Every Man Will Do His Duty (36 page)

I retired, and had scarcely left his room when I was accosted by one of the Admiralty messengers. “Pray, sir, is your name Dillon?” he said. “Lord Gambier wishes to see you.” Thither I hastened. It was then about 2 o’clock. “Well,” said his Lordship, “have you accepted the command of the
Childers?”
“I have, my lord.” “Very well. I am glad of it. I was fearful you would not take her. But it is all right. It is a stepping stone to something better. You are stationed at Leith. You will go in the first place to Sheerness, where you will be ordered to Scotland. But before long I am in hopes of removing you to a superior command.” With these assurances his Lordship renewed his expressions of the warmest feelings for my advancement and welfare, shaking me by the hand in confirmation of all he said. I took my leave of him.

As I passed through the hall of the Admiralty, several officers of my acquaintance accosted me in the following terms:—“Is it true that you have accepted the command of the
Childers?”
“Yes,” I replied. “Then go and insure your life without loss of time. She has returned to port having thrown her guns overboard to prevent her sinking. You will never come back again!” “Very satisfactory news,” I observed. “However, I shall try what I can do with her.”

As I had promised to quit town that night, I had enough to do, not having any uniforms or anything ready. I hastened to my stepmother’s, in the meantime writing a note to Mrs. V, acquainting her that I hoped to be at her house in a couple of hours. Lady D. assisted me as much as she could. I then called upon my agent and requested an advance of cash to fit me out.
Mr. Ommanney, who was in attendance, remarked in reply to my demand, “You have some property in Ireland?” My reply acquainted him that the Irish estate had been sold to pay my expenses at Verdun. “If that is the case,” said he, “I can not assist you. There is a certain sum which we generally allow to officers taking a command. That will be at your disposal, but I cannot let you have more.” I took a part of that sum, then made the best of my way to Mrs. V. She had ordered a tailor to be in waiting who undertook to make me a coat and waistcoat in a few hours. We then repaired to the sword cutlers, where I fitted myself with an article of that kind according to the regulations: next a cocked hat. Then I went to Wedgwood’s China Establishment and bought a tray that contained four dishes with a small soup tureen in the middle. Other articles were obtained, packed up and paid for. They were to be at Sheerness next morning. I had performed wonders in the course of a few hours. We then sat down to dinner, during which, as if an inspiration had seized Mrs. V., she made up her mind to accompany me to Sheerness. Her daughter, niece and maid were to be of the party.

A travelling carriage was ordered, and by 10 o’clock it came to the door with four horses. The tailor had not kept his promise, but he declared that my coat, etc., would be at Rochester before 4 o’clock in the morning. We then started for that town accompanied by a deep fall of snow. We were too much taken up with our own affairs to attend to the brilliant illumination which everywhere appeared to our view. When we got off the pavement, and were proceeding at a rapid pace, the young ladies entertained us with some songs. However, just as we had passed the Elephant and Castle, I thought I heard a noise at the back of the carriage—something like a screw put my head out of the window, and to my astonishment beheld a man on the seat. His left hand had hold of the spring. With my stick I gave him a hearty thump over his knuckle which obliged him instantly to drop himself to the ground, accompanied by a partner. In their dress they had the appearance of chimney sweeps. I then called out to the postboys to stop, but it was useless. They did not, or, more properly speaking, would not hear me. Shortly afterwards, another person got up behind. However, I made him drop off—in appearance a gentleman in shoes and stockings. By 2 o’clock we were at Rochester, where we were obliged to wait till the tide would allow us to proceed to Sheerness. All my questions to the postboys ended in nothing; but I am fully persuaded that they were leagued with the fellows who got up behind. In the attempt made to wrest my portmanteau out of the back panel of the carriage a sort of large gimlet had been employed. When we stopped at the inn we saw a large hole bored by such an instrument. It had penetrated through the side of my portmanteau,
which had been placed in the back seat. Had I not heard the working of the screw, it would have been carried off in a few seconds. It contained my commission appointing me to command the
Childers,
some linen and cash. At 4 o’clock the stage arrived bringing me a parcel containing my uniforms, and after that delay we proceeded to Sheerness, putting up at the inn there.

My first duty was to present myself to the port admiral, Thomas Wells, Esq. This was the officer under whom I had served in the
Defence.
Consequently I was well received by him. After the etiquette usual on such occasions, he insisted upon my immediately putting to sea. However, when he heard of my having nothing ready, and that I had quitted London the day of my appointment, he agreed to allow me two days, that indulgence being obtained with great difficulty: but I was obliged to act accordingly. He invited me to dine, then sent for Mrs. Wells and his daughters, to whom he presented me. They recognized me although we had not met for fourteen years. They were extremely affable, and I was astonished that those fine girls still remained without husbands.

I next—it being the 19th—proceeded off to the
Childers,
where Capt. Innes was waiting to receive me. My commission having been read to the crew and all the officers introduced to me, I became installed in the command of the brig. I agreed to take many articles from Capt. Innes which I thought would answer my purpose until I reached Leith, where I had directed all my luggage to be sent from London. Capt. Innes then went on shore, where we were to meet to settle other matters. I then bent my steps round the vessel, and was surprised at her diminutive dimensions. There was only one lieutenant,
¹⁵
although she was allowed two: in fact, there was no cabin fitted for a second. My inspection was not of a nature to be pleasing, but I made no remarks, not wishing anyone to suppose that I was disappointed. However, I was most seriously annoyed at all I saw. When I entered the cabin, I met the youth who was there in attendance, to whom I put some questions. This lad, anxious to please his new captain, let out a number of things that had better never have been mentioned. The cabin was very small and not very clean, which made me make some remarks on that score. “Very true, sir,” said the youth. “We have been labouring heart and soul these two days to put the vessel to rights to please you.” The more I saw the more I had reason to regret having accepted the command. When the officers felt themselves at liberty to offer their remarks, I found them all discontented. They could not help alluding to the throwing of the guns overboard. I made no replies, but listened patiently to all they said. After
remaining on board two or three hours to ascertain the exact condition of the brig, I went on shore. In my conversations with Capt. Innes, I tried to discover the real cause of his giving up the command. He did not appear inclined to say much on the subject. He had been in the brig some time, and had made £15,000 prize money. He thought he was entitled to a larger vessel. However he assured me that, with proper management, I should take prizes, as the Norwegians and Danes had constant communications by sea, and a good look out would ensure success.

On the following day I mustered the brig’s crew and exercised them at the guns—carronades, I should say. She mounted 14 of them, 12 lbers, with a crew of 63 men and boys, her proper complement being 86. The carronades, being new, were sealed, and I did all I could to inspire confidence in the men I had under command. The weather was cold, and we were visited with snow storms—not a pleasant season of the year to put to sea with an unknown crew, as it was probable that many of my regulations differed from those of the late captain. However, I had undertaken the task: therefore perseverance was my motto. I met several acquaintances among the captains. One of them, with whom I sailed in the
Prince George,
Baker,
¹⁶
commanded a fine sloop of war.
¹⁷
I had some long interesting conversations with him. He assured me that I should not be able to keep up the respectability of my station under £500 a year. “Why,” said I, “I have already spent that sum in my outfit!” “Very true,” he replied. “It’s what we all do. And if you have not something beyond your pay the case is desperate.” That literally was mine; but I did not like to tell him so. The
Childers’
pay was about £250 per annum, out of which there were many deductions, such as the agent’s charges and the income tax. I confess I pondered a good deal over the position I was placed in. However, hopes of good luck buoyed me up. I met here a Capt. Sturt,
¹⁸
in command of a fine brig of war. This officer made himself known shortly afterwards by carrying off a nun from one of the convents at Madeira. This was a regular sailor’s frolic.

My hours were counted, and I found there would be no peace for me until I left Sheerness. I had taken with me a fine youth of the name of Parker
¹⁹
as a naval cadet: also a mate, Mr. Knight, whom I appointed as an acting lieutenant. I was exerting myself to the utmost to make the best of a bad bargain. I had only one day more to remain at anchor, and I devoted it entirely to the brig. I had her thoroughly washed below, cleaned and
smoked. While this operation was proceeding, I saw the smoke coming out of the seams, which indicated her crazy state. The officers pointed to many parts of the vessel, proving that she was worn out: in short, I began to be seriously impressed with the awkward situation in which I found myself. The
Childers
was in fact an inferior command to the gunbrigs under lieutenants, which mounted 18 heavier guns than those on board my craft. Turning all these matters over in my mind, being alone in my cabin whilst the crew were at dinner, I was suddenly seized with a fit of despair, and I thought it my duty to let Lord Gambier know all the difficulties I had exposed myself to in taking command of such a rotten vessel. I wrote my letter accordingly, and requested his Lordship to have me removed to a better one. I have often thought of that act since. It was, probably, lucky that I had not written the letter on shore, as if I had it would have been instantly sent to the post office. What the result would have been no one knows. But, on board the brig, I waited until the boat’s crew had dined, and in the meantime I reflected upon the contents of my letter to the leading naval Lord of the Admiralty. He had acknowledged to me that he expected I would refuse the command: consequently he might be prepared for receiving my letter. However, upon more mature reflection I tore it up. I treated all the difficulties made by the officers with contempt, and finally made up my mind to brave every danger. I had not been accustomed to the management of a brig, but my own conscience led me to believe that I should succeed in my undertaking. I had not much confidence in the first lieutenant—he was very young and had not much experience—but I had a better opinion of the crew. There were some stout fellows amongst them, and my knowledge of that class of man inclined me to place reliance upon their exertions. Therefore the die was cast. I had come to the conclusion that it was more manly to trust to my fate than to make difficulties. Under these feelings my future conduct was regulated.

On the 22nd, being ready for sea, I took leave of Ad. Wells and his family. I had lent the young ladies some caricatures, which were returned: then, off to the
Childers,
and removed from the Little Nore further out. My whole thoughts were now taken up with my official duties. I had two pilots for the North Sea: they were very uncouth fellows. I slept on board for the first time. The following day, at half past two, the brig was under sail; but I cannot pass unnoticed what appeared to me an unpardonable neglect on the part of the late captain. The capstan bars were so long that they overlaid the tiller. I was all astonishment to perceive that this tiller was lashed on one side to make room for the bars to go round. Consequently, the instant the anchor was out of the ground the brig lost the use of her helm. Upon my mentioning this bad contrivance to the first lieutenant and the master, they
said that they always had managed in that way. “It is a very lubberly act,” I replied, “and it shall be instantly remedied.” So soon as the sails were trimmed I sent for the carpenter, and ordered him to shorten the capstan bars so many inches; next, to curtail the tiller, that it might be used free of the bars. These orders were instantly executed, and everybody appeared to wonder why such a measure had not been thought of before. The safety of a vessel depends upon the motion of the rudder. So long as it remains unmanageable no one can tell what accidents may occur. This improvement for the better caused some remarks, which I could not help overhearing. It was thought that the captain knew what he was about.

In passing the
Namur,
the flag ship, at the Great Nore I received nine seamen for a passage to Yarmouth. In the evening, a fog coming on, I was obliged to anchor. The next day, Sunday, I read the Articles of War to the crew. I then acquainted them that, in so small a vessel, every precaution was necessary to prevent surprise; in consequence whereof the brig’s company were never to quit the deck all together, but one watch was to be constantly on deck, and to be armed. That regulation was instantly put in force, and a number of others, the details of which I shall not dwell upon, were adopted. But I gave the crew to understand that I did not mean to be captured without a sharp defence, and every soul on board was to practice, as often as circumstances would allow, the broadsword exercise. The Marines I ordered up, inspected all their muskets, and saw them put into order fit for use. They had scarcely reported them as such when a vessel was seen nearing us. She was instantly hailed, but as the answer was not satisfactory a volley of musketry was discharged at her by the Marines of the watch—a very lucky warning, as, if the stranger had not been alarmed, he would probably have run on board of us in the fog. The vessel was an English fishing craft, and the chief received a jobation from me for not keeping a better look out. That act of mine proved to my crew that I was in earnest.