DEEDS OF DARING.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 87, 24 September 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

DEEDS OF DARING.

The Undying btory of the Revenge.

Because lie scorned to turn his back Azores group, so named by the Portuupon an enemy, Sir Richard Grenville guese because of the profusion of perished in one of the most magnificent flowers covering it. The island is 3(J nava: lights in the world's nistory. iniies long by nine broad, and in viio-5t The amazing battle of his ship the Re- days boasted of two small towns, namel venge, against a whole fleet of the en- Santa Cruz and Lagena. Howard, emy on tnat never-to-be-forgotten day therefore, sailed to the Azores, as. tnc in August, 1591, set the world ringing most likely quarter to find the Spanish from end to end. fleet.

Trapped with his gallant little chip, In that out-of-the-wav spot his in a remote region ot the Atlantic, by S q uac j ron lingered for six months, the .1 nughty Spanish squadron, he K , nf , of Spaln JK!ving given orders that to try and tut hits way through the ]jj s jj eet was postpone its sailing tnemj lathei than beat an ingloiious f rom the West Indies as late as possiretreat through the only avenue of es- ]jj s j dea j je ing that the British, of capo that remained open. He knew ff j loSe departure he had received warnthat lie was going to certain death, je., j n g ; wou i,j ] ose patience by this delay tor the honour and' glory of the old and re t urn home. He, however, misflag he fearlessly went forth to doom. j|ld d th( , d d , pint of our saiio ,,. the circumstances were something Meanwhile Don Alphonso Bassano, on ii parallel with those of the grc.it , naval light of Coronel during the pres- redoubtable Spanish commander, who ent war, when brave Rear-AdMr;*! 6?n t forth with fifty-three large Cradock gave battle to the powerful S "'P S to convoy the Plate fleet home, German Pacific squadron under Count came so suddenly upon the little Britvon Spee, and met a hero's death. ITI3 ltS h squadron that Howard had the same spirit that sent Sir Richard Gren- greatest difficulty in getting to sen. ville to his fate in the Revenge inicmd «a.!f his men were sick and Admiral Cradock vn?n he joined action un fit for fighting, in the hearts of everv British seaman. The first intelligence the British <omwhelming odds. * mander had of the Spaniards wis nCradock's squadron, composed of the reived through the medium o" tie pincruisers Good Hope, Monmouth, and nace Moonshine, which the Ea-1 of Glasgow, was no matvli c or the two Cumberland had despatched fr,):n the main units of the German fleet, the Spanish near which he was cruising to Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, but rather report that "a great armada was gc;than put ahout to give the battleship ready at the Groyne to be sent Canopus, which was somewhere off the Against Her Majesty's ships wail'.nsj to coast, time to join him and equalise surprise the AVest Indian l<leet.' 'll;e matters, with the traditional pluck of Moonshine, a swife sailor, commanded his race he threw down the gauntlet" by Captain Middleton, is stated to have and died like a man. . kept company with the enemy i,sm The act of heroism that sent hi a the Groyne long enough to discover his and his two best ships to the bottom strength, and then, cramming on all made a deeper moral impression on Ger- dashed to the spot where the Britmany than all the engagements that >sh were in waiting, have been fought the war begn «. Captain Middleton boarded Admiral It revealed to them that their oft-re- Howard's ship off Flores on the afterpea ted nonsense about British lack of noon of August 31, and! delivered his courage is on a par with the boasted momentous message, but scarcely had invincibility of their armies. After lie done so when the whole Spanish Cradock's glorious example we need uo force hove in sight on the horizon. It further reminder of the fact that Sir appears that Bassano, knowing that Richard GrenviHe's spirit lives to-day news of his appearance would becomin the hearts of eveliy British seaman, nitinicated to the British, did his utBefore teuing the story of the Re- prise by dividing his fleet into tTi-« venge's battle it is as well to dip into most to bring off something of a surhistory to explain the situation exist- squadrons and drawing near «iicJer ing at that time between Britain and cover of the islands. Spain, but, first of all, a few details It must be admitted that he partabout the personality of the brave com- ly accomplished his purpose, for so suamander of the ship will be of interest.i denly was the alarm given that some ol It is not quite clear from what part o?> the rßitish ships had no time to ifpigl" the country he hailed. One nuifiority anchor and were obliged to sip then says he was a member of an old Cornish ; cab'es in order to get clear. All th< family, and was born in 1541. Another squadron, however, with the exceptioi says he was probably one of the Gren-, of the Revenge, succeeded in gainins villes of AVootton-under-Barnwood, in the offing, GrenviHe's ship bem; Buckinghamshire, where an honourable hemnie din between the island of Flore family of that name had existed from and the enemy, the t'ime of Henry I. Still another con- One of the reasons given for tins uri tents himself with the statement that fortunate circumstance is that S he sprang from an "ancient and 1- Richard 1; "od too lr before we:g!

!ant race, claiming descent from the dukes of Xormanuy." Much controversy has a'so arisen regarding the spelling of Grenville n name. Four different families, each of which claims to lie descended from him, spell it Granville, Grenville, Grenfell, and Greenfield. The spelling usually accepted is Grenville, nut his own signature, in bold, clear handwriting, among some MSS. at Oxford, is Grevnvile. At an earl ;ige Grenville is supposed to have served in Hungary, under the Emporior Maxmilian, against the Turlw. In 1 071 and 1584 he sat in Parliament for Cornwall, and in 1583 and 1584 was Commissioner of Works for Dover Harbour. Pride and ambition were two of his predominating qualities but they were run a close race by ms bniverv.

ing anchor, delaying it until ill? very last moment for (he uprpost of | iking tip some of his men v. no were ptiaggling on shore. Finding themselvrs unable to rejoin the main body of the fleet except by forcing a way through the main body of the enemy's force, the master of the ship an dthose under him advised their leader to "cast nbout" and trust to the speed of the ship in attempting to escape. but Grenville'ts blood was up. He flatly refused to make his escape by flight, or, as a historian puts it, would not entertain the idea of th». nilot steering the Revenge so that she should turn her stern on the enemy. He declared he would rather choose dei'th than dishonour himself, his country, and hj:» ship by such a cowardly manoeuvre.

In 1585 lie commanded a fleet of seven vessels, by which a party of «>ionists sent out by his cousin, Sir Walter Raleigh, were carried to Roanao'ie, in North Carolina. Grenvil'e hiniscii soon returned with the fleet to England, capturing a Spanish vessel on his way. In 1586 he returned to Roanoake, carrying provisions, hut. finding the colony deserted, left 108 in m pos> ession to form an English s«u.cnient. He subsequently held in important post in charge of the of the Western counties of Englan 1. In the year of the Revenge's light Queen Elizabeth employed the naval power of Britain, which was something to lie reckoned with in those days, agiinst Philip 11. of Spain, hy endeavouring intercept his cargoes of treasure from the West Indies. This treasure was the chief source of the that made him so formidable to his neighbours. To execute her plans the in en fitted out a squadron to intercept the Spanish fleet returning home from the River Plate.

''Look ye here!" he cried, "We've got the chance of our lives to win the proudest battle that was ever fought, and I'm not going to let it slip. These Spani-h dogs must be taught a lesson. Will you follow me. lads, in a dash through the fleet? It's risky, but I know we c:n do it."'

His obstinacy and bu'l-dog courage fired his men and with a rousing :lic-er they expressed their willingness n follow him into the mouth of hell ;ise!f. This was all that Sir Richard wanted to hear, and without an instant's dday pr: - . pa rations were made tor !.:;tt!?. It should be added that the Revenge had on board 90 sick men, which meant a very serious reduction in her fighiin.* strength, whilst on board the 5.1 ships of the enemy were no less than 10.00-) soldiers. Could a more unequal conflict be imagined? Man for man, how-eve' 1 ,; the British tars were incomparably su-j perior to their foes, who, in fair tigiu, had never yet succeeded in capturing a British ship. Sir Richard, liana.-I capped though lie was, scorned to give: the Spaniards a chance to boast u;atl he dare no fight. Even if he went del he knew lie would have scored a : moral victory, the effect of whicu j v,o'ild never be forgotten. With this thought uppermost in his mind he ordered the decks to be cleared for action and. setting a course for the | centre of the enemy's liii" bo'dly da^Ti-j ed forward as though to compel the. foe to yield a free passage. S> taken | aback were the Spaniards by his daring! that several of the foremost vessels, to sue a nautical phrase "sprung tneir| luff," and fell under hit; lee. | The Revenge stood on almost usm.ilested. and it looked as though she rra-J going to have a clear course until she, got near the San Philip, a ship of 1,500, tons and mounting 80 guns on throe docks, one of the largest units of t:.»!

The command of this squadron was given to the Vice-Admiral of England, Lord Thomas Howard, K.G., who. though his father had been attainted b'od and >ummoned to Parliament as and beheaded in 1572. was restored in Lord Howard de Walden. Sir Rich.ml (jrenville was his second in command. The ships composing the squadron <vre the Defiance, under Lord Howard, the Revenge (Sir Richard Grenville), the Nonpareil (Sir Edward Donnie), the Bonaventure (Captain Cross), the Lion (Certain Kenner), the Crane (Captain Duffi'.'ld), and the Foresight (Captain Thomas Vavasour).

It was common knowledge to mariner-, in those day that ninny vessels having the misfortune to lose their longitude or : n need of food supplies bore up for F'oros, a Mnall island of the

Spanish fleet. By a cruel stroke of illluck Sir Richard suddenly found himself becalmed beneath the great Spanish hulk. Then at three o'clock in the afternoon began a conflict that /ia.s scarcely a parallel in history. While the Revenge lay aparently at the mercy of the San Philip four more of the largest ships made their way alongside her. The tactics of the Spaniards, when these five vessels boarded the Revenge simultaneously, three on one side and two on the other, resembled tho*e of the man who used a sledge hammer to crush a gnat. The result, however, was vast'y different.

The Spanish vessels both below and aloft were crowded with soldiers armed with muskets and arquebuses, and for some time the British crew suffered heavily from a murderous cross-fire which swept their deck. The odds against the heroic little bawd can be imagined from the fact that in some of the Spanish ships were 200 troops, in others 500, and others 800 not counting the armed seamen.

For hours the struggle continued, the boom of cannon, the rattle of muskets, and the clash of cutlasses and pikes combining to make a ierrifyirg din. With magnificent gallantry our sailors returned blow for blow resolutely refusing to budge an inch, suj'i; a splendid account did they give of themselves that the huge San Philip, "misliking her first entertainment."' soon sheered off, and some assert that she foundered. I

Over and over again the Spanvi.rctf dashed to the attack, only 'to go down before the flashing steel. Fifteen times it is stated they succeeded in noarattig the Revenge, but on each occasion were repulsed, those who were not in the fight- being flung overboard. But single-handed against a nost <if enemies, Sir Rien-rd's success could only be temporary. The Spaniards redoubled their effort?, and fresh ships, crowded with soldiers again and again made desperate attempts to carry the Revenge by boarding, but were repeatedly repulsed with dreadful slaughter The British commander had never less than two ships to contend with and these were relieved from time to time by fresh vessels.

The «un set and darkness fell, V.,it under the clear, starry sky of Azores! the unequal fight continued without intermission, and with all the fury that I religious rancour and national hatej could inspire. In the hearts of the British tbe predominant feeling wiV one of contempt for their foes, borne or' former triumphs, whilst in the Sn.:nl-| aids a fierce longing for veng;irr? burned like fire. In the early stages of the fiy;!;t s small British ship, tiu> Gee je No' lc-J of London, wh'ch had sonie. c.v l>cv<nej separated from Lord Howatd's ' and had received some large shot through her fell under the lee of iW» Revenge. Her captain haled Sir Richard. inquiring if he could he of any assistance, but as she was oniy a victualling ship Sir Richard Hn-.l.cd him for the offer, bidding him loo 1 , o.it ( for himself and leave the io her fate. I

About this time Sir Richard r< c< :w;l a slight wound, but dos.jiic the i-i-m lio suffered he stuck to his post on tiie upper deck until nearly midnight, w ii.'ii he was again wounded in the body by a musket bit'!, and was carried below to have the injuries dressed. While there, and still under the hands of the surgeon, lie was again struck by a shot, on the lif'id, and ttie Mirgenn was killed by his side. He returned on deck faint and weak from 10-s of blood but as high in snirit- as ever.

Still the fight went on. From th* commencement of the action untiTidavlight nest morning the brave Briton ship showed an unconquerable front during a close encounter with fifteen of the largest vessels in Bassano's fleet. By her splendidly-directed fire t .he sank four of them, including the greatest galleon and the admiral of the hulks. Two of iho lost ships went down alongside the little Revenge. In addition, the enemy must have lost 1,000 mer. including several distinguished officer'. When day broke the desperate position of the Revenge was apparent to all aboard the doomed ship, 'flier*, r.ore none but enemy craft in sight, and <!io vessel was in a depioiable cond-.ti n. The ship's company, much, at t.u- 'vginning of the fight mviVred on'y !''l) men free from was now ivd iced to 00, and the majorty of then. \\ < • wounded. «

Their powder was to the to't barrel, and a& the result of beating off the succession of board' i£ j :.rti«»s th-ir pikes aid swords wove either broken, or so badly bent ae to be almost uselevN. Tlie n:a-ts had been shot away, thy who'e rigging cut to pieces, aim the -hip lay an unmanageable hulk m tlio water. With such a hopeless outlook it \vn> obvious that no further fiiht cou'd be made, but Sir Richard, wounded though he was. was game to the ]as{. He proposed to the .ship's company "to tn>t to the mercy of God, not to fbai of the Spaniards, and to destroy the sliip with themselves—to die, rather than anything should remain of glory or victory to the Spaniard, who, with 10.000 men and 53 sail of men-o-war, had failed for fifteen hours to take them.

To this desperate resolution the master gunner and a 6ma!l party of senmen consented, but the ro-t it. r.ointing out that the nhip, having si'; fe< t of water in her hold, could tiev.-r be kept afloat, and remain a prize in the enemy's hands. As a matter of fact, the Revenge had three under water, and all her bulwarks destroyed. This was amazingly slight damage. however, considering that t-fle hs<l

received, on an estimate. SOO cannon-■-hot, and the fire of nearly 10,000 soldiers and seamen. | ' While the fate of the ship was still ■ under discussion the master of the Rei veoge went on board the Spanish flag- • ship and was informed by Admiral Bassano that to prevent further loss lie would grant the lives of the ship's | company, and it was further promised that they should be sent to England. When these terms were communicated to the Revenge's crew all who had t hitherto (stood by Sir Richard in 'lis desperate resolve tu blow up the ship drew back, with the sole exception ot | the master gunner, who felt his portion so keenly that he tried to commit : suicide. Drawing his sword, i>i wouii | have slain himself on the spot, had nof j his companions pounced up :n him, and, I snatching the weapon frjm his hand. 1 marched liim off to his cabin and locked ; him in.

There was now no alternative but to accept the Spaniards' terms, and the forma'ities of surrendering the good ship were gone tnrongli, not without the shedding of many a tear by tha proud-spirited officers and crew. '/lie humiliation, as the Spaniards took possession of the hard-earned prize filled their cup of bitterness to the brim. Admiral Bnssnno sent an officer to liis dying foe to inquire if he would consent to be removed from the Revenge in order that his wounds mightreceive better attention, but Sir Richard returned the message that "he might do with his body what he list, for he esteemed it not." When carried aboard the Spanish flagship he swooned and on recovering his senses, feeling that his end waa near, requested the ship's company to pray for him. To the honour of the Spaniards, it must be acknowledged that they displayed the greatest humanity towards their fallen foe. Throughout the two days and nights that he remained alive they nursed him tender'y, leaving nothing undone that might aid his recovery. His last words before his gallant spirit fled were: " Here die I, Richard tironville, with a joyful and quiet mind, ror that I have ended my life as a true soldier ought to do, fighting for his Queen, religion, and honour, my soul willingly departing from this body, leaving behind the lasting fame of having behaved .as every valiant soldier is in his duty bound to do." While the Revenge was gamely fighting out her destiny, what happened to the remainder of the British Fleet under Lord Howard? On the face of things, it looks as though his conduct compared somewhat ingloriously with taht of the gallant Sir Richard. This, however, is far from the truth. We are told that although his force was so small, he was most eager to tackle the enemy, notwithstanding their great superiority, and would have sailed into the thick of the fight had his officeu; not intervened and dissuaded him from embarking on such a rash undertaking. However, his ships stood by and bravely fought such of the enemy as ventured within range, as long mey held the weather gage They did all that could reasonably be expected ol them until darkness fell, when '.fit squadron bore off anu left Grenville to his fate. The views of an old naval historian regarding Lord Howard's tactics are tick worth quoting. He says: "Notwithstanding all that has been said m excuse of these officers, 't is mors th<tn probable that if they 'ad behaved with the same resolution andi vigour as (irenville and his ship's compa-iv did, thev might have given i good of the Spanish fleet. At least the history of this reign furnishes us with more than one such example. It will In said that they had on their side. Necessity and Desperation, two violent | spurs to* urge them on, but every com-| mander in the fleet might have made that his own case." : As luck would have it , the very next day after the surrender of Grenyme the Spanish treasure ships for wliK-r. j the British had waited so long hove in ( Mtrlit of Bassano's squadron. Thn*. had Howard stayed but one day longer, or had the Spanish fleet arrived mi tli* -cene a dav or two later, the Plate fleet might have fallen an easy prize into the hands of the British, with many millions of treasure. Fate decreed that this wealth should never reach Spain. Five days afteiwards the Revenge, having been patchod un and refitted by the Spaniards at Flo res. perished off the is'e of j">t. Michael, and so gnm'y "made good her name " as he had 200 Spaniards on hoard. The entire fleet of tourte.-.n treasure ships went down with flt-f. On his homeward voyage, Lord Howard made some tmends for his oss at tho Azores by the rapture of several rich Spanish ships. These were, m addition to at least twenty ships from St. Domingo, India, and Brazil, that he had taken whilst waiting at Flo.es nefore Bassano's squadron attacked hi'Ti. Among the"e prizes were two liteva-.y hiden with gold and silver. Ad ot them sa.fely rev'ied England. Hon: r a kept the sea so long a s his provisions lasted, and by his rich booty nearly defrayed the whole expense of the expedition. For his services he was alterward* created Karl of Suffolk and 111stal'ed a Knight of the Garter.