1852.] STROMNESS. 27 



This being Sunday, and the inhabitants at church at 

 the time of our arrival, we were not visited until the 

 afternoon, when the Custom-house authorities and Dr. 

 Hamilton came on board, tendering their services. 



Understanding from these gentlemen that a vessel 

 laden with coal on sale was within the harbour, I was 

 enabled, before the arrival of the steamers, to make 

 arrangements for their entering at once, to transfer it 

 more conveniently without further delay or expenditure 

 of fuel. This, probably, was the first time that the inner 

 harbour of Stromness bore on its waters four steamers of 

 war of such length and tonnage. 



Unfortunately the Post-office at Kirkwall did not for- 

 ward our letters, not withstanding that the official envelopes 

 were addressed to Stromness, possibly, in the expec- 

 tation that the seekers for them would find their way 

 thither. In this they were not mistaken, as our younger 

 men were rather anxious to commence their explorations 

 and breathe a little pure air, an example which Captain 

 Kellett and myself soon followed a pied, on the rising 

 ground in the immediate vicinity. The observations on 

 the town and scenery are hardly expected in these days, 

 and amount to nil. Our attention was chiefly directed 

 to the points and facilities for watering, obtaining the 

 necessary supplies, and other trivial duties. 



Nor was time idly expended on board. We had as 

 yet had but our first shaking, and it was not long before 

 niy indefatigable aid, Commander Richards, found stow- 

 holes for many objects which doubtless puzzled him, and 

 which probably never before lumbered the quarter-deck 

 of any vessel bearing a pendant. These comprised heavy 



