The Baltic Fleet - The Jasper Blown up - "Fall of Sebastopol" & c.
The “Baltic Fleet” as it was called, passed St. Leonards, on Sunday morning, March 12th, and as there was a thick mist at the time, the many persons on the parade who were watching for it could only see a portion of it, and that portion but dimly; but, as shewing the advantage of high ground, the present writer by looking out of the uppermost window of his house at nearly the top of Norman road, was able to see every ship distinctly and to accurately count the number.
The Jasper Gunboat, which was also on its way to the Baltic on the 15th of May, caught fire off Hastings and St. Leonards, and ultimately exploded. She had been an old paddle-wheel packet, and was hastily fitted out as a gun boat with three guns. She carried 7 officers and 25 men. After two hours’ struggle to subdue the flames, the crew quitted the vessel in three boats, after which the Jasper blew up.
The French Fleet had already sailed from the Downs to join Sir Chas Napier, thus to increase the Baltic force to 70 ships, 30,000 men and 3000 guns. The doing of this powerful fleet in the Baltic, as well as the fleet at Sebastopol and the progress of the war in general were chronicled in Brett’s Penny Press (with illustrations) which was established that year, and the first newspaper issued from St. Leonards.
Fall of Sebastopol. The Rev. J. A. Hatchard, who, with the assistance of the Mayor, collected a large quantity of old linen, beside money, and sent the same to the army in the Crimea, was able to announce from the pulpit on Sunday morning, Oct. 31st that Sebastopol had fallen; and after a sermon by the reverend gentlemen, a collection was made for the relief of the families of British soldiers and sailors serving in the East, the amount collected being £65. The news afterwards proved to be untrue.
Other Collections. In addition to the £65 mentioned above, Mr. Hatchard largely aided the collection for the Patriotic fund, which in Hastings and St. Leonards, by the 1st of December amounted to £1,150. Also, after a sermon in the St. Leonards church on Nov. 26th, £36 for the schools. At St. Mary Magdalen church on the 1st of October, £86 was collected towards the expense of building the church steeple. For the augmentation of the building fund of this church, £160 was realised by a fancy sale at Fairlight, chiefly promoted by the Countess Waldegrave. This was altogether a novel undertaking. It was held on Sept. 6th, a day that was beautifully fine. On the east side of Fairlight Place, a spacious marquee was erected , within which there were stalls attended by Countess Waldegrave, Lady Elizabeth Waldegrave, Mrs. Robertson, the Mrses[a]. Hume, Mrs. Batley, and the Mrses. Paget. The naturally charming spot was rendered additionally attractive by a display of flags, a band of music, Mr. Banks’s large telescope, Electrical apparatus &c. Mr. Batley, the then resident at Fairlight Place, entertained about 60 guests at dinner, and the proceeds of the “fair” amounted, as before stated, to £160, including £42 taken at the gate.
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