OF OUR WOODEN WALLS AND THEIR VICTORIES. MOTHE BY J. BRADSHAWE WALKER. LONDON: AYLOTT & CO., 8, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1853. 226. c. 136,114 PREFACE. IN presenting this sketch of the lives and times of England's ocean warriors, we may briefly inform the reader, that our materials are compiled from the best sources. The biographical and historical features of such a work, when twined together with accuracy, may be said to possess the wild grandeur of romance, and the startling assurance of reality. In fact, our small volume is the textbook of many ponderous folios, not always within the reach of the curious reader. In our researches we have been careful concerning the dates of particular occurrences and periods; and considering that such a publication needs not the timid resource of apology, we cordially invite the public to accept this effort as a national gift, that may find for itself no inappropriate place on the wave of time. We are indebted to the writings of Mr. JAMES, and to one or two celebrated naval biographers; but more especially to the Greenwich historian, Mr. ALLEN, whose authority on naval matters stands pre-eminent, and will be a proud memorial to his naval skill and peaceful genius in ages yet to come. But, from whatever source we have extracted important passages, we have duly acknowledged it. Having no feeling in common with those pseudo-utilitarians and narrow-visioned individuals who have no appreciation of naval defences, we sing, with DIBDIN, "Thine oaks descending to the main, Like floating forts shall stem the tide; Where'er her thundering navy rides. Where commerce opens all her stores; Spread thy white sails where naval glory calls,— Before entering upon the interesting path, made historically valuable by the actions of our brave seamen, we have ventured briefly to advert to a few material matters of an early date; and which will also be found not altogether devoid of interest in tracing the upward progress of our far-famed British Navy. J. B. W. LONDON, 1853. THE first naval action after the Norman Conquest comes chronicled to us as "a large fleet," that was fitted out by Richard the First. So dim, however, are the records of it, that we cannot find any historian so perfected on the subject as to know where the expedition sailed from. We are, however, informed, that on the 9th or 10th day of April, 1191, a fleet, consisting of 150 sail, together with 52 gallies, 10 large vessels filled with provisions, and the necessary complement of smaller vessels carrying ammunition, sailed from England, under the command of Richard, for Syria. A writer of celebrity, speaking of the magnitude of this fleet of the early times, says: "As a rapid current carried it through the straits of Messina, it presented a beautiful and imposing appearance, that called forth the involuntary admiration of the people of either shore; the Sicilians saying that so gallant an armament had never before been seen there, and never would be seen again." The size and beauty of the ships seem to have excited this admiration not less than their number and we have a lively description of the same by the late John Sterling; he says:: "The morn was fair, and bright the summer sky, When the tall grandson of Plantagenet, Bold heir of prudent Henry, coasting by Sicilia's hills, with all his canvas set, Before his fleet, in his great argosy, Sail'd towards Messina; triumph such as yet Though Rome and Carthage there had urged their galleys- B |