HMS RAPID

[16-gun Sloop]

1829

William did not start keeping a diary until 1831 and our main source of information about his activities until then, comes from the correspondence between him and his father, of which many of the original letters still exist. Here is William's first letter from his first ship. He was thirteen years and eight months old when he wrote it.

[LETTER FROM WILLIAM]

H.M.Sloop Rapid.

15th November, 1829

1830

Dear Father

I write this to inform you that as the time is approaching near when we shall take our departure from England, I think you had better get the rest of my clothes ready and send them on board as quick as possible, the reason I have not been on shore is because I am on the Sick List with bad chilblains; we expect to go out of Harbour the week after next. I hope you are all well and little Frank can walk. Remember me to the Whites and ask Tom and George if they will come on board next Sunday; if so I will call for them.

I now conclude, my dear Father, hoping you will all continue in good health.

W. Hall

[LETTERS FROM JAMES]

Ordinary, at Sheerness

August 8th 1830

My dear William,

Captain Swinburne's polite letter has given me great pleasure. It afforded me, your mother, Sister and all your friends infinite satisfaction on learning from so good an officer the high opinion he has formed of you. Now remember, the higher you rise, whether in the world, or in the estimation of those who know you, the more burden you fix on your back; for you have to maintain your high station against all assaults; therefore be vigilant, and excel yourself to avoid doing, or being disposed to do, anything that may diminish what you have acquired, either by industry or good behaviour. Often read over my former 1etters, and weigh well all the advice they contain. You say that I am to remember that you are not now a child, c'est trés bon - I will bear this in memory - you now will regulate your conduct by that of men. - Of course you will remember that the excuses of children, henceforth, will not serve you. I now expect not again to be informed that your chest is in confusion - your things lost, or stolen - or chest broken; order and personal care will prevent confusion; a recollection of your father's limited income, ought to make you look after your things yourself, not even a button or shoe ribbon ought to be lost - by locking your chest, and not entrusting your man with the key, nor with liberty to overhaul your things, nothing will be stolen; -and by speaking to the carpenter, or Captain, your broken chest will be repaired.- l'enfant est parti - jam homimculus es!

I am glad you are serving with Captain Swinburne and in so fine a Brig. We were on the Platform when you saluted - the Brig was much admired - you went out like a Man of War.

Exert ourself as if your father were dead, and the road of Glory was open to you - to enter on it, and to advance in it in order to reach palmam, qui meruit, ferat as many gallant youths before you have done with prospects not as bright as yours therefore, by strict economy, civility to all, kindness to your inferiors, respect to your superiors, a never ceasing obedience to all orders; a promptitude not to be excelled by any one, fearlessness of danger, great attention to cleanliness in your person and clothes, these things will make the men respect you, your companions court you, and your Captain will be proud in having the pleasure of rearing up an officer who hereafter he may hope to see maintaining the honor of the British flag....

[LETTER FROM JAMES]

H.M.S. Ganges.

Portsmouth 1830

I hope you will soon inform me that you can work Lunar - Chronometer - Double A1titudes - Latitude - by moon and star - Azimuth - Amplitudes - Tides and all other questions; and also that you are expert, not only in working, but also in taking these sights. Read all the books you can get relating to Navigation and in your night watches learn the planets and attend well to the various parts of Astronomy.

Sketch off all the headlands, and mark the coasts and places you visit, study well the appearances at various distances - with the depth of water marks, tides, currents, winds that prevail etc: thus you will soon be qualified for an examination as Master. Of course you know well everything relative to the hold, rigging, etc. Your Captain begged me to write to the Admiralty for you to be put into the 1st Class, but I informed him that not having any interest I should not like to see you an old Midshipman, and I begged him to keep you in the 2nd Class and as soon as you are qualified, make you Master's Assistant; indeed, my dear William, when you write saying that your chest was broken, things lost etc., I was much inclined to write for you to be sent home, unless you are very careful of your things, I shall not be able to allow you to remain in the Navy. If you were in the 1st class you would not have any hopes of promotion, and your pay would be less - so that I could not think of permitting you to be put in that Class unless I were certain that you would study hard, push yourself on, and be very steady, and very careful of your expenses. But give my compliments to Captain Swinburne and say that on the 5th I wrote to the Admiralty and requested them to direct Captain S. to give the present, or the first vacancy in the 1st Class Volunteers to Mr William King Hall!! because you have a good character from your Captains and Officers - and I hope you will now continue to merit it - you now have your wish!!! Write when you shift the button. Do not grumble against the service. It has made me happy and independent, thanks to God, although not rich. It may do more for you. If fortune is tardy, stick to her, and you will carry her by perseverance.

God bless you,

J. H.

December

. . . All parts of England are in a disturbed state, many families are ruined by their farms having been burnt by the revolted peasants.

The country is in a very agitated state, in consequence the want of Reform - and want of employment - the cholera is now at Sunderland, and claims the Country.

1831

[LETTER FROM JAMES]

Sheeerness Ordinary July 12th, 1831

My dear William,

We were all much pleased with your letter written from Malta in April and which we received in May. You say you have done something wrong; I am sure I have not found fault with you. However you do not please me in one thing, you do not seem to be economical, nor to keep an account of all your expenses. I can assure you my dear boy, that it is with difficulty that I can allow you £10 a quarter and whilst you have so much, your sister cannot go to school.

Sir John Phillimore has been to the Admiralty trying to get you into the 1st Class, but could not effect it. Now no more of the 2nd Class will be admitted, therefore it is a fortunate circumstance that you are already in. You now stand an excellent chance of being a Master in a few years, and then you will have half pay and be your own director. There is not now and will not be any chance of volunteers of the 1st Class ever being made Lieutenants unless a war arises, or they are the sons of nobility. Thus you see you are fortunate. I should send you some Papers, Drawing apparatus, and Norie, if I had an opportunity but here at Sheerness we have no opportunity. All your kisses were received. When you write, my dear William, do not put your letters in to the Packet, unless something very particular has occurred - and when you fold up your letters, do it up as this is done, for owing to your letter being very badly folded it looked like a double letter, and it cost me 6/4d. [about £20 at 2005 prices]

Never listen to, nor respond to any croakers who by indolence and want of spirit, or ignorance of their profession have not, and never will have acquired a reputation such as you have, who growl against the Service, talk of girls, wives, and shore appointments; let them go, encourage them rather to quit the Service, as their Country will gain by their departure, but do you stick faithful; your ship is your home, your duty to the Service is your polar Star and rewards will attend you. Never, never, never, say a word more about the Shore, see as little as possible of this, only visit it on duty, or for a healthful recreation; and thus you will not be induced to neglect your watches; nor get into bad company, nor to spend your money.

J.H.

William was fifteen when he was lent to H.M.S. Scylla for six months. On leaving her to return to the Rapid he received the following letter from a friend, E. H. Sotheby, afterwards Admiral Sotheby.

H.M.S. Scylla. 1831

Dear Hall

I hear you have left this ship without a fraction to your name; pray do not think yourself above accepting a trifle ... knowing you will find it useful . . . do not think of it at any time . . . accept a trifling keepsake as a testimony of the friendship I bear you. If there is anything you have left unpaid just write me a line and I will settle for you. Adieu till we meet.

AT MALTA

May 9th

Although it is rather late to begin a Journal, being nearly one and a half years from England, yet seeing the impropriety of not commencing one before, I have now begun to commit to paper any scenes that may be worthy.

I will name the date as the 9th May 1831, which day I was discharged from H.M.S. Scylla, then lying at Malta, after six months' service (I was particularly sorry to leave my shipmates, especially one named Sotheby, a Midshipman and a most excellent fellow, as well as two more, St. Leger and Crawford). Into Lazaretto, there to remain in quarantine, and await the arrival of the Rapid, my proper ship. Passed a very miserable time in Lazaretto till May 15th, when having obtained pratique, I joined the Rapid, then lying at the outer Buoy

May 16th

The Admiral, Sir Pulteney Malcolm, made the signal for our Captain, whose zeal overcoming his reason, ordered his boat to be lowered too soon on account of the Ship's going too fast through the water, upon which she filled with water and broke her tackle.

SYRIAN COAST

October 14th.

Sailed with a Turkish schooner having on board a Pasha (of some Turkish district) and family, with all his property and a large fortune. She being a very bad sailor, we took her in tow, which very much retarded our progress. A few days after we had a gale of wind, when we parted company, she having damaged her mast. The next day getting rather done, the old Pasha supplicated our Captain to take him into Modon, a port about 8 miles off, and said if he did not, he should be obliged to pitch his family overboard, as they were all dying on account of last night's storm. After a great deal of entreaty our Captain consented.

1832

VISIT TO LADY HESTOR STANHOPE

In January Rapid anchored in Seyde Roads off the Syrian coast north of Acre. This anchorage was near Dar Jan the home of William Pitt's niece, Lady Hester Stanhope, who told Captain Swinburne that she wished to see the smallest midshipman he had with him on board. Lady Hestor had first travelled to the East in 1810. She had been taken there in the Jason, commanded by Captain James King, who three years later became James Hall's Commanding Officer and friend in the same ship.

January 19th.

Captain S. and St. Clair went to visit Lady Hester Stanhope, a most eccentric woman residing about 8 miles out.

Thursday, 20th.

Captain S. told me Lady Hester Stanhope wished to see me. I was much surprised. However, I got myself ready with all possible speed and at 9 went on shore with Captain S. to French Consul's, who provided me with a horse and guide. At 10 I started. After travelling about two miles I found her Ladyship had sent me another person of her household to conduct me safely. He was waiting at a small hut with some oranges and wine ready for me. After partaking a little, we again set out. After travelling over a succession of hills, with pretty scenery (which I really got tired of the sun being very hot) we at last, on the top of the hills, observed a hillock at the bottom of the valley and at the top a house and garden.

Upon arriving there, my conductor led me into a small house inside the court, which belonged to him, and went to announce my arrival to her ladyship. After waiting in suspense for half-an-hour, my conductor came out and said her ladyship was ready to receive me. Accordingly I walked to the door where I was met by a very pretty little Arab girl about 14 years old, dressed as a page, with all the implements for her mistress's pipe round her waist in a belt made of silver and gold spangles, the materials were composed also of silver.

She ushered me into her mistress's apartment, I made my bow and entered. On one side of the room was a deep recess, painted dark green, and her Ladyship was seated on a sofa. She then arose and spoke very kindly to me, called for pipes, coffee, and began to talk on various subjects very familiarly. She at times showed slight symptoms of derangement, such as shrugging up her shoulders, casting up her eyes and uttering some Turkish expression, which she did when she was asked anything she did not like to answer. She is tall and has been a very handsome woman. I should think she is about 45 years old. At about 4 p.m. I dined in another part of the premises and had at least twenty or thirty different dishes; what they were made of I never knew.

After dinner I again went in, when she offered me one of her horses to take a ride, but which I declined, being very tired. She then began describing and pointing her dress out to me. She was dressed as a Bedouin Arab woman, some white scarves inside, then a large white outside, Turkish slippers and large yellow ones outside, a large white turban round her head with a yellow silk handkerchief hanging down each side of her face and which showed the tribe she belonged to.

The house was poorly furnished, she having been robbed by her servants while sick.

At about six I began to show some signs of going, when she said, 'Oh you must stay all night,' and took me into another room where I saw my bed prepared. After declining, I bid her good-bye, highly delighted to get away, for I had heard she was at times delirious. Thinking she might send after me and bring me back, I set off at full gallop, but forgot the guide who was on a donkey behind me some way. But I was not all right yet, for the fellow, sniffing the way, mistook water for white stones and led us into a pond which wet me above the knees, and I am happy to say, him above the neck.

9 p.m. We arrived at the French Consul's gate but could not make them hear, so left his horse to take its chance and proceeded to the Consul where, after partaking of a good cup of tea, went on board to my long-wished-for hammock, and slept sound till 6 next morning.

1833

NAPOLI DI ROMANIA (NAUPLIA), GREECE

Otto of Bavaria had been chosen by the Three Powers to be King of Greece, after its liberation from Turkish rule. William gave long and detailed descriptions of this affair. He managed to get the signatures of the Members of the first Greek Assembly, headed by that of the President aged 104 years.

February 18th

Troops from Bavaria have arrived and are performing their evolutions on the top of an adjoining hill in sight of the ships, but too far off to distinguish them plainly. However, I must content myself with observing them with the aid of a telescope, as unfortunately it is my afternoon watch. The ships dressed themselves with flags and fired a Royal Salute, it being the Emperor of Russia's birthday.

His Majesty landed on February 6th, 1833 and the ships dressed and manned Yards. The Madagascar Midshipmen rowed him in that ship's barge, with three young gentlemen in the bow of the boat, holding the flags of England, Russia and Greece. Went on shore at about 12. Got a capital situation, about a yard off the Triumphal Arch, and where His Majesty remained about 4 minutes to receive the keys of the town. He appears to be about 18 years of age, rather plain, particularly tall and well-made for his age, dressed in a Field Marshal's uniform, light blue coat, with a red sash over his shoulders and an Order; tight white kid pantaloons, large cavalry boots, and a splendid pair of silver spurs; a cocked hat with plume of white feathers tipped with red. He has a very affable and pleasing countenance. The Greeks scattered, as it were, on the rocks above, with their various dresses, waving their red skull caps and shouting.

The next person that attracted my notice was Colicotroni; he appears to be about 45 or 50 years of age, very dark complexion with deep furrows or wrinkles in his face as if through care; an immensely large man, and wore a red jacket edged with gold and a large red turban. This powerful chief, it is said, has, even now, several thousand men under his command in the mountains. He has been the fear and hatred of most of the Greeks, in fact all those whom he has not under his command; the orders having been given several months back not to allow him in the town, and contrary orders not being given, the French and Greek sentries, one on each side of the gate, charged him. He immediately put his hand on his sabre, but orders were given on the spot to let him pass, when he followed the King unmolested.

The next was Admiral Miaulis in a plain blue jacket edged with fur, a very brave man, and who in the Turkish War spent every farthing in fitting out vessels and keeping them in pay, and, in short, was the chief man who conducted the war. There is here at present a very fine Brig which he used to sail in during the war.

There happened to come on board and see the ship while we were at Napoli, a Greek gentleman who had been sent to England when the Revolution began and there educated, consequently speaking very good English. From him I found out that Miaulis is not the real name of the Admiral. His name is, or rather was, Boro, but in 1815 he engaged and sunk an Algerine corvette of 32 guns in his small brig of 16 guns. It being considered such an extraordinary feat, he was named Miaulis, that being the name of the Algerine he sunk. He was in an English ship at the bombardment of Algiers in 1816. Miaulis was also known by Lord Nelson. Whilst Lord Nelson was blockading some port in Spain, he intercepted Miaulis (who was then Captain of a merchant brig) throwing supplies in. The excellent seamanship and judgement he displayed in avoiding the fleet, as well as his open and frank story when brought before Lord Nelson, pleased him so much that his vessel was again given to him and he went away.

February 19th

Went on board the Barham to see a play performed. The performance was not so good as the last, owing to their making too free with the bottle, but altogether it appeared quite astonishing how they could get such good scenery and dresses on board a ship.

April 9th

The Beacon, Surveying Vessel, has been here, having taken 130 pirates at the Island of Cherso. They are to be tried the middle of next month. I really fancy a Rover's life must be a merry and happy one, when they commit no murder, and rob from every nation, with the excitement of keeping clear from men-of-war when they see them.

April 22nd.

The influenza is raging. People dying very fast. The King has also been attacked. The Barham has 68 men sick.

AT MALTA

May 27th.

Left the Rapid with feelings of regret, especially on leaving Tennyson. Went to the Lazaretto. Nobody to speak to, and what is worse, no books to read.