Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

Michael Heath-Caldwell M.Arch
Brisbane, Queensland
ph: 0412-78-70-74
alt: m_heath_caldwell@hotmail.com

1869 - 1870 - 1871

1870
Anne Marsh-Caldwell – aged 78/79 – (1791-1874) (Lady Mary’s mother)
Eliza Louisa Marsh-Caldwell – known as Louisa – aged 51/52 of Linley Wood
Georgina Marsh-Caldwell – Gies – aged 49/50 of Linley Wood
Rosamond Marsh-Caldwell – Posy – aged 46/47 of Linley Wood

Admiral Sir Leopold Heath – aged 52/53.
Lady Mary Heath – (ne Mary Emma Marsh) – aged 43/44
Arthur Raymond Heath - aged 15/16
Marion Emma Heath – May – aged 13/14
Frederick Heath – (Gen. F.C. Heath-Caldwell) aged 11/12
Cuthbert Eden Heath - aged 10/11
Ada Randolph Heath - aged 9/10
Herbert Leopold Heath - aged 8/9
Gerard Moore Heath - aged 6/7

Charles Darwin – aged 60/61

1 January 1870
Commodore Sir Leopold G. Heath K.C.B. arrives back in Bombay on board his flag-ship H.M.S. Forte

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Saturday 1 January 1870
Aunt Posy went back with Uncle Douglas.

Sunday 2 January 1870
Did not go to church as it rained, went to Anstie in the afternoon with Mamma.

Monday 3 January 1870
Mamma went to Anstie with the others. Arty and I went a ride to Dorking.

Tuesday 4 January 1870
Went to Anstie with Mamma, played at football there, had a horrible game, because we were all so cross.

Wednesday 5 January 1870
Arty went to London to visit Grandmamma - we stayed at home, made clay things.

Arthur Heath - 1870

Wednesday 5 January 1870
Times of India

The Recent Operation in the Persian Gulf

The general result of the recent operations in the Persian Gulf is already known to our readers, but it has not yet been possible to give a consecutive narrative of events from the arrival of Captain Douglas with his squadron in the Gulf, till his return to Bombay with the turbulent chiefs in safe custody. - - -

Everything was brought to a successful termination without loss of life - a result highly creditable to the tact of those having the direction of affairs: the Arabs would have fought lustily had they been afforded the opportunity they sought.

While, then, returning thanks for the following report forwarded by Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty, we trust the Government will not consider it necessary to retain the Political Resident's report in the secret bureau till it shall have lost all the interest that now attaches to it:-

Captain Douglas to Commodore Heath, H.M.S. "Daphne," at Bahrein, Dec. 4

"Sir, - I beg to report to you for the information of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that, in compliance with instructions of His Excellency the Viceroy of India, as also in obedience with orders contained in your memo, of the 16th October last, directing me to proceed without delay to Muscat and act in concert with Lieut.-Colonel Pelly, H.M.'s Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, in obtaining redress for an insult offered to the British flag by the authorities at that place, and from thence to proceed to Bahrein in order to punish the Chief for breaking the maritime treaty, and committing several acts of piracy at the recent attack and plunder of that town; that I left Bombay on the 27th October, after leaving orders for Commander Mears, of H.M.'s Nymphe, who had arrived the day previous, to complete with coals and provisions, and join me at Muscat without delay. On arrival there I communicated with Lieutenant-Colonel Pelly, who informed me that an ample apology had been given for the insult committed on the British flag by firing on H.E.'s gun boat Clyde, and which he considered satisfactory.

- - - - I got under weight in the Clyde and proceeded to Maharag Fort, where we ran the boats in and demanded Mohamed bin Khalifa, the principal pirate chief, who was supposed from information received to be confined in this Fort. After a little delay, the garrisons, finding themselves completely surprised, surrendered him, and he is now a prisoner on board this ship.

At Lieut-Colonel Pelly's request, on the morning of the 22nd (Nov), I again returned to Manamah Fort, and opened fire with shot and shell, which continued at intervals during the day, thus expelling from thence one more pirate chief. The next morning the boats were sent away for the purpose of expelling the same chief from a house near the beach where he had taken refuge after being driven from the Fort the previous day, but she got aground owing to the fault of the pilot, and had to return to the gun-boat.
Nasir bin Ahmed, one of the pirate chiefs, was surprised at sea endeavouring to escape, by a pearl merchant of this place, and delivered up to us.

The Fort of Manamah having been now destroyed, we proceeded on the morning of the 1st of December to attack the Fort of Maharag, but on landing our men, it was given up to us without the necessity of firing a shot. Soon afterwards three of the principal chiefs, Mahomed bin Abdoola, Ali bin Nasir, and Jasan bin Hassan, surrendered themselves to us.

60 6. January 1870 Incapto - no service mollege (on H.M.S. Forte in Middle East at the time)
part of a letter - very hard to read. From Lyons again

6 January 1870
My dear Sir Leopold,

Many thanks for your kind letter which I received on my arrival here. I hope that I shall have the pleasure of meeting you whilst I am on this station. Please send order to the ship (now?) I am - -

we send Lieut Halifax to you. I have given Commander (Adeane?) orders to remain here until I shall telegraph to him to pick me up at Madras in the end of March but if any sickness should occur to go to sea for a cruize and then to Trincomalle to await order. I have informed my Lords of this and hope it will meet with your approval.

I have also allowed the Comdr to give some of the Offices leave to take a little run up country. I hope you have no objection to this.

I have been asked by several persons to try to get Sub-Lieutenant Drummond appointed to the Galatea by his father amongst others; if you could appoint him to me I should feel much obliged, more especially as I have had my three senior Sub.s promoted lately.

I must say one word in recommendation of Mr Halifax, before he goes to you, he has been five years with me and is a most - - fellow and a - - - sub officer and I am very sorry to lose him.

The enormous quantity of ceremonies, festivities, and business and the preparations to start up country tomorrow must plead as an excuse for this short and hurried account.

Believe me, Yours very truly, (Alfred?)

Marion Heath - aged 13 continues . . .

Thursday 6 January 1870
Freddy and Bertie rode to Dorking, we went with Mamma to the post office, and then to call on Mrs.Wickham.

Friday 7 January 1870
Mamma, Bertie and Gerard walked to the station, rainy, Gerard's umbrella turned inside-out. We stayed at home, washed doll's things. Arty came home from London in the evening.

Saturday 8 January 1870
A great storm of wind outside, and a great storm of boys inside. We acted "the Little Hunchback" in the evening.

Saturday 8 January 1870
Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette

Miscellaneous Naval - Special Intelligence
The Forte, 24, screw Frigate, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, arrived at ADen on the 13th ult, from Suez.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 9 January 1870
Went to church in the morning - were caught in the rain coming back.

Monday 10 January 1870
Miss Henning came back from London. Freddy had a sort throat in the evening.

Monday 10 January 1870
Homeward Mail from India, China and the East

H.M.'s S. "Forte" - We learn that H.M.'s S. Forte, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., was to sail from Suez for Aden on December 3 or 4. From Aden the Forte proceeds to Trincomalee for stores, and then goes on to Bombay, where she may be expected about the middle or end of January. She is not likely to make a protracted stay. The accident that befell the Forte before reaching Aden seems to have been made too much of.

Monday 10 January 1870
Times of India

THE SUEZ CANAL. DIRECTIONS FOR PILOTAGE.
The following information regarding the pilotage of the Suez Canal was collected and forwarded to the hydrographic Department of the Admiralty by Commander Nares., of H. M.S. Newport, surveying vessel, which passed through the Canal on the occasion of its inauguration in November last. It will be of interest to all our readers, and of value to the officers of the many steamers now trading via the Canal. We are indebted for the full report to Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, who courteously sent us a copy immediately on the arrival of the mail: the overland papers contain only short extracts. It should be remembered that the following was written in November - - - -

Tuesday 11 January 1870
Times of India

The NAVY. The absence of British ships of war from Indian waters, at times when their services just happen to be wanted, is frequently the subject of remark. It is perhaps idle to hope that the old Indian Navy may again be re-organised, but that was the kind of force really required for the work to be performed in these seas.

Under the existing arrangements, the services of the Royal Naval vessels serving on the East Indian station are required over so large an expanse, and must devote so much attention to the East Coast of Africa, that it is almost a rare sight to see the white ensign off the coasts of Western India, except in the cold season.

It is therefore satisfactory to hear of anything being done which may lead to an improvement in the existing state of affairs ; and we are glad to learn that Commodore Sir Leopold Heath starts in a day or two for Calcutta, with the view, we believe, of making arrangements relative to the naval force to be available hereafter, for the behests of the Indian Government.

Sir Leopold proceeds overland from Bombay, and we presume the flagship and other men-of-war in Bombay Harbour will remain here until his return.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues .

Tuesday 11 January 1870
Freddy ill in bed, supposed to have the scarletina, Archie Wickham came to catch rats and to have luncheon Miss Hughes and the little Gordans came up for luncheon, and stayed for the afternoon.

Wednesday 12 January 1870
In the morning Arty went to shoot rabbits at Kitlands, we went for a walk before lesssons. Doctor Jardine came and said that Freddy has got the scarletina. Arty went up to Anstie in the afternoon to stay there because of the scarletina. Mamma went there in the evening to stay with Arty.

Wednesday 12 January 1869

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

H.M.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 12th January 1870

Sir,
I enclose for their Lordships information the explanations called for in your letter M.318 of the 26th November 1869 on the subject of the destruction of a Dhow by the “Nymphe” at Keonga on 26th March 1869.

Page 498

..to the aforesaid point made by their Lorships, that ---- also required P--- St--- for having given discretionary orders to Officers on detached service allowing the destruction of Dhows under certain circumstances in ---- of opposition to Act 53 Page 259 of the Slave Trade Instructions, and I have called attention to these orders in a general memo to the Squadron.

It is fair to add that it has in many cases and for many years been unattended to and even Mr.Rothey does not seem --- on its inpaction.

2. The compensation agreed upon by those concerned was paid by Commander Meara as soon as its amount was fixed and before the date of your letter, and it would seem that all that could be done was done by that Officers to repair the error that had been committed.

3..With respect to the special point upon which their Lordships have called for a report, I beg to say I am of opinion that the explanation of Commander Meara is satisfactory.

The Certificate in question (Form 6 Page 116) is drawn up with a view to the circumstances of the West African and Cuba Slave trades carried on in docked vessels, which when captured were sent under a foreign master to a port of adjudication and it was therefore necessary that many certificates should be sent for the satisfaction of the Courts, which are valueless where as in the case of captures made on this station, the Captors are themselves always present in Court, the form is however still kept up and in every one of the very numerous cases on this station, throughout many years past; of the destruction of dhows by boats on detached service, the certificate must have been signed by the Captain, on the strength of the anticipatory orders he had given, exactly in the same way as has been done in the case by Commander Meara.

I have etc
Sd L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London, S.W.

--------Enclosures---------
Commander Meara’s letter of 5th January 1870

Via Marseilles

No.31
1 Enclosure
P.S. I have confirmed my remarks made in accordance with Para10 --- of the ------ (next page)

Forwarded from Bombay per mail Steamer “Sumatra” 15 Jany 1870

Destruction of a dhow at Keonga by “Nymphe”

Ack 12 Feb.1870 No.28 M.

Wednesday 12 January 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

H.M.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 12th January 1870

Sir,
In accordance with their Lordships orders conveyed in your letter No.258M of 13 Sept 1869 I have called upon Commander Meara “to give full (Page 499) explanation with regard to the points referred to in Mr.Rothery’s report (enclosed in your letter) and I called his attention to the 58, 66, 69th and 390th sections of the slave trade instructions.”

I now enclose his reply in which as their Lordships will observe a direct contradiction is given to the most damaging of the points raised by Mr.Rothery whilst explanations are given of those of less importance.

2. I rejoice to find that Commander Meara distinctly denies the charge of having destroyed any of the papers. The charge is repeated 3 times by Mr.Rothery, twice with hesitation using the qualifying expression “is said to have been destroyed” and “the original having it would seem been destroyed” but the third time in direct terms “the Sultan’s pass which the Interpreter had himself assisted to destroy”.

If this charge were well founded in the sense in which it is unmistakably made, that is if the papers had been destroyed by the “Captors” with a view to weakening the case of the “Captured” before the Vice Admiralty Court, their Lordships would probably think it right to vindicate the honor of the Service by trying those implicated by Court Martial.

3..Mr.Rothery’s thrice repeated accusation is said to be founded upon Dr.Kirks letter of 22nd May 1869 and its enclosures, I have a copy of the letter, but not of the enclosures. In the letter (which seems very full) there is not a hint at any complaint of the sort and Commander Meara asserts most solemnly that there never was at the trial or at any other time any supposition or complaint that all the papers had not been brought in, and he says, I may therefore assume as a perfect certainty that whatever may have been the contents of those enclosures there was nothing in them of the nature referred to.

4.. In seeking for an explanation of this extraordinary and unfounded most cruel accusation against Commander Meara I have observed the following paragraph in Dr.Kirk’s letter “In court it appeared that this Interpreter cannot read either Arabic or Swaheli, even the Sultan’s dhow pass given to the vessel which he had -.(Page 500) “assisted to destroy he could not translate”, and this sentence although totally different in real meaning bears so close an apparent resemblance to that of Mr.Rothery “it appeared in court that he could read neither Arabic nor Swaheli, and could not translate the Sultan’s pass which he himself had assisted to destroy” that it is difficult to resist the inference that the one is founded on the other.

On the other hand it seems nearly impossible that Mr.Rothery should have made so extraordinary a mistake as to suppose Dr.Kirk’s meaning to be that the pass, and not that the vessel was destroyed, and quite impossible that if he had so misinterpreted the plain grammatical meaning of the sentence he should not, in a matter of such vital importance to the character of an Officer of some standing, have looked to the context.

It is perfectly clear from the most cursory examination of that context that the pass said to have been destroyed was shewn the Interpreter in Court and that he could not translate it.

5.. I now leave this part of the case in their Lordships hands feeling sure they will see justice done.

As it stands. We have 1st Mr.Rothery’s report founded on Dr.Kirk’s letter of 22nd May and its enclosures, 2nd Dr.Kirk’s letter of 22 May in which there is nothing justifying the report. 3rd Commander Meara’s solemn statement that no accusation of the sort was ever hinted at on the trial and that therefore it is impossible the report can be justified by anything in the enclosures.

6. The remaining objections made by Mr.Rothery are comparatively of little importance in as much as the honor of those concerned is in no way affected by them since they rest principally upon the interpretation of treaties and of their Lordships orders.

7.. Commander Meara states that Dr.Kirk told him in presence of some of his Officers that “he was perfectly right in destroying the Dhow according to his instructions”, and I can bear personal testimony to Dr.Kirk’s having in conversation with me when I was recently at Zanzibar expressed the same opinion.

He considered this case as a test case to decide the question of whether domestic slaves could or could not lawfully be carried to sea, and he stated to me that he thought it was unfortunate that the general question should be decided upon the merits of this particular case because it was one more than usually favorable to the carriers of these slaves in as much as there was a presumption against their being sold when trading to the South which there might not be when trading to the North where they are more valueable as an article of commerce.

8..It is right I should add as Commanding this Squadron that until the receipt of their Lordship’s order of 6th November 1869, I believed it was the duty of every Officer cruising for the suppression of the slave trade to capture vessels having slaves of any description on board.

The 51st Article of the Instructions seemed to me most distinct and as it is well known that a domestic slave is not only a valuable article but an article that is very often sold, I presumed the omission of any definition of the particular quality of slave whose presence in a dhow would justify an Officer “in concluding she was engaged inn or equipped for the slave Trade” was intentional, and I may remind their Lordships that I asked for specific instructions on the subject in my letter No.93 of 9th April 1869 that in Mr.Olivay’s letter to you of 21st July 1869 it is implied on the third page that having slaves on board forming part of the crew was a legitimate cause of detention and it was not until 6th Nov that their Lordships finally gave instructions forbidding the practice.

9.. With respect to Article.390 of the Slave Trade Instructions I beg to point out that you have not correctly quoted it in your letter No.258M, you have omitted the most important words “if practicable” and Commander Meara states it was not in this case practicable to make enquiries at any Zanzibar port and he might have added that there is no English Consular Officer at any of the Sultan’s port except at Zanzibar itself.

10..I have only to add that I consider Commander Meara to blame for having disobeyed the 66th paragraph of the Slave Trade Instructions but that in all other respects his proceedings were justifiable.

11.. I beg further to refer to my letter No.212 of 22nd September 1869 in which that case is further discussed in reply to yours of 24th July 1869 M.217.

I have etc
(Signed) L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London S.W.

-------Enclosures----------

Commander Meara’s letter of 5th January 1870

Via Marseilles

No.29
1 Enclosure

Forwarded per Mail Steamer “Sumatra” from Bombay 13th Jan 1st 1870

Explaining proceedings with respect to a Dhow captured by “Nymphe” in Kiswara Harbor

Ack.12 Feb 1870.No.28.M.

Wednesday 12 January 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty.

H.M.Ship “Forte”
12th January, Bombay

Sir,
In my letter No.30 of this days date I have enclosed the report called for from Commander Meara in your letter M.258 of 13th September 1869.

I now enclose that from Commander de Kantzow which was called for at the same time.

2. Their Lordships will observe that the whole of the 134 reputed Slaves (not 60 as quoted from Dr.Kirk by Mr.Rothery) captured by the “Star” in November 1868 were specially examined by the Government Interpreter at Aden in presence of Captain Goodfellow the Assistant Political Agent, an Officer who is himself well skilled in Native language.

3..If Captain Goodfellow failed to discover that these 36 men had been liberated by their masters, it is not to be wondered at that Commander de Kantzow with his lesser lights should have been equally deceived, and I beg to state my opinion that no blame is attributable to that Officer.

4. The “Stars” Interpreter was shipped on the strength of a recommendation from the British Consulate at Zanzibar.

I have etc
(Signed) L.G.Heath - Commodore

The Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London, S.W.

----------Enclosures--------

Commander de Kantzow’s letter of 5th December 1869

No.30
1 Enclosure

Ford per Bombay 15th Jan 70
Acknowledged 12 February 1870.No.28.M
Slaves Captured by H.M. “Star”

Wednesday 12 January 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

H.M.Ship “Bullfinch”
Bombay, 11 January 1870

Permission to enter Ward Room Officers Servants

Under the Circumstances I have given permission for the entry of Ward Room Officers servants there being no Supernumerary Marines on the Station.

No.33

Forwarded from Bombay per Mail Steamer “Sumatra” 15th January 1870

Reporting having sent a Telegram
Ack.12 Feb.1870 M.No.28

H.M.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 12th January 1870

Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that I this day sent the following Telegram to their Lordships,

“Daphne” boilers broken down. Will take Sixty days and five hundred pounds to make last twelve months at reduced pressure. Will take ninety days and three thousand pounds to make good for three years.

I recommend her going home at once by Canal, Monsoon is favourable, boilers can be sufficiently patched.

“Star” must go by Zanzibar and would take “Daphne’s” Kroomen. (?)

I have etc
(Signed) L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London, S.W.

Via Marseilles

No.32
Forwarded 12 Jany 1870

Forwarded from Bombay per Mail Steamer “Sumatra” 15th Jan 1st 1870
Ack 12 Feb 1870.M.No.28

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues .

Thursday 13 January 1870
Children climbed trees, I went up to see Arty at Anstie,but he was out rabbit shooting, Freddy better, he has got a very mild attack of scrarletina. Mr and Mrs.Hellyer came to call.

Friday 14 January 1870
Freddy much better, did lessons.

Friday 14 January 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

H.M.Ship “Forte”
At Bombay, 14th January 1870

Sir,

In my letter No.31 of 12th January 1870, I enclosed the last of the explanations called for by their Lordships from Officers of this squadron on account of their conduct in endeavouring to suppress the slave trade during the year 1868 and I hope I shall not be considered over jealous for the credit of the Officers under my command in offering for their Lordships consideration a remonstrance against the general character of the extracts from Mr.Rothery’s reports forwarded to me in your letter M.250 of 13th September 1869 and M.318 of 26th November 1869.

2. I have already referred in my letter No.29 of 12th January 1870 to one special portion of the first named extract but I wish to call their Lordships further attention to the fact of no notice whatever having been taken in Mr.Rothery’s report of Dr.Kirk’s error in asserting that this capture at Kiswara could only be made under permission given by the late Sultan in 1850.

Dr.Kirk’s argument as to whether the presence of 10 domestic slaves on board would alone justify a condemnation of the dhow may be stated as follows “I need not discuss whether the capture would be justifiable under the treaty since this is a case under the concession of 1850. The question might be open to argument under the treaty where there is mention of import and of export of slaves but in the concession the term “slave trade” alone is used and no slave trading has here been proved”

Dr.Kirk has admitted to me that when adjudicating in the case he was unaware of the existence of Lord Stanley’s letter of December 1866 in which His Lordship, then Foreign Secretary, claims for the present a general right of search in all the territorial waters of the Sultan under which letter therefore Kiswara becomes subject to the treaty equally with all the ports not between Quiloa (?) and Lamoo.

3..It was surely Mr.Rothery’s business to point out this error since whether Dr.Kirk’s judgement be right or wrong it has clearly been given from considerations apart from those which were really at issue.

There is in the report in question, one more sentence to which I wish to call attention, viz that in which Mr.Rothery states that the six slaves found on board having been proved to be domestic slaves in attendance on the Merchants, Commander Meara could in reply “only fall back on a single clause in his instructions which specifies the presence of slaves on board as one of the grounds for detaining a vessel”.

4.. Mr.Rothery must be presumed to be kept acquainted with what my be called the current literature of the slave trade and to be therefore aware that this very clause has been a prominent point of discussion during the past year and that so early as March last I officially informed their Lordships that I considered Officers were under it bound to capture vessels having slaves of any description on board.

On these grounds I submit that Mr.Rothery cannot be justified in treating the points in so slighting a manner as if Commander Meara had been putting forward something quite absurd and merely as a last resource where as it formed the very pith of his accusations against the dhow.

5.. Mr.Rothery’s entire omission of all notice of that part of Dr.Kirk’s letter in which the mutual difficulty felt on this subject under existing treaties by Commanders of vessels and Judges of Vice Admiralty Courts is hardly consistent with an even handed report and the omission of notice of that paragraph in which Dr.Kirk mentions that Naval Officers work well in a difficult and responsible position seems somewhat ungenerous.

6.. I beg now to call attention to the following paragraph in the report forwarded to me in M.318 “I must add that this case presents another instance of the irregular and arbitrary way in which the powers entrusted to Her Majesty’s Cruizers for the suppression of the slave trade appear to be too often exercised on the East Coast of Africa”.

I think I may fairly reply “This sentence presents another instance of “the irregular and arbitrary way in which Mr.Rothery dreams up his reports”.

The fact is that considering the large number of captures that have been made during the last three years it is somewhat remarkable that the case on which Mr.Rothery was then reporting is the only one in which there has been anything approaching “arbitrary proceedings” and the irregularities have been confined to those which have been practised for many years, irregularities which I am far from justifying and which have now been checked, but to which Mr.Rothery could hardly have been alluding when he wrote that sentence, but apart from the correctness or otherwise of the imputations, it seems to me that whatever the nature of Mr.Rothery’s duties may be it can hardly come within their scope to give an opinion on the past conduct of the squadron when called on to report on an individual case.

7..I hope their Lordships will not think these remarks are written in too strong terms. I have endeavoured throughout to state my case in the most temperate manner possible, but I feel most strongly from the tenor of the opening and closing paragraphs of your Circular of 16th November 1869, and from the tenor of most of the letter recently received from the Foreign Office that there is a feeling that lawlessness is the rule and not the exception in the dealings between Her Majesty’s Officers and the native dhows.

8..It is but natural that reports by a gentleman of Mr.Rothery’s professional reputation should be read as a complete and faithful and just summing up of each case and that where there is a heavy press of other business they should sometimes be the only documents studied. An effect is thus produced and an idea established in the mind of the reader which no subsequent explanation received months afterwards and looked on probably as an excuse rather than a justification will ever eradicate.

9..It is only in this manner that I can account for the feeling to which I have attended because if their Lordships will kindly go through the whole list of accusations and the whole list of explanations they will, I am convinced, see that the destruction of the dhow by the “Nymphe” boat at Keonga is really the only case requiring severe reproof.

I have etc
(Signed) L.G.Heath - Commander

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London. S.W.

Via Marseilles

No.34
Forwarded from Bombay per Mail Steamer “Sumatra” 15th January 1870.
Complaint of the incorrectness & unfairness of reports on conduct of Officers employed in suppression of Slave Trade.

Ack.12 Feb.1870.M.No.28

Saturday 15 January 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

H.M.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 15th January 1870

Sir,
In reply to your letter No.323 of 1st December 1869 I have the honor to inform you that the Shipwrights name referred to therein is Ralph Sobling, and that he passed on the 6th Instant for Carpenter’s Mate.

2. I beg to add that I should regret receiving their Lordships permission to advance this man unless at the same time the Carpenter, Mr.Hawkins can be promoted.

I have etc
(Signed ) L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London S.W.

Page 511

Via Southampton

No.37
Forwarded from Bombay per Mail Steamer Sumatra” 10th Jany 1870

Reporting name of Shipwright recommended for advancement.
Ack 12 Feb 1870.M.No.28

Diary of Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues.

Saturday 15 January 1870
Did lessons in the morning, it rained in the afternoon.

Saturday 15 January 1870
Times of India
THE BLUE JACKETS.

Yesterday afternoon, seven companies of Blue Jackets, with two field pieces, the whole under commend of Gunnery Lieutenant Read, of H.M.S. Forte, land at the Dockyard, and thence proceeded to the parade-ground for drill.

The men executed the various manoeuvres with wonderful steediness and promptitude, which was all the mote creditable to them that they have so few opportunities of meeting together in force.

The proceedings terminated with a march past in review order before Commodore Sir Leopold Heath and Staff. Thereafter, they were marched back to the Dockyard for embarkation.

It is only by seeing the sailors thus massed together for exercise that people can readily appreciate the strength of the East India squadron. The six or seven hundred reviewed yesterday were all smart well-built men - apparently, and, we doubt not, in reality, fit for any service. In that, however, they are only like their predecessors in these waters, who have furnished more than one distinguish naval brigade for field service.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 16 January 1870
Did not go to church, took Berty to Mrs.Moore's in the afternoon.

Monday 17 January 1870
Rained, played at Gypsies in the afternoon.

Tuesday 18 January 1870
Freddy got up for the first time. Mr.Wall came, Arty went shooting, we went a walk round by Anstie and Mrs.Moores.

Wednesday 19 January 1870
Mamma nursed Freddie, it snowed. We went to the station.

Thursday 20 January 1870
Mamma went up to Anstie, we took a vey long walk.

Thursday 20 January 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

H.M.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 20th January 1870

Sir,
I have the honor to forward herewith copies of vouchers for Purchase made by the Paymasters of H.M.Ships on the East Indian Station to the 31st December 1869.

I have etc
(Signed) L.G.Heath - Commodore

The Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London.

Via Marseilles

No.41
40 Enclosures

Forwarded from Bombay per Mail Steamer “Columbian” 22nd January 1870

Forwarding Vouchers for Purchases

Ack 01 March 70.M.No.50

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Friday 21 January 1870
We went a walk with Mamma and by Mrs.Moore's and Anstie.

Saturday 22 January 1870
Aunt Posy came to Anstie to stay with Arty.

Saturday 22 January 1870
Times of India

Regatta at Bombay
A Regatta for the boats of H.M. ships of war now in Bombay Harbour took place on Wednesday and Thursday, and both from the number of entries and the hearty way in which the several races were contested, it proved a complete success.

There were no less than six men-of-war in the harbour, - The Forte (flag ship), Daphne, Dryad, Nymph, Bullfinch, and Star, a larger number than have been at Bombay at one time for several years, in fact the only ship of the East Indian Squadron absent was the Cossack. The weather was very favourable for the day's racing, which was for the sailing boats, there being a fine breeze from west-north-west, so that the capabilities of the several competitors were tried on every point, the course being from the flag ship round the inner light ship, thence round a buoy off Karinja and back to the flag ship. - - - -

The races were under the immediate patronage of Sir Leopold Heath, K.C.B., the Commodore, and the prizes were raised by subscription among the officers of the fleet. The stiff breeze blowing, and the strong tide running, made the pulling hard work, hot, on the whole, the was every thing that could be wished, in fact, it was as cool as a summer day in England. Everything passed off without a hitch, and those who had the pleasure of witnessing the race of Wednesday and Thursday will look forward with pleasure to the time when another muster of H.M. ships will make a regatta practicable.

Saturday 22 January 1870
Times of India

DEPARTURE OF H. M.'s " STAR."

The boilers of H. M.'s ship Daphne, Captain Douglas, have been found so defective as to necessitate her going home, and the Admiralty, at the suggestion of the Commodore of the station, Sir Leopold Heath, C. B., have ordered her to proceed to England forthwith, via the Suez Canal.

The Daphne will sail as soon as her boilers have been temporarily repaired, which will probably be by the middle of February. The Daphne's term of commission would have expired ordinarily in June next , Captain Meara, of the Nymphe, who has been invalided, goes home in the Daphne, and Captain Campbell takes command of the Nymphe. The Daphne, on her voyage to England, will call at the usual ports.

Saturday 23 January 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Annual report on the Slave Trade for 1869

H.M.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 22nd January 1870

Sir,
In accordance with the 7th paragraph, page 11 of the Slave Trade Instructions I forward for the information of their Lordships the following report for the year 1869.

2. The Ships available in the spring of that year for service against the slave traders were the “Forte” “Daphne” “Star” “Nymphe” and “Dryad”. These vessels had all wintered at Bombay except the “Nymphe” which proceeded early to Zanzibar to guard the British community against anticipated troubles from the Northern Arabs and the “Dryad” which had been sent to support the Resident in the Persian Gulf.

3..By the middle of April the squadron was in position as follows,

“Dryad” guarding from Ras el Hadd to Kooria Moonia.

“Daphne” guarding from Kooria Moonia to Maculla.

“Forte” working along the coast between the two.

“Star” guarding from “Socotra” to Cape Guardafui and down to Ras Haffoon. “Nymphe from Ras Haffoon to Cape Duinford.

4..The ships remained in these stations until the Monsoon became too strong and after condemning their captures at Aden most of them proceeded to the Mozambique Channel where they were joined by the “Cossack” and the “Bullfinch”. The “Cossack” was left to watch British interests to the southward, and the remaining vessels returned to Bombay in October and November.

5.. The general result of the years works is given in the following abstract.

The Officers of the Squadron have shewn great zeal and energy. The total number of dhows boarded including those boarded more than once exceed 400 and these visits were in many cases made in blowing weather and a heavy sea. The amount of slave trading tonnage destroyed is less than last year but the number of slaves liberated is again larger than usual.

Total No. Dhows Captured Total Tonnage of Total No. of Slaves liberated.
Captured Dhows
32 3431 1117

6. Believing that my visit to Zanzibar in 1868 had produced a good effect I repeated it in 1869 and again discussed the Slave Trade question at a private interview with the Sultan. His Highness is I believe personally anxious to stop the export trade but his Government is weak and powerless and I was informed by the Acting Political Agent that in a slaving dhow recently captured were found numerous letters shewing that persons of the highest position in Zanzibar society were interested in her cargo.

7. The trade in the Mozambique Channel as measured by the captures appears to have decreased considerably. A whole cargo landed at Mojanga has been given up to the English Government but I am doubtful whether this act was prompted by the known vicinity to the place of H.M.S. “Nymphe” or whether it may really be taken to imply that the Government of Madagascar is in earnest in endeavouring to stop the traffic.

8… On the 14th July a decree of the Portuguese Government abolishing the status of slavery in all Portuguese dominions was published at Mozambique. Under that decree a sort of apprenticeship of existing slaves to their present Masters is to be continued until 1872.

9... What may be called the legislative changes made during the past year have been more than usually important. First in order is the opening of the Vice Admiralty Court at Zanzibar which has given great satisfaction to the Sultan who on my recent visit expressed his confidence in the justness of its proceedings.

It seems that its minutes and decisions are reported upon by the Registrar of the Admiralty Court in London. Two of these reports have been officially forwarded to me and I have pointed out in my letters No.29 of 12 January 1870 and No.34 of 14 January 1870, what appear, in the one, most unfounded statements, and in the other, most unjustified and uncalled for imputations against the general conduct of Officers in command on this station.

I suggest that if these reports are necessary they must be rendered by a Committee of three (including a Naval Officer) so that the characters of Officers concerned may not be left in the hands of a single individual giving his judgement in private.

10.. The instructions (Act 66 page 25) have for many years fallen into disuse – The Makedahs and crews of captured vessels have generally urgently begged to be landed or transferred to passing dhows so that they might the sooner reach their homes and the Captors have generally been only too glad to get rid of them, but the result has been that the vast majority of cases, condemnation in Court has been decided without giving the Judge an opportunity of questioning those who sailed in the dhow.

Attention was called by their Lordships in the early part of the year to the necessity of strict compliance with the instructions on this head in future, and I anticipate much good will ensue, not only as ensuring strict justice for the captured but as punishing offending crews by their detention from their homes.

11. A suggestion was made in my letter No.179 of 31 July 1869 for obtaining the services of a better class of Interpreter for the use of the squadron. No reply has yet been received.

12.. On 6th November their Lordships issued “Instructions for the guidance of Naval Officers employed in the suppression of the Slave Trade”.

Those instructions forbid the detaining of vessels having slaves on board if there are attendant circumstances shewing that the slaves are not being transported for the purpose of being sold as slaves, and there is added as an example of the nature of those circumstances “where the slaves found on board are very few in number, are unconfined and appear to be on board for the purpose of loading or working the ship, or attending upon the Master or the Passengers and there is no other evidence that the vessel is engaged in or equipped for the Slave Trade”.

13. I believe that just as it is said a drunkard can only be cured by total abstinence so the slave trade by sea can only be put down if at all by a rigid forbidding of the carrying to sea of any slaves of any description.

As I have before remarked even what is called a domestic slave is not only a saleable article but an article which is very often sold, and the return of those embarked to the port they originally left depends solely upon whether or no a good offer has been made for them at the ports they have visited in the interval.

I attach (Enclosures No.2) depositions made before me personally by some of the slaves captured by H.M.S. “Forte” as shewing how numerous are the domestic slaves carried to sea for sale.

14. As to the other class of slaves, namely those purchased and shipped with the direct intention of re-sale in other countries, I have to express my fears that so soon as the nature of these instructions become known to the Arab traders they will change their present tactics and send forward small shipments in numerous vessels instead of full cargoes in a smaller number.

To prove the real character of these slaves and the intention with which they are embarked will under these circumstances be very difficult and their Lordships’ Circular shews so much displeasure as to the past and is so threatening as to the future that few Officers in command will take any risk in the matter.

I trust their Lordships will not think me disrespectful in thus stating my views of the probable effect of their recent circular. I have had some hesitation as to what was my duty in the matter and I have come to the conclusion in which I hope their Lordships will agree that a report of this sent was an exceptional document which would be altogether worthless if my opinions were not freely expressed.

15. I have but to add that a year’s further experience has confirmed in me the impressions which I have before reported as to the ineffectiveness of all that England has as yet done with the intention of suppressing the East African Slave Trade.

I believe still as I believed when I made my last year’s report; that the most effectual stop, which could be taken as also the most economical would be to purchase the Sovereignty of the island of Zanzibar where there are already 3,000 or 4,000 Banyans and Hindis, being the most industrious, and well to do portion of the population all owing allegiance to the British Crown, and all under the jurisdiction of the British Consul.

The Sultan has built a palace at Darra Salaam possibly with the notion that sooner or later he will have to retire to his dominions on the mainland.

I have etc
(Signed) L.G.Heath - Commodore
Enclosures
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London S.W.

No.42
2 Enclosures

Forwarded from Bombay per Mail Steamer “Columbian” 22nd Jany 1870
Annual report on the Slave Trade for 1869
Ack 8 March 70.M.No.50

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 23 January 1870
An abominable day, Aunt Posy and Arty came and spoke to us through the window.

Monday 24 January 1870
Mamma and Miss Henning went to Anstie, we stayed about the fields, and garden. Artie went shooting.

Tuesday 25 January 1870
Mamma went a little walk with Aunt Posy, we went riding.

Wednesday 26 January 1870
We went with Mamma, Aunt Posy and Arty for a walk, we had the ponies with us, a lovely day.

Thursday 27 January 1870
Mamma went up to Anstie, we skated and slid.

Friday 28 January 1870
Skated and slid, Mr.Wickham and Mr.Bright called.

Saturday 29 January 1870
Skated and slid. In the afternoon Mamma, Aunt Posy and Miss Henning came on the ice. A lovely day. Had great fun.

Sunday 30 January 1870
In the morning went a walk with Miss Henning round by Anstie and Mrs.Moore's, in the afternoon went with Mamma and Arty the contrary way, James Harrison and Mr.Aldridge called, but as they saw the red cross on the door they would not come in.

Monday 31 January 1870
Rained. Mamma went to see Aunt Posy in the afternoon.

Monday 31 January 1870
Homeward Mail from India, China and the East
Bombay - Our advices from Bombay are to January 5

The Commodore's Flagship - H.M.S. Forte arrived in Bombay harbour from Suez and Aden, with Commodore Heath on board, on January 1. It is now nine months since the Forte left Bombay. For some time she was engaged cruising on the Arabian coast, and afterwards visited Zanzibar and Seychelles.

From thence, she proceeded to Suez and remained there for six weeks, and till the festivities attending on the opening of the Suez Canal were at an end. The Forte then sailed for Bombay about a month ago, calling at Aden, and making a considerable part of the voyage under sail. During her cruise she captured a slave dhow with eighty negroes on board.

Tuesday 1 February 1870
Morning Post.
Telegraphic Communication with India

Sir. - I have the honour to forward to you the following particulars of the progress of the contractors in extending the important undertaking for which this company was formed:- By letters from Bombay of the 8th inst. we learn that the Government of the presidency is affording every facility for landing the shore end of our cable, that the trench across the parade ground for the connections between cable and office is dug, and the cable test-house erected.

Directly the steam-ship Chiltern arrived, which she did on the 26th, the connecting wires would be carefully laid in pipes provided for the purpose, and all will be in readiness for the Great Eastern.

Captain Sherard Osborn informs me that mooring buoys have been laid down by the naval authorities for the "big ship;" her coals are all afloat and ready to go alongside, and Commodore Heath has instructed H.M.S. Forte to afford every assistance in expediting this work.

The Bombay shore end will probably be laid whilst the Great Eastern is coaling, an operation which will occupy a week. The Great Eastern and Chiltern will then in company proceed with the submergence of the cable to Aden and the entrance of the Red Sea.

At Aden all the arrangements are completed, and the Hibernia with the Red Sea Cable will be there to meet the Great Eastern about the end of February. - - - and I have every reason to believe that the cables from Malta via Gibraltar to Falmouth will be submerged by May next, according to the terms of that company's contract with the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company. - I am sir, yours very faithfully. John Pender, Chairman.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Tuesday 1 February 1870
Mamma went up to Anstie to see Aunt Posy. I went a walk with Miss Henning in the evening the sandal wood box came for Miss Henning.

Wednesday 2 February 1870
Rain, rain, rain. Artie went to Ewhurst, came and grumbled before he went about going in the fly.

Wednesday 2 February 1870
Times of India

The Persian Gulf

We have received the fullest corroboration of the news we gave yesterday regarding the unsettled state of affairs among the people of Oman.

Abdullah bin Feysul, Amir of Riadh, has more than one account to settle with Azan-bin-Ghes, whose people murdered his lieutenant and attacked his frontier stronghold of Beyremeh, which guards the entrance to the passes of the Djebel Akhdar against an army coming from Nejd. - - -

From information furnished by the Foreign Office, we learn that the Riadh hordes have advanced to Lahsa; and as a 'feeler,' to see how the British authorities will regard their action, they say they come in the hope of being able to consult with them regarding the recent disturbances at El Khatif and Bahrain. - - -

Colonel Pelly requires a stronger force than he has at present in the Gulf, and the permission of the Government of India has been asked to employ one of the East India Squadron now in Bombay Harbour. Sir Leopold Heath is in Calcutta, and an hour's conference between him and the Viceroy should settle that little matter, as well as the more important one, of which they must surely by this time be "almost persuaded," that nothing but a special service, adequately armed and equipped, can ever perform the multifarious duties demanded in those waters.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Thursday 3 February 1870
Nothing. Berty came in the afternoon.

Friday 4 February 1870
Went a walk in the morning with Miss Henning. Mamma went to Anstie in the afternoon.

Saturday 5 February 1870
In the afternoon went up to Anstie with Mamma and Miss Henning, met Aunt Posy and Berty at the farm.

Homeward Mail from India, China and the East.
Saturday 5 February 1870

Bombay - Regatta.
A regatta is to take place between the boats of the East India Squadron now in Bombay Harbour, under the patronage of Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B. On the first day there will be but one race - for the boats of every size; 1¼ minute for every foot length; boats to sail with rig as manned and armed.

On the second, the first race will be for boom boats; the second for cutters, 10 oars; the third for six-oared galleys; the fourth for five-oared gigs; the fifth for four-oared gigs; the sixth a Kroo boat or canoe race; and the seventh a race for copper punts, pulled, of course by Kroomen.

The Forte will, of course, be the flagship on the occasions; and as there are no fewer than six men-of-war in harbour - the Forte (?)

Globe
Saturday 5 February 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath is about to proceed to Calcutta with the object, it is believed, of conferring with the Viceroy as to the number of men-of-war on the East India station that shall be hereafter available for the service of the Government of India.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 6 February 1870
In the morning went up to the farm to feed the peacock, in the afternoon it rained cats and dogs.

Monday 7 February 1870
Mamma had luncheon at Anstie. Berty went back to school, rained.

Tuesday 8 February 1870
We had a whole holiday, went out ferreting with Arty. Mamma went up to Anstie in the afternoon.

Tuesday 8 February 1870
Englishman's Overland Mail.

Sir Rutherford Alcock is at present on a visit to the Viceroy in Calcutta to explain the increased duty lately imposed on Opium in China. Sir Leopold Heath is also on a visit to consider the reconstruction of the Indian Navy.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Wednesday 9 February 1870
Snow on the ground. Mamma up to Anstie in the morning to say good bye to Aunt Posy and Arty who went to London by the 12 o'clock train. Arty goes from there to Marlborough (College) on the 15th

Thursday 10 February 1870
We went a long walk with Miss Henning to Leith Hill, Mamma and Gerard went with us as far as Kitlands.

Friday 11 February 1870
All went in the fly to Dorking in the morning.

Friday 11 February 1870
Cambria Daily Leader

India
Colonel Kelly, Resident, Persian Gulf States, leaves for Muscat today. Commodore Heath has gone to Calcutta to discuss with the Viceroy the further arrangements of the Indian Navy

Friday 11 February 1870
Liverpool Daily Post

India

Bombay, Feb.8 - The Duke of Edinburgh will arrive at Lahore. He has been everywhere well received. Colonel Pelly, resident at the Persian Gulf States, leaves for Muscat today. Commodore Heath has gone to Calcutta. He is distrustful of the arrangements of the Indian navy.

Saturday 12 February 1870
Times of India

The Defences of Aden
Government have appointed the undermentioned officers a committee, to meet at Aden at an early date, for the purpose of reporting upon the defences required for the protection of the port, the Cratar, and Little Aden:-

Major-General C.W. Tremenheere C.B., and Major-General Sir E.L.Russell. Major T.Mahon R.A., and an officer of the Royal Navy to be nominated by Commodore Heath. - - -
The British India Telegraph Expedition - Capt. Sherard Osborn has received the following despatch:- "Halpin, Great Eastern, Bombay, Feb.7. 4.15pm. To Osborn. The shore end, which was shipped in the Chiltern, has been successfully landed today."

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Saturday 12 February 1870
Snowed.

Sunday 13 February 1870
James came to say good-bye.

Monday 14 February 1870
Freddy came down for the first time.

Tuesday 15 February 1870
Nobody knows.
Wednesday 16 to Friday 18th did nothing particular.

Thursday 17 February 1870
The Times of India

The Persian Gulf
It seems as if the peace of the Persian Gulf were really in imminent danger of rupture—Maritime Truce included.

The latest news represents the Wahabees as having been busily engaged in organizing a fleet at Khateef, to operate in concert with their land forces against Muscat. They are reported to contemplate a descent on the coast near Behreymee.

Khateef is a port of no inconsiderable proportions and strength, situated some forty miles north of Bahrein. It is moreover a seaport of by which the merchandise of Arabia seeks an outlet, and a likely place to be selected for the equipment of an expedition.

Behreymee is a fortified town, the frontier post of the Emir of Riadh, but lately held by the people of Muscat. Being from its position and advantages a place of considerable importance, its capture would be deemed essential by any force invading Oman from Muscat, or Muscat from the direction of Oman. Azau-bin-Ghes has little chance of withstanding the invader, unless all the tribes hitherto disaffected rally round him (which it is far from likely they will do), or unless the fleet containing the flower of their fighting men and the greater part of their resources is scattered or taken by Colonel Pelly, or some English officer in his stead. About the probability of this last, it would be unprofitable to speculate.

The flagship Forte, with Sir Leopold Heath on board, leaves Bombay for Kurrachee on the 27th instant ; whether she will proceed beyond that port depends upon certain considerations and contingencies which we must not at present discuss.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Wednesday 16 to Friday 18th did nothing particular.
Saturday 19 February 1870

Saturday 19 February 1870
Army and Navy Gazette

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, K.C.B, was at Bombay on the 21st of January, but intended going in the course of week to Calcutta, leaving the Forte at the former port until his return. Sir Leopold's object in going to Bengal is to consult the Viceroy relative to the arrangements connected with the establishment of the future Indian squadron, as no details had up last advices been settled.

We understand that many difficulties have been started in the way of carrying out the intended project. It is the old story of "Civilian against naval and military,” and there no doubt exists a strong feeling on the part of officers not to serve under the local "politicals,” but much is expected from Lord Mayo's suaviter in modo, combined with the certainty of good pay being allotted to those who may join the service.

Monday 21 February 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Forwarding the original sentence with the minutes of Proceedings of a court martial.

H.M.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 21st February 1870

Sir,
I have the honor to transmit herewith the original sentence with the minutes of the proceedings of a Court Martial held this day on board H.M.S. “Euphrates” for the trial of James Matthew, Acting Chief Boatswain Mate of that ship.

2.- The Prisoner will proceed to Suez in “Euphrates” and then by corresponding Troop ship at Alexandra to England to undergo his imprisonment.

I have etc
(Sd ) L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty

Page 523

No.57
2 Enclosures

Forwarded per Mail Steamer “China” from Bombay 26th Feby 1870

Forwarding the original sentence with the minutes of Proceedings of a court martial.

Ack.2 Apl 1870 M.No.69

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Monday 21 February 1870
Freddy's birthday, had great fun.

Monday 21 February 1870
Times of India

TO MARINERS.
We are indebted to Commodore Sir Leopold Heath for the following observances on the tide and currents of the Straits of Jabal. The observations were made by Captain Henry Grant, R.N., while conducting the operations for the recovery of the treasure from the wreck of the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-ship Canaria in December 1869 :- The rise and fall of the tides on all the banks between Jubel and Shedwan Islands are much affected by the direction and force of the wind ; they range from 4 to 6 feet at full and change. " The direction of the tide - - - -

Tuesday 22 February 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

H.M.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 22nd February 1870

Sir,
I beg to enclose for submission to their Lordships the statements of the Officers commanding Troop ships on this side with reference to your letter M.(without number) of 24th December 1869 in which I am informed that “their Lordships attention has been drawn to the fact that Naval Prisoners in irons have been sent home from the East Indian Station in H.M.S.Troop Ships”.

I have etc
(Signed) L.G.Heath - Commander

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London.

No.61
-- Enclosures

Forwarded per mail Steamer China from Bombay 26th Feby 1870
Prisoners conveyed in Indian Troop Ship
Ackd 2 Apl 1870 M.No.64

Enclosure

No.62
Forwarded 22nd Feb 1870 Ship and ------(unreadable)

Forwarded per mail Steamer “China” from Bombay 26th February 1870
Ackd 2 Apl 1870 M.No.64
H.M.Ship “Cossack”
Seychelles, 15th January 1870

Reporting having afforded passage to M.J.Spasholt Missionary and his Wife.

Page 532

Via Marseilles

Times of India
Tuesday 22 February 1870

His Excellency Sir Salar Jung K.C.S.I., and suite, were yesterday conducted by Mr Saunders C.B., Resident of Hyderebad, over H.M.'s Forte, where they were received by Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., and officers.

With Mr Roberts was, in addition to his own staff, Mr Fitzgerald, as representative of His Excellency the Governor. The arrangements for conveying the distinguished party afloat were seen to by Captain Robinson personally.

Sir Seymour Fitzgerald and others, India

Sir Seymour Fitzegerald and others in India.

Sir Seymour is probably the one sitting on the left

Having inspected the Forte - and there is no prettier sight afloat than a trim British frigate - and having had explained to them everything of interest on board, the strangers left, under a salute from the vessel, for the troop-ship Malabar, which then had her troops on board - the 102nd Foot and details - - -
We may state, also, that the impression created among those on board by Sir Salar Jung's intelligent and noble bearing was a most favourable one.

From the Malabar,the party proceeded up the Harbour, and ultimately to Elephants. They honoured the Hon'ble David Sassoon C.S.I., with their company at dinner in the evening. Today they depart by special train to Aurangabad.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Tuesday 22 February 1870
Mamma and I to the drawing class for the first time, very nice.

Wednesday 23 February 1870
Mamma and Miss Henning went up to Anstie, we skated.

Thursday 24 February 1870
Went up to Anstie Farm with Mamma.

Friday 25 February 1870
Went a long walk, had the ponies with us.

Saturday 26 February 1870
Mamma, Miss Henning and Ada went to Brighton. We roamed all about the woods and farm.

Sunday 27 February 1870
Rained in the morning, did not go to church.

Monday 28 February 1870
Went up Anstie with Mamma and Miss Henning.

Monday 28 February 1870
Times of India

Mrs Tucker Fancy Dress Ball
It must be admitted that a Fancy Dress Ball with the English is a somewhat hazardous social experiment. Not so in Paris, Munich or Naples, for there the stiffness that we meet within our own insular society is totally absent, and artistic feeling is properly allowed a freer scope.

The triumphant success of the brilliant ball of Thursday night is, however, an abundant proof - if proof be needed - of the existence in Bombay society of cultivated taste and hearty appreciation of the peculiar conditions of masquerade. - - - still we experience in masquarade a certain undefinable sense of relief at being freed from the oppressive tyranny of our monotonous modern fashions. - - -

First, however, we should remark that the mansion of Mr Manockjee Petit, kindly lent for the occasion, is admirably suited for an entertainment of this kind, and it approaches and surroundings were a blaze of light, while the broad and simple character of the decoration of the hall that served as ball-room was wisely left unbroken by colour or evergreens; and the pillared aisle that surrounded it provided a picturesque background and promenade. - - -

In conclusion we may mention that His Excellency the Governor honoured the entertainment with his presence, as a Lord Lieutenant, and appeared thoroughly to enjoy the brilliant scene. Sir Barnes and Lady Peacock, Major General Gordon C.B., Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., Colonel Penn, C.B., - - Colonel Mess'oud Bey of Bagdad,

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Monday 28 February 1870
Went up Anstie with Mamma and Miss Henning.

Tuesday 1 March 1870
Went to the drawing class in the Wickham's carriage.

Wednesday 2 March 1870
Mamma went to Kitlands. The others went a walk. Freddy and I went a ride.

Thursday 3 March 1870
Had a concert.

Friday 4 March 1870
Rainy day. We played at horses.

Saturday 5 March 1870
Went up to Anstie with Mamma. Herbert in bed, supposed to have scarletine.

Sunday 6 March 1870
Did not go to church, went a walk.

Monday 7 March 1870
Hip! Hip! Hurrah!!!!!! Herbert has not got the scarletina, but, only a rash.

Tuesday 8 March 1870
Went to the drawing class, it is so nice.

Tuesday 8 March 1870
Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore)

Departure of H.M.S. Forte. - H.M.S. Forte, the flaghip of Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, left Bombay harbour on Sunday evening, 27th Feb, for Kurrachee. Her trip has, we believe, some connection with the affairs in the Persian Gulf, but it is expected the Forte will return to Bombay ere the arrival of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Wednesday 9 March 1870
Mamma and Freddy went to London for the day.

Thursday 10 March 1870
We went a walk in the morning. Mamma took Freddy to Mrs.Moore's to stay till Monday and went to Kitlands.

Thursday 10 March 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Sanitaria for crews of Indian Troop Ships during Monsoon Months

H.M.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 10th March 1870

Sir,
In accordance with the directions contained in your letter M.M.(without number) of 3rd December 1869. I have made enquiries as to the cost of sending sickly men from the Indian Troop Ships to sanitaria, and maintaining them there during the monsoon months and I attach a copy of the reply from the Bombay Government.

I have etc
(Signed) L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London S.W.

---------Enclosure-----------

Report in Secretary to Government letter dated 1st March 1870.

Via Marseilles

No.74
1 Enclosure

Forwarded per mail Steamer “Sumatra” from Bombay 12th March 1870
Sanitaria for crews of Indian Troop Ships during Monsoon Months
Ackd 19 Apl 1870 M.81

Captain Parish to Commodore Sir Leopold Heath

No.75
Submitted 10th March 1870
As there will be no opportunity for trying this Officer for the Offences complained of by Capt Parish until November or December I forward the case for their Lordships consideration, observing that Mr.Grant was discharged the service by sentence of Court Martial for Drunkenness in January 1860 and subsequently restored… (next page)

Forwarded per mail Steamer “Sumatra” from Bombay 12th March 1870

Reporting the misconduct of Mr.H.H.Grant Asst.Paymr
Ackd 19 Apl 1870 M.81

H.M.Ship “Cossack”
Seychelles, 26th January 1870

Sir,
I regret to have to report to you the misconduct of Mr.H.H.M.D.Grant Assistant Paymaster whose name has twice been entered in the Log for the following offences.

On the 27th November 1869 I directed Mr.Grant, on his asking me for leave to go on shore, that he was to report himself to me on his return from leave. This he did not do, and on my sending for him after divisions the following morning (he was not at divisions) he was unable to state at what time he returned on board.

On the 7th Instant Mr.G.Liddell Acting Paymaster reported Mr.Grant to me for neglect of duty and on my investigating the case the following morning in the presence of the Senior Lieutenant, it appeared that Mr.Grant had made numerous mistakes on the Record Book, and performed his duty very unsatisfactorily, and also that he was drunk on the afternoon of the 6th Instant.

The Chaplain and Surgeon were called, and both stated that they saw him drunk on the 6th Instant in the Ward Room.

I have etc
(Signed) John Parish - Captain

..restored by their Lordships -- -- with loss of two years seniority

Commodore
Sir L.G.Heath K.C.B.
H.M.S. “Forte”
The district

statements by Captain Parish of the opinion given by the Chaplain and Surgeon seems to leave no doubt as to Mr.Grant’s having been drunk on the 6th January.

Thursday 10 March 1870

Commodore Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

H.M.Ship “Forte”
Bombay 10th March 1870

Sir,
In reply to your letter M.M.No.21 of the 28th January last, I have the honor to inform you that I approve of the contingent expenses incurred by the “Forte” and “Cossack” but that the “Juno” not being under my command I can give no opinion in her case.

I have etc
(Signed) L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London, S.W.

Via Marseilles

No.76

Fowarded per mail Steamer “Sumatra” from Bombay 12th March 1870

Contingent expenses incurred by “Forte” “Cossack” & “Juno”
Ackd 19 Apl 1870.M.86

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Friday 11 March 1870
We went up to the sandpit.

Saturday 12 March 1870
Went to the sandpit with Freddy. Mamma went a walk.

Saturday 12 March 1870
Times of India

H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh - Arrival in Bombay
His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Bombay yesterday afternoon by special train, at 5 o'clock. His Royal Highness has now seen the greater part of India, and has been welcomed by many a city possessed of historical and tragic associations which Bombay happily does not possess; but, we have the best authority for stating, at none of these receptions were there noticed the same indications of universal and spontaneous welcome that distinguished the reception last night at Boree Bunder Station. - -

The three Chiefs aforementioned, the Members of Government, the Commander-in-Chief, the Lord Bishop, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, and others were introduced to His Royal Highness. - -

Saturday 12 March 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Alteration in “Daphne’s fittings

H.M.S. “Forte”
Bombay, 12th March 1870

Sir,
I beg you will suggest for their Lordships consideration that advantage be taken of the return of the “Daphne” to England to make the following alterations.

1st – To fit a central rear bolt in the deck and special flaps to the Gun slides to allow the 7 inch Guns to be swung round from one broadside (?) to the other. Permission was given for this alteration on your letter dated 30th January 1868 N.No.71 but I have not been able to give effect to it.

2nd – To fit the Catheads as in Indian Troop Ships so that the copper under the fore foot may not be torn off when weighing.

3rd - To remedy the dampness of the Magazines and Shell rooms, this is, it is believed, caused principally by the vapour from the Condenser tanks.

I have etc
(Signed) L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London S.W.

Via Marseilles

No.78

Forwarded per mail Steamer “Sumatra” form Bombay 12th March 1870

Alteration in “Daphne’s fittings

Ack 19 Apl 1870.M.81

Saturday 12 March 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

H.M.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 12th March 1870

Sir,
In continuation of my report No.54 of the 19th February, I beg you will inform their Lordships that I left this port for Kurrachi on the 27th February, arriving there on the 3rd Instant.

2.- My object in making this trip was partly to refresh the Ships Company, but principally to acquaint myself by personal Inquiry of the present state and future prospects of a harbor which I have recommended as one which should be frequented during the Monsoon by Men of War which may be appropriated for Indian Government duty.

2a- Every information was given me on the subject of the harbor works by Capt Mereweth R.E. and I attach for the information of the Hydrographer the latest official notice as to the state of the bar etc.

The breakwater from Manora point is begun and will be proceeded with. The perusal of a large mass of official correspondence on this subject has led me to the conclusion that this breakwater, which has been left to the last ought to have been the first work executed, and I believe that when it shall have been completed there will be no difficulty in maintaining a deep water channel through the bar.

All accounts agree in stating that Kurrachi is a more desirable residence than Bombay during the Monsoon. The water supply is at present bad but there are projects in hand for improving it both as to quality and quantity.

3.- Leaving Kurrachi on the 6th Inst I arrived here on the 10th.

4.- On the 4th Instant I received telegraphic information that the “Star” had put back to Galle with an increased leak, and I have found it necessary to dispatch the “Dryad” to escort her to Bombay, where she will be docked before proceeding to England.

5.- On 25th January the “Cossack” was at the Seychelles, her sanitary condition has never been satisfactory, her sick list at that date was but 14, but Captain Parish informs me that weakness and debility are prevalent amongst those who have once been on the list. She will pass the months of July and August in the lattitude of the Mauritius, which will I hope be the means of restoring her Ships Company to health and strength.

6.- H.M.Indian Troop ship “Euphrates” sailed on the 5th Instant for Suez, Captain Cursine has reported to their Lordships the damage done to his ship by collision with the “Batisfamily”.

7.- The “Nymphe” will sail for the South so soon as her new Commander arrives.

8.- “Bullfinch” remains at Muscat

9.- I beg you will further inform their Lordships that the assembly of the Ships of the Squadron at this port during the last 2 months has enabled me to practice those exercises which cannot be carried out by them in the usually isolated condition, small arm men have been landed weekly and under Lieutenant Reade, Gunnery Lieutenant of the ship, have practiced brigade movements and attained most satisfactory efficiency.

The boats of the Squadron have been weekly exercised in the new fleet maneuvers under the superintendence of Commander Colomb and the younger Officers have much benefited by this instruction.

In order to give facility in day signalling to the very inexperienced Signal boys of the small ships, I have issued all orders not necessary to be put in writing by signal, and this service is now carried out with great smartness and accuracy. Night Signals were practised for several nights in succession, latterly without mistakes.

I have etc
(Signed) L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary 0f the Admiralty
Whitehall, London S.W.

--------Enclosures----------

1.- Acknowledgement of Orders & Letters received from 19th Feby to 10th March 1870
2.- Numbers required to complete complements to Squadron 28th February 1870
3.- Half Yearly Return of Treasure conveyed by squadron.
4.- Inspection of H.M.S. “Dryad” 23rd Feb y 1870
5.- Inspection of H.M.S. “Nymphe” 24th . . . . .
6.- Inspection of H.M.S. “Euphrates” 25th . . . . .
7.- “Nymphe” passing certificate of Mr.G.T.Craddock for Asst Eng r 1 Class 26th February 1870
8.- “Forte” application from Chief Engineer to be repaid travelling expenses 18th February 1870
9.- “Cossack” Contingent expenses paid by the Paymaster 31st December 1869
10.- “Dryad” . . . . . do . . . . .do . . .. . 31st January 1870
11.- “Star” . . . . . .do . . . . do . . . . 31st …..
12.- “Nymphe” Application from Surgeon to be repaid Travelling expenses 22nd February 1870.
13.- “Forte’s” Periodical Returns 31st December 1869
14.- “Cossack’s” -------do-------31st ------
15.- “Daphne’s” --------do-------31st -----
16.- “Star’s” ---------do---------30th September 1869
17.- “Star’s” --------do----------31st December 1869
18.- “Dryad’s” ------do---------31st ------
19.- “Nymphe’s” -----do--------31st -----
20.- “Bullfinch” --------do--------30th September 1869
21.- “Bullfinch” --------do-------31st December 1869
22.-“Jumna” Punishment Return 31st-----------
23.- “Euphrates” --------do---------31st ---------
24.- “Malabar” ----------do---------31st ----------
25.- Bullfinch” Contingent expenses paid by Paymaster 28th February 1870

No.77
24 Enclosures

Forwarded per mail Steamer “Sumatra” from Bombay 12th March 1870

Reporting proceedings
Ack 19 Apl 70 M.81

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 13 March 1870
Snow on the ground 7 inches thick.

Monday 14 March 1870
Mamma took Freddy back to school.

Tuesday 15 March 1870
I went to the drawing with the Wickhams and came back with Mrs.Hawkins. Mamma too tired to go.

Tuesday 15 March 1870
Pall Mall Gazette

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath has also been paying the Governor-General a flying visit from Bombay. I mentioned in a former letter that the naval requirements of India have for some years been the subject of a good deal of inquiry and discussion, and that towards the end of last year the Admiralty had entered into a provisional arrangement with the India Office to place three gunboats entirely at the disposal of the Government out here for duty in the Persian Gulf, with a reserve of three ships of war at Bombay and Trincomalee for service when required. For these arrangements 70.000/. a year was to be paid from the Indian revenues. The expediency of this plan is, on the grounds of efficiency as well as economy, open to considerable doubt, and it has become a question whether it will not, after all, be necessary to resort to a partial reconstruction of the Indian navy which was broken up on economical grounds in 1862. - - -

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Wednesday 16 March 1870
Aunt Emma came.

Thursday 17 March 1870
Mamma went to Kitlands. Everybody with colds and coughs.

Thursday 17 March 1870
Times of India

Duke of Edinburgh visit to Bombay.

- - - Among the vessels most splendidly illuminated and most enthusiastic in their cheering and other demonstrations of loyalty were No.2 Pilot Schooner, the Tweed, Callcutta, Sir Walter Scott, Houghton Tower, Rialto, British Sceptre, Duke of Newcastle, S.S. Dacca, S.S. Comorin, City of York, Dilharee, City of Brussels, British Empire and Octavia. H.M.'s Forte manned yards, burned blue lights at each yard arm, and fired a salute of 21 guns as the Royal yacht passed. And such a salute! Sir Leopold Heath evidently had no fear of the Lords of the Admiralty before his eyes, for he did not spare his powder. The Forte's upper and main deck ports were also lit up, showing off the frigate very finely. No sooner had the guns of the Forte ceased, than other vessels and other crews took up the theme, on every side flashed carronades of every sort and size; - - - -

Times of India
Thursday 17 March 1870

Visit of Duke of Edinburgh to India.
---The procession having now been formed, the pilot tug went ahead, and the May Frere, having on board His Excellency Sir Seymour Fitzgerald and Staff, H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh and Staff, Sir William Mereweather, Sir Leopold Heath and others, went ahead, amid ringing cheers from the other steamers under whose bows she had to pass.

People looked back upon Elephanta, and found four splendid bonfires on its peaks; and they looked forward upon the Harbour, there they saw the splendid line of hte P. and O. with all the mechantmen beyond.

Every vessel of the P. and O. Company was lit up from the water's edge to its topmost spar, and on every vessel also were there stout lungs to shout a sailor's welcome. As the May Frere reached the first of the steamers, a salute was fired from all their guns; and as she passed the last, the cheering ceased, and the Band spoke forth "Oh how my heard goes pit-a-pat pit-a-pat."

-- - -continues - - -

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Friday 18 March 1870
Went out with Mamma, Emma, Willy and the ponies.

Saturday 19 March 1870
Mrs.Hawkins and Mrs.Greenwood called.

Saturday 19 March 1870
Times of India

The New Sailors Home. The Laying of the Foundation Stone by the Duke of Edinburgh.
The most permanent memorial of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh's visit to Bombay will unquestionably be the new Sailors' Home, which is to be erected on the Esplanade. - - - and thanks to the munificent gifts of the Native Chiefs who visited Bombay to receive and meet the son of their Queen, the Empress of India, the fund which has been collected in order that the Prince should have a reception worthy of our Sovereign Lady's son had not be be indented upon. - - -

Punctually at 5 o'clock His Royal Highness and staff, and H.E. the Governor, arrived at the enclosure, where the Guicowar of Baroda, and attendants, the Lord Bishop of Bombay and Mrs Douglas, the Hon. Sir Richard and Lady Couch, Brigadier General Stock, the Hon. Mr. Justice Melville, the Hon. Mr. Justice Gibbs and Mrs Gibbs, Commodore Heath R.N. - - -and the officers of H.M.'s Forte, - - -It is most unusual in this country to have to speak of unfavourable weather, except during the monsoon, but it was certainly most unpropitious as far as the comfort of the spectators was concerned, for it rained heavily during the whole of the proceedings. - - - -On the south side of the site were the seamen of H.M.S. Forte, or as many of them as could be spared.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 20 March 1870
Mamma, Herbert and Gerard went to church in the morning.

Monday 21 March 1870
I in bed with cold.

Tuesday 22 March 1870
Mamma went with Margerey Whatman to the drawing class.

Wednesday 23 to Wednesday 30 March 1870
Ada and I went to London so I do not know what happened at home except Marlborough is broken up for scarlet fever and Arty is at home.

Friday 25 March 1870
London and China Express

The time of Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., in the East Indies will expire next July, and he will be relieved by an officer who will go overland to Bombay, if anything should prevent the Forte from proceeding to Suez.

Friday 25 March 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty - Confidential

Observations on the report of the Committee on the East African Slave Trade.

H.M.Ship “Forte” at Sea
In Lat 10.46 North, Long 75.12 East

25th March 1870

Sir,
I think the most convenient method of complying with their Lordships’ directions contained in your confidential letter M.No.32 of the 17th February 1870, namely to transmit any observations I may have to make upon the report recently given in to Lord Clarendon by the Committee on the East African Slave trade will be to remark upon the report paragraph by paragraph, but as there are two distinct subjects mixed up in the report, viz; recommendations as to the future and accusations against Officers of the squadron under my command as to the past, I will so far diverge from the natural order of the paragraphs as is necessary to keep these subjects distinct.

2.- I cordially agree with the recommendations made in the 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 23rd paragraphs of the report so far as they go.

3.- In paragraph 22 the Committee recommend that the shipment of Slaves for local markets be prohibited between the 15th February and 15th May also between the 15th September and 15th November.

The Committee has doubtless fixed these dates after consultation with Officers of far greater local experience than my self, but the evidence not being attached to the report I am unable to say whether it would cause me to change my opinion, which is that the 15th August should be substituted for the 15th September.

4.- Paragraph 24. The recommendations in this paragraph seem to me impracticable. English Cruizers may capture French smugglers in English waters, but the English Government could not, I presume, delegate that power to Spanish Men of War. So the Sultan may capture foreign vessels contravening his laws in his own waters, but he could give no valid permission to English cruizers to do so.

5.- Paragraph 26. It is right that the Sultan should be urged to make the proclamation recommended in this paragraph, but his Government is so weak and the Slave traders are so strong that they will have but little effect.

6.- Paragraph 27 recapitulating the earlier recommendation of the Committee is a little obscure in the 5th line. It is desirable that the traffic shall be confined to the route from Dara Salaam to Zanzibar, and from Zanzibar to Pemba and Mombasa as suggested in paragraph 21, and that there should be no direct export from Dara Salaam either to Pemba or Mombasa.

7.- Paragraph 30: In addition to the diplomatic action recommended in this paragraph I would suggest communications being entered into with the Turkish Government with respect to Slave Trade in the Red Sea, which I have recently been informed is very considerable.

8.- Paragraphs from 32 to 48 inclusive contain the Committees recommendations as to the number of Ships and their distribution and it is to this part of the report that their Lordships call my particular attention.

I very much regret that the evidence upon which the report is based has not been published, because any opinion I may give will be merely that of an individual, and would perhaps have been materially modified had I seen the recorded evidence of others.

With this observation I have to state that I can in no way agree with the opinion expressed in paragraph 36, that with 3 cruizers and 1 steamer launch, “the Slave trade will be effectually checked during the greater part of the year”.

I have frequently recorded my opinion that all that England has done for the last 25 years on the East Coast has been of no practical use in the suppression of the Slave trade and now that there is an apparent intention on the part of Government to inaugurate a more vigorous policy, I must earnestly hope that the Squadron will be largely increased.

So long as the existing domestic habits in Slave receiving countries remain unchanged, so long will there be more or less of Slave Trade. Those habits can only be changed by completely stopping the supply of Slaves for a very long period, probably for a whole generation, and any system which stops short of that will fail of complete success.

The trade will be scotched but not killed, and will revive whenever the pressure is taken off.

I recommend therefore that at least 10 vessels besides the Flag Ship should be appropriated to this service and since the tactics of the dealers vary with the information they receive as to the position of the cruizers, I would leave the Officer commanding entirely unfettered in his disposal of them.

Steam launches of the existing pattern are unsafe for distant cruizing, but even as boarding boats in the immediate vicinity of an anchored cruizer their value is enormous as saving the coal of the cruizer. It would be well worth while, even at the expense of moving the funnels and landing the heavy guns, (retaining the deck fittings) to place the most improved Steam launch on board all ships which are to be employed on this service, and which are capable of carrying them. It would probably be necessary to supply special hoisting in and out gear.

9.- I do not approve of the recommendation in paragraph 45, to keep Officers longer than 3 years on such a station as the East Coast of Africa, nor do I think the proposal to substitute higher pay for bounties a wise one.

I anticipate that the effect of their Lordships Circular Instructions of the 6th November last, “Instructions for the guidance of Naval Officers employed in the suppression of the Slave Trade” will be to diminish the number of captures very largely, and if bounties are withdrawn that number will be still further diminished, and only full slaves, of the condemnation of which there could be no possible doubt will be captured.

10.- Paragraphs 49 to 54 propose to alter the present arrangements as to Vice Admiralty Courts. It would be well to give the same general powers to Muscat and Zanzibar as exist at Aden, but I see no reason for limiting the number of Courts or assigning to each the adjudication upon capture made within particular geographical limits.

Under the Committee’s proposal a Zanzibar dhow might still be adjudicated upon at Muscat, and vice versa and the owner could in neither case appear in person.

11.- Paragraphs 56 to 60 deal with the disposal of crews and their vessels detained on suspicion: The disposal of the Crews has been already settled by their Lordships. As to that of the vessels, the Committee speak in severe terms of the practice of destroying them and say (Par 60) that when a suspected vessel cannot be taken to a port of adjudication, it is the duty of the Captor to leave her in some secure place to await the trial.

There is no such rule in existence and the Committee should have written that paragraph in the further tense in anticipation of their proposal being adopted. I cannot think the proposal itself can practically be carried out to any extent, partly on account of the weakness of the Sultan’s government, but principally because the vessels so detained would in many cases have to wait a full season before their case would be decided and perhaps another before it was made known to them, for cruizers could not be kept going backwards and forwards for this special purpose.

I think that the legitimate trader has now safeguards which are as much as can be granted to him with safety – 1st The certainty that his crew will be taken in Court – 2nd The improvement in the class of Interpreters, which having been pressed upon their Lordships last year and being now again pressed by the Committee will it is hoped be carried out - 3rd The personal liability of the Captor and destroyer of a legal trader.

12.- Paragraph 61 to 71 contain proposals for the disposal of captured slaves. To make a depot of freed slaves at Zanzibar, the very centre of the slave trade is a bold, but I think in many respects a wise proposal, and particularly advantageous to the Cruizer as saving the voyage to Seychelles, but to remove the depot from Aden to Socatia or Abdelkuu, without at the same time removing the Admiralty Court, would I think be the reverse.

It is of the greatest advantage to our cruizers that their condemned cargoes should at once be taken out of them, and under this proposal they would have first to proceed to Aden for condemnation, then to return with the cargo still on board to Socotia.

Aden has the following advantages as a depot – 1st The presence of the Vice Admiralty Court – 2nd An island on which smallpox cases can be isolated – 3rd Constant communication with Bombay. Abdellkuu as a depot was reported against by my predecessor Rear Admiral Hillyar and his report approved by Sir L.Northering Aug 69.

13.- I have no remarks to make on the remaining paragraphs except to offer an that the establishment of Vice Consuls on the Coast (pars 76, 77 and 78) will be of great use to those engaged in the suppression of the slave trade, but I wish to add that notwithstanding my general agreement with many of the proposals of the Committee, and my belief that if carried out they will make slave trading more hazardous and tend to reduce its amount, I am yet more and more convinced that the only certain way of stopping the traffic is by purchasing the sovereignty of Zanzibar and thus obtaining a central position from which to work upon the neighbouring coast and ultimately upon the interior of the country.

14.- I have now to revert to paragraphs 44, 45, 56, 57, 59 and 82, in which the Committee alluded in general terms to “many mistakes and improper seizures” made by Officers under my command and in which they specially make two “grave and serious” charges against them.

15.- The Committee have not printed either the evidence on which their report is founded or the Instructions under which they were assembled. If those instruction gave them authority to report upon the conduct of the squadron it must most certainly have been their duty to await the replies which had been called for to the complaints made as to that conduct.

Had they done so they would have found that the complaints were against individual Officers, and were not like the Committee censure, accusations of the whole body – that in all cases but one, justifying circumstances are alleged by those accused, and finally, that in one case, the most serious of the whole, the accusation made by a member of the Committee has been proved entirely unfounded, and still awaits an explanation as to the ground upon which it was made.

16.- It is perhaps enough to point to general results in reply to the Committee’s general accusation of “mistakes and improper seizures”. Those results are that 98 cases, involving the fate of 98 dhows, with a total tonnage of 10,667 tons and carrying a total of 2214 slaves, have been brought before the courts at Aden or Zanzibar, during the years 1868 and 1869, and that of those 98 Dhows, one was with her cargo released by the Court, and two were adjudged to have been destroyed improperly, but in one of those cases it was admitted by the Judge (Dr.Kirk) that the Naval Officer was under the letter of his instructions “justified in concluding that the vessel was engaged in or equipped for the Slave trade, since Slaves were found on board” (page 21 of the Instructions).

Out of the 98 cases therefore, there was but one in which blame was attached to the Captors by the Judge.

17.- In paragraphs 56, 57, 58 and 59 the Committee refer with much bitterness to two special points which they term “grave and serious charges”. The first of these two points is “the destruction of Dhows when there is in the opinion of the captaining Officer the smallest suspicion of her complicity in Slave trading”.

The practice of destroying guilty Dhows is one that cannot be avoidable under existing regulations, and if I mistake not, I might call Mr.Churchill a member of the Committee to witness to the impossibility of treating in any other way the numerous captures made by the “Daphne” and “Star” in the autumn of 1860.

The sting of the Committee’s censure lies in their words “smallest suspicion”. Those who destroy Dhows have to give sworn evidence before the Judges and it rests with the Committee to explain whether the Naval Officers have sworn falsely or whether the Judges (Sir Edward Russell, Captain Goodfellow, Mr.Churchill and Dr.Kirk) have condemned prizes on account of the “smallest suspicion” against them.

The charge is indeed a grave and serious one. The 2nd point is that of “landing the Crew and passengers of vessels that have been destroyed at some out of the way place, and afterwards obtaining the condemnation of the vessel on ex parte statements”.

The Committee state this practice “exists”. This is not true, and the Committee writing in January 1870 must have known it untrue. The practice not of “landing the crew and passengers in some out of the way place” but of allowing them to return to their homes in a passing Dhow, or to land in places whence they know they could speedily obtain passages to their homes, is one of very long standing on this station,

It is distinctly against the slave trade instructions, but from its convenience both to captured and captors, and not as the Committee ungenerously insinuate with a view to fraud, it has grown into a universal custom.

My attention was called to the impropriety of the practice by their Lordships in a letter dated 12th March 1869.M and since the receipt by respective ships of the Squadron of my general order issued in consequence, no such case occurred.

18.- In paragraph 82, the Committee speak of the “alarm and distrust inspired by the recent proceedings of our cruizers”. Here, as throughout these remarks, I have to regret the absence of evidence laid before the Committee but I may state in contradiction of what may have been told to them, that during the last season, upwards of 100 legal trading Dhows were examined by the boats of H.M.S. “Forte” under my command, many of them by night, and when the presence of the Ship was unknown and that on no single occasion was any alarm or mistrust shewn but the sails were quietly lowered and the boarding Officer was frequently refreshed with Coffee in a most friendly manner.

This “alarm and mistrust” exist only in the minds of the Slave traders, who have lost, I am proud to say, through the efforts of the Squadron under my command, upwards of 10,000 tons of their shipping. It is an “alarm and mistrust” which I should wish to see much increased.

I cannot but regret that the Committee should have interpreted throughout their otherwise useful report, these accusations which, (having been already dealt with by their Lordships in a Circular order which they admit they have seen) could lead to no result except that to still further dampening the zeal of Officers employed on this unpleasant service, and exciting still further amongst them a feeling that their motives are misunderstood and that they are unjustly treated.

19.- The report of the Committee has already been published to a certain extent, and I trust that whenever copies may have been sent, there also, a copy of these remarks may be forwarded, and if the report should be laid before Parliament, I hope Lord Clarendon will allow this document to be printed and bound up with it.

I have etc
(Signed) L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London S.W.

Via Marseilles
Confidential

No.85

Forwarded through the Post Office at Colombo 3rd April 1870

Observations on the report of the Committee on the East African Slave Trade.

Ack 4 May 1870 M.89

Saturday 26 March 1870
Times of India

H.M.S. Forte, Commodore Heath C.B., leaves Bombay, 21st inst, for Trincomalee, where she will meet H.M.'s Galatea, Captain H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh; when the Duke leaves Trincomalee, the Forte will probably return to Bombay.

Monday 28 March 1870
Homeward Mail from India, China and the East

H.M.S. Forte, flag-ship of Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., has left Bombay for Kurrachee, for a cruise.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Thursday 31 March 1870
Ada and I went to Kitlands to see Uncle James.

Friday 1 April 1870
Mamma went to Kitlands. I went a ride with Arty.

Saturday 2 April 1870
Lovey day. Arty went ratting at Kitlands, we got plants from the woods.

Saturday 2 April 1870
Army and Navy Gazette

We understand that the idea of relieving Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., by a rear-admiral, was lately mooted at the Admiralty, but in consequence of an objection (chiefly of a pecuniary character) having been raised at the India Office, the intention has for the present at least been abandoned.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 3 April 1870
Went to Sunday.

Monday 4 April 1870
Arty went hunting.

Tuesday 5 April 1870
Went to the drawing with Whatmans.
Wednesday

Tuesday 5 April 1870
London Evening Standard

The Duke of Edinburgh in Bombay
(Bombay, March 12)

If your correspondent is tempted to philosophise a little in the midst of the excitement which prevails in the Gate of the Western World (as Lord Mayo has somewhat happily called this city) upon the entrance of the Queen's son thereinto, he must be forgiven.

The truth is it is impossible for any thoughtful mind to withdraw itself ever so little from the outward pomp and circumstance of the event - its stately ceremonials, solemn processions, and splendid entertainments, - - -

The Royal arms were over the entrance to the station, and "Welcome to Bombay" immediately opposite. A brilliant assemblage of ladies and gentlemen occupied the gallery, while the platform in front of it was crowded with local notobilities in the handsome dress of the Politicals, while the Court dress also was to be seen here and there.

Sir Leopold Heath, with a mass of medals on his breast, represented the navy, while the Lord Bishop was conspicuous in grave black. Twenty native princes were present. His Highness the Gaekwar was there in plain white, with an ephod of diamonds, worth a king's ransom, upon his breast and shoulders.

The Rajah of Kolapoor walked in jewelled shoes and green satin, upon the scarlet floor, while others in weighty cloth of gold down to their knees and bare brown legs below waited the arrival of the train. A fine looking Arab Prince, the Sultan of Lahej, was also there from Arabia. His physiognomy is the pure Arab, so also his gait -a slow stately stride - and his dress was brilliant and tasteful. Next in the order of precedence were the Rao of Kuteh, the first of his kingly race has left his kingdom for the last three centuries; the Nawab of Joonaghur, the leading chief of Kattiawar, and the Rajah of Drangdra. - - -

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Wednesday 6 April 1870
Went to Anstie.

Thursday 7 April 1870
Mamma went to London. Arty went hunting.

Friday 8 April 1870
The Cazalets came for a few days to Bearhurst. Went on boat.

Saturday 9 April 1870
Arty went to fetch Mamma from London and they both came down in the evening.

Sunday 10 April 1870
Went to church.

Monday 11 April 1870
Mamma went to Kitlands. We went out a walk with the Cazalets, they came here in the afternoon. and so did Willy. We have got a young rabbit.

Monday 11 April 1870
Homeward Mail from India, China and the East

Naval Arrangements for India

The last we heard of the arrangements for providing the requisite naval force for the Indian seas was, that the Home authorities, having apportioned six men-of-war for the service, and determined that out of the revenues of India should be paid 70,000/. a year for their maintenance, had referred the final details to the Viceroy and Commodore Heath. But the old difficulty of the double administration reappears. The Government of India, and Sir Leopold Heath do not, it seems, fall in with the plan devised by the India Office Council and the Admiratly Board.They recommend a totally different force, and are not prepared to accept what the Duke of Argyll has sanctioned.

In fact, the talk of an Indian navy is revived, and the objections to any other naval scheme are gone over afresh. A purely local squadron commends itself before any other naval provision, and whatever may be the opinion of this country, we feel satisfied the Government of India will not be contented until they have again a small fleet under their own control.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Tuesday 12 April 1870
Went to the drawing. Arty went out hunting. Berty came home from school.

Wednesday 13 April 1870
Sweet darling Bunny died. Mrs.Hawkins, Mrs.Greenwood came to afternoon tea.

Thursday 14 April 1870
Arty took Ada a ride, we went about the field with Berty.

Thursday 14 April 1870
Bradford Observer

An Oriental Fete
The Times correspondent describes the fete at which the Duke of Edinburgh was present, at the Caves of Elephanta, Bombay. He says it was a fete which no other city in India, and few elsewhere, could produce the like of.

His excellency the Governor had invited some 200 ladies and gentlemen to a dinner and fete at the Caves of Elephanta, across the magnificent sheet of water which constitutes the harbour of Bombay. - - - about four o'clock in the afternoon, the guests assembled, some at Apollo Bunder, others at Mazagon, where a flotilla of steamers, six in all, was waiting to convey them across.

His Royal Highness and His Excellency, with a distinguished party of officers, including Sir William Mereweather, Sir Neville Chamberlain, Sir Seymour Blane, Sir Leopold Heath, and others, had already proceeded in the May Frere to inspect the various works in progress in the harbour - the sites of the new forts, the new floating dock at Hog Island, &c.

Friday 15 April 1870
Times of India

Amongst the incidents of the Duke of Edinburgh's landing at Colombo was the renewal of acquaintanceship between Commodore Sir Leopold Heath and the Hon. Mr. Vane. Thirty-three years ago the two were brother midshipmen on board a man-of-war in the Colombo roadstead. The one continued in the Navy, and is Commodore of the Indian Station. The other changed his career to the Civil Service, and is now Treasurer of the Colony of Ceylon.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Friday 15 April 1870 - Good Friday.
Went to church with Miss Henning.

Saturday 16 April 1870
All went up to Anstie.

Saturday 16 April 1870 - double up
Homeward Mail of India, China and the East

Bombay - Our advices from Bombay are to March 29.
Departure of H.M.S. "Forte." - H.M.S. Forte, Commodore Heath C.B., left Bombay on Monday, March 21, for Trincomalee, where she will meet H.M.S. Galatea, Captain His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. When the Duke leaves Trincomalee, the Forte will probably return to Bombay

Saturday 16 April 1870
Homeward Mail from India, China and the East

The Indian Navy - (from the Bombay Gazette, of March 25)
It appears that our ideas on the subject of the Persian Gulf Squadron had been to some extent anticipated.

We learn, on what we consider reliable authority, that the recent visit of H.M.S. Forte and Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to Kurrachee was made chiefly to examine carefully the capabilities of that port as a station for the Persian Gulf squadron, and as a general naval depot.

We trust the Commodore has been able to make a favourable report, and shall hope to see some action taken in the matter. We hope also the defenceless state of that important port will not be lost sight of, and that a well considered scheme for some harbour defences will form part of the arrangements.

It is surprising that no steps have yet been taken with that view, but the point should certainly no longer be shelved if Kurrachee is to become a naval depot. The position of Kurrachee, just opposite it were to the disturbed country of Oman, is admirably adapted also for a station whence our cruizers could issue forth to intercept the homeward Arab slave fleet off and below Rasal Hadd (the eastern most point of Arabia), and such an important consideration as this latter ought to have considerable weight.

We assume that it is well known to Government that comparatively few slaves are brought directly into the Gulf: the majority being landed either at Soor, Khorjeramah, or close to the southward of Rasal Hadd, and then marched across Oman to the Ports on the south side of the Gulf.

All attempts at suppression of the slave trade by cruizing outside the Gulf appear to have been entirely suspended since the abolition of the Indian Navy. If, as we imagine, this plan affords the most reasonable prospect of crushing this nefarious traffic, we can imagine no head quarters advantageously situated than Kurrachee.

Saturday 16 April 1870
Globe
H.M.S. Forte, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., has proceeded from Bombay to Trincomalee, there to meet H.M.S. Galatea, Captain H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 17 April 1870
Mamma went to church in the morning, with most of the others. Berty and I went with Miss Henning in afternoon. Mrs.Leslie called.

Monday 18 April 1870
A nice day. Uncle Douglas came. Mamma and Arty went to Kitlands, and we went to Broom Hall.

Tuesday 19 April 1870
Arty went out hunting with Berty. We went to the drawing. Freddy came from Brighton.

Wednesday 20 April 1870
Mamma, Arty and Freddy went to London for the day.

Wednesday 20 April 1870
Englishman's Overland Mail

The Duke of Edinburgh in Ceylon - The Ceylon papers are full of accounts of the reception and entertainment of the Duke of Edinburgh, the Ceylon Observer furnishing its subscribers with a likeness of His Royal Highness.

The Galatea has arrived at Colombo on the 30th ultimo, and had been preceded on the previous day by Sir Leopold Heath in the Forte. All the ships in harbour were gaily dressed with flags, and a double line of boats was formed, through which the Duke was rowed to the landing place. Here he was received by the Governor Sir H. Robinson, and the Principal Civil and Military authorities, and after having been introduced to Lady Robinson, the Ducal party proceeded to the Queen's House, through streets crowded with sightseers. At night the town was brilliantly illuminated. - - -

On the Friday Lady Robinson gave a reception, followed by a ball, and on Saturday the Duke, the Governor, and a large party started for the elephant Kraal at Ratnapura. About twenty miles from Colombo the whole party were entertained at breakfast by Don Christobel H. Dias Bandayanaraka, in the ancient fortress of Hanwella, in the defence of which against the natives the Don's father formerly distinguished himself. Thirty elephants were enclosed in the Kraal, and the process of noosing them was to take place on the day before the mail left. On the 5th H.R.H. was to return to Colombo.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Thursday 21 April 1870
A whole holiday. Cazalets and Willy came in the afternoon. We acted "Ali Cogia" in the evening.

Friday 22 April 1870
All went to Kitlands for the afternoon.The boys bathed there.

Saturday 23 April 1870
Aunt Julia came and the Leslies and Willy.

Sunday 24 April 1870
Went to church.To the farming in the afternoon.

Monday 25 April 1870
Freddy and Herbert went to Brighton

Monday 25 April 1870
Times of India

The treat to the sailors of the two frigates, Galatea and the Forte, came off on Thursday, when about 290 of them were taken by train to Kandy.

The train left Colombo by the ordinary morning train and arrived at Kandy at about half past eleven o'clock. There they found a bounteous dinner awaiting them in the goods warehouse of the Kandy station, to which they did full justice.

The Duke of Edinburgh, His Excellency the Governor, and Sir Leopold Heath, the Commodore of the station, went down to the where the men were dining, and were received with some ringing British cheers. The ducal party remained till nearly the end of the dinner.

At the conclusion of the repast the men expressed themselves highly delighted with the treat they had received, and said that no entertainment that had been extended to them, at Calcutta or elsewhere, had been more truly liberal and hospitable. - - - They then left the station for a walk through Kandy, and very soon the streets of the mountain capital were permeated by large numbers of the sun-burned hardy tars with their open shirt collars, with the broad blue lappel, and their hats bearing the name of their respective ships. - - - -

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Tuesday 26 April 1870
Went to a wedding. We went to the drawing.

Wednesday 27 April 1870
Mamma, Arty and Berty went to Broadwoods.

Thursday 28 April 1870
We all went to Anstie.

Friday 29 April 1870
Arty and Gerard to Dorking. Mamma, Berty and I to Kitlands where I stayed for the night.

Saturday 30 April 1870
Had a paper chase in the morning which Archi Wickham and Willy came to. The Leslies came afterwards, and Freddy and Herbert came home from Brighton.

Leamington Spa
Saturday 30 April 1870 (and 23 Dec. 1869)

Clarendon Hotel
Mrs and Miss Marsh-Caldwell, Linley Wood, Cheshire
Homeward Mail from India, China and the East.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 1 May 1870
Went a walk in the morning and to church in the afternoon.

Monday 2 May 1870
Went out bird-nesting. Freddy and Bertie went back to Brighton.

Saturday 2 April 1870 ??
Arrival at Bombay.

We extract the following from the Bombay Gazette: -
(re Prince visit)

He has come at last. As may be supposed, the road leading to the station was crowded with people, even for an hour or two before the time of arrival. The station itself, usually of so melancholy an appearance, was gay and cheerful on this occasion. All that evergreens and flags , and good taste combined could do was done to render e station attractive. - - -Part of the space in the centre was reserved for the Governor and party, or for those of them who chose to sit down at all, and at the further end there was another place reserved for the native Rajahs, Chiefs and Sirdars. - --

Most of the gentlemen holding official positions or high in the services remained standing in front of the gallery. The handsome dress of the political officers was frequent and conspicuous and the Court dress also was to be seen. Sir Leopold Heath, with a mass of medals on his breast, represented the Navy; the Lord Bishop contributed the clerical element, and we noticed two officers, no doubt of high position, from the Portuguese Army of Goa.

As we have said, the attendance of Rajahs and Chiefs, from one who receives a royal salute, down to those of low degree for whom a few ruffles are considered sufficient, was large and imposing. At the top of the list waas the Gaekwar, next the young Rajah of Kolapore. Among others on the platform were:- H.E. Sir Augustus Spencer, Commander-in-Chief, and staff, the Hon. the Chief Justice, the Lord Bishop of Bombay, the Hon. Mr Mansfield, the Hon, Mr Tucker, the Hon. Messrs Sassoon, Bellasis, Campbell, Munguldass, and Byramjee Jejeebhoy, the Hon. Justices Westropp, Sargent, Gibbs, Warden, Lloyd, Melvill, and Bayley. Sir Leopold Heath, Sir Rutherford Alcock, Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, - - continues - -

Duke of Edinburgh in Ceylon 1879

Duke of Edinburgh, Carte de Visite, which he gave to Sir Leopold Heath at Trincomalee in 1870

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Tuesday 3 May 1870
Went to the drawing.

Wednesday 4 May 1870
Mamma went calling with Arty.

Thursday 5 May 1870
I went a ride with Arty.

Thursday 5 May 1870 &
Daily News (London)
Sunday 8 May 1870

Weekly Despatch (London)
The Duke of Edinburgh in Ceylon.

A correspondent writes from Colombo on the 5th of April - "The Galatea was sighted at 9a.m. on Wednesday, the 30th, and within three hours anchored opposite the Royal Engineers' Point, having previously saluted the flag of Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, which was flying from the Forte.

The shipping of the harbour was decorated with all the available bunting, while about 300 small canoes, or outriggers (native boats used for fishing and keeping daily communication with the shipping lying out in the roadstead), surrounded the Galatea, saluted her with some small arms they had procured, and forthwith commenced a sham fight amongst themselves. - -

The Prince left his vessel accordingly at 5p.m., the Forte and Galatea manning the yards in his honour, and firing Royal salutes. - - - - The natives did not cheer. It is not their custom to exert themselves for anyone's benefit; and although there was an evident intention on their part to make a laudable exception to the general rule on the occasion of seeing the Duke of Edinburgh, so little accustomed were they to raise a cheer, and so engrossed were they at the sight of the pageant before them, that they forgot - and so the Duke, probably for the first time in his life, passed through a crowd of staring, silent spectators.

On the following morning, the 2nd, the Duke left for the Labugam Kraal, Sir Hercules Robinson and Sir Leopold Heath accompanying him. The first portion of the road lay through the Pettah, the native town of Colombo, immediately outside the northern portion of the fortifications. - -

At Hangwille, nineteen miles from Colombo, the site of one of the old Dutch forts, and the scene of many a conflict in the early days of British rule, a pause was made for a repast, which was by compliment termed breakfast, thought it was then three o'clock. By half-past five "Kraal Town" was reached, and there the Duke met with a most hearty reception from the visitors already assembled. - - - The preparations for the kraal have been going on for weeks. Herds of elephants have been watched and prevented from roaming from the neighbourhood of the kraal; - - -Before noon the Ratamahatmeys presented himself to the Governor, and asked that the drive might take place at once, as the elephants were beginning to be troublesome, - -

The Duke has a capital place chosen for him on a rock commanding a fine view of the herd as they rushed into the kraal, and as the last animal passed through the gate, the company standing around gave loud and hearty cheers for his Royal Highness. Almost immediately the Duke, who was accompanied by Sir Leopold Heath, Colonel Riley, - - took up a position in the Grand Stand, which commanded a view of the whole of the kraal.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Friday 6 May 1870
Nothing particular.

Saturday 7 May 1870
Miss Henning, Ada and I went to Dorking in the train and walked back.

Saturday 7 May 1870
Army and Navy Gazette

It is understood that, owing to a contemplated increase of the naval forces in the Indian Seas, a flag officer will be selected to relieve Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 8 May 1870
Went to church and in the afternoon a walk withy Arty.

Monday 9 May 1870
Ada went a ride with Arty.

Tuesday 10 May 1870
Arty and I went a ride.

Tuesday 10 May 1870
Globe

A Letter from Colombo, dated April 8th, says:-
The Duke of Edinburgh has been indisposed since his return from the Kraal at Avishavella.

On the day following the return from Avishavalla the Prince was entertained by the officers of the Ceylon Rifle Corpos at a garden party in the grounds attached to their mess-room. His Royal Highness planted a tree in front of the main entrance to the mess-room, after which the Royal party, which included Sir Leopold Heath, Sir Seymour Blane, Colonel Riley, and Major-General Renny, adjourned to the parade ground where they witnessed the races and athletic sports of the Colombo garrison, in some of which the officers and men of her Majesty's ship Galatea took part. - - -

Wednesday 11 May 1870
Hampshire Telegraph

The Octavia, screw steam frigate, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, which was at Colombo on the 31st March, was to proceed to Trincomalee, and return thence to Bombay
(Forte instead of Octavia?)

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Wednesday 11 May 1870
A whole holiday, pouring wet day.

Thursday 12 May 1870
Arty went back to Marlborough.

Friday 13 May 1870
We all went up to Anstie.

Saturday 14 May 1870
We went to Capel.

Saturday 14 May 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Transmitting Telegram

H.M.Ship “Forte”
At Trincomalie, 14th May 1870

Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that I this day transmitted the following telegram to their Lordships.

“Think Auvme (?) would probably admit great error attempting tow “Euphrates” with ebb tide until dropped outside all shipping shall I still proceed to Bombay for Inquiry. (?)

I have etc
Sd L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London ..

No.115

Forwarded per Post from Trincomalie 25 May 1870

Transmitting Telegram

Ack 18 July 1870 M.149

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 15 May 1870
Went to church.

Monday 16 May 1870
I am sure I do not know.

Tuesday 17 May 1870
Went to a concert at Cranby with the Whatmans.

Wednesday 18 May 1870
Nothing particular.

Times of India
Wednesday 18 May 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., Commodore of the second class, and senior officer of the East India station, whose term of service has expired, proceeds home in July. It is said he is to be succeeded by Capt. George Ommaney Willis C.B.

Time of India
Wednesday 18 May 1870

The usual dullness of Trincomalee has been lately enlivened by the presence of the Galatea, H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, the Forte, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, the Dryad, Captain Philip H. Colomb, and other ships.

Captain Colomb - about 1870

Captain Colomb R.N.,

from the photograph album of Admiral Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B.

There have been various amusements, a cricket match, which unfortunately was not played out, a boat race, which was won by the Galatea's, and a rifle match which the Forte's won.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Thursday 19 May 1870
Mrs.Hawkins called.

Friday 20 May 1870
Mrs.Oflaherty called.

Leeds Mercury
Friday 20 May 1870

India - By British Indian Cable.
Bombay - May 19
The first monsoon mail steamer leaves Bombay for England on Wednesday next. Commodore Leopold Heath proceeds home in July

Morning Post
Friday 20 May 1870

The Duke of Edinburgh in Ceylon.

Colombo - April 15
Of the many entertainments prepared for the Duke of Edinburgh, none have been more successful than the Colombo public ball. On the previous day his royal highness had returned from the Ratinapura Kraal, and on the next day he was present at a garden fete given in the Rifle mess-house grounds by the officers of the Ceylon Rifle Regiment, and afterwards at athletic sports got up for the benefit of the garrison and royal navy. - - -

After a quiet day on board the Galatea, his royal highness started for the kraal to be held in the Seven Korles (or seven counties), a district very rich in rice cultivation, and in other parts of it rich in elephants.
The crowd collected on the road leading to the railway station and on the departure platform lustily cheered his royal highness as he departed in company with the Governor, Sir Leopold Heath, Colonel Riley, and other gentlemen.

- - - continues - - -
The duke drove the Governor and Sir Leopold Heath to Kurunegala, which was decorated in honour of the visit by several triumphal arches, some of which were very carefully designed and carried out. - - - Mr Morris, the Government agent, with other officials, received his royal highness as he entered the town, and loud cheers greeted the Duke as he passed through the avenue of arches leading to the Maligawa, the official bungalow, immediately underneath the great rock of Etagulla, the (Elephant Rock), on the top of which a few hours later a bonfire intimated to far and near that Kurunegala was at last honoured with a royal guest.

- - - continues - - -

Saturday 21 May 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

No.121
1 Enclosure

Forwarded per Post from Trincomalie, 25 May 1870
East African Slave Trade
Ack: 29 June 1870.M.118

H.M.Ship “Forte”, at
Trincomalie, 21 May 1870

Sir,
I beg you will inform their Lordships that during the recent visit of H.S.M.S. “Armorique” at Trincomalie I took the opportunity of discussing the subject of the Slave Trade with Commodore Gisholme who commands the French Naval Forces in these Seas.

That Officer is an insnsct opponent of the Slave Trade, but he complains much and I think with justice, of two points of our practice in Endeavouring to suppress it.

2.- The first is that under our treatise with Eastern nations the condemnation of a dhow for Slave trading involves the condemnation of its cargo to whomsoever belonging.

The Commodore pointed out with much force that, altho’ an Arab dhow might be perfectly free from all suspicion when a French cargo was shipped, yet such is the avarice of the Arabs, and such their innate propensity to Slave trading that there could be no security against the Captain rendering the cargo liable to condemnation by some petty act of that native whilst on the voyage, and the Commodore said he had reported to his Government that the only safety for his countrymen lay in so multiplying the dhows under their Flag as to make it unnecessary for French merchants to employ others.

3.- There is a case in point, viz to that of the “Saloma” freighted by Mssr Raband and subsequently condemned for Slave dealing which is still under discussion between the French and English Governments, and there must have been so many similar cases in previous years that I can hardly suppose the question now submitted has not already been discussed, nevertheless it seems so strange that neutral as regards our war with the Slave Traders should be placed in a worse position than would be a neutral in a war between nations parties to the Treaty of Paris of 1806, that I think it right again to have XX it I do so the more readily because I do not see that the abolition of the practice complained of will in any way diminish our offensive powers against Slave dealers. (?)

4.- The second complaint made by Commodore Gisholme was that we exercised our right of visiting dhows suspected of fraudulently assuming the French Flag even in the immediate neighbourhood of the French settlements, and that this was perfectly unnecessary inasmuch as the French Authorities at those places were above all suspicion, and that being really unnecessary it was discourteous and hurtful to their feelings.

He said moreover that our Cruizers had sometimes taken up a position apparently for the express purpose of intercepting and examining the dhows and smaller vessels which maintain the communication between Nosse Reh and the mainland.

I believe it not only to be our duty but our interest to avoid a course of action which without being of any real advantage to us lays us open to the accusation of being wanting in courtesy and I have therefore issued the attached Memo: to Officers under my Command.

I have etc
S d LG.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London S.W.

--------Enclosures---------

Standing Order, No.78 of 28th May 1870

No.121
1 Enclosure

Forwarded per Post from Trincomalie, 25 May 1870
East African Slave Trade
Ack: 29 June 1870.M.118

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Saturday 21 May 1870
Miss Henning and I went to Brighton.

Sunday 22 May 1870
Very hot day. All went to church except Miss Henning and I.

Monday 23 May 1870
Evy Eden and Fritz and Eve came for the day and Mr. and Mrs.Bergeron and Uncle Douglas came to luncheon.

Monday 23 May 1870
Lyttleton Times

India - Galle, April 20
The Telegraph cable via the Red Sea, and the new land line recently opened to Europe, are working well.

The Duke of Edinburgh arrived in the Galatea at Colombo on March 31, Commodore Heath meeting him with the flagship. The Duke had a warm reception, and has since been treated to the sight of an elephant drive.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Tuesday 24 May 1870
Went to the drawing with Mamma.

Wednesday 25 May 1870
Mamma, Ada, Herbert and Gerard went to the Crystal Palace.

Thursday 26 May 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Arab dhow flying French Colors

H.M.Ship “Forte” at
Trincomalie, 26th May 1870

Sir,
In reply to your letter M.No.70 of the 5th April 1870, calling for my remarks upon Count Daru’s reply to the complaint made by the English Government as to the increase in the number of dhows navigating under the French Flag on the East Coast of Africa and to the allegations that they were sometimes of doubtful character and upon Count Dau’s complaint that a dhow called the “Jamba Ibinsa” under the French colors had been visiting in September last “dans les pasages” of Nossi Bel by the boats of the Steam Ship “Daphne”, I have the honor to state with reference to the first point that Commander Meara’s report (the foundation of this correspondence) was that where 10 dhows with French Colors, and not 5 as supposed by Count Daru, had been seen in 1868, there, he had seen 50 or more in 1869.

I now attach an Extract from the Journal of Captain Colomb shewing that on 12 days 21 dhows with French colors were seen Either from the “Dryad” or her boats in the same neighbourhood and about the same time of the year and since I saw myself at about that date at least 6 French dhows anchored on Zanzibar Harbour, and since it may fairly be presumed that there were many others besides those 27 being dotted about the different ports on the African and Madagascar coast and at Mayatta and Nosse Beh, it becomes difficult to believe that there is not some mistake in Count Daru’s statement that but 20 dhows received their annual Congi in 1868.

2.- Upon the second point replied to by Count Daru, viz, the allegations that dhows carrying the French Flag are occasionally engaged in Slave trading, I have no further evidence to offer.

Commander Meara’s letter on the subject is very distinct, and it is difficult to believe that the boarding officers of this “Nymphe”, having no interest whatever in the matter, should have reported as stated in the letter that out of 15 French dhows visited on one Cruize there should have been 8 having suspicious circumstances about them, unless there really was some foundation for the suspicion in at least some of the cases, and it must be remembered that these dhows were boarded only for the purpose of verifying the colors, and that not having been searched the suspicions awakened in the mind of the boarding officer could not be followed up.

3.- Count Daru’s argument for the innocence of these dhows from the fact of the English Officers having made no special complaint to the French Local authorities is hardly conclusive, because altho’ it may be presumed that no English Officer would fail to take a French dhow having a full and indisputable cargo of slaves on board into a French port for the disposal of the French authorities, yet such an act strictly speaking would be contrary to the . . .of a strict compliance with this order in future but the “Daphne” having left the station and Captain Sulivans being one of those who seems to have neglected this duty, I am unable to give any information in the case, but it is clear that if by “les pasages” is meant the territorial waters, viz to those within 3 miles of Mosse Beh, then the “Daphne” was greatly to blame, but if “les pasages” is used in the more common and general acceptation of the Expression as the “neighbourhood”, then no legal blame would attach to Captain Sulivan provided he had “legitimate suspicion of fraud.”

The neighbourhood of the French settlement should however have diminished his suspicions, and the Exercise of his right if within sight of the settlement would be most discourteous and unjustifiable, except under extraordinarily suspicious circumstances. I beg to refer to my letter No.121 of this days date on the subject.

I have etc
Sd L.G.Heath -Commodore

To the Secretaryof the Admiralty
Whitehall, London

-------Enclosure---------

List of Dhows seen by the “Dryad” or her boats between the 8th and 26th September 1869

------Seen by Ships-------

8th Septr: In Jassandava Bay, 1 Dhow French colors
10th Septr: Off Bojanna Bay, 1 Dhow French colors from Mozambique.
11th Septr: Off Bembaluka Bay, 2 French and 1 Arab.
20 Septr: Off Port Dalirymple, 1 French dhow seen by boats.
8 Septr: Jassandava Bay 2 French dhows
9th Septr: Rermohow River, 1 French dhow
10th Septr: 2 French dhows
12th Septr: Off Nos Jaccain 1 dhow Malagassi – 1 French
14th Septr: Off Barata, Jassandava Bay- 2 French dhows.
16th Septr: 1 Dhow Colors not stated
18th Septr: Off Rermahoy Is. 2 Dhows French

Page 576

Via Marseilles

No.120
1 Enclosure

Forwarded per Post from Trincomalie, 25 May 1870

Arab dhow flying French Colors

Ack: 29 June 1870.M.118

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Thursday 26 May 1870
Nothing particular.

Friday 27 May 1870
Went a walk, Herbert and Gerard to Kitlands, Willy teased Gerard so much that he will not go there for two or three weeks.

Saturday 28 May 1870
Mamma and Miss Henning went in the fly and Herbert and I rode, we went a round of calls and to Dorking. Ada and Gerard went to Kitlands

Saturday 28 May 1870
Hampshire Telegraph

Naval & Military News - From our Special Correspondent.
The Forte, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, arrived at Trincomalee on the 26th of April from Colombo.

Saturday 28 May 1870
Englishman's Overland Mail

The Command of the Indian Navy. - Upon the expiration of Sir Leopold Heath's tour of service in July next, the Poona Observer says that he will be succeeded by Captain George O.Willes, C.B.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 29 May 1870
Went to church, a hot day.

Monday 30 May 1870
Mamma went to Kitlands and a box with lovely gloveboxes and things came from India.

Tuesday 31 May 1870
Showery day, went to the drawing very bravely in the poney-chaise.

Wednesday 1 June 1870
I can't remember.

Thursday 2 June 1870
I went to Holmbury Hill with the Whatmans and stayed at Kitlands till Saturday afternoon. At home on Friday Mamma went calling. The O'Flahertys came in the afternoon.

Thursday 2 June 1870
Morning Post

May 3 - - The Duke went on board the Galatea to Divine Service, paying afterwards a complimentary visit to the French man-of-war L'Amorique, M. Gizoline, the usual salutes being fired on the occasion. The Forte (with Commodore Sir Leopold Heath had sailed for Trincomalee on the previous evening. - - -

- - - The Galatea leaves Trincomalee on Thursday evening, will call at the site of the Basses Lighthouse to see if the weather is sufficiently calm to enable his royal highness to lay the foundation-stone, and will afterwards anchor in Galle Harbour, where the Duke, in company with Sir Hercules Robinson and Sir Leopold Heath, will inspect the site of the breakwater which is to be shortly commenced. - -

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 5 June 1870
Went to church.

Monday 6 June 1870
The Cazalets arrived at Bearhurst, we went to meet them.

Tuesday 7 June 1870
Gerard's and Miss Henning's birthday, went to the out-door sketching but are not going again.

Wednesday 8 June 1870
I cannot think.

Thursday 9 June 1870
The Cazalets came.

Friday 10 June 1870
The Shoots, the Cazalets, Margerey and Willy and Hugh Spottiswood came for the afternoon. Fred and Bertie came for exeat.

Saturday 11 June 1870
Went to Anstie Bury for a picnic. Cazalets, Whatmans, Hugh Spotiswood and ourselves.

Sunday 12 June 1870
Went to church.

Monday 13 June 1870
Boys went back to Brighton.

Monday 13 June 1870
Homeward Mail from India, China and the East

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., commodore of the second class, and senior officer of the East Indian station, whose term of service has expired, proceeds home in July. It is said he is to be succeeded by Capt. George Ommaney Willis, C.B., - -

Monday 13 June 1870
Homeward Mail from India, China and the East

Naval news beings to claim a place in Indian intelligence. Commodore Sir Leopold Heath proceeds home next month, and it is expected in India that his successor will be Captain George Oammaney Willis C.B.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Tuesday 14 June 1870
Went a walk with the Cazalets, Mamma and Ada to call on Mrs.Cazalet.

Wednesday 15 June 1870
Went a walk with Mamma, Miss Henning and a walk with the O'Flahertys.

Naval & Military Gazette and Weekly Chronicle of the United Service.
Wednesday 15 June 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B.,Commodore of the second class, and senior Officer of the East Indian Station, whose term of service has expired, proceeds home in July. It is said he is to be succeeded by Capt. George Ommaney Willis C.B.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Thursday 16 June 1870
Mamma and I went to see the Royal Academy with Evey Eden. A thunderstorm in the evening.

Friday 17 June 1870
I don't know.

Saturday 18 June 1870
Mamma drove with Ada and Gerard to see Mrs.Wedgwood. I went with Miss Henning to Bearhurst. Miss Henning's sister came.

Sunday 19 June 1870
Went to church

Monday 20 June 1870
Mamma went out a drive with Mrs.Cazalet, Miss Hennings sister went away.

Tuesday 21 June 1870
Mamma and Ada went to see Mrs.Leslie.

Wednesday 22 June 1870
Went to the O'Flaherty's. Mamma to dine at Kitlands. Very hot day.

Wednesday 22 June 1870
Naval and Military Gazette

The Galatea. - The usual dulness of Trincomalee was much enlivened by the presence of the Galatea, with H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh; the Forte, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath; the Drya, Capt. Philip H. Colomb, and other ships. Various amusements were inaugurated, amongst them being a cricket match, a boat race, which was won by the Galatea, and a rifle match, in which the Fortes were the victors.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Wednesday 22 June 1870
Went to the O'Flaherty's. Mamma to dine at Kitlands. Very hot day.

Thursday 23 June 1870
Mamma drove out with Mrs.Cazalet. Cooler today.

Friday 24 June 1870
My feeling today are of cold. I do not know what other people's are. We all went up to the farm with Mamma to see Bax. We were caught in a shower coming back.

Saturday 25 June 1870
Went to Bearhurst.

Sunday 26 June 1870
Went to church.

Monday 27 June 1870
Mamma and I went to hear one of Mr.Leslie's concerts, it was so lovely. We slept at Mrs.Eden's.

Tuesday 28 June 1870
Came home.

Wednesday 29 June 1870
Had a children's party

Thursday 30 June 1870
Went to the rose show, Mamma to London.

Friday 1 July 1870
Went a walk with Cazalets.

Saturday 2 July 1870
Army and Navy Gazette

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath's successor in the East India command has not yet been named, but a decision will, we believe, be arrived at very shortly, and, as we have already said, we believe that a flag officer will be fixed upon.

Morning Post.
Wednesday 6 July 1870

Vice-Chancellor Bacon's Chambers -
Before the Vice-Chancellor - at 3.30pm. Marsh-Caldwell v Marsh-Caldwell

Lady Mary Heath resumes diary -Moorhurst Manor. Surrey

May has neglected to write this journal and I am quite tired of reminding her.

Saturday 9 July 1870
I went with Mary Hawkins and her husband to Aldershot to see a sham fight, first taking luncheon at Col.Smythe's house, Royal Artillery, and then proceeding in his carriage to the field - a very beautiful military spectacle. Saw the Queen - returned about Nine at night - a little rain.

Sunday 10 July 1870
I went to church with 4 children - exceedingly hot - hard work getting over the stiles. Talked to Mrs.Hawkins and Wickham at church Porch.

Monday 11 July 1870
Went to a picnic with the Cazelets in Anstie Bury. As it happened we did not go to Anstie-Bury as it had rained in the morning, but we went to Bearhurst instead, while we were there a thunder storm came on and the rain poured in torrents. We came back in the fly and brought back Cooty to stay the night.

Monday 11 July 1870
Western Morning News

We hear, from what appears very good authority, that the Admiralty have for some time contemplated the appointment of a rear-admiral to succeed Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., in the East Indies, and that Rear-Admiral A.P.E. Wilmot C.B., will be selected for the post when vacant. This was some time since offered to Rear-Admiral Sir John Hay, Bart, M.P., F.R.S., to prevent his being placed on the retired list, but he declined it.

Diary resumed by Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Tuesday 12 July 1870
Mamma went with Emma Whatman to Mrs.Powell's. We went a ride and walk with the Cazalets.

Wednesday 13 July 1870
Mamma went to Kitlands to call on Mrs.Malden and I went with her. The Cazalets came afterwards.

Thursday 14 July 1870
Mrs.Malden called.

Friday 15 July 1870
Mamma and I went to Dorking in the pony chaise.

Saturday 16 July 1870
Miss Henning's brother came for the day and he told us that war was declared between France and Prussia. In the afternoon we went to a party at the Cazalets which was in honour of the boy's first birthday, it was very nice.

Saturday 16 July 1870
Army and Navy Gazette

We understand that Captain Lord John Hay, M.P. C.B., who now stands fifth on the list for advancement to flag rank, has been offered the opportunity of hoisting his broad pennant and proceeding to India to relieve Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, but, after due consideration, has declined active employment for the present.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 17 July 1870
We went to church and walked back with Mrs.Spottiswood.

Monday 18 July 1870
We had a holiday, gardened in the morning. Gerard had a bad toothache, he lay on the sofa and Mamma and I sang by-by to him and Mamma magneted his tooth, but it did not do much good. Mamma and I went to Kitlands in the afternoon. Cazalets came afterwards.

Monday 18 July 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Inquiry into collision between Stm.I.Troop Ship “Euphrates” and “Bates Family”

H.M.Ship “Forte”, at
Bombay, 18th July 1870

Sir,
In accordance with their Lordship’s instructions conveyed in your telegram of the 13 May last, and in your letter No.94, L.M.M. of the same date, I have called to my assistance the two Senior Officers present and we have enquired into the circumstances attending the collision of Stm.I.T.S. “Euphates” with the Merchant ship “Bates Family” on the 28th February 1870, and I enclose our report for their Lordships information.

I have etc
S d L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London

No.162

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O. S.China” 20th July 1870

Inquiry into collision between Stm.I.Troop Ship “Euphrates” and “Bates Family”

Ack..21st Aug.1870.M.170

Wednesday 18 July 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Discharge of a boy from H.M.Ship “Teazer” as an objectionable character.

H.M.Ship “Forte”, at
Bombay, 18th July 1870

Sir,
In forwarding in accordance with the instructions the usual return as to the conduct of a boy named Joseph Burton whom I have ordered to be birched for stealing and then to be discharged as an objectionable character from H.M.Ship “Teazer”, I beg to say that I have thought it right to discharge this boy notwithstanding that his object was desertion, because it seems to me that his remaining in the service would be to the detriment of other boys, and that his character is clearly such that he would if retained be a continual source of trouble.

2.- I wish to call their Lordships attention to this boy’s case, and respectfully to suggest that it would greatly benefit the discipline of sea going ships, if objectionable characters were more carefully weeded out from amongst the boys in the Training Ships.

If Joseph Burton had been flogged and discharged when brought back to the “Implacable” after his third desertion, instead of having been promoted to the 1st class, the “Teazers” punishment list would have been much reduced.

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London

No.163
1 Enclosure

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O. S. “China” 26th July 1870

Discharge of a boy from H.M.Ship “Teazer” as an objectionable character.
Ack:23 Sep 1870.M.199

Tuesday 19 July 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Forwarding Report of Survey on an Officer

Hm Ship “Forte”, at
Bombay 19 July 1870

Sir,
I have the honor to forward, herewith, a Report of Survey held on Lieutenant Ernest B.Wadlow, of H.M.I.T.Ship “Euphrates” as directed in your letter L.No.100 of the 31st May last.

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London. SW.

No.166
1 Enclosure

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O. S. “China” 20th July 1870

Forwarding Report of Survey on an Officer

Ack.24 Aug.1870.M.170

Tuesday 19 July 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Forwarding reports of Survey on Invalids

H.M.Ship “Forte”, at Bombay,

19 July 1870

Sir,
I have the honor to transmit herewith, duplicate Reports of Survey held on Officers and men of Stm Ships on the East Indian Station.

2.- The persons named on the other side hereof will proceed to England tomorrow per P.& O. Steamer, the men at the rates agreed upon by their Lordships, as notified to me in your letter “I.D.India” of 21st 1870, which the Agent here has agreed to Extend to Seamen of the fleet.

3.- The remainder of the Invalids will be disposed of as recommended by the Surveying Officer.

4.- B.Nugent will be placed under the special care of Sargeant Jackson.

I have etc
S d L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall
London. S.W.

Page 614

Down in the Admiralty charts, having been supposed to be slightly out of position. I directed Hm.I.T.Ships to verify the true position of these Islands when an opportunity offered, and I beg to transmit herewith the reports from the “Euphrates” & “Jumna”.

I have etc
S d L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London

Via Marseilles

No.164
Enclosures

Forwarded from Bombay per P.&O.S. “China”. 20th July 1870

Forwarding reports of Survey on Invalids
Ack.22 Sept.1870.M.99

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Tuesday 19 July 1870
Mamma, Gerardand I are going to Milland till Sunday 22nd, and Herbert and Ada to Kitlands.

Wednesday 20 July 1870
Globe

The Forte, 24, screw steam frigate, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of the East India Station, is to convey the detachment of Ceylon Rifles to Labuan, which has recently been ordered to do duty there.

Thursday 21 July 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Boarding French Dhows in the Vicinity of Bosse Beh by the boats of H.M.Ships

“Forte” at Bombay
21st July 1870.

Sir,
I enclose for their Lordships information an extract from a private letter dated the 10th June 1870, from Commodore Gizolme to myself having reference to that part of my letter No.120 Par:5 of the 20th May last, which refers to a complaint made by Count Daru, of the boarding of a French dhow in the neighbourhood of Nosse Beh by the boats of an English Man of War.

2.- The searching of French dhows, where papers have been examined and found in order, being distinctly forbidden by their Lordships instructions, I beg to suggest an Inquiry be held on the conduct of the Officer commanding.

The “Daphne” was at the date mentioned under the command of Captain Sulivan.

I have etc
S d L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty

Whitehall, London.

Ref. The Commodore informs me further that there were in 1869, 60 Dhows having the right to fly French Colors. This subject was also referred to by Count Daru in the letter referred to.

----------Enclosures-------

Extract from a letter of Commodore Gizolme to Commodore Sir Leopold G.Heath K.C.B. dated 10th June 1870.

“En feulletant mes papiers J’ai trouve une depeche de Mayotte relative a l’affaire du bontre “Tainte ibina”. Ce boutre queique partant fuvillon francaise le ayant des papiers parfaitement in riegle n’en avait par moins ete vinte de fond en comble par unn creiseru Anglaism mais c’est par le “Daphne” et non par la “Nymphe” ansi que ella parait resulter d’un rappor du Capitaine de la goislette francaise la “Gilberte” qui est un homme qui merite confiance. Le Capitaine navignait dans les mienso pasages que toutre et il termine son rapport ainsi”

le 10 September 1869 au matin, J’appareillai avant le jour, au soleil level, j’apperous les deuse embarcations (celles que avisit visite le boutre) devant moi avec pusillon francais guilles ont amene que a I’ai ite tres pisi d’illes pour le remplacer par le pavillon Anglais. A monillies a 3 heurs de l’aprise --- a --------., les embarcations a terre et je vu plus disc--. Anm du Navir, car les hommequi ont --- ord---ansment le nom a leur bonnet ar--- setire --- rabans. Ces embarcations etait ---- en ---. Les bordis du haut galliportso --- un arrdon blue an dessous. La plus petite petant d--- un suasson avvie la lettre D.

(as much as I can work out M.)

Page 620

Via Marseilles

No.167
1 Enclosure

Forwarded per Post from Bombay, 26th July 1870

Boarding French Dhows in the Vicinity of Bosse Beh by the boats of H.M.Ships
Ack.23 Sep.1870.M.199

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Friday 22 July 1870
We came back from Milland. We had a very nice visit.

Saturday 23 July 1870
Mrs.Pennington called. In the evening we all went to the farm.

Sunday 24 July 1870
We all went to church. Mrs.Mortimer brought us home in her carriage.

Monday 25 July 1870
Mamma went calling on the Holmwood in the pony chaise. I drove, we finised by Cazalets and Kitlands.

Tuesday 26 July 1870
Arty came home3 from Marlborough. It thundered, lightened, and rained all day, but cleared up in the evening when we walked to the farm.

Wednesday 27 July 1870
Our holidays have begun. In the morning Miss Henning and I drove to Capel.Mamma and Arty went to London.

Wednesday 27 July 1870
Times of India

Theatricals on Board the Troop Ships

"Suit the action to the worde, the word to the action."
By kind permission of Captain C.T. Curme, the Euphrates and Malabar Amateur Dramatic Society gave another performance on Monday evening, on board H.M.S. Euphrates, when there was a larger attendance of visitors than on any previous occasion. Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., Captain Wells, and the officers of H.M.S. Forte and Nymph were among the guests, as well as a large party of officers' friends from Bombay, who were conveyed to the ship and ashore again in a steamer.
On previous occasions we have spoken in high terms of praise for the performances, but on Monday evening the gentlemen who took parts eclipsed any of their former performances, and the acting altogether would have done credit to professionals.

An admirably written, and exceedingly well spoken prologue by Mr Weeks commenced the evening's entertainment, and after the curtain rose to that capital farce, "The Thumping Legacy," which was followed by the amusing farce "A Blighted Being," the while concluding with the musical burlesque of "Vilikins and His Dinah." The following is the caste:-

Monday 1 August 1870 - Court case Heath v Goold - See separate file

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Thursday 28 July 1870
Freddy and Berty came home from Brighton. Two of Arty's friends Mr.Benecke and Mr.Calender came.

Friday 29 July 1870
It was Ada's birthday so in the morning we cooked. In the afternoon we went to Anstie, we played about in the garden and had tea there. Rather cold. Arty and I got vaccinated.

Saturday 30 July 1870
Arty's friends came again and the Cazalet's came. It is warmer to day.

Sunday 31 July 1870
Mamma and most of the others tried to get to church, but it rained so much that they had to turn back. We went to Kitlands in the afternoon.

Monday 1 August 1870
I can't remember.

Tuesday 2 August 1870
We went to the Leslie's to play cricket.

Monday 1 August 1879

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Forwarding the original Sentence with the
minutes of the proceedings of a Court Martial

H.M.Ship “Forte”, Bombay
1st August 1870

Sir,
I forward herewith the original sentence and minutes of the Court Martial held by their Lordships orders on Commander Goold.

2.- The offence committed by that Officer came without doubt under the 28th Article of War, but considering his former services, I was of opinion that the only sentence applicable under that Article would be too severe and therefore in accordance with the Instructions of Part5 in their Lordships’ Circular letter of the 12th November 1869, numbered to me 308, I made the charge under Article No.17.

3.- Commander Goold’s written defense consists partly of legitimate attempts to excuse, or justify his conduct, but principally of attacks upon the general discipline of H.M.Ship “Forte”, and of complaints that I had not afforded him proper support but had listened to appeals made against the punishments awarded by him.

4.- I felt most strongly that if the charge were proved, there could be but one possible justification of Commander Goold’s conduct, viz, that between the 7th April (being the day of my leaving the ship) and the date of the flogging viz, the 11th April, there had been some extraordinary outbreak or threatened outbreak amongst the Ship’s Company, and I felt that any evidence as to the state of discipline of the Ship before the 7th April was perfectly useless in this trial, and therefore when the Court decided to receive evidence on this point between the day of my joining the Ship and the day of the flogging I entered a protest against the decision.

5.- I believe the Court adopted their views under the feeling that any irregularity was better than allowing the prisoner to suppose himself unjustly hampered in his defense but the result has been that throughout the d—the point of the prisoner’s questions to his witnesses was to attack me or the discipline of the ship, rather than to extenuate his own proceedings, whilst in my cross examination of his witnesses I was obliged to address myself principally to defending my own character as a disciplinarian or to defending the general character of my Ship’s Company.

6.- I do not think I have any reason to regret the result, the evidence of the Senior Officers of the Ship is very plain, especially that of the Gunnery Lieutenant, whilst the adverse evidence is almost confined to a statement of slackness in clearing the lower deck on the part of two aberrant Officers, one of whom shewed himself perfectly unworthy of belief, and to similar statements on this point of the Master at Arms and a Ships Corporal of 4 months standing.

7.- Several individual cases of misbehaviour by individual men were referred to by Commander Goold, but in all those cases, as well as in that of the complaint of the Chief Petty Officers, indeed in every single special case brought forward, it was proved under the cross-examination that proper punishments had been awarded, and proper steps taken and so far as those cases prove anything, they prove the ship to have been firmly and properly ruled.

8.- Commander Goold made a special point of my having allowed appeals to be made against his punishments. I hold most distinctly that such appeals ought never to be openly stopped, but I hold also that if they should be made in such numbers and so constantly as to make it apparent that they were put forward merely on the speculation of getting a smaller punishment, and without any real sense of injustice on the part of the applicant, it might then become the Captain’s duty to check the custom, by adding to the original punishment in cases where it turned out that such was the motive of the complainant.

I assure their Lordships, having that there has been nothing of the sort on board the “Forte”.

The accusation has been made in more wantonness. The prisoner’s own witnesses would neither of them swear that there had been more than 12 such appeals, and although I do not pretend to remember all the cases, I really believe the total number has not exceeded 9 or 10 during the period of my command up to the date of O’Connor’s case, and I may add the Commander’s award was almost always confirmed, indeed his own witness, the Master at Arms, could only remember one occasion where the punishment had been reduced.

9.- I hope their Lordships will think with me, that the “Forte” has come very well out of a somewhat trying ordeal, viz, that of being picked to pieces by a man who knows every incident in her history, and who has had six weeks in which to get up his case.

I have etc
Sd L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London. SW

No.173
2 Enclosures

Forwarded per Post from Bombay 2nd Aug.1870

Forwarding the original Sentence with the
minutes of the proceedings of a Court Martial

Ack.23 Sept.1870.M.199

Tuesday 2 August 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Reporting Proceedings

“Forte”
2nd August 1870

Sir,
In continuation of my report of proceedings No.165 of the 19th July, I beg you will inform their Lordships that H.M.Ship “Nymphe” arrived here on the 24th ultimo.

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty.

---------Enclosures----------
1. Acknowledgment of orders & letters received
2. Return of Appointments etc
3. Return of Nos. required to complete squadron.
4. List of Incidental Expenses, “Bullfinch”, May 1870
5. --------do--------- “Nymphe”, 26 June 1870
6. Punishment returns, “Euphrates”

Page 634

..I have the honor to forward herewith the “Report of an Inquiry into the Conduct” of an Ordinary Seaman whom I have ordered to be discharged from the service as an objectionable character, so soon as his term of Imprisonment shall have expired.

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London, ..

No.174
8 Enclosures

Forwarded per Post from Bombay 2nd August 1870

Reporting Proceedings

Ack.2 Sep.1870, M.199

Tuesday 2 August 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Relief of Troops at Labuan

H.M.Ship “Forte”, at Bombay,

2nd August 1870

Sir,
In further reference to their Lordships orders to assist the General Commanding in Ceylon in his arrangements for relieving the Garrison of Labuan, I have to report that since my arrival at the Port I have received a telegram from that Officer saying he was still without the means of transport.

I immediately communicated with Sir Seymour Fitzgerald, urging strongly the loan by the Bombay Government of a Bombay Marine Ship, on the conditions of all expenses of establishment and of every other description being paid for.

His Excellency, however, after some days delay expressed himself unable to lend one, and I have obtained, by public advertisement, the use of a very good ship, the “Burmah”, at a rate per head which is about equivalent to 19 rupees per ton per month.

The Charter Party will be lodged with the General in Ceylon. The “Burmah” will leave on the 3rd instant. I regret the delay which has occurred in this matter.

I gather that it has arisen through lengthened negotiations between the Ceylon and Bombay Governments as to the use of a Bombay Marine Ship. So far as I am concerned I was unable whilst at Trincomalee to do more than give advice: I left that port believing all --- arranged, and since my arrival here I have not lost a day.

Sd L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty

Page 625
Via Marseilles

No.178
1 Enclosure
(copy of charter to …)

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O. S. “Baroda”, 10 Aug 1870

Relief of Troops at Labuan

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Wednesday 3 August 1870
We had tea in Redlands, a good many of the neighbours came, it went off very well.

Thursday 4 August 1870
The pond was emptied. The boys all went into the mud and water and got in such a mess.

Thursday 4 August 1870
Friend of India and Statesman

- - - Her Majesty's Indian Government, had resolved to take possession of the Nicobar Islands. That this might have been done at an earlier period is quite clear, but it was overlooked somehow, and even when possession is to be taken we hear no more of the poor women.

We are told in the report that the Islands are nine in number, and the population five thousand; that the islands are to be placed (as they now are) under the Superintendent of the Andamans, who is under the Chief Commissioner of British Burmah, but nothing more of the captives.

Of course, the State is a great whole. The Earth does not stop in its course because John Jones sees his wife and daughter in the hands of the savages, and dies with that awfulest of sights before him.

Commodore Heath says that - "all that is practicable in the way of recovering the European prisoners has now been done" and Perhaps Commodore Heath is right, but the report does not show it. Punishment there was, and a real wish to rescue the captives, but at the date when the British flag was hoisted last year on the Nicobars the fate of the women had not, to our view, been satisfactorily accounted for. - - -

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Friday 5 August 1870
Mamma and Arty went to Kitlands. Freddy and Berty to the Heathcotes, and the rest of us to Anstie to eat gooseberries.

Saturday 6 August 1870
We went with the Whatmans to Mrs.Pennington's party.

Sunday 7 August 1870
We could not go to church in the morning for it rained. In the afternoon walked to Kitlands.

Monday 8 August 1870
Heard the bad news from Inverness.

Tuesday 9 August 1870
- - - - -
Wednesday 10 August 1870
Mamma went to London shopping.

Thursday 11 August 1870
Mamma and I walked up to Kitlands. Arty and Ada went a ride. Mushroomed by moonlight.

Thursday 11 August 1870
Friend of India and Statesman

- Commander Goold of H.M.S. Forte has been tried at Bombay by a naval court martial for punishing an able-bodied seaman with forty-eight lashes, during the absence of Commodore Heath in the interior of Ceylon with the Duke of Edinburgh. The seaman's fault was alleged to have been a refusal to carry out a punishment, and at the time the man stood in the first class for conduct. Commander Goold was sentenced to be dismissed from the Forte.

Friday 12 August 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Advice of Telegram

Hm.Ship “Forte”, at
Bombay, 12th Aug 1870

Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that I have this day transmitted the following cypher telegrams to their Lordships:

1208, 833, 2154, 468, 1996, 7252, 6608, 12153, 7548, 3914, 2617, 5091, 9567, 8149, 3277, 4225, 4713, 12582, 5326, 12189, 829, 4963, 5737, 6196, 12155, 8733, 6031.

I have etc
Sd L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
London S.W.

No.179

Forwarded from Bombay par P.& O. S. “China” 17 Aug 1870

Advice of Telegram

Ack 20 Sep. 1870 No.199

Friday 12 August 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Disposal of Steam Launch No.11

H.M.Ship “Forte”, at
Bombay, 12th August 1870

Sir,
In reply to your letter D 1400 / 2112 No.130 of the 19th ultimo, I have the honor to inform you that the “Octavia’s” Steam Launch (No.11) left Bombay on board that Vessel on the 12 March 1869, the day on which the “Octavia” sailed for England and that I have no information respecting the Launch subsequently to that date.

I have etc
S d L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London. S.w.

Via Marseilles

No.180

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O. S. “China” 17 Aug 1870

Disposal of Steam Launch No.11

Ack.25 Sept 1870.M.199

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Friday 12 August 1870
Willy came. Mamma went to Kitlands. We brought Willy back to Kitlands in the evening.

Saturday 13 August 1870
Arty and Ada rode to Dorking. Willy came and we went to see the clover carted.

Sunday 14 August 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Reporting Proceedings

H.M.Ship “Forte”, at
Bombay, 14th Aug 1870.

Sir,
In continuation of my report of proceedings, No.174 of the 2nd instant, I beg you will inform their Lordships that the distribution of the squadron remains unchanged since my last report.

Page 627

Confidential
Via Marseilles

No.181
2 Enclosures

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O.S. “China” 17 Aug 1870

Reporting Proceedings

Ack 23 Sept 1870.No.199

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 14 August 1870
We all went to church. Uncle Douglas came.

Monday 15 August 1870
Mamma and Ada brought Freddy back to Brighton. Arty went to Milland. Willy came here, we had a crab-apple fight, which was great fun.

Tuesday 16 August 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Temporary measures for defence of Bombay

H.M.Ship “Forte”, at
Bombay, 16th Augst 1870

Sir,
I beg you will inform their Lordships that at the request of Sir Seymour Fitzgerald I yesterday joined His Excellency with Sir Augustus Spencer, the Commander in Chief, and Major General Tramenhure of the Royal Engineers, in consultation as to the temporary measures which should be adopted for defending the harbour at Bombay.

2.- The result of the discussions was that Four 9in: guns and Two 13in: mortars, One 9in: gun, and Two 110 tors: on the Middle ground; and various small batteries of 69 Pors: and 56 Pors: on the reclamations near the Apollo Buner.

3.- Sufficient 9in: guns can be obtained from Calcutta, but Inquiry has to be made as to whether the carriages and projectiles have yet been sent out.

4.- Engineer instructions will be asked for from Chatham to teach at Bombay the most approved methods of manufacturing and working torpedoes.

5.- Hopes were expressed that pending the completion of the “Magdala” and “Abyssinia” an ironclad would be sent through the Canal for defensive service at Bombay.

I beg to urge the carrying out of this arrangement and as the Canal is not protected by international treaties, and is therefore liable to be temporarily blocked up by any belligerent whose ends would be thereby served and who was careless of the risk of a rupture with Turkey, the vessel should be sent out with as little delay as possible.

Presuming that the “Enterprise” will have been sent to give support to the Commandant at Aden on carrying out Lord Granvilles instructions as to Foreign Men of War in English ports, I have only further to call attention to the necessity of stationing, if future political complications should arise, an Ironclad at the Mauritius, where no heavy guns have as yet been mounted.

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London. Sw.

Via Marseilles

No.183

Forwarded from Bombay, 17 Aug st.1870 per P.& O.S. “China”

Temporary measures for defence of Bombay

Ack 20 Sept.1870.M.199

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Tuesday 16 August 1870
Willy came again. Mamma went to Kitlands. The rest of us went to Cazalets.

Wednesday 17 August 1870
Willy came. Mr. and Mrs.Wickham called. Mrs.Cazalet called. In the evening we all went to the farm.

Thursday 18 August 1870
- - -

Friday 19 August 1870
Arty came back from Milland.

Friday 19 August 1870
Homeward Mail from India, China and the East

Arrival of the "Forte." - H.M.S. Forte, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., arrived in Bombay on Friday afternoon, July 15, a half-past two, after a voyage of thirty-five days, from Trincomalee. H.M.S. Nymph is expected shortly. The Commodore has held a Court of Enquiry into the circumstances attending the collision of the Euphrates with the Bates Family some months since.

Saturday 20 August 1870
Hampshire Telegraph

Her Majesty's ship Forte, Commodore Sir Leopold G. Heath arrived in Bombay harbour from Trincomalee on July 15th.

Saturday 20 August 1870
Army and Navy Gazette
No officer has as yet been nominated to succeed Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., on the East India station. The belief that an admiral will be selected is still gaining ground.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Saturday 20 August 1870
Aunt Posy came for a visit. We went to the Leslie's.

Sunday 21 August 1870
We went to church. In the afternoon Uncle Willam, George and Willy came.

Monday 22 August 1870
Mrs.Wedgwood came. Willy and Leslies came in the afternoon. We chased pigs and rode in the waggon. After the Cazalets came I went back with them to stay the night. It wet evening.

Tuesday 23 August 1870
I came back from the Cazalets. Arty's friend Benecke came. Margery and Emma brought Willy here. Mamma and Aunt Posy went a drive with Mrs.Cazalet.

Times of India
Tuesday 23 August 1870

On Saturday evening occurred an event which it gives us great pleasure to chronicle. On the elevation of Sir M.R. Westropp to the post of Chief Justice of Bombay, the members of the Bar determined to express both their great satisfaction at the appointment and the high esteem in which Sir Michael is deservedly held, by entertaining him at dinner. They accordingly sent him an invitation which he was pleased to accept.

The rest of Her Majesty's Judges of the High Court and Sir Leopold Heath, Commander-in-Chief of the East Indian Squadron, were also invited as guests of the Bar.

The dinner was given at Altamont, Cumballa Hill, and the following gentlemen were at present on the occasion: The Chief Justice, the Hon'ble Mr Justice Gibbs, the Hon'ble Mr Justice Bayley, the Hon'ble Mr Justice Lloyd, the Hon'ble Mr Justice Kemball, Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., the Hon'ble the Acting Advocate General Mr George Taylor, Mr C.J. Mayhew, Mr McCulloch, Mr J.Connon, Mr Cooper, Mr Ferguson, Mr Starling, Mr Latham, Mr Farran, Mr Macpherson, Mr Tyrell Leith, Mr B Tyabjee, Mr P.M. Mehta, Mr C. Manockjee, Mr Bala Mungesh Wagle, and Mr L. Nowrojee.

Marion Heath

Wednesday 24 August 1870
Herbert and I rode to Dorking expressly to get the newspaper and Herbert lost it on our way back.

Thursday 25 August 1870
Mamma took Berty and Herbert to the Zoological Gardens.

Friday 26 August 1870
Aunt Posy took Arty to London. Duke Crofton came till Sunday.

Saturday 27 August 1870
Aunt Posy, Duke and Arty went to a croquet party at Anstie.

Army and Navy Gazette
Saturday 27 August 1870
The successor to Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., has not been named as yet, but it is more than probable that the name will be announced next week.

Homeward Mail from India, China and the East
Saturday 27 August 1870

Court Martial on the Commander of H.M.S. "Forte."

On July 29 a court martial, which lasted three days, was concluded on board H.M.S. Forte, the flagship of Commodore Sir Leopold Heath lying in Bombay Harbour. The Forte had come from Trincomalee to Bombay for the purpose of holding the Court, under orders by telegraph from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, as to the conduct of Commander W.H. Gould, then in charge of the flagship, in awarding punishment to a man on board whilst the ship was lying at Colombo in April last, and during the absence of the Commodore in company with H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh at the elephant kraal.

The court martial opened on July 2. The members were Captain C.T. Curme, Commander of H.M.'s troopship Euphrates (President); Captain S. Douglas, Commander of H.M.'s troopship Malabar; Captain J.C. Wells, Commander of H.M.S. Nymphe, Lieutenant J.B.Warren, H.M.S. Forte;and Lieutenant E.D.Law, H.M.'s troopship Malabar.

H.H. Wyatt Esq., Secretary to the Commodore, officiated as Deputy Judge-Advocate. The Commodore, Sir Leopold Heath, was the prosecutor. The charge was to the following effect: "That he, the said W.H. Gould, Commander, belonging to H.M.S. Forte, then being a person subject to the Naval Discipline Act of 1866, did on or about the 11th day of April, 1870, on board the said ship Forte, disobey the lawful commands of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, in that he the said W.H. Gould, Commander, did cause Thomas O'Connor, an able seaman of, and belonging to, H.M.S. Forte, to be punished with forty-eight lashes for 'mutinous and highly insubordinate conduct in refusing to carry out a punishment awarded,' the said Thomas O'Connor having been at the time committing the said offence in the first class for conduct, and the said forty-eight lashes having been inflicted within less than twelve hours from the completion of the punishment warrant."

The finding of the Court was as follows:- "That the Court, having considered the whole of the evidence, considers the charge proved against the prisoner, Commander Gould, and the decision of the Court is that the said Commander Goold be dismissed from H.M.S. Forte, and the said Commander Goold (Gould?) is dismissed from H.M.S. Forte accordingly."

The Bombay papers are not surprised at the verdict. An officer who has at once his captain and his commodore as prosecutor, it is said, has an uphill battle to fight - especially if his defence is such as must imply laxity on the part of the prosecutor.

Those who know the Forte well speak in strong terms of sympathy for Commander Goold (Gould?), and the hope is indulged that the Admiralty may soon compensate him for the reverse in his professional career he has experienced.Fortunately, Commander Goold is well known in the service as a smart and good officer, one who knows that the first duty of a commanding officer on board ship is to maintain stricy discipline.

Homeward Mail from India, China and the East.

Army and Navy Gazette
Saturday 27 August 1870

The leak in her Majesty's ship Forte, to which we alluded some time back, was not, by the latest advices from Bombay, stopped, and we understand that Commodore Sir Leopold Heath has received directions to remain in port until the arrival of his successor.

Marion Heath

Sunday 28 August 1870
Went to church. In the afternoon walked to Kitlands. Duke went away. Arty and I walked down with him to the station.

Monday 29 August 1870
Aunt Posy, Ada and I walked to Kitlands and to Coldharbour to get cotton to make caps for wounded soldiers. Mamma went out calling in the pony-chaise and came afterwards to Kitlands

Tuesday 30 August 1870
Aunt Posy finished one cap for a Turco. Aunt Posy and Mamma went out calling in the pony-chaise, Arty came home from Brighton.

Wednesday 31 August 1870
We went to a party at the Cazalets. Mamma and Aunt Posy went to dinner at the Wickham's. Miss Henning came back from Brighton.

Thursday 1 September 1870
Arty went out partridge shooting with George. I remember we went to the Leslie's.

Friday 2 September 1870
In the afternoon we went in the pony-chaise to call on Mrs.Dearltry and to take Aunt Posy to Mrs.Hawkin's where she stayed till Monday. Mammam and I went to Kitlands.

Saturday 3 September 1870
We went out a walk.

Saturday 3 September 1870
Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette

Court-Marital on Commander Goold, H.M.S. Forte

A naval court-martial assembled on Wednesday, the 27th July, on board the Forte, 24, screw frigate, flagship of Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, K.C.B., for the trial of Commander William Goold, on the following charge:-

- - - Commodore Heath, in his confidential memo., expressed his opinion that there was no sort of necessity for immediate punishment, and the man might, without the slightest detriment to the service, have been detained until his return. He did not in the least agree with him in thinking the ship's company were generally insubordinate, or that any special example of the sort was necessary, but even if it were so it would be no justification for his committing so great an illegality.

Saturday 3 September 1870
Naval and Military Gazette

Forte, 24, screw-frigate, Commodore Sir L. G. Heath K.C.B. The leak in this ship was not, by the latest advices from Bombay, stopped, and we understand that Commodore Sir Leopold Heath has received directions to remain in port until the arrival of his successor.

Saturday 3 September 1970
Army and Navy Gazette

It has at length been decided that a flag-officer shall succeed Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., in command of her Majesty's naval forces in the East Indies, and Rear-Admiral Cockburn has been selected by Mr Childers for this appointment.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 4 September 1870
Went to church.

Monday 5 September 1870
It rained almost all day. Aunt Posy came back and Mrs.Hawkins came to call.

Tuesday 6 September 1870
It rained all day, I think. Arty went out shooting.

Wednesday 7 September 1870
Rain all day again. Did lessons. In the afternoon all played at hide and seek and a very riotous game of castles. Cazalets in the evening.

Wednesday 7 September 1870
Naval and Military Gazette

Euphrates, 3, screw troop-ship. The Euphrates and Malabar Amateur Dramatic Society gave a performance on July 25, on board this ship, Com. Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., Capt. Wells and the Officers of the Forte and Nymphe were among the guests, as well as a large party of Officers' friends from Bombay. An admirably written and exceedingly well-spoken prologue by Mr Weeks commenced the evening's entertainment, after which the curtain rose to the capital farce "The Thumping Legacy," which was followed by the amusing farce, "A Blighted Being," the whole concluding with the musical burlesque of "Vilikins and his Dinah."

Marion Heath

Thursday 8 September 1870
Arty went to Uncle Douglas. We went to the Cazalets and Ada stayed there for the night. The Leslie's came.

Friday 9 September 1870
Aunt Posy went away.

Saturday 10 September 1870
Freddy came back from Brighton. I drove Miss Henning to Capel.

Saturday 10 September 1870
Naval & Military Gazette.

A Familiar History of the British Army

- - -Her Majesty has observed with much satisfaction the cordiality with which the Naval duties of the Expedition have been conducted by Commodore Heath R.N., and the Officers and men of the Royal Navy. The records of your proceedings show to how very great an extent the success of the Expedition has depended on this co-operation.
-- - - - -

Saturday 10 September 1870
Times of India

The Army and Navy Gazette states that no officer has yet been nominated to succeed Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., on the East India Station. The belief that an Admiral will be selected is still gaining ground. It was reported some time since that Captain Omanney Willes was to be Sir Leopold's successor.

Saturday 10 September 1870
Hampshire Telegraph

The nomination of Rear-Admiral Cockburn as the successor to Captain Sir Leopold Heath will shortly be promulgated. We believe that the gallant admiral has selected the officers who are to form his staff, which, under the new regulation, is subject to the approval of the Admiralty.

Diary Marion Heath - aged 13 - at Moorhurst Manor, Holmwood, Surrey continues

Sunday 11 September 1870
We went to Coldharbour church in the morning and mad Charpie all the afternoon and evening.

Monday 12 September 1870
Everybody went to Dorking. except Bert, Herbert, Giggers and I, we went a nice ramble.

Tuesday 13 September 1870
Rain all day again.

Wednesday 14 September 1870
In the afternoon Mamma, Gerard and I went in the pony-chaise and Bertie on Blacky to call on Mrs.Cazalet and Mrs.Pennington. We ended at Kitlands. Cazalets in the evening. Mrs.Hook came to (back? teach?) Willy and Herbert.

Thursday 15 September 1870
A cavalcade went into Dorking to get fireworks. Emma, Willy and Berty riding and Freddy and Pavings in the pony-chaise. Mamma and I went to Kitlands. The others to the Cazalets. Freddy went for the night to Kitlands.

Friday 16 September 1870
Margery and Emma came to play croquet. Mamma went to Kitlands. Freddy came back.

Saturday 17 September 1870
We had the Cazalets, Penningtons and Willy in the afternoon. Uncle William, Margery and Emma came in the evening to see some fireworks that the boys let off, it went off very well. Mr.Hook came as usual.

Saturday 17 September 1870
Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette

We are informed that Commander J.C.Wells has been appointed by Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Forte, vice Goold, which appointment has been confirmed by the Admiralty.

Marion Heath

Sunday 18 September 1870
Went to Holmwood church with Uncle James, Freddy and Berty. Mamma and the others went to Coldharbour church. Uncle James and Aunt Julia had lunch here.Ada and I went to Holmwood church in the afternoon with Margery and Emma.

Monday 19 September 1870
It is horribly dull for we have lost our two Brighton boys. The Miss Broadwoods and Mrs.Holland called. The Cazalets came in the afternoon and Willy.

Monday 19 September 1870
Bombay

Dinner to Mr Justice Westropp.

On August 20 the members of the Bar expressed their great satisfaction at the appointment of Sir M.R.Westropp to the post of Chief Justice of Bombay, and the high esteem in which Sir Michael is deservedly held, by entertaining him at dinner.

The rest of Her Majesty's Judges of the High Court and Sir Leopold Heath, Commander-in-Chief of the East India squadron, were also invited as guests of the Bar.

The dinner was given at Altamont, Cumballa Hill, and the following gentlemen were present on the occasion - The Chief Justice, the Hon. Mr Justice Gibbs, the Hon. Mr Justice Bayley, the Hon. Mr Justice Lloyd, the Hon. Mr Justice Kimball, Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., the Hon. the Acting-Advocate-General Mr George Taylor, - - Mr B. Tyebjee, Mr P.M. Mehta, Mr C. Manockjee, Mr Bala Mungesh Wagle, and Mr I. Nowrojee.

Marion Heath

Tuesday 20 September 1870
We went out with the Cazalets and Miss Henning and I stayed the night at Brearhurst.

Wednesday 21 September 1870
A lovely warm day. We went out a ramble in the afternoon. Mr.Hook came to teach Willy and Herbert.

Wednesday 21 September 1870
Times of India

A Good Example.
His Highness the Guicowar of Baroda has forwarded to Sir Leopold Heath #500 in aid of 'H.M.S. Captain's Widow and Orphan Fund."

Marion Heath

Thursday 22 September 1870
I went to spend the morning at the Cazalets as it was my birthday, we all went a walk first with them. In the afternoon Uncle James came here and then Mamma, Ada and I walked up to Kitlands with him. Mrs.Hawkins came to call.

Thursday 22 September 1870
Friend of India and Statesman

Commodore Heath, commanding in the Indian Seas, invites subscriptions in aid of the widows and orphans of the 500 men who perished in the turret-ship Captain. The Bank of Bengal will receive subscriptions.

From Sir Leopold Heath's letter register:-

61 23. September 1870 Admiral to L. To be extended Cmdr - - station( - - -

Friday 23 September 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Forwarding report and minutes of Court of Enquirey

H.M.Ship “Forte”, at
Bombay, 16th Aug st 1870

Sir,
I beg you will you will inform their Lordships that on the return of HM Ship “Nymphe” to Trincomalie in May last, I soon became aware of the existence of serious differences between her Commander and 1st Lieutenant.

2.- Lieut. Chapman had originally been 2nd Lieut: of the “Nymphe”, but at the request of Captain Burnadiston, then in Command, he became 1st Lieut, when Mr.Bromiton invalided.

He has remained in that capacity since the --- of 1868, under Commanders Barnadiston and Meara and acting Commander Campbell, and although I have always understood he was not a good 1st Lieutenant, he has borne the character of a thoroughly sober well conducted and well meaning officer.

3.- Commander Wells joined the “Nymphe” in March 1870, and he was but a few days in company of the “Forte” before he returned to Trincomalie as mentioned above.

4.- Two formal complaints were made to me whilst at Trincomalie by Lieut Chapman of his Commanders treatment of him. The first was withdrawn by mutual consent, but not until I had intimated my intention of personally investigating the matter in dispute. In this case, so far as I could judge without having taken evidence, Commander Wells was to blame; and the second complaint in which the 1st Lieut: seemed in error I replied by a Memo: dated June 4th, pointing out where he was wrong.

5.- The “Nymphe” left Trincomalie in company with the “Forte” on the 9th June, but as after the first and most serious of the complaints has been withdrawn I had seen Commander Wells in presence of Lieut: Chapman, and received mutual and most solemn assurances that every difference was completely settled, I hoped that for the short remaining period of the “Nymphe’s” commission matters might go smoothly, and I thought this the more likely because Commander Wells informed me that there was a close and intimate friendship between the families of himself and Lieut: Chapman respectively.

6.- A day or two after the arrival of the “Nymphe” at this port I received the accompanying letters marked 1 and 2, and in presenting them Commander Wells described verbally conduct on the part of Mr.Chapman of such a nature as in my opinion to require a Court Martial. I then sent the memo: marked 3 to Commander Wells and as he declined to prefer charges I ordered a Court of Inquiry, whose minutes and report I now forward for their Lordships information.

7.- I thought it desirable that the state of the “Nymphe” should be thoroughly looked into, and my thanks are due to Captains Furme ? and Douglas for the patience and perseverance thy have shewn.

It was necessary to place some limit to the range of the Inquiry, and I thought sufficient information could be obtained by fixing this at the 4th June, the date of my memo” on the last complaint previrsio to the present one.

8.- I have no hesitation in stating my opinion that, notwithstanding the pluck and courage shewn by Commander Wells on former occasions, as recorded on some of his attached Certificates, and notwithstanding his earnest zeal and good intentions in his efforts to bring the “Nymphe” to what he considers a better state of discipline, he is nevertheless so wanting in temper and discretion as to make it unadvisable he should remain in Command.

The Surgeon of the “Nymphe” informs me he is about to bring him forward for invaliding, and if, as I anticipate, the Surveying Officers should order him home, no further steps will in my opinion be necessary in his case. Their Lordships will be informed by telegraph of the result of the Survey.

9.- I think it unnecessary to extend this letter by comments on the evidence brought before the Court, but I wish to state that under the circumstances of the case I have taken no formal notice of the conduct of Mr.Eden. I shall probably express my opinion to him verbally when I next inspect the ship. Mr. Hirtzelo remonstrance to his Captains upon his deliberately awarded punishment to Mr.Davis, will probably be treated similarly.

10.- On the whole I do not think Mr Chapman to blame, he has been placed in circumstances of great difficulty, and it is not easy to say what his exact line of conduct should have been on each occasion. I consider however that after this inquiry and its disclosures it will be better that he should be removed from the “Nymphe”, and I am about to exchange him into another ship.

I have etc
S d L.G.Heath - Commodore

To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London. Sw.

--------Enclosures-----------

1.- Commander Well’s letter forwarding Mr.Chapman’s application for supersescion ?
2.- Lieut: Chapman;s letter requesting to be ---------
3.- Memo: to Commander Wells to prefer charges against Lieut: Chapman.
4.- Order for Court of Inquiry with the report and minutes of the Court.

-----------Enclosures------------

1.- Acknowledgement of orders & letter received.
2.- Periodical returns, “Forte” 30 September 1870
3.- Periodical returns, “Nymphe” 30th September 1870
4.- Periodical returns, “Teazer” 30 June 1870
5.- Punishment returns, “Malabar”, 30 September 1870
6.- Incidental expenses, “Nymphe” 1 October, 1870
7.- Application for repayment of travelling Expenses Mr.R.Anderson, Chief Engineer of “Nymphe”.
8.- Return of -------th “Teazer” ------ 1870

No.184
4 Enclosures

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O.S. “China” 17 Aug st 1870

Forwarding report and minutes of Court of Enquirey

Ack: 23 Sept 1870. M.199

Marion Heath

Friday 23 September 1870
Mamma and Ada went in the pony-chaise and I rode to call on Mrs.Wickham and Mrs.Spottiswood. Cazalets came in the evening.

Saturday 24 September 1870
The Cazalets came to act charades with us. Mr.Hook came for Willy's and Herbert's lessons.

Saturday 24 September 1870
Naval and Military Gazette

In consequence of the alteration of the East India Station to an Admiral's command, Rear-Admiral J.H.Cockburn, who has been appointed to succeed Captain Sir Leopold Heath, the present Commodore, temporarily hoisted his flag on board the St.Vincent at Portsmouth last week, and exchanged salutes with the Commander-in-Chief at that port. The Admiral will leave England with his staff on the 1st proximo. We believe that Capt. Henry Fairfax, or Captain C.T.Jagy, will be selected for the appointment of Flag Captain.

Marion Heath

Sunday 25 September 1870
Its hot as July, all to church in the morning.

Monday 26 September 1870
Exquisite day again. Mamma, Gerard and I in the pony-chaise and Herbert riding to shop in Dorking. Ada went for the night to the Cazalets.

Tuesday 27 September 1870
Mamma went to Kitlands. We all went blackberrying with Willy.

Wednesday 28 September 1870
We all, except Herbert, as Mr.Hook came to teach him and Willy, went up to Mrs.Hawkins's new house and then when we were coming home a dreadful accident happened, only it is a very good thing we were none of us hurt. Louie backed down the bank near Anstie farm and then we all got out he rushed away.

Thursday 29 September 1870
Nothing very particular.

Friday 30 September 1870
Duke Crofton came to stay till Monday. We walked up to Kitlands.

Hampshire Telegraph
Saturday 30 September 1870

The Court-Martial on Commander Goold.

After an inquiry lasting over two days at Bombay, Commander Goold has been dismissed from H.M.S. Forte, for illegally flogging a seaman on the 11th April.

The sentence is stated by the Times of India to "have caused no small surprise among those who knew the circumstances," but to those who only know such of the circumstances as were reported at the court-martial, the award will be generally regarded as a matter of course.

And even had the charge not been proved, the good condition of the ship's crew, as well as the harmony of all on board, would have demanded that Captain Sir Leopold Heath,the Commodore of the station, and the prisoner should no longer be allowed to remain in the same ship.

Sir Leopold conducted the prosecution, and he appears to have done so with considerable warmth, not to say animus, against the commander. Indeed, there can be little doubt that a bad feeling existed between the two officers, and that the usual results had supervened.

The Commodore, while admitting that the Commander was an efficient officer, accused him of occasionally showing a want of that calmness of temper and of judgment required in those who have to award punishment; while the Commander alleged that the Commodore was too lax in his discipline, that he prescribed mild punishments for serious offences, that he frequently refused to punish at all, and that in other instances it was not unusual for him to alter or remit sentences which had already been pronounced.

The prisoner was an officer of quite another kind. "It was my lot in my early career," he remarked at the trial, "to have been brought up under very strict officers, men who looked upon the immediate obedience of an order from a superior, especially when the superior officer was the commanding officer of the ship, to be most essential to the maintenance of discipline.

I have imbibed those views, and have invariably, bearing in mind the regulations of the Navy, carried them out solely for the well-being and discipline of the service."

We can therefore readily understand the difficulties of Commander Goodl's position under the circumstances, and how often he must have chafed at what he saw on board, and could not altogether remedy.

Of course, as was to be expected, the crew sided with the Captain against his subordinate officer, who, as may be easily imagined, was not popular with the blue jackets.

To add to the troubles of the Commander, Sir Leopold Heath, being commodore of the station as well as captain of the Forte, was frequently called for long periods away from the ship. All might have gone on well, however, had the authority of the prisoner been well supported; but Sir Leopold seems to have made himself too easily accessible as a court of criminal appeal against the decisions of his commander.
Hence, whenever any of the minor punishments were awarded by the latter, it became the custom for the offenders, both men and boys, to ask if they might see the Commodore, in order that an appeal might be preferred. And from some portions of his cross-examination of witnesses, it would seem that though Sir Leopold considered it wrong for a seaman not to obey the judgments of Commander Goold if insisted upon during his absence, he considered it little short of a mockery of justice not to recognise an appeal as a ground for a postponement of punishment.

Surely something ought to have been left to the discretion of an officer to whose judgment the safety of the vessel and crew was confided.

As a consequence of this state of affairs, the prisoner asserted that the discipline of the ship up to the 11th of April was very loose, and the acts of insubordination since his arrest had greatly increased.
Sir Leopold emphatically denied, and officers were called who stated that the general discipline of the Forte had always been good. Not only, however, as Commander Goold remarked, have "different officers different ways of enforcing discipline," but they have also different ideas as to what constitutes discipline on board ship.

Certain it is, that on both points the Captain and the Commander varied in their opinions. But while it is possible to sympathise to some extent with Commander Goold against his superior officer, it is

impossible to side with him against the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. For if Thomas O'Connor was guilty of a breach of discipline in refusing to obey the orders of his commanding officer, the latter was equally at fault in driving a coach and six through the Articles of War.

Hence, we contend that the offence of Commander Goold was one which the Admiralty could not pass over, and that the charge having been clearly proved the sentence passed upon him was a lenient one.
But let us state the facts. ON the 7th of April, the Forte being then in the Colombo Roads, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, after committing the ship to the charge of Commander Goold, departed on some official duty with the Governor of Ceylon and H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh.

During the absence of the Captain it would seem as if the Commander had made an attempt to enforce a stricter discipline; and as spirits had been conveyed on board by the men on leave, he commenced by insisting that the boats' crews should be searched on returning to the ship.

This custom, though not unknown in the Colombo Roads, appears to have fallen very much into disuse so far as the Forte was concerned, and the crew consequently began to murmur.

On the 9th of April, two days after the departure of Sir Leopold Heath for an elephant kraal, an A.B. seaman named Thomas O'Connor was ordered by the ship's corporal to fall in with the boat's crew on the quarter deck to be searched.

O'Connor was in the first-class for conduct, and he seems to have been a man of excellent character. From the 25th of August, 1861, to the 20th of March 1870, there had been only five offences recorded against him, and these were all various modifications of breaking leave. It does not appear that his offence on the 9th of April was of a very serious character - certainly not of such a character as to deserve to be called "mutinous and highly insubordinate."

Midshipman Hicks deposed that the man was "mumbling" and did not fall in at once. He also heard him make use of an expression something like this: "I will see the Commander; do you call this punishment, or what?"

When asked by the prosecutor to define what he meant by "mumbling," Hicks replied, "Talking in an under tone." But when he was subsequently asked why he considered O'Connor to be drunk at the time, his answer was, "I did not think that any sober man would make use of those expressions on the quarter deck, in a good loud tone of voice,"

This contradiction in the evidence of the main witness against the seaman seems not to have been noticed by the prosecutor.

The result however, was, that as the ship's corporal would not affirm that O'Connor was insubordinate, the charge was dismissed by Lieutenant Bowers, the officer of the watch. The man was subsequently reported to the Commander on another charge of making a false accusation against the corporal; and it is somewhat singular that Commander Goold, while taking no notice of the only offence which was reported to him by the officer of the watch, should have ordered O'Connor "ten days' No.11" for the alleged insubordination of which he had been acquitted by Lieutenant Bowers.

Now, however, comes the most important part of the business. O'Connor refused to obey his punishment, quietly, but firmly, demanding that he might communicate with the Commodore on the subject. Of course, there can be no question whatever that, even supposing O'Connor to have been unjustly punished, he was guilty of a very serious offence in refusing to carry it out.

Still, we agree with the remark of the Commodore that the offence of the 9th of April was completely dwarfed by what occurred on the 11th, when O'Connor received forty-eight lashes for "mutinous and highly insubordinate conduct in refusing to carry out the punishment awarded him."

The question is, did the passive resistance of the seaman on the 9th amount to mutiny? for if it did not, it is evident that his flogging was illegally administered.

We have already said that O'Connor was in the first-class for conduct, and the 8th paragraph 62nd page of the Addenda distinctly states that "men in the first-class for conduct, &c., committing any grave offence against discipline, or guilty of repeated misconduct, may by the officer in command be disrated and removed by warrant into the second-class; they will not be liable to corporal punishment at the time when they are so removed except for MUTINY, as explained in article 60 page 124 of the Instructions."*
It is clear that, whatever the offence O'Connor may have been, it did not in the language of the Admiralty Instructions amount to "open mutiny."

It was submitted by the defence that the repeated refusals of the man was an aggravation of his offence, but such a plea will not stand for a moment. The number of refusals depended upon the number of times he was asked to obey; and it must be evident that no amount of persistence can magnify an act of passive resistance into active mutiny.

There can be little doubt that Commander Goold, irritated by the number of men under punishment, and incensed at the demeanour of part of the crew, determined to make an example of some one, and O'Connor was the man whose case happened to come first to hand.

The prisoner denied that he had acted hastily in the matter, and stated that he did not proceed to extremities until he had satisfied himself by an examination of the Articles of War, the Addenda and the Circular of the 1st December 1868.

It seems, however, almost incredible that after all this research he should have been guilty of two serious mistakes. For not only did he flog a seaman who was clearly protected by Article 60, but he did so in such a manner as to violte Article 61.

From the evidence of of the Assistant Paymaster it appears that the punishment warrant was made out "shortly after two o'clock," and signed "between three and four," and that the flogging was inflicted "about half-past four."

Now it is laid down in the 61st Article that "No corporal punishment whatever so to be awarded by the authority of an officer having the command of one of Her Majesty's ships is, even in extreme cases, to exceed forty-eight lashes, or to take place until twelve hours at least shall have elapsed after the completion of the warrant - except in case of mutiny."

The conclusion, therefore, is inevitable, that O'Connor's punishment was illegally administered, that it was excessive, and that it was precipatately carried out. There have been doubts we believe expressed in Portsmouth as to the legality of the court, seeing that amongst its members were two officers of inferior rank to the prisoner, viz., the lieutenants of the Euphrates and the Malabar.

There does not seem to us, however, to be any foundation for disputing the legality of the Court. The Instructions (4,chap. xi) provide for the attendance of lieutenants under certain conditions, and it may be pointed out that when Commander Goold was asked whether he objected to any member of the court, he reply was "No objection whatever."

Thursday 6 October 1870
Times of India.

- - Commander W.H.Goold is an officer of twenty-four years' service in all, which would bring his age to about 36 or 37. All that we have heard of him, either from pubic or private sources, is in the highest degree favourable. He possesses "an extra first-class certificate in seamanship, first-class in gunnery, and was head of a large batch passing out of college.

His name was also brought forward for a commission from the college, but one had already been given in that quarter, and Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane said that there would be no other quarter."

Sir Leopold Heath, in reporting the case to the Admiralty, spoke most highly of Commander Goold, but not one whit more highly than he deserved. Under these circumstances, it is all the more to be regretted that he had no opportunity of earning himself one more distinction by obtaining a "double first" in the most important science of discipline, - a science of the very utmost importance to the Navy, and yet perhaps the only one which is not systematically taught at the college. His error seems to have been the not uncommon one of mistaking coercion, the fruitful parent of insubordination and mutiny, for that discipline which consists in enlisting the will as well as the body in the service.

When Commodore Alexander left the ship, and was succeeded by the present Commodore, he left behind him a highly honourable testimony to the zeal and efficiency of Commander Goold; but certainly not a higher one than that given by present Commodore, who was constrained to act as prosecution this much-to-be-regretted occasion.

Sir Leopold had not long been in command of the ship, before he saw occasion to remark that the minor punishments inflicted were too severe. This became known to the men, and it became a not uncommon practice for men to appeal to the Commodore from the sentence of the Commander. In some cases the sentences were mitigated, in others confirmed, and in one case only make more severe.

Now, if we here turn our attention to what Commander Goold says of himself, we may very well be able to see that this was a source of very great irritation to him. "Different officers," he says, "have different ways of enforcing discipline, and of making those under them perform their duties." (This very sentence, by the way, is a clear statement of Commander Goold's notions of discipline.) "Some lean more to firmness and strict measures, others more to leniency, but I think all are more or less guided by the example they have had from officers under whom they have previously served. It was my lot, in my early naval career, to have been brought up under very strict officers.

- - - Commodore Heath as evidently of the latter. We are convinced that the object of both officers was identically the same, viz. the good of the service; but we confess to a belief that, out of all comparison, the Commodore was the better disciplinarian of the two.

Marion Heath

Saturday 1 October 1870
Duke went out shooting in the morning and Mamma went to Kitlands. In the afternoon the Cazalets came, we played croquet and acted. Mr.Hooke came.

Sunday 2 October 1870
We all went to church in the morning. Mrs.Malden came to see Mamma. We went a ramble with Duke down into the Ponie's field.

Monday 3 October 1870
Duke drove Mamma, and Ada rode,to call on Mrs.Barclay and Mrs.Hawkins. Herbert, Gerard and I wandered about the farm. Duke went away in the evening, we walked down with him, a beautiful moonlight night.

Tuesday 4 October 1870
Mamma, Ada and I went to Brighton for the day.

Wednesday 5 October 1870
We went up to Anstie to play and have tea, very foggy day. Mrs.Hawkins called. Mamma went to Kitlands. Mr.Hooke came.

Thursday 6 October 1870
We went to the Cazalets and acted there.

Friday 7 October 1870
We went a walk and ride with Mamma to call on Mrs.Hillyer. Mamma went to dine at Mrs.Wedgwood's in the evening.

Saturday 8 October 1870
Mamma, Gerard and I drove to Dorking.

Sunday 9 October 1870
Went to church and when we came out it was pouring with rain. We went back in the fly.
Monday 10 October 1870
Uncle Douglas came to dinner, we went a walk to Coldharbour with the Cazalets in the morning. A bitterly cold day.

Tuesday 11 October 1870
We went out a walk with the Cazalets again in the morning. Mamma went to visit the french people at Kitlands. Ada and Gerard went to Broom Hall.

Tuesday 11 October 1870
Times of India

H.M.'s Forte, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., is shortly to go home, and her place is to be taken by the Ariadne.
- - -
Commodore Sir Leopold Heath and the officers of H.M.'s Forte have earned the thanks of Bombay by allowing the capital band of the Forte to play on the Apollo Bunder twice a week.

Times of India
Wednesday 12 October 1870

The terrible news which we received a month since by telegraph, of the foundering of the 'Captain', generally considered to be the finest ship in the Navy, threw quite a gloom over Bombay, and, independently of its being a national loss, some of the officers who went down in the unfortunate ship were well known in the city.

The full accounts by this mail leave no room for hope that a single officer has been saved. A gunner and a few seamen alone remain to tell the tale. Mr Powles, the chaplain, a gentleman respected and beloved by all who knew him, and who was connected to Bombay by marriage, is gone. Mr Tregaskiss, then whom there was not a more promising young officer in the Navy, and Mr Gardiner, an engineer who was formerly on the East Indian Station in the "Octavia" are also among the lost. It is satisfactory to know that, although money is not at present plentiful in Bombay, that the appeal of the Commodore of the East Indian Station, Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., has been liberally responded to. - - -

Marion Heath

Wednesday 12 October 1870
A very windy day. We went as usual a walk with the Cazalets in the afternoon. Mrs.Hawkins called. Herbert went to Kitlands for Mr.Hooke's lesson.

Thursday 13 October 1870
The Cazalets came and worked. Mamma went out to dinner at Mrs.Pennington's.

Friday 14 October 1870
Mamma and Miss Henning went to a concert at Capel. We went to Kitlands for Willy's birthday, we had a very nice afternoon.

Friday 14 October 1870
Times of India

Band at Apollo Bunder
By the kind permission of Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., and the officers H.M.'s Forte, the flagship's band will play at the Apollo Bunder this evening, from at 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The following is the programme:-
Overture... Zampa... Herold.
Selection... Nabuco... Verdi
Valse... Journalistin... Strauss
Selection... L'Italiani in Algerie...Rossini
Quadrille.. English... D'Albert
Galop... Harum Scarum... Cassidy.
Rule Britannia.

Times of India
Saturday 15 October 1870

We may mention that several of the guests who attended on board the Hindostan on Thursday, when the formal presentation was made to Mr Briscoe were among the party, when the sad scene occurred in which the gentleman took so prominent and heroic a part.
The following visitors were present:-

Sir M.R. Westropp, Sir Leopold Heath, General Stock, Mr Justice Gibbs, Mr Mexwell, Captain Robinson, Captain Morland, Kr Knapp, Mr Landley, Captain Stock, Mr Balfour, Captain Turner, Mr Buchen, Drs Smith and Grey, Messrs Parker, Coyle, Bayliss, Galpine, Tait &c., Mr McRitchie, Superintendent Engineer P. & O. Co., Captain Curling and the officers of S.S. Hindostan, Captain Babot and officers of S.S. China, Captain Eastley and officers of S.S. Travancore, the officers of S.S. Orissa, Mr Jay and the unattached officers.

It is almost needless to say that the P. and O. steam-ship Hindostan, probably the grandest and fastest ship of the P. & O.'s magnificent fleet, was decorated with that taste which is the characteristic of sailors, and it is equally superfluous to remark that the dinner was of the most recherche description, and the wines unexceptionable.

Captain Curling, the commander of the Hindostan presided at the first table, and Captain Henry, the Bombay Superintendent of the Company, at the second.

We subjoin a list of toasts, and the post prandial proceedings:-

Captain Curling said: Gentlemen, the toast I am now about to propose will require very little preface at my hands because it is one which, wherever Englishmen are gathered together - whether in England, or India, or the Anitpodies - always ensures a cordial reception - - - Gentlemen, I call upon you to drink to the Army and Navy; with the former I beg to couple the name of General Stock, and with the latter the name of Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B.

--- continues --- toast by Brigadier-General Stock.

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath, in replying for the Navy, said: I thank you sincerely, gentlemen, for the cordial and hearty manner in which you have received the toast of the service to which I have the honour to being. I cannot resume my seat on the present occasion without alluding to the great sorrow we have recently under one; and thanking the Bombay community for the very handsome manner in which they have supported the subscription which I inaugurated for the benefit of the sufferers by the loss of the Captain.

Captain Cowper Coles was a messmate of mine, as a midshipman, many year ago. He did not then show the genius which he undoubtedly possessed, but he endeared himself to us all by his friendly, light hearted, and remarkably affectionate manners.

He was, without doubt, the favourite of a very large mess. In later life, as you all know, he invented the turret system. He had the enthusiasm and energy of all inventors, and was not content with half success. He would not rest satisfied with the almost universal opinion that his system would serve admirably for harbour defences and coast defences, but he wished to push it to its extreme limit.

He thought that the full steam power and the full sailing power of the cruising ships of the British navy should be built upon his system. The system evidently was not sufficiently advanced to warrant its extension so far, and the result is the lamentable accident which has placed so many families in mourning.

The Chairman has referred to the long peace we have enjoyed, and the probability of a future war. The secret Project of Treaty has no doubt opened England's eyes. We are told that in the midst of life we should prepare for death, and it seems that in the midst of peace with the most friendly relations existing between ourselves and our neighbours, we must be prepared, at a moment's notice, for war.
Whilst our ambassadors are full of friendly talk and peaceful correspondence, we do not know what may be going on behind the scenes, and we must be more prepared for immediate war than we have hitherto been. (Hear, hear.).

This applies more to our distant colonies than to our island home, and particularly to Bombay, with its enormous mercantile establishments, its fleet of shipping, and its material prosperity. It has hitherto been at the mercy of any hostile flying squadron. You have now, however, - through the opening of the eyes of your rulers, and the energy of His Excellency the Governor - in course of erection, a very strong and respectable , although perhaps temporary, fortress on the Oyster Rock backed up by a smaller one on the Middle Ground.

With these in your possession and the Monitors which will soon be here, you are quite safe from a flying squadron, and only a very strong fleet with a great deal of preparation, can attack you.

I am very glad that, before I leave this station, those forts have begun to be armed, and that I shall leave you in a secure condition. It is hardly my province to anticipate the event of this evening, but I cannot help taking this opportunity of saying that, as the merchant service in general and our great steam companies in particular are now-a-days so frequently mixed up with us, and as they form our valuable naval

reserve,it is a great pleasure to me that, within a fortnight of my leaving for England, I am enabled to be present on this occasion to do honour to one of them for a deed of gallantry as great as many for which high honours have been conferred on the field of battle (Loud applause).

Saturday 15 October 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Punishment of Robt Hamerton, ---- of “Forte”

H.M.Ship “Forte”, at Bombay,

15th October, 1870

Sir,
With reference to your letter L.M.M.No.193 of the 12th September 1870, acquainting me with their Lordships disapproval of the course pursued by me on the punishment of Robert Hamerton, whose case was reported in my submission No.116 of the 7th August, I beg you will express to their Lordships my regret that I did not explain the circumstances more fully at the time.

2.- It was in the first place my intention to bring Hamerton before a Court Martial and the charge was actually drawn up, the witnesses were warned, and the Commander had been directed to hold himself in readiness to prosecute.

I abandoned that intention upon the arrival of the Ship at Bombay from the consideration of the impending trial of the Commander himself, and from having been informed that it was supposed the Commander intended to call the Police as principal witnesses in his own defense.

I was at that time aware that the head of Police was very obnoxious to the Ships company generally, but I did not know with certainty to what extent the feeling existed towards his subordinates, and I thought it would be better for the Ship this being a case in which the Police were directly affected, to settle it ------ly myself rather than bring it before the same Court martial as that which would have tried the Commander, and at which I thought it possible the general conduct of the Police might come under discussion and the hostile feelings between the Police and ships company (supposing it to have existed) might have been exaserbated.

3.- With reference to the last portion of your letter which you inform me that their Lordships consider that failing a Court Martial, I should have awarded a more severe punishment; I respectfully submit that although I might have ordered discharge with disgrace instead of discharge as objectionable, I could not, consistently with their Lordships orders, act Summary Punishments have awarded any more severe punishment than that actually inflicted, viz, 42 days imprisonment with hard labour.

This is the maximum punishment allowed for mutinous or highly insubordinate conduct when imprisonment or gaol is possible, and I regret much that their Lordships should think that by awarding it with subsequent discharge to Hamerton I have “Encouraged others to act as he acted.”

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
London, Sw.

No.226
Forwarded per P.& O. Steamer “China” from Bombay, 16th Oct 1870

Punishment of Robt Hamerton, ---- of “Forte”

Saturday 15 October 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

H.M.Ship “Forte”, at
Bombay,, 15th October: 1870

Sir,
I have the honor to represent to you that I consider it necessary during the excessive heat at present in Bombay, that Mr.H.N.Wyatt ? your secretary should proceed to some hill station until his departure for England.

He is at present suffering from excessive debility caused by long residence in this climate, and I strongly advise his proceeding to Matheran.

I have etc
S d Lord Macklyston M.D. ? - Surgeon
To the Commodore

Sir Leopold G.Heath K.C.B.
H.M.Ship “Forte”

No. 227
Forwarded 1st Oct 1870. With refer to the Survey Report of Steamship “Cossack” for the half year ended 31st December 1869 forwarded herewith.

Forwarded per P.& O. Steamer “China” from Bombay, 16 Octr 1870

H.M.Ship “Cossack”
Mauritius,, 6th Sept 1870

Reporting result of Survey on Dean and Adam’s pistols.

Page 663.

“Forte” 18th Oct 1870
Approved and forwarded for the information of the Medical --- and the Navy in camp that xxxx ----------

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O.S.
28th October 1870

Marion Heath

Saturday 15 October 1870
We went to the farm and then to Kitlands with Mamma. Herbert went to Kitlands for Mr.Hooke's lessons. Aunt Missings came to stay for a fortnight.

Sunday 16 October 1870
Pouring wet all day, we did not go to church. Geroge Whatman came.

Monday 17 October 1870
Mamma, Aunt Missings and the others went to Bearhurst and Kitlands. I went a ride with Emma Whatman.

Tuesday 18 October 1870
Wet, but it cleared up in the afternoon when we went with Aunt Missings and Miss.Henning to the post office.

Wednesday 19 October 1870
Mr.Hooke came to teach us for the first time.First Willy and Herbert did lessons, then Emma, Ada, Gerard and I. Then Margery.

Thursday 20 October 1870
Mamma and Aunt Missings went to London. We to the Cazalets.

Friday 21 October 1870
We went to the dancing for the first time. Rather a nice day. Uncle James and Aunt Julia and Madame Silvestre came.

Saturday 22 October 1870
Mr.Hooke came for our lessons and Margery, Emma and Willy for lessons. Freddy came to stay till Monday. Arts Loring came to stay till Sunday evening. George Whatman, Mrs.Bosanquet and Henri came to luncheon.

Saturday 22 October 1870

Navy
Forte, 24, screw-frigate, Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B. By the kind permission, and under the immediate patronage of Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., Commander Errington, and the officers, the seamen amateurs of H.M.S. Forte gave a theatrical entertainment at the Grant Rd Theatre, Bombay, on Monday evening, Sept 5, on which occasion there was an excellent attendance, comprising not only a large muster of naval officers, but a great many civilians, and the latter would have been much more numerously represented, were half Bombay not at Poona.

Nevertheless, the performers of Monday night have good reason to congratulate themselves upon the way in which the pieces went off, and also upon their successful endeavours to please having met with hearty appreciation of their audience.

The programme commenced with the drama of Simon Lee. This was followed by an original negro drama, by the Ethiopian troupe, entitled Uncle Jeff.

The whole performance was in aid of the Widows and Orphans Society. The Forte's band was in attendance, and played exceedingly well. - Times of India

Marion Heath

Sunday 23 October 1870
It rained so we could not go to church, it cleared up at about 12 o'clock when we had a crabapple fight in the glade. Arts Loring went away in the evening.

Monday 24 October 1870
Freddy went back to Brighton. Aunt Missings and Mamma went to luncheon at Mrs.Hawkin's. Showery again. In the evening we went out to see the Northern Lights which were very beautiful, almost all over the sky.

Times of India
Monday 24 October 1870

It does not matter a great deal whether the following dialogue, reported by the Pioneer, is founded on fact or drawn from the imagination: - "His Excellency the Governor of Bombay, accompanied by Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., and others, cruised round the harbour on the 18th in order to examine the fortifications.
"The impregnable character of our defences,' said Sir Seymour Fitzgerald, 'remind me of Kronstadt.'
'Or Gibraltar, Sir,' suggested an Aide. 'More like Rosherville,' was the Commodore's retort."

Wednesday 25 October 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Closing of Medical Establishment at Trincomalie

H.M.Ship “Forte” at
Bombay, 25th October 1870

Sir,
In accordance with their Lordships Instructions contained in your letter L.160 of the 8th August 1870, I have directed the return to England of Dr.Gray, late of Hm.Ship “Forte” for service at Trincomalie Hospital, and ---- ---- the Sick Bay Steward.

2.- I have directed further that, “The Hospital Room is to be Sub-Storekeeper & medical Stores under Mr.Harper, and he is to keep the Hospital and premises in good order, and to attend, with temporary assistance when necessary, upon patients in Hospital, His pay is to be raised from the day Dr.Gray gives up charge to 1/0 per day.”
“The Hospital Coolie is to be returned at his present pay of 1/6 per day.”

3.- And as it appears from a communication received from the Naval Storekeeper that the Officers of the Yard and their families as well as the Established workmen have always received medical attendance at the public expense, I have directed the fixed annual payment of 8 days full pay, suggested in my letter No.143, to be paid to Natives now on the Establishment, but not to fresh entries.

4.- I now request that their Lordships will make such arrangements as may be proper with the War Office for ensuring medical Attendance being given to the Officers of the Yard and their families by the Surgeon of the Garrison.

I have etc
S d L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London, Sw.

No.231

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O. S. “Columbian” 30th October 1870

Closing of Medical Establishment at Trincomalie

Tuesday 25 October 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Captain Relief Fund

Hm.Ship “Forte”,
Bombay, 25 Oct, 1870

Sir,
I have collected a sum of £1200.8.4 from the Indian Community for the benefit of HmS. “Captains” Relief Fund, and I have remitted the amount through the Paymaster of Hm.Ship “Forte” to the Accountant General of the Navy for transmission to the Portsmouth Committee.

2.- The loss of Exchange to the Crown by this remittance will at 1”/10% per rupee (the price obtained by the Paymaster for a Bill cashed this day) be £73.13.11 and I have requested the Accountant General to await their Lordships instructions as to whether it may be borne by the Crown or whether it should be deducted from the gross sum remitted.

3.- I am aware that this matter of remittance is irregular, but I have adopted it in hopes that their Lordships would allow it in this special case and give the Fund the benefit of the Exchange.

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
London.

No.232
Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O. Steamer “-allora” 6th November 1870

Captain Relief Fund

Marion Heath

Tuesday 25 October 1870
Mamma went to Anstie. Mamma and Aunt Missings went to dinner at Kitlands. We went to dinner a walk with the Cazalets and had tea at Bearhurst.

Wednesday 26 October 1870
Mamma and Aunt Missings went to Mrs.Wedgwood's Mr.Hooke came. Margery, Emma and Willy came for lessons. We went a walk with the Cazalets.

Thursday 27 October 1870
Mamma and Gerard went to London. The Cazalets came here to tea.

Friday 28 October 1870
Mamma and Aunt Missings took us to the dancing class. In the afternoon Hugh Spottiswood, Herbert and Gerard went to a circus in Dorking. Mrs.Spottiswood called.

Saturday 29 October 1870
A pouring wet day. We did our lessons with Mr.Hooke. The Whatmans did not come because of the rain.

Saturday 29 October 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

The Late Court martial on Commander H.H.Goold

H.M.Ship “Forte”, at
Bombay, 29th October 1870

Sir,
With reference to your letter L.M.M. No.203 of 23rd September, on the subject of the Court martial lately held upon the conduct of Commander Goold, I beg you will inform their Lordships that I felt a difficulty in wording the charge against that officer in the manner pointed out by their Lordships partly because under their Lordships Instructions, Art 61, Page –14 the case of open mutiny is excepted from those where a Captain is directed to appoint either Officers to inquire into the particulars of the case, but principally because in Commander Goold's letter to me dated 11th April 1870 (which is attached to the minutes) he himself states he punished O’Connor for “mutinous and highly insubordinate conduct,” and I thought it fair to make the charge in his own words.

2.- I have been in much doubt as to whether their Lordships wish me to communicate to the President of the Court ?the substance of the 3rd and 4th paragraphs of your letter, but in the absence of distinct instructions I have refrained from doing so.

3.- The 5th and 6th paragraphs of your letter have given me much pain.

4.- I most fully admit that on hearing Commander Goold’s defence read I did feel very indignant. Commander Goold had been on most intimate terms with myself up to the date of the receipt of their Lordship’s orders to try him by Court martial; - on terms of such intimacy that I am quite sure he would have let me know if he felt in the slightest degree aggrieved by anything I may have done, or if he had felt that he did not receive proper support from me.

It is my habit to see the police cases every day at 11.am, and it was a most common occurrence that when the cases had been adjudicated upon and dismissed, we should talk them over again whilst walking together by ourselves.

There was thus most ample opportunity or him to have stated his dissatisfaction with my decisions if he had felt any, but I assure their Lordships that he never gave me the slightest hint, or in any way led me to suppose that he was not Equally with myself perfectly satisfied with the condition of the ship.

5.- I have considered it necessary to good discipline that the Captain should make a friend, at least so far as service matter are concerned, of his second in Command, and I believe that I had success in doing so with Commander Goold, and on such good terms were we that when I was about to report to their Lordships the occurrence for which he has since been tried, I shewed him the letter before sending it, saying that I thought, notwithstanding all I could say their Lordships would supercede him and it was better for him their Lordships should see I had not overlooked the gravity of his offence, than that I should attempt to make light of it.

He thanked me most warmly, admitting his error, and spoke of the strict and severe school of discipline in which he had been brought up, but not even then did he allege anything against the general discipline of the Ship, or hint in any way at a want of support from me, and therefore when I found him adopting a line of defence which could not by any possibility clear him of the charge made against him, a line of defence which I knew could not be supported by evidence, but which when read by the Public (the prisoners ‘friend’ was the reporter of a local newspaper) would tend to discredit myself and the Officers and crew of the “Forte,” I felt that his conduct was both ungrateful and dishonest.

6.- I admit to their Lordships that I was under the impression which I have endeavored to describe above, when the witnesses for the defence were called, and that I considered that I had thenceforward the double duty, not only off watching the effect of the evidence on the charge, but also of watching its effect on my own character as an Officer, and on that of my Officers and Ship’s Company; but I have, since receiving your letter, gone most carefully through the questions put by myself to the witnesses, and with the exception of two put to Mr.Hicks, Sub Lieut, the first beginning with “The Prisoner considers it a crime for a man who has been judged by me, etc, etc,” and the other with “The Prisoner has stated that I failed to support him as Commander of the Ship, do you think, etc, etc,” – there are none for which I can take blame to myself, or which I should wish now that I had not put as being of a recriminatory nature.

I made two other remarks which have perhaps been misunderstood, the first to the President, to the effect that the Prisoner was putting a question which, if answered in the affirmative, might cause another court martial; the second, when the Prisoner was attempting to impinge the well known rule that you must not attack the veracity of your own witness if he gives an answer the contrary to what you expected.

I regret the first of these remarks as doubtless it was the President’s and not the Prisoner’s duty to have made it.

7.- I feel that I should be unworthy if the trust their Lordships have hitherto placed in me if I had condescended to recriminations with Commander Goold. I considered it my duty in the conduct of this trial.

1st. To prove the charge I had put forward, and

2nd. To cent…. What I believed to be unjust and untrue accusations against myself and against the Officers and Ships Company of H.m. Ship “Forte,” as put forward by the Prisoner in his defence, and I most deeply regret that their Lordships should consider I have in doing so descended to personal recriminations, and I earnestly hope their Lordships will not think me wanting in respect for their decision in submitting to them the above attempt to justify myself in so far as regards their strictures upon my conduct with reference to the Court Martial.

8.- the 6 para of your letter refers not to the Court martial, but to my covering letter in which I forwarded the minutes of its proceedings. In this case it is my duty simply to accept their Lordships decision, and to express my regret that I should have used language which in their Lordships opinion is “unusual from an Officer in Command of a Squadron of Hm Ships when addressing the Board of Admiralty,” but I wish at the same time to state that in writing these words I merely wished to express plainly, what I felt strongly, and I had not the slightest idea that the turn of the expressions used was, or would be considered improper.

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London, Sw.

Page 667

No.230

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O.S. “Columbian”, 30th October 1870

The Late Court martial on Commander H.H.Goold

29 October 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Reporting Proceedings

Hm.Ship “Forte”, at
Bombay, 29th October 1870

Sir,
In continuation of my report of proceedings of the 15th October 1870, No.225, I beg you will inform their Lordships that the “Bullfinch,” having transferred Dr.Gray, late Surgeon of Trincomalie Hospital to the homeward bound Contract Steamer at Galle was detained there by bad weather until the 19th Inst: when she left for this port.

2.- I attach for their Lordships information a copy of report of proceedings from Hm.Ship “Cossack”, explaining Captain Parish’s reasons for not having visited the Brendon ? Group. I have approved of his not having done so under the circumstances, as also of his having entered into a temporary contract for the supply of coals (coasts?) to the Seychelles, of which he has informed their Lordships direct.

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Commodore.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London, Sw.

-----------Enclosures------------

1. Acknowledgement of Orders & letters received.
2. Summaries of Log. Hm.Ship “Cossack”
3. Periodical Returns, Hm.Ship “Dryad” 30th Sep: 1870
4. Application for repayment of travelling Expenses -----
5. ----------do------------di-------------Surgeon of “Cossack”

Page 670

No.234
5 Enclosures.

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O.S. “Columbian” 30th October 1870

Reporting Proceedings

Marion Heath

Sunday 30 October 1870
A very nice, sunny day. We went to church and walked back with Mr and Mrs.Spottiswood and Mrs.Cazalet. We went to Kitlands in the afternoon and then to Anstie where there were Mrs.and Mrs.Cazalet and Mr and Mrs.Leslie and Uncle James. The boys went to Anstie for the afternoon.

Monday 31 October 1870
Rather cold, damp and rainy, it cleared a little in the afternoon, when we went to a farm and towards Mrs.Hawkin's new house.

Sunday 30 October 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

The Services of Officers

Hm.Ship “Forte,” at
Bombay, 30th October 1870.

Sir,
Upon giving up the command of the East Indian Station, which I have held since 29th July 1867 until the present date (Eighteen months of the term as Commodore of the 1st Class) I hope I may be allowed to bring to the notice of their Lordships, the high opinion I have formed of the character and ability of Mr.----fall, Paymaster, who has served as my Secretary throughout my command, which includes the whole period of the Abyssinian Campaign.

This Gentleman was promoted for his Services in New Zealand as Secretary to Commodore Sir H ------, and I hope his name may be noted for Early Employment at home, or in some climate better than that of India.

2.- I have addressed a special letter to their Lordships, No.235, on the subject of Lieutenant – Walker, my late Flag Lieutenant; and I hope the unexpected and early loss of his command by Captain Basil Hall, may be considered by their Lordships when investigating the claims of Captains for service Afloat.

3.- I have commanded the “Forte” for more than a year and a half, and in the absence, in the case of that Ship, of the formal periodical reports of Inspection which are made of the other Ships of the Squadron, I beg permission to inform their Lordships that I consider her in very good order, and that speaking generally her Officers are remarkably zealous, and her Crew well dressed and well behaved.

4.- I beg I may be allowed to mention specially the names of Mr.Anderson, the Paymaster, and Lieutenants Reade and Hicks as deserving special mention on the books of the Admiralty: Lieut: Reades zeal and success as a f-----ry Lieutenant have been r------ent. Commander Palliser has been but a short time on board, but I have formed a very high opinion of his fitness for his present position.

I have etc
S d L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty

No.236

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O. Steamer “Ellora,” 6th November 1870

The Services of Officers

Monday 31 October 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

The Services of Lieutenant Walker of Hm.Ship “Dryad”

Hm.Ship “Forte”, at
Bombay, 31st Oct: 1870

Sir,
Upon giving up the command of the East Indian Station, I hope I may be allowed to bring before their Lordships the case of Lieutenant H.G.Walker ? , who was my Flat Lieutenant during the 18 months in which I served as 1st class Commodore, a period including the whole of the Abyssinian Campaign.

2.- At the conclusion of the Expedition promotion or honors were given not only to the personal staff of the General Commander in Chief, but also to several of those attached to the Divisional Generals; and I trust their Lordships will now take into consideration the case of Lieutenant Walker with a view to his promotion.

He has, since my 1st class Pendant was handed down, been serving with much credit as 1st Lieutenant of the “Dryad.”

I have etc
S d L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
London, Sw.

No.255

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O. Steamer “Fallora” ? 6 December 1870

Monday 31 October 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Transmitting Receipt for Secret Cypher Book

Hm.Ship “Forte” at Bombay
31st October 1870

Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith a receipt from my successor for a copy of the Secret Cypher Book furnished to me in your letter M.No.31 of the 24th August 1867.

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty

No.237
1 Enclosure
Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O.Steamer “Ellora,” 6th November 1870

Transmitting Receipt for Secret Cypher Book

Monday 31 October 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Transmitting Receipt for Standing & Unexecuted Orders.

Hm.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 31st October 1870

(Very curly letters again – happy day)

Sir,
I have the honor to transmit herewith a receipt from my successor for the Standing and Unexecuted orders, together with the Records of the Stations, and such other Books, Re, as was in the Secretary’s Office

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty

No.238
1 enclosure

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O.Steamer “Ellora” 6th November 1870

Monday 31 October 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Transmitting Cabin Furniture Accounts

Hm.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 31st October, 1870

Sir,
I have the honor to forward herewith the Account of the receipt and expenditure of the Silver, Electroplate, Cutlery, Linen, Glass and China supplied for my use whilst in command of the “Forte”

I have etc
Signed L.G.Haeth - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty

Store }
Branch }
Forwarded from Bombay, per P.& O.Steamer “Ellora” 6 November 1870

Accountant General
& Controller of Navy Pay

Forwarding Pay Tickets to Moorhurst, Dorking
December 1870

Sir,
I have the honor to transmit herewith Pay Tickets for H.M.Ships “Forte” and “Nymphe” and Certificates under my hand, shewing the dates between which my broad Pendant was flying as Commodore in Command of the East India Station.
I have to request that the residue of Pay due to me may be paid into the hands of my Bankers.

Messrs Bosanquet Salt & Co
78 Lombard Street

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Captain R.N. (!)
To the Secretary of the Admiralty

(different handwriting - LGH’s ?)

Tuesday 1 November 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath to the Admiralty

Austria, Italy German Confederation, Denmark, Republic of ---

Returning Slave Trade Warrants on being Superseded.

H.M.Ship “Forte”
Bombay, 1 November 1870

Sir,
Agreeably to the directions contained in your letters, Nos.118 and 158 of 1869, I have the honor to return herewith the Warrants from the Government of the Countries named in the margin, together with the corresponding Warrants from their Lordships, as also Warrants from the Admiralty authorizing the search and detentions of vessels of the countries named on the other side hereof, to Enable me as the Officer in command of the “Forte” to act in the suppression of the Slave Trade.

2.- The book of Instructions with the Private Signals, 1C, I have transferred to my successor, whose receipt for the same is attached hereto.

I have etc
Signed L.G.Heath - Commodore
To the Secretary of the Admiralty
Whitehall, London

No.233
27 Enclosures
Austria, Italy German Confederation, Denmark, Republic of ---

Forwarded from Bombay per P.& O.Steamer “Illora” ? 6th November 1870

Returning Slave Trade Warrants on being Superseded.

Marion Heath

Tuesday 1 November 1870
A lovey day. Mamma went a drive with Mrs.Cazalet to Michum. Ada and I went a walk with Aunt Missings and Miss Henning to Coldharbour and round by Broom Hall. Uncle James came to luncheon. Madame Silverstre, Matilde, and Margerey came in the morning. Mamma went back with them to Kitlands.

Wednesday 2 November 1870
Aunt Missings, Mamma, Mathilde Silvestre and I went to a concert at Dorking. The others went to Kitlands for Mr.Hooke's lessons.

Thursday 3 November 1870
Aunt Missings went away. We went to Kitlands. Mr and Mrs.Leslie and Margery came to afternoon tea.

Friday 4 November 1870
We went to the Dancing Class.

Saturday 5 November 1870
We went a walk with Mamma round by Anstie. We did Mr.Hooke's lessons.

Sunday 6 November 1870
We went to church. In the afternoon Miss.Fuller and George came. Mamma went to Kitlands. Ada and I went to Holmwood church with the Whatmans.

Monday 7 November 1870
Willy came to dinner and then went a ride and walk with the others. Mamma went out a drive with Mrs.Cazalet to Newdigate. I went with Miss.Henning a walk with the Cazalets.

Monday 7 November 1870
Times of India.

Departure of Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B.

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., whose term of service as Commodore of the East India Station has expired, left for England in the P. and O. steamer Ellora yesterday morning.

As a farewell mark of respect, the Commodore was pulled to the ship from the Apollo Bunder in the barge manned by officers of the Forte, and as the Commodore passed his old ship, the band played "Home Sweet Home" and "Auld Lang Syne." In all probability Commodore Heath will be made a Rear Admiral on his arrival in England as, with the exception of Captain Sir Francis Leopold McClintock, of Arctic Sea renown, he is at the top of the list of Captains.

Marion Heath

Tuesday 8 November 1870
Miss.Henning went away for good. We went to Kiltlands.

Wednesday 9 November 1870
Herbert went with Willy to Ramsgate. Mr.Hooke came. Margery and Emma came for their lesson. Miss.Fuller came.

Thursday 10 November 1870
A most horrible day, cold, damp and foggy. Mamma and Gerard to Anstie. Miss.Hughes and Mademoiselle Fernbach came to see whether she would do to teach us (ransie?) She is coming next Tuesday. Mrs.Pennington called.

Friday 11 November 1870
We went to the dancing class, a very horrid, raw, cold day. In the afternoon we worked.

Saturday 12 November 1870
Mademoiselle Fernbach came to teach us music. Mamma, Ada and I drove to Kitlands. We drove back with Emma for Mr.Hooke's lesson. Mamma walked back with Margery afterwards. Some huntsmen and hounds came past at which the ponies scampered away out of the field. They were caught again.

Sunday 13 November 1870
There was a little snow on the ground, it melted off by the afternoon. We did not go to church. In the afternoon Ada and I walked to Kitlands with a note.

Monday 14 November 1870
Ada walked with Ellen to Anstie. I went to Kitlands for the night. It rained.

Tuesday 15 November 1870
The ground covered with snow, it snowed hard in the morning. In the evening I came home.

Wednesday 16 November 1870
Did our lessons in the morning. In the afternoon we went to Anstie with Mamma and came down for Mr.Hooke's lesson.

Thursday 17 November 1870
Mamma, Gerard and I in the pony-chaise, Ada riding on Black Beauty, and Wasp, went calling on the Holmwood. Mrs.Matheson, Mrs.Lambert, Mrs.Dealtry and Mrs.Wickham.

Friday 18 November 1870
We went to the Dancing class in the morning. In the afternoon Mr.Sydenham came to give me my first music lesson.

Saturday 19 November 1870
Margery aand Emma came back from Ramsgate. Aunt Emma, Mrs.Hawkins and Miss (Heath?) came.

Sunday 20 November 1870
Mamma and children went to church.Uncle Douglas came.

Monday 21 November 1870
A rainy day. So we did not go out. Uncle Douglas came.

Homeward Mail from India, China and the East
Monday 21 November 1870

Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B.
Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's ships of war on the East Indian Station, will probably come home in the mail steamer leaving Bombay on November 7, his term of service having expired. Rear-Admiral Cockburn, who has been appointed to succeed him was daily expected in Bombay.

Sir Leopold Heath joined the Royal Naval College in 1830. While there, he gained the first medal, and left the College in 1831. He came to India as a midshipman in H.M.S. Melville bearing the flag of Sir John Gore K.C.B., and also served as a midshipman on the South American and Pacific Stations in the Iris, Dublin and Harrier, returning home as a mate. He then joined the new Royal Naval College in 1839. Having gained the prize lieutenant's commission in 1840, he proceeded as gunnery lieutenant to the Mediterranean in the Imgregnable, three-decker.

In 1843 he went to China and Borneo as gunnery lieutenant of the Iris, and was in command of the Pioneers when Bruné was captured. He was also engaged in various expeditions against pirates on the coast of Borneo. He acted as Malay interpreter to Captain Rodney Munday in the negotiations which ended in the cession of the island of Labuan to the British Crown, and was left there as acting-commander of H.M.S. Wolf, when he discovered the coal mines now being worked by the Labuan Company.

In 1847 he was confirmed as a commander, and was appointed to the command of H.M.S. Niger in 1850. Commander Heath proceeded first to the west coast of Africa, where he acted in the suppression of the slave trade in the Bight of Benin.

He was present at the first attack upon Lagos, and returned, still in command of the Niger, to the Mediterranean, and took part in the naval bombardment of Sebastopol, for which service, having displayed signal gallantry, he was made a C.B., and in 1854 was made a post-captain.
Captain Heath was then transferred to the command of H.M.S. Sanspareil, and from thence to be principal agent of transports in the Black Sea.

In 1865 he returned home and commissioned the screw mortar frigate Seahorse, intended for the attack on Sweaborg, if the war had continued. He was appointed in 1856 to command of Newhaven Coast Guard District, and commanded in succession the Melampas, Arrogant, and Dauntless.

In 1862 he took command of the gunnery training-ship Cambridge, and was removed from thence to the Vice Presidentship of the Ordnance Select Committee, where he took a leading part in the introduction of the present system of heavy muzzle-loading guns.

The sittings of the Select Committee having concluded, he was appointed to the command of the East Indian Station in 1867, a period when, through the Abyssinian war, much trouble and responsibility attached to the Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces.

On October 25, the ward-room officers of the Flag-ship gave their Commodore a farewell dinner. The Commodore and officers part amid mutual regrets.
Homeward Mail from India, China and the East.

Marion Heath

Tuesday 22 November 1870
Freddy came from Brighton. Mamma, Ada and I went to Mrs.Labushere's and then to the farm.

Wednesday 23 November 1870
Freddy went with Uncle James to London for his medical examination. Aunt Julia came. Mr.Sydenham to give me my music lesson. Mr.Hook came for our lesson.

Thursday 24 November 1870
Freddy went back to Brighton. Ada and Ellen went with him for Ada's teeth. We went to Kitlands.

Friday 25 November 1870
We went to the dancing class, a rainy and rather warm day.

Saturday 26 November 1870
We went to Anstie. Mr.Hooke came.

Sunday 27 November 1870
A lovely day, we went to church in the morning.

Monday 28 November 1870
Mamma, Ada and I went to call on Mrs.Rashley. Mamma went to Kitlands.

Tuesday 29 November 1870
Freddy went with Uncle James for his Naval Examination.

Morning Post
Tuesday 29 November 1870

India
His Excellency Rear-Admiral Cockburn arrived at Bombay from England last Sunday night, to assume command of the East Indian squadron in succession to Sir Leopold Heath.

Marion Heath

Wednesday 30 November 1870
Mr.Sydenham came for my music. We went to Kitlands for Mr.Hooke's lesson.

Thursday 1 December 1870
Mamma wen to South Hampton to meet Papa who is coming. Hurrah! from India tomorrow.Arty came home to stay a week. Berty came from Brighton to stay till Monday.

Friday 2 December 1870
We went to the dancing class. Papa and Mamma came from Southhampton, it is so nice.

Saturday 3 December 1870
We all went to Anstie and Papa and Mamma went afterwards to Kitlands. Freddy came from London. Aunt Julia, Margery, Emma, Willy came.

Saturday 3 December 1870
Bombay,

Our advices from Bombay are to November 12.

Departure of Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., - Commodore Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., whose term of service as Commodore of the East Indian station has expired, left for England in the P.& O. steamer Ellora on November 6.

Naval and Military Gazette
Saturday 3 December 1870

Captain Sir Leopold Heath K.C.B., has arrived in London from the East India Station.

Marion Heath continues

Sunday 4 December 1870
Snow on the ground. We went to church. Aunt Julia and Uncle James came.

Monday 5 December 1870
Freezing and snow. Uncle Douglas came. Mrs.Dealtry, Mr and Mrs.Mortimer, Mr. and Mrs.Rashley, Mr. and Mrs.Hawkins came. Uncle William came in the evening.

Tuesday 6 December 1870
A horrid rainey and foggy day. Papa went to London. Arty and Freddy went out shooting.

Wednesday 7 December 1870
Mr.Sydneham came. We went to Mr.Hooke.

Lady Mary Heath's Letter Book

1870 - Anstie Grange.

Our Fred went up to the medical examination (for failed Naval cadetship) with kind Uncle James (Harrison) and passed all right. He gave us a very particular and amusing "yarn" about it afterwards; Fred went back to Brighton (College) and returns here for the ordeal, which begins on my birthday, 30th November, and lasts till Saturday.
We may have two cases of rejoicing, and our garlands, illuminations, &c serve a double purpose, but I will not feel sure, there are about 30 vacancies and double the number of competitors, nearly.

Fred is not so nervous as I feared, he surprised me by being very cool. Of course I will let you know how the dear little fellow goes.

- - -

We have settled, now, to open the fateful letter. After the examination. Fred and I are to stop our ears, and May is to open the letter, with our eyes fixed upon her. She is either to faint in despair! or to throw up her arms in triumph! We think we can best get through it so. Neither of us feel equal to opening the letter ourselves!!

We get on very nicely in the schoolroom, May teaches little Midge (Gerard) and we other four read our French, a most interesting History of France, by Guigot which comes out in numbers splendidly illustrated, and "reconté à mes petits enfants" so not too hard, and very entertaining; and we have also "Les Merveilles Célestes" a prize of Bertie's, a very long book.

The other days we have a history of Rome and Geography, and they work at Arithmetic and English Composition, for a Master who comes twice a week, and May has a very good music Master, once a week. We have also an excellent dancing class, once a week; they do their French and German exercises alone.

May is monstrous, armed with a bottle of Barley Sugar!! to encourage our fitful Midge into obedience to her.

Herbert is steadiness itself. We have also a (J.D.C. Tyn's?) dancing class, established by the Whatman's (who are all excellent artists for their age) for which they have to execute a work of art (?) once a month. Both May and Ada show dispositions and we are exceedingly happy, and only hope our system may last, which it will if we can stay quietly, which depends upon Leo. Excuse these details, but I know you like to hear about your little flock here occasionally; do you not dear Mama?
Ada is certainly rather clever I think.

Marion Heath continues . . .

Thursday 8 December 1870
Aunt Emma and Uncle William came and they a piece of newspaper which said that Freddy has not passed his naval examination.

Friday 9 December 1870
Arty went back to Marlborough. We went to the dancing class.

Saturday 10 December 1870
We went to Mr.Hooke at Kitlands.

Sunday 11 December 1870
All to church. Uncle Douglas came in the afternoon.

Monday 12 December 1870
Papa went to London. We busy all day in moving up to Anstie.

Tuesday 13 December 1870
Papa went to London, we busy still arranging ourselves. Freddy went out shooting with George.

Wednesday 14 December 1870
A pouring wet day. Mr.Sydenham came. We went to Kitlands for Mr.Hooke's lessons. Mamma and Papa went too. We are going to a fortnight's holiday from Mr.Hooke.

Thursday 15 December 1870
A wet day again. Berty came home. Mr.Wall came for the night.

Friday 16 December 1870
We went to the dancing class. We are going to leave off till the 27th January.

Saturday 17 December 1870
Freddy has begun to have lessons with Mr.Hooke.The children went to Moorhurst. We are having a fortnight holiday of Mr.Hooke.

Sunday 18 December 1870
Mamma and Papa and the rest except Herbert and I to church in the morning and to the Tank Wood in the afternoon. Uncle William, Uncle Douglas and Willy came.

Monday 19 December 1870
Mamma and Papa went to London for the night. Willy came to dinner. Fred and Bert rode to Dorking.

Tuesday 20 December 1870
Mamma and Papa came back from London, and Arty from Marlborough.

Wednesday 21 December 1870
Mr.Sydenham came. Freddy went for his lesson with Mr.Hooke.
Thursday 22 December 1870

I don't know
Friday 23 December 1870
(blank)

Saturday 24 December 1870
We gave our presents.

Sunday 25 December 1870
Papa and Mamma and some of the others went to Coldharbour church.

Monday 26 December 1870
Ada, Herbert and I went to Foxwarren till Friday 30, where we had great fun. Snow on the ground.

Saturday 31 December 1870
We skated.Mamma is learning.
--------------------------------------
1871
Sunday

- 1871
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