Atkins; but which ship he was soon under the necessity of quitting, for the re-establishment of his health, then much impaired by his extraordinary rapid growth, he being at that time, although only fourteen years of age, no less than six feet, three inches and a half in height.
The treaty of Amiens having been concluded previous to young Woolnough’s perfect recovery, his attention was next turned to the merchant service; and we accordingly find him, early in 1802, embarking on board the Harriet, a beautiful and well armed ship, belonging to Messrs. Hurry and Co., commanded by Mr. Frank Hurry, and usually employed in the Honduras trade. An accident, however, which, though sufficiently serious in itself, was in all probability the means of preserving his health, if not his life, by checking his rapid growth, effectually prevented his proceeding to sea in her; for playing one day, with another youngster, on the beams of the hold, the ship having only a half-deck for the people, he leaped upon an arm-chest which stood partially projecting over the break of that deck, and both fell together, a depth of about twenty feet, into the hold. The consequence was a compound fracture of the right thigh, a portion of the bone projecting through the trowsers. His recovery was tedious, but complete. To the care and attention of Mr. John Dinning, a skilful surgeon who resided at Shadwell, and by whom several pieces of the broken bone were extracted, he was probably indebted for the preservation of the limb. As soon as he had gained sufficient strength, he embarked on board another vessel belonging to the same owners, bound to Gibraltar; where his father was then acting surgeon of l’Aurore prison-ship, and also attached to the naval hospital[1].
- ↑ Some years previously, Mr. Woollnough senior had, through the recommendation of Dr. John Weir, been appointed by Earl St. Vincent “examining surgeon” to the Mediterranean fleet. It was his duty to examine every reported hospital case, before the patient was allowed to ht removed from his. ship, and none could be received on shore without his sanction. This unique appointment ceased with his Lordship’s command, if not before; for it naturally gave offence to the old confirmed surgeons, nor are we aware that it was ever sanctioned by the Admiralty.
