Chapter XV: Part 15

The equipment of the regular slaver is attended with a large outlay; in short, no expense is spared. She is run up for the voyage, and should she be found strong enough for another, she undergoes a thorough repair. In order to make her light and buoyant, her timbers and beams are small, and screwed together: when chased, these screws are loosened to give the vessel play. After the hull is built, she is placed in the hands of the coopers, who erect, in the hold, huge water-casks, called leaguers. On these are stowed the provisions, wood, &c., above them, is the slave-deck. Thirty-six inches may be considered a medium height, but they sometimes measure four feet six inches, though occasionally only fourteen or eighteen inches, intended for children only. The upper deck is generally clear, except of the sweeps or oars for calms, &c. There is a covered sleeping-place, about six feet long by three feet wide, on each side, for the captain and pilot. Some have guns, but the system of arming is by no means common now. When they carry a boat, it is a very small one, and generally serves as a hen-coop. The rigging and sails are fitted with a sailor-like neatness not to be surpassed.

The sails, on account of the frequency and force of the tornadoes, are very low, and bent broad: thus the fore-yard of a brig of about 140 tons taken by H.M.S. 'Dolphin,' was seventy-six feet long, and her ropes were so beautifully racked aloft, that, after a cannonade of sixty shot, in which upwards of fifty had taken effect, not one sail was lowered.

The following are the articles by which a slaver can be condemned, if found on board: a slave-deck, or planks ready for a deck; slave-irons and slave-coppers, which are a large cooking apparatus for the slaves and crew, standing generally amid-ship of the upper deck; an extra quantity of farinha, rice, water, or other provisions which cannot be accounted for. The slaver leaves her port equipped with provisions, wood, and water, for the return voyage, carrying the outward passage stock, which frequently comprises all sorts of luxuries, on the slave-deck. The officers consist of a captain, who tries to pass for a supercargo or a passenger if taken, and whose salary is seldom less than 250_1._ for each hundred slaves; a man called Capitano de Bandiera, who acts as substitute for the captain if the vessel is taken; a pilot, and a boatswain, frequently a superior class of sailors.

DESCRIPTION OF A SLAVER WITH CARGO ON BOARD.

The horrors of a full slaver almost defy description. Arrived on the coast, and the port reached, if no man-of-war be on the coast, two hours suffice to place four hundred human beings on board. On the slaves being received, the largest men are picked out (if not sent with bad characters) as head-men, and these, dividing the slaves into gangs, according to the size of the vessel, of from ten to twenty, keep them in order. The slave-deck is divided into two unequal parts, the greater for the men, the other for women and children. The stowage is managed entirely by the head-men, who take care that the largest slaves shall be farthest from the ship's side, or from any position in which their strength might avail them to secure a larger space than their neighbours. The form of stowage is, that the poor wretch shall be seated on the beams, and the head thrust between the knees so close that when one moves the mass must. The slave is fed twice a-day; in order to give room, one-half are allowed at a time on deck. At the hour of the meal they are ranged into messes, and when all is ready, at a signal from the head-men, they commence. The food consists of either rice, calabancies (a kind of bean), or farinha (the flour of the cassada, a species of potato) boiled. As a relish to these are either salt pork, beef, fish, chillies, or palm-oil, in small quantities. After each meal they are made to sing, to digest the food, and then the water is served out, the fullest nominal allowance of which is one quart each, daily, though seldom more than a pint is given. Irons are seldom used on board, unless after a mutiny, or if closely chased by a man-of-war; in which case the condition of the slave becomes truly dreadful; they are all barred below, for fear of their rising, are seldom watered till the chase be over, though it may last two or three days, while everything that can be thought of to make the vessel sail is done, whatever misery it may cost the cargo: often some of the unfortunate wretches are thrown overboard in empty casks or small boats, in the hope that the cruiser will stop to pick them up and thus delay the chase.

CHASES AND CAPTURES OF SLAVERS BY H.M.S. 'BONETTA,'
ON THE AFRICAN COAST.

We give some accounts of the chases and captures of slaves by the ships of H.M.'s squadron employed in blockading the west coast of Africa to prevent the slave-trade. The accounts will show a part of the description of work the officers and men of the Navy are called on to perform.

In the year 1848, H.M.S. 'Bonetta,' Commander Forbes, formed one of the northern division of the squadron on the west coast.

SLAVE-SCHOONER RUN DOWN.

On the 6th of March, as she was standing in for the land, near Cape Mensurada, at about seven in the morning, a schooner appeared in sight, and from her endeavours to escape, left no doubt of the illegality of her trade. Between the land and sea breeze, which set in about eleven, it was nearly a calm, with light variable airs. The chase took advantage of this to lighten, and casks, boats, planks, everything that could be, were thrown overboard: after eleven the run became very exciting, the schooner making for the land; presently she took in her studding-sails and hauled to the wind. In-shore, lay at anchor a man-of-war, and in a short time the chase was joined by H.M.S. 'Rapid,' and her yawl, making now four in all. Finding the 'Bonetta' too close on her, the schooner again bore away, and by sunset (the 'Rapid' a long way astern) both were under all sail, running before the wind. The schooner appeared almost in their grasp, when a tornado took all aback; every rope being manned, the sail came in, and running off the land, they lost sight of the chase before eight o'clock. At half-past nine, when all but the watch on board the 'Bonetta' were in bed, a most severe shock was felt by all; one of the watch, without orders to do so, sprang to the lead, and in answer to the question why he did so, declared, as did the whole watch, that the ship was on shore. Some below were completely thrown out of their beds; no bottom was found, and the ship was at least fifteen miles from land. It might have been the shock of an earthquake. Could it have been the sinking hull of the lightened schooner?

BRAZILIAN SLAVE-BRIG CAPTURED.

On the 14th of March a vessel seen from the mast-head at 3 P.M., immediately tacked and endeavoured to escape. By sunset she was discernible from the deck, and a clear moon left little difficulty in keeping her in sight all night. Every manœuvre imaginable was tried in vain, proceeding on almost every point of the compass; still, when daylight broke, the vessels were so close that, after firing three shots at the slaver, she hove to, and the Brazilian brig 'Dois Amigos' became the 'Bonetta's' first prize, with a cargo of 408 negroes.

Bearing an important cipher despatch from Sierra Leone to Captain Moneypenny, at Cape Mount, on the 16th May, the 'Bonetta' was becalmed for an hour, about four miles from a brigantine. Having delivered the despatch she was ordered to proceed to Sierra Leone. This brigantine shipped her slaves at Gallinas, and was captured in August by H.M.S. 'Sealark,' under the name of the 'San Francisco;' she was returning for another cargo.

BRAZILIAN SLAVER DESTROYED

Returning from Sierra Leone on the 31st of May, standing in for the land about Gargwa, the 'Bonetta' chased a schooner, and in about four hours brought her to, when she proved to be the Brazilian slave-schooner 'Phoco-foo' (which means lighthouse). Her crew had perfectly cut her to pieces; all her masts were sprung, and so much damage had been done that a party of officers, sent on board to survey, condemned her. Having removed the crew, a train was laid, and having set fire to both ends, she scarcely touched the shore when she blew up; but continued burning nearly all night. This was a vessel fully equipped for the trade, but with no slaves on board.

SLAVE SCHOONER CAPTURED.

On the morning of the 12th of June, owing to the prevalence of strong currents and light winds, with a heavy swell, the 'Bonetta' had drifted so close to the land between Manna and Gallinas, that at 4 A.M. it was deemed prudent to anchor. A few hours after daylight a boat was seen pulling for Gallinas. Immediately sending another in chase, they were both soon alongside the brigantine, now under weigh, and the boat proved to be one from a slaver in the offing, sent in to make arrangements for the cargo.

By information derived from this boat's crew, it appeared that their vessel would stand out for a time, but that on a certain day she would be off Little Cape Mount. Acting upon this information, a sharp lookout was kept, and on the morning of the 19th, at daylight, a schooner was in sight. The wind being very light she was scarcely visible from the deck; Mr. Smallpage (midshipman) being therefore detached in the gig, after a pull of nearly 15 miles he succeeded in capturing a schooner, claiming the protection of no flag, with all fittings necessary for the slave-trade. It was called the 'Tragas Millas.'

The next prize was descried at daylight on the 28th of June, having Cape Mount Bay under her lee. Her captain preferred trying to cross the bows of the 'Bonetta,' to the chance of being embayed; accordingly they neared each other on opposite tacks, each carrying studding-sails. As it was suspected from his object that the chase was a superior sailer, a cannonade was opened upon her, and so effectually, that after four shots she hove to. The prize's crew was immediately removed, though scarcely in time; one shot had passed completely through her, and tumbling right over, she nearly capsized the boat, which was bearing the last of the crew. This vessel, the 'Andorimha,' Brazilian, fully equipped for the slave-trade, had first put into the most southern part of the coast on the 5th of May, but was chased from thence by a steamer. On the 3rd of June she again put into Ambriz, but a second time escaped, after being chased. Finding this part of the coast too well guarded, she made a voyage of about 1,500 miles, and sent a boat into the Pongos to arrange the cargo again. She was chased, and running from Charybdis this time fell upon Scylla.

On the 10th of August, after a run of about seven hours, and firing three blank-cartridges, the 'Bonetta' captured a schooner, the 'Alert.' She was under no flag, and had recently been bought for Don Jose Luiz, the factor at Gallinas; for whom, besides a full equipment for the slave-trade, she had a quantity of wine and other articles.

On the 5th of September H.M.S. 'Sealark' chased a schooner beyond the limits of her station, when about 3.30 P.M. she was descried and taken possession of by the 'Bonetta.' She proved to be a vessel called the 'Louiza,' and her supercargo (who passed for one Don Jose Segui) was one of the most notorious slave-dealers on the coast. His name was Theodore Canot, a Florentine by birth, but American, French, or English, when either suited. If all the horrible murders said to have been committed by this miscreant are true, he must have been the most atrocious of mankind. While a factor at Cape Mount, almost a hundred human beings are said to have fallen victims to his avarice--nor were all these negroes, but many of them white men.

The last vessel taken on the northern division was captured, in fact, by the 'Sealark,' but virtually by the 'Sealark' and the 'Bonetta.'

In September, on her passage to Sierra Leone, the 'Bonetta' chased a brig; while making sail, about noon, a man fell overboard, and after lowering a boat and saving the man, she made sail again, when H.M.S. 'Sealark' was observed in chase also. A fine breeze now added to the interest of the scene. The 'Sealark' and chase were some distance apart on the port-tack. Coming up with them at two, the 'Bonetta' tacked and opened fire at extreme range, and kept it up with shot and shell till four. At seven, after the 'Sealark' (by change of wind) opened fire, the brig wore round and hove to windward. She proved to be the 'Achilles,' with a double slave-deck, equipped for the shipment of a thousand slaves, and hoisting no flag.

The captain of this vessel was the same who had made the successful voyage in the 'San Francisco,' and three out of four thousand dollars cleared by that voyage he had laid out on the 'Achilles,' and he now lost all.

CAPTURE OF THE 'CATHERINE' SLAVER, BY H.M.S.
'DOLPHIN,' CAPTAIN R. H. DUNDAS,

1839.

The system pursued in order to elude the vigilance of the British cruisers is clearly exemplified in this affair. H.M.S. 'Dolphin' fell in with the 'Catherine' on the 13th August, 1839, off the coast of Africa, about 20 miles from the harbour of Quipo. She gave her chase, and compelled her to bring to by firing several shots. The 'Dolphin' boarded her, and found that, though she was sailing under American colours, she had the necessary planks for a slave-deck, and all other equipments usually found on board a vessel engaged in the slave-trade. The cargo consisted of tobacco and spirits; her crew, of six American seamen and 25 Spaniards. No slaves were found on board, however, but a negro boy, said to be the son of an African prince, whom they had shipped to be used on the coast of Africa.

Among other papers on board, was the following letter of instructions:--"The main thing for you to do on the voyage is, to be ready, in case you are boarded by a man-of-war, to show your log-book (which must be regularly kept from the time you leave here), your ship's papers, your charter-party for the voyage, your ship's roll and instructions; and you are, in that event, to make all concerned with you American sailors according to your roll; all the others are to be passengers. You are to be very careful that, in any cross-questions, you do not commit yourself. Always stick to the same story. When the vessel is discharged, you must at once cut your register in two pieces; one piece you must endorse, direct, and send to Messrs. Thomas Wilson and Co., Baltimore; the other piece you will bring with you, and give to me when you return here. You must be very particular about that, and do not let any time pass after the cargo is out, before you cut the register in two pieces; and be careful to keep them separate: throw one piece overboard if you are obliged to do so by being boarded by a man-of-war." The 'Catherine' had been fitted out at Havannah, cleared there, and the necessary papers obtained through the office of the American vice-consul.

CAPTURE OF BRAZILIAN SLAVER 'FIRME,' BY THE BOATS
OF H.M.S. 'DOLPHIN,' LIEUT. LITTLEHALES,
ACTING-COMMANDER; UNDER THE COMMAND OF MR. AUGUSTUS
CHARLES MURRAY, MATE, AND MR. JOHN F. REES,
SECOND MASTER,

1841.

The particulars of this successful and gallant enterprise, for which both the above-named officers were promoted, were as follows:--

At daylight, on the 30th May, 1841, the 'Dolphin' being under easy sail off Whydah, a brigantine was observed on the lee-bow. All sail was immediately made in chase; but as the stranger increased her distance, the cutter, a 20-foot boat, with nine men, including the officer, and the gig, with six, were despatched at half-past six o'clock, under command of Mr. Murray and Mr. Rees, to endeavour to come up with and detain the chase before the setting in of the sea-breeze. Both boats being soddened from constant blockading, pulled heavy, and the crews had been employed during a squally, rainy morning in trimming and making sail; but after a harassing pull of two hours and a half under a hot sun, they came up with the chase, the gig being rather a-head. The brigantine bore down upon her, opening a sharp and continued fire of musketry, which was returned, when both boats, after steadily reloading under her fire, cheered, and boarded on each quarter. The sweeps of the brigantine were rigged out, which prevented their boarding by the chains, thereby rendering it difficult for more than one or two to get up the side at a time.

Mr. Murray was the first on board, and though knocked back into the boat with the butt-end of a musket, which broke his collar-bone, he immediately clambered up the side again, in which act his left hand was nearly severed at the wrist with the blow of a cutlass. Another cut was made at his head, which he parried, cutting the man down. The bowman of the gig was shot through the heart while laying his oar in, and the bowman of the cutter in getting up the side. After a resistance of 20 minutes the vessel was captured, most of the crew running below, firing their muskets as they retreated.

Mr. Rees had previously proved himself a most zealous and active officer, particularly in the destruction of the slave factories at Corisco, by the boats of the 'Wolverine,' Captain Tucker.

VOYAGE OF THE 'DORES,' A SLAVER, CAPTURED BY H.M.S.
'DOLPHIN,' FROM ACCRA TO SIERRA LEONE, UNDER
COMMAND OF LIEUT. AUGUSTUS C. MURRAY,

From August 12th, 1840, to January 5th, 1841.

The 'Dores,' a schooner of about 60 feet in length and 15 in breadth, had been taken at Quittah, in June, and sent in charge of the 'Dolphin's' gunner to Sierra Leone. Six weeks afterwards she was found about 20 miles below Accra, having performed scarcely 30 miles of her passage, and lost almost all her prize crew, including the gunner, from fever. Mr. Murray, who had but just recovered from wounds received in the action with the 'Firmé,' was then put in command of her, with a crew of two men, two boys, and a prisoner boy, the only one who had survived the fever.

His orders were to proceed to Sierra Leone, and the indomitable perseverance with which he adhered to them, through formidable dangers and difficulties, together with his care of the men under his command during a voyage of 146 days, are well worthy of being recorded.

The only cabin which was at all habitable was eight feet in length, five in height at the centre, and three at the sides, the breadth decreasing from eleven to two and a half. It was entirely destitute of furniture, swarming with vermin, and before the end of the voyage, the fumes of the rotting tobacco with which the vessel was laden, clinging to the beams, formed a coat nearly an inch in thickness. This, with an awning of monkey skins, manufactured by themselves, was the only refuge for the young officer and his men. The fourth night of the voyage was ushered in by the most fearful squalls, which gradually freshened till about two in the morning, when a tremendous storm came on and obliged them to bear up under bare poles; the seas washing over the little vessel, and the wind blowing in the most terrific manner until about seven, when it moderated and fell calm. The schooner was then observed to float much deeper than before, and on sounding, nearly three feet water were found in the hold. The pump was immediately set to work, but it hardly fetched when it broke and became useless. This was repaired by about sunset, and in two hours afterwards the vessel was cleared. They then made sail and tacked, steering for Sierra Leone, till, on the morning of the 14th of September, they sighted land just below the River Sestos. Finding that they had but three days' provisions left, the commander determined to make them last for six, and stood on in the hope of weathering Cape Palmas. This was baffled by a tide that set down along shore; but on the 20th of September, they anchored off Cape Coast Castle. Having no provisions remaining, the governor supplied them directly with sufficient for forty days, and having refitted, the schooner put to sea again on a close sultry morning, which was succeeded by a violent gale, lasting three days. About two o'clock one afternoon, a rakish-looking brigantine was perceived standing towards the 'Dores,' and judging her to be a slaver, the young officer called his crew together, and having loaded the muskets and got the cutlasses ready, they silently awaited her coming up, determined to defend themselves. To their great joy, when she got within two miles and a half of them, a strong breeze sprang up, which placed the schooner dead to windward, and in the morning the brigantine was out of sight. Their sails were now so worn that they were obliged to lower them, and drift about for a whole day to repair them. Having neither chronometer nor sextant, and only a quadrant of antique date, often ten, and even twenty miles out of adjustment, the position of the vessel could only be guessed. The men behaved admirably during this weary time, employing themselves in cleaning their arms, fishing, or making their clothes. The rain generally fell in torrents till the 4th October, when the day closed in with very heavy appearances. All preparations were made for the coming gale; all the sails were lowered down but the fore stay-sail, and everything lashed and secured. The fore stay-sail was kept up to place the schooner dead before it. At about five in the evening the gale began; it became dead calm, the atmosphere close, and all around dark. After about half an hour, a sound like heavy thunder was heard in the distance, and through the gloom a bank of foam was seen hastening towards the schooner; in a few minutes the stay-sail was stowed, and the wind caught her, gradually freshening until it burst upon her in all its fury: the rolling sea broke in upon her, and completely filled her upper deck; but the side bulwarks were open, and the sea found vent. Having battened his crew down below, Mr. Murray lashed himself to the deck, and steered the vessel through the storm, which continued with heavy thunder and torrents of rain till about two in the morning, when, completely exhausted, he fell asleep, and was aroused by the crew (who having knocked once or twice without reply, believed him to have been washed overboard), hammering at the sky-light to get out. This gale so strained the schooner, that the water gained to two feet a-day; and, to add to the disasters, one of the crew was ill for a fortnight. From the 10th of October till the 4th of November, when land was again discovered, the 'Dores' continued her course for Sierra Leone, experiencing the whole weight of the rainy season. It now became evident that she could not stem the current; and that in the course of many days she had not made more than four or five miles. Mr. Murray then determined to try again to reach Cape Palmas, by standing along the land, and thus nearly incurred a new danger from the natives, who assembling on the beach, armed with pikes and clubs, as night drew on, prepared to attack the schooner should she run on shore. Happily a slight breeze sprung up, which gave her steerage way, and enabled her to draw off the land. No resource remained but to shape her course again for Cape Coast Castle to obtain provisions, their stock being exhausted. The governor made every effort to prevail on Mr. Murray to relinquish the undertaking, which now appeared so hopeless; but he was resolute in staying by the charge intrusted to him, and calling his men together, he gave them the choice of going on shore to await a passage down to the 'Dolphin.' With one consent, they replied, that they would never leave him; holding to the old feeling of a true seaman, never to leave his officer at a time of difficulty till death parts him. Their provisioning was just completed, when a fatal accident diminished the number of the crew. They had been bathing after their day's work, and one of them, a black, was still in the water, when he was seized by a shark, and so fearfully injured that he died before he could be got on board. The weary voyage recommenced, and, as before, their chief diversion was fishing. The sharks, skipjacks, dolphins, and bonetas which were caught were counted by hundreds, for they literally sailed through a sea of fish. Two parrots had been added to their crew, and were a great amusement, becoming so tame that they would obey their master's call, and follow him afterwards through the streets like dogs. The 9th of December was marked by a serious disaster. Seeing a huge shark alongside, they had fastened a boneta as a bait to a piece of small line, and made a running bowline in the end of the peak halliard with the fish towing a little ahead of it; the shark immediately saw and swam after it: they were already on the bowline to run him up the side with his head a little out of water; gliding silently along, not two feet from them, he came up to the bowline, which was held wide open, while the bait was quietly hauled ahead until he was far enough through it, then giving a sudden jerk on it, they closed it just behind the two side-fins and tried to catch a turn with the rope; but, quick as lightning, the shark gave a terrific plunge and tore it through their hands, when Mr. Murray unfortunately got in the middle of the coil, and as the men had all let go, it had got a half-hitch round his leg, and in an instant he was drawn up and over the gunwale. Catching at the peak halyards, which were belayed close to him, he held on with his only sound hand as he was flying overboard, the men also seizing him by the arm. Before he could be extricated, the limb was severely injured and torn. The only remedy which could be applied was bathing it in oil. In the meantime the 'Dores' progressed, though very slowly; she had become much more leaky, the cargo was completely rotten, and the stench drove them all on deck; nor could they heave a particle of it overboard, for then the vessel would have capsized, as she had no ballast in. The sails were perfectly rotten, so bad that the vessel was often a whole day without a stitch of canvas set when the wind fell light, that they might be repaired with monkey-skins, of which there was a good stock on board. The fourth month closed, and the schooner had not yet performed a voyage of ten days, from seven to fifteen miles a-day being the progress lately made; but now the current seemed to favour her, for a change of forty miles a-day was observed in the latitude, and the hearts of officer and men grew lighter, notwithstanding their miserable plight, always wet to the skin, and unable to change their clothes for days together. Two terrific storms were still to be encountered, and at the commencement of the second Mr. Murray sent the men below, and remained alone on the deck, which he never expected to leave alive. The heat of each flash of lightning was felt as if from a fire; the rain falling in torrents, leaked in every direction through the deck, and the schooner was fast filling with water. At length the rain ceased, and the lightning became fainter, when they made sail again, pumped out, and proceeded till they had made sufficient northing for Sierra Leone. They then bore up east, and on the 31st December, the colour of the water showed that they were nearing the land. On this day they kept their Christmas, and many were the hearty toasts they drank to those at home. It was not till the 6th January, 146 days from the commencement of their voyage, that they anchored off Sierra Leone, where it was fully believed that they were lost. Here Mr. Murray found his promotion awaiting him for the capture of the 'Firmé,' and was at once invalided home.

CAPTURE OF THE 'JOSEPHINE' SLAVER.

The 'Josephine' brigantine was the fastest sailer in these seas, and had been chased by H.M. ships 'Wolverine,' 'Bonetta,' 'Cygnet,' and 'Lyra,' all of which she escaped by her superiority of sailing. She was at length captured by H.M.S. 'Fantome,' Captain Butterfield, in May 1841, with 299 slaves on board, after a severe chase of 24 hours, going over 257 miles of ground, and carrying a press of sail that placed every spar in jeopardy. During the chase the captain of the brigantine supposed he had to encounter the celebrated 'Waterwitch,' and treated with derision the idea of his being captured by a ship-of-war. Captain Butterfield was obliged to send his first-lieutenant in charge of the prize, leaving himself as the only officer on board, having lost by death the master, second-lieutenant, and surgeon.

CAPTURE OF AN ARMED SLAVER, BY A FOUR-OARED GIG,
UNDER COMMAND OF MR. TOTTENHAM, MATE,

1844.

On the 13th of August, 1844, Mr. John Francis Tottenham, mate of H.M.S. 'Hyacinth,' Commander Scott, performed a gallant and dashing exploit, which obtained for him his promotion to the rank of lieutenant, and the testimony of his commander to the coolness, decision, and gallantry displayed by him on the occasion. When off Fish Bay, on the west coast of Africa, Mr. Tottenham was sent in a four-oared gig, with one spare hand, to communicate with the Portuguese Governor. The weather became thick and he missed his port, but, knowing that the 'Hyacinth' was working along the coast, anchored for the night, and pulled to the southward. On the morning of the 13th he discovered a brig at anchor without colours, and saw her slip and make sail, on which he gave chase. Being to windward, and the breeze light, he was enabled to approach her weather-beam, and fire a musket ahead, to induce her to heave to and show her colours; this, and a second were disregarded, but a port was opened and a gun run out, and brought to bear on the boat, which caused the officer to pull into her wake, when part of the crew of the brig commenced firing musketry, while the others got the gun on the poop and pointed it at the boat.

Mr. Tottenham now commenced firing, as fast as the spare hand could load for him, being just able to keep way with the brig.

Having hit four of the men on board, they left the gun, and after firing muskets for twenty minutes, finding they were unable to weather the land or tack, without being boarded by the boat, they ran the brig on shore, and abandoned her to the number of 18, including 3 wounded men, leaving another mortally wounded on board.

In the course of the afternoon the brig was perceived from the masthead of the 'Hyacinth,' which stood in and anchored, and hove her off, when she proved to be of 200 tons, fully equipped for conveying about 1000 slaves, with two guns of four pounds calibre, loaded, a barrel of powder, and a quantity of langridge-shot, a number of muskets, swords, and bayonets, on the deck. Almost every bullet expended in the gig, was traced to the gun-carriage or its immediate vicinity on the poop.

LIEUT. LODWICK's (IN THE 'GROWLER'S' PINNACE)
GALLANT ATTACK ON A SLAVER,

1845.

On the 12th of January, 1845, Lieut. Lodwick, First-lieutenant of H.M. steamer 'Growler,' Captain Buckle, who had been away for some time cruizing in the pinnace, on the look-out for slavers, fell in with a felucca, which, on seeing the pinnace, hove to; and the officer expected that she would make no resistance, as she might have got away if she had chosen. When the pinnace, however, was within 30 yards, they observed a whole range of muskets, fore and aft the felucca; after this, Lieut. Lodwick cheered his men on to get up to her before she discharged this fearful battery; but no sooner was the cheer out, than the felucca opened on the boat. This was a staggerer for the poor boat; but fortunately, this time they fired too high (the felucca had now filled and was going just as fast as the boat could pull). Lieut. Lodwick now returned this with a round shot and 180 balls in a bag. In the first volley from the felucca, the rim of the officer's hat was shot through; but their second volley told with mortal effect: two men were shot dead, and Lieut. Lodwick and two men severely wounded--the officer having been struck on the left knee and thigh. This left the pinnace with so few men, that having had six of its oars shot away, it was obliged to leave the field, and was picked up by the 'Growler,' standing towards the 'Gallinas,' boat and gear literally riddled with shot.

Lieut. Lodwick was promoted for his gallantry. The felucca had been chased by every vessel on the coast, and always got away clear. She was afterwards captured by a war-steamer, and bore evident marks of her conflict with the pinnace. There were about 70 men on board, English, French, and Americans, and she was commanded by an Englishman.

CAPTURE OF THE 'FELICIDADE' AND 'ECHO' SLAVERS,
BY H.M.S. 'WASP,' AND RECAPTURE OF 'FELICIDADE,'
BY H.M.S. 'STAR,'

1845.

As H.M.S. 'Wasp,' Captain Usherwood, was cruizing in the Bight of Benin, near Lagos, on the 27th February, 1845, a strange sail was seen, and Lieut. Stupart was immediately ordered in pursuit. At about eight o'clock in the evening he came up with her, and found her to be the 'Felicidade,' a Brazilian schooner, fitted for the slave-trade, with a slave-deck of loose planks over the cargo, and a crew of 28 men. With the exception of her captain and another man, they were transferred to the 'Wasp,' and Lieut. Stupart, with Mr. Palmer, midshipman, and a crew of 15 English seamen, remained in charge of the prize. On the 1st March, the boats of the 'Felicidade,' under Mr. Palmer, captured a second prize, the 'Echo,' with 430 slaves on board and a crew of 28 men, leaving Mr. Palmer, with 7 English seamen and 2 Kroomen, onboard the 'Felicidade.' Several of the 'Echo's' crew were also sent on board, as prisoners, with their captain. The officer and prize-crew were overpowered and murdered, and an unsuccessful attempt made to regain possession of the 'Echo.' The 'Felicidade' was seen and chased on the 6th March by H.M.S. 'Star,' Commander Dunlop. When she was boarded, no one was on her deck, the crew being concealed below; and on being found and questioned, they stated the vessel to be the 'Virginie,' and accounted for their wounds by the falling of a spar; but there were traces of a conflict, and many tokens which proved that English seamen had been on board. She was then sent to Sierra Leone, in charge of Lieut. Wilson and 9 men. Whilst on the passage, during a heavy squall, the schooner went over, filled and sank, so as only to leave part of her bow-rail above water. When the squall passed, the whole of the crew were found clinging to the bow-rail. Some expert divers endeavoured to extract provisions from the vessel, but without success; and nothing but death stared them in the face, as the schooner was gradually sinking. Lieut. Wilson ascertained that there were three common knives among the party, and it was resolved to make a raft of the main-boom and gaff, and such other floating materials as remained above water. These they secured by such ropes as could be cut and unrove from the rigging, and a small quantity of cordage was retained to make good any defects they might sustain by the working of the spars; a small top-gallant studding-sail was obtained for a sail, and upon this miserable float the ten persons made sail for the coast of Africa, distant 200 miles, without rudder, oar, compass, provisions, or water. Being almost naked, and washed by every wave, their sufferings were very great. Famished for food and drink, scorched by a burning sun during the day, and chilled with cold during the night, they thus remained twenty days. Delirium and death relieved the raft of part of its load of misery, two blacks being the first to sink under their sufferings. The question naturally suggests itself, how did the survivors support life? Some persons would be almost afraid to put the question, or hear the answer. There is nothing, however, to wound our feelings, but much to admire, in the admirable conduct of Lieut. Wilson and his men during these melancholy and miserable twenty days. Showers of rain occasionally fell: they caught some water in their little sail, which they drank, and put some into a small keg that had floated out of the vessel. The sea was almost always breaking over the spars of the raft, which was surrounded by voracious sharks. The famishing sailors actually caught with a bowling-knot a shark, eight feet in length, with their bare hands, and hauled it upon the raft, they killed it, drank the blood, and ate part of the flesh, husbanding the remainder. In this way three other sharks were taken, and upon these sharks the poor fellows managed to prolong their lives till picked up (in sight of the land) in what may be termed the very zero of living misery. Lieut. Wilson and four seamen survived and recovered their strength. Order and discipline were maintained upon the raft; fortitude, forethought, a reliance upon Divine providence, and good conduct, enabled these Englishmen to surmount such horrible sufferings, whilst the Kroomen and Portuguese sank under them.

CAPTURE OF A SLAVER BY H.M.S. 'PANTALOON,'

1845.

H.M.S 'Pantaloon,' 10-gun sloop, Commander Wilson, had been for two days in chase of a large slave-ship, and succeeded in coming up with her becalmed, about two miles off Lagos, on the 26th May, 1845. The cutter, and two whaleboats, were sent under the command of the First-lieutenant, Mr. Lewis D. T. Prevost, with the master, Mr. J. T. Crout, and the boatswain, Mr. Pasco, some marines and seamen, amounting to about 30 altogether, to make a more intimate acquaintance with the stranger. The pirate gave the boats an intimation of what they were to expect as they neared, by opening on them a heavy fire of round-shot, grape, and canister, in such a spirited style, that, after returning the compliment by a volley of musketry, the boats prepared for hard work. Animated by the show of resistance, each boat now emulated the other in reaching the enemy, the pirate continuing a sharp fire as they steadily advanced; the marines as briskly using their muskets. In half an hour from the discharge of the first gun from the slaver, the boats of the 'Pantaloon' were alongside; Lieut. Prevost and Mr. Pasco on the starboard, and Mr. Crout, in the cutter, on the port side. The pirate crew, sheltering themselves as much as possible, nevertheless continued to fire the guns, loading them with all sorts of missiles, bullets, nails, lead, &c.; and amidst a shower of these our brave sailors and marines dashed on board. Lieut. Prevost and his party, in the two boats, were soon on the deck of the prize. The master boarded on the port bow, and, despite the formidable resistance and danger, followed by one of his boat's crew, actually attempted to enter the port as they were firing the gun from it. He succeeded in getting through, but his seconder was knocked overboard by the discharge. The gallant fellow, however, nothing daunted, was in an instant up the side again, taking part with the master, who was engaged in a single encounter with one or two of the slaver's crew. Having gained the deck after a most determined resistance, they now encountered the pirates hand to hand, when the cutlass and bayonet did the remainder of the work. Lieut. Prevost finally succeeded in capturing the vessel, but the pirates fought desperately, and it was not until 7 of their number lay dead on the deck, and 7 or 8 more were severely wounded, that they ran below and yielded. In the encounter, 2 British seamen were killed; the master and boatswain, and 5 others, were severely wounded. Lieut. Prevost received immediate promotion.

LIEUT. MANSFIELD AND PRIZE CREW--DEFENCE OF THE
'ROMEO PRIMERO,' AGAINST AN ATTEMPT AT RECAPTURE,

1847.

On the 22nd of July, 1847, H.M.S. 'Waterwitch,' with H.M.S. 'Rapid,' in company, captured the Brazilian brigantine 'Romeo Primero,' which was subsequently given in charge to Lieut. W. G. Mansfield, R.N., and four seamen, to be conveyed to St. Helena for adjudication. Owing to adverse winds, and the unmanageable qualities of the prize, the officer in command found it necessary to alter his destination, and to bear up for Sierra Leone. On the 11th of August, about mid-day, two of the crew being engaged aloft and the others in the bunks, where the arms were stowed, the lieutenant, being at the moment pulling a rope which had been recently spliced, was murderously assailed from behind by one of the prisoners with an axe used for chopping firewood. There were four of them who were during the day-time allowed the liberty of the vessel. At the same moment, the other three prisoners furiously attacked the sailors in the bunks, who, from the unexpected nature of the assault, were driven from their post wounded and unarmed. Lieut. Mansfield, laying hold of a piece of firewood, gallantly, but unequally, contended with a Brazilian, armed with a cutlass; in the course of a desperate struggle the officer received no fewer than nine wounds, more or less severe; a great coat which he wore being, under Providence, the means of saving him from instant death. The two sailors who had been occupied in the shrouds, having reached the deck, of course, unarmed, the lieutenant, nearly exhausted by profuse hæmorrhage, made a violent effort to join them, in which he fortunately proved successful, though in his progress one of the prisoners discharged at him a marine's musket, the contents of which took effect, inflicting a most dangerous wound on his head, and bringing him for an instant to the deck. Having succeeded in recovering his feet and gaining his men, he encouraged them to rush aft upon their armed antagonists; a piece of service which three of their number performed in the most daring manner; the fourth seaman (since dead) being _hors de combat_ from his wounds, and the lieutenant himself fainting at the instant from loss of blood. The intrepidity of the three British tars rendered them more than a match for their armed antagonists, whom they speedily overpowered; one of the prisoners leaping overboard and perishing in the waves. Believing their officer to be killed, the seamen, in the excitement of the moment, were about to hurl the surviving prisoners over the gangway, when Lieut. Mansfield, partially reviving, ordered them to be imprisoned, that their wounds should be washed, and that they should be reserved to be dealt with by the authorities at Sierra Leone. On the 1st of September, the 'Romeo Primero,' the scene of this bloody encounter, entered the port. Lieut. Mansfield, who, since the day of the conflict, had scarcely been able to stir hand or foot, was promptly conveyed to sick-quarters, and for many days his life was entirely despaired of by his medical attendants. The gallant little crew, all wounded, were also looked after in the best manner which skill and sympathy could suggest, but two were soon beyond the reach of human succour; one dying of the direct consequences of his wounds, and the second, of fever induced by them. After a fortnight of extreme danger on shore, Lieut. Mansfield showed symptoms of recovery, and in the same year received the rank of commander.

RESCUE OF SLAVES IN THE RIVER PONGOS, BY
COMMANDER H. DUNLOP, H.M.S. 'ALERT,'

1849.

Captain Dunlop, of H.M.S. 'Alert,' having anchored off Biombo Point, on the night of the 10th of December, 1849, his object was to ascertain with as little delay as possible whether the slaves that he supposed Jozé Vaurell had sent up from the river Pongos were still in the barracoons of the slave-dealer, Don Victor, as by that means he could judge whether any slaver had been lately in the river, or whether it was probable that one was expected. With this view, he sent the pinnace, in charge of the second lieutenant, to examine the St. Martinho and other creeks, in the immediate vicinity of the ship, up one of which Capt. Dunlop had reason to think Don Victor's barracoons were. He directed the officer to land the pilot wherever it was probable he could with safety obtain information; the pilot being a native of this part of the country, Capt. Dunlop had hopes that he might be found useful.

The pinnace brought back intelligence of the exact locality of the barracoons, and that there were certainly slaves in them; Captain Dunlop therefore determined to wait for some days, in hopes of intercepting the vessel sent for this cargo. On the 22nd instant the pilot was sent on shore, with a party of Kroomen, to cut some wood at Biombo Point, and while so engaged, some of the slaves came to him and told him that Don Victor had a number of slaves in chains in his barracoons who were very ill-treated; that it was against the law of their country to carry on the slave-trade, and that they hoped the English would liberate these slaves; and that their king (whose name is Branco, King of Biombo) would himself have gone on board the man-of-war to make the same request, but that he was ill. This announcement was quite voluntary on the part of these natives, and they received no present of any kind, either before or after making it.

On hearing this intelligence Capt. Dunlop determined, as far as lay in his power, to turn it to the advantage of the unfortunate people chained in the barracoons; he, therefore, at daylight the next morning took the boats up the creek and landed at the town where the barracoons were, and having personally communicated with the natives through an interpreter, he found that what the pilot had told him was strictly true as regarded their feelings; and he received a second message from the king, stating his inability to come and see Capt. Dunlop in consequence of his illness, and the distance of the town in which he resided from the place where Capt. Dunlop then was. Capt. Dunlop then took a party of men with him and proceeded towards Don Victor's barracoon. The latter met Capt. Dunlop on the way, who told him that he understood he had slaves in his barracoon; that the king and natives of the country represented to him that Don Victor's having slaves for exportation was contrary to their laws, and that, although afraid to do so themselves, they had applied to him to liberate them; that, consequently, he should take them out of the barracoons, and give them their choice of either remaining where they were at liberty, or of going with him to Sierra Leone. Don Victor at once confessed that the slaves were in the barracoon, but said that they did not belong to him, but were the property of Jozé Vaurell, who had sent them up from the Pongos, and that he merely took charge of them for him until such time as they could be shipped.

Capt. Dunlop then entered the barracoons and found 21 slaves, 19 of whom were heavily ironed; the two without irons were in a dying state. He had the irons knocked off by one of Victor's own men, and the slaves were then told they were at liberty; but that, if they were afraid to remain where they were, they might go with Capt. Dunlop to Sierra Leone, upon which they all proceeded to the boats, with the exception of the two above mentioned, who were too ill to be moved. Capt. Dunlop then requested Don Victor to accompany him to another barracoon he had some miles higher up the creek, which he immediately consented to do. At the second barracoon Capt. Dunlop found 48 slaves, men, women, and children included: as they were on a small island on the creek, from, which they could not easily have escaped, they were not kept in irons during the day, but were chained by the neck to each other at night. The same choice of staying in the country at liberty, or of going to Sierra Leone, was given to the slaves, when they all immediately declared their wish to be taken away, excepting one woman, who was accordingly left behind, and who had probably connected herself with one of Don Victor's people. Not being able conveniently to stow so many people in their boats, Capt. Dunlop borrowed a canoe from some of the natives, in which to put a part of them, promising to return the canoe the next day, and to pay for the use of it; but when the money was offered to them, they positively refused to receive it, and therefore, from first to last, got no present of any kind. This circumstance is merely mentioned to show how decidedly their feelings were in favour of Capt. Dunlop liberating these slaves, as they were, on other occasions, exceedingly alive to the advantages to be derived from the possession of money, and made those who purchased fowls or fruit pay a high price for them. Capt. Dunlop having ascertained from the liberated negroes that there were about 30 more slaves who had been sent up lately from the Pongos by Jozé Vaurell, on a small island called Papagaio, within a few miles of the ship, he took the boats there the next day. When he landed, Don Victor's men positively denied that any slaves were there; but upon sending parties to search the island, they very soon discovered, hid in the thickest part of the jungle, a party of 15 slaves, chained by the neck, who pointed where 19 women and children were likewise hidden. The chains being taken off these people, they expressed their anxiety to be taken on board Capt. Dunlop's ship, which he accordingly did; and finding that he had now liberated all the slaves held by Don Victor, with the exception of the two dying men (whom it was impossible to move from the place where they were lying), and the woman who wished to remain, he lost no time in proceeding with them to Sierra Leone.

CAPTURE OF A SLAVER BY H.M.S. 'PHŒNIX,' COMMANDER
WODEHOUSE,

1850.