ent to India, he required
a monthly return of punishment from every ship in his fleet; and the
Admiralty, struck with the simplicity of the plan, and not less with the
excellent effects, adopted it for all the navy. This was the first step
in the milder and more effectual system of discipline which has since
prevailed; and if he had no other claim than to have originated this, it
would be sufficient to entitle him to the gratitude of every officer and
man in the service.

He sailed from India in February, 1809, with a fleet of Indiamen under
his convoy. Off the Isle of France they encountered a violent hurricane,
in which the _Culloden_ was in the greatest danger. For three days no
provisions could be cooked, and the crew subsisted chiefly on dry rice,
with a dram every four hours. So violent was the motion of the ship, as
she rolled from broadside to broadside, that the chain-pumps were almost
useless. All the quarter-boats were lost, the quarter-galleries washed
away, and three of the dead lights stove. Fortunately her bottom was
sound, but she broke much in the upper works; the bolts working
themselves loose, and many of the knees giving way. Even the cabin
bulkheads were thrown down. It was suggested to the Admiral, who was
almost constantly on deck, encouraging the men at the pumps, that the
ship would be materially eased if the upper deck guns were thrown
overboard. He replied, "I do not think it necessary; she will do very
well, and what would become of the convoy if we meet an enemy?" It was
his intention, if the gale had continued, to cut away the mainmast,
which, being very heavy--for it weighed twenty-one tons--strained the
ship exceedingly. The mizen-mast had given way in the top. Four of the
convoy foundered, and the rest were scattered; but all which escaped the
gale re-assembled at St. Helena, and, with the _Culloden_, arrived
safely in England.

FOOTNOTE:

[11] Bergeret rose to be an Admiral, and was not long since
Commander-in-Chief at Brest.

CHAPTER IX.

NORTH SEA AND FIRST MEDITERRANEAN COMMAND.

The expedition to the Scheldt was being fitted out when Sir Edward
arrived from India; and had he reached England but a few days sooner, it
was understood that he would have received the naval command. The
military commander-in-chief, whose friendship he had long enjoyed,
wished him to be appointed; but the final arrangements of the Admiralty
had been already completed.

Lord Mulgrave after