Log Book of H.M.S. Hibernica, Sea Trials: An unusual daily account of Sea Trials

Manuscript log book, 30pp., 3 full page illustrations, four inserts including a manuscript coastal chart of Gibraltar, marbled wrapper, folio, 29th July - 7th September 1846.

An unusual daily account by Lieutenant Augustus Phillimore, serving as mate on H.M.S. Hibernica. The work covers the sea trials the Hibernica was participating in, along with H.M.S. Rattler, Polyphemus, Raleigh, Superb, Constance, Eurydice, Spartan, St. Vincent, Queen, Vanguard, Canopus, Rodney and Albion.

The ships departed Cork in poor weather conditions, sailing in two lines to Lisbon. There are two full page plans showing the sailing formations, which are accompanied by a table recording the distance between the Hibernica and the other ships in the formation. This journal records the daily progress, wind directions and bearings, sail manoeuvres, and the signals sent to, and received from, other ships in the form of flags and gunfire during low visibility.

There are many comments on the formation, or lack thereof, throughout the voyage.

"The great fault committed by most of the ships is the neglecting to make sail at the proper times…". Some signals were missed due to the poor visibility and thick fog, but other were misunderstood "Rodney required frequent reminders to keep her station", or simply ignored "St. Vincent having disregarded instruction on this point".

A conscientious officer, Phillimore quotes various sections of instructions for the proper procedure when sailing in formation. This is aided by the loose leaf titled "Order of Battle to be observed by all ships forming the Mediterranean Fleet and signals to be observed", notes on the separate squadrons with corresponding watercolour flags and pendants. This was written and signed by the Admiral of the Mediterranean Fleet, Admiral Sir Edward William Owen (1771-1849).

The H.M.S. Raleigh was ordered to the assistance of a Portuguese Brig in trouble, so was consequently removed from the trials. There were several gun salutes to Spanish and Portuguese ships when approaching Lisbon. The Commander in Chief, Commodores, Captains, Commanders and Lieutenants were presented to the Queen of Portugal at the palace at Belam.

Philimore wrote "nothing could show more than the necessity of practise in fleet sailing and a knowledge of the signal book, with a squadron so little experienced in fleet sailing."

Augustus Phillimore entered the Navy in 1835, serving in the First Opium War, including operations in the Yang-tsze-kiang, which resulted in the opening of the treaty ports in 1842. He commanded the Medea in the West Indies in 1852, promoted to Commodore at Port Royal in 1868, Admiral in 1884 and Commander in Chief in 1884. Phillimore was appointed Senior Naval Officer at Gibraltar from 1869 to 1872, in special recognition of his services in Cuba, and during the civil war in Haiti. During this time he made the proposal that a new naval dockyard should be constructed in Gibraltar. It was 22 years before his proposal was put to parliament, but the scheme was approved and resulted in new moles and three dry docks being completed in 1896.