#hms mars

[ltwilliammowett]

This photograph captures HMS Mars anchored in the Grand Harbour of Valletta around 1860, at a time when Malta served as a vital strategic base for the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean.

Launched in 1848, HMS Mars was a powerful 90 gun second rate ship of the line, representing the final generation of large wooden warships before the rapid transition to ironclads and steam propulsion.

[illustratus]

The furious action between H.M.S. Mars and the French '74 Hercule off Brest on 21st April 1798

by John Christian Schetky

[ltwilliammowett]

The Trafalgar Storm - HMS 'Mars' standing by 'Royal Sovereign' by Geoff Hunt (1948-)

[ltwilliammowett]

The French '74 'Hercule' surrendering to H.M.S. 'Mars' off Brest, 21st. April 1798 (detail), by Thoams Luny, 1827

[illustratus]

The Death of Captain Alexander Hood, who Gloriously Fell in the Moment of Victory on the 21st April 1798

by Samuel William Reynolds, after James Northcote

[ltwilliammowett]

The furious action between H.M.S. Mars and the French '74 Hercule off Brest on 21st April 1798, by John Christian Schetky (1778- 1874)

[ltwilliammowett]

Midshipman Norwich Duff

There were some midshipmen who were lucky enough to be placed on their fathers' ships or other close family members. This good fortune of having a familiar face on board could change quickly and fate could strike mercilessly, especially in battle. Such was the case with Norwich Duff, aged 13 (15 August 1792 - 21 April 1862), who had the honour of serving on HMS Mars, a third rate ship of the line with 74 guns, under the command of his father Captain George Duff in the Battle of Trafalgar.

Portrait of Captain George Duff (1764–1805) by Henry Raeburn between 1777-1823 (x)

During the battle, the Mars was attacked by several French and Spanish ships, with the Fougueux standing out in particular. Whether it was her cannonball is impossible to say, but one cannonball struck Captain Duff, who was standing on the quarterdeck, on the chest, taking his head with it and killing two other Sailors standing behind him with one blow. His son Norwich had been sent below by his father, who feared for his safety. So he did not have to watch his father's head fly over the deck, some men lifted the now headless and probably partly breastless corpse, carried it over deck, shouted three cheers and put it back where it had fallen, covered only with a Union Jack, and lay there until the battle was over and the now commanding First Lieutenant Mr. Hennah led Mars victoriously to the end of the battle. That night Captain Duff was buried at sea with the other fallen ( including his Master Mate and nephew Alexander Duff) and the next morning the Midshipmen were taken with their instructor on HMS Euryalus, 36- guns, commanded by Captain Blackwood, along with the captured French Admiral Pierre-Charles de Villeneuve and sent home. Captain Blackwood promised to take care of the brave boy. The brave boy wrote a letter to his mother:

My Dear Mama, You cannot possibly imagine how unwilling I am to begin this melancholy letter. However as you must unavoidably hear of the fate of dear Papa, I write you these few lines to request you to bear it a patiently as you can. He died like a hero, having gallantly led his ship into action, and his memory will be ever dear to his king and his country and his friends. It was about 15 minutes past 12 in the afternoon of 21st Oct; when the engagement began; it was not finished till five. Many a brave hero sacrificed his life upon that occasion to his king and his country. You will hear that Lord Viscount Nelson was wounded in the commencement of the engagement and only survived long enough to learn that the victory was ours, “then” said that brave hero, “I die happy since I die victorious,” and in a few minutes expired. Captain Blackwood has indeed been very polite and kind to me and has said that on account of his acquaintance with my papa he will feel himself very happy in keeping me on board his ship. However I would much rather see you and to be discharged into the guardship at Leith for two or three months. My dear Mamma, I have again to request you make yourself as happy and as easy as possible. It has been the will of heaven and it is our duty to submit.

Believe me, your obedient and affectionate son, Norwich Duff

But Lieutenant William Hennah, now commander of Mars, also wrote her a letter of condolence. (there is only a copy of this, since the original letter was lost) 

Madam,

I believe that a more unpleasant task, than what is now imposed upon me, can scarcely fall    to the lot of a person, whose feelings are not more immediately connected by the nearer ties of kindred, but from a sense of duty, (as first Lieutenant of the Mars,) as being myself the husband of a beloved partner, and the father of children; out of the pure respect and esteem to the memory of our late gallant Captain, I should consider myself  guilty of a base neglect, should you only be informed of the melancholy circumstances attending the late glorious, though unfortunate victory to many, by a public gazette. The   consequences of such an event, while it may occasion the rejoicings of the nation, will in  every instance be attended with the deepest regrets of a few.

Alas! Madam, how unfortunate shall I think myself, should this be the first intimation you may have of the irreparable loss you have met with! what apology can I make for entering on a subject so tender and so fraught with sorrow, but to recommend an humble reliance on this great truth, that the ways ef Providence, although sometimes inscrutable, are always for the best.

By this, Madam, you are in all probability acquainted with the purport of my letter. Amongst the number of heroes who fell on that ever-memorable 21st inst. in defence of their King and Country; after gloriously discharging his duty to both; our meritorious and  much respected Commander, Captain George Duff, is honourably classed; his fate was instantaneous; and he resigned his soul into the hands of the Almighty without a moment's pain.

Poor Norwich is very well. Capatain Blackwood has taken him on board the Euryalas, with  the other young gentlemen that came with him, and their schoolmaster.

The whole of the Captain's papers and effects are sealed up, and will be kept in a place of security until proper persons are appointed to examine them. Meanwhile, Madam, I beg leave to assure you of my readiness to give you any information, or render you any service in my power.

                  And  am, Madam, with the greatest respect,                        Your most obedient and most humble servant,                                                       WILLIAM HENNAH.

Even though these event must have left a deep mark on the boy, he carried on regardless and even became a Vice Admiral in 1857 until he died five years later.

[ltwilliammowett]

Original British Flintlock Sea Service Pistol from HMS MARS marked with a broad arrow, circa 1800