Part of the
Acorn Archive
Hearts of Oak
Charles Lewis
Royal Navy [1891-1905]
West Africa Station
1900-1904
Part 3
Written 1900-1904 on HMS BLANCHE
Continuing in the Diary ….
1902
Left for Port Nolloth, calling
at Saldhana Bay en route, found PEARL and THRUSH at Port Nolloth. THRUSH had
best part of her ship’s company down with fever, so had to send a party from
this ship aboard her, to get her under way, so she could proceed to Simon’s
Town; our party returned on board as soon as the anchor was up. We left for
Lambert’s Bay, which we looked upon as our head quarters.
The FORTE came around with our
mails, sent the cutter after them, the FORTE doing her best to sink her whilst
alongside! We left for Port Nolloth along with the FORTE, but owing to the fog,
we went on by ourself, arrived at port Nolloth, then made preparations to go
out and look for the FORTE, as she had not turned up; but before we had time to
get out, she arrived, with her bows smashed in having been in collision with SS
NAUTILUS, a small local coaster. We then left for Lambert’s Bay, owing to the
weather being so rough, we could not anchor there, but proceeded on to Saldhana
Bay, along with the BARRACOUTA. Whilst in this place, we had the news of Peace
being proclaimed; we celebrated the event by giving a day off.
Left for Simon’s Bay, arrived,
coaled provisioned, drew stores etc., and left for Zanzibar, for the King’s
Coronation, calling in at Cape Augullas, as there was a ship ashore there. Found
we could do nothing for her so proceeded on to Delagoa Bay, carrying out a
steam trial on the way. Arrived at Delagoa Bay, coaled ship and left the next
day for Zanzibar, arriving there alright. I and a few more hands landed to rig
up fire works etc, for the Coronation, when we were half way through, we got
the news that the King was very ill; therefore the Coronation was postponed;
Gave a farewell concert on board to our Captain M T Parkes, who was invalided
home.
Left with the TERPSICHORE for
Mozambique to join the Fleet, we arrived alright. Cheered out a Portuguese
Gunboat who was homeward bound to pay off. Met the Fleet, picked up our Station
and proceeded to Zanzibar; On arrival there we heard that during our absence,
the Sultan of Zanzibar had died, and was buried the same day, as we arrived,
trouble was expected amongst the Natives, but they were very quiet during our
stay. A mild kind of pox broke out on board, so we were put in quarantine for
14 days, and sent to a place called Grave Island, a very appropriate place to
send small pox cases; we then left with the Fleet for Mombassa, PEARL and us
was then sent on to Lamu; Found the Fleet again at sea, and anchored that night
at Pemba Island.
Next day done our heavy gun
firing at sea and proceeded to Zanzibar; just as Fleet was anchoring a man fell
overboard from Flagship but was picked up by the PEARL’s boat. Next two days
had a sailing regatta, but our boats did not do anything; during our stay here,
Coronation came off; Our ship was gaily dressed with flags; In the night she
was illuminated with coloured lights. In the morning I and a few more hands
landed to rig up the fireworks, which was a perfect success, so successful,
that General Ricks, the Sultan’s Commander in Chief, paid all our expenses for
the day and gave us a sovereign each for our trouble.
I must say Zanzibar kept up
Coronation alright, the town being gaily decorated for the occasion with flags
and coloured lights, the Niggers in their Native Costumes danced for three days
and nights – no stopping, as one drops exhausted, another takes his place. The
Fleet left for Killidini and Mombassa arriving alright; On Sunday, the Men of
the Fleet were invited to a trip up the Uganda railway to a place called
Majeras, 14 miles from Mombassa; we had a lovely day of it. The railway had not
been open long. They did not use coal on the railway, the engines burning wood.
It was very amusing to watch the trains stop and the engine drivers get off and
filled up with wood which was stacked in heaps alongside the railway. The
country we travelled through was looking something splendid, the trees and the
grass, being beautiful and green. The grass growing so high that it was higher
than our heads, fruit and cocoa nuts seem very plentiful, on the whole it
seemed a grand place for anyone to go farming.
At Kilidini, the pulling
regatta was held, us and the TERPSICHORE being at Mombassa, the Flagship
GIBRALTAR’s ship’s company kindly invited our sip’s company on board to spend a
day with them; needless to say your “humble” being one of the grateful ones who
accepted the invitation; and taking it all round, spent a very enjoyable day.
Soon after the regatta was held, we left Mombassa for Chaki Chaki, where we had
a boats sailing race for a Cup, presented by Admiral A W Moore. The Cup being
won in fine style by the PEARL’s galley, afterwards we left for Zanzibar, where
we did he usual things after being any length of time away from a coal depot,
ie coaling, clean ship, etc.,.
[Charles Lewis writes a
letter home, dated Sunday 24th August 1902]
From Nr 5 Mess, HMS BLANCHE,
Zanzibar, East Coast Africa
Dear George. Just a few lines
to let you know that I am getting on alright, hoping you all at home are the
same. I received your Alice’s letters
and all the papers alright up to date. I have enclosed 5/- [five shillings]
for you to help defray expenses and I have sent on the silk handkerchief which
I promised to send a long tome ago also a Kruger shilling and a shawl for
Alice. ….
Dear George, we have been
having great doings this last few months cruising up and down this coast with
the Fleet, so you can tell we have been having a lively time of it. We kept up
Coronation Day Aug 9th the crew had a day off on shore, the place
was dressed up something grand …. [ he continues with a similar description
as above, and continues] …
The Admiral and Officers of
the Fleet had a grand turn out whilts we were there. They went for a 10 day
trip up the Uganda Railway about 5 or 6 hundred miles up. They brought back
plenty of game with them.
[then Charles Lewis relates
his own experiences on the train, as above and closes in personal matters]
Whilst the ship was in dock in
Capetown, I had a trip out to Rondesbosch to see Groote Schuur, Cecil Rhodes’ home;
what a lovely place he had, beautiful gardens, park and zoo; one could spend
days walking about that place; I think South Africa as lovely Country, the
towns remind me so much of home; The people are so nice and kind to our chaps.
Raymond Forward