The Story of the Britannia""

Portland Selected-Its Numerous Drawbacks-Preparing for Sea-Voyage of the Britannia-She Asserts Herself Under Sail-Arrival at Portland-Great Monotony-A Sad Accident-Good Education-French and Drawing-Sa

es-The Hindostan-Captain Randolph Appointed-A Futile Complaint-Stern Measures-Parliamentary Interference-Humanitarian Fads-Flogging Abo

suited for the purpose (according to the ideas of the time), and with the encouraging resu

er"; and in case this does not convey a sufficiently clear impression to the non-nautical mind, it is advisable to point out that a two-decker has actually four decks, whil

plete deck, was in a sea-going ship somewhat dark, being lit only by small round "scuttles," and the actual deck was, when the vessel was down to her load-line, below water. On the Britannia, however, the scuttles were en

chests were there, and shortly after the ship went to Portland a sort of open

the middle deck at the after end was the wardroom, and further forward the French study. Service was held on this deck on Sunday, and seamanship was also taught there. The after-part of the main deck was occupied by the captain's quarters, and there was one small study there also. At the fore end was the sick bay. Under the poop was

drum giving out unmistakable sounds as it touched a step or two; then the drummer could be heard settling himself and his instrument of torture into a firm and convenient posture against a stanchion; and, after a pr

been oblivious to the drummer's dulcet strain: "Turn out, sir, turn out, if you please! Now, young gentleman, are you going to rouse out over there?" Then, in a persuasive, almost regretful tone, "Come, s

ated offences of this nature were liable to end with a mandate to "muster under the half deck at seven bells"-i.e. to come before th

d various privileges were stopped in addition. It was a particularly dreary sort of punishment, unless there happened to be two or more brothers in affliction, when they would make it a little more lively for themselves, and sometimes for the sentry, who might if unwa

ain it is that about this period a boy arriving on board would find himself styled a "cheeky new fellow." He might be the most retiring and timid of youths, but the adjective was appli

capacity he was at liberty to lord it over "cheekies," if they would stand it from him. Another three months would see him raised t

time to hark back a little, and see how it came about t

it was inaugurated by an Admiralty circular dated October 23rd,

between twelve and fourteen; the easier form of entry examination was retained

ess; and after twelve months a cadet who was found proficient was to be discharged for three months to a sea-going training-ship. At this examination a first-class certificate conferred twelve mon

BRITANNIA,"

nto Plymo

as a matter of fact, the paragraph referring to this is quietly dropped out of the circular as printed in the Navy list for March, 1862. This in itself is significant, for a close examination of the Navy lists at that period reveals the fact that there was a great reluctance on the part of the compositor to interfere with the type; so the withdrawal of the orde

considerable importance. It was taken for granted, presumably, at first, that the ship should be stationed at Portsmouth, as the start w

nsavoury mud at low water; there was no country, worth the name, within reach; while the moral atmosp

y to say; but towards the end of the year 1861 the authorities decided to take her away from Portsmouth

any master would anchor his vessel, save with a westerly wind. The breakwater, though it certainly forms a shelter against the sweep of the swell in the Channel, cannot in any degree break the force of an easterly gale; and e

n request, Portland is a very good place to go to; but other considerati

tion with the shore for a day or two. A good many years ago, the Channel Squadron was so cut off during the best part of a week, while an easterly gale was raging; only one

walking or anything else; there was a stupid little town, with one steep street, climbing up the hill; and Weymouth was too far off for land

862, after their Christmas leave, they found their floating home in the unwonted bustle of "preparing for sea"; and a v

ot, however, to be made alone; at Spithead the Trafalgar, steam two-decker, was in waiting, and took her station about half a mile astern of the Britannia, where she hovered during the whole passage, in case of any accident. The undertaking

e seasick; though they had the unwonted experience, afterwards to become so familiar, of hearing the gentle complaining "cree

, to hoist them, so they bellied out, all loose and baggy, with the following breeze, a sorry sight for a man-o'-warsman; that smart seaman, Captain Harris, must have found it go sorely against the grain to leave them so. He had a certain compensation, however; for no sooner did she feel the

in the dim light of early morning, the long snake-like breakwater, and

as the Britannia, with the Trafalgar still in close attendance, rounded the breakwater and approached her moorings, already laid down. Not even Captain Harris, however, would vent

nd realised immediately how extremely cold a fresh east wind can be on a Februa

to, topsails all shaking; as she lost her way, the anchor splashed, the cable rumble

r happened to be one of the fourth division above referred to, and has a vivid recollection o

ernoon, while the dockyard men, assisted by a part

during that time will probably agree in this. There was but little fun to be got out of Fortune's Well, as the village was called; and even the "tuck" was

te amount of wind would render their use impossible; the sailing launch was rarely used except for instructional purposes

hore to Portland, and a larger one, plying regularly to Weymou

r sea-birds' eggs on the cliffs at the west side of Portland; and this resulted, not very long after

even moderately industrious might go to sea with every detail of standing and running rigging, reefing and furling, etc., at his fingers' ends, only needing a little experience afloat to render him-malgré the prophecies of the malcontents of the old school-

and drawing, as it usually was in those da

dge to his pupils; systematic teaching in form and perspective was unknown; so that a lad who possessed consider

ch lesson was a time for every mountebank trick imaginable, little heed being paid to the half-hearted remonstrances of the good-natured professor. It

d was invariably met either with "Avez vous etez on board le Colo

to unfold. His appearance was naturally most grotesque under these circumstances, and his performances in the French study were a source of unfailing joy to his companions. He would "furl"

re of songs. There was one lad there in the latter part of the year 1862 who was remarkable in this respect, and his songs were always in request. One of the prime favourites was an extraordinary "descriptive" ballad a

g of Ot

ime there l

ité, of

ime there l

of Ot

only frowne

ll were fill

each should

ing of O

rch's name wa

mia, Cou

thought him a

ly fine-lo

large, so w

ked north, the o

s broad as a b

ul monarch was

ng called h

d out two

ls, stir your

ds to co

past fiv

e everything fi

sh, herbs

g else th

scals, as fast

, r

ame both gre

ugly, shor

hers, sister

ations, and

ressed in S

, were all

hers, sister

ations, and

dy who w

owd was j

treading, trea

g of Otahe

s bad

g of Otahe

at I should

t should

t her int

, upon

he had an

rely did

heard the

er coul

ng, in a te

his guard

als, how can

in has tro

to all my

every corn

the rascal w

I'll tip i

d who stoo

no man, care

please you

oman! That's

en took her

d not le

dam, please

d upon

-waiting

ed her sk

n, with a gr

nk you; th

breathless interest, the callous monarch's final pr

quest was a bloodthirsty piratical

a life of wa

e's lif

all ride the

on of t

there were a great many verses. The other cadets greatly envied him this accomplishment, and the messroom would sometimes resound with embryo endeavours to produce a similar result; causing, on one occas

dets were allowed, and encouraged, to go aloft at all times: the "cheeky new

r is aware that the "futtock shrouds" are the short, stiff, standing ropes from the edge of the "top," the traversing of which involves a more or less reversed position; it is easy enough for any ordinarily active boy, and the alternative, of going through "lubber's hole," was regarded as more or less of a disgrace. It will be obvious, howev

e stress of sail-certainly a pretty old one, it was quite on the cards that it might have given way, especially as the gymnast was a good lump of a boy. However, he escaped, and l

AND CAD

the bulwarks, one in each hand, twisted your legs round them, and then, embracing the ropes with your arms so as to avoid skinning your hands, down you went like a flash. It was advisable, however, to tie your trous

he favoured of Black-eyed Susan, was al

swiftly through

ghtning on the

g that he would arrive on deck with a good deal more than the cuticle burnt off his "glowing ha

, however, the clothes, which

er spent at the main-yardarm, where the studding-sail boom afforded a seat of more or less comfort and security, with a book; one arm claspi

r the Britannia, two most important

rt turned out to be true, and on October 1st he was succeeded by Captain Richard Ashmore Powell. This officer had, in a letter to Captain Harris, dated May 27th of the sam

gh he found the way paved for him by the results of his predecessor's f

post as senior executive for a time, he was superseded in December by Commander William H

dmiral W.

elf very heartily with the cadets in their games, etc., and displayed remar

s were too far distant for them to avail themselves of the brief holidays, for a three or four days' trip to Wells, Glastonbury, Cheddar, etc. The boys th

d of large loose pebbles-runs down steeply, so that the sea breaks in one great "comber," coming in like a wall, and dragging back the pebbles in the "undertow" with a treme

and scored heavily off several, being very fleet of foot. Having afforded this practical proof of the probable consequences of being caught at such games, he ga

serious offences among the cadets. It is not quite clear at the present time what gave rise to this innovation, but ther

punishment"-for it was publicly inflicted-and the culprit was lashed, in true man-o'-war

d, having a good view of Portland Roads through the port, had apparently been interesting himself in the man?uvres of a merchant vessel which was beating in; for,

y rather a favourite, being of the breezy type, which sailors call a "Jack-shilloo." It must be

the Prince and of Princess Alexandra on them, were distributed to the cadets, who were also allowed leave to go to Weymouth-though they fo

nstructions to look round for a more suitable station. In recommending Dartmouth he probably made the best selection possible. The only objection that could be raised to it was th

beautiful surroundings, easy access to the shore, land available for good playing fields. All these good th

months there, it was decided that it sho

s, and 108 cadets-about half th

available if required, but the Britannia was not destined again to spread her wings, though she and her escort had to remain at sea, off Dartmouth, for the night, entering the beautiful harbour at nine o'clock next morning, amid the enthusiastic cheers of the inhabitants, and to the extreme satisfaction, no doubt, of the cadets,

p was securely moored, head and stern, to four heavy anchors, so as

void the town, and so on. A great deal of this work was done, more or less in the rough, by the ship's company, under the boatswain, who, in huge sea-boots, superintended the engineering of zig-zag path

tors, the magnificent playing fields, etc., being now approached by flights of con

f lieutenants required, so the entries were considerably increased, with the result that the number, after a few term

he Hindostan, an old two-decker, was selected for the purpose, and sent round from Devonport. She was one of several vessels built

POWELL AND O

being constructed between the two, making them practica

ation was needed, it may be mentioned that the number of cadets entered in 1864 was 217, as compared with 122 and 183 of the years 1863 and 1862 respectively. This large number was not maintained, however; for it fell to 15

ed to err, perhaps, on the side of severity, Randolph was always perfectly fair and just, and was a most capable officer. The frigate Orlando, which he commanded in the Mediterranean before he went t

Sir George G.

omewhat "dour" character felt. He was one of those men who are not afraid to accept responsibility for their actions, or to c

tice. The cadet captains were accordingly mustered, and invited to state their grievance. The captain heard them patiently, and then, to their delight, he replied, "You are quite right, boys, it shall be stopped." The boys, thinking they had scored completely,

er cruel extremes, the officer of the day thought it right to call the attention of the commander to it, who in turn reported it to the captain. Possibly the captain may have been aware of some previous cases of bullying, and determined to make an example of the offenders; however this may be, he resorted to drastic measures on the spot. The cadets were called to divisions, and the culprits, four or five in number, received then and there a good birching. There i

stated by gentlemen acquainted with the practice, and who had given their names, that when a cadet was punished his legs and arms were tied to ringbolts so that he could not move, and that he was flogged with a birch broom which had been previously steeped in

nt on board the Britannia, and the result was a complete denial that the punishment of cadets was accompanied by the cruelty described. Punishment was

arms are not ti

taken the whole subject into consideration, have thought it desirable that the practice of punishing naval cadets s

umanitarian padding. If you are going to inflict corporal punishment upon anyone, man or boy, there is certainly no cruelty in securing him so that he cannot move; birch rods for the punishment of young seamen in the Navy were most frequently made by splitting up an ordinary birch broom into convenient small bundles for the purpose; and the soakin

dited with having investigated the matter in an independent spirit, and with arriving at their decision upon adequate grounds;

JOHN C

le & Son,

7, by Captain John Corbett, after having held the

uced in this decade should be mentione

very few minutes. It is, however, somewhat cumbrous to work, and has no special value in regard to the general principles which govern boat-sailing. In order, therefore, to afford the cadets every opportunity of acquiring skill and readiness at the helm, a number of small cutter-rigged vessels-a ship's cutter not being "cutter" rigged-were provided in 1867, with simple sails and fittings, so that three or four cadets could, by permission, take one out on a free afternoon and sail about the harbour, thereby gaini

ite a struggle to get the use of one for the afternoon. Many of the lads become very proficient boat-sailers, a

ritannia has been by no means behind the times in this respect, all the various exercises being ta

ations: the institution of a bona fide sea-going training-ship for

s recommissioned as a sea-going training-ship for cadets, in which they were to spend one year after leaving the Brita

ompetition in the entry examination. Two other points are included in the preamble of the circular: an increase of the time under training and a further reduction of the number of cadets ent

Append

idea of giving many more nominations than were needed, and making the examination a limited competition. Any influential person who had received a nomination for his son would then ha

during the year, of which it was certain that only 74 could be effective, for it woul

for a preliminary test had to be successfully negotiated before he was permitted to engage in a competition in

later on. Suffice it to say, that it has always been condemned by a number of officers whose opinion should carry weight, as men who have devoted their lives to the study of the efficiency of the Service,

will be noticed, from 14 to 13 years, leaving on

of entries, while a show of maintaining a larger number

the fifth Britannia made her appearance at Dartmouth. She was laid down as a sailing three-decker in 1848, but was subsequently lengthened while still on the stocks, and eventually launched as a screw-ship of 131 guns in 1860, under the name of the Prince of Wales, assumi

this does not include 1860 or 1861, of which there is no record available. The tota

ve L

captains, 107;

red

commanders, 168; lieutenant

ad or removed from the Navy

Illustrious and Britannia from 1858 to 18

ve L

rals

red

ns, 61; commanders,

ance of 327,

RITANNIA" AS

le and Son