Crimean War - Lt T.M Kelsall, Royal Navy. Two autograph letters, 4 and 6 1/2 sides including cross-writing, large post 8vo, H.M.S Trafalgar off Kavarna, May 21st 1854, to his sister [Ellen] and June 13th, 1854, to his mother. An interesting letter documenting the fate of HMS Tiger after beaching in enemy territory and the fate of its Captain Giffard (the first missing the final page)

Excerpts include 'We arrived here yesterday coming for a supply of water. We have been ever since I last wrote blockading Sebastopol in a thick fog most disagreeable and dangerous weather for a large squadron. We occasionally when the weather cleared up sent steamers close in to reconnoitre and count the enemies ships the Russians fire at them but they do not approach near enough to be struck. The Czar's policy everywhere is defensive so I am sorry to say there is no chance of their fleet quitting their den.

A most melancholy affair has lately happened. The Ad'l dispatched some days ago 3 steamers to watch Odessa. A fog came on and in some unaccountable way the Tiger one of the three steamers ran on shore about 4 miles from Odessa, before daylight they threw over all their guns to lighten her but could not move her the Russians in the meantime discovered her and opened fire on her, they were helpless and obliged to surrender themselves. Poor Capt'n Giffard. Aunt Bligh's friend has lost a leg and the other leg very badly wounded his cousin young Giffard a midshipman had also both legs shot and died in an amputating them one man also killed 7 wounded and some of these have died since the rest of the crew 250 in number are all prisoners and in quarantine the Russians treat them very kindly the Governor's wife with her servants attending on the wounded, we found this out by sending a steamer there with a flag of truce the Russians were very civil and allowed us to supply the prisoners with clothes and money etc. The Tiger blew up shortly after being deserted, poor Cpt Giffard has a wife and family at Malta, his cup of bitterness has been filled to the brim. Loss of ship, limb and cousin who was a very nice gentlemanly fellow. I took up a paper today containing the marriage of Cpt'n Giffard's brother, strange contrast! The steam squadron have been making a little prize money I am afraid I shall never be much enriched that way we have been lucky enough in that Squadron to capture ? and some soldiers about 200 so we may perhaps be able to expect an exchange ...' (part letter)

June 13th 'Poor Mrs Giffard and her children came a few days ago from Malta to keep Cpt Giffard company in his exile but the Russians very property offered him his ? (being in his state, useless for military life) when well enough to be received but poor fellow he had not the opportunity of availing himself of their generosity - his wife on arrival off Odessa found that he died on June 1st the Russians behaved nobly in the whole affair of the Tiger. They gave her a carriage and allowed Cp't Powell of ? to accompany her to her husband's grave, they returned to her all his private property and gave her some of young Giffard's hair set in a locket ... Mrs Giffard is returning to Malta what a severe trial for her, death must have been a release to him especially as he would be tried by Cou'rt Martial and I fancy he would not have been found blameless.

Theophilus Moultrie Kelsall was the son of Napoeolenic War naval veteran, John Theophilus Kelsall.

Theophilius' service includes the following:
HMS President - 2nd December 1846 - 6th February 1849 (As Naval Cadet and Midshipman)
HMS Rattler - 18th February 1849 - 15th April 1851
HMS Trafalgar - 9th December 1852 - 14th April 1955 (Mediterranean and Black Sea Fleet, including Crimea Service)
HMS Spiteful - 15th May 1855 - 2nd September 1855 (Made Lieutenant in August 1855, Mediterranean)
HMS Arachne - 23rd October 1855 - 27th November 1855 (North America and West Indies)
HMS Horatio - 10th January 1856 - 12th May 1856 (Sheerness)
HMS Cressy - 13th May 1856 - 14th May 1856 (Mediterranean and St. Petersburg)
HMS Cumberland - 17th September 1858 - 17th August 1859 (South-Eastern Coast of America)
HMS Weser - 18th October 1859 - 26th January 1860 (Mediterranean)
HMS Alecto - 27th January 1860 - 25th June 1862 (West Africa)
HMS Phoebe - 26th September 1862 - 29th June 1866 (Made Commander 11th April 1866, Mediterranean)
Coast Guard Commander - 29th June 1870 - 13th October 1873 (Ramsgate)