The Garrison Departs...

Marines on the Quay, May 15th 1851

Officers of HMS Miranda

By 1850 the garrison at Tamba- Tamba had become something of a joke in the British armed forces.
From the time of its establishment in 1795, no shot had ever been fired in anger, and the Slave Revolt of 1800 was the only time that the troops had had to impose any sort of authority over the islanders.
The pleasant climate, relative freedom from disease and regular contact with a number of Wessel's island women who had relocated to Cocktown made it something of a plum posting.

An Act of Parliament (13 & 14 Vict c.65) concerned with the restructuring of military services in the colonies led to the withdrawal of troops from several minor outposts of the Empire.
When Major Lutwidge Reynolds arrived at Tamba- Tamba in January 1851 in order to oversee the dissolution of the military presence, Sir Brougham Sleight was seized with panic. He had been governor for 16 years, and yet he was unsure of his relationship with the islanders. To what extent did the garrison prevent lawlessness? On what basis was he to assert his authority? Sir Brougham briefly considered leaving his post. He also considered travelling to London in person, but was dissuaded from doing so by Major Lutwidge Reynolds. He petitioned Prime Minister Lord John Russell and received a reassuring reply from Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Viscount Palmerston.
It would be unwise, wrote Palmerston, for Her Majesty's representative to suggest to his charges through his actions that his authority rests entirely on the presence of a military force in their midst. Her Majesty's Government is bound to afford protection to our fellow subjects abroad and require you to reassure the people of Tamba (sic) that as the Roman, in days of old, held himself free from indignity, when he could say Civis Romanus sum; so also a British subject, in whatever land he may be, shall feel confident that the watchful eye and the strong arm of England, will protect him against injustice and wrong.

On May 15th 1851 Major Lutwidge Reynolds reviewed the party of 24 Royal Marines who constituted the last British military presence on Tamba- Tamba.
They marched to Cocktown Quay where they embarked on HMS Miranda.


John Cox suggested to the Council that Sir Brougham was a necessary burden in that his presence, albeit without any military back-up, still afforded Tamba- Tamba a degree of protection from harassment.
The Council agreed to pursue a policy of co operation with the Governor and his staff to ensure 'that the best interests of our people are served'.
Sir Brougham was always flattered by anything that hinted that the islanders viewed him as some sort of benevolent patriarch. John Cox went to great pains to reassure Sir Brougham that the islanders would not rebel as soon as the soldiers left. His plans were far more subtle than that...

The illustrations are by the celebrated Tamba- Tamba artist John Jackson Stock .
Source: Jasper Ridley, Lord Palmerston (London: Constable, 1970).