davidrn
16-12-2011, 18:52
AYLING TALL. Commissioned Boatman Coastguard
Long Service & Good Conduct (Engraved 1875-1877 Issue) awarded 28th June 1875
Also awarded the Crimea Medal bar Sebastopol and the Turkish Medal
This came as one of a pair of Long Service medals, one to Aaron Tall and this one to Ayling Tall. So far I have been unable to establish if there is any relationship between the two, all I can say for sure is that they both came from South Devon and Ayling was 8 years older than Aaron. The National Archives also show that the name of Tall was not that uncommon around the time of their births in the Devon area.
With Aaron, his post 1873 service were listed under his correct name where as his pre 1873 papers were listed as Aaron Fall.
With Ayling, his pre 1873 papers are listed under his correct name but his post papers are listed as Ayling Jall.
Ayling Tall was Born:- Knightsbridge, Devon. 28th February 1838 Trade: Not Shown
18th August 1852 - Joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd class on HMS Impregnable at the age of 14 years and 5 months.
He received the Crimea Medal with the bar Sebastopol and the Turkish medal for service on HMS Inflexible (both missing). As well as the Naval LS&GC “Narrow engraved issue” on the 28th June 1875 as Commissioned Boatman in H. M. Coastguard.
He was also in possession of Three Good Conduct Badges
His Service Progression was:-
Boy 2nd Class – 18th August 1852 to 15th April 1855
Boy 1st Class – 16th April 1855 to 25th July 1855
Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class – 26th July 1855 to 14th November 1855
Ordinary Seaman – 15th November 1855 to 30th June 1857
Able Seaman – 1st July 1857 to 30th April 1861
Leading Seaman – 1st May 1861 to 5th November 1863
2nd Captain of the Main Mast – 6th November 1863 to 15th June 1864
Transfer to Coastguard
Boatman - 16th June 1864 to 8th December 1872
Commissioned Boatman – 9th December 1872 to 23rd January 1878
Chief Boatman – 24th January 1878 to 17th July 1886 – Pensioned to Shore.
HMS Impregnable 18th August 1852 to 9th September 1853
18th August 1852 – Joined HMS Impregnable a 2nd rate wooden sail of 1810, Commanded by Captain Arthur Lowe, flagship of Admiral John Acworth Ommanney, Devonport (Deputy controller-general of the coastguard)
During his time on Impregnable, the ship played host to a number of Court-Martial’s with Captain Lowe being a member of the Court.
12th January? 1863 to 22nd February was spent in hospital DS2 (DSQ? Discharged to sick quarters)
13th January 1853 – The papers announced the award of a Royal Humane Society silver medal to William Pope a 17 year old Boy seaman who had jumped with all his clothes on into the canal at Maida-hill and saved two children called Allkins, a boy of 18 months and a girl of 5 years who had fallen into the Regents Canal
HMS Inflexible 10th September 1853 to 15th August 1855
10th September 1853 – Joined HMS Inflexible a 6 gun 1st class wooden Paddle Sloop of 1845, Commanded by Commander George Otway Popplewell, Mediterranean (and Black Sea during the Russian War carrying a crew of 160 men)
His papers give no indication as to how he joined her as Inflexible had left England almost a year ago.
10th September 1853 – apparently in Besika Bay, Turkey, under the command of Commander George Popplewell who had been promoted to the command in July after the death of Commander G.R. Woolridge.
14th September – To Rhodes to take the surgeon of HMS Britannia to assist with outbreak of smallpox
15th September to 22nd October – At Besika Bay
22nd October – Sailed with the combined French and British fleets (she towed Bellerophon for part of the voyage) for Constantinople
23rd October – The fleet anchored at Beicos Bay in the Bosphorus
23rd October to February 1854 - In Beicos Bay (at Constantinople 21 – 23 Dec & again 16 Jan – Constantinople for stores & coal)
1854
7th February – In company with other French & British warships escorted several Turkish transports into the Black Sea, to Sinope
March – Escorted Turkish troop transports to Varna
From April 1854 to April 1855 – She was in the Black Sea, based at Varna, essentially tasked to watch the coast between the Danuba and Varna. She evidently made occasional trips to Constantinople for stores and fuel, she was also used to transport troops along the coast and also to carry despatches and officers to the main fleet off Sevastopol
2nd June – In company with HMS Firebrand they captured six merchant ships, believed carrying stores for the enemy, at Baltschik
17th July – boats of Vesuvius, Inflexible and Spitfire armed and manned to take part in the attack on the town of Sulina, which was left ablaze
27th July 1854 – Arrived at Constantinople with seven prizes from the Sulina mouth of the Danube.
4th October - In company with the Sidon and French warships Caton and Cacique, attacked troops seen moving along the coast, at Fort Nikolaev, near the mouth of the river Dnieper. Russian shore positions returned fire, using hot shot and rockets but with little effect. (This was part of a diversion to help cover the landing of the British Naval Brigade and their guns)
December – Carried senior Turkish officers to Sevastopol
1855
March 55 – At the scene of three British transports wrecked in western Black Sea; rescued 60 men
May and June – On the coast of Crimea, either at Kamiesch Bay or off Sevastopol
4th July – Left the Crimea sailing from Kamiesch for England
7th July – Constantinople
11th to 13th July – Smyrna
17th July 1855 – Arrived at Malta on her way back to England but was ordered to divert to Tripoli leaving on the 19th. (This was due to an Arab Insurrection) taking Her Majesties Consul-General Col. Herman who had been on leave in Malta.
20th to 22nd July – At Tripoli
23rd July – Back at Malta and sailed for England on the 25th.
6th August – Arrived Plymouth
15th August – The ship paid off
The roll states that his Crimea medal sent to HMS Havannah on 17/11/56. The roll also shows entitlement to the Sebastopol clasp (missing) and the Turkish medal
HMS Havannah 16th August 1855 to 19th November 1859
16th August 1855 – Joined HMS Havannah a 36 gun wooden Sail of 1811, now having been “cut-down” to a 24 gun 6th rate in 1845, Commanded by Captain Thomas Harvey, on the Pacific Station
18th August – At Devonport receiving her Marine contingent
22nd September – Captain Harvey attended (as a member of the court) the Court-Martial of Lieut. C. O. Wood of HMS Castor who was accused of Drunkenness, assault and disgusting language. The court found the accusations not proved.
5th October – Moved from the harbour to Plymouth Sound, saluted the flag of the Commander-in-Chief and embarked the outstanding stores (powder etc.) On the 9th the ship was inspected and mustered by Admiral Sir W. Parker. On the 10th, the crew were paid their wages in advance.
11th October – Sailed; but returned soon after, “detained by contrary winds”
13th October – Sailed (again) for the Pacific Station taking supernumerary 2nd class boys and the mails “for Rio and Valparaiso”
1856
January – At Talcahuano
February – At Valparaiso
April – At Callao
13th May – Reported to be in Callao.
20th August - Left Panama for San Francisco arriving on the 15th October
5th November – Arrived at Mazatlan and sailed for Guaymat on the 5th.
1857
January – Visited the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii)
February – At Valparaiso
June – In Panama
September and October – Visited San Francisco
November – Spent at Mozatlan and Guaymat
1858
14th February - May 1858 – At Panama but under orders to sail for Vancouver Island to convey a party of 50 men of the Royal Engineers who are expected to arrive there on the next west Indian Mail steamer and will be engaged in define the land boundary between the USA and Canada
4th May - Sailed from the Island of Tobago off Balboa, for Vancouver Island.
June and July – At Vancouver
....Visited the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii)
December – Back at Valparaiso
1859
15th July – In Panama Bay having just returned from a short cruise on the coast of Central America, she was expected to leave shortly by Cape Horn for England.
7th November – Arrived at Devonport after a voyage of 107 days from Panama. She had rounded Cape Horn on 13th October.
19th November – Paid off at Devonport, Lieutenant C.F.F. Boughey the first Lieutenant was promoted to Commander in consequence of his long service and the creditable state of which the ship was on being paid off.
HMS Impregnable 20th November 1859 to 7th January 1860
20th November 1859 – Joined HMS Impregnable Commanded by Captain William Houston Stewart, flagship of Vice-Admiral Barrington Reynolds (Commander-in-Chief Devonport) Plymouth.
HMS Nile 8th January 1860 to 23rd April 1864
8th January 1860 – Joined HMS Nile a 90 gun wooden sail of 1839, Commanded by Captain Edward King Barnard, flagship of Rear- Admiral Alexander Milne, Commander-in-chief North America and West Indies. (Part of the C-inC’s duties seems to have consisted a yearly visit to all the main Islands)
2nd January – Captain Barnard appointed to command of HMS Nile.
12th January – The ship was placed in the Keyham basin to have her defects made good and refitted.
18th January – A court Martial assembled on board the Impregnable and by adjournment the following day, for the Trial of Mr. John Henry Callaghan, boatswain belonging to the HMS Nile on three charges, two of indecent conduct and one of drunkenness, the evidence of the former being unfit for publication. The prisoner pleaded guilty to the latter charge and the court sentenced him to be imprisoned in the county gaol for 12 calendar months and at the expiration thereof, to be dismissed from her Majesty’s service and rendered incapable of serving again in any capacity in the naval service of her Majesty, her heirs, or successors.
5th April – The ship moved out of the harbour and exchanged salutes with the flag-ship
7th April – Was spent undergoing steam trials
18 April - Sailed for the West Indies Station carrying Lady Milne and family for Bermuda. There were reports in Plymouth that the ship had been lost but she arrived with only the loss of some masts
2nd to 13th June – At Bermuda; Rear Admiral Milne embarked
13th June – Left Bermuda and arrived in Halifax on the 19th June.
19th June to 6th December – Was spent based at Halifax
11th December to 19th January 1861 – Back at Bermuda
1861
February and March – Visited Antigua and Jamaica
In March 1861 an article appeared under the heading “Britannia’s Disgrace – The Cat-O’-Nine Tails” the article decries the use of the lash stating that “during the year 1859, 951 seamen underwent this form of punishment and no less than 30,320 lashes were inflicted.” Among the chief promoters of this form of punishment the writer includes Captain Barnard of HMS Nile
April and May – At Bermuda
June and July – At Halifax
August – Visited Quebec
September – Back to Halifax
Another press report Headlined “Court-Martial on the Officers and Crew of the Driver” read – A court-Martial assembled at Halifax on board the Diadem, 32, screw-frigate, on 30th September to try Commander Horatio Nelson of HMS Driver a 6 gun Paddle-Wheel Sloop and his Officers and Crew for the loss of the vessel. It appears that the Driver was sailing from Bermuda to Port Royal when she hit reef off the Bermuda Island on Mariguana on the 3rd August.
At the end of the four days hearing it was considered that the ship had been negligently lost, Commander Nelson was severely reprimanded and was admonished to be more careful for the future. The rest of the Officers and Crew were adjudged to be acquitted.
October – At Portland, Maine (for the visit to the USA of the Prince of Wales “...as the Royal barge left the wharf the British squadron all fired a salute of 21 guns and similar salutes were fired from the city...(in) the Royal Squadron the yards were manned, with strings of bunting and flags at every point...)
November to 10th December – At Halifax
15th December to March 1862 – Based at Bermuda (during this time there was a fatal accident which occurred when she was mooring and which caused the deaths of two seamen (Joseph Caine and George Lowman), two others were seriously injured and fourteen including Lieutenant Trotter were, more or less contused but all were recovering (eighty men were manning the capstan when they were ordered to ‘walk back’ as the anchor cable had become fouled – however the capstan took charge and flew back, killing two men and seriously injuring several others)
1862
May to November – Based at Halifax
December to 13th March 1863 – Back at Bermuda
1863
April – Visited St Thomas and Havana
18th March – Left Bermuda for St. Thomas Nassau and Havannah
May and June – At Bermuda
July and August – Back at Halifax
24th September – Left Halifax for New York
1st October – The British frigates Nile and Immortalite and the French frigates Guerrie and Belone have arrived at New York. Admiral Milne officially visited Mayor Opdyke.
(The following comes from the HMS Conway 1859 – 1974 Website --The battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 marked the highpoint of the Confederacy (I would have thought that this marked the turning point in favour of the union) who hoped for international recognition, especially from Britain and France. There were rumours that Britain would support the Confederacy and on Sept 15th the Union's Foreign Secretary Seward issued a notice to all consulates decrying Britain and France's belief that the Union could not win and that secession was likely.
I am led to understand that the Public Records Office records show there was steady communication between Milne, the Admiralty and the Duke Of Somerset - the First Lord Of The Admiralty from 1861 discussing the capacity, readiness and potential response of the North American Squadron to any interference with British merchant shipping. On 29 September 1863 Milne visited New York with what is described as the Russian Fleet (see New York Times archives). They remained for at least 4 weeks during which they were very well received by the people of New York and were entertained to balls and other events – the local businessmen (Roosevelt’s, Astor’s and Browns) forming a special committee for the purpose. There was a formal visit of New Yorkers to Nile. On October 12-15 Milne and Secretary Seward visited a number of fortifications together. Even at the time of the visit the Confederate side was still very strong.
There are suggestions? that this visit was a cover for high level negotiations with the Union which would decide finally whether or not Britain remained neutral in the American Civil War.
14th October – Left New York to return to Halifax after Admiral Milne had meetings with various members of government and with Lord Lyons attended by the Secretary of State and with an escort under General Heintzelman toured the fortifications on the South side of the Potomac.
October and November – At Halifax
12th December – Visited St Thomas
14th December – Visited Antigua
20th December – Visited Barbados
1864
6th to 23rd January – Visited Jamaica
February and March – At Bermuda
17th March - Left Bermuda to return to England
2nd April – Anchored at Spithead
9th April - Left Spithead for Plymouth
23rd April – The ship was paid off and a party of seamen and marines were taken by the paddle ship Geyser to Portsmouth.
HMS Canopus 24th April 1864 to 15th June 1864
24th April 1864 – Joined HMS Canopus an Ex-80 gun 3rd rate wooden sail of 1798, Commanded by Commander Charles Fenton Fletcher Boughey, Devonport (tender to Indus)
Majestic (Coastguard) 16th June 1864 to 31st August 1864
16th June 1864 transferred to Coastguard – Joined HMS Majestic An 80 gun 2nd rate wooden screw of 1853, Commanded by Captain James Aylmer Dorset Paynter, Coast Guard, Liverpool (replaced by Donegal)
14th August - Arrived in Plymouth from Liverpool for repairs. The Goshawk her tender also arrived. The crew of the Majestic were to be turned over to the Donegal who was to replace her at Liverpool.
HMS Donegal 1st September 1864 to 8th September 1872
His paperwork at this point includes a four page hand written report as to weather his service to date would qualify him for the coastguard clothing gratuity of £2-9s-4d which was going to be withheld until their Lordships ruled in his favour.
1st September 1864 – joined HMS Donegal a 81 gun 2nd rate wooden screw of 1858, Commanded 1/ (from commissioning at Plymouth) by Captain James Aylmer Dorset Paynter, Coast Guard, Liverpool (replacing Majestic). On 6 November 1865 Paynter received the surrender of CSS Shenandoah, the last vessel to fly the Confederate flag in the American civil war, which had completed an epic voyage from the Pacific Ocean.
2/ 1867 to 1869 - Commanded by Captain Edward Winterton Turnour, Coast Guard, Liverpool (and, May 1869, cruise of the Reserve Fleet) (replaced by Resistance)
11th November – After successful speed and machinery trials, the Donegal left for Liverpool,
On Friday the 18th November the Liverpool press reported – “The New Coast-Guard ship for the Mersey- HMS Donegal 99 guns, Captain Paynter, arrived in the Mersey on Wednesday afternoon last from Plymouth. The greater number of the Officers and crew of HMS Majestic, which left here in August last, have been transferred to the Donegal, which it is expected, will remain in the river for a considerable time as a guard-ship. The Donegal about three years ago formed one of the Channel fleet but was then detached to come to the Mersey. She is anchored off Rock Ferry”.
The Goshawk followed her, remaining as tender.
1865
Part of Captain Paynter’s duties seems to have been involved in sailing newly constructed ships to their Channel bases.
18th March - The Ironclad Ram HMS Scorpion (formally the El Toussant) to Devonport.
12th August – The 26 gun Ironclad HMS Agincourt to Devonport
11th November (Saturday) – The papers had began reporting “The Arrival of the Cruiser Shenandoah and her Surrender in the Mersey” – “The career of the cruiser Shenandoah has at last come to an end. There was little or no excitement consequent on her arrival at Liverpool on Monday. It was known early in the morning that a large screw steamer was at anchor outside the bar, waiting for water to bring her over and that she was a Confederate cruiser was evident from her flying the Confederate ensign. The Shenandoah (formally the steamer “Sea King”) had no guns on deck – all her armament being stowed away in boxes.
The Shenandoah has been delivered up to Captain Paynter of HMS Donegal.
On board the Shenandoah there are about 36 chronometers, together with a number of sextants, cabin furniture, furs and other articles of value, which are supposed to be part of the proceeds of Captain Waddell’s late raids amongst the Whalers of the Arctic seas. In her hold there still remains a large quantity of ammunition, together with 6 Shunt guns (cannon, in which the rifling on one side of the groove is made deeper than the other, to facilitate loading with shot having projections which enter by the deeper part of the grooves) and a large swivel gun.
1866
The main event of the year seems to be the June visit of Prince Alfred the Duke of Edinburgh to Liverpool and his visit to HMS Donegal
7th December – A newspaper report headlined – “Diabolical Attempt to Murder On Board HMS Donegal” It seems that some marines after taking part in rifle practice on the beach at New Ferry and returning to the ship, a young marine Thomas Townley retained an un-used cartridge and attempted to shoot the senior marine Sergeant Robert Urquhart who was sitting at a mess table on the lower deck. He seems to have been not a very good shot however but the sergeant lose a forefinger and an injury to his nose. Townley claimed that the cause was in revenge for Sergeant Urquhart having stopped his leave twelve months ago.
1867
6th May – It was reported that Captain Edward.W. Turnour had been appointed to the command of HMS Donegal as Captain Prynter’s term of service had expired.
17th July – Taking part in the Spithead Review in honour of the visit to England by his Imperial Majesty the Sultan of Turkey
24th July – Left Spithead to return to Liverpool
1869 replaced by Resistance
14th June – Came into Portsmouth from Spithead after the cruise of the reserve fleet, for her officers and crew to be turned over to the Armoured screw ship HMS Resistance who will replace her as the coastguard ship at Birkenhead.
28th July – The Liverpool papers reported – HMS Resistance – this magnificent vessel which has taken the place of the Donegal as guardship of this port, will we understand be thrown open for public inspection on Monday and Thursday next.
Coastguard Locations.
His papers show that throughout his Coastguard service he was carried on the books of the Coastguard ship stationed in the Mersey.
HMS Majestic – 16th June 1864 to 31st August 1864
HMS Donegal – 1st September 1864 to 1869
HMS Resistance – 1869 to 30th June 1873
HMS Caledonia – 1st July 1873 to 31st March 1875
HMS Achilles – 1st April 1875 to 16th May 1877
HMS Resistance – 17th May 1877 to 14th June 1880
HMS Defence – 15th June 1880 to 27th August 1885
HMS Hotspur – 28th August 1885 to 17th July 1886
With the Base ship HMS Donegal and then Resistance based in the Mersey, Ayling Tall’s papers show him to have been based at the Lytham station, which was located just six miles below Blackpool, at the head of the River Ribble’s estuary leading to Preston.
In 1873, he moved to Padstow (Mawgan Porth is listed on the British Coastguard website) on the North Coast of Cornwall
3rd February 1878 - he moved again to South East Wales, first to Porthcawl and then in December 1879 to Penarth on the outskirts of Cardiff.
He remained at Penarth until he was Pensioned on 17th July 1886
A few personal details most of which came with the medal,
1851 Farm Servant at Woodleigh, Devon [HO107/1876/133]
1861 Aboard HMS Nile [RG9/4437/140]
1871 Mawgan Porth Cornwall
1881 Penarth Glamorgan
1891 Caretaker at Cardiff St Mary, Glamorgan [RG12/4396/140]
1901 On pension at Canton, Cardiff, Glamorgan [RG13/4987/50]
His wife Louisa - born 1843 Morice Town, Devonport
Children:-
1/ John - born 1865 Lytham Lancashire - Baptism: 9 Apr 1865 St John the Divine, Lytham, Lancashire, England. John Tall - Child of Ayling Tall & Louisa. Abode: Lytham. Occupation: Coast guard. Baptised by: R. S. Stoney. Register: Baptisms 1849 - 1900, Page 57, Entry 454
2/ William - born 1866 Lytham
3/ Elizabeth - born 1868 Lytham
4/ Ellen - born 1872 Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
6/ Louisa - born 1878 Trebetherick, St. Minver, Cornwall
In the 1901 census Ayling Tall is shown as a Navy Man Pensioner aged 62, living with his wife Louisa age 59 and daughter (also) Louisa age 23 at Number 20, Surrey Street, Canton, Cardiff.
It is also of interest to note that a John Tall born Lytham, Lancashire 24th January 1865 joined the Navy as 117029 - Ref, ADM 188/149
Also a William Tall born Lytham, Lancashire, 19th February 1866 also joined as 115724 - ADM 188/146
Both of whom also appear to have joined the coastguard service later in life.
Long Service & Good Conduct (Engraved 1875-1877 Issue) awarded 28th June 1875
Also awarded the Crimea Medal bar Sebastopol and the Turkish Medal
This came as one of a pair of Long Service medals, one to Aaron Tall and this one to Ayling Tall. So far I have been unable to establish if there is any relationship between the two, all I can say for sure is that they both came from South Devon and Ayling was 8 years older than Aaron. The National Archives also show that the name of Tall was not that uncommon around the time of their births in the Devon area.
With Aaron, his post 1873 service were listed under his correct name where as his pre 1873 papers were listed as Aaron Fall.
With Ayling, his pre 1873 papers are listed under his correct name but his post papers are listed as Ayling Jall.
Ayling Tall was Born:- Knightsbridge, Devon. 28th February 1838 Trade: Not Shown
18th August 1852 - Joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd class on HMS Impregnable at the age of 14 years and 5 months.
He received the Crimea Medal with the bar Sebastopol and the Turkish medal for service on HMS Inflexible (both missing). As well as the Naval LS&GC “Narrow engraved issue” on the 28th June 1875 as Commissioned Boatman in H. M. Coastguard.
He was also in possession of Three Good Conduct Badges
His Service Progression was:-
Boy 2nd Class – 18th August 1852 to 15th April 1855
Boy 1st Class – 16th April 1855 to 25th July 1855
Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class – 26th July 1855 to 14th November 1855
Ordinary Seaman – 15th November 1855 to 30th June 1857
Able Seaman – 1st July 1857 to 30th April 1861
Leading Seaman – 1st May 1861 to 5th November 1863
2nd Captain of the Main Mast – 6th November 1863 to 15th June 1864
Transfer to Coastguard
Boatman - 16th June 1864 to 8th December 1872
Commissioned Boatman – 9th December 1872 to 23rd January 1878
Chief Boatman – 24th January 1878 to 17th July 1886 – Pensioned to Shore.
HMS Impregnable 18th August 1852 to 9th September 1853
18th August 1852 – Joined HMS Impregnable a 2nd rate wooden sail of 1810, Commanded by Captain Arthur Lowe, flagship of Admiral John Acworth Ommanney, Devonport (Deputy controller-general of the coastguard)
During his time on Impregnable, the ship played host to a number of Court-Martial’s with Captain Lowe being a member of the Court.
12th January? 1863 to 22nd February was spent in hospital DS2 (DSQ? Discharged to sick quarters)
13th January 1853 – The papers announced the award of a Royal Humane Society silver medal to William Pope a 17 year old Boy seaman who had jumped with all his clothes on into the canal at Maida-hill and saved two children called Allkins, a boy of 18 months and a girl of 5 years who had fallen into the Regents Canal
HMS Inflexible 10th September 1853 to 15th August 1855
10th September 1853 – Joined HMS Inflexible a 6 gun 1st class wooden Paddle Sloop of 1845, Commanded by Commander George Otway Popplewell, Mediterranean (and Black Sea during the Russian War carrying a crew of 160 men)
His papers give no indication as to how he joined her as Inflexible had left England almost a year ago.
10th September 1853 – apparently in Besika Bay, Turkey, under the command of Commander George Popplewell who had been promoted to the command in July after the death of Commander G.R. Woolridge.
14th September – To Rhodes to take the surgeon of HMS Britannia to assist with outbreak of smallpox
15th September to 22nd October – At Besika Bay
22nd October – Sailed with the combined French and British fleets (she towed Bellerophon for part of the voyage) for Constantinople
23rd October – The fleet anchored at Beicos Bay in the Bosphorus
23rd October to February 1854 - In Beicos Bay (at Constantinople 21 – 23 Dec & again 16 Jan – Constantinople for stores & coal)
1854
7th February – In company with other French & British warships escorted several Turkish transports into the Black Sea, to Sinope
March – Escorted Turkish troop transports to Varna
From April 1854 to April 1855 – She was in the Black Sea, based at Varna, essentially tasked to watch the coast between the Danuba and Varna. She evidently made occasional trips to Constantinople for stores and fuel, she was also used to transport troops along the coast and also to carry despatches and officers to the main fleet off Sevastopol
2nd June – In company with HMS Firebrand they captured six merchant ships, believed carrying stores for the enemy, at Baltschik
17th July – boats of Vesuvius, Inflexible and Spitfire armed and manned to take part in the attack on the town of Sulina, which was left ablaze
27th July 1854 – Arrived at Constantinople with seven prizes from the Sulina mouth of the Danube.
4th October - In company with the Sidon and French warships Caton and Cacique, attacked troops seen moving along the coast, at Fort Nikolaev, near the mouth of the river Dnieper. Russian shore positions returned fire, using hot shot and rockets but with little effect. (This was part of a diversion to help cover the landing of the British Naval Brigade and their guns)
December – Carried senior Turkish officers to Sevastopol
1855
March 55 – At the scene of three British transports wrecked in western Black Sea; rescued 60 men
May and June – On the coast of Crimea, either at Kamiesch Bay or off Sevastopol
4th July – Left the Crimea sailing from Kamiesch for England
7th July – Constantinople
11th to 13th July – Smyrna
17th July 1855 – Arrived at Malta on her way back to England but was ordered to divert to Tripoli leaving on the 19th. (This was due to an Arab Insurrection) taking Her Majesties Consul-General Col. Herman who had been on leave in Malta.
20th to 22nd July – At Tripoli
23rd July – Back at Malta and sailed for England on the 25th.
6th August – Arrived Plymouth
15th August – The ship paid off
The roll states that his Crimea medal sent to HMS Havannah on 17/11/56. The roll also shows entitlement to the Sebastopol clasp (missing) and the Turkish medal
HMS Havannah 16th August 1855 to 19th November 1859
16th August 1855 – Joined HMS Havannah a 36 gun wooden Sail of 1811, now having been “cut-down” to a 24 gun 6th rate in 1845, Commanded by Captain Thomas Harvey, on the Pacific Station
18th August – At Devonport receiving her Marine contingent
22nd September – Captain Harvey attended (as a member of the court) the Court-Martial of Lieut. C. O. Wood of HMS Castor who was accused of Drunkenness, assault and disgusting language. The court found the accusations not proved.
5th October – Moved from the harbour to Plymouth Sound, saluted the flag of the Commander-in-Chief and embarked the outstanding stores (powder etc.) On the 9th the ship was inspected and mustered by Admiral Sir W. Parker. On the 10th, the crew were paid their wages in advance.
11th October – Sailed; but returned soon after, “detained by contrary winds”
13th October – Sailed (again) for the Pacific Station taking supernumerary 2nd class boys and the mails “for Rio and Valparaiso”
1856
January – At Talcahuano
February – At Valparaiso
April – At Callao
13th May – Reported to be in Callao.
20th August - Left Panama for San Francisco arriving on the 15th October
5th November – Arrived at Mazatlan and sailed for Guaymat on the 5th.
1857
January – Visited the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii)
February – At Valparaiso
June – In Panama
September and October – Visited San Francisco
November – Spent at Mozatlan and Guaymat
1858
14th February - May 1858 – At Panama but under orders to sail for Vancouver Island to convey a party of 50 men of the Royal Engineers who are expected to arrive there on the next west Indian Mail steamer and will be engaged in define the land boundary between the USA and Canada
4th May - Sailed from the Island of Tobago off Balboa, for Vancouver Island.
June and July – At Vancouver
....Visited the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii)
December – Back at Valparaiso
1859
15th July – In Panama Bay having just returned from a short cruise on the coast of Central America, she was expected to leave shortly by Cape Horn for England.
7th November – Arrived at Devonport after a voyage of 107 days from Panama. She had rounded Cape Horn on 13th October.
19th November – Paid off at Devonport, Lieutenant C.F.F. Boughey the first Lieutenant was promoted to Commander in consequence of his long service and the creditable state of which the ship was on being paid off.
HMS Impregnable 20th November 1859 to 7th January 1860
20th November 1859 – Joined HMS Impregnable Commanded by Captain William Houston Stewart, flagship of Vice-Admiral Barrington Reynolds (Commander-in-Chief Devonport) Plymouth.
HMS Nile 8th January 1860 to 23rd April 1864
8th January 1860 – Joined HMS Nile a 90 gun wooden sail of 1839, Commanded by Captain Edward King Barnard, flagship of Rear- Admiral Alexander Milne, Commander-in-chief North America and West Indies. (Part of the C-inC’s duties seems to have consisted a yearly visit to all the main Islands)
2nd January – Captain Barnard appointed to command of HMS Nile.
12th January – The ship was placed in the Keyham basin to have her defects made good and refitted.
18th January – A court Martial assembled on board the Impregnable and by adjournment the following day, for the Trial of Mr. John Henry Callaghan, boatswain belonging to the HMS Nile on three charges, two of indecent conduct and one of drunkenness, the evidence of the former being unfit for publication. The prisoner pleaded guilty to the latter charge and the court sentenced him to be imprisoned in the county gaol for 12 calendar months and at the expiration thereof, to be dismissed from her Majesty’s service and rendered incapable of serving again in any capacity in the naval service of her Majesty, her heirs, or successors.
5th April – The ship moved out of the harbour and exchanged salutes with the flag-ship
7th April – Was spent undergoing steam trials
18 April - Sailed for the West Indies Station carrying Lady Milne and family for Bermuda. There were reports in Plymouth that the ship had been lost but she arrived with only the loss of some masts
2nd to 13th June – At Bermuda; Rear Admiral Milne embarked
13th June – Left Bermuda and arrived in Halifax on the 19th June.
19th June to 6th December – Was spent based at Halifax
11th December to 19th January 1861 – Back at Bermuda
1861
February and March – Visited Antigua and Jamaica
In March 1861 an article appeared under the heading “Britannia’s Disgrace – The Cat-O’-Nine Tails” the article decries the use of the lash stating that “during the year 1859, 951 seamen underwent this form of punishment and no less than 30,320 lashes were inflicted.” Among the chief promoters of this form of punishment the writer includes Captain Barnard of HMS Nile
April and May – At Bermuda
June and July – At Halifax
August – Visited Quebec
September – Back to Halifax
Another press report Headlined “Court-Martial on the Officers and Crew of the Driver” read – A court-Martial assembled at Halifax on board the Diadem, 32, screw-frigate, on 30th September to try Commander Horatio Nelson of HMS Driver a 6 gun Paddle-Wheel Sloop and his Officers and Crew for the loss of the vessel. It appears that the Driver was sailing from Bermuda to Port Royal when she hit reef off the Bermuda Island on Mariguana on the 3rd August.
At the end of the four days hearing it was considered that the ship had been negligently lost, Commander Nelson was severely reprimanded and was admonished to be more careful for the future. The rest of the Officers and Crew were adjudged to be acquitted.
October – At Portland, Maine (for the visit to the USA of the Prince of Wales “...as the Royal barge left the wharf the British squadron all fired a salute of 21 guns and similar salutes were fired from the city...(in) the Royal Squadron the yards were manned, with strings of bunting and flags at every point...)
November to 10th December – At Halifax
15th December to March 1862 – Based at Bermuda (during this time there was a fatal accident which occurred when she was mooring and which caused the deaths of two seamen (Joseph Caine and George Lowman), two others were seriously injured and fourteen including Lieutenant Trotter were, more or less contused but all were recovering (eighty men were manning the capstan when they were ordered to ‘walk back’ as the anchor cable had become fouled – however the capstan took charge and flew back, killing two men and seriously injuring several others)
1862
May to November – Based at Halifax
December to 13th March 1863 – Back at Bermuda
1863
April – Visited St Thomas and Havana
18th March – Left Bermuda for St. Thomas Nassau and Havannah
May and June – At Bermuda
July and August – Back at Halifax
24th September – Left Halifax for New York
1st October – The British frigates Nile and Immortalite and the French frigates Guerrie and Belone have arrived at New York. Admiral Milne officially visited Mayor Opdyke.
(The following comes from the HMS Conway 1859 – 1974 Website --The battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 marked the highpoint of the Confederacy (I would have thought that this marked the turning point in favour of the union) who hoped for international recognition, especially from Britain and France. There were rumours that Britain would support the Confederacy and on Sept 15th the Union's Foreign Secretary Seward issued a notice to all consulates decrying Britain and France's belief that the Union could not win and that secession was likely.
I am led to understand that the Public Records Office records show there was steady communication between Milne, the Admiralty and the Duke Of Somerset - the First Lord Of The Admiralty from 1861 discussing the capacity, readiness and potential response of the North American Squadron to any interference with British merchant shipping. On 29 September 1863 Milne visited New York with what is described as the Russian Fleet (see New York Times archives). They remained for at least 4 weeks during which they were very well received by the people of New York and were entertained to balls and other events – the local businessmen (Roosevelt’s, Astor’s and Browns) forming a special committee for the purpose. There was a formal visit of New Yorkers to Nile. On October 12-15 Milne and Secretary Seward visited a number of fortifications together. Even at the time of the visit the Confederate side was still very strong.
There are suggestions? that this visit was a cover for high level negotiations with the Union which would decide finally whether or not Britain remained neutral in the American Civil War.
14th October – Left New York to return to Halifax after Admiral Milne had meetings with various members of government and with Lord Lyons attended by the Secretary of State and with an escort under General Heintzelman toured the fortifications on the South side of the Potomac.
October and November – At Halifax
12th December – Visited St Thomas
14th December – Visited Antigua
20th December – Visited Barbados
1864
6th to 23rd January – Visited Jamaica
February and March – At Bermuda
17th March - Left Bermuda to return to England
2nd April – Anchored at Spithead
9th April - Left Spithead for Plymouth
23rd April – The ship was paid off and a party of seamen and marines were taken by the paddle ship Geyser to Portsmouth.
HMS Canopus 24th April 1864 to 15th June 1864
24th April 1864 – Joined HMS Canopus an Ex-80 gun 3rd rate wooden sail of 1798, Commanded by Commander Charles Fenton Fletcher Boughey, Devonport (tender to Indus)
Majestic (Coastguard) 16th June 1864 to 31st August 1864
16th June 1864 transferred to Coastguard – Joined HMS Majestic An 80 gun 2nd rate wooden screw of 1853, Commanded by Captain James Aylmer Dorset Paynter, Coast Guard, Liverpool (replaced by Donegal)
14th August - Arrived in Plymouth from Liverpool for repairs. The Goshawk her tender also arrived. The crew of the Majestic were to be turned over to the Donegal who was to replace her at Liverpool.
HMS Donegal 1st September 1864 to 8th September 1872
His paperwork at this point includes a four page hand written report as to weather his service to date would qualify him for the coastguard clothing gratuity of £2-9s-4d which was going to be withheld until their Lordships ruled in his favour.
1st September 1864 – joined HMS Donegal a 81 gun 2nd rate wooden screw of 1858, Commanded 1/ (from commissioning at Plymouth) by Captain James Aylmer Dorset Paynter, Coast Guard, Liverpool (replacing Majestic). On 6 November 1865 Paynter received the surrender of CSS Shenandoah, the last vessel to fly the Confederate flag in the American civil war, which had completed an epic voyage from the Pacific Ocean.
2/ 1867 to 1869 - Commanded by Captain Edward Winterton Turnour, Coast Guard, Liverpool (and, May 1869, cruise of the Reserve Fleet) (replaced by Resistance)
11th November – After successful speed and machinery trials, the Donegal left for Liverpool,
On Friday the 18th November the Liverpool press reported – “The New Coast-Guard ship for the Mersey- HMS Donegal 99 guns, Captain Paynter, arrived in the Mersey on Wednesday afternoon last from Plymouth. The greater number of the Officers and crew of HMS Majestic, which left here in August last, have been transferred to the Donegal, which it is expected, will remain in the river for a considerable time as a guard-ship. The Donegal about three years ago formed one of the Channel fleet but was then detached to come to the Mersey. She is anchored off Rock Ferry”.
The Goshawk followed her, remaining as tender.
1865
Part of Captain Paynter’s duties seems to have been involved in sailing newly constructed ships to their Channel bases.
18th March - The Ironclad Ram HMS Scorpion (formally the El Toussant) to Devonport.
12th August – The 26 gun Ironclad HMS Agincourt to Devonport
11th November (Saturday) – The papers had began reporting “The Arrival of the Cruiser Shenandoah and her Surrender in the Mersey” – “The career of the cruiser Shenandoah has at last come to an end. There was little or no excitement consequent on her arrival at Liverpool on Monday. It was known early in the morning that a large screw steamer was at anchor outside the bar, waiting for water to bring her over and that she was a Confederate cruiser was evident from her flying the Confederate ensign. The Shenandoah (formally the steamer “Sea King”) had no guns on deck – all her armament being stowed away in boxes.
The Shenandoah has been delivered up to Captain Paynter of HMS Donegal.
On board the Shenandoah there are about 36 chronometers, together with a number of sextants, cabin furniture, furs and other articles of value, which are supposed to be part of the proceeds of Captain Waddell’s late raids amongst the Whalers of the Arctic seas. In her hold there still remains a large quantity of ammunition, together with 6 Shunt guns (cannon, in which the rifling on one side of the groove is made deeper than the other, to facilitate loading with shot having projections which enter by the deeper part of the grooves) and a large swivel gun.
1866
The main event of the year seems to be the June visit of Prince Alfred the Duke of Edinburgh to Liverpool and his visit to HMS Donegal
7th December – A newspaper report headlined – “Diabolical Attempt to Murder On Board HMS Donegal” It seems that some marines after taking part in rifle practice on the beach at New Ferry and returning to the ship, a young marine Thomas Townley retained an un-used cartridge and attempted to shoot the senior marine Sergeant Robert Urquhart who was sitting at a mess table on the lower deck. He seems to have been not a very good shot however but the sergeant lose a forefinger and an injury to his nose. Townley claimed that the cause was in revenge for Sergeant Urquhart having stopped his leave twelve months ago.
1867
6th May – It was reported that Captain Edward.W. Turnour had been appointed to the command of HMS Donegal as Captain Prynter’s term of service had expired.
17th July – Taking part in the Spithead Review in honour of the visit to England by his Imperial Majesty the Sultan of Turkey
24th July – Left Spithead to return to Liverpool
1869 replaced by Resistance
14th June – Came into Portsmouth from Spithead after the cruise of the reserve fleet, for her officers and crew to be turned over to the Armoured screw ship HMS Resistance who will replace her as the coastguard ship at Birkenhead.
28th July – The Liverpool papers reported – HMS Resistance – this magnificent vessel which has taken the place of the Donegal as guardship of this port, will we understand be thrown open for public inspection on Monday and Thursday next.
Coastguard Locations.
His papers show that throughout his Coastguard service he was carried on the books of the Coastguard ship stationed in the Mersey.
HMS Majestic – 16th June 1864 to 31st August 1864
HMS Donegal – 1st September 1864 to 1869
HMS Resistance – 1869 to 30th June 1873
HMS Caledonia – 1st July 1873 to 31st March 1875
HMS Achilles – 1st April 1875 to 16th May 1877
HMS Resistance – 17th May 1877 to 14th June 1880
HMS Defence – 15th June 1880 to 27th August 1885
HMS Hotspur – 28th August 1885 to 17th July 1886
With the Base ship HMS Donegal and then Resistance based in the Mersey, Ayling Tall’s papers show him to have been based at the Lytham station, which was located just six miles below Blackpool, at the head of the River Ribble’s estuary leading to Preston.
In 1873, he moved to Padstow (Mawgan Porth is listed on the British Coastguard website) on the North Coast of Cornwall
3rd February 1878 - he moved again to South East Wales, first to Porthcawl and then in December 1879 to Penarth on the outskirts of Cardiff.
He remained at Penarth until he was Pensioned on 17th July 1886
A few personal details most of which came with the medal,
1851 Farm Servant at Woodleigh, Devon [HO107/1876/133]
1861 Aboard HMS Nile [RG9/4437/140]
1871 Mawgan Porth Cornwall
1881 Penarth Glamorgan
1891 Caretaker at Cardiff St Mary, Glamorgan [RG12/4396/140]
1901 On pension at Canton, Cardiff, Glamorgan [RG13/4987/50]
His wife Louisa - born 1843 Morice Town, Devonport
Children:-
1/ John - born 1865 Lytham Lancashire - Baptism: 9 Apr 1865 St John the Divine, Lytham, Lancashire, England. John Tall - Child of Ayling Tall & Louisa. Abode: Lytham. Occupation: Coast guard. Baptised by: R. S. Stoney. Register: Baptisms 1849 - 1900, Page 57, Entry 454
2/ William - born 1866 Lytham
3/ Elizabeth - born 1868 Lytham
4/ Ellen - born 1872 Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
6/ Louisa - born 1878 Trebetherick, St. Minver, Cornwall
In the 1901 census Ayling Tall is shown as a Navy Man Pensioner aged 62, living with his wife Louisa age 59 and daughter (also) Louisa age 23 at Number 20, Surrey Street, Canton, Cardiff.
It is also of interest to note that a John Tall born Lytham, Lancashire 24th January 1865 joined the Navy as 117029 - Ref, ADM 188/149
Also a William Tall born Lytham, Lancashire, 19th February 1866 also joined as 115724 - ADM 188/146
Both of whom also appear to have joined the coastguard service later in life.