Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1884

Shipping and Mercantile Gazette
Friday 11 January 1884

Correspondence - Close Shave at Sea.

Sir, 

I am glad to see that disinterested outsiders like Admiral Sir Leopold Heath take so lively an interest in the collisions which unfortunately too often happen near our coasts, and I only regret that Admiral Heath had not the advantage of listening to all the evidence given at the investigation before the Wreck Commissioner into the collision between the Alhambra and Holyhead. 

I was present throughout the enquiry and heard all the evidence,and I can assure the gallant Admiral that the original statement made by the second mate of the Holyhead, to the effect that the helm of the Holyhead was starboarded, and that the Alhambra was brought one point on the Holyhead's starboard bow, and that thereupon the helm was steadied, was far from borne out by the other witnesses, and that the second mate himself, when pressed, refused to swear that he ever really gave the order to steady. 
The evidence produced the distinct impresssion on my mind that the helmsman, Morris, and the look-out man, Perry, were telling the literal truth when they stated that the second mate on giving his first and only order to starboard, at once told Parry to assist Morris to get the wheel over, and that just as these two men had put the helm hard s-starbouard the collision happened.

This proves best the very close proximity of the two vessels before the mate of the Holyhead acted, because it could not take two men long to put the helm hard a-startboard; and whether the second mate of the Holyhead neglected to manoeuvre for the Alhambra, because he did not see that vessel, or, because seeing her, he preferred to "shave her," he would, in my opinion, be equally in the wrong.
That Admiral Dent's replies to Sir Leopold Heath should be more or less biased is natural, as he has to defend the interest of his company; but it is a matter of surprise that the learned Wreck Commissioner should not have appreciated in his judgment more clearly than he would seem to have done, the mischief which arises from such "close shaving," and I am afraid that, whether he considers such conduct to be a venial error, or a course deserving his official sanction, his judgment will unintentionally be the cause of many more similar collisions.

Yours, &c.

J.H. Becker. 13 Leadenhall Street, Jan. 18, 1884

Exmouth Journal

Saturday 2 February 1884

Great Conservative Meeting in Exmouth.

Last evening the Royal Beacon Hotel Assembly Room was filled with a large and intensely enthusiastic audience, the occasion being the annual general meeting of the members and friends of the Exmouth and East Budleigh Districts Conservative Association.  - - -A large number of ladies, whose presence on these occasions is always so welcome, also graced the proceedings with their presence, amongst them being  - - the Misses Marsh-Caldwell - - -

Exmouth Journal

Saturday 9 February 1884

Great Conservative Meeting in Exmouth.

On Friday se'night the Beacon Hotel was filled with a large and intensely enthusiastic audience - - - 

Exmouth Journal

Saturday 1 March 1884 (and 2 Feb. 1884) (and 9 Feb. 1884) (16 Feb) (23 Feb. 1884) (and 8 March) (and 15 March ) (and 22 March 1884)

Louisa Terrace

The Misses Marsh-Caldwell

Memoirs - F.C. Heath-CaldwellI

In the autumn of 1884, he went with his company to Suakim to prepare for the landing of a force for the relief of Gordon. Here he stayed for twelve months, and took part in the 1885 Suakim expedition. For the work prior to the expedition he received the thanks of the Commander-in-Chief, H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge; for the 1882 and 1885 expeditions he received the Khedive star and the Egyptian medal and two clasps, and was mentioned in Lord Wolseley's despatch, and was promised a Brevat Majority on reaching the rank of Captain