PROTEST OF CAPTAIN PRISSICK.

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the "Raschid" fifty-eight-gun frigate (which then hoisted Osman Pascha's flag), to pay a visit to a patient, in the month of February, when it was blowing fresh. I was on board a small cutter-rigged craft with a couple of English sailors. On reaching the vessel, which lay some distance outside, we witnessed one of the greatest scenes of confusion that could happen. She had "fouled" her anchor, and both officers and men were running and storming together without the least order or subordination. On leaving Syria, I sailed from Beyrout late in the season, when the strong north-westerly gales prevail, on board a Sardinian vessel of sixty tons, for the Island of Cyprus. The currents set in so strong to the northward, that we were carried a considerable distance to leeward, having been enveloped in a dirty, thick fog during several hours. On nearing the land, we found ourselves off Famagusta. Fortunately, a fresh

know by word or signal what his intentions are. His whole conduct is to me so inconsistent and undecided, that I must again enter my protest; viz. that the hostile fleets are now within five miles of each other, and evidently nearing fast, from their superiority of sailing, yet no signal has been made by the Pascha, to inform us whether he intends to attack or not; against which I here formally enter my protest. (Signed) "J. P."

"August 19th, at daylight, the rear ships of our squadron eight miles astern. N. B. Had the Turkish fleet been near, they must have been destroyed before we could have assisted them. At 5-30, P. M. saw five of the enemy's sail on the lee-bow. To my surprise and indignation the Pascha made the signal to tack!―Thus we have not only shamefully run away, but exposed our rear ships!"

On another occasion, Captain Prissick, having given chase to two Turkish men-of-war, just as he was getting his guns to bear upon them, a signal was made by the Admiral recalling him, and he was obliged to return, although his sailors were quite eager to engage the enemy. It is due to Captain Prissick to mention these things, and he left the service at last, in great disgust.

Since writing the above, this noble-spirited, generous, excellent hearted man, has paid the debt of nature. He returned home with an impaired constitution, in 1834, and died at Brussels on the 16th of April, 1841, universally and deservedly regretted. Vide Vol. II. Chap. v.

56

RHODES.-CASTELLO ROSSO.

breeze sprung up from the opposite quarter, and we were enabled to make up lee-way. Then doubling Cape Pila, we entered the Gulf of Larnica, where there is good anchorage.* It is about ten miles

across it is protected from the north by Cape Pila, and from the south-west by Cape Chiti; these being the prevalent winds during ten months of the year, and the only ones which bring much sea, or from which any thing is to be apprehended. I afterwards sailed from Larnica during very boisterous weather, on board a Greek goletta of 140 tons, for Rhodes, where there is fair anchorage in fine weather, but before reaching the island, we put into Castello Rosso, which is a very safe and excellent port for ships of moderate burden; and not far off, is the Bay of Marmora, or Marmorice, which I also entered. It is ever memorable as the spot in which Nelson took refuge with hisentire fleet during bad weather, when on his way to Egypt. I might multiply instances of this kind, but I have already been enticed into a very long digression, by the important nature of the subject; and I think I have said quite enough to prove that it is possible for English ships of war, with good compasses, charts, and chronometers, experienced officers, and British Hearts of Oak, to weather the gales of the Mediterranean, as they have done many a time before under the immortal Hero of the Nile.

In further proof of the truth of these observations, let me add that a British squadron has weathered the

At Famagusta there are eight and ten fathoms water, and at Larnica, from twelve to fifteen fathoms. As to the other ports-that of Tripoli is bad, about five fathoms, but foul ground. Beyrout is the best; but the whole line of the Syrian coast is open to the north-west winds, and some of the old ports (as Seyde, or Sidon) are more or less choked with ruins.

STEAM NAVIGATION.

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storms of 1840 and 41, in spite of all the maledictions of their most inveterate enemies. "The Great Liverpool," the "Oriental," and other large steamers, too, did not cease to communicate with Egypt during the whole of the same winter and ensuing spring; although there is reason to believe that they must have encountered some unusually boisterous weather.*

See Vol. II. Chap. v.

CHAPTER III.

ALEXANDRIA.-ARAB VIGILANCE.

JAMES, the son of Isaac Riches, was about thirty years of age, and commanded the "City of Rochester," a merchant ship, lying, at the period of our arrival, at Alexandria. She was larger than the "Bristol," but very inferior to her in other respects. The Egyptians have a law, by which a red flag should be hoisted at the Seraglio Point, as soon as a vessel of any nation or character appears in sight: but it would seem that they do not keep a very good look out, as no flag was hoisted until after we had let go our anchor: yet Mohammed Ali flatters himself that he is secure from the intrusion of Europeans but, as Riches justly observed, "What was there to have prevented me piloting in a few sloopsof-war, or some small-class frigates? I might have anchored them snugly before the town: for the lazy watch had no idea of our approach. I have more than once had occasion to run in at the Marabout, when it was blowing a heavy gale from the northward, and I am as

EGYPT'S STRONGHOLD.

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familiar with Alexandria as I am with the port of London or Liverpool.*"

The Pascha has been so flushed with success, and was permitted to indulge his ambitious views so long without interruption, that he almost fancied himself impregnable, and that neither England nor France could take him by storm without first crossing the bar. It is this absurd notion which prevents him erecting landmarks or light-houses along the coast, or buoys to mark the three channels; still less any forts or martello towers to defend the entrance, which there doubtless would be, if Egypt were in the hands of the Europeans.

Captain James Riches had been on the watch for his father some days. On the morning of the 9th, notwithstanding the weather was hazy, and the wind fresh, he descried a large ship in the direction of the Marabout, and knowing pretty well all the vessels that were in the Egyptian trade, he felt convinced that nobody but his father, or a British man-of-war, would attempt. the Marabout in such weather, more particularly without a pilot. He immediately ordered out his longboat (which, having occasion to stay some time at Alexandria for cotton, he had rigged as a cutter), and went forth to welcome the "gude man," to the end that he might point out the situation of the "Rochester," and the most convenient berth for the "Bristol." He informed me that many would rejoice to hear of my arrival, there were only two medical men in the place, the one a drunkard, the other a gambler,-that both neglected their patients, and that nobody had any confidence in

*No ship larger than a sloop could pass in or out of the harbour, with her guns and stores; and when an Egyptian frigate has been in to refit, her guns are invariably sent out after her.