A Mighty Rush of Wind
Following the Russian attack on Balaklava, Raglan had lost confidence in the security of his supply port and at the end of October ordered most of his ships to what was euphemistically referred to as the 'outer harbour' - in fact it meant outside the harbour, but at least they would be able to cut and run for Kamiesch if their base fell. Unfortunately November saw the start of the Black Sea gale season.
Shortly after the Battle of Inkerman, on 9th November a wind started to gust from the south-west, according to the new Harbourmaster, Captain Dacres. Dacres understandably saw his duty as obeying Raglan's directive to keep the harbour as free of ships as possible. However, as usual in the Crimea, there was someone at his elbow of equal authority trying to do the exact opposite. This was the Superintendent of Transports, Captain Christie. His main responsibility was to get the ships into the harbour and unload them. As usual a clash of personalities would influence and cloud judgement. Already both men had been under heavy pressure for some days due to the evacuation of the Inkerman wounded.
The day before, the Prince, a brand new merchantman steamer fresh out from England, had arrived off the harbour and had - literally - dropped anchor, in fact two anchors together with their cables. It was apparently common practice for newly built vessels to take on anchors with cables unsecured, being a low priority in the flurry of commissioning, to be secured or 'climped' in the cable tier later. As it was unheard of for a properly secured anchor cable to sheer its bolts, the implication was that the climping had been overlooked. The fact that the water at the anchorage was some 30 to 40 fathoms deep obviously hadn't helped. Finally the Prince, with a cargo which included greatcoats, assorted winter clothing and blankets more than enough for the whole British Army, made fast to an adjoining vessel and a third smaller anchor was secured and successfully lowered.
On the morning of the 9th Christie requested Dacres in the circumstances to allow the Prince into the inner harbour. Dacres refused - there was insufficient room. In fact there were only around 30 vessels moored in a harbour which at a pinch squeezed in 200. When Christie protested that there was plenty of space, Dacres changed tack and claimed the tugs were all fully booked. The Prince stayed out.
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