Chapter XVI: Part 16

On the morning of the 13th of April, 1850, whilst H.M. steam-vessel 'Phœnix' was dodging about on her cruizing-ground, the exciting cry of "Sail, oh!" from the mast-head was a sufficient inducement to get her steam up and make all possible sail in chase. The stranger was about 14 miles off when first seen, and running towards the 'Phœnix' under all studding-sails; but no sooner did she discern the English cruizer (and a steamer to boot), than she took in every studding-sail, and hauled dead on a wind which soon proved what she was to the satisfaction of all on board the 'Phœix.' She was chased from one o'clock until eight, P.M., the last two hours of the chase being so dark that there was some risk of losing sight of her, when, after six or eight 63-pound shot had been dropped uncomfortably close to her, she hove to and showed a light over the stern, it being very dark. The 'Phœnix' then ranged up alongside of her to leeward, when the slavers, driven to desperation at their being captured, put the helm up, filled and ran right into the cruizer, no doubt thinking she was a paddle-wheel steamer, and intending to damage the wheels. However, the 'Phœnix' bore the shock nobly. The slaver struck her on the starboard bow, and only carried away a few of the shifting bulwarks and a little iron-work of the 'Phœnix,' leaving on board her jib and flying jib-boom, with all the sails and gear attached, which were broken off short. She then gradually dropped astern close alongside the 'Phœnix,' which still had a great deal of way on her, though the engines were stopped immediately, when the gear in-board of the 'Phœnix' by which she was hanging dragged her fore-top-gallant-mast, top-gallant-sail, and royal and main-top-mast, with all the gear and sails attached, over the side. She then dropped astern clear of the ship, a perfect wreck, her bowsprit, completely unshipped, lying over her starboard bow--her masts gone by the board, lower masts unstepped, and her cut-water and bows completely knocked to pieces, and leaking like a sieve. A well-manned and armed boat was immediately sent in charge of the first-lieutenant to take possession of her. On first boarding her a large poopoo-tub was found with a small spar placed in it, and a lantern lashed to the top of the spar all ready to be put overboard, with the intention of misleading the British cruizer into going in chase of it instead of the vessel, but the 'Phœnix' was too old in the service to be duped by this common device.

The crew of the slaver were landed the next day, and a survey held on the prize, which proved so crippled and unseaworthy that she was forthwith burned. Eight slavers were captured by H.M.S. 'Phœnix' about the same time.

CAPTURE OF THE SLAVER 'ANNE D. RICHARDSON,' BY
H.M. STEAM-FRIGATE 'PLUTO,' COMMANDER JOLIFFE,

1850.

On the morning of the 14th of February, 1850, about half-past six o'clock A.M., a sail was seen from the deck of H.M.S. 'Pluto,' cruizing off the coast, but owing to a dense fog she could not be made out. The steam was immediately got up, and the 'Pluto' proceeded in chase. About seven o'clock the stranger was made out to be a large barque standing along the land on the starboard tack. She hoisted no colours as the cruiser approached her, although the 'Pluto' had carried hers from the time she was first sighted. As the 'Pluto' passed under her stern, the captain was ordered to hoist his colours, and forthwith the American ensign was shown. On being requested to heave to, he refused, saying he could not afford to lose time, but on the request being repeated, he complied, and Commander Joliffe then going on board, demanded his papers, which he produced, with the exception of the manifest of his cargo. On closely examining his papers, Commander Joliffe observed that two signatures which should have been in the same hand were signed by different hands; this immediately excited suspicion, which was strengthened by the fact that the whole of the vessel's sails were made of light cotton canvas, and of such a size that no legal trader could afford to carry a sufficient number of men to work them. He stated his doubt and pointed out the signatures, which, not being accounted for, he returned on board; and on referring to the officers and ship's company, he decided upon detaining her on suspicion. Lieut. Shewell was therefore sent with a party of men to take charge of her. The captain of the barque inquired what was to be done with her, and on being answered that he would be sent to an American man-of-war unless he opened his hatches and proved he was an honest man, the main hatchway was opened, and a Brazilian crew, 13 in number, found concealed on a slave-deck. The captain then hauled his colours down and threw them overboard, after which the barque was taken in tow and brought to an anchor off Ambriz, her captain protesting against the whole proceeding, stating that he was a lawful trader and should protect his vessel; though, on preparations being made to send him away for that purpose on the following morning, he withdrew his protest, and gave certificates stating that he did not claim the protection of any nation, and did not wish to defend his vessel. He was then landed with the passengers and crew, at their own request, and the prize sent to St. Helena for adjudication.

ENCOUNTER WITH BLACK PIRATES,

1850.

A merchant ship having been captured by black pirates, who murdered some of the crew and carried the vessel up the river Seba, the French governor of Senegal sent a small man-of-war steamer and some marines to accompany the 'Centaur,' Captain Buckle, and 'Teazer,' Lieut. Selwyn, with a number of marines and 60 soldiers to chastise the marauders. The two British men-of-war, and the French steamer 'Ruby,' having gone up the creek where the island is situated, anchored off the place where they were to land. The 'Centaur,' being too large to come up so far, sent up her boats, 12 in number, while she remained about three miles down. Captain Buckle and Mr. Selwyn then went in advance of the other boats near the shore, intending to demand the restitution of the vessel, together with the men who murdered the crew, when they were fired at, and Mr. Young, midshipman of the 'Centaur,' was dangerously wounded in the breast. The 'Teazer' and 'Ruby' then opened a furious cannonade, which lasted nearly half an hour. The natives stood it without answering a shot, but as the first boat attempting to land came near the bush through which it was necessary to pass, a volley was fired which took fatal effect, killing Lieut. Crockets commanding the marines, and dangerously wounding eight others, sailors and marines. They then withdrew, and the men in the boats landed without further opposition; and after beating about for some time returned to their vessels. The single shot which wounded Mr. Young, and the volley, was the only firing from the enemy. The next day the party went 10 miles up the creek and recovered the merchant vessel without opposition or seeing a man.

SKIRMISH ON THE CONGO RIVER,

1852.

On the 19th of June, 1852, while H.M. brigantine 'Dolphin,' Lieut.-Commander Henry Temple, was lying in the river Congo, an American brig, the 'Mary Adeline,' attempted the passage up the river; but on reaching Sharks' Point, a position of great danger, owing to the strong currents sweeping round it, she touched the ground, and in a few minutes the stream and surf imbedded her fast ashore. The danger of the brig was instantly observed by the 'Dolphin,' which at once made preparations for her assistance; but while doing so, the master of the vessel in distress, seeing that he and his crew could do nothing towards getting the vessel afloat, made the distress-signal by hoisting the American ensign reversed. Within half an hour of the disaster the brigantine's boats, with anchors, hawsers, &c., were alongside the stranded brig; but the tide falling at the time, rendered merely preparatory measures necessary for heaving off the vessel next day. To the surprise of all, on the following morning the river was crowded with canoes, from 10 to 40 natives in each, all armed, and at least two-thirds with muskets. Their movements left no doubt as to their predatory and hostile intentions. A boat's gun with ammunition was sent on board, and fitted in the brig. The 'Dolphin,' as soon as circumstances could permit, took up a position within gun-range for her protection. The natives appeared determined not to lose their prey, and poured a fire of musketry into the stranded vessel, and brought their scaling-ladders in front, evidently determined on boarding. Under these circumstances the 'Dolphin' opened a fire of shot and shell, and in a little time cleared the beach of the assailants, whose numbers must have exceeded 3,000. This being done, the next object was to get the brig off, and every endeavour was made to do so. In the evening H.M. steam-ship 'Firefly' arrived, and sent her boats to assist. During the night the natives, who had merely retired to the bush, again returned to the beach, and fired a few muskets on the brig, but without injury. The next morning another movement took place on the part of the enemy. They appeared to concentrate and meditate a second boarding attack; but a shot from the 'Dolphin' fortunately again dispersed them. The surf rolled in heavily during the day, increasing considerably the difficulties and dangers of the necessary operations; so much so, that the 'Dolphin's' cutter and crew were capsized by the rollers, and one man seriously injured. Finding it necessary completely to lighten the brig, the cargo was transferred to the 'Dolphin,' and by great industry and exertion the brigantine succeeded in heaving off the 'Mary Adeline' on the evening of the 22nd.

ATTACK ON MEDINA, SIERRA LEONE RIVER, BY H.M.S.
'TEAZER,' LIEUT. RICH, AND 'LINNET'S' BOATS,

1853.

Medina, one of the largest and most regularly-built of the native Mandingo towns, is situated at the mouth of the Sierra Leone river. It stands on flat land, at an elevation of 150 or 200 feet from the sea, and is surrounded by a strong mud wall and stockades, and fortified by a battery of five small pieces of ordnance, placed in a commanding position for defence. The town of Medina, and the country for one mile inland, is within British jurisdiction, and the chief had entered into a treaty for the protection of British interests, and suppression of the slave-trade; but he is, nevertheless, suspected of having connived at it; and on his refusal to deliver up a British subject, who had been kidnapped and carried to his town, as well as the perpetrator of the deed. Governor Kennedy made a requisition on Commander Need to send the 'Teazer' either to bring back the parties in question, or to destroy the town. The 'Teazer' accordingly got up steam on the morning of the 11th March, 1853, and proceeded to the Bulloni shore with the 'Linnet's' boats in tow; and at 9 A.M. came to anchor one mile off the land. All the boats were then manned, and, having effected a landing, the men were marched up to the town, where Commander Need and Lieut. Rich were received by Kelch Moodah and his headman, Sirreh Moodah. Commander Need then explained the object of his visit, and desired to have a conference with the chiefs. On this the tom-tom immediately beat for a war palaver; and in less than 10 minutes numerous petty chiefs, with war men, numbering about 500, all armed with spears, cutlasses, and firelocks, and no lack of ammunition, flocked to their chiefs' rendezvous. Having heard the governor's despatch, which Commander Need read, they conferred together for some time; and having resolved not to deliver up the captive and the accused, Commander Need retired with his men to their boats, followed by the native warriors, who, imagining that they had scared the white men, performed a war-dance on the shore. In the course of half an hour a fire with shot and shell was opened on the town from the 'Teazer,' supported by a cross-fire from the gun-boats of the 'Linnet,' which was continued for a quarter of an hour, when Captain Need again landed, and marched up to the now-deserted town. The chief appeared after a little delay, gave himself up to spare the town, and was brought off as a hostage for the men demanded, who were given up in a day or two, the chief having meanwhile been allowed to be at large, on giving his word not to attempt to leave the colony. These measures were necessary to impress on the chiefs the duty of adhering to the treaty they had signed, as it appears that Kelch Moodah considered himself too strong within his town to be made to feel the power of British law.

CAPTURE OF SLAVERS IN THE RIO PONGOS, BY THE BOATS
OF H.M.S. 'LINNET,' COMMANDER H. NEED.

Information having been given to Commodore Seymour that two suspected vessels in the river Pongos were being prepared for slaves, Commander Need, of H.M.S. 'Linnet,' proceeded up the river on the 30th April, 1853, in her pinnace and two gigs to search for them; and on the following morning learned from an English schooner that a large Spanish schooner was lying in a small creek, about 5 miles up, waiting for a cargo. They soon came in sight of her, with most of her sails spread over her sides, and green bushes hanging around her bows. The moment the crew perceived the boats they left the vessel and got on shore. She proved to be the 'Bellona,' of Barcelona, a fine brigantine, of about 350 tons. Having anchored her in a wide part of the river, with the crew of one of the gigs in charge, the pinnace and the other gig proceeded up the next creek, where a fine schooner was soon discovered, without cargo or crew, but having her beams laid, and the slave-deck piled up in her wings, ready for laying when the slaves came on board.

DESTRUCTION OF BARRACOONS, BY COMMANDER J. STRANGE,
AFRICA,

1851.

The natives at the mouth of the Benin River have for some time past borne a bad name. About the latter end of the year 1850 they were guilty of several acts of piracy upon the long-boats of merchant vessels entering the river for the purposes of trade. Early in 1851 Mr. Beecroft, the British Consul for the Bights of Benin and Biafra, in consequence of the representations he had received from the agents and masters of vessels trading to the Benin, visited the river in the 'Jackal,' a small man-of-war steamer commanded by Lieut. Norman B. Bedingfield, with the intention of remonstrating with the chiefs, and of settling the matter, if possible, by peaceable measures.

In order to put affairs on a permanently satisfactory footing, he found it necessary to proceed to Warree, the seat of government, about 100 miles up the river. On his return from thence, he learned that during his absence the factory at the mouth of the river had been attacked by the natives of Bonbee and Battary, and property to a large amount plundered, the European residents having only escaped with their lives by taking refuge on board a merchant schooner.

This audacity on the part of the natives, whom usually the mere mention of a man-of-war was sufficient to overcome, determined the consul to take stronger measures, and accordingly a schooner was despatched to look for a man-of-war, with a letter addressed to her commander, urging him to repair to the Benin as soon as possible for the purpose of chastising the pirates.

On the 23rd March the 'Archer' anchored off the bar of the river, and her commander, Captain Strange, having learned the particulars, left two boats, a cutter and a whaleboat, with 20 men, to assist Lieut. Bedingfield in the protection of the factory, while he proceeded in search of his pinnace, which had been left watching Lagos during his absence. On the 26th the 'Archer' again anchored off the bar, and her remaining boats attempted to pass it, but finding the sea breaking the whole way across, were compelled to return to their ship. On the following day, however, they succeeded in joining the 'Jackal' off Factory Isle.

It was hoped that the increase of force would have a salutary effect on the marauders, and that matters would be settled without having recourse to hostilities; and in this hope Mr. Beecroft and Captain Strange agreed that no offensive demonstration should take place that afternoon.

The latter, however, with Lieut. Bedingfield, in their respective gigs, proceeded to reconnoitre the mouth of the creek, where the town of Bonbee was situated, and if possible, to find a passage deep enough for the large boats to enter. On approaching the shore, a number of men appeared armed with muskets, who after a preliminary volley of abuse, opened a fire upon the two gigs. The distance was too great for doing mischief, but the fire was returned while the boats continued sounding, and succeeded in the object of finding a channel.

This act of aggression on the part of the Bonbees now left no alternative; but the tide was then falling, and any attack that afternoon must have been indecisive, while it would probably have been attended with much unnecessary bloodshed. The boats which had come promptly up to the support of the two gigs, were therefore ordered back to the 'Jackal,' and preparations were made for an attack the following day.

The town was situated on a branch of the river running in a southerly direction. Between the town and the river was a small creek running parallel to the main stream, and divided from it by a narrow peninsula of sand covered with brushwood about eight feet high, which had the effect of masking the town and concealing any preparations that might be making inside, while it afforded a most favourable cover for musketry. The channel which had been sounded on the 27th, approached the entrance of the branch above mentioned in a winding direction, and compelled the boats to pass the peninsula in single file, and so near as almost to touch it with their oars.

At 11 A.M. of the 28th, the 'Jackal' weighed from her anchorage off Factory Isle, and took up a position abreast of the town, as near as the shoals would admit of, in order to cover the boats with the fire of her 18-pounder. The boats' crews took an early dinner, and at noon (the tide being about quarter-flood), after an experimental shot from the 'Jackal's' gun at long range, which was seen to throw up the muddy water out of the creek, the force, consisting of eight boats, viz., the pinnace, two cutters, and two whaleboats of the 'Archer,' and the cutter, gig, and jolly-boat of the 'Jackal,' containing in all 92 officers and men, including 14 Kroomen, started off on their expedition.

On nearing the shore, the musketry with which the jungle was filled opened upon the boats. Soon after the firing had begun, the pinnace grounded several times, the tide having scarcely risen enough, and at last it became necessary for the Kroomen to jump into the water to shove her over the flats, the other boats closing round her to protect them, during all which time a heavy fire was kept up on both sides, but, as far as our people were concerned, a harmless one.

At length the intricacies of the channel being past, the boats made for the entrance of the creek, the pinnace, under Lieut. Badge of the 'Archer' leading. The point of the peninsula above described, which appeared from outside the most critical part, was passed without a shot being fired, it having been well swept by the canister and shrapnell shell from the pinnace's 12-pounder.

On rounding the point, five war-canoes, each holding about 40 men, and armed with a swivel (about a 3-pounder) in the bow, were seen drawn up across the creek. Three more small guns were planted in front of the town; the whole in such a position as to rake the boats as they entered. Their fire, however, as well as the musketry from the town, although delivered at about 30 yards, did no damage.

A well-directed shot from the pinnace sent the canoes to the right-about, and the town was taken possession of and burnt without further opposition. In this affair the boats suffered no loss. That of the pirates, at the lowest estimate, was about 40 killed. It is impossible to say what number were engaged on their side, but 400 would not be over the mark.

The following morning the boats again proceeded into the creek, and destroyed another town close to the one burnt on the 28th, but which, from being concealed by the jungle, had escaped notice. The resistance on that occasion was trifling, and no casualty occurred.

The effect of these operations upon the pirates and upon the natives in general was very satisfactory. Several canoe-loads of stolen property were returned immediately, and at a meeting of chiefs and headmen of towns on board the 'Jackal,' the most powerful one was unanimously elected chief of the Benin River, who was to be responsible for the protection of trade in future.

MEMOIR OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM TUCKER, R.N.,

1842.

Captain Tucker was the third son of the Rev. O. Tucker, vicar of Borden in Kent, and was born in 1795. In 1809 he joined the 'Arniston' East Indiaman, but preferring the king's service he left this ship in India, and was received as a volunteer on board the 'Diomede.' He afterwards served in the 'Ramillies,' and then in the 'Cumberland,' both 74's, the latter of which was successively employed in the West Indies, and in watching the Dutch fleet in the Texel during the last year of the war. He then sailed again to the East Indies in the 'Liverpool,' Captain Collier, in which ship he had the rating of mate. She was employed for five months on the Isle of France station, during which time her boats captured five slave-vessels. Mr. Tucker was constantly in command of a boat, and was sometimes absent from the ship for six weeks at a time. His exertions on this service were most conspicuous. At the attack on Ras-ool-Khyma, in the Persian Gulf, in which the 'Liverpool' subsequently assisted, he commanded one of the gun-boats, and nearly lost his life. He was ashore when a night attack was made on the camp, and two midshipmen were creased close to him. The sickness caused by the weather during this expedition, when the thermometer stood at 108° in the night, was a formidable addition to the other dangers of the service. After twelve years of active service, Mr. Tucker was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and served successively in the 'Pylades,' the 'Atholl,' and the 'Maidstone.' While on the coast of Africa, in command of the 'Maidstone's' tender, the 'Hope,' a schooner of 140 tons, armed with a long traversing 12-pounder, and four 18-pounder guns, and manned with 32 officers and men, including eight native Africans, he fell in with the 'Prince of Guinea' slaver on the 5th August, 1826. She was a brig of 280 American tons, pierced for 16 guns, but having only 9 mounted, viz., a long traversing 24-pounder, four long 9-pounders, two long 6-pounders, and two swivels, and manned with 72 men. After a chase of 28 hours, and upwards of two hours' hard fighting, Lieut. Tucker having three out of his five guns disabled by the heavy fire of the brig, resolved on boarding her, but being prevented from leading the boarders by a very severe wound in the right foot, received at the commencement of the action, he notwithstanding continued throughout to fight the traversing gun. They were led in the most gallant manner by Mr. R. N. Pengelly, Admiralty mate of the 'Maidstone,' and they succeeded in obtaining a footing on the vessel's deck, and, after a fight of several minutes, in getting possession of her. She had but recently sailed from Whydah with 578 slaves on board. Captain Tucker's commanding commission was sent out the moment the news of the gallant capture arrived at the Admiralty. A handsome watch presented to him by Commodore Bullen, bears in its inscription that he had while in the 'Maidstone' "liberated 1,003 fellow-creatures from the bonds of slavery." In 1837 Captain Tucker was appointed Inspecting Commander in the Coast Guard service, and afterwards to the 'Wolverine' sloop, then at Malta, but destined for the slave coast; with this vessel he captured 14 slavers, and also destroyed the slave-factories at Corisco. His complete knowledge of the coast, and of the habits of the slavers, enabled him not only to terminate but to anticipate the horrors of the slave-ship, and to turn all his energies with success to the task of capturing the pirates before they got into the ports where they were to take in their cargoes. When the West Coast station was separated from that of the Cape of Good Hope, Captain Tucker, having then succeeded to the command of the 'Iris' frigate, and having been made Post Captain (Oct. 26th, 1840) became the senior officer, and continued the same career most successfully, making upwards of 20 more captures. His health, however, gave way, which obliged him to return to England. He took his passage from the Cape of Good Hope in the 'Reliance' East Indiaman, which was wrecked on the 12th November, 1842, in a dreadful storm off Boulogne, and he was lost almost in sight of his native land. The last seen of him was on the poop-deck until it was broken up by the fall of the mizen-mast, supporting in his arms a young midshipman of the name of Ford, whose leg had been broken by the fall of the main-mast. Those who survived saved themselves by swimming. Captain Tucker was himself an excellent swimmer, and had twice jumped overboard to save the lives of others. It seems probable, and in perfect accordance with his character, that he lost his life in attempting to save his wounded companion, and the composure thus evinced in remembering the duties of humanity when death is close at hand, has at least as much of merit as the courage shown before an enemy.

LOSS OF H.M.S. 'AVENGER.'

The 'Avenger,' Captain Napier, was a fine, fully-equipped steam-frigate of 1,500 tons, with a splendid ship's company, and had been much distinguished in the evolutions of the experimental squadron in 1847. She left Gibraltar for Malta on the 17th December, 1847, having onboard 270 persons, including crew and supernumeraries; and about 10 o'clock on the evening of the 20th, while the captain and master were in the act of consulting the charts, she struck on one of the Sorelle rocks, two dangerous subaqueous mountain peaks, lying about a mile apart, opposite to the islets on the coast of Barbary, called the Fratelli, and about 12 miles and a quarter, W.S.W. of the uninhabited island of Gralita.

The least water on the eastern peak is three feet and a quarter; and on the other, which is exactly on the same line of bearing from Gralita, there are from three to five fathoms. Between the two is a channel of 30 fathoms, and at a little distance around, not less than 100. In some winds they may be perceived five or six miles off by the breakers; but in fine weather it is difficult to see them, even when pretty close. The rest of the channel between Galita and the Barbary shore is everywhere clear from danger; but it is remarkable that, within the island, the current sets to the westward, and without it to the eastward, unless in gales of continuance.

Two boats were lowered directly the ship struck, one containing Lieut. Francis Booke, the surgeon, the second-master, Mr. Betts, the gunner, Mr. Larcom, and four seamen; but they were at once carried away from the ship, which they saw thrown upon her beam-ends an utter wreck, the sea making a clean breach over her. The boat lay some time off the spot to save the lives of any who might seek safety, and then steered for the coast of Africa, which she reached at Bizerta, but was swamped in the attempt to land, only five persons, Lieut. Booke, Mr. Larcom, William Hill, and James Morley (boy), gaining the shore. By the aid of some friendly Arabs, they were enabled to reach Tunis; and the French authorities there lost no time in sending off the 'Lavoisier,' war-steamer, to rescue any of the crew that might be still alive. Meeting with the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-ship, the 'Pasha,' the two repaired in company to the scene of the disaster; but found only some small portions of wreck floating about, four persons only being the survivors of 270 gallant men, who formed the complement. The deepest and most universal sorrow was felt for this fatal catastrophe, and a large subscription made for the support of the families of those who perished, to which the navy contributed largely.

MEMOIR OF CAPTAIN NAPIER.

George Charles Elers Napier, second son of Lieut. Elers, R.N., was born 22nd May, 1812. In 1815, Captain, now Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, married the widow of Lieut. Elers, and adopted the boy, who, at the age of 12 years, entered the navy under the auspices of his step-father. His first ship was the 'Ganges,' on the South American station; afterwards, he served as mate in the 'Galatea,' under the command of his step-father, and subsequently was appointed to the 'Excellent,' where he remained engaged in the study of gunnery after his promotion to the rank of lieutenant in 1832. On Sir Charles Napier succeeding Admiral Sartorius in the command of the Portuguese fleet, during the war of succession in that country, his step-son joined him, and acted with the rank of captain, as his aide-de-camp, on the day of the capture of Don Miguel's squadron, contributing not a little, by the brilliant valour he displayed, to the success of the day. Admiral Napier hoisted his flag on board a small frigate called the 'Rainha,' and sweeping under the stern of a gigantic Miguelite line-of-battle-ship of the same name, ran through a tremendous fire alongside of her. The ships were lashed with the mainsheet, and Commodore Wilkinson and Captain Charles Napier, heading the boarders, passed from the bowser anchor to the enemy's bulwark, driving the men across the forecastle along the larboard gangway. At this critical moment, the ships yawing asunder, Captain Napier was left alone and unsupported on the enemy's deck. Here he held his ground till his sword becoming entangled between the ramrod and barrel of an enemy's musket, was suddenly wrenched from his grasp, and as he grappled with his nearest opponent, both fell over a gun, and were borne down on the slippery deck. Just then, Admiral Napier, boarding in person, with another party, rescued him from death, took possession of the 'Rainha,' and thus decided the fate of the day.

This was the first time Captain Charles Napier had ever been under fire, and of the 14 sabre and bayonet wounds then received, he retained many of the scars through his life. He was carried back to his own ship in an insensible state; but the next day, notwithstanding his sufferings, he wrote to relieve his mother's anxiety with assurances of his safety. On recovering from his wounds, he was placed in command of the 'Eliza,' a fine corvette, and was invested with the Order of the Tower and Sword.

Shortly after the termination of the war by the establishment of Donna Maria on the throne of Portugal, he was appointed, as lieutenant, to H.M.S. 'Vernon,' on the Mediterranean station. In 1838 he was promoted to the rank of commander, and appointed to command the 'Pelican,' in which he had his full share of service during the war in China. Being posted before its conclusion, and consequently superseded in his command, Captain Napier joined the land-forces as a volunteer, and subsequently acted as aide-de-camp to Sir William Parker, in which capacity, ever foremost in danger, he scaled the walls of Ching-kang-foo, at the storming of that place. On his return from China he applied himself to the study of steam, and was offered the command of a fine steam-frigate, which he declined, that he might devote himself to the comfort of his mother, proving in many ways that the zeal and courage which he evinced in his profession were fully equalled by the kindlier features of his character.

He had joined the 'Avenger' only one month before the close of his brief and gallant career when she was lost.

WRECK OF A MAN-OF-WAR'S BOAT, CHINA,

1841.

While H.M.S. 'Conway' was lying off Whampoa, a party, consisting of Lieut. Beadon, Mr. Smith, assistant-surgeon, Mr. Turnour, midshipman, and 14 men, left her in a large boat, and proceeded to Macao, where they stayed a few days, and left that place to return to the 'Conway' about noon on Easter Monday. A fine breeze carried them safely over half their distance, when, it being too dark to see the numerous fishing-stakes laid down at the mouth of the river, or to discover any of the landmarks, they cast anchor about midnight. At 1 o'clock A.M., on the 30th April, Lieut. Beadon, feeling the boat ride uneasily, gave orders for the cable to be cut; but before even this could be done, a heavy squall took her, and she filled head foremost, becoming instantly a wreck. The miserable crew hung on till daylight, in spite of a terrific tempest, accompanied by violent thunder and lightning. Several junks passed and avoided them (which, perhaps, is not surprising); but to their shame be it spoken, an European boat, belonging to Macao, passed the hapless group with equal apathy. At length, after being washed about for some hours on rafts, which Lieut. Beadon, almost single-handed, had constructed (for, with the exception of a man and a boy, the crew were too panic-stricken to render much assistance in lashing them together), they descried a Chinese fishing-junk, containing one old man. Lieut. Beadon forbade any whining supplication, but ordered the men to give three good hearty English cheers. The good old fisherman waved his hand, and instantly bore down to their assistance, picked up their scattered and exhausted party, and gave them food and covering. Lieut. Beadon offered him 40 dollars to take them to H.M.S. 'Wellesley,' that being the nearest. He did so, carefully concealing them from his own countrymen. They sustained the loss of one man, a carpenter, named Shronshire: he was washed off the deck when too much exhausted to retain his hold, and sank to rise no more. Lieut. Beadon endeavoured, during 14 hours of awful and appalling danger, to stimulate the crew to exertion, telling them that it was a mockery to God to give themselves up to prayer, without at the same time using the bodily powers and mental faculties He had given them for the preservation of their lives; but immediately they were on board the junk he addressed the men upon the awful warning they had just received of the uncertainty of life, exhorting them to make that the era of a new life by the help of God; and, lamenting his own unfitness to offer up a prayer of thanksgiving, earnestly implored each to offer up one in his own heart. Upon their arrival on board H.M.S. 'Wellesley,' they were warmly welcomed by Captain Maitland and his officers. The former immediately ordered 80 dollars of the public money to be paid to the old Chinaman, in addition to the 40 Lieut. Beadon had promised from his own private purse. Lieut. Beadon was promoted soon after to the rank of commander.

WRECK OF A BOAT OF H.M.S. 'GANGES'--DEATH OF
LIEUT. BREEN, MEDITERRANEAN,

1850.

As one of the boats of H.M.S. 'Ganges,' forming part of the British fleet in the Piræus, with Lieut. Breen, Mr. Chatfield, midshipman, and 16 men, was returning from the shore, laden with water, she was swamped and turned over just half way between the 'Queen' and the east point of the Island of Lypso.

Mr. Breen, Mr. Chatfield, and most of the men, immediately struck out for the island, and reached it. The gale increased, and the cold became so intense that their clothes were frozen stiff upon them. In the morning they could see the fleet, but were unable to catch attention by signals. One of the men suffered so much from the cold, that Lieut. Breen generously stripped off his coat and put it on him. As the day closed, most of the men retired into a cave; but Mr. Breen separated himself from the others and was no more seen. On board the 'Ganges' it was thought that they had not put off from shore; but next night it was known that they had set out and a boat was sent to search. As it was passing by Lypso at dawn on the third day, the wrecked boat was accidentally descried on the beach. Mr. Chatfield and half-a-dozen men were found in the cave in a torpid state; Mr. Breen was found dead, crouched under a bush; and ten seamen were missing. There is little doubt that poor Mr. Breen lost his life from his generous act in favour of the suffering seaman. The survivors found in the cave all recovered.

NORTH POLAR EXPEDITIONS.

Since the early part of the sixteenth century, attempts have been frequently made to reach the Pacific through a passage round the northern shore of America, nor had the desire of the British nation to accomplish the object ceased when Her Majesty came to the throne. In the year 1836, Sir George Back, having just returned from a land-exploring expedition on the northern shore of the American continent, undertook a voyage up Hudson's Straits in the 'Terror.' The winter commencing early with great rigour, the ship was frozen in; and on the ice again breaking up, was driven about for some months, amid masses of ice grinding her sides and frequently threatening to overwhelm her. For three days she was thrown on her beam-ends, when her destruction appeared inevitable; but she happily righted, and ultimately returned home, though in a desperately shattered condition. Two officers of the Hudson's Bay Company, Messrs. Dease and Simpson, about the same time explored a portion of the Arctic shores of the American continent left undiscovered by Captains Franklin and Back. It was not, however, till the year 1845 that any further expedition for Arctic discovery was undertaken by the British Government. The command of the one then planned was sought for and obtained by Sir John Franklin, and certainly no subject has so long and so painfully excited the interest of the nation as the fate of him and his gallant companions. When we contemplate the terrific dangers to which they have been exposed, we may well fear the worst; but when we think of the talent, the courage, the fortitude, and the perseverance they possess among them, hope still rises above our fears, and we trust, not without reason, that through the protecting hand of Providence, they may have surmounted the perils which have surrounded them, and may yet be restored to their country and their friends. Nowhere can all the noble qualities which adorn the British seaman be more fully called forth than during a voyage in the Arctic seas, and the detention to which he is subject for years together on its ice-bound shores. From the first entering these regions dangers beset him. Suddenly he finds his vessel among immense fields of floating ice, through which he can with difficulty find a passage or escape shipwreck. Then in the darkness of night, icebergs of vast height are seen close aboard towering above his mast-head, the sea dashing with fury round their bases, from which, should he not scrape clear, his destruction is certain. Sometimes, to prevent his vessel being drifted on icebergs, or the rocky shore, or fields of ice, to leeward, he secures her on the leeside of some large berg. The base of the mass beneath the water is continually melting; and while he fancies himself secure, it decreases so much as to lose its balance, and its lofty summit bending down it may overwhelm him in its ruins. Then, again, large masses become detached from its base, and rising up violently from far down in the sea, strike the bottom of the vessel with terrific force, capable of driving in her planks and breaking her stout timbers. Often, also, he has to saw his way through sheets of ice, cutting out canals with untiring perseverance to gain a piece of clear water beyond. Sometimes his vessel is so tightly frozen within a field of ice that he has no power to extricate her; then the field, urged by the tides or wind, moves on at a rapid rate for hundreds of miles, till it encounters some other field or a projecting shore. Now commences a scene of horror which may well make the stoutest heart tremble. The field breaks into thousands of fragments, huge masses of many hundred tons weight, and larger than his ship, are thrown up, one on the other, rising almost as if they had life, till they tower far above the sides of his vessel, and appear ready every instant to crush her, as she lies helplessly among this icy mass of a seeming ruined world. Sometimes a huge lump, bigger than the ship herself, becomes attached to her bottom, and as the mass around her melts, it rises to the surface, and throws her on her beam-ends. Sometimes, as she is sailing in an open space, two fields suddenly close in on her. If he has time to cut a dock in the field nearest him, or finds a bay ready formed, she may escape; if not, when the fields meet, her stout ribs are crushed in as if they were of wax, and he is fortunate if he escapes to the ice with some of his boats and a few provisions and clothes before his vessel disappears, to encounter a voyage without shelter in that frigid region, till he falls in with some whaleship, or can gain its inhospitable shores. But suppose he escapes the dangers of the sea I have described, and many others, and takes shelter for the winter in some bay or gulf where, icebound, he must remain during the winter without any communication with the rest of his fellow-creatures besides those who form his own adventurous band. The sun sinks below the horizon, and is not seen again for months together; darkness is around him, and one dreary mass of snow covers the face of nature. The intense cold prevents him often from venturing from beyond the shelter with which he has surrounded his vessel, or if he is tempted to do so, frost-bites may attack his hands and his feet and deprive him of their use. Sometimes the Arctic explorer has had to journey for weeks together across the barren waste of ice or snow-covered ground, dragging his sledge after him, and sleeping night after night under the thin roof of a canvas tent; and as summer draws on, often wet through from the melting snow without an opportunity of drying his clothes. Seldom has he an abundance, and often he suffers from a scarcity of provisions, while, if his strength fails him from illness or injury, he can scarcely hope to regain his ship alive. Notwithstanding the dangers and hardships I have mentioned, and many others to which the Arctic explorer is exposed, as soon as it was known that another Polar expedition was in contemplation, and that Sir John Franklin would probably command it, numbers of volunteers crowded forward to obtain appointments under him.

Among them was the gallant Fitzjames, whose name has been so often mentioned in these pages as being actively engaged wherever work was to be done; the talented and persevering Captain Crozier, who had but lately returned from a long and hazardous voyage of discovery; Harry Goodsir, an enterprising surgeon, whose brother has shown his fraternal affection by undertaking a voyage in a whaler in hopes of meeting with the expedition; also Lieut. Gore, who had before braved the most terrific dangers of a Polar voyage on board the 'Terror,' in the last expedition under Captain Back, and who was likewise with Ross in the Antarctic expedition; and there was also Lieut. Fairholme, who was in the Niger expedition, when he encountered dangers undaunted, scarcely inferior to those to be met with in the icy seas. Then I must mention John Irving. He had quitted the service and settled in Australia. He had once gone down to Sydney to sell his wool, when he found a ship-of-war in the harbour. He went on board--a number of old shipmates greeted him. He was then a mate--a vacancy existed in the ship. He got appointed to fill it, and directing a brother, who was also in the colony, to take care of his property, he sailed at once for England, scarcely again setting foot on shore; and on his arrival, receiving his commission as lieutenant, he joined the Polar expedition.

The following is a list of the officers who were finally appointed to the expedition:--

'EREBUS.'

Captain Sir John Franklin, K.C.H.; Commander James Fitzjames; Lieuts. Graham Gore, Henry T. Le Vesconte, James William Fairholme; Mates, Charles T. des Vaux, Robert O'Sargent; Second Master, Henry F. Collins; Surgeon, Stephen Stanley; Assistant Surgeon, Harry D. S. Goodsir; Paymaster and Purser, Charles H. Osmer; Master, James Reid, acting; 58 Petty Officers, Seamen, &c. Full complement, 70.

'TERROR'

Captain Francis E. M. Crozier; Lieuts. Edward Little, George H. Hodgson, John Irving; Mates, Frederick J. Hornby, Robert Thomas; Ice-master, T. Blakey, acting; Second Master, G. A. Maclean; Surgeon, John S. Peddie; Assistant Surgeon, Alexander M'Donald; Clerk in Charge, Edwin G. H. Helpman; 57 Petty Officers, Seamen, &c. Full complement, 68; making in all 138 souls.

The expedition sailed from England May the 26th, 1845. They arrived at the Whale-fish Islands, a group to the south of Disco, on the 4th of July. On the 26th they were seen moored to an iceberg, in 74° 48' north latitude, and 66° 13' west longitude, by a Hull whaler, the 'Prince of Wales,' Captain Dannet. The ships had then on board provisions for three years, on full allowance, or even four, with the assistance of such game as they might expect to obtain. Every one on board had resolved to persevere to the utmost in pushing their way through any channel which might offer a prospect of success towards the west; but the letters of Captain Fitzjames especially seem to point clearly to Wellington Channel as the passage they would most probably first attempt. No news of the expedition having reached England up to the year 1847, some slight apprehensions began to be felt, though the general hope was that Sir John had pushed on perhaps into the Polar basin, and might make his appearance by way of Behring's Straits. However, it was thought right, in 1848, to despatch another expedition to search for the missing ships. Two vessels were commissioned for that purpose, and placed under the command of Sir James Ross, an officer who has been nearer the northern and southern poles than any other human being. The ships were not ready for sea till the 12th of June. They were fitted to contend with the dangers of the Polar seas in a way no former ships had been, and every means that could be devised for the comfort and convenience of their crews were liberally supplied; while the officers and men were influenced by an earnest zeal to discover their missing countrymen, and to rescue them from the forlorn condition in which it was too probable they were placed. Such have been the motives which have induced, year after year, numbers of other gallant officers and men to volunteer their services to encounter the terrific dangers and hardships of a Polar voyage to search for Sir John Franklin and his brave followers. But while I am mentioning the brave and bold spirits who are eager to rush into danger, and to undergo toil and suffering for that object, I cannot omit to speak of one, a sailor's daughter and a sailor's niece, who has proved herself indeed a heroine--a true chip of the old block. Most people have heard of the noble efforts and sacrifices Lady Franklin has made to despatch expedition after expedition in search of her gallant husband, and all honour be her due; though few can understand but those who have the happiness of knowing her, the untiring zeal, the deep earnest devotion of his affectionate niece. How she has laboured on, month after month and year after year, with talents, mind, and endurance, unsurpassed by any man; sitting up night after night to write letters to all parts of the world, and spending day after day in receiving visits from officers anxious to form part of some expedition, and in examining every variety of invention, plan, and proposal. No words of mine can do adequate justice to the lady of whom I write. All honour be to Miss Sophia Cracroft; she is indeed a true daughter of old ocean, and worthy to be loved and reverenced by all who love and respect the British Navy, and admire the gallant spirit which imbues it.

But to return to our narrative. My space will not allow me to give more than a very brief sketch of the several searching expeditions which have been sent out, and the names of the ships and officers composing them.

The first, then, was that under Captain Sir J. Ross, consisting of--

'ENTERPRISE,' 540 tons.

Captain Sir James C. Ross; Lieuts., R. J. L. M'Clure, F. L. M'Clintock, and W. H. J. Browne; Master, W. S. Couldery (acting); Surgeon, W. Robertson (acting); Assistant-Surgeon, H. Matthias; Second-Master, S. Court; Clerk, Edward Whitehead; total complement, 68.

'INVESTIGATOR,' 480 tons.

Captain E. J. Bird; Lieuts. M. G. H. W. Ross, Fredk. Robinson, and J. J. Barnard; Master, W. Tatham; Surgeon, Robert Anderson; Mates, L. John Moore and S. G. Cresswell; Second Master, John H. Allard; Assistant-Surgeon, E. Adams; Clerk in Charge, J. D. Gilpin. Total complement, 67.

The expedition left England on the 12th of June, 1848, and reached Barrow's Straits by the end of August. Sir James Ross then endeavoured to find a passage through Wellington Channel; but it was so completely blocked up with ice that he was compelled to give up the attempt that year as hopeless. The ice closing in on the ships at an unusually early period, after running great risk of being crushed, Sir James took refuge in Leopold Harbour for the winter. Hence several expeditions were sent out on foot. Sir James Ross and Lieut. M'Clintock set out in May, with sledges, each accompanied by six men, and explored the whole of the north and west coasts of North Somerset; and being absent thirty-nine days, returned to the ships on the 23rd of June. Meantime Lieut. Barnard started for the northern shore of Barrow's Straits, crossing the ice to Cape Hind. Lieut. Browne visited the eastern shore of Regent Inlet, and Lieut. Robinson the western shore, and reached several miles to the southward of Fury Beach. No traces were discovered, however, of Sir John Eranklin, but every device that could be thought of was employed to let his party know of the position of the ships. At Fury Beach, Lieut. Robinson discovered Sir John Ross's house, and much of the provisions left there by the 'Fury' in 1827 still remaining, and in excellent condition. On the 28th of August, the vessels quitted Leopold Harbour, where, at Whaler Point, a large supply of provisions, fuel, and a steam-launch were left, in the hopes that some of Sir John's party might visit the place. Again, from the 1st to the 25th of September, the vessels were so closely beset with ice, that it was feared they might be compelled to spend another winter in those regions, if they escaped being crushed to fragments. Happily they got clear after drifting into Baffin's Bay, and reached England in November.

The 'North Star,' an old 26-gun frigate of 500 tons, had in the meantime, in the spring of 1849, been despatched with provisions for Sir James Ross, under command of Mr. J. Saunders. Having got blocked in by the ice for sixty-two days, she was compelled to winter in Wolstenholme Sound, on the western coast of Greenland.

Immediately on the return of the 'Enterprise' and 'Investigator,' they were recommissioned and placed under the command of Captain B. Collinson, with directions to proceed to Behring's Straits to resume the search in that direction. H.M.S. 'Plover,' Commander Moore, was already there, employed in surveying the north-western coasts of the American continent.

The following were the officers appointed to them:--

'ENTERPRISE.'