The Drake Letters 032
YOU ARE HERE: Drake Letters ► 32. Drake to Louisa 17 November 1854
31. Drake to Louisa 13 November 1854 ◄ ● ► 33. Drake to Louisa 22 November 1854
William Henry Drake (Balaklava) № 22 – Louisa Drake (London), 17 – 18 November 1854
| № 22 | Balaklava 17 Nov 1854 1 |
My dear Lu,
Since my last we have had a most awful hurricane attended with the most disastrous results my last was dated the 13th it left on the afternoon of that day – on the morning of the 14 I woke about ½ past 6 & found a fresh Gale blowing I began getting up & the Gale increased When half dressed my front window blew in off the hinges & smashed & the two back windows blew out the other way I got with my clothes into my sitting room & finished dressing
The Ships even in this harbor were driving about fearfully and rubbing & smashing each other the Sea making a clean sweep over the Wharves & the heavy spray going clear of the roofs of the Houses tiles blowing about at 9 the Gale became a perfect hurricane – The Verandah in front of my house was carried away – a post smacking a Window which I was trying to hold together & then off came the roof from one end altogether & the tiles and beams gradually followed towards the other end – I had intended moving into the house in which I now write & consequently was all ready for a start I, with my Interpreter’s Assistance, (my Servant bolted) got all my traps into what I used as an Office which though joined to formed no part of the original building & being only on the ground floor, stood fast – I got my breakfast My people (Clerks) &c. came in one by one all thinking I was gone with my house & all in danger from beams of wood, tiles, & other things – Booth 2 made much fuss as the Gale went over, it poured with rain – in the afternoon I got into this house which is very comfortable as things go here, stood the hurricane without damage, & is one of the best Houses in Balaklava though Small
I of course caught cold on the 14th as I was wet to the Skin all day & felt for two days the pleasures of back ache & a pain quite round my body especially when I drew a long breath it has gradually lessened & I am nearly all right again today
So much for myself – now for the public Disasters The following losses have occurred amongst the Shipping
| a Resolute 3 – | 25 | Steamer Prince 4 140 men full of Winter Clothing & many things – All these are totally gone |
| x Kenilworth – | 20 | |
| x Wild Wave – | 25 | |
| x Rip Van Winkle – | 57 | Mercia – Lady Valiant |
| x Wanderer – | Caduceus – Medora | |
| x Pettona – | all saved | Pride of the Ocean – Melbourne Steamer |
| x Progress – | 15 | Sir R Sale – very much damaged – all dismasted |
| x Il Malti – | 13 | |
| x Commt. supplies | H.M. Steamer Ardent do. | |
| a Powder Ship |
13 Ships names unknown went on Shore at the Katska – Crews Prisoners of War Ships all burnt to Water’s Edge Several also went ashore at Eupatoria but the numbers are unknown –
While writing, I have received all yours of 30 Oct: for which thanks, I much feared the Vessel had gone down in the Gale. – Dr. Marshall 5 lost some £30 or £40 worth of things, by the loss of the St: Prince – He has gone up to join the 2nd Division He does not like this work & will try & get back to England as soon as he can – The Seige draws on this is the 32nd day – They wait for reinforcements – 18th. This morning Mr. Filder sent for me early I had dined & slept on board the Hope in the course of conversation he said “If they don’t promote you this year Smith 6 will get out of your way & I shall give you the”
2
“local rank & send you to Pera to take his place there” This was very satisfactory at all events but fancy it being followed up by this – My dear Sir, “Can you lend me 8 Sovereigns for a few days I am buying an Araba & a pair of Horses which I did not count upon doing when I last remitted to England.
| A.C.G. Drake | Yours truly” William Filder |
If you can be so good as to deliver them to the Bearer –
I put them into an envelope with Mr. Drake’s best respects – I suppose I may consider this a Special Mark of favor – Now taking all this into consideration together with the great wretchedness consequent on our wintering at Balaklava I think you had better Stay quietly & comfortably in London until we see how things may turn out with the promotion
I scarcely expect my Step this year it would be too just of my Lords to reward hard work & too liberal to take into the Gazette one so low down the list as myself – but if I do get it, or if Smith goes home & he says he will & must do so as his Sight is failing I shall then get Pera which wd. Suit us tolerably well – I was sorry to hear of poor Augustus’ 7 death though I have long been in expectation of it – With best love to all believe me ever
Your affectionate Hub
W. H. Drake
My room crowded with people while I write – Officers Comdrs. Soldiers Ship Captains Turks all waiting for replies &c.
The Gale off the Port of Balaklava, 14th Nov. 1854, by William Simpson.
from Central University Libraries, Southern Methodist University
http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/eaa/id/1349, accessed 6 May 2015.
Footnotes
1. Private family manuscript (Judith Hall and Sally Mac, Auckland, New Zealand). ▲
3. Resolute (British transport ship). ▲
4. Prince (British transport ship). ▲
7. I don’t know who Augustus might be. I do not have any record of an Augustus as a relative of either Henry or Louisa. Could it be Augustus Kramer of Hobart? – “DEATH. On Wednesday, the 23rd instant, at Patrick-street, after an illness of nearly six years, Mr. AUGUSTUS KRAMER, aged 49 years.” [The Courier (Hobart, Tas.), Monday 28 March 1853, p. 2.] ▲
31. Drake to Louisa 13 November 1854 ◄ ● ► 33. Drake to Louisa 22 November 1854
©Megan Stevens 2024
Copyright