The steamers Philomel, Widgeon, Barrosa , the Alecto and Phoebe arrive at Warri the selected base.
A DIARY OF A SURGEON WITH THE BENIN PUNITIVE EXPEDITION'
By FELIX N. ROTH, M.R.C.S., and L.R.C.P.
Ceri, February 10th.— The Admiral Sir Harry Rawson and Staff, with our Consul-General, came up to-day to look about the place; it was astonishing how he managed to walk the distance from Warriga to Ceri, it was so very hot. He will be carried back, and quite right, too, as he is rather a heavy man. Captain Egerton, who is at the head of the staff, decided, in consultation with the others, to build a bridge across the Ologbo creek, about half a mile higher up the creek than this village of Ceri. It will be a swinging one, made of steel wires, and attached at either end to trees on each side of the creek, which we find is about 120 feet across, something like the old chain pier at Brighton, the footpath being swung in the same manner. The gear for the same will be brought down the river to-night, and tomorrow the engineers start work in earnest. While this is going on a party of black troops, over one hundred strong, with a seven-pounder and a Maxim, will reconnoitre inland for about a thousand yards. We shall have scouts in advance, and I am to accompany them as medical officer; I hope the natives will not spot any of us. We know of, and also notice, natives in hiding opposite Ceri. We are also to be supported by an armed launch and surf boats full of men well-armed with Maxims and rifles. I heard to-day we are most probably to make a start for Benin on the 11th, but I think it must be later. Before I proceed I must mention that a column called the Sapoba Column is to go to Sapoba, and is to consist of men from H.M.S.'s Phoebe, Alecto, and Wigeon. Another column, the Gwatto, is to consist of men from H.M.S.'s Philomel, Bavossa, and perhaps Magpie. This last column is to destroy all the Bini towns on the eastern bank of the Gwatto creek as far as Ikuro. Both columns are to be assisted by canoes, and are to patrol the river with their boats, and prevent fugitives from passing. Seven more men joined our mess to-night at a moment's notice. Their chairs were ammunition boxes—one dish, the piece-de-resistance, was a washing basin containing an Irish hash. Being short of knives and forks, one man was obliged to have a mouthful, and then pass the table cutlery to the next man.
References
1) Bacon, R. H. Benin City of Blood, 1897
2) THE BENIN EXPEDITION. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ADVANCE DEFIANT MESSAGE FROM THE KING. (REUTER’S SPECIAL SERVICE) SAPELE, BENIN RIVER, Publication: Guardian 1821 – 2000; Date: Feb 9, 1897; Section: None; Page 8
3) Roth, H. L. 1903 appendix 11 cited Roth N. F. A DIARY OF A SURGEON WITH THE BENIN PUNITIVE EXPEDITION'
A DIARY OF A SURGEON WITH THE BENIN PUNITIVE EXPEDITION'
By FELIX N. ROTH, M.R.C.S., and L.R.C.P.
Ceri, February 10th.— The Admiral Sir Harry Rawson and Staff, with our Consul-General, came up to-day to look about the place; it was astonishing how he managed to walk the distance from Warriga to Ceri, it was so very hot. He will be carried back, and quite right, too, as he is rather a heavy man. Captain Egerton, who is at the head of the staff, decided, in consultation with the others, to build a bridge across the Ologbo creek, about half a mile higher up the creek than this village of Ceri. It will be a swinging one, made of steel wires, and attached at either end to trees on each side of the creek, which we find is about 120 feet across, something like the old chain pier at Brighton, the footpath being swung in the same manner. The gear for the same will be brought down the river to-night, and tomorrow the engineers start work in earnest. While this is going on a party of black troops, over one hundred strong, with a seven-pounder and a Maxim, will reconnoitre inland for about a thousand yards. We shall have scouts in advance, and I am to accompany them as medical officer; I hope the natives will not spot any of us. We know of, and also notice, natives in hiding opposite Ceri. We are also to be supported by an armed launch and surf boats full of men well-armed with Maxims and rifles. I heard to-day we are most probably to make a start for Benin on the 11th, but I think it must be later. Before I proceed I must mention that a column called the Sapoba Column is to go to Sapoba, and is to consist of men from H.M.S.'s Phoebe, Alecto, and Wigeon. Another column, the Gwatto, is to consist of men from H.M.S.'s Philomel, Bavossa, and perhaps Magpie. This last column is to destroy all the Bini towns on the eastern bank of the Gwatto creek as far as Ikuro. Both columns are to be assisted by canoes, and are to patrol the river with their boats, and prevent fugitives from passing. Seven more men joined our mess to-night at a moment's notice. Their chairs were ammunition boxes—one dish, the piece-de-resistance, was a washing basin containing an Irish hash. Being short of knives and forks, one man was obliged to have a mouthful, and then pass the table cutlery to the next man.
References
1) Bacon, R. H. Benin City of Blood, 1897
2) THE BENIN EXPEDITION. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ADVANCE DEFIANT MESSAGE FROM THE KING. (REUTER’S SPECIAL SERVICE) SAPELE, BENIN RIVER, Publication: Guardian 1821 – 2000; Date: Feb 9, 1897; Section: None; Page 8
3) Roth, H. L. 1903 appendix 11 cited Roth N. F. A DIARY OF A SURGEON WITH THE BENIN PUNITIVE EXPEDITION'