QUEEN, 98
Like leaves on trees the race of man is found,
Now green in youth, now with’ring on the ground;
Another race the following spring supplies,
They fall successive, and successive rise;
So generations in their course decay,
So flourish these when those are passed away.—Iliad.
In this ship I found a new race of men, all strangers to me with the exception of five. I was recommended to Captain Hutt, commanding the Queen, 98, fitting in Portsmouth Harbour, by my late friend Admiral Bourmaster, and joined her early in 1793. I had not been long on board when I was ordered with a party of seamen to fit out the Conflagration fireship, Lieutenant Laurie (now Sir Robert) superintending. Having received orders to fit for foreign service, we proceeded to Spithead and hoisted the flag (blue at the mizen) of Rear-Admiral Gardner, and having rigged the Conflagration returned to our ship. The Queen being ordered to the West Indies, I made (like a fool) application to Captain Bourmaster to get me removed to the Berwick, 74, commanded by Sir John Collins, Knight, fitting for the Mediterranean, to which place I wished much to go. After long consideration he agreed to my request; at the same time observing that I stood in my own light and that I would lose promotion by taking such a step. This I well knew; but the hatred I had for the West Indies made me blind to my own interest. When I saw Captain Hutt I found it no easy matter to bring him to my way of thinking, and it was a long time before he would give his consent. I remember when he sent for me in his cabin, I fell over a small case that happened to be in the way and broke my shins, for which he called me a damned clumsy fellow and said I deserved what I got for wishing to leave the ship, and that I would bitterly repent it when I found others promoted and myself left out. However, he gave me my discharge and a very good certificate, shook hands with me and wished me success. He was one of the strictest officers in the navy, an excellent sailor, and woe betide those that were slack in carrying on the duty. He had a stern look, with a penetrating eye that would pierce through those who he questioned, and in him the service lost an officer not easily replaced.
Our first lieutenant, old Constable, was a devil of a tyrant. When first I asked him leave to go on shore for a few hours, he said he would see me in hell first; and on my thanking him for his kindness, he swore if I did so again he would try me by a court martial for my politeness. I was once starting[[84]] the jolly-boat boys for being slack in getting into the boat, when old Constable being present and observing what I was about, ‘Damn my eyes, sir,’ says he, ‘that’s not the way; you should take a handspike and knock their brains out.’ He was a good sailor and an indefatigable first lieutenant, but fractious and disagreeable; yet on shore quite the reverse. Our second lieutenant, Billy Bedford, was very particular and fidgety, and would nig-nag all day long about trifles. We had a very droll midshipman (George Milner) who would take him off in the most laughable manner by jumping round a cask, grinning most horribly and singing Nig-nig-nag and Fidgetyfidgety-fum, until the tears would start from his eyes. This was for getting a rub down from Bedford, who he swore was only fit to be a cooper, and to jump round a cask.
We had many droll and good fellows among our midshipmen. I shall mention a few; and first, Flinders (one of the mates) who I messed with in the main hatchway berth on the lower deck. He was well acquainted with ancient history and wrote notes on what he read with sound observations. He was very fond of a drop, and would expatiate on the character of Alexander the Great, and said had he been present at the drinking party, Promachus would not have won the talent so easy, and he would have pledged Alexander himself with a bowl they had in his family against that of Hercules.
Jack Barrett (who commanded the Minotaur, 74, when she was lost) was another droll hand, the life and soul of the ship. He was a most worthy fellow and departed this life with the character of a brave and meritorious officer, lamented by a numerous acquaintance. James McPherson Rice, my worthy messmate, thou art also gone. A most excellent fellow, a great mathematician, well read, and respected by everyone that knew him. Out of the whole mess I am the only one left—Flinders, Meager, Milner, etc., etc., etc., all gone; and of the forty-eight that were on board, thirty-six have departed for that bourne from whence no traveller returns, as the following list will show:—