"Governor the Right Hon. Sir H. B. E. FRERE, Bart., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., to the
Right Hon. Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH, Bart. (Received July 12, 1879.)
Government House, Cape Town,
June 16th 1879
Sir
Since last mail I have received no additional official particulars regarding the
lamented death of the Prince Imperial. It is possible some may arrive by telegram
before the mail closes ; they will of course be forwarded without delay.
Every respect appears to have been paid in Zululand and in Natal to the Prince's
remains ; by Lieutenant-General Lord Chelmsford, in his Excellency's camp, by his
Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Henry Bulwer, and the military and civil
authorities, by Commodore Richards and all naval officers under his command, and by
the Colonial unofficial population at Pietermaritzburg and Durban, and wherever else in
Natal any opportunity offered for showing respect.
Detailed reports will, doubtless, have reached Her Majesty's Government through
Lieutenant-General Lord Chelmsford, the Lieutenant-Governor, and the Commodore.
The coffin containing the Prince's remains was brought to Simon's Bay in H.M.S.
"Boadicea" carrying the broad pendant of Commodore Richards. The "Boadicea"
arrived at Simons Bay about 2 o'clock p.m., on Saturday the 15th instant, and at half-
past 3 o'clock the coffin was transferred to H.M.S. "Orontes," Captain Kinahan,
charged by the Commodore to convey them to England.
The boats of H.M. ships in harbour formed a double line from the " Boadicea "' to the
" Orontes," on board which vessel the coffin was received by Bishop Leonard and the
clergy of the Roman Catholic Church, by myself and my staff, Captain Adeane,
commanding H.M.S. " Tenedos" and senior naval officer at the station, and the naval
officers of all H.M. ships in harbour, Colonel Hassard, C.B., Royal Engineers, and the
staff of the Cape garrison, the Honourable Mr. Gordon Sprigg, the Premier of the
Colony, the Honourable Mr. Upington, the Attorney-General, and the Honourable Mr.
Laing, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and a number of the civil inhabitants ; the
officers of the Dutch men-of-war " Silveren Kruis " and " Van Gaien, " and which were
in the harbour, also attended.
Minute guns corresponding with the age of the Prince were fired during the transfer
of the remains to the Orontes," and again at sunset, shortly after which that vessel
sailed for Madeira.
The Rev. Father Rooney, the Roman Catholic priest of Simon's Town, was charged
by Bishop Leonard to accompany the remains to England, and obtained leave to do so
from the Hon. the Colonial Secretary.
The arrangements were all under the control of Captain Adeane, R.N., who omitted
nothing that could testify respect for the Prince's remains, and the deep regret which his
loss has occasioned among Her Majesty's services and Colonial subjects of every class
and profession.
Captain Adeane would, I am sure, join with me in expressing to Bishop Leonard and
his clergy our acknowledgments for the aid they afforded. Every suggestion of the
Bishop was, I am assured, as far as possible complied with.
I have, &c.
The Right Hon. the Secretary of State, (Signed) H. B. E. FRERE,
Colonial Office. Governor and High Commissioner.
P.S. Since writing the above I have received the report of the finding of the Prince's
body. A copy is enclosed.
I also forward a file of correspondence received from General Clifford regarding the
transmission of the remains and their embarkation at Durban."
H. B. E. F,
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