Chapter I: Part 1

BLUE JACKETS;

OR,

CHIPS OF THE OLD BLOCK

A NARRATIVE OF

The Gallant Exploits of British Seamen,

AND OF

THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN THE NAVAL SERVICE,

DURING THE REIGN OF

HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY

QUEEN VICTORIA.

BY

W. H. G. KINGSTON, ESQ.

AUTHOR OF
"PETER THE WHALER," "MARK SEAWORTH," "MANCO, THE PERUVIAN CHIEF," ETC,

LONDON:
GRANT AND GRIFFITH,
(SUCCESSORS TO NEWBERY AND HARRIS,)
CORNER OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD.

1854.

LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET.

PREFACE.

The following pages will be found to contain accounts of a considerable number of the gallant actions performed by naval men since Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria came to the throne, rather than a complete naval history of her reign.

My chief object, when designing the work, was to show that the present Navy of Great Britain has, in no respects, degenerated from that of olden times, great and glorious as it was--that when opportunities have occurred, the Blue Jackets of to-day, both officers and men, have been found ready as ever to perform their duty--to dare and to do as was dared and done of yore; that, in truth, they are worthy scions of the ancient race--

TRUE CHIPS OF THE OLD BLOCK.

The following accounts will, I think, also tend to prove that the British Navy is not kept up for mere pomp and parade, or for supporting in idleness any class of the community; but that whenever hard blows have been exchanged, it has given and taken a fair share of them--that it has been ever actively employed in protecting British Colonies and British Commerce in all parts of the world--that through its means disputes have been settled, which could in no other way have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion, and might have plunged the nation in war--that it has ever been found engaged on the side of justice and humanity--that not only has it, on numberless occasions, preserved the lives and property of British subjects, but also the existence of thousands of human beings of all nations and creeds, and of every degree of civilization, who would, without its aid, have been doomed to destruction--that, by its exertions, British trade to China, South America, and many other parts of the world, has been immeasurably increased--that with much suffering and sacrifice of life it has, in the most pestiferous of climates, greatly decreased, and in some places suppressed, the nefarious slave-trade--that for the benefit of science and navigation, it has explored the most distant regions, penetrating to the icy poles as well as up the rivers of Africa--that it has surveyed a wide extent of coast, visited constantly by merchantmen, though, to their great peril, often before imperfectly known--that it has made the British name loved and respected in all lands--and that without a single exception, under circumstances the most difficult and trials the most appalling, it has ever been found willing and ready nobly to do its duty.

Feeling sensibly the importance of a work of a character like the present, I can scarcely do it adequate justice; and this arises from no want of zeal on my part, but from the difficulty of collecting from Naval men full accounts of the gallant deeds they have performed, their modesty often preventing them from giving their narratives with the desirable completeness. For this reason I have probably never heard of many brave acts performed by seamen; and it will therefore be my pride, when accounts of them reach me, to chronicle them in another edition of this book.

I have for years past proposed to write this work, and opinions have often been expressed that I should not find matter sufficient to fill a volume if I confined myself to the events of Queen Victoria's reign; I, on the contrary, was sure that if I attempted to embrace a period before it, I should, from want of space, be unable to do adequate justice to a large portion of them.

The list of the various exploits I have chronicled will show that I did not form my opinion without sufficient grounds;[1] I have therefore described only those events which have occurred since Her Majesty came to the throne. I have chronicled deeds of daring performed by British seamen, as well by those in the Merchant Service as in the Royal Navy. I have mentioned all acts of gallantry which have come to my knowledge. I consider the jumping overboard in a raging sea, in a hot tide-way, or in a place where sharks are known to abound, to be as noble an act as engaging in a fight with any enemy of superior force: I deem those hardy men who have braved the piercing cold and unknown dangers of the Polar Sea in search of their missing countrymen, Sir John Franklin and his brave companions, as much deserving of all the praise I can bestow as the conquerors of Acre or the captors of Canton.

True bravery may be discovered and discipline may be conspicuous in the darkest night during the horrors of the storm--on the sinking wreck--on the barren sands of a desert island--on the unmanageable raft, amid sickness and famine, with a lowering and uncertain future ahead; or they may shine with lustre among a crew ice-bound for long years, with hope deferred, on the snow-clad shores of the Polar Sea.

Accounts have often before been published of the courage and discipline displayed by British seamen in the hour of trial and danger, of bloody battles fought, of victories gained; but the gallant actors have in many instances passed from the world, or already belong to another generation. They form the brave OLD BLOCK of which it is the pride of the present race of British seamen to acknowledge themselves the worthy CHIPS: therefore I call my book--

"CHIPS OF THE OLD BLOCK."

My satisfaction will be great indeed to find that it is read and approved of by all ranks of the naval service, especially if it tends to encourage that brave and noble spirit in the rising generation which has ever been the support and protection of our beloved country in times of trial and danger. Those times may return; and sure I am that Britain may rely that the same spirit will be found to burn as brightly as of yore in the bosom of her ocean sons, and will again, with Heaven's aid, restore her to a state of peace and prosperity. But it is time to begin the work. I shall commence with an account of some of the principal naval occurrences which have taken place since the year 1837, when Her Majesty ascended the throne.

The first event worthy of mention is the capture of Aden, at the mouth of the Red Sea, in January 1839; that, accordingly, though of much less interest and importance than many others, must stand first on my list. I propose to describe the causes which led to the occurrences I narrate; the scenery of the coasts, and character of the people engaged; and to give, when possible, sketches of the services of the officers employed, and any anecdotes of them and of their men which I can collect. Indeed, my aim is to make the book interesting and instructive to all classes of readers, as well as to tell them of the gallant deeds of our brave countrymen, many of whom, unable to speak for themselves, are engaged at this present moment, at the risk of life and health, in far-distant regions, in advocating the cause of humanity, and in supporting the honour and interest of Great Britain.

Before I conclude my Preface, I must beg my readers, especially the younger ones, to watch, as they proceed with the narrative, the career of those whose names are mentioned. Many who appear as distinguishing themselves as midshipmen, mates, or young lieutenants, on the coast of Syria and in China, will be found rising, by their gallantry and talents, to the higher ranks of the profession, still continuing in the same noble course in which they commenced--some of them as leaders in expeditions and exploits, which, increasing the glory of their country, must make them honoured and admired while Great Britain has a history in which their deeds can be chronicled. It would be invidious to particularize individuals; and it is with much regret that I feel that, from the very nature of the work, I have been unable to render equal justice to all. I fully believe that very many gallant actions have not even been mentioned. My aim, it must be remembered, has been not so much to chronicle all the noble deeds achieved during the reign of our Gracious Sovereign, as to prove, by as many examples as I could collect, that her Navy has not been idle or useless during her reign, and that her officers and seamen are as bold and brave--as loyal and true--as were those of yore--that, as I before have said, her "BLUE JACKETS are true CHIPS OF THE OLD BLOCK."

[1] I am much indebted to the kindness of Mr. Barrow for allowing me to look over the Naval Records in the Admiralty; and, in case any doubt should arise as to the originality of the design of my work, he will, I am sure, gladly bear witness that my visits there for the object of collecting materials preceded by several months the appearance of a littler book written by one of the clerks in his office, and bearing the very title which I then mentioned it was my intention to prefix to mine as a second title. I am bound, in justice to myself, to mention the circumstance; though as the events related were of past times, and often before written, I have no reason to complain of any injury inflicted on me.

CONTENTS.

CAPTURE OF ADEN, Jan. 19, 1839

THE WAR IN SYRIA, 1840
Causes of the War
Operations of the British Fleet before the commencement of
hostilities
Bombardment of Beyrout
Captain Martin's attack on the Castle of D'Jebel
Skirmish on the Kelbson (Dog River)
Capture of Sidon
Battle of Boharsof
Capture of Caiffa by Captain Collier, Sept. 17
Capture of Tyre, Sept. 24
Attack on Tortosa, Sept. 25.
Bombardment and capture of Acre, Nov. 3

WAR IN CHINA
Narrative of events which led to the War
Commencement of the War. Action between H.M.S. 'Volage'
and 'Hyacinth,' and a Squadron of Chinese War-junks,
Nov. 3, 1839
Arrival of British Squadron and Transports
Proceedings of H.M.S. 'Blonde' off Amoy, July 3, 1840
Capture of Chusan
Captain Smith defeats Chinese at the Macao Barrier, Aug. 19, 1840
Capture of the Bogue Forts, Chuenpee and Tycocktow, Jan. 7, 1841
Capture of Chuenpee
Capture of Tycocktow
Destruction of War-junks in Anson's Bay, Jan. 7, 1841
Boca Tigris Forts taken by Sir Gordon Bremer, Feb. 26
Description of Anunghoy and Wantong
Destruction of War-junks in Whampoa Reach, Feb. 27
Capture of Masked Battery by Lieut. Symonds, R.N., Commander
Belcher, H.M.S. 'Sulphur,' commanding, March 1
Further advance of Squadron, and Capture of Howqua's Fort,
March 5
Capture of Macao Fort, March 13
Broadway Passage from Macao to Whampoa forced, March 14
Capture of Forts of Canton and Chinese Flotilla, March 18, 1841
Chinese attempt to destroy British Ships with Fire Rafts,
May 21, 1841
Capture of Canton, May 23 to 30
Dashing Exploit in Boats under Captain Belcher
Capture of Amoy, Aug. 26
Recapture of Chusan
Exploits of the 'Nemesis'
Capture of Chinghae, Oct. 10, 1841
Occupation of Ningpo, Oct. 12
Capture of Chapoo
Capture of Woosung and Shanghai
Capture of Chin-Keang-Foo, and Entry of Sir H. Pottinger into
Nankin; with concluding Remarks; July 21, 1842
Gallantry of Mr. H. F. M'Killop, Midshipman of H.M.S. 'Belleisle,'
June, 1842
Courage of Mr. Turner, Mate of H.M.S. 'Serpent,' Aug., 1842
Seaman's Life saved by Lieut. R. C. Whyte, Jan., 1844
Lieuts. Caldwell and Vansittart, R.N., Hong Kong, Dec., 1843
The Life of the Hon. Frederick William Walpole saved by
Mr. R. Dew, Mate of H.M.S. 'Collingwood,' at Callao, Aug. 20,
1844

CAPTURE OF THE CARTHAGENIAN FLEET, by Lieut. De
Courcy, Feb., 1841

SUPPRESSION OF PIRACY IN BORNEO AND THE EASTERN ARCHIPELAGO
Sketch of Rajah Brooke
Capture of Piratical Prahus by Boats of 'Dido,' under Lieut.
Horton, May 13, 1842
Attack on the 'Jolly Bachelor'
Attack on Sarebus Pirates by Boats of H.M.S. 'Dido'
Attack on the Sakarran Pirates, Aug. 7, 1844
Memoir of Lieut. Wade
Memoir of Mr. George Steward
Destruction of Malludu, Aug. 19, 1845
Royal Marines employed
Capture of Brunè, July 8, 1846
Pursuit of the Sultan of Brunè
Capture of Pirate Prahus, and Destruction of Pirate Strongholds
Desperate attempt to escape made by a Pirate Crew
Concluding Remarks on Borneo

EXPEDITION UP THE NIGER, under Captain W. D. TROTTER, 1841
Objects of the Expedition
Commencement of the Voyage
Ships enter the Niger
Expedition compelled to return
Second attempt to ascend the Niger

WARFARE ON THE RIVERS LA PLATA AND PARANA
Battle of the Parana, Nov. 20, 1845
Destruction of the 'Chacabuco'
Engagements with the Batteries of San Lorenzo
Gallant Exploit of Lieut. Mackinnon with his Rocket Battery
against the Forts of San Lorenzo

EXPEDITION TO THE ANTARCTIC POLE, under Captain James
Ross and Captain Crozier, between the years 1839 and 1843 218
'Erebus'
'Terror'
First year
Second year
Third year

WAR IN NEW ZEALAND, from 1845 to 1847

ACTION BETWEEN H.M.S. 'NEMESIS,' 'COLUMBINE'S'
BOAT, AND BORNEO PIRATES, May 30, 1847

EXPEDITION TO SAN JUAN DE NICARAGUA, under Captain G. G. Loch, R.N.
Capture of Fort Serapaqui, Feb. 21, 1848

RECAPTURE OF THE BRIG 'THREE SISTERS' FROM THE RIFF PIRATES,
by H.M.S. 'Polyphemus,' Commander J. M'Cleverty, 1848

ACTION WITH THE RIFF PIRATES, by H.M. Steam Frigate
'JANUS,' Commander Powell, 1841 251

DESTRUCTION OF PIRATE FLEET, by Commander Farquhar, July, 1849

THE DESTRUCTION OF LAGOS, Dec. 26, 1851
Description of Lagos
First Expedition to Lagos, and Attack on the 'Bloodhound' and
Boats of the Squadron by the Followers of Kosoko
Second Attack on and Destruction of Lagos, Dec. 26, 1851

THE WAR WITH BURMAH, 1851
Causes of the War
Commencement of Hostilities
Capture of Martaban
Capture of Rangoon
Capture of Bassein, May 19
Martaban Attacked by the Burmese, May 26
Capture of Pegu, June 4, 1852
Expedition up the Irrawaddy, under Captain Tarleton, R.N., and
Capture of Prome, July 9
Second Capture and Occupation of Prome
Capture of Pegu, Nov. 21, 1852
Operations on the Irrawaddy
Attacks on Mya Toon, the Robber Chieftain
Career of the late Captain Loch, R.N.

SPIRITED AND GALLANT EXPLOITS.--LIVES PRESERVED BY NAVAL MEN
Heroism of Lieut. Christopher, and Presence of Mind of James Miles
Devoted Heroism and Courage of Messrs. Smith and Palmes, of
H.M.S. 'Seringapatam,' 1838
A Second Act of Gallantry recorded of Mr. W. R. Smith
Account of Rescue of Boat's Crew of H.M.S. 'Wolverine,' by
Lieut. Arthur Burrard Kingston, R.N., Jan. 16, 1840;
also, of his Saving the Life of a Boy of H.M.S. 'Saracen,'
March 13, 1840
Boy's Life saved by Lieut. A. B. Kingston
Captain Tucker's Certificate of Lieut. A. B. Kingston's conduct
Rescue of Crew of 'Minerva' by Mr. Slater, Second Master of
H.M. Mail-packet 'Widgeon,' off Calais, March 10, 1842
Mr. Henry Shea, Assistant Surgeon, R.N., Mediterranean, July, 1837
Lieut. F. H. Stevens, R.N., Mediterranean, Aug., 1837
Lieut. John Stephens, R.N., Lisbon, Dec., 1837
William Jennings, Coast-guard Boatman, Nov., 1838
Henry Johnson, Seaman, England, June, 1839
Instance of Courage and Humanity
Arthur Hassett, Boatman, Coast-guard, Cove of Cork, Oct., 1839
Commander Aldridge, R.N., Vasika Bay, Oct., 1839
Mr. Richards, R.N., off Brighton, June, 1842
Abraham Hart Youngs, Chief Boatman of Fishergate Station,
Jan., 1843
James Doran, Seaman, Jan., 1843
Mr. Thomas Davis, Mate, R.N., and Joseph Braithwaite, Seaman, R.N.,
Bantry Bay, Jan., 1844
Mr. W. C. Geary, Mate, R.N., Gulf of Egeria, Aug., 1844
Lieut. F. P. Warren, R.N., in Madras Roads, June, 1845
Lieut. William E. Fisher, R.N., Cove of Cork, Nov., 1845
Lieut. Henry W. Hire, R.N., Mediterranean, Dec., 1845
Commander Wooldridge and Mr. Birtwhistle, Mate, R.N., Sheerness,
June, 1845
Lieut. Newman, R.N., and Boat's Crew, Coast-guard, Dungeness,
Jan., 1846
Mr. F. S. Gibson, R.N., Grand Bassa, Africa, Jan., 1846
Lieut. Tatham, R.N., Chatham, April, 1846
Commander J. W. Finch, R.N., Portsmouth, July, 1846
Mr. Charles E. H. Farrant, Master's Assistant, R.N., Valparaiso,
Sept., 1848
Lieut. Sherard Osborne, R.N., Portsmouth, Sept., 1848
Henry Laughrin, Boatswain's Mate, H.M.S. 'Calliope,' Rio de
Janeiro, Nov., 1848
John Huggins, Quarter-master of H.M.S. 'Scourge,' Trinidad,
&c., Feb., 1849
Commander J. W. Tarleton, R.N., Genoa, March, 1849
Commander Oliver Jones, R.N., Cove of Cork and Halifax Harbour,
March, 1849
Lieut. C. S. Stanhope, R.N., H.M.S. 'Asia,' at Sea, Aug., 1850
Mr. T. H. Julian, Second Master, R.N., Plymouth, July, 1851
Lieut. Saumarez, R.N., H.M.S. 'Volcano,' off Sierra Leone,
Africa, March, 1851
Charles Loxton, Sailmaker's Mate, H.M.S, 'Rolla,' Dover,
Aug., 1851
Mr. Skead, Second Master, and Mr. Lambe, Midshipman, R.N.,
of H.M.S, 'Trafalgar,' off Malta, 1852
Mr. Ward, Boatswain, E.N., H.M.S. 'Gladiator,' Africa, 1851
Commander Alan H. Gardner, H.M.S. 'Waterwitch,' Africa, 1851
Lieut. Pyne, R.N., H.M.S. 'Prince Regent,' Lisbon, Dec., 1851
Mr. Sullivan, Midshipman of H.M.S. 'Megæra,' at Sea, 1852
Commander Tarleton, H.M.S. 'Fox,' Rangoon, 1852

ENGAGEMENTS WITH PIRATES AND SLAVERS IN VARIOUS
PARTS OF THE WORLD
Attack on Tamatave, Madagascar, 1845
Lieut. F. J. D'Aguilar defeats an attempt to Retake a Prize
captured by H.M.S. 'Grecian,' Brazil, 1848
Destruction of a Chinese Pirate Fleet by H.M.S. 'Columbine'
and 'Fury,' and Steamer 'Canton,' China, 1849
Destruction of Pirates by H.M.S. 'Medea,' China, March, 1850
Commander Hay destroys Pirate Fleet, China, Oct., 1850
Destruction of a Slave Establishment in the Mozambique Channel,
by H.M.S. 'Castor' and 'Dee,' Mozambique, 1850
Capture of the Brazilian Steam-brig 'Paquete da Santos,' late
'Providencia' by H.M.S. 'Rifleman,' Lieut. Commander
Crofton, Brazil, 1850
Capture of four noted Slavers by H.M.S. 'Cormorant,' Commander
Herbert Schomberg, on the Coast of Brazil, America, 1850
Capture of the 'Venus' Slaver, off the Havannah, by H.M.S.
'Vestal,' Captain Hamilton, 1852
Capture of the 'Polka' Slaver by H.M.S. 'Sharpshooter,'
Lieut.-Commander Bailey, on the Coast of Brazil

THE AFRICAN COAST BLOCKADE
Nature of the Service
Description of Slave Barracoons
Description of an Empty Slaver
Description of a Slaver with Cargo on board
Chases and Captures of Slavers by H.M.S. 'Bonetta,' on the
African Coast
Slave-schooner run down
Brazilian Slave-brig Captured
Brazilian Slaver Destroyed
Slave-schooner Captured
Capture of the 'Catherine' Slaver by H.M.S. 'Dolphin,' Captain
R. H. Dundas, 1839
Capture of Brazilian Slaver 'Firmé' by the Boats of H.M.S.
'Dolphin,' Lieut. Littlehales, Acting-Commander; under
the command of Mr. Augustus Charles Murray, Mate, and
Mr. John F. Rees, Second Master, 1841
Voyage of the 'Dores,' a Slaver, captured by H.M.S. 'Dolphin,'
from Accra to Sierra Leone, under command of Lieut. Augustus
C. Murray, from Aug. 12, 1840, to Jan. 5, 1841
Capture of the 'Josephine' Slaver, Africa
Capture of an Armed Slaver by a Four-oared Gig. under command
of Mr. Tottenham, Mate, 1844
Lieut. Lodwick's (in the 'Growler's' Pinnace) gallant Attack on
a Slaver, 1845
Capture of the 'Felicidade' and 'Echo' Slavers by H.M.S. 'Wasp,'
and Recapture of 'Felicidade' by H.M.S. 'Star,' 1845
Capture of a Slaver by H.M.S. 'Pantaloon,' Africa, 1845
Lieut. Mansfield and Prize Crew--Defence of the 'Romeo Primero,'
against an Attempt at Recapture, Africa, 1847
Rescue of Slaves in the River Pongos by Commander H. Dunlop,
H.M.S. 'Alert,' Africa, 1849
Capture of a Slaver by H.M.S. 'Phœnix,' Commander Wodehouse,
Africa, 1850
Capture of the Slaver 'Anne D. Richardson' by H.M. Steam-frigate
'Pluto,' Commander Joliffe, 1850
Encounter with Black Pirates, Africa, 1850
Skirmish on the Congo River, Africa, 1852
Attack on Medina, Sierra Leone River, by H.M.S. 'Teazer,'
Lieut. Rich, and 'Linnet's' Boats, Africa, 1853
Capture of Slavers in the Rio Pongos by the Boats of H.M.S.
'Linnet,' Commander H. Need
Destruction of Barracoons by Commander J. Strange, Africa, 1851
Memoir of Captain William Tucker, R.N., 1842
Loss of H.M.S. 'Avenger'
Memoir of Captain Napier
Wreck of a Man-of-war's Boat, China, 1841
Wreck of a Boat of H.M.S. 'Ganges'--Death of Lieut. Breen,
Mediterranean, 1850

NORTH POLAR EXPEDITIONS
Appointment of Officers
'Erebus'
'Terror'
'Enterprise,' 540 tons
'Investigator, 480 tons
'Resolute'
'Assistance'
'Pioneer' (Screw-steamer)
'Intrepid' (Screw-steamer)

BLUE JACKETS;

OR,

CHIPS OF THE OLD BLOCK.

CAPTURE OF ADEN,

19th January 1839.

At the entrance of the Red Sea, on the coast of Asia, and the southernmost point of Arabia Felix, is situated the town of Aden. It lies eastward of the Straits of Babel Mandel, and immediately opposite the coast of Berbera, in Africa, from which it is divided by the Sea of Aden.

Cape Aden is a high, rocky promontory, consisting of several peaks, the most elevated of which is 1,776 feet above the level of the sea. They have ruined forts and watch-towers on their summits, which give them the appearance of turrets. From a distance this lofty headland looks like an island, and its position is in a degree similar to that of Gibraltar, being connected with the mainland by a piece of low ground, which in some places is a swamp. Its aspect is grand and picturesque, though extremely barren and wild, and utterly destitute of vegetation.

The town lies on the east side of this cape, about five miles from the landing-place and anchorage, and is situated in a sort of amphitheatre, surrounded on three sides by lofty hills, and open to the sea on the fourth. To the west of the promontory is a fine bay with a sandy beach, where good water is to be procured.

On the western side is a range of rocks extending out nearly as far south as the Hill of Aden itself. The tops of these are singularly broken, and rise into Gothic spires in several parts. Two of them have got the name of the Ass's Ears. At a short distance from the Rock of Aden is a small island, formerly covered with fortifications like the hill-forts in India. Strong fortifications defend the anchorage, and command the entrance of the bay, which is quite land-locked. The road to the town follows the sea-shore for about two miles, with high crags on one side, and rocks rising out of the water on the other. An ascent then leads to an aperture in the hills, called the Pass, which is narrow and winding, and enclosed on either side by rocks; and at length the town is approached by a steep declivity.

The commanding position of Aden rendered it a place of great importance when the chief communication between Europe and India was by the way of the Red Sea, before the discovery of the passage round the Cape.

For centuries the Red Sea passage was neglected, till lately resumed under the name of the Overland Route. During the reign of Constantine, Aden was an opulent city, and formed one of the great emporia of the commerce of the East. As a trading port it possesses great advantages over Mocha, as its harbours may be entered or quitted at any period of the year: the coffee districts are nearer to it than to Mocha; many large towns in Yemen are within an easy journey of it; the mountains to the north produce gum, frankincense, and coffee; and drugs, gums, perfumes, spices, honey, and wax are collected in the neighbourhood.

As, also, it is directly north of Berbera, vessels, during the north-east monsoon, can reach it with the produce of Africa in 24 hours, and return with equal speed, with English and Indian manufactures. British goods can thus be introduced into Africa in exchange for coffee, gums, myrrh, hides, elephants' teeth, gold dust, ostrich feathers, &c.

Arabs form the largest number of the population of Aden; though Jews, Banians from Cutch, and Soomalies, natives of Berbera, who are Mahometans, are found among them.

Aden, after remaining for many centuries in the power of the Arabs, was, in 1539, seized by the Turks, under Sulimaun Pasha.

The Portuguese, in 1513, were twice defeated in attempts to capture it, at which time the fortifications were of considerable strength. As the power of the Turks declined, the Arabs threw off their yoke, and placed it under the ride of a native prince, under the title of the Sultan of Aden.

It had by this time sadly declined; its trade had departed, the number of its inhabitants had diminished, and its chief buildings were little better than heaps of ruins, though some of its fortifications were still formidable.

Successive Sultans of Aden had been very friendly with the English. In 1838 Aden was given up to the British Government by treaty, by the then Sultan. Captain Haines, of the Indian Navy, was sent there as political agent, to see the articles of the treaty faithfully carried out. The Sultan, however, had in the meantime changed his mind, and refused to fulfil his agreement.

Now, we have seen that the possession of the place was very important to the political and commercial interests of Great Britain, and it therefore became necessary to compel the Arab chief to keep to the terms of the treaty he had entered into.

To effect this object, Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland, who was at that time Commander-in-Chief on the East India Station, despatched from the squadron Her Majesty's ships 'Volage,' Captain H. Smith, who commanded the expedition, and the 'Cruiser,' accompanied by the 'Coote' corvette, and the 'Mahe' schooner, of the Indian Navy, while a body of troops were sent in transports under the command of Major Baillie.

The 'Volage' anchored on the 16th of January, and the same evening Captain Smith received a letter from Captain Haines, the political agent, informing him that all negotiation on his part had failed, and that hostilities must forthwith commence. On this he communicated with Major Baillie, the commander of the troops, and they resolved to lose no time in attacking the place. The town was defended by about 1,000 Arabs, armed with matchlocks, and 24 brass and iron guns placed in various batteries, some of the guns being mounted on a strong tower in the island of Seerah, and others in a lower battery, while a brass 68-pounder commanded the chief landing-place.

From the attitude assumed by the Sultan and his Arab followers, they appeared resolved to defend the town with determined courage and resolution, and to give occasion for some severe fighting before they, were likely to yield.

The 17th was spent in drawing up the plan of the attack, and in making the necessary preparations, and Captain Haines having come off, and acting as pilot, the 'Volage' weighed with the rest of the squadron to proceed to the front of the town, the 'Cruiser' towing a mortar-boat.

On standing in towards the island of Seerah, a fire was opened on the 'Volage' with musketry and several large guns, when she fired in return for a short time, but the 'Coote' corvette and transports not having come up, she hauled off and anchored for the night.

On the morning of the 19th, the whole force having arrived, Captain Smith made the signal to prepare to attack, and the troops to be held in readiness for landing in two divisions. At half-past nine o'clock, the 'Volage' anchored with a spring on her bower cable, in four fathoms water, at about 300 yards distance from the lower battery on the island of Seerah; at the same time the 'Mahe' took up her position to the southward of the island. On standing in, the enemy opened a fire of great guns and musketry on the ships, but from the 'Volage' being laid so close to the shore, the guns on the height were rendered useless, their shot passing over her. At ten o'clock, the 'Cruiser' anchored, and by her fire destroyed the flank of the battery. During this period a heavy firing was kept up from the shore, but in a short time two of the guns in the lower battery were dismounted, and most of the people were driven from the remainder, they however took shelter behind the ruins of the battery, and kept up an incessant fire of musketry on the ships, and although the lower battery was almost knocked to pieces, the assailants had great difficulty in dislodging them.

At this period Captain Smith directed the fire to be opened on the round towers and batteries on the heights, which were filled with men armed with matchlocks, and in the course of one hour, this tower which was eighty feet high, and strongly built, was a mass of ruins.

At eleven o'clock the 'Coote' anchored, with the second division of the troops, to the southward of the island, and opened her fire upon the town. The fire not having yet ceased from the tower battery, the 'Mahe' schooner was directed to proceed to the end of it, and endeavour to drive out the men from behind it by musketry. This service was performed by her commander, Lieutenant Daniels, in a most gallant manner; but during the action, Mr. Nesbitt, a midshipman on board, was severely wounded.

The firing having now almost totally ceased, Captain Smith gave directions for the boats of both divisions to land. Lieutenant Dobree, who had charge of the first division, Mr. Rundle, mate, and a quarter-master of the 'Volage' were the first on shore, and made for the brass 68-pounder, which had several times been fired at the ship. On their way, a matchlock was discharged at the quarter-master by a man behind the gun. The Arab was immediately cut down by him, and the first British flag was planted by Mr. Rundle. So completely were the enemy driven from all points (with the exception of the island) by the fire of the ships, that the whole of the troops landed with the loss only of two men killed and three wounded.

A partial firing was still kept up from the island, when Captain Smith directed Lieutenant Dobree, who had just returned, and two mates, with a party of seamen, and Lieutenant Ayles, with the marines, amounting altogether to fifty, to land and take possession of it. This was gallantly accomplished, the party ascending the height, spiking and dismounting the guns, taking the flag which had been flying from the tower, and making prisoners of 139 armed Arabs, who were conducted from the island to the mainland by the party, and given over into the charge of Major Osborne.

While the military were attempting to disarm the prisoners, they made a sudden and most formidable resistance with their daggers: and before they were overcome, several men were lost on both sides. All opposition having at length ceased, Aden was taken possession of by the British forces. Mr. Nesbitt was the only person hurt on board the squadron, and of the military, sixteen were killed and wounded.

The Arabs appeared to have had more confidence in their matchlocks than in their great guns, which they served badly and fired irregularly. Had it not been, however, for the total destruction of their defences by the squadron, the troops would probably not have accomplished their landing without a very severe loss. Of the defenders, a great proportion were killed and wounded. Twenty-five dead bodies were found on the island of Seerah alone, several in the town, and twenty-five were lying wounded in the Mosque, among whom was the Sultan's nephew, who defended the island. Thirty-three brass and iron guns of various sizes were captured, and a large quantity of ammunition and matchlocks. Among the guns were three large brass Turkish pieces, which, at the desire of the victors, were sent to be presented to Her Majesty, as the first warlike trophy taken during her reign. Several attempts have since been made by the Arabs to regain Aden, but without success; though, in consequence of their hostility, the garrison are compelled to be ever vigilant, and the English cannot, without great risk, visit the interior of the country.

The 'Volage' having performed this duty, returned to the East Indies, and we hear of her soon afterwards in the China seas, engaged in a severe action with a squadron of Chinese war-junks; an account of which will be given when we come to narrate the war in China.

THE WAR IN SYRIA, 1840.

CAUSES OF THE WAR.

In order to explain the cause of the war in Syria, it is necessary to give a short sketch of the political relations of the Turkish empire and the Pachalic of Egypt, as also of the reasons which induced the great European powers to interfere in the affairs of the East. The Sultan of Turkey claimed to hold sway over the whole of Syria and Egypt, and appointed Pachas to govern them in his name. One of the most remarkable men of his day was Mehemet Ali. From a low origin, having become a soldier, he raised himself by his talents and intrigues to a high command in the army of the Sultan, and afterwards, being sent to Egypt, he deposed the Pacha of that province and slipped into his shoes. Though much in advance of his countrymen, he was unscrupulous as to the means he used to strengthen his power. Finding the Mamelukes, who had much assisted him in obtaining his Pachalic, very troublesome, he invited them, to the number of nearly five hundred, to a feast in the citadel of Cairo, where he had them all massacred with the exception of one chief, who leaped his horse over a high wall and escaped.

The Turkish empire has for many years been gradually decaying, and Russia, Austria, France, and England, it is supposed, look with longing eyes each to obtain a portion of it when it finally falls to pieces; but as each of these great powers are jealous that one should possess a bit of more value than the rest, they are all interested in maintaining what is called the integrity of the Ottoman Empire. Russia especially has resolved to make herself mistress of Constantinople, and waits only a plausible excuse for sending an army to take possession of that city; the other powers, therefore, though they have no objection to prevent Turkey from ever regaining sufficient strength to do harm, will not allow her, if they can help it, to be so weakened that she may fall an unresisting victim into the hands of Russia, or, on the other hand, be conquered by any of the tribes to the south. Now, Mehemet All having consolidated his power in Egypt, and made himself perfectly independent of the Ottoman empire, began to consider the possibility of rising a step higher, and mounting the throne of the Caliphs. To effect this object, which was doubtless his aim, he assembled a large army, which he disciplined under European officers, and at the head of it placed his son Ibrahim Pacha, and sent him into Syria.

The Porte, from its weakness, had allowed many of the Pachas in Syria to become almost independent of it; and, therefore, hoping that they and Mehemet Ali would weaken each other's power by the contest, did not at first complain of Ibrahim's advance into the country: when, however, he had made himself master of St. Jean d'Acre and other places, the Turks assembled an army to oppose him. This army he speedily drove before him, and a still larger one having been collected, he finally defeated and dispersed it at the battle of Koniyeh, where the Grand Vizier himself was taken prisoner. Had Ibrahim at once advanced, he might have captured Constantinople; but he delayed till the Russians, called in by the Sultan for his protection, had reached the Bosphorus, and with them he had no wish to try the fortune of war; he, therefore, entered into a treaty, by which, in addition to Egypt, he and his father obtained the government of the whole of Syria and the Pachalic of Adana. Instead, however, of ruling the new provinces he had obtained, wisely and well, Mehemet Ali taxed the people to the very utmost, and made them hate his rule as much as they had done that of the Turks. Several revolts consequently took place, and the Sultan likewise, who had never ceased to long for the recovery of Syria, at length sent an army to drive out the Egyptians. At this juncture of affairs, England, France, and Austria thought it for their interests to interfere. Had the Turks been defeated, as would probably otherwise have again been the case, Constantinople would have been occupied by the Russians, to prevent it falling into the hands of Mehemet Ali, and the Russians, having once grasped the rich jewel they so naturally covet, would never have consented to give it up.

The Ottoman forces continued to advance till they were met by the Egyptians near Nezib, on the 24th of June, when, after a sanguinary contest of four hours, the former were completely routed, 6,000 men being killed or wounded, and 10,000 left in the hands of Ibrahim. The Sultan Mahmoud the Second died on the 1st of July, without hearing of this disaster, and was succeeded by his son Abdul Medjid, a youth of seventeen.

To add to the difficulties of the Turks, their fleet, under the command of the Capudan Pacha, who had been sent to the Dardanelles, sailed for Alexandria, and joined that of the Egyptians.

The excuse the Capudan Pacha made for his desertion was, that he had no confidence in Kosrew Pacha, the new Grand Vizier, and that he believed he had murdered the Sultan.

There can be no doubt that the French had secretly encouraged Mehemet Ali in his aggressive proceedings, and in consequence of this, the other four powers, England, Prussia, Austria, and Russia, entered into an agreement without consulting France, to put a stop to his career of conquest, and to compel him to withdraw his army into Egypt; Russia, on her part, undertaking not to send an armed force to Constantinople. The following ultimatum was offered to him. He was to have the hereditary sovereignty of Egypt, and the possession of the Pachalic of St. Jean d'Acre for life. If within ten days from the notification of these terms the Pacha should not accept them, the Sultan was to offer him Egypt alone, and if he still persisted in refusing, the four Powers were to compel him by force to assent to the proposed settlement.

In spite of the threats held out, Mehemet Ali refused to accede to the proposed terms, and made every preparation in his power for resistance. In consequence the four Powers resolved that the ports of Syria and Egypt should be declared to be in a state of blockade, and a large British fleet, under the command of Admiral Stopford, with some Austrian and Turkish ships, were sent to enforce it.

OPERATIONS OF THE BRITISH FLEET BEFORE THE
COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES.

We at length come to the more legitimate part of our narrative, the naval occurrences of the war; and yet, without the preceding sketch of the circumstances which led to it, the object would be perfectly incomprehensible. As soon as it was settled that work was to be done, the Admiralty ordered Captain Charles Napier, of the 'Powerful,'[1] to hoist a broad blue pennant, and to take under his command the 'Ganges,' 'Thunderer,' 'Edinburgh,' 'Castor,' and 'Gorgon.' At this time it was expected that, at any moment, a war with France might break out, and the officers of the British squadron were cautioned to be on their guard against surprise. It was, altogether, the most exciting period as far as the British fleet in the Mediterranean was concerned, since the last war. It will not be necessary to describe minutely the movements of the various ships till the commencement of hostilities. In addition to the English and Austrian squadrons, the Porte had managed to fit out a small fleet, through the exertions of Captain Walker, of the British Navy (now Sir Baldwin Walker), and he was placed in command of it with the rank of Admiral. A fleet of transports was also got ready, on board which embarked 5,373 troops under the orders of Selim Pacha, who was directed to co-operate with the British forces. Commodore Napier employed the time while negotiations were going on, in examining Beyrout and various other places on the coast of Syria, which, it was probable, would be the future scene of operations.

The consuls of the four powers, at Alexandria, having presented the ultimatum of their Governments to Mehemet Ali, requiring his final decision in twenty days, he replied, that the territories he had won with the sword he would defend with the sword, and that he should give them the same answer if they came again at the end of the time they mentioned. This he did not fail to do; so they hauled down their flags, and took their departure. The first act of hostility on the part of the British was the detention of some Egyptian ships loaded with provisions and warlike stores for the army in Syria, and also of an Egyptian frigate, bound to Scanderoon, with stores. Sir Robert Stopford was, meantime, blockading the port of Alexandria with three ships of the line, a frigate, and two steamers of the English fleet, and two Austrian frigates, and a schooner.

Our narrative of active operations must commence on the 12th of August, when Commodore Napier's squadron anchored off Beyrout. This was during the twenty days allowed to Mehemet Ali to accept or refuse the treaty of the 15th July. Beyrout is a small town, surrounded by a wall surmounted with ruinous turrets, and mounting but few guns. The arms, ammunition, and provisions were stored in two weak castles. About a mile and a half from the town, on a point of land, stands the quarantine establishment, surrounded by a high wall, and here was encamped a body of 4,000 Turkish troops, who, it was understood, were anxious to return to their allegiance to the Sultan. There was a second camp, a little removed from the first, and at a still greater distance up the country, were quartered the Egyptian and Albanian troops.

The Commodore having drawn up a proclamation, calling on the Syrians to return to their allegiance to the Sultan, sent it on shore to the Turkish camp, by Lieutenant Fitz-James--a service of considerable danger. He, however, succeeded in delivering copies of the proclamation to some of the officers, and in returning in safety to his ship; but it is doubtful whether they were ever read to the troops--at all events, no attention was paid them.

On the 14th the squadron weighed, and stood close into the town, the 'Powerful' anchoring within 300 yards of one castle; the 'Edinburgh,' about the same distance from another; the 'Ganges,' close into the bay, with her broadside bearing between the two camps, so as to command the Turkish camp to the south; the 'Thunderer' off the point, and the 'Castor' in the bay round it. Captain Reynolds, of the 'Ganges,' was ordered to prevent, if possible, the Turkish troops from returning, but not to fire till it became absolutely necessary; while none of the other ships were to commence hostilities without a signal from the Commodore.

Captain Napier's object in this demonstration was to induce the Egyptians to restore their arms to the mountaineers of Lebanon, and to protect the Turkish troops. Neither object was accomplished; and the Turkish troops were marched out at night from the quarantine station, by a gate which had not been observed.

Commodore Napier, having shifted his pennant to the 'Gorgon' steamer, examined the Syrian coast, to select a good landing-place, then ran over to Cyprus to communicate with Admiral Walker, and returning, reconnoitred St. Jean d'Acre and Tyre, and went back to Beyrout.

At this time Suliman Pacha, the chief of the Egyptian forces, occupied Beyrout with about 15,000 men. Ibrahim and Osman were at Balbeck with 10,000 more; the garrison of Sidon consisted of 3,000; that stationed in Tripoli and its neighbourhood of 5,000; while the rest of the Egyptian army, numbering some 40,000 to 50,000, were scattered through various parts of Syria.

On the 9th of September, the 'Princess Charlotte' arrived off Beyrout with the flag of Sir Robert Stopford, and on the same day the Austrian squadron, under Admiral Bandeira, and the Turkish fleet and transports under Admiral Walker, arrived. Admiral Stopford was Commander-in-Chief of the land as well as the sea forces of the Allies; and in consequence of the illness of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Smith, who had arrived in the 'Pique,' to take the direction of the military affairs, the Admiral placed the command of the troops under Sir Charles Napier, who has on many occasions shown himself as well able to defeat his enemies on shore as at sea. Preparations were immediately made for bombarding and taking the town and fortress of Beyrout.

[1] When Captain Napier was fitting out the 'Powerful' at Portsmouth, he had the following characteristic announcement placarded on the walls:--

"Wanted active seamen for the 'Powerful'--CAPTAIN NAPIER.

"The 'Powerful' is a fine ship, and in the event of a war will not fail to take her own part."

The 'Powerful' was not long in shipping a fine crew.

BOMBARDMENT OF BEYROUT.

The British force at this time consisted of the following ships:--The 'Princess Charlotte,' 110 flag-ship; 'Powerful,' 84, Commodore Napier; 'Ganges,' 84; 'Bellerophon,' 80; 'Thunderer,' 84; 'Benbow,' 74; 'Edinburgh,' 76; 'Revenge,' 76; 'Hastings,' 74; 'Castor,' 36; 'Pique,' 36; 'Carysfort,' 26; 'Zebra,' 16; and four steamers.

The Turkish squadron under Admiral Walker consisted of one line-of-battle ship, three 50-gun frigates, two corvettes, and one brig. There were also two Austrian frigates and one corvette.

On the evening of the 9th, the Turkish troops and marines were moved into the steam-boats, which the following morning proceeded off Beyrout Point to draw the enemy's troops in that direction. At 10 the 'Powerful,' 'Pique,' 'Castor,' 'Carysfort,' 'Daphne,' and 'Wasp,' with Admiral Walker in a Turkish line-of-battle ship, a frigate, and corvette, weighed and stood towards D'Jounie. While the 'Castor' and one steamer anchored off Nahr-el-Kelb, and landed a Turkish battalion to keep the Egyptians in check, the rest of the squadron anchored off D'Jounie, where the whole of the troops under the judicious arrangements of Admiral Walker and Captain Reynolds were landed by four o'clock. The heights were forthwith occupied by the troops; and the Commodore's head-quarters were established in a Maronite chapel, which had a gun placed in it, and was otherwise fortified. A couple of companies of marines, under Captain Childs, were sent to reinforce the Turks at Nahr-el-Kelb, and a battalion was posted in the village of Zug, about a league distant from the camp. Beyond them, a couple of battalions of Turks occupied a strong position, having their left flank protected by an impassable gorge. After the troops were landed, the ships and steamers took up positions to protect the flanks of the camp, should it be attacked. Admiral Stopford, with the 'Princess Charlotte,' 'Bellerophon,' 'Ganges,' 'Thunderer,' 'Edinburgh,' 'Hastings,' 'Benbow,' and the Austrian squadron, remained at Beyrout, which, though they cannonaded it for several days, still held out. The 'Zebra' and the Austrian frigate 'Guerriera' covered the bridge near the quarantine ground, and the 'Revenge' was stationed in the bay between it and the Dog River to harass the enemy, and give timely notice at head-quarters should they advance. The first day the inhabitants who had been driven into the mountains came in slowly for arms; but the few who did so accepted them eagerly and returned to the mountains to drive away the Emir Bechir's troops and open the mountain passes. This being done the sheiks and their mountaineer followers crowded in numbers under the standard of the Sultan.

The Commodore having entrenched his position, pushed forward his troops, and himself led an expedition a considerable distance to reconnoitre the position of the Egyptian General Osman at Merouba.

While the cannonading was going on at Beyrout, the Indian Mail arrived; and Suliman Pacha, the Governor, to show his courtesy and forbearance, hoisted a flag of truce, and delivered the mail, with a polite message, assuring the British that all letters to and from India should be carefully forwarded.

The Admiral, not to be outdone in politeness, sent a package of wine to the Pacha, rightly conjecturing that it would not prove an unwelcome present.

On the 2nd of October, an Egyptian gunner, who had deserted, came on board the 'Hastings,' at Beyrout, and gave information that a train had been laid along the bridge to the eastern castle, where a large quantity of powder was concealed; and he undertook to guide a party to cut the train and seize the powder.

Commander Worth at once offered to perform this dangerous service, and numbers volunteered to follow him. He embarked in one of the boats of the 'Hastings,' protected by the launch and pinnace of the 'Edinburgh,' and covered by the fire of the ships. Dashing on, in the face of a heavy fire of musketry, he landed on the bridge, cut off the train, and then forced his way into the castle, over the walls of which he threw some 60 or 70 barrels of powder, and succeeded in bringing off 31 barrels more.

Unfortunately, in this service, Mr. Luscomb, a midshipman of the 'Hastings,' was killed; the Egyptian, and two seamen of the 'Hastings,' and one of the 'Edinburgh,' were wounded.

CAPTAIN MARTIN'S ATTACK ON THE CASTLE OF D'JEBEL.

A strong body of Albanian troops being posted in the Castle of D'Jebel, Captain Martin was despatched in the 'Carysfort,' with the 'Dido,' and 'Cyclops,' having on board 220 marines and 150 armed mountaineers to turn them out.

The 'Carysfort' anchored at noon, having the 'Dido' ahead and the 'Cyclops' astern, with springs on their cables, within musket-shot of D'Jebel. Immediately afterwards a number of mountaineers came down to the beach, and were brought off in the boats.

As soon as the marines were prepared for landing, and their commanding officer had reconnoitred the place of disembarkation, the ships opened their fire on the castle, which was returned by musket-shots.

After the fire had been continued for an hour, the marines, commanded by Captain Robinson, accompanied by a large party of armed mountaineers, pushed off from the 'Cyclops,' and formed on the beach to the south of the town, their landing being covered by the ships, which again opened on the castle. Captain Austin superintended the landing of the marines, and accompanied them as they advanced to attack the castle. The fire from the ships and the launch's carronades having cleared the gardens in front of the castle, the signal was made to push on. The marines on this advanced with their invariable gallantry to the assault; but when they got within thirty yards of the towers, a destructive fire was opened on them from a crenelled outwork, having a deep ditch in front, which was completely masked from the fire of the ships. In vain Captain Robinson and the other officers looked for some part of the castle wall which might prove practicable. No gate was accessible, and nothing but the muzzles of the enemy's muskets were visible through the loop-holes. The marines were falling on every side without a prospect of success. Most unwillingly, therefore, Captain Robinson drew them off, they retiring steadily, and in good order. It being found that the place could not be taken unless the tower was levelled, the ships again commenced firing at it, but the immense solidity of the building prevented any impression being made on the walls. At half-past 5 o'clock, therefore, the marines embarked, and the firing ceased. The party were retiring when it was discovered that an English flag, which had been planted on a garden wall by the pilot of the 'Cyclops' as a signal to the ships, had been accidentally left there.

To allow it to fall into the hands of the enemy would be a disgrace which could not be borne, yet to recover it would be a work of great danger. However, volunteers were not wanting to attempt its recovery; and Lieutenant Grenfell, and Macdonald, a seaman of the 'Cyclops,' undertook to bring it off.

Without delay they set off on their hazardous expedition. Their progress was watched with the most intense anxiety from the decks of the ships. They reached the garden-wall--they seized the flag-staff, and, hauling down the flag, they hastened with their prize to the shore.

Loud cheers from all the ships greeted them as they returned on board uninjured and successful.

A party of the mountaineers were established in the town at night, and the next morning it was discovered that the Albanians had evacuated the castle, leaving behind them three wounded men, one of whom died soon after he was made prisoner.

The loss of the British in front of the castle walls was very severe, and as follows:--

'Benbow,' 2 marines killed, 4 wounded severely. 'Hastings,' 2 marines killed, 7 wounded severely; Lieut. C. W. Adair, slightly, 3 marines slightly. 'Castor,' 1 marine wounded severely. 'Zebra' 1 marine killed. 'Cyclops,' Lieut. George Giffard wounded severely, 1 marine wounded severely. Total killed, 5. Total wounded, 18.

The frigates, and other smaller ships and steamers, were chiefly employed, during the operations, in landing arms and supplying them to the mountaineers, who wished to support the government of the Sultan.