Captain Ross

“ In an open sea, in broad day-light, and in fine weather, nothing can be more delightful than sailing along on such a voyage as ours to visit strange countries. But when the scene is changed to a dark stormy night, in narrow rocky passages, with rapid tides sweeping through them, the blessing of such charts as those of Captain Ross, and such directions as those of Horsburgh, is felt in a manner that the ‘gentlemen of England, who live at home at ease,’ can form but a faint conception of. ”

“ I have received and laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 10th instant, transmitting a report from Captain Ross, of the Briseis, of the re-capture of the merchant ship Urania, in Pillaw Roads, by the boats of that sloop, under the orders of Lieutenant Jones and Mr. Palmer, midshipman, and I am in reply commanded to express their Lordships' approbation of the gallantry displayed by the officers and men on this service.
There can be no doubt but promotion would have followed this valiant and successful affair, but Lieut. ”

“ For severity it was unequalled, the crew developed scurvy, and all were suffering sorely when, in the following August, the unfortunate party was rescued by the whaler, "Isabella of Hull, once commanded by Captain Ross." It was the ship in which Ross had made his first Arctic exploration. At first the mate refused to believe the story of these "bear-like" men. The explorers and Ross had been lost these two years. But, almost frantic with delight, the explorers climbed on board the Isabella to be received with the heartiest of cheers when their identity was disclosed. ”

“ The Briseis was subsequently appointed to carry the joyful news of peace to Libau, where Captain Ross was received with demonstrations of joy. The hatred the oppressed inhabitants manifested towards their oppressors the French, who had just vacated the place, was beyond expression; and a Russian squadron had now ventured out of the Gulf of Finland to join in the general rejoicing.
Steps were taken by the Admiral to remove the supplies of corn and provisions at that place, to [Pg 281] prevent their falling into the hands of the advancing enemy. ”

“ When I reached the head of it, I took off my hat and made a low bow towards the building, to show the Internals that I had [104] some sense of politeness. No one appeared. I walked slowly up the sloping lawn, stopped, looked about me, and bowed, but still no one appeared to return my civilities. I walked on, and had arrived within one hundred yards of the portico, when I recollected, that when Captain Ross was impeded in his progress northward by the northern ‘icy hoop,’ he met with some men on the ice who told him they came from the north, where there was land and an open sea. ”

“ That I felt and expressed surprise relative to Captain Aulick having taken Captain Ross's assertion on a point (without a full examination of all the data) in which not only the credit of the Expedition, but the country and navy were concerned, is very natural, and I believe all who consider the subject will agree with me. ”

“ But in the statement above quoted, Mr. Wilkes has done us injustice, by omitting to mention one very important fact in this connexion, namely, that in laying down the land of Balleny on the chart he sent Captain Ross, he neglected to affix thereto the name of its discoverer, or to distinguish it in any way from his own land, there traced out, and almost connected with it. ”

“ People thought it a pity that so pretty a fellow as had been their soldier-laird should ever have shed his blood on foreign soil. Captain William Ross fell at last in action, but his fame did not die with him; and many generations later a young Mr. Ross, of Invercarron, felt no little envy of his legendary reputation for strength, size, and beauty. This young man would fain have been declared the tallest, fairest, and strongest man that the family had ever produced ”

“ In this dashing affair, the British had one man killed, and the midshipman, one sailor, and one marine wounded. In October, the Briseis captured le Petit Poucet, French privateer, of 4 guns and 23 men; and drove on shore three other vessels of the same description.
Captain Ross’s subsequent appointments were, June 7, 1814, to the Actaeon of 16 guns; Aug. ”

“ We understand that the world is indebted to him for the greater part of the scientific results of the late expedition under his uncle. Captain Sir John Ross, R.N., C.B., &c. The thanks of the Common Council of London were voted to him on the 5th Dec. 18133, at which period he was serving as commander on board the Victory 104, flagship of Sir Thomas Williams, at Portsmouth, preparatory to his further advancement. ”

“ One of them, which he named Mount Erebus, was 12,000 feet in height, and at the time he saw it in active operation, affording a most magnificent spectacle to the crews of both vessels: the other, whose altitude was 10,000 feet, was named after his consort, the Terror. Captain Ross had received the chart sent him by Captain Wilkes, and had cruised over a space of 50 miles in extent in either direction, where land had been laid down by the latter navigator, and found nothing but clear sea.—Polynesian, Oct. 15th, 1841. ↑ Bellamy's Land.—Editors. ”

“ I forward some papers I yesterday received from Pillau; you will find the armistice has been prolonged for a fortnight with fourteen days' warning, but it was expected hostilities would re-commence the middle of the present month.
I sincerely congratulate you upon the surrender of Flushing. I hope we shall soon hear that the other objects of the expedition have been accomplished, particularly as far as regards the capture or destruction of the enemy's ships in the Scheldt. I delivered to Captain Ross the Cross of the Order of the Sword, which was enclosed to me by Count de Mörner. ”

“ Ross plied the captain with eager questions as to the latest news from the busy centres of civilisation—especially with reference to new inventions connected with engineering—the island king left them to their own resources till dinner-time, saying that he had duties to attend to connected with the kingdom!
"Now, boy," said the captain when their host had gone, "what'll 'ee do? Take a boat and have a pull over the lagoon, or go with me to visit a family I'm particularly fond of, an' who are uncommon fond o' me!"
"Visit the family, of course," said Nigel. "I can have a pull any day." ”

“ I have much pleasure in acquainting you, sir, that the officers and ship's company merit my warmest praise for the constant exertions and cheerful obedience with which they conducted themselves throughout this distressing scene. [Pg 254] Captain Guion was unwearied and indefatigable, and his abilities could never have been better shown than on this trying occasion. It is no small consolation to me that in the awful moment of the masts going over the side, and throughout the whole terrific gale, not a man was hurt. ”

“ After passing the sternmost of the enemy's ships, the America, the ship astern of the Russell, wore to stand after them: I was glad to have the example of an old experienced officer, and wore also; but Captain Thompson, finding there was no signal, shortly after wore again, to join Sir Samuel Drake's division. I stood on, till passing a division of four of the enemy's ships, I exchanged broadsides with them, and finally came up with the Ville de Paris, wore under her stern and engaged her on the quarter for some time, when the Barfleur came up, and the Comte de Grasse hauled down his colours. ”

“ Ross continued. “I don’t know how important it may prove to be, but at least it’s a clue that may lead to something.
“As you know, the Ranger was taken to Halifax and abandoned there by the smugglers. Ramsay, the captain who died on the trip, had owned it, but he had no family and the authorities took charge of the boat and sold it after a while, holding the money they got for it for the benefit of the heirs, if any should ever turn up. The new owner used the boat for a voyage or two, but he found it hard to get a crew. You know how superstitious sailors are. ”

“ About four in the morning the strength of the gale abated, and her shocks were less violent. Every officer and man in the ship were now employed erecting jury-masts, hoping that by lightening her we should be able to float her off; and at daylight I telegraphed Captain Pater of the Cressy to prepare us a Pakenham rudder; and it still blowing too strong for boats to come to us, I made signals for the Rose and Bellete to anchor a cable's length from us and from each other, upon our larboard bow, that when it moderated we might send hawsers to them to endeavour to heave us off. ”

“ At this moment Captain Le Blanc approached and stepping up to the two brothers shook each heartily by the hand. The informality and comradeship among the French troops is one thing that makes the army of France so wonderful. They are all working together for one common cause, and officers and men both have the same object. The men never take advantage of their superiors however and discipline is not interfered with. ”

“ All the officers are in rapture at the share the ship had in the action, except her captain, who is never satisfied. The ship's company all healthy, and the wounded daily recovering. Sheep and poultry in abundance; but the fear of a long passage down the Mediterranean obliges us to be frugal, wishing, if possible, to avoid putting into any place before we reach the fleet off Cadiz,—a thing scarcely possible, and rendered still more improbable from our little progress the last five days: however,—patience! ”

“ Major Ross, the commandant of marines and Lieutenant-Governor, stands out as the one malcontent on the Governor's staff, and from the time of his appointment until his return to England, Ross generally hampered and never assisted Phillip. Hunter, the captain of the Sirius, King, the second lieutenant, Collins, lieutenant of marines, doing duty as Judge Advocate, are the three men whose names will be longest remembered in the history of the expedition. ”

“ Nice thing, that would be!"
"There are just two persons, so far as I know, outside of the Secret Service headquarters at Washington, who know what we are up to," Major Ross said. "These are Colonel Hill, of the Canal Zone force, and Captain Godwin, who is to receive us here."
The brown oarsmen tugged and strained at the oars, and the waters of the river came up to the rim of the native boat and crept in and spread themselves over the rotten floor. ”

“ On one occasion a man was brought up on the quarter-deck in a state of intoxication, when the captain, as if he could not believe his own eyes, thought it necessary to call two of the officers as witnesses. The man was put into confinement; and next morning, at eight, he was brought up to be punished at the gangway. The offender being tied up, and the article of war under which he had fallen being read, the captain took the opportunity of assuring his assembled crew, that when legally convicted they were sure of punishment; but that no man should be struck. ”

“ That reminds me that thirty years ago Captain James Ross, sailing for the North-West passage——"
"In the Victory," added the doctor quickly, "a brig about the same tonnage as ours, with a steam-engine too."
"What! you know about that?"
"Judge if I do," answered the doctor. "Machines were then in their infancy, and the Victory's kept her back; the captain, James Ross, after having vainly repaired it bit by bit, finished by taking it down, and abandoned it at his first winter quarters."
"The devil!" said Shandon. "You know all about it, I see." ”

“ Sir James Saumarez desires to return his best thanks to Captain Ellison, and the officers and men of H.M.S. Druid, for their spirited conduct and bravery on the 8th instant, in having, jointly with the Crescent, repelled ships of the enemy treble our force. It is to be regretted that the bad sailing of the Eurydice prevented their deriving the advantage they otherwise would have received from Captain Cole and his brave ship's company. ”

“ If she is coming for you, you must wait patiently——"
"But I am going out in the steamer?" said the girl, beginning to cry afresh.
"The steamer?" he said. "The steamer does not call at Heimra, not at any time."
"But it is Mr. Ross has the mastery," [#] she pleaded. "It is every one that must obey Mr. Ross; and the steamer will take me out to Heimra if he tells the captain." ”

“ The brave Captain Morris, after receiving a number of wounds, with a noble constancy disdained to quit his duty; until, his arm being shot off, he was carried below in a condition which did not afford any probability of recovery. At one time, the quarter-deck of the Bristol was cleared of every one except the commodore, who stood on the poop-ladder alone; a spectacle of intrepidity and firmness which has been seldom equalled, never exceeded. It is said, that Mr. [Pg 28] Saumarez seeing him in this situation, requested him to come down ”

“ The main shore was some five or six miles distant, and presented an almost unbroken line of granite boulders and dense pine forests. Most of the passengers were on deck, in a state of high excitement; the gentlemen running about in their shirt sleeves and drawers, and the ladies in those indescribable costumes which ladies usually wear when they go to sleep. The captain was mounted on the poop-deck, with his pipe in his mouth, giving orders to the men, who were pulling and tugging at big ropes, and trying to be very busy knocking things about ”