HMS EXMOUTH

[90-gun Battle Ship]

1855

In February William was appointed flag-captain to Rear-Admiral Michael Seymour, whose flag was hoisted in H.M.S. Exmouth . Admiral Seymour had been appointed as second-in-command to the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief, Admiral the Hon. S. Dundas. William had already served under Seymour in the Vindictive.

William joined Exmouth in Plymouth at the end of February and sailed for Portsmouth on the 15th March where the fleet for 1855 Baltic campaign was assembling. After being inspected by the Queen on 23rd March the fleet sailed on the 4th April. The fleet anchored off Aelbeck close south of the the Skaw for two days before passing through the Great Belt, arriving at Kiel on the 19th April.

HMS EXMOUTH

PORTSMOUTH TO KIEL

April 14th

Thick rainy cold weather. Off the Naze of Norway, having made it last evening. The movements of the Fleet are very much like a luggage train - slow, but not so sure, the chances of collision not remote. The wisdom of dragging the Paddle Steamers after us in going over much ground and expending coal, I am inclined to dispute. Had the Ships made the best of their way we should probably have been at Kiel and all thro' the Belt. I suspect the Admiralty wished us to make a fast run which we might have done, and it might have had some influence on the Conferences. Some years having elapsed since I served in a large ship, the apathy displayed by all classes appears astounding. The most simple precautions and necessary directions are quite gone out of mind.

The disease which has sprung up and is most catching may be styled Elephantine Lethargy, for the movements of nearly all the bipeds on board here resemble in some degree the slow and majestic gait of that quadruped. I hope we may get rid of it. They are I believe willing to learn, so it will be my fault if they remain untaught.

AT KIEL

April 19th

Dined on board Nile with the Commander-in-Chief, meeting Captns. Codrington, Elliot, Sulivan. A long quiet talk with Adm. Dundas about our movements last year, especially relative to the non-destruction of wood. The quiet solid manner of our present, and Lucifer-like composition of our late Commr.-in-Chief is most striking.

Adm. Dundas in the short conversation I had, shewed sound sense, great judgement and an opinion of his own, with a determination I think in his character which will be most beneficial.

REVEL [TALLIN]

May 10th

6 am Anchored off Revel. Not a sail to be seen. The port of Revel perfectly open, and as we spread over a pretty fair surface in 2 Lines open order, the absence of any of their Ships is unaccountable to me. Nothing in sight to the Southw'd or inshore and as far as our Masthead men could see, some 20 mile at least, nothing to the Northw'd, so that one half the breadth of the Gulf appears to have been open for the last 2 days. An ugly fact for us. That anyone can turn round and say Blockade, while your Fleet saw nothing on its way to Revel for 2 days.

Tuesday, May 15th

I feel so strongly on the practicability of bombarding Kronstadt by mortar vessels, and feeling sure they will be useless in the Black Sea. Wrote to Sir B. Walker only 3 sheets of notepaper with my ideas and solicitations about sending them here. The 25,000 men said to be coming, I cannot believe. 100,000 might do some good, but with this number I should employ them on Kronstadt and attack it by the batteries and advanced works, whilst we worked away the other way.

May 18th

Fleet exercised at General Quarters firing at a Target. Found the Crew were willing to do well and most teachable. Went up to Fore Topmast head and found out Practically and Personally how much easier it is for an Officer to hail the Royal and T.Gt. Yard men to move up faster, than for either them or himself to do so.

No batten on edge of Top. A Catch Rattlin which nips the knuckles when two or three are going over together. Up aloft about 8 feet below the Cap Trees the Topmast Rigging is so close there is an impossibility of ever getting your toes in. A Catch Rattlin or two to the Topmast Backstays most desirable. A Batten from Cap Trees also added for men to work on.

On 26th May the fleet moved from Revel to the head of the Gulf of Finland and anchored to the north of the island fortress of Kronstadt only 25 miles from St Petersburg. They remained in this area until the middle of July. During this period a detailed survey of the fortress was carried out and it was decided that would be impossible to take it with the available ships and equipment.

While at anchor several ships were attacked by what was an early form of mine.

Thursday 21st June

Midnight. Before retiring to rest, although unable to feel the loving kindness and mercy of the Lord, yet I desire to do so and acknowledge his goodness in having snatched me from the jaws of death and frustrated the violent designs of the enemy. The noble-minded and gallant Admiral Seymour, my sincere and honoured friend, and Capt. Louis [R. Marines], Commander Augustus Booth, Lt. Pearce, Mr. Harker, Devonport, the Yeoman of Signals and Mr. Simpson were wounded, as well as others, including the Revd. Mr. Matchett, who were all knocked over by the explosion on the poop of one of the Cylindrical Submarine Explosive Machines. This took place at about 5 pm and indeed the escape from death of Admiral Seymour and the Signal Yeoman is indeed a miraculous interposition of God. This Conical Cylinder, connected with another, was swept by our boats creeping and were about 8 feet down and when first seen appeared like the head of Piles, but upon my touching them with a boat hook, felt they were metal and soon after this one floated to the surface. It was taken into the galley over the bows, passed aft and the Admiral went on board the Duke, where it was further handled. In the meanwhile the other one drifted towards the Ship and I got the Main Yard tackle fast, pulled it up and found two stones fast to it. Admiral Seymour returned, desired me to be careful as they contained powder. A Signal to that effect was made to us from the Flagship. In about 5 minutes I heard the explosion and saw the smoke on the poop, heard a shriek, and many voices babbled out to me over the side, 'The Admiral's hurt, Sir.' I jumped up the side exclaiming, 'Is the Admiral hurt?. ,Yes, Sir,' and I fancied I heard some say he was killed. I ran up the ladder and saw my dear friend being led below from the poop, apparently blind - hair burnt - coat burnt and blown off his back - blood over his face. Poor Capt. Louis carried off the poop. The Signalman had just been carried below. The Clergyman without a cap, much paled in the face, by the shock. Poor little Booth's cap, wanting an owner, he having been injured and retired to the Cabin with the Surgeon. The Admiral's presence of mind came to his aid and he at once sent me to Admiral Dundas to acquaint him of the accident and recommend Public notification of caution being given. He was inclined to think lightly of it and begged me to tell the Admiral he had had a dig in the eye. The right one was unimpaired and he quietly remarked 'Thank God it is no worse, for at my time of life the loss of an eye is of no great consequence.' After fulfilling my mission returned and was glad to see him take a cup of tea. He complained of faintness and headache coming on. The Doctor wished for Leeches, but thought it was doubtful getting any. I dispatched one boat to English, another to French Ships, got 4 from Nile and 12 from the French. Applied 12 to his eye, forehead and lower lid. Medicine given him and he complains of humours.

REAR ADMIRAL SEYMOUR

It having been decided not to attack Kronstadt, the Exmouth spent July at various anchorages in the Gulf of Finland while an attack on the fortress of Seaborg was planned.

OFF SVEABORG

Thursday 9th August.

At 3 am general Signal made to get up steam and the Commander-in-Chief went on board Merlin - about 4 am.

The Arrogant, Cossack and Cruizer weighed and went in between.

The Amphion, Cornwallis and Hastings moved in towards the Batteries at Sandhamn.

The old Duke of Wellington shifted her Berth and anchored near us, but afterwards moved again, went out of the anchorage and found a spot that suited her. Shortly before 8 the Signal was made to 'Engage the Enemy' or commence firing and repeated.

At last the 4 Mortar vessels who were directed to try range did so, and the Shells burst most accurately. This was the Signal for all and away went the French as well, altogether, counting the 6 ten-inch which were landed, about 26. The Russians did not reply for a few minutes and were evidently not expecting it that moment. But shortly after they opened fire with shot and shell, many of the former falling short, while the latter burst very high up in the air. The French and English Gunboats moved in and continued under steam just inside the Mortar Boats, plying Shot and Shell from their 95 cwt Guns with good effect in most instances, altho' a great deal of ammunition was uselessly expended, the Shot falling very short. Hewlett in his Gunboat devoted his attention to a 3-decker and struck her with his Lancaster Shot so often she moved in and sheltered herself under one of the Islands.

The Russians, finding from our Gunboat Shot falling short that theirs did no good, prudently abstained from anything like a General fire, and used only the few guns to which they had given the greatest elevation, and probably the highest chance, and also some Mortars. Not a Shot however, struck, or Shell burst, near our vessels for some hours, and the French Island, on which 6 Mortars were mounted appeared to be quite unnoticed. Our firing men were rapid and very good and about 10 (having commenced just before 8) some buildings were discovered to be on fire.

The Rigging and Yards of the Ships were crowded with Spectators and about 11.30 a series of explosions took place of magazines, probably shell, and then a louder report. At the time I was looking and saw some beams fly up in the air. The men cheered lustily as so many of their fellow creatures, who personally have done them no harm, were hurried suddenly into Eternity, and, such is War, and yet there are many who say they delight in it. It is an infliction on any land and God grant He may bless us with Peace. In the evening the Gunboats hauled out to replenish their ammunition and several of the Mortars were practically disabled, that is, a cavity in the centre of the chamber occurred, which zinc and lead rectified, I believe, under the doctoring of Messrs. Ward and Alton, Engineers.

In the evening, the Rocket boats, by which I mean the Boats of the Ships, assembled alongside the Duke, and during the night until 2.30 am they were firing with good effect say the Actors. But with no effect or a bad one, say the Audience, including myself, and I have no doubt the Russians agree with us.

Friday 10th August

Throughout the whole night the fire of the Mortars continued, and the Shore seldom returned it. At the same time the Sky was quite lightened by the Blaze of Buildings on fire and early this morning the Gunboats again opened fire. The Russians appeared this day to have got more Guns which could range the distance and the Shot flew over the Mortar and Gunboats in excellent direction and the escape of those under fire was a direct interposition of Providence, for the closeness of the Shot was extraordinary. In the forenoon accompanied Admiral Seymour, who with the Commander-in-Chief and the Captain of Fleet, went in Merlin to reconnoitre, and run along our line, also to obtain a view of the damage done. Dropped near the small Island on which the French Mortars were. The 2 Admirals landed and whilst doing so a Shot dropped about a yard from their Boat. The French Admiral was there with many of his Officers - 2 of their Mortars were disabled out of 6. Not a Soul had been touched nor had much fire been directed towards it. On reaching the Merlin the Russians dropped 2 Shot close to us. She is well known and they of course see the Admirals going on board her.

The Batteries at Bak Holm gave us several Shot, one or two came the distance, the others fell short. After ranging along the Eastern end of Line, we steamed to the West Extreme and whilst looking at the ravages committed by the fire, saw a long line of Sheds, apparently Boat houses or Stores, catch and with the fresh wind blowing they caught one after the other like Lucifer Matches. In fact, there can be no doubt an immense amount of damage has been sustained and the Board of Works will have a pretty stiff estimate. The Fortifications scarcely appeared touched and I only saw one Gun which shewed any symptoms of having been struck.

The firing continued throughout the day and in the evening I passed round to several of the Mortar vessels. The Mortars of 2 were split from the vent and one of Roberts' was split and lying in the well. The others however, which had been doctored by Mr Ward, were still going on. In the evening Signal made for certain Ships to send two Boats to Dragon. On their reaching her; Stewart did not know what they were there for and whilst we were deliberating on the subject the Merlin ran hard and fast aground with the 2 Admirals on board. Upon going there found she was out about 3 or 4 feet forward. Geyser came astern and fruitlessly and foolishly endeavoured to take her off with a jerk, which instead of being right astern was on the quarter and snapped her stream cable at the same time, rather hardening Merlin on and at all events doing no good to her keel or forefoot.

Admiral Dundas borrowed my gig and went away and shortly after I got on board my own Ship.

The Rocket Boats as I think wasting Rockets at a great rate. The fact is however that all who were in the Rocket Boats imagined they contributed a great deal towards the existing conflagration and were satisfied. I must confess I feel gratified that the town has been spared. Its destruction would have no effect on the war except to cause our name to be execrated. There were many who advocated its destruction, I have no doubt, especially the Frenchmen.

AT SESKAR

18th September

At 4 am Driver arrived with the mail, and gratifying news that the south side of Sevastopol had fallen. The loss is named at French 4,000, ourselves 2,000, quite sufficient to bring many more mourners in our land, and this will I sincerely hope bring Peace.

The Press has a most libellous attack on Adml. Dundas and accuses him in fact of want of personal courage - full of fake and wilful misstatements. It is a great pleasure to have a Commander-in-Chief whom you can most conscientiously defend, and a more honest honourable officer I think does not exist. He told a plain statement of truth, and did not exaggerate in the slightest, for although I thought his remark about the effect of the rockets from the Boats was a mistake yet from those who were there, including Caldwell, the statement was fully borne out.

Dined on board Orion, and a very pleasant party it was. Dew of the Geyser was also there and remarking on the article of the Press said, 'I shall be ashamed to land in England.'

I said, 'Why, you are not ashamed or afraid to tell the truth, I hope, which remark rather silenced him. But this is the system, that men are afraid to be honest, and will agree to the fancies of an Editor, or join in the same style of reasoning, because they are afraid to be thought singular and wanting in courage, and dare to tell the truth. The fact is Officers in command are fair game, and having no solicitor to watch over their interests are compelled to suffer calumny and be tradesmen whenever the caterer of the public feeling discovers it to be requisite for their appetite.

Exmouth sailed from Seska on the 26th October and after a few days at Revel arrived at Kiel on the 10th November. While passing Bornholm, at 0355 on the 8th she grounded, but floated off 6 hours later having streamed a kedge anchor. During this operation her kedge wire fouled her screw which could not be raised. The next day was spent at anchor off the north end of Bornholm sorting the problem out.

On the 12th Exmouth sailed for England arriving at Plymouth on the 19th November.

1856

DEVONPORT

February 2nd

Not much has transpired since my last notation - save the opening of Parliament and the prospect of Peace which I am most thankful to feel, appears pretty certain - for I have always felt that whatever could have been effected against Kronstadt would have fallen far short of that which the people in general and The Times in particular had pictured, indeed if Kronstadt had been destroyed, the cry would have been St. Petersburg should have been destroyed, and most probably The Times would not have been satisfied unless the Emperor had been seized.

In the first place the French are tired of the War, and who can say whether they might not have withdrawn before many months, and left us to ourselves, or compelled us to follow their train in making peace.

Next we may suppose the Russians would not go to sleep from August until May, and would have so added to their means of defence that they would have had value received for the roubles they have spent - Now it is doubtful to my mind whether we should have received 1/6 of the value in a pecuniary point of view, and nothing in a political point by destroying Kronstadt partially - if effectually it would have been a different matter, and what I call effectually would be destroying it in toto and pitching it into the Neva, and not leaving one stone on another. But the season is so short we have not the time. For instance in September the south side of Sevastopol became ours, and in about 4 months afterwards the Docks are destroyed. The first gale of wind was about the 27th of August and had we swarms of mortar boats and gun-boats, and the harbour of Kronstadt not unmistakably ours by that time - if lying off there it is probable several would be driven on shore with a westerly gale. Then again if only to shell Kronstadt - why your expense is not repaid 1/10th part. To destroy it - you must land and remain there about a month.

February 20th

Heard Jenny Lind - went with Loui - she sang 4 times, the Echo Song being the last and certainly the extraordinary power of her voice quite equalled the opinion I had formed of it, in fact surpassed my imagination, but the moment she came on I was forcibly struck by the length and circumference of her neck, certainly 2 inches longer than any female's near me, and I looked most particularly, doubtless this is the cause of her vocal power. She is plainer than I had imagined.

March 31st

The Peace was proclaimed thro' the Streets by men with Ribands flying from their hats and halfpenny fly sheets giving the news in their hands. Not a soul appeared to take the least interest in it.

This war has been so far away, those in England have not realized it, our Trade and Commerce having been uninterrupted, and demand for labour so great, taxation has not been felt, and lastly, having made such vast preparations the Country was prepared to have another dig at them and be gratified by a single Victory without any Allies.

Our Navy has not had much to do actively and I think the great part of the Lower Class expected we should have been paid for the expense of the War.

I must say as far as my feelings go I am most thankful we have concluded Peace at any price without dishonour, for had the Treaty not been concluded who can say whether France would not have been a cold friend or silent enemy before the close of this year. Could we have denuded our Shores of the powerful Baltic Fleet with the French Army returning from Crimea and their Ships disengaged? I thank God we have Peace and believe the War has been an Act of Providence to show us our weakness. Our Coast now with our Gunboats may be rendered unassailable and we may yet bid defiance to the World. I honestly believe that had this armament gone up the Baltic they could not have accomplished half what was expected of them - and as the Russians have spent so many millions of Roubles in fortifying, they will have to suffer the loss of deterioration without any satisfaction. I only hope that now a Good Bill may be brought in to man our Gunboats when their services are required.

To be a good flag-captain one needs the patience of Job, the wisdom of Solomon and it certainly is a great trial to the temper.