Chapter XIII: Part 13

At early dawn all hands were roused up, and the schooner was very soon got under weigh. There was little or no wind to fill her sails, so the boats' crews had to tow her down the river, hoping to find a breeze as they got near the mouth of the river to take her out. Nine miles of their distance had been thus accomplished, when, at about 7 o'clock, as she was passing through a long reach of the River Nun, a sail hove in sight, which was soon discovered to be a rakish two-topsail schooner. She stood boldly on up the river towards the barracoons, either not observing the little 'Lark,' or, at all events, not suspecting into whose hands she had fallen. Lieut. Dumaresq on this instantly ordered the man-of-war boats to be hauled up alongside of the schooner on the opposite side to that on which the stranger was, so that she should not observe them, and, by taking fright, endeavour to make her escape. At the same time the pinnace and gig were manned and held in readiness (the crews being well armed) to board the schooner, Mr. Kingston receiving orders to remain in charge of the 'Lark' with the cutter's crew. On slowly came the stranger, the light wind only just enabling her to stem the current. She seemed totally unconscious of the neighbourhood of her enemies. On a sudden something seemed to awaken her suspicions, and Lieutenant Dumaresq, judging that the best time had arrived for taking possession, shoved off and pulled towards her as fast as the crews could lay their backs to the oars. Mr. Kingston meantime was left in command of the 'Lark' with the cutter's crew, Mr. Thorburn accompanying their leader. Away went the boats. The stranger now, for the first time, was aware of her danger, or rather, certainty of capture, unless she could blow the approaching boats out of the water; but of attempting to do so with any chance of success she could have had but slight hopes, as she saw that the 'Lark' was in the hands of her enemies, and she could not tell how many people might be remaining on board to avenge the destruction of their comrades. Still slavers, when they have seen a chance of success, have often fought desperately, and the cutter's crew on board the 'Lark' watched with deep interest the approach of the two boats to the big schooner, not knowing what moment she might open her fire on them; but the slaver's crew had not even the brute-like courage to induce them, to fight in defence of their accursed calling, and without firing a shot they allowed the two boats to come alongside. Once with their boat-hooks having a firm hold of the slaver's chains, the British seamen very quickly scrambled on board. The crew, who were chiefly Spaniards, made no opposition, nor did a number of other people, who, dressed in shore-going clothes, announced themselves as passengers. There was certainly a wonderfully sea-going look about them, though they all seemed very anxious to leave the vessel as fast as possible. Now as the consequences of detaining people against their will are often very disagreeable, Lieut. Dumaresq, whatever might have been his suspicions, thought it best to allow the gentlemen to take their departure. It was afterwards discovered that the fellows, who were all of them belonging to the slaver's crew, took on shore a very considerable number of doubloons, which form, in general, the most valuable portion of a prize, unless she has her cargo of slaves on board; the slave-vessel herself and her stores rarely sell for much. What was called head-money has, of late years, been reduced to one-fourth of what it was formerly. The new prize proved to be the 'Asp,' a fit name for a slaver, though she was now effectually deprived of her sting. As soon as she was thoroughly overhauled, and all her forthcoming papers secured, the Spanish crew were sent below, and the man-of-war's boats began towing the two schooners down the river. It was laborious work, after the incessant labour for so many hours the men had gone through, but a prize tows easily, and the gallant fellows cheerfully bent to their oars. Thus the vessels proceeded on rapidly between the mangrove-covered banks of the river. By 5 P.M. the entrance of the Nun appeared in sight, and preparations were instantly made for crossing the bar; I must rather say, bars, for there are three, one within the other, at some distance apart, and over them, when the current sets out and the wind blows in, the sea breaks with great violence, so that, under those circumstances, the crossing them, even in a decked vessel, is a work of very considerable danger. On this occasion appearances were far from favourable: the wind was foul and blowing very strong, a heavy sea was breaking over the bars; its incessant roar seeming like a warning not to venture into its power; while evening was rapidly closing in, the coming darkness threatening to increase the difficulties to be encountered. Still Mr. Dumaresq was unwilling to expose his followers to the baneful atmospheric influences of another night spent within the mouth of the river, or to the chances of attack from any of the slavers' friends who might be in the neighbourhood, and who would always be ready to win back a prize at any sacrifice of the lives of the captors; though that was a contingency not likely to happen. He was rather influenced probably by his anxiety to secure his prizes and to report his proceedings to his superior officer. The schooners had anchored just inside the inner bar, and all the necessary preparations having been made, and the tide serving, they again got under weigh. Mr. Dumaresq led in the 'Asp,' directing Mr. Kingston to follow in his wake. This Mr. Kingston did, approaching the bar on the starboard-tack, the 'Lark' leaving the cutter towing astern, and her own boat, which could not be hoisted up on account of the tackles being unrove, and a net full of vegetables being worked athwart the davits. Neither could her boat be got on board, on account of the crowded state of the decks. As the 'Lark' drew close to the bar, the appearance of things in no degree mended. Hands were placed in the chains, who kept the lead constantly going; and, as the water shoaled, the schooners had to tack repeatedly, wearing sometimes, as the heavy swell threatened otherwise to prevent their coming round. From the first Mr. Kingston had but little confidence in the black volunteer pilot who had accompanied him on board the 'Lark,' and now, though he urged him by threats to perform the duty he had undertaken, and tried to stimulate him to exertion, by reminding him of his promised reward, he only answered, "This no my bar!" and finally threw himself down on the deck, under the bulwarks, refusing to take any further charge of the vessel. It must be remembered that the boats had entered the Niger by the Brass river, the bar of which was his bar, and that he had bargained to act as pilot through its mouth, so that there was ample excuse for the poor wretch: this, however, in no degree lessened the danger of the position in which the little 'Lark' was placed.

It was now perfectly dark and very squally, while nothing was visible to mark the course the vessel should pursue but the phosphorescent light of the breakers stretching across the bar from shore to shore; while to all appearance there seemed to be reef only beyond reef, destruction on which it was scarcely possible the schooner could escape. Though the 'Lark' was pressed to the utmost, the 'Asp' soon distanced her; and though Lieut. Dumaresq showed lights, they were of little or no use in guiding her course. Squall after squall struck the little schooner, and as she heeled over, it sometimes appeared that she would never again rise, or be able to beat out through the tremendous surf which came rolling in. At length Mr. Kingston judged it wise to shorten sail, which he forthwith did, having set only his mainsail, jib, and fore-and-aft foresail (fore-trysail). He also sent a good hand on the fore-yard to look out for any break which might happily appear in the white wall of surf which came rolling in over the surrounding shoals. The little 'Lark' had now reached the innermost of the three bars, and was pitching into the seas, which came foaming up and rolling over her decks. She had the cutter towing after her, and astern of that was the schooner's boat. That very soon began to fill, and finally swamped, when it became necessary to cut her adrift. This was done, and she quickly disappeared. At about a quarter to eight a blue light was observed close to windward; and as the 'Lark' was wearing off the heaviest part of the bar, some voices were heard hailing her. It was soon discovered that they proceeded from the pinnace, which had apparently several hands in her. Again they hailed, imploring to be picked up, stating, as far as could be understood, that they had broken adrift from astern of the 'Asp' with the gig, which was lost; and from the words which reached the 'Lark,' Mr. Kingston was very much afraid that several lives were already lost, while it seemed too probable that those in the pinnace would share the same fate unless he could manage to get near them to take them on board. Not a moment was to be lost. The pinnace, it must be understood, was inside the 'Lark,' higher up the river, the 'Lark' having passed her after she had broken adrift from the 'Asp.' In another minute she would have drifted among the breakers, when the destruction of all on board would be sealed. To pick her up under weigh was almost impossible; and with the tide and heavy sea, the schooner could not be steered with any degree of certainty even near her, and could even this be done, the probabilities were that she would be swamped before the men could be got out of her. The young officer, therefore, saw that but one course only was open for him to pursue with any chance of success, and that involved immense risk both to the vessel and his people. To think is to act with a British seaman in a case of emergency. He saw that to intercept the boat he must anchor, and having both anchors clear, and a hand by the weather one all along, he ordered it to be let go, though he had but two fathoms at the time under the vessel's keel; while the surf from the second bar was curling up round the vessel's sides, threatening to make a clear sweep of her decks. His order to let go was perhaps not understood, or the Spanish crew, some thirty in number, who seeing what was about to be done, and expecting instant destruction in consequence, endeavoured to impede it: at all events, he had to rush forward and cut the stoppers with an axe, which he luckily had at hand. The schooner brought up all standing, the sea at the same instant making a terrific breach over her; but the helmsman was a good hand, and sheered her over to the exact spot the pinnace must pass. The whole was the work of a moment. The boat drifted near, a rope was hove into her, and providentially caught by the nearly exhausted crew. She was hauled alongside, her people being got out; while some fresh hands went down into her and secured her with her own cable and the end of the schooner's main-sheet. At the same time the schooner's fore-sheet was passed into the cutter as a preventer. Four men were saved from the pinnace. They stated that she and the gig had been towing astern of the 'Asp,' with two hands in each, when, on crossing the inner bar, they both broke adrift together. Instead, however, of the two men in the pinnace getting into the gig, which they might have managed, those in the smaller got into the larger boat, fancying they would be safer, when they found themselves totally unable to pull her against the tide or to guide her to shore. The 'Lark' very soon after this began to drive, when the other anchor was dropped under foot, while they veered away on the larboard cable. She now held, but the breakers made a clean breach over her decks, washing adrift the numerous casks, loose spars, fowl-coops, and a variety of other things; and in addition, what was worse than all, a large scuttle-butt of palm-oil. Meantime, to increase the confusion and danger, the cutter and pinnace were striking the stern and quarters of the vessel with great force, often coming as far forward as the main chains on both sides. The Spaniards had from the first been very unruly, and they now gave symptoms of an intention of breaking into open mutiny. In addition, therefore, to the variety of other duties the British seamen were called on to perform, it became necessary for them to keep their arms in readiness, to repel any sudden attack the fellows might venture to make on them for the purpose of regaining the schooner. The palm-oil, also, which is like very thick red mud, had coated the whole deck, from before the foremast nearly as far aft as the mainmast, making it more slippery even than ice, so that no one could either stand or walk on it. The water also had no effect on its greasy composition, and as there were no ashes on board to strew over it, one part of the deck became almost separated from the other. The Spaniards were evidently watching their opportunity, and kept eyeing the British seamen with no friendly intentions. They were four to one of them, and though deprived of their muskets and cutlasses, they had still the long knives in their belts, without which no Spaniard ever thinks his costume complete. The wretches kept up such a hubbub, and did so much to impede the work of the vessel, that some of them very nearly got shot as a hint to the rest of what they might expect if they proceeded to extremities. The gallant young officer himself had little fear of what they might venture to do, as considering the dilemma the vessel was placed in, surrounded by shoals, with heavy breakers close at hand, and in thick darkness, they could scarcely hope to get out to sea and escape that way; or, if they returned up the river to avoid recapture, should they regain possession of the vessel. In obedience, however, to his written instructions, he kept some of his people under arms to watch the fellows. For full half an hour the little schooner lay in this way, it being expected every instant that her anchors would part, when a roller, more severe even than the others, threw the cutter on board on the larboard quarter, breaking the bunk adrift and capsizing it. As the vessel rose again, the boat fell aft and immediately filled, when she was of necessity cut adrift to prevent her doing more damage; and as soon as this was done she sank.

Shortly after this the squalls began to become less frequent, and the breakers moderated gradually; an opening also was seen in the line of sparkling foam from the foreyard, so Mr. Kingston resolved to make sail and to get out of the river. He contrived to weigh the starboard or lee anchor, after very many fruitless attempts to do so, on account of the heavy surges; but as it was found impossible to purchase the weather one, it was slipped, and the schooner wore round under her jib in a quarter less two fathoms. A sharp-sighted seaman stood on the fore-yard, from whence he conned the vessel--the lead kept going as before. The mainsail was then set, and the schooner stood out towards the opening which appeared in the surf. She obeyed her helm readily, the rocks and shoals were avoided, and at length the outer bar was safely passed. At about 10 P.M. she came up with the 'Asp,' anchored a short distance outside. Lieut. Dumaresq stood with speaking-trumpet in hand, and hailed the 'Lark'--"I'm glad you've got out safe; but I fear four of my poor fellows are lost, and our two boats." "They're safe on board, and I've your boat in tow," was the answer. A loud congratulatory cheer from the British seamen on board the 'Asp' signified their satisfaction at the success of Mr. Kingston's gallant exploit. He then anchored, and going on board the 'Asp,' was further thanked and congratulated by his superior officer; for he had not only given up all hopes of the people in the pinnace and gig having escaped, but of the 'Lark' herself, he having had a most perilous passage across the bars. He had struck three times, in one of which shocks the boats had broken adrift. The two schooners again weighed and ran down to the 'Wolverine,' lying off the Brass, ten miles distant. On their arrival, Mr. Kingston had the satisfaction of receiving the warmest approval of his excellent commander for the gallantry and judgment he had displayed. The vessels were afterwards sent to Sierra Leone, where they were condemned and cut up.

[1] Lieut. A. B. Kingston is a cousin of the Author's.

BOY'S LIFE SAVED BY LIEUT. A. B. KINGSTON.

Mr. Kingston having taken the 'Lark' schooner to Sierra Leone, where she was condemned, he was appointed to H.M.S. 'Saracen,' which soon afterwards arrived there. From that place the 'Saracen' sailed for the river Gambia, soon after the 2nd of March.

On the evening of the 13th of the same month, while on her passage there, when it was blowing fresh, with a heavy cross sea, a lad, aged 19, named John Plunket, fell overboard from the main-top-gallant-yard. In falling he struck against the topsail-yard and the sweeps stowed on the quarter, and was bleeding at the mouth, and almost senseless when he reached the water. The lad could not swim, and his death seemed inevitable, when Mr. Kingston, who was on the quarter-deck, without a moment's hesitation, sprung overboard, exclaiming to his commander as he ran aft, "Send a boat as quick as you can, Sir, I'll save him." He struck out bravely towards the poor lad, but before he could reach him, he sank. A cry of horror arose from, all on board, for they thought the lad was lost, though every exertion was made to get a boat in the water to pick up Mr. Kingston. Plunket, however, again rose, and Mr. Kingston grasping hold of him, supported him above water, though with much difficulty, as the lad, who bled profusely from the mouth and nostrils, convulsively clung round him, and almost dragged him down to the bottom. Fortunately he released himself from the clutch of the now senseless youth, and continued to support him by swimming and treading water. For fear of exhaustion, he afterwards threw himself on his back, and placing the head of his almost inanimate shipmate on his chest, he kept him up for a quarter of an hour, till a boat reached them, and took them on board.

On another occasion, while on the coast of Africa, in a spot where sharks were known to abound, Mr. Kingston leaped overboard after another lad who had fallen into the water. Fortunately the life-buoy was let go at the same time, and wisely catching hold of it, he towed it up to the sinking youth, and providentially preserved his life. I cannot refrain from giving the only notice he takes in his journal of the former circumstance. It is characteristic of the brave and modest seaman. "I yesterday had an opportunity of saving a poor lad's life, who fell overboard from the main-top-gallant-yard, by jumping after him. A boat picked us both up. Though stunned and bleeding at the mouth, he is recovering in his hammock."

I give a copy of Captain Tucker's certificate relating to the two circumstances we have described. Mr. Kingston was deservedly promoted to the rank of Lieutenant for his gallantry.

_Captain Tucker's certificate of Lieut. A. B. Kingston's conduct._

These are to certify to my Lords-Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Mr. Arthur B. Kingston (mate), served as supernumerary mate on board Her Majesty's sloop under my command, from the 28th day of November, 1829, to the date hereof, during which time, by his judgment and presence of mind, he saved the lives of four of this sloop's crew, when he had charge of the 'Lark' schooner (detained in the river here for being engaged in the slave-trade) when bringing her out of the river, in company with another detained schooner (the 'Asp') in command of Lieut. Dumaresq, senior lieutenant of this sloop, when both vessels were in imminent danger of being lost on the bar, over which the sea was running very high and breaking very heavy. The 'Asp' having crossed the inner bar, and being outside the 'Lark,' and on the outer bar, had the pinnace and gig of this sloop in a tremendous sea washed away from the stern, with four men in them. The 'Lark,' at the time being on the inner bar, with the sea breaking over and into the vessel, and in great danger of being lost. Mr. Kingston, seeing the imminent danger the men were in, and that they must be lost if he did not pick them up, let his anchor go when he considered the vessel in that position when, if brought up, the boat must drift close to him, when the sea made clear breaches over the vessel, and nearly filled her; but he had the happiness of saving the lives of the four men in the boat, by throwing ropes into the boat as they drifted close by, saving not only the lives of the men, but the boats, having himself lost the boat of the vessel and the cutter of this sloop which had been secured astern, the cutter having been thrown by one of the rollers in and on the quarter of the 'Lark,' where she remained until the next sea and roll, when she fell over the side and sank. On picking up the boat, Mr. Kingston not being able to shorten in the cable and weigh, slipped the cable and made sail, and after many risks of striking on the bars, for which he had no pilot, he succeeded in taking the vessel out, although it was sunset when he saved the men, and dark before he got clear of the bar.

"Mr. Kingston also jumped overboard from this sloop in the river at Sierra Leone, to save a boy who had fallen overboard, and, in falling, struck against the sweeps on the top-sail-yard, stowed on the quarter. During the time he served on board the 'Wolverine,' Mr. Kingston conducted himself in every respect very much to my satisfaction.

"Given under my hand on board H.M.S. 'Wolverine,' at Sierra Leone, this 3rd day of March, 1840. (Signed) "WILLIAM TUCKER, Commander."

RESCUE OF CREW OF 'MINERVA' BY MR. SLATER, SECOND
MASTER OF H.M. MAIL-PACKET 'WIDGEON,' OFF CALAIS,

March 10th, 1842.

H.M. Mail Packet, of Dover, Lieut. Scriven, Commander, was lying in Calais Harbour on the 9th of March, 1842, when about 9 P.M. a heavy gale sprang up, which continued increasing in fury all night, and a terrific sea in consequence was running by the following morning. At that time, soon after daylight, a brig was discovered in the offing, with her sails blown to shivers. At about 11 A.M., she let go her anchor to the eastward of the pier, about a mile from the shore, where was a very heavy sea, which soon broke completely over her. Here she continued for some time in a most critical position, pitching bows under, and threatening every instant to go to the bottom. At length she began to drag her anchors, when all hope of her preservation, unless the gale should suddenly abate, was small indeed. The lives of all on board were now placed in the greatest jeopardy, and since this, at about 3 o'clock, no effort being made by the French authorities to send to her rescue, two English gentlemen offered 50_l._ for the life-boat of the Humane Society at Calais, with the intention of getting her manned by an English crew, who volunteered their services. The boat, however, was refused on this very account; and at length, with the prospect of the reward, six young men, mostly boys, undertook to put off in her. Instead, however, of launching her close to the pier, they shoved off in the very middle of the breakers. After half an hour's vain and foolish attempt to reach the vessel, they gave it up, and returning, declared that the boat was injured. By this time, Mr. Slater, of the 'Widgeon,' had come down to the beach, and with the following brave fellows belonging to the same vessel, Richard Canney, quarter-master, Thomas Sinclair, Thomas Lawrence, Watkin Edwards, and Daniel Trim, able-bodied seamen; as also--Nicholson, belonging to the 'Frederick,' collier of Sunderland, whose intrepidity and gallantry throughout was conspicuous, volunteered to man the first boat to be procured to put off to the 'Minerva.' She by this time, half-past 6 o'clock, having cut away her anchors, in the hope of drifting on shore, had struck; the tide was coming in, and the sea was breaking over her.

In a short time more it was very evident that the crew would be washed off the wreck, and meet with a watery grave, though within a quarter of a mile of the shore. The cries of the poor fellows for help were dreadful. Twice had Mr. Slater, with determined perseverance in his humane object, to apply to the harbour-master for the use of the life-boat. At length he consented to give up the key of the boat-house and to allow the English to take it on being assured that he would be paid for any damage it might receive. After this not a moment was lost by 200 Englishmen in the lace-business, who, under the superintendence of Lieut. Scriven, the commander of the 'Widgeon,' nobly assisted in launching the boat through the boiling surf. The seven gallant men, fearless of the awful risk they ran, in the hopes of saving the lives of their fellow-creatures, pulled away on this enterprise. They started from the westward, and had to pass the head of the pier, a dangerous service even in ordinary weather. It took them half an hour to get over the bar, when, had it not been for the admirable management of Mr. Slater, and the intrepidity of his crew, the boat herself and all would have been lost, so terrific was the sea they had to encounter. In spite of it, by persevering efforts, they made head-way, though two hours elapsed before they could reach the brig. She was found to be the 'Minerva,' of Jersey, bound from Sunderland, William Percy, master, laden with coals, and of 163 tons. She was now a perfect wreck, her mast swinging backwards and forwards, and threatening every instant to destroy the boat, while the sea was making a clean breach over her. Seven human beings were clinging to the wreck, every soul of whom in ten minute more must have perished. With no little difficulty they were all hauled in safety into the boat which then in triumph returned to the shore.

The Lords of the Admiralty testified their sense of the gallant conduct of the crew of H.M. packet 'Widgeon,' by presenting the sum of 5_l._ to each of the seamen engaged under Mr. Slater in rescuing seven human beings belonging to the 'Minerva.' A public dinner was given on the 30th March at Calais to Lieut. Scriven, R.N., commander of the 'Widgeon,' and to Mr. Slater--Mr. Scott, R.N., presiding. Five of the crew were presented with 8_l._ each for their gallantry. Quarter-master Canney was presented with a piece of plate value of 12_l._, and Mr. Slater presented with a piece of plate value 20_l._ The town-council of Calais also voted Mr. Slater a silver cup value of 300 francs, and ordered silver medals to be given to the crew of the 'Widgeon,' who accompanied him.

Besides the gallant acts of which I have been able to give tolerably full accounts, I have collected notes of a number of others, yet a portion only of the many which have been performed by naval men since the Queen came to the throne. They all show the readiness of sailors to risk their own lives in the endeavour to preserve those of their fellow-creatures; and I have no doubt that in another edition of this work I shall have the opportunity of describing a considerable number of other instances of gallantry and heroism, of which I have at present no exact information, and which had I, indeed, my space would scarcely allow me to give.

MR. HENRY SHEA, ASSISTANT-SURGEON, R.N.,
MEDITERRANEAN,

July, 1837.

On the 8th July as H.M.S. 'Asia' was standing out to sea from Cagliari, in Sardinia, a seaman named Anthony W-- jumped overboard in a fit of drunkenness; and while the ship was being hove to, Mr. Henry Shea, assistant-surgeon, dropped himself from the spanker-boom into the sea, and after struggling with the man, succeeded in keeping him above water until the boats reached them.

LIEUT. F. H. STEVENS, R.N., MEDITERRANEAN,

August, 1837.

On the 5th August, 1837, H.M.S. 'Rodney' was on her passage from Palmas Bay (Sardinia) to Minorca, when a seaman, named James Ray, fell from the maintop-sail yard-arm into the sea. On the cry being raised of "A man overboard!" Mr. F. H. Stevens, mate, seeing the man floating past the quarter in a state of insensibility, without waiting to take off his clothes, jumped overboard, and by great exertion, kept him above water until the boat reached them.

LIEUT. JOHN STEPHENS, R.N., LISBON,

December, 1837.

On the 3rd December, 1837, an alarm was given on board H.M.S. 'Inconstant,' at Lisbon, of a man overboard. Mr. John Stephens, mate, ran to the spot whence the person fell, plunged overboard, dived, and succeeded, after much danger and difficulty, in bringing him from a considerable depth to the surface of the water: both were carried by the tide a long way astern of the ship. Mr. Stephens found it difficult to support the man, and both were sinking, when William Henry White, seaman, fearlessly plunged from the topsail, swam to their relief, and supported them in the water, until a boat reached them.

WILLIAM JENNINGS, COAST-GUARD BOATMAN,

November, 1838.

On the 27th November, 1838, the brig 'Bellissima,' from Odessa to Amsterdam, was driven, during a heavy gale of wind, on the rocks, a mile and a half to the westward of Looe. She was breaking up fast, and her crew were evidently getting disheartened, when William Jennings, commissioned boatman of the coast-guard, at the risk of his life, nobly swam off to the rock with a rope, and by throwing it to the vessel, the crew, thirteen in number, were enabled to get to the rock, from which they were taken by a boat, carried overland from Looe by the indefatigable exertions of several inhabitants of that town.

HENRY JOHNSON, SEAMAN, ENGLAND,

June, 1839.

On the 20th June, 1839, a boat from H.M. sloop 'Fairy,' was sent up the river Stour to obtain a supply of water. The weather was squally, and the boat was completely overturned in the middle of the river by a sudden gust of wind. The crew were precipitated into the sea without any prospect of relief, there being no boat nearer to them than the town of Harwich. Providentially an officer of the ship discovered the catastrophe, and two boats were instantly despatched to their aid, but it was thirty minutes before they reached them. One of the crew, George Cochrane, could not swim, and Henry Johnson, regardless of himself, devoted his whole efforts to succour him, and finding him to be encumbered with heavy clothing, actually stripped him in the water to his shirt, and when washed away from the keel of the boat, restored him to it again.

Another man, named John Stevens, at the expiration of twenty minutes, became exhausted and came also under Johnson's care, and both acknowledged that had it not been for his exertions they must have perished.

INSTANCE OF COURAGE AND HUMANITY.

During a severe storm in the autumn of 1839, a French vessel was wrecked in the dead of night in Weymouth Bay. A coast-guard man, named John Mantle, thinking he saw human beings moving on the deck, jumped into the raging sea and swam to her. On getting on board he found two boys and the captain, who had broken his leg, on the deck. Mantle took the boys safely to shore, and then, returning to the wreck with a rope, which was made fast to the shore, he slung the captain in a running tackle, and he was safely landed. The gallant fellow then groped in the cabin to find if any living being remained, and afterwards jumped into the sea, and swam to the shore in safety. He was rewarded by the Humane Society and Lloyd's, and received a beautiful watch, with a suitable inscription, from the inhabitants of Weymouth, 20_l._ by vote of the Lords of the Treasury, and 5_l._ from the Shipwreck Association, besides being promoted in the service; all which honours he received with great modesty, declaring that the result of his endeavours was his richest reward.

ARTHUR HASSETT, BOATMAN, COAST-GUARD, COVE OF CORK,

October, 1839.

On the 24th October, 1839, Ralph Allen fell from the Revenue Quay into the water in the harbour of the Cove of Cork, when a strong ebb tide was carrying him off. Arthur Hassett, revenue boatman, saw the accident, jumped in with his clothes on, and brought Allen safe to shore. Hassett has on three previous occasions been instrumental in saving life at the risk of his own.

COMMANDER ALDRIDGE, R.N., VASIKA BAY,

October, 1839.

On the 4th October, 1839, John Burke, a seaman belonging to H.M.S. 'Pembroke,' commanded by Captain Moresby, then lying in Vasika Bay, fell overboard, and, the man being unable to swim, was in the act of being carried away by the current. Commander Aldridge, of the 'Pembroke,' observing from the poop the inevitable fate of the seaman, leaped from thence a height of 30 feet into the sea, and succeeded in saving him.

MR. RICHARDS, R.N., OFF BRIGHTON,

June, 1842.

On the morning of the 13th of June, 1842, Mr. Matthew Richards, about 17 years of age, and acting-master's assistant of H.M. brig 'Nautilus,' jumped in the most gallant manner from the hammock-netting of that vessel into the sea off Brighton, and saved the life of a boy who had fallen overboard. The boy was unable to swim, and, being exhausted by his struggles, was sinking at the moment Mr. Richards arrived to his rescue. The crew were cleaning decks at the time, and the noise consequent upon that operation prevented the boy's cries from being heard; it would, therefore, have been impossible to have cleared away a boat in sufficient time to have saved him.

ABRAHAM HART YOUNGS, CHIEF BOATMAN OF FISHERGATE
STATION,

January, 1843.

On the 13th of January, 1843, the smack 'Prince Regent,' of London, was driven on shore at Fishergate station; and, on her being observed in distress, Lieut. Franklin, and the chief boatman of Blackrock, Lieut. Pratt, with the Brighton crew and rockets and life-boat (which latter was found upon her arrival not to be required), Mr. Stanbridge and the Hove crew, and Abraham Hart Youngs, chief boatman of Fishergate, and his crew, proceeded to her assistance, and rescued the whole of the crew. The gallant conduct of Abraham Hart Youngs was very conspicuous, he having been hauled on board through a heavy surf, in which he had also to contend with the malevolent efforts of some fishermen to detain him and throw him down; he, however, succeeded in slinging the crew and landing them.

JAMES DORAN, SEAMAN,

January, 1843.

On the 5th of January, 1843, James Doran, an able seaman of H.M.S. 'Vanguard,' at Port Mahon, perilled his own life to save that of a shipmate, in a manner that called forth the admiration of the whole of the officers and crew of that ship. It blew a violent gale of wind at N. by E.; the top-masts were struck, and when at its greatest fury, a man fell overboard who could not swim. James Doran gallantly dashed into the sea, and succeeded in bringing the poor fellow alongside, although he was quite dead from the effects of his submersion.

MR. THOMAS DAVIS, MATE, R.N., AND JOSEPH BRATHWAITE,
SEAMAN, R.N., BANTRY BAY,

January, 1844.

In the month of January, 1844, Her Majesty's steamer 'Flamer' was lying at anchor in Bantry Bay, when the jolly-boat belonging to that vessel was capsized through the boys letting go the brails too soon, while in the act of wearing. The life of one of the boys was saved through the coolness of Mr. Thomas Davis, mate of the 'Flamer,' who was in the boat at the time. Instead of swimming for the ship, he remained with the boy until assistance reached him. Joseph Brathwaite, sailmaker, seeing the other boy was sinking, instantly jumped overboard and brought him on board in a senseless state. He had, on a previous occasion, been the means of saving two lives. It was blowing very hard at the time, which rendered their services more difficult.

MR. W. C. GEARY, MATE, R.N., GULF OF EGINA,

August, 1844.

On the 24th August, 1844, a tender belonging to Her Majesty's surveying-vessel 'Beacon,' in charge of Mr. W. C. Geary, mate, was occupied in taking soundings in the Gulf of Egeria. In reefing the mainsail, the iron strop round the gaff, to which the peak-halliards are hooked, was carried away, and the gaff, in descending, struck John M'Cardle, seaman, who was standing to leeward, so violently on the head, that he was stunned, and fell overboard. Mr. Geary, who was abaft, immediately jumped after him, and getting hold of him under his arm, succeeded in keeping his head above water until picked up by a boat sent from the vessel.

LIEUT. F. P. WARREN, R.N., IN MADRAS ROADS,

June, 1845.

On the 9th of June, 1845, John Newman, seaman, serving on board H.M.S. 'Fox,' in the Madras Roads, fell from the mizen top-sail yard overboard, whilst exercising, striking, in his descent, the davit-guy, breaking both collar-bones, and bruising his head; and in this state most probably would have been drowned had it not been for the prompt assistance afforded him by Lieut. F. P. Warren, R.N., who sprang into the water, and succeeded in sustaining the man above the surface until a boat picked them up. The usual heavy Madras swell was running at the time.

LIEUT. WILLIAM E. FISHER, R.N., COVE OF CORK,

November, 1845.

On the night of the 17th November, 1845, a seaman, one of the gig's crew of the 'Crocodile,' flag-ship, at the Cove of Cork, when walking on the stage leading to the 'Predonia,' merchant-vessel, alongside of which his boat was temporarily made fast, having slipped, fell into the river, a strong tide and heavy sea on at the time, the night dark, and blowing a terrific gale. Mr. W. E. Fisher, senior mate of H.M.S. 'Crocodile,' the officer in charge of the boat, observing that the man was stunned from the fall, and unable to assist himself, leaped from the deck of the 'Predonia,' swam to his assistance, and with great exertions brought him on shore in a senseless state. It was a considerable time before the man recovered, and the gallant officer was so much exhausted that it nearly cost him his life.

LIEUT. HENRY W. HIRE, R.N., MEDITERRANEAN,

December, 1845.

On the 12th December, 1845, William Richardson, A.B., of Her Majesty's steam-sloop 'Hecla,' was washed off the forecastle, whilst securing the anchor, between the islands of Cyprus and Rhodes: a heavy sea was running at the time. The ship was backed and stopped within a short distance of the unfortunate man, who was then exhausted, and on the point of going down, when Mr. Henry W. Hire, First-lieutenant, in a most gallant manner, at the risk of his own life, jumped overboard, and supported him until a boat was lowered that picked them both up.

COMMANDER WOOLDRIDGE AND MR. BIRTWHISTLE,
MATE, R.N., SHEERNESS,

June, 1845.

On the 9th June, 1845, whilst at anchor off Sheerness, when reefing, owing to a point slipping through the hand of one of the seamen, he fell from the fore-topsail yard of H.M.S. 'Spy' overboard, striking the fore-rigging and spars in the chains, broke his arm, and received violent contusions in many parts of his body. Lieut.-Commander Wooldridge, being on deck and seeing the man sinking, jumped after him, dressed as he was, with the hope of getting a rope round him; finding, however, when he was in the water, from having heavy clothes on and a thick pair of wash-deck shoes, and not being a very good swimmer, he was too heavy to trust himself too near a sinking man, he swam round him, occasionally lifting him, and encouraging him by talking to him. Mr. Birtwhistle, mate, the moment he saw the danger, threw off his jacket and shoes, and sprang after them, and being a strong swimmer and disencumbered, kept the man up. The tide was running very strong at the time, and they had thereby drifted about four times the 'Spy's' length from her, when they were all eventually picked up in a very exhausted state by a boat crossing the harbour.

LIEUT. NEWMAN, R.N., AND BOAT'S CREW, COAST-GUARD,
DUNGENESS,

January, 1846.

The 'New Flora' pilot-boat of Dover was wrecked at Dungeness on the 22nd January, 1846. On the circumstance being made known to Lieut. Newman, R.N., of the Dymchurch Coast-guard station, by one of the men who had providentially succeeded in swimming on shore through the surf, he proceeded immediately to the spot, and ordered his boat to be drawn round by land, a distance of a mile and a half, to a convenient place for launching, where she was manned by the lieutenant with a hardy crew of five men. After buffeting for some time with the waves, they succeeded in reaching the ill-fated vessel, and found the boats washed away, and the crew, consisting of five men, obliged to take to the rigging, the sea making a clean sweep over her, and thereby rendering it very hazardous for the galley to approach. The gallant commander and tars, nothing daunted, determined to rescue their fellow-creatures, which they ultimately effected.

MR. F. S. GIBSON, R.N., GRAND BASSA, AFRICA,

January, 1846.

On the 12th of January, 1846, while crossing the Grand Bassa, in Liberia (Africa), one of the 'Lily's' boats, containing Mr. F. S. Gibson, paymaster and purser, and five other men belonging to the said sloop, was pulling for the mouth of the river; and when in the act of crossing the bar, the rollers broke heavily, and the sea washed over the stern of the boat and capsized it. Soon after the accident one of the crew, James Monk, was missing, when Mr. Gibson plunged in, dived, and, with the greatest difficulty and exertion, swam with him to the boat, very much exhausted.

LIEUT. TATHAM, R.N., CHATHAM,

April, 1846.

On the night of the 22nd April, 1846, a marine fell into the river Medway from H.M.S. 'Raleigh,' and was rescued by the timely assistance of Lieut. Edward Tatham, who, leaving his bed, lowered himself down the vessel's side, and supported the man (who had also hold of a rope) until a boat picked up both in an exhausted state.

COMMANDER J. W. FINCH, R.N., PORTSMOUTH,

July, 1846.

On the 16th July, 1846, as James Bradford, a seaman, was casting loose the frapping of the jolly-boat on the starboard quarter of the 'Naiad,' 64-gun frigate, under the command of Lieut. J. W. Finch, the boat swung or heeled over, and the man fell over the bows into the water at a time when the tide was running with unusual strength out of the harbour, and the wind blowing nearly half a gale. The cry of "A man overboard!" was instantly raised, when Lieut. Finch, who was in his cabin dressing at the time, looked out and saw the man struggling with the tide. He threw off what garments encumbered him, and plunged through the port into the water. At this time Bradford had sunk twice, and was carried at a rapid rate from the ship, being no swimmer. Mr. Finch, however, followed, and persevered in his humane exertions to save the man's life, in which he happily succeeded, after being in the water a quarter of an hour, and got his man (to all appearance dead) on board a victualling-hoy, where the usual remedies were applied.

This was not the first time Mr. Finch had similarly risked his own life to save that of his fellow-creatures. In 1840 he, assisted by three others, saved the crew of a vessel, wrecked off Seaham, and received the honorary bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society.

MR. CHARLES E. H. FARRANT, MASTER'S ASSISTANT, R.N.,
VALPARAISO,

September, 1848.

On the 5th September, 1848, at 5 A.M., whilst H.M.S. 'Samson' was at anchor off Valparaiso, James Smith, private marine, then engaged stopping his hammock on the gantlin, lost his balance, and fell overboard. It being quite dark at the time, and he not able to swim, with a heavy swell and a set of current out of the bay, he was carried away from the ship; when Mr. Farrant, master's assistant, mate of the watch (a young officer only 17 years of age, and at sea for the first time), ran to the sponson, and, observing that the man was in imminent danger, instantly jumped overboard into 30 fathoms' water, and swam to his assistance. Some minutes elapsed before Mr. Farrant could reach him. He at length succeeded in getting hold of the man, and had made considerable progress on his return to the ship with him, when a boat reached them, but not until after he had been taken twice or thrice under water, through the man clinging so closely to him.

LIEUTENANT SHERARD OSBORNE, R.N., PORTSMOUTH,

September, 1848.

On the 20th September, 1848, while H.M.S. 'Dwarf' was fitting out in the basin of Portsmouth Dockyard (the depth of water at the time being 27 feet), the attention of Lieutenant Sherard Osborne was suddenly drawn to the cry of "A boy overboard!" when, without the slightest preparation, but with his full uniform on, including his sword, he jumped in, and catching at a rope (which, however, proved not to be made fast to the vessel), he saved a second-class boy of the same ship, who, but for the gallant conduct of Lieutenant Osborne, must inevitably have been drowned.

HENRY LAUGHRIN, BOATSWAIN'S MATE, H.M.S. 'CALLIOPE,'
RIO DE JANEIRO,

November, 1848.

On the 1st November, 1848, Captain Edward Stanley, of H.M.S. 'Calliope,' whilst returning from the shore to his ship in his gig, was upset, together with the rest of his boat's crew, owing to the boat being caught aback in a sudden squall; when Henry Laughrin, boatswain's mate of the same ship, gallantly jumped overboard at the risk of his own life, and saved Captain Stanley, whose life was greatly endangered (though an expert swimmer) by a man clinging to him. Several of the boat's crew were also rescued by the noble conduct displayed by Laughrin.

This was the third instance of Laughrin's courage and humanity, he having saved the lives of two shipmates in the years 1845 and 1848.

JOHN HUGGINS, QUARTER-MASTER OF H.M.S. 'SCOURGE,'
TRINIDAD, ETC.,

February, 1849.

In February, 1849, whilst H.M.S. 'Scourge' was at anchor off the island of Trinidad, a boy named Thomas Burgess, of the same ship, fell overboard, when John Huggins, quartermaster, prompted by the most gallant spirit, instantly jumped overboard, and, by diving, fortunately rescued the boy from drowning, but not without encountering very great risk of his own life, owing to the number of sharks which infest those waters. Independent of this gallant act, Huggins, during his short career at sea (being still a very young man) had, by his humane and meritorious conduct, been fortunate enough to save at different periods eleven lives.

COMMANDER J. W. TARLETON, R.N., GENOA,

March, 1849.

On the 21st March, 1849, a seaman named Hayes, whilst employed painting ship at Genoa, fell overboard, and not being able to swim, would inevitably have been drowned before assistance could have reached him but for the intrepid and gallant conduct of Commander J. W. Tarleton, R.N., of H.M.S. 'Vengeance,' who instantly jumped overboard from his cabin-port and succeeded in saving the poor fellow from a watery grave, and he was promptly got on board again, to the delight of all hands. The praiseworthy and noble act obtained for Commander Tarleton the admiration of every one in the ship.

He had previously received the thanks of the American Government for his exertions in 1847, when he went to the assistance of the crew of the U.S. brig 'Somers,' which foundered off the port of Vera Cruz.

COMMANDER OLIVER JONES, R.N., COVE OF CORK,

March, 1849.

On the 24th March, 1849, as H.M.S. 'Ganges' was lying at the outer anchorage of the Cove of Cork, Edward Galloway, a seaman belonging to that ship, fell from the futtock shrouds into the water, striking several times against the rigging and the ship's side, when Lieut. Oliver Jones immediately ordered Fisbee's life-buoy's ropes to be thrown to him; but the man, who was stunned by the fall, was unable to avail himself of the use of them, and sank in between nine and ten fathoms; upon which Lieut. Oliver Jones, in the most gallant manner, at great risk of his own life, leaped overboard, and dived after him, and brought him up in a state of insensibility, and held him until further assistance was procured. But for the prompt and spirited conduct of this officer, the man's life would have been lost.

Lieut. Oliver Jones had previously saved the life of a seaman belonging to H.M.S. 'Melville,' in Halifax harbour, on the 4th June, 1837.

LIEUT. C. S. STANHOPE, R.N., H.M.S. 'ASIA,' AT SEA,

August, 1850.

On the 7th August, 1850, on the passage from Valparaiso to Pisco, in lat. 19° south, and long. 75° west, about 6 P.M., while exercising furling sails, two men fell overboard from the main-top-sail yard. One of these men caught hold of a rope and was saved unhurt: the other man in his fall struck his head against the main channel, and fell into the water senseless, but not dead.

Lieut. C. S. Stanhope, being then on the poop, saw his helpless state, and immediately, with great coolness and excellent judgment, jumped into the main channel, and thence overboard, to save the wounded man from drowning.

Lieut. Stanhope, supporting the man in the water, swam with him to a life-buoy which had been let go on the first alarm, where he remained with the man until brought on board by the boats which were lowered.

MR. T. H. JULIAN, SECOND-MASTER, R.N., PLYMOUTH,

July, 1851.

On the 15th July, 1851, a boy named Stephens, belonging to H.M.S. 'St. George,' at Hamoaze, fell overboard, and as the tide was running strong, he soon drifted away. A seaman named Boyd jumped after him, but not being able to swim, could render little assistance; both being, therefore, in a perilous situation, Mr. T. H Julian, second master, the officer of the watch, gallantly plunged overboard, and providentially sustained them, until rescued by a boat when at a considerable distance.

Mr. Julian was full dressed. This was not the first instance of his gallant and humane conduct.

LIEUT. SAUMAREZ, R.N., H.M.S. 'VOLCANO,' OFF
SIERRA LEONE, AFRICA,

March, 1851.

On the evening of the 31st of March, 1851, a seaman named Sullivan, of H.M.S. 'Volcano,' fell overboard off Sierra Leone, while under weigh. Lieut. Saumarez, who was in the gun-room at the time, on the alarm being given, instantly rushed on deck, jumped overboard, and succeeded, after much difficulty, in rescuing him. Lieut. Saumarez has, in several instances, displayed similar acts of bravery in saving the lives of his fellow-creatures.

CHARLES LOXTON, SAILMAKER's MATE, H.M.S. 'ROLLA,'
DOVER,

August, 1851.

On the 26th of August, 1851, while H.M. brig 'Rolla' was proceeding into Dover Hoads, at a distance of six miles from shore, and going at the rate of four knots, with studding sails set on both sides, a naval apprentice, in descending from the main rigging, accidentally fell overboard, when Charles Loxton, a sail-maker's mate, gallantly jumped overboard and succeeded in reaching him, and, after severe exertion, swam with him to the line of the patent log which was towing astern, where he continued to hold the boy with cool presence of mind until assistance arrived: the crew being at breakfast, a quarter of an hour elapsed before the ship was rounded to and a boat lowered, and when hauled in, Loxton was completely exhausted.