The Raleigh

A fine frigate has ever been the favourite class of ship with seamen as well as officers, and I venture to state a finer crew never left a port.

List of officers:—

• Commander—Edward W. Turnour.
• Secretary—Matless G. Autey.
• Lieutenants—James G. Goodenough, Viscount Gilford, H.R.H. Prince Victor of Hohenlohe, James S. Graham, W. F. Johnson.
• Master—William H. Williams.
• Captain of Marines—Thomas Magin.
• Second Lieutenant of Marines—Charles L. Owen.
• Chaplain—Josiah Thompson.
• Surgeon—John T. Crawford.
• Paymaster—James G. G. Simmonds.
• Naval Instructor—John L. Laverty.
• Assistant-Surgeon—J. G. T. Forbes.
• Midshipmen—Lord Charles Scott, Hon. Victor A. Montagu, Hon. F. G. Crofton, Henry F. Stephenson, A. E. Dupuis, F. R. Foster, Hugh B. Hammersley, Edward Pilkington, A. Paget, Hardy M‘Hardy.

Friends Henry Seymour, Eyre, and George Lennox enjoying themselves.

Late in the evening before we came to Plymouth Sound.

Saluted Sir William Parker’s flag at 9 A.M. Called on Newmans at Royal Hotel, where I took a room. Visited Hartmans at Saltram, where I found my cousins Mrs. Yorke and daughter. Dined with Sam Truscott—a character.

Breakfasted with Caroline and Louisa Newman. In afternoon Prince Victor, Graham, Lord Charles Scott, Harry Stephenson, and I to Saltram to dine and sleep.

Returned after breakfast to Plymouth. Took Cecilia Yorke and Miss Coryton on board Raleigh.

Was allowed to see Lord Mount-Edgecumbe; cruel wreck of a handsome and intellectual man. Too down to dine anywhere. Tea with Newman girls.

Weighed at 11 and ran out of the Sound. What may not happen before I again land in England!

Anchored before 1 in Funchal Roads. Kindly received by friend Stoddard, putting up brother Tom and four youngsters. Hired for the time a horse Miss O’Rorke used to ride.

Drove Miss Stoddard in pony carriage. Before leaving my brother-in-law, Harry Stephenson, commissioned me to bring home a pipe of the best Madeira. I applied to my friend of many years, now Consul, Mr. Stoddard. He had ceased to be a wine merchant, and the remaining pipes of the best were put aside as part of the marriage portion of his charming daughters; he left it to me to make interest with them to obtain a couple of pipes of this precious wine. I had the pipes encased in extra casks and stowed in the hold of the Raleigh. (It is well I did so.)

Prince Victor, good fellow! wishing another day in Madeira, consented to remain over Friday. Rio given up. Rode with Miss Lund. Evening at Stoddard’s.

“Thomas” and I rode over to the Beans. Same hospitable couple I had sojourned with in 1824.

Weighed early. Everybody pleased with their visit to Madeira.

A marine fell overboard, and was saved by a gallant fellow of the name of Moodie, second-class ordinary. The night was dark, and the two life-buoys let go by a marine, stationed for the purpose, without first pulling the igniting trigger, were lost.

Christmas Day. All the youngsters and warrant officers, including Turnour, Autey, Thompson, and brother Tom, to dine—sixteen in all. How many of us will meet next Christmas! “Qui en sabe?”

Neptune came on board and performed the usual ceremonies.