Murphy, I'll take that ship to New York." He did so, but on the return voyage in March, 1841, the "President" was lost with all hands in a terrific gale, in which no less than 75 vessels went down. It is sad to think that after being the first steamship commander to cross the Atlantic, the latter soon after claimed him as a victim in the very prime of life. There is a very fine monument erected to his memory at Passage West, on either side of which are shewn the sterns of the ships he commanded, viz., “Black Joke," "Sirius," British Queen," and "President." The following is also recorded: "This stone commemorates, in the churchyard of his native parish, the merits and premature death of the first officer under whose command a steam vessel ever crossed the Atlantic Ocean. “Undaunted bravery exhibited in the suppression of the slave traffic in the African seas, a character unequalled for enterprise and consumate skill in all the details of his profession, recommended for this arduous service LIEUTENANT RICHARD ROBERTS, R.N. "In accomplishing it he not only surpassed the wildest visions of former days, but even the warmest anticipations of the present, gave to science triumphs she had not dared to hope, and created an epoch for ever memorable in the history of his country and of navigation. The thousands that shall follow in his track must not forget who it was that first taught the world to traverse with such marvellous rapidity that highway of the ocean, and who in thus connecting by a voyage of a few days duration the eastern and western hemispheres, has for ever linked his name with the greatest achievement of navigation since Columbus first revealed Europe and America to each other. "God, having permitted him this high distinction, was pleased to decree that the leader of this great enterprise should also be its martyr, Lieutenant Roberts perished with all hands on board his ship the 'President' when on the voyage from America to Europe. She was lost in the month of March, 1841. "As the gallant seamen under whose guidance was accomplished an undertaking the result of which centuries will not exhaust, it is for his country-the world to remember him. "His widow, who erects this melancholy memorial, may be forgiven if to her even these claims are lost in the recollection of that devotedness of attachment, that uprightness and kindness of spirit, which for, alas! but three brief years formed the light and joy of her existence." Referring to Capt. Roberts, I find the following in Notes and Queries of 22nd June, 1895: In a "Lieut. Richard Roberts, R. N., was the third son of Richard Roberts, of Ardmore, Passage West, and entered the navy at an early age. memorable action in the annals of the British Navy (see London Gazette of April 18th, 1829), Roberts may be said, as senior mate, to have fought the 'Black Joke,' a tender on the African Station, with two guns and fifty-five men, when she captured the 'Almirante,' a Spanish slaver, mounting 14 guns, with a crew of 80 men and 466 slaves on board, for which Roberts, with the no less gallant Lieutenant who commanded the 'Black Joke,' received respectively their promotions: Lieutenant Henry Downes to the rank of Commander, and Roberts, who, I think, was slightly wounded, to that of Lieutenant. I have said no less gallant, because though Roberts actually fought the 'Black Joke,' Downes being confined to his cabin with gout, ordered himself to be swung upon deck in his cot to witness the action. The 'Black Joke,' a captured slaver herself, was taken into the service and renamed the 'Fair Rosamond,' as a jocular compliment to Mrs. Croker, wife of the Secretary of the Admiralty."-C. A. WHITE. There is another interesting account of this action, viz., the Spanish brig "Almirante" was captured by H.M. brig "Black Joke" in the Bight of Benin, 1st February, 1829, after a close action of one hour and twenty minutes. Owing to the dead calm the "Black Joke" could not get alongside the slaver, but sent her pinnace, under the command of the midshipman, R. Roberts, who boarded, and, after a sharp fight, took the slaver. The crew of the pinnace had one man killed and four wounded, including Midshipman Roberts, who was afterwards promoted to the rank of lieutenant at a very early age at that time. Force of "Black Joke"--One long 18-pounder, I carronade 12 lbs., 57 officers and crew (5 killed, 16 wounded). Force of "Almirante"-Ten 18-pounders, 4 9-pounders, 105 officers and crew (26 killed, 17 wounded). Result of action-467 slaves released. Since the foregoing was written, the King has been graciously pleased to accept from Messrs. Mason, Ltd., of Birmingham, the Souvenir referred to, and, through Lord Knollys, His Majesty has sent a letter of thanks. Messrs. Mason also sent Souvenirs to a number of prominent gentlemen. Mr. Chamberlain, in acknowledging one, says, "It will always have interest both for Mrs. Chamberlain and myself." The Hon. Whitelaw Ried, the American Am bassador, promises to send the Souvenir to the President of the United States for his acceptance. Lord Charles Beresford says, in the course of a letter, that The history of the British Navy is bound up with the age of steam, and I am delighted to receive so handsome a present from yourself and your firm.” Letters of thanks were also received from the First Lord of the Admiralty, from Sir John Fisher, Sir Andrew Noble, Elswick Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne; Sir C. Purcell-Taylor, Bart., and from Sir John Shepherd, manager of the Citizens' Insurance Co. of Missouri, who says he will present the valuable relic to the "Field Museum," Chicago-one of the largest and most modern museums in the world. DENIS HURLY, WHO SETTLED IN CO. KERRY IN 1700, AND HIS WIFE ANNE BLENNERHASSETT (see p. 115). (From Miniatures lent by John C. D. Hurly, Esq., of Fenit House Co. Kerry.) [The Uniform believed to be that of the old Kerry Regiment.] Some Account of the Family of O'Hurly. (Continued from page 123.) N the old church at Emly was, until it was taken down after the disestablishment of the State Church, a beautiful tomb of the O'Hurlys. It contained on a stone, four feet by two feet three inches, upon a border little raised, about one and a half inches, the following inscription : Perillustris Domnus; D. Mauritius Hurlaeus Armiger Movmetu. Laus patriæ litum suppssor, pacis amator Huic decus, huic probitas, sors corporis integra Mille Vixisti mundo, vives in soecula, vivis. Ergo vive Deo vivo, cui vivere vita est ; Sic tibi, dante Deo, vita perennis, erit. Maurice Hurly was Bishop of Emly 1630-49. "To travellers on the Great Southern and Western Railway, the grassy hill of Knocklong, crowned by its castle ruins, forms a conspicuous object, lying immediately south of the Knocklong station. This hill was, many ages ago, the scene of a warlike gathering, the memory of which is still preserved in the name. "In the middle of the third century, Cormac mac Art, monarch of Ireland, undertook an expedition against Fiacha Muilleathan (Mullahan), king of Munster, to reduce him to submission, and lay the province under additional tribute; and his army marched from Tara unopposed, till they pitched their tents on this hill, which was up to that time called Druim-damhghaire (davary), the hill of the oxen. The Munster king marched to oppose him, and encamped on the slope of the opposite hill, then called Slieve Claire, but now Slievereagh (grey mountain), lying south of Knocklong, and north-east of Kilfinane. "After a protracted struggle, and many combats in the intervening plain, Cormac, defeated and baffled, was forced to retreat without effecting his object. He was pursued, with great loss, as far as Ossory, |