War-Department, February 15, 1856.
LORD PANMURE has this day received a Despatch and its Enclosure, of which the following are copies, addressed to his Lordship by General Sir William Codrington, K.C.B.
Head Quarters, Sevastopol,
2nd February, 1856.
MY LORD,
THE destruction of the Docks of Sevastopol is now completed; the sides of the last dock were blown in yesterday morning, small parts of the wall here and there only remaining. Thus the whole of the canal of entrance and north docks in charge of the French, the basin in our mutual charge, and the south docks in English charge, are separate, but shapeless masses of dirt, heavy broken stones, split beams of timber, and shattered gates protruding from the heap of confusion.
The labour of destruction has been difficult; these fine works were formed in the middle ravine at its outlet in an inner and sheltered part of the harbour, one of the natural watercourses from the plateau on which we are encamped. This end of the ravine, about 700 yards from its mouth, seems to have been filled in so as to create a great artificial dam of earth, which, with the steep banks on each side, form three sides of a raised enclosure looking down upon the docks. A solid stone wall, much struck by shot, crowns this sort of natural square; the fine but shattered barracks, standing still higher on the left, with the sheds and dockyard buildings, the masting shears, and a long quay to Fort Paul in front jutting into the harbour, show how well adapted all was for its purpose. It is now a picture of destruction, desolation, and silence; there lies against the quay the half sunken hull of a vessel; and, in the harbour beyond, the only things breaking the surface of the water are the lower masts of sunken ships of war.
The drainage of the water of the middle ravine must, however, pass through to the harbour somewhere, and it was this that has so much impeded the shafts; for the water from rains often stood two feet high over the floor of the docks, and thus of course filled the shafts themselves. Some details of the execution of these are given in the enclosed summary from Colonel Lloyd, Commanding the Royal Engineers, the immediate executive officers being Colonel Gordon and Major Nicholson.
Amidst great difficulties of cold and wet, very severe frost at one time, and perpetually recurring pressure at another, the work went steadily on; and great praise is due to all those concerned, the Engineers and Sappers, parties of the Royal Artillery, the 18th Regiment, and latterly of the 48th Regiment. These parties return to their duty to-morrow after constant and laborious work.
The casualties have been but six, of which two only have been fatal, and one man of the 48th Regiment lost by foul air in a shaft; after several vain attempts by Major Nicholson, other officers and men, themselves descending at great risk, the poor fellow’s body was brought up, but life was gone.
Your lordship will see that Colonel Lloyd expresses his obligation to Mr. Deane, and the Chief Engineer of Her Majesty’s ship Royal Albert, for their assistance.
The Voltaic Battery, we must confess, did not always succeed, it seems to require great nicety in preparation, but in those cases in which I saw it succeed the effect was perfect – ignition and its result, the shake of the ground, the heaving up of the mass seemed to be instantaneous.
The destruction of other things will continue.
I have, &c.,
W.J. CODRINGTON,
General Commanding.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
Head Quarters, Camp, Sevastopol,
February 1, 1856.
SIR,
AFTER a period of three months’ unceasing labour in the dockyard, for the destruction of the docks, in compliance with Lord Panmure’s orders, it affords me very great satisfaction to report, for your Excellency’s information, the termination of our exertions in the demolition of that portion allotted to the English, which consisted of the three docks on the south side, and one half of the east and west sides of the basin.
The result of our operations has been the perfect destruction of the whole, the foundations being completely torn up. The length of time occupied in effecting the above object has, I regret, far exceeded what had been anticipated, owing to many circumstances over which no human being could have any control. Your Excellency, I believe, is aware that on the morning of the 16th December, 1855, after a very heavy and continuous fall of rain, all the shafts which had been sunk behind the revetment walls of the docks, were found to have twenty feet of water in them, the shafts being thirty feet deep; and the shafts along the bottoms of the docks, which had been sunk to a depth of twelve feet, were not only quite full of water, but had 2 feet 6 inches of water above the floors of the docks themselves.
A very large party was employed day and night endeavouring to reduce the water, and effected this object but slowly, as the water continued to find its way in by percolation. At this stage of the work, the wet weather was suddenly succeeded by intense frost, which for some days rendered our pumps useless, thus causing a further delay and obliged us to bale the water out of the shafts, resuming the pumping as soon as the pumps would work again, which has been continued to the very last.
It was the intention to have destroyed one entire dock at a time, but owing to the influx of water such an arrangement was obliged to be abandoned, and such charges only as could from time to time be prepared were fired, the pumping in very many cases being kept up day and night until the last moment. The bottoms and sites were blown up before the sides were destroyed, which enabled us to be satisfied that the former were thoroughly demolished.
I must observe that, as the demolition of the northern portion was carried out by the French, it is incumbent on me to explain why their operations were not subjected to as many difficulties as fell to our lot. Their docks were four feet higher in level than ours, and in no instance had they, I understand, any water to contend against, or at least so small a quantity as to be scarcely appreciable. Their charges in the bottoms were not more than 6 ft. deep, whereas our’s averaged 10 ft. 6in. in depth.
Though the external effect of some of our explosions may not appear great, I am happy to say that every portion of the masonry is either absolutely torn down or left in so dangerous a condition that it will add very much to the difficulties of re-building.
I was extremely anxious that the facilities afforded by Her Majesty’s Government for the employment of voltaic batteries on a large scale, as sent out by the Admiralty under Mr. Deane, should be fairly tested under the most favourable circumstances. I applied to Vice-Admiral Sir E. Lyons, who kindly offered the services of Mr. Deane, Submarine Engineer, to carry out the voltaic operations, and this gentleman had every assistance in skilled labour afforded him from the Royal Sappers and Miners.
Many failures having taken place in firing the charges by electricity, owing to different causes, I am inclined to doubt its advantages as applicable generally to military purposes.
The pair of dockgates ordered to be taken down and sent as trophies to England were removed with considerable difficulty, being so very massive and strongly put together with bolts, nuts, &c., which had become rusty.
I cannot say too much in praise of the exertions both of officers and men, including a party of 350 of the 18th and 48th Regiments, in addition to the Royal Sappers and Miners, amounting to 85, in the destruction of the docks, though they had to work, for the greater part of the time, day and night during the severest weather, and for having brought this service to a successful issue, after so many drawbacks, which, instead of causing despair and dispiriting those employed, only stimulated them to renewed exertions.
I should be remiss in my duty were I to omit acknowledging the very valuable assistance I have received throughout, from Colonel Gordon, C.B., the Executive Officer, Major Nicholson, who was the resident Engineer, and Lieutenants Cumberland, Graham, and C. Gordon, Royal Engineers; their unremitting zeal, attention, and devotion to the work, in accomplishing this troublesome task, under difficulties of no ordinary nature, claim my warmest thanks. I am also much indebted to Mr. Deane, Submarine Engineer, whose valuable services in preparing and firing most of the mines by voltaic action, were kindly placed at my disposal by his Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir E. Lyons.
I must not omit to acknowledge the professional aid received from the Chief and Assistant Engineer of Her Majesty’s ship Royal Albert (until that ship sailed for Malta), in the taking to pieces of the dock gates. In connexion with this service, the assistance afforded by a large party of the Royal Artillery, placed at my disposal by Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Dacres, and under the superintendence and direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Bent, Royal Engineers, I cannot but greatly appreciate.
I have, &c.,
EDWD. T. LLOYD,
Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Royal
Engineers.
His Excellency General Sir Wm.
Codrington, K.C.B., Commander
Of the Forces.
War-Department, February 19, 1856.
LORD PANMURE has received a Despatch, of which the following is a copy, addressed to his Lordship by General Sir William Codrington, K.C.B.
Sevastopol, February 4, 1856.
MY LORD,
MARSHAL PELISSIER informed me a few days ago that this day Fort Nicholas would be destroyed; and he sent again to say that at one o’clock P.M. the mines for this purpose would be fired.
The view over the whole harbour is well obtained from the interior slope of the Redan Hill, and from other points within the Russian lines.
The day was magnificently clear; every sentry on the opposite side could be seen, every working party watched, every soldier that was lounging in the sun; occasional shot and shell were sent from the enemy to the Karabelnaia and the town, but otherwise nothing disturbed the usual appearance of quiet, almost of desolation.
On our (the south) side, we looked down on the large ruined barracks in front, on the inner creek of the Dockyard, the Quay, and the remains of Fort Paul, the spacious inlet from the harbour on our left, beyond which stand the roofless buildings of Sevastopol itself. There also is the well-remembered long line of pointed arches, the casemates of the interior of Fort Nicholas, of which the embrasures in double tier pointed to seaward and away from us.
It juts out into the harbour built on an inner tongue of land; Fort Constantine forming a similar but more outward defence for the sea approach on the north.
The scene and feeling of expectation were of great interest, for another tangible proof of power and success was to take place, and 106,000 lbs. of powder were in the several mines. At the hour named a burst of smoke, dark and thick, rolled from our left of the building; it was followed by another; the heavy sound arrived, the stones were shot into the air and to the sea; the explosions of the extreme right and the centre mingled at little interval into one drifting cloud, which veiled the destruction below.
The light of the sun played beautifully on the mass of smoke, of which the lower part lay long and heavily on its victim. The breeze passing it away over the remains of the town, showed that a low line of ruin was all that remained of the pride of Fort Nicholas, and one standing menace of the harbour lay buried under its waters.
The state of the docks has been given in detail in my letters. They are all destroyed, whilst the earth surrounding them is shaken into cracks; basin, docks, masses of broken granite, capstans, gates, beams of iron, and of timber are tumbled into one mass of destruction.
I have, &c.,
W.J. CODRINGTON,
General Commanding.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, March 3, 1856.
LORD PANMURE has this day received three Despatches, and an Enclosure, of which the following are copies, addressed to his Lordship by General Sir William Codrington, K.C.B.
Sevastopol, February 16, 1856.
MY LORD,
I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Lordship that a Russian force, estimated at about 3,000 infantry and cossacks, appeared on the morning of the 12th instant, on the ridge of Kardoubel, above the valley of Baidar, but retired after a short reconnaissance.
The French Engineers blew up, on the 12th instant, two portions of the aqueduct which formerly supplied the docks of Sevastopol.
Some blasting experiments have been made on the walls of the large barracks, near the dockyard, and the mining is in progress.
The weather, for some days past, has been showing the gradual approach of spring, and the health of the Army continues excellent.
General Sir Colin Campbell rejoined this Army on the 14th instant.
I have, &c.,
W.J. CODRINGTON,
General Commanding.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
Sevastopol, February 19, 1856.
MY LORD,
THE health or the Army remains good, and we have been enabled lately to continue ball practice and the assembling of regiments for exercise during the very favourable weather of the last ten days. On the evening of the 17th orders were given for the assembly of the whole infantry of the English Army in contiguous columns, on the brow of the plateau; but fog and drizzling rain in the night turned to sleet in the morning, changed the state of the ground, and sent the thermometer down to 18°, and to 9° last night.
The parade had been of course put off; but it would have shown to us all troops rendered efficient in health and strength by the care of the Government at home, and by the exertions and superintendence of the Officers commanding divisions, brigades, and regiments.
I am quite sure that any of our Allies, inclined to be present, would have been glad to see the efficiency of part of the Army which acts with them.
To day is a fine clear day of a Canadian winter, thermometer at 14°, bitterly cold from the strong breeze; and this change having come so suddenly, want of caution may very probably have produced some frost bites.
We shall be enabled soon to add to the interest taken in the ball practice with that beautiful arm the Enfield Rifle, by giving a few prizes, subscribed for among ourselves, to the best shots.
I have, &c.,
W.J. CODRINGTON,
General Commanding.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, March 10, 1856.
LORD PANMURE has this day received a Despatch and its Enclosure, of which the following are copies, addressed to his Lordship by General Sir William Codrington, K.C.B.
Sevastopol, February 26, 1856.
MY LORD,
I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that a large portion of the infantry of the English Army paraded, on the 24th instant, on the ridge of the plateau overlooking the plain of Balaklava, where the ground had become sufficiently dry for the purpose.
The troops were formed, by divisions, in a line of contiguous columns of battalions at quarter distance, extending for nearly a mile, and marched past at half distance.
They were subsequently formed on a slope to the rear of the original line, in masses of columns by divisions, and again marched past in quarter distance.
The day was fine, but cold, and the general appearance, cleanliness, and steadiness of the troops afforded all the utmost satisfaction, for the men looked in the finest health and vigour. Marshal Pélissier, General Durando, and a large number of officers of the French and Sardinian Armies were observers of the fine bearing and efficiency of the troops.
I enclose the Weekly Report of Sir John Hall, Inspector-General of Hospitals, in which your Lordship will see recorded the excellent state of health of the Army generally.
I have, &c.,
W.J. CODRINGTON,
General Commanding.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, July 30, 1856.
LORD PANMURE has this day received a Despatch, of which the following is a copy, addressed to his Lordship by General Sir William Codrington, K.C.B.
Sevastopol, July 16, 1856.
MY LORD,
FINDING that all arrangements would be completed for evacuating the Crimea on the 12th instant, I wrote, the previous day, to the officer in command of the Russian troops, a Colonel of the Gendarmerie, at Kamiesh, that I should be ready to hand over the Dockyard of Sevastopol and the port of Balaklava on that day.
Her Majesty’s ship Algiers had entered the port of Balaklava on the 7th instant; the 56th Regiment embarked in that ship on the evening of the 11th; the only troops remaining were one wing of the 50th Regiment, which formed the guard of the town that night.
The following day, the 12th, at One P.M., all the remaining stores and establishments having been embarked, a company of the 50th was posted outside of the town to receive the Russian troops, and on their approach, marched in with the Russian Guard, composed of about 50 mounted Cossacks and a similar number of Infantry Cossacks.
The usual form of salutes took place, the Russians placed sentries where they wished, and the four companies of the 50th marched on board the Algiers. I embarked with my personal staff at the same time.
Although the weather was unfavourable we were enabled to quit the harbour of Balaklava that evening.
Admiral Sir H. Stewart and Admiral Freemantle were at anchor outside the harbour; they weighed, and we all sailed for this place, where I arrived to-day.
I have, &c.,
W.J. CODRINGTON,
General Commanding.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.