South Africa, 1877-8.—Sailors and marines from the following ships were engaged at different periods in the various wars in South Africa from 1877 to 1879 (see pages [196]-202): H.M.S. "Active," "Boadicea," "Euphrates," "Forester," "Himalaya," "Orontes," "Shah," "Tamar," and "Tenedos."
In the campaign against the Galekas and Gaikas in 1877-8 two small naval brigades composed of men from H.M.S. "Active" and "Florence" were engaged, and both did excellent work with their rocket batteries.
Zulu War, 1879.—In this war a naval brigade of 170 seamen and marines from H.M.S. "Active" were attached to the third column under Colonel Pearson. They were under the command of Captain Campbell, and had with them two 7-pounders, a Gatling gun, and two rocket tubes. A brigade from H.M.S. "Boadicea," "Shah," and "Tenedos" marched with the relieving force to Ekowe. At the expiration of the war the naval brigade was warmly thanked by General Sir Garnet (later Viscount) Wolseley for the services they had rendered.
EGYPTIAN WARS
Alexandria, 1882.—In this campaign the navy played an important part—indeed, it was opened by the bombardment of Alexandria on July 11th, 1882, the fortifications of which had been strengthened, and the garrison increased by the rebel Arabi Pasha in anticipation of the allied fleets of Britain and France acting on the offensive. Noticing the preparations which Arabi was making, Admiral Sir Beauchamp Seymour called upon him to desist, and as no notice was taken of his demand, or of his ultimatum that unless work was stopped on the fortifications the place would be bombarded, he prepared his ships for action. Meanwhile the French fleet had left the harbour. The British steamed out, and took up a position facing the outer forts; at half-past 6 on July 11th the British ships cleared for action, and the bombardment began by the "Alexandra" firing a shell into Fort Ada. The fort responded, and then the duel between the ships' guns of the British fleet and those of the fort began. In a couple of hours Fort Marsa-el-Kanat was blown up, and very shortly after, nearly all the guns in Fort Mex were silenced. At half-past 10 an attack was made upon the Lighthouse Fort, and within a couple of hours the Ras-el-Tin batteries were silenced.
The Plucky "Condor."—Meantime Fort Marabout had been the scene of a memorable action on the part of Lord Charles Beresford. Noticing that the rifled guns of the fort were dropping their shot very near to the ships anchored at about 4,500 yards, viz. the "Monarch," "Penelope," and "Temeraire," he steamed the gunboat "Condor" within range, and by his daring action in pounding away at the fort for two hours diverted the enemy's fire, and thus materially assisted in the reduction of Fort Mex. The "Condor" was assisted in its plucky work by the gunboats "Beacon," "Bittern," and "Cygnet," which the Admiral had sent to help in the work, and so enabled her to be the means of silencing the guns of the fort by 2 p.m. Three hours later all firing ceased, and the battle of Alexandria was won with comparatively small loss to the fleet, the "Alexandra" suffering most from the effects of the enemy's guns. On this vessel gunner Israel Harding won the V.C. for throwing water over a live shell, which had pierced the side of the ship, and then picking it up and placing it in a tub of water; this hero rose to be chief gunner before he retired. A force of sailors and marines were landed, and engaged in keeping order. The successful Admiral became Lord Alcester, and received a grant of £25,000.
The ships engaged in the bombardment of Alexandria were the flagship "Alexandra," "Sultan," "Invincible," "Inflexible," "Temeraire," "Monarch," "Penelope," "Superb," and the gunboats "Beacon," "Bittern," "Condor," "Cygnet," "Decoy," and the dispatch vessel "Helicon."
Tel-el-Kebir.—In the operations leading up to the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, a number of seamen were engaged; several strategic points were seized by them, and several minor but vital engagements won by them. Lieutenant Wyatt Rawson, R.N., who guided the Highland Brigade across the desert to Tel-el-Kebir by his correct reading of the stars, was the first to enter the entrenchments—alas! to meet his death shortly after. In the battle of Tel-el-Kebir a naval brigade of 250 men, with 6 Gatling guns, took part; also marine artillery and marines. The latter, attached to General Graham's brigade, were placed in the front line, and suffered somewhat heavily, but the naval brigade did not lose a man.
