Our Sailors Part 13

At last, on the 10th, a favourable breeze drove the ice out of the bay, and the trim little _Fox_, under sail and steam, merrily darted out of her prison, and hurried north towards Barrow's Straits. She reached Baffin's Bay, and, touching at the Danish settlements, arrived in the English Channel on the 20th of September, having made the pa.s.sage under sail in nineteen days from Greenland.

THE FATE OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN'S EXPEDITION.

The last intelligence which had been received of the _Erebus_ and _Terror_ was from the whalers in July 1845, at Melville Bay. Thence the expedition pa.s.sed on through Lancaster Sound to Barrow's Straits, and entered Wellington Channel, the southern entrance to which had been discovered by Sir Edward Parry in 1819. Up by it the s.h.i.+ps sailed for 150 miles, when, being stopped by the ice, they returned south by a new channel into Barrow's Straits, and pa.s.sed the winter of 1845-46 at Beechey Island. In 1846 they proceeded to the south-west, and ultimately reached within twelve miles of the north entrance of King William's Land.

Here they spent the winter of 1846-47, as far as can be known, in the enjoyment of good health, and with the intention and hope of prosecuting their voyage to the westward through the only channel likely to be open along the northern sh.o.r.e of America, and from the known portion of which they were then only ninety miles distant.

On Monday the 24th May 1847, Lieutenant Gore, with Mr Des Voeux, mate, and a party of six men, left the s.h.i.+p, and proceeded for some purpose to King William's Island, where, on Point Victory, he deposited a doc.u.ment stating that Sir John Franklin and all were well.

This doc.u.ment was afterwards visited by Captain Crozier, and a brief but sad statement of after events written on it. In less than three weeks after that time, the brave, kind, and well-beloved commander of the expedition, Sir John Franklin, had ceased to breathe, as Captain Crozier states that he died on the 11th of June 1847. Who can doubt that his life was taken by a merciful Providence before he could become aware of the dreadful doom about to overtake his gallant followers?

Probably Lieutenant Gore returned from that journey of exploration, as Captain Crozier speaks of him as the late Commander Gore, showing that on the death of their chief he had been raised a step in rank; but not long to enjoy it--he having among others pa.s.sed away. The command of the expedition now devolved on Captain Crozier; but who can picture his anxiety and that of his officers and men, as the summer of 1847 drew on--the sea open to the north and south, but the s.h.i.+ps immovably fixed in the vast ma.s.s of ice driven down upon them from Melville Sound? How bitter must have been their grief and disappointment when August and September pa.s.sed away, and they found that they must pa.s.s another winter, that of 1847-48, in those regions! We know, too, that the s.h.i.+ps were only provisioned up to 1848.

Painfully that dreary winter must have pa.s.sed away, and sad must have been the feelings of Captains Crozier and Fitzjames when they came to the resolution of abandoning the s.h.i.+ps, by which a high sense of duty had induced them hitherto to remain.

Up to 22nd April 1848, the total loss by deaths had been nine officers and fifteen men. On the 22nd April 1848, Captains Crozier and Fitzjames, with their officers and crews, consisting of 105 men, abandoned their ice-bound s.h.i.+ps, and landed on the 25th on King William's Island, and started the following day for Back's Fish River, which runs through the Hudson's Bay territories from the south.

Their hope was that they might, voyaging up that river, at length reach some of the Hudson's Bay Company's trading posts. That they reached the mouth of Fish River we have melancholy evidence. Here they probably encamped, and, when the season advanced, proceeded some way up, but, finding the difficulties of the navigation insurmountable, they returned to the mouth of the river, with the intention perhaps of proceeding along the coast to the westward through the North-West Pa.s.sage, which they now knew for a certainty to exist. Before, however, they could do this, it was necessary to send to the s.h.i.+ps for stores and any provisions which might have remained on board.

For this purpose a strong party must have been despatched with a boat on a sledge, showing that they started rather early in the summer season, before the Straits were frozen over, or late in the spring, when they might expect to have to return by water. They greatly overrated their strength. When still eighty miles from the s.h.i.+ps, they left the boat with two or more invalids in her, and a variety of valuables, hoping to reach the s.h.i.+ps more speedily, and to return to her. One or more of those left with the boat attempted to follow, and dropped by the way.

Some, perhaps, reached the s.h.i.+ps, and attempted to regain the boat; but the greater number, overcome with hunger, disease, and cold, fell on their northward journey, never to rise again.

Two skeletons were found in the boat; and one, supposed to be that of a steward, between her and the s.h.i.+ps. Of the s.h.i.+ps, one was seen by the Esquimaux to go down, while the other drove on sh.o.r.e with one body only on board, probably that of a person who had died during the final visit.

Certain it is that no one regained the boat on their return journey to the south. Plate and vast quant.i.ties of clothing were found along the route, showing that on leaving the s.h.i.+ps the hapless men considered themselves capable of considerable exertion; and as they carried a large amount of powder and shot, they undoubtedly hoped to maintain themselves by means of their guns.

In vain did the main body at the mouth of Back's Fish River wait the return of their s.h.i.+pmates. Week after week, month after month, pa.s.sed by--they did not appear. How long they remained encamped on this bleak and barren coast it is difficult to determine. If the account received by Dr Rae is to be credited, it was not till the spring of 1850 that the survivors of that gallant band made a last desperate attempt to push their way inland, and sank down, as had their companions in suffering many months before them. Thus perished the whole of that gallant band of true-hearted seamen, who, with high hopes and spirits, had left England five years before in the prosecution of an undertaking which they had every reason to believe would so greatly redound to the honour and glory of England, and to their own high renown. The task was accomplished; a knowledge of the North-West Pa.s.sage was obtained. Their lives were sacrificed in the attainment; but they won names imperishable in English naval history, and gave another example of the undaunted courage, hardihood, and perseverance of British seamen.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

THE EXPEDITION TO THE NORTH POLE--1875.

Since the numerous expeditions connected with the search for Sir John Franklin, England had sent forth none towards the North Pole. Other nations, in the meantime, had been making efforts to reach the long-desired goal. Influenced by the representations of numerous officers and other scientific men interested in Arctic discovery, the British Government at length came to the resolution of despatching some s.h.i.+ps under the command of naval officers, who were to penetrate through Smith's Sound, to ascertain whether an open Polar sea existed, and to endeavour to reach the North Pole.

Two screw-steamers, the _Alert_ of 751 tons, and the _Discovery_ of 668 tons,--being strengthened by every means science could devise for resisting the Polar ice,--were fitted out, and Captain Nares was selected to command the expedition. Commander Markham, who had considerable experience, was appointed to act under him on board the _Alert_. Captain Nares and Commander Markham were the only two officers in the expedition who had previously crossed the Arctic Circle, but all the others were selected for their known high character and scientific attainments.

The other officers of the _Alert_ were Lieutenants Aldrich, Parr, Giffard, May, and Sub-Lieutenant Egerton. Various important duties connected with the scientific objects of the expedition were undertaken by them. Dr Colan, the fleet surgeon, was known as a good ethnologist; Dr Moss, in addition to other scientific attainments, was an excellent artist. Captain Fielden went as ornithologist; Mr Wootton, the senior engineer, was an officer of experience; Mr White was the photographer of the _Alert_; and Mr Pullen, the chaplain, was a botanist. Besides the officers, the complement of the _Alert_ was made up of petty officers, able seamen, marines, and others, forty-eight in all, some of whom were well able to a.s.sist the superior officers in their scientific duties. Christian Neil Petersen, a Dane, who had served in the expedition of Dr Hayes, was engaged as interpreter and dog-driver on board the _Alert_.

The _Discovery_ was commanded by Captain Henry Stephenson. His active staff consisted of Lieutenants Beaumont, Rawson, Archer, Fulford; Sub-Lieutenant Conybeare; Doctors Ninnis and Coppinger; engineers Gartmel and Miller; a.s.sistant paymaster Mitch.e.l.l, a photographer and good artist. Mr Hodson was the chaplain, and Mr Hart the botanist.

Their scientific duties were divided like those of the officers of the _Alert_. HM steams.h.i.+p _Valorous_ was at the same time commissioned by Captain Loftus Jones to accompany the exploring s.h.i.+ps up Davis' Straits as far as Disco, where she was to fill them up with the coals and provisions which she carried for the purpose. She was an old paddle-wheel steamer of 1200 tons, and was but ill fitted to withstand the ice she was likely to encounter in those seas. Loud cheers from thousands of spectators rose in the air, as, on the 29th of May 1875, the three s.h.i.+ps steamed out of Portsmouth harbour and proceeded towards Bantry Bay, which they left on the 2nd of June for their voyage across the Atlantic. Heavy gales were met with, which tried the gear of the s.h.i.+ps, the _Alert_ and the _Discovery_ each losing a valuable whale-boat, besides receiving other damage. The _Valorous_ reached G.o.dhaven on the 4th of July, and the _Alert_ and _Discovery_ arrived there on the 6th. Some days were spent here in transferring the coals and stores brought out by the _Valorous_ to the two exploring s.h.i.+ps--the _Alert_ receiving also twenty-four dogs, which had been provided by the Danish Government. The s.h.i.+ps then proceeded, accompanied by the _Valorous_, to Riltenbenk, where the _Discovery_ received her twenty dogs, and an Eskimo named Frederik, who came on board with his kayak.

On the 17th of July the _Alert_ and _Discovery_ steamed northward on their adventurous expedition, while the _Valorous_ proceeded towards the Disco sh.o.r.e, where, from its coal cliffs, she was to supply herself with fuel.

A fog coming on hid the s.h.i.+ps from each other. After running through a perfectly clear sea for some distance, the weather being fine, Captain Nares determined to take his s.h.i.+ps through the middle ice of Baffin's Bay, instead of pa.s.sing round by Melville Bay. On the 24th of July the pack was entered, but the floes were rotten, and at first not more than 250 yards in diameter. As the s.h.i.+ps advanced, the ice became closer, and the floes of much larger circ.u.mference, making it necessary to look out for channels. The commanders were constantly in the crow's nests, and succeeded at length in carrying their s.h.i.+ps through, in the s.p.a.ce of thirty-four hours, although not without some scratches, and having to put on full steam.

They found the entrance to Smith's Sound perfectly clear of ice, none drifting southward, although there was a fresh northerly breeze. The scene of the wreck of the _Polaris_ was visited, and either the log, or a copy, of the ill-fated vessel discovered. The next point touched at was Cape Isabella, on the 29th of July. Here a cairn with a small depot of provisions was erected, at an elevation of 700 feet from the water, by the crew of the _Alert_, while the _Discovery_ pushed forward. On the 30th of July the _Discovery_ was beset off Cape Sabine, by a close pack five or six miles broad. The _Alert_, having bored through it, joined her, and both s.h.i.+ps spent three days, sometimes getting under weigh and attempting to escape, until the 4th of August, when the pack moving forward enabled them to round Cape Sabine. Proceeding twenty miles farther along the south side of Hayes Sound, they put into a snug harbour, near which was discovered a valley with abundance of vegetation, and traces of musk oxen. Finding, however, that there was no channel in that direction, they bore away to the eastward, towards Cape Albert. Here a clear s.p.a.ce of water appeared along the sh.o.r.e of the mainland; but the coast affording no protection, they ran into the pack, with the expectation of forcing their way through. In this they were disappointed, and, unable to extricate themselves, they were drifting at a fearful rate towards an iceberg. The _Discovery_ seemed to be in the greatest danger, but suddenly the floe wheeled round, and the icy mountain was seen tearing its way through the surface ice directly down on the _Alert_. Her destruction seemed inevitable, when, at the distance of scarcely a hundred yards, the iceberg turned over, the floe splitting up, when the s.h.i.+p, although nipped, made her escape.

They both then got round in the wake of the iceberg. For the next twenty-four hours they were struggling towards the sh.o.r.e, through ice four feet thick, amidst bergs of 300 feet in diameter, although only from twenty to forty high. At length successful, they reached, on the 8th of August, the land of Victoria. Thus they pushed forward, sometimes struggling with the ice, and boring their way through the packs, at others making progress by an open s.p.a.ce near the sh.o.r.e. So closely-packed was the ice, that the channel by which the s.h.i.+ps advanced was often immediately closed astern, so that they would have found it as difficult to return as to proceed northward.

On the 25th August, after many hairbreadth escapes, a sheltered harbour was reached on the west side of the channel in Hall's Basin, north of Lady Franklin's Sound, in lat.i.tude 81 degrees 44 minutes north. Here the _Discovery_ was secured for the winter, while the _Alert_, as it had been arranged, pushed onwards, for the purpose of proceeding as far as possible through the supposed open Polar Sea, and reaching, some might have vainly hoped, the Pole itself.

After rounding the north-east point of Grant's Land, instead of discovering, as had been expected, a continuous coast leading a hundred miles farther towards the north, the _Alert_ found herself on the confines of what was evidently a very extensive sea, but covered as far as the eye could reach by closely-packed ice of prodigious thickness.

Through this ice it was at once seen that it would be impossible to penetrate. The s.h.i.+p, indeed, herself was placed in the greatest peril, for the ice was seen bearing down upon her while she lay unable to escape, with a rock-bound coast to the southward, and no harbour in which to seek for refuge.

Happily she was saved by the extraordinary depth to which the ice sank; for the ma.s.s grounding on the beach, formed a barrier inside of which she was tolerably safe. We can well enter into the disappointment of those who expected to have found the long-talked-of open Polar Sea, instead of which ice, evidently of great age and thickness, the acc.u.mulation, it might be, of centuries, and resembling rather low floating icebergs ma.s.sed together, than the ordinary appearance of salt-water. When two vast floes meet, the lighter portions floating between the closing ma.s.ses are broken up and thrown over their surface, sometimes to the height of fifty feet above the water, forming a succession of ice-hills of the most rugged description.

Although Captain Nares saw at once the almost impracticable character of the ice in the direction of the Pole, and which there was every probability would prove continuous, he resolved, as soon as the weather would allow, to despatch a sledge party in the desired direction. The supposed Polar Sea was appropriately named the "Palaeocrystic Sea," or "Sea of Ancient Ice."

The ice hitherto met with was seldom more than from two to ten feet in thickness; that which was now stretched before them was found to measure from eighty to one hundred and twenty feet in depth, its lowest part being fifteen feet above the water-line. This enormous thickness was produced in consequence of its being shut up in the Polar Sea, with few outlets by which it could escape to the southward, the ice of one season being added in succession to that of the previous year.

The two s.h.i.+ps were now in their winter quarters,--the _Alert_ off the coast of Grant's Land, with a bleak sh.o.r.e to the southward, and to the north a vast wilderness of rugged ice, extending in all probability to the Pole, in lat.i.tude 82 degrees 27 minutes, many miles farther than any s.h.i.+p had ever attained; while the _Discovery_ was seventy miles off, in a harbour on the coast of Greenland, inside Smith's Sound, in lat.i.tude 81 degrees 45 minutes. Lieutenant Rawson, with a party of men, had come on board the _Alert_ in order to convey notice of her position to the _Discovery_. He made two determined attempts to perform the journey between the two s.h.i.+ps without success, owing to the ice remaining unfrozen till late in the autumn in Robson's Channel. He and his men had therefore to pa.s.s the winter on board the _Alert_. As soon as the safety of the _Alert_ was secured, sledge parties were sent on along the sh.o.r.e to the southward and westward, with boats and provisions for the use of the travelling parties in the spring, under the command of Commander Markham and Lieutenant Aldrich. The latter advanced three miles beyond Sir Edward Parry's most northward position, and from a mountain 2000 feet high sighted land towards the west-north-west; but no land was seen to the northward. On their return journey, which lasted for twenty days, most of the people were frost-bitten in the feet.

The winter was pa.s.sed by the officers and crews of the two s.h.i.+ps much in the same way. Banks of snow were heaped round the vessels, and the decks covered ten feet thick with snow to keep out the cold from below, the only apertures being those required for ventilation or egress. The interiors of the s.h.i.+ps being warmed by hot-water pipes, a comparatively comfortable atmosphere below was maintained. The time was pa.s.sed by holding schools, with theatricals, penny readings, and games of all sorts. As soon as travelling was possible, on the 12th of March, Lieutenant Rawson and Mr Egerton, accompanied by Neil Petersen and his dog sledge, set off from the _Alert_ to communicate with the _Discovery_, the temperature being at this time forty degrees below zero. Two days after leaving the s.h.i.+p Petersen was taken ill. A camp was pitched, but, as he showed no signs of recovering, the officers determined to return. At the utmost risk to themselves they succeeded in retaining heat in the body of the sufferer, and were thus able to bring him alive to the s.h.i.+p; but his feet, which they were unable to protect, were so severely frost-bitten that it was found necessary to amputate both of them, from the effects of which operation he died two months afterwards. The following week, the two officers with fresh men set out and succeeded in reaching the _Discovery_, thus relieving those on board of the anxiety they had felt in regard to her consort's safety.

During the first week in April, the exploring parties, with sledges from both s.h.i.+ps, started off in various directions. The party selected to make the desperate attempt to reach the North Pole was under the charge of Commander Markham and Lieutenant Parr. Such was the rough nature of the ice, that a road had to be formed in many places by pickaxes before an advance could be made, even with light loads. The sledges having thus to go backwards and forwards over the same road, the advance was very slow, averaging not more than a mile and a quarter each day. Unable to obtain any fresh provisions, their food was of a character not calculated to maintain their health, and consequently ere long they were all attacked by scurvy. Notwithstanding this, the gallant men pushed on, until on 12th May they planted the British flag in lat.i.tude 83 degrees 20 minutes 26 seconds north, leaving only 400 miles between them and the North Pole--many miles farther to the north than any explorers had hitherto succeeded in gaining. The distance made good was 73 miles only from the s.h.i.+p, but in order to accomplish it 276 miles had been travelled over. Commander Markham saw clearly that by proceeding farther he should run the risk of sacrificing the lives of his people. Thus, with a heavy heart, he determined to go back.

The return journey was attended by even greater difficulties than the advance. From the time of their start in April to their return in June, the days had been spent in dragging the sledges over a desert of ice-hills, which resembled a stormy sea suddenly frozen; half the time the men facing the sledges, and hauling forward with their backs in the direction they were going. On getting to within 30 miles of the s.h.i.+p, so large a number were suffering from scurvy, that Lieutenant Parr gallantly volunteered to set out alone to obtain relief. Happily he succeeded, after much difficulty, in arriving, and help was immediately despatched, the officers and men vieing with each other in dragging forward the sledges. Unhappily one man had died before a.s.sistance had arrived. Of the rest, only two officers and three men were able to work; three others painfully struggling on rather than add to the difficulties of their companions. The remainder, being perfectly helpless, were carried on the sledges.

Another party sent out by the _Alert_ proceeded to the west under Lieutenant Aldrich, and, after exploring 220 miles of coast-line, they also were attacked by scurvy. Not returning at the time appointed, relief was sent to them. Lieutenant Aldrich and one man alone, out of a crew of seven, remained at the drag-ropes. Numerous expeditions had been sent out also by the _Discovery_, one of which proceeded along Greenland and suffered greatly. When met by a party, under Lieutenant Rawson, sent out to their a.s.sistance, they were found dragging forward four of their helpless comrades, two at a time, advancing only half a mile a day. Two of the men died just as Polaris Bay was reached, opposite Discovery Harbour.

Other exploring expeditions were made in various directions. Captain Stephenson made two trips across Hall's Basin to Greenland. When at Polaris Bay he hoisted the American ensign and fired a salute, while a bra.s.s plate, which had been prepared in England, was fixed on Hall's grave. On the tablet was the following inscription:--"Sacred to the memory of Captain C.F. Hall, of the U.S. _Polaris_, who sacrificed his life in the advancement of science, on 8th November 1871. This tablet has been erected by the British Polar Expedition of 1875, who, following in his footsteps, have profited by his experience."

No inhabitants were seen in the neighbourhood of the s.h.i.+ps' winter quarters, but ancient Eskimo remains were traced on the west side of Smith's Sound up to lat.i.tude 81 degrees 52 minutes. From thence they crossed it at the narrowest parts of the channel to Greenland. It seems surprising that animal life should exist so far north; but that it does so was proved, six musk oxen having been shot at the _Alert's_ winter quarters, besides fifty-seven others near Discovery Grave. In the same neighbourhood, although not, unfortunately, until the summer had commenced, a seam of good coal, easily worked, was discovered by Mr Hart, the naturalist. It is remarkable that the aurora was far less magnificent than in more southern lat.i.tudes. Of the numerous expeditions sent out by the _Discovery_, several were exposed to extreme danger, while nearly the whole of the men engaged in them suffered from scurvy. One expedition had been despatched to explore North Greenland with a lifeboat. In this party Lieutenant Rawson with four men had become detached, when, with the exception of the lieutenant and a marine, they were attacked with scurvy. One of the men died on the way.

Happily they were met by Dr Coppinger, by whose a.s.sistance they were greatly restored; an Eskimo, also, being successful in shooting seals, supplied them with fresh food. Dr Coppinger, feeling anxious about the North Greenland party, set out with the Eskimo in a dog sledge, and found them in a most exhausted condition; everything had been left behind, and four were so crippled with scurvy that they were being dragged on by two others, who were only slightly attacked. When the doctor arrived they had not a particle of food, and must inevitably have succ.u.mbed. One of the party died the morning after their arrival at Hall's Rest, to which they had been dragged. So critical was the condition of the sufferers, that an officer and two men were despatched in a dog sledge to communicate with the s.h.i.+ps; but, as the ice was already breaking up, it was with the greatest difficulty that the channel was crossed in about three days. On their arrival, the captain immediately set out with a relief party. Great anxiety was felt for another party under Lieutenant Beaumont, which was absent far longer than had been expected. He had with him a whale-boat, in which he and his people were driven far up the Sound, and it was not until the s.h.i.+ps were on the point of returning home that they were picked up.

The above brief account may give some faint idea of the hards.h.i.+ps and sufferings endured by the officers and men of the expedition, as well as of their courage and perseverance.

At length the icy barrier which had enclosed the _Alert_ for so many long months began to break up; but there appeared not the slightest indication of a pa.s.sage opening up to the northward by which the desired goal could be reached. Captain Nares felt fully confident that the sea before him had for centuries remained frozen, and would continue for ages more in the same condition. His crew were all, more or less, suffering from scurvy.

As much resolution and moral courage is often exhibited in retreating as in advancing. Captain Nares saw that to remain longer in the Polar Sea, in the vain attempt to carry out the object of the expedition, would not only be useless, but would in all probability prove destructive to the lives of his gallant followers. Steam was accordingly got up, and the _Alert_, boring her way through the ice, succeeded in again entering Smith's Sound. Early in August she got within ten miles of the _Discovery_; but for some time being prevented moving farther south by the ice, an officer was despatched overland to direct Captain Stephenson to get ready for sea. Not, however, until the 28th of August could the _Discovery_ force her way out of her ice-bound harbour.

It often appeared as if all their efforts to get free would be baffled, but by dint of constant watchfulness for an open channel, by boring and blasting the ice before them, and often running full tilt at the ma.s.s which impeded their progress, they forced their onward way, until at length the open sea was gained. The Arctic Circle was recrossed on the 4th of October, exactly fifteen months after it had been crossed on the northward voyage.

Happily the _Pandora_, Captain Allan Young, who had gone in search of the expedition, was met with, and returned with the s.h.i.+ps. Heavy gales were encountered in the Atlantic, when they were all separated. The _Alert_ reached Valencia harbour, in Ireland, on the 27th of October, and the _Discovery_, Queenstown, on the 29th, soon after which they both returned to Portsmouth.

Besides Neil Petersen, three men, George Porter, James Ward, and Charles Paul, seamen, died of scurvy. The scientific results of the expedition are considerable; and the gallant men engaged in it have fully maintained the high reputation of British seamen for courage, perseverance, high discipline, hardihood, and endurance.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

MEMOIR OF COMMODORE JAMES GRAHAM GOODENOUGH.

To die in the path of duty, whatever that duty may be, is as honourable as to fall when engaged on the field of battle, or on the deck in fight with an enemy; and for either lot, British officers have ever shown themselves ready.

Among those of whose services the country has lately been deprived, none stood higher in the estimation of all who knew him than Commodore James Graham Goodenough. A brief notice of his career may induce others to follow his example. He was the second son of the Dean of Wells, was born in 1830, and sent at the age of eleven to Westminster School, of which his father had once been headmaster. He there gained the character he ever maintained of a brave, n.o.ble, and kind-hearted boy, who hated all evil doings or evil things. He was diligent and successful in his studies, and was beloved by all his companions.

In 1844 he joined HMS _Collingwood_ as a naval cadet, and in her proceeded to the Pacific station. Here he spent four years, gaining from his messmates the same warm regard he had won from his schoolfellows. Ready for the performance of every duty, he was the leader among his companions on all occasions. He was a good linguist, and equal to the best in navigation and seamans.h.i.+p, as well as in all exercises. His chief characteristic was the thought of others rather than himself. When the _Collingwood_ was paid off, he joined the _Cyclops_, commanded by Captain Hastings, and in her continued some time on the coast of Africa. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1851, pa.s.sing the best examination at college. In that rank he served on board the _Centaur_, the flags.h.i.+p on the Brazilian station. He next served, during 1855, on board the _Hastings_, commanded by Captain Caffin, a Christian officer, whose advice to his young mids.h.i.+pmen when joining is worthy of being noted: "If you are a Christian, nail your colours to the mast and fight under them; you will be sure, in the end, to overcome your opponents!" While belonging to the _Hastings_, he was gazetted as having served with the rocket-boats at the bombardment of Sveaborg. After commanding the gunboat _Goshawk_, he proceeded to China, where he joined the _Calcutta_, flags.h.i.+p; and was gazetted on four occasions: for the capture of a large snake-boat from pirates in the Canton River, for being thrice in action in boats for the destruction of Chinese war-junks, for gallant services at the a.s.sault and capture of Canton, and for services on sh.o.r.e at the capture of the Chinese forts in the Peiho River. He now obtained the rank of commander, and returned for a brief time to England. After this he had for three years the command of the _Reynard_, on the China station. He next served as commander on board the _Revenge_, in the Channel squadron, and in 1863 was promoted to the rank of captain. During a residence on sh.o.r.e of about eighteen months he married. In 1864 he was sent by the Admiralty to America to visit the dockyards of the United States, and, at the end of that year, he went out to the Mediterranean as captain of the _Victoria_, flags.h.i.+p of Sir Robert Smart.