[203]. To remove the gates without injury, under fire from the north side of the harbour, was a tedious service. In each half gate, weighing about thirty tons, there were no less than 1720 rivets, every head of which had to be cut off and the pins punched out. Every screw had also to be removed by the usual means—a difficult process, arising from the oxidation of the several parts. The sheets were cut into twelve pieces for easy carriage. The iron girders, twelve in number, which like ribs sustained the structure, were drawn up by block and tackle; and then, lowered to rollers, were conveyed away. The greatest efforts were given in pulling up the heel-posts, of which there were two; and the strong unyielding haul of 150 men brought them without flaw from their rocky beds. One of the girders was broken in rolling it away, but its place was supplied by one from another gate. This was the only accident which had occurred during the operation. Sergeant John Docherty was Colonel Bent’s foreman. An average of five sapper blacksmiths were daily employed at the work. Mr. Rumble, engineer of the ‘London,’ with two seamen, assisted until their removal to Malta. Some handy blacksmiths of the artillery also aided, and sergeant Welton of that regiment was remarkably active with the gear and tackling.
[204]. December 7, 1855.
[205]. The ‘Times,’ February 11, 1856.
[206]. The sappers continued mining in the docks until the 6th February, and afterwards at the White Barracks, till they were blown down.
[207]. This number would have been more correct had it been 185.
[208]. “I think,” wrote Lady Georgina Cathcart, in returning thanks to the fourth division, at whose expense the memorial was erected, “the whole design handsome. The manner in which it has been executed, of solid and durable granite, in the midst of many difficulties and dangers, as well as privations, reflects great credit on all those engaged in it, and for which we feel most grateful.”
[209]. The Balaklava monument was enclosed within an iron handrail of twelve bars taken from the bridge on the locks across the docks of Sebastopol. Its epitaphs run thus:—“In memory of those who fell in the battle of Balaklava, 25th October, 1854.” This was on one panel. On another was cut the words—“Erected by the British army, A. D. 1856.” On the third, occurred both these records in Russian; and on the fourth was a sunken cross. Corporal Cameron was overseer of the work.
The Inkermann monument was thus inscribed:—“In memory of the English, French, and Russians who fell in the battle of Inkermann, 5th November, 1854.” Sergeant McQuillin was the overseer and corporal Cameron the leading mason.
The Redan one bore this, as its principal epitaph:—“In memory of those who fell in the trenches and assaults upon the Redan, 1855.” Corporal John Ross, of the second company, was the foreman.
The two latter monuments announced that they had been “Erected by the British army, A. D. 1856.” On the third panel the inscriptions were repeated in Russian, and on the fourth was a cross—in relievo—bearing the Christian initials of I.H.S. for the Inkermann monument, and a sunken cross for that at the Redan.