the turrets of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Dandolo</span></span> + and the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Duilio</span></span> are built of plates 22 + inches thick, and are armed with four 100-ton guns.”</span> The + writer then enlarges on recent gunnery experiments, showing that even + the enormous thickness of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Inflexible’s</span></span> iron sides have been + pierced, and concludes by saying that, <span class="tei tei-q">“so + far as the exigencies of the navy are concerned, the limit of weight + seems to have already been reached, for the simple reason that the + buoyancy of our ironclads cannot with safety be further diminished by + the burden of heavier armour and armaments.”</span> The <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page145">[pg 145]</span><a name="Pg145" id="Pg145" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>leading feature in this vessel is the + situation of the turrets. In most turret ships afloat these batteries + are placed on the middle line, and in consequence only one-half the + guns can be brought to bear on an enemy either right ahead or + directly astern. In the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Inflexible</span></span> the turrets rise up on + either side of the ship <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">en échelon</span></span> within the citadel + walls, the fore turret being on the port side and the after turret on + the starboard side. By these means the whole of the four guns can be + discharged <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">simultaneously</span></span> at a ship right + ahead or right astern, or, in pairs, towards any point. What vessel + could withstand such a fire rightly directed?</p><a name= + "illo_166.jpg" id="illo_166.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_166.jpg" alt="THE “INFLEXIBLE.”" title= + "THE “INFLEXIBLE.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“INFLEXIBLE.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As we have seen, + the forms and proportions of ironclads have undergone enormous + changes from the days when the success of the plated floating + batteries at Kinburn called the special attention of Europe to the + possibility of successfully protecting vessels in the same way. The + shot of the enemy had no effect on these batteries. A special + correspondent of the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span> said: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The balls hopped back off their sides without leaving an + impression, save such as a pistol-ball makes on the target of a + shooting gallery. The shot could be heard distinctly striking the + sides of the battery with a <span class="tei tei-q">‘sharp + smack,’</span> and then <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page146">[pg + 146]</span><a name="Pg146" id="Pg146" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>could be seen flying back, splashing the water + at various angles according to the direction in which they came, till + they dropped exhausted.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the + greatest novelties is the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">circular</span></span> ironclad, proposed long + ago by Mr. John Elder, in a paper read before the United Service + Institution, and carried out by Admiral Popoff, of the Russian navy, + who designed one which was afterwards constructed and was christened + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Novgorod</span></span>. She was 100 feet in + diameter, with curved deck, the highest point of which was only five + or six feet above the water. She carried two 28-ton guns. Its model + might be described as a floating saucer with a comparatively flat + covering. It is even asserted that a good speed is attainable with + such vessels, and that they are steerable, if hydraulic machinery is + employed. Mr. Elder’s plan was as follows:—When a revolving + pilot-house on the vessel turned, a jet of water was ejected in a + backward line to the very course proposed to steer. The pilot or + steersman—having a complete control of the movements of the + pilot-house, and a clear look out a-head—only arranged to steer in a + particular direction, and the water jet propelled the vessel to its + destination. Such vessels are fit for nothing better than river or + harbour protection.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Alexandra</span></span>, whose batteries we show + on the opposite page, is one of the most efficient of our English + armour-plated ships. She was built at Chatham, and launched in 1875. + She was specially built for speed, and carries the maximum weight of + armour consistent with sea-going qualities. She is armed with three + guns of twenty-five tons each and nine of eighteen tons.</p><a name= + "illo_168.jpg" id="illo_168.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_168.jpg" alt="SECTION OF THE “ALEXANDRA”" + title="SECTION OF THE “ALEXANDRA.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + SECTION OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“<a name="corr146" id="corr146" class= + "tei tei-anchor" style="text-align: center"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr" style= + "text-align: center">ALEXANDRA.</span>”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A new form of + ironclad, destined for coast duty, has also been introduced in + Holland and France. These Governments consider that for the defence + of a coast-line, fixed land batteries are not sufficient. They have, + therefore, adopted a ponderous form of turreted ironclad, which the + French term <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">garde-côtes</span></span>. They are not supposed + to be adapted for long sea voyages, as they are veritable floating + iron castles, carrying not merely heavy guns, but whole batteries of + smaller guns. They have good engine power, and can, therefore, be + moved to any part of the coast with ease.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The cost of + ironclads to this country has been very serious. Mr. Reed puts it + down at a million sterling a year since their inauguration.<a id= + "noteref_46" name="noteref_46" href="#note_46"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">46</span></span></a> For the + eighteen years preceding 1876, they cost £16,738,935, and with the + cost of wear and tear, repair, and maintenance, not less than + £18,000,000. £300,000 was required for repairs and maintenance alone + in one year, perhaps an exceptional case. The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Warrior</span></span>, built in the year 1860, + cost, to 1876, for maintenance and repair, no less than £124,245, or + about a third of her original cost. She is the earliest type of + ironclad, and of small tonnage compared with several of her + successors. What <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">they</span></span> may cost to maintain is a + still more serious problem. Single ironclads have cost the country + half a million sterling; the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Inflexible</span></span>, £600,000.</p><a name= + "illo_162.jpg" id="illo_162.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_162.jpg" alt= + "PREPARING FOR TORPEDO EXPERIMENTS AT PORTSMOUTH" title= + "PREPARING FOR TORPEDO EXPERIMENTS AT PORTSMOUTH." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + PREPARING FOR TORPEDO EXPERIMENTS AT PORTSMOUTH. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Connected + intimately with the ironclad question is the torpedo movement. From + an early date schemes have been devised for injuring an enemy’s + vessel by submarine apparatus and otherwise than by guns. In the + seventeenth century, we find the celebrated Marquis of Worcester + describing such apparatus. The ninth of his <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Century of Inventions”</span> describes a small engine, + portable in one’s pocket, which might be carried and fastened on the + inside of the ship, and at any appointed time, days or weeks after, + at the will of the operator, it should explode and sink that + vessel.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page148">[pg + 148]</span><a name="Pg148" id="Pg148" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In his tenth + invention, the Marquis of Worcester describes <span class= + "tei tei-q">“a way from a mile off to dive and fasten a like engine + to any ship, so as it may punctually work the same effect, either for + time or execution.”</span> The details of construction and working + are left to the reader’s imagination.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Bishop Wilkins, in + a curious work on <span class="tei tei-q">“Mathematical + Magick,”</span> published in 1648, describes a possible submarine + vessel, or <span class="tei tei-q">“ark,”</span> as he terms it. He + says that it <span class="tei tei-q">“may be effected beyond all + question, because one Cornelius Dreble hath already experimented on + it here in England.”</span> Of Dreble very little is known; but it is + on record that he constructed a subaqueous boat, which he exhibited + before James I., which carried twelve rowers and some passengers, and + further, that that monarch was so pleased with it that he sent a + duplicate as a present to the grand Duke of Muscovy (Russia). The + bishop discusses the matter very fully. The boat is, of course, to be + watertight, all openings being sealed for the nonce by leather bags, + with two sets of fastenings. The oars were to project also through + leather bags, giving freedom of motion and yet excluding the water. A + serious difficulty—the lack of fresh air on board—is partially + slurred over; but he considers that the sailors, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“by long use and custome,”</span> will practically get + used to it. The raising or lowering of the vessel is to be + accomplished by the lifting or depression of an enormous stone hung + to its keel. He considered that the steering would be easier than on + the surface, there being no contrary winds or atmospheric + disturbances to interfere. The vessel is to be well manned by + artisans, and children are to be born in the <span class= + "tei tei-q">“ark:”</span> one of the points specially mentioned being + their inevitable astonishment when they for the first time behold the + light of day at the surface, and are landed on <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">terra + firma</span></span>! The log is not merely to be written but is to be + printed on board. <span class="tei tei-q">“Among the many + conveniences of such a contrivance, it may be of very great advantage + against a navy of enemies, who, by this means, may be undermined in + the water and blown up.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Another old + writer, Schott, in a rare and curious work, entitled <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Mirabilia Mechanica,”</span> offers several schemes for + submarine vessels, and gives a drawing of one with a paddle-wheel as + the propelling power. The wheel, worked by men, was to work in a + watertight box in the centre of the vessel, the paddles projecting + below the keel. A Frenchman built a vessel of this description at + Rotterdam in 1653, and publicly exhibited it. Pepys, in his + <span class="tei tei-q">“Diary,”</span> writes, on the 14th of March, + 1662: <span class="tei tei-q">“This afternoon came the German Dr. + Knuffler, to discourse with us about his engine to blow up ships. We + doubted not the matter of fact—it being tried in Cromwell’s time—but + the safety of carrying them in ships; but he do tell us that when he + comes to tell the King his secret (for none but kings successively, + and their heirs, must know it) it will appear of no danger at + all.”</span> We have before described Fulton’s submarine boat, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Nautilus</span></span>, and his torpedo + experiments in France and England; let us now follow him to the New + World.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fulton arrived in + America in December, 1806, and so far from being discouraged by the + apathy displayed towards his inventions in Europe, inaugurated fresh + experiments, under Government sanction, a certain expenditure being + authorised. An amusing account of one of his semi-public exhibitions + is given by his biographer:<a id="noteref_47" name="noteref_47" href= + "#note_47"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">47</span></span></a>—<span class="tei tei-q">“In + the meantime, anxious to prepossess his countrymen with a good + opinion of his project, he invited the <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page149">[pg 149]</span><a name="Pg149" id="Pg149" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>magistracy of New York and a number of citizens + to Governor’s Island, where were the torpedoes and the machinery with + which his experiments were to be made; these, with the manner in + which they were to be used and were expected to operate, he explained + very fully. While he was lecturing on his blank torpedoes, which were + large empty copper cylinders, his numerous auditors crowded round + him. At length he turned to a copper case of the same description, + which was placed under the gateway of the fort, and to which was + attached a clockwork lock. This, by drawing out a peg, he set in + motion, and then said to his attentive audience, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Gentlemen, this is a charged torpedo, with which, + precisely in its present state, I mean to blow up a vessel; it + contains one hundred and seventy pounds of gunpowder, and if I were + to suffer the clockwork to run fifteen minutes, I have no doubt but + that it would blow this fortification to atoms!’</span> The circle + round Mr. Fulton was very soon much enlarged, and before five of the + fifteen minutes were out there were but two or three persons + remaining under the gateway; some, indeed, lost no time in getting at + the greatest possible distance from the torpedo with their best + speed, and did not again appear on the ground till they were assured + it was lodged in the magazine.”</span> Fulton, of course, displayed + the utmost coolness, knowing that his torpedo could not explode till + the clockwork had run its allotted time, and of course taking care + that it should be stopped long before the expiration of the fifteen + minutes.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 20th of + July, 1807, he attempted to blow up with torpedoes, in the harbour of + New York, a large hulk brig which had been provided for the purpose. + Several unsuccessful <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page150">[pg + 150]</span><a name="Pg150" id="Pg150" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>attempts were made at first, owing to some + derangements connected with the locks of the exploding apparatus. At + length, however, the explosion took place, and was a thorough + success. He has left a full account of it in his own work.<a id= + "noteref_48" name="noteref_48" href="#note_48"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">48</span></span></a> Nothing + was left of the brig; all that was seen in her place was a high + column of water, smoke, and fragments. It showed, as Fulton always + believed, that the torpedo should, if possible, be exploded + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">under</span></span> the vessel to be blown up. + In his cool but yet enthusiastic way he says: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Should a ship of the line containing five hundred men + contend with ten good row-boats, each with a torpedo and ten men, she + would risk total annihilation, while the boats, under the cover of + the night and quick movements, would risk only a few men out of one + hundred.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fulton, after + this, lectured frequently before the members of Congress, and so + favourably impressed them that a sum of 5,000 dollars was voted in + aid of his experiments. One of the plans he proposed was to couple by + a line two torpedoes, then letting them drift on the bow of the + vessel to be destroyed, the line would catch on the cable or bows, + and the torpedoes would drift towards the vessel on either side. He + also proposed <span class="tei tei-q">“block ships”</span> of 50 or + 100 tons, with cannon-proof sides and musket-proof decks + (<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">i.e.</span></span>, virtually ironclads), to be + propelled by machinery, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">which was to be worked by the + crew</span></span>. <span class="tei tei-q">“On each quarter and bow + she was to be armed with a torpedo fastened to a long spar, the + interior end of which was to be supported and braced by ropes from + the yards.... By means of these spars the torpedoes were to be thrust + under the bottom of the vessel to be destroyed.”</span> Half the many + plans proposed for torpedo warfare may be traced back to Robert + Fulton at the end of the last and beginning of the present century. + Among his inventions was a <span class="tei tei-q">“cable-cutting + machine,”</span> a description of which would occupy an undue amount + of space in a popular work. Suffice it to say that by its means he + succeeded in cutting, several feet below the surface of the water, + the cable—a 14-inch one—of a vessel lying at anchor.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the most + important experiments made at this time was his attempt, under + sanction of Government, to blow up the sloop-of-war <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Argus</span></span>, + and the case demonstrates very clearly the ingenuity of the + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">defence</span></span>, and the means taken to + foil the assailing torpedo. We have heard quite recently of + propositions to defend a vessel by means of a kind of <span class= + "tei tei-q">“crinoline,”</span> as it has been termed, a strong + network, &c., surrounding the whole or a part of the vessel at + some distance from it, which should prevent the torpedo from + exploding near the hull. Such was actually the means devised by + Commodore Rodgers, of the United States Navy, in the year 1809, and + which proved entirely successful in foiling Fulton’s torpedo. Colden + says:—<span class="tei tei-q">“She had a strong netting suspended + from her spritsail-yard, which was anchored at the bottom; she was + surrounded by spars lashed together, which floated on the surface of + the water, so as to place her completely in a pen; she had + grappling-irons and heavy pieces of the same metal suspended from her + yards and rigging, ready to be plunged in any boat that came beneath + them; she had great swords, or scythes, fastened to the ends of long + spars, moving like sweeps, which unquestionably would have mowed off + as many heads as came within their reach.”</span></p><a name= + "illo_172.jpg" id="illo_172.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_172.jpg" alt= + "THE OLD STYLE AND THE NEW (A THREE-DECKER AND A TORPEDO BOAT)" + title= + "THE OLD STYLE AND THE NEW (A THREE-DECKER AND A TORPEDO BOAT)." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE OLD STYLE AND THE NEW (A THREE-DECKER AND A TORPEDO BOAT). + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By these devices + the torpedo-boat was unable to get near the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Argus</span></span>, + while the netting, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page151">[pg + 151]</span><a name="Pg151" id="Pg151" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>anchored to the bottom of the harbour, prevented + any probability of the torpedo being fired under the vessel. The + Government had practically said to Fulton, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Do your best, and we’ll do our best to defeat + you.”</span> The experiment was not one-sided, as are so many. + Fulton, far from complaining, thus wrote: <span class="tei tei-q">“I + will do justice to the talents of Commodore Rodgers. The nets, booms, + kentledge, and grapnels which he arranged around the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Argus</span></span> + made a formidable appearance against one torpedo-boat and eight bad + oarsmen. I was taken unawares. I had explained to the officers of the + navy my means of attack; they did not inform me of their means of + defence. The nets were put down to the ground, otherwise I should + have sent the torpedoes under them. In this situation, the means with + which I was provided being imperfect, insignificant, and inadequate + to the effect to be produced, I might be compared to what the + inventor of gunpowder would have appeared had he lived in the time of + Julius Cæsar, and presented himself before the gates of Rome with a + four-pounder, and had endeavoured to convince the Roman people that + by means of such machines he could batter down their walls. They + would have told him that a few catapultas casting arrows and stones + upon his men would cause them to retreat; that a shower of rain would + destroy his ill-guarded powder; and the Roman centurions, who would + have been unable to conceive the various modes in which gunpowder has + since been used to destroy the then art of war, would very naturally + conclude that it was a useless invention; while the manufacturers of + catapultas, bows, arrows, and shields would be the most vehement + against further experiments.”</span></p><a name="illo_170.png" id= + "illo_170.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_170.png" alt= + "LIEUT. CUSHING’S ATTACK ON THE “ALBEMARLE.”" title= + "LIEUT. CUSHING’S ATTACK ON THE “ALBEMARLE.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + LIEUT. CUSHING’S ATTACK ON THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“ALBEMARLE.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Torpedoes were + used extensively during the civil war in America, but almost entirely + for rivers or harbour defence. One of the most prominent examples was + the following:—The ironclad ram <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Albemarle</span></span><a id="noteref_49" name= + "noteref_49" href="#note_49"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">49</span></span></a> had been + carrying all before it, till Lieutenant Cushing, a brave young + officer, scarcely twenty-one years of age, took a steam-launch, + equipped as a torpedo-boat, on the night of October, 1864, up the + Roanoake River. He had with him thirteen men. The launch was steered + directly for the ironclad, which lay at one of the wharfs of + Plymouth, protected by a raft of logs extending thirty feet. The + enemy’s fire was at once very severe, but the torpedo-boat went + bravely on, and succeeded in pressing in the logs a few feet. + Cushing, in his despatch, says—<span class="tei tei-q">“The torpedo + was exploded at the same time that the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Albemarle’s</span></span> gun was fired. A shot + seemed to go crashing through my boat, and a dense mass of water + rushed in from the torpedo, filling and completely disabling her. The + enemy then continued to fire at fifteen feet range, and demanded our + surrender, which I twice refused.”</span> Cushing leaped into the + water and, with one of his party, made good his escape. The rest of + the little crew were either captured, killed, or wounded. The object + of the attack was, however, successful, and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Albemarle</span></span> was found to be a + complete wreck. Torpedoes were also employed with great effect by the + Paraguayans in their war against the Brazilians in 1866.</p><a name= + "illo_179.png" id="illo_179.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_179.png" alt= + "PARAGUAYAN TORPEDO BLOWING UP A BRAZILIAN IRONCLAD" title= + "PARAGUAYAN TORPEDO BLOWING UP A BRAZILIAN IRONCLAD." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + PARAGUAYAN TORPEDO BLOWING UP A BRAZILIAN IRONCLAD. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Great are the + varieties of torpedoes invented at various times in late years, and a + technical description of them, which would be wearying to the reader, + would fill a large volume. An ingenious kind, known as the + <span class="tei tei-q">“Lay”</span> torpedo, after the name of its + inventor, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page152">[pg + 152]</span><a name="Pg152" id="Pg152" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>comes from the New World. It is of cylindrical + form, with conical ends, the forward cone calculated to hold a + hundred pounds of some explosive substance—dynamite,<a id= + "noteref_50" name="noteref_50" href="#note_50"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">50</span></span></a> + probably, being used. A forward section of the main cylinder holds a + powerful gas, condensed into <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">liquid</span></span> form, and used as the + motive power, and connected with the machinery by a valve operated by + electricity. The torpedo has a cable coiled as harpoon-ropes are + arranged in whaling-vessels, which may be of any length, the wires + connected with the battery following its course. This instrument of + destruction is entirely under the control of the operator, who may be + stationed with his small portable battery on the shore or on a + vessel. It is said that they have been sent out half a mile and + brought back to the starting-point at a rate of twelve miles an hour, + and that the rapidity and precision with which the machine obeyed the + operator demonstrated them to be among the most formidable weapons + ever invented for naval warfare.</p><a name="illo_178.png" id= + "illo_178.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_178.png" alt="DIFFERENT FORMS OF TORPEDOES" + title="DIFFERENT FORMS OF TORPEDOES." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + DIFFERENT FORMS OF TORPEDOES. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">These subaqueous + weapons have never been used in an engagement between fleets. In an + interesting essay<a id="noteref_51" name="noteref_51" href= + "#note_51"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">51</span></span></a> on the + subject by Commander Noel, R.N., he recommends or proposes that four + torpedo vessels should accompany a fleet, and describes their + probable operations as follows:—</p><a name="illo_176.jpg" id= + "illo_176.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_176.jpg" alt= + "TORPEDO EXPERIMENTS AT PORTSMOUTH, WITH THE ELECTRIC LIGHT" title= + "TORPEDO EXPERIMENTS AT PORTSMOUTH, WITH THE ELECTRIC LIGHT." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + TORPEDO EXPERIMENTS AT PORTSMOUTH, WITH THE ELECTRIC LIGHT. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Let us imagine ourselves, then, on board a rakish little + craft, fitted for Harvey torpedo work; we can steam sixteen knots; we + tow a torpedo on each quarter; and we are so admirably fitted with + steel-protecting mantelets that neither officer nor man is exposed + either to view or to rifle fire. Our instructions are that on the + approach of a hostile force we and our three consorts are to hold + ourselves in readiness to charge the enemy’s line, passing through at + full speed, and doing all the damage that lies in our power: these + orders to be carried into effect in obedience to a preconcerted + signal. The enemy is observed approaching, and apparently moving at + about ten knots’ speed. The torpedo vessels are let loose, and, + choosing the centre of the enemy’s fleet, rush on, steering for a + flag-ship leading a column in line ahead. Heavy guns are fired at us + as we near, but we are so small and rapid in our movements that no + shot takes effect; we are reducing our distance at the rate of a mile + in two and a half minutes; soon comes the time of suspense; in a + second or two we are passing the flag-ship; the port torpedo is + dipped—will it strike her? Suddenly a tug on the wire towing-rope, + and it parts. Her bow has been protected, and our torpedo is torn + away harmless. However, another mine tows on the opposite quarter, + still in working order; we are in the midst of the enemy’s fleet, + rushing past one after another at half-minute intervals; our only + chance of using our other torpedo is in breaking through the line; + our commander is eminent for his skill, courage, and confidence. + Little choice is given us, but he <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page153">[pg 153]</span><a name="Pg153" id="Pg153" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>observes a rather great interval astern of the + fourth ship. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Starboard’</span> is the order, + and we break through under her stern; our starboard torpedo is at the + same time dipped, and passes under the fifth ship. Owing to a + combination of luck and good management, the torpedo takes effect and + the enemy is blown up. The other torpedo vessels have thrown the + enemy into considerable disorder, but none have succeeded in using + their torpedoes with effect. One of them has been struck by a heavy + shell and totally disabled, but the whole fleet has passed on without + finding it possible to capture or sink her without losing their + position in station and being left behind; the thought foremost in + every captain’s mind also being that the enemy’s fleet is almost in + contact with them, and that the moment to act has arrived.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“This is an example of an attack with <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Harvey’</span> torpedoes from ahead and across the + bow.... In my opinion, it would invariably be rendered fruitless if + the bows of the ships attacked were protected by an iron framework of + the simplest description.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“But let us return to our little craft, in which we have + already run the gauntlet of the hostile fleet. Having cleared the + enemy with little or no damage, we look back and see our fleet of + ironclads breaking through their lines, which have been so shaken by + our assault. When through, our fleet re-forms and wheels for the next + charge. We must be at work again; our torpedoes are replaced, and + everything is in working order. This time we follow our ironclads to + the charge. We are, if anything, more hopeful of success. The enemy + will not see us till we are at them; our blood is warming to the + work, and we feel that we have gained experience and confidence by + the first charge. Pressing on, we observe the second charge of the + fleet, amidst smoke, confusion, and thundering of cannon. + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page154">[pg 154]</span><a name="Pg154" + id="Pg154" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The enemy is prepared, and it + is a case of <span class="tei tei-q">‘Greek meeting Greek.’</span> + Our vessel is put at full speed, and, with our consorts (now reduced + to two), we go at the enemy. However, in the charge that is made only + one of us succeeds in exploding a torpedo, and that without much + damage to the enemy; one of our consorts is run down and sunk, and we + pass through, only dipping one torpedo, and that too late to take + effect. The enemy are not in the steady line they were in before, and + consequently we have not such an opportunity of creating disorder, + and have more difficulty in manœuvring to use our weapon. Passing on, + fortune still favours us. We come across an enemy disabled, stern on + to us with her ensign flying. <span class="tei tei-q">‘At + her!’</span> is the order. Another moment and we are close to her, + our torpedo in beautiful position, and the enemy helpless. Down comes + her ensign, just in time; we are able to let go the torpedo so as to + clear her—now a lawful prize.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“So it is that I believe a torpedo vessel will be handled + in an action. It will be ticklish work; and all I can say is that the + men who undertake it should be gifted with coolness and courage above + their fellows, as well as with the utmost proficiency in handling + their vessels.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Perhaps the most + formidable <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">ocean-going</span></span> torpedo vessel yet + constructed is the American despatch-vessel <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Alarm</span></span>, + designed by Admiral David Porter, of the United States Navy. It is + 172 feet long, including a ram of twenty-seven feet in length. One of + her special qualities is the power of launching torpedoes from almost + any point, from cylinders <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page155">[pg + 155]</span><a name="Pg155" id="Pg155" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>specially constructed for the purpose, that at + the bow being thirty-two feet in length. A torpedo-boat, built by the + Messrs. Yarrow, of Poplar, for the Russian Government during the late + war, appears to have special merits. It is built of light steel, with + what is called a <span class="tei tei-q">“whale-back”</span>—a + semi-circular covering, which resists any ordinary shot and throws + off any sea whatever. The funnel is not in the centre, but towards + the side, in order not to interfere with the steersman’s view nor + with the torpedo boom. It has a boom which can be lowered in the + water, the torpedo being submerged ten feet before it is started off + on its deadly errand. And, finally, it can be projected from the + stern, which gives it a splendid chance of leaving before the final + explosion.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the late + Turko-Russian war torpedoes were often attached to logs of wood or + clumps of brushwood, and floated into the stream of the Danube. These + often attracted little attention; and when they came into contact + with any obstacle the mine exploded by means of percussion, the blow + being delivered by a projecting arm or other contrivance driven back + upon some detonating substance within. The Harvey torpedo, one of the + leading types, consists of a stout wooden casing, strengthened on the + outside with iron straps, and containing a metal shell, which holds + the powder charge. The largest size of this weapon measures 4 feet 6 + inches in length by 2 feet in depth, and 2 feet 6 inches in width, + and carries 100 lbs. of dynamite. The torpedo is fired by being + brought into hugging contact with an enemy’s ship, when one or other + of two projecting levers acts upon an exploding bolt causing the + ignition of the charge. The exploding apparatus consists of a tube + containing a chemical agent and a bulb holding another. The nature of + these chemicals is such that when they combine violent combustion + ensues, which explodes the charge. These torpedoes are towed at the + end of a long hawser, connected to a spar, so arranged that the + torpedo itself, instead of following immediately in the wake or trail + of the vessel towing it, diverges in the same manner that an otter + float does: from which device Captain Harvey took his idea. Attached + to the torpedo are two large buoys, for the purpose of supporting it + when the vessel is not moving through the water, or when the + towing-line is slackened. Another variety is fired by + electricity.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Whitehead, or + <span class="tei tei-q">“fish”</span> torpedo, is a cigar-shaped + steel cylinder 14 to 19 feet in length, and from 14 to 16 inches in + diameter. It is sent off, requiring no crew, against the ship to be + destroyed; and if one torpedo fails to deal the death-blow it can be + followed up by another, or yet a third. It consists of three + compartments. The head contains the explosive—say 360 lbs. of + gun-cotton; the centre holds the machinery; and the tail the + highly-condensed air which works the engine. The engine is about + thirty-five pounds weight, and can be worked to forty horse power! + The explanation of this is simply that the working pressure of the + condensed air is 1,000 lbs. per square inch. The tail holds + compressed air sufficient to propel the torpedo 200 yards, at a rate + of twenty-five miles an hour, or 1,000 yards at the rate of seventeen + miles.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class= + "tei tei-q">“battle of the guns”</span> has not yet been fought; but + how about the rams? They have been proved the deadliest weapons of + destruction in modern times. The lessons of Lissa have been already + cited in these pages; so have the lessons taught by the loss of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Vanguard</span></span> and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Grosser + Kurfurst</span></span>. In the latter cases it was friends that + struck the blow. Some of our greatest authorities consider that + nothing can exceed the power of the ram of <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page156">[pg 156]</span><a name="Pg156" id="Pg156" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>a modern ironclad, properly applied. Admiral + Touchard, of the French Navy, says: <span class="tei tei-q">“The + <span class="tei tei-q">‘beak’</span> (<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">i.e.</span></span> + <span class="tei tei-q">‘ram’</span>) is now the principal weapon in + naval combats—the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">ultima ratio</span></span> of maritime + war.”</span> Captain Colomb, a distinguished English authority, says: + <span class="tei tei-q">“Let us just recall the fact that the serious + part of a future naval attack does not appear to be the guns, but the + rams.”</span> Yet again another authority, Captain Pellew, says: + <span class="tei tei-q">“Rams are the arm of naval warfare to which I + attach the chief importance. In my opinion, the aim of all manœuvring + and preliminary practice with the guns should be to get a fair + opportunity for ramming.”</span></p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap10" id="chap10" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc23" id="toc23"></a> <a name="pdf24" id="pdf24"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER X.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">The Lighthouse and its + History.</span></span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">The Lighthouse—Our most noted one in Danger—The + Eddystone Undermined—The Ancient History of Lighthouses—The Pharos of + Alexandria—Roman Light Towers at Boulogne and Dover—Fire-beacons and + Pitch-pots—The Tower of Cordouan—The First Eddystone + Lighthouse—Winstanley and his Eccentricities—Difficulties of Building + his Wooden Structure—Resembles a Pagoda—The Structure Swept Away with + its Inventor—Another Silk Mercer in the Field—Rudyerd’s + Lighthouse—Built of Wood—Stood for Fifty Years—Creditable Action of + Louis XIV.—Lighthouse Keeper alone with a Corpse—The Horrors of a + Month—Rudyerd’s Tower destroyed by Fire—Smeaton’s Early + History—Employed to Build the Present Eddystone—Resolves on a Stone + Tower—Employment of</span> <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Dove-tailing</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 90%">in Masonry—Difficulties of Landing on + the Rock—Peril incurred by the Workmen—The First Season’s + Work—Smeaton always in the Post of Danger—Watching the Rock from + Plymouth Hoe—The Last Season—Vibrations of the Tower in a Storm—Has + Stood for 120 Years—Joy of the Mariner when</span> <span class= + "tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">The + Eddystone’s in Sight!</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">—Lights in the English Channel.</span></p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src= + "images/illo_181.png" alt="Illustration" /></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Round the history + of ships and shipping interests innumerable subjects intertwine. But + for the good ship, we should not need coast fortifications, grand + breakwaters, and artificial harbours, lighthouses, lifeboats, and + coast-guard organisations. Just as England stands pre-eminent on the + sea, so in all subsidiary points connected therewith she is fully + represented. To the lighthouse and its history attention is now + invited.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Not long since + many an anxious eye was turned Channelwards from Plymouth Hoe towards + that group of rocks, on one of which the famous Eddystone Light + stood—and happily, still stands—for the light that should have + illumined the stormy waters was apparently quenched. Not till morning + dawn had nearly come was a re-assuring glimmer noted in the lantern + of that famed Pharos of our coasts. And there was good reason for + anxiety, although the immediate occasion was a mere temporary + derangement of the lighting apparatus: for the report had spread that + Smeaton’s greatest architectural triumph had collapsed before the + power of the sea. One trembles to think what that might have meant, + not merely to its few inhabitants, but to scores of sailors and + owners. <span class="tei tei-q">“Happily,”</span> said one of our + leading journals, <span class="tei tei-q">“the Eddystone is still + safe, despite the terrible effects <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page157">[pg 157]</span><a name="Pg157" id="Pg157" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>of winds and waves, and the serious weakness of + its own foundations, which was discovered a few years ago. For the + tower which lights the way of the sailor into Plymouth Sound is, + after all, not so secure a structure as could be desired. Built of + solid masonry and with immense skill, by the clever architect from + Hull who designed and carried out the work, it had yet to trust for + its foundation to the rock upon which it stood. Should that give way + the stone-work of the edifice might be strong enough, and yet some + day fall into hopeless ruin. Strange to say, this very weakness has + been self-revealed. The rock upon which the lighthouse stands, and + which, of the twenty-three that comprise the group, is most exposed + to the action of the sea, has been so violently attacked by what Ovid + calls the <span class="tei tei-q">‘insane waters’</span> as to have + become very seriously undermined. Gradually the waves have cut away + the foundations of the stone, rising now and then against the + lighthouse, and pressing against the structure with such force as to + make the building itself serve the turn of a crowbar, and so, little + by little, creating fissures in the foundations, and gradually + preparing the way to <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page158">[pg + 158]</span><a name="Pg158" id="Pg158" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the + end.”</span> Many attempts have been made to obviate these evils by + the removal of rock which it was supposed acted as a lever to the + water, and by other means: but in vain. At length the Board of + Trinity House finding their efforts futile, determined to erect + another lighthouse. Meantime, a light-ship has been provided, which, + in case of accident to Smeaton’s tower, will be moored in the + neighbourhood. A larger building is now in course of erection on an + adjacent rock, which affords a more durable foundation and is less + exposed to the merciless waves. It will be nearly double the height + of the older structure, which was seventy-two feet high, and is being + built on a principle of dovetailing, which, it is hoped and believed, + will secure it against the worst fury of the sea. Think what that + fury is sometimes, gentle reader! At the Skerryvore Rock they have an + apparatus for registering the power of the waves per square foot + surface; once recently it registered <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">three + tons</span></span> to the foot!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The most noted + lighthouse in the world was undoubtedly the Pharos of Alexandria, + named from the island on which it stood. The French, Italians, and + Spaniards to-day use the term almost in its original purity: thus, + French for lighthouse, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">phare</span></span>; Italian and Spanish, + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">faro</span></span>. It was commenced by the + first Ptolemy, and finished about 280 <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 75%">B.C.</span></span>, the + workmanship, according to all accounts, being superb. This tower of + white stone was 400 feet high. It is stated by Josephus that the + light, which was always kept burning on its top at night, was visible + over forty miles. It is believed to have been destroyed by an + earthquake, though the date of its destruction is unknown.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Romans were + the first to erect anything approaching a Pharos, or lighthouse, on + our coasts. Beacon fires may have been occasionally used before; the + conquerors made the matter an organised affair. On either side the + Channel, at Boulogne and Dover, structures of no mean altitude were + raised for this purpose. That at Boulogne is supposed to have been + erected by Caligula; all vestiges of it have passed away. It was + originally called <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Turris Ardens</span></span>, afterwards + corrupted to the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Tour d’Ordre</span></span>. From a description + left by Claude Châtillon, engineer to Henry IV., it appears that it + was built about a stone’s throw from the edge of the cliff, above and + overlooking the high tower and the castle. Its form was octagonal, + with a base 192 feet in circumference. It was built of grey stone + with thin red bricks between. That at Dover still exists. It occupies + the highest point of the lofty rock on which the famous castle is + built. This Pharos was also octagonal in outward form, being square + within. It is 33 feet in diameter, and formerly about 72 feet high. + On the summit three holes on the three exterior sides indicate their + purposes, both for look-out and for exhibiting a light seawards.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Long after, and + indeed almost down to our days, fire-beacons were far more common on + exposed parts of our coasts than lighthouses. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The first idea of a lighthouse,”</span> said Faraday, + <span class="tei tei-q">“is the candle in the cottage window, guiding + the husband across the water or the pathless moor.”</span> Lambarde + says of the lights shown along the coast that, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Before the time of Edward III., they were made of great + stacks of wood; but about the eleventh yeere of his raigne it was + ordained that in our shyre (Kent) they should be high standards with + their pitchpots.”</span> Such were long used.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lighthouses in + these days differ greatly in material and mode of construction. + Stone, brick, cast and wrought iron, and even wood, are used, + according to the necessities of the case, or the lacks of the special + locality where they are placed. In the case of some iron <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page159">[pg 159]</span><a name="Pg159" id="Pg159" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>lighthouses they are literally screwed + into the rock or hard ground. Seventy of this class of structures now + exist in the United States.</p><a name="illo_182.png" id= + "illo_182.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_182.png" alt="THE TOWER OF CORDOUAN" title= + "THE TOWER OF CORDOUAN." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE TOWER OF CORDOUAN. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the most + remarkable early lighthouses is the Tower of Cordouan, situated on a + ledge of rocks at the mouth of the Garonne, which empties into the + Bay of Biscay. It was commenced in 1584, and completed in 1610, by + Louis de Foix.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The ledge is about + 3,000 feet long and 1,500 feet broad, and is bare at low water. It is + surrounded by detached rocks, upon which the sea breaks with terrific + violence. There is but one place of access, which is a passage 300 + feet wide, where there are no rocks, and which leads to within 600 + feet of the tower. The tower was a circular cone, rising from its + rocky base to a height of 162 feet. It is now shorter. The apartments + of the tower are highly ornamented, consisting of four storeys, all + of different orders of architecture, and adorned with busts and + statues of Kings of France and heathen gods. The basement, or lower + storey, appears to have been intended as a store-room; the second + storey is called the <span class="tei tei-q">“King’s + apartments;”</span> the third is a chapel; and the fourth consists of + a dome supported by columns, a kind of lower lantern; above this was + originally a lantern formed of a stone dome and eight columns. In the + upper lantern a fire of oak wood was kept burning for about a hundred + years, when, in 1717, the fire having weakened the stone supports by + calcining them, the upper lantern was taken down, and the light was + kept up in the lower lantern. As it did not show well there, an iron + lantern was erected in 1727 above this, in the place of the old stone + lantern, and coal was then used for fuel instead of wood.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The following + history of the Eddystone is largely derived from one of Mr. Samuel + Smiles’ graphic and learned works.<a id="noteref_52" name= + "noteref_52" href="#note_52"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">52</span></span></a></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In 1696, Mr. Henry + Winstanley (a mercer and country gentleman), of Littlebury, in the + county of Essex, obtained the necessary powers to erect a lighthouse + on the Eddystone. That gentleman seems to have possessed a curious + mechanical genius, which first displayed itself in devising sundry + practical jokes for the entertainment of his guests. Smeaton tells us + that in one room there lay an old slipper, which, if a kick was given + it, immediately raised a ghost from the floor; in another the visitor + sat down upon a chair, which suddenly threw out two arms and held him + a fast prisoner; whilst, in the garden, if he sought the shelter of + an arbour, and sat down upon a particular seat, he was straightway + set afloat in the middle of the adjoining canal. These tricks must + have rendered the house at Littlebury a somewhat exciting residence + for the uninitiated guest. The amateur inventor exercised the same + genius, to a certain extent, for the entertainment of the inhabitants + of the metropolis, and at Hyde Park Corner he erected a variety of + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">jets + d’eau</span></span>, known by the name of Winstanley’s Waterworks, + which he exhibited at stated times at a shilling a head.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This whimsicality + of the man in some measure accounts for the oddity of the wooden + building erected by him on the Eddystone Rock; and it is matter of + surprise that it should have stood the severe weather of the English + Channel for several seasons. The building was begun in the year 1696, + and finished in four years. It must necessarily have been a work + attended with great difficulty as well as danger, as operations could + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page160">[pg 160]</span><a name="Pg160" + id="Pg160" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>only be carried on during fine + weather, when the sea was comparatively smooth. The first summer was + wholly spent in making twelve holes in the rock, and fastening twelve + irons in them, by which to hold fast the superstructure. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Even in summer,”</span> Winstanley says, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“the weather would at times prove so bad that for ten or + fourteen days together the sea would be so raging about these rocks, + caused by out-winds and the running of the ground seas coming from + the main ocean, that although the weather should seem and be most + calm in other places, yet here it would mount and fly more than two + hundred feet, as has been so found since there was lodgment on the + place, and therefore all our works were constantly buried at those + times, and exposed to the mercy of the seas.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The second summer + was spent in making a solid pillar, twelve feet high and fourteen + feet in diameter, on which to build the lighthouse. In the third year + all the upper work was erected to the vane, which was eighty feet + above the foundation. In the midsummer of that year Winstanley + ventured to take up his lodging with the workmen in the lighthouse; + but a storm arose, and eleven days passed before any boats could come + near them. During that period the sea washed in upon Winstanley and + his companions, wetting all their clothing and provisions, and + carrying off many of their materials. By the time the boats could + land, the party were reduced almost to their last crust; but, + happily, the building stood, apparently firm. Finally, the light was + exhibited on the summit of the building, on the 14th of November, + 1698.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The fourth year + was occupied in strengthening the building round the foundations, + making all solid nearly to a height of twenty feet, and also in + raising the upper part of the lighthouse forty feet, to keep it well + out of the wash of the sea. This timber erection, when finished, + somewhat resembled a Chinese pagoda, with open galleries and numerous + fantastic projections. The main gallery, under the light, was so wide + and open that an old gentleman who remembered both Winstanley and his + lighthouse, afterwards told Smeaton that it was possible for a + six-oared boat to be lifted up on a wave and driven clear through the + open gallery into the sea on the other side. In the perspective print + of the lighthouse, published by the architect after its erection, he + complacently represented himself as fishing out of the kitchen + window!</p><a name="illo_188.png" id="illo_188.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_188.png" alt="WINSTANLEY’S LIGHTHOUSE" title= + "WINSTANLEY’S LIGHTHOUSE." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + WINSTANLEY’S LIGHTHOUSE. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Winstanley + had brought his work to completion, he is said to have expressed + himself so satisfied as to its strength that he only wished he might + be there in the fiercest storm that ever blew. In this wish he was + not disappointed, though the result was the reverse entirely of the + builder’s anticipations. In November, 1703, Winstanley went off to + the lighthouse to superintend some repairs which had become + necessary, and he was still in the place with the light-keepers, + when, on the night of the 26th, a storm of unparalleled fury burst + along the coast. As day broke on the morning of the 27th, people on + shore anxiously looked in the direction of the rock to see if + Winstanley’s structure had withstood the fury of the gale, but not a + vestige of it remained. The lighthouse and its builder had been swept + completely away.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The building had, + in fact, been deficient in every element of stability, and its form + was such as to render it peculiarly liable to damage from the + violence both of wind and water. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Nevertheless,”</span> as Smeaton generously observes, + <span class="tei tei-q">“it was no small degree of heroic merit in + Winstanley to undertake a piece of work which had before <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page161">[pg 161]</span><a name="Pg161" id="Pg161" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>been deemed impracticable, and, by the + success which attended his endeavours, to show mankind that the + erection of such a work was not in itself a thing of that + kind.”</span> He may, indeed, be said to have paved the way for the + more successful enterprise of Smeaton himself; and its failure was + not without its influence in inducing that great mechanic to exercise + the care which he did, in devising a structure that should withstand + the most violent sea on the south coast. Shortly after Winstanley’s + lighthouse had been swept away, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Winchelsea</span></span>, a richly laden + homeward-bound Virginian, was wrecked on the Eddystone Rock, and + almost every soul on board perished; so that the erection of a + lighthouse upon the dangerous reef remained as much a necessity as + ever.</p><a name="illo_188b.png" id="illo_188b.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_188b.png" alt="RUDYERD’S LIGHTHOUSE" title= + "RUDYERD’S LIGHTHOUSE." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + RUDYERD’S LIGHTHOUSE. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Smiles + graphically describes the coming architect of the period. He did not, + however, come from the class of architects or builders, or even of + mechanics; and as for the class of engineers, it had not even yet + sprung into existence. The projector of the next lighthouse for the + Eddystone was again a London mercer, who kept a silk shop on Ludgate + Hill. John Rudyerd—for such was his name—was, however, a man of + unquestionable genius, and possessed of much force of character. He + was the son of a Cornish labourer, whom nobody would employ—his + character was so bad; and the rest of the family were no better, + being looked upon in their neighbourhood as <span class= + "tei tei-q">“a worthless set of ragged <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page162">[pg 162]</span><a name="Pg162" id="Pg162" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>beggars.”</span> John seems to have been the one + sound chick in the whole brood. He had a naturally clear head and + honest heart, and succeeded in withstanding the bad example of his + family. When his brothers went out pilfering, he refused to accompany + them, and hence they regarded him as sullen and obstinate. They + ill-used him, and he ran away. Fortunately he succeeded in getting + into the service of a gentleman at Plymouth, who saw something + promising in his appearance. The boy conducted himself so well in the + capacity of a servant, that he was allowed to learn reading, writing, + and accounts; and he proved so quick and intelligent, that his kind + master eventually placed him in a situation where his talents could + have better scope for exercise than in his service, and he succeeded + in thus laying the foundation of the young man’s success in life.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We are not + informed of the steps by which Rudyerd marked his way upward, until + we find him called from his silk-mercer’s shop to undertake the + rebuilding of the Eddystone Lighthouse. But it is probable that by + this time he had become well known for his mechanical skill in + design, if not in construction, as well as for his thoroughly + practical and reliable character as a man of business; and that for + these reasons, amongst others, he was selected to conduct this + difficult and responsible undertaking.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After the lapse of + about three years from the destruction of Winstanley’s fabric, the + Brothers of the Trinity, in 1706, obtained an Act of Parliament + enabling them to rebuild the lighthouse, with power to grant a lease + to the undertaker. It was taken by one Captain Lovet for a period of + ninety-nine years, and he it was that found out and employed Rudyerd. + His design of the new structure was simple but masterly. He selected + the form that offered the least possible resistance to the force of + the winds and the waves, avoiding the open galleries and projections + of his predecessor. Instead of a polygon he chose a cone for the + outline of his building, and he carried up the elevation in that + form. In the practical execution of the work he was assisted by two + shipwrights from the king’s yard at Woolwich, who worked with him + during the whole time he was occupied in the erection.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The main defect of + the lighthouse consisted of the faultiness of the material of which + it was built; for, like Winstanley’s, it was of wood. The means + employed to fix the work to its foundation proved quite efficient; + dove-tailed holes were cut out of the rock, into which strong iron + bolts or branches were keyed, and the interstices were afterwards + filled with molten pewter. To these branches were firmly fixed a + crown of squared oak balks, across these a set of shorter balks, and + so on till a basement of solid wood was raised, the whole being + firmly fitted and tied together with tre-nails and screw-bolts. At + the same time, to increase the weight and vertical pressure of the + building, and thereby present a greater resistance to any disturbing + forces, Rudyerd introduced numerous courses of Cornish moorstone, as + well jointed as possible, and cramped with iron. It is not necessary + to follow the details of the construction further than to state that + outside the solid timber and stone courses strong upright timbers + were fixed, and carried up as the work proceeded, binding the whole + firmly together. Within these upright timbers the rooms of the + lighthouse were formed, the floor of the lowest—the store-room—being + situated twenty-seven feet above the highest side of the rock. The + upper part of the building comprehended four rooms, one above + another, chiefly formed by the upright outside timbers, scarfed—that + is, the ends overlapping, and firmly fastened together. The whole + building was, indeed, an <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page163">[pg + 163]</span><a name="Pg163" id="Pg163" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>admirable piece of ship-carpentry, excepting + only the moorstone, which was merely introduced, as it were, by way + of ballast. The outer timbers were tightly caulked with oakum, like a + ship, and the whole was payed over with pitch. Upon the roof of the + main column Rudyerd fixed his lantern, which was lit by candles, + seventy feet above the highest side of the foundation, which was of a + sloping form. From its lowest side to the summit of the ball fixed on + the top of the building was ninety-two feet, the timber column + resting on a base of twenty-three feet four inches. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The whole building,”</span> says Smeaton, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“consisted of a simple figure, being an elegant frustum + of a cone, unbroken by any projecting ornaments, or anything whereon + the violence of the storm could lay hold.”</span> The structure was + completely finished in 1709, though the light was exhibited in the + lantern as early as the 28th of July, 1706.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That the building + erected by Rudyerd was, on the whole, well adapted for the purpose + for which it was intended, was proved by the fact that it served as a + lighthouse for ships navigating the English Channel for nearly fifty + years. The lighthouse was at first attended by only two men. It + happened, however, that one of the keepers was taken ill and died, + and only one man remained to do the work. He signalled for + assistance, but the weather prevented any boat from reaching the rock + for nearly a month. What, then, was the surviving man to do with the + dead body of his comrade? The thought struck him that if he threw it + into the sea, he might be charged with murder. He determined, + therefore, to keep the corpse in the lighthouse until a boat should + come off from the shore. At last a boat came off, but the weather was + still so rough that a landing was only effected with the greatest + difficulty. By this time the effluvia from the corpse was + overpowering; it filled the apartments of the lighthouse, and the men + were compelled to dispose of the body by throwing it into the sea. In + future three men were always employed.</p><a name="illo_186.jpg" id= + "illo_186.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_186.jpg" alt= + "DESTRUCTION OF RUDYERD’S LIGHTHOUSE" title= + "DESTRUCTION OF RUDYERD’S LIGHTHOUSE." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + DESTRUCTION OF RUDYERD’S LIGHTHOUSE. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The chief defect + of Rudyerd’s building consisted of the material of which it was + constructed; the necessary lights and heat proceeding from them made + it a very dangerous structure. <span class="tei tei-q">“The immediate + cause of the accident by which the lighthouse was destroyed was never + ascertained. All that became known was, that about two o’clock in the + morning of the 2nd December, 1755, the light-keeper on duty, going + into the lantern to snuff the candles, found it full of smoke. The + lighthouse was on fire! In a few minutes the wooden fabric was in a + blaze. Water could not be brought up the tower by the men in + sufficient quantities to be thrown with any effect upon the flames + raging above their heads; the molten lead fell down upon the + light-keepers, into their very mouths,<a id="noteref_53" name= + "noteref_53" href="#note_53"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">53</span></span></a> and they + fled from room to room, the fire following them down towards the sea. + From Cawsand and Rame Head the unusual glare of light proceeding from + the Eddystone was seen in the early morning, and fishing-boats, with + men, went off to the rock, though a fresh east wind was blowing. By + the time they reached it, the light-keepers had not only been driven + from all the rooms, but, to protect themselves from the molten lead + and red-hot bolts and falling timbers, they had been compelled to + take shelter under a ledge of the rock on its eastern side, and after + considerable delay the poor fellows were <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page164">[pg 164]</span><a name="Pg164" id="Pg164" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>taken off, more dead than alive. And thus was + Rudyerd’s lighthouse also completely destroyed.”</span> The Eddystone + rocks being in such an exposed place, right in the way of so much + shipping, it was resolved at once to rebuild the lighthouse.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Previous to the + date of the destruction of Rudyerd’s timber building, Captain Lovet, + the former lessee of the lighthouse, had died, and his interest in it + had been acquired by Mr. Robert Weston and two others. Weston + immediately applied to the Earl of Macclesfield, President of the + Royal Society, who strongly recommended John Smeaton, then away in + the north. Weston immediately wrote to him, but Smeaton, thinking + apparently that it only referred to some repairs required in the + building, declined to come up, unless there was to be some degree of + permanency in his engagement. The answer he received was to the + effect that the building was no more; that it must be rebuilt; and + concluded with the words, <span class="tei tei-q">“thou art the man + to do it.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The life of + Smeaton is one of the most interesting to be found among <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The Lives of the Engineers.”</span> He was born near + Leeds, on the 8th of June, 1724, his father being a respectable + attorney, and he received an excellent education. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Young Smeaton,”</span> says Mr. Smiles, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“was not much given to boyish sports, early displaying a + thoughtfulness beyond his years. Most children are naturally fond of + building up miniature fabrics, and perhaps still more so of pulling + them down. But the little Smeaton seemed to have a more than ordinary + love of contrivance, and that mainly for its own sake. He was never + so happy as when put in possession of any cutting tool, by which he + could make his little imitations of houses, pumps, and windmills. + Even whilst a boy in petticoats, he was continually drawing circles + and squares, and the only playthings in which he seemed to take any + real pleasure were his models of things that would <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘work.’</span> When any carpenters or masons were + employed in the neighbourhood of his father’s house, the inquisitive + boy was sure to be among them, watching the men, observing how they + handled their tools, and frequently asking them questions. His + life-long friend, Mr. Holmes, who knew him in his youth, has related, + that having one day observed some millwrights at work, shortly after, + to the great alarm of his family, he was seen fixing something like a + windmill on the top of his father’s barn. On another occasion, when + watching some workmen fixing a pump in the village, he was so lucky + as to procure from them a piece of bored pipe, which he succeeded in + fashioning into a working pump that actually raised water. His odd + cleverness, however, does not seem to have been appreciated; and it + is told of him that amongst other boys he was known as <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Fooly Smeaton,’</span> for though forward enough in + putting questions to the workpeople, amongst boys of his own age he + was remarkably shy, and, as they thought, stupid.”</span> He made + great progress at the Leeds Grammar School in geometry and + arithmetic, still carrying on his mechanical studies at home. It + happened one day that some mechanics came into the neighbourhood to + erect a <span class="tei tei-q">“fire-engine,”</span> as the + steam-engine was then called, for pumping water from the Garforth + coal mines. Smeaton watched their operations, and thereupon commenced + the erection of a miniature engine at home, provided with pumps and + other apparatus, which he succeeded in getting to work before the + colliery engine was ready. He immediately set it to work on one of + his father’s fish-ponds, which he succeeded in pumping completely + dry, killing all the fish, much to his father’s annoyance. By the + time he had arrived at his fifteenth year, he had contrived to make a + turning-lathe, on <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page165">[pg + 165]</span><a name="Pg165" id="Pg165" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>which he turned wood and ivory, making little + presents of boxes and other articles for his friends. His father had + destined young Smeaton for the law, but at last consented to his + son’s wish to become a mathematical instrument maker. The son came to + London, and was soon enabled to earn enough for his own maintenance. + He did not, however, live a mere workman’s life, but frequented the + society of educated men, and was a regular attendant at the meetings + of the Royal Society. We find him at the age of twenty-six reading + papers before that most learned society. He had already attempted + improvements in the mariner’s compass; had invented a machine for + measuring the amount of <span class="tei tei-q">“way”</span> on a + ship at sea; and designed improvements in the air-pump, in ships’ + tackle, and in water and wind-mills. He had already acquired an + honourable reputation as a scientific engineer when the question of + rebuilding the Eddystone Lighthouse arose.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This afforded + Smeaton a grand opening for advancement, and as soon as some + preliminaries were arranged, he came to town, where he studied the + subject in its entirety. He soon came to the conclusion that stone + was the only material to employ in the construction of a lighthouse, + contrary to the opinion of the Brethren of the Trinity House, who had + faith in wood, and that only. He also devised a system of + dovetailing, then scarcely known in masonry, though common enough in + carpentry. All these investigations were made before Smeaton had even + paid a visit to the exposed site on which the lighthouse was to be + built. It was not till March, 1756, that he set out from London to + Plymouth, a journey which occupied him six days, on account of the + badness of the roads. At Plymouth he met Josias Jessop, to whom he + had been referred for information as to the previous lighthouse. + Jessop was then a foreman of shipwrights in the dockyard, and a + first-class draughtsman, full of ingenuity and mechanical knowledge. + Smeaton was very anxious to go out to the rocks at once; but the sea + was so heavy that no opportunity occurred till the 2nd of April, when + they were able to reach them. The sea was breaking over the + landing-place with such violence that there was no possibility of + landing. All that the enthusiastic engineer could do was to view the + cone of bare rock—the mere crest of the mountain whose base was laid + so far in the sea-deeps beneath. Three days later another voyage was + made, and he was enabled to land on the site of his future triumph. + He stayed there more than two hours, when he was compelled by the + roughness of the sea to leave the rock. Several subsequent trials + were unsuccessful. On the 22nd of the same month, after a lapse of + seventeen days, Smeaton was able to effect his second landing at low + water. After a further inspection, the party retreated to their + sloop, which lay off until the tide had fallen, when Smeaton again + landed, and the night being perfectly still, he says, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I went on with my business till nine in the evening, + having worked an hour by candlelight.”</span> The following day he + again landed, and pursued his operations until interrupted by the + ground-swell, which sent the surf and waves high upon the reef, and + the wind rising, the sloop was forced to put for Plymouth. This is, + as we shall see, but a sample of the difficulties attending the + actual construction of the tower. Lord Ellesmere said of him that + <span class="tei tei-q">“bloody battles had been won, and campaigns + conducted to a successful issue, with less of personal exposure to + physical danger on the part of the commander-in-chief, than was + constantly encountered by Smeaton during the greater part of those + years in which the lighthouse was in course of erection. In all works + of <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page166">[pg 166]</span><a name= + "Pg166" id="Pg166" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>danger he himself led + the way—was the first to spring upon the rock and the last to leave + it; and by his own example he inspired with courage the humble + workmen engaged in carrying out his plans; who, like himself, were + unaccustomed to the special terrors of the scene.”</span><a id= + "noteref_54" name="noteref_54" href="#note_54"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">54</span></span></a></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On his return to + town, after several other visits, when he arranged for the formation + of a better landing-place, he made his report to the proprietors, and + was fully authorised to proceed with the design. He accordingly + proceeded to make a careful model of the lighthouse as he intended it + to be built. This having been approved by the proprietors and by the + Lords of the Admiralty, the engineer set out for Plymouth, arranging + at Dorchester, on his way, for a supply of Portland stone, of which + it was finally determined that the lighthouse should be mainly + constructed. Artificers and foremen were engaged; vessels provided + for the transport of men and material, and Mr. Jessop was appointed + general assistant, or as it is now termed, Resident Engineer. Mr. + Smeaton fixed the centre, and laid down the lines on the afternoon of + the 3rd of August, 1756, and from that time the work proceeded, + though with many interruptions from bad weather and heavy seas. At + best, six hours’ work was all that could be performed at one time, + and when it was possible the men worked by torchlight. One principal + object of the first season was to get the dovetail recesses cut out + of the rock for the reception of the foundation-stones. The + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Neptune</span></span> buss was employed as a + store-ship, and rode at anchor a convenient distance from the rock in + about twenty fathoms of water. For many days the men could not land + from her, and even had they been able to do so, must have been washed + off the rock, unless lashed to it. At such times the provisions ran + short, no boat being able to come off from Plymouth. Towards the end + of October, the yawl riding at the stern of the buss broke loose by + stress of weather and was lost. Smeaton was very anxious to finish + the boring of the foundation-holes during that season, and the men + still persevered when the weather gave the slightest chance, although + sometimes only able to labour two hours out of the twenty-four.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the completion + of the work at the end of November, the party prepared to return to + the yard on shore. The voyage proved most dangerous. Not being able, + in consequence of the gale that was blowing, to make Plymouth + Harbour, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Neptune</span></span> was steered for Fowey, on + the coast of Cornwall. The wind rose higher and higher, until it blew + quite a storm; and in the night, Mr. Smeaton, hearing a sudden alarm + and clamour amongst the crew overhead, ran upon deck in his shirt to + ascertain the cause. It was raining hard, and quite a hurricane was + raging. <span class="tei tei-q">“It being dark,”</span> he says, + <span class="tei tei-q">“the first thing I saw was the horrible + appearance of breakers almost surrounding us; John Bowden, one of the + seamen, crying out, <span class="tei tei-q">‘For God’s sake, heave + hard at that rope if you mean to save your lives!’</span> I + immediately laid hold of the rope at which he himself was hauling as + well as the other seamen, though he was also managing the helm. I not + only hauled with all my strength, but called to and encouraged the + workmen to do the same thing.”</span> Their sails were carried away + or torn to ribbons, while the sea could be heard beating on the + rocks, though nothing of the coast could be seen. Fortunately the + vessel obeyed her helm, and they put to sea again. At daybreak they + found themselves out of sight of land, and <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page167">[pg 167]</span><a name="Pg167" id="Pg167" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>driving for the Bay of Biscay. Wearing ship, + they stood once more for the coast, and before night sighted the + Land’s End. Finally, after having been blown to sea for four days, + they came to anchor in Plymouth Sound, much to their own joy and that + of their friends.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Winter was very + fully occupied in dressing stones at the yards ashore for next + season’s work. Mr. Smeaton himself laid all the lines on the workshop + floor in chalk, in order to insure the greatest possible accuracy in + fitting. Nearly 450 tons of stone were thus dressed by the time the + weather was sufficiently favourable to continue operations on the + rock. During one of his visits to the quarries, a severe storm of + thunder and lightning occurred, by which the spire of Lostwithiel + Church was shattered, and this turned his attention to the necessity + of protecting his lighthouse in some way from the similar danger to + which it would be exposed. Franklin had just before published his + mode of protecting tall buildings by conductors, and Smeaton decided + to adopt his plan. The work of building fairly commenced in the + summer of 1757, the first stone, of two and a quarter tons weight, + being in its place on the morning of Sunday, the 12th of June. By the + evening of the following day the first course of four stones was + laid, these being all required from the sloping nature of the + Eddystone Rock. The actual diameter of the tower itself kept + increasing until it reached the upper level of the rock. Thus the + second course consisted of thirteen pieces, the third of twenty-five, + and so on. The workmen were sometimes interrupted by ground-swells + and heavy seas, which kept them off the rock for days together, but, + at length, on the sixth course being laid, it was found that the + building had been raised above the average wash of the sea, and + thenceforward the progress of the work was much more rapid. The + stones, when brought off from the vessels, were all landed in their + proper order, and everything was done to facilitate the rapid + progress of the work. Smeaton superintended the construction of + nearly the whole building, and was ever foremost in the post of + danger. Whilst working at the rock on one occasion, an accident + occurred which might well have proved more serious in its results. + <span class="tei tei-q">“The men were about to lay the centre stone + of the seventh course, on the evening of the 11th of August, when Mr. + Smeaton was enjoying the limited promenade afforded by the level + platform of stone which had, with so much difficulty, been raised; + but, making a false step into one of the cavities made for the + joggles, and being unable to recover his balance, he fell from the + brink of the work down among the rocks on the west side. The tide + being low at the time, he speedily got upon his feet, and at first + supposed himself little hurt, but shortly after he found that one of + his thumbs had been put out of joint. He reflected that he was + fourteen miles from land, far from a surgeon, and that uncertain + winds and waves lay between. He therefore determined to reduce the + dislocation at once; and, laying fast hold of the thumb with his + other hand, and giving it a violent pull, it snapped into its place + again, after which he proceeded to fix the centre stone of the + building.”</span> The work now proceeded steadily, occasional damage + being done by the heavy seas washing over the stones, tools, and + materials.</p><a name="illo_195.jpg" id="illo_195.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_195.jpg" alt="THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE" + title="THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The following + winter was very tempestuous, and the floating light-ship, stationed + about two miles from the rock, was driven from its moorings, though + it eventually reached harbour in safety. It was the 12th of May + before Smeaton, anxious to see how his tower <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page169">[pg 169]</span><a name="Pg169" id="Pg169" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>had stood the winter storms, could land on the + rock. He was delighted to find that the entire work remained intact, + as he had left it. At the end of this season, the twenty-ninth course + of stones had been laid, and the apartments of the lighthouse-keepers + commenced. While living at Plymouth, Smeaton used to come out upon + the Hoe<a id="noteref_55" name="noteref_55" href= + "#note_55"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">55</span></span></a> with his + telescope and, from the spot where the Spanish Armada was first + descried making for the English coast, peer out towards the rocks on + one of which his lighthouse stood. <span class="tei tei-q">“There + were still many who persisted in asserting that no building erected + of stone could possibly stand upon the Eddystone; and again and again + the engineer, in the dim grey of the morning, would come out and peer + through his telescope at his deep-sea lamp-post. Sometimes he had to + wait long, until he could see a tall white pillar of spray shoot up + into the air. Thank God! it was still safe. Then, as the light grew, + he could discern his building, temporary house and all, standing firm + amidst the waters; and, thus far satisfied, he could proceed to his + workshops, his mind relieved for the day.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The winter + following the third season was spent by Smeaton in London, where he + made the designs for the cast and wrought iron and copper works of + the lantern, the glass, and rails of the balcony, which were carried + out under his own eye. The ensuing season proved so stormy that it + was the 5th of July before a landing could again be made on the rock, + but from this point the work proceeded with such rapidity that in + thirteen days two entire rooms were erected, and by the 17th of + August the last pieces of the corona were set, and the forty-sixth + and last course of masonry laid, bringing the tower to its specified + height of seventy feet. <span class="tei tei-q">“The last mason’s + work done was the cutting out of the words <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Laus Deo</span></span>’</span> upon the last + stone set over the door of the lantern. Round the upper store-room + upon the course under the ceiling, had been cut, at an earlier + period, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Except the Lord build the house, + they labour in vain that build it.’</span> The iron-work of the + balcony and the lantern were next erected, and, over all, the gilt + ball, the screws of which Smeaton fixed with his own hands, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘that in case,’</span> he says, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘any of them had not held quite tight and firm, the + circumstance might not have been slipped over without my + knowledge.’</span> Moreover, this piece of work was dangerous as well + as delicate, being performed at a height of some hundred and twenty + feet above the sea. Smeaton fixed the screws while standing on four + boards nailed together, resting on the cupola; his assistant, Roger + Cornthwaite, placing himself on the opposite side, so as to balance + his weight whilst he proceeded with the operation. Smeaton worked + with the men in fitting the lantern and interior arrangements. The + light was first exhibited on the night of the 16th of October, 1759. + About three years after its completion, one of the most terrible + storms ever known raged for days along the south-west coast; and + though incalculable ruin was inflicted upon harbours and shipping by + the hurricane, all the damage done to the lighthouse was repaired by + a little gallipot of putty.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Whatever may be + the truth regarding the foundations of the Eddystone, the old + lighthouse has done good work for considerably over a century. + Sometimes when the sea rolls in with more than usual fury the + lighthouse is enveloped in spray, and when struck by a strong wave, + the central portion shoots up the perpendicular shaft and leaps quite + over <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page170">[pg 170]</span><a name= + "Pg170" id="Pg170" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the lantern, but soon + its brilliant light shines forth again, a warning and a guide to the + mariner. When a wave hurls itself upon the lighthouse, the report of + the shock is like a cannon, and a tremor passes through the building. + At first the lighthouse-keepers were afraid for their lives. The year + after the completion of the tower, a terrible storm raged, the sea + dashing over the lighthouse so that those inside dare not open the + lantern door, nor any other, for even an instant. A man who visited + the rock after some similar storm wrote to Mr. Jessop, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The house did shake as if a man had been up in a great + tree. The old men were almost frightened out of their lives, wishing + they had never seen the place, and cursing those that first persuaded + them to go there. The fear seized them in the back, but rubbing them + with oil of turpentine gave them relief.”</span> The men, however, + soon became used to the life; and Smeaton mentions the case of one of + them who was even accustomed to give up to his companions his turn + for going on shore.</p><a name="illo_197.png" id="illo_197.png" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_197.png" alt="PORTRAIT OF SMEATON" title= + "PORTRAIT OF SMEATON." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + PORTRAIT OF SMEATON. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Many a heart,”</span> says Mr. Smiles, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“has leapt with gladness at the cry of <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘The Eddystone in sight!’</span> sung out from the + maintop. Homeward-bound ships, from far-off ports, no longer avoid + the dreaded rock, but eagerly run for its light as the harbinger of + safety. It might even seem as if Providence had placed the reef so + far out at sea as the foundation for a beacon such as this, leaving + it to man’s skill and labour to finish His work. On entering the + English Channel from the west and the south, the cautious navigator + feels <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page171">[pg 171]</span><a name= + "Pg171" id="Pg171" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>his way by early + soundings on the great bank which extends from the Channel into the + Atlantic, and these are repeated at fixed intervals until land is in + sight. Every fathom nearer shore increases a ship’s risks, especially + on dark nights. The men are on the look-out, peering anxiously into + the dark, straining the eye to catch the glimmer of a light, and when + it is known that <span class="tei tei-q">‘the Eddystone is in + sight!’</span> a thrill runs through the ship, which can only be + appreciated by those who have felt or witnessed it after long months + of weary voyaging.</span></p><a name="illo_198.jpg" id="illo_198.jpg" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_198.jpg" alt= + "INTERIOR OF THE LIGHT-CHAMBER OF THE EDDYSTONE" title= + "INTERIOR OF THE LIGHT-CHAMBER OF THE EDDYSTONE." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + INTERIOR OF THE LIGHT-CHAMBER OF THE EDDYSTONE. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“By means of similar lights, of different arrangements + and of various colours, fixed and revolving, erected upon rocks, + islands, and headlands, the British Channel is now lit up along its + whole extent, and is as safe to navigate in the darkest night as in + the brightest <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page172">[pg + 172]</span><a name="Pg172" id="Pg172" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>sunshine. The chief danger is from fogs which + alike hide the lights by night and the land by day. Some of the + homeward-bound ships entering the Channel from North American ports + first make the St. Agnes Light, on the Scilly Isles, revolving once a + minute, at a height of 138 feet above high water. But most Atlantic + ships keep further south in consequence of the nature of the + soundings about the Scilly Isles; and hence they oftener make the + Lizard Lights first, which are visible about twenty miles + off.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“From this point the coast retires, and in the bend lie + Falmouth (with a revolving light on St. Anthony’s Point), Fowey, the + Looes, and Plymouth Sound and Harbour; the coast line again trending + southward until it juts out into the sea, in the bold craggy bluffs + of Bolt Head and Start Point, on the last of which is another house + with two lights—one, revolving, for the Channel, and another, fixed, + to direct vessels inshore clear of the Skerries Shoal. But between + the Lizard and Start Point, which form the two extremities of this + bend in the land of Cornwall and Devonshire, there lies the Eddystone + Rock and Lighthouse, standing fourteen miles out from the shore, + almost directly in front of Plymouth Sound and in the line of + coasting vessels steaming or beating up Channel.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“On the south are seen the three Croquet Lights on the + Jersey side; and on the north the two fixed lights on Portland Bill. + The west is St. Catherine’s, a brilliant fixed light on the extreme + south point of the Isle of Wight. Next are the lights exhibited on + the Nab, and then the single fixed light exhibited on the Ower + vessel. Beachy Head, on the same line, exhibits a powerful revolving + light 285 feet above high water, its interval of greatest brilliancy + occurring every two minutes. Then comes Dungeness, exhibiting a fixed + red light of great power, situated at the extremity of the low point + of Dungeness beach. Next are seen Folkestone, and then Dover Harbour + Lights, whilst on the south are the flash light, recently stationed + on the Verne Bank; and further up Channel, on the French coast, is + seen the brilliant revolving light on Cape Grisnez. The Channel is + passed with the two South Foreland Lights, one higher than the other, + on the left; and the Downs are entered with the South Sandhead + floating light on the right; and when the Gull and the North Sandhead + floating lights have been passed on the one hand, and North Foreland + on the other, then the Tongue, the Prince’s Channel, and the Girdler + are passed.”</span> The Nore Light passed, the navigation of the + Thames commences.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap11" id="chap11" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc25" id="toc25"></a> <a name="pdf26" id="pdf26"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XI.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">The + Lighthouse</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 120%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-style: italic">continued</span></span><span style="font-size: 120%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">The Bell Rock—The good Abbot of Arberbrothok—Ralph + the Rover—Rennie’s grand Lighthouse—Perils of the Work—Thirty-two Men + apparently doomed to Destruction—A New Form of Outward + Construction—Its successful Completion—The Skerryvore Lighthouse and + Alan Stevenson—Novel Barracks on the Rock—Swept Away in a Storm—The + Unshapely Seal and Unfortunate Cod—Half-starved Workmen—Out of + Tobacco—Difficulties of Landing the Stones—Visit of M. de Quatrefages + to Héhaux—Description of the Lighthouse Exterior—How it + Rocks—Practice</span> <span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">versus</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 90%">Theory—The Interior—A Parisian + Apartment at Sea.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Some eleven miles + eastward from the mainland of Scotland, near the entrances to the + Firths of Forth and Tay, lies an extensive ledge of very dangerous + rocks, nearly two miles in length. This sunken reef was a source of + much peril to the unfortunate sailors <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page173">[pg 173]</span><a name="Pg173" id="Pg173" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>driven too near its nearly hidden dangers, and + early in the fourteenth century the Abbot of Arbroath, or + Arberbrothok, caused a bell to be placed upon the principal rock, so + that—</p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“When the Rock + was hid by the surge’s swell,</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + The mariners heard the warning bell; + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + And then they knew the perilous Rock, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And blessed the + Abbot of Arberbrothok.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Southey has, in + his ballad of <span class="tei tei-q">“The Inchcape Rock,”</span> + immortalised the tradition<a id="noteref_56" name="noteref_56" href= + "#note_56"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">56</span></span></a> that a + notorious pirate cut the bell from the rock—</p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Down sank the + bell with a gurgling sound,</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + The bubbles arose and burst around; + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Quoth Sir Ralph, ‘The next who comes to the Rock, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Won’t bless the + Abbot of <a name="corr173" id="corr173" class="tei tei-anchor" + style="text-align: left"></a><span class="tei tei-corr" style= + "text-align: left">Arberbrothok.</span>’”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And so the rover + sailed away, and grew rich with plundered store, till at length he + thought of Scotland once again, and turned his vessel’s head for + home. He approached her coasts in haze and fog, and knew he could not + be far from the rocky shore.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“They hear no + sound, the swell is strong;</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Though the wind hath fallen they drift along, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Till the vessel strikes with a shivering shock,— + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + ‘Oh, Christ! it is the Inchcape Rock!’ + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Sir Ralph the + Rover tore his hair;</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + He curst himself in his despair; + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + The waves rush in on every side, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The ship is + sinking beneath the tide.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nothing was done + to replace the bell or set a beacon on the reef until the beginning + of the present century, when, after many plans had been discussed, + John Rennie was ordered by the Board of Commissioners to examine the + site and report on the subject generally. He recommended a + substantial stone lighthouse, similar to that on the Eddystone. + Although the Inchcape Rock was not so long uncovered by the tide as + the former, after a few courses had been laid, there would be no + greater delay in completing the building. The Commissioners obtained + from Parliament the requisite powers in 1806; Rennie was appointed + engineer, with Robert Stevenson as assistant engineer.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The whole of the + year 1807 was occupied in constructing the necessary vessels for + conveying the stones, and in erecting suitable machinery and building + shops at Arbroath, which was fixed upon as the most convenient point + on the coast for carrying on the land operations. Some progress was + made on the rock itself, where a smith’s forge was erected and a + temporary beacon raised, while a floating light, fitted up on an old + fishing-boat, was anchored near the reef until the lighthouse could + be completed. During the short <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page174">[pg 174]</span><a name="Pg174" id="Pg174" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>period in which the rocks were uncovered or + unexposed to the fury of the waves, some progress was made with the + excavations for the foundations. The dangerous nature of the + employment may be illustrated by the following brief account of an + accident which happened to the workmen on the 2nd of September, + before the excavation for the first course of stones had been + completed. An additional number of masons had that morning come off + from Arbroath in the tender named the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Smeaton</span></span>, in honour of the engineer + of the Eddystone, and had landed them safely on the rock. The vessel + rode off at some distance. The wind rising, the men began to be + uneasy as to the security of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Smeaton’s</span></span> cables, and a party went + off in a boat to examine whether she was secure, but before they + could reach the vessel’s side they found she had already gone adrift, + leaving the greater part of the men upon the reef in the face of a + rising tide.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By the time the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Smeaton’s</span></span> crew had got her + mainsail set, and made a tack towards their companions, she had + drifted about three miles to leeward, with both wind and tide against + her, and it was clear that she could not possibly make the rock until + long after it had been completely covered. There were thirty-two men + in all on the rock, provided with but two boats, capable of carrying + only twenty-four persons in fine weather. Mr. Stevenson seems to have + behaved with great coolness and presence of mind; though he + afterwards confessed that of the two feelings of hope and despair the + latter largely predominated. Fully persuaded of the perils of the + situation, he kept his fears to himself, and allowed the men to + continue their occupations of boring and excavating.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“After working for about three hours, the water began to + rise along the lower parts of the foundations, and the men were + compelled to desist. The forge-fire became extinguished; the smith + ceased from hammering at the anvil, and the masons from hewing and + boring; and when they took up their tools to depart, and looked + around, their vessel was not to be seen, and the third of their boats + had gone after the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Smeaton</span></span>, which was drifting away + in the distance! Not a word was uttered, but the danger of their + position was comprehended by all. They looked towards their master in + silence; but the anxiety which had been growing in his mind for some + time had now become so intense that he was speechless. When he + attempted to speak, he was so parched that his tongue refused + utterance. Turning to one of the pools on the rock, he lapped a + little water, which gave him relief, though it was salt; but what was + his happiness when, on raising his head, some one called out, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘A boat! a boat!’</span> and sure enough a + large boat was seen through the surge making for them. She proved to + be the Bell Rock pilot-boat, which had come off from Arbroath with + letters, and her timely arrival doubtless saved the lives of the + greater part of the workmen. They were all taken off and landed in + safety, though completely drenched and exhausted.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rennie, + accompanied by one of his sons, visited the rock on the 5th of + October, 1807, the day before the works were suspended for the + winter. They came off from Arbroath, and stayed on board the + lighthouse-yacht all night, where Stevenson met him, and has recorded + the delightful conversations held on general and professional + matters. On the following morning Rennie landed, amidst great + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">éclat</span></span> and a display of all the + available colours, to inspect the progress made. The whole party, + workmen and all, returned to shore for the season that + day.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page175">[pg 175]</span><a name= + "Pg175" id="Pg175" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The preparation of + the stone blocks occupied next winter, and by the spring large + numbers were ready and were floated off. In May, 1808, the + excavations on the rock were continued, and on the 10th of July the + first stone was laid with considerable ceremony. By the last week of + November three courses of masonry had been laid. By the end of 1809 + the tower had been built to a height of thirty feet, and was almost + secure from the fury of the waves. <span class="tei tei-q">“In his + report to the commissioners he stated that he found that the form of + slope which he had adopted for the base of the tower, as well as the + curve of the building, fully answered his expectations—that they + presented comparatively small obstructions to the roll of the waves, + which played round the column with ease.”</span> The curve of this + tower at the base is much greater than that of the Eddystone. The + Bell Rock Lighthouse was completed by the end of 1810, and the light + was regularly exhibited after the 1st of February, 1811. Counting to + the top of the lantern, it is 127 feet high. It may here be remarked + that in many works the credit of designing and building this + lighthouse has been given to Robert Stevenson, the resident engineer. + Rennie, however, has the only rightful claim to be so considered; he + acted throughout as chief engineer, furnished the design down to the + pettiest details, settled the kind of stone and other materials to be + used, down even to the mortar and mode of mixing it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Another work of + great labour and difficulty was the erection of a lighthouse on the + Skerryvore Rocks, which lie twelve miles W.S.W. of the Isle of Tyree + in Argyllshire, and were formerly the scene of numerous wrecks. The + operations were commenced in 1838, the architect being Alan + Stevenson, son of the Robert Stevenson who was employed on the Bell + Rock Lighthouse. The engineer gave the world a succinct account<a id= + "noteref_57" name="noteref_57" href="#note_57"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">57</span></span></a> of the + difficulties, dangers, and successful issue of the + undertaking.</p><a name="illo_203.png" id="illo_203.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_203.png" alt= + "LIGHTHOUSE ON THE INCHCAPE ROCK" title= + "LIGHTHOUSE ON THE INCHCAPE ROCK." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + LIGHTHOUSE ON THE INCHCAPE ROCK. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The actual + construction of the lighthouse had no very remarkable points of + difference with the works of Smeaton or Rennie. Stevenson built a + rather novel structure on the rock as a temporary barrack for the + workmen. It consisted of a wooden tower perched upon a triangular + framework, under which was an open gallery, the floor of which was + removed at the end of each season, so as to allow free space for the + passage of the sea during the storms of winter, but on which, during + summer, they kept the stock of coals, the tool-chest, the beef and + beer casks, and other smaller material, which they could not, even at + that season of the year, leave on the rock itself. Next came the + kitchen and provision-store, a six-sided apartment about twelve feet + in diameter, and somewhat more than seven feet high, in which small + space—curtailed as it was by the seven beams which passed through + it—stood a caboose, capable of cooking for forty men, and various + cupboards and lockers lined with tin, for holding biscuits, meal and + flour, &c. The next storey held two apartments: one for Mr. + Stevenson, in which he had his hammock, desk, chair and table, books + and instruments. The top storey was surmounted by a pyramidal roof, + and was lined with four tiers of berths, capable of accommodating + thirty people. The framework was erected on a part of the rock as far + removed as possible from the proposed foundation of the lighthouse + tower; but in a great gale which occurred on the 3rd of November it + was entirely destroyed and swept from the rock, nothing remaining to + point out its site but a <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page176">[pg + 176]</span><a name="Pg176" id="Pg176" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>few + broken and twisted iron stanchions, and attached to one of them a + piece of a beam, so shaken and rent by dashing against the rock as + literally to resemble a bunch of laths. Thus did one night obliterate + the traces of a season’s toil, and blast the hopes which the workmen + fondly cherished of a stable dwelling on the rock, and of refuge from + the miseries of sea-sickness, which the experience of the season had + taught many of them to dread more than death itself. A more + successful attempt was subsequently made, and the second erection + braved the storm for several years after the works were finished. + <span class="tei tei-q">“Perched forty feet above the wave-beaten + rock,”</span> says Stevenson, <span class="tei tei-q">“in this + singular abode, the writer of this little volume<a id="noteref_58" + name="noteref_58" href="#note_58"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">58</span></span></a> has + spent many a weary day and night at those times when the sea + prevented any one going down to the rock, anxiously looking for + supplies from the shore, and earnestly longing for a change of + weather favourable to the re-commencement of the works. For miles + around nothing could be seen but white foaming breakers, and nothing + heard but howling winds and lashing seas. At such seasons most of our + time was spent in bed; for there alone we had effectual shelter from + the winds and the spray, which searched every cranny in the walls of + the barrack. Our slumbers, too, were at times fearfully interrupted + by the sudden pouring of the sea over the roof, the rocking of the + house on its pillars, and the spirting of water through the seams of + the doors and windows: symptoms which, to one suddenly aroused from + sound sleep, recalled the appalling fate of the former barrack, which + had been engulfed in the foam not twenty yards from our dwelling, and + for a moment seemed to summon us to a similar fate. On two occasions, + in particular, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page177">[pg + 177]</span><a name="Pg177" id="Pg177" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>those sensations were so vivid as to cause + almost every one to spring out of bed; and some of the men flew from + the barrack by a temporary gangway to the more stable but less + comfortable shelter afforded by the bare wall of the lighthouse + tower, then unfinished, where they spent the remainder of the night + in the darkness and the cold.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Yet life on the + Skerryvore was by no means destitute of its peculiar pleasures. The + grandeur of the ocean’s rage, the deep murmur of the waves, the + hoarse cry of the sea-birds, were varied by peaceful hours, when the + sea was glassy and the deep blue vault of heaven was studded with a + thousand stars. <span class="tei tei-q">“Among the many wonders of + the <span class="tei tei-q">‘great deep,’</span> ”</span> says + Stevenson, <span class="tei tei-q">“which we witnessed at the + Skerryvore, not the least is the agility and power displayed by the + unshapely seal. I have often seen half a dozen of these animals round + the rock, playing on the surface or riding on the crests of curling + waves, come so close as to permit us to see their eyes and head, and + lead us to expect that they would be thrown <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">high and + dry</span></span> at the foot of the tower; when suddenly they + performed a somersault within a few feet of the rock, and diving into + the flaky and wreathing foam, disappeared, and as suddenly + re-appeared a hundred yards off, uttering a strange low <a name= + "corr177" id="corr177" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">cry.</span>”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On one occasion + the tender could not come off to the poor people on the rock for + seven weeks. The seamen passed a most dreary time. Their provisions + and fuel were short; their clothes were worn to rags; and, what was + to them of more importance still, they <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">were out of + tobacco</span></span>!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the great + difficulties experienced was landing the stones on the rock from the + lighters, which, towed out by a steamer, were cast off as near the + landing-place as possible and then towed in by boats. The landing + service throughout the whole progress of the works was one of danger + and anxiety, and many narrow escapes were made. On many occasions the + men who steered the lighters ran great risks, and it was often found + necessary to lash them to the rails, to prevent them being thrown + overboard by the sudden bounds of the vessels, or being carried away + by the weight of water which swept their decks as they were towed + through a heavy sea. Sometimes they were forced, owing to the heavy + seas which threatened to throw the vessels on the top of the rock, to + draw out the lighters from the wharf without landing a single stone, + after they had been towed through a stormy passage of thirteen miles. + One day, during the very best part of the season, so sudden were the + jerks of the vessel before the sea, that eight large warps, or + cables, were snapped like threads, and the lighter was carried + violently before a crested wave which rolled unexpectedly upon her. + Those who stood on deck were thrown flat on their faces, and imagined + that the vessel had been laid high and dry on the top of the rock. + Yet, in spite of the short season and great difficulties of the work, + no less than 120 lighters were towed out and discharged in the summer + and autumn of 1841. During the progress of building the lighthouse, + cranes and other materials were swept away by the waves, and daily + risks were run in blasting the splintery gneiss, or by the falling of + heavy bodies from the tower on the narrow space below, to which so + many persons were necessarily confined. Yet no loss of life or limb + occurred; and <span class="tei tei-q">“our remarkable preservation + was viewed,”</span> says Stevenson, <span class="tei tei-q">“as in a + peculiar manner the gracious work of Him by whom <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘the very hairs of our head are all + numbered.’</span> ”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The light was + first exhibited on the 1st of February, 1844. It is a revolving + apparatus, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page178">[pg + 178]</span><a name="Pg178" id="Pg178" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and + the light appears at its brightest state once in every minute. The + lantern is no less than 150 feet above the sea, and its flashes may + be seen from the deck of a vessel eighteen miles off. It is + frequently seen from the high land of Barra, distant thirty-eight + miles. The mass of stonework is double that of the Bell Rock + Lighthouse, and five times that of the Eddystone; it measures 58,580 + cubic feet. The Skerryvore Light-tower was erected at a cost of + £86,977 17s. 7d.</p><a name="illo_205.png" id="illo_205.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_205.png" alt="THE SKERRYVORE LIGHTHOUSE" + title="THE SKERRYVORE LIGHTHOUSE." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE SKERRYVORE LIGHTHOUSE. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The eminent French + naturalist, M. de Quatrefages, has given us an admirable + description<a id="noteref_59" name="noteref_59" href= + "#note_59"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">59</span></span></a> of a + visit paid by him to the lighthouse of Héhaux, on a rock near the + Isles of Bréhat, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page179">[pg + 179]</span><a name="Pg179" id="Pg179" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>off + the coast of Brittany. He says, after some very beautiful remarks on + the contemplation of nature, and its alleviation of the worst + heart-sorrows: <span class="tei tei-q">“Twilight often surprised me + in the midst of my reveries, and often, too, the shades of night fell + around me while I lay stretched beneath the star-bespangled deep + azure canopy of heaven. I could then see another star shining in the + far distance, which had been lighted by the hand of man. From the + position I had chosen I could recognise the beacon-towers of Héhaux, + of which the seamen of the islands had spoken to me with the + liveliest expressions of enthusiasm, and which I had frequently + watched by day as it stood out like a black line drawn along the + whitish background of the sky. I would not leave Bréhat without + visiting it. A few slight services had secured me the good-will of + the officers of customs, who willingly consented to take me to + Héhaux. Accordingly, one splendid day in October we left the harbour + of La Corderie in a pinnace, manned by six sturdy seamen. The weather + was splendid; not a cloud obscured the sky, which was reflected on + the mirror-like surface of the ocean, whose depths it seemed to + double. Impelled by the combined action of a light wind, which + swelled out two small square sails, and of the rapid current imparted + to the waters of Kerpont by the force of the tide, our pinnace shot + across the waves as a sledge glides over the snow. Sometimes, indeed, + we passed through a whirling eddy, which shook every part of our + frail craft, and betrayed the vicinity of some submarine rock; but we + soon regained the unruffled sea, and without having taken cognisance + of the rapid rate at which we were moving, we saw Bréhat sink below + the distant horizon behind us, whilst rock after rock and islet after + islet seemed at every moment to emerge from the waves towards which + we were advancing.... The nearer we drew to Héhaux the taller seemed + the beacon-tower, which stood forth from the tower, with its lofty + granite column and glass lantern, protected by that magical rod which + is able to attract and safely conduct to earth the destructive force + of the thunderbolt. We landed, and at once began our inspection of + this colossal block, which has been upreared by the hand of man on + the Epées de Tréguier, which, once the dread of the seaman, have + become his protecting guides through the storms and darkness of + night.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The Héhaux Lighthouse would be regarded as a most + remarkable monument even in our principal towns, but standing, as it + does, alone in the midst of the ocean, it acquires by its very + isolation a character of severe grandeur, which impresses the mind + most powerfully. Figure to yourself a wall of granite, where the + current and the storm do not even permit the hardiest ferns to take + root, with here and there a twisted and deeply wave-worn mass + projecting beyond the rest of the rocky ledge. It is here that the + architect has laid the foundation of the tower. The base, which is of + a conical form, is surmounted by a circular gallery. The lower + portion curves gracefully outwards, spreading over the ground like + the root of some colossal marine plant springing up from the + foundation stones, which have been inserted far within the rock. On + this base, which measures about twenty yards across, rises a column + twenty-six feet in diameter, surmounted by a second gallery, whose + supports and stone balustrades call to mind the portcullis and + battlements of some feudal donjon. From the summit to the base this + part of the edifice is composed of large blocks of whitish granite, + arranged in regular strata, and carefully dove-tailed into one + another. As far as a third of the height of the building the rows of + stones <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page180">[pg 180]</span><a name= + "Pg180" id="Pg180" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>are bound together by + granite joggles, which at the same time penetrate into the two + superposed stones. The stones have been cut and arranged with such + precision that there has been hardly any reason for using cement, + which has only been employed in filling up a few imperceptible voids: + and hence the lighthouse, from the base to the summit, seems to form + one solid block, which is more homogeneous and probably more compact + than the rocks which support it. The platform which crowns this + magnificent column, at an elevation of more than 140 feet above high + tide watermark, is surmounted by a stone cupola, at once solid and + graceful, supported by pillars which are separated by large panes of + glass. It is within this frame of glass that the beacon is lighted, + which may be distinctly seen from every direction at a distance of + twenty-seven miles.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“At low tide the sea leaves a space of several hundred + square yards uncovered round the base of the edifice; at high tide it + entirely surrounds it. It is then that the tower of Héhaux rises in + its solemn isolation from the midst of the waves, as if it were a + standard of defiance upraised by the genius of man against the demon + of the tempest. At times one might almost fancy that the heavens and + the sea, conscious of the outrage offered to them, were leagued + together against the enemy, which seems to brave them by its + imperturbability. The north-west wind roars round the tower, + darkening its thick glass windows with torrents of rain and drifts of + snow and hail. These impetuous blasts bear along with them from the + far-spread ocean colossal waves, whose crests not unfrequently reach + the first gallery, but these fluid masses slide away from the round + and polished surfaces of the granite, which leave them no points of + adhesion, and darting their long lines of foam above the cupola, they + break with thundering roar against the rocks of Stallio-Bras or the + boulders of Sillon. The tower supports these terrific assaults + without injury, although it bends, as if in homage, before the might + of its foes. I was assured by the keepers that during a violent storm + the oil in the lamps of the highest rooms presents a variation of + level exceeding an inch, which would lead us to assume that the + summit of the tower describes an arc of about a yard in extent. This + very flexibility seems, however, in itself a proof of durability. At + all events, we meet with similar conditions in several monuments, + which for ages have braved the inclemency of recurring seasons. The + spire of Strasburg Cathedral, in particular, bends its long ogives + and slender pinnacles beneath the force of the winds, while the cross + on its summit oscillates at an elevation of more than 450 feet above + the ground.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“To construct a monument on these rocks, which seemed the + very focus of all the storms which raged on that part of our coasts, + was like building an edifice in the open sea. Such a project must, + indeed, have appeared at first sight almost impracticable. After + their third season of labour, the workmen completed the foundations + of the tower and fixed the key-stone of the cupola. In vain did + difficulties of every kind combine with the winds and waves to oppose + the work; human industry has come forth victorious from the struggle, + and although a thousand difficulties and dangers beset the labourers, + no serious accident to them or their work troubled the joy of their + triumph. Only on one occasion was science at fault. In order to + facilitate the arrival of the stones, which had to be brought from a + distance of several leagues, and cut at Bréhat, the skilful engineer + who had furnished all the plans and superintended their execution + wished to construct <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page181">[pg + 181]</span><a name="Pg181" id="Pg181" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>a + wooden pier for the disembarkation of the stones at the spot where + they were required. Several of the older seamen objected to the plan + as impracticable, but M. Reynaud, who was not familiar with the sea, + and who, moreover, was proud of having stemmed the current of rapid + rivers, trusted to the stability of his massive piles, clamped + together with iron and bronze. But he was soon compelled to admit his + mistake. The first storm sufficed to scatter over the waters the + whole of these ponderous and solid materials like so many pieces of + straw. So a crane was attached to the summit of a rock, to which + boats could be moored, and the materials for building were then drawn + up to a railway which had been thrown over the precipice that + separated this natural landing-place from the site of the + tower.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Now that we have admired the exterior of the lighthouse, + follow me into the interior by the help of these steps, which have + been formed by the insertion of bars of copper into the stone. Let us + pause for a moment to admire the ponderous bronze doors which + hermetically seal the entrance, before we plunge into those vaults + which look as if they had been cut out of the solid rock. We are in + the first storey, surrounded by stores of wood and ropes and + workmen’s tools. Above, we perceive cases of zinc, which, we are + told, contain oil to feed the lamps and water for the use of the men + employed in the building. In the third storey is the kitchen, with + its pantry and larder, on a level with the first gallery. We need not + enter the three apartments appropriated to the use of the men, for, + beyond being very simple and clean, there is nothing to record + concerning them. But we have now reached the seventh storey, and we + must rest for a few moments in the little octagonal saloon, set apart + for the engineers, when they come to inspect the condition of the + lighthouse. Here, in the midst of the ocean, more than a hundred feet + above the level of the sea, you will find the comfort and almost the + elegance of a Parisian apartment.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Let us now return to the spiral staircase which has + brought us thus far, and which will carry us at once to the portion + of the edifice which is more particularly destined to fulfil the + special purpose for which the tower is designed. The eighth storey + contains vessels of oil, glasses, revolving lamps, some admirable + instruments intended for meteorological observations, a thermometer, + barometer, and chronometer. Here the spiral staircase terminates in a + flattened arch, which supports a slender pillar, cut into steps, + which are the only means of communication with the watch-tower above, + in which the men take it by turns to keep guard every night. You will + be surprised on looking round to perceive that this apartment is + coated with different coloured marbles, which line the walls and + vaulted roof, and even cover the floor. But this luxury, which may + appear to you so much out of place, has been introduced from + necessity. The apparatus for lighting the building enters the room + through a circular aperture in the ceiling, and hence the most + extreme cleanliness becomes necessary, which could alone be obtained + by the aid of perfectly polished surfaces.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The tenth and last + flight of steps brings one beneath the cupola, and to the machinery + by which a light of the first order is maintained.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap12" id="chap12" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page182">[pg 182]</span><a name="Pg182" id="Pg182" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name="toc27" id="toc27"></a> <a name= + "pdf28" id="pdf28"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XII.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">The + Lighthouse</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 120%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-style: italic">concluded</span></span><span style="font-size: 120%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Lighthouses on Sand—Literally screwed down—The Light + on Maplin Sands—That of Port Fleetwood—Iron Lighthouses—The Lanterns + themselves—Eddystone long Illuminated with Tallow Candles—Coal + Fires—Revolution caused by the invention of the Argand + Burner—Improvements in Reflectors—The Electric Light at Sea—Flashing + and Revolving Lights—Coloured Lights—Their Advantages and + Disadvantages—Lanterns obscured by Moths, Bees, and Birds.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The difficulties + involved in constructing a lighthouse on solid rock have been shown, + and it was at one time thought absolutely impossible to erect—with + any prospect of permanent duration—one upon storm-exposed sands. + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Nous avons + changé tout cela.</span></span> It is no longer necessary to place + floating lights in places of great danger, although for other reasons + they are constantly used. One of the greatest modern triumphs of + engineering is Mitchell’s screw-mooring apparatus. To describe it + fully would necessitate several pages of technical matter. Suffice it + to say that enormous cast-iron screws, having hollow cylindrical + centres, through which wrought-iron spindles pass, are literally + screwed down into the sand, or its substratum of other soil. One of + the earliest experiments was made on the verge of the Maplin Sand, at + the mouth of the Thames. Nine of the mooring-screws were inserted + into the sand 21½ feet, one in the centre, the rest forming an + octagon 42 feet in circumference, having standards or posts which + stood 5 feet above the surface of the sand. A raft of timber was + floated over the spot, and a capstan in its centre drove the screws + to the required depth. This raft was afterwards sunk, by covering it + with 200 tons of rough stone. Two years were allowed to elapse, at + the termination of which time the whole mass was found firmly + embedded, and then a lighthouse, raised on a strong open framework, + was erected over this sub-structure. During these long preparations a + very similar structure was commenced and finished at Port Fleetwood, + on the River Wyre, near Lancaster.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The preparatory + steps were similar to those already described. The foundation of the + lighthouse was formed of seven screw-piles, six of them <a name= + "corr182" id="corr182" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">occupying</span> the angles of a hexagon 46 feet in + diameter, the seventh being in the centre. From each screw proceeds a + pile 15 feet in length, having at the upper end another screw for + securing a wooden column. These columns are of Baltic timber, the one + in the centre being 56 feet, the others 46 feet in length, firmly + secured with iron hoops and coated with pitch. The platform, upon + which the house stands, is 27 feet in diameter, the house itself + being 20 feet in diameter and 9 feet high. From the summit of the + house rises a twelve-sided lantern, 10 feet in diameter and 8 feet + high. Altogether the light is elevated about 46 feet above low-water + level, and ranges over an horizon of eight miles. The light is of the + dioptric kind—bright, steady, and uniform, and when the weather is + too foggy to allow it to be seen, a bell is tolled by machinery, to + give the needful warning.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the period when + screw-pile lighthouses were being thus successfully erected, other + and most valuable suggestions were being made for the building of + bronze and cast-iron lighthouses. The great advantage of iron over + stone and other materials in those portions of the building not + actually in contact with sea-water soon became apparent. Upon a + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page183">[pg 183]</span><a name="Pg183" + id="Pg183" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>given base a much larger + internal capacity could be obtained; plates could be cast in large + surfaces and with few joints, and a system of binding adopted which + should ensure the perfect combination of every part. The + comparatively small bulk and weight also of the component parts gave + great facilities for the transport and rapid construction of such + structures. The initial cast-iron lighthouse was designed by Mr. + Gordon in 1840, and was cast and put together within three months + from the date of the contract. It was then taken to pieces and + shipped for Jamaica, on which island it now lights up Morant Point, a + point of great danger. The Commissioners of the House of Assembly had + applied to Mr. Gordon to supply a suitable lighthouse at the smallest + possible cost, and in furnishing them with the structure of cast-iron + he fulfilled their wishes admirably, the expense not exceeding + one-third of the cost of a similar building in stone. This elegant + lighthouse, the outline of which resembles that of the Celtic towers + of Ireland, was exhibited to visitors while it stood complete in the + contractor’s premises. The diameter of the tower is 18 feet 6 inches + at the base, diminishing to 11 feet under the cap. The tower is + formed of nine tiers of iron plates, each tier being 10 feet high and + about three-quarters of an inch thick. At the base of the structure + eleven plates are required to form the circumference, at the top nine + plates; they are cast with a flange around their inner edges, and + when put together these flanges form the joints, which are fastened + together with nut-and-screw bolts and caulked with iron cement. The + interior of the tower, to the height of 27 feet, was to be filled up + with masonry and concrete of the weight of 300 tons; the remainder is + divided into store-rooms and berths for the attendants. The tower is + finished by an iron railing, within which rises the light-room, also + of cast-iron, with windows of plate-glass. A copper roof and a short + lightning-rod complete the whole. The Admiralty notice announced the + exhibition of this light on Morant Point November 1st, 1842, and + stated that the elevation of the light is 97 feet above the level of + the sea, and that in clear weather it is visible at a distance of + twenty-one miles. The light is of the revolving kind, consisting of + fifteen Argand lamps and reflectors, five in each side of an + equilateral triangle, and so placed as to produce a continuous light, + but with periodical flashes. The tower is painted white, and the + lower portion is coated with coal-tar to preserve it from rust. It + rests on a granite base, and is also cased with granite near the + foundation, the more certainly to prevent the action of the sea-water + on the metal.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While the engineer + had attained some of his greatest triumphs in the construction of + lighthouses, the optician had not once directed his attention to the + invention of a brilliant light, worthy to be placed upon the + structure which proudly rose high above the fierce waves with the + strength and solidity of a rock. During a period of forty years after + the completion of the Eddystone tower by Smeaton, the lantern was + illuminated by tallow candles stuck in hoops, just as a stand or + booth is lighted at a country fair, and so lately as the year 1811 it + was lighted with twenty-four wax candles. In 1812 the Lizard Light + was maintained with coal fires; and in 1816, when the Isle of May + Light, in the <a name="corr183" id="corr183" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">Firth</span> of + Forth, was taken possession of by the Commissioners of the Northern + Lighthouses, a coal fire was exhibited in a <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">chauffer</span></span>—a description of light + which had been exhibited for 181 years. In 1801 the light at Harwich, + in addition to the coal fire, had a <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">flat</span></span> + plate of <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page184">[pg + 184]</span><a name="Pg184" id="Pg184" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>rough brass on the landward side, to serve as a + reflector. Such methods of lighting were of course very deficient in + power, and did not enable the mariner to distinguish one light from + another—a point which is often of as much importance as the + brilliancy of the light itself. Prior to the invention of the Argand + lamp (about 1784) the production of a strong and brilliant light from + a single source was scarcely possible, and even such a lamp, by its + unassisted powers, would not be of very great value in giving early + notice to the mariner of his approach to the coast, which ought to be + the primary object of a lighthouse. As the rays of a luminous body + proceed in all directions in straight lines, it is obvious that in + the case of a single lamp the mariner would derive benefit only from + that small portion of light which proceeded from the centre of the + flame to his eye. The other rays would proceed to other parts of the + horizon, or escape upwards to the sky, or downwards to the earth, and + thus be of no value to him. By increasing the number of burners a + small portion of light from each burner would slightly increase the + effective action, but by far the greater portion of the light + produced would escape uselessly above and below the horizon and also + at the back of each flame. Next, these defects were remedied, and the + efficiency of the light greatly increased, by placing behind each + lamp a reflector of such a form as to collect the rays that would + otherwise be lost, and throw them forward to the horizon. The + adoption of such a method has led to what is called the catoptric + system of lights.</p><a name="illo_211.png" id="illo_211.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_211.png" alt="REVOLVING LIGHT APPARATUS" + title= + "REVOLVING LIGHT APPARATUS. (From Drawings supplied by Messrs. W. Wilkins & Co.)" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + REVOLVING LIGHT APPARATUS.<br /> + (<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">From Drawings supplied by Messrs. W. Wilkins + & Co.</span></span>) + </div> + </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page185">[pg 185]</span><a name= + "Pg185" id="Pg185" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Alan Stevenson + states that the earliest notice he has been able to find of the + application of paraboloidal mirrors to lighthouses is in a work on + <span class="tei tei-q">“Practical Seamanship”</span> (Liverpool, + 1791), by Mr. William Hutchinson, who notices the erection of the + four lights at Bidstone and Hoylake for the entrance of the Mersey, + in 1763, and describes large paraboloidal moulds of wood lined with + mirror glass and smaller ones of polished tin-plate, as in use in + those lighthouses. In France M. Téulère, a Member of the Royal Corps + of Engineers of Bridges and Roads, is regarded as the inventor of the + catoptric system of lights. In a memoir dated 26th June, 1783, he is + said to have proposed for the Cordouan Lighthouse a combination of + paraboloidal reflectors with Argand lamps, arranged on a revolving + frame, a plan which was actually carried into execution, under the + direction of the Chevalier Borda.<a id="noteref_60" name="noteref_60" + href="#note_60"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">60</span></span></a> The plan + was so successful that it was soon adopted in England by the Trinity + House of London; and in Scotland the first work of the Northern + Lights Board, in 1787, was to light a lantern on the Old Castle of + Kinnaird Head, in Aberdeenshire, by means of parabolic reflectors and + lamps. These reflectors were formed of facets of mirror-glass placed + in hollow paraboloidal moulds of plaster. The more complicated + arrangement of lenses placed round a centre in concentric circles is + due to the great Fresnel, a practical man of science, whose abilities + are acknowledged as fully in England as in France.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The oil used in + the lighthouses of the United Kingdom has generally been sperm. + Colza, the expressed oil of the wild cabbage (<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Brassica + oleracea</span></span>), was very generally used in France, and + occasionally in Great Britain. Gas is used in a few places, where its + application is easy. There can hardly be any doubt now, however, that + the coming light will be the electric, since its steady production is + becoming a matter of scientific certainty. As early as 1857 Professor + Holmes submitted to the Trinity House a method of employing this + light, which was submitted to Faraday, and approved. The Board then + allowed a trial at the South Foreland Lighthouse. The light was first + displayed on the 8th of December, 1858. In June, 1862, it was + permanently fixed at Dungeness. In Faraday’s Report to the Trinity + House, published in 1862, he says: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Arrangements were made on shore by which observations + could be made at sea, about five miles off, on the relative light of + the electric lamp and the metallic reflectors with their Argand + oil-lamps, for either could be shown alone, or both together. At the + given distance the eye could not separate the two lights, but by the + telescope they were distinguishable. The combined effect was a + glorious light up to five miles; then, if the electric light was + extinguished, there was a great falling off in the effect, though, + after a few moments’ rest to the eye, it was seen that the oil-lamps + and reflectors were in their good and proper state. On the other + hand, when the electric light was restored, the glory rose to its + first high condition.... During the day-time I compared the intensity + of the light with that of the sun, and both looked at through dark + glasses. Its light was as bright as that of the sun, but the sun was + not at its brightest.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The number of + lights on a well-frequented coast being considerable, it is of the + utmost importance to arrange them so as to enable the mariner easily + to distinguish <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page186">[pg + 186]</span><a name="Pg186" id="Pg186" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>them + from each other. Catoptric lights admit of nine separate + distinctions:—1, fixed; 2, revolving white; 3, revolving red and + white; 4, revolving red with two whites; 5, revolving white with two + reds; 6, flashing; 7, intermittent; 8, double fixed lights; 9, double + revolving white lights. Mr. Stevenson thus defines their distinctive + features:—<span class="tei tei-q">“The first exhibits a steady and + uniform appearance which is not subject to any change, and the + reflectors used for it are of smaller dimensions than those employed + in revolving lights. This is necessary in order to permit them to be + ranged round the circular frame, with their axes inclined at such an + angle as shall enable them to illuminate every point of the horizon. + The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">revolving</span></span> light is produced by the + revolution of a frame with three or four sides, having reflectors of + a larger size grouped on each side with their axes parallel, and as + the revolution exhibits once in two minutes or once in a minute, as + may be required, a light gradually increasing to full strength and in + the same gradual manner decreasing to total darkness, its appearance + is extremely well marked. The succession of red and white lights is + produced by the revolution of a frame whose different sides present + red and white lights, and these afford three separate distinctions, + namely, alternate red and white, the succession of two white lights + after one red, and the succession of two red lights after one white + light. The flashing light is produced in the same manner as the + revolving light; but, owing to a different construction of the frame, + the reflectors on each of eight sides are arranged with their rims or + faces in one vertical plane, and their axes in a line inclined to the + perpendicular. A disposition of the mirrors, which, together with the + greater quickness of the revolutions, which shows a flash once in + five seconds of time, produces a very striking effect, totally + different from that of a revolving light, and presenting the + appearance of the flash alternately rising and sinking, the brightest + and darkest periods being but momentary; this light is further + characterised by a rapid succession of bright flashes, from which it + gets its name. The intermittent light is distinguished by bursting + suddenly into view and continuing steady for a short time, after + which it is suddenly eclipsed for half a minute. Its striking + appearance is produced by the perpendicular motion of circular shades + in front of the reflectors, by which the light is alternately hid and + displayed. This distinction, as well as that called the flashing + light, is peculiar to the Scotch coast. The double lights (which are + seldom used except where there is a necessity for a <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">leading</span></span> + line, as a guide for taking some channel or avoiding some danger) are + generally exhibited from two towers, one of which is higher than the + other. At the Gulf of Man a striking variety has been introduced into + the character of leading lights, by substituting for two fixed lights + two lights which revolve in the same periods and exhibit their + flashes at the same instant; and these lights are of course + susceptible of the other variety enumerated above, that of two + revolving red and white lights, or flashing lights, coming into view + at equal intervals of time. The utility of all these distinctions is + to be valued with reference to their property of at once striking the + eye of an observer and being instantaneously obvious to strangers. + The introduction of colour as a source of distinction is necessary in + order to obtain a sufficient number of distinctions; but it is in + itself an evil of no small magnitude, as the effect is produced by + interposing coloured media between the burner and the observer’s eye, + and much light is thus lost by the absorption of those rays which are + held back in order to cause <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page187">[pg + 187]</span><a name="Pg187" id="Pg187" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the + appearance which is desired. Trial has been made of various colours, + but red, blue, and green alone have been found useful, and the two + latter only at distances so short as to render them altogether unfit + for sea-lights. Owing to the depth of tint which is required to + produce a marked effect, the red shades generally used absorb from + four-sevenths to five-sixths of the whole light—an enormous loss, and + sufficient to discourage the adoption of that mode of distinction in + every situation where it can possibly be avoided. The red glass used + in France absorbs only four-sevenths of the light, but its colour + produces, as might be expected, a much less marked distinction to the + seaman’s eye. In the lighthouses of Scotland a simple and convenient + arrangement exists for colouring the lights, which consists in using + chimneys of red glass, instead of placing large discs in front of the + reflectors.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The construction + of the lantern is a point of importance; and one of the first order + will cost about £1,260. On the level of the top of the lower glass a + narrow gangway is usually built for the keeper to stand upon in order + to clean the panes, an operation which in snowy weather may have to + be frequently repeated during the night. At some of the lighthouses + on the Mediterranean the lantern is at certain seasons so completely + covered with moths as to obscure the light and to require the + attendance of men with brooms. Mr. Tomlinson was informed by the + keepers at the Eddystone that bees and other insects were much + attracted by the light, and collected round the lantern in great + numbers. Larks and other birds flew against it, and, becoming stunned + with the blow, were picked up on the balcony and were cooked by the + men for breakfast. The lantern is very liable to injury in high + winds, or the glass may be broken by large sea-birds coming against + it on a stormy night, or by small stones violently driven against it + by the wind. Extra plates of glass are always kept to take the place + of broken panes. The number of light-keepers employed varies, ranging + from two to four, and in the latter case one is usually allowed to + remain on shore, the men taking the privilege in turns. When the + situation admits, it is usual to have the keeper’s rooms in a + building outside the lighthouse to avoid dust, which is most + injurious to the delicate apparatus of the light-room. Great + cleanliness is enforced in all that belongs to a lighthouse, the + reflectors and lenses being constantly burnished, polished, and + cleansed.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And so we have + traced the history and progress of lighthouses, and it is hard to + believe that any great change can be advantageously made in their + construction, though their mode of illumination will doubtless be + greatly improved. As we have seen, the electric light was used + practically in a lighthouse long before it was in the streets of the + great metropolis, and not in a merely experimental way, but with the + most successful results.</p><a name="illo_215.png" id="illo_215.png" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page188">[pg + 188]</span><a name="Pg188" id="Pg188" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_215.png" alt="BREAKWATER AT VENICE" title= + "BREAKWATER AT VENICE." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + BREAKWATER AT VENICE. + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap13" id="chap13" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc29" id="toc29"></a> <a name="pdf30" id="pdf30"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XIII.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">The + Breakwater.</span></span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Breakwaters, Ancient and Modern—Origin and History + of that at Cherbourg—Stones Sunk in Wooden Cones—Partial Failure of + the Plan—Millions of Tons dropped to the Bottom—The Breakwater + Temporarily Abandoned—Completed by Napoleon III.—A Port Bristling + with Guns—Rennie’s Plymouth Breakwater—Ingenious Mode of Depositing + the Stones—Lessons of the Sea—The Waves the Best Workmen—Completion + of the Work—Grand Double Breakwater at Portland—The English + Cherbourg—A Magnificent Piece of Engineering—Utilisation of Otherwise + Worthless Stone—900 Convicts at Work—The Great Fortifications—The + Verne—Gibraltar at Home—A Gigantic Fosse—Portland almost + Impregnable—Breakwaters Elsewhere.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A breakwater, we + are told on the highest authority, is an obstruction of wood, stone, + or other material, as a boom or raft of wood, sunken vessels, + &c., placed before the entrance of a port or harbour, or any + projection from the land into the sea, as a mole, pier, or jetty, so + situated as to break the force of the waves and prevent damage to + shipping lying at anchor within them. Thus the piers of the ancient + Piræus and of Rhodes; the moles of Venice, Naples, Genoa, and + Castellamare; the piers of Ramsgate, Margate, Folkestone, Howth, and + the famous wooden dike thrown across the port of Rochelle. The term, + of late years, has been almost exclusively applied to insulated dikes + of stone. Of this description of dike for creating an artificial + harbour on a grand scale, Cherbourg, Plymouth, and Portland present + leading examples. The former, already mentioned in this work, claims + our attention.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The French, + happily our good friends to-day, were not always so, and there was a + period when the splendid natural harbours, bays, and roadsteads of + this country were a source of annoyance to them. While nature had + been more than kind to us, their coast presented a series of sandy + shores, intermingled with iron-bound coasts, bristling with rocks. De + Vauban, the great engineer, was employed by Louis, the <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Grand + Monarque</span></span>, to inspect the Channel shores of France, and + his natural sagacity and great knowledge <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page189">[pg 189]</span><a name="Pg189" id="Pg189" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>caused him at once to select Cherbourg as one of + the best points for forming an artificial harbour, protected by + suitable fortifications. Other engineers recommended the same port, + and one, M. de la Bretonnière, proposed that a number of old ships + should be loaded with stones and sunk, while a large quantity of + stone should be also thrown around them to form a grand breakwater, + which should rise fifty feet from the bottom. This idea was + abandoned, as it appears, partly from the fact that France had not + old vessels enough to spare for the purpose, and that it would cost + too much to purchase them from foreign nations.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In 1781 an eminent + French engineer proposed that, instead of one continuous breakwater, + a number of large masses or congregations of stones, separated from + each other on the surfaces but touching at the bases, should be built + on the sea bottom, believing that they would break the force of the + waves almost equally well. As a part of his plan he suggested that + they should be sunk in large conical <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">caissons</span></span> + of wood, 150 feet in diameter at the base and sixty feet broad at the + top. These wooden cones were practically to bind and keep the stones + together. They were to be floated to the site with a number of empty + casks attached as floats, then detached, filled with stones, and + sunk. An experiment at Havre having been considered satisfactory, the + Government accepted the idea, and ordered that operations should be + immediately commenced at Cherbourg. A permanent council was + appointed, as were officers and engineers. In 1783 barracks and a + navy-yard were built, and at Becquet, a short distance from + Cherbourg, an artificial harbour, capable of holding eighty small + vessels for the transport of the stone, was literally dug out.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On June 6th, 1784, + the first cone was floated to its destination, and a month later a + second was similarly conveyed, in the presence of 10,000 spectators. + Before the latter could be filled with stones a storm, which lasted + five days, half demolished it. In the course of the summer and autumn + not less than 65,000 tons of stone were deposited in and around the + cones. In 1785 several more cones were completed and sunk; at the end + of the year the quantity of stone deposited amounted to a quarter of + a million tons, and at the end of 1787 a million tons. At the end of + 1790, when the works had been seven years in progress and the + Government was getting very tired of the whole matter, between five + and six million tons of stone had been dropped into the sea. M. de + Cessart, the engineer, found that, in order to sink five cones per + annum, he had to employ 250 carpenters, 30 blacksmiths, 200 + stone-hewers, and 200 masons.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One could hardly + expect much permanency from a wooden covering sunk into the sea, and + it is not surprising that, one by one, they burst, few lasting more + than a year. The outbreak of the Revolution put an end, for some + time, to the operations at Cherbourg.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the + construction of the Cherbourg breakwater was resumed, the wooden cone + system was abandoned, and the stone was simply sunk from vessels of + peculiar construction. The breakwater was completed under Napoleon + III., at a cost exceeding two and a half million pounds sterling. The + actual breakwater itself was finished in 1853,<a id="noteref_61" + name="noteref_61" href="#note_61"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">61</span></span></a> but + since <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page190">[pg 190]</span><a name= + "Pg190" id="Pg190" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>that time most + important fortifications have been constructed on the upper works. + This is the greatest breakwater in the world, its length being nearly + two and a half miles; it is 300 feet wide at the base and 31 at the + top. The water-space shut in and protected is about 2,000 acres, much + of this great area being, however, too shallow for very large + vessels.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Taken in + connection with the fortifications, this breakwater has a value + greater than any other in the world. At the apex of the angle formed + by the junction of the two branches of the breakwater there is a + grand fort, and it bristles generally with batteries and forts, as + indeed does Cherbourg generally. Dr. W. H. Russell wrote of it, in + our leading journal in 1860 that, <span class="tei tei-q">“Wherever + you look you fancy that on the spot you occupy are specially pointed + dozens of the dull black eyes from their rigid lids of stone.”</span> + With its twenty-four regular forts and redoubts, not including those + on the mole, floating harbours, building slips, navy-yards, arsenals, + and barracks, Cherbourg is a most formidable place.</p><a name= + "illo_219.png" id="illo_219.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_219.png" alt="CHERBOURG, FROM THE SEA" title= + "CHERBOURG, FROM THE SEA." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + CHERBOURG, FROM THE SEA. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In England + Rennie’s great Plymouth breakwater is the most remarkable specimen, + among many others. Its dimensions are not as great as that of + Cherbourg, but it was, nevertheless, a vast undertaking. It consists + of an immense number of blocks of stone thrown into the Sound, and + forms a barrier nearly a mile in length above the surface of the + water. This grand work was commenced in 1812, and by the end of the + second year about 800 yards of the breakwater began to appear at low + water, and the swell was so much broken that ships of all sizes began + to take shelter behind it; while the fishermen within its shelter + could not judge accurately of the weather outside the Sound, so great + was the change. Several limestone quarries near the Catwater were + purchased of the Duke of Bedford for £10,000, and some fifteen + vessels were constantly employed in removing the blocks, which ranged + in weight from one to ten tons. These vessels were of ingenious + construction; they had two railways laid along them parallel to each + other, with openings in the stern to admit the cars or trucks laden + with stones. These were wheeled from the quarry to the quay, and so + on to the vessels, till the lines of rails were filled with trucks. + The vessels then proceeded to the works, each bearing its load of + stone-laden trucks. On reaching the breakwater each truck was wheeled + to the opening, and the stones tipped into the sea. During the first + five years the amount of stone deposited gradually rose from 16,000 + to 300,000 tons per annum. The large masses were first lowered, and + then smaller stones, quarry rubbish, &c., to fill up the + interstices. The structure was completed in 1841, with the use of + 3,670,444 tons of stone<a id="noteref_62" name="noteref_62" href= + "#note_62"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">62</span></span></a> and at a + cost of something like a million and a half of money. A distinguished + French engineer, M. Dupin, who visited the works during their + progress, describes in glowing terms the admirable arrangements, the + order and regularity visible in all the proceedings. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Those enormous masses of stone,”</span> he remarks, + <span class="tei tei-q">“which the quarrymen strike with heavy + strokes of their hammers; and those aerial roads of flying bridges, + which serve for the removal of the superstratum of earth; those lines + of cranes, all at work at the same moment; the trucks, all in motion; + the arrival, the loading, and the departure of the vessels, all this + forms one of the most imposing <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page191">[pg 191]</span><a name="Pg191" id="Pg191" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>sights that can strike a friend to the great + works of art. At fixed hours the sound of a bell is heard, in order + to announce the blasting of the quarry. The operations instantly + cease on all sides; all becomes silence and solitude. This universal + silence renders still more imposing the noise of the explosion, the + splitting of the rocks, their ponderous fall, and the prolonged sound + of the echoes.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The waves,”</span> said Rennie, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“were the best workmen”</span> in the construction of a + breakwater of rough stones, and on the whole his belief was + confirmed, for the storms by which his great work was assailed rather + helped than hindered it, by showing the most desirable slope on the + sea-side, while comparatively little damage was done. The slope of + the stone barrier was, however, by their force changed very greatly. + An inclination of three to one was altered to about five to one, and + Rennie had recommended that the authorities should take a lesson from + nature and finish the breakwater according to her teachings. + <span class="tei tei-q">“It would appear,”</span> says Mr. + Smiles,<a id="noteref_63" name="noteref_63" href= + "#note_63"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">63</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-q">“that Mr. Whidbey, the resident engineer, + contrived to finish most of the exterior face at a slope of only + three to one, as before; and that it stood without any material + interruption until several years after Mr. Rennie’s death. By that + time nearly the whole of the intended rubble, amounting to 2,381,321 + tons, had been deposited, and the main arm, with 200 yards of the + west arm, making 1,241 yards in length, had been raised to the + required level. The work had arrived at that stage when it had to + experience the full force of another terrific storm, which took place + on the 23rd of November, 1824. It blew at first from the + south-south-east and then veered round to the south-west, and the + effect of this concurrence of winds was to heap together the waters + of the Channel between Bolt Head and Lizard Point, and drive them, + with terrific force, into the narrow inlet of Plymouth Sound. This + storm was not only greatly more violent, but of much longer duration + than that of 1817. When the breakwater could be examined it was found + that out of the 1,241 yards of the upper part, which had been + completed with a slope of three to one, 796 yards had been altered as + in the previous storm, and the immense blocks of stone which formed + the seaface of the work had, by the force of the waves, been rolled + over to the landward sides thus reducing the sea-slope, as before, to + about five to one. The accuracy of Mr. Rennie’s view as to the proper + slope—which was indicated by the action of the sea itself—was thus a + second time confirmed;”</span> and a board of eminent engineers + reporting in accordance, the work was so finished. When the action of + the sea had formed its own slope and had wedged together and settled + the great mass of materials which form the breakwater, and when no + further movement was apparent, but the whole appeared consolidated + together, then the slope towards the sea was cased with regular + courses of masonry, dove-tailed and cramped together, the diving-bell + being brought into requisition for placing the lower courses. A + lighthouse has been erected on its western extremity, and the work + may be regarded as a magnificent success, worthy of a great maritime + nation.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A third leading + illustration of a magnificent breakwater is afforded at Portland, and + it is deserving of particular mention inasmuch as all authorities + agree that it was constructed with little or no waste of the public + money. <span class="tei tei-q">“In the mind of the inquiring + tax-payer,”</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page192">[pg + 192]</span><a name="Pg192" id="Pg192" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>said + our leading journal,<a id="noteref_64" name="noteref_64" href= + "#note_64"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">64</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-q">“breakwaters are always associated with + millions of money thrown broadcast into the sea, in out-of-the-way + bays and inlets, which even without these obstacles to make them more + dangerous, the most distressed mariner would be particularly careful + to avoid;”</span> and the writer goes on to mention several which + either ought not to have been attempted, or where extravagant + expenditure has been incurred. <span class="tei tei-q">“In such a + woeful list of hideous failure and costly mismanagement, it is a + comfort to perceive that the long lane begins to turn at last, and + that from our now having one good standard to go by, we may hope for + better things for the future. Portland breakwater is a really grand + and magnificent work, and one of which the nation may well be proud + if it is inclined to let bygones be bygones, and forget the many + successive failures before it was able to attain so much.”</span> + Portland breakwater is the right construction in the right place, and + before its erection the Roads afforded doubtful shelter to vessels in + distress. One advantage it enjoys, that of possessing a splendid + anchorage of stiff blue clay, and being free from rock or shoal from + the island of Portland itself up to the very esplanade of Weymouth. + There, too, was the stone on the very spot; steep and rugged heights + for fortifications, a noble harbour for shipping, and rail + communication with all parts. But all these advantages might have + been ignored but for the formidable nature of the works constructed + at Cherbourg. The port itself is about five hours’ steaming from the + French Cronstadt it was designed, <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">sub rosâ</span></span>, + to keep an eye upon. So, in 1844, the commissioners recommended that + it should <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page193">[pg + 193]</span><a name="Pg193" id="Pg193" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>be + made a grand fortified naval station. In 1847 an Act was passed + authorising the construction of a breakwater, and in 1849 the + foundation-stone was laid by the Prince Consort.</p><a name= + "illo_220.png" id="illo_220.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_220.png" alt="PORTLAND" title="PORTLAND." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + PORTLAND. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nature has + provided, in the mighty bank known as the Chesil Beach, practically a + great shingle embankment, protection to Portland Harbour on the west + and south-west, and the object of the breakwater was to secure, by + engineering art, a similar protection to the bay on the south-east + side. The Chesil Bank, though now and for long perfectly impregnable + to the tremendous rollers of the south-westerly gales, was not always + so, and as late as the reign of Henry VIII, great breaches had been + temporarily effected by the power of the sea. Still it affords a + splendid protection, as does now the mighty double breakwater + designed by Rendel, and brought to completion by Coode. The + breakwater leaves the shore at the north-eastern extremity of the + island, and runs out due east to a distance of 600 yards. + <span class="tei tei-q">“This inner limb alone,”</span> wrote an + authority in engineering,<a id="noteref_65" name="noteref_65" href= + "#note_65"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">65</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-q">“is a splendid achievement of human labour + and skill. It has been top-finished by a grand superstructure of hewn + granite, and ends in a circular head, which has been completed as a + fort and mounts eight guns. The foundations of this massive bastion + have been most carefully planned, with especial reference to the safe + passage of the largest vessels through the 400 feet gap which the + fort flanks on one side. The masonry is continued in a perpendicular + line to a point 25 feet <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page194">[pg + 194]</span><a name="Pg194" id="Pg194" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>below the lowest water-line of spring-tides. A + ship of the line, as is well-known, draws at the utmost 24 feet. An + extra foot of perpendicular masonry, therefore, having been allowed, + the lower masses of the fort begin to slant outwards, and continue to + do so till they reach the firm clay bottom. This lower portion + consists of a well-consolidated mass of unhewn stone. The outer, and + by far the longer limb, of the breakwater begins to bend away to a + point very near due north shortly after leaving the gap, the further + side of which is also flanked by a circular head.... The whole of + this vast outer limb, with the exception of the circular head at its + inner extremity and a fort at the other end, consists of nothing more + than a stupendous bank of rough unhewn stones of all shapes and + sizes, tumbled out of the wagons on the timber staging above. Divers, + constantly employed, have effectually prevented the chance of any + holes being left in the rising mass, and have been able to indicate + the precise spot over which a given number of loads were required to + be <span class="tei tei-q">‘tipped.’</span> The security of the bank + is further guaranteed by its enormous width at the base; and although + the waves have already rounded many a giant block below the + water-line and made it look as if its present place had been its + abode ever since the Creation, yet this polishing and grinding is the + extent of the effect which they will be able to produce upon a work + probably destined to hold its own as long as Portland + itself.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The rapidity with + which the breakwater was constructed reflected great credit on Mr. + Coode. The actual routine of the construction followed, when the line + for the structure had been sounded and carefully marked out, was to + commence piling for the railway that was to carry the long trains of + wagons filled with the stone; and when a short piece of this was + completed, to go on <span class="tei tei-q">“tipping in”</span> the + rubble and rough stone till they made their appearance above water at + last; then the piling was carried forward a few yards more, and the + process repeated, and so on by successive stages to the completion of + the work. All appears very simple on paper until we learn that it had + to be accomplished through eleven fathoms of rough tumbling waves. + One night’s rough weather often swept away the timber-work that cost + many thousands of pounds, and many months of labour to construct and + fix in its position in the sea. The piling that had to resist the + action of a deep and heavy sea, and to carry also, at a height of 90 + feet, a railway for the heaviest traffic, required to be something + more than a common framework of timber. Every log used had to be + first of all saturated to its very centre with creosote, and this was + done in a most ingenious manner. A great boiler, 100 feet long and 7 + feet in diameter, was filled with the largest and finest logs + procurable; the mouth being closed with a solid air-tight cover, the + air was pumped out, not only from the tube, but from the very pores + of the wood itself. When the vacuum was as complete as possible, the + creosote was admitted from tanks at the bottom and forced into the + timber by hydraulic power of about 300 lbs. to the square inch. In + this the logs remained for two or three days, by which time the + creosote was forced into the fibre of the wood. Several of the logs + thus prepared were bolted and bound together, till one huge spar 90 + feet long, and eight or nine tons in weight, was formed. Then an iron + <span class="tei tei-q">“Mitchell”</span> screw—as used in the + lighthouses built on sands, already described—was affixed at the + lower end, and the whole sunk till it rested on the bottom, when it + was worked round by a capstan till it was firmly screwed into the + clay. Thus secured, they were tolerably safe, though single heavy + waves would uproot piles and moorings together, to obviate which + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page195">[pg 195]</span><a name="Pg195" + id="Pg195" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>two or three piles were + generally set at the same time, and well bound together by powerful + cross timbers.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The stone quarried + for the breakwater from the very top of Portland Island was largely + excavated and brought to the spot by convict labour. The stone itself + used was unfit for architectural purposes, but quite suitable for the + breakwater. The convict prison, also on the top of the island, was + virtually the barracks for 900 labourers, who were more profitably + employed than in walking a treadmill or picking oakum. The quarries + were some 400 or 500 feet above the level of the breakwater, and the + stone was conveyed to it by three inclines of broad double gauge + rails. The trains of trucks or wagons were worked up and down with a + wire rope over a drum, the weight of the loaded descending wagons + winding the empty ones up again to the quarries. A powerful + locomotive pushed the loaded trains to the end of the work, where the + stone was tipped into the sea, as much as 3,000 tons a day having + been sunk at Portland. The total amount so committed to the deep was + about 5,360,000 tons, and the area protected by the breakwater would + accommodate sixty of the very largest men-of-war, and almost any + number of smaller vessels.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“During the progress of the works,”</span> wrote Mr. + Moule, <span class="tei tei-q">“the engineer has from time to time + instituted some highly interesting investigations into the structure + of the Chesil Bank.... During a single night’s gale, between three + and four <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">millions of tons</span></span> weight of pebbles + have been found to be swept away into the gulfs of the Atlantic, + being gradually thrown back again in the three or four following + days. The size of the pebbles had long been observed to vary greatly + at the two opposite ends of the beach. At the western, or Abbotsbury + end, they are exceedingly small, more resembling gravel than shingle. + At the Portland end it is not uncommon to meet with them several + inches in diameter, and several pounds in weight. This phenomenon has + been explained by the very probable assumption that the pebbles are + driven eastward by the wind-waves, and not moved by the slow and (for + purposes like this) powerless tidal current. The larger pebbles, + presenting a broad surface to the waves, are easily rolled forward, + while the smaller ones are passed by, offering a less surface, and + becoming more easily imbedded in the sand.”</span> It is said that a + practised smuggler on that coast could tell his whereabouts on the + bank in the darkest night or thickest fog, by feeling the size of the + pebbles on which he stood. And smugglers and <span class= + "tei tei-q">“wreckers”</span> were once very numerous among the + Portlanders. In these better days their courage and great personal + strength has saved many a life and ship endangered off the bank.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">An old and popular + song says that—</p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Britannia needs + no bulwarks,</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">No towers along + the steep,”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">but recent + legislators have evidently not been so thoroughly satisfied of the + fact, or they would not have authorised the construction of the great + fortifications at Portland, which make it almost the Gibraltar of the + Channel. The splendid breakwater there did not need protection. All + the battering it is ever likely to get could not injure it seriously, + and whatever ruins Macaulay’s New Zealander may stand upon, they are + not likely to be those of a great breakwater, each year of the + existence of which renders it generally more compact. But it was for + good reasons that the extensive works of Portland were undertaken. + <span class="tei tei-q">“We,”</span> said the <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Times</span></span>, + <span class="tei tei-q">“of <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page196">[pg + 196]</span><a name="Pg196" id="Pg196" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>all + people in the world, who so toiled and suffered, lavishing blood and + treasure under the walls of Sebastopol, should be the last to + underrate the importance of a good fortification as a check to an + invading army.”</span> The reader will hardly require any defence of + such policy, for naval arsenals contain the very germ of our power, + as the iron safe of the prudent man contains his valuables.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Bill of + Portland greatly resembles the situation of Gibraltar. There are the + same bold, steep, rocky headlands; the breakwater stands in place of + the Mole, and Chesil Bank connects it with the mainland, as the + neutral ground does our great Mediterranean citadel with Spanish + soil. <span class="tei tei-q">“Its height, its isolation, and the + harbour it commands, all pointed it out as a place for an + impregnable—we had almost said an inaccessible—fortress. To the late + Prince Consort is due the credit of having seen its vast importance + in this respect, as it was also owing to his enlightened judgment + that the breakwater was begun at last, and he himself laid the + foundation-stone. Portland is rising, as we have said, into a + first-class fortress, of which the Verne is the great key or + citadel.”</span> So spoke the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span>, in 1863; and now Portland + is the best fortified port and naval station in the kingdom.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Verne is a + height which, like La Roche at Cherbourg, dominates over all around + it for miles, especially on the side which overlooks the breakwater + and the sea. On the north side it is protected by nearly + perpendicular cliffs; elsewhere it is fully protected by art. One of + its greatest defences is the dry ditch which completely encircles the + whole work, except on the north side just mentioned, where it is both + unnecessary and impossible. This ditch is one of the greatest ever + undertaken in ancient or modern days. Its depth is 80 feet, and its + width 100, and in some places 200 feet; its length is nearly a mile, + and its floor is 368 feet up the hill-side. Nearly two million tons + of stone had to be blasted to form it; and it would never have been + excavated on the colossal scale indicated, but that all the said + stone was utilised in building the breakwater. With this tremendous + artificial ravine to <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page197">[pg + 197]</span><a name="Pg197" id="Pg197" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>cross, with fortifications and bastions fully + prepared with heavy Armstrong ordnance towering above, what enemy is + ever likely to attack the citadel of the Verne? Our leading journal + spoke of it as more compact than Cherbourg, Cronstadt, or Sebastopol, + while it is more than three times their elevation above the sea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jutting out from + the main fortress are two bastionettes, one of which has eight faces, + mounting guns on each so as to sweep with a murderous fire two-thirds + of the whole length of the fosse or ditch. The other is nearly as + formidable, and both are pierced with loop-holes in all directions + for the fire of riflemen. The great barracks in the enclosure of the + Verne can, at a pinch, accommodate 10,000 men, the peace garrison + being about a third of that number. The arrangements for water supply + are perfect, great reserve tanks having been cut from the solid rock, + and covered with shot-proof roofs. These are kept full, and, + protected from air and light; the water is always sweet. Portland + bristles with batteries; but the Verne commands everything in range + of cannon, inside or outside the breakwater, including all parts of + the island, and can cross fire with other important forts. It is + probably the strongest fortified harbour in the world.</p><a name= + "illo_223.png" id="illo_223.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_223.png" alt="HOLYHEAD BREAKWATER" title= + "HOLYHEAD BREAKWATER." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + HOLYHEAD BREAKWATER. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Other and + important breakwaters, like that of Holyhead, which cost a couple of + million sterling, and which is generally cited as an example of much + money thrown into the sea; Alderney, which has swallowed up close on + three-fourths of the above sum; and Dover, which has a fine + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">vertical</span></span> sea-wall, might be + mentioned. Enough has been said to show the general importance of the + subject to a maritime people, and that, on the whole, England has + been fully alive to the fact. Indeed, counting large and small + breakwaters and sea-walls, more has been expended in this country for + these works than in any two or three foreign countries possessing + sea-boards.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap14" id="chap14" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc31" id="toc31"></a> <a name="pdf32" id="pdf32"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XIV.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">The Greatest Storm in + English History.</span></span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">The Dangers of the Seas—England’s Interest in the + Matter—The Shipping and Docks of London and Liverpool—The Goodwin + Sands and their History—The</span> <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Hovellers</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—The + Great Gale of 1703—Defoe’s Graphic Account—Thirteen Vessels of the + Royal Navy Lost—Accounts of Eye-witnesses—The Storm Universal over + England—Great Damage and Loss of Life at + Bristol—Plymouth—Portsmouth—Vessels Driven to Holland—At the Spurn + Light—Inhumanity of Deal Townsmen—A worthy Mayor Saves 200 + Lives—The Damage in the Thames—Vessels Drifting in all + Directions—800 Boats Lost—Loss of Life on the River—On + Shore—Remarkable Escapes and Casualties—London in a Condition of + Wreck—Great Damage to Churches—A Bishop and his Lady Killed—A + Remarkable Water-Spout—Total Losses Fearful.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The dangers of the seas”</span> are little enough to + some countries, but to England they mean much indeed. Think of the + maritime interests of the port of London, the docks of which cover + considerably over 300 acres of water-space, and to which 7,000 or + more vessels enter annually. Over 100 vessels, exclusive of small + craft, enter the port daily; its exports form nearly one-fourth of + the total exports of the United Kingdom. Liverpool in some maritime + interests excels it. This, the second largest city in Great Britain, + had, as late <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page198">[pg + 198]</span><a name="Pg198" id="Pg198" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>as + 1697, a population of only 5,000; 80 small vessels then belonged to + the port. In this year of grace, Liverpool, with her virtual suburbs, + Birkenhead and West Derby, has a population considerably over + 700,000. In 1872, Liverpool exported, in British and Irish + productions, a total value of £100,066,410, which meant little short + of forty per cent. of the total exports, of the same kind, from the + United Kingdom, while its imports of many staples exceeded those of + London. Liverpool has nearly sixty docks and basins, extending along + the Mersey for five miles. She possesses nineteen miles of quays, + nearly the whole of which have been built since 1812, and warehouses + on a scale of magnificence unknown elsewhere.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But such a + commerce means much more. Hundreds of thousands of hardy men risk + their lives that we may have bread and butter, sugar with our tea, + and all the necessaries and luxuries of modern civilised life. + England has not forgotten them, and for their use has built the + lighthouse, the breakwater, and the harbour of refuge. But there are + sources of danger which nearly defy human power. Take, among all + dangerous shoals and sands, the Goodwin Sands as a prominent example; + they are replete with danger to all sailing vessels at least, + resorting to the Thames or to the North Sea, while even steamships + have been lost on their treacherous banks.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">These Sands, so + well known to, and feared by, the mariner, are ten miles in length, + running in a north-east and south-west direction off the east coast + of Kent. They are divided into two portions by a narrow channel, and + parts are uncovered at low water. When the tide recedes, the sand is + firm and safe, but when the sea permeates it, the mass becomes pulpy, + treacherous, and constantly shifting. Three light-vessels (one seven + miles from Ramsgate) mark the most dangerous points, and these are + themselves exposed to a considerable amount of danger. The only + advantage derived from the existence of the Sands is that they form a + kind of breakwater, securing a safe anchorage in the roadsteads of + the Downs. But if the wind blows strongly off shore, let the mariner + beware!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The ancients + thought that Britain was distinguished from all the world by + unpassable seas and northern winds. The shores of Albion were + dreadful to sailors, and our island was for a time regarded as the + utmost bounds of the northern known land, beyond which none had ever + sailed.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">These dangerous + Goodwin Sands, if we may believe the chronicles, and there seems no + reason why we should not, consisted at one time of about 4,000 acres + of low coast land, fenced from the sea by a wall. One tradition, not + usually credited, ascribes their present state to the erection of the + Tenterden Steeple, by which the funds which should have maintained + the sea-wall were diverted. An old authority, Lambard, says, + <span class="tei tei-q">“Whatsoever old wives tell of Goodwyne, Earle + of Kent, in tyme of Edward the Confessour, and his sandes, it + appeareth by Hector Boëtius, the Brittish chronicler, that theise + sandes weare mayne land, and some tyme of the possession of Earl + Goodwyne, and by a great inundation of the sea, they weare taken + therefroe, at which tyme also much harme was done in Scotland and + Flanders, by the same rage of the water.”</span> At the period of the + Conquest, these lands were taken from Earl Goodwin and bestowed on + the abbey of St. Augustine, Canterbury, and some accounts say that + the Abbot allowed the sea-wall to become dilapidated, and that in the + year 1100 the waves rushed in and overwhelmed the whole. The inroads + of the sea in many parts of the world would account for anything of + the kind.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page199">[pg + 199]</span><a name="Pg199" id="Pg199" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In dangerous or + foggy weather, bells are constantly sounded from the light-ships. A + considerable amount of difficulty is experienced in finding proper + anchorage for these vessels; and all efforts to establish a fixed + beacon have been hitherto unsuccessful. In 1846 a lighthouse on piles + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">screwed</span></span> into the sands<a id= + "noteref_66" name="noteref_66" href="#note_66"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">66</span></span></a> was + erected, but it was carried away the following year by the force of + the waves. As soon as a vessel is known to have been driven on the + Goodwins, rockets are thrown up from the light-ships, and as soon as + recognised on shore a number of boatmen, known as <span class= + "tei tei-q">“hovellers,”</span> all over that portion of the coast, + immediately launch their boats, and make for the Sands, whatever may + be the weather. The <span class="tei tei-q">“hovellers”</span> look + upon the wreck itself as in part their property, and make a good deal + of money at times, leading, as a rule, a thoroughly reckless sailor’s + life ashore. But how many poor seamen have had cause to bless their + bravery and intrepidity!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The great gale of + 1703, one of the most terrible, if not absolutely <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">the</span></span> most + terrible which has ever visited our coasts, occasioned the loss of + thirteen vessels of the Royal Navy, four on the Goodwin Sands, one in + the Yarmouth Roads, one at the Nore, and the rest at various points + on the coasts of England and Holland. The record, as preserved by the + immortal author of <span class="tei tei-q">“Robinson Crusoe,”</span> + is terribly concise in its details. Take a part only of it. The + italics are our own.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Reserve</span></span>, fourth-rate; 54 guns; 258 + men. John Anderson, com. Lost in Yarmouth Roads. The captain, purser, + master, chyrurgeon, clerk, and 16 men were ashore; <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">the rest + drowned</span></span>.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northumberland</span></span>, third-rate; 70 + guns; 253 men. James Greenway, com. Lost on Goodwin Sands. + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">All their + men lost.</span></span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Restoration</span></span>, third-rate; 70 guns; + 386 men. Fleetwood Emes, com. Lost on Goodwin Sands. <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">All their men + lost.</span></span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Sterling Castle</span></span>, third-rate; 70 + guns; 349 men. John Johnson, com. Lost on Goodwin Sands. Third + lieutenant, chaplain, cook, chyrurgeon’s mate, four marine captains, + and 62 men saved.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Mary</span></span>, fourth-rate; 64 guns; 273 + men. Rear-Admiral Beaumont, Edward Hopson, com. Lost on Goodwin + Sands. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Only + one man saved</span></span>, by swimming from wreck to wreck, and + getting to the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Sterling Castle</span></span>; the captain + ashore, as also the purser.”</span> And so the sad story proceeds, + Defoe adding that the loss of small vessels hired into the service, + and tending the fleet, is not included, several such vessels, with + soldiers on board, being driven to sea, and never heard of + more.<a id="noteref_67" name="noteref_67" href= + "#note_67"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">67</span></span></a></p><a name="illo_227.jpg" + id="illo_227.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_227.jpg" alt="GREAT STORM IN THE DOWNS, 1703" + title="GREAT STORM IN THE DOWNS, 1703." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + GREAT STORM IN THE DOWNS, 1703. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A master on board + a vessel which was blown <span class="tei tei-q">“out of the Downs to + Norway,”</span> describes the sights he saw on those fatal days, the + 25th and 26th of November, in homely but graphic language. He says: + <span class="tei tei-q">“By four o’clock we miss’d the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Mary</span></span> + and the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northumberland</span></span>, who rid not far + from us, and found they were driven from their anchors; but what + became of them, God knows. And soon after, a large man-of-war came + driving down upon us, all her masts gone, and in a dreadful + condition. We were in the utmost despair at this <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page201">[pg 201]</span><a name="Pg201" id="Pg201" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>sight, for we saw no avoiding her coming + thwart our haiser; she drove at last so near us, that I was just + gowing to order the mate to cut away, when it pleas’d God the ship + sheer’d contrary to our expectation to windward, and the man-of-war, + which we found to be the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Sterling Castle</span></span>, drove clear of + us, not two ships’ lengths, to leeward.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“It was a sight full of terrible particulars to see a + ship of eighty guns (<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">sic</span></span>) and about six hundred + men<a id="noteref_68" name="noteref_68" href="#note_68"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">68</span></span></a> in that + dismal case. She had cut away all her masts; the men were all in the + confusion of death and despair; she had neither anchor, nor cable, + nor boat to help her, the sea breaking over her in a terrible manner, + that sometimes she seem’d all under water. And they knew, as well as + we that saw her, that they drove by the tempest directly for the + Goodwin, where they could expect nothing but destruction. The cries + of the men, and the firing their guns, one by one, every half minute + for help, terrified us in such a manner, that I think we were half + dead with the horror of it.”</span> The same writer describes the + collision of two vessels, which he saw sink together, and several + great ships fast aground and beating to pieces. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“One,”</span> says he, <span class="tei tei-q">“we saw + founder before our eyes, and all the people perish’d.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“We have,”</span> says Defoe, <span class="tei tei-q">“an + abundance of strange accounts from other parts, and particularly the + following letter from the Downs, and though every circumstance in + this letter is not literally true, as to the number of ships or lives + lost, and the style coarse and sailor-like, yet I have inserted this + letter, because it seems to describe the horror and consternation the + poor sailors were in at that time; and because this is written from + one who was as near an eye-witness as any could possibly be, and be + safe.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-text" style= + "margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-body" style= + "margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Sir</span></span>,—These lines I hope + in God will find you in good health. We are all left here in a + dismal condition, expecting every moment to be all drowned; for + here is a great storm, and is very likely to continue. We have + here the Rear-Admiral of the Blue in the ship called the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Mary</span></span>, a third-rate, the very + next ship to ours, sunk, with Admiral Beaumont, and above 500 men + drowned; the ship called the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northumberland</span></span>, a third-rate, + about 500 men, all sunk and drowned; the ship called the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Sterling Castle</span></span>, a third-rate, + all sunk and drowned, above 500 souls; and the ship called the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Restoration</span></span>, a third-rate, all + sunk and drowned. These ships were all close by us, which I saw. + These ships fired their guns all night and day long, poor souls, + for help, but the storm being so fierce and raging, could have + none to save them. The ship called the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Shrewsbury</span></span>, that we are in, + broke two anchors, and did run mighty fierce backwards, within + sixty or eighty yards of the Sands, and as God Almighty would + have it, we flung our sheet-anchor down, which is the biggest, + and so stopt; here we all prayed God to forgive us our sins, and + to save us, or else to receive us into his heavenly Kingdom. If + our sheet-anchor had given way, we had been all drowned; but I + humbly thank God, it was his gracious mercy that saved us. + There’s one, Captain Fanel’s ship, three hospital ships, all + split, some sunk, and most of the men drowned.</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘There are above forty + merchant ships cast away and sunk; to see Admiral Beaumont, that + was next us, and all the rest of his men, how they climbed up the + main-mast, hundreds <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page202">[pg + 202]</span><a name="Pg202" id="Pg202" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>at a time crying out for help, and thinking + to save their lives, and in the twinkling of an eye were drowned; + I can give you no account, but of these four men-of-war + aforesaid, which I saw with my own eyes, and those hospital + ships, at present, by reason the storm hath drove us far distant + from one another; Captain Crow, of our ship, believes we have + lost several more ships of war, by reason we see so few; we lie + here in great danger, and waiting for a north-easterly wind to + bring us to Portsmouth, and it is our prayer to God for it; for + we know not how soon this storm may arise, and cut us all off, + for it is a dismal place to anchor in. I have not had my clothes + off, nor a wink of sleep these four nights, and have got my death + with cold almost.—Yours to command,</span></span></p> + + <div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right"> + “‘<span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: right"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Miles Norcliffe.’”</span><a id= + "noteref_69" name="noteref_69" href="#note_69"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: right"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; font-variant: small-caps; vertical-align: super">69</span></span></a></span> + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The following is + also a characteristic letter from Captain Soanes of H.M.S. + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Dolphin</span></span>, then at Milford Haven, + showing also how far the storm extended on our coasts:—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-text" style= + "margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-body" style= + "margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Sir</span></span>,—Reading the advertisement + in the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gazette</span></span> of your intending to + print the many sad accidents in the late dreadful storm, induced + me to let you know what this place felt, though a very good + harbour. Her Majesty’s ships the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Cumberland</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Coventry</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Loo</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Hastings</span></span>, and <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Hector</span></span>, being under my + command, with the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Rye</span></span>, a cruiser on this + station, and under our convoy, about 130 merchant ships bound + about land; the 26th of November, at one in the afternoon, the + wind came at S. by E. a hard gale, between which and N.W. by W. + it came to a dreadful storm; at three the next morning was the + violentest of the weather, when the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Cumberland</span></span> broke her + sheet-anchor, the ship driving near this, and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Rye</span></span> + both narrowly escap’d carrying away; she drove very near the + rocks, having but one anchor left, but in a little time they + slung a gun, with the broken anchor fast to it, which they let + go, and wonderfully preserved the ship from the shore. Guns + firing from one ship or other all the night for help, though + ’twas impossible to assist each other, the sea was so high, and + the darkness of the night such, that we could not see where any + one was, but by the flashes of the guns; when daylight appeared, + it was a dismal sight to behold the ships driving up and down, + one foul of another, without masts, some sunk, and others upon + the rocks, the wind blowing so hard, with thunder, lightning, and + rain, that on the deck a man could not stand without holding. + Some drove from Dale, where they were sheltered under the land, + and split in pieces, the men all drowned; two others drove out of + a creek, one on the shore so high up was saved; the other on the + rocks in another creek, and bulged; an Irish ship that lay with a + rock through her, was lifted by the sea clear away to the other + side of the creek on a safe place; one ship forced ten miles up + the river before she could be stopped, and several strangely + blown into holes, and on banks; a ketch, of Pembroke, was drove + on the rocks, the two men and a boy in her had no boat to save + their lives, but in this great distress a boat which broke from + another ship drove by them, without any in her, the two men + leaped into her and were saved, but the boy was drowned. A prize + at Pembroke was lifted on the bridge, whereon is a mill, which + the water blew up, but the vessel got off again; another vessel + carried almost into the gateway which leads to the <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page203">[pg 203]</span><a name="Pg203" id= + "Pg203" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>bridge, and is a road, the + tide flowing several feet above the common course. The storm + continued till the 27th, about three in the afternoon; that by + computation nigh thirty merchant ships and vessels without masts + are lost, and what men are lost is not known; three ships are + missing, that we suppose men and all lost. None of her Majesty’s + ships came to any harm; but the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Cumberland</span></span> breaking her anchor + in a storm which happen’d the 18th at night, lost another, which + renders her incapable of proceeding with us till supplied. I saw + several trees and houses which are blown down.—Your humble + servant,</span></p> + + <div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right"> + “<span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Jos. + Soanes</span></span>.“ + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The disasters + caused by this terrible gale extended over the English coasts. At + Bristol the tide filled the merchants’ cellars, spoiling 1,000 + hogsheads of sugar, 1,500 hogsheads of tobacco, and any quantity of + other produce, the damage being estimated at £100,000. Eighty people + were drowned in the marshes and river. Among the shipping casualties, + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Canterbury</span></span> store-ship went ashore, + and twenty-five men were drowned from her. The Severn overflowed the + country, doing great damage at Gloucester; and 15,000 sheep were + drowned on the levels and marshes. Four merchant ships were lost in + Plymouth Roads, and most of the men were drowned. At Portsmouth a + number of vessels were blown to sea, and some of them never heard of + more. About a dozen ships were driven from our coasts to Holland, the + crews, for the most part, being saved. At Dunkirk, twenty-three or + more vessels were dashed to pieces against the pier-head.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Peter Walls, + master or chief lighthouse-keeper of the Spurn Light at the mouth of + the Humber, was present on the 26th of November, the fatal night of + the storm. He thought that his lighthouse must have been blown down, + and the tempest made the fire in it burn so fiercely that + <span class="tei tei-q">“it melted down the iron bars, on which it + laid, like lead,”</span> so that they were obliged when the fire was + nearly extinguished to put in fresh bars, and re-kindle the fire, + keeping it up till the morning dawn, when they found that some six or + seven-and-twenty sail of ships were driving helplessly about the + Spurn Head, some having cut, and others broken their cables. These + were a part of two fleets then lying in the Humber, having put in + there by stress of weather a day or two before. Three ships were + driven on an island called the Don. The first no sooner touched + bottom than she completely capsized, turning keel up; strange to say, + out of six men on board, only one was drowned, the other five being + rescued by the boat of the second ship. They landed at the Spurn + Lighthouse, where Mr. Walls got them good fires and all the comforts + they needed. The second ship, having nobody on board, was driven to + sea and never seen or heard of more. The third broke up, and next + morning some coals that had been in her were all that was to be seen. + Of the whole number of vessels in the Humber, few, if any, were + saved.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Defoe estimates + that 150 sea-going vessels of all sorts were lost in this terrific + gale; but this is, in all probability, a very low estimate. And it is + as nothing to the fearful loss of life, which amounted to 8,000 + souls.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The townspeople of + Deal, in particular, were blamed for their inhumanity in leaving many + to their fate who could have been rescued. Boatmen went off to the + sands for booty, some of whom would not listen to poor wretches who + might have been saved. Many unfortunate shipwrecked persons could be + seen, by the aid of glasses, walking on the Goodwin <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page204">[pg 204]</span><a name="Pg204" id="Pg204" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Sands in despairing postures, knowing that + they would, as Defoe puts it, <span class="tei tei-q">“be washed into + another world”</span> at the reflux of the tide. The Mayor of Deal, + Mr. Thomas Powell, asked the Custom House officers to take out their + boats and endeavour to save the lives of some of these unfortunates, + but they utterly refused. The mayor then offered, from his own + pocket, five shillings a head for all saved, and a number of + fishermen and others volunteered, and succeeded in bringing 200 + persons on shore, who would have been lost in half an hour + afterwards. The Queen’s agent for sick and wounded seamen would not + furnish a penny for their lodging or food, and the good mayor + supplied all of them with what they required. Several died, and he + was compelled to bury them at his own expense; he furnished a large + number with money to pay their way to London. He received no thanks + from the Government of the day, but some long time after was + re-imbursed the large sums he had expended.</p><a name="illo_231.png" + id="illo_231.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_231.png" alt= + "THE STORM IN THE THAMES AT WAPPING" title= + "THE STORM IN THE THAMES AT WAPPING." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE STORM IN THE THAMES AT WAPPING. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Nor,”</span> says Defoe, <span class="tei tei-q">“can + the damage suffered in the river of Thames be forgot. It was a + strange sight to see all the ships in the river blown away, the Pool + was so clear, that, as I remember, not above four ships were left + between the upper part of Wapping and Ratcliffe Cross, for the tide + being up at the time when the storm blew with the greatest violence, + no anchors or landfast, no cables or moorings, would hold them, the + chains which lay across the river for the mooring of ships, all gave + way.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The ships breaking loose thus, it must be a strange + sight to see the hurry and confusion of it; and, as some ships had + nobody at all on board, and a great many had none but a man or boy + just to look after the vessel, there was nothing to be done but to + let every vessel drive whither and how she would.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Those who know the reaches of the river, and how they + lie, know well enough that the wind being at south-west-westerly, the + vessels would naturally drive into the bite <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page205">[pg 205]</span><a name="Pg205" id="Pg205" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>or bay from Ratcliffe Cross to Limehouse Hole, + for that the river winding about again from thence towards the new + dock at Deptford runs almost due south-west, so that the wind blew + down one reach and up another, and the ships must of necessity drive + into the bottom of the angle between both.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“This was the case, and as the place is not large, and + the number of ships very great, the force of the wind had driven them + so into one another, and laid them so upon one another, as it were in + heaps, that I think a man may safely defy all the world to do the + like.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The author of this collection had the curiosity the next + day to view the place, and to observe the posture they lay in, which + nevertheless it is impossible to describe; there lay, by the best + account he could take, few less than seven hundred sail of ships, + some very great ones, between Shadwell and Limehouse inclusive; the + posture is not to be imagined but by them that saw it; some vessels + lay heeling off with the bow of another ship over her waist, and the + stern of another upon her forecastle; the boltsprits of some drove + into the cabin-windows of others; some lay with their sterns tossed + up so high that the tide flowed into their forecastles before they + could come to rights; some lay so leaning upon others that the + undermost vessels would sink before the other could float; the + numbers of masts, boltsprits and yards split and broke, the staving + the heads and sterns, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page206">[pg + 206]</span><a name="Pg206" id="Pg206" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and + carved work, the tearing and destruction of rigging, and the + squeezing of boats to pieces between the ships, is not to be + reckoned; but there was hardly a vessel to be seen that had not + suffered some damage or other in one or all of these + articles.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“There were several vessels sunk in this hurricane, but + as they were generally light ships the damage was chiefly to the + vessels; but there were two ships sunk with great quantity of goods + on board: the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Russell</span></span> galley was sunk at + Limehouse, being a great part laden with bale goods for the Straits; + and the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Sarah</span></span> galley, laden for Leghorn, + sunk at an anchor at Blackwall, and though she was afterwards weighed + and brought on shore, yet her back was broken, or so otherwise + disabled that she was never fit for the sea. There were several men + drowned in these last two vessels, but we could never come to have + the particular number.</span></p><a name="illo_232.png" id= + "illo_232.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_232.png" alt= + "THE WEST-INDIAMEN DRIVEN ASHORE AT TILBURY FORT" title= + "THE WEST-INDIAMEN DRIVEN ASHORE AT TILBURY FORT." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE WEST-INDIAMEN DRIVEN ASHORE AT TILBURY FORT. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Near Gravesend several ships drove on shore below + Tilbury Fort, and among them five bound for the West Indies; but as + the shore is oozy and soft, the vessels sat upright and easy.”</span> + The loss of small craft in the river was enormous; not less than 300 + ships’ boats and 500 wherries were sunk or dashed to pieces. Barges + and lighters were sunk and broke loose by the score, and twenty-two + watermen and others working on the river were drowned.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The effect of this + tempest was felt very severely on shore, not less than 123 persons + being killed by falling buildings, &c. It is said that not less + than 800 dwellings were blown down, while barns, stacks of chimneys, + pinnacles, steeples, and trees, were strewed all over the + country.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dozens of + remarkable cases might be given of wonderful preservations at sea + during this storm, and one or two have been cited. A small vessel ran + on the rocks in Milford Haven and was fast breaking up, when an empty + boat, which had got loose, drifted past so near the wreck that two + men jumped into it and saved their lives. A poor boy on board could + not jump so far, and was drowned. A poor sailor of Brighthelmston was + taken off a wreck after he had hung by his hands and feet on the top + of a mast for eight-and-forty hours, the sea raging so high that no + boat durst approach him. A waterman in the river Thames, lying asleep + in the cabin of a barge near Blackfriars, was driven below London + Bridge, <span class="tei tei-q">“and the barge went of herself into + the Tower Dock, and lay safe on shore. The man never waked nor heard + the storm till it was day; and, to his great astonishment, he found + himself safe, as above.”</span> Two boys, lodging in the Poultry, and + living in a top garret, were, by the fall of chimneys, which broke + through the floors, carried quite to the bottom of the cellar, and + received no hurt at all.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It has been shown + how universal was the storm on the English coasts, and it extended to + all parts of the interior.<a id="noteref_70" name="noteref_70" href= + "#note_70"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">70</span></span></a> In + Norfolk, a small town experienced the horrors <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page207">[pg 207]</span><a name="Pg207" id="Pg207" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>of fire simultaneously with the gale. The + inhabitants were powerless to extinguish it; and the wind blew the + ruins, almost as much as the fire, in all directions. If the people + came to windward they were in danger of being blown into the flames, + and to leeward they dared not approach the fire, which would have + scorched them up. Those who escaped the conflagration ran the + imminent risk of being knocked on the head by bricks and tiles, which + flew about as though they were tinder. The storm, although most + severe on the Friday before-mentioned, lasted almost continuously for + a week.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The city of London + was a strange spectacle at this time. <span class="tei tei-q">“The + houses looked like skeletons,”</span> says Defoe, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“and an universal air of horror seemed to sit on the + countenances of the people. All business seemed to be laid aside for + the time, and people were generally intent upon getting help to + repair their habitations.”</span> The streets lay covered with tiles + and slates, bricks and chimney-pots. Common tiles rose from 21s. per + thousand to £6. Above 2,000 great stacks of chimneys were blown down + in and about London, besides gable-ends and roofs by the score, and + about twenty whole houses in the suburbs. In addition to those killed + by the fall of various parts of buildings, above 200 were reported as + wounded and maimed. And it must be remembered that these were not the + days of morning and evening and special editions, and copious and + generally correct reports. Had telegraphs and railways and steamships + brought in the news collected by innumerable correspondents, as they + would to-day, Defoe’s book would never have been compiled. And it may + be here observed, in honour of the memory of that immortal author, + that he never cites a case, or speaks of it as a positive fact, + without giving his authority or authorities. He says in one place, + <span class="tei tei-q">“Some of our printed accounts give us larger + and plainer accounts of the loss of lives than I will venture to + affirm for truth: as of several houses near Moorfields levelled with + the ground; fourteen people drowned in a wherry going to Gravesend + and five in a wherry from Chelsea. Not that it is not very probable + to be true, but, as I resolve not to hand anything to posterity but + what comes very well attested, I omit such relations as I have not + extraordinary assurance as to the fact.”</span> This is hardly the + way with all book-makers!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Most of those + killed were buried or crushed by the broken fragments and rubbish of + falling stacks of chimneys or walls. The fall of brick walls made a + serious item in the losses. At Greenwich Park several pieces of the + wall were down for a hundred rods at a place; the palace of St. + James’s was greatly damaged; the roof of the guard-house at Whitehall + blown off, seriously hurting nine soldiers; the lead stripped off and + rolled up like parchment from scores of churches and public + buildings, including Westminster Abbey and Christ Church Hospital. + <span class="tei tei-q">“It was very remarkable,”</span> Defoe notes, + <span class="tei tei-q">“that the bridge over the Thames + [<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">i.e.</span></span>, Old London Bridge] received + so little damage, the buildings standing high and not sheltered by + other erections, as they would be in the streets. Above a hundred + elms, some of them said to have been planted by Wolsey, were blown + down in St. James’s Park. Very fortunately the storm was succeeded by + fine weather: for had rain or snow followed, the misery and damage to + hundreds and hundreds of tenants would have been fearfully <a name= + "corr207" id="corr207" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">increased.</span>”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At Stowmarket, in + Suffolk, one of the largest spires—100 feet high above the + steeple—was completely carried away, with all its heavy timbers and + an immense quantity <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page208">[pg + 208]</span><a name="Pg208" id="Pg208" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>of + lead. So in Brenchly and Great Peckham, Kent, the former doing damage + to the church and porch as it fell, and entailing a total loss of + £800 to £1,000, which would represent much more in these days. + <span class="tei tei-q">“The cathedral church of Ely,”</span> said + one of Defoe’s correspondents, <span class="tei tei-q">“by the + providence of God, did, contrary to all men’s expectations, stand out + the shock, but suffered very much in every part of it, especially + that which is called the body of it, the lead being torn and rent up + a considerable way together; about 40 lights of glass blown down and + shattered to pieces; one ornamental pinnacle, belonging to the north + aisle, demolished; and the lead in divers other parts of it blown up + into great heaps. Five chimneys falling down in a place called the + Colledge, the place where the prebendaries’ lodgings are, did no + other damage (prais’d be God!) than beat down some part of the houses + along with them. The loss which the church and college of Ely + sustained being, by computation, near £2,000.”</span> Accounts of + nearly irretrievable damage done to valuable painted church windows, + for one of which—at Fairford, Gloucester—£1,500 had been offered, + came from many points. In some cases the lead blown from roofs, + amounting to tons in weight, was so tightly rolled up that it took a + number of men to unroll it without cutting or other damage.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Bishop of Bath + and Wells was killed under rather remarkable circumstances. The + palace was the relic of a very old castle, only one corner of it + being modernised for his lordship’s use. Had the bishop slept in the + new portion his life would have been spared; but he remained in one + of the older apartments. Two chimney-stacks fell and crushed in the + roof, driving it upon the bishop’s bed, forcing it quite through the + next floor into the hall, and burying both himself and lady in the + rubbish. The former appears to have risen, perhaps perceiving the + approaching danger, and was found, with his brains dashed out, near a + doorway.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the most + remarkable cases of the power of the wind ashore was the removal of a + stone of four hundredweight, which lay sheltered under a bank, to a + distance of seven yards. On the Kingscote estate, in Gloucester, 600 + trees, all about eighty feet in height, were thrown down within a + compass of five acres. The storm was accompanied by thunder and + lightning and waterspouts. A clergyman, writing from Besselsleigh, + says:—<span class="tei tei-q">“On Friday, the 26th of November, in + the afternoon, about four of the clock, a country fellow came running + to me, in a great fright, and very earnestly entreated me to go and + see a pillar, as he called it, in the air in a field hard by. I went + with the fellow, and when I came found it to be a spout marching + directly with the wind; and I can think of nothing I can compare it + to better than the trunk of an elephant, which it resembled—only much + bigger. It was extended to a great length, and swept the ground as it + went, leaving a mark behind. It crossed a field, and, which was very + strange (and which I should scarce have been induced to believe had I + not myself seen it, besides several countrymen, who were astonished + at it, meeting with an oak that stood towards the middle of the + field, snapped the body of it asunder. Afterwards, crossing a road, + it sucked up the water that was in the cart-ruts. Then, coming to an + old barn, it tumbled it down, and the thatch that was on the top was + carried about by the wind, which was then very high and in great + confusion. After this I followed it no farther, and therefore saw no + more of it, but a parishioner of mine, going from hence to Hincksey, + in a field <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page209">[pg + 209]</span><a name="Pg209" id="Pg209" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>about a quarter of a mile off of this place, was + on the sudden knocked down and lay upon the place till some people + came by and brought him home; and he is not yet quite + recovered.”</span> An earthquake is also said to have followed the + great storm.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Enough has now + been written to show how universal were the effects of this terrible + gale. The details, as recorded by Defoe and others, would fill + several chapters like the present. The author of <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Robinson Crusoe”</span> puts, as we have seen, the loss + of life partly on land but principally by sea, at 8,000, but a French + authority places it at the enormous number of 30,000! It can well be + believed that a large proportion of the casualties were never + reported or recorded.</p><a name="illo_236.jpg" id="illo_236.jpg" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_236.jpg" alt="A LIFE-BOAT GOING OUT" title= + "A LIFE-BOAT GOING OUT." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + A LIFE-BOAT GOING OUT. + </div> + </div><a name="illo_238.png" id="illo_238.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_238.png" alt="GREATHEAD’S LIFE-BOAT" title= + "GREATHEAD’S LIFE-BOAT." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + GREATHEAD’S LIFE-BOAT. + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap15" id="chap15" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc33" id="toc33"></a> <a name="pdf34" id="pdf34"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XV.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">“</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">Man the + Life-boat!</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 120%">”</span></span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">The Englishman’s direct interest in the Sea—The + History of the Life-boat and its Work—Its Origin—A Coach-builder the + First Inventor—Lionel Lukin’s Boat—Royal Encouragement—Wreck of + the</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Adventure</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—The + Poor Crew Drowned in Sight of Thousands—Good out of Evil—The South + Shields Committee and their Prize Boat—Wouldhave and Greathead—The + latter Rewarded by Government, &c.—Slow Progress of the + Life-boat Movement—The Old Boat at Redcar—Organisation of the + National Life-boat Institution—Sir William Hillary’s Brave + Deeds—Terrible Losses at the Isle of Man—Loss of Three + Life-boats—Reorganisation of the Society—Immense Competition for a + Prize—Beeching’s</span> <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Self-righting</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 90%">Boats—Buoyancy and Ballast—Dangers of the + Service—A Year’s Wrecks.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The history of the + life-boat is one that concerns every Englishman. In this isle of the + sea, our own beloved Britain, our sympathies are constantly excited + on behalf of those who suffer from shipwreck. It would not be too + much to say that one-half the population of the United Kingdom have + some direct interest in this matter. Let us not be misunderstood. + Pecuniary interests in shipping are held here more largely than in + any other country, but <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page210">[pg + 210]</span><a name="Pg210" id="Pg210" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>we + are not all shipowners or merchants. But how many of us have some + brother or friend a seafarer! Of the writer’s own direct relatives + six have travelled and voyaged to very far distant lands, and the + friends of whom the same might be said would aggregate several score. + This is no uncommon case.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The origin of the + life-boat, as now understood, is of very modern date. Those who would + study the matter in its entirety cannot do better than consult the + work<a id="noteref_71" name="noteref_71" href="#note_71"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">71</span></span></a> from + which the larger part of the material incorporated in the present + chapter is derived. One of the very earliest inventors of a life-boat + was Mr. Lionel Lukin, a coach-builder of Long Acre, who turned his + attention to the subject in 1784, from purely benevolent motives. The + then Prince of Wales (afterwards George IV.), who knew Lukin + personally, not only encouraged him to test his inventions, but + offered to pay the expenses. Lukin purchased a Norway yawl, to the + outer frame of which he added a projecting gunwale of cork, tapering + from nine inches amidships to very little at the bows and stern. + Hollow water-tight enclosures gave it great buoyancy, while ballast + sufficient for stability was afforded by a heavy false keel of iron. + On this principle several boats were constructed, and found to be, as + the inventor describes them, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“unimmergible.”</span> The Rev. Dr. Shairp, of + Bamborough, hearing of the invention, and having charge of a charity + for saving life at sea, sent a boat to Lukin to be made <span class= + "tei tei-q">“unimmergible.”</span> This was done, and satisfactory + accounts were afterwards received of the altered boat, which was + reported to have saved several lives in the first year of its use. + The Admiralty and Trinity House would have nothing to do with it, in + spite of the Prince of Wales’ interest in the matter. It has been + said that a committee is a body without a conscience; it was true in + those good old days. Lukin retired from business in 1824, and went to + live at Hythe in Kent, where, ten years after, he died; the + inscription on his tomb in Hythe churchyard says that he was the + first to build a life-boat.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Notwithstanding + Lukin’s increasing efforts to bring his life-boats into general use, + hardly any progress had been <a name="corr210" id="corr210" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">made</span> in their + general adoption till 1789, when the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Adventure</span></span>, of Newcastle, was + wrecked at the mouth of the Tyne. While this vessel lay stranded on a + dangerous sand at the entrance of the river, in the midst of + tremendous breakers, her crew <span class="tei tei-q">“dropped off + one by one from the rigging,”</span> only three hundred yards from + the shore, and in the presence of thousands of spectators. This + horrible disaster led to good results, for a committee was + immediately appointed at a meeting of the inhabitants of South + Shields, and premiums offered for the best model of a life-boat + <span class="tei tei-q">“calculated to brave the dangers of the sea, + particularly of broken water.”</span> From many plans submitted two + were selected, those of Mr. William Wouldhave and Mr. Henry + Greathead. The idea of the first is said to have been suggested by + the following circumstance. Wouldhave had been asked to assist a + woman in putting a <span class="tei tei-q">“<a name="corr210a" id= + "corr210a" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">skeel</span>”</span> of water on her head, when he + noticed that she had a piece of a broken wooden dish lying in the + water, which floated with the points upwards, and turning it over + several times, he found that it always righted itself. Greathead’s + model had a curved instead of a straight keel, and he, as the only + practical boatbuilder who had competed, was awarded the premium, some + of Wouldhave’s ideas in regard to the use of cork being incorporated. + This first boat, thirty feet in length, had a cork lining twelve + inches thick, reaching <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page211">[pg + 211]</span><a name="Pg211" id="Pg211" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>from + the deck to the thwarts, and a cork fender outside sixteen inches + deep, four inches wide, and twenty-one feet long, nearly 7 cwts. of + cork being fitted to the boat altogether. Greathead’s curved keel + was, however, the main point, and he is regarded as the inventor of + the first practicable life-boat. From 1791 to 1797 his first boat was + the means of saving the whole or larger part of the crews of five + ships. Notwithstanding all this, no other life-boat was built till + 1798, when the then Duke of Northumberland ordered one to be built at + his own expense, which in two years saved the crews of three vessels. + Others were soon after constructed, and before the end of 1803 + Greathead built no less than thirty-one, eight of which were for + foreign countries. In the beginning of 1802, when two hundred lives + had been saved at the entrance of the Tyne alone, Greathead applied + to Parliament for a national reward. Possibly it is more remarkable + that he obtained it. £1,200 was voted to him, to which the Trinity + House, Lloyd’s, and the Society of Arts added substantial presents. + The Emperor of Russia sent a diamond ring to the inventor.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After this, one + might have reasonably thought that life-boats had become a recognised + institution and a national necessity. Not so. For years afterwards + there was hardly an advance made, and there was no organised society + to work them. The Government was apathetic. In 1810, one of + Greathead’s life-boats, carried overland to Hartley on the coast of + Northumberland, rescued the crews of several fishing-boats. On + returning toward the shore, the boat got too near a fatal rock-reef, + and was split in halves; thirty-four poor fellows—a moment before the + savers and the saved—were drowned. The authority before cited says + that even now several of Greathead’s boats—exclusively rowing + boats—are to be found on the coast; the oldest one is that in the + possession of the boatmen at Redcar, it having been built in 1802. On + seeing this fine old life-boat, which had saved some scores of lives, + Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe composed some years ago the following + verses, which were set to music:—</p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“The Life-boat! + Oh, the Life-boat!</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + We all have known so long, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + A refuge for the feeble, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + The glory of the strong. + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Twice thirty years have vanished, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Since first upon the wave + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + She housed the drowning mariner, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + And snatched him from the grave. + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em"> + * * * * + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + The voices of the rescued, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Their numbers may be read, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + The tears of speechless feeling + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Our wives and children shed; + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + The memories of mercy + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + In man’s extremest need, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + All for the dear old Life-boat + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Uniting seem to + plead.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As already stated, + the important movement for saving life from shipwreck languished for + some time. To Sir William Hillary and Thomas Wilson, then one of the + Members of Parliament for London, is due the organisation of that + most excellent society which has done more in the cause of humanity + than, perhaps, any other whatever, and has done it on means which + even <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page212">[pg 212]</span><a name= + "Pg212" id="Pg212" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>to-day are too limited. + Sir William Hillary was not a talker or subscriber merely, but had + been personally active in saving life. When a Government cutter, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Vigilant</span></span>, was wrecked in Douglas + Bay, Isle of Man, where he was then residing, he was one of the + foremost in rescuing a part of the crew. Listen to our authority: + <span class="tei tei-q">“Between the years 1821 and 1846, no fewer + than 144 wrecks had taken place on the island, and 172 lives were + lost; while the destruction of property was estimated at a quarter of + a million. In 1825, when the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">City of Glasgow</span></span> steamer was + stranded in Douglas Bay, Sir William Hillary assisted in saving the + lives of sixty-two persons; and in the same year eleven men from the + brig Leopard, and nine from the sloop <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Fancy</span></span>, + which became a total wreck. In 1827-32, Sir William, accompanied by + his son, saved many other lives; but his greatest success was on the + 20th of November, 1830, when he saved in the life-boat twenty-two + men, the whole of the crew of the mail steamer <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">St. + George</span></span>, which became a total wreck on St. Mary’s Rock. + On this occasion he was washed overboard among the wreck, with other + three persons, and was saved with great difficulty, having had six of + his ribs fractured.”</span> No wonder that a genuine hero of this + character should have succeeded in obtaining the assistance and + encouragement of His Majesty King George IV., and any number of royal + highnesses, archbishops, bishops, noblemen, and other distinguished + people,<a id="noteref_72" name="noteref_72" href= + "#note_72"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">72</span></span></a> when the + formation of a <span class="tei tei-q">“Royal National Institution + for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck”</span> was mooted. The + Society was immediately organised, and the receipts for the first + year of its existence were £9,800 odd. The Committee, in their first + report, were able to state that they had built and stationed twelve + life-boats, while, doubtless, from their good example, thirty-nine + life-boats had been stationed on our shores by benevolent individuals + and associations not connected with the Institution. In its early + days, the Society assisted local bodies to place life-boats on the + coast, such being independent of its control. The good work done by + the Association in its early days is indicated in the following + statement. In the second annual report the Committee showed that up + to that period the Society had contributed to the saving of 342 lives + from shipwreck, either by its own life-saving apparatus or by other + means, for which it had granted rewards. And its total revenue for + the second year was only £3,392 7s. 5d.!<a id="noteref_73" name= + "noteref_73" href="#note_73"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">73</span></span></a> For + fifteen years afterwards the annual receipts were still + smaller.</p><a name="illo_242.png" id="illo_242.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_242.png" alt= + "LIFE-BOAT SAVING THE CREW OF THE “ST. GEORGE.”" title= + "LIFE-BOAT SAVING THE CREW OF THE “ST. GEORGE.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + LIFE-BOAT SAVING THE CREW OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“ST. GEORGE.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Between 1841 and + 1850 the Institution lost three life-boats, and this was the smallest + part of the loss. In October, 1841, one of the boats at Blyth, + Northumberland, while being pulled against a strong wind, was struck + by a heavy sea, causing her to run stern under, and to half fill with + water. A second sea struck her, and she capsized. Ten men were + drowned. The second case occurred at Robin Hood’s Bay, on the coast + of Yorkshire, in February, 1843. The life-boat went off to the + assistance of a stranded vessel, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Ann</span></span>, of + London, during a fresh northerly gale. The life-boat had got + alongside the wreck, and was taking the crew off, when, as far as can + be understood, several men jumped into her at the moment when a great + wave struck her, and she capsized. Many of the crew got on her + bottom, while three remained underneath her, and in this state she + drifted towards the shore on the opposite side of the bay. On seeing + the accident from the shore, five gallant fellows launched a boat and + tried to pull off to the rescue, but had hardly encountered two seas, + when she was turned <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">end over end</span></span>, two of <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page213">[pg 213]</span><a name="Pg213" id="Pg213" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>her crew being drowned. An officer of the + Coastguard service and eleven men lost their lives on this occasion; + a few were saved, coming to shore safely on the bottom of the + life-boat, and even under it, in its reversed condition.</p><a name= + "illo_245.jpg" id="illo_245.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_245.jpg" alt= + "LOSS OF A LIFE-BOAT AT THE SHIPWRECK OF THE “ANN.”" title= + "LOSS OF A LIFE-BOAT AT THE SHIPWRECK OF THE “ANN.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + LOSS OF A LIFE-BOAT AT THE SHIPWRECK OF THE <span class= + "tei tei-q" style="text-align: center">“ANN.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A still worse + accident occurred, in December, 1849, to the South Shields life-boat, + which had gone out with twenty-four experienced pilots to the aid of + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Betsy</span></span> of Littlehampton, stranded + on the Herd Sand. She had reached the wreck, and was lying alongside, + though badly secured. The shipwrecked men were about to descend into + the boat, when a heavy sea, recoiling from the bows of the vessel, + lifted her on end, and a second sea completed the work of destruction + by throwing her completely over. She ultimately drifted ashore. + Twenty out of twenty-four on board were drowned. On seeing the + accident, two other life-boats immediately dashed off, and saved four + of the pilots and the crew of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Betsy</span></span>.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The year 1850 + marked an epoch in the history of life-boats, for then the + Institution was thoroughly re-organised. It was arranged that the + boats should be periodically inspected by qualified officers, and + that a fixed scale of payment, both for actual service or quarterly + exercise, should be made to the coxswains and crews.<a id= + "noteref_74" name="noteref_74" href="#note_74"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">74</span></span></a> His + Grace the late Duke of Northumberland offered a prize of one hundred + guineas for the best model of a life-boat, and a like sum towards + constructing a boat on that model. No less than 280 plans and models + were sent in, not merely from all parts of the United Kingdom, but + from France, Holland, Germany, and the United States. After some six + months’ detailed examination on the part of the committee, Mr. James + Beeching, of Great Yarmouth, was awarded the prize. That gentleman + constructed several boats shortly afterwards, embodying most or + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page214">[pg 214]</span><a name="Pg214" + id="Pg214" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>all of the leading + improvements, and was the first to build a <span class= + "tei tei-q">“self-righting”</span> life-boat. All of the + Institution’s modern boats are on this principle.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The chief peculiarity of a life-boat,”</span> says our + authority, <span class="tei tei-q">“which distinguishes it from all + ordinary boats, is its being rendered unsubmergible, by attaching to + it, chiefly within boards, water-tight air-cases, or fixed + water-tight compartments under a deck.... Especially it is essential + that the spare space along the sides of a life-boat, within boards, + should be entirely occupied by buoyant cases or compartments; as when + such is the case, on her shipping a sea, the water, until got rid + off, is confined to the midships part of the boat, where, to a great + extent, it serves as ballast, instead of falling over to the + lee-side, and destroying her equilibrium, as is the case in an + ordinary open boat.”</span> The Institution’s self-righting boats are + ballasted with <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">heavy</span></span> iron keels (up to 21 cwts.), + and <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">light</span></span> air-tight cases, cork, + &c. The advantage of employing a ballast of less specific gravity + than water is, that in the event of the boat being stove in, the + buoyancy of the material itself then comes into play.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Self-righting”</span> is, of course, a most important + principle in life-boats, and out of some 250 boats of the Institution + there are scarcely more than twenty which do not possess it. Up to + twenty years or so ago it was derided by many otherwise practical + men. Yet as early as 1792 we find the Rev. James Bremner, of Walls, + Orkney, proposing to make all ordinary boats capable of righting + themselves in the water by placing two water-tight casks, parallel to + each other, in the head and stern sheets, and by affixing a heavy + iron keel. The self-righting power of to-day is obtained by the + following means. The boat is built with considerably higher gunwales + at the bows and stern than in the centre, while four to six feet of + the space at either end are water-tight air-chambers. A heavy iron + keel is attached, and a nearly equal weight of light air-cases, and + cork ballast cases are stowed betwixt the boat’s floor and the deck. + <span class="tei tei-q">“No other measures are necessary to be taken + in order to effect the self-righting power. When the boat is forcibly + placed in the water with her keel upwards, she is floated unsteadily + on the two air chambers at bow and stern, while the heavy iron keel + and other ballast then being carried above the centre of gravity, an + unstable equilibrium is at once effected, in which dilemma the boat + cannot remain, the raised weight falls on one side or the other of + the centre of gravity, and drags the boat round to her ordinary + position, when the water shipped during the evolution quickly escapes + through the relieving tubes, and she is again ready for any service + that may be required of her.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nearly all + life-boat stations are provided with a transporting carriage, built + especially for the particular boat. The use of this, in many cases, + is to convey the boat by land to the point nearest the wreck. On some + coasts the distance may be several miles. In addition to this, a + boat-carriage is of immense service in launching a boat from a beach + without her keel touching the ground; so much so, indeed, that one + can be readily launched from a carriage through a high surf, when + without one she could not be got off the beach. The carriage is often + backed sufficiently far into the water to enable the boat to float + when she is run off.</p><a name="illo_246.png" id="illo_246.png" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_246.png" alt= + "A LIFE-BOAT AND CARRIAGE—LATEST FORM" title= + "A LIFE-BOAT AND CARRIAGE—LATEST FORM." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + A LIFE-BOAT AND CARRIAGE—LATEST FORM. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The foregoing will + give a sufficient idea of the boat itself, and now to its work. + Courage and ability are required to put it into action, and the + dangers to which the crew of a life-boat are exposed entitle those + who encounter them to the greatest honour. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“It is impossible <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page215">[pg 215]</span><a name="Pg215" id="Pg215" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>to exaggerate the awful circumstances attending + a shipwreck. Let us picture the time, when, after a peaceful sunset + and the toils of the day are over, the hero of the life-boat has + retired to rest, and the silence of the night is unbroken except by + the murmur of the winds and the noise of the sea breaking on the + shore. With the approach of the storm, however, the winds and waves + rise in fury upon the deep, and with their mingled vengeance lash the + cliffs and the beach. A signal of distress arouses the coxswain and + his men; crowds rush in curiosity to the cliffs, or line the shore, + heedless of the driving rain or the blinding sleet. Barrels of tar + are lighted on the coast, and the signal gun and the fiery rocket + make a fresh appeal to the brave. The boat-house is unlocked, and the + life-boat with her crew is dragged hurriedly to the shore. The storm + rages wildly, and the mountains of surf and sea appal the stoutest + heart. The gallant men look dubiously at the work before them, and + fathers and mothers and wives and children implore them to desist + from a hopeless enterprise. The voice of the coxswain, however, + prevails. The life-boat is launched among the breakers, cutting + bravely through the foaming mass—now buried under the swelling + billows, or rising on their summit—now dashed against the hapless + wreck still instinct with life—now driven from it by a mountain + wave—now embarking its living freight, and carrying them, through + storm and danger and darkness, to a blessed shore. Would that this + was the invariable issue of a life-boat service! The boat that + adventures to a wreck meets with disaster itself occasionally; and in + the war of the elements some of its gallant crew have sometimes been + the first of its victims.”</span> And when we consider that the + number of wrecks on the coasts of the United Kingdom alone, averaged + 1,446 per annum for the twenty years between 1852 and 1871, we can + form an idea of the importance of life-boat work on these shores. In + the succeeding chapter some special instances of perilous and + successful rescues will be presented.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap16" id="chap16" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc35" id="toc35"></a> <a name="pdf36" id="pdf36"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XVI.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">“</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">Man the + Life-boat!</span></span><span style="font-size: 120%">”</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 120%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-style: italic">continued</span></span><span style="font-size: 120%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">A</span> <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Dirty</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 90%">Night on the Sands—Wreck of the</span> + <span class="tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Samaritano</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—The + Vessel boarded by Margate and Whitstable Men—A Gale in its Fury—The + Vessel breaking up—Nineteen Men in the Fore-rigging—Two Margate + Life-boats Wrecked—Fate of a Lugger—The Scene at + Ramsgate—</span><span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Man the + Life-boat!</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—The + good Steamer</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Aid</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">—The Life-boat Towed out—A Terrible Trip—A Grand + Struggle with the Elements—The Flag of Distress made out—How to + reach it—The Life-boat cast off—On through the Breakers—The Wreck + reached at last—Difficulties of Rescuing the Men—The poor little + Cabin Boy—The Life-boat Crowded—A Moment of great Peril—The Steamer + reached at last—Back to Ramsgate—The Reward of Merit—Loss of a + Passenger Steamer—The Three Lost Corpses—The Emigrant Ship on the + Sands—A Splendid Night’s Work.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The waves are + tearing over the fatal Goodwin Sands, but the life-boats of Ramsgate, + Margate, Deal, and Kingsdown are ready for their work. At Ramsgate, + in particular, the life-boat is ready at her moorings in the harbour, + while a powerful steam-tug—the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Aid</span></span>, + whose interesting history would form many a chapter—is lying with + steam partially up, prepared to tow out the boat as near the Goodwin + Sands as may be with <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page217">[pg + 217]</span><a name="Pg217" id="Pg217" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>safety. The <span class="tei tei-q">“storm + warriors,”</span> as the Rev. Mr. Gilmore calls them with so much + appropriateness, in his fascinating and powerfully-written + work,<a id="noteref_75" name="noteref_75" href= + "#note_75"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">75</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-q">“are on the watch, hour after hour, through + the stormy night walking the pier, and giving keen glances to where + the Goodwin Sands are white with the churning, seething waves that + leap high, and plunge and foam amid the treacherous shoals and banks. + Look! a flash is seen; listen, in a few seconds, yes, there is the + throb and boom of a distant gun, a rocket cleaves the darkness; and + now the cry—<span class="tei tei-q">‘Man the life-boat! Man the + life-boat! Seaward ho! Seaward ho!’</span> Storm warriors to the + <a name="corr217" id="corr217" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">rescue!</span>”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One Sunday night + in the month of February, a few years ago, the weather was what + sailors call <span class="tei tei-q">“dirty,”</span> and accompanied + by sudden gusts of wind and snow-squalls. Before the light broke on + Monday morning, the Margate lugger, <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Eclipse</span></span>, put out to sea to cruise + round the shoals and sands in the neighbourhood of Margate, on the + look-out for the victims of any disasters that might have occurred + during the night, and the crew soon discovered that a vessel was + ashore on the Margate sands. She proved to be the Spanish brig + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Samaritano</span></span>, bound from Antwerp to + Santander, and laden with a valuable <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page218">[pg 218]</span><a name="Pg218" id="Pg218" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>cargo; she had a crew of eleven men under the + command of the captain, Modesto Crispo. Hoping to save the vessel, + the lugger, as she was running for the brig, spoke a Whitstable + fishing-smack, and borrowed two of her men and her boat. They boarded + the brig as the tide went down, and hoped to be able to get her off + the sands at the next high water. For this purpose, six Margate + boatmen and the two Whitstable men were left on board.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With the rising + tide the gale came on again with renewed fury, and it soon became a + question not of saving the vessel, but of saving their own lives. The + sea dashed furiously over the wreck, lifting her, and then letting + her fall with terrific violence on the sands. Her timbers quivered + and shook, and a hole was quickly knocked in her side. She filled + with water, and settled on one side. <span class="tei tei-q">“The + waves began now to break with great force over the deck; the lugger’s + boat was speedily knocked to pieces and swept overboard; the hatches + were forced up; and some of the cargo which floated on the deck was + at once washed away. The brig began to roll and labour fearfully, as + wave after wave broke against her, with a force that shook her from + stem to stern, and threatened to throw her bodily upon her broadside; + the men, fearing this, cut the weather rigging of the mainmast, and + the mast soon broke off short with a great crash, and went over the + side.”</span> All hands now had to take to the fore-rigging; nineteen + souls with nothing between them and death but the few shrouds of a + shaking mast! The waves threw up columns of foam, and the spray froze + upon them as it fell. The Margate and Whitstable men were caught in a + trap, for neither lugger nor smack would have lived five minutes in + the sea that surrounded the vessel. Would the life-boat come?</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As soon as the + news of the wreck reached Margate, the smaller of the two life-boats + was manned and launched. By an oversight in the hurry of preparation, + the valves of the air-tight boxes had been left open, and she was + fast filling. Although she succeeded in getting within a quarter of a + mile of the brig, she had to be speedily turned towards shore, or she + would have been wrecked herself. After battling for four hours with + the sea and gale, she was run ashore in Westgate Bay. There the + coastguardmen did their best for them. Meantime, when it was learned + in Margate that the first boat was disabled, the larger one was + launched. Away they started, the brave crew doing all they could to + battle with the gale, but all in vain; their tiller gave way, and + they had to give up the attempt. They were driven ashore about one + mile from the town. Next, two luggers attempted to get out to the + wreck. The fate of the first was soon settled: a fearful squall of + wind struck her before she had got many hundred yards clear of the + pier, and swept her foremast clean out of her. The second lugger was + a little more fortunate; she beat out to the Sands, but only to find + the surf so heavy, that it was impossible to cross them, or to get + near the wreck. <span class="tei tei-q">“The Margate people became + full of despair; and many a bitter tear was shed for sympathy and for + personal loss as they watched the wreck, and thought of the poor + fellows perishing slowly before their eyes, apparently without any + possibility of being saved.”</span> And now let us change the scene + to Ramsgate.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About nine o’clock + the news came to Ramsgate that there was a brig ashore on the + Woolpack Sands, off Margate, but it was naturally concluded that the + life-boats of the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page219">[pg + 219]</span><a name="Pg219" id="Pg219" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>latter place would go to the rescue, and no one + supposed that the services of the Ramsgate boat would be required. + <span class="tei tei-q">“But shortly after twelve, a coastguard-man + from Margate hastened breathless to the pier and to the + harbour-master’s office, saying, in answer to eager inquiries, as he + hurried on, that the two Margate life-boats had been wrecked. The + order was, of course, at once given, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Man the + life-boat!’</span> and the boatmen rushed for it. First come, first + in; not a moment’s hesitation, not a thought of further clothing: + they will go in as they are, rather than not go at all. The news + rapidly spreads; each boatman as he heard it, hastily snatched up his + bag of waterproof overalls and south-wester cap, and rushed down to + the boat; and for some time, boatman after boatman was to be seen + racing down the pier, hoping to find a place still vacant; if the + race had been to save their lives, rather than to risk them, it would + hardly have been more hotly contested.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Some of those who had won the race and were in the boat + were ill-prepared with clothing for the hardships they would have to + endure, for if they had not their waterproofs at hand, they did not + delay to get them, fearing that the crew might be made up before they + got to the boat. But these men were supplied by the generosity of + their disappointed friends, who had come down better prepared, but + too late for the enterprise; the famous cork jackets were thrown into + the boat and at once put on by the men.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The powerful steam-tug, well-named the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Aid</span></span>, + that belongs to the harbour, and has her steam up night and day ready + for any emergency that may arise, speedily got her steam to full + power, and with her brave and skilful master, Daniel Reading, in + command, took the boat in tow, and together they made their way out + of the harbour. James Hogben, who with Reading has been in many a + wild scene of danger, was coxswain, and steered and commanded the + life-boat.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“It was nearly low water at the time, but the force of + the gale was such as to send a good deal of spray dashing over the + pier; the snow fell in blinding squalls, and drifted and eddied in + every protected nook and corner. It was hard work for the excited + crowd of people who had assembled to see the life-boat start, to + battle their way through the drifts and against the wind, snow, and + foam, to the head of the pier; but there at last they gathered, and + many a one felt his heart fail as the steamer and boat cleared the + protection of the pier, and encountered the first rush of the wind + and sea outside. <span class="tei tei-q">‘She seemed to go out under + water,’</span> said one old fellow; <span class="tei tei-q">‘I would + not have gone out in her for the universe.’</span> And those who did + not know the heroism and determination that such scenes call forth in + the breasts of the boatmen, could not help wondering much at the + eagerness which had been displayed to get a place in the boat—and + this although the hardy fellows knew that the two Margate life-boats + had been wrecked in the attempt to get the short distance which + separated the wreck from Margate, while they would have to battle + their way through the gale for ten or twelve miles before they could + get even in sight of the vessel.”</span> And so the steamer with its + engines working full power plunged heavily along, the life-boat towed + astern with fifty fathoms (300 feet) of five-inch hawser out, an + enormously strong rope about the thickness of a man’s wrist. The + water flowed into and over the boat, and still, like any other good + life-boat, she floated, and rose in its buoyancy, almost defying the + great waves, while her crew were knee-deep in water.</p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page220">[pg 220]</span><a name="Pg220" id="Pg220" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a name="illo_249.png" id="illo_249.png" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_249.png" alt="RAMSGATE—THE “AID” GOING OUT" + title="RAMSGATE—THE “AID” GOING OUT." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + RAMSGATE—THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“AID”</span> GOING OUT. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They, making their + way through the Cud channel, had passed between the black and white + buoys, so well-known to Ramsgate visitors, when a fearful sea came + heading towards them. It met and broke over the steamer, buried her + in foam and then passed on. The life-boat rose to it, and for a + moment hung with her bows high in air, then plunged bodily almost + under water. The men were nearly washed out of her, for at that + moment the tow rope broke, and the boat fell across the sea, which + swept in rapid succession over her. <span class="tei tei-q">“Oars + out! oars out!”</span> was the cry, but they could do nothing with + them. The steamer was, however, cleverly brought within a few yards + to windward of the boat, and a hauling line, to which was attached a + new hawser, was successfully passed to the boat, and they again + proceeded in the teeth of the blinding snow and sleet and spray which + swept over the boat, till the men looked, as one said at the time, + <span class="tei tei-q">“like a body of ice.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Still they + struggled on, till they reached the North Foreland, where the sea was + running mountains high, and although early in the afternoon, the air + was so darkened by the storm that the captain of the boat could not + see the steamer only a hundred yards ahead, and still less able were + the men on board the steamer to see the life-boat. Now they sighted + Margate, and could plainly see the two disabled life-boats ashore. + But where was the wreck? A providential break in the drift of snow + suddenly gave them a glimpse of it, and the master of the steamer + made out the flag of distress flying in the rigging of the fated + vessel. But she was on the other side of the sand, and to tow the + boat round would take a long time in the face of such a gale; while + for the boat to make across the sand seemed almost impossible. But + although it seemed a forlorn hope, it was resolved to force her + through the surf and sea under sail, and the hawser was cast off. Now + a new complication arose. The tide was found to be running so + furiously that they must be towed at least three miles to the + eastward <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page221">[pg + 221]</span><a name="Pg221" id="Pg221" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>before they would be sufficiently far to + windward to make certain of fetching the wreck. The tow rope had to + be got on board again, and it was a bitter disappointment to all, + that an hour or more of their precious time must be consumed before + they could possibly get to the rescue of their endangered brother + seamen. The snow-squalls increased, and they lost sight of the wreck + again and again. <span class="tei tei-q">“The gale, which had been + increasing since the morning, came on heavier than ever, and roared + like thunder overhead, the sea was running so furiously and meeting + the life-boat with such tremendous force that the men had to cling on + their hardest not to be washed out of her, and at last the new tow + rope could no longer resist the increasing strain, and suddenly + parted with a tremendous jerk; there was no thought of picking up the + cable again—they could stand no further delay, and one and all of her + crew rejoiced to hear the captain of the life-boat give orders to set + sail.”</span></p><a name="illo_250.jpg" id="illo_250.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_250.jpg" alt="“CURLY” WEATHER" title= + "“CURLY” WEATHER." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center">“CURLY”</span> + WEATHER. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Straight for the + breakers they made in the increasing gloom; no faltering or + hesitation, brows knit, teeth clenched, hands ready, and hearts firm. + The boat, carrying the smallest amount of sail possible, was driven + on by the hurricane force of the wind, till she plunged through the + outer range of the breakers into the battling, seething, boiling sea, + that marked the treacherous shallows. <span class="tei tei-q">“When + they saw some huge breaker heading towards them like an advancing + wall, then the men threw themselves breast down on the thwart, curled + their legs under it, clasped it with all their force with both arms, + held their breath hard, and clung on for very life against the tear + and wrestle of the waves, while the rush of water poured over their + backs and heads, and buried them in its flood. Down, down, beneath + the weight of the water, the men and boat sank; but only for a + moment; the splendid boat rose in her buoyancy, and freed herself of + the seas, which for a moment had overcome her and buried her, and her + crew breathed again; and a struggling cry of triumph rises from them, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘Well done, old boat! well + done.’</span> ”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A sudden break in + the storm, and the wreck is revealed to them half a mile to leeward. + Her appearance made even these hardy men shudder. She had settled + down by the stern, her uplifted bow being the only part of the hull + that was to be seen, and the sea was making a clean breach over her. + <span class="tei tei-q">“The mainmast was gone, her foresail and + foretopsail were blown adrift, and great columns of foam were + mounting up, flying over her foremast and bow. They saw a Margate + lugger lying at anchor just clear of the Sands, and made close to + her. As they shot by they could just make out, amid the roar of the + storm, a loud hail, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Eight of our men on + board!’</span> and on they flew, and in a few minutes were in a sea + that would instantly have swamped the lugger, noble and powerful boat + though she was.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Approaching the wreck, it was with terrible anxiety they + strained their sight, trying to discover if there were still any men + left in the tangled mass of rigging, over which the sea was breaking + so furiously. By degrees they made them out. <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘I see a man’s head. Look! one is waving his + arm.’</span>—<span class="tei tei-q">‘I make out two! three! why, the + rigging is full of the poor fellows;’</span> and with a cheer of + triumph, as being yet in time, the life-boat crew settled to their + work.”</span> Four hours they had been battling the elements, while + the shipwrecked crew had waited eight hours despairingly, within a + few miles of shore, shivering in the rigging. The sails were lowered, + and anchor cast overboard. <span class="tei tei-q">“No cheering! no + shouting in the boat now, no whisper beyond the necessary orders; the + risk and suspense are too terrible! Yard by yard the cable is + cautiously paid out, and the great rolling seas are allowed to carry + the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page222">[pg 222]</span><a name= + "Pg222" id="Pg222" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>boat, little by little, + nearer to the vessel. The waves break over the boat, for the moment + bury it, and then as the sea rushes on, and breaks upon the wreck, + the spray, flying up, hides the men lashed to the rigging from the + boatmen’s sight. They hoist up a corner of the sail to let the boat + sheer in; all are ready; a huge wave lifts them. <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Pay out the cable! sharp, men! sharp!’</span> the + coxswain shouts; <span class="tei tei-q">‘belay all!’</span> The + cable was let go a few yards by the run, and the boat is alongside + the wreck. With a cry, three men jump into the boat and are saved! + <span class="tei tei-q">‘All hands to the cable! haul in hand over + hand, for your lives, men, quick!’</span> the coxswain cries; for he + sees a tremendous wave rushing in swiftly upon them. They haul in the + cable, draw the boat a little from the wreck, the wave passes and + breaks over the vessel; if the life-boat had been alongside she would + have been dashed against the wreck, and perhaps capsized, or washed + over, and utterly destroyed. Again the men watch the waves, and as + they see a few smaller ones approaching, let the cable run again, and + get alongside; this time they are able to remain a little longer by + the vessel; and, one after another, thirteen of the shipwrecked men + unlash themselves from the rigging and jump into the boat, when again + they draw away from the vessel in all haste, and avoid threatened + destruction.”</span> At last three Spaniards are left in the rigging; + they seem nearly dead, and scarcely able to unlash themselves, and + crawl down the shrouds. The boat must be placed dangerously near the + vessel, and two of the life-boatmen must get on to the wreck and lift + the men on board. They do it quietly, coolly, determinedly. The last + one left is a poor little cabin-boy; he seems entangled in the + rigging, and yet he holds fast to a canvas bag of trinkets and things + he was taking as presents to the loved ones at home. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“God only knows,”</span> says Gilmore, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“whether the loved ones at home were thinking of and + praying for him, and whether it was in answer to their prayers and + those of many others that the life-boat then rode alongside that + wreck, an ark of safety amid the raging seas.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“They shout, the boy lingers still, his half-dead hands + cannot free the bag from the entangled rigging. A moment and all are + lost; a boatman makes a spring, seizes the lad with a strong grasp, + and tears him down the rigging into the boat—too late, too late; they + cannot get away from the vessel; a tremendous wave rushes on: hold + hard all, hold anchor! hold cable! give but a yard and all are lost. + The boat lifts, is washed into the fore-rigging, the sea passes, and + she settles down again upon an even keel. Thank God! If one stray + rope of all the torn and tangled rigging of the vessel had caught the + boat’s rigging, or one of her spars—if the boat’s keel or cork + fenders had caught in the shattered gunwale, she would have turned + over, and every man in her been shaken into the sea to speedy and + certain death. Thank God! it is not so, and once more they are + safe.”</span> Look at the boat now; thirteen of its own crew, eight + of the Margate and Whitstable men, the captain, mate, eight <a name= + "corr222" id="corr222" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">seamen</span>, and the boy, thirty-two souls in all. + Will she be able to bring all this human freight safely to land? + Their dangers are not yet over; in fact, to the poor Spaniards, the + terrors of death have not yet passed away; for they know little of + the grand properties of a first-class English life-boat.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Now come the + difficulties of clearing the wreck. The anchor holds, and there is no + thought of getting her up in such a gale and sea. The hatchet is + passed forward; there is a moment’s delay, a delay by which indeed + all their lives are saved. Already one strand out of <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page223">[pg 223]</span><a name="Pg223" id="Pg223" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the three of which the strong rope is + composed is severed, when a fearful gust of wind sweeps by, the boat + heels over almost on her side—a crash is heard, and the mast and sail + are blown clean out of the boat! she is carried straight for the + wreck; the cable is slack, they haul it in as fast as they can, but + on they are carried swiftly, as it would seem to certain destruction. + <span class="tei tei-q">“Let them hit the wreck full, and the next + wave must throw the boat bodily upon it, and all her crew will be + swept at once into the sea; let them but touch the wreck, and the + risk is fearful; on they are carried, the stem of the boat just + grazes the bow of the vessel, they must be capsized by the bowsprit + and entangled in the wreckage; some of the crew are ready for a + spring into the bowsprit to prolong their lives a few minutes, the + others are all steadily, eagerly, quietly, hauling in upon the cable + might and main, as the only chance of safety to the boat and crew; + one moment more and all are gone, one more haul upon the cable, a + fathom or so comes in by the run, and at that moment mercifully + taughtens and holds, all may yet be safe! another yard or two and the + boat would have been dashed to pieces.”</span> This danger over, they + have to think of the mast and sail dragging over the side of the + boat; it is with great difficulty that they get them on board, and + rig them up once more. At last they sail away from the Sands, the + breakers and the wreck.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now for the + steamer, which at length they reach, passing on the way the lugger + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Eclipse</span></span> and the Whitstable smack, + to the crews of which they were able to impart the good tidings. When + they reached the steamer the sea was raging, and the gale blowing as + much as ever, and it was no easy task to get the poor shipwrecked + fellows on board, as they were too exhausted to spring up her sides + as the opportunity occurred; and one poor fellow was literally hauled + on board with a rope. The return voyage was little less dangerous + than the voyage out, but at last the Ramsgate pier-head light shone + out with its bright welcome, and cheers broke out from the anxious + crowd, as it was known that nineteen men had been saved from a + terrible and certain death. The Spanish sailors were well cared for, + and their captain, in speaking of the rescue, was almost overcome by + his feelings of gratitude and wonder, for he had made up his mind for + death. He had a picture made of the rescue to take home with him to + show the Spanish authorities. It is gratifying to know that so much + bravery did not go unrewarded. The English Board of Control presented + each of the men with £2 and a medal, while the Spanish Government + gratefully acknowledged the heroic exertions put forth, by granting + each a medal and £3. And all the above is but one example of the work + of our <span class="tei tei-q">“Storm Warriors,”</span> whose + glorious mission is to save.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One stormy night + some years ago the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Aid</span></span> and the life-boat started from + Ramsgate in answer to rockets fired from one of the Goodwin + light-vessels. They knew well what it meant, but on reaching the edge + of the Sands could not, after cruising about some distance, find any + traces of a vessel in distress. They waited till daylight, and then + were just able to distinguish the lower mast of a steamer standing + out of the water. They made towards it, but found no trace of life, + no signs of any floating wreck to which a human being could cling. + They were forced to the conclusion that almost immediately upon + striking, the vessel must have broken up and sunk in the quicksand. + Poor crew! poor passengers, maybe! a sharp, sudden death! Would that + the vessel could have held together a little longer!</p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page224">[pg 224]</span><a name="Pg224" id="Pg224" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They had not + proceeded much farther ahead in the hopes of assisting another vessel + ashore not far from Kingsgate, when the captain of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Aid</span></span> saw + a large life-buoy floating by. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ease + her!”</span> he cries, and the way of the steamer slackens; + <span class="tei tei-q">“God knows but what that life-buoy may be of + some use to us.”</span> The helmsman steers for it; a sailor makes a + hasty dart at it with a boat-hook, misses it, and starts back + appalled from a vision of staring eyes, and pale and agonised faces, + matted hair, and arms outstretched for help. The life-boat crew steer + for the buoy; the bowman grasps at it, but cannot lift it; his cry of + horror startles the whole crew. Some of them hasten to help him. To + that buoy three dead bodies were found lashed with ropes round their + waists. Slowly and reverently, one by one, the crew lifted them on + board, and laid them out under the sail. Those three pale corpses + were all that were ever found of the crew and passengers—to what + number is not known precisely to-day—of the steamer <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Violet</span></span>, + which had left Ostend late the previous evening. At two o’clock she + struck the Sands; a little after three there was no one left on board + to answer the signals of a steamboat that had come to their rescue, + and show their position; a little later and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Violet</span></span> + was lying a worthless wreck below the breakers and quicksands.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Happily the + efforts of the life-boat and steamer’s men are almost invariably + crowned with success, where such is anything like possible. A grand + success was scored some years ago when the passengers and crew of a + large emigrant ship, and the crew of another vessel, one hundred and + twenty in all, were rescued and brought into Ramsgate as the result + of one long night’s work. The first ship, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Fusilier</span></span>, was found hard and fast + on the Sands, in a perfect boil of waters, and the life-boat alone + dare approach her, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Aid</span></span> being obliged to lay off at + some distance. The terrified passengers looked down upon the + life-boat from the high ship’s deck, which quivered with every thump + on the sands, wondering how many she could possibly save, and + despairingly crowding round the two life-boat’s men who had sprung to + the man-ropes when the boat had been lifted by a sea close to the + wreck. The lights from the ship’s lamps and the faint moonlight + revealed a trembling, pale, and horror-stricken crowd, nine-tenths of + whom had known nothing before of the terrors of the sea, and who + still despaired of ever seeing land again. But every one of them, and + the list included more than sixty women and children, were saved. The + women and children were taken off first, helped down by sailors slung + in bowlines over the vessel’s side, to the plunging, restless boat, + the dangers being greatly enhanced by the helplessness and frantic + terror of the poor creatures. Yet not even a baby was lost, although + many were thrown from the vessel to the outstretched arms of the + life-boat men. About thirty persons were conveyed at a time to the + steamer, where the difficulties of transference were nearly as great + as from the wreck, but at last all were safe on board. Then, as the + heavily-freighted steamer turned her head for Ramsgate, the emigrants + mentioned how, during the previous night, they had seen a large ship + drifting fast for the Sands, and how in the darkness they had lost + sight of her. A sharp look-out was therefore kept, and as they + proceeded down Prince’s Channel, and neared the lightship, their + search was rewarded. They noted the remnants of a wreck well over on + the north-east side of the Girdler Sands, and immediately put back + for the lifeboat, which had been left alongside the emigrant ship, + where the captain remained in the <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page225">[pg 225]</span><a name="Pg225" id="Pg225" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>faint hope of saving her eventually. Both put + back to the second wreck, the hull of which was almost torn to + pieces, the timbers started, rent, and twisted—a mere skeleton of a + ship. To the foremast—hardly held in position by a remnant of + shattered deck—clung sixteen of an exhausted crew, including a pilot + and a boy of eleven. But a rope was successfully thrown round the + fore-rigging, and slowly, one by one, the poor fellows dropped from + the mast to the boat. Then <span class="tei tei-q">“oars out,”</span> + lest a hole should be knocked through the boat’s bottom by some part + of the wreckage, and every rower strained his utmost to get clear of + her. This done, and the sail hoisted, the steamer was soon reached, + and a grand night’s work consummated. One can imagine the keen + interest of the emigrants watching from the steamer the rescue of men + from dangers similar to, but even greater than, those through which + they had themselves just passed, and the enthusiasm ashore, at an + almost unparalleled example of successful life-boat work.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap17" id="chap17" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc37" id="toc37"></a> <a name="pdf38" id="pdf38"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XVII.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 144%">“</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">Man the + Life-boat!</span></span><span style="font-size: 144%">”</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 144%">(</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 144%; font-style: italic">continued</span></span><span style="font-size: 144%">).</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">A Portuguese Brig on the Sands—Futile Attempts to + get her off—Sudden Break-up—Great Danger to the Life-boat—Great + Probability of being Crushed—An Old Boatman’s Feelings—The Life-boat + herself on the Goodwin—Safe at Last—Gratitude of the Portuguese + Crew—A Blaze of Light seen from Deal—Fatal Delay—Twenty-eight Lives + Lost—A Dark December Night—The almost-deserted Wreck of the</span> + <span class="tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Providentia</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—A + Plucky Captain—An Awful Episode—The Mate beaten to Death—Hardly + saved—The poor little Cabin-boy’s Rescue—Another Wreck on the + Sands—Many Attempts to rescue the Crew—Determination of the + Boatmen—Victory or Death!—The</span> <span class="tei tei-name" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Aid</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 90%">Steamer nearly wrecked—A novel and successful + Experiment—Anchoring on Board—The Crew Saved.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The emigrant ship + mentioned in the preceding chapter was eventually got off the Sands; + but although similar efforts are often made, they are by no means + usually attended by similar results. The danger of waiting by the + ship is very considerable. Gilmore gives us a good example of this in + his account of a Portuguese brig on the Sands, of which there were, + at first, strong hopes of saving. Her masts and rigging, as at first + seen by the Ramsgate men, were all right, and her clean new copper + was intact. <span class="tei tei-q">“A grand thing for all hands—for + owners, underwriters, crew, and boatmen—the men think, if they can + only get her safely off when the tide rises, and bring her into + harbour; a fine vessel and perhaps valuable cargo saved, and a pretty + piece of salvage, which will be well earned, and nobody should + grudge, for the boatmen have to live, as well as to save + life.”</span> The captain had at first refused to employ the services + offered by the crews of two Broadstairs luggers, but at last was glad + to avail himself of their assistance, coupled with that of the + life-boat men and the steam-tug <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Aid</span></span>. + The boatmen got an anchor out astern as quickly as possible, the + vessel being head on to the Sands, and used other means to assist the + steamer’s work. They hoped that the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Aid</span></span> + would be able to back close enough to them, to get a rope on board + fastened to the flukes of the brig’s anchor, and to drag the anchor + out, and drop it about one hundred fathoms astern of the vessel. All + hands would then have gone to the windlass, keeping a strain upon + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page226">[pg 226]</span><a name="Pg226" + id="Pg226" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the cable, and, each time the + vessel lifted, heaved with a will—the steamer, with a hundred and + twenty fathoms of nine-inch cable out, towing hard all the time. By + these means they expected to be able gradually to work the vessel off + the Sands. But they soon lost hope of doing this. The gale freshened + about one o’clock in the morning; the heavy waves rolled in over the + sands, and she lifted and fell with shocks that made the masts + tremble and the decks gape open. The life-boat remained alongside, + afloat in the basin that the brig had worked in the sands, and it + took all the efforts of the men on board to prevent her getting under + the side of the vessel, and being crushed. The Portuguese captain + still refused to desert his vessel, while the boatmen, who knew the + danger, were almost ready to force the crew to leave the ship.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suddenly a loud + sharp crack, like a crash of thunder, pealed through the ship. One of + her large timbers had snapped like a pipe-stem, and now the + Portuguese sailors were only too anxious to leave. Even then, + however, they made a rush to get their things, and soon eight + sea-chests hampered the life-boat. The captain did not like to refuse + the poor fellows, although every moment was of consequence. The surf + flew over the brig, and boiled up all around her; the life-boat, + deluged with spray, had all her lights washed out. The snapping and + rending of the brig’s timbers was heard over the fury of the storm; + she was breaking up fast. The boy was handed to the boat, the sailors + following, and the brig was abandoned. But the danger was far from + over.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The steamer and + the luggers, exposed to the full fury of the increasing gale, were + outside, the former head to wind, steaming half-power. The steamer + endeavoured to keep in the neighbourhood of the wreck and of the + life-boat. One of the luggers had to cut her cable, without + attempting to save her anchor, and make with all speed for Ramsgate; + the second sprung her mast, which was fished with great difficulty, + and she too made the best of her way for the harbour. The crew of the + steamer could see nothing of the boat—Was she swamped or stove, and + all lost? They made signals, but to no purpose; and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Aid</span></span> + cruised up and down the edge of the dangerous sands as near as might + be, hoping against hope. The night was pitchy dark, and the storm + remained at its worst. Through the thick darkness the bright light of + the Goodwin light-vessel shone out like a star. With a faint hope, + the crew of the steamer wrestled their way through the storm, and + spoke the light-ship. Nothing had been seen of the life-boat. They + hastened to their old cruising-ground. How they longed for the light! + All hands were still on watch, and as the faint grey light of dawning + came, they sought with straining eyeballs to penetrate the twilight, + and find some sign of their lost comrades. It was almost broad + daylight before they could find the place where the wreck was lying, + and when they discovered it, lost all hope, for the brig was found + completely broken up, actually torn to pieces. They could see great + masses of splintered timber and tangled rigging, but not a sign of + life. Sadly they turned from the fatal Goodwin, and made for the + harbour.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To return to the + life-boat, afloat within the circle of the bed worked by the brig in + her wild careering. She could not by any possibility leave, though + the wreck threatened to roll over her every moment, for outside were + the shallow sands, and she was grounding every few moments. + <span class="tei tei-q">“Crash! the brig heaves, and crushes down + upon her bilge; again and <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page227">[pg + 227]</span><a name="Pg227" id="Pg227" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>again,”</span> says the narrator, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“she half lifts upon an even keel, and rolls and lurches + from side to side; each time that she falls to leeward she comes more + and more over, and nearer to the boat.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“This is the danger that may well make the stoutest heart + quail. The boat is aground—helplessly aground; her crew can see + through the darkness of the night the yards and masts of the brig + swaying over their heads, now tossing high in the air as the brig + rights, and now falling nearer and nearer to them, sweeping down over + their heads, swaying and rending in the air, the blocks, and ropes, + and torn fragments of sails flying wildly in all directions. Let but + one of the swaying yards hit the boat, she must be crushed, and all + lost. The men crouch down closer and closer, clinging to the thwarts + as the brig falls to them, casting dread glances at the approaching + yards; all right once more; another pull at the cable—hard, men, + hard; over again comes the brig; stick to it, stick to it, my men; + crushed or drowned, it will be soon over if we cannot move the boat; + another pull, all together; again and again they make desperate + efforts to stir the boat, but she will not move one inch; they must + wait, and, if needs be, wait their doom.”</span> And so through hours + of fearful suspense, half dead with cold and the ceaseless rush of + surf over them, watching in the shadowy darkness the swaying masts + and flying blocks, expecting each moment to be their last.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But at length a + dawn of hope arrived; the boat lifted on the swell of the tide that + was beginning to reach her, and though she immediately grounded + again, the men knew that all was not lost. After desperate hauling on + the cable they at last were able to ride to their anchor a few yards + clear of the brig. But to get away from the sand in the face of the + fierce gale and tide was impossible, and so there was no alternative, + they must beat right across the sands, and this in the wild fearful + gale, and terrible sea, and pitch-dark night. Breaker after breaker + rushed furiously towards and over them; the men were nearly washed + out of the boat; and, worse, the anchor began to drag, and every + moment they drifted nearer to the wreck again. There might now be + water enough to take them clear; at all events, they must risk it. + The foresail was hoisted and the cable cut, and she leaped forward, + but only for a few yards, when she grounded upon the sands again with + a terrible shock, and again within reach of the brig. Huge breakers + came tearing along, and, at last, after many such experiences, they + were once more clear of the wreck. Then another danger arose. A small + life-boat belonging to the Broadstairs men had been in tow all this + time, and when the Ramsgate boat grounded she came crashing along + into her. The Ramsgate men had, in the midst of the boiling sea, to + fend her off with their feet, and at last cut her adrift. The + sea-chests of the Portuguese sailors—or at least those not already + washed away—were thrown overboard. Again and again she grounded on + the sand ridges washed up by the surf—ridges giant editions of the + little sand-ripples on the sea-shore so well remembered by all + visitors to our coasts, but two and three feet high, instead of as + many inches.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“One old boatman,”</span> says Gilmore, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“afterwards thus described his feelings:—<span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Well, sir, perhaps my friends were right when they said + I hadn’t ought to have gone out—that I was too old for that sort of + work’</span> (he was then about sixty years of age), <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘but, you see, when there is life to be saved, it makes + one feel young again; and I’ve <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page228">[pg 228]</span><a name="Pg228" id="Pg228" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>always felt I had a call to save life when I + could, and I wasn’t going to hang back then. And I stood it better + than some of them, after all. I did my work on board the brig, and + when she was so near falling over us, and when the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Dreadnought</span></span> life-boat seemed + knocking our bottom out, I got on as well as any of them; but when we + got to beating and grubbing over the sands, swinging round and round, + and grounding every few yards with a jerk that bruised us sadly, and + almost tore our arms out from the sockets; no sooner washed off one + ridge, and beginning to hope that the boat was clear, than she + thumped upon another harder than ever, and all the time the wash of + the surf nearly carrying us out of the boat—it was truly almost too + much for any man to stand. There was a young fellow holding on next + to me; I saw his head begin to drop, and that he was getting faint, + and going to give over; and when the boat filled with water, and the + waves went over his head, he scarcely cared to struggle free. I tried + to cheer him a bit, and keep his spirits up. He just clung to the + thwart like a drowning man. Poor fellow! he never did a day’s work + after that night, and died in a few months.’</span> And then the old + man described how he took his life-belt off, that he might have it + over all the quicker; how the captain cheered them up by crying out, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘We’ll see Ramsgate yet again, my men, if we + steer clear of old wrecks;’</span> and how he was going off into a + kind of stupor when the clouds broke a little, and one bright star + shone out, a star of life and hope to him. For seven whole days after + the poor old man reached shore he lost his speech, and lay like a log + on his bed, while all the men were considerably shaken. <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘I cannot describe it,’</span> said he, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘and you cannot, neither can any one else; but when you + say you’ve beat and thumped over those sands, almost yard by yard, in + a fearful storm on a winter’s night, and live to tell the tale, why + it seems to me about the next thing to saying that you’ve been dead, + and brought to life again.’</span> ”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But suddenly the + swinging and beating of the boat ceased: she was in a heavy sea, but + in deep water, and she answered her helm. The crew soon got more sail + on her, and she made good way before the gale. Even the Portuguese + sailors lifted their heads. They had been clinging together and to + the boat, crouching down under the lee of the foresail, utterly + despairing of life; now their joy knew no bounds. They were noticed + earnestly consulting together. They had lost their kits, and only + possessed the clothes they stood in and a few pounds in money (about + £17) between them, but the latter they determined to present to the + crew. <span class="tei tei-q">“I, for one, won’t touch any of + it,”</span> said the coxswain of the boat. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Nor I!”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“Nor I!”</span> + all added; <span class="tei tei-q">“put your money up.”</span> And so + to the harbour, where their consul took care of them. When the + steamer arrived later on, what was not the surprise and delight of + the captain and all hands to find the life-boat at her old moorings, + and their comrades in so many dangers all safe in port!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For by far the + larger proportion if not indeed nearly the whole of these life-savers + work <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">con + amore</span></span>, and a mishap or positive disaster is often to + them an agonising disappointment. One stormy New Year’s Eve some + years ago <span class="tei tei-q">“a ship was seen off Deal beach in + almost a blaze of light, burning tar-barrels and firing rockets, to + tell of her distress; an intervening fog seemed to prevent the + look-out on board the light-vessel seeing her, and some boatmen on + Deal beach, who could not possibly get their boats off the sands in + the face of the strong gale blowing straight on shore, put their + halfpence together to pay for a telegraph message—the <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page229">[pg 229]</span><a name="Pg229" id="Pg229" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>messages were dearer then than they are + now—and sent their swiftest runner to telegraph to Ramsgate; and, + after all, there was some unfortunate mistake, and fatal delay, and a + telegram at last sent for further particulars, which was answered + with a demand for urgent speed, and away then flew steamer and + life-boat, and they neared the wreck, and rounded to, to send the + life-boat in, when some of the boatmen thought they heard an + agonising shriek, and others thought it was only the wail of the + storm; but they looked, and the great green seas swept over the + wreck, turned her right over, and she was seen no more, and + twenty-eight lives went to their account. A piteous New Year’s tale + it was that was told next morning. A boat’s crew got away from the + ship soon after she struck, and, battling through the broken seas, + made way before the wind to Dover, and they told the story that the + lost vessel had picked up a shipwrecked crew, who were thus a second + time wrecked, and at the second time lost; and that more of the crew + would have come away in the boat, and in other boats, but it was a + great risk; and there was a Deal pilot on board, who pointed out the + danger, and said that the Ramsgate life-boat was sure to be out to + their rescue, they might be sure of her; and so they stayed and + lighted tar-barrel after tar-barrel, and fired rocket after rocket; + and when the sea washed their signal-fires out and swept the decks, + they took to the rigging, and waited for the life-boat; and as they + waited, the poor Deal pilot could watch the light on the <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page230">[pg 230]</span><a name="Pg230" id="Pg230" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>beach, by the house where slept his wife + and eight children, who were to call him husband—father—no + more.”</span> The life-boat men hardly like to speak of such a cruel + disaster—blameless though they be in the matter. In this particular + case a Board of Trade inquiry acquitted them and all else concerned + of any blame whatever.</p><a name="illo_260.png" id="illo_260.png" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_260.png" alt="A GROUP OF LIFE-BOAT MEN" + title="A GROUP OF LIFE-BOAT MEN." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + A GROUP OF LIFE-BOAT MEN. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A dark December + night, and a large ship reported ashore on the Goodwins. The + harbour-master hurries to Ramsgate pier-head; he and all with him can + see nothing; they cross-question the man who asserts that he observed + during a lift in the fog a vessel on the sands. Although there is no + signal from the light-vessels, the harbour-master decides to send out + steamer and life-boat. The crews of both soon discover the vessel + looming through the mist, a complete wreck, her bow to the sea, her + mizen-mast down to the deck, and the wild seas running over her. + There are no sailors to be seen lashed in her rigging. Have all on + board perished?</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thank God! not so. + After infinite difficulty, and after nearly getting entangled with + some of the wreckage, the life-boat crew get near the vessel, and + find that three men and a boy are crouching under the shelter of the + deck-house; they must be a small proportion of the original crew, for + she is a large ship, and must have had some fifteen or sixteen hands + aboard. The men have been crouching there for hours, and their + confidence in the advent of the life-boat had been so strong that + they had prepared for her coming by preparing a life-buoy, with a + long line fastened to it, ready to throw overboard.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the long hours + passed, fervent hope had been dashed by wild despair. Suddenly the + life-boat appears, coming up to her cable just astern of the vessel; + it is to them as a reprieve from death, and they wake to life and + action. They throw the life-buoy and line to the life-boat men, and + after much trouble the latter get it on board. All hands lay hold on + the rope, and do their utmost to haul the life-boat nearer to the + wreck, but the heavy gale, terrific sea, and strong tide, render it + impossible. A tremendous sea comes rushing over the vessel, and for + the moment swamps the boat, knocking down five or six of the men, + hurting some of them severely, but she lifts again, and no one is + lost. But what of the poor crew? The life-boat men feel that it is + impossible to haul their boat nearer the ship.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“To their great surprise, they see the captain spring up + from the lee of the deck-house, hurriedly take off his oilskin coat, + throw it into the water, and then, jumping on the gunwale, grasp the + hawser that holds the boat, and slide down into the boiling sea. A + huge wave breaks over him and washes him away from the rope; he now + tries to swim to the boat, but the life-boat is not directly + astern—the sheer she has to her cable that is fastened to the anchor, + which was thrown over some distance to the side of the vessel, + prevents her dropping right astern; and although the captain has but + to swim a few yards out of the direction of the sweep of sea and + tide, it is impossible for him to manage it. He is perfectly + overwhelmed by the boil of sea, tossed wildly up and down, wave after + wave beating over him: it is all that he can do to keep his head + above water, and cannot guide his course in the least; the boatmen + try all they can to make the boat sheer towards him, so as to reach + him or throw him a rope, but it is impossible: they cannot get + sufficiently near, and in a few seconds they see him swept + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page231">[pg 231]</span><a name="Pg231" + id="Pg231" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>rapidly by in the swift tide. + Jarman, the coxswain of the boat, seizes a life-buoy, and throws it + with all his force towards him; the wind catches it, and helps the + throw; it falls near him; he makes a spring forward and reaches it; + the men gladly see that he has got it; they see him put his two hands + upon one side, as if to get upon it; as he leans forward it falls + over his head like a hoop; he gets his arms through it, and shouting + to the boatmen, <span class="tei tei-q">‘All right!’</span> he waves + his hand as if to beckon them to follow him, and goes floating down + in the strong tide and among the raging, leaping seas, in a strange + wild dance, that threatens indeed to be a dance of death.”</span> + With terror and dismay they watch him in his fearful struggle, till + he is lost to their view, quite out of sight among the waves; they + could not follow him, however much they might have wished it, for it + might be hours before they could get back to the ship, and the two + men and boy still aboard.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And had they + thought of so doing the next episode would have obliged them to + desist. A tremendous crash startles them all; the mainmast has fallen + over the port side of the vessel. The men on board give a loud cry; + the chief mate springs wildly to the starboard quarter, and, making + the end of the mainbrace hanging there fast round his waist, drops + into the sea. He is a powerful swimmer; but what can he do in a tide + and sea so tremendous that twelve strong men cannot haul the boat one + foot against them? And so a fearful tragedy is worked out before + their very eyes. Now he is buried in a sea; now he is thrown high in + the air on the crest of a wave, but he never nears the boat, nor can + it near him. He strikes out wildly, as if to make a last effort, and + cries aloud in his agony and despair. They try again and again to + throw the lead-line over the rope which holds the poor fellow, but + the boat is pitching and tossing so much that their efforts are all + in vain. <span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Now he + rises on a wave; now try; heave with a will, well clear of his head. + Ah! missed again; look out; hold on all!’</span> A wave rushes over + them, boat and all; another half minute, and they make another + attempt. No! all in vain, each time it falls short. The struggle + cannot last long; strong and young as the man is, his strength cannot + possibly endure long in such a conflict; his cries grow more feeble, + and soon cease; they see him try and get back to the ship, climbing + up the rope, but his strength fails, and he falls back; his arms and + legs are still tossed wildly about, but it is by the action of the + waves; his head drops and sinks; yes! it is all over!—all over with + him!”</span> Think of the second mate and cabin-boy on the wreck, + watching in helpless horror the death they could not avert, and which + may be theirs in a few moments!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The deck-house + under which they have been crouching is beginning to break up, and + the remaining man, throwing himself on the rope by which the + life-boat is made fast to the ship, attempts to reach the boat. The + breakers rush over him as he painfully struggles on, and he is again + and again buried in the waves. At last he reaches the high bow of the + life-boat, which is leaping and falling and jerking, tearing the + hawser up and down in the seas, as if trying to throw him from his + hold. His hands convulsively clutch the rope; pale, and with jaw + dropping, he seems about to swoon, and in another moment he will be + gone. <span class="tei tei-q">“The man in the bow of the boat has + been watching his every movement, has shuddered with dismay as he saw + the seas wash over <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page232">[pg + 232]</span><a name="Pg232" id="Pg232" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>him, + expecting him to be carried away in the strong tide. No; he still + grasps the rope, and at last is within reach! In one spring, and with + a cry to his mates, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Hold me! hold + me!’</span> the boatman throws himself upon the raised fore-deck of + the life-boat, and, with his body half-stretched over the stern, he + grasps the collar of the sailor. The drowning man throws his arm + around the boatman’s neck, and clings to him convulsively, by his + weight dragging the man’s head down and burying it in the water; but + the brave fellow clings as hard to the half-dead sailor as the sailor + does to him; the seas wash bodily over them and over the bow of the + boat; up and down the boat plunges them both, but he still holds on; + three or four of the boatmen have hold of his legs, and are doing + their utmost to pull him back into the boat, but they cannot do so; + and so the struggle goes on: it is only as the boat rises on a wave + and throws her bow up in the air that the men can breathe.”</span> + And now a new horror, for right down upon them comes the wreck of one + of the ship’s largest boats, which has just got free of the wreckage. + Thank God! it just passes clear of them. The boatmen cannot get the + men in over the high bow of the boat, and the two poor fellows are + drowning fast, and so they drag them along the side of the boat, + still clinging together, to the waist of the boat, where the gunwale + is very low, and with more assistance succeed in getting them + aboard.</p><a name="illo_263.png" id="illo_263.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_263.png" alt="ON THE COAST AT DEAL" title= + "ON THE COAST AT DEAL." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + ON THE COAST AT DEAL. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now for the + poor boy, still clinging to the gunwale, and crying out in piteous + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page233">[pg 233]</span><a name="Pg233" + id="Pg233" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>tones. Each moment, as the + waves dash over the vessel, the boatmen expect to see him washed + overboard like a cork. What can be done? No one can mount the rope in + the face of the seas and tide which had really helped the poor fellow + now safely on the boat. There seems no hope of taking him off by any + means whatever, but the coxswain determines to haul the boat up to + the ship sharply, and attempt it. Scarcely are the orders given, when + some of the men give a cry, <span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘What’s that? look out!’</span> Yes, he is overboard, + washed over by that big sea. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Where is he? + where is he? There he is! No; only his cap! there he lifts on that + sea—he is coming straight for the boat!’</span> From the change and + eddy of the tide, the rush of the sea past the boat is not nearly so + rapid as it was, and the poor boy comes floating slowly from the + ship; once or twice he has been rolled under by the waves, now he is + on the surface again, and near the boat. <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Here he comes! look! on that wave! Lost! No, he floats + again! Slacken hawsers! Now he is within reach! Carefully, quick! Now + you have got him! He is making no effort, and floating with his head + under water!’</span> A boatman manages to hook his jacket with a long + boat-hook, and pulls him towards the boat; gently the men lift him + in, sorrowfully, and tears are in the eyes of more than one as they + look upon the small face. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Poor little chap! + Too late! too late! he’s gone!’</span> ”</span> Their efforts are now + all needed to get clear of the wreck, cut the cable, and raise the + sail, all which being done successfully, they go off smartly before + the wind, and have time to look to the poor boy again. Kind hands + chafe his hands and rub his back and limbs, and put a little rum to + his lips, and after about half an hour they have the joy of seeing + him show signs of life, and their efforts are redoubled. Some of the + men take the dryest of their jackets and wrap him up tenderly, lying + him under the mizen-sail. He eventually recovers.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But, strangest + part of all this eventful story, the captain, who had been two hours + in the seething waters, is picked up alive, although, it may well be + believed, in a terrible state of exhaustion. At first he seems to be + dying, but at length, after the men have done their best in chafing + and rubbing, he gets a little better, and is able to tell them that + his vessel, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Providentia</span></span>, was a full-rigged + ship from Finland, and that he himself is a Russian Fin, which + accounts for his miraculous preservation in the water, as the Fins + are the hardiest of sailors. Eleven of his men had left the ship in + their best boat, and were, it was eventually found, blown over to + Boulogne.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The waves are + rolling along in all their fury, and beat down upon the sands with + tremendous force, and among them, and settled down somewhat, is a + large barque. The life-boat men look at the awful rage of sea, and + say to each other, <span class="tei tei-q">“We have indeed our work + cut out for us.”</span> There are no signs of life on board the + wreck, but the flag of distress is still flying, and the steamer tows + the boat nearer to her. Then the crew is discovered crouching in the + shelter of the deck-house, while the huge waves make a complete + breach over the vessel, threatening to wash away both house and crew. + The steamer takes the boat to windward and lets her go. The boat’s + sail is hoisted, and she makes for the wreck. A minute more and they + are in the broken water, the seas falling in tangled volumes over the + boat, and she is tossed in all directions by the wild broken waves. + She fills again and again, and the men have to cling with all their + strength to the thwarts; but still the wind drives the boat on, and + they get within about sixty yards <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page234">[pg 234]</span><a name="Pg234" id="Pg234" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>of the wreck, when the anchor is thrown out and + the cable paid out swiftly. The men shout out, to encourage the poor + trembling wretches on board, and, just as they expect to make a first + successful rescue of a part of them, are nearly swamped by a fearful + wave, which carries them a hundred yards away. They prepare for + another attempt, hoist the sail, and try to sheer her to the vessel, + but all their efforts are in vain. Wave after wave breaks over them, + and the boat is tossed in all directions by the broken seas. + Sometimes the coxswain feels as if he would be thrown bodily forward + on the men, as the waves almost lift the boat end on end. They must + give it up for this time; the very oars are blown from the row-locks + and out of the men’s hands. Again and again they are baulked in their + efforts to reach the ill-starred vessel. Yet again and again they + cheer, to keep up the spirits of its half-drowned and frozen + crew.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The ship’s hull + has now been under water for some time, and is breaking up fast. On + board the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Aid</span></span> the mortar apparatus is got + ready, in the hope of getting near enough to the vessel to fire a + line into her rigging. <span class="tei tei-q">“Cautiously the + steamer approaches; the tide has been for some time rising fast; the + steamer does not draw much water; they are almost within firing + distance; the waves come rushing along and nearly overrun the + steamer; at last a breaker, larger than the rest, catches her, lifts + her high upon its crest, and letting her fall down into its trough as + down the side of a well, she strikes the sands heavily; the engines + are instantly reversed; she lifts with the next wave, and being a + very quick and handy boat, at once moves astern before she can thump + again, and they are saved from shipwreck; and thus the fifth effort + to save the shipwrecked crew fails.”</span> No time is lost; at once + the steamer heads for the life-boat, and makes ready to again tow her + into position for a fresh attempt. The masts of the wreck are + quivering, and it is evident that she is breaking up fast.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The life-boat men + consult together as to the plan of their next effort. At last one of + the men proposes a mode, most assuredly novel, and which must, + indeed, either prove rescue to the shipwrecked or death to all. + <span class="tei tei-q">“I’ll tell you what, my men, if we are going + to save those poor fellows, there is only one way of doing it: it + must be a case of save all or lose all, that is just it! We must go + in upon the vessel straight, hit her between the masts, and throw our + anchor over right upon her decks.”</span> This is, almost naturally, + derided by some as a hair-brained trick. Let us see the result.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Once more the boat heads for the wreck—this time to do + or to die; each man knows it, each man feels it. They are crossing + the stern of the vessel. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Look at that + breaker! Look at that breaker! Hold on! hold on! It will be all over + with us if it catches us; we shall be thrown high into the masts of + the vessel, and shaken out into the sea in a moment! Hold on all, + hold on! Now it comes! No, thank God! it breaks ahead of us, and we + have escaped. Now, men, be ready, be ready!’</span> Thus shouts the + coxswain. Every man is at his station; some with the ropes in hand + ready to lower the sails, others by the anchor, prepared to throw it + overboard at the right moment; round, past the stern of the vessel, + the boat flies, round in the blast of the gale and the swell of the + sea; down helm; round she comes; down foresail; the ship’s lee + gunwale is under water; the boat shoots forward straight for the + wreck, and hits the lee rail with a shock that almost throws all the + men from their posts, and then, still forward, she literally leaps on + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page235">[pg 235]</span><a name="Pg235" + id="Pg235" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>board the wreck. Over! over + with the anchor. It falls on the vessel’s deck. All the crew of the + vessel are in the mizen shrouds, but they cannot get to the boat: a + fearful rush of sea is chasing over the vessel, and between them and + it. Again and again the boat thumps on the wreck as on a rock, with a + shock that almost shakes the men from their hold.”</span> The waves + carry her off, but the anchor holds, and they manage to haul on board + another line. Again and again the boat washes away, but comes up to + the vessel again; and, one by one, ten poor Danes are got on board. + One sailor jumps from the rigging; the boat sinks in the trough of + the sea, and he falls between her and the wreck; a second, and he + would be crushed; two boatmen seize him, and are themselves seized by + their companions, or they would go overboard.</p><a name= + "illo_267.jpg" id="illo_267.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_267.jpg" alt="RESCUE OF THE DANISH VESSEL" + title="RESCUE OF THE DANISH VESSEL." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + RESCUE OF THE DANISH VESSEL. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The long battle + was over; was it not one worth fighting? So thought the King of + Denmark, who sent two hundred rix-dollars to be divided among the + men, who were also rewarded by the Board of Trade. The boatmen are + poor men, and such presents come in very acceptably; but their + greatest satisfaction must ever come from the memory of their own + brave deeds.</p><a name="illo_268.jpg" id="illo_268.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_268.jpg" alt= + "SURVIVORS RESCUED FROM THE RIGGING OF A WRECK" title= + "SURVIVORS RESCUED FROM THE RIGGING OF A WRECK." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + SURVIVORS RESCUED FROM THE RIGGING OF A WRECK. + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap18" id="chap18" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc39" id="toc39"></a> <a name="pdf40" id="pdf40"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XVIII.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span class= + "tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">“</span><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">Wrecking</span><span style="font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">”</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">as a + Profession.</span></span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Probable Fate of a rich Vessel in the Middle + Ages—Maritime Laws of the Period—The King’s Privileges—Cœur de Lion + and his Enactments—The Rôles d’Oleron—False Pilots and Wicked + Lords—Stringent Laws of George II.—The Homeward-bound Vessel—Plotting + Wreckers—Lured Ashore—</span><span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Dead Men Tell + no Tales</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—A + Series of Facts—Brutality to a Captain and his Wife—Fate of a + Plunderer—Defence of a Ship against Hundreds of Wreckers—Another + Example—Ship Boarded by Peasantry—Police Attacked by + Thousands—Cavalry Charge the Wreckers—Hundreds of Drunken + Plunderers—A Curious Tract of the Last Century—A Professional + Wrecker’s Arguments—A Candid Bahama Pilot.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The great + historian, Hallam, says: <span class="tei tei-q">“In the thirteenth + and fourteenth centuries a rich vessel was never secure from attack, + and neither restitution nor punishment of the criminals was to be + obtained from Government, who sometimes feared the plunderer, and + sometimes connived at the offence.”</span> As we have seen before, + some of the greatest names of the Elizabethan and later days were + often not much better than legalised pirates. But the poor sailors + and owners were not merely the prey of these sea wolves; there were + then and for centuries afterwards, nearly to our own days, + <span class="tei tei-q">“land-rats”</span> ashore, who were to the + pirates what sneak-thieves were to the highwaymen of romance. Those + <span class="tei tei-q">“good old days,”</span> when <span class= + "tei tei-q">“wrecking”</span> was considered a legitimate + pursuit!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In preceding + chapters the maritime laws and customs of successive ages have been + briefly traced. Piracy was almost openly recognised in the thirteenth + and fourteenth centuries, and a foreign ship with a rich cargo was + too often regarded as rightful prey. There was a constant petty + warfare between maritime nations, and frequently even between towns + of the same nation. Thus, in the year 1254 some Winchelsea mariners + attacked a Yarmouth vessel, and killed some of her + crew.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page237">[pg + 237]</span><a name="Pg237" id="Pg237" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Prior to the reign + of Henry I. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">all</span></span> wrecked property belonged to + the king. Whether it was found necessary to make the king the owner + of wreckage, in order to lessen the temptation to wreck vessels and + murder the crews—no unfrequent occurrence, even in the last + century—or <span class="tei tei-q">“however it was,”</span> says + Gilmore, <span class="tei tei-q">“the law existed, and the + shipwrecked merchant might come struggling ashore upon a broken spar, + and find the coast strewn with scattered but still valuable goods so + lately his, but now by law his no longer any more than they belonged + to the half-dozen rude fishermen who stood watching the torn wreck + and dispersed cargo being wave-lifted high upon the beach.”</span> + Henry I. decreed that neither wreck nor cargo should become the + property of the Crown if any man of the crew escaped with life to + shore. It is to be feared that this well-meant law led to many a + heartless murder. His successor expanded the law to the extent that + if even a beast came ashore alive, the wreck and goods should belong + to the original owners. Even the proverbial cat with nine lives might + thus save a vessel.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Richard Cœur de + Lion, always truly chivalrous, would have nought to do with + plundering the plundered, and he decreed <span class= + "tei tei-q">“that all persons escaping alive from a wreck should + retain their goods; that wreck or wreckage should only be considered + the property of the king when neither an owner nor the heir of a late + owner could be found for it.”</span> Some authorities will not couple + the name of Richard with the <span class="tei tei-q">“Rôles + d’Oleron,”</span> but it is certain that they were first promulgated + in or about his time. They afford us some idea of the terrible system + of wrecking then prevalent; such laws would not have been promulgated + without good reason. Note their stringency.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“An accursed custom prevailing in some parts; inasmuch as + a third or fourth part of the wrecks that come ashore belong to the + lord of the manor where the wrecks take place, and that pilots, for + profit from these lords and from the wrecks, like faithless and + treacherous villains, do purposely run the ships under their care + upon the rocks,”</span> the law declares <span class= + "tei tei-q">“that all false pilots shall suffer a most rigorous and + merciless death, and be hung on high gibbets;”</span> while + <span class="tei tei-q">“the wicked lords are to be tied to a post in + the middle of their own houses, which shall be set on fire at all + four corners, and burnt, with all that shall be therein, the goods + being first confiscated for the benefit of the persons injured, and + the site of the houses shall be converted into places for the sale of + hogs and swine.”</span> And again, <span class="tei tei-q">“If + people, more barbarous, cruel, and inhuman than mad dogs, murdered + shipwrecked folk, they were to be plunged into the sea until half + dead, and then drawn out and stoned to death.”</span> The pilot who + negligently caused shipwreck was to make good the losses or lose his + head; but the master and sailors were, as a saving clause + (principally for the owners!), to be persuaded that he had not the + means to make good the loss <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">before they cut off his head</span></span>.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And so, without + much change, the laws stood till the reign of George II.; and, alas! + it does not seem that human nature, on our coasts at least, had + greatly improved, for otherwise there would hardly have been + necessity for a new Act, bristling with threats. The preamble + states:—<span class="tei tei-q">“That notwithstanding the good and + salutary laws now in being against plundering and destroying vessels + in distress, and against taking away shipwrecked, lost, and stranded + goods, that still many wicked enormities had been committed, to the + disgrace of the nation;”</span> and it was therefore enacted that + death should be the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page238">[pg + 238]</span><a name="Pg238" id="Pg238" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>punishment for hanging out false lights to lure + vessels to their destruction; death for those who killed shipwrecked + persons; and death for stealing cargo or wreckage, whether any one on + board remained alive or not.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Every now and + again some fearful tragedy, reported in our ever-vigilant press, + opens our eyes to the possibilities of human degradation and + depravity; but, in spite of all, thank God! these examples are few + and far between. Does this not tend, at least, to show that the world + now-a-days <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">is</span></span> better and kinder, and, in a + word, more Christian-like, than in former days? Let the reader + think—aye, and ponder, and think again—over the preceding paragraph. + Could men—aye, and women too—assist not merely in robbery and + plunder, but in first causing the wreck, and then, to cover up all, + in murdering the few poor survivors? A writer from whom we have + already quoted says:—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Imagine a homeward-bound vessel, some two hundred and + fifty years ago, clumsy in build, awkward in rig, little fitted for + battling with the gales of our stormy coast, but yet manned with + strong, stout-hearted men, who made their sturdy courage compensate + for deficiency of other means; think of many perils overcome, a long + weary voyage nearly ended, the crew rejoicing in thoughts of home, of + home-love and home-rest, the headlands of dear Old England—loved by + her sons no less then than now—lying a dark line upon the horizon, + the night growing apace, the breeze freshening, ever freshening, + adding each moment a hoarser swell to the deep murmurs of its + swift-following blasts, the ship scudding on, breasting the seas with + her bluff bows, rising and pitching with the running waves, which + cover her with foam!</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Look on land! Keen eyes have watched the signs of the + coming storm; men, more greedy than the foulest vulture, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘more inhuman than mad dogs,’</span> have cast most cruel + and wistful glances seaward! Yes, their eyes light up with the very + light of hell as they see in the dim distance the white sail of a + struggling ship making towards the land!</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“And now try to imagine the scene as the night falls and + the storm gathers. Two or three ill-looking fellows drop in, say, to + a low tavern standing in a bye-lane that leads from the cliff to the + beach in some village on our south-western coast. Soon muttered hints + take form, and in low whispers the men talk over the chances of a + wreck this wild night. They remember former gains; they talk over + disappointments, when, on similar nights of darkness, wildness, and + storm, vessels discovered their danger too soon for them, and managed + to weather the headlands of the bay.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The plot takes form; with many a deep and muttered curse + the murderous decision is taken that if a vessel can be trapped to + destruction it shall be.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“There is an old man of the party whose brow is furrowed + with dread lines; he does not say much, but every now and then his + eyes glare, and his features work as if convulsed. His comrades look + at him—twice—and, as a terrific squall shakes the house, a third + time. Silently he rises, and leaves the inn.... Now in the pitch + darkness of the night, with bowed head, and faltering steps battling + against the storm, the old man leads a white horse along the edge of + the cliff. To the top of the horse’s tail a lantern is tied, and the + light sways with the movement of the horse, and in its movements + seems not unlike the masthead light of a vessel rocked by the motion + of the sea. A whisper has gone through the village of a chance of + something happening during the night, and <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page239">[pg 239]</span><a name="Pg239" id="Pg239" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>most of the men and many of the women are on the + alert, lurking in the caves beneath the cliff, or sheltered behind + jutting pieces of rock.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The vessel makes in steadily for the land; the captain + grows uneasy, and fears running into danger; he will put the vessel + round, and try and battle his way out to sea.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The look-out man reports a dim light ahead. What kind? + and Whither away? He can make out that it is a ship’s light, for it + is in motion. Yes, she must be a vessel standing on in the same + course as that which they are on. It is all safe, then; the captain + will stand in a little longer; when suddenly, in the lull of the + storm, a hoarse murmur is heard—surely the sound of the sea beating + upon rocks! Yes! look! a white gleam upon the water! Breakers ahead! + breakers ahead! Oh, a very knell of doom! The cry rings through the + ship, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Down, down with helm—round her + to!’</span> Too late, too late! A crash, a shudder from stem to stern + of the stout ship, the shriek of many voices in their agony, green + seas sweeping over the vessel, and soon broken timbers, bales of + cargo, and lifeless bodies scattered along the beach, while the + shattered remnant of the hull is torn still further to pieces with + each insweep of the mighty seas as they roll it to and fro among the + rocks. Fearful and crafty the smile that darkened the dark face of + the willing murderer who was leading the horse with the false light + as he heard the crash of the vessel and the shrieks of the drowning + crew! Fearful the smile that darkened the faces of the men and women + waiting on the beach as they came out from their places, ready to + struggle and fight among themselves for any spoil that might come + ashore! A homeward-bound ship from the Indies! Great good + fortune—rich spoil! Bale after bale is seized upon by the wreckers, + and dragged high upon the beach out of the way of the surf. But, see! + a sailor clinging to a bit of broken mast! With his last conscious + effort he gains a footing on the shore, staggers forward, and falls. + Is he alive? Not now! Why did that fearful old woman kneel upon his + chest and cover his mouth with her cloak? Dead men tell no + tales—claim no property!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Alas! the above is + no imaginary or exaggerated statement of facts.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few examples, + which have occurred for the most part within the last hundred years + or so, are appended. They have been culled from that most rigidly + correct chronicler, the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Annual Register</span></span>:—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Lent Circuit, + 1774.</span></span>—At Shrewsbury Assizes, bills of indictment were + preferred by Captain Chilcot, late of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Charming + Jenny</span></span>, against three opulent inhabitants of the Isle of + Anglesea, one of whom is said to be possessed of a considerable + estate, and to have offered five thousand pounds bail in order to + their being tried at the next assizes on a charge of piracy, when the + bills were found. It appeared that on the 11th September, 1773, in + very bad weather, in consequence of false lights being discovered, + the captain bore for shore, when his vessel, whose cargo was valued + at £19,000, went to pieces, and all the crew, except the captain and + his wife, perished, the latter being brought on shore on a portion of + the wreck. Nearly exhausted, they lay for some time, till the savages + of the adjacent places rushed down upon them. The lady was just able + to lift a handkerchief up to her head when her husband was torn from + her side. They cut the buckles from his shoes, and deprived him of + every covering. Happy to escape with his life, he hasted to the beach + in search of his wife, when, horrible to relate, her half-naked + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page240">[pg 240]</span><a name="Pg240" + id="Pg240" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and plundered corpse presented + itself to his view. What to do Captain Chilcot was at a loss. + Providence, however, conducted him to the roof of a venerable pair, + who bestowed upon him every assistance. The captain’s wife, it seems, + at the time the ship went to pieces, had two bank bills of a + considerable value and seventy guineas in her pocket. At the Summer + Assizes at Salop, Roberts and Parry, two of the above-named, were + found guilty of plundering the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Charming + Jenny</span></span>, but their counsel pleading an arrest of + judgment, sentence was suspended. Eventually one was executed, and + one had his sentence commuted.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 7th + September, 1782, one John Webb was executed at Hereford for having + plundered a Venetian vessel drawn on shore on the coast of + Glamorganshire by stress of weather. No mention is made of hurting or + molesting the crew, and it is evident that the laws were, about this + time, stringently carried out. <span class="tei tei-q">“This,”</span> + said the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Annual Register</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“it is hoped, will put a final stop to that inhuman + practice of plundering ships wrecked upon the coast.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next follows an + example in the present century:—<span class="tei tei-q">“<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Jany. 8, + 1811.</span></span>—Another daring attempt (says the <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Register</span></span>) + was made by a party of country-people at Clonderalaw Bay to take + possession of the American ship <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Romulus</span></span> + on this day. They assembled at about ten in the evening, to the + amount of about two or three hundred, and commenced a firing of + musketry, which they kept up at intervals for three hours; when, + finding a steady resistance from the crew, and guard of yeomanry + which had been put on the vessel on her first going on shore, they + retired. The shot they fired appeared to be cut from square bars of + lead, about half an inch in diameter. One of these miscreants + dropped, and was carried away by his companions.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The following is + an extract from a letter:—<span class="tei tei-q">“On Friday, the + 27th of October, 1811, the galliot <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Anna Hulk Klas + Boyr</span></span>, Meinerty master, from Christian Sound, laden with + deals, for Killalu, was driven on shore at a place called Porturlin, + between Killalu and Broadhaven. The captain and crew providentially + saved their lives by jumping on shore on a small island or rock. At + this time the stern and quarter were stove in. The crew remained two + hours on the rock, when they were taken off by a boat and brought to + the mainland. Shortly after, the captain’s trunk, with all the + sailors’ clothes in general, came on shore, when the country-people + immediately began to plunder, leaving the unfortunate sufferers + nothing but what they had on their backs. The plunderers repaired to + the wreck, and cut away everything they could come at of the sails, + rigging, &c., while hundreds were taking away the deals to all + parts of the country. Though the captain spoke good English, and most + pitifully inquired to whom he might apply for assistance, yet he + could not hear of any for fourteen hours, when he was told that Major + Denis Bingham was the nearest and only person he could apply to. With + much difficulty he procured a guide, and proceeded to Mr. Bingham’s, + a distance of twenty miles through the mountains. In the meantime, + after thirty-six hours’ concealment of this very melancholy + circumstance, Captain Morris, of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Townshend</span></span> cruiser, who lay at + Broadhaven, a distance of about ten miles from the wreck, heard of + it, and, approaching it, landed with twenty men, well armed. In + coming near the wreck he first fired in the air, in order to disperse + the peasantry, which had no effect; he therefore ordered his men to + fire close, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page241">[pg + 241]</span><a name="Pg241" id="Pg241" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>which had the desired effect, when he + immediately pursued them into the interior, from three to five miles + distance, dividing his party in different directions, when, by great + exertion and fatigue, they saved about 1,800 deals and a remnant of + the wreck. Captain Morris had some of the robbers taken, but his + party being so scattered, they were rescued by a large mob of the + country. The unfortunate captain and crew were taken by Captain + Morris on board his cutter, where they got a change of clothing, and + were taken every possible care of.”</span></p><a name="illo_274.jpg" + id="illo_274.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_274.jpg" alt="WRECKERS WAITING FOR A WRECK" + title="WRECKERS WAITING FOR A WRECK." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + WRECKERS WAITING FOR A WRECK. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The following + particulars of the wreck and plunder of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Inverness</span></span>, in the river Shannon, + loaded at Limerick with a cargo of provisions, under contract for the + Victualling Board, and bound to London, will be found + interesting:—</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page242">[pg + 242]</span><a name="Pg242" id="Pg242" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-text" style= + "margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-body" style= + "margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-salute" style="text-align: center"> + “From Captain Miller to Mr. Spaight, Merchant, Limerick. + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-dateline" style="text-align: right"> + “Kilrush, Feb. 24, 1817. + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Dear Spaight</span></span>,—As I am + now in possession of most of the particulars of the wreck of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Inverness</span></span>, I shall detail them + to you as follows:—</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“She went on shore on Wednesday night, the 19th + instant, mistaking Rinevaha for Carrigaholt, and would have got + off by the next spring-tide had the peasantry not boarded her, + and rendered her not seaworthy by scuttling her and tearing away + all her rigging; they then robbed the crew of all their clothes, + tore their shirts, which they made bags of to carry away the + plunder, and then broached the tierces of pork, and distributed + the contents to people on shore, who assisted to convey them up + the country. The alarm having reached this on Thursday, a + sergeant and twelve of the police were sent down, with the chief + constable at their head, and they succeeded in re-taking some of + the provisions and securing them, driving the mob from the wreck. + The police kept possession of what they had got during the night; + but very early on Friday morning the people collected in some + thousands, and went down to the beach, where they formed into + three bodies, and cheered each other with hats off, advancing + with threats, declaring that they defied the police, and would + possess themselves again of what had been taken from them, and of + the arms of the police. The police formed into one body, and, + showing three fronts, endeavoured to keep them at bay, but in + vain; they assailed them with stones, sticks, scythes, and axes, + and gave some of our men some severe blows, which exasperated + them so much that they were under the necessity of firing in + self-defence, and four of the assailants fell victims, two of + whom were buried yesterday. During their skirmishing, which began + about seven o’clock, one of the men, mounted, was despatched to + this town for a reinforcement, when Major Warburton, in half an + hour, with twenty cavalry, and a few infantry mounted behind + them, left this, and in one hour and a half were on board the + wreck, and took twelve men in the act of cutting up the wreck. + One of them made a blow of a hatchet at Major Warburton, which he + warded off, and snapped a pistol at him; the fellow immediately + threw himself overboard, when —— Troy charged him on horseback, + up to the horse’s knees in water, and cut him down. The fellows + then flew in every direction, pursued by our men, who took many + of them, and wounded several. Nine tierces of pork had been + saved. Her bowsprit, gaff, and spars are all gone, with every + stitch of canvas and all the running rigging. The shrouds are + still left; two anchors and their cables are gone, and even the + ship’s pump. A more complete plunder has seldom been witnessed. + Yesterday the revenue wherry went down to Rinevaha, and returned + in the evening with the Major and a small party, with thirty-five + prisoners, who now are all lodged in Bridewell. The women in + multitudes assembled to supply the men with whisky to encourage + them. Nothing could exceed the coolness of —— Balfice and his + party, who certainly made a masterly retreat to the slated store + at Carrigaholt, where I found them. He and Fitzgerald were + wounded, but not severely. Fitzgerald had a miraculous escape, + and would have been murdered, but was preserved by a man he knew + from Kerry, who put him under his bed.</span></p> + + <div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right"> + “<span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">J. + Miller.</span></span>“ + </div> + </div> + </div><a name="illo_279.png" id="illo_279.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_279.png" alt= + "MAJOR WARBURTON AT THE WRECK OF THE “INVERNESS.”" title= + "MAJOR WARBURTON AT THE WRECK OF THE “INVERNESS.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + MAJOR WARBURTON AT THE WRECK OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" + style="text-align: center">“INVERNESS.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A late case of + plundering on a large scale occurred the 26th September, 1817. The + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page243">[pg 243]</span><a name="Pg243" + id="Pg243" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Norwegian brig <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Bergetta</span></span>, Captain Peterson, was + wrecked on the Cefu-Sidau sands, in Carmarthen Bay. She was bound + from Barcelona for Stettin, with a cargo of wine, spirits, &c., + when the master, losing his reckoning, owing to a thick fog, fell + into the fatal error of taking the coast of Devon for that of France, + and acted under that persuasion. So circumstanced, a violent gale, + together with the tide, drove the vessel into the Bristol Channel, + and she struck upon the above sands, and in the space of two or three + hours went to pieces. The master and crew, with great difficulty, got + into the boat, and were all happily saved. Notwithstanding the + greatest exertions on the part of the officers of the Customs, + supported by several gentlemen and others, acts of plunder were + committed to a considerable extent. Of 266 pipes and casks of wine, + &c., not above 100 were saved. Hundreds of men and women were + reduced to nearly a state of insensibility through + intoxication.</p><a name="illo_276.jpg" id="illo_276.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_276.jpg" alt="A WRECK ASHORE" title= + "A WRECK ASHORE." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + A WRECK ASHORE. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A scarce and + curious tract, published in 1796, exists in the library of the + British Museum, and a few extracts from it will show the arguments by + which the wreckers of the last century salved their consciences. It + is supposed to be a dialogue between one Richard Sparkes, a chandler + by trade, but a professional wrecker also, and John Trueman, + <span class="tei tei-q">“an honest taylor.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Good news! good news, + neighbour!’</span> said Richard Sparkes, the chandler, as he entered + a shop where John Trueman, an honest taylor, was at work. + <span class="tei tei-q">‘The vessel which has been these three hours + fighting with the surge and winds for the harbour has at last bulged. + It is a trader from Amsterdam, they say, and faith! two thumping + casks were floating before I left the beach. Rare sport, Master + Trueman, rare sport, let me tell you! A good blustering wind and a + high surf is no bad thing for a seaport.’</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Honest Trueman, who had not been long an inhabitant of + the place, and was quite unacquainted with this language—which, to + the disgrace of humanity, is too often used by the unfeeling on such + occasions in seaport towns—suspended his work, and listened to this + harangue with too much surprise to interrupt it. At length, said he, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘Do you call this rare sport? Do you call + this good news?’</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Sparkes.</span></span> <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘To be sure I do. I mean to be out all night; the tide + will return in about three hours, and I warrant it will bring us + something worth looking after. But mayhap, as you are a new-comer, + Master Trueman, you do not know the go at these seasons, so I will + tell you. You must know that when a vessel strikes it is catch as + catch can for her lading: one has as good a right as another, and he + is the luckiest who can get most. We call it <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">going a + wrecking</span></span>; and let me tell you it is no bad business. + There is my neighbour Perkins, the pilot, got the Lord knows what by + the smuggling cutter that was wrecked about three leagues from hence + two months ago. Ay, cask upon cask of the best French brandy, and + tea, and I cannot tell you what he got; but he has held his head + pretty high ever since, for, as good luck would have it, she struck + upon a shoal of rock where the Custom-house officers would not + venture, so Perkins and a few more knowing ones had it all to + themselves. As I told you before, Master Trueman, this <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">going a + wrecking</span></span> is no bad business, so look about + you.’</span> ”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Trueman upbraids + the first speaker with dishonesty and want of humanity.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Humanity,’</span> says + Sparkes, <span class="tei tei-q">‘odds my life! neighbour, there’s + not a more tenderhearted fellow alive. Many is the life my boat, when + I was in the fishing trade, has saved from pure good-will; but as to + the matter of the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">wrecking</span></span>, every man must take care + of <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page244">[pg 244]</span><a name= + "Pg244" id="Pg244" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>his own interest. + Charity, you know, Master Trueman, should begin at + home.’</span> ”</span> And he goes on to say that it was no fault of + his that the vessel bulged, or that the master or cabin-boy were + drowned; that it is all the chance of war, and that one vessel was + the same to him as another, provided it were well laden. He added + that he did not pretend to be better than his grandfather, and that + wrecking was in fashion in his days and in those of his good old + father before him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. D. Mackinnen, + who made a tour through the West Indies early in the present century, + particularly mentions the Bahamas as the home of wreckers. He says + that the immense variety of banks, shallows, and unknown passages + between the hundreds of islands which form the group render the + chances of shipwreck frequent. In order to save the crews and + property so constantly exposed to danger, the Governor of the + Bahamas, about the commencement of this century, licensed a number of + daring adventurers to ply up and down and assist ships in peril, and + there could not have been collected a more skilful and hardy set of + men. But, unfortunately, the governor’s good intentions were baulked + by the larger part of them becoming wreckers. Mr. Mackinnen asking + one of these men what success he had lately had, was told that there + had been about forty sail of pilots along the Florida coast for four + months. He remarked that they must have rendered great service to the + crews wrecked in that dangerous passage. The pilot said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“No; they generally <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">went on</span></span> in the night.”</span> + <span class="tei tei-q">“But could not you light up beacons on + shore?”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“No, no,”</span> said the man, + laughing, <span class="tei tei-q">“we always put them out for a + better chance by night.”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“But it would + have been more humane——”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“I did not go + there for humanity; I went <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">racking</span></span>!”</span></p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap19" id="chap19" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page245">[pg 245]</span><a name="Pg245" id="Pg245" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name="toc41" id="toc41"></a> <a name= + "pdf42" id="pdf42"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XIX.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%">“</span><span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">Hovelling</span></span><span style="font-size: 120%">”</span></span> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-style: italic">v.</span></span> <span class= + "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">Wrecking</span></span><span style="font-size: 120%">.</span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">The Contrast—The</span> <span class="tei tei-q" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Hovellers</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 90%">defended—Their Services—The Case of the</span> + <span class="tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Albion</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Anchors + and Cables wanted by a disabled Vessel—Lugger wrecked on the + Beach—Dangers of the Hoveller’s Life—Nearly swamped by the heavy + Seas—Loss of a baling Bowl, and what it means—Saved on an American + Ship—The Lost Found—A brilliant example of Life-saving at + Bideford—The Small Rewards of the Hoveller’s Life—The case + of</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">La + Marguerite</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Nearly + wrecked in Port—Hovellers</span> <span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">v.</span></span> <span style= + "font-size: 90%">Wreckers—</span><span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Let’s all + start fair!</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">—Praying for Wrecks.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The wrecker was a + land-ghoul, a monster in human form, who preyed on human life and + property. The <span class="tei tei-q">“hovellers,”</span> a + distinctive term on many parts of the coasts of this sea-girt isle, + is applied to the hardy men who, in all weathers and at all risks, go + to the assistance of ships in distress, and occasionally benefit by a + wreck, but they are not wreckers. The Rev. Mr. Gilmore, who has so + well described the dangers, perils, and triumphs of the life-boat + service, very properly includes among the storm warriors the honest + men who perform these practical deeds of naval daring. Visitors to + Ramsgate and other seaside resorts of the southern coast will + remember the luggers in which holiday excursions are made; many of + these same boats are, in winter more especially, engaged in very + serious work. <span class="tei tei-q">“The more threatening and heavy + the weather,”</span> says our authority, <span class="tei tei-q">“the + greater the probability of disaster occurring or having occurred, + then the more ready are the crew to work their way out to the Goodwin + Sands, and to cruise round them on the look-out for vessels in + distress; they dare not take the lugger into the broken water—there a + life-boat alone can live: but still, she is a grand sea-boat, one + that will stagger on, with a ship’s heavy anchor and chain on board, + through weather bad enough for anything—a boat that is well suited + for the hard and dangerous service which employs her during the + winter months.”</span> The hovelling lugger has generally a crew of + ten men, and these receive no regular pay. Any salvage or reward the + vessel earns is commonly divided into fourteen shares; the boat takes + three and a half for the owners, half a share goes for the + provisions, and each man of the crew receives one share. Mr. Gilmore + says that <span class="tei tei-q">“complaints are sometimes made of + the amounts charged by these men for services rendered; but the cases + of a good hovel are few and far between; and often the luggers put + out to sea night after night throughout a stormy winter, hanging + about the sands, in wind and rain, and snow and mists, the men + half-frozen with the cold and half-smothered with the flying surf and + spray, and often week after week they thus suffer and endure, and do + not make a penny-piece each man; then at last, perhaps, comes a + chance: a big ship is on the tail of a sandbank; they render + assistance and get her off; they have saved thousands of pounds worth + of property; and the captain, and the owners, and the underwriters + all look aghast, and cry out with indignation when they ask perhaps a + sum that will give them ten or fifteen pounds a man.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Not uncommonly the + lugger speaks a vessel, and finds that an anchor or anchors, cables, + &c., have been lost, and must be replaced. They must make in all + haste for shore, and obtain what is needed, and put out again to the + distressed vessel. What all this may mean on occasions to the owners + and men of the hovelling vessels is shown in the following + example—the case of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Albion</span></span> lugger.</p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page246">[pg 246]</span><a name="Pg246" id="Pg246" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Albion</span></span> + meets a vessel driving before the gale, having lost both her anchors + and cables; receives orders to supply her from shore; and the hardy + crew, putting the vessel round, beat through the heavy seas, and make + for Deal. <span class="tei tei-q">“They have to force the boat + against wind and tide, and much skill is required to prevent her + being filled by the rising seas which sweep around her; now she + rushes upon the beach, the surf breaks over her and half fills her + with water; with a tremendous thump and shake she strikes the shore + with her iron keel.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“As the wave which bore the lugger in upon the beach + recedes, a man springs overboard from the bow with a rope in his + hand; many catch hold of the rope, and haul their hardest to keep the + boat straight, head on to the beach; there is a stem strap—a chain + running through a hole in the front part of the keel; a boatman + watches his opportunity, and, as a wave sweeps back, rushes down and + passes a rope through the loop of the strap; the other end of this + rope is fastened to a powerful capstan, which is placed high up on + the beach. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Man the capstan! Heave with a + will!’</span> and the strong men strain at the capstan bars until the + capstan creaks again. There is no starting the lugger: she is so full + of water from the surf breaking on the beach that she is too heavy + for the men at one capstan to move her; ropes are led down from two + other capstans, and rove through a snatch-block fastened to a boat on + the beach; all put out their strength, round they tramp, with a + <span class="tei tei-q">‘Ho! heave ho!’</span> and slowly the lugger + travels up the beach, and is safe from the roll of the breakers. The + men get the water out of her, haul her higher up on to a swivel + platform, turn her round head to the sea, and the leading hands hurry + away to inquire about an anchor and cable. The agent supplies them + with such as seem suitable for the size of the vessel, and which will + perhaps weigh together about seven tons.”</span> Then follows the + labour of getting them on board, but in a short time all are ready + for sea.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The gale has rapidly increased in force, and a frightful + surf is running on the beach; the roar of the breakers on the + shingle, the howling of the storm, the gleam of white foam shining + out of the mist and gloom, all picture the wildness of the storm; but + the undaunted boatmen do not hesitate. All is ready; the signal + given; the boat rushes down the steep ways, and is launched into the + sea. A breaking wave rolls in swiftly, it meets the bow of the lugger + in its rush, fills her; for a moment the big boat runs under water, + and then is lifted and twisted like a toy in the grasp of the sea, + and is thrown, in the heave of the wave, broadside on to the beach; a + cry of horror from all on shore, and a rush down to aid the crew, who + are all—there are fifteen of them—struggling in the surf: now the men + are washed up by the wave, and feel the ground and stagger forward; + now they are caught again by a breaker and rolled over; it is for + each of them a terrible battle with the fierce seas; here one gets on + his feet and stumbles forward, he is caught by the men on shore and + dragged up the beach; there a man is lying struggling on the shingle, + trying in vain to rise, exhausted and confused, two men seize his + collar, and pull him forward a yard or two, then get him to his feet, + and he escapes the next wave, which would have washed him out to sea + again. Now all the men seem to be saved; names are shouted—do all + answer? No; there is one missing! All rush to the water’s edge and + gaze into the darkness, eagerly watching each shadow mid the surf. + <span class="tei tei-q">‘There he is! No! <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page247">[pg 247]</span><a name="Pg247" id="Pg247" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>Yes it is! there—lifting on the surf! there, + rolling-over!’</span> <span class="tei tei-q">‘Quick! quick! form a + line!’</span> And the brave boatmen grasp each other’s hands with + iron strength, and form a chain, the lowest of the four or five men + at the sea end of the chain being in the water. The waves battle with + them, but sturdily they persevere. At last the body is within reach + of the seaward man; he grasps it; the men are dragged up the beach, + and the poor insensible man is carried ashore. Alive or dead? They + cannot say; and with a great fear in their hearts they carry him + hurriedly up the beach, and soon, to the great joy of all, he gives + signs of life, and gradually recovers.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“In the meanwhile, the poor boatmen on the beach have + nothing that they can do but watch their fine boat, which was worth + five hundred pounds, being torn and hammered to pieces in the surf. + Plank after plank is wrenched from her. Now, with a loud crash, she + is broken in half; the two halves part; the anchor and cable fall + through her. They can see part of the forepeak, with one side torn + away, floating in the breakers; soon that also is rent to pieces, and + nothing but fragments of the boat float in the surf or are strewn + about the beach; and the boatmen, heavy-hearted, but thankful that + they have escaped with their lives, go slowly to their homes to rest + for a few hours and recruit their strength, and then be ready to form + part of the crew of any other boat, and at the first summons to rush + out again to the encounter with the stormiest seas.”</span> And that + what the men of Deal are <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">par excellence</span></span>—hardy, brave, and + skilful—the men of our coasts are very generally.</p><a name= + "illo_283.jpg" id="illo_283.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_283.jpg" alt="LOSS OF THE “ALBION” LUGGER" + title="LOSS OF THE “ALBION” LUGGER." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + LOSS OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“ALBION”</span> LUGGER. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sometimes the + hovellers are distinctly associated with the life-boat men in their + efforts to save life. Gilmore cites a case where a lugger’s boat had + succeeded in taking a number of men off a wreck, when they themselves + were caught in a squall, and were only too glad to make for the + life-boat, to which the larger part were transferred. Then came a + chapter of difficulties, for neither steamer nor lugger could be + discovered through the fog, which obscured everything within a few + yards of them. When they at length reached the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Champion</span></span> lugger, the shipwrecked + crew refused to leave the life-boat. They had been as nearly as + possible wrecked a second time in the lugger’s boat. What a story had + these poor men to relate!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Their vessel, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Effort</span></span>, had been beaten about for + days in the North Sea previous to grounding on the fatal Goodwins. + They hoisted lamps, and were preparing to set a tar-barrel on fire, + when their ship, which was very light, rolled from side to side, + almost yard-arms under, and then suddenly capsized altogether. + <span class="tei tei-q">“At once,”</span> said one of the narrators, + <span class="tei tei-q">“and with difficulty, we made for the weather + rigging, and were glad to find that not any of the crew were lost as + she fell over. We lashed ourselves to the rigging. We knew, to our + great joy, that the tide was falling; had it been rising, we must + have very soon been overrun by it, the vessel broken up, and every + man of us lost. We were in danger enough as it was, for the brig, + soon after she capsized, was caught by the tide, and worked round, + with her deck towards the seas; and as the heavy seas broke over and + came rushing up the deck, they fell on us with terrible weight, and + beat us and crushed us against the ship’s rail, so that we were + forced to unlash ourselves from the rigging; and what to do we did + not know, till one of us said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Our only + chance is to lash the end of the ropes round our waists, and let go + the rigging as the waves <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page249">[pg + 249]</span><a name="Pg249" id="Pg249" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>come.’</span> And so we did; and terrible work + it was. As the waves came we slackened the ropes and went away a + little with them; and as they passed, half smothered as we were, + hauled ourselves back to the rigging and held on a bit; and then, + when the next wave came, we let go, and were all adrift in the wash + again; our hands were almost torn to pieces with the strain on the + ropes and grasping at the side of the vessel.... You see, too, how + our clothes were nearly dragged off us: it was indeed an awful + time!”</span> One man grew terribly excited as they told the dismal + story. His limbs and features worked, and as the waves dashed over + the life-boat he fancied himself being washed off the wreck, and his + reason quite gave way for the time. He shouted out, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Let me drown myself! Let me drown myself! I can stand it + no longer!”</span> and was with the greatest difficulty held back by + three men, who would not relinquish their hold till they got safe + into harbour.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The hoveller’s + life is necessarily full of danger, for his services are usually only + required in the very worst weather; and if he can save anything from + a wreck, it will generally be done under circumstances of great + difficulty. Gilmore cites an example where some of these men were + endeavouring to save the rigging of a wrecked vessel, when a squall + came on, with driving snow and hail. The men in the rigging were + somewhat interested in their work, and were at first inclined to risk + the weather, but the gale increased so rapidly that it became evident + that they must leave in their boat at once. Away for their lives the + men pull, the little boat seethes through the troubled waters, and + they soon near the edge of the sand, and are making for deep water, + when they suddenly hear the noise of the surf beating on the shallows + immediately ahead of them. They pull ahead a little, and can see the + huge waves rolling in out of the deep water, mounting up, curling + over, and breaking, meeting other breakers, foaming up against + them—in fact, a sea of raging waters surrounding the sands in which + their little boat would be swamped at once. As they mount on a wave + they can see the lugger riding safely just outside the surf, only a + quarter of a mile off, but that quarter of a mile it is impossible + for them to pass, and equally impossible for the lugger to get any + nearer to them. The seas break over them constantly, and for a while + they return to the dangerous shelter of the wreck.</p><a name= + "illo_287.png" id="illo_287.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_287.png" alt= + "MAP SHOWING COAST OF RAMSGATE AND THE GOODWIN SANDS" title= + "MAP SHOWING COAST OF RAMSGATE AND THE GOODWIN SANDS." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + MAP SHOWING COAST OF RAMSGATE AND THE GOODWIN SANDS. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The Goodwin Sands are about nine miles long; in the + middle of them there is, at low water, a large lake, which is called + on the chart <span class="tei tei-q">‘Trinity Bay,’</span> but which + is known to the boatmen as the <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘In-Sand.’</span> The men row in the direction of the + lake, and row over the sandbanks which surround it, as soon as the + tide has flowed sufficiently to enable them to do so. Now they find + themselves in completely smooth water, and are safe; but for how + long? a short hour or so, for the hungry waves are following them up + fast. Still higher and higher comes the tide, and a furious surf + begins to rage over the banks that for a time protect the + lake.”</span> Well do the men know how short must be their period of + rest.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Soon the heavy + rollers come in and threaten to swamp them; the boat is nearly full + of water. At this juncture the steersman, who has been steering and + baling the boat for about four hours, suddenly lets the bowl with + which he is baling fly from his hand; he gives a cry of horror, and + the men cannot help repeating it, for may not this apparently small + accident be fatal to them? To keep the boat afloat without baling is + impossible; the surf breaks into her continually, and that bowl is + indispensable to their safety, <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page250">[pg 250]</span><a name="Pg250" id="Pg250" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>for the men cannot use their sou’westers for the + purpose when both hands are so busily employed in freeing their oars + from the seas and keeping the blades from being blown up into the air + by the force of the gale. Most happily, the bowl is a wooden one, and + it floats a few yards from them. The men watch it anxiously as they + are tossed up and down by the quick waves. Back the boat down upon + the bowl they cannot, and it is drifting away faster than they are + floating. It would seem a simple matter to pick up a bowl floating + within a distance so small, but the waves long render it impossible. + Suddenly the coxswain cries, <span class="tei tei-q">“Here is a lull; + round with her sharp!”</span> The men on the starboard side give a + mighty pull, and the others back their hardest; then a pull + altogether; the bowl is within reach; the coxswain grasps it with a + hasty snatch. <span class="tei tei-q">“Round! round with her + quick!”</span> and the boat is got head straight to the seas again + before the waves can catch her broadside and roll her over. All + breathe again: they have another chance of life.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They get clear of + the Sands, but a fierce gale is still raging. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“As they get into the Gull stream, they see vessel after + vessel running with close-reefed topsails before the gale; the + boatmen hail them, but they get no answer. One little sloop affords + them slight hope, for she is evidently altering her course, but after + a moment’s apparent hesitation, away she goes again before the gale, + and abandons them to their fate. The captain of the little vessel + related afterwards how, in the height of the storm, he saw some poor + fellows in a small boat, and had a great wish to try and save them, + but the sea was running so high that he felt it was impossible to + heave his vessel to, and so had to leave them, and that they must + have been driven on the Sands and lost. This sloop was about a + quarter of a mile from the boat, and the men do not again get as near + to any other ship; and as vessel after vessel passes, and the night + begins to grow dark, the position of the men becomes more and more + hopeless, and they all feel that if no vessel picks them up they must + soon be blown in again upon the sands, and there perish.”</span> The + men work on, but solemnly, very solemnly.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But one vessel, a + large American ship, remains at anchor in the Downs; vessel after + vessel had slipped their cables and run before the gale. It is their + last hope. <span class="tei tei-q">“As they drop slowly towards her, + they shout time after time, but cannot make themselves heard, and it + is getting too dusk for them to be seen at any distance; the seas are + running alongside the ship almost gunwale high, and it is impossible + to get nearer to her than within fifty yards. Hail after hail the men + give; still they get no answer. They can see a man on the poop, but + he evidently neither sees nor hears them, and their last chance seems + slipping away, for they are fast drifting past the vessel. + <span class="tei tei-q">‘Get on the thwart, Dick, and shout with all + your might!’</span> the coxswain says to the man pulling stroke oar. + <span class="tei tei-q">‘I’ll hold you!’</span> hauling in his oar + and catching it under the seat. The man springs upon the thwart, and + balancing himself for a second, hails with all his force.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The man is moving; he hears us, hurrah!”</span> is the + glad cry in the boat; and they can soon see several astonished faces + peering over them. The boat drifts by the ship; they give a pull or + two, to get her under the stern of the vessel; a coil of rope with a + life-buoy is thrown to them, and they manage to get it on board. The + captain is now on deck; he orders other ropes to be sent down, and + soon another life-buoy, with cord attached, comes floating by. Still + the boat is in great danger; their safety hitherto has been in + floating <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page251">[pg + 251]</span><a name="Pg251" id="Pg251" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>with + the waves, yielding to them as they rolled on, but now the little + boat has to breast the waves, and is tossed high in the air, and + again plunged far down, running great risk of being overturned. + <span class="tei tei-q">“The difficulty now is how to get the men out + of the boat, for they dare not haul her up closer to the vessel, as + she will not ride with a shorter scope of rope. They send another + rope down to the boat, with a bowline knot made in it, for the men to + sit in, and then shout to the men, <span class="tei tei-q">‘We will + haul you on board one at a time!’</span> ”</span> A moment’s question + as to the order in which the men shall go is quickly decided, for + each feels that at any moment the boat may sink or upset. They leave + in the order in which they sit, and one after another they plunge + into the waves, and are hauled on board, dripping, but saved! Very + soon the boat fills and turns over, and hangs by the ropes till + morning.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The captain will + hardly credit their story at first. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Impossible! impossible!”</span> says he. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“No boat could live in such a sea, and over the Sands. + Impossible!”</span> But he becomes convinced at last, and all on + board show every attention and kindness. A little brandy and some dry + clothes at once, a beefsteak supper and a glass of grog later on, + followed by warm beds made up on the captain’s cabin floor, and their + adventures in an open boat were but the memory of a horrid dream. The + coxswain, however, fell very ill soon after, and was nigh death’s + door; he did not recover his strength for a twelvemonth, so greatly + had the anxiety of that night’s work told upon him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meantime, the + lugger, after cruising backwards and forwards, the crew keeping an + anxious and fruitless look-out for their comrades in the boat, is + obliged to put in for Dover, from whence they telegraph the sad news + that six of their men are to all appearance lost. Next morning they + make one more effort to find some traces of their lost companions, + and then steer, sad and disheartened, for Ramsgate. There the arrival + of the lugger is most anxiously awaited. Alas! it is as they feared, + and many a household is plunged in grief. While this is going on, the + boatmen leave the American ship and row steadily for Ramsgate, near + which they fall in with another lugger, on which they are taken. The + lugger’s flag is hoisted, in token that they are the bearers of good + news, and great is the curiosity of the men about the harbour. A + crowd hurries down the pier to watch her arrival, and as soon as the + men missing from the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Princess Alice</span></span> are recognised, the + cheers and excitement are wild in the extreme. Men rush off to bear + the good news. <span class="tei tei-q">“One poor woman, in the midst + of her agony and mourning for her husband, and surrounded by her + weeping friends, is surprised by her door being burst violently open, + and at seeing a boatman, almost dropping with breathlessness, gasping + and gesticulating and nodding, but trying in vain to speak; and it is + some seconds before he can stammer out, <span class="tei tei-q">‘All + right! all right! Your husband is safe—coming + now!’</span> ”</span></p><a name="illo_290.jpg" id="illo_290.jpg" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_290.jpg" alt= + "THE LUGGER REACHING RAMSGATE HARBOUR" title= + "THE LUGGER REACHING RAMSGATE HARBOUR." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE LUGGER REACHING RAMSGATE HARBOUR. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The danger + incurred by the hovellers is well illustrated by the following + example, recorded by our leading journal<a id="noteref_76" name= + "noteref_76" href="#note_76"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">76</span></span></a> some + years since. Nine of these men endeavoured to save a sloop, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Wool-packet</span></span>, of Dartmouth, + stranded on Bideford Bar, and the crew must have lost their lives but + for the noble service performed, under great risks, by Captain Thomas + Jones, master of the steam-tug <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Ely</span></span>, of + Cardiff. A shipowner of Bideford, who was an eye-witness of the brave + deed, stated that the crew of the vessel had aban<span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page252">[pg 252]</span><a name="Pg252" id="Pg252" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>doned her, and the two boats’ crews, + consisting of nine men, afterwards boarded the wreck, with the view + of trying to get her off the bar; but when the tide rose the sea + broke heavily over the vessel, and the men hoisted a flag of + distress. The steam-tug <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Ely</span></span> now hastened to the rescue, + against a strong tide and wind. Before, however, she could get near + the wreck, the nine men were driven to seek refuge in the rigging. + The sea was breaking fearfully in all directions and the vessel + rolling from side to side, but Captain Jones and his crew bravely + proceeded through the broken water, at the risk of their lives and + vessel, and succeeded, at the first attempt, in saving three of the + men. This was all that they could then accomplish, for the sea was + now breaking so furiously over the wreck that the steamer was driven + away; and the same want of success attended a second and third + attempt to approach the wreck. The captain then backed astern, and, + with consummate skill and boldness, actually placed the steamer + alongside the vessel’s rigging, with her bow over the deck of the + wreck, thus saving the six men in the rigging; and within the short + space of two minutes the wreck had actually disappeared, and was not + seen afterwards. But for this bold and successful service, nine + widows (for the nine rescued men were all married) and forty + fatherless children would to-day be lamenting the loss of husbands + and fathers. The <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page253">[pg + 253]</span><a name="Pg253" id="Pg253" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>National Life-boat Institution presented a + medal, &c., to the captain, and £1 each to the eight men forming + the crew.</p><a name="illo_288.jpg" id="illo_288.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_288.jpg" alt= + "WRECK OF THE “WOOL-PACKET” ON BIDEFORD BAR" title= + "WRECK OF THE “WOOL-PACKET” ON BIDEFORD BAR." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + WRECK OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“WOOL-PACKET”</span> ON BIDEFORD BAR. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The greatness of + the risk to the hoveller, and the comparative smallness of his + reward, are illustrated in the case of <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">La + Marguerite</span></span>, a small French brig, rescued from the + Goodwin Sands and brought safely into Ramsgate Harbour. She was owned + by her captain, and represented to him the labours of a hardworking + life. She was bound from Christiania to Dieppe, with a cargo of + deals, and was considerably hampered on deck, the timber being piled + up almost to her gunwale. She lost her course in the night, and + grounded on the Sands. <span class="tei tei-q">“Where are they? Where + can they be? What horrible mistake have they made?”</span> writes Mr. + Gilmore in his forcible manner. <span class="tei tei-q">“They think + they must have run somewhere on the mainland on the Kent coast; one + man proposes to swim ashore with a rope, but the seas come sweeping + over them with a degree of violence that quite does away with any + thought of making such an attempt. They hurry to the long-boat, to + try and get it out, but it and the only other boat <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page254">[pg 254]</span><a name="Pg254" id="Pg254" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>which is in the brig are speedily swept + overboard by the seas. The vessel is on the edge of the Sands, and + feels all the force of the waves as they roll in and leap and break + upon the bark. With every inrush of the seas she lifts high, and + pitches, crushing her bow down upon the Sands, each time with a thump + that makes her timbers groan, and almost sends the men flying from + the deck.”</span> For some twenty minutes she keeps thrashing on the + Sands, when they glide off into deep water, and after much delay get + their anchor overboard. The gale continues, and, after much + entreaty—for the captain is a poor man—the crew succeed in inducing + him to cut the foremast away, and the brig rides more easily when + this is accomplished. They wait for daylight. They are then seen from + Margate, and two fine luggers have a race to see which can get first + to the vessel. The life-boat also puts off. One of the luggers gets + alongside in fine shape, and the men at once recommend the captain to + cut away the remaining mast, but he will not be persuaded. They raise + the anchor, and passing a hawser on board, attempt to tow the brig + from the Sands, but make little progress. To their satisfaction, they + see the Ramsgate steam-boat and life-boat making their way round the + North Foreland.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The coastguard officer at Margate, when he saw that the + Margate life-boat could not reach the brig, and knowing that if any + sea got up where the vessel was that the luggers could be of no use, + telegraphed to Ramsgate that the vessel was on the Knock Sands. The + steamer and life-boat get under weigh at once, and proceed as fast as + possible to the rescue. There is a nasty sea running off Ramsgate, + but it is not until they get to the North Foreland that they feel the + full force of the gale. Here the sea is tremendous, and as the + steamer pitches to it the waves that break upon her bows fly right + over her funnel—indeed, she buries herself so much in the seas that + they have to ease her speed considerably to prevent her being + completely overrun with them.”</span> The boatmen at last get on + board the brig; a glance shows that no time must be lost, and as + rapidly as possible the steamer is enabled to take the water-logged + vessel in tow. The French crew are utterly exhausted with fatigue and + excitement, and are quite ready to leave their vessel in English + hands. Away the brig goes, plunging and rolling, with the seas + washing over her decks, which are scarcely out of the water, while + the two boats are tossing astern, all being towed by the gallant + little steamer. They have nearly reached the harbour.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In spite of the + rough cold night, the interest in life-boat work is too great for all + sympathisers to be driven away from the pier-head; and there is a + crowd there ready to watch the boats return and to welcome the men + with a cheer. The steamer approaches cautiously, and the brig seems + well under command. A couple of minutes more and all will be safe, + when suddenly the rush of tide catches the wreck on the bow; she + overpowers the lugger, which is towing astern; round her head flies; + she lurches heavily forward, and strikes the east pier-head. Crash + goes her jib-boom first, and the steamer, towing with all its might, + cannot prevent her again and again crushing against the pier. Her + bowsprit and figure-head are broken and torn off, her stern smashed + in. Ropes and buoys are thrown from the pier. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The poor Frenchmen are almost paralysed by the scene and + by excitement—they cannot make it out; the harbour-master, Captain + Braine, has enough to do: he sees the danger of the men on + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page255">[pg 255]</span><a name="Pg255" + id="Pg255" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>board the brig, but he sees + more than this—he sees the danger of the crowd at the pier-head, for + the brig’s mainmast is swaying backwards and forwards, coming right + over the pier as the vessel rolls, and threatens to break and come + down upon the people as the brig strikes the pier; and if it does it + will certainly kill some, perhaps many.”</span> Women shriek and men + shout, and it looks as though the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Marguerite</span></span> would be wrecked in + sight of all. Meantime the crew of the hovelling lugger are in equal, + if not greater, danger.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“As soon as the men on board the lugger saw the brig + sweep and crash against the pier, they cast off their tow-rope, but + before they could hoist any sail, the way they had on the boat and + the rush of the tide carried the lugger almost between the vessel, as + she swung round, and the pier. The men, however, escaped that danger, + and indeed death, but the boat was swept to the back of the pier, and + in the eddy of the tide was carried into the broken waters; then she + rolls in the trough of the sea; wave after wave catches and sweeps + her up towards the pier, as if to crush her against it, but each time + the rebound of the water from the pier acts as a fender and saves her + from destruction; but she is an open boat, and if one big wave leaps + on board it will fill her, and she must sink at once; and the seas + around her are very wild, the surf from their crests breaks into her + continually. The people on the pier see her extreme peril; some run + to the life-boat men, who are preparing to moor the boat, and shout + to them to hasten out—that the brig is breaking up, and that the + lugger will be swamped; before, however, the life-boat can get out + the brig is towed clear of the pier, and, the lugger having drifted + to the end of the pier, the men are able to get up a corner of the + foresail; it cants the lugger’s head round; the men get the foresail + well up: it fills; she draws away from the pier and away from the + broken water, and is clear.”</span> But now the brig, the rudder of + which had been wrenched out of her on the Sands, has no boat to help + her steer, and lurches about in all directions. A heavy sea strikes + her bow; the steamer’s hawser tightens, strains, and breaks! Excited + people on the pier crowd round the harbour-master, and beg him to + order the life-boat men to take the crew and the boatmen off the + wreck at once. That official knows, however, the boatmen too well: + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">they</span></span> will not leave her while a + stitch holds together.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The captain of the + steamer knows their peril, and backs his vessel down to the wreck, + now not over a hundred yards from the Dyke Sand. She is rolling + heavily, and the seas sweep over her; her crew can hardly keep the + deck. The steamer gets close to the brig, and soon another cable is + out. Each time the brig sheers heavily to one side or the other she + is brought up with a jerk that makes the steamer tremble from stem to + stern, but that plucky little boat is not to be beaten. Five brave + fellows come off from the pier in a small boat, bringing a line with + them: with this they haul a second hawser to the wreck; a crowd of + people on the pier pull their hardest, and succeed in moving the + wreck. This cable breaks shortly afterwards, but the steamer has by + this time again got hold of the vessel, and tows her safely into the + harbour, a miserable wreck, with masts and rudder gone, her bow and + stern crushed, but with everybody safe on board. The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Marguerite</span></span> was ultimately repaired + and sent to sea again, though she could never be the vessel she once + was. And the Margate and Ramsgate men got a few pounds each for work + that required each one to be a hero, and a very practical and + sea<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page256">[pg 256]</span><a name= + "Pg256" id="Pg256" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>manlike hero too. The + old wreckers made ten times the money, with an infinitesimal + proportion of the trouble.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Yes, times + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">have</span></span> changed for the better. + Individuals may, of course, be found capable of any amount of + brutality for the sake of gain, but the shipwrecked mariner of to-day + is morally certain that his life and remaining property are safe when + he reaches the shore of any part of the United Kingdom, and that for + every ruffian there will be twenty kindly and hospitable people ready + to pity and to aid him. The same could not be said of the early part + of this very century. It seems almost incredible, too horrible, to be + possible, that in 1811 the remnant of a poor crew of a frigate + wrecked on the Scotch coast were, after buffeting the breakers and + struggling ashore for dear life, absolutely murdered on the beach for + the sake of their wretched clothes, or, at all events, stripped and + left to die. When morning dawned the beach was found strewn with + naked corpses. The inhabitants of many fishing villages and seaside + hamlets were open to similar imputations late in the last, and indeed + early in the present, century. Whole communities have in bygone + times—let us trust gone for ever—turned out at the tidings of a + vessel in danger; solely with a view to plunder. A tolerably + well-known yarn, in which, probably, implicit confidence should not + be placed, tells us of a wreck which occurred near the village of St. + Anthony, Cornwall, one Sunday morning. This being the case, and the + parishioners assembling at the church, the clerk announced that + <span class="tei tei-q">“Measter would gee them a holladay,”</span> + for purposes on which that excellent clergyman well knew they were + intent. This is only one part of the story, for it is stated that as + the members of the congregation were hurrying pell-mell from the + church, they were stopped by the stentorian voice of the parson, who + cried out, <span class="tei tei-q">“Here! here! let’s all start + fair!”</span> The fact is that the contents or material of a wreck + scattered around a coast were, and, no doubt, are still in many + places, looked upon as legitimate prey by fishermen and others who + would scorn anything in the form of treachery, in luring the good + ship ashore, or in brutal treatment to the survivors of her crew. + <span class="tei tei-q">“Within the past five-and-twenty + years,”</span> said a leader-writer a short time since, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“it is said that a candidate for Parliamentary honours, + while canvassing in a district near the coast, found that his opinion + on the subject of wrecking was made a crucial point. Wrecking, + indeed—so far as the appropriation of shipwrecked property is implied + in the word—seems to have held very much the same position in popular + ethics as smuggling has done. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Such was the + feeling of the wreckers,’</span> writes one who was at one time + Commissioner of the Liverpool Police, <span class="tei tei-q">‘that + if a man saw a bale of goods or a barrel floating in the water, he + would run almost any risk of his life to touch that article, as a + sort of warrant for calling it his own. It is considered such fair + game, that if he could touch it he called out to those about him, + <span class="tei tei-q">“That is mine!”</span> and it would be marked + as his, and the others would consider he had a claim to it, and would + render him assistance.’</span> ”</span> We are told that the natives + of Sleswig-Holstein considered wrecking so legitimate that prayers + were offered up in their churches at one time that <span class= + "tei tei-q">“their coasts might be blessed.”</span> Pastor and flock + looked upon wrecks as much of blessings as they did a good fishing + season. The parson, however, it was explained, did not really pray + for wrecks. Certainly not! What he meant was that if there + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">must</span></span> be wrecks, those wrecks might + happen on their coasts!</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page257">[pg + 257]</span><a name="Pg257" id="Pg257" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The question of + <span class="tei tei-q">“salvage”</span> is of a nature too technical + for these columns. In some minor matters it would seem that the + authorities do not offer proper encouragement to fishermen and others + to be decently honest or humane. At the period of the wreck of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Schiller</span></span>, on the Scilly Islands, a + correspondent of our leading journal<a id="noteref_77" name= + "noteref_77" href="#note_77"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">77</span></span></a> tells us + <span class="tei tei-q">“that many floating bodies of drowned + passengers and seamen were picked up by the fishing boats which + abound in that part of Cornwall. Upon some of them money or valuables + were found, and these were given up to the Customs when the body was + sent ashore. In such cases the valuables were retained for the + friends of the drowned persons, and a uniform reward of five + shillings was paid to the finders. Now, for the sake of taking ashore + such a body as I have described, the fishermen—seven or eight in + number—would have lost their night’s fishing, for it would not have + been safe, even if the crew were willing, to have done otherwise. The + smallness of the reward given in return for the services rendered + would therefore operate as a strong inducement to the more selfish + among them to prefer their fishing to the dictates of humanity. My + informants even told a story of a fishing boat which picked up a + floating body, and, having collected all the papers and valuables + from it, restored the body itself to the deep, and went on its way. + The papers and valuables were given up in due course, and no charge + of dishonesty was preferred against the crew; but the want of + humanity caused (and not unnaturally) a strong feeling of indignation + against the perpetrators of this act. The fishermen, however, argued + that if they brought the bodies into port (as they were <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page258">[pg 258]</span><a name="Pg258" id="Pg258" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>instructed to do), they would get, at + most, a sum of sevenpence per man for their night’s work; and if they + brought merely the property to the proper authorities, they were + abused for their inhumanity; and that, therefore, their only + alternative was to pass the bodies by, and attend to their own work. + Should the view that I have here stated be found to be a general one, + I think that it will be allowed that it is an argument for either + paying more highly for the finding of bodies at sea, or allowing the + finders the same salvage upon the property found upon the bodies that + they would have received had the property been picked up in a + chest.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Pleasant it is to + turn from what we may well believe is only an occasional example of + want of feeling to such a case as the following—one out of thousands + that might be cited. It is slightly abridged from a little + publication<a id="noteref_78" name="noteref_78" href= + "#note_78"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">78</span></span></a> which + should be in the hands of all readers of <span class="tei tei-q">“The + Sea”</span> interested in benevolent efforts for the seaman’s + welfare.</p><a name="illo_294.png" id="illo_294.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_294.png" alt="RONAYNE’S BRAVERY" title= + "RONAYNE’S BRAVERY." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + RONAYNE’S BRAVERY. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Some twelve miles + westward from Tramore—a favourite watering-place and summer resort + for the citizens of Waterford, and nearly half a mile from the + coast—a farm is situated which has been long occupied by John + Ronayne, a hardy and typical Irish farmer. The farm-house has few of + the necessaries and none of the luxuries of civilised life, it is a + true type of the poor class of farm-houses in many parts of Ireland, + consisting of but two rooms—one the sleeping apartment, where + Ronayne’s family of twelve children have been born, and the other the + living-room, where it is to be suspected sundry four-footed friends + occasionally find their way, and bask or grunt before the fire. + Rather less than half a mile from the farm is the rugged shore, + approached by a rough <span class="tei tei-q">“boreen,”</span> or + narrow lane, emerging on the cliff near the course of a stream, which + is a roaring foaming torrent in winter and spring-time. On winter + days and nights, brown and turbulent, this stream rushes foaming into + the ocean over crags and rocks and pebbly shore; but before it joins + its fresh water with the salt sea foam, it plunges into a crevice, + narrow and deep and deadly. Every coastman along the rock-bound shore + knows this deep, treacherous hole, and warns the traveller to beware + of it—for, once in it, there is no return. But this source of peril + is little enough to that which is beyond.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A hundred yards or + so from the cove into which this impetuous torrent pours frown two + massive ridges of rock, offering to any venturesome ships attempting + to run between their threatening sides destruction on either hand, + while only some dozen yards of foaming breakers separate the one from + the other. Skilful must be the steersman, and bold the skipper, who + would dare the narrow channel, even though the only one by which they + might hope to beach their sinking ship. And yet, on one fearful night + in January, 1875, a large vessel, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gwenissa</span></span>, bound from Falmouth to + Glasgow, and new but a few weeks before, successfully accomplished + the dangerous passage. Not that any skill was shown, for none on the + doomed ship knew of their proximity to rocks or shore, but, driving + blindly on before the full fury of the gale, by chance were brought + safely through. But in another instant the ship struck the rocky + shore, and in a moment was shattered to pieces, timbers and tackle, + cargo and living freight, being thrown, scattered and helpless, into + the angry surf. Escaping, as by a miracle, the rocky dangers of + Charybdis, the good ship <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gwenissa</span></span> had been hurled upon + Scylla, and her doom sealed.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page259">[pg 259]</span><a name="Pg259" id="Pg259" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The family at + Killeton Farm little suspected, as they went to their humble beds, + the tragedy which was being enacted on the shore; and even when some + of the boys thought they heard cries of distress, little wonder—when + the wind was blowing in great fitful gusts, sweeping round the homely + cottage, shaking windows and doors, and moaning down the + chimneys—that, after listening a while and hearing nothing further, + they thought no more of the cries, and went to bed. Ronayne had, + however, not been long in bed when a loud knocking awoke him, and he + jumped up, and on opening the door was accosted by three men in + sailor’s garb.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The first surprise + over, the instincts of hospitality asserted themselves, and he heaped + up the turf fire, and, as they warmed themselves, learned that they + alone of the crew of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gwenissa</span></span>, nine in number, were + certainly saved. But there was a possibility that one or two might + yet survive; and though the wintry blast roared loud without, Ronayne + lingered not a moment. Hurrying on his clothes, and taking a large + sod of flaming turf by way of lantern, he rushed down the + <span class="tei tei-q">“boreen,”</span> and soon reached the cove. + Cautiously he made his way, and approached the edge of the stream, + whence he now heard the shouts of several men. He followed up the + cries of distress, and soon came upon a man in a most dangerous + position.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ronayne blew the + turf until it glowed brightly, and, holding it down, saw a man + waist-deep in the water, but so jammed between the crags that it was + impossible for him to move, far less climb the overhanging rocks. He + was bruised, stunned, and nearly insensible. Ronayne saw at a glance + that the only way to help him was himself to go down, extricate his + bruised legs from the rocks and wreck that held him like a vice, and + then assist him to climb from his perilous position. This, by means + of much pulling and hauling, he at length accomplished, and + ultimately had the satisfaction of leading the poor fellow to a place + of safety, where, for a time, he left him, sorely bruised, faint, and + well-nigh frozen, for the others, who had never ceased calling for + assistance from the moment of his arrival. They were four in number, + and, as far as could be judged through the increasing darkness, lay + in the very gorge down which rushed the swollen stream; and so it + proved, for one was hanging to a spar which had become fixed in the + rocks, while another was grasping a projecting crag, by which he + contrived to keep afloat. The others, more fortunate, had been thrown + on a ledge, which left them in comparative safety, though they were + waist-deep in water. But though secure upon this ledge, they were + quite as helpless as their companions, for the beetling face of the + rocks defied their utmost efforts to scale them unaided. Here + Ronayne’s knowledge stood him in good stead, and after much active + assistance in the shape of climbing, swimming, pulling, and + scrambling, he succeeded in rescuing one after the other, each + assisting afterwards to make the task easier. Five men stood beside + him, cold and hurt, but saved by his perseverance and bravery from a + watery grave.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“But,”</span> says the narrator—and here especially he + should tell his own tale—<span class="tei tei-q">“not without great + labour had this been effected, for one of the men had his leg broken, + and all were more or less bruised, and perishing of cold and + exposure. Three men were at his house and five here; but where was + the other? for nine men were on board the luckless vessel, and here + were but eight. Leaving the rescued men in the <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page260">[pg 260]</span><a name="Pg260" id="Pg260" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>lane, Ronayne ran again to the cove, and + the dim spark expiring in the turf showed him where he had left it. + He scraped off the ash, and, the wind fanning it, again it burned up + brightly—too brightly, for now it burned down to his frozen fingers; + but he only grasped it the tighter, for did it not light him on his + errand of mercy? and if another life might be saved at the expense of + a few burns, would it not be great gain? So on sped he along the + shore, searching into every cranny and cleft and crevice lighted by + the turf, and, burning and shouting between his labours, at length + was rewarded by a faint cry as of a man in distress—more a moan than + a cry, and at a distance. Rapidly but carefully he had scanned the + beach, and partially searched every gully and cleft, and now and + again receiving to his cries a faint response, but always from far + away. No doubt the man was out on the rocks, to which he had been + carried by a receding wave after the ship struck, and Ronayne knew + that some further help must be procured before he could be reached. + So he hastened back to the five men he had left in the lane. They + then all proceeded to the farm-house—a melancholy <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">cortége</span></span>—carrying as best they + could the helpless between them. He then started off, wet and weary + as he was, to the coastguard station at Bonmahon, where he gave + information of the wreck, and demanded assistance for the poor fellow + out on the rocks.”</span> The coastguard men lost no time in turning + out with the rocket apparatus; but just as they were fixing it in + position, Ronayne, who had been <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page261">[pg 261]</span><a name="Pg261" id="Pg261" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>hunting about, came upon the very last and ninth + man of the crew, lying, half in the water and half out, upon the + beach among a quantity of wreck. His supposition had been correct in + regard to his position on the rocks, but while assistance was being + procured he had been washed ashore, with shattered limbs—bruised, + helpless, unconscious, but <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">alive</span></span>! The poor fellow, who + remained unconscious, was carried to the farm, where some old + whisky-jars were filled with hot water and placed to his feet. The + little whisky in the house was divided among the benumbed men, and + more solid provision set before them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now Ronayne’s + house contained over twenty inmates, most of them standing round the + turf fire wringing the water from their clothes and warming their + frozen limbs; the few beds, too, had their occupants. For Ronayne the + work had but barely commenced. Saddling his young mare, he started to + lay information of the wreck before Lloyd’s Deputy Receiver at + Tramore, some <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">twelve miles</span></span> distant, for eight + shillings were to be earned, and for this trifling reward he was + prepared to ride some twenty-four miles on a cold winter night.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On his road he + passed the doctor’s house, and sent him to attend the injured men, + arriving at Tramore a few minutes before the telegram from the + coastguard station. Two of the sailors were afterwards removed to the + hospital, and recovered, and they and the remainder cared for by the + Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society’s agents. Ronayne was indemnified for + any expense he had incurred by the same Society, and the Life-boat + Institution shortly after rewarded him.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap20" id="chap20" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc43" id="toc43"></a> <a name="pdf44" id="pdf44"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XX.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">Ships that</span> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">“</span><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">Pass by on the other + Side.</span><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">”</span></span></span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Captains and Owners—Reasons for apparent + Inhumanity—A Case in Point—The Wreck of the</span> <span class= + "tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Run + down by the</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—A + Noble Captain—The Vessel Lost, with a Hundred Ships near her—One + within Three Hundred Yards—Official Inquiry—Loss of the</span> + <span class="tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Schiller</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Two + Hundred Drowned in one heavy Sea—Life-saving Apparatus of little + use—Lessons of the Disaster—Wreck of the</span> <span class= + "tei tei-name" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Deutschland</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Harwich + blamed unjustly—The good Tug-boat</span> <span class="tei tei-name" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Liverpool</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%"> and + her Work—Necessity of proper Communication with Light-houses and + Light-ships—The new Signal Code and old Semaphores.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From time to time + there appear in the public journals accounts given by sailors who + have been saved from imminent peril from drowning by passing ships. + Many and many an honourable case could be cited; but there are, alas! + ships that <span class="tei tei-q">“pass by on the other + side.”</span> An article in the journal<a id="noteref_79" name= + "noteref_79" href="#note_79"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">79</span></span></a> issued + quarterly by that grand society the National Life-boat Institution + explains some of the reasons for this sad state of affairs. The + writer generally denies that the majority of the masters of ships who + would pass another vessel in distress are brutal or callous, and + thinks that were many of them brought face to face with an isolated + case of probable drowning, they would not hesitate to expose their + own lives to preserve the one endangered. There must be some strong + causes operating on the minds of the men who act in the inhuman + manner indicated. Among them are the following:—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“1st. That the loss of time which the most trifling + service of this kind causes would <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page262">[pg 262]</span><a name="Pg262" id="Pg262" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>possibly represent a very considerable money + loss to the owners, by the delay in the arrival in port of the ship + and cargo.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“2nd. That the cost of maintenance of the persons saved + is insufficiently repaid by the Government.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“3rd. That in all but the largest kind of ships the + amount of food and water habitually kept on board is rarely + sufficient to meet the strain of, say double, or, it may be + quadruple, the number of men they were intended for; and if a ship of + the smaller class, towards the end of her voyage, has to take on + board the crew of a vessel greater in number than her own, she is, + from shortness of provisions and water, in nine cases out of ten, + compelled to make for the nearest port, which may be a cause of + incalculable loss, unless it chances to be the one she is bound + for.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“4th. Every captain knows that all owners are more or + less inimical to their ships rendering either salvage service or + life-saving service. Not, as we suppose, that any owner deliberately + sets to himself the axiom that no ship of his shall save life, but + that they, not unnaturally, view with suspicion salvage service, + because they can receive nothing from it but loss in time and money; + and cases are not infrequent in which pretence of saving life is made + a source of real loss to the owners.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One case among the + many which could be presented is here given. It appeared before the + magistrates of Falmouth in 1873, in consequence of the refusal of a + crew to proceed to sea. The ship had come from a Chinese port to + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">a port in + Europe</span></span>: it being uncertain, from the fluctuating state + of the market, which it would be. The vessel fell in with a + distressed ship, from which she took seventeen persons. When in the + entrance to the English Channel, the captain found himself short of + provisions and water, and put into Falmouth, to land the shipwrecked + crew and replenish his provisions. His own crew thereupon claimed + their discharge, as having arrived <span class= + "tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">at a port in Europe</span></span>.”</span> The + Bench ruled the men’s claim to be just, and it took the captain a + fortnight to obtain a fresh crew, to whom higher wages had to be + paid. <span class="tei tei-q">“The actual and immediate loss to the + owners, by this act of humanity of their captain, was stated at £270. + The only reimbursement was the usual State grant for feeding so many + men so many days, amounting altogether to £16 and a few + shillings.”</span> The delay in delivering cargo entailed a heavy + loss, and having put into a port not named, she had, it was said, + vitiated her policy. How might the owners feel towards that captain + in future? And again, how might he feel next time, when duty called + him one way and interest the other? In an indirect way, this and + foreign Governments recognise humane services of the kind indicated + by presents of telescopes or binocular glasses. Such recognition is + undoubtedly valued by the sort of men who would do their duty under + any adverse circumstances, and whether they were to be thanked or no; + but it is to be feared that captains who were as unfortunate as the + one at Falmouth might think twice before they performed that which + their consciences could only approve as right.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The owner of the + relieving vessel should have the right of being recouped to the full + extent of the loss incurred by delay and service—though many would + never accept it; and a ship’s insurance should never be vitiated by + its calling at a port on a matter of any such necessity as landing a + shipwrecked crew or obtaining provisions. It is certain <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page263">[pg 263]</span><a name="Pg263" id="Pg263" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>that we should do all that is possible to + reduce that annual list of ships whose only record is <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Not since heard of.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A successful + mail-steamer passage or quick run, the first clipper from China with + the season’s tea, make not only a certain stir in a pretty wide + circle, but represent a considerable increase of actual wealth. The + despairing cry of those few poor seamen—who, in their sinking craft, + or who, perishing from hunger or thirst, see fading away on the + distant horizon the white royals of some lofty ship which they had + watched with such agonising alternation of hope and despair—is heard + by God alone.</p><a name="illo_297.png" id="illo_297.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_297.png" alt="THE “NORTHFLEET.”" title= + "THE “NORTHFLEET.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“NORTHFLEET.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The wreck of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span>, and loss of life to + over 300 souls, on January 22nd, 1873, will illustrate some of the + above remarks.<a id="noteref_80" name="noteref_80" href= + "#note_80"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">80</span></span></a> The + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span> was a fine old ship of + 940 tons, built at Northfleet, near Gravesend, and so named. After + various vicissitudes in the service of Dent’s China and other lines, + she had become the property of Messrs. John Patton and Co., of + Liverpool and London, and was at the time of which we are about to + speak chartered by the contractors of the Tasmanian Line Railway to + convey 350 labourers and a few women and children to Hobart Town. The + vessel left the East India Docks on Friday, the 17th December, 1872, + with a living freight of about 400 persons. The cargo consisted + principally of railway material. At the very last moment of leaving + the docks, her commander for the previous five years, Captain Oates, + was subpoenaed by a Treasury warrant to attend the Tichborne trial, + and the command was given to his chief officer, Mr. Knowles. He was + allowed to take on board the lady to whom he had been married about a + month.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After leaving + Gravesend the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span> encountered very stormy + weather, and Captain Knowles felt it prudent to anchor under the + North Foreland, where the vessel remained until the following + Tuesday, when, the weather having moderated, she sailed down Channel, + and was reported at Lloyd’s as having passed Deal, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“All well”</span> being the signal. On the Wednesday, at + sunset, she came to an anchor off Dungeness, about two miles from + shore, in eleven fathoms of water. She was then almost opposite the + coastguard station. About ten o’clock the ship was taut and + comfortable for the night; almost all the passengers had turned in, + and none but the usual officers and men of the watch were on deck. + Just as the bells were striking the half-hour past ten the watch + observed a large steamer, outward-bound, coming directly towards + them. She appeared to be going at full speed, and the shouts of the + men on watch who called upon her to alter her course roused Captain + Knowles, who was on the after deck. But in another moment the steamer + came on to the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span>, striking her broadside + almost amidships, making a breach in her timbers beneath the + water-line, and crushing the massive timbers traversing the main + deck.</p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“’Midst the + thick darkness, Death,</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + The dread, inexorable monarch, stalked; + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + And, lo! his icy breath + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Encircled the devoted barque, where talked, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Or laughed, or watched, or slept, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + The doomed three hundred of her living freight, + </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page264">[pg 264]</span><a name= + "Pg264" id="Pg264" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Unconscious that there crept + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Through the still air the stealthy steps of Fate. + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + * * * * * * * * * * * + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Oh God, that + fearful crash!</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + The stout ship reels, her planks disrupted wide; + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Fast through the yawning gash + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + The green sea pours its dark, resistless tide. + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + What followed then, O heart, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Thou scarce may’st realise! ’Tis well for thee: + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Ne’er would that sight depart + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + From gentle mind that had been there to see. + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“For maddening + terror reigned;</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Honour, and manhood, and calm reason fled, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + And brutal instincts gained + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + The mastery; and even shame was dead. + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Each one, to save his life + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Would give to death the lives of all beside; + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Nor cared in that fell strife + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + What awful end his fellows might betide.<a id="noteref_81" name= + "noteref_81" href="#note_81"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style= + "text-align: left"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">81</span></span></a> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Yet ’mid that + wild despair</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Nobility of soul found room to stand, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + And lustre bright and rare + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Enfolds the memory of Knowles and Brand; + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Who, face to face with death, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Save of dishonour, showed no coward dread, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Brave hearts to the last breath, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">They joined the + galaxy of Britain’s dead.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The shock was + described by the survivors as like the concussion of a very powerful + cannon. The reader will here make his own reflections. Immediately + after the collision the steamer cleared the ship, and before many of + the terrified people below could reach the deck she was out of sight. + Most of the passengers were awakened by the shock, and a fearful + panic ensued. Captain Knowles acted with singular calmness, + promptitude, and decision. He caused rockets to be sent up, bells to + be rung, and other signals of distress; but the gun to be fired would + not go off, the touch-hole being clogged. Meantime he directed the + boats to be launched, giving orders that the safety of the women and + children should be first secured. There was a disposition to set + these orders at defiance, and, on some of the crew crowding to the + davits, with a view of effecting their own safety, Captain Knowles + drew a revolver, and declared he would shoot the first man who + attempted to save himself in the boats before the women were cared + for. Most of the crew seemed to understand that the captain was not + to be trifled with; but one man, Thomas Biddle, refused to obey the + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page265">[pg 265]</span><a name="Pg265" + id="Pg265" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>order, and the captain fired at + him in a boat alongside the ship. The bullet entered the man’s leg + just above the knee.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meantime the pumps + were set to work, but with little or no effect, the water pouring in + through the opening in the ship’s side. The scene on deck was + frightful. Many of the passengers were in their night-dresses; others + had only such scanty clothing as they could secure on quitting their + berths. Children were screaming for their parents, and parents + searching in vain for their children; husbands and wives were + hopelessly separated. The horror was increased by the darkness of + night. The captain’s wife was placed with other women in the + long-boat, under the charge of the boatswain; but the tackle being + too suddenly set adrift, the boat was stove in.</p><a name= + "illo_302.png" id="illo_302.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_302.png" alt="WRECK OF THE “NORTHFLEET.”" + title="WRECK OF THE “NORTHFLEET.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + WRECK OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“NORTHFLEET.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">City of + London</span></span> steam-tug, having perceived the signals of + distress, reached the spot, and succeeded in rescuing nearly the + whole of the occupants of the boat, as well as several others of the + passengers and crew, to the number of thirty-four. She remained + cruising about the spot till early next morning, picking up such of + the passengers as could get clear of the wreck, and in the last hope, + which proved vain, of rendering assistance to those who might have + floated on fragments of the ship after she settled down. The + Kingsdown lugger <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Mary</span></span> was likewise attracted by the + signals of distress, and succeeded in rescuing thirty passengers. The + London pilot-cutter No. 3, and the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Princess</span></span>, stationed at + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page266">[pg 266]</span><a name="Pg266" + id="Pg266" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Dover, also got to the spot, + and succeeded in rescuing twenty-one, ten of them from the rigging. + The total number thus rescued was eighty-five persons.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The ship went down + about three-quarters of an hour after she was struck, the captain + remaining at his post till she sank. One of the survivors states that + he was standing close to the captain when she went down. The former + managed to lay hold of some floating plank, and was borne to the + surface. The captain, however, was not again seen. The pilot and ten + others had taken to the mizen-mast, from which they were rescued. The + whole of the officers perished.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It must seem + remarkable that while the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span> showed lights and other + signals of distress within two miles of shore during twenty minutes + or half an hour no notice was taken of them. When a ship is in + difficulties in the night, it is usual for her either to fire guns or + to exhibit a flare of light. But here, even the vessels close at hand + thought that the ship was only signalling for a pilot; and at the + time there were nearly a hundred vessels at anchor in the roadstead, + with their lights burning brilliantly. Those on board the three ships + nearest the wreck would have instantly sent help had they imagined + there was a vessel in distress, and they could have got to the ship + in a few minutes, for, though the night was dark and squally, it was + clear at intervals, and any boat could live, the sea not being rough. + It appears that the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Corona</span></span>, an Australian clipper, was + lying at anchor within 300 yards of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span> when the disaster + occurred, but neither the terrible shock of the collision, the + subsequent cries for aid, nor the rockets continuously fired from the + deck of the sinking ship, could arouse the man who was the only watch + on deck to call up either his comrades or the officers of his ship. + Various reports were at first current as to the name of the vessel + which ran the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span> down, and which passed + straight on her way, without taking any heed of the disaster she had + caused, though it must have been clearly known on board of her, if + not—it is to be hoped—to the full extent of the calamity. Suspicion + attached to the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span>, a Spanish steamer, bound + for Lisbon from Antwerp. The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span> arrived at Cadiz on the + evening of Thursday, the 30th, having stopped at Belem, the entrance + to the port of Lisbon, on the day before, and having then been warned + by a telegram to go on to Cadiz without landing her Lisbon cargo. + Upon her arrival at Cadiz an official inquiry was commenced, at the + instance of the British Consul. From the report of Mr. Macpherson, + Lloyd’s agent at Cadiz, it appeared that her starboard bow had been + newly painted black and red to the water line, and her port bow + showed marks of a slight indentation near the anchor davit. It was + stated, however, on behalf of her owners, that the painting was done + in London or Antwerp, before she started on her present journey, and + that the indentation had been made on entering the port of Havre two + years before. An inquiry was instituted in the Spanish Courts, and + the committee appointed for that purpose declared that the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span> was not the vessel which + ran down the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span>. The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span> + was therefore released. But some time afterwards justice was + avenged.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The official + report of the inquiry made—at the instigation of the English + Government—by Mr. Daniel Maude, stipendiary magistrate, assisted by + Captains Harris and Hight acting as assessors, stated that there was + no doubt that the ship which came into collision with the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span> was the Spanish iron + screw-steamer <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span>, trading between London + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page267">[pg 267]</span><a name="Pg267" + id="Pg267" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and Cadiz, which left London on + the 12th of January, proceeded to Antwerp, and, after leaving that + port, arrived off Dungeness on the night of January 22nd. The + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span> was anchored in an + apparently most safe position, a mile and a half or more inside the + usual fair course for vessels outward-bound. The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span> + came down inside the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span>, and struck her nearly + amidships. It would appear, both from observation on board the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span> and also from the + evidence given by the chief engineer of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span>, that the latter had + slackened her speed some little time before the collision, or + probably both ships would have sunk. There is no doubt the shock was + a slight one; but the sharp stem of the iron steamer having struck + the weakest part of the wooden ship will account for the mischief + done. The master of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span>, in his log, stated that + the reason for not laying by to inquire as to the injury sustained by + the shock was that a boat had immediately left the ship and examined + the damage, and that the boat and crew having returned again, he + concluded nothing of moment had happened. The Court was satisfied + that no such incident had occurred, nor was it mentioned by the + witnesses who had previously been examined by the Court. The + survivors of the collision were unanimously of opinion that if the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span> had lain by, the whole of + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span> people could have been + saved. They thoroughly believed that the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span> + steamed away, and left them to perish, in defiance of their signals, + rockets, blue lights, and the shouts and screams of the whole ship’s + company, which must have been noticed. On the other hand, it appears + that Captain Knowles did not apprehend immediately the damage his + ship had suffered, and that no rockets were fired for a quarter of an + hour after the collision. During this time the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span> + was steaming away at half-speed, and was probably two miles off. Upon + this evidence the Court felt they ought not to impute to the captain + of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Murillo</span></span> the full apparent + brutality of his offence in not staying by the injured ship. The + Court added a strong expression of opinion that no master of a ship + should be allowed to take his wife to sea with him.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On Friday, the 7th + of May, 1875, one of those sad events occurred which show the + imperfection of many of the most carefully-devised schemes for + life-saving at sea. Although it occurred in British waters, neither + the ship nor the larger part of the passengers were British subjects. + The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Schiller</span></span> was a fine iron steamship + of 3,600 tons, belonging to the Eagle line of Hamburg; she was nearly + a new vessel, having been built at Glasgow in 1873. She left New York + on the 27th of April, having on board at the time 264 passengers, + while the officers and crew numbered 120 souls. All went well till + the 7th of May, on which day she was due at Plymouth, when, in the + afternoon, a fog set in; nevertheless, the vessel was kept at full + speed until 8.30 p.m., when the density of the fog having greatly + increased, she was put at half-speed, and an hour after she struck on + the Retarrier Rocks, off the Scilly Islands, and within two-thirds of + a mile of the lighthouse on the Bishop’s Rock. Although going at slow + speed at the time, and although the engines were immediately + reversed, the unyielding rocks had done their work: the ship was + immovable, and immediately filled. All was at once confusion, and a + panic ensued, cries of terror rising from every lip. Orders were + given by the captain to lower the boats, and until he was himself + washed off the bridge, at about 4 a.m., and drowned, he did his best + to preserve some order, even threatening the frantic crowd with his + pistol. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page268">[pg 268]</span><a name= + "Pg268" id="Pg268" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>All the boats, however, + except two, were swept away by the sea before they could be lowered, + many perishing with them, and one was crushed by the funnel falling + on it. The ship held together for several hours, and had there been + any means of making their hopeless condition known at St. Mary’s, the + chief of the Scilly Islands, a steamer, and a first-class + lifeboat<a id="noteref_82" name="noteref_82" href= + "#note_82"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">82</span></span></a> + belonging to the National Lifeboat Institution, might have arrived in + time to save a large number of lives. Such, however, was not to be, + and when the morning dawned all that remained of the crew and + passengers who, a few hours before, had been looking forward to happy + meetings in the Fatherland with fathers, <a name="corr268" id= + "corr268" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">mothers</span>, sisters, brothers, and friends at + home, were those who had succeeded in mounting the rigging of the + fore and main masts, and a few others in the half-swamped boat, the + only one which had been safely lowered. The women and children who + had crowded the deck-houses and saloon, and the male passengers and + those of the crew who were on the upper deck or the bridge, had + perished. Alarm-guns were fired and signal lights thrown up + continually, until the seas breaking over the ship prevented such + efforts attracting attention; and some of the former were heard on + the islands, but as steamers from America had been in the habit of + firing guns to mark their arrival off the islands, they were not + supposed to be danger signals. It is said, however, that at St. + Agnes, the nearest island to the wreck, the guns were believed to be + from a vessel in distress, but the fog was so thick that boats were + afraid to venture out.</p><a name="illo_305.png" id="illo_305.png" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_305.png" alt="THE SCILLY ISLANDS" title= + "THE SCILLY ISLANDS." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE SCILLY ISLANDS. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The mainmast fell + at about seven o’clock in the morning, and the foremast an hour + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page269">[pg 269]</span><a name="Pg269" + id="Pg269" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>later, when most of those who + remained in their rigging were lost. Just before the foremast had + fallen, four boats from the shore arrived, and picked up several + persons from the water, but finding the sea too heavy to allow them + to go alongside the ship, one of them went to St. Mary’s, to convey + intelligence of the disaster and to procure the aid of the steam-tug + and lifeboat. As soon as possible the latter arrived in tow of the + steamer, but all, alas! was then over, and they only picked up + twenty-three bags of mail matter and a few bodies. Out of 384 souls + only 53 were saved.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was about ten + o’clock in the evening when the ship struck. A little festive party + had been given in honour of the birthday of one of the officers, but + there is no evidence to show that the working of the ship was thereby + neglected. The majority of the passengers were on deck, on the + look-out for land, which they knew was near. Nearly all the women and + children and a few men were in their berths; others were sitting + about, talking, smoking, playing cards or dominoes, and thinking + little of the fate which was so soon to befall them. There was not + the slightest premonition of the disaster, and the shock appears to + have been so slight that few were at first aware that the ship had + struck on a rock. But in a few minutes the sea which ran over her + forced her on her broadside, where she lay constantly <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page270">[pg 270]</span><a name="Pg270" id="Pg270" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>washed over by the breakers. Let the + reader imagine, if he can, the sudden change from the gaiety and + hopefulness on board, the anticipations of soon reaching shore and + home, to that scene of wild terror and dismay!</p><a name= + "illo_306.png" id="illo_306.png" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_306.png" alt="THE BISHOP ROCK LIGHTHOUSE" + title="THE BISHOP ROCK LIGHTHOUSE." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE BISHOP ROCK LIGHTHOUSE. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About midnight the + funnel fell overboard and smashed two of the starboard boats. Soon + after the fog cleared away, and a gleam of hope arose when the bright + clear light of the Bishop Rock Lighthouse shone out. But it was only + momentary, and dense darkness soon surrounded them. When the + deck-house was swept away by a sea so heavy that it ran up to the top + of the mainmast, a heartrending cry, mingled with shrieks and groans, + rent the air. Nearly two hundred perished by this one catastrophe. + Then the captain gathered for safety some people on the bridgeway, + the highest place, in the vain hope of saving them. Every one, + including the captain, engineers, and doctor, were swept off. The + riggings of both masts were now crowded with people. With every lurch + the steamer careened over to the starboard side until the yards + touched the water, and the cargo began to float about on all sides. + Bales of wool and cotton, feathers, trunks, boxes, and woodwork of + all kinds, strewed the waves.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A survivor—one of + seven who left the ship in a boat and was afterwards instrumental in + picking up others—said that they cruised about the greater part of + the night near the vessel, and that the screaming all the time was + heartrending, and lasted almost from the commencement of the disaster + to four o’clock in the morning, when it ceased. Alas! by that time + nearly all had gone to their long account. The last screams he heard, + and which he could never forget, were from a little child. Mingled + with all was the cracking of the ship’s timbers as wave after wave + broke over her. One by one the lights disappeared, till, at three + o’clock, not one was left but the masthead light.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A proportion of + the bodies only were recovered, among them those of several ladies + wearing valuable jewellery; one had £200 in money upon her, which she + had endeavoured to save. That with 1,200 life-belts on board so few + should have escaped seems nearly incredible; but the panic and other + circumstances help to account for the sad fact. The second mate + stated that he had much trouble in getting the passengers to + understand the importance of wearing them well under the armpits, and + that if the belt got below the waist it would at once force the head + under water. From the position of some of the corpses recovered, it + is evident that many must have perished in this manner. In a number + of cases the lower strings of the life-belts had broken. The larger + part of the dead were buried on the various islands of the Scilly + group.<a id="noteref_83" name="noteref_83" href= + "#note_83"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">83</span></span></a></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The main features + of this disaster teach some important lessons. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“We find,”</span> says a writer in <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The + Lifeboat</span></span>, <span class="tei tei-q">“in this instance, a + noble ship, under full control of steam and sail; the captain<a id= + "noteref_84" name="noteref_84" href="#note_84"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">84</span></span></a> an able, + experienced, and careful officer, whose devotion to his duty + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page271">[pg 271]</span><a name="Pg271" + id="Pg271" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and sense of the responsibility + thrown on him were shown by the fact of his not having had his + clothes off for five nights previous to the loss of his ship; and the + weather fine, with the exception of the prevalence of a dense + fog.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“If we further inquire whether the owners of the ship had + done their duty in providing their passengers with all available + means of safety, we find that she had an ample and competent crew, + had eight boats, six of them being life-boats, and that life-belts + more than sufficient for every one on board were provided, and were + to a large extent used, since all, or nearly all, the bodies that + were picked up had life-belts on them. The latter may, however, have + been of inferior quality—indeed, are said to have been so. With so + many elements of safety, what then caused them to be of no + avail?</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The immediate causes of the loss of the ship were + apparently the dense fog and an insufficient allowance for the set of + the well-known current which sets out of the Bay of Biscay to the + northward, across the entrance of the British Channel, which has + sometimes considerable strength.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“A secondary cause was the old offence, so general in the + merchant service, despite all the warnings of experience—neglect of + sounding, the lead not having been used during the day or night, nor + on the two previous days.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Lastly, the chief cause of so few lives being saved, + there can be little doubt, was the same as that which led to such + fearful results in the case of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span>, viz., the custom of + making use of night signals of distress for other objects, such as to + call for pilots, to signify arrival, &c., a folly admonished in + advance in the old fable of the boy raising the alarm of <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Wolf, wolf!’</span> when there was no wolf, and then + receiving no succour from his neighbours when the wolf + came.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“It appears to be customary for the German steamers to + make the Scilly Islands to enable their agents there to telegraph to + Plymouth the approach of their steamers, in order that the necessary + preparations should be made for a prompt disembarkation of their + passengers for England on their arrival at that port.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The saving of time, which, looking to the great daily + expense of such vessels, with their hundreds of mouths to be fed, and + their immense consumption of coal, is the saving of money to the + shareholders, and is, of course, the motive for communicating by + signal with Scilly, just as the maintenance of high speed in all + weathers, and by night as by day at all hazards, is so, and which + leads to so many disasters.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“All that we would suggest, in the interest of humanity, + is that such communication should be left discretionary with the + captain of every ship in the case of fogs, when it should be optional + for him to proceed directly for Plymouth, or to heave to, or to feel + his way at greatly diminished speed by frequent sounding, which would + be a certain guide to him for a distance of many miles round the + islands.”</span> The writer suggests that, in view of the too common + neglect of sounding, such neglect, when discovered, should be + punishable by heavy penalties. It was proved in evidence that the + Eagle line of steamers were expressly prohibited from firing guns, or + exhibiting other distress signals, to make themselves known, but that + other German steamers had done so, of which those on board this + unfortunate ship now reaped the evil consequences.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the morning of + the 6th December, 1875, one of those sad disasters occurred which + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page273">[pg 273]</span><a name="Pg273" + id="Pg273" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>ever and again remind us of the + dangerous nature of our shores. But a few months before the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Schiller</span></span> had been wrecked, with + the loss of 331 lives, and now an emigrant steamship, of the same + nationality, was to share the same terrible fate off the Essex coast. + Happily, the loss was not so serious, and led to the establishment of + a life-boat station where one had not existed before.</p><a name= + "illo_309.jpg" id="illo_309.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_309.jpg" alt="WRECK OF THE “DEUTSCHLAND.”" + title="WRECK OF THE “DEUTSCHLAND.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + WRECK OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“DEUTSCHLAND.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Few maritime + disasters of modern times have excited more general interest than the + wreck of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Deutschland</span></span>: partly from the fact + that it occurred so near the mouth of the Thames, and partly because + a part of the German press, in a strange and reckless manner, + advanced serious charges against the town of Harwich and the boatmen + of that port, accusing them of allowing the unfortunate emigrants to + perish before their eyes, and refusing them succour. The + circumstances are as follows:—In the first place, the spot where the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Deutschland</span></span> was wrecked—on the + Kentish Knock—is twenty-four miles from Harwich, and, therefore, at + too great a distance for the vessel herself, and far less for any + signals of distress or national flag to be seen from that place, even + in clear weather. <span class="tei tei-q">“Accordingly, the only + modes by which intelligence of the disaster could be conveyed to + Harwich would have been by the different light-vessels repeating the + signals from one to another, and finally to that town, or by some + vessel or boat proceeding there. Now it so happened that all the + hovelling smacks belonging to that and adjacent places had themselves + been driven into port by the violence of the gale and the heavy sea, + and that the only available means of communication was, therefore, by + signals from the light-ships. It appears from the evidence of the + officers in charge of those vessels at the Board of Trade inquiry, + although the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Deutschland</span></span> had been on shore + since five and six o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 6th of + December, and had immediately commenced to throw up rockets, and + continued to do so until daylight, none of them were seen even from + the nearest light-ship—the Kentish Knock—no doubt, owing to the + thickness of the weather and almost continuous snow-storms, the + master of that vessel first perceiving the unfortunate steamer at + 9.30 a.m. He then fired guns, sounded the fog-horn, and continued to + do so at half-hour intervals during the day, and at 4.30 p.m. + commenced to throw up rockets, which were answered by the + steamer.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“At 5.20 the mate of the Sunk light-ship first saw two + rockets, which he supposed to be from a vessel on the Long Sand, + whereupon he fired guns and sent up rockets throughout the night, but + did not see the wrecked ship until 7.30 on the morning of Tuesday, + the 7th. His first rockets had, however, been seen by the look-out on + board the Cork light-ship, from which vessel rockets were then + immediately discharged; and at 7.30 these were replied to from + Harwich, they having given the first intimation to the good people of + that town that anything was amiss at sea; and even then not that a + German emigrant steamer was ashore on the Kentish Knock, but merely + that some vessel was in danger somewhere on one of the numerous + sandbanks which lie in all directions off that port. We have thus + accounted for the circumstance of these unfortunate shipwrecked + persons being allowed to remain for fourteen hours in their perilous + position without succour from the shore, from the simple cause that + no one knew of their danger; and we have arrived at another stage of + our inquiry: viz., Were the means then adopted all that could be + reasonably expected from humane people, who would gladly afford + succour, if in their power, to any one in distress, to whatever + country they might belong?”</span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page274">[pg 274]</span><a name="Pg274" id="Pg274" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The writer of the + critical article from which the above quotations are taken<a id= + "noteref_85" name="noteref_85" href="#note_85"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">85</span></span></a> shows, + firstly, that there was not at that time a life-boat station at + Harwich. It had always been considered that the sands were too + distant from that port for the successful employment of such a boat, + and that, in the event of wrecks upon them, the numerous hovelling + smacks would have anticipated its services. There was, however, a + small but serviceable steam-tug—not, be it remembered, Government or + town property, but that of a private individual. It is right that + this should be fully understood. The circumstance of this tug, the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Liverpool</span></span>, not going off instantly + on perceiving the rockets thrown up by the Cork light-ship was much + criticised by some ignorant persons at the time. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Fortunately, she was commanded by an able and + experienced seaman, Captain Carrington, who knew what he was about; + who knew the difficulties of navigating in the intricate passages + between the numerous shoals off the port on a dark night and gale of + wind, and he could only do so at great risk of losing his owner’s + vessel and the lives of those intrusted to him; that he might spend + the whole night in vainly searching for the vessel in distress, and, + even if he should find her, that, with the small tug’s boats, it + would be quite impossible for him to render any assistance to a + vessel surrounded by broken water, in a dark night and heavy sea; + and, moreover, that if any mishap should disable his own vessel, the + only chance of saving the wrecked persons might be destroyed.”</span> + He judiciously waited till shortly before daylight, and then + proceeded, first, to the Cork light-ship, where he ascertained that + the Sunk light-ship had been firing all night. He then steamed to the + latter, and was misinformed (unintentionally) regarding the locality + of the wreck. He, after searching in vain for some little time, + steamed for the Kentish Knock, and when half-way to it saw the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Deutschland</span></span> on that sandbank. He + then went to the Knock light-ship, and hailed her, inquiring whether + those on board knew anything about the wreck, or whether there were + any people remaining on board her, but could get no information. He + soon proceeded to the spot, and, finding there were a large number of + persons on board her, anchored his vessel under her lee, at about + sixty fathoms’ distance, and sent his boats to her. After taking off + three boat-loads, he weighed his anchor, placed his vessel alongside + the ship, and took off the remainder of the survivors—173 in all. In + spite of the time which had elapsed and the great dangers to which + the vessel had been exposed, the loss of life had not been so serious + as might well have been anticipated. Fifty-seven poor men and women + had, however, perished in the raging waves. The tug<a id="noteref_86" + name="noteref_86" href="#note_86"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">86</span></span></a> had done + her work of saving nobly and well, and had performed it at a time + when the hovelling smacks could have done nothing at all. On the same + occasion the Broadstairs life-boat proceeded as soon as possible to + the scene of the wreck, twenty miles distant, but too late to be of + service. In these days of nearly universal telegraphy, <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page275">[pg 275]</span><a name="Pg275" id="Pg275" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>it would seem strange that our light-ships + on dangerous sands, and our lighthouses on dangerous rocks, are + almost entirely without the means of proper communication with the + nearest shores. From the light-ship, indeed, rockets and guns are + constantly fired, as we have seen in many preceding examples, but + fogs and heavy weather often prevent either from being of service. + The expense of connecting <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">all</span></span> of them with the coasts by + means of submarine cables might be sufficient to frighten any + Government; but some such communication, however costly, should be + made with many of those exposed and dangerous spots where shipwrecks + are of constant occurrence.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Excellent + authorities on maritime matters have strongly advocated the necessity + for the establishment of a sound system of day and night signals from + all outlying lighthouses, light-ships, and coastguard stations, and + the laying of submarine cables to many of the more prominent + stations. A formula of <span class="tei tei-q">“signals of + distress”</span> was included in the new <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Merchant Shipping Act of 1873,”</span> which came into + operation on the 1st of November of that year. Prior to that time + such signals were too vague and too indiscriminately used to have + much value, and sometimes were calculated to mislead. Thus, in the + case of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Northfleet</span></span> already cited, 400 of + those on board were drowned, <span class="tei tei-q">“although she + was surrounded by other ships, and the rockets which she discharged + as signals of distress were seen by the coastguard and life-boat men + ashore, but were unheeded, it being a common custom for + homeward-bound ships to discharge rockets for pilots, or as + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">feux de + joie</span></span> on their safe return from distant lands.”</span> + The following signals of distress are now required. In <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">the + daytime</span></span> the following signals, when used together or + separately, shall be deemed sufficient and proper. 1. A gun fired at + intervals of about a minute. 2. The International Code signal of + distress. This is a square flag with chess-board pattern, blue and + white, having beneath it a long triangular white pennant, with a red + ball in the centre. 3. The distant signal, consisting of a square + flag, having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball. + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">At + night</span></span> the following signals:—1. A gun fired at + intervals of about a minute. 2. Flames on the ship, as from a burning + tar-barrel or oil-barrel, &c. 3. Rockets or shells, of any colour + or description, fired, one at a time, at short intervals. And + <span class="tei tei-q">“any master of a vessel who uses or displays, + or causes or permits any person under his authority to use or + display, any of the said signals, except in the case of a vessel + being in distress, shall be liable to pay compensation for any labour + undertaken, risk incurred, or loss sustained, in consequence of such + signal having been supposed to be a signal of distress, and such + compensation may, without prejudice to any other remedy, be recovered + in the same manner in which salvage is recoverable.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The signals for + pilots are also definitely fixed as follows:—<span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">By day</span></span>, + the <span class="tei tei-q">“Jack”</span> or other national colour + usually worn by merchant ships, having round it a white border, is to + be displayed at the fore; <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">or</span></span> the International Code pilotage + signal, this consists of two square flags, the upper of which is a + blue flag with a white square in its centre, and the lower of which + is a striped flag, red, white, and blue, similar to the French flag. + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">At + night</span></span>, <span class="tei tei-q">“blue lights,”</span> or + bright white lights, are to be flashed at frequent intervals, just + above the bulwarks. If these signals are used for any purpose other + than that for which they are intended, a penalty, not exceeding + twenty pounds, is incurred. Residents at, and visitors to, seaports + and sea-side resorts will, from the above description, be able to + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page276">[pg 276]</span><a name="Pg276" + id="Pg276" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>judge whether a vessel in the + offing is in dire distress or simply requires the ordinary services + of a pilot.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the eighteenth + century, the requirements of a maritime country constantly at war + obliged the Government to establish a complete system of signals and + signal stations all round our coasts. At the conclusion of our wars + with France that system was in full force, and at that time the + movements of nearly every vessel, friend or foe, were telegraphed + from point to point with a facility which contributed in an important + degree to the security of the country. <span class="tei tei-q">“This + Government telegraph system was also available for summoning such + aids as then existed for the preservation of life from shipwreck. + Accounts of wrecks at what may be called the life-boat era all tend + to show that the system of coast telegraphy then in existence played + an important part in most notable life-boat and other rescues from + shipwreck. With the long peace the need for information on the part + of the Government as to the movements of its own or other ships + became less urgent, though the coast system of signals maintained a + precarious existence for many years, to assist the coastguard in + protecting the revenue. As smuggling decreased, the coastguard men + were reduced in number, and the chain of signallers became broken + into gaps, which widened year by year. The final blow was given by + railways and electricity to the old line of semaphores stretching + between Portsmouth and the Admiralty, and elsewhere, and from + headland to headland. But while the Government, by the help of modern + invention, enormously increased its facilities of communication with + the great dockyards and arsenals, it, conceiving itself to be in no + way concerned (we suppose) with the safety of merchant ships or + saving life, failed to supply a substitute for the old semaphore + system along the coast line; and year by year the evil has increased + from the reduction of the coastguard, and the consequent lengthening + of the interval on lines of coasts in which watch has ceased to be + kept. The result is that during the last twenty-five years, and up to + the present time, there has been greater difficulty in communicating + along the coast and summoning aid to distressed vessels at all + out-of-the-way parts of the coast than existed at the end of the last + century.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The First Lord of the Admiralty or the President of the + Board of Trade can converse at leisure with Plymouth, Deal, Leith, or + Liverpool, but the Eddystone has no means of letting the authorities + at Plymouth know that a ship is slowly foundering before the eyes of + the keepers, though the two points are in sight of each other. The + light-keepers at the Bishop have no means of telling the people at + St. Mary’s that a ship full of passengers is slowly but surely + tearing to pieces on the Retarrier reef; and the hundreds of vessels + that yearly are in deadly peril on the Goodwins, the Kentish Knock, + the Norfolk Sands, and elsewhere, have no means of summoning prompt + aid from the land, though they are only a few miles distant from + it.”</span><a id="noteref_87" name="noteref_87" href= + "#note_87"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">87</span></span></a> The + writer notes that the number of cases of shipwreck, where the vessels + might have been saved, which reach the National Life-boat Institution + is considerable. These come largely from obscure and detached parts + of the coasts. A foreign barque was wrecked on the Ship-wash, a + sandbank eight miles from land, the nearest port being Harwich, from + which its southern end is distant ten miles. The wreck was discovered + by several smacks soon after seven o’clock on the morning of January + 7th, 1876, and the news of the disaster was in the possession of the + coastguards at Walton, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page277">[pg + 277]</span><a name="Pg277" id="Pg277" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>Harwich, and Aldborough, before ten o’clock that + day. Yet the crew were not taken off the wreck till the following + morning, after they had been more than twenty-four hours exposed to + all the horrors of a pitiless easterly gale, and the momentary + expectation of being swept into eternity. So ill-adapted was the + system of sending information along the coast that the news did not + reach Ramsgate till the next morning, and tug-boat and life-boat then + started on a gallant but fruitless expedition, to find that they had + only just been forestalled by the Harwich steamer. The Ramsgate men + were thus needlessly exposed for fourteen hours in a storm, with the + cold so intense that the salt water froze as it fell on the boat. + <span class="tei tei-q">“It is also significant,”</span> says a + writer in <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">The Lifeboat</span></span>, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“that the Aldborough life-boat’s crew declined to launch + their boat (they being fifteen miles from the wreck), mainly because + there were no sure grounds for concluding that the crew were still on + board it—information which could certainly have been conveyed by the + Ship-wash lightship had it had an electric wire communication with + the shore; or, failing that, by properly arranged <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘distant signals’</span> visible to the eye.”</span> The + writer shows that had the information been telegraphed from the point + which it actually did reach about 10 a.m., either to the Admiralty or + the Board of Trade, or any other public department, assistance could + with ease have been sent to the wreck, by orders from London, not the + day after, but on the forenoon of the same day. And what might not + have been the sad consequences of delay, had the vessel been carrying + a lot of helpless passengers instead of nine hardy seamen?</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A case occurred + shortly after the above occurrence, illustrating the necessity for + prompt and suitable communication with land. The steamer <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Vesper</span></span>, + of Hartlepool, was lost on the Kish Bank, four miles south of the + Kish light-ship. The crew of this wreck, which struck the bank at 5 + a.m., though only <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">four</span></span> miles from the light-ship, + six of a coastguard station on shore, and seven of another point, + received no assistance, nor did the light-ship pass the intelligence + till 10 a.m., when a boatman at Kingstown saw masts sticking out of + the water on the Kish Bank, with signals of distress flying from + them. Promptly enough then the life-boat, towed by H.M. steam-tender + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amelie</span></span>, proceeded to the wreck, + only to find, however, that on the steamer sinking the crew had taken + to their own boats, and being unburdened with passengers, had escaped + to land. The weather was moderate; had there been a gale, the story + might have been far different. What a reproach to our system! first, + that the light-ship had no means of signalling for assistance; and, + second, that it had no means afterwards of indicating that all hands + were happily saved.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap21" id="chap21" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page278">[pg 278]</span><a name="Pg278" id="Pg278" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name="toc45" id="toc45"></a> <a name= + "pdf46" id="pdf46"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XXI.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">A Contrast—The Ship on + Fire!—Swamped at Sea.</span></span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">The Loss of the</span> <span class="tei tei-name" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—A + Noble Vessel—Description of her Engine-rooms—Her Boats—Heating of + the Machinery—The Ship on Fire—Communication Cut off—The Ominous + Fire-bell—The Vessel put before the Wind—A Headlong + Course—Impossibility of Launching the Boats—</span><span class= + "tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Every Man for + Himself!</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—The + Boats on Fire—Horrible Cases of Roasting—Boats Stove in and + Upset—The Remnant of Survivors—</span><span class="tei tei-q" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Passing by on + the Other Side</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Loss + of a distinguished Author—A Clergyman’s Experiences—A Graphic + Description—Without Food, Water, Oars, Helm, or Compass—Blowing-up + of the</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—</span><span class="tei tei-q" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">A + Sail!</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Saved + on the Dutch Galliot—Back from the Dead—Review of the Catastrophe—A + Contrast—Loss of the</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">London</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Anxiety + to get Berths on her—The First Disaster—Terrible Weather—Swamped by + the Seas—The Furnaces Drowned out—Efforts to Replace a + Hatchway—Fourteen Feet of Water in the Hold—</span><span class= + "tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Boys, you may + say your Prayers!</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Scene + in the Saloon—The Last Prayer Meeting—Worthy Draper—Incidents—Loss + of an Eminent Tragedian—His Last Efforts—The Bottle Washed + Ashore—Nineteen Saved out of Two Hundred and Sixty-three Souls on + Board—Noble Captain Martin—The</span> <span class="tei tei-name" + style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">London’s</span></span> + <span style="font-size: 90%">Last Plunge—The Survivors picked up by + an Italian Barque.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">No greater horror + can occur at sea than for the good ship to be on fire. At first + sight, indeed, it might appear that in the midst of an unbounded + waste of waters nothing could be easier than to extinguish a + conflagration on board a vessel, but examples already cited in this + work have shown the difficulties in the way. Steam-ships have special + facilities for pumping water into almost any part of their hulls, yet + one of the saddest examples of a ship on fire is afforded in the loss + of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span>, a steam-ship of the + first-class.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span> + was one of a fleet of new vessels placed by the Royal Mail Steam-ship + Company on the West India service, and was stated to be, at the time + of her launching, the largest <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">timber-built</span></span> steam-ship ever + constructed in England. She was of 2,256 tons burden, and fitted with + every improvement known at the time; her entire cost was stated at + over £100,000. When, on the 16th of December, 1851, she arrived at + Southampton, she was regarded as the perfect model of a passenger + vessel. In due time she was ready for sea, and having received her + crew and engineers aboard, and a little later her passengers and the + Admiralty agent with mails, she left Southampton on Friday, January + 2nd, 1852. The officers were all tried men, and her commander, + Captain Symons, was one of those seamen whom large steam-ship + companies are only too glad to employ and retain. He was not merely + an officer of thoroughly competent skill, but a man of unbending + resolution, a man fitted to be a ruler among men, as should be every + commander of a great vessel. Only a few weeks before he had received + the thanks of the American Government, accompanied by a present of a + silver speaking-trumpet, for interposing, at the risk of his own + life, in an affair at Chagres between the Americans and the natives. + On this occasion he not only was the means of saving much valuable + property, but by his energetic conduct arrested a conflict, which, + but for his intervention, might probably have been attended with much + bloodshed and slaughter. The <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span>, a pioneer of the service + she was to inaugurate, left Southampton amidst a considerable amount + of <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">éclat</span></span>, and commenced her + voyage.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“And so,”</span> says the work<a id="noteref_88" name= + "noteref_88" href="#note_88"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">88</span></span></a> from + which much of the following account is compiled, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“the gallant ship sped on. The wind was right ahead, but + her engines were powerful, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page279">[pg + 279]</span><a name="Pg279" id="Pg279" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and + she passed rapidly through the water. But it is necessary, in order + to make clear what follows, to describe the position of her engines + and boats.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The engine-room was about the middle of the vessel, + having sixteen boilers—eight in the forward and as many in the after + part. There were, consequently, two funnels: one about midships, the + other immediately behind the foremast. In those vessels which have + but one set of boilers and one funnel these are placed in the after + part of the engine-room, while the store-room, containing tallow, + oil, and other inflammable materials, is placed forward. But the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span> having boilers at both + ends, it happened that the floor of the store-room rested directly on + the wood casing that surrounded the upper part or steam-chest of the + forward boilers.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Then, with regard to the boats: most of the older + vessels have life-boats resting, bottom up, on the top of the + paddle-boxes, according to a plan much approved in the navy, and the + smaller boats swing suspended over the water, from two curved iron + props, or davits, as they are technically termed, by ropes that, + running through a pulley, enable men seated in the boats to lower + themselves from the ship’s side to the water, when the hooks by which + the tackle is attached to the boats may at once be cast off. But as + it would be inconvenient that the boats so hung from the davits + should be swinging backward and forward with every roll of the ship, + ropes are lashed round them and fastened to the bulwark of the + vessel, in order to keep them steady. Now, in order to get quit of + this latter somewhat clumsy contrivance, as well as to ease the + strain of the boat upon the tackling by which it swings, a different + mode of fastening was adopted in the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span>. + There were the davits as usual, and the common contrivance for + lowering the boats into the water; but instead of the undergirding + ropes or guys, two iron props were introduced, each of which, + branching out at the top into two prongs, received in its groove the + keel of the boat, in which she sat as in a cradle, thus taking away + all strain from the ordinary tackling. This change in the mode of + securing the boats had, however, this effect: that, whereas in the + former case the boat’s crew had but to lower the boat and themselves + into the water, by the new mode it became necessary, before they + could do that, to hoist the boat up a few feet till it was got clear + of the projecting points of the crutch on which it rested. Of what + fatal consequence this necessity was will become too apparent in the + course of the narrative.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The machinery was + perfectly new, and, as is frequently the case on first trials, became + much heated in the bearings: so much so, indeed, that water had to be + pumped over them. Whether or not the terrible disaster about to be + described resulted from that fact will never be known; it much more + probably occurred from some light being dropped upon the waste, + &c., of the oil-room. No neglect of duty was attributed to the + engineers, who seem to have been exceptionally careful.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About a quarter + before one o’clock, Sunday, when the ship was about entering the Bay + of Biscay, Mr. Treweeke, the second officer, a most promising and + practical sailor, being then officer of the watch, was on the bridge. + Just before, Dunsford, quartermaster, had gone the rounds to see that + the lights were all out, and had reported that all was right; Mr. + Treweeke then was on the bridge, and Mr. Dunsford was standing under + him to receive orders. Mr. Vincent, one of the midshipmen, was on the + quarter-deck; all was <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page280">[pg + 280]</span><a name="Pg280" id="Pg280" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>still as the grave, save the monotonous + throbbing of the engines. He happened to look towards Mr. Treweeke at + that moment, and saw him leaning listlessly against the railing of + the bridge. Suddenly Treweeke started up, and looked earnestly at + something apparently issuing from the engine-room. That officer had + discovered flames issuing thence, and Dunsford was detailed to call + the captain: and although he should have performed his duty + noiselessly, he managed, rather boisterously, to disturb some of the + passengers. The captain immediately ran out of his cabin, half nude, + and after finding that the fire was serious, ran back and put on some + clothes, immediately returning to the scene of action. At the same + time, Mr. Stone, the fourth engineer, saw fire on the starboard + foremost boiler from the iron platform on which he was standing, and + instantly gave the alarm. He even attempted to stop the engines, but + the smoke was so dense that he was obliged to retreat. One of the + men, who was going to the engine-room to warm himself, observed a + glare of light in the fore stoke-hole, and on examination found + between the starboard fore-boiler and the bulkhead a flame issuing as + far as he could see. The firemen’s backs were turned at the time, and + he shouted out to them, <span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t you see the + fire? Why don’t you get water?”</span> They did not, however, seem to + notice it. He rushed aft, where the hose was kept, and tried to drag + it forward, shouting for assistance; but by the time the hose was + brought the flames of fire were rushing up through the oil, tallow, + and waste store-rooms. The flames were leaping upwards to the deck + above. Owing to the smoke, he was obliged to give up the hose, and + rush on deck, it being impossible to remain below any longer. The + chief engineer, Mr. Angus, and one of his assistants, tried to put on + the hose, and kept by it till they could not breathe. Hearing a cry + for buckets on deck, Angus ran aft as fast as he could, and the + passengers were then breaking open the saloon door to get on deck. + Several attempts to get water to the flames were unsuccessful or + utterly ineffective.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The second + engineer, Mr. William Angus, stated that when he was alarmed by the + cry of <span class="tei tei-q">“Fire!”</span> he was in the act of + <span class="tei tei-q">“blowing off”</span><a id="noteref_89" name= + "noteref_89" href="#note_89"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">89</span></span></a> the + after-boiler, and on coming up the lower platform ladder of the + engine-room, ran to set the <span class="tei tei-q">“donkey”</span> + engine (which pumps the ship and keeps the boilers a-going). A blast + of smoke stopped him, and when he recovered more or less from the + suffocation he attempted to work her, but failed. All the lamps were + extinguished by the smoke. Mr. Stone, the fourth engineer, came to + his assistance, but was forced to retire. The stokers and others + found it equally impossible to remain. One of the survivors described + the progress of the flames in the engine-room <span class= + "tei tei-q">“as that of a great wave of fire, before which no man + could stand and live.”</span> He stated that it rushed upon his mind + that if the boilers were left in their then state the water would + soon become exhausted, and the boilers themselves explode, so he + turned on the water into them, and attempted to remove the weights + from the safety valves, so as to ease the pressure of the steam. The + glass above was cracking with the intensity of the heat. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“It was not three minutes from the time that the fire was + discovered till the ship was in flames.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Above, on deck, + all was horror, confusion, and despair, among the passengers and + crew. The flames, having broken out abaft the foremast, rapidly + extended across the whole breadth <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page281">[pg 281]</span><a name="Pg281" id="Pg281" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>of the ship, forming a wall of fire as high as + the paddle-boxes, cutting off all communication. One or two of the + sailors, indeed, managed to get across the paddle-boxes, cautiously + creeping up one side and sliding down the other, but all other means + of access were effectually debarred. It was the sole chance of + safety, for the boats were all in the after part of the ship. + <span class="tei tei-q">“It would be needless here to tell of the + screams and shrieks of the horror-stricken passengers, mixed with the + cries of the animals aboard; of the wild anguish with which they saw + before them only the choice of death almost equally dreadful—the + raging flame or the raging sea, and of those fearful moments when all + self-control, all presence of mind, appeared to be lost, and no + authority was recognised, no command obeyed.”</span> Meanwhile the + ominous fire-bell was ringing—the knell of many a poor man and woman + that night.</p><a name="illo_318.jpg" id="illo_318.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_318.jpg" alt="BURNING OF THE “AMAZON.”" + title="BURNING OF THE “AMAZON.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + BURNING OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“AMAZON.”</span> + </div> + </div><a name="illo_320.png" id="illo_320.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_320.png" alt="THE “AMAZON” STEAM-SHIP" title= + "THE “AMAZON” STEAM-SHIP." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“AMAZON”</span> STEAM-SHIP. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Captain + Symons rushed on deck, his first order was to <span class= + "tei tei-q">“put up the helm,”</span> which was instantly obeyed. The + helmsman, assisted by Mr. Treweeke, the gallant second officer, + worked at the wheel till the vessel <span class="tei tei-q">“paid + off”</span> and turned so as to go before the wind. The effects of + the wind were, by this device, somewhat moderated, but it had almost + advanced to a gale, and the paddles were revolving rapidly, carrying + the doomed vessel through the water with headlong speed. The flames + were driven, however, forward and away from the passengers and + greater number of those on board. To this movement, in fact, is to be + attributed the preservation of the few boats which, as we shall see, + succeeded in leaving the ship. To extinguish the fire was now out of + question; while it was equally impossible to shut off the steam and + stop the vessel’s way. Yet, without this being done, no boat could be + launched into the water while the vessel was driving on at + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page282">[pg 282]</span><a name="Pg282" + id="Pg282" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the rate of thirteen knots an + hour. Buckets of water were still thrown on the burning mass; trusses + of lighted hay and loose spars thrown overboard. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Keep fast the boats for a while, and try to save the + ship!”</span> cried the captain. But, alas! ship and crew were alike + doomed. <span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t lower the boats!”</span> + repeated Captain Symons again and again; and the danger—at the rate + of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon’s</span></span> speed—of attempting it + was too obvious. Lieut. Grylls, R.N., a passenger on board, was + attempting to lower the tackle of one of the boats, when Symons + <span class="tei tei-q">“seized him by the arm, and besought him to + desist, as he said everybody would be drowned. Lieut. Grylls then + called out to the person by the foremast fall, imploring him not to + lower, as the ship was going so fast. The person at the foremast + fall, by constant and urgent request of the people in the boat, let + the fall go, by which means the boat turned over, and, as nearly as + could be seen, every one was washed out of her. Seeing this at the + moment, Lieut. Grylls attempted to let go the after fall so as to + save them, but the fall being jammed, and having fouled, and the boat + thus not being clear, her stern hung in the air for a moment, until + cut adrift by some one, when she turned over, and, seeing the people + washed away, Lieutenant Grylls turned away from the appalling sight + in horror. He then met, face to face, Captain Symons, who called out + for some one to help him to clear away the port life-boat, which was + stowed on the sponson, abaft the port paddle-box, and at the same + moment leaped into the boat, using every endeavour to clear her away. + Lieut. Grylls followed, and also exerted himself, but the flames + having reached the boat, and Captain Symons’s hair having caught in a + blaze, and one sleeve of his shirt, he was obliged to run off, and + Lieut. Grylls was compelled to follow him, both rushing through the + flames and fire.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About this time it + was discovered that the ship was veering round, owing to the helm + having been lashed. A fresh order was shrieked out to keep her before + the wind, and two of the officers sprang forward to execute the + captain’s bidding. The passengers were now all on deck, with what + feelings we can imagine. <span class="tei tei-q">“At last the shout + was raised, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Every man for himself!’</span> + but not by the captain. The captain called out, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Lower the starboard life-boat!’</span> to which the + answer was, <span class="tei tei-q">‘She is on fire!’</span> + <span class="tei tei-q">‘Lower the larboard (port, or left-hand) + life-boat!’</span> <span class="tei tei-q">‘She is on fire!’</span> + was still the cry. The captain dropped the bucket which he idly held + in his hand. <span class="tei tei-q">‘It’s all over with + us!’</span> ”</span> But though he knew it so well, he did not relax + an effort; nor did Mr. Roberts, the chief officer, nor any of the + officers, all of whom went down with the ship. They were last seen + collected in a group near the helm; and to the close of that + appalling scene nobly did their duty. The last words the captain was + heard to say were, <span class="tei tei-q">“It has got too + far.”</span> He then turned aft, took the wheel, and that appears to + have been the last that was seen of Captain Symons.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When it was + discovered that the two life-boats were on fire, attention could only + be given to the other boats. All efforts must be made: better to + drown than to die in the midst of flames—suffocated, scorched. + <span class="tei tei-q">“One of the passengers, Mr. Alleyne, of the + West Indies, was observed pacing the deck, with his hands clasped in + prayer, patiently waiting that awful fate from which he knew there + was no escape. A gentleman and lady, in their night-dresses only—both + of which were on fire—came on deck, and, with their arms round each + other, walked over to one of the ship’s hatches, and fell together + into the flames. They had previously been seen standing right abaft + and looking perfectly collected, the gentleman before the + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page283">[pg 283]</span><a name="Pg283" + id="Pg283" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>lady, apparently to keep the + heat from her. A female passenger rushed on deck, having on only her + night-gown, the bottom of which and her legs were much burnt. Three + times she was placed in one of the boats which was saved, but she + refused to remain. Several persons hurriedly said to her that they + would soon give her plenty of clothing when she got away from the + ship, but modesty prevailed over the love of life, and she remained + behind to <a name="corr283" id="corr283" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">perish.</span>”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A horrible story + of one standing near the helm is given: his face and side burnt, and + a huge blister formed, which burst in; the skin was falling away in + ribbons. A little boy was also burnt black, and the skin was falling + from him in a similar manner. Still the vessel was dashing forward in + headlong speed, but still efforts were made to launch the boats; but + here, in consequence of the manner in which they were stowed—resting + on iron crutches or brackets, instead of being simply suspended, as + usual—unexpected difficulties presented themselves. It was necessary + first to raise them, put them over the bulwarks, and lower them—a + work of time and labour. In the hurry two of the boats were stove in; + and in the case of others, one end would be lowered properly, the + other remaining high in the air, so that the wretched passengers and + sailors who crowded into them were plunged violently into the water, + escaping the fury of one element only to be devoured by another. In + one single case fifteen were thus drowned, while one only escaped. + Not to accumulate the details of horrors, which constantly repeated + themselves, it may be here stated that the whole number of persons on + board the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span> when she left Southampton + was 162; of these 110 formed the crew; there were 50 passengers, and + the mail agent and his servant. The first boat which landed at + Plymouth brought in 21; the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Gertruida</span></span>, a Dutch galliot, picked + up a boat containing 16 on Sunday night, and another containing 8 on + the following morning. Another vessel, also a Dutch galliot, picked + up 13 more. The total number lost amounted, therefore, to 104, and 58 + only were saved.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A survivor stated + that during the time they were drifting in their boat towards the + ship, which was burning broadside on to the wind, her mainmast went + first, the foremast following; it was a considerable time before the + mizen-mast fell, directly after which he noted a slight explosion of + gunpowder. Previous to this a barque hove in sight, and passed + between their boat and the burning ship. They judged her to be + outward-bound from her being under close-reefed topsails. As she + passed at between three and four hundred yards they hailed her + several times with their united voices, strengthened by all the + energy of despair. She answered them, and brailed her spanker, and + they naturally thought she was preparing to bear up for their rescue. + <span class="tei tei-q">“I shall never forget,”</span> said the + narrator, <span class="tei tei-q">“the deep sob of hope with which I + noticed these preparations, or the bitterness of feeling with which I + saw him spread his canvas to the wind, and wear round past the stern + of the burning vessel, as he left us to our fate.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Among those who + perished on that terrible night was a distinguished author, whose + writings are, or should be, familiar to all readers. Warburton<a id= + "noteref_90" name="noteref_90" href="#note_90"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">90</span></span></a> perished + either in the flames or, as some thought, in one of the boats which + was swamped. He had been sent out by the Atlantic and Pacific + Junction Company, specially deputed to make a friendly arrangement + with the Indians of the isthmus of Darien. As an old and practised + traveller, he had proposed <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page284">[pg + 284]</span><a name="Pg284" id="Pg284" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>to + stay on the isthmus for some time, in order to study its topography, + scenery, climate, and resources. The Rev. Acton Warburton, his + brother, on receipt of the fearful news, and with the fact before him + that there were boats not yet accounted for which had been seen to + leave the ship, proceeded in a steamer from Plymouth on January 17th, + in the hope that, by cruising about in the Channel and entrance to + the Bay of Biscay, some traces might be found of his missing + relative. All was in vain; no further vestiges of the crew or + passengers were found. A few days afterwards a homeward-bound vessel + picked up at sea, among other fragments of the wreck, three settees, + or backed forms, which had stood on the deck of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span>, + and which had been lashed together, doubtless for the purpose of + supporting some of the crew or passengers in the water. Other pieces + of the wreck were washed ashore on different parts of the coast, and + a piece of burnt timber was picked up near the Eddystone, + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page285">[pg 285]</span><a name="Pg285" + id="Pg285" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>having attached to it a + fragment of a lady’s dress. One of the mail bags, containing + newspapers, unscorched, but very much damaged by sea-water, was + washed ashore near Bridport three weeks after the occurrence of the + wreck.</p><a name="illo_323.jpg" id="illo_323.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_323.jpg" alt= + "RESCUE OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE “AMAZON.”" title= + "RESCUE OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE “AMAZON.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + RESCUE OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“AMAZON.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Rev. William + Blood, who was one of the survivors, was landed at Plymouth in one of + the boats late on Thursday night, and was much too ill to commit his + thoughts to paper during the Friday and Saturday following. But on + the Sunday following, in presence of 4,000 people, he, in the course + of an extempore sermon, gave his hearers a graphic description of the + catastrophe and of his escape from the wreck.<a id="noteref_91" name= + "noteref_91" href="#note_91"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">91</span></span></a> The + first evening of the voyage he sat up till between eleven and twelve + o’clock, enjoying the sea-breeze and the beauty of the scene. He had + then retired, undressing himself as at home, and had slept well. On + the fatal night, however, he seems to have had an indefinite + presentiment that something was about to occur. On that evening, says + he, <span class="tei tei-q">“without any cause, I was induced to + retire early (nine o’clock), and when going to bed it was deeply + impressed on my mind not to undress. I accordingly lay down upon the + bed with my clothes on, even my boots, and immediately fell into a + sound sleep. At about half-past twelve I awoke, greatly refreshed, + and prepared for what was to follow. No voice awoke me; no alarm had + been given; no bell aroused me. When I awoke, I felt surprised by a + peculiar indescribable sensation as of solitude, of vacancy; and on + opening the window of my cabin, I looked out, but saw no person; + still all was silent; and with the same feeling I arose, went out of + the cabin, without even taking my watch, which lay beneath my pillow, + and, as I passed along the saloon, I overheard the voice of the + stewardess in the distance, saying, <span class="tei tei-q">‘The ship + is on fire!’</span> I then hastened towards the stairs at the fore + part of the ship, and saw (oh, horror!) the blaze ascending right + across the vessel. I ascended the stairs just in time to escape the + flames. When on the deck, I had merely time to walk across to the + bulwarks, for on the deck the flames were spreading with terrific + rapidity.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“When I got on deck I saw no one, and heard no noise or + confusion, so that much of the disaster must have been over by that + time. I then saw some men endeavouring to lower one of the boats near + the paddle-box, and at the same moment I became fully aware of my + awful position, and that I had to choose between death by fire or by + water, unless I made some effort to save myself. With this conviction + on my mind, I laid hold of a rope, and swung myself over the ship’s + side, and was just about to precipitate myself into the boat beneath + me, which was then swinging with her stern in the water. In another + moment her human freight were in the death struggle in an element not + less terrible or destructive than that from which they had been + making such frantic efforts to escape; and even at this moment their + appalling shrieks, as they struggled amidst the dark and gloomy + waves, seem to ring in my ears. Here, again, I think Divine + interference was manifested on my behalf, for an apparent accident + saved me from that boat. Almost crippled as I was, I managed, by the + aid of the rope to which I clung, to regain the now blazing deck, + just as some of the crew were endeavouring to release one of the + life-boats from her very embarrassing fastenings. They succeeded. She + was turned over the ship’s side. I was in her then; and, while + suspended midway between fire and water, she turned keel up, and her + oars were thrown out. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page286">[pg + 286]</span><a name="Pg286" id="Pg286" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>She + righted in a few minutes after, and when she did so I was still in + her—by what means I know not, but that the All-seeing eye was still + upon me. In a minute or two more she was lowered into the sea with + her freight of thirteen human souls, and amidst cries of <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘She is leaking!’</span> <span class="tei tei-q">‘She is + stove in!’</span> <span class="tei tei-q">‘She will be + swamped!’</span> but at the same moment one of the crew in her cut + the rope that bound her to the blazing ship, and she at once dropped + astern. We now made the terrible discovery that she was really + leaking, and with the apparent certainty of having escaped one + horrible death only to perish by another, we set our wits to work to + staunch the leak and bale out the water. Michael Fox, one of the + sailors—a man who merits much honour for his coolness and bravery + throughout—actually thrust his arm through the leak to arrest the + ingress of the water; while I handed him my cap, another gave his + stockings; others did likewise; and then, with such means as these, + and with the aid of our boots and two little empty casks, we managed + to prevent the life-boat from being swamped. While thus occupied, and + being tossed about, without food, water, oars, helm, or compass, + totally at the mercy of the contending elements, we had dropped about + two miles astern of the doomed ship. She was apparently motionless, + while the sea continually broke over us. A barque passed between the + blazing pile and our ill-omened craft. Her hull, sails, and rigging + were reflected against that fearful blaze with a blackness of shadow + that appeared to render still deeper the depth of our calamity, and + which the morning’s light helped not to lessen, for the barque had + disappeared. After the barque had departed, we fancied we saw a boat, + somewhat like our own, close to us, and we hailed her, with all the + power of our united voices, for oars; but she either heeded or heard + us not, and quickly disappeared, and the impression was that she had + been swamped. Our frail tenement was still knocked about as I have + stated, still within sight of the burning ship; and at about five + o’clock on Sunday morning, when the powder on board caught light, she + blew up, presenting to our terror-stricken gaze a most awful and + sublime spectacle. Vast beams of flaming timber were hurled about in + the air, and seemed suspended there for a moment, and then + disappeared with a hissing noise in the roaring waters. A moment + after, and all that remained unconsumable by fire of that once noble + specimen of our mercantile marine vanished like a shot beneath the + waves. And then came upon us that intensity of darkness that lent an + additional horror to our truly forlorn condition. However, the + merciful Ruler of our destinies had not deserted us; for as the + Sabbath morning’s light dawned the wind abated and the sea became + comparatively calm, except that there was still a heavy swell; but + still, there we were, thirteen human beings, in a frail, leaky boat, + without an atom of food of any sort, the vast ocean around us, and in + a state of perfect ignorance as to our geographical position, while + our other physical wants, such as of clothes, boots, &c., made + our case truly deplorable. By about twelve o’clock at noon, on + Sunday, we had drifted, as nearly as possible, to the spot where the + Amazon had sunk; and upon the then comparatively calm sea were strewn + about but too many evidences of the last night’s fearful + devastation—immense spars, charred timbers, barrels, bales, and boxes + innumerable. We drew up one of the latter, got it on board, forced it + open, and found that it contained only a quantity of shoes. To those + each helped himself to a pair, and then threw the remainder + overboard.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“As the Sabbath morning advanced towards noon-day the + glorious sun burst forth, and appeared as a happy harbinger of the + fortunate release in store for us. The weather was fine, <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page287">[pg 287]</span><a name="Pg287" id="Pg287" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>though there was a heavy swell in the sea, + and we were all up to our middle in water. William Angus, poor + fellow, was of no use in the boat. When leaving the ship, he had + thrown himself overboard, fell upon my back, and cut his head + severely. He appeared in a state of despondency for the loss of his + brother; and another poor fellow had part of the fingers of one of + his hands chopped off. At two o’clock the sun shone forth in all his + splendour. By this time we had taken up some of the bottom boards of + the boat, and these we had converted into paddles, rudder, and mast. + Lieut. Grylls took from off his head his shirt, which he had + previously wrapped around it, and made a flag of it; and in lieu + thereof I tore off the skirts of my coat, one of which I tied around + his head, and with the other I made a cap for myself. The remainder + of that coat I still have, and will preserve as a memento; and so I + ought, for it served as a protection against the pouring rain, while + our bodies lay partially submerged in the water and the waves at + times dashed over us. This coat became most useful to me afterwards, + during the eleven days on board the galliot, for it served as a + pocket-handkerchief, napkin, &c.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“There was a peculiar death-like feeling produced by + being obliged to sit in the water all night, while at the same time + the whole body was saturated with the rain and the billows poured + their waters over us. At one time, shivering with cold and wet, I + strove to keep my back pressed against another person to preserve the + vital heat. Such cold I never felt before. The casks which we found + in the boat were of essential use. How wonderful that they should + have remained in the boat when she capsized and threw out the oars, + for without them she must have swamped.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Dismal were the thoughts suggested on that day as to the + future. Will a storm arise? If so, our little vessel cannot live; she + must be overwhelmed by the raging billows! How long can we remain in + the midst of the wide extended ocean? Shall we starve—perish with + hunger? Such were the gloomy forebodings, when the thrilling, joyful + exclamation of <span class="tei tei-q">‘A sail!’</span> burst from + the lips of one of the crew. Then followed the exclamation of, + <span class="tei tei-q">‘Oh, I hope she sees us! Does she hear us? Is + she coming this way?’</span> She was then on the very verge of the + horizon, and—disappeared! Mute despair was then plainly perceptible + in every face. I had made up my mind to die of starvation, but + thought I could exist without food for a long time, for having once + been ill in Paris for three weeks without even having tasted food of + any sort during the whole of the time, I felt now prepared to go + through the same ordeal. But again the joyful sound was uttered by + Lieut. Grylls, <span class="tei tei-q">‘I see another sail!’</span> + We then commenced tearing up the boards from the bottom of the boat, + and converting one of them into a mast, upon which we attached a + shirt as a signal of distress, and breaking the rest of them into + paddles and a helm, we determined, as our lives depended upon it, to + make a desperate effort to approach the welcome visitor. Hour after + hour was passing away—our progress through the waves was slow, and + the sailors were beginning to relax their efforts at the paddles in + utter hopelessness. The sun was fast fading away, and the horrors of + another night at sea in an open boat stared us in the face. I begged, + prayed, and entreated the men to continue their exertions, that with + the light of day we still had hope; an hour—perhaps a few minutes—may + bring us near enough to be seen. Alas! there were four out of the + thirteen quite helpless—viz., poor Angus, the man who had lost his + fingers, a boy, and a Spanish gentleman, who appeared to have become + quite <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page288">[pg 288]</span><a name= + "Pg288" id="Pg288" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>paralysed. The sun was + just about to shed his last ray of light upon our eyes and hope in + our hearts, when those on board the vessel saw us, heard us, bore + down upon us, and took us on board. Had not the great God sent us + this timely succour, no account of our fate could have ever been made + known, for any one of the storms which prevailed during the following + eight or nine days must have destroyed us. We were hauled on board by + means of ropes, and stowed in a little cabin, 6 feet by 4½ only; but + yet, what a palace compared to the horrors from which we had just + been rescued! This vessel was a small Dutch galliot, and had a cargo + of sugar from Amsterdam, consigned to Leghorn; and was, therefore, + desirous of landing at Gibraltar, it being on her course. However, + adverse winds set in; the captain of the galliot knew not his + position; he was unable to take an observation; and was, in + consequence, knocked about for nine days with this serious addition + to his crew. I had been visiting the house of a noble friend but a + few weeks before, but what was it compared to our present little + home?”</span> They were at length safely landed at Plymouth.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Among so many + gloomy incidents, one of another nature may well be recorded. The + name of Lieutenant Grylls has been mentioned as one of the survivors. + But the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Cornwall Gazette</span></span> of January 8th + had the following announcement:—<span class="tei tei-q">“Lost, on + board the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span>, mail steam-packet, on + Sunday, the 4th inst., in which vessel he had taken his passage to + join H.M.S. <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Devastation</span></span>, to which ship he had + been appointed as first lieutenant, Lieutenant Charles Gerveys + Grylls, R.N., aged twenty-five, eldest surviving son of the Rev. + Henry Grylls, vicar of St. Neots.”</span> But early in the morning of + Friday a special messenger arrived at St. Neots, bearing a letter to + the good vicar from his son, stating that he was alive and safe, and + that he hoped to be with him in the evening. The news soon spread; + all the neighbouring hamlets turned out their inhabitants, the + village bells were rung, and a party of about 150 persons set off on + the road to Plymouth to draw him home by hand. This the gallant + lieutenant would not allow, being too anxious to return to his + friends. A triumphal procession was, however, formed, escorted by + which this witness from the dead was restored to his bereaved father. + One can imagine the joy in the household, and the strong revulsion of + feeling there!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“On taking a review of this overwhelming + catastrophe,”</span> says the Rev. C. A. Johns, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“the reader will rise from a perusal of the narrative + having his mind painfully impressed with the fearful loss of human + life; and as he endeavours to picture to himself the incidents as + they severally occurred, he will be more inclined to doubt that any + one was possessed of nerve sufficiently strong to stand the first + half-hour’s ordeal rather than to wonder that so few escaped. A + vessel, constructed of the best material employed in + ship-building—oak, teak, and Dantzic pine—but, nevertheless, a + structure of wood, bearing, in addition to cargo, crew, and + passengers, 1,000 tons of inflammable coal, and a framework of + massive iron, unceasingly grinding with the force of 800 + horses—sixteen furnaces and as many huge boilers, all employed in + generating the most powerful instrument of usefulness or destruction + (as the case may be) which man has reduced to his will—a store-room + in the vicinity of the boilers, plentifully stocked with oil and + tallow—well might the lip quiver and the cheek blanch at the bare + idea of <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">Fire</span></span> being allowed to creep + with but a flickering light beyond its prescribed limits. But, + besides all this, he will remember that to this concatenation of + perils—themselves too terrible to dwell on—must be added + contingencies which aggravated <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page289">[pg 289]</span><a name="Pg289" id="Pg289" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>the danger in a tenfold degree. The ship was + new, her timbers were dry and resinous—not, as is the case with + sea-worn vessels, saturated with salt, and therefore less + inflammable, but converted into rapid fuel by the unusual heat, which + from some cause, explained or unexplained, was perceptible at a great + distance from her boilers; the crew, though young and efficient, and + more than one-half of them practised servants of the Company, were + yet strange to the ship, not even having had their various duties + assigned to them, nor familiar with the persons of their officers, as + became evident afterwards from the discrepancies in their statements + of names; the wind was blowing a gale in the direction which would + most readily extend a conflagration from the probable source of fire + to the stern, where the majority of passengers were congregated; the + time was midnight; many of the officers, weary with their previous + exertions, were recruiting their strength by a brief repose; most of + the seamen and all the passengers were buried in sleep; the sea was + in a state of commotion; the place was the Bay of Biscay, the dread + of outward-bound mariners; the boats, though unexceptionable as to + number, capacity, and quality, were not stowed in the usual simple + way, but rested on brackets, from which it was necessary for them to + be lifted before they could be lowered even into that foaming ocean. + Suddenly the cry of Fire! is shrieked out; the bell is set + a-ringing—the death-knell—the knell of sudden, inevitable, agonising + death to many a stout heart on board that proud but perishing ship. + He must sleep soundly who failed to hear that piercing cry and the + heartrending shrieks which took it up. Some thought it of no + consequence: <span class="tei tei-q">‘We will dress, and hasten on + deck, that we may help to extinguish it.’</span> But there were some + who knew better; they could <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page290">[pg + 290]</span><a name="Pg290" id="Pg290" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>look + a hurricane in the face, they could encounter a hailstorm of bullets + in the execution of their duty, but they knew that, with that enemy + on board, the iron beams of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span> + could only be cooled by the water which rolled at the bottom of the + ocean. Those brave men did all they could—they gave their charge a + brief space to make their peace with God, if God were in their + thoughts, and resigned themselves to His keeping who alone could help + them. Before the least terrified could gain the deck the flames were + soaring above the funnels. A flight of fire was sweeping the deck; it + extended from one side of the vessel to the other; it separated those + in the fore-part from those in the stern; it shot forth from the + port-holes; it singed the hair and scorched the skin of those who + were furthest from its reach; and the air of heaven was one huge + blast-pipe, fanning it into fury! Are the fire-engines of no avail? + They are themselves burning. Then stop the paddle-wheels, that the + boats may be launched. Alas! the engineers, half suffocated, have + long been driven from the engine-room, and the levers are beyond + their reach. But the ship yet answered her helm, and was put before + the wind. And now the flames were borne in an opposite direction, + towards the bow, and the gale seemed to be diminished. Now the + captain cried, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Lower the larboard + lifeboat!’</span> <span class="tei tei-q">‘It is on fire!’</span> + <span class="tei tei-q">‘Lower the starboard lifeboat!’</span> + <span class="tei tei-q">‘It is on fire!’</span> Other boats yet + remain, and crew and passengers crowd into them. Fatal haste! It was + a work of time and difficulty to lift them from their sockets before, + with this addition to their weight it is next to impossible. One + after another they are tumbled, rather than lowered, into a sea + which, from the rapid motion of the vessel, appears to be rushing + from them. Some hang suspended, and their cargoes are swept away by + the boiling surge; one is swamped, another is stove in. Still the + fire is drawing nearer; it surrounds the boilers, and the water + contained in them is nearly exhausted. When that has happened they + will burst, perhaps, and then the engines will cease to work. Strange + that success in effecting an escape should be promoted by the + bursting of a boiler—an accident which, had it come alone, would have + occasioned terror and dismay. No one knows, amidst the overwhelming + din of air, fire, water, steam, human shrieks, and even the cries of + dumb animals, whether this event happened or not. It was not + dreaded—it was hoped for. It could not have added to the dismay, so, + if it happened? it was unnoticed.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“However that may be, the ship could not free herself + from her destroyer, but moderated her speed. A few boats were put + off—no living soul can say how many—all, probably, that were left, + and then, perhaps, the officers embarked on a raft, and—we dare not + carry our thoughts further in that direction.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The vessel lay a burning log on the waters for four or + five hours, and then, as if an evil demon had possessed her, or as if + some gorgeous <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">fête</span></span> had now reached its close, + threw up a discharge of brilliant fireworks—and the billows of the + Atlantic swept unconcernedly over her hissing embers.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The following + example—the terrible loss of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London</span></span>—presents a striking + contrast to that of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span>. She was literally + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">swamped</span></span> at sea, and there are no + recorded parallels to the case on such a scale. Vessels, indeed, are + often lost by great leakage produced by collision, but the cases are + rare in modern days and in well-found ships, where ordinary leakage + and water <span class="tei tei-q">“shipped”</span> on deck makes any + great difference, and in steam-ships the pumps worked by the + <span class="tei tei-q">“donkey”</span> engine, as a rule, + effectually prevent any danger from these sources.</p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page291">[pg 291]</span><a name="Pg291" id="Pg291" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a name="illo_328.png" id="illo_328.png" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_328.png" alt="THE “LONDON.”" title= + "THE “LONDON.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“LONDON.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">London</span></span> + was a first-class passenger steamship of her day. She was nearly new, + of 1,700 tons, and valued at £80,000. She belonged to a distinguished + firm, and had been constructed on the most approved principles. Her + commander, Captain Martin, was an officer of ripe experience, and + this was her third voyage. She had acquired a first-class reputation; + and for months before the time<a id="noteref_92" name="noteref_92" + href="#note_92"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">92</span></span></a> of + sailing, berths were so eagerly engaged that it would have been + difficult to accommodate, in the roughest manner, many more, while in + the saloon there were no vacancies. One lady who was desirous of + proceeding with her family from Plymouth to Melbourne had made + repeated applications to the owners’ agents, and the captain had been + consulted, but, fortunately for the applicant, had declared that the + cabins were so full that he could not possibly accommodate her—a + result that, at the time, caused her much disappointment; afterwards + she had reason to thank her good fortune. A second-class male + passenger was so alarmed at the rough weather which the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">London</span></span> + encountered on her way from the Thames to Plymouth, that on arrival + at the latter he went ashore, resigned his passage, and returned to + his home, thus unwittingly saving his life. A young man, as the + result of some family quarrel, had left his home, and taken a passage + by the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London</span></span>. He was advertised for in + the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span>, and importuned to return, + his friends being at first unaware of his whereabouts. Messengers + were sent down to Plymouth, his friends having later acquired some + clue to his movements, and an influential ship-broker in the town was + employed to intercept his flight should he attempt to sail thence. + Fortunately, he was detected among the passengers of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">London</span></span>, + and the fact communicated to his family by the broker, the result of + which was that a brother of the young man went down to Plymouth, and + persuaded the would-be emigrant to forego his voyage.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">London</span></span> + left the East India Docks on December 29th, and on account of the + severity of the weather remained at anchor at the Nore during part of + the 30th and the whole of the 31st. This fact alone would indicate + that Captain John Martin, her commander, was a careful seaman. The + weather remained boisterous, and after getting out into the Channel + the pilot decided to take the vessel for shelter to Spithead. When + the weather had abated she proceeded to Plymouth, arriving there on + the 5th of January. Here an incident occurred, ominous in its nature, + and particularly distressing at the commencement of a voyage, more + especially as many passengers at such a time are nervous and fearful. + The small boat from a Plymouth pilot cutter, which had on board the + pilot and his assistant, was swamped. The latter was rescued by a + boat from the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London</span></span>, but the pilot was drowned. + The remainder of the day was occupied in shipping an additional + number of passengers and filling up with coal. She sailed the same + evening. The weather is described as having been then moderate.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the 6th and 7th + of January the wind rose, accompanied by strong squalls and a high + sea, which caused the ship to roll considerably. Still the weather + was not so boisterous but that Divine service was held on the 7th, it + being the Sabbath. On Monday, the 8th, the <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page292">[pg 292]</span><a name="Pg292" id="Pg292" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>wind freshened to a gale from the south-west, + and at 9 a.m. the captain ordered the engines to be stopped, and to + make sail. At 5 p.m. the weather improved, and all sails were taken + in, and steaming resumed. Early on Tuesday the wind increased to a + hard gale, with a very heavy sea, the ship going under steam only, + and at the reduced rate of two knots an hour. At this time she + pitched with terrible violence, taking whole seas over her bows. At 7 + a.m. an unusually heavy sea broke into the life-boat stowed on the + port-quarter, filled her completely, and carried her overboard with + all her gear. At 9 a.m. the ship gave a tremendous pitch, so as to + bury herself forward, when the sea carried away the jib and flying + jibbooms, and they took with them the fore-top mast and fore-top + gallant, the fore-royal and main-royal masts, with all their spars, + sails, and rigging. The masts fell in-board, and hung suspended by + the rigging, but the jibbooms remained under the bows, fastened to + the ship by their stays, which were of wire. Every effort to get them + clear failed till next morning, it having blown a furious gale all + night from the south-west, with a sea that kept constantly washing + all forward. On the morning of Wednesday, the 10th, the gale + continued without the least abatement, and at 3 a.m. the captain gave + orders to Mr. Greenhill, the engineer in charge, to get up full + steam, as he intended to put back to Plymouth, in order to refit. The + ship’s course was accordingly shaped for home, the fore <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page293">[pg 293]</span><a name="Pg293" id="Pg293" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and mizen stay-sails were set, and she + steamed along moderately at the rate of five or six knots. In the + course of the morning, the masts, which up to that time had been + swinging about aloft, were secured, and the wreck of the jibboom + cleared away. Observations taken that day indicated that she was + about 200 miles from the Land’s End. At 6 p.m. both the fore and + mizen stay-sails were carried away in a furious squall; another + life-boat and the cutter were washed clean overboard and lost. At 9 + p.m. the wind increased to a perfect hurricane from the north-west, + the squalls blowing with a degree of fury seldom paralleled. The + engines were stopped, and the ship put under the main top-sail only, + which was soon blown away in shreds. The captain once more ordered + the engines to be set in motion. Up to this time, notwithstanding the + heavy seas she encountered, it does not appear that the vessel had + shipped much water.</p><a name="illo_331.png" id="illo_331.png" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_331.png" alt="THE “LONDON” GOING DOWN" title= + "THE “LONDON” GOING DOWN." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“LONDON”</span> GOING DOWN. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At half-past 10 + p.m. a terrific sea broke upon the ship over the weather or port + gangway, and an immense mass of water, the crest of a mighty wave, + descended almost perpendicularly over the hatch of the engine-room, + smashing it right in, admitting tons upon tons of water, washing from + the deck into the engine-room two men, a seaman and a passenger. + There being nothing to obstruct the influx of sea, the engine-room + began to fill with water. The fires were extinguished at once, and in + about eight minutes the engines ceased to work. The engineers + remained below till the water was above their waists, and they could + work no more. The large bilge-pumps also proved useless, and the + condition of the ship became utterly helpless, often rolling into the + trough of the sea, rolling gunwale under, and labouring heavily. The + captain called on those who were baling, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Men, put down your buckets, and come and try to secure + the engine-room hatch, for that’s our only chance of saving the ship! + Secure that, and we may keep her afloat yet.”</span> Every endeavour, + however, to replace the hatch proved unavailing. Efforts were made to + stop the opening with sails, mattrasses, and spars, but without + success; and although the donkey-engine and pumps were kept at work, + yet the water quickly gained upon them, and all their efforts were + fruitless. It was then that the captain uttered words of which he + knew the full meaning, and which must have thrilled through many of + the passengers’ bosoms who had hitherto been hoping against + hope—<span class="tei tei-q">“Boys, you may say your prayers!”</span> + All was over with them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At 4 a.m of the + 11th a tremendous sea struck the ship abaft, which stove in four + windows, or stern-ports, of the upper or poop cabin. Through the + breaches thus made the sea rushed into the ship in such quantities + that the ’tween decks were soon half full of water. The ship at this + time was settling fast; the captain went into the engine-room, and, + with the engineer, took soundings, when it was found that there was + fourteen feet of water in her. The captain then told Greenhill that + he had abandoned all hope of saving her, and shortly afterwards made + a similar communication to the passengers. At about 10 a.m. the + captain ordered the boats to be got ready, which was done, and the + starboard pinnace, which was of iron, was lowered into the water, but + was almost immediately upset by the sea, and lost. Shortly after this + the captain entered the saloon, and said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Ladies, there is no hope for us, I’m afraid. Nothing + short of a miracle can save us!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the hours + of agony and horror which had preceded this announcement the + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page294">[pg 294]</span><a name="Pg294" + id="Pg294" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Rev. Mr. Draper,<a id= + "noteref_93" name="noteref_93" href="#note_93"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">93</span></span></a> a + Wesleyan minister on board, was incessant in administering religious + comfort to his fellow-sufferers; and we are told by the survivors + that the women (all of whom perished in the sequel) sat about him + reading their Bibles, with their children grouped around; + <span class="tei tei-q">“and occasionally some man or woman would + step up to him and say, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Pray with me, Mr. + Draper’</span>—a request that was always complied with.”</span> What + a scene must have been presented at that last prayer-meeting in the + cabin, the ship labouring and tossing the while; the waves, with + their ominous roar, breaking over her and dashing against her; while + by half-extinguished lights little groups of earnest, pale-faced + people huddled together, shivering and trembling, before the doomed + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London</span></span> took her last leap into the + dark waters!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After the + announcement by the captain that they must prepare for the worst, Mr. + Draper is stated to have stood erect, and with a clear, firm voice, + the tears streaming from his eyes, said, <span class="tei tei-q">“The + captain tells us there is no hope—that we must all perish; but I tell + you there is hope for <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">all</span></span>!”</span> The reader will know + what the good old man meant. Mrs. Draper is said at the last moment + to have handed her rug to one of the seamen who was attempting to get + off in a boat, and when asked what she would do without it, she + replied, <span class="tei tei-q">“It will only be for a few moments + longer.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As there were so + few survivors to tell the tale, the incidents which must have + occurred during this terrible time are necessarily somewhat meagre. + One passenger rushed on deck labouring with a heavy carpet-bag, which + he expected to save with his life. The captain could hardly forbear, + even at that terrible time, a melancholy smile at the absurdity of a + man at such a moment taking any thought about his property. When the + only boat which got off safely was about to leave the fated ship, a + lady entreated to be taken on board, offering a thousand guineas as a + reward. But it was impossible—millions could not have saved her. A + passenger who was saved, just before leaving in the boat, went into + the cabin to persuade a friend to join him. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“No,”</span> said the other; <span class="tei tei-q">“I + promised my wife and children to stay by them, and I will!”</span> + His friend helped him to remove the children to a drier part of the + cabin, and then, with a sad good-bye, ran up to the deck. When last + seen, the man was still standing with his wife and little ones. + Another passenger said to a friend, also one of the few saved, + <span class="tei tei-q">“Jack, I think we are going to go.”</span> + <span class="tei tei-q">“I think we are,”</span> was the answer. + <span class="tei tei-q">“We can’t help it,”</span> rejoined the + first; <span class="tei tei-q">“but there’s one thing I + regret:”</span> and he went on to explain how some £500 of his money + was in the Bank of Victoria, and he evidently feared some hitch in + its recovery. <span class="tei tei-q">“I should have liked my poor + father to have it.”</span> He was a true son to the last.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As at the wreck of + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span> a distinguished author lost + his life, so on the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London</span></span> a great actor, the + celebrated G. V. Brooke, perished, but perished nobly. The + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span> (quoting the <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Western Morning + News</span></span> of the date) says:—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Down into the waves, with 269<a id="noteref_94" name= + "noteref_94" href="#note_94"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">94</span></span></a> others, + has sunk Gustavus V. Brooke, the famed <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page295">[pg 295]</span><a name="Pg295" id="Pg295" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>tragedian, who was bound for the country which + had been the scene of a reverse of fortune for him, but previously of + many successes. He was a tall man, of powerful build, and he is + stated by the rescued passengers to have exerted himself to the + utmost in trying to keep the ship afloat. The Dutch portion of the + crew, twenty-one in number, refused to work, and, according to the + English sailors who were saved, these men went to their berths and + remained there, so that the passengers had to work at the pumps for + many hours with the English seamen. Mr. G. V. Brooke exerted himself + incessantly; attired only in a red Crimean shirt and trousers, with + no hat on, and barefooted, he went backwards and forwards to the + pumps, until working at them was found to be useless, and when last + seen, about four hours before the steamer went down, he was leaning + with grave composure upon one of the half-doors of the companion; his + chin was resting upon both hands, and his hands were on the top of + the door, which he gently swayed to and fro, while he calmly watched + the scene. One of the passengers who saw him said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘he had worked wonderfully—in fact, more than any man on + board the ship.’</span> To the steward, to whom Mr. Brooke made + himself known, he said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘If you succeed in + saving yourself, give my farewell to the people of + Melbourne.’</span> ”</span></p> + + <div class="tei tei-tb"> + + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The last trace of + the gifted tragedian is found in the following episode. In the + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span> of March 20, 1866, appeared + the following letter from Mrs. Brooke (Avonia):—</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-text" style= + "margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-body" style= + "margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-salute" style="text-align: center"> + “To the Editor of the <span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span>. + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Sir,—On Friday night I received the last written + words of my dear husband. They were found in a bottle on the + Brighton beach, and forwarded to me by Mr. C. A. Elliott, of + Trinity College, Cambridge. They are written in pencil on a torn + envelope, and read as follows:—<span class="tei tei-q">‘11th + January, on board the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London</span></span>. We are just going + down. No chance of safety. Please give this to Avonia Jones, + Surrey Theatre.—Gustavus Vaughan Brooke.’</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Will you be kind enough to insert this fact in your + valuable journal, for, sad as the message is, he has many friends + who will be glad once more to hear from him, even though his + words have come from his very grave.</span></p> + + <div class="tei tei-salute" style= + "text-align: right; margin-right: 2.00em"> + “With respect, &c., + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right"> + “<span class="tei tei-hi" style= + "text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Avonia + Brooke</span></span>.” + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-dateline" style="text-align: left"> + “36, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly.” + </div> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At 2 p.m. there + could not be a doubt—the vessel was sinking rapidly. The captain then + directed Greenhill that, as the port cutter was ready for lowering, + he had some chance of saving himself, and that he had better get into + her. The captain shook hands with him, and said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“There’s not much chance for the boat; there’s none for + the ship. Your duty is done, mine is to remain here.”</span> The boat + was lowered, and four men, followed by others of the crew, got into + her. When asked to come into the boat, the captain answered in the + true spirit of a sailor-hero, <span class="tei tei-q">“No, I will go + down with the passengers, but I wish you God speed, and safe to + land!”</span> Noble John Bohun Martin!<a id="noteref_95" name= + "noteref_95" href="#note_95"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">95</span></span></a> But not, + thank <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page296">[pg 296]</span><a name= + "Pg296" id="Pg296" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>God! the only one on + record; he was but one of the noble army of sailor martyrs of whom + Mrs. Hemans sung so touchingly:—</p> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Yet more! the + billows and the depth have more!</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + High hearts and brave are gathered to thy breast! + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + They hear not now the booming waters roar; + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + The battle thunders will not break their rest. + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Keep thy red gold and gems, thou stormy grave! + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Give back the true and brave! + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Give back the + lost and lovely! those for whom</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + The place was kept at board and hearth so long, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + The prayer went up through midnight’s breathless gloom, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + And the vain yearning woke ’midst festive song! + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Hold fast thy buried isles, thy towers or throne— + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + But all is not thine own. + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“To thee the + love of woman hath gone down;</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Dark flow the tides o’er manhood’s noble head, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Or youth’s bright locks, and beauty’s flowery crown: + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + Yet must thou hear a voice—Restore the dead! + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + Earth shall reclaim her precious things from thee! + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Restore the + dead, thou sea!”</span> + </div> + </div><a name="illo_335.png" id="illo_335.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_335.png" alt= + "GETTING OUT THE “LONDON’S” BOATS" title= + "GETTING OUT THE “LONDON’S” BOATS." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + GETTING OUT THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“LONDON’S”</span> BOATS. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The boat, into + which the captain had thrown a compass, and to the occupants of which + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page297">[pg 297]</span><a name="Pg297" + id="Pg297" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>he had shouted their course, + <span class="tei tei-q">“NNE. to Brest!”</span> left the sinking + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London</span></span> none too soon. The number + in the boat consisted of nineteen souls, all that were saved by any + means, and comprised the first, second, and third engineers, one + midshipman, twelve of the crew, and <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">three</span></span> + passengers (all second class; no first class or steerage passengers + whatever were saved). Shortly afterwards those who went in the boat + pushed off from the ship, seeing that she must immediately sink, and + apprehending that the boat might be sucked in as she went down. They + had hardly got eighty yards off, when the stern of the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">London</span></span> + plunged beneath the waves, with crew and passengers and all. Her bows + stood upright for a moment or two preceding the fatal plunge, + exposing the keel as far as the foremast. The wind was howling so + fiercely that not a sound could be heard of the shrieks and groans of + over two hundred persons who were going, in sight of the pitiful + remnant in the boat, to their last doom. They saw a whole group of + passengers suddenly swept off the deck, and they saw that the + remaining boat, full of people, was drawn down into the vortex made + by the sinking ship. The third officer, Mr. Arthur Angel, aged 20, + with noble devotion to his duty, was observed still at his post by + the pumps as she went down. The next minute there was but a watery + waste over the grave of that devoted band, so full of hope and life + but a day before.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With but a few + biscuits on board, and drenched to the skin by every wave, the + nineteen survivors in their open boat drifted about for twenty hours. + They fancied that they saw a ship through the gloom, and raised their + voices in one united shout. They were heard, and their hail returned; + but they were not seen, and had no light to show. The ship tacked + again and again in the hopes of finding them, and when their suspense + was at its highest, sailed away, and they saw her dim form + disappearing in the darkness. When day dawned another ship was + sighted far in the distance. A shirt was hoisted for a signal, and + the oars were zealously plied. After five hours they were rescued by + this vessel, the Italian barque <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Marianople</span></span>, on board which they + received a hearty welcome from the captain and his men. They were + eventually landed safely at Falmouth.</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="chap22" id="chap22" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> <a name= + "toc47" id="toc47"></a> <a name="pdf48" id="pdf48"></a> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XXII.</span></h2> + + <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 120%; font-variant: small-caps">Early Steamship Wrecks + and their Lessons.</span></span></h2> + + <div class="tei tei-argument" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">The</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Rothsay + Castle</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—An Old Vessel, + unfit for Sea Service—A Gay Starting—Drifting to the Fatal Sands—The + Steamer Strikes—A Scene of Panic—Lost Within easy reach of + Assistance—An Imprudent Pilot—Statements of Survivors—A Father and + Son parted and re-united—Heartrending Episodes—The Other Side: Saved + by an Umbrella—Loss of the</span> <span class="tei tei-name" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Killarney</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Severe + Weather—The Engine-fires Swamped—At the Mercy of the Waves—On the + Rocks—The Crisis—Half the Passengers and Crew on an Isolated + Rock—Spolasco and his Child—Holding on for Dear Life—Hundreds + Ashore</span> <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">Wrecking</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—No + Attempts to Save the Survivors—Several Washed Off—Deaths from + Exhaustion—</span><span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">To the + Rescue!</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—Noble + Efforts—Failure of Several Plans—A Novel Expedient adopted—Its + Perils—Another Dreary Night—Good Samaritans—A Noble Lady—Saved at + Last—The Inventor’s Description of the Rope Bridge—The Wreck + Register for One Year—Grand Work of the Lifeboat + Institution.</span></p> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Rothsay + Castle</span></span> was a steamship built in 1812, and was little + enough adapted for marine navigation. She was one of the first + vessels of the kind on the Clyde, and was perhaps constructed for the + ordinary wear and tear to which a river vessel is exposed, + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page298">[pg 298]</span><a name="Pg298" + id="Pg298" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>but certainly, at her age, + should never have been allowed to leave Liverpool for Beaumaris in + weather so bad that an American vessel which had been towed out that + day had been compelled to return to port. She had been, it was said, + at one time, condemned to be broken up, but other counsels had + prevailed, and she had been patched up and repaired for continued + service.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At ten o’clock on + Wednesday morning, the 17th August, 1831, the vessel was appointed to + sail from the usual place, George’s Pier-head, Liverpool; but there + was a casual delay at starting, and she did not leave till an hour + later. She was freighted heavily, and it was computed that hardly + less than 150 persons (if the children carried free were counted) + were on board. A majority were holiday seekers; the vessel was + tricked out with colours, and as the vessel left a band struck up its + gayest music. Among the pleasure parties on board was one from Bury, + in Lancashire, consisting of twenty-six persons. They set out in the + morning, joyous with health and pleasant anticipations, and before + the next sun arose all of them, except two, had been swallowed up in + the remorseless deep!<a id="noteref_96" name="noteref_96" href= + "#note_96"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">96</span></span></a></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The vessel + proceeded very slowly on its course, making so little way that at + three o’clock in the afternoon she had not reached a floating light + stationed about fifteen miles from Liverpool. Arrived off the light, + the sea was so rough that many of the passengers were greatly + alarmed, and one, who had his wife, five children, and servant on + board, went down to the captain and begged him to put back. The + captain answered, with an oath, that he thought there was + <span class="tei tei-q">“a deal of fear on board, and very little + danger.”</span> The whole family was among the lost. The vessel + drifted out of her course, and proceeded so slowly that the alarm on + board became general.</p><a name="illo_336.jpg" id="illo_336.jpg" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_336.jpg" alt="WRECK OF THE “ROTHSAY CASTLE.”" + title="WRECK OF THE “ROTHSAY CASTLE.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + WRECK OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“ROTHSAY CASTLE.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the + survivors stated that the leakage was so great that the fireman found + it impossible to keep the fires up, two being actually extinguished, + while the coals were so wet that it was with difficulty the others + were kept in. Yet there were no attempts made to sound the well or + ascertain what water was in the vessel. It was near twelve o’clock + when they arrived at the mouth of the Menai Strait, about five miles + from Beaumaris, and here her steam suddenly got so low that she + drifted with the tide and wind towards the Dutchman’s Bank, on the + spit of which she struck. Now came a time of awe and consternation. + The crowded boat rolled in a frightful manner, and the worst fears of + the passengers seemed to be on the point of realisation. The seas + broke over her on either side. The engine had previously stopped for + about ten minutes, the coals being covered in water, and the pumps + were choked. On her striking, the captain said, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“It is only sand, and she will soon float.”</span> Only + sand! More vessels have been lost on sands than ever were on rocks. + In the meantime he and some of the <a name="corr298" id="corr298" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">passengers</span> got the jib up. No doubt he did this + intending to wear her round, and bring her head to the southward, but + it did not, it proved, make the least difference which way her head + was turned, as she was on a lee shore, and there was no steam to work + her off. The captain also ordered the passengers first to run aft, in + the hope, by removing the pressure from the vessel’s bow, to make her + float.<a id="noteref_97" name="noteref_97" href= + "#note_97"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">97</span></span></a> + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page299">[pg 299]</span><a name="Pg299" + id="Pg299" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>This failing to produce the + desired effect, he then ordered them to run forward. But all these + exertions were unavailing; the ill-fated vessel stuck still faster in + the sands, and all gave themselves up for lost. The terror of the + passengers became excessive. Several of them urged the captain to + make some signal of distress, which he is said to have refused to do, + telling the passengers that there was no danger, and that the packet + was afloat, and <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">on her way</span></span>, knowing well that she + was irretrievably stuck in the treacherous sands, and that she was + rapidly filling from her leaks. The unfortunate man was fully aware + of the imminent danger they were in, and we may charitably suppose + that he made such statements to prevent a panic. The great bell was + now rung, with so much violence that the tongue broke, and some of + the passengers continued to strike it for some time with a stone. The + bell was heard at Beaumaris, for the night was clear, with strong + wind; but it was not known from whence the sound came, and no trouble + appears to have been taken. The tide began to set in with great + strength, and a heavy sea beat over the bank on which the + steam-packet was firmly and immovably fixed. It was the duty of the + captain now to make every possible exertion, by signals, to procure + assistance from shore. It is said that if a light had been shown on + board the unlucky steamer, the boats from upwards of twenty vessels + lying at Bangor would undoubtedly have saved the larger part of the + unfortunate passengers. The masts should have been cut away, not + merely to ease the vessel, but to afford some chance to the poor + people. At Penmaen Point an establishment of pilots had been fixed by + Lord Bulkeley, for the express purpose of rendering assistance in + such cases. <span class="tei tei-q">“The world,”</span> says Lieut. + Morrison, <span class="tei tei-q">“will hardly credit the astonishing + fact that their establishment is within little more than a mile and a + half from the scene of wretchedness, and that, the wind being fair, + the boats from thence could have reached the spot in about ten + minutes. A single blue light burned, a single rocket fired, or even a + solitary musket discharged, would have ensured this happy + result.”</span> The evidence showed that there was nothing of the + kind. Probably no sea-going steamer, carrying 150 passengers, was + ever left so utterly unprovided with proper appliances.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The scene that now + presented itself baffles description. A horrible death seemed to be + the doom of all on board, and the females in particular uttered the + most piercing shrieks. Some locked themselves in each other’s arms, + while others, losing all self-command, tore off their bonnets, caps, + and other portions of clothing, in wild despair. The women and + children gathered in a knot together, and kept embracing each other, + uttering all the while the most dismal lamentations. <span class= + "tei tei-q">“When tired with crying,”</span> says Morrison, + <span class="tei tei-q">“they lay against each other, with their + heads reclined, like inanimate bodies. It was a few minutes before + that a Liverpool Branch pilot on board, William Jones, became aware + in all its extent of their dreadful situation. He is reported to have + exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">‘We are all lost!’</span> which + threw down whatever hopes any on board had till now entertained, and + induced them to give themselves up to bitter despair. This was sadly + imprudent, and little like the conduct I should have expected from + such a man. He ought to have set an example of preparing something in + the nature of a raft, to save what lives could be saved; and as + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page300">[pg 300]</span><a name="Pg300" + id="Pg300" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>he must have known that it was + low water, and the whole of the Dutchman’s Bank was dry within a few + yards of them, and the tide just setting on to it, there can be no + reason to doubt that he might have been by this means instrumental in + saving many of the unhappy victims as well as + himself.”</span></p><a name="illo_341.jpg" id="illo_341.jpg" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_341.jpg" alt="THE MENAI STRAITS" title= + "THE MENAI STRAITS." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE MENAI STRAITS. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the + survivors stated that after the vessel had struck several times his + wife and some friends came to him, and asked if he thought they must + be lost. <span class="tei tei-q">“I thought,”</span> said he, + <span class="tei tei-q">“we should, and they proposed going to prayer + for the short time we had to live. We all went to prayer, myself and + wife in particular, and when we got from our knees I saw four men + getting upon the mast, and beginning to fasten themselves to it. I + told my wife I would look out for a better situation for us. I took + her towards the windlass, and began to fasten a rope to the frame + where the bell hung; and when I had got the rope made fast, and + looked back for my wife, she had again joined our friends near to the + place at which we kneeled down. A great wave almost took me + overboard, but I held by the rope; then came a second and a third + wave before I could see my wife again; and when I looked—they were + all gone.<a id="noteref_98" name="noteref_98" href= + "#note_98"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">98</span></span></a></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“I then prepared to die myself in the place I was at, and + remained in that situation <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page301">[pg + 301]</span><a name="Pg301" id="Pg301" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>till + daylight, at which time about fifty people remained on board. As the + waves came the people kept decreasing, until all were gone except + myself. I remained on the wreck until I saw a boat coming, which took + me on board, and also rescued those on the mast, and afterwards + others. We were then taken to Beaumaris, and treated with the + greatest hospitality and kindness.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Another survivor, + after detailing the facts preliminary to the disaster, said: + <span class="tei tei-q">“The waves broke heavily on the vessel; the + chimney became loose, and first reeled to leeward, then to windward, + and tumbled over with a great crash. The mainmast then went + overboard, and remained hanging to the vessel by the rigging. The + captain still assured us we should be saved, and that assistance + would shortly arrive. I requested him to fire a gun; he said he had + none on board. A small bell was then rung, but its noise would + probably be lost in the roar of the wind and waves. Some of the + passengers asked the captain to hoist a light; he said he had none; + but we knew he had a lantern, for one of the crew took it round when + he collected the checks, about half an hour before the vessel struck. + The confusion occasioned by the falling of the chimney and the mast, + together with the cries and shrieks of the women and children, defies + description. Men were seen taking leave of their wives; wives were + clinging to their husbands; and persons were running about in all + directions, uttering the most piteous and heartrending cries. From + the weight of the chimney, the vessel continued lying to windward, + and very soon after the mast went the weather boards gave way; and as + the waves then swept the deck the passengers stationed themselves on + those parts of the vessel which lay highest. Several climbed up the + mast which was left standing; others got on the poop. The weather + boards on the leeward side were then washed away, taking with them + more than thirty people, who were clinging to them. The cries were + now more dreadful than before, every succeeding wave sweeping numbers + from the wreck. I took a situation beside one of the paddle-boxes, + and whilst there a young man came to me with a large drum, and said + it would save both of us, if I held on one side and he on the other. + Some females came and clung round us, but the young man stuck to the + drum, and told them to get hold of the first piece of timber they + could.... Of what further happened I have but a confused + recollection, and it appears to me like the traces of a horrible + dream. It seemed as if I had been in the water many days, when I + heard the welcome sound of a human voice shout <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Holloa!’</span> to which I also shouted <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Holloa!’</span> Soon after I was lifted out of the + water, and placed in a boat belonging to R. Williamson, Esq., who, + when he was informed of the calamity which had befallen us, manned + two boats, and came out to pick up the sufferers. On being taken up I + asked my deliverers when it would be daylight, and they told me it + was broad day—it was about ten o’clock in the forenoon. I was stone + blind. Mr. Williamson and the boat’s crew were most kind to me. I was + kept on board until I was sufficiently restored to meet my sister and + the other survivors at Beaumaris. I cannot omit to express my most + grateful thanks to my deliverers and benefactors. Their noble + humanity has left an impression on my heart which will never be + effaced but with my existence.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Amidst these almost overwhelming distresses,”</span> + says the Rev. Mr. Stewart, in one of his letters to a friend, + <span class="tei tei-q">“involving in one general calamity men, + women, children, and even tender infants, it is a rest to the heart + to turn for a moment to some special marks <span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page302">[pg 302]</span><a name="Pg302" id="Pg302" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>of divine mercy. I am sure, my very dear friend, + the following incident, related to me by the father of the boy, will + deeply affect you. He was near the helm with his child, grasping his + hand, till the waves, rolling over the quarter-deck, and taking with + them several persons who were standing near them, it was no longer + safe to remain there. The father took his child in his hands and ran + towards the shrouds, but the boy could not mount with him. He cried + out, therefore, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Father! father! do not leave + me!’</span> But finding that his son could not climb with him, and + that his own life was in danger, he withdrew his hand. When the + morning came, the father was conveyed on shore with some other + passengers who were preserved, and as he was landing he said within + himself, <span class="tei tei-q">‘How can I see my wife without + having our boy with me?’</span> When, however, the child’s earthly + parent let go his hand his Heavenly Father did not leave him. He was + washed off the deck, but happily clung to a part of the wreck on + which some others of the passengers were floating. With them he was + almost miraculously preserved. When he was landing, not knowing of + his father’s safety, he said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘It is of no + use to take me on shore now I have lost my father.’</span> He was, + however, carried, much exhausted, to the same house where his father + had been sent, and actually placed in the same bed, unknown to + either, till they were clasped in each other’s arms.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Among the victims + was that of a lady entirely <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">unknown</span></span>. The body of this poor + creature had been picked up near Conway, and it was evident that she + had been one of fortune’s favourites, though destined to a death so + cruel. She was elegantly and fashionably attired, wearing rich + earrings, gold chain and locket, three valuable rings in addition to + her wedding-ring, and so forth. In a day or two she was buried in a + common deal shell, and followed to a nameless grave by strangers.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It appears, by the + pilot’s statement, that early in the afternoon he had been invited by + the steward to take some refreshment with him, and in the course of + conversation a very strong opinion was given by the steward that + Captain Atkinson never <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">intended</span></span> to reach Beaumaris, and + that the voyage he was now making would be his last. By the + expression <span class="tei tei-q">“intended”</span> he explained was + meant <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">expected</span></span>, and the result proved + the opinion to be too fatally correct. Tired by what he had gone + through before entering the packet, the pilot lay down in the + forecastle to sleep. He was aroused by a sensation beyond all others + most dreadful—he felt the vessel strike, and his experience told him + all was over. Hastily rushing upon deck, his courage and coolness + were for a moment quite overcome. <span class="tei tei-q">“I + saw,”</span> said he, <span class="tei tei-q">“the quality huddled + together in the waist of the vessel; and the praying and crying was + the most dreadful sight to witness. The waves broke over on both + sides, and took away numbers at once. They went like flights, + sometimes many, sometimes few; at last the bulwark went, and none + were left.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The vessel had + scarcely struck when the two stays of the chimney broke. These, after + many ineffectual efforts, were again made fast; but they soon gave + way a second time, and the chimney fell across the deck, bringing the + mainmast with it. The mast, it is stated, fell aft along the lee or + larboard side of the quarter deck, and struck overboard some of the + unfortunate creatures who had there collected. The steward of the + vessel and his wife lashed themselves to the mast, determined to + spend their last moments in each other’s arms. Several husbands and + wives seem to have met their fate together, whilst <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page303">[pg 303]</span><a name="Pg303" id="Pg303" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>parents clung to their little ones. + Several mothers, it is said, perished with their little ones clasped + in their arms. The carpenter and his wife were seen embracing each + other and their child in the extreme of agony. The poor woman asked a + young man, Henry Hammond, to pull her cloak over her shoulders, when + a tremendous wave came and washed off, in a moment, twelve persons, + and her among them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Soon after the + crash the captain’s voice was heard for the last time. He and the + mate appear to have been the very first that perished, and the + conclusion is that they must have been dragged overboard by the wreck + of the mainmast. It is true that an absurd report was spread in + Beaumaris that both captain and mate reached land safely in the boat, + part of which was found on shore early in the morning. This is + unlikely; but it is quite possible many lives might have been saved + in the boat, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">if she had been provided with + oars</span></span>. The absence of these, however, shows in a glaring + manner the utter recklessness of human life which marked the whole + affair. It was stated by Mr. Henry Hammond, ship-carver, of + Liverpool, one of the persons saved, that it was not true that a + party of the passengers got into the boat soon after the vessel + struck, and were immediately swamped. The statement he gave was that + the boat was hanging by the davits over the stern, nearly filled with + water in consequence of the spray; when the vessel struck, he and the + wife and child of the carpenter got into the boat, but left it again, + being ordered out by the mate, who told them it was of no use, as no + boat could live in such a sea. The boat soon after broke adrift and + was lost, but there was no person in her.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“For above a mile and a half to the spit-buoy in the + Friar’s Road,”</span> says Morrison, <span class="tei tei-q">“the + sand is dry at half ebb, and as the Dutchman’s Bank is dry at low + water, I have no hesitation in affirming that there was dry land + within half a mile of the wreck when she struck; and that if they had + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">been + informed</span></span> of the fact, many of them on board might have + swam or been drifted over the Swash, and within two hundred yards of + the vessel would have found themselves in not more than three or four + feet of water.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Swash is very + few feet wide, and was easily passed by one individual, who, being a + resident in Bangor, knew the locality, and escaped, according to Mr. + Whittaker’s narrative, who states as follows:—<span class= + "tei tei-q">“At this time a gentleman from Bangor left the vessel, + with a small barrel tied beneath his chin, and an umbrella in his + hand, which he unfurled when he got into the water, in the hope of + being drifted ashore in time to send some aid to his + fellow-sufferers.”</span> This was Mr. Jones of Bangor. Now, if Mr. + Jones, the pilot, or the captain or mate, or any other person on + board, who knew of the vicinity of the dry sand, on which people walk + at low water, had explained to the persons who could swim the state + of the case, many others might have been saved as well as Mr. + Jones.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A Mr. Tarry, who + was exceedingly apprehensive during the passage, kept his wife and + children in the cabin; on the vessel striking he made immediate + inquiries respecting their probable fate; and Jones, the pilot, + having indiscreetly said that there was no hope of safety, he became + at once calm, and said in a tone of resignation, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“I brought out my family, and to return without them + would be worse than death; I’ll, therefore, die with them.”</span> He + then went down into the cabin and embraced his wife and children. It + would appear that they afterwards, impelled by a sense of + self-preservation, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page304">[pg + 304]</span><a name="Pg304" id="Pg304" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>came + on deck; one at least of his little girls was seen afterwards in a + state of pitiable helplessness. Mr. Duckworth, of Bury, who survived + the catastrophe, says that while sustaining his wife he saw her on + the quarter-deck. She was about ten years old. Each wave that broke + down on one side of the vessel hurled her along with impetuous force, + and dashed her against the gunwale on the other side; and then it + would recede, and draw her back again, a ready victim for another + similar shock. The poor innocent, bruised and half choked with the + waves, sent forth the most piteous cries for her father and mother + between each rush of the waters. Her shrieks were piercing beyond + description, and she screamed <span class="tei tei-q">“Oh! won’t you + come to me, father? Oh, mamma!”</span> &c., till the narrator + says his heart yearned to save her; and though he dared not quit his + wife, he called to a fellow-passenger to make the effort; but he + believes she was washed away soon afterwards.</p><a name= + "illo_346.jpg" id="illo_346.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_346.jpg" alt="SAVED AT LAST" title= + "SAVED AT LAST." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + SAVED AT LAST. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“A schooner, belonging to a nephew of Alderman Wright, + was lying off Beaumaris Green; the persons on board heard the bell + ring in the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Rothsay Castle</span></span>, but in consequence + of no light being displayed, which the captain refused to allow, they + could not tell in what direction to go to render assistance. They + eventually saved several persons who had been seven hours in the + water. Such was the state of anxiety of the poor creatures, who had + been so long hanging to the wreck, that they imagined, when taken up + at seven o’clock in the morning, that it was + noon.”</span></p><a name="illo_348.png" id="illo_348.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_348.png" alt="BEAUMARIS" title= + "BEAUMARIS." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + BEAUMARIS. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lieutenant + Morrison speaks highly of the humanity and honesty of the Welshmen of + the coast on which the unfortunate vessel was wrecked, and contrasts + their conduct with that of the people of certain other places. He + remembered, in the year 1816, witnessing the wreck of a vessel near + Appledore, in the Bay of Barnstaple, when the country people came + down in crowds to plunder the wreck, and they drove the poor seamen + back into the surf when they attempted to rescue a part of their + property. In the winter of 1827 he recalled the case of a crowd + surrounding the mate of a Welsh sloop wrecked on the coast of + Waterford, whom they knocked down and robbed of a small bundle of + clothes, all that he had saved from the wreck.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The wreck about to + be described occurred in January, 1838, and has been recorded in a + graphic though somewhat verbose pamphlet,<a id="noteref_99" name= + "noteref_99" href="#note_99"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">99</span></span></a> which it + is very unlikely has reached the eyes of many of our readers. It has + often struck the writer that the most fascinating and interesting + descriptions of wrecks have not been written by sailors, and there is + a sufficient reason for this. Many of the episodes which strike a + landsman forcibly, and add greatly to the picturesque <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">ensemble</span></span> + of his narration, are taken by the seaman as mere matters of course. + Several of the more detailed and interesting narratives already given + have been taken from accounts recorded by the members of other + professions, clergymen and military men more particularly. The + present account is compiled from the narrative furnished by a medical + man.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Killarney</span></span> sailed from Cork on the + 19th January of the above year, with about fifty on board, passengers + and crew. The weather was very severe, the wind blowing hard from the + east, accompanied by snow and hail squalls; and the captain, after + vainly endeavouring to make headway, turned the vessel round and + returned to Cove Harbour. The weather <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page305">[pg 305]</span><a name="Pg305" id="Pg305" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>moderating, the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Killarney</span></span> again got under weigh + for her port of destination, Bristol. Again a storm rose, and the + mist became so dense that they could scarcely see the vessel’s length + ahead of them. During the night 150 pigs—about a fourth of the number + on the vessel—were washed overboard; the cabin was a wreck of + furniture and crockery; and Dr. Spolasco’s gig had been forced from + its lashings, broken up, and partly washed away. The engine stopped + for some time, and the vessel lay to, the captain not knowing his + position. A suspicious circumstance, showing that the men were + disheartened and greatly fatigued, was that they came down to the + cabin and asked for bottles of porter, &c.—a most unusual + request, of course. Lieut. Nicolay, a military passenger, remarked, + <span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t like to see these men getting porter + in this way; I was once at sea in great danger, and the sailors + through desperation commenced to drink.”</span> If the sailors were + doubtful of the vessel’s safety, there can be little wonder that the + passengers generally were in a state of grave alarm. Baron Spolasco + had his boy, a helpless child of nine years of age, on board, and + between his care, giving advice to passengers, and setting the leg of + the under-steward, who had broken it in a violent fall caused by the + lurching of the ship, he had enough to do. At noon of Saturday it was + whispered that the captain intended to try for land, but no one on + board appeared to know whether they were twenty or fifty miles from + it. The weather increased in severity.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" + id="page306">[pg 306]</span><a name="Pg306" id="Pg306" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In these trying + moments, the captain, mate, and crew, endeavoured to perform their + duties, and used every exertion in their power to weather the + dreadful storm; but the water gained incessantly on the pumps, and + the vessel continued to fill, and, being almost on her broadside, the + deck was nearly perpendicular. The sea broke over her continually, + and the passengers crawled about on hands and knees. Spolasco + inquired of M‘Arthur, the chief engineer, entreating him to let him + know how the water stood in the engine-room. He seemed much + exhausted, and said, <span class="tei tei-q">“We’re getting the water + down to the plates of the engines; the fires are re-kindled, and + we’ll soon have steam on.”</span> For a time this was successfully + done.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lieut. Nicolay was + the first to announce <span class="tei tei-q">“Land at last!”</span> + to the passengers, and all hearts beat with joy at the welcome news. + But they were greatly puzzled, and indeed mortified, that they were + unable to ascertain what land it was. Some said that it was Poor + Head, others that it was Kinsale, and others that it was Youghal, and + others again that it was Cork Harbour. But the vessel was now utterly + unmanageable.</p><a name="illo_351.png" id="illo_351.png" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_351.png" alt="ENTRANCE TO CORK HARBOUR" + title="ENTRANCE TO CORK HARBOUR." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + ENTRANCE TO CORK HARBOUR. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The captain again + did his best to re-make Cork Harbour, but it was out of his power, + the sails having been blown to ribbons, and the fires put out owing + to the repeated shipping of the seas. The engines went on pretty well + when they commenced working a second time, but they shortly became + less and less powerful from the cause just assigned. About three + o’clock in the afternoon she had drifted near some rocks, the vessel + being then nearly on her beam ends. It was all that the passengers or + crew could do to hold on the bulwarks or ropes, and from the terror + depicted on every countenance it was evident that the crisis was at + hand. The vessel struck, and a simultaneous thrill of horror passed + through every breast. Two gentlemen were, it was believed, washed + overboard at this time.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A heavy sea then + struck abaft the paddle-box, carrying off all before it. The doctor + descried poor Nicolay on the top of a wave, like a mountain over + them, as it were riding on, and buffeting in vain with his gigantic + enemy. An awful and terrific scene was witnessed while grasping his + child and the companion. <span class="tei tei-q">“I believe,”</span> + says he, <span class="tei tei-q">“it was the same sea, or one + instantaneously succeeding it, that struck the companion, and carried + me and my dear little charge across the deck. Had it not been for the + remnant of the bulwarks, viz., two uprights, across which a deck-form + was forced, which proved the simple means of saving our lives at that + period—were it not for this circumstance, my child and myself must + have perished with Nicolay and others. Several fragments of + deck-rigging fell upon us—such as ropes, spars, splinters, &c.; + and it was with the utmost difficulty that I was enabled to extricate + myself and child from them, in doing which I lost a shoe. It is + worthy of remark that I had not worn shoes for more than six months + before, having put them on that morning, considering that they would + contribute to my ease while on board. My little boy also lost a shoe + and cap owing to this circumstance. I now ought to remark, before I + proceed further with this painful narrative, that immediately, or + rather before, the engines stopped the second time from the vessel + filling with water, the engineers and firemen came upon deck, from + the impossibility of their remaining any longer below, the steam + gradually going down, and the engines consequently decreasing in + power till they came to a stand. All further efforts on their part + being unavailing, and destruction being inevitable, all rushed upon + deck, leaving the engines in order to save their + lives.”</span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page307">[pg + 307]</span><a name="Pg307" id="Pg307" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Matters for some + time continuing thus, the sailors and some of the deck passengers + exerted themselves, and were engaged in endeavouring with buckets to + lighten the vessel of some of the water in the hold; and, after + several hours’ hard work, they so far succeeded (the pumps all the + while kept going) as to be able early on Saturday afternoon to get up + steam again.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A passenger + pointed out a bay, which he said was Roberts’ Cove, and recommended + the captain to run the vessel in there, as there was a boat harbour + in it, and beach her. The captain said that he did not think there + was a harbour there—that, at all events, it would be impossible to + make it. The vessel was all this time drifting nearer the rock on + which she ultimately struck; and in about an hour after the passenger + had given the recommendation alluded to, the captain got the vessel + round, and endeavoured to make Roberts’ Cove. Just as he had got her + before the wind, however, she was pooped by a tremendous sea, which + carried away the taffrail, staunchions, the wheel (and two men who + worked it), the companion, the binnacle, and the breakwater. The two + steersmen fortunately caught part of the rigging, and were saved; but + the sea which did the damage carried away the bulwarks, with some of + the steerage passengers, who were standing near the funnel, and + cleared the deck of all the pigs that were on it.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In consequence of + all the hands having endeavoured to save themselves, the vessel was + left to herself, and continued to strike piecemeal on several minor + rocks, as she was driven before the fury of the waves over them with + a clap—a crash resembling thunder—carrying off at each stroke one or + more human beings, together with some portion of deck, deck + furniture, deck trimmings, rigging, &c. To hear the wrenching of + the vessel, now between the roaring billows and the rock, together + with the cries of the sufferers, was soul-piercing in the + extreme.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was absurd to + think, even for a moment, of lowering the quarter-boats, the tempest + raged so furiously. Previously to the vessel striking on the rock + which rent her asunder, and upon which she went to pieces, passengers + and seamen all ran up for self-preservation on the quarter-deck. A + terrible rush was then made for this, their last resource; and + catching his child, Doctor Spolasco held him in his arms, and he + clung close round his neck with all the strength of his little + embrace, looking imploringly in his face for protection, and, as if + foreseeing his fate, said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Papa, kiss me! + Papa, kiss me! We are all lost!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The last moment + approached. The crisis was at hand. Struggling on with his beloved + charge, the doctor sprang forward with him, clasping him closely to + his breast, and, creeping on his hand and knees, dragged his child + along under one arm, while he held by the fragments of the bulwarks, + shifting his hand from splinter to splinter, until he slowly and + gradually reached the stern, the heavens lowering, the tempest + raging, and the billows washing over them, drenched to the skin, and + every instant gasping for breath, the waves suffocating them, the + billows every instant beating against them.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Some time + previously to this both passengers and crew knew not how to act or + what to attempt to secure their safety, such was the distraction of + their minds. The direction of the vessel was no longer thought of or + attended to; each individual holding on by anything that he could + possibly grasp for temporary safety with one hand, while he was seen + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page308">[pg 308]</span><a name="Pg308" + id="Pg308" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>pulling off his clothes with + the other, in readiness to be freed from the encumbrance of them, + that he might be enabled to make a last, a desperate effort to swim + ashore.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was indeed a + struggle for life and death, but bordering so nearly on the latter; + some dressing again, and again undressing; again hesitating, frantic + and desperate, till not another moment was left for deliberation. + Crash! crash! crash! came in awful quick succession, mingled with the + piteous, the soul-harrowing cries, <span class="tei tei-q">“For + pity’s sake, help! help! help!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">More than half an + hour previously to the vessel’s striking on that Saturday, between + three and four in the afternoon, although instantly expecting to go + down, ten or twelve persons were seen on the neighbouring mountainous + promontory, and it afforded them some glimmering of satisfaction—some + faint ray of hope that they would not perish in sight of land. They + were observed as early as three o’clock on Saturday, but no efforts + were made to rescue them till long after. A part of them gained the + rock on which the vessel struck previously to the night’s setting in, + where they remained all Sunday and part of Monday, wet, cold, and + nearly starved.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“I desired my child,”</span> says Spolasco, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“as he loved me, to cling close, while I went to render + assistance to others, who were loudly imploring for aid. The darling + child, who was evidently sick and exhausted, obeyed; and I, alas! + trusted to his puny strength to hold on.</span></p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page309">[pg 309]</span><a name="Pg309" id="Pg309" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“I sat for a moment on the rock, kissing him, till I + looked round and reflected on the awful scene before me, and beheld + (with what emotion I leave you to guess) the dreadful destruction + which was going on.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Previously to my jumping on the rock I observed Mrs. + Lawe on the quarter-deck on her knees, frantic, without her cap, her + hair dishevelled all around her shoulders, in dreadful anguish, + striking the deck with one hand, while she held on with the other. + Mr. Lawe, her husband, was at this time drowned.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“About this period the midships of the vessel were thrown + by the terrific sea and raging storm into a position favourable for + those yet on board to make their escape upon the rock; thus it was + with comparative ease the surviving remnant on board now forsook the + vessel.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“In short, if the sufferers could have anticipated and + waited for this opportunity, the lives of many who were lost might + have been saved. They would, at least, have been fortunate enough to + have reached the rock, and would have had the same chance of + existence as others, provided their constitution were sufficiently + strong to bear the dreadful privations that there awaited + them.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“I stretched forth my hand and assisted several as they + approached, taking hold of the first that presented, making, of + course, no distinction of persons, and continued to act thus till I + saw a female in the last gasp, still holding by the rock after the + receding of a wave—it was Mrs. Lawe. Then, with all the force I could + command, I dragged her forwards one or two paces. She was, indeed, + poor good lady! in the last stage of exhaustion, and fell on my arm, + and her weight caused me to slip, by which we were both precipitated + towards a frightful chasm; but luckily I again seized the rock ere + the wave retired, or we might both have been swept away, and I held + fast by one hand, while with the other I supported the lady, during + which two or three waves washed over us. Neither she nor I could + breathe.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“I collected all my remaining strength for this the last + effort I was equal to in order to save her, and folding her in my + arms, I crept up the rock quite above the surge, where the spray only + could reach us.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“She was speechless, but sufficiently sensible to + acknowledge my attention with looks of fervent gratitude. I then left + her, anxious to return to my child. But judge of my sensations—I + found him not! He, alas! was gone! I could not tell where, or what + had become of him.”</span> The poor boy had been drowned, and no + traces of him were ever discovered.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Their sufferings + on the rock are well described:—<span class="tei tei-q">“To such + dreadful shifts were we driven that during the night I was obliged to + hold on with one hand, while with the other I grasped the hand of a + fellow-sufferer, in order that each might receive some portion of + vital heat; this we did alternately with right and left hand. But we + were all so depressed in spirits and suffering so grievously from the + cold and the rain as the night advanced, that we did little else than + turn our thoughts to the Most High, and calmly await the approach of + day, and with it some hope of relief. My face, nose, and particularly + the inside of my mouth, were dreadfully mangled, and my teeth + loosened, being so repeatedly forced by the billows against the rock + to which I was clinging. In short, I think no human endurance + equalled ours; for towards morning, when my fingers became so + benumbed from wet and cold that I lost the use of them, and I found + that it was impossible to hold on longer, I twice felt resigned to + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page310">[pg 310]</span><a name="Pg310" + id="Pg310" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>commit myself to the deep, and + was on the point of doing so, invoking Heaven to receive my + spirit.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The very lacerated state of my nose, mouth, and + feet,”</span> says the doctor, <span class="tei tei-q">“when I was + borne from the rock, were indicative of the sufferings I had endured. + Poor M‘Arthur seemed either quite regardless of, or insensible to, my + repeated warnings of his danger. He at last put his hands into the + pockets of his trousers, in spite of my remonstrances to the + contrary. The point of the rock on which he stood affording him a + better foothold, or standing, than mine, and that portion of the rock + immediately before him not being so perpendicular as that before me, + allowed him to bend forward. This last advantage, coupled with that + of his better footing and his being overpowered with sleep, induced + him to be so careless of his safety. But almost instantly a fearful + and tremendous sea struck the rock just below the slight shelves or + openings which supported our toes, and immediately rebounded over us + many feet in height; then breaking and falling with great force on + our heads, it had the effect of hurling off on the instant poor + M‘Arthur. O gracious God, I never can be sufficiently grateful for + Thy bountiful goodness and singular preservation in protecting me + through so many imminent perils, so many hair-breadth escapes! For of + all the passengers with whom I dined on Friday in the steamer + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Killarney</span></span> I am the only survivor! + The cook who prepared the dinner, and the steward, steward’s brother, + and the stewardess that served it, are all in eternity!”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was not till + about ten o’clock on the morning of Sunday that the poor sufferers on + the rock endeavoured to change their positions, which was a matter of + some difficulty. One of the passengers, during the early part of the + night, having been unable to attain a position as comfortable as that + of some of the rest, had hung on to Dr. Spolasco’s legs, in order to + save himself from dropping into the sea. Later a heavy wave struck + him; he relinquished his hold, and was swept into the sea never to + rise again. <span class="tei tei-q">“On gaining the summit,”</span> + says the doctor, <span class="tei tei-q">“I perceived with horror + that many had disappeared during the night, and among them the lady + whom I had rescued at the loss, I may indeed fairly say, of my dear + boy.”</span> There was a general hope among the survivors that they + would be rescued early that morning (Sunday), and their + disappointment that no effort was made to save them was great indeed. + They saw at an early hour hundreds of peasants on the beach and + cliff, some of them busily engaged at the wreckage or in bearing away + parts of the pigs which had formed part of the cargo, but all intent + upon gain. Not the slightest effort was made for the poor wretches on + the rock, although Spolasco at intervals waved his purse in one hand + and his cap in another in order to induce the peasantry to afford + assistance.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The doctor + endeavoured by signs to indicate that a raft could be easily + constructed from the wreckage, and that the drift of the current + would bring it to the rock, but he was not understood. Again their + hopes fell to zero. Poor M‘Arthur, the engineer, who had been nearly + drowned before, had managed to struggle to a higher position on the + rock, but he died from exhaustion early on Monday morning. Some time + after, two men, and a little later two boys, fell headlong into the + sea, being nearly dead from starvation and exposure. Of twenty-five + who got safely on the rock, thirteen died before they could be + rescued; and yet it was so near the coast that those mounting the + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page311">[pg 311]</span><a name="Pg311" + id="Pg311" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>nearest cliff had to bend over + its edge to see it. Meantime the storm beat on violently, and no boat + could have approached the rock. Sea-weed and salt water was all the + food (!) they could get from dinner hour on board the steamer on + Friday, about five o’clock, till Monday afternoon. All this within + almost a stone’s throw of land!</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“To return,”</span> says the narrator, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“to Sunday. I have in a previous page stated that during + the whole of the morning of that day, indeed up to the afternoon, all + we saw was a crowd of peasants on the beach, each carrying his or her + burden from the spoils of the wreck of the steamer <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Killarney</span></span>; and on the cliff above + us, numbers—altogether amounting to some hundreds. It was in vain we + looked for some respectable person among them who would be likely to + tender us the desired assistance, till ... we hailed the presence of + a respectable gentleman, by whose kind gestures we could understand + (for it was impossible to hear his voice) that we yet should be + saved. After waving his hat, and doing all in his power to cheer us, + he retired, and ascended the lofty cliff, and in a reasonable time + afterwards again returned, with several other gentlemen.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Several descended with him to the edge of the + precipice—a dangerous declivity—bringing with them ropes, slings, + &c., and indeed every other requisite that the short period of + their absence allowed them to procure, or whatever appeared to them + necessary for the object they had in view. Having arrived at the + brink of the precipice, somewhat in a direct line (though still above + us) with the rock upon which we were—the distance I would compute to + be from a hundred and fifty to two hundred feet—they commenced + throwing stones to which were attached small lines, several in their + turn; one having failed, another tried, and so on, till they were + sufficiently convinced that all such efforts were altogether + fruitless—the strongest of them not being able to pitch such stone + more than half way towards us.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Some one then suggested the propriety of trying slings, + which they immediately prepared—in turn taking off their cloaks, + coats, &c., having first tied round their waist a strong rope as + a prudent precaution of security for their safety in making the bold + attempt, viz., of slinging a stone, having attached to it a line, to + us unfortunate expectants upon the rock. These efforts, too, like the + former, were attended with want of success.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Mr. John Galwey, with whom was Mr. Edward Hull and other + gentlemen, apparently in a most perilous position confronting us, + formed a footing with crowbars, &c. Mr. Galwey was then observed + several times to try to pass a duck with a small line fastened to its + leg, but without effect. We also discerned him coiling a wire or line + into the barrel of a musquet, with the view of firing off the ball to + which it was connected, hoping that when the ball should have passed + the rock the line might fall upon it. This expedient too was + ingenious, but unsuccessful.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The next attempt for our rescue was thought of and + entered upon by a brave young gentleman, Richard Knolles, Esq.—son of + the worthy Captain Knolles of that neighbourhood—by which he nearly + lost his life. He had with him a favourite dog, well trained to the + water, and apparently to his command, with which fine animal he + descended as nearly to the edge of the beach as the billows, + breakers, and foaming spray would allow him, and rather farther, for, + being young, brave, and anxious to be the means of saving us, he + ventured somewhat too far for his safety, being met by a tremendous + surf, which struck him, and dashed him above some twenty feet or more + with such violence, that he was not only wetted to <span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page312">[pg 312]</span><a name="Pg312" id="Pg312" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the skin, but had the narrowest escape + that man could well have of being lashed into the furious sea and + yawning gulf below him.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The news of their + cruel sufferings having ere this spread around the country—this being + Sunday, and rather more favourable than the previous days—thousands + of both sexes assembled from miles around to witness the awful scene. + They could clearly distinguish among the vast assemblage upon the + cliffs a great number of ladies by their veils, drapery, &c., who + doubtless had been attracted to the fatal spot through sympathy for + their peculiar hardships. The shore appeared so near, and the day was + so fine, that through the greater part of it they did not think, nor + could bring themselves to believe it possible, that they were cruelly + doomed to suffer another night upon the desolate rock; and it was + thought by some (seeing that the distance to the cliff on the + mainland was not very great) that a brave plunge into the waves would + bear them on shore.</p><a name="illo_355.png" id="illo_355.png" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_355.png" alt="THE SURVIVORS ON THE ROCK" + title="THE SURVIVORS ON THE ROCK." /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + THE SURVIVORS ON THE ROCK. + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hunger was keen + indeed; it was piercing; and perceiving the people upon the cliff + apparently unable to give them relief, one resolute but unfortunate + man volunteered, and attempted to swim to shore, and, creeping down + the rock, bade them farewell. They wished him, with all their hearts, + success, each meaning to follow his example, if successful, rather + than remain to perish on the rock. He rushed boldly into the surf; + they all awaited his re-appearance with breathless anxiety, but he + was rapidly hurried into the deep below, and they could discern him + no more. All such attempts, or hope of such, to gain the shore by + these means were then abandoned.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The second night + was now closing fast upon them, and having observed that some + preparations were being made on shore to extend ropes from promontory + to promontory—a distance of from half a mile to a mile—they were all + hovering between hope and fear. A <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page313">[pg 313]</span><a name="Pg313" id="Pg313" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>deathless silence reigned among them. Their + gallant captain at length exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“I have + it! They are carrying one end of the line to yon jutting promontory + (east), and are running with the other end to the other promontory + (west); the two ends of the line being drawn tight in opposite + directions, the centre will overhang the rock, and be within our + reach.”</span> As the sequel proved, his judgment was well + founded.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“We now,”</span> says the narrator, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“placed our whole reliance on the success of the efforts + of those on shore with the ropes; but the apparatus employed was + imperfect—time passing rapidly, and the night quickly approaching. + Just at the commencement of dusk the rope reached us, which we were + enabled to seize by a small tripping line that hung pendent from it + when it was stretched over our heads, being drawn tight at each + promontory by the many assembled.”</span> The captain, or some one of + the men, caught the line and drew it downwards, when all seized it, + and there was a wild huzza! The captain had been right in his + conjecture. The line was extended from headland to headland.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“When the rope was conveyed to us,”</span> writes the + doctor, <span class="tei tei-q">“we all cheered, as if re-animated by + a new existence; and although it reached us too late to be of any + service on that night, such was our eagerness to be delivered from + the rock, that one man volunteered, and immediately descended to the + base of it, and by a triangular knot made himself fast to the hawser, + which had been conveyed to us by means of the small lines already + alluded to. The rope, or hawser, although not a new one, I think was + sufficiently strong to bear one at a time to shore, and, indeed, up + the lofty cliff, in safety; but a boy who had been in care of the + pigs, unfortunately, through over-anxiety to escape from the rock, + descended, and most imprudently attached himself also at the same + time to it, notwithstanding our earnest remonstrances to the + contrary; and when they said <span class="tei tei-q">‘all was + ready’</span>—meaning that they were secured to the rope—at the same + time directing us to shout to those on the mainland <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘to pull them ashore,’</span> we did so, and they + immediately drew them towards the cliff, upon which we heard a + splash, but could see nothing, it being at this time dark.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“During the night, when we occasionally conversed—for we + had but little to say, each being wrapped up in his own gloomy + meditations—we felt a glow of satisfaction that at last a contrivance + had been resorted to by which two of us at least were rescued from + spending another night upon the rock, we not at this time at all + considering that both had met a watery grave, for we could see + nothing—it was dark—neither could we hear anything, from the howling + of the storm and roaring of the tempest.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“In the morning, however, in consequence of the rope + having broken, we entertained a melancholy surmise of their unhappy + fate; but upon landing, in the afternoon of Monday, we ascertained + the piteous fact. It was rumoured, but it proved to be untrue, that + the peasants, during the second night (Sunday) of our dreadful + suspense upon the rock, had cut the rope. This arose in consequence + of its having been found divided early on Monday morning.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next morning the + good Samaritans ashore repaired to the scene, and eagerly scanned the + rock, to see whether any still survived. Among them was Lady Roberts, + who came with thirty of her men, with a car laden with ropes and + other materials necessary for their deliverance. The first plan + attempted early on Monday morning was with Manby’s + apparatus—<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">i.e.</span></span>, firing a two-pound shot with + a line attached from a howitzer. After <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page314">[pg 314]</span><a name="Pg314" id="Pg314" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>many fruitless attempts this plan was + relinquished. Slings, &c., were then tried, but with the same + result.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Spolasco took + off his cap, and repeatedly waved it, in order to attract the + observation of those on shore. Having succeeded, he raised his voice + and extended his arms, pointing to either promontory, and indicating + that unless they had recourse to Mr. Hull’s plan, as it was + subsequently ascertained to be, their fate would be decided. + Fortunately he was understood, and the plan was prosecuted to its + completion, all working with a will. They again extended the lines + from headland to headland, with this variation only, that they now + attached two tripping-lines instead of one, hanging about a yard + apart, and a weight to the end of each, which had the desired effect + of causing them to fall immediately over the rock. They were + immediately grasped; their hope of safety was fully revived, and they + again cheered with hopeful exultation. They retained a secure hold of + the centre of the line, while those upon the two cliffs proceeded to + a centre point on the mainland immediately opposite to them, and + instantly attached the hawser to one end of the line in question. + Having accomplished this, they made signs to those on the rock to + draw towards them the hawser, to which they had fastened a small + basket containing a bottle of wine, a bottle of whisky, and some + bread, the thoughtful gift of Lady Roberts. The liquids proved + invaluable, but as for the bread, excepting a few crumbs, they could + not swallow it. They had, from cold, exposure, and exhaustion, almost + lost the power of mastication and deglutition.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The basket also + contained a written paper, instructing those on the rock that, as the + hawser was sufficiently long, to make it fast round the rock, that it + might be the more secure, and that they would pass a cot along it + with iron grummets. Having so fixed the cot, the signals were made to + draw it towards the rock by means of the small line. The awful + example afforded on Monday morning, when it was perceived that the + rope was broken, naturally made several of them nervous now, and + there was some hesitation as to who should enter it first to be drawn + on shore, seeing that it had to be hauled a distance of sixty to a + hundred feet above the level of the sea in order to land upon the + lowest accessible part of the cliff, where Mr. Hull, the inventor of + the plan, was stationed to receive them. On landing, they had to be + carried to the summit of the nearly perpendicular cliff, about 300 + feet, upon men’s backs, supported on either side by others of their + deliverers, for the least false step would have hurried them headlong + to the depths below.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After some + deliberation, the first to be placed in the cot was a woman named + Mary Leary, who was assisted into it, and drawn through the air to + what seemed a frightful height, amid the cheers of all. On her being + landed, the cot was again lowered to the rock, and the narrator of + our story entered it, lying upon his back. Giving the signal that he + was ready, those on the mainland pulled, and in a few minutes he was + safe on the cliff, where he received the warm congratulations of the + gentlemen there assembled. The ship’s carpenter, who was evidently + very ill, was next placed in the cot, but the poor fellow breathed + his last almost immediately after landing. The others soon followed, + the captain, as should be, being the last. Once ashore, they were + treated with warm-hearted hospitality, and a liberal subscription was + raised for the sufferers of the crew and passengers, and the widows + and orphans of those who were <span class="tei tei-pb" id= + "page315">[pg 315]</span><a name="Pg315" id="Pg315" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>lost. Of fifty persons who left Cork on the + ill-fated <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Killarney</span></span>, about twenty-five + landed on the rock, and of these only fourteen reached land, one of + them, as we have seen, to expire immediately.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The mode by which + the few survivors were rescued was so novel that it deserves + particular notice, and the following, quoted from a letter written by + Mr. E. W. Hull to Baron Spolasco, will be found interesting.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The first intelligence my brother and myself received of + the wreck was from Mr. John Galwey, at about nine or ten o’clock on + Sunday morning. We immediately proceeded towards the scene of the + dreadful catastrophe, which is about five miles from Roberts’ Cove, + and arrived there at eleven o’clock. My brother’s men, of course, + accompanied us. On our reaching the place, I descended the frightful + precipice, at the foot of which I discovered Mr. Galwey letting ducks + fly with lines attached to them. I joined him in the experiment, + though indeed I entertained not the least hope of its proving + effective. We abandoned this plan, and having taken off my coat and + hat, and placed a rope round my waist, to prevent my falling over the + lower cliff upon which we stood, I commenced using all the means I + could devise to convey a stone with a line attached to it to the + rock. I first made an effort to throw a stone from my hand; next, I, + with others, had recourse to slings; but all our experiments, as the + sequel proved, were useless. I may here, without the least + exaggeration, assert that the danger to which Mr. John Galwey, young + Mr. Knolles, and myself, were exposed was beyond the power of + conception. Below us appeared a hideous gulf, almost yawning to + receive us from the cliff upon which we stood, while from above we + saw large stones rolling down from a height of two hundred feet. To + avoid being struck by these we had not the power of moving an inch + from the place in which we respectively stood; so that in this, as in + all other circumstances connected with our dangerous undertakings on + the occasion, we were protected in our frightful situation by the + peculiar interposition of Providence. We next had recourse to the + plan of a person named Mills, of the Coastguard at Roberts’ Cove. It + was that of attaching wire to bullets, and firing them from guns. + This plan likewise proved unsuccessful.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“At this time, when all our plans had become unavailing, + those who had been acting with me below went to the top of the cliff. + Being exceedingly exhausted I was unable to follow. I lay down on the + brink of the precipice, nearly on a line with the top of the rock + upon which the sufferers were, and feeling as a human being should at + so heartrending a spectacle, when all hope of saving a single + individual was almost extinct. I exclaimed, <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Good God! are there no means left to save them?’</span> + At this moment I took a view of the east promontory and the west. The + thought—the happy thought—flashed across my mind. I immediately + perceived that Providence favoured us with a tolerable certainty of + success. I ascended the precipice, and made my brother acquainted + with my plan. We both suggested it to others, but it was disregarded, + owing to the great distance between the promontories and the immense + height of the cliffs. However, I saw a glorious prospect before me of + rescuing my fellow-creatures from an awful death. Heaven inspired me + with confidence, and, in conjunction with my brother, I could not be + diverted from making a trial. My brother and the neighbouring + gentlemen sent in all directions for lines and ropes. On getting + them, we commenced putting my plan into execution. The first attempt + failed through want of sufficiency of rope and the setting in of + night. When the rope was <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page317">[pg + 317]</span><a name="Pg317" id="Pg317" class= + "tei tei-anchor"></a>carried to the rock and there secured, I + perceived that one man got upon it. Had he alone ventured, all would + be right; but the eagerness of another poor fellow was so great that + he attached himself to it, and the weight of the two was overmuch for + the rope to bear, and it consequently broke. How we felt at this + dreadful occurrence your readers may imagine; I cannot describe the + fearful thrill of horror which pervaded every breast. It was now dark + night; we had therefore to discontinue our efforts until the next + morning. We left the lines during the intervening night as we had + adjusted them the evening before. My brother left two of his men, + with one of Lieutenant Charlesson’s, to preserve the rope and + property during the night.</span></p><a name="illo_359.jpg" id= + "illo_359.jpg" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> + + <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"> + <img src="images/illo_359.jpg" alt= + "RESCUE OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE “KILLARNEY.”" title= + "RESCUE OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE “KILLARNEY.”" /> + + <div class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + RESCUE OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE <span class="tei tei-q" style= + "text-align: center">“KILLARNEY.”</span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“To return to the subject of my communication, I should + state that, on ascending the cliff I met Lady Roberts and Captain + Knolles. I told them of the loss of one man, not knowing at the time + that a second had also suffered—this information, indeed, I + afterwards received from yourself. I, notwithstanding this sad + disaster, felt persuaded that if I had a sufficient quantity of rope + all would be saved. I mentioned this to Lady Roberts, upon which her + ladyship assured me that I should be plentifully supplied with this + article. Though painful to our feelings to be obliged to leave you to + spend another night of gloom and horror, we were under the necessity + of doing so for want of a sufficient quantity of rope. On the + following morning (Monday) I arrived at the cliff, accompanied by my + brother and his men, an hour before daylight. The weather was + dreadful beyond conception, rain and snow falling incessantly. We + immediately proceeded to bring into operation the plan of the former + day. We were at this time much better enabled to do so, having + obtained a sufficiency of rope by the directions of Lady Roberts, + who, to the honour of her sex, was present at that early hour, + exposed to the inclemency of the weather. Lieutenant Irwin, Inspector + of the Coastguard at Kinsale, arrived about this time with Captain + Manby’s apparatus. This gentleman, having, I presume, had some + previous experience of the capability of similar machines, commenced + discharging balls from it. This suspended the operation of my plan + for some time, but it was found altogether ineffective; but I + consider it right to state that no man could have manifested a + greater anxiety than Mr. Irwin to do good. The lines and ropes which + he brought us were essentially necessary in putting the successful + plan into execution; he also brought the cot....</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“In about two hours I had the satisfaction of seeing + fourteen persons safely landed from the rock, but one of them, I + regret to say, died of exhaustion a short time after having been + brought on shore.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The hawser, as you perceived, had to be taken down a + precipice of nearly three hundred feet. To the end of it was joined + the line which you had primarily received upon the rock, also a + basket of refreshments. I myself took it all down to the lower cliff, + where I received each person on being drawn from the rock. The + dangers to which myself and three of the coastguard were exposed on + that occasion were not, I assure you, trifling.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About a fortnight + after the wreck of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Killarney</span></span>, a large portion of the + rock upon which the remnant of the crew and passengers had suffered + so much was carried away in a storm. It is worthy of remark that + during the American War a vessel conveying a company and band of the + 32nd Regiment of Foot was lost on the same rock, when all + perished.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page318">[pg + 318]</span><a name="Pg318" id="Pg318" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There can be no + doubt that a life-boat, had there been one, would have rescued many + more of the poor unfortunates, left on the rock from Friday afternoon + to Monday afternoon, with considerable ease. During the year 1876-77, + not very far from <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">five thousand</span></span> lives were saved by + the fleet of 269 boats of the National Life-boat Institution. Let us + examine the wreck record of that period.<a id="noteref_100" name= + "noteref_100" href="#note_100"><span class= + "tei tei-noteref"><span style= + "font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">100</span></span></a></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We find that the + number of British vessels which entered and cleared from ports of the + United Kingdom during the year in question was 581,099, representing + the enormous tonnage of 101,799,050. Of these ships, 224,669 were + steamers, having a tonnage of about two-thirds of the above amount. + During the same period 60,000 foreign vessels entered inwards and + cleared outwards from British ports, representing a tonnage of nearly + 20,000,000. These 641,099 ships, British and foreign, had probably on + board, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">apart from passengers</span></span>, 4,000,000 + men and boys.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In 1876-77 the + number of wrecks, casualties, and collisions, from all causes, on and + near the coasts of the United Kingdom, was 4,164, which number + exceeds that of the previous year by 407. 511 cases out of this large + number involved total loss, 502 and 472 representing the same class + of calamities for the two preceding years.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the past + twenty years-from 1857 to 1876-77—the number of shipwrecks on our + coasts alone has averaged 1,948 a year, representing in money value + millions upon millions sterling in the aggregate.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“In making this statement,”</span> says <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The + Life-boat</span></span>, <span class="tei tei-q">“we lay aside + entirely the thousands of precious lives, on which no money value + could be placed, which were sacrificed on such disastrous occasions, + and which would have been enormously increased in the absence of the + determined and gallant services of the life-boats of the National + Life-boat Institution.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“In the Abstract of the Wreck Register it is stated that, + between 1861 and 1876-77, the number of ships, both British and + foreign, wrecked on our coasts which were attended with loss of life + was 2,784, causing the loss of 13,098 persons. In 1876-77, loss of + life took place in one out of every twenty-two shipwrecks on our + coasts.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“It is hardly necessary to say that gales of wind are the + prime causes of most shipwrecks, and that those of 1876-77 will long + be remembered for their violence and destructive character. Of the + 4,164 wrecks, casualties, and collisions, reported as having occurred + on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom during the year 1876-77, + we find that the total comprised 5,017 vessels. Thus, the number of + ships in 1876-77 is more than the total in 1875-76 by 463. The number + of ships reported is in excess of the casualties reported, because in + cases of collision two or more ships are involved in one casualty. + Thus, 847 were collisions, and 3,317 were wrecks and casualties other + than collisions. Of these latter casualties, 446 were wrecks, + &c., resulting in total loss, 902 were casualties resulting in + serious damage, and 1,969 were minor accidents. The whole number of + wrecks and casualties other than collisions on and near our coasts + reported during the year 1875-76 was 2,982, or 335 less than the + number reported during the twelve months under discussion.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“The localities of the wrecks, still excluding + collisions, are thus given:—East coasts of England and Scotland, + 1,140; south coast, 630; west coast of England and Scotland, + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page319">[pg 319]</span><a name="Pg319" + id="Pg319" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and coast of Ireland, 1,259; + north coast of Scotland, 129; and other parts, 159. Total, <a name= + "corr319" id="corr319" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">3,317.</span>”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“It is + recorded that the greatest destruction of human life happened on the + north and east coasts of England and Scotland.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is interesting + to observe the ages of the vessels which were wrecked during the + period under consideration. Excluding foreign ships and collision + cases, 221 wrecks and casualties happened to nearly new ships, and + 396 to ships from 3 to 7 years of age. Then there are wrecks and + casualties to 631 ships from 7 to 14 years old, and to 907 from 15 to + 30 years old. Then follow 459 old ships from 30 to 50 years old. + Having passed the service of half a century, we come to the very old + ships, viz., 71 between 50 and 60 years old, 33 from 60 to 70, 24 + from 70 to 80, 9 from 80 to 90, and 5 from 90 to 100, while the ages + of 68 of the wrecks are unknown.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On distinguishing + these last named casualties near the coasts of the United Kingdom, + according to the force of the wind at the time at which they + happened, we find that 739 happened with the wind at forces 7 and 8, + or a moderate to fresh gale, when a ship, if properly found, manned, + and navigated, can keep the sea with safety; and that 1,046 happened + with the wind at force 9 and upwards, that is to say, from a strong + gale to a hurricane.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“We must say one word on the subject of casualties to our + ships in our rivers and harbours, as the fearful calamity to the + steamer <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Princess Alice</span></span> last September in + the Thames has directed afresh intense attention to them throughout + the civilised world. We find from the Wreck Register Abstract that + the total number during the year 1876-77 was 984, of which 17 were + total losses, 245 were serious casualties, and 722 minor + casualties.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Of these casualties, collisions numbered 658, + founderings 13, strandings 184, and miscellaneous 129.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“These 984 casualties caused the loss of or damage to + 1,725 vessels, of which 1,020 were British sailing-vessels, 560 + British steam-vessels, 118 foreign sailing-vessels, and 27 foreign + steam-vessels. The lives lost in these casualties were 15.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“With reference to the collisions on and near our coasts + during the year 1876-77, 48 of the 847 collisions were between two + steamships both under way, irrespective of numerous other such cases + in our harbours and rivers, the particulars of which are not given in + the Abstract. No disaster at sea or in a river is often more awful in + its consequences than a collision, as was too strikingly illustrated + last year in the cases of the German ironclad <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Grosser + Kurfürst</span></span>, and the Thames steamer <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style="font-style: italic">Princess + Alice</span></span>.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“As regards the loss of life, the Wreck Abstract shows + that the number was 776, and of these 92 were lost in vessels that + foundered, 57 through vessels in collision, 470 in vessels stranded + or cast ashore, and 93 in missing vessels. The remaining number of + lives lost (64) were lost from various causes, such as through being + washed overboard in heavy seas, explosions, missing vessels, + &c.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“This number (776) may appear to the casual observer a + comparatively small one by the side of the thousands who escaped + disaster from the numerous shipwrecks before mentioned. We are, + however, of opinion that it is a very large number; and when we bear + in mind the inestimable value of human life, we are convinced that no + effort should be left untried which can in any way lessen the annual + loss of life from shipwreck on our coasts.</span></p><span class= + "tei tei-pb" id="page320">[pg 320]</span><a name="Pg320" id="Pg320" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“On the other hand, great and noble work was accomplished + during the same period, 4,795 lives having been saved from the + various shipwrecks. In bringing about that most important service, it + is hardly necessary to say that the craft of the National Life-boat + Institution played a most important part, in conjunction with the + Board of Trade’s rocket apparatus, which is so efficiently worked by + the Coastguard and our Volunteer Brigades.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Nevertheless, the aggregate loss of life is very large, + and so is the aggregate destruction of property. The former is a + species of woe inflicted on humanity; the latter is practically a tax + upon commerce. While the art of saving life on the coasts is + understood (thanks to the progress of science—the earnestness of + men—and the stout hearts of our coast population), the art of + preserving property is as yet but imperfectly known amongst us, and + still more imperfectly practised.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“On reviewing the Wreck Register Abstract of the past + year, we are bound to take courage from the many gratifying facts it + reveals in regard to saving life, which, after all, is our principal + object in commenting upon it. Noble work has been done, and is doing, + for that purpose; and is it not something, amidst all this havoc of + the sea, to help to save even one life, with all its hopes, and to + keep the otherwise desolate home unclouded?”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Among the useful + works undertaken by the National Life-boat Institution is the + discussion in its journal of all matters connected with the art of + swimming, and swimming and floating apparatus. The Society also + issues a valuable circular on the <span class="tei tei-q">“Treatment + of the apparently Drowned,”</span> to which further allusion will be + hereafter made. The writer is so satisfied that no humane or + charitable institution in the wide world is better or more + economically managed than that under notice, that he would urge all + readers of <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-variant: small-caps">The Sea</span></span> to contribute to its + funds. And although every reader may not be able to afford his guinea + or guineas, he can contribute his shillings or half-crowns, and his + influence in aiding one of the local branches, or in forming new + ones. A number of life-boats stationed on various parts of the coasts + were the gifts of other associations and bodies. The Civil Service, + Corn Exchange, Coal Exchange, Freemasons, Odd Fellows, Foresters, + Good Templars, and other orders, have contributed nobly. Several + boats and stations, generally named after the particular fund, were + contributed by London and other Sunday-schools, Jewish scholars, + commercial travellers, workmen, yacht, boat, and other clubs; while + three were the result of an appeal to the readers of the Quiver, two + are credited to the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Dundee People’s Journal</span></span>, and one + each to the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">British Workman</span></span> and <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">English + Mechanic</span></span>. And in concluding the second volume of + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">The + Sea</span></span>, the writer considers that he has a special right + to urge the claims of the Society on his readers, the subject-matter + of its pages being taken into account.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 2.25em"> + <span style="font-size: 75%">END OF VOLUME II.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style= + "font-size: 75%">CASSELL PETTER & GALPIN, BELLE SAUVAGE WORKS, + LONDON, E.C.</span></span></p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-back" style= + "margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <hr class="doublepage" /> + + <div id="footnotes" class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">Footnotes</span></h1> + + <dl class="tei tei-list-footnotes"> + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_1" name="note_1" href= + "#noteref_1">1.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“Select + observations of the incomparable Sir Walter Raleigh relating to + trade,”</span> as presented to King James.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_2" name="note_2" href= + "#noteref_2">2.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“History of + Merchant Shipping and Ancient Commerce.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_3" name="note_3" href= + "#noteref_3">3.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><a name="corr015" id="corr015" + class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class= + "tei tei-corr">Monson’s</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“Naval + Tracts”</span> in Churchill’s <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Collection.”</span> Most of the narrative to follow + is taken from the same source.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_4" name="note_4" href= + "#noteref_4">4.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Charnock, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“History of Naval Architecture.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_5" name="note_5" href= + "#noteref_5">5.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">This contemptuous allusion refers of + course to the tobacco brought from the newly-formed plantations + in Virginia.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_6" name="note_6" href= + "#noteref_6">6.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Macaulay: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“History of England.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_7" name="note_7" href= + "#noteref_7">7.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The term <span class= + "tei tei-q">“America”</span> often included the West Indies, + &c., at that period.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_8" name="note_8" href= + "#noteref_8">8.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The principal authorities + are—<span class="tei tei-q">“The History of Peter the Great, + &c.,”</span> by Alexander Gordon, who was several years a + major-general in the Russian service, and was son-in-law of the + General Patrick Gordon who may be said to have once saved Russia + to the Czar; <span class="tei tei-q">“Histoire de Pierre le + Grand,”</span> by Voltaire; and the <span class="tei tei-q">“Life + of Peter the Great,”</span> by John Barrow, F.R.S., &c. A + modern French writer has given a catalogue of ninety-five authors + of some little note who have treated of Peter’s life.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_9" name="note_9" href= + "#noteref_9">9.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">This name is spelled by the various + authorities in many ways; sometimes it is Zaardam.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_10" name="note_10" + href="#noteref_10">10.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">One account says, indeed, that he + worked with his own hands as hard as any man in the yard. + <span class="tei tei-q">“If so,”</span> says Barrow, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“it could only have been for a very short time, and + probably for no other purpose than to show the builders that he + knew how to handle the adze as well as themselves.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_11" name="note_11" + href="#noteref_11">11.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The site of Evelyn’s mansion was + long covered with a workhouse; the shady walks and splendidly + kept hedges are now replaced by a victualling yard, where oxen + and hogs are slaughtered for the use of the navy, and the + transformation of all his haunts in the neighbourhood has been + unpleasantly complete.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_12" name="note_12" + href="#noteref_12">12.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Scheltema, a Dutch authority cited + by Barrow.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_13" name="note_13" + href="#noteref_13">13.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">One of the very best accounts of the + South Sea Bubble is to be found in Charles Mackay’s <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions,”</span> + frequently quoted above.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_14" name="note_14" + href="#noteref_14">14.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The Rev. Richard Walter, M.A., + Chaplain of the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Centurion</span></span>, who compiled the + work so well known under the title of Anson’s <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Voyage Round the World,”</span> from the papers and + material of the latter.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_15" name="note_15" + href="#noteref_15">15.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“The + Narrative of the Honourable John Byron, containing an Account of + the Great Distresses suffered by himself and his Companions on + the Coast of Patagonia, from the year 1740 till their Arrival in + England, 1746,”</span> &c.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_16" name="note_16" + href="#noteref_16">16.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“Two or + three days after our arrival”</span> (at Santiago), says Byron, + <span class="tei tei-q">“the President sent Mr. Campbell and me + an invitation to dine with him, where we were to meet Admiral + Pizarro and all his officers. This was a cruel stroke upon us, as + we had not any cloaths to appear in, and dared not refuse the + invitation. The next day, a Spanish officer belonging to Admiral + Pizarro’s squadron, whose name was Don Manuel de Guiror, came and + made us an offer of two thousand dollars. This generous Spaniard + made this offer without any view of ever being repaid, but purely + out of a compassionate motive of relieving us in our present + distress.”</span> A part of the money was thankfully accepted, + and they got themselves decently clothed.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_17" name="note_17" + href="#noteref_17">17.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">James Grahame, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The History of the United States of North + America.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_18" name="note_18" + href="#noteref_18">18.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">George Bancroft, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“History of the United States.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_19" name="note_19" + href="#noteref_19">19.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The above account is principally + derived from Bancroft.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_20" name="note_20" + href="#noteref_20">20.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Robert Stuart, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Historical and Descriptive Anecdotes of + Steam-Engines.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_21" name="note_21" + href="#noteref_21">21.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">John MacGregor, in a paper read + before the Society of Arts, 14th of April, 1858.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_22" name="note_22" + href="#noteref_22">22.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">William Bourne, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Inventions or Devises”</span> (1578).</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_23" name="note_23" + href="#noteref_23">23.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“A Sketch of + the Origin and Progress of Steam Navigation,”</span> by Bennet + Woodcroft.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_24" name="note_24" + href="#noteref_24">24.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">This brochure is extremely scarce. + The curious in such matters will find it reprinted in full in + Woodcroft’s <span class="tei tei-q">“Sketch of the Origin and + Progress of Steam Navigation.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_25" name="note_25" + href="#noteref_25">25.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“History of + Merchant Shipping,”</span> &c.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_26" name="note_26" + href="#noteref_26">26.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Philadelphia + Dispatch.</span></span> February 9th, 1873.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_27" name="note_27" + href="#noteref_27">27.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Vide</span></span> + <span class="tei tei-q">“Bowie on Steam Navigation;”</span> and + the works of Lindsay and Woodcroft, already quoted.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_28" name="note_28" + href="#noteref_28">28.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“The Life of + R. Fulton”</span> is an American work, and so little known in + England, that the present writer has intentionally made the above + copious extracts from it.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_29" name="note_29" + href="#noteref_29">29.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The engine of this vessel is to be + seen in the Patent Office Museum.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_30" name="note_30" + href="#noteref_30">30.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Smiles’ <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Lives of the Engineers.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_31" name="note_31" + href="#noteref_31">31.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">In an able pamphlet, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The Fleet of the Future,”</span> by Mr. Scott + Russell, published by Longmans & Co. in 1861, the author + remarks (p. 20):—<span class="tei tei-q">“A good many years ago, + I happened to converse with the chief naval architect of one of + our dockyards on the subject of building ships of iron. The + answer was characteristic, and the feeling it expressed so strong + and natural that I have never forgotten it. <span class= + "tei tei-q">‘Don’t talk to me about iron ships, <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">it’s contrary to + nature</span></span>.’</span> There was at one time almost as + great a prejudice against Indian teak as a material for + shipbuilding, as this wood is heavier than water, and, in the + form of a log, will not float.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_32" name="note_32" + href="#noteref_32">32.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The above account is derived from + Lindsay.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_33" name="note_33" + href="#noteref_33">33.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">See <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Annual + Register</span></span>, 1854, p. 162.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_34" name="note_34" + href="#noteref_34">34.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span>, November 17th, + 1875.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_35" name="note_35" + href="#noteref_35">35.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“Our Seamen: + an Appeal.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_36" name="note_36" + href="#noteref_36">36.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">An excess of that very aliment, the + absence of which produces scurvy, will also induce disease. Thus, + the negroes of the West Indies live too exclusively on + vegetables, and disease follows, the remedy for which is usually + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">red + herrings</span></span>—herrings salted and smoked till they are + as red as copper.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_37" name="note_37" + href="#noteref_37">37.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span>, January 14th, + 1867.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_38" name="note_38" + href="#noteref_38">38.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“English + Seamen and Divers.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_39" name="note_39" + href="#noteref_39">39.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Frederick Martin: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“The History of Lloyd’s and of Marine Insurance in + Great Britain.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_40" name="note_40" + href="#noteref_40">40.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The term is applied exclusively to + maritime insurers, although, strictly speaking, anyone signing a + bond is an underwriter.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_41" name="note_41" + href="#noteref_41">41.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">See Lindsay’s <span class= + "tei tei-q">“History of Merchant Shipping,”</span> Timbs’ + <span class="tei tei-q">“Year Book of Facts in Science and + Art,”</span> and Irving’s <span class="tei tei-q">“Annals of Our + Times.”</span> She is still nearly <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">five</span></span> + times the size of any merchant vessel afloat; as we have seen, + the Inman steamer, <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">City of Berlin</span></span> (5,500 tons), + comes next to her. There are ironclads nearly half her + tonnage.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_42" name="note_42" + href="#noteref_42">42.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">One account says a <span class= + "tei tei-q">“ferry-boat,”</span> meaning probably one of the + large steam ferry-boats common in America.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_43" name="note_43" + href="#noteref_43">43.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“Sunning”</span> means, in some parts of Canada, the + act of promenading.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_44" name="note_44" + href="#noteref_44">44.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The larger part of the above + information is derived from <span class="tei tei-q">“Our Ironclad + Ships,”</span> by E. J. Reed, late Chief Constructor of the + Navy.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_45" name="note_45" + href="#noteref_45">45.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span>, April 26th, 1876.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_46" name="note_46" + href="#noteref_46">46.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Vide</span></span> + <span class="tei tei-q">“Our Ironclad Ships.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_47" name="note_47" + href="#noteref_47">47.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">C. D. Colden: <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Life of Robert Fulton.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_48" name="note_48" + href="#noteref_48">48.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“Torpedo + War, and Submarine Explosions”</span> (New York, 1810). A scarce + and valuable <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">brochure</span></span>.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_49" name="note_49" + href="#noteref_49">49.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Such a vessel as the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Albemarle</span></span> would be scorned in + England and America now-a-days, if regarded as an ironclad. But + she was, of course, infinitely stronger than the wooden ships + with which she had to fight.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_50" name="note_50" + href="#noteref_50">50.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The explosive power of dynamite, or + <span class="tei tei-q">“giant powder,”</span> as it is known in + America, is something wonderful. The writer while in California + witnessed some experiments with it, which are indelibly written + on his brain. A mortar was set upright in the field appropriated + for the exhibition, and several pounds of ordinary powder having + been rammed down, a large cannon-ball was put in and the charge + fired. The ball was raised a foot or so, and then tumbled to the + ground. A few <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">ounces</span></span> of dynamite and the + same ball were placed in the mortar, and the charge exploded by + concussion. The cannon-ball was projected upwards in the air + several hundred feet. It will be imagined that the writer and his + friends scattered in all directions, and watched very carefully + the downward flight of the ball.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_51" name="note_51" + href="#noteref_51">51.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“The Gun, + Ram, and Torpedo.”</span> (Prize Essay written for the Junior + Naval Professional Association, 1874.) By Commander Gerard H. U. + Noel, R.N.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_52" name="note_52" + href="#noteref_52">52.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“The Life of + Smeaton,”</span> as incorporated in his <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Lives of the Engineers.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_53" name="note_53" + href="#noteref_53">53.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">It appears that a post-mortem + examination of one of the light-keepers who died from injuries + received during the fire took place some thirteen days after its + occurrence, and a flat oval piece of lead some seven ounces in + weight was taken out of his stomach, having proved the cause of + his death.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_54" name="note_54" + href="#noteref_54">54.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“Essays on + Engineering.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_55" name="note_55" + href="#noteref_55">55.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The Hoe is an elevated promenade, + forming the sea-front of Plymouth, and overlooking the + Sound.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_56" name="note_56" + href="#noteref_56">56.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The following is the tradition from + an ancient source:—<span class="tei tei-q">“By the east of the + Isle of May, twelve miles from all land in the German Sea, lyes a + great hidden rock, called Inchcape, very dangerous to the + navigators, because it is overflowed every tide. It is reported + that, in old times, there was upon the said rock a bell, fixed + upon a tree or timber, which rang continually, being moved by the + sea, giving notice to the saylors of the danger. This bell or + clocke was put there by the Abbot of Arberbrothok, and being + taken down by a sea-pirate, a year thereafter he perished upon + the same rock, with ship and goodes, by the righteous judgment of + God.”</span> (Stoddart’s <span class="tei tei-q">“Remarks on + Scotland.”</span>)</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_57" name="note_57" + href="#noteref_57">57.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“Account of + the Skerryvore Lighthouse, with Notes on the Illumination of + Lighthouses,”</span> by Alan Stevenson.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_58" name="note_58" + href="#noteref_58">58.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“A + Rudimentary Treatise on the History, Construction, and + Illumination of Lighthouses.”</span> (Weale’s Series.)</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_59" name="note_59" + href="#noteref_59">59.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Vide</span></span> + <span class="tei tei-q">“The Rambles of a Naturalist on the + Coasts of France, Spain, and Sicily.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_60" name="note_60" + href="#noteref_60">60.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">M. Quatrefages de Bréau, the + distinguished French naturalist and philosopher, says that the + revolving apparatus was partially due to M. Lemoine, a citizen, + and at one time Mayor, of Calais.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_61" name="note_61" + href="#noteref_61">61.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">It was exposed twice to terrific + storms during its construction. In 1808 the battery was + submerged, the parapet upset, and the barracks and garrison, with + sixty men, swept away. But the large blocks of stone were + afterwards found to be more securely stowed than they had been + before.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_62" name="note_62" + href="#noteref_62">62.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“An amount + of material,”</span> says a well-known authority, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“at least equal to that contained in the Great + Pyramid.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_63" name="note_63" + href="#noteref_63">63.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“Lives of + the Engineers.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_64" name="note_64" + href="#noteref_64">64.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span>, September 14th, + 1861.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_65" name="note_65" + href="#noteref_65">65.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Horace Moule in Weldon’s + <span class="tei tei-q">“Register of Facts and Occurrences + relating to Literature, the Sciences, and the Arts,”</span> + December, 1862.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_66" name="note_66" + href="#noteref_66">66.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">As described in the latter chapter + on the lighthouse.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_67" name="note_67" + href="#noteref_67">67.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">This was the same gale which + destroyed Winstanley’s Eddystone Lighthouse, the first erected on + the rock, as already described. It is to be noted that + Winstanley’s house, at Littlebury, in Essex, 200 miles from the + lighthouse, fell down and was utterly destroyed in the same + storm.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_68" name="note_68" + href="#noteref_68">68.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">This narrative differs from the more + circumstantial account given by Defoe, doubtless from official + authorities. The vessel had seventy guns, and 349 men; the + latter, likely enough, may not have been her full + complement.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_69" name="note_69" + href="#noteref_69">69.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">A large part of the information + incorporated above is derived from one of the least known of + Defoe’s works, entitled, <span class="tei tei-q">“The Storm: or, + a Collection of the most Remarkable Casualities and Disasters + which happened in the Late Dreadful Tempest, both by Sea and + Land.”</span></dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_70" name="note_70" + href="#noteref_70">70.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"> + Although so severe in England and a large part of the + Continent, Scotland scarce felt the fury of the gale. Defoe, in + his poem on the subject, says:— + + <div class="tei tei-lg" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 2.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“They tell + us Scotland ’scaped the blast;</span> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + No nation else have been without a taste: + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + All Europe sure have felt the mighty shock, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + ’T has been a universal stroke. + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> + But heaven has other ways to plague the Scots, + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-l" style= + "text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">As poverty + and plots.”</span> + </div> + </div> + </dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_71" name="note_71" + href="#noteref_71">71.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“History of + the Life-boat and its Work,”</span> by Richard Lewis, of the + Inner Temple, Esq., Secretary of the National Life-boat + Institution.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_72" name="note_72" + href="#noteref_72">72.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Including the grand name of William + Wilberforce.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_73" name="note_73" + href="#noteref_73">73.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Its revenue is now approximately ten + times the above amount.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_74" name="note_74" + href="#noteref_74">74.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">For the perilous nature of the + employment, the pay is ridiculously small. It must be, however, + in fairness to the Institution, remembered that it is a society + depending on the benevolent public for its support, and is not a + Government concern. Each boat has its appointed coxswain at a + salary of £8 per annum, and assistants at £2 per annum. On every + occasion of going afloat to save life, the coxswain and his men + receive alike, 10s. if by day, and £1 if by night.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_75" name="note_75" + href="#noteref_75">75.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“Storm + Warriors; or, Life-boat Work on the Goodwin Sands,”</span> by the + Rev. John Gilmore, M.A.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_76" name="note_76" + href="#noteref_76">76.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The + Times</span></span>, November 5th, 1866.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_77" name="note_77" + href="#noteref_77">77.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The + Times</span></span>, January 6th, 1876.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_78" name="note_78" + href="#noteref_78">78.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The Shipwrecked + Mariner.</span></span> A Quarterly Maritime Journal. Vol. XXII. + 1875. (Organ of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Shipwrecked + Mariner’s Society.”</span>) The article is from the pen of Lindon + Saunders, Esq.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_79" name="note_79" + href="#noteref_79">79.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The Life-boat: a + Journal of the Life-boat Institution.</span></span> November 2nd, + 1874.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_80" name="note_80" + href="#noteref_80">80.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The following account is based + mainly on the reports published in the <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Times</span></span>.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_81" name="note_81" + href="#noteref_81">81.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">A part of the crew behaved in a most + cowardly manner, and thought only of saving themselves, although + Captain Knowles and Mr. Brand, the chief officer, who stood nobly + by their posts, did all in their power to shame these recreants, + and themselves went down with the ship. The lines quoted above + were written by a graduate of Pembroke College, Cambridge, whose + promising career was cut short by death at an early age. The + poem, described as <span class="tei tei-q">“A Fragment,”</span> + is given in full in <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">The Lifeboat</span></span> for February 1st, + 1878.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_82" name="note_82" + href="#noteref_82">82.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Vide <span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The Life-boat; or, + Journal of the National Life-boat Institution</span></span>. + August 2, 1875.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_83" name="note_83" + href="#noteref_83">83.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The Scilly Islands, thirty miles + from the Land’s End, are 140 in number, and range in extent from + one to 1,600 acres, several of the larger being fully inhabited. + They are flanked by the grandest rock scenery, and surrounded by + reefs and rocks innumerable.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_84" name="note_84" + href="#noteref_84">84.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Captain Thomas had, we were told on + other authority, navigated the <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Schiller</span></span> across the Atlantic + and past the treacherous Scillies eight times. He imagined + himself to be far from a point of danger; and old sea-captains + assert that it is not uncommon for a vessel to be in advance of + her commander’s calculations—in other words, she may plough + through the water faster than he is aware. In this case the sun + had been absent for three days, and the course had been kept by + dead reckoning.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_85" name="note_85" + href="#noteref_85">85.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The + Lifeboat</span></span>, &c., February 1st, 1876.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_86" name="note_86" + href="#noteref_86">86.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Shortly after the wreck of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Deutschland</span></span>, the same + tug-boat, the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Liverpool</span></span>, rescued from + certain death the crew of another foreign ship, this time a + Norwegian vessel, wrecked on the Ship-wash sandbank; and the + Ramsgate life-boat, summoned by telegram from Harwich, was towed + by the steam-tug <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Aid</span></span> no less than forty-five + miles to the scene of the disaster—only to find on arrival there + that the shipwrecked crew had already been saved by the Harwich + tug—and then another forty-five miles on her return. The fifteen + poor fellows on board had then been fourteen hours sitting in + their boat, with the seas and spray breaking over them through + the whole of this terrible voyage in a freezing atmosphere. They + landed in a benumbed and half-frozen state, from the effects of + which some of them were sure to suffer severely afterwards.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_87" name="note_87" + href="#noteref_87">87.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The + Lifeboat</span></span>, &c., Feb. 1st, 1876.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_88" name="note_88" + href="#noteref_88">88.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“The Loss of + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span>.”</span> By the Rev. C. + A. Johns, B.A., F.L.S., &c.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_89" name="note_89" + href="#noteref_89">89.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">In sea-going steam-vessels the salt + water employed in the boilers incrusts the sides with a deposit + of salt, and it is necessary to <span class="tei tei-q">“blow + off”</span> every now and again, and discharge the water from + them.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_90" name="note_90" + href="#noteref_90">90.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Eliot Warburton, the author of + <span class="tei tei-q">“The Crescent and the Cross,”</span> + &c., &c.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_91" name="note_91" + href="#noteref_91">91.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“The + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Amazon</span></span>:”</span> A sermon + preached at St. Andrew’s Church, Plymouth, January 18th, 1852, by + the Rev. William Blood (one of the survivors).</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_92" name="note_92" + href="#noteref_92">92.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">This is common enough in all the + great steamship lines, where certain vessels acquire a name for + speed and accommodation, and where the captain is known as a + first-class commander. Passengers who can afford to wait often + delay their trips for weeks for the opportunity of sailing on a + favourite ship.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_93" name="note_93" + href="#noteref_93">93.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The Rev. D. J. Draper, a man of + fifty-six years of age, was returning to Australia, where for + thirty years he had laboured as a missionary, and where he was + very generally and deservedly respected. Part of the information + respecting the wreck is taken from <span class="tei tei-q">“The + Storm and the Haven,”</span> a tribute to his memory, published + in Melbourne the year of the terrible occurrence.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_94" name="note_94" + href="#noteref_94">94.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The official inquiry of the Board of + Trade elicited the fact that the number was somewhat smaller. The + total number of souls on board was 263, and of these 19 were + saved, leaving the number who perished at 244.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_95" name="note_95" + href="#noteref_95">95.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">It is a fact that Captain Martin had + an interest in the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">London</span></span> to the extent of + £5,000. Hard to lose life and property so valuable—may be, so + important to others at home—at one and the same time!</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_96" name="note_96" + href="#noteref_96">96.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The above account is principally + derived from a <span class="tei tei-q">“Narrative of the Loss of + the <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Rothsay Castle</span></span>,”</span> by + Lieut. R. J. Morrison, R.N., and other sources.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_97" name="note_97" + href="#noteref_97">97.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">The writer has seen nearly the same + thing practised on the flat-bottomed stern-wheel steamers common + in some parts of America, where, in shallow water, the passengers + have been required to walk to the other side of the vessel, and + literally <span class="tei tei-q">“tip”</span> her on that side. + On one occasion in a <span class="tei tei-q">“slough,”</span> or + shallow passage, he saw a number of the passengers and crew + literally step out into the water and push the boat along, till, + with their exertions and the steam-power, she was got off the + bank.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_98" name="note_98" + href="#noteref_98">98.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class= + "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Vide</span></span> + <span class="tei tei-q">“Letters, &c., on the Loss of the + <span class="tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Rothsay Castle</span></span>.”</span> By the + Rev. J. H. Stewart.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_99" name="note_99" + href="#noteref_99">99.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext"><span class="tei tei-q">“Narrative + of the Wreck of the Steamer <span class= + "tei tei-name"><span style= + "font-style: italic">Killarney</span></span>,”</span> &c. By + Baron Spolasco, M.D., &c., &c.</dd> + + <dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_100" name="note_100" + href="#noteref_100">100.</a></dt> + + <dd class="tei tei-notetext">Our information is derived from an + article on the subject in <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= + "font-style: italic">The Life-boat</span></span> for November + 1st, 1878.</dd> + </dl> + </div> + </div> + <hr class="doublepage" /> + + <div class="boxed tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="pdf49" id="pdf49"></a><a name="toc50" id="toc50"></a> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">Transcriber’s Note</span></h1> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The illustrations + have been moved so that they do not break up paragraphs and are near + the text they illustrate, thus the page number of the illustration + might not match the page number in the List of Illustrations.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Pages which + contain only an image have been left out in the pagination on the + margin.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Several + illustrations which were missing from the List of Illustrations have + been added to it. They can be identified by the missing page numbers + in the list.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The following + changes have been made to the text:</p> + + <table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <tbody> + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corrvii" class= + "tei tei-ref">page vii</a>, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Parayaguan”</span> changed to <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Paraguayan”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr002" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 2</a>, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“succesfully”</span> changed to <span class= + "tei tei-q">“successfully”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr010" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 10</a>, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Trindad”</span> changed to <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Trinidad”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr014" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 14</a>, period added after <span class= + "tei tei-q">“cwt”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr015" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 15</a>, quote mark removed before + <span class="tei tei-q">“Monson’s”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr034" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 34</a>, quote mark added before <span class= + "tei tei-q">“unparalleled”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr059" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 59</a>, quote mark added after <span class= + "tei tei-q">“them.”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr082" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 82</a>, quote mark added after <span class= + "tei tei-q">“it.”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr083" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 83</a>, quote mark added before <span class= + "tei tei-q">“we”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr086" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 86</a>, quote mark added after <span class= + "tei tei-q">“crazy!”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr107" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 107</a>, colon changed to period after + <span class="tei tei-q">“dews”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr113" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 113</a>, <span class="tei tei-q">“is”</span> + changed to <span class="tei tei-q">“it”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr120" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 120</a>, quote mark added after <span class= + "tei tei-q">“matter....”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr126" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 126</a>, quote mark added after <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Lloyd’s”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr129" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 129</a>, <span class="tei tei-q">“o + f”</span> changed to <span class="tei tei-q">“off”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr146" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 146</a>, quote mark added after <span class= + "tei tei-q">“ALEXANDRA.”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr173" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 173</a>, single quote mark added after + <span class="tei tei-q">“Arberbrothok.”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr177" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 177</a>, quote mark added after <span class= + "tei tei-q">“cry.”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr182" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 182</a>, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“occuping”</span> changed to <span class= + "tei tei-q">“occupying”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr183" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 183</a>, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Frith”</span> changed to <span class= + "tei tei-q">“Firth”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr207" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 207</a>, quote mark added after <span class= + "tei tei-q">“increased.”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr210" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 210</a>, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“make”</span> changed to <span class= + "tei tei-q">“made”</span>, quote mark added after <a href= + "#corr210a" class="tei tei-ref"><span class= + "tei tei-q">“skeel”</span></a></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr217" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 217</a>, quote mark added after <span class= + "tei tei-q">“rescue!”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr222" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 222</a>, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“seaman”</span> changed to <span class= + "tei tei-q">“seamen”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr268" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 268</a>, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“mother”</span> changed to <span class= + "tei tei-q">“mothers”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr283" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 283</a>, quote mark added after <span class= + "tei tei-q">“perish.”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr298" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 298</a>, <span class= + "tei tei-q">“pasengers”</span> changed to <span class= + "tei tei-q">“passengers”</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr319" class= + "tei tei-ref">page 319</a>, quote mark added after <span class= + "tei tei-q">“3,317.”</span></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Differences + between the table of contents and the chapter summaries have not been + corrected. Neither have variations in hyphenation been + normalized.</p> + </div> + <hr class="doublepage" /> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <div id="pgfooter" class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> + <pre class="pre tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEA: ITS STIRRING STORY OF ADVENTURE, PERIL, & HEROISM. VOLUME 2*** +</pre> + <hr class="doublepage" /> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <a name="rightpageheader51" id="rightpageheader51"></a><a name= + "pgtoc52" id="pgtoc52"></a><a name="pdf53" id="pdf53"></a> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">Credits</span></h1> + + <table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <th class="tei tei-label tei-label-gloss">April 1, + 2012 </th> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tei tei-item tei-item-gloss"> + <table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" + style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> + <tbody> + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item">Project Gutenberg TEI + edition 1</td> + </tr> + + <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> + <th class="tei tei-label"></th> + + <td class="tei tei-item"><span class= + "tei tei-respStmt"><span class= + "tei tei-resp">Produced by <span class= + "tei tei-name">Greg Bergquist</span>, <span class= + "tei tei-name">Stefan Cramme</span>, and the Online + Distributed Proofreading Team at + http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from + images generously made available by The Internet + Archive/American Libraries.)</span></span></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + </div> + <hr class="doublepage" /> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style= + "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> + <a name="rightpageheader54" id="rightpageheader54"></a><a name= + "pgtoc55" id="pgtoc55"></a><a name="pdf56" id="pdf56"></a> + + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= + "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span style="font-size: 173%">A Word from Project + Gutenberg</span></h1> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This file + should be named 39342-h.html or 39342-h.zip.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This and all + associated files of various formats will be found in: <a href= + "http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/9/3/4/39342/" class= + "block tei tei-xref" style= + "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <span style= + "font-size: 90%">http://www.gutenberg.org</span><span style= + "font-size: 90%">/dirs/3/9/3/4/39342/</span></a></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Updated + editions will replace the previous one — the old editions will be + renamed.</p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Creating the + works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a + United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and + you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without + permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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