Forty years of 'Spy'

by Sir Leslie Ward

On Saturday the weather turned stormy, and I found that even a man-of-war didn't glide smoothly through a rough sea in the Bay of Biscay; and, although I managed to put in an appearance at Church service on Sunday, I thought it more discreet to remain in my cabin during the gale; but on Monday the Duke, finding that I didn't appear at the luncheon table, sent for me, and with difficulty I dragged myself to my place.

"Now," said he, "I am going to be your doctor, and you must take the prescription I give you. It is the only cure for sea-sickness." So at his suggestion I drank one glass of champagne and presently another, but when it came to the third proposal I politely declined, for although the first two glasses had a most comforting effect "yet another" would have proved the last straw. "Very well," said he, in mock sternness, "when you want medical aid in future don't come to me for it." But I was better.

We continued our voyage with three incidents on the way. A man overboard—the funeral of a stoker on board the Hector, which was impressive, the court-martial of an offender on the Defence, and a sudden dense fog that came on suddenly when the ships were manœuvring and crossing one another. Every light was ordered out, and I went on the bridge where I found both Sir William Hewitt and the Captain. The former, who realized the danger of the situation, and who was always ready with chaff, said to me:

"You had better go down to your cabin and get a wicker chair ready for emergency. There will be no life-belt for you in case of a collision as there are only just enough for the crew and of course they come first."

I needn't say that the precaution didn't recommend itself to me. I thought to myself if the ship goes down I shall go with her; but the fog cleared off quite suddenly, and although three of the ships were lost to sight they turned up in the morning.

During the cruise I heard on all sides how highly regarded the Duke of Edinburgh was as a seaman and a commanding officer, and he was undoubtedly much liked by those with whom he came in close contact. To his guests on board he was kindness itself, and he could be most entertaining. He told us his experiences of boyhood, how he had been treated just as any other middy, and subject to their backslidings also if one might judge by the account of severe punishments which had their place in the stories. He talked much of Russia, and told us how well the palace was guarded, that none but members of the Imperial Family were allowed to enter by the principal entrance, and that on one occasion he, being unrecognized by a sentry was challenged, and that he had to beat an ignominious retreat, and go round by the equerries' door. Not only were his experiences and travels most interesting, but he had an extraordinary good ear for dialect; with him a good yarn lost nothing in the telling, and he could hit off a type in a very few words. When he had an half-hour to spare in the evenings we would play a game I introduced of "drawing consequences," which is played in much the same way as the ordinary schoolroom game, except that one fills the required space with contributory drawing in place of the usual words. H.R.H. came out well under its inspiration, and the combined results of our drawings were occasionally very amusing.

One evening he produced a crystal and inset was a very tiny portrait of Dowager Empress of Russia, which the company mistook for a miniature, and thought it marvellous that any human eye could see to produce it. I at once detected that a photograph was behind it, and that it was in fact a very minutely reduced and tinted photograph. I am afraid I destroyed the general illusion. The Duke smiled, he was very sincere in his love of art, and particularly proud of the talent of his sister the Princess Royal—Empress Frederick of Germany, whose pictures he spoke of in the highest terms, an opinion which I had heard frequently endorsed.

On Thursday we sighted the Spanish coast, and on Friday there was a big drill and evolutions; and on Saturday the Fleet arrived in Vigo Bay at 12 o'clock. Of course the two flag-ships were the centre of interest, and on our arrival there was the usual demonstration in connection with naval events. The Duke received visits from officials, and in the afternoon gave me his first sitting. It was a splendid evening. H.R.H. gave a big dinner-party. The Minotaur band came over to the Hercules, and there was a fine display of fireworks ashore and the bay was illuminated by the flashes from the search-lights, and the general appearance of the Fleet enlivened by the movements of boats and pinnaces going to and fro between ships and shore.

In celebration of his birthday (August 6th) the Duke had arranged a picnic for the Princes and their middy friends, Mr. Dalton (the Prince's tutor) Cole, who as usual brought his sketch book with him, Wentworth-Cole, and Commander Le Strange were also of the party, but the presiding spirit was the Duke in his best form, full of fun, and most anxious that the boys should have a good time.

On our journey out in the pinnace I remember that Wentworth-Cole was the victim of a practical joke instigated by me for the amusement of the Royal Middies. He was wearing a hat with several ventilatory holes on the summit of the crown. It suddenly occurred to me that these would make suitable receptacles for matches; so, when he was engrossed in the scenery, I found an opportunity of filling them up, in which occupation Prince George lent willing aid. When a chance came I lighted the heads of the matches, but hearing a titter, Wentworth-Cole turned round, discovered the plot, and saved the situation.