The Missing Ship: The Log of the "Ouzel" Galley

by William Henry Giles Kingston

“Your reappearance, my dear fellow, will restore life and animation to my poor girl. Although she would not believe you were lost, we had given you up, for it was generally supposed that the Champion had gone down in a hurricane, or been sunk by an enemy, or driven on shore without any one escaping to give an account of the catastrophe. We only arrived here a few days ago, and have been waiting for a vessel to return home, with several other persons. One of them is Miss Pemberton, Ellen’s great friend. Poor girl! she had a severe trial, and she and Ellen have sympathised with each other. You saw her at Bellevue with that fine soldier, Major Malcolm. They were engaged to marry, having been smitten at first sight, but he and young Belt, who so gallantly defended Bellevue, were sent in pursuit of the rebel blacks. They had followed the rascals into their mountain fastnesses, and, regardless of the danger to which they exposed themselves, pushed on ahead of their own men into a defile, where they were both shot down by a party of negroes lying in ambush. For some time we thought Fanny would never get over it; but she has been advised change of scene and air, so we are taking her with us to Ireland. Archie Sandys, that brave young fellow whom you had on board the Champion, also forms one of the party. He has lately come into a good property, so he has given up his situation out here. And now, what are you going to do?”

Norman Foley, eager at once to see Ellen, replied that he must first deliver up the Ouzel Galley to the prize agents, and as soon as that duty had been performed he would accompany Mr Ferris on shore.

“By-the-by, I was forgetting she was no longer my ship, though I conclude that after the regular forms have been gone through, she will be restored to us at a nominal value,” observed Mr Ferris.

“The commander has already made an arrangement with her former master, Captain Massey, on the subject,” answered the lieutenant.

From the Ouzel Galley Mr Ferris proceeded on board the Research to congratulate his friends on their escape, when he invited them all to his house in Kingston, where those who were able to do so at once accompanied him.

Commander Olding and his officers had, of course, to report themselves to the admiral, and to give an account of the loss of the Champion. They had to undergo the usual court-martial, and were, as was expected, honourably acquitted.

In the mean time the Ouzel Galley, having been restored to her former owners, was quickly fitted for sea, while the Research was purchased into the navy, and the command given to Lieutenant Tarwig.

Commander Olding and several of his officers had made up their minds to return home by the first opportunity, but most of the rest, as well as a portion of the Champion’s crew, joined the Research. Of the captured booty, a handsome share was made over to Owen Massey, in consideration of his having been instrumental in securing it.

A fleet of merchantmen being ready to sail, the Thetis frigate, on board which Commander Olding had taken a passage, was appointed to convoy them, accompanied by the Research. Lieutenant Foley and Gerald very naturally preferred going home in the Ouzel Galley, The weather was fine, and there was every prospect of a prosperous voyage.

Much of the time which Ellen might otherwise have spent in comforting her friend Fanny was, as may be supposed, passed in the society of Norman Foley. Norah, also, had less time to bestow on her than might have been the case if Owen Massey had not been on board. To Archie Sandys, therefore, fell the duty of offering such consolation as he was able, to bestow on the young lady. Consequences which might not altogether have been unexpected ensued. Before the voyage was over Fanny had greatly recovered her spirits, and had consented, when her friend Ellen Ferris married, to become Archie’s bride. This was the most important event of the voyage.