enceof the admirals, and its effect on the courage and temper of their subordinates; and, finally, he would have remembered that at St. Vincent, the Nile, or Trafalgar, an English fleet had conquered against nominal odds as great as, or even greater than, those which now told in favor of the Italians.
But to the general public or even to the government of Italy, nothing of this was known. It was known that the Austrian ships were paltry; it was, perhaps, supposed that they were worse than they really were. It was known that three hundred millions of lire (12,000,000l.) had been spent on the Italian fleet within the last five years; and it was taken for granted that good value had been got for the money; as indeed it had. But beyond this public knowledge did not go; and neither the government nor the people doubted for a moment that Persano was master of the situation. "The Adriatic," wrote Depretis, the minister for the navy, "is an Italian sea, and the Austrian flag must disappear from it. Do as you think best, but this end must be attained." In every café in Venice, in Milan, throughout the north of Italy, this end was spoken of as certain. Young Italy was as ready to discuss naval as political affairs, and knew as little about one as about the other.
As soon as war was declared, on the 20th of June, Tegetthoff had despatched the "Stadium," the Austrian Lloyd's steamer, to find out exactly where the Italian fleet was, and what its force. The "Stadium" reported, on the 23rd, that as far south as Bari it was not to be seen. The admiral jumped to the conclusion that it would be coming round from Taranto, probably in scattered order, possibly in small detachments; and at once resolved to go with what force he had and look for it. With six ironclads, the "Schwarzenberg," and four gun-vessels, he left Fasana on the 24th of June; at daybreak of the 27th he was off Ancona. The main body of the Italian fleet had arrived there two days before: they mustered eleven ironclads, four large frigates, and sundry smaller vessels: a force certainly more than double that of the Austrians. But they were coaling in a promiscuous and disorderly manner. The "Rè d'Italia's" coal had caught fire in the bunkers; the "Rè di Portogallo" had got water in her cylinders; almost every ship had some defect due to carelessness, stupidity, or ignorance; and none was ready to go out and attack the enemy. When at last some of them did get under way, they pottered about, performing silly or pedantic evolutions in the entrance or the harbor; while Tegetthoff, having seen all that he wanted to see, and having encouraged his men by the sight of a timid or disorganized enemy, went quietly back to Fasana. Some rumors, much to Persano's discredit, were not slow to arise, but they do not seem to have then taken any definite form. The minister urged him to do something — anything you will, provided you cause the Austrian flag to disappear from the Adriatic. Persano replied, making difficulties: the Austrians would not meet him; Pola was impregnable; his ships were not properly equipped; his men were undisciplined; his officers were incompetent.
Than Count Carlo di Persano and the Honorable John Byng, few men have been more unlike each other. Persano was gentle, amiable, social, and personally brave; Byng was a small-minded martinet, haughty, and reserved. But Persano's correspondence has a curious resemblance to Byng's; it shows the same querulous incapacity, the same desire to have things done by others, the same unwillingness to do anything for himself. Byng's letters have long been before the world: if I quote one or two disjointed sentences, it is only by way of emphasis: —
- I am firmly of opinion … that the throwing men into the castle will only … add to the numbers that must fall into the enemy's hands, for the garrison, in time, will be obliged to surrender.
- I am afraid all communication will be cut off between us; … for if the enemy have erected batteries … it will render it impossible for our boats to have a passage.
- Many of the ships that come out with me are foul. I fear from the inconveniences we shall meet here there will be great difficulty in keeping the ships clean, as there is but one wharf for them to prepare and careen at.
And now for Persano: —
- It is my duty to submit to your Excellency that the ships which join the fleet from day to day are incompletely manned, especially in regard to their petty officers; and — which is of more consequence — are without trained gunners, who are now, more than ever, necessary, on account of the greater number of rifled guns, which require long arid careful drill. And this when hostilities are every moment expected to begin!
- This awakens very serious thoughts.
- The fleet is not ready for war.
- It will take at least a month to bring it to a tolerable pitch.
- Help me, I earnestly entreat you.
Finally, on July 8, Persano was induced
