[Untitled], the 21st December, 1863

[Untitled]

I, James Maloney, of Sheerness fireman do hereby solemnly and truly swear that I went to work on board the screw steamer Scylla, late her Majesty’s screw steamer Victor, about the 10th November, having been engaged by Mr. Rumble, at one guinea per week and my food. The wages were paid to me regularly by Mr. Rumble, at his house, before the vessel started from Sheerness. I was working on board as fireman, and assisted in removing stores, &c., about decks until the day before we left, when I commenced working in the engine-room. On the 24th November a gentleman, who had arrived from London, came on board. We were suddenly ordered away, and left Sheerness that night, the vessel not being in a fit condition to go to sea, the boilers requiring new tubing, some of which had been put on board at Sheerness. The rigging was not rattled down; she had no sails bent, and everything was in disorder. A large number of new hammocks had been put on board. The magazine and shell-rooms were in good condition, but nothing had been completed fit for a sea-going ship. Eight riggers were working on board from the government dockyard when we left Sheerness. The Scylla was towed to the Nore, and anchored a little below until the morning; then steamed to Calais harbor. The riggers remained on board two days after her arrival at Calais, and some boiler-makers were sent from Sheerness dockyard to work on board. They took their orders from Mr. Bumble, who was inspecting the machinery there. He came over with his wife for that purpose, I should think. I was called aft, with all hands on board, by the captain upon the second day after we arrived at Calais, who wanted us to sign articles. He read the articles, and stated that the ship was a confederate man-of-war, and that we were to fight for prize money, and that he could fight for love of country. I refused going, as the wages were not satisfactory. Mr. Ramsay had promised us in Sheerness £8 per month, but the captain only offered £6 2s. 6d. I did not want to go in her at all after finding what employment we were wanted for. I then received £2 2s. 6d. and left the ship. As I was going on board the steamboat to return to England Mr. Rumble met me on the pier, and told me to return to the Scylla and go to work with the boiler-makers, which I did at his request, and worked for fourteen days. I was only paid for eight days’ work. When I left the ship the boiler-makers from the dockyard were discharged, and Mr. Rennie’s men went to work, Mr. Rennie having taken a contract to complete the boilers and machinery and fit her for sea service.