HMS VINDICTIVE

[50-gun Frigate]

1845

Vindictive was the flag ship of Vice Admiral Sir Francis Austen, recently appointed Commander-in-Chief of the North America and West Indies station. Her Commanding Officer was Captain Michael Seymour, with whom William was to serve on two further occasions.

The Admiral had two claims to fame. He had not been to see for thirty two years and, perhaps more important, he was the brother of the novelist Jane Austen.

In addition to his normal retinue the Admiral brought on board his two daughters, the elder of which, Miss Cassy, was a very strong minded lady of forty. The flagship, known in the Service as the 'family ship', appears to have been virtually under her command. William nicknamed her 'Miss Vindictive' and recorded his detestation of this petticoat government at great length and in the strongest terms. He does, however, not seem to have objected to the principle of women being on board as he managed to have a flirtation with a Miss Libby Reid, a daughter of the Governor of Bermuda, who was being given a passage, to join her father.

PORTSMOUTH

Tuesday March 18th

The Admiral embarked, and was received without the Yards being manned by his request. The first time he has worn uniform on board for 32 years, His two daughters and Miss Reid came with him.

Vindictive sailed from Portsmouth on the 19th March and anchored off Ireland Island, Bermuda on the 21st April. William landed and was greeted by his family. His father was the medical superintendent of the convict hulk Tenedos. It was the first time they had met since William's visit to England in 1838 when he was taking his exams for Lieutenant. In all he had seen his family for less than 24 hours since sailing for Malta, at the age of 13,in the autumn of 1829.

Vindictive lay at anchor off Ireland Island for the next three months. On the 12th June she sailed for Halifax where she remained until 5th November.

AT HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA

Monday 21st July

The Hyacinth arrived from Bermuda in 5 days, and has lately come from the Mosquito Coast, where she has been present at the Coronation of George Augustus Frederick, a Black boy 12 years of age, as King of the Mosquito territory. Some of the Chiefs who did honour to the Coronation, had money given to them (our Income Tax I suppose) to buy Hats and Boots, but altho' bought, the Procession began before they could rig. So they fell in with the Hats in the blue boxes under their arms and carrying their boots with them. The bearer of the Sword of State was afflicted with St. Vitus' Dance and at intervals made a spring of about a yard and a half, side first - throwing the Sword up to the extent of his arm. The man who was carrying the Crown on a Cushion threw it up like a pancake, and caught it several times.

Anniversary of Trafalgar. October 21st

Nelson in the cockpit, a dim light burning. Most Patriotically inclined and anxious both to feel and write something loyal and fine: but with a thermometer at about freezing point and my blankets alongside me, after keeping the 1st Watch, cannot work myself up at all. So Farewell Nelson and your brave associates; tho' almost forgotten, may your deeds be imitated. 40 years have passed away, we have only one Trafalgar man in the Ship, one of the Benbows, - Russell; but as he swore Britannia was alongside Nelson when he fell, such a palpable twister, I would not give him the Tot he expected . . . Lord Nelson was never free from sea-sickness . .

Saturday 1st November

When Lord Dalhousie was Governor, he was making a tour round the coast accompanied by Lady Dalhousie and his staff . . . Just as they were getting under way, a canoe came off with an Indian. He commenced a long story to Lord Dalhousie; the purport was to complain of one of the staff for having had criminal intercourse with his squaw the previous night. Lord Dalhousie held his hands up and waving him off, said "Pooh, Pooh, pooh Indian."

The Indian imitating his voice and gesture said "S'pose I .......that white squaw (pointing to her Ladyship) you no say Pooh, pooh, pooh Indian - me know that."

On the 5th November sailed from Halifax to Bermuda where she arrived on the 29th, 14 days later.

1846

On the 9th January Vindictive sailed for a cruise of the West Indies. Amongst the islands visited were Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica and the Virgin Islands.

SAINT THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS

Friday, 20th February

This day the Admiral sent and reprimanded Lieut. Burton for swearing, he said the expression he had used yesterday was ungentlemanly and unofficerlike, and his daughters were immediately underneath which was most indelicate. Burton replied he would not attempt to justify himself but would endeavour not to do so; at the same time the nature of his duty (teaching men) compelled him to lose his temper, and therefore could not promise not to commit this fault, altho' he would promise to endeavour to prevent. The Admiral said he did not care, he would admit no excuse, if he did it he must leave the Ship. Burton said, very well he would leave the Ship.

In fact we live in a dangerous atmosphere. I shall carefully remember Cassy telling Lieut. Bernard "she thought it would be a good thing if the Officers were changed." It is the destruction of all comfort, her presence. The Flag Lt. [Herbert Austen and son of the Admiral] has not a word to say, and the Ship is held together by Capt. Seymour and Commander Noble; either going, the other would follow, and Cass would be Adm. and Commanding Officer.

She has tried to hook Pelly, and actually hinted about "a pity her brother was not out here, for if a vacancy occurred her father would not know whom to give it to."

She has every bad quality of head and heart.

A dead set has been made at Commander Pelly [of the sloop Rose] by her. Yesterday the Father asked him, or hinted to him, about taking her for a drive. She is the Mistress of the Ship, influences the AdmI. in every way, and in fact I imagine will soon be Commander-in-Chief; it savours of it when she told Commander O'Callaghan [of the sloop Vesuvius] she was sorry she was obliged to detain him before he left for New Brunswick the other day. He is in bad books because Capt. Seymour is taken from her, preferring walks with him. I am sadly afraid Capt. Seymour cannot stay with such a Gang.

Saturday 21st February

During the Morning Watch, heard accidentally that the Admiral had ordered breakfast at 5.30. Gave orders for the bargemen to get theirs and clean themselves. At 5.30 had occasion to report Eurydice coming out of Harbour to Admiral, and found Miss Cass, rigged with riding habit, sitting at breakfast table. On leaving the Cabin said "she hoped Capt. Noble did not think she was joking when she said last night she should want a boat at 6 this morning." I replied, "The boat is all ready" meaning clean and the Crew having had their meal.

About 20 minutes after, the Chaplain, George Austen, came up for a boat; she was piped away and was dropping, but before 3 minutes had elapsed the Admiral sent for me, and I found him almost speechless with rage, trembling violently, and he broke forth by "wanting to know where the difficulty existed, and what was the reason he could not get a boat manned to go ashore ?" I told him there was none, that the men had breakfasted already. "Then why cannot she be ready ? She has only this moment been piped away Miss Austen told you herself, Sir, she should want her some time ago and they have been half an hour waiting. Pray, Sir, hurry her."

All this time the Christian Pastor and the amiable daughter were listening without saying one word to put the Admiral right.

This is another instance of a family Ship, and at this moment with 2 Sons -2 daughters - and Grandson, and a nephew expected - she is dangerous enough. The Admiral, feeling the warm weather and of course much fatigued at his age, is still much annoyed by the petulant tempers of his Children, who occasionally talk at the Captain through their good father.

Tuesday 24th February

Yesterday a Memo was read to us, threatening severe consequences if any swearing is heard carrying on duty. I hope to see the Flag at the main before 6 months are out. [This refers to the expected promotion of Sir Francis Austen. As a Vice-Admiral his flag was flown at the foremast; but on promotion to Admiral it would be transferred to the main.] The evils of a Family Ship are becoming more generally apparent to most people daily. The other day at St. Thomas's, Cass remarked to Burton she was moving all she could to get the Ship's berth shifted.

3 pm. Highly amused at Bill and Cass's flirtations and the Admiral's sharp look-out.

AT PORT ROYAL, JAMAICA

Sunday 15th March

12 a.m. Admiral's eldest daughter most adroitly drew the conversation to a certain officer joining us from Vesuvius and asked whether it would not be a much better thing if I joined her. I replied by saying, "I might have done so 8 months since, but now I do not intend, so you will not have my vacancy for some time; when it perfectly suits me, I shall give you the vacancy." leaving her most sadly taken aback by my coming to the point at which she was driving so quickly.

BERMUDA, HALIFAX and QUEBEC

Vindictive returned to Bermuda on the 10th April and after a two month stay in Bermuda sailed for Halifax, where she arrived on the 13th June. In August she left Halifax for the St Lawrence River, where, in September, she paid a three week visit to Quebec. After spending three weeks in Halifax she returned to Bermuda.

1847

Vindictive's programme in 1847 was very similar to that of 1846. In the first part of the year she cruised in the West Indies, this time visiting Cuba and Antigua. After returning to Bermuda in June Vindictive spent the next three months in Halifax.

It was during this period that William met his future wife, Louisa Forman. [PAGE3700]

Vindictive sailed from Halifax on the 20th October arriving in Bermuda 8 days later. During the year William had acted as Commander of the Vindictive for several months.

HMS GROWLER

[6-gun paddle Sloop]

In early 1847 a proposal was made by the Colonial Office that an HM Ship should be fitted out to transport African emigrant workers from Sierra Leone in W. Africa to Trinidad in the W. Indies. This proposal had the support of Lord Derby and Lord Grey and led to HMS Growler being selected for this trial. One cannot help wondering whether using an RN ship to transport, what must have been some form of indentured labour, was entirely appropriate after the Royal Navy had spent so much time and effort putting an end to the West Indies slave trade.

Having embarked 314 emigrants in Sierra Leone Growler sailed for Trinidad on the 13th November. Unfortunately, soon after leaving Africa, a Yellow Fever epidemic broke out on board. Four of the ship's company, including the Captain, and 37 emigrants died. The ship arrived at Tobago on 5th December, where the emigrants were landed.

After this disastrous voyage Their Lordships, who had never been very enthusiastic about the scheme, withdrew the Growler, and told the Colonial Office to use merchant ships in future.

In December, on her arrival in Bermuda, William was given command of Growler. The ship, which was in an appalling condition, was placed in quarantine, and William went on board and 'tidied things up' successfully. He caught yellow fever and very nearly died (he overheard a discussion about the making of his coffin.

December 29th

At 11.30 'did the Captain' for the first time, read my commission and the Articles of War, made a short speech, the substance of which was to admonish them to sobriety, respect and cleanliness, and told them I should behave well to them if they did to me. The men looked miserable, dispirited and very dirty - no care for themselves. I passed the word I should give them 48 hours to gain strength, scrub and wash every article belonging to them. The Fiddle struck up and they all cheered up at once and in less than minutes I heard dancing going on.

The vessel and her accommodation for myself are very good indeed - the latter really superb. But for her Crew and Officers the very reverse. The Crew occupy the space which the Gun Room Officers had last Commission, and the Gun Room Officers, the Captain's. Much more ventilation is required and great want of system and arrangement. After Supper mustered the men - piped hands to dance. The men were delighted beyond measure. It was the first fiddle they had heard since she was commissioned. Indeed some fellows said it was the first good washing day they had seen. Got the Admiral's permission to make what improvements I chose and he would sanction them. I spoke about Scuttles and Hoods. Whenever it has rained they have covered the Hatchways with Tarpaulins, like the Black Hole in Calcutta.

Served out 2 lb. of Soap to each man. Organised Psalmody.

No Divine Service has been performed in her since she commissioned. One would think she would be inflicted by Divine Punishment.

1848

In March William took the Growler home to be paid off. There were soldiers and their families on board. A baby girl, born during a bad gale, very nearly got christened Growler Rankin - the custom in the Service being that children born at sea where named after the ship upon which they were born. William looked at the log slate in time and the infant escaped with Henrietta as a name.

On arriving in England, he received his promotion to Commander, as a special case, and out of the rule laid down by Parliament, Lord Auckland giving his reasons to the Committee of the House of Commons.

PORTSMOUTH

March 21st

At 3.30 p.m. Rear-Admiral Prescott [Admiral Superintendent of Portsmouth Dockyard] came on board, paid off the Crew and afterwards inspected the Ship. He was much pleased and said it was quite a treat to see a Ship so clean and reflects the greatest credit.

'I have never paid off so clean a one.' Upon my reminding him of the bad weather we had encountered, and wet days since our arrival, he said 'nothing could have been better, Captain Hall, if you had had the finest weather.' Upon taking leave he shook hands and said, 'I congratulate you sincerely on your Promotion and hope soon to see you down here again.' I parted with my Officers and Crew. 4 of the latter, 3 being 1st Class Petty Officers, remained to pull me on shore. I had little time to spare, so getting over to Gosport as fast as possible, started for London at 5.30 in the second class carriage where I found 4 of my late Shipmates - Gilyeat, Howard, Spring and Jenkin. I was much pleased with the kind and willing respect with which they treated me, and gentleman who was sitting in the carriage, after having found out who I happened to be, said, "Then I suspect you were the one they were talking about, saying the Skipper had got his Promotion and they were glad of it, that he was a d....d good fellow and they'd sail with him again to-morrow."

March 21st

At 12 presented myself at Committee Room No. 2 in the House of Commons, on Sugar and Planting. Was examined by Lord G. Bentinck, Mr. Labouchere, Milner, Gibson, the President and Vice-Presidents of the Board of Trade and Mr. Miles, principally as to the best method of conveying labourers to W. Indies from the Coast and to give my reason why a Steamer like the Growler would not answer. Lord G. Bentinck, the Chairman, was particularly attentive in making me at ease, and whilst relating the fittings of the Growler to him, I compared her original bunks to so many coffins, which amused him much, and he said, "Say that again, if you will be good enough, that the Clerk may write it down."