John Vincent Rohu on the Royal Albert. Crimean War 1854-1856.

Jan.11/1885. At 11, beat the Retreat. At 14.45, the Conflict arrived from England and the Agamemnon arrived from the Black Sea with troops and the Coastguards on the quarterdeck. …… spoke to the Captain concerning the delay of the C.G. of this ship. At 3.45 p.m. the Majestic screw liner arrived from England. At 5 p.m. the St Jean d’Acre steamed out of the harbour for England, and was loudly cheered by the ship’s company. At 5.15 quarters for inspection, then clear the lower deck and handmake sail loose topsails and net them. Then shorten sail, shift fore and mizzen topsail yards, shift main topsail and make sail. This was done in a very short time. We shortened sail, furled and sent down the royal yard. At 9 p.m. the Brunswick screw liner steamed out of harbour for the Black Sea.

Thurs.12/1/85. Daylight. Weather fine. Several vessels in sight at the mouth of the harbour. At 5 a.m. a large transport steamer towed in a large American ship which is employed by the French. At 11, sent up the royal yard. At 11.30 hands aired bedding. At the same time the Majestic screw liner steamed out of harbour for the Black Sea. At 5.15 p.m. quarters for inspection, then clear the lower deck, hand down the topgallant royal yard, then shift the topgallant mast, then up the topgallant mast and yard, then down the topgallant royal yard. At 6.45, 66 hands were sent from the Agamemnon to the Royal Albert to fill up the vacancies in the C.G. At 7.15 the Agamemnon screw liner steamed out of harbour for England with the guard on board and was loudly cheered by the crew of this ship. The cheers were returned, and during the day, lots of transports arrived with troops from the Crimea. At 10 p.m. the Retribution arrived from England.

Friday 13/1/85. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 crossed topgallant and royal yard. The Medusa, towing the Apollo came into harbour, loaded with troops. Several transports also arrived with troops. Several sailed for England and France. In the afternoon, the Retribution sailed for the Black Sea and the Centurion screw liner arrived from England. At 5.15 quarters for inspection. Then cleared lower deck, then hands made all plain sail, set studding sail, low and aloft, then shorten sail and furl, then down topgallant yard. At sunset, several sail in sight. At 8 p.m. twelve C.G. received orders to be ready to go home in the Medusa as well as eight 5-year men. At 10.15 the Algiers arrived from England.

14th. Daylight. Weather fine. The Colossus in sight. At 6 a.m. Colossus arrived in harbour and during the forenoon, the Dragon paddle wheel steamer arrived from England. At 5 p.m. the Royal George screw three-decker arrived.

Sunday 15th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 5 a.m. the Sanspareil arrived from England. At 8 up topgallant and royal yard. At 9.30 Division, then Divine Service. At 10.30 the Seahorse marten vessel arrived from England. At noon we received orders to prepare for sea to go to Constantinople to receive the Admiral. At 3.30 p.m. twenty Coastguard with a few other men left this ship to be sent home and I now, with sorrow, write, for I, with others will have to go to Constantinople in her and when we shall get clear of her, God only knows. At 5, hands got in boats. In hoisting in the mail boat, the ring drew and a man fell overboard. I am thankful to say that he is not injured. At 7 p.m. got up anchor and steamed out of harbour. At 7.30 passed a French three-decker in tow of a steamer loaded with troops. At 8 set fore and aft sails. During the night weather fine.

Monday 16th. Daylight. Weather fine. One sail in sight. At 5.45 a.m. Watch set royal, topmast , topgallant studding sails and mainsail. At 9.15 quarters for inspection. At 10 the Algiers right ahead. She signalled to say that her engines had broken down. At 11 a.m. the Colossus in sight. At noon the Royal Albert passed them both. At 5 general quarters, then hands shifted topsails and hoisted them, then shorten sail, then furl all sail.
At 10 p.m. watch scrubbed and washed clothes and hammocks and the same in the middle watch.

Tuesday 17th. Daylight. Weather fine. Wind light. At 6 watch made all sail with wind abeam. At 9 quarters for inspection and clear lower deck. Hands to their stations to take in all plain sail. At noon … breezes. At 1.30 watch set topmast and topgallant studding sails. During the afternoon we passed the Belial line of battle ship loaded with troops and… the … and we passed the Dragon paddle steamer going to tow down …. Sailing ships. At 5 clear the lower deck, take3 in all sail and furl. At 5.30 quarters for inspection with hammocks. At 7 the ship through the Arches of Pelligo (sic)-(Archepeligo. Ed.) At 9 p.m. passed two steamers going down to Malta and during the night passed several Greek islands.

Wed.18th. Daylight. Light breezes. Right ahead, the Dragon. Several sail in sight, also several islands. At 6.30 we passed our harbour of refuge in the island of Zea, and we could not be too thankful to the Lord for allowing us to have such a convenient harbour to run to to save ourselves and the ship. At 10.45 beat the Retreat. The ship is through the Doora Passage. At noon the Dragon still astern also a French line-of-battle ship towed by a steamer ahead. At 5.15 quarters for inspection, then clear the lower deck and up topgallant and royal yard, then loose sail and up all sail. At sunset passed the French liner and steamer from the Black Sea. During the night passed a line-of-battle ship in tow.

Tuesday 19th. Daylight. Weather fine with fine wind. Right ahead, Constantinople in sight and the Dragon ahead. Ship making in for the entrance to the Dardanelles. At 6.30 the ship entered the Dardanelles. At 10 a.m. passed the Rodney towed by the Furious. Passed the Caesar which was coaling up also several French steamers. At 12.30 passed the Queen and the Terrible loaded with troops and a French floating battery towed by a French steamer. At 5.15 quarters for inspection, then hands to their stations to make all plain sail. At 8 p.m. ship entered the Sea of Marmara and during the first watch two steamers passed us.

Friday 20th. Daylight. Light breezes and fine wind. Right ahead Constantinople and the Dragon steamer ahead. At 5.30 we anchored off Constantinople. Ships lying there were the James Watts and several small steamers. During the forenoon the James Watts left for the Black Sea and the Caesar arrived from the Dardanelles. Our ship’s company employed in coaling ship and the Caesar is now coaling as well. This day I sent my letter number 100. At noon the shipping fired a royal salute in honour of Coronation Day. The Colossus screw liner arrived and the French line-of-battle ship towed by a steam frigate.

Sat.21st. Daylight. Breezes and fine. At 4 a.m. up all hammocks and rig capstan. At 4.45 anchor is aweigh and we proceed towards the Black Sea. As we passed the Sultan’s palace, we fired a royal salute which was returned by the Turks. At 6 a.m. hands washed clothes. At noon a steamer and French line-of-battle ship astern. At noon the Majestic and Brunswick screw line-of-battle ships loaded with troops passed us. At sunset several sail in sight.

Sun.22nd. Daylight. Weather fine. At 9 a.m. wind favourable. Watch made al plain sail. Divine Service. At 1.30 wind ahead of us again. Watch shortened sail. At 2 p.m. Balaclava Heights in sight. At 7 p.m.ship anchored at Kemmish. Ships at anchor in the creek : Hannibal, James Watts and Centurion.

Mon.23rd. Daylight. Weather fine. At 5 a.m. the Dragon paddle steamer arrived with transport in tow. At 6 a.m….watch coal ship. Port watch scraped spars and mast. Rigging down and mast down. During the day Caesar and Colossus line-of-battle ships and the Valorous paddle frigate arrived. Several French man-of-war arrived and sailed. At 7 p.m. the coaling was finished and the coal barge was towed away to the Colossus.

Tues.24th. Daylight. Weather fine. Hands scrub and wash clothes. At 8 a.m. hands clean ship and during the afternoon the Centurion sailed for England with troops. Several transports sailed and several arrived. This day there is strict lookout for the Caradoc with Admiral Lyons aboard.

Wed.25th. Daylight. Light breezes and fine. Hands scrub hammocks. At 8 a.m. watch put up topgallant yards. A working party was sent onshore to assist in cleaning the Crimea. A party employed painting ship outside (exterior ?) The Colossus went round to Balaclava to take in her troops. Sunset. Down topgallant yard.

Thurs.26th. Daylight. Light breezes and fine. At 5 a.m. the Royal George screw three-decker arrived to take in troops and the Algier screw arrived at 6. Sent a working party ashore at 8 a.m. Up topgallant yards. The gunboat was employed embarking troops aboard the Caesar and during the afternoon the Sanspareil screw arrived and the Caesar sailed for England. This afternoon forty nine C.G. received orders to be ready in the morning to leave this ship to go home. At sunset sent down topgallant yards.

Fri.27th. Daylight. Light breezes and fine. At 8 a.m. the Coastguard that were warned to leave were taken aboard the Retribution screw. We were employed in getting in place the sheet anchor and cable which were left behind in Kemmish when we left for Malta. The Sanspareil went round to Balaclava to take in troops and a working party from the Royal George and Algier to work at Balaclava. Sunset. Down topgallant yards. At 9 p.m. the Seahorse arrived from Malta.

Sat.28th. Daylight. Fresh breezes with rain. At 7 a.m. punishment for William Fry and a boy belonging to this ship. Each to receive 48 lashes and to be dismissed H.M.’s Service. At 8 a.m. up topgallant yards and dressed ship. At noon fired a royal salute. At 1.30 these two distinguished fellows were put aboard Retribution to be sent home. The afternoon turned out wet.

Sun.29th. Sent down topgallant yards. Sent 16 hands to man the Brenda flat-bottomed troop steamer. At 9.30 divisions, then Divine Service. At 2 p.m. gave leave to ship’s company for ship refitting. During the day French steamers arrived with transports in tow. Sunset. Sent down topgallant yards. The weather proved fine during the night.

Mon.30th. Daylight. At 4 a.m. the Sphinx left here for Yalta with Admiral Stewart and Captain Norris on board. At 10 a.m. the C.G. received orders to get ready to leave the Royal Albert. At 2 p.m. the first lot of C.G. left the ship for the Dragon and the Valorous. The next part for the Royal George and the part after that for the Algiers. Thank God, this is the last day aboard the Royal Albert. At 8 p.m. the Sphinx arrived from Yalta.

Feb.1st. Daylight. Weather fine. Crew employed in blacking down rigging and painting the mast. The Snake gunboat sailed for Kertch and the Triton and Valorous for Corfu.

Feb.2nd. Daylight. Weather fine. Port watch employed in blacking down rigging. Starboard watch employed in cleaning hulk. At1 p.m. paid ship’s company monthly money and port watch went ashore. At 3 p.m. starboard watch at work on the Royal Albert. The Glutton ( Glatton. Ed.?) floating battery arrived from the Black Sea.

Sun.Feb. 3rd. Daylight. Weather fine. At 9.30 a.m. the Curlew arrived. At 9.45 divisions, afterwards, Divine Service. At 1.30 p.m. leave given to anyone who wanted to go ashore. This day is the first day of … in Malta.

Feb.4th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 6.30 the starboard watch went to the Royal Albert. Port watch cleaning hulk and deck. Got on board the tube of the mainshaft which had just arrived from England. At 1.30 housed the topmast and made preparations for the ship to go into dock again. The Highflyer frigate got her foremast out.

Feb.5th. Daylight. Weather fine.At 6.30 all hands on board the Royal Albert to take her into dock. Two steamers alongside lashed … the ship under the sheers (?), got the mainshaft in and docked the ship. At 2 p.m. the second part of the port watch employed in shifting the ….. and the remainder of the crew employed in scraping the lower deck. At 3.30 the port watch have leave to go ashore.

Feb 6th. Daylight. Weather fine. Main topmen employed in fitting fore and mainstays. The rest of the crew employed in scrubbing copper of ship’s bottom.

Feb.7th. Daylight. Weather fine. Crew employed in scrubbing copper.

Feb.8th. Daylight. Weather fine. Rigged purches (?) with spanker boom, got in fan and frame. Made preparations to get ship out of dock.

Feb.9th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 5 a.m. all hands sent to the ship. Got topmast .. and set up topmast rigging. Dock gate opened but the water was insufficient to float the ship out. The Shearwater steamer took a hawser from our stern and got the Albert to move 40 feet but then she hung again and was forced to get hawsers to every capstan on shore and winch her out. Then she went to moorings. At 1 p.m.,dinner. After dinner cleared up all decks. At 8 p.m. three boats’ crews employed on the pumps of the Royal Albert.

Feb.10th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 9.30 Divine Service. After Divine Service the first part of the port watch went to the Albert to pump ship out. At 5.30 a party of hands went to the Albert and to remain for the night and pump her out.

Feb.11th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 6 a.m. the starboard watch went to the Albert and washed upper, main and middle decks. Port watch cleaned the hulk deck. After the hulk was clean the port watch was sent aboard the Albert to clean the lower and orlop decks and afterwards to get up both lower cables. At 1.30 p.m. starboard watch employed scrubbing paintwork and part of port watch employed cleaning…. And the second part to get up tanks out of fore hold.
Feb. 12th. Daylight. Weather fine. All hands employed clearing ship out.

Feb.13th. Daylight. Weather fine. Hands employed clearing out ship as the doctors think she has a bad smell in her which causes the fever which some of the crew have caught.

Feb.14th. Daylight. Weather fine. Hands employed cleaning all decks. At 1.30 hands employed cleaning ship. Preparations made for ship to go into dock at 4 p.m.. Braced up yard.

Feb.15th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 4.30 a.m. turned hands up and went to breakfast . After that the starboard watch was sent to the Royal Albert and the Shearwater which the Dragon steamer took in tow. At 6 a.m. the port watch went to the Royal Albert to paint the ropewalk. The ship was taken under the shears and got out the fan and frame. Then the ship was taken into dock and when secured, the hands were sent to scrub copper.

Feb.16th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 9 a.m. took the Royal Albert out of dock and took her under the shears. Got in fan and frame. She was taken in tow again but the wind had increased and the steamers could not manage her in such a narrow space. The Shearwater got damaged and got foul of Miranda and was forced to let go. The Royal Albert was forced to let go her anchor. After some delay we got her anchor again and we were taken in tow once more. At 5 p.m. the ship got to her moorings. The port watch was sent to the Hibernia to get their dinners. At 6 p.m. the port watch returned to relieve the starboard watch who then went to get their dinners. At 9 p.m. finished mooring ship.

Sun.Feb.17th. Daylight Weather fine. At 6.30 p.m. sent port watch on board Royal Albert and squared the yard, sent jib boom out, washed deck. Afterwards was sent on board hulk to clean and to go to divisions. At 10.30 Divine Service. At 1.30 leave given to all who liked to go ashore.

Feb.18th. Daylight. Weather fine. Hands employed in getting in provisions and stowing in hold., getting purchase rove to get the guns in. In the afternoon coaled ship and got in powder.

Feb.19th. Daylight. Weather fine. Hands employed in getting guns in again and more provisions. At 5 p.m. lowered the fan down into place.

Feb. 20th. Daylight. Weather fine. Hands again employed getting in guns and provisions, stowing booms. At 2 p.m. got up steam and tried the engines at the moorings.

Feb.21st. Daylight. Weather fine. Hands again employed getting in guns and provisions. At 11.15 all guns aboard. At 1.30 stowed sheet anchor and got topgallant rigging over the masthead.

Feb.22nd. Daylight. Squally weather. At 6.30 port watch went on board the Royal Albert. A man fell from the sheet anchor and struck his head in his fall against the lower deck port and then overboard. He was picked up very much hurt. In the afternoon crew employed washing decks.

Feb.23rd. Daylight. Weather fine. At 5 a.m. commenced packing up for shifting on board Royal Albert. At 1.30 the Shearwater came alongside and took in hammocks, bags and other things, went alongside the Royal Albert and continued doing so until all men were aboard.

Feb.24th. Daylight. Weather fine. All hands employed cleaning all decks. Nothing particular all day. At 3 p.m.part of the watch stowing spiritroom and striking down midshipmens’ chests.

Feb.25th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 6.30 the watch employed rieving running gear. At 9.30 the watch below was fallen in and 15 from each part was sent to the dockyard for sails. At 1.30 both watches fallen in for rieving running gear. The starboard watch stowed sailroom. At 4.30 rove hammocks and clotheslines.

Feb.26th. Daylight. Weather fine.At 5.30 hands scrub hammocks and wash clothes. At 1.30 holystone decks. At 4.15 painted the topgallant mast. At 5 p.m. divisions with hammocks.

Feb.27th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 9.30 a.m. went to quarters for inspection. At 1 p.m.general muster and served out Crimea medals to officers and ship’s company. During afternoon crew employed fitting gear and painting rakes. Port watch scraping ship’s side which had been caulked by the workers.

Feb.28th. Daylight. Weather fine. Great number of crew employed scraping ship’s side and remainder putting ship to rights.

Feb.29th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 4 a.m. all hands wash clothes. During the day crew employed painting ropes.

Mar.1st. Daylight. Fresh breezes with light rain. The forenoon watch employed squaring ratlines and scraping masts and booms. At 1.30 watch employed painting side of ship. Ship’s company was paid monthly money. Gave leave to first part of port watch.

Mar.2nd. Daylight. Fresh breezes. At 9.30 divisions with blue cloth frocks and medals, then Divine Service. At 1.30 leave given to all the starboard watch.

Mar.3rd. Daylight. Weather fine. Crew employed painting ship. At 1.30 commenced painting port side of the main deck.

Mar.4th. Daylight. Weather fine. Gave leave to firs part of port watch and the second part of the starboard watch for 48 hours. Crew employed painting ship.

Mar.5th. Daylight. Weather fine. In forenoon our rudder came alongside from dockyard. At 2.30 turned all hands up and shipped rudder.

Mar 6th.Daylight. Weather fine. Crew commenced painting upper deck.

Mar 7th. Daylight. Weather fine.Crew employed painting ship.

Mar.8th. Daylight. Weather fine. Agamemnon came out of dock and Prince Royal went in. Leave given to first part of starboard watch and second part of port watch.

Mar.9th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 9.30 went to divisions. Afterwards Divine Service. At 1.30 p.m. general leave given.

Mar.10th. Daylight. Weather fine. Watch employed getting 400 bags of bread. At 1.30 turned hands up. Took in…. and fore and main. Topmen employed fitting top … pendants.. St Jean d’Acre sailed for Athens.

Mar.11th. Daylight. Weather fine. Forenoon, got stores aboard. At 2 p.m. bent, reefed and furled sails. At 4.30 rieved hammock gauntline and clotheslines. At 5 p.m. went to divisions for cleaning hammocks.

Mar.12th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 3.30 hands scrubbed hammocks and washed clothes. At 7.30 called the watch who holystoned the deck. Painters employed painting upper deck. At 1.30 the Meteor floating battery sailed for England. Prince Royal came out of dock. At 5.15 went to divisions with hammocks.

Mar.13th. Daylight. Weather fine. Carpenters and sailmakers employed about hammock clothes. At 5.15 went to divisions.

Mar.14th. Daylight. Weather fine. A party assembled on board Royal Albert. At 5 p.m.party broke up.

Mar 15th. Daylight. Weather fine. Watch employed setting up topmast backstays. Carpenters fitting crutches for booms. At 4 p.m. holystoned booms. Slung hammocks. Leave for first part of port watch.

Mar.16th. Daylight. Strong breezes. At 9.30 divisions. Afterwards Divine Service. At 2.15 covered hammocks as rain fell heavily. At sunset sent down topgallant mast.

Mar.17th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m.sent up topgallant mast and yard. Loosed sails. At 11.30 furled sails. At sunset sent down topgallant royal yard and …hammock gauntlines and clotheslines.

Mar.18th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 3 a.m. hands scrubbed hammocks and washed clothes. At 9.30 middle deck quarter exercised great guns. At 1.30 piped hammocks and clothes down.

Mar.19th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 9 a.m. went to divisions with hammocks. Afterwards beat to general quarters and cast loose the guns but did not work them. At 11.30 loosed sails. At 5.40 bent topgallant sails and royals. A French liner arrived in harbour.

Mar.20th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. sent up topgallant and royal yard. At 9.30 crew to divisions. Afterwards mustered by open list. At 11 watch rieved gauntlines. At 11.30 aired bedding. Agamemnon bent sails and Hannibal exercised making sail and shifting topsails. At 1.30 lashed up hammocks and made up gauntlines. Watch below made up and mended clothes. Fore and main topmen of the watch and deck employed fitting topsail yard. Sunset. Sent down topgallant and royal yard.

Mar 21st. Daylight. Heavy rain. At 6 a.m. lashed up hammocks and … them up to the beams.At 7.15 called the watch below. Cleaned lower deck Watch and deck up main deck awning. At 8 a.m. stowed hammocks on the main deck. At 9.30 went to divisions. At 10 a.m. Divine Service. At 11.50 piped all hammocks up and stowed them in nettings. At 1.35 beat to divisions and afterwards each part of the ship were sent for their bags to search for stolen property but nothing was found. At 3 p.m. loosed sails, afterwards with hammocks to search them. Nothing was found. At 4 p.m.called the watch. At 4.30 went to supper. At 5.11 quarters for inspection. At 5.30 squared sails and furled yards. After that up boats and coiled ropes.At 5.30 piped hammocks down. This has been a …… Sunday and I hope I may never see one like it.

Mar.22nd. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. loosed sail. Agamemnon fired a gun for a court-martial on that ship for two deserters. Their sentence was to receive 100 lashes and then be sent to prison for two years. At 4 p.m. furled sails and squared yards. At 4.40 went to divisions for cleaning hammocks.

Mar. 23rd. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. crossed topgallant and royal yard. At 9.30 divisions. Afterwards Divine Service. At 11.30 heavy fall of rain. Spread main deck awning. At sunset sent down topgallant and royal yard.

March 24th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 6.30 a.m. all the boys were assembled on the forecastle to witness the punishment of three boys for throwing stones at an officer when ashore and they were going to be confirmed by the Bishop of Gibraltar. At 7.30 all hands were called to witness the punishment of a marine for disobedience to an order. He received 42 lashes but was sent aft after receiving 36 lashes. Afterwards all hands up the topgallant and royal yard to loose sails. At 11.30 furled sails. At 2 p.m. all smallarms men landed for exercise. At sunset down topgallant and royal yard and rove dressing gear for dressing ship with flags.

Mar.25th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. crossed topgallant and royal yard and dressed ship. At noon the fleet and the French liner fired a salute in honour of the birth of the French Prince. At 1.30 all boats tried the…. of….. At sunset sent down topgallant and royal yard and undressed ship, rove hammock gauntlines and clotheslines.
Mar.26. Daylight. Weather fine. At 3 a.m. turned hands up, scrubbed hammocks and washed clothes. At 6.40 a boat from every ship with one Lieutenant and one Boatswain’s Mate assembled on board the Spiteful to witness the punishment of Joseph Clement who was sentenced to receive 100 lashes for desertion and offering violence to the Gunner of his ship who was endeavouring to take him. While he was receiving the lashes all hands of each ship were assembled on the quarterdeck of their own ships and the Articles of War were read until he had received the 100 lashes. At 9.15 went to general quarters. At 11 beat the retreat. At 1.30 piped hammocks and clothes down. At 5.15 went to divisions with hammocks.

Mar.27th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. crossed topgallant and royal yard and loosed sails. At 1.30 p.m. watch employed re-stowing sail room.

Mar 28th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. loosed sails. Watch scraped mast and booms. At 10 a.m. it came on squally with rain. Watch furled sails and spread main deck awning. At 5 p.m. went to division for cleaning hammocks.

Mar.29th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. crossed topgallant and royal yards. At 9.30 divisions. At 10 Divine Service. At 1.30 leave given to those who did not break their leave. Mr. Davidson, gunner of the Royal Albert, died in hospital.

Mar.30th. No entry-Ed.

Mar.31st. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. crossed topgallant and royal yards. Loosed sails. At 9 a.m. got out one middle deck gun and sent it ashore to get it unspiked. At 11 furled sails. At 1.30 crew employed picking up port anchor. At 5 p.m…. and finished port lower anchor. A part of the crew went to attend the funeral of our late gunner.

Apr.1st. Daylight. Weather fine. At 3 a.m. hands scrub hammocks and wash clothes. At 11 piped hammocks and washed clothes down. At 1.30 watch shift jib boom. At 5 p.m. heavy fall of rain with wind. Watch called to hawse topgallant mast. Anchor watch was kept during the night.

Apr.2nd. Daylight. Strong breezes with rain. At 6.30 piped hammocks up and stowed them on main deck. At 9 a.m. stowed the hammocks in nettings. At 9.30 General Quarters. At 1.30 watch unstowed boom for …where booms are stowed. At 5.30 sailed 1st and 2nd. Pinnaces with fire engines for exercise and stowed boom.

Apr.3rd. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. sent up topgallant mast and loosed sails. At 9.30 went to divisions. At 11.30 aired bedding. At 1.30 furled sails, unbent sail and squared yard. At 9.30 p.m. sailed all boats away and sculled round the Prince Royal. After returning all hands were piped down to their hammocks.

Apr.4th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. crossed the topgallant yards. At 9 piped hands up screw and coaled ship. During the afternoon a steamer arrived with intelligence that peace is proclaimed. At 2.30 p.m. fleet dressed ship with the Russian flag at the main and the French flag at at the fore and the Sardinian and Turkish at the mizzen. At 3 p.m. fleet fired a royal salute in acknowledgement that we were at peace once more with Russia. At 4.30 finished coaling ship and cleaned lower deck. At sunset sent down topgallant and undressed ship.

Apr.5th. Daylight. Weather fine. Forenoon watch employed scraping mast and booms. At 1.30 watch employed cleaning ship.
Apr.6th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 scraped the topgallant yard. At 9.30 divisions. At 10 Divine Service. Sunset: down topgallant yard.

Apr.7th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. sent up topgallant yards. Nothing of note took place during the day.

Apr.8th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 3 a.m. scrubbed hammocks and washed clothes. Afternoon went to divisions with hammocks.

Apr.9th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. sent up topgallant yard. At 9 General Quarters. At 11 beat the Retreat and made sail, shifted sails and furled sails at 2 p.m. A heavy squall came on. Sent down topgallant mast and yards.

Apr.10th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. sent up topgallant mast and yard. Loosed sails. At 9 a.m. shifted topgallant mast and a sad accident happened to a young man who had the misfortune of losing his fingers from one of his hands. Sunset went to divisions. Sent down topgallant yard.

Apr.11th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 9.30 hands made sail and shifted topsails which was..twice sent down and up topgallant yard and furled sails. At 1.30 hands got out the first launch and got …anchor and cable in her for exercise. As soon as she returned the anchor and cable were taken out. One month’s money was paid to ship’s company. Sunset and down topgallant yard.

Apr.12th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. loosed sail. Watch employed scraping mast and boom. Princess Royal bent small sail and exercised making and shortening sail. At 11 furled sails and squared yard. At 5 p.m. divisions for cleaning hammocks.

Apr.13th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. crossed topgallant yard and at 9.30 divisions. At 10 Divine Service. At sunset sent down topgallant yard and bent small sails.

Apr.14th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. crossed topgallant and royal yard. At 9.30 turned hands up to exercise loosing and furling sails.. Sent down topgallant and royal yards. Piped down from aloft, then sent up topgallant and royal yards, loosed sails and made all plain sail, then took in to reefs in the topsails, furled topgallant and royals, then shifted topsails and took in two reefs. Made sail and shifted courses, then shortened and furled sails. At 5.30 the watch and both watches of gunners shifted mainsail. At sunset sent down topgallant and royal yard. Rove hammock gauntlines and clotheslines. Then leave was given to part of the port watch and the second part of the starboard watch for 48 hours. The Princess Royal sailed for Athens and the Furious arrived.

Apr.15th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 3 a.m.all hands scrubbed hammocks and washed clothes. At 8 a.m. crossed topgallant and royal yard. At 11 a.m. punishment on board. Three men punished for being ashore without leave. At 5 p.m. went to divisions with hammocks. Sunset down topgallant and royal yard.

Apr.16th.Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. crossed topgallant and royal yard. At 9 beat to General Quarters but only worked lower deck guns. At 1.30 manned and armed boats. Sunset. Sent down topgallant and royal yards.

Apr.17th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 8 a.m. crossed royal and topgallant yards. At 9.30 divisions. At 1.30 turned hands up and sent down royal and topgallant yards. Hawsed topgallant mast, rieved jib boom, unbent headsails and small sails and made preparation to set up lower rigging. Stayed the foremast and turned in port watch for topmast backstays.

Apr. 18th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 4 a.m. turned watch up to wash decks. Forecastle men employed on bowsprit. At 6.30 turned up hands to stay foremast. At 9.30 hands employed setting up lower rigging and topmast rigging. Sent main topgallant mast on deck to examine it . At 4 p.m. sent up topgallant mast, sent out jib boom, bent the..hauled taut ropes and squared yards.

Apr.19th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 4 a.m. turned watch up to rattle and black down rigging. At 6 a.m. breakfast. At 6.30 watch and deck rattle down rigging. Watch below holystone lower deck. At 1.30 turned hands up. Watch and deck holystone decks. Watch below finish the rigging and bend small sails. At 5.30 went to divisions for cleaning hammocks.

Apr. 20th. Daylight. Weather fine. At 9,30 went to divisions. At 10 a.m. Divine Service. The Tribune sailed for England but the Furious will tow her as far as Gibraltar with Governor General on board.

Apr.21st. Daylight. Weather fine. At 6.30 a.m. turned hands up to witness the punishment of James Bird for theft. He received 48 lashes. At9 a.m. went to General Quarters. At 11 beat the Retreat. At 1.30 the carpenters employed making preparations for a ball. At 5.30 rove hammock gauntlines and clotheslines.

Apr.22nd. Daylight. Weather fine. At 3 a.m. turned hands up, scrubbed hammocks and washed clothes. In forenoon watch employed in rigging ballroom. At 2 p.m. John Webb got his leg smashed in unstowing the boom for this foolish ball trying to get everything out of the way. At 5 p.m. went to divisions with cleaning hammocks. Afterwards… hands from each part of the ship went to bury John Dingle who died from the effects of drink. He was the Admiral’s Secretary’s servant.

Apr..23rd. Daylight. Weather fine. The Harrier sloop arrived. Crew employed rigging ballroom. Nothing particular during the day.

Apr.24th. Daylight. Weather fine. A Turkish frigate sailed for England. Watch employed rigging ballroom and transporting quarterdeck guns forward.

A gap occurs here of the period 25th.April 1855 to 21st. May 1855 inclusive.



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0 Comments · 9888 Reads ·   Posted by roy rohu on February 12 2010