The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-06-02
cAPTAINsGRlMsHAw, OR A CRUISE In
R}z HALIFAX. eaassaT -r

cAPTAINsGRlMsHAw OR A CRUISE IN
40 HALIFAX. 1rassaTs
Everybody who is familiar with the
British navy, has heard Of old Admiral
Grimshaw, as much distinguished for his
rough, unpublished manners, his oddities and
eccentricities, as for his nautical skill and
daring intrepidity. Grimshaw was one of
the very few officers of high rank who COM
menced his career by creeping through the
hawse hole. He learned his naval seaman
ship when topman on board Of frigate; he
| was wont to swing his hammock on the gun
deck, and acquired his skill at the oar by
pulling for long cruise the bow oar OF the
first cutter. ~
Grimshaw was impressed while yet an
apprentice on board the Dover Castle, q
regular trader to the Barbados. He was
taken out by an unserupulous commander
Of an armed ship, who was short of men,
and who considered his own authority sup
ported by the laundering voice of twenty
Bile laws fos the protection of apprentices
on the high seas. He was afterw ards trans
ferred from the Mandrake sloop. of. war to
he Diamond frigate, and while yet youth
aud in humble station, bore manly part in
Smith, on the French coast during the "reign
Of terror" when the war between England
and France was carried on with intense OBJ.
s,inacy and fury. 2,-4 - .a-...
In the bold undertaking planned and exc.
cuted by Sir Sidney to destroy a squadron
Of vessels belonging to the enemy in the
harbor of Herqui, although anchored under
heavy batteries, and npproachable only
through tortuous and dangerous channels,
GrInshsw displayed remarkable intrepidity.
He was the frst of the boats crew, under
command Of Lieutenant Pine, who landed
to attack the batteries in front, leading the
way up precipice, which was considered
inaccessible, while body Of French troops
were stationed near the beach in the rear
Of the battery, supposed to be the only
accessible point. The British sailors sud-
denly appeared on the platform among the
artillerists, to the great as:onishment Of the
Frenchmen who had been bravely firing
twenty -four pound shot over their heads
at the frigate, little dreaming Of the drama
which was being enscted under their very
noses. Grimsbaw cut down three Of the
Frenchmen with his own hand, and being
followed BY band of grim looking tars,
the enemy evacuated the fort, the guns of
which were spiked and thrown down the
precipica, before the body of infantry
posted in the rear could gain intelh-
gence Of the Whereabouts Of the English
tars. .s .s4s
For his intrepidity in this action and his
manly bearing on other occasions, Grim
shaw gained the favor Of his gallant COM
mauder, one of the most bold and chivalrous
and truly patriotic spirits whose names are
borne on the long list of the naval heroes
of Great Britain. He received q commis-
sion in spite Of the obstacles interposed to
such proceeding in the shape Of the red
tame and routine, and his subsequent career
during the war With the natural "suemy Of
the EDglish," and also during the war be-
tween England and the United States, not
only justified Sir Sidney Smith in making
exertions in his behalf, but entitled him to
the successive steps Of promotion which
he received from the hands Of the Admi-
rally.
Grimshaw was not only deeply yersed in
nautical lore, bus having early acquired the
tastes and habits Of the sailor, or the man.
Of wars man, they stuck to him through
life, notwithstanding the rank which he
deservedly attained. He loved grog; be
losed sobacca hs coufted By stealth the
society Of the courss and unrehued. lie
VAS addicted to language Of type terri
hly profane, and be searly loved cruise
among the sailors boarding -hoases and grog
shops on shore
These ware singular etastes for Post
Captain or Admiral. But while Grimshaw
was ridicaled or avoiaed BY his brother
officers Of the Jenny Jessamy school. his
services were appreciated by his country,
and be Vas well understood by the sailors
usder his command. Not~ishstandings bis
ssverity as disciplinsrias, and character
istics alluded 10, and his reputation ~
dscsasdly 6Shssng man, who loved hard
knecks better tsAs eating or drinking, made
h,n one Of the most popular officers Of the
navy.
Durias toe var between Grea. Britain
asd taa ceuassy, Csps. 6vimshau, uho
then cenuasd-d the ArsaxerIes lioe Of
hatsis-ship on ths West India Station, being
short Of men, owing 70 the prizes be bad
aud the rsvases of yellow fever among his
esss. proceeded 70 Halifax % Gil up the va
eaacies in bis ship's company and refresh
and brighten Up his uss after . long sojouru
| IN . tropical climate.
Cap,ain GrsushAu having been Impressed
into the navy u the outset OF his career.
eherished 40 very aeiiea;e scrap.es against
! supfesslne others whenever an cppsstanity
offered. s.lsdesd," be often asked uish
cvesrowerisg eupAssia, sshov otherwise
can us man the 0eoasn Hails Of Old keg-
las3sD On hiA arrival at Halifax be cd
drsssed note 70 the prePsf sashsrssies Tor
: ssppiy u nse. sspsseaasise DE Ersas a.d
| irreoerah1e iniarv vhieA 0sehe oeouT - the