Captain's Letter Book HMSMS Seahorse
Admiral Sir Leopold George Heath , Crimean War, (Principle Agent of Transport) 1854-1857
[This letter book covers 1856, after the Crimean War]
The letters are all recorded as follows:
Accountant General
HMS "Seahorse"
January 31st 1856
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 25th . First, I beg to inform you that the sum of One Pound has been charged against the pay of the Man noted in the Margin [George Dickinson, Gunner RMA] for straggling from HMS Difern.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient humble Servant
(Signed) LG Heath Captain
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Accountant General [Admiralty 20 March 1856]
HMS "Seahorse"
February 28th 1856 [or 9th]
Sir,
I herewith enclose and Allotment List for Petty Officers & Seaman belonging to HMS under my Command, the receipt of which I beg you will be pleased to acknowledge.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient Humble Servant
(Signed) LG Heath Captain
To the Secretary of the Admiralty London.
Accountant General
HMS "Seahorse"
Devonport 11 February 1856
Sir,
The man noted in the Margin (late of HMS Colossus & Retribution) having stated to me that Pay is due to them from 30th September 1855 for Service in the above named Ships; I beg you will be pleased to cause the same to be made payable at this Port.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient Humble Servant
(Signed) LG Heath Captain
HMS "Sea Horse"
March 13th 1856
Sir
The man noted in the Margin appeared at my rendezvous on the 19th January and his name was entered on this Ship's Books, but as it is possible there was some mistake about it, and as he has never actually joined the Ship nor been heard of since. I have to request permission to discharge him from the Books instead of receiving him.
I have the honour to be
Sir
etc etc etc
(Signed) LG Heath Captain
HMS "Sea Horse"
March 18th 1856
Sir,
The Boy noted in the Margin [Jo. Collins Boy 1st Class] having been this day committed to Gaol for two Months by (Civil Power) for Stealing a Jacket from the Sailor's Home (Devonport) I have to request that you will be pleased to authorise his discharge from the Books of the Sea Horse.
I have the honour to be
etc etc
(Signed) LG Heath Captain
HMS "Sea Horse"
March 19th 1856
Sir,
I have the honour to inform you that I have this day investigated on the 2nd Deck a complaint made by Lieut Vaughan Sub Lieutenant against the man named in the margin [George M Neil &ldots; who has been 6 weeks in this Ship] for having on the 17th instant left the Dockyard without leave being at the time under stoppage of leave for a former offence that I have &ldots; WH Brown Mr at Arms as a witness and that the man acknowledges his crime and has nothing to offer in defence and he having broken his leave on 5 occasions since the 8th February I request that I may be supplied with a Warrant for his committal for 14 days to Prison.
I have the honour to be
etc etc
(Signed) LG Heath Captain
Admiral Sir W Parker GCB Commander in Chief etc etc etc
HMS Sea Horse
Devonport
March 24th 1856
Sir
The Master Shipwright having on the 22nd Instant informed me that HMS under my Command would not by completed in his department before the 9th April I am obliged to extend the dates at which HMS will be ready for proceeding to the Sound and to sea respectively to the 10th and 12th April. Had the dockyard work been completed this Ship would have been ready on the 1st April.
I have the honour to be
etc etc
(Signed) LG Heath Captain
To Admiral Sir W Parker GCB etc etc etc
HMS "Sea Horse"
11th April 1856
Sir
The Men noted in the margin [W Lovering Lg Stoker, M Alford CP Castle] late of HMS "Retribution" under your command have stated to me that Travelling Expenses are due to them viz from Portsmouth to Plymouth between the 2nd February 1856 and 17 March 1856. I have to request that you will be pleased to acquaint me if their statement is correct.
I have the honour to be Sir
etc etc
(Signed) LG Heath Captain
To Captain Fisher HMS Retribution.
HMS "Sea Horse"
April 12th 1856
Sir
I have the honour to acquaint you that I have this day inspected HMS Sea Horse under my command accompanied by the Shipwright Officers of the Dock Yard and have found everything to be efficient and correct except some Leaks round the M Mast.
I have the honour to be
Sir
etc etc etc
(Signed) LG Heath Captain
To Admiral Sir W Parker GCB.
Accountant General
HMS "Sea Horse"
April 12th 1856
Herewith I have the honour to transmit the Muster Book of HMS Sea Horse under my Command to the 31st March 1856 together with the Cancelled Picketts and Pay Lists as per Margin.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obedient humble servant
(Signed) LG Heath Captain
Cancelled Picket
CG 408
A 23
AA 965
D 404
H 1
AU 314
Pay Lists "Gozgon"
To the Secretary of the Admiralty London
Accountant General
HMS "Sea Horse"
April 16th 1856
Sir
A claim of joint capture of the Brazil, made by the Captain, Officers & Crew of HMS Niger against the Captain, Officers & Crew of HMS "Gladiator" and her tender the Jackel has after a lapse of 5 years been decided by the Admiralty court against the Niger. Messers Stilwell are the Agents for the Niger and they are about to apply the proceeds of the capture of a vessel called the Igualdade which proceeds are in their hands in part payment of the costs of this suit. I attach a copy of an agreement made between myself, the Officers & Crew of the Niger to share the expenses of any law proceedings on account of the prizes and I have to request that the balance of the costs which the prize money for the Igualdade is insufficient to pay, may be abated from the shares of prize Money for Russian Vessels captured in the Black Sea, due to those Officers & Men who were serving in the Niger at the time of the capture of the Brazil.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient servant
(Signed) LG Heath Captain
To, The Secretary of the Admiralty London.
Accountant General
HMS "Sea Horse"
17th April 1856
Sir
The man noted in the Margin [W Moore Lg Seaman to AB] serving onboard HMS Sea Horse under my Command, having this day been disrated from Lg Seaman to AB. I beg you will be pleased to cause the necessary alteration to be made in his allotment.
I have
etc etc
Signed LG Heath Captain
The Secretary of the Admiralty
HMS "Sea Horse"
April 24th 1856
Sir
In reply to your letter of the Instant relating to Books of Instructions etc: said by Commander Hire not to have been on board HMS "Niger" at the time of his taking command of her, I have the honour to state that I enclosed all the receipts received from my successor Commander Hire to the Secretary of the Admiralty on the 5th
[This letter ends here]
HMS "Sea Horse"
April 24th 1856
Sir
I have had applications from 2 or 3 of the Officers and Seamen lately belonging to HMS Niger who were landed with me for serving in Batteries on shore in the Crimea stating that whereas several of their Shipmates landed for the same Serving at the same time had received an Inkerman clasp, they had been refused it on the grounds of my not having certified that they were in Action. I have now the honour to state that the Batteries manned by those men and commanded by myself did fire at Liprandi's Columns on the 5th November and I presume therefore that I together with these men an entitled to the clasp in question. I have no nominal list of these Men but I understand one has been sent into Office by Lieut Drum, Mr Peffrel, Midshipman Robert Sawyer, Ordinary Seaman J Caglison RMA are the names of those who have applied to me on the Subject. Lieut Drum and others have received these clasps, and I request that mine may be forwarded to me.
I have the honour to be
etc etc etc
LG Heath Captain
To the Accountant General
Accountant General
HMS "Sea Horse"
April 27th 1856
Sir
The man noted in the Margin having stated that his Allotment dated 1st April 1856 has not yet been received. I have to request that you will be pleased to cause the necessary inquiry to be made.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient servant
Signed LG Heath Captain
To The Secretary of the Admiralty
The statement made by a Member of the Government under which I am serving has given great pain both to myself and my friends and I trust Sir I may appeal to you to induce Lord . . . [Pamnure?] to redress the injustice he has perhaps unwittingly done me.
HMS "Sea Horse"
June 9th 1856
Sir
It is reported in the Newspapers that Lord . . . [Pamnure?] on his speech on moving the thanks of Parliament to the Navy and Army etc stated that Admiral Bofer was the first to begin some system in Balaklava Harbour. No one can be more anxious than myself to amply and full justice to great operations of the late Admiral Bofer but I feel very strongly that it is most unjust to cast blame on his predecessors for the mere sake of eulogising him. I am quite prepared to prove that from the period of the great Storm until I was relieved by Admiral Bofer there was a constant and successful endeavour to improve the harbour arrangements in every way and that with the assistance of Captain Powell who was associated with me in the work Balaklava Harbour was on the 1st of February the day on which Admiral Bofer relieved me in a state of which we had no reason to be ashamed. Admiral Bofer with great personal energy carried out and perfected during fine weather what we in the midst of rain snow and gales of wind had initiated. Leaving my case in you hands.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obedient Servant
Signed LG Heath CB Captain
To the Right Honourable Sir C Wood
Accountant General
HMS "Sea Horse"
May 17th 1856
Sir
The Allotment Pay Bill transmitted from Office for J Rocensfell Leading Stoker Ordinary the Ship under my Command has to Susan his Wife has been made payable at Helstone instead of Falmouth as noted on the Allotment List from Sea Horse. I have to request that you will be pleased to cause the necessary alteration to be made.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Etc
Signed LG Heath Captain
Secretary of the Admiralty
Accountant General
HMS "Sea Horse"
May 1856
Sir,
I beg leave to represent that Jo Davies Gris Mate of this Ship stated that he was on entering the Service put down accidentally on the Ship's Books as Jo Davies and that he has continued to be so entered on his subsequent Ship's Books. He has lately been married and allotted to his Wife in April 1856 he was married under his proper name (Davis) and consequently his Wife on producing her marriage Certificate cannot get paid. I beg to inform you that I have placed "alias" Jas Davis against this man's name on the Ship's Books and I have to request the Allotment Picket may be altered accordingly.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
Signed LG Heath Captain
To The Secretary of the Admiralty
. . . General
HMS Sea Horse
May 1856
Sir
In obedience to your order of the 14th Instant I have the honour to inform you that on receipt of their Lordship's order to offer the option of reentering etc to the 5 Years Men and Pensioners I acquainted the Ship's Company therewith and found that there was altogether 26 who wished to be discharged to this Shore. Their papers were sent to the Accountant General on the same evening made out with pay for 5 days in advance of that day, on the supposition that the Pickets would be returned before them. The Pickets not having returned on the 13th Instant and the men being in consequence discontented I sent for them and explained that the delay was possibly owing to the Great number of Papers of the same sort which had all at once been submitted to the Accountant General, that I could not say for certain on what day the Pickets would arrive but that if any of them wished it they might have their discharge to the shore at once. I explained at the same time that as they would be on full pay for every day that they remained onboard, they had in my opinion much better remain, but nevertheless left it to their option.
Seven men, all I believe having friends or family at this port requested to be discharged , and the remaining 19 are still onboard.
I have etc
(Signed) LG Heath Captain
The Secretary of the Admiralty London.
HMS "Sea Horse"
May 27th 1856
Sir
William Salter 2nd . . . Long Service Pensioner is a volunteer for HM Ship under my Command. I have to request I may be informed whether if he joins he will be allowed to continue in receipt of his Pension in addition to his pay.
His character is very Good.
I have the honour to be
Sir
etc etc etc
Signed LG Heat Captain
To Vice Admiral Sir George Seymour KCB
Commander in Chief
Accountant General
HMS "Sea Horse"
May 27th 1856
Sir
Having on the 5th March 1855 forwarded to the Secretary of the Admiralty the requisite receipts etc for clearing my accounts for HM Ships "Niger" and "Sans Pariel" and hearing that other Captains whose documents were sent in long subsequently to mine have had their accounts passed; I have to request that mine may be taken in hand.
I have the honour to be
etc etc etc
Signed LG Heath Captain
To The Secretary of the Admiralty London.
HMS "Sea Horse"
28 May 1856
Sir
Mr Coutts Boatswain of HM Ship under my Command who is 55 years of age and who has been 44 Years at Sea appears to me to be more fit for Harbour than Sea Service. I have to request that a Survey may be held upon him. His character while under my Command has been Very Good.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
Signed LG Heath Captain
To Vice Admiral Sir G Seymour KCB
Commander in Chief.
HMS "Sea Horse"
29th May 1856
Sir
With reference to you M . . . of this day, I beg to inform you that HMS "Sea Horse" has this day discharged 300 Shell the remaining 250 together with 2 Mortars will discharged so soon as the Lighters arrive. Provisions were demanded yesterday but have not yet been received. A Boat is at present onshore for Hammocks for the Troops, Mess Tables and Stools having been received and in all other respects this Ship is ready for Sea.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
On duty Captain
Signed LW Vaughan Sub Lieut
Vice Admiral Sir George Seymour KCB
Commander in Chief
HMS "Sea Horse"
June 6th 1856
Gibraltar
Sir,
I have the honour to report the arrival at this Port after a passage of 6 and