davidrn
11-12-2011, 14:11
This one is quite an epistle and I may have got a little carried away, I had thought of abridging it but as I am adding it complete into my records I have decided against cutting it up.
I am sure that if I have been rambling on too much one can always page down.
I just hope that it is found not too boring.
Dave
TALL. Aaron Pte. 38th Company (Portsmouth Division) R.M.L.I.
Long Service & Good Conduct (Engraved 1875-1877 Issue) awarded 16th December 1876
first part of the service papers relating to Aaron Tall and his joining and service in the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marines proved to be rather elusive, until I discovered that they had been catalogued under the name of Aaron Fall.
Once traced however his full service then came to light.
Born:- East Stonehouse, Devon. 11th March 1846. Trade:- None
He was enlisted on 10th May 1859 at the Plymouth Headquarters at 11 a.m. by Sergeant Major Mayell, enlisting for no Bounty and signing in his own good hand.
Attested:- 11th May 1859, At the age of 13 years 2 months, Joining the Plymouth Division R.M. as a Drummer.
He joined the 169th Company as a Drummer from 11th May 1859 to 29th March 1865 and then the 47th Company as a Private from the 30th August 1865 to 16th March 1876.
This gave him 16 years 311 days service of which 4 years 304 days were deducted as being under age.
His total pensionable and good conduct service with the Plymouth Division being 12 years 7 days.
He was also in possession of 3 good conduct badges.
His service was made up of:-
Ashore - 5 years 46 days
Afloat 11 years 265 days
His service Afloat being
HMS Royal Adelaide - 24th March 1860 to 13th July 1860 – 112 days
HMS Cornwallis - 12th August 1860 to 1st April 1863 – 2 years 233 days
HMS Indus – 19th July 1864 to 24th July 1865 – 1 year 6 days
Battalion Ireland – 8th March 1867 to 9th June 1867 – 94 days
HMS Daphne – 19th August 1867 to 24th May 1870 – 2 years 279 days
HMS Megaera – 26th February 1871 to 11th October 1871 – 228 days
HMS Blanche – 12th October 1871 to 23rd November 1875 – 4 years 43 days
HMS Royal Adelaide 24th March 1860 to 13th July 1860
24th March 1860 – Joined HMS Royal Adelaide, the ex-104 gun 1st rate of 1828, Commanded by Captain Woodford John Williams and acting as the guard ship of Ordinary at Devonport
12th June – Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas S. Pasley, Bart., returned to Devonport from leave and re-hoisted his flag on board the Royal Adelaide the following morning.
1st July (Devonport) – The Royal Adelaide, 104, ordinary guard ship at Devonport, Captain W. J. Williams, is to be paid off on the 20th July and re-commissioned the following day as a training ship for boys and the Stag 44 gun sailing frigate, is to take the place of the Adelaide as guard ship of the ordinary.
HMS Cornwallis 12th August 1860 to 1st March 1863
12th August – Joined HMS Cornwallis a sailing ship of 1813 converted to Screw in 1855 Commanded by Captain George Granville Randolph, and acting as a Coast Guard ship on the Humber
April 1861 Commanded by Captain Sidney Grenfell
16th August – Arrived at Hull and remained throughout her entire commission the captain and his officers being in great local demand socially.
1st November – At Sutton near Hull, Captain Randolph’s wife gave birth to a daughter.
1861
4th May – The announcement that Captain Sidney Grenfell was to take over the command from Captain Randolph.
HMS Indus 19th July 1864 to 24th July 1865
19th July – Joined HMS Indus a 2nd rate sailing ship of 1839, Commanded by Captain William Edmonstone, acting as the flagship of Rear-Admiral Thomas Matthew Charles Symonds who was the Admiral Superintendent, Devonport Dockyard
Battalion Ireland 8th March 1867 to 9th June 1867
1867 was another year of unrest in Ireland with various Fenian attempted uprisings across the Southern counties, which was said to be led by Irish American Civil war veterans. While the uprisings never really came to much, the British Government reacted quickly by sending fresh troops from England. Among other forces employed to combat the situation a Battalion of Marines was raised in England.
7th March – Came a report from Woolwich that it was rumoured at the garrison that detachments of the Royal Artillery and the Royal Marine Light Infantry will leave for Ireland during the present week. While at Plymouth, the Caledonia embarked 500 marines from the Plymouth Division and left the Hamoaze for Ireland.
The Lord Clyde also sailed for Ireland with another detachment of over 300 Royal Marine L.I. from the Portsmouth Division. By the 18th March it could be announced that , “At this moment, independently of the marines belonging to the different ships stationed on the coast of Ireland, there are serving in the sister island 1200 picked men of the Royal Marine forces under the command of Lieutenant-Colonels J. B. Stewart, J. Pickard and Arthur Butcher. For some years past the Marines have not been recruited in Ireland, consequently there can be no suspicion of Fenianism among them.”
20th March – It was stated at the head-quarters of the Chatham division of the Royal Marines L.I. that the government has decided on the formation of a Royal marine Battalion in Ireland, the officer and non-commissioned officers for the staff of which being now in the course off selection. The Battalion will, it is understood number 800 officers and men and its head-quarters will probably be at Cork.
8th June – HMS Liverpool arrived in Plymouth sound returning from Queenstown with a 400 strong detachment of Marines, who were to land on Sunday at the Royal William victualling-yard and return to Stonehouse Bareracks
The Crisis was over before it really began.
HMS Daphne 19th August 1867 to 24th May 1870
19th August - Joined HMS Daphne a 4 gun screw Sloop of 1866. Newly commissioned and commanded by Commander George Lydiard Sulivan, for service in the East Indies and China. The reason for the commission was to combat the slave trade and pirates in that area.
June 1867 – Commissioned at Portsmouth Commander George Sullivan
July 1867 – At Portsmouth, fitting and completing trials
3rd August – Left Portsmouth for Plymouth
4th to 19th August - At Plymouth undergoing defect repairs
19th August - The ship left Plymouth Sound for Bombay calling in at Sierra Leone and the Cape of Good Hope before heading for Mauritius. On her way she suffered another accident, as in bad weather Sub-Lieut. Orton was washed overboard and drowned.
18th October – Sailed from Simons Bay for Bombay, which was reached in November and after a short break she left heading for the Persian Gulf.
1868
January to April – Deployed to Abyssinia to support campaign. Late January 1868 found them not in the Persian Gulf but in Annesley Bay, Abyssinia. Here she remained until May, helping to support Sir Robert Napier's march on the capital of Magdala, to obtain the release of British citizens being held prisoners. This was accomplished and the war officially ended on 17th April.
The Abyssinian War Medal was sanctioned on 1st March 1869, and awarded to all Army personnel who took part in the campaign, and the crews of all Naval vessels on duty in the Red Sea and to those whose service was in any way connected with the war.1868
June and July – Was spent back at Bombay
For the latter half of 1868 based on the east coast of Africa employed in suppressing the slave trade – slaves being taken up the east coast to the Persian Gulf.
August to December – Visits to Aden; Tamatave (Madagascar); Seychelles; Zanzibar
6th and 7th October - Two slave dhows captured
26th October – Sailed for Zanzibar
28th October – Chased an Arab slaving dhow; it eventually ran itself onshore where “...masses of the unfortunate slaves could be seen struggling in the surf”. Sullivan launched the boats of the Daphne to rescue several, despite coming under fire from Somali slavers
This activity continued – between 28 Oct and 5 Nov she captured or destroyed fifteen Arab slaving dhows and her decks were crowded with over 300 rescued slaves – they were landed in the Seychelles. Several times the dhows ran themselves onshore to escape capture which led to the boats being manned in attempts to rescue the slaves often having to row into the surf breaking on the beaches
December – At Zanzibar
1869
By February 1869 Daphne was back in Bombay, where she remained until March. Then the chasing began again, many Dhows and other shipping being chased, boarded and checked but with little success, she arrived back in Bombay in October. During her time in the Indian Ocean area Daphne had been responsible for the release of over 2000 slaves.
April and May – Evidently between Aden and Zanzibar
23rd April – Captured a slave dhow
16th May – Another slave dhow captured
June - Commander George A. Douglas appointed to command, replacing Commander Sulivan who was promoted to Captain.
June to August – Movements uncertain, thought to have been in or based at Bombay.
September and October – At Bombay
27th October – Sailed for the Persian Gulf following reports that the Gunboat HMS Clyde had been fired on while there.
November and December – Blockaded Bahrain in company with the Clyde and Nymph” to deal with a troublesome chief” and landed parties to take Manamah. This expedition lasted 20 days and most hands were employed at some stage in boats or on shore; several bombardments of enemy positions took place and Commander Douglas was wounded by the exploding of a mine. The episode was completed by taking a new ruler from Qatar to Bahrain and transporting five leaders of the rebellion (described as pirates) back to Bombay.
The British press reported this as – “Fight with Pirates in the Persian Gulf” – “The Bombay Gazette announces the arrival of H.M.S.S. Daphne, Captain Douglas and Nymph, Captain Meara. These ships of war, it will be recollected, were dispatched to the Persian Gulf to assist the Political Resident Colonel Pelly, in quelling the disturbances at Muscat and Bahrain.
As we have already learned, the indignity to the British flag in firing on the Clyde was settled by an Apology given by a deputation from the “de facto” Government of Muscat, in presence of the political Resident and all the officers of her Majesty’s ships then in the Gulf. A promise was also given to imprison the Sheik Syed who had plundered the property of the Persian Governor at Bunder Abbas. The government at Muscat was inclined to deny any responsibility for the firing on the Clyde and very probably it had taken place, not under a direct order to fire on that vessel but under a general instruction to fire on all comers.
The expedition among the pirate chiefs lasted for 20 days, during all of which time all hands nearly were in the boats. The steps taken were one after the other highly successful, either in getting the chiefs off, in compelling the garrison to surrender, or in shelling them out. Mohamed bin Kuleefa, who caused all the disturbance in Bahrain, was surrendered by the garrison of Mahrah Fort, Sheik Nauser was surprised at sea and captured and Mohamed bin Abdullah, the pirate chief in actual possession, was out-manoeuvred and then surrendered himself. Nauser bin Mobarek was first shelled out of his fort and subsequently out of another retreat in which he had taken refuge, with considerable loss. A demonstration by the gunboats then compelled him to embark with his chiefs and flee.
On the expulsion of the pirates from Bahrain, Esau bin Ali, the son of the late murdered chief was invited over from Qatar and assumed the government of these islands on the 2nd December, under the conditions appointed by Colonel Pelly for the Government of India. The whole of the town and of the shipping in the harbour hoisted flags spontaneously and welcomed Esau to the Government.
All the pirate chiefs have arrived at Bombay in the Daphne. Colonel Pelly has come with them and further orders from Government are now waited for.
Important letters, addressed by Persian functionaries to the pirate chief Mohamed bin Abdulla have fallen into the hands of Colonel Pelly, we believe they were seized in the possession of a would-be runner of the blockade formed by her Majesty’s ships. Having restored peace in the Gulf, the Political Resident left with the prisoners, in the Daphne and Nymph for Kurrachee (Karachi?)
Captain Douglas of the Daphne met with a severe accident during the expedition. He was knocked over by the bursting of a mine and sustained severe contusions but we are glad to say the gallant commander of the Daphne is now quite recovered.”
1870
January – Back at Bombay
10th February 1870 – Left Bombay for England as the term of her commission on the East Indies station had expired. She was to proceed by the newly opened Suez Canal, calling at Aden, Malta and Gibraltar
26th February – At Aden
14th March – At Suez
18th March – At Port Said
30th March to 6th April – Was spent at Malta
19th April – At Gibraltar
10th May – Arrived Spithead; discharged some invalids and passengers brought from India
12th May – Arrived Plymouth
24th May – The ship paid off into reserve
HMS Megaera 21st February 1871 to 11th October 1871
21st February – Joined HMS Megaera a troopship of 1849
Commanded by Captain Arthur Thomas Thrupp, until beached at St. Pauls Island in an unseaworthy state
25 February 1871 – Sailed from Portsmouth carrying among others the new crew for HMS Blanche to Sydney, Australia.
28th February - At Queenstown for repairs due to a gale as she was coming out of the Channel causing problems with hatches leaking and a broken retaining bolt for the bobstay shackle. Once in harbour an examination was ordered by the senior naval officer Admiral Forbes.
8th March – A British press report – “The Megaera, 6, iron screw steam ship of 1395 tons, under the command of Captain Thrupp, which sailed from Portsmouth a fortnight ago, has put into Queenstown in a leaky state. A correspondent of a contemporary states that the Megaera is utterly unseaworthy, that she “leaks from the bow to the stern”, that upwards of 50 tons of water were found in the bilges on the first watch after leaving Plymouth, the men’s mess deck being 15 to 18 inches deep in water with their bags floating about and that the men on board the Megaera had been up twice on the quarterdeck about the ship leaking and last Wednesday were about to enter a third protest, this time against the vessel rounding the Cape in the middle of winter.
The correspondent adds that “Captain Thrupp distinctly told Admiral Codrington on Saturday night last that we were not ready for sea but he said ‘go we must,’ as he had orders to send us off.”
14th March – The Press reported on a question regarding the Megaera raise in the House of Commons on 6th March – Mr. Kavanagh “asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it was true that her Majesty’s transport ship Megaera had just been commissioned to take out to Sydney 33 officers and 350 men, with several hundred tons of stores, whereas she was only qualified to carry 14 officers and 220 men; that half the officers mess gear was on deck from want of stowage room; that she was moreover in an unseaworthy condition, leaking from stem to stern; and that, not withstanding the distinct assurance of her commander that the ship was not ready for sea, the Admiral told him “he must go, as he had orders to send him off.”
Mr Baxter in reply, said “that it was true that the Megaera had just been commissioned to take out to Australia 33 officers and 350 men (inclusive of her own complement), with 400 tons of cargo but not that she was only calculated to carry 14 officers and 220 men; on the contrary, she had taken to the Cape 22 officers, 425 men, 26 women and 56 children, in addition to her own crew; and from Jamaica to Cape Coast Castle 18 officers, 400 men, 12 women and 12 children, also exclusive of her complement. She had also frequently carried over 400 tons of cargo. There was not a word of truth in the statement that she was unseaworthy and leaking from stem to stern, nor in the further statement that the men had twice protested against going to sea.
Regarding what had passed at Plymouth between Admiral Codrington and Captain Thrupp, Mr Baxter quoted an account of the conversation given by the Admiral himself, from which it appeared that Captain Thrupp asked if the ship might wait till next day (Sunday) morning, as the ships decks were lumbered up with casks and packages, not public stores, but provisions etc. for the mess of the officers.
As to the real condition of the ship, he quoted from a letter from Rear-Admiral Forbes at Queenstown, who reported that he had carefully inspected the Megaera, and had already telegraphed his opinion that the ship was fit for the service on which she is employed. He did however recommend the landing of about 100 tons weight of the cargo and that the number of officers should be reduced by four and orders had been sent to Queenstown accordingly.”
14th March – Left Queenstown after the repairs and cargo reductions had been affected.
21st March – Called in at Madeira (Funchal) for coaling
26th March – Left Madeira
2nd April – At St. Vincent, topping up her coal.
19th April – At Ascension, she stayed for four days taking on coal and provisions and loading a consignment of earthenware drain pipes for the Cape.
18th May – Arrived at Simonsbay
28th May – Left Simonsbay for Sydney
9th June – A leak had been reported in the night and it was discovered that the Engine room had taken in about 17 inches of water but the cause of the leak remained unknown until the 14th when a small hole was found, in a rusted metal haul plate (which itself was worn thin and beginning to buckle) located under a coal bunker.
While they were able stem the leak, they were unable to stop it and with high winds and rough seas it was decided that they would try and make for the Island of St. Pauls in the Indian Ocean, which they reached on Saturday 17th June. Once at anchor the men and stores were transferred to shore and a temporary camp was set up.
The men were finally rescued by the P & O Steamer Malacca which took the last members off the Island on September 5th (the Megaera was by now a total wreck and the men had been living ashore in makeshift accommodation for almost three months). The Malacca then transported them to first King George’s Sound, Albany, where Captain Thrupp, his officers and some men left them to return to England for the court marshal on the loss of the Megaera, while the remainder were carried on to Sydney
HMS Blanche 12th October 1871 to 23rd November 1875
12th October – Joined HMS Blanche, a 6 gun sloop of 1867 Commanded by Captain John Montgomerie on the Australian Station, Blanche had arrived on the Australian station in April 1868
12th October – Based at Sydney and re-commissioned by Captain John Montgomerie with the new crew which had been transported from England by the Megaera.
22nd October – Sailed from Sydney - Called at Auckland Island; Campbell Island and Chatham Islands
21st November – Called at Wellington
November – Captain Cortland Simpson assumed command
December to March 1872 – Remained in NZ waters, based at Wellington; during this time she visited Tauranga, the Bay of Islands, Wangaroa, and Auckland
1872
28th March – Sailed from Wellington for Sydney
8th April to 10th May – Remained at Sydney
May to November – Embarked on a cruise to various Pacific islands to visit the fisheries and check on the treatment of those employed; to obtain information on any British subjects murdered and the practice of ‘skull-hunting’; to collect information on anything of interest. During this time she visited Norfolk Island, the Solomon Islands, The Marshall islands, The Gilbert Islands, New Caledonia and New Guinea; reported that during this time she briefly went aground off ‘New Hanover’ and the ships boats were attacked by natives at New Britain; she also surveyed the harbour at Rabaul
15th November to 27th December – Returned to her base at Sydney
In late November early December, the British press reported under the title “Islands of the Pacific” the following – “The cruisers engaged in watching the exportation of labours from islands of the South Pacific Ocean fell in with strange places and strange people. At New Hanover, Captain Simpson, of HMS Blanche, found men and women very much in a state of nature, he thinks they had never before been visited by whitemen. They were ignorant of the use of tobacco and any old pieces of paper were taken by them in preference to the usual trade articles. Both men and women came alongside in great numbers and showed no fear. They had little or nothing for barter except spears. They appeared good humoured but are arrant thieves. A party of officers landed and except that their pocked were picked were in no way molested.
Captain Simpson, when off the coast of New Britain, took an opportunity of perpetuating his name and that of his ship. He found two spacious bays or harbours with good anchorage, land-locked and sheltered from all winds. One, which he has called Blanch Bay, has been formed by the upheaving of three volcanic mountains called the Mother and Daughters, the lava poured down in past ages has formed two points which he mentions as Point Sulphur and Point Bridges. Simpson Harbour, about five miles long and three miles wide, lies between Point Bridges and the mainland, he believes there is space, with from 20 to 5 fathoms of water, for all the navies of the world to anchor in.
He found in the Ngarik group of islands only one inhabited and the people have a short history. There are about 100 of them and no less than 60 are children. The people say that about 40 years ago a Captain from Sydney took the island and destroyed the inhabitants, or nearly every soul, some years after that a man named Paddy came with some natives of Penope Island and settled there, claiming the island as his own and the population has since increased. What has become of Paddy is not stated.”
28th December – Sailed from Sydney and called in at Auckland Island
1873
3rd to 12th January – Visiting Hobart
21st January – At Wellington
January to March – Cruising off New Zealand (Wellington, Bay of Islands)
30th March to 4th April – Back at Sydney
9th to 24th April – Visited Melbourne
28th April to 10th July – at Sydney (May was spent docked for cleaning)
11th July - sailed for Fiji
22nd July – Arrived at Levuka, Fiji
22nd July to 20th November – Remained at Levuka = Stood by during disturbances (“to...maintain the law by such measures and force as were necessary against all residents, whether natives or whites”). The native government was insolvent, white settlers refused to recognise its’ authority. During this time Captain Simpson, his officers and armed parties were occasionally landed to prevent fighting between white settlers and natives. Simpson backed the King of Fiji and issued the following decree:
“...It having come to my knowledge that certain British subjects have intimated their determination to resist the Executive authority of the reigning Government in Fiji, I hereby give notice to all British subjects that any armed resistance on their part to the action of the Fijian authorities will be at their own peril. Dated on board H.M.S. Blanche, at Levuka, Fiji, the 4th September, 1873 C. H. Simpson”
The presence of the Blanche was credited with calming the situation and preventing bloodshed and riot
20th November to 18th December – Cruising various islands, called in at Suva – Tanna
18th December to 6th January - Back at Levuka
20th December – While at Fiji Captain Simpson accompanied Commodore Goodenough on a visit to the King
On December 23rd. the British press reported under the title “Fiji” the following – “The storm that has broken out, according to the news received by the last mail, has subsided, Cascoban’s Government having been re-established, thanks to Captain Simpson of her Majesty’s ship Blanche.
A new constitution has been framed, which throws the entire power into the hands of the natives. The legislative body is to consist of 20 nominee native members, of whom eight may be dismissed at any time be the king, and eight elected whites. The cabinet, which is to be distinct from this assembly, is to hold office during good behaviour but no parliamentary representative of the whites is to be a member of it.
As all the whites are not British subjects, it is thought complications may arise with other powers through Captain Simpson’s interference. The visit of a German man-of war was expected and the United States consul had also intimated his intention to take steeps in connassistance by declaring that if he took any steep in opposition the Ministry would at once hand over the rule of the island into his hands, lower the Fijian flag, dismiss the troops and police, close the courts and public offices and address a protest and remonstrance to the Government of America and Germany, by whom the Fijian Government had been recognised. This declaration brought the captain to terms and he consented to use his men, if required, for the support of the Fijian authorities.
At Sydney a deputation had waited upon Mr. Parkes (the colonial Secretary), who had expressed himself strongly in favour of the British colonisation of Fiji and he had stated subsequently in his place in Parliament that the governor had sent a dispatch home, advising “British interference” in Fiji. It was presumed that “Annexation” was meant, as there had been plenty of “interference” already. The nature of Colonel Steinberger’s mission from the United States had transpired. He represents the American Government for the purpose of annexing the Navigators Island and the making of Pango Pango a naval settlement and place of call.”
1874
10th January to 18th February – Back at Wellington
19th February – Sailed from Wellington cruising the coast
20th February to 2nd March - Off Auckland Island to check on sealers and whalers
5th to 9th March – At Campbell Island
12 March – 14 May – at Auckland as senior officers ship
25th April – Parties of men landed from Blanche to assist in fighting a large fire in the town
14th May – Sailed for cruise in NZ waters escorting Governor General in his yacht
15th May – At Kawau,
16th to 22nd May – Visited Port Russell
22nd and 23rd May – At Mangonui
24th May – At Wangaroa
26th May to 8th July – Visited Auckland
15th July to 4th September – Based at Wellington
4th September – Sailed to escort Governor General in a cruise down west coast of NZ
5th to 7th September – Called at Picton
9th to 26th September – Based at Nelson
30th September to 3rd October – At Milford Sound
11th to 17th October – At Port Chalmers
19th to 20th October – Returned to Wellington
23rd October – Arrived back at Sydney
October to December – Spent refitting Sydney
30th December – Sailed for the South Seas
10th to 12th January – Called at Auckland
1875
(late) January – At Rarotonga - Fiji
15th February – At New Caledonia then ...Samoa – New Hebrides - Wellington
The British press of 24th February reported that – “The Blanche, 6, screw steamship, Captain Simpson, has been ordered to call at the Pellew Islands (off the Northern Australian mouth of the McArthur river), in consequence of an outrage having been committed there on an Englishman.”
12th to 28th March – Called at Brisbane
31st March to 9th April – Back at Sydney
10th April – Sailed for Fiji
19th April – At Norfolk Island
1st May to 27th June – Based at Levuka, Fiji
28th June – Sailed from Fiji and returned to Australia
13th to 20th July – At Sydney then left to return to England. “The Rosario, 3, screw sloop, Commander A. Dupuis, has also left Sydney for England and is bringing home in company with the Blanche, the officers and crew that were wrecked on St Pauls Island in the ill fated Megaera. She also had a few invalids from the Pearl and Barracouta.”
7th September – Rounded Cape Horn
9th to 15th September - At Port Stanley, Falkland’s, here she rendered assistance to the “Maggie Elliot” (a merchant Ship) which she had come across in a disabled state.
31st October – Off Azores
7th November – Arrived back at Spithead
8th November – Sailed for Sheerness.
9th November – Arrived at Sheerness for de-storing etc (she was to return her guns and stores to the Gun-wharf at Chatham).
23rd November – The ship was paid off into the fourth division at Sheerness
The British papers of 10th November reported her homecoming headed as – “A Seven Year Cruise” - “The Blanche, which vessel arrived at Spithead on Sunday fro Fiji, Sydney and the Falkland Islands, left England in February 1868 for the Australian Station and was re-commissioned at Sydney in October 1871. Her present officers and crew left England in the ill-fated Megara in March that year and after spending three months on St Pauls Island where the Megara had run ashore, they were taken off by the Peninsular and Oriental steamer Malacca and conveyed to Sydney, excepting her captain, Captain Thrupp and a few of the officers, who were ordered to England for the court-martial on the loss of the vessel.
The present commander of the Blanche, Captain Cortland Herbert Simpson joined the ship in November 1871, so that the Blanche has now been continuously in commission for nearly eight years and is an example of the policy of double commissions inaugurated at the Admiralty some few years age with a view to economy.
Her present crew have been nearly five years from England and it seldom falls to the lot of a ships company to have such a varied and eventful commission, the Blanche having probably during this commission visited more of the South Sea Islands than any other ship in the same time. Some few years ago extracts may have been seen in the public papers from a report made by Captain Simpson of a cruise among the Marshall, Gilbert, Caroline and Solomon Islands, where they visited many places never before seen by white men, the captain and some of his officers ascending up into those strange villages built in the tops of enormous trees, in the Island Isabel, besides discovering some fine harbours, especially one in the island of New Britain (Solomon group).
They also visited New Guinea, discovering and reporting that what had been hitherto supposed to be the south-east part of New Guinea was a mass of islands, a discovery which has since been verified and extended by Captain Moresby, late of the Basilisk.
Besides these islands the Blanche has visited nearly every group of islands in the Pacific, included in the Australian Station, the New Hebrides, the Fijis and Samoan, or Navigator Islands, etc. I these last two groups the Blanche has played an important part and indeed, it may be said that the Fijis would certainly not now) if ever) have been a British colony had it not been or the presence of the Blanche at Lavuka in 1873, shortly before the arrival of the commissioners to inquire into the affairs of these islands, when bloodshed and the Inauguration of the war of races was also prevented by the intervention of Captain Simpson.
At the Samoan or Navigator Islands, the Blanche was engaged in the difficult task of settling all the disputes and difficulties between Her Majesty’s Consul and the British subjects and the natives. Though at one time matters looked serious, the natives flatly refusing to discuss British claims or pay any fines, force was not found necessary and Captain Simpson was fortunate in overcoming their resistance and arriving at a decision which pleased all parties.
The Blanche also saw a good deal of the Australian colonies, visiting Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand, though both officers and ships company would willingly have dispensed with a good deal of their island work to indulge somewhat more in the well-known hospitality of our countrymen. This may be said more especially of New Zealand, where in addition to the proverbial hospitality extended towards officers and men, one of the most delightful climates in the world and some of the grandest scenery were fully appreciated by all.
The North Island, with its wonderful hot lakes and siliceous terraces, was visited by many and though the interior of the Middle or South Island was not so well travelled over, the Blanche made a complete circuit of the island, shooting the French Pass which is considered rather a fear for a large vessel (the French Pass being a narrow passage, about thirty yards wide, between D’Urville Island and the mainland, through which the tide rushes and whirls with great velocity, its passage being simply shooting a rapid on a large scale), and visiting nearly all those wonderful sounds on its north and west coasts. A description of these sounds is impossible here; but an idea of the solitary grandeur of one of them (Milford Sound the smallest but most rugged) may be imagined from the fact that the ship enters from the ocean what is apparently nothing more than a crack in the stupendous cliffs of the coast but which is really a winding chasm about 400 yards wide and about ten miles long, with snow capped mountains rising almost perpendicular on either side to a height of from 5000 to 7000 feet and with, in places sheer overhanging cliffs of 4000 feet, while with the sounding line no bottom is to be found at 200 fathoms and the only anchorage is to be obtained at the extreme end of the sound, where a mountain river has made a deposit that is sufficient to drop an anchor on. The ship is then made fast to the trees which grow even on the sides of the mountains, which to the eye look quite perpendicular.
The Blanche from the length of time she had been on the Australian station came to be considered quite an institution in the Colonies and had the character of being in first-rate order during both commissions.
The Blanche left Fiji on June 28th, arrived at Sydney on July13th, left on the 24th July and passed to the island of New Zealand, rounded Cape Horn on the 7th of September, anchored at Stanley, Falkland Islands on the 9th September, left on the 15th of September and anchored at Spithead on the 7th of November.
She had a splendid passage, making the run from Sydney in 107 days, including a stoppage of five days at the Falkland Islands. She passed the Azores on the 31st of October and made the passage thence in seven days, a distance of 1400 miles. The Blanche sailed from Spithead on Monday for Sheerness, to dismantle and pay off.”
Aaron Tall rejoined the Plymouth Division on the 24th November 1875, serving until he completed his twelve year contract on 16th March 1876.
On leaving the Plymouth Division on March 16th 1876, his papers state that this was the period for which he had attested and that he had served in Abyssinia in 1867, also that he was in possession of the Abyssinian Medal which he received in 1870.
His conduct and character is listed as being Exemplary.
His Intended place of Residence was given as 9, Wells Street, Plymouth.
His only record in the Defaulters Book lists his offence as 23rd November 1875, (his last day on HMS Blanche) “Absent from Tattoo until brought in by G.M. Police at 9.40 pm” (this was listed by Captain Cortland Herbert Simpson the commander of HMS Blanche) for which he was admonished by the Col. Commandant.
25th August 1876:- Re-Enlisted in the Portsmouth Division
On joining the Portsmouth Division he was allocated the Register number of 1803, serving in Company “G”. He also stated his trade as being that of a Labourer
He was allowed to count his already having 12 years 7 days reckonable good conduct service towards his pension from his previous service in the Plymouth Division and four months later on the 16th December 1876, he was awarded his Long Service and good conduct medal.
He served a total of 9 years 1 day in the Portsmouth division of which 3 years 72 days were afloat, this sea time was all served in the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert (II) from 1st January 1878 to 6th December 1881.
The Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert II -26th September 1878 to 6th December 1881
26th September 1878 – Joined the Royal Yacht and Albert II. A wooden Paddle ship of 1855, Commanded by Captain Frank Tourle Thomson – The Ship carried a compliment of 240 crew, the seaman being referred to as ‘Riggers’ and her complement of Marines wore a specially-designed drill uniform, of white cloth, to match the summer dress of the 'riggers'. When the Queen was on board, the crew wore soft-soled shoes, and most commands were given by hand signals, to keep unwarranted noise to a minimum.
September to 17th January 1879 - at Portsmouth, Captain Frank Thomson
1879
18th January 1879 - The royal yacht Victoria and Albert, Captain Thomson, leaves Portsmouth to-day for Gravesend, where she will embark the Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal Family, and afterwards proceed to Flushing to bring to Osborne the Grand Duke of Hesse. They returned on 21st January and landed the Grand Duke and his party at Osborne.
18th January – Sailed
19th January – At Gravesend to embark Prince of Wales
20th January – At Flushing (Vlissingen) – collected the Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt & family for Osborne
21st January – Arrived at Cowes with royal party who landed
22nd January to 26th February – Was spent at Portsmouth
27th February – Embarked Grand Duke of Hesse and family at Queenborough
28th February – At Flushing; disembarked royal party
2nd to 9th March – At Portsmouth
10th March – At Flushing; embarked Princess Louise of Prussia (the bride of the Duke of Connaught) and her parents and retinue
11th March – At Queenborough and disembarked royal party. – “The Royal Yacht will leave to bring over the bride of the Duke of Connaught from Flushing. It is to remain at Queensborough until after the wedding of their Royal Highnesses, when she will take home the Royal parents of the bride. After this service she will return to Portsmouth and on 25th March will embark her Majesty for Cherbourg. The Queen it is anticipated will remain amongst the Italian lakes for a month and will come back to Portsmouth on the way to Windsor.
It is authoritatively stated at Portsmouth that the Grand Duke of Hesse and his family will embark on board the Victoria and Albert at Queensborough on the 28th and proceed to Flushing, en route to Darmstadt.”
17th March – Departed Queenborough with Prince Frederick of Prussia and family (parents of the bride) who they disembarked at Flushing the following day.
19th to 25th March – Back at Portsmouth
25th March – Embarked the Queen and royal party for France.
26th March – Cherbourg; HM Queen and royal party disembarked
27th March to 23rd April – Back at Portsmouth
25th April – Returned to Cherbourg to re-embarked HM Queen and royal party
26th April – Back at Portsmouth and disembarked the Royal party
May and July - Docked for her annual gilding and embellishment.
26th July to 26th August – At anchor off Cowes (initially for the Cowes regatta, then as guardship off Osborne House
27th August to 25th March 1880 – Remained at Portsmouth
1880
25th March – Embarked HM Queen and royal party
26th March – At Cherbourg disembarked the Royal Party
28th March to 12th April – Back at Portsmouth
13th to 17th April – At Flushing to embarked HM Queen and party
17th April – Arrived at Queenborough and disembarked HM Queen and party
18th April to 18th July – Remained at Portsmouth
19th July to 6th August – Anchored off Cowes for the yearly regatta
6th August – Sailed for Liverpool
9th August – Arrived at Liverpool and embarked Prince Leopold and suite
15th August – Returned to Cowes and disembarked her passengers.
16th to 20th August – At Portsmouth
21st August - Brought HM Queen, royal family and retinue from Cowes to Portsmouth to inspect the troops en-route to Afghanistan and then returned
22nd August to 22nd July 1881 – Remained at Portsmouth
1881
2nd July – Steamed round the Isle of Wight for a machinery trial.
22nd July – Remained anchored off Cowes for the regatta & then guardship off Osborne House
30th July - HM Queen and royal family embarked; met Reserve Fleet at Spithead
August to 4th September – Back at Portsmouth
4th September – At Cowes, embarked Crown Princess of Germany and a clutch of German princesses, counts and dukes – “Her Imperial and Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Germany and their Royal Highnesses the Princesses Victoria, Sophie and Margaret of Prussia left Norris Castle on their return to Germany. They were attended by Countess Kalckreuth, Madlle. De Perpigna, Madlle. Bujurd and Count Seckendorff, they embarked on the royal yacht and sailed for Havre and Flushing. Major General Du Plat, Equerry to the Queen attends her Imperial Highness.”
5th September – At Le Havre and disembarked her royal passengers
8th September to December – Remained at Portsmouth
The 1881 census (Ships in U.K. Ports) Shows Aaron Tall as a 35 year old Married Royal Marine L. I private on the The Royal Yacht H.M.S. Victoria and Albert
7th December 1881 - rejoined the Portsmouth Division.
25th August 1885 - Discharged due to Length of Service. His pensionable service being 21 years 8 days which excluded his 4 years 304 days under age service when he joined at 13 years 2 months as a drummer.
His personal character was listed as being “Very Good” and his papers also state that he held 5 Good Conduct Badges (including his awards from the Plymouth Division) and confirms the award of his L.S. & G.C. medal
His papers also record that he had married on 31st June? (this may be January) 1876 an gives his address as 111, Littlewood End, Erdington, nr. Birmingham.
I understand that the 1851 census lists an Aaron Tall at 5 years of age (born in East Stonehouse, Union Street, Devon) as a Scholar, living with his Mother Jane (a 25 year old married laundress and head of the household) at 57 George Street, East Stonehouse,
While no mention is made of a father, there is an Aaron Tall born about 1818 in Plimton (Plymptom?) St. Mary, Plymouth and who joined the Marines at the age of 22 in December 1840 attesting at Bath. He was serving in the Plymouth Division (he also moved around quite a bit serving in the Woolwich, Plymouth and Chatham divisions during his 21 years service) at the time that young Aaron was born, he may have been the father. He was also on the Plymouth guardship HMS Royal William when the boy enlisted, which was just previous to him joining the Topaz a ship that was commissioning for the Pacific.
As there is no more mention of the mother, I wonder if she may have died and the father might have wanted to ensure that his son had a secure position before he was sent abroad? (Just guesswork I know)
I am sure that if I have been rambling on too much one can always page down.
I just hope that it is found not too boring.
Dave
TALL. Aaron Pte. 38th Company (Portsmouth Division) R.M.L.I.
Long Service & Good Conduct (Engraved 1875-1877 Issue) awarded 16th December 1876
first part of the service papers relating to Aaron Tall and his joining and service in the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marines proved to be rather elusive, until I discovered that they had been catalogued under the name of Aaron Fall.
Once traced however his full service then came to light.
Born:- East Stonehouse, Devon. 11th March 1846. Trade:- None
He was enlisted on 10th May 1859 at the Plymouth Headquarters at 11 a.m. by Sergeant Major Mayell, enlisting for no Bounty and signing in his own good hand.
Attested:- 11th May 1859, At the age of 13 years 2 months, Joining the Plymouth Division R.M. as a Drummer.
He joined the 169th Company as a Drummer from 11th May 1859 to 29th March 1865 and then the 47th Company as a Private from the 30th August 1865 to 16th March 1876.
This gave him 16 years 311 days service of which 4 years 304 days were deducted as being under age.
His total pensionable and good conduct service with the Plymouth Division being 12 years 7 days.
He was also in possession of 3 good conduct badges.
His service was made up of:-
Ashore - 5 years 46 days
Afloat 11 years 265 days
His service Afloat being
HMS Royal Adelaide - 24th March 1860 to 13th July 1860 – 112 days
HMS Cornwallis - 12th August 1860 to 1st April 1863 – 2 years 233 days
HMS Indus – 19th July 1864 to 24th July 1865 – 1 year 6 days
Battalion Ireland – 8th March 1867 to 9th June 1867 – 94 days
HMS Daphne – 19th August 1867 to 24th May 1870 – 2 years 279 days
HMS Megaera – 26th February 1871 to 11th October 1871 – 228 days
HMS Blanche – 12th October 1871 to 23rd November 1875 – 4 years 43 days
HMS Royal Adelaide 24th March 1860 to 13th July 1860
24th March 1860 – Joined HMS Royal Adelaide, the ex-104 gun 1st rate of 1828, Commanded by Captain Woodford John Williams and acting as the guard ship of Ordinary at Devonport
12th June – Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas S. Pasley, Bart., returned to Devonport from leave and re-hoisted his flag on board the Royal Adelaide the following morning.
1st July (Devonport) – The Royal Adelaide, 104, ordinary guard ship at Devonport, Captain W. J. Williams, is to be paid off on the 20th July and re-commissioned the following day as a training ship for boys and the Stag 44 gun sailing frigate, is to take the place of the Adelaide as guard ship of the ordinary.
HMS Cornwallis 12th August 1860 to 1st March 1863
12th August – Joined HMS Cornwallis a sailing ship of 1813 converted to Screw in 1855 Commanded by Captain George Granville Randolph, and acting as a Coast Guard ship on the Humber
April 1861 Commanded by Captain Sidney Grenfell
16th August – Arrived at Hull and remained throughout her entire commission the captain and his officers being in great local demand socially.
1st November – At Sutton near Hull, Captain Randolph’s wife gave birth to a daughter.
1861
4th May – The announcement that Captain Sidney Grenfell was to take over the command from Captain Randolph.
HMS Indus 19th July 1864 to 24th July 1865
19th July – Joined HMS Indus a 2nd rate sailing ship of 1839, Commanded by Captain William Edmonstone, acting as the flagship of Rear-Admiral Thomas Matthew Charles Symonds who was the Admiral Superintendent, Devonport Dockyard
Battalion Ireland 8th March 1867 to 9th June 1867
1867 was another year of unrest in Ireland with various Fenian attempted uprisings across the Southern counties, which was said to be led by Irish American Civil war veterans. While the uprisings never really came to much, the British Government reacted quickly by sending fresh troops from England. Among other forces employed to combat the situation a Battalion of Marines was raised in England.
7th March – Came a report from Woolwich that it was rumoured at the garrison that detachments of the Royal Artillery and the Royal Marine Light Infantry will leave for Ireland during the present week. While at Plymouth, the Caledonia embarked 500 marines from the Plymouth Division and left the Hamoaze for Ireland.
The Lord Clyde also sailed for Ireland with another detachment of over 300 Royal Marine L.I. from the Portsmouth Division. By the 18th March it could be announced that , “At this moment, independently of the marines belonging to the different ships stationed on the coast of Ireland, there are serving in the sister island 1200 picked men of the Royal Marine forces under the command of Lieutenant-Colonels J. B. Stewart, J. Pickard and Arthur Butcher. For some years past the Marines have not been recruited in Ireland, consequently there can be no suspicion of Fenianism among them.”
20th March – It was stated at the head-quarters of the Chatham division of the Royal Marines L.I. that the government has decided on the formation of a Royal marine Battalion in Ireland, the officer and non-commissioned officers for the staff of which being now in the course off selection. The Battalion will, it is understood number 800 officers and men and its head-quarters will probably be at Cork.
8th June – HMS Liverpool arrived in Plymouth sound returning from Queenstown with a 400 strong detachment of Marines, who were to land on Sunday at the Royal William victualling-yard and return to Stonehouse Bareracks
The Crisis was over before it really began.
HMS Daphne 19th August 1867 to 24th May 1870
19th August - Joined HMS Daphne a 4 gun screw Sloop of 1866. Newly commissioned and commanded by Commander George Lydiard Sulivan, for service in the East Indies and China. The reason for the commission was to combat the slave trade and pirates in that area.
June 1867 – Commissioned at Portsmouth Commander George Sullivan
July 1867 – At Portsmouth, fitting and completing trials
3rd August – Left Portsmouth for Plymouth
4th to 19th August - At Plymouth undergoing defect repairs
19th August - The ship left Plymouth Sound for Bombay calling in at Sierra Leone and the Cape of Good Hope before heading for Mauritius. On her way she suffered another accident, as in bad weather Sub-Lieut. Orton was washed overboard and drowned.
18th October – Sailed from Simons Bay for Bombay, which was reached in November and after a short break she left heading for the Persian Gulf.
1868
January to April – Deployed to Abyssinia to support campaign. Late January 1868 found them not in the Persian Gulf but in Annesley Bay, Abyssinia. Here she remained until May, helping to support Sir Robert Napier's march on the capital of Magdala, to obtain the release of British citizens being held prisoners. This was accomplished and the war officially ended on 17th April.
The Abyssinian War Medal was sanctioned on 1st March 1869, and awarded to all Army personnel who took part in the campaign, and the crews of all Naval vessels on duty in the Red Sea and to those whose service was in any way connected with the war.1868
June and July – Was spent back at Bombay
For the latter half of 1868 based on the east coast of Africa employed in suppressing the slave trade – slaves being taken up the east coast to the Persian Gulf.
August to December – Visits to Aden; Tamatave (Madagascar); Seychelles; Zanzibar
6th and 7th October - Two slave dhows captured
26th October – Sailed for Zanzibar
28th October – Chased an Arab slaving dhow; it eventually ran itself onshore where “...masses of the unfortunate slaves could be seen struggling in the surf”. Sullivan launched the boats of the Daphne to rescue several, despite coming under fire from Somali slavers
This activity continued – between 28 Oct and 5 Nov she captured or destroyed fifteen Arab slaving dhows and her decks were crowded with over 300 rescued slaves – they were landed in the Seychelles. Several times the dhows ran themselves onshore to escape capture which led to the boats being manned in attempts to rescue the slaves often having to row into the surf breaking on the beaches
December – At Zanzibar
1869
By February 1869 Daphne was back in Bombay, where she remained until March. Then the chasing began again, many Dhows and other shipping being chased, boarded and checked but with little success, she arrived back in Bombay in October. During her time in the Indian Ocean area Daphne had been responsible for the release of over 2000 slaves.
April and May – Evidently between Aden and Zanzibar
23rd April – Captured a slave dhow
16th May – Another slave dhow captured
June - Commander George A. Douglas appointed to command, replacing Commander Sulivan who was promoted to Captain.
June to August – Movements uncertain, thought to have been in or based at Bombay.
September and October – At Bombay
27th October – Sailed for the Persian Gulf following reports that the Gunboat HMS Clyde had been fired on while there.
November and December – Blockaded Bahrain in company with the Clyde and Nymph” to deal with a troublesome chief” and landed parties to take Manamah. This expedition lasted 20 days and most hands were employed at some stage in boats or on shore; several bombardments of enemy positions took place and Commander Douglas was wounded by the exploding of a mine. The episode was completed by taking a new ruler from Qatar to Bahrain and transporting five leaders of the rebellion (described as pirates) back to Bombay.
The British press reported this as – “Fight with Pirates in the Persian Gulf” – “The Bombay Gazette announces the arrival of H.M.S.S. Daphne, Captain Douglas and Nymph, Captain Meara. These ships of war, it will be recollected, were dispatched to the Persian Gulf to assist the Political Resident Colonel Pelly, in quelling the disturbances at Muscat and Bahrain.
As we have already learned, the indignity to the British flag in firing on the Clyde was settled by an Apology given by a deputation from the “de facto” Government of Muscat, in presence of the political Resident and all the officers of her Majesty’s ships then in the Gulf. A promise was also given to imprison the Sheik Syed who had plundered the property of the Persian Governor at Bunder Abbas. The government at Muscat was inclined to deny any responsibility for the firing on the Clyde and very probably it had taken place, not under a direct order to fire on that vessel but under a general instruction to fire on all comers.
The expedition among the pirate chiefs lasted for 20 days, during all of which time all hands nearly were in the boats. The steps taken were one after the other highly successful, either in getting the chiefs off, in compelling the garrison to surrender, or in shelling them out. Mohamed bin Kuleefa, who caused all the disturbance in Bahrain, was surrendered by the garrison of Mahrah Fort, Sheik Nauser was surprised at sea and captured and Mohamed bin Abdullah, the pirate chief in actual possession, was out-manoeuvred and then surrendered himself. Nauser bin Mobarek was first shelled out of his fort and subsequently out of another retreat in which he had taken refuge, with considerable loss. A demonstration by the gunboats then compelled him to embark with his chiefs and flee.
On the expulsion of the pirates from Bahrain, Esau bin Ali, the son of the late murdered chief was invited over from Qatar and assumed the government of these islands on the 2nd December, under the conditions appointed by Colonel Pelly for the Government of India. The whole of the town and of the shipping in the harbour hoisted flags spontaneously and welcomed Esau to the Government.
All the pirate chiefs have arrived at Bombay in the Daphne. Colonel Pelly has come with them and further orders from Government are now waited for.
Important letters, addressed by Persian functionaries to the pirate chief Mohamed bin Abdulla have fallen into the hands of Colonel Pelly, we believe they were seized in the possession of a would-be runner of the blockade formed by her Majesty’s ships. Having restored peace in the Gulf, the Political Resident left with the prisoners, in the Daphne and Nymph for Kurrachee (Karachi?)
Captain Douglas of the Daphne met with a severe accident during the expedition. He was knocked over by the bursting of a mine and sustained severe contusions but we are glad to say the gallant commander of the Daphne is now quite recovered.”
1870
January – Back at Bombay
10th February 1870 – Left Bombay for England as the term of her commission on the East Indies station had expired. She was to proceed by the newly opened Suez Canal, calling at Aden, Malta and Gibraltar
26th February – At Aden
14th March – At Suez
18th March – At Port Said
30th March to 6th April – Was spent at Malta
19th April – At Gibraltar
10th May – Arrived Spithead; discharged some invalids and passengers brought from India
12th May – Arrived Plymouth
24th May – The ship paid off into reserve
HMS Megaera 21st February 1871 to 11th October 1871
21st February – Joined HMS Megaera a troopship of 1849
Commanded by Captain Arthur Thomas Thrupp, until beached at St. Pauls Island in an unseaworthy state
25 February 1871 – Sailed from Portsmouth carrying among others the new crew for HMS Blanche to Sydney, Australia.
28th February - At Queenstown for repairs due to a gale as she was coming out of the Channel causing problems with hatches leaking and a broken retaining bolt for the bobstay shackle. Once in harbour an examination was ordered by the senior naval officer Admiral Forbes.
8th March – A British press report – “The Megaera, 6, iron screw steam ship of 1395 tons, under the command of Captain Thrupp, which sailed from Portsmouth a fortnight ago, has put into Queenstown in a leaky state. A correspondent of a contemporary states that the Megaera is utterly unseaworthy, that she “leaks from the bow to the stern”, that upwards of 50 tons of water were found in the bilges on the first watch after leaving Plymouth, the men’s mess deck being 15 to 18 inches deep in water with their bags floating about and that the men on board the Megaera had been up twice on the quarterdeck about the ship leaking and last Wednesday were about to enter a third protest, this time against the vessel rounding the Cape in the middle of winter.
The correspondent adds that “Captain Thrupp distinctly told Admiral Codrington on Saturday night last that we were not ready for sea but he said ‘go we must,’ as he had orders to send us off.”
14th March – The Press reported on a question regarding the Megaera raise in the House of Commons on 6th March – Mr. Kavanagh “asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it was true that her Majesty’s transport ship Megaera had just been commissioned to take out to Sydney 33 officers and 350 men, with several hundred tons of stores, whereas she was only qualified to carry 14 officers and 220 men; that half the officers mess gear was on deck from want of stowage room; that she was moreover in an unseaworthy condition, leaking from stem to stern; and that, not withstanding the distinct assurance of her commander that the ship was not ready for sea, the Admiral told him “he must go, as he had orders to send him off.”
Mr Baxter in reply, said “that it was true that the Megaera had just been commissioned to take out to Australia 33 officers and 350 men (inclusive of her own complement), with 400 tons of cargo but not that she was only calculated to carry 14 officers and 220 men; on the contrary, she had taken to the Cape 22 officers, 425 men, 26 women and 56 children, in addition to her own crew; and from Jamaica to Cape Coast Castle 18 officers, 400 men, 12 women and 12 children, also exclusive of her complement. She had also frequently carried over 400 tons of cargo. There was not a word of truth in the statement that she was unseaworthy and leaking from stem to stern, nor in the further statement that the men had twice protested against going to sea.
Regarding what had passed at Plymouth between Admiral Codrington and Captain Thrupp, Mr Baxter quoted an account of the conversation given by the Admiral himself, from which it appeared that Captain Thrupp asked if the ship might wait till next day (Sunday) morning, as the ships decks were lumbered up with casks and packages, not public stores, but provisions etc. for the mess of the officers.
As to the real condition of the ship, he quoted from a letter from Rear-Admiral Forbes at Queenstown, who reported that he had carefully inspected the Megaera, and had already telegraphed his opinion that the ship was fit for the service on which she is employed. He did however recommend the landing of about 100 tons weight of the cargo and that the number of officers should be reduced by four and orders had been sent to Queenstown accordingly.”
14th March – Left Queenstown after the repairs and cargo reductions had been affected.
21st March – Called in at Madeira (Funchal) for coaling
26th March – Left Madeira
2nd April – At St. Vincent, topping up her coal.
19th April – At Ascension, she stayed for four days taking on coal and provisions and loading a consignment of earthenware drain pipes for the Cape.
18th May – Arrived at Simonsbay
28th May – Left Simonsbay for Sydney
9th June – A leak had been reported in the night and it was discovered that the Engine room had taken in about 17 inches of water but the cause of the leak remained unknown until the 14th when a small hole was found, in a rusted metal haul plate (which itself was worn thin and beginning to buckle) located under a coal bunker.
While they were able stem the leak, they were unable to stop it and with high winds and rough seas it was decided that they would try and make for the Island of St. Pauls in the Indian Ocean, which they reached on Saturday 17th June. Once at anchor the men and stores were transferred to shore and a temporary camp was set up.
The men were finally rescued by the P & O Steamer Malacca which took the last members off the Island on September 5th (the Megaera was by now a total wreck and the men had been living ashore in makeshift accommodation for almost three months). The Malacca then transported them to first King George’s Sound, Albany, where Captain Thrupp, his officers and some men left them to return to England for the court marshal on the loss of the Megaera, while the remainder were carried on to Sydney
HMS Blanche 12th October 1871 to 23rd November 1875
12th October – Joined HMS Blanche, a 6 gun sloop of 1867 Commanded by Captain John Montgomerie on the Australian Station, Blanche had arrived on the Australian station in April 1868
12th October – Based at Sydney and re-commissioned by Captain John Montgomerie with the new crew which had been transported from England by the Megaera.
22nd October – Sailed from Sydney - Called at Auckland Island; Campbell Island and Chatham Islands
21st November – Called at Wellington
November – Captain Cortland Simpson assumed command
December to March 1872 – Remained in NZ waters, based at Wellington; during this time she visited Tauranga, the Bay of Islands, Wangaroa, and Auckland
1872
28th March – Sailed from Wellington for Sydney
8th April to 10th May – Remained at Sydney
May to November – Embarked on a cruise to various Pacific islands to visit the fisheries and check on the treatment of those employed; to obtain information on any British subjects murdered and the practice of ‘skull-hunting’; to collect information on anything of interest. During this time she visited Norfolk Island, the Solomon Islands, The Marshall islands, The Gilbert Islands, New Caledonia and New Guinea; reported that during this time she briefly went aground off ‘New Hanover’ and the ships boats were attacked by natives at New Britain; she also surveyed the harbour at Rabaul
15th November to 27th December – Returned to her base at Sydney
In late November early December, the British press reported under the title “Islands of the Pacific” the following – “The cruisers engaged in watching the exportation of labours from islands of the South Pacific Ocean fell in with strange places and strange people. At New Hanover, Captain Simpson, of HMS Blanche, found men and women very much in a state of nature, he thinks they had never before been visited by whitemen. They were ignorant of the use of tobacco and any old pieces of paper were taken by them in preference to the usual trade articles. Both men and women came alongside in great numbers and showed no fear. They had little or nothing for barter except spears. They appeared good humoured but are arrant thieves. A party of officers landed and except that their pocked were picked were in no way molested.
Captain Simpson, when off the coast of New Britain, took an opportunity of perpetuating his name and that of his ship. He found two spacious bays or harbours with good anchorage, land-locked and sheltered from all winds. One, which he has called Blanch Bay, has been formed by the upheaving of three volcanic mountains called the Mother and Daughters, the lava poured down in past ages has formed two points which he mentions as Point Sulphur and Point Bridges. Simpson Harbour, about five miles long and three miles wide, lies between Point Bridges and the mainland, he believes there is space, with from 20 to 5 fathoms of water, for all the navies of the world to anchor in.
He found in the Ngarik group of islands only one inhabited and the people have a short history. There are about 100 of them and no less than 60 are children. The people say that about 40 years ago a Captain from Sydney took the island and destroyed the inhabitants, or nearly every soul, some years after that a man named Paddy came with some natives of Penope Island and settled there, claiming the island as his own and the population has since increased. What has become of Paddy is not stated.”
28th December – Sailed from Sydney and called in at Auckland Island
1873
3rd to 12th January – Visiting Hobart
21st January – At Wellington
January to March – Cruising off New Zealand (Wellington, Bay of Islands)
30th March to 4th April – Back at Sydney
9th to 24th April – Visited Melbourne
28th April to 10th July – at Sydney (May was spent docked for cleaning)
11th July - sailed for Fiji
22nd July – Arrived at Levuka, Fiji
22nd July to 20th November – Remained at Levuka = Stood by during disturbances (“to...maintain the law by such measures and force as were necessary against all residents, whether natives or whites”). The native government was insolvent, white settlers refused to recognise its’ authority. During this time Captain Simpson, his officers and armed parties were occasionally landed to prevent fighting between white settlers and natives. Simpson backed the King of Fiji and issued the following decree:
“...It having come to my knowledge that certain British subjects have intimated their determination to resist the Executive authority of the reigning Government in Fiji, I hereby give notice to all British subjects that any armed resistance on their part to the action of the Fijian authorities will be at their own peril. Dated on board H.M.S. Blanche, at Levuka, Fiji, the 4th September, 1873 C. H. Simpson”
The presence of the Blanche was credited with calming the situation and preventing bloodshed and riot
20th November to 18th December – Cruising various islands, called in at Suva – Tanna
18th December to 6th January - Back at Levuka
20th December – While at Fiji Captain Simpson accompanied Commodore Goodenough on a visit to the King
On December 23rd. the British press reported under the title “Fiji” the following – “The storm that has broken out, according to the news received by the last mail, has subsided, Cascoban’s Government having been re-established, thanks to Captain Simpson of her Majesty’s ship Blanche.
A new constitution has been framed, which throws the entire power into the hands of the natives. The legislative body is to consist of 20 nominee native members, of whom eight may be dismissed at any time be the king, and eight elected whites. The cabinet, which is to be distinct from this assembly, is to hold office during good behaviour but no parliamentary representative of the whites is to be a member of it.
As all the whites are not British subjects, it is thought complications may arise with other powers through Captain Simpson’s interference. The visit of a German man-of war was expected and the United States consul had also intimated his intention to take steeps in connassistance by declaring that if he took any steep in opposition the Ministry would at once hand over the rule of the island into his hands, lower the Fijian flag, dismiss the troops and police, close the courts and public offices and address a protest and remonstrance to the Government of America and Germany, by whom the Fijian Government had been recognised. This declaration brought the captain to terms and he consented to use his men, if required, for the support of the Fijian authorities.
At Sydney a deputation had waited upon Mr. Parkes (the colonial Secretary), who had expressed himself strongly in favour of the British colonisation of Fiji and he had stated subsequently in his place in Parliament that the governor had sent a dispatch home, advising “British interference” in Fiji. It was presumed that “Annexation” was meant, as there had been plenty of “interference” already. The nature of Colonel Steinberger’s mission from the United States had transpired. He represents the American Government for the purpose of annexing the Navigators Island and the making of Pango Pango a naval settlement and place of call.”
1874
10th January to 18th February – Back at Wellington
19th February – Sailed from Wellington cruising the coast
20th February to 2nd March - Off Auckland Island to check on sealers and whalers
5th to 9th March – At Campbell Island
12 March – 14 May – at Auckland as senior officers ship
25th April – Parties of men landed from Blanche to assist in fighting a large fire in the town
14th May – Sailed for cruise in NZ waters escorting Governor General in his yacht
15th May – At Kawau,
16th to 22nd May – Visited Port Russell
22nd and 23rd May – At Mangonui
24th May – At Wangaroa
26th May to 8th July – Visited Auckland
15th July to 4th September – Based at Wellington
4th September – Sailed to escort Governor General in a cruise down west coast of NZ
5th to 7th September – Called at Picton
9th to 26th September – Based at Nelson
30th September to 3rd October – At Milford Sound
11th to 17th October – At Port Chalmers
19th to 20th October – Returned to Wellington
23rd October – Arrived back at Sydney
October to December – Spent refitting Sydney
30th December – Sailed for the South Seas
10th to 12th January – Called at Auckland
1875
(late) January – At Rarotonga - Fiji
15th February – At New Caledonia then ...Samoa – New Hebrides - Wellington
The British press of 24th February reported that – “The Blanche, 6, screw steamship, Captain Simpson, has been ordered to call at the Pellew Islands (off the Northern Australian mouth of the McArthur river), in consequence of an outrage having been committed there on an Englishman.”
12th to 28th March – Called at Brisbane
31st March to 9th April – Back at Sydney
10th April – Sailed for Fiji
19th April – At Norfolk Island
1st May to 27th June – Based at Levuka, Fiji
28th June – Sailed from Fiji and returned to Australia
13th to 20th July – At Sydney then left to return to England. “The Rosario, 3, screw sloop, Commander A. Dupuis, has also left Sydney for England and is bringing home in company with the Blanche, the officers and crew that were wrecked on St Pauls Island in the ill fated Megaera. She also had a few invalids from the Pearl and Barracouta.”
7th September – Rounded Cape Horn
9th to 15th September - At Port Stanley, Falkland’s, here she rendered assistance to the “Maggie Elliot” (a merchant Ship) which she had come across in a disabled state.
31st October – Off Azores
7th November – Arrived back at Spithead
8th November – Sailed for Sheerness.
9th November – Arrived at Sheerness for de-storing etc (she was to return her guns and stores to the Gun-wharf at Chatham).
23rd November – The ship was paid off into the fourth division at Sheerness
The British papers of 10th November reported her homecoming headed as – “A Seven Year Cruise” - “The Blanche, which vessel arrived at Spithead on Sunday fro Fiji, Sydney and the Falkland Islands, left England in February 1868 for the Australian Station and was re-commissioned at Sydney in October 1871. Her present officers and crew left England in the ill-fated Megara in March that year and after spending three months on St Pauls Island where the Megara had run ashore, they were taken off by the Peninsular and Oriental steamer Malacca and conveyed to Sydney, excepting her captain, Captain Thrupp and a few of the officers, who were ordered to England for the court-martial on the loss of the vessel.
The present commander of the Blanche, Captain Cortland Herbert Simpson joined the ship in November 1871, so that the Blanche has now been continuously in commission for nearly eight years and is an example of the policy of double commissions inaugurated at the Admiralty some few years age with a view to economy.
Her present crew have been nearly five years from England and it seldom falls to the lot of a ships company to have such a varied and eventful commission, the Blanche having probably during this commission visited more of the South Sea Islands than any other ship in the same time. Some few years ago extracts may have been seen in the public papers from a report made by Captain Simpson of a cruise among the Marshall, Gilbert, Caroline and Solomon Islands, where they visited many places never before seen by white men, the captain and some of his officers ascending up into those strange villages built in the tops of enormous trees, in the Island Isabel, besides discovering some fine harbours, especially one in the island of New Britain (Solomon group).
They also visited New Guinea, discovering and reporting that what had been hitherto supposed to be the south-east part of New Guinea was a mass of islands, a discovery which has since been verified and extended by Captain Moresby, late of the Basilisk.
Besides these islands the Blanche has visited nearly every group of islands in the Pacific, included in the Australian Station, the New Hebrides, the Fijis and Samoan, or Navigator Islands, etc. I these last two groups the Blanche has played an important part and indeed, it may be said that the Fijis would certainly not now) if ever) have been a British colony had it not been or the presence of the Blanche at Lavuka in 1873, shortly before the arrival of the commissioners to inquire into the affairs of these islands, when bloodshed and the Inauguration of the war of races was also prevented by the intervention of Captain Simpson.
At the Samoan or Navigator Islands, the Blanche was engaged in the difficult task of settling all the disputes and difficulties between Her Majesty’s Consul and the British subjects and the natives. Though at one time matters looked serious, the natives flatly refusing to discuss British claims or pay any fines, force was not found necessary and Captain Simpson was fortunate in overcoming their resistance and arriving at a decision which pleased all parties.
The Blanche also saw a good deal of the Australian colonies, visiting Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand, though both officers and ships company would willingly have dispensed with a good deal of their island work to indulge somewhat more in the well-known hospitality of our countrymen. This may be said more especially of New Zealand, where in addition to the proverbial hospitality extended towards officers and men, one of the most delightful climates in the world and some of the grandest scenery were fully appreciated by all.
The North Island, with its wonderful hot lakes and siliceous terraces, was visited by many and though the interior of the Middle or South Island was not so well travelled over, the Blanche made a complete circuit of the island, shooting the French Pass which is considered rather a fear for a large vessel (the French Pass being a narrow passage, about thirty yards wide, between D’Urville Island and the mainland, through which the tide rushes and whirls with great velocity, its passage being simply shooting a rapid on a large scale), and visiting nearly all those wonderful sounds on its north and west coasts. A description of these sounds is impossible here; but an idea of the solitary grandeur of one of them (Milford Sound the smallest but most rugged) may be imagined from the fact that the ship enters from the ocean what is apparently nothing more than a crack in the stupendous cliffs of the coast but which is really a winding chasm about 400 yards wide and about ten miles long, with snow capped mountains rising almost perpendicular on either side to a height of from 5000 to 7000 feet and with, in places sheer overhanging cliffs of 4000 feet, while with the sounding line no bottom is to be found at 200 fathoms and the only anchorage is to be obtained at the extreme end of the sound, where a mountain river has made a deposit that is sufficient to drop an anchor on. The ship is then made fast to the trees which grow even on the sides of the mountains, which to the eye look quite perpendicular.
The Blanche from the length of time she had been on the Australian station came to be considered quite an institution in the Colonies and had the character of being in first-rate order during both commissions.
The Blanche left Fiji on June 28th, arrived at Sydney on July13th, left on the 24th July and passed to the island of New Zealand, rounded Cape Horn on the 7th of September, anchored at Stanley, Falkland Islands on the 9th September, left on the 15th of September and anchored at Spithead on the 7th of November.
She had a splendid passage, making the run from Sydney in 107 days, including a stoppage of five days at the Falkland Islands. She passed the Azores on the 31st of October and made the passage thence in seven days, a distance of 1400 miles. The Blanche sailed from Spithead on Monday for Sheerness, to dismantle and pay off.”
Aaron Tall rejoined the Plymouth Division on the 24th November 1875, serving until he completed his twelve year contract on 16th March 1876.
On leaving the Plymouth Division on March 16th 1876, his papers state that this was the period for which he had attested and that he had served in Abyssinia in 1867, also that he was in possession of the Abyssinian Medal which he received in 1870.
His conduct and character is listed as being Exemplary.
His Intended place of Residence was given as 9, Wells Street, Plymouth.
His only record in the Defaulters Book lists his offence as 23rd November 1875, (his last day on HMS Blanche) “Absent from Tattoo until brought in by G.M. Police at 9.40 pm” (this was listed by Captain Cortland Herbert Simpson the commander of HMS Blanche) for which he was admonished by the Col. Commandant.
25th August 1876:- Re-Enlisted in the Portsmouth Division
On joining the Portsmouth Division he was allocated the Register number of 1803, serving in Company “G”. He also stated his trade as being that of a Labourer
He was allowed to count his already having 12 years 7 days reckonable good conduct service towards his pension from his previous service in the Plymouth Division and four months later on the 16th December 1876, he was awarded his Long Service and good conduct medal.
He served a total of 9 years 1 day in the Portsmouth division of which 3 years 72 days were afloat, this sea time was all served in the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert (II) from 1st January 1878 to 6th December 1881.
The Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert II -26th September 1878 to 6th December 1881
26th September 1878 – Joined the Royal Yacht and Albert II. A wooden Paddle ship of 1855, Commanded by Captain Frank Tourle Thomson – The Ship carried a compliment of 240 crew, the seaman being referred to as ‘Riggers’ and her complement of Marines wore a specially-designed drill uniform, of white cloth, to match the summer dress of the 'riggers'. When the Queen was on board, the crew wore soft-soled shoes, and most commands were given by hand signals, to keep unwarranted noise to a minimum.
September to 17th January 1879 - at Portsmouth, Captain Frank Thomson
1879
18th January 1879 - The royal yacht Victoria and Albert, Captain Thomson, leaves Portsmouth to-day for Gravesend, where she will embark the Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal Family, and afterwards proceed to Flushing to bring to Osborne the Grand Duke of Hesse. They returned on 21st January and landed the Grand Duke and his party at Osborne.
18th January – Sailed
19th January – At Gravesend to embark Prince of Wales
20th January – At Flushing (Vlissingen) – collected the Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt & family for Osborne
21st January – Arrived at Cowes with royal party who landed
22nd January to 26th February – Was spent at Portsmouth
27th February – Embarked Grand Duke of Hesse and family at Queenborough
28th February – At Flushing; disembarked royal party
2nd to 9th March – At Portsmouth
10th March – At Flushing; embarked Princess Louise of Prussia (the bride of the Duke of Connaught) and her parents and retinue
11th March – At Queenborough and disembarked royal party. – “The Royal Yacht will leave to bring over the bride of the Duke of Connaught from Flushing. It is to remain at Queensborough until after the wedding of their Royal Highnesses, when she will take home the Royal parents of the bride. After this service she will return to Portsmouth and on 25th March will embark her Majesty for Cherbourg. The Queen it is anticipated will remain amongst the Italian lakes for a month and will come back to Portsmouth on the way to Windsor.
It is authoritatively stated at Portsmouth that the Grand Duke of Hesse and his family will embark on board the Victoria and Albert at Queensborough on the 28th and proceed to Flushing, en route to Darmstadt.”
17th March – Departed Queenborough with Prince Frederick of Prussia and family (parents of the bride) who they disembarked at Flushing the following day.
19th to 25th March – Back at Portsmouth
25th March – Embarked the Queen and royal party for France.
26th March – Cherbourg; HM Queen and royal party disembarked
27th March to 23rd April – Back at Portsmouth
25th April – Returned to Cherbourg to re-embarked HM Queen and royal party
26th April – Back at Portsmouth and disembarked the Royal party
May and July - Docked for her annual gilding and embellishment.
26th July to 26th August – At anchor off Cowes (initially for the Cowes regatta, then as guardship off Osborne House
27th August to 25th March 1880 – Remained at Portsmouth
1880
25th March – Embarked HM Queen and royal party
26th March – At Cherbourg disembarked the Royal Party
28th March to 12th April – Back at Portsmouth
13th to 17th April – At Flushing to embarked HM Queen and party
17th April – Arrived at Queenborough and disembarked HM Queen and party
18th April to 18th July – Remained at Portsmouth
19th July to 6th August – Anchored off Cowes for the yearly regatta
6th August – Sailed for Liverpool
9th August – Arrived at Liverpool and embarked Prince Leopold and suite
15th August – Returned to Cowes and disembarked her passengers.
16th to 20th August – At Portsmouth
21st August - Brought HM Queen, royal family and retinue from Cowes to Portsmouth to inspect the troops en-route to Afghanistan and then returned
22nd August to 22nd July 1881 – Remained at Portsmouth
1881
2nd July – Steamed round the Isle of Wight for a machinery trial.
22nd July – Remained anchored off Cowes for the regatta & then guardship off Osborne House
30th July - HM Queen and royal family embarked; met Reserve Fleet at Spithead
August to 4th September – Back at Portsmouth
4th September – At Cowes, embarked Crown Princess of Germany and a clutch of German princesses, counts and dukes – “Her Imperial and Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Germany and their Royal Highnesses the Princesses Victoria, Sophie and Margaret of Prussia left Norris Castle on their return to Germany. They were attended by Countess Kalckreuth, Madlle. De Perpigna, Madlle. Bujurd and Count Seckendorff, they embarked on the royal yacht and sailed for Havre and Flushing. Major General Du Plat, Equerry to the Queen attends her Imperial Highness.”
5th September – At Le Havre and disembarked her royal passengers
8th September to December – Remained at Portsmouth
The 1881 census (Ships in U.K. Ports) Shows Aaron Tall as a 35 year old Married Royal Marine L. I private on the The Royal Yacht H.M.S. Victoria and Albert
7th December 1881 - rejoined the Portsmouth Division.
25th August 1885 - Discharged due to Length of Service. His pensionable service being 21 years 8 days which excluded his 4 years 304 days under age service when he joined at 13 years 2 months as a drummer.
His personal character was listed as being “Very Good” and his papers also state that he held 5 Good Conduct Badges (including his awards from the Plymouth Division) and confirms the award of his L.S. & G.C. medal
His papers also record that he had married on 31st June? (this may be January) 1876 an gives his address as 111, Littlewood End, Erdington, nr. Birmingham.
I understand that the 1851 census lists an Aaron Tall at 5 years of age (born in East Stonehouse, Union Street, Devon) as a Scholar, living with his Mother Jane (a 25 year old married laundress and head of the household) at 57 George Street, East Stonehouse,
While no mention is made of a father, there is an Aaron Tall born about 1818 in Plimton (Plymptom?) St. Mary, Plymouth and who joined the Marines at the age of 22 in December 1840 attesting at Bath. He was serving in the Plymouth Division (he also moved around quite a bit serving in the Woolwich, Plymouth and Chatham divisions during his 21 years service) at the time that young Aaron was born, he may have been the father. He was also on the Plymouth guardship HMS Royal William when the boy enlisted, which was just previous to him joining the Topaz a ship that was commissioning for the Pacific.
As there is no more mention of the mother, I wonder if she may have died and the father might have wanted to ensure that his son had a secure position before he was sent abroad? (Just guesswork I know)