Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 7.djvu/448

 368

NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s. vii. NOV. G, 1920.

of 1665 quoted in the Mariner's Mirror for July, 1913, p. 211.

It is of interest to note that though several of the ships were longer than the Royal Sovereign and one of them (the Brittania) was of greater burthen by one ton, yet the former vessel was still the broadest and deepest vessel in the navy.

On the last written page (p. 16) a list is given of the salaries and allowances of the Admiralty Officers, from "His Grace the Duke of Crafton, Vice Adm 11 of England at 20s. per diem and 10s. per mens. for 16 serv ts, 469 5s. 9d.," down to the " Chyrurgeon generale " who received 261 14s. Sd.

" Samuell Pepys Esq., Secretary "received 500 per annum, and " His Clerks, House rent, &c.," came to another 700 per annum, so that he was by far the most highly paid official on the staff.

The book is full of tables of all kinds which are of interest, not only as giving details of naval construction, but information as to current prices and wages.

W. R. B. PRIDEAUX.

Reform Club, Pall Mall, S.VV.l.

" WILLIAM FEARNEY, ONE OF MY BARGE- MEN." In these words, Nelson introduces his barge-man, when recording the memorable occasion on which he, "with the greatest sang-froid " collected the swords of the Spanish Captains.

Owing to the above incident, one is naturally desirous of knowing more of the man, who thus excited Nelson's admiration.

William Fearney, and his brother James were born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the years 1771 and 1772 respectively. They joined the Agamemnon on Mar. 6, 1793, as Volunteers, and a year later, William Fear- ney was discharged to Hospital at Leghorn, but on June 11, 1796, he and his brother join the "Captain" again in the same capacity (though rated on both ships as A.B.s) till May 26, 1797, when William Fearney joins the Theseus as mid, and it was during his service in her, that the above recorded incident occurred on board the San Josef on Feb. 14, 1797.

On Aug. 12, 1798, Fearney was discharged by Order of Nelson to the Mutine Brig on promotion to Gunner, but he left her a year later at Palermo, to join the Foudroyant, the training ship for gunners.

But now Fearney becomes most elusive ; for when the Foudroyant 's muster book is examined, we find he never joined her, but

was sent to the Courageuse " on promotion,"' whilst on searching the latter 's muster book t is found to state the Foudroyant. How- ever, he is later discharged from the Coura/- geuse, Aug. 29, 1800 to the Mordovi Brig,. of which no muster book exists. Then, again in the Pay Book of the Courageuse he- s discharged to Hospital, June 12, 1802. Yet he is supposed to have joined the- Heroine, Jan. 26, 1801, and secondly OIL Oct. 6, 1803, though again the Foudroyant s stated to be his ship.

The Heroine was a 5th Rate, lent to the- Elder Brethren of Trinity House for the security of the River. Began wages and sea> victuals] at Deptford, 'Oct. 6, 1803, arrived thence at the Lower Hope, Oct. 15 1803. Clerk of the cheque. Paid off Mar. 311 805.

The confusion as regards the later services- cf Fearney is no doubt owing to his having suffered much from ill-health. Probably his transfer to Brigs, and 5th Rates, was, 1 due either to economy, he finding the mesSjOf a- large ship too expensive as an Officer^ or, because his health being indifferent i the- duties were too heavy for him. Amongst Widows' Certificates for 1808, the following was found :

"Ann Fairney, widow of W m ' Fairney, late Gunner of H.M.S, Dublin, who died 20 U ' Mig., 1808 was married 2 11 ' 1 Feb., 1803, in the Ifcrish Church of S s Nicholas, Deptford, eo; Kent, fiboub the 3H" 1 of his age " [ when married]-

Unfortunately, th*e clerk wPio copied this certificate, must have made a mistake in the name of the above-mentioned ship, as none of the name of Dublin was in commission, between the years of 1783 and 1812.

E. H. FAIRBROTHIR.

EARLY CANNOX AT CAISTER, NORFOLK. At the rear of a house at Caister in Flegg, Norfolk, attached to the top of a lefty garden wall, are a pair of small cannon. They ver formerly fixed upon the pillars at the entrance- to the grounds and two ethers are preserved in the stables. They are 33 in. long, 45 in. to the end of the tail or guide, 7 in. thick at the breach and 5 in. at the muzzle.

It is suggested that these are fifteenth century long-tailed sakers and may hava formed the armament of a ship that was driven ashore on the coast. They are in quite a good state of preservation and are believed to have been in their present position for the past hundred years. Their preservation for approximately the previous four centuries is rather remarkable.

WILLIAM DE CASTRE.