THE

WEST COAST OF AFRICA


AS SEEN FROM


THE DECK OF A MAN-OF-WAR.


___


BY THE LATE


COMMANDER HUGH McN. DYER, R.N.,


H.M.S. “TORCH” 



J. GRIFFIN & CO.

(Publishers, by Appointment, to H.R.H., the Duke of Edinburgh,)

15, COCKSPUR STREET, | AND 2, THE HARD, PALL MALL, LONDON | PORTSEA, PORTSMOUTH

[NOTE: Because of the time in which the book was written, it contains some outwardly racist, ethnocentric material. I am posting the book here not only because Hugh was my third great-grandfather, but also because it contains both historical and anthropological data.]

Leave Southampton in the Cape Mail Steamer Cambrian, on the 25th September, 1871. --- Arrive at Table Bay on the 8th November. --- Four days Quarantine at St. Helena. --- Relieve Commander Evans and take command of Torch. --- Heavy Gale at the “Bellows.” --- The River Congo. --- Curious Native Certificates of Negro Washermen at Banana. --- King Peter and Capita in Kabenda. --- Punishing Pirates and Destroying Native Villages. --- The Mail Steamer Magregor Laird on the Rocks. --- Attack upon the Crew. --- Marketing with Natives at Jellah Coffee. --- Ludicrous scenes on board……………………………..25

Anchoring at Cape Coast. --- Surf Boats. --- Native Singing. --- Imitation of Modern European Fashions. --- Love of Jewellery. --- Riot at Elmina. --- Lieutenant Joorst assassinated. --- Sanitary Measures. --- Dance by the Houssa Tribe: amusing performances. --- British recognition of Slavery on the Gold Coast. --- Dangerous Surfs. --- Conceit and Impertinence of the Negroes………………………………….49

The Slave Traffic. . --- A Missionary’s Funeral. --- Crossing the Bar at Lagos. --- The Marina at Lagos. --- Introduced to a God-daughter of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. --- French and American Missionary Stations at Lagos. --- Entering the Gaboon. --- The Game of the Country. --- Adaptability of Kroomen for Coast Work - Their Powers of Endurance…………………………………………………………………………….68

Mr. Joost’s assassins hanged. --- Fantee ideas of a future state. --- A Dismal Prison at Accra. --- Transfer of Dutch Forts to the British. --- Hoisting English Flag at Bootry. --- Amusing and ignorant mode of firing by Native Gunners. --- Civil appointments on the Coast. --- Palaver with the King of Axum. --- Causes of War between the Tribes…………………………………………………………………………………83

Arrive at Assama. --- Grand Review and Sham Fight by the Native Troops. --- Palaver with King Blay. --- Inefficiency of Fantee Guards. --- Trading with Elmira Boatmen. --- Method pursued by Native Assayers………………………………………………94

Anchoring at Appolonia. --- Surf boat capsized -- the Doctor nearly drowned. --- Grand Dance outside our quarters by Torchlight. --- Imperfect sanitary arrangements. --- Visit from Ashanti Commander and Taniki the King’s Nephew. --- Palaver with King Amakee. --- Negotiations for peace between Blay and Amakee. --- Etiquette at the Ashanti Court. --- Return to Axim and make amicable arrangements with Amakee ………………………………………………………………………………………108

On board the Druid at Cape Coast Castle. --- Butterfly hunting. --- Description of the Towns on the Gold Coast. --- Curious incident. --- Crusing between Jellah Coffee and Kabenda. --- Visit the British Factories at Ambrizette. --- Barter with Spirits. --- Dearness of Provisions at St. Paul’s de Loando. Penal Colony. --- Shooting Koodoos and surprising Baboons. --- Enjoying the hospitality of the Portuguese. --- Convict Settlements at Benguela. --- Statement of a Convict. --- Mode of Punishing. --- Treaty with King Antonio………………………………....……...136

Fever on board. --- Picturesque scenery at Kabenda. --- Fetish men. --- The Chief of Kabenda and his minister. --- Buying wives. --- Robbery of 50 Ivory Tusks. --- Naval Court Martial. --- Chase after a Portuguese Trader. --- Absence of constituted authority on the South Coast. --- Arrival of Commodore Commerell. --- Visit M’Boma, the Great Slave Market. --- Punishment of Natives for stealing. --- Depart from the South-Coast with the Commodore. --- Causes of war between the Bonny and Opobo men. --- Palaver with King George on board the Torch. --- Human Sacrifices. --- Return of the Commodore to Bonny in the Torch. --- Fire at Bonny. --- Attempted Suicide. --- Negociations for peace by the several Tribes. --- We Convoy the Supply to Cadiz. --- Anchor at Auno Bom…………………….160

Description of Anno Bom. --- Cupidity of King David Carter. --- Start for Ascension. --- The “Rollers” at Ascension. --- Sailing to Dβkar and thence to Gibraltar. --- Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………170

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