Voyage of the Vampire

Au revoir!

George — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:00:11 +0000

Well that’s it, I’m afraid, for this volume of the Voyage of the Vampire. As you can probably tell, I’m finding army life in peace time a little trying, and will soon purchase a second yacht, the Ariel in anticipation of more voyages at sea. In fact, in the next four years I will sail to Morocco, the Canary Islands, the West Indies, Venezuela and Cuba, before returning to Europe.

Despite my reservations about army life as I’ve experienced it in Corfu, I won’t sell out of the army until 1851, when I will marry Mariquita Sanchez de Pina, the daughter of Don Sanchez de Pina of Gibraltar. We will move back to Scotland, take up residence at Springwood Park near Kelso, and raise our family in peace and prosperity there. Local matters will occupy me from then on: I will become a Conservative MP for the County of Roxburgh, Captain of the Kelso Volunteers, stand on various local committees and run my estates.

My adventures on the Vampire will become a thing of the past.

In the meantime, don’t forget to read the latest instalment of the story of my sister Charlotte’s pursuit of love …

Monday 11th January

George — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:00:55 +0000

Wet & blowy: on Guard for Woods. HMS Trident, Meteor, and Jackall sailed for Malta. Albanian mountains were covered with snow: the crew were employed landing the chain cable. Signal reported having been made at sea: night wet & stormy.

Sunday 10th January

George — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:00:41 +0000

Wet and windy: Church parade. Called on Captain Pascoe of the Jackall: read at the Library: dined with Blakely at the Artillery mess, and then turned in to my virtuous couch.

Saturday 9th January

George — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 08:00:39 +0000

Anchored at daylight at Pagagna, landed and began shooting, the birds were scarce and the covers very thick and prickly, we shot eight couple of Woodcocks, five of Quails, a duck and a hare. We met Best and Calvert, and beat the ravine, in which we saw three wild boars, I fired at one, and I think struck him, but he was two hundred yards off, and got away: when I returned on board I bathed, and then made sail for Corfu, with a light breeze aft: we took up our moorings and I went to the Opera.

Friday 8th January

George — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:00:25 +0000

Wet & windy: Woods of the 97^th was kind enough to take my Guard: HMS Jackall came in with the mail & Captain Pascoe very kindly bought me three hands and a cook, also a sheet anchor and ninety fathoms of chain cable from Malta, sent the men on board and discharged two Corfuotes who were working in the Vampire. Sailed with Warry & Gwilt at one o’clock for Pagagna, with the topmast reefed, and strong SE wind when off Catarto, we were becalmed, so we took four hands in the Gig and pulled to the land where we shot three pigeons at the cave, which was full of them, we then returned on board the Cutter and dined. A heavy mist came down and as we could not make out the entrance of the harbour, we made all snug and lay off and on all night. Gwilt was very sick: wet night.

Hands	Crew members
Sheet anchor	A large extra anchor intended for use in an emergency

Thursday 7th January

George — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:00:43 +0000

Windy: the Ardent and the Austrian Steamer came in. We had drill on the Esplanade at three o’clock, old Brown pitched into me, for making some mistakes: called on Colonel Airey, who gave me leave to go to Albania: went to the Opera, & saw Attila performed.

Wednesday 6th January

George — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:00:56 +0000

The Greek Christmas day: On regimental and Garrison duty: parade & drill expected Dwyer of the Meteor to dine with me, but he did not come: went to the Opera and hear Attila, which was well sung: thought that the music was very pretty: bottled & stowed away fifteen gallons of brandy & six of Rum.

The Greek Christmas Day	6th January was Christmas Day in the Old Calendar for Orthodox Christians. It is also Epiphany or “Lights Day” in Greece celebrating the baptism of Christ and the arrival of the three wise men in Bethlehem and is culmination of the Christmas season. Presents were traditionally exchanged on 6th December, the feast day of St Nicholas, or on New Year’s Day.
Attila	Opera by Verdi first performed in Venice in March 1846, based on the story of Attila the Hun

Tuesday 5th January

George — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:00:59 +0000

Parade as usual, and drill on the Esplanade: rode on Sultan to Castrades.

Monday 4th January. Lower Fort Neuf

George — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:00:58 +0000

My company marched down to the Lower Fort, which was a change for the better as it was no fun, climbing up to the bell about a dozen times a day: took in bread on board the Vampire and stowed away wine.

Sunday 3rd January

George — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:00:32 +0000

Fine: reached Corfu in time for church parade: the Genitas came & lunched with me & then inspected the Yacht: I called on board the Meteor & stayed an hour, did not go to mess: packed up my kit, as my company was to march down to the Lower Fort tomorrow.