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Discou The Evidi theMinist great Pui Ministry- Evidencei Rational '. ableness ( Love to C Christian /j The LIFE GRIFFI^ One CHEM "^ various s which th' One Hun( of Chemis Art of An Tra In Svo.y u DESCRII Chemical and Foss tories; ap Analysis: mental Sc Sold by R NEW WORKS PUBLISHED BY RICHARD GRIFFIN AND COMPANY, GLASGOW, IN ONE LARGE VOLUME, OCTAVO, PRICE 9s,, CLOTH LETTERED, THE WORKS OF WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING, D.D. A New Edition, complete in one large volume, octavo. Reviews : Remarks on the Character and Writings of Milton — Napoleon Buonaparte — Fenelon — The Moral Argument against Calvinism — Remarks on National Literature — On Associations — The Union— On Education. Essays : Slavery — The Abolutionists— On the Annexation ot Texa!= to the United States— On Catholicism— On Creeds — Address on Temperance— Self-Culture— On the Elevation of the Labouring Classes. Discourses : Preaching Christ— War— Unitarian Christianity — The Evidences of Revealed Religion — The Demands of the Age on the Ministry — Unitarian Christianity most favourable to Piety— The great Purpose of Christianity — Likeness to God — The Christian Ministry — The Duties of Children— Honour due to all Men — The Evidences of Christianity — Character of Christ— Christianity a Rational Religion— Spiritual Freedom — Self-Den ial— The Inimit- ableness of Christ's Character — The Evil of Sin— Immortality — Love to Christ — The Future Life— War— Ministry for the Poor- Christian Worship— The Sunday School— The Philanthropist. In one Pocket Volume, price 2s., hound in cloth. The LIFE OF JOHN KNOX, by the Rev. Thomas Macrie, D.D- GRIFFIN'S NEW SYSTEM OF PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY One Volume l2mo., Three Hundred Cuts, 7s., bound. CHEM "'VL MANIPULATION ; comprising a description of the various sorts of Chemical Apparatus, and of the operations in which they are put to use — embracing an account of more than One Hundred Original Instruments, adapted to render the Practice of Chemistry more easy and economical. To which is added " The Art of Analysis by the Blowpipe." By JOHN JOSEPH GRIFFIN, Translator of Rose's Manual of Analytical Chemistry. In Svo., illustrated by nearly Five Hundred Engravings, Is. 6d. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF CHEMICAL APPARATUS ; Chemical Reagents; cabinets and collections of Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils; models of Crystals; models of Chemical Manufac- tories; apparatus for Electrography, Glass-blowing, and Blowpipe Analysis: and every other convenience for the pursuit of Experi- mental Science. With the Prices affixed at which the Articles arc Sold by Richard Griffin & Co., Glasgow. UllIFFIN'S SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY, AN OCCASIONAL PUBLICATION OF TllEATISES RELATIN'G TO CHEMISTRY AXD THE OTHER EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES. Part I.— Instrucions for the CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF OR- GANIC BODIES. ByJusTUsLEEiUG, Professor of Chemistry in the University of Giessen. Translated from the German, by William (iREGORY, M.D., F.R.S.E., M.R.I. A., Professor of Chemistry iu King's College, Aberdeen. Illustrated by 43 Engravings of Ap- paratus, Price 2s. 6d. Parts II. and III.— A SYSTEM OF CRYSTALOGRAPHY, with its Application to MINERALOGY. By John Joseph Griffin, author of " Chemical Recreations," and translator of Rose's ' ' Manual of Analytical Chemistry." In one vol., price 14s., bunnd in cloth. Part IV.— ELECTROGRAPHY ; or, Instructions for the Mulli- plication of Works of Art in Metal, by Voltaic Electricity. With an Introductory Chapter on Electro-Cheraical Decompositions by Feeble Currents. By Thomas Spencer. Illustrated by 27 en- gravings of Apparatus, price 3s. Part v.— Instructions for the DISCRIMINATION of MINER ALS by simple Chemical Experiments, performed with Liquid Tebts or the Blowpipe. By Franz Von Kohell, Professor of Min- eralogy in the University of Munich. Translated from the Ger- man by Robert Corbet Campbell, price 2s, Part VI.— The GEOLOGY of the ISLAND OF ARRAN, from Original Survey. By Andrew Crombie Ramsay. Illustrated by an Original Geological Map of the Island, accurately coloured, two coloured sections, and 24 views and diagrams, price 4s. Part VII.— A Popular Treatise on the ART OF PHOTO- GRAPHY, including Daguerreotype, and all the new methods of producing Pictures by the Chemical Agency of Light. By Robert Hunt, Secretary ofthe Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society. Illus- trated by 31 Engravings, Price 3s. Gd. Part VIII.— A Popular TREATISE on AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, in preparation. ^ 4 i i 1 1. )R- 1 the ^""^^ ■■<■ i. \p. ith IN, se's nd Hi- ith ins ri- ll ud n- 31-. m ed d, 3- of HT 1 LIVES OP THE BRITISH ADMIRALS. LL '■CAMPBELL'S LivHs of the Admihals is an admirable book, an.! I would advise you. Lordship to redeem your pledge to the- Duke, on .ome rainy day. You do not run the risk from the pern.al, ,vhieh my poor mother apprehended. She ahv^y. alleged U .ent her eldest son to the na.y, and did not see w.i'h md,Here„ee any of her younger olive branches engage< with Cat«,3ell except myself, who stood in no danger of the cock. pit or quarter-deck." Lemr of Sir Walter Scott to Lont Montague, on the FMuco "m of the Duke of Bucoleugh.-LoMare, Life of Scott. ible book, am pledge to the risk from the- She always i not see wuIl sngagec with of the cork- t the Educa- »/ Scott. \. >• * « V > l&« \i\ •s. \ i I ■» /--, J .-v GiUil.aii del! \V U.i.»/a^ t> >(- CTHl ©lATH (0)IFBfIEL^'0;Wc riililislu-d by R Gntlih .<■ ('" r.l;iri;,\ w -I •« / -1 -«T(fc|»-. I LIVES OF THE BRITISH ADMIRALS, AND NAVAL HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN, FROM THE TIME OF CiESAR TO THE CHINESE WAR OF Ibil CHIEFLY ABRIDGED FROM THE WORK OF DR. JOHN CAMPBELL. i-niisttatrt l!« 0umerauS iDortraitS aiin eEiiaralitnaS From Designs HY PROFESSOR GILFILLAN. GLASGOW: PRINTED FOR RICHARD GRIFFIN & CO. 1841. i 1 »l •*^ ' !i hi T) GLASGOW: PRINTED BY ROBERT MALCOLM, NELSON STREET. ± ■r TO SIR CHARLES NAPIER, K.C.B., THIS VOLUME. OF NAVAL PlISTOllY AND BIOGRAPHY, IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR; NOT MERELY AS A TESTIMONY OF HIS ESTEEM FOR lUS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CHARACTER, BUT AS A JUST TRIBUTE TO HIS PROFESSIONAL MERIT, EXEMPLIFIED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS, WHERE SIGNAL PROOFS WERE AFFORDED TO THE WORLD, THAT HEROISM IS INEXTINGUISHABLE IN THE NAVY OF BRITAIN AND THAT, PERSONALLY, HE FORMS A BRIGHT EXAMPLE OF THE VARIOUS QUALITIES ESSENTIAL TO THE PROMOTION OF THAT NAVAL GREATNESa WHICH IT IS THE CHIEF OBJECT OF THIS WORK TO RECORD AND TRANSMIT TO POSTERITY, AS EVIDENCE AT ONCE OF THE PATRIOTISM OF BRITISH SEAMtN, AND OF THEIR IMPERISHABLE RENOWN. I I PREFACE. In oft'ering a new work to the public on the subject of our naval triumphs, and illustrative of the lives and characters of the gallant men by v/hom those triumphs have been achieved, it is unnecessary to be very diffuse in pointing out its importance. The title of the work will of itself be suffi- cient to interest the feelings, and excito the curiosity of the reader. Yet, perhaps, a few observations may not be thought inappropriate by way of introduction. The utility of naval history to the people of this country may be said to be self-evident, since there can be no doubt that to our maritime supremacy we are indebted, not only for commercial prosperity, but for our very existence as a nation. It is perhaps to their consciousness of this latter cir- cumstance that in the eyes of Britons our marine, and those who are entrusted with its command, form at all times the mainstay of British power ; and accordingly it is not merely as a figure of speech, but as a palpable trueism, that in speaking of our ships of war, we are accustomed to call them our " wooden walls," and "bulwarks of the deep." Nor is the/c any wonder that it should bo so, when we reflect on what has been accomplished by moans of this element of political power, as well as of national glory. Let a single fact speak in evidence as follows ; it is Vlll. it 1 1 i :tf ! I \l PREFACE. \vorth a \vhole volume of commentarv. Until the end of the seventeenth centurv, our maritime Avars were confined to the fighting of a few battles with one or two fleets, to the making of a few cruises, a few detached blockades, or some special enterprise ; and these general^' comprehended the entire labours of a campaign. In our last great naval war, however, of which the nineteenth century has witnessed the commencement and the termination, the bold and maj^ nifi- cent idea was conceived, and carried into eflfcct, of attacking, nearly at the same moment, the fleets of France, of Spain, of Holland, of Denmark, of Italy, and even of America, and the result was, that single handed, we triumphed over them all. We not only blockaded the militar^ ports which could give refuge to squadrons or flotillas, but eflectually barred the entrance of our enemies' trading vessels to every com- mercial port of any importance ; and thus a spectacle was exhibited to the world, of which till then no maritime nation had ever afforded an exaniple — that of an insular power, moderate in point of extent, as well as population, being enabled by means of its ships of war alone, to form a con- tinued line of observation, along all the coasts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, at one and the same time. In fact, the whole continents of the two worlds were simultan- eously besieged, their islands were successively captured, and the commerce of nations was made to flow in such channels only as the victors chose to dictate. But this was not all. After twenty years constant fighting, although we had com- menced the struggle with a population of only thirty mil- lions, we finished it by consolidating our political power, and extending our empire over not less than eighty millions, inch remc reck(| and astoi and X PREFACE. IX. T including the conquered and the conquering. Let it be remembered to her honour, too, that Great Britain never reckoned, during the whole period, more than 145,000 seamen and marines employed in her service, while performing these astonishing efforts, these miracles of naval enterprise, valour, and skill. Never was the national energy of a people more magnificently displayed — and the grand scale upon which it was so triumphantly carried into effect, was unquestionably owing to the efficiency of our navy. There are other considerations, however, which make our naval power at once the pride, the honour, and the glory of Britons. It has been the means of extending our empire to the remotest quarters of the globe. In every period, since it became a distinct service, it has been the chief safe-guard of the nation against invasion from abroad ; and, at the same time, the protector of our commercial interests both upon the ocean and in foreign ports. It has enabled us to establish commercial relations with every nation in the world, to form numerous flourishing colonies, to open up new marts for commerce, and to increase our trade and manufactures to an extent unparalleled in the history of nations. But, what is perhaps of not less importance, it has established on an imperishable basis, our fame as a great and a free people, eminent alike for perseverance and skill in the peaceful pursuits of industry, and for magnanimity and heroism in the art of war. A distinguished writer has well remarked, that " these are the glorious trophies of maritime empire, and the fruits of that dominion over the sea, which was claimed by the earliest possessors of the island ; but which, K PREFACE. in later times, has been so completely established, by an uninterrupted succession of noble achievements, on what is emphatically called our natural element, as may be truly said to have left the fleets of Britain without a rival." In the following work, the reader will find ample details, illustrative of what is stated above. These have been drawn from the most authentic sources, and no pains have been spared to render it equally interesting, curious, and useful, and at the same time, authoritative as to facts and contro- verted points in our naval history. It is hoped that one prin- cipal object desired to be obtained by the Author, will be found fully accomplished — that of rendering the work a sub- stitute for those voluminous and cumbrous productions usually denominji ' od naval histories, and making it truly what such a work ought to be— a portable library, adapted alike for the cabin of a ship and for the chest of a sailor. t .1 4 CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Introductory— The Britons— The Romans— The Saxons- The Danes— The Normans— Alfred— Cocur-de-Lion — CHAPTER H. page 1 Henry the Seventh— Origin of the Royal Navy as a Dis- tinct Service— Henry the Eighth — Edward the Sixth — Mary— Sir John Cabot— Sebastian Cabot— Howard— Sir John Dudley <^7 CHAPTER HI. Reign of Elizabeth— Her Precautions to Restore her Fleet — The Spanish Armada — Howard of Effingham — Earl of Essex — Sir John Hawkins — Sir Francis Drake — Sir Mar- tin Frobisher — Earl of Cumberland — Sir Robert Dudley — Sir Richard Grenvillc— James Lancaster 60 CHAPTER IV. A Reign of James the First — Sir William Monson— Quarrels with the Dutch — Sir Walter Raleigh — Reign of Charles the First— Sir Robert Mansel < 1*21 CHAPTER V. Naval History during the Commonwealth — The Protectorate — Wars with the Dutch — War with Spain — A^uiiral Blake — The Restoration — Charles H. — Struggle with the Dutch for the Sovereignty of the Seas — James H. — Duke of Albemarle- Earl of Sandwich — Prince Rupert— Law- son— Kempthorne—Spragge 181 xu. CONTENTS. I t CHAPTER IV. llcign of William and Mary — Reign of A.nne — 16S9 to 1714 — Herbert, Earl of Torrington — Russel, Earl of Orford— ■ Sir John Berry — John Neville — Admiral Benbow — Sir Cloudesley Shovel — Sir George Rooke — Sir David Mit- chell — Sir John Leake — Admirals Delaval, Churchhill, Andrew Leake — Thomas Dilkes — Stafford Fairborne CHAPTER VH. Roign of George the First— 1714 to 1727— Byng, Lord Tor- rington — SirWilliam Jumper — Sir John Jennings — Duke of Leeds — Reign of George the Second — 1727 to the Treaty of Aix la Cluipelle in 1784 — Admiral Vernon — Sir Charles Wager — Sir John Norris — Sir Peter Warren — George the Second — From the Peace of Aix la Chapclle to his Death in 17G0 — George the Third — From his Accession to the Pea -e of Paris in 1763 — The Seven Years' War — Admiral John Byng, his Trial and Execution — Taking of Quebec — Successes in East and Wco* Indies — Union of the Spanish and French Fleets — Their Destruction — Admiral Boscawen — llawke — Lord Anson — Sir George Pocock — Tynte CHAPTER VIII. Page 216 274 George the Third — 17G3 to 1783 — Progress of Discovery — Byron — Captain Cook — War of American Revolution — War with France — War with Spain — War with Holland — Siege of Gibraltar — Elliot, Lord HeathHeld — Barring- ton — Keppel — Rodney — Kempenfelt — Loss of the Royal George— Sir John Moore — Maurice Suckling— Sir Charles Hardy — Sir Hyde Parker — Paul Jones 345 CHAPTER IX. George the Third— 1783 to the Peace of Amiens, 1802— First War of the Frouch Revolution— Sidney Smith at Toulon — Pelle w — Saumarez — Coui tney — Howe's Victory of the 1st of June — Lord Hood at Corsica— Horatio Nelson— Lord Bridport at L'Orient— The Blanche and til C| SI Meil Geo G li at N CONTENTS. XIU. Page 216 Past- La Pique — Sidney Smith taken Prisoner — Nelson at Elba — Keith Elphinstoueatthe Cape — Mutiny at i^pitheadand the Nore — St. Vincent — Camperdown— Cadiz — Santa Cruz — The Nile — Acre — The Baltic — Lord Howe — Lord St. Vincent— Sir Sidney Smith — Lord Duncan 39 i CHAPTER X. Memoir of Lord Nelson 4G8 274 15 i CHAPTER XL George the Third from 180G toihe End of his Reign 1820— George the Fourth— 1820 to 1830— William the Fourth— 1830 to 1837— Victoria 1841— The French still Humbled at Sea — Bombardment of Copenhagen — Detached Actions — War with the United Slates — Criticism on the American Accounts — Peace — CoUingwood — Cochrane — Troubridge — Hood — Bridport — Exmouth — Codrington — Stopford — Napier 500 /' I 1 1 CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY — THE BRITONS — THE ROMaNS — THE SAXONS — THE DANES — THE NORMANS — ALFRED — CCEUR-DE-LION. About the beginning of the seventeenth century a contro- versy was maintained between men no less celebrated than Grotius and Selden, regarding what was termed the sove- reignty of JtJngland over the narrow seas. During this controversy, Selden, the advocate of England, in his work styled " Mare Clausum," went so far as to assert that " the English have a hereditary uninterrupted right to the sove- reignty of these seas, conveyed to them from their earliest ancestors, in trust for their latest posterity." Without perplexing our readers with an abstract discussion of this question, it is of importance to bear in mind that only by power could our ancestors have acquired the sovereignty of the seas ; and that only by power can we and our children maintain it. Rob Roy's motto must be ours in this matter — -" The good old rule hufHceth us ; the simple plan, That they should take who have the power, And the; should keep who can." THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SEAS. We may rest well assured that should foreign nations acquire a superiority over us in bravery and nautical skill, they will little regard oi,r speculative right of sovereignty. Knowledge is power, isnd it is upon the union of know- ledge and bravery that our mar'itinie superiority depends. While, then, it is trusted t.iat science will continue to direct its aim steadily to the improvement of our methods of navi- gation and shipb / .; and to the manufacture of offensive and defensive Wv.ai,^.is of war, be ours the humbler, but not unimportant task, to keep before our British youths the exami)le of the">r heroic fathers: and while thousands of voung hearts are glowing with admiration at learning to emulate the excellent deeds of the heroes of other davs, our country shall not want defenders, should the sound of hostile cannon be again heard upon our shores. The long peace with which we have happily been blessed, renders it still the more necessary that the histories of our naval heroes should not only be guarded against any dan- ger of falling into oblivion, but that a knowledge of them should be more and more widely diffused. Yet, even while we write, threats of war are heard all around us. Our merchant vessels and deep-sea steam-ships, form, no doubt, a useful, nay, an indispensable school for navigators. But the dai'ing actions of a 8t. Vincent, a Nelson, and a CoUingwood, are no longer passed from mouth to mouth among the eager crowd — no longer form the engrossing topic at the social board — are no longer celebrated by the peal of bells, amid the glare of illuminations. No! the living memory of these glorious deeds is chiefly confined to the hoary veteran, as he sits by the fire with the companions of his former victories, and with cheerful garrulity " fights all his battles o'er again." To the young, these tales can only be matter of history; and we need no excuse for reproducing that history in* a varied form, convinced that, notwithstanding the able works before the public, there is still ample room for their extension. It is obvious, at first, that the origin of the maritime character of the British is to be attributed to their situation as inhabitants of an island, surrounded by rugged shores, and begirt by stormy seas. The natural bent thus given, acquired strength, and was confirmed by subsequent occur- rences in the history of the country. It is highly probable, indeed, that the first colonists of Britain w'ere bold adven- turers, who, fearless of the raging billows, risked themselves I CESAR S INVASION OF BRITAIV. and families in frail barks, in search of freedom or of fortune. It might thus be expected, as we find it to be the case, that the earliest historical notices which we find of Britain have reference to its ships ; although we must admit that its earlv history, like that of all other nations, with one excep- tion, is involved in obscurity, and deformed by fable. Thus one of the earliest of British writers, Geoffrey of Monmouth, gives a somewhat circumstantial account of the first settle- ment of this island by Brito, who is supposed to have arrived with a fleet from the North of Europe. That Geoffrey's account is in many respects fabulous, there can be no doubt ; but that it is not altogether so, there is evidence sufficient to lead us to conclude. There are records of a trade having existed between the Phenicians and the British at a very early period ; and we find that at the time of the invasion of Britain by Julius Oa?sar, the island was popu- lous and warlike, possessing a numerous and powerful fleet. Cicsar's history is probably the first account approaching to authenticity, which we have of this island ; and if we make allowance for the prejudices he may be supposed to entertain for a people whom he regarded as barbarous, and who had all but baffled his yet resistless armies, we may place considerable confidence in his narration. When Ciesar invaded Britain, he was not, indeed, opposed upon the sea. The British had sent their fleet to the assist- ance of the Veneti, a people of Gaul, t. n at war with the llomans. In the defeat of the Veneti, t \e British fleet was destroyed, and it was to punish the Britons, for having aided his enemies, which formed the pretence for the invasion. It seems sufficiently apparent, however, that there had existed previously a superiority on the seas on the part of the islanders, which Cicsar was bent on extinguishing. In the vain boast that he had done so for ever, he, on his return home, consecrated to Venus, as Goddess of the Sea, a mili- tary ornament, embroidered with British pearl, intimating by this that Cuosar arrogated to himself the sovereignty of the sea as conquered fr jm the Britons. Hence *•' Vincula dare Oceano," to give laws to the ocean, and " Britannos subjugare," to subdue the Britons, became convertible terms with subsequent authors, who all endeavour to place Caesar's British expedition in this light as by far the most glorious one. At a later period of the Roman empire, we find Carau- sius, who had been appointed admiral of the fleet in the i y " f 4 WARS OF THE ROMANS. British seas, dcclariniif liiinst'lf independent 1)}' its means, and that of a portion of the army, and assuming the imperial purple in opposition to tiie emperor Maximian, He also held the (jrallictown Oessoriacum, now Boulogne, in France, and the adjacent coast, which have been repeatedly in the power of England in more modern times. From these places he so harassed Oaul, Italy, and Spain, by his fleets, that Maximian, however unwillingly, acknowledged him at length, as a con- emperor in Britain. dition of peace. Having repelled the hostile incursions of the Scots and Picts into the southern parts of the island, he made peace with these nations, and turned his attention to the defence of his dominions from a renewed attack, threatened by the lloman emperors. To this end he took care, by every pos- sible means, to increase his fleet, and concluded a treaty with the Franks and other nations, who were seated on the Thracian Bosphorus, and who were become famous for their power by sea. By this treaty, it was stipulated that these nations should send a strong fleet into the Mediterranean, which, passing through the Straits of Gibraltar, should join his navy in the British seas, and act in conjunction with the fleet of Carausius against the Romans. This certainly is a transaction worthy of being recorded in our naval his- tory, as a proof of the spirit of our ancestors in contesting the' sovereignty of the sea with so formidable an opponent. He w^as not, however, successful. While the emperor Maximian raised a numerous army, his colleague Constantius fit ed out a fleet of a thousand sail. While this was doing, Constantius besieged Carausius, in Boulogne, w^ho, having the sea open, defended himself without much difficulty, evincing to his enemies, that while he held this advantage, their siege would be to little purpose ; but Constantius having found a way to block up the port by a work of a new contrivance, Carausius, with a few gallant followers, broke through the lloman camp during the night, and, embarking in a small vessel, crossed over to Britain, where he had a strong fleet and a powerful army. He quickly repented of this step, on hearing that the sea had destroyed the works of the Romans, and left the port open. Con- stantius now assembled his fleet, sailed through the Straits, met and completely defeated the Franks, before Carausius could join his confederates. Carausius promptly prepared for the defence of Britain, when he was assassinated by one of his officers, Alectus, after a reign of seven years. J \'L.... •■\ I ts means, 3 imperial He also 1 France, lly in the om these lis fleets, LS a con- Britain. cots and ide peace 2 defence d by the rery pos- a treaty td on the for their lat these rranean, , should ;ion with certainly ival his- ntesting )ponent. mperor stantius doing, having fficulty, antage, tantius rk of a owers, t, and, where ]uickly itroyed Con- 5traits, ausius spared )y one CONSTANTINE THE GRE^T. 5 Aloctus assumed the vacant sceptre, and although stained with the guilt of murder, appears to have been a brave and skilful sailor. lie kept his dominions and his forces, and was for some time superior in power at sea, sending out his squadrons to annoy the adjacent coasts of Gaul, and to interrupt the trade of all the Roman provinces. Constan- tius having re-assembled his fleet, sailed from the coast of Gaul towards that of Britain. Alectus, with a navv no way inferior to his, lay then at the Isle of Wight, whence, on the first intelligence of the departure of the Koman fleet, he stood to sea, in order to intercept it ; but it so happened that Oonstantius passed him during a fog, and landed safely in Britain. No sooner had he landed, than from a foresight that the British fleet would infallibly beat him at a fair sea fight, he caused his ships to be set on fire, that his soldiers might have no hope of escaping, but by beating their enemies. Alectus hastened to return ; but finding that the recollection of his treachery to Carcausius had alienated from him the minds of his subjects, he rashly, and at a dis- advantage, engaged the enemy, and perished on the field of battle. One of his generals, named Gallus, was drowned in a little brook, near London, hence named by the Saxons Walbrook. It is interesting to recall these ancient achievements in nautical warfare, and to compare them with recent events, on the same scenes, the flotilla at Boulogne, the battle of St. Vincent's, the escape of Bonaparte's fleet from Nelson on the expedition to Egypt. Constantine the Great was an Englishman by birth, and this circumstance, together with his eouitable and prudent government, seems to have reconciled the British to the Roman dominion. He paid much attention to naval affairs ; and various seaports were fortified under his orders, some of which remain to this day. Among them were Otiiona, supposed to be Hastings ; Dubris, certainly now Dover ; Lemmanls, now Hythe, Gariannonum, Yarmouth. Con- stantine was born at York in the year 272, and died in 337. He was the first emperor who professed Christianity ; was the founder of Constantinople, now the capital of Turkey ; and, what bears more upon our present subject, was one of the earliest promoters of the maritime power of Great Britain. . « m- /' 6 ANCIENT SHIPS OF WAR. It may be worth while to caution the reader against sup- posing^ that the ships in use at the times we have referred to were at all equal, in point either of size or construction, to modern ships of war. Many of them were propelled prin- cipally by means of oars, and were called galleys. The following engraving, and that at the end of this chapter, may afford to the curious some idea of the appearance of two varieties of these galleys. Ancient Galley, 1 * For a considerable period little occurred worthy of notice, connected with our present subject. The disorders which occurred in Britain, consequent upon the decline of the lloman empire, ond which ended in the establishment of the Saxon race, and the retirement of the ancient Britons into Wales, were unfavourable to the development of any exten- sive and constant system of naval warfare. The Saxons, however, took up the spirit of their prede- cessors ; and we have numerous instances recorded of their having been the terror of theii* enemies by sea. During the repeated invasions of England by the Danes, various and bloody battles took place between the hostile fleets. Alfred the Great, the most illustrious of our Anglo-Saxon kings, is believed to have been born at Wantage, in Berk- shire, in the year 849. When yet a boy, he seems to have been sent by his father, king l^^thelwolf, on a mission to Rome, where he so ingratiated himself, that on an erroneous report of the death of his father, the Pope annointed him v^ '•>■ \ 4 4 ALFUED THE GREAT king, although the youngest son. At tliis comparatively polished court, young Alfred imbibed that taste for civilised societv -which afterwards so much characterised hiin. His early education was neglected ; but the cares of a good mother were sufficient to sow the seeds of future improve- ment. He was fir>t excited to learn to read, by hearing the recital of Saxon poems ; and having mastered his native tongue, he proceeded to the study of I^atin, and became entirely devoted to retirement and literature, until at the age of twenty-two, the death of his brothers, and the attacks of the Danes, called him to be at the same time the defender and ruler of his countrymen. Alfred paid particular atten- tion to the improvement of his navy, and was generally victorious at sea. He has a claim, then, to stand first, in time, among our naval heroes, and thus a brief account of his life is not out of place here. His father died when he was only ten years old, and was succeeded by his elder sons in i-uccession. At this time the condition of ]']ngland was most calamitous, having been in a great measure laid waste by the Danes, who had estab- lished themselves in several of the central districts. " Alfred himself," says one of his biogra})hers, " had no great cause to be satisfied with the generosity, or even justice, of his brothers towards him ; but philosophy had rendered him contented with a small maintenance, in lieu of a large patri- mony which his father becjueathed him." On the s\m\mons of his brother, however, lie «|uitted his beloved studies, and took up arms against the invaders; and on t'lo death of Ethelred, he ascended the throne, at the age of twenty-two. It would bo unsuitable to the nature of this work to trace minutely all the public events of this busy and very imi)ortant reign, we shall, therefore, confine ourselves chiefly to those which are connected with the character of the monarch as an improver of the navy. When the reins of government fell into his hands, he found the country destroyed, all the cities and great towns demolished, and the ; vople worn out by continual fatigue, having been sometinu- compelled to figlii nine or ten battles in a year. In short, their wealth, their strength, their spirits were exhausted ; and, instead of attempting to defend themselves, as they were wont, they began every where to submit to the Danes, and to embrace rather a settled slavery than a precarious freedom, in a country now become a desert, and where it was a difficult matter to find subsistence, ; I (J I 5 kj 8 ALFRED THE GREAT. evon when for a small time released from the fear of enemies. The king, though in this low condition, did not despair of the public safety, but with equal vigour and prudence applied himself at once to the management of the war, and to the conduct of public affairs ; so that, in a short time, encouraged by his example, the Saxons began to resume their spirits, and in many battles defeated the Danes, com- pelling them, ao often as it was in their power, to quit the country ; and, when they found this impracticable, permit- ting them to live amongst them upon reasonable conditions, and in a regular way. There were two maxims which the king steadily pursued, by which he extricated himself from his troubles. The first was, fighting the enemy, if possible, at sea ; by the steady pursuit of which method he had constantly a fleet, and con- siderable numbers of experienced sailors. But, as it was impossible to guard all the coasts of his dominions, and, as the enemies' squadrons were frequently supei'ior to his own, he was sometimes obliged to fight on shore ; and, in this case, he likewise used all imaginable expedition, that the enemy might not have time, either to gain intelligence, or to get refreshment. His other maxim was, to have always in his court the ablest men, not only in the sciences, but also in the arts, and to converse with them frequently and fami- liarly. By this means he came to the knowledge of many things, by a comparison of information, of w Inch even those from whom he learned them were ignorant ; and by his superior judgment, so adapted the intelligence he received, jis to render his small force successful, both at sea and land, against his numerous enemies. In maritime aff'airs he was particularly skilful ; and, as we have authentic memoirs of his reign, one cannot but be amazed at the sagacity he discovered in providing a kind of ships of a new construction, devised by himself, which gave him infinite advantages over people continually practised in naval armaments, and whose experience, therefore, ought to have rendered them his superiors in navigation He con- sidered with himself, that as the fleets of these invaders were frecjuently built in a hurry, hastily drawn together, meanly provided, in respect to victuals and rigging, and crowded witli men, a few ships of a larger size, built in a new manner, of well seasoned materials, thoroughly supplied with annnunition and jn'ovision, and manned by expert seamen, must at first sight surprise, and, in the course of an I i fit ALFRED THE GREAT. 9 enemies, iespair of prudence war, and ort time, resume les, cora- quit the permit- )nditions, pursued. The first »e steady and con- s it was J and, as his own, I, in this that the ce, or to Ivvays in but also id fami- >f many en those by his eceived, ad land, and, as but be kind of ch gave tised in light to le con- fs were meanly 'owded a new jpplicd export e of an 1^ engagement, destroy numbers, without any great hazard to themselves. In pursuance of this project, he caused a certain number of ships to be built, capable of holding each sixty rowers, and, as in that, double in all other respects to the largest ships then in use. These he sent to sea, with an express command, neither to receive nor give quarter, but to put to death all who fell into their power : instructions, perfectly suited to the design on which these ships were fitted out, and to the circumstances the king's aft'airs then were in. It appears, from good authority, that these ships were galleys, since in the Mediterranean these vessels are com- mon, because they are convenient, for the same reason which inclined king Alfred to make use of them, the facility of running with them close under shore, o^' up into creeks. That they might be longer, higher, and yet swifter than the vessels in common use, in a duplicate proportion, which is the true sense of what ancient writers say of them, may be easily conceived ; and thence their great utility arose. In point of numbers, the king had no hope of equalling his enemies ; but, by this contrivarice, he removed that diffi- culty, which seemed otliorwise insuperable. With a squadi^on of these ships, he was not afraid of attacking twice or thrice the same number of the enemv, because the force of his ships rendered those on board thorn able to contend against as many as they could grapjile with ; and, in case of the enemy's having either the weathor-gago, or some other acci- dental advantage, their swiftness enabled them to bear away, and gain the ports, which were all his own. Their instruc- tions were not deemed cruel, because, whatever their enemies might think of themselves, they wore esteemed by the Saxons, and with reason, enemies to mankind, incapable, as experience had convinced them, of keeping faith, and there- fore unworthy of mercy. On the other hand, this severity was necessary, for two reasons : first, in respect to self- defence, these ships, though large in comparison of other vessels, were, however, not large enough to contain prisoners with any safety ; for we cannot apprehend that they oavvled, exclusive of rowers, above a hundred and twenty men, i^ so many. Secondly, it was ])rudent, for the sake of example, in order to strike a terror into these rovers, that they might be thereby hindered from infesting this island, and inclined rather to prosecute their designs on some other coast. Add to this, these galleys were built after quite another model 10 ALFRED THE GREAT. '. { :, i [ ;! I .11 than Danish ships ; so that ihey were wholly strange to the enemy, who, for a long time, knew not how to board them, though their courage might be great, and themselves, for the age in which they lived, able scameii. The same year that a few of these ships were first built, six pirates, of an unusual size, infested the Isle of Wight, and the coasts of Devonshire. The king immediately ordered nine of his new vessels in quest of them, with instructions to get, if possible, between them and the shore. Three of the pirates, as soon as they perceived them, ran aground, but the other three stood out to sea, and boldly engaged the king's ships. Of these, two were taken, and all the men killed ; the third, indeed, escaped, but with five men only. They then attacked the ships which ran aground, and killed a great number of men. At length the tide took them off, but in so battered and leaky a condition, that it was with much dithculty they reached the coast of the South Saxons, where, again running on shore two of their vessels, the men endeavoured to escape, but were taken, and carried to Winchester, and there, by order of the king, were hanged. The third vessel, though the men in her were grievously wounded, escaped ; and, in this single year, not fewer than twenty ships, with all the men on board them, were destroyed on the south coast only, which sufficiently demonstrates what mighty advantages were derived from this happy invention of the king. Though the care of his own fleet was very commendable in Alfred, yet the concern which he showed for the improve- ment of navigation, the extending the commerce of his sub- jects, and the discovering and describing distant countries, deserves still higher praise, because the first might be, in some measure, ascribed to necessity, and ended only in the good of his own kingdom ; whereas the latter was incon- testibly the fruit of an heroic genius, and might have been of use to all the nations of Europe. It was in order to farther these views, that he kept constantly in his court, at .1 very great expense, the most eminent men, for worth and knowledge, of various nations, besides the inhabitants of the British isles; from whom he learned whatever was known in those days, which was more than the moderns imagine. Two instances have been transmitted, with authentic circum- stances, from his time to ours. The first was, his sending certain persons to discover the utmost extent of the Arctic regions, and the possibility of a passage on that side to the .j''b^ EARLY VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY. 11 north-east. The other was, his correspondence with the Indies. Facts, so extraordinary in themselves, of srch high importance, in respect to the subject of which this work treats, and hitherto left in such obscurity by those who ought to have given us a better account of them, that dwelling upon them will be considered rather as a just tribute to Alfred's memory, and to the honour of this nation, than as an unnecessary digression. Sir John 8pelman tells us, th.it he had been informed there was in the Cotton library a memorial of a voyage of one Octher, a Dane, performed, by this king's orders, for the discovery of a north-east passage. There is, however, a much more perfect copy of this relation inserted in the Saxon version of Oro^ius, made by king Alfred himself, whereby it appears that Ohther, for so he is called in this authentic manuscript, was a native of Ileliogoland, a man of great substance, of more than ordinary skill in navigation, and perfectly acquainted with the commerce of the north. He surveyed the coasts of Norway and Lapland, by the direction of king Alfred, and presented him, not only with a clear description of those countries a;nd their inhabitants, but also brought him some of the horse-whale's teeth, which were then esteemed more valuable than ivory, and gave him a good account of the whale fishing. This probably encour- aged the king to send Wulfstan, an Englishman, to view these northern countries, of which he also gave him a rela- tion. Both these narratives are written with such accuracy in point of geography, so much plainness and probability in respect to facts, and are intermixed with such just and pru- dent obst'rvat'ons, that whoever shall take the trouble of comparing them with what the famous Olaus Magnus, arch- bishop of Upsal, wrote, many hundred years afterwards, of the same countries, will readily confess, that the age of Alfred was an age of good sense, and far superior in know- ledge to some of those which succeeded it, there being nothing of fable or improbability in what Obthor or Wulfstan deliver, but all exactly conformable to what the discoveries of the last and present age have taught us. As to the Indian voyage, it was occasioned chietly by the king's charity, who, hearing of the distress of the Christians of St. Thomas, resolved to send them relief. The person he made choice of was one Suithelm, called in Latin Sigel- mus, a fjriest, who honestly executed his commission, and was so fortunate as to return back, bringing with him an { 12 EARLY VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY. ^.1 ^i immense treasure of Indian goods, and among them precious stones, perfumes, and other curiosities, of which the king made presents to foreign princes. As the reward of so acceptable a service, Sigelmus was made bishop of Sherburn ; and William of Malmesbury, in his pontifical history, gives us a distinct account of this voyage, and tells us, it not only struck with wonder such as lived in the time when it was performed, but was considered with admiration even in the age in which he lived, adding that Sigelmus had left to his church several of these Indian curiosities, as unquestionable evidences of so extraordinary a thing. These Christians of St. Thomas inhabited the peninsula of India, and the commodities, which Sigelmus is said to have brought back, are precisely those of their country. Spelman observes farther, that the value and use of these curiosities being little known here, the king sought out for artists of all sorts, par- ticularly goldsmiths and jewellers, for the working of them, and such were the defects of those times, and so excellent was the faculty of the king in every thing he turned his hand unto, as that even in those works also, the artificers themselves, and their arts, received improvement from his invention and direction, while they followed his genius, and manufactured what ne designed for them. And, as if there was something peculiar in the fortune of this prince, we have still remaining a proof of what is here advanced ; I mean a jewel richly wrought, dug up in the island of Athel- ney, which was the king's retreat, when he fled from the Danes in the beginning of his reign, and where he after- wards founded a monastery. This curious relic is yet pre- served in the Ashmolean collection of curiosities, and, besides itsexcellent workmanship, has a Saxon inscription, to this pur- pose: ^LFREDus ME jussiT FABRicARi ; (.6. ^E If red directed me to be made. Great and beneficial as the warlike exploits of Alfred were, they were not the only services which he rendered his country. As a legislator, a reformer of manners, and a promoter of learning and the arts, his exertions, in such an age, were still more extraordinary. He effected a complete change in the institutions of his country, which, though good in their principles, had sunk into a state of barbarism. He framed a com[)lete body of laws, which Spelman supposes to have been the foundation of the common law of the land. The institution of trial by jury, that palladium of English liberty, is attributed to his wisdom and his justice. The ;>■ ALFRED S SUCCESSORS. 13 division of the kingdom into shires, hundreds, and tithings, for the purposes of judicature and police, is attributed to him ; and he caused a general survey of the kingdom to he taken, called the " Book of Winchester," of which the Domesday-hook is on'y a new edition. He was a rigorous reformer of judicial administration; for, it is recorded, that in one year he inflicted capital punishment on forty-four judges, for iniquitous practices in the execution of their office. Alfred is considered also as a founder of the political constitution of England, at least of that part of it which ordains the regular convocation of the states. His great council consisted of bishops, earls, the king's aldermen, and his chief thanes or barons. These were called, by an express law, to London, twice a-year, for the purpose of well govern- ing the realm, and this constituted an image of later parlia- ments. The encouragement of learning, and his own proficiency in it, were very extraordinary features in Alfred's character. He himself was, probably, the most learned person of his kingdom, and he stands at the head of the list of royal authors. In private life, he was one of the most amiable of men. His person corresponded with his mental excellencies ; for, though the hardships which he had endured made him liable to great infirmities, he had by nature a handsome and vigorous form, and a dignified and engaging aspect. After a glorious reign of twenty-eight years and a-half, he died, in 901, in the vigour of his faculties, being only in his fifty-third year. The spirit of Alfred survived in more than one of his descendants. Edgar, his great-grandson, applied himself, from the commencement of his reign, to the increasing of his maritime force, and was proud of having acquired the title of Protector of Commerce. His fleet is described as being not only far superior to those of any of his predeces- sors, but even as much more powerful than those of all the contemporaneous European princes put together. His ships were, frequently, not fewer in number than four thousand. These he usually had divided into three distinct fleets, sta- tioned each on a different coast of the kingdom, which they vigilantly guarded ; and he himself, in order to keep up the discipline and activity of his seamen, as well as to inspect his sea-ports, took a voyage annually round the island, escorted by one or other of these fleets. The Saxon race having degenerated, through misgovern- ment, and the country being torn by domestic broils, the 14 WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. I' ! Danes were permitted to acquire an ascendant on the ocean. No sooner did 8weyn, king of Denmark, find himself superior at sea, than he set up a title to the kingdom, which the Saxons were no longer able to resist. This is one, and an early proof, that this island is no longer safe, than while it is the first maritime power ; whence the importance of our navy is too manifest to be denied, and we may be convinced, that as our freedom fiows only from our constitution, so both must be defended by our fleets. The Danish kings, whose dynasty was very brief, sup- ported the honour of the English flag. Among them Canute is a name renowned in history, for his virtue in peace, and his valour in war. The Saxon kings were again restored, and finally ter- minated with the weak minded Edward, who, by his imbe- cility, exposed his kingdom to the dangers of a disputed suc- cession, which was decided in favour of William the Nor- man, by the only right which either of the disputants had, namely, that of the sword, at the battle of Hastings, in the year 10G6. The earlier monarchs of the Norman blood were deeply tinged with the spirit of chivalry, which in that age became so prevalent ; and which, preferring in honour individual acts of bravery to combined movements, naturally encour- aged combats Ijy land, where single exploits were more con- spicuously marked. Accordingly, we do not find that Wil- liam the Conqueror, or his immediate successors, were them- selves distinguished as sailors, although they were too politic princes not to endeavour to keep up their naval power. To this they were chiefly induced, by the necessity of providing for the immediate defence of their coasts, and in order to have in readiness the means of transport for their numerous armies, engaged in continental wars ; for we now, for the first time, find England assuming the character of a conti- nental power, and exercising an influence, which has varied in extent, but never since entirely ceased, upon the balance of power in Europe. William the First burned the fleet, said to have consisted of nine hundred vessels, which brought over his victorious army, either to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy, or by cutting oft' "^ll hope of retreat, to add des- peration to the courage o. *s soldiers, a very common practice in ancient warfare. The English fleet was carried off, after the battle of Hastings, by the sons of Harold, who took navyj sevei| somt by til sessel pow( HI STEPHEN. 15 took refuge in the Northern seas, and thus William had his navy to create iir.ew. In consequence, he was exposed to several alarming invasions from the Danes, whose king had some pretensions to the English throne. William, however, by that singular union of bravery and policy which he pos- sessed, ultimately got rid of these formidable visiters, and obtained leisure, which he well employed, to strengthen his power by sea. Henry the First, the youngest son of the Conqueror, succeeded his brother, William the Second, to the exclusion of the elder brother Robert. Henry was born in England, and having married a princess of the Saxon line, re-estab- lished the 8axon institutions, and became popular among his native subjects. This he found a strong safeguard against the hostile attempts of his brother, the unfortunate Duke of Normandy, who, on his return from the Holy Land, pre- pared to vindicate his claim to the throne. Henry did not omit to increase his shipping, and gave directions to his officers, who had the custody of the coasts, called, in the language of those times, bidescarles, to be vigilant in pre- venting all persons from coming out of Normandy into England. Time soon discovered the wisdom of the king's precaution, which, however, proved unavailing. Duke Robert, who was a prince of valour, and many amiable qualities, prepared a great fleet and army for the invasion ; but, it is bolieved, by the historians of these times, that he never wouid have been permitted to land, had Henry's com- manders done their duty. Several of them, however, appear to have been brought over to be partisans of the Duke, and joined him, with the ships under their command, as soon as he had put to sea. Robert's invasion proved unsuc- cessful. An occurrence took place, in the reign of this king, which gives an idea of the small size of the largest ships in use at that time. lienrv's eldest son, William, was wrecked on his return from Normanby, and all on board perished, amounting to upwards of two hundred persons. Now, as the ship thus lost had been newly built for William, who had been made Duke of Normandy by his father, and was a generous and popular prince, it is reasonable to infer that it would be one of the first class. During the reign of Stephen, which was greatly dis- tracted by civil wars, we do not find much mention made of naval exploits. m: 16 RICHARD CCEUR-DE-LION. )l % ML It* 1 : i It was otherwise during the reign of his nephew and successor, Henry the Second, the first who established the English power in Ireland. This king was engaged in many and extensive wars, in all which he supported himself with undaunted courage and admirable conduct. In Normandy he defeated the king of France, with whom his own son, Henry, had unnaturally allied himself. The Earl of Flan- ders, who had raised great forces, with an intention of invading England, was forced to abandon his enterprise, and disperse his forces ; and these successes the king was chiefly enabled to obtain, by means of his superior power at sea, on which, though some contests ensued between him and his son Henry, yet they were quickly over ; for the king's ships destroved most of those of the rebels and of their confederates, and rendering all attempts at mvading England hopeless, while their dominions lay open to his attacks, compelled them to conclude peace, upon the terms prescribed. Richard, the lion-hearted, had, it is well known, his whole heart bent upon the chivalrous attempt to conquer the Holy Land. For the safe transport of his troops, and their pro- tection on distant shores, as well as to keep up his commu- nication with home, it was requisite that he should attend to his navy ; and, we are told, that he raised a much greater naval force than had ever been known in this country, since the coming of the Normans, and withal, says a well known author, carried the English fame to such a height, as aston- ished the whole world, and was the true source of that respect, which has ever since been paid to the English flag. On his expedition to Jerusalem, Richard anchored off Messina^ and having had some difference with the king of Sicily, attacked and took that capital, which he did not return without a heavy ransom. In this were included four large galleons, and fifteen galleys, by which accession, the Enghsh fleet, when the king sailed from Sicily for Cyprus, consisted of thirteen capital ships, of extraordinary burden, one hundred and fifty ships of war, and fifty galleys, besides vessels of less size, and tenders. In their passage to Cyprus, they were sorely shaken by a tempest, and several ships lost. The ship, which carried Berengaria, daughter to the king of Navarre, and who was contracted to king Richard, was very near perishing, by being denied admittance into one of the' ports of that island, by Isaac, king of Cyprus. This was an insult, not to be borne by the chivalrous Richard, who, bearing down upon the island with his whole fleet, i-j^r- f^phew and blished the ed in many mself with Normandy i own son, rl of Flan- itention of srprise, and was chiefly f at sea, on m and his ling's ships n federates, 1 hopeless, )elled them , his whole r the Holy . their pro- lis coramu- d attend to ch greater intry, since veil known t, as aston- ce of that iglish flag, ichored off the king of le did not ;luded four session, the or Cyprus, iry burden, eys, besides to Cyprus, I ships lost. ;o the king chard, was into one of rus. This IS Richard, vhole fleet, w iiiai h 28 DEFEAT OF THE FRENCH. greatest part of his naval force abroad, and the remainder in the north, to awe the Scots ; yet, in two instances, the English valour and naval force ap})eared with great lustre. A s(|uadron of thirteen sail of French shi})s attacked five English, who defended themselves so valiantly, that, though they lost the Edward and the Christopher, two of the largest, yet the other three escaped, notwithstanding the superiority of the enemy. The mariners of the Cinque-ports also, taking advantage of a thick fog', manned all their small craft, and ran over to Boulogne, where they did notable service ; for they not only burned the lower town, but destroyed four large ships, nineteen galleys, and twenty lesser vessels, which lay in the harbour, and consumed the dock and arsenal, filled with naval stores. In 1340, king Edward returned to England, in the month of February, in order to hold a parliament, to provide for the expenses of the war, wherein he succeeded, to the utmost extent of his expectations ; and, in return for the readiness expressed by his subjects to assist him, he made many good laws, and granted great privileges to merchants. After this, with a strong fieet, he passed over into Flanders, and gave the French a terrible defeat at sea. We have many remarkable particulars, in relation to this battle, in various writers. The Lord Cobham '.vas first sent by the king to view the French fleet, which he found drawn up in line of battle ; and, having given the king an account of the vast number and great force of their ships, that brave prince answered, " Well, by the assistance of God and St. George, I will now revenge all the wrongs I have received." He ordered the battle himself, directing his ships to be drawn up in two lines ; the first consisting of vessels of the greatest force, so ranged, that, between two ships filled with archers, there was one wherein were men at arras, the ships in the wings being also manned W'ith archers ; the second line he used as a reserve, and drew from thence supplies as they became necessary. The battle lasted from eight in the morning till seven at night ; and, even after this, there w^as a second dispute ; for thirty French ships endeavouring to escape in the dark, the English attacked them, under the command of the Earl of Huntingdon, and took the James of Dieppe, and sunk several others. The king behaved wath equal courage and conduct throughout the whole fight, giving his orders in person, and moving, as occasion required, from place to place. This is known as m the in an el stoj the] Enl the! 11 k f SIEGE or CALAIS. 2D arriruncing the but the battle of Sluys, and Edward's letter, victorv, has been held to be the first na\ al despatch recorded in history. The French fleet were extremely well provided with arms and ammunition, and abundance of machines for throwinc,'- stones, with which they did a |^:'oat deal of mischief; but they were less dexterous in managin'^ their ships than the English ; and this seems to have been one great cause of their defeat. The victory, however, cost the English a great deal of blood ; for a large ship and a galley, belonging to Hull, were sunk, with all on board, by a volley of stones : and in a great ship, which belonged to the king, there were but two men and a woman that escaped. In all, the English lost aljout four thousand men ; and amongst them, the following knights : 8ir Thomas Monthermer, !Sir Thomas Latimc", Sir John Boteler, and Sir Thomas Poinings. On the wdiole, it appears to have been a very hard fought battle ; and the victory seems entirely due to the skill and courage of the English sailors, who were more adroit in working their ships, as the men at arms were more ready in boarding than the French ; and the archers, also, did excellent service. King Edward kept the sea three days, to put his victory out of dispute ; and then, landing his forces, marched to Ghent, in order to join his con- federates. The siege of Calais, by this monarch, is a remarkable event in history. The fleet, used in the blockade of that city, consisted of seven hundred and thirty-eight sail, manned by about fifteen thousand seamen. In 1349, a squadron of Spanish ships passed suddenly up the Garonne; and finding many English vessels at Bour- deaux, laden with wine, they cruelly murdered all the Eng- lish seamen, and carried away the ships, though in time of full peace. King Edwaru having intelligence that a squa- dron of Spanish ships, richly laden, were on the point of returning from Flanders, he drew together at Sandwich a squadron of fifty sail, on board which he embarked in person about midsummer, ha'ing with him the Prince of Wales, the Earls of Lancaster, Northampton, Warwick, Salisbury, Huntingdon, Arundel, and Gloucester, with many other persons of distinction. They met with the Spanish fleet on the coast near Winchelsea, which consisted of forty-four very large ships, staled caracks: they were beyond compa- I f I fl V 11 ' N h i i 30 AGGRESSIONS OF THE SCOTS. rison, bigger and stronger than the Enghsh vessels ; and yet the latter attacked them with great boldness. The Spaniards defended themselves resolutely, and chose, at last, death rather than captivity, refusing quarter, though it was offered them. Twenty-four of these great ships, laden with cloth and other valuable goods, were taken, and brought into the English harbours, and the rest escaped by a speedy flight. To perpetuate the memory of this victory, the king caused himself to be represented on a gold coin, standing in the midst of a ship with a sword drawn, thinking it an honour to have his name transmitted to posterity, as THE AVENGER OF MERCHANTS. We need not enter into any farther details, to show how nobly this monarch asserted and maintained his claim to the sovereignty of the seas. No sooner was the breath out of Edward's body, than the French began to insult the English coasts. The Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Dartmouth, Plymouth, were in their turns attacked, and nearly destroyed. It is very remarkable, how early we find foreign nations taking advantage of any internal cause of weakness, to direct their efltbrts against the maritime superiority of this country. It teaches us an important lesson, that our vigilance ought never to be relaxed, to preserve the navy in an efficient condition. Richard the Second, grandson of Edward, and son of the renowned Black Prince, succeeded while a minor. He was feeble in character, and unsuccessful in his undertakings. Under his reign, we find the first mention of the Scots having become at all formidable by sea. It is stated that Mercer, who is called a privateer, but who, in all probability, was directly commissioned by the Scottish government, made an expedition to the east coasts of England with a small squadron, carried off several vessels from under the walls of Scarborough castle, and afterwards, adding several French and Spanish ships to his fleet, became formidable, and inter- rupted greatly the English commerce. What the pusilla- nimity of the King permitted to pass unresented, was redressed by one of a class of men, seldom behind, when public spirit is demanded. John Philpot, a citizen and alder- man of London, fitted out a squadron at his own expense, gave battle to, and defeated Mercer, and cleared the English coasts of its enemies. For this good service, he narrowly escaped being punished by the imbecile king's council. It 1 IS r wil in no( ■^J; wi( due pox ■ mo S the f grc 1 for i un( nai '(f ;in( I HENRY THE FOURTH. 31 us an to be is a dangerous thing to do good to a monarch against his will, (jfulliver was not thanlced for extinguishing the fire in tlio royal palace at Lilliput. Henry the Fourth put an end to the useless reign of Richard, by usurping the throne, in the year 1399. The navid history of the country immediately resumes its import- ance. In 1403, the king, Henry, who was then a widower, mar- ried Joan, tbp daughter of Charles, king of Navarre, and widow of the Duke of Brittany. The inhabitants of that duchy, conceiving an ill opinion of this marriage, and being powerful at sea, suddenly landed in the west, and burned Ply- mouth, at a time when the king's hands were full, through the conspiracy of the Earl of Northumberland, and other great lords. This, however, did not remain long unrevenged, for the inhabitants of Plymouth having fitted out a squadron, under the command of William de Wilford, admn-al of the narrow seas, he seized forty ships laden with iron, oil, soap, and wine, and then burned the like number in their harbours, reducing the towns of Penmarch and St. Matthew, and wasting, with fire and sword, a great part of the coast of Brittany. Admiral de Castel, who commanded the enemy's iieet, in the n lan time, attempted to land in the Isle of Wight ; but failing of success there, he steered for Devon- shire, where actually landing, he briskly attacked Dartmouth, but was defeated by the country militia, with the loss of four hundred men, and two hundred taken ; among whom, were himself, and two other persons of distinction ; yet his squadron, and the Flemings, still infested the coast, took many ships, and, to show their inveterate hatred to the Eng- lish nation, most inhumanly hanged all the seamen who fell into their hands. In the mean time, the French, without any regard to the treaty subsisting between the two crowns, invaded the duchy of Guyenne, and sent an army of twelve thousand men, with a fleet of one hundred and forty sail, to the assistance of Owen Glendour : these forces they safely debarked in Milford Haven ; but the Lord Berkley and Henry Pay, who commanded the squadron of the Cinque- ports, attacked them in that port, where they took fourteen, and burned fifteen of the French vessels, which so frighted those on board the rest, that soon after they fled home. ^ About the same time, the Earl of Kent sailed, with a con- siderable fleet, to the coast of Flanders, where he cruized for some time upon the enemy, the Flemings being then sub- I)' ff< ^•{1 * . ,r ^ h HEMIV THE FIFTH. ject to a prince of the house of France ; at last, enterini^ the port of Sluys, they foimd four ships lying at anchor, took three Genoese merchantmen, of a very large size, at the entrance of the haven, though not without a gallant resist- ance ; after which they searched all the ports on the Norman coast, and making descents into several places, hurned at least six and thirty towns ; and then, with an immense booty, returned in triumph to Rye. Some mariners, belonging to the port of Cley, in Norfolk, sailing on the north coast in a btout i.:.rk, took, near Flamborough-head, a Scots ship, having on board Prince James, Duke of llothesay, and heir apparent to that crown, to which he afterwards succeeded, by the name of James the First. Him, with his attendants, an Earl, and a Bishop, they sent to king Henry, at Windsor, who kept him there, as a prisoner indeed ; but, during his captivity, used him in all respects as a prince. In support of Owen Glendour, the Welsh insurgent, the French court sent ?;Uother squadron to the coast of Wales, of which only thirt} arrived, the rest being taken by the English ; and a short time after, the famous Henry Pay, admiral of the Cinque-ports, surprised the llochelle fleet, consisting of one hundred and twenty sail of merchantment, richly laden, and took them all. These exploits, in vessels belonging to mer- chants, show, beyond all contradiction, that trade in those days was in a flourishing condition. The king, in 1407, narrowly escaped the fate of the Scots prince lie had spent part of the summer at Leeds castle, in Kent ; and, his affairs calling him into Essex, he ventured to sail fr'*m the port of Queenborough with only five ships : in his passage, he vs as attacked by certain French privateers, who, after a very brisk engagement, took every vessel but that in which the king was, and carried them to their own coasts. This taught the monarch, the necessity of keeping better fleets at sea ; and, therefore, he ordered a very strong one to be fitted out the next year, under the command of the Earl of Kent, who eft'ectually scoured the narrow seas, and, when he had cleared our own coasts, stood over to Brittany, where he boldly landed in the little island of Briehac, and there attacked a town of the same name, in which the pri- vateers had taken shelter, took it by storm, and put them all to the sword ; but, in this action, received himself a wound, which proved mortal. Henry the Fifth was deeply affected, by what may A/ell be termed a madness, with which several of our most illus- m t THE FIIEXCH TWICE DEFEATED. 33 ihus- t rious English kings have been tinged, namely, a desire to con(iuer Trance. The king of England never had even a shadow of a title to the throne of France ; and it would have been well for his subjects had he employed the energies of a great and generous mind, for undoubtedly such was the mind of Henry the Fifth, in improving the condition of his own subjects and in securing their liberties, to which he was no enemy, rather than in carrying war and devastation into the territories of their nearest neighbours, who should be their best friends. Henry himself does not appear to have been a sailor, although, as a soldier, history does not record the name of any man more renowned for personal bravery. The battle of Agincourt raised the English fame in arms ; but it did not immediately add much to Henry's power. Hartleur was the most important place retained l)y him in the French territories ; and to recover it, the whole efforts of the French were dn-ected. They invested it both by sea and land. The place was gallantly defended by the Earl of Dorset, whom the king had appointed governor there ; but at last he was brought to such strait?, that without relief it was evident the town must be lost. King Henry directed, therefore, an army of twenty thousand men to be drawn together, and having embarked them on board a fleet of four hundred sail, sent them, undor his brother John, Duke of Bedford, to attack the French navy. This service he performed with courage and conduct ; for, having gained the ad\ antage of the wind, he attacked the French with such vigour, that after a long and bloody dispute, he entirely defeated them, taking or sinking five hundred sail. Not long after, the French army retired from before Harlleur, and the Earl of Dorset, with his garrison, which was now reinforced, made excursions through Normandy. In 1417, the Earl of Huntingdon, being sent to sea with a strong squadron, met with the united fleets of France and Genoa, which he fought and defeated, though they were much superior to him, not only in number, but in the strength and size of their ships, taking the French admiral prisoner, with four large Genoese ships, and on board them a quarter's pay for the whole navy, so great in those days, and so well directed, too, was the English power at sea. Our author, in concluding his account of this reign, says, it may be supposed that the dominion of the sea was fully c in ] ii 64 KING-MAKING WARWICK. maintainel under so enterprising a prince, and one who was so remarkably jealous of his rights ; I say, this might have been well supposed, though there had been no express evi- dence of it, which, however, is far from being wanting. He took occasion to have his title and authority, in this respect, mentioned in the preambles to acts of parliament ; he maintained strong squadrons at sea and on the coasts, humbled all the maritime powers of Europe in his time, on account of the succours they gave the 1 rench, and thereby drew great advantages to his subjects, especially from the trade of Flanders, which, by a close alliance with the Duke of Burgundy, he, in a manner, absolutely secured to them. Yet, for all this, the nation was excessively distressed, as well through the interruption of foreign commerce, as by the immense taxes levied for the support of his wars, insomuch that, in the eighth year of his reign, his chancellor bewailed to him in parliament, the feebleness and poverty of the people, and besought him to apply the only remedy which could preserve them from ruin, a speedy peace. AH this he did, to obtain his French dominions, which, in his son's time, the wisest men in England thought more expedient to lose than keep, time and experience having always justified this funda- mental maxim of English policy, that the subjects' wealth can have no other source than trade, and the majesty of the crown no better support than a firm trust in the people's love, and, in consequence of their extensive commerce, a constant, as well as a superior, power at sea. During the civil wars which now followed, between the houses of York and Lancaster, not much requires to be noticed regarding naval affairs. It is worthy of remark, however, that the Earl of Warwick, " king-making War- wick," as he is styled, who exercised so much influence during these civil wars, was chiefly indebted to his shipping for the ascendancy which he gained. He was Lord High- Admiral of England, and Governor of Calais. In that office, he evinced his diligence and his regard for his country's honour, by fitting out several squadrons for the public service, to the principal officers of which he gave such instructions as he thought proper. But soon after the accommodation between the Yorkists and their opponents, he had an opportunity of signalizing himself upon the sea in person. Ucturning to his government of Calais, with thirteen ships under his command, he fell in with a large fleet, belonging, as it is said by the historians, to different powers, and f)artieularly KING HENRY THE SEVENTH. 35 ho was t have 3SS evi- inting. in this ament ; coasts, ime, on thereby •om the e Duke o them. , as well by the isomuch )ewailed e people, ih could 3 he did, time, the ose than s funda- 5' wealth V of the e's love, loustant, veen the es to be remark, g War- e during for the Admiral )ffice, he honour, ;e, to the ns as he between unity of •ning to Inder his as it is tit'ularly the Spaniards, who had, before this, commenced hostilities against the English. Their lading was very rich, but their convoy much stronger than the force which the Earl had with him. Notwithstanding this, he fought them for almost two days, took six of their largest ships, laden with wines and other commodities, to the value of upwards of ten thousand pounds, killed a thousand of their men, and destroyed, or run ashore, about twenty-six of their ships besides. The Lubeckers, who then made a great figure in European commerce, happening to have a large share in this fleet, entered a complaint at the court of England against the Earl of Warwick, for this action ; and on the thirty-first of July, 1458, king Ilenry appointed commissioners to examine into the affair. Warwick had disposed of the ships and cargoes at Calais, to the great profit of the inhabitants of that place. And it is conjectured, that the French and Spaniards were really the owners of the fleet, but that they agreed with the Lubeckers, who were a neutral power, to demand satisfaction of the English admiral. This action, however, was far from being disagreeable to the nation. The whole of Warwick's history indicates the importance attached to the sovereignty of the seas, and marks his popu- larity among the sailors. It is foreign to our purpose, to detail the events which ensued during the civil wars, which ended in seating Henry the Seventh on the throne of England. That the maritime superiority of our country was a matter of pride then, as now, is shown in a work, still preserved, and entitled, " De politia conservatlva maris." It is written in verse. We know nqt by whom, or exactly when it was composed, and yet we may come pretty near the time, for it is said, in the close, to have been examined and approved by the wise baron of Ilungerford, which nobleman lost his head at Salisbury, in 14G8, being the sixth of Edward the Fourth : conse- (juently this book must have been written some time before, probably about the beginning of that king's reign. The title to the general introduction runs thus : — " Here bo- ginneth the prologue of the processe of the libel of English FoLiciE, exhorting all England to keep the ska, and namely the nahuovve sea : showing what profite commeth thereof, and also what worship and salvation to England, and to all Englishmen." In this introduction, the author shows both the utility and the necessity of England's preserving the dominion of tho 4 '( ! I l\ l!^ 36 IXVEXTION OF CAXXON. sea, and tells us, that the emperor Sigismund, Avho camu over hither in 14iG, and went into France with Henry the Fifth, advised him to keep the two towns of Dover and Calais, as carefully as he would his two eyes. It will be at once understood, that during the times of the history, of which so rapid a sketch has just been given, a very great diversity of means of warlike annoyance were in use. In the earlier times, the vessels which were then probably mere galleys impellevl by means of oars, were armed with beaks or prows, which they forcibly drove against each other ; their principal aim being to sink the enemy ; while these attacked and defei led with javelins, spears, shields, and other weapons, reseni ling, in the most material respects, those used on shore. Cannons are supposed to have been invented in 1330, and were used by the English at the battle of Cressy, in 1346. We do not find that they were used at sea before 1377, when the Venetians employed them against the Genoese ; and it is not probable that the English would be long behind in adopting them; yet it seems they were not manufactured in England until 1547. Bombs and mortars were invented in 1034. The introduction of these warlike engines, and of fire-arms in general, gave an entire new character to the face of ^^■ar, both by land and sea ; and it is probable that steam will, in any future extensive war, produce a still farther change, at least in naval matters. Of the exact dates of the introduction of various descrip- tions of cannon, and of the consequent changes in the size and forms of ships, we have no authority which can bo entirely relied on. Galley of the Middle Ages. ^vbo camo Henry the )over and mes of the n given, a ance were were then 3arp, were )ve against le enemy ; ns, spears, 5t material 1330, and )', in 1346. .377, when 3 ; and it is behind in Pactured in invented in les, and of to the face that steam ;ill farther ns descrip- in the size ch can be CHAPTER II. HENRY THE SEVENTH — ORIGIN OF THE ROYAL NAVY AS A DISTINCT SI.UVICE — HENRV THE EIGHTH EinVAltU THE SIXTH — MARY — SIR JOHN CABOT — SEBASTIAN CABOT — HOWARD — SIR JOHN DUDLEY. Some writers date what they term the origin of the English navy, from the reign of Henry the Seventh, upon the ground th:.. he \vas the first who built and maintained, at the public charge, ships of war. It is not disputed, indeed, that before this the sea forces of our kings were hastily assembled upon emergencies, were hired from merchants, and contributed by the then five principal seaport towns, to this day called the Cinque-ports. The hurried equipment and manning of these vessels, formed the only difference between ships of war, and ships of commerce. The introduction of cannon, leading to a great enlargement in the size, and change of the form of ships, contributed to bring on an alteration in this respect, although even later than the time we speak of, we find the royal ships employed occasionally as merchantmen, as in recent times the East Indiamen, and other large mer- chant vessels, vere not unprepared for defence. Our author ells us that Ilenrv laid out .i-'l 4,000 in the construction of a new ship, called The Great Harry, and which, properly speaking, was the fwst ship of the roijul navy ; for though he, as well as other princes, hired many ships, exclusive of those furnished by the ports, when he had occasion to transport forces abroad, yet he seems to have been the only king who thought of avoiding this inconve- niency, by raising such a naval force as might be at all times sufficient for the service of the state ; a design worthy of his wisdom to project, and of being in some degreo perfected under the more fortunate reign of his son. Henry's policy was, generally speaking, peaceful ; but he was [)olitic enough to keep his navy in a liighly efficient, and, indeed, in a progressive state, in order to prevent the attacks 38 DISCOVERIES OF COLUMBUS AND JOHN CABOT. of enemies. Henry was ever anxious to guide the attention of his suhjects to trade, which he both himself understood, and, unlike the French statesman, who was told that the greatest favour he could do to commerce, was to let it alone, knew how to encourage it. His long residence in Bretagne had given him an opportunity of acquiring a much greater skill in naval aflfairs, than most of his predecessors ; and this was so well known, that eminent seamen, even in foreign countries, frequently, on that account, addressed themselves to him for favour and protection. Nor was it but by acci- dent, that he was deprived of the glory of having patronised Columbus in the discovery of America. That illustrious navigator, disgusted at the indifference with which his pro- posals had been entertained by the governments of Genoa and Portugal, sent his brother Bartholomew to explain his plans, and request the means of carrying them into effect from Henry. Bartholomew, on his voyage, was taken by pirates, and it was only after many difficulties, and a long delay, that he found his way to the court of Henry. The king liked his schemes so well, that they came soon to an agreement ; but, by a new series of cross accidents, he was prevented from seeing his brother, until the latter, desponding of a reply to liis communication to Henry, had concluded an agreement with the crown of Spain, and had sailed on that voyage of discovery, which terminated in placing the American islands at the disposal of Spain. This was in 1492. John Cabot was by birth a Venetian, but had settled at Bristol for the purposes of trade. This man was of an enterprising spirit, and being emulous of the fame of •Columbus, he addressed himself to the king, witli proposals for making like discoveries, in case he met with due encour- agement. His offer was readily accepted ; and the king, by letters patent, dated March the fifth, in the eleventh year of his reign, granted to him," by the name of John Cabot, citizen of Venice, and to his three sons, Lewis, Sebastian, and Sanctius, leave to discover unknown lands, and to conquer and settle them, with many privileges, reserving to himself one-fifth part of the profits ; and with this single restraint, tliat the ships they fitted out, should be obliged to return to the port of Bristol. Though these letters patent were granted in 1495, yet it was the next year before they pro- ceeded to set out any ships ; and then John Cabot had a permission from the king, to take six English ships in any r. attention (lerstood, that the t it alone, Bretagne h greater ; and this n foreign hemselves t by acci- Datronised illustrious h his pro- of Genoa explain his into etfect ,tes, and it ,y, that he ^ liked his nent ; but, nted from a reply to agreement voyage of an islands settled at was of an fame of proposals ae encour- le king, by ith year of jot, citizen ,stian, and o conquer to himself restraint, ) return to itent were they pro- bot had a lips in any CABOT S DISCOVERY OF NEWFOUNDLAND. 39 I'. haven of the realm, of the burden of two hundred tons and under, with as many mariners as should be willing to go with him. In consequence of this license, the king, at his own expense, caused a ship to be equipped at Bristol : to this the merchants of that city, and of London, added three or four small vessels, freighted with proper commodities, which fleet sailed in the spring of the year 1497. Our old chronicle writers, particularly Fabian, tell us of a very rich island, which John Cabot promised to discover ; but in this they seem to mistake the matter, for want of thoroughly under- standing the subject of which they were writing. John Cabot was too wise a man to pretend to know, before he saw it, what country he should discover, whether island or con- tinent ; but what he proposed was, to find a north-west passage to the Indies ; so that he appears to have reasoned in the same manner that Columbus did, who imagined that, as the Portuguese, by sailing east, came to the west coast of the Indies, so he, by sailing west, might reach their opposite shore. This, with his discovering the island of Baccaloes, or Newfoundland, was certainly the source of this story. John Cabot, having his son Sebastian with him, sailed happily on their north-west course, till the twenty-fourth of June, 1497, about five in the morning, when they first dis- covered land, which John Cabot, for that reason, called Prima Vistitf that is, first seen. Another island, less than the first, he styled the island of St. John, because it was found on the feast of St. John Baptist. He afterwards sailed down to Cape Florida, and then returned, with a good cargo, and three savages on board, into England, where, it seems, he was knighted for this exploit, since on the map of his discoveries, drawn by his son Sebastian, and cut by Clement Adams, which hung in the privy gallery at White- hall, there was this inscription under the author's picture : Effigies Seb. Caboti, Angli, Filii Jo. Caboti, Venetiani, Militis, Aurati, &c. This was a very important discovery ; since, in truth, it was the first time the continent of America had been seen ; Columbus being unacquainted therewith, till his last voyage, which was the year following, when he coasted along a* part of the isthmus of Darien. It is somewhat strange, that our English writers have delivered these matters so confusedly, especially such as lived under the reigns of queen Elizabeth, and king James the First, and, consequently, in and near thu 40 CABOT 3 DISCOVERY OF NEWFOUNDLAND. time of Cabot's son ; yet, so inaccurate are their relations, that some have been induced thereby to doubt, whether John Cabot made any discoveries at all. The Reverend Mr. Samuel Purchas, to whose labours the world is so much indebted, discovers a good deal of distaste, that America should be so called, from Amcricus Vesputius ; and asserts, that it ought rather to be called Oabotiana, or Sebastiana : because, says he, Sebastian Cabot discovered more of it than Americus, or Columbus himself. In Stowe, and Speed, we find this very discovery ascribed wholly to Sebastian, without any mention of his father ; and yet in Fabian's Chronicle, who lived in those days, we have these two remarkable passages : — " In the thirteenth year of king Henry the Seventh, (by means of one John Cabot, a Venetian, who made himself very expert and cunning in the knowledge of the circuit of the world, and islands of the irame, as by a sea-card, and other demonstrations reasonable, he showed,) the king caused to man and victual a ship at i3ristol, to search for an island, ■which he said he knew well was rich, and replenished with great commodities ; which ship, thus manned and victualled at the king's cost, diverse merchants of London ventured in her small stocks, being in her, as chief patron, the said Venetian. And in the company of the said ship, sailed also out of Bristol three or four small ships, freighted with slight and gross merchandises, as coarse cloth, caps, laces, points, and other trifles ; and so departed from Bristol in the beginning of Mav, of whom in this mavor's time returned no tidings." Under the fourteenth year of the same king's reign, he tells us, " There were brought unto him," i e. Henry the Seventh, " three men taken in the new found island ; these," says he, " were clothed in beasts' skins, and did eat raw flesh, and spake such speech, that no man could understand them, and in their demeanour like brute beasts, whom the king kept a time after, of the which, about two years after, I saw two, apparelled after the manner of Englishmen, in Westminster palace, which at that time I could not discern from Englishmen, till I was learned what they were ; but as for speech, I heard none of them utter one word," Thus it appears, from the best authority that can be desired, that of a contemporary writer, this discovery was made I'y Sir John Cal)ot, the father of Sebastian ; and, indeed, so nuich we might have gathered, if we had wanted • relations, ether John erend Mr. is so much it America ind asserts, ?ebastiaTia : i-e of it than I Speed, we Sebastian, in Fabian's I these two Seventh, (by lade himself ;he circuit of tea-card, and e king caused for an island, lenished with md victualled n ventured in ron, the said lip, sailed also ed with slight , laces, points, Bristol in the time returned ing's reign, he e. Henry the island ; these," d did eat raw Jild understand ists, whom the wo years after, Englishmen, in lid not discern Jiey were ; but e word," tv that can be s\liscovery was Sebastian ; and, we had wanted idiL ri«ii«^ii II k pill ^ British Linc-Df-Battlo Ship, 1841 I The Great Haxry, built in 1511. ^1; \ !l j ) t \ \i i nfr . 'i ip THE GREAT HARRY BUILT. 41 this authority : for Sebastian Cabot being, as we shall see hereafter, alive in 1557, it is plain, that, at the time this voyage was made, he could not be above twenty years old ; when, though he might accompany his fathei", yet certainly he was too young to undertake such an expedition himself. It is prol)uble that John Cabot died in England; but when or where is uncertain. Cabot well deserves this notice, as being the first who, on an extended scale, led on the enterprise of Englishmen in maritime discovery. Henry the Eighth followed up the policy of his father, with regard lO his navy ; but his ambition, his pride, and capricious temper, involved him in numerous wars. In 1511, a fierce engagement took place between the French and English Heets; and the Sovereign, or Regent, the largest English ship being burned, the king built anther of still greater burden, called Henry Grace de Dieu, and by some the Great Harry, after the ship of the same name built by his father. This is said to have been the first ship which had four masts, the Regent having had three. AVith tlie political and domestic character of Henry the Eighth, both of which were tyrannical, and the latter detestable, we have nothing farther to do. We are bound to add, that the laws made in his time, for the facilitating and support of inland navigation, clearly demonstrate, that the importance of large rivers began to be understood and esteemed more, than during the civil wars, when public welfare gave way to private interest. The Thames, the Ouse, the Ex, the risers of Southampton, the Severn, &c,, were freed from wears and other obstructions : on the same principle an act passed, for rendering the rivev of Canterbury deeper, in order to its becoming navigable. The illegal tolls and other oppressive duties on the Severn, were sup- pressed, that the great communication by that noble river, might be as free as possible. The making of cables and other hempen manufactures, which had been the principal stay of Bridport in Dorsetshire, was secured to that place by statute. More than one law was passed, to prevent the harbours in Devonshire and Cornwall from being injured and choaked up by the stream works of the tin mines. An act was also passed, in favour of the port of Scarborough ; and with regard to Dover, the haven being in a manner spoiled, the king expended between sixty and seventy thou- sand pounds, out of his own coffers, in building a new pier <( 42 SIR EDWARD HOWARD, LORD HIGH-ADMIRAL. and other necessary works. But not to dwell upon sul)jec^5; that might employ a volume, let us barely mention his founding the two royal yards at Woolwich and Dcptford, the cradles of Britain's naval power; and his foundin-^' at the latter, his noble marine guild, or fraternity, of the nnity. We may now, the English navy having, as such, assumed a national form, not altogether depending on the ^^ ill of the sovereign, bring more prominently forward the biographies of individual Admirals, whose histories, nevertheless, cannot be separated from, because indeed they form a part of, that of the times in which they lived. SIR EDWARD HOWARD, Lord High-Admiral of England, and Knight of the most noble Order of the ixARTER, — If the advantage of an illustrious descent adds to the reputation of great achievements, then the memory of this very gallant and worthy man will have a double right to our respect. He was a second son of the noble House of Nor- folk, and derived, from the example of his father, qualities which adorn the highest titles, namely^ \mtainted loyalty, and invincible courage. He began earl) to show his incli- nation to the sea-service, since we find him employed in the Flanders expedition in 1492, \ len king Henry the Seventh thought fit to assist the Duke of Burgundy against his rebellious subjects. The Flemings, naturally a brave people, and fond of freedom, had grown uneasy under the yoke of the house of Austria, and under the command of the Baron de Ravenstein, began to throw it off. In >rder to this, they seized the town and harbour of Sluys, from whence they fitted out abundance of vessels, of pretty con- siderable force, and, under colour of pursuing their enemies, took and plundered vessels of all nations, without distinc^.ion ; and as the English trade to Flanders wtis then very exten- sive, the English ships suffered at least as much as any other, which was the true reason why king Henry, upon the first application of the Duke of Burgundy, sent a squadron of twelve sail, under the command of Sir Edward I'oynings, with whom Sir I'Mward Howard, then a very young man, went out to learn the art of war. The Duke of Saxonv, in consequence of his alliance with the Duke of Burgundy, marched with an army into Flanders, and besieged Sluys by land; and Sir Edward I'oynings blocked it up Avith Km fleet by sea. •1 i Fl( wit inL .^^A-a SIR EDWARD HOWARD, LORD HIGH-ADMIRAI., 43 subjec-fi ition his >eptfor{], ndin^^' at of the assumed ill of the graphies 5, cannot of, that riRAL OF OF THE adds to mory of right to of Nor- ][ualities loyalty, lis incli- d in the Seventh inst his t brave ider the land of n irder s, from tty con- momies, inclion ; f exten- y other, the first dron of )ynings, ig man, ^ony, in 'gundy, I >Sluy8 vith his The port was defended by two strong castles, which the Flemings, who had nothing to trust to but force, defended with unparalleled obstinacy ; insomuch, that though l*oyn- ings attacked them constantly every day, for twenty days successively, yet he made no gren* impression, till, at last, through accident, the bridge of boats, by which the commu- nication betv/een the castles was preserved, took fire, where- upon the besieged were glad to surrender their city to the Duke of Saxony, and their port and castles to the English. In this expedition. Sir Edward was made a knight, for his extraordinary bravery, of which he gave frequent instances during that long reign, and so thoroughly established his reputation, that king Henry the Eighth, on his succession, made choice of him for his standard bearer; which, in those days, was considered not only as a mark of particular favour, but as a testimony also of the highest confidence and greatest respect. In the f'^nrth year of the same reign, he was created Lord High- Admiral of England, and, in that station, con- voyed the Marcjuis of Dorset into Spain. The Lord Admiral, after the landing of the forces, put to sea again, and, arriving on the coasts of Bretagno, landed some of his men about Conquet and Brest, who ravaged the country, and burned several of the little towns. This roused the French, who began immediately to fit out a great fleet, in ordor to drive, if possible, the English from their cf)asts ; and as this armament was very extraordinary, king Henry sent a squadron of five and twenty tall ships, which he caused to be fitted out under his own eye, at Portsmouth, to the assistance of the admiral. Among these were two capital ships ; one called the Regent, commanded by vSir Thomas Knevet, master of the horse to the king, and the other, which was the Sovereign, by Sir Charles Brandon, afterwards Duke of Suffolk. When these vessels had joined the admiral, his fleet consisted of no less than forty-five sail, with which he immediately resolved to attack the enemy, who were, by this time, readv to come out of the harbour of Brest. Authors differ mucli as to their number. Our writers say it consisted of thirty-nine, and the French oniy nf twenty sail ; the Admiral, I'rimaugct, was a brave man. The shij) he commanded was called the Cordelier, which was so large, as to Ije able to carry twelve hundred fighting men, exclusive of mariners. At this time there were nine hundred on board, and, encouraged by their gal- c I. I ■ it ,1 !i n I'; 1 "1 > i I I 44 FIGHT IX THE HARROUR OF RREST. lant officer, thoy did their duty bravely. Sir Thomas Knevet, in the Regent, which was a much less ship, attacked and boarded them. The action lasted for some time with equal vigour on both sides : at last both the admirals' ships took fire, and burned together, wherein were lost upwards of sixteen hundred valiant men. It seems this accident struck both fleets with amazement, so that rhey separated, without fighting, each claiming the victory, to which, pro- bably, neither had a very good title. In the beginning of the following April, Admiral Howard put to sea again, with a fleet of forty-two men of war, besides small vessels, and forced the French into the harbour of Brest, where thoy fortifled themselves, in order to wait the arrival of a squadron of galleys from the Mediterranean. 8ir Edward Howard, having considered their ])osture, resolvc'l, since it was im])ossible to attack them, to burn the country round about, which he accordingly perform^^'d, in spite of all the care they could take to prevent it ; and yet the French lav still under the cover of their fortifications, and of a line of twenty-four largo hulks lashed together, which they proposed to have set on fire, in case tlie Jjiiglish attempted to force them to a battle. While the admiral was thus employed, he had intelligence that Pregont, with the six galleys from the Mediterranean, had arrived, and taken shelter in the bay of Conqnet, This accident induced him to change his measures, so that he now resolved first to destroy the galleys, if possiide, and then return to the fleet. Upon his advancing to reconnoitre l*r?gent's squadron, he found them at anchor between two rocks, on each of which stood a strong fort, and which was like to give him still more trouble. They lay so far up in the bay, that he could bring none of his shijjs of force to engage them. The only method, therefore, of Avhieh be could think, was to put the bravest of his sailors on board two u'alleys, which wore in his fleet, and with those to venture in, and try what might be done against all six. This being resolved on, he went himself, attendod by Sir Thomas Cheyne, and Sir .lohn Wallop, on board one of them; and sent Lord Fei-rors, Sir Henry Sliorburn, and Sir William Sidnov, on board tiio other: and having a brisk gale of wind, sailed directly int(t the bay, where, with his own galley, he attacked the French admiral. As soon as they wore grappled. Sir lOdwiird Howard, followed by seven- toon of the l)ravest of his sailo]-.-, boarded the onomy, and ^ Action between the Regent and Cordelier. I I i t: \ were mid:- the upoi they Lor for and mat It the the bun be 11 khiiJ fore DEATH OF SIR EDWARD HOWARD. 45 were very gallantly roceivccl ; Ijut it so happened, that in the midst of the eny-agement the galleys .sheered asunder, and the French, taking that advantage, forced all the English upon their decks overhoard, except one seaman, from whom they quickly learned that the admiral was of that number. Lord Ferrers, in the other galley, did all that was possible for a very brave man to do ; but having spent all his shot, and perceiving, as he thought, the admiral retire, he likewise made the best of his way out of the harbour. It is said, that Sir Edward Ilovard having considered the posture of the French fleet in the haven of Brest, and the consequences which would attend either defeating or burning it, gave notice thereof to the king, inviting him to be present at so glorious an action, desiring rather that the king should have the honour of destroying the French naval force than himself — a loyal and generous proposition — sup- posing the honour, not "he danger, too great for a subject ; and, measuring his master's courage by his own, the only standard men of his rank and temj)er of mind ever use. But his letter being laid before the Council, they were altogether of another opinion, conceiving it was much too great a hazard for his majesty to expose his person in such an enterprise ; and, therefore, they wrote sharply to the admiral, commanding him not to send excuses, but do his duty. Tl.'^^, as it well might, piqued him to the utmost, and as it was his avowed maxim, 'I' hat a seaman never did good, who was not resolute to a degree of madness, so he took a sudden resolution of acting in the manner he did. When he found his galley slide aw.ay, and saw the danger to which he was exposed, he took his chain of gold nobles which hung about his neck, and his great gold whistle, the ensign of his office, and threw them into the sea, to jirevent the enemy from possessing the spoils of an ]*]nglish admiral. Thus fell the great Sir J^]dward Howard, on the twenty-fifth of April, 1513, a saciifico to his too quick sense of honour in the service. His loss was to the manifest and acknow- ledged detriment of his country : for his death so dejected the spirits of his sailors, that the fleet was obliged to return home, which, had he lived, would not have happened. There never, certainly, was a braver man than this Sir Edward Howard; and he was very far from being either a mere soldier, or a more seaman, though so eminent in both characters : but ho was what it became an English gentle- man of so high quality to be — an able statesman, a faithful 46 THOMAS HOWARD, DUKE OF NORFOLK. If > "1 h ' counsellor, and a free speaker. He was ready at all times to hazard his life and fortune in his country's quarrels ; and yet he was against her quarrelling on every slight occasion, or against her interests. lie particularly dissuaded a breach with the Flemings, for these wise and strong reasons, that such a war was prejudicial to commerce abroad ; that it diminished the customs, while it increased the public expenses ; that it served the French, by constraining the inhabitants of Flanders to deal with them against their will ; and that it tended to the prejudice of our manufactures, by interrupting our intercourse with those by whom they were principally improved. THOMAS HOWARD, Earl of Surrfa', and Duke of Norfolk. — Thomas Howard was the elder brother of Sir Edward, and succeeded him as Lord High-Admiral. Al- though a man of great ability, he was not so famous for naval exploits as his brother: still he ably sustained the reputation of the English sailor. He commanded, under the title of Earl of Surrey, the English army at the battle of Floddeii ; and, indeed, as a general, was ranked among the highest of his time. It is deserving of remark, that in former times we find the Admiral and the General much more fre- quently combined than we do at a later period. This can only arise from the circumstance of the duties requ'red from the two services being more distinctly circumscribed and limited : for we cannot doubt, that had Wellington turned his attention to naval tactics, and Nelson been bred a soldier, the one might have been the victor of the Nile, and the second the conqueror of Waterloo. This Earl of Surrey, having succeeded to the title of Duke of Norfolk, incurred the dislike of his capricious king, whose lawless lust was his only will, and was thrown into the tower and condemned to death. He was saved, however, by the death of the king, who having lived to be a burden to himself and a scourge to his subjects, died in 1547. — This relief to suffering humanity came too late to save the gallant son of Norfolk, the poet-soldier Lord Surrey, who for imaginary crimes was beheaded on Tower Hill in 1547. Sir William Fitzwilliams was another of the naval heroes of these days, and was identified with the Howards in many of their victories, and was undoubtedly a gallant sailor. He was created Earl of Southampton. Ho died in 1542. Although martial exploits have generally attracted more rcno\ still degr*! ( •■ '(J VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY. 47 ' at all times uarrels ; and ^'ht occasion, dissuaded a ong- reasons, Inroad; that the public training the gainst their inufactures, whom they D Duke of ther of Sir miral. AI- Js for naval ! reputation the title of f l^^lodden ; highest of rmer times more fre- This can rcqu red umscribed Vellington been bred the Nile, e title of lious king, n into the however, a burden save the i"ey, who in 1547. al heroes in many t sailor. Ii542. ed more renown than peaceful exertions, for the benefit of mankind, still on careful consideration it will be found that a high degree of courage, as well as skill and perseverance, is required in the conduct of a voyage of discovery. That a preference is given, and is due to the former, may be easily accounted for. Self-preservation is the first law of nature ; and to those who expose their lives to defend their altars and their homes, no praise too high can be given, no reward too great can be offered. Improvement is the second law of nature ; and to those whose lives are periled, and whose energies are exerted in pointing out paths, which may lead to the improvement of the human race, high indeed is the admiration which is due. Of voyages of discovery, during this reign, we find the following notices ; the first of them referring to a much talked of subject — the North-west passage. Mr. Robert Thome, a merchant of Bristol, in the year 1527, addressed himself to the king by a letter, wherein he represented what great advantages the emperor of Germany, and the king of Portugal, drew from their colonies, and exhorted him to undertake discoveries towards the north, concerning which he gave many hints, supported by very plausible reasons. The king, understanding that this gen- tleman had great experience, as well as a very penetrating judgment, ordered two ships to be well manned and victualled for this expedition, of which Mr. Thorne himself had the direction. One of the ships was lost, and the other returned home, without discovering any north-west passage, though certainly no care or pains were wanting in such as were con- cerned. Mr. Thorne, the principal undertaker, was after- wards mayor of Bristol. In 1530, Mr. William Hawkins of Plymouth, father of the famous Sir John Hawkins, and himself esteemed one of the ablest seamen of his time, fitted out a stout tall ship, says our author, at his own expense, called the Paul of l*ly- mouth, of the burden of two hundred and fifty tons, in which he made three voyages to the coast of Brazil, touching also on the coast of Guinea, where he traded in slaves, gold, and elephants' teeth, opening thereby the channel of that rich and extensive commerce, which has been since carried on in those parts. Less successful, though undertaken with greater hopes, was the famous voyage of Mr. Ilore of London, a worthy merchant, and one of the most remarkable men of his time. •»-^:^jC- **'" ■f, -t' i 48 KING ED\VARD THE SIXTH. IIif5 person was tall and g-raceful, his knowledge solid and extensive, his behaviour insinuating and polite ; all which is necessary to be observed, since, by his discourses on the honour and profit of discoveries in North America, he in- spired no fener than thirty gentlemen, of family and fortune, with a desii'e of sharing in the fatigues of his intended voy- age. They equipped two ships, one called the Trinity, of one hundred and forty tons, commanded by Mr. Hore, the other the jVIinion, of less burden ; and on board these there embarked, in all, one hundred and twenty persons. They sailed from Gravesend on the thirtieth of April, 153G, and without any remarkable accident, arrived on the coa. f of Newfoundland, where, while they were intent on ^discoveries, they were reduced to the greatest distress for ,ai of food. At last, when they were on the point of .^ing .'"11 starved, a French ship arrived, well furnished with provisiu- , of which they made themselves masters, and returned therein to England. 8ome months after, arrived the Frenchmen, whom they had spoiled, and made a great clamour at court about the wrongs they had received ; into which king Henry having made a strict inquiry, he was so much moved at the miseries that these brave men had suf- fered, that he generously repaid the French to their satisfac- tion, out of the treasury, and promoted several of those who returned from this disastrous voyage ; amongst the rest, Mr. Armigal Wade, who was many years after clerk of the council to himself and his son Edward the Sixth. One tiling more I must remark, before I quit this subject, and that is, that the Reverend Mr. Hakluyt, from whom we have these particulars, rode two hundred miles, in order to take them from the mouth of Mr. Butts, the only surviving person of those who had made this voyage. The English commerce, during the reign of this prince, extended itself very much, especially towards the newly dis- covered lands in the north, to which by degrees a regular trade was fixed, and in the Levant, encouraged by the great intercourse between the king and the two maritime states of Italy, Venice and Genoa. Edward the Sixth, who died while yet a minor, was as amiable as his fiither was hateful. His I'.ncles, the Sey- mours, rendered his reign unhappy, by fraternal discords, the protector, the Uuke of Somerset, having promoted, or at least concurred in, the death of his brother, the High Admiral Seymour, upon a very doubtful, if not frivolous, SEBASTIAN CABOT. 49 Ige sol ill and ; all which is urses on the lerica, he in- ' and fortune, ntonded voy- le Trinity, of Ir. Ilore, the •d these there ons. :'th of April, rived on the are intent on t distress for the point of urnished with masters, and after, arrived made a great eceived ; into ry, he was so men had suf- their satisfac- of those who the rest, Mr. clerk of the Sixth. One subject, and m whom we in order to nly surviving this prince, he newly dis- ees a regular by the great time states of linor, was as les, the Sey- nal discords, promoted, or er, the High ot frivolous, charge of treason. Somerset himself suffered death for nominal treason, imputed to him by the intriguing Dudley, DidvC of Northumberland. Amid such transactions, and at a time when the attention of all was directed to religious discussions, consequent to the reformation, we look in vain for heroic exploits. Yet even in this reign attention was paid to trade and to maritime discovery ; and with it is inti- mately connected the history of Sebastian Cabot. SEBASTIAN CABOT was the son of Sir John Cabot, of whom we have already given some account. He was born at Bristol about the year 1477. Sebastian w^as educated by his father in the study of those parts of the mathematics which were then best understood, especially arithmetic, geometry, and cosmography ; and by the time he was seventeen years old, he had made several trips to sea, in order to add to his theoretical notions a competent skill in the actical part of navigation. The first voyage of consequence in which Seb the Spice ; by reason lis conduct 2 river La i, found an ue in com- rds Brazil. ree leagues 'ador, very same side, ided them, not much in in it, he and a Hat- inking that 3 the Spice less. • La Plata, sping along 3d leagues, e the name it, thinking ■ up thirty- hing which le met with ', but killed Spaniards, his eminent troduced to th whom he B known to iS conversa- k^hich Cabot had applied himself, than could have been expected, for he knew not only all the ports and havens in this island and in Ireland, but also those in France, their shape, method of entering, conveniences and inconveniences, and, in short, could answer any question about them that a sailor could ask. We need not wonder, therefore, that with such a prince, Cabot was in high esteem, or that in his favour a new office should be erected, equivalent to that which he had enjoyed in Spain, together with a pension of one hundred and sixty-six pounds thirteen shillings and fourponce, which we find granted to him by letters patent, dated January 0, 1549, in the second year of that king's reign, by a special clause, in which patent this annuity is made to commence from the ^lichaelmas preceding. He continued thencefor- ward highly in the king's favour, and was consulted upon all matters relating to trade. In the month of May, 1552, the king granted a license, together with letters of safe conduct, to such persons as should embark on board three ships, to be employed for the discovery of a passage by the north to the East Indies. Sebastian Cabot was at that time governor of the company of merchant adventurers on whose advice this enterprise was undertaken, and by whose interest this countenance from the court was procured. The accounts we have of this matter differ widely, but as I observe there is a variation in the dates of a ^vhole year, so I am apt to believe that there must have been two distinct undertakings, one under the immediate protection of the court, which did not take effect, and the other by a joint-stock of the merchants, which did. When this matter was first proposed, the king lent two ships, the Primrose and the Moon, to I3arnes, Lord Mayor of London, and Mr. Garret, one of the sheriffs ; Mr. York and Mr. Wyndham, two of the adventurers, giving bond to the king to deliver two ships of like burden, and in as good condition, at midsummer, 1554. In consideration also of the expense and trouble of Sebastian Cabot, his Majesty made him a present of two hundred pounds. A year afterwards this grand undertaking was brought to rjear, and thereupon Sebastian Cabot delivered to the com- mander-in-chief those directions by which he was to regu- late his conduct, the title of which ran thus : — " Ordinances instructions, and advertisements of, and for the direction of the intended voyage for Cathay, compiled, made, and deliv- ered by the Itight Worshipful Sebastian Cabot, Es( . 1 'VI' |t >k 54 SEBASTIAN CABOT. governor of the mystery and company of merchant adven- turers for the discovery of regions, dominions, ishmds, and places unknown, the ninth of May, in the year of our Lord God, 1553." This shows how great a trust was reposed in this gentleman by the government and by the merchants of England, and the instructions themselves, which we still have entire, are the clearest proofs of his sagacity and pene- tration, and the fullest justification of such as reposed their trust in him. Many have surmised that he was a knight, whence we often find him styled Sir Sebastian ; but the very title of those instructions I hive cited proves the contrary, as also the charter granted by king Philip and queen Mary, in the first year of their reign, to the merchants of Russia, since styled the Russia Company, whereby Sebastian Cabota is made governor for life, on account of his being principally concerned in fitting out the first ships employed in that trade; but so far from being styled knight, that he is called only Sebastian Cabota, without any distinction at all. In- deed, he is styled Sebastian Cabot, ]*]sq., in the letters patent, bearing date at St. James's, November 27, 1555, in the second and thira years of Philip and Mary, wherein their Majesties are pleased to grant )im an annuity of one hun- dred and sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings and fourpcnco during his natural life; as he also is in the letters patent, dated at Westminster, May 29, 1557, the third and fourth of the same reign, when these princes were pleased to permit him to surrender the former patent, and as a reward for his great merit, to grant him the like annuity as before, not only during his life, but also to continue the Vame to William Worthingtcn, Esq., a friend no doubt of Cabot's, for his natural life likewise. After this we find him very active in the art'airs of the company, in the year 1550, and in the journal of Mr. Stephen Burroughs, it is observed, that on the 27th of April that year lie went down to (iravesend, and there went on board the Serch-thrift, a small vessel fitted out under the command of the said Burroughs for Russia, where he gave generously to the sailors, and on his return to Gravesend ]ig extended his alms very liberally to the poor, desiring them to pray for the success of tbis voyage. We find it also remarked, that upon his coming back to Oravesend, he caused a grand entertainment to be made at tbe sign of the Christ, )pher, where, says Mr. Burroughs, for the very joy he had to see the towardness of our intended I 4 QUEEN' MARY. 55 ant adven- sliinds, and ■ our Lord as reposed merchants ich we still ■ and pene- posed their vhence we tie of those IS also the irv, in the Lissia, since Cabota is principally ed in that he is called it all. In- ters patent, )55, in the lerein their f one hun- fourpcnco ers patent, and fourth d to permit ard for his before, not to William t's, for his •y active in and in the ed, that on tjiravesend, nail vessel roughs for and on his liberally to !iis voyage, ig back to be made at burroughs, ir intended discovery, he entered into the dance himself. This, except the renewing his patent, is the last circumstance relating to Cabot that I can meet with anywhere; and as it is certain that a person of his temper could not have been idle, or his actions remain in obscurity ; so I look upon it as certain, that he died some time in the next year, when, if not four score, he v as at least much upwards of seventy. He was unquestionably one of the most extraordinary mon of the age in which he lived, and by his capacity and industry, contributed not a little to the service of mankind in general, as well as of this kingdom; for he it was who first took notice of the variation of the compass, which is of such mighty consequence in navigation, and concerning Avhich the learned have busied themselves in their inquiries ever since. QUEEN MARY the First has not earned for herself any very enviable character in history. 8he was a weak-minded ^"oman, and permitted her judgment to be perverted, and I ; heart hardened by a cruel superstition, imposed upon hi, oy designing persons, who hoped through her means to restore the ini'iuence of the Romish priesthood, abolished by her father, whose name is redeemed from universal infamy by that abolition alone. In pursuance of her darling object, that of restoring the popal power, Mary accepted the offer of a matrimonial al- liance with I'hilip, son of Charles the Fifth, emperor of Germany, and king of Spain, one of the most politic and successful princes of modern history, yet devoid of every spark of noble and generous feeling, Philip inherited from his father nothing but his bigotry and his kingdoms, and his only object in marrying the fjueen of England, who was much his senior, and whom he seems never to have loved, was to bring back that kingdom to the Catholic religion. This unfortunate alliance had considerable influence upon our naval history. Our author tells us that the queen caused a fleet of twenty-eight sail to be e([uipped, the command of "which she gave to the Lord William Howard, created baron of Effingham in the first year of her reign, and fiord High- Admiral. He was sent to sea under pretence of guarding the coast, but in reality his squadron was designed to escort prince Philip, which was, however, a needless care, since his own fleet consisted of a hundred and sixty sail. With this naval force he entered the narrow seas, his Admiral car- y If H ft 1 56 QUEEN MARV. rying the Spanish flag in his main-top, a thing -which gave such offence to the gallant Admiral of England, that he saluted him with a shot, and obliged him to take in his colours before he would make his compliments to the prince — a circumstance worthy of immortal remembrance, and one would think, too, of imitation. Had the alliance between Spain and England at this pe- riod been truly national, and not merely personal between the two sovereigns, most important consequences to Europe might have been the results. Both countries were at war with France; but instead of availing themselves of mutual support against that power, their jealousies, chiefly founded on the difference in religions, rendered any sincere alliance impracticable. Mary died in 1558, worn out by bodily disease and mental distress acting and reacting upon each other. Voyages of discovery were not likely to Lc undertaken with much spirit under the circumstances inevitably attend- ant upon so unhappy a reign. Nevertheless we find that one attempt at least was made to discover the passage to the north by the East Indies. It was in this reign also that our mer- chants began to acquire an accur ite knowledge of the Rus- sian territories. A company was established for carrying on the trade with that country, and the representative of the Czar of Moscovy was publicly received at London by Mary and Philip. Owing to the immense riches derived from the possession of Mexico and Peru, Spain might, at the period of which we now speak, be justly deemed the most powerful nation of Europe, and IMiilip, either from complaisance towards his queen, or from a more subtile mo- tive, permitted the English to phare in the favour which Spain enjoyed in foreign ports. Events lead us to believe that Philip entertained the design of reconciling England to the Holy See, and of adding to his already extensive domin- ions. The fate of his Armada in the subse(|uent reign dissipated this vision ; in the meantime, the English trade benefited by his influence. One of the most remarkable m.^n of these times raised himself first into rank and fame by his abilities and bravery as a seaman, although he afterwards rendered his fame a bad one by his unprincipled ambition. He forfeited his life by his rebellion upon the accession of Mary ; Ijut a verv brief notice of him may not be out of place in connexion with, her reign. DUDLEY, DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 67 hich gave 1, that he lis colours prince — a , and one it this pe- 1 between to Europe ire at war of mutual y founded 'e alliance by bodily ipon each ndertaken •ly attcnd- id that one I the north ; our mer- ' the Rus- carrying ntative of ondon by es derved might, at enied the her from jbtile mo- lur which to believe ngland to e domin- ent reign lish trade es raised 1 bravery s fame a 3(1 his life erv brief with, her 1 ►SIR JOHN DUDLEY, afterwards Viscount Lisle, Earl of Warwick, and Duke of Northumberland. — This aspiring man, son of Edmund Dudley, an eminent lawyer and statesman, was born in 1502, and was about eight years of age at the time of his father's execution for alleged treason. In 1511, an act was passed, by which the attainder of Edmund Dudley was reversed, and John Dud- ley, the son, was restored in blood, in consequence of which he inherited a large property which had been left by his father. While he was very young he attended the Duke of Suffolk iii an expedition to France, where, on account of his gallantry and heroism, he obtained the honour of knight- hood, lie was afterwards patronised ])y Cardinal Wolsey and Lord Cromwell. When Lady Anne Cleves arrived in England, Dudley was made Master of the Horse to the intended queen. lie was also appointed Master of the Armoury in the Tower. On the 1st of May, 1539, he was the first of the grand challengers in the triumphant tourna- ments held at Westminster, in which he appeared with great magnificence, and acted his part with much spirit. In 1542, he was, by letters patent, raised to the dignity of Viscount Lisle, a title which belonged to his mother in her own right; at the next festival of St. George he was elected Knight of the Garter. This was soon after followed by a much higher instance of the king's trust and confidence; for his Majesty, on account of his abilities and courage, constituted him Lord Admiral of I'^ngland for life. He had, previously '.o this, distinguished himself in the naval service of his coun- try, and had, in particular, been engaged with the Admiral,* a ship of Sluys, which he boarded and took, fighting her ship to ship. In the year 1544, he sailed as Lord Iligh- Admiral of England, with a fleet of two hundred sail, in order o invade Scotland. The troops were landed about four miles frtmi Leith, whence they marched to Edin- Inirgh, the Lord Admiral commanding the vanguard, and the Earl of Hertford the main. In Scotland they did a great deal of mischief, scouring the coasts, burning some of the towns, and destroying all the vessels that came within their reach. From Scotland, the Admiral proceeded to assist the king in his enterprise at Boulogne, and very much * From the style of the old writers, there is some room for doubt whether this was a ship named " The Admiral," or whether it wds the Admiral's ship. 58 DUDLEY, DUKE OF NORTIIUMBERLAXD. ^i I-,: I I h * ; ' i ,f IJ contributed to the capture of that pin"., oi .vhich, as a reward for his services, he was appoJi-tod ^ uvenior. lii 1543, he was appointed Lieutenant- .-d ap'l oo:nmander at sea, and with a very interior force, aot only iVustrated an intended invasion by the Frencn, but, in return, carried the alarm to their coasts, which is thus related: — The French monarch being much vexed at the loss of Boulogne, hired from several of the Italian powers, at a great expense, a considerable number of ships, and having assembled up- wards of two hundred sail, besides galleys, gavo the com- mand of this fleet to Annebault, admiral of Fran< e, in hopes of recovering Boulogne, and also with a design of making some attempts on the English coasts. Between Alderney and Guernsey, their galleys attacked the English Lord Admiral, Lisle, who htad then but a small squadron with him, and they made every exertion to take his own ship, but he defended himself so well against eighteen of their vessels at once, that they were glad to retire. At length, the whole French fleet appeared before St. Helen's, and making a show of attempting something upon the coast, the Lord Admiral advanced, his fleet consisting of sixty sail; but, after exchanging some shot, the Frencl: retired. The English fleet being then reinforced, and hav ing taken some troops on board, offered the French battle again, which they accepted, and a sharp engagement ensued for two hours, till night parted the two fleets, when the French retired to Havre de Grace, and appeared no more. The English Admiral, however, soon after puid a visit to the coast of France, and landing six thousand men at Tropovt, burned the town nun ;ibbey, with thirty ships which were in ♦;he harbour, all wi ' b he did with the loss of fourteen men ( nly, and then returned with his fleet to England. Viscount liisle was one of the commissioners who received the oath of Francis on the peace, and who made a settle- ment of the army accounts ; for these and other important services, he was amply >'ewarded by grants t»f church lands, which relieved him from the embarrassment which his ex- travagance had occasioned. By the last will of Henry the Eighth he was nominated one of the sixteen to whom the government of the country was committed during the mi- nority of Edward the Sixth. In the year 1547, he resigned IukS post of High- Admiral, and was, on the same day, «'reated Earl of Warwick, with a grant of the castle and manor of Warwick. «« - V ^.iL.' DUDLEY, DUKE OF NORTHUMBEIILAXD. 59 .hich, as a etiior. In Oi.niDander frustrated rn, carried ted:— The Boulogne, at expense, mbled up- the coin- e, in hopes of making Alderney ;lish Lord tdron with n ship, but leir vessels eng'th, the nd making , the Lord sail; but, -ed. The aken some ain, Avhich 1 tor two lie French ore. The isit to the t T report, ch were in irteen men i. 10 received e a settle- important H'ch lands, ich his ex- llenrv the whom the ig the mi- le resigned ly, (Teated [ manor of We do not find that after this the Earl of vVarv-ick took anv part in the rnval concern;- of \'.^ country. We shuil, therefore, t-'ive oiily a very brief abstract of tliv suboe(iuent events of his life. He continued it ascend in the scale of preferment, and was successively created Lord Steward of the Household, Earl Marshal of England, and in October 1551, he obtained the title of Duke of Northumberland. The Duke of Somerset had long been Dudley's rival: the young king Edward was anxious to unite them, by pro- posing a marriage between Dudley's eldest son and the daughter of the Duke of Somerset, which took place. The reconciliation was ( f very short tliiration : the ambitious Duke of Northumberland felt that he could rise no higher but by the fall of his rival. This he effected; and to his disgrace and that of the age, Somerset was executed in January, 1552, his enemy having sat as one of the judges on this bloody occasion. He had now leisure to pui-sue his ambitious projects : he procured a marriage between his son and Lady Jane Grey, a branch of the royal family, and then inrtuonced the king to set aside the succession of his sisters, Mary and JOlizabeth, and to bequeath the crown to his daughter-in-law, Lady Jane. This, which he hoped would raise him to the highest point of honour, caused his downfall. On the demise of the king, he caused his daugh- ter-in-law to be proclaimed queen, but the people united for Mary, and fixed the crown ui)on her head. North- umberland was committed to the Tower, and with the hope of oi)taining a pardon, he conformed to the Uomar, Catholic religion. Mercy, however, was not among thj attributes of the (pieen ; the Duke had resisted her powe»* and insulted her authority, and she determineil he shov' * pay the penalty of his life. He submitted to liis fate with composure, and was beheaded August 22, 1553, leaving behind him several children, of whom (Juilford Dudley, anil the amiable Lady Jane, suffered for his guilty ambition. f f ! s i r i iiif CHAPTER III. REIGN OF ELIZAP.ETII — HER PRECAUTIONS TO RESTORE ITER FLEET — THE SPANISH AiniADA — HOW AIll) OF EFFINGHAM — EARL OF ESSEX — SIR JOHN VWKINS — SIR FRANCIS DRAKE — SIR MARTIN FROIHSHER — EARL OF CUMRERLAND — SIR ROBERT DUDLEY — SIR IIICHARU GRENVILLE — JAMES LANCASTER. Elizabfth, who ascended the throne at the age of twenty- five, found her kingdom ])eset with dangers and difficulties \ 'hieh her courage and talents alone enahled her to overcome. One of the tirst measures which her prudence dictated was to attempt to restore the naval superiority of the country, which, as we have stated, had been much impaired during the preceding reign. Having made an order in council, in the preamlde of which it was recited that the distresses of the kingdom were o'iefly owing to the influence of foreign advice in the late t'e;^?n, the queen declared that she was an independent and free princess and meant so to act, without any farther applications to 8pain than the concerns of her people abso- lutely required. On tne 2l8t of November, when she had worn the crown but three days, she sent oi'dcrs to Vice-Admiral Malyn, to I QUEE.V ELIZARETH 01 E ITER FLEET M — EARL OF -SIR MARTIN DUDLEY — SIR 3 of twenty- d flifficulties o overcome, dictated was the country, lired during' preamble of ngdom were 2 in the hite pendent and anv farther people abso- n the crown al Malvn, to draw together as many ships as he could for the defence of the narrow seas, and for preventing, likewise, all persons from entering into, or passing out of the kingdom without license, which he performed so strictly, that in a short time the council were forced to relax their orders, and to signify to the warden of the Cinque-ports that the queen meant not to imprison her subjects, but that persons might pass and repass about their lawful concerns. With like diligence, provision was made for the security of Dover, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight, so that by the end of the year the kingdom was out of all danger from any sudden insult, and the queen at leisure to consider how she might farther strengthen it, so as to render all the projects of her enemies abortive. A strict legal inquiry was made into the loss of Calais in the late reign. Lord Wentworth, on whom many asper- sions had fallen, was fairly tried and honourably acquit- ted by his peers, but the Captain's Chamberlain and llar- leston were condemned, though the queen thought fit to pardon them. As for Lord Grey, his gallant defence of the fortress, wherein he was governor, exempted him from any prosecution ; instead of which, he was appointed com- mander-in-chief of the forces that were to march into Scotland, on a new war with that kingdom. The Meet was commanded by Admiral Winter, who sailed up the Frith of Forth, blocked up Leith by sea, while the army of the Scots Lords, and the English auxiliaries under Lord Urey, besieged it by land, and in a very short space forced the French garri- son to capitulate, whereby all the designs of France on that side were entirely broken, and the queen left to look to her own concerns. Among these tlie navy was the (jueen's peculiar care; she directed a most exact survey of it to be made, a very strict infjuiry into the causes of its decay, and the surest means by which it might be recovered. She issued orders for preserv- ing timber fit for building, directed many pieces of brass cannon to bo cast, and encouraged the making gunpowder at home, which had been hitherto broug from abroad at a vast expense. For the security of her fieet, which generally lay in the river Med way, she built a strong fortress, called Upnore Castle. The wages of the seamen shf ram\L enlarged^ the number and augmented the salaries of her naval officers, drew over foreigners skilled in the arts relating to navigation to instruct her people, and by the pains she k 62 QUEEN ELIZABETH. \ ,! it r. t I took in these affairs, excited a spirit of emulation among her subjects, who began everywhere to exert themselves in like manner, by repairing ports, and building vessels of all sizes, especially large and stout ships, fit for war as well as commerce, from all which, as Mr. Camden tells us, the queen justly acquired the glorious title of the restorer of naval power, and sovereign of the northern seas, insomuch that foreign nations were struck with awe at the queen's proceedings, and were now willing respectfully to court a power which had been so lately the object of their contempt. The countenance given by Elizabeth to the Protestants among her allies, in their attempts to maintain their religious liberties, turned out of the utmost importance to the commer- cial interest of her own subjects, for the most skilful arti- ficers of Europe were at that time those of France and the Low Countries, who being persecuted in their own countries, naturally had recourse to that protection which Elizabeth was so willing and so able to afford them, and her numerous ships keeping generally an effective command of the inter- mediate seas, were always ready to protect them and their families in their passage, and they, in bringing with them in all cases their skill, and in many their capital and imple- ments, laid the foundation of the manufactures of England, which have risen to a height unparalleled in history. This did not fail to add to the enmity with which the Catholic princes already regarded her, and Philip of Spain took the lead in the attempt to effect her destruction. These attempts resulted in the sailing and loss of the Spanish Armada, an era so celebrated in our naval annals, as to require from us a brief sketch of the events which preceded and attended it. The civil dissensions of the kingdom of France, which gave the court a pretence for oppressing those of the reformed religion, whom they called Hugonots, produced in the year 1562, very destructive consequences to their neighbours. A general spirit of rapine and confusion having spread itself through the inhabitants of that extensive kingdom, and the gi'eatest crimes meeting with impunity, such as dwelt on the sea coast, and who were mostly Hugonots, fitted out ships to annoy their enemies, upon which the court party did the like, so that at last piracies were frequent, and the English trade suffered so intolerably, that at length the queen resolved to interpose. The French Protestants had long sued to her for protection, and offered to put the port of Havre de (iL'ELN ELIZABETH, G3 among her Ives in like isels of all ' as well as ?lls us, the restorer of 1, insomuch the queen's to court a (• contempt. Protestants ;ir religious rie commer- skilful arti- nce and the n countries, 1 Elizabeth V numerous f the inter- 1 and their with them and imple- f England, Dry. which the ip of Spain ion. OSS of the ival annals, ents which nee, which le reformed in the year leighbours. pread itself im, and the welt on the i out ships rty did the he English en resolved sued to her Havre de Grace, then called Newhaven, into her hands, which at length she accepted, and sent over Ambrose I^udley, Earl of Warwick, in the month of September, 15G2, with a con- siderable fleet, and a good body of troops on board, who entered the town, and kept possession of it till the 29th of July following. The taking into our hands this place proved of infinite detriment to the French, for the court having declared all English ships good prizes so long as the queen held that port, she found herself obliged to issue a like proclamation, whereupon such numbers of privateers were fitted out from English ports and from Newhaven, that the spoil they made is almost incredible. For example, we are told that one Francis Clarke equipped at his own expense three frigates, and after a cruize of six weeks, brought into Newhaven no fewer than eighteen prizes, which were valued at upwards of fifty thousand pounds. The main motive to this conduct was to revive a naval enterprising spirit amongst her subjects, the promoting ship-building, and preventing her neighbours from gaining an ascendency at sea, as they would certainly have done, if in order to redress the nation's wrongs she had had recourse to negotiation. A maritime power injured, instead of expostulating, immediately makes reprisals, and thereby extorts apologies from the aggressors made sensible of their past mistake. But by degrees this spirit of privateering grew to such a height, that the queen, for her own safety and the honour of the nation, was obliged to restrain it; those who had fitted out ships of force, from a disposition natural enough to privateers, plundering indiscriminately all vessels that came in their way. In the month o** July, also in this year, the queen directed a small squadron of ships to be fitted out, viz., the Lyon, the Hoope, the Hart, Swallow, and a barque named the Hare, of which Sir William Woodhouse, knight, was appointed Vice- Admiral, under a pretence of guarding the narrow seas, which were then said to be greatly infested with pirates, but in reality, as appears from his instructions, to lend what assistance he possibly could to the malecontents in France, Some of these vessels were, in the November fol- lowing, such as the Hart, Swallow, Hare, &c., judged requi- site hy the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Pembroke, and the ; Lord Admiral Clinton, to remain at Portsmouth, not only for the security of the coast and keeping the channel clear during the winter, but for the conveniency of transporting troops, m Hi i iU ft if ii( n fJ4 QITEEN ELIZABETH, money, provisions, and ammunition, u< also for the convey- ing to and receiving letters from Newhaven. The Hare, in her passage to the last-mentioned place, was attacked by a French ship of ninety tons and upwards, which she took. Philip the Second of Spain, from the time of quc< ri Eli- zabeth's accession to the throne, had dealt with her very deceitfully, sometimes pretending to be her firm friend, at t»thers seeking every occasion to injure and molest her sub- jects, which he had more frequent opportunities of doing from the great commerce they carried on in 1 landers. What served also to heighten the people's hatred agiun; t the Spaniards was, the cruelty and treachery with which they had treated Captain Hawkins and his crew in the West Indies, an insult which the queen could but very ill bear, though as things were circumstanced she could not well resent it, all trade to the Spanish West Indies being in some resj>ect opposed to treaties. In the midst of all difficulties, the queen took every oppo ■- tunity to encourage he^ people in prosecuting new schemes of trade abroad, and of pursuing what might be an improve- ment of their lands at home. With this view she sometimes contributed ships, sometimes gave money, at others entered into partnership. She likewise afforded, in a very delicate conjuncture a proof of her generosity, in us, luft king IMiilip of Spain no room to doubt that bis projects for assuming the sn[)reme dominion of Eu- rope, or at least the absolute direction of it, would bo rendered entirelv abortive, unless some method could be contrived for ruining J"h)gland at once. Whilu he meditated this design, and took various steps towards it, he found himself daily more and more irritated by the pains which (pieen Elizabeth took to frustrate his schemes, and to diminish the power which had been derived to him from his father, the emperor CMiarles the Fiftli. JJuring the administration of the Huke of Alva in the Netherlands, dirt'erences had arisen between the court . of England and the king of Spain's subjects there, and after much warmth shown on Ijoth sides, these matters were in some measure accommodated in 1573. That accommodation • was so far from being the effects of any cordial disposition in either of these powers, that it was a mere act of jjolicy on both sides, mither having as yet brought those things so far to bear as were requisite for accomplishing their respective designs. The Catholic king had three points in view, not for distres- sing only, but for destroying queen l]lizabeth,and utterly sub- verting the English state. The first of these was to unite against hei'. under colour of religion, most of the princes and states abroad, which by the assistance of the Pope, Joined to his own extensivf influence, he in a good measure effected. His second point was to perplex the queen at home, by countenancing the Popish party, and by maintain- ing, at a vast expense, such fugitives as "^fled from hence, in which he was likewise for some time successful. The last thing king Philip had at heart was the providing, as secretly as might be, such a force as with the assistance of his other s IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 150 •4^ IIIIIM Mi % 36 11^ — 6" 2.2 2.0 1.8 U nil 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 4. \ <^ \\ ^9) \^ A 6^ <^ 23 WBST MAIN STRBIT WEBSTER, N.Y. 14530 (716) 872-4503 /•/ f' GG PROJECTS OF PHILIP OF SPAIN. 1 1'^ V #i ^'1 '^ '(I ■\ i i I. ' ' ' i schemes riight enable hira to make himself entirely master of England at once; to which end he with great diligence sought to increase his maritime power, and upon the pretence of his wars in the Netherlands, to keep under the command of the prince of Parma, one of the ablest generals which that or perhaps any age ever produced, such an army in constant readiness there as might be sufficient to achieve this conquest, when he should have a fleet strong enough to protect them in their passage. In the prosecution of these deep-laid projects, Philip met with many favourable circumstances, which might, and very probably did, strongly flatter his hopes, particularly the death of the queen of Scots, that deeply stained the character of Elizabeth in foreign courts, and his own acquisition of the kingdom of Portugal, by which he gained a vast accession of naval strength. Queen Elizabeth and her ministers were too penetrating, and had too quick as well as certain intelligence to be at all in the dark as to the purpose of the king of Spain ; and their prudence was such, that by every method possible they worked to disappoint him, without disclosing their appre- hensions to the w^orld. With this intent they laboured to convince foreign states that king Philip was a common enemy, and that he aimed alike at subduing all his neigh- bours, which being a thing strictly true, and at the same time nearly concerning themselves, had undoubtedly a proper weight. Pains were taken to cultivate a closer correspond- ence with his discontented subjects in the Netherlands, and to furnish them with money, and secretly with other aids, whereby they were enabled to give some check to his power both by sea and land. Our own privateers wore allowed to pass into the West Indies, where they carried on an illicit trade, not mr -e to their own profit than the public benefit ; for by this means they gained a perfect acquaintance with the ports, rivers, and fortresses in the West Indies, with the nature of the commerce transacted there, the method of sharing it by fair means, or destroying it by force. Thus, notwithstanding their immense wealth and extensive domi- nions, the English were in some measure a match for the Spaniards in all places and at all points. It must give a high idea of the wisdom and fortitude of queen Elizabeth and her ministers to be told, that during the whole time Spain was providing so formidable an inva- sion, they were assiduously employed in cherishing the com- merce and naval power of England, without suffering them- i THE ARMADA. 67 master iligence iretence immaTicl i which army in achieve enough ation of vrourahle strongly of Scots, L foreign :*ortugal, Tth. letrating, be at all and their iible they (ir appre- bo'ired to , common his neigh- the same y a proper irrespond- ands, and »ther aids, his power illowed to 1 an illicit iQ benefit ; ance with (dies, with ethod of Thus, iive domi- |h for the Irtitude of ]at during an inva- the com- ling them- selves to be at all intimidated, either by the enemy's boasts, or by the intelligence they had of their great strength and vast preparations. To distress king Philip in bringing home his treasures from the West Indies, many adventurers were licensed to cruize in those seas, and the queen herself lent some ships for this purpose. To delay the invasion as much as possible, or, if it had been practicable, to defeat it, the queen sent a stout fleet under Sir Francis Drake, in 1587, to Cndiz, where that admiral performed rather more than could be expected ; for he forced six galleys which were designed to have guarded the port, to shelter themselves under the cannon of their castles, and then burned a hundred ships and upwards in the bay, all of which were laden with ammunition and provisions. From thence he sailed to Cape St. Vincent, where he surprised some forts, and entirely destroyed the fishing craft in the neighbourhood. Arriving at the mouth of the Tayo, and understanding that the Marquis de Santa Cruz lay hard by with a squadron of good ships, he challenged him to come out and fight ; but the Marquis, who was one of the best st^amen in Spain, adhering closely to his master's orders, chose rather to let Drake burn and destroy everything on the coast than hazard an engagement. Sir Francis having done this steered for the Azores, where he took a large ship homeward bound from the East Indies, which added as much to his profit as his former glorious exploits had done to his reputation, and so returned home in triumph. This expedition delayed the Spaniards for some months, but in the spring of the next year his enormous fleet being almost ready, king Philip gave orders that it should rendezvous at Lisbon, in order to pass from thence to England. His Catholic Majesty presumed so much on the force of this extraordinary fleet, superior certainly to anything that had been fitted out for ages before, that instead of conceal- ing its strength, he caused a very accurate account of it to be published in Latin and most of the languages spoken in Europe, except the English. This piece was dated May 20th, 1588, and according to it, " The most happy Armada," for so it was styled, consisted of one hundred and thirty ships, mak- ing in all fifty-seven thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight tons ; on board of which were nineteen thousand two hun- dred and ninety-five soldiers, eight thousand four hundred and fifty mariners, two thousand and eighty-eight slaves, with two thousand eight hundred and thirty pieces of cannon. » I "11 G8 THE ARMADA. i«1 • h I i ; .! Besides, there was a large fleet of tenders, with a prodigious quantity of arms on board, intended for such as should join them. Th?re were also on board this fleet one hundred and twenty-four volunteers of quality, and about one hundred and eighty monks of several orders. The command of the whole was vested in the Duke of Medina Sidonia, Don Alphonso de Gusman, under whom served Don Martinez de llicalde, an old experienced Biscay- neer, who had the direction of all things, and by whose advice the general was entirely led. These great ofiicers repaired to Lisbon in the latter end of the month of May, and in a few days after, their navy was in a condition to sail. But it is now time to return to the dispositions made in England for warding oft' so dangerous a blow. The queen, as we have said, had taken care to give proper information to all foreign states of the nature and intent of this project of the king of Spain, pointing out to them not her own but their danger, in case that monarch should prevail ; which method being as prudently carried into prac- tice as it was wisely contrived, the king of Denmark, at the request of the English ambassador, laid an embargo on a very strong squadi'on of ships hired for the use of king Philip in his dominions. The Ilanse-towns, determined enemies at that time to England, retarded, however, the ships they were to hiive sent to Spain. King James the Sixth of Scotland buried all his resentments for his mother's death, and steadily adhered to his own, by following the Queen's interest. The French were too wise to aff'ord the Spaniards any help, and the Dutch fitted out a con- siderable navy for the service of the Queen, under the command (jf Count Justin of Nassau. The English tleet was commanded by Charles Lord Howard of Effingham, then Iligh-Admiral, who had under him, for his Yice-Athniral, Sir Francis Drake, for his Rear- Admiral, Sir John Hawkins, and abundance of experienced ofticers who had signalised their courage Uiid conduct : their orders were to lye on the west coast, that they might be ready to receive the enemy. Lord Henry Seymour, in conjunc- tion with Count Nassau, cruized on the coast of Flanders, the better to prevent the prince of Parma from making any descent, as it was expected he would attempt to do ^i ^lr*'*^-l■l*^^«^f >.i.*-.^ „ THE ARMADA. i * fleet, which continued to make a terrible fire upon them, they made a bold attempt to retreat through the Straits of Dover ; but the wind coming about, with hard gales at north-west, drove them on the coast of Zealand, but soon after veering to the south-west, they tacked and got out of danger. The Duke de Medina Sidonia took this opportunity of calling a council of war, wherein, after mature deliberation, it was resolved that there were now no hopes left of succeeding, and therefore the most prudent thing they could do was to drop their design and to save as many ships as possible. This resolution was immediately carried into execution, and the whole Spanish navy made all the sail they could for their own coast, going north-about, which exposed them to a variety of unforeseen dangers. The English Admiral very prudently sent Lord Henry Seymour with a strong squadron to cruize on the coast of Zealand, to prevent any danger from their joining with the prince of Parma, and afterwards left them to pursue their course. When the Spanish fleet arrived on the coast of Scotland, and found that care was everywhere taken they should meet with no supply, they threw their horses and mules overboard, and such of them as had a proper store of water bore away directly for the Bay of Biscay, with the Duke of Medina Sidonia, making in all about twenty-five ships. The rest, about forty sail, under the command of the Vice-Admiral, stood over for the coast of Ireland, intending to water at Cape Clear. On the 2d of September, however, a tempest arose, and drove most of them ashore, so that upwards of thirty ships and many thousand men perished en the Irish coast. Some, likewise, were forced a second time into the English channel, Avhere they were taken either by the English or by the llochellers. Sc;veral very large vessels were lost among the western isles and upon the coast of Argyleshire. Out of these about five hundred persons were saved, who came into Edinburgh in a manner naked, and out of mere charity were clothed by the inhabitants of that city, who also attempted to send them home to Spain ; but as if misfor- tunes w'ere always to attend them, they were forced in their passage upon the coast of Norfolk, and obliged to put into Yarmouth, where they stayed till advice was given to the qr.een and council, who considering the miseries they had already felt, and not willing to ajipear less compassionate than the Scots, suffered them to continue their voyage. 't •I i U^ THE ARMADA. upon them, the Straits hard gales Zealand, but ked and got lia took this after mature ow no hopes it thing they 3 many ships o execution, ley could for :>sed them to ish Admiral ith a strong prevent any Parma, and When the I, and found leet with no irboard, and bore away of Medina The rest, ce-Admiral, ig to water however, a )re, so that len perished the English nglish or by lost among re. Out of 10 came into lere charity , who also 3 if misfor- ced in their i to put into iven to the es they had mpassionate oyage. m M ■.'.V I i Thus in the short space of a month this mighty fleet, which had been no less than three years preparing, was destroyed and brought to nothing. Of one hundred and thirty ships there returned but fifty-three or four, and of the people embarked there perished twenty thousand men at least. We may best form an idea of their loss from the precaution taken by king Philip to hide it, which was by publishing a proclamation to prohibit mourning. With a hypocrisy pecu- liar to his character, he on hearing the news dropped down on his knees, and returned thanks to God that it was no worse. One of the Ships of the Armada. The Duke of Medina Sidonia escaped punishment through the interest of his wife ; but as for Don Diego Flores de Valdes, whose persuasions induced the general to take that rash step, he was arrested as soon as he set foot on shore, and conducted to the castle of 8t. Andero, after which he was never heard of more. The same writer from whom we have this particular, remarks also an error in the conduct of the English, viz., that they did not attack the Spanish fleet after it had arrived before Gravelines, which, however, he assures us was not through any fault in the Admiral, but \l ■■!■> ■■m>Mi Ui ^. ^d h' \ >■' 1 '111 in 74 Elizabeth's fleet. was occasioned through the negligence of some under officers who had the direction of the military stores, and had been too sparing of powder and ammunition ; otherwise he tells us, it was thought the Duke de Medina Sidonia, at the per- suasion o{ his confessor, would have yielded both himself and his ships, which it seems were in that particular not at all better provided. This would have been a conquest indeed, a conquest equally glorious and important, the loss of which ought to teach posterity not to be too hasty in censuring great officers, or too remiss in punishing little ones. In the present case this mischance seems to have been covered by the many favours bestowed by Providence, and the offenders to have escaped through that general joy which deliverance from so great an evil diffused through the whole nation. It seems to be injurious to the reputation of those brave men who on this occasion achieved such great things, to give no account of the force of the English fleet, which, however, I find not in any of our general historians, a defi- ciency that I shall endeavour to supply, by adding a list col- lected at that time. A LIST OF THE ENGLISH FLEET IN THE YEAR 1588. Men-of-war belonging to her Majesty, 17 Other ships hired by her Majesty for this service, 12 Tenders and store-ships, 6 Furnished by the city of London, being double the number the queen demanded, all well manned, and thoroughly provided with ammunition and provision, 16 Tenders and otore-ships, 4 Furnished by the city of Bristol, large and strong ships, and which did excellent service, 3 A tender, 1 From Barnstaple, merchant ships converted into frigates,.. . 3 From Exeter, 2 A stout pinnace, 1 From Plymouth, stout ships, every way equal to the queen's men-of-war, 7 A fly-boat, 1 Under the command of Lord Henry Seymour in the narrow seas, of the queen's ships and vessels in her service, 16 Ships fitted out at the expense of the nobility, gentry, and commons of England, 43 By the merchant adventurers, prime ships, and excellently well furnished, 10 Sir William Winter's pinnace, 1 In all 143 *- M.^.A.« ider officers ad been too he tells us, at the per- limself and [• not at all lest indeed, ss of which censuring es. In the covered by le offenders deliverance I nation, those brave t things, to leet, which, ians, a defi- g a list col- . 1588. 17 12 6 lumber roughly 16 4 ps, and 3 1 ates,... 3 2 1 Queen's 7 1 narrow ! 16 ry, and 43 ellently ....: 10 1 In all 143 ELIZABETH S FLEET. 75 The varied naval exploits which occurred subsequent to the defeat of the Armada, during the reign of Elizabeth, who was now undisputed sovereign of the seas, may best be connected with the great commanders who flourished under her reign. No Queen ever displayed more discern- ment in promoting merit. It will gratify the curious to give a list of the names and force of such ships as her Majesty left at her death. She died in 1603, in her 70th year, and 45th of her reign. Names of Ships. Tonnage. Elizabeth Jonas, 900 Triumph, lOUO White Bear, 900 Victory, 800 Mer-Honeur, 800 Ark Royal, 800 Saint Matthew, 1000 Saint Andrew, 900 Due Repulse, 700 Garland, 7'^0 Warspight, 600 Mary Rose, 600 The Hope, 600 jBonaventure, 600 The Lyon 500 Nonpareil, 500 Defiance, 500 Rainbow, 500 Dreadnought, 400 Antelope, 350 Swil'tsure, 400 Swallow, 330 Foresight 300 The Tide, 250 The Crane, 200 Adventure, 250 Quittance 200 Answer, 200 Advantage, 200 Tyger, 200 Tramontain, The Scout 120 TheCatis, 100 The Charles, 70 The Moon, 60 The Advice, 50 The Spy, 50 Mariners. Gunners. Soldiers 340 . 40 . 120 340 40 . 120 340 40 . 120 268 32 . 100 268 . 32 . 100 268 . 32 . 100 340 . 40 . 120 268 . 32 . 100 230 30 . 90 190 . 30 . 80 190 . 30 . 80 150 . 30 . 70 150 . 30 . 70 150 . 30 . 70 150 . 30 . 70 150 . 30 . 70 150 . 30 . 70 150 . 30 . 70 130 . 20 . 50 114 . 16 . 30 130 . 20 . 50 114 . 16 . 30 114 16 . 30 88 . 12 . 20 70 . 10 . 20 88 . ; 12 . 20 70 . 10 . 20 70 . 10 . 20 70 . 10 . 20 70 . 10 . 20 52 8 . 10 48 8 . 10 42 8 . 10 32 6 . 7 30 5 . 5 30 . 5 . 5 30 . 5 . 5 i naB\\m,mm»miin ■MWlfk 1 1 < 76 HOWARD OF EFFINGHAM. Names of Ships. Tonnage, Mariners. The Merlin, 45 . 2G The Sun, 40 . 24 Synnct, 20 . George Hoy lOO . Penny rose Hoy, 80 . Gunners. 5 Soldiers. 4 2 CHARLES HOWARD, Baron of Effingham, after- wards Earl of Nottingham, Knight of the Gtarter, AND Lord High-Admiral of England, was the son of u Lord High- Admiral of ]^]nghind. He was born in the year 153G, his father having then the title only of Lord William Howard. Lord William being raised to the title of Baron of Effingham, and Admiral, his son served under him in several expeditions, till the accession of (^ueen Elizabeth, when he was about twenty-two years of age. His father coming into great favour with that princess, he enjoyed a share of it, and in 1559 was sent over into F>-ance to compliment king Charles the Ninth, who had just ascended the throne. Nine years afterwards, he v/as General of horse in the expe- dition made by the Earl of Warwick against the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, who had taken arms in the north, and in crushing whose rebellion he was very active. In the following year he commanded a squadron of men- of-war, which the queen was pleased should escort Anne of Austria, daughter of the empei'or jSIaximilian, to the coast of Spain, Upon this occasion the Spanish fleet were obliged to take in their flags, while they continued in the British seas, having been sufiiciently instructed in that cere- monial in their passage to Flanders, by Sir John Hawkins. In 1571 he was chosen knight of the shire for the county of Surrey, and very soon after succeeded his father in his title and estate, who died January the 12th, 1572, in the great office of Lord Privy Seal, and very highly in the Queen's favour. The queen distinguished the son, as she had done the father, by raising him to the highest offices in the kingdom. He became, flrst, Chamberlain of the Household, an office which his father had enjoyed, and on the 24th of April, 1573, he was elected Knight of the Garter. Some of the writers of those times say that he was raised to check Leicester's greatness ; which is thus far probable, that they were cer- tainly the most opposite people in the world in their tempers; Soldiers. 4 1 . 2 iners< 5 lAM, AFTER- [E Garter, he son of a 1 in the year ovd William :le of Baron ider him in 1 Elizabeth, His father joyed a share compliment the throne. in the expe- the Earls of taken arms he was very ron of men- ort Anne of to the coast fleet were nued in the in that cere- n Hawkins. the county ather in his 572, in the g'hly in the lid done the le kingdom, d, an office April, 1573, the writers i Leicester's V were cer- eir tempers ; '^OliJCMOWO-r^^^C -i H' JRJ„^|. i ; ! i HOWARD OF EFFIXGHAM. for whereas Leicester was a deep dissembler, excessively ambitious, and < ae who sought to govern all things, the Lord Chamberlain, on the other hand, was an open, gener- ous, public-spirited man, in the 'j-ood graces of the queen, from his known aft'ection to h person, and exceedingly popular, as well on account of his hospitality, aftability, and other good qualities, as for the sake of his most noble, most loyal, and heroic family. When therefore the Earl of Lin- coln died in 1585, the queen immediately determined to raise the Lord Effingham to the post of High- Admiral, which she did with the general approbation of her subjects, and much to the satisfaction of the seamen, by whom he was exces- sively beloved. When the Spaniards had spent three years in preparing their Armada, the queen willingly entrusted the care of her- self and the nation to this noble lord, of whose conduct and whose fortune she had equal hopes. We have already seen how happily that important contest ended for the honour of this nation ; here, therefore, we are to speak only of what was personally performed by the Admiral. As soon as he knew that the ►Spanish fleet was ready to sail, he put to sea, and continued cruizing for some time, till the court having received advice that the Spaniards would be unable to make any attempt that year, and the lateness of the season render- ing this probable, Secretary Walsingham wrote to him, directing that four of the largest ships should be «ent into port, and the seamen discharged, to save expense. The Admiral wrote back to excuse his not obeying this direction, and in the close of the letter desired, that if his reasons were thought insufficient the ships might remain at his expense. When he received intelligence from Captain Fleming of the approach of the Spanish fleet, and savv of what mighty consequence it was to get out what few ships were ready in the port of Plymouth, he, to encourage others, not only appeared and gave orders in everything himself, but wrought also with his own hands, and with six ships only got the first night out of Plymouth, and the next morning, having no more than thirty sail, and those the smallest of the fleet, attacked the Spanish navy. He showed his conduct and prudence by despatching his brother-in-law, Sir Edward Hobby, to the queen, to inform her of the great dispropor- tion between the enemy's force and his own, to desire her to make the proper disposition of her land forces for the security of the coaL., and to hasten as many ships as possible to his 78 HOWARD OF EFFINGHAM. i ' i\ \ 1 II assistance. His valour he discovered in the repeated attacks he made on a superior enemy, and the excellency of his cool temper appeared in his passing a whole night in the midst of the Spanish fleet, and retiring as soon as he had light to discover his own, without loss. It was owing to his magnanimity and prudence that the victory was so great ; and those who have suggested that it might have been still greater, readily acknowledge that this did not happen through any fault of the Admiral, who always discovered the utmost alacrity in his country's service. The queen acknowledged his merit in the most expressive and glorious terms, and though extremely frugal, rewarded him with a pension for life, and at his request granted a pension to Captain Fleming, who first brought the news of the Spanish fleet's being on our coasts ; which I mention to show how careful this great man was, a thing uncommon even among the greatest men, that the merits of inferiors should not pass unrewarded, or be superciliousl} overlooked. Sir Richard Hawkins, in his observations, has a very remarkable passage in relation to this noble personage, which the reader will no doubt be very well pleased to see in his own words : — ** Worthy of perpetual memory," says he, *' was the pru- dent policy and government of our English navy in anno 1588, by the worthy Earl of Nottingham, Lord High- Admiral of England, who in the like case, with pure and experimented knowledge, patiently withstood the instigations of many courageous and noble captains who would have per- suaded him to have laid them aboard ; but when he foresaw that the enemy had an army aboard, he none; that they exceeded him in number of shipping, and thoie greater in bulk, stronger built, and higher moulded, so that they who with such advantage fought from above might easily dis- tress all opposition below, the slaughter peradventure prov- ing more fatal than the victory profitable, by being over- thrown he might have hazarded the kingdom, whereas by the conquest (at most) he could have boasted of nothing but glory and an enemy defeated. But by sufferance he always advantaged himself of wind and tide, which was the freedom of our country, and security of our navy, with the destruc- tion of theirs, which in the eye of the ignorant, (who judge all things by the external appearance,) seemed invincible, but truly considered, was much inferior to ours in all things of substance, as the event proved; fox' we sunk, spoiled, and f -^ HOWARD OF EFFINGHAM. ated attacks of his cool n the midst lad light to cc that the sted that it ^e that this miral, who ■y's service, expressive , rewarded granted a he news of mention to uncommon f inferiors >verlooked. las a very age, which 1 see in his IS the pru- '^y in afino ord High- i pure and iistigatioDs I have per- he foresaw that they greater in ; they who easily dis- ture prov- eing ovor- hereas by othing but he always le freedom e destruc- vho judge ncible, but i things of oiled, and ( took many of them, and they diminished of ours but one small pinnace, nor any man of name, save only Captain Cocke, who died with honour amidst his company. The greatest damage that, as I remember, they caused to any of our ships, was to the Swallow of her Majesty's, which I had in that action under my charge, with an arrow of fire, shot into her beak-head, which we saw not because of the sail, till it had burned a hole in the rose as big as a man's head, the arrow falling out, and driving along by the shin's side, made us doubt of it, which, after, we discovered." In 1596 he commanded in chief at sea, as the Earl of Essex did at land, the forces sent against Spain, and was at a very great expense in providing for that expedition. His prudence and moderation, as well as his great experience and reputation amongst the seamen and soldiers, were the prin- cipal causes of the success the English met with in that at- tempt, and his conduct throughout the whole was so wise and fortunate, that upon his return home, the queen, on the 22d of October the same year, advanced him to the dignity and title of Earl of Nottingham, being descended from the family of Mowbray, some of whom had been earls of that county, the reasons whereof are thus inserted in his patent: — " That by the victory obtained anno 1588, he had secured the kingdom of England from the invasion of Spain and other impending dangers; and did also, in conjunction with our dear cousin Robert, Earl of Essex, seize by force the isle and the strongly fortified city of Cadiz, in the farthest part of Spain ; and did likewise entirely rout and defeat another fieet of the king of Spain, prepared in that port against this kingdom." — An honourable preamble! but less needful in that reign than in any other, since it was well known that queen Elizabeth parted not with titles till they were deserved, and where she knew the public voice would approve her favour, as in this case it loudly did ; for the Earl of Nottingham on his first going to the house of peers was received with unusual marks of joy, sufficiently declar- ing how worthy the best judges esteemed him of his new dignity, to which the queen added also another, making him Lord Justice Itinerant of all the forest south of Trent, for life. The next great service In which the Earl of Nottingham was employed was in 1599, when the state was .again in very great danger. On the one side the Spaniards seemed to meditate a new invasion, and some conceived they were on .^ 80 HOWARD OF EFFINGHAM. s ' *- .i ! t the very point of executing it, having assembled a great fleet at the Groyne, on board which many EngHsh fugitives were directed to repair. On the other, the Earl of Essex, who was then Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, acted in a strange manner, treating with the rebels he was sent to reduce, and forming, as it was believed, some designs of employing the troops with the command of which he was entrusted by the queen, to the disturbance of her government. Her Majesty, who always placed her safety in being too quick for her enemies, issued her orders to the city of London to fur- nish immediately sixteen ships for the reinforcement of the navy, and six thousand men for her service by land. The like directions being sent into other parts of the kingdom, such a fleet and such an army were drawn together in a fortnight's space as took away all hopes, indeed all shadow of success from foreign and domestic enemies ; and to "how the confidence she had in the Admiral's fidelity and capacity, she was pleased to repose in him the sole and supreme com- mand both of fleet and army, with the high and very unusual title of LoRD-LiEUTE.N ant-General of all England, an office scarcely known to former, never revived in succeed- ing times, and which he held with almost regal authority for the space of six weeks, bemg sometimes with the fleet in the Downs, and sometimes on shore with the forces. The unfortunate Earl of Essex having taken a sudden resolution to leave his command in Ireland, and return to England, the queen thought fit to punish this dangerous contempt with a short restraint, and afterwards seemed inclined to have received him again in favour. But he, either hurried on by his own rash disposition, or instigated thereto by some uesperate persons about him, attempted to raise a force sufficient to compel the queen to do what he thought expedient. Upon his failing in this wild and ill-concerted project, he retired with such as were about him to Essex House, in the Strand, where he fortified him- self, and confined the Chancellor, the Chief Justice of Eng- land, and other privy councillors sent by the queen to inquire into the pretended grievances which had driven him to this rebellious violence. This was on the 8th of February, IGOO, when the queen saw herself in the decline of her life, and after she had triumphed over all her foreign foes, in the utmost peril from an assuming favourite, who owed all his 01 edit to her kindness, and who had thus excited a dangerous sedition in her capital, seemingly with the intent to imprison or HOWARD OF EFFINGHAM, 81 a great fleet igitives were ' Essex, who n a strange t to reduce, f employing entrusted by nent. Her too quick for idon to fur- ment of the land. The he kingdom, ogether in a 1 all shadow and to "^how ind capacity, ipreme com- ery unusual England, an in succeed- al authority 1 the fleet in ces. n a sudden id return to dangerous rds seemed . But he, instigated tempted to o do what wild and 'cre about tified him- ce of Eng- to inquire lim to this lary, IGOO, life, and 3es, in the wed all his dangerous mprison or depose her. In this perilous situation she had recourse to the loyalty of her people, and to the courage and conduct of her nobility, giving the command of all her forces to the Lord- Admiral, who she often said was born to serve and to save his country. He performed on this occasion, as on all others, the utmost the queen could expect ; for he in a few hours reduced the Earl of Essex, after a romantic sally into the city, to such distress, that he was content to yield himself a prisoner ; and when he had so done, the Lord High-Admiral treated him with all the lenity and kindness possible. The same year the Admiral was appointed one of the commissioners for executing the office of Earl Marshal of England and to him upon her death-bed the queen was pleased to declare her royal intention as to the succession, in favour of the King OF Scotland. Upon the accession of king James, Howard not only retained his great office, honoured by a large share of that prince's confidence, but was likewise the person of whom he made choice to officiate as Lord High- Steward at the cere- mony of the coronation. Soon after this he was named ambassador to the court of Spain, for the conclusion of a strict intercourse of friendship with that crown, in pursuance of the treaty made at London the 18th of August, 1G04, wherein also his Loi'dship had been an acting commissioner. It was very requisite that much state should be kept up in this embassy, and therefore the Earl of Nottingham was appointed with general approbation, not as a man of very great fortune, but from the known generosity of his temper, and the number of his dependents, vbo at their own charge were content to accompany him in this voyage. Accordingly he set out for Spain with a retinue wherein were six peers and fifty knights, and for the support of this great train he had an appointment of fifteen thousand pounds, which fell, however, very far short of his expenses. During the time that he resided at the court of king Philip the Third he was treated with the utmost deference and respect, maintained with universal applause, and to the admiration of the Spaniards, his dignity, and did the highest honour to the nation. At his departure, the king of Spain made him pre- sents, valued at twenty thousand pounds. On his return, he was not so well received at court as he had reason to expects vvhich was by no means owing to his ill conduct, or the mutable temper of the king himself, but F .'^^^^^^ \ ?i 82 HOWARD OF EFFINGHAM. \ owing to some false reports, that the Admiral, while in Spain, had assumed more state, and acted with less precau- tion, than became him. However, he quickly recovered his master's good graces, attended on the Lady Elizabeth when she was married to the Elector Palatine, and afterwards escorted her with a squadron of the royal navy to Flushing. This was the last service he did his country in that capacity, for, being nowgrown very old and infirm, it was thought expe- dient that he should resign his office to the new favourite Vil- liers, at that time Earl, and afterwards Duke of Buckingham. Some of the memoir writers of those days treat this matter in a way exceedingly injurious to the king's memory, dis- graceful to the Duke of Buckingham^, and not much for the reputation of the Earl of Nottingham. The sum of their accounts amounts to this : — The good old Earl, after so many and so great services, when, in a manner, bedridden, was forced, through the ambition of Buckingham, to resign his office of Admiral, w^hich he did very unwillingly. At the same time it cost the king dear, who was obliged to make that Earl a i^ecompense. But that, after all, he insisted upon his creature. Sir llobert Mansel, being made Vice-Admiral for life, before he would resign ; and thns, say they, an expe- rienced and wise officer was removed from a post of the highest importance, to make way for a high-spirited youth, unfit for such a charge. It appears, however, upon the strictest inquiry, and due consideration of all circumstances, that these stories are very ill founded, and that in reality the Earl of Nottingham's laying down his post, after he had enjoyed it with great honour thirty-two years, was not either uneasy to himself, or capable of fixing any disgrace on his master. The proposi- tion came first from himself, without any participation of Buckingham, or so much as ins knowledge, and was, on account of his age and infirmities, very easily agreed to. His estate was not great, and he had lately married a young wife, the daughter of the Earl of Murray, for whom he was desirous of providing, as well as for her children. The terms, therefore, on which he consented to resign, were these: that a debt of eighteen hundred pounds, due from him to the crown, should bo remitted ; that he should have an annual pension of a thousand pounds ; and that, as Earl of Nottingham, he should take precedence in the house, according to the descent of his ancestors, so created by llichard the Second, and not as a new-made peer. ^ g« \ EARL OF ESSEX. S3 iral, while in h less precau- recovered his lizabeth when id afterwards y to Flushing, that capacity, 1 thought expe- favourite Vil- Buckingham. 3at this matter memory, dis- rauch for the sum of their after so many idridden, was to resign his igly. At the iged to make insisted upon ^ice- Admiral ;hey, an expe- i post of the irited youth, iry, and due >ries are very J^ottingham's : with great o himself, or The proposi- icipation of nd was, on agreed to. ied a young horn he was ren. The 3sign, were due from hould have lat, as Earl the house, created by The ; eraaining yearr of his life were spent by the Earl of Nottingham in honourable ease and retirement, to the time of his decease, which happened on the 14th of December, 1624, when he was eighty-eight years Oid. He was a person extremely graceful in his appearance, of a just and honest disposition, incapable eii'ier of doing bad things or seeing them done, without exposing them. His steady loyalty to the crown preserved his reputation unstained, and his fortune unhurt, when the rest of his family were in the utmost danger. Queen Elizabeth knew and valued his integrity, and preferred his candour to the policy of some of her greatest favourites. She had a particular felicity in suiting men's employments to their capacities ; and this never appeared more clearly than on those occasions, wherein she made choice of this nobleman, whose courage no danger could daunt, whose fidelity no temptation could impeach, much less corrupt. In public employments he affected magnificence, as much as he did hospitality in private life, keeping seven standing houses, as Dr. Fuller phrases it, at once. It is true, we meet with opposite accounts of this Lord, his character and conduct, especially in the latter part of his life ; but as these are only in private letters, written by one apparently preju- diced against him of whom he speaks; and, as the rough soldier-like behaviour of Elizabeth's active times, suited little with the stiff and solemn air of the statesmen in king James's court, we need not wonder, that among these, the Earl of Nottingham met with some detractors. His actions are suificient to silence envy, and to destroy the credit of mali- cious censures. He who beat the Spanish armada, equipped a fleet sufficient to assert the sovereignty of the sea in a fort- night's time, and, by his presence alone, dispirited the Earl of Essex's adherents, must have been a very extraordinary man. Though we should grant to his enemies, that he was not very learned, and expressed himself a little bluntly, for a person of so high quality, yet he had little or no tincture of those arts which, though they are peculiar, do no great honour to a court. ROBERT DEVEREUX, Earl of Essex, Admiral, General, and Commander-in-Chief of Sea and Land Forces. — Robert Devereux was son to Walter, the first Earl of Essex, by Lettice, daughter to Sir Francis KnoUys, who was related to Queen Elizabeth. He was born on the il } 1 I 84 EARL OF ESSEX. 'I • I i 111 \ \ tenth of November, 15G7, at Nethewood, his father's seat in Herefordshire, When his father breathed his last in Ireland, at which time, this his son was only in the tenth year of his age, he recommended him to the protection of the Earl of Sussex, and to the care of Lord Burleigh, whom he appointed his guardian. In 1578, when he was about twelve years of cge, he w-as sent to the university of Cambridge by the Lord Burleigh, who placed him in Trinity College, under the care of Dr. AVhitgift, then master of it. He there applied himself to learning, with more diligence than was usual in persons of his rank, and, in the year 1582, took the degree of Master of Arts. He soon after left Cambridge, and retired to his own house at Lampsie, in South Wales, where he spent some time, and became so enamoured of his rural retreat, that he was., with difficulty, prevailed upon to quit it. His first appearance at court, at least as a candidate for royal favour, v.as in the seventeenth year of his age, and he brought thither a tine person, an agreeable behaviour, and an affability which procured him many friends. Besides these tjUalitications, which, together with his high rank, naturally recommended him to the notice of the Queen, it must also be remembered, that his mother was cousin to the Queen, and had now been for some years wife to Elizabeth's great favourite, the Earl of Leicester. However, the young Earl of Essex was at first extremely averse from making any use of Leicester's assistance, but he, at length, so far overcame this reluctance, that, in the year 1585, he accom- panied that nobleman to Holland, where he was appointed general of the horse. And in this quality he gave the highest pi'oofs of personal courage in the battle of Zutphen, in 1586, in which action Sir Philip Sydney was mortally wounded ; and for his gallant behaviour upon this occasion, the Earl of Leicester conferred upon him the honour of a knight-banneret in his camp. On his return to England, in 1587, the Earl of Essex was made master of the horse; and in the year 1588.- when her Majesty thought fit to assemble an army at Tilbury, for the defence of the kingdom against the Spaniards, she gave the command of it, under herself, to the Earl of Leicester, and appointed the Earl of Essex general of the horse. He was also, about this time, made a knight of the garter. In 1589, Sir John Norris and Sir Francis Drake having undertaken an expedition for restoring Don Antonio to the V • I father's seat in last in Ireland, nth year of his of the Earl of >m he appointed of cge, he was ^ord Burleigh, he care of Dr. lied himself to 1 in persons of PR of Master of ired to his own he spent some •etreat, that he I candidate for lis age, and he behaviour, and ids. Besides is high rank, the Queen, it cousin to the to Elizabeth's ^•er, the young from making ength, so far 55, he accom- as appointed he gave the 5 of Zutphen, was mortally this occasion, honour of a of Essex was !8; when her 3ury, for the she gave the eicester, and e. He was !r. rake having tonic to the 4 EARL OF ESSEX. 8^ crown of Portugal, the Earl of Essex, desirous of sharing the glory, imprudently followed the fleet and army to Spain, without the knowledge or consent of the queen. His Lordship carried with him his brother, Walter Devereux, Sir Philip Butler, and others. They joined the EngUsh fleet on the thirteenth of May ; on the sixteenth they landed ; and the same day the Earl of Essex skirmished with the Spaniards. He was present in every action that passed in the neighbourhood of Lisbon; and, by a trumpet, challenged the governor, or any o^ equal quality with himself, to single combat. At length, when, for want of artillery, it appeared impracticable for them to L ?ome masters of the castle, and their army, which had been much lessened by the attack upon Corunna, diminishing daily, it was found necessary to return home, which they did towards the month of June. The queen had been much displeased at Essex's setting out on this expedition without her permission ; at his return, however, he soon recovered her Majesty's good graces, but which he again hazarded by a private marriage with Frances, only daughter of Sir Francis Walsingham, and widow of Sir Philip Sydney. From this time, for some years the Eirl of Essex had no opportunity of distinguishing himself in professional services. He sometimes amused himself with those fanciful entertainments, which were at this time in vogue. *' Essex," says Mr. Horace Walpole, " was gallant, romantic, and ostentatious; his shooting-matches, in the eye of the city, gained him great popularity ; the ladies and the people never ceased to adore him. His genius for shows, and those pleasures that carry 'an image of war, was as remarkable as his spirit in the profession itself." One of his ma? .s, which was exhibited at the latter end of the year 1595, is described by a contemporary ; an extract from the account of which will j^resent to the reader some idea of the amusements of that agt, "My Lord of Essex's device," says Rowland White^ • is much commended in these late triumphs. Some pretty while before he came in himself to the tilt, he sent his page with some speech to the queen, who returned with her Majesty's glove. And when he came himself, he was met by an old hermit, a secretary of state, a brave soldier, a^d an esquire. The first presented him with a book of meditations ; the second with political discourses ; the third with orations of brave fought battles ; the fourth was but his own follower, to whom the other three imparted much of their purpose before the Earl's \i I V • S6 EARL OF y.SSEX. :> entry. In short, each of them endeavoured to win him over to their profession, and to persuade him to leave his vain following of love, and to betake him to heavenly medi- tation." But the esquire answered them all, and told them plainly, " That this knigh* - 'd never forsake his mistress's love, whose virtue made ^ a thoughts divine, whose wis- dom taught him all true policy, whose beauty and worth were at all times able to make him fit to command armies." He pointed out all the defects of their several pursuits, and, therefore, thought his own course of life to be best in serving bis mistress. The queen said, " that if she had thought there would have been so much said of her, she would not have been there that night." In 1596, an expedition was set on foot against the Spaniards. The force employed herein was very consider- able, in all not less than a hundred and fifty sail, of which one hundred and twenty-six were men-of-war; but of these, only seventeen were the queen's ships, the rest being hired and fitted up for this voyage. On board this fleet were embarked upwards of seven thousand men. The joint com- manders of the expedition were, the Earl of Essex, and the Lord- Admiral Howard, both of whom had expended great sums of their own in this armament. The particular design of this expedition was, to destroy the Spanish fleet in the port of Cadiz, and to make themselves masters of that rich city. The Lord Thomas Howard, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Vere, Sir George Carew, and Sir Conyers Clifford, had commands in this expedition, and were named as a council to the Earl of Essex and the Lord-Admiral. Besides the English fleet, there was also a Dutch squadron, under the command of Admiral Van Duvenvoord, consisting of twenty-four ships, well manned and victualled. This navy lay for some time at Plymouth, till all things could be got ready; and, in the meantime, the queen seemed every now and then disposed to countermand this expedition, which gave great uneasiness to the Earl of Essex, who was very eager for the enterprise. However, on the first of June, the whole fleet set sail with a fair wind for the coast of Spain. They sent before them some armed tenders, which intercepted every ship that could carry intelligence to the enemy; and they themselves were so fortunate, when they came near Cadiz, as to take an Irish vessel, by which they learned that that port was full of merchant ships of great value, and that the Spaniards lived in perfect security, ■iM EARL OF ESSEX. 87 1 to win him n to leave his leavenly medi- and told them B his mistress's le, whose wis- ty and worth nand armies." pursuits, and, jest in serving had thought ihe would not t against the v^ery consider- sail, of which ; but of these, it being hired his fleet were rhe joint com- llssex, and the (pended great [ticular design h fleet in the s of that rich Iter Raleigh, Sir Conyers 1 were named ord- Admiral, tch squadron, rd, consisting ed. ill all things queen seemed is expedition, ex, who was the first of for the coast ned tenders, itelligence to unate, when el, by which lant ships of 'ect security. 1 without any apprehensions of an enemy. This intelligence much encouraged the English fleet, and gave them the prospect of a fortunate issue to the enterprise. They arrived in sight of Cadiz on the twentieth of June. They found the town indifferently well fortified, and defended by a strong castle. In the port were fifty-nine Spanish ships, many of which were laden with treasure, and nineteen or twenty galleys. It was resolved the same day, in a council of war, to land all their forces at St. Sebastian's; but when they came to attempt it, it was found impracti- cable. It was afterwards determined to attack the ships and galleys in the bay, though this attempt was deemed somewhat rash; but Essex strenuously urged the enterprise, and when he found the resolution at last taken, he threw his hat into the sea for joy. He felt, however, a great mortifi- cation, when the Lord-Admiral informed him, that the queen, who was anxious for his safety, and who dreaded the effects of his warm and ardent temper, had secretly given orders, that he should not be permitted to command the van in the attack. That duty was performed by Sir Walter Raleigh, and the Lord Thomas Howard; but Essex no sooner came within reach of the enemy, than he forgot the promise which the Lord-Admiral had exacted of him, to keep in the midst of the fleet. He broke thrc'igh, and pressed forward into the thickest of the fire, and l le enemy were soon obliged by the English to slip anchor, and retreat farther into the bay, where they ran many of their ships aground. The St. Andrew and the St. Matthew, two Spanish ships, were recovered by our men, before the Spaniards could fire them. The St. Philip and St. Thomas were fired, and so were many of the rest. One of their argosies was taken, whose ballast was great ordnance, and another was burned with the rest of the ships of war. The Spanish navy being thus defeated, the Earl of Essex landed his men at the port of Puntal, and immediately marched to the attack of Cadiz. He met with five hundred Spaniards near the town ; but, instead of making any resistance, they retired M'ith such precipitation, and were so closely pursued, that the English had very nearly entered the city with them. However, Sir Francis Vere broke open the principal gate, and Essex immediately entered it ; and, by the impetuous valour of the English, the town was presently taken, without the loss of any man of note, except Sir John Wingfield, who was killed in the market-place. I n 88 EARL OF ESSEX. I ■; f n 1 I I I! V 'i Next morning the castle, which was all that now remained to the Spaniards within the town, offered to capitulate, which it did, upon the following terms : — " That the citizens should have liberty to depart with their wearing clothes, and all the rest to go as a booty to the soldiers ; that five hundred and twenty thousand ducats should be given for their ransom ; and forty of their principal citizens sent to England as hostages, till the same was paid." The Earl of Essex, whose generosity was equal to his valour, treated his prisoners with the greatest humanity. And he caused proclamation to be made, that no violence should be offered to the Spaniards, and, especially, to women, children, or churchmen. The women were suffered to depart with all the clothes and jewels they could carry upon them ; and care was taken to see them all embarked, without the least violence being offered to their persons. Thus ended this memorable conquest, gloriously for the English, and fatally for the Spaniards. The English had not only made themselves masters of the city, where they got a prodigious booty, but also of two ships of vast force ; and they carried off upwards of one hundred pieces of brass cannon, and sunk or destroyed twelve hundred more. The Spaniards, besides the vast booty that they lost, and the ruin of their trade to the West Indies for that year, saw the best fortified, Knd most important city in their dominions, taken ; thirteen of their ships of war, and forty-four vessels of all denominations richly laden, destroyed ; and their enemies rioting in their spoils, or insulting over that boasted power, which had prepared chains for England and for Europe. The Earl of Essex, anxious for glory, regarded this great success only as a step to farther achievements ; he insisted on the keeping possession of Cadiz, and he undertook, with four hundred men and three month's provisions, to defend the place, till succours should arrive from England. But this was opposed by the other commanders, who were also little disposed to any new enterprises. They seemed satisfied with the honour that they had already acquired ; and it is sup- posed that many of the officers were impatient to return home, in order to secure their plunder. Accordingly, having amassed together all the riches they could make, demolished the forts, and burned all the public edifices in the city, the churches excepted, the English fleet again put to sea. The first place which the fleet came to, after its departure from Cadiz, was Faro, a bishop's see in Portugal, to which Jk EARL OF ESSEX. 89 ow remained o capitulate, Lt the citizens ^ clothes, and five hundred m for their t to England equal to his t humanity, no violence f, to women, suffered to carry upon fed, without usly for the English had where they vast force ; ces of brass aore. The nd the ruin iw the best ons, taken ; fssels of all >ir enemies ted power, purope. this great insisted on with four defend the But this also little isfied with it is sup- to return ly, having emolished i city, the ea. ieparture to which I ,5i there was no safe entrance for the English ships, the town being situated a league from the sea, and served with a narrow creek. It was, therefore, determined to land the forces in a bay three leagues from the town, and to march thither, which, being forsaken by the inhabitants, was taken, and the men sent into the country brought good store of provisions for refreshing the army. The artillery found there was likewise conveyed to the ships ; and the regiments, after six days' stay, returned to them the way by which they came. Here the Earl of Essex had, for his share of the booty, a very valuable library, which had belonged to Jerom Osorius, successively bishop of Sylvas, and of Algarva, in which last see he died in 1580, being as eminent for the elegance of his Latin style in all his writings, as for his excellent history of Emanuel, king of Portugal. A con- siderable part of this library was afterwards given, by the Earl of Essex, to the public library begun by Mr. Bodley, in 1597, in the University of Oxford. After their departure from Faro, a council of war was called, in which the Earl of Essex was very urgent for sailing towards the isles of Azores, in order to intercept the Plate fleet ; but in this he was overruled, and it was resolved to hold on their course to the Groyne. Essex then proposed to send all the weak and ill-manned ships to England, and offered, with two of the queen's, and ten other ships, to make towards the Azores ; but this proposal was also rejected, under pretext of the vast loss by sickness and other accidents, and the scarcity of provisions. This extremely chagrined the Earl of Essex ; and he obliged every member of the council of war to sign the opinion he delivered. When the fleet came before the Groyne, they found nothing but an empty harbour, both there and at Ferrol. Essex then proposed to land the troops, and attempt to take the Groyne, while the ships should cruize along the coasts of Gallicia; but in this he was again overruled; and, on the eighth and tenth days of August, the whole English fleet returned to Plymouth. The Earl, after his return from the Cadiz expedition, was in high esteem both with the queen and with the nation, and he probably would have enjoyed a greater degree of her Majesty's favour, if he had been less in favour with the people, or if he had seemed to value it at a lower rate than he did. But being little capable of dissimulation, the warmth of his temper at once discovered his real sentiments J 90 EARL OF ESSEX. of affection or dislike, which easily exposed him to the designs of his enemies, who m ere well skilled in those arts with which he was but little acquainted. In the spring of the year 1597, the king of Spain fitted out a fresh armada from Lisbon, composed not only of his own ships and galleys, but also of all that he could take up, or hire in Italy, or elsewhere. On board of these he embarked a large body of troops, especially of the Irish, intending to invade both England and Ireland; but the winds disappointed him, scattered his fleet, and cast away thirty-six ships. Upon which, the Earl of Essex strongly recommended to the queen the fitting out a squadron, in order to intercept the Plate fleet near the Azores, and also to burn the Spanish ships in the harbours of the Groyne and Ferrol. Her Majesty approving of this proposal, equipped a large fleet, consisting of forty men-of-war, and seventy other ships, to which the Dutch added ten men-of- war. There were embarked on board this fleet five thousand new levied soldiers, and a thousand veteran troops. The Earl of Essex was appointed Admiral, General, and Com- mander-in-chief, both of the sea and land forces ; the Lord Thomas Howard was appointed Vice- Admiral, and Sir Walter Raleigh Rear- Admiral; the Lord Mountjoy was Lieutenant- General of the land forces, and Sir Francis Vure Lord- Marshal. Many persons of distinction attended as volunteers ; and we may guess at the interest Essex had in the success of this voyage, by the number of his friends who engaged in it ; amongst those of the nobility were, the Earls of Rutland and Southampton, and the Lords Crom- well and Rich. But his sanguine hopes were in some measure disappointed, for no sooner had this powerful fleet set sail from Plymouth, than they met with a furious storm, of four days' continu- ance, which shattered and dispersed them, and they were forced to put back to Plymouth in a bad condition, where, after they were refitted, they remained wind-bound nearly a month, in which time great part of their provisions was con- sumed. While the fleet was thus laid up, the Earl of Essex and Sir Walter Raleigh repaired to court to receive fresh instructions. The proposals made by Essex, even after this disappointment, were very bold and great, but so extremely difficult and dangerous, that the queen would not counte- nance his projects, but rather left the direction of the expe- dition to the commanders-in-chief, according as the season >r .:iti EARL OF ESSEX. 91 to the designs ts with which Spain fitted t only of his 3uld take up, of these he 3f the Irish, nd; but the d cast away sex sti'ongly squadron, in ces, and also the Groyne is proposal, of-war, and ten men-of- ve thousand oops. The , and Com- ; the Lord Ij and Sir untjoy was »ir Francis )n attended Essex had his friends were, the rds Crom- appointed, Plymouth, 5' continu- they were 311, where, d nearly a s was con- l of Essex eive fresh after this extremely t counte- the expe- hc season and circumstances might encourage or permit. And as the provisions were now greatly exhausted, Essex, by the queen's command, dismissed all the soldiers, except the thousand veterans commanded by Vere. On the seventh of August, 1597, the Earl of Essex again set sail with his fleet. He soon found it utterly impossible for him to burn the Spanish ships in their ports ; and he, therefore, appeared openly in sight of the enemy's coast with a few ships, in order to draw out their fleet, but this being without eflf'ect, he returned home. The Earl of Essex, soon after his arrival in England, repaired to court, where he had the mortification to find that Sir Robert Cecil, who had been the year before made secre- tary of state against his Lordship's inclination, had also been made chancellor of the dutchy of Lancaster during his absence. But what provoked him most, and whicii he could not brook, was the advancement of the Lord-Admiral Howard to the Earldom of Nottingham. He showed evi- dent signs of great displeasure, retired to his house at Wan- stead, and, under pretence of sickness, absented himself from parliament. The cause of his discontent was not altogether unreasonable. By virtue of a regulation, made in the reign of Henry the Eighth, the great chamberlain of England, the earl-marshal, the lord-admiral, and the steward of the household, were to have precedency in parliament of all peers of the same rank, so that if the Earl of Essex had attended the service of the house, the Earl of Nottingham, created but a few weeks before, would have taken plaoe of him, in virtue of this regulation. Essex also particularly resented it, that, in the patent for Nottingham's promotion, it was said, that this dignity was conferred upon him on account of his services in the year 1588, against the Spanish armada, and also since in the taking of Cadiz, in conjunction with the Earl of Essex. But Essex thought himself injured, that any share in the latter action shouM be ascribed to Nottingham ; and he, therefore, for some time, retired from court in disgust. Iio\\ "ver, in December of the year 1597, the Earl began to app' ar more publicly Lhan he had d(>ne for some time before ; but he then proposed to have Nottingham's patent for the Earldom altered, insisting to have right done him, either by a commission to examine it, or by combat against the Earl of Nottingham himself, or any of his sons, or of his name, who should defend it ; or that her Majesty would take the consideration of the affair II 92 EARL OF ESSEX. ^ • ! ' . I into her own hands, and then he would submit to whatever she should please to determine. This contest gave great disturbance to the court, and interruption to all other busi- ness. Sir Walter Raleigh was, therefore, employed by the queen to reconcile the two Earls ; but Essex seemed resolved not to agree to less than an alteration of Notting- ham's patent, which could not be done without the consent of the latter. However, on the 18th of December, the Earl of Essex received satisfaction, being created Earl- Marshal of England by her Majesty's letters-patent, which office gave him the precedence of Nottingham, who, on the 20th of December, resigned his staff of Lord-Steward, and the next day retired to his house at Chelsea, pretending sickness. About this period a pi'ivate council was called to deter- mine upon a proper person to be made Governor of Ireland. Essex and the queen were at variance as to the fittest man. The dispute was warm, and the minister, unable to persuade his sovereign, contemptiiously turned his back upon her. Provoked at his insolence, she bade him retire and be hanged, accompanying her command with a blow on the face. Essex, thrown off his guard, clasped his sword, swearing the affront was such, as he could not and would not put up with. He withdrew in anger, and for some time seemed to set at defiance the queen's displeasure, but at length he submitted, and was restored to favour. A renewal of troubles in Ireland required a new Governor, and Essex was appointed to this office, which he accepted, though, probably, much against his inclination, for in a letter which he wrote to the queen before his departure, he asks, " From a mind delighting in sorrow, from spirits wasted with passion, from a heart torn in pieces with care, grief, and travail, from a man that hateth himself, and all things else that keep him alive, what service can your Majesty expect, since any service past deserves no more than banish- ment and proscription to the cursedest of all islands ?" He, however, went, but his success did not correspond with the expectations that had been formed bj the queen, and tha,o had indeed been excited by his own letters; he resolved to return to vindicate his conduct. Arriving unexpectedly, and in defiance of the commands under which he ought to have acted, he threw himself at the feet of his sovereign, who at first seemed to receive him with more favour than he had anticipated, but he was soon after treated with much v^K li SIR JOHN HAWKINS. 93 whatever ave great ther busi- ed by the X seemed Notting- le consent liber, the ed Earl- nt, which 10, on the vard, and I'etending to deter- ' Ireland, test man. persuade pon her. J and be iv on the is sword, id would for some ure, but our. A overnor, iccepted, I a letter he asks, s wasted re, grief, II things Majesty banish- 'r He, with the md thixu Avod to )ectedly, •light to vercign, than ho h much seventy, committed to private custody, examined with rigour before the council, and suspended from almost all his employments. lie endeavoured to bear the reverse of for- tune with patience and fortitude, but his feelings and passions overcame his reason, and he sunk into an alarming illness ; during which he had the satisfaction of being favoured with some extraordinary tokens of the queen's remaining regard, and he might still have reinstated himself in her favour, but, being set at liberty, and listening to the dangerous counsels of Cuffe, who had been his secretary in Ireland, he seemed anxious to take revenge on his enemies. A conspiracy was formed against the person of the sovereign, which being discovered, Lord Essex and others were apprehended, under a charge of high treason. He and his chief adherent, the Earl of Southampton, were committed to the Tower, and were afterwards tried by a jury of their peers, and were found guilty of the crimes with which they were charged. Sentence was pronounced, and the Earl of Essex heard it with composure, as a man prepared for his fate. The queen was long before she could be brought to sign the fatal warrant for the execution of her once favourite minister ; she waited for an application for mercy, and con- strued his silence I'hto an obstinacy not to be forgiven. He was executed on the 25th of February, 1601. He met his death, not with any apparent anxiety or terror, but with a humility and contrition which his religion inspired. He suffered in his thirty-fourth year. His character was adorned with many splendid virtues : he was brave, open, and affectionate ; but it must be admitted that his conduct was often marked with rashness, violence, and precipitancy. He was a friend and the patron of literature. His memory has been always popular, and his unfortunate end has been the subject of four diflt'erent tragedies. It is generally believed that he applied for pardon, by sending a ring which the queen had given him to be used in time of need, but that his message was intercepted by the treachery of the Countess of Nottingham. SIR JOHN HAWKINS was a native of Devonshire, and descended of a good family, and born probably in 1520. He was, from his youth, addicted to navigation and the study of the mathematics, as, indeed, were all his family, and began very early to carry his skill into practice, by making several voyages to Spain, Portugal, and the Cana- ■yc^- 94 SIR JOHN HAWKINS. 'I Hi ;,||M; ries, which were in those days extraordinary undertaldngs, and must have given him much more experience than ahnost any of his contemporaries. Of these voyages we have no particular account, any more than of those of his father, William Hawkins, who was likewise a great seaman, and the first of our nation who made a voyage to Brazil. His son, probably, reaped the benefit of his observations, for he came early into the world with a great reputation, and was employed by queen Elizabeth as an officer at sea, when some, who were after- wards her chief commanders, were but boys, and learned the skill by which they rose, from him. In the spring of the year 1562, he formed the design of his first famous voyage, important, no doubt, in its conse- quences, and highly lauded by his contemporaries, but reflected upon now with little pleasure, as having been the first occasion on which Englishmen engaged in the accursed slave trade. In several trips to the Canaries, where he had made himself much beloved, he acquired a knowledge of the slave trade, and of the mighty profit obtained by the sale of negroes in the West Indies. After due consideration, he resolved to attempt somev^'hat in this way, and to raise a subscription among his friends for opening a new trade, first to Guinea for slaves, and then to Ilispaniola, St. John, de Porto Rico, and other Spanish islands, for sugars, hides, silver, &c. At the expense of himself and his friends a little fleet was prepared, on board of which there were about one hundred men in all. With this squadron he sailed from the coast of England in the month of October, 1562, and, in his course, first touched at Teneriff'e, sailed thence to the coast of Guinea, where, having by force or purchase, acquired three hundred negro slaves, he sailed directly to Hispaniola, and, making there a large profit, he returned safe into England in the month of September, 1563. The next year he made another voyage with a mu> h greater force, himself being in the Jesus of Lubeck, a ship of seven hundred tons, accompanied by the Solomon, one hundred and twenty tons, and two barks. He sailed from Plymouth the eighteenth of October, 1564, proceeded to the coast of Guinea, and thence to the Spanish West Indies, where ho forced a trade much to his profit; and, after visiting the port of the llavannah, came home through the Gulf of Florida, an'iving at Padstowe, in Cornwall, on the I'i (I SIR JOHN HAWKINS. 95 'rtakings, ^n almost nmt, any :ins, who it ion who iaped the he world »y queen 3re after- l learned ilesign of ts conse- ries, but been the accursed 'e he had ge of the le sale of ation, he 3 raise a ade, first John, de 's, hides, fleet was hundred coast of s course, coast of 'ed three ola, and, England a mu> h k, a ship non, one led from sd to the t Indies, id, after Dugh the .1, on the j« twentieth of September, 15G5, having lost but twenty per- sons in the whole voyage, and bringing with him a large cargo of very rich commodities. His skill and success had now raised him to such a reputation, that Mr. Harvey, then Clarencieux king-at-arms, granted him, by patent, for his crest, " a demi-moor in his proper colour, bound with a cord" — a worthy symbol of the infamous traffic which he had opened to his country. In the beginning of ihe year 1567, he sailed to the relief of the French protestants in llochelle, and, returning home in the summer, began to make the necessary preparations for his third voyage to the West Indies, which he undertook some time afterwards. Mr. Hawkins made this, as he did his former voyage, in the Jesus of Lubeck, accompanied by the Minion and four other ships. He sailed with these from Plymouth the second of October, 1567. At first they met with such storms, that they had thoughts of returning home; but the weather growing better, and the wind coming fair, he continued his course to the Canaries, thence to the coast of Guinea, and so to the Spanish America to sell his negroes. The governor of Rio de la Hacha refusing to trade, Hawkins landed and took the town, in which there seems to have been some col- lusion, for, notwithstanding this, they traded together in a friendly manner, till most of the negroes were sold. Thence he sailed to Oarthagena, where he disposed of the rest ; but, in returning home, being surprised with storms on *he coast of Florida, he was forced to steer for the port of St. John de UUoa, in the bottom of the ba r of Mexico. He entered the port on the sixteenth of September, 1568, when the Spaniards came on boaru, supposing him to have come from Spain, and were exceedingly frighted when they found their mistake. Mr. Hawkins treated them very civilly, assuring them that all he came for was provisions ; neither did he attack twelve merchant ships that were in the port, the car- goes of which were worth c5t*200,000, but contented himself with seizing two persons of distinction, whom he kept as hostages, while an express was sent to Mexico with an account of his demands. The next day the Spanish fleet appeared in sight, which gave Captain Hawkins great uneasiness, for, if he kept them out, he was sensible they must be lost with all they had on board, which amounted to nearly two millions sterling — an act which, considering there was no war declared against ii 96 SIR JOHN HAWKIN'S. lit*: ; ' ! }"■ Spain, he was afraid his native sovereign, queen Elizabeth, would never pardon. On the other hand, he was no less sensible that, the port being narrow, and the town pretty populous, the Spaniards would not fail, if once they were suffered to come in, to attempt some treachery. At length he determined to admit the fleet, provided the new viceroy of Mexico, who was on board it, would agree that the Eng- lish should have victuals for their money, that hostages should be given on both sides, and that the island, with eleven pieces of brass cannon which were therein, should be yielded to his crew while they staid. At these demands the viceroy at first seemed highly displeased, yet, quickly after, he yielded to them, and, at a personal conference with Mr. Hawkins, solemnly promised to perform them. At the end of three days, all things being concluded, the fleet entered the port on the 26th, with the usual salutations, and two days more were employed to range the ships of v^ach nation by themselves, the officers and sailors on both sides using reciprocal civilities, and professing a great deal of friendship. But the Spaniards intended nothing but pro- fessions, for they had mustered one thousand men on land, and designed, on Thursday the 24th, at dinner time, to beset the English on every side. On the day appointed, in the morning, the English perceived the Spaniards shifting their weapons from ship to ship, and pointing their ordnance towards them ; they likewise observed a greater number of men passing backwards and forwards than the business on board the ships required, which, with other circumstances, giving grounds of suspicion, Captain Hawkins sent to the viceroy to know the meaning of such unusual motions, whereupon the viceroy gave orders to have everything removed that might give the English umbrage, with a promise, on the faith of a viceroy, to be their defence against any clandestine attempts of the Spaniards. The captain, however, not being satisfied with this answer, because he suspected a great number of men to be hidden in a ship of nine hundred ton?, which was moored next one of his barks, sent the master of the Jesus, who understood Spanish, to know of the viceroy whether it was so or not. The viceroy, finding he could conceal his mean and villanous design no longer, detained the master, and causing the trumpet to be sounded, the Spaniards, on this signal, of which they were apprised, began the attack upon the English on all sides. Those who were upon the island, being struck with fear at this sudden s a o h u ti b SIR JOHN HAWKINS. 97 illizabeth, s no less ^n pretty tiey were kt length V viceroy the Eng- hostages ,nd, with should be lands the kly after, with Mr. Lided, the lutations, »s of jach oth sides t deal of but pro- I on land, ?, to beset i, in the ing their towards of men on board , giving e viceroy lereupon ved that on the mdestine ver, not i a great red tons, naster of 3 viceroy he could detained ded, the ipprised, lose who sudden alarm, fled, thinking to recover their ships ; but the Spaniards, debarking in g eat numbers at several plact s at once, slew them all without mercy, excepting a few who escaped on board the Jesus. The great ship, wherein tnree hundred men were con- cealed, immediately fell on board the bark Minion ; but she, having put all hands to work the moment their suspicions commenced, had in that short space, which was but a bare half hour, weighed all her anchors. Having thus gotten clear, and avoided the first brunt of the great ship, the latter clapped the Jesus aboard, which was at the same time attacked by two other ships. However, with much ado, and the loss of many men, she kept them off till she had cut her cable, and got clear also. As soon as the Jesus and the Minion were got two ships' length from the Spanish fleet, they began the fight, which was so furious that in one hour the Admiral of the Spaniards and another ship were sup- posed to be sunk, and their Vice-Admiral burned, so that they had little to fear from the enemy's ships, but they suf- fered exceedingly from the ordnance on the island, which sunk their small ships, and mangled all the masts and rigging of the Jesus in such a manner, that there was no hopes of bringing her off. This being the case, they determined to place her for a shelter to the Minion till night, and then, taking out of her what victuals ard other necessaries they could, to leave her behind. But presently after perceiving two large ships, fired by the Spaniards, bearing down directly upon them, the men on board the Minion, in great consternation, without consent of either the captain or master, set sail and made oft' from the Jesus in such haste that Captain Hawkins had scarce time to reach her. As for the men, most of them followed in a small boat, the rest were left to the mercy of the Spaniards, which, says the captain, I doubt was verv little. The Minion and the Judith were the only two English ships that escaped ; and in the night the Judith, which was a bark only of fifty tons, separated herself from the Minion, on board which was Captain Hawkins and the best part of his men. In this distress, having little to eat, less water, in unknown seas, and many of his men wounded, he continued till the eighth of October, and then entered a creek in the bay of Mexico in order to obtain some refreshment. This w as about the mouth of the river Tampico, in the latitude • fi^- 98 SIR JOHN HAWKINS. r ', of 23 degrees 36 minutes N., where his company dividing, one hundred desired to be put on shore, and the rest, who were about the same number, resolved at all events to endeavour to get home. Accordingly, on the i6th, they weighed and stood through the Gulf of Florida, making the best of their way for Europe. In their passage they were forced to put into Ponte Vedra in Spain, where the Spaniards coming to know their weakness, thought, by treachery, to seize them a second time, but they suspecting this, sailed forthwith to Vigo, not far off. They there met with some English ships, which supplied their wants, and departing on the 20th of January, 1568, arrived in Mount's Bay in Cornwall, the 25th of January following. As to the hardships endured in this unfortunate expedition, they cannot be more strongly or exactly pictured than in the following lines, with which Captain Hawkins concludes his own relation : — " If all ihe miseries and troublesome affairs," says he, " of this sorrowful voyage should be perfectly and thoroughly written, there should need a painful man with his pen, and as great a time as he had that wrote the lives and deaths of the martyrs." * In reward of his famous action at Rio de la Hacha, Mr. Cook, then Clarencieux, added to his arms, on an escutcheon of pretence, or an escallop between two palmer's staves Sable, and his patent for this augmentation is still extant. This expedition probably damped the ardour of our navi- gator for maritime enterprise, and he chose to continue at home; however his sovereign thought proper to give him still an opportunity of employing his skill and experience in the public service, by appointing him, in 1573, treasurer of the navy. This post was at that time not only of consider- able honour and profit, but of great trust likewise, the treasurer or comptroller of the navy having usually the command of the squadron destined to protect the narrow seas, and in a great measure the direction of what might be styled the economy of the navy, with regard to building, repairing, equipping, victualling, and manning the vessels * These are the last words of Captain Hawkins's relation ; but the inquisitive reader may find sor '» further circumstances relating to this unfortunate voyage, . the Travels of Miles Philips and of Job Hartop, two of the men set on shore by Sir John Hawkins in the Bay of Mexico, in Hakluyt's Collection, vol. iii. n f M SIR JOHN HAWKINS. 99 r dividing, ! rest, who events to i6th, they naking the they were \here the lought, by suspecting h supplied lary, 1568, f January nfortunate ly pictured Hawkins series and 'ul voyage ere should time as he rs." * In Mr. Cook, itcheon of ves Sable, our navi- ontinue at give him lerience in easurer of consider- 3wise, the iually the e narrow might be building, le vessels ation ; but umstances of Miles )re by Sir oUectionj ? in the queen's service. In the discharge of this office, Captain Hawkins gave tho highest proofs of his capacity and integrity. When the Spanish fleet went to fetch Anne of Austria, the last wife of Philip the Second, out of Flanders, Sir John Hawkins, with a small squadron of her Majesty's ships, was riding in Catwater, which the Spanish Admiral perceiving, he endeavoured to run between the island and the place without paying the usual salutes. Sir John ordered the gunner of his own ship to fire at the rigging of the Spanish Admiral, who taking no notice of it, the gunner fired next at the hull, and shot through and through. The Spaniards, upon this, took in their flags and topsails, and run to an anchor. The Spanish Admiral then sent an officer of distinction in a boat, to carry at once his compli- ments and complaints to Sir John Hawkins. He, standing upon deck, would not either admit the officer or hear his message, but bid him tell his Admiral, that having neglected the respect due to the queen of England, in her seas and port, and having so large a fleet under his command, he must not expect to lye there, but in twelve hours weigh his anchor and be gone, otherwise he should regard him as a declared enemy, his conduct having already rendered him suspected. The Spanish Avimiral upon receiving this message came ofi' in person, and went in his boat to the Jesus of Lubeck, on board which Sir John Hawkins's flag was flying, desiring to speak with him, which at first was refused, but at length granted. The Spaniard then expostulated the matter, insisted that there was peace between the two crowns, and that he knew not what to make of the treatment he had received. Sir John Hawkins told him, that his own arro- gance had brought it upon him, and that he could not but know what respect was due to the queen's ships; that he had despatched an express to her Majesty with advice of his behaviour, and that in the meantime he would do well to depart. The Spaniard still pleaded ignorance, and that he was ready to give satisfaction. Upon this Sir John Hawkins told him mildly that he could not be a stranger to what was practised by the French and Spaniards in their own seas and ports, adding, " Put the case, Sif, that an English fleet came into any of the king your master's ports, his Majesty's ships being there, and those English ships should carry their flags in their n 100 SIR JOHN HAWKINS. t I tops, would you not shoot them down, and beat the pl)ips out of your port ?" The Spaniard owned he would, con- fessed he was in the wrong, submitted to the penalty Sir John imposed, was then very kindly entertained, and they parted very good friends. This account we have from his son. Sir llichard Hawkins, who wns eye-witness of all that passed. The next great action of this worthy seaman-was his ser- vice under the Lord High- Admiral, in 1588, against the Spanish armada, wherein he acted as Iv ear- Admiral on board her Majesty's ship the Victory, and had as large a share of the danger and honour of that day as any man in the fleet, for which he most deservedly received the honour of knighthood; and in pursuit of the flying Spaniards he did extraordinary service, insomuch that on his return from the fleet he was particularly commended by the (jueen. In 1590, he was sent, in conjunction with Sir Martin Frobisher, each having a squadron of five men of war, to infest the coasts of Spain, and intercept if possible the Plate fleet. At first his Catholic INIajesty thought of opposing these famous commanders with a superior fleet of twenty sail, under the command of Don Alonzo de Bassan, but upon more mature deliberation he abandoned this design, directed his ships to keep close in port, and sent instructions to the Indies that the fleet, instead of returning, should winter there. Sir John Hawkins and his colleagues spent seven months in this station, without performing anything o'' note, or so much as taking a single ship. They after- wards attempted the island of Fayal, which had submitted the year before to the Earl of Cumberland, but the citadel being refortified, and the inhabitants well furnished with artillery and ammunition, Sir John and his associates were forced to retreat. However, by compelling the Spanish navy to fly into fortified ports, they destroyed their reputa- tion as a maritime power, and the wintering of their Plate ships in the Indies proved so great a detriment to the mer- chants of Spain, that many broke in Seville and other places ; besides, it was so great a prejudice to their vessels to winter in the Indies, that the damage could not be repaired in many years. Thus, though no immediate profit accrued, the end of this expedition was fully answered, and the nation gained a very signal advantage, by grievously distressing her enemies. The war with Spain continuing, and it being evident SIR JOHN HAWKINS. 101 '.it the ?liips would, con- penalty Sir d, and they ive from his 3 of all that was his pcr- aprainst the Admiral on i as large a any man in the honour pan lards he return from ]ueen. Sir Martin of war, to le the Plate of opposing t of twenty Bassan, but ^his design, instructions ng, should agues spent g anything rhey after. submitted the citadel ished with siates were le Spanish eir reputa- heir Plate o the mer- and other eir vessels Id not be iate profit ered, and rievously \g evident that nothing galled the enemy so much as the losses they met with in the Indies, a proposition was made to the queen by Sir John Hawkins and Sir Francis Drake, the most expe- rienced seamen in her kingdom, foi undertaking a more effectual expedition into those parts than had been hitherto made through the whole course of the war; and at the same time they offered to be at a great part of the expense themselves, and to engage their friends to bear a considerable proportion of the rest. There were many motives which induced our Admiral, though then far in years, to hazard his fortune, his reputation, and his person in this dangerous service, amongst which, this was not the last or the least, that his son Richard, who was afterwards Sir Richard Hawkins, was at this time a prisoner in the hands of the Spaniards, and some hopes there was that in the course of such an enterprise, an opportunity might offer ot" redeeming him. The queen readily gave ear to this proposal, and fur- nished on her part a stout squadron of men-of-war, on board one of which, the Garland, Sir John Hawkins embarked. Their scpiadron consisted of twenty-seven ships and barks, and their whole force amounted to about two thousand five hundred men. Of all the enterprises through- out the war, there was none of which so great hope was conceived as this, and yet none succeeded worse. The fleet was detained for some time after it was ready on the English coast by the r.rts of the Spaniards, who having intelligence of its strength, and of the ends for which it was equipped, conceived that the only means by which it could be defeated was practising some contrivances that might disappoint the first exploits intended, by procuring delay ; in order to which they gave out that they were ready themselves to invade England, and to render this the more probable, they actually sent four galleys to make a sudden descent on Cornwall. By these steps they carried their point : for the queen and the nation being alarmed, it was held by no means proper to send so great a number of stout ships on so long a voyage at so critical a juncture. At last, this storm blowing over, the fleet sailed from Plymouth on the twenty-eighth of August, in order to exe- cute their grand design of burning Nombre de Dios, marching thence by land to Panama, and there seizing the treasure which they knew was arrived at that place from Peru. A few days before their departure, the queen sent them advice I w 102 SIR JOHX HAWKINS, ';^ '! i 'y that the Plate fleet was safely arrived in Spain, excepting only a single galleon, which having lost a mast, had been obliged to return to Porto-Rico ; the taking of this vessel she recommended to them as a thing very practicable, and which could prove no great hinderance to their other affairs. When they ■" /ere at sea, the generals differed, as is usual in conjunct expeditions. Sir John Hawkins was for executing immediately Avhat the queen had commanded, whereas Sir Francis Drake inclined to go first to the Canaries, in which he prevailed ; but the attempt they made was unsuccessful, and then they sailed for Dominica, where they spent too much time in refreshing themselves and setting up their pinnaces. In the meantime the Spaniards bad sent five stout frigates to bring away the galleon from Porto-Rico, having exact intelligence of the intention of the English Admirals to attempt that place. On the thirtieth of October Sir John Hawkins weighed from Dominica, and in the evening of the same day the Francis, a bark of about thirty- five tons, and the sternmost of Sir John's ships, fell in with the five sail of Spanish frigates before-mentioned, and was taken; the consequences of which being foreseen by Sir John, it threw him into a fit of sickness, of which he died on the twenty-first of November, 1595, when they were in sight of the island of Porto-Rico. Sir John had naturally strong parts, which he improved by constant application. He was apt in council to differ from other men's opinions, and yet was reserved in discover- ing his own. He was slow, jealous, and somewhat irreso- lute, yet in action he was merciful, apt to forgive, and a strict observer of his word. As he had passed a great part of his life at sea, he had too great a dislike of land-soldiers. When occasion required it, he could dissemble, though he was naturally of a blunt rather than of a reserved disposition. And now we are making a catalogue of his faults, let us not forg^it the greatest, which was the love of money, wherein he exceeded all just bounds. In spite, however, of his imperfections, he was always esteemed one of the ablest of his profession, of which these are no inconsiderable proofs, that he was a noted commander at sea forty-eight years, and treasurer of the navy two and twenty. He and his eldest brother William were owners at once of thirty sail of good ships ; and it was generally owned that Sir John Hawkins was the author of more useful inventions, and introduced into the navy better regulations, than any '^f^a J Sf ti) SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 103 , excepting had been this vessel icable, and her affairs. is usual in ' executing hereas Sir 5, in which successful, spent too ? up their i sent five orto-Rico, le English )f October nd in the out thirty- ell in with 1, and was in by Sir he died on y were in ! improved I to differ ) discover- bat irreso- ive, and a great part 1-soldiers. hough he isposition. Its, let us f money, wever, of the ablest >le proofs, ears, and it once of ned that ventions, ;han any t IfM If officer before his time. One instance of this, amonn; many, was the institution of that noble fund, the Chest ut Chatham, which was the humane and wise contrivance of this gentle- man and Sir Francis Drake ; and their scheme, that seamen safe and successful should, by a voluntary deduction from their pay, give relief to the wants and reward to those who are maimed in the service of their country, was approved by the queen, and has been adopted by posterity. Sir John Hawkins built also a noble hospital, which he plentifully endowed, at the same place. He was elected member of parliament three times. SIR FRANCIS DRAKE was the first person who made a voyage round the world, and was Vice- Admiral of the English fleetin 1588. Accordingtotheaccountgiven by Mr. Camden, who professes to have taken it from his own mouth, Sir Fran- cis was son of a person in ordinary circumstance?, who lived at a small village in Devonshire, and Sir Francis Russell, afterwards Earl of Bedford, was his godfather. His father, having embraced the Protestant religion, was obliged to quit his country and retire to Kent, where he first read prayers on board the fleet, was afterwards ordained deacon, and in process of time became vicar of the church of Upnore. As for our Francis Drake, he was bound appren- tice to the master of a coasting vessel, whom he served so faithfully, that dying unmarried he bequeathed his ship to Drake, which laid the foundation of his fortunes. I do not doubt but many or indeed most of the circum- stances in this story may be true, if brought into their right order, but as they stand in Camden, they cannot be so ; for, first, this account makes our hero ten years older than he was ; next, if his father fled about the six articles, and he was born some time before. Sir Francis Russell could have been but a child, and therefore not likely to be his godfather. Another story there is as circumstantial, and written as early, which, perhaps, some judicious reader will be able to reconcile with this ; but whether that can be done or not, I think it better deserves credit. * According to this relation, * Upon this subject, Dr. Southey has the following note : — " Camden says, Drake's father was called in question by the law of the six articles ; but Campbell observes, that if Drake was born some time before, Sir Francis Rassell could have been but a child, and, therefore, not likely to have been his godfather: moreover, he says, this account makes him ten years older than 'J**^- f^f r 104 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. .; I if . I find that he was the son of one Edmund Drake, an honest sailor, and born near Tavistock in the year 1545, being the eldest of twelve brethren, and brought up at the expense and under the care of his kinsman, Sir John Hawkins. I likewise find, that at the age of eighteen he was purser of a ship trading to Biscay, that at twenty he made a voyage to Guinea, and at the age of twenty-two had the honour to be appointed captain of the Judith, in the harbour of St. John de Ulloa, in the Gulf of Mexico, where he behaved most gallantly in that glorious action under Sir John Hawkins, and returned with him into England with a very great repu- tation, but not worth a single groat. Upon this, he conceived a design of making reprisals on the king of Spain, which some say was put into his head by the minister of his ship, his father, by one account ; and, to be sure, in sea divinity the case was clear : the king of Spain's subjects had undone Mr. Drake, and therefore Mr. Drake was at liberty to take the best satisfaction he could on the subjects of the king of Spain. This doctrine, how rudely soever preached, was very taking in England, and, there- fore, he no sooner published his design, than he had numbers of volunteers ready to acccnpany him, though they had no such pretence, even as he had, to colour their proceedings. In 1570, he made his first expedition with two ships, the Dragon and the Swan, a'^.d the next year in the Swan alone, wherein he returned safe with competent advantages, if not rich ; and having now means sufficient to perform greater matters, as well as skill to conduct them, he laid the plan of a more important design with respect to himself and to his enemies. he really was. But Drake was two and twenty when he obtained the command of the Judith : this carries back his birth to 1544, at which time the six articles were in force, and Francis Russell was soventocn years of age. Fuller says, upon this occasion, that ' the sting of Popery still remained in England, though the teeth were knocked out,' and that Drake was born in Devon- shire, and brought up in Kent, ' God dividing the honour betwixt two counties, that tlie one might have his birth, and the other his education.' " — British Admirals, by Robert Southcy, LL.D., Poet Laureate, vol. iii., p. 99. Dr. SouUicy says that " tlic cottage in which Drake was born, on the beai)tilul banks of the (iavy, was demolished some thirty years ago, iili which time it had remained unchanged; a stall for cattle, belonging to the farm house hard by, now stands upon its site. — Ibid. li : ( SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, 105 le partly maritime, and partly in the style of invasion. The sea force was to be commanded absolutely by Sir Francis, the land troops by Sir Philip Sidney. The queen having required the latter to desist from his scheme, Drake sailed, notwithstanding, to the West Indies, having under his com- mand Captain Christopher Carlisle, Captain Martin Pro- bisher. Captain Francis Knollys, and many other officers of great reputation. In that expedition he took the cities of St. Jago, St. Domingo, Carthagena, and St. Augustine, exceeding even the expectation of his friends, and the hopos of the common people, though both were sanguine to tlie last degree. Yet the profits of this expedition were but moderate, the design of Sir Francis being rather to weaken the enemy than to enrich himself. It was, to do him justice, a maxim from which he never varied, to regard the service of his country first, next the profit of his proprietors, and his own interest, of which, however, he was far from being careless, he regarded last. Hence, though rich in wealth, he was richer still in reputation. In 1578, he proceeded to Lisbon with a fleet of thirty sail, and having intelligence of a numerous fleet assembled in the bay of Cadiz, which was to have made part of the armada, he with great courage entered that port, and burned upwards of ten tliousand tons of shipping, and after having performed all the service that the state could expect, he il A .^— ■ 110 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. «' If- 1 i, t i a I resolved to do his utmost to content the merchati .i: of London, who had contributed, by a voluntary subscription, to the fitting out of his fleet. With this view, having intelligence of a large carrack expected at Terceira from the East Indies, thither he sailed ; and though his men were severely pinched through want of victuals, yet by fair words and large promises, he prevailed upon them to endure these hard- ships for a few days. Within this space the East India ship arrived, which he took and carried home in triumph ; so that throughout the whole war, there was no expedition so happily conducted as this, with respect to reputation or profit. It was in consequence of the journals, charts, and papers, taken on board his East India prize, that it was judged practicable for us to enter into that trade; for promoting which, the queen, by letters-patent, in the forty-third year of her reign, erected our first India Company. To this, we may also add, he first brought in tobacco, the use of which was much promoted by the practice of Sir Walter Raleigh. In 1558, Sir Francis Drake was appointed Vice- Admiral, under Charles Lord Howard of Effingham, High-Admiral of England; here his fortune favoured him as remarkably as ever, for he made prize of a large galleon, commanded by Don Pedro de Valdez, who yielded on the bare mention of his name. In this vessel fifty thousand ducats were distri- buted among the seamen and soldiers, which preserved that love they had always borne to this their valiant commander. It must not, however, be dissembled, that through an over- sight of his, the Admiral ran the utmost hazard of being taken by the enemy ; for Drake being appointed the first night of the engagement to carry lights for the direction of the English fleet, he being in full pursuit of some hulks belonging to the Hanse-towns, neglected it, which occa- sioned the Admiral's following the Spanish lights, and remaining almost in the centre of their fleet till morning. However his succeeding services sufficiently effaced the memory of this mistake, the greatest execution done on the flying Spaniards being performed by the squadron under his command. The next year he was employed as Admiral at sea, over the fleet sent to restore Don Antonio, king of Portugal, the command of the land forces being given to Sir John Norris, They were hardly got out to sea before these commanders '■^fe« \u-c of London, iption, to the ig intelligence 'om the East were severely ir words and re these hard- e East India e in triumph ; no expedition reputation or 5, and papers, ; was judged DV promoting ty-third year »y. To this, 0, the use of f Sir Walter ice-Admiral, [igh-Admiral s remarkably mmanded by •e mention of ; were distri- 'eserved that commander, ugh an over- ird of being ted the first ! direction of some hulks which occa- lights, and ill morning. effaced the done on the on under his Capture of the Indiaman, "by Sir Francis Drake. ^ at sea, over ortugal, the ohn Norris. jommanders SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. Ill differed, though it is on all hands agreed that there never was an Admiral better disposed with respect to soldiers than Sir Francis Drake. The ground of their difference was this: the general was bent on landing at the Groyne, whereas Sir Francis and the sea-officers were for sailing to Lisbon directly ; in which, if their advice had been taken, without question their enterprise would have succeeded, and Don Antonio had been restored. For it afterwards appearc u, on their invading 1 ortugal, that the enemy had made use of the time they gave them, to so good purpose, that it was not possible to make any impression. Sir John Norris indeed marched by land to Lisbon, and Sir Francis Drake very imprudently promised to sail up the river with his whole fleet; but when he saw the consequences which would have attended the keeping of his word, he chose rather to break his promise than to hazard the queen's navy, for which he was grievously reproached by Norris, and the mis- carriage of the whole affair was imputed to his failure in performing what he had undertaken. Yet Sir Francis fully justified himself on his return, for he made it manifest to the queen and council that all the service that was done ■«"as performed by him, and that his sailing up the river of Lisbon would have signified nothing to the taking the castle, which was two miles off, and without reducing that, there was no taking the town. His next service was the fatal undertaking in conjunction with Sir John Hawkins, in 1594, for the destroying Nombre de Dios, of which I have already given an account, to the death of the last-mentioned commander, which was the day before Sir Francis made his desperate attack on the shipping in the harbour of Porto-Rico. This was performed with all the courage imaginable, on the 13th of November, 1595, and attended with great loss to the Spaniards, yet with very little advantage to the English, who, meeting with a more resolute resistance and much better fortifications than they expected, were obliged to sheer off. The Admiral then steered for the main, where he took the town of Rio de la Hacha, which he burned to the ground. After this he destroyed some other villages, and then procetded to Santa Martha, which he likewise burned. The like fate had the famous town of Nombre de Dios, the Spaniards refusing to ransom any of these places, and the booty taken in them being very inconsiderable. On the 29th of December, Sir Thomas Baskerville marched with seven hundred and fifty -•I i III .f!^- 112 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. E> i ; men towards Panama, but retnrnecl on the 2d of Jannarv, finding the design of reducing that phice to be wholly impracticable. This disappointment made such an impres- sion on the Admiral's mind, that it threw him into a lingering fever, of which he died on the 28th, Such was the end of this great man, when he had lived about fift_y years ; but his memory will survive as long as that world lasts, round which he was the first to sail. Sir Francis Drake was low of stature, but well set ; had a broad open chest, a very round head, his hair of a fine brown, his beard full and comely, his eyes large and clear, of a fair complexion, with a fresh, cheerful, and very engaging countenance. As navigation had been his whole study, so he understood it thoroughly, and was a perfect master in every branch, especially in astronomy, and in the application thereof to the nautical art. As all men have enemies, and all eminent men abundance of them, we need not wonder that Sir Francis Drake, who performed so many great things, should have as much ill spoken of him as there was of any man of the age in which he lived. Those who dis- liked him, alleged that he was a man of low birth, haughty in his temper, ostentatious, self-sufficient, an immoderate speaker, and though indisputably a good seaman, no great general ; in proof of which they took notice of his neglecting to furnish his fleet thoroughly in 1585, his not keeping either St. Domingo or Carthagena after he bad taken them, the slender provision he made in his expedition to Portugal, his breaking his word to Sir John Norris, and the errors he committed in his last undertaking. In excuse for these, it is said that the glory of what he did might very well remove the imputation of his mean descent ; what was thought haughtiness in him, might be no more than a just concern for the support of his authority; his dis- play of his great services, a thing incident to his profession ; and his love of speaking was qualified by his wisdom and elo- quence, which hindered him from ever dropping a weak or an ungraceful expression. In equipping his fleet, he was not so much in fault as those whom he trusted; sickness hindered his keeping the places he took in the West Indies ; his councils were continually crossed by the land officers in his voyage to Portugal ; and as to his last attempt, the Spaniards were certainly well acquainted with his design, at least as soon as he left England, if not before. His voyage round the world, however, remains an incontestible proof of SIR MARTIN FROBISHER. 113 d of January, to be wholly ch an impres- ito a lingering vas the end of years ; but his lasts, round well set ; had lair of a fine e and clear, of ery engaging hole studv. so Bct master in le application enemies, and I not wonder many great as there was Hose who dis- irth, haughty 1 immoderate lan, no great bis neglecting not keeping i taken them, to Portugal, the errors he P what he did lean descent ; be no more rity ; his dis- is profession ; idom and elo- ng a w-eak or fleet, he was ted ; sickness West Indies ; nd officers in attempt, the his design, at His voyage :ible proof of liis courage, capacity, patience, quick-sightedness, and public spirit, since therein he did everything that could be expected from a man, who preferred the honour and profit of his country to his own reputation or private gain. SIR MARTIN FROBISHER, or, as in many writers he is called, Forbisher, was a native of Yorkshire, born near Doncaster, of mean parents, who bred him to the sea. We have very little account of his junior years, or of the manner in which they were spent. He distinguished him- self, first, by undertaking the discovery of the north-west passage in 1576, and made a voyage that year, wherein though he had no success , yet it gained him great reputation. In the year 1577, he undertook a second expedition, and in 1578, a third, in all wliich he gave the highest proofs of his courage and conduct in providing for the safety of his men, and yet pushing the discovery he went upo.i, as far as it was possible. Frobisher commanded her Majesty's ship the Triumph in the famous sea-fight with the Spanish armada, and therein did such excellent service, that he was among the number of the few knights made by the Lord High-Admiral on that signal occasion. In 1590, he commanded a squadron on the coast of Spain, which hindered the coming home of the Plate fleet. In 1592, Sir Martin Frobisher took the charge of a fleet fitted out by Sir Walter Raleigh, which went to the coast of Spain, and though he had but three ship?, yet he made a shift to burn one rich galleon and bring home another. In 1594, he sailed to the coast of France to assist in retaking Brest, which was regularly attacked on the land side by Sir John Norris with threr thousand English forces, at the same time that our Admiral blocked up the port. The garrison defended themselves bravely, till such time as Sir Martin landed his sailors, and desperately storming the place, carried it at once, but with th^ loss of several captains. Sir Martin himself receiving a shot in his side, and this proved the cause of his death, which happened at Plymouth within a few days after his return. He was one of the most able seamen of his time, of undaunted courage, great presence of mind, and equal to almost any undertaking, yet in his carriage he was blunt, and a very strict observer of dis- cipline, even to a degree of severity, which hindered hi.s being beloved. H ^<'^-r*rjm^ 111 n i« It H ! K 114 EAUL OF CUMBERLAND — DUDLEY. GEORGE CLIFFORD, Earl of Cumberland, a noble- man distinguished by his naval enterprises, was born at Brougham, in Westmoreland, in 1558, and educated at Peter House in Cambridge. He applied himself diligently to the mathematics, and was distinguished for his martial spirit. This he manifested at several tournaments before queen Elizabeth, who on one occasion took oft' her glove and gave it him, which mark of royal favour he was proud of exhibiting in his hat on public festivals. In 1586, he fitted out a squadron, with which he sailed for South America, and after taking several vessels from the Portuguese, returned to England. In 1588, he took the command of a ship that contributed towards the destruction of the famous armada. As a reward for his gallant conduct, the queen granted him a commission to make another voyage to the South Sea, but after proceeding as far as the Azores, tem- pestuous weather obliged him to return. In 1591, he made an unsuccessful expedition to the coast of Spain; but in the following year he engaged in another adventure, and sailing to the Azores, took Santa Cruz, and a rich galleon valued at .36*150,000. In 1593 he sailed again, but illness obliged him to return to England, after despatching the rest of the squadron to the West Indies, where they plundered several Spanish settlements. In 1595, the Earl fitted out the largest ship that had been ever sent to sea by an English subject, being nine hundred tons burden, but he was prevented from going in her himself by an order from the queen. In 1598, he sailed with a squadron to the West Indies, where he cap- tured the island of Porto-Rico. It does not appear, how- ever, that the Earl added anything to his private fortune by these testimonies of his public spirit, and therefore the queen, to show how just a sense she had of his zeal and resolution, honoured him, in the year 1592, with the garter, which in her reign was never bestowed till it had been deserved by signal services to the public. This noble peer survived the queen, and was in great favour and in very high esteem with her successor. He died in 1605. SIR ROBERT DUDLEY.— Sir Robert Dudley, son to the great Earl of Leicester, by the Lady Douglas Sheffield, daughter of William Lord Howard of Effingham, distin- guished himself by his application to maritime affairs, by his great skill in them, and by his known encouragement to eminent seamen, as well as by his personal exploits, which f w SI tu S be an a^^Si i'. RLAXD, anoble- 5, was born at d educated at Tiself diligently for his martial laments before f her glove and 3 was proud of 1586, befitted !outh America, e Portuguese, command of a of the famous luct, the queen voyage to the e Azores, tem- 1591, he made lin ; but in the ire, and sailing lleon valued at (ss obliged him le rest of the ndered several out the largest nglish subject, revented from en. In 1598, where he cap- appear, how- ate fortune by "ore the queen, nd resolution, ', which in her •ved by signal ed the queen, eem with her )udley, son to las Sheffield, L^ham, distin- fiffairs, by his iragement to ploits, which SIR ROBERT DUDLEY. 115 were such as deserve to be remenr.bered. He was born at Sheen in Surrey, in 1573, and having received the tirst tinc- ture of letters from Mr. Owen Jones, at Offington in Sussex, to whose care and diligence in that respect he had been committed by his father, he was sent to Oxford in 1587, and entered of Christ Church, being recommended to the inspection of Mr. Chaloner, afterwards the learned Sir Thomas Chaloner, '^ :A tutor to prince Henry, under whom he profited so well in his studies, as to raise the highest expectations, which he lived abundantly to fulfil. By the demise of his father, September the 4th, 1588, Sir Robert became entitled, on the death of his uncle Ambrose, Earl of Warwick, to the princely castle of Kenilworth in Warwick- shire, and other large estates. He was considered at this time as one of the most accomplished young gentlemen in the king- dom, having a very agreeable person, tall, finely shaped, an admirable complexion, his hair inclining to red, a very graceful air, and learned beyond his years, particularly in the mathematics, very expert in his exercises, such as tilting, riding, and other manly feats, in which he is reported to have excelled most of his rank. Having from his earliest youth a particular tmn to navigation, he took a resolution, when he was scarcely two-and-twenty years of age, of making a voyage into the South Seas, for which great pre- parations were made, but before he could put it in execution, the queen and her ministers interposing, the project was dropped. In 1594, he fitted out a squadron of four sail at his own expense, and leaving Southampton on the 6th of November, proceeded for the coast of Spain, where he lost the company of the other three ships. This, however, did not hinder him from continuing his voyage to the West Indies; and in doing this, he took two large ships, though of no great value. After remaining some time about the island of Trinidad, he found himself under a necessity of returning home, in a much worse condition than he went out ; and yet, coming up in his passage with a Spanish ship of six hundred tons, his own vessel being of no greater burden than two hundred, he engaged her, fought two whole days, till his powder was quite exhausted, and then left her, but in so torn and shat- tered a condition, that she afterwards sunk. This made the ninth ship which he had either taken, sunk, or burned in his voyage. He accompanied the Earl of Essex and the Lord High- 116 SIR RICHARD GRENVII.LE. « n m if ;i' « 1 il^ Admiral Howard, in the beginning of June, 1596, in ilir» famous expedition to Cadiz, and received the honour of knighthood on the 8th of August following, for the signal services he there performed. Endeavouring some years after Lvi prove the legitimacy of his birth, he met with so many obstacles in his attempt, that, conceiving himself highly injured thereby, he determined to quit England, and embark- ing for Italy, fixed upon Florence for the place of his retrea> where he met with a most distinguished reception from the then reigning grand Duke of Tuscany, and the Archduchess Magaalen of Austria, sister to the Emperor Ferdinand the Second. In this his delightful retirement hebecamesomuch admired, and gave such shining proofs of his great abilities, particu- larly in devising several methods for the improvement of shipping, introducing various manufactures, instructing the nativ i how to enlarge their foreign commerce, and other affair.^ of like consequence, that the Emperor, at the request of the Archduchess, to whom Sir Robert had some time before been appointed great chamberlain, was pleased, by letters-patent, bearing date at Vienna, March 9, 1620, to create him a Duke and Count of the empire, by the title of Duke of Northumberland and Earl of Warwick, and, in i630, he was, by his Holiness Pope Urban the Eighth, enrolled among the nobility of Rome. It was during his residence in this country that he formed the design of making Ijeghorii a free port, which was of much importance to the Dukes of Tuscany. In acknowledgment of such merit, the grand Duko assigned him a liberal pension, made him a pre- sent of the castle of Carbello, a villa three miles from Flo- rence, which he so adorned and beautified, as to render it one of the fiiirest and finest palaces in Italy, and in which he paid his last debt to nature in the month of September, 1649, in the seventy-sixth year of his age, having acquired a very extensive reputation in the rejiublic of letters by his learned writings. SIR RICHARD GRENVILLE.— Sir Richard Oren- ville was the son of Sir Roger (Irenville, and is supposed to have been born in the west of l]ngland about the year 1540. He was naturally of an active, enterprisiiig, and martial genius, which induced him, as soon as he was liis own master, to procure a license from queen Elizabeth, in the eighth year of her reign, to go with several other per^on^ OI Tl asl SIR RICHARD GRENVILLE. 117 jne, 159G, in thf» 1 the honour of ig, for the signal ring some years , he met with so ig himself highly ind, and embark - he place of his [•uished reception 'uscany, and the to the Emperor 30 much admired, abilities, particu- improvcment of , instructing the nerce, and other )r, at the request ; had some time was pleased, by irch 0, 1G20, to e, by the title of arwick. and, in an the Eighth, was during his esign of making iportance to the ' such merit, the tnade him a pre- niles from Flo- as to render it md in which he of September, ving acquired a P letters by his lichard Oren- lid is supposed about the year orprising, and as he was ills 1 Elizabeth, in 1 other peraoiH of distinction into the service of the Emperor against the Turks. lie not only gave the highest proofs of his courage as a soldier in Hungary, but adventured his person likewise by sea, and had the honour to share the glory of that cele- brated victory obtained over the Mahometans at Lepanto, by the combined Christian fleet, under the command of Don John of Austria. He continued the rest of that war abroad, and having acquired the highest military reputation, returned to England. His ardour was so far from being exhausted by the fatigues he had undergone, or his appetite for glory satisfied by what he had acquired, that within a very little time after liis revisiting his native country, he resolved to embaik his person and fortune in that important part of the public ser- vice, the reduction of Ireland. In this he behaved himself r^roatly to the satisfaction of Sir Henry Sydney, the Lord- Deputy, and he was constituted by the queen, in the eleventh year of her reign, sheriff of Cork. Upon his return to England, he was elected one of the representatives of Corn- wall in the parliament which was summoned to meet at Westminster in 1571. He was also high sheriff of that county in the eighteenth of that reign, and was again chosen to represent it in the parliament assembled in 1584, in which he was a very active member. He soon after commanded in the expedition to Virginia, to which we have already referred, and he afterwards made another voyage to that country. We meet with nothing else that is remarkable related of Sir Richard Grenville, till we come to his last famous action, and heroic death. In 1591, the queen's ministry being informed that the rich fleet which had remained ia the Spanish West Indies all the year before, through the dread of falling into the hands of Sir John Hawkins and Sir Martin Erobisher, must of necessity return home, it was resolved that a strong squadron should be sent to intercept them at the Western Islands. This fleet consisted of seven sail of the queen's ships, of which the Lord Thomas Howard was Admiral, and Sir llichard Grenville Vice-Admiral. In the meantime, the Spanish monarch receiving notice of the purpose of the English, fitted out a fleet of fifty-five sail, and sent them to escort his West India ships. The Lord Thomas Howard received information that this formidable Spanish armament was approaching him, on the last day of August, in the afternoon, when he was riding at anchor \i f',^ 118 SIR RICHARD GRENVILLE. ■I •|( i:i I !* under the island of Flores ; and before he had well received the intelligence, the enemy's Heet was in sight. The Eng- lish squadron was in no condition to oppose the Spaniards, for, besides its very great inferiority, near half the English were disabled by the scurvy and other diseases. The Lord Thomas Howard, therefore, weighed immediately, and put to sea, as the rest of his squadron did, following his example. The Revenge, Sir Richard Grenville's ship, weighed last, Sir Richard staying to receive the men who were on shore, and who would otherwise have been lost, he having no less than ninety sick on board. The Admiral and the rest, with difficulty, recovered the wind, which Sir Richard Grenville not being able to do, his master and some others advised him to cut his mainsail, and cast about, trusting to the sailing of his ship, because the Seville squadron was already on his weather-bow. But Sir Richard peremptorily refused to fly from the enemy, telling them, " That he would much rather die than leave such a mark of dishonour on himself, his country, and the queen's ship." In consequence of this reso- lution, he was presently sirrounded by the enemy, and engaged alone with the whole Spanish fleet of fifty-three sail, which had ten thousand men on board ; and from the time the fight begun, which was about three in the afternoon, to the break of day next morning, he repulsed the enemy fifteen times, though they continually shifted their vessels, and boarded with fresh men. In the beginning of the action, he himself received a wound; but he continued above deck till eleven at night, when, receiving a fresh wound, he was carried down to be dressed. During this operation, he received a shot in the head, and the surgeon was killed by his side. The English began now to want powder, all their small arms were broken or become useless, forty of their best men, which were but one hundred and three at the beginning, killed, and almost all the rest wounded ; their masts were beat overboard, their tackle cut in pieces, and nothing but a hulk left, unable to move one way or other. In this situation. Sir Richard proposed to the ship's company, to trust to the mercy of God, not to that of the Spaniards, and to destroy the ship with themselves, rather than yield to the enemy. The master-gunner, and many of the seamen, agreed to this desperate resolution, but others opposed it, and obliged Sir Richard to rurrender. He died in three days after; and his last words were «' Here die I, Richard Grlnville, with a joyful and quiet JAMES LANCASTER. 119 ad well received ht. The Eiig- 3 the Spaniards, balf the English ses. The Lord diately, and put ing his example. p, weighed last, 3 were on shore, e having no less nd the rest, with ichard Grenville hers advised him to the sailing of 1 already on his ily refused to fly uld much rather on himself, his 3nce of this reso- the enemy, and et of fifty-three ; and from the in the afternoon, ilsed the enemy d their vessels, eginning of the he continued iceiving a fresh During this nd the surgeon m now to want become useless, le hundred and st all the rest their tackle cut jle to move one ird proposed to rod, not to that ith themselves, er-gunner, and resolution, but to surrender. words were — )yful and quiet mind ; for that I have ended my life as a true soldier ought to do, fighting for his country, queen, religion, and honour, my soul willingly departing from this body, leaving behind the lasting fame of having behaved as every valiant soldier is in duty bound to do." The Spaniards lost in this sharp though unequal action, four ships, and about one thousand men. CAPTAIN JAMES LANCASTER was fitted out by some merchants of London to cruize on the coast of Brazil, then in the hands of the Spaniards. He sailed from Dart- mouth on the 30th of November, 1594, with three ships, one of one hundred and forty, another of one hundred and seventy, and the third of sixty tons, on board these were two hundred and seventy-five men and boys. In the space of a few weeks they took thirty-nine Spanish ships, four of which they kept, and plundered the rest, and then, joining with Captain Venner at the isle of May, they steered for the coast of Brazil, where they took the city of Pernambuco, on the 20th of March, 1595, in a manner scarcely to be paral- leled in history, for Captain Lancaster ordered his fine new pinnace, in which he landed his men, to be beat to pieces on the shore, and sunk his boats, that his men might see they must either die or conquer ; the sight of which so frighted the Spaniards and Portuguese, that after a very poor defence they abandoned the lower town. This the English held for thirty days, in which space they were attacked eieven times by the enemy. The spoil was exceedingly rich, and amounted to so great a quantity, that Captain Lancaster hired three sail of large Dutch ships, and four Frenchmen, to carry it home ; and having thus increased his fleet to fif- teen ships, he brought them safely into the Downs in the month of July, 1595. This was the most lucrative adven- ture, on a private account, throughout the whole war ; and the courage and conduct of the commander appears so con- spicuously therein, that he deserves to be ever remembered with honour, even supposing he had performed nothing more. But it appears, from several circumstances in the relations, that he was the person who opened the trade to the Indies. We have already taken notice of the patent granted to the East India Company by queen Elizabcih, in the year IGOO. Their first stock consisted of seventy-two thousand pounds, and the first fleet they fitted out as a company, consisted o f 120 :; I JAMES LANCASTER. Si -' In h four large ships, which sailed from London, February 13, 1600, under the command of this Mr. James Lancaster, Avho was afterwards knighted, and who performed his voyage to Achen very successfully, and established the English trade throughout the Indies as happily and prudently as could be wished. In his return, his ship, which was the Dragon, was in the utmost peril off the Cape of Good Hope, having lost her rudder, and become otherwise much daur.aged, yet he refused to go on board the Hector, contenting himself with writing a short letter to the company, wherein he told them they might be sure he would do his utmost to save the ship and cargo, by thus venturing his own life and the lives of those who were with him, adding this v\ aarkable postscript in the midst of his confusion : — " The passage to the East Indies lies in 62 degrees, 30 minutes, by the north-west, on the America side." He had, however, the good fortune to get into the port of St. Helena, where he repaired his weather-beaten ship as well as he could, brought her safely into the Downs on the 11th of September, 1G03, and lived nearly thirty years after- wards in an honourable affluence, acquired chietly by this successful voyage. These are the principal naval heroes who flourished in that glorious reign, wherein the foundation was strongly laid of the prodigious maritime power and extensive com- merce, which the English nation have since enjoyed. I shall conclude with wishing, that the same generous spirit may again arise with a force that may excite us to emulate the wisdom, courage, industry, and zeal for the public good, which animated our ancestors, and enabled them to surmount all difficulties, and to spread the reputation of their arms and virtues through the whole habitable world. . I CHAPTER IV. REIGN OF JAMES THE FIRST — SIR AVILLIAM MONSON — QUARRELS WITH THE DUTCH — S«1R WALTER RALE IGil— REIGN OF CHARLES THE FIRST — SIR ROBERT MANSEL. ^i When James the Sixth of Scotland succeeded to the throne of England, he was in the thirry-sixth year of his age. The melancholy circumstances of nis childhood and educa- tion had impressed upon his mind characters of feebleness, which ne " v were effaced, even by the career of prosperity which his accession to the crown of England opened up to him. Never had any monarch a nobler opportunity of dis- tinction at the commencement of a reign. Never was such an opportunity so thrown away. Received as the head of the Protestant interest by one party, his claim was held valid by the Catl jlic party as the legitimate heir, and had he with a manly dignity upheld the Protestant faith, while at the same time he sternly rebuked the intolerance shown towards his Catholic subjects, he might have taken his place as the head of men of free thoughts and free actions, and have earned for himself a name of immortal renown. — James was not equal to this. He shrunk from asserting the only claim he had to the throne, namely, the right of a free people to think ^ov themselves, and took refuge under the unintelligible doctrine of — The right di\ine of kings to govern wrong. It is surprising that, under all circumstances, he contrived to pass through a long reign so peaceably ; but the conse- quences of his policy fell fatally upon his more criminal successor. It is with reference to maritime affairs alone, however, that we require to treat of the reign of James. It may appear singular that Scotland, having the same insular situ- ation, and having the example of England, should have been insignificant as a maritime power. Yet so it was, and James does not appear to have paid much attention person- 1, 1 / I ' ■ii I 122 SIR WILLIAM MONSON. ally to the affairs of his navy. His reign, indeed, was not a warlike one, and our account is necessarily brief. The house of Austria was glad to avail itself of James's peaceful disposition, to put an end to the war which had proved so injurious to its interests and glory. The terms of the treaty of peace have been severely animadverted upon, by politicians of these and subsequent times, as disadvanta- geous to England, but there was probably an undue degree of national animosity at the bottom of these complaints. But if this treaty gave some dissatisfaction at home, it raised no less discontent abroad. The Hollanders, who were left to shift for themselves, and who had reaped great advantages from the favour of Elizabeth, were exasperated at a step so much to their disadvantage. But as they found themselves still strong eno'jgh not only to cope with the ►Spaniards, but also to make a greater figure than most other nations at sea, they lost that respect which was due to the English flag, and began to assume to themselves a kind of equality even in the narrow seas. This was represented to the king as an indignity not to be borne, and he directed a fleet to be fitted out, the command of which was given to Sir William Monson, with instructions to maintain the honour of the English flag, and the superiority of the British seas. This fleet put to sea in the spring of 1604, and was continued annually under the same admiral, who was a man of spirit and experience. He tells us in his memoirs that he served in the first ship of war fitted out in the reign of queen Elizabeth, and wn.s an admiral in the last fleet she ever sent to sea. Yet he found it a very diffi- cult matter to execute his commission ; the Dutch, whenever he conferred with any of their chief officers, gave him fine language and fair promises, but they minded them very little, taking our ships on very frivolous pretences, and treating those they found on board them with great severity, till such time as it appeared the admiral vt'ould not bear such usage, and began to make reprisals, threatening to hang as pirates people who showed themselves very little better in their actions. There were also high contests about the flag, which began through some accidental civilities shown to the Hollanders in the late reign, when they sailed under the command of English admirals, upon joint expeditions, and were on that account treated as if they had been her Majesty's own subjects, which favours they now pretended to claim as prerogatives due to them in quality of an independent state. I • ideed, was not brief. 'If of James's ar Avliich had The terms of Ivertcd upon, IS disadvanta- undiie degree )mplaints. 1 at home, it landers, who reaped great 3 exasperated as they found 3pe with the e than most ih was due to selves a kind 5 represented \ he directed was given to naintain the iority of the ing of 1604, dmiral, who Is us in his fitted out in miral in the a very diffi- h, whenever ive him fine them very tences, and eat severity, Dt bear such ^ to hang as le better in out the flag, hown to the i under the ditions, and er Majesty's to claim as ndent state. i QUARRELS WITH THE DUTCH. 123 It will not be amiss to give the reader an account, in Sir W. Monson's own words, of the spirit with which he insisted on satisfaction from the Dutch on this head, whereby the right of the English flag, which has been so much stood upon since, was established with regard to this republic; the rather, because there are many who will scarce believe that matters of this nature were carried so far, under so pacific a prince. " In my return from Calais," says Sir William, " the first of July, 1605, with the emperor's ambassador, as I approached near Dover road, I perceived an increase of six ships to those I left there three days before, one of them being the admiral ; their coming in show was to beleaguer the Spaniards who were then at Dover. " As I drew near them the admiral struck his flag thrice, and advanced it agtain. His coming from the other coast at such a time, caused me to make another construction than he pretended ; and indeed it so fell out, for I conceived his arrival at that time was for no other end than to show the ambassador, who he knew would spread it abroad throughout all Europe, as also the Spaniards, that they might have the less esteem of his Majesty's prerogative in the narrow seas, that by their wearing their flag, they might be reputed kings of the sea as well as his Majesty. I hastened the ambassador ashore, and despatched a gentleman to the admiral, to entreat his company the next day to dinner, which he willingly promised. " The gentleman told him I required him to take in his flag, as a duty due to his Majesty's ships : he answered, that he had struck it thrice, which he thought to be a very suffi- cient acknowledgment, and it was more than former admirals of the narrow seas had required at his hands. " The gentleman replied, that he expected such an answer from him, and therefore he was prepared with what to say to that point. He told him the times were altered, for when no more but striking the flag was required, England and Holland were both of them in hostility with Spain, which caused her Majesty to tolerate divers things in them, as, for instance, the admiral's wearing his flag in the expedition to Cadiz and the islands, where the Lord- Admiral of England and the Lord of Essex went as generals, and that courtesy they could not challenge by right, but by permission ; and the wars being now ceased, his Majesty did require by me, his minister, such rights and duties as have formerly belonged to his progenitors. 124 QUARRELS WITH THE DUTCH. c' \ *•' The ailmiral refused to obey my commands, saying he expected more favour from me than from other admirals, in respect of our long and loving acquaintance ; but he was answered that all obligations of private friendship must be laid aside, when the honour of one's king and country is at stake. The gentleman advised him in a friendly manner to yield to my demand, if not, he had commission to tell him, I meant to weigh anchor and come near him, and that the force of our ships should determine the question, for rather than I would suffer his flag to be worn in view of so many natioiiS as were to behold it, I resolved to bury myself in the sea. " The admiral, it seems, upon better advice, took in his flag, and stood immediately off to sea, firing a gun for the rest of the fleet to follow him. And thus I lost my guest the next day to dinner, as he had promised. " This passage betwixt the admiral and me was observed from the shore, people beholding us to see the event. Upon my landing I met with Sciriago, the general of the Spaniards, who in the time of queen Elizabeth was employed under Mendoza, the ambassador of Spain. He told me that if the Hollanders had worn their flag, times had been strangely altered in England since his old master, king Philip the Second, was shot at by the Lord-Admiral of England, for wearing his flag in the narrow seas, when he came to marry queen Mary." These disputes continued for many years, and though, through the vigilance of admiral Monson, the Dutch were defeated in all their pretensions, and the prerogatives of the British sovereignty at sea were thoroughly maintained, yet the republic of Holland still kept up a spirit of resentment, which broke out in such acts of violence, as would not have been passed by in the days of queen Elizabeth; yet our admiral does not seem to charge the king or his ministry in general with want of inclination to do themselves justice, but lays it expressly at the door of Secretary Cecil, after- wards Earl of Salisbury, who thought it, he says, good policy to overlook such kind of offences, but he does not report any reasons upon which that kind of policy was grounded ; yet it did not absolutely or constantly prevail, even in the councils of king James, for upon some surmises that foreigners took unreasonable liberties in fishing in our seas, a proclamation was published in the year 1608, dis- tinctly asserting the king's sovereignty in that point, and THE FRENCH FISHERIES, 125 s, saying he admirals, in but he was hip must be ountry is at ^ manner to tell him, I nd that the I, for rather of so many lyself in the took in his g-un for the >t my guest as observed 3nt. Upon ; Spaniards, oved under ft' e that if the sn strangely Philip the ngland, for le to marry nd though, Dutch were tives of the itained, yet resentment, Id not have ; yet our ministry in ves justice, ecil, after- says, good le does not policy was tly prevail, le surmises ling in our 1608, dis- point, and prohibiting all foreign nations to fish on the British coast. This, though general in appearance, had yet a more particu- lar relation to the Dutch, who found themselves so far affected thereby, especially when the king appointed commis- sioners at London for granting licenses to such foreigners as would fish on the English coast, and at ICdinburgh, for granting licenses of the like nature to such as would fish in the northern sea; and to these regulations, though with great reluctance, they submitted for the present, the reason of which seems to be, their having then affairs of great moment to arrange with the court of Great Britain. In these important concerns, notwithstanding all that had passed, they succeeded, and two treaties were concluded on the twenty-sixth of June, 1608, between the crown of Groat Britain and the States-General, the one of peace and alli- ance, the other for stating and settling the debt due to king James. One would have imagined that the advantages obtained by these treaties should have brought the republic to a better temper in respect to other matters, but it did not, for within a short time after, they disputed paying the assize-herring in Scotland, and the license-money in Eng- land ; and to protect their subjects from the penalties which might attend such a refusal, they sent ships of force to escort their herring busses. These facts, as they are incon- testible, I think myself obliged to relate, though without the least prejudice against the Dutch, who are a people cer- tainly to be commended for all such instances of their public spirit, as appear to be consistent with the right of their neighbours, and the law of nations. But at this time of day, ministers were too much afraid of parliaments to run the hazard of losing any of the nation's rights for want of insisting upon them, and therefore they prevailed upon the king to republish his proclamation. There were also some struggles in this reign with the French, about the same rights of fishery, and the sovereignty of the sea, in which, through the vigorous measures taken by Sir William Monson, the nation prevailed, and the French w^ere obliged to desist from their practices of dis- turbing our fishermen, and otherwise injuring our naviga- tion. In 1614, the same admiral was sent to scour the Scottish and Irish seas, which were much infested with pirates. We need not wonder at this, if we consider that, till king James's accession to the throne of England, there was little, indeed scarcely any naval strength in his own 120 RALEIGH S EXPEDITION. U f 11 ! ," country, and that in Ireland, the Spaniards, by frequently practising this piratical trade during- the war, had given the barbarous inhabitants such a relish of it, that they could not forsake it in time of peace. Tl. noise, however, of their depredations far exceeded the dam e, for when, on the first of June, Sir William Monson ma^ die coast of Caithness, the most northern part of Scotland, he found that instead of twenty pirates, of whom he expected to have intelligence in those parts, there were in fact but two, one of whom imme- diately surrendered, and the other was afterwards taken by the admiral on the coast of Ireland, where, by a proper mixture of clemency and severity, he extirpated these rovers. This service Sir William performed in three months. In 1617, Sir Walter llaleigh was released from his imprisonment in the Tower, and had a commission from the king to discover and take possession of any countries in the south of America, which were inhabited by heathen nations, for the enlargement of commerce and the propagation of religion ; in the undertaking which expedition, his expe^ises were borne by himself, his friends, and such merchants as entertained a good opinion of the voyage. His design has been variously represented, and we shall examine it hereafter more at large. At present, we speak of it only as a public concern, in which light it was justifiable beyond all question, notwithstanding the outcries that were made against it by the Spaniards. It is, indeed, pretty evident that the com- plaints of their minister, Don Diego Sarmiento d'Acuna, so well known afterwards by the title of Count Gondomar, were not so much grounded on any notions he himself had of the injustice of this design, as on a piece of Spanish policy, by raising a clamour on false pretences, to discover the true scope and intent of Sir Walter's voyage. In this he was but too successful, for, upon his representations, that excellent person was obliged to give a distinct account, as well of his preparations for executing, as of the design he was to execute ; and this (by what means is not clear) was communicated to the Spaniards, who thereby gained an opportunity, first of disappointing him in America, and then of taking off his head upon his return, to the lasting dis- honour of this reign, as w^ell as the great detriment of the nation ; for, without all doubt, this project of Sir Walter Raleigh's, for settling in Guiana; was not only well con- trived but well founded, and if it had been followed, might have been most beneficial to Britain. frequently 1 given the y could not 2r, of their on the first Caithness, t instead of elligence in horn imme- Is taken by y a proper lese rovers, iths. I from his )n from the itries in the len nations, pagation of iiis expenses lerchants as design has it hereafter as a public ill question, gainst it by at the com- [I'Acuna, so Gondomar, limself had of Spanish to discover e. In this tations, that account, as design he clear) was gained an ;a, and then lasting dis- nent of the Sir Walter ' well con- wed, might ATTACK ON ALGIERS. 12; The disputes with the States of Holland, in reference to the right of fishing, broke out again in the year 1018, from the old causes, which were plainly a very high presumption of their own maritime force, and an opinion they had enter- tained of the king's being much addicted to peace. It is not at all impossible that they had a great opinion likewise of their minister's capacity, and that sooner or later, if they could but keep up a long negotiation, they might either pre- vail upon the king to drop his pretensions, or repeat their own ill-founded excuses so often, till in the close they gained credit. At this time, those who hated the English ministry, treated these differences with that republic as rather criminal than honourable ; but the same men living long enough to get the supreme power into their own hands, in the time of the long parliament, caused the letters of state, written at that juncture, to be drawn out of the dust and rubbish, and made them, without the smallest scruple, the foundation of that quarrel which they prosecuted with force of arms. These letters made it perfectly clear that king James asserted his rights through the long course of this negoti- ation as clearly and as explicitly as it was possible, and brought the States themselves to acknowledge that these rights had a just foundation. If it should be inquired how it came to pass that, after carrying things so far, and to such a seeming height, they should fall again into silence and oblivion, the best answer that can be given to this question is, that in the midst of this dispute, the Prince of Orange asked Sir Dudley Carleton a very shrewd question, namely, Whether this claim about the fishery might not be quieted for a sum of money ? That gentleman, who was afterwards created Viscount Dorchester, was certainly a man of honour, but whether some men in power might not find a method, by agents of their own, to convey an answer to so plain a demand, is more than at this distance of time can be deter- mined. Sir William Monson tells us, that, in reference to the disputes about the flag, the Dutch found a kind of pro- tector in the great Earl of Salisbury. We come now to the only naval expedition of consequence, wliich was undertaken during the time this king sat upon the throne, I mean the attempt upon Algiers. What the real grounds were of this romantic undertaking, seems not easy to be discovered. The common story is, that Count Gon- domar, having gained an ascendancy over his Majesty's understanding, persuaded him, contrary to his natural inch- ll J 11'-'/ 128 ATTACK ON ALOIERS. hi [•) I U- nation, which seldom permitted him to ther places ; yet, in the short space of two years, the Dutc: grew weary of their company, and, under pretence of a plot, seized the principal persons in the factory, toi ured them, and having extorted from them some confessions, put as many of them as they thought fit to death, and, under a specious show of clemency, discharged the rest, seizing, however, not only on this, but all the other factories likewise, which, at that time, the English had in the Spice- Islands, and thereby engrossing that most valuable trade to themselves. That this was reall} a contrivance, seems plain, from the following circumstances : — The English had only a house wherein their factory re- sided, whereas the Dutch were possessed of a very strong fort ; the number of the former did not exceed twenty, the latter had above two hundred garrison soldiers in the castle, and eight ships riding in the port. Tha prisoners all denied it most solemnly at their deaths, and would have taken the sacrament on the truth of what they said, but that it was refused them by the Dutch. That I may not be, however, suspected of injustice towards them, I will transcribe their own account of this matter. " This island," says a writer, who addressed his work to the States of Holland, " was a long time the subject of dispute between the Dutch and English. The East India Company, who had made them- MASSACRE OF AMBOYNA. 131 1 two other ier the coni- L'l' that oi" the e, that very Sir William 'ations upon lat notwith- ded, as they ver had any exceedingly, ,'hich vented na, of which t gave birth 3ted so long, ded between [619, it was t farther dis- the trade at ce of this, a ^ther places; grew weary )t, seized the and having any of them ious show of , not only on at that time, y engrossing lis wasreall} 'cumstances : r factory re- very strong twentv, the in the castle, rs all denied ve taken the that it was )c, however, scribe their ys a writer, nd, " was a l^utch and made them- selves masters of it, entered into a treaty with the English for driving out the Portuguese and Spaniards; and, by one of the articles of this treaty, it was agreed that they should furnish tea men of war for this purpose. They neglecting this armament, the Indians of Ternate to'^k advantage of the weakness which this omission of theirs had occasioned, agreed to a suspension of arms with the Spaniards, and having made an alliance with the king of Tidore, who was an enemy to the Dutch, attacked several islands dependent on Amboyna, and having made themselves masters of them, resolved to attack the citadel; and the English are said to have been concerned with them in this design, which was discovered by a Japanese. The governor heard from all sides, that the English had taken his citadel. Astonished at these reports, though false, he put himself on his guard, and seized the Japanese, whom he suspected. This man confessed, that the English were engaged in a conspiracy against the governov ; that, taking advantage of his absence, the citadel was to be seized, and that the Japanese in the island had engaged to execute this project. The governor, without hesitation, arrested all who were accused of having any hand in this design. The I'^nglish confessed, that their factor had sworn them upon the gospel never to reveal the secret ; which, however, they did, and signed their confes- sions, some freely, and the rest constrained thereto by the violence of the torture. They were all executed; and this is what is commonly called the massacre of Amboyna. The English have always maintained, that this crime was purely imaginary, and only made use of as a pretext to sacritice their nation to the vengeance of a governor ; and, therefore, they continued to demand satisfaction for this loss from 1623 to 1672, when, through the inditierent state of their affairs, they were glad to depart from it." This Dutch account, and indeed all the accounts I have ever seen of their draw- ing up, sufficiently prove, that there wa:. more of policy than of any thing else in the whole proceeding, and that what the Dutch in this black business chieHy aimed at was, the ex- cluding us from the spice-trade, in which they effectually succeeded. It is, indeed, strange, that, considering the strength of the nation at sea at the time we received this insult, and the quick sense which the English always have of any national affront, no proper satisfaction was obtained, nor any vigor- ous measures entered into, in order to exact it. But the ' 1 ^>A-'*w ''-i 'I .' i:i 132 DEATH OF JAMES I. Wl if ^ \ m \ wonder will, in a great measure, cease, when we consider the state of the crown, and of the people at that period. The king had been engaged for many years in a tedious, dishon- ourable, and distasteful negotiation for the marriage of his son prince Charles with the princess of Spain: to the chi- merical advantages he proposed from this, he sacrificed the interest of his family, the glory of his governmeii , and the affections of his people, and yet could never bring the thing to bear: but was at lasjt forced to break off the treaty abruptly, and to think, at the close of his life and reign, of entering upon war, to which he had been always averse. Such was the situation of things when this accident hap- pened at Amboyna ; and, therefore, though it made a great noise, and occasioned much expostulation with the republic, yet the attention of the crown to the proposed war with Spain and its concern for the recovery of the Palatinate, joined to the necessity there was of keeping terms with the Dutch at so critical a juncture, hindered our proceeding any farther than by remonstrance, while our competitors kept exclusively so very considerable a branch of trade. I have taken the more pains to settle and clear up this matter, because it is a full proof of a truth we ought never to forget, viz., that domestic dissensions are particularly fatal to us as a trading nation, and that it is impossible for us to maintain our commerce in a flourishing condition, if we do not at least enjoy peace at home whatever our circumstances may be abroad. The breaking off of the Spanish match made way for a war with that kingdom, much to the satisfaction of the English ; but, in the midst of the preparations that were making for it, the king ended his days on the twenty-seventh of March, 1625, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, and in the twenty-third of his reign. His pacific temper occasions our having but little to say in this part of our work ; but, before we pro- ceed to mention the eminent seamen who flourished in his time, it will be proper to give the reader a concise view of the improvement of trade and navigation within this period, as well as a brief account of the colonies that were settled, while this prince sat upon the throne. It has been already shown, that, under the public-spirited administration of queen Elizabeth, this nation first came to have any thing like a competent notion of the benefits of an extensive commerce, and began to think of managing their own trade themselves, which, down to that period, had been almost entirely in the hands of foreigners. So long as the (; " we consider eriod. The ous, dishon- riage of his to the chi- acrificed the eii', and the ng the thing the treaty ind reign, of ^ays averse, ccident hap- (lade a great the republic, r with Spain ite, joined to 3 Dutch at so farther than xclusively so ken the more se it is a full that domestic ding nation, commerce in ijoy peace at ad, ^'ay for a war he English ; aking for it, March, 1625, nty-third of having but ore we pro- ished in his loise view of this period, were settled, blic-spirited irst came to nefits of an aging their )d, had been lung as the !l STATE OF TRADE AND NAVIGATION. 133 war continued with Spain, our merchants went on in a right way ; by which I mean, that they prosecuted their private advantage in such a manner, as that it proved likewise of public utility, by increasing the number of seamen and of effective ships belonging to this kingdom; but after king James's accession, and the taking place of the peace, things took a new and strange turn. Our traders saw the mani- fest advantage of using large and strong ships, but, instead of building them, were content to freight those of their neighbours, because a little money was to be saved by this method. In consequence of this notion, our shipping de- cayed in proportion as our trade increased, till the year 1615, when there were not ten ships of two hundred tons belong- ing to the port of London. Upon this the Trinity-house petitioned the king, setting forth the matter of fact, and the injurious consequences it would have, with respect to our naval power, through the decay of seamen, and praying, that the king would put in execution some old laws, which were calculated for the redress of this evil, suggesting also the exampie of the state of Venice, who, on a like occasion, had prohibited their subjects to transport any goods in for- eign bottoms. The merchants unanimously opposed the mariners in this dispute, and, having at this juncture better interest at court, prevailed. Yet , in a year's time, the tables were turned, and the merchants, convinced of their own mistake, joined with rhe mariners in a like application. An accident produced this effect. Two ships, each of the burden of three hundred tons, came into the Thames, laden with currants and cotton, the property of some Dutch merchants residing in London. This immediately opened the eyes of all our traders; they saw now, that through their own error they were come back to the very point from which they set out, and that, if some bold and effectual remedy was not imme- diately applied, our commerce would be carried on by for- eigners in foreign bottoms. They instantly drew up a representation of this, and laid it before the king and his council ; upon which a proclamation was issued, forbidding any English subject to export or import goods in any but English bottoms. When once people have entered into a course of industry, the benefits accruing from it will generally keep them in that road, and even the difficulties they meet with turn to their advantage. Thus, after the English merchants ha 1 built a few large ships in their own ports, and furnished theui ,-/^-^. is 1i 134 STATE OF TRADE AND NAVIGATION. i 1 ■' * ' h V'M m 1* ! I i K t i with artillery and other necessaries, they found themselves in a condition to launch into many trades that were un- thought of before; and, though for some time they suffered not a little by the Algerines and other pirates of Barbary, yet in the end they got more than they lost by these acci- dents; for it put them upon building still larger ships, as well as taking more care in providing and manning small ones; which had such an effect in the space of seven years, that, whereas ships of a hundred tons had been before esteemed very large vessels, and were generally built and brought from beyond the seas, now there were many mer- chantmen of three, four, and five hundred tons belonging to several ports, and upwards of a hundred vessels, each of above two hundred tons burden, belonging to Newcastle alone, all built at home, and better built than elsewhere; and, before the death of king James, our trade was so far increased, that, in the opinion of Sir William Monson, we were little, if at all inferior in our mercantile marine, to the Dutch. In respect to the encouragement given by the crown for promoting commerce and plantations in the East Indies and America, they were as great under this reign as under any succeeding one. Several voyages were made on account of the East India Company, and the king did not spare sending an ambassador into those parts for their service. Virginia and New England were in a great measure planted, Barba- does possessed and settled, and Bermudas discovered in his time. I do not know whether the attempts made for fixing colonies in Newfoundland, and Acadia, or New Scotland, deserve any commendation, because, as they were managed at that time, they could turn to little account; yet it must be allowed, that the government meant well by the encour- agement given to these undertakings, which went so far as directing proposals for settling Newfoundland to be read in churches, that all who had any mind to be concerned in such attempts might have due notice. Some benefits certainly accrued even from these projects; they occasioned building a great many good ships, increased the Newfoundland fishery, added to the number of our sailors, and kept alive that spirit of discovery, which is essential to a beneficial commerce, since, A/henever a nation comes to think it has trade enough, their trade will quickly decline. Besidec, it engaged .abundance of knowing and experienced persons to write upon all branches of traffic; and their books, which ■tiiii * N. STATE OF TRADE AND NAVIGATION. 135 and themselves that were un- le they suffered es of Barbary, by these acci- larger ships, as manning small of seven years, d been before rally built and ere many mer- [is belonging to essels, each of to Newcastle rian elsewhere; ade was so far m Monson, we marine, to the the crown for i]ast Indies and n as under any ' on account of ; spare sending ice. Virginia lanted, Barba- icovered in his lade for fixing ^ew Scotland, vere managed yet it must jy the encour- went so fur as to be read in jerned in such efits certainly oned building Newfoundland md kept alive o a beneficial think it has Besides, it oed por^oiits to booivs, which yet remain, sufficiently prove, that there were numbers in those days, who thoroughly understood all the arts necessary to promote manufactures, navigation, and useful commerce. As to the navy, which was more particularly the care of the crown, we find that it frequently engaged the attention of the king himself, as well as of his ministers. When James came to the throne in 1602, the royal navy consisted of forty-two ships carrying eight hundred and four guns, which ships, when equipped for sea, carried eight thousand three hundred and seventy-six men. But at the death of that monarch it consisted of sixty-two sail, and at that period the money annually expended for the use of the navy was c£'50,000. In most of our naval histories we have a list of nine ships added to the royal navy of England by this prince, which list, as taken from Sir William Monson is given in the note.* That this, however, is defective, we may conclude from hence, that there is no mention therein of the greatest ship built in the king's reign, and bnilt, too, by his express direction, of which we have so exact, and at the same time so authentic an account, that it may not be amiss to tran- scribe it. " This )ear, IGIO, the king built a most goodly ship for war, the keel w^iereof was one hundred and fourteen feet long, and the cross-beam was forty-four feet in length; she will carry sixty-four pieces of great ordnance,and is of the burden of fourteen hundred tons. This royal ship is double- built, and is most sumptuously adorned, within and without, with all manner of curious carving, painting, and rich gild- ing, being in all respects the greatest and goodliest ship that ever was built in England; and this glorious ship the king gave unto his son Henry prince of Wales. The 24th of September, the king, the queen, the prince of Wales, the duke of York, and the lady Elizabeth, with many great lords, went unto Woolwich to see it launched; but, because of the narrowness of the dock, it could not then be launched ; whereupon the prince came the next morning by three o'clock, and then, at the Launching thereof, the prince named • Sliips. Men at sea. Reformation, 250 Happy Entrance, 160 Garland IGO St. (ioorpc, 250 Mary Rose,. 120 Sliips. Men at sea. Triumph 'MM Swil'isure, 250 HonavcMiturc, IGO St. Andrew, 250 ■I ^^>^„ w 130 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. it after his own dignity, and called it *The Prince.' The great workmaster in building this ship was Mr Phineas Pet, gentleman, some time master of arts of Emanuel College in Cambridge." In the same author we have an account of the king's going on board the great East India ship of 1200 tons, which was built here, and seems to have been the first of that size launched in this kingdom. The king called it " The Trade's Increase," and a pinnace of 250 tons, which was built at the same time, he called " The Pepper-Corn." This shows that he was a favourer of navigation ; and, though I cannot pretend to say exactly what additions he made to the EngUsh fleet, yet, from some authentic calculations, it may be affirmed, that queen Elizabeth's ships of war, at the time of her death, might contain somewhat more than 16,000 tons, and that, in the days of king James, they amounted to upwards of 20,000 tons. The king also granted a commission of inquiry for reforming the abuses in the navy, the proceedings upon which are still preserved in the Cotton library. He was liberal likewise to seamen, and naturally inclined to do them honour; but, as in other things, so in this, he was too much governed by his favourites. Buckingham managed the admiralty very indifferently, and, before his time, Gondomar had persuaded king James against reason, law, the inclina- tions of his people, nay, against his own sense of things, to take off the head of the greatest man who flourished in his reign, and of whom I am now particularly to speak, namely, llaleigh. SIR WALTER RALEIGH.— As the fame of this gentleman's actions was sufficient to establish and give lustre to any family, so his descent was honourable enough to exempt him from envy, even in the high posts which he obtained by his merit. There were several families of the name of Raleigh in the west, and three particularly, which were seated in several parts of the country, and bore different arms. That, from which this gentleman sprung, is traced to the reign of king John, as the Raleighs in general are beyond the conquest. His fiither was Walter Raleigh, of Fardel in the county of Devon. This gentleman had throe wives, and children by them all. The last was Catharine, the daughter of Sir Philip Champernon of Mod- bury, and relict of Otho Gilbert of Compton in Devonshire, Esq. ; by this lady Mr Raleigh had two sons, Carew, who 1 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 137 Prince.' The r Phineas Pet, lanuel College he king's going ons, which was st of that size " The Trade's 1 was built at This shows ough I cannot ! to the English lay be affirmed, e of her death, tons, and that, to upwards of sion of inquiry ceedings upon ary. He was led to do them was too much managed the Tie, Gondomar w, the inclina- 3 of things, to lurished in his speak, namely. fame of this nd give lustre le enough to >sts which he il families of particularly, itry, and bore >man sprung, ; Kaleighs in r was Walter bis gentleman The last was •non of Mod. Devonshire, Oarew, who was afterwards knighted, and Walter, of whom we are treat- ing, as also a daughter, Margaret, who was twice married. Thus it appears that this gentleman was brother by the mother's side to those famous knights, Sir John, Sir Hum- phrey, and Sir Adrian Gilbert. He was born in the year 1552, at a farm called Hayes, seated in that part of Devonshire which borders on the sea, and after laying the foundations of literature in his own country, was sent to Oxford while a very young man ; since, according to the best authority, he was there in 1568, and soon distinguished himself by a proficiency in learning far beyond his age. When he came to, and how long he had then staid in Oriel College is not very clear ; neither is it well made out that he was afterwards of the Middle-Temple. This we may consider as sure, that, about 1569, he, in company with many young gentlemen of good families and martial dispositions, went over into France, as well to instruct them- selves in the art of war, as to assist the protestants in that kingdom, then grievously oppressed. He served there a considerable time, and acquired both skill and reputation. Tl ^ former is evident from many judicious observations on those wars which we meet with scattered through his works ; and the latter is attested by contemporary and credible authors. Although the French writers, as well as our own, leave us in the dark as to his particular services in France, or the time of his continuance there, yet it appears from a comparison of facts and dates, that he was somewhat more than five years thus employed. By what means he escaped the horrible massacre of Paris and the provinces, on the evening of St. Bartholomew, in 1572, we are left in uncer- tainty. He probably found refuge in the ambassador's house in company with Lord Wharton, Philip Sidney and others. He returned to England about the year 1575. Having still an earnest desire to improve his military skill, and an eager thirst for glory, he went to the Netherlands, where he served some time against the Spaniards. France and the Netherlands were in those davs the schools of Mars; to which all were obliged to resort who addicted themselves to the sword, and were willing to find a way to reputation, by exposing their persons in the service of their country. But whereas nvtmbers were ruined by this course, suffering their minds to be corrupted by the license of camps, and their behaviour tp be infected with that fierce and boisterous humour, which some take for a soldier-like freedom j Raleigh, ,1 N r^lf "iT 'P^-,- r -n' it f I . !K ■ * ! ' i'' I It 138 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. on the contrary, made the true use of his service in a foreign country, increased his stock of knowledge in all kinds, im- proved his skill as a soldier by experience, and so completely polished his manner of address, that at his return he was considered one of the best bred and most accomplished gentlemen in England, at a period when this was no singular character. On Raleigh's coming back to his native soil, in 1578, he found his half-brother Sir Humphrey Gilbert engaged in a design of making discoveries in North America, for which he had obtained a patent ; and for the furtherance of which he had procured the assistance of many friends. Raleigh Vi ?•% much taken with the design, and embarked in it r I'jljy, When it came to be executed, many who had beci. 'tiCv •. ed drew back; Raleigh, however, not only con- tinue^ .^rni t^ 'is engagements, but resolved to accompany his brother in person. This, after all, proved an unfortunate undertaking, and would have frightened a man of less resolu- tion than Raleigh from venturing to sea again ; for they not only missed the great discoveries they thought to have made, but were attacked by the Spaniards in their return; and though they made a very gallant defence, had no reason to boast of success, losing one of the best ships in their small fleet. From this unlucky adventure, Raleigh arrived safe in Eng- land, in the year 1579, and had, soon after, thoughts of serving his queen and country in Ireland, where Pope Gregory VIII. and the Spaniards had sent men and money to assist such as would take arms against their sovereign and the English. It is not very clear at what time our hero crossed the seas ; but it appears from indubitable authority, that in 1580, he had a captain's commission vinder the president of Munster. The next year. Captain Raleigh served under the Earl of Ormonde, then governor of Ulster, a person conspicuous by his illustrious birth, but still more so by his virtues and steady adherence to his duty. The Spanish succours, under the command of an officer of their own, assisted by a choice body of their Irish confederates, had raised and for- tified a castle which they called Del Ore, and which they intended should serve them for a place of retreat whenever they found themselves distressed, and prove also a key to admit fresh succours from abroad, which they daily ex- pcotod, and for which it was well situated, as standing upon the bay of Smerwick, or St. Mary Wick, in the county of I P si si *i '^,„y2^ SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 139 rvice in a foreign in all kinds, im- nd so completely return he was St accomplished was no singular e soil, in 1578, ilbert engaged h America, for furtherance of many friends, d embarked in many who had '^3 not only con- to accompany an unfortunate 1 of less resolu- n; for they not t to have made, rn; and though son to boast of iir small fleet. 1 safe in Eng- ', thoughts of where Pope len and money leir sovereign 3ssed the seas ; t in 1580, he t of Munster. ' the Earl of I conspicuous y his virtues ish succours, assisted by a ised and for- l which they sat whenever Iso a key to ay daily ex- andingupon le county of noo hinder lord-deputy 1 the latter Kerry. The then deputy of Ireland, Lord Grey, was a person of great courage and indefatigable industry, but of a severe temper and prejudiced against the Irish, and who re- solved at all hazards to dispossess them of this fort; which he accordingly besieged with his small army for some time. In this dangerous enterprise Captain Raleigh had his share, commanding often in the trenches, and contributing greatly to the reduction of the place, which was at last forced to surrender at discretion, and the lord-deputy directed the greatest part of the garrison to be put to the sword. This was accordingly executed, though with great regret, by the Captains Raleigh and Mackworth. Many other services he performed in Ireland, and these recommended him to the notice of the government, who, in 1581, honoured him with a joint commission to be governor of Munster. In this character he continued to do the state many services, which were rewarded by the grant of an estate in the c an'^v which he had subdued. Yet all his care, and all his services, dii. his having enemies, and amongst them the Grey ; so that he seems to have been recalled end of the same year to England, where he was quickly introduced to the queen's notice, and by Is own merits attained a large share in her favour ; and as he was forward to distinguish himself in all public services of reputation, so on the return of the duke of Anjou into the Netherlands, he was one of those who accompanied him out of England, by the express command of queen Elizabeth ; and on his com- ing to England in 1582, he brought over the prince of Orange's letters to the queen. Some months after this he resided at court, and was honoured with the favour and protection of contending statesmen, who were proud of showing the true judgment they made of merit, by becom- ing patrons to Raleigh. In 1583, he was concerned in his brother Gilbert's second attempt, and though he went not in person, yet he built a new ship, called the bark Raleighy and furnished it completely for the voyage ; the unsuccess- ful end of which it seemed to predict, by its untimely return in less than a week to Plymouth, through a contagious dis- temper which seized on the ship's crew. Yet did not either this accident, nor the unfortunate loss of his brother Sir Humphrey, drive from Raleigh's thoughts a scheme so bene- ficial to his country, as these northern discoveries seemed to be. He therefore digested into writing an account of the > [ n ' 140 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. H ^ 5i advantages which he supposed might attend the prosecution: of such a design ; and having laid his paper before the coun- cil, obtained her Majesty's letters patent in favour of his project, dated the 25th of March, 1584. By this seasonable interposition, he kept alive that generous spirit of searching out, and planting distant countries, which has been ever since of infinite service to the trade and navigation of Eng- land. It was not long before Raleigh carried his patent into execution ; for having made choice of two commanders, Captain Philip Amadas, and Captain Arthur Barlow, he fitted out their vessels with such expedition, though entirely at his own expense, that on the 27th of April following, they set sail from the west of England for the coast of North America, where they safely arrived in the beginning of the month of July, and took possession of that fine country which has been since so famous by the name of Virginia, bestowed on it by queen Elizabeth, and not given, as is gene- rally surmised, by Sir Walter llaleigh. About this time, he was chosen knight of the shire for the county of Devon, in company with Sir William Courtenay, and making a considerable figure in parliament, he, upon some occasion, entering the royal presence, in his capacity as a member of the House of Commons, received the honour of knighthood ; we find him styled Sir Walter Raleigh for the first time on the 24th of February, 1585. In the same year he fitted out a second fleet for Virginia, in which he had very good success, his ships in their return taking a Spanish prize, worth fifty thousand pounds. He was like- wise concerned in Captain Davis's undertaking for the discovery of the north-west passage ; for which reason a promontory in Davis's Straits was called Mount Raleigh. In respect to these public-spirited, and very expensive pro- jects, the queen made him some profitable grunts; par- ticularly two, the first of wine licenses, and the other of a Lordship in Ireland, consisting of twelve thousand acres, which he planted at his own expense, and many years after sold to the earl of Cork. Encouraged by tliese favours, he fitted out a third fleet for Virginia, and two barks, to cruise on the Spaniards near the Azores, which had such success, that they were obliged to leave many of their prizes behind them. On his return in July, 1586, he brought with him the Nicotiana, or Tobacco, of the smoking of which he was passionately fond. It has been said, that he 111 &\ t( IT ♦4.\. V,^ ..^ ._< . I SIB WALTER RALEIGH. 141 1 the prosecution before the coun- in favour of his y this seasonable irit of searching I has been ever igation of Eng- his patent into ^o commanders, lur Barlow, he though entirely 1 following, they coast of North eginning of the at fine country lie of Virginia, iven, as is gene- he shire for the am Courtenay, nent, he, upon in his capacity ved the honour ter Raleigh for In the same ij in which he Jturn taking a He was like- aking for the hioh reason a ount Raleigh, expensive pro- gr.'Hits; par- he other of a lousand acres, ny years after tliese favours, two barks, to lich had such 3f their prizes ', he brought 3 smoking of said, that he informed the queen that be could tell the exact weight of the smoke which would be produced by any given quantity of tobacco. Her Majesty had no idea of bounding the smoke in a balance, suspected the truth of his assertion, and laid him a wager he could not fulfil his words. Raleigh weighed the tobacco, smoked it and then weighed the ashes. The queen admitted that the difference of weights had gone off in smoke, and added, " many labourers in the fire turn gold into smoke; you have turned smoke into gold." His good for- tune abroad, was so improved by his own prudent behaviour at home, that the queen now made him seneschal of the duchies of Cornwall and Exeter, and lord-warden of the stannaries in Devonshire and Cornwall. In the year 1587, Sir Walter Raleigh fitted out a fourth fleet for Virginia, at his own expense; and in 1588 a fifth ; but neither had any great success, notwithstanding all im- aginable care was taken to provide them thoroughly in all respects, and to employ none in this service but men of reso- lution and reputation. These disappointments, however, served only to show the constancy of our hero's temper, and the firmness with which he pursued whatever appeared to him conducive to the public good, how little soever it turned to his private advantage. With justice, therefore, was the wise queen Elizabeth liberal to such a man, who, whatever he received from her bounty with one hand, bestowed it im- mediately in acts glorious to the nation with the other. The fertile field thus refunds the sun's golden beams, in a beau- tiful and copious harvest of golden ears. When the nation was alarmed with the news of the king of Spain's famous armada, Sir Walter Raleigh was one of the council appointed to consider of ways and means for re- pulsing those invaders ; and the application of his thoughts to this important question, at that time, produced such a scheme for defence, as may be of the greatest use to this island, while it remains such. He did not, however, confine himself to giving advice ; but as he had often fitted out ships for his country's honour and his own, so he now did the like for its defence ; and, not satisfied even with that, he exposed also his person among the many noble volunteers who went to sea upon the occasion, and performed such signal services in the attack and destruction of that formidable fleet, as re- commended him further to the queen's favour, who granted him some additional advantages in his wine-office, which he enjoyed throughout her whole reign, and was the principal .# in- 142 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 'I source of that wealth, which he employed so much to hia honour in all public services. About this time he made an assignment of all his right, title, and interest, in the colony of Virginia, to certain gen- tlemen and merchants of London, in hopes that they might be able to carry on a settlement there more successfully than he had done. He had already spent upwards of forty thou- sand pounds in his several attempts for that purpose ; and yet it does not appear that he parted with his property, either out of a prospect of gain, or through an unwillingness to run any further hazard ; for, instead of taking a considera- tion, he gave them, at the time of making the assignment, a hundred pounds towards their first expenses, neither did he make any reserve, except the fifths of all gold and silver mines. All his view was, to engage such a number of joint adven- turers, as by their concurring interests and industry, might strengthen his infant colony, and enable it to reach the end which he had designed. With the same view he continued to assist the company with his advice and protection when- ever they desired it ; and the difficulties they struggled with for twenty years after, sufficiently showed, that it was not through any fault of the original proprietor, that Virginia did not sooner flourish, and that his wisdom and prudence were no less to be admired in this disposal of his concern therein, than his courage and conduct deserved applause, in first fixing upon so advantageous a spot, which has since proved itself worthy of all the care and expense employed in the support of it. When a proposition was made by Don Antonio, king of Portugal, to queen Elizabeth, to assist him in the recovery of his dominions, the terms he offered appeared so reason- able, that her Majesty was content to bear a considerable share in that undertaking, and to encourage her public- spirited subjects to furnish the rest. Her Majesty's quota consisted of six men-of-war, and threescore thousand pounds; to which, the adventurers added a hundred and twenty sail of ships, and between fourteen and fifteen thousand men, soldiers and sailors. In the fitting out of this fleet, Sir Walter Raleigh was deeply concerned, and took a share himself in the expedition. The next year he made a voyage to Ireland, and towards the latter end of it, formed a grand design of attacking the Spaniards in the West Indies, taking the Plate-Fleet, and sacking Panama. This enterprise, like that of Portugal, was partly at the q1 wl HI mj ih SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 143 much to his 'f all his right, to certain g-en- hat they might iccessf'ully than i of forty'thou- purpose; and )roperty, either nviliingness to ig a considera- i assignment, a neither did he id silver mines. )f joint adven- idustry, might reach the end V he continued )tection when- itruggled with at it was not that Virginia and prudence f his concern i applause, in lich has since e employed in tonio, king of the recovery Bd so reason- considerable her public- ajesty's quota sand pounds; d twenty sail ousand men, lis fleet, Sir ook a share ade a voyage med a grand ndies, taking tartly at the queen's charge, and partly at that of private persons, among whom the principal were Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir John Hawkins ; the former intending to go in person as com- mander-in-chief of the fleet, which consisted of two of the queen's ships, and thirteen sail besides. Many accidents happened, which detained these ships on the English coast for twelve weeks ; but at last Sir Walter Raleigh sailed on the 6th of May, 1592. The very next day. Sir Martin Frobisher followed, and overtook him with the queen's letter to recall him ; but he, thinking his honour too deeply en- gaged, continued at sea, till all hopes of success, according to their intended scheme, was lost ; and then returned, leav- ing the command of the fleet to Sir Martin Frobisher and Sir John Burrough, with orders to cruize on the coast of Spain, and the islands. In pursuance of these orders. Sir John Burrough happily made himself master of the Madre de Dios, one of the greatest ships belonging to the crown of Portugal, which he brought safely into Dartmouth. This carrack was in burden no less than sixteen hundred tons, whereof nine hundred were merchandise ; she carried thirty-two pieces of brass ordnance, and between six and seven hundred passengers ; was built with decks, seven story, one main orlop, three close decks, one fore-castle, and a spare deck, of two floors a-piece. She was in length, from the beak-head to the stern, 165 feet ; in breadth, near 47 feet ; the length of her keel, 100 feet ; of the main-mast, 121 feet; its circuit at the partners, near 11 feet; and her main-yard, 1U6 feet. As to her lading, according to the catalogue taken at Leadenhall, the principal wsives consisted of spices, drugs, silks, calicoes, carpets, quilts, cloth of the rind of trees, ivory, porcelaine, or china-ware, ebony ; besides pearl, musk, civet, and ambergris, with many other commo- dities of inferior value. It freighted ten of our ships for London, and was, by moderate computation, valued at a hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling. When this vessel was first taken, both Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir John Hawkins judged it to be worth four times that sum ; and so, n all probability, she was : but in spite of all the care Sir John Burrough could take, the seamen embezzled a vast quantity of valuable effects ; neither were the pro- prietors in a much better situation when she was brought home. Sir William Monson tells us the reason, and I choose to give it in his own words. *•' The queen's adven- ture," says he, " in this voyage, was only two ships, one of I >./«->'/, :i' U M; , ■ 144 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. El ! 'i I' II t: - • which, and the least of them too, was at the taking the car- rack ; which title, joined to her royal authority, she made such use of, that the rest of the adventurers were forced to submit themselves to her pleasure, with whom she dealt but indifferently." Thus it appears, that the queen, and not Sir Walter, was most benefitted by this capture ; and there is reason to believe the like happened upon other occasions, though Sir Walter was generally left to bear the blame. While Sir Walter remained at home, his great genius dis- played itself in all the employments worthy of a citizen, in a free state. He shone in the senate as a patriot, and the remains we have of his speeches, leave us in doubt which we ought most to admire, the beauty of his eloquence, or the strength of his understanding. He was, besides, the patron and pro- tector of learned men, the great encourager of all public, undertakings, and one of the queen's declared favourites at court. It was here that Sir Walter Raleigh found himself at a loss. In spite of all his wisdom and prudence, he be- came enamoured with a beautiful young lady, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, one of the queen's maids of honour ; and the consequences of this amour proved such as could not be concealed. The queen, though she had passed by errors of a like nature in Leicisterand Essex, yet punished this mistake of Raleigh very severely ; but wliether led thereto by the insinuations of his enemies, or from a notion, that the greater a man's abilities, the less his oHences deserved pardon, I pretend not to determine. However, the queen's frowns wrought, in this respect, a proper reforma- tion, and he made all the reparation in his power, by marry- ing the object of his affection. Sir Walter meditated in his retirement a greater design than hitherto he had undertaken while in the queen's favour, and that was the discovery of the rich and spacious empire of Guiana. From the time he first entertained this notion, he made it his business to collect wh.'itever information might be had relating to the place, and tlie means of entering it. When he thought himbelf as much master of the subject as books could make him, he drew up instructions for Captain Whiddon, an old experienced of!icer, whom he sent to take a riew of the coast, and who returned with a fair report of the riches of the country, the possibility of discovering and sub- duing it, and ihe treachery and cruelty of the Spaniards settled in its neighbourhood. This fixed Sir Walter in his resolution; and, therefore, having provided a squadron of 1'^ I SIR W.M.TER RALEIGH. 14^ taking the car- )rity, she made were forced to n she dealt but en, and not Sir '; and there is ther occasions, ' the blame, roat genius dis- citizen,inafree nd the remains 'hich we ought 3r the strength •atron and pro- r of all public, d favourites at I found himself 'udence, he be- ,dy, Elizabeth, of the queen's ; amour proved :hough she had and Essex, yet ; but whether es, or from a ss his offences However, the 'oper reforma- vcr, by marry- ^reater design ueen's favour, )acious empire L>d this notion, rmation might )f entering it. the subject as IS for Captain sent to take a r report of the ring and sub- he Spaniards Walter in his , sqiiadron of ships at his own expense, and those of his noble friends the Lord Jligh-Admiral Howard and Sir Robert Cecil, he pre- pared for this adventure. On the sixth of February, 150r), he sailed from Plymouth, and arrived at the isle of Trinidado on the twenty-second of March. iVe there easily made himself master of St. Joseph's, a small citv, and ^ook the Spanish governor, Antonio Boreo, prisoner, who gave him a full and exact description of the neighbouring continent, and the trade in those parts, un- known before to the English. On this information he left the ship at Trinidado, and, with a hundred men, in several little barks, proceeded up the river Oronoque, 400 miles, in search of Guiana. Carrapana, one of the petty kings of the country, and several others of them, resigned their sovereignties into his hand for the queen's use. But the weather was so hot, and the rains so violent, that he was forced to retire, being in as much danger of being borne down by the rapid torrents of water, as crushed by the power of his enemies. The inhabitants of Cumana refusing to bring i • he contribution he assigned them to pay to save the tow. iie fired it, as also St. Mary's and Kio de la Haeha ; which done, he returned home with glory and riches. Whatever might be pretended by the deep and cunning statesmen of that age, as that many things fabulous or un- certain were related in Sir Walter's account, and that it was hazarding too much to send a large fleet, well manned, into so sickly a climate ; whatever of this kind was pretended, yet envy was certainly the true cause why his proposals were postponed at first, and afterwards, notwithstanding all his pressing solicitations, absolutely rejected. Sir Walter, how- ever, to show his own entire confidence in this scheme, and, perhaps, with a view to make things so j)lain, that even his detractors should have nothing to object, fitted out two ships at his own expense, the Delight and the Discoverer, and sent them under Captain Kemeys, who had served in the former enterprise to Guiana, as well to make farther in- quiries, as in some measure to keep his word with the In- dians, to whom he had promised, in the name of the queen his mistress, such assistance as might enable them to drive away the Spaniards, who were continually attempting rather to extirpate than subdue them. This voyage Kemeys suc- cessfully performed, and, at his return, published such an account of his expedition tie might have converted, to Sir K •f^-.- I 146 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. i'^^ Walter Raleigh's opinion of Guiana, all whom invincible ignorance, or over-wtening prejudice, had not destined to remain infidels. The next important expedition in which we find Sir Walter engaged, was that famous one to Cadiz, wherein the Earl of Essex and the Lord High- Admiral Howard were joint commanders, and Sir Walter Raleigh, with other per- sons of great military skill and prudence, appointed of their council. The fleet sailed in the beginning of June 1596, and on the 20th of the same month they arrived before Cadiz. The Lord Admiral's opinion was, to attack and take the town first, that the English fleet might not be ex- posed to the fire of the ships in the port, and that of the city and forts adjacent, at the same time. The council of war, which he called upon this occasion, concurred with him in opinion, and so a resolution was taken instantly to attack the town. It so happened, that Sir Walter Raleigh was not at this council, and the Earl of Essex was actually putting his men into boats before Raleigh was acquainted with the design . As soon as he knew it, he went to the Earl, and protested against it, offering such weighty reasons for th^ ir falling first on the galleons, and the ships in the harbour, that the Earl was convinced of the necessity of doing it, and desired Sir Walter to dissuade the Lord Admiral from landing. Sir Walter undertook it, and prevailed with him to consent that the fleet should first enter the port, and fall on the Spanish galleons and galleys. When he returned to the Earl of Essex with the news, crying out aloud in his long-boat Enttamos, the Earl flung his hat into the sea for joy, and prepared to weigh anchor. Sir Walter gave the Lord Admiral a plan of the manner in which he thought it best to begin the fight. Two great fly-boats were to board a galleon, after they had been sufticiently battered by the queen's ships of war; which being agreed on, and both the generals persuaded to lead the main body of the fleet, Raleigh in the Warspight had the commai-d of the van, which was to enter the harbour, and consisted of the Mary Rose commanded by Sir George Carew, the Lyon by Sir Robert Southwell, the Rainbow by Sir Francis Vere, the Swiftsure by Captain Cross, the Dreadnought by Sir Con- yors Clifl'ord, and the Nonpareil by Mr Dudley. These were followed by the fly-boats and London hired ships, the Lord Thomas Howard leaving his own ship, the Mere Honeur, to go on board the Nonpareil. SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 14; (1 invincible destined to ve find Sir wherein the oward were h other per- [ited of their June 1596, rived before ) attack and it not be ex- f the city and f war, which m in opiiiion, ^ the town. s not at this tting his men le design. As tested against ig first on the the Earl was id Sir Walter Sir Walter sent that the the Spanish the Earl of lis long-boat for joy, and ve the Ijord night it best to board a ored bv the and both the of the fleet, of the van, of the Mary yon by Sir cis Vero, the by Sir Con- dlev. These red ships, the p, the Mere On the twenty-second of June, Sir Walter weighed anchor at break of day, and bore in towards the Spanish fiv?et, which had thus disposed itself to resist the attack. Seventeen galleys were ranged under the walls of the city, that they might the better flank the English ships as they entered, and hinder them from passing forward to the galleons. The artillery from Fort- Philip played on the fleet, as did the cannon from the curtain of the town, and some culverins scoured the channel. When the Spanish Admiral, the St. Philip, perceived the Eng- lish approaching under sail, she also set sail, and with her the St. Matthew, th j St. Thomas, the St. Andrew, the two great galleasses of Lisbon, three frigates, convoy to their Plate- fleet from the liavannah, two argosies, very strong in ar- tillery, the Admiral, Vice- Admiral, and Rear- Admiral of New Spain, with forty other great ships bound for Mexico and other places. Of these the St. Philip, the St. Matthew, the St. Andrew, and the St. Thomas, four capital ships, came ao*ain to anchor under the fort of Puntal, in the strait of the harbour which leads to Puerto-Real. On the starboard- side they placed the three frigates, behind them the two galleasses of Lisbon. The argosies, and the seventeen galleys, they posted to play on the l^^iigiish as they entered the harbour; and behind these the Admiral, Vice- Admiral, and Rear- Admiral of New Spain, with the body of the fleet, hoping by this great strength to defend the L-ntranoe; their line reaching like a bridge over the strait from point to point, guarded by the fort of Puntal. Sir Walter, in the van of the English, was saluted by Fort-Philip, by the cannon on the curtain, and by the galleys. Raleigh scorned their fire, md answered with a flourish of trumpets, without discharging a gun. The ships that followed him beat so thick on th'^ galleys, that they presently betook them to their oars, and got up to join the galleons in the straits. Sir Walter gave them several broadsides as they drove by him, and bore down on the St. Philip and St. Andrew, as more worlhy of his fire. Lord Thomas Howard came to an anchor by him; Sir Robert Southwell in the Lion did the same on the one side, and the Dreadnought and the Mary Rose on the other; the Rainbow lay on the Puntal side; and thus they cannonaded for three hours. About ten o'clock the Earl of Essex, vexed to hear the noise of the guns, while he himself was out of action, made through the fioet, headed the ships on the larboard-side of the Warspight, and anchored as near Sir Walter as possible. After they V . P^ c. I'J r \\\ \\\ >i 1 1 I \ % 1' ! 1 \ 1 ( U X 11! I 148 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. had played long on the capital ships, Sir Wahrv v. in. in his skiff' to the Admiral, desiring that the fly-boatt~ vv liich vere promised him might come np, and then he wouhJ board the enemy; if not, he would board them with the qiieen'^ ship, it being the same to him whether he sunk or burnt, and one of them would certainly be his fate. The Earl of Essex and the Lord Thomas Howard had assured him they would second him. After a long and desperate fight, Sir Walter despairing of tiie fly-boats, and depending on Lord Essex and Lord Thomas Howard's promises to assist him, prepared to board the Spanish admiral ; which the latter no sooner perceived, than she, and the other capital ships following her example, ran ashore. The Admiral and the St. Thomas they burned ; the St. Matthew and the St. Andrew were saved by the English boats before they took fire. A remarkable circum- s;ance in this affair seems to be the disproportion between the English and Spanish force. This great blow rendered the taking of the city, which followed it, the more easy, which, however, was performed rather by dint df valour than conduct, and Avith such an impetuosity, a-j did less honour to tlie officers than to the soldiers. S.r Walter Raleigh, to whom undoubtedly the chief honour of the naval victory was due, went ashore, though he was wounded, to have some share of this ; but when he saw that all things were in confusion, he returned on board the fleet. The next morning Sir Walter sent to the Lord- Admiral for orders to follow the Spanish West India fleet outward- bonnd, lying then in Puerto-Real, where they could not escape him ; hut in the ^v ^^y and confusion every one was in on 'he taking of thi t. .'«, this opportunity was lost, and no ^mswer returned to his demand. In the afternoon the merchants of Seville and Cadiz offered two millions to save those ships; and while the bargain hung, the Duke of Medina Sidonia caused all that rich fleet to be burned ; and thus were the galleons, galleys, frigates, argosie;-, and the fleets of New Spain, royal and trading, consumed, except the St. Matthew and the St. Andrew, which were in pos- session of the English. The town was very rich in mer- cha^idise and plate. Many W( althy prisoners were given to the land-commanders, who were enriched by their ransom ; !«ome had ten, some sixteen, some twenty thousand ducats ior their prisoners; others had houses and goods given them, and sold them for vast sums of money. Sir Walter f\ SIR WALTEll RALEIGH. 149 %x r V. :(K in his which vere h' boara the queen's ship, iriit, and one irl of Essex (1 they would r despairing IX and Lord red to board er perceived, her example, they burned ; saved by the able circum- tion between low rendered B more easy, it «if valour f a") did less fe:r' Walter ' of the naval wounded, to at all things I rd-A.dmiral it outward- could not ery one was was lost, le afternoon millions to he Duke of )urned ; and io.s and the med, except ivere in pos- ich in mer- ere given to eir ransom ; sand ducats oods given Sir Walter !^1 ^y got, to use his own words, " a lame le,., aiul defuimed : fi»r the rest, I either spoke too late, or 'twas otherwise rosoived. I have not been wanting in good word^., yet had possession of nought but poverty and pain." In their return home they took Faro in the kingdom of Algarve; and Essex proposed some other enterprises, in which he was opposed, and the point carried against him by the concurring opinions of the chief land and sea-officers. Yet on his return, Essex published some remarks, or, as he calls them, objections in relation to this voyage, wherein the Earl questions every body's conduct but his own. The queen, however, taking time to inform herself, made i right judgment of the whole affair; in consequence of which, she paid a due respect to every man's merit, and greater to none than to that of Sir Walter Raleigh. Immediately after his return, our hero bethought himself of his favourite project, the settling of Guiana. In order to promote discoveries which might effectually lead thereto, he sent a stout pinnace, well freighted with every thing neces- sary, under the command of Captain Leonard Berrie, which safely arrived there in the month of March, 1597 ; and hav- ing entered into a friendly commerce with the inhabitants of the coast, and learned from them very particular accounts of the present state and riches of the higher country, they re- turned again to the port of Plymouth. This expedition seems to be an indubitable proof that Sir Walter himself was in earnest in this disco verv, otherwise there can be no cause assigned, why, having so many matters of importance upon his hands, he should yet busy himself in an undertaking of this kind ; and also that his hopes were as well-founded as it was possible for a man's to be, in a thing of this nature. The next public service wherein we meet with Sir Walter Raleigh is his expedition to the Azores. In this undertak- ing, of which we have as full and clear memorials as of any in the glorious reign of queen Elizabeth, it plainly appears, that Essex had the command, and Raleigh the abilities; which was the true reason why the former acquired so little honour, and the latter so much; though with a less jealous commander he had certainly obtained more. Their disputes began early. A misfortune fell out in Raleigh's ship in the bay of Biscay, which obliged him to lie behin'l the fleet ; and afterwards, when this accident was repaired, and ho came to tiie rock of Lisbon, he met with a large number of ships an] tnulers, which were by him conducted t'j the Azores. i% ff If !H ;i n 150 SIB WALTER RALEIGH. This signal service the creatures of Essex, by a sort of logic in v.'hich they were well practised, construed into a \i\^ offence; for they pretended, that these vessels had quitted the General, to wait on the Rear-Admiral ; b«t Sir Walter having convinced the Earl, that these ships came to the rock of Lisbon as the rendezvous appointed by himself, and that he finding them there, had brought them, as became him, to at end upon his lordship, Essex had sense enough to be paci- fied for that time: but soon after, things went wrong again. It was agreed, in a council of war, that the General and Sir Walter Raleigh should land jointly on the island of Fayall, where Ilaleigh waited four days for his lordship, and hear- ing nothing of him, held a council of war, wherein it was resolved, by such as were less concerned for Essex's honour than the nation's glory, that Sir Walter should attempt by himself, what it had been settled they should jointly per- form. This resolution he executed, and showed therein as much personal courage as any private soldier, and all the conduct that could be expected from a very wise and expe- rienced commander; so that we need not wonder he met with success, and did all that he designed. Having a party of 2G0 men, which was not half the num- ber of the enemy, he made forward, and while some ord- nance, that he had judiciously placed before him in pinnaces, Uo close along the shore as tney could lie, were beating upon their irenohos, he rushed through, or under them as fast as Ilia oars could ply to the landing-place, which was guarded first with a ledge of rocks, forty paces long into the sea, and afterwards trenched and flanked with earth and stone, iun ing only a narrow lane between two walls left for their entrance. As they approached nearer to the shore, the enemy's shot flew down so thick among them that not only several of the common men, but some of the most valiant leaders, were much dismayed, so that Raleigh, who most gloriously approved himself no less their chief in cour- au:e, tii^Mi he was in command, did not spare to reproach ILem opt I'ly and sharply. At length, when he saw them still iiagei , through consternation, as much to their danger , .vs their di'-^race, he commanded, with a loud voice, his watermen t.. row his own barge full upon the rocks, and bade as many as were not afraid follow him. On this, a number of high-spirited heroes pressed forward in the con- test : and Raleigh, clambering over the rocks, and wading through the water, made his way in the midst of the fire of SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 151 sort of logic into a hiyh had quitted Sir Walter } to the rock elf, and that ame him, to 1 to be paci- rong again. 9ral and Sir I of Fayall, p, and hear- erein it was >ex's honour attempt by jointly per- wed therein , and all the e and expe- ider he met df the num- sorae ord- in pinnaces, eating upon II as fast as as guarded g into the I earth and alls left for the shore, m that not f the most iileigh, who ief in cour- o reproach saw them oir danger , voice, his rocks, an d On this, a in the con- ind wading the fire of the enemy, up to the narrow entrance, where he so resolutely pursued his assault, that the Spaniards, after a short resist- ance, gave ground; and when they saw his forces press faster and thicker upon them, betook themselves to the hills and the woods, and Sir Walter carried his point completely. Essex, on his arrival, forgot the public service, and thought of nothing but his own private disgrace, which vexed him so much, that he broke some of the officers who had behaved gallantly under Raleigh ; and some talk there was of trying him, and taking off his head ; but at last, by the mediation of Lord Thomas Howard, who was Vice- Admiral, and Sir Walter's condescending to excuse his hav- ing done so much, before his lordship did anything, matters were made up once again. The cashiered officers were re- stored, Raleigh returned to his care of the public service, and Essex proceeded in his mistakes. In consequence of these, they missed the West India fleet, though Raleigh had the good luck to take some prizes, the produce of which paid his men, so that he lost neither credit nor money by the voyage. On his return, though Essex is said to have found means to throw the miscarriage of all his pompous promises on inevitable accidents, and some of his creatures imputed them to Sir Walter ; yet these accusations would not pass with the queen, who showed Raleigh more favour than ever ; even though he took less pains to vindicate himself, and tes- tified more respect for the great Earl than perhaps any other man would have done. The next year we find him again in parliament, where he distinguished himself, by uniting the patriot and the servant of the crown. By his interest with the queen, he procured some griping projects to be discountenanced ; by his weight in the house, he ])romoted supplies; he also obtained some indulgencies for the tinners in Cornwall, and showed him- self, upon all occasions, a ready and a rational advocate for the poor. In 1599, when the queen was pleased to fit out, in the space of a fortnight, so great a navy as struck her neighbours with awe. Sir Walter was appointed ^ ice- Admi- ral : which honour, though he enjoyed it but for a single month, 'was a high mark of the qiieen's confidence, since at that time she was no less apprehensive of tumults at home, than of an invasion from abroad. In the summer of the year 1601, he attended the queen in her progress, and on the arrival of the Duke de Biron, ag ambassador from France, he received him, by her Majesty's ;i, i I U :*! • i r ! fill I 152 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. appointment, and conferred with him on the subject of his embassy. In the hist parliament of the queen, Sir Walter was a very active member, and distinguished himself upon all occasions, by opposing such bills as, under colour of deep policy, were contrived for the oppression of the meaner sort of people ; such as that for compelling every man to till a third part of his ground, and others of a like nature. Nor was he less ready to countenance such laws as bore hard upon the rich, and even upon traders ; where it was evident, that private interest clashed with public benefit, and there was a necessity of hurting some, for the sake of doing good to all. This shows that he had a just notion of popularity, and knew how to distinguish between deserving and desiring it. An instance of this appeared in his promoting a law for the restraining the exportation of ordnance, which, at that time, was of mighty advantage to such as were concerned in that commerce, but of inexpressible detriment to the nation ; because it was the source of the enemy's power at sea, the Spanish navy making use of none but English can- non. In the point of monopolies, indeed, he was not alto- gether so clear ; but he showed that he made a moderate use of the grants which he had obtained from the crown, and offered, if others were cancelled, to surrender his freely. Upon the demise of queen Elizabeth, Sir Walter waa not without hopes of coming into favour with her successor, .whose countenance he had sought by various presents, and other testimonies of respect, which he sent into Scotland, and from the reception they met with, he had no reason at ivll to suspect that he stood upon ill terms with king James. He was not ignorant, however, of the pains taken by Essex, to infuse into the king's mind prejudices against him, which, however, he thought to wear out by assiduous service. On the king's coming into England, he had, notwithstanding common reports, frequent access to him, and thereby an opportunity of discovering both his desire and his capacity of serving his Majesty. But he quickly found himself coolly treated, nor was he long at a loss for the reason. Sir Robert Cecil, who had been his friend and associate, so long as they were both in danger from Essex, foreseeing that, if ever Raleigh came into king James's confidence, his administration would not last long, drew such a char- acter of him to that prince, as he thought most likely to dis- gust him ; and dwelt particularly upon this, that Raleigh was a martial man, and would be continually forming pro- f SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 153 ibject of his Sir Walter imself upon lour of deep meaner sort lan to till a ture. Nor bore hard vas evident, , and there doing good popularity, nd desiring g a law for lich, at that concerned lent to the 3 power at nglish can- ts not alto- oderate use crown, and freely. V^alter was successor, esents, and Scotland, reason at ng James. I by Essex, lim, which, rvice. On thstanding ;hereby an is capacity id himself he reason. >sociate, so foreseeing ;onfidence, h a char- oly to dis- t Raleigh ning pro- jects to embarrass him with his neighbours. Sir Walter in return for this good office did him another; for he drew up a memorial, wherein he showed that the affection of the Cecils for his Majesty was not the effect of choice, but of force ; that in reality, it was chiefly through the intrigues of one of the family that his mother lost her head, and that they never thought of promoting his succession, till they saw it would take place in spite of theirt. This memorial was far from having the effects he expected, nor indeed would he have expected them, if he h;.d known king James thor- oughly. That timorous princt; saw the power of Cecil ai that time, and thought he had need of it, forgetting that it was the effects of his own favour, ami so became dependent upon him, as he afterwards was ujjon Buckingham, whom for many years he trusted, but did not love. This, with his aversion to all martial enterprises, engaged him to turn a deaf ear to Sir Walter's proposals. However it was, Raleigh had the mortification to see himself slighted and ill- used at court : and this might pd:'obably determine him to keep company with some who were in the same situation, and who were his intimate acquaintances before, which, however, proved his ruin. Among these his companions, was Lord Cobhara, a man of a weak head, but a large fortune, over whom Ilaleigh had a great ascendency, and with whom he lived in constant correspondence. This man, who was naturally vain, and now much discontented, had an intercourse with various sorts of people, and talked to each in such a style as he thought would be most agreeable to them. In the reign of queen Elizabeth he had conferred with tie Duke of Arem- berg, a Flemish nobleman in the king ot Spain's service, and who was now in England as ambassador from the arch- duke, but, in truth, with a view to negotiate a peace with Spain. With him Cobham renewed his acquaintance, and in his name proposed giving Sir Walter a large sum of money, if, instead of opposing, as he had hitherto done, he would forward that peace. In the mean time some popish priests, and other disaffected and designing persons, had framed a plot against the king and royal family, which was to be executed by seizing, if not destroying, his Majesty and his children, and with some of these people Cobham also had an intercourse, by the means of his brother Mr Jirooke. This treason being discovered, and traced to the persons we have mentioned, there grew a suspicion of Cobham, and in ! ■, )• «*1 ! \ •! 154 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. ! consequence of his intimacy with Raleigh, there arose some doubts also as to him, Upfni this they were all apprehended, and Cobham, who was a timorous man, was drawn in to charge Sir Walter with several things in his confession. The enemies of Raleigh contrived to blend these treasons together, though they, or at least Cecil, knew them to be distinct things ; however, what was deficient in proof, was made up in force and fraud. The priests, Watson and Clerk, were first tried and convicted ; so was George Brooke, who had been their associate: and on the 17th of November, 1603, Sir Walter Raleigh was tried at Win- chester, and convicted of high treason, by the influence of the court and the violent and coarse eloquence of the Attor- ney-General Coke, without any colour of evidence. It is observed by Mr Hume, that Sir Edward Coke, the famous lawyer, who managed the cause for the crown, threw out on Raleigh such gross abuse, as may be deemed a great reflection, not only on his own memory, but even, in some degree, on the manners of that age. " Traitor, monster, viper, and spider of hell, are the terms which he employed against one of the most illustrious men of the kingdom, who was under trial for life and fortune, and who defended him- self with surprising temper, eloquence, and courage." That there was really no truth in what was alleged against Sir Walter, has been repeatedly proved to a demon- stration. Though the law made no distinction between Sir Walter Raleigh and the rest who were involved in this treason, yet the king made a great deal; for he never signed any v ar- rant for his execution, but on the contrary projected that strange tragi-comedy of bringing the two Lords Cobham and Grey, with Sir Griffin Markham to the block, and then granting them a reprieve, purely to discover the truth of what Cobham had alleged against Kaleigh, and what might be drawn by the tVight of death from the other two. As all this brought forth nothing, the king laid aside all thoughts of taking away his life; and, if Raleigh laboured sometime under an uncertainty of this, it ought to be attributed rather to the malice of his potent adversaries, thnu to any ill inten- tion in the king. Sir Walter Raleigh, from his place of confinement in the Tower, wrote the following letter, declaratory of his inno- cence : — SIl l! SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 155 irose some )rehended, iwn in to jonfession. e treasons lem to be )roof, wds atson and s George he 17th of I at Win- fluence of the Attor- Coke, the le crown, deemed a sn, in some , monster, employed dom, who [ided him- re." alleged a demon- r Walter ason, yet any \\'ar- cted that Cobham and then truth of at might As all thoughts iometirae ?d rather ill inten- nt in the lis inno- SIR WALTER RALEIGH TO THE EARLS OF NOTTINGHAM, SUF- FOLK, AND DEVONSHIRE, AND TO LORD CECIL. " I do not know whether your lordships have seen my answers to all the matters which my Lord Henry Howard, my Lord Wotton, and Sir Edward Coke, have examined me on, upon Saturday the 14th of this present month; which makes me bold to write unto your lordships at this time. The two principal accusations being these: the first, that money was offered me with a pretence to maintain the amity, but the intent was to have assisted his Majesty's surprise ; the other, that I was privy to my Lord Cobham's Spanish journey. " For the first, I beseech your lordships to weigh it seri- ously before there be any farther proceeding. For to leave me to the cruelty of the law of England, and to that sum- mum jitSj before both your understandings and consciences be thoroughly informed, were but carelessly to destroy the father and fatherless; and you may be assured that tliere is no glory, nor any reward, that can recompense the shedding of innocent blood. And, whereas it seemeth to appear, that this money was offered to others long after it was offered to me, and upon some other considerations than it was unto me ; for myself, I avow, upon my allegiance, that I never either knew or suspected either the man or the new inten- tion. To me it was but once j)ropounded, and in three weeks after I never heard more of it ; neither d d I believe it, that he had any commission to offer it, as the everlasting God doth witness! For if that word amity had been used to me colourably, I must have been also made acquainted with the true end for which it should have been given, which it seemeth was for the surprise. But, of any such horrible and fearful purpose, if ever I had so much as a suspicion, I refuse your lordships' favours and the king's mercy. I know that your lordships have omitted nothing to find out the truth hereof. But, as you have not erred like ill surgeons, to lay on plasters too narrow for so great wounds ; so, I trust that you will not imitate unlearned phy- sicians, to give medicines more cruel than the disease itself. " For the journey into Spain, I know that I was accused to be privy thereunto. But T know your lordships have a reputation of conscience as well as of industry. By what means that revengeful accusation was stirred, you, my Lord Cecil, know right well, that it was my letter about Keymis ; and your lordships all know, whether it be maintained, or whether out of truth, and out of a christian consideration it !1 I L» / \ ^2 %: .^^:%%^^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 110 iiiiiM m IIM 12.2 I.I 1.25 • '- lis, 1 1.8 1.4 11.6 Photographic Sdences Corporation 7 A ^/ 1/0 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 158 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. be revoked. I know, that to have spoken it once is enough for the law, if we Uved under a cruel prince. But I know that the king is too merciful, to have or suffer his suhjects to be ruined by any quick or unchristian advantage, unless he be resolved, or can persuade his religious heart of the equity. I know that the king thinks, with all good princes, satins est peccare in alteram partem. God doth know, and I can give an account of it, that I have spent 40,000 crowns of mine own against that king and nation; that I never reserved so much of a,ll my fortunes as to purchase .36^40 per annum land; that I have been a violent persecutor, and fat herer of all enterprises, against that nation . I have served against them in person; and how, my Lord Admiral, and my Lord of Suffolk, can witness. I discovered, myself, the richest part of all his Indies. I have planted in his terri- tories. I offered his Majesty, at my uncle Carew's, to carry 2000 men to invade him without the king's charge. Alas ! to what end should we live in the world, if all the endeavours of so many testimonies shall be blown off with one blast of breath, or be prevented by one man's word. And, in this time, when we have a generous prince, from whom to pur- chase honour and good opinion, I had no other hope but by U'.idertaking upon that cruel and insolent nation. " Think, therefore, I humbly beseech you, on my great affliction, with compassion, who have lost my estate and the king's favour upon one man's word ; and as you would that God should deal with you, deal with me. You all know that the law of England hath need of a merciful prince; and if you put me to shame, you take from me all hope ever to receive his Majesty's least grace again. I bescoch you to be resolved of those things, of which I am accused, and dis- tinguish me "r«»m others. As you have true honour, and as you would yourselves be used in the like, forget all particu- lar mistakes : multos dementia honestavit, ultio nullum. Your lordships know that I am guiltless of the surprise in- tended. Your lordships know, or may know, that I never accepted of the money, and that it was not otlered me for any ill ; and of the Spanish journey, I trust your consciences are resolved. Keep not then, I beseech you, these my an- swers and humble desires from my sovereign lord ; qui est rex pius et tniserieors, et non leo coronatus. Thus humbly beseeching your lordships to have a merciful regard of me, I rest your lordships' humble and miserable suppliant, Walter Raleigh. f mm SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 157 ! is enough ut I know is subjects ige, unless art of the 3(1 princes, know, and 00 crowns it I never se £-iO per utor, and ave served miral, and nivself, the n his terri- 's, to carry ^e. Alas ! endeavours ne blast of lid, in this )m to pur- jpe but by my g-reat ite and the would that I all know irince; and )pe ever to h you to be 1, and dis- )ur, and as dl particu- 'o nullum. irprise in- lat I never ed me for !onsciences 'se mv an- •d ; f/ui e^'t js humbly ird of me, iant, ALEIGII. In the month of December, Raleigh was remanded to the Tower, and, upon the petition of his wife, was allowed the consolation of her company, and by degrees obtained still greater favours ; for the king was pleased to grant all the goods and chattels, forfeited to him by Sir Walter's convic- tion, to trustees of his appointing, for the benefit of his creditors, and of his lady and children. In a reasonable space his estate followed his goods : and now he began to conceive himself in a fair way of being restored to that con- dition f"om which he had fallen. In this, however, he was much mistaken ; for a new court favourite arising, who had a mind to enrich himself by grants, discovered a flaw in the conveyance of Raleigh's estate to his son, which, being prior to the attainder, gave the crown a title paramount to that which was understood to be therein, when the forfeiture was granted back to Raleigh. Upon an information in the court of exchequer, judgment was given for the crown, and the effect of that judgment was turned to the benefit of the favourite, who, in 1G09, had a complete grant of all that Sir Waher had forfeited. This courtier was Robert Carr, afterwards Earl of Somerset. He spent a great part of his confinement in writing that immortal monument of his genius and leani'ng. "The His- tory of the World," wherein he has shown that he con- sulted the wise rule of Horace, and fixed upon such a subject as suited with his genius, and under which, if we may guesg from former and subsequent attempts, any one but his own must have sunk. He likewise devoted a part of his time to chemistry, and various other subjects, all beneficial to man- kind, and in that light worthy of Sir Walter Raleigh. The patron of his studies was Prince Henry, the glory of the house of Stuart, the darling of the British nation while he lived, and the object of its sincere and universal lamentation on his untimely death. After his death, Sir Walter de- pended chiefly upon the queen, in whom he found a true and steady protectress while the Earl of Somerset's power lasted, whose hate was chiefly detrimental to Raleigh ; for the king trusted him now, as he had Salisbury before, with implicit confidence, even after he had lost his affection : but he, by an intemperate use of his authority, having rendered himself obnoxious to the law. Sir Walter saw him his companion in the Tower, and his estates, by that favourite's forfeiture, once more in the hands of the crown. His enemies thus out of the court. Sir Walter was able to obtain the favour he had ,« 158 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 'I 'f f I •! I'i ' .v: long been seeking, which was, after thirteen years confine- ment, to get out of the Tower, not to lead a lazy and in- dolent life in retirement, for which, though cruelly spoiled by his enemies, he yet wanted not a reasonable provision, but to spend the latter part of his days, as he had spent the first, in the pursuit of honour, and in the service of his country ; or, as he himself has expressed it in a letter to Se- cretary Winwood, by whose interest chiefly this favour was obtained, " To die for the king, and not by the king, is all the ambition I have in the world." The scheme he had now at heart was his old one of set- tling Guiana. We have seen how many voyages he encou- raged thither in the days of queen Elizabeth, when, consi- dering the many great employments he enjoyed, one would have thought his mind might have been otherwise occupied ; and, indeed, so it must have been, if he had not been tho- roughly persuaded that this was the richest country on the globe, and the worthiest of being settled for the benefit of Britain. This persuasion was so strong upon him, that during his confinement he held a constant intercourse with (juiana, sending at his own charge every year, or every second year, a ship to keep the Indians in hopes of his perform- ing the promise he had made them of coming to their assist- ance, and delivering them from the tyranny and cruelty of the Spaniards, who now encroached upon them again. In these ships were brought over several natives of that country, with whom Sir Walter conversed in the Tower, and from whom he received clear and distinct intelligence of the situation and richness of the mines. Upon these informations he offered the scheme for prosecuting his discovery to the court, three years before he undertook it in person ; nor was there then any doubt either as to the probability of the thing, or as to its lawfulness, notwithstanding the peace made with Spain, otherwise the king would not have made such grants as he did even at that time ; which shows that he was then convinced Sir Walter had in his first voyage discovered and taken possession of that country for the crown of England, and that consequently hi? subjects were entitled to any be- nefits that might accrue from this discovery, without the least respect had to the pretensions of the Spaniards. It may also deserve our notice, that at the time Sir Walter first moved the court upon this subject, the Spanish match was not thought of; but the wants of king James were then very pressing, and ho may reasonably be presumed to SIR WALTER RALLTGH. 159 rs confine- ,zy and in- elly spoiled provision, 1 spent the vice of his tter to Se- favour was [^iNG, is all one of set- s he encou- hen, consi- one would ?. occupied ; ; been tho- ntry on the B benefit of 1 him, that course with ', or every lis perform- their assist- 1 cruelty of again. In lat country, ', and from nee of tho [iformations )very to the n ; nor was f the thing, B made with such grants le was then overed and f England, to any be- without the .niards. It Sir Walter inish match Fames were resumed tu ( have at this time placed as great hopes in this discovery as he did in that match, though, when he carne to idolize this project afterwards, he grew somewhat out of conceit with Sir Walter's ; so that, if he had pleased, he might, for seven hundred pounds, have had an ample pardon, and leave to relinquish his voyage ; but he, remaining firm to his pur- pose, and the king feeling his necessities daily increasing, was yet willing that he should proceed in his enterprise, in hopes of profiting thereby, without losing the prospect he then had of concluding the Spanish matc'.i. Such was the situation of Sii Walter, and, such tht disposition of the court, when he obtained leave to execute his design, and was empowered by a royal commissionj but at the expense &f himself and his friends, to settle Guiana. It has been a great dispute amongst writers of some emi- nence, what sort of a commission that was with which Sir Walter was trusted. According to some, it should have been under the great seal of England, and directed. To our trusty and well-beloved Sir Walter Raleigh, knight ; ac- cording to others, and, indeed, according to the account given by king James himself, it was under the privy-seal, and without those expressions of trust or grace. To end this dispute, I have consulted the most authentic collection we have of public instruments, and thero J find a large com- mission to Sir Walter Raleigh, which agrees with that in the declaration, and is dated the twenty-sixth of August, in the fourteenth year of the king's reign over England, and over Scotland the fiftiet' I think that it is not, impossible it might pass both seals. However, the commission was certainly a legal commission, and though the formal expres- sions of grace and trust are omitted, yet the powers granted him are very extensive in themselves, and as strongly drawn as words can express ; so that Sir Walter had all the rea- son imaginable to conceive, that this patent implied a par- don. By one clause he is constituted general and commander- in-chief in this enterprise. By another he is appointed governor of the new country he is to settle ; and this with ample authority. By a third, he has a power rarely intrusted with our admirals now, that of exercising martial law, in such a manner as the king's lieutenant-general by sea op land, or any of the lieutenants of the counties of England had. It is impossible, therefore, to conceive, that, when this commission was granted, Sir Walter Raleigh was looked upon as a condemned man; or that the lords of the priry v: A 160 SIR WALTER RALEIGH. I ; council, or the lord privy seal, could think it reasonable for the king to grant such full power ovei- the lives of others to one who had but a precarious title to his own ; and, there- fore, I think, that Bacon's opinion, when Sir Walter con- sulted him, whether it would not be advisable for him to give a roand sum of money for a pardon in common form, answered like an honest man and a sound lawyer, *' Sir, the knee-timber of your voyage is money; spare your purse in this particular, for, upon my life, you have a sufficient pardon for all that is past already, the king having under his broad seal made you Admiral of your fleet, and given you power of the martial law over your officers and sol- diers." On this expedition, there sailed fourteen ships, ■ eaded by a fine new ship, built by Raleigh himself, called the Destiny, of the burden of four hundred and forty tons, and carrying thirty-six pieces of cannon. On board it wore Sir Walter Kaleigh, General, and his son Walter, Captain, besides two hundred men, whereof eighty were gentlemen- volunteers and adventurers, most of them Sir Walter's relations. With part of this fleet Sir Walter sailed from the Thames on the twenty-eighth of March, 1617; but it was the month of July before he left Plymouth with his whole fleet; after which, he was forced to put into Cork through stress of weather^ and remained there till the nineteenth of August. On the sixth of September, he made the Canaries. Thence he proceeded to Guiana, where he arrived in the beginning of November. He was received with the utmost joy by the Indians, who not only rendered him all the service that could be expected from them, but would have persuaded him to end all his labours by remaining there, and taking upon him the sovereignty of their country; which, however, he refused. His extreme sickness hindered him from under- taking the discovery of the mine in person, and obliged him to intrust that important service to Captain Keymis. For this purpose, he ordered, on the fourth of December, five small ships to sail into the river Oronoque; aboard these five vessels were five companies of fifty men each; the first com- manded by Captain Parker, the second by Captain North, the third by young Raleigh, the fourth by Captain Prideaux, the fifth by Captain Chudley; Keymis, who was to conduct them, intended to have gone to the mine with only eight persons, which Sir Walter thought too great a hazard, and, therefore wrote him the following letter : — J SIR WALTER RALEIGH. IGl nable fov others to id, there- Iter con- ir him to on form, sr, " Sir, 3ur purse sufficient ng under md given and sol- ten ships, elf, called 'orty tons, rd it wore , Captain, ;entlemen- • Walter's le Thames the month leet; after I stress of f August. Thence Deginning joy by the TV ice that uaded him dng upon )wever, he om under- )liged him imis. For mber, five \ these five first com- ain North, Prideaux, to conduct only eight azard, and, U " Keymis, whereas you were resolved, after your arrival into the Oronoque, to pass to the mine with my cousin Her- bert and six musquetoers, and to that end, desired to have 8ir John Feme's shallop; I do not allow of that course, because you cannot land so secretly but that some Indians on the river side may discover you, who, giving knowledge thereof to the Spaniards, you may be cut off before you recover your boat. I, therefore, advise you to suffer the cap- tains and companies of the English to pass up westward of the mountain Aio, from whence you have no less than three miles to the mine, and to encamp between the Sparnshtown and you, if there is any town near it; that being so secured you may make trial what depth and breadth the mine holds, or whether or not it will answer our hopes. And if you find it royal, and the Spaniards begin to war upon you, then let the serjeant-major repel them, if it is in his power, and drive them as far as he can : but if you find the mine is not so rich as to persuade the holding of it, and it requires a second supply, then shall you bring but a basket or two, to satisfy his Majesty that my 'esign was not imaginary, but true, though not answerable to his Majesty's expectation ; for the quantity of which I never gave assurance, nor could. On the other side, if you shall find any great number of soldiers are newly sent into the Oronoque, as the Cassique of Caliana told us there were, and that the passages are already en- forced, so as without manifest peril of my son, yourself, and the other captains, you cannot pass towards the mine; then be well advised how you land, for I know (that a few gen- tlemen excepted) what a scum of men you have ; and I would not, for all the world, receive a blow from the Spaniards to the dishonour of the nation." In obedience to this order, Keymis landed his men in the night, somewhat nearer the mine than he intended. They presently found the Spaniards had notice of their coming, and were prepared to receive them. They shot at the Fng- lish both with their great and small arms, and the Spaniards being the aggressors, the English landed, drove them to the town, entered it with them, and plundered it. Raleigh, the General's son, was killed in the action ; he himself stayed at Trinidado, with the other ships, resolving rather to burn them than yield, had the Spanish attacked him. Keymis made up the river with his vessels; but in most places near the mine he could not get within a mile of the shore, the river was so shallow: and where they could have made a dctfccnt, 1' I 162 SIR WALTER RALEIGH, « III Mi i) iilil 111: ;i ' It- voHies of musket-shot came from the woods on their boats and Keymis did not proceed to the mine, saying in his ex- cuse, that the EngUsh could not defend St. Thomas, the town they had taken ; that the passages to the mine were thick and impassable woods: and that, supposing they had discovered the mine, they had no men to work it. For these reasons, he concluded it was best not to open it at all. The Spaniards themselves had several gold and silver mines near the town, which were useless for want of negroes. At Key- mis's return, Raleigh told him he had undone him, and wounded his credit with the king past recovery : which reproach affected him so deeply, that he went into his cabin, from whence, soon after, the report of a pistol was heard. Upon a boy's going in, and asking whether he knew whence it proceeded, he said, he fired it himself, because it had been long charged. About two hours after, he was found dead, with a great deal of blood under him ; and, upon search, it was discovered he had first shot himself, and the wound not proving mortal, he had thrust a knife after the ball. Sir Walter, when he heard his son was slain, said, that he mat- tered not the losing of a hundred men, so as his reputation had been saved. He was afraid of incurring the king's displea- sure, and with grief and sickness brought very low in his health. He is blamed for not going up the river himself, which his indisposition would not suffer him to do. Nine weeks was Keymis searching the river, all which time his master stayed at Punta de Gallo, nearer death than life ; yet the misfortunes and disappointments he met with did not alter his resolution of returning home, though several of his men were for landing and settling themselves at Newfoundland ; others were for going to Holland ; but the major part of his company were of his own opinion, to come back to England, happen what would ; so, rather like a prisoner than General, he arrived with his leaky ships, first at Kinsale in Ireland, and then at Plymouth. Immediately after his coming to Ireland, a proclamation issued, setting forth the king's disapprobation of Sir Walter's conduct, and requiring that such as were acquainted with any particulars, relating either to his scheme, or to his practices, should give information of them to the council. This pro- clamation was dated the eleventh of June, and though it pretends to refer to Sir Walter's commission, yet it mentions thingpj which are not to be found there. In the beginning of the month of July, Sir Walter landed at Plymouth, and ^i f i I M^ 4 eir boats n his ex- imas, the ine were they had For these ill. The lines near At Key- him, and r : which his cabin, as heard, w whence had been und dead, search, it round not ball. Sir it he mat- tation had 's displea- ow in his r himself, lo. Nine time his life ; yet not alter his men undland ; )art of his England, General, Ireland, ;lamation Walter's with any )ractices, 'his pro- lough it entions leginning mth, and \f: ■i SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 1G3 . i i hearing of this proclamation, resolved to surrender himself; but as he was on the road to London, he was met by 8ir Lewis Stucley, Vice-Admiral of Devonshire, and his own kinsman, whom the court had made choice of to bring him lip as a prisoner. This man appears to have acted very de- ceitfully, for he either suggested, or at least encouraged, a design Sir Walter had framed for making his escape, and when he had so done, he basely betrayed him. It was then objected to Sir Walter, that he meant to convey himself to France, and had actually entered into some unjustifiable cor- respondence with the French king ; but in reality, all that Sir Walter intended was to have gone back again to Guiana, in order to efface the memory of his late miscarriage, by a hap- pier undertaking. On his second apprehension, he was car- ried to the Tower, from wnence it was already settled he should never be released but by death. It was the earnest- ness of the Spanish court, by their instrument Count Gon- domar, produced this violence in the English councils ; and yet, if we strictly consider the matter, we shall find that the keenness with which the Spanish court drove his prosecution, is one of the strongest proofs that can be alleged in favour of Sir Walter's scheme ; for if Guiana was a place of no con- sequence, why were they so uneasy about it? If Sir Wal- ter had been no mere than a projector, who sought to restore his own broken fortunes by fleecing other people, as the calumny of those times suggested, why was not he let alone ? The more expeditions he made, the more clearly his folly would have appeared, and the greater advantage the Span- iards would have reaped from its appearance, because it would have ciscountenanced all succeeding projects ; but by thus contriving to murder him, they must, in the opinion of every impartial judge, raise the credit of his project, though they might frighten people at that time from crii taldnt^. The Earls of Essex and Denbigh were appointed his Vice and Rear- Admirals ; and that he might be the fitter to command men of such quality, he was created Viscount Wimbledon, and had the rank of Lord-Marshal. The force employed consisted of eighty ships, English and Dutch, and ten regiments. The Spanish JPlate Fleet was then returning home with above a million on board ; and if they had gone to Tercera they must infallibly have been masters of them, and by the destruction of fifty or sixty galleons, would have disabled the Tnaritime power of Spain. The General sailed from Plymouth the 7th of October, 1625 ; but, when the fleet had proceeded some leagues to sea, their ships were separated by a storm, so that they were many days before they came together to their appointed rendezvous off Cape St. Vincent, On the 19th of October, a council was held, wherein it was resolved to attack Cadiz, which accordingly they did on the 22d of October. The Earl of Essex stood into tbf> bay, where he found seventeen good ships, and eight or ten galleys ^ these he bravely attacked, but, for want of proper orders and due assistance, the Spanish ships were suffered to retire xn Port Real. Then some thousands of soldiers were landed, and the Fort of Puntal was taken ; after \vhich they proceeded to make some attempts upon the town. The soldiers unfortunately becoming masters of too much wine, got excessively drunk, and became so careless, that if the enemy had known, or been vigilant enough to have taken this advantage, few of them had returned home. The fright into which this put their officers, engaged them to re-embark their forces, and then it was concluded to cruize ofi' Cape St. Vincent for the Flota. The men by this time grew sickly, and by a strange man- agement, that is, distributing the sick, under prete' 3e of taking better care of them, two in each ship, the whole fleet was infected to such a degree as scarcely left them hands enough to bring it home. This, however, they pe^'formed in the month of December, having done little hurt to the enemy, and acquired no honour themselves. During the remainder of this unfortunate reign, the naval history of England does little credit to its government. To the presumptuous and ignorant administration of Bucking- ham, succeeded the civil wars, when intestine strife put an end to all efficient attempts tc support the nation.^.l claims to supremacy at sea. Individuals of great skill and bravery among our sailors wore not awanting, who, under a diffcr- i; SIR ROBERT MAXSEL. 109 ere appointed it be the fitter ited Viscount 1. , English and 'leet was then nd if they had n masters of lleons, would of October, jagues to sea, y were many i rendezvous ;r, a council >adiz, which rhe Earl of [1 good ships, ied, but, for panish ships thousands of taken ; after )n the town, f too much less, that if have taken The fright re-embark ft' Cape St. ange man- )rete- ^e of whoh fleet lem hands pe^'formed iivt to the , the naval lent. To Bucking- fe put an claims to bravery a differ- *f ent management, might have made the flag of England still rioat triumphal ' over the waves. I am now to take notice of such seamen as flourished within the compass of this reign, and have not hitherto been parti- cularly mentioned. SIR ROBERT MANSEL claims the first place amongst these, though the memoirs we have of him are far from being so full as miii-ht be wished. He was descended from a verv ancient family in Glamorganshire. He addicted himself early to the sea, and under the patronage of the famous Lord Howard of Effingham, Lord High-Admiral of Eng- land, cauie to be a considerabla oflicer in the fleet, and in the Cadiz expedition, received the honour of knighthood fVom the Earl of Essex, who thenceforward received him into his sp^jcial favour; and ii> the island voyage he was captain of the Admiral's own ship. Upon his return, he adhered to his old patron the Earl of Nottingham, and remained in queen Elizabeth's favour during all her reign, in which he was often employed at sea, especially in the defence of the coast ; and in this service was remarkably successful, particularly in 1602, when Sir Robert attacked six of the Spanish galleys going to Flanders, sunk three, and dispersed the rest. This gallant action the Dutch, and after them the French historians having very much misrepresented, Sir Robert in his own justification drew up a complete relation of this service, which he addressed to his great friend and patron the Lord High-Admiral, an extract from which curious and authentic paper, we here present the reader, mostly in his own words : — " On the 23d of September, being in the Hope, and hav- ing in my company the Advantage only, of the queen's ships, winch Captain Jones commanded, and two Dutch men-of- war, I rid more than half-chaimel over towards the coast of France upon a north-west and south-east line, myself being neai'ost that coast, Captain Jones next to me, and the Dutch men-of-war a sea-board, and to the westward of him. The small force at that time present, and with me, remaining thus disposed for the intercepting of the galleys, having dis- missed the Dutch men-of-war, that served under me, upon their own intreaty, to revictual and trim, and having em- ployed the rest of the (jueen's ships upon special services, I descried from my top-mast heads six low sails, which somo took for ;allevs, others atlirmed them to be small barks that 4-^^-.^. f 170 SIR ROBERT MANSEL. l* : ,i ;!' ^1 I j! ;i ' li !,;(■ ! i had struck their top-sails, and bound from Dieppe towards the Downs. To which opinion, though I inclined most, yet I directed the master to weigh and stand with them, that I might learn some news of the galleys which, by your Lord- ship's advertisement sent me, I knew had either passed me that night, or were near at hand, unless the sea had swal- lowed them up in the storms which had raged three days before. Having set myself under sail, the weather grew thick, which obliged me to lash some two points from the wind towards the English coast, lest the continuance of that dark weather might give them power to run out ahead of me. About eleven o'clock the weather cleared, when I discovered them plainly to be the Spanish galleys so long expected, at which time, with the rest, I plied to receive them by crossing their fore-foot as they stood along the channel, which they endeavoured till they perceived that, by the continuance of that course, they could not escape the power of my ordnance. " All this time these two fly-boats were between them and me; and, as the slaves report that swam ashore at Dover, they determined with three galleys, to have boarded each of those ships, and could have executed that resolution, but for the fear of her Majesty's great galleon, (as they termed the Hope), whose force, that they shunned in that kind, considering the disadvantage that twice six of the best galleys that ever I saw hath by lighting against one ship of her force, I do as much commend, as otherwise I do detest their shameful working, in that, full of cowardliness and weak- ness, they rowed back to the westward, and spent the day by running away, in hopes that the darkness of the night would give them liberty sufficient to shun the only ship they feared, or that was indeed in the sea at that time to give them the cause of fear, I mean between them and Dunkirk or Newport. This error only of theirs bred their confusion, as you may perceive by the sequel. " For they no sooner began that course of rowing back- again, but I instantly made signs for Captain Jones, in the Advantage of the queen's, to come to me, whom I presently directed to repair to Calais road, and thence to send the alarm into the States army assembled before Sluys, and to advise such men-of-war as kept on the coast of Flanders, upo:. any other occasion, to stand off to the sea, to meet with the galleys in the night, which should be chased by mo, wilh my lights in my top-mast heads, and a continual di'schargiiig I I t^ SIR ROBERT MANSEL. Dieppe towards dined most, yet ith them, that I 1 by your Lord- ither passed me 5 sea had swal- iged three days weather grew points from continuance of run out ahead learedj when I alleys so long ied to receive 3od along the 'eived that, by lot escape the )etween them Ltn ashore at have boarded at resolution, 'on, (as they nned in that ^ of the best one ship of I do detest ?ssandweak- 5ent the day »f the night }y ship they line to give nJ Dunkirk r confusion, )wing back ones, in the 1 presently o send th'e ;'vs, and to ' Flanders, ) meet with y me, Willi ischargiiig 171 I I m^ f i of my ordnance. Captain Jones having shaped his course according to my directions, I gave orders for hoisting and trimming of my sails by the wind to keep sight of the gal- levs : the two fly-boats, being still aweather of me, did the like. " Which chace we held till sun-setting, observing this course following all the day. They, being aweather of me, kept their continual boards, that the galleys were always between them; and myself being to leeward, made such short turns, as I kept all the afternoon, in a manner even in the very eye of their course, between them and the place of their design, ever discharging my best ordnance to warn the Answer of her Majesty's, that rode by my directions at the Downs upon important service, as your lordship knoweth ; and the Flemings that were there, having left the sea, upon unknown grounds to me, (yet sent from Portsmouth by the most provident direction of her sacred Majesty, to await the coming of the galleys, upon advertisements that her High- ness received of their being put to sea,) to set sail, who else had received no understanding of the galleys, neither came they within shot of them till after night, howsoever the reputation of the service is wholly challenged by them. " Having given your lordship an account how this day was thus spent by me from eight o'clock until the evening, and with these only helps, I beseech your lordship to be pleased to understand, that with the setting of the sun I could both discern the ships last mentioned under sail at the Downs, and the galleys to have set their sails, directing their course close aboard our shore, each of them being out of sight of the other, and my Dutch consorts by this time to have been left by the galleys to a stern chace. When I perceived them to hold that course, which would bring them within shot of the Answer, and the rest that were in the Downs, I held a clean contrary course from them towards the coast of France, to confirm the secure passage they thought to find on our coast, which continued until the report ot their battery gave me assurance of the galleys being engaged with them. " How the battery began, who began it, how it was con- tinued, how ended, and to whom the reputation of the service is due, I leave to be considered by your lordship by the per- usal of the true discourse following. The Answer of the queen, which Captain Broadgate commanded, as she rode more southerly at the Downs than the Flemings, so came J 4'^ '- 4;^ 172 SIR ROBERT MANSEL. h, \ X) ' ^' f II the first to the galleys, and bestowed twenty-eight pieces of ordnance on them, before the Flemings came in, who at length seconded him with very many shot. " During this battery of ours upon the galleys, which I so term, because they never exchanged one shot, at the very first report of the Answer's ordnance, I directed the master of my ship to bear up with the south end of the Goodwin, with which directions I delivered my reasons publicly as I stood on the poop of my ship, viz., that if I stood directly iiito them (the galleys) before I could recover the place, would either be driven ashore or sunk, and so there would prove no need of my force, or else by their nimble sailing t'ley would escape the ships, of whom (once getting ahead) they could receive no impediment ; for there was no one ship bit the Advantage in the sea that could hinder them to recover any port in Flanders, oi' the east countries (Sluys only excepted), unless I stayed them at that sand-head. " Having recovered as near that place as I desired, I stayed at least a quarter of an hour before I could either see the galley, hear or see any of those ships, their lights, or report of their ordnance, which made me and all my company hold opinion, that they had outsailed the Answer and the rest of the Flemings, and shunned sight of me, by going a sea-board of my ship, which I so verily believed, as I once directly determined to sail for Sluys, with hope only, that the pre- paration which I know the States had there, would be able to prevent their entrance into that place. Whilst I re- mained thus doubtful, or rather hopeless, to hinder their recovery of Dunkirk or Newport, in case they had been a sea-board of me, some of my company descried a single galley plying from the Siore to get ahead of my ship. When she approached within caliver-shot, I discharged about thirty pieces of ordnance of my lower and upper tier at her alone ; myself with many other in my ship saw when her main-yard was shot asunder, heard the report of many shot that hither hull, heard many their most pitiful outcries, which, when I perceived to continue, and, instead of making way from me, to near me what she could, I forebore shooting, and commanded one that spoke the Portuguese language to tell them, that I was contented to receive them to mercy, which I would accordingly have performed, had not the other five galleys offered to stand ahead of me at that very instant, and thereby would have left me, as they had both the first two Dutch ships, and afterwards the Answer, with the rest of the ''■■ \i " i rU SIR ROBERT MANSEL. 173 ^- eight pieces of -me in, who at galleys, which I ^ot, at the very Jted the master ' the Goodwin, s publicly as I stood directly ver the place, o there would nimble sailing g-etting ahead) ra,s no one ship inder them to Lintries (Sluys md-head. ?sired, I stayed either see the :hts, or report company hold nd the rest of \g a sea-board once directly that the pre- ould be able Whilst I re- hinder their had been a single galley When she ibout thirty t her alone ; r main -yard that hit her ich, when I from me, to commanded hem, that I h I would ve galleys nd thereby |Wo Dutch St of the "Plemings, had I omitted any small time of executing the idvantage I had of their being on my broadside, which, as ippears, was so effectually employed, (howsoever the night wherein this service was performed might hinder the par- ticular mention of their hurts,) as none can deny but that God pleased thereby only to work their confusion : for since that time, none hath said or can speak of any one shot made towards them ; yet four of them are sunk and wrecked, the fifth past doing the enemy service, and the sixth they are forced to new-build at Dunkirk, where (if I be not much deceived) she will prove more chargeable than profitable, if the default rest not in ourselves. " The disagreem.ent between the Dutch captains them- selves, touching the stemming and sinking of the galleys (whereof one challenged before your lordship, and in many other public places, to have stemmed and sunk two himself), .nd the printed pamphlet, containing the stemming and sinking of three galleys, gives the reputation thereof to three several captains, amongst whom no mention is made of the first ; and whereas there are but two in all sunk, I leave to be reconciled among themselves, and to your lordship, whether that the same of right appertaineth not to her Majesty's ship the Hope, in respect of the allegations before-mentioned, every particular whereof being to be proved by the oaths of my whole company, and maintained with the hazard of my life, wit? that which followeth : — "1. As the shooting of the single galley's main-yard ; my bestowing above thirty pieces of ordnance upon that one gal- ley within less than caliver-shot. " 2. That they in the galley made many lamentable out- cries for my receiving them into mc 3y. " 3. That I would accordingly have received them, but for giving them over, to encounter with the other five galleys, which else had left me to a stern chase. " To these reasons I add the assertion of the Vice-Admi- ral himself, who told me (whatsoever he spake in other places) that one of the galleys which he stemmed had her main-yard shot asunder before his coming aboard her; by whomsoever she was then stemmed, your lordship may judge who ruined her, considering she made no resistance by his own report, but by crying to him for mercy. " Touching the other galley stemmed and sunk, I have already proved how she (as all the rest) had got ahead the Answer of the queen's not named, and the rest of the States I 174 SIR ROBERT MANSEL. ! t ! ■n ^ Ml t M l^ / ! u I fi ! ■■'! Hf' men-of-war with her, who challenge the whole credit of this service. They, as all other seamen, cannot deny but that the galleys will outsail all ships in such a loome gale of wind and smooth sea as we had that night. " The galleys, being then quicker of sail than they, how could they by any means possible fetch them up but by some impediment? Impediment they received none but by my ordnance, which amounted to fifty great shot at thoGe five which came last from the shore, when all the ships were above a mile astern. " Some, notwithstanding, out of their detracting disposi- tion?, may perchance say, that the two which were wrecked at Newport would have perished by storm, though they had not been battered : whereto though I have sufficiently answered, first, in showing that they might have recovered any of the places thereabouts before eight o'clock that night, but for me, and then the second time before the morning, had they not been encountered by me alone, at the South- sand head; yet, for further proof that thay miscarried by our batter} only, I say, that if one of the galleys which received least damage by our ordnance did outlive Friday's storm, continuing till Saturday noon, ^eing driven among the islands of Zealand, to recover Calais, then surely those two (unless they had been exceedingly torn) would have made shift to have recovered the ports of Newport, Grave- ling, or Dunkirk ; especially since from the place where I battered them they might have been at the remotest of those places, about four hours before any storm began. But such seemed their haste to save their lives, as their thought ran of a shore, and not of a harbour. " Now that I have delivered unto your lordship the whole and true discourse of this business, I shall forbear to trouble your patience with any further relation of that night, and next day's spending my time", (though the same in their chace had like to have cost her Majesty her ship, and the lives of as many as were in her,) and conclude with admiration of their not holding her Majesty's ship, nor I, (her unworthiest servant), and then, and yet, by her High- ness's grace, and your lordship's favour. Admiral of the forces in that place, am not jnce mentioned, especially since the six galleys might safely have arrived, before seven o'clock that night, at any of the ports of Flanders to the westward of Ostend. And that the Dutch ships had not come from an anchor in the Downs, but for the signs (signals) they i i IC SIR ROBERT MANSEL. i O e credit of this deny but thcat e gale of wind han they, how p but by some le but by my ; at those five ae ships were cting disposi- ivere wrecked )ugh they had e sufficiently ive recovered ck that night, the morning, at the South- niscarried by ^alleys which live Friday's fiven among surely those would have 3ort, Grave- ace where I •test of those J. But such thought ran ip the whole forbear to ion of that h the same y her ship, iclude vk^ith 5hip, nor I, her High- ral of the cially since ven o'clock westward :!orae from nals) they '.. f J I I k^ I. rece"ivf,(l from me. Then, that the force of her Majesty's slii[) wherein I was, enforced them to keep close aboard the English shore, whereby those ships in the Downs had power given them to come to fight, which fi^jht was begun by the Answer of the queen's. " And, lastly, since ^he galleys escaped their battery, and had gotten ahead those ships above a mile at least, and never received any impediment after but only by me, who lingered thom (as you have heard) until the coming up of those ships that challenge to stem them; which being granted, I cannot see how any other credit can rightly be given them (for that stem I mean) than to a lackey for pillaging of that dead body which his master had slain," There were three motives which induced me to insert this relation, long as it is, in this work. First, because the paper is very curious in itself, and well drawn. Next, because it does honour to the memory of its author, Sir Robert Mansel. Lastly, as it shows the correctness of those times, when every thing was examined into, and sifted to the very bottom, which made ofScers so tender of their characters, that they were ever ready, upon any such occa- sion as this btjtbre us, to render a strict account of their conduct, in so full and circumstantial a manner, as abso- lutely silenced calumny, and left no farther room for dispute. To prevent the navy from rv ceiving any prejudice by the Earl of Nottingham's resignation. Sir Robert Mansel applied himself to the Duke of Buckingham, whom he advised to accept that office ; and when he excused himself on account of his youth and want of experience, told him why he thought him fittest for the place. He observed, that in time of peace the best service that could be done, was to look well to the constant repair of the navyj and to rebuild occasio "- ally such ships as wanted it; and that by applying himself assiduously to the duty of his office, he might acquire all the knowledge that was necessary, before any war should call him into action. Thus the Duke was brought into the office of High-Admiral by the persuasion of Sir Robert Mansel, upon very just motives : neither was it at all to the prejudice of his old master; for the Earl of Nottingham had a pension of one thousand pounds a-year. This trans- action happened in 1G16, and. Sir Robert Mansel was, by the Duke of Buckingham's interest, made Vice-Admiral for life. The Duke, by his advice, did another thing, which was J s .•i^. f^ 176 SIR ROBERT MANSEL. ^ I l,i I very commendable. He procured a commission to be i^ranted to several able and experienced persons for tbe management of the navy, which had very good effects: nay, there is strong reason to believe, considering the great con- fusion into which things afterwards fell, that the fleet, if it had not been for this commission, would have been abso- lutely ruined; whereas, by the help of it, it was so well preserved, that Buckingham, upon his impeachment, ac- quitted himself better in what related thereto, than in regard to any other article. In 1620, Sir Robert Mansel commanded the fleet fitted out against the pirates of Algiers. However unfortunate he was in the management of that expedition, yet there seems to be no reason to conceive he was in any great fault. It is admitted, that he advised it from a generous and public spirited motive, the desire of raising the English reputation at sea, and freeing our trade from the insults of these rovers. His knowledge in his profession must have been very exten- sive, as well as his character as a gallant officer high, since we find him recommended by Sir John Pennington to the King, in 1642, as the properest person to seize the fleet for that prince's service: his authority, as Vice-Admiral of England, as well as his known and great reputation with the seamen, being, as was suggested, like to meet with little resistance from the power of the Earl of Warwick, who had found means the year before to bring it under the dominion of the Parliament; but his Majesty was apprehensive lest Sir Robert's advanced age, and the infirmities that attended thereon, might render the attempt hazardous, though he had a great opinion of his courage and integrity. f I m SIR WILLIAM .MONSON. 177 imission to be persons for the od effects: nay, : the great con- it the fleet, if it ave been abso- it was so well seachment, ac- , than in regard the fleet fitted er unfortunate jet there seems at fimlt. It is )us and public lish reputation 3f these rovers, 'en very exten- ' high, since we )n to the King, fleet for that il of England, th the seamen, tie resistance ho hud found )minion of the sive lest Sir Ihat attended lough he had SIR WILLIAM MONSON was the third son of Sir John Monson, of South Carlton, in Lincolnshire, and born in 15G9. He was a student in Baliol College, Oxford, for about two ^ ears ; but being of an active and martial dis- position, he' soon grew weary of a contemplative life, and jipplied himself to the sea-service. It was in the beginning of quoen Elizabeth's war with Spain, that he entered on this profession ; and, indeed, he appears to have been led to it by the wildness of youth ; for he was then only sixteen years of age, and entered himself without the knowledge of his parents. His wages were ten shillings a month, and his condition that of a private man. He engaged in his first voyage on board a small ')ark, commissioned to seize upon the Spanish. This vessel, in company with another, sailed from the JAe of Wight, and on the coast of Spain, they met and boarded a Spanish vessel of three hundred tons burthen, well manned and armed, returning from Newfoundland ; which yielded after an obstinate engagement. Ill 1589, he was Vice- Admiral to the Earl of Cumber- land, in his expedition to the Azores, and at the taking of Fayal, where he did very great service ; but, in the return, he endured such severe hardships, as threw him into a violent illness, which kept him at home the whole year 1590. '' The extremity we endured," says he in his Naval Tracts, " was more terrible than befell any ship in the eighteen years' war : for, laying aside the continual expectation of death by shipwreck, and the daily mortality of our men^ I will speak of our famine, that exceeded all I have known in the course of my life. For sixteen days together we never tasted a drop of drink, either beer, wine, or water ; and though we had plenty of beef and pork of a year's salting, yet did we forbear eating it, for making us the drier. Many drank salt-water ; and those that did, died suddenly ; and the last words they usually spake was drink, drink, drink 1 and I dare boldly say, that of five hundred men that were in that ship seven years before, at this day there is not a man alive but myself and one more." In 1591, he served a second time under the Earl of Cum- berland, who was commissioned to act against the Spaniards. They took several Spanish ships ; and Captain Monson being sent to convoy one oi them to England, was surrounded and taken by six Spanish galleys, after a long and bloody fight. They detained him as an hostage, for the performance of certain covenants, and carried him to Portugal, where ho M 1i' ■■: ' ii 4 \ !■ 1 5 ! f 1; 1 . ! l^ f' 9 Ih >: U it 1 f ^1 ^ |j 178 SIR WILLIAM MONSON was kept prisoner two years. Not discourag-ed, however, at this ill luck, he entered a third ^ime into the Earl's service in 1593 ; and he hehaved himself in this, and in all other expe- ditions, like an able and undaiint(id seaman. In 1594, he was created Ma'^ter of Arts at Oxford ; and the following year he mar?""' but, previously to his marri- age, he engaged again i nd the Earl of Cumberland to sea, as his Vice-Admiral, in the Rainbow. When they had sailed a few leagues towards Spain, the Earl, without saying anything, suddenly quitted the voyage, and appointed another captain for his own ship ; which so much disgusted Monson, that he betook himself to his own adventure ; and after having made a fruitless voyage to the coast of Spain, and suffered much by storms, he returned to Plymouth. In 1590, he served in the expedition to Cadiz, being captain of the Repulse ; and, for his services on this occasion, received the honour of knighthood. He was very near being killed on this occasion, but escaped in a remarkable manner. He was preserved by a bullet hitting upon his sword, as he had been also at the island of St. Mary's in 1589. His own account of this is as follows : — " In that conflict (at Cadiz) I was shot with a musket-bullet through my scarf and breeches, and the handle and pummel of my sword shot from my side, without any further hurt. And at an encounter in the island of St. Mary's, my sword, which I placed naked, and the point upward, was shot asunder, and the bullet passed through the belly of my doublet, which, if it had not been for my sword, had done the like through my belly." Sir William adds, " By the way, this I note, that as the sword is the death of many a man, so it hath been twice the pre- server of my life." In 1597, he commanded the Rainbow in the expedition to the Azores, under the Earl of Essex ; and if the Earl had followed Sir William's advice, he would have made himself master of the Spanish Plate Fleet. In 1602, he went out as Vice-Admiral in the Garland, to the coast of Spain, with Sir Richard Lewson, Admiral ; and they were so successful as to take a carack, worth a million of pieces of eight. Sir William Monson was employed in several other expeditions, and was highly honoured and esteemed during queen Eliza- beth's reign. But military men were not king James's favourites ; and, after the death of Elizabeth, he received but little favour at court. However, in 1604, he was appointed Admiral of the Narrow Seas ; in this station he continued m SIR WILLIAM MONSON. 179 !?e(], liowfiver, at Karl's service in » all other expe- )xforcI ; and the to his niarri- Cumberlaiid to When they had without saying- jointed another •usted Monson, ^Yc ; and after of Spain, and 'lymouth. In eing captain of asion, received ir being killed manner. He ord, as he had B9. His own 2t (at Cadiz) I ' and breeches, from my side, )unter in the 3d naked, and bullet passed had not been belly." Sir as the sword vice the pre- expedition to he Earl had lade himself went out as ain, with Sir uccessful as eight. Sir expeditions, ueen Eliza- ng James's eceived but appointed continued till the year 1G16 ; during which time he supported the honour of the English Hag against the insolence of the Dutch, of which he frequently complains in his " Naval Tracts ;" and protected our trade against the encroachments of France. Notwithstanding the long and faithful services of Sir William Monson, he had the misfortune to fall into disgrace : and, through the resentment of some powerful courtiers, ^A as imprisoned in the Tower in 1G16 ; but, after having boon examined by the Lord Chief Justice Coke and Secreta)'y Winwood, he was discharged. He wrote a vindication of his conduct, entitled, " Concerning the insolencies of the Dutch, and a Justification of Sir William Monson." His zeal against the insolencies of the Dutch, and in promoting an inquiry into the state of the navy, contrary to the sense and inclination of the Earl of Nottingham, then Lord High-Ad- miral, seems to have been the occasion of his troubles. He had also the misfortune to bring upon himself a general and popular odium, by retaking the Lady Arabella Stuart, after her escape out of England in June, IGll, though it was acting exactly according V^ his orders and duty. This lady was confined to the Tower for her mari'iage w^ith William Seymour, as it was pretended ; though the true cause of her confinement was, her being too nearh allied to the crown of England. How^ever, Sir William Monson soon recovered his credit at court; for in 1017, he was called L .rbre the privy council, to give his opinion how the pirates cf Algiers might be suppressed, and the town attacked. He'was against the expedition ; notwithstanding which, it was rashly under- taken. He was also against two other injudicious undertak- ings, which were as injudiciously managed in the years 1625 and 1G28 ; namely, the expeditions to Cadiz and the isle of Ilhe. He was not employed in these actions, because he found fault with the minister's measures; but in 1635, it being found necessary to equip a large fleet, in order to break a confeder- acy that was forming between .'ho French and the Dutch, he was appointed Vice-Admiral in that armament, and per- formed his duty with great honou,'* and bravery. This was the last public service in which Sir William Monson was engaged. He spent the remainder of his days in peace and privacy, at his seat at Kinnersley, in Surrer, where he digested and finished his " Naval Tracts." He died there in 1643, in the seventy-third year of his age. He was a very able, active, and intelligent sea-commander, possessing great bravery, and uncommon skill in maritime affairs. n h i,r W 180 SIR WILLIAM MOVSON. If The Naval Tracts are divided into six books, all on differ- ent subjects, and all equally curious and instructive. The first book is, lor the most part, a collection of every year's actions, in the war against Spain, on our own, upon the Spanish coast, and in the AVest Indies. A brief narrative ; for no more is said, but the force they were undertaken with, and the success of the enterprise ; yet the design is to show the reasons, either why they miscarried, or why so little advantage was made where they succeeded. In some he is more particular than in others ; and, what perhaps may be still of use, he sets down the abuses in the fleet, and the methods of redressing them. His second book continues the method of the first, beginning with fatherly instructions to his son ; whence he proceeds to the peace with Spain. He inveighs against the Dutch, shows the ill management of a design against Algiers, and makes very curious remarks on the attempt upon Cadiz by king Charles I., disclosing methods how Spain might have been much more endangered ; with other particulars about the shipping of England, and sover- eignty of the seas. The third book treats of the admiralty; that is, of all things relating to the royal navy, from the Lord High-Ad- miral to the meanest person employed ashore, and to the cabin-hoys at sea ; and from a complete fleet to the smallest vessel, and the parts of it ; with instructions for all officers, the size of aP sorts of guns, all kinds of allowances on board the king's ships, and excellent directions for fighting at sea ; an account of all the harbours in the three kingdoms, with many other important matters. The fourth book is of a very different nature from any of the rest, being a brief col- lection of Spanish and Portuguese discoveries, and conquests in Africa, Asia, and America ; with some voyages round the world, and somewhat of the first settling both of English and French plantations. The fifth book is full of projects and schemes, for managing affairs at sea to the best advan- tage for the nation. The sixth, and last, treats of fishing, and is intended to show the infinite addition of wealth and strength it would bring to England. «-^-i I oks. all on diflTer- structive. The of every year's own, upon the brief narrative ; ndertaken with, 3sign is to show r why so little In some he is perhaps may be e fleet, and the book continues irly instructions ith Spain. He anagement of a 3us remarks on closing methods langered; with and, and sover- that is, of all L-ord High-Ad- re, and to the to the smallest for all officers, ances on board ighting at sea ; kingdoms, with 1 book is of a ng a brief col- and conquests ages round the th of English nil of projects le best advan- ats of fishing, of wealth and CHAPTER V. NAVAL HISTORY DURING THE COMMONAVEALTH — THE PROTECTORATF- WARS WITH THE DUTCH — WAR WITH SPAIN — ADMIRAL BLAKE — THE RESTORATION — CHARLES II. — STRUGGLE WITH THE DUTCH FOR THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SEAS — JAMES II. — DUKE OF ALBE- MARLE — EARL OF SANDWICH — PRINCE RUPERT — LAWSON — KEMPTHORNE — SPRAGGE — AND OTHERS. At the very commencement of their struggles with the king, the parliament saw the importance of securing the fleet in their interests, and succeeded in doing so. In the spring of the year 1641, they directed the Earl of Northumberland to fit out a fleet for the nation's security by sea, and placed sup- plies at his disposal for that purpose. On Northumber- land's falling into bad health, the command was transferred to the Earl of Warwick; and Sir John Pennington and others, who were suspected of a favourable disposition towards the king, were removed. Captain Cartwright having refused the post of Vice- Admiral, without the king's permission, that office was given to Batten, who was one of the most disaffected towards Charles. The parliament, as they had shown care in securing the fleet, so they showed wisdom in managing it ; the ships being kept in good repair, and the sailors regularly paid. m'"" 1S2 THE COMMONWEALTH. ■'Ui !/ I I /■') ' « '^ The kint^, howfver, did not sit down tamely under this loss, but made various attempts, by persuasion and by force, to regain his power at sea — and this led to frequent battles, w ith varied success ; but we gladly pass over these contests of Englishmen against Englishmen. The parliament ulti- mately quite destroyed the royal power at sea, although the strife w^as perseveringly prolonged by Prince Rupert, who, with such ships as adhered to the king's interest, did much damage to the English commerce. The English Admirals were, first, Warwick, and upon his removal, Deane, Pop- ham, and chiefly Blake, who was now rising into the highest reputation. After the dispersion of Prince Rupert's fleet, Admiral Blake, on his return to England, was received with great favour by the parliament, had the thanlcs of the house voted him, and in conjunction Avith Deane and Popham, was made Admiral-commanding-in-chief for 1G51. The islands of Scilly, and various places in the West Indies and America, which still held out for the king, were reduced by the par- liamentary commanders, who soon, however, found a nobler employment for their bravery and enterprise in a war with the Dutch. The causes of the Dutch war are difterentlv related. The truth seems to be, that the old commonwealth grew^ jealous of the nevv one, and began to apprehend that w hatever the rest of the world might be, Holland was like to be no gainer by this change of government in England. The parliament on the other side was jealous of its sovereignty, and expected, therefore, extraordinary marks of regard from all the powers with which it corresponded. The murder of Dorislaus, whom they had sent with a public character to the States, incensed them exceedingly ; nor were they better satisfied with the reception that St. John and the rest of their am- bassadors met with ; and therefore had little regard to the expostulation of the Dutch about their act of navigation, which was certainly a well-contrived measure, both for pre- serving and for extending the trade of this nation. The Dutch, on the other hand, were extremely alarmed when they found the English commonwealth insisting on the sovereignty of the sea, the right of fishing, and licensing to fish ; disposed to carry the point of saluting by the flag to the utmost height ; and behaving so in all respects, that the States were con- vincod they would act upon King Charles's plan, with this great advantage of raising money in much larger sums, and vet with far less trouble than he did. I \i wfcm ii H iiiiii " DUTCH WAR. 183 under this loss, nd by force, to nt battles, with ese contests of irliament ulti- :, although the Rupert, who, 'est, did much jlish Admirals Deane, Pop- ito the highest llupert's fleet, 5 received with s of the house l*opham, was The islands and America, id by the par- bund a nobler n a war with related. The grew jealous whatever the be no gainer le parliament md expected, ill the powers f Dorislaus, o the States, tter satisfied of their am- egard to the navigation, )oth for pre- The Dutch, 1 they found 'ignty ofthe disposed to lost height ; i were con- n, with this r sums, and It was in the spring of the year 1652, that things came to extremities ; but it was warmly disputed then, and is not fully settled at this day, who were the aggressors. The first blood that was drawn in this quarrel, was occa- sioned by Commodore Young's firing upon a Dutch man- of-war, for the captain's refusing him the honour of the flag. This was on the 14th of May 1G52. Commodore Young acted with great caution, and gave the Dutch all the oppor- tunity of avoiding a dispute they could desire, lie rent his boat on board the Dutchman, to persuade him to strike ; but the captain answered, that the States had threatened to take off his head if he struck : and the fight began, in which the enemy was so roughly handled, as to be obliged to strike. Admiral Van Tromp was at sea with a fleet of upwards of forty sail, to protect, as was given out, the Dutch trade. This fleet coming into the Downs, met with a small squadron under the command of Major Bourne, to whom Van Tromp sent word, that he was forced in by stress of weather ; Bourne answered, that the truth of this would best appear by the shortness of his stay, and immediately sent notice to his Admiral. The next day Van Tromp, with his fleet, bore down upon Blake in Dover road, and on his coming near him, Blake fired thrice at his flag ; upon which the Dutch Admiral returned a broadside. For nearly four hours Blake was engaged almost alone, but by degrees the weather per- mitted his fleet to come in, and then they behav.ed bravely. Towards the close of the engagement, which lasted from fo jr in the afternoon till nine at night. Bourne joined him with his eight ships, upon which the enemy bore away. In this battle the victory was clearly on the side of the English, as the Dutch writers themselves confess, there being two Dutch ships taken and one disabled; whereas the English lost none: and yet the inequality in force was very great. The Dutch fleet consisted at first of forty-two ships, and Blake's only of fifteen ; and even at the end of the fight, he had no more than twenty-tl ree. The Admirals wrote each of them an account of this affair to their masters, wherein they contradict each other : but with this difference, that there is no disproving any one fact mentioned in Blake's letter; whereas there are several mistakes in Tromp's ; such as, that 15ourne's squadron consisted of twelve large shi])s, which could not be true. Besides, he owns that his flag was out all the time. The State.5 themselves were sensible ■ I. ^^ Jvi»' 184 DUTCH WAR. ID '^ 'I'- Z 1 i!i ,1, of being in the wrong, and at the same time so mortified that their fleet, notwithstanding its superiority, hjid been beaten, that they apologised, and sent over another ambassador, the Heer Adrian Paauw, to proceed on a treaty. But the demands of the parliament were, in their opinion, too high, und so all thoughts of peace were dismissed on both sides, and war was proclaimed. The English, in the ?neantime, in virtue of the act of naMgation, and by way of reprisal for the late hostilities from the States- General, took many Dutch ships. On June, 1G52, Blake brought in eleven merchant ships, with their convoy, coming from Nantes, Captains Taylor and Peacock, in two English frigates, engaged two iJutch men-of-war, on the coast of inlanders, for refusing to strike ; of which one was taken and the other stranded; and, on the 13th of the same month, Blake took twenty-six merchant ships, with their convoys. Vice- Admiral Ayscue, who, in his return from the reduction of Barbadoes, had taken ten merchant ships, and four men-of-war, attacked the St. Ubes fleet of about forty sail, of which nearly thirty were taken, burnt or stranded. After this, while the States, with the utmost diligence, were getting ready a fleet of seventy men-of-war, under the command of Admiral Van Tromp, Blake, with about sixty vessels, received orders to sail to the north to disturb the Dutch fishery. Sir George Ayscue, who had taken five Dutch merchant ships, was left with the remainder of the English fleet, consisting of no more than seven men-of- war in the Downs. While Blake triumphed in the north, Tromp with his fleet came into the mouth of the Thames, in hopes of either surprising Ayscue or insulting the coast. Failing of this, he sailed northward to intercept Blake; but his ships being dispersed by a storm, he was disappointed in that scheme also. The people in Holland were dissatisfied with the conduct of Van Tromp, which is the case in all free countries when a commander-in-chief is unsuccessful. He acted upon this occasion like a wise man, who had .i nice sense of honour, first by justifying himself to the States, and then in laying down his commission to gratify the people. 'J'he main objection against him was his being no great seaman ; and this engaged the States to cast their eyes upon De Ruyter, the ablest man amongst them in his profession. He accepted the command, but accepted it unwillingly ; for he saw that I 50 mortified that ad been beaten, imbassador, the iaty. But the inion, too high, on both sides, of the act of lostilities from )n June,lG52, 1 their convoy. Peacock, in nen-of-war, on ; of which one he 13th of the nt ships, with his return from merchant ships, fleet of about ken, burnt or nost dihgence, var, under the h about sixty th to disturb ho had taken remainder of seven men-of- in the north, ' the Thames, ng the coast, t Blake; but sappointed in > the conduct untries when ed upon this e of honour, en in laying 'i'he main eaman; and ]-)e Kuyter, He accepted he saw tliat DUTCH WAR. 18 o as things then stood the English were superior. The par- hament, in the meantime, took care to strengthen Sir George Ayscue's fleet, so that it was increased to thirty-eight sail; of which only two were large ships and the rest frigates and fire-ships. With these he put to sea in search of the Dutch, took many rich prizes, and at last met with De Ruyter, who, with a fleet equal to his own, was convoying home between fifty and sixty merchantmen. This was on the 16th of August, 1652, and as our Admiral was cruizing otf Ply- mouth. It was about one in the afternoon when the fleets came in sight. De Ruyter took twenty of the merchant ships into his line of battle, and was then ready to engage. The fight began about four, when the English Admiral, with nine others, charged through the Dutch fleet; and having thus got the weather-gage, attacked them again very bravely, and so they continued fighting till night, which parted them ; the rest of Sir George's fleet having very little to do i i the action. Most of the captains who did their duty were wounded, and a fire-ship was lost. On the other side, the Dutch were miserably shattered, so that many of their best ships were scarcely able to keep the sea. Sir George Ayscue followed them for some time the next day, and then returned into Plymouth Sound to refresh his men and repair his ships. The war was not long confined to the coasts of Britain, but spread itself into many seas. Every wind brought the news of fresh destruction and slaughter. About the latter end of the same month, the Dutch Admiral, Van Galen, with eleven men-of-war, met and attacked the English com- modore, Richard Bodley, with three men-of-war, a fire-ship, and three or four merchant ships, homeward bound from Scanderoon and Smyrna. The first day's fight began in the afternoon, ofl' the island of Elba, on the coast of Tuscany, and lasted till night, with little advantage to either party. The Dutch historians agree that three of their men-of-war being separated in the night, and afterwards becalmed, could not come up so as to have a share in the second engagement. On the other side, the English parted from their merchant ships, which, being heavy and richly laden, were ordered to make the best of their way to the nearest harbour. The next morning the four English being attacked by the eight Hollanders, the fight was renewed. Van Galen began a close engagement with the English commodore; but being disabled in his rigging, and having received three shots under i si il < ^ ] \ 186 DUTCH WAR. m I. ] 1 if r pl ll i Hi t 11'' |!: r : B ■ '1 1 'i '' n 1 1 f 'i;\1 1 ■ ' I i „ llil 11 ! '1 ii' 1 i, ;Miii:' J 1 l;||,'|l; \ ¥ ' i ,' 1 '1 1; 1' ■- ' ' !' I'll 1^ 1 1 ' 1 1 f ' 1 1 I !!■'. M^ C ' ' IN ^ * . ' i 'V !'■ 1 iJ' b . ' , ■ |l ' ',^ 1 'r V: 1 t|! .■ 1 ii ■ i'lj Ikili'^ : ■-, water, and been thrice on fire, he was forced to leave him. Another of the enemy's largest ships, renewing the attack, lost her main-mast: whereupon the English frigate, the Phcenix, seizing the opportunity, boarded the disabled Hol- lander, but being too weak, was taken after a sharp fight, wherein most of her men were killed or wounded. In the mean time. Commodore Bodley, being again boarded by two of the enemy's ships at once, defended himself so resolutely, that they were both beaten off with the loss of their captcuns. Bodley, left by the enemy, having lost about a hundred men, followed the merchantmen to Porto-Longone. The enemy lost three of their captains in the fight. Blake, now in the channel, did much damage to the enemy ; and hostilities having been committed on the coast of New- foundland by the French, our Admiral attacked a squadron of their ships going to the relief of Dunkirk, took or de- .stroyed them all, by which means this important place fell into the hands of the Spaniards. The Dutch, seeing their trade injured, and apprehensive of worse consequences, fitted out another fleet under the command of De Witte, and sent it to join De Ruyter, who was appointed escort to a number of merchantmen. After the junction of these fleets, and the sending the ships they were to convoy into Holland, the Admirals showed a design of attacking the English navy, and Blake gave them a fair opportunity of executing their intention. But, when it came to the point, the Dutch fleet covered themselves behind a sand bank, which, however, did not hinder Blake from attacking them. He divided his fleet into three squadrons ; the first com- manded by himself, the second by Vice-Admiral Penn, and the third by Rear-Admiral Bourne. It was about three when the engagement began, and the English quickly dis- covered their rashness in attacking an enemy under such disadvantages; for the Sovereign, a new ship, struck imme- diately -^n the sands, and so did several others ; but, getting off again, the English fleet stood aloof till De Witte came freely from his advantages to a fair engagement, which was boldly begun by Bourne, and gallantly seconded by the rest of the fleet. A Dutch man-of-war, attempting to board the Sovereign, was sunk by her side, and this by the first dis- charge she made. Soon after, a Dutch first-rate was taken by Captain Mildmay, and two other men-of-war were sunk, a third being blown up, De Witte retired, pursued by the English fleet as long as it was light. The next day Blake I DUTCH WAR, 187 'd to leave him. 'ing the attack, sh frigate, the disabled II ol- a sharp fight, nded. In the ;oarded by two ' so resolutely, their captain's, hundred men, The enemy to the enemy; ^ast of New- d a squadron , took or de- mt place fell seeing their uences, fitted tta, and sent to a number eets, and the lolland, the iglish navy, lilting their Dutch fleet owever, did first com- P^nn, and bout three uickly dis- nder such ick imme- t, getting ^itte came vhich was y the rest board the first dis- vas taken pi'o sunk, 'd by the ly Blake / continued the chace, till within twelve leagues of the Dutch sI;ore, and then returned in triumph to the Downs, having lostai)out three hundred men and having as many wounded. Parliament took care to provide hospitals near Dover and Deal, and sent also their thanks to the Admiral and his officers. The States, not discouraged, repaired and augmented their fleet, and Van Trorap again put to sea, on this occasion, with better success, having given Blake a severe defeat in the Downs, on the 29th of November. The parliament, not- withstanding this disaster, continued, their favour to our Admiral and named him again their general at sea, in conjunc- tion with Deane and Monk. By extraordinary exertions, the fleet was refitted to the number of sixty men-of-war, with which Blake succeeded in encountering Van Tromp while little expected, and forced on an engagement much celebrated in English naval history. Blake and Deane were both on board the Triumph, and with twelve stout ships led their fleet, and fell in first with the Dutch on the 18th of February, 1G53, about eight in the morning. They were very roughly treated before the rest of the fleet came up, though gallantly seconded by Lawson in the Fairfax, and Captain Mildway in the Vanguard. In the Triumph, Blake was wounded in the thigh with a piece of iron, and the same piece of iron tore General Deane's coat. Captain Ball, who commanded the ship, was shot dead, and fell at Blake's feet : his secretary was Hkewise killed receiving his orders ; he lost, besides thdse, a hundred seamen, and the rest were most cf them wounded, and his ship so miserably shattered, that it had little share in the two next days fights. In the Fairfax there were a hundred men killed, and the ship much torn; the Vanguard lost her captain and many men. The Prosperous, a ship of forty-four guns, was boai'ded by De Ruyter, and taken ; but, De lluyter's ship being at that instant boarded by an English man-of-v/ar, Captain Vesey in the Merlin frigate entered the Prosperous, and retook her. The Assistance, Vice- Admiral of the blue squadron, was disabled in the beginning of the fight, and brought off to Portsmouth, whither the Advice quickly foUowbvI her, being no longer able to keep the sea. Tromp, who was long engaged with Blake, lost most of his officers, and had his ship disabled ; De Ruyter lost his main and fore- top-mast, and very narrowly escaped being taken. One i- 188 DUTCH WAR. i » > !-!t i Dutch man-of-war was blown up; and six more were either sunk or taken. Friday night was spent in repairing the damage, and making the necessary dispositions for a second engagement. On Sa- turday morning the enemy was seen again seven leagues off Weymouth, whither the English plied, and came up with them in the afternoon, about three leagues to the north-west of the Isle of Wight. Tromp had again drawn his fleet together, and ranged it in the form of a half-moon, inclosing the merchant ships within a semi-circle, and in that posture he maintained a retreating fight. The English made several desperate attacks, striving to break through to the merchant ships ; on which occasion De Ruyter's ship was again so roughly treated, that she was towed out of the fleet. At last, the merchantmen finding they could be no longer pro- tected, began to shift for themselves, by throwing part of their goods overboard for the greater expedition. Accord- ing to Blake's own letter, eight men-of-war and fourteen or sixteen merchant ships were taken, and the fight continued all night. On Sunday morning the Dutch were near Boulogne, where the fight was renewed, but with little effect. Tromp had slipped away in the dark with his merchantmen to Calais-sands, where he anchored that day with forty sail ; the wind favouring him, he thence tided it home, our fleet pursuing but slowly ; as for Blake, though he feared not Dutchmen, yet he dreaded their shallow coasts; however, the Captains Lawson, Marten, and Graver, took each a Dutch man-of-war; Penn picked up many of their mer- chantmen. On the whole, the Dutch had the better the first day, lost ground the second, and were clearly beaten the third. They lost eleven men-of-war, their own accounts say but nine, thirty merchantmen, fifteen hundred men killed, and as many wounded. The English lost only the Sampson, which Captain Button, finding disabled, sunk of his own accord; in men, their loss was little inferior to the Dutch. It is remarkable, that in this fight Blake, who had been long a land-officer, made use of a good body of soldiers, and with all the success he could wish : yet this is no precedent in any but such a war as this was, since these troops had no time to languish or grow sick, but were engaged almost as soon as they were put on board. The people contri- buted readily and plentifully to the relief of our wounded seamen, and the Dutch on their side complimented Tromp ! ■ M 1:1 ■ 1''^ iniii THE PROTEC^rORATE. ore were either g'e, and making lent. On Sa- teen leagues off e up with them north-west of fieet together, inclosing the »at posture he made several the merchant was again so he fleet. At longer pro- wing part of •n. Accord - d fourteen or ht continued t* Boulogne, ict. Tromp 3hantmen to ^ forty sail ; ne, our fleet ! feared not 3; however, i^ook each a ■ their mer- tter the first beaten the iccounts say 1 killed, and Sampson, )f his own le Dutch. had been 'Idiers, and precedent )ps had no ed almost >le contri- wounded id Tromp 189 on his conduct, which was certainly no more than he deserved. The war thus vigorously begun by the parliament, was no less vigorously pursued by Cromwell, when he had usurped the whole powers of the State. Besides number- less rencounters between detached squadrons or single ships of the English and Dutch fleets, repeated pitched battles took place, attenrled with great slaughter and loss on both sides. Deane, who fell in one of these battles. Monk, Mon- tague, Penn, and Blake, were the most distinguished among the English ; while the Dutch were gallantly led by De Witte, Van Velsen, De Ruyter, and Van Tromp. Of these. Van Tromp stood pre-eminent, and was one of the ablest enemies the English superiority at sea ever encountered. The States buried him with all pomp and paid every respect to his memory. We have given his portrait a place among those of our own naval heroes. He was killed by a musket ball in a tremendous conflict which took place on the 31st of July, 1653, and which lasted two days, and ended in the total defeat of the Dutch. They lost twenty-six ships and about four thousand men killed. r 'i I ■ ■ ) ,-\- I ll> >'l 100 THE PROTECTOKATE. The States were at length glad to come to terms with the Protector Cromwell, and a peace was concluded in April, 1654. Hostilities between the two States had not continued quite two years, and yet in that time the English took no fewer than one thousand seven hundred prizes, valued by the Dutch themselves at sixty-two millions of guilders, or near six millions sterling. On the contrary, those taken by the Dutch could not amount to the fourth part either in number or value. Within that space the English were vic- torious in no fewer than five general battles, some of which were of several days' duration ; whereas the Hollanders cannot justly boast of having gained one ; for the action between De liuyter and Ayscue, in which they pretended some advan- tage, was no general fight, and the advantage gained by Tromp in the Downs is owned to have been gained over a part only of the English fleet. As short as this quarrel was, it brought the Dutch to greater extremities than their four- score years' war with Spain. The Protector still continued at war with France, but that power being weak at sea, no naval transaction occurred requiring particular notice. The only other transactions of this period to be mentioned, mark strongly the bold policy of Cromwell, as well as the maritime power of England during his vigorous adminis- tration. Immediately after the conclusion of the Dutch war, the Protector ordered all the ships of his navy to be repaired, and put into good condition. He likewise directed many new ones to be built, store-houses, magazines, &c., to be filled with ammunition and provision ; whence it was evident enough that he intended not to be idle, though nobody knew against whom this mighty force was to be exerted. In the summer of the year 1654, he ordered two great fleets to be provided, one of which was to be commanded by Admiral Blake and the other by Vice- Admiral Ponn. Neither of these had any knowledge of what the other was to attempt ; so far from it, they knew not perfectly what themselves were to perform. Their orders were to be opened at sea, and they had no farther lights given them than were absolutely requisite for making the necessary preparations. Blake, as soon as all things were ready, put to sp" and sailed into the Straits, where his orders were to proc ^ satisfaction from such princes and States as had either insulted the govern- ment or injured the commerce of England. But before his 1 1 / i erms with the Jed in April, lot continued I'lish took no Sj valued by guilders, or ose taken by irt either in sh were vic- me of which riders cannot between De iome advan- \ gained by ined over a [uarrel was, their four- ce, but that fi occurred mentioned, veU as the s adminis- 1 war, the aired, and tnany new ' be filled s evident ody knew . In the Jets to be Admiral either of attempt ; ves were sea, and ^solutely 31ake, as into the on from govern- fore his EXPEDITION TO ALGIERS. .91 (lenarlure it had been industriously given out that he was to intercept the Duke of Guise, and to protect the kingdom of Naples from the French. cf This had the desired effect ; it lulled the Spaniards into a false security, and even disposed them to show the Admiral all possible civilities, who, very probably, had himself as yet no suspicion of GromweU's design to break with that nation. The first place he went to was Leghorn, where he had two accounts to make up with the Grand Duke ; the first was for his subjects purchasing the prizes made by Prince Rupert ; the other for the damage done by Van Galen, when Appleton was forced by the Duke out of Leghorn road. These demands surprised the prince on whom they were made ; especially when he understood how large a sum was expected from him, not less in the whole than a hundred and fifty thousand pounds, which, however, was moderated to sixty thousand pounds ; and this sum, there is reason to believe, was actually paid. Most of the princes of Italy were alarmed at the sailing of this fieet. The Pope was no sooner informed of its arrival in the Mediterranean, than he gave orders for the removal of the great treasure at Loretto, with a view of defeating any design the Protector might have formed to plunder that rich monastery, which some industriously spread abroad was his principal aim. Thence he proceeded to Algiers, where he arrived the 10th of March, 1655, and anchored without the mole, send- ing an officer to the Dev to demand satisfaction for the piracies that had been formerly committed on the English, and the immediate release of all captives belonging to his nation. The Dey answered very modestly, that as for the ships and slaves, they were now the property of private per- sons, from whom he could not take them with safety to himself, but that he would make it his care they should be speedily redeemed upon easy terms, and would make a treaty with him to prevent any hostilities being committed on the English for the future. The Admiral left the port upon this, and sailed to Tunis, where he sent the like message on shore, but received a very short answer : " Here are our castles of Guletta and Porto Ferino ; you may do your worst ; we do not fear you." Blake entered the bay of Porto Ferino, and came within musket-shot of the castle and line, upon both which he played so warmly that they were soon in a defenceless con- 192 BLAKE. H ■ I lUi 4ii' H 1 1 % dition. There were then nine ships in the road, which the Adinirtal resolved to burn ; and, with this view, ordered every captain to man his long boat with choice men, and directed these to enter the harbour and fire the ships of Tunis, while he and his fleet covered them from the castle, by playing continually on it with their cannon. The seamen in their lioats boldly assaulted the corsairs, and burned all their ships, with the loss of twenty-five men killed and forty- eight wounded. This daring action spread the terror of his name through Africa and Asia, which had long been formid- able in Europe. From Tunis he sailed to Tripoli, and concluded a peace with that government. Thence he returned to Tunis, and threatening to do farther execution, the inhab- itants implored his mercy and begged him to grant them a peace, which he did on terms mortifying to them, glorious for him, and profitable for his country. The other expedition, under Penn, having on board a large land force, commanded by General Venables, was destined for the Spanish settlements in the West Indies. After an ill-conducted and unsuccessful attempt upon Hispaniola, they succeeded in taking the important island of Jamaica, which has ever since been attached to the English crown. The immediate consequence was, as indeed Cromwell intended, a war with Spain, in which Blake, Montague, and others, distinguished themselves as formerly, and severely crippled the Spanish commerce, to the filling of the Protector's coffers, which, indeed, would seem to have been the principal reason fc • his engaging in the war. While these events were in progress, the death of Oliver Cromwell gave a new turn to the affairs of the nation. ADMIRAL BLAKE. — Among the many brave men and able seamen who flourished during the republic and the protectorate, no one held so conspicuous a place as Admiral Blake ; and a short account of him deserves a separate place in our pages. Robert Blake was born in Somersetshire, in August, 1598. His father was a respectable merchant, and bestowed upon him an excellent education. At Oxford, he was first a member of St. Alban's Hall, and next of Wadham College. After taking a degree, and meeting with more than one disappointment in his endeavours to obtain academical preferment, he left the university, after a residence there of seven years. i 1 li BLAKE. 193 road, which the view, ordered loice men, and re the ships of rom the castle, The seamen ind burned all illed and forty- he terror of his g been formid- o Tripoli, and nee he returned tion,theinhab- ) grant them a them, glorious n board a large 5, was destined lies. After an lispaniola, they Famaica, which crown. The iwell intended, le, and others, v^erely crippled ;ector's coffers, rincipal reason vents were in a new turn to ly brave men public and the ce as Admiral separate place le, in August, and bestowed ford, he was t of Wadham dth more than in academical lence there of •§ IHs reputation for probity, and his known aversion to persecution, engaged the puritans to promote his election as a burgess for Bridgewater, in the parliament which sat in April, 1G40. That assembly was dissolved too early for Mr Blake to make any discovery therein of his talent, as a senator ; and in the long parliament, which sat soon after, he lost his elec- tion. When the war broke out between the king and the parliament, he declared for the latter, and took arms very early in their service. He was made a captain of dragoons, which station he showed himself an able and active in officer, and was constantly employed when particular bold- ness and dexterity were requisite. In 1043, we find him at Bristol, under the command of colonel Fiennes, who intrusted him with a little fort on the line, in which he gave a proof of his military daring ; for, when prince Rupert attacked that important place, and the governor had agreed to surrender it, Blake still held out his fort, and killed several of the king's forces. Tliis exas- perated prince Rupert to such a degree, that he talked of hanging him, had not some friends interposed, and excused him on account of his want of experience in war ; and at their request, he was at last prevailed on, though not without much difficulty, to give up the fort. After this he served in Somersetshire, under the command of Popham, who was governor of Lyme, of whose regiment Blake was lieutenant-colonel. As he was much beloved in his country, and as the greatest part of the regiment were Somersetshire men, he had such good intelligence, that he, in conjunction with Sir Robert Pye, surprised Taunton for the parliament, and was constituted governor of that place. General Goring having come before the place with nearly ten thousand men, pressed Blake so close, that he carried all the outworks, and actually took ^rom him a part of the town. However, he held out the rest of it and the castle with wonderful obstinacy till relief came ; for which extra- ordinary service the parliament gave the garrison a bounty of two thousand pounds, and Blake a present of five hundred pounds. All who have preserved the memory of the signal events in that unhappy war, allow this to have been a singu- larly gallant and soldier-like action. In April, 1646, colonel Blake marched with a detachment from his garrison, and reduced Dunster castle, a seat be- longing to the ancient family of Lutterel, the troops posted therein having given great disturbance to the country. N ; ») 194 BLAKE. I*: ..' 4 ' ! {':■' (' • .< ill This was the last military achievement he performed during this war. It is not easy to guess what induced the parliament to make choice of him, who had always served as a horse- officer, to take the supreme command of the fleet. All our historians and memoir writers are silent as to their motive ; and therefore I hazard a conjecture. The parliament had lately taken upon themselves the rank, though not the title, of States-general, and therefore might be inclined to make use of deputies for the direction both of fleets and armies, who were to judge in great points, and to be obeyed by such as were skilful in their profession, either as seamen or sol- diers ; for, in their judgn^ent, to cotnmand was one thing, and to act another. On the 12th of February, 1649, he was appointed one of the commissioners of the navy, and upon the 21st an act passed, appointing him, in con- junction with Deane and Popham, to command the fleet. His first service was driving prince Rupert's fleet from the Irish coast, and then following him into the Mediterranean. This gave high satisfaction, both in respect to his capacity and his fidelity. His conduct indeed was equally prudent and successful ; for it not only put an end to that kind of piratical war, which did so much damage to trade, but also struck such a terror into the Spaniards and Portuguese, as to prevent all those disputes which otherwise would have naturally happened on the appearance of so new a power in Europe, as the commonwealth of England. In the month of February, 1651, Blake, in his return homewards, took a French man-of-war of forty guns; in respect to which action there happened some circumstances that deserve to be mentioned. The admiral summoned the captain on board, and asked him if he was willing to lay down his sword ? He answered he was not ; upon which Blake generously bid him return to his ship and fight it out as long as ne was able. The captain took him at his word, fought him bravely for about two hours, and then submit- ting, went again on board Blake's ship, first kissed, and then presented his sword to the admiral upon his knees. This ship, with four more, the admiral sent into England ; and not long after arriving at Plymouth with his squadron, he there received the thanks of the parliament, and was consti- tuted one of the Wardens of the Cinque Ports. In March following, Blake, Popham, and Deane, or any two of them, were again appointed by act of parliament to BLAKE. 105 formed during parliament to d as a horse- Heet. All our their motive; arliament had I not the title, lined to make s and armies, beyed by such seamen or sol- as one thing, aruary, 1649, of the navy, him, in con- and the fleet, fleet from the [editerranean. o his capacity [ually prudent ) that kind of ■ade, but also 'ortuguese, as would have w a power in n his return rty guns; in ircumstances mmoned the illing to lay upon which i fight it out at his word, hen submit- ed, and then nees. This igland; and quadron, he was consti- ane, or any irliament to be admirals and generals of the fleet for the year ensuing, in which year he reduced the islands of Scilly, Guernsey, and Jersey, to the obedience of the parliament ; and, as a new mark of honour, he was, on the 25th of November, elected one of the council of state. When the necessity of a Dutch war became apparent, the parliament gave the highest testi- mony of their sense of his merit and of their entire confi- dence in his conduct, by constituting him, in March, 1652, sole general of the fleet for nine months. We have already given an account of the first battle in the Downs, on the 19th of May, 1652, excepting some circumstances which relate to Blake personally, and which were therefore reserved for this place. When he observed Van Tromp bear nearer his fleet than he had any occasion to do, he saluted him with two guns without ball, to put him in mind of striking sail ; upon which the Dutchman, in contempt, fired on the contrary side. Blake fired a second and a third gun, which Van Tromp answered with a broadside ; the English admiral perceiving his intention to fight, detached himself from the rest of the fleet to treat with Van Tromp upon that point of honour, and to prevent the eff'usion of blood and a national quarrel; when Blake approached nearer to Van Tromp, he and the rest of his fleet, contrary to the law of nations (the English admiral having come with a design to treat), fired on Blake with whole broadsides. The admiral was in his cabin drink- ing with some officers, little expecting to be saluted, when the shot broke the windows of the ship and shattered the stern, which put him into a violent passion, so that curling his whiskers, as he used to do whenever he was angry, he com- manded his men to answer the Dutch in their kind. Blake singly sustained the shock of the Dutch fleet for some time, till his own ships, and the squadron under Major Bourne could join them ; and then the engagement grew hot on both sides, till night put an end to it, when the Dutch retired with the loss of two ships, without taking or destroying any of the English fleet. Admiral Blake lost fifteen men in this engagement, most of whom were on board his own ship, which was engaged for four hours with the main body of the Dutch fleet, being the mark at which they aimed, and which, according to Whitelock, received a thousand shot. Blake acknowledges the particular blessing and preserva- tion of God, and ascribes his success to thejustice of his cause, the Dutch having first attacked him upon the English coast. I •I- 196 BLAKE. ' After this battle, Blake lay in the Downs for a consider- able time, vv'hich he spjnt in repairing and augmenting his fleet, and in detaching small squadrons to cruise upon the enemy. About the beginning of June, finding he had force enough to undertake any service, he caused a solemn fast to be held on board his ships, to implore the blessing of God on their arms ; and encouraged his seamen by the example of his zeal on this occasion, as much as he had ever done hy his personal bravery in a time of action. In the space of this month, he sent forty rich prizes into the river, and so effec- tually ruined the Dutch trade, and broke the spirits of such as were appointed to support it, that most of their vessels declined coming through the channel, even under convoy ; choosing rather to put into French ports, land their cargoes there, and afterwards transport them to Holland by land or water, as they could. On the second of July, Blake bore away to the north, and quickly fell in with the Dutch fishing vessels, which were there in great numbers, under the protection of twelve men- of-war. Blake attacked their convoy, and they, knowing the importance of their charge, and having taken on board a great supply of fresh men f'^om the vessels under their care, fought bravely, but at last were every one taken, which left the fishery entirely at the admiral's mercy, who, having first threatened those busses with destruction, if they were found there again without leave, he permitted them to com- plete their ladings, on their paying the tenth herring, which was what king Charles dem.anded. Our admiral, to keep the seamen easy, notwithstanding all the changes that happened in the government, used to tell them it was his and their business to act faithfully in their respective stations, and to do their duty to their coun- try, whatever irregularities there might be in the councils at home ; and would often say amongst his officers, that state aifairs were not their province, but that they were bound to keep foreigners from fooling us. These principles rendered him agreeable to all parties, and gained him so generally the reputation of a patriot, that when Cromwell, in his new model of a parliament, left the populous town of Bridgewater the choice of one representative only, they fixed on their countryman Blake. He was also very accept- able to the protector, though he was far enough from being his creature. Cromwell knew that he was by principle for a commonwealth, and therefore chose to employ him abroad for a consider- ugmenting his ruise upon the g he had force solemn fast to 5ing of God on he example of lev done by his 3 space of this ', and so effec- spirits of such f their vessels mder convoy; i their cargoes md by land or the north, and s, which were if twelve men- hey, knowing en on board a ler their care, taken, which , who, having if they were them to com- rring, which ;withstanding nent, used to faithfully in their coun- the councils officers, that it they were (se principles ined him so ti Cromwell, lous town of 3 only, they very accept- j from being principle for him abroad i ;l BLAKE. 197 as much as possible, knowing that this contributed to the safety of his government, and that Blake's concern for the glory of England would influence him to do all, and oven more than any other man could be expected to do from views of interest and ambit^'on. When he sailed, in 1^54, into the Mediterranean, he came, in the month of Decen ber, into the road of Cadiz, where he was received with great respect and civility by the Span- iards, and indeed by all nations as well as the English, who were then in port. A Dutch admiral would not wear his flag while the English admiral was in the harbour; one of the victuallers attending his fleet, being separated from the rest, fell in with the French admiral and seven men-of-war near the Straits' mouth. The captain of the victualling sloop was ordered on board the admiral, who inquired of him where Blake was, drank his health with five guns, and so wished the captain a good voyage. The Algerines stood in such awe of him, that they were wont to stop the Sallee rovers, and, in case they had any prisoners on board, took them out, and sent them to Blake, in hopes thereby of obtaining his favour. He sailed from Cadiz to Malaga, and, while he lay in that road, gave a striking testimony of zeal for his country's honour. Some of his seamen, going ashore, met the host and not only paid no respect thereto, but laughed at those who did. The priest who accompanied it highly resented this, and put the people on revenging the indignity ; upon which they fell upon the sailors, and boat some of them very severely. When the sailors returned on board, they complained of this ill usage, and the admiral instantly sent a trumpet to the viceroy, to demand the priest who was the author of this insult. The viceroy answered, that he had no authority over priests, and therefore could not send him. Upon this, Blake sent a second message, that he would not enter into the question, who had power to send him ; but that, if he was not sent within three hours, ho would infallibly burn the town about their cars. The inhabitants, to save themselves, obliged the viceroy to send the priest, who, when he came on board, excused him- self to the admiral on account of the behaviour of the sailors. Blake, with much calmness and composure, told him, that, if he had complained of this outrage, ho would have punished them severely; for he would not suffer any of his men to affront the established religi'^M of a place r. ui 1^^ % \ r i I' I t! I y i|i 108 BLAKE. whpiY he touched ; but he blamed him for setting on a mob of Spaniards to beat them, adding-, " that he would have him and all the world know, that none but an Englishman should chastise an Englishman." In a short time after the destruction of the enemy's fleet at Teneriife, we find Blake cruizing again off the harbour of Cadiz, where, perceiving his ships had become foul, and that his own health and spirits hourly wore away, he resolved to sail for England. His distemper was a complication of dropsy and scurvy, brought upon him by being for three years together at sea, and wanting all that time the conve- niences requisite for the cure of his disease. In his passage home it increased upon him, and he became so sensible of his approaching end, that he frequently inquired for land, a mark of his affection for his native soil, which, however, he did not live to see, dying as his ship the St. George entered Plymouth Sound, on the 17th of August, 1657, at about fifty-nine years of age. His body was the next day em- balmed and wrapped in lead, and, by order of the protector^ conveyed by water to Greenwich House, whence it was carried in great pomp to Westminster Ai)bey, and there interred with the utmost solemnity, as the last mark of respect that could be paid by men to the noble spirit which once animated this tenement of clay. During the blind reaction which followed the restoration, his coffin was removed from the Abbey, and deposited in the churchyard. Of Blake, the earl of Clarendon says, " He was the first man that declined the old tract, and made it manifest that the science might be attained in less time than M^as imagined; and despised those rules which had been long in practice, to keep his ship and men out of danger, which had been held in former times a point of great abihty and circumspection; as if the principal art requisite in the captain of a ship had been to be sure to come home safe again. He was the first man who brought ships to contemn castles on shore, which had been thought ever very formidable, and were discovered by him to make a noise only, and to fright those who could be rarely hurt by them. He was the first that infused that proportion of courage into the seamen, by making them see, by experience, what mighty things they could do, if they were resolved; and taught them to fight in fire as well as upon water; and though he hath been very well imitated and followed, he was the fir^t that gave the example of that kind of naval courage and bold and resolute achievements." !ttlng on a mob he would have in Englishman le enemy's fleet ff the harbour jome foul, and ''ay, he resolved jomplieation of eing for three me the conve- In his passage so sensible of -ed for land, a 1, however, he reorge entered 657, at about next day em- the protectory 'hence it was ey, and there last mark of e spirit which ng the blind s coffin was churchyard. ! was the first manifest that ras imagined; n practice, to ad been held cumspection; )f a ship had was the first shore, which re discovered se who could infused that ng them see, do, if they e as well as veil imitated mple of that lievements." CHARLES II. 199 Dr. Bate, in drawing his character, says, " He was a man deserving praise even from an enemy. Being advanced to a command at sea, he subdued the Scilly Islands near home; and having attained the office and title of an admiral, per- formed things worthy of immortal memory abroad. For he humbled the pride of France, reduced Portugal to reason, broke the naval force of Holland, and drove them to the shelter of their ports, suppressed the rovers of Barbary, and twice triumphed over Spain. Alone blamable in this, that he complied with the parricides." Anthony Wood, who observes, that he was admired and applauded by the royal- ists, in his blunt manner, celebrates his praises thus : " He was a man wholly devoted to his country's service, resolute in undertakings, and most faithful in the performance of them. With him, valour seldom missed its reward, nor cowardice its punishment." We have a fine picture of him by Ken net, in his complete history of England, and a very fair one by Echard. To this I will add a short encomium in verse : — While Portugal shall her bless'd Indies boast, While Naples glories in her flow'ry coast, While pirates unto Afric's shore resort, While Tuscany's enrich'd by her fair port, While the Dutch fish, the Spaniard vaunts his mines, To stealing conquests while proud France inclines, While seas still roar, while ships divide their waves, While death, for fame, each gallant sailor braves, Thy praise shall live ; and future heroes take. As CtDsiar's once— the nobler name of Blake, In reference to the admirals Deane and Popham, we have few memorials left. As to the first, he is mentioned by Lord Clarendon, as ? person raised by his own merit; and though this entitled him, when slain in the Dutch war, to a pompous funeral in Westminster Abbey, yet no care was taken to preserve to posterity, either by tomb or inscrip- tion, the memory of those military achievements by which his reputation was acquired. Colonel Pophan was raised to the command of the fleet, rather out of regard to his fidelity to the parliament, and his being known for a gallant and well accomplished gentleman, than for any skill in sea affairs. CHARLES II. was restored to the throne of his ances- tors, amid the general rejoicings of the nation, in the year ^ >'' l».'a,i^''^ '1; ! a U>' im ^ ilih III. .3iMif 1 200 CHARLES II. 1660. Several distinguished seamen, whose names and ex- ploits we have already had occasion to mention, were among the early and active promoters of this event. Of these. Monk, who at this time influenced the army, and Montague who commanded the fleet, were the most conspicuous. The former was created duke of Albemarle, and the latter earl of Sandwich, while honours were freely distributed among other naval officers. Charles aff'ected a knowledge of nau- tical affairs, and professed to have the interests of the sea service much at heprt, while his brother, the duke of York, who was made Lord high-admiral, attained a high name by several victories obtained by him over the Dutch fleets. In the earlier part of this reign, before Charles had submit- ted to the ascendancy of France, it must be admitted that the navy was well managed, and as a natural consequence of this, we were generally triumphant on the ocean. Subse- quently, however, the king, sunk in luxury and sloth, ne- glected this as well as the other interests of his country, and the gallantry of his admirals, many of whom had served under the republic and Cromwell, alone preserved tho flag of England from contempt and disgrace. Shortly after the restoration, the Dutch presuming upon the unsettled state of England, recommenced those encroach- ments for which they had been called to account so severely by the protector. This led to a war between the two na- tions in 1664, at the commencement of which Sir Robert Holmes, with a small squadron, took the Dutch settlement of New Netherlands in North America, which he named New York, in honour of the duke. The councils of Holland were at this period guided by the celebrated De Witte, who despatched idmiral De lluyter to harass the English trade, a commission which he executed with considerable success. The war, which, although real, had not been avowed, was now openly declared. The respective fleets were therefore sent to sea in full force, there having been ample time on both sides for pre- paration. That of England commanded by the duke of York as lord high-admiral, prince Rupert as admiral of the white, and the earl of Sandwich as admiral of the blue, consisted of one hundred and fourteen sail of men-of- war and frigates, and twenty-eight Are -ships and ketches, manned by twenty-two thousand seamen and soldiers. The Dutch had a hundred and three men-of-war, eleven fire- ships and seven yachts, under tho command of Opdam, a ■H *,' Ml III CHARLES II. 201 names and ex- )n, were among ^nt. Of these, and Montague ipicuous. The the latter earl 'ibuted among v'ledge of nau- ests of the sea [luke of York, a high name Dutch fleets. >s had submit- admitted that Jonsequence of 3ean. Subse- md sloth, ne- country, and tn had served Jrved tho flag suming upon lose encroach- nt so severely the two na- i Sir Robert settlement of J named New 3 of Holland e Witte, who Ingllsh trade, ible success, ivowed, was > sea in full des for pre- the duke of admiral of niral of the •■ of men-of- md ketches, Jiers. The eleven fire- f Opdam, a prudent and gallant officer, the younger Van Tromp, who inherited the bravery as well as the name of his father the celebrated Van Tromp, Evertz, and other admirals: the fleet being divided into seven squadrons. On the 3d of June, 1665, the two navies engaged about three in the morning ort* Lowestoif. Things went at first very equally on both sides, several squadrons charging through and through, without any remarkable advantage. But about noon, the earl of Sandwich, with the blue squa- dron, fell into the centre of the Dutch fleet, divided it into two parts, and began that confusion which ended in a total defeat. The duke of York in the Royal Charles, a ship of eighty guns, and admiral Opdam in the Eeiiuracht, a ship of eighty-four, were closely en--aged. The fight continued for some hours witn great obstinancy, and his royal highness was in the utmost danger. Several persons of distinction were killed on board his ship. About one, the Dutch ad- miral's ship blew up, with a rrodigious noise ; occasioned by some accident in distributing the powder. In this vessel, together with the admiral, perished five hundred men, only five of the whole crew escaping; many of those lost, were volunteers, of the best families of Holland, and not a few Frenchmen, who took this opportunity of being present in a sea-fight. A little after this unlucky blow, the Dutch received a still greater. Four fine ships, the largest of sixty, the least of forty guns, ran foul of each other, and were hurncd by one fire-ship : soon after, three larger vessels by the same acci- dent shared the same fate. The Orange, a ship of seventy- five guns, after a gallant defence, was burned ; and thus, towards four in the afternoon, all fell into confusion. Vice- admiral Stillingwert was shot through the middle by a cannon-ball. Vice- Admiral Cortanear received a shot in his thigh, of which he instantly died. Numerous sanguinary conflicts followed with unequal success ; the history of one of which might nearly serve for the history of all. Nothing could exceed the desperate valour displayed by both parties, and alike by commanders and privates. The English under Albemarle and prince Rupert were beat in a well -contested fight on the 4th of June, 1666; and they in their turn gained a victory over De Ruyter and Van Tromp six weeks after. Taking advantage of the English being ofl:' their guard, owing to a negotiation for peace which was carried on .«b'. -^iif (I if i} f> > isu i I ;t -,^_ •f 202 CHARLES II. under the mediation of the king of France, T Witte sent a fleet to menace the English coast. They destroyed the shipping at Sheerness, and even threatened London ; but the English fleet preparing with great alacrity to attack them, they retreated, having effected little other result than insulting some of our sea-ports, and exciting a general alarm. This insult did not pass unavenged; but in the meantime a treaty of peace was signed in August, 1667. The rivalry between England and Holland for the so- vereignty of the sea was suspi^nded, not terminated. The smouldering embers of strife again burst into a blaze, and war was for the second time, during this reign, declared in 1672. In this war England was in alliance with France, but does not seem to have derived any material aid from the French navy. In a furious battle fought on the 8th of Mav, in which the duke of York and earl Sandwich com- manded the English, two Dutch admirals. Van Ghent and Evertz, were killed, and the victory, long doubtful, inclined to the side of the English. But this gain was dearly bought by the loss of Sandwich, who perished amid the flames of his ship, which had been set on fire by the enemy, and which he refused to leave, fighting her to the last. After this event, prince Rupert had the principal com- mand of the English fleet, but being ill supported at home, he was unable to achieve any decisive victory, although many battles were fought with more bravery than good conduct on both sides. Personal rivalry between the opposite ad- mirals not unfrequently was permitted to interfere with the general design of the battle. Of this the following is a remarkable instance, and shows the desperate valour not uncommon in those days. In an engagement between the two fleets, which ended doubtfully, prince llupert and De lluyter being the respective commanders-in-chief, a sea-duel, as it may be termed, took place between Sir Edward Spragge and Van Tromp. At the beginning of the fight, Tromp in the Golden Lion, and Sir Edward Spragge in the Royal Prince, fought ship to ship. The Dutch admiral, however, would not come to a close fight, which gave him a great advantage; for Spragge, who had more than his complement on board, suf- fered much by the enemy's cannon, and, having the wind and smoke in his face, could not make so good use of his own, as he would otherwise have done. After three hours ,it>^ JAMES II. 203 e, r Witte sent ey destroyed the ed London ; but lacrity to attack 3ther result than :iting a general ged; but in the .ugust, 1667. land for the so- irminated. The into a blaze, and jign, declared in 'ith France, but ial aid from the t on the 8th of Sandwich corn- Van Ghent and mbtful, inclined ain was dearly ished amid the e by the enemy, CO the last. principal com- rted at home, he although many 1 good conduct he opposite ad- erfere with the following is a ate valour not it between the Llupert and De hief, a sea-duel, iward Spragge J Golden Lion, 36, fought ship d not come to ivantage; for on board, suf- ving the wind od use of his 3r three hours warm fight, the Royal Prince was so disabled, that Sir Edward w^as forced to go on board the St, George, and Tromp quitted the Golden Lion to hoist his flag on board the Comet, where the battle was renewed with incredible fury. We have, in respect to this, and it is to be wished we had of every battle, a distinct relation of what was performed by each squadron, and, from the relation of the blue squad- ron, compared with prince Rupert's account, the following facts are collected. The great aim of the Dutch admiral was to take or sink the Royal Prince: but the Earl of Ossory, and Sir John Kempthorne, together with Spragge himself, so effectually protected the disabled vessel, that none of the enemy's fire- ships could come near her, though this was often attempted. At last, the St. George being terribly torn, and in a manner disabled, Sir Edward Spragge designed to go on board a third ship, the Royal Charles ; but, before he was got ten boats' length, a shot, which passed through the St. George, took his boat; and, though they immediately rowed back, yet, before they could get within reach of the ropes that were thrown out from the St. George, the boat sunk, and Sir Edward was drowned. This was the last battle cf the Dutch war, peace being soon after again concluded. During the present reign, two expeditions were sent against the Barbary States, which were so far successful as to put a stop, for a time, to the depredations of these pirati- cal barbarians. , Charles died in 1784. JAMES II. James II., brother and successor to Charles II., was dis- tinguished, while duke of York, both for his careful adminis- tration of naval affairs, and for his conduct in commanding the fleet in battle. His achievements in this respect have been mentioned in the course of the chapter. After his accession to the throne, he unfortunately directed his attention to other and less praiseworthy objects, which led to his expulsion from the country, and to the revolution of 1688. Of the eminent naval commanders of this period, several lived under the republic, and continued to serve under the last princes of the house of Stuart. 204 MONK, DUKE OF ALBEMARLE. 1 ,'ii 4 MONK, DUKE OF ALBEMARLE.— George Monk, so highly distinguished a^ a statesman, a soldier, and a sea- man, in times when men of eminence were not rare, was the son of Sir Thomas Monk, a gentleman of ancient family in Devonshire. He was born on the 6th of December, 1608, and was educated for the military profession. A curious anecdote is told of the immediate cause of his entering the navy. In the first year of the reign of king Charles I., his majesty, who had then in view a war with Spain, came down to Plymouth, in order to inspect the naval prepara- tions that were making there. Sir Thomas Monk had a mind to pay his duty to his prince, though his debts, derived rather from his ancestors' extravagance than his own, made him somewhat afraid of the law. To remedy this evil, he sent his son George to the under-sheriff of Devonshire with a considerable present, desiring that, on so extraordinary an occasion, he might be safe from any insult while he attended the king. The sheriff took the present, and granted his request, but, soon after receiving a larger from one of his creditors, took him in execution in the face of the county. George Monk, whose youth led him to think this a strange action, went to Exeter, and, after expostulating with the pettifogger, who was altogether insensible as to reproaches, took his leave of him in a more intelligible language, and caned him so heartily, that he left him in no condition of following him. This adventure sent him on board the fieet, which, under the command of Lord Wimbleton, shortly after sailed for Cadiz, when he was in the seventeenth year of his age: and thus he began, as he ended, his service to his country at sea. We soon after find him serving with great reputation as a young officer in the army, under Sir Richard Grenville, Lord Oxford, and others. He held a high command in Ireland under Charles, about the commencement of the civil wars, until being taken prisoner along with several other royalist officers by the parliamentary general Fairfax, he was sent to the tower, where he remained in confinement for several years. The royal cause being apparently ren- dered hopeless by the captivity and death of the king. Monk was induced to accept of a commission from Lord D'Isle, his kincman, who had been appointed by the parliament to the government of Ireland, and thus obtained his liberty. I n Ireland he distinguished himself so much, that parliament ■ I I .".. h.i -George Monk, Idier, and a sea- lot rare, was the mcient family in >eceinber, 1608, )n. A curious lis entering the Charles I., his h Spain, came naval prcpara- ^s Monk had a 3 debts, derived his own, made dy this evil, he evonshire with traordinary an ile he attended id granted his om one of his f the county, this a strange ating with the to reproaches, language, and > condition of 3oard the fleet, •leton, shortly enteenth year his service to reputation as ird Grenville, command in 3raent of the several other 1 Fairfax, he confinement parently ren- i king. Monk ^^ord D'Isle, arliament to his liberty. tt parliament MONK, DUKE OF ALBEMARLE. 205 was disposed to forget his former attachment to the king, and on one occasion he received their thanks, with the more substantial reward of five hundred pounds and the govern- ment of Carrickfergus. From this time he became a leader among the generals of the commonwealth, and attracted the particular attention of Cromwell, whose influence was now in the ascendant. He accompanied Cromwell to Scotland, where he dis- played ! Is usual bravery, attended by his usual success. Monk, who had attained his forty -fifth year, was novr about to be removed to a new scene of exertion. Although his earliest essay in arms had been at sea, his laurels had been hitherto gained by land. He was again employed by sea, and intrusted with a high command, in which his good fortune did not forsake him. He fought along with Deane, when that officer was killed by his side, on the 2d of June, 1653. The most remarkable actions in which he was en- gaged, have been already narrated. He was soon after sent as '^ommander-in -chief to Scotland, which he continued to govern successfully, and, although perhaps with unneces- sary severity, upon the whole not without satisfaction to a large portion of the people, until the restoration. Monk's early prepossessions in favour of the royal cause seem never entirely to have left him, and although he served the republic and Cromwell wdth strict fidelity, it would ap- pear that he had anticipated that the natural course of events would bring about the return of the Stuarts. -There were some who endeavoured to insinuate suspicions on this point, into the mind of the protector. In a long letter which, shortly before his death, he wrote to the general himself, he hints this to him in a postscript, characteristic of his humour and cunning. P.S. — "There be that tell me, that there is a certain cunning fellow in Scotland, called George Monk, who is said to lie in wait there to introduce Charles Stuart. I pray you use your diligence to apprehend hira, and send him up to me." The death of Cromwell leaving him at liberty to follow the bent of his own wishes, he resisted strong temptations to raise himself to power, and resolved to place Charles II. on the throne. To detail the steps by which he accomplished this, would lead us from our subject. The restoration being successfully completed, Monk was created duke of Albemarle, and enjoyed, during the rest of his life, 20G MONK, DUKE OF ALBEMARLE. ■1' ii. I;, ■! the highest favour of the king, and great popularity with the people. As proofs of this, it may be mentioned, that when the plague raged in London, and the king and court had taken refuge in Oxford, Albemarle was left in charge of the city, a duty more difficult and dangerous than that of the command of a fleet or army, and which he discharged with the utmost zeal, courage, and humanity. Again, when the great tire happened in London, Albemarle was abroad with the fleet, and it was a saying current among the citi- zens, that the calamity would have been speedily checked had Albemarle been at home. In 1666, Albemarle was, in his old age, unexpectedly called upon, again to serve his king and country by sea, and was made admiral-in-chief, in conjunction with prince Rupert. His last exploit vvas the desperate fight of the 1st of June, and following days, already described. Much havock ensued on both sides, but without anv decisive result. The address of Monk to his officers on the morning of the second day, when matters wore a gloomy aspect for the English, is worth preserving. " If we had dreaded the number of our enemies," he said, " we should have fled yester- day ; but, though we are inferior to them in ships, we are in all things else superior. Force gives them courage ; let us, if we need it, borrow resolution from the thoughts of what we have formerly performed. Let the enemy feel, that, though our fleet be divided, our spirits are entire. At the worst, it will be more honourable to die bravely here on our own element, than to be made spectacles to the Dutch. To be overcome is the fortune of war, but to fly is the fashion of cowards. Let us teach the world that Englishmen had rather be acquainted with death than with fear." Albemarle died on the 3d of January, 1670, in the sixty- second year of his age. The historian pronounces the fol- lowing eulogium on his character. It is highly coloured, no doubt, but not undeserved. After speaking of him so fully in his public, it may not be amiss to say something of so great a man in his private capa- city, the temper of his mind, and his abilities., natural and acquired. As to his person, he was a strong well-built man, of a good presence, and very able to endure fatigue. The advantages which he derived from nature were much strengthened by his manner of living. He was always an early riser ; his private devotions, and whatever domestic concerns he had to manage, being constantly attended to, ■il S^ MONK, DUKE OF ALBEMARLE. 207 popularity with mentioned, that king and court left in charge us than that of he discharged Again, when •le was abroad mong the citi- eedily checked unexpectedly 17 hy sea, and I with prince ight of the 1st fibed. Much any decisive n the morning )my aspect for td dreaded the Lve fled ycster^ lips, we are in 'urage; let us, ights of what ^y feel, that, tire. At the ly here on our J Dutch. To is the fashion ^lishmen had in the sixtv- mces the fol- coloured, no t may not be private capa- natural and g well-built lure fatigue. were much IS always an er domestic attended to, I .'S' ^;^- and dispatched by seven o'clock, when he gave audience, without distinction, to all who desired it, and constantly made an end, if it were in his puwer, of eve."y poor man's business on the spot. He was an enemy to all oppression in the army, and used frequently to say, that his officers should have power to command and to protect, but not to terrify o.' pillage the soldiers. He was a strict observer of discipline, of which he gave a signal instance at the end of the first Dutch war in Cromwell's time. The seamen came to the navy-office in crowds to demand their prize-money : he told them that there were fifteen hundred ships to be sold, and that, as soon as they were sold, they should have their money, with which they seemed to be satisfied ; but, in the afternoon, there came four or five thousand of them armed towards Whitehall, which Monk hearing, met them at Charing-cross in company with Cromwell and some other officers, where, without much expostulation, he drew his sword and wounded several of them, upbraiding them with not depending or his word, who never broke it; which had rtuch an eff'ect upon them, that, forgetting their former fury, they tamely retired, and were afterwards very honourably paid. He was extremely moderate in his way of living, eating but one meal a-day, and that homely and heartily. He despised and hated drinking ; and, having settled his affec- tions on the woman he married, was a tender and constant husband through the course of his life. As a father, he showed more of passion than in any part of his character, for, on the loss of his second son, George, in Scotland, he gave way to his grief to such a degree as surprised all who were acquainted with the firmness of his temper in other respects. His valour was very singular, for he was fierce without losing his temper, and had an extraordina. y measure of patience, joined with boundless courage: and these qualities he pos- sessed as much as ever, even in the decline of life. In the second. Dutch war a chain-shot took away his breeches, yet he never altered his countenancr or his place. The duke of Buckingham gives us a much stronger proof of his resolu- tion, on his own knowledge ; for he says the duke of Albe- marle declared at the beginning of the action, that he was sure of one thing, viz., that he would not be taken; and that he saw him charge a littlo pocket pistol with powder, his grace believing he would have fired into the powder-room, in case the Dutch had boarded him. See his memoirs pre- fixed to his works. In the Chatham business, apprehending v.m 208 MONK, DUKE OF ALBEMARLE. i I ?1 * , I I: !lj J 4 i ni lil: ' i * il .^ ^nl; I!'' the Dutch would land, he exposed himself in the midst of their cannon-shot, that his example might keep others to their duty, and defeat the design of the enemy, as it did : and when a person of distinction expostulated with him on this head, and would have persuaded him to retire, he answered very coolly, " Sir, if I had been afraid of bullets, I should have quitted this trade of a soldier long ago." His capital virtues were, prudence and modesty ; the former enabled him to perform the great things which he did, and the latter restrained him from ever valuing himself on the great things he had done. He was equally dear to the king and to the nation ; and it was his peculiar felicity, that he had the affection of both without incurring the jealousy of either. He would have retired immediately after the restoration, if his country could have spared him ; and when he saw it could not, he served it as cheerfully as before. He served it — in how many capacities ? He conimandod the army in chief, when the king and the nation's safety depended upon that command. He was put at the head of a commission for managing the treasury, or rather settling it. His activity was necessary for suppressing all insurreetions ; his presence was thought requisite in the highest courts of justice. If he was intrusted by the king with the army, he was likewise intrusted by the duke with the fleet. He had the care of the city when visited with the plague ; the command of the navy when we made war with France and Holland at the same time. He was sent for to recover the minds of the citizens after the fire ; he was sent to meet the threatening invasion of the Dutch ; and, as he made way for the trea- surer Southampton, so, on his death, he was thought the only man that could replace him. Well, then, might secretary Nicholas, that able and faithful servant of the crown, say, and he said it when the duke had done a few only of these great things, " That, independently of his merit in the restoration, the duke of Albemarle, by his indefatigable zeal, and successful services afterwards, had merited more than his prince could do for him." When his son went to wait upon the king with the ensigns of the order of the garter, his majesty was pleased to restore them to him ; the king likewise directed the duke's body to be removed to Somerset House, where it lay for many weeks in state ; and, on the last day of April, was removed, with great funeral pomp, to Westminster Abbey, and there interred in Henry the Seventh's chapel. Yet, as if his ( i MONTAGUE, EARL OF SANDWICH. 20f> the midst of Bep others to ly, as it did : with him on to retire, he id of bullets, ng ago." nodesty : the which he did, himself on the the king and lat he had the isy of either, restoration, if en he saw it He served the army in upended upon )mmission for His activity his presence astice. If he was likewise 1 the care of imand of the olland at the minds of the e threatening for the trea- ught the only ^ht secretary e crown, say, only of these merit in the indefatigable nerited more th the ensigns sed to restore uke's body to r many weeks amoved, with Yf and there et, as if his fame had stood in need of no such support, a monument was neglected ; only those who have the care of the place pre- serve his figure in wax, and think it sufficient to raise the admiration of every loyal spectator, to say, " This is general Monk!" MONTAGUE, EARL OF SANDWICH.— "Fame })elongs, of right, to ^ll those who have deserved well of society ; but the supreme degree of glory ought to wait on the memory of such illustrious persons as have been martyrs for their country, and voluntarily died, either to serve or to preserve it." So says our historian, applying the sentiment to the subject of this brief notice. Edward Montague, was the son of Sir Sydney Montague, and a grandson of Lord Montague of Broughton. He was born in 1625, received a good education, and, at a very early age, entered upon public life, regarding the occasion of which, the following anecdote is told: — His father. Sir Syd- ney being supposed to lean rather to the royal cause than to that of the parliament, of which he waa a member, was required to take an oatl^ that he would live and die with the earl of Essex, then tlie parliamentary commander. This he declined to do, assigning a reason which it was more easy to punish than to answer. He told the speaker " he would not swear to live with that nobleman, because he was an old man, and might die before him; nor would he swear to die with him, since the earl was going with an army against the king, which he did not know how to free from 'treason, and therefore could not tell what end that great man might come to," For this, Sir Sydney was expelled the house, and a commission was issued to young Montague, then only eighteen, to raise a regiment among his tenantry and neigh- bours. This, the youthful colonel accomplished, and was ready for the field in six weeks. He was much distinguished during his military career, but does not appear ever to have been quite hearty in the republican cause, although Crom- well acquired such influence with him as to induce him to accept a seat at the board of treasury, and to take an active part in public affairs. Not long afterwards, Montague's services were trans- ferred to a new scene, which brings him more immediately within the scope of this work. It would accord ill with the opinions and feelings of a modern tar to see a colonel of dragoons and lord of the treasury, raised at oucc to be 210 MONTAGUE, EARL OF SANDWICH. ■I- 'i { admiral Ox*" a fleet : this was the case with Montague, and such instances were not rare in those times. He was joined in command with Blake; and we have already frequently had occasion to mention their achievements in conjunction. Indeed, he took an active share in a great proportion of the naval exploits of this period. On the death of Oliver, and the nominal accession to power of Richard Cromwell, Mon- tague was sent with a powerful fleet to the Baltic, in order to ovcrawe v.q northern powers. Here he seems to have employed himself chiefly in schemes for the restoration of Charles II., and brought home his fleet without orders, hoping that aff^airs at home were ripe for the desired change. In this he was disappointed, and was happy in escaping any more severe punishment than being deprived of his com- mand. When Monk had openly declared himself, he procured from the kr\g the nomination of Montague to the command of the fleet ; and, repairing on board, his authority was immediately submitted to by admiral Lawson, then chief in command, and by the other ofiicers. To show his zeal, without waiting for orders, he sailed with the fleet for Hol- land, whence he had the honour of conveying the king to England. When for this act of loyalty, more officious than obedient, he was likely to be called in question, it is said that Charles screened him by giving him an antedated order. He was immf iiately created baron Montague, viscount Hinchinbrooke and earl of Sandwich, admiral of the nar- row seas, and lieutenant-admiral to the duke of York as lord high-admiral. He continued to take an active part both as an administrator of naval afl'airs, and as an admiral ; and was remai'kable for regarding no qualification but merit in the preferments of the navy, declaring, upon all occasions, against showing favour to the relations of peers or other persons of distinction, to the prejudice of such as had served longvT or better. This rendered him the favourite of the fleet, who, after the death of Albemarle, looked upon him as their father and protector. We have already mentioned the last heroic action of his life, when he devoted himself to death, rather than set an example of deserting his ship. His body was found floating on the sea, near Harwich, a fortnight after his death, and was interred at Westminster, with every funeral honour. He died in his forty-fifth year. Speaking of the battle in which our hero lost his life. MONTAGUE, EARL OF SANDWICH. 211 ontague, and le was joined ly frequently conjunction, ortion of the Oliver, and mwell, Mon- Itic, in order !ems to have estoration of hout orders, ired change, escaping any of his corn- he procured he command thority was ;hen chief in ow his zeal, eet for Hol- the king to )fficious than it is said that lated order, ne, viscount of the nar- of York as active part an admiral ; )n but merit ill occasions, rs or other 3 had served lurite of the upon him as ction of his than set an md floating > (loath, and I'al honour. M his life, Parker, bishop of Oxford says, " The English lost many volunteers and ten captains of ships : amongst these were the earl of Sandwich, and Digby, son of the earl of Bristol, \\ho almost alone fought with the third squadron of the Dutch : yet, at length, when Digby was shot through the heart, and the ship that he commanded was bored through vvi'^h innumerable shot, the seamen with difficulty brought her into the harbour ; but Sandwich having miserably shattered aeven of their ships, and beat otf three fire-ships, at length being overpowered with numbers, fell a sacrifice for his country; a gentleman adorned with all the virtues of Alci- biades, and untainted by any of his vices ; of high birth, capable of any business, full of wisdom, a great commander at sea and land, and also learned and eloquent, afl'able, liberal; and magnificent." Gerard Brandt, an eminent Dutch writer, who is never partial to any but his own countrymen, after a full account of the valour with which the earl defended himself, and which he styles unfortunate courage, is pleased to say — " Such was the fate of this noble peer, who was vice-admiral of England ; a man equally brave, knowing, and of a most engaging behaviour; one ^^'bo had rendered his sovereign the greatest services, not only in the field, but in the cabinet, and as an ambassador in foreign courts." EPITAPH ON SANDWICH. > Adcrn'd with titles, but from virtue great, Neptune at sea, and Nestor in the state ; Alike in council and in fight renown'd ; Oft with success, with merit always crown'd ; No heart more honest, and no head more wise, A soldier, seaman, statesman, here he lies ! Thu' brave, yet gentle; though sincere, not rude ; Justice in camps, in courts he truth pursued. Living, he raised a deathless, spotless name; And, dying, soared above the reach of fame. Reader, if English, stop the falling tear ! Grief should not wait on him who felt no fear ; He wants not pity — could his ashes speak. These gcn'rous sounds would from the marble break; " (Jo, serve thy country, while God spares thee breath; lave as 1 liv'd, and so deserve my death." a 212 SIR JOHN LAWSON. [I. Ji 5 SiV f. PRINCE RUPERT, whose name occurs so often in the history of these times, was the son of the elector Pala- tine, by Elizabeth, eldest danghier of James I., and was thus nephew to Charles I. He entered early and zealously into the service of his uncle during his unfortunate civil war, and was greatly distinguished for bravery and good conduct. Charles created him earl of Holdernesse and duke of Cumberland. His share in the naval actions of the reigns of the two Charles's, has been noticed as we went along. Rupert was a lover of science, and among other things, invented the art of mezzotinto engraving and prince's metal. He was born in 1619, and died in 1G82. SIR JOHN LAWSON deserves a separate notice among our naval heroes, were it only because by his own merits alone, he raised himself from being a common sailor, to a high rank and command. His exploits have been fre- quently alluded to. He fell in the memorable battle of luowestoff, on the 3d of June, 1665. The summary of his character, by Lord Clarendon, will well serve our purpose : " There was," says he, "another almost irreparable loss this day in Sir John Lawson, who was admiral of a squadron, and of so eminent skill and conduct in all maritime occa- sions, that his counsel was most considered in all debates, and the greatest seamen were ready to receive advice from him. In the middle of the battle he received a shot with a musket bullet upon the knee, from which he fell; and find- ing that he could no more stand, and was in great torment, he sent to the duke to desire him to send another man to command his ship, which he presently did. The wound was not cf/uceived to be mortal, and they made haste to send him on shore as far as Deptiord or Greenwich, where, for some days, there was hope of his recovery; but shortly his wound gangrened, and so he died with very great courage, and profession of an entire duty and fidelity to the king. " He was, indeed, of all the men of that time and of that extraction and educatiun, incomparably the most modest, wisest, and worthv man to be confided in. He was of Yorkshircj near Scarborough, of that rank of people who are bred to the sea from their cradle ; and a young man of that profession he was when the parliament first possessed themselves of the royal navy : and IIuU being in their hands, all the northern seamen easily betook themselves to their service: and his industry and sobriety made him quickly •< i i P SIR JOHN LAWSON. 213 3 SO often in elector Pala- I., and was md zealously rtunate civil ry and good 3sse and duke lions of the as we went imong other and prince's arate notice by his own nmoii sailor, ve been fre- )le battle of imary of his ur purpose : able loss this a squadron, ritime occa- all debates, advice from shot with a ; and find- 'at torment, ler man to wound was ste to send where, for short] V his at courage, le king. md of that >st modest, Ic was of )eople who ig man of possessed loir hands, s to their m quickly taken notice of, and to be preferred from one degree to another, till, from a common sailor, he was promoted to be a captain of a small vessel, and from thence to the command of the best ships. " He had been in all the actions performed by Blake, some of which were very stupendous, and in all the battles which Cromwell had fought with the Dutch, in which he was a signal officer, and very much valued by him. He was of that class of religion which were called independents, most of whom were anabaptists, who were generally be- lieved to have most aversion to the king, and, therefore, employed in affairs of great trust. He was commander-in- chief of the fleet when Richard was thrown out ; and when the contest grew between the rump and Lambert, he brought the whole fleet into the river, and declared for that which was called the parliament ; which broke the neck of all other designs, though he intended only the better settlement of the commonwealth. " Nor after the restoration, did any man perform his duty better. He caused all persons, how well qualified so- ever, who he knew were affected to a republic, to be dis- missed from the service ; brought very good order into his own ship ; frequented the church prayers himself, and made all the seamen do so. He was very remarkable in his affec- tiovi and countenance towards all those who had faithfully served the king, and never commended any person to the duke to be preferred but such, and performed -to his death all that could be expected from a brave and an honest man. *•' It looked like some presage that he had of his own death, that before he went to sea he came to the treasurer and the chancellor, to whom he had always borne much respect, and spoke to them in a dialect he had never before used ; for he was a very generous man, and lived in his house decently and plentifully, and had never made any the least suit or pretence for money. Now he told them that he was going upon an expedition in which many honest men must lose their lives ; and though he had no apprehension of himself, but that God would protect him, as he had often done in the same occasions, yet he thought it became him, against the worst to make his condition known to them, and the rather because ho knew he was esteemed generally to be rich. He said, in truth he thought himself so some few months since, when he was worth eight or nine thousand pounds ; but the marriage of his daughter to a young gentleman in quality and fortune )| '■' ri 214 SIR JOHN KEMPTHORNE. • f i> ■h 'II! ' y 1 I much above him, who had fallen in love with her, and his f;ither, out of tenderness to his son, had consented, it had ol)liged him to give her such a portion as might, in some degrco, make her worthy of so great a fortune; and that he had not reserved so much to himself and wife, and all his other children, which were four or five, as he had given to *hat daughter ; he desired them, therefore, that if he should mis- carrv in this enterprise, the king would give his wife two hundred pounds a-year for her life ; if he lived, he desired nothing ; he hoped he should make some provision for them by his own industry; nor did he desire an-* other grant or security for this two hundred pounds yearly ihan the king's word and promise, and that they would see it effectual. The suit was so modest, and the ground of making it so just and reasonable, that they willingly informed his majesty of it, who as graciously granted it, and spoke himself to him of it with very obliging circumstances ; so that the poor man M'ent very contentedly to his work, and perished as gallantly in it, with an universal lamentation. And it is to be pre- sumed that the promise was as well performed to his wife. Sure it is, it v/as exactly complied with whilst either of those two persons had any power." It is worth observing, that all the writers of those time?, though they differ widely in respect to many character?, concur in commending Sir John Lawson as a brave, honest, loyal commander, and as a very able and understanding sea- man ; and, as such, he deserves to be honourably remembered. SIR JOHN KEMPTHORNE was descended from an ancient royalist family in Devonshire, in which county he was born in the year 1G20. lie was bound apprentice to a merchantman, and became the master of a trading ves- sel, in which character he was much esteemed. In the beginning of our wars with Spain, he distinguished himself by a very extraordinary action. He was attacked by a large Spanish man-of-war, commanded by a knight of Malta ; and though the odds were very great, yet cfiptain Kemp- thorne defended himself gallantly, till all his ammunition was spent, and then, remembering that he had several large bags of pieces of eight on board, he thought they might better serve to annoy than enrich the enemy, and therefore ordered his men to load their guns with pieces of silver, which did such execution on the Spaniard's rigging, that if his own ship had not been disabled by an unlucky shot, he fj. ij SIR GEORGE AYSCUE. 21i her, and fiis mted, it had somedep^roe, -t he had not dl his other iven to *hat should mis- lis wife two i, he desired ion for them ler grant or m the king's it effectual, ng it so just 3 majest}' of elf to him of le poor man as gallantly 3 to be pre- to his wife, ther of those those times, characters, •ave, honest, landing sea- emembercd. ended from hich county . apprentice rading ves- ;d. In the hed himself i by a large of Malta; ain Kemp- mi munition 3veral large they might d therefore s of silver, ing, that if ;ky shot, he had in all probability got clear. At last, however, over- powered by numbers, he was boarded, taken, and carried into Malaga. The knight, to whom he was prisoner, treated him with the utmost kindness and civility, carried him home to his house, gave him the free use of it, spoke of him with much respect, commended his valour to every body, and declared that he never knew a man who deserved higher preferment; and, after a short stay in this manner, which I can scarce call a confinement, he sent him to England. Some years after, the same knight of Malta was taken in the Straits, by commodore Ven, and brought prisoner into England, where he was committed to the tower : this afforded the captain an opportunity of returning all the civilities that he had received and of procuring his liberty, which he did at his own expense, and furnished him with every thing .ecessary to return to Spain ; an action gen- erous and grateful in itself, and which could not fail of doing our English commander great honour. At the restoration, Kempthorne was appointed to a ship in the royal navy. Having served with great distinction, and attained the rank of rear-admiral, and the honour of knighthood, he died in 1679. SIR GEORGE AYSCUE ranked high for naval skill among his contemporaries. Of Sir Edward Spragge's gallantry, and the desperate conflict with the younger Van Tromp, we have already spoken. The names of many others whose deeds are enrolled in the annals of naval renown, might well adorn our pages ; but space would fail us in the attempt. Allan, Ilohies, Stayner, Tiddiman, James carl of Marlborough, Berke y, Myngs, Narborough, and others, contributed their shares to the glory which, during this period, accompanied the English arms. It was indeed an important era in our struggle for the sovereignty of the seas. The Dutch were the most formidable rivals we had for a long time encountered, and contested the palm of vic- tory both with courage and with their characteristic obsti- nacy. Their flourishing commerce, supplied a very numer- ous mercantile marine, which was easily made available for warlike purposes. At the same time, our intestine dis- sensions and the impolitic government of Charles II., gave them many advantages ; and it was owing to the skill of her admirals, and the indomitable courage of her sailors alone, that lOngland emerged victorious from the struggle. :| ii :l ^? 5 f M '^: ' *^H mx 'I ■J \ ■i'J'll CHAPTER VI. REIGN OF WILLIAM AND MARY — REIGN OF ANNE — 1689 TO 1714 — HERBERT EAllL OF TOURINGTON — RUSSEL EARL OF ORFORD — SIR JOHN BERRY — JOHN NEVILLE — ADMIHAL BENBOAV — SIR CLOUD- ESLEY SHOVEL — SIR GEORGE ROOKE — 'SIR DAVID MITCHELL — SIR JOHN LEAKE — ADMIRALS DELAVAL, CHURCHHILL, ANDREW LEAKE — THOMAS DILKES — STAFFORD FAIRBORNE. William, Prince of Orange, landed at Torbay on the 4th of November, 1688, and was declared king of England on the 13th of February following. The military genius and persevering enterprise of this great prince are well known, and these, with his championship of civil and religious liberty, have justly raised his name to the highest place in the temple of fame among modern monarchs. From his earliest youth ho had struggled for the independ- ence of his country against Louis XIV., one of the most powerful sovereigns of these or any other times, and with armies and resources infinitely inferior he had defeated the ablest captains, humbled the pride, and checked the progress of that ambitious king. He brought with him to the Eng- lish throne the most deep-rooted feelings of hostility towards Louis, whom he with strong reason believed to aim at uni- versal monarchy j and who, having taken up the cause of REIGN OF WILLIAM AND MARY. 217 TO 1714— :ford — SIR SIR CLOUD- ITCIIKLL — L, ANDREW >n the 4th igland on enius and 11 known, religious place in ndepend- the most and with sated the progress the Eng- to wards 1 at uni- cause of the deposed James, was undisguisedly William's personal enemy, as well as that of the liberties of England. War with France then was a ruling principle in the new king's policy, and in this, in the present temper of the nation, he was heartily seconded by his subjects. King William's tastes and predilections, however, were entirely military, and he does not appear ever to have applied those talents and that valour which shone so conspicuously in the field to the conduct of naval warfare. In this respect, the inclinations of his great antagonist, coincided with his own, and their most important contests, were decided on the battle field and not on the ocean. Still it will appear from a brief review of the principal naval transactions of this reign that the honour of the fjrilish Hag was not left unsup- ported, and from notices of a few of those heroes, by whom that flag was upheld, it will be seen that the Blakes and the Montagues were not without worthy successors. During the unhappy and inglorious period immediately preceding the accession of William, France had pursued an insidious policy. Aware of her inability to cope by sea with either Holland or England separately, and much less when united, she fomented by every means in her power the dis- sensions wb'ch had arisen between them, and while making a show of entering into alliance, at one time with the one, and at another time with the other, she was in reality taking every means to increase her own naval power, secretly rejoicing to observe those two nations which she hated, mut;ually destroy- ing each others' fleets, and wasting each others' resources, and thus, it was anticipated, paving the way for her assuming the sovereignty of the seas. The advent of the Stadtholder of Holland to the throne of England, put a sudden check to these schemes, and pro- duced an alliance between the English and the Dutch, which, although marred at first in some degree by heart- burnings arising out of recent events, was soon cemented daring the ensuing wars, by a sense of common injury and danger into a cordial friendship. Louis's first attempt was to fit out a considerable fleet to escort king James and his invading army to Ireland. Hav- ing performed this service, the French fleet was attacked in Bantry-bay by that of l^]ngland, under the command of admiral Herbert. In this engagement, the English, who were rather inferior in numbers, were worsted, but without any considerable loss. On the return of the fleet to Forts- ...^ ,,»*, 218 REIGX OF WILLIAM AND MARY. Lilt J M i* Mi . mouth, William, to show the world that he did not attribute his misfortune to want of conduct, created Herbert earl of Torrington, knighted captains Ashby and Shovel, and dis- tributed rewards among the seamen. This is a line of policy which might be more frequently adopted with advantage. The English were again beat in the next encounter of any consequence. It had now become a matter of great importance to convey William's troops safely to Ireland, that monarch having resolved to take the field in person against James. This design was brought to bear about the beginning of the month of June, when his majesty embarked his forces on board two hundred and eighty-eight transports on the 11th, and, escorted by a squadron of six men-of-war under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, sailed for Carrickfergus, where he safely arrived on the 14th of the same month There was nothing better understood in England than the absolute necessity of assembling early in the year, a strong fleet in the channel. The honour of the kingdom depended upon it ; for the French, after their small advan- tage in Bantry-bay, had given out that they would the next summer insult the joint fleets of the English and Dutch. What was still more, the nation's safety depended on this measure no less, since the king and the greatest part of his forces were abroad : scarcely seven thousand regular troops left in England ; and such as were in the interest of king James, almost every where in motion, and waiting, in all appearance, for nothing but the sight of a French fleet on the coast, to take up arms, and declare against the govern- ment. Yet, for all this, our maritime proceedings were very slow, for which various and some almost incredible causes are assigned. It was given out that the greatest part of the fleet was disaflFected; and to wipe off this suggestion, it was thought necessary that an address should be sent up from the Downs, which was accordingly done. On the other hand, it was late before the Dutch sent their fleet to sea, and the English, knowing that nothing of consequence could be done till after their junction, were the less solicit- ous about putting themselves in order, till they heard of the Dutch being at sea. The conduct of the French in the mean time was of quite another kind ; for, while the s juadron before-mentioned was gone to Ireland, ordtrs were given for equipping a fleet of 'f,l: 1 REIGN OF WILLIAM AND MARY. 219 )t attrihute •ert earl of '1, and dis- le of policy antage. counter of f* of great Ireland, in person ginning of his forces ts on the ^'ar under where he land than le year, a kingdom H advan- 1 the next i Dutch, d on this trt of his lar troops • of king 'g, in all fleet on govern - ere very e causes part of ?stion, it up from le other to sea, equence solicit- leard of of quite led was fleet of sixty sail at Brest, which was to put to sea by the end of ^lay ; this they actually did, and though they were forced by contrary winds to put back again to that road, yet, on the 12th of June, they put to sea in three squadrons, each sc^uadron being divided into three divisions. Of these the white and blue squadrons, commanded by Count D'Estrees on board the Le Grande, a ship of eighty-six guns, formed the vanguard, consisting of twenty-six men- of-war. The main body was composed of the white squa- dron, commanded by the admiral Count Tourville in the Royal Sun, a ship of one hundred guns. This squadron con- sisted likewise of twenty-six sail. The blue squadron made the rear guard, commanded by M. D'Amfreville in the Magnificent, a ship of eighty guns, and in this squadron there were but twenty-five sail. In all there were seventy- eight men-of-war, twenty-two fire-ships, and the whole fleet carried upwards of four thousand seven hundred pieces of cannon. On the 13th of June they steered for the English coast, and on the 20th found themselves off the Lizard. The next day the admiral took some English fishing-boats, and, after having paid the people who were on board for their fish, he set them at liberty again ; and these were the men that first brought advice of the arrival of the French fleet on our coast ; while ours was lying idle and scarcely in a condition to put to sea. Our admiral, the earl of Torrington, was at St. Helen's when he received this news, which must have surprised him very much, since he was so far from expecting any advice of this kind, that he had no scouts to the westward. He put to sea, however, with such ships as he had, and stood to the south-east on midsummer-day, leaving his orders, that all the English and Dutch ships, which could have notice, should follow him. This shows how much he was confused, and how little notion he had of a speedy engagement ; and indeed it was impossible he should have framed any proper scheme of action, when he had no certain account of the strength of the French. In the evening he was joined by several ships, and the next morning he found himself within sight of the enemy. The French landed, and made some prisoners on shore, and by them sent a letter from Sir Wil- liam Jennings, an officer in the navy, who had followed the fortunes of king James, and served now as third captain on board the admiral, promising pardon to all such captains as would now adhere to that prince. The next day our 220 REIGN OF WILLIAM AND MARY. V !5| 1 ■ !«l , . I h ? ' iil. : |i ■ I admiral received another reinforcement of seven Dutch men-of-war under the command o^^" admiral Evertzen ; however, the fleets continued looking" \pon each other for several days. It is certain that the c . of Torrington did not think himself strong enough to venture an engagement, and in all probability the rest of the admirals ; viz. Ralph Delaval, vice-admiral of the red, Edward Uussel, admiral of the blue. Sir John Ashby, vice-admiral of the same squadron, and George Rooke, rear-admiral of the red, were of the like opinion. Besides, he waited for Sir Cloud- esley Shovel, rear-admiral of the blue, who was to have joined hira with the Plymouth squadron, and some other ships. His whole strength consistedof about thirty-four men-of- war of several sizes, and the three Dutch admirals had under their command twenty-two large ships. We need not wonder, therefore, that seeing himself out-numbered by above twenty sail, he was not willing to risk his own honour and the nation's safety, upon such unequal terms. But the queen, who was then regent, having been informed that her father's adherents intended a general insurrection, and that, if the French fleet continued longer on the coast, this would certainly take effect, by advice of the privy coun- cil, sent him orders to fight at all events, in order to force the French fleet to withdraw. In obedience to this order, as soon as it was light, on the 30th of June, the admiral threw out the signal for drawing into a line, and bore down upon the enemy, while they were under sail, by a wind with their heads to the northward. The signal for battle was made about eight, when the French braced their head sails to their masts, in order to Ive by. The action began about nine, when the Dutch squa- dron, which made the van of the united fleets, fell in with the van of the French, and put them into some disorder. About half an hour after, our blue squadron engaged their rear very warmly, but the red, commanded by the earl of Torrington in person, which made the centre of our fleet, could not come up till about ten, and this occasioned a great opening between them and the Dutch. The French mak- ing use of this advantage weathered, and of course sur- rounded the latter, who defended themselves very gallantly, though they suffered extremely from so unequal a dispute. The admiral, seeing their distress, endeavoured to relieve them J and while they dropped their anchors, the only method lit. 'J M REIGN OF WILLIAM AND MARY. 221 Bii Dutch ^vertzen ; other for ngton did ^•agement, iz. Ralph I, admiral the same the red, ir Cloud- s to have •me other r men-of- lirals had We need lumbered his own al terms, informed nrreetion, the coast, ivy coun- to force lis order, admiral 3re down I'ind with vhen the ler to lye ch squa- 1 in with disorder, j'ed their le earl of 3ur fleet, il a great ch mak- rse sur- •allantlv, dispute, relieve 1 method they had left to preserve themselves, he drove with his own ship, and several others between them and the enemy, and in that situation anchored about five in the afternoon, when it grev/ calm ; but discerning how much the Dutch had suffered, and how little probability there was of regaining any thing by renewing the fight, he weighed about nine at night, and retired eastward with the tide of flood. The next day it was resolved in a council of war, to pre- serve the fleet by retreating, and rather to destroy the dis- abled ships, if they should be pressed by the enemy, than to hazard another engagement by endeavouring to protect them. This resolution was executed with as much success as could be expected, which, however, was chiefly owing to want of experience in the French admirals; for by not anchoring when the English did, they were driven to a great distance, and by continuing to chase in aline of battle, instead of leaving every ship at liberty to do her utmost, they could never recover what they lost by their first mis- take. But notv^'ithstanding all this, they pressed on their pui'suit as far as Rye-bay, and forcing one of our men-of- war of seventy guns, called the Anne, which had lost all her masts, on shore near Winchelsea, they sent in two ships to burn her, which the captain prevented by setting fire to her himself. The body of the French fleet stood in and out of the bays of Bourne and Pemsey in Sussex, while about fourteen of their ships anchored near the shore. Some of these attempted to burn a Dutch ship of sixty-four guns, which, at low water, lay dry: but het commander defended her so stoutly every high water, that they were at length forced to desist, and the captain carried her safe into Holland. Our loss in this affair, if we except reputation, was not great : not above two ships, two sea-captains, two captains of marines, and three hundred and fifty private men. The Dutch were more unfortunate, because they were more thoroughly engaged. Besides three ships sunk in the fight, they were obliged to set fire to three more that were stranded on the coast of Sussex, losing in all six ships of the line. They lost likewise rear-admirals Dick and Brakel, and Captain Nordel, with a number of inferior officers and seamen. This defeat spread alarm and confusion in England. It was not the threatened descent of the French that was ap- prehended, so much as an insurrection by the partizans of *$»-*■' 222 REIGN OF WILLIAM AND MARY. !!' », .^ James. The utmost zeal was shown in favour of the govern- ment by the city of London and many other places ; and queen Mary, during the king's absence in Ireland, took every precaution, but the French fleet, after a show of menacing various places on the coast, withdrew to their own harbours without any farther attack. Lord Torring- ton, although he seems to have done all he could in the dif- ficult circumstances in which ho was placed, incurred the national odium, and was superseded in his command and not again employed. He was eventually tried by a court-mar- tial but unanimously acquitted. Admiral Shovel having received orders to hover on the coast of Ireland, to intercept the communication between king James and France, while at the same time he kept open the communication between king William and Eng- land, performed some services of consequence in aiding to reduce such seaports as still held out, or in relieving those that were besieged by the Jacobite forces. Admiral Russel succeeded Lord Torrington as admiral and commander-in-chief, and preparations were made with the hope of retrieving our disasters in the ensuing season. Although formidable fleets were equipped on both sides, nothing very decisive occurred; both parties seeming rather unwilling to come to a general engagement, and confining themselves chiefly to protecting their own or annoying the enemy's commerce. This cautious proceeding, however, was by no means popular in England, and caused much dis- content. In the following year, however, matters changed, and that materially to the advantage of the English, who again re- indicated their claims to naval superiority in the battle of La Hogue. The unit#d English and Dutch fleet, com- manded by admiral Russel, had orders to cruise between Cape La Hogue and the Isle of Wight. On the 19th of May, 1692, at 3 a.m., the scouts to the westward made the signal of discovering the enemy. Immediate orders were given for drawing into a line of battle, and the signal was made for the rear of the fleet to tack, in order to engage the sooner, if the French had stood to the northward. A little after four, the sun dispersing the fog, the enemy were seen standing southward. The admiral, upon this, caused the signal for the rear to tack to be taken in, and bore away with his ship so far leeward, as that each ship in the fleet might fetch his wake, and then be brought to and lay by. REIGN OF WILLIAM AND MARY. 223 with his foretop sail to the mast, that so others might have the hotter opportunity of placing themselves according to the manner formerly directed on such an occasion. The confederate fleet was in good order by eight, having the Dutch squadron in the van, the red in the centre, and the blue in the rear. About ten the French fleet bore down upon them with great resolution. About half an hour after eleven, Count Tourville in the Royal Sun, brought to, and began the fight wdth admiral llussel, being within three quarters musket-shot. He plied his guns very warmly till one, but then began to tow off in great disorder, his rigg- ing, sails, and topsriil yards being very much w^ounded. About two the wind shifted, so that five of the enemy's blue squadron posted themselves, three ahead, and two astern of their admiral, and fired very briokly till after three. The admiral and his two seconds, captains Churchhill and Aylmer, had all these ships to deal with. There was so thick a fog about four, that the enemy could not be seen ; and as soon as it cleared up, the French admiral was discovered towing away northward ; upon which the ad- miral followed him, and made the signal for chacing. While this passed between the admirals. Sir Cloudesley Shovel was got to the windward of Count Tourville's squadron and engaged them ; but the fog growing thicker than before, they were forced to anchor. About this time, captain Hastings, of the Sandwich, was killed. The weather clearing up a little, the French followed their fly- ing admiral, and the English chaced the best they could. About eight in the evening it grew foggy again, and part of the English blue squadron, having fallen in with the enemy, engaged about half an hour, till they, having lost four ships, bore away for Conquet-road. In. this short action rear- admiral Carter was killed. The 20th of May proved so dark and foggy, that it was eight o'clock before the Dutch discovered the enemv ; and then the whole fleet began to chace, the French crowding away westward. About four in the afternoon both fleets anchored; about ten they weighed again, and at twelve admiral Russel's topmast came by the board. On the 22d, about seven in the morning, the English fleet continued the chace with all the success they could desire ; at eleven the French admiral's ship ran a shore, and cut her masts away ; upon this two seconds plied up to her, and other ships began to hover about them ; upon which the 224 REIGN OF WILLIAM AND MARY. ii/u :l ' i !- li* W I admiral sent to Sir Ralph Delaval, who was in the rear, to keep with him a strength sufficient to destroy those ships, and to send the rest that were under his command to join ihe body of the fleet. In the evening a great number of the enemy's ships were seen going into La Hogue. On the 23d, the admiral sent in 8ir George Rooke, with several men-of-war, fire-ships, and all tlic I'oats of the fleet, to de- stroy these ships in the bay. On their entering, it was per- ceived that there were thirteen sail ; but they were got up so high, that none but the small frigates could do any ser- vice. Sir George, however, was resolved to execute his orders ; and, therefore, having manned his boats, he went in person to encourage the attempt, burned six of them that night, and the other seven the next morning, together with a great number of transport ships, and other vessels laden with ammunition. This was a remarkable piece of service ; indeed the greatest that happened during the whole affair ; for it was performed under a prodigious fire from the enemy's battery on shore, within sight of the Irish camp, and with the loss only of ten men. Sir John Ashby, with his own squadron and sciue Dutch ships, pursued the rest of the French fleet, till they ran through the race of Alderney, among .- jch rocks and shoals as rendered it unsafe to follow them. It is admitted, on all hands, that the confederates were greatly superior to the French in point of numbers; although it is said that a good many of their ships were prevented by accidental circumstances from taking any part in the action. De Tourville's conduct is much praised, and he is believed to have engaged by express orders, in opposition to his own opinion. It will not fail to interest many of our readers to give at some length admiral Russel's dispatch on the occasion, as a specimen of such documents in those times : — ADMIRAL russel's LETTEU TO THE EARL OF NOTTINGHAM. Portsmouth, June 2, 1601i. " My Lord, — Since your lordship seems to think that an account in general of the fleet's good success, is not so satis- factory as one setting forth the particulars, I here send it with as much brevity as the matter will admit of, I must confess I was not much inclined to trouble you in this nature, not being ambitious to see my name in print on anv occasion ; but since it is your lordship's command, I am the snore inclined to give you the best information I ain able of I f / / f ,■'1 I i'i''l -,!!■■ BATTLE OF LA HOGUE. e rear, to jse ships, d to join 3er of the On the h several et, to de- was per- re got up ) anv ser- ecute his le went in hem that ther with iels laden f service ; lie affair ; from the sh camp, jie Dutch they ran i.nd shoals ates were although Drevented rt in the and he is (osition to to give at casion, as INGHAM. 2, 1602. ik that an »t so satis- e send it I must 11 in tills nt on anv I 1 am the in able of 1 / !^ f the action, having seen several printed relations not very sincere. " Wc dnesday in the evening, being the 18th of May, standing over for Cape La Hogue, I ordered captain Gill- am in the Chester, and the Charles galley, to lie at such a distance to the westward of the fleet, that they might dis- cover any signals made from me. " Thursday the 19th, standing with a small gale S.S. W, the wind at W. and W. by S. hazy weather. Cape Barfleur ))earing then S.W. and by S. from me, distant about seven leagues. Between three and four in the morning, we heard several guns to the westward, and in a short time I saw the two frigates making the signal of seeing the enemy, with their heads Iving- to the northward, which gave me reason to think that tho enemy lay with their heads that way. Upon which I ordered the signal to be made for the fleet's drawing into a line of battle ; after which I made the signal for the rear of the fleet to tack, that, if the enemy stood to the northward, we might the sooner come to engage. But soon after four o'clock, the sun had a little cleared the weather, and I saw the French fleet standing to the south- ward, forming thuir line on the same tack that I was upon. I then ordered the signal for the rear to tack, to be taken in, and at the same time bore away with my own ship so far to leeward, as I judged each ship in the fleet might fetch my wake or grain; then brought to again, lying by with my fore-top-sail to the tnast, to give the ships in the fleet the better opportunity of placing themselves as they had been before directed. By eight o'clock we had formed an indif- ferent line, stretching from the S.S.W. to the N.N.E. the Dutch in the van, the red in the centre, and the blue in the rear. " By nine o'clock the enemy's vanguard had stretched almost as far to the southward as ours, their admiral and rear-admiral of the blue, that were in the rear, closing the line, and their vice-admiral of the same division stretching to the rear of our fleet, but never coming within gun-shot of them. About ten they bore down upon us, I still lying with my fore-top-sail to the mast. I then observed Mon- sieur Tourville, the French admiral, put out his signal for battle. I gave orders that mine should not be hoisted till the fleets began to engage, that he might have the fairer opportunity of coming as near me as he thought convenient; and, at the same time, I sent orders to admiral Allemonde, A H J 'a ?'" \ "ii ■! ' :' 226 BATTLE OF LA HOGUE. that, as soon as any of his squadron could weather the enemy's fleet, they should tack and get to the westward of them, as also to the blue to make sail and close the line, they being at some distance astern; but, as soon as the fleet began to engage, it fell calm, which prevented their so doing. About half an hour after eleven. Monsieur Tour- ville in the Royal Sun, being within three quarters' n asket- shot, brought to, lying by me at that distance about an hour and a half, plying his guns very warmly, though I must observe to you, that our men fired their guns faster. After which time I did not find his guns were fired with that vigour as before, and I could see him in great disorder, his rigging, sails, and topsail yards being shot, and nobody endeavouring to make them serviceable, and his boats tow- ing off him to windward, gave me reason to think he was much galled. About two the wind shifted to the N.W., and by W., and some little time after that, five fresh ships of the enemy's blue squadron came and posted themselves three ahead of Monsieur Tourville, and two astern of him, and fired with great fury, which continued till after three. " About four in the evening there came so thick a fog, that we could not see a ship of the enemy's, which occa- sioned our leaving off firing for a long time ; and then it cleared up, and we could see Monsieur Tourville towing away witli his boats to the northward from us. Upon which I did the same, and ordered all my division to do the like; and, about half an hour after five, we had a small breeze of wind easterly. I then made the signal for the fleet to chace, sending notice to all the ships about me that the enemy were running. About this time I heard several broadsides to the westward ; and though I could not see the ships that fired, I concluded them to be our blue, that by the shift of wind had weathered the enemy; but it proved to be the rear-admiral of the red, who had weathered Tourville's squadron, and got between them and their ad- miral of the blue, where they lay firing some time ; and then Tourville anchored with some ships of his own division, as also the rear-admiral of the red with some of his. This was the time that captain Hastings in the Sandwich was killed ; he driving through those ships by reason of hia an- chors not being clear. I could not see this part, because of the great smoke and fog, but have received this information from Sir Cloudesley Shovel since. ** I sent to all the ships that I could think were near me, ^ / / I eather the estward of B the line, »on as the ed their so ieur Tour- rs' r jsket- ut an hour gh I must er. After with that sorder, his id nobody boats tow- nk he was ;he N.W., fresh ships themselves rn of him, ter three. iek a fog, hich occa- [id then it [le towing Upon to do the I a small )r the fleet that the . several lot see the 3, that by it proved veathered their ad- and then vision, as is. This wich was f his an- ecause of brmation near me, I I BATTLE OF LA HOGUE. 227 to chace to the westward all night, telling them I designed to follow the enemy to Brest, and sometimes we could see a French ship, two or three, standing away with all the sail they could make to the westward. About eight I heard firing to the westward, which lasted about half an hour, it being some of our blue fallen in with some of the ships of the enemy in the fog. It was foggy, and very little wind all night. "Friday the 20th, it was so thick in the morning that I could see none of the enemy's ships, and but very few of our own. About eight it began to clear up : the Dutch, who were to the southward of me, made the signal of seeing the enemy ; and as it cleared, I saw about thirty-two or thirty-four sail, distant from us between two and three leagues, the wind at E.N.E., and they bearing from us W.S.W., our fleet chacing with all the sail they could make, having taken in the signal for the line of battle, that each ship might make the best of her way after the enemy. Between eleven and twelve the wind came to the S.W. The French plied to the westward with all the sail they could, and we after them. About four, the tide of ebb being done, the French anchored, as also we in forty-three fathom water. Cape Barfleur bearing 8. and by W. About ten in the evening we weighed with the tide of ebb, the wind at S.W. and plied to the westward. About twelve my fore-topmast came by the board, having received several shot. " Saturday the 21st, we continued still -plying after the enemy till four in the morning. The tide of ebb being done, I anchored in forty-six fathom water, Cape La Hogue bearing S. and by W., and the island of Alderney S.S. VV. By my topmast's going away, the Dutch squadron and the admiral of the blue, vvith several of his squadron, had got a great way to windward of me. About seven in the morning, several of the enemy's ships being far advanced towards the race, I perceived them driving to the eastward with the tide of flood. Between eight and nine, when they were driven so far to the eastward that I could fetch them, I made the signal for the fleet to cut and follow the enemy, which they all did, except the afore-mentioned weathermost ships, which rid fast to observe the motion of the rest of the enemy's ships that continued in the race of Alderney. About eleven I saw three great ships fair under the shon , tack and stand to the westward ; but after making two or three short I i u \ 228 BATTLE OF LA HOGUE. ' i 'I ;i. I If 4 n\ boards, the largest of them ran ashore, who presently cut his masts away ; the other two, being to leeward of him, plied up to him. The reason, as I judge, of their doing this, was that they could not weather our sternmost ships to the westward, nor get out ahead of us to the eastward. " I observing that many of our ships hovered about those. I sent to Sir Ralph Delaval, vice-admiral of the red, who was in the rear of our fleet, to keep such a number of ships and fire-ships with him as might be sufficient to destroy those of the enemy, and to order the others to follow me, I being then in pursuit of the rest of the enemy : an account of the performing that service I do not trouble your lord- ship with, he having given it you already. About four in the afternoon, eighteen sail of the enemy's ships got to the eastward of Cape Barfleur, after which I observed they hauled in for La Hogue : the rear-admiral of the red, vice-admiral of the blue, and some other ships were ahead of me. About ten at night I anchored in the bay of La Hogue, and lay till four the next morning, being — " Sunday the 22d ; and then I weighed and stood in near the land of La Hogue; but when we found the flood came, we anchored in a good sandy ground. At two in the after- noon we weighed again, and plied close in with La Hogue, where we saw thirteen sail of the enemy's men-of-war hauled close in with the shore. The rear-admiral of the red tells me, that the night before he saw the other five, which made up the eighteen I first chaced, stand to the eastward. " Monday the 23d, I sent in vice-admiral Rooke, with several men-of-war and fire-ships, as also the boats of the fleet, to destroy those ships ; but the enemy had gotten them so near the shore, that not any of our men-of-war, except the small frigates, could do any service ; but that right vice-admiral llooke, with the boats, burned six of them. " Tuesday the 24th, about eight in the morning, he went in again with the boats, and burned the other seven, together with several transport-ships, and some vessels with ammuni- tion, the names of which ships I am not yet able to give your lordship any other account of, than what I formerly sent you. [Here follows a list of the names of the ships and their force.] Though these be all the names that I have been able to learn, vet I am sure there are sixteen ships of consequence burned. " Wednesday the 25th, I sailed from La Hogue, ordering Uio admiral of tlie blue^ with a squadron of English and I ( Jli jsently cut 'd of him, heir doing ist ships to fvard. out those, i red, who (r of ships to destroy low me, I m account ^our lord- it four in g-ot to the rved they the red, ere ahead 3av of La 3d in near ood came, the after- a Hogue, ar hauled red tells lich made d. oke, with its of the tten them ir, except lat right them, he went together ammuni- 2 to give formerly the ships js that I 3 sixteen ordering lish and INSTANCES OF BRAVERY. 229 I Dutch ships under his command, to run along the enemy's coast, as far as Havre de Grace, in hopes that some of the before-mentioned five ships that stood to the eastward, might have been got thither ; but he informs me that upon his ap- pearing before that place, he could perceive but one or two small vessels. The number of the enemy's ships did not ex- ceed fifty men-of-war, by the best information, from fifty- six to one hundred and. four guns; and though it must be confessed, that our number was superior to theirs, which probably at first might startle them, yet by their coming down with that resolution, I cannot think it had any great effect upon them: and this I may affirm for a truth, not with any intention to value our own action, or to lessen the bravery of the enemy, that they w ore beaten by a number considerably less than theirs, the calmness and thickness of the weather giving very few of the Dutc. or the blue the opportunity of engaging, which I am sure they look upon as a great misfor- tune; and had the weather proved otherwise, I do not see how it was possible for any of them to have escaped us. " This is the most exact account that I am able to give you, which I hope will prove to your lordship's satisfaction. Vice-admiral llooke has given me a very good character of several men employed in the boats, and I have ordered him to give me a Y\>>^ of the names of such persons whose behavi- our was remarkable, in order to their reward. I am, &c., «E. EUSSEL." Instances of individual bravery, connected with naval affairs, are deserving of a place in our history. The folLw- ing occurred about this time: — A French privateer took a small ship called the Friend's Adventure, belonging to the port of Exeter; and a few days after, the captain of the privateer, took out of the Adven- ture, the master and five of his men, leaving none on board but the mate, Robert Lyde of Topsham, a man of twenty- three years of age, and John Wright, a boy of sixteen, with seven Frenchmen, who had orders to navigate the ship to St. Maloe's. But when they were off Cape La Hogue, a strong south-east wind drove them from the French coast; upon which the man and boy, took the opportunity when two of the Frenchmen were at the pump, one at the helm, one on the forecastle, and three sleeping in their cabins, to attack them. The mate with an iron crow killed one of the mpn at the pump, and knocked down the other at one blow; the boy at the samt instant knocked down the man on ¥ ii 'i ' :'F' * 1 !i: U 230 INSTANCES OF BRAVERY. the forecastle, and then they secured and bound the man at the helm. One of the Frenchmen, running up from be- tween decks to the assistance of his companions, was wounded by the mate; but the two others coming to his relief, seized, and had like to have secured him, if the boy had not come up briskly to his assistance, and after a sharp struggle, they killed one, and obliged the other to ask quarter. Having thus made themselves master of the ship, they put the two who were disabled by their wounds into bed, ordered a third to look after them, and secured them between decks ; one they kept bound in the steerage, and made the i-emaining man aid them to navigate the vessel, which they brought safely into Topsham, with five prisoners on board. One captain Richard Griffith, and his boy John Cod- anon, recovered their sloop called the Tryal, from five French- men, put on board them by a captain of a man of-war. Having wounded three, and forced all five down into the hold, they brought the vessel with their prisoners safe into Falmouth. Although much depressed by their defeat at La Hogue, the French were not long in being again fit for sea, but, with a change of policy, were now more anxious to cripple our commerce than to come to a general action. In this they were but too successful, and there seems to have been on the part of our admiralty, great carelessness in affording proper convoys to our merchantmen, and when these were granted, culpable ignorance of the motions of the enemy. The com- plaints of our merchants were therefore loud, and were raised to the highest pitch by the destruction of a large portion of the Smyrna fleet in 1693. This fleet consisted of up- wards of 400 vessels, not English only, but also Dutch, Swed- ish, and others. Sir George Rooke was sent with a powerful fleet to protect them, but being misinformed regarding the strength and movements of the enemy, he fell in with an over- whelmingly superior force of the enemy, and with difficulty escaped the loss of his whole convoy. He lost above a hun- dred ships with cargoes valued at above a million ; but had the French shown as much ability in attacking, as Sir George did in protecting, they might have captured the whole fleet. The greatest clamour was excited at home; but more justice was done our admiral by the Dutch, although they were of those who suffered most severely. Du Mont, who wrote a political journal in Holland, gives this account of the matter : — " This is certain, that they missed \ I I I #*? .3 ATTACK ON ST. MALOES. 231 e man at from be- wounded }f, seized, lot come ghf they Having ; the two id a third cks; one jmaining brought m Cod- French- of-war. into the safe into , Ilogue, )ut, with pple our his they in on the ^ proper granted, he com- id were J portion of up- i, Swed- owerful ing the an over- ifficulty I a hun- had the orge did le fleet. J justice were of d, gives )' missed f i / / i the greatest part of the convoy, and that Sir George Rooke, upon this occasion, acquired infinitely more honour than those who commanded the French fleet. While the one, though unable to resist such as attacked him, in the midst of threaten- ing dangers, by his prudence, dexterity, and courage, saved the best part of the fleet committed to his charge, at a time that others suffered themselves to be deprived, by the supe™ rior skill of this admiral, of a booty, which, if they could have kept, fortune put into their hands." Since, as we have already said, the French had avoided pitched battles, but chose rather to try to intercept our merchant ships, a change in the English mode of conducting the war resulted in its turn. It now became a leading ob- ject to destroy, by bombardment, fire-ships, and similar means, the seaports of the enemy. An early and rem.arkable in- stance of this, was the attack upon St. Maloes, which was reduced nearly to ruins by an English squadron, under commodore Benbow. As we have had frequent occasion to mention fire-ships, we may derive some idea of their nature, a^ then used, by an account of the contents of one of them employed ^n this occasion. It was a new ship of about three hundred tons. At the bottom of the hold were a hun- dred barrels of powder; these were covered with pitch, sul- phur, rosin, tow, straw, and faggots ; over which lay beams bored through to give air to the fire, and upon these lay three hundred carcasses, filled with grenadoes, chain-shot, iron bullets, pistols loaded, and wrapped, in linen pitched, broken iron bars, and the bottoms of glass bottles. There were six holes or mouths to let out the flames, which were so vehement as to consume the hardest substances, and could be checked by nothing but the pouring in of hot water. This formidable engine of war, it was thought would have served to demolish the whole city; but it struck upon a rock, before reaching the place where they intended to moor it. Finding it impossible to bring it off, and the sea water beginning to penetrate, the engineer set fii'e to the vessel. " The explosion," says my authority, "was terrible beyond description ; it shook the whole town like an earth- quake, broke all glass and earthenware for three leagues round, and struck oft' the roofs of three hundred houses. The capstern of the vessel, which weighed two hundred weight, was carried over the walls, and beat a house it fell upon down to the ground. The greatest part of the walls towards the sea fell down also." 11, ■:sm:^: ^"t* \ 232 DISCONTENT AT HOME. I' '; We might deem this account exaggerated. Let us con- trast with it one sentence from the official report of the bombardment of St. Jean D'Acre, which has taken place as thes^ sheets are passing through the press. " During the bombardment, the principal magazine, and the whole arsenal blew up. By the explosion two entire regiments, formed in position on the ramparts, wore annihilated, and every living creature within the area, of 60,000 square yards, ceased to exist, the loss of life being variously computed from 1200 to 2000 persons." If the English people were dissatisfied with the little suc- cess of their fleeL?, king William does not seem to have been better pler.5. ]. We find him this year telling his parlia- ment — " I i, ; 7 al , . i vs glad to meet you here, and I could heartily wish ^idt ou; atisfaction were not lessened at pre- sent, by reflecting upon the disadvantagCv^ we have received this year at land, and the miscarriages in our aftairs at sea. I think it is evident that the former were only occasioned by the great number of our enemies, which exceeded ours in all places. For what relates to the latter, which has brought so great a disgrace upon the nation, I have resented it ex- tremely, and as I will take care that those who have not done their duty shall be punished, so I am resolved to use my utmost endeavours that our power at sea may be rightly nianaged for the future. And it may well deserve your consideration, whether we are not defective both in the num- ber of our shipping, and in proper ports to the westward, for the better annoying our enemies and protecting our trade, which is so essential to the welfare of this kingdom." Upon this the house of commons came unanimously to a resolu- tion, that they would support their majesties and their government, inquire into the miscarriages of the fleet in the preceding summer, and consider of all possible ways and means for conserving the trade of the nation. The effect of these resolves was considerably more vigour- ous in the naval transactions of the following year. The bombardment system was pursued. Dieppe and Havre de Grace were nearly laid in ruins, Dunkirk and Calais were attacked and much damaged, and although these L'xpeditions were not productive of any important benefit, tliey served to convince the world that we were still superior at sea, and by distracting Louis's attention to various points of attack, acted as a diversion in favour of William in his undertak- ings by land. His majesty's language, therefore, when he i f INSTANCES OF COURAGE. 233 et us con- n't of the iken place )uring the )le arsenal formed in 'ery living ceased to m 1200 to little suc- have been lis parlia- id I could 3d at pre- e received irs at sea. isioned by 3urs in all 5 brought ted it ex- have not ed to use 3e rightly irve your the num- Lward, for >ur trade, Upon a resolu- ind their eet in the ivays and vigour- ir. The Havre do lais were peditions served to sea, and f attack, indertak- when he ■ i I I i f next met his parliament, was in a different key — " I am glad to meet you here, when I can say our atTairs are in a better posture both by sea and land, than when we parted last. The enemy has not been in a condition to oppose the fleet in these seas; and our sending so great a force into the Mediterranean, has disappointed their designs, and leaves us a prospect of further success." Various places on the French coasts were bombarded in the next summer, but the nation was disposed to look upon these as trifling services, hardly worthy of employing the British navy. However, as ou;- historian quaintly remarks, ••' it was better for us to alarm and burn the French coast, than to suffer them to alarm and burn ours, as they did some years before." The following acts of extrao"dinary courage and conduct, which our countrymen performed, deserve tr be remem- bered: — On the 30th of May, 1G95, as one WiliiU' Thomp- son, master of a fishing-boat belonging to the "^on •( f-Pool, in Dorsetshire, was fishing near the island of Purbeck, with only one man and a boy, perceiving a privateer of Cher- bourg to bear down upon him, ho was so far fVom avoiding tlie enemy, that he made ready to defend ' imself the best way he could with two little guns, which lie had mounted, and some small arms ; and with so inconsiderable a force, be- haved himself with such success, that, in a little time, he wounded the captain, the lieutenant, and six more of the French, which so discouraged the rest, that they bore away. In his turn, Thompson gave chase to the privateer, fired upon her for two hours together, and at length made the enemy strike, beg for quarter, and surrender. Thomp- son, thus victorious, brought away the sloop with fourteen prisoners, of whom the captain was one, having left two more at Corfe castle, and carried her into Pool harbour. This privateer had two patareroes, several small arms and gronadoos, and sixteen men. For this gallant exploit, the lords of the admiralty gave captain Thompson a gold chain and medal, of the value of fifty pounds, and made him a pre- sent also of the vessel he had taken. Their lordships, not long after, gave a like chain and medal to Williams, master of a fishing-smack belonging to Whitsund-bay, for retaking several vessels after they had fallen into the hands of French privateers. Peter Jolliffe, in a small hoy, called the Sea Adventure, perceiving a French privateer near the island of Purbeck make prize of a fish- 234 HERBERT, EARL OF TORRINGTON. \ i I m f I ■■< '\i W' ing-boat belonging to Weymouth, boldly attacked him, though of three times his strength, and having first obliged him to quit his prize, afterwards forced him on shore near the town of Lulworth, the people of which made themselves masters of the vessel, and took the crew prisoners; for which brave exploit, captain Jolliffe was honoured also with a gold chain and medal. The naval warfare was carried on in much the same way, not very gloriously, it must be confessed, until the peace, which was concluded at Ryswick, in September, 1697. The death of the king of Spain led to events which inter- rupted the general peace, and, while engaged in most exten- sive and formidable preparations to renew the war, William received an injury, l)y falling from his horse, and died in con- sequence, in March 1702, in his 51st year. HERBERT, EAUL OF TORRINGTON.—Arthur Herbert was descended from a noble family, and as his father and others of his relatives had suffered severely for their loyalty to Charles I., the son, upon the restoration, received early promotion in the navy, to which service he had attached himself. He was active and enterprising, and before the revolution had attained the rank of vice-admiral. The occasion of his leaving the cause of the Stuarts, is thus stated by bishop Burnet: — " Admiral Herbert being pressed by the king to promise that he would vote for the repeal of the test, answered the king very plainly, that he could not do it either in honour or conscience. The king said he knew he was a man of honour, but the rest of his life did not look like a man that had great regard to conscience. He answered boldly, he had his faults, but they were such, that other people who talked more of conscience were guilty of the like. He was indeed a man abandoned to luxurv and vice ; but though he was poor, and had much to lose, having places to the value of four thousand pounds a-year, he chose to lose them all rather than comply. This made much noise ; for, as he had great reputation for his conduct in sea affairs, so he had been most passionately zealous in the king's service, from his first setting out to that day. It ap[)eared by this, that no past service would be considered, if men were not resolved to comply in every thing." King James had soon ample reason to regret having alienated from him- self so conscientious and al)le an adherent. The small appearance there was of his being able to live /. I lim, though l^ed him to r the town es masters bich brave g-old chain same way, the peace, )er, 1697. lich inter- lost exten- ', William led in con- — Arthur .nd as his sveTely for sstoration, service he ■isiiig, and B-admiral. 'ts, is thus ig pressed ! repeal of could not d he knew 1 not look ce. He 5uch, that guilty of ixurv and le, having -year, he ade much act in sea he king's appeared 1, if men ig James *om him- le to live HERBERT, EARL OF TORRINGTON. 235 with honour, or even with safety at home, and his inclina- tion to follow many persons of great reputation, who, at that juncture, chose to retire abroad, induced him to withdraw to Holland, whither he was either accompanied or quickly fol- lowed by his brother colonel Charles Herbert, and by his cou- sin Henry Herbert, whom king William afterwards created lord Herbert of Cherbery. Upon his arrival at the Hague, the vice-admiral was exceedingly well received, and not long after taken into the service of the States, which was a very prudent, and, in its consequences, beneficial step, numbers of English seamen following, and entering for his sake, into the Dutch service. This convinced the States that things were come to a crisis in England, and that the king had lost the affections of his subjects, to a great degree, when the seamen, who, of all people, had shown themselves most hearty in his cause, began to forsake him. At the prince of Orange's court, Herbert was very sincerely welcomed ; he was known to be a man of great weight and experience, one that perfectly understood the state of the English fleet, and the temper and characters of the officers who commanded it ; so that he was treated with very high respect, and received into entire confi- dence, more especially as he took care to maintain his dignity by a cautious and reserved behaviour, contrary to that heat and vehemence expressed by some other persons, who thought to make their court, by representing an attempt upon England, as a thing that might b^ easily accom- plished ; whereas the vice-admiral understood and spoke of it as an undertaking that required a very considerable strength, exceedingly discreet management, and much delib- eration. Herbert took an active part in the fitting out of the fleet intended to convey the prince of Orange and his troops to England, and was nominated to the chief command. When the prince had landed safely at Torbay and published his well-known declaration to the English nation, Herbert's influence among the sailors, was deemed so great, that he was induced to circulate among them an address, calling upon them to join the prince "for the defence of the common cause, the protestant religion, and the liberties of your country." This letter is believed to have produced a great efl^ect, as notwithstanding their former partiality for James : the seamen in general soon joined William's standard. On the completion of the revolution, Herbert, besides i '\ H' i'' 111 ill i !' 23G HERBERT, EARL OF TORRINGTON. being continued in his chief command, was made first com- missioner of the board of admiralty. His want of success at Bantry-bay has been already men- tioned; but so satisfied were the king and the house of commons, that the admiral and the fleet had done all in their power, and been of high service, that while William created Herbert an earl, the commons voted him their hearty thanks, for what they term one of the greatest actions done in this last age! lie was at the time a member of the liouse for Plymouth, and upon his motion, it was resolved, •* that the house will take care to make a provision for such seamen as are, or shall be wounded in their majesty's service, and for the wives and children of such as are, or shall be slain therein." It is not too much to suppose that this motion of Her- bert's, so well-timed, when he was acknowledging the vote of thanks for the services of seamen, had its share in pro- moting the institution of Greenwich hospital, which took place a few years afterwards. We have little to add to the account already given of the action off Beachy-head on the 30th of June, except that in the battle there was not so much as one English man-of-war lost, and but one of the Dutch; that, in the whole course of the retreat, the earl of Torrington gave his orders with great prudence, and in such a manner as prevented the French from making any great advantage of whaji they called a victory, notwithstanding the inequality of the fleets, and some unlucky accidents that happened in spite of all the precautions that could be taken. Neither was his lordship at all discomposed, when upon his being sent for to town, he found so general a clamour raised against him ; but, on the contrary, gave a very clear account of matters before the council ; insisted, that he had done all that was in his power to do, which made him easy in his mind as to the consequences, being persuaded, that, of the two, it was much better for him to ruin himself than to ruin the fleet, as he absolutely must have done, if he had acted otherwise than he did. AH he could say, however, had little effect at that time ; so that he was committed to the tower, and com- missioners were sent down to examine into the condition of the fleet, and to make the necessary inquiries for framing a charge against him, it being held absolutely requisite to bring him to a trial, that the justice of the nation might not suffer in the opinion of our allies. i t. 1 m ide first com- alrcady men- the house of I done all in -hile William d him their eatest actions lember of the vas resolved, si on for such 3Sty's service, , or shall be tion of Her- :ing the vote hare in pro- which took g:iven of the :cept that in man-of-war 3le course of orders with evented the wha^ they 3f the fleets, te of all the lis lordship n* to town, m ; but, on ters before was in his 1 as to the wo, it was n the fleet, otherwise le effect at , and com- )ndition of framing a squisite to might not EDWARD RUSSEL. 237 The result of the trial was a triumphant and unanimous acquittal, but lord Torrington was not again engaged in the public service. He continued, however, to attend regu- larly in his place as a peer, and took a part in the debates, particularly when affairs relating to the navy were under consideratfon. He died at an advanced age, in 1716. EDWARD IIUSSEL, Earl of Orford, was the son of lord Edward Russel, and grandson of Francis, earl of Bedford. Being destined by his father for the sea-service, he received an education suitable to the pursuit ; and, enter- ing at a very early age into the navy as a volunteer, was, when nineteen years old, appointed lieutenant of the Advice ; this was in the year 1671. On the commencement of the second Dutch war, he was appointed third lieutenant of the Prince, at that time fitting out for the flag of Sir Edward Spragge. On the 15th of February, 1675, he was ap- pointed commander of the Reserve, and soon afterwards sent on the Mediterranean station. lie continued there several years, but without having an opportunity of achiev- ing any considerable exploit. On the 15th of December, 1677, he was removed into the Defiance ; and, in March I following, into the Swiftsure. He was appointed, on the 10th of August, 1680, commander of the Newcastle; and, from the time he quitted the command of this ship, a period not exactly I nown, till after the revolution, there is a total vacancy in his naval, though not in his political life. Soon after the accession of king William, captdin Russel was promoted to be admiral of the blue squadron ; and having hoisted his flag on board the Duke, served in that capacity under the earl of Torrington, when he put to sea, after the battle of Bantry-bay. Nothing memorable, however, took place during the time it was prudent for it to keep the sea. On the 1st of December, he sailed for Holland with a small squadron of five-sail, but contrary winds and stormy weather compelled him to return. Finding the Duke, and the third- rates < ^ his squadron too large to be trusted on the Dutch coast at that advanced season of the year, he shifted his flag into a yacht, and sailed again on the 11th, with only three fourth- rates, two frigates, and the Mary yacht. The object of this mission was, to conduct the queen of Spain to the Groyne ; and it is thought to have been extremely prejudicial to the interests of the English nation, as the fleet was so long re- tarded by contrary winds, that the opportunity was lost of 238 EDWARD RUSSEL. f.''' ii m! , ! I; m ■ ' ' blocking up the Toulon squadron, a service that was to have been executed by this tleet. Whether this be true, is not our business to inquire. Admiral llussel arrived in safety at Schonevelt, on the coast of Zealand, but the queen did not embark till the middle of January. The squadron returned to the Downs on the 18th, and admiral llussel removed into his old ship tbe Duke, lie was detained by contrary winds, and did not sail from Torbay till the 7th of March. After a stormy passage of nine days, he arrived in safety at the Groyne, where, having landed his charge, he returned to England on the 2r)th of April. In December 161)0, admiral llussel was appointed commander-in-chief of the fleet which had then returned into port for re-equipment against the ensuing summer. When ready for sea, its ap- pearance was truly formidable. It consisted of fifty-seven English and seventeen Dutch ships of the line. Yet such was the delay occasioned by contrary winds, and such was the caution of the French, that the summer passed over in a fruitless repetition of projected attacks on their ports, none of which were ever attempted to be carried into execution. In the following yeai', the eyes of all Europe were turned, with the utmost anxiety, on an enterprise which was to com- plete the triumph, or totally defeat the expectations of the unfortunate exile, James, still styled by the French, king of Great Britain. The preparations for war, which had been languid, or at least, not exceeding the ordinary course of national contest, on a sudden assumed an appearance of vigour worthy of the great stake for which two nations were to contend. The appearance of victory at Beachy Head, the promised countenance of the numerous partizans of James, who resided in England, the many capricious ex- ceptions taken by persons of the first rank to the conduct of William, all appeared to prognosticate, and even to insure success. They infused additional spirit into the French nation, till enthusiasm made each individual almost think himself the arbiter on whom the fate of Europe depended. The equipment, destined to carry into execution the projects of Louis, was immense. Its force has been variously stated; some representing it as not mere than forty-four ships, while others have swelled the account to sixty-three and upwards. The combined fleet evidently out-numbered them : they reck- oned no less than ninety-nine sail in their iine-of-battle. Many persons contemplating the force of the allied fleet, and considering the vast inequality of the enemy, may attri- ! -^ f ,-i>^ R EDWARD RUSSEL. 239 t was to have 5 true, is not v^ed in safety jueen did not ron returned [•emoved into itrary winds, irch. After safety at the he returned ember 1690, chief of the e-equipment • sea, its ap- f fifty-seven '. Yet such nd such was ied over in a ports, none execution. vero turned, was to com- tions of the nch, king of ch had been :'y course of pearance of lations were (ach^ Head, jartizans of jricious ex- ! conduct of 'n to insure he French most think 3 depended. ;he projects usiy stated; ships, while 1 upwards, they reck- 3-of-battle. allied fleet, may attri- bute less merit to the English admiral than he really deserves. Superior as was his force, it was not possible to bring into that part of the action, in which the French were first dis- comfited, numbers equal even to those which they put to flight. Admiral llussel's account, which has been already given, is plain and modest, as well in respect to the fleet he commanded as » the loss of the enemy. Tourville, who was in the Royal Sun, carrying one hundred and ton guns, the fincFt ship in Europe, passed all the Dutch and English ships which he found in his way, singled out llussel, and bore down upon him ; but by the reception which he got, he was soon convinced of his mistake, in thinking that the En- glish admiral would, in consideration of any interest upon earth, strike to a French one : yet, though conscious of the inferiority of his fleet, he was ashamed to abandon a situation which his officers in vain advised him to avoid. And the rest of the admirals and captains, ashamed to abandon their head, joined in the action as fast as they came up, and maintained it, not so much hoping to gain honour, as striving to lose a- little as they could. The battle went on, in dif- ferent { '{.s, with uncertain success, from the vast number of the ships engaged, which sometimes gave aid to the dis- tressed^ and at other times snatched victory from those who thought they were sure of it. Allemond, the Dutch admiral, who was in the van, and had received orders to get round the French fleet, in order that no part of it might escape, attempted in vain to obey; and a thick fog at four in the afternoon separated the combatants from tlie view of each other. Signal as was the defeat of the enemy, enough had not been done to content the minds of all. The temporary fury, notwithstanding the want of proper materials to feed and supply it, raged with the utmost violence against llussel. A scrutiny into his conduct was commenced in parliament during the winter, and ended highly to his honour. The popu- lar heat was. however, not to be allayed by any measure short of his dismissal from his command. This took place in the spring; and with it he resigned also the treasurer-ship of the navy, an office which ho had held ever since the year 1G89. The ill success of our naval operations during the summer of 1693, occasioned his recal to the service as soon as the fleot returned into port for the winter: and William, as if to atone his former dismissal, appointed him, in addition to his other trust, on the 2d of May following, first couuuia- 240 EDWARD RUSSEL. I, ! I . sioner for executing the office of lord high-adniiral. The fleet being ready, llussel hoisted his flag, as commander-in- chief, on the 1st of May. The operation to be first attempted was, an attack on Brest ; a resolution fatal as well as dis- graceful to the British arms, and Avhich ended in the destruc- tion of lieutenant-general Talmaeh, who commanded, by land, the forlorn hope sacrificed on this melancholy occasion. The grand fleet, under the command of llussel, did not sail from Spithead till the Gth of June. The French failing to render themselves masters of the European seas, had turned their efforts towards the Mediterranean, where the Count de Tourville was ordered to collect all the naval force of France. Thither llussel was sent with a fleet composed of one hundred and thirty-six ships, eighty-eight of which were of the lino, and the admiral of France, retiring with preci- pitation to the harbour of Toulon, convinced the nf'ijjhbour- ing states of their error, after every means had been used, with temporary success, to impress them with an idea of the naval supremacy of Louis. During the time the fleet con- tinued in the Mediterranean, llussel was attacked by a fever, and reduced so low, that he was obliged to leave the chief command of the fleet for a time, with vice-admiral Avlmer. But having recovered his health towards the autumn, he resumed the command, and sailed for Cadiz, where he arrived on the 8th of November. Having wintered there, he returned to his former station the following year, where ho kept the French in awe. lie convinced the nations of the world of the inferiority of the French naval power, wheii compared to our own ; and prevented the detachment of any force sufficient to disturb the tranqu'llity of the European seas. He returned to England in the autumn, and appeared no more in the character of a naval commander. In 1G97, when king William was preparing to go to Holland, admiral llussel, then first commissioner of the admiralty, was ap- pointed one of the lords justices during his absence, and created a peer by the title of baron of Shingey, viscount Barfleur, and earl of Orford. In 1G99, ho resigned all his employments, and from this period, till the eighth year of queen Anne, ho concerned himself no farther with public business, than persons of his elevated rank usually do, whether connected with the administration of government or not, which may bo readily accounted for, by recollecting that the direction of all naval afl'airs was confided by queen Anne, to princo George of Denmark, who, imme- M! ! EDWARD RUSSEL. 241 idmiral. The :ommander-in- first attempted as well as dis- in the destruc- jinmanded, by ^holy occasion . el, did not sail 3nch failing to ■as, had turned e the Count de aval force of }t composed of of which were ng w ith preci- he upi'dibour- lad been used, an idea of the the fleet con- ked by a fever, leave the chief miral Avlmer. le autumn, he liz, where he vintert'd there, ig year, where tlie nations of d [)ower, when chinont of any the European , and appeared ler. In 1C97, )lland, admiral ralty, was ap- absence, and ngey, viscount esigned all his }ighth year of r with public k usually do, f government )y recollecting i confided by k, who, imme- diately on her accession, was declared lord high-admiral, a post which he continued to hold till his death. lu 1709, the earl was once more called into public life, being again ap- pointed first commissioner for executing the office of lord high- admiral. He was offered on this occasion, the post of lord high-admiral itself: this he positively refused taking, though he expressed himself perfectly willing to accept of a share in the direction. He did not long, however, co-^tinue to hold the post he had accepted, for soon after the removal of the earl of Godo'phin from the office of lord high-treasurer, the earl of Orford resigned his post of first commissioner of the admiralty, and again retired from public life, till the decease of the queen, when he was chosen one of the lords justices to act till the arrival of king George I. from Hanover. This monarch immediately appointed him one of his privy council; and on the 13th of October, recalled him to his former post of first commissioner of the admiralty, which he continued to hold till the ICth of April, 1717, when he retired altogether from public employment. He died at his house in Covent (Jarden, on the 2Gth of November, 1727, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. Among other distinguished seamen of these times whose names deserve honourable mention, are George Legge, lord Dartmouth, who died in the tower, where he was confined on suspicion of being disaft'ected to the revolution go\ ernment ; Anthony Hastings, distinguished for his successes against the African pirates, and who fell gloriously at the battle of La Ilogue; Henry, first duke of Grafton, who also fell in defence of his country; and John Neville, who is said to have bee 1 descended from the admiral of the fleet to AVil- liam the conqueror, and whose actions proved him worthy of so illust ious a descent. We may place side by side with Neville, Sir John Berry, the son of a poor but excellent clergyman in Devonshire. This worthy man died in com- paratively early life, and left a numerous family in poverty. John Beriy was bound apprentice on board a merchantman of Plymouth, and after having been twice taken prisoner by the Spaniards, and undergone many misfortunes, became boatswain of a ketch belonging to the royal navy. He thence fought his way up with great intrepitlity to the com- mand of a fleet; and died rear-admiral in 1091. itl , m 31 t I i RETGN OF QUEEN ANNE. Anno pscended the throne on March oth, 1702 hoinf( ihen thii'tv-eight years of age. She died Aiigiv ;;, 1714. The policy of William's reign was continued by his successor during the greater part of her reign, and the land ser- vice was still, as under William, preferred to the naval, and for a similar reason. The duke of Marlborough, who had attained a complete ascendancy in the councils of the queen, had directed his commanding genius to mili- tary affairs, and soon acquired for himself the character of the greatest general of the age. The appointment of the queen's consort, prince George of Denmark, to be lord liigh-admiral, was not a very felicitous one; his rank and near relationship to the sovereign, preventing measures connected with the admiralty from being so narrowly scru- tinized as they Avould otherwise have been, while the com- missioners, who acted for him, were too much disposed to take shelter under his name. The naval transactions of the reign, were, however, by no means unimportant. The war for which William had prepared, wjis finally declared in May, 1702, against France and Hnain; the Dutch, as before, continuing their alliance, offensive and de- fensive, with England. Thu, ostensible object of this war was to support the claims f)f the archduke, Charles of Austria, to the throne of Spain, the succession of which had been guaranteed t j him Ity a treaty, to which Fr ince was a party. Louis XIV., how- ever, supported the claims of his second grandson, Phillip; and thus we shall h.t^'e occasion to mention two persons under the title of kiviy: -.j Spain, namely, Charles and Phillip. Sir George Rooke was appointed to the chief command of the tleet; and a powerful expedition, the duke of Ormond being in conuuand of the troops, was sent against Cadiz, 'J'his was completely unsuccessful, Cadiz being found to })e better defended than was anticipated, and the Spaniards showing no great disposition to take the part of king Charles as had been expected. Sir George's orders, besides, were to endeavour, if possible, to con filiate the Spanish, which he found very difficult to reconcile with bombarding their towns, and knocking down their houses over their heads. ]Ie was more successful in an attack upon VMgo, into which the fleet of Spanish galleons, richly lad«;n, put in under the convoy of a French squadron. The; attack was pushed i K« BEN'BOW AND DUCAHSE. 243 J. 'if 02 hf^wjr iben :, 1714/ The his successor the land ser- to the naval, Marlborough, the councils enius to mili- the chaiacter pointment of 'Iv, to be lord his rank and ng- measures irrowly scru- lile the com- 1 disposed to actions of the It. 1, M';i<5 finally . Hf»;un; the Dsive and de- >rt the claims )ne of Spain, to him by a XI V.J how- sun, Phillip; two persons Charles and command of of Ormond ainst Cadiz, found to 1)0 > Spaniards cirig Charles ides, were to h, which he irding their their' heads. , into which Jt in under was pushed with great vigour. Fifteen French men-of-war, two fi i- iL^ates, and sevcu'^een galle(»ns, were burned, sunk, oi* taken, while the loss of the English and Dutch was very trivial. Admiral Benbow had been sent, before the public declara- tion of war, with a squadron to the West Indies, in order to be I'cady to prevent the Spanish Islands from falling into the power of France, or, what was considered the same thing, acknowledging the aathority of king l*hillip. This was a most disastrous expedition ; and as in its results it involved the characters and lives of several J^ritish officers, it rcMjuires from us a farther notice. Bcnbovv's squadron consisted of two-third rates, and eight-fourth rates. The French, under Ducasse, were e(]ual, if not superior in number. On the tenth of August, 1702, having received advice that Ducasse had sailed i'ov Carthagena, and from thence was to sail to Portobellu, Benbow resolved to follow him. and accord- ingly sailed that day for the Spanish coast of ►Santa Martha, On the nineteenth, in the evening, he discovered near that place, ten sail to the westward: standing towaids them, he found the greater part of them to be French men-of-war ; upon this he made the usual signal for a line of battle, going away with an easy sail, that his sternmost ships might eonu* up, the French steering along-shore under their topsails. Their squadron consisted of four ships, from sixty to seventy guns, with one great Dutch-built sliip of about thirty ov forty; and there was another full of soldiers, the rest small ones, and a slooj). Our frigates astern were a long time in com- ing up, and the night advancing, the admiral steered along- side the French; but though ho endeavoured to near them, yet he intended not to make any attack, until the Defiance was got abreast of the heailmost. Before he could reach that station, the Falmouth, which was in the rear, attempted the Dutch ship, the V/indsor, the ship abreast of her, as did also the Defiance; and soon after the rear-admiral himself was engaged, having first received the fire of the ship which was opposite to him: I)ut the De- fiance and Windsor stood no more than two or three broad- sides, b(^fore they luffed out of gun-shot, insomuch that the two sternmost ships of the enemy lay upon the admiral, and galled him very nuich; nor did the ships in the rear come up to his assistance with that diligence which might have been expected. From four o'clock, until night, the fight eon - tinued, and though they then left off firing, yet the admiral kert ILem company. l! ', 244 BEXBOW AND DUCASSE, li^' On the twentieth, at day-break, he found himself very near the enemy, with only the lluby to assist him, the rest of the ships lying three, four, or five miles astern. They had but little wind, and though the admiral was within gun- shot of the enemy, yet the latter did not fire. About two in the afternoon, t^e sea-breeze began to blow, and then the enemy got into aline, making what sail they could: and the rest of the ships not coming up, the admiral and the lluby plied them with chace-guns, and kept them company all the next night. On the twenty-first, the admiral was on the quarter of the second ship of the enemy's line, within point-blank shot ; but the Ruby being ahead of the same ship, she fired at her, as the other ship did likewise that was ahead of the admiral. The Breda engaged the ship that first attacked the lluby, and plied her so warmly, that she was forced to tow ok. The admiral would have followed her, but the Ruby was in such a condition that he could not leave her. During this enongemcnt. the rear-ship of the enemy's w-as abreast of the Defiance and AVindsor, but neither of those ships fired a single shot. On the twenty -second, at day-break, the Green- wich was five leagues astern, though the signal for battle was never struck night or day; about three in the afternoon the wind came southerly, which gave the enemy the weather- g.^ge. On the twenty-third, the enemy was six leagues ahead, and the great Dutch ship separated from them. At ten, the enemy tacked with the wind at E.N.E., the viee- adminil fetched point-blank within a shot or two of them, and each gave the other his broadside. About noon, they reco'c r.wl from the enemy a small English ship, called the Anne-gallev. which thev had taken off the rock of Lisbon. The Ruby biMug disabled, the admiral ordered her fyr Port- Roval. The rest of the squadron now came up, and the enemy being but two miles off, the brave admiral was in hopes »)f doing sometliing at last, and therefore continued to steer after them; but his shi})s, except the Falmouth, were soon iutern again; at twelve the enemy began to separate. On the twenty-fcurth, about two in the morning, they came ui> within call of the sternmost, there being then very little wind, when tiie admiral fired a broadside. At three o'clock the admiral's right leg was shattered to pieces by a chair-shot, and lie was carried down; but he presently ordered his cradle on the quarter-deck, and continued the fight till day. Then appeared the ruins of one of the M Ji.\ BEXBOW AND DUCArssE. 245 1(1 himself very st him, the rest astern. They was within gun- •e. About two w, and then the could: and the and the lluby company all the e quarter of the int-blank shot ; she fired at her, of the admiral. ?ked the lluby, ccd to tow off. lie Rubv was in During this s abreast of the ie ships fired a eak, the Green - il for battle was e afternoon the ly the weather- vas six leagues •om them. At N.E., the viee- • two of ♦hem. out noon, they ship, called the ock of Lisbon, 'd her fyr Port- le up, and the idmiral was in re continued to ''almouth, were 1 to separate, morning, they >eing then very side. At three lo pieces by a t he presently continued the 3f one of the enemy's ships of about seventy guns, her main-yard down and shot to pieces, her fore-top-sail-yard sh(jt away, her mizen-niast shot by the board, all her rigging gone, and her sides bored to pieces. The admiral soon after discovered the enemy standing towards him with a strong gale of wind. The Windsor, Pendennis, and Greenwich, ahead of the enemy, came to the leeward of the disabled ship, fired their broadsides, passed her, and stood to the southward: then came the Defiance, fired part of her broadside, when the disabled ship returning about twenty guns, the Defiance put her helm aweather, and ran away right before the wind, lowered both her topsails, and ran to the leeward of the Falmouth, without any regard to the signal of battle. The enemy seeing the other two ships stand to the south- ward, expected they would have tacked and stood towards them, and therefore they brought their heads to the north- ward. But when they saw those ships did not tack, they immediately bore down upon the admiral and ran between their disabled ship and hiin, and poured in all the'lr shot, by which they brought down his main-top-sail -yard, ; nd shat- tered his rigging very much, none of the other ships being near lain, or taking the least notice of his signals, though captain Fog ordered two guns to be fired at the shii)s ahead, in order to put them in mind of their duty. The French, seeing things in this confusion, brought to, and lay by their own disalded ship, remaimed and took her in tow. The Breda's rigging being much shattered, she was forced to lie by till ten o'clock, and being by that time refitted, the admiral ordered his captain to pursue the enemy, then about three miles to the leeward, his line of battle signal out all the while, and ca[)tain Fog, by the admirars (n-uoi's, sent to the other captains, to order them to keep tlie line. Upon this, captain Kirhy came on board the admiral, and told hira, •' That he had better desist; that tiie French were very strong; and that from what was past, he might guess he could make nothing of it." The Ijrave Beid>ow, more surprised at tV»i language, than he would have been at the sight of another French squadron, sent for the rest of the captains on boards in order to ask their opinion. They obeyed him, indeed, but were most of thom of captain Kirby's way or' thinking; which satisfied the admiral that they were nor inclined to fight, and that, as Kirby ])hrased it, there was nothing to bo done, though there was the fairest opportunity that had yet f^ I^'J in ill ^^; COURT-MARTIAL. ort'erctl. Our strength was, at this time, one ship of seventy guns, one of sixty-four, one of sixty, and three of fifty ; their masts, yards, and all things else in as good condition as could he expected, and not above eight men killed, except in the vice-admiral's own ship, nor was there any want of ammuni- tion ; whereas the enemy had now no more than four ships, from sixty to seventy guns, and one of them disabled and in tow. The vice-admiral thought proper, upon this, to return to Jamaica, where he arrived with his squadron, very weak with a fever induced by his wounds, and was soon after joined by rear-admiral Whetstone, with the ships under his commanfl. As soon as he convenientlv could, Benbow issued a com- mission to rear-admiral AVhetstone and several captains, to hold a court-martial for the trial of several offenders. On the sixth of October, 1702, the court sat at Port-Royal, when captain Kirl^y, of the Defiance, was brought to trial. He was accused of cowardice, breach of orders, and neglect of duty; which crimes were proved upon oath by t!.e admiral himself, ten commission, and eleven warrant officers; by whose evidence, it ap])cared, that the admiral boarded Ducasse in person three times, and received a large wound in his face and another in his arm, before his leg ■was shot off; that Kirby, after two or three broadsides, kept always out of gun-shot, and by his behaviour created such a fear of his desertion, as greatly discouraged tlie Eng- lish in the engagement; that he kept two or three miles astern all the second day, though commanded again Jind again to keep his station ; that he did not fire a gun, though he saw the admiral in the deepest distress, having two or three French men-of-war upon him at a time; and that ho threatened to kill his boatswain for repeating the admiral's command to fire, lie was de-servedlv sentenced to be shot. The same day, captain Constable, of the Windsor, was tried; his own oflicers vindicated him from cowardice, but the rest of the charge being clearly proved, he was sentenced to Ije cashiered, and to be imprisoned during her majesty's pleasure. The next day captain Wade was tried, and the charge being fully proved by sixteen commission and war- rant officers on board his own ship, as also, that he was drunk during the time of the engagement, he had the same sentence with Kirby. As for captain Hudson, ho died a few days before his trial should have come on, and tiiereby avoided dying as Kirby and Wade did, for his case was exactly the same with theirs. I ship of seventy '6 of fifty; their ndition as could , except in the mt of ammuni- han four ships, disabled and in his, to return to very weak with after joined by r his command. ' issued a com- ral captains, to offenders. On at Port-Royal, as brought to of orders, and upon oath by I'leven warrant at the admiral eceived a large before his leg ree broadsides, laviour created [•aged theEng- or three miles ded again and a gun, though having two or ?; and that he J the admiral's ced to be shot. Windsor, was cowardice, but ! was sentenced her majesty's tried, and the 3sion and war- o, that he was t, ho had the n Hudson, ho come on, and id, for his case 1 i IIOOKE AT GIBRALTAR. 24: On the twelfth, came on the trials of captain Vincent, commander of the Falmouth, and captain Fog, who was captain of the admiral's own ship, the Breda, for signing, at the persuasion of captain Kirby, a paper, containing an obligation not to fight the French. The fact was clear, and the captains themselves did not dispute it. All they ofl'ered was in extenuation of their offence, and amounting only to this, that they were apprehensive Kirby would have deserted to the enemy, and they took this step to prevent it. But this tale would have hardly passed on the court-mar- tial, if the admiral himself had not given some weight to their excuses, by declaring, that they behaved themselves very gallantly in the fight For the sake of discipline, the court, however, thought fit to suspend them ; and yet, to favour the captains, this judgment was given, with a proviso that it should not commence till his royal highness's pleasure should be known. Benbow died of his wounds soon after the trials ; he was an honest, rough seaman, and fancied that the command was bestowed upon him for no other reason, than that he should serve his country: this induced him to treat captain Kirby, and the rest of the gentlemen, a little briskly at Jamaica, when he found them not quite so ready to obey his oi'ders as he thought it was their duty; and this it was that engaged them in the base and wicked design of putting it out of his ])ower to engage the French, presuming that, as so many were concerned in it, they might be able to justify themselves, and throw the blame upon the 'admiral, and so they hoped to be rid of him. But his rugged honesty baffled them ; and we may guess at the spirit o^' the man, by the answer he gave one of his lieutenants, who expressed his sorrow for the loss of his leg. " I am sorry for it too," says the gallant Benbow, " but I had rather have lost them both, than have seen this dishonour brought upon the Eng- lish na<^i'>n. But do you hear, if another shot should take mi' oiY, behave like brave men, and fight it out." The condeu.ned captains were immediately shot on their arrival at Ply mouth, in April, 170P In November of the same year happened a dreadful storm, memorable in the annals of our navy ; for by it there per- ished thirteen ships of war, and upwards of fifteen hundred seamen were drowned. In the spring of 1704, Sir George Rooke again put to sea, with a well equipped fleet ; but, perplexed by contradictory 248 ROOKE AT GIBRALTAR. V I. ' 1.' ■' ••. 1\ 'l I Jf U l: I I i I - « in t ^ !■) .^1 instructions, he did nothing decisive, ha\ing failed in an attempt upon Barcelona. Being sensible of the reflections that would fall upon him, if, having so considerable a fleet under his command, ^le spent the summer in doing nothing of importance, he called alcouncil of war on the seventeenth of July, in the road of Tetuan, where having declared that he thought it requisite they should resolve upon some service or other, it was deter- mined to make a sudden and vigorous at tempt upon Gibrai far. The fleet, in pursuance of this resolution, arrived in the 'Jaj of Gibraltar on the twenty-first of July, and the marines, English, and Dutch, to the number of eighteen hundred, were landed under the command of the prince of Hesse, on the Isthmus, to cut off all communication between the town and the continent. His highness having taken post there, summoned the governor, who answered that he would defend the place to the last. On the twenty-second, the admiral, at break of day, gave the signal for cannonading the town; which was performed with such vigour, that flfteen thou.'-and shot were spent in five hours; when the admiral perceiving that the enemy were driven from their fortifications at the south mole-head, and that if we were once possessed of these, the town must be taken of course, he ordered captain AVhit- aker to arm all the boats, and to attempt to make himself master of them. This order was no sooner issued, than captain Hicks and captain Jumper, who were nearest the mole, pushed on shore with their pinnaces, and seized the fortifications before the rest could come up. The Spaniards seeing this, sprung a mine, by which two lieu- tenants and forty men were killed, and about sixty more wounded: however, they kept possession of the great plat- form, till they were sustained by Captain Whitak .r, and the seamen under his command, who very soon made him.-;elf master of a redoubt, between Jie mole and the town; on which the admiral sent a letter to the governor, who on the twenty-fourth capitulated. As this design was contrived by the admirals, so it was executed entirely by the seamen, and therefore the whole honour of it is (Uie to them. After putting as many men as could be spat-jd into the place, under the command of the prince of Hess^, the fleet sailed to Te- tuan, in order to take in wood and water. While they lay here, the Dutch admiral sent a flag-officer and six ships to Lisbon, under orders to return home, and a promise that he would quickly follow then'. On the 0th i m I 'S o o la a ( ^ BATTLE OF MALAGA. 24a failed in an fall upon hiin, command, !ie atice, he called in the road of ht it lequisite *, it was deter- lon Gibraitar. ed in the >Ja\ the marines, een hundred, of Hesse, on een the town en post there, would defend le admiral, at ng the town; teen thousand i'al perceiving- cations at the Jssed of these, captain Whit- make himself issued, than e nearest the , and seized ! ■' ).■ t ii:; ,!l r 'I'V West Indies, not to think of providing- for their security, as soon as ever they resolved to accept the will of the late king of Spain. The officer made choice of to com- mand the squadron which was first to be sent thither was the famous M, Du Casse, governor of St. Domingo, lie was to carry with him one hundred officers of all ranks, who were intended to discipline the Spanish militia in the kingdom of Mexico ; but, before this could be done, it was thought necessary to send Du Casse to Madrid, to ask the consent of the Spanish council, which took up some time ; for though the Spaniards could not but be sensible in how wretched a situation their affairs in the West Indies were, yet it was with great reluctance that they gave way to this expedient. The French councils, which were better conducted, had foreseen all these difficulties ; and, therefore, had a squadron ready at Brest, consisting of five ships of the line, and several large vessels laden with arms and ammunition, which, under the command of the marquis de Coetlogon, in the month of April 1701, sailed for the Spanish West Indies; and, on the 20th of October, the count de Chateau Renaud sailed also with fourteen ships of the line and six- teen frigates, to meet the galleons, that were supposed to be already departed from the Havannah, under the escort of the marquis de Coetlogon ; and, after all this, Du Casse likewise sailed with his squadron, from whence the English reader will easily see, that as admiral Benbow received no supplies, he was truly in danger of being crushed by the superior power of our enemies, and that extraordinary dili- gence which was used to strengthen and support them. When vice-admiral Benbow arrived first at Jamaica, which was at the close of the year 1701, he made such W'ise dispositions for securing our own trade, and annoy- ing that of the enemy, that the French saw, with great amazement, all the schemes defeated, which they had been enabled to form by their having much earlier intelligence than we of the intended war; and their own writers fairly admit, that even after the arrival of the marquis de Coetlo- gon, they were constrained to act only on the defensive ; and found all the grand projects they had meditated for attacking Jamaica and the Leeward Islands, entirely frustrated. The Dutch accounts, at the same time, from Curocoa, said plainly, that notwithstanding all the blustering of the French, vice-admiral Benbow, with a small English squa- f BENBOW. 261 security, ll ' the late to corn- ier was ^0. He z 1 ranks, 1 a in the 1 e, it was f ask the le time ; in how es were, y to this [jted, had * squadron ine, and nunition, ogon, in X sh West 1 Chateau 1 and six- 1 sed to be f escort of i )u Casse English eived no d by the lary dili- lem. Jamaica, ade such d annoy- ith great had been telligence * ers fairly e Coetlo- sive; and attacking ted. Curocoa, ig of the ish squa- • dron, remained master of those seas ; but, in a few weeks, the scene began to change ; for the vice-adma ..i had first the news of M. Chateau Kenaud's arrival at Martinico with a squadron much stronger than his own ; and, soon after, information that this squadron had been joined by the marquis de Coetlogon from the Havannah, which alarmed the inhabitants of Barbadoes and Jamaica excessively, because we had no force capable of resisting this French fleet, in case their commanders were determined to act offensively. In this uncertain situation, things continued to the end of April, 1702, when the vice-admiral resolved, notwithstand- ing there was a great want of men on board the squadron, to put to sea, in order to cruize between Jamaica and His- paniola ; and accordingly he sailed on the 8th of May ; but, before he was quite clear of the island of Jamaica, he met with rear-admiral Whetstone, with whom he returned, to communicate to the government some orders received from England; having first sent the Falmouth, Uuby, and Ex- periment, to cruise off Petit Ouavas. He had advice about the middle of May, that on the 18th of the preceding month, there passed by Camanagoto, on Terra Firma, seventeen ships, which steered towards the west end of Culja. These ships he judged to be part of M. Chateau llenaud's squa- dron, and that they were bound to the Havannah, to offer their service for convoying home the flota ; but he had not strength to follow them, without subjecting the island to the insults of those ships which were at Leogane. 8ome little time after, the master of a Spanish sloop from Cuba, acquainted him that Chateau llenaud had arrived at the Havannah, with twenty-six ships of war, waiting for the flota from La Vera Cruz ; and this was confirmed by the ships he had sent out, which, during their cruize in those parts, had taken four prizes. We have already given a full account of what happened on the admiral's sailing to intercept Du Casse. The scheme formed by admiral Benbow for the destruction of the French force hi the W est Indies, and having a chance for the gal- leons, shows him to have been a very able and judicious commander, and effectually disproves that idle and ridiculous calumny of his being a mere seaman. He saw that the French officers were excessively embarrassed by the way- ward conduct of the Spaniards, who would not take a single step out of their own road, though for their own service. '>M'' r i Hi '!! 262 BENBOW. He resolved to take advantage of this, and to attack the smallest of their squadrons, having before sent home such an account of the number and value of the Spanish ships, and of the strength of the French squadrons that were to escort them, as might enable the ministry to take all proper mea- sures for intercepting them, either in their passage from the West Indies, or when it should be known that they were arrived in the European seas. When he had done this, he sailed from Jamaica on the 11th of July, with two third-rates, six fourths, a fire-ship, bomb-tender, and sloop, in hopes of meeting rear-admiral Whetstone; but missing him, he sailed in search of Du Casse's squadron, which he came up with and engaged, on Wednesday, the 19th of August, and fought him bravely for five days ; which not only demonstrates the courage and conduct of this gallant seaman, but the fidelity and attachment of his own ship's comnany ; since it is impos- sible he could, in such circumstances, have maintained the engagement so long, if his inferior officers, and all the com- mon seamen, had not been unanimous. The French accounts, indeed, represent the whole affair to their own advantage; but Du Casse, who was a brave man, and by much the best judge of this matter, has put the thing out of dispute, by the following short letter, written by him imme- diately after his arrival at Carthagena ; the original of which is still, or at least was, in the hands of admiral Benbow's family : — " Sir, I had little hopes, on Monday last, but to have supped in your cabin: but it pleased God to order it other- wise ; I am thankful for it. As for those cowardly captains who deserted you, hang them up ; for, by , they deserve it. — Your's, Du Casse." The first care the admiral had, after his return to Jamaica, was to provide for the offic vs who distinguished themselves in *:he late engagement; ana next to bring those to justice, who had so basely betrayed their trust ; and in this he was so earnest, that perhaps he failed a little in point or form, since, in order to their trial, he granted a commission, which it has been questioned, whether he might legally do ; but he certainly acted from two very excusable reasons ; the first was, that he found himself in no condition to preside in a court-martial, having been ill of a fever, which ensued upon cutting off his leg, from the time of his coming ashore: the other, that in case he had been able to assist upon that occa- siob, he was desirous of declining it, from his having so gveat a personal interest in the alfair. After the court-mar- I '!. J .» ttack the e such an hips, and to escort per mea- from the hey were e this, he ird-rates, hopes of he sailed J up with id fought ;rates the e fidelity is impos- lined the the corn- French leir own and by ng out of m imme- of which Jenbow's it to have it other- captains y^ deserve ASSE." Jamaica, lemselves ) justice, is he was of ^ form, m, which • ; but he the first side in a led upon ore: the hat occa- aving so jrt-mar- I I SIR CLOUDE3LEY SHOVEL. 263 tial" was over, the admiral lived nearly a month ; that court sat on the Gth of October, and the admiral died on the 4th of November following. He was, all that time, extremely sensible of his danger, and aever entertained any flattering hopes of recovery. Yet, during that long illness, he supported his character as an English admiral, with the same firmness he had shown dur- ing the engagement, giving all the necessary orders for pro- tecting the trade, that could have been expected from him, if he had been in perfect health ; and in the letters he wrote home to his lady, he discovered much greater anxiety for the interest of the nation, than for his private fortune or the concerns of his family. SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL.— Cloudesley Sho- vel v;as born in 1650, of poor parents. He was bound apprentice to a shoemaker, and applied himself for some years to that trade; but being of an aspiring disposition, and finding no appearance of raising his fortune in that way, he betook himself to the sea, under the protection of Sir John Narborough, with whom he went as a cabin- boy: but applying himself very assiduously to naviga- tion, and having naturally a genius for that art, he soon became an able seaman; and as those were stirring times, in which merit always thrives, he quickly arrived to prefer- ment. This he in a great measure owed to the favour of Sir John, who, having been cabin-boy to Sir Christopher Myngs, was a man who raised himself to the highest hon- ours of hiij profession, by mere dint of capacity, and there- fore proved a generous patron of all who discovered any extraordinary degree of worth, and this was what , , .i m- mended Shovel to his notice. After the close of the second Dutch war, our merchants, in the Mediterranean, found themselves very much dis- tressed by the piratical state of Tripoli; which, notwith- standing several treaties of peace that had been concluded with them, began to commit fresh depredations, almost as early as the Dutch war broke out. As soon, therefore, as the king found himself at leisure, he ordered a strong squa- dron into those parts, under the command of Sir John Nar- borough, who arrived before Tripoli in the spring of the year 1674, where he found all things in very good order for his reception. The appearance of the eneniy's strength, joined to the nature of his instructions, which directed him to try > il 2G4 SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. ( }i V ■; Ul\ . i\ m ■ te 'S tv 'f i \ 1 " negotiation rather than force, determined him to send a person, in whom he could confide, to the Dey of Tripoli, to propose terms of accommodation, and those, too, very moderate in their nature ; for he desired only satisfaction for what was passed, and security for the time to come. The admiral intrusted ^'hovel with this message, who accordingly went on shore, and delivered it with great spirit. But the Dey, despising his youth, treated him with much disrespect, and sent him back with an indefinite answer. Shovel, on his return to the admiral, acquainted him with some remarks he had made on shore: Sir John sent him back again with another message, and well furnished with proper rules for conducting his inquiries and observations. The Dey's behaviour was worse the second time: but Shovel, though naturally warm, bore it with wonderful patience, and made use of it as an excuse for staying some time longer on shore. When he returned, he assured the admiral that it was very practicable to burn the ships in the harbour, notwithstanding their lines and forts : accordingly, in the night of the 4th of March, lieutenant Shovel, with all the boats in the fleet filled with combustible matter, went boldly into the harbour, and destroyed the enemy's ships with great success. He was in consequence promotpd to a ship. He was in the battle of Bantry-bay, in the Edgar, a third- rate, and gave such signal marks of his courage and conduct, that king William, on the recommendation of admiral Her- bert, conferred upon him the honour of knighthoodj and he was then made rear-admiral of the blue. When the king, in the spring of the year 1692, set out for Holland, he declared him rear-admiral of the red ; and, at the same time, commander of the squadron that was to con- voy him thither. On his return, he joined admiral Russel with the grand fleet, and had a great share in the famous victory at La Hogue. In the beginning of the reign of queen Anne, he was not much in favour, and wg do not find him employed in any aff^air of importance, though he was then admiral of the white, till he was sent to Vigo, after the taking of that place by Sir George llooke, to bring home the spoils of the Spanish and Fi'ench fleet. This was in the latter end of the year 1702, and he performed all that was expected froni him, with that zeal and expedition which he had formerly showed upon every occasion. ■ 1- i: SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. 265 send a Tripoli, 00, very isfaction o come. re, who at spirit. h much answer, lim with sent him lied with [•vations. lie: but onderful ng some ared the ps in the n-dingly, v^el, with ;er, went y's ships notod to a third- conduct, ral Her- and he t out for and, at to con- il Russel famous was not I in any le white, e by Sir nish and ir 1702, ,ith that 3d upon ■A ^ He commanded the grand fleet up the Straits in the year 1703, where he did every thing it was possible for an admiral to do, whose instructions were very extensive, and who yet wanted an adequate force to accomplish a great part of those instructions. It is in such conjunctures as these that the skill and capacity of an admiral chiefly appear; and in this expedition Sir Cloudesley gave as convincing proofs of his courage and conduct as any admiral could do; for he pro- tected our trade ^rom all attempts of the French ; he did what was to be done for the relief of the protestants then in arms in the Oevennes; he countenanced such of the Italian powers as were inclined to favour the cause of the allies, and he struck such a terror into the friends of the French, that they durst not perform what they had promised to undertake for that court. All this he did with a fleet indifferently manned and victualled, so that all parties agreed that Sir Cloudesley had done his duty in every respect, and well de- served the high trust reposed in him. He took his part in the glorious action off Malaga, in which he behaved with the utmost bravery. Sir Cloudesley had no concern in the arts made use of to lessen the reputation of Sir George Kooke, in oi'der to pave the way for laying him aside ; but after this was done, and it became necessary to send both a fleet and army to Spain, Sir Cloudesley accepted the command of the fleet, jointly with the earls of Peterborough and Monmouth, and acc6rd- ingly arrived at Lisbon with twenty-nine line-of-battle ships, in June, 1705, and, towards the latter end of the same month, sailed to Catalonia, arriving before the city of Barcelona on the 12th of August, when the siege of the place was under- taken. There certainly never was an admiral in a more untoward situation than that in which Sir Cloudesley Shovel found himself here. The scheme itself appeared very impracticable ; the land-officers divided in their opinions; the prince of Hesse Darmstadt, upon whom king Charles principally depended, was not on speaking terms with the earl of l^eter- borough ; all things necessary for the siege were in a manner wanting, and all hopes of supply depended on admiral Shovel, who on this occasion gave the most signal proofs, not only of his vigilance, dexterity, and courage, but of his constancy, patience, and zeal for the public sei'vice. He furnished guns for the batteries, and men to serve them; he landed, for the use of the army, almost ail the I t •' l^ 1^ V »-!' iV 'J '.' • 'I ■I ' H. ^ 266 SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. military stores of the fleet; he not only gave prudent advice himself in all councils of war, but he moderated the heats and resentments of others, and, in short, was so useful, so ready, and so determined in the service, and took such care that every thing he promised should be fully and punctually performed, that his presence and councils in a maimer forced the land-officers to continue the siege, till the place was taken, to the surprise of all the world, and, perhaps, most of all to the surprii^e of those by whom it was taken ; for, if we may guoss at their sentiments by what they declared under their hands in several councils of war, they scarcely believed it practicable to reduce so strong a place with so small a force, and that so ill provided. In March, 1707, he received orders to prepare for an expedition against Toulon. The instructions which Sir Cloudesley received, in relati».n to this ailtair, which, if it li;id succeeded, must have put an end to the war, by obli:';ing the French king to abandon the support of his grandson in Spain, were sent him to Lisbon; and, in obedi- ence to them, the admiral made such dispatch, that on the 20th of May he sailed for Alicant; where, having joined Sir George Byng, he proceeded to the coast of Italy, and in the latter end of the month of June, came to an anchor between Nice and Antibes; where he waited the arrival of the duke of Savoy and prince Eugene, till the 29th of that month. The enemy were at that time strongly entrenche?! on the river Var, and had extended their works above four miles into the country. These entrenchments were defended by eight hundred horse, and six battalions of foot, and a reinforcement was daily expected, of three battalions more, under the command of general Dillon, an Irish officer, from whose courage and conduct the French expected much. Sir Cloudesley having observed to the duke, that part of the French lines were so near the sea, that it was in his power to cannonade them, and that he would land a body of seamen, who should attack the highest and strongest of their entrenchments, he consented that they should be attacked immediately. Accordingly, on the 1st of July, Sir Cloudesley ordered four English, and one Dutch man-of- war, to enter the mouth of the river Var, where they began to cannonade the French lines: soon after wdiich, six hun- dred English seamen landed in open boats, under the com- mand of Sir John Norris, who was quickly followed by the admiral ; and having begun the attack, the enemy were so ; 11 j advice J heats ii'\i\, so ch care ctually forced 3 taken, .f all to kve mav er their eved it a force, for an lich Sir hich, if A-ar, by : of his n obedi- ; on the y joined J, and in anchor rrival of of that renchefl ive four lefended , and a s more, olftcer, much, part of s in his a body gest of lould be uly, Sir man-of- ■y began !ix hun- he com- by the kvere so SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. 207 terrified with such an unexpected salutation, that they threw down their arms, after a short dispute, and abandoned their works. This great effort made by the English, not only procured au easy passage, where the greatest resistance was expected, buL totally disconcerted the French schemes, since the troops had scarcely quitted these entrenchments before they met general Dillon, who was so astonished, that he suffered himself to be persuaded to abandon th(? town of St. Paul, and to retreat. On the 14th, a council of war was held, in which it was resolve! to prosecute the march to Toulon. It appears from this account, that whatever there was of zeal and spirit in the conduct of this affair, proceeded from the diligence and activity of Sir Cloudesley. He proposed forcing the passage of the Var, and executed it; he induced his royal highness of Savoy to pursue his march immediately; and, as soon as that resolution was taken, the admiral sailed with Ills fleet for the islands of Hieres, leaving ten or twelve frigates to interrupt the enemy's correspondence with Italy. But instead of six, the duke made it full twelve days before he attacked Toulon, and then laid the blame on prince Eugene, who commanded the emperor's forces, and who had orders not to expose them. It IS true, that when Sir Cloudesley went first to compli-' ment the duke upon his safe arrival, and to receive his com- mands about landing artillery and ammunition, his royal highness told him, he was glad to see him at last, for the maritime powers had made him wait a long while ; to which, when Sir Cloudesley answered, that he had not delayed a moment since it was in his power to wait upon his royal highness : be replied, smiling, " I did not say you, but the maritime powers had made me wait; for this expedition I concerted so long ago as 1693, and fourteen years is a long time to wait. Sir (Uoudesley." As the duke of Savoy never would h.ive undertaken this affair without the assistance of the fleet, commanded by Sir Cloudesley; as he did nothing, when before Toulon, but by the assistance of the fleet, from whence he had all his mili- tary stores ; so he could not possibly Lave made a safe re- treat, if it had not been covered by the fleet. He left Sir Thomas Dilkes at (Gibraltar, with nine ships of the line; three fifth-rates, and one of the sixth, for the security of the coasts of Italy, and then proceeded with the remainder of the fleet, consisting of ten ships of the line, r i f 268 SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. ■ I'lL 'I .'1 '< five frigates, four fire-ships, a doop, and a yacht, for Enj;- land. On the 22d of October, he can.e into the Soundings, and in the morning had ninety fathom vater. About noon he lay by; but, at six in the evening, he made sail again, and stood r«way under his courses, believing, as it is pre- sumed, that he saw^ the light on St. Agnes, one of the islands of Scilly. Soon after this, several ships of his fleet made the signal of distress, as he himself did; and it was with much difficulty that Sir George Byng, in the Roy?i Anne, saved himself, having one of the rocks under her main chains. Sir John Norris and lord Dursley also ran very great risks ; and several ships besides the admiral's perished. Sir Cloudesley's body was thrown ashore the next day upon the island of Scilly, where some fishermen, having taken a valuable ring from his finger, buried him. This ring, being shown about over the island, was talked of. This led to the discovery of the body, -vvhich being removed to London, was buried in Westminster Abbey with great solemnity. w^ ff I i nA mdirgs, Lit noon I again, is pre- islands et made as with A Anne, 1 chains, at risks ; lext day having 1. This liked of. removed th great GEORGE ROOKE was the son of Sir William Rooke, of an ancient family in the county of Kent, where he was born, in the year 1650. His father gave him the education becoming a gentleman. His first station in the navy was- that of a volunteer, in which he distinguished himself by his courage and application. This obtained for him the post of a lieutenant, whence he rose to that of a captain before ho was thirty. These preferments he enjoyed under the reign of Charles II.; and under that of James, he was appointed to the command of the Deptford, a fourth-rate man-of-war, in which post he was at the revolution. Admiral Herbert distinguished him early, by sending him, in the year 1689, as commodore, with a squadron to the coast of Ireland. In this station, he concurred with major-general Kirke, in the relief of Londonderry, assisting in taking the island in the Lake, which opened a passage for the relief of the town. In the beginning of the year 1690, he was appointed rear-admiral of the red, and served in the fight off Beachy- head, on the 30th of June the same year : and, notwithstand- ing the misfortune of our arms, admiral Rooke was allowed to have done his duty with much resolution; and therefore the lords and others, appointed to inquire into the conduct of that affair, had orders to examine him and Sir John nil 1 i ■MIB 270 SIR GEORGE ROOKE. fl I ! I i is ! Ashby, who, in their accounts, justified their admiral, and showed that the misfortune happened by their being obliged to fight under vast disadvantages. In the spring of the succeeding year, he convoyed Wil- liam to Holland, and was promoted to the rank of vic?- admiral of the blue, in which station he served in the battle of La Hogue, on the 22d of May, 1C92, where he behaved with distinguished courage and conduct. It was owing to his vigorous behaviour, that the last stroke was given on that important day, and which threw the French entirely into confusion. But the next day was for him still much more glorious; for he had orders to go into La Hogue and burn the enemy's ships as they lay. There were thirteen large men-of-war, which had crowded as far up as possible, and the transports, tenders, and ships with ammunition, were disposed in such a manner, that it was thought impossible to burn them. Besides this, the French camp was in sight, with the French and Irish troops that were to have been t-mployed in the invasion, and several batteries upon the coast, well supplied with heavy artillery. The admiral, however, made the necessary preparations, notwithstanding he saw ^h3 disposi- tions made on shore for his reception ; but, when ht came to make the attempt, he found it impossible to carry in the ships of his squadron. Even this did not discourage him. He ordered his light frigates to ply in close to the shore, and, having manned all his boats, went himself to give directions for the attack, burned that very night six three-deck ships, and the next day he burned six more of from seventy-six to sixty guns, and destroyed the thirteenth, which was a ship of fifty-six guns, together with most of the transports and ammunition-vessels, and this under the fire of the batteries, in sight of the French and Irish troops ; and yet, through the wise conduct of their commander, this bold enterprise cost the live:, of no more than ten men. It was happy for Rooke that he served a brave prince, who inquired particularly into every man's conduct before he punished or rewarded. The behaviour of the vice-admi- ral at La Hogue appeared to him so worthy of public notice, that, having no opportunity at that time of providing for him, he settled a pension of a thorsand pounds a-year on him for life. In the spring, his majesty went to Portsmouth to view the fleet, and, going on board admiral Rooke's ship, then in the harbour, dined with him, and conferred on him . '■ '\ ■ ^ . '1. '■■fl al, and jbligt'tl id Wil- if vice- e battle edwith to liis on that ely into lorious; enemy's -of-war, nsports, n such a 1 them. French [1 in the supplied »ade the disposi- came to the ships m. He ore, and, irections ck ships, ity-six to as a ship ovts and jatteries, , through nterprise e prince, ct before ice-admi- ic notice, iding for i-year on rtsraouth ke's ship, d on him SIR GEORGE ROOKF. 271 the honour of knighthood, having a little before made a naval promotioi), in which he was declared vice-admiral of the red, and intrusted with the command of the squadron that was to escort the Smyrna fleet. The ill success of this expedition has been already referred to. A violent party resentment was raised against him, owing to his conduct in parliament ; for being in 1G95 elected mem- ber for Portsmouth, and voting mostl} with those that were called tories, great pains were taken to ruin him in the king's opinion ; but to the honour of William, when pressed to remove Sir George Ilooke from his seat at the admiraltv- Sir George board, he answered plainly, I will not. Hooke," continued his majesty, " served me faithfully at sea, and I will never displace him for acting as he thinks best for the service of his country in the House of Commons ;" an answer truly worthy of a British prince. Upon the accession of queen Anne, in 1702, Sir George was constituted vice-admiral, and lieutenant of the admiralty of England, as also lieutenant of the fleets and seas of this kingdom ; and, upon the declaration of war against France, it was resolved that he should command the grand fleet sent against Cadiz, the duke of Ormand having the command in chief of the land forces. The result of this expedition, and the unsuccessful attack upon Vigo, need not be repeated. When the attempt on Barcelona miscarried, the admiral, though not joined by the reinforcement from England, chased the Brest squadron into Toulon ; and having afterwards 7/assed through the Straits, joined Sir Gloudesley Shovel, with the fleet under his command, off Lagos ; and con- tinued cruising for about a month in expectation of orders from hoTne, or from the court of Spain. On the 17th of July, being in the road of Tetuan, a council of war was called, in which several schemes were examined, but were all found to be impracticable; at last. Sir George Rooke propo?ed the attacking of Gibraltar, which was agreed to, and immediately put into execution ; for, the fleet arriving there on the 21st of the same month, the troops, which were but eighteen hundred men, were landed the same day ; the admiral gave the signal for cannonading the place on the 22(1, and, by the glorious courage of the English seamen, the place was taken on the 24th. After this remarkable service, the Dutch admiral thought of nothing but returning home, and actually detached six men-of-war to Lisbon, so little appearance was there of any engagement. But, on the 9th \ i 272 SIR GEOKGE ROOKE. I'flf .4 ; l^f'l of August, the French fieet, under the command of tlie count de Thoulouse, was tirst seen ut sea. and a})i)eared to be by much the strongest that had been equipped during the whole war ; the English admiral, however, resolved to do all tha<- '" ■ -•! his power to force an engagement. We have aln j.veu an account of the battle which followed oif Malaga. On the return of Sir George Rooke, he was extremely well received by the queen and the lord high-admiral. But, unluckily for him, the battle off Malaga was, some way or other, compared to that of Blenheim, fought the same year ; which made the matter of fact a point of party debate, and, in the addresses sent up from all parts of her majesty's do- minions, the whigs took all imaginable care to magnify the duke of Marlborough's success, without saying a word of the victory at sea; whereas the tories were equally zealous in their compliments upon both : and, to say the truth, both these battles were decisive ; that of Blenheim put an end to the influence of France in the empire, as that of Malaga extinguished the French power at sea. Sir George, perceiving that as he rose in credit with his country, he lost his interest with those at the helm, resolved to retire from public business, and prevent the affairs of the nation from receiving any disturbance upon his account. Thus, immediately after he had rendered such important services to his country, as the taking the fortress of Gibral- tar, and beating the whole naval force of France in the battle off Malaga, the last engagement which happened between these two nations at sea, during this war, he was con- strained to quit his command : and, as the tories had before driven the earl of Orford from his post immediately after the glorious victory at La Hogue, so the whigs returned them the compliment, by making use of their ascendency to the like good purpose, with regard to Sir George Rooke. After this strange return for the services he had done his country. Sir George Rooke passed the remainder of his days as a private gentleman, and for the most part at his seat in Kent. His zeal for the church, and his strict adherence to the tories, made him the darling of one set of people, and exposed him no less to the aversion of another. In party raat- tei's he was warm and eager, but in action he was perfectly cool and tempei ate, gave his orders with the utmost serenity, and as he was careful in marking the conduct of his principal officers, so his candour and justice were always conspicuous SIR GEORGE ROOKE. 273 in the accounts he gave of them to his superiors ; he there knew no party, no private considerations, but commended merit, wherever it appeared. He was equally superior to popular clamour and popular applause ; and he had a con- tempt for foreign interests when incompatible with our own, and knew not what it was to seek the favour of the great, but by performing such actions as deserved it. lie died in 1709. The highly honourable names of Sir Daniel Mitchell, Sir Ralph Delavel, admiral Churchill, Sir Thomas Dilkes, Sir John Leake, Sir Andrew Leake, Sir Stafford Fair- borne, together with that of William Dampier, the cele- brated voyager, all of whom ornamented this period, we can do no more than mention. \i t > Vi\ w a. .r ii, ) ; t i V J CHAPTER VII. REIGN OF GEORGE I. — 1714 TO 1727 — BYNG, LOUD TORRINGTON — SIR AVILM.VM JUMPER — SIR JOHN JENNINGS — KUKK OF LEEDS — REIGN or GEORGE II. 1727 TO THE TREATY Ol- AIX LA CllX- PELLE IN 1748 — ADMIRAL VERNON — SIR CHARLES WAGER — SIR JOHN NORRIS — SIR PETER WARREN. GEORGE II. — 1-ROM THE PEACE OF AIX LA CHAPELLE TO HIS DEATH IN 1 700. GICORGE III. FROM HIS ACCESSION TO THE PEACE OF PARIS IN 1763. THE SEVEN YEARS' WAR — ADMIRAL JOHN BYNG, HIS TRIAL AND EXECUTION — TAKING OF QUEREC — SUCCESSES IN EAST AND WEST INDIES — UNION OF THE SPANISH AND FRENCH FLEETS — THEIR DESTRUCTION — ADMIRAL BOSCAWEN — HAWKE — LORD ANSON — SIR GEORGE POCOCK — TYNTE. There is hardly any period of English history so barren of important naval events as the reign of George I. This is in no degree to be attributed either to the insufficiency of the navy, or to the want of skill and gallantry in its com- manders. In these respects there was no falling oif ; our most formidable rivals, the Dutch, were now our firm allies ; w ith France, too, we were at peace during the whole of this reign. A war with Spain, originating from trifling causes, and in which the Spanish fleet was nearly annihilated h M is ^ ren of This is ncv of com- '; our firm whole rifiing lilated RKIGN OF GEORGE I. ,10 without any general engagement, afforded our seamen the only opportunity of acquiring distinction. The English fleets were chietly commanded hy Sir (leorge Byng, afterwards viscount Torrington ; and a hrief sketch of his life will suffice to bring such actions as are deserving of notice, under our review. His principal coadjutors were Sir John Jen- nings, Sir James Wishart, admiral Baker, the marquis of Carmarthen, afterwards duke of Leeds, and Sir William Jumper, whose personal adventures entitle him to a separate notice. Q GEORGE BYNG, LORD TORRINGTON.— orge Byng descended from an ancient family in Kent, and was born in 1G63. At the age of fifteen, he went to sea, a volunteer. In 1681, he quitted the sea service, upon the invitation of general Kirk, governor of Tangiers, and served as a cadet in the grenadiers of that garrison ; and, a vacancy soon happening, he v;as made ensign, and, not long after, lieutenant. In 1684, ho was appointed lieutenant of the Oxford ; from which time ho continued in the sea ser- vice. The next year he went in the Ph(jBnix, to the East Indies, where he boarded a Zinganian pirate, who main- tained a desperate fight, in so much that most of those who entered with him were slain, and he himself severely wound- ed; the pirate sinking, he was taken out of the sea, with hardly any remains of life. In the year 1688, Byng, being first lieutenant to Sir John Ashby, in the fieet commanded by the earl of Dartmouth, and fitted out to oppose the designs of the prince 0^ Orange, was particularly entrusted in the intrigues then carrying on among the most consi- derable officers of the fieet, in favour of that prince, and was the person they sent with assurances of obedience to his highness ; to whom he was privately introduced at Sher- borne by admiral Russell. Upon his return, the earl of Dartmouth sent him to carry a message to the prince, and made him captain of a fourth-rate man-of-war. In 1690, he was advanced to the command of the Hope, a third-rate, and was second to Sir George Rooke in the battle off Beachy Head. After this he was captain of the Royal Oak, and served under admiral Russel. In 1693, that officer distin- guished him in a particular manner, by promoting him to the rank of his first captain ; in which station he served two years in the Mediterranean. Upon the breaking out of the < ; ; 27G LORD TORRINGTON. # •' V:', J I t. » i n r.i war in the year 1702, he accepted the command of the Nas- sau, a third-rate, and was at the taking and burning of the French fleet at Vigo. In the following year he was made rear-admiral of the red, and served in the fleet commar.ded by Sir Cloudesley Shovel in the Mediterranean; under which admiral he served again, in 1704, in the fleet that was sent into the same sea in search of the French. It was he who commanded the squadron that cannonaded Gibraltar with such vigour and effect, as obliged the Spaniards to quit their posts, and thereby enabled the seamen, who were immediately landed, to make themselves masters of the for- tifications ; by which exploit the garrison was reduced to a capitulation . In the battle of Malaga, which followed soon after, he acquitted himself so well, that queen Anne con- ferred upon him the honour of knighthood. Towards the end of this year. Sir George Byng commanded a squadron in the Soundings, and was so successful as to take twelve large French privateers, together with the Thetis, a-man-of war of forty-four guns, and seven French merchant ships, richly laden. The number of men taken was 2070, and of guns 334. In 1705, Sir George was made vice-admiral of the blue; and, upon the election of a new parliament, was returned for Plymouth ; which place he repreF'3nted in every succeed- ing parliament, till 1721, when he was created a peer. In the following year, his assistance was extremely useful to Sir John Leake, in relieving Barcelona; and he greatly promoted the other enterprises of that campaign, and parti- cularly the reducing of Carthagena and Alicant. In the beginning of the year 1707, Sir George was ordered, with a strong squadron, to the coast of Spain, for the relief of the army. Having performed this service, and being joined by Sir Cloudesley Shovel from Lisbon, they proceeded to the coast of Italy, with a fleet of forty-three men-of-war, and fifty transports, to second prince Eugene and the duke of Savoy, in the siege of Toulon. In their return home from this expedition, Sir George narrowly escaped shipwreck, when Sir Cloudesley Shovel was lost. In the year 1708, Sir George was made admiral of the blue, and commanded the squadron fitted out to oppose the invasion designed against Scotland by the Pretender. This squadron con- sisted of twenty-four men-of-war ; with which Sir George Byng and lord Dursley sailed from Deal for the French coast ; and, having anchored in Graveline Pits, Sir George I LORD TORRINGTON. 277 f the Nas- ing of the was made jmmar.ded n ; under ! fleet that h. It was Gibraltar aniards to who were )f the for- luced to a owed soon \.nne con- wards the . squadron ke twelve , a-nian-of lant ships, rO, and of the blue ; returned r succaed- peer. In useful to greatly ind parti- In the red, with relief of ig joined eeded to war, and duke of me from ipwreck, ar 1708, imanded designed 'on con- George French Georgo went into a small frigate, and sailed within two miles of the Flemish Road, and there learned the strength and number of the enemy's ships. On the admiral's anchoring before Graveline, the French officers suspended their embarkation; but, upon orders from court, were obliged to resume it; and accordingly, on the 6th of March, they sailed out of Dun- kirk. Sir George, at this time, had been obliged for security to go to anchor under Dungeness ; and, on his return to Dunkirk, was informed that the French had sailed, but could get no account of the place of their destination. Tie was, however, inclined to believe that they were designed for Scotland ; whereupon it was remlved, in a council of war. to pursue them to the road of Edinburgh. On the 13th of March, the French were discovered in the Frith of Edin- burgh, where they made signals, but to no purpose, and then steered a north-east course, as if they intended to go to St. Andrew's Sir George pursued them, and took the Salisbury, a ship of fifty guns, formerly taken from us; on board of which were many land and sea officers of great distinction, and five companies of soldiers. After this. Sir George finding it impossible to come up with the enemy, returned with the fleet to Leith, where he continued till he received advice of the French admiral's getting back to Dunkirk, and then proceeded to the Downs, pursuant to his orders. But before he left Leith road?, the lord provost and magistrates of Edinburgh, to show their grateful sense of the important service he had done them, presented him with the freedom of the city in a gold box. In 1709, Sir George commanded in chief her majesty's squadron in the Mediterranean, where, however, though he did all that could be expected from him, or that it was possible for him to dt>, most of his measures and great designs were frustrated by the impatience and irresolution of the court of Spain ; for, without regard to what had bet^n resolved, or even to what they themselves had demanded before, they were continually desiring something new to be done for them, not considering tha^ it was impossible our ships could perform one service, wituout neglecting auother. After his return home from this command, he was made one of the commissioners for executing the office of lord high-admiral, in which post he continued till some time before the queen's death, when, not falling in with the measures of those times, he was removed; but, upon the accession of king George, ho was restored to that employment. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion :>78 LORD TORRINGTON. hi It.;'' i :ii;; i ' f I4k;r in the year ]7l5, he was appointed to the command of a squadron in the Downs: for his important services in this situation, the king created him a baronet, and gave him a ring of great value, with other marks of his royal favour. In the year 1717, it being discovered that an invasion was intended against this kingdom, by Charles XII., king of Sweden, orders were issued for sending a formidable squa- dron into the Baltic, under the command of Sir George, who accordingly sailed for Copenhagen, where he arrived on the 11th of April. He then despatched five ships of the line to cruise in the Categat, to cover the trade from the Spanish privateers. The Swedes had laid aside whatever design they had formed to our prejudice ; and as no enemy appeared, and the season began to advance, Sir George returned home with the fleet. This expedition effectually removed all apprehensions that the nation was under from the Swedes. The most important action Sir George was engaged in was the expedition of the English fleet to Sicily, in the year 1718, for the protection of the neutrality of Italy, and the defence of the empei'or's possessions, according to the obli- gations England was under by treaty, against the invasion of the Spaniards, who had, the year before, surprised Sar- dinia, and had this year landed an army in Sicily. On the 15th of June, Sir George, who was appointed admiral and commander-in-chief, sailed from Spithead for the Mediter- ranean, with twenty ships of the line, two flre-ships, two bomb-vessels, an hospital ship, and a store ship. Being got into the ocean, he sent the Rupert to Lisbon for intelligence; and when he had arrived off Cape St. Vincent, he dispatched the Superbe to Cadiz, with a letter to colonel Stanhope, the envoy at Madrid, wherein he desired that minister to acquaint the king of Spain with his arrival in those parts, in his way to the Mediterranean, and to lay before him the instructions he had received for his conduct. This was done with a view to induce the king of Spain to recall his troops, or at least agree to a suspension of arms. But it had not this eifect ; for when Mr. Stanhope showed this letter to the cardinal Alberoni, whc was then at the hea 'j of the Spanish affairs, that able minister, upon reading it, told him with some warmth, that his master would run all haz is, and even suffer himself to be driven out of Spain, rather than consent to any such proposals ; adding, that the Spaniards were not to bo frightened, and that he was so well convinced of their fleet's doing their duty, that, if the admiral should think fit fi^': LORD TORRINGTON. 279 land of a es in this ive him a -1 favour, asion was , king of ble squa- jrge, who ed on the he line to ( Spanish er design appeared, ned home loved all Swedes. I gaged in I the year , and the the obli- invasion ised Sar- On the niral and Mediter- hips, two eing got igence; jatched lope, the acquaint lis May uctions a view at least eifect ; ardinal aflf'airs, 1 some d even consent ere not jf their hink fit i I I to attack them, he would be in no pain for the event. The cardinal, however, was prevailed upon to lay the admiral's letter before the king. An answer was returned by the cardinal, written under the admiral's letter, acquainting the British minister, that it was his Catholic Majesty's resolu- tion, that the chevalier Byng might execute the orders he had from the king his master. The admiral pursuing his voyage, though with unfavourable winds, was rejoined, oft' Cape Spartel, by the Superbe and Kupert, who brought him advice of the preparations the Spaniards had made at Barcelona, and inibrmed him that their Meet had sailed from thence to the eastward, on the 18th of June. In pass- ing by Gibraltar, vice - admiral Cornwall came out and joined him, with the Argyle man-of-war, and a galley. The admiral having four regiments of foot, which he was to land at Minorca, in order o relieve the soldiers there in garrison, who were to embark and serve on board the fleet, proceeded to that place, and, on the 25th of July, anchored with the squadron of!' Port Mahon. Here he received advice that the Spanish fleet had been seen, on the 30th of June, within fovty leagues of Naples, steering south-east; upon tliis he dispatched expresses to the governor of Milan, and the \ iceroy of Naples, to inform them of his arrival in the Mediterranean ; from whence he sailed on the 25th of July, and arrived, on the 1st of August, in the Bay of Naples. The fleet sailing in, with a gentle gale, and con- sisting of twenty-one sail of the line, most of them large ships, and three of them bearing flags, afforded such a sight as had never been seen before in those parts. In his con ference with Count Daun,the imj)erial viceroy. Sir Ceorge learned that the Spanish army, consisting of thirty thousand men, had landed in Sicily, and made themselves masters of a great part of the island ; that they had taken the town of Messina, and were then carrying on the siege of the citadel. Hereupon it was agreed, that the viceroy should send two thousand Germans to Messina, under the protection of the British fleet, to relieve that citadel. Whilst the necessary preparations were making for this ser\ .'e, the a iceroy pre- sented Sir George with a sword set with diamonds, and a valu- able staff of command ; and sent abundance of refreshments to the fleet. On the Gth of August, Sir George sailed from Naples, and on the Dth arrived in view of the Fnvo of Messina. According to the best accounts the admiral could obtain, ho was led to conclude, that the Spanish fleet had :' 280 LORD TORRINGTON. ' I! i''ti II :1 ill ■ I sailed from Malta, in order to avoid him ; and therefore, up- on receiving the marquis's answer, he immediately weighed, with an intention to come with his squadron before Messina, in order to encourage and support the garrison in the cita- del ; but, as he stood in towards Messina, he saw two Spanish scouts in the Faro ; and being infdTmed at the same time by the crew of a felucca that they had seen from the hills the Spanish fleet lying by, the admiral altered his de- sign, and stood through the Faro with all the sail he could, after their scouts, imagining they would lead him to their fleet, which accordingly they did ; for before noon he had a fair view of it drawn into a line of battle, consisting of twenty-seven men-of-war, small and great, besides fire-ships, bomb-vessels, galleys, and store-ships. On sight of the English squadron, they stood away in good order. The admiral followed them all that day, and the succeeding night ; and the next morning early, the English being pretty near them, the Marquis de Mari, reav-ridmiral, with six men-of-war, and all the galleys, fire-ships, bomb-vessels, and store-ships, separated from their main fleet, and stood in for the Sicilian shore ; upon which the admiral detached Captain Walton, of the Canterbury, with five more ships, after them, whilst he himself pursued the main body of the Spanish fleet. About ten o'clock, two of his ships came up with them, and the engagement began, which continued till the evening, and ended in the total defeat of the Spaniards. The English received but little damage. The admiral lay by some days at sea, to refit the rigging of his ships, and to repair the damages which the prizes had sustained ; and whilst he was thus employed he received a letter from Cap- tain Walton, who had been sent in pursuit of the Spanish ships that separated from the main fleet, under the com- mand of the Marquis de Mari, in these few words : — " Sir, — We havo taken and destroyed all the Spanish ships and vessels which were upon the coast, the number as per margin. — I am, &c. " C Walton. " Canterbury, off Syracusa, Aug. 16, 1718." These ships that captain Walton thrust into his margin, were four Spanish men-of-war, one of sixty guns, com- manded by rear-admiral Mari, one of fifty-four, one of forty, and one of twenty-four guns, with a bomb-vessel, and a ship laden with arms. All these were taken. He burned four men-of war, one of fifty-four guns, two of forty, and one of thirty guns, with a fire-ship and a bomb-vessel. r? , Is. I Ji! SIR WILLIAM JUMPER. 281 2fore, up- weighed, i Messina, the cita- saw two the same from the 3d his de- he could, I to their he had a listing of Sre-ships, it of the er. The icceeding sh being iral, with 3-vessels, nd stood detached re ships, iy of the came up nued till aniards. oiral lay and to ed; and Cap- Spanish le com- Spanish [nber as TON. margin, corn- one of vessel, . He f fortv, essel. : Soon after was ended the war of Sicily, in which the fleet of Great Britain bore so great a part,^ that the fate of the island was wholly governed by its operations. Having per- formed so many signal services, and brought the war to so fortunate a conclusion, the admiral departed from Italy, to attend the king at Hanover, where his Majesty rewarded his services by making him treasurer of the navy, and rear- admiril of Great Britain ; and on his return to England he nominated him one of the privy council. In the year 1721, Sir George was created a peer of Great Britain, by the title of Viscount Torrington, and Baron Byng of Southhill in Bedfordshire, and in 1725, he was made one of the knights of the Bath, upon the revival of that order. After this his lordship had no command at sea, although he was singled out as an object of honour by George the Second, who, when he came to the crown, placed him at the head of naval affairs, by appointing him first lord of the admiralty, in which station he died, in 1733, in the 70tb year of his age. He was naturally of a tender constitul' *:., but full of ardour ; and by his indefatigable activity in the discharge of his duty upon all occasions, he had hardened his body to severe service, and had enured it to patience under the greatest fatigue. The early age at which he went to sea, would not admit of his making any great proficiency in lite- rature ; but his constant diligence, joined with excellent talents, and a just sense of honour, made him capable of conducting difficult negociations and commissions with pro- per dignity and address. His maxim was, to leave nothing to fort me that could be accomplished by foresight and application. SIR WILLIAM JUMPER.— Few men, who have not lived to attain the rank of commanders-in-chief, have acquired so much renown as William Jumper; fortune having been singularly bountiful in throwing in his way a greater number of opportunities of distinguishing himself, as a private captain, than probably ever before fell to the lot of any one person. His first commission was that of second lieutenant of the Resolution, in November 1688. Having served as lieutenant of various ships, he was pro- moted in 1G92, to be commander of the Hopewell fire-ship. In the following year he was appointed captain of one of the light vessels belonging to the main fleet. He was next promoted to the Adventure, of forty-four guns. 1 282 SIR WILLIAM JUMPER. I ^ ■ : •?■ u ■ t' ' 1 ■ His attention to the duties of his station, procured him, in 1G94, to be captain of the Weymouth, a fourth-rate, in which he quickly acquired great renown. Being on a cruise off the co'ist of Ireland, in the month of June, in company with the Med way, at that time commanded by captain Dilkes, they fell in with a ship of war, belonging to St. Maloes, called the Invincible. The Weymouth, being a better sailing ship than the Medway, began to engage the enemy at two o'clock on the morning of the 17th. The Invincible used every endeavour to escape, and had so far the advantage, in point of speed, that the Weymouth was una- ble to close with her till after a running fight, which conti- nued till eight o'clock at night, when the enemy surrendered. On the 31st of the same month, after a long chace, he took a second, of inferior force indeed to the first, but little less important in a national point of view, as it had done much mischief to the commerce of the allied powers, and was esteemed one of the best sailing vessels that ever put to sea. On the 31st of August following, he took a third, mounting twenty-eight guns. The captain of this vessel being a man of most daring spirit, and having a chosen and numerous crew to support him, did not surrender till after a desperate action, in which he had thirty of his men killed, and twenty- five wounded. The Weymouth being employed, for some months, in convoying the fleets to and from Ireland, we find nothing interesting till May 1G95, during which month he captured two privateers, one of fourteen, the other of sixteen guns. On the 19th of July he fell in with another large privateer belonging to St. Maloes, pierced for forty-eight guns, though having only thirty-six on board. Being of larger dimensions than the Weymouth herself, and the French commander a man of natural gallantry, a spirited contest ensued. The enemy having lost all their masts and a con- siderable number of their men, were at length compelled to surrender. Honour, to the brave ! In November he captured a large private ship of war, which had been lent by the king to the merchants, and, when in the service of the former, had mounted forty guns, but when captured had only twenty-four. He continued during the whole of this year on the same kind of service ; and in the beginning of December engaged and captured a French ship of war, called the Fougueux, pierced for sixty and mounting forty-eight guns, which, striking on a rock i'V I him, in -rate, in €i cruise jompany captain ? to St. being a jage the 1. The 3 far the I' as una- ;h conti- jndered. he took ittle less )e much ind was t to sea. louiiting g a man imerous esperate twenty- nths, in nothing aptured guns. ivateer guns, larger ^rench contest a con- 'lled to f war, s, and, guns, tinued 3rvice; ured a I' sixty I rock Sia WILLIAM JUMPER. 283 during the engagement, sunk soon afterwards. Having in the interval captured several merchant vessels of small note, on the 22d of the same month he fell in with a French ship of war, mounting fifty guns, which he engaged, and would have taken, but that some cartridges taking fire on board the Weymouth, blew up the round I.ouse, and disabled many of the men upon the quarter-deck. During the confusion, the enemy edged away. lie was afterwards made captain of the Lennox, one of the ships sent under Sir George Ilooke. on the expedition against Cadiz; in which attack, he bore a greater part than any other naval commander, being ordered to cannonade St. Catharine's fort, and cover the landing of the troops; a service he completely executed, and with the most spi- rited address. In the following year he accompanied Sir Cloudesley Shovel, to the Mediterranean, and came back to England in the month of December; and, in the year following that, still keeping the comm.and of the Lennox, again returned to the Mediterranean with the fleet under Sir George Ilooke. The brilliant success which crowned this expedition is well known ; and in every operation the bravery of Jumper was singularly conspicuous. After being instrumental in the reduction of Gibraltar, he signalized himself no less remarkably at the battle off Malaga, having engaged and driven three of the enemy's ships out of the line. He was dangerously wounded in this encounter ; but was not prevented by that accident from continuing in the service : nor does it even appear that he quitted his ship. Soon after his return to England he received the honour of knight- hood. In 1706, and again in 1707, he continued to be employed on the Lisbon station. Returning from the Straits with Sir Cloudesley Shovel, at the end of the latter year, he was detached, on the morning of the 22d of October, for Fal- mouth, where he arrived in safety. He never went to sea after this time; but was made superintendant of the ships at Chatham, and had a handsome pension granted him. In the year 1714 he was appointed commissioner of the at Plymouth; but did not long enjoy his new office, died in the following year. navy He 284 EEIGN OF GEORGE II, W'' I '■' I GEORGrE II. — George II. ascended the throne, June 11th, 1727, and died 25th October, 1760, having thus reigned thirty-three years. George was a brave and able soldier, but no sailor. His manners were abrupt, and not very refined, but his temper and dispositions good; and, upon the whole, he was a respectable king. Like most of the Hanoverian family, he was on bad terms with his father; and this gave rise to an amusing incident thus related by Sir Nathaniel Wraxall: — "When George I. died suddenly at Osnaburgh, the cabinet sent the duke of Dorset to Kew, to conduct the new king to London. While the duke was getting ready, his duchess went on and informed the princess of Wales of her accession to the throne. George had, according to his custom, gone to bed after dinner, and his wife was afraid to disturb him. At length, taking off her shoes, she advanced slowly up to the bed side, the duchess remaining at the threshold. As soon as the princess came near the bed, a voice from under the clothes cried out in German, " Was is das ?'* ** I am come, sir," answered she, " to announce to you the death of the king, which has taken place in Germany." " That is von damned lie, von damned trick of my father," returned the prince, " I do not believe one word of it." During this reign, no wars of general importance were engaged in. In the earlier part of the reign the peaceful and prudent policy of Sir Robert Walpole prevailed ; but, in 1739, repeated insults on the part of Spain, and some unnecessary party heats at home, rendered a declaration of hostilities against that power unavoidable. France pre- tended a neutrality, but her secret hostility becoming appa- rent, war was declared against that kingdom also in 1743. This war lasted till 1748, when it was terminated by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle. Of this period we have now to notice the principal naval transactions. For some time before the declaration of war, hostilities had been but ill dis- guised, and the opponents of the ministry were continually taunting them with a want of courage and conduct. Among others, admiral Vernon was loud in his reproaches, and boasted in his place in Parliament, that with six ships ho could take the Spanish settlement of Portobello. He had formerly commanded a fleet on the Jamaica station, and was therefore , ">osed to be well acquainted with those seas. His offer was echoed by the members in the opposition, the whole nation resounded his praise, and the ships were placed at his command. i|! REIGN OF GEORGE IT, 285 / hrone, June laving thus ve and able ■brupt, and ions good; Like most IS with his ;ident thus •rge I. died Q of Dorset While the d informed le. George iinner, and , taking off the duchess ncess came cied out in swered she, 1 has taken on damned not believe ;ance were le peaceful liled; but, and some aration of •ance pre- ling appa- 3 in 1743. ed by the ve now to orae time »ut ill dis- 3ntinually . Among ches, and ships he He had , and was ose seas. ition, the ips were Vernon arrived at Port Royal, Jamaica, on the 23d of October. He had the satisfaction to see the Diamond man- of-war standing into the harbour with two Spanish vessels in tow, one of which was a register ship with one hundred and twenty thousand pieces of eight, and clothing for six thousand men, on board. He sailed from Jamaica on the 5th of November with six ships of war. Having met with contrary winds, he did not come in sight of Portobello till the 20th, in the evening. On the 21st, in the morning, he weighed and plied to windward in line of battle. Orders had been given for a general attack, but the wind coming to the eastward, the admiral was obliged to confine hi« attack to the Iron Fort, close to which the squadron was piloted by captain Rentone. When the Hampton Court, captain Watson, came within a cable's length of the fort, she was becalmed by the high land to windward, and, before she could bring her guns to bear, was exposed to a smart fire from the enemy. But as soon as she was in a situation to return the salute, she seemed in a moment a clcud of perpe- tual thunder. In the space of twenty-five minutes she is said to have fired four hundred balls. The Norwich, cap- tain Herbert, and the Worcester, captain Main, were not long before they came up. These were followed by the. Burford, on board of which was the admiral, who, perceiv- ing that the Spaniards began to fly from several parts of the fort, made a signal for landing. Meanwhile, he luffed up as near the fort as possible, and, by means of his small arms, drove the garrison from the lower part of the battery. As the boats full of sailors and marines passed the admiral, he called to them to land immediately under the walls of the fort, though there was no breach made. The sailors were no sooner on shore than they scaled the wall, and, pulling up the soldiers after them, struck the Spanish colours in the lower battery, and hoisted an English ensigri. This was no sooner perceived by the garrison in the upper part of the fort, than they hoisted a white flag, and surrendered at dis- cretion. The garrison of this fort consisted of three hun- dred men, out of which there remained alive only thirty-five privates and five officers. On the morning of the 22d, the admiral called a council of war, and, it being thought not advisable to attack the Gloria castle by day, orders were given for warping the ships up the following night. This circumspection proved unnecessary. The Spaniards hoisted a white flag, and im- f| II 286 REIGN OF GEORGE II. J I U ' mi V- ll I ''A IK If: f mediately sent a boat with a flag of truce, accepted the terms ottered, and the llritish troops took immechate possession of the (jrloria and St. Jeronimo forts. The taking- of Port<^bello, while it did honour to the British navy, retiected at the same time no inconsiderable de;,''ree of praise on the English ministry. There was an evident propriety in punishing the insolence of the Spaniards in the offending- Port. Portobello was an asylum for the guarda-costas, two of which were found in the harbour, and carried ott* by the admiral. But this was not the only ser- vice he rendered to his country in the destruction of Por- tobello. ilis success enabled him to extend his intluence to l*anama, where some of the factors and servants of the South Sea Company were confined. He wrote to the presi- dent of that place in the language of a conqueror, and the factors and servants were immediately sent to Portobello. On the news of this expedition, the whole nation became frantic with joy. Congratulatory addresses were presented by parliament, by the cities of London, Bristol, and others. The commons granted every demand of the crown. They voted twenty-eight thousand land forces, besides six thous- and marines; they provided for a powerful navy, and several men of war were added to those already in commission. Admiral Vernon continued at Port-Koyal till the 25th of February, 1740, on which day he sailed for Carthagena, which he bombarded, at intervals, during three da;ys, with no other effect than that of terrifying the inhabitants, and injuring some of their churches and convents. On the 10th of March the squadron weighed anchor, and sailed in line of battle westvi^ard along the coast. The admiral having- ordered the Windsor and the Greenwich to cruise off Carthagena, pro- ceeded with the rest of his fleet to Portobello, in order to repair the damages sustained by the small craft in the late bombardment. This business being completed, and the fleet watered in about eight days, he .ailed on the 22d, and steering southwest along shore, entered the river Chegre, which is but a few leagues distant from Portobello. At the mouth of this river there was a castle or fort, called St. Lorenzo, under whose protection the guarda-costas used to ride secure. The only two of these which now remained on the coast, were at this time in the river. The admiral, in going in, had the misfortune to be retarded by an accident which happened to his fore-topsail-yard. He was on board the Stafford. This accident obliged him to make a signal for "} 1' I ^ REIGX OF GEORGE II. 287 i the terms ^session of ur to the nsiderable re was an Spaniarrls 111 for the •hour, and ; only ser- 1 of Por- tluence to iits of the the presi- r, and the •tobello. )n became presented fid others, n. They six thous- nd several ssion. the 25th rthagena, ajs, with ants, and le 10th of of battle Idered the |ena, pro- order to the late and the 122d, and Chegre, illo. At lalled St. used to lained on iral, in laceident mplied. were all his gar- spirited; ida were o pieces, ook pos- ilands of Che ships lOt fewer Durage in hat there ; ready to e between uised his order to iS without [rrival, he ..rd. He iproach of 1. About ;he chase, •ff. The ■my, than ve of his , near the for that , reach it. le French Lged them . Three |ours, they cssels, of ,il, which, ho power of one ship, and that even in the sight of theii own harbours, were safely conducted to Jamaica, whore the sale of their rich cargoes rewarded the merit of the captors. While Forrest acquired wealth and glory by protecting the trade of Jamaica, the vigilance of captain Tyrrel secured the English navigation to Antigua. In the month of March, this commander demolished a fort on the Island of Marti- nico, and destroyed four privateers riding under its protec- tion. In November of the same year, he, in his own ship, the Buckingham of sixty-four guns, accompanied by the Weazle sloop commanded by captain Boles, discovered, between the islands of Guadaloupe and Montserrat, a fleet of nineteen sail under convov of the Florissant, a French man-of-war of seventy-four guns, and two frigates, of which the largest carried thirty-eight, and the other twenty-six guns. Captain Tyrrel, regardless of the great inequality of force, immediately gave chase in the Buckingham ; and the Weazle, running close to the enemy, received a whoh3 broad- side from the Florissant. Though she sustained it without considerable damage, captain Tyrrel ordered captain Boles to keep aloof, as his vessel could not be supposed to bear the shock of heavy metal; and he alone prepared for the engage- ment. The Florissant made a running fight with h:^r stern chase, while the two frigates annoyed the Buckingham in her pursuit. At length she came within pistol shot of the Florissant, and poured in a broadside, which did great exe- cution. The salutation was returned with spirit, and the battle became close and obstinate. Captain Tyrrel being ^\ounded, was obliged to leave the deck, and the command devolved on his first lieutenant, who fell in the arms of vic- tory. The second lieutenant took the command, and finally silenced the enemy's fire. On board the Florissant one hun- dred and eighty men were slain, and three hundred wounded. She was so much disabled in her hull, that she could hardly be kept afloat. The largest frigate received equal damage. The Buckingham had seven men killed and seventeen dan- gerously wounded: she sufl;'ered much in her masts and rigging, which was the only circumstance that prevented her from adding profit to glory, by making prizes of the French fleet under so powerful a convoy. During the next year occurred the capture of Quebec, by the brave general Wolfe, and in this enterprise, as well as in various others against the French colonies, the navy nobly supported the army, although the enemy were now too weak u t .1 I ! :': I a 310 REIGN OF GEORGE II. mm i- i at sea in that quarter to give any opportunity for naval dis- tinction on its own element. The honour of the British flag was effectually maintained by the gallant admiral Boscawen, who commanded in the Mediterranean. The French had assembled there a consid- erable armament, under the command of De la Clue, which some believed to be destined for America, while others con- jectured that it was designed to reinforce the squadron at Brest, and to co-operate with it in an intended descent on the English coast. At present De la Clue continued to lie in the harbour of Toulon, before which admiral Boscawen took his station with fourteen ships of the line, besides fri- gates and fireships. Bosca\ven, having in vain displayed the British flag in sight of Toulon, and tried every art to bring the enemy to an engagement, ordered three ships of the line to advance and burn two French vessels lying close to the mouth of the harbour. They met Avith a warm reception from several batteries, which had not been before perceived; and, the wind unfortunately subsiding into a calm, they sustained such damage, as made it convenient for the English ad- miral to put into Gibraltar to refit his shattered ships. De la Clue seized this opportunity of sailing in hopes of passing the Gut of Gibraltar unmolested, during the absence of the English fleet; but Boscawen had previously detached two frigates, of which one cruised off Malaga, and the other hovered between Estepona and the fortress of Ceuta, in order to observe the motions of the enemy. On the 17th day of August, the Gibraltar frigate made the signal at the mast-head for the enemy being in sight ; upon which the English admiral put to sea. At day-light he descried seven large ships, part of De la Clue's squadron, from which five ships of the line and three frigates had been separated in the night. Having made the signal to chase, and to engage in line of battle ahead, his foremost ships came up with the rear of the enemy about half-past two. The admiral him- self did not wait to return the fire of the sternmost, but employed every effort to come up with the Ocean, which De la Clue commanded in person ; and about four o'clock he ran athwart her hawse, and poured into her a furious broad- side, which was returned with equal vivacity. This dispute, however, was not of long continuance; for the French ad- miral being wounded in the engagement, and the next in command perceiving that Boscawen's vessel had lost her REIGN OF GEORGE II. 311 /al dis- ntained in the consid- , which rs con- iron at cent on d to lie )scawen des fri- flag in nemy to advance ;h of the several and, the u stained ^lish ad- d ships, n hopes ing the eviously aga, and rtress of On le signal )n which descried m which eparated o engage with the ral him- ost, but hich De cloclv he s broad- dispute, ench ad- ) next in lost her 1 mizen-mast and topsail-yards, went off with all the sail he could carry. Boscawen shifted his flag from the Namur to the Newark, and joined some other ships in attacking the Centaur, which was obliged to strike. The pursuit continued all night, and De la Clue, finding himself at day-break on the coast of Portugal, determined rather to bui-n his ships than allow them to fall into the hands of the victors. When he reached the Portuguese shore, he put his ship under the protection of Fort Almadana, to which the English paid no regard. He himself landed with part of his men; but the Count de Carne, who succeeded to the command of the Ocean, having received a broadside from the America, struck his colours, and the English took possession of this noble prize, deemed the best ship in the French navy. Meanwhile captain Bentley brought off the Temeraire, little damaged, and having on board all her officers and men; while rear- admiral Broderic burned the Redoubtable, and took the Modesto. The scattered remains of the French fleet got with difficulty into the harbour of Cadiz, where they were soon after blocked up. Nothing was wanting to complete the glory of this victory ; for it was obtained with the loss of only fifty-six men killed, and one hundred and ninety-six wounded, and not one officer was lost in the action. After the memorable naval engagement oft' Cape Lagos,' the French met with a disaster by land equally calamitous. The important battle of Minden deprived them of all hopes of again getting possession of Hanover, or of putting thuir affairs in such a situation in Germany as might aftbrd them the prospect of any other than an ignominious peace. They were under the necessity, therefore, of trying a last effort on an element which had been extremely unpropitious to all their designs. Their sole hopes now centered in their fleets at Brest and Dunkirk, of which the former was blocked up by admiral Hawke, and the latter by commodore Boyce. They still, expected, however, that the winter storms would compel the English fleets to take refuge in their own har- bours, and thus aftbrd them an opportunity to cross the sea unopposed, and to execute the object of their destination against the British coasts. In this expectation they were not wholly disappointed. On the 12th of October, a violent gale of wind, which gathered into an irresistible storm, drove the English squadrons oft' the French coast. Thurot, a gal- lant French adventurer, availed himself of this accident to obtain his release from Dunkirk, without being discovered 312 REIGN OF GEORGE II. Mi nii h -i< I'V i i .I'l-i by commodore Boyce, who, upon the first information of his departure, sailed immediately in pursuit of him ; hnt Thurot had the good fortune or dexterity to elude his vigilance, by entering the port of Gottenburg, in Sweden, where he was laid up till after Christmas by the severity of the weather, and want of necessaries to enable his ships and men to keep the seas. Admiral Ilawke's squadron had taken refuge, during the violence of the storm, in the harbour of Torbay. When its fury began to subside, the French admiral Conflans, per- ceiving no enemy on the coast, immediately put to sea. But the same day that he sailed from Brest, the English admiral sailed from Torbay. The two squadrons were the most powerful of any employed in the course of the war, and wor- thy to be intrusted with the fate of the two leading kingdoms in Europe. Their forces were nearly equal; the English being, by some vessels, more numerous, but having no supe- riority in number of men or weight of metal. Sir Edward Hawke directed his course for Quiberon Bay, on the coast of Bretagne, which he conjectured would be the rendezvous of the French squadron. But here fortune opposed his well - concerted measures; for a strong gale sprung up in an easterly point, and drove the English fleet a great way to the westward; at length, however, the wea- ther became more favourable, and carried them in directly to the shore. The Maidstone and Coventry frigates, who had orders to keep ahead of the sqnadron, discovered the enemy's fleet in the morning of the 20th of November. They were bearing to the northward between the island of Belle- isle and the main land of France. Sir Edward Hawke threw out a signal for seven of his ships, that were nearest, to chase, in order to detain the French fleet until they them- selves could be reinforced with the rest of the squadron, which were ordered to form into a line of battle ahead, as tliey chased, that no time might be lost in the pursuit. These manoDuvres indicated the utmost resolution and intre- pidity ; for at this time the waves rolled mountains high, the weather grew more and more tempestuous, and the sea, on this treacherous coast, was indented with sands and shoals, shallows and rocks, as unknown to the English pilots as they were familiar to those of the enemy. But Sir Edward Hawke disregarded every danger and obstacle that stood in the way of his obtaining the important stake which now depended. De Conflans might have hazarded a fair battle , \ - REIGN OF GEORGE II. 313 of his 'hurot ce, by le was ■ather, keep ng the len its 3, per- . But dmiral e-most d wor- igdoms English o supe- m Bay, i he the fortune >g gale ish fleet le wea- directly es, who red the They f Belle- Hawke nearest, y them- uadron, head, as pursuit. d intre- gh, the 3 sea, on d shoals, as they Edward stood in ich now iir battle u on the open sea, without the imputation of temerity ; but he thought proper to attempt a more artful game, which, how- ever, he did not play with the address which his situation required. As he was unwilling to risk a fair engagement, he could have no other view but to draw the English squadron among the rocks and shoals, in order that at a proper time he might take advantage of any disaster that befell them ; but, fluctuating between a resolution to fight and an inclina- tion to Hy, he allowed the British ships to come up with him, and then crowded his sail when it was too late to escape. At half an hour after two, the van of the English fleet began the engagement with the rear of the enemy. The Formidable, commanded by the French rear-admiral, Du Verger, be- haved with uncommon resolution, and returned many broad- sides poured into her by the English ships as they passed to bear down on the van of the French. Sir Edward Ilawke reserved his fire, and ordered his master to carry him along- side the French admiral. The pilot observed, that he could not obey his orders, without the most imminent risk of run- ning upon a shoal. The brave admiral replied, " You have done your duty in pointing out the danger ; you now are to obey my commands, and lay me alongside the Soleil Royal." While the pilot was preparing to gratify his desire, the Thesee, a French ship of seventy guns, generously interposed- itsplf between the two admirals, and received the fire which Hawke had destined for a greater occasion. In returning this fire, the Thesee foundered, in consequence of a high sea that entered her lower-deck ports : the Superbe shared the same fate; the Heros struck her colours; and the Formid- able did the same, about four in the afternoon. Darkness coming on, the enemy fled towards their own coast. Seven ships of the line hove their guns overboard, and took refuge in the river Villaine : about as many more, in a most shat- tered and miserable condition, escaped to other ports. The wind blowing with redoubled violence on a lee shore. Sir Edward made the signal for anchoring to the westward of the small island Dumet, where he continued all night in a very dangerous riding, continually alarmed by hearing guns of distress. When morning appeared, he found the French admiral had run his ship on shore, where she was soon after set on fire by her own men. Thus concluded this memor- able action, in which the English sustained little loss but what was occasioned by the weather. The Essex and Re- solution unfortunately ran on a sand-bank, where they were I ■! 1) 314 REIGN OF GEORGE II. li ^?'u 1 IM--: .4 lost, in spite of all the assistance that could be given; but most of their men, and some part of their stores, were saved. In the vvLgL Heet, no more than one lieutenant and thirty- nine seamen ^d marines, were killed, and two hundred and two woundcL. The loss of the French in men must have been prodigious. All the officers on board the Formidable were killed before she struck. They had, besides, four of the best ships in their navy destroyed, one taken, and the whole of their armament, the last hope of the French marine, shattered and disarmed. It would be unjust to pass over a circumstance which characterises the spirit that distinguished the English navy at this happy period. Admiral Saunders, who had convoyed and most ably aided the troops of General Wolfe, happened to arrive from his glorious Quebec expedition a little after Hawke had sailed. Notwithstanding the length of the voy- age, and the severity of the duty in which he had been so Jong employed, he lost not a moment in setting sail, with a view to partake the danger and honour of the approaching engagement. Fortune did not favour the generosity of his intentions. He was too late to give assistance ; but such a resolution was itself equal to a victory. The events above related compose the principal operations of the British navy during the present year. But besides the actions of whole squadrons, there were a great many captures made by single ships, attended with circumstances highly honourable. Fewer exploits were achieved at sea in 1760, than are recorded in the memoirs of the preceding year. The British navy at this time amounted to one hundred and twenty ships of the line, besides frigates, fire-ships, sloops, bombs, and tenders. Of these capital ships, seventeen were stationed in the East Indies, twenty for the defence of the West India islands, twelve in North America, ten in the Mediterranean, and sixty -one either on the coast of France, in the harbours of England, or cruising in the English seas for the protec- tion of commerce. Considering these mighty preparations, it is remarkable that the return of the little squadron com- manded by Thurot (which, as has already been mentioned, had taken refuge the preceding year in the harbour of Got- tenburg in Sweden) should have caused a general alarm over the three kingdoms. This inconsiderable armament originally consisted of five frigates, on board of which were one thousand two hundred and seventy land-soldiers. They !»1 t. n; but saved. thirty- 'ed and st have nidable four of ind the marine, ? which sh navy )nvoyed appened le after he voy- been so , with a ■oaching ty of his t such a erations besides t many stances lan are British jty ships |bs, and ioned in ht India (ranean, irbours Iprotec- rations, In com- jitioned, )f Got- alarm lament [h were They REIGN OF GEORGE II. 315 had sailed from Gottenburg to Bergen in Norway, and dur- ing that voyage had suffered so much by storms, that they were obhged to send back one of their largest vessels to France. It was not till the 5th of December that they were able to sail directly for the place of their destination, which was the northern coast of Ireland. In this voyage their ill fortune continued to pursue them. For near three months, they were obliged to ply off and on, among the Western Isles of Scotland, during which time they suffered every hardship : their men thinned and disheartened, suffering by famine and disease, one ship irrecoverably lost, and the remaining three so shattered, that they were oi)liged to put into the Isle of Hay. Here this enterprising adventurer, though oppressed with misfortune, and steeled Ijv such hardships as too often extinguish every generous principle of humanity, behaved with the utmost justice and moderation, paying handsomely for the cattle and provisions which he had occasion to use, and treating the natives with unusual courtesy and kindness. As soon as the weather permitted, Thurot quitted this island, and pursued his destination to the Bay of Carrick- fergus in Ireland, where, on the 21st of February, he effected a descent with six hundred men. They advanced without, opposition to the town, which they found as well guarded as the nature of the place, which was entirely open, and the circumstances of colonel Jennings, who commanded only four companies of raw and undisciplined men, would allow. A vigorous defence was made, until the ammunition of the English failed; and then colonel Jennings retired to the castle of Carrickfergus, which, however, was in all respects untenable, being unprovided in provisions and ammunition, and having a breach in the wall of nearly fifty feet wide: nevertheless, they repulsed the assailants in their first attack, having supplied the want of shot with stones and rubbish. At length the colonel surrendered, on condition that his troops should be ransomed by exchanging them for an equal number of French prisoners ; that the castle of Carrickfer- gus should not be demolished, nor the town burned or plun- dered. Thurot, having by this time got notice of the defeat of Conflan's expedition, and hearing that a considerable body of regular troops were assembled and preparing to march to the assistance of the inhabitants of Carrickfergus, em- barked, and set sail for France, after gaining great reputa- tion by the exploits of a squadron, which deserves to be r t f M ■1' H \ mm ' ii ■ ; i 1 31G REIGN OF GEOUGE II. »! ^(\ f'M% cu is th( br. mi Tvi -1 ^i ; five of carrying it up the enooBj in ue, when ander-in- ence they 1 her sails er consid- jv York to e repulsed rce. The d guineas, )ain turned upon terms i much dis- lin our pro- The honourable EDWARD BOSCAWEN.— Edward Boscawen, son of viscount Falmouth, was born on the 19th of August, 1711. In consequence of his expressing a boyish fondness for the sea service, he was sent on board a frigate as a midshipman, at the age of twelve years; and after serving in that capacity the allotted time, he was ap- pointed a lieutenant, in which station he gained high credit, as a skilful seaman, and a spirited and active officer. In 1737, he was promoted to the rank of captain, and soon after obtained the command of the Leopard, a fourth-rate, of fifty guns. At the commencement of the war with Spain in 1739, captain Boscawen was appointed to the command of the Shoreham frigate, with which ship he was directed to cruise off the island of Jamaica. Soon after his arrival there, he had occasion to show his disinterested zeal for the public service. On being ordered to join the expedition then about to sail against Portobello, he discovered that his frigate was unfit for sea, and still more for so hazardous an enterprise, without undergoing a thorough repair. But, eager to be employed on a service where so many difficulties were to be encountered, and so much glory was, consequently, to be gained, he solicited admiral Vernon for permission to leave his ship in port, and to serve under him as a volunteer. To this solicitation the admiral gave his consent, and captain Boscawen accompanied him to Portobello, where his gallant spirit met with that success, and received those honours, which it had been so laudably ambitious to gain. Having returned to the command of the Shoreham in 1741, he formed one of admiral Vernon's fleet on the expedition to Carthagena. At the attack on that place, he had an oppor- tunity of distinguishing himself by that quick-sighted judg- ment and intrepid valour which were prominent features of his military character. He was appointed to command a detachment, consisting of three hundred sailors and two hundred soldiers, formed for the purpose of storming a fas- cine battery which had been erected by the enemy on the island of Boca, and by which the operations of our troops against the castle of Boca Chica were considerably impeded. Pushing forward with a strength equal to their animation, they soon climbed the entrenchments, and entering the em- brasures in the face of a continued fire, and on the very muzzles of the guns, they drove the enemy from the works with considerable slaughter; and, after spiking the guns, and '$1 I (1 '111 ' I1 ™;iiii i i M, I : I^M \Pt> 'u ,i 32G ADMIRAL BOSCAWEN. burning the platforms, together with the carriages, guard- house, and magazine, Boseawen led off his detachment in order, and returned to the fleet Avith six wounded prisoners. The Spaniards, fully sensible of the support which this battery had afforded them, were indefatigable in their endea- vours to repair it; and having in a few days so far succeeded as to be able to bring six guns to bear on the English fleet, Boseawen was again ordered to reduce it; but the Spaniards, intimidated at the formidable appearance of the assailants, abandoned the battery without tiring a shot. He w^as appointed by admiral Vernon, to the command of the Prince Frederick, of seventy guns, in consequence of the death of lord Aubrey Beauclerk, In the year 1747, he commanded a line-of-battle ship in the fleet sent out to America under admirals Anson and Vernon; and in the action of the 3d of May, between that fleet and the French squadron, Boseawen signalized himself equally by his hooism and his judgment. The French fleet having got the weather-gage, kept up a constant and well- directed fire on the English ships, as they turned to windward to form the line abreast of the enemy. Boseawen perceiv- ing that our ships would thereby be disabled before their guns could be brought to bear on the French line, and his ship being a very superior sailer to any of the rest, and being, besides, the leading ship of the van, he pressed forward with a crowd of sail, received the greatest part of the enemy's fire, and singly maintained the conflict until the remainder of the fleet came up to his support ; by which daring, but judicious manoeuvre, he principally contributed to the com- plete success with which the English arms were crowned. On this occasion he was severely wounded in the shoulder by a musket-ball. On his return to England, he was advanced to the rank of rear-admiral of the blue, and was shortly after appointed admiral and commandant of a squadron of six ships of the line, ordered for the East Indies, and along with this appoint- ment received a commission from the king as general and commander-in-chief of the land forces employed on that expedition; the only instance, except that of the earl of Peterborough, of any oftioer having received such a com- mand since the reign of Charles II. Having thus traced his rise to a high rank in the service, it may suffice now to refer the reader to the body of the history, where it will bo found that Boseawen was employed ~v guard- nent in soners. ich this • endea- cceeded sh fleet, aniards, sailants, mand of se of the 3 ship in son and ^en that i himself jnch fleet ^nd Avell- vindward 1 pereeiv- fore their 3, and his nd being', ^ai^l with 3 enemy's emainder .ring. hut the com- Icrowned. shoulder the rank xppointed [ps of the appoint- leral and on that le earl of a com- le service, jdy of the lemployed ADMIRAL HAWKE. 327 on many important expeditions. He became, while not employed afloat, a very active member of parliament, having been elected for Truro in 1741. In 1751 he was appointed one of the lords of the admiralty, and gradually -eached the highest rank in the navy. In 1758 he receive' the thanks of parliament for his services at the taking of Louisbourg. An incident relating to him is singular. Three times in the course of his career he encountered a brave captain, named Ilocquart, and three times made him prisoner, lie died in the 50th year of his age, much regretted, particularly by tht) sailors. EDWARD HAWKE was the only son of Edward Hawke, a barrister-at-b . Intended for the navv while yet a boy, he received a i lil jle education, passed through the subordinate stations if tro service, and acquired a per- fect knowledge of every branch of his duty. In 1733, he was made commander of the Wolf sloop- of-war, and in 1734 was promoted to the rank of post-captain, and appointed to the command of the •' ^amborough. In 1740, he obtainea the Lark, of forty guns, with which ship he was despatched to the Leeward Islands. On his return from that station he was appointed to the Portland, of fifty guns. lie was soon afterwards removed to the Berwick, of seventy- four guns, one of the ships ordered at that time to the Mediterranean to reinforce the fleet under admiral Mathews. On their return from the Mediterranean his ship was paid off, after which he continued for ten years unem- ployed, a circumstance not a little vexatious to a mind so full of ardour and enterprise. The affair off Toulon, between admiral Mathews and the combined fleet of France and Spain, afforded Ilavvke the first opportunity of display- ing that decisive intrepidity which was destined to render such essential service to his country, and to raise him to the summit of naval glory. In the early part of that action the enemy's ship the Poder had driven the Princessa and Homer- set out of the line, which being perceived by Hawke, he immediately bore down upon her till he came within pistol shot. He then discharged his whole broadside, and repeated his fire with such rapidity and effect, that in twenty minutes he compelled her to strike. From this time till 1747, we have not been able to pro- jO 328 ADMIRAL IIAVVKE. r cure any account of this renowned officer. It is reported that he was brought to a court-martial, and sentenced to be dismissed the service, for breaking the line in the action off Toulon; but that he was restored to the service by the express command of his majesty George the Second. We have inquired into the truth of this circumstance, but do not find it authenticated, either by official documents, or on any good authority. It is more than proi)able, however, that he had been out of favour with the admiralty or the court. In 1747, Ilawke was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral of the blue, and soon after got the command of a squadron, ordered to sea for the purpose of intercepting a fleet of mer- chantmen, collected at the Isle of Aix, and destined for America, together with a formidable force, under the com- mand of M. de I'Etendiere, chef d'escadre. He sailed from Plymouth on the 9th of August, with five ships of the third- rate, and eight of the fourth-rate. A tedious cruise was at last repaid by a sight of the French squadron. The signal for the enemy being in sight was made by the Edinburgh. A general chase immediately commenced, and in less than an hour the whole of the ene- my's ships AN ore in sight, but crowded together in such a manner, as to prevent their being counted. At ten o'clock, Hawke made the signal to form the line of battle ahead. At half-past ten, captain Fox, of the Kent, informed the admiral that the enemy's fleet consisted of 12 large ships of war, with a fleet oi merchant vessels and transports under their convoy. The transports and merchantmen were soon perceived to bear away with press of sail, while the ships of war were forming the line astern for their protection. Hawke finding that he lost time by endeavouring to form the line .ihead, made signal for a general chase. In less than half an hour, the headmost of the English fleet had neared the enemy so considerably, that the signal was made for that ship to commence tho action, which she accordingly did. In about fifteen minutes the engagement became general from van to rear. The French were inferior in point of force, but had the advantage of the weather-gage, A well-directed and brisk fire was maintained on both sides, with the utmost spirit. But the great object of Hawke was, to bring the enemy to close action, which, owing to his being to leeward, he was for a while unable to accomplish. With great diffi- culty he at last succeeded in getting close alongside of a French fifty gun ship, which in five minutes he compelled ,1 ' f ADMIRAL HAWKE. 329 reported enced to he action ce by the nd. We ut do not jr on any ever, that ;he court, r-adiniral squadron, ?t of mer- ;tined for the com- liled from thethh-d- rht of the ig in sight nmediately 3f the ene- in such a en o'clock, ahead. At he admiral war, with lir convoy. Tceived to war were ^•ke finding ine ahead, ,n half an leared the e for that ■lydid. In neral from t of force, '11-directed the utmost bring the o leeward, great difti- igside of a compelled to strike. Leaving the smaller ships in the rear to take possession of his prize, he hauled his wind, and pushed on to the support of the Eagle and Edinburgh, the latter of which had lost her fore-topmast, and both of which had sustained great damage. But his endeavours to relieve them were obstructed by the Eagle falling on board the Devonshire; having had her wheel shot away, and her braces and bow- lines destroyed, she was rendered altogether unmanageable. Hawke, in consequence of this circumstance, was obliged to bear away; in doing which, however, he attempted to close with a French seventy-four gun ship, but the breeching of his lower-deck guns at this time giving way, he thought it prudent to allow his ship to shoot ahead of the enemy in order to repair them. The enemy, perceiving that some accident had happened, kept up a constant and well-directed fire of single guns, with a view to dismast him, before he had time to repair the injury he had sustained. But captain Harland of the Tilbury, perceiving the enemy's intention, completely defeated it, by running in between the French- man and the admiral's ship, and keeping her in action until the latter was in a condition to renew the engagement. The admiral had no sooner secured his guns, than he made the signal for close action, having observed some of the ships of. his fieet at too great a distance. In a few minutes he closed with the Terrible, of seventy-four guns, which, after a long and resolute resistance, he compelled to surrender; and about this time six more of the enemy's ships struck their colours. Night now coming on, and the British fieet being much dispersed, he made the signal to bring to ; but the action continued to leeward during a great part of the night. In the morning, however, he had the mortification to find that instead of the complete success which he pro- mised himself from the continuance of the action, the ene- my's fieet was out of sight; the Tonnant, of seventy- four guns, which had struck, had eff'ected her escape, and captain Saumarez, of the Nottingham, had fallen. In the shattered condition of his fleet, and with the prizes he had taken, he considered it imprudent to pursue the enemy. He therefore despatched a sloop-of-war to the AVest Indies to warn commodore Pocock of the approach of the French fleet, so that he might take the necessary measures to inter- cept them. The event justified the adoption of this mea- sure, for a great part of the enemy's fleet was captured by Pocock, in consequence of the information h'^ thus received. ■^WWMM 330 ADMIRAL HAWKE. Of the prizes taken by Ilawke in the action, one only was in a condition to make sail, and ht' was accordinj^ly obliged to lye to in oriler to erect jury-masts, and put them in a fit state to proceed to England. In 1750, the country being now at peace, he was appointed to the command at Portsmouth, where he continued till 1755, when he was advanced to the rank of vice-admiral of the white, and appointed to the command of a fleet, consist- ing of eighteen ships, for the purpose of cruising on the coast of France, to watch the motions of the French navy, the equipment of which, at this period, amounted to an in- fraction of the treaty of peace. On the 29th of September he returned into port, being relieved by admiral JJyng; but when that ofticer was ordered to proceed to the Alediterra- nean, Ilawke resumed the command of the fleet, in which he continued until, upon the recall of admiral Byng, he was directed to proceed to Minorca. He accordingly proceeded thither in the Antelope. The object which the French had in view having been accomplished before his arrival, he had no opportunity of retrieving the honour of that fleet which had been, in some degree, unfortunately tarnished. lie, how- ever, continued master of the iVIediterranean during the remainder of this year, when he returned to England, and was appointed to command a squadron, destined for the expe- dition against Rochfort, under the command of 8ir John Mordaunt. The result of this we have already seen. In October, he again sailed for the coast of France, with a view to blockade the enemy's ports ; and he continued during the winter on that station. In the spring of 1758, he returned to Spithead, and in ]\Iarch sailed again with seven ships of the line, and several frigates, for the Isle of Ilhe, off which he arrived on the night of the 3d of April. The squadron continued to play off and on till the morning of the 4th, when they made sail for Basque Road. At day- break he discovered an enemy's squadron with a numerous convoy to windward. He immediately gave chase; but the wind baffling him, the enemy eflt'ected their escape, and /ot into St. Martin's on the Isle of Rhe. Upon this he bore away to Basque Road, in a line of battle ahead, and, in tho afternoon, discovered a squadron and convoy lying off the Isle of Aix. He observed their force to consist of one ship of seventy-four guns, three of sixty-four guns, one of sixty guns, and about forty transports. This armament, on board of which were embarked three thousand troops, was under A X A ADMIRAL HAWKE. 331 nly was obliged I in a fit ppointed iiued till Iniival of , consist- g- on the [ich navy, to an in- 5optember lyng; but kleditervii- 1 ^vbicb be ig, he ^vas proceeded i^vcnch had val, he had fleet which lIe,ho\v- duving the igland, and pr the expe- |f Sir John franoe, with continued Ig of 1758, Ligain with the Isle of Id of April, he morning h. At day- |a numerous ise; but the ipe, and ^'ot Ibis he bore and, in tho ying off the of one ship one of sixty |nt, on board i, was nnder orders to proceed to Loulsbourg to reinforce the garrison of that place ; and Ilawke l)eing acquainted with this circum- stance, knew tho importance of destroying it. Accordingly, at half-past four o'clock, he made the signal for a general chase to the S.E. At five, the enemy began to cut iheir cables, and, in the utmost consternation, endeavoured to escape. At six o'clock, the French commodore slipped his cable, by which time several of the English ships were with- in gun-shot of him. Many of the French ships were now close in shore ; and being aware that there was not suffi- cient depth of water to follow them, he brought up at half- past six, off tho Isle of Aix. At five the next morning, all the enemy's ships were discovered aground, and nearly dry, at the distance of five or six miles. As soon as the fiood- tido made, he put his best pilots into the Intrepid and jNIcd- way frigates, and they warped in shore above a gun-shot. The enemy were now seen to be particularly busy in getting boats from liochfort to assist them in warping their ships through the soft mud in which they lay, as the fiood-tide floated them. In order to facilitate this, they threw their guns, stores, &c. overboard, ]5y this means, and their great exertions, they succeeded in getting their ships of war as far as the mouth of the river Charente, where it was not possible for the English to approach near enough even to annoy them. The transports were dragged on shore near the Isle Madam, and so protected by a shoal, that no injury could be done them. On the 5th, captain Ewer of tho marines, was despatched with one hundred and forty men to the Isle of Aix, to destroy the works which the enemy were employed in erecting. This service was eftected without opposition, and without giving the smallest disturbance to the inhabitants. Having thus completely frustrated the enemy's intended expedition to Louisbourg, and thereby accomplished one of the principal objects he had in view, he returned to England. Soon after his arrival, he was appointed second in com- mand of the fleet under lord Anson, fitted out for the pur- pose of covering a descent then meditated on the coast of France near Cherbourg. He continued his flag in the Ila- millies; and on the 1st of June sailed with the fleet for the coast of France, But being seized with a f^ver soon after the arrival of the fleet in the Bay of Biscay \e was obliged to resign his command, to return to En^ . id for his re- covery. The effects of this severe illness prevented him I \ 332 ADMIRAL HAWKE. !'■ i '! ? !i: •li. lir'[f''^ I,! ! from goinp^ again on service during the remainder of the year. But his health being at length ro-estahlished, he got the chief command of the channel fleet, at that time very considerably strengthened, in order to oppose the formidal)lt armament equipped by France, for the purpose of invading Britain, lie sailed from Portsmouth on the 18th of May, and for six months he rode triumphant off Brest, keep- ing that port in a state of blockade; and the French admiral submitted to this mortifying circumstance, rather than hazard a general action. At last a strong westerly wind drove llawke from his station, and after endeavouring for upwards of twenty days to regain it, he was compelled to put into IMymouth Sound on the 8th of November, and the enemy, seizing that opportunity, put to sea. On the 14th of November, the ]\larquis de Conflans sailed from Brest with his whole fleet, and steered for (^uiberoii Bay, with a view to capture or destroy a small I'^nglish squadron, stationed there for the purpose of intercepting a fleet of transports, destined for the invasion of Ireland. Ilawke having shifted his flag to the Uoyal (Jeorge, sailet. in pursuit of ConHans on the very day that he left Brest, The result of his pursuit, so memorable in the naval annals of England, has been described by himself much in detail, and with adinira))le perspicuity. " Royal Gcorpo, Ponris Point, Nov. 21, 1751. « Sir, — In my letter of the I7th, by express, I desired you would acquaint their lordships with my having received intelligence of eighteen sail of the line and three frigates of the IJrest s(]uadron being discovered about twenty-four leagues to the N. W. of Belleisle, steering to the eastward. All tlie prisoners, however, agree, that on the day we chased them, their squadron consisted, according to thei'* accoin- l)anying list, of four ships of eighty guns, six of seventy-four guns, three (tf seventy guns, eight of sixty-four guns, one frigate of thirty-six guns, one of thirty-four guns, and one of sixteen guns, Avitl) a small vessel to look out. They sailed from Brest the 14th instant, the same day I sailed from Torbay. Concluding that their first rendezvous would be (^uiberon, the instant I received the intelligence, I directed my course thither with a pressed sail. At the first, the wind blowing hard at 8. by 10. and 8. drove us con- siderably to the westward; but on the 18th and 10th, though variable, it proved more favourable. In the meantime, m li't r of the I, he got ine very rmidablc invading of May, st, kec-p- 3 French ;e, rather westerly javouring compelled nber, and lans sailed (iuibercm 11 ]':nglish rcepting a f Ireland, irge, pallet, left Brest, aval annals hh in detail, 21, 1751. I desired g received frigates of '.venty-four 3 eastward. we chased civ accom- venty-four guns, one \\s>, and one lut. They [sailed from lous Avould llligence, 1 Lt the first, |ve us con- )th, though meantime, ADMIRAL HAWKE. 333 having been joined hy the Maidstone and Coventry frigates, I directed their commanders to keep ahead of the squadron, one on the starboard and the other on the larboard bow. At half-past eight o'clock in the morning of the 20th, Belle- isle, by our reckoning bearing E. by N. one-fuurth N. the Maidstone made the signal for seeing a fleet. I immedi- ately spread al)road the signal for a line abreast, in order to draw all the ships of the squadron up with me. I had be- fore sent the Magnanime ahead, to make the land: at three quarters past nine she made the signal for an enemy. Ob- serving, on my discovering them, that they made off, I threw out the signal for the seven ships nearest them to chase, and, by drawing into a line of battle ahead of me, endeavour to stop them till the rest of the squadron should come up. The other ships wore also to form as they chased, that no time might be lost in the pursuit. That morning the enemy were in chase of the Rochester, Chatham, Portland, Falk- land, Minerva, Vengeance, and V'^enus, all which joined me about eleven o'clock; and, in the evening, the Sapphire from Quiberon Bay. All the day we had very fresh gales from N. W. and W.N.W. with heavy squalls. M. Contlans kept going off under such sail as all his sriuadron could carry, and at the same time Iceep together, while we crowded after him, with every sail our ships could bear. At half- past two P.M. the fire beginning ahead, I made the signal for engaging. We were then to the southward of Belle- isle, and the admiral headmost; he soon after led round the Cardinals, while his rear was in action. About four o'clock the Formidable struck, and a little after the Thesee and Superbe were sunk ; about five the Ileros struck, and came to an anchor, but it blowing hard no boat could be sent on board her. Night was now come on, and being on a part of the coast among islands and shoals, of which we were totally ignorant, without a pilot, the greatest part of the squadron being in the same situation, it also blowing hard on a lee-shore, I made the signal to anchor, and came to in fifteen fathom of water, the Island of Dumet bearing E. by N. between two and three miles, the Cardinals W. half 8. and the Steeples of Crozie S.E. as we found next morning. " In the night we heard many guns of distress fired, but the violence of the wind, our want of knowledge of the coast, and whether they were fired by a friend or an enemy, pre- vented all moans of relief. " By day-break on the 2 1st, we discovered one of our ships. 334 ADMIRAL HAWKE. /( a «',. i,t dismasted on shore, the French Iloros also, and the Solcil Royal, which, under cover of the night, had anchored among us, cut and ran ashore to the westward of Crozie. On the latter's moving, I made the Essex's signal to slip and pursue her; but she unfortunately got upon the Four, and both she and the Resolution are irrecoverably lost, notwithstanding we sent them all the assistance the weather woulS\viftsure did, for she is still missing. The Dorsetshire and Defiance returned the next day; and the latter saw the Revenge without. Thus, what loss we have sustained has been owing to the weather, not the enemy, seven or eight of wliose line-of-battle ships got to sea, I believe, the night of the action. "As soon as it was broad day-light in the morning of the 21st, I discovered seven or eight of the enemy's line-of-battle ships at anchor, between Point Fenris a'ld the River Vil- laine, on which I made the signal to weigh, in order to work up and attack them; but it blowed so hard from the N.W. that, instead of daring to cast the squadron loose, I was obliged to strike to])-gallant-masts. Most of their ships appeared to be agvjund at low water; but on the flood, by lightening them, and the advantage of the wind under the land, all, except two, got that night into the River Vil- laine. " The weather being moderate on the 22d, I sent the Port- land, Chatham, and Ven^^eance, to destroy the Soleil Royal and Heros. The Frencu, on the approach of our ships, set the first on fire, and soon after the latter met the same fate from our people. In the meantime I got under weigh, and worked up within Penris Point, as well for the sake of its being a safer road, as to destroy, if possible, the two ships of the enemy which still lay without the Villaine; but before the ships sent ahead for that jiurpose could got near them, being quite light, they got in with the tide of fiood <' All the 23d we were employed in reconnoitring the en- M. ADMIRAL HAWKE. 33! le Soleil I among On the \ pursue both she standing permit, te of the ifts, and, •midable, 3 Essex's :), except m on the f. The Dorset- ht of the ho is still 1 the next hus, ^vhat ather, not ships got ing of the -of-battle liver Vil- V to work heN.W. ISO, I WHS K'ir s-hips iiood, l)y aider the iver Vil- Ithe Port- Ikil Uoyul ships, set Isame fate •eigh, and lake of its lo ships of ]ut before lear them, the en- trance of that river, which is very narrow, with only twelve foot water on the bar, at low water. We discovered at least seven, if not eight line-of-battle ships, about half a mile within, quite light, and two large frigates which appeared to have guns in. By evening I had twelve long boats fitted as fire-ships, ready to attempt burning them, under cover of the Sapphire and Coventry ; but the weather being bad, and the wind contrary, obliged me to defer it, till at least the latter should be favourable : if they can by any means he destroyed, it shall be done. " In attacking a flying enemy, it was impossible, in the space of a short winter's day, that all our ships should be able to get into action, or all those of the enemy brought to it. The commanders and comi)anies of such as r of a thick 15 ut he was n, and after nod to port. le command ered to pro- alened to be >pain. But ler the com- memy from lerefore, no casion; and rards, put a )f England ; lord of the )f England. Llty with the t"' .''^ 'N ij I ' - v\ .-V- -v '■*♦; m- i '■! ilV. / ii 'i«n. t « M, ib-rfji LORD ANSON. — George Anson was descended from an ancient family in Staffordshire, and was born at Shug- borongh manor, in the parish of Colvvich, in that county, in the year 1G97; being the third son of WilHam Anson, Esq. His inclmation leading him to the navy, he went to sea, at an early age, and in 1716,* he was made second lieutenant ot' his majesty's ship, the Hampshire, by Sir John Norris, which promotion was confirmed by the board of admiralty. In the next year, he was again in the Baltic, in the Heet commanded by Sir (ieorge Byng; and, at this time, lie had an oppor- tunity of seeing, on the Danish shore, the illustrious Czar Peter of Russia, and the famous Catharine, his empress. On the 15th of March, 1717-18, Anson was appointed second lieutenant of the Montagu, one of the ships of Sir * III Sir John Barrow's elaborate and excellent Life of Anson, published in 1839, it is slated — "Alter a diligent search at So- merset-house, it appears that the name of (Jeurgc Anson is first found, as vohiuteer in the books of the Huby, in January 1712; from the Ruby to the Monmouth, and from that to the Hamp- shire, where he received his acting order as lieutenant. As cap- tain Peter Chamberlain connnandcd all thc^ic ships, (the Ruby from 1706 to 1712,) it is oxlremely probable that Anson entered the service under this ollicer, nho, in 1720, was wrecked in the Miiford frigate, ulf the coast of Cuba, when he and nearly the whulc uf liie crew perished." f LORD A\f?ON'. iSU oo (led from at Shug- Bounty, in son, Esq. sea, at an tenant oi ris, which In the mmanded m oppor- uus Czar empress, ippointed DS of Sir of Anson, rch at So- Ison is first ary 1712; le 11 amp - As cap- the Ruby u entered ed in the icarly the George Byng's scjuadron, in the expedition to Sicily, and he was present in the celebrated action near that island, by which the Spanish fleet was eft'ectually destroyed, and the designs of the king of Spain against Sicily received a chock. In 1722, he was preferred to be commander of the Wuazel sloop. He was raised in 1724, to the rank of post-captain, and to the command of the Scarborough man-of-war. Soim after this appointment, he was ordered to South Carolina, where he continued above three years ; and during his residence in this province, he erected a town (Anson Burgh), and gave name to a county, which is still called Anson county. Being- ordered home, in October 1727, he returned to England, in the following spring, and was paid off, in May 1728; before the expiration of which year, he was appointed captain of the Garland man-of-war, and went out in her to South Caro- lina; whence he was ordered back, in the following year, and the ship was put out of commission. However, having the good fortune to be in favour with lord Torrington and Sir Charles Wager, successively, first lords of the admiralty, he did not remain long out of employment; for in 1731, the command of the Diamond, one of the Downs squadron, was bestowed upon him, which command he held but about three months, the Diamond being then j)aid off. On the 25th ot' January, 1732, he was again called into public service, and appointed captain of the Squirrel man-of-war, in which shij) he was again ordered, in the following April, for South Carolina, w^here he continued till the spring of the year 1735. In these employment", Anson conducted himself with an ability and discretion which gave general satisfaction ; and after his last return from South Carolina, he staved at home between two and three years; it being the yth of December 1737, wdien he was put into the command of the Centurion. In this ship, he was ordered, in February following, to the coast of Guinea; from v-hich station he returned to his own country, by the course oi Barbadoes and South Carolina, on the 10th of July, 1739; having executed with great prudence and fidelity the directions of givernment. Anson's con- duct, in his various situations and employments, had produced so favourable an opinion of his capacity and sjtirit, that when, in the war which broke out with Spain in 173!), it v\as deter- mined to attack the American settlements of the Spaniards in the great Pacific Ocean, and by this means to affect thorn h'V 340 LORD ANSOX. h / .i I ' ill %.-• (.1 f in their most sonsible parts, he was fixer! upon to be the com- mander of the fleet which was desif^ned for that purpose. The history of this celebrated expedition is in every one's hand. It will be sufficient for us to relate, that he departed from ►St. Helen's on the 18th of September, 1740, at the head of a squadron consisting of five men-of-war, asloop-of-war, and two victualling .ships; that he stopped first at Madeira, then at the island of 8t. Catherine, on the coast of Brazil, and rcxt at Port St. Julian, in Patagonia; that he encountered prodigious difficulties in doubling Cape Horn; that, in this perilous passage, the fleet was separated, and part of it never joined him again; at length, he arrived at the island of Juan Fernandez ; that from thence he proceeded to Peru, took the town of Paita, anchored a few days at Quibo, sailed to the coast of Mexico, and formed the design of intercepting the Acapulco ship; that, after stopping awhile at the harbour of Chequetan, he determined to cross the Pacific Ocean ; that at last ids squadron was reduced to his own single ship, the Centurion; that he made some stay at Tinian, one of the Ladrones or Marian islands, from which he went to Macao ; that sailing back from Macao, in quest of the Manilla galleon, he Iiad the happiness of meeting with it, and of taking it, on the 30th of June, 1743 ; that, after this enterprise, he returned to Canton, whence he embarked for England, by the Cape of Good Hope; that having completed his voyage round the world, ho came safe to an anchor at Spithead, on the 15th of June, 1744; and that he executed the whole of the under- taking with singular honour and advantage to himself, and the officers and people under him, though from original errors and defects in the embarkation, and from causes in which he was in no wise concerned, the grand design of the expedition was not fully answered. Before commodore Anson set sail upon this expedition, he took care to furnish himself with the printed journals of the voyages to the South Seas, and the best manuscript accounts he could procure of all the Spanish settlements upon the coasts of Chill, Peru, and Mexico, which he afterwards carefully compared with the examinations of his prisoners, and the information of several intelligent persons who fell into his hands; and, through the whole enterprise, he acted w ith a remarkable discretion, and with a calmness which particularly distinguishes his character. His humanity was displayed at the island of Juan Fernandez, in his assisting with his own labour, and obliging the oflBcers, without dis- LORD ANSOV. 341 hocom- 5e. The 5 hand, ed from head of i\'ar, and ira, then azil, ant time, the equable and unvaried character which he had hitherto preserved. When he was at Maoao, commodore Anson, exerted great spirit and address in procuring the necessary aid from the Chinese, for the refitting of his ship; and in the scheme for taking the Manilla galleon, and in the actual taking of it, ht' displayed united wisdom and courage: nor did the usual calmness oi' his mind forsake him on a most trying occasion; when, in the moment of victory, the Centurion was danger- ously on fire near the powder-room. During his subse- quent stay at Canton, he acted, in all respects, with the greatest spirit, and firmly maintained the privileges and hon- our of the British flag. The perils with which he had been so often threatened, pursued him to the last; for, on his 342 LOUD AXSOX. n frV' ! ,1 ,' I r f* arrival in England, he found that he had sailed throngh the niidst of the French fleet, then cruising in the channel, from which he had, the whole time, been concealed hy a fog. Thus was his expedition finisheii at the end of three years and nine months; "after having, by its event," says the writer of his voyage,* "strongly evinced this important truth, that though prudence, intrepidity, and perseverance united, are not exempted from the blows of adverse fortune, yet, in a long series of transactions, xhpj usually rise supe- rior to its power, and, in the end, rare'y faW of proving suc- cessful." A few days after his return to his own country, Anson was made a rear-admiral of the blue, and in a very short time, he was chosen m.'mber of parliament for Heydon in Yorkshire. In 1744, he was appointed one of the commis- sioners of the admiralty, and in the following year he was made a rear-admiral of the white. In 1746, he was raised to the rank of vice-admiral ; and in the latter end of this year, an• a 3f three it," savs iportant jverance fortune, ise supe- ing suc- ', Anson rv short ;ydon in commis- [• he was as raised I of this he s V 'ifc^ 344 LORD A\SON. '1 i U I. I !l:' !■! f . «■ I ' i ■ ' ' i •If' . elder brethren of the Trinity House, and a governor of the Charter House. He was very assiduous at the admiralty- hoard, and remarkably quick and ready in making naval dispositions of every kind, and in appropriating the proper strength and proper sort of ships to the different services. He was pleased to see his table filled by gentlemen of the navy ; and he was a true friend and patron of men of real merit and capacity in the service. As an officer and a man, the memory of lord Anson is entitled to the utmost veneration and respect. As an officer, he was cool and steady in the execution of his duty, of an enterprising spirit, yet patient under difficulties, and endowed with a courage that no dangers could dismay. He had the welfare of his country truly at heart, and served it with a zeal that has been equalled by few, and surpassed by none. Among the many services that will immortalize his name, his discreet and fortunate choice of his officers was none of the least, as will readily be allowed, when it is mentioned, that Sir Charles Saunders, captain Philip Saumarez, Sir Viercy Brett, Sir Peter Dennis, and lord Keppel, were his lieutenants in the Centurion. As a man, he was warm and steady in his friendships, and particularly careful of the in- terests of those whom he had taken under his protection, if they continued worthy of his patronage. In his disposition he was mild and unassuming, and could boast of no great ae(iuaintance with the world, but on professional subjects his judgment was quick and comprehensive; and Mr. Pitt allowed him to be one of the ablest colleagues of his glorious administration. Of good fortune, no man had a larger share than lord Anson, but it should be remarked, that scarcely anv man deserved it more; his successes were not the result of blind chance, but of well-concerted and well-executed de- signs. On the whole, we may safely pronounce our hero to be one of the most illustrious characters that our navy lias produced, and one whose name will descend with honour to till! latest posterity. Sir George Pocock, of whose name frequent honourable mention has been made, was the son of Mr. Pocock, chaplain to Greenwich Hospital. He raised himself to the highest reputation in his profession, and died in 1792, in the 87th \ear of his age. Of Richard Tyrrol, .• nd his famous combat with the riorissant, we have already spoken. »or of the drairalty- ing naval he proper : services. leD of the en of real Anson is an oflBcer, utv, of an \ endowed le had the . it with a I by none. his name, as none of nentioned, narez, Sir , were his warm and of the in- tection, if isposition no great ,1 subjects Mr. Pitt s glorious 'ger share t scarcely the result cuted de- our hero our navv rh honour )nourable chaplain le highest the 87th with the \}d^^^W6 CHAPTER VIII. GEORGE III. 1763 TO 1783 — PU0GUES3 OF DISCOVERY — HYRON — CVrXAIN COOK — WAR 01' AMERICAN REVOLLTION — WAR WITH FRANCE — WAR WITH Sl'AIN — WA.R WITH HOLLAND — SIEGE OF GIHRALTAR ELLIOT, LORD HEATH FIELD — I5ARRINGT0N — KEP- VEL — RODNEV — IvEMI'ENFELT — LOSS OF THE ROYAL GEORGE — SIR JOHN MOORE —MAURICE SUCKLING — SIR CHARLES HARDY — SIR HYDE PARKER — PALL JONES. During the interval of peace which followed the termina- tion of the seven years' war, the attention of the JOnglish government was laudably directed to the promotion of mari- time discovery; a subject, at all times deeply interesting to the British sailor, and in connection with which, many of his most enduring, though peaceful, laurels have been won. It is not consistent with the nature of this work, to enter minutely into the detail of voyages of discovery; but the op- portunity must not be altogether passed by, unused, to give a brief notice of at least two navigators distinguished in this department, whose history is naturally connected with the era of which we treat. Lord Anson, celebrateil alike in the warlike and peaceful pursuits of iiis profession, has been already mentioned. Tho 34G BYROX. iV^^ Nilt : , i n If f/ ui f Mr 'f I i 'I f f' t tM improvements he introduced in navigation, and in the man- agement of his crews, was of the greatest utility to his suc- cessors. Of these, the first of whom we shall offer an account, is Byron. THE HONOURABLE JOHN BYRON, second son of William, fourth lord Byron, and grandfather of the cele- brated poet, lord Byron, was born in November, 1723, and appointed a midshipman in 1731; he afterwards served on board the Wager store-ship. In this vessel he sailed, in 1740, for the South 8eas, with the squadron under the orders of commodore Anson. The distresses which he experienced after the loss of that ill-fated ship, have been recorded in his interesting narrative, a work in the hands of most naval readers. Immediately on his return home, he was promoted to be commander of a sloop of war; and advanced, in December, 1746, to be captain of the Syren frigate. After this no mention is made of him during the war: not long after its conclusion he was appointed to the St. Alban's, and ordered for the coast of Guinea, with commodore Buckle. On his return to England, in January, 1753, he was appointed o the Augusta, of sixty guns, then ordered to be equipped for a guardship at Plymouth. From this ship he was promoted to the Vanguard, of seventy guns, a ship ordered to be fitted for sea at Plymouth, In the beginning of the year 1755, a rupture being then apprehended with France. In 1757, he was captain of the America, a sixty gun ship, one of the armament employed on the successless expedition against Rochfort, under Sir Edward Ilawke. At the close of this year he was sent out senior officer of a small squadron, con- sisting of his own ship, the America, with the Brilliant and Coventry frigates, ordered to cruise off the coast of France. No other material mention is made of Byron till the early part of 17G0, when he commanded the Fame, of seventy-four guns, and was ordered to Louisbourg with some transports, having on board artificers and engineers, sent to demolish the fortifications of that once important place. Having re- ceived information from the governor of Louisbourg, that some French ships of war, with store-ships, were in Chaleur Bay, he proceeded in quest of them, with his own ship, the Repulse, and Scarborough. He succeeded in destroying the whole, consisting of three frigates, the Marchault, of thirty-two guns, the Bienfaisant, of twenty-two, and the BYROX, 347 n the man- to his suc- m account, second son of the cele- , 1723. and s served on ed, in 1740, e orders of experienced )rded in his most naval Tioted to he Decemher, J'ter this no ng after its md ordered le. On his ppointed 'o quipped for IS promoted to be fitted ar 1755, a n 1757, he one of the ion against ose of this adron, con- illiant and of France. I the early venty-four ran sports, o demolish laving re- )ourg, that in Chaleur n ship, the destroying rchault, of and the \ ]\Iarquis Marlose, of eighteen, with twenty schooners, sloops, and small privateers, having on board some troops, with a considerable quantity of provisions and stores. Captain Byron returned from Louisbourg, and arrived in safety at Plymouth, towards the end of November. We believe him, though no farther particular mention is made of him, to have continued in the Fame nearly, if not entirely, till the end of the wr.r. 8oon after peace had taken place, it was resolved to send out a small force on a voyage of dis- coverv i and Byrcii, in consequence of his universally ac- knowledged judgment and skill in the art of navigation, was pitched upon to command it. His instructions, dated the I7th of June in that year, ex- plain the nature and object of the expedition. " Whereas nothing can redound more to the honour of this nation, as a maritime power, to the dignity of the crown of Great Bri- tain, and to the advancement^ of the trade and navigation thereof, than to make discoveries of countries hitherto un- known ; and whereas there is reason to believe that lands and islands of great extent, hitherto unvisited by any Euro- pean power, may be found in the Atlantic Ocean, between the Cape of Good Hope and the Magellanic Straits, within the latitude convenient for navigation, and in climates adapted to the produce of commodities useful in commerce; and whereas his majesty's islands called Pepy's island and Falkland Islands, lying within the said track, notwithstand- ing their having been first discovered and visited by British nav.^ tors, have never yet been so sufficiently surveyed, as that an accurate judgment may be formed of their coasts and product, his majesty taking the premises into considera- tion, and conceiving no conjuncture so proper for an enter- prise of this nature as a time of profound peace, which his kingdoms at present happily enjoy, has thought fit that it should now be undertaken." Captain Byron, pursuant to the'^T instructions, sailed from the Downs on the 21st of June, and having visited the Falkland Islands, passed through the Straits of Magellan into the I'acific Ocean, where he dis- covered the islands of ])isappointment, George, Prince of Wales, Danger, York Island, and Byron Island. He re- turned to England in the month of May, in the year 17G0 — having determined in the course of this long navigation many doubtful points, the result of which was highly inter- esting to the public, and of great importance to future navi- gators. m f) '^H J (' ^^■^ i 1 i|i 1 .'''! 348 BYROV, i jl I-' i . n> \.i Byron, after his return, held no command till the year 1769, when he was, on tho 3(1 of June, appointed governor of Newfoundland. On March 31, 1775, ho was advanced to be rear-admiral of the blue, on the 28th of April, 1777, to be rear-admiral of the white, on the 23d of January, 1778, to be rear-admiral of the red, and, immediately after, to be vice-admiral of the blue. The hostile intentions of France becoming at this time apparent, and it being discovered by the administration, that a strong squadron of twelve ships of the line, commanded by count d'Estaing, was under orders to sail, as it was supposed, to America, admiral Byron was chosen to command a squadron of nearly the same force, which was ordered thither for the purpose of counteracting tlieir interference. He sailed on the l)th of June; but the sijuadron encountering a violent gale of wind, was com- pletely dispersed. Byron, who had his flag on board the I'rinoess Royal, of ninety guns, arrived alone ofl' 8andy Hook on the 18th of August, and found d'Estaing at anchor there before him, in such a station as to prevent all possi- bility of his getting either into Nev/ York or llhode Island. He consequently bore away for Halifax, and having repaired the injuries the ship received on its passage, he sailed to New York, in order to join lord Howe, with all the force he had been able to collect. This consisted of no more than his own ship, the Oulloden, of seventy-four guns, the Diamond frigate, with the Dispatch and Hope sloops-of-war. But the enemy, after a skirmish with some of the English ships, put into Boston, in New England, to repair the damages they had sustained, and to pi-epare for a voyage to the AVest Indies. Having collected his Avhole force, he followed in pursuit, and arrived in time to prevent any farther attack from being made on admiral Barrington, who had with a force, comparatively speaking, small, not only withstood the utmost efforts of the French admiral, but made himself master of the island of St. Lucia. Some months were spent in watching each other, during which time both sides re- ceived reinforcements; but the enemy still retained a mani- fest superiority, both in numbers and in the size of their ships. Such was the situation of affairs, when in the beginning of July, the vice-admiral having received intelligence that the French fleet, in great force, had been discovered from St. Vincent's, immediately ])ut to sea in pursuit of them; when on his passage to (Grenada, ho received advice that the island was attacked by a force not exceeding nineteen ships of the the year Tovernor iJvanced ril, 1777, ry, 1778, :er, to be f France •ed by the ips of the orders to ^Ton was aie force, iteracthig ; but the was corn- board the 3if 8andy at anchor all possi- de Island. T repaired ^d to New pee he had 3 than his Diamond var. But ;'lish ships, 3 damages the AVest )llowed in er attack ad with a istood the lo himself were spent sides re- ■d a mani- heir ships. ,nnning of ;e that the from St. iui; when the island lips of the CAPTAIN COOX. 340 line. lie hastened thither, and arrived off St. Geo; ge's Bay, where the enemy lay at anchor, soon after day-light. On the Gth of July, immediate measures were taken to bring them to close action ; but the enemy's fleet, when completely formed, was found to consist of twenty-seven ships of the line, instead of nineteen, which had been before stated as their highest force. Notwithstanding this great superiority, the whole of Byron's force, amounting to twenty-one sail only, seven or eight of which were of sixty-four guns, while very few in D'Estaing's fleet carried fewer than seventy- four, the latter most industriously avoided a close action, a point be was enabled, from the great superiority his ships possessed in point of sailing, to carry into effect. The en- counter produced nothing decisive: encumbered as Byron was with a numerous fleet of transports, he was unable to effect any thing farther, and Grenada fell into their hands. He himself, in his despatches, «iakes the following remark on the enemy's conduct : — " Although it was evident, throughout the whole day, that they resolved to avoid a close engagement, I co'dd not allow myself to think, that, with a force so greatly superior, the French admiral would allow us to carry off the transports unmolested." Byron soon after this event returned to England in a fri- gate, leaving the command with rear-admiral Parker, and never accepted of any subsequent command. On the 19th of March, 1779, while absent in the West Indies, he was advanced to be vice-admjral of the white, which was the highest rank he lived to attain. He died on the 10th of April, 1786, with the universal and justly-acquired reputation of a brave and excellent officer, but of a man extremely unfortunate. He left two sons, of whom John, the elder, was the father of the cele- brated poet. CAPTAIN COOK.— The parents of captain Cook, who were respectable in their lowly station, were settled for some time before his birth at Marton, a village in the North Hiding of Yorkshire; and in this place their son James, destined to give celebrity to their name and family, was born on the 27th of October, in the year 1728. Having received the first rudiments of educaticn at his native place, he was further instructed in writing, and the common rules of arith- metic at Ayton j and, at the age of thirteen years, he was \ , M H 350 CAPTAIN COOK. i; /. I i-} 1 { , nil : i- :! r- apprenticed to a shopkeeper at Staiths, a fishiiig town ten miles from Whitby. The sea, however, was the object towards which lie manifested an early inclination ; and, in consequence of some disagreement with his master, he ob- tained his discharge, and bound himself for seven years to Messrs. Walkers of Whitby, quakers by religious profes- sion, who employed two ships in the coal trade. At the expiration of his apprenticeship, he continued in vessels of this description, as a common sailor, till at length he was appointed mate in one of Walker's ships. At this time, he was not distinguished by any peculiar and very marked character, though, without doubt, he must have acquired l considerable degree of knowledge in practical navigation. In the spring of the year 1755, when hostili- ties commenced between England and France, Cook, and the ship to which he belonged, happened to be in the river Thames; and after concealing himself some time, to avoid being impressed, he determined to enter into the British navy. Ilis first situation was on board the Eagle man-of- M-ar, to the command of which captain, afterwards Sir Hugh, Palliser was appointed in 1755. As an active, diligent sea- man, he recommended himself to the captain's notice; a"^d in consequence of his acknowledged merit, as well as by some private interference, he obtained in May, 1759, a master's warrant, and was appointed to the Mercury. This ship was destined for North America, where she joined the fleet under Sir Charles Saunders, which, in con- junction with the land forces under general Wolfe, was engaged in the siege of Quebec. As it was necessary to take the soundings in the river St. Lawrence, between the island of Orleans and the North shore, in the front of the French fortified camp at Montmorency and Beauport, Cook was recommended by captain Pailiser to this difficult and hazardous service. He performed it, with great personal risk, tc the entire satisfaction of his employers; and fur- nished the admiral with a complete and correct draught of the channel and soundings. Before this time, it is thought that he had scarcely ever used a pencil, and that he had no knowledge of drawing. He next surveyed those parts of the river below Quebtc, ■which navigators had found to be attended with much dan- ger; this business was executed with his customary dili- gence and skill; and when his undertaking was finished, his chart of the river St. Lawrence was published with CAPTAIN COOK. 351 own ten le object ; and, in r, he ob- years to 5 profes- inued in at length At this md very ast have practical 1 hostili- !ook, and the river to avoid 3 British man-of- ir Hugh, gent sea- tice; a'^d J bj' some master's here she in con- fe, was essary to een the of the irt. Cook cult and aersonal md fur- lught of ely ever rawing. Quebec, ch dan- Ary dili- finished, ed with the necessary soundings and directions for navigating the river. After the expedition to Quebec, Cook was appointed mas- ter of the Northumberland man-of-war. During the sta- tion of his ship at Halifax, he read Euclid, and devoted his le sure time to the study of astronomy, and other branches of science. In 17G2, the Northuiaberland came to Newfoundland, to assist in the recapture of the island from the French; and after this was accomplished, Cook surveyed the harbour of Placontia, and the heights of the place, with a diligence which engaged the notice of captain Greaves, the governor of Newfoundland. The governor forned a high opinion of his abilities and character; and this opinion was amply confirmed by the concurring testi- mony of aV the officers under whom he had served. Upon Cook's return to England, towards the close of the year 1732, he married. Early in the year 1763, he accom- panied captain Greaves to Newfoundland as surveyor of its coasts. In 1764, he was appointed, under the orders of commodore Palliser, marine surveyor of Newfoundland and Labrador; and of the satisfactory manner in which he exe- cuted this office, the charts which he afterwards published, afford sufficient evidence. These services were continued till the year 1767; and while he was employed in them, he transmitted to the Royal Society an observation of the eclipse of the sun at Newfoundland, with the longitude deduced from it, from which he appears to have already acquired the character of an able mathematician. But a new and more interesting scene opened upon him. A spirit of discovery had been excited towards the latter end of the fifteenth century, and in the following century it was very vigorous and active: but, soon after the commence- ment of the seventeenth century, it declined : at a subsequent period, during the reign of king George II. it again began to revive; and two voyages were performed for the purpose of discovering a nor*h-west passage through Hudson's Bay. But a nobler display of this spirit was reserved for Cook to furnish. Soon after the peace of 1763, two voyages round the world were undertaken by captains Byron, Wallis, and Gari<^ret, to whom we are indebted for several discoveries, which served to extend the knowledge of geography and navigation ; but before the return of the two last of these commanders, another voyage was projected, on a more extensive scale than either of the former. ) i 352 CAPTAIN tOOK. m I V ' 111' Wh il: t : ; i u »'■ r.i ^ !,' The transit of Venus in 17G9, Avhich was likely to be ob- served with the greatest advantage in some of the islands of the South Sea, afforded an inducement to this expedition ; and after a variety of preliminary consultations and debates, Cook, Avho was strongly recommended by Mr. Stephens, secretary to the admiralty, and by Sir Hugh Palliser, was appointed to the command of it, with the rank of a lieu- tenant in the royal navy. A vessel of three hundred and seventy tons, called the Endeavour, was prepared ; but before the necessary arrange- ments were completed, captain Wallis returned, and upon being consulted, he recommended Port Royal Harbour in George's Island, since known by the name of Otaheite, as the most proper place for the proposed observation of the transit. Lieutenant Cook was accompanied by Mr. Charles Green, who had been assistant to Dr. Bradley at tho Royal Observatory at Greenwich, and also by Sir Joseph Banks, President of the Royal Society, and Dr. Solander, men of the highest eminence in science. Lieutenant Cook had further views in this voyage than the mere observation of the transit, and, accordingly, when that business was accomplished, he was directed to pursue discoveries in the great Southern Ocean. The complement of Cook's ship consisted of eighty-four persons, she was vic- tualled for eighteen months : and furnished with ten carriage and twelve swivel guns, together with an ample store of ammunition and other necessaries. On the 26th of August our navigators set sail from Ply- mouth Sound, and on the 13th of September anchored in Funchiale Road, in the island of Madeira. Here they were hospitably entertained ; and having laid in a fresh stock of beef, water, and wine, they left the island on the 18th of September. Their reception at Rio de Janeiro was very different from that whi( h they had met with at Madeira; and they were detained there from the 13th of Nov. to the 7th of the following month, involved in disagreeable discus- sion with the viceroy, a man destitute of science, and who could not be made to comprehend the objects of the voyage. Captain Cook behaved during the whole of the dispute with spirit, tempered with discretion. Leaving Rio de Janeiro, they proceeded on their voyage, and on the 13th of April, 1769, anchored in Matavia Bay, in the island of Otaheite. The 3d of June was the day in which the transit of Venus was to take place. It was accurately observed, an account CAPTAIN' COOK. OOu to be ob- islands of peditioii ; debates, Stephens, liser, was if a lieu- ailed the arrange- md upon irbour in aheite, as )n of the . Charles ho Roval h Banks, •, men of age than ^ly, when o pursue nplement was vic- carriage store of om Ply- hored in hey were stock of 18th of as verv (ira; and the 7th discus- ind who voyage, ute with Janeiro, f April, Jtaheite. Venus account of which was published in the sixty-first volume of tho Triinsactions of the Royal Society of London, We shall not farther detail the particulars of this voyage, than to touch upon such facts as are closely connected with the subject of the article. Captain Cook remained at Ota- heite till the 15th of July, after which he sailed to the Society Islands. He then proceeded to the inhospitable coasts of New Zealand, and on the 10th October, 1770, he arrived at Batavia, with his vessel nearly worn out, and a crew much fatigued and sickly. The repairs of his ship obliged him to continue in this unhealthy place, till near the end of Decem- ber, during which time he lost many of his seamen and pas- sengers, and still more on his passage to the Cape of Good Hope, which he reached on the 16th of March 1771. From the Cape he sailed to St. Helen's, where he arrived on the 1st of May; and on the 12th of June he came to an anchor in the Downs, having been absent almost three years, during which he had experienced every danger to which a voyage of such length is incident, displaying on all occasions a mind equal to th'^ most perilous enterprises, and to the boldest and most daring efforts of navigation. The manner in which he had performed his voyage round the globe, justly entitled him to the applause and protection of government. He was, accordingly, promoted to be mas- ter and commander, by commission, bearing date August 1771. On this occasion, the persevering commander, from a consciousness of his own merit, was desirous of being made a post-captain, which was refused, as being a departure from the ordinary rules of the naval service. A pitiful ex- cuse in such a case. Shortly after his return to England, it was determined to eijuip two ships to complete, or rather to extend, the discov- eries already made in the South Sea. He had laid before the Royal Society '• an account of the flowing of the tides in the South Sea," and it had long been a prevailing idea, that the unexplored part of that sea contained another con- tinent, and many plausible arguments had been urged in support of the opinion. To ascertain this point was the im- portant object of Cook's second voyage. Two ships were provided, equipped with uncommon care, an»' furnished with every necessary that could contribute to the safety, health, and comfort of the navigators. The tirst of these, com- manded by captain Cook, was called the Resolution, a vessel of four hundred and sixty-two tons burden ; the other the m m& mum 91 m ■H I.?l i^ > ,* /' ;, i i ^ I, a •' H II': t !' ■•■< t4 II 3.-^4 CAPTAIN COOK, Adventure, of three hundred and thirty-six tons Lurden, ^vas commanded by captain Furneaux. They set sail in Aprd 1772, and were out from that time to the 30th of July 1775, having during that long interval lost but one man by sickness in captain Cook's ship, although he had sailed in all climates from fifty -one degrees north, to seventy-one degrees south, with a company of one hundred and eighteen men. On the 9th of the following August, he was promoted to the rank of post-captain, and three days afterwards he received a more distinguished and substantial mark of the approbation of government, in being appointed one of the captains of Greenwich hospital, a situation which was intended to afford him a pleasing and honourable retire- ment from his labours and services. On the 20th of February 1776, he was chosen a Fellow of the Royal Society, to which he was admitted on the 17th of March. The same evening a paper was read which he had addressed to the president, containing an account of the method which he had taken to preserve the health of the crew of his mr.jesty's ship the Resolution during her voyage round the world. For this paper, as the best experimental essay in the year, it was resolved, by the president and coun- cil of the society, to present him with Sir Godfrey Copley's gold medal. " If," says Dr. Kippis, " captain Cook had made no important discoveries ; if he had not determined the question concerning a southern continent, his name would still have been entitled to immortality, on account of his hu- mane attention to, and his unparalleled success in preserving the lives and health of his seamen." The captain had abundant reason, on this head, to assume the pleasurable, but modest language, with which he has concluded his narrative of his second voyage round the globe. """Whatever," says he, " may be the public judgment about other matters, it is with real satisfaction, and without claim- ing any merit but that of attention to my duty, that I can conclude this account with an observation which facts enable me to make, that our having discovered the possibility of preserving health among a numerous ship's company, for such a length of time, in such varieties of climate, and amidst such continued hardships and fatigues, will make this voyage remarkable in the opinion of evei^y benevolent person, when the disputes about the southern continent shall have ceased to engage the attention, and divide the judgment of philoso- phers." i ( APTAIN COOK. 355 mrdeii, Mas n that time )ng interval ip, although es north, to ne liundred August, he three days substantial g appointed at ion which L-able retire- in a Fellow on the 17th d which he iount of the ?alth of the ; her voyage xperimental )t and coun- ^ey Copley's Cook had ermined the ame would it of his hu- preserving I, to assume lich he has |cl the globe. nent about lout claim - that I can ("acts enable )ssibility of ipany, for land amidst this voyage 'son, when |ave ceased of philoso- '■i \ One circumstance alone, says his biographer, was wri ig to complete the pleasure and celebrity arising from the iis- signment of Sir (iodfroy Copley's medal — the hero was not there to hear the admirable discourse of the })resident on that occasion, or receive the honour conferred upon him, having sailed some months previously on his last voyage. " If,'' said Sir John Pringle, the president, " Rome de- creed the civic crown to him who saved the life of a single citizen, what wreaths are due to that man who, having him- self saved many, perpetuates in your transactions the means by which Britain may now, on the most distant voyages, preserve numbers of her intrepid sons, her mariners; who, braving every danger, have so liberally contributed to the fame, to the opulence, and to the maritime empire of their country ?" The want of success which attended captain Cook's attempt to discover a southern continent, did not prevent another plan being resolved on which had been under consideration soiuo time. A grand question remained to be determined, and that was the practicability of a northern passage to the Pa- cific Ocean. The dangers which our navigator had twice braverl and escaped, \vould have exempted him from being solicited a third time to venture his })erson in unknovvn countries, among desert islands, inhospitable coasts, and in the midst of savages: but on his opinion being asked as to a person most proper to execute this design, he was fired with the magnificence of the project, and the consequences of it to the interests of science and navigation, and determined, with- out hesitation, to relinquish the delights of domestic life, and to engage in new and arduous undertakings. His services were no sooner offered than they were accepted. He received his appointment in February, 17 70, and sailed from Ply- mouth Sound in the Resolution, accompanied by captain Gierke in the Discovery, on the 12th of the following July. Of this voyage we cannot here do more than observe, that he completely fulfilled the end of the expedition, by demon- strating, in the most satisfactory manner, the impracticability of a passage from the Pacific into the Atlantic Ocean, a second grand object of geographical inquiry which he had solved by his indefatigable exertions. Intelligence had al- ready arrived of what he had done, and of the discoveries which he had made; while, however, his friends were wait- ing with the most earnest solicitude for tidings concerning him, and the whole nation expressed an anxious impatience conception. And if ho was not so fortunate as, like Aineri- cus, to give his name to a continent, his pretensions to such a distinction remain unrivalled; and he will be revered while there remains a page of his own modest account of his voy- age, and as long as mariners and geographers shall be in- structed by his labours, to trace the various courses anGl »> To whatever cause the want of success in this engat^oment was owing, it is evident that a fair opportunity was lost of striking a blow against the maritime power of France, which might have been decisive. The commander discovering in the morning that the French Lad escaped, that many ships of his own fleet had suffered greatly in their masts and rigging, and that there was not the least prospect of overtaking the enemy^before they could reach Brest, had no alternative but to bring the fleet home to be repaired. He arrived oft' Plymouth on the 31st of July. Admiral Keppel put to sea again with the same number of ships and commanders, on the 22d of August. The French had left Brest some davs before, but instead of look- ing out for the British fleet, they bore away for Cape Finis- terre, leaving their trade at the mercy of our fleet and privateers. Many of their merchantmen accordingly fell into the hands of the English. The British admiral con- tinued cruising in the bay till the 28th of October, when he returned to Portsmouth, and the French got to Brest a few days after. The dissatisfaction of the nation, in respect to this trans- action, was greatly increased by the steps taken by Sir Hugh Palliser, who, on the 9th of December, in the same year, presented to the board of admiralty a document charging admiral Keppel with unofficer-like conduct, with having misconducted the action of the 27th of July, and disgrace- fully lost a glorious opportunity of doing a most essential service to the State, wherebv the honour of the British nation was tarnished. This measure, with other recrimi- nations of the admirals on the result of this battle, led to both admirals Keppel and Palliser being put upon their trial by court-martial. When the contents of the accusation were laid before the public, the opinions of men, warped by prejulices, were va- rious and contradictory. Those who only knuw that we h.id neither taken nor destroyed any of the French ships in the late engagement, a circumstance which they could not hesi- tate in ascribing to the misconduct of our Cv^mmanders, fan- cied they understood the charges against the admiral. They wished that the man who had tarnished the ancient lustre of the British flag might be brought to condign punishment ; for never any crisis was more alarming than the present, or moru loudly demanded every exertion of discipline and severity. Si '■/' ,>' 3G2 REICl.V OF GEORGE HI. I r-v] ' I {'.( : ; : This torrent of popular censure, which, on another occa- sion, would have burst forth with irresistible fury, was etVec- tually checked by two circumstances, extreniely honourable to the admiral. Ilis candid, open, liberal behaviour had en- deared him to the great body of British seamen, who loved his manners, and respected his courage. He was known to have little connection with the ministry, and especially to be no favourite with the first lord of the t.drairaltv. This was sufficient to occasion a suspicion that the ministers in general heartily concurred in the accusation, partly to divert the public from reflections, and partly to share with others the blame which must otherwise have lain entirely on their own shoulders. It was known that almost every otticer entrusted with a principal command had fallen under their displeasure ; and although errors, doubtless, must have been committed by our commanders in the course of the war, yet a repeated FL')'ies of calamity could only be occasioned by an error at Isead-quarters, a defect of preparation, a want of vigour, skill, or integrity in those who fitted out, planned, and directed our naval and military expeditions. The cause and reputation of admiral Keppel were still further supported by a memorial presented to his majesty on the 30th of December, and signed by the first names in the British navy. This paper contained a severe remonstrance against the conduct not only of Sir Hugh Palliser, but of the lords of the admiralty. This memorial occasioned no alteration in the measures adopted by the lords of the admiralty, who issued their orders to admiral Sir Thomas Pye, to hold a court-martial at Ports- mouth, on the 7th of January, for the trial of admiral Keppel. The court accordingly assembled, and continued till the 11th of February. Jn the course of the evidence, not one fact was proved that could give support to a single article in the charge. On the other hand, the evidence brought forward by the admiral proved, that the reason why the British fleet did not reattack the French, was the disobedience of Sir Hugh Palliser, who disregarded the admiral's signal for forming the line, which continued fiying from three o'clock in the afternoon till the evening. This obliged the court- martial to give the ad niral an honourable acquittal. On the 12th of April following, a court-martial on Sir Hugh Palliser pronounced the following sentence: — "That it is their opinion the charge against admiral Keppel is malicious and ill-founded, it having appeared that the said admiral, so REIGN OF GEORGE III. 3G3 mother occi- iry, was ert'ec- ly honourable a'lour had en- ;n, who loved vas known to pecially to be /. This was ?rs in general to divert the th others the on their own cer entrusted ' displeasure ; n committed et a repeated an error at it of vigour, lanned, and el were still is majesty on names in the emonstrance liser, but of he measures their orders ial at Ports- iral Keppel. till the 11th )ne fact was tide in the ht forward British fleet ^nce of Sir signal for iree o'clock I the court- lit tal. On Sir Hugh That it is s malicious idmiral, so fj.v from having by misconduct and neglect of duty, on the days therein alluded to, lost an opportunity of rendering e-.sential service to the state, and therebv tarnished the honour of the British navy, behaved as became a judicious, brave, and experienced officer." The court-martial then proceeded to state that Sir Hugh Palliser's conduct was w^'ong in not obeying the admiral's signal to fight, or sending him word that he was unable. Yet they added that, " Notwithstanding his omission in that particular, the court are of opinion he is not, in any other rp>ipect, chargeable with misconduct or misbehaviour on the days above-mentioned, and they acquit him accordingly." Thus ended the vear 1778, in which, although success was not such as could have been desired, we had, at least, the satisfaction that our arms were no longer exclusively turned against our countrymen ; and that the enemy was kept at bay. In the following year, Spain and Holland, who had been secretly against us, became more and more openly our ene- mies, and at this period we may, without much exaggeration, say, that we contended against the whole maritime powers of the world without a single ally, while our enemies, with malignant eyes, awaited our total destruction. On the 16th of June, 1799, hostilities were commenced against Spain, whose iieet had combined with that of France to act against Britain. In America and the West Indies the same system of avoiding decisive fighting was continued bv the French, and the detail of the confiicts that occurred would be little interesting. The following is preserved for the sake of the romantic and characteristic anecdote of the brave sailor. On the Jamaica station, captain Luttrell, who commanded a small squadron, resolved, in conjunction with captain Dalrymple and a detachment of land forces, to attack the Spanish fort Omoa. As they had no artillery, the only feasible plan of bringing this enterprise to a successful termination was, to attempt to carry the place by a coup ile tniiii. A general attack, therefore, was made on the fort at the same time, on the night of the IGth of October, by sea and by land: very little resistance was offered, and the fort, garrison, ships in the harl)our, together with two hun- dred and fifty quintals of quicksilver, and three millions of piastres, fell into the hands of the British. Respecting this capture, an anecdote is related of a sailor, particularly deserving a place in this work. " A single ;!i K'VU^' 3G4 REIGN OF GEORGE III. :i t ^i^ \\ ^ i: .^i.fr" sailor scrambled over the wall of the fort, with a cutlass in each hand: thus equipped, he fell in with a Spanish officer ju-st roused from sleep, who, in the hurry and confusion, had forgotten his sword: the tar, disdaining to take advan- tage of an unarmed foe, and willing to display his >.ourage in single combat, presented the officer with one of the cutlasses, saying, ' I scorn any advantage, you are now on a footing with me.' The astonishment of the officer, at such an act of generosity, and the facility with which a friendly parley took place, when he expected nothing else but to be cut to pieces, could only be rivalled by the admira- tion which his relating the story excited in his countrymen." Upon this circumstance being mentioned to Six* Peter Par- ker at the return of the squadron, he appointed this intrepid fellow to be boatswain of a sloop-of-war. We give the following isolated combat, which introduces the celebrated and brave Paul Jones on the scene. lie was at this time in the service of the Americans. On the 23d of September, captain Pearson and captain Piercy, with the ships under their command, having a large convoy of merchant vessels with them ofi' the Yorkshire coast, received information that an enemy's squadron had been seen there a few days before. Measures were imme- diately taken to secure the convoy, and preparations made for action. A little after noon on the same Jay, the enemy's ships were seen, consisting of a two-decked ship and two frigates. Soon after seven o'clock the action commenced, the largest ship of the enemy attacking the Serapis, captain Pearson, forty guns, assisted occasionally by one of the fri- gates, while the other frigate attacked the Countess of Scar- borough, captain Piercy, twenty guns. The object of the largest vessel, which was commanded by Paul Jones, was, from the commencement oftheengagementjto board the Sera- pis; for this purpose they manoeuvred in ditl^'erent ways: at iirst, after firing two or three broadsides, she dropped within pistol shot of the Serai^is' quarter; but being repulsed in this attempt to board, she sheered of^'. Afterwards, when cap- tain Pearson manoeuvred his ship, in order to lay her again along-side of the enemy, the latter laid the Serapis athwart hawse, where she lay for some time, till at last, having got clear, the two ships brought up close along-side of each other, the muzzles of their guns actually touching. For two hours the battle raged in this situation with dreadful fury, the enemy making several .attempts to set fire to the Serapis . N • REIGN OF GEORGE HI, 3(35 h a cutlass in ipanish officer id confusion, J take advan- y his v.ourag'e one of the ou are now f the officer, ' with which nothing else f the adu.ira- ountrymen." L* Peter Par- this intrepid h introduces scene. lie 3. and captain Lving a large le Yorkshire [uadron had were imm.3- pitions made the enemy's ip and two commenced, ipis, captain of the fri- ess of Scar - )jeot of the Jones, was, rd the Sera- it ways: at :)ped within Ised in this when cap- f her again lis athwart having got each other, Por two adful fury, he Serapis I hy means of combustibles which they threw on board her; their attempts, fortunately, were unsuccessful. About half- past nine, all the guns of the Serapis, behind the main-mast, were rendered useless by a dreadful explosion that took place, ^^'hicll also destroyed all the officers and men who were in that part of the ship. The loss of the Serapis was further increased by the fire of one of the enemy's frigates, which kept constantly sailing round and raking her. Paul Jones, finding that he had little chance of succeed- ing by fighting against the Serapis, had recourse to strata- ge'n; some of his men called for quarter; and on captain Pearson hailing to inquire if they had struck, no answer was returnt ; he naturally supposed that, though unwilling to yield, they were not in a state to make a much longer resist- ance; he, therefore;; ordered his men to board the enemy; but they had scarcely succeeded in this, before a greatly superior number of men, armed with pikes, who had lain concealed, attacked them, and compelled them to return to the Serapis. At this critical juncture, before the men could regain their guns, and before the Serapis could be placed in proper position, the frigate poured in another broadside with dreadful efiect, so that captain Pearson, unable to bring even a single gun to bear, was under the painful necessity of striking his colours. The ship to which he struck was the Bon Homme Richard, of forty guns, and three hundred and seventy-five men. The frigate which had been employed, during the battle, in sailing round and raking him, was the Alliance of forty guns, and three hundred men. The for- mer was so dreadfully disabled, that, soon after the battle, the crew were obliged to quit her. The loss of the Serapis w\as forty-nine killed, and sixty-eight wounded; that of the Bon Homme Richard was three hundred and six killed and wounded. The battle between the Countess of Scarborough and her opponent the Pallas, a French frigate of thirty-two guns and two hundred and seventy-five men, was fought with equal obstinacy, but with the same want of success on the part of the British ; after a contest of two hours, captain Piercy, perceiving another frigate bearing down against him, was compelled to strike his flag; his los}> was four men killed and twenty wounded. The gallantry of captain Pear- son in this engagement, w^as rewarded by a knighthood and by the situation of lieutenant governor of (J reen wich Hospital . Renewed and extensive preparations were again made for vigorous action in 1780. ir m f 366 REIGN OF GEORGE III. 'i.i K'^i V / f ■■tl 1." if ! ' The supplies, so far as they regarded the navy, -^cre very great: eighty-five thousand seamen, including marines, were voted for the service of 1780; the supplies for these men amounted to a sum then deemed enormous and unprece- dentedly trre''+. viz., j6*4,470,000 ; the whole sum voted for the navv , wards of <£7,000,000; and the total supplies were ot'2 1,000,000. The tiag-officers employed were the following: — Sir Tho- mas Pye, at Portsmouth; Gambler, at Plymouth; Rod- dam, at the Nore; Geary, succeeded to the command of the Channel fleet, on the death of Sir Charles Hardy; commo- dore Johnstone, on the Lisbon station; Ai'buthnot, in Ame- rica; Sir G. B. llodney, on the Leeward Island station, in the Sandwich, with six sail of the line ; Sir Peter Parker was stationed at Jamaica, in the command of the Windward Islands; and Sir Edward Hughes in the East Indies. France had agreed to assist Spain in an attack on Gib- raltar: the Spaniards at the very commencement of their war with this country, having sat down before this impor- tant fortress; and though no immediate apprehension was entertained that it could speedily or easily be reduced, yet prudence required that effectual efforts should he made for its support. For this purpose Sir George Rodney was employed. lie was to go out to take the command on the Leeward Island station; and in his course there, Gibraltar was to be re- lieved. Along with him, a squadron, under the command of rear-admiral Digby, was also sent out, which, when the relief of Gibraltar had been accomplished, was to return to England, while Sir George Rodney proceeded to the West Indies. On the 27th of December, 1779, this commander put to sea, with twenty sail of the line, and nine frigates, taking under his protection the merchant vessels bound to Portugal and the West Indies, along with the store ships and victuallers destined for Gibraltar and Minorca. Soon after this fleet put to sea, it fell in with a very con- siderable Spanish convoy, bound from St. Sebastian to Ca- diz, consisting of fifteen sail of merchantmen, under the pro- tection of a sixty-four gun ship, and four frigates: the whole fleet was taken, and turned out to be a very rich prize, as several of the merchant vessels belonged to the royal com- pany of the Caraccas. This capture, besides being the source of riches to the captors, was extremely fortunate in another respect, as a great number of the vessels were loaded with REIGN OF GEORGF. HI, 307 y, were very larines, "wi'iv )r these men ncl unprece- im voted for ;otal supplies :— Sir Tho. louth; Rod- imand of the dv ; commo- not, in Ame- id station, in *eter Parker e Windward Indies. :ack on Gib- lent of their 3 this impor- hension was reduced, vet he made for ployed. He ;ward Island IS to 1)6 re- le command h, when the to return to to the West commander line frigates, Is bound to store ships Drca. a very con- stian to Ca- der the pro- s: the whole ich prize, as ? royal com- g the source e in another loaded with wheat and other provisions; and some of them with naval stores. Fortune appeared to favour admiral Rodney, and to have singled him out as the person destined to retrieve the affairs of the British navy. On the lOth of January, he fell in with a Spanish squadron ; consisting of eleven sail of the liui^, under the command of Don Juan Langara, As the enemy were inferior in force to the British fleet, they used every endeavour to avoid an engagement, and in these en- deavours they were assisted by their vicinity to the coast, the roughness of the weather, and the time of the year; but Sir George, aware of their design, and of the circumstances which favoured its execution, evinced great skill in counter- acting it. After much manreuvring, the Sj)aniards were compelled to fight. In their anxiety to escape, they had thrown themselves into considerable confusion, and when they perceived a battle was inevitable, they had hardly time to arrange their ships in order of battle. They fought, however, with great spirit and resolution ; and returned our fire with considerable effect. It was near the close of one of the short days in January. The night soon drew on: it was dark and tempestuous; and the horrors of battle in such a night were greatly augmented by the blowing up of the Spanish ship San Domingo, which happened early in the action. She mounted seventy [ ns, and carried six hundred men. Not a single soul was sa' ed. The Bienfaisant, whicli was alongside of her at the time of the explosion, very nar- rowly escaped a similar fate. The Spaniards, unable to withstand the superior force of the British, sought safety in flight. The result of this action was glorious and decisive: the Spanish admiral's ship, the Phcenix, mounting eighty guns, was taken; the San Julian, a seventy gun ship, was also captured, but she was afterwards retaken ; another seventy gun ship that was taken, ran on the breakers and was com- pletely lost. ]''oar of the Spanish fleet escaped into Cadiz, damaged in a greater or less degree. After this battle, admiral Rodney proceeded to Gibral- tar, where, having effectually executed the commission on which he was sent, ho sailed to the West Indies. We shall not attempt to detail the numerous actions fought both in the East and West Indies during this year, none of which, however well contested, were very decisive or attended by important results. Among the French admi- ' ')i ^l^U>^ fU ;3G8 REIGN OF GEORCE III. r/'(l If \n J 1- ";■:. ! ral.s, De Suffrein greatly distinguished himself, particularly on the East India station. He was one of the most skilful and brave officers of the French navy, to whom the English had ever been opposed. Towards the end of this year, war was formally declared against the Dutch, and for the year 1781, his majesty's forces, both by land and sea, had been enabled to oppose the formidable power of America and her allies. His Majesty, however, lamented that additional supplies, and consequently additional burdens would still be necessary ; but the parlia- ment were desired to grant only such supplies as they should deem requisite for the honour and security of the nation. When the address was moved, an amendment was proposed, tending to blame ministers for the whole of their conduct in the American war, which, however, was thrown out, there appearing, on a division, a majority of 212 for the original motion, while only 150 supported the amendment. Parliament granted the following supplies for the sea ser- vice ; viz. for the maintenance of ninety thousand men, including twenty thousand marines, j^4,446,000 ; for the ordinary, including half-pay to the sea and marine officers, cf 386,261 ; for the buildings, repairs, &c. of the navy, .i*6 17,016; for the ordnance required for the sea service, n .« n-i REIGN OF GEOilGE III. :M)d f, particularly e most skilful u the English Oally declared his majesty's to oppose the His Majesty, 1 consequently )ut the parlia- as they should f the nation, was proposed, eir conduct in out, there the original ent. )r the sea ser- lousand men, ,000; for the arine officers, of the navy, e sea service, wn r ^234,000; and for discharging the navy del)t, .£3,200,000; making a total of jC872,788, As the whole supplies granted for the year amounted to jt*25,380,324, it is evident that the supplies for the navy, were rather more than a third of the whole. The most important naval event that happened in Europe, this year, resulted from the war in which Great Britain and Holland were now engaged. It was well known that the Dutch wei'e making great preparations in their ports; this circumstance, the vicinity of those ports to our coasts, and the remembrance of the naval fame which the Dutch had acquired in their last wars with England, made our govern- ment extremely desirous to meet their preparations with an adequate force. This force was stationed in the Downs, for the purpose of more narrowly and closely watching the Dutch Heet, when it should put to sea; it consisted of four ships of the line, one of fifty,, and one of forty-four guns, and some frigates; the command of it was bestowed on vice-admiral Parker. Soon after this, information was received that a fleet of Dutch frigates was at sea for the purpose of intercepting our Baltic fleet. Admiral Parker was therefore ordered to take the merchantmen under his protection, and to proceed with..them to Leith roads. The Dutch had also a fleet of merchantmen going to the Baltic, which they were naturally anxious to protect. Accordingly, seven ships of the line, carrying from fifty-four to seventy-four guns, ten frigates, and five sloops, were prepared, and sent to sea, under the command of rear-admiral Zoutman. As soon as it was known that the Dutch fleet were supe- rior to that under the command of admiral Parker, commo- dore Stewart, with the Berwick of seventy-four guns, and the Tartar and Belle Poule frigates, was ordered to join him; this he accomplished a short time before the hostile fleets met. Admiral Parker had cruised so long in the north seas, that his vessels, in general, were in bad order. In this respect, as well as in weight of metal, he was infe- rior to the Dutch. On the 5th of August, at day break, as the British admi- ral was steering towards the coast of England, with the Baltic fleet under his convoy, the Dutch squadron under Zoutman, was discovered near the Dogger Bank, steering northward. As soon as admiral Pai'ker ascertained that it was the 2 a ^ •'TO j<' REIGN OF GEORGK III, i ! ,4 ! 'm i> ' I Ji'hi \\ Dutch fleet, he ordered the merchant ships under his protec- tion to separate, under escort of a frigate; this done, he made the signal for a general chase, and at six o'clock, an- other signal was made, to form a line of battle abreast, at two cables' length asunder, for the purpose of drawing his ships towards the enemy in a regular form. It was soon apparent that the Dutch admiral did not mean to avoid an action; he made the signal for the vessels under his protec- tion to separate from the ships of war, but only to a short distance to the leeward of his line of battle, which he formed on the larboard tack. The British admiral did not make the signal for battle, till all his ships had ranged themselves alongside their opponents. The tirst vessel on our side which commenced firing was the Berwick; she soon, how- ever, was obliged to quit the hne in consequence of the loss of her mizen-topmast ; but in a short time, she once more got into action with the van ship of the enemy. The Dol- phin also was compelled to make sail and to quit the line, in order to weather the van of the Dutch squadron ; and the Buffalo was incapable, from the damage she received early in the engagement, to bear down and close with her oppon- ent. This disaster deranged the van of the British line, while the van of the enemy having suffered very little, ad- miral Parker did not find himself in a condition to prevent them from bccaring away unmolested. After they had sailed a little way, they made a show of again waiting to be attacked, by sometimes taking the wind upon one side, and sometimes upon the other; these manoeuvres had, however, no object but to conceal their intention of getting off before the wind. The cannonade continued for three hours and forty minutes. Some of our ships fired two thousand five hundred shot each, and the battle, through the whole of it, displaytd great courage on both sides. The Dutch had many advantages in this fight. 1 heir weight of metal was greatly superior to ours ; they had several frigates of a large size, which did not content them- selves with keeping at a distance, and occasionally aiU'ovding assistance, by towing out of the hne the ships that might be disabled, but were closely and regularly intermixed \\\\\\ their line, lyeing between the line of battle ships, wluio they took a very effective part in the action, and did mudi mischief to our vessels, by firing at their rigging, \\hile the whole of their attention was necessarily directed to their opponents. I 1 REIGN OF GEORGE III. 371 ;ler his protcc- this done, lie X o'clock, an- tle abreast, at f drawing his It was soon n to avoid an ler his protec- nly to a short ich he formed did not make ed themselves on our side he soon, how- ice of the loss he once more y. The Dol- Liit the line, in Iron ; and the received early ith her o])pon- ? British line, very little, ad- lon to prevent ey had sailed a o be attacked, md sometimes er, no object ore the wind. brtv minutes, ed shot each, playtd great tight. 1 heir rs ; they had ontent theni- ally afl'ovding hat might be srmixed with ships, where nd did mu( h iig, ^^hile the cled to their At twelve o'clock, when admiral Parker hauled down the signal for battle, the ships on both sides lay like logs on the water, so completely unmanageable, that the utmost efforts of their respective crews could not keep them within the distance necessary to continue the battle. It was observed that the English ships were principally damaged in their masts and rigging, so that they could not pursue the enemy, while the damage of the Dutch ships lay almost entirely in their hulls, which were greatly shattered. This circumstance seems to prove that the English were more anxious to destroy their opponents, while the Dutch were more desirous to secure their own escape, if necessary, by incap icitating their opponents from pursuing them. One of the best ships belonging to the Dutch, the Ilollandia, of sixty-four guns, went down during the night after the battle, in such a sudden manner, that her crew were obliged to abandon her*, without being able to bring otf their wounded companions. The loss of men on both sides was very great, for hard fighting and not manoeuvring w as the object both wdth the English and Dutch ; the former, who were by far the least sufferers, had one hun- dred and four men killed, and three hundred and thirty-nine wounded in the seven ships. Of these twenty were killed, and sixty-seven wounded in the Fortitude only. We revert to admiral Rodney and the West India fleet, whose exploits this year, were again remarkable. 8oon after llodney returned to his station in the West Indies, he and general Vaughan, wbj commanded the land forces there, received such information respecting the Island of St. Vincent, as determined them to attempt its capture. It was represented to have suffered so much by a hurricane, as to be incapable of much resistance. On this representa- tion, Rodney and Vaughan went against it, and landed some troops; but it was soon discovered, thai the information on which they had proceeded on this enterprise was incorrect, as the island was in a very respectable state of defence; and the enemy 1 aving heard of the intended attack, were fully prepared to meet and resist it. They, therefore, re-embarked the troops. As, however, the forces had been collected, the commanders, as soon as they heard of the war bet^'een this country and Holland, directed their efforts against the Dutch islands. The principal island which the Dutch possessed in tlio AVest Indies was St. Eustatius ; which, though little better i', !)^ ■ .!. !' ■;» la t; r„ \ > 372 REIGN OF GEORGE III, than a barren rock, had long been the seat of a lucrative and prodigious traffic ; it was considered and used as a free port; and the Americans resorted to it with all the plunder they had procured from the capture of our vessels in that sea. This island, thus barren by nature, but rich by the accumulation of spoil, is remarkably strong, and well for- tified ; there is, indeed, only one place where a landing is practicable. It might, therefore, have proved an arduous and dearly-earned conquest, had its inhabitants exerted them- selves in its defence, and kept in proper order the fortifica- tions which had been erected on it for that purpose ; but they were too intent on commerce to be prepared for war. The British fleet and army, in order to conceal the real object of the expedition, at first appeared off the coasts of Martinique ; whence they suddenly turned, and surrounded the island of St. Eustatius ; their force was much greater than was necessary for the object in view ; and, relying on this and on the unprepared state of the enemy, they imme- diately sent a peremptory summons to the governor, allow- ing him only an hour to surrender the island and its depen- dencies. The governor, unappi-ized of the rupture between Great Britain and Holland, and totally unprepared for defence, surrendered without fighting. The wealth that fell into the possession of the conquerors, exceeded greatly their expectations, and all the information they had received respecting it. The whole island seemed one great storehouse of the richest merchandise. The beach itself was spread over with hogsheads of tobacco and sugar. The value of cill the commodities that fell into the hands of the captors, it was impossible accurately to compute, or even to conjecture ; the lowest estimate rated them at three mil- lions sterling. This, however, did not comprehend the shipping. One hundred and fifty vessels, many of them with cargoes of great value, were taken in the bay ; besides a Dutch frigate, of thirty eight guns, and five other smaller vessels. St. Martin and Saba, small island-:-^ appendages and neighbouring to St. Eustatius, were also taken in the same easy manner, and a fieet, richly laden, which had Sc ''ed from St. Eustatius, a very short time before, under tht protec- tion of a single ship of war, was pursued, overtaken, and captured. As we had gained possession of the Dutch islands thus easy, it seemed as if we were careless about retaining them ; l< 1:' REIGN' OF GEORGE III. 3-0 10 f a lucrative ased as a free 1 the plunder 3ssels in that rich by the ind well for- a landing is I an arduous exerted them- the fbrtitica- ase ; but they r war. iceal the real the coasts of I surrounded nuch greater d, relying on , they imme- arnor, allow- nd its depen- bure between prepared for J conquerors, information land seemed The beach o and sugar, the hands of 3ute, or even at three mil- prehend the iny of them bay ; besides ther smaller ndages and in the same St ''ed from tht protoc- rtaken, and islands thus iuing tiiem; for they were left in such an incomplete state of defence, that on the 26th November, they were surprised and re- taken by a body of French troops, under the command of the Marquis de Bouilli. We approach now towards the conclusion of the war, when British valour, which had been in some degree clouded, shone forth with its wonted brilliancy. When vSpain united with France against Great Britain, she seemed particularly anxious to regain Gibraltar. Minorca, also, as being an island so close to the coast of Spain, and having always, till its capture by Great Britain, formed part of that monarchy, was another object of desire. The siege of Fort St. Philip, in this island, was carried on with great vigour, and a force of sixteen thousand regular troops, with a hundred and nine pieces of heavy battering cannon, and thirty-six large mortars, under tht command of the duke de Crillon, was employed for that purpose. To oppose this immense force, general Murray, who commanded the fort, had a very feeble and inadequate garrison. He, however, made a determined resistance, and did not surrender tiil the number of his men was reduced by scurvy to not more than six hundred ami sixty, out of two thousand six hundredand ninety-two, fit foi* duty. The joy of the king of Spain at the conquest of Minorca was excessive ; he determined now to direct his whole efforts to the reduction of Gibraltar, before which he had long kept a numerous army ; whose attempts, however, had been completely baffled by the in- trepidity of general Elliot, who commanded that fortress. The duke de Crillon Avas appointed captain-general of the Spanish armies. Forty thousand land iorces, including' twelve thousand French troops, forty-seven sail of the line, besides floating batteries, frigates, and other vessels of war, formed the force employed. The plan of attack adopted, was that of the chevalier d'Arcon, a French engineer of great reputation, l)ut was said to have been modified, if not formed, by the Spanish monarch himself. According lO this plan, floating batteries were to be constructed on such a principle, that it should be impossible for . 'y effort or means of the besieged either to shAi or set fire to them. In order to render it impossible to sink them, their keels and bottoms were to bo fortified with an extraordinary thickness of timber ; to secure them against fire, the sides of the Heat- ing batteries were to be lined with timber and cork, a long time soaked in water, with a large quantity of wet sand le- 374 REIGN OF GEORGE III. ^ III IS ! '« . >i P h , t "H r:H w }'i tween. It was supposed that by this means no cannon shot would penetrate, or if it did, that the wet sand would not only impede its progress, but prevent it from setting fire to the vessels. An extraordinary part of their construction was that in imitation of the circulation of the blood in the living body, a great variety of pipes and canals perforated all the solid workmanship, in such a manner, that a continual succession of water was to be conveyed to every part of the vessel. By this means it was expected that the redhot shot would operate to the remedy of its own mischief, as the very action of cutting through those pipes would procure the immediate extinction of any fire produced. In order to construct these machines, ten great ships, from six hundred to fourteen hundred tons burthen, were cut down to the state required by the plan of the engineer ; and two hundred thousand cubic feet of timber were employed in their construction. There was still, however, some things to be guarded against. They were not yet bomb- proof. In order to render them so, and at the same time to protect the men at the batteries from grape-shot, a hanging roof was erected, and contrived in such a manner, that it could be raised or let down with the greatest facility, at the pleasure of those on board the vessels. This roof was formed of a strong netting, covered and protected by wet hides of great strength and thickness ; such a slope was given it, as it was supposed would eti'ectually serve to throw off the shells that might fall on it, before they could burst or do any mischief. On board those batteries were placed brass cannon of a large calibre, and in each ship a supply was kept in case of accident. D'Arcon had contrived a kind of match to be placed on the lights of the guns, of such a nature as to emulate lightning in the quickness of its consumption, and the rapidity of its action ; and by which all the guns of the battery were to go off together. The Spanish commander did not trust entirely to these means. Twelve hundred pieces of hea\ y ordnance were collected, and the quantity of gunpowder was said to ex- ceed eighty-three thousand barrels. General Elliot so far from appearing daunted, determined to begin the attack. About seven in the morning of the 8th of September, he commenced a powerful and well- directed fire, by which, about ten o'clock, the Mahon battery and another adjoining it were set in flames, and by five in the evening thoy were entirely consumed. The enemy were cannon shot i would not tting fire to construction ilood in the > perforated ; a continual part of the the redhot chief, as the lid procure ships, from I, were cut ^ineer ; and e employed ever, some yet bomb- ime time to , a hanging ler, that it ility, at the kvas formed et hides of '•iven it, as ow off the urst or do laced brass y was kept d of match nature as isumption, he guns of y to these ance were laid to ex- etermined ng of the and well- on battery by five in lemy were REIGN OF GEORGE III. 375 CKceedingly mortified, and hastened their preparations for the grand, and, as they hoped, the decisive attack. On the morning of the 9th, by break of day, a new battery of sixty- four heavy cannon was opened, which poured without inter- mission its shot into the garrison. The enemy, during this and several succeeding days, fired at the rate of six thousand five hundred cannon shot and one thousand and eighty shells in every twentj-four hours ; while their ships made continual attacks on Europa Point, the defence of which was solely entrusted to captain Curtis and the marine brigade undei" his command. In order that the attention of the garrison might be completely distracted, by the various and multi- tudinous forms of attack going on at the same time, the gun and mortar-boats were added to the other instruments of war, and continued their assaults, both by day and night, without the smallest intermission, on the works of the fortress. At this time the combined fleets of France and Spain, amounting to forty-eight sail of the line, arrived at - Ige- siras from Cadiz ; and every thing was also complete m the battering ships. These were covered with one hundred and fifty-four pieces of heavy cannon ; and to the service of each gun, thirty-six artillery-men were appointed; besides these, there were a sufficient number of officers to direct the operations, and of seamen to work and manage the vessels, so that the whole number on board of these battering ships could not be less than six or seven thousand men. The plan was, that the fire of these vessels should be steadily directed to one object, while the gun and mortar-boats, with the floating battery and the bomb-ketches should carry on their attack in every possible direction. It was calculated that every part of the fortress would at one and the same time be exposed to a destructive fire ; and as it would be impos- sible for the garrison to be everywhere present and upon the alert, it was hoped that some point would be so far injured as to present a favourable place for assault. About eight o'clock in the morning, on the 13th of September, the ten battering ships of the enemy weighed anchor and stood over towards Gibraltar, where thev occupied the stations allotted for them, about nine hundred yards from the works. The ship on board of which was the Spanish admiral, was stationed near the king's bastion, while the other vessels extended, three to the southward of the Hag, as far as the church battery ; five to the north- 376 REIGN OF GEORGE III. U n 'i i' n. ■\ • miu ,1 1 /^ ward, near the Old Mole ; and one a little to the westward of the admiral. As soon as they had reached their stations, they began a heavy cannonade, in which they were seconded and supported by the cannon and mortars in the lines, while the batteries from the garrison opened with hot and cold shot from the guns, and with shells from the howitzers and mortars. The scene of this day is described by eye-witnesses as grand and terrible in the highest degree. Although general Elliot made no display of the measures he had adopted, they were found to be completely adequate for the purposes of defence and of destruction. The prodigious showers of redhot balls, of bombs, and of carcass^^s, which filled the air, and were without intermission thrown to every point of the various attacks, both by sea and by land, from the garrison, astonished the commanders of the allied forces, who could not conceive the possibility that general Elliot, straitened within the narrow limits of a garrison, should have been able to construct such a multitude of furnaces, as they deemed necessary to the heating of the quantity of shot then thrown. The number of redhot balls, which the battering ships alone received in the course of the day, was estimated at not fewer than four thousand. Nor were the mortar- batteries in ihe fortress worse supported ; and while the battering ships appeared to be the principal objects of vengeance, a? they were of apprehension to the garrison, the whole extent of the peninsula seemed at the same time to be overwhelmed in the torrents of fire which were in- cessantly poured upon it. For a long time it seemed as if the battering ships were completely invulnerable to all the attempts made by the garrison to destroy them ; while they continued through the greatest part of the day to maintain a destructive cannonade, they resisted the combined powers of fire and artillery to such a degree, that the incessant showers of shells, and red- hot shot, with which they were assailed, made no visible impression upon them. About two o'clock, however, there were signs of their approaching destruction : smoke was seen to rise from the upper part of the admiral's deck, and the men were observed using fire engines, and pouring water into the holes made by the redhot shot. This circumstance stimulated the efforts of the garrison. It was now beyond a doubt, that though these battering ships were constructed with so much art and ingenuity, and though they were capable, at the same time, of inflicting and of sufl'ering so ' i' REIGN OF GEORGE III. 37 le westward leir stations, ire seconded lines, while ot and cold witzers and e-witnesses le measures idequate for i prodigious ass«^s, which wn to every ' land, from Hied forces, leral Elliot, should have ces, as they )f shot then le battering s estimated he mortar- i while the objects of ! garrison, same time 1 were in- ships were de by the irough the -•annonade, irtillery to and red- rio visible ner, there moke Wiis deck, and ring water 3umstance beyond a instructed liey were fcring so much, yet there were in the garrison moans sufficient to destroy them. In the course of the night, it could not be accurately ascertained whether the fire on board of them increased. That it was not got under, was evident from the continued efforts of the men to work the fire engines, and to pour water down the shot holes. The fire from the garrison was therefore continued without intermission throughout the whole of the night; and by one o'clock in the morning, the admiral's ship and another were more visibly on fire. Everything on board them indicated the utmost confusion and alarm ; rockets were thrown up, to announce their distress and danger to the other ships, and the fieet imme- diately sent out all the assistance in their power ; but to afford assistance, under the circumstances in which the battering ships were placed, was neither safe nor easy. It was impossible to remove the battering ships, or to save them where they were : the only object, therefore, was to take out the men. But the very means which had been employed to render these ships formidable to the garrison, made it extremely dangerous to approach them ; they were filled with combustible matter, which, now that they were on fire, was continually exploding ; while the fire from the garrison, directed with more vigour against these ships, as they were seen to be on flames, added greatly to the danger of those who attempted to save their unfortunate comrades. While these operations were going on, bragadier Curtis, with his squadron of gun-boats, lay under the New Mole, ready to take advantage of any favourable opportunity which might present itself. Accordingly, about three o'clock, Avhen the enemy had suffered most dreadfully, and were thrown into the utmost confusion, by their battering ships having taken fire, he began an attack upon their fiank. His gun-boats were drawn up in such a manner, as to rake the entire line of the battering ships, and thus to repel all attempts which the Spaniards were making to succour those who were in them : no hope of safety now remained for these unfortunate men, unless in the humanity of their conquerors ; and this humanity was in a great measure successfully exercised, notwithstanding that to save them was still attended with imminent danger. It was not, however, till the morning of the 14th that the whole extent of the defeat of the Spaniards was discovered, or that the efforts of brigadier Curtis, in the cause of humanity, could be successfully exerted. When daylight appeared, the scene was w^' I ^ J' if I . >'i ' ill 1 !,1 L J '( s; l-ij 378 REIGN OF CKORGE III. most dreadful. In the middt of the flames great numbers of the enemy were discovered crying* out for assistance ; while others were seen floating on pieces of timber, liable every moment either to be washed off, or to be destroyed by the shot from the garrison. As soon as the effects of the fire from Gibraltar were clearly seen, and it was put beyond a doubt that the enemy were completel} defeated, the firing ceased entirely. Every thought, which but a few minutes before had been directed to the destruction of the Spaniards, was now turned to their rescue from death. In a moment it was forgotten tluit they were enemies, and only remembered that they v.ere suffering fellow-creatures. At the same moment, those vessels which had been employed to deal destruction among them, were used for the purpose of saving them ; and it would be impossible to determine, whether the British displayed more intrepidity in their endeavours to save or to destmy. In this employment, the marine brigade were almost exclusively engaged; and their escape from destruc- tion was almost miraculous. Such admirable measures had been taken by the governor for the protection and security of the garrison, Avhile they weve employed in defending the fortress and in annoying the enemy, that their loss was comparatively light, and it was chiefly confined to the artillery corps. The marine brigade, of course, being much more exposed, suffered more severely ; yet not nearly to such a degree as might have been antici- pated. In the course of about nine weeks, the whole num- ber slain amounted only to sixty-five, and the wounded to three hundred and eighty-eight. How little chance the Spaniards had of succeeding in their attack, even if their battering ships had not taken fire, may be judged from this circumstance, that the works of the fortress were scarcely damaged. The garrison w^as soon after relieved by Lord Howe, who succeeded in landing two regiments of troops, and in sending in a supply of fifteen hundred barrels of gunpowder. The repulse of the allied French and Spanish at Gibral- tar, joined to tha celebrated victory which Rodney had already gained on the Tith of April, paved the way to a peace. We have dwelt somewhat minutely on the former, although not exclt- ely naval, because it is inseparably interwoven with navai affairs, and also because it is an event deeply interesting in itself. Of the latter, we shall reserve the account until we come to the memoir of lord Ilodney. rubers of the while others ery moment he shot from im Gibraltar ubt that the sed entirely, •e had been now turned as forgotten i that they ne moment, destruction ^ them ; and the British o save or to 'igade were om destruc- le governor while they moying the and it was ine brigade, re severely; 3een antici- vhole num- vounded to chance the en if their d from this re scarcelv [lowe, who in sending ler. at Gibral- odney had way to a he former, nseparably is an event all reserve Rodney. REIGX OF GEORGE III. 370 Geoig<=i Augustus Elliot, the noble defender of (jibraltar, son of 8ir Gilbert Elliot, of Stoles, was born in Roxburgh- shire, in 1717. He was created a British peer, undtv the title of lord lleathfield, for his gallantry on this occasion, and died in 1790. In the East Indies, during this year, the palm of superi- ority was bravely and obstinately contested between admirals Hughes and De Suftrein, but still without any decisive result. A short account of a part of their proceedings may serve as a specimen of the whole. x\s soon as intelligence reached the East Indies of the rupture beween Great Britain and Holland, Sir Edward Hughes and the commander of the land forces, determint'd to attempt the conquest of the Dutch settlements. Nega- patnam was the first that fell into their hands. As soon as they had completed this conmiest, admiral Hughes sailed with troops on board against the Dutch settlement of Trin- comale, in the island of Ceylon ; this was taken by assault on the 11th of January. The English fleet then, being in want of stores and provisions, returned to Madras road. On the 15th of February, De Suffrein appeared in the offing with twelve sail of the line. The English admiral had only nine two-decked ships, one of which carried but fifty guns ; I'f . however, prepared for an engagement, b^ placing his ships in the most advantageous position, with springs on their cables, so that they, and the numerous shipping which lay further in the road, might be defended with the greatest prospect of success. De Suffrein, however, did not think proper to attack them, but stood out of the bay ; he was im- mediately pursued by Sir Edward, with the hope of being able to cut off some of the numerous transports which were under the protection of the enemy's fleet. He succeeded in capturing several of them, and the French admiral, appre- hensive that more would be taken, bore down with all the sail he could carry. No action, however, took place on the 16th; but on the subsequent day, about four o'clock in the afternoon, De Suffrein was enabled, by a favourable iquall of wind, to bring his whole force against the centre and rear of the British, which were nearly becalmed, and at some distance from their van. Thus five ships of our squadron were exposed to the attack of the whole French fleet. This unequal contest was maintained with great spirit and vigour, till about six o'clock, when a favourable breeze reached the 380 REIGN OF GEORGE III. t»j; '' lu ml ' .\i- I ! ' < ' I • I Jfl » ' i^ ;i e other part of the British fleet, and enabled them to come up to the assistance of the centre and the rear. The enemy, now that the hattle was put upon a more equal footing, did not long continue it ; but having sutfered severely, stood oflP. De 8uffrein, in this engagement had directed his principal attack against two of the J5ritish fleet, the Superb and the Exeter. The latter at one time stood singly the lire of five ships. At the close of the action, when she had been severely cut up, two fresh vessels of the enemy's squadron bore down upon her. The master asked commodore King what he should do with her, under these circumstances, his reply was, " There is nothing to be done, but to fight her till she sinks." 8ir Edward Hughes having repaired his ships, and being reinforced by the arrival of the Sultan, of seventy-four, and the Magnanime, of sixty-four guns, from England, proceed- ed again to sea. His principal object was to protect a valu- able convoy which was coming from England, and part of which had been put into Morebat Bay some time before. De SufFrein was apprised of the approach and the import- ance of this convoy, and he determined to use his utmost endeavours to intercept it, before its union with the English fleet. On the 8th of April, the hostile fleets came in sight of each other, and they continued in sight at nearly the same distance asunder, and in the same relative position for three days, when Sir Edward Hughes being within fifteen leagues of Trincomale, stood directly for that port. On the 12th, a desperate encounter took place between the two fleets, but without any decisive results. Both squadrons having suf- fered very severely, the English more particularly in their masts and rigging, continued at anchor within a few miles of each other, for several days. Sir Edward Hughes at first was apprehensive that the French would renew the attack; but when he observed the confused and disabled state they were in, he was freed from this apprehension. As soon as the Monmouth was fitted with jury-:,iasts, so as to be able to keep up with the rest of the fleet, the British admiral weighed anchor, and proceeded to Trincomale Bay; the French repairing to Batacola, a Dutch port in the island of Ceylon, about twenty leagues to the south of the former place. Towards the end of this year, negotiations for a general peace were brought to a successful conclusion, and it was finally concluded early in 1783. I .1 ! i'J I to come up enemv, now ing-, did not >od off. De icipal attack the Exeter, e ships. At rely cut up, down upon t he should as, « There iks." , and being y-four, and id, proceed- tect a valu- md part of me before, tiie import- his utmost :he English me in sight ly the same n for three 3en leagues the 12th, a fleets, but laving suf- •ly in their few miles Hughes at renew the d disabled nsion. As s, fo as to le British male Bav; )rt in the ith of the a general nd it was ADMIRAL BARniNGTOV 381 ADMIRAL BARRINGTON. — Samuel Barrington was the tifth son of John, tirst lord viscount Bjvrington, of the kingdom of Ireland. Being intended for the naval service, he was entered in 1740, being then scarcely eleven years old, on board the Lark, a fifth-rate, of forty guns, commanded by lord George Graham. In 1746, he was raised to the rank of commander, and ap- pointed to the Weazel sloop, and in 1747, he became a post- captain, and was commissioned to the Bellona, a fifth-rate, of thirty guns. As soon as captain Barrington had entered upon his command, being then scarcely more than eighteen years old, he war, ordered out on a cruise off Ushant, and distinguished himself exceedingly in a very smart action which took place on the 18tli of August following, between the Bellona and the duke de Chartres, a French East India ship of considerable force, which he captured. He next re- moved into the Ron^ney, a large tifth-rate, mounting forty- four guns, in which ship he continued till the conclusion of the war ; but, unfortunately, without meeting with any second opportunity of distinguishing himself so conspicu- ously as he had before done. Not long after the cessation of hostilities, he was appointed to the Seahorse, of twenty guns, and ordered to the Mediterranean with admiral Keppel. On his return from this station, he was appointed to tne Crown, a fifth-rate, of forty-four guns, and ordered to the coast of Guinea. Immediately on his return to England, he was promoted to the Norwich, a fourth-rate, of fifty guns, one of the ships ordered to be put into commission and equipped for immediate service, in consequence of the various encroachments made by the French on the British settlements in North America. Captain Barrington, after having remained for a short time, subsequent to his return to Europe, without holding any commission, was, in 1757, appointed to the Achilles, a new ship of sixty guns, one of the fleet destined for the home or channel service. He continued occupied in the same line of active service till the year 1760, when he was ordered to Louisbourg, which fortress had not long before been captured from the enemy. Previously, he vever, to his quitting the station, he fell in with a French ship of war called the St. Florentine, which was of equal force with the Achilles. After a short chase, he got up with his antagonist, whom he brought to action, which was closed : t ' i A 'V- |i 382 ADMIRAL BARRINGTOV. '11/ » i ' pilllilli .i' If after a continued contest of two hours, bv the surrender of the enemy. After the return of captain Barrington from Louisbouru', at the close of the vear 17G0, the Achilles was taken into (lock for repair. He was then ordered to put himself under the command of Keppel, with whom he accordingly pro- ceeded on the expedition undertaken against Belleisle. Here he again signalized himself, particularly in ihe attack of one of the forts situated near the shore, which, had it not been previously silenced, would very materially have incommoded the troops during their debarkation. In 1777, he was commissioned to the Prince of Wales, a third-ra\,e, of seventy-four guns, ordered to be fitted for immediate service. Being promoted on the 23d of January, 1778, to the rank of rear-admiral of the white, he hoisted his flag on board the same ship, and was ordered to the West Indies, having been invested with the chief command of the naval forces employed in that quarter. The rupture ■with France, the event which had been so long meditated by that country, and considered as inevitable by Britain, having commenced, the force under the orders of the vice- admiral became totally inadequate to the protection of such valuable possessions as the West India Islands. Admiral Hotham was accordingly detached to reinforce him from North America, with two ships of sixty-four guns each, three of fifty, and a bomb-ketch. This squadron also served to convoy to the West Indies, which were then very ill- garrisoned and provided with troops, a fleet consisting of fifty hired transports, having on board a considerable land- force, intended not merely for the protection of the British possessions, but for the annoyance and attack of any colonies, the property of the enemy, which should be considered as vulnerable. He remained for some time on this station, and ably sustained the reputation of his flag. On the return of peace, Barrington struck his flag, and held no farther naval appointment till 1790, when, on the apprehension of a rupture with Spain, he rehoisted it on board the Royal George, on being appointed to the station of second in command in the main or channel fleet, then under the orders of earl Howe. During the preceding interval of peace, he was, in 1785, appointed one of the board of land and sea-officers convened for the purpose of inquiring into a system of national defence, brought forward under the auspices of the master- le surrender Loiiisbourj,', s taken into irnself under rdingly pro- leisle. Hero ittack of one 1 it not been incommoded of Wales, a 3e fitted for i of January, 3, he hoisted dered to the lef command The rupture ■\g meditated I by Britain, of the vice- ;tion of such s. Admiral ;e him from ' guns each, n also served len very ill- consisting of lerable land- f the British any colonies, onsidered as 5 station, and lis flag, and ^hen, on the loisted it on o the station a fleet, then ;as, in 1785, Brs convened of national the master- LORD RODNEY. 383 general of the ordnance; and, on the 24th of September, 1787, he was advanced to the rank of admiral of the blue. Far more important, however, to the character of this good man, than any honours of this kind, well merited as they certainly were, was his attention to the interests and promotion of a society instituted for the relief of indigent naval officers, their widows, and their children. Unprotected by any public aid, the promoters, among the first and most active of whom was admiral Barrington, had to contend •with those difficulties which all societies, however benevolent their tendency, scarcely ever fail to meet with on their first proposal. Nevertheless, such was the assiduity of this friend to distress, and of his no less amiable associates, that in a short time, they had the satisfaction of beholding the philanthropic plant thriving under their hands, and diffusing its comforts, as far as its means permitted, to all who sought its shelter and support. The dispute with Spain having been amicably concluded, without the necessity of even sending the armament to sea, Barrington struck his flag, and, owing to his infirm state of health, never took upon him any subsequent com- mand. On the 22d of April, 1794, he was, in consequence of a promotion of flag-officers which then took place, raised to the rank of admiral of the white, and, at the time of his death, was senior in that class of officers, the admiral of the fleet being the only officer in the service who preceded him. In the month of October, 1770, he received the honourable appointment of colonel of marines; and in 1789 was made general of the same corps. lie died in 1800. ADMIRAL KEPPEL.— Augustus Keppel was the second son of William, second earl of Albemarle. He began his career under Anson, and did no discredit to his master. Most of his exploits have already come under our notice. He sat in parliament for Chichester, Windsor, and latterly for Surrey. He was first lord of the admiralty, from 1782 to 1784, at which time he was created a viscount. He died in 1786. LORD RODNEY. — George Brydges Rodney, was the second son of Henry Rodney, a naval officer, and was born in the month of Decenber, 1718. He entered the navy at a very early age; and having passed his probationary years of service with reputation, embarked for the Mediterranean >\ l\ I I j( I in 384 LORD RODNEY. I I *! t t i : Ml - .'f • (',' in the Namur, as one of the lieutenants to admiral Matthews, in 1742. On the 9th of November, in the same year, he was promoted by him to be captain of the Plymouth, of sixty guns, which commission was confirmed by the admi- ralty. On returning home, captain Rodney removed into the Sheerness, a small frigate, and, about the middle of the year 1744, was appointed to the command of tht Ludlow Castle, of forty-four guns. During the spring of the year 1746, he had the command of the Eagle of sixty guns, with orders to cruise on the Irish station. In the month of October he captured two privateers, one of them a French ship, called the Shoreham, which had been a frigate in our navy. In the succeeding year, 1747, he formed one of the squadron under commodore Fox, in the Kent, that was sent to intercept a large fleet of French merchantmen, homeward bound from St. Domingo. Of the prizes then made, six were taken by captain Rodney, in the Eagle. The war terminated on the I7th of October, 1748, but Rodney continued to be employed ; and, in March, 1749, was appointed to the Rainbow, a fourth-rate. On the 9th of May, he was made governor and commander-in-chief of the island of Newfoundland. In May, 1751, he was chosen member for the borough of Saltash. He formed one of the fleet which sailed on the 8th of September, 1757, under the command of admirals Ilawke and Boscawen, to attempt a descent on the coast of France. In this expedition, Rodney commanded the Dublin, of seventy-four guns; and being the oldest captain in the fleet, was one of the members of the council of war. When admiral Boscawen sailed for Louisbourg in the spring of 1758, captain Rodney was appointed to supply the place of captain Bentley, whose ship, the Invincible, was lost in going out by running on a shoal. During the passage to north America, the Dublin took the Mount Martin, a French East India ship, homeward bound, of great value. With this service, closed his duty as a post-captain, and in the month of June, 1759, he was advanced rear-admiral of the blue. The year 1759 was glorious to Great Brit^iin in every point of view, nor was lord Rodney without iMijoying his share in the successes of thai; period. Havir,g been sta- tioned for some time in the channel, with a considerable force, to watch the ports of Normandy, he was sent to bombard Havre De Grace, v/henco the enemy had planned to transport an armament for the purpose of invading this <♦■ I M 1 t^ LORD RODNEY. 385 il Matthews, me year, he lymouth, of by the adrai- einoved into lidclle of the the Ludlow »• of the vear y guns, with le month of nn a French rigate in our d one of the hat was sent n, homeward m made, six r, 1748, but »larch, 1749, On the 9th !r-in-chief of e waschdsen the 8th of n-als liawke t of France, Dublin, of in the fleet, var. When le spring of the place of lost in going igo to north French East With this n the month the blue, 'lin in every •njoying his g been sta- considerable was sent to had planned nvading this country, in flat-bottomed boats of a particular construction, called praams. These boats were about one hundred feet long, twenty-four broad, and ten deep ; had one mast, with a deck, and were intended to carry two pieces of cannon. They were so constructed as to use sails, or oars, as occasion mij-ht rec^uire. 8ome were able to carry three hundred men with their baggage; others fifty cavalry, with every thing complete. A great many were already built, with a considerable number on the stocks. Rear-admiral Itodney sailed with his squadron from St. Helen's, on the morning of the 2d of June, and with a favourable wind and moderate weather, anchored the day following in the great road of Havre. About seven next morning, two of the bombs were sta- tioned, as were all the rest early the following morning, and continued to bombard for fifty-two hours, without intermis- sion, and with such success, that the town was several times in flames, and the magazine of stores for the flat-bottomed boats, burned with great fury upwards of six hours, not- withstanding the greatest exertions used to extinguish it. " Thus," as Mr. Collins observes, " had admiral Rodney the happiness of totally frustrating the designs of the French court, and so completely ruined, not only the preparations, but the port itself, as a naval arsenal, that it was no longer in a state to annoy Great Britain during the continuance of the war." In the year 17G0, admiral Rodney still hovered near the mouth of the Seine, and in the month of July had an opportunity of rendering a most essential service to his country, by destroying a fleet of praams, laden with warlike stores. During the month of November in this year, the admiral, who continued to give great annoyance to the French coast, scoured the shore as far as Dieppe with his gutters. It had been determined by government, before the expira- tion of the year 17G1, to attack the French commerce in the West Indies ; as, although their trade to the Leeward Islands was much distressed, it still continued a resource to them. The naval and military force sent for this purpose was great, and t6gether formed such an armament as had never before been seen in that part of the world. General Monckton commanded the land forces, and the marine was under rear-admiral Rodney. On the 18th of Octobe', 17G1, Rodney had sailed from 2ii i p ' L At ^^ •I 1 '^ I. r 1 pr' I ; ii!' i. '. ! I I'rj- I 88 G LORD RODNEY, Spithead In the Marlborough, with four ships, three bomb- ketches, and a sloop, to join those under Sir James Douglas, who, with the troops under lord Rollo, had taken the Island of Dominica in June. The attack on Martinico succeeded in every quarter. On the 4th of February, the citadel was delivered up to his majesty's forces; and, on the 12th, deputies arrived to surrender the whole island. This was soon followed by the capture of Granada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent; when the whole of the Caribbees came into possession of the English. In 1764, Rodney was raised to the rank of baronet; and in the ensuing year, was made governor of Greenwich Hospital. In 1768, Sir George carried on an expensive contest for the borough of Northampton, which he gained by a poll of six hundred and eleven to five hundred and thirty-eight ; by this means his fortune became much deranged. In 1771, he resigned the post of governor of Greenwich Hospital, and was appointed commander-in-chief on the Jamaica station, with his flag on board the Amelia, of eighty-guns. On returning from bin station at Jamaica, after the usual period of service had elapsed, his pecuniary embarrass- ments forced him to go into exile amid a people whose go- vernment had trembled at his name. During his absence in France, Sir George was advanced to be admiral of the white. The poverty, for so it may be denominated, under which he had now so long laboured, and which must have reduced him to many painful difficulties, could not in the smallest degree affect the firmness of his mind, or alienate his affections from his country. A very powerful temptation, the force of which he instantly baffled with patriotic ardour, is alone sufficient to show the noble and elevated character he possessed. The distress of this brave officer had at length so much increased, as to become a subject of public notoriety. It had been long suspected by the keen observation of Monsieur de Sartine, who was no stranger to Sir George's merit ; he accordingly communicated his ideas to the duke de Biron, and persuaded him to make the admiral an offer of the com- mand of the French fleet in the West Indies ; and also to proffer a very liberal supply for the immediate arrangement of his finances. In order to accomplish this infamous design with the greater ease, the duke immediately sent a very civil invita- LORD RODNEY. 387 iree bomb- 3S Douglas, 1 the Island irter. On up to his arrived to )wed by the ; when the be English, ronet; and Greenwich contest for by a poll of y-eight ; by In 1771, !h Hospital, be Jamaica ighty-guns. ?r the usual embarrass- 3 whose go- his absence niral of the ated, under must have not in the or alienate temptation, otic ardour, 'd character th so much toriety. It )f Monsieur s merit ; he e de Biron, of the coni- and also to iTangement in with the civil invita- tion to Sir George to spend some weeks at his house. When one morning, during a walk in the gardens, the duke with great caution sounded the admiral on the subject ; but so far was the ingenuous mind of Sir George from being able to discover what this strange preamble could lead to, that he at length imagined his grace must be deranged, and in consequence begun to eye him with some degree of considera- tion for what might happen. The duke, who had not been accustomed to such unyielding principles, now came at once to the point, and openly declared, " that as the king, his royal master, intended the West Indies should become the theatre of the present war, he was commissioned to make the most unbounded offers to Sir George, if he would quit the English service, and accept the command of a French squadron," Rodney, with an indignant air, made this memorable reply : — " My distresses. Sir, it is true, have driven me from the bosom of my country, but no temptation whatever can estrange me from her service. Had this offer been a voluntary one of your own, I should have deemed it an insult ; but I am glad to learn it proceeds from a source that can do no wrong T^ — The duke was struck with the patriotic virtue of the British tar, and from that time became his sincere friend. Towards the close of 1779, the chief command at the Leeward Islands was given him : upon which he hoisted his Hdg on board the Sandwich. On the 25th of December 1779, the admiral sailed from Spithead in the Sandwich of ninety guns. lie was attended by rear-admiral Digby in the Prince George of ninety-eiglit guns, and by rear-admiral Sir John Ross, in the Royal George of one hundred guns. The late king William IV., then Prince William Henry, accompanied him on board the Prince George, as a midshipman. The whole fleet consisted of twenty-two ships of the line, eight frigates, and a cutter : having under their convoy a considerable number of store ships for Gibraltar, and the trade for the Mediterranean and the West Indies. The garrison of Gibraltar had been blockaded, both by sea and land, from the very first com- mencement of hostilities between G;'eat Britain and Spain. Of the subsequent events we have already given an account. In the debate whichs ubsequently took place in the house of commons, on the motion of thanks to Sir George Rod- ney, lord North declared, that the nation at large was indebted to Sir George Rodney, and that the public siiffra^t s 388 LORD RODNEY. Uli m ■u :ll f ' if'' i , i ■*■: r li' !' i! n M ; ! < ■ , », I >. I /, '. were all in his favour : he wished, therefore, to collect them, and to have them transmitted to that gallant officer, in the form of a vote of thanks from that house. Sir George's services, his lordship said, were singular and important; for he had taken a convov of stores, the loss of which would be very sensibly felt by the Spaniards, as they stood in the greatest need of them to tit out their fleets. In the late action his victory had produced the most salutary effects. It had freed from danger the important fortress of Gibraltar, and, together with the first success, it had taken from the enemy some of their best ships, and had added five to our own fleet. But the battle which, of all others, immortalised the name of Rodney, was that in which he gained his celebrated vic- torv over the French under De Grasse. The battle commenced about seven o'clock on the morning of the 12th of April, 1782. It was fought in a large basin of water, lying among the islands of Guadaloupe, Domini- que, the Saints, and Alarigalante. Both on the windward and leeward of this basin, lay very dangerous shores. As soon as day broke, admiral Rodney made the signal for close action, and every vessel in his fleet obeyed it scrupulously. The British line, instead of being as usual, at two cables' length distance between every ship, was formed at the dis- tance of only one. As each came up, she ranged close alongside her opponent, passing along the enemy for that purpose, giving and receiving, while thus taking her station, a most dreadful and tremendous fire. The action continued in this manner till noon, when admiral Rodney resolved to carry into execution a manoeuvre, which, if successful, he expected, would gain him a complete and decisive victory; for this purpose, in his own ship, the Formidable, sup- ported by the Namur, the Duke and Canada, he bore down with all sail set on the enemy's line, within three ships of the centre, and succeeded in breaking completely through it. As soon as he had accomplished this, the other ships of his division followed him, and they all wore round, doubled upon the enemy, and thus ^)laced between two fires those vessels, which by the first part of the manreuvre they had cut off from the rest of the fleet. As soon as admiral Rod- ney and the vessels which followed him wore, he made the signal for the van to tack, by which means they gained the windward of the French, and completed the disorder into which the breaking of their line had thrown them. ^ LORD RODNEV. 389 ^llect tliem, icer, in the ir George's portant ; for !h would be tood in the In the late ' effects. It ' Gibraltar, 3n from the five to our ed the name ebrated vic- the morning , large basin pe, Domini- e windward shores. As nal for close 3rupulously. two cables' at the dis- anged close my for that her station, )n continued resolved to iccessful, he >ive victory; idable, sup- 3 bore down I ships of the through it. ships of his nd, doubled ) fires those re they had Imiral Rod- 16 made the f gained the isordcr into m. The enemy, however, still continued to fight with great courage and firmness, and made an attempt to reform their broken line, by their van bearing away to leeward. This, however, they could not accomplish. During the whole of this time, Sir Samuel Hood's division had been becalmed, and of course unable to take any part in the action ; but at this critical moment a breeze sprung up, which brought for- ward most of his ships, and thus served to render the victory more decisive. One consequence of the breaking of the French line was, that opportunities were given for desperate actions between single ships, the most splendid and striking of which have been thus told: — " The ''uiiada of seventy-four guns, cap- tain Cornwallis, took the French Hector of the same force, single-hand. Captain Inglefield in the Centaur of seventy- four guns, came up from the rear to the attack of the C«sar of seventy-four also. , Both ships were yet fresh and unhurt. \x\A a most gallant action took place, but though the Frencii captain had evidently much the worse of the combat, he still disdained to yield. Three other ships came up suc- cessively, and he bore to be torn almost to pieces by their fire. His courage was inflexible. He is said to have nailed his colours to the mast, and his death could only put an end to the contest. When she struck, her masts went overboard, and she had not a foot of canvass without a shot hole. The Glorieux likewise fought nobly, and did not strike till her masts, bowsprit, and ensign were shot away. The English Ardent of sixty-four guns, which had been taken by the enemy 'a the beginning of the war, near Plymouth, was now retaken. The Diadem, a French seventy-four gun ship, went down by a single broadside. De Grasse was nobly supported, even after the line was broken, and till the disor- der and confusion became irremediable towards evening, by the ships that were near him. His two seconds, the Lan- guedoc and Couronne, were particularly distinguished, and the former narrowly escaped being taken, in her last efforts to extricate the admiral. The V^ille de Paris, after being already much battered, was closely laid alongside by the Canada; and in a desperate action of nearly two hours, was reduced almost to a wreck. Captain Cornwallis was so intent in his design upon the French admiral, that, without taking possession of the Hector, he left her to be picked up by a frigate, while he pushed on to theVille de I'aris. It seemed as if De Grasse was determined to sink, rather than iAc;i..-OK„ 390 LORD RODNEY. ■m i a .(It: ' « I ^j! I. -( ; I yi^rf,'- strike to any thing- under a flag; ' . he likewise undoubt- edly considered the fatal effects which the striking of his flag might produce on the rest of his fleet. Other ships came up in the heat of the action with the Canada, but he still held out. At length Sir Samuel Hood came up in the Barfleur, at sunset, and poured in a most destructive fire, which is said to have killed sixty men on the spot; but M. De Grasse wishing to signalise as much as possible the loss of so fine and so favourite a ship, endured the repetitions of this fire for about a quarter of an hour longer. He then struck his flag to the Barfleur, and surrendered himself to Sir Samuel Hood. It was said, at the time the Ville de Paris struck, there were but three men left alive and unhurt on the upper deck, and that the Count De Grasse was one of the three." Long before the French admiral struck his flag, his fleet had sought safety in flight, and that they might divide the attention of the English, and thus more easily accomplish their object, they went off before the wind in small squadrons and single ships. They were at first closely pursued, but on the approach of night, admiral Rodney made the signal for his vessels to collect for the purpose of securing his prizes, and removing the men from on board of them. While our fleet were obliged to lye under Guadaloupe for three days to repair their damages, the French seized the favourable opportunity to escape. As, however, many of their ships were very much crippled, admiral Rodney enter- tained hopes that he should be still able to overtake and cap- ture some of them. On the 17th, therefore, he detached Sir Samuel Hood with those vessels of his division which had suffered the least; and on the 19th, five sail of the enemy were perceived endeavouring to effect their escape through the Mona passage. The signal for chase was immediately given, and before the French could enter the passage they were becalmed and overtaken. The Valiant, captain Good- all was the first who came up with them ; he laid his ship alongside the Caton, of sixty-four guns, which struck at the first broadside; captain Goodall, however, did not stop to take possession of her, but pushing on, he came up with and attacked the Jason, a vessel of the same force as the former. She held out about ♦"'enty minutes, and then struck. A frigate of thirty-two guns, and a sloop of sixteen were also taken. The whole loss of the enepiy amounted to eight ships: LORD RODNEY. 301 e undoubt- king of his )ther ships ida, but he e up in the uctive fire, ot; but M. ble the loss petitions of He then himself to he Ville de and unhurt sse was one ag, his fleet ; divide the accomplish 1 squadrons lUed, but on 3 signal for his prizes, daloupe for seized the , many of [Iney enter- ie and cap- stached Sir which had the enemy pe through tnmediately assage they tain Good- id his ship ruck at the lot stop to p with and he former, truck. A were also ight ships: one had been sunk ; one, the Cajsar, blew up after she was taken. By this accident a lieutenant and fifty English seameu perished with about four hundred prisoners, and six ships remained in the possession of the conquerors. On board the Ville de Paris were found thirty-six chests of money, with which the troops that were intended for the invasion were to have been paid; and the whole train of artillery, with the battering cannon that were to have been employed on the same enterprise, were captured in the prizes. The loss of the French in killed and v/ounded, was very great ; the amount of the former is supposed to have been three thousand; and of the latter at least double that num- ber. The Ville de Paris was fought so long and so gal- lantly, that on board of her alone four hundred perished. On board of the British fleet, the loss was also great, but not nearly in the same proportion, nor so great as might have been anticipated, when the length and the obstinacy of the contest are taken into consideration. Including the loss of both actions, on the 9th and 12th, the number of the killed amounted to two hundred and thirty-seven, and of wounded to seven hundred and sixty-six. Several officers of great repute for skill and brivery were among both. Captain Blair of the Anson, who had distinguished himself the preceding year, in the action off the Dogger Bank with the Dutch, was slain; and lord Robert Manners, son of the great marquis of Granby, was so dangerously wounded, that he died on his passage to England. Thus closed the professional career of this distinguished officer, who, on June 19, 1782, after receiving the thanks of both houses, was advanced to the rank of a peer of Great Britain, by the title of baron Rodney, of Rodney Stoke, in the county of Somerset; and, on the first of July following, received a pension of j£''2000 per annum, to descend to his heirs. These rewards his long services and merit cer- tainly claimed, nor was his country slow in proff'ering them. One who knew him well has declared, " That as an offi- cer of nautical abilities, none were his superiors, and but few his equals," and he possessed a bold original genius, which always carried him directly to the object he had in view. In private life he displayed the manners of an accomplished gentleman; and he, who when called by his country, could hurl its thunders against the foe, and lead its navies unto victory, was, in peace, the ornament of domes- 'i /, ;m ■'n\ .'i*! i i I' /;■'■ tic society, and a pattern of that elegant and polished beha- viour which distinguishes the higher orders among us. Lord llodney died in London on the 24th of May, 1792. I ■ \ ADMIRAL KEMrENFELT.— Richard Kempenfelt, of Swedish lineage, was born at Westminster, in 1718. Having risen, by his bravery and good conduct, to the rank of admiral, he terminated his life by the following accident, long and w^ell remembered in British naval story. His ship, the Royal George being leaky, he was ordered to Spithead to get her repaired; and, with a view to get that done expeditiously, it was directed that the ship should be careened, andhave her seams caulked as she lay at anchor, without going into harbour. On the 29th of August, at six in the morning, the weather being fine, and the wind moderate, it was thought a favourable opportunity to heel her, and orders for that purpose were accordingly given. By ten o'clock she was heeled sufficiently to enable the workmen to get to the part that leaked ; but, in order to repair it as effectually as possible, the ship was healed another streak, or about two feet more. After this was done, the ship's crew were allowed to go to dinner, but the carpenters and caulkers continued at their work, and had almost finished it, when a sudden squall took the ship on the raised side, and the lower-deck ports to leeward having been unaccountably left open, the water rushed in : in less than eight minutes the ship filled, and sunk so rapidly, that the officers in their confusion made no s'gnal of distress : nor, indeed, if they had, could any assistance have availed, for, after her lower ports were in the water, no power nor any exertion could have prevented her from going to the bottom. When the Royal George went down, there were upwards of one thousand two hundred persons on board, including three hundred women. The wutch on deck, to the number of two hundred and upwards, were saved by going out on the top-sail yards, which remained above water after the ship reached the bottom. About seventy more were picked up by the boats from the other ships at Spithead. Among these were four lieutenants and eleven women. Admiral Kempenfelt, the rest of the officers, and nine hundred people were drowned. The masts of the Royal George remained standing for a considerable time afterwards ; and, until she was covered with sand, parts of the hull M'ere visible at low water. Re- peated attempts were made to weigh her, but in vain. Very iished beha- ng- us. Vlay, 1792. vempenfelt, r, in 1718. to the rank ig accident, r. s ordered to et that done be careened, thout going be morning, vas thought rs for that ck she was to the part fectuallv as ft/ ■ about two ere allowed continued at dden squall ck ports to the water filled, and )n made no could any rts were in prevented val George vo hundred mdred and sail yards, cached the y the boats were four )enfelt, the 3 drowned, iing for a as covered ater. Ile- dn. Very ADMIRAL KEMPENFEI.T, 39*'. recently considerable portions of the wreck have been re- moved, by means of blasting with gunpowder, and the ope- rations are not yet abandoned. Thus prematurely perished this experienced officer, whose knowledge, abilities, and bravery, did much honour to the British navy, and promised to contribut*^ largely to its improvement and its glory. Many others were highly distinguished, most of whose exploits have found a place in our pages. Of these are Sir John Moore, a name rendered of still greater fame in after times; Maurice Suckling, the uncle and tutor of the immortal Nelson ; Sir Charles Hardy, a name of heredit ary renown ; Sir Edward Hughes; and Sir Hyde Parker. Paul Jones, whom we have had occasion already to men- tion, performed several daring exploits in the service of America. His original name was John Paul, and he was a native of Scotland, having been born, in 1747, in the parish of Arbegland, Kirkcudbrightshire, where his father was a gardener. His enterprising and courageous spirit are unde- niable; and, in more favourable circumstances he might have made a gallant admiral. He died in 1792, at Paris. i ii •1 , I- I l\ f I I 1 ri IT f 1 1' ii ■ 1 1^'- ?i< f ! & ! •*: i< I ; .:;' 1 ' i r I / ; i ':■ t m (I i r (, ' i,! |.: ^'( ''' , „ li ■1 tl ■(•( i Ii iit 1 I ■ill ! o'w m y k 1! CHAPTER IX. GEORGE III. 1783 TO THE PEACE OF AMIENS, 1802 — FIRST WAR OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION — SIDNEY SMITH AT TOULON — PELLEW — SAUMAREZ — COURTNEY — HOWE'S VICTORY OF THE IST OF JUNE LORD HOOD AT CORSICA HORATIO NELSON LORDBRIDPORT AT L'oRIENT — THE BLANCHE AND LA PIQUE — SIDNEY SMITH TAKEN PRISONER — NELSON AT ELBA — KEITH ELPHINSTONE AT THE CAPR MUTINY AT SPITHEAD ANDTIIE NORE — ST. VINCENT — CAMPER- DOWN — CADIZ — SANTA CRUZ — THE NILE — ACRE — THE BALTIC — ■ LORD HOWE — LORD ST. VINCENT — SIR SIDNEY SMITH — LORD DUNCAN. The period embraced in this chapter extends from the year 1783 to the peace of Amiens in 1802, a period of nearly twenty years. During the first ten years of this, however. Great Britain enjoyed peace, and consequently no maritime exploits occurred deserving our notice. Of the French re- volution, and the causes which armed against that country England and nearly all Europe, the memory is yet too re- cent, and men's opinions regarding them too much under the influence of party spirit, to permit us, in a work of this kind, to enter into detail. Nor indeed, although we were so in- clined, would our limits permit us to do justice to the dis- IRST WAR OF 3N — PELLEW 1st of JUNE bridport at ;mith taken AT THE CAPK ;T — CAMPER- IIE BALTIC — • MITH — LORD from the )(lof nearly , however, 10 maritime French re- lat country yet too re- h under the )f this kind, were so in- to the dis- SIDNEY SMITH AT TOULON. 39 o cnssion of a subject so extensive and complicated. Our brave sailors defended their native shores, and supported the hon'»ur of England's flag, without troubling themselves as to the minute grounds of quarrel ; and in recording a his- tory of their exploits, we shall in that respect follow their example. Suffice it to st . 396 SIDNEY SMITH AT TOULON. U if If t S' (,_ i- +; J ''ill licans exertinc' themselves with increasinj? activity and num- bers to recover the pUice, it became evident the English could no longer hold it. It was, therefore, resolved to adopt immediate measures for the evacuation of the town and arsenal, and for the destruction of the ships of war. On the evening of the day on which this resolution was come to, the artillery, stores, troops, and several thousand Frer.ch rovalists were embarked, without loss. The most difficult and dangerous measure remained to be accomplished ; and the execution of it was committed to Sir Sidney Smith, a hero, whom, now for the first time, but not for the last, we have occasion to mention. Sir Sidney had under his command three English and three Spanish gun-boats, and a tender: he first proceeded to the arsenal, and made preparations for burning the ships and stores which were in it. The people belonging to the dock yard, had already substituted the tri-coloured cockade for the white one, but they were not sufficiently numerous to oppose any resistance. The republican party, however, increased in force every hour, and prepared to repel the English and the royalists. Soon after it grew dark, the Vulcan fire-ship was towed in under the direction of lieutenant Gore; she was placed across the tier of the men-of-war, in such a manner and position, that she was certain to do effectual execution. As soon as the signal was made, for setting fire to the trains, the flames were seen to rise in all directions; the magazine, filled with pitch, tar, tallow, oil, and hemp, was soon in a complete blaze, the fire spread among the deals and other timber, by means of two hundred and fifty barrels of tar, placed among them. The blaze, occasioned by this confla- gration, enabled the enemy to take more certain and effectual aim; while the destruction that was going on roused their fury, and caused them to redouble their fire. In order to extend and increase the flames, lieutenant Middleton of the Britannia, went into the midst of them, which exposed him at the same time to the fire of the enemy. His undaunted bravery, and the danger to which he exposed himself, excited the admiration, while it roused the fears, even of Sir Sidney Smith, who called him off from his perilous post. The enemy in the mean time were advancing, rending the air with their shouts and republican songs. But Sir Sidney had opposed an obstacle to their progress, in the very means he took to destroy their arsenal and shipping ; for he had i i. : SIDNEY SMITH AT TOULON. 397 ty and niim- the English resolved to of the town lips of ^var. on was come sand French Host difficult plished; and ley Smith, a ' the last, we Rnglish and ])roceeded to the ships and ^ to the dock ckade for the JUS to oppose er, increased English and Ip was towed e was placed manner and Bcution. As o the trains, he magazine, ^as soon in a ds and other arrels of tar, y this confla- and effectual roused their In order to dleton of the exposed him is undaunted nself, excited )f Sir Sidney St. r, rending the ut Sir Sidney le very means for he had I i)laccd the fire ships in such a manner, that as their guns went off, a direction was given them towards those quarters from whence he had most reason to apprehend the enemy. The horror of this scene was increased by an unexpected circumstance, which, for a moment, put a stop both to the operations of the English, and to the advance and shouts and songs of the republicans. On board of the Iris frigate, wnich lav in the inner road, there were some thousand barrels of gunpowder, and directions had been given to the Spaniards to take these out of the frigate and sink them. Instead of doing this, they had foolishly and rashly set fire to the frigate with the gunpowder on board. By the explosion, the air shook on all sides, masses of burning timber fell in all direc- tions, the British were appalled for the moment, and justly apprehensive that they should all be destroyed by the effects of the explosion. The boat of the Terrible was blown to pieces, but the lieutenant and men who were in her, were picked up alive, though dreadfully hurt. One of the gun- boats lay near the Iris at the time of the explosion : it was shaken to pieces, and four men lost their lives. The Spanish officers who were engaged in this enterprise along with Sir Sidney Smith, had undertaken to set fire to the ships in the basin before the town; but they scarcely attempted to perform their task. They returned, reporting that the obstacles were so great and numerous, that it was totally impracticable. In fact, the business was much above their pitch of courage; they could not have preserved their coolness, presence of mind, and intrepidity, in the midst of such accumulated horrors and dangers. As soon as Sir Sidney Smith had destroyed the arsenal, he went along with the Spaniards to renew the attempt on the ships in the basin ; but, in the meantime, the enemy had manned the flag-ship, and the wall of one of the batteries, from which they poured such repeated and well-directed vollies of musketry, that the British commander was reluctantly compelled to abandon the enterprise. There were still two seventy-four gun ships in the inner road ; an attempt had already been made on them, but it had been given up in consequence of the crews manifesting a determination to resist. As soon, however, as the confla- gration spread around them, they were apprehensive for their safety, and gladly accepted of Sir Sidney Smith's offer of landing them in safety, provided they would make no opposition to the burning of the ships. The destruction of ri f I:' 1 I ^i^- SOS REIGN OF GEORGE III. W I 1 1 ' m i. I lit if ■ If ■!! , I these two ships had scarcely been effected, when another powder-vessel exploded ; and Sir ISidney and his brave com- panions were a second time exposed to the most imminent danger. Around them on all sides the burning timber feb,. so that whether they remained where they were, or attempted to escape, they were equally exposed ; fortunately, however, not a single piece touched either the Swallow, or any of the gun-boats which accompanied her. By this time, the strength of the men was so completely exhausted, that many of them dropped on their oars. It was still, however, necessary to extricate themselves from the situation in which they were. Every thing had, indeed, been destroyed, whirli lay within the compass of their power; but while they had been thus employed, the enemy had occupied the forts, which commanded the passage out of the harbour. From these, had the fire been well supported and directed, they must have suffered very much; but only a few ill-directed shots were fired, so that without any loss, they reached the place appointed for the embarkation of the troops, and took off as many of them as the vessels could hold. An occurrence which displayed great coolness and presence of mind, took place in the harbour of Toulon, soon after that town was evacuated by the British. Captain Hood , in the Juno, being ignorant of that event, and having on board upwards of one hundred and fifty supernumeraries, who were intended for lord Hood's fleet, and whom he was anxious to get rid of as soon as possible, ventured, without making the signal for a pilot, to stand in late in the evening, towards the harbour of Toulon. Soon after he entered the inner harbour, the ship grounded, when a boat came on board from the shore. Still captain Hood had no suspicion that the place was in the possession of the enemy, till, by the light of the moon, one of his midshipmen discovered that the officer who had come in the boat, wore the tri-coloured cockade. The ship was still aground; but every effort was instantaneously made to save her. The Frenchmen were ordered below; in an instant every officer and man was at his duty, and in three minutes, every >ni\ in the ship was set. Fortunately, at this most critical period, a breeze of wind came down the harbour, the cablj was cut, the ship started from the shore, the head-sailo filled, and she was soon under way. Still, however, the forts were to be I u REIGN OF GEORGE III. 399 A'hen another lis brave com- lost imminent )g timber feli; , or attempted ely, however, or any of the so completely heir oars. It lelves from the ; had, indeed, f their power ; e enemy had ige out of the supported and )ut only a few any loss, they kation of the vessels could 3 and presence »n, soon after itain Hood, in vingon board neraries, who khom he was ured, without 1 the evening, ie entered the 3oat came on 1 no suspldon iiy, till, by the covered that e tri-coloured I'y effort was nchmen were I man was at the ship was (k1, a breeze was out, the lied, and she ts were to be ^ passed ; and they were already apprized of what was going on. As soon as captain Hood was assured that his ship would keep the way she had got, he ordered the guns to be got ready ; as he passed close along shore, the batteries fired on him, but they did no injury ; nor did he deem it necessary to return the fire, except against one battery, which he soon silenced. In less than an hour, from the time captain Hood discovered his mistake, the Juno was out of all danger. This was the principal naval event of the year. Of detached actions of interest, may be mentioned the following : — Capt. Edward Pellew, afterwards lord Exmouth, was cruising off the Start, in the La Nymphe of thirty-six guns, and two hundred and twenty men, when he fell in with the French frigate La Cleopatre, of forty guns and three hundred and twenty men, wlien a severe and well-contested action imme- diately commenced. It was soon evident that the French seamen had rr.ther gained an accession of courage by the infusion of republican principles, as they fought not only with great bravery, but with more steady resolution than they in general had done before the commencement of the revolution. The action continued with unabated fury for fifty-five minutes, when the French frigate, her mizen-mast and tiller having been shot away, and having lost her captain, three of her lieutenants, and nearly one hundred of her people, fell on board the La Nymphe, when captain Pellew immediately gave orders to board. This was executed with the greatest promptness and bravery, and the colours of the French frigate were hauled down. Captain James Saumarez, sinco lord de Saumarez, who commanded the Crescent of thirty-six guns, and two hundred and sixty men, being on a cruise off Cape Barfieur, fell in with the French frigate La Reunion, mounting the same number of guns as the Crescent, and carrying three hundred and twenty men. This action was obstinately fought for two hours and twenty minutes, when the Fren'^h frigate struck her colours. The comparative skill with which the respective ships wore manamvred in the course of the engagement, and with which the guns were managed, was clearly seen in the loss which each vessel sustained. On board of La Reunion, one hundred and twenty men were either killed or wounded, while the English frigate did not lose a single man. As these were the first naval actions that had taken place since the commencement of the war, it was M 400 HOWE S VICTORY OF JUNE I. 'Il' ' S in 1 Mr ' n'\jM f thought proper to reward the captains of the British frigates, hy conferring on them the honour of knighthood. The following supplies were granted by parliament for the sea service of the year 1794. For eighty-five thousand men, including twelve thousand one hundred and fifteen marines, .^''4,420.000 ; for the ordinary, including half-pay, j6?558,021 ; extraordinaries, j6"r)47,310. The ordnance sup- plies were now for the first time granted separately. The total for the navy, exclusiveof them, amounted to j6'5,525,331. The total supplies granted for the year were j6'20,228,119. The crowning event of this year was lord Howe's cele- brated victory of the 1st of June. The French, soon after the commencement of hostilities, had ready for sea a large and well equipped fleet, and earl Howe sailed from Spithead,in order to Avatch their motions, in July 1793. His force at first consisted only of fifteen sail of the line, but in October it was augmented to twenty- four sail of the line. With these he cruised in the channel, but though he twice discovered a small squadron of the ene- my, he was not able to bring them to action. The circumstance which induced the French government to depart from the system of naval hostilities, which they had hitherto pursued with safety to themselves, and with so much injury to our commerce, was the extreme scarcity of grain in the kingdom. To relieve this scarcity, a great number of vessels had been sent to America; and these, together with a large fleet of merchantmen, conveying home the principal produce of their West India Islands, were daily expected off the coast of France. Lord Howe had gained information of the expected con- v6y, and knowing how important its protection and safe arrival would be to France, he naturally concluded that the Brest fleet would be ordered out for that purpose. He therefore put to sea, his force consisting of twenty-six sail of the line, but he expected to be joined by admiral Montague, who was cruising in the channel. In this, however, he was (iisappointed, and did not deem it proper to wait for them, having, on the 21st of the month, received intelligence, that the French were but a few leagues to the westward. To- wards this point he therefore directed his course, and on the 28th, the enemy were descried at a great distance on the weather-bow of the English admiral. It appeared at first, from the unconnected order in which the French were sail- ing, that they were not aware of the vicinity of the British I tish frigates, )d. rliament for ive thousaiul , and fifteen ing half-pay, rdnance sup- cately. The ^•5,525,331. '20,228,119. Howe s cele- of hostilities, fleet, and earl their motions, nly of fifteen ed to twenty- 1 the channel, on of the ene- h government vhich they had and with so me scarcity of a great la; and these, •nveying home Islands, were expected con- ation and safe iluded that the purpose. He lenty-six sail of ral Montague, Iwevcr, he was [wait for them, telligence, that lest ward, in- |i-se, and on the listance on the pcarcd at first, ;nch were sail- of the British HOWE 3 VICTORY OF jaNE I. 401 ficot. As soon as they descried them, they began to form in order ©f battle; this, however, they did not completely etfect till after several hours. Lord Howe took advantage of this delay, to place one division of his fleet, commanded by rear-admiral Pasley, in such a situation that it could ma- iKBUvre and act with effect on the rear of the French, while the whole English fleet was gradually making a nearer approach to the enemy. At this time there was a strong south-west wind, which occasioned a rough sea. The French possessed and con- tinued to retain the weather-gage, their line of battle being formed on the starboard tack. Very soon after the admiral brought them to battle, one of the French ships, Le Revo- lutionaire, of one hundred and ten guns, slackened her sails, and admiral Pasley, taking advantage of this circumstance, led on his division and attacked this vessel. The French fought the ship with uncommon bravery. In the conflict, the British rear-admiral had his top-mast disabled; this being perceived, the Leviathan pushed forward and joined in the attack, in which she was supported by the Audacious, Notwithstanding this great superiority of force, the llevo- lutionaire still defended herself; her captain was killed early in the engagement. According to the English ac- counts, she at last struck her colours to the Audacious, This, the French accounts of the battle positively deny. Night put an end to the conflict : and on the subsequent morning, the llevolutionaire, a complete wreck, was towed into Rochefort, The hostile fleets lay to, in sight of each other during the whole night. On the morning of the 29th, lord Howe threw out the signal for tacking, in order to endeavour to make a further impression on the rear of the enemy. Aware, however, of the effect of this mana'uvre, they immediately wore from van to rear, and moved down slowly in a slant- ing direction, in order to engage the van of the British fleet. When lord Howe perceived this, he changed his plan, and made the si,.;nal to cross and pass through the enemy's line. This would have been done immediately and most effectually, had not the C(esar fallen to leeward, by which circumstance it was rendered necessarv to tack the Queen Charlotte, the admiral's own ship. As soon as she had tacked, being supported by the Bellerophon and Leviathan, she broke through the enemy's line between the fifth and sixth ships in the rear division. As soon as lord lIow^> 2 c 402 HOWE S VICTORY OF JUNE I. 1 ' V ■ r »; had reached this position, he again put about, in which manoeuvre he was followed by the two ships who had also broken the line ; but as the rest of the British fleet were still a considerable distance to leeward beyond the sternmost ships of the French line, the latter wore in succession to the eastward, for the purpose of succor-ring their disabled ves- sels. As soon as they had accomplished this, they again wore round, standing away from the British in order of battle on the larboard tack, while our fleet followed them in the same order. Thus terminated the sf ond day's engagement, which was equally partial and indecisive with that of the 28th. One important advantage, however, resulted to the British. From the manoeuvres which preceded and accompanied it, they gained the weather-gage of the enemy, and of course had it now in their power to force on a more general battle. This could not be done during the two last days of May, owing ■ to a thick fog which almost concealed the hostile squadrons from each other, though they were but a few miles distant. During the continuance of this fog, the French sent away three of their crippled ships, and received an equal rein- forcement. The enemy's fleet, therefore, still consisted of twenty-six sail of the line, four of which, however, were not in good condition either for sailing or fighting, having been out on a long cruise under rear-admiral Neuilly. The English fleet, which at first consisted of the same number of ships of the line, was now reduced to twenty-five : the Audacious having, during her engagement with the Revolu- tionaire on the 28th, suffered so severely, that it was judged necessary to send her back to England. The fog cleared up on the 1st of June ; and lord Howe finding the enemy waiting the attack, determined to bring them to close action ; and made the signal for that purpose. His object was again to break the French line ; and this was ertectually done in several parts. As soon as the Bri- tish ships had succeeded in this, the enemy were attacked, to leeward and to windward, at the same time. Lord Howe ordered the (^ueen Charlotte to be laid close alongside the French commander-in-chief; which was done in a most masterly style by his master, Bowen. A dreadful can- nonade commenced. The French admiral remained firm, returning the fire of the Queen Charlotte, though not with much effect, for nearly an hour ; when he crowded all the sail he could carry, and made oft", followed by such of the ;;j* LORD HOOD AT CORSICA, 403 ut, in which vho had also eet were still he sternmost cession to the disabled ves- By again wore sr of battle on ji in the same int, which was e 28th. One British. From .anied it, they f course had it I battle. This f May, owing stile squadrons miles distant, nch sent away an equal rein- :ill consisted of rever, were not cr, having been Neuilly. The ame number of yrenty-five : the iththeRevolu- t it was judged .nd lord Howe mined to bring r that purpose, line ; and this )on as the Bri- ere attacked, to Lord Howe e alongside the [one in a most . dreadful can- remained firm, hough not with crowded all the by such of the ships in his van as were in condition to carry sail ; leaving the remainder, which were disabled and dismasted, at the mercy of the British. When the smoke cleared away, seven of these were taken possession of. Le Vengeur, a seventy- four gun ship, went down during the action. Most of the British fleet were so much crippled that they were in no condition to pursue the enemy, otherwise a greater number must have fallen into our possession. The killed on board of the enemy's ships which were taken, amounted to six hundred and ninety men ; five hundred and eighty were wounded, and it was computed that three hundred and twenty perished in Le Vengeur. On board of La Montagne alone, nearly t^^ree hundred men were killed and wounded. The return on board of the English fleet was two hundred and eighty-one killed, and seven hundred and eighty-eight wounded. In consequence of the crippled state of many of his ships, lord Howe, immediutely after the battle, returned to port with his prizes. The French were in some measure consoled for their defeat, by the safe arrival of their Ameri- can convoy, amounting to one hundred and sixty sail, and valued at five millions sterling. Every mark of distinction and honour was bestowed on lord Howe, his officers, and men: gold medals, emblematicfd of the victory, were struck, and bestowed on such officers iis the admiral had particularly named in his public dispatches. The thanks of both houses of parliament were unanimously voted ; and, on the 26th of June, the king and queen arrived at Portsmouth, and went on board the Queen Charlotte, V. hich was lying at 8pithead, when the king presented earl H iwe with a diamond-hilted sword, valued at three thousand guneas, and a gold chain with a medal suspended from it. Nor were the wounded officers and seamen, or the widows and children of those who had fallen, neglected, in the midst of these rewards bestowed on lord Howe and his brave companions ; a subscription was opened, audit was liberally carried out. The city of London gave.^t'SOO ; the corpora- tion of the Trinity House, 200 guineas ; and the latter at the same time resolved, that such widows as had families, should be admitted to the monthly pension, in preference to all other claimants. In the Mediterranean, lord Hood, after leaving Toulon, cruised for some time off the Bay of Hieres ; but receiving information that the royalist party in the island of Corsica liad revolted against the republican government, and only waited 4 ff 15 I' *! HJ II t i:k:\ > r i: i 11 ■ 4 I' !i IBv cw'l ,. J 1 ; if al mm JK jli 'th and obstinacy of the engagement. Besides captain Faulkner, seven were killed, and twenty-one wounded. The following supplies were granted for the soa service and ordnance for the vear 1790. For one hundred and ten thousand men, including eighteen thousand marines, ci?o,720,000 ; for the ordinary, including half-pay, jt'G24,l 52 ; for extraordinaries, .^^'708,400; for ordnance, jt'Gl,000; towards discharging the navy debt, .3t'500,000 ; making the total for the navy, ^'7,013,552. The total supplies granted for the year were jt'37, 558,502. Admiral Cornwallis was this year censured by a court- martial for neglect and disobedience of orders, lie was a brave, but somewhat unmanageable commander, and seems to have thought, and probably not without some reason, that he knew better than the lords of the admiraltv what he ought to do. Sir Sidney Smith added to his fame by another exploit, in attacking, in a daring manner, and destroying a convoy of the enemy which had taken shelter in the port of Ilerqui near Cape Frehel. The termination of his next enterprise was not so for- tunate. A large lugger privateer was lying in the outer road of Havre de Grace. Sir Sidnev, when he discovered her, ordered the boats of his squadron to be manned, and proceeded in one of them himself, on the night of the 18th of April, against the enemy. He succeeded in boarding and taking possession of her. Her anchor was immediately weighed, and he stood out of the harbour ; but the flood tide setting in, and the wind being at the same time un- favourable, he was compelled to come to anchor again. It I! i 'r: ^f 408 NELSON AT ELBA. w.ji:'z ri:/if* 'U * !' m M ■;i ij 1 1 f] M ',3*' is not known whet^ier the cable parted, or whether it was cut by some of the risoners ; the higger, however, drifted up the Seine, by tli t'orce of the fiood-tide, and in a short time, came abreast of the forts. Sir Sidney Smith and his brave companions used every exertion to extricate themselves from their perilous situation, but in vain ; they could not make way against the tide ; the forts and gun-boats attack- ed the lugger on all sides; so that after a gallant resist- ance, he was compelled to surrender. The naval transactions in the Mediterranean this year were not very important. Genoa and Leghorn had been com- pelled to shut their ports against the English, in consequence of the decisive and important victories which Buonaparte had obtained in Italy. As it was necessary to possess some place where the British fleet could rendezvous and be re- paired, commodore Nelson was sent against the Isle of Elba, which was thought suitable for these purposes. This small island was defended by a strong bastion ; the cannon of which, it was necessary, in the first instance, to silence. To eftect this, Nelson run his own ship within half pistol- shot of it, on which the governor surrendered. In the West Indies, the navy co-operated with the army in the reduction of the Dutch settlements of Demerary, Essequibo, and Berbice, which fell without resistance ; and of the island of St. Lucia, where the enemy capitulated, after having been successfully attacked in their strong post, at Morne Chabot, by general Moore. St. Vincent and Grenada were also reconquered at this period. In the East Indies, the Dutch settlements fell into our hands, offering little resistance, and producing a large booty, captain Gardner reduced Negombo and Columbo ; while admiral Rainier was equally successful in his attack on the valuable islands of Amboyna and Banda. The loss of the Cape of Good Hope gave the greatest uneasiness to the Dutch, and they resolved to make a vigorous effort to reconquer it. Accordingly, admiral Lucas was dispatched with a fleet, consisting of one ship of sixty-six, one of fifty-four, one of forty-four, and one of forty guns, and two small frigates. In order to avoid the dangers to which they would be exposed from the British fleet in the English channel, the Dutch squadron proceeded north-about, round the Orknev Islands. But the incon- voniences attendinqf this long and circuitous voyage more than compensated the risk to which the regular and common \' n MUTINY AT THE NORE. 400 IM ether it was ever, drifted id in a short mith and his te themselves )y could not boats attack- illant resist- bis vear were i been com- consequence Buonaparte possess some 1 and be re- the Isle of poses. This ; the cannon 2f to silence. 1 half pistol- ith the army f Demerary, istance ; and capitulated, strong post, Vincent and fell into our L large booty, imbo ; while ittack on the the greatest to make a ily, admiral f one ship of and one of tu avoid the I the British an proceeded t the incon- voyage more and common course might have been exposed; and the very object which they had in view, by taking this route, was in some measure defeated, by the circumstance of some of our cruizers discovering their squadron. As the destination of it was readily divined, a reinforcement was sent out to the Cape, which arrived there before the enemy. Sir Oeorge Keith Elphinstone commanded the British squadron on this station ; and having been apprized of the sailing and probable destination of the Dutch fleet, and at the same time considerably reinforced, in order to frustrate and defeat their object, he continued in St. Simon's Bay, without any uneasiness with respect to the result. His squadron was superior to that of the enemy, as it consisted of two seventy-four gun ships, five sixty-four gun ships, a fifty gun ship, and six smaller vessels. In the beginning of August, he received information that the enemy's fleet had arrived in Saldhana Bay ; wlien he and Sir James Craig, who commanded the land forces, took their measures so eff'ectuallv, that the whole Dutch Heet surrendered without striking a blow. Among other individual encounters, those fought by captain Trollope in the Glatton, and by Cciptain Bowen in the Terpsichore, were much praised. Mutiny at the Nore. — The year 1797, was an import- ant era in British naval history. The sovereignty of the seas was maintained with a degree of energy and splendour which had never been surpassed ; but a spirit of dissatis- faction among our sailors broke out into open mutiny, and for a time, the country trembled on the verge of destruction. In the month of February, letters were sent from all the line of battle ships at Portsmouth, to lord Howe, praying for his lordship's influence towards obtaining a redress of certain grievances mentioned in the letters : as these, however, were anonymous, and appeared to be all written by one per- son, and couched in the same language, they were considered as the production of some factious individual, and were thrown aside, as unworthy of answer. This neglect of the petition of the seamen, on their return to port, SlarchSlst, occasioned a correspondence by letter to be kept up, and passed from ship to ship, through the whole fleet ; till at length it was unanimously agreed upon, that no ship should lift an anchor, till the demands of the fleet were fully complied with. In this state matters remained, till the 14th of April, when orders were sent to Portsmouth for lord Bridport J 410 MUTPCY AT THK NORE. mm ] i ■I' * > . ■It 'Fir ! . j! .i ^^1 Ik . to sail with the channel fleet. On the following day, how- ever, when his lordship made the signal to prepare, not a ship obeyed the signal. Instead of weighing anchor, the seainen of the admiral's ship ran up the shrouds, and gave three cheers, which was tho signal to the rest of the fleet, for making public their resokitions. These cheers were instantly answered by the other ships : and it was manifest in a moment that the combination was complete. The ofdcers were thunderstruck at these dispositions, and exerted themselves by \arious moans, to bring the'men to a sense of their duty, 1/ut without effect. The petty officers had concurred with the men ,in the determination not to do their duty till their pay was increased ; all the different crews, however, were very orderly and peaceable in their conduct, performing every duty of the ships as usual, except that of weighing anchor. The next day a boat from each ship was demanded, and two men from the crew of each were appointed delegates to represent the whole ; the admiral's cabin being fixed upon as the most proper place for their deliberations. At this time none of the officers were suf- fered to go on shore. Petitions were now drawn up, and presented to lord Bridport, Sir Allan Gardner, and the Port-admiral, setting forth, that " while the soldiers and marines had received additional allowances, the pay of the seamen had not been augmented, they therefore desired an increase of wages ; and a hope was expressed that an answer might be given to their petition, before they were ordered to put to sea again." — This expression, however, was quali- fied with one exception, "unless the enemy were known to be at sea." They well knew that no enemy was at sea, or likely to put to sea, and therefore had pitched upon this as a proper time for enforcing their demands. On the 17th, every man in the fleet was sworn to support the cause in which he had embarked ; the admiral's body servants not being exempted from the oath. Hopes were now raised in terrorem at the fore-yard arm of every ship, and several officers, who had behaved in a tyrannical manner, were turned ashore. The deputies consulted together every day on board the Queen Charlotte, returned at night to their respective ships, and on getting on board, giving three cheers to the admiral's ship, which were regularly returned. They were returned, at the same time, by every other ship at Spithead, as well as by the sick and convalescents in Haslar hospital, who entered heartily into the same cause, and MUTINY AT THE NORE. 411 'T (lay, how- ipcare, not a inchor, the s, and gave f the Meet, heers were as manifest )lete. The and exerted a sense of officers had it to do their rent crews, sir conduct, cept that of ,ch ship was each were le admiral's 36 for their •s were suf- wn up, and er, and the oldiers and pay of the desired an it an answer ere ordered % was quali- re known to s at sea, or 1 upon this On the 17th, he cause in ervants not ow raised in and several inner, w^ere er every day ght to their three cheers 'ned. Thev ther ship at ts in Haslar cause, and ■ displayed flags, composed of a number of handkerchiefs tacked together, &c. On the 18th, a committee of the admiralty, consisting of earl Spencer, lord Arden, ad- miral Young, and Mr Secretary Marsden, arrived at I'ortsmouth, in the course of which and the two following days, several propositions were made by tliem to reduce the fleet to obedience, but ineffectually. On the 21s', admirals Gardner, Culpoys, and l*olc', wont on board ti.e Queen Charlotte, in order to confer Avith the delegates, who had, in a great measure, become converts to the admirals ; but *. juld settle nothing, as two delegates from one ship, the lioyal George, were on shore. On their return on board the (^ueen Charlotte, they info -med the delegation and the admirals, that it was the doternrmation of the lloyal George, to agree to nothing that shouM not be sanctioned by par- liament, and guaranteed by the king's proclamation of pardon . In the whole of these proceedings, the conduct of the sailors was orderly, systematic, and determined, they took possession of all the magazines, loaded all their guns, confined every officer to his respective ship, kept watch regularly the same as at sea, and put every thing into a state of defence. Intoxication or misconduct in any of the men was severely punished, and no spirituous liquors were suffered to be brought on board any ship. On the 22d, the men were somewhat pacitied, and caused two letters to be written, one to the lords of the admiralty, stating the grounds of their conduct on the preceding day ; and another to lord Bridport, in which they avowed no intentional offence to him, and styled him their father rmd friend. This had a good effect, for on the 23d, the admiial returned to his ship, hoisted his flag again, and, after a short address to the crew, inform- ed them that he had brought with him a promise of redress of all their grievances, and the king's pardon for the offenders. After some deliberation these proffers were accepted, and every man returned to his duty. It was now thought that all disputes were finally settled. The silence, however, of Mr Pitt, in omitting to explain the reasons which called for an increase of pay to be granted to the navy, when he submitted a motion for that purpose to the house of com- mons, was construed by the seamen into a disposition not to accede to their demands ; and on Sunday morning, May 7, when lord Bridport made the signal to weigh anchor and put to sea, every ship at St. Helens refused to obey. In H '; 412 MUTINV AT THE NORE. it Is I (. the course of the afternoon, they ordered a meeting of the delet^ates, as hefore, on board the London, of DH guns, which carried the Hag of vice-admiral Colpoys. The admiral re- solved to oppose their coming on l)oard, and apprised the men of his ship of his intention. He immediately ordered the marines under arms ; some of whom obeyed the order, while others refused. The delegates persisting to come on board, the admiral ordered the marines to level their pieces at them ; the marines did so, and a slight skirmish took place. By the fire of thf; marines, five seamen were killed, and lieutenant Sims, of the marines, was wounded by the fire of one of the delegates. The whole crew of the London now declared open hos- tility to the officers and marines ; they turned the guns in the fore part of the ship towards the stern, and tl -eatened to blow all aft into the water, unless they suri-endered. The officers surrendered, the marines laid down their arms, and admiral Colpoys and captain (Irifiitlis were confined several hours in their cabins. In consequence, however, of the resolution of the house '. f commons, passed May 8, and the king's free pardon, being communicated to the sea- men on May 10, t ey appeared to be satisfied ; the officers were generally reinstated in their commands, the red flag- was struck, and the whole of the grand fleet prepared to put to sea. The North Sea fleet, as well as the ships lyeing at the Nore, appear to have had the redress of other grievances in view, besides what related to the increase ( f pay and provi- sions demanded by the grand fleet at Spithead. A more equal division of prize-money, more regular and frequent payment of wages, and certain privileges of permission to go on shore when in port, as few as might be convenient to the service, were points insisted upon by this division, before they would agree to return to their regular state of subor- dination. These conditions they expressed as follows : — " 1. That every indulgence granted to the fleet at Ports- mouth, be granted to his majesty's subjects serving in the fleet at the Norc, and i)laees adjacent, " 2. That every man, u})on a ship coming into harbour, shall have liberty (a certain number of men at a time, so as not to injure the ship's duty), to go and see their friends and families, a convenient time to be allowed to each man. " S. That all ships, before they go to sea, shall be paid all n ing of the Lins, \vhich diniral re- >prisecl the !ly ordered the order, :o come on :heu* pieces •mish took vere killed, Jed by the . open hos- he guns in tl '-eatened irrendt'red. their arras, re confined low ever, of ;od May 8, to the sea- the otlicers he red flag lared to put nng at the ievances in and provi- A more d frecjuent ssion to go nient to the ion, before } of subor- lows : — t at Ports- ving in the harbour, time, so as friends and man. I»e i)aid all MUTIN'Y AT THE NORE. 413 arrears of wages, down to six months, according to the old rules. " 4. That no officer that has been turned out of any of his majesty's ships, shall be employed in the service again with- out consent of the ship's company. " 5. That when any of his ra.'AJesty's ships shall be paid, that may have been some time in commission, if there are any pressed men on board that may not be in the regular course of payment, they shall receive two months advance, to fur- nish themselves with necessaries. " 6. That an indemnification be made any man who shall run, and may now be in his majesty's naval service, and that they shall not be liable to be taken up as deserters. " 11. Parker, President.'' During the progress of this alarming mutiny, various opinions existed in the public'mind, in regard to the conduct the most prudent to be adopted. Some persons, with the ministry, would listen to nothing short of unconditional sub- mission, while others insisted that part of the articles, at least, might have been granted, and that by moderate and modified concession, the love and fidelity of the navy would be more efi:ectually secured than by adopting harsh and coercive measures. Which of these opinions was the wisest, cannot now be determined. At the commencement of the mutinv, the mutineers were suffered to go on shore without interruption, and to parade about Sheerness with music, flags, and a triumphal appear- ance, calculated to make converts to their cause. Their head-quarters were in a public house, from the windows of which a red flag was hoisted many days successively. The delegates and committee-men went on shore or on board as they pleased, and seemed commanders of Sheerness, as well as of the ships at tie Nore. Lord Keith and Sir Charles ( |i i '" 'f. li ^ i ii < »i If' ness, dropt down to the Great Nore. The line of battle ships were drawn up in a line, about half a mile distant from each other, and moored with their broadsides fronting each other. In the spaces between the line of battle ships, the detained merchantmen and others, were moored. The force of the mutineers, at its greatest h- ight, consisted of eleven ships of the line, exclusive of frigates, in all twenty-four sail. Each ship was governed by a committee consisting of twelve members, together with two deleg.ites and a secre- tary. To represent the whole body of seamen, every man- of-war appointed tv/o delegates, and each gun boat one; the mode of assembling these was by beating a drum. From the tirst breaking out of this mutiny, the delegates behaved respectfully to their superior officers. They also exhibited on every convenient occasion, the same interest in the welfare of their country, and the same degree of loyalty that was displayed by the seamen at Spithead. The crew of the Lancaster, of sixty-four guns, which lay at Long Reach, betrayed evident dispositions to join the ships at the Nore, but were prevented from passing down the river, by the fortresses at Tilbury Fort and Gravesend, and other works which were amply defended by the military. All communications being stopped with the shore, the mutineers supplied themselves with water and provisions from the ships they stopped, and a party of seamen landed in the Isle of Grain and carried off a number of sheep, &c. The accounts, however, of their plundering different trading vessels, were ridiculously exaggerated, the chief act which they perpetrated of this kind, was that of seizing a vessel con- taining 300 sacks of flour, of which they found themselves in need, and which were distributed throughout the fleet. A deputation of the admiralty, at the head of which was earl Spencer, wont down to Sheerness, but had no conference with the delegates, as they demanded unconditional sub- mission as a necessary preliminary to any intercourse. Earl Spencer departed from Sheerness, without any attempt to compromise the dispute, after having caused it to be signi- fied to the seamen, that they must expect no other con- cessions than such as had been already made by the legis- lature, the benefit of which they might yet enjoy on return- ing to their duty. On the 30th of May, the Clyde frigate was carried oft' from the mutinous fleet, by a combination of the officers, aided by some of the seamen ; as was the St. Fiorenzo, the MUTINY AT THE NORE. 415 of battle tant from iting each ships, the The force of eleven 'enty-four isisting of i a secre- irery man- ,tone; the ! delegates Thev also interest in of loyalty which lay join the sing down Grravesend, e military, shore, the provisions n landed in sheep, &c. jnt trading act which vessel con- mselves in tleet. which was conference ional sub- rse. Earl attempt to D be signi- other con- 1 the legis- on return- carried oft' le officers, Drenzo, the officers of which cut her cables, and got under weigh at the instant when the boatswain's whistle was piping all hands to dinner. These ships were fired at by several others, and the St. Fiorenzo sustained some damage in her hull and other works. All the l)uoys were now removed from the mouth of the Thames and the neighbouring coast, by the order of go- vernment ; a precaution which is said to have greatly per- plexed the mutineers, as any large ships which might attemjit to sail away were in danger of running aground. Gruat preparations were also made at Sheerness, against an attack from the ships, and furnaces and redhot balls were kept ready. On Sunday, June 4, the whole fleet evinced its perfect loyal disposition by a general salute, which was fired from all the ships at the Nore, in compliment to his majesty's ])irth-day ; and the ships were decorated in the same manner as is practised on rejoicing days ; the red flag being, how- ever, kept flying at the main of the Sandwich. June 5, about nine at night, the Serai)is frigate, of 44 guns, and the Discovery, attempted to desert the fleet, mak- ing for the fort at Sheerness, with a view of returning to obedience. AVhen this was perceived, all the line of battle- ships within reach, instantly poured out l)roadsides at them. The frigates, however, got out of reach, although much shat- tered and damaged in their masts and rigging. The noise of the cannon heard in this firing, had a tremendous etfect on shore. On Tuesday, June G, in the morning, the Agamemnon, Leopard, Ardent, and Isis, men-of-war, and the Hanger sloop, joined the mutinous ships at the Nore, having left the fleet of admiral Duncan. Lord Northesk, captain of the !Monmouth, at the desire of the delegates, went on board of the Sandwich, where he received propositions for an accom- modation in the form of the following letter, which he was desired to lay before his majesty : — " To TUK KinnT Honouhaule Eaui, Northksk, " My Loud, — You are hereby required and directed, to proceed to London, with such ])apcrs as are intrusted to your care, and to lay the same before our gracious sovereign, king (fcctrge the Third, and to represent to our gracious sovereign, that the seamen at the Nore have been grossly misrepresented; at the same time, if our gracious sovereign 41G MUTINY AT THE NOIIE. <•.< |i n p. ' i does not ovJor us to be redressed in fifty-four hours, such steps will be taken, as will astonish our dear countrymen. " By order of the delegates of the whole fleet. " UicHARu l*AUKEii, President.'' Being- furnished with a passport from Richard Parker, he went up to town by water. The demands in the sea- mens' letter being thought improper, captain Knight of the Inflexible, carried down the refusal of the lords of the admiralty. Measures were now taken by lord Keith and Sir C. Grey, to attack the fleet from the works at Sheerness, with gun-boats, &c. ; the defection, however, of the llepulse. Leopard, and Ardent, on the night of Friday the 9th, with other symptoms of treachery among the mutineers to their own cause, rendered the use of force unnecessary. On Saturday, June 10, several other of the ships pulled down the red flag, as a signal for the merchantmen to go up the river, and the store and victualling ships to remain behind; all of these, however, profitted by the opportunity to elYect their escape, after having been fired at by the fleet. The whole Thames, at this time, a})peared covered with vessels, and such a multitude of ships perhaps never before came up by one tide, to its port. The mutineers now framed a more moderate set of arti- cles, describing the nature of their grievances and demands, which they sent to th, admiralty by captain Cobb. Minis- ters, however, were fully determined not to grant any demands, but to force the seamen to unconditional submis- sion. On the 11th, the Neptune, of 98 guns, manned with press gangs and volunteers. Sir E. Gower, commander, fell down to Longreach, with a view io act oflensively against the mutineers ; the Lancaster, which had suri'ondered on the 8th, the xVgincourt, and a number of gun-boats, were also ecpiipped in the river for the same destination. The firmness of the seamen was already shaken by the formidable preparations of government, and the want of fresh provisions and water ; and it was evident that the com- bination was falling to pieces. On the 12th, most of the ships struck the red flag, and hoisted the union, to signify their desire of returning to obedience — only seven had the red flag flying. — On Tuesday morning, June l.'J, the Aga- memnon, the Standard, the Nassau, the Iris, and the Vestal, ran away from the other ships, and got under the protection MUTINY AT THE NORR. 417 ^ Durs, such trymen. ^resident.'' (1 Parker, n the sca- t^-ht of the L-ds of the iid Sir C. rness, with 3 Repulse, e 9th, with ;rs to their hips pulled tinen to go ; to remain opportunity by the fleet, nered with (ever hefore set of arti- id demands, 3b. Minis- grant any nal submis- iianned with niander, fell vely against ■endcred on boats, were on. lis on by the the want of hat the com- niost of the , to signify ven had the ;], the Aga- d the Vestal, le protection of the guns at the fort, not a single shot being fired at them. The crews, however, of these vessels, were very far from being unanimous, as several men were wounded and killed in the struggles which took place on board them, between the parties of the officers, and those of the seamen. On board the Leopard alone, sixteen men were wounded. On the evening of the same day, not a red flag was seen flying at the Nore, and the blue was universally hoisted. On Friday, the IGth, all resistance to the authority of the ofli- cers ceased on board the ships, and the mutiny was, in eff'ect, terminated, although some of the ships which had proceeded up the river, were not reduced to entire obedience; — the Belliqueux, and two or three more, held out to the last. The oflicers of the Sandwich surrendered their delegates, Parker and Davies, to a party of soldiers, sent on board by Sir C. Grey, to^ ther with (iregory, lliggins, and about thirty other delegates ; these weri3 connnitted to the black-hole, in the garrison, at Sheerness. On the first appearance of the soldiers, one of the delegates, Wallace, of the Standard, shot himself. During the progress of the mutiny, a letter, dated June 4, which, however, is believed to have been fictitious, was sent to the delegates at the Nore, from the seamen of Sir Roger Curtis's S(]uadron, and another from the late dele- gates of the ships at Plymouth, exhorting the mutineers to return to their duty. These letters, foi'ged or otherwij-e, are said to have had considerable efi'ect in creating divisiuns among the men. On Thursday the 22d, the trial of l?arker commenced on board the Neptune, ofl^' Oreenhithe, before a court-martial, consisting of captains in the navy, of which Sir T. I'aisley was president. Parker was charged with " making and having endeavoured to make a mutiny amongst the seamen of his majesty's ships at the Nore, and with having behaved himself contemptuously towards his superior oflicers." The trial was continued by adjournment, to Monday the 2Gth, when the president, after observing that the crime of which the prisoner was convicted, was '* as unprecedented as wicked, as ruinous to the navy as to the peace and property of the country," &c. adjudged him to sufler death at such time and place as the lords of the admiralty should appoint. The leading articles of the charges against Parker were, that he had behaved in two instances, though not generally, with indolence to admiral Buckner, (the first in not allow- 2d 418 MUTINY AT THE NORE. f t;5 II If i ':!] ing the admiral to appeur on the quarter-deck of the Sand- wich; and the second, in forcihly taking away two marines from the commissioner's house at 8heerness, in spite of the remonstrances of the admiral; that in the ditl'erent confer- ences with the ottieers, he had always taken the lead, as spokesman; that he had laid one seaman in irons and order- ed another to he Hog^-ed; that he had assumed "the honour of representing the whole tleet" (an honour, which, he said, " he shouKl never forget"); tluit he had often proceeded from ship to ship, haranguing the I'espeetive crews, who cheered him as he passed (on which occasions, he ordered the men forwards), and that he was on board the Director when that ship opened a lire on the Uepulse, where he gave his orders to tire. The prisoner, in his defence, which was expressed with much propriety, considering his situation and circumstances, made it appear, that he had endeavoui'ed to receive admiral Buekner with respect, by an attempt to man the yards, although this design was defeated from other causes; that, in punishing a seaman for getting beastly drunk, he I'-id acted with the a{)probation of the master of the ship. That the man laid in irons was contined for disrespect to caj)tain Moss; anil that several undisputed marks of loyalty were shown by the delegates, and by l*arker in particular, while the ditlf'erences e.visted; and that he (Parker) had declared, that, were the enemy's tleet known to be at sea, they (the delegates) would take the Heet, under their direction in search of them. After the sentence was passed, the prisoner, with a degree of undismayed comi)osure, which excited the aston- ishment and admiration of every one present, spoke as fol- lows: — " I l)ow to y(mr sentence with all due submission; being convinced I have acted by the dictates of a good con- science. God, wdio knows the hearts of all men, will, I hope, receive me. I hope that my death will atone to the country; and that those brave men who have acted with me, will receive a general pardon. I am satisfied they will all return to their dutv with alacrity." His conducts during the whole of the trial, was respectful and firm ; and he remained, to the last moment, apparently unmoved. Ho bowed respectfully to the persons present, when he retired. Besides l*arker, some others were executed ; and a con- siderable number remained under sentence of death, until ';• le Sand- inarines ;g of the t confer- lead, as id order- e honour , he said, iruceeded !\vs, who ! ordered Director D he gave ssed with nibtances, e admiral he yards, ises; that, k, he l\.id lip. That to captain alty were dar, while I declared, they (the rection in with a he aston- ke as fol- d)niission ; good con- \ will, I one to the cted with they will respectful ipparently IS present, ind a con- eath, until n BATTLE OF CAPE ST. VINCENT. 41U the victory of Camperdown, when a general pardon was granted. Battle of Cape St, Vincent. — Spain and Holland were, by this time, entirely under the domination of France, and at open war with Great Britain. They might indeed be now termed, without exaggeration, vassals of France, who this year determined to make a strenuous effort to overthrow our maritime power, and ordered the Spanish and Dutch tleets to join their own, that they might make a simultaneous and combined attack. The place of rendezvous appointed was Brest. The force of the Spanish fleet intended for this junction Avas great; it consisted of six vessels of one hundred and twelve guns, and one of one hundred and thirty-six, two of eighty-four, and eighteen of seventy-four guns. The inten- tions of the French being' known to the British ministry, they gave the command of a squadron to Sir John Jervis, which consisted of fifteen sail of the line and some frigates. This, though much inferior to the Spanish fleet, was so well provided, that no fears were entertained of the result, if they should be fortunate enough to fall in with the enemy. The British admiral, who resolved on an attempt to prevent the junction of the fleets, cruised otf Cape St. Vincent, as the place where he would be most likely to intercei)t the fleet from Cadiz. On the 14th of Fel)ruary, just as day was breaking-, twentv-seven sail of the line were discovered, and no doubt was entertained that they were the enemy. AVhen the fleet was first discovered, they were sailing in a loose and irregular manner. Sir John Jervis, therefore, ordered a press of sail to be carried by his squadron, and they got up with the enemy before they had formed into a line of battle. " Such a moment," as he remarks in his official dispatches, " was not to be lost." He immediatelv formed his line of battle, bore down on the Spanish fleet, which were still unconnected and unsupported by any compactness of line, and cut ofl:' nearly one-third of their ships; thus virtually reducing the force of the enemy nearly to an equality with his own, and instead of being obliged to fight twenty-seven ships, he had only eighteen to oppose. The Spanish admiral was not prepared for this manueuvre, so that it was com[)letely successful before he had time to prevent its execution. As soon, however, as he perceived the consequences of it, he did all in his power to remedy the evil; he threw out the signal r If 1 1' ^1 ^ 1 'i ! \ i'" i F|i »fi I rlli ? i^ I 'mi' ■ i:-.l. 420 BATTLE OF CAPE ST. VIN'CENT. to wear round the British line, hoping thus to he able to regain the vessels that had been cut oflp. In this attempt, however, he was frustrated by the skilful manoeuvre of commodore Nelson, who commanded the rearmost ship of the British line; and round whom, therefore, the Spanish admiral meant to proceed. But Nelson, instead of waiting till the admiral's ship came up to his vessel, stood towards her, notiiing daunted by her enormous size and the weight of her metal, supported as she was by two others, each of them larger than Nelson's own ship. But the British captains in the rear of the fleet did not long suffer Nelson to sustain this unequal combat; six of them bore doAvn to his assistance, and the Spanish admiral, perceiving that he eOi J! «^^ Onslow, bore down in the most gallant manner on the rear of the enemy, and she was followed by the whole division. In less than an hour the line was broken, the Monarch passing under the Dutch vice-admiral's stern, and engaging him to leeward. While vice-admiral Onslow was thus engaged with the rear, admiral Duncan attacked the van of the Dutch fleet. The great object he had in view was, to engage De Winter's own ship; but while he was bearing down for this purpose, the States General shot up close alongside of the Venerable, admiral Duncan's ship, and he was conipelled to engage her. She was soon, however, forced out of the line, and the Venerable then reached admiral De Winter's vessel. The battle between the two admirals was most ohstinatelv contested, for nearly two hours and a half, nor did it terminate in favour of the Venerable, till the Dutch admiral's ship had lost all her masts, and half her crew were either killed or wounded. It was said, that at the close of the engagement, admiral De Winter was the only man on the quarter deck, who remained aUve and unhurt. The contest between the two vice-admirals, was nearly equally bloody and obstinate, and terminated also in favour of the British. While the battle raged thus in the centre and rear of the Dutch fleet, two or three ships which were in the van made off under a crowd of sail, and escaped into the Texel, without having suffered the smallest injury. Socn after the J )utch vice-admiral struck his flag, several others yielded; and about four in the afternoon the victory was decided in favour of the British. At this time, admiral Duncan found that his fleet was in nine fathom water, and only Ave miles from the enemy's coast. In this situation, with many of his squadron disabled and night coming on, his object was, not so much to follow up the victory, by attempting to capture more of the enemy's ships, but to get his own crippled vessels off shore, md to attend to those of the enemv which he had alreadv taken. Had the circum- stances been diflerent, it is jirobable fewer of the Dutch fleet would have escaped; as it was, eight ships of the line, two of 50 guns, and two frigates were taken. Of these, the Delft, one of the 56 gun-ships, afterwards foundered, one of the frigates was lost, and the other was driven on the coast of Holland and retaken. The carnage on board both fleets was dreadful; nine ships of the English lost 700 men, while on board «'f each of the Dutch admiral's ships that were captured, 250 were killed and wounded. The thanks ni m BATTLE OF CAMPERDOWN. 423 [1 the rear 3 division. Monarch engaging ^vas thus 1 the van view was, IS bearing up close ip, and he er, forced Imiral De nirals was md a half, e, till the half her d, that at was the id unhurt, as nearly I in favour the centre k'hich were icaped into ag, several he victory le, admiral vater, and situation, omi ng on, victory, by but to get to those of le circum- Dutch fleet B line, two these, the iered, one en on the loard both ; 700 men, ships that 'he thanks of both houses of parliament were given to the fleet, and adminil Duncan was created a peer, by the title of viscount Duncan of Camperdown. lie has been since created earl of Camperdown. In the battle off" Cape St. Vincent, Nelson's conduct was particularly distinguished, and conduced in no small degree to the victory. He was consequently promoted to the rank of rear-admiral, still continuing with the ?f|uadron under earl St. Vincent. This squadron being engaged in block- ading Cadiz, it was resolved to bombard that place. For this purpose, earl St. Vincent fixed upon admiral Nelson, persuaded that whatever could be effected by a union of presence of mind and braver\ , he would undoubtedly accom- plish. Accordingly, the command of the advanced squadron was given to him; and during the night of the 3d of .luly, he proceeded on his hazardous enterprise with the Thunder bomb, covered and protected by the launches and barges of the fleet. The Thunder advanced to within 2500 yards of the garrison of Cadiz, and every thing was prepared to com- mence a bombardment, which promised the most successful results, when it was discovered that the [)rincipal mortar had been so much used, as to be unfit for safe and efl'ectual service. Under these circumstances, admiral Nelson was obliged to direct the Thunder to retire. As soon as the Spaniards perceived this, they sent out an immense number of mortar gun-boats and armed launches, with the expecta- tion of cutting her oflF. This admiral Nelson most efl'ectually prevented, lie had gone in his own barge, having on board only its usual complement, the coxswain and ten men, and with this small force, and in this comparatively defenceless boat, he advanced to the support and protection of the Thunder. The Spaniards, who had come out to cut her off, were not deficient in intrepidity; nor did they hesitate to try their strength with admiral Nelson. Don Miguel Tyrason commanded the Spanish flotilla, and in his boat he advanced against the barge of the British admiral. The disproportion in the comparative strength of the two boats, rendered this a contest in which Nelson delighted, and which was worthy of him. The Spanish commandant fought, till out of twenty-seven men that were on board of his barge, eighteen had been killed, and himself and all the remainder wounded; not till then did he surrender. Notwithstanding the fate of Don Miguel Tyrason, the other part of the Spanish flotilla continued to fight with great obstinacy; but not being abl© t. I {■■■ ; u V ( s ; \ i 424 BATTLE OF CAMPERDOWN. with all their efforts, to succeed in the object for which they had come out, they returned, or rather were driven back into the harbour of Cadiz. Information having been received by earl St. Vincent, that the town of Santa Cruz, in the island of Teneriffe, was assailable, he resolved to make an effort to gain posses- sion of it. Nelson was accordingly dispatched with four sail of the lino and three frigates. About eleven at night, on the 24th of July, one thousand seamen and marines were landed under the command of captains Troubridge, Hood, Thompson, Miller, and Waller: they were in six divisions. Nelson being along with the first. The boats proceeded without being discovered, till they were within gun-shot of the mole which stretches out into the sea from the town. At this moment the alarm was given, and a dreadful fire was opened upon them. The boats pushed forward, but the night was so dark that only five of them could find the mole ; in these were Nelson, Thompson, and Fremantle, who at the head of the seamen, stormed and carried it, although it was defended by five hundred men, with six 24-pounders. But they found it impossible to advance; the fire of nnusketry and grape shot was kept up so incessantly, and with such effect from the citadel, and the houses on the mole-head, that in a very short time nearly the whole party were either killed or wounded, Nelson losing his right arm. Nor were these the only misfortunes of the first division ; the Fox cutter, with one hundred and eighty men had been sunk, by a shot between wind and water ; and her commander, and more than half her crew perished; captain Bowan was killed while employed in spiking the guns at the mole; and a chosen part of his ship's company had perished in their boat, which was sunk by a cannon shot. At first, the other divisions were more successful, they landed further to the southward, and obtained possession of the town. The citadel was the next object, against which they marched, but it was so strong, and so well protected, that the attempt was given up. Shortly afterwards, captain Troubridge who commanded, was informed that three hundred Spaniards, and one hundred French, with five field pieces, were advancing against him. As his whole force amounted only to eighty marines, the same number of pike men, and one hundred and eighty seamen, with small arms, he sent captain Hood to the governor, to propose that he should be allowed to re-embark ; the governor returning for BATTLE OF CAMPERDOWV, 425 which they n back into ;. Vincent, Teneriffe, :ain posses- with four n at night, irines were ige, Hood, X. divisions, , proceeded gun-shot of 3 town. At fill fire was •d, but the »d the mole ; , who at the ough it was iders. But »f musketry 1 with such e-head, that either killed were these ox cutter, , by a shot and more was killed |ole; and a their boat, !ssful, they lossession of linst which protected, •ds, captain that three Ith five field hole force |ber of pike pmall arms, )se that he turning for answer that they ought to surrender prisoners of war. Captain Troubridge declared, that sooner than do so, he would set fire to the town, and force his way at the point of the bayonet, through the Spanish army. On this declara- tion, the Spanish governor granted the terms demanded, and captain Troubridge re-cinbarkcMl in boats provided by the enemy. The Spanish governor generously ordered the British wounded to betaken care of, furnished the retreating invaders with biscuit and wine, and informed Nelson, tliat he was at full liberty to send on shore for any provisions or refreshments his fleet might re(iuire. Our loss on this unfortunate enterprise amounted to forty-four killed, ninety- seven drowned, one hundred and five wounded, and five amissing. Early in the year 1798, Sir Home Popham proposed a plan for the farther protecticjti and defence of our coasts. Sea fencibles. composed of fishermen, seamen employed in coasting vessels, and all seafaring men engaged in the dif- ferent harbours, rivers, and creeks along tlie coast, were formed into corps. These fencibles were to be trained to the use of the pike, and when they had an opportunity, they were to be exercised with the great guns. The whole coasts were divided into districts, and over each district a post-captain and a certain number of masters and com- manders were appointed. Protections were granted to all the sea fencibles, which were to continue in force, so long as they regularly attended muster and exercise; besides this privilege, one shilling was given to every man at each mus- ter. The following is the number of men raised on those coasts wliich were supposed most liable to invasion: — " Sus- sex, eight hundred and fourteen; Hampshire, three hundred and seventy-nine; Isle of Wight, five hundred and seventy- nine; Devonshire, one thousand two hundred and sixty- eight; Dorsetshire, seven hundred and thirty-four; Kent, three hundred and eighty-nine; Essex, one thousand two hundred and five; Suffolk, one thousand one hundred and forty-two; and Cornwall, one thousand one hundred and fortv-three." As on the conquest of Holland by the Erench, an immense number of Dutch seamen had entered the British service, the French directory passed a decree, declaring that all per- sons, natives of or originally belonging to neutral countries, or oountries in alliance with France, who n y form a part of the crews of any British vessels, should b< , )nsidered and t 426 THE FRENCH EXPEDITION TO EGYPT. » ;i' ♦ .} ;i! mm treated as pirates. In consequence of this decree, tlie com- missary for French prisoners in Great IJritain was officially informed, that if it should, in any instance, be carried into execution, it was the king's firm resolve to retaliate upon those suhjects of the French republic, whom the chances of ■war mig'ht brinj^ into his power. This determined spirit, rendered the decree of the directory a mere dead letter. A considerable tleet which was sent with troops to invade Ireland, was intercepteii and siunally defeated, by an English squadron commanded by 8ir J. 13. Warren. The Frenth Fxpedition to Egypt, — Among the ca})inet papers, of whicii the French republican govern- ment gained possession, when they overturned the monar- chy, it is said there was one, containing a jiroject, drawn up by the Count do Vergeimes, for the seizure and colo- nization of I'^gypt. 'i'his the directory determined to put in execution; and the year 1798 was chosen for this pur- pose. 'J'he Turki.sh government, at this time, was so much weakened and distracted bv internal commotions and rebellions that no formidable opj;osition was to be dreaded from it. Besides the motives which had led the French govern- ment, during the monarchy, to plan the subjugation of Egypt, there were others which, no doubt, prompted the republic to undertake that enterprise. F]*ance had l)een strij)ped of nearly all her West India colonies; and while Eng- land was mistress of the seas, there was little [)rol)ability that she would be alile to regain them. ]5ut Egypt oflt'ered itself as a colony, as valuable, in point of fertility, as any of the AV'est India Islands ; and much more convenient and desirable in other respects. The distance from France was comparatively short ; the navigation from that, and other circumst.'inces, not so liable to be ir.terrujjtcd by British cruisers ; and the ( limate more healthy than that of the AVest Indies. All tiiese considerations had their weight, viewing Egypt merely as a substitute for the French West India Islands; l>ut it was considered by Buonaparte and the directory in anf)ther point of view. l']ngland derived a great deal of her wealth from her possessions in the East Indies; the attempts to invade and conquer her, though still held out by the goveinnient of France, as not tnly practicable, but easy of execvition, were known by thtm to lie liopeless and des})erate ; the only chance, therei'ore, of ee, the com- vas officially carried into taliate upon chances of nined spirit, 1 letter. ips to invade y an English Among the can govern- the nionar- oject, drawn re and colo- iiined to put or this pur- ine e, was so iniotions and ) be dreaded nch govern- bjugation of nompted the ce had been I while Eng- prohahility I'gvpt ottered t V, as any of ivenient and France was jt, and other II hv British that of the |heir weight, 'reneh West na]>arte and and derived in the East ler, thougli as not cnly l>y th(in to Iherel'ore, of THE FRENCH EXPEDITION TO EGYPT. 42: humbling this haughty and mighty foe was, to cut off her wealth. If this was done, her naval power fell of course. To the ]^]ast Indies, therefore, the directory looked ; and the invasion of Egypt they planned as the most easy route for a nation inferior at sea, to reach those distant British pos- sessions. Besides, whoever possessed Egypt, had the key to the Turkish dominions; and, if they were acquired, not only would the glory and the strength of France be much increased, but the resources of (Jrejit Jiritain would be deeply impaired, while Austria would be laid bare in an im- portant quarter. The ports in the south of France were chosen for the assembling of the armament ; but troops and ships were collected from all quarters, from Normandy, JJrittany, Venice, (ienoa, and Corsica. From documents which were afterwards found on board some of the captured ships, the armament, at its sailing from Toulon, is known to have been composed of forty-fwo thousand land forces ; ten thousand eight hundred and ten seamen, besides four thousand nine hundred and forty-eight, which were on board the vessels that were destined against Alexandria. The flotilla, which was to go up the Nile, consisted of one thou- sand tive hundred sail, each of which contained a hundred men ; and the transports which carried out the troops, were manned with three thousand and seventeen, making in all sixty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-five men. The fleet, which was to protect this ai'my consisted of thirteen ships of the line, one of which carried one hundred and twenty guns, three eighty, and nine seventy-four ; seven frigates, carrying forty guns each, besides smaller vessels, making on the whole forty-four sail. The command of the fleet was given to admiral Brueys. On the 20th of May, this fleet sailed from Toulon ; and, on the 9th of June, it arrived oft' the island of Malta, which by the combined use of fraud and force, fell into the power of the French. On the 20th of July, Buonaparte sailed from Malta,leaving a suflicient force to guard it, and on the 1st of July he reached the coast of Egypt. As soon as he had effected a landing and gained possession of Alexandria, he directed admiral lirueys to enter the Old Fort with his fleet, appre- hensive, it would seem, of the approach of the English ; but when the channel was sounded, it was ascertained that there was not sutheient depth of water for the admiral's ship, the ' v: if: \ ( Ci f'l. lii ^fl? h^ H .. f i !-: /' ' v, •1/ 428 THE FRENCH EXPEDITION TO EGYPT. design, therefore, was given up, and the French squadron remained at their anchorage oft" Aboukir. Ahhough the British ministry were ignorant of the precise destination of this armament, yet they were not uninformed of its eijuipment, and the prol)able time of its saiUng. Instructions were therefore sent to carl 8t. Vin- cent, to dispatch aihniral Nelson in quest of the French fleet. At the time lord St. Vincent received these instructions, admiral Nelson was cruising in the Mediterranean with three sail of the line and a few frigates; hut as this force was totally inadequate to the object on which he was now to be emi)loyed, lord 8t. Vincent resolved to send him ten sail of the line; these, however, could not be immediately spared, without endangering the blockade of Cadiz, which was still continued. The admiralty at home hrd taken the necessary preparations to enable lord 8t. Vincent to reinforce admiral Nelson, by ordering out the same number of vessels from England, as he meant to send into the Mediterranean. Of this intention of the admiralty he was informed, and he accordingly victualled ten sail of his squadron, and had them completely ready t^ sail the moment the ships from England came in sight. Frigates were stationed to be on the look out, and as soon as they made the signal that the reinforce- ment was in sight, captain Troubridge, of the Culloden, who had the command of the squadron destined to join admiral Nelson, got under weigh, and the whole we^'e out of sight before the squadron from England had anchored off Cadiz. About sun-set on the 8tli of June, they joined lord Nelson, who having previously learned that the enemy's fleet had sail- ed from Toulon on the 22d of Mav, with the wind at N. W. concluded that their v-ourse was up the Mediterranean, and accordingly directed his pursuit thither. lie first steered to Corsica, but not IjeingabU; to gain any intelligtmco respecting the French fleet, he proceeded to Naples, where he arrived on the 10th. Here he merely gathered from vague report that the enemy had been seen steering towards Malta. As the wind was fair, admiral Nelson resolved to proceed to that island bv the nearest passage, through the I'aro di Messln.'i. As he passed between Sicily and the main land, he learned that the French hail actually been at Malta, and had conipiered it. When ho reached this island, they had sailed a few days before, direct- ing their course to the south-east. As their object could only be Egypt, the British admiral pressed on thither, under ' lATTLE OF THE NILE. 429 :li squadron ant of the 'V WL're not time of its irl St. Vin- .^""rcnch fleet, nstriu'tions, n with three s force was s now to be m ten sail of itely spared, lich was still he necessary orce admiral vessels from I'anean. Of [ned, and he ,nd had them ■om England on the look lie reinforee- uUodei), who join admiral out of slight •d off Cadiz. |lord Nelson, leet had sail- ndat N.W. •ranean, and ! to t^ain any jrocueded to le he merely id been seen fair, admiral the nearest ised between French had When ho sfore, direct- lobject could lithcr, un I I", guns and mortars was erp( icu. To a comi-.r.n m'nd tlio obstacles and ditficul-ies in tlu. way o' attackin^jc a powerful fleet, thus situated and thu<5 ptuteotedj would have appeared insurmountable; but avhnind Nekon's was not a common mind ; it rejoiced, and found its most pleasing and congenial exercise, in overcoming those diflficuhics from svhich <»ther men would have shrunk. It immediately occurred to him, that if the enemy's ships had room to swing, there must be ))etween them and the shore, room for the lOnglish vessels to anchor. Tliis idea no sooner rose "i his mind, than it was cherished and adopted as the main principle of the plan of his attack. The wind was from the N. W. and N.N.W. During the day, it had blown rather fresh ; but as the evening came on, it nearly died away. The honour of leading was assigned to the (Sroliah and the Zealous. Before the first of these ships had approached within a mile of the enemy's van, they began to fire with their starboard guns, and. at the same time, the batteries also began a cannonade. This was borne with great coolness by the liritisli tars, as from the situation of the French fleet, and tic: hallowness of the water around them, it could not posibly be avoided. Captain Foley, in the Ooliah, soon changed the appearance of the combat, by passing round tlie bow of the enemy's van, and thus getting on the inside of their line, in which manceuvre he was followed by the other -Jujjs in the van of the British squadron. In doing this he was compelled to go very near th3 edge of the bank, but having succeeded in getting round thv. enemy., he laid his ship alongside Le Con(|uerant, the second ' il in the lino, and innnediately dropped anchor. Close »<> . the Coliah, followed the Zealous, who dropped her aiionor alongside Le (iuerrier, tlie ship which captain l^'oley had passed in order to get to Le Conquerant. The Orion, Audacious, and Theseus, also took their stations on the inside of the enemy's line, and immediately commenced a close action. In the meantime, the Vanguard, admiral Nelson's ship, anchored on the outside of the enemy, within half j)isiol shot of IjO Spartiate; and by her fire, not only did great damage to his vessel, but also covered and protected the advance of Iier own comrades, the Minotaur, J)efence, Bollerophon, Majestic, Swil'tsure, and Alexander, which came up in the order in which they are named. As all the vessels, when they took their stations, andujred by the stern, «<■«• p.r-n m'nd tlio n^ a powerful luive a[)peared )ot a common ; and congenial [n which other curred to him, tliere nuust he jj,li.sh vessels to (1, than it was of the plan of '. During the ining came on, was assigned ; first of these ■rnv's van, they I. at tlie same riiis was l)orne in the situation of the water (led. Captain earance of the 'inv's van, and ich mand'uvre of the IJritish gf> very near getting round )n(iuerant, the jjieil anchor. who dropped which captain lerant. The r stations on y commenced Nelson's ship, n half pistol nlv did great j)rotPcted the lur, Defence, mder, which As all the 1 hy the stern, rt$rient, fell in all directions, and exjjosed the surrounding ships to great danger ; fortunately, however, none of them suffered the least damage. About ten minutes after the oxi)losion, the cannonade was renewed, and contiimed at intervals, till three o clock in the morning. When day broke, it was ast.-ertained, that the greatest part of the French van were dismasted, and had struck, a French frigate was seen going down, and the Bellerophon was at anchor, souic mile;- to the eastward, without a single mast standing. Fart of the centre and rear of the enemy were still uncon- coeded; this caused the action to be partially renewed j but I II m . ^ ) ■i (. ' ■ I h 432 BATTLE OF THE NILE. V it was soon terminated by the surrender of L'lleureux, and Mercure, and by the dismasting of Le Tonnant. Only two of the rear were in a condition to effect their escape ; these were Le Guillaume Tell, and Genereux ; Le Timoleon endeavoured to follow their example, but being badly manceuvred, she ran on shore, and was set fire to by her crew. Two frigates also escaped, La Diane and La Jus- tice. None of the British were in a condition to pursue them but the Zealous; this she did for a short time, but finding that though she gained on them, none were coming up to support her, the admiral called her back by signal. Only one ship of the French line of battle ships remained unconquered, Le Tonnant ; she was entirely dismasted, and had driven very considerably to leeward. On her surrender being demanded, her captain promised to comply, provided his crew, which he said amounted to fifteen hundred, were sent to France. He was told that he must surrender unconditionally ; and as he still kept his flag flying, on the morning of the 3d of August, the Theseus and Leander were ordered to attack him, but on the approach of the former, the flag of truce was hoisted. At the commence- ment of this action, the French fleet consisted of thirteen sail of the line, and four frigates, having on board twelve hundred guns, and between ten and eleven thousand men. O f the ships of the line, nine sail were taken, two were burned, and two effected their escape ; one of the frigates was sunk, an- other was burned, and two escaped. Besides admiral Brueys, two other admirals and three captains were slain. The loss of the French on the whole was estimated at between seven and eight thousand men; but the wounded and prisoners were given up, on condition that they should not fight against England, till they were regularly exchanged. The British fleet con- sisted, at the commencement of the action, of thirteen sail of the line and a fifty-gun ship, carrying in all a thousand guns, and having on board eight thousand men ; of these, the killed and wounded amounted to nine hundred. Among the former, was captain Westcott of the Majestic, who was greatly and deservedly lamented ; his own merit, which had always been conspicuous, had been the sole cause of his rising to the rank which he held at the time of his death. The battle was fought close to the shores of Egypt, which were crowded with astonished and anxious spectators. The wing of the French army at Rosetta, though at the distance of thirty miles from Aboukir, were enabled by the help of I e t SIEGE OF ACRE BY BUONAPARTE. 4j;3 reureux, and t. Only two jscape; these je Tirnoleon being badly ire to by her and La Jus- on to pursue :)rt time, but were coming by signal, hips remained lismasted, and her surrender iply, provided mndred, were UHt surrender flying, on the and Leander proach of the he commence- ed of thirteen board twelve housand men. were burned, s was sunk, an- llmiral Brueys, n. The loss of reen seven and |i(.'rs were given linst England, itish fleet con- f thirteen sail ill a thousand en ; of these, red. Among stic, who was merit, which lie cause of his f his death. Egypt, which ctators. The at the distance Iby the help of glasses, to gain a confused and im[)erfect sight of what was going on ; and their anxiety was great, since, if tlu'ir fleet were defeated and destroyed, all hopes were cut otf of re- inforcements, or of being able to return to their native land, in case they should not succeed in their confjuest of Egypt. When the explosion of L'Orient took place, the earth shook even to the distance of Uosetta. As the battle terininatcMl during the darkness of the night, the French on shore would have remained for some hours ignorant of the issue, had imt the shouts and the actions of the Arabs too une(]uivocally })ointed it out to them ; for these people, either sincerely and really^ hostile to their invaders, or disposed to take jtavt with the conquerors, whether British or French, connnilted eviTy outrage on such of the latter as fell into their hands, in their endeavours to escape on shore from their capturcil an raised to th.^ peerage, and he and his officers loaded witli honours and rewards. The Leander, which was sent home with the dcspatehes of the victory of the Nile, fell in with a Fi-eneh sliip of superior force, and being in some degree damaged, and her complement of men diminished during the late action, Au- was compelled to surrender after a gallant resistance. Several combats between small sipuidrons and lu;tw"en single ships, occurred in this year, in which the English superiority was fully maintained. During the year ITUO, no naval action, on a large scale, or of very important consequences, occurred. A Dutcii fleet of twelve sail, intended by France to be employed against England, was taken possession of by our s*|uailr(^n, under admiral Mitchell, in the name of the prince of Orange, who, of course, did not acknowledge the French u>ur- pation. Siege of Acre by Buonaparte. — This year was cele- brated for the siege of Acre, a Syrian fortress under the dominion of the Sultan, and which formed an obstacle to tin farther progress of Buonaparte's conquests in that quarter. Of the romantic adventures attending Sir Sidney Smith's escape from the French prisons, wo shall have occasion again to speak. On hearing of Buonaparte's preparations for thc- 2e 434 SIEGE Ol ACRE BY BUONAPARTE. ! '.I th of March he captured the whole of them, otf Cape Carmel : the artillery were immediately landed, and mounted on the ramparts of Acre. The French, however, heing favoured bv the nature of the ground, were enabled tCC-carry their trenches within half a musket-shot of the ditch; and on the 3(!:h of March, having effected a breach in the wall, they endeavoured to take the town by assault. They were repulsed with dread- ful loss, the ditches being absolutely filled with their dead bodies. Nine several times did Buonaparte attempt to storm Acre, each time with increased vigour and obstinacy, and each time he was repulsed with dreadful loss. In the mean while, the garrison, instructed and encouraged by Sir Sidney Smith, made frequent sorties, which kept the French on the defen.>ive, and impeded the construction of their covering works. No relaxation was permitted on either side, excei)t what was unavoidably produced by excessive fatigue. Buonaparte seemed as resolutely bent on carrying the place, as Sir Sidney Smith w.iS on preserving and defend- ing it. There can be little doubt that, independently of all considerations of the immense importance of Acre, the rival chiefs were inflamed by personal motives of hatred and glory. On the 7th of May, after the town had been besieged fifty- one days, a reinforcement to the British appeared in sight, under the command of Hassan Bey; and nearly at the same time, Buonaparte was encouraged and strengthened by the arrival of a fleet of corvettes and transports. As Buonaparte's reinforcement landed before Hassan Bey actually reached Vcre, 1 i resolved to make one more despe- rate effort to gain immediate possession of it; their success was partial and temporary. At day-light, on the morning of the 8th of May, the French colours were discovered on the outer angle of the tower. The native troops were himself per- Ito the coast ore C alpha. ;ded in ^^et- tie cmj)loyecl Although ing, Buona- e delay, had itforms, and f the French measures to id the whole immediately he nature of ?s within half h of March, deavnured to 1 with dread- th their dead 3 attempt to nd obstinacy, loss. In the raged by Sir [pt the French tion of their Ited on either by excessive [t on carrying ig and defend- (lently of all ere, the rival ed and glory, besieged lifty- ared in sight, ly at the same thened by the le Hassan Bey le more despe- their success the morning [discovered on troops were SIEGE OF ACRE BY BUONAPARTE. 435 alarmed and discouraged: at ibis critical moment, Hassan ]iey's troops were seen in the boats, having just b(^gun to disembark. No time was to be lost ; the safety of tiie place depended entirely upon the decisive courage of Sir Sidney Smith. He therefore landed the boats at the Mole, and headed the crews armed with pikes, up to the breach; he thus rallied the fugitive and terrified Turks, and supjuji-tcd the few ])rave men of that nation w ho were still defending the breach. The French, apprehensive that the prize would be snatched from them just as they had gained jx^sstssion (jf it, .nlvanced in great numbers: the ruins of the wall served as a breast-work for both parties, and so close did they tipproach, that the muzzles of their guns touched one anotiier, and their spear-heads were locked together. After a most dreadful contest, in which the Turks, animated 1 v the pre- sence and example of the British, behaved witi v.ondevfuj steadiness and courage; Sir Sidney proposed that a sally should be made; accordingly, the gates were opened and the Turks rushed out, but though they were a match for the French while behind their entrenchments, they were inferior to them without the walls, and they were driven back to the town with great loss. At this moment, Buonaparte, surrounded by his generals and aides-de-camp, was conspicuously distinguished on a mount called Richard Cceur De Lion. His othcers formed a semicircle, in the centre of which he stood, it was soon ajiparent, from his movements, that he had by no means abandoned the idea of gaining possession of Acre; another assault, if possible more dreadful and det( rmined than any of the former, was anticipated and prepared for. The pacha was resolved to adopt the Turkish mode of warfare, by admitting the enemy into the breach and then cutting them off. The French mounted the breach unmolested, and con- ceiving that the garrison were incapable or unwillingto offer further resistance, they proceeded with too little caution. Scarcely had they descended into the pacha's garden, when a great par' of them were attacked and destroyed, and the remainder compelled to seek their safety in a precipitate retreat. Buonaparte, utterly foiled in fight, endeavoured to gain the town by a stratagem ; here, however, he was again dis- ajipointed, and only reaped fresh chagrin. During the whole of this siege, he manifested more impatience than is consistent with our idea of a truly great man : and bis S i IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 128 •^ IIIIIM I! m — 6" IM M 1.8 1-4 11.6 V] <^ /} '^A % m o;^ -f!^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 V iV IP 9% V ^d. The most arduous and dangerous part of the enterprise was still to be performed : it has been already stated, that the enemy's vessels were lying within the island, and very near the sands ; before the boats could get out into deep water, the tide fell, and they grounded ; in less than ten minutes they wore left completely dry. In this situation, thoy were exposed to a continued fire from the forts, and besides this, a body of four hundred soldiers drew up in their rear, and fired on them with great effect. In this critical state of their affairs, thoy resolved to make an attempt singular and daring. They resolved to make an attack on some other vessels of the enemy, for the purpose of securing one sufticiontly large to carry off the whole party, as there was no chance of their succeeding in getting otf all their own boat>. Thoy accord- ingly, deserting their boats, set out on this enter[)riso, and succeeded in gaining possession of a vessel suited for their purpose; but this vessel lay on the opj)osite side of the bay, and before she could l)e of service to them, it was necessarv to drag her upwards of two miles over the sands; this, too, with great intrepidity, exertion, and strength, thoy accom- plished; but, before she wa^ afioat, thoy were up to their necks in the wafer. Ilavirg secured the vessel, they proceeded on board the l^'isguard. On this enterj)riso, seven ofiicers, eleven petty officers, one hundred and thirteen seamen, and sixty-one marines, were employed ; of those, one hundred secured their retreat, and four officers and eighty- eight men wore made prisoners. Captain Milne, of the ►Seine, a frigate of forty-two guns, was cruizing off St. Domingo, when a large ship, standing to the northward, was observed, apparently intending to pass through the Mona passage. Chase was instantly given ; but it M'as near midnight before captain Milne could bring her to action, and that not closely. It was resumed, how- ever, by break of day. The l)attlo raged with groat vio- lence for an hour and a half; and, by that time so powerful and well-directed had been the fire of the Seine, that the enemy had lost her fore-mast, mizen-mast, and main-top- mast, all of which falling on board, created great confusion. It was, therefore, necessary, when she had determinod to sur- render, for an officer to come out on the end of the bowsprit ; for from no other part of the ship could he have been seen, and to declare, that she had struck to tho British flag. "When she was taken possession of, she was found to ])e the Ven- geance, mounting twenty-eight eighteen pounders, on tho •U I t . 1 . 438 NAVAL EVENTS OF 1800. ' %: In . main-deck; sixteen twelve pounders, and eight forty-two pounder carronades on her quarter-deck and forecastle, w ith shifting guns on the main and quarter-decks. At the com- mencement of the action, she had on ])oard four hundred and fifty-three men, of which number, when she was taken, there were found only two hundred and ninety-one. On board of the Seine, one officer, and twelve men were killed, and three officers and twenty-six wounded. Early in the month of January, the Amity, a pilot boat, ])elonging to Bembridge, was on the look out for ships. The day was extiomely hazy, so that a lugger privateer of the enemy, was nearly close upon them, before they perceived her. Little or no chance of escape presented itself to the master of the pilot boat, since the enemy was rowing with thirteen oars on each side, and there was little or no Avind ; as she was fast approaching to the Amity, there was no alternative, but to leave her to her fate, and endeavour to get in a small boat, which was lying alongside. The whole crew of the Amity consisted of the master, a man, and a bov, named James Wallis. As soon as the two former had got into the boat, they desired the boy to quit the Amity and follow them; but he bravely answered, he would rem.'.in by the vessel, whatever might be the consequence. So cool and determined was he, that no persuasions could induce him to alter his mind; he merely desired that they would take charge of his watch, and of the little money he had, and give them to his father; this, they promised to do, and left him to his fate. The privateer, at this time, was only a (juarter of a mile distant, and was approaching very rapidly. In a few minutes after the captain and the other man had left the pilot boat, the enemy run up under her lee-quarter, with an intention to grapple her; but just as they were in the act of throwing their grappling-line, the boy, aware of their design, put the helm of the boat down and tacked; as the privateer had lowered part of her sails, while in the act of grappling the pilot boat, by this manteuvre, the boy was enabled to make head way from her, before the enemy had time to resume his course; they immediately began to fire small arms and swivels at him, but without effect. As soon as the boy perceived that they were again approaching him, he tacked again and weathered them about the length of the lugger; the ja'ivateer, on this, was also obliged to tack, sailing in the wake of the boat. The boy constantly followed the plan of tacking every time the lugger set her \AVAL EVENTS OF 1800 431) lit forty-two [•ecastle, Avith At the com- hundred and 3 taken, there On board of ed, and three a pilot boat, t' ships. The ^ateer of the ley perceived itself to the rowing with or no wind; :here was no endeavour to The whole I man, and a ) two former uit the Amity would rem.'.ln ice. So cool could induce ,t they would ly he had, and I do, and left J, was only a very rapidly, her man had r lee-quarter, they were in joy, aware of d tacked; as lie in the act the boy was enemy had began to fire effect. As approaching it the length ;o obliged to ^y constantly gger set her sails; and this was repeated sixteen or seventeen times; the distance between them was seldom more than thirty yards; and though, at this short distance, the privateer kept up a regular and constant fire, she did not succeed, either in wounding the boy, or in damaging the rigging or hull of the pilot boat. For two hours, these manumvres were carried on ; and, about the end of that time, a fresh breeze happily sprung up; the pilot boat had then gained about a cable's length of the privateer, which, observing no chance of suc- cess, after firing all her fire-arrus and swivels, bore up an.! left her. The coolness, firmness, and presence of mind of tliis boy, cannot be too much applauded ; left by himself, with no person either to counsel or assist him, obliged alone to manage the helm and the sails, while, at the same time, his attention was necessarily called off, almost every minute, to watch the motions of the enemy, he succeeded in saving the pilot boat, and in batfling all the manceuvres of a fast sailing vessel, fully manned, and seriously bent on his capture. Another exploit which we have to record, possesses the character of heroism, in a verv uncommon decree. The viper cutter, commanded by lieutenant Coghlan, was em- ployed to watch Port Louis ; while engaged on this service, several of the enemy's vessels were observed in the harbour ; these, lieutenant Coghlan thought he could succeed in boarding. The enterprise was not only one of a most arduous, but also of a most dangerous nature; but, having obtained permission of Sir Edward Pellew, the commanding officer, '""d being joined by twenty men, who volunteered their services, in two boats, he set out, resolved to capture a gun-brig, mounting three long twenty-four pounders and four six pounders ; she was full of men, and lying at anchor with springs on her cables. The harbour of Port-Louis ^ was extremely difficult of access, on account of the intri- cacy of the navigation ; three batteries were within pistol- shot of the gun-brig, and a seventy-four gun ship and two frigates were scarcely a mile distant from her. The enemy were soon apprised of the object of the attack ; this, how- ever, did not discourage lieutenant Coghlan ; nor yet the circumstance of the boat in which he was, having gained greatly the start of the other, and being in fact, almost close alongs^ide of the gun-brig, while their companion was at a considerable distance. Lieutenant Coghlan well knew how much depended upon instant and firm action ; but, unfor- tunately, as it was still dark, in attempting to board, he got rm PI 'i m k . ;|i I Til >V 440 BATTLi: OF THK KALTIC. entangled in a net, wliich was hung- up to dry, and being- pierced through the thigh with a piUe, he, and several of hi Liugn w'lin a piwe, lie, anu sever^u oi nis men were knocked back into the boat. Their ardour, how- ever, was not to be cliecked: hauling the boat further ahead, they again boarded ; their opponents consisted of eighty- seven men, sixteen of whom were soldiers. The contest was obstinate and blooily, rather than long. Nothing could withstand lieutenant Coghlan ; he succeeded in bringing off his prize, notwithstanding- the fire of the batteries, and several vessels which lay around her. Only one man was killed and eight wounded on this occasion ; among the latter, were lieutenant Coghlan, and a midshipman. The year 1801, was the era of the legislative union with Ireland. The first imperial parliament met on the 1st of January, and a sum of about sixteen millions was voted for the supplies of tiie navy. Partly by force and ])artly by persuasion, Buonaparte had inibienced the northern powers to form what was termed the armed neutrality. It had become impossible for the French to keep the seas, and their only means of obtaining sui)plies were by means of neutral vessels, who made use of tlieir flags to cover provisions and ammunition intended for our enemies. This was resisted bv Great Britain, who insisted on a right to intercept the enemy's supplies wherever they could fall in with them. An open rupture was the consequence. At this time, the Danish navv consisted of twentv-three sail of the line, many of them, however, not in good repair. They had also fourteen frigates and cutter-brigs, mounting from twenty to forty guns ; seventeen gun-boats, each carry- ing twenty-four guns, together with guard-ships. The whole fleet was indifferently manned, in respect to numbers, though the sailors which they had on board were excellent. Sweden had eighteen ships of the line, fourteen frigates, sloops, and other vessels of war : and seventy-four gallies and fiat-bottom boats, l)esides gun-boats, they were all well and fully manned, and most of them in good order and rei)air. The maritime force of Russia consisted of eighty-two sail of the line, and nearly forty frigates, besides gallies and small craft. Several of the ships of the line were totally unfit for service, and some of them being at Archangel, coiild not be immediately made use of. In this port, and in Cronstadt, Kevel, and Fetersburgh, there were forty-seven soil of the BATTLE OF THE BALTIC. 441 y, and being" several of his ardour, how- iirther ahead, ?d of eighty - e contest was othing could 1 bringing off" atteries, and one man was ; among the )man. slative union net on the 1st ►ns was voted , Buonaparte at was termed 5sible for the 1 of obtaining made use of i intended for Britain, who )lies wherever ture was the twentv-three 1 good repair. gs, mounting ts, each carry- ships. The 3t to numbers, 3re excellent, teen frigates, y-four gallies were all well od order and )f eighty-two les gallics and e totally unfit gel, could not in Cronstadt, L?n sail of the line. In respect to the officers and men, they were all very ill ort"; and, as the Briti.'^h who commanded many of them, would not act in this war, the Russian fleet, on the whole, though numerically much greater than those of Sweden and Deiunark, could hardly be regarded as efficiently equal to them. As it was supposed that Copenhagen would be the first object of British attack, every precaution was taken to strengthen it, and the whole island of Zealand and the Sound were fortified, both on the Swedish and Danish sides. Batteries were erected on the island of Amack, and on the Sproe in the JJelt, in case the British fleet should venture to take that passage. Guns for redhot shot were prepared, and artillery-men were stationed in all the batter- ies for the pur|)ose of firing them. The fleet wliich was destined to act against this formidable confederacy, consisted of eighteen sail of the line, four fri- gates, and a great number of bomb-vessels and gun-boats, the whole amounting to fifty-two sail. It had on board several regiments of marines and of rifiemen. Admiral Sir Hyde Parker commanded it, and he had under him lord Nelson, as second in command. As soon as this fleet arrived in the Cattegat, the admiral sent a letter to the governor of Cronenburgh, in which he ut the signal ; ,e sail. As the Lussol, two of 1, where they c. The Aga- , which lay in hor. As these acted against to them was [ich it was in- pposed to '^e )f this misfor- ch, suffered a liou, to whom direction of a fire, in which the Elephant, b-vessels ; the tion was made rong current ; leasure lost. commenced, [urray, led the our hours and nanner. The land, in the ildren. Their n which they )y the example 3all from the ich it contain- :s, it may well I be conceived what was the nature of the engagement. At the expiration of four hours and a half, the Danish fire slackened, and it was apparent that victory must declare in favour of the British. As soon as lord Nelson perceived that ho had gained a clear and decided advantage, that the Danish fire was dying away, and that most of their ships and batteries were in his power, he desired pen, ink, and paper, to be broup-ht up on the quarter deck, and wrote a short note to the Danish authorities, tha result of whi(;h was an armistice, and the secession of Denmark from the northern league. Buonaparte's favourite object at this period was an inva- sion of BrLain, for which he made preparations upon a very formidable scale. His ports, however, were still blockaded by our fleets ; an I although lord N"lson failed in his at- tempts to destroy a large flotilla of gun-boats collected at Boulogne, the "wooden walls of old England" continued efficiently to " guard her native shores" from invaders. In the Mediterranean, two very severe actions were fought. Admiral Sir James 8aumarez, while he was cruising off Cadiz, received intelligence that three French line of battle ships and a frigate were at anchor oft" Algesiras; he imme- diately made sail for that place, determined to attack them if it were practicable. As soon as he came in sight of the Bay of Algesiras, the enemy warped their ships close under the batteries. No time was to be lost : the Venerable, captain Hood led into the bay, and was directed to pass the enemy's ships without coming to an anchor; the Pompee and Auda- cious had, at the same time, been directed to anchor abreast of th-^ inner ship; the Citsar, Spencer, and Hannibal, abreast of the other ships and the batteries. These directions could not be strictly complied with, captain Ilood being obliged to come to anchor, in consequence of the Avind failing him. The Pompee reached the position which she had been ordered to occupy, and opened a well-directed and tremendous fire on the French admiral; the Ca:'sar and Audacious also began the action. In a short time it became general on both sides, the batteries not only protecting the French ships, but also acting with great effect against ours. The Ilatmibal, which had been under the necessity of coming to an anchor, at some distance from the scene of action, took advantage of a slight breeze; and her commander, captain Ferris, deter- mined to pass between the enemy's ships and the batteries; unfortunately the depth of water was not sufficient, and she I 444 NAVAL EVENTS OF 1801, ^ n *4.i I ir^'i^ n, f i'lf^ M (■t grounded close under one of the batteries. Every effort was made to get her aHoat again, but it was impossible to succeed: in this state she made a most gallant and determined resistance; but as she fought to great disadvantage, captain Ferris was at length reluctantly compelled to strike his colours. ^V^hile the engagement was going on, the enemy had been continually eni[)loyed in warping their ships nearer the shore. 8ir ciames Saumarez, on perceiving this, ordered the cables to be cut, being determined, if possible, either to destroy or In'ing them off. The wind, however, failing him, and a strong current opposing the attempt, he found all his endeavours ineffectual. In this unfortunate enterprise, the loss of the British was very severe, one hundred and twenty-one being killed, two hundred and forty wounded, and fourteen missing. The enemy acknowledged that they had three hundred and six killed, and one hundred and eiyhtv-four wounded. As soon as the J>ritish admiral returned to Gibraltar, every exertion was made to repair the damages that the ships had sustainetl, and to jiropare them again for sea. On the 8th of July, the admiral received intelligence that a Spanish squadron, consisting of five sail of the line and three frigates, had stood in and anchored off Algesiras, where they vvere soon afterwards joined by a French ship of the line. On the 12th, the governor of Gibraltar informed the admiral that he had heard it was the enemy's intention to put to sea that evening. Upon this, Sir James Saumarez redoubled his exertions to get his fleet out of the jMole ; and, within a few hours after, the enemy were observed under sail, with a strong easterly wind, the whole British fleet was under weigh, except the Pompee, which had not time to take in her masts. At this critical juncture, the genuine spirit of British seamen broke forth in a most conspicuous manner ; several of the l*ompee's men concealed themselves on board the other ships, in order that they might partake in the battle ; and even manv of those who had been wounded in the former engagement, and were still in the hospital on shore, hired a boat, went ofi', and requested to be taken on board the Cu\sar. The Superb, captain Keats, formed the van ; he was directed to attack the sternmost ships of the enemy, and, if possible, to keep between them and the shore, in order that there might be no possibility of their running for their own harbours. Captain Keats obeyed these instructions with Every effort 1 impossible to inddotermlneJ ntag-e, captain I to strike his )n, the enomv 'ir ships nearer ^• this, ordered sil^le, either to tvever, failing t, he found all ite enterprise, hundred and Drty wounded, il^ed that they hundred and to Gibraltar, that the ships sea. On the hat a Spanish three friga'es, ere they were he line. On d the admiral 1 to put to sea rez redoubled and, within a er sail, with a 2t was under ne to take in iiuiiie spirit of uous manner ; ;lves on board artake in the n wounded in le hospital on be taken on van ; he was ■nemy, and, if in order that for their own ructions with NAVAL EVENTS Ol 18Ul. 445 great ^lacrity and skill. About eleven o'clock at night, the Superb was abreast of a Spani di three-decker, ab(;ut three cables' length from her; a treiiiendous tire was immediately commenced; the shot of the Superb actually went over the enemy, and struck two other of their ships, which were in a line a))reast of her. Owing t() the darkness of the night, these ships, when the shots struck them, began to fire on each other. The Superb soon vanquished her opponent ; for, in a quarter of an hour, she \yas on tire ; and shortly afterwards, drifting down, she ran foul of another ship to leeward, and communicated the tiames to her. As the wind was blowing very fresh at this time, it was impussible to afford any assistance to the miserable crews of these vessels ; in the course of half an hour they both blew up ; each ship mounted one hundred and twelve guns, and had on board upwards of twelve hundred men, all of whom perished. Among the young naval otiicers who distinguished them- selves this year, was lord Cochrane. While cruising- off Oropeso, in the Speedy, in company with captain Pulling in the Kangaroo sloop of war, they perceived a Spanish convoy, consisting of twei e vessels, at anchor in the bay ; they were protected by a strong battery ; but this circumstance only incited the British seamen and their commanders to the at- tack ; for in the course of this war, having decisively proved their superiority to their enemies at sea, they extended their ambition to conquering them, under still more arduous and difficult circumstances. Besides the battery, mounting twelve guns, that protected these vessels, there was a xebec, of twenty guns, and three gun-boats. The mode of attack was soon planned ; the two brigs anchored within half gun-shot of the enemy, against whom they opened a brisk fire. In a few hours, the fire of the Spaniards slacken- ed ; it feebly and partially recommenced, on the approach and assistance of a felucca of twelve guns ; but about half- past three in the afternoon, the xebec, and two of the gun- boats sunk. The battery still continued its fire till nearly six o'clock, when it also was silenced. As soon as this was perceived, the Kangaroo cut her cables, and made close to it, upon which the remaining gun-boats fled. No obstacle was now in the way of destroying or capturing part at least of the convoy ; for this purpose, the boats were manned, and they succeeded in cutting out such as were afloat ; the remainder were either sunk or driven ashore. The loss on the side of the British, in this affair, was very trifling. : I!-' ^ ' i ■' V I' I if m^l '! M ■ 446 PEACE OF AMIKNS. The following anecdote should not be omitted, as it dis- plays a singular instance of bravery and presence of mind. On board the Immortalite, one of the squadron which was appointed to watch l^rest harbour, was a pilot, who spoke French extremely well, lie frequently rccjuested the captain of the Immortalite to permit him to go ashore on the coast of France, that he might learn some particulars respecting the fleet in Brest. The captain was at length prevailed upon to give his consent. lie accordingly went ashore, it having been previously agreed upon that, in a few hours, a boat should be sent to bring him back. For five successive nights the boat was sent to the place appointed, but he was not there. Three days more passed away, when he came alongside the Immortalite, in a French boat rowed by two men. The following is his narrative: — " As I was appre- hensive that I should be taken and treated as a spy, I gave up all idea of attempting to get on board in the manner and at the time agreed upon, and came to the resolution of hiring a boat to go into Camaret Bay. I accordingly hired a boat, but when we came near Camaret Bav, I told the men I did not mean that bay, but Bertheaume Bay, which was much nearer the ship: the men rowed me towards this place, an'G 3orn ill 1725, At the age of Sea opened a ;pirit; and he vern, of fifty His first Ae idea of the of body and lad embraced, i^uego, a most greatest dis- cidarly despe- formed a sea t hearts with as his weak- fficient degree p. Tlie next ed, appears to imodore of a y, 1 743, from he town of La o was at this oai'd the Bur- ford, commanded by captain Frankhn Lushington, one of the officers concerned in the cajitiire of the w ell-known prize, the San Josef. The squadron arrived on the Curacoa coast on the I8th of February. The Burford suffered consider- ably in the action. Captain Lushington, having lost his thigh by a chaif '■hot, died in two hours after he was landed at Curacoa, on iie 23d of February, 1742-3. During a cruise off the coast of Scotland in 174(5, an action took [dace, which stamped the character of Howe, as an able and intrepid officer. The Baltimore, which he com- manded, in company with another armed vessel, fell in with two French frigates, of thirty guns, crowded with troops and ammunition for the Pretender. Captain Howe imme- diately ran the Baltimore between them, and almost close on board one of the ships. A desperate and bloody action commenced. After fighting with singular coolness and re- solution, he was at length severely wounded by a musket ball in the head, and carried off' the deck, to all appearance deail. The anxiety of the crew for their young hero, was, however, but of short duration. With medical assistance he soon discovered signs of life; and, during the painful dressing of his wound, cheered and encouraged the ardour of his men. Scarcely was the operation finished, when he fiew again to his post, and was received with shouts of joy by the sailors. The action was now continued with re- doubled spirit, until the French ships sheered off', leaving the Baltimore in so shattered a state, that she in vain attempted to pursue them. In 1752, he was ordered to the Straits, in the Dolphin fri- gate, and employed in many difiicult services, which he execut- ed with his usual spirit. In the course of the year 1754, he returned to England; and at the beginning of the ensuing one, obtained the command of the Dunkirk, of sixty guns, one of the ships that was commissioned, in consequence of the apprehended rupture with France. The government of Great Britain, roused by the intelli- gence that a powerful armament was preparing in the ports ol Uochefort and Brest, which was destined lor America, ordered a squadron to be immediately equipped. In tbc meantime the French fleet set sail for its place of destination, and towards the end of April, 1755, admiral Boscawen sailed in pursuit of it with eleven ships of the line and one frigate. The French ficet was soon overtaken and attacked. In this action Howe, in command of the Dunkirk, came (ii :.i 2 F I 'km II ii in If it' i|fl;: ' :1 ? 450 LOUD HOWE. alongside the sternmost ship, the Alcide, at twelve o'clock, and, hailing the cajDtain, delivered his orders, that he should go immediately under the English admiral's stern. Mon- sieur lIof[uart quaintly asked " whether it was peace or war ?" Captain Howe repeated his orders, and generously exclaimed, " Prepare for the worst, as I expect every moment a signal from the flag ship to fire upon you, for not bringing to." The ships being now close together, captain Howe had an opportunity of seeing the officers, soldiers, and ladies, who were assembled on the deck. He on this took off his hat, and told them in French, that as he presumed they could have no personal concern in the contest, he b gged they would leave the deck; adding, that he only waited for their retiring to begin the action. Captain Howe then, for the last time, demanded that the Frenchman should go under the English admiral's stern. Monsieur Hoquart, still vehemently refusing, was informed that the signal was out to engage. He replied with the civility and sa9ig frokl of his nation, Commencez, S'il i'0"s plait! to which captain Howe answered, S'il vous plait, Monsieur, de commencer! Orders to begin the action were given by both nearly at the same instant. After the first broadside, the most dreadful groans and screams were heard from the Alcide; every shot of the Dunkirk went through, all her guns being double- shoted with round shot. In about half an hour the Alcide struck to the Dunkirk, her inferior in rate, guns, and men. Captain Howe- perceiving this, generously exclaimed, " My lads ! they have behaved like men, treat them like men !" Thus did Howe strike the first blow of that memorable war. The Alcide had on board nine hundred men, chiefly land forces. The general was killed. The governor of Louisbourg, and four officers of note, were taken prisoners, with .i'30,000 sterling. It was about this period that captain Howe was hastily awakened in the middle of the night by the lieutenant of the watch, who informed him, in great agitation, that the ship was on fire near the gun-room. " If that be the case," said this resolute officer, rising leisurely to put on his clothes, «' we shall soon know it." The lieutenant flew back to the scene of danger, and instantly returned, exclaiming — " You need not be afraid, Sir, the fire is extinguished !" " Afraid !" exclaimed captain Howe, " what do you mean by that, Sir ?" " I never was afraid in my life ;" and looking the lieutenant full in the face, he added j "how does a man feel, Sir, when ^Ive o'clock, at he should ern. Mon- iceorwar ?" V excliiimed, lent a signal ringing to." I owe had an I ladies, who i off his hat, d they could bogged they ted for their then, for the lid go under oquart, still gnal was out sang froid of rhich captain • commencer! nearly at the nost dreadful ie ; every shot 3eing double- ur the Alcide ms, and men. liaimed, " My n like men !" it memorable I men, chiefly I governor of ien prisoners, e was hastily utcnant of the that the ship he case," said »n his clothes, w back to the iming — " You "Afraid!" bvthat, Sir?" the lieutenant eel, Sir, when LORD HOWE. 451 he is afraid? I need not ask how he looks." He succeeded, on the death of his brother, to the Irish title of lord Howe, and on the 23d of August, 17G3, he was appointed to the board of admiralty, a station which he continued to hold through two commissions, until the 30th of August, 1705. He was then made treasurer of the navy; and, on the 18th of October, 1770, when he resigned this post, as well as his colonelship of marines, was promoted rear-admiral of the blue, and commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean. He experienced no farther advancement until the 31st of March, 1775, when he was appointed rear-admiral of the white; and, on the general election, which took place in the same year, was chosen member for the borough of Dartmouth, On the 7th of December, 1775, he was made vice-admiral of the blue. He was nominated commander-in-chief of the fleet to be employed on the American station, soon after his promotion of vice-admiral of the blue. Having hoisted his flag on board the Eagle, of sixty-four guns, equipped for him, he arrived off Halifax on the 1st of »July, 1770. Every enterprise in which the fleet was concerned, was uniformly successful; every undertaking that was jn-oposod by the general on shore, was warmly supported by the fleet. The conquest of New-York, of Rhode Island, of l*hiladel- phia, of every settlement within the power or reach of u naval force, are irrefragable proofs of his abilities and at- tention. On the change of ministry, in the spring of the year 1782, lord Howe was ad v^anced to the dignity of a peer of (iroat Britain, by the title of viscount Howe of Langar, in the county of Nottingham ; his patent bearing date the 20th ot April. On the 8th of the same month, he had been pre- viously advanced to the rank of admiral of the blue. He now accepted the command of the fleet equipping for the relief of Gibraltar, in which, as we have already shown, he succeeded. Lord Howe returned from this expedition in November, 1782. The corporation of London, in common council assembled, ordered an historical picture of the siege and re- lief of Gibraltar, to be executed by Mr Copley, as a testi- monial of respect to lord Heathfield, the governor, and earl Howe, commander of the fleet, as well as the soldiers and sailors, for their gallant conduct. Peace was concluded almost immediatelv after lord Howe's return. In January 1783, he was nominated flrst 4. "2 i.oun HOWE. i li'.l it ■I M :r :^^U.7; til lord of tlic admiralty, uliii-lj oflioc ho rcsi^^nod to lord viscount Kcpiiel in Aj)ril tollowinpr, 'uit ag-ain sncceoded to it in l)i>c\'nil)er. In Soptcnihcr 17S7, ho was advanced to 1)0 admiral of the white. In Julv ITSS, he finally (luitted his station at the admiralty; and, on the lOth of August followin;^-, was created an earl of (freat lJritaii),l)y the title of carl 1 lowe. On the commencement of the war with France, in l70o, lie accepted the arduous connnand of the western scjuadron. Powers, such as have heen seldom delej^ated to any com- mander-in-chief, were wisely entrusted to his prudence. 15y the short cruises which he made, the fleet was never ohUged to remain long' in harhour to refit, hui was con- stantly ready to engage the enemy. He entirely altered the signals, then in use, for others more simple and perfect ; and, hy the system ho adoi)ted throughout, j)repared the way for the glorious successes which have followed. On the lOth of May 1704, he received the news, off IJshant, that the rrench fleet, under command of rear-admiral V^illaret, with the represcMtative of the people, .lean ]5on St. Andre, onboard the admiral's shi[). La Montague, had left Brest. It was not till the 2f)th of May that he discovered the enemy, and from that time till the 31st, at noon, a fog prevented any thing decisive from taking place. The glorious victory of the 1st of dune soon followed. The fleet, which was one of the most powerful that France had ever equipped for sea, was totally vancjuished, and seven ships of tlie enemy's line were in j)ossession of the conqueror. Lord Howe resigned the command of the western squa- dron in April 171)7. His conduct during the nuitiny in 1707, w:is as comniendahle as it was arduous. The kingdom con- tom])lated, with a degree of uuTisual anxiety, this venerahle oharacter, whose head was silvered over with age and long service, struggling, at the close of life with a dilficulty that re(|uired the strength and energy of youth. He felt liumanely for those wdio were infected hy its noxious poison, and strove with parental tenderness in their hehalf. He stood like the guardian genius of his country, hetween the dead and the living, and stayed the plague. His lordship did not long survive this husiness, which concluded as nnieli to liis own honour as to the advantage of the navv and country. He died August 5, 17{)9, in the seventy-third year of his age; and in the following October, a monument to his nieuiory was erected in St. l^aul's. ' 1 -f SIR SIDNEY SMITH. 4r.3 Ikfj 0(1 to lord iic'c'coded to .(Ivanood to ally <|uitto(l of August 1)V the title ce, in 1703, I squadron. any com- ])ru(lonc('. was never i was c(»n- ' altered the .'rtect ; and, the Mav I'or the lot h of the French t, With the •e, on hoard St. It was enemy, and ivented any 1 victory of was one of led for sea, neiny's line stern squa- iny in 1707, nj^dom con- s venerahle ;-e and lonijc Iheultv that He felt ions poison, half. He )etweeii the lis lordshi}) led as much navy and vcnty-third monument EARL OF ST. VINCKNT.— .lohn .lervis was h..rn in 1734. His father was auditor (»f (Jn-enwich Hospital. He went to sea, as a midshipman, at the aj^-e t)f 14, and scrveil in the exj)edition ay-aiust (iucd)ec. He was niadi' a eaj)taia in 1700, and distinguished hiniself hii^hly in the command of the Foudroyant, iu the hattle hetween Keppcl and D'Orvilliers. In 1704, he was eommatidi'r of a scpia- dron in the West Indies, and eontrihuted materially in the reduction of several of the Fn-neh settlements there. His ji;reat and crowniuL;' victory, anil one which places him in the first class of Naval Heroi's, was that ohtained otV Cape St. Vincent, on the 14th of Fehruary, 1707. For tliis he received an earlilom. In ISOl, he joined the Addint^ton ministry, as first lord of the admiralty, and proved himself to he iMpially wise iu council as he had heiiu hrave iu hattle. He is entitled to he called a great man as well as a gallant sailor. He died in 1«23. SIR WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH.— The suhject of this memoir, entered into the navy at the early age of thir- teen years. He was horn ahout the year l'Jd4; and received the first rudiments of his education at Tunhridge school. In 1773, he was removed to Rath, where he was placed under the tuition of iMr. Morgan; and in 1777, having commenced his maritime career, ho, not long afterwards, removed into the Sandwich, commanded l)y cajitain Y(.)ung. Previous to his emharkation, he had gone through a course of maritime studii's, and had, accordingly, heeii rated i'or some time as helonging to the service, in conformity with the indulgencies and allowances then made, which jicrmilted them. In 17H0, i .; was j)romoted to the rank of fifth lieutenant on hoard the Aleide, a ship of seventy-four guns, at that time under orders for the West Indies, whither she was to accompany lord Rodney. The Aleide was commanded ])y Sir Charles Thompson, liut Mr. Smith did not remain in the rank of lieutenant more than two years, and heiiig advanced to that of commander, was appointed to the I'ury sloop, of eighteen gu'S <"i ^''^' damaica station. Without removing from tliat (piartei* of the world, he was again jjromoted on the 7th of May, 17S3, to the higher station of jiost-captain, hy commission a[i- pointing him to the Nemesis frigate, of twenty-eight guns. 4r>4 SIR SIDNEY SMITH. H 't ^v <.i,^ Ml !'? I'cacG haviiio-at tlii« time takt'ii placo between all the l)«.l- li^-crent ])OAvers, tliu Nemesis, after a short interval, was (trdered ti) lOnj^dand, where she was immediately put out of conunission and dismantled. After an irksome inaclivity of nearly tivo years, on the j)ros|)ect of a rupture heiMcen Swc- (Un and Russia, captain Smith, in 17. The particulars of his captivity and escape, he has himself well told. " When I was taken at sea, I was accompanied by my secre- tary, and Mr. Tr , a French gentleman, who had emi- grated from his country ; and who, it had been agreed, was to pass for my servant, in the hope of saving his life by that disguise; nor were our expectations frustrated, for John, as I called him, was lucky enough to escape all suspicion. " On mv arrival in France. I was treated at first with unexampled rigour ; and was told I ought to bo tried under a military commission and shot as a spy. The government, however, gave orders for my removal to Paris, where I was sent to the Abbaye, and together with my two companions ill misfortune, was kej)L a close prisoner. Meanwhile, the means of escape were the constant object on which we em- ployed vour minds. The window of our prison was towards \ sin SIDNEY SMITH. 455 'een the con- [lyfitated, ami the street ; and from this circumstance we derived a hope sooner oi* later to elVect our object. \Ve ah'cady contrived to ciirry on a tacit and re^'ular conespondence, by means of' siLjns, witli some women, who could see us from their apart- ments, and who seemed to take tlie most lively interest in our fate. They ])ro; osed themselves to assist in faeilitatiiiL*- my liberation; an otfer which I accej)ted with pleasure; and it is ny ihity to confess, notwithstanding,- the en(n'm(»us I'X- pences occasioned by their tVuitlcss attempts, they have not less claim to my gratitude. " Till the time of my departure, in whicli, liowever, they had no shari>, their whoK> em]>!oyinent was emleavourin^ to save me: and thev had the adilress at all times to deceive the vig'ilance of my keejx'rs. On both sides \vi; used bor- rowed names, under which we corresponded, theirs beinu;' taken from the ancient niytholoi^y, so that I had now a direct communication with Thalia, Melpomene, and Clio, At length J was removed to the Tem[)le, whei'c my three muses soon contrived means of intelligence, and every day otr'ered me new schemes for etVecting my escape. At first I eagerly acce|)te(l them all; but ri'lleetion soon destroyed the hopes to which the love of liberty had given birth. 1 was also rtisolved not to leave my secretary in [)rison, and still less poor John, whose safety was more dear to me than my own emanci[>ation. In the Temjde, John was allowed to enjoy a considerable degree of liberty ; he was highly dressed like ari lOnglish jockey, and knew how to assume the manners that correspoiuled with that character. lOvery one was fond of .John, who (h'ank and fraternized with tlu' turn- keys, and made bjve to the keeper's daughter, who was per- suaded he would marry her; and as the little l^lnglish jockey was not supposed to have received a very brilliant education, he had learneti, by means of study, sufficiently to mutilate his native tongue. " John a})i)eared very attentive and eager in my service, and always spoke to his master in a very respectful manner. 1 scolded him from time to time with much gravity; and be played his part so well, that 1 fre(iuently surprised myself, forgetting my friend, and seriously giving orders to the valet. At length John's wife, Madame de 'J'r , a. very interesting lady, arrived at i'aris, and made the most un- common exertions to liberate us from our captivity. She (hired not come, however, to the Temple, through fear of discovery ; but from a neighbouring house she daily beheld I I r 400 SIR SIDNEY SMITH. I ( 5 - H ill 5^ I i I f 'lit Lir j»t-'i her husband, who, as he walked to and fro, enjoyed alike in secret the pleasure of conteini)liiting the friend of lis hosoni. Madame de Tr now couimunicated a plan for deliver- inj^ us from prison, to a sensible and couraL,^e()Us youny man of her acquaintance, who immediately acceded to it with- oui; hesitation. This Frenchman, who was sincerely attached to his country, said to Madame de Tr , ' 1 will serve Sir Sidney Smith with pleasure, because I believe the I'^ng- lish f^overnment intend to restore Tiouis the XVIII. to the throne; but if the commodore is to fight against France, and not for the king of France, heaven forbid I should assist.' *•' Charles L'Oiseau (for that was the name our young friend assumeil) was connected with the agents of the king- when confined in the Temple, and for whom he was also contriving the means of escaj)e. It was intended we should all get off together. M. la Vilheurnols being condemned only to a year's imprisonment, was resolved not to quit his present situation ; but Brothiere and Duverne de Presle, were to follow our example. " Every thing was now prepared for the execution of our project: the means proposed by L'Oiseau appeared prac- ticable, and we resolved to adoi>t them. A hole, twelve feet long, was to be made in a cellar adjoining' to the prison ; and the apartments to which the cellar belonged were at our disposal, Mademoiselle D rejected every prudential con- sideration, generously came to reside there for a week, and being young, the other lodgers attributed to her alone the frequent visits of L'Oiseau. Thus every thing seemed to favour our wishes. No one in the house in question had any suspicions; and the amiable little child wb'.ch Mademoiselle 1> had with her, and who was onlv seven vears old, was so far from betraying our secret, that she alwaya beat a little drum, and made a noise while the work was 'j^oinq: on in the cellar. Meanwhile L'Oiseau had continued his labour a considerable time without any appearance of day- light, and he was appre'^ensive he had attempted the open- ing considerably too low, it was necessary, therefore, that the wall should be sormded, and for this purpose a mason was required. Madame de Tr recommended one, and L'Oiseau undertook to bring him, and to detain him in the cellar until we had escaped, which was to take place that very day. The worthy man perceived the object was to serve some of the victims of misfortune, and came without S.R SIDNEY SMITH. .)/ hositation. lie only said, ' If I am arrested, take care of my poor children.' "But what a mi'^fortunc now fru^^trated all our Iiomc^ ! Though the wall was sounded with the greatest prt'caiition, the last stone fell out and rolled into the garden of the Temple; the sentinel perceived it, the alai'ni was given, the guard ai rived, and all was discovered. Fortunately, how- ever, our friends had time to make their escape, and none of them were taken. " They had indeed taken th.'ir measures with the greatest care; and when the commissaries of the Bureau Central came to examine the cellar and aj)artment, they found only a fe.v pieces of furniture, truidtcd the otter with pleasure and alacrity. " With this order then they came to the Temple, Mr B in the dress of an adjutant, and Mr L as an otiieer. The keeper having- perused the order, and atten- tively examined the minister's signature, went into another room, leaving my two deliverers for some time in the cruel- est uncertainty and suspense; at length he returned, accom- paiited l)y the register (or greflfter) of the prison, and ordered me to he called. When the register informed me of the orders of tlie Directory, I pretended to be very much concerned at it, but the adjutant assured me in the most serious manner, ' that the government were very far from intending to ag- gravate my misfortunes, nnd that I should be very comfort- able at the place whither he was ordered to conduct me.' I expressed my gratiluie to all the servants employed about the prison ; and, as you may imagine, was not very long in packing up my clothes. '' At my return, the register observed, that at least six men from the guard must accompany me ; and the adjutant, v.ithout being in the least confounded, acquiesced in the jus- tice of the remark, and gave orders for them to be called out. But on retlection, and remembering, as it were, the laws of chivalry and of honour, he addressed me saying, ' Commodore, you are an oflficer, I am an oflficer also ; your parole will be enough. Give me that, and I have no need of an escort.' ' Sir,' replied I, 'if that is sufficient, I swear on the faith of an officer, to accompany you wdierever you choose to conduct me.' Every one applauded this noble action, while I confess I had myself great difficulty to avoid smiling. The keeper now asked for a discharge, and the register gave the book to Mr B , who boldly signed it with a proper flourish, L. Oger, adjutant-general. Mean- while I employed the attention of the turnkeys, and loaded them with favours to prevent them from having time to re- flect, nor indeed did they seem to have any other thought than their own advantage. The register and keeper accom- panied us as far as the second court, and at length the last gate was opened, and we left them after a long interchange of ceremony and politeness. " We instantly entered an hackney coach, and the adjutant ordered the coachman to drive to the suburb of St. Germain. SIR JilDNEY SMITH, 4(U I^ut the stupid fellow had not gone a hundred paces l)eforo he l)roke his wheel atj:ainst a post, and hurt an unfortunate passenger. This unhieky accident hrouL;ht a crowil ahout us, who were very any^ry at the injury the poor fellow had sustained ; "we (juitted the coach, took our portmanteaus in our hand<, and went oft' in an instant. Though the people ohserved us much, they did not say a word to us, only ahusinj,^ the coachman. And when our driver demanded his fare, Mr , thrcmgh an inadvertency that might have caused us to he arrested, gave him a douhlo louis d'or. Having separated when we quitted the carriage, I arrived at the appointed rendezvous with only my secretary and M de rhelipeaux, who had joined us near the prison, and though I was very desirous of waiting for my two i'riends to thank and take my leave of them, M. de Phclipcaux ohserved there was not a moment to he lost. I therefore postponed till another opportunity my expression of gratitude to my deliverers, and we immediately set otV for Kouen, where Mr li , had made every preparation for our reception. " At Rouen we were obliged to stay Sv.'veral days, and as our passports were perfectly regiilar, we did not take much care to conceal ourselves, hut in the evening wc walked ahout the town or took the air upon the hanks of the Seine. At length, every thing being ready for us to cross the channel, wc quittctl llouen, and without encountering any further dangers, I arrived in London, together with my secretary and my friend M. Phelipeaux, who could not pre- vail on himself to leave us." In the month of June, 1798, he was appointed to the command of the Tigre, of eighty guns; and in November sailed for the Mediterranean, where he had a command as commodore on the coast of Egypt Sir Sidney repaired to Constantinople, where he was received with the most heartfelt satisfaction by the Turks, to whom he was already known. In the month of March, 1709, having received intelligence from Ghezzar Pacha, governor of Syria, of the incursion made by Buonaparte's anny into that province, and its approach to Acre, its cap- ital. Sir Sidney hastened with a part of the naval force under his orders to its relief, and had the satisfaction of arriving there two days before the French. In the defence of Acre, Sir Sidney immortalised his name. Its result has been alreadv stated. The exploits which attach renown to Sir Sidney Smith's .- H 4G2 SIR SIDNEY SMITH. i, i rh •■ ( / •! name, having been chiefly performed during the period included in this chapter, we have given his personal memoirs a place here. His career, however, was not yet closed. He materially aided in the struggles which ended in the expul- sion of the French from Egypt, and was wounded at Abou- kir, when the gallant Abercromby lost his life. In 1804, he was made a rear-admiral and a colonel of marines. In 1806, he commanded, with distinguished success, the English squadron at Sicily, and the year following, was one of Duckworth's expedition to the Dardanelles against our former allies the Turks. Sir Sidney does not appear to have been much in favour at head-quarters, and was not employed in important enter- prises so much as from his unequalled bravery it might have been expected. It has been rumoured that his preferment was impeded by his having incurred the jealousy of George IV., by his attentions to the princess of Wales, afterwards queen Caroline. He attained the rank of admiral in 1821, by rotation, and having spent an extended old age in retirement, chiefly in Paris, he died there in 1840. n>i I ik N.'l %. DUNCAN ..... ^ LORD DUNCAN.— Adam Duncan was of a Scottish tamily (Duncan of Lundie) ; and there is a well authenti- cated heraldic tradition relative to it, which accounts parti- cularly for its crest, a dismasted ship, now borne over the arms of Camperdown. A person belonging to the tamily, being supercargo on board a vessel bound from Norway to his native place Dundee, was overtaken by a tremendous storm, in which the ship was reduced almost to a wreck, and the crew experienced great hardship and distress. Con- trary, however, to all human expectation, the crew were providentially enabled to navigate their crippled vessel safe into port, and the parents of their fortunately rescued son immediately adopted the crest alluded to, in commemoration of the dangers which he had escaped. Our hero was born in the month of July, 1731, and re- ceived the first rudiments of education at Dundee. His debut, as a naval officer, was made in the year 174G, when he was put under the command of captain Robert Ilaldane, who then commai led the Shoreham frigate, and with whom he continued two or three years. In 1755, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, immediately after which he was appointed to the Norwich, a fourth-rate, commanded by captain Barrington, and intended as one of the squadroa which was to accompany V* 4G4 LORD DUNCAN. m I i- t . %■* M J) ,'5 !| I ; I admiral Keppel to America. After the arrival of the arma- ment in Virginia, t^\o of the lieutenants on board the commodore's ship, the Centurion, benig advanced to the rank of captains, Duncan was removed into the Centurion, where he continued till that ship returned to England, and captain Keppel, after having for a short time commanded the Swiftsure, being appointed to the Torbay, of seventy-four guns, procured his pupil to be appointed second lieutenant of that shi{'. After remaining on the home station, and, owing to the extreme caution of the enemy, very uninter- estingly employed for the space of nearly three years, he proceeded on the expedition sent against the French settle- ment of Goree, on the coast of Africa, where he was slightly wounded at the attack of the fort. Soon afterwards he rose to the rank of first lieutenant of the Torbay, in which capacity he returned to England. On the 21st of September, 1759, he was advanced to the rank of commander, but does not appear to have been for- tunate enough to have met with any opportunity in his new station cf adding to that reputation which he had already so deservedly acquired. He did not, however, long continue in so inactive a state; for having been advanced to the rank of post-captain, in 1761, and appointed to the Valiant of seventy-four guns, he again became materially connected, in respect to service, with his original friend and patron, admiral Keppel. An expedition against the French island of Belleisle having been determined on in the British cabinet, Keppel, who was pitched upon to command the naval part of the intended enterprise, hoisted his broad pendant on that occasion on board the Valiant ; and not long after, Duncan formed part of the expedition against Ilavannah. After the surrender of the Ilavannah, he accompanied Keppel, who was appointed to command on the Jamaica station, in the same capacity he had before held, and con- tinued with him there till the conclusion of the war. At the conclusion of the year 1799, the Monarch, captain Duncan's ship, was one of the ships put under the orders of Sir George Rod: ey, who was instr'.jted to force his way to Gibraltar through all impediments, and relieve that fortress, which was then closely blockaded by a '-panish army on the land side, and a flotilla by sea, sufficient!) strong to oppose the entrance of any trivial succour. Captain Duncan accordingly hailed with transport, the oi)portunity •I' LORD DUNCAN. •10.") of the arma- 1 board the d to the rank urion, where , and captain imanded the seventy-four nd lieutenant station, and, very uninter- ree years, he :'''rench settle- le was slightly if ter wards he bav, in which Ivanced to the lave been i'or- »ity in his new had already so long continue K?d to the rank lo the Valiant Uy connected, and patron, French island n the British command the ted his broad and not long dition against accompanied the Jamaica "llield, and con- he war. jnarch, captain ller the orders ll to force his |nd relieve that by a "panish icientl) strong lour. Captain be opportunity of acquiring fame; nnd fortune was propitious enough lu t to permit his expectations and hopes to be disappointed on this occasion. On the 16th of January, 1780, the British fleet, being- then off Cape St. Vincent, fell in with a Spanish s(|uadron, commanded by Don Juan de Langara, who was purposely stationed there to intercept Sir George, who, according to misinformation received by the court of Spain, was sup- posed to be on his passage towards the besieged fortress, with a squadron consisting of no more than four ships of the line, having a fleet of victuallers and transports under their protection. The Monarch had not the advantage of being sheathed with copper ; but, notwithstanding this in- convenience, added to the additional circumstance of her being by no means remarkable as a swift sailer, captain Duncan was fortunate enough to get into action before any other ship in the fleet. Notwithstanding the disadvantages under which it has been stated the ship he commanded laboured, she was pressed ahead of the fleet, under all the sail that could, with an\ degree of propriety, be set upon her ; and it is reported, that when captain Duncan was 'i'arned, by some coppered ships which he passed, of the danger he incurrei: i / , , J' mm ^' llfi:!: r 'I' sion of the vanquished enemy> to a fresh ship, which was then coming up astern. In 1789, captain Duncan was promoted to be rear-ad- miral of the blue, and to the same rank in the white squa- dron, on a second advancement of flag-officers, which took j)]Mce in 1790. He was raised to be vice-admiral of the blue, in 1793 ; of the white, in 1794 ; to be admiral of the blue, 1795 ; and lastly, to be admiral of the white, in 1799. During all these periods, except the two last, singular as it may appear to posterity, the high merit admiral Duncan jiossessed, continued either unknown, or to give the treat- ment he received what may perhaps be a more proper term, unregarded. Frequently did he solicit a command, and as often did his request pass uncomphed with. At length, he received, in the month of February 1795, an appointment, constituting him commander-in-chief in the North Seas. He hoisted his flag on board the Venerable, of 74 guns, and j)roceeded to carry into execution the trust confided in him. When the patience and unwearied constancy with ^' liich this brave officer continued to watch a cautious and prudent enemy, during the whole time he held the command, a period of five years, are considered, it becomes a matter of difficulty to decide whether those invaluable qualities just mentioned, or the gallantry and judgment he displayed on the only opportunity the enemy afltbrded him of contesting with them the palm of victory, ought to be most admired. Admiral Duncan's conduct, which was firm and temperate on the occasion of the famous mutiny which broke out in several of our fleets, is well known ; we need not revert to that subject, nor need we again detail the events of the great victory at Camperdown, the brevity of his despatch on that occasion renders it worthy of notice: — " Venerable, off the coast of Holland, the 12(h of October. Cumpcrdowu, E.S.E. eight miles. " Sir, — I have the pleasure to acquaint you, for the infor- mation of the lords commissioners of the admiraltv, that at nine o'clock this morning I got sight of the Dutch fleet; at lialf-past tAvelve I passed through their line, and the action commenced, -vhich has been very severe. The admiral's ship is dismasted, and has struck, as liave several others, and one on fire. I shall send captain Fairfax with the particu- lars, the moment I can spare him. — I am, &c. " Adam Duncan." I , which was be rear-ad- white squa- , which took mival of the iniral of the ite, in 1799. lingular as it iral Duncan ve the treat - proper term, nand, and as Lt length, he appointment, North Seas. 74 guns, and ided in him. y with nhich ; and prudent command, a s a matter of jualities just displayed on of contesting ist admired, nd temperate broke out in ■evert to that of the great )atch on that of October, unght miles. for the infor- ralty, that at itch fleet; at d the action he admiral's 1 others, and the particu- LORD DUNC.\N. 4C; In consequence of the victory of Camperdown, the ad- miral was raised to the dignity of a baron and viscount of Great Britain, by the titles of baron Camperdown and viscount Duncan. He also received the thanks of both ,houses of parliament, and the city of London voted him the freedom, with a sword of the value of two hundred guineas. As soon as the ships destined to remain under his orders were refitted, he returned again to his station ; and, by his continued vigilance, almost annihilated the Dutch trade : their vessels, whenever any were found hardy enough to attempt putting to sea, were captured in sight of their own })orts ; for the whole coast was so completely blockaded, that instances very rarely occurred of their being able to elude the extreme vigilance of the British cruisers. His lordship continued to retain the command on the north-sea station, till the commencement of the year^ 1801, when he retired from active service. He di*?,! on the fourth of August, 1804, in the 73d year of his age. His son was created earl of Camperdown in 1831. [() ii • UNCAN. ) 'i I ' 'i 1: ■..f! f! ' .1 h *■ \ \ . \''m' i'ML .■ ' * 1 Ir'N' ; '' *. 't J/ i \'}M\ \. : -i l{' rr^^/^^ CHAPTER X. MEMOIR OF LORD NELSON. A VERY young and delicate-looking little boy had strayed, enticed by the flower and the butterfly to a distance from his home, and his prolonged absence exciting the alarm of his • friends, they set out in search of him. The little fellow was found sitting composedly by the side of a little stream, plan- ing how most easily to get over it. An anxious relative fondly reproached him, — " I wonder child, that fear did not .*..,-.:£: LORD NELSON. 469 In. ad strayed, ce from his arm of his- fellow was ream, plan- itis relative ear did not drive you home." " Fear, grandmamma," he replied, " I never saw fear; what is it?" This boy was the future hero, the Nelson of the Nile, the conqueror at Trafalgar. Horatio Nelson, the fourth son of the llev. Edward Nel- son, rector of Burnham Thorpe, in the county of Norfolk, was horn in the parsonage-house of that parish, September 21), 1758. His father's progenitors were originally sett'ed at Hillsborough, where, in addition to a small hereditary estate, they possessed the patronage of the living, which one of them enjoyed for several years. By his mother's side he was related to the Walpoles, and was named Horatio for Horatio Walpole, earl of Orford, and to two great Norfolk famihes, the Cholmondeleys and the Townshends. He was placed, while yet of a tender age, at the high- school of Norwich, whence he was removed to North- Walsham, both within the precincts of his native county. But he did not long remain there; for being the younger son of a numerous family, an opportunity was eagerly seized of obtaining some professional employment for him early in life. This occurred when he was only twelve years old. Some disputes having taken place between the courts of St. James's and Madrid, relative to the possession of the Falkland Islands, an armament was immediately ordered, and captain Suckling, his maternal uncle, having obtained a ship, he was placed on his quarter-deck as a midshipman, on board the Raisonable, of sixty-four guns. But after his family had been at the expense of his outfit, negotiations were entered into, in consequence of which hostilities were suspended. On this, the ships in commission were laid up ij) ordinary, and the officers dismissed. But instead of return- ing home, young Nelson, who felt no abatement of his ardour, entered on board a merchantman, in which he made a voyage to the West Indies. On this occasion, although he obtained considerable nau- tical knowledge, so far as bare practice extended, yet having no field for his ambition, he became disgusted, and would have willingly embraced any other profession. On his return, however, finding that his uncle had obtained the Tri- umph, he repaired on board of her in his former capacity, and soon became reconciled to the service; but as ho possessed an inherent ardour, coupled with an unabating spirit of enterprise, and utter scorn of danger, he was ever active to participate in those scenes where knowledge was to be ol)tained or glory earned. ! \i lll:!':i"^ 470 LORD NELSOV. An opportunity of this kind soon presented itselT, cand ap- peared admirably calculated to satiate that romantic taste lor adventure which, from the earliest periods of his life, seemed to fill and to agitate the bosom of our youthful hero. One of the most brilliant circumstances of the reign of George HI, consisted in thatspirit of discovery which constantly pre- vailed from the accession of his majesty to the throne. It was in pursuance of this plan, which was afterwards extend- ed under captain Cook to linother hemisphere, that captain Pliipps, afterwards lord Mulgrave, sailed June 2, 177o. towards the North I'ole. He himself was on board the Racehorse, while captain Lutwidge commanded another bomb-vessel called the Carcass, both of which had been tit- eil out on purpose to ascertain to what degree of latitude it was possible to penetrate. On board the latter of these vessels, Nelson was admitted with great difficulty, and in tionsequence of his own pressing solicitation, in the humble capacity of a coxwain; for, in consequence of an order from the admiralty, boys were not permitted to be received on board. After passing Shetland, they came in sight of Spitsbergen, and afterwards proceeded to Moffen Island, beyond which they discovered seven other isles, situate in 81 deg. 21 min. When they hai sailed a little further north, they became suddenly fast wedged in the ice, on the 31st of July, vSo that the passage by wdiich the ships had entered was suddenly and completely blocked up, while a strong current set in to the eastward. In this critical situation they remained five whole days, during which period their destruction appeared nicvitable; but the yotuig hero, instead of being depressed, actuated by that passion for enterprise, which were ever uppermost in his breast, ventured on the ice during a tine moon-light night, anil had nearly lost his life by a rash pur- suit of a bear. Being reprimanded for his conduct, he poutingly observed, " That he wished to obtain the skin for his tather." Soon after his return, instead of being appalled by the dangers recently encountered, young Nelson applied for and Avas appointed to a berth in the Seahorse, a twenty-gun ship, in which he repaired to the East Indies, and, by visiting every part of the coast from the Bay of Bengal to Bussorah, M'as exposed to an extreme of heat in the course of this voyage, nearly equal to degree of cold he had experienced in the former. These sudden changes could not but prove I- aClm LOKD m:ls(jn. 471 icir, and ap- itic taste I'or life, seemed hero. One n of George jstantly pre- throne. It ards extend- that captain 10 2, 177a. 1 board the led another lad been fit- 1 of hititudo ter of these .ilty, and in the humble I order from received on Spitsbergen, syond which eg. 21 min. hey became Illy, so that iddenly and t in to the nained five »n appeared depressed, were ever ring a fine a rash pur- onduct, he the skin for lied by the ied for and y-gunship, by visiting ) Bussorah, jrse of this experienced but prove very injurious, and his health accordingly yielded to the pressure, so that he was obliged to return home on purpo-e to hreaih'* his native air. Having recovered his health, he passed, on the Sth elonging to the colonies, then in a state of insurrection, tin- first-lieutenant proved unable to take possession of her, iu consequence of a tremendous sea, that seemed to interdict all approach. The captain, pi([ued at this circumstance, and desirous of effecting the object of his wishes, incjuircil " whether he had not an officer capable of boarditig the prize ?" On hearing this, lieutenant Nelson immediately jumped into the boat, and told the master, who wished to have anticipated him, " that if he came back without suc- cess, it would be his turn." In 1778, he was appointed to the Bristol, and rose by seniority to be first-lieutenant. In the course of the suc- ceeding year (June 11, 1771)) he obtained the rank of post- captain, on which occasion he was appointed to the command of the Hinchinbroke. Having sailed in this vessel for the West Indies, he repaired to Port-lloyal in the island of Jamaica, and an expedition against one of the Spanish set- tlennents being then in contemplation, he had .m oppor- tunity, for the first time, of distinguishing himself as a com- manding-officer. The enterprize to which we allude was planned by Sir John Dalling, the then governor, for the purpose of seizing on fort 8t. Juan, in the (iulphof Mexico. On this occasion the commander of the Hinchinbroke con- veyed the troops, which were few in point of number, and were destitute of a field officer. Edward Marcus Despard, who afterwards suffered for high treason, acted as chief en- gineer, while captain Poison commanded the land fo)'ces ; but the place would never have been taken had not the first of these officers landed, directed the assault, and even pointed the guns with his own hand. His ship being paid oflf on his return to England, he retired to the place of his nativity, the parsonage-house of Burnham Thorpe. But he did not remain there long, for he was nominated to the connnand of the Boreas, in wliich he repaired to the Leeward Islands, and had under him y [• u^^ r * .: ^' i I ' I ll I? I iimi 472 LORD XKLSOV. Vnncc VVilliatn Henry, aftorwaids William IV,, who tlieri oominanded the Peg-a.sus, While on this station, he changed his condition in life, on the 11th of March, 1787, hy a mar- ria^-e with Frances Woodward, daughter of William Woodward, Es(|., senior judge of the island of Nevis, and widow of Dr. Nishet, a surgeon of that island. On his return from the West Indies, captain Nelson repaired with his wife to the parsunage-house of his father; and there, at a distance from hustle and strife, he passed a «|uiet and happy life, until again called into action by the concurrence of unforeseen events. He appeared, indeed, during the " piping times of peace," to affect a taste for rural aftairs, to be addicted to quiet, and even to solitude, and to abhor any event that could tear him from his dear home. But no sooner did the British ministers indicate a determination to interpose in the domestic concerns of France, and a war appeared unavoidable, than he eagerly repaired to town, and ottered his services to the admiralty. Fortunately for his country these services were accepted, and he was appointed to the Agamemnon, of 64 guns. That able and gallant officer, lord Hood, being at that period appointed to command in the Mediterranean, he accompanied him thither, and was present at the time his lordship occupied Toulon, which he garrisoned with English, Spanish, and Neapolitan troops. Captain Nelson was also present at the siege of Bastia, having landed at the head of a body of seamen, with whom he served in the batteries until the capture of that city, which surrendered May 22, 1795. He afterwards repaired to Calvia, and while busily employed before it, lost an eye. His conduct on both these occasions excited the highest eulogiums on the part of the admiral who commanded. On the 25th of April, 1805, being accompanied by the Meleager, Diadem, and Petterell, he performed a brilliant exploit at Laona, having boarded and cut out four French store ships, by means of the boats of his squadron, under the fire of the batteries, and amidst an incessant dis- charge of musketry. Several vessels laden witn cannon, destined for the siege of Mantua, were also captured in the neighbourhood of Onegha ; so that his name became a terror to the foe. Vice-admiral Hotham having succeeded lord Hood in the command, captain Nelson was present at the action with the French fleet, March 15, 1795, on which occasion he served \ I . ■ *■«— /",, who tlieri 1, he changed 7, by a mar- ot' William f Nevis, and (tain Nelson )f' his father ; , he passed h iction by the ired, indeed, : a taste for I to solitude, •om his dear rs indicate a concerns of II he eagerly le admiralty, ere accepted, 14 guns, jeing at that arranean, he the time his vith English, son was also the head of the batteries ed May 22, while busily n both these part of the nied by the i a brilliant bur French Iron, under ;essant dis- itn cannon, ured in the became a Elood in the Son with the he served I LOUD NELSON. 473 in the centre division. The English fleet consisted of four- ticii sail of the line, and that of the enemy of fifteen, with an admiral's flag flying on board the 8ans-Culottes, of 120 guns and 2000 men. After a sharp and bloody conflict, t .vo ships were captured; and the Agamemnon was twice called ofi' by signal, on account of liis eagerness fur a close action. ►Soon after this he was detached with a small S([uadron from the Mediterranean fleet, by means of which he svvej)t the adjacent coasts of the enemy, and cut out nine ships belonging to the French from the bays of Alassio and Anguelia, in the neighbourhood of Vado. When the Viceroy of Corsica, (Sir Gilbert Elliot, lord Minto,) foreseeing the approaching evacuation of that island, thought fit to seize on the isle of Klba, he was employed for this purpose; and having first eft'ectcd a landing, and then phiced the Captain, of 74 guns, within half a pistol shot of the grand bastion, the governor consented to a capitulation, and accordingly the town of I'orto Ferrajo, with one hund- red pieces of cannon, was immediately surrendered. In December 1790, captain Nel-on was gratified for his services by the permission of hoisting a broad pendant as commodore on board La Minerve, in which frigate he cap- tured La Sabina, a forty-gun ship. Of the enemy one hundred and sixty-four were killed and wounded, while the loss was only forty-one on board his own vessel. Soon after this he descried the Spanish fleet, and immediately steered with the intelligence to the squadron commanded by Sir John Jervis, who by his conduct on that day (February 14, 1797,) merited and acquired the title of ear! of St. Vincent. Commod(n'e Nelson, having communicated the parti- culars i-elative to the force and state of the enemy, shifted his pendant on board the Captain, of seventy-four guns, commanded by captain Miller. The commander-in- chief, who had relincpiished the blockade of Cadiz in order to pursue the fleet n.;der Don Joseph de Cordova, no sooner received the joyful tidings, than he prepared for action, although he had only fil'teen, to oppose twenty-seven sail of the line. He did not, however, upon this occasion disdain to make use of the advantages arising out of superior sea- manship ; for, by sailing down in a close and compact order, he contrived to begin the engagement before the Spanish admiral was able to complete his line of battle, as a number of the ships had been separated from the main body. Seizing, therefore, the critical moment when they were still »M^i>fc.^M%^."_;^ -S*— •-. -«^ ^ ■ VSfei i "! |:^, »• i ' '.; Ill J !l 474 LORD XELSO.V. in disorder, by carryint^ a press of sail, the English suddenly passed through the Spanish L<(juadron, after which they tacked in so judicious a manner, as to cut oft' all that portion which had fallen to leeward. About eleven o'clock the si ; rial was made from the Victory for close tight, and after a severe cann a pension of s exploits and he custom of tement of his the following 5., and a Kear- t. ialist has been z., on the 13th July, 1 7!).") ; e actions with ; in ten actions ; in destrovin''- leuiorialist luis iths, and coin- iid Calvia. the capture of tes, and eleven iestroyed near emorialist has iwards of one t his right eye )ruised in his v memorialist acious consid- b Nelson. lined, to have pially exempt land half-pay. Ving rejoined >r the solace ient fixrd on 3ting a peace land em bark - late object of LORD NELSON. 4SI his attack was as vet unknown; and while mankind remnin- ed involved in suspense, the English ministry deenicil it prudent to tit out a squadron in pursuit of him. ►Sir Iluratio Nelson, the ofHcer fixed upon for tlie com- mand, was despatched by earl 8t. Vincent into the Mediterra- nean, on the 7th of May, 1798, with his flag flying on br>ard the Vanguard, of seventy-four guns, together v.itli the Oricni and Alexander, of equal force, tiie Emerald and Terjisicliore frigates, and La Bonne Citoyenne sloop-of-war. llavijig reached the Gulph of Lyons, tliey were assailed by a veiy violent gale of wind, which carried away a topmast, as we!l as the foremast of the rear-adtniral's ship, on the 22d, tlie very day on which the French fleet, with Buonaparte on board, sailed from Toulon. Having refitted in St. I'ierjt's road, in the island of Sardinia, the harbour of v\ hich t!:ey were not allowed to enter, the English squadron reached the place of rendezvous on the 4th of ,Iune, and were joined on the 8th, by ten sail of the line under captain Troubridge. With this force, which he deemed sufficient to encounter any fleet tf the enemy, admiral Nelson proposed to steer after them immediately, and knowing that they had sailed with the wind at N. W., he was induced to tliink that thf-y were destined up the Mediterranean. Neitlit-r on the coast of Italy, nor in the port of Naples, could any intelligeiue be obtained of the vdtimate intentions of the Fn-nch : aii that was learned amounted to a mere supposition that they had proceeded towards Malta. To facilitate the passau* thither, it was determined to pass through the Straits ( : Messina, and this was accomi)lished on the 20th with a fair wind; and two davs after, intellij^ence was received tliat tht- French had captured Malta, and sailed thence on tlie I8ii. with a tVesh breeze at N. W. On this Sir Horatio took an opposite direction, and wa« not a little mortified, on discovering Alexandria, that n(»t a single French ship was anchored there. In this state of nn- certaintv, he iustantlv returned to Sicilv, entered the port of Svracuse, took in a sui)[)ly of fresh water, steered on the •2r)th of July for the Morea, and, in consequence of new and more correct information, determined once more to visit Alexandria, which he descried on the first of Atigust at no(»ii. The enemy's fleet was first discovered by captain Hood, i.i the Zealous, consisting of seventeen sail, lying at anciior in a line of battle in AboidJr bay. This fornudable fleet a^tpeared to be moored in a compat-t 2 H 482 LORD NELSON, line of battle, supported by a batterv of guns and mortars on an island in their van, while th Hanks were strength- ened by gun-boats. Although the wind blew fresh, and the day was far spent, yet the admiral made the signal for battle, and signified at the same time that it was his intention to attack the enemy's van and centre as it lay .at anchor, according to a plan al- ready communicated by him to the respective captains. The British fleet, every ship of which sounded its way as it proceeded, stood in ; and 8ir Horatio being struck with the idea that whei • there was room for one ship to swing there was opportunity for another to anchor, measures were taken for carrying this idea into effect, notwithstanding the Culloden had grounded on Bequier Island. The Goliath and Zealous, together with the Orion, the Audacious, and the Theseus, led inside, and received a most tremendous fire from the van of the fleet, as well as the batteries on shore, while the Vanguard anchored on the outside of the enemy, ^, ithin half a pistol shot of Le 8partiate. The Minotaur, Defence, and Bellerophon, Majestic, Swiftsure, and Alex- ander, came up in succession ; and captain Thompson of the Leander, making up in seamanship for the deficiency of a fifty-gun ship in point of metal, dropped her anchor athwart the hawse of Le Franklin, an eighty-gun ship, in such a masterlv manner, as to annov both her and L'Orient. Notwithstanding the darkness that soon ensued, Le Guer- rier was dismasted in the course of a few minutes, while the twilight yet remained ; Le Conquerant and Le Spartiate were also soon reduced to a similar state; three more, L'A- quilon, Le Souverain Peuple,and Le Spartiate, surrendered ; soon after which the admiral's ship, L'Orient, was discovered to be on fire, and the flames burst forth with such rapidity, that great apprehensions were entertained not only for her safety, but also that of such ships of the British fleet as were in her immediate vicinity. Sir Horatio Nelson, who had retired below in consequence of a wound received during the action, no sooner received intelligence of this alarming event, than he came upon deck, and, with that inborn humanitv which is the best character- istic of a hero, bethought him of the most likely means to save the lives of as many of the enemy as possible. The only boat in a condition to swim was therefore immedi.\tely despatched from the admiral's ship, and the commanders of others following the example, about seventy lives were saved; ; and mortars vere strength - was far spent, nd signified at ck the enemy's to a plan ul- I captains, ided its way as ig struck with ship to swing measures were ithstanding the 'he Goliath and icious, and the ;remendous fire teries on shore, I of the enemy. The Minotaur, ;ure, and Alex- 'hompson of the deficiency of a anchor athwart ship, in such a L' Orient, sued, Le Guer- inutes, while the d Le Spartiate ree more, L'A- te, surrendered ; was discovered such rapidity, ot only for her British fleet as in consequence sooner receiv(.'d ;ame upon deck, best character- likely means to possible. The )re immediately commanders of ives were saved; LORD NELSON, 483 and many more would have been rescued from death, had not the vessel alluded to blown up suddenly with a most tremendous explosion. This silenced the guns in the other vessels for a short time, after which the firing continued, until the victory was secured in the van. Such ships as were not disabled then bore down upon those of the enemy that had not been in the engagement. When the dawn developed the scene of this terrible con- flict, only two sail of the line were discovered with their colours flying, all the rest having struck. These, conscious of their danger, together with two frigates, cut tlieir cables in the course of the morning, and stood out to sea. After this signal victory, the victorious commander lu>t no time in returning thanks to the Supreme Being for his success. He accordingly issued the following notice: — (( MEMORANDUM. " To the Officers of the Squadron. " Vanguard, off the INIouth of the Nile, August 2, 1798. " Almighty God having blessed his majesty's arms with victory, the admiral intends returning public thanks at two o'clock this day, and recommends every ship doing tho same as soon as convenient." Public service was accordingly performed on the quarter- deck, the other ships following the example of the admiral. On the same day he addressed the following circular letter to the captains under him, fully expressive of his approbation of their conduct : — •' Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile, August 2. 171:8. " The admiral most heartily congratulates the captains, officers, seamen and marines, of the squadron he has had the honour to command, on the event of the late action ; and he desires they will accept his most sincere and cortlial thanks for their very gallant behaviour in this glorious battle. It must strike forcibly every British seaman how superior their conduct is, when in discipline and good order, to the riotous behaviour of lawless Frenchmen. " The squadron may be assured the admiral will not fail, with his despatches, to represent their truly meritorious con- duct in the strongest terms to the commander-in-chii,r. " To the Captains of the Ships of the fc'quudruu." ir ■ *■ I 'i 484 LORD NELSON. I > ' >: It was the fourth day after the action hefore the adtniral ooulii transmit intellig'enco of this inoinorablc event. His dispatches upon this occasion were entrusted to captain Berry, in the Leander ; and no sooner were they made pubHc, than the greatest sensation was occasioned throuyhout Europe. The emperor of ({ern^any immediately broke olf the conferencesfor a peace at Uastadt ; the Ottoinan Porte declar- ed war against the French ; and the king of Naples marchod an army to Rome, of which he for a time dispossessed them. In England the victory of the Nile was celebrated itv bonfires and illuminations ; while the king, and both houses of parliament, were eager to bestow marks of favour on the triumphant fleet and its gallant leader. His majesty immediately conferred upon him the dignity of a J3aron of Great Britain, and he was accordingly colled up to the House of Peei-s, as lord Xelson of the Nile. The (irand Seignior, transmitted a supei'b diamond cheleng, or plume of triumph, taken from one of the Imperial turbans ; and the king of Na[iles soon after granted the title of duke of Bronte, with an estate in Sicily. Instead of returning home to repose under his laurels, the admiral immediately sailed for Sicily, whore he was re- ceived as a deliverer by the king. The subjects of that monarch, discontented at his conduct, and supported by the French, had but lately driven him from his Capital, after which they established or rather proclaimed, " The Par- thenopean Republic." The zeal of cardinal Ruffo, how- ever, who successfully mingled the character of a soldiei* with that of a priest, proved signally etficacious towards the restoration of the exiled monarch. Having marched to Naples at the head of a body of Calabrians, he obliged "the patriots," as they were termed, who were in possession of all the forts, to capitulate; and to this treaty the English, Turkish, and Russian commanders acceded. On the ap- pearance of lord Nelson, however, Ferdinand publicly dis- avoAved "the ai:thority of cardinal Rutfo to treat with sub- jects in rebellion," and the capitulation was accordingly violated, with the exception of the prisoners in Castella Mare alone, which fortress had surrendered to the English squadron under commodore I'^oote. The participation of Nelson in this act of royal treacliery, is the only portion of the admiral's public conduct which has ever been censured. After having eliected the blockade of Malta, procured tho evacuation of Rome, and contributed greatly to the restoration re the ailtniral e event. 11 i^^ ted to captuin ?y made public, :-(l throughout ;1_Y broke olV the n" Porte decbir- saples niarcht"! possessed thein. celebrated by inu;, and both tow marhs of it loader. His le dignity of a Hngly called up the Nile. The Dud cheleng, or iperial turbaris ; he title of duke . r his laurels, the ere he was re- subjects of that upported by the s Capital, after d, "The Par- ial Ruffo, how- [er of a soldier lous towards the Ing marched to Ihe obliged "the possession of all [y the English, On the ap- d publicly di^-- Itreat with sub- as accordingly rs in Casti'Ua to the English ,)articipation of only portion of been censured, a, procured iho the restoration V LORD .N'ELSON, 485 of tile kingof Naples tohis capital and his throne, lord Nelson eiiibarketl with the English minister (JSir William Ilannlton) to the court of Naples, and landed at Yarmouth, in his native county, on the Gth of Novend)er, after an absence of three years, which had been wliolly occupied by a series of the most brilliant and magnaninious acliievenients. The poj)ulace assembled in crowds to behold the Hero of tlie Nile, and liarnessing themselves tohis carriage, dragged liiin to the inn. On his arrival in London, simil.ir honours attended him ; and, at a dinner given to hin\ by the Lord Mayor and Corporation of Jjondon, in the (jiuiluhall, he was presented with a superb sword, in testimony of an action "[jerhaps une(jualled in the history of mankind." His lordship did n(*t remain long inactive, for in conse- (pience of his own pressing solicitations, he was enabled once more to hoist his Hag in the service of bis country; and tbe admiralty, with a due and appropriate regard to his glory, a})pointed him to the command of the hfan Josejdi, of one hundred and ten guns, a ship formerly boarded and taken by himself in the action oft' Cape 8t. Vincent. A confederacy of the Northern Powers having alarmed the nation, he was employed in the expedition sent to dissolve it. A fleet consisting of eighteen sail of the line and four frigates, together with a number of gun-boats and bond)- vessels, in all fifty four sail, having been fitted out for this purpose, proceeded from Yarmouth roads for the Baltic, March 12, 1801. The command of this expedition was entrusted to admiral Sir Hvde Parker, assisted bv vice-admiral Nelson and rear-admiral Totty. On the arrival of the English squadron in the Cattegat, Sir Hyde despatched a letter to the governor of Cronenburgh, in which, after alluding to the hostile conduct of Denmark, he demanded, " Whe- ther he could pass that fortress JVeely, and without impedi- ment?" On being answered in the negative, he anchored near to the island of Huen, and in company with vice-admiral lord Nelson and rear-admiral Graves surveyed the formidable line of ships, radeaus, galleys, fire-vessels, and gun-boats, flanked and supported by extensive batteries on the two islands called the Crowns, the largest of which was mounted with from fifty to seventy pieces of cannon, and were also further strengthened by two ships of seventy guns, and a large frigate, in the inner road of Copenhagen ; while two sixty-four gun ships, without masts, were moored ou tho flat towards the entrance of the arsenal. i ( I'l te 48(J LORD NELSON. i^< 'i if-iS I, ( n -^ i ' .,. : li IMI, IH U f; i i i ' m is i , r Lord Nelson, who bad offered his services for conducting the attack, now shifted his Hhilj from the St. George to the Elephant, and, notwithstanding the formidable preparations against him, fearlessly led the van, and passed the Sound, with little or no loss. On the 2d of April he weighed to engage the Danish Heet, consisting of six sail of the line, eleven floating-batteries, one bomb-ketch, &c. The action commenced at ten o'clock, and, after a sharp and bloody conflict, seventeen sail were either sunk, burned, or taken. It ought not to be omitted, on the other hand, that the Danes conducted themselves with great resolution ; that their principal batteries, as well as the ships at the mouth of the harbour, were still untouched, and that two of his own division had grounded, and others were in danger; while it would have been extremely difficult to have returned with the prizes under the fire of the batteries. It was at this critical moment that lord Nelson proved that he was in full possession of all his faculties, and equally capable of acting the part of a statesman and a warrior, as the following correspondence will sufficiently attest : — " Lord Nelson has directions to spare Denmark when no longer resisting ; but if the firing \b continued on the part of Denmark, lord Nelson must be obliged to set on fire all the floating batteries he has taken, without having the power of saving the brave Danes who have so nobly defended them." The Prince-Royal of Denmark sent general-adjutant Lindholm, to ask the particular object of sending the flag of truce. " Lord Nelson's object in sending the flag of truce was humanity ; he therefore consents that hostilities shall cease, and that the wounded Danes may be taken on shore; and lord Nelson will take his prisoners out of the vessels, and burn or carry off his prizes, as he shall think fit. Lord Nelson, with humble duty to his royal highness the prince of Denmark, will consider this the greatest victory he ever gained, if it be the cause of a happy reconciliation and union between his own most gracious Sovereign and his majesty the king of Denmark." Soon after this his lordship went on shore, and a confer- 3 for comlucting . George to the ble preparations ssed the Sound, he weighed to sail of the line, cc. The action larp and bloody irned, or taken. hand, that the resolution ; that ips at the mouth that two of his ^^ere in danger; to have returned es. ilson proved that jes, and equally ,nd a warrior, as ;ly attest : — Denmark when ontinued on the gcd to set on fire iiout having the nobly defended g'eneral-adjutant iding the flag of ig of truce was ities shall cease, on shore; and fhe vessels, and link fit. Lord riess the prince [victory he ever ition and union md his majesty and a confer. LORD NELSON. 487 ence having taken place, and an armistice having })een agreed to and ratified, on the part of the Crown Prince on the one hand, and Sir Hyde Parker, commander-in-chief, on the other, he returned on board. The entire management of the negotiation having thus devolved on admiral lord Nelson, he next addressed himself to the Swedish government, and obtained the embargcj to be taken off all the English ships in the Baltic. These two grand points having been gained, his lordship, who w;ls oi)liged, on account of the state of his health, to return home, left instructions to his successor, vice-admiral Pole, to complete what was still wanting on the part of Great Britain. The critical death of the Emperor Paul of Russia, the continuance of a formidable fleet in the Baltic, and, above all, the memory of the battle of Copenhagen, which in pointof fierceness surpassed, and of success nearly equalled, that of the Nile, all contributed to the joyful event that speedily ensued, — a treaty of peace and amity with the Northern Powers. An opportunity now once more occurred of his retiring to the bosom of his family, accompanied by honour, renown, and afliuence. But this was never once dreamed of by our gallant commander, while his counti'v remained at war; for "Victory or Westminster Abbey," ^ere always uppermost in his thoughts, words, and actions. At the short peace, he was enabled to retire to the estate of Aierton, which he had lately purchased, and enjoy the so- ciety of his friends : but no sooner was this short and ill-starred peace dissolved, than his lordship was called upon to take the command of the ships in the Mediterranean. He accordingly repaired thither, on board the Victory, May 20, 1803, and formed the blockade of Toulon with a powerful squadron. Notwithstanding all the vigilance employed, the French fleet escaped out of this port on the 30th of ]March, 1805, and shortly after formed a junction with the Cadiz squadron, the English commander. Sir John Orde, being obliged to retire before ^>uch a superiority in point of numbers. The gallant Nelson no sooner received intelligence of this event, than he followed the enemy to the West Indies ; and such was the terror of his name, that they returned without eflecting anything worthy of mention, and got into port after running the gauntlet through Sir Bobcrt Calder's squa- dron. The enevny having thus again eluded his pursuit, he returned almost inconsolable to England; but departed soon li I 1/ T 1 ' / 488 LORD NEI.SOX. f I ■i! f^ P'^ .•» ^l { Mrv iii: In! I I * r . (. after to assume the oonimaiul of tin* fleet otV Cadiz, whore iiiil)atient of furtlier delay, he hud recourse to every art to induce thein to put once more to sea. In this he at len}.,'th proved successful; and, while he consummated his glory at Trafalgar, he lost his life in hattle. An account of this our hero's last victory, we shall aljridge, along with some personal anecdotes, from the ad- mirahle narrative of Southcy, and other quarters.* About half-past nine in the morning of the l[)th, the Mars, being the nearest to the fleet of the ships which formed the line of conHniuncation with the fiigates in shore, repeated the signal, that the enemy were coming out of port. The wind was at this time vei-y light, with partial breezes, mostly from the 8. S. W. Nelson ordered the signal to be made fV»r a ciiase in the south-east quarter. About two, the rL'[)eating ships announced, that the enemy were at sea. All night the British fleet continued under full sail, steering to the .south-east. At daybreak they were in the entrance of the Straits, but the enemy were not in sight. About seven, one of the frigates made signal that the enemy were bearing north. Upon this the Victory hove to, and shortly after- wards Nelson made sail again to the northward. In the afternoon the wind blew fresh from the south-west, and the English began to fear that the foe might be forced to return to port. A little before sunset, however, Ulackwood, in the Euryalus, telegraphed, that they appeared determined to go to the westward, — " And that," said the admiral in his diary, " they shall not do, if it is in the pow er of Nelson and Bronte to prevent them." Nelson had signified to Blackwood, that he depended upon him to keep sight of the enemy. They were observed so well, that all their motions were made known to him ; and, as they wore twice, he in- ferred that they were aiming to keep the port of Cadiz open, and would retreat there as soon as they saw the British fleet : for this reason he was very careful not to approach near enough to be seen by them during the night. At daybreak the combined fleets were distinctly seen ahead, from the A^ic- tory's deck, formed in a close line of battle on the starboard tack, about twelve miles to leeward, and standing to the I Ills; * See " Soutliey's Life of Nelson," a work delightfully com- posed, and which, nolwilhsiandiiig its strong tincture of parly prejudice, ought to be in the hands of all who relish naval bio- graphy. Ld^r Cadiz, whore evei'v art to lie at len^'tli id hi.s glory vy, we shall troin the ad- he IDth, the vhich ibrmeJ lore, repeated r port. The •eezes, mostly ,1 to be made out two, the re at sea. All il, steering to le entrance of About seven, were bearing shortly after- ward. In the ath-west, and be forced to , Blackwood, .'d determined he admiral in ver of Nelson signified to ) sight of the their motions twice, he in- f Cadiz open, British tleet : ipproach near At daybreak from the Vic- the starboard aiding to the i^hlfully com- ctuie of party lish naval biu- LOUI) NKLSON, 489 Sf)Uth. Our fleet consisted of twentv-seven sail of the lino, and four frigates ; theirs of thirty-three, and seven large frigates. Their sujieriority was greater in size, and weight of metal, than in numbers. They had four thousand troops on boai-d ; and the best ritlemen that could be procured. Soon after davliu"ht Nelson came ui;(jn deck. The 21st of (Jctober was a festival in his family, l)ecau>e on that day his uncle, captain Suckling, in the ])readr.ought, with two other une of battle ships, had beaten off a French s(|uadron of four sail of the line, aiul three frigates. Nelson, with that sort of superstition from which few persons are entirely exempt, had more than once ex})iessed his persuasion that this was to be the day of his buttle also, and be was well pleased at seeing his prediction about to be verified. The wind was now from the west, li.iht breezes with a long heavy swell. Signal was made to bear down u[)on the enemy in two lines ; and the fleet set all sail. CoUingwood, in the Uoyal Sovereign, letl the lee line of thirteen ships; the Victory led the weather line of fourteen. Having seen that all was as it should be, Nelson retired to his cabin, and wrote the following prayer : — " M;. > the great God, wliom I worship, grant to my country, and for the benefit of Euroi)e in general, a great and glorious victory, and may no misconduct in any one tarnish it ; and may humanity after victory be the pre- dominant feature in the British fleet ! For myself indivi- dually, I commit my life to him that made me; and may his blessing alight on my endeavours for serving my country faithfully! To llim I resign myself, and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen, Amen, Amen." Blackwood went on board the Victory about six. He found him in good spirits, but very calm ; not in that ex- hilaration which he had felt upon entering into battle at Aboukir and Copenhagen ; he knew' that his own life would beparticularlyaimedat,and he seems to have looked for death with almost as sure an expectation as for victory. His whole attention was fixed upon the enemy. They tacked to the northward, and formed their line on the larboard tack ; thus bringing the shoals of Trafalgar and St. I'edro under the lee of the British, and keeping the port of Cadiz open for themselves. This was judiciously done; and Nelson, aware of all the advantages which it gave them, made signal to prepare to anchor. V' \ \ \>1 I i m Il r '1 iiij 490 LORD NELSON. Villeneuve was a skilful seaman ; worthy of serving a better master, and a better cause. His plan of defence was as well conceived, and as original, as the plan of attack. lie formed the fleet in a double line ; every alternate ship ^ cing about a cable's length to windward of her second, ahead and astern. Nelson, certain of a triumphant issue to the day, as]:e 1 lilackwood what he should consider as a vic- tory. That officer answered, that, considering the hand- some way in which battle was oti'ered by the enemy, their apparent determination for a fair trial of strength, and the situation of the land, he thought it would be a glorious re- sult if fourteen were captured. He replied : " I shall not be satisfied with less than twenty." Soon afterwards he asked him, if he did not think there was a signal wanting. Captain Blackwood made answer, that he thought the whole fleet seemed very clearly to understand what they were about. These words were scarcely spoken before that signal was made, which will be remembered as long as the language, or even the memory of England, shall endure ; — Nelson's last signal : — " England exi'ects every man to DO HiS DUTY !" It was received throughout the fleet with a shout of answering acclamation, made sublime by the si'irit which it breathed, and the feeling which it expressed. " Now," said lord Nelson, " I can do no more. We must trust to the Great Disposer of all events, and the justice of our cause. 1 thank God for this great opportunity of doing IT!} duty." He wore that day, as usual, his admiral's frock coat, bearing on the left breast four stars, of the difl'erent orders witii which he was invested. These ornaments which rendered him so conspicuous a mark for the enemy, were beheld with ominous apprehensions by his oflicers. It was known that there were riflemen on board the French ships, and it could not be doubted but that his life would be particularly aimed at. They communicated their fears to each other ; and the surgeon, Mr Beatty, spoke to the chaplain, Dr. Scott, and to Mr Scott, the public secretary, desiring that some person would entreat the admiral to change his dress, or cover the stars ; but they knew that such a request would displease him. "In honour I gained them," he had said, when such a thing had been hinted to him formerly, " and in honour I will die with them." Mr Heatty, however, would not have been deterred bv any fear of exjitinu- his displeasure, from speaking to him upon a sabject, in _ \ /^ of serving a of defence was I km of attack, alternate ship 3f her second, [ij)hant issue to isider as a vic- ing the hand- ) enemv, their ength, and the I a glorious re- : " I shall not afterwards he ignal wanting, light the whole hat they were n hefore that as long as the hall endure ; — EVERY MAN TO t the Heet with ublinie by the !h it expressed. >re. We must .1 the justice of unity of doing s frock coat, liferent orders ivhich rendered beheld with IS known that ships, and it )e particularly o each other ; chaplain, Dr. lesiring that nige his dress, recpiest would he had said, rinerly, " and tty, however, f exjiting liis sabject, in LORD NELSON 41)1 which the weal of England, as well as his own life was concerned, — but he was ordered from the deck before he could find an opportunity. This was a point upon which -Nelson's officers knew that it was hopeless to remonstrate or reason with him ; but both Blackwood, and his own cap- tain, Hardy, represented to him how advantageous to the fleet it would be for him to keep out of action as long as pos- sible ; and he consented at last to let the Jjeviathan and the Tcmeraire, which were sailing abreast of the Victory, be ordered to i)ass ahead. Yet even here the last infirmity of this noble mind was indulged, for these ships could not pass ahead if the Victory continued to carry all her sail; and so far was Nelson from shortening sail, that it was evident he took pleasure in pressing on, and rendering it impossible for them to obey his own orders. Nelson's column was steered about two points more to the north than CoUingwood's, in order to cut off the enemy's escape into Cadiz ; the lee line, therefore, was first engaged. " See," cried Nelson, pointing to the Royal ►Sovereign, as she steered right for the centre of the enemy's line, cut through it astern of the Santa Anna, three-decker, and engaged her at the muzzle of her guns on the starboard side ; " see how that noble fellow, ColUngwood, carries his ship into action!" CoUingwood, delighted at being first in the heat of the fire, and knowing the feelings of his old friend and commander, turned to his captain, and exclaimed " llotherham, what would Nelson give to be here !" The enemy continued to fire a gun at a time at the Vic- tory, till they saw that a shot had passed through her main- top-gallant sail ; then they opened their broadsides, aiming I'hietly at her rigging, in the hope of disabling her before she could close with them. Nelson, as usual, had hoisted several flags, lest one should be shot away. The enemy showed no colours till late in the action. For this reason, the Santissima Trinidad, Nelson's old acquaintance, as he used to call her, was distinguishable only by her four decks ; and to the bow of his opponent he ordereii the Victory to be steered. Meantime an incessant raking fire was kept up upon the Victory. The admiral's secretary was one of the first who fell ; he was killed by a cannon shot while con- versing with Hardy. Captain Adair, of the marines, with the helj) of a sailor, endeavoured to remove the body from Nelson's sight, who had a great regard for Mr Scott ; but he anxiously asked, " Is that poor Scott that's gone r" and ; ' i '' 492 LORD NELSON, i I ' f ^ :i i' I , : '' a : being informed that it was indeed so, exclaimed, "Poor fellow !" Presently a double-headed shot struck a party of marmes, who were drawn up on the poop, and killed eight of them; upon which Nelson immediately desired captain Adair to disperse his men round the ship, that they might not suffer so much as from being together. A few minutes afterwards a shot struck the fore brace bits on the quarter deck, and passed between Nelson and Hardy, a splinter from the bit tearing off Hardy's buckle and bruising his foot. Both stopjied, and looked anxiously at each other, each supposed the other to be wounded. Nelson then smiled, and said, "This is too \yarm work. Hardy, to last long." The Victory had not yet returned a single gun ; fifty of her men were by this time killed or wounded, and her main-top-mast, with all her studding sails and her booms, shot away. Nelson declared, that, in all his battles, he had seen nothing which surpassed the cool courage of his crew on this occasion. At four minutes after twelve, she opened her fire from both sides of her deck. It was not possible to break the enemy's line without running on board one ^f their ships: Hardy informed him of this, and asked him which he would prefer. Nelson replied: " Take your choice, Hardy, it does not signify much." The master was ordered to put the helm to port, and the Victory ran on board the Redoubtable, just as her tiller ropes were shot away. The French ship received her with a broadside ; then instantly let down her lower deck ports, for fear of being boai-ded through them, and never afterwards fired a great gun during the action. Her tops, like those of all the enemy's ships, were filled with ritlemen. Captain Harvey, in the Temeraire, fell on board the Re- doubtable on the other side. Another enemy was in like manner on board the Temeraire; so that these four ships formed as compact a tier as if they had been moored together, their heads lying all the same way. The lieuten- ants of the Victory, seing this, depressed their guns of the middle and lower decks, and fired with a diminished charge, lest the shot should jiass through and injure the 'J'emeraire. And as there was danger that the Redoubtable might take fire from the lower-deck guns, the muzzles of which touched her side when thev were run out, the fireman of each gun stood ready with a bucket of water; which as soon as the gun wns discharged, he dashed into the hole made by the shot. An incessant fire was kept up from the Victory LORD \ELSOV, 4o; Imed, " Poor ck a party of 1 killed eight sired captain t tliey might . few minutes n the quarter splinter from ing his foot, other, each then smiled, last long." gun ; fifty of [led, and her 1 her hooms, attles, he had B of his crew e, she opened not possible hoard one r>f d asked him e your choice, r was ordered on board the away. The len instantly ing boarded gun during emy's ships, iird the lie- Y was in like e four ships )een moored he lieuten- guns of the iicd charge, Temeraire. table might es of which fireman of hich as soon ole made bv the Victory from both sides; her larboard guns playing upon the Bu- centaure and the huge Santissima Trinidad. It h.id been part of Nelson's prayer, that the British ileet miiiflit be distiuvniished by humanity in the victory which he expected. Setting an example liimself, he twice gave orders to cease firing upon the Redoubtable, sui him, and attend to those to Avhom he mii^^dit bo usetul; " l'\>r," said he, "you can do nothing for me." — All that could be done was to fan him with paper, and frequently to give him lemonade to alleviate his intense thirst. He was in great pain, and expressed much anxiety for the event of the action, which now began to declare itself. As often as a shiit struck, the crew of the Victory hurraed; and at every hurra, a visible 494 LOUD NELSOX. 1 'M 'i ' expression of joy gleamed in the eyes, and marked the coun- tenance of the dying hero. But he became impatient to see captain Hardy ; and as that officer, though often sent for, could not leave the deck, Nelson feared that some fatal cause prevented him, and repeatedly cried : " Will no one bring Hardy to me ? He must be killed! He is surely dead!" — An hour and ten minutes elapsed from the time when Nel- son received his wound, before Hardy could come to him. They shook hands in silence ; Hardy in vain struggling to suppress the feelings of that most painful and yet sublimest moment. " Well, Hardy," sai(^ Nelson, " how goes the day with us?" — " Very well," replit Hardy; "ten ships have struck, bat five of the van have tacked, and show an inten- tion to bear down upon the Victory, I have called two or three of our fresh ships round, and have no doubt of giving chem a drubbing." — "I hope," said Nelson, "none of our ships have struck ?" Hardy answered " There was no fear of that." Then, and not till then, Nelson spoke of himself. " I am a dead man. Hardy," said he : "I am going fast : — it will be all over with me soon. My back is shot through. Beatty will tell you so." Captain Hardy then, once more, shook hands with him ; and, with a heart almost bursting, hastened upon deck. By this time all feeling below the breast was gone ; and Nelson, having made the surgeon ascertain this, said to him : " You know I am gone, I know it. I feel something rising in my breast," — putting his hand on his left side, — " which tells me so." And upon Dr. Beatty's inquiring whether his pain was very great ? he replied, " So great, that he wished he was dead. Yet," said he in a lower voice, " one would like to live a little longer too !" Capt. Hardy, some fifty minutes after he had left the cockpit, returned ; and, again taking the hand of his dying friend and com- mander, congratulated him on having gained a complete victory. How many of the enemy were taken he did not know, as it was impossible to perceive them distinctly ; but fourteen or fifteen at least. " That's well," cried Nelson, " but I bargained for twenty." And tlicn, in a stronger voice, he said : " Anchor, Hardy ; anchor. " Hardy, upon this, hinted that admiral CoUingwood would take upon him- self the direction of aft'airs. " Not while 1 live. Hardy," said the dying Nelson, ineffectually endeavouring to raise him- self from the bed: " Do you anchor." I'resently, calling Hardy back, he said to him in a low voice, " Don't throw ed the coun- >atient to see en sent for, e fatal cause one bring }ly dead!" — B when Nel- )me to him. TUggling to et sublimest goes the day 1 ships have 3w an inten- alled two or ibt of giving none of our /as no fear of ; of himself. ;oing fast : — hot through. , once more, )st bursting, s gone; and this, said to el something s left side, — 's inquiring " So great, lower voice, apt. Hardy, t, returned ; d and com- a complete he did not inctly ; but ied Nelson, a stronger lardy, upon (e upon him- llardy," said » raise him- ntly, calling Don't throw LORD NELSON'. 49; me overboard:" and be desired that he might be buried by his parents, unless it should please the king to order other- wise. " Kiss me, Hardy," said he. Hardy knelt down and kissed his cheek : and Nelson said, " Now I am satis- fied. Thank Ood I have done my duty." Hardy stood over him in silence for a moment or two, then knelt again and kissed his forehead. "Who is that?" said Nelson; and being informed, he replied, " God bless you. Hardy," And Hardv then left him — for ever. Nelson now desired to be turned upon his right side and said, "I wish I had not left the deck; for I shall soon be gone." His articulation now became difficult ; but he was distinctly heard to say, " Thank God I have done my duty." These words he repeatedly pronounced ; and they were the last words which he uttered. He expired at thirty minutes aftrr four, — three hours and a quarter after he had received his wound. Within a quarter of an hour after Nelson was wounded, above fifty of the Victory's men fell by the enemy's mus- ketry. They, however, on their part, were not idle; and it was not long before there were only two Frenchmen left alive in the mizen-top of the Redoubtable. One of them was the man who had given the fatal wound, but he did not live to boast of what he had done. An old quarter-master had seen him fire; and easily recognised him, because he wore aglazed cocked hat and a white frock. This quarter-master and two midshipmen, Mr. Collingwood and Mr. Pollard, were the only persons left in the Victory's poop: — the two midshipmen kept firing at the top,and he supplied them with cartridges. One of the Frenchmen, attempting to make his escipe down the rigging, was shot by Mr. Pollard, and fell on the poop. But the old quarter-master, as he cri( d out, "That's he — that's he," and pointed at the other, who was coming forward to fire again, received a shot in his mouth, and fell dead. Both the midshipmen then fired at the same time, and the fellow dropped in the top. When they took possession of the prize, they went into the mizen- top, and found him dead; with one ball through his head, and another through his breast. The Redoubtable struck within twenty minutes after the fatal shot had been fired from her. The total loss of the British in the battle of Trafalgar amounted to one thousand five hundred and eighty-seven. struck; but it was 1 P •i 'i m I 3nty( lemy possii 490 LORD NET.SOV. I» iV. I-Ji fii '•, P i .»' iM .iJl* the fleet, as Nelson liad enjoined; — a j?alo came on from the south-west ; some of the prizes went (Ir)wn, some went on shore; one cfteoted its escape into Cadiz; others were de- stroyed ; four only were saved, and those hy the j^reatest exertions. The wounded Spaniards were st-nt ashore, an assurance heinp^ given that they should not serve till reg'U- larly exchanged; and the Spaniards, with a generous feel- ing, which would not, perhaps, have hcen found in any othor j'eople, ort'ered the use of their hospitals for our wounded, pledging the honour of Spain that they should he carefully attended to. When the storm, after the action, drove some of the prizes upon the coast, they declared that the English, who were thus thrown into their hands, should not he considered as prisoners of war ; and the Spanish soliliers gave up their own heds to their shipwrecked enemies. The Spanish vice-admiral, Alva, died of his wounds. Villr- neuve was sent to England, and soon after p'ermitted to return to France. It is almost superfluous to add, that all the honours which a grateful country could hestow were heaped upon the memory of Nelson. His hrother was made an earl, with a grant of c£'6,000 a year ; X'10,()00 were voted to each of liis sisters : and j6'100,000 for the purchase of an estate. A public funeral and monument were decrc:.^!. Statues and monuments also were voted hy most of our principal cities. The leaden coflin in w hich lie was brought home was cut in pieces, which were distributed as relics of Saint Nelson, — so the gunner of the Victory called them ; — and when, at his interment, his flag was about to be lowered into the grave, the sailors, who assisted at the cere- mony, with one accord rent it in pieces, that each might preserve a fragment while he lived. Anecdotes of Nelson. — While on the American sta- tion, he became acquainted with our future king, William IV,, and a mutual esteem and friendship resulted. The following is the prince's account of his first impression of the tar: — " I had the watch on deck," savs his roval hii-h- ness, " when captain Nelson came in his barge alongside, he appeared to me to be the merest boy of a cajitnin 1 ever beheld. He had on a full-laced unifoi-m ; his lank unpowdered hair was tied in a stifl' Hessian tail of an extraordinary length; the old-fashioned flaps of his waist- coat added to the general quaintuess of his flgure, atid jm-u- mi from the nc went on rs were do- tlie j^reatest t ashore, an 'e till regu- norous iet'l- ui any otlun* jr wounded, he carefully ;tion, drove 'ed that the s, should not ,nish soldiers eiuies. 'I'he nils. Ville- [jermittcd to )nours which !d upon the de an earl, ore voted to rehase of an 3rc decre;.'*!. most of our was brought 1 as relics of called them ; ihout to bo at the cero- caeh min'lit noriean st.i- wj;, William ulted. The npression of roval hii!,h- ;e alongside, a captain I m ; his lank 1 tail of an )f his waist- re, and jiru- LORD NELSON, 407 duced an appearance which particularly attracted my notice, seen for I had nev anything like it before, nor could I imagine who he was, or w hat lie came about. There was something irresistibly jtleasing in his address and conver- sation, and an enthusiasm, when speaking on professional subjects, which showed that he was no common being," Nelson's manner to his midshipmen was extremely kind and encouraging. If he perceived that a boy was at first afraid to go aloft, he would say playfully, " Well, tSir, 1 am going a race to the mast head, and beg that I may meet you there." The little fellow would instantly begin to climb, and when they met on the top. Nelson wouhl chat to him cheerfully without finding any fault, although he might have shown some little awkwardness in the ascent. When he was wounded at the assault on Santa Cruz, his step-son, by his admirable presence of mind, in applying his handkerchief in the manner of a tourniquet to the arm, in all probability saved his life. His calmness in undergoing the amputation was great; and his subsequent suffering was caused by the error of the surgeon who performed the operation. The severe wound which Nelson received at the battle of the Nile, was supposed to have proceeded from langridge shot or a piece of iron ; the skin of his forehead being cut with it at right angles, hung down over his face. Captain Berry, who happened to stand near, caught the admiral in his arms. It was Nelson's first idea, aiul that of every one, that he was shot through the head. On being carried into the cockpit, where several of his gallant crew were stretched with their shattered limbs and mangled wounds, the sur- geon, with great anxiety, immediately came to attend on the admiral. " No," re})lied the hero, " I will take my turn with my brave followers!" The agony of his wound in- creasing, he became convinced that the idea in which he had long indulged of dying in battle, was now about to be accom- plished. He immediately, therefore, sent for his chaplain, Mr. Com.yns, and begged of him to remend)er him to lady Nelson; and, having signed a commission appointing his friend, the brave Hardy, then commander of the Alutine brig, to the rank of post-captain in the Vanguard, took an afi'ec- tionate leave of captain Louis, who had come by his desire on board, and with the utmost composure resigned himself to death. When the surgeon came to examine the wound, it 2 I ■f' M } t ! - ■( > i,i; 498 LORD NELSON. r ) ;)' fi f I : ft S 1 I \i' I ? I, evidently appeared that it was not mortal; this joyful intel- ligence quickly circulated through the ship. As soon as the painful operation of dressing was over, Nelson immediately sat down, and that very night wrote the official letter that appeared in the Gazette. He came on deck just in time to behold the conflagration of L' Orient. Captain Benjamin Hallo well, of the Swiftsure, who had ever been on terms of the most intimate friendship with Nelson, finding his brother officers eager to outvie each other in sending various presents to the admiral, that had been made from the wreck of L' Orient, actuallv ordered his carpenter to make a coffin, solely from the wreck, both as to wood and iron. His orders were punctually obeyed; and, one being finished with considerable elegance from the ma- terials of L' Orient's main-mast, it was sent with this note: — " Sir, I have taken the liberty of presenting you a coffin made from the main-mast of L' Orient, that when you have finished your career in this world, you may be buried in one of your trophies. But that that period may be far dis- tant, is the sincere wish of your sincere friend." The coffin was kept and used. He sometimes playfully alluded to his bodily losses. The use he made of his blind eye at Copenhagen is well known. Sir Hyde Parker, the commander-in-chief, thinking the squadron, under Nelson, was placed in circumstances unfairly dangerous, and knowing that the hero would never volun- tarily retreat, made the signal for leaving off action. When this was pointed out to Nelson, he turned to captain Foley, saying, " You know, Foley, I have but one eye — I have a right to be blind sometimes:" and then, putting the glass to his blind eye, in that mood of mind which sports with bitter- ness, he exclaimed, " I really do not see the signal." Pre- sently he added, *' Damn the signal! keep mine flying for closer battle! nail mine to the mast!" The only stain on Nelson's name is connected with his marriage. He became so infatuated with the charms of lady Hamilton, wile of Sir William Hamilton, the British minister at Naples, that he forsook lady Nelson, in order to attach himself to lady Hamilton, even while her husband was alive. Her influence led him to actions, while in command at Naples, which admit of no apology. Let a tear, however, be dropped over the only fault of so great a man. When the news of the battle of Camperdown reached London, he was lying there ill. His rooms were not iilumi- LORD NKLSOX. 499 i joyful intel- LS soon as the 1 immediatelv al letter that just in time J re, who had iendship with ) outvie each iral, that had Iv ordered his ck, both as to obeyed; and, from the ma- ith this note: r you a coffin 'hen you have be buried in lay be far dis- " The coffin f losses. The 5 well known. thinking the ances unfairly never volun- ion. When aptain Foley, e — I have a ^ the glass to s with bitter- nal." Pre- ine flying for ted with his arms of lady the British , in order to husband was in command ar, however, ■in. own reached re not illumi- 1 nated, and consequently attracted the notice of the people, who forthwith began to make a disturbance; but when they were told that Nelson was disturbed by their shouting, they w^ent off at once, and stationed guards to prevent other par- ties from annoying him. He went, on one occasion, to receive a year's pay, as smart- money, on account of the loss of his eye, but could not obtain payment, because he had neglected to bring a certificate from a surgeon that the sight was actually destroyed. A little irri- tated that this form should be insisted on, because he thought it was sufficiently notorious, he procured a certificate at the same time for the loss of his arm, saying, they might just as well doubt the one as the other. This put him in good hu- mour with himself and with the clerk who had offended him. On his return, the clerk finding it was only the year's pay of a captain, said, he thought it had been more. " Oh !" replied Nelson, " this is only for an eye. In a few days I shall come for an arm, and probably in a little longer for a leg." Accordingly, he soon afterwards went, and with per- fect good humour exhibited the certificate for the loss of his arm. ? i I: I! P :-ii '' M - i f|j I, ,! CHAPTER XI. GEOKGF, III. rnoM 1806 to the end of his reign 1820 — george IV. 1820 TO 1830— WILLIAM IV. 1830 to 1837— victoria, 1841 THE VUENCII STILL HUMBLED AT SKA — BOMBARDMENT OF COPENHAGEN — DETACHED ACTIONS — WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES — CRITICISM ON THE AMI-RICAN ACCOUNTS — PEACE — — COLLINGWOOD COCHRANE — TROUBRIDGE — HOOD — BRIDPORT — EXMOUTH — CODRINGTON — STOPFORD — NAPIER. The splendour of Lord Nelson's glory, throws that of every exploit in which he was not more or less engaged during his epoch, completely into the shade. Two actions, the one of which preceded, and the other followed Trafalgar, require however a brief notice. Admiral Villencuve, when driven from the West Indies by the very terror of Nelson's name, proceeded, uninterrupt- ed in his retreat, until he reached Cape Finisterre, where he encountered an English squadron consisting of fifteen sail of the line and two frigates, under the command of Sir Robert Galder. Villeneuve had twenty sail of the line, five frigates, and several brigs. The battle continued four hours, and ended in the defeat of the Frencli, with the loss of two of their best ships. SIR RirHARD fiTRACIIAN 3 ACTION 501 1820 — GEORGE VICTORIA, 1841 DARDMENT OF THE UNITED JNTS — REACE — )0D — RRIDPORT irows that of less engaged Two actions, ed Trafalgar, West Indies uninterrupt- rre, where he fifteen sail of f Sir Robert five frigates, r hours, and ss of two of The country, in these times, however, was not to be satis- fied with so incomplete a victory even over a superior fleet, and Sir llobert Calder was censured by a court-martial fctr nut having done enough; a censure, considering all the cir- cumstances, more harsh than reasonable. Towards the close of the battle of Trafalgar, the French vice-admiral Dumanoir, with four sail of the lino, bore away to the south. On the 2d of November he was mot by Sir Richard Strachan, oflt' Ferrol, with four sail of the line and three frigates. Sir Richard immediately gave chase, which he continued the whole of the 2d and the next day. Two British frigates, the Santa Margarita and Pluenix, having outsailed the ships of the line, got up with the enemy l)y day- break on the mornin;^: of the 4th, and iinmediatelv con'men- ced the action in the most jxallant stvle. Bv firiny: on the rear of the enemy, they retarded their flight so much, that the main body of Sir Richard Strachan's fleet was able to come u[). The French admiral, about noon, perceiving that a general action was unavoidable, made his disposition accordingly. The battle lasted nearly three hours and a half, during the whole of which time the enemy fought remarkably well. At last, their ships being completely unmanageable, struck their colours, namely, the Formidable, of eighty guns, admiral Dumanoir, and the Duguai Trouin, IVIont Blanc, and Scipioii, of seventy-four guns each. The slaughter on board these ships was very great; the admiral himself was wounded, and one of the captains killed. The loss of the English was trifling. Sir Richard Strachan immedi- ately proceeded to Gibraltar, where he arrived safe with his prizes. The combined fleet originally consisted of thirty-five sail of the line ; of these, two were taken by Sir Robert Calder ; four captured at Trafalgar were carried into Gibraltar; four captured by Sir Richard Strachan, were carried into the same port; fifteen were burned, sunk, or wrecked; three escaped into Cadiz, serviceable; and seven escaped into the same port, complete wrecks; thus accounting for the whole original number, thirty-five sail of the line. The events which we have narrated in the two previous chapters, completely broke the French power at sea, and were no inefficient causes of the ultimate destruction of the gigantic power of Napoleon by land. He found all attempts to resuscitate his navy in vain. No sooner were a few ships % I (1 f! I! [' I I i^ i fi 502 BOMBARDMENT OF COPENHAGEN. •14: m^.^ ' 1 1 » »i 1 :>! made ready for sea, than they were blockaded by the vio^il- anoo of British squadrons, or even destroyed in harbour, wliile, in other instances, where they either escaped or were permitted to leave port, they only did so to fall a prey to our Heets, now indisputably supreme at sea. The enemy's operations were thus completely impeded, tlitir attempts to transport troops by sea rendered impossible, and their supplies of warlike stores, provisions, and colonial produce, rendered precarious or altogether cut oflP. Tho first attempt made by Buonaparte after the blow^ he had received, was to secure what remained to France of her colonies. Accordingly, a fleet of eleven sail of the line, and a number of frigates, in two squadrons, escaped the vigil- ance of the English, and, early in 1806, arrived in the West Indies. Admiral Duckworth, with seven sail, fell in with and completely defeated the first of these squadrons, of five ships, two frigates, and a corvette. All the five hne of battle ships were either taken or destroyed. The other division of the French fleet was lost in a violent storm, ■with the exception of one ship. Sir Sidney Smith and lord Cochrane were both conspicuous for gallantry about this period, as we have more particularly stated elsewhere. About the close of the year, another attempt was made to send reinforcements to the West Indies. Accordingly a squadron of five frigates and two corvettes, having on board two thousand troops, was despatched on this service, were engaged by Sir Samuel Hood, and four frigates captured, with a great number of men, and a large quantity of stores. In tho year 1807, it being pretty well ascertained that the French emperor was resolved to replace the loss of his own fleets by taking possession of that of Denmark; and as it was equally well known that Denmark, even if willing, was quite unable to resist him, the British Government resolved, by a questionable policy, to frustrate, by anticipating his intentions. Upon this service were sent twenty thousand troops under lord Cathcart, and forty-two ships, of which twenty-two were of the line, under admiral Gambler. To tliis formidable force, the Danes at first off'ered a determin- fMl resistance, nor did they yield until a great part of Cop- enhagen was in flames or laid in ruins. In consequence of their capitulation, we were put in pos- session of sixteen ships of the line, fifteen frigates, six brigs, ind twenty-five gun-boats, which were nearly all ready for J by the vigil- id in harbour, scaped or were I a proy to our etely impeded, 'red impossible, IS, and colonial ut off. er the blow he France of her )f the line, and aped the vigil- irrived in the II in with and drons, of five le five hne of The other violent storm. By Smith and allantry about bd elsewhere, Tipt was made Accordingly a ving on board service, were ates captured, itity of stores, ertained that the loss of his nark; and as it f willing, was nent resolved, iticipating his Bnty thousand lips, of which ambier. To d a determin- part of Cop- re put in pos- ies, six brigs, all ready for \] DESTRUCTION OF THE FRENCH FLEET AT AIX. 503 sea ; there were besides several vessels on the stocks, which wt' were ut liberty to destroy, take to pieces, or carry awav. A vast abundance of stores of all kinds necessary to equij) or build a fleet, were found in the arsenals, so that it was ne- cessary to load all the ships of the line and frigates, with masts, spars, and timber: after all, so great a (juantity re- mained, that ninety-two transports were employed to bring the rest to I'Jngland. In an attempt to overawe Constantinople, the »^ultan baying now joined the French alliance, admiral Duckworth was not equally successful, and was much blamed for his inactiyity and mismanagement, in having omitted the proper se;-ion of attack, and being obliged to retreat without strik- ing a blow. Nothing very remarkable now occurs in our naval annals for some time. TheWalcberen expedition in 1809, ^yas both in plan and execution, a disgrace to our councils and com- manders, but in so far as the naval service was concerned, no blamo is imputable. Even yet, the French had not been able to send to sea anything deserving the name of a fleet, and the few line of battle ships which still remained w ere closely watched by our vessels. This year, an oppor- tunity occurred of destroying some of them ; and it was embraced with the usual alacrity of British seamen. A French squadron, consisting of nine sail of the line and some frigates, was understood to be lying in the roads of Aix, under the protection of the forts of that island. The attempt to destroy this fleet was committed to the direction of lord ( I ambier, who selected I'^rd Cochrane on the occasion : for this pui'pose, a number of frigates, fire-ships, and other small vessels were employed. On the 10th of April, the fire-ships joined the fleet, and the next night they w ere sent into Aix roads, each manned and conducted by a lieutenant and five men : there were sixteen of them, and some of them of a larger construction than usual. As soon as the fire- ships got within the roads, the French vessels cut their cables, and run on shore in the Isle of Aix ; by this means, the fire- ships were enabled to effect little, and it \yas ascertained that the destruction of the enemy must be accomplished by other means. Great skill, however, as well as courage, was neces- sary for this purpose : the place where the French ships lay, was strong, both by nature and by art; they lay, apparently, almost as secure as ships would have been in Portsmouth harbour : they were under the protection of two batteries, »' J 4 .1 M' /} < I i 504 WAR WITH RUSSIA. if H' 'il Ki .e strangers \vith that sense of respect and fear which his majesty's other enemies are accustomed to show to the Britisli flag." The boats were accordingly manned for this enterprise, and put under the direction of lieutenant Hawkey. The enemy, when they perceived they were about to be attacked, took a position of extraordinary strength, within two rocks, from which they could pour a destructive fire upon the boats as they advanced. This, however, only served to stimulate lieutenant Ilawkey and his brave companions. They did not deign to fire a gun till they actually touched the enemy, they then boarded the flotilla swo;-d in hand, and carried all before them. Of eight gun-boats, each mounting thirty- two and twenty-four pounders, and having on board forty- six men, six were brought away, and one was sunk. They IkuI under their protection twelve vessels laden with powder and provisions for the Russian army, which were also cap- tured. In short, the success of the enterprise was most complete, and it was achieved in a manner which could not fail to answer the object of captain Martin, in inspiring the Russians with the same respuct and awe for the liritish name, which our other enemies feel. Lieutenant Ilawkey, who so nobly headed this enterprise, died tiie deoth of a hero, in its execution. His last words were " Huzza, push on, England for ever." " No praise," says captain Martin, *' from my pen, can do justice to this lamented young man : as an ofttcer, he was active, correct, and zealous, to the highest degree : the leader in every kind of enterprise, and regardless of danger, he delighted in whatever could tend to promote the glory of his country." Our naval force ott'the coast oi' Spain, continued to afford every possible assistance to the cause of the pj^tiiots, who, in spite of their pusillanimous king, had taken arms against their oppressors, by harassing the operations of the enemy. About the end of October, a French scjuadron, consisting of three sail of the line, i'ud four frigates, with twenty large transports, ventured to sail from Toulon for the relief of Barcelona, which was closely pressed by the Spanish army. Lord Collingwood commanded the Biitish fleet in the Me- diterranean, and was generally employed in blockading Toulon ; but as he was sometimes obliged to leave that port, the French had taken advantage of his absence, and put to sea. He, however, soon learned this circum- stance and their route, and di'spatched a division of his fleet after them. The line of battleships and frigates were soon -< U i :i i I nlE 506 THE AMERICAN WAR. ■ill destroyed, while the transports ran for shelter to the Bay of Rosas, where they were under the protection of some armed ships and gun-boats: nevertheless, they were also attacked and destroyed. ;!y. 'I'' A m ii 1 . ii I I ii r<- i'il h i THE AMERICAN WAR OF 1812. The French found in 1812, allies in the ships of the United States of America, with which country, after much jealousy and wrangling, war was begun in that year. The Americans b;id ro fleet in any way to match ours ; but their small squadrons and single ships were well found in every respect, and in general bravely fought. The Bri- tish ministry appear at first to have despised their new foes, as no efficient force was employed against them, our naval forces being still employed in keeping down the power of France. The consequence of this remissness was the capture of several of our detached vessels, giving rise to no inconsider- able exultation and boasting on the part of the Americans. This spirit of boasting has not yet subsided, and it is but due to our readers to be made acquainted with the unsub- stantial nature of the grounds upon which it has been raised. But for this circumstance, the American war presents few incidents worthy of being recorded alongside of our well- fought actions with the Dutch, the Spaniardo, and the French. Our readers will find an ample detail of all the facts of this war, with lengthened professional criticisms, in the ex- cellent works of Mr James, particularly in the sixth volume of his Naval History. On the other side, he will find a full specimen of the American boasting in " The History of the Navy of the United States," by Cooper, the cele- brated novelist, which latter character he does not appear to have been able to merge into the grave one of the his- torian. , In the Edinburgh RevieWf for April, 1840, is a very able review of these two works, evidently written by a person well qualified for the undertaking, and which sets the question at issue in a very clear light. We cannot better serve our present purpose than by extracting a few passages from that article, referring the reader who has Ici- U, i'i rt:-i THE AMERICAN WAR. 507 ter to the Bay ?ction of some ley were also S12. ships of the y, after much it year. ) match ours ; re well found it, TheBri. leir new foes, sm, our naval the power of e capture of lo inconsider- e Americans, and it is hut h the unsub- 5 been raised, presents few of our well- 'd3, and the the facts of p, in the ex- ?ixth volume ( will find a 'he History ', the cclc- not appear of the his- , is a very fit ten by a which sets ^Ve cannot ^ting a few ivho has lei- sure to examine the subject more in detail, to the Review itself:— " We now come to the three well-known av.d frequently discussed actions, which terminated in the captui-e of 15riti>h bv American frigates. It will be sufficient, so far as the facts are concerned, to state generally, that, on the Itjth of August, 1812, the Guerriere, captain Dacres, was captured by the Constitution, captain Hull ; on the 2r)ih of October, the Macedonian, captain Garden, by the United States, commodore Decatur ; and on the 2yth of December, the Java, captain Lambert, by the Constitution, commodore Bainbridge. The Guerriere and Java were destroyed at sea ; but the Macedonian became an American frigate. The actions, though of course differing in details, possessed several characteristics in common. Each captured frigate made an obstinate resistance, during from one to two hours of actual Jirinff, according to the British accounts ; and all the three actions were decided in consequence of ihc British shij) becoming dismasted by the heavy metal of her ojiponent, which enabled the latter to rake her with impunity until further resistance was impossible. " Our first remark upon these three celobrnted actions will naturally be a comparison of the force of the combatants. Tlio English frigates were all of the same class, and mounted from forty-six to forty-eight guns ; twenty-eight long eighteen-pounders, four nine-pounders, and the rest thirty- two-pounder carronades. In size they were all below eleven hundred tons,and their regular complement was three liundnd men and bovs; but the Guerriere was ncarlv f'oi'tv men short, and the Java had on board from seventy to eighty super- numeraries. As a specimen of the force of the American ships, we shall state that of the President, a vessel of the same class, subsequently captured by the Dritish. This ))owerful frigate measured 1530 tons ; her sides and bulwarks were thicker, and her spars and rigging stouter, than those of a British seventy-four gun ship, and she was an excellent sailer. She was pierced for fifty-six guns, and mounted at her capture fifty-two; thirty-two long twenty-four-pounders, and twenty forty-two-pounder carronades. Her complement was understood to be four hundred and eighty men. In these details there is no room for mi>take, the President having been surveyed as a British frigate, and every par- ticular respecting her being now recorded in the oflrtcial archives of the British navy. The United States and Con- [■i u M .\ n 1) I ^ f.'lv ■i,\ I!. !« ■ . llh'-y' a \i \ , 1 1^ If- ;' \l >ivere directed must have been best able to decide. " Mr Cooper avoids any detailed comparison of the size and force of either of the American frigates with that of her opponent, lie, however, states pretty correctly the force of the British party, and admits generally that their opponents were * larger and heavier ships.' But he adds, * It is un- derstood that the Guerriere was nearly as long a ship as her adversary, and it has been asserted on respectable authority, that she was actually pierced for fifty-four guns, though it is admitted that she had but forty-nine mounted in the action, one of which was a light boat carronade.' * It 1 THE AMERICAN WAR. 509 to be precisely ;ept that each, fty-two guns ; stead of forty- of broadside early one-half •itish frigates, o mention the ?rienced crew lifferent result lysical impos- )n the subject, ages, he says, he time when nent when the n by the Con- irtually of no charge a gun. he Gucrriere n she actually , was included combat; but in truth the Wo may here al letter that and twenty hours befoi'e ps continued lose action. lunders were we should ected must the size and that of her the force of r opponents * It is un- a ship as respectable -four guns, mounted in nade.' 'It is stated on authority deemed worthy of credit,' he subjoins in a note, ' that the Guerriere was pierced for thirty guns on the gun-deck, but that she had no bridle port below. Five ports that could have been fought in broadside, are said to have been vacant when the Americans took possession.' These exaggerations are soon disposed of. The precise tlimen- sions of the Guerriere, as well as those of the President, are to be found in the lists of the British navy, as recorded from actual measurement by responsible officers. On this author- ity, not less 'respectable' and worthy of 'credit' than those cited by Mr Cooper, the President measured, as above men- tioned, 1533 tons ; her length ' over all,' or from head to stern, was 204 feet, and that of her lower deck 173 feet 3 inches — being equal to that of most British seventy-fours. On the same authority, the Guerriere measured 1002 tons ; her length over all was 180 feet 4 inches, and her length on deck 154 feet G '.nches ; that is, she was 19 to 24 feet shorter than her opponent. She was pierced for only 48 broadside guns, but, as Mr Cooper states, mounted 49, having on board two standing bow-guns which could only be used in chase. And we have to add, that every one of the particulars here quoted respecting her, has been in print and uncontradicted for upwards of twenty years. •p *(* •r T* T* T* " We shall conclude our remarks by a suppositious case, for the original suggestion of which we are indebted to Mr James's pamphlet, and which we think calculated to put their real nature in a just and striking point of view. The largest two-decked ships belonging to the British navy during the American war, were rated of eighty, and mounted eighty-six guns each ; thirty long thirty-two i)ounders, thirty- two long twenty-four pounders, eighteen thirty-two pouader carronades, and six twenty-four pounder carronades. Their complement was 720 men and boys, and their usual size was about 2200 tons. A simple arithmetical process will make it clear, that the proportion of f(n'ce borne by such a vessel as this to the Constitution frigate, was scarcely so great, ex- cept in mere immber of guns, as that which the latter ship bore to the Guerriere or Java. Now, let us suppose that a British eighty gun-ship had engaged the Constitution, and that the latter had surrendered, as the captured British frigates did, after an hour's close action, in a sinking state, and with one-third of her crew killed and wounded — with which party would Mr Cooper have considered the honour of such a conflict H .'IS 510 THE AMERICAN WAR. |» H" •^:il; '■ ■ '.'£ *1 !i 1 .<■» to remain ? And what would he have said if a British Iiis- torian, aware of the comparative force of the combatants, had devoted half-a-dozen pages to expaticte on the ' moral effect of the combat,' declaring, that ' after making all proper allowance for the difference of the force,' all good judges ' saw the promise of many future successes in this,' and styling the event of the action ' a brilliant and unexpected success,' and the ' commencement of a new era in naval warfare ?' And yet, either the facts and figures we have above stated must be shown to be erroneous, or the cases must be ad- mitted to be parallel. 9|C Y T* 'I* •?• T* " We now come to the famous action which terminated in the capture of the Chesapeake frigate by the Shannon. The circumstances of this extraordinary exploit are too well known to need repetition ; we shall therefore merely state that the Chesapeake was carriea hv boarding after a battle of only fifteen minutes. We proceed to Mr Cooper's obser- vations on the subject. lie attributes the success of the British frigate to certain ' fortuitous events,' the most pro- minent of which appears to have been the cowardice and negligence of a certain bugleman, whose duty it was to summon the boarders of the Chesapeake. The discom- fiture of this recreant minstrel is stated to haveprevented the men on the Chesapeake's main-deck from being aware of the emergency, until the quarter-deck, where all the board- ing weapons were stowed, had been occupied by the enemy, and resistance consequently became impossible. Mr Cooper, however, has been unable or unwilling to enlighten his readers on one or two important points connected with the incident just noticed. Were none of the Chesapeake's offi- cers or men able to sound the bugle of the fugitive ? Or, if so, were their powers deranged by the advance of the British boarders? How came the men on the Chesapeake's main-deck not to know that the shi]is were foul, and that a scutWe was going on over their heads ? And may they not have had good reasons for keeping below, independent of that affordeil them by the desertion of their Tyrtaius ? We think Dr. Scriblerus himself would have acknowledged that the miraculous powers of ancient music are no longer wholly unrivalled, had he lived to hear of a frigate cap- tured in fifteen minutes, because her bugleman failed at the proper moment to strike up * Hail, Columbia!' " Another, and a far more plausible excuse for the Chesa- if a British liis- jombatantSjhad 'moral effect of roper allowance idges ' saw the ind styling the )ected success,' javal warfare ?' ve above stated 28 must be ad- lich terminated r the Shannon, oit are too well e merely state if after a battle Jooper's obser- success of the ' the most pro- cowardice and luty it was to The discom- e prevented the eing' aware of all the board- by the enemy, Mr Cooper, enlighten his ected with the esapeake's ofti- ugitive ? Or, [Ivance of the Chesapeake's »ul, and that a may they not ulependent of yrtaeus ? We owledged that \re no longer I frigate cap- n failed at the for the Chesa- THK AMKRICaN war. assertion 11 peake's capture is found in t that, by a fatal chance of war, every officer of rank on that frigate's quarter-deck had been disabled just before the boarding. * The upper deck,' he says, ' was now left with- out an officer on it above the rank of a midshipman.' Now, we have the direct authority of the American official letter for disputing this statement. By that account, Mr Ludlow, the Chesapeake's first lieutenant, and one of the officers stated by Mr Cooper to have been disabled as above, ' were wounded in attempting to repel the boarders.' And yet Mr Cooper enumerates this officer's name among those who ' fell before the enemy boarded.' '• Mr Cooper also mentions that ' some disaffection existed among the crew of the Chesapeake;' that ' she had an unusual number of mercenaries in her;' and that * captain Lawrence went into this engagement with strong reluctance, owing to the peculiar state of his crew.' We have, of course, no means of meeting these statements ; but we may observe that, by insisting so much upon them, Mr Cooper betrays his doubts whether the ' fortuitous events,' elsewhere noticed by him, are sufficient to constitute by themselves a satis- factory explanation of the Chesapeake's capture. A subse- quent assertion of Mr Cooper's will also appear to British readers somewhat inconsistent with his disparagement of the American crew. " ' The Chesapeake,' he affirms, *did not fire until all her guns bore, when she delivered as destructive a broadside as probably ever came out of a ship of her force. For six or eight minutes the cannonading was fierce, and the best of the action is said to have been with the American frigate, 5^0 far as the general effect of the fire was concerned.' It mu=t be a most pleasing refiection to Mr Cooper, that the Chesa- peake's seamen, notwithstanding their ' peculiar state,' fired so much better than a thoroughly disciplined British crew, and only owed their defeat to the lamentable defection of their bugleman ; but we doubt whether its credibility will be generally admitted. * When the enemy,' says Mr Cooper, * entered the ship from his fore-channels, it was with great caution, and so slowly that twenty resolute men would have repulsed him.' Mr Cooper may rest assured that, by such attempts at detraction, he only injures his own cause. Cap- tain Broke was himself the first man on board the Chesapeake ; and considering that, by Mr Cooper's own account, the struggle on board her could not have lasted more than five t ^ I 512 THE AMERICAN WAR. m or six minutes, we think his men couM scarcely have been very inactive in supporting him. We trust, for the credit of Mr Cooper's countrymen, that ihey were not; for, if so, we can only account for the short duration of the combat by the disagreeable hypothesis, that the deliberation of the British entrance on tlie Chesapeake's deck must have been compensated by the singular agility and unanimity of the American exit. Why could not Mr Cooper acknowledge at once that the Chesapeake was taken by a sudden coup-(le~ mainf skilfully timed and gallantly executed, and which the fortune of war crowned with deserved success ? " ' The enemy,' by Mr Coo{)er's accoun*, ' fired down the 'latches, and killed and wounded a great many men in this manner, but it does not appear that their fire was returned.' Vhe latter clause is skilfully worded. Their fire was not reiurned, for it produced immediate submission ; but it was prot ' .ed — provoked by a discharge of musketry up the Chesapeake s hatchvvay, which killed a British marine. " For our own part, we do not lay any extraordinary- stress on the unusual quickness with which this brilliant action was decided. The accident of the ships becoming foul, appears to have been unexpected by both parties ; and a naval action which has once become a hand to hand struggle is seldom very protracted. But that the British crew were backward in making use of the opportunity given them, or that their fire was inferior to that of their opponent, are assertions which we think will meet with credit from few persons who remember what the Shannon was in 1813. " Looking merely at the general result of our unsuccess- ful naval actions, we cannot perceive that any of them could, under the circumstances, be expected to terminate differently. In one of the eleven victories we have noticed, the Ameri- cans were doubly superior in force ; in six, they were supe- rior as three to two ; in two, as four to three ; in one, long guns were opposed to carronades out of range of the latter ; and in the remaining one, the British vessel had been pre- viously disabled. We appeal to facts and arithmetic to con- firm this statement ; and we put it to any reasonable man whether, if eleven such actions as these had occurred be- tween two old-established naval belligerents, and the cir- cumstances had been accurately known, they would have been likely to cause either discouragement on the one side, or exultation on the other ? We acknowltdge, however, LORD COLLINGWOOD. ;i3 !ely have been for the credit lot ; for, if so, ►f the combat eration of the lUst have been inimity of the cknowledge at dden vonp-de- and which the s? fired down the ly men in this was returned.' r fire was not m ; but it was sketry up the h marine. extraordinary \ this brilliant hips becoming th parties ; and hand to hand at the British )ortunity given their opponent, h credit from m was in 1813. our unsuccess- of them could, ate diiferently. ed, the Ameri- ity were supe- ; in one, long e of the latter ; had been pre- thmetic to con- asonable man occurred be- s, and the cir- y would have the one side, :dge, however, that this remark is not applicable to the conflicts of which we are speaking. The American navy was then in its infancy, almost untried against civilized enemies, and ob- noxious to the unmanly taunts of too many Englii>h party writers. The people of the United States felt a just and laudable pride when they saw their marine take its post among the best of Europe, and even assert its claim the respect of the j)roudest maritime nation in the world. Such circumstances will easily excuse a somewhat overwcv-ning degree of patriotic exultation; they will even palliate the exaggerated encomiums with which the public press of America rewarded their defenders. T» Sp •(* -(s ^ 3|C " When we see the Americans, in time of war, not send- ing out their cruisers singly to prey upon merchantmen, or pick oflt' inferior vessels, but victorious in equal conflicts, and fitting out fleets capable of m'otecting their coasts from insult and their harbours from )io kade, — then, and not till then, shall we acquiesce in iVlr Oooper's presumptuous declaration, 'that it is not i ..probable the battle for the mastery of the seas will have to be fought over again.' " These notices must serve as ( ir remarks on the American war. During the same tire, little of importance was done except the continued blocki 3S and interception of the sup- plies for France. The short renewal of the French war, when Buonaparte made his celebrated invasion from Elba, was not productive of anything more deserving of detail. The treaty of Ghent, in 1814, put an end to the American war, and peace with France was finally consolidated by the battle of Waterloo in 1815. We have now to give short notices of some of those heroes who most distinguished themselves during the period, the history of which we have been tracing ; and, in doing so, we shall have occasion to describe several remarkable actions which have occurred since the general peace. LORD COLLINGWOOD. — Cuthbert Collingwood was born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and entered the service in 1761, under his maternal uncle, captain Braithwaite, who had the command of the Shannon frigate. With him he served many years. We find him a midship- man in the Gibraltar in 1766, and from 1767 to 1772, mus- 2k 114 LORD COLLI N'GVVOOD. /.* i' Sf I'.' K' toi-'.s mate in the Liverpool, when he was taken into the Lennox, captain lloddarn. Ho had now been thirteen years in the service without promotion, so little did his prospects at first setting out in life keep pace with his merit, or forebode the honours to which he arrived. On the 27th of February 1774, he went in the Preston, under the command of vice-admiral Graves to America, and the following year was promoted to the rank of fourth lieutenant in the Somerset, on the day of the battle of Bunker's Hill, where he was sent with a party of seamen to supply the army with what was necessary in that line of service. The vice-admiral being recalled, sailed foi* England in 1776. In the same year, lieutenant Oolling- wood was sent to Jamaica in the Hornet sloop, and so- n after, the Lowestoffe came to the same station, of which lord Nelson was, at that time, second lieutenant, and with whom he had been before in habits of great friendship. His friend Nelson had entered the service some years later than himself, but was made lieutenant in the Lowestoffe, captain Locker, in 1777. Here their friendship was renew- ed ; and, upon the arrival of Sir Peter Parker to take the com- mand upon that station, they found in him a common patron. In 1780, he was appointed to the command of the Pelican, of 24 guns; but his continuance in this ship was but of short duration; for on the 1st of August in the following year, so fatal to the West India Islands, in a violent hurricane, and in the midst of a most tempestuous night, she was wrecked upon the Morant Quay. It was not without extreme difficulty and peril, that the crew goton shore, by the help of rafts made of the broken yards, and upon those small sandy hills, with little food or water, they remained ten days, until a boat went to Jamaica, and the Diamond frigate was sent to their relief. He was appointed next to the command of the Sampson, of sixty-four guns, in which ship he s-rved to the peace of 1783, when she was paid off, and he was appointed to the Mediator, and sent to the West Indies, where he again met his friend Nelson, who, at that time, commanded the Boreas frigate, upon the same station. In this ship, and upon this station, he remained until the latter end of 1780, when, upon his return to England, and the ship being paid off, he took the opportunity to visit his native country, and renew his acquaintance with his family and friends. ^ i aken into the ervice without setting out in [le honours to 1774, he went imiral Graves omotecl to the the day of the vith a party of cessary in that tiled, sailed foi* 3nant Colling- oop, and so<>n tion, of which lant, and with eat friendship. )me years later le Lowestotfe, ihip was renew - to take the com- ommon patron, of the PeUcan, vas but of short 'oUowing year, ilent hurricane, [light, she was vithout extreme (, by the help of )n those small ■ remained ten the Diamond the Sampson, to the peace of )pointed to the e he again met ded the Boreas ained until the } England, and nity to visit his with his family LORD COLLINOWOOD. do On the breaking out of the war with France, in 1703, he was called to the command of the I'rinco, rear-admiral Bowyer's flag-ship, with whom he served in this ship, and afterwards in the Bartleur, until the engagement of the 1st of June, 171)4. In this action he distinguished himself with great bravery, and the ship which he connnanded had its full share in the glory of the day. Rear-admiral Bovvyer, in consequence of the loss of his leg in this day's action, no longer remaining on board the Bartleur, captain Collingwood was appointed to the com- mand of the Hector, on the 7th of August, 1704, and afterwards to the Excellent, in which he was employed in the blockade of Toulon ; and in this ship he had the honour to acquire fresh laurels in the brilliant victory otf Cape 8t. Vincent, on the 14th of February, 1797. >So well did the Hero of the Nile know his value, that when the ship which captain Collingwood commanded was sent to reinforce his squadron, he exclaimed, " See, here comes the Excellent, which is as good as two added to our number." He continued in the command of the Excellent, under the flag of lord St. Vincent, till January, 1709, when his ship was paid off; and on the 14th of February, in the same year, on the promotion of ilag-ofhcers, he was raised to the rank of rear-admiral of the white ; and on the 12th of May following, hoisted his flag on board the Triumph, one of the ships under the command of lord Bridport, on the channel station. In 1800, he shifted his flag to the Barfleur on the same station ; and in 1801, was promoted to the rank of rear-ad- miral of the red, in which ship, and upon the same service, he continued to the end of the war, without any opportunity of doing more than effectually blockading the enemy's fleet in their own port, while they were proudly vaunting of their preparations for invading us; a service not less important to the honour, the interest, and the security of the nation, than those more brilliant achievements which dazzle the public eye. and meet the popular sentiment, which counts only upon victories, and estimates the talents and services of oats of both brigs were employed in cutting out the vessels that were found atloat ; they succeeded in bringing out three brigs laden with wine, rice, and bread." From the commencement of the attack, till the comple- tion of the service, at least twelve hours of incessant and laboi lous exertion had elapsed. " I cannot," says captain I'ulling, "express myself sufficiently grateful to lord Coch- rane for his assistance during this long contest, as well as on the day befu'e, when we found it necessary, for the honour of his Britannic majesty's arms, to blow up the tower of Ahnanara, mounting two brass four-pounders, v.hich would not surrender though repeatedly summoned." A few days after the achievement of these gallant exploits, the Speedy had the ill luck to fall in with the French squa- dron, under the cominand of Linois, by which she was chased and captured; but, in conse(|uenco of the engage- ment which took place in Algcziras Bay, between Sir James Saumarez and Linois, on the Gth of July, lord Cochrane's captivity was of very short duration. On the day succeed- ing the battle. Sir James Saumarez sent to endeavour to effect an exchange of captain Ferris and of the ofheers and men who had fallen into the hands of the enemv. After some little delay, the object of the English admiral was so far attained, that captain Ferris, with all his officers and wounded men, were sent away on their parole; and, by the same opportunity, lord Cochrane, with the officers and crew of the Speedy, also succeeded in obtaining their liberty. During the time that lord Cochrane had commanded the Speedy — a period not much exceeding ten months — he hail taken the extraordinary number of thirty-three vesseU, mounting in the aggregate, one hundred and twenty-eight guns, and containing five hundi'eil and thiity persons. As a reward f.)r these services, his lord.ship was, on the Sth of August, ISOl, [)romoted to the rank of post-captain, in Jja liaison frigate. In the month of October, 1803, soon after the recom- mencement of hostilities, lord Cochrane was appointed to the Arab; and, in the following year, to the Fallas i'rigate, f»f thirty-two guns. In the latter ship he proceeded to tlio Newfoundhmd station, but renuiinedthereonly a short time. Early in 1805, he was sent out with despatches to his uncle, Sir Alexander Cochrane, who was at that time employed in the blockade of Ferrol. This was shortly after the rupture with Spain took place, and as lord Cochrane was employed *i K I V ^ 'II i ( i ^: \^ ! ' < ^i .7 l^ Hi ;, I '- nf Ha I ' .i 1,1;' li^ I f Ji 520 LORD COCHRAN?. in cruising off the Spanish coast, he had the good fortune to make a considerable number of prizes. Amongst others, the capture of II Fortuna, a Spanish galleon, afforded a rich recompense to his valour. II Fortuna, bound from the Rio de la Plata to Corunna, was laden with specie, to the amount, as was reported, of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds, besides a considerable quantity of mer- chandise, of nearly an equal value. This capture, how- ever, is chiefly memorable for a noble act of generosity displayed upon the occasion by lord Cochrane, his officers, and crew. The Spanish captain and supercargo stated, that they had been engaged, for nearly twenty years, in commercial j)ursuits in the burning clime of South America, that they were returning to their families. In Old Spain, there to spend the evening of their days, on the hardly earned fruits of their industry; that the whole of their pro- perty, amounting, in goods and specie, to about thirty thousand dollars each, had been embarked in II Fortuna; and, by the capture of that ship, they found themselves reduced to a state of indigcce and beggary. It was added, too, that this was the second time that the captain had sus- tained such a misfortune; as, in the year 1771), he had been stripped of his all by a British cruiser, and forced to begin the world anew ! A tale of distress seldom fails of pro- ducing a due effect upon the heart of an English sailor: and in the present instance, our national spirit of liberality exerted its infliience in favour of these unfortunate men, to an almost unprecedented extent. Tbe result of their appeal vas, that they each received 5000 dollars in specie from their captors; a boon which called forth the most grateful feelings. Early in April, 180(», the Pallas was employed in the execution of a very hazardous enterprise, in the; Uaronne ; a river very difficult in its navigation. From lord Coch- rane's official despatch, upon this occasion, we learn that in consecjuence of information which had been received resj)ecting the situation of some corvettes, l\ing in the Garonne, the Pallas proceeded up the river, ami anchored close to the Cordovan shoal, a little after dark. About three o'clock on the following morning, the boats of the Pallas bad succeeded in b>)arding and cutting out the Tapa- gouse corvette, of fourteen long twelvepounders, and ninety- five men, notwithstanding she lay twenty miles above the shoals, under the protection of two heavy batteries. At m LORD rOCTlRANE. r.O 21 {i^ood fortune to Amongst others, leon, atfordecl a na, bound from 1 with specie, to ndred and fifty uantity of mer- i capture, how- ;t of generosity anc, his officers, lercarj.'^o stated, :wenty years, in South America, ), in Old Spain, . on the hardly lole of their pro- to about thirty 1 in II Fortuna; )und themselves . It was added, captain had sus- rTl), he had been forced to begin 3m fails of pro- English sailor: irit of liberality rtunato men, to t of their appeal in specie from le most grateful mjjloyed in the n the (jaronne; rom lord Coch- we leurn that been received , Iving in the mill anchored (lark. About 10 boats of the 4 out the Tapa- (M's, and ninety- liles above the batteries. At daylight, however, when the Tapageuse made sail, a goncr.al alarm was given, and she was followed by a sloop of war. An action consequently coumienced, and continued, often within hail, till by the same bi'avery by which the Tapa- geuse was carried, the sloop of war, which had been before saved by the rapidity of the current alone, after about an hour's firing, Avas compelled to siieer otV, having suf!'ered as much in the hull as the Tapii^^euse in the rigging. But this was not the concl.'sion of the service. On the same morning, while at anclin!', waiting for the return of the boats, the Pallas descriid tliree ships bearing down to- wards her. The anchor was instantly weighed ; and, with the remainder of her « ificers and crew, she chased, drove on shore, and completely wrecked them. One mount- ed twenty-four guns, another twenty-two, and the third eighteen. A successful attempt was also made by his lordship upon the battery at Point L'lvjuiion, which was carried by a coup-de-muin , and laid in ruins, the guns sj)iked, the car- riages burned, the barrack and magazine blown up, and all the shells thrown into the sea. The signal post of L'Kcjui- lon, together with the house, shared tlie fate of the gun- carriages ; but the convoy, which would have been a grati- fying capture, got into a river beyond the reach of the brave assailants. J3etween the 1.3th of December, 180G, and the 7th of January, 1807, his lordship took and destroyed fifteen ships of the enemy. About the time last mentioned, the boats of the Imperieuse, under the direction of lieutenant Mapleton, made a successful attack upon Fort Uorpiette, at the entrance of the Basin of Arcasson. This fort, which had been intended for the defence of the basin, and of such vessels as might be lying in it, was com[)b?tely laid in ruins ; a larg(! quantity of militjiry stores was destroyed ; four thirty-six-pounders, twc> field-j)ieces, and a thirteen-inch mortar were spiked, and all the platoons and carriages burned. This enterprise was acconqdished without any loss on the part ()f the assailants. Lord Cochrane next appears of!' the coast of Languedoc, where, in September 1808, he blew up the newly constructed " semaphoric" telegraphs at Bounlique, La Pinede, St. Maguire, Frontignan, ('anet, and Foy ; together with the houses attached, fourteen barracks of the gens-d'armes, a battery, and the strong tower upon the lake of Fron- 't ' M \l '^n !j I l!, !' I II ' ! i^'. 'I s IW 522 LORD COCHRANE. tignan. The telegraphs here meptiored Tvrre consider- eci as of the utmost importaiic^ to the s:ifetj of the con- voys accustomed to pass ahm^;- the oast of France ; as, by their signals, they constantly apprised them of the approach of any English cruiser that might appear. Alluding to this service, the commander-in-chief, in his official letter says : — ** Nothing can exceed the activity and zeal with which his lord- ship pursues the enemy. The success which attends his enter- prises clearly indicates with what skill and a'ulity they are conducted; besides keeping the coast in constant alarin, causing a total suspension of trade, and harassing a body of troops employed in opposing him, he has probably pre- vented those troops which were intended for Figueras from advancing into Spain, by giving them employment in the defence of their own coasts." It appears, indeed, from lord Cochrane's statement, that the comparatively insignificant force which he landed upon this occasion, drew about two thousand troops from the fortress of Figueras to the defence of the French coast. Towards the close of the year 1808, ihe Imperieuse, with other ships, was employed in the Bay of }?osas, to assiit the fcjpaniards in defending the fortress of th it place ; and lord Cochrane, with his accustomed alaciity and spirit, landed and took upon himself the defence of Trinity Castle, an out- work of the garrison, on which its pi'ci-ervation depended. The gall mtry of his lordship, in this instance, did not fail to call forth appropriate praise. " Phe heroic spirit and ability," says his commander-in-chief, "which have been evinced bv 'ord Cochrane, in defending this castle, although so shattered in its works, rgainst the repeated attacks of the enu.iiy, is an admirable instance of his lord- ship's zeal," One of the Spanish gazettes, too, after notic- ing in the handsomest terms, his preceding services, con- cluded by saying — " It is a sufficient eulogium upon his character to mention, that in the defence of the castle when the Spanish th»g, hoisted on the wall, fell into the ditch, under a most dreadful fire from the enemy, his lordship was the only })erson, who, regardless of the shower of balls Hy- ing about him, descended into the ditch, returned with the flag, and happily succeeded in placing it where it was before." We have already alluded to the a])lo part he took under the command of admiral Cam bier, and for his services on this occasion, he was made a knight of the Bath, Thii wfi'e consitler- etj of the con- France ; as, by of the approach AUuding to this il letter savs : — \ which his lord- ttends his enter- a')ility they are constant alarni, irassing a body 3 probably pre- • Figueras from sloyment in the ideed, from lord ely insignificant Irew about two is to the defence niperieuse, with sas, to assiit the place ; and lord id spirit, landed y Castle, an out- tion depended, stance, did not le heroic spirit " which have ing this castle, st the repeated ce of his lord- too, after notic- j; services, con- igium upon his the castle when nto the ditch, his lordship was xvr of balls flv- iriied with the where it was t he took under ills services on 10 Bath. Thii LOUD COCHRANE. 523 unfortunately led to conpri^uencos ., hich could ha; '', N I - '( ' ' I' JlJ'' materially contributed to the success of the cause, particu- larly by the taking of Valdivia, the last strong hold left to the Spaniards. His cutting out of the Esmeralda frigate, from under the guns of the castle of Callao, was an exploit unsurpassed by any of his former deeds of daring. We transcribe a short account of this achievement, from captain Basil Hall:— " While the liberating army, under Oeneral San Martin, ^vere removing to Ancon, lord Cochrane with part of his srpiadron anchored in the outer roads of Callao, the sea-port of 1 iima. The inner harbour was guartled by an extensive syst(.'m of batteries, admirably constructed, and bearing the gen-ral name of the castle of Callao. The merchant-ships, as v\ell as the men-of-war, consisting at that time of the Esir.eralda, a large 40-gun frigate, and two sloops of war, were moored under the guns of theca>tle withiti a semicircle of fourteen gun-boats, and a boom made of spars chained together. Lord Cochrane having previously reconnoitred these formidable defences in person, undertook, on the 5th of November, 1820, the desperate enterprise of cutting out the Spanish frigate, although she was known to be fully prepare*] for an attack. His lordship proceeded in fourteen boats, containing 240 men, all volunteers from the different ships of the squadron, i two divisions; one under the immediate orders of captain Crosby, the other under captain Cuise, both officers commanding ships of the Chilian squadron. At midnight, the boats having forced their way across the boom, lord Cochrane, who was leading, rowe(l along-side the first gnn-boat, and taking the officer by surprise, pro- posed to him, with a pistol at his head, the alternative of " Silence, or death !" — no reply was made — the boats push- ed on unobserved — and lord Cochrane, mounting the Esmeralda's side, was the first to give the alarm. The sen- tinel on the gangway levelled his piece and tired ; but was instantly cut down by the coxswain, and his lordship, though wounded in the thigh, at the same moment stepped on the deck. The frigate being boarded with no less gallantry on the opposite side, by captain (iuise, who met lord Cochrane jnid-way on the quarter-deck ; and also by captain Crosby; the after-part of the ship was soon carried, sword in hand. The Spaniards rallied on the forecastle, where they made a desperate resistance, till overpowered by a fresh party of seamen and marines, headed by lord Cochrane. A gallant stand was again made for some time on the main- LOUIS AND TROUBRIDGE. 525 le cause, particu- strotig hold left Isineralda I'rigate, 10, was an exploit of daring. We ent, from captain oral San Martin, with part of his dhio, the sea-port d by an extensive , and hearing the li merchant-ships, that time of the vo sloops of war, 'ithin a semicircle of spars chained nsly reconnoitred ook, on the 5th of )f cutting out the be fidiy prepared 1 fourteen boats, he dirt'erent ships er the immediate r captain Guise, ian squadron. r way across the •owe(l along-side y surprise, pro- le alternative of —the boats push- mounting the \iarm. The sen- l fired ; but was lordship, though t stepped on the less gallantry on et lord Cochrane captain Crosby ; sword in hand. v'here they made )y a fresh party Cochrane. A ne on the main- deck; but before one o'clock the ship was captured, her cables cut, and she was steered triumphantly out of the har- bour, under the fire of the whole north face of the castle. The Hyperion, an English, and the Macedonian, an Ameri- can frigate, which were at anchor close to the scene of action, got under weigh when the attack commenced ; and in order to prevent their being mistaken by the batteries for the Esmeralda showed distinguished signals ; but lord Cochrane, who had foreseen and provided even for this minute circum- stance, hoisted the same lights as the American and English frigates ; and thus rendered it impossible for the batteries to discriminate between the three ships ; the Esmeralda, in con- sequence, was very little injured by the shot from the batter- ies. The Spaniards had upwards of 120 men killed and wounded, the Chilians eleven killed, and thirty wounded. " This loss was a death-blow to the Spanish naval force in that quarter of the world; for, although there were still two Spanish frigates and some smaller vessels in the Pacific, thev never afterwards ventured to show themselves, but left lord Cochrane undis{)uted master of tlie coast." Lord Cochrane's latest employment was in the service of the Brazils, the emperor of which, Don Pedro, created him Marquis of Marenham in 1823. He has not since been conspicuous in public life. He was restored to his rank in the navy in 1830, on the accession of the Whigs to power, under William IV., from a feeling probably that party spirit had at least increased the severity of his punishment. It would require many volumes to give an account of our naval heroes, contemporary with those we have mentioned. It is necessary, however, to mention' the following persons, the more prominent of whose exploits are mentioned in connection with the history : — Sir Thomas Louis, one of Nelson's great captains, was born at Exeter in 175'J, and went to i^t-a at the age of twelve. He was created a baronet in 180G, and died, uii* Alexandria, in 1807. Sir Thomas Troubridge t tered as a midshipman in 1773; was engaged in most of the great actions of his time, and was a great favourite and admirer of lord Nelson. He was made a baronet in 179JJ,ajid shortly afterwards one of the lords of the admiralty. Early in 180G, beiig then i !;i if li^ 52G GARDNER, HOOD, ELPHINSTONE. rear-admiral of the white, he was appointed to the command at the Cape, and sailed for that station in the Dlenheim The ship was overtaken by a hurricane and was never after- wards heard of, Alan, lord Gardner, was born at IJttoxeter. Staffordshire, in 1742; went very early to sea, and rose to high command and reputation. Ho fought with Howe on the glorious 1st of June; was made an Irish peer in ISOO; a British peer in 1806 ; and died in 1809. The nnme of Hood occurs often in our pages, and always with praise. Samuel Hood, lord viscount Hood in 1796, was the son of the rector of Thorncombe, Devonshire, born in 1724, and closed a long life spent in honour, as governor of Greenwich, in 1816. Alexander Hood, lord Jiridport, a younger brother of the preceding, an equally gal- tant sailor, was in the battle of the 1st of June, was created a peer in 171)6, and died in 1814. Commodore Sir Samuel Hood was a nephew of the preceding. He served first under lord Hood, and commanded the Zealous, at the battle of the Nile. Captain Alexander Hood, who fell gal- lantly in battle in 1794, was also of the same family. George Keith Elphinstone, son of the Scottish lord El- phinstone, distinguished himself highly during the war, and at the peace of 1814, was created viscount Keith, having previously in 1803 been created a baron. He died in 1823. fE. to the commaml 1 the lilenheim was never after- jr, Staffordshire, L) high command the glorious 1st a British peer in our pages, and iscount Hood in iihe, Devonsliire, it in honour, as nder Hood, lord g, an equally gal- (une, was created dore Sir Samuel He served first Zealous, at the 3od, who fell gul- e family. Scottish lord EU •ing the war, and nt Keith, having He died in 1823. ^ r^:XMQTjTH ]^ LORD EXMOUTII.— i:dward Pellew, was born in 1757, and was the son of a commander of a government packet at Dover. In his early life he had to struggle with many difficulties, which his perseverance and abilities enabled him to overcome. He went to sea at the age of thirteen, and passed through the subordinate stations with great diffi- culty. At the beginning of the war in 1703, we find him in command of La Nymphe, -^f thirty-six guns, when he all at once started into celebrity, by his capturing La Cleopa- tra, a French frigate, this being the first engagement of the war. He was knighted on the occasion. Brave as Sir Edward Pellevv was in battle, his courage was still more conspicuous in actions of humanity. Twice did he leap overboard and save from drowning two of his sailors; and his daring in swimming to the wreck of the Dutton East Indiaman,otf Plymouth, with a rope, to establish a commu- nication with the shore, has never been surpassed. He wa.? accompanied by a midshipman, named Easell, and they were the means of saving the whole crew. For this manly ex- ploit he was made a baronet. In 1797, he gave an eminent proof of his seamanship as well as bravery. Cruising in the Indefatigable, in consort with the Amazon, they fell in with a French ship Les Droits do» i I . i\ ! I ',i ' rt'i \* i \U\ < f I til, I i i ! '■ f;'^ ' J / 1 n I I 'J'- I,. :f ■ r I ,1^ "fl ^28 LORD EXMOUTH. Ilommes, of great force, and immediately attacked her, though close on the enemy's shore. After a keen contest, they drove her ashore, but the sea running very high were themselves involved in the danger. With great skill Pelle^ extricated his disabled vessel; his consort was wrecked, and the crew reaching the shore in rafts, were made prisoners. Thirteen hundred men of the enemy perished. We cannot detail his numerous actions, many of which we have already noticed. At the peace of 1814 he wa create opportunity of despo-tching a boat under cover of the Sev rrn , with a flag of truce, and the demands I had to make, n che name of his lloyal Highness, the Prince Regent, on the Dey of Algiers, directing the officer to wait two or three hours for the Dey's answer, at which time, if no reply was sent, he was to return to the flag-shij). The fleet at this time, l)y the springing up of the sea- breeze, had reached the bay, and were i)rt'paring the boats and Hotilla for service until near two o'clock; when, observ- ing my officer was returning with the signal flyiiii,'', that no answer had been received upwards of three hours, L iii>tantly made the signal to know if the ships were all r* ady, w!ii -h being answered in the afHiinative, the (^uecn Charlotte bore up, followed by the fleet, for their a[)pointed stations; the flag-ship, leading in the prescribed order, was auehored in the entrance of the mole, at about fifty yards distance. At this moment not a gun had been tired, and I began to suspect a full comi)liance with the terms which had been so many hours in their hands; at this period of profound . ilence, a shot was fired at us from the mole, and two at the ships to the northward then following; this was promptly returned by the Queen Charlotte, who was then lashing to theujain- mast of a brig, iV-.st to the shore in the mouth of the mole, and which we had steered for, as the guide to our position. Thus commenced a fire as animated and well supported as, I believe, was ever witnessed, from a quarter before three until nine, without intermission, and which did not cease altogether until half-past eleven. The ships immediately following me were admirably and coolly taking their stations, with a precision even beyond mr 2l :\ ,; I IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V /. • M tjt^ W/^ 1 ///// ^ 1.0 I.I 1.25 1^ IIIIM IIIIM ||3.6 140 IIM |2£ 1.4 II 1.6 6" ^ % //. o / ///. Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) B72-4S03 C/i ^ 5.30 LORD EXMOUTH. I If i!r"r !"T If ; 1 Hj'I' I:, II 'if -J,:^ ! 1 I most sanguine hope, and never did the British flag receive, on any occasion, more zealous and honourable support. To look further on the line than immediately round me was perfectly impossible, but so well grounded was my confidence in the gallant otiicers I had the honour to command, that my mind was left perfectly free to attend to other objects, and I knew them in their stations only by the destructive effect of their fire upon the walls and batteries to which they Mere opposed. I had about this time the satisfaction of seeing Vice- adiniral Van Capellan's Hag in the station I had assigned to him, and soon after, at intervals, the remainder of his fri- gates keeping up a well supported fire on the flanking bat- teries he had oti'ered to cover us from, as it had not been in my power, for want of room, to bring him in the front of the mole. About sun-set I received a message from rear-admiral Milne, conveying to me the severe loss the Impregnable was sustaining, having then one hundred and fifty killed and wounded, and requesting I would, if possible, send him a frigate to divert some of the fire he was under. The Glas- gow, near me, immediately weighed, but the wind had been driven away by the cannonade, and she was obliged to anchor again, having obtained rather a better position than before, 1 had, at this time, sent orders to the explosion vessel, under the charge of lieutenant Fleming and Mr Parker, by cap- tain Keade, of the engineers, to bring her into the mole ; but the rear-admiral having thought she would do him essential service if exploded under the battery in his front, I sent orders to this vessel to that clYect, which were exe- cuted. I desired also the rear-admiral might be informed, th.^t many of the ships being now in flames, and certain of the destruction of the whole, I considered I had executed the most important part of my instructions, and should make every preparation for withdrawing the ships, and desijj^d he would do so as soon as possible with his division. There were awful moments during the conflict which 1 cannot now attempt to describe, occasioned by firing the ships so near us, and I had long resisted the eager entreaties of several around me, to make the attempt upon the outer frigate distant about one hundred yards, which at length 1 gave into, and major Gossett^, by my side, who had been eager to land his corps of miners, pressed me most anxiously for permission to accompany lieutenant llichards in this •( LORD EXMOUTH, 531 tish flag receive, urable support, y round me was as my confidence command, that to other objects, r the destructive ies to which they of seeing Vice- '. had assigned to linder of his fri- lie flanking bat- ; had not been in a in the front of om rear-admiral Impregnable was fifty killed and ible, send him a der. The Glas- le wind had been obliged to anchor tion than before, jion vessel, under Parker, by cap- i- into the mole; ( w^ould do him tery in his front, which were exe- L^ht be informed, s, and certain of 1 I had executed ions, and should g the ships, and with his division, conflict which I led by firing the le eager entreaties pt upon the outer which at length 1 e, who had been ne most anxiously Richards in this I ship's barge. The frigate was instantly boarded, and in ten minutes in a perfect blaze; a gallant young midshipman, in rocket boat No. 8, although forbidden, was led by his ardent spirit, to follow in support of the barge, in which he was desperately wounded, his brother officer killed, and nine of his crew. The barge, by rowing more rapidly, had suffered less, and lost but two. The enemy's batteries around my division were silenced about ten o'clock, and in a state of perfect ruin and dilapida- tion, and the fire of the ships was reserved as much as pos- sible, to save powder, and reply to a few guns now and then bearing upon us, although a fort on the upper angle of the city, on which our guns could not be brought to bear, con- tinued to annoy the ships by shot and shells during the whole time. Providence at this interval gave to my anxious wishes the usual land wind, common in this bay, and my ex- pectations M'ere completed. We were all hands employed warping and towing ofl', and by the help of the light air, the whole were under sail, and came to anchor out of reach of shells, about two in the morning, after twelve hours incess- ant labour. The flotilla of mortar, gun, and rocket boats, under the direction of their rc.-spective artillery officers, shared, to the full extent of their power, in the honours of this day, and performed good service. The sloops of war which had been appropriated to aid and assist the ships of the line and prepare for their retreat, performed not only that duty well, but embraced every opportunity of firing throuyrh the intervals, and were constantlv in motion. The shells from the bombs were admirably w ell thrown by the royal marine artillery : and although thrown directly acroi-s and over us, not an accident, that 1 know of, occurred to any ship. The whole was conducted in perfect silence, and such a thing as a cheer I never heard in any part of the line ; and that the guns v»ere well worked and directed, will be seen for many years to come, and remembered by these barbarians for ever. ExMOUTH. (Loss,— English, 128 killed, 090 wounded. Dutch, 13 killed, 52 wounded. Total, 883.) On the 28th of August, treaties of peace were signed by the Dey with his Britannic majesty, and with his majesty the king of the Netherlands. Ou the same day also was signed an additional Article or I r,;j2 LOPD EXMOUTH. Declaration for the Abolition of Christian Slavery, to the following effect : — In consideration of the deep interest manifested by his royal highness the prince regent of England for the ter- mination of Christian Slavery, his hiijhness the Dey of hiyfhness the Dev Algiers, in token of his sincere desire to maintain inviolable his friendly relations with Great Britain, and to manifest his amicable disposition and high respect towards the Powers of Europe, declares, that in the event of future wars with any European Power, not any of the prisoners shall be consigned to slavery, but treated with all humanity as pri- soners of war, until regularly exchanged, according to European pi'actice in like cases; and that at the termina- tion of hostilities, they shall be restored to their respective countries without ransom ; and the practice of condemning Ciu'lstian prisoners of war to slavery is hereby formally and for ever renounced." " By command of the Admiral." The Dey also in the presence of his Divan, apologised to the British Consul for the personal restraint which had been imposed upon him during the late transactions, and he also paid to the Consul a sum of three thousand dollars as a remuneration for depredations committed on his residence after his imprisonment. After the treaties and article before mentioned had been negociated,and that the Dev had refunded three hundred and eighty-two thousand live hundred dollars, which he had lately received from the governments of Naples and Sardinia, and had released one thousand and eighty-three Christian slaves who were at Algiers, it came to the knowledge of lord Ex- mouth, that two Spaniards, the one a merchant and the other the Vice-consul of that nation, had not been released, but were still held by the Dey in very severe custody, on pretence that they were prisoners for debt. The inquiries which his lordship felt himself called upon to make into these cases, satisfied him that the confinement of the Vice-consul was groundless and unjustifiable, and he therefore thought himself authorised to demand his release, under the articles of the agreement for the deliverance of all Christian pri- soners. It appeared that the merchant was confined for an alleged debt, on the score of a contract with the Algerine government; but the circumstances under which the contract WHS said to have been forced on the individual, and the gitat severity of the confinement which he suffered, deter- n Slavery, to the nanifested by his and for the ter- ness the Dey of liritain inviolable nd to manifest his ards the l*owers future wars v/ith 'isoners shall be humanity as pri- d, according to at the termina- ) their respectivo 3 of condemning eby formally and m, apologised to t which had been ons, and he also md dollars as a on his residence itioncd had been ree hundred and lichhehad lately id Sardinia, and Christian slaves Ige of lord Ex- Tchant and the )t been released, 2re custody, on The inquiries make into these the Vice-consul creforo thought ider the articles I Christian pri- confined for an h the Algerine lich the contract idual, and the suffered, deter- LORD EXMOUTII, rained his lordship to make an effort in his favour also. This he did, by requesting his release from the Dey, offering himself to guarantee the payment of any sum of money which the merchant should be found to owe to his highness. The Dey having rejected this demand and offer, his lordship, still unwilling to have recourse to extremities, and the renewal of hostilities, proposed that the Spaniards should be released, and that they should be placed in the custody of the Spanish Consul. These propositions the Dey also positively refused; and lord Exmouth then felt that the private and pecuniary nature of the transactions for which these persons were confined, must be considered as a pretence for the continu- ance of slavery, the total abolition of which his instructions directed him to insist upon. His lordship therefore acquainted the Dey, that as all the conditions proposed to him on this point had been rejected, he had determined to insist on the unconditional release of the two Spaniards, and therefore desired an answer, yes or no; and, in the event of the latter, stated that he would immediately recommence hostilities. These measures had the desired effect; and the two persons were released; so that no Christian prisoner remained at Algiers at his lord- ship's departure, which took place on the evening of the 3d September, 18 IG, with all the ships under his orders. The refunded ransoms were sent to the Neapolitan an• f^ ' I' '';( m I m i^K n I trr--v ft '::; !,l. i, 540 SIR ROBEKT STOl'FORD. in the order named Lefore. The Castor, the Carysfort, Talbot, Benbow, Edinburgh, Turkish Admiral, Hazard, Wasp, and the Austrian frigate, stood in for the south face. The llevenge was ordered to keep under weigh as a reserve. At a quarter past two o'clock, the batteries to the south opened on the Castor, as she most gallantly, and to the ad- miriition of the whole fleet, took up her station within about 700 yards of the batteries, where she and her consorts opened their fire, as had also by this time the northern division. The steamers were placed between the two divisions under weigh, and thus the action became general, the Egyptian troops who manned the batteries, standing to their guns, with heroic valour and perseverance. About three o'clock the llevenge was ordered in by commo- dore Napier to support the Powerful's division, and took up an admirable position head of that ship. At twenty minutes past four, the action being at its height, a terrific explosion took place in the town, which for a time wholly concealed it and the southern division from view. Its ap- pearance was truly aw f'ul, and " I can compare it to no- thing," says an eye-watness, "but as if a huge yew-tree had suddenly been conjured up from the devoted town ; it hung for many minutes a mighty pall over those hundreds it had hurled into eternity ; and then slowly, owing to the lightness of the wind, drifted to the southward." This proved to be the explosion of the principal magazine of the place, one-third of which it destroyed ; and from a whole regiment having been quartered in a khan immediately ad- joining, it is supposed that from 1500 to 1700 soldiers perished in the ruins, besides a number of camels, horses, bullocks, and donkeys. Immediately afterwards, the fire from the southern batteries nearly ceased ; but the w estern one still kept it up with animation, and was answered broad- side after broadside with redoubled vigour and tremendous effect from the fleet. About five o'clock the admiral made the signal to discontinue the engagement : but from the smoke it could not be seen for some time by the Powerful's division, which continued until half-past five to fire at the fow remaining guns which still maintained the action. Shortly after a boat pushed off from the captain of the port, to say that the Egyptians were leaving the town, and that if a party was landed at the water-gate it would be found open. This was of course immediately done, and 300 Turks and a party of Austrian marines took D. istor, the Carysfort, h Admiral, Hazard, n for the south face, r weigh as a reserve, itteries to the south antly, and to the ad- station within about le and her consorts s time the northern i between the two tion became general, > batteries, standing ■rseverance. About red in by commo- division, and took t ship. At twenty Its height, a terrific ti tor a time wholly f'rom view. Its ap- compare it to no- . huge yew-tree had oted town ; it hung »se hundreds it had ing to the lightness incipal magazine of and from a w hole immediately ad- to 1700 soldiers of camels, horses, terwards, the fire ; but the western s answered broad- ly and tremendous e admiral made the It from the smoke the Powerful's five to fire at ained the action. »e captain of the saving the town, ter-gate it would n mediately done, -n marines took SIR ROBERT STOPFORD. oil n unopposed possession. At daylight the remainder of the Turkish troops and a considerable number of marines were landed, and quietly marched into the place. Thus fell the far-fained fortress of Acre. Mahmoud Bey, the governor, effected his escape, but was afterwards taken by the mountaineers. The result of this splendid achievement, was three thou- sand prisoners, an immense quantity of warlike stores, .i.*5000 in specie, found in the town, and possession of the entire coast of Syria. Admiral Stopford returned to England, after completing a treaty with Mehemot Ali, which finally settled the Eastern (juestion, and as a reward for his long and meritorious ser- vices, he received the important appointment of Governor of Greenwich Hospital — ^JkBHlCS ICUL SIR CHARLES NAPIER.— We shall now proceed to give a sketch of the brilliant career of Commodore Napier, the second in command in the expedition against Acre, whose fame for intrepidity has passed into a proverb. It is partly founded on matter extracted from his election- eering speeches, and certainly not the less interesting on that account. Charles Napier is the eldest son of the Hon. Charles Napier of Merchiston-hall, Stirlingshire, and was born at Falkirk in 1787. His family trace their descent from the ancient Earls of Lennox, who were so created in the reign of Malcolm the Third, in 1057. On taking a retro- spective view of their genealogy, we find that many of them were distinguished in the service of th ir country. Sir Alexander Napier, of Merchison, knight, was made comp- troller of Scotland, by James the Second, in 1450, and vice- admiral, by James the Third, in 14G3. He was one of the ambassadors to England in 1451, and in 14G8 was sent with the lord chancellor to negociate the marriage of his royal master with the daughter of the king of Denmark. Sir Alexander Napier, the grandson of the former, was master of the mint to James the Sixth,, He was succeeded by John, the celebrated mathematician, whose attachment to the study of astronomy and spherical geometry, enabled him to work out that admirable system of logarithms which has SIR CHAklLES NAPIER, 143 i'/^ m m> /V ! shall now proceed •eer of Commodore B expedition against ssed into a proverb, d from his election- less interesting on est son of the Hon. •lingshire, and was e their descent from 3 so created in the On taking a retro- that many of them ^ ir country. Sir t, w as made comp- ,in 1450, and vice- He was one of the 14G8 was sent with rriage of his royal )f L>enmaik. Sir irmer, was master was succeeded by ose attachment to letry, enabled him arithms which has i . gained him immortality. This eminent man was succeeded by his son, Sir Archibald, the first lord who accompanied James the Sixth to England, when he was created one of the piivy council, deputy treasurer, lord chief clerk, and one of the senators of the college of Justice in Scotland. In the reign of Charh the First, he was continued in the treasurer's office, am also made one of the extraordinary lords of session. On the 2d of March, 1G27, he was created a bai'onet, and on the 4th of May following, he was advanced to the peerage. Archibald, the second lord, continued in the service of the crown, and was found faithful through the whole of the feuds that occurred in that reign. He finally retired to the continent, where he died in 1600. The title is still held by the family, and the subject of this sketch is the grandson of Francis, the eighth baron Napier. Charles Napier entered the navy when very young, and gave early proof of the spirit which has distinguished him in after life. The first action which brought him into public notice, is thus described in characteristic language by himself, during the election at Portsmouth in 1833, when it had been asked by his opponents, who he was ? " In the course of my canvass I have been asked who lam. I'll tell you. I am captain Charles Napier, who 25 years ago commanded the Recruit brig in the West Indies, and who had the honour of being 24 hours under the guns of three French line-of-battleshi))s flying from a British squadron, the nearest of which, with the exception of the Hawk brig, was from five to six miles astern the greatest part of the time. I kept flying double-shotted broadsides into them. One of the ships (the Ilautpoult) was captured by the Pompey and Castor, the other two escaped by superior sailing. Sir Alexander Cochrane, my commande^'-in-chief, promoted me on the spot into her. At the siege of Martinique, the iEolus, Cleopatra, and Recruit, were ordered to beat up in the night between Pigeon Island and the main, and anchor close to Fort Edward; the enemy, fearing an attack, burnt their shipping. At daylight in the morning it appeared to me that Fort Edward was abandoned ; this, however, was doubted. I offered to ascertain the fact, and with five men I landed in open day, scaled the walls, and planted the union jack on the ramparts. Fortunately 1 was undiscovered from Fort Bourbon, which stood about a hundred yards off, and commanded it. On this being reported to Sir Alexander Cochrane, a regiment was landed in the night. Fort i44 SIR CilARLES NAPIP:R. ;) i t1 P i'i :< .' I ''' *i Edward was taken possession of and the mortars turned against the enemy. I am in possession of a letter from Sir Alexander saying that "my conduct was the means of saving many lives and shortening the siege of Martinique." 1 had once the misfortune of receiving a precious licking from a French corvette ; the first shot she fired broke mj thigh, and a plumper carried away my mainmast. The enemy escaped, but the British flag was not tarnished. On my return to l^ngland, in command of the Jason, I was turned out of her by a Tory admiralty, because I had no interest ; but as I could not lead an idle life, I served a cam- paign with the army in Portugal as a volunteer, whei I was again wounded. At the battle of Busaco I had the honour of carrying off the field my gallant friend and relative, colonel Napier, now near me, who was shot through the face. On my return to England I wms appointed to the Thames, in the Mediterranean ; and if I could bring the in- habitants of the Neapolitan coast into thisroom, they would tell you, that from Naples to the Fa o l*oint, there was not a spot where I did not leave my mark, and brought off with me upwards of one hundred sail of gun boats and merchant vessels. I had the honour of running the Thames and Furieuse into the small mole of Ponza, which was strongly defended ; and before they could recover from their surprise I captured the island without the loss of a man. I was then removed to the Euryalus, and had the good fortune to fall in with two French frigates and a schooner. I chased them in the night close into Calvi, in the island of Corsica, pass- ing clos3 under the stern of one, plumperingher as I passed ; and though we were going eight knots, 1 tried to run aboard of her consort, who was a little outside, standing athwart my hawse ; the night was dark, the land close, and she suc- ceeded in crossing me, but I drove her ashore on the rocks, where she was totally wrecked, and her consort was obliged to anchor close to her. The Euryalus wore round, and got off, almost brushing the shore as she passed. These ships were afterwards ascertained to be armies cnfi\de, mounting 22 guns each, and the schooner 14, From the Mediter- ranean I was ordered to America ; and if my gallant friend Sir James Gordon was here, he would have told \ou how I did my duty on that long and arduous service up the Potomac. He would have told you that in a tremendous squall the Euryalus lost her bowsprit and all her topmasts, and that in twelve hours she was again ready for work. We brought J ^.OB. mortars turned I letter from Sir i the mearrs of of Martinique." precious lickinj:^ 1 fired broke m^ mainmast. The ; tarnished. On he Jason, I was ecause I had no , I served a cam- teer, whei I was [ had the honour nd and relative, hot through the appointed to the »uld bring the in - room, they would nt, there was not brought off with ats and merchant the Thames and lich was strongly ■om their surprise nan. I was then 3d fortune to fall r. I chased them of Corsica, pass- g her as I passed ; L'ied to run aboard standing athwart lose, and she suc- lore on the rocks, msort was obliged )re round, and got ;ed. These ships enjlnte.monniing rom the Mediter- my gallant friend ve told you how I !e up the Potomac, endous squall the masts, and that in [•k. We brought ■1 SIR CHARLES NAPIER. 545 awiiy a fleet from Alexandria, were attacked going down th3 river by batteries, built close to what was the residence of the great Washington, and I was again wounded in that action in the neck." Having given in his own language, and with characteristic brevity, a notice of commodore Napier's services during the great war arising out of the French revolution, we come n3Kt to his services in the war of succession in Portugal, where he held the post of admiral. The chief feature of his exploits here was the capture of the Miguelite fleet, which wo shall immediately detail, from one of his own letters. In this action the following was the relative strength of the two fleets: — DONA MARIA S SQUADRON. Guns. Rainha do Portugal Fri- gato,Vice-adtnirars flaj;, 46 Don Pedro, formerly Wel- lington Iiidiaman 48 Donna Maria Frigate, .... 42 Portuense Corvette, 18 Villa Flor Brig 16 Foro Schooner, 6 176 DON MIGUEL'S SQUADRON. Guns. Don John, 8U Rainha, 76 Martin Freitas, 48 Princess Royal, 56 Zebecque. Isabel Maria 24 Tagus, 20 Princessa Real Corvette,.. 22 Audaz 20 Sybille, 26 37? After a chase which commenced on the 3d July and lasted till noon the next dav, the battle commenced : — " About one o'clock," he says, "the breeze became steady; the people were at quarters, determined to fight to the last, and I sat down to a hasty dinner with commodore Wilkinson, captains Cable, Blackstone, Pearn, Charles Napier, Iloxton, and Macdonough, who had quitted the steamers in disgust. We talked over the approaching battle with great confidence, little thinking that in half an hour three of the partjrwould cease to live or be mortally wounded, and two more danger- ously. At two, the captains returned to their ships; the signal was made for battle and close order ; the boats were lowered down, and the squadron led by the Rainha, display- ing the constitutional Hag at each mast-head, gradually edged away under their courses and top-gallant sails. The enemy (with the exception of the Martin Freitas, who had her 2 M 540 SIR CHARLES NAPIER. m ,'J, III 1 " mm % J ^ courses and top-gallant sails set) were under their topsails, and as we approached the lee-line closed up in the inter- mediate spaces, but a little to leeward, thus forming a double column o? two line-of-battle ships, a fifty-gun ship, a fifty- gun frigate, three heavy corvettes, two brigs, and a zebec(|ue. l*revious to this, the frigate being to leeward tacked, and had all the appearance of coming over ; but after fetching in the wake of the fifty-gun ship, she again tacked and took her station. The breeze was good, the water smooth, not a cloud in the heavens ; the enemy looked well and firm, and they were plainly seen training their guns as we approached. It was a trying and awful sight, and accompanied with a considerable degree of dread, (at least I can answer for myself) ; officers and men were calm and determined, though aware of the danger of the enterprise, the success of which mainly depended on the state we should be in after the first broadside. " The enemy kept their line close, and reserved their fire till well within musket-shot; the frigate then threw out a signal, which wc concluded was for permission to fire; the moment was critical, and we all felt it. " The commodore's answer was hardlv at the mast-head ere the frigate opened her broadside, which was instantan- eously followed by the whole squadron, with the exception of the Don John, whose stern and quarter guns could only bear. Poor llainha! I looked up and expected to see every mast tottering; but the cherub was sitting aloft, and notwith- standing the most tremendous fire I ever witnessed, which made the sea bubble like a boiling cauldron round her, the smoke clearing away discovered to the astonished Miguelites the Rainha proudly floating on the waters of iS^elson and St. Vincent, with her masts erect, her rigging and sails only shewing the fiery ordeal she had gone through. " The men were lying down at their quarters; few were struck down on the main-deck, but the three foremost guns on tl^ quarter-deck were nearly dismounted, and lieutenant Kivett, of the marines, received a mortal wound. At this time we had not fired a shot, and I ordered a few to be thrown on board, to check, as much as possible, their taking a de- liberate aim. Our example was followed by the Don Tedro, and we soon passed the frigate and Martin I'reitas, the latter losing her fore-topmast. At this time the sternmost line-of- battle ship luffed to — our helm was put up to avoid her broad- side, and the Don John bore up across her bows, intending their topsails, ) in the inter- rming a double m ship, a fiftv- md a zebecque. rd tacked; and after fetching acked and took r smooth, not a I and firm, and we approached, npanied with a lan answer for rmined, though iccess of which n after the first erved their fire en threw out a lion to fire; the t the mast-head } was instantan- the exception of could only bear. > see everv mast t, and notwith- v'itnessed, which round her, the ished Miguelites ' Melson and St. and sails only gh. rters; few were e foremost guns and lieutenant 'ound. At this 'ew to be thrown leir taking a de- y the Don Pedro, 'reitas, the latter ternmost line-of- avoid her broad- bows, intending SIR CHARLES NAPIER. 54: ■ to place us between the two line-of-battle ships. This was just what I desired, and when she passed too far to leeward to recover a weather position, our helm was put suddenly down. The frigate flew to, grazing the llainha's stern with her flying jib-boom ; the foremost guns were poured into her, crammed to the muzzle with round and grape; the helm was then shifted, and we ran alongside under a very heavy fire, which struck down my secretary, master, and many men. The ships were lashed with the main sheet, and commodore Wilkinson and captain Charles N.ipier, heading the boarders, passed from tljo bower anchor to her bulwark, driving the men across the forecastle along the larboard gangway. " I had not intended to board, having enough to do to look after the squadron ; but the excitement was too great, and I found myself, withf)ut hardly knowing it, on the enemy's forecastle, supported by one or two officers. There I paused, till several men rushing on board, we rushed alt with a loud cheer, and either passed through or drove a party down upon the break of the quarter-deck. At this moment I received a severe blow from a crow-bar, the owner of which did not escape unscathed ; and poor Mac- donough fell at my side by a musket-ball. Barradas, the captain of the ship, came across me, wounded in the face, and fighting like a tiger. He was a brave man. I saved his life. The second captain came next, and made so good- natured a cut at me that I had no heart to hurt him ; ho also was spared. Barradas took up arms again, and was finally killed in the cabin, " The Commodore and Captain Charles Napier, after driving a whole host before them, fell, severely wounded, on the quarter-deck ; the former with difficulty regained his ship — the lattar, being tunned, lay some time, until the noise of friends coming to his assistance, roused him from his stupor. " The quarter-deck was now gained, but the slaughter still continued, notwithstanding the endeavour of the officers to subdue it. The main and lower decks were yet unsul)- dued ; and as the Don Pedro ranged up on the opposite side to board, both ships fired. I hailed captain ''Mobe to desist, as we had carried the upper deck, and desired liim to follow the Don John, who had made off; at the same time a ball from the lower deck struck him, and in a few minutes he was no more. Lieutenants Edmunds and Woodridge jumped down with a party on the main deck, which they .y 43 SIR CHARLES N'APIER. carried, but both fell under mortal wounds. In a few minutes all was quiet; the lower deck ji^ave in, and inany of the Portuguese seamen rushed on the quartei-deck for safety, with white canvas on their left arms, having discover- ed that was the badge worn by our men in boarding. Others got on board my ship, amongst whom several little boys found their way into the gun-rooms, and employed themselves wiping glasses. " The men were now ordered back to the Rainha witli tb3 exception of those appointed to remain, and in the hurry the ships separated, leaving me in the prize. I, howevei', soon got back to the flag-ship. The fore-top -sail, which was cut to rags, was shifted in half an hour, (the mainsail was also useless, and was in the act of being shifted); all sail was set, and we were fast approaching the Don John, the Don Pedro being still nearei', when, seeing no chance of avoiding an action, she luffed to and hauled her colours dov/i , " The Don Pedro was directed to secure her, and I fol- lowed the Martin Freitas, who had been too strong for the Portuense (whose captain, Blci-kstone, was mortally wound- ed), and Villa Flor, and though much disabled, was making otf; by ten she was in my possession. The Princess lioyal corvette, coming across a steamer, surrendered also. A little after I got alongside the llainha, captain Peak, in the Donna Maria, passed under the tifty-gun frigate's stern, raked her, luffed to, and, after firing a few broadsides, ran his bowsprit into her mizeu rigging, and carried her in gallant style. " Thus flnished the action of the 5th of July 183G, leaving in our possession two ships of the line, mounting eighty-six guns each, including four forty-eight pounders for throw- ing shells, one frigate of fifty. two guns, a fifty-gun chip, and a corvette of eighteen guns: two corvettes and two brigs escaped: the two former arrived sate in Lisbon ; one brig joined the following day, and the other got to Madeira. The enemy were amply found in every species of warlike stores, and mounted stern-guns in addition to the full com- pliment on their broadsides. " The loss of the squadro^^ was about ninety killed and wounded. The enemy lost between two and three hundred. " It is not for me to comment on this action; I shall leave that to the world, simply observing, that at no time was a naval action fought with such a disparity of force, and in In 1 few , and many of ,rtei-deck for ving discover- in boarding. 1 several little and employed Rainha witli d in the hurry I, howevei', ;op-sai], which , (the mainsail g shifted); all he Don John, ig no chance of ed her colours her, and I fol- strong for the lortally wound- ed, was making The Princess irrendered also, aptain Peak, in frigate's stern, broadsides, ran carried her in ly 183G, leaving riting eighty-six ders for throw- L fifty-gun chip, 'vettes and two in Lisbon ; one got to Madeira. ecies of warlike to the full com- inety killed and 1 three hundred, on; I shall leave t no time was a of force, and in SIR CHARLES NAPIER. 549 no naval action was there e\er so severe a loss in so short a tune. The result of this brilliant achievement was the evacuation of Lisbon by the Miguelites, and tho final triumph of the cause of Donna Maria. Napier was immediately created Viscount Cape St. Vincent, and received the grand cross of the tower i.nd sword ; but, strange to say, no sooner had tho excitement caused by victory subsided, than the intriguers of the court had influence enough to stop all further proofs of royal gratitude, and the gallant officer soon found himself involved in a series of squabbles with the officials of the government, who did every thing in their power to [)revent the fulfilment of his just demands, not the least important of which was a claim for pensions to the widows and orphans of the men who had so gallantly lost their lives while fighting under his command. This treatment necessarily excited strong feelings of irritation and resentment in his breast, ami accordingly we find him giving free vent to such feelings in a letter to M. Freire, the prime minister, from which we quote the following passage : — " I remark that anything that tends to disgust me is done immediately ; that there is then no d'^'lay in your Excellency's office; while, at the same time, anything I propose for the good of the service reposes quietly in your portfolio for months; this state of matters cannot continue. I will not submit to aft'ronts, and the government shall either change the system or dismiss me; and I shall return to ICngland to justify the projjhecies of my friends, that I have Ijeen serving an ungrateful country." Napier very soon afterwards carried this threat into effect. It was accelerated by the death of Don Pedro, which com- pletely severed the ties that bound him to the service of Portugal, and in the November following, he returned to England. So little gratitude or good-will now existed on the part of the Portuguese officials, that they did not even pay him the compliment of a salute on his leaving the Tagus ! After his return to England, nothing material occurred to call the gallant officer into public notice till 1837, when he stood candidate on the liberal intcest, for the representation of Greenwich. He polled 1153 votes, but was overtopt by Mr Barnard, who only polled 1192, so that his defeat was nearly allied to victory. The proceedings, on this occasion, like all those in which naval officers are jnirties, created both ' ' 550 SIR CHARLES NAPIER. . I H >' ', ( , ! I. I i 'ti V ^ f ^/^ I. in*^^erest and amusement. In the newspaper accounts of the (lay, v^ e finJ the following characteristic personal sketch : — " Captain Napier is a stout man, with an intelligent face, the head poked rather forward, and wit/i dark hair, now becoming grey. On the occasion of his election, he appeared in an old blue frock-coat with brass navy buttons; duck trowsers, not rivalling the snow in whiteness; shoes patched, but very easy ; and white cotton socks, carefully if not com- fortably darned. On his left breast dangled a profusion of orders blazing in their brilliancy, yet serving only to render more striking the tout ensemble ofsecdiness, which this true * British Tar' presented to the admiring crowd of the * beauty and fashion' of Greenwich and DeptforJ. The whole was crowned by a round hat of munt manageable brim, of whose colour the only adequate description must be given in the language of the Latin poet, — "Qui color albus erat nunc est contrarius albo.' " The next event in Napier's career was his appointment to the Powerful, in 1839, which was destined to join the Medi- terranean fleet, with special instructions to take soundings of the Dardanelles, and drawings of various ports along the coast to Therapia, &c., all preparatory to the naval operations which were soon after carried into effect in those i'cgious. When the Powerful came to Portsmouth for her crew, the following characteristic- announcement was issued and pla- carded on the walls : — " Wanted, active seamen for the Powerful Captain Napier. " The Powerful is a fine ship, and in the event of a war, will be able to take her own part." This appears to have been written in the true spirit of a seaman confident of his powers, and anxious to signalise himself in the service of hi country. How prophetic it was, may be gathered from the memorable events which followed. In 1840, Napier was promoted to the rank of commodore, and in that capacity became a principal actor in the brief but brilliant war in Syria, for the settlement of what was emphati- oally called the Eastern question. From the landinp- of the British, Turkish, and Austrian forces in Djournie Bay, to the negotiation and settlement with Mehemet Aliat Alexandria, ha was indefatigably employed in every operation of the campaign; and, whether described as working in his shirt . SIR CHARLES NAPIER. 551 ^counts of the »nal sketch : — itelliyent face, irk hair, now n, he appeared [)uttons; duck shoes patched, illy if not com- a profusion of only to render hich this true n'owd of the 'ptforJ. The ht manageable •iption must be albo.'" ippointment to join the Medi- e soundings of 5rts along the aval operations those regions, her crew, the sued and pla- erf ul IN Napier. ^ent of a war, rue spirit of a IS to signalise /■ prophetic it events which )f commodore, a the brief but t was emphati- andin'i- of the urnie Bay, to at Alexandria, ration of the g in his shirt sleeves in the trenches at Djournie, as leading the storming parties at .Sidon, Jaffa, Tsour, and Caiffa, or as dictating, pen in hand, the terms of submission to the Egyptian racha, he appears iri one and ail of those different positions as acquitting hinself with equal energy and judgment. The first affair which redounded to the fame of the com- modore in those parts was the march upon Beyroiit. This place, the ancient Barytus, stands on the verge of a beautiful plain, varied with small hills, and extending to the foot of Mount Libanus. The surrounding country is covered with kiosks, and enriched with groves of vines, olives, palms, and orange tree':, Tts population has been estimated at ten thou- sand souls, or' whom the Turks form one-third. During the Holy Wars it was made the scene of the fabled victory of St. George and the Dragon. It was now, like its symbolic ser- pent, destined to fall a second time hy the might of another Knight of Christendom. Napier, on the 0th October, having directed the Emir Beschir to join him on the heights of Ornsohojouen, arrived on the 10th at their summits, when they found to their surprise that between 2000 and 3000 men had planted themselves in a position that appeared unassailable. They did not hesitate a moment as to the course to be pursued. The attack began by short skirmishes. Heavy firings succeeded. The hill was soon crowded by our battalions, who, on coming into contact with the enemy on its top, gave the affair a precipitate termination, and caused tht Egyptians to ground their arms. A second attack was made on the remaining troops, and in less than half an hour it became a total rout, the enemy leaving all their bag- gage, ammunition, and provisions. Night put an end to the pursuit. Ibrahim Pacha, who commanded, escaped with a few men, and the rest dispersed, leaving between six and seven hundred prisoners. The victors instantly marched upon Beyrout. The late defeat had struck its garrison and inhabitants with terror. It was consequently evacuated, and became a prize to the combined forces. The effect of these successes led to the entire disorganization and submission of Soliman Pacha's army, to the amount of nearly 3000 men, and the whole of his artillery and stores. Napier landed at Djouri-'.^ on the 10th of September, having made about 5000 prisoners, and increased his numbers by about 5000 deserters who had come over. A fact highly honourable to the government of the day, in England, ought not to be omitted here. Immediately after 552 feiR ^^i^RLF.s napier. receiving the intelligence of the capture of Be\rout, lord Minto, the first lord of the admiralty, paid to the lady of tie connniodore the greatest coniplinicut ever yet received by tl.e Avife of a naval officer. This ludv, the \vid()\v of lieutenart Edward Elers, 1{ ^^ ^apier married early in life. Loid Minto, on the abo\ ..sion, posted down to her residence at Horndean, to announce to her that as a testimony of their lordships' approbation of her husband's conduct, they had appointed her son, captain Charles Napier to a ship ; as v.ell as to convey to her an expression of the obligations of the government and the gratitude of his sovereign. Napier's next exploit was the taking of Saida. On the 24th September, admiral Walker, with the Turkish iieet, appeared before Tyre, summoned and took it, ^^ith 5G0 captives. On the 2Gth, commodore Napier ajtpeared before Saida with one line-of-battle ship, and with the Austrian division. The Egyptian commander having refused to surrender, Napier began to fire. After two hours' cannonade the breach was declared practicable, and 1000 British, Turks, and 200 Austrian?, marched and carried the town by storm. Three thousand Egyptians laid down their arms; the allies lost 40 killed and 70 wounded. The result was most complete. The whole of Lebanon was speedily on fire; the etlect on Ibrahim's troops was electric. The corps of 10,000 men under him dispersed, and 60 officers with 4000 men went over to Napier. On the 27th Sept., Ibrahim himself left Baalbeck with a small force and fled to Damascus. The four consuls who had left Alexandria joined Napier's fleet. The commodore next distinguished himself at Sidon, where his conduct was equally daring, valorous, aiui etfective. We quote the following spirited account from the Malta Times of the 15th October: — '' Q£^ Alexandria, October b. " The smartest aiTair is yet to be told you. Charles Napier, on Friday, the 25th, talking with the admiral, remarked that Sidon was not in our possession, and said to him, " If vdu like, I will go down and take it, and be back again in eight and forty hours." He started, and was as good as his word. He had the Thunderer, Cyclops, Gorgon, and Hydra, with 800 Turks and 500 marines. On their way he i'ell in with the Stromboli from England, with a detachment of 2(J0 marines: these he took with him, and after firing thot and f Bevrcut, lord the lady of tie t received by the iw of lieutenai.t y in life. Loi-d her residence at tiniony of their uluct, they had a ship ; as v.eil ligations of the ■n. f Saida. On h the Turlvish J took it, with apier appeared and with the • having refused er two hours' able, and 1000 md carried the ms laid down rounded. The Lebanon was ps was electric. , and 60 officers the 27th Sept., brce and fled to eft Alexandria self at Sidon, valorous, and count from the 'a, October 5. >harles Napier, remarked that him, " If y,iu again in eight od as his word. d Hydra, with he iell in with ohment of '200 irh:g thot and t! I i ', I, I 'I * t »» ! ; \ i\ Capture of St. Jean d'Acre, 1840. r^ f iCiil SIR CHARLES NAFIER. 553 shells at the towri for a couple of hours, he made a breach, and landed at the head oC his men. It was a sharp strugj^le ; but, after destroy injL,'- a great number of the enemy, who neither gave nor would receive quarter, they at last killed the Egyptian commander, who died game. With two marines' bayonets at his breast he refused (juarter, and resisted, so they fired, and he of course died, when his troops threw down their arms to the amount of 500; 1500 were afteiwards taken, and the whole 2000 have heen brought roun«l to tlie fleet at J)journie; I believe they will be sent to Cyprus. Najjler was most daring — on the tops of t'le houses he made his way, waving his hat on the })oint of his sword, and cheer- ing the men on. Our loss amounted to fifteen marines killed and wounded ; two mates badly wounded, Motley and Shears, of the Wasp ; and a mate of the Ueverige, with five seamen, one since dead ; and one of the Thunderer's launches killed, A marine otheer, who had only that morning arrived in the Strouihuli, Avas killed in the breach — his name is Hocken, and he has been serving' on the coast of Spain ; and I hear another was wounded. The Castor and Tiijue took The crowning achievement, however, in this ])rief war, was the captui e of Acre. This celebrated fortress, which had gloriously resisted the arms of Napoleon, was destined to fall before a J5ritish armament, under Stopford and Napier. The triumph, in this instance, demonstrated to the staggering faith of tlie politicians of Europe that nothing can withstand British genius and valour. The importance of Acre, as a military position, is well described by the celebrated ti^avelier Clarke. lie jusUy calls it the key-stone of the East, since it extends the influence of its Covernor even to Jerusalem. It enables its possessor to shut up the country, and keep the inhabitants in sulijection. All the rice, which is the staple food of the peojtle, enters by this avenue. The lord of Acre may, if it so [tlease him, cause a fiimine to be felt even over all Syria. Djezzar Pacha used to insist that the key of a pubhc granary is the mightiest engine of military operation, and thus it was that he, an old man j)ent up in a small tower by the sea-side, possessed so extraordinary an empire. Hence, too, we find Acre to have been the last place from which the Christians were expelled from the Holy Land; and hence its pos- session, notwithstanding the insignificant figure it makes in the map of the great Asiatic Continent, is of more import- 55x sin, CHARLES \APIER. ■'i m ii i ; 1. f :' i I 1 ' ; 'il. ;nl. ance than the greatest armies, under the most victorious leader, ever sent for the invasion of the country. Commodore Napier on this memorable occasion headed one of the two divisions, and did not cease his fire till every gun of the enemy was silent. The order of the engagement we have already detailed, in our sketch of the commander-in-chief admiral Stopford. After the fall of Acre, Napier sailed for Alexandria, in the Powerful, and arrived there on the 21st. We have the following account of his arrival in a letter from an officer on board H.M.S. Ganges, off Alexandria, dated Nov. 21 : — *• The commodore joined this morning ; we were all cock-a- hoop, expecting a brush with the batteries ; but our expecta- tions soon fell to the ground on hearing that he remains here only a short time (about a fortnight,) and then proceeds to Malta. All the ships (Vanguard excepted) manned rigging and cheered him on passing, the band playing ' Charlie is my darling,' with which *old Charlie' was much pleased. The Powerful had the warmest berth at Acre; but, strange to tell she was hulled only twice, one shot in the cutwater, and one hitting the main bits on the quarter-deck; three men were slightly wounded from one of their own guns." No sooner had Napier arrived before Alexandria than he set himself, with characteristic vigour, to obtain by negotia- tion what he had been hitherto employed to accomplish by force of arms — a fair settlement of the Eastern question ; in other words, the submission of Mehemet Ali to t)ie terms prescribed by the Allied Pov/ers in their mediation between him and the Sultan. In the management of this delicate affair the commodore proved himself to be as efficient an adept in diplomacy as in war. After a brief correspondence, the Pacha accepted the terms offered to him ; and thus in six hours was adjusted a dispute which had occupied all the ablest diplomatists of Europe for nearly six years ! ! The arrangement come to by the Commodore and Mehe- met Ali was no doubt afterwards repudiated by admiral Stopford, but the subsequent more formal agreement, entered into with the latter, was virtually the same as that which had been so promptly effected by the commodore. The only difference was, that what Napier did was done at once ; what Sir Robert Stopford did was done slowly, and with all the deliberate formalities of diplomatic negotiation. When the commodore had brought the l*acha to terms, he war was considered at an end on both sides. Napier •'; , I. most victorious intry. occasion headed ease his fire till he order of the ur sketch of the r Alexandria, in t. We have the ' from an officer lated Nov. 21 :— were all cock-a- but our cxpecta- ; he remains here then proceeds to ) manned rigging lying ' Charlie is s much pleased. 3re ; but, strange in the cutwater, irter-deck; three leir own guns." exandria than he jtain by negotia- accomplish by astern question ; Ali to the terms ediation between of this delicate e as efficient an 'correspondence, m ; and thus in occupied all the years ! ! Ddore and Mehe- ited by admiral reement, entered le as that which mmodore. The as done at once ; wlv, and with all 3tiation. l*acha to terms, 1 sides. Napier sill CHARLES NAPIER. ooo accordingly went on shore, and took up his f|uartors at the British Consulate, when he was immediately visited by the principal Consuls, resident in Alexandria. A private letter, written at the time, and published in England, thus describes his reception : — " On the 25th of November, he landed and spent his time in walking through the town in a plain coat without epaulettes, and all the inhabitants, Turk, Arab, and Christian, manifested the most intense desire to see him. On the 27th, about noon, he passed through the bazaars in the carriage of Mr Larking with a great cavalcade to be pre- sented to the Pacha, and I perceived that most of the Orien- tals gave him a profound salaam. Nobody could have be- lieved that Lord Palmerston would have entrusted such a delicate negotiation to commodoi-e Napier, who has always been considered a mere fighting man, but the result shews that his lordship's prognostications in this respect have not been deceived. The town is in a perfect state of jubilee, and the old stagers say this is the merriest Bairam they ever saw." The war being thus happily brought to a close, Napier soon after returned to England, where he was welcomed with all the cordiality due to iiis merit. lie had the honour of an interview with his sovereign, and was raised to the rank of Knight Commander of the Bath. The inhabitants of Liverpool, Manchester, and Leeds, demonstrated their sense of his services, by inviting him to splendid public enter- tainments, at which men of all parties attended, and where political distinctions were lost in admiration of those quali- ties which had stamped the character of their guest with the fame of a second Nelson. On these occasions, the commo- dore delivered his opinions with characteristic freedom, and was rapturously a|iplauded. It is gratifying to the writer of this sketch to be able to add, that a still higher distinction awaited the subject of it. In June 1841, parliament having been dissolved, che com- modore became once more a candidate for senatorial honours, and was successful. He is now one of the liberal repre- sentatives for Marv ;bone; and, we donbt not, that in politics he will exhibit the same dauntless spirit that has uniformly character is .'d him in war. Whatever mav be the fate of parties, or the course of events, IJritons may always rest assured that their rights ami liberties will have at least one honest defender in the House of Commons, in the person of the gallant Sir Charles Napier h PI M ' !■ ,r Nil!'? i iVi; *■ .1 I.I % I [ f ■ -- 1 1 I' . J 1 1 i ,1 • 5 i J' i i i k^ J y fDG TI;E CIIIM f^E V«AR. THE CIIINEJ-E WAE. In 1889, a (lisj,ute arose between our government and tint of China, regardinjj: tlie ?ei/ure, at Canton, of certain pro- perty belongirg" to Driti.'-h subjects engaged in tbe exporta- tion of opium, a trade vbicb although well known to le contraband, according to Chinese law, yet was secretly en- couraged by the au't.horities of that country. In the course of the I't'gociations that were consequently eritered upon, t(jr the purpose oi' bringing the existing differences to a termin- ation, various acts of insult and aggression were committed by the Chinese, which necessarily led to retaliation on tlie part of Great Britain, and hence a series of hostilities which have l)een dignified by the title of the Chinese war. 'J his is rot the ])lace to discuss the jiolicy or impolicy of the course that has been pursued by the British government. But it is due to the character of our navv to shew, bv a few brief detads, that in this contest we have given new proofs to the world of our nrval energy and })ov\er. The first act of aggussion, on the part of the Chinese, was an attack by a fleet of war-juViks on the British frigates Volage and Hyacinth, which took place immediately after the Chinese imperial commissioner had broken oft a negocia- tion with her !^lajesty's representative, cf.ptain Elliot, for a renewal of the susperided trade. Captain ]']l!iot had pro- ceeded on board the Volage, with the Hyacinth, to Chuenjiee, to deliver a cfiop to the commissioner, when a fleet of twenty- nine war-junks sailed out, with the evident intention of surrounding the two ships, and continued to close around them, regardless of repeated warnings of the consequences, until it became necessary to fire u[ion them. The fire v\as instantly returned by the junks, and accordingly a regular engagement ensued. 'Jhe result w as a terrible lesson to the Chinese. In less than half an hour, five junks were sunk, another was blown up, and the remainder, many of them disabled, were obliged to crowd all sail to escape. This they were permitted to do unmolested, captain 8mith of the Volage, having yielded to he entreaties of capta'-i ]^llit;t to be satisfied with the exanqile he had made of those that were destioyed, and to sufier the fugitives to escape The following details of this afi'air are from the pen of an officer on board the Volage during the action : — " Captain 8mith sent a lieutenant andMr. IVIorrison, the inter})reter, in his boat to the admiral's junk, with a com- munication ibr the Yum Chae, in which he requested that ernmcrit and tl at n, of certain f lo- (1 in tlie exj ovta- ell known to 1 e was sccit'tlv cn- i'. In the coni^e entered ujion,ior nets to a tennin- I were conanittc d retaliation on the f hostilities which ese war. 'J his is lev of the course .'rnn.eiit. But it kV, bv a few brief iK'W jiroofs to the t of the Chinese, e British irigates mmediately after ken otf a negocia- tain Elliot, for a Elliot had pro- ith, to Chuenpee, a flei t of twenty- • ent intention of to close arour.d he consequences, I. The fire was ingly a ivguhir ble lesson to the uiiks were sunk, many of them escaj)e. This tain Smith of of capta''! Elliot e of tliose that o escape '1 he )en of an ofitlcer Morrison, the dv, with a com- .' requested tliat THE CHI.VIoK WAR. 557 the edicts threatenin' destruction to the merchants at Ilonir K)ii^ shjiiM bj withdrawn, ami that perinissioii niij^'ht be granted for the British comuiunity to return to th(^ neutral port of Macao, and there remain unmolested until the inten- tions of the British government could be received, lie said also that there was no particular haste to reply ; that three days would be granted, when an answer must be furnished. The otiicer and Mi*. Morrison were received on board the junk with much civility, and also entertained with tea, pre- serve.', &c. After it was made known to the Chinese admiral what were the nature of the communications of wdiich they were the bearers for the connnissioner, and the time required for a reply, ho said there was no occasion for the delay, and that one should be sent sooner. This was in the mornin*''. After au hour or two had elapsed, a linguist a id a mandarin came on board the Volage, bringing with them captain S:nith's letter unopeneil, and a few words written on a shab'jy piece of paper, intitnating that the men-of-war must sail away. While they were yet oa b.iard, the admiral had got his ileet under weigh, and i'l two divisions, of about twelve or fourteen junlcs each, they bore down upon the frigates in well-formed Iuk^s, and very steadily. C i:)tain Smith very naturally was much eiu-agi-d at the indilference with which they had treated his letter, and at the style in which he was addressed on the scrap ot' paper they had sent him. He at once ordered the linguist and mandarin into their boat, and as the Chinese H.'et was ap- proaciiing him fast, sent word by the linguist to the almiral that if in half an hour he did not fall off and retire from the threatening manoiuvros he assumed, he would fire into the n. 'l.Mie message was disregarded, and captain Smith o;>enetl his broadside, and a scene of dreadful carnag-j took place; the iirst junic tired into blew up, fragments of her scattering about in all directions. She was full of soldiers in red uniforms, and out of some two hundred persons that ni 1st have beea on board, only three were seen holding on to the fragments of the wreck, when the smoke cleared aw , . The Hyacinth had, in the meantime, contrived to gel be- tween Chuenpee and the junks, several of which bore uj) for her, apparently with the intention to run her on board. She remained ([uiet until they got within pistol shot, when she poured into them from both sides such volleys of grape and cannister that a shocking slaughter was the result. Several of he junks were completely disabled, and after a broadside 558 THE CHINESE WAR, ■J ! i ) ^I'l ; I r rt !i li •i / I 1' r or two, all made sail for Anson's bay in the best manner they could. The irigates followed, and every broadside must have sent dozens of Chinese into eternity. At last Elliot, who had been begging captain Smith for God's sake to stop, prevailed upon him to make a signal to the Hyacinth to stop firing, and to haul off himself. They had now been engaged about two hours, and were bearing up for Macao, when the old admiral kept away to re-engage the Volage. Ca})t. Smith luffed up, not inclined to disajipoint him. The junk came down before the wind, keeping up an incessant fire ; when within good short distance, the Volage gave her one broad- side, then kept away, leaving the junk tottering likea drunken man, and she must have soon gone down, a strong breeze blowing from the north at the time. Two hours afterwards both the vessels were at anchor in Macao-roads. Many high mandarins were on the hill at Chuenpee within sight of the eng.igement, audit was said his Excellency the Commissioner was one of them. On board the admiral's junk the men stood to their guns nobly, and those actually engaged are allowed to have fought verv well ; but when thev commenced they were ignorant of the dreadful efllect of a sloop of war's broadside. Only one foreign man was hurt, and he received a slight wound on the shoulder; they say, however, that the Hyacinth will require a newmizen-mast and mainyard." Notwithstanding the above serious collision, negociations were still carried on with a view to adjust existing dift'ei'- ences, but at the same time hostile preparations were made on both sides, and an expedition was fitted out in India on the part of the ]3ritish government. After its arrival in the Chinese seas, the first operation of this force, commanded by Sir Gordon Bremer, was an attack upon the island of Chusan, the capital of which (Tinghae) was carried on the 5th of July, after firing a single broadside, and without the loss of .1 man on the side of the captors. The Chinese had 25 killed, including one officer of rank. The rest of the garrison fled, and the British standard was immediately hoisted o i the walls. The negociations were still going on, even after this im- portant capture, and it was supposed they would soon be brought to an .amicable termination. It became at last apparent, however, that the Chinese purposely procrastinated a settlement — and accordingly more decisive means were adopted on the part of the British. Preparations were therefore made, on the 9th of January, for attacking the outposts of the famous Bogue forts. About 700 sepoys, 'J* the best manner :1 everv broadside eternity. At last lith for God's sake lal to the Hyacinth 'hey had now been •ing- up for Macao, ?theVolage. Capt. it him. The junk ncessantfire;when ive her one broad- ring like a drunken 1, a strong breeze ■y hours afterwards foads. Many high vithin sight of the the Commissioner al's junk the men ually engaged are n they commenced of a sloop of war's rt, and he received , however, that the d mainyard." sioUj negociations st existing differ- ations were made out in India on the its arrival in the ce, commanded by island of Chusan, ■ied on the 5th of ithout the loss of nesehad 25 killed, the garrison tied, listed 1 the walls, ven after this im- would soon be became at last ely procrastinated sive means were 'reparations were for attacking the bout 700 sepoys. THE CHINESE WAR. 559 ' 200 European soldiers, and 400 seamen and marines, were embarked under the command of major Pratt, of her Majesty's 2Gth regiment, in the steamers Enterprise, Nemesis, and Madagascar, and landed in the vicinity of the fort of Chuenpee. At the same time her Majesty's ships, Calliope, Larne, and Hyacinth, opened a cannonade on the lower batterv of the fort, while the steamers Nemesis and Queen threw shells into the upper tower which com- manded it. The latter was soon taken possession of by the Briiish troops, who poured down a heavy fire of musketry on all the lower works, and quickly drove the Chinese from their guns. In two hours the fort was in possession of the English, with a loss of only 3 killed and 23 wounded; that of the Chinese was estimated at from 500 to 700. Many were killed in the attempt to escape by jumping down from their endjrasures, a depth of 20 feet, to the rocks below. The ships and crews escaped unhurt though the fort had 35 guns. At the same time the fort of Tycocktow was attacked by another squadroii, operating about three miles to thf southward, under command of captain Herbert, of the 8amarang, supported by the Druid, Modeste, and Columbine. A heavy lire was opened on the fort, and promptly returned ; but the Chinese guns were speedily disabled ; and a party of seamen landed to seize the fort. The Chinese made u spirited resistance, but were soon overpowered, and the fort captured. The first lieutenant of the Samarangwas wounded in the assault. The steam-vessels then attacked the fleet of junks lying in Anson's bay, but owing to the shallowness of the water, only the Namesis could approach them, towing twelve armed boats of her Majesty's ships. Her first rocket set fire to the powder magazine of one junk, eighteen others were blown up by their own crews, and the rest escaped into the inner waters. Next morning her Majesty's ship Blen- heim began to throw shells into the batteries at Wanlong, and was preparing to attack the chief fort of Anunghoy, when the Chinese commander-in-chief made a communica- tion to captain Elliot, wdio thereupon desisted from further hostilities. On the 20th of January, a circular was addressed by the British Plenipotentiary to her Majesty's subjects in China, announcing that preliminary arrangements between the imperial commissioner and himself had been made to the following effect : — " 1 . The cession of the island and harbour of Hong Kong to the British Crown. All just charges and duties to the empire upon the commerce carried on there to p'^l \\a( THE CHINESE WAR. f ♦ vf.'\ if " r^' \ <'■ W'li; JM m be paid as if the trade were conducted at Whampoa. 2, Au indemnity to the British government of 00,000,000 dollars, 1,000,000 dollars payable at once, and the remainder in equal annual instalments, ending in 1846. 3, Direct official inter- course between the countries upon an equal footing. 4. The trade of the port of Canton to be opened within ten days after the Chinese New Year, and to be carried on at Whampoa till further arrangements are practicable at the new settle- ment. Details remain matter of negociation." These preliminaries to a treaty were hailed in Great Britain as happily terminating the Chinese question, and, at the same time, as opening up commercial prospect^s of mutual benefit to both nations. Unfortunately the Chinese commissioner, Keshen, a mandarin of the first rank, had exceeded his instructions, and when the agreement reached the Imperial head-quarters, it was instantly repudiated by the emperor. Preparations were accordingly made, on the part of the British, for the renewal of hostilities. On the 18th of February, all the officers of the fleet were ordered to join their respective vessels, and on the 20th the expedition sailed up the river. In a few hours, the Chinese forts and batteries, destined to be attached, were carried with a very trifling loss on the part of the assailants. Various operations took place at intervals, till the 19th of March, when captnin Herbert, commanding the advanced squadron, reported to the admiral that the forts, defences, and riotilla of Canton, had all been attacked and captured, and that the union-iack had been hoisted on the walls of the British Factory at Canton ; the guns of the squadron com- manding all the approaches to the city fron the western and southern branchesof the river, and thus placing in the power of the British the great commercial capital of the empire. Thus stood matters at the date of the last advices from China. It is earnestly to be wished that the commanding ]>osition then held by the British force may have at length brought the Imperial government not only to perceive the danger of continuing the contest, but also to a proper sense of the importance of renewing amicable relations with us, and thus at once put a stop to the calamities of war, and pave the way to extend the power, as well as increase the happi- ness of the people of both countries. THE END. '.■I VAR. id at Whampoci. 2, An it of 00,000,000 dollars, id the remainder in equal 3. Direct official inter- 1 equal footing. 4. The ned within ten days after carried on at Whampoa cable at the new settle- gociation.*' ■ were hailed in Great Chinese question, and, ommercial prospoct^s of ifortunatoly the Chinese of the tirst rank, had 1 the agreement reached itantly repudiated by the lingly made, on the part stilities. )fficers of the fleet were els, and on the 20th the few hours, the Chinese attacked, were carried part of the assailants, ervals, till the 19th of iraanding the advanced hat the forts, defences, attacked and captured, sted on the walls of the 5 of the squadron com- y fro-n the western and lus placing in the power capital of the empire. the last advices from I that the commanding 'ce may have at length ot only to perceive the t also to a proper sense ible relations with us, nitics of war, and pave as increase the happi-