THE GROSSER KURFURST.'
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR-1
Sin,—The article in your last week's issue on the loss of the ' Grosser Kurfiirst ' brings to my recollection a story of nearly twenty years ago,—a time when the old sailing-frigates of our Navy were being rapidly replaced by steam-corvettes and despatch-boats.
A screw-corvette, under the command of a captain whom I may call " J. B.," and whose experience had hitherto been mainly confined to sailing-vessels, was proceeding on her course (under steam and sail) in Eastern waters, when she met with or overtook another vessel. The channel was narrow, and a collision im- minent. Experience suggested taking in sail, and this was promptly effected ; but the remedy was not sufficient, and Cap- tain " B." was horrified to find his vessel crash into the other. Suddenly the reason dawned upon him, and he exclaimed, " Oh dear, oh dear ! I forgot I was a steamer I" I believe the story to be strictly true,—but BE non e two, e ben trovato.—
Previous page
