A sailor's life under four sovereigns, Volume 3 (of 3)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

76810

Title

A sailor's life under four sovereigns, Volume 3 (of 3)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Admiral Sir Henry Keppel recounts his final years of service, detailing naval commands in the Cape, China, and Russia. The memoir blends formal naval duty with vivid accounts of hunting, shipboard life, and the gritty realities of combat in the China Sea.

Summary up to 500 words

In the concluding volume of his memoirs, Admiral Sir Henry Keppel chronicles the final chapters of his distinguished career under four British sovereigns. The narrative transitions from high-level strategic command in the Cape of Good Hope and China to vivid personal adventures, offering a comprehensive portrait of late 19th-century naval life. Keppel details his time in Russian ports, particularly Nicholai, where he provides insightful observations on the Russian Navy, local customs, and the unique social dynamics of a distant settlement. He describes the cordial reception by the Governor and the Governor's wife, Madame Furnhjelm, as well as the peculiar trading practices of local natives involving sable skins. The text vividly recounts Keppel's 'East Coast Sport' in Africa and the Indian Ocean. He describes hunting expeditions in the Cape region, including a humorous and frustrating attempt to shoot an antelope that repeatedly escaped due to technical errors and the animal's caution. He also narrates a memorable encounter with sea turtles on Europa Island, where he and his crew struggled to turn a massive 360-pound turtle onto its back to harvest its eggs, an ordeal he humorously compares to keeping a difficult middle watch. A significant portion of the volume is dedicated to the intense naval engagement at Fatshan Creek in 1857. Keppel provides a firsthand account of the attack on Imperialist junks, describing the chaos of the battle, the heavy fire from Chinese vessels, and the tragic loss of his flagship, the Hong-Kong. He recounts the bravery of his men, the sinking of his boats, and the harrowing rescue of wounded crew members, including the death of his coxswain, Spurrier. Despite the initial defeat and the grounding of his ship, Keppel's leadership inspired a renewed assault. The narrative culminates in an exciting seven-mile chase where the British fleet overtook and captured seventeen enemy junks, securing a decisive victory. The memoir concludes with Keppel's return to England and his subsequent shore life, reflecting on his service and the camaraderie of officers. Throughout the text, Keppel balances the solemnity of military leadership with the lighter moments of exploration and sport, offering readers an authentic look at the dangers, excitement, and human spirit of a sailor's life.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History