Royal Naval Biography/Anson, George
RIGHT HON. GEORGE ANSON LORD BYRON.
[Post-Captain of 1814.]
This officer’s ancestors had large possessions in Yorkshire, during the reign of William the Conqueror; and were very early seated at the lordship of Clayton, co. Lancaster. Sir Richard Byron, who died in 1398, acquired a considerable estate by marrying Joan, second daughter of William de Colewick, of Colewick, in Nottinghamshire. His descendant. Sir John Byron, Knt. took part with Henry Earl of Richmond, at the battle of Bosworth, and died May 3, 1488.
The motto, “Crede Byron,” now used by his descendants, was conferred upon Sir John Byron by his royal master, not in allusion to his loyalty, but in admiration of an act of extraordinary good faith performed by him towards Sir Gervis Clifton, who had espoused the cause of Richard III. The subject is thus noticed by the late W. Hutton, Esq. F.A.S.S. in his account of the battle, published in 1788; and by Sir John Beaumont, Bart, in a poem, entitled, “Bosworth Field” published by his son in 1629:
“Sir John Byron, and Sir Gervis Clifton, were intimate friends, and neighbours, being both Nottinghamshire gentlemen. And though Byron fought under Henry, and Clifton under Richard, it no way diminished their friendship, but proved, what rarely happens, that friendship genuine. They had exchanged a prior oath, ‘that if either of them was vanquished, the other should intercede with the conqueror, that the estate of the loser might not be forfeited, but enjoyed by his family’. While Clifton was bravely fighting in the troop, he received a blow which overpowered him, and he fell. Byron observing the fall, quitted the ranks, and ran to the relief of his suffering friend, sustained him on the ground, guarded him with his shield, and entreated him to surrender. Clifton replied, ‘All is over; I beg, my dear friend, you will remember the oath between us. Victory is yours. Use all your interest, that my lands may not be taken from my children.’ The worthy Byron, Upon the point of renewing his promise, perceived his friend was departing, and exclaimed with emotion, ‘Stay, my dear Clifton, stay!’ but alas! the wound was mortal, and the unfortunate Clifton expired in the field.”
“While Byron calles; ‘Stay, worthy Clifton, stay,
‘And heare my falthfull promise once againe,
‘Which if I breake, may all my deeds be vaine.’
But now he knowes, that vitall breath is fled.
And needlesse words are utter’d to the dead;
Into the midst of Richard’s strength he flies,
Presenting glorious acts to Henries eyes.
And for his service he expects no more
Then Clifton’s sonne from forfeits to restore.”
The generous warrior’s expectations were happily realised; and the estate which was possessed by his unfortunate friend’s ancestors several centuries prior to the battle of Bosworth, is now enjoyed by Sir Robert Clifton, Bart.
Sir John Byron’s descendant and namesake was made a K.B. at the coronation of James I. and married Anne, sister to Viscount Molyneux, an Irish peer. By that lady he had seven sons, who were distinguished for their loyalty to the unfortunate Charles I.; John, the eldest, makes a conspicuous figure in the pages of Lord Clarendon, for his activity, and the important commands entrusted to him. He was created Baron Byron, of Rochdale, co. Lancaster, Oct. 24, 1643; and died in France, without issue, during the protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. He was succeeded by his brother, Richard, who held a command at the battle of Edgehill, Oct. 13, 1642, and afterwards received the honor of knighthood from his ill-fated monarch. Thomas, a younger brother, commanded the Prince of Wales’s regiment at the battle of Hopton-heath, Mar. 19, 1643, and is described by Clarendon as “a gentleman of great courage, and very good conduct, who charged with good execution.” The other four brothers, William, Robert, Gilbert, and Philip, fell at Marston-moor, July 2, 1644, a circumstance alluded to by the late Lord Byron in his first juvenile poem, addressed to Newstead Abbey, the ancient and dilapidated residence of the family[1]:
“On Marston, with Rupert[2], ‘gainst traitors contending.
Four brothers enriched, with their blood, the bleak field;
For the rights of a monarch, their country defending.
Till death their attachment to royalty seal'd.”
Lady Byron, the mother of those brave men, obtained leave from Cromwell to bury their remains. The following is a true copy of an autograph letter from King Charles II, to her son Richard, the second Lord Byron, dated “Brusselles, July 17, 1659:–
“This honest bearer hath delivered what you sent me, for which I thank you, and if he had not assured me from yourself that you do not [know] enough my mynde in particulars, I should have been very confident that you had not stood in neede of my advertisements, and I am confident you have before this time receaved advice from my frinds that you are to do, together with commissions, since I am sure they depende as much upon your interest and concurrance, as upon any mans; however that you may not be without commissions, which the bearer sayes positively you were when he lefte you, he will deliver you such as are necessary for the beginning, and then all things will afterwards be quickly supplyed, and I know you will be ready to doe as your neighbours and frinds shall, and by the healpe of God wee shall shortly meete, and you may be sure you shall alwayes finde me to be,
“Your very affectionate frinde.
“B.”(Signed)“Charles R.”
The above nobleman died in 1679; and it is recorded on his tomb, in the church of Hucknel-Torkard, that he was enabled, by his honest endeavours, to repurchase part of the ancient inheritance of his family, which had been freely sacrificed, in order to raise supplies for Charles I., when that monarch first erected his standard at Newark. His grandson, William, fourth Lord Byron (born in 1669) was grandfather to the late Captain George Anson Byron, R.N., and also to the present Captain Richard Byron, C.B. whose services are recorded at pp. 620 – 628 of Vol. II. Part II.
The present Lord Byron is the only son of the said Captain George Anson Byron, by Miss Dallas, of the island of Jamaica; and cousin and successor to the late peer, who died at Missolonghi, in Greece, April 19, 1824.
He was made lieutenant Aug. 24, 1807; advanced to the rank of commander, Feb. 1, 1812; posted, June 7, 1814; and appointed to the Blonde frigate, fitting for a particular service, June 5, 1824. The subjoined account of his subsequent proceedings is taken from the Hampshire Telegraph.
Lord Byron left England for the Sandwich Islands, with the remains of their late majesties, in Sept. 1824. “On his arrival at Valparaiso, Mr. Charlton, consul-general of the islands in the Pacific, was sent forward to Woahoo, to announce the death of, the king and queen, and the approach of the Blonde with their bodies and suite. It was regarded as a remarkable circumstance by the natives, that just previous to the period of Mr. Charlton’s arrival at Woahoo, certain natural phenomena – such as the extraordinary overflowing and recession of the tide, an eclipse of the moon, &c. had taken place, which impressed them with a belief that some fatality had happened to the king or queen; similar occurrences being observed at the death of Tamahama, the sovereign who brought all the islands under one government, and afterwards ceded them to Vancouver, in 1794[3]. This omen or presentiment was confirmed by Mr. Charlton’s arrival.” When the Blonde arrived at Honoruru (the anchorage of Woahoo), May 19, 1825, she was, however, immediately saluted by 19 guns from the fort. The day afterwards Lord Byron and all his officers had an audience of the regent[4], at his house, at which were delivered in the presence of all the heads of the nation, the presents sent out in the Blonde. The present king is Kaukiauli, a lad, brother of Rio Rio, who died in England. On the 23d May, at 11 a.m., the bodies were landed, attended by Lord Byron and his officers, dressed in their full uniforms. On reaching the shore, they were placed on two cars, and drawn by about 80 native chiefs to the late room of audience, the tomb-house not being finished. Kaukiauli and the Princess Nahienaena were the chief mourners, supported by Lord Byron and the British consul. The numerous chiefs of the island, and the officers of the Blonde, formed an extensive funeral cavalcade. The frigate continued at Honoruru about six weeks, during which Lord Byron attended the meetings of the chiefs, who gravely deliberated respecting the succession of the young king and princess to the throne; – as, heretofore, might had constituted right. This important matter was, however, very amicably arranged, the heads of the nation, and all the chiefs, expressing their earnest desire to conform themselves strictly to the laws of legitimacy and of consanguinity.
The Blonde proceeded from Woahoo to visit the Isle of Owhyhee (about three days’ run), and refit there. She anchored in one of the finest bays in the world (now called Byron Bay) which Vancouver was deterred from entering by a coral rock appearing to impede the entrance, but which actually forms its principal security. It is a most safe position, and its rich and beautifully varied scenery, has obtained for it the appellation of “The Eden of the Sandwich Islands.” In the neighbourhood of this bay the island is in the highest state of fertility ; but the natives are in nearly the same state as they were when Captain Cook discovered them, in 1779. An American missionary had arrived there about six months before, whose instructions would no doubt advance them in civilization, as those of his brethren had the natives at Woahoo. The Blonde then returned to Woahoo, and Lord Byron took leave of he king, regent, and chiefs, and fulfilled the purpose of his visit to the islands, in the highest degree satisfactory to them, and beneficial to the country. The ship was literally laden with stock and provisions of every description, by the natives, who refused payment for any thing they could supply her. From Woahoo she proceeded to Karakokooa bay, where Captain Cook was unfortunately killed. Here Lord Byron erected a humble, simple monument to the memory of the great circumnavigator – not on the spot where he was killed, as that was found impracticable, it being under water, but where his body was cut up, on the top of a hill, about a mile from the shore. The natives of the islands having embraced Christianity, the regent gave permission to Lord Byron to visit the sacred sepulchre, and take therefrom whatever relics of their former religion he wished to possess. The sanctuary was filled with their various gods – “the work of men’s hands” – some manufactured of wicker-work and feathers, others carved of wood, with numerous articles which had been made sacred, by being offered to them, in acts of gratitude, for success in fishing, hunting, and the other occupations of their simple life. But the article that most struck the visitors, as remarkable, was an English consecrated drum. The temple was despoiled of most of its former sacred treasures, which were brought to England in the Blonde.
On his voyage home. Lord Byron touched at Coquimbo, (the station of the mining associations in South America), and was only six weeks running from thence to St. Helena. The following is an account of the dreadful occurrences on board a merchant ship, the Frances and Mary, from New Brunswick bound to Liverpool, which he providentially fell in with eight days previous to his arrival at Spithead.
“Sailed from St. John’s Jan. 18, 1826. – Feb. 1, Strong gales from the W.N.W.; carried away the main-topmast and mizen-mast head; hove to; got boats’ sails In the main-rigging, to keep the ship to the wind. At 11 p.m. shipped a heavy sea, which washed away the cabouse, jolly-boat, and disabled five men. – Feb. 2, Cleared away the wreck, and made sail before the wind: strong breezes. – Feb. 5, 11 a.m. Strong gales, with a heavy sea; clewed the sails up, and hove to, head to the southward: shipped a sea, which carried away the long boat, companion, and tiller, unshipped the rudder, and washed a man overboard, who was afterwards saved. At 11-10, another heavy sea struck us, which stove our stern in. Cut away our foremast, and both bower anchors, to keep the ship to the wind; employed in getting what provisions we could, by knocking the bow-port out; saved 50lbs. of bread and 5lbs. of cheese, which we stowed in the main-top: got the master’s wife and female passenger up, whilst we were clearing away below, lightening the ship: most of the people slept in the top: at day-light found Patrick Cooney hanging by his legs to the catharpins, dead, from fatigue: committed his body to the deep. – Feb. 6, at 8 a.m. Saw a strange sail standing towards us: made signal of distress; stranger spoke us, and remained in company twenty-four hours, but sent us no assistance, the American making an excuse that the sea was running too high. Made a tent of spare canvas on the forecastle; put the people on short allowance of a quarter of a biscuit a day. – Feb. 8, Saw a brig to leeward: strong gales. – Feb, 9, 10 a.m. Observed the same vessel to windward; made the signal of distress: stranger bore up and showed American colours. – Feb. 10, He spoke us, asking how long we had been in that situation, and what we intended to do – if we intended leaving the ship? answered, yes: he then asked, if we had any rigging? answered, yes: night coming on, and blowing hard, saw no more of the stranger. Suffered much from hunger and thirst. Feb. II, Saw a large ship to the northward: did not speak her: wore, head to the northward. At this time all our provisions were out – suffered much from hunger, having received no nourishment for nine days! – Feb. 21, departed this life, James Clarke, seaman: read prayers, and committed his body to the deep: we were at this time on a half a gill of water a day, and suffering much from hunger: during the whole period of being on the wreck, we were wet from top to toe. – Feb. 22, John Wilson, seaman, died, at 10 a.m.: preserved the body of the deceased: cut him up in quarters, washed them overboard, and hung them up on pins. – Feb. 23, J. Moore died, and was thrown overboard, having eaten part of him, such as the liver and heart. From this date to Saturday, the 5th of March, the following number perished from hunger: Henry Davis, a Welsh boy; Alex. Kelly, seaman; John Jones, apprentice-boy, nephew of the owner; James Frier, cook; Daniel Jones, seaman; John Hutchinson, seaman; and John Jones, a boy; threw the last-named overboard, his blood being bitter, also, James Frier, who was working his passage home under a promise of marriage to Ann Saunders, the female passenger, who attended on the master’s wife; and who, when she heard of Frier’s death, shrieked a loud yell, then snatching a cup from Clerk, the mate, cut her late intended husband’s throat, and drank his blood, insisting that she had the greatest right to it; a scuffle ensued, and the heroine (the words of the narrator) got the better of her adversary, and then allowed him to drink one cup to her two! – Feb. 26, On or about this day an English brig hove in sight; hoisted the ensign union downward; stranger hauled his wind toward us, and hauled his foresail up when abreast of us, kept his course, about one mile distance, set his foresail, and we soon lost sight of him: fresh breeze, with a little rain; the sea, quite smooth, but he went off, having shown English colours: had he at this time taken us off the wreck, much of the subsequent dreadful suffering would have been spared us. – March 7, His Majesty’s ship Blonde came in sight, and to our relief, in lat. 44° 43' N. long. 21° 67' W. Words are quite inadequate to express our feelings, as well as those which Lord Byron and our deliverers most evidently possessed, when they found they had come to rescue six of their fellow-creatures (two of them females) from a most awful, lingering, but certain death. It came on to blow during the night a fresh gale, which would, no doubt, have swept us all over board. Lieut. Gambier came in the ship’s cutter to bring us from the wreck; he observed to us, ‘you have yet, I perceive, fresh meat;’ to which we were compelled to reply, ‘No, Sir, it is part of a man, one of our unfortunate crew! it was our intention to put ourselves on an allowance even of this food, this evening, had not you come to our relief.’ The master’s wife, who underwent all the most horrid sufferings which the human understanding can imagine, bore them much better than could possibly have been expected. She is now, although much emaciated, a respectable, good-looking woman, about twenty-five years of age, and the mother of a boy seven years of age. But what must have been the extremity of want to which she was driven, when she eat the brains of one of the apprentices, saying it was the most delicious thing she ever tasted: and it is still more melancholy to relate, the person whose brains she thus was forced by hunger to eat, had been three times wrecked before, but was providentially picked up by a vessel after being two-and-twenty days on the wreck water-logged: but, in the present instance, he perished, having survived similar sufferings for a space of twenty-nine days, and then became food for his remaining shipmates! Ann Saunders, the other female, had more strength in her calamity than most of the men: she performed the duty of cutting up and cleaning the dead bodies, keeping two knives in her monkey jacket; and when the breath was announced to have flown, she would sharpen her knives, bleed the deceased in the neck, drink his blood, and cut him up as usual. From want of water, those who perished drank their own urine and salt-water: they became foolish, crawling upon their hands round the deck (when they could) and died generally raving mad.”
We have only to add, that the captain, officers, and crew of the Blonde subscribed a considerable sum toward the relief of those poor creatures, whom, under Providence, they had been the means of preserving from a most dreadful death; and that Mr. Kendall, the master of the unfortunate ship, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Lord Byron for his great humanity, distinguished benevolence, and unceasing attentions to himself and fellow-sufferers. The Blonde was paid off, at Portsmouth, Dec. 15, 1826.
Lord Byron married. Mar. 18, 1816, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Sacheverel Chandos Pole, of Radbourne, co. Derby, Esq. and has issue several sons and daughters.
Agent.– Messrs. Stilwell.
- ↑ Sir John Byron, of Clayton, Knt. obtained a grant of the above abbey from King Henry VIII.
- ↑ Prince Rupert, son of the Elector palatine, and related to Charles I. He commanded the English fleet after the restoration of royalty.
- ↑ King Tamahama the First made most considerable advances towards civilization; he erected for the defence of Woahoo three forts, one of which mounts 42 pieces of ordnance; he possessed a considerable fleet, with which he had subdued the whole group of islands; and at the time of his death, in 1819, he was arranging an expedition for the conquest of Otaheite.
- ↑ Karaimoku, the brother of Boki, the governor, who came to England with his late master and mistress.