BLUE JACKETS;

OR,

CHIPS OF THE OLD BLOCK

A NARRATIVE OF

The Gallant Exploits of British Seamen,

AND OF

THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN THE NAVAL SERVICE,

DURING THE REIGN OF

HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY

QUEEN VICTORIA.

BY

W. H. G. KINGSTON, ESQ.

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

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

1854.

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

PREFACE.

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

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

TRUE CHIPS OF THE OLD BLOCK.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"CHIPS OF THE OLD BLOCK."

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

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

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

CONTENTS.

CAPTURE OF ADEN, Jan. 19, 1839

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WAR IN NEW ZEALAND, from 1845 to 1847

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE AFRICAN COAST BLOCKADE Nature of the Service Description of Slave Barracoons Description of an Empty Slaver Description of a Slaver with Cargo on board Chases and Captures of Slavers by H.M.S. 'Bonetta,' on the African Coast Slave-schooner run down Brazilian Slave-brig Captured Brazilian Slaver Destroyed Slave-schooner Captured Capture of the 'Catherine' Slaver by H.M.S. 'Dolphin,' Captain R. H. Dundas, 1839 Capture of Brazilian Slaver 'Firmé' by the Boats of H.M.S. 'Dolphin,' Lieut. Littlehales, Acting-Commander; under the command of Mr. Augustus Charles Murray, Mate, and Mr. John F. Rees, Second Master, 18419 Voyage of the 'Dores,' a Slaver, captured by H.M.S. 'Dolphin,' from Accra to Sierra Leone, under command of Lieut. Augustus C. Murray, from Aug. 12, 1840, to Jan. 5, 18419 Capture of the 'Josephine' Slaver, Africa9 Capture of an Armed Slaver by a Four-oared Gig. under command of Mr. Tottenham, Mate, 1844 Lieut. Lodwick's (in the 'Growler's' Pinnace) gallant Attack on a Slaver, 1845 Capture of the 'Felicidade' and 'Echo' Slavers by H.M.S. 'Wasp,' and Recapture of 'Felicidade' by H.M.S. 'Star,' 1845 Capture of a Slaver by H.M.S. 'Pantaloon,' Africa, 1845 Lieut. Mansfield and Prize Crew—Defence of the 'Romeo Primero,' against an Attempt at Recapture, Africa, 1847 Rescue of Slaves in the River Pongos by Commander H. Dunlop, H.M.S. 'Alert,' Africa, 1849 Capture of a Slaver by H.M.S. 'Phœnix,' Commander Wodehouse, Africa, 1850 Capture of the Slaver 'Anne D. Richardson' by H.M. Steam-frigate 'Pluto,' Commander Joliffe, 1850 Encounter with Black Pirates, Africa, 1850 Skirmish on the Congo River, Africa, 1852 Attack on Medina, Sierra Leone River, by H.M.S. 'Teazer,' Lieut. Rich, and 'Linnet's' Boats, Africa, 1853 Capture of Slavers in the Rio Pongos by the Boats of H.M.S. 'Linnet,' Commander H. Need Destruction of Barracoons by Commander J. Strange, Africa, 1851 Memoir of Captain William Tucker, R.N., 1842 Loss of H.M.S. 'Avenger' Memoir of Captain Napier Wreck of a Man-of-war's Boat, China, 1841 Wreck of a Boat of H.M.S. 'Ganges'—Death of Lieut. Breen, Mediterranean, 1850

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

BLUE JACKETS;

OR

CHIPS OF THE OLD BLOCK.