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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
In a memorial presented in 1835 to the Lords of the Admiralty, the author of the journals which form this volume details his various services. He joined the Navy in October, 1793, his first ship being H.M.S. Blonde . He was present at the siege of Martinique in 1794, and returned to England the same year in H.M.S. Hannibal with despatches and the colours of Martinique. For a few months the ship was attached to the Channel Fleet, and then suddenly, in 1795, was ordered to the West Indies again. H
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CHAPTER I. EARLY EXPERIENCES.
CHAPTER I. EARLY EXPERIENCES.
One morning sitting with my mother in the drawing room and entreating her to comply with my wish to enter the Navy, she was so intent on listening to my importunities and her patchwork that she did not observe that the cat was running away with her favourite goldfinch; the cat, with the poor bird in its mouth, was near the door, waiting to escape. Seeing what had happened, I immediately ran to the poor little bird’s assistance, but, alas! too late, as the cruel animal had torn off one of its win
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CHAPTER II. WEST INDIES.
CHAPTER II. WEST INDIES.
This island is mountainous, but not very picturesque. It produces sugar which undergoes the process of being clayed—that is, after a great part of the molasses has been drained from it, it is put into forms made of clay, which extract the remaining moisture; it then becomes a beautiful straw colour; it is exported in cases. Coffee also grows here, but not of the finest quality. We also saw abundance of different fruits. The purser purchased several tons of yams for the use of the ship’s crew, so
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CHAPTER III. RETURN TO ENGLAND.
CHAPTER III. RETURN TO ENGLAND.
On the 14th of April, 1794, we were ordered to receive on board a superior officer of the Navy and Army with the despatches for England, also several wounded officers and the colours taken from the forts and churches. In the evening we saluted the admiral and left the bay for England. On our passage, during a middle watch, I beheld a splendid and most perfect lunar rainbow. It extended from the stern of the frigate to some considerable distance. These bows are generally more distinct than the so
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CHAPTER IV. OFF USHANT.
CHAPTER IV. OFF USHANT.
We were now destined to make one of the Channel fleet, which we joined off the Island of Ushant, consisting of thirty-six sail of the line and seven frigates. At daylight on the 6th of October, 1794, our signal was made to chase three suspicious vessels in the S.W. On nearing them we made the private signal, which they did not answer. We beat to quarters, and as they were under the same sail as when we first saw them, we neared them fast, and when within gunshot the nearest yawed and gave us a b
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CHAPTER V. WEST INDIES AGAIN.
CHAPTER V. WEST INDIES AGAIN.
“Oh, oh!” cried out some of our men, “is this the way you work to windward, my knowing ones? Come, come, you must be more on a bowline before you can cross our hawse; so pack up your duds, trip your anchors, and make sail with us.” The old woman again made her appearance, and asked us if we were going to take her sons. “If you dare do it,” said she, “I will prosecute the whole of you for breaking through my premises, and have you all put into gaol.” “Hold your tongue, mother,” said one of the me
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CHAPTER VI. TOUGH YARNS.
CHAPTER VI. TOUGH YARNS.
We generally had about seventy men in the sick list, and were at anchor nearly four months—half the crew doing nothing and the other half helping them. They generally amused themselves by dancing, singing, or telling tough yarns. I was much entertained by hearing some of them relate the following stories, which they declared were true. “My brother,” said one of these galley-benchmen, “belonged to the Unicorn , of Shields, which traded to Archangel in the White Sea. I suppose,” said he, “it is ca
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CHAPTER VII. CRUISING OFF PORTO RICO.
CHAPTER VII. CRUISING OFF PORTO RICO.
In one of my excursions at this place I found a large manchineel tree. The fruit is nearly the size of a pippin, of a light yellow colour blushed with red; it looked very tempting. This tree expands its deadly influence and poisons the atmosphere to some distance. We in consequence gave it a wide berth. I also found a number of sponges, and some beautiful shells and sea-eggs. We had been enjoying ourselves for nearly three weeks at this agreeable place, when a sloop of war arrived with orders fr
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CHAPTER VIII. MUTINY ON H.M.S. HERMIONE.
CHAPTER VIII. MUTINY ON H.M.S. HERMIONE.
On the evening of the next day the boatswain’s wife invited me to take tea. I could not refuse so kind an offer, and at the vulgar hour of six, behold us sipping our Bohea out of porringers, with good Jamaica stuff in it in lieu of milk. “Do you like it?” said the boatswain to me. “Have you enough rum in it? Take another dash.” “No, thank you,” said I; “no more splicing, or I shall get hazy, and not be able to keep the first watch.” “That rum,” said he, “is old pineapple, and like mother’s milk,
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CHAPTER IX. A MOCK COURT-MARTIAL.
CHAPTER IX. A MOCK COURT-MARTIAL.
After completing our water and stores, we sailed, and made the circuit of St. Domingo, and a month afterwards returned to Port Royal, where we found the dignity ladies looking as blooming as black roses, and as it was understood that we were to be paid prize money, a general invitation was given to all the wardroom officers to a grand ball two days after our arrival; for be it known to you, gentle reader, that humble mids are never invited to dignity balls of the first class, which are given by
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CHAPTER X. MORE CRUISING.
CHAPTER X. MORE CRUISING.
The first lieutenant knew his duty, but was too fond of the contents of his case-bottles of rum, which made him at times very irritable and hasty; in other respects he was a sociable messmate. The second was a kind of nondescript; he was certainly sober, and I hope honest, fond of adventure, and always volunteered when the boats were sent on any expedition. He was sociable, and frequently rational, although too often sanguine where hope was almost hopeless. Three-and-twenty summers had passed ov
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CHAPTER XI. A JAMAICA PLANTATION.
CHAPTER XI. A JAMAICA PLANTATION.
As we were not far from the estate we were going to, the black men, who manifested much willingness and humanity, procured a hammock, which they suspended to a pole, and carried with much ease my poor unfortunate messmate, who, notwithstanding his bruises, kept joking on his misadventure. Another hour brought us to a delightful pavilion-built house surrounded by verandahs. It was like a Paradise; the grounds were highly cultivated and produced sugar-canes, coffee, cotton and pimento. The air was
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CHAPTER XII. FIGHTING EPISODES.
CHAPTER XII. FIGHTING EPISODES.
We anchored at Port Royal once more. About a week after our arrival I was again attacked with the yellow fever and removed to my lodgings, where I was nursed with unremitting attention by a quadroon female, who did not leave my bedside day or night. She was a most tender and attentive nurse. It was a month before I was sufficiently strong to go on board, and nearly another before I could resume my duty. I was so reduced that I was literally a walking skeleton, or, if my reader pleases, the shado
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CHAPTER XIII. HOME AGAIN.
CHAPTER XIII. HOME AGAIN.
At daylight next morning we catted the anchors, made all sail, and were the next day reposing like a swan in a lake at Black River. As notices from the merchants at Kingston had been sent to the different ports round the island that two men-of-war were going to take convoy to England, we were soon joined by several West Indiamen. This place can scarcely be called even a village, there being so few houses, and those straggling. The first time I went on shore I was called to by a stout man wearing
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CHAPTER XIV. A HOLIDAY ASHORE.
CHAPTER XIV. A HOLIDAY ASHORE.
After I had remained in noisy, bustling, crowded and disagreeable London a month, my mother wishing to go into Surrey, I was glad of the opportunity to accompany her and to breathe purer air, and left town without regret. I was now under my own orders, and was much puzzled to find out how I was to obey myself. For the last ten years I had been under the control of superiors. Now I had the whole of my crew within myself, and discipline I found was necessary. I knew no more of England than it knew
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CHAPTER XV. A LINE OF BATTLE SHIP.
CHAPTER XV. A LINE OF BATTLE SHIP.
The ship anchored at Cawsand Bay four days afterwards, when we joined her, leaving the prizes in charge of the agent. I found her with the yellow flag flying at the masthead. She had been put in quarantine on her arrival, which we paid off with the foretop-sail, as we sailed the day after for a six weeks’ cruise in the chops of the Channel. At the end of that period we returned to our anchorage with another French brig laden with Colonial produce. Our gallant and would-be musical captain consult
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CHAPTER XVI. BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR.
CHAPTER XVI. BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR.
In a week’s time we formed one of the squadron, and shortly after were joined by fourteen sail of the line under Lord Nelson. The salutation was heartfelt and most gratifying. The dispositions of the fleet were soon made, and as they were as simple as possible, there could be no mistake. A cordon of frigates were ordered to repeat signals to us from the one nearest the shore, whilst we kept nearly out of sight of the land, and all our ships’ sides were ordered to be painted yellow with black str
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CHAPTER XVII. OFF BREST.
CHAPTER XVII. OFF BREST.
A few days after we sailed, with three other line of battle ships, under jury-masts, for old England. On our passage we spoke a frigate, who informed us that Sir Richard Strachan had taken the four sail of the line which had escaped from the French fleet. We were delighted as well as “Dicky Strong,” and gave three hearty cheers. On the eighth day we arrived at Spithead, and were cheered by all the ships lying there, which we returned. Some of the fleet had, we thought, made rather a show of thei
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CHAPTER XVIII. “ORDERED FOREIGN.”
CHAPTER XVIII. “ORDERED FOREIGN.”
After a refit and taking on board six months’ provisions and stores, as we were ordered to fit foreign, our signal was made to proceed to sea under sealed orders, taking with us a sloop of war. On the tenth day we anchored in Funchal Roads, Madeira, with our consort. The day following was the natal day of our gracious Queen, on which occasion we both fired a royal salute and dressed the ships with flags. The captain, with as many of the officers as could be spared, was invited to dine with the c
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CHAPTER XIX. WEST COAST ADVENTURES.
CHAPTER XIX. WEST COAST ADVENTURES.
As I turned round I came in contact with a most pitiable object—a sickly, dead-white coloured native. I had heard of such beings, but had never seen one. He was about five feet five inches high, and very thin; his features were rather more prominent than those of a negro, his eyes were very small, very weak, and of a reddish hue. He appeared by his manner to be an idiot. He held out his hands to me in a supplicating manner. I gave him a small piece of money; he looked earnestly in my face, and m
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CHAPTER XX. WITH SLAVE CONVOY.
CHAPTER XX. WITH SLAVE CONVOY.
I must not omit to inform my readers that during the time I was at Bence Island, which was the great mart for slave dealing, forty of those unfortunate beings arrived, most of them half famished. The principal merchant, who was a mulatto, told me that the greater part of them had been pledged for rice, which is the principal food in Africa, that they had not been redeemed at the time appointed, and in consequence had become the property of those who supplied the food. The remainder were those ta
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CHAPTER XXI. HOME WITH MAHOGANY.
CHAPTER XXI. HOME WITH MAHOGANY.
The sloop of war I now commanded was a fine sixteen-gun brig carrying twenty-four-pound-carronades, with a crew of one hundred and twenty as fine men as any in the fleet. They had been some time together, and only wished for an opportunity of making the splinters fly out of a Frenchman’s side, and hauling down his tricoloured piece of bunting. I found on my reaching Port Royal that Admiral Rowley had arrived to supersede Admiral Dacres. In the afternoon I dined with both Admirals, and met the Du
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CHAPTER XXII. OFF BOULOGNE.
CHAPTER XXII. OFF BOULOGNE.
I remained out nearly three months, watching the flotilla and the privateers. We sometimes anchored just beyond range of their shells, and frequently when the wind was light hauled the trawl, and were richly rewarded by a quantity of fine fish. I was at length relieved by another cruiser, and again anchored in the Downs. We were a fortnight refitting, during which time I dined several times at the admiral’s table, where I had the pleasure of meeting Sir R. Strachan, Sir P. Durham, and several ot
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CHAPTER XXIII. THE SAME WEARY ROUND.
CHAPTER XXIII. THE SAME WEARY ROUND.
In a week’s time we were ready for sea, and I left Sheerness, the little hospitable admiral, and all its contents without shedding one tear. Off Margate the pilot had the kindness to bump us on shore, but as the tide was making, the vessel was soon afloat without receiving any injury. His wife had predicted this in her preceding night’s dream, and he, silly man, had not sense enough to give up his turn to another pilot. On arriving in the Downs, I was ordered next day to repair to my old tiresom
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CHAPTER XXIV. TAKEN PRISONER.
CHAPTER XXIV. TAKEN PRISONER.
When the tide had receded sufficiently for the enemy to board us without wetting their delicate feet, about one hundred and fifty disgraced our decks. About thirty of these civil gentlemen, principally officers, paid a visit to my cabin without asking permission. The wine, of which I had ten dozen on board, was their first object, which I make no doubt they found suited their palate, as they drank it with much zest. My clothes, spyglasses, knives and forks, as well as the crockery-ware, were sei
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CHAPTER XXV. AT CAMBRAY.
CHAPTER XXV. AT CAMBRAY.
“Then,” said I, “take this to him,” giving him a piece of paper with my name on it. “Aye, aye, sir,” said he, and ran off to execute his errand. We were, as before, ushered into the common gaol with due ceremony, where we were received by another Brigadier, who had the honour of being gouverneur . The gaol was considerably larger than those we had lodged in on the road, and the people were civil. We ordered dinner, which I had to pay for without doing it justice, in consequence of the appearance
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CHAPTER XXVI. END OF CAPTIVITY.
CHAPTER XXVI. END OF CAPTIVITY.
After a most suffering, cold, and uncomfortable journey of six days we reached Blois. A number of our soldiers and sailors perished with cold on the road. We assisted some few of them with money and something to eat. Poor fellows! some were so worn out that they threw themselves down on the stubble in the fields, where the severe frost soon put an end to their sufferings. The day we quitted Verdun the retreating French army from Moscow, with numerous waggons full of their frostbitten and wounded
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CHAPTER XXVII. HONOURABLY ACQUITTED.
CHAPTER XXVII. HONOURABLY ACQUITTED.
The morning before my departure I waited on Lord Aberdeen, requesting a passport to England; he referred me to Prince Metternich. I reached his hotel, and had to wade through a host of long-whiskered, long-piped gentlemen, who were smoking with all their might and main, and spitting in all directions. As I advanced, a genteel-looking young man, who was dressed in an aide-de-camp’s uniform, came to me and asked in French the purport of my visit. I informed him. He left me, and soon returned and r
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Note A.
Note A.
James, in his account of this brilliant feat (vol. ii., p. 360 et seq. ), gives several interesting details of the affair. “Every man was to be dressed in blue, and no white of any kind to be seen. The password was ‘Britannia’ and the answer ‘ Ireland. ’” The boarding party proceeded in six boats, each being instructed to effect an entrance on a particular part of the Hermione . “From the moment of quitting the Surprise till the Hermione was boarded Captain Hamilton never lost sight of her for a
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Note B.
Note B.
James adds that: “In effecting this surprising capture the British sustained so comparatively slight a loss as 12 wounded, including Captain Hamilton. Of their 365 in crew the Spaniards had 119 killed and 97 wounded, most of them dangerously.” “ My Beloved Sarah ,—It has pleased Providence once more to bless our favoured isle with astonishing success. On the 21st of the month the combined enemy’s fleet, consisting of thirty-four sail of the line, four frigates, and two brigs, were seen by us. At
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Note C. Copy of letter written by Lieutenant Hoffman to his wife immediately after the action of Trafalgar:—
Note C. Copy of letter written by Lieutenant Hoffman to his wife immediately after the action of Trafalgar:—
“ My Beloved Sarah ,—It has pleased Providence once more to bless our favoured isle with astonishing success. On the 21st of the month the combined enemy’s fleet, consisting of thirty-four sail of the line, four frigates, and two brigs, were seen by us. At five minutes after twelve afternoon we broke their line and engaged them. Captain Tyler gallantly placed the Tonnant , and I hope we as gallantly defended her. We have lost twenty-six brave fellows and fifty wounded in our ship only. We have c
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Note D. Captain Hoffman’s report to the Admiralty of the loss of the Apelles:—
Note D. Captain Hoffman’s report to the Admiralty of the loss of the Apelles:—
“ Sir ,—Captain Boxer, of H.M.S. Skylark , and my senior officer, having communicated to me on the evening of the 2nd of May he had received information of a large division of the flotilla being in readiness to escape from Boulogne to Cherberg that night, he thought it necessary that his sloop the Skylark and the Apelles , under my command, should be kept as close in shore as possible between Boulogne and Etaples in order to intercept them. But it is with feelings of regret I have to acquaint yo
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Note E. Letter from Captain Otter respecting the establishment of a school for midshipmen at Verdun.
Note E. Letter from Captain Otter respecting the establishment of a school for midshipmen at Verdun.
“ Dear Sir ,—As I am very anxious that the establishment of a school should be supported with our utmost endeavours, it is with the greatest satisfaction I perceive you enter into the plans, and undertake the conducting of it, with all the energy I could wish. I have already spoken to Lieutenants Lambert, Brown, Thackstone, Carslake, Robins, Boyack, Bogle, and Kennicote, who have volunteered to assist you, and I have no doubt but that they will always be ready to follow such instruction as you m
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Note F. Testimonial from Captain Otter.
Note F. Testimonial from Captain Otter.
“ My Dear Sir ,—I have sincere pleasure in acknowledging the great assistance you afforded me by your voluntarily taking the trouble of superintending, and also the able manner you conducted the school established by me, as senior naval officer of the depôt of Verdun. “I have likewise great satisfaction in testifying to your good conduct as an officer and gentleman during the time you were a prisoner in France. “ F. Hoffman , Esq., Commander R.N.”...
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