THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
.
y / V '',.",, '," '(/."'
"W A"\r/A T (T* "iCTTc* (Tti
A . Jri V >VLi vi^jcLcivU
VOL.
FROM JULY to
M o c c c i.
_ _ _ titun'tfa trgttotw j)7<K'ttt
Co77cctajqt(e /ha at mibes. solettique re
* y
FobtrOia."br B-tmney X: Gold, Shoo lane.
TO
THE RIGHT. HONOURABLE
GEORGE JOHN EARL SPENCER,
VISCOUNT ALTHORPE,
MEMBER OF HIS MAJESTY'S MOST HONOURABLE
PRIVY COUNCIL
KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER
AN ELDER BROTHER OF THE TRINITY HOUSE
AND FIRST COMMISSIONER FOR EXECUTING THE
OFFICE OF LORD HIGH ADMIRAL OF
GREAT BRITAIN,
&c. &c. &c.
COMMENCED UNDER HIS AUSPICES,
CONTINUES, BY HIS PERMISSION,
TO BE INSCRIBED,
WITH THE MOST GRATEFUL RESPECT.
PREFACE
TO THE FOURTH VOLUME.
IT is said to have been remarked by a late cele-
brated critic and writer, Dr. Samuel Johnson, that if
an Author took care to introduce his book by an
elegant and entertaining Preface, it was not, nine-
teen times in twenty, of much consequence to him
how the body of the work was executed. Although
there may be some truth in this observation with re-
spect to literary works in general, yet the Editor of a
periodical publication is totally precluded from this
advantage. On the other hand, he claims one which
is more useful to him perhaps, for he considers him-
self in general answerable only for a careful arrange-
ment, and the selection of such materials as he
thinks may prove most interesting, for the merit of
which he is principally indebted to the labours of his
friends, and not his own.
IV PREFACE.
Acting on the necessary principle just mentioned,
it has ever been the leading feature of the NAVAL
CHRONICLE to record with fidelity every passing
Naval Event, and to intersperse these with such re-
marks and collections of fugitive pieces on Naval
Subjects as are thought most worthy to be preserved
from oblivion.
Of the Biographical Memoirs, which occupy so
considerable a part of the ensuing Work, as it were on
one hand the height of arrogance to expect praise on
account of their compilation, so on the other, the
fidelity and impartiality with which, it is trusted,
they are composed, may, it is hoped, entitle the ar-
fanger to the satisfaction of learning, that the feveral
circumstances have been collected with no inconsi-
derable care and attention.
To avoid flattery, and to represent facts literally as
they occur, should be the first objects of a biogra-
pher's care ; and if he is conscious to himself he merits
no reproach from a neglect of those points, he may rest
in tolerable ease as to any other species of censure.
The influx of temporary matter has caused the ne-
cessary postponement of some articles in the follow-
ing collection, which it is hoped may be considered
useful, instructive, and entertaining. The
PREFACE. J
tions of Naval Tactics, drawn from the consideration
of actual events, together with those of Naval History,
have only been interrupted, and not relinquished.
The subjects will be resumed, the instant a cessation
of more immediately interesting matter shall render the
measure advisable and proper.
The Editor and Proprietors would consider them-
selves as guilty of the blackest ingratitude, were they
not to acknowledge, with the warmest sensations, the
various and very interesting communications that they
have received from their numerous friends. Conscious
of having paid every attention in their power to the
assistance they have received, they rest satisfied, with-
out vanity or arrogance, in the expectation of a conti-
nuance of that favour and support which they have
already experienced ; for they trust, they shall never
forfeit that esteem and rank which they have the
vanity to suppose they now hold in the opinion of
their friends, by any alteration in the conduct which
has hitherto been so liberally received and so hand-
somely rewarded.
PLATES IN THIS VOLUME.
fag.
A VIGNETTE TITLE, from a Design by Mr. WESTALL, repre-
seating BRITANNIA, supported by the Trident, standing firm
amid surrounding Storms, engraved by HEATH.
PLATE XXXVI. PORTRAIT of the Right Hon. Earl of ST. VIN-
CENT. Engraved by RIDLEY, from a Painting by
J. F. ABBOT, Esq 1
XXXVII. REPRESENTATION of the Aftion off Cape St.
Vincent, the nj-th of February 1797, between the
British and Spanish Fleets 47
XXXVIII. PORTRAIT of the Right Hon. Lord Viscount
DU::CAN. Engraved by RIDLEY, from a Painting
by J. S. COPLEY, R. A . . 81
XXXIX. REPRESENTATION of the A&ion off Camper-
down, between the English and Dutch Fleets, on
the nth of October 1797, Engraved by DODD, xaS
XL. PORTRAIT of the Hon. SAMUEL BARRINGTON, Admi-
ral of the White Squadron, and General of Marines.
Engraved by RIDLEY, from a Painting by J. S.
COPLEY, R. A 169
XLI. REPRESENTATION of the Situation of the William
Tell French Man of War, on the Morning of her
Capture, in her Endeavour to escape from Malta.
Engraved by DODD -> . ^ZZ
XLII. PORTRAIT of Sir ERASMUS GOWER, Knt. Rear-
Almiral of the White. Engraved by RIDLEY,
from a Painting by LIVERSAY 257
XLIII. VIEW of the FRENCH FLEET, under Count
D'Estaing, bearing down on the English Fleet,
commanded by Rear-Admiral Barrington, at
Anchor across the Mouth of the Bay of th Grand
Guide Sac, St. LUCIA, December 1788. Engraved
by DODD 297
XLIV. PORTRAIT of Sir THOMAS PASLEY, Bart. Vice-
Admiral of the Red Squadron. Engraved by
ROBERTS, from a Painting by J. F. ABBOT, Esq. 35*
XLV. VIEW of GIBRALTAR. The Portrait of a Bomb-
Ketch on the old Construction, with the Fleet of
Admiral Sir George Rooke standing into the Bay,
Engraved by ELLIS, from a Drawing by Mr. Po-
COCK 38*
XLVI. PORTRAIT of Sir SIDNEY SMITH, Grand Cross of
the Royal Military Swedifh Order of the Sword,
and Commander ; from an original Painting 5 en-
graved by RIDLEY 44.5
XLVII. VIEW of the interior HARBQUR and PORT of
BREST, by a FRENCH NAVAL OFFICER, and en-
graved by MEDLAND 485
XLVIII. A CHART of the ROAD and PORT of BREST, from
an actual Survey ........... 485
/
If it happens that a Ship is to be brought up in a pi ace where there is not sufficient room to tend hf,
lertuce her headway a; much as passible before she conies to her anchoring birth, so thit a ie.s Kupe
f cable wilibnui Uer u?. Steei'i fraOia tf H'wkirf Shift.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
JOHN JERVIS, EARL OF ST. VINCENT,*
KNIGHT OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER. OF THE BATH,
AND ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE SQUADRON.
Then you fill'd
The air with shouts of joy, and did proclaim,
"When Hope had left them, and grim-look'd Despair
Hover'd with sail-streti-h'd wings over theii heads,
To me, as to the Neptune of the Sea,
They ow'd the restitution of their goods,
Their lives and liberties. MASSING ER.
TT is difficult to pourtray with truth the characters of
living persons. They may be compared to pictures
drawn from the life, in which every featuie must be some-
what heightened to obtain the reputation of similitude. The
exaggeration of beauties and of deformities are, it is true,
equally and alternately censured by friends and enemies ; but
if the likeness were exaUy correct, it would be admired by
* From the very extensive sale this part of our volume (No. 20) has met
with, we, in re-priming it, have corrected some errors, and added otLer inte-
resting particulars, which may be relied on as ^ituim.
. del. IV. B
1 BIOGRAPHICAL
none. The artist prefers, therefore, the approbation of half the
world to the censure, or at least the cold negleft, of the wholej
and sacrifices the fidelity of his portrait to the incorrigible
passions and inveterate prejudices of partial spectators. Time
however, the great corrector of all faults, softens down those 1
asperities which the pencil had left ; spreads a sober tint over
the brilliant lights, and mellows the shadows to a milder hue.
A cool recollection of the original, and the comparison with
other representations of the same object, aid us still further in
the discovery of the truth, and the whole is at length exhi-
bited to posterity with a degree of correctness which is almost
always denied to contemporaries.
The noble person of whom we are to speak is a striking
instance, perhaps, of the justice of these remarks. As an
officer, he has been charged with too strit an adherence to
that steady discipline which the wisdom of our forefathers,
attentive to the public good, ordained in naval regulations,
and from which a mistaken spirit of kindness in our time has,
on some occasions, unseasonably relaxed : as a senator, he
has been censured for what is called an uncertainty of political
conduct; in other words, for asserting, in his parliamentary
life, an upright and dignified independence, equally unbending
to Ministry and Opposition, equally inaccessible by interest
or adulation : as a man, he has been said to maintain a gra-
vity of deportment bordering on reserve and severity, because
he has too much feeling, and too much sincerity to waste on
knaves and fools those honest smiles, and that freedom of
conversation, to which his friends, to whom he never denies
them, have an exclusive right. Time will place these cir-
cumstances of character in a proper point of view ; while he
who justly experiences the love and esteem of all who know
him, joined to the gratitude of a nation, need not complain
that he has not his share of this world's chanties.
His Lordship is the descendant of an ancient and truly
respectable family, settled in the county of Stafford : being the
second and youngest son of Swynfen Jervis, Esq. Barrister at
Law, some time Counsel to the Board of Admiralty, and
OF JOHN JER.VIS, EARL OP ST. VINCENT, K. B. <f
Auditor of Greenwich Hospital. He was sent at a very early
age to a celebrated school at Burton-upon-Trent ; his whole
Education was directed to the object of the Law, for which
Profession -his father originally intended him; he quitted
this seminary when ten years old, in consequence of his
father having, in conformity to his own inclination, deter-
mined to educate him for the sea service. He was rated a
Midshipman about the year 1 748-9^ and served in that capacity
on board the Gloucester, of 50 guns, the commanding Ship
on the Jamaica station *. After an almost uninterrupted
series of service, which, owing to the peaceable situation of
public affairs, affords not sufficient interest to render a, par-
ticular detail of it either necessary or amusing, he was pro-
moted to the rank, of Lieutenant f, and, not long afterward,
selected by that admirable officer the late Sir Charles Saunders
to serve on board his Ship.
He accompanied, accordingly, Sir Charles as his first Lieu-
tenant in the expedition sent against Quebec : an expedition
which, though successful in its termination, displayed, for a
considerable time, nothing but a series of disappointments,
and difficulties, that, had they not been combated by the
utmost exertion of human ability, gallantry, and perseverance*
might have proved insurmountable. He was most deservedly
made Captain of the Porcupine Sloop in a few days after the
Admiral got up to the North end of the Isle of Orleans.
His former Commander J, who had become intimately ac-
quainted with the many excellent qualities he possessed, and
which peculiarly fitted him to fill, with the highest honour
to himself, and advantage to his country, the station of a
Naval Commander, appointed him afting Captain of the Ex-
periment, a post Ship, mounting 20 guns, during the indis^
position of Sir John Strachan, which event happened two
years before he was made a Commander. This temporary
promotion was extremely fortunate to Mr. Jervis, who,
having been ordered out on a Mediterranean cruise, had the
* Bearing the broad pendant of the Honourable George Townshend.
f On the 1 9th of February 175?.
$ Sir C. Saunders, who proceeded to the Mediterranean at the cornrneRCC-
of the year 1766, as Second in command on that station,
f
4 KtOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
fortune to fall in with a very large xebec trader, Moorisi)
colours, though it was very evident the whole of her crew
was French.
The superiority possessed by the enemy in poiut of natural
force was so threat, that the event of the contest would at best
have been doubtful, had not that enemy been resisted, on the
part of the English, by the most consummate ability, joined
TO the most active intrepidity. The xebec, exclusive of the
advantage she derived from her low construction, particularly
in smooth water and those light winds, which prevailed at the
time of the attack, mounted 26 guns of very heavy calibre
besides a considerable number of large swivels or patararoes.
The crew, which was nearly three times as numerous as that
of the Experiment, consisted of men selected from the har-
tli-st class of society, on whom the appellation of desperadoes
might be very aptly and justly bestowed. The grand objects
of their ferocL>us minds were rapine and plunder. Lawless in
their pursuits, insatiable in their avarice, and most intempe-
rate in what they considered their pleasures, they attempted
(instead of displaying that cool and dignified conduct which*
when he contends on honourable terms, excites our admira-
tion even of an enemy,) to dart on their prey with the savage
spirit of vultures, thirsting to satiate their voracious appe-
tites.
The conflia, though furious, was short; determinate
werjr prevailed over fury; and the assailants considered
Delves extremely fortunate in not being so disabled as to
rent them from talcing the advantage of a light and favour-
w of wind, which in all probability preserved them
a discomfiture much more serious, if not a capture
Captain Jervis, having returned to England, he commanded
mcorn by order, till the thirteenth of Goober 1760
* he was promoted to the rank of Post Captain by com-
mon appointing h im to the Gosport< of
is present at the re-taking St. John's Newfoundland and
conned the Trade from Virginia afterward, He continued
> (-port t,!l the end of the war, verv uninterestingly
'Cloyed on the home service, where thi lassitude w l[
OF JOHN JERVIS, EARL OF ST. YINCENT, K. 8. 5
which hostilities were permitted to linger, through the want
of the power of offence on the part of the foe, and the gene-
rosity of Britain in disdaining to take advantage of that fallen
state, afforded no opportunity for the exertion of the spirit
of enterprize, however naturally it might wish to display it-
self in the service of its country. After having remained
some time on the home station, Captain Jervis was ordered
to the Mediterranean, whence he did not return till the con-
clusion of the war, and, being then paid off, held no sub-
sequent command till the year 1769; when being appointed
to the Alarm frigate*, of 32 guns, he was again ordered to
the Mediterranean.
The command of a frigate on a foreign station for three
years, during a time of profound peace, cannot be supposed,
according to the general course of events, to afford any mate-
rials sufficiently interesting to attraft the notice of a biogra-
pher. Captain Jervis was not, however, a perfeft example of
the truth of this general observation. In the month of August
1770, being at Villa-Franca, he had the honour of entertaining
on board his Ship the Due de Chablais, brother to the King
of Sardinia, who expressed himself most highly gratified at
his reception f , having found, not improbably with surprise,
that elegance of manners, and the most polished behaviour,
were not incompatible with the character of a Naval Officer.
Not long after the return of Captain Jervis to England,
where he arrived in 1774, he was promoted to the Foudroy-
ant, of 84. guns : a Ship originally belonging to the French,
* The Preservation of the Alarm, after she parted her cables and was bulged
on the rocks of the Bay of Motoielles, may be considered as one of the greatest
features of the Character of Captain Jervis.
f His Royal Highness showed the greatest curiosity to be informed of the use
of every thing he saw. He desired the chain- pumps to be worked, and a gua
to be exercised, and between the several motions made the most pertinent
remarki. Having satisfied his curiosity, he testified his gratification by the
magnificent presents he made on that occasion. To the Captain he gave a
diamond ring, enclosed in a large gold snuff-box ; to the two Lieutenants a gold
box each ; to the Lieutenant of Marines who mounted the guard, the Midship-
man who steered his Royal Highness, and those who assisted him up and
down the Ship's side, a gold watch each, one of which was a Paris repeater, and
another set with sparks, together with a large sum of money to the Ship's com-
pany. His Royal Highness stayed about two hours, and was saluted on hi*
going aboard and coming ashore with one and twenty guns.
6 BIOGRAFH!CAL MEMOIRS
and captured from them in the year 1758, by the Monmouth
of 64 guns. This appointment was a very convincing
proof of the established and high reputation he bad ac-
quired in the service: for the Foudroyant was, with very
great truth, considered the finest two-decked Ship belonging
to the British Navy. His occupation from the time ot his
having first received his commission for this Ship was by no
means suited to the dignity of his character and the abilities he
confessedly possesses: for, owing to the multitude of frigates
and sloops of war which the dispute with the American colo-
nies rendered it expedient should be kept on their coast, it
had become necessary to employ Ships of tiie line as cruisers,
in the Bay of Biscay, in order to prevent, as much as possible,
all intercourse between the revolted States and France : as on
French assistance the colonists placed their principal depend-
ence for support, and for those stores, without a supply of
which they could not possibly have carried on the con-
test.
Fortune, as if she had frowned indignant at the degradation
both of the Commander and of the Ship itself, employed on
a service that was much better suited to a sloop of war or a
privateer, appears to have afforded him only one opportunity
of making a capture; and even that was * as ignoble as
would be the destruction of a mouse by the fangs of a lion :
but the unwarrantable interference of the court of France in a
dispute which was of a peculiar nature, and which demanded
their neutrality beyond every other case that could possi-
bly have been framed, raised Captain Jervis, though at the
expence of his country's welfare, into a situation better
suited to both his talents and (waving the cause which gave
birth to thceffeclj his inclination.
The Foudroyant being ordered to join the fleet equipped
for Channel service, under the command of Admiral Keppel,
Captain Jervis was seleaed by that gentleman to be one of
his seconds ; and it were almost a needless piece of informa-
tion, considering those subsequent occurrences in his life with
which the whole world is intimately acquainted, to say that
' The Finch, an inconsiderable vessel, bound from Nantz to Boston, with a
cargo of wms and clothing, taking in the month of May 1777.
OF JOHN JERVIS, EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K. B. f
he distinguished himself to the utmost extent the existing cir*
cumstances of the adion permitted : his gallantry not only
reflected honour on himself, but may be considered as having
been in no small degree instrumental to the preservation of
many lives from among his people *, which must have been
lost had the force of his attack been less animated. The enemy-
shrunk from him in dismay, and left him, in more instances
than one, disabled as he was, to enjoy the empty honour of
defeating him ; while the situation in which he was placed fas
one of a community in which all the members were to regard
the advantage of each other, and not seize, at the expence of
irregularity, any opportunity of adding to their own peculiar
fame,) prevented him from pursuing the blow he had struck,
and completing his triumph by that unequivocal conquest-
the surrender of his enemy. The evidence that he gave during
the subsequent trial was spirited, and impartial. It proved him
animated only by the strictest attention to what he con-
sidered that duty which he owed to his country, without
conforming to the opinion, or entering into the views of any
paity whatever f. He continued uninterestingly employed
The Foudroyant had five men only killed, and eighteen wounded.
f Indeed it is impossible to convey a better idea of his Lordship's character
and opinion relative to that engagement than by the following extracts from the
clear, consistent, and pointed testimony, which he gave upon the court martial
Called upon Admiral Keppel.
Upon the following questions being put by the Admiral :
Question. Your station being nearest me during the pur.=uit of the enemy, and
after the action, which gave you an opportunity of observing my conduct, and
of seeing objects nearly in the same point of view with myself, I desire you will
state to the Court any instance, if you saw or knew of any such, in which I
negligently performed my duty on the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth of
Am. With great respeft to you, Sir, and deference to the Court, I hope I
shall be indulged with having that question put by the Court.
The judge Advocate, mutatis mutandis, then put the question.
Ans. I feel myself bound to answer that question ; I believe it to be conso-
nant to the general practice of sea courts martial. I cannot boast of a long
acquaintance with Admiral Keppel ; I never had the honour of serving under
him before ; but 1 am happy in this opportunity, to declare to this Court, and to
the whole world, that during the whole time that the English fleet was in sight
of the French fleet, he displayed the greatest naval skill and ability, and tie boldest
cnterprizt, ufan the t-wenty- seventh of July, ivlicb, -with the promptitude of Sir Robert
Harlantl, ivill be subjeis of my admiration and imitation as long as I live.
From the evidence given upon this trial it appears, that the Foudrjyant, which
had got into her station about three, and never left it till four the next morning,
g BIOGRArHlCAL MEMOIRS
on the various services allotted to the home or Channel fleet,
"mmanded in succession, after the resignatior ,oT Mr .Kcppc ,
by Sir Charles Hardy, Admirals Geary, and Darby,
absence of an enemy precluded a possibility of conte:
the events of war, so far as they regarded tb consequents
armament, were confined merely to a dull monotony of car-
rying into execution every service on which it was ordered,
without ever beholding a foe, at least any one that merited
dignified an appellation.
In the month of April 1782, a slight interrupts was gii
to this long continued scene of tedious inaftivity. Intelligence
having been received, that a French armament, consisting of
four or five Ships of war and several transports, were ready
for sea at Brest, destined for the East Indies, a squadron, con-
sisting of several Ships of the line, was ordered out, under the
command of Vice- Admiral Harrington, for the purpose of
intercepting them. The experiment proved in a great mea-
sure successful ; and the most brilliant part of that success
was attributable to the activity and spirit of Captain Jervis.
The part he so honourably bore in this affair will be best
explained by the account given by his Commanding Officer
of the transaction, and that singular method he adopted of
doing honour to his gallantry, in declining to give any other
account of the transaction than what had been, in such
modest terms, transmitted to him by Captain Jervis himself.
was very closely engaged, and in a most disabled state. Her main-mast had
received a shot very near through the head, which lodged in the cheek, and passed
through the heart of the mast, and several other shot in different places ; her
foremast had aho received several shot ; a large excavation had been made in
her bowsprit near the centre ; the fore top-mast was so disabled, that it was
totally useless; every rope of her running rigging cut, and her shrouds demo-
lished ; no braces or bow-lines left, and scarcely any haulyar Js, forestay, spring-
stay, and top-sail ties ; and the foot rope of the fore-top-sail shot away : her sails
also were very much shattered.
In this shattered state, the Foudroyant was not in a condition to chase ;
but she kept her station next the Victory as far to windward as possible : " /
wai covetous of -wind" said this brave officer; " liecat/ic, disabled as 1 then -u:as t
I fonceived tie advantage of tie -wird could carry me again into afiion."
Being asked some questions relative to the position of the Vice-Admiral and
his division, his Lordship pointedly replied ; " he was not 4 cvmt ctrr.: judge of tint
pert tf the Jlttt \ te va; very a.tcr.ti'j; '..
OF JOHN JERVIS, EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K. B. Q
Exirail of a Letter from the Honourable Vice- Admiral BARRINGTON
to Mr. STEPHENS, dated on board the Britannia, at St. Helens, the
2$?hof April l-j 82.
I have the pleasure to acquaint you, for the information of my Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, that on the twentieth instant,
Uahant bearing N. E. half E. twenty-three leagues, at one P. M.
I perceived the Artois, Captain Macbride, with a signal out for disco-
vering an enemy's fleet, but at such a distance, that it was with the
utmost difficulty I could distinguish the colour of the flag. It was
then calm ; but a breeze soon springing up, I made the signal for a
general chase, the enemy at such a distance that I could but just dis-
cover them from the Britannia's mast head at three o'clock. At the
close of the evening seven of our ships had got a good distance ahead
of me, the Foudroyant, Captain Jervis, the foremost ; and in the night,
it coming to blow strong with hazy weather, after having lost sight
of his companions, at forty-seven minutes after twelve brought the
Pegase, of 74 guns and 700 men, to a close action, which continued
three quarters of an hour, when the Foudroyant having laid her on
board on the larboard quarter, the Frenchman struck. My pen is not
equal to the praise that is due to the good conduft, bravery, and dis-
cipline of Captain Jervis, his officers and seamen, on this occasion ;
let his own modest narrative, which I herewith , inclose, speak for
itself.
The next morning soon after day break, the wind then at south,
blowing strong, it shifted in an instant to the west, and with such
violence, that it was with difficulty I could carry my courses to clear
Ushant, and get the Channel open ; which being accomplished by noon,
I brought to, and remained so until the evening of the twenty-second
to collett the squadron.
By the accounts of the prisoners, there were eighteen sail laden with
stores, provisions, and ammunition, under the convoy of the Proteftetir
of 74 guns, Pegase 74, L' Andromache 32, together with L'Aftion-
aire, a two-decker, armed en Jlute, all bound for L'Isle de France.
They left Brest the nineteenth instant.
I cannot pretend to give their Lordships a particular account of the
number of prizes taken, but must refer them to that which they may
receive as they arrive in port, though I believe there are ten at least.
Proceedings of his Majesty's Ship under my Command from the 2Oih Instant.
Near sun-set on the twentieth, I was near enough to discover, that
the enemy consisted of three or four ships of war, two of them at least
cfthe line, with seventeen or eighteen sail under their convoy, and
that the latter dispersed by signal. At half past nine, I observed the
f?a'o.<2T^ron. Ool. IV- c v
Jo BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOfKS
smallest of the ships of war to speak with the headmost, and then bear
away. At a quarter past ten, the sternmost line of battle ship per.
ceiving u e came up with her very fast, bore up also. I pursued her,
and at forty-seven minutes after twelve brought her to close aftion,
which continued three quarters of an hour, when having laid her on
board on the larboard quarter, the French ship of war Le Pegase, of
74 guns and 700 men, commanded by the Chevalier de Cillart, sur-
rendered.
The discipline and good conduft of the officers and men under my
command will best appear by the state of the killed and wounded, and
of the damages sustained in each Ship.
I am happy to inform you, that only two or three people, with
myself, are slightly wounded ; but 1 learn from the Chevalier de
Cillart, that Le Pegase suffered a great carnage, and was materially
damaged in her masts and yards, the mizen-mast and foretop-mast
having gone away soon after the action ceased.
It blew so strong yesterday morning, that I with difficulty put eighty
men on board the prize, but received only forty prisoners in return >
in performing which 1 fear two of our boats were lost. The disabled
state of the prize, together with the strong wind and heavy sea,
induced me to make the signal for immediate assistance, which Com-
modore Elliot supplied, by making the Queen's signal to assist the dis-
abled ship.
At eight o'clock last night, they bore S. S. W. four miles distant
from us. We lay to till ten in hopes of their joining ; but not perceiving
them we bore up, and ran N. E. twenty-three miles till day. light ;
when seeing nothing of them, we brought to, and at half past eight
made sail to join the squadron.
By all I can learn from the prisoners, this small squadron, composed
of Le Prote&eur, Monsieur dc Soulange, Commodore, Le Pegase, and
L'Andromaque frigate, was making a second attempt to proceed on an
expedition to the East Indies. Some of the troops having been before
captured under that destination by the squadron under the command
of Rear- Admiral Kempenfelt, in the presence of the above-mentioned
Ships of war.
Foudroyant, April 23, 1782. J. JERVIS.
The wound of which Captain Jervis makes such trivial
mention in his preceding narrative was occasioned by a sp-lin-
ter, which struck him on the temple, and so severely affefted
him as to endanger his eye sight : nor have the consequences
ever been completely removed since that time. His gallantry
did not pass unnoticed or unrewarded by his Sovereign, who,
OF JOHN JERYIS, SAL OF ST. VINCINT, K. B. 11
on the twenty-ninth of May following, invested him with
the most honourable Order of the Bath. Sir John Jervis,
as it now becomes incumbent on us to call him, conti-
nued to retain the same command till the month of No-
vember following, having, during the interval, attended Earl
Howe, who was sent at the head of the main or Channel
fleet to relieve the important fortress of Gibraltar, which was
then very closely pressed on the land side by a very powerful
Spanish army, while at the same time the combined arma-
ments of France and Spain, amounting to nearly fifty ships
of the line, attempted to block it up by sea *.
Immediately on the return of the fleet to England, Sir
John quitted the Foudroyant ; and being advanced to the
rank of Commodore, hoisied his broad pendant on board the
Salisbury, of 50 guns, being chosen to command a small
squadron, which was to have consisted of nine or ten ships
and vessels of war, with a number of armed transports, and
was destined on a secret expedition. The sudden, and almost
unexpected cessation of hostilities which took place immedi-
ately after he had received this appointment, necessarily super-
seded the necessity of carrying the object of it into execution.
Sir John struck his pendant, but only exchanged, after a very
short interval of retirement, one adlive scene of life for an-
other.
His first seat in Parliament was for Launceston ; and at
the general election which took place in 1784, he was chosen
representative in Parliament for the town of North Yar-
mouth, and soon proved that his abilities and general intel-
ligence in the capacity of a Legislator, were little, if at all,
inferior to those he had displayed in the station of a Naval
Commander. Whatever difference of opinions some men
might affect to hold in regard to Ins political conduct on cer-
tain questions which militated against the principles which
they themselves professed, his countrymen in general, and
that abstract part of them connected with the Naval Service,
can never reflect on his behaviour when any question was
See Vol. I. p. 17.
iZ BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
agitated in the smallest degree connected with it, without
effusions of gratitude, admiration, and delight.
The firmness with which he opposed a romantic, extrava-
gant, and most expensive scheme, for fortifying the different
dock-yards, will stand a lasting proof to the latest posterity
of his attention to the honour of the service ; and his humane
exertions on the part of Captain Brodie *, of his no less
strong regard to its worldly interests. On the twenty- fourth
of September 1787, a promotion of Flag Officers took place,
in consequence of which Sir John became advanced to the
rank of Rear Admiral of the Blue, as he afterwards was, on
the twenty-first of September I790f, to the same rank in the
White squadron. A dispute with the Court of Spain, relative
to Nootka Sound, had, for some months previous to the last
promotion, rendered it more than probable that a rupture
would take place. A formidable armament was accordingly
equipped, to be in readiness for immediate a&ion the moment
such an event should take place. The chief command was
given to Admiral Barrington ; and Sir John most readily
accepted of the highly honourable station of first Captain, or
Captain of the Fleet, under his old friend and commander.
The supposed impending storm of war dispersing quietly,
without rising into a tempest, Mr. Barrington struck his flag
in the month of November; and Sir John taking upon him-
self the command of the fleet till the whole should be ordered
to be dismantled, hoisted his own proper flag on board the
same ship (the Barfleur) which had in the first instance
been appointed for the Commander in Chief. The certainty
ofc a continuance of peace soon produced the same efFec\
with regard to Sir John that it had done to Admiral Bar-
rington ; and after that time he most diligently and unin-
terruptedly confined himself to his senatorial duties till the
month of February 1794. He then accepted of the com-
See Vol. III. p. 103.
tnl !" ' hC , m nt , h f May hC W3S ' in e B *qnce of the general eledion which
Wycombe re P r mive in Parliament for the borough of Chipping
1
OF JOHN JERVIS, EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K. B. I
mand * of a squadron equipped for the West Indies, and
destined to aft in conjun&ion with a formidable land force,
sent thither at the same time, under Sir Charles Grey against
the French settlements in that quarter.
The whole armament having rendezvoused at Barhadoes,
operations were immediately commenced by an attack on the
valuable island of Martinico. It fell after a short, but very
vigorous contest : and this success proved the prelude to
as speedy a reduction of the islands of St. Lucia and Gua-
daloupe. Thus did Great Britain, almost with astonishment,
behold herself in possession of all the French colonies in that
quarter, nor did there appear the smallest probability that any
of them could ever be wrested back from her during the con-
tinuance of the existing contest. Strange, however, and almost
incredible, are the events of war: a petty armament, not
exceeding four ships of war, the largest mounting only fifty
guns, and five transports having on board about 1500 troops,
had the address and good fortune to elude the vigilance of
the British commanders, and reach Guadaloupe in safety.
This event, so totally unexpected, gave a sudden and fatal
turn to the issue of the campaign. But the reverse of fortune
was not attributable in the slightest degree to any negleft or
miscondudl of the two gallant conquerors, whose exertions
had hitherto been so uninterruptedly crowned with success.
Not the smallest information had reached them that such a
force was on its passage ; nor, considering the state of the
French Navy at that time, contrasted with that of Britain,
could it have been deemed probable, or perhaps possible,
that France could have been rash enough to expose a
squadron which, inconsiderable as it was, proved of no
small public value, to the double risk of being captured
the instant it quitted its own ports, or, should it escape
that first danger, of being exposed to a second no less
formidable, ere it could arrive at its place of destination.
* On this occasion he vacated his scat in Parliament. On the first of February
jn the preceding year he had been advanced to the rank of Vice Admiral of thf
J3!ue squadron.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
Its safe arrival, however, and subsequent success, may serve
as a very useful and instructive lesson to mankind, that the
events of war frequently defy the utmost human sagacity,
being conduced and governed by the hand of Providence
alone.
This reverse of fortune furnished an opportunity for vari-
ous discontented persons, many of whom smarted under that
rigid conduft of thcCommanders in Chief towards them,which
their own behaviour had occasioned, to join that description
of people in England, which exists in all countries whatever,
ready to seize every opportunity of aggravating misfor-
tune, though by the most unjustifiable means. To clamour
succeeded unjust accusation ; and to the latter an acquittal,
unequivocal, and most highly honourable. The charge it-
self, as well as the refutation of it, cannot by any other
means be made so clearly appear as by the following letter ;
which, long as it is, will interest the reader sufficiently to re-
pay the trouble of attention, and which it would be an al of
the highest wrong to the injured honour of the Commanders
to abridge in the smallest degree.
TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF PORTLAND.
MY LORD,
We take the liberty of troubling your Grace on the subjeft of the
memorials which have been presented to your Grace by the West
India planters and merchants, and others, respecting our proceedings
and condud as Commanders in Chief, upon and subsequent to the con-
quest of the French West India Islands. Some of those memorials
were presented during our commands in the West Indies ; and if we
are corredly informed, they were preceded by personal communica-
tions made to his Majesty's Ministers upon the authority of private
*rs from merchants and t.aders in the West Indies. How far
se representations and memorials have been atled upon by his Ma-
sty's Mmisters, we are uninformed ; but from the nature of the allc-
at.ons contained in them, and the objefls which the memorialists
o have in v.e^we assure ourselves that they cannot becounte-
they are, it places us in this singular dilemma, that in the
large of our.pubhc duty, as Commanders in Chief in the West
C could noc avoid either disobeying the instructions and frus-
* new, of his Majesty, or exposing purselves to censure, by
OF JOHN JERVIS, EARL OF 8T. VINCENT, K. B. 15
disappointing the wishes and expectations of merchants and traders
connected with the West Indies.
The West India merchants appear to be apprehensive only of the
consequences with may result to them from any precedent estab-
lished by our conduct upon which the French Government may aft
towards them in case of a reverse of fortune. " Should the fortune of
war," they say, " be reversed in that quarter, and any of the British
islands be captured by the enemy, (an event to be apprehended from
the reduced state of the British forces in those islands, and from the
untoward accidents which have prevented the departure of the rein-
forcements provided,) retaliation, however temperate in its principle
and extent, will be little short of total ruin to the fortune of your
memorialists, and to a very considerable portion of his Majesty's
subjects."
The ground upon which this complaint is founded, we take to be
totally distinct from that which has been more generally and most
loudly urged (which we shall observe upon afterwards), viz. that the
property of emigrants, or those who were friendly to the British Go-
vernment, arid contributed their assistance as far as they were enabled,
or allowed to do, to the conquest of the French Islands, were sub-
jected to indiscriminate confiscation. The fear of retaliation must arise
not from our treatment of the enemies, but of the friends of the French
Government. The apprehension stated is, that in case of a reverse of
fortune, that Government may treat our subjects as we have treated
theirs. To this \ve can give no other answer, than that the peculiar
nature of the war, and the orders transmitted to us by his Majesty's
Ministers, left us no discretion as to the treatment either of that Go-
vernment or its supporters. Upon a reference to our secret instructions
your Grace will perceive that Government to be represented as an
usurpation, having no legal authority, and its supporters as rebels and
traitors. We are directed by an order of Council to prevent foreigners
resorting to the islands without licence, and that order by a letter
from one of his Majesty's confidential servants is explained, as" clearly
making the intention of the British Government to keep out of the
conquered islands all persons whose principles were in the least degree
to be suspected ;" and he adds, " I hope you have driven out of them
all persons of this description," We certainly acted in conformity to
the policy here laid down in many instances. The subjects of the
French Government, or the pretended National Convention, as it is
termed in the proclamation, were, in many instances, sent away, and
their estates sequestered : this became necessary for the security of
those islands, which, in all our letters and instructions, we considered
ourselves directed to secure as a permanent acquisition to the crown of
Great Britain. It became the more necessary, as our force became
jg BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
weaker ; but for the precedent established by these proceedings, w
are not responsible ; and to the sequestered estates receivers were im-
mediately appointed for the benefit of Government ; they still con-
Untie, we believe, to receive for Government the profits of those
estates from which the captors have in no one instance derived any ad-
vantage or emolument of any kind to themselves.
Having made these observations on the principles avowed by the
memorialists, we must beg leave to call your Grace's attention to a
statement of our proceedings in the conquered islands.
For a detail of our proceedings in the conquest of the islands, we
must beg leave to refer your Grace to our public and private dis-
patches. His Majesty's forces were resisted in all of them so long as
resistance was practicable. No town or district, or any body or
description of the inhabitants, ever signified an intention to accept or
accede to the terms of the proclamation of the ist of January 1794.
On the contrary, in many places the inhabitants manned batteries to
oppose the attack of his Majesty's troops, and in every other respect
contributed to resist them ; they even fired upon our flags of truce.
Upon the conquest of islands under such circumstances, we conceived
it to be our duty to secure such property as appeared to us unques-
tionable booty. We apprehend it was our duty to do so upon two
grounds, viz. ist, To protect the rights of his Majesty ; zdly, To
secure to the officers and seamen and soldiers such booty as his Ma-
jesty had, or might think fit to grant them as a reward for their ser-
vices. The booty taken on shore we conceive to be given to the
navy and army by his Majesty's separate instructions to Sir Charles
Grry, and by Mr. Secretary Dundas's confirmation of our plan of
division of booty in his letter to Sir Charles, of the 7th of March
1794. This idea was communicated to the army in public orders,
with a view to encourage the troops, and promote good discipline, by
removing all inducement to plunder.
Having submitted to your Grace our ideas respecting booty, we
request your Grace's attention to the nature and extent of the seizure
actually made. The principal estates in the island were in the pos-
tess'on of Republican agents, as confiscated propeity, and the produce
had been sent to the towns, of St. Pierre and Fort Royal (which were
both taken by assault) in order to be shipped to France, or otherwise
disposed of on account of the Republic. The planters resident on the
island had likewise sent produce to St. Pierre, to be shipped or sold.
The former description of property we considered as belonging to the
'rcnch Government, and as such, to be lawful pri7.e. The latter we
considered as subject to confiscation, in consequesce of the proprietors
ng either resisted his Majesty's forces, or declined accepting the
terms offered by the proclamation of the ist of January. The towns
Or JOHN J1RVIS, EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.E. 17
being taken by storm or assault, the property in them, according to
the common practice of war, was exposed to plunder ; but the troops
were restrained from any aft of that kind, by the assurances given
them that they would be much more benefited by a fair and equal
distribution of booty, than by indiscriminate pillage. Under the cir-
cumstances in which the towns were taken, it was the opinion of the
navy and army that all the property found in them was to be considered
as prize or booty. We declined sanctioning seizures to this extent ;
but being of opinion that the produce of the island found at St. Pierre,
Was unquestionable prize, as belonging either to the Republican Go-
vernment, or to individuals who had resisted the British forces, or re-
jected the terms offered by the proclamation of the ist of January, we
directed the seizure of it. No other private property of any descrip-
tion was molested- Although the town of St. Pierre was taken by-
assault, yet the shops in it were publicly open the next day, and the
inhabitants employed in disposing of their property and transacting
their business as usual. The provisions and necessaries supplied to
the navy and army, were regularly paid for, and every species of ge-
neral merchandize (provisions included) was left in the uncontrouled
disposition of the inhabitants. The property seized on shore con-
sisted only of the following articles, the produce of the island, viz,
sugar, cocoa, coffee, cotton, and cassia.
At the time of the seizure, no man intimated the smallest doubt
either of the legality or propriety of our conduct ; on the contrary, it
was the general opinion, that, in point of strictness, all the moveable
property in the island was liable tq seizure : in this opinion we have
since been confirmed by better advice than any we could then obtain.
Your Grace will not suppose us to have deliberately weighed in legal
balances every measure we took in executing the arduous services com-
mitted to our care ; if that had been expected from us, we ought to
have been furnished with learned civilians as advisers or assessors t
Unassisted as we were with any legal advice, we are extremely happy
to find, that instead of exceeding, we have fallen very far short of ex-
ercising to their legal extent, the rights of the crown, in seizing the
booty which fell to the disposal of his Majesty.
If your Grace will have the goodness to refer to the representations
first made by the merchants to his Majesty's Ministers upon this sub-
ject, you will find that the complaints against us were originally sug-
gested by British adventurers, who went to Martinique for the purpose
of purchasing prize property, and who found themselves extremely
disappointed, upon discovering that the captors had taken such mea-
sures as were most likely to obtain a fair price for it. Many of these
Adventurers had been long in the habit of carrying on commerce with
,g BIOGRAPHICAL MSMOIRS
the French islands, (whether illicit or legal, is not for us to determine,)
and were deeply connected wi-.h merchants and planters in Martinique,
who, by their resistance to the British forces, or by disregarding the
proclamation of the ist of Janua y, had subjeded their property to
confiscation. By way of reminding your Grace of the source of
these complaints, and of the regard paid by the persons making them
to truth and candour, we beg leave to submit to your Grace's perusal,
the following etraEl from one of the first representations sent to this
country upon the subjeft, and which we are informed was laid before
his Majesty's Ministers on an authority not to be questioned.
ExtraS of a Letter to Messrs. GEORGE BAILLIE and Co. from their
Correspondent at St. Vincent's, dated \^th of April 1794.
c Our Mr. only returned last night from Martinique,
where he went to see what could be done in the way of speculation.
He found a wonderful collection of people from all the islands, but
every one equally disappointed. All the produce on board the vessels
and in the stores, even to the length of powder and pomaiutn shops,
are confiscated.
" The sale began with sugar on the loth day. Fine clayed sold
from 60 to 67 per cwt. and bjeing captured good 1 ?, goes home subject
to the foreign duty. The produce has been all appraised by gentle-
men from the different islands ; and it's the direction from the Ad-
miral and General, that the agents do npt let a cask of it be sold under
that appraisement : so the full value will "be obtained ; otherwise it
is bought in for the capturers, and it is thought the greatest part will
fall into tlifir own hands ; they so much expect so themselves, that
the Ship- will be the last of the sales, in order thai they may buy in
what is wanting to carry home the produce. After this is all over,
the sum of 250,000!. sterling is to be demanded from the towns \\\
M irtinique ; and all the produce on estates made previous to the day of
surrender, is to be made prize of. Such extraordinary plunder (for we
cannot give it a better name), was never known before on the like, or
any other occas : on, in civilized countries. At St. Lucia they are to
levy immediately the sum of 300,000!. sterling, in lieu of every thing
else, and no produce of any kind to be shipped off the island by the
inhabitants, until this money is raised ; so that, independent of half the
ruin of the people in both places, no payments can this year be ex-
pcdcd by the merchants in the English islands, who have very large
sums due to them for Negroes, &c. sold before the war."
No man who reads this letter can be at a loss to discover the motive
in which it originated. After all the reprobation it contains of the
condua of the captors, and the wonderful degree of philanthropy dU,
OF JOHN JEK.Y1S, EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K. B. it,
played for the unfortunate sufferers, it shows a pretty strong disap-
pointment at the writer's not being able to derive advantage from the
plunder he execrates, by purchasing it at an inferior price. In short,
if the captors had permitted the adventurers, who wished to speculate
in the captured property, to have purchased it at half its value, the
confiscation would have been approved by them, and the complaints
now urged against us would never have been heard of. It i ever oc-
curred to the inhabitants of the islands, that any thing more had been
done by the captors than what was usual in similar cases, or that com-
plaints to his Majesty's Ministers would be likely to benefit them, until
these notiots were instilled into their minds, with a view to gratify the
resentment, and promote the interested views of disappointed British
adventurers. But independent of the vory laudable motives in which
the representation just stated originated, the essential parts of it are in
point of faft totally false. Instead of all the produce in the stores at
St. Pierre, even to the " length of powder and pomatum shops,"
being confiscated, not a single ounce of property of any description,
except the produce of the island found in the town, was molested.
We were so rigid in enforcing a strict discipline in the army, that two
men, who had ailed in breach of orders in plundering, or attempting
to plunder some of the inhabitants of St. Pierre, were tried by a Court
Martial, convicted, and executed. What is said as to all the Droduce
of the estates made previous to the capture of the island, being taken
as prize, is equally unfounded in faft, as not a single hogshead of pro-
duce was taken from any of the plantations. As to the allegations
respecting the contributions intended to be levied on the islands of
Martinique and St. Lucia, \ve shall presently take the liberty of re-
questing your Grace's attention to a correct statement of the fa&s.
From the instance we have given of the regard paid to truth in the
representations made from the West Indies, your Grace will not be
surprised at those statements being followed up by memorials from the
merchants and agents here, equally unfounded in fact and destitute of
candour.
The transa&ions which we have hitherto detailed or referred to, re-
late principally to Martinique, that being the only island from whence
the captors have derived any advantage from the captured property.
After the conquest of that island, St. Lucia was the next objedt of
attack, and was regularly summoned to surrender. The summons was
rejected. The British troops landed in different places on the first of
April 1794, and all the different forts and batteries were completely
taken possession of on the fourth. But although there was no force
on the island to make an effeftual resistance against that s;nt to attack
it, and the inhabitants had known for near three months that it would
20 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
be attacked, yet every resistance was made that the force of the island
was capable of; and no town, fortress, or any description of the in-
habitants, either capitulated, surrendered, or proposed surrender, upon
the terms offered in the proclamation of the first of January. The
island being conquered by force, the navy and army did not consider
the inhabitants as entitled to the terms offered by the proclamation ;
but on the contrary, as liable to be treated as enemies, and subjected
to all the consequences of conquest. Under this impression the nary
and army conceived they had a right to treat all the produce of the
island that had been manufactured, and sent to the town of Castries
(the shipping port), and also that upon the plantations 'in the pos-
session of the agents of the Republic, as liable to confiscation, which,
at the time of the capture, extended to a considerable part of the crop
of the year. Some merchants, who had been appointed by the Com-
manders in Chief to aft as prize agents, suggested to the principal
planters and merchants, that it would be a beneficial measure for them
to offer the navy and army a sum of money to waive their claims to a
confiscation of the produce j and that it would easily be raised by
way of assessment or contribution, on the different towns and estates
in the island, in proportion to their property or value, and paid by
instalments, at different periods. Two commercial houses in Greneda^
that were very much connected in St. Lucia, took an aftive part in
promoting this arrangement.
The first sum mentioned as an equivalent for the captors waiving
their claims to all confiscation whatever, was 300,000!. ; which fell
infinitely short of the varae of the colonial produce then upon the
island. This sum was, however, by negociation and explanation, re-
duced to a moiety ; and an agreement was entered into by the principal
inhabitants for the payment of 150,000!. by instalments, viz. 50,000!.
in I794 the like sum in 179$, and the remainder in 1796. Tfre
houses of Baillie and Co. and Munro and Co. of Grenada, proposed
to come forward as sureties for the island, and to give bills on London,
dated August 1 794, payable at six months sight, for the amount of
the first 50,000!. This proposal, which held out to the captors the
certainty of a large sum of money, without the trouble attending the
seizure, condemnation, and sale of enemy's property, was accepted
under the idea that they would experience no farther trouble or diffi-
culty about it. The gentlemen who had proposed to give bills for the
money, suggested from time to time such orders or proclamations as
they thought would be most likely to carry into effeft the arrangement-
agreed upon ; but instead of the captors deriving any advantage what-
ever from this plan of a contribution, not a single shilling ever did, or
*ill come into their hands from it. Instead of gaining any thing, thr
OP JOHN JBRV1S, SARI, OP STi VINCENT, K. B. 21
captors were completely defrauded of every ounce of property taken
on the island, except the arms and military stores that were applied to
the service of the public. So far from having pillaged or plundered
the inhabitants of St. Lucia (with which they are charged), the cap*
tors have not, to the present hourj received, nor have they any proba-
bility of receiving a single farthing arising from prize or booty taken
on shore, except the value of the military stores. We believe a sum
of lo.oool. or I2,oool was collected in the island in part of the pro-
posed contribution, and towards payment of the first instalment thereof
but not one shilling of it was ever received by the captors; and upon
its being intima'ed to us that the receipt of any sum of money under
the denomination of contribution would not meet with his Majesty'*
approbation, we directed whatever had been collefted to be returned
which was accordingly done in November 1794. Supposing our con-
duct originally acceding to the idea of a contribution to have been ever
so unwarranted by the praftice of war, and the law of nations, (which
we apprehend is not the case,) yet we have been very unfairly dealt
with by the inhabitants of St. Lucia and their instigators : for, not
content with securing the property which was clearly liable to seizure
and confiscation, and afterwards getting relieved from the conttibution
which was proposed as the consideration for restitution, they have
loaded us with every species of odium and reproach, which the most
rigid exaction of the contribution, or the most general confiscations,
could have excused. In all the representations made from the West
Indies, and followed up by memorials to his Majesty's Ministers, the
intention has been subsiituted for an a&, and urged against us as such
even long after it was notorious that the idea was totally abandoned.
In doing this, the memorialists anxiously suppressed the immense pro-
perty liable to confiscation, which was given up by the captors, who
certainly have the greatest reason to complain. The value of the pro-
perty found on shore, which was fairly to be considered as prize or
booty, was very large : the captors have been defrauded of the whole
of it by an insidious offer of a contribution, their acceptance of which
is afterwards turned against them as an exaction of the most tyrannical
kind. In acceding to the idea of a contribution, they lost sight of
their real interests. They did not foresee the fraud artfully meditated
to be practised upon them ; they did not forsee that letting the pro-
perty escape without any present or actual consideration for it, they
gave time for partial and ex parte representations against them, and
gave those into whose snare they had fallen, an opportunity of pro-
Curing a revocation of the whole proceedings ; by permitting the re-
moval of the prize property, the captors furnished the inducemeut, at
2i BtOGRAfUlCAl. MEMOIRS
the time they removed all ground for the clamour that has been raise!
against them.
The preparatory arrangements gave time to ship away the produce
that was the subjed of confiscation ; and the period stipulated for the
first payment, gave an opportunity for a communication with the
mother country, so as to try whether by calumny and clamour, sup-
ported by falsehood and misrepresentations, a disapprobation of the
measure on the part of Government could be obtained. The plan so
completely succeeded, that the only result experienced by the captors
fiom the projected contribution, is a heavy expencc charged by some
of the agents who ii.at planned and then defeated it, fur commission
and charges, and every species of opprobrium and obloquy that inte.
rested malice or resentment could suggest.
The idea of contribution first originated at St. Lucia, in the man-
ner above stated. It was afterwards suggested that the planters in
Martinique ought to pay a certain sum in consideration of the produce
upon estates possessed by Republican agents, or by persons who had
taken an active part in resisting the British forces, or who rejeded the
terms offered by the proclamation of the first of January, not having
been seized or confiscated. This suggestion originated from the same
quarter, and in views of the same nature, that produced the plan of a
contribution at St. Lucia. Various preparatory orders were issued,
but the memorials presented to your Grace seem principally to confine
their animadversions to those of the tenth and twenty-first of May,
upon which we beg leave to say a few words by way of explanation.
The island of Martinique having been conquered by force, without
any capitulation or compact having been entered into with its inha
bitants, we apprehend the whole property of the island became liable
to seizure, and at the disposal of his Majesty. As Commanders in
Chief, we have already said that we conceived it our duty to protedl
his Majesty's rights; but in doing so, we did not enforce them to any-
thing like their full extent. The property that was in fad seized was
confined to the produce of the island found in the towns carried by
assault. It was afterwards suggested to us. that if we gave up the
remainder of the property liable to confiscation, we should deprive his
Majesty of an opportunity of rewarding the Navy and Army to that
extent which his lights afforded the opportunity of doing. Anxious
to do justice to the Fleet and Army, and at the same time desirous of
alleviating the situation of inhabitants, who by their condud had in-
curred a forfeiture of their property, we listened to the proposal of a
composition to be raised by way of contribution. In doing this, we
perhaps ovrrstepped the stria legal lint of coaduft we ought to have
OF JOHN JERVIS, EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K. K. 2J
pursued ; as the composition ought to have been confined to, and re-
ceived from, the proprietors of the property liable to confiscation. But
it ought to be remembered, that it was our wish to alleviate, and not
to aggravate the situation in which the inhabitants had placed them-
selves, by rejecting the terms offered by the proclamation of the first
of January ; and by acceding to their proposal of a contribution, we
were told we should do that. By the terms " general confiscation,"
we must be understood to mean a confiscation of the property of the
inhabitants who had not entitled themselves to the protection offered
by the proclamation ot the first of January. In short, none of them
acceded to, or accepted the terms offered in it; and we believe your
Grace will find the legal consequences resulting from that conduct,
placed their whole property in the discretion of his Majesty. That
being the case, we were called upon, as his Majesty's representatives,
to secure it so far as we should deem it consistent with his royal in-
tention. The claim, therefore, to a general confiscation, will not be
found unwarranted, according to the rights of war. So far, therefore,
from complaining against us for having stated such a right, we think
the inhabitants ought to consider themselves as favourably treated in
its not having been enforced.
The proclamation of the twenty-first May was founded upon the
same idea as that of the loth : but there is one expression in it which
seems either to have been misunderstood, 01 strangely perverted by
the merchants, &c. who have made complaints against us We mean
the part where it is proposed " to raise a sum of money adequate to
the value of the conquest." We trust we are not to have our con-
duct decided on by a rigid criticism upon the language of our public
ciders. That the acts done by us, and not the phraseology of a paper
we may have signed, will be attended to. But if we are to descend
From the stations of General and Admiral, to answer verbal criticisms,
we need only suggest a small variation in the language of the paper we
are speaking of, to render it perfectly consistent with the idea above
suggested, viz. that of accepting a composition for the restitution of
property liable to confiscation. If instead of the words " adequate
to the value of the conquest," your Grace will be pleased to substitute
the words " adequate to the value of the property liable to confis-
cation," nothincr will be found in that paper inconsistent with our icka
of the rights of the crown, and the plan of accepting a composition
upon de-dining to enforce them. It can never be supposed that by
the words " adequate to the value of the conquest," we meant the
value of the island and all the property in it. Even the gentlemen
who complain against us, do not impute to us so extravagant an idea.
*' Thg value of the conquest" must be understood as referable to the
t t BtOGRAPHICAt MEMOIRS
property which the conquest qf the island had made the subject of
booty, and which the captors conceived had been conferred upon them
by his Majesty's separate instructions to Sir Charles Grey. But whe-
ther the contribution which these proclamations proposed to levy was
just or unjust, either in principle or extent, we did not expect that it
would now be made a subjed of enquiry, as not a single farthing wa
colleded. The projcd was in fad abandoned long before it was
known that his Majesty disapproved of contributions. No loss or
injury of any kind was in point of fad sustained by the inhabitants,
nor have they themselves expressed any discontent or dissatisfaction,
though advantage has been taken of these proceedings to load us with
every sort of malevolent misrepresentation and abuse.
We shall now request your Grace's attention to the memorial signed
by Mr. Thellusson. By way of impressing your Grace with a just idea
of the candour of the memorialist, the first paragraph charges us with
having exercised injustice and oppression towards the inhabitants,
without giving the name of any one person that has been injured, or
instancing a single fact or transaction to warrant so strong an imputa-
tion. It is not usual for men in high responsible situations to be
charged in general terms with the exercise of injustice and oppression,
without a foundation being laid for such a charge, by a statement of
fads from whence it pan fairly be deduced. Here the charge is boldly
made at the outset ; and when the subsequent detail of fads (if any
thing stated in this paper deserves that appellation) comes to be exa-
mined, it will be found composed of either positive falsehoods or wilful
misrepresentations. It is not a little singular, that the narne of no one
inhabitant of Martinique should be brought forward as having autho-
rised this complaint. As to the supposed sufferers, whether they were
planters, merchants, or traders; whether they were Frenchmen,
Creoles, or persons of colour j what is the nature or extent of their
losses, and how sustained or occasioned, the memorial is totally silent.
Mr. Thellnsson states, that the persons he represents were not adhe-
r^nts to the National Convention, nor did they oppose the proclama-
tion of the first of January. Whether that fad is true or false, depends
merely upon his assertion, which in the terms in which it is made, can-
not receive an answer. If their names and residence had been men-
tioned, we should have had an opportunity of answering this allegation.
by shewing what part the persons named took in the contest, and
how far they suffered from the seizure that took place. The silence
served upon this subjed, pretty clearly shews, that the principal
from personal enquiry and minute investigation, and
of circulating their calumny in the name of an agent
not hold himself responsible for what he states. The allegation
OF JOHN jB*ri, IARL OF T. V1KCBNT, K. 1. ij
With rcspeft to the state of St. Pierre when first summoned, and the
quiet and peaceable submission of the white inhabitants, is positively
and absolutely false. To prove it to be so, it is only necessary for your
Grace to refer to the answer given to the Mayor of St. Pierre to our
summons, and the detail of the conquest of the island contained in our
public dispatches. Your Grace will find, that the town of St. Pierre
was the last place taken, except Fort Bourbon and Fort Royal. ITie
Aid-de-Camp who carried the summons to St. Pierre on the sixth of
February, instead of being received and listened to, was insulted, and
not permitted to enter the town ; and the Mayor gave the wdtch-word
for resistance and defence. So far were the inhabitants from being
well affedled to 'he Btitish Government, that they manned some of
their batteries near the town, and several armed vessels were under the
necessity of firing upon the town, to deter them from giving farther
support to the adjacent forts at the time they were attacked by the
British forces. Their supposed quiet and peaceable submission
extended no farther than to their not engaging the British troops
when they entered the town sword in hand, after having taken the
surrounding forts by assault and when farther resistance would have
been fruitless. To the allegation that states the inhabitants, repre-
sented by Mr. Thelluson, to have relied with implicit confidence on
the security held forth by the proclamation of the first of January-
loose and general as it is we feel no difficulty in giving a positive
contradi&ion to, as no description of persons in the island ever intimated
at the time the most distant idea that they considered, or were in a
condition to consider themselves entitled to the benefit of the procla-
mation. It was public and notorious to every man in the island, both
British and French, that every foot of it was conquered by force ;
but relying upon these fads not being so generally known in this
country, and encouraged by their connections in the British islands,
and those which they have recently formed in Great Britain, it is not
improbable that some of the inhabitants may have been since induced
to authorise these false representations, in the hope of obtaining resti-
tution of the property which their resistance to the British forces
exposed to seizure and confiscation. Not content with stating the
conduft of the inhabitants to have been the direct reverse of what it
in fa& was, the memorialist proceeds to alledge, that all the produce
and provisions in the town of St. Pierre, and in some other parts of the
island, was seized and sold for the benefit of the captors. The pro-
perty that was seized on shore we have accurately stated. Not an
ounce of provisions was included, except the produce of the island,
such as has been named, should be deemed so. In short, the whde
memorial is founded in falsehood and misrepresentations. It. is neither
an&ioned by names, nor supported by any document or evidence of
2Jol.IV. s
^6 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
tny description ; and yet upon such spurious and anonymous authority
we are grossly calumniated, "as having violated British faith solemnty
pledged, and adU-d contrary to all the rules of war as carried on by
civilized nations."
Whether the terms offered by the proclamation of the first .
January 1794 are to be considered as addressed to individuals only
or to the body of the people, is perfcaiy immaterial ; for no indivi-
dual from whom an ounce of property was taken ever intimated a wish
to accept the benefit of it, until after his place of residence was in pos-
eession of the British troops. His professions of regard for and attach-
ment to the British Government, might, perhaps, then become vocife-
rous : but what would have been said of us if we had given credit to
the professions of such men. Had the same opportunity offered at
Martinique that afterwaids occurred at Guadaloupe, all these profes-
sions would have vanished, and the persons making them would have
been found amongst the supporters of the invading enemy.
The first memorial of the Westlndia planters and merchants appears
to us to be rather a remonstrance against the condud of his Majesty's
Ministers than a personal attack upon us we therefore consider it as
not calling for an answer on oui parts. But the other, which refers to
that we have just observed upon, and calls the attention of his Majesty's
Ministers to the proclamations of the first of January, and the tenth and
twenty-first of May, we consider as demanding ours. It mani-
festly proceeds throughout, upon a supposition that the fats stated
in the other memorial are true, and that the inhabitants of the con-
quered islands had by their submission entitled themselves to the
benefits offered by the first proclamation. We are not much surprised
to find talse allegations and unfounded calumny stated in a memorial
that may be faitly said to deserve the character of anonymous ; but we
cannot avoid expressing our astonishment to observe the West India
planteis and merchants adopting it. Had they possessed no means of
ascertaining the truth or falsehood of the matters stated in it, some
apology might be made for thtir doing so ; but the manner in which
the islands were taken being matter of public history, there is no
excuse for thtir adopting a false representation. It was only necessary
for them to refer to the Gazette to discover that the memorial prc-
tented by Mr. Thellusson was positively false. But it seems the
planters and merchants did not wish to be undeceived, as there would,
in that case have been no colour for their putting the interpretation
upon the proclamation of the first of January which they have done.
His Majesty's proclamation held out an encouragement to submission
to his arms, not a reward for resistance to them. They do not treat
this instrument as containing an alternative, but as offer ing unqualified
tenet, which the inhabitants of the conquered islands were to have the
OF JOHN JERVIS, BARL OF ST. VINCENT, K. B. 2j.
benefit of, be thf ir conduct what it might, whether they submitted, or
whether they resisted. In this respect it is more uncandid than the
other memorial ; and in stating the demand made by the proclamations
of the tenth and twenty-first of May, it keeps pace with it in fairness,
by suppressing the fact that not one shilling was ever collected under
them, and that all idea of contribution was abandoned many months
ago. This fact was equally well known to the memorialists as those
they have stated, and could only be suppressed wi'.h a view to give their
complaint a degree of plausibility, which a fair representation would in
no degree have warranted. All this industry and anxiety to pervert
the meaning of public papers, and to misrepresent or suppress the facts
requisite to a proper judgment of their true operation, must have pro.
ceeded from a consciousness, that a fair interpretation of them, and a
candid statement of all the material fads, would have shewn that there
svas no just ground for complaint. Taking the complaint in ita
strongest sense, when the fact is ascertained, it amounts to no more
than that the Commanders in Chief having been under the necessity
of conquering the islands by force, conceived the conquest to give the
captors a right to substitute a general contribution fora conEscation of
property which the conduct of the proprietors had exposed to forfeit-
ure, but which contribution had pot been paid. Had it been so put,
the enquiry called for would have appeared ridiculous.
The memorial from the Liverpool merchants seems of a very singular
nature. It calls upon his Majesty's Ministers to disavow principles
\yhich were never reduced to practice, and for a restoration of payments
that were either never made, or Iqng ago returned. Though it gives
a false colour to what fyas been in the conquered islands, it is not quite
so destitute of truth and candour as the other two upon which we have
just observed, and in that respect only differs from them. We shall
here dismiss the subject of these memorials with this short observation,
that if there had been any fair and just ground for complaint which the
memorialists could have established upon investigation, so as to entitle
themselves to relief, the courts of justice would have long ago resounded
with their clamours for redress, and his Majesty's Ministers would have
been the last person^ applied to. Conscious that their complainti are,
unfounded in fact, and their claims unsupported by any colour of law,
they substitute misrepresentation, and calumny in their place, acd en-
deavour privately to ruin and disgrace the characters of men \vnosc
cpnduct they have not ventured publicly to attack.
With respect to. the personal request made to your Grace by the
West India merchants on the twelfth ipsta.nt! as stated in the minute of
the conference sent us by your Gr^ce, we- Cannot avoid observing, ths*
\{ falls far short of what is called fpf bj; t x heiv memorial, That
MEMOtKS
mher insinuates than charge, miscondua-, but in the prayer of it,
your Grace i called upon to institute an inqimy into our pul
condua, in order to ascertain how far the national chafer a
the public justice of the country have been duly and properly supported
by us in such high and responsible stations." To our very gre
Surprise, the merchants, in their conversation with your Grace, state,
that their objeft in the application was not a call for inquiry with
view to inculpation of our conduct, but a public disavowal of the
measure* proposed by the proclamations of the tenth and twenty-first
of May." So that after indirectly suggesting to your Grace, that
the national charader and the public justice of the country has been
wounded by our condua, nothing more is asked than a disavowal of
supposed principles, which were never reduced to practice, and of the
terms of a proclamation which are wilfully misunderstood or perverted,
for the purpose of giving a colour to the clamour raised against us.
In short, the merchants finding that the prayer of their memorial is
not warranted by ary thing they have to urge against us, wish, by
indirea means, to prevail upon your Grace to advise his Majesty to
censure our conduct in the way most disgraceful and humiliating to
U3, viz. by a public disavowal and disapprobation, not of an a& done
by us, but ot an intention that was not carried into effea, and which
intention is itself grossly misrepresented. The merchants have not
shewn such a disposition of forbearance towards us, as to induce your
Grace to believe, that if they could have proved us guilty of miscon-
duct, they would have resorted to an attack upon an unexecuted
intention, and have confined their application for redress to a dis-
avowal of opinions entertained by us with respea to the rights and
pradice of war. If we have aaed illegally or unjustly, the Courts of
justice are open to the parties who may think themselves injured ; and
from the dispositions shewn towards us in the memorials presented to
your Grace, it is manifest, that tenderness to us is not the motive
which has hitherto withheld the claimants from seeking redress in the
ordinary way.
Since our return to this country, we have made all the enquiry in
our power with respe& to the practice in former wars, where any
iiland or place has been carried by assault ; and instead of discovering
that we have exceeded former praaice with respea to the seizure of
booty, we find that we have fallen very far short of it. In his
Majesty's separate instruaions to Sir Charles Grey, direaiotis arc
given with respect to the division of any booty that might be taken on
shore ; and we therefore presumed that it must have been his Majesty't
mention that such property as by the rights and praaice of war
becanv vcbted in the crown, should be seized, and distributed betwee
OF JOHN JERVIS, EARL OF ST. VINCENT, if. B. 2f
the navy and army as booty. We have always understood it to be
admitted as a general proposition, that goods taken from an enemy are
the property of the conquerors, and that it is acknowledged right by
the law of nations to seize enemies goods whenever they can be found,
if the vi&ors are not restrained from doing so under some compaft or
capitulation. Seizures of a similar nature to that made by us at Marti-
nique have been made in every war many years past ; as for instance ;
at Vigo in 1702, at Payta in 1741* at Senegal in 1759, at the
Havannah in i 763, at Omoa in 1780, and at St. Eustatius in 1781.
The property taken at the last mentioned place included all the goods
and effects of every description found upon the island, except some
inconsiderable quantities given up to a few individuals ; and yet no
instructions were given to the Admiral and General for making such
a seizure. It was however afterwards approved by his Majesty, and a
grant made of the whole property taken in favour of the captors.
In the conference between your Grace and the merchants, it seems
Ito have been taken for granted, that the proclamations complained of
by them were inconsistent with that of the first of January. If your
Grace will refer to the latter, you will find, that in the event of the
terms offered by it not being acceded to, all persons a&ing in defiance
of it were to be " treated as enemies, and exposed to all the evils which
the operations of war would necessarily bring, both on their persons
and possessions." In this predicament were all the inhabitants of the
conquered islands, and consequently all our subsequent orders ought
to be considered as issued against persons subjc& to all the rights and
severities of war, and although your Grace seems to have been of
opinion, that in exercising those* rights we were unauthorised by any
* power," other than the force we commanded ; yet upon a reconsi-
deration of the subject, we are persuaded your Grace will find that we
possessed all the power vested in his Majesty as Sovereign of the State
whose force we commanded, and were not only warranted, but in duty
bound, to exercise the rights of war in such a manner as we should
think most likely to meet with his Majesty's approbation, regard being
had to the instructions with which he had honoured us. In the
situation in which we were placed, much was left to our discretion.
His Majesty pointed out to us the objects he wished to accomplish,
but the means were left to us ; and with respecl to all inferior objects,
they were Itft to our management, without any instructions whatever.
Jf we have exceeded or abused the powers delegated to us, we are not
only amenable to his Majesty in a court military, but to all individuals
jn the ordinary courts of justice. We are persuaded, that neither
your Grace, nor any other of his Majesty's Ministers, will think us
objects of ceosure, on the ground of mere unexecuted iiitentions, evea
5
,0 IIOCRAPHICAL MKMOIfcS
if they should be found to have originated in error ot mistake. We
re convinced, that it never occurred to the inhabitants of the captured
isl* i that we had treated them with unwarranted severity, until the
idea was suggested to them by British traders, who had interested views
to answer. Our conduft was approved by the principal planters and
the public officers of the island, as your Grace will perceive by the
testimonials which we take the liberty to subjoin. Various misrepre-
entatjons having been circulated as to the value and extent of the
property seized, it is proper that your Grace should be informed, that
the whole that was taken, both afloat and on shore (excepting arm?
and military stores) produced only 183,000!. our proportion of which,
should it not be diminished by claims or litigation, or by dishonoured
bills, will be 11,437!. ch. We trust your Grace will excuse our
having entered at such, great length into the discussion of the subject,
is we consider our personal honour, and the reputation we have
hjtberto held in society, as seriously attacked.
We have the honour to be, Ike.
. juf , CHARLES GREY.
ptjfo*,i79$. J.JERVIS.
Calumny repelled with honour and with effect, renders the
thara&er of the person against whoro^ts envenomed shafts
were unjustly directed, more brilliant, at least in the public
eye, than it stood before the asra of the invidious attack. It is
even reported, that several of those persons who had inconsn
derately joined in the clamour, became very soon afterwards
so ashamed of their delinquency, that a deputation from the
worthy seceders waited on Sir John Jervis, and after an ap-
propriate declaration of their high sense of the important
services he had rendered his country, particularly during the
time he held the West India cornmand, requested his accept-
ance of a valuable piece of plate, accompanied with their
intreaties that he would solicit his re- appointment to that
station which he had held with so much honour to himself.
The vote passed by the House of Commons on the second of
June *, in consequence of the vain, attempt then made, to ad4
* During the debate which took place on the fourth of Kay preceding,
Mr. Grey observed, <l That he should have imagined that if gentlemen had the
feeling they ought to have for the charter of officers who had been fifty years
In the service, and whose honour was hitherto without a stain, they would not
kve btcn Q for* ^ni in makbg charges, as were by implication. A me
OP JOHN J1RVIS, EARL OF St. VINCENT, K. B. Jf
by a vote of censure, the semblance of dignity and weight to
that malevolence, which had entered the lists against the fair
fame of Sir John Jervis and his colleague, appears as the
grand conclusive climax of public approbation : " That th
House cordially perseveres in the vote of thanks unanimously
passed to Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis, with the
officers and men under their command, for the eminent and
distinguished services which they had rendered to their
country. "-*-Thus did truth most exaltedly triumph over
malicious aspersion ; and the latter, which in coverture of its
dark designs had assumed the specious grab of patriotic virtue
or generous attention to public honour : when stripped of its
borrowed plumes, was exposed to the derision even of those
who, on its first appearance, seemed pressing among the
foremost to countenance and to worship it.
All ranks of men appearing as if ashamed of their first folly,
vied with each other who should pay them the greatest ho-
nour. A public entertainment was given to the joint Com-
manders by the Grocers Company ; the freedom of which,
as well as of several others, and above all that of the city of
London itself, was unanimously voted them. The Cham-
berlain (the late Mr. Wilkes, the public and professed enemy
of all conduct having the smallest semblance of tyranny and
extortion) concluded the speech made them on presenting the
latter nearly in these words :
* Permit, gentlemen, the city wreaths to be mixed with the laurels
you have fairly won, and which a general applause must more and more
endear to you. These sentiments of gratitude pervade the country in
which we live, while they animate the metropolis of our empire. They
give a full indemnity against the slanderous breath of envy, and the
foul calumnies of the envenomed serpent tongue of malice, which in
these latter times has scarcely ceased to detract from, and endeavour to
wound superior merit."
was presented by a Mr. Thellmson against the conduct of these officer* in the
West Indies. Who that Mr. Thellusson was he did not know ; but his memorial
breathed nothing hut direcft and positive falsehood. This he was ready to prove
at the bar of that House, if the enquiry was instituted. He should prove also
every thing that was necessary to justify Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jrvi
in their conduift in the West Indies that they had merited and received the
thanks of the inhabitants for what they did "
m f B1O61APH1CAL MEMOIRS
In the first edition that we printed of the life of the illus-
trious character now under our consideration, we in this
part of our memoirs stated that Sir John, whose health had
been considerably impaired, as well by disease as the fatigue
which both his mind and body had undergone, during the
time he was absent on the West India station, having been
somewhat restored after his return to his native country :
he seized, with all the enthusiasm of a hero in the highest
vigour of youth, the earliest opportunity his convalescent
state afforded, of soliciting one of the mosta&ive employments
which the state of warfare at that time afforded. We are now
however happy at having it in our power to correct any mis-
statement that formerly appeared, and can assure our readers,
from AUTHORITY, that Sir John never solicited a Command,
gr applied for any particular service, but was invested, as soon
as his health was sufficiently re-established, with the Mediter-
ranean command in a few days * after that honourable and
public testimony just related had been borne to his merit by
the House of Commons. Heproceeded to the Mediterranean
on board a frigate; and immediately on his arrival. Admiral
Hothatn, his predecessor, resigned to him this important
trust. Notwithstanding the very severe blow the French
marine in that quarter had sustained, in consequence of the
partial destru&ion of the arsenal, as well as the fleet, at Tou-
lon, the exertions of the enemy, so extraordinary and unpre-
cedented as to seem almost incredible, had refitted and col-
lefted a force of nearly twenty Ships of the line. During
the period of Admiral Hotham's command, this fleet had
been hardy enough to venture out ; and though two slight
discomfitures had served in some measure to prevent a repe-
tition of the same presumption, yet that very circumstance
rendered the future operations in the same quarter much more
irksome to the British Commander in Chief than a situation
attended with more danger, and requiring far superior exer-
tions, would have been.
On the first of June he was advanced to the rank of Admiral of the Blue,
as he had before been, on the twelfth of April ia tUs preceding year, to that .of
Vice- Admiral of the White.
OF JOHN JERVfS, EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K. B. 33
The French armament lay ready for sea, in as good a state
of equipment as the resources possessed by the enemy could
put it. The inattention of a few hours might enable this foe,
rendered almost desperate by calamity, to escape from the
state of durance in which he was held, and effect considerable
mischief on some vulnerable territory belonging to the allies,
and friends of Britain, before sufficient discovery could be
made of his route to render pursuit politic, or efFe&ual. The
unremitting attention of Sir John operated very successfully
to the prevention of any such disaster, and the British com-
merce was consequently extended over the face of the whole
Mediterranean, without experiencing any other interruption
than . some few casual depredations committed on vessels
entirely, or at most, nearly defenceless, which the French
corsairs, equipped from their petty ports, were fortunate
enough to fall in with. The French Directory having, by
insinuations, by threatf, and other artifices of terror or
persuasion, contrived, towards the end of ttie year 1796,
to detach the Court of Spain from the alliance of Great
Britain; the situation of the fleet in that quarter, under the
orders of Sir John, was suddenly rendered extremely critical.
Though the state of the Toulon squadron was insufficient to
create any disquiet in his mind : yet the fleet at Cadiz alone,
in the most perfedt condition for service, more than doubled
the force he commanded- The political situation of his
country, at that ti me, rendered the greatest exertions necessary.
A formidable combination was raised against her, and the
fleets of her opponents, Holland, France, and Spain, had they
all been permitted to unite, would have composed an immense
armament, consisting of nearly one hundred Ships of the line.
The internal commotions which had for some time pervaded
Ireland, appeared to afford these confederated foes the greatest
hopes of success, provided it were possible for them to put on
shore any body of regular troops sufficiently numerous to
countenance the rebellious insurgents in their open avowal
4 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
of that treason, which owing to the insidious representations
of those among their own countrymen who possessed most
influence, and were considered as the leaders of their
party, had long b?en cherished in their bosoms. At this
period it had attained an height truly formidable and
alarming.
An attempt was made by France, immediately after Spain
became an ally to the cause of republicanism, to carry this
project into execution; and though it had completely failed,
there was little reason to expeft that the want of success on
that occasion would so far intimidate the enemy as to prevent
a repetition of it. Regarding therefore the general posture
of public affairs, it must appear evident, that very urgent
necessity peremptorily demanded the immediate execution
of some grand and decisive measure, which might, by its
consequential success, contribute to dispel that tremendous
cloud which appeared on the point of bursting over her. Of
this situation, together with all the circumstances which led
to it, Sir John was perfectly well acquainted : but very little
relief could be expedted, highly as the abilities of its Com-
mander might be estimated, from a squadron consisting of
twenty six Ships of the line and ten frigates *, which, putting
the French force at Toulon totally out of the question, ha,d
to contend with an enemy of three times its own force.
This disparity of numbers was in some degree reduced by
the arrival of Rear-Admiral Parker from England, who
formed a junftion with Sir John on the sixth of February.
Still, however, his force was so very unequal to that of the ene-
my, that nothing but the existingcase could have warranted the
attack, norany thingshort of thegreatest exertions in regard to
professional knowledge and gallantry which the human mind
is perhaps capable of making, could have rendered its event
successful. Independent of that superiority which the enemy
possessed in respeft to force, they had the additional satis-
faction of being so near to their own ports, that even in case of
Don Juan Langara came up the Mediterranean with 26 Ships of the line
and 10 Frigates, and appeared off Cape Corse when Sir John Jervis was in thf
fid of evacuating the island of Corsica.
OF JOHN JERVIS, BARL OF ST. VINCENT, K. B. 35
discomfiture, they could retire without dreading the conse-
quences of pursuit, and moor in safety under the cannon of
their own fortresses in a less space of time than would be
required to refit the rigging of a frigate, after an hour's contest
with a vessel of equal force. The magnitude of the object, a
firm reliance on the intrepidity, as well as activity of those
whom he commanded, and a proper confidence in his own
judgment, contributed to make the British Admiral despise
all the surrounding difficulties, and determined him to
atterptanew mode of attack which he had long arranged
in his own mind as practicable, should fortune ever favour
him with an opportunity of carrying it into execution.
He had long entertained very sanguine hopes it would be
crowned with the most brilliant success, and the instant he
received the augmentation of force by the junction of Mr.
now Sir XVilliam Parker, as well as became apprised of the
situation of the enemy, he delayed not a moment in making
known to those whom he commanded, his resolution to
engage them, and the peculiar manner in which he in-
tended to arrange his attack. The event is known to all,
and the leading particulars will be best explained by the offi-
cial narrative of Sir John himself.
SIR, V'lSory, in Lagos Bay, Feb. 16.
The hopes of falling in with the Spanish fleet expressed in my letter
fo you of the thirteenth instant, were confirmed that night by our
distinctly hearing the report of their signal guns, and by intelligence
received from Captain Foote, of his Majesty's ship Niger, who had,
with equal judgement and perseverance, kepc company with them for
several days on my prescribed rendezvous, which, from the strong
south east winds, I had never been able to reach; and that they
were not more than three or four leagues from us. I anxiously
awaited the dawn of day j when being on the stai board tack,
Cape St. Vincent hearing east by north eight leagues, I had the
satisfaction of seeing a. number of Ships extending from south-
west to south, the wind then at west by sooth. At forty mi-
nutes past ten, the weather being extremely hazy, La Bonne Citoy-
cnne made the signal that the Ships were of the line, twenty-
five in nurcber, his Majesty's squadron under my command,
onsuiing cf the fifteen Ships of the line named in the mar-
36 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
gin*, were happily formed in the most compact order of sailing, fit
two lines. By car: y ing a press of sail, I was fortunate in getting in
with the enemy's fleet at h.:lf past eleven o'clock, before it had time to
conned! and form a regular order of battle. Such a moment was not to
be lost ; and confident in the skill, valour, and discipline, of the
officers and men I had the happiness to command, and judging that the
honour of his Majesty's arms, and the circumstances of the war in these
seas, required a considerable degree of enterprise, I felt myself justified
in departing from the regular system, and passing through their fleet in a
Jine formed with the utmost celtvity, tacked and thereby separated one
third from the main body, after a partial cannonade, which prevented
their rtjunc\ion till the evening, and by the very great exertions of the
COMPARATIVE Vj EW or THE FORCE or THE BRITISH AND STAN is u FLEETS.
Spanish Fleet otfeted to
tie British.
CuHoden,
LJeuheim,
Prince George,
Orion,
Colossus
Iirciistible,
Via 01 y,
Fgmont,
Goliath,
Britannia,
Barflcor,
Captain,
Namyr,
Diadem,
Excellent,
ne f flattie as Formed.
Commandert.
Captain T. Troubridge.
Captain J. I.. Frederick.
Rear-Admiral W. Paikcr.
Captain J. I'rwin.
Captain Sir J imes Saumarcz.
Capt. in George Murray.
Captain Geo Aiartin
( Admiral SirJ. fervis, K. B.
^Captain Sir R. C alder, Knt.
(Captain G. Grey.
Captain J. , c utton.
Captain Sir (' Knowles. Bart. San Francis de Paulo
f Vice-Admiral C. Thompson. San Ysidro
J Captain John Foley.
j Vice Admiral Wal'degrave.
I Captain J R. Dacres.
5 Commodore Nelson.
2 Captain R. W Miller.
Captain J. H Wit*hed.
Captain G. H 'I owry.
Captain C. Coliingwool
Stifs. Gum.
Santissima Trinidada - 133
Conde de Regh -Iia
Salvador del .Yiundo - u
ft exicana - - i n
Principe de Astnrias- iiz
Coiueption - - i-H
San Josef - - n
Jjan Genaro - . 74
J-an Firmin - - 74
San ildefonzo - - 74
San Juan Nepomuceno 74
74
Frivatn.
la Vinerve,
Southampton,
Lively,
Niger,
Bonne Citoyeni;e
Raven,
Fox Cutter,
Captain Geo. Cockbnrn.
Captain James M'Namara.
Captain Lord Garlics.
C aptain Samuel Foote.
, Captain Lord Mark Kerr.
Captain William Prowse.
Lieutenant Gibson.
San Antonio
San } ablo
Atlaiite
Glorioso
Conquettador
San Nicholas
Oriente
Infanta de Pelayo
Firme
Soberano
San Domingo (fiute) - 58
74
74
74
Frigates.
- 34
- 34
- 34
- 34
- 74
- 74
- 74
- 74
-74
- 74
- 84
- 74
- 74
- 74
- 74
can Juan
Names unknown
Perla
Cere*
Matildc
Paz
Mercedes
Diane
Antiocha
Brigida
Dorotca
- 34
- 34
- 34
- 34
- 34
- il
OF JOHN JERVIS, EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K. g. tf
Ships which had the good fortune to arrive up with the enemy on the
larboard tack, the Ships named in. the margin * were captured, and the
a&ion ceased about five o'clock in the evening. I inclose the most
corrcdl list I have been able to obtain of the Spanish fleet opposed to
me, amounting to twenty-seven sail of the line, and an account of the
killed and wounded in his Majesty's Ships, as well as in those taken
from the enemy +. The moment the latter, almost totally dismasted,
and his Majesty's Ships the Captain and Culloden are in a state to put
to sea, I shall avail myself of the first favourable winds to proceed off
Cape St. Vincent, in my way to Lisbon. Captain Calder, whose able
assistance has greatly contributed to the public service during my com-
mand, is the bearer of this, and will more particularly describe to the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the movements of the squa-
dron on the fourteenth, and the present state of it. I am, &c.
Evan Nefean, Eiq. &c, 1 JERVIS.
In addition to those circumstances already related, there
are several, scarcely less consequential J, which the confined
* Salvador del Mundo, 112 guns; San Joseph, uz; San Nicolas, 84 ; San
Ysidro, 74.
f Englhl Officers tilled and -wounded.
Mr. Joseph Wixon, Master's Mate, wounded ; Captain Major William Nor-
ris, Marines, killed, Mr. James Godench, Midshipman, killed; Commodore
Nelson bruised, hut not obliged to quit the deck.
Excellent Mr. Peffers, Boatswain, killed.
Cullodcn Mr. G. A. Livingstone, Lieutenant of Marines, killed ; Mr. Wnv
Balfour, Midshipman, wounded.
Total killed and -wounded on board the Spanish Shifs taken ty tbe Squadron under Sir
Join "Jervis.
Killed, 261 - Wounded, 342. TVal, 603.
Among the killed is the General Don Francisco Xuvier Winthuysen Chef
d'Escadre.
\ The following remarks on this splendid victory arc furnished by an ano-
nymous hand :
" If a daring spirit of en terprize ever manifested itself in any character, it
surely never shone more conspicuous, than in the unparalleled attack made by
Admiral Sir John J.-rvis on the Spanish fleet on the fourteenth of February.
What is, however, if possible, still more worthy admiration, is the judicious
close of that glorious a&ion, which evinces the gallant Admiral's judgment to-
be equal to his valour : for had the signal to bring to, been delayed even f.v*
minutes longer, our trophies must not only have remained very insecure, but po-
si'.-le, with the Captain man of war, might have fallen into the hands of the ene-
my. Owing to the situation of both the fleets, the British Ships could not have
formed without abandon5ng the prizes, and running to leeward, the enemy at
this time having at least eighteen or nineteen Ships that had not suffered in the
slightest degree by the action. At this period the Captain was lying a per-
2'
2$ B10GRAFH1CAL MEMOIRS
limits of a report hastily drawn up immediately after this
splendid encounter, prevented the insertion of. When the
Spanish reconnoitring vessels were distinftly perceived, Several
British Ships were immediately ordered to chase: so that, on
the appearance of the enemy's van, it became necessary to
form the line ahead and astern of the Admiral, as most con-
Tcnient, without respeft to the order of battle. This was done
by signal at five minutes past eleven. The signal to cut
through the enemy's line was made by the Admiral at thirty-
five minutes past eleven ; and this was immediately followed by
that to engage. These signals were obeyed with equal ardour
and celerity by Captain Troubridge, in the Culloden, fol-
lowed by the Blenheim, Prince George, and the other Ships
as they had formed.
fed wreck on board the San Nicholas and San Joseph Spanish Ships, and many
of the other bhips, were so shattered in the masts and rigging as to be wholly
ungovernable.
The following are instances of the singular interposition of Divine Providence
^n favour of the British hi the late adion :
gxtraflfrom an Officer's Journal of Sir yobn Jcrvh'i Squadron.
Feb. i. The Culloden parted company in chase.
Feb. 4. An American vessel came into the squadron, consisting then of only
nine sail of the line, which intelligence he afterwards communicated to the
Spanish Admiral.
Feb. 6. Rear Admiral Parker joined the squadron with five sail of the line.
Feb. 9 The Culloden and a cutter joined the squadron.
Feb. 13. Commodore Nelson joined the squadron.
Feb. 14. A fog concealing the British force, enabled fifteen Ships of the lino
to attack the Spanish fleet, consisting of twenty-seven, among which were seven
three-deckers, La Santissima Trinidada, of 130 guns, was so disabled in the
action that she was obliged to be towed off for Cadiz in the night.
Feb. 16 The squadron was forced into Lagos Bay, to secure the prizes, and
repair the damages it had sustained in the acTion. A few days after it ex-
perienced the tail of a gale of wind: had this blown home, every Ship and
man must have perished, as from the badness of the ground most of the Ship*
drove, or cut their cables. The Victory, Irresistible, and Salvador del Mundo
parted their cables.
On the twenty-third sailed without accident, and arrived at Lisbon on the
twenty-eighth, after passing near Cape St. Vincent's, which station the Spanish
fleet, consisting of twenty-two sail of the line, had quitted the evening before.
However incredible in may appear, it is a positive facl, that in the action of
the fourteenth of February, Commodore Nelson, in the Captain of 74 guns, and
Captain Troubridge, in the Culloden of the same force, turned the whole van
f the Spanish fleet consisting of three first rates, and four 74 or 80 gun Ships.
OF JOHN JERVIS, EARL OF ST. TINCKNT, K. B. 39
The moment the enemy's line was broken, all the Ships to
windward wore; some in succession, others two or three
together, as their fears or necessity compelled them. The
signal was then given for the British fleet to tack in suc-
cession* This was immediately done by the greater part of
the line; but the Captain, bearing the broad pendant of
Commodore Nelson, being in the rear, wore and pushed
on, with a view to sapport the Culloden, arid prevent
the seventeen Spanish Ships already cut off, from re-
joining their van. This manoeuvre completely succeed-
ed. He was soon followed by the Excellent, and pre-
sently after by the Diadem and Namur. At one o'clock,
the Britannia's signal was made to tack, the headmost of the
British Ships having so much damaged ihe Spanish van, that
it began to move off, and the principal force becoming, in
consequence, necessary for the succour of the Captain and
the Culloden, with the other Ships that were then commenc-
ing their attack upon the enemy. On the Britannia's put-
ting her helm a lee, the Barfleur instantly wore, and, as
being a faster sailer, eoon reached within a cable's length of
the Viclory, diredtly in her wake, which station she main-
tained till the end of the action *, about a quarter of an hour's
interval excepted, when the Namur, from her swift sail-
ing, was enabled to push between her and the Vi&ory. The
Spanish Ships being thus cut off, and prevented from rejunc-
tion during the battle, by the quick and well-direfted fire of
the Prince George, the Culloden, Blenheim, Orion, Irre-
sistible, and Diadem ; the rest of the British squadron fought '
with the others, and, before sun set, took possession of the
Salvador del Mundo, and San Josef, of one hundred and
twelve guns, the San Nicolas of eighty-four, and the San
Isidro of seventy-four ; the Santissima Trinidada, the Spa-
nish flag Ship, escaping with considerable difficulty, and in
the most shattered condition.
At this period, nine or ten of the Spanish Ships that had
separated, and, therfore, unengaged during the whole
* Sec the plat^
, BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOlRt
contest, having at length effeaed a junftion with their van,
were preparing to come down and renew the aftion. It was
now that the great merit of Sir John Jervis displayed itself
to advantage. With the most prompt resolution he brought
to, and made so able a disposition for the defence of the Ships
under his care, that, though still superior in number, they
thought proper to leave their friends, and avoid the danger
with which they were threatened.
The consequences of this victory were as happy, as the
circumstances which attended it were glorious. The ar-
rangements made by the enemy, in all the pride of expefted
triumph, were completely disarranged; and the British fleet,
though fora long time inferior in numbers, as well as force,
exhibited the singular and wonderful speftacle to the rest of
the world, of tlie power it possessed, in bf ing capable of con-
lining a fleet stronger than itself, within the harbour of the
principal port belonging to Spain, and insulting that port
itself, by every al an enemy elated with victory could de-
vise. The joy with which the news of this success was re-
ceived in England, was in no degree inferior to the magni-
tude and consequence of it ; nor did the public gratitude
keep an unequal pace with the general exultation. Sir John
received from his Sovereign, exclusive of other inferior ho-
nours, the more consequential elevation to the dignity of a
Baron, and Earl of Great Britain, by the titles of Baron Jer-
vis, of Meaford, the place of his birth, and Earl of St. Vin-
cent, the scene of his glory. A pension of three thousand
pounds a year was also bestowed on him by the unanimous
vote of Parliament. These honours and rewards posterity
can never think unmerited ; they in some measure become
necessary, in an historical light, to put the cause of gratitude
out of the question, for they stand an established proof to
the latest moment of recorded time, that on the fourteenth of
February 1 7 97, fifteen British Ships of the line engaged and de-
feateda Spanish fleet t consisting of twenty Ships, the smallest of
them carrying 74 guns, and seven others mounting from 1 12 to
1 30 guns each.
OF JOK3f JIRV1S, IARL OF ST. YINCENT, K. B. ff
His Lordship continued during the space of the two suc-
ceeding years, uninterestingly for himself, but gloriously for
his country, occupied in the blockade of Cadiz, or such ser-
vices as the depressed spirits of his antagonists rendered it
necessary for him to undertake, either in his own person, or
by proxy. Among the latter may be reckoned the victory
obtained by Lord Nelson in the Bay of Aboukir, the fame
of which is too great, and too recent, to need the smalles;
eulogium or account from the pen of the historian*
Finding, however, his health considerably impaired by the
fatigue of his very laborious service, he was compelled to
jeturn to England in the month of July 1799, and after a
long struggle with disease, was fortunate enough to overcome
the only enemy of whom he could stand in dread. He re-
covered his health in so great a degree, as to enable him in.
the month of May, 1800, to take upon himself the command
of the fleet which was sent from the shores of Britain in
earnest search of that armament which now comprises nearly
the whole of that marine force possessed by her combined
enemies, but which, formidable as its numbers may seem,
appears to shrink from the contest and consider itself happy
in the safety it derives from the batteries of Brest, which
have hitherto defended it from the effects of his Lordship's
terrestrial thunder.
Heraldic Particulars relative to the Ear! of St. Vtncent.
He is descended from James Jervis, of Chatkill, In the county of
Stafford, who lived temp. Henry VIII. ami whose second son, Wil-
liam, having settled at Ollerton, in Shropshire, was the ancestor of
that particular branch of the family to which his Lordship belongs.
He has an elder brother now living, or very lately deceased, William
Jervis, of Meaford, in the county of Stafford. Their mother was
Elizabeth, daughter of George Parker, of Palk Hall, in the parish of
Cavtrswale, in the county of Stafford, and sister to Sir Thomas Lord
Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer. Earl St. Vincent married
June fifth, 1783, at St. George's Hanover Square, Martha, daughter
of the before-mentioned Sir Thomas Patker, by whom he has BO
is&ue
Jf38to.o:j)ton. ffiol. IV. c
4* BIOGRAtHICAl MEMOIRI OT THE EA*t O? 8T. TINCENT.
ARMS.] Sable m cheveron Ermine between three martleti, Or-
CEST.] Out of a naval crown Or, encircled with a garland of oak proper,
a demi Pegasus, winged Azure, and charged on the sinister wing with a fleur de
lisOr.
SCPPOT*S.] On the dexter side an Eagle, wings elevated ; in the claw, a
thunderbolt proper. On the sinister, a Pegasus Argent, wings elevated Azure,
thereon a fleur de lis Or.
IWOTTO.J Thus.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL TACTICS,
Drawn from aSual Events, and the Success which has attended particular
Maneuvres pruSisetl in Engagements letween Two Fleets. From the
Revolution down to ths present Time. Arranged in Chronological Order-
" ZXAUPLIS TEACH WHEN PRECEPTS FAIL,"
IS a trite proverb, well known to every school-boy. Never, perhaps,
did the truth of any one appear more forcibly than the application
of it in the present instance. The scientific theorist may amuse him-
self in his closet with fanciful arrangements, wtiich, however ingeniously
contrived, are not decidedly certain as to their effects. But of those
effe&s which adual practice has produced, there cannot remain a
shadow of douht.
Examples of a Fleet having the Weather Gflge attacking en Enemy, and
defeating him, by a Pressure of the Van before the Rear could get up tt
iff Assistance.
In the battle fought in 1 66$, a ri&ory was obtained by the
English over the Dutch, in consequence of the former having the
weather-gage, nnd pressing the leading part of the enemy's fleet.
The same thing happened -in the second action which took place 10
1666, on St. James's Day, the enemy lying in the same position *.
The battle was won by the English after two hours fight, by pressing
the headmost of the enemy, which were not able to sustain themselves
till the rest of their fleet came to engage.
In the year 1672, in Sole Bay, the English suffered in like manner.
The Earl of Sandwich, with the rest of his division, hard pressed by
the enemy, and striving to gain the wind, were overpowered, when
the rear felt little or nothing of the battle.
On the fourth of June 1673, l ^ e English met with the. same
accident. The enemy came out upon them, bearing only upon the
leading squadron, arid never regarding the rear of the fleet, till such
time as the former were scarce able to maintain the battle. But night
coming on favoured them.
In the same manner, on the eleventh of August, the English laid -to
to receive the enemy, in which they had the same success which always
attended this order of battle.
* Sec the plate.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL TACTICS.
43
4 j ILLUSTfcATtOHS OT HAYAL TACTlt*.
Referent to the preceding F ; gure.
The larboard tack on board in both fleets.
1NGI.ISH H.AGS.
SIRTHO.. TIDDEHAM, Vice Admiral THE PRINCE and DUKE, General*.
of the White. SIR ROBERT HOLMES, Rear- Admiral.
SIR Tuo. ALttN, Admiral. Rear-Admiral KEMPTHORNE.
Rear Admiral UT. SIR J.KIMY SMITH.
SIR Jo.. JORDAN, Vice- Admiral of Si* ED. SPRACG.
the Red.
DVTCIl FLAG.
EviRTZ.-with the Zealand Squadron VAN TKOMF, with the Amsterdam
L KuTTiR, those of the Maze. Squadron.
Translation of jhe Dutch Account of the Engagement with the British
Fleet, commanded by Us Hi<hness Prince RUPERT, and bis Grace the
Duke O/*ALBEMARLE, on the i^/Ao/Juue 1666.
From a MS. preserved in the Biitish Museum.
A Narrative of what passed in the Sea Fight lettvixt the Fhets of
England an.l the United Netherlands. Drawn up according to
tht Commands and Orders of the Statts General of those Countries,
\yh June 1665, ly the Raet Pensioner DK WIIT, VRVBERGEM
HUOLETH, and GKRLATIONS, Deputies and Plenipotentiaries of
their High and Mighty Lords, &c. &c. being at prestnt in the
Wtilings, for the Expedition of the Management of the Nether-
land Fleet t after a narrow Examination of the Chief Officers;
Commanders^ and Captains of the same Fleet.
THE Holland fleet upon the first, second, third, fourth and fifth of
June (new stile") sailing from the Texel, with variable winds and
calms, approached the English coast on the eighth. The eleventh,
they were seven or eight miks E.S. E. off the North Foreland, where
they anchored. The English were at anchor in the Downs, but set
sail also the first (rather eleventh] of June, and met the same day the
Dutch flett, which vas eighty-three men of war strong, besides ketches
and fireships. Just before the fight, one "of the biggest Dutch Ships,
Captain Col. van Gent, was disabled, and sent home ; the Captain
moving into the Ship of Captain Golskers. English fleet about eighty
strong. Fight began at one in the afttrnoon. Dutch fleet cut their
cables. Both fleets steered south, wind at W. S- W. ; so that the
Dutch rear vuard, commanded by Lieutenant-Admirals Tromp and
Van Meppelen, became the van guard. He behaved well ; and the
Colonel General De Ruyter, and Lieutenant-Admiral Van Ness,
commanding the centre, soon succoured him, la a short time, an
ILLUSTRATIONS OP NATAL TACTIC*. U
English frigate of 50 guns was seen to sink, by a broadside from De
Ruyter- The squadron of Lieutenant Admiral Cornelius Evertson,
and Eerrick Hiddes de Vrie, was long before it could come into fight.
The fight continued till five, when the English turned, and steered
N. W. going before the wind ; and then the squadron of Evertton
and De Vrie came into fight. In tacking, some of the hindermost of
the English were taken, and some brought into Holland. The Swift-
sure, 70 guns, Commodore Sir William Berkeley, Vice Admiral
White, taken by Hendrick Adrianson, commanding the Keyger, of
*o guns, was killed in person. (>u. Who?) The Seven Oaks, of
60 guns, taken by Captain Wander Zae, commanding a frigate of cz
guns ; the Loyal George, 44 guns, taken by Captain Swaert, Com-
mander of the Dewenter, 66 gun ; all belonging to the College of
Amsterdam.
Two Dutch Ships were set on fire, the Duy van Vord, 46, Captain
Treslaugh, and the Hoff of Zealand, 58 guns, Captain Simon Blocke,
both burnt by accident. On board Captain Treslaugh's Ship were
the Ptince of Monaco, and the Count of Guiske. Van Tromp's and
Van Ness's Ships were so much damaged, that they were obliged to
shift their flags. The English passed by the Dutch fleet, and their
Admiral, with some Ships, came to an anchor ; but seeing De Ruyter
make after them, cut their cables, and another action ensued, in which,
no Dutch Ship was lost ; but about seven or eight in the evening
an English Ship, of about sixty or seventy guns, of the blue squadron,
was sunk, about a musket shot from De Ruyter 's Ship. Toward*,
the evening, Rear- Admiral C. Harmann, of the white flag, was disabled
by De Ruyter, and afterwards set on fire by a fire-ship which was
sunk by her side. A second fire-ship was clapt on board her from the
Zealand squadron ; but even this she got clear of, as also of a third,
which was sent on board under favour of Eveitson's guns. But th
Rear Admiral of the White defended himself against all these, although
at least three hundred of his men leapt overboard ; and late in the
evening he made a shot which killed Evertson. Night coming on,
the fleets parted, and it is uncertain whether the English Rear-
Adraiial was sunk or towed home. On the twelfth, the English were
half a mile to loofof the Dutch, wind W. S. W. Both fleets made for
each other, the Dutch steering N. W. and the English S. So soon as
they came near, the Dutch also steered south. The English having
the wind came upon the Dutch, and there was a great fight. The
fleets having passed each other, without any loss on any side, a calm
followed, during which each party repaired, as well as they could, till
eleven o'clock. Before noon, the wind rising, the fleets made toward*
each other, the Dutch being then above the wind. De Ruyter baviag
*{, ILLOSTIATIOWS OF HAYAI. TACTIC**
got near the English, heard a great shouting, and therefore returned
iuto his squadron, where he found Lieutenant Admiral Van 1
Vice-Admiral Van dcr Hulst, as also Captain Peter Salmonz
Haeu, and Van Amstel, in the midst of the enemy, all much battered,
and in great danger of being burnt or sunk, Captain Salmonz being
already on fire ; but the crtw were saved ; the Captain was however
afterwards slain in the Ship of Captain Schey ; the rest were also
unserviceable. In this encounter, Vice Admiral Van der Hulst was
slain. Many English Ships were sunk and burnt. Those of which
we are certain are as follows :
A Ship of the red Squadron, 60 guns, sunk about noon.
A Ship of the blue, 60 guns, sunk about three P. M.
A Ship of the white, 53 guns, sur.k half an hour after by De
Ruyter's squadron.
The Black Eagle, sunk by Captain Marreult.
Another Ship sunk in the middle of the English fleet.
Several other English Ships sunk and burnt, of which we have no
certain knowledge.
The fleets charged three times through each other ; but on the
Dutch offering the fourth charge, the English set by all the sail they
could for their own coast, being then reduced to thirty-eight or thirty-
nine men of war. On the thirteenth, the English, finding themselves
pursued, set on fire their disabled and bad sailing Ships ; the English
say only three in their Gazette, but our people saw many more.
[N. B. Fourteen it marked in the margin ] In this retreat, the Royal
Prince, of 90 brass guns, commanded by Sir George Askew, Admiral
of the White, struck upon the Galloper, and being left was taken pri-
soner, and sent with his men to the Hague ; the Ship was next day set
on fire. In the afternoon, there came from the west Prince Rupert,
with twenty-two men of war, who it seems was sent the day before up
the Channel, to get what Ships he could out of Portsmouth and Ply-
mouth, to make after the French fleet under the Duke of Beaufort.
The Dutch seeing this fresh supply, sent the Zealand and Friesland
squadron to attack him ; but the Prince made for the main body of
the English fleet, whom he joined late in the evening. The Rnglish
fleet being sixty or sixty-one sail of good men of war, the Dutch about
sixty-four, but much damaged by a two days fight, and having three
Ships burnt or sunk, with several sent home. The next morning DC
Ruyter called a council, and exhorting his Captains to do their duty,
fell again upon the enemy, about eight A. M. in three squadrons. He
pissed the English fleet, and tacked again, fighting all day with great
fury ; during which a Dutch man of war, Captain Vytehhout, was
k and butnt, and another Dutch Ship that came to save the Vice-
ILIUSTRATIOHS OF NATAL TACTICS. 47
Admiral De Hefday from an English fireship. A Dutch fireship
being sent to board Prince Rupert was stopped by an English one, and
the two fireships burnt, together with an English Ship that had the
misfortune, to fall in between them. Van Tromp with several others,
were forced to retreat. General De Ruyter finding night coming on,
resolved to give a general charge to the English, which he did with
luch effed, that the English were totally defeated, leaving behind se-
veral prizes the Bull, and the Essex, a brave frigate of 58 guns, were
taken by Captain Paw ; the Clove Tree of 64 guns, and Convertine
of 54 guns. The same day two more English Ships sunk, one
belonging to the White about six in the evening, and another a short
time after. Several others destroyed, not known with certainty. A
thick mist coming on, the Dutch, after a pursuit of four glasses, were
forced to leave off. De Ruyter ordered the fleet to drive all night ;
and finding no enemy in the morning, arrived that day with sixty sail
at the Weilings; ten wha were disabled put into Goree ; ten other
for the same reason, made for the Texel, and the four which were
burnt, made in all eighty-four, the full number that went from the
Texel. in these fights, the English have lost at least twenty-three
Ships sunk, burnt, and taken.
This done the z6th of June 1666.
PLATE XXXVII.
TS a representation of the adtion fought off Cape St. Vincent,
^ between the Spanish and British fleets on the fourteenth of
February 1797. The time chosen by the artist is the moment
when the Viclury, of 100 guns, bearing the flag of Sir John Jervis,
the Commander in Chief, is coming up under the stern of the Salvador
del Mundo, of 1 12 guns, and is in the aft of raking her ; a measure
which caused her almost immediate surrender, The Barfleur, of 90
guns, the flag-ship of Vice-Admiral Waldegrave, is seen in the wake
of the Viftory ; the British Ship on the right hand is the Excellent,
of 74. guns, commanded by Captain C. Collingwood, engaged with the
Ysidro Spanish Ship of the same force, which is nearly dismasted, and
very soon afterwards surrendered to him. The Ships on the right are
the seventeen sail which were separated from the rest of the Spanish
fleet in consequence of the judicious manoeuvre practised by the Com-
mander in Chief, who cut through their line, and prevented a re-
jun&ion with their shattered companions till the evening of the same
day, by which time the victory was secured, and the Spanish Ships
which fell into his hands were taken possession of.
r 4* ]
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL HISTORY.
Letter from Sir GEORGE By NO, afiervmrdt Lord Viscount TOR-
KiNGroN, to Admiral BAKSR.
Gibraltar, the ^^d Sept. 1709.
IT is above a month since I arrived heare with Mr. Stanhope in
hopes of meeting you hear with troops for an expedition on Cadiz*
The time is over, the enemy beeing prepaird for receiving us, not in
y manner as at first laying of the projeft was expetfed. For my own
particular part, I am not disapoynted ; I all waies have more opinion
of force than credit to believ men will give them selves up to you till
you bring strength to protect them : my Lord Gallway wriieing tit
word the ministrie in England have given over the pKJcdr, and that
you are ordered with the troops direftly to Catalonia. Mr. Stanhope
remains here in exportation of your squadron, that he may return with
you and myself. Beiing told by rny friends from England their is leave
given for my goeing home, and haveing wkh me the Ships na ned in
the margein that are crasie and worme eaten, and not five weeks pro-
vission, none at Lisbon or Mahon, I have resolved to proceed directly
for England, though my orders fur so doeing is nut yet come. I dont
foresee any orders can come with you for me to put in execution, but
what will as properly be don by you ; therefore have left an order,
(w <h accompany 'a this), for you to put in execution any such orders aj
may come for me. So do you as you shall judg most reasonable.
If you shall find your self under any difficultie therein, I would advise
to call a councill of war ; but before you do so, consult with Geu u Stan-
hope, with home pray all waits live well, for he is most honest, and a
very woithie man as ever lived. All that I have more is, to wish my
deare Baker first his health, and next his pleasure ; and after that, in
order to support the former, all the health is possible for fortune to
favour or rather reward you with ; for nobody is more sencerelie your
well wisher and faithfull hum" 1 ' serv" then
Y'
My service to Littleton G. BYNG.
& the Gent 1 with you.
Admiral Baker,
^
Privatt letter from an Officer on loard tot Fleet commanAJ ly Lori
Vitcount HOW,E, d!s//Tridcut, Sandy Hook, iS/A August 17, 8.
SIR,
I' is with the greatest pleasure I embrace this opportunity of
writii.g; and I should have been glad to have acquainted you with
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NATAL HISTORY. 49
the defeat of the French fleet ; but it has proved otherwise. Not but we
had every reason to hope for success on our first setting out after them.
We had been blocked up by them at Sandy Hook for about ten days,
when a gale of wind drove them off to sea. All our men lay during this
time at quarters, expecting them to come in every day ; which had
they done, the first or second day after their arrival, they must have
certainly carried their point ; and the fate of America been decided :
as they must have taken the Navy and Army all prisoners. Having
escaped this, our strength daily increased ; being joined by the Corn-
wall, one of Admiral Byron's fleet, we put to sea in quest of them, on
Saturday the eighth day of August, and found them on the tenth in
the harbour of Rhode Island : which island had not then surrendered.
On the eleventh, at break of day, the French fleet got under weigh,
and received a hearty cannonading from the fort. We were obliged to
cut and proceed to sea. At first, I thought Lord Howe meant only
to clear Block Island, and then to engage ; but as they always kept
the weather gage, we could not make use of our fireships, which were
our chief dependance, but kept under an easy sail all that day ; so
that, had they had any inclination to bring IK to a&ion, we did not
seem any way averse to it. They still pursued us with reluctance,
neither caring to engage, nor leave us. The next day proved very
squally ; and we were obliged to batten down our lower deck gratings,
to get our ports up, if necessity required it. The gale still increased.
About five in the evening, they came within shot of us; and Loid
Howe having shifted his flag on board the Apollo, ran through our own
fleet, Ship by Ship, speaking with every one ; and each saluting him
with three cheers, the French fleet still within shot. Whether from a
timidity of spirit, ofrfrom finding a determined resolution through the
whole fleet to engage should they make an attempt, I cannot answer ;
but they thought proper to bear away about six. The gale still
increased ; and we were obliged to lay to two days : during which
time both fleets were separated. The third day we made, in all,
only eight sail ; but the whole fleet has joined us since at Sandy
Hook, except the Centurion and Senegal. The Renown fell in with a
French eighty- four gun Ship, called the Tonnant and gave her several
broadsides ; she was obliged, however, to sheer off, more of their flteC
coming to their assistance. The Isis fell in with one of their seventy-
fours, which she engaged, she being in distress. The French Ship
shooting ahead, gave her an opportunity of raking her, so that she
thought proper to sheer of; the Isis being unable to pursue, having
all hf r foremast shrouds shot away, except one and the swifter The
Isis had one man killed, and thirteen wounded. One of the French
fleet is driven ashore to the north of Cape May, and the Languedoc ha
Wat). $ron. SXfll IV. H
ILLUSTRATIONS OF RATAL HISTORY.
lost all lier masts. The Languedoc is one of the French eighty-four or
ninety gun Ships. When the French fleet appeared off Rhode Island,
it was thought proper to destroy the shipping in that harbour, which
was put into execution hy burning and sinking them. The following
arc the names of the Ships that are destroyed : the Orpheus of 3Z
guns, Juno of 32 guns, Flora of 32 guns, Lark of 28 guns, and the
Falcon sloop, besides transports. The seamen took possession of the
fort under the command of Capt. Brisbane, which they defended with
the greatest bravery, parading the tops of the embrazures, while the
French fleet entered the harbour, and had but one man slightly wounded
in the 6nger. What loss the enemy might have sustained on their
coming out, I am not certain. The Corn wall sprung her main-mast in
the partners ; the Raisonable her bowsprit : and the Apollo lost her
foremast, mizen, and main-topmast. We are getting ready as fast
as possible ; and imagine we shall be out in about four days. The
Monmouth arrived here this day. Whether any more of Byron's fleet
are on the coast I am not certain. Admiral Howe's conduct in this
affair deserves, I think, the highest encomium. His drawing the
French fleet from Rhode Island has saved it, and near 7000 men, from
the enemy's hands ; besides securing the island to his Majesty.
Evading an action in which there was such little likelihood of success,
their fleet being far superior to ours, has saved New York and all our
troops in America, which must have fallen into their hands, had we
failed. The loss of one of the French fleet, and the additional strength
of the Monmouth to ours, will, I hope, give a happy turn to affairs-
THE TRANSIT.
vessel, of which some account was given in the preceding
volume *, has been taken into Mr. Perry's dock, for the purpose
of being coppered, and fitted for a foreign voyage. Her length by the
keel is 97 feet; her extreme breadth at the gun-wale, which is the
broadest part, is 22 feet ; she is 1 1 feet deep in the hold, and is esti-
mated at the burthen of 200 tons by the custom-house at Chichester,
where she was registered. A more enlarged and particular account of
this singular and highly patriotic exertion of the mind to effed an
improvement in one of the most consequential sciences existing, will be
given in our next. For the present suffice it to say, the following are
the reasons given by the ingenious inventor in support of his new
system.
* See pages 412 and 505.
PROPERTIES OF THE TRANSIT. |
The Olyeds of this Invention are numerous, and as fellow :
First, Faster saving 'with a side wind) am closer to the wind^ than
vessels of the present construction,
This, I think, will be allowed, upon a general view and examination
of the vessel. The peculiar form of the hull admits her principal
capacity to rest nearer the surface of the water, so that in her progress
she may remove a volume of water more superficial than vessels of htr
tonnage of the present mould, inasmuch as that water nearer the sur-
face is more readily removed than water deeper situated.
She possesses the property of being weatherly, from her length,
depth of keel, and form of bow; and of great stability, even at alight
draught of water, from the iron ballast being situated so much below
her principal capacity, as, in effe&, to produce the stiffness that would
arise from a solid iron keel. This extraordinary stiffness is certainly
objectionable in vessels as they are at present constructed ; but that
under consideration is exceedingly light rigged, and cannot roll with
the violence of a stiff Ship, from the nature of her form: of course,
the masts will be infinitely less in danger of being carried away, not.
withstanding the stiffness of the vessel.
Having examined the general qualities of her hull, let us turn to the
nature of the sails. They are contrived to approach a flatter surface
than sails at present do, and to make the fore and aft sails stand at the
same angle with the wind, both below and aloft, which cannot be done
in the present fore and aft vessels. For instance : To make the head
of a cutter's main-sail stand upon a wind, it is necessary to haul the
boom in almost fore and aft ; thus in effect, by making the head of the
sail serviceable, the foot is rendered almost useless. The sails too stand
with that uniformity and openness of situation, as not to take from
each others power, which is repeatedly done in a Ship, by the over-
lapping of stay-sail over stay-sail, and square-sail over squaie-sail, each
destroying the effe& of the other by back and eddy winds. Again,
the sails being placed upon a greater number of masts not only afford
the advantage of small and commodious fore and aft sails, which can be
gibed with safety and be managed by a few hands, but also produce
more weather-leaches, by the united effort of all which, the accelera-
tion of the vessel will be much augmented. The weather part of every
sail being struck by the wind with more force than the let: part : of
course, if the same quantity of canvas be set obliquely to the wind in
detached pieces, their united efforts will be greater than the same quan-
tity of canvas in one piece set to the same position.
Secondly, Easy and quick manceuvring.
To stay, merely put the helm down, and brace round the head yards,
which is the whole duty to be performed, as the after sails of chemsdvcs
5 PROPERTIES OF THE TRANSIT.
will swing over to their proper angle for the other tack *. To veer-)
let fly the sheets of the three after masts, then proceed with the head-
sails, as is customary in a ship, gathering in the after sheets as the wind
gets round upon the opposite quarter. Should it blow fresh, it will
be proper in veering to brail up the three after topsails, and to take in
the miztn and quarter courses. Laying-to is performed by bracing
aback the head-sails, and hauling in flat the after sheets ; and at all
times, the proper balance of helm may be produced, by taking in one
or other of the after sails.
Thirdly, The great safety arising from the ease 'with ijubich jail
may be reduced.
In a sudden squall, the merely letting fly the mast sheets of the fore
and aft sails, is an instant relief to all the after masts, the head sails
only requiring particular labour and attention.
Fourthly, The extreme snugness which the vessel admitf of.
The topmasts, even at sea, are readily struck, without impediment
to the working of the course sails ; which sails, when the vessel is thus
jnade snug, may be carried in very hard blowing weather, to the pro-
bable advantage of turning her off a lee shore.
Fifthly, The masts do not depend upon each other, or upon the bow-
sprit for their support.
Thus one mast may fall without endangering or destroying the effeft
of the rest.
Sixthly, The great redvSion in top hamper y height, and size of masts.
With convenience she will carry every store belonging to her, even
spare lower masts.
Seventhly, The abridgment of chain <w ales for her rigging.
These can very well be dispensed with, on account of her tumbling
out as she rises ; which also gives her the advantage of coming along-
side another vessel with safety.
Eighthly, The very great economy of every kind of store.
This circumstance arises from the equality maintained in masts, sails,
and rigging, and from the sails being so contrived as to fill up the
whole space between the masts, without that frequent over lapping of
canvas we meet with in a Ship one-third of the canvas will undoubt-
edly be saved.
Ninthly, The masts being equally spread throughout the vessel tvi/f
produce so even a strain <w!:cn she labours as not to wear and rack the
hull partially.
This is not the case in cutters, brigs, or Ships, particularly, near
the mam -mast.
* This proved to be the case, without a single exception, during the passage
v<el from Chicherter to the river : in short, practice has hitherto fully
nrmcd, what ingenious theory first suggested.
C 53 ]
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RELATIVE TO
NAVAL GUNNERY.
Question. \WT HAT are the dimensions of a truly fortified iron
gun t
Answer. A truly fortified iron gun ought to measure eleven dia-
meters of the bore as the circumference of the base ring, nine diame-
ters at the trunnions, and seven as the circumference of the muzzle
ring.
$>._ What are the dimensions of a truly fortified brass gun ?
A. It should measure two diameters less at each place of measure-
ment than the iron gun ; that is to say, nine diameters of the bore as
the circumference of the base ring, seven at the trunnions, and five the
muzzle ring.
J^ How are you to discover when a gun quadrates, or hangs well
in her carriage ?
A. Every gun ought to measure in length seven times her own dia-
meter at the vent ; the trunnions ought to be placed at the distance of
three diameters from the base ring ; then there will remain four dia-
meters in distance from the muzzle.
4. How can you discover whether the carriage is proper and of
due length for the gun ?
A, A carriage ought to be five eighths the length of the gun, and
the eye will easily discover if it is wide enough and high enough, or
too high.
4J. How do you dispart a gun in order to take proper aim at a
given objeft?
A. Insert a priming wire into the vent, and let it touch the lower
part of the metal of the bore ; mark the wire close to the vent, take it
out, and rest it on the lower metal of the rose at the muzzle, and the
distance between the muzzle ring and marked part of the wire is the
height of the dispart.
<. How will you find the thickness of the metal at vent, trun-
nions, and muzzle ?
A. I will take the diameter of the gun at the vent, and lay it down
thus j |, which will express the diameter; then I will insert a
priming wire into the vent, and let it rest on the lower metal ; mark it
close to the vent, and taking it out, lay the mark on the line of the
diameter, thus | | |. I will then crook the end of the
wire a little, that it may enter the vent, and inserting it a second
f ime, turn it round till it catches the upper metal of the bore ; then
_, QUI8TIOKS AND AKIWlRS
mark it again close to the vent, set off the distance on the same line
of the diameter, and mark how far it reaches from the other end of
tfc lioe , t has |_M-*--|--^-| ; then will A and A repre-
sent the thickness of the metal, and B the bore of the gun ; and i
the portions A A of the line are equal to each other, the thickness
of the metal is equal, and of course the gun centrally bored. 1 will
then girth the gun at the trunnions with waxed twine, and if it
measures nine diameters of the bore, the gun is so far truly fortified.
Observing the same operation at the muz/le, where it is to measure
seren diameters, the process is complete.
^. How are you to discover whether a gun is truly bored ?
A. Take a spare sponge-staff and fix on it a rammer-head, strike a
chalk line on it from one end to the other, and put it into the gun as
far as it will go, keeping the chalk line uppermost, and exactly in the
centre ; then prick down the vent with a priming wire ; and if you
find on taking out the rammer you have pricked into the chalk line,
you may reasonably conclude the gun is truly bored ; but if you miss
the chalk line, that it is not.
<p. How do you discover when a gun is honeycombed ?
A. Take a spring searcher * with five prongs, and a reliever, muz-
zle the searcher, and ram it home in the gun ; take off the reliever,
and keep turning the searcher backwards and forwards ; you will
easily discover whether it catches ; when it does, mark the staff close
to the muzzle, then turn the searcher again as before, and whenever it
catches again, mark the staff as in the former instance ; so that by
laying the staff when drawn out on the outside of the gun, you may
nearly judge where the honeycombs are.
^ How can you discover the depth of the honeycombs ?
A Take a searcher with one prong, and a reliever ; arm the end
of the prong with wax ; then ram it home in the gun; take off the
reliever, and turn the searcher till it catches, then will the impression
made in the wax shew the shape and depth of the honeycomb.
4J_. How deep must a honeycomb be to render the piece unserviceable ?
ji. If the honeycomb on either side, or on the lower metal between
the breech and the reinforce ring, is three tenths of an inch deep, the
gun is to be condemned ; if on the upper metal, four-tenths ; if on
* A most ingenious instrument invented by the late General Dcsaguliers, and
ince brought to the greatest perfection, has totally superseded the use of this
contrivance. All guns intended for sea service are now previously examined
by proper officers belonging to the Ordnance Board, who, by means of this in-
ttrumcnt, being able to ascertain, with the greatest precision, the internal state
and defecls of any gun, after a very short examination, of course rejeS all those
which, either from natural defeat, or subsequent injury, appear unfit for his Ma-
jesty's service.
RELATIVE TO NATAL GUMNSRY. jj
any part without or beyond the reinforce ring, five-tenths are suf-
ficient.
4\ How are you to discover whether a gun is sound or cracked ?
A. By striking a smart blow on the gun with a hammer. If It
rings clear, it may be concluded the gun is sound ; if the gun jars, or
emits a hoarse sound, 'tis most probable the gun is cracked. Or the
following method may be taken : stop the vent, and light a piece of
touchwood ; put it into the gun, and stop the muzzle securely ; let
the touchwood remain in the gun four or five minutes ; if the gun i
cracked, the touchwood will burn out; if the gun is sound, extin-
guished.
<. How is a shot to be fitted to a gun ?
A. By dividing the diameter of the bore into twenty equal parts,
the diameters of the shot ought to be nineteen of those parts.
^. How are you to find the proper proportion of powder ?
A. Eighteen-pounders, and all inferior calibres, require half the
weight of the shot ; for aU above, there are certain rule* to find the
proper proportion by.
4>. How is a gun to be secured, if it breaks loose ?
A. By cutting down the hammocks, tripping the gun, and lashing
it to the ring bolts of the side till fine weather.
. How is a gun to be cleared when a bit is broke in it ?
A. By drawing the gun, and sprinkling powder with a ladle from
the breech to the muzzle ; this done, drive in a tight tampion with a
mall score in it, and blow the gun off.
4?. If a shot has fetched way in the gun, how is it to be secured ?
A. By damping the powder, or splitting the tampion ; then insert
a rope sponge of a small size, and drive the wad home.
>. Suppose in loading your gun the shot sticks by the way ; if
you fire the gun, it splits, and you cannot draw the gun, what must
be done to free it ?
A. The powder must be damped, and while that is soaking, some
powder must be mealed, and the gun primed, getting as much powder
down the touch- hole as possible ; then fire the gun off.
4>. Suppose a Ship going to sea immediately, it is required that all
things should be ready for action ; what must they be ?
A. The powder filled, the powder horns and partridge or grape
shot between the guns, hammered shot in the buckets, crows and
hand crows, leavers at the guns ; nets and cheeses of wads fore and
aft ; the match-tubs in their places, the matches ready, the lockers full
of shot, the spare tackles and breechings ready, wet swabs at the door
of the magazine and heads of the ladders ; the boxes of hand-gre-
nades ready for the tops.
-g ARTIFICIAL RUDOBR*
?. How thick ought the metal of a gun to be at the vent ?
A. One diameter and a quarter of the bore in thickness.
:. How many men are necessary to a gun in case of engagement ?
A. One man to every five hundred weight of metal.
ARTIFICIAL RUDDER.
MR. EDITOR,
1 beg leave to remind the public, through your Chronicle, of an
expedient which was successfully tried in the year 1751,00 board
the Elizabeth, from Jamaica, burden 160 tons, Charles Seaton,
Master, after she had lost her rudder in a storm, lat. 43. 47.
distant from the Lizard about 500 leagues, as the knowledge of
this invention may be of infinite service to small Ships in the same
unfortunate circumstances.
H.
, e, Cleats nailed on the Ship's side to keep the guide rope in its place.
b, A block to keep the rope from the Ship's side.
' E took an old cable almost four inches in diameter ; cut it off in
nine lengths twelve feet and an half long ; and lashed them one
to the other till the breadth was about four feet ; we then lashed small
spars across to keep them stiff. To the part next the stern-post, and
the back of tht rudder, were lashed studding sail booms, the whole
length (a square piece of timber would have done as well), to keep it
from bending. When let down into the water, two guides were
fastened near the bottom, and two near the top of the rudder ; and
brought up on each side of the vessel, to hold it to the stern post. In
order to fix it, at first, a tackle was fastened to the upper part, and also
to a yard, which was laid from the mizen-mast over the stern ; which
yard we raised up, and then hoisted the rudder over the stern ; which
we were obliged often to do to fix fresh guides. Steering tackles we
fixed near the outside of the rudder, which being brought on each side
the stern, steered her almost as well at a proper rudder would have done.
C 57 ]
NAVAL LITERATURE.
An Essay on Fevers, wherein their Theoretic Genera, Species, an I various
Denominations t are, from Observation and Experience for Thi-ty Teart
in Europe, Africa, and America, and on the intermediate Seas, reduced
vnJer their charaSeristic Genur, Febrile Infection ; and the Cure estab-
lished by Philosophical Indutlion. By ROBERT ROBERT ION, M. D.
Physician to the Royal Hospital, Greenwich* Odavo. 286 Pages*
5/. 1790. G. G. J. and J. Robinson.
r TPHAT active principle in the mind of man which is almost continu-
-"- ally employed in tracing effects to causes, from some inexplicable
reason, forms its results, even where the greatest ingenuity and powers
of perception and induction reside, with as much difference and
as great variety as there appears in the habits, persons, and dispositions
of mankind. Still, there starts forth, in every efflux of real genius
something highly probable, something persuasive, and which, if not
perfection itself, appears a well judged attempt to produce it. Thi*
remark will appear perfectly just on comparing the theories of fevers
from Hippocrates downwards, to Hoffman, Astruc, Huxham, and
later writers with those of the present very ingenious author, who,
if his doctrines of the causes of fevers 'should meet with casual objec-
tions among the sceptics, and not become the future dicta of physic,
would only share the same fate with many authors, whose labours have
handed them down to lasting honours.
But whatever assent or dissent there may be as to these doctrines of
causes, there will, with the really ingenious praftical physician, be little
disagreement on the propriety of the applications to, and conduct of
the effects. In the pursuit and display of truth, perspicuity of lan-
guage is all that is actually demanded ; but in a polite and enlightened
age, in a learned and elevated profession, the beauties of style, if not
indispensable, are laudable in a high degree. This is a praise, as well
as that of deep research, penetration, and originality, that it would be
unjust to withhold from the present work.
The opinions of this ingenious author are derived from the best of
all sources ; for however theories fancifully and ingeniously drawn may
amuse and entertain, it is to practice alone we must look for instruc-
tion. The general account of the disease, contained in the Preface
and Introduction, will form a very proper and correct key to this truly
valuable production.
Febrile infeclion is indeed a new term, as far as I know ; but I believe
it will meet with approbation, because it is definite, sufficiently com-
g KAYAL LITERATUR1.
prchensive, and also Inapplicable to any other disease, which cannot be
.aid of the general term Fever ; for every reader knows that fever
nccomp-mies in some degree every disease to which the human fra
is subjea. Such a term, therefore, is vague and indefinite. I have
moreover been determined in my choice of the expression ftlnle
infeaisH t from observing that fever is always infectious more or less m
every quarter of the globe, and in all seasons, according to circum-
stances. Hence I infer, that fever alway has been, and always will
be, more or less infeaious. Should ptaaitioners affirm, that such or
such fev.rs have not been infaious, their declaration would no more
invalidate the doarine 1 mean to inculcate, than if they were to say
that small pox are not infeaious, because they may have seen many
persons escape in the same family where the disease has been raging.
Nay, it is well known, that all possible means to communicate the
small pox by inoculation and contaa have been often tried in vain.
But does this destroy the general doarine and belief of the contagi-
ous nature of the disease. The faa is, that neither small pox nor
frbrile infeaion can be communicated, unless there be in the constitu-
tion a predisposing cause, or state to receivt the contagion. If Pro-
vidence had not wisely ordained this, every person who approached the
sick, wherever these disorders pre\ ailed, would inevitably have been
infected, and the plague, which I am satisfied is only febrile infeaion
or endemic fever in its most virulent state, and rendered so extremely
deleterious by the impure air of crowded and ill planned cities, un-
wholesome poor diet, unskilful treatment of the sick, filth, season, and
climate, would become univeisal, and destroy mankind.
Again, infectious diseases in all countries, and at all periods, have
been ranked among the severest calamities incidental to mankind, and
febrile infeaion (one species of these) has ever been considered as a
tremendous and fatal foe to human existence. The millions who perish
in the fleets aad armies of contending nations are swept away in greater
ir.uliiuidcs by the secret malignancy of fever, than by all the destruc-
tive implements of war.
An exaa register, not only of the runnier nho fall viairr.s, but of
the dt.'easn also of which they die, in the public service (with the
methods of treating the diseases in peace as well as in war) would
greatly obviate this calamity, and be productive of general good ; and
the plan might, 1 think, be extended beyond the limits of navies and
camps to civil society at large. The judicious and diligent praaitioners
would then be distinguished from obstinate or indolent theorists.
The inexperienced would either be instruaed, or compelled by shame
to withdraw from a profession for which they were unqualified ;
while those who, by an unwearied attention to diseases and the
X
HAVAL LITERATURE, 9
of remedies, promoted the public good, would deservedly receue the
well-earned rewards of their labour and bkill. Young professors would
no longer be led by any theoretic auihoiity whatever, but would
adopt those methods which experience had shewn to be most success-
ful. Emulation to excel in so laudable a plan, instead of an ambition
to establish the visionary theories of a day, would universally prevail.
For God's sake, let not mere theory or hypothesis any longer regu-
late the profession of a science upon the success of which the interest
and lives of mankind depend.
Fever has been my favourite fiudy for thiity years; and having
been chiefly employed in the Navy during that period, i have enjoyed
in three quarters of the world a more extensive' field for observation
than any man, as far as I know, who has ever written on the subject.
Upon entering this field of observation, I was almost deterred from
any pursuit by practical writers ; for according to their systems,
much time was requisite even to know the names, the genera, and
species of fever ; nay, thousands of years, I found, had not been suffi-
cient to mark ti:ese, much less to furnish a complete history of them
on their visionary hypotheses. Even Sydenham, a favourite author, I
observed, went on adding annually new species to the immense stock ;
so that, instead of being instructed, I was bewildered and lost. In
this state of perplexity, I resolved to attend diligently, and to mark
down minutely, every case of fever, as it occurred to me in every
country, climate, and season ; and upon comparing them together, I
have found that fever is universally one and the same disease.
As there were at different periods various theories of fever, so the
treatment of fever varied accordingly. Dr. Miller's Observations on
the prevailing Diseases in Great Britain, together with a Review of the
History of those of former Periods, and in other Countries, were pub-
lished in March 1770. Dr. Clark's, on Diseases in long Voyages to
Hot Climates, and particularly thoie which prevail in tne East aidics
in 1773, and mine in the years 1/69, 7r, 72, 73, 74, 76, 77,
and 78, had already extended to Africa, the West Indies, Continent
of America, and different parts of Europe. The success of the
treatment in the different quarters of the world, which was seen in
comparing our observations, proved on what a sohd foundation the
system was laid. My observations have since been made in various
parts of Europe, and are published up to May 1 789.
Such a collection of important observations to be made by gentle-
men nearly at the same time, without each other's knowledge, was a
little extraordinary, and, without vanity I believe I may add, fortunate
for mankind, as all the proofs which could be wished for on the subject
are now furnished. Indeed, many praclitioaers and writers have be en
60 NATAL LITERATWRI.
so well satisfied with them, that they have secretly adopted them;
and while they have clostly imitated the least beneficial part of the
plan with very little decorum, have claimed the honour of being the
originals. J3y one writer, an entire new doclrine has been built on the
successful event of this new plan or system ; which dodlrine, as far as
it respccls the new mode of treatment of fever, will, I may venture to
say, last as long as medicine is practised, after it is once adopted ;
which will soon be the case universally, I have no doubt.
Having, in my Physical Journal and Observations, laid before the
reader the appearance of fever from the four great and dreadful sources
of febrile iafeflion, vi/.. marsh miasmata, jails, hospitals, and Ships ;
and having avowed that the infe&ion of the three last sources is one
and the same, as they produce a fever perfectly similar, consequently
that the fever is the same; and as it may appear obvious to every
reader, by comparing the histories of the fever, that fever from these
sources differs in no essential respect from fever arising from the other
grand source of febrile infe&ion ; and as the same mode of treatment
is equally successful in all of them ; I am led to conclude, that febrik
infeSion is the same throughout the universe, and that the cure depends
upon one invariable philosophical principle.
[ To be continued. ]
r~ *
ON
REAR ADMIRAL LORD NELSON's VICTORY.
Nor. ill! imperium pelagi, svumque tridcntem
Sed mihi forte datum. VIROIU
7" E painted Chieftains, whom, at honour's call,
To battle rous'd, no danger could appal !
Who Caesar's might with naked breast withstood,
And drench 'd the plains of Kent with Roman blood }
Who with rude arms, and inexpert in war,
Thro' the thick legions drove the scythed car ;
Fac'd their bright steel with irretorted eye,
And, tho* you could not conquer, dar'd to die !
And you, their sons, as terrible as they,
In courteous chivalry's heroic day,
Prompt to unsheath the swoid with equal zeal,
For beauty's smile divine, or England's weal ;
Who strew'd the field of Cresiy with the dead,
By Edward's sable boy to glory led !
NAVAL LITERATURE.
You too, who dar'd, at Agincouri, oppose
A small, but patriot, band, to hosts of foes ;
When your fifth Harry's arm, with hardy blow,
Laid the plum'd crest of stout Ataman low ;
When each youth fought, as on his single lance
Had hung the fate of Albion and of France !
Look, oh ! look down from your celestial state,
Ye sacred shades of the departed Great !
Say for your Country's good, your Country's fame,
Did e'er your bosoms burn with brighter flame
Than that which glow'd in Nelson's gen'rotis soul.
Where the proud Nile's majestic waters roll,
When humbly bow'd the boasted tricolor
To British valour on th* Egyptian shore ?
As some bright angel of unwearied wing,
Arm'd with the bolts of heat'n's eternal King,
Sublimely soaring, at the high command,
Hurls dire destruction on a guilty land ;
So, at her awful voice, Britannia's son,
Far-fam'd for many a deed of prowess done,
'Mid the fell bands of France to spread dismay.
And curb ambition, ploughs the wat'ry way.
With daring prow, with swelling sail unfurl'd,
Charged with the vengeance ofasufF'ring world.
O for that seraph voice, whose lofty strains,
Sung warring spirits in th'etherial plains,
And Gabriel driving from the realms of bliss
Hell's vanguish'd legions to the deep abyss !
Then might I paint the fury of the fight,
And all the horrors of that dreadful night,
When the great Nelson, in Aboukir's Bay,
Descried the Gallic fleet, and darted on his prey.
Now issue forth, from each tremendous tire,
Volumes of smoke, and cataracts of fire ;
The roaring cannons, thro' the pitchy gloom,
Disgorge Death's daemons lurking in their womb ;
Hiss thro' the hurtled air the whirring ball,
And all is desp'rate rage, and darkness all,
Save when the vivid lightnings, as they play,
Flash on the decks a momentary day.
The Chief unmov'd, amid the iron show'r,
Calmly direcls the thunder where to pour ;
Loud shrieks are heard ; and ting'd with hostile gore,
The sea flows purple to the frighted shore;
VITAL UTKKATURI.
In speechless anguish stands the foe aghast ;
Rattle the yard-arms ; groans the falling mast ;
And with torn sail, and many atatter'd vane,
Dash their long ruins o'er a foaming main.
See ! from yon Gallic Ships * a flood of light
Breaking impetuous on the aching sight j
All glaring as the sun's meridian rays,
Flame rolls on flame, and blaze succeeds to blaze !
Where, where, ye Gauls ! for safety shall ye go ?
Fierce fires above, the yawning deep below.
Ah ! soon each heart-perplexing doubt is o'er :
The huge volcanos burst with hideous roar ;
Aloft th* enormous wrecks in aether fly,
And planks, and arms, and men, are whirl'd into the sky !
Quakes in her slimy bed the crocodile,
And all the monsters of prolific Nile ;
The hollow shores rebellow to the sound,
Tremble Rosctta's turrets, shakes the ground,
While the wild Arab, 'mid the tott'ring walls,
Leaps from his couch, and on his prophet calls ;
And each fond mother, with pale fear oppnss'd,
Hugs her child closer to her swarthy breast.
Lo! on the rear of that immoital night
The fair Aurora petps with gulden light !
The scene how chang'd ! erewhib her orient ray
Danc'd on the Gallic streamers, bright artd gay ;
In firm array the naval tow'rs display'd,
To wondering MamaLkts and Cophts dismay r!,
Whence floated on the breeze, the palms among,
The shout exulting, the triumphant song.
The scene how chang'd ! of all their glories shorn,
Late sorrowing Egypt's terror, now her scorn ;
With ensigns lower'd, and with blood o'erspread,
Ports choak'd with men, the dying and the dead ;
The pond'rous hulks, their thunders forc'd to sleep,
Load with their shatter'd mass th' Hesperian deep.
Thus, when the tempest, scowling o'er the waves,
Forth rushes from the dark CEolian caves,
And, through the lurid air with clouds o'ercast,
O'er pines Norwegian sweeps the howling blast,
The proud trees crash, their tall tops downward sunk,
Lays stript and bare each mutilated trunk.
The Orient and the TimolcoDi
NAVAL LITERATURE.
While VicVry, faithful to a PATRIOT KINO,
Thus on his valiant Navy spreads her wing,
The notes of fame the mighty deeds relate ;
Bat Europe trembles for her hero's fate !
Cease, cease its fears ! the scar which glory ploughs,
Intrepid Nelson, on your manly brows,
She tends with lenient hand, and, hov'ring round.
With all her laurels veils the glorious wound.
These are thy triumphs, Britain ! Thine alone,
Great guardian of the altar and the throne,
To speak in thunder to the world around,
And grasp the trident of the Deep profound,
O'er seas, by Commerce led, securely roam,
And bring the wealth of distant empires home }
Unfold thy union cross, without controul,
To the scorch'd Line, or ice-encrusted Pole ;
Climes where the Lapland peasant shiv'ring roves,
Or the soft Indian lies in citron groves ;
Thy powerful aid to scepter'd suppliants yield,
And o'er them stretch thy tutelary shield ;
Imperial Austria's drooping eagle raise,
New plume his wings, restore his wonted blaze ;
Relume the Turkish crescent in its wane ;
Bid Memphis' tawny sons no more complain ;
Ber eath the shade of British banners bold,
Bid Tagus fearless roll o'er sands of gold,
From rapid Volga's banks call armies forth,
And rouse the millions of the torpid North ;
Pitying the orphans and the widow's tear,
Arrest of frantic Gauls the wild career ;
Who, deadlier than an earthquake or a storm.
Fair Nature's works with impious hand deform,
And tear, disdainful of the wrath divine,
From men their blessings, and from God his shrine.
Let vaunting Gallia view with jealous eye
Thy smiling plains, the seat of Liberty ;
Of future conquests in her orgies boast,
And dream of golden plunder on thy coast!
Still shall thou brave, wide Ocean's stately queen,
Her rage, all impotent, with looks serene ;
Show thy great Chiefs, to foes untaught to bow,
^DUNCAN, VINCENT, NELSON, and
Prepar'd to smite the base invading horde,
Like the bright cherubim, with flaming sword,
* KAVAL LITIRATU*!.
Plac'd on the confines by th' Almighty pow'r,
"To guard the sacred pass of Eden's bow'r.
Illustrious names 1 if e'er the Muse can give
Immortal famr, immortal shall ye live ?
Still shall ye shine in glory's high abodes,
Amid the heroes and the demigods>
To save a sinking world by heav'n design'd
The Fathers and Protectors of mankind!
WEST INDIA DOCKS.
THE Ceremony of Laying the First Stone of the buildings of
this mag lificent undertaking was performed on Saturday, the
twelfth inst. the anniversary of the day (the twelfth July, 1799) on
which the Aft of Parliament for carrying the same into effeft, re-
ceived the royal assent.
The company assembled at the London Tavern, at one o'clock,
and moved in the following procession to the Isle of Dogs :
The DIRfc-C 1 ORS of the WEST INDIA DOCK COMPANY*;
And in the last of their carriages
The CHAIRMAN and DEPUTY CHAIRMAN.
THEN
The Lord Chancellor,
Earl Spencer,
Lord Hawkesbury
The Right Honourable William Pitt.
The Right Honourable Hemy Dundas,
The Right Honourable Dudley Ryder,
The Right Honourable Thomas Steele,
i George Hibbert, Esq. Chairman, Mincing Lane*
a Robert Milligan, Deputy Chairman.
3 Sir John William Anderson, Bart. Adelphi.
4 Robert Bullcock, Esq. 172, .Bishopsgate Street.
5 Sir John Earner, Knt. Wood Street.
6 William Chisholmc, Esq. 74, Queen Ann Street, East.
7 William Cuitis, Esq. Alderman, Lombard Street.
8 Henry Davidson, Esq 14, Fenchurch Buildings.
9 John Deffcll, Esq. 19, London Street, Fenchurch street.
10 Thomas Gowland, Esq. 7, Savage Gardens.
11 James Johnston, Esq. ia, Upper Wimpole Street.
12 Edward Kemble, Esq.
13 William Lushington, Esq. 33, Mark I.ane.
14 David Lyon, Esq. Clothworker's Hall, Mincing Lane.
15 Neill Malcolm, Esq. 7, Upper Seymour Street.
16 Thomas Plummer, Esq. 2, Fen Court. .
17 Thomas Simmonds, Esq. 5 8, Red Cross Street.
18 Joseph Timpeon, Esq 26. Philpot Lane.
19 John Wedderburne, Esq. 35, Leadenhall Street.
20 Joseph Welch, Esq. u, Crooked Lane,
a i Henry Wildman, tsq. 6, Fen Court.
WEST INDIA DOCKS. 65
The Right Honourable Silvester Douglai,
Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K. B.
Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, Bart.
And a numerous train of Members of Parliament, including those
of the Seleft Committee of the House of Commons for the Im-
provement of the Poit of London.
Soon after two o'clock the Procession arrived at the Works, where
Lord Carrington and many other distinguished personages of both
sexes had assembled to be present at the ceremony, which was con-
du&ed in the following manner :
The Stone had been previously prepared to receive two glass bot-
tles, one of which contained the several coins (gold, silver, and cop.
per) of his present Majesty's reign, and in the other the following
inscription and translation thereof in Latin were placed:
Of this Range of BUILDINGS,
Constructed, together with the adjacent DOCKS,
At the expence of public-spirited individuals*
Under the sanction of a provident Legislature,
And with the liberal co-operation of the Corporate Body of the
CITY of LONDON,
For the distinct purpose
Of complete SECURITY and ample ACCOMMODATION
(hitherto not afforded)
To the SHIPPING and PRODUCE of the WEST INDIES at this wealthy
PORT,
THE FIRST STONE WAS LAID,
On Saturday the I2th day of July, A. D. 1800,
By the concutring hands of
The Right Honourable Lord Loughborough, Lord High Chan-
cellor of Great Britain,
The Right Honourable William Pitt, First Lord Commissioner o
his Majesty's Treasury, and Chancellor of his
Majesty's Exchequer,
George Hibbert, Esq. the Chairman, and
. Robert Milligan, Esq. the Deputy Chairman,
Of the West India Dock Company;
The two former conspicuous in the Band
Of those illustrious Statesmen
"Who in either House of Parliament have been zealous to promote,
The two latter distinguished among those chosen to direct
AN UNDERTAKING,
Which, under the favour of GOD, shall contribute
Stability, Increase, and Ornament, to
BRITISH COMMERCE.
2S0J- IV. x
g WEST XKBIA 9OCKI.
HVIVtCE . PIRAEI
VVA * CVM . NAVAtlBUS '
IMFENSIS ' CIV1VM ' DI ' FATR1A O?TIME . r*OMRITORUM
SNEVOLENTIA.IINGVLARI . MV N ICIPI . VRBA N I
TATSTA . SENATVS . CONSVLT1 . TVTELA
AVSrids . AVCVSTISSIMI . REGIS. FORIS . POTENTIAL
GLORIAEQVIE
RITAHNORtJM. DOMI . OPVLENTIAR . SlCVRITATldU*
NON . PROSPICIENTIS
SrSCEPTI. EXSTRUCTIQTI
TT. PRAESIDirM . ET . 6PATIVM . REI . NAVALI .
INDIAE
OCClDENTAtlS . ADPRIME. JDOWEVM .
IACTA .FVNDAMENTA . IV. NON. IVL . ANN. CHRIST.
CVKAUTIBVS . NOB1LUSIMO. ALEXANDRO . BARONE . CE
LOUGHBOROUGH
JVM MO. MAGNAE . BRITANMAE-CANCELLARIO
VONORATISSIMO . GVLIELUO. PITT . Qjl STVMVIRO . ET.HICX
RECl . PRIMUM . LOCVM . TENENTR
IMININTJBVS . INTER . VIROS . EXIMIOS . ET . PRAECLAROS
QVI .IN. SENATV . ACERRIME . PROMOVERVNT
GBORGIO . HIBBERT . ARM1G . PRAEFECTO . NEC . NOH
ROBERTO . MILL! CAN . ARM 1C
PRO-rRAEFECTO. REI . NAVTICAE. AD. INDIAN . OCCIDE NTALEM .
SPECTANT1
ISSIGNIBUS . INTER . ILLOS . QV I . PRAEFVERE. OPERI . QVOD
DEO . ANNVfcNTE . AD . SALVTEM . EMOLVMENTVM . ET . DZCV5
COMMERCl . BRITANNICI . CONDVCERE . POSSET.
The bottles being deposited in the recesses made to receive them,
and also a plate with the Directors names engraved thereon, Mr.
Tyrrell, the Clerk and Solicitor to the West India Dock Company,
read the inscription, and the four noble and honourable Personages
named for that purpose raised the stone (by means of four rings fixed
thereto) and laid it in the proper situation.
The spectators then gave three times three hearty cheers, and de-
clared their best wishes for the success of the undertaking.
After the ceremony the company viewed the extensive works car-
rying on at the Isle of Dogs, and expressed great pleasure and satis,
faction at the spirited exertion manifested by the progress already
made in a concern of such magnitude.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JUNE 21.
Cefr of a Letter from tie Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. Admiral of tie Wl'ttc, &c. t
Evan Nffean, sy. dated on board bit Majesty'* S&'f faille dt Parit, of Uttant,
the Mtb instant.
SIR,
J INCLOSE, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admi.
rally, letters which I have this instant received from Rear Admiral Mr John
Borlase Warren, giving an account of the boats of the Ships under his order*
having cut out from St. Croix three armed and eight other vessels, laden with
provisions for the combined fleet in Brest.
The Unicorn being short of water, I have directed Captain Wilkinson to tee
the prizes into Plymouth, and to rejoin the squadron the instant he shall have
completed his water and provisions. I am, iir, &c.
ST. VINCENT.
MY LORD, R<na*jon> of tic Penmarts. Hti> Jvntt
I beg leave to inform you, that having observed a convoy of brigs and chasse
marees at anchor near a fort within the Penmarks, destined for the fleet at Brest,
and being of opinion that they might be cut out, I directed two armed boats
from this ship, commanded by Lieutenants Burke ajid Jane, together with Lieu*
tenant KillogrivorF of the Russian Navy, as well as from each ship of the
detachment under my orders, to rendezvous on board the Fisgard, and to
follow Captain Martin's directions for their further proceedings, whose letter
to me is inclosed ; and I am happy to say that the service was performed with
much gallantry and success on the part of tne officers and men of the ships em-
ployed. Although some loss on our part has been sustained, I trust the measure
will meet your Lordships' approbation.
J have the honour to remain, &c-
Tie Earl cf St. Vincent, K. B. JOHN BOKLASE WARREN.
SIR, flsgarti, off the Ptnmarls, June II.
In pursuance of the directions you gave me yesterday evening, two boatr from
each ship named in the margin * assembled on board the Fisgard, in order to
attack the convoy laying at St. Croix ; and at eleven o'clock, being as near the
shore as the darkness of the night would permit, (and the mode of attack pre-
viously determined,) they proceeded under the command of the following
officers: Lieutenant Burke, Renown; Lieutenant Green and Lieutenant
Gerrard, Fisgard; Lieutenant Stamp, Defence; and Lieutenant Price, Uni-
corn ; but the wind being fresh from the south east, prevented their reaching
the above anchorage till after daylight, when, in opposition to a heavy batteiy,
three armed vessels, and a constant fire of musquetry from the shore, they took
the three armed vessels and eight others, laden with supplies for the fleet at
Brest; the rest, amounting to twenty sail, run upon the rocks, where many of
them will certainly be lost.
I have the pleasure to assure you, that the officers and men employed on thi
service, shewed a degree of zeal and intrepidity that can only be equalled by the
cool steady condu& which 1 had the satisfaction to observe in them, when
passing through a very intricate navigation, under a constant discharge of can-
non from the shore.
Lieutenants Burke and Dean speak highly in favour of Vr. Jane, afting Lieu-
tenant of the Renown, lV:r. Fleming, A, ate of the Fisgurd, and Lieutenant
KiliogrivofF, of the Russian service (a volunteer ; and 1 am glad they have had
ibis opportunity of recommending themselves to your notice.
* Renown, Fisgard, Defence, an Unicgrn.
6S GAZITTI LETTERS.
The enemy have lost several officers and men, and I am orry to annex the
names of several wounded in our boats.
I have enclosed a lit of vessels captured.
1 have the honour to be, &c.
Jttar Admiral Sir J B. Warren, Bart. K. B. B. * . MARTIN.
A Litt <)f Viueli fahn by tie Boatl of a Detachment of hit Majesty 't Shifi under the
Command of Rear- Admiral Sir John Borlase Wrren t Bart. K.. B. on the. IVtb of
yum.
La Nochette gun boat, of two 24-poundcrs.
Two armed Chasse marces, of six and ten guns each.
Two brigi, two sloops, and four chassc marees, laden with wine, brandy,
flour, and pease, provisions for the fleet at Brest.
(Signed) J. WARREN.
Renown, Juni II.
A Return tf Men leounJed in tie Boats belonging to a Detachment cf Hi Majesty' t
Ships under the Command of Rear Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, K. B- in
attacking and capturing a Convoy belonging to the Enemy, at tie Penmarls^ on the
Coast of tranie, ictb of June.
Reno-ten Robert Bulger, Admiral's Boatswain, wounded.
fi,gard} homas Hall, Quarter Master, wounded ; William Jones, marine,
wounded: Robert Richardson, seaman, dangerously wounded.
J. WARREN.
ADM-RAI.TT-OFFICE, JUNE 11,
Extrafl cf a Letter from Admiral Milbanke, Commander in Chief of Its ATajesty'f
Stiff and feuels at Portsmouth, to Evan Nefean, Esq. dated the 20tb inst.
The Constance brig anchored here this morning from the westward, with the
Deux Amis, a small French cutter privateer, mentioned in the inclosed letter
from Lieutenant Wright, her Commander.
SIM, His Majesty's Hired Armed Brig Constance, Spitkead, June 20.
I beg leave to acquaint you that at seven P. M. the I9rh instant, St. Alban's
Head bearing N. by E. four or five leagues, 1 fell in with and captured a small
French cutter privateer, of eight men, armed with musqnetry, called the 1 es
Deux /"mis, belonging to Cherbourg, out two days, and had captuied a sloop,
called the Friends of Guernsey, laden with stone,
1 have the honour to be, Sir, &e.
Admiral Milbanle, &c. MAY-ON WRIGHT.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JUNE ^^.
Ctpy efa Letter from Vice- Admiral Sir Thomas Pas/ey, Bart Commander in Chief ef
is AJajt.ty'i bbift and Vessels at Plymouth, to Evan Wepcan, Esq. dated the
t
imtJr.t.
SIR,
1 have the pleasure to inclose, for the Information of the Lords Commissioners
ef the Admiralty, a letter which I have received from that vety aclive officer,
Captain Sejmour, of his Majesty's sloop the Spitfire, stating his having captured
a very fine brig privateer, with which he arrived here this morning.
I am, Sir, &c. '] HOMAS PASLEY.
Sfitfre, Plymouth Sound, June 20.
J have the pleasure to acquaint yon, that this sloop captured yesterday, ten
leagues S. S. E. from Scilly, the trench brig privateer L'Heureux Courier, of
Granville, carrying 14 six-pounders and 54 men. ; he was on her return from
hrr first cruise to the westward, and had made three captures, which reduced
her complement. I have the honour to be, Sir, &c.
yite Admiral Sir 1. PaJey, Bart. Ve. MICHAEL SEYMOUR.
GAZETTE LETTERS.
ADMIRAtry-orncE, JUNE
Cof y of a Letter from Viet- Admiral Lord Keitl, AT. B. Commander tn CKtfafKt
Majesty's Sbips and Ve^eh in tie Mediterranean, to Evan A'cftja, /y. djUi.
on board tie Minotaur , ajf Genoa , May 21.
SIR,
I have the honour of reporting to you, for the information of their Lordships.
that, by private intelligence from Genoa, I understood the Trench had resolved
on boarding our flotilla in any future attempt to bombard the town, and
yesterday, about twelve o'clock, a very large galley, a cutter, three armed settees,
and several gun boats, appeared in array off the Molehead, and in the course of
the afternoon exchanged distant shot with some of the ships as they passed them.
At sunset they took a position under the guns of the moles and the city bastions,
which were covered \vith men, manifesting a determined resistance. I nevcr-
theles^ arranged every thing for a fourth bombardment, as fornuriy, under the
dire&ion of Captain Philip Beaver, of the Aurora, who left the Vinotaur at
nine P. M attended by the gun and mortar vessels, and the armed boats of the
ships. About one o'clock, being arrived at a proper distance for commencing
his fire, a brisk cannonade was opened upon the town, which was rtrttiined from
various points, and Captain Beaver having discovered, by the Hashes of some
guns, that they were directed from something nearly level with the water.
judiciously concluded that they proceeded from some of the enemy's armed
vessels ; calling a detachment of the ship's boats to his assistance, he made
directly to the spot, and in a most gallant and spirited manner, under a smut
fire of cannon and musquestry from the moles and enemy's aimed vessels,
attacked, boarded, carried, and brought off their largest galley v La Frima, of
50 oars and 257 men, armed, besides muMjuets, pistols, cutlasses, &c. with two
bras#gunsof 36 pounds, having about thirty brass swivels in her hold, and com-
manded by Captain Patrizio Galleano. The bombardment suffered no material
interruption, but was continued till day-light this morning, when the Prim*
was safely brought off: her extreme length is 1.59 feet, and her breadth z$ feet
six inches.
On our part four seamen only have been wounded ; one belonging to this ship.
in the boat with *. aptain Beaver ; one belonging to the Pallas ; and the other
two to the Haerlem. The enemy's loss is not exactly known, but one raau was
found dead on hoard, and fifteen wounded.
The satisfaction which 1 derive from considering the zeal, activity, and gal-
lantry with which this service has been performed, is greatly augmented by the
flattering testimony borne by Capt. Beaver to the gnod conduct of the officers
and seamen who acied with him on this occasion.
I have the honour to be, &c. EL KITH.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JUNE 28.
Ctfy of another Letter from Vice- Admiral Laid AW/A, B. B. Commander in Chief tf
Lis Majesty 1 1 Ships and (^etseli in the Mid:terrancan t to Evan Xefcau, Esq. dated
f Genoa, April zi.
SIR,
A letter, of which the inclosed is a copy, "received by me from Captatm
Oliver, of his Majesty's ship the V ermaid, will inform their Lordships how
actively that officer has been employed in the important service of cutting off
the supplies destined for the enemy's troops in the city of Genoa.
I have the honour to be, &c. KEITH.
>l LORD, MirataiJ, Malon, April IO.
I have the honour to acquaint your Lordship, that his Majesty's ship under
tny command has taken and destroyed nine vessels laden, mostly for Genoa,
with wine and corn, between the ad and 6 h inst. Six of them were cut out bf
two of our boats, under the direction of i ieutenam Coibett, they were moored
to a fort within the small islands near Cape Corsctts. I had seen them col-
lecling all day ; and soon after sun-set I went in with the ship, under the bat-
tery, within the range of grape shot, and anchored with a spring on the cable;
and, after cannonading the fort more than an hour, 1 ww the six vessels, which
Mr.Corbett had most ably got under weigh, coming out, when I followed them
7 fr CAZETTE tlTTEH.
with the ship. I am happy to say that we have had no person hurt on this ser-
vice; and a shot through our cut-water, which is of little consequence, is the
onlv damage we have received. I have the honour to be, &c.
Right Hon. LordKettb. R- D- OLIVER.
ADMlRAtTT OFFICE, JUIT I.
a Letter from tie Earl of St Vincent, K. B. Admiral of tbe W'otte, &e. tt
Evan t!efa* t .Etcj. dated off Usbaat, the ^f>tb of last Month.
,j,l t VVlt de Paris, offU'.hant.
I desire you will communicate to the Lord* Commissioners of the Admiralty,
the inclosed report from Rear-Admiral Sir John Borlasc \Vafren, of a well-con.
certed enterprize to destroy that part of the enemy's convoy that had escaped
from St. Croix to Quimper, xvhich only failed of its well meditated success hy the
ships retiring up the river ; and I cannot too much praise the conduct of it.
I am, &c. sT. VINCKNT.
MY LORD, Rtnewn, at Sea, June 24.
I take the liberty of informing your Lordship, that having observed a small
squadron of the enemy's vessels at the mouth of Quimper River, I anchored on
the 22d. at night, off theGlenans, and directed a detachment of Marines, toge-
ther with three boats, manned and armed from the different ships * under my
orders, to rendezvous on board the Fisgard, to follow the commaudsof Captain
Martin, and to endeavour to take or destroy the above vessels; and I beg leave
to refer you to the inclosed letter from Captain Martin for the transactions oil
this service I have the honour to be, &c.
Ttt Earl of St. fineent, K. B. &e. JOHN WARREN.
SIR, fisgard, at Sea, June 23.
1 beg to inform you, that the boats of the squadron and marines employed
under my direction, in attacking the vessels of war and convoy of the enemy in
Quimper River, arrived off its entrance at day light this morning, and, in order
to protect the boats in the execution of this service, the marines were landed in
two divisions, the one on the right bank of the River undet Lieutenant Burke,
of the Renown, and the other on the left, under Lieutenant Gerrard, of this
ship.
Lieutenant Yarker commanded the boats, and was going, with great expedi-
tion and good order, to the attack ; but finding the enemy had removed to an
inaccessible distance up the river, he immediately landed, stormed, and blew up
a battery with several twenty four pounders.
1 he other detachment also took and blew up two strong works.
It givts me great pleasure to say this affair terminated without any loss on our
part; and the preparation made by the enemy in consequence of my reconnoi-
tring their position yesterday morning, gives the most satisfactory testimony in
favour of the spirit and conduct of the Officers and men, who in less than haif
an hour gained complete possession of both sides of the river to a considerable
extent; and if the vessels specified in the margin f had not moved upwards,
they would certainly have fallen into our hands.
1 have the honour to be, &c. T. 1'. MARTIN.
P. S- The three forts had sevtn 24- pounders, which, with theii magazines,
were blown up.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JULY I.
Cofy fanatlcr Letter from tbt Earl of St. Vincent ; K. B. Adir.lral f tit Whlte t UTV.
t Evan Nepea*, sa. dated Vsbant, June 26.
SIR,
1 inclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioner? of the Admiralty, a
letter I have received from the Honourable Captain Curzon, of his ,\iajesty's
Ship Indefatigable, giving an account of his having taken Le Vengeur, French
privateer, of 16 guns. 1 am, &c.
ST. VINCENT.
* Reno-wn, Defence, F'ugard.
+ Frigate ol 28 Ewns, brig of i* pinr, lugger of 1 6 guns, cutter of ic juns, and sevenl
sail of merchant vessels.
GAZETTE LETTERS. 7!
H7 tORD, Indefatigable, at Sea, Ittb June.
I have the honour to inform your Lordship, that 1 this day captured Le
'Vengeur, a French brig privateer, carrying six long four-pounders and ten
eighteen- pound carronades, with a hundred men, two days from Bourdeaux,
intending to cruise on the coast of Brazil. She sailed in company with three
letters of marque, a ship, a brig, and a schooner, bound to Guadeloupe, and
captured yesterday the Snake, lugger privateer, of Jersey.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Admiral tie Earl f St. F"tactnt, K. B. H. CURZON.
ADMrRAtTY-OTFICE, JULY 8.
0J>y of a Letter from Sir Charles Hamilton, Bart. Captain of bh Majetty's Slip
Melpoment, to Evan Nefean, Esq. dated at Goree, tic Z$il of April, l8dO.
SIR,
You will be pleased to acquaint the I ords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
that having been informed three French frigates were at an anchor under the
forts of Goree, this intelligence, with the force and situation of these frigates,
induced me to take his Majesty's ship Ruby, then watering at Fort Praya,
under my command; and with this additional force I proceeded immediately in
quest of them.
In the afternoon of the 4th instant, I reconnoitred the roadsted of Goree ;
but not finding the frigates there, and conceiving our appearance sufficient to
alarm the garrison, I dispatched Lieutenant Tidy with a verbal message, sum-
moning the island to surrender (the inclosed letters having passed between me
and the Governor): at midnight Lieutenant Tidy made me the signal agreed
on, that my terms were complied with ; the marines of the squadron were in-
stantly landed, under the command of Captain M'Cieverty, and the garrison in
our possession before day.
Their Lordships will be well aware of the strength and consequence of thi
acquisition, which, I am happy to state has been obtained so easily ; Mr. Davis,
of the Magnanime, being the only person wounded before our flag of truce wa^
observed from the forts.
On the ijth instant I dispatched Mr. Palmer with two boats and thirty men
to Jool (a fa&ory dependant on Goree); he returned on the azd, having exe-
cuted his orders most perfectly to my satisfa&ion, and bringing with him from
thence a French brigantiue and sloop loaded with rice.
I have the honour to be, Sir, &c. &c. C. HAMILTON.
II R, Melpomene, off tie Idand of Goree, April 4, i8oO.
I have received your answer to my verbal message to surrender the island of
Goree, and have to inform you, that the only conditions I can accept of are, to
be put in possession of the forts and island of Goree before twelve o'clock to-
morrow noon. I allow you, Sir, and your garrison, to march out with all the
honours of war ; and these conditions only will be accepted.
I have authorised the bearer, Lieutenant Tidy, to fulfil my intentions ; and
have the honour to remain, &c.
C. HAMILTON.
N. B. All private property will be respected.
To bis Excellency the Governor of Goree.
Goree, lit Germinal, 8/i Tear of tie French StfuMic,
One and Indivisible.
IIBERTY. QJUAt.lrr.
fix Commander of Goree to the Commander of the English Squadron off tie Itlani.
SIR,
I have received the verbal summons which you have sent me by two officers
of your squadron.
Anxious to defend the place which has been entrusted to me, I am likewise so
to spare bloodshed. I expeifl therefore to receive from you to-morrow morning
the conditions for the surrender of the place, to which I shall agree if they arc
admissible.
The Commander cf Goree,
GUII.LEMIN.
ATT IETTKRS.
ABMIRALTY-OmCE, JULY 8.
of * Lttttr from Si, Charles Hanilto*, Bart Captain of In Majatft S>i}
Melpomene, to E-osn Nefeait, Eiq. dated at SfitheaJ, the Ifb int.
You vJil! he plewen 1 to acquaint their Lordships, that on the iyth ult. after a
ace of fifty-seven hours, 1 captured L f Anguste French letter of marque, of Id
and 50 men, from Bonrdeau*, bound to Guaddloupc.
I have the honour to be, bir, &c. Ac. C. HAMILTC
ADMIRALTY OKI1CI, JULY 8
Cafy of a Letter from Captain Jjmtt Ne^vman, Commander if lit Majesty* SBif
La Loire, ta Evan ffeftM, Et<j dated at I.utan, the l6/A June, iSoo.
T beg you will inform their Lordships, that on the 151*1 nit. at day-light, I
Discovered a strange sail in the convoy, which I had the satisfaction to capture
after a chace of 6ve hours. She proved to be La Francoise French schooner pri-
vateer of ia euns and 4Z men, from Bourcieaux, bound to Guadaloupe.
1 am, sir, &c fcc. jAMhS N. NEWMAN.
ADMIRALTY-OFUCB, JULY 1 Z-
Cfty of * Letter from Captain Inmin, of Lit Majrty't Sbib Andrtmtfa t to Evan
Ntpean, Eiq dated aj Duniiri, July 8.
I beg yon will be pleased to inform their I ordships, that agreeably to thx'ir
rdert to me of the i?th of June, to take under my command the fire vc5$els and
ether* nameil in the margin*, and endeavour to take or destroy the enemy's
frigate* in Dunkirk Roads, we joined at the appointed rendezvous the Vth fol-
lowing, but, from contrary winds, and the tide not answering, could not make
the attempt before last night, when I fear the enemy had been apprised of my
intention, as we were much annoyed by gun- vessels and others lying advanced
ome distance, wh:ch afforded the frigates an opportunity to cue thtir cables,
and avoid our fireships
I had directed Captain Campbell, of the Dart, to get in, if he could, to the
easternmost, and lay her on board, at the time I hoped the first iireship would
fcave been entangled with the westernmost.
The handsome and intrepid manner of his completely carrying her in less than
a quarter of an hour, and bringing her out, must convince their Lordships of his
unparalleled bravery, and the very gallant conduft of his officers and ship's
company, as the enemy's frigate was so much superior in force ; and had it not
been to instantly done, the ship could not have been got over the banks, as the
water had begun to fall. By Captain Campbell's report to me, great praise is
due to Lieutenant M-Denm-it, who, I am sorry to say, is badly wounded.
I inclose Captain Campbell's letter to me, giving an account of this trans-
a&ion ; and have the pleasure to observe, that one spirit seemed to actuate the
whole : but I am sorry that, notwithstanding the steady conduct of Captains
Edwards, Butt, l.cef, and Carthcw, of the several fire-vessels, in remaining on
board till completely in flames, the three enemy's ships, from cutting their cables,
escaped before the wind, and ran out of Dunkirk Roads some little distance
down the Inner Channel within the Braak Sand ; one of them got on shore for
a short time, but at day- light we had the mortification to observe her working
back on the ebb tide, and, with the other two, regained their anchorage, though
not without considerable damage, having received the fire of the Dart, Bittr,
and lexer gun-brigs, within pistol shot, before they cut.
I kept the Seiby in the rear to aft, had any remained long enough on shore,
to have def.royed them by firing carcasses, and have now to regret I reserved
her for that purpose, as 1 am confident, had Captain Williams been diieded
* Wisn, Captain Edwards; Falcon, Captain Butt; Dart. Captain Campbell :
Captain Leet; Rosano, Captain Carthew; Selby, Captain Williams ; Boxer, Lii
Comet,
Gilbert: Tea*:r, Lieutenant Robins ; Biter, Lieutenant Norman ;' Stag Cutter, Lieu-
tenant Hurr.phrys ; Nile Lugger, Lieutenant Whitehead; Ann Cutter, Lieutenant
Young ; Kuu, Lieuteaaut Cooban ; Vigilant Lugger, Lieutsa
GAZETTE LETTERS. 7^
to Jay one of the enemy's ships on board, he would have been successful io
bringing her out.
I put Mr. Scott, First Lieutenant of the Andromeda, in the command of the
fcoats in a gig, and Mr. Cochran, Third Lieutenant, in another boat; and as
1 had all the cutters to attend on the fire-vessels except the Kent, directed their
Lieutenants in gigs to put themselves under his command ; and by which
means not any lives were lost ; the Itent, Lieutenant Coobari, I directed to
attack the gun-vessels, who trimmed them pretty handsomely, and prevented
any boats from annoying ours, that were employed to take out the crews of the
fire-ships.
I feel particularly indebted to Captains Mainwaring, Baker, and Seater, as
also to Lieutenant King, Second Lieutenant, who was left in command of the
Andromeda, for their perseverance in getting over the banks to render us every
assistance by boats, and to be in readiness to meet the enemy, hud they ventured
over the Braak Sand ; which position they maintained for that purpose in spite
of fresh gales, and direct opposition 'o the established pilots, who gave up the
charge of each ship on their hands while in this situation; and before, when I
first made the proposition, positively refused taking charge of any vessels of the
lightest draught of water intended -for this service^ but with the assistance of
Mr. Moor, .Vi aster, (whom I put on board the Dart to lead in,) and Mr. Wheat-
land, Mate of the Anne hired cutter, who very handsomely volunteered their
services to take any of the ships in, on my suggesting it to them, and some men
which I got out ot smugglers, I was enabled to put one on board each of the
gun-vessels and fire- brigs; 1 feel an inward satisfaction at bringing the whole of
the squadron through the roads without the least difficulty 1 cannot omit
mentioning that Mr. Butcher,. Master of the Nile, and Mr. Dean, M aster of the
Vigilant (luggers], at my request would have laid as a leading maik at Grave-
lines Hook ; the former performed this service, and I embarked with thirty
volunteers from the Andromeda in the latter; and through the whole of this
service I feel particularly indebted to the Commanders of the several vessels and
cutters for their v-ry steady conduit.
I inclose a list of killed and wounded, and am sorry to say that Captain Leef,
of the Comet, is among the latter, having been blown up. 1 have also to
acquaint you, for their Lordships' information, that fiom the mangled and un-
happy state of many of the prisoners, I was induced to send a flag of truce with
them into Dunkirk. I have the hoi. our to be, &c.
H. INMAN.
SIR, Dart, of Dunkirk, July g.
Agreeable to the directions you honoured me with to board the easternmost
of the enemy's frigates in Dunkirk Roads, should it be practicable, 1 have
complete satisfaction in acquainting you, that about one A. M. I succeeded in
carrying La Desiree, National Irigate, mounting; 40 guns, Jong twenty-four
pounders on the main deck, with a complement of 350 men,somc of whom were
on shore.
From your being so nearly situated to me during the attack, I have only to
anticipate your approbation of the Dart's conduct; but as individual merit could
not be distinguished but by those present," 1 trust I may be permitted to spe.uk in
terms the most gratifying of Lieutenant M'Dermeit, who gallantly 1-d the
boarders on this occasion, und who, I fear will lose his arm by a severe wound
he received : indeed, 1 cannot say enough in praise of his gallantry in this un-
equal contest, having every reason to believe the enemy were fully apprised of
your intentions, from the resistance they made, and the preparations that were
found on board.
Lieutenant M'Hermeit, with much presence of mind, on being wounded,
called to me he had possession ot" the ship, but feared they would rally, and re-
quested an officer might be sent to take charge. Lieutenant Pierce gallantly
anticipated my wishes by jumping en board, completely repulsed the enemy,
who were rallying at the after-hatchway, instantly cut her cables, got her under
sail, and over banks which could not have been effected half an hour later. I
also beg to state \ r. Ingledon, the Master's, conduct, as highly meritorious,
in placing the Dart so completely on board the Desire's, and who nearly lost his
74 CAZBTTE LETTERS.
life supporting the boarder*, by falling between the ships. Indeed, all fn
officer* whom I had the honour to command behaved in a manner that wiU
ever merit my warmest acknowledgements ; and when I think of the support
given me by my brave crew, I feel confident 1 shall never forget their loyalty
and merit.
Inclosed ' "end you a list of killed and wounded; and am, Sir, your very
humble servant,
U a C. flam J nmaa. P. CAMPBELL.
A. List of the French Squadron In Dunkirk PefJs, en lie Evening of the "]th of July.
La Voursuivant, of 4 guns, twenty four p unders on the main deck, wears u
bro."<d pendant. Commodore's name ( astagnie, Chief of Division.
La Desiree, of 40 guns, twenty-four pounder* on the main deck, commanded
by Citizen Deplancy ; taken b) his Majesty's sloop Dart.
1. 'Incorruptible, of 40 guns, twenty-four pounders on the main deck.
La Carmagnole, of 50 guns, eighteen pounders on the main deck.
jt R :t urn ef Kil'ed and Wounded on board bit Majesty's Ships in the Aclin ivitb tie
French Sq:.jdroji in Dunkirk Raadi, on the Morning of the %tb of July,
Dart i killed; 1 1 wounded.
Comet. a wounded.
Biter Gun Vessel, 4 wounded.
Ann ( Hired C'ttie-) i wounded.
Kent (Hired Cutter). I wounded.
Names ef Offcers wounded,
Comet Captain Thomas Leet. slightly.
Dart Lieutenant James M'Dermeit, badly; Mr. James Hall, Master's
Mate, badly
Biter Gun Peuel. Lieutenant Norman, Commander, slightly.
ADMIRAtTT-OrFICE, JOLT 12.
Co fq of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord Keith, Commander In Chief of bis Majesty's
Stiff and Vessels in tie Mediterranean, to Evan Nepcan, Esq. dated en board the
Minotaur, in Genoa Mole, the gib June.
SIR,
You will be pleased to lay before their Lordships the inclosed copy of a letter
which I have received from Captain Oliver, of hi* Majesty's ship Mermaid.
1 have the honour to be, &c. KH1TH.
MY LORD, Mermaid, off Cape Crohette, 4th June.
T have the honour to acquaint your Lordship.that his Majesty's ship under my
command captured on the ist instant, twelve leagues to the southward of the
Hieres, the I rench brig La Crueile, of six gam (four of \\hich wen- thrown
ovciboard in the chace), and 43 men, commanded by Francis Xavier Jeard,
Pnseigne de Vaisseau, with a cargo of all sorts of provisions She had been only
eight hours from Toulon ; sailed with sealed orders ; but from what I can learn
I have little doubt but she was destined for Malta : La Crueile has been a
bomb vessel, but left her mortar at Toulon.
1 have the honour to be, c.
P ice- Admiral Lord Keitb, K. B & c . R. DUDLEY OLIVER.
Courts partial.
PORTSMOUTH, JUNE 26.
T f 1S d^ R xT I . AL , WaS hdd on Ca P tain ALMS, hi* Officers and men,
for the loss of his Majesty's sh.p Jt eft ,l,t t on the coast of France. After a
orongb investigation of the bun, the Court was of opinion, that Mr.
Rothery, the First Lieutenant, and Mr. Finn, the Master, had been guilty of
keying the Captain's orders, sentenced them to be dismissed his Majesty's
semcc, and rendered incapable of serving again. That Capuin Alms, his other
Nnccrs, ajjd ship s company, arc honourably acquitted.
75
^J. Pursuant to an order from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a
Court Martial was held on Tuesday, on board the Gladiator, in this harbour,
on Mr. WILLIAM O'KRLLY, Surgeon of his Majesty's gun vessel Sfiart.'tr.
Rear Admiral HOLLOWAY, President.
He was charged by Lieutenant WALKER, Commander of the Spariltr, that
on the zjth of May last he behaved in a mutinous, riotous, and disorderly man-
ner, disobeyed his orders, struck Mr. Allen (the Clerk), and said he dui not care
a damn for the Lieutenant or his orders; and, after being under arrest, for
snapping a loaded pistol several times at the centinel on his post.
Fvidence having been examined on the part of the prosecution, and hearing
the defence of the Prisoner, the Court was of opinion, that the charges having
Lcen proved in part against the said Mr. O'Kelly, sentenced him to be impri-
toncd in the Mar.shalsea for two years, and to forfeit all his pay.
July I. A Court Martial was held, on board his Majesty's ship GlaJi.iter, in
this harbour, pursuant to an order from the Lords Commissioners ><f the Admi-
ralty, for the trial of Mr. JOHN SHEA, Purser of his Majesty s sh ; p Beaver, on
charges of having, on two different occasions, disposed of the provisions en-
trusted to him for his own private emolument, contrary to his in-tr dion, and
made a false charge on the sloop's books: and for having, on sev-.-ral occasions,
treated his Captain, CHRISTOPHER BOSSET JONES, hsq. with insolence, con*
tempt, and disrespect, and for having absented himself without leave.
President, Rear Admiral POLS.
The Court being of opinion that the charges had been only in part proved
against the said Mr. JOHN SHEA, did adjudge him to be reprimanded, and ad-
monished to be more circumspect in his conduct for the future.
2. A Court Martial was held on board the Gladiator, for the trial of
Lieutenant WILLIAM WALKER, commanding his ajesty s gun- vessel Sparkler,
on a charge of having repeatedly answered, at the time of muster, for men who
ran away from the boat, and said they were on liberty ; and also for having
answered for his own child, aged one year, rated A. B. and said he was on shore
on duty ; and for having sent one f the ship's company (then on board) assuming
the name of William Walker, his son, and received five pounds bounty, in i orts-
mouth ; and of having shortened the fresh provisions from the ship's company,
and drew it onshore for the use of his own table, and sent salt herrings on board,
which he vended to the crew without a vegetable of any species; and that he
also drew the full provisions for fifty men, that complement not being complete.
The Court being of opinion that, the charges had been in part proved against
the said Lieutenant William Walker, Sid adjudge him to be dismissed from his
Majesty's service.
2. A Court Martial was also held on board the sa-ne ship, for the trial of
JOHN DUNCAN, late a seaman belonging to his \ 1 ajesry's late ship Hcrmione,
for having murdered the Officers of the said ship, or being aiding and assisting
therein ; and for having aided and assisted in carrying the said ship to La Guira,
and delivering her up to the enemy.
The Court were of opinion, that the charges had been proved against the said
John Duncan, and did adjudge him to suffer death, by being hanged by the neck
on board such ship of his .VJajrsty. and at such time and place, as the Lords Com-
missioners of the Admiralty should dire-ft.
On the loth he was executed on board the Puitsant, agreeably to the sentence
of the Court. About a quarter of an hour before he was turned off. he addressed
the ship's company, and said how justly he was condemned lor being concerned
in one of the worst of crimes, and warned them from ever being concerned in
such an a<5t of atrocity.
1 1. A Court Martial was held on board his Majesty's ship Glaoiator, in th
harbour, for the trial of JOSSPH BROWN, a seaman belonging to his Majesty'*
sloop fairy, for desertion.
The Court were of opinion, that the charge had been proved against the
prisoner ; but in consideration of his very good character, and particularly his
grpat exertions and meritorious conduct on v . jard the Impregnable after she wa
a hore, and other circumstances, he was only sentenced to be mulcted of hi* pay.
[ 76 J
MONTHLY REGISTER
OP
Cbcnts.
LORD KEITH'S LETTER TO GENERAL KLEBER.
SIR, Queen Charlotte, Fib 8.
I INFORM you, that I have received positive orders from his V ajesty to con-
sent to no capitulation with the French army under your command in Egypt and
Syria, unless it lays down its arms, and surrenders itself prisoners of war,
abandoning all the ships and the stores in the port and citadel of Alexandria to
the Allied Powers ; and that, in casr of such capitulation. 1 am not at liberty to
allow any troops to return to France before they are exchanged. I think it also
proper to inform you, that all ships having French troops on board, and sailing
from that country, furnished with passports signed by others than those that
have a right to grant them, will be forced by the Officers of the ships which I
command to remain at Alexandria. In short, the vessels which shall be met
returning to Furope with passports granted in consequence of a separate treaty
with any of the Allied Powers, shall be detained as prizes, and all persons oh
board considered as prisoners of war. (Signed) K.EII H.*
AMERICAN MARINE.
The following is an abstract of the expences attending the building of the
UNITED STATES, CONSTITUTION, and CONSTELLATION frigates, at Pbila-
Jttpbia, Boston, and Baltimore :
Constitution, of 1444 tons, and 44 guns.
Labour .... 110,750 dol. 94 cents.
Materials - ... 75.286 68
Freight - - _ 4,020 o
Fixtures - ... 17,008 64
207,075 26
United States, of 1444 tons, and 44 guns.
Labour - . . - 8*3, 701 dol. 55 cents.
Material! ... - 77,497 15
Freight . - - . - 2.371 O
lixtures .... 14,889 37
178,460
Constellation, of 1145 tons, and 36 guns.
Labour ... . 113,777 dol. 24 cents.
Materials - ... 85,987 74
Freight .... 6,754 75
fixtures .... 15,964 10
321,513 8?
.Being for the three frigates about 67,000!.
fitly ^. Sir W. Scott, Judge of the High Court of Admiralty, made the
report to his Majesty of the three prisoners who were at the last Admiralty
bension tried for being found fighting on board the enemy's ships of war, and
capitally conviSed ; when James Wilson was ordered to suffer death pursuant
to his sentence; and Thomas Downing and James Bribes Coze, alias George
Adams, were respited.
* Since the above, counter orders tave been issued.
MONTHLY REGISTER OF NAVAL EVENTS. -77
ATTACK OF THE ENEMY'S FRIGATES IN DU\K!RK ROADS.
THERE have appeared in some of the French papers, some reflefllota upon the
humanity of the British Officers and Seamen in the very gallant affair off L uniirk
in which the French frigate La Desires was captured *. We are happy in the
opportunity of meeting these reflefiions with fags, from which it will appear, that
the humanity exercised by the British Officers kept pace with their distinguished
gallantry upon this occasion.
" SIR, " Andromeda, off Dunkirk, Ju'y 8, l8oo.
" Motives of humanity have induced me to send one of his Britannic Majesty's
cutters undr my command, with some unfortunate wounded officers and men of
La Desiree.
" I trust the flag of truce will he permitted to return without loss of time,
and that you will have the goodness to transmit me, by the same conveyance, a
proper receipt, acknowledging their parole, which their wounds will not suffer
them at present to give me without considerable delay, that might be of serious
consequence to them. I am, Sir,
" To the Commanding Officer of tie " Your most obedient humble servant,
French Sgu.iJron in Dunkirk Roadt." " HEN. INMAN.
From Connodore GASTAGNIER, commanding the Naval Force in Dunkirk
Roads :
"SIR, " Dunkirk, I<)tb Menidor, %tb Tear oftbe Republic.
" 1 thank you In the name of my unfortunate wounded countrymen, for your
conduft towards them.
" Your letter was given me by the English Officer who brings this back.
" You will find inclosed the lists of the French officers and seamen he has
landed, with the receipt, which will in the exchange of prisoners account for
men to }our Government. I have the honour to be, Sir,
CONNODORE GASTAGNIER.
" To Capt. Inntan, commanding the English Squadron off Dunkirk."
"-About twelve o'clock at night the squadron got sight of the French ships,
and when within sight the latter hailed the Dart, and asked her whence
she came. The answer was in French, ' From Bourdeaux." The French-
man then desired to know what convoy that was astern of them, m.-auing
our fireships, which were at some distance behind. The answer from the Dar?
was, " they did not know." On these answers being given, the Dart passed
the 'squadron, until she came alongside the innermost frigate but one, from
which she received a most tremendous broadside, but in a moment returned it
\vith tenfold interest, the Dart's guns being double shotted wkh round and
grape. The Dart then passed on and boarded the innermost frigate, by running
her bowsprit between her foremast and forestay, having let go her stern anchor
to check. The First Lieutenant and his division immediately boarded her, and
carried every thing before them. The Dar t then cut her stern cable, and swung
alongside the enemy, when the Second Lieutenant with his division boarded the
French vessel on the quarter, and in about thirty minutes got possession of her,
cut her cables, and brought her away through a small channel that was alway
supposed impracticable. Every Officer on board the French ship was killed,
except one Midshipman : there were killed and wounded altogether nearly one
hundred men.
EAST INDIES.
A sixty-four gun ship is now building at Bombay, for the Commodore's ship of
the Bombay Marine. The rest of his establishment are to be frigates, from
1% to 32 guns, besides the smaller cruisers. A Marine Board is also to be estab-
lished, consisting of a Superintendant, Master Attendant Commodore, and
three senior Captains. In future, the Master Attendant is to be in the line of
promotion. All convoy charges to the Bombay Marine are to be done away :
nd in lieu thereof, the Commodore, three senior Captains, junior Captains, and
Lieutenants iu command, are to have fixed salaries.
* See page 71, for the official account.
7 MONTHLY REGISTtR
ADMIRALTY COURT.
July 1 8. Sir William Scott sat this day. and condemned several Danish sldopt
and brigs, for breaking their neutrality, by entering the port of Havre when id
a state of blockade.
SHIP ALEXAKDER, or ALTONA. This ship waspurchased at St. Maloes, by
a Danih merchant, from M de Facio : she sailed to Altona in ballast, and was
there freighted with a cargo to Lisbon, and ordered to return to Altona. At
Lisbon, she took in a carpo of cotton, coffre, sugar, &c. When ready to sail
from Lisbon, the deposition stated that there was a fortnight's old sound provi-
f ions on board ; bit the Captain chose to purchase a barrel of beef and a hundred
weight of biscuit, S-he sailed from Lisbon on the 9th of last March, and on the
jjth, being off the coast of France, the crew discovered that the purchased beef
was offensive and bad. The Captain, although he had twenty days good old
provisions determined to sail for the first port in France for more. That port
was Havre de Grace, which it was proved he knew to be in a state of blockade.
About four leagues from Havre, the Duchess of York cutter came up under
French colours, and after examination, seized the Pane, for having broken the
neutrality Thire was another cutter in sight. The defence by Dr Lawrence
W33, that she was in want of provisions, an>i that a further elucidation was un-
necessary The Judge entered into the cause at full length. The ship and part
of the cargo were condemned as prize to the two cutters.
PLY.vlOUTH REPORT,
FROM JUNE l6 TO JULY IO.
June 1 6. Wind N. W. Showery. Sailed for Earl St. Vincent's fleet, the
John lugger, Eliot master, with porter, groceries, and vegetables.
17. Wind N. W. Cloudy. Sailed the Suwarrow, 16 guns, Lieutenant
Nicholson, with dispatches for Earl St. Vincent Arrived the Cambrian, 44
guns, Hon. Captain Legge, from the coast of Spain, having been relieved by the
Indefatigable, 44 guns, rion. Captain Curzon.
18. Wind N. W. Cloudy. Arrived the Unicorn, 36 guns, Captain Wilkin-
son, from off the Penmarks. He brought in with him ten sail of brigs and chasse
marecs, deeply laden with provisions and bran ly for the French fleet at Brest.
There were eleven sail cut out from under the batteries by the boats of the
Renown, 74 guns, Rear- Admiral Sir John Warren, Defence 74, Fisgard 48, aud
Unicorn 36. One foundered, but the crew were saved.
19. Wind N. W. Fair. Sailed for Gibraltar, with naval stores, the Abun-
dance store ship. Came in from off Brest, the Lurcher cutter, I ieutenant
Forbes, in damage, after a smart aSion with a French cutter, which she suc-
ceeded in cutting out from the Penmarks.
4O. Wind W. N. W. Fair. Arrived the Spitfire, 24 guns, Captain Sey-
mour, with a beautiful corvette of 1 6 French brass six-pounders and 65 men,
called L'Heureux Courier, the had been out five weeks, had captured two
Newfoundland brigs, and cut out of St. Michael's (where she was loading)
a Portuguese schooner, Nostra Senora del Carno, De Casta Pinto, which was
retaken by the Tartar privateer of Guernsey, where she is arrived. It appears,
that La Braave French privateer, of 36 guns, lost two men killed when fired into
by the Anson, 44 guns, Captain Durham. Sailed again on a cruise, the Spitfire,
24 guns.
22. Wind N. W. Fair. This morning the Marlborough, 74 guns, made
the signal for assistance to go into the harbour, which was answered by the
Port Admiral and all the fleet, whose boats proceeded to t^ow her up into Barn
Pool, where she arrived at four P. M Arrived from a cruise, the aiad 38
guns, Captain Pierrepoint ; Barfleur, 98, Re^r-Admiral Collingwood, to refit.
23. Wind S. W. Fair. '1 his forenoon a very interesting spectacle presented
Uielf to a numerous body of people assembled on the Hoe, viz. upwards of 200
sail of Wet Indiarucn passing by the port, from Barbadoes, Martinique,
OF NATAL EVENTS. 79
tnd ether ports in the West Indies. The fleet stretched from Penlce Point W.
to the Bolt Tail,E, under convoy of the Prince of Wales, 98 guns, Captain
Renou ; La Vior(euse, iz, Captain Dickson, valued at upwards of three mil-
lions sterling. Came in, the Elephant, 74 guns, Captain holey, to refit.
24. Wind Variable. Fair. Sailed the Chapman, 24 guns, Captain Keen,
with a convoy.
35. Wind S. W. Fair. Sailed the Fanny, 12 guns, Lieutenant Frissell,
Vmh a convoy to the westward. Arrived the Ra ger cutter, M. A. Frazer,
With a fine smuggling lugger, having on board 800 ankers of spirits, captured
after a long chase within the limits of the Dodman.
26. Wind S. E. Fair and Fine. Arrived from Portsmouth, the Hector, 74
guns, Captain Elphinstone. Letters frm the Mars, 74 guns, fthc advanced
hip of the flying squadron) Rear Admirdl Berkeley, srate, that on the zjd inst.
in sight of the Brest fleet, the crew of that ship actually painted her from stem
to stern, and then gave three hearty cheers Sailed the Barfleur, 98 guns, Rear
Admiral Collingwood, to join the Channel fleet.
27. WindS. E. Fair. .Sailed the Hector, 74 guns, to join the fleet. The
tJnity, of Queenborough, from Guernsey, having on board 170 casks of spirits,
besides tobacco, concealed in her hold, was seized by t!ie officers of excise in
Hamoaze. Came in the Joseph cutter, Lieutenant Cowcn ; he captured a sloop
in ballast, off the coast of France, and burnt her. Sailed the Unicorn, 31 guns,
Captain Wilkinson, to join the fleet ; also the Clyde, 36, and the Beaulicu, 36.
28. Wind S. E Fair Went into the Sound, from Hamoaze, the Immorta-
Kte, 44 guns Captain Hotham ; the Dryid, 36; and the Revolutionaire, 44.
Sailed the Agamemnon. 64 guns, to join the fleet
29. Wind S. W. Cloudy. Letters from Fowey st.tte the arrival there of the
Lord Viddleton of and for I ondon from New i rovidence, richly laden with
cocoa, indigo, coffee, sugar, and quicksilver, valued, per manifest, at 45,000!.
taken by a French privateer, and retaken within two hours sail of Bourdeaux,
by the A/I aria privateer, of this port, Captain Ruby.
30. Wind ^ W. Fair and Sultry. Arrived in four days, with dispatches
from Earl ot Vincent, off Brest, the Viegxra fire ship ; also, in forty tight hours,
the Temcraire, 98 guns, Rear Admiral Whitshed: Robust, 74, Captain Loun-
tess ; and Ala<j;nificent f 74, Captain liowater Orders came down for the 23d,
or Royal Welsh Fuzikers, to embark on board the Elephant, 74 guns, and the
Alcmene, 36, to join the troops on the isles . iodie .>nd riouat.
July i. Wind . W. i air and Sultry Letters from the fleet, dated the
apth uit. start, thit a cutter had spoke the Ville de Paris, no guns, supposed
with dispatches from (^jiberon The French fleet are almost manned, but ar
still in harbour i ish i;. caught in great plenty, and served out to the seamen
daily. long order was issued to all the .-hips by Eail St. Vincent, that when
men of War were at anchor at home or abroad, the officers commanding the
marines, are to parade every day a strong marine guard in as good style as on the
best regulated parade on shore.
2. WindS. W. Fair. Letters from the Canada, 74 guns, Honourable Cap.
tain De Courcy, state the extreme gallantry of the marines and seamen in the
attack of the boats of Admiral ir J warren's squadron, at C^uimpcr Point,
when the batteries were destroyed and blown up without any loss on our side.
Arrived the uhupimn, 24 guns, Captain . een, with a convoy from Viiliord;
also the Gipsey sloop, of Liverpool, from the West Indies, taken by La fcraavc
French privateer, of 36 guns, Citizen Le Lee, and retaken by the Boadkea, 38,
Captain Keates , aiso a privateer taken on the coast of France.
3. WindS W. Cloudy.
4. Wind Variable. Cloudy. Arrived the Diamond, 36 guns, from off
Quimper ; she ran on some rocks, and knocked a hole in her bottom in the attack
on the forts of Quimper, with the boats of the, squadron : she directly ran up
Hamoaze, and is to go into dock to repair. .She brought the Captain and
officers of a gun brig, of 14 guns, which was run ashore, set on fire, and
blown up. Came in from a cruise, the I ekgraph, of 18 guns, Lieutenant Cor*
cllis, and the Havkk, 18, Captain Bartholomew.
SO MONTHLY REGISTER OF NAVAL EVENTS.
e Wind Variable Fair. Arrived from the Channel fleet, the Superb, 74
K un, Captain Sutton, to refit, and the John lugger, J.liot. They were left all
w< II on \V\dnesday 1-st, at which period the British troops had embarked from
Howat ana Hedie, and were gone to the southward, through the Gut of Gib-
raltar for Minorca, Central Aiaitland finding the garrison of Palais Citadel,
in Bclleisle, to.O o effective men, very prudently avoided risking a descent,
with an inferior force, and re-embarked the British army without any loss, ex-
cept two companies of the Royal Artillery, which are leit encamped on the
}lc of Howat, waiting for orders.
6. Wind W. Cloudy.
7. Wind S. W. Cloudy, with Showers.
8. Wind Variable. Arrived from Spithead, with troops, the Iphigenia, $z
gun*; Experiment, 44; and the Thetis, 32, bound on a secret expedition, which
put back by baffling winds. Also, from the Downs, the Prince of Wales, 98
guns, Captain Kcnou, to refit. She convoyed home the West India fleet.
9. Wind S. W. Cloudy. Arrived the Amazon, 36 guns, Captain Riou,
from convoying the outward-bound West India fleet, April 26th, which she left
all well 'une jst She brought in with her La Julie, pierced for 16 guns,
French letter of marque, from Bourdeanx to Cayenne, captured by the Amazon,
44 guns, the i6th ot June, in lat. 32. 30. long. 16. 30. ; also the Amelia late
Donaldson, from Savannah to 1 ondon, with rice and cotton, taken zikh ult. by
JLa Minerve French privateer, of 20 guns, and retaken the 23th ult. by the
Amazon. Capt.iin Donaldson and tht Boatswain of the Amelia, were unfor-
tun itely drowned in shifting to the Minerve from the Amelia, by the boat
swamping alongside. J ast evening a most beautiful packet, called the Duke of
Clarence, Captain Dennis, was launched at Devil's I'oint, built by Mr. T.
Dansterville, hip builder.
to. Wind Variable. Fa ! r. Sailed the Robuste, 74 guns, Captain Countess,
to join the fleet off Brest . she carried out a great supply of naval stores and
provisions fot those ships that may be in want of them Sailed the Chapman,
24 guns, Captain Keen, with a convoy ; Cambrian, 44 guns, Honourable Cap-
tain l-e<rge; Magnificent, 74, Captain Uowater ; Hivick, 18, captain Bartho-
lomew, on a cruise. 'I he Kxperimem, Thttis, fphigenia, and Inconstant, also
on a cruise. The Ranger cutter, Captain Frazer, and Eusy cutter, Captain
Bowden.
IPromottons a:iU ^ppomtmente.
CAPTAIN James Wilson is appointed to the command of the Windsor
Castle ; I ieuttnant Thomas Godfrey is appointed to the command of the
Terror bomb; and Lieutenant Street to the command of the Star brig.
Captain Wright is appointed to the command of his Majesty's fchip Wol-
verene.
Captain Young, late of the Ethalion (lost on vhe Saints I, is appointed to La
Pique, of 44 guns (late Pallas).
Captain Campbell, of the Dart sloop, has got the rank of post, and is appointed
i, to the frigate he cut out of Dunkirk.
Captain John Broughton. late of the Strorhbolo, is appointed to the Florentia
frigate, of 36 guns, now off Malta.
^ Mr. A. Thompson, lately First Lieutenant to Admiral Nelson, is appointed
in and Commander of the .-tromholo, now on the Mediterranean station.
Captain Inman, of the Andromeda, is appointed to the command of La
Desiree ; Captain Mainwaring, of the Babet, to the Andromeda ; Captain
Campbell, promoted to ihe rank of Post Captain, and appointed to the Babet ;
and Captain Devonshire to the Dart.
Captain Inman, of the Andromeda frigate, a*d Captain Campbell, of the Dart
"loop, engaged in the hazardous enterprise in cutting out the French frigate from
Dunkirk, were intrcducsd to his Majesty, and graciously received.
THE RIOHTHONORAH
ORD VJ S UNT DUN 1' A N
~- ^ ^
hli/hd fa J>unnty Oold I.cndtn St/il.ttW .
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OP
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUNT DUNCAN,
KXICHT OF THE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN ORDER OK ST. ALEXANDER NEWSKI,
AND ADMIRAL OF THS BLUE
See what a grace was seated on this brow !
Hyperion's curls, the front of Jove himself;
An eye like Mars, to threaten or command ;
A station like the herald Mercury,
New lighted on i: Heaven-kissing hill;
' A combination and a form indeed,
Where every God did seem to set his seal,
To give the world assurance of a Man. H A M L T .
HpHE family of Lundie, from whence the noble andgailarft
subjeft of the present memoirs is sprung, and of which
he is at this time the representative, is of very high antiquity:
it was originally styled Duncan of Sea-side, and there is a
well authenticated heraldic tradition relative to it, which ac-
counts particularly for its crest a dismasted Ship, now borne
over the arms of Camperdown. A person belonging to the
family, who lived about two hundred years since, being super-
cargo 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 complete wreck, and
the crew experienced, in consequence of that misfortune, the
greatest extremity of hardship and distress. Contrary, how-
ever, to all human expectation, the crew were providentially
enabled to navigate, their crazy crippled vessel safe into
port, and the parents of their fortunately rescued son, who,
having considered him as lost to them, were in the most dis-
consolate desponding state, immediately adopted the crest
alluded to, in commemoration of the dangers which their
heir had escaped from, as well as in grateful acknowledg-
ment to that Providence which had preserved him.
On the establishment of the Presbyterian form of worship
in Scotland, the family of Lundie immediately attached
themselves to it, and have ever since that time uniformly ad-
hered to the same principles ; nor have they shewn less stea-
diness in their political conduct than in their religion.
fi?atJ.<zr&nm. ftol.IV, M
$2 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
During the rebellion which broke out in the year 1745,- the
late Lundie, as the head of the family, according to the custom
of Scotland, was always called, and his lady, distinguished
themselves exceedingly, by their loyalty and attachment to
the House of Hanover. Although their possessions could
not be considered moie extensive than in proportion to the
rank of a private gentleman, yet the liberality with which
they on every occasion entertained the officers of the Royal
Army, and all other adherents to the cause which they
espoused, appeared better suited to the affluence of a noble,
than the more narrowed income of a person inferior in rank
and apparent consequence. As this conduct was the mere
efflux of private virtue and honest attachment, unalloyed by
the most distant hopes of honour or remuneration, so was
the pleasing consciousness of their having supported the just
cause and interest of their country, the only reward they ever
did, or ever wished to receive *.
His Lordship, of whom we hate now to speak, was born
in the month of July, 1731, and received the first rudiments
of education at Dundee* In his earliest infancy he is said
most strongly to have displayed that mildness and suavity of
manners which have marked his life from his first entrance
into the service, and in times when such qualifications (with-
out the smallest offence to the service in general be it said)
were somewhat more remarkable in a naval officer, than they
are at the present day. So highly was this noble person
beloved by his infantine associates, some of whom are yet
living, that they still reflect on those hours of childhood,
which they passed in puerile amusements with him, as the
happiest of their lives : a strong, and incontrovertible proof,
* Height of stature, and dignified appearance, have long been t i charafle-
riitics of this family; for though Lord Duncan, the subjc-fl of these Memoir*,
measured, at eighteen years of age, six feet, four inches, and being pcrfeSly well
proportioned, was considered with great truth, one of the finest figures, as a man,
in the naval service, his father and grandfather are both of them reported to
have exceeded that height, enjoying at the same time every possible naturaJ
advantage of symmetry and just proportion,
OF ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUNT DUNCAN. 3
that the seeds of sincere friendship, when sown in a proper
soil, neither wither nor decay from age; but that the plants
they produce, will flourish with never fading verdure, till
they have arrived at that period when fate converts them into
sorrow and heartfelt regret.
The debut of Lord Duncan, as a naval officer, was made
either in the year 1746, or the following, when he was put
under the command of Captain Robert Haldane, who, we
believe, then commanded the Shoreham frigate, and with
whom he continued two or theee years. After the cessation
of hostilities, he was entered in 1749 as a Midshipman
on board the Centurion of 50 guns, a Ship then ordered
to be equipped to receive the broad pendant of Commo-
dore Keppel, who was appointed commander in chief on
the Mediterranean station, for the customary period of three
years. Mr. Duncan continued under the command of that
able officer during the whole time, and, by his very diligent
attention to his duty in the subordinate station he at that
time held, attracted the early regard of his commander so
strongly, that the attachment of the latter was quickly suc-
ceeded by friendship, and friendship by the strictest inti-
macy.
The [time necessarily passed by a yotmg man, after his
entrance into the service in the capacity of a Midshipman, is
rarely diversified with events peculiarly interesting. Those
years are the years of probation, in which the naval student
is to endeavour, by all the means he possesses, to fit himself
with a laudable ambition of filling the highest rank of that
particular line in which his own genius, his particular situ-
ation, or the wish of his relatives, have placed him; and it
were an aft of injustice to Mr. Duncan, were we not to de-
clare his conduct and exertions were such, as though he
truly considered that to be his condition. He aimed with a
glorious and laudable ambition at attaining the most elevated
command, and appeared, without the smallest tincture of
vanity, conscious of his own ability to deserve it.
\
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOI1S
On the tenth of January, 1755, he was promoted to the
rank of Lieutenant. This well deserved advancement was
occasioned by a determination on the part of the British
Government to send out General Braddock with a strong
military force to North America, where the French had
been guilty of a variety of encroachments. Commodore
KeppeJ, who was chosen to command the Ships of war in-
tended to convoy the tiansports, was not forgetful of the
merits of Mr. Duncan, and accordingly seized the oppor-
tunity of recommending him so strongly to the Admiralty
Board, that he was the fust selected for promotion. It is
reported of him, and to speak the truth, with much proba-
bility, that when passing through Chatham, on his way to
London, where his qualifications for his new station were
to be properly examined, the inhabitants were so wonder-
fully struck with his figure and appearance, that they came
out of their houses, and followed him as far as the eye
could reach, as though they beheld some strange or unusual
prodigy.
Mr. Duncan, immediately when he became a Lieutenant*,
was appointed to the Norwich, a fourth rate, commanded by
Captain Barrington, and intended as one of the squadron
which was to accompany Mr. Keppel to America. Afte.
the arrival of the armament in Virginia, two of the Lieu-
tenants on board the Commodore's Ship, the Centurion,
being advanced to the rank of Captains, Mr. Duncan was
removed into the Centurion, as well that he might be in the
surer channel of advancement, as that his friend and patron
might the better watch over and cherish those rising abilities
which he had beheld, with so much pleasure, in their less;
mature state. Mr. Duncan continued on board the Cen-
turion till that Ship returned to England, and Captain
Keppel, after having for a short time Commanded the Swift-
sure, being appointed to the Torbay, of 74 guns, procured
his much esteemed ek've to be appointed second Lieutenant
of that Ship. After remaining on. the home station, and
OP ADAM DUNCAN, LORD TISCOUNT DUNCAN. 85
owing to the extreme caution of the enemy, very uninterest-
ingly employed for the space of nearly three years, he pro-
ceeded on the expedition sent against the French settlement
of Goree, on the coast of Africa. He was slightly wounded
at the attack of the fort, and soon afterwards rose to the rank
of First Lieutenant of the Torbay, in which capacity he re-
turned to England.
On the twenty-first of September, subsequent to his arrival
(1759) he was advanced to the rank of Commander, but
appears not to have been fortunate enough to meet with any
opportunity in his new station of adding to that reputation,
he had already so deservedly acquired. He did not, however,
long continue in so inactive a state ; for having been ad-
vanced to the rank of Post Captain, by commission bearing
date February the twenty-fifth, 1761, appointing him to the
Valiant, of 74 guns, he again became materially connected, in
respecl: to service, with his original friend and patron, Mr.
Keppel. An expedition against the French island of Bel-
leisle having been determined on in the British Cabinet, Mr.
Keppel, who was pitched upon to command the naval part of
the intended enterprize, hoisted his broad pendant on that
occasion on board the Valiant. The reduction of the citadel
of Palais, and the general success which attended the whole of
this spirited undertaking, proved, as it were, an eacourage-
ment and incentive to the equipment of a more formidable
armament, not long afterwards sent to attack that most im-
portant of all Spanish settlements in the West Indies, the
town of the Havannah.
Thither also Captain Duncan repaired with Mr. Keppel,
and in the same Ship. His friend and patron, who was ap-
pointed to command a division of the fleet, was ordered to
cover the disembarkation of the troops: and, as the post of
honour belongs on such occasions, as of right, to the Captain,
of the Admiral or Commodore, Captain Duncan was accord-
ingly invested with the command of the boats ; he was after-
wards very consequentially employed, and highly distinguished
., BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
himself during the siege. When the town itself surrendered,
he was dispatched with a proper force to take possession of
the Spanish Ships which had fallen on that occasion into the
Lands of the victors. These consisted of the Tyger, the
Reyna, the Soverano, the Infante, and the Aquilon, of 70
guns each 4 the America, the Conquestadore, the San Genaro,
and San Anthonio, of 60, and a singular anecdote respecting
Captain Duncan is confidentially related to have taken place
at this time. It may still be remembered that much hesita-
tion appeared on the part of the Spanish commander in chief,
with respect to the capitulation, he being extremely averse to
the surrender of the Ships. Thus far is a publickly known
fact, manifest from the third article* proposed on the part of
the besieged, but at length, after much negociation, un-
avoidably given up, and the answer of the victors quietly
acquiesced in. Private report, however, carries the matter
still farther, and suggests, that independent of the publickly
* That the marines and the ships* crews in this harbour, who have served
on shore, shall obtain, on their going out, the same honours as the garrison of
the city, and shall proceed with those honours on board the said Ships, that
they may, together with their commander in chief, Don Gulierres de Hivia
Marquis del Real Traasporte, sail in their Ships as soon as the port is open, with
all their effeiits and money, in order to proceed to some other port belonging to
the dominions of Spain ; in doing which, they will oblige themselves, that
during their navigation to their designed port, they shall not attack any squa-
dron, or single Ship, belonging to his Britannic Majesty, or his allies, nor
trierchant vessels belonging to his subjects; and likewise they are not to be
attacked by any squadron or single Ship belonging to his Britannic Majesty, or
any of his allies. 1 ikewise liberty shall be given to go on board the said Ships the
afore mentioned troops and Ships' crews, with their officers and others belonging
to them, together with the effe-fts and monies that are in the city belonging to
liis Catholic Majesty, with the equipages and effects in species of gold or silver,
belonging to the said Marquis, and others employed in ttie different marine
offices, granting them likewise every thing that should be necessary to protect
them and their Ships, as well as in the fitting them out from his Catholic Ma-
jesty's stores; and whatever more should be wanted, at the current price* of
the country.
Answer. Tie Marquis del Real Transporte, vi'itl Us officers, sailors, anJmarines,
as mating part of the garrison, shall be treated in every respect as the Governor and
regular troops. All Ships in the harbour of the Havannah, and all money and efefli
tuLatevtr tt.'on^in ? to Lis Catholic Majesty, shall be delivered uf> to iucb fersaai as ikall
It anointed by Sir George Pocock and the ar/o/"Albcmark.
OF ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUNf DUKCAN. %J
known faft, the Marquis del Real Transpose laboured ex-
tremely to save the Ships of the line on the stocks, and the
materials which were ready collected for the construction of
two or three frigates. Captain Duncan, as it is said, being in-
formed of the object of contention, which prevented the
absolute cessation of arms, privately took a few persons on
whom he could depend, and put an end to the controversy,
by setting fire to the cause of it. This a& was much ap-
proved by the besiegers in both departments of the service,
as being certainly the most expeditious of settling a trou-
blesome dispute ; but the whole affair being, for obvious
reasons, kept extremely quiet, it was known only to very
few confidential persons, by what means this apparent acci-
dent so fortunately and critically happened.
After the surrender of the Havannah, he accompanied
Mr. Keppel, who was appointed to command on the
Jamaica station, in the same capacity he had before
held, and continued with him there till the conclusion of
the war. Having then returned to England, the biogra-
phical page is nearly silent concerning him, till the recom-
mencement of the war with France, in 1778, he having
continued unemployed during the whole of this intervening
period, which must have passed on most tediously for a
person possessing so a&ive a turn of mind as himself. His
first appointment was to the Suffolk, of 74 guns ; and after
a very short continuance in that Ship, without being able to
meet with any opportunity of distinguishing himself, he
removed, before the end of the current year (1778), into the
Monarch, of the same rate.
Attached to no party, influenced by no political persuasion
or opinion, he sat as member on the different Courts Mar-
tial held on his friend Admiral Keppel, and his colleague
the late Sir Hugh Palliser, without subjefting himself to the
slightest reproach on either occasion. At a time when the
rage of parties ran so violent as they then did, a man, stand-
ing like himself, the avowed friend of one party, must have
4
88 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIIS
been peculiarly guarded in his conduft, to escape without
some species of censure from the other, which, though it
might be contemptuously passed over, as the impotent efflu-
via of an over-heated imagination, yet, certainly to have
completely avoided it, stands as no slender proof of the most
unbiassed integrity, and the soundest judgment.
During the summer of the year 1779, the Monarch was
uninterruptedly employed in the main, or Channel fleet,
commanded by Sir Charles Hardy. No encounter, or
memorable occurrence took place, owing to the British Ad-
miral being under the necessity of avoiding an action, and
continuing merely on the defensive, since the alliance between
the French and Spaniards, the latter of which had newly
made themselves parties in the grand dispute, had raised the
force against which he had to contend, so high as nearly to
double that which he himself commanded. At the conclu-
sion of the same year, the Monarch was one of the Ships
put under the orders of Sir George Bridges Rodney, who
was instructed to force his way to Gibraltar through all im-
pediments, and relieve that fortress, which was then closely
blockaded by a Spanish army on the land side, and a flotilla
by sea, sufficiently strong to oppose the entrance of any
trivial succour. Captain Duncan accordingly hailed, with
the most heartfelt satisfaction, the probable opportunity of
acquiring fame ; and Fortune was propitious enough not to
permit his expectations and hopes to be disappointed.
On the sixteenth of January, 1780, the British fleet being
then off Cape St. Vincent, fell in with a Spanish squadron,
commanded by Don Juan de Langara, who was purposely
stationed there to intercept Sir George, who, according to mis-
information received by the Court of Spain, was supposed 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 which many other
Ships in the same armament enjoyed of being sheathed with
OF ADAM DUNCAN, LORD YISCOU,NT DUNCAN* .89
copper; but. notwithstanding this inconvenience, added to
the .additional circumstance of her being rather foul, and,
when in her best trim, by no means remarkable as a swift
sailer, Captain Duncan was fortunate enough to get into
a&ion before any other Ship in the fleet. The superiority,
in respeft, to numbers, which the British possessed over the
enemy, was such as to render the general event of the action
by uo mean> singular ; but, though a complete vidory ob-
tained by nineteen British .^hips of the line, over eleven Spa-
nish vessels of the same class, may not be any farther matter
of exultation, tnan as it regarded .the loss actually sustained by
the enemy on such an occasion, it is, nevertheless, not only
probable, but stri&ly true, that many instances of exertion
might take place during such a contest, than which none
were ever more glorious, or more honourable to the persons
concerned.
In the first ra,nk of this heroic class, stood Captain Duncan.
Notwithstanding those disadvantages under which, it has
been already stated, the Ship he commanded laboured, she was
pressed ahead of the fleet, under all the sail that could, with
any degree of propriety, be set upon her; and it is confidently
reported, that when Captain Duncan was warned, by some
coppered Ships which he passed, of the danger he incurred, by
clashing so hastily amidst three of the enemy's squadjon, which
were just ahead, without some support, he replied, with the
utmost coolness, and in no other terms, than, " I wish to be
among them," The strength of the wind, the agitation of
the sea, and the swiftness with which the Monarch passed
throygh it, united to put an end to any farther conversation,
and Captain Duncan had his wishes complied with, by speedijy
finding himself well up within engaging distance of his
antagonists. In conformity with the information he had
just received, he found himself alongside one of the Spanish
Ships of equal force, though of much larger dimensions, thaa
the Monarch, while two others of the like rate and magnitud
Jay within musquet shot, to the leeward of him.
*5au.er$ron.flol. IV. v
90 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
Needless, almost, is it to say, that an aftion immediately
commenced, and after it had been very spiritedly kept up on
both sides for some time, it was observed that the fire
from the leeward Ships, which, during the time it con-
tinued, did very material injury to the Monarch's fore
rigging, had totally ceased. A similar pause, for a few mo-,
ments, on the part of the Monarch, afforded Captain Dan-
can an opportunity of observing, that those antagonists had
thought proper to make all the sail they could, leaving
their windward companion to make the best defence in his
power. He accordingly directed his best efforts against
the opponent that continued near him, and after a short,
though animated resistance, had the satisfaction of seeing
the colours of San Augustin, of 70 guns, struck, in token of
her submission to the Monarch *.
The rigging of the viftor had, by this time, received too
much damage, to render it possible for Capt. Duncan to hoist
out a boat for the purpose of boarding his prize, particularly
as it then blew so hard, and the whole fleet was on a lee shore :
he was therefore compelled to resign the honour of taking
possession of the vanquished enemy, to a fresh Ship, which
was then coming up astern. The fate of this vessel was sin-
gular, and must have been extremely mortifying to the con-
queror. She was found so much disabled, that it was judged
necessary to take her in tow ; but on collecting the squadron,
with the prizes, preparatory to the entrance of the fleet into
the Straits of Gibraltar, it was found that the only trophy
pf victory to which Captain Duncan, though he had after-
wards engaged many other Ships in the fleet, could claim an
pxclusive right, was, through necessity, as it was said, aban-
It probably may appear an interesting circumstance to seamen, and it cer r
tainly i, without indulging a superstitious prejudice, a very singular one, that
three Ships, gearing the flags pf ns many Admirals in the Dutch service, have,
at different times, surrendered to this very ship : Admiral Curl, in the Marj,
of 60 guns, in the West Indies, in the month of February 1781; Admiral
Lucas, in the Dortrecht, of 64 guns, taken in Saldanha Bay, August the i-tth,
^796 ; and Admiral Reyntic*, iu the Jupiter, of 74 guns, on the nth of Q3t>-'
OF ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUNT DUNCAN. p|
donedj after taking out the few British officers and seamen
who had been put on board her. In consequence of this,
the original crew, repossessing themselves of their Ship,
restored her to their country ; and having navigated her in
safety to Cadiz, she being refitted there, was dispatched on
the twenty-eighth of April, to the West Indies, as one of the
squadron ordered thither under Don Solano.
It has been very properly and judiciously remarked, that
how great soever the cause and necessity of adopting the
measure might be, the disappointment experienced no palli-
ative from that necessity, far as concerned the gallant officer
who had so spiritedly conducted his Ship into action, and
thereby afforded the crew he commanded so glorious an op-
portunity of placing a laurel on his brow, and adding an ad-
ditional pillar to the naval strength of their country. Many
other persons, without making any ostentatious display of
their own conduct, or the good success which attended it,
would have been not a little prone to seize some opportunity
of acquainting their countrymen, that so noble a prize had
actually submitted to them, though, owing to particular cir-
cumstances, they were precluded from conducting into the
ports of Britain that incontrovertible proof of British
prowess. Captain Duncan, however, thought otherwise,
and acted in conformity to his thoughts ; he preserved a con-
stant silence on the subject ; he patiently submitted to the
frowns of fortune, and if not w/thout regret, at least without
murmur ; proving, by his conduct, that his modesty after a
battle was in no degree inferior to that gallantry he had dis-
played during the time it raged.
It would bean act of injustice to this gentleman, were we to
omit taking notice of the fate which attended the two other
Ships which the Monarch had engaged at the same time with
the San Augustin. That brave and excellent officer, the late
Captain Pownall, who then commanded the Apollo frigate,
having observed those vessels, one of which was called the
Monarca, the other the St. Julian, both of them mounting
gj BIOCRAFHICAt, MEMOIRS
70 guns, making sail from the Monarch, he fmmediatelr
determined, with that ready promptitude of decision which
marks the character of a good and intelligent officer, to
make the best use in his power of that advantage which the
swift sailing of the frigate he commanded, gave him over a
more unwieldy adversary. In pursuance of this resolve, he
made sail, and having got up with the Monarca, posted him-
self at a convenient and proper distance, on the bow of the
enemy, upon whom he opened a most teasing and galling fire.
The effect of this measure was considerably increased by
occasionally yawing the frigate, so that her guns might be
brought to bear with greater effect. The cannonade kept up
\>y Captain Pownall, was not only extremely injurious to
his antagonists, but served as a mark to lead Sir George
Brydges Rodney himself, in the Sandwich, to his assistance,
when a single broadside from that Ship produced, as a
natural consequence, the immediate surrender of the Mo-
narca.
With respect to the St. Julian, she was followed by the
Prince George, to which Ship she struck, after an impotent
and absurdly rash resistance, of very short continuance , but
was afterwards unfortunately obliged, for the sake of pre-
serving the lives of the people on board, to run into Cadiz,
which she reached in distress, and without a single mast
standing. Such was the fate of the three Ships which Capt.
Duncan had the hardiness to engage, contrary to the advice,
as is reported, of some of his companions. It is certainly
not assuming too much, to assert, that the complete discom-
fiture, and actual capture of all those Ships, was, at least,
primarily, if not principally, owing to the exertions made on
board the Monarch ; and if the success those exertions fairly
deserved, did not ultimately rest with the victors, it may ex-
cite sorrow and compassion, that Fortune was so negle&ful
or unkind to gallantry, but cannot suffer the high merit of
it to be, in the smallest degree, depreciated. To conclude
the account of this memorable action, to the success of which
OF ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUXT DUNCAN. f|
Captain Duncan so liberally contributed *? of eleven Ships of
the line and two frigates, composing the armament, four
were taken f, and remained in the possession of the English ;
one was blown tip J ; three surrendered, but afterwards were
fortunate enough to get away much damaged || ; one was re-
duced almost to a wreck, but contrived to make her escape ;
and the two which remained, together with the frigates, fled
at the first onset, almost without attempting to make any
resistance f[.
Captain Duncan quitted the command of the Monarch
not long after his arrival in England, and did not receive any
other commission until the beginning of the year 17821
when he was appointed to the Blenheim, of 90 guns, a Ship
newly come out of dock, after having undergone a complete
repair. He continued in the same command during nearly the
whole remainder of the war, constantly employed with the
home, or as it was called the Channel fleet, which was, dur-
ing the greater part of the time, commanded by the late Earl
Howe. Having accompanied his Lordship in the month of
September to Gibraltar, he was stationed to lead the larboard
division of the centre, or Commander in Chief's squadron,
and was very distinguishedly engaged in the encounter with
the combined fleets of France and Spain, which took place
off the entrance of the Straits. The fleet of the enemy
was more than one-fourth superior to that of Britain ; never-
theless, had not the former enjoyed the advantage of the
weather-gage, it was very evident, from the event of the
skirmish which did take place, that if the encounter had been
more serious, the viftory would, in all human probability,
have been completely decisive against them. As it was,
* The Monarch was very considerably damaged, having lost her fore-top-
mast, and had twenty-nine men killed or wounded.
f The Phoenix, 80 guns ; Diligente, Princessa, and Monarca, 70.
f The San Domingo, 70
| The San Eugenio, the San Augustin, and St. Julian, 7(^0 ,^0JS Mf)^D
San justo, 70. ..
f San Genaro, and San Lorenzo, 70, with Santa Gertrudi, and Satita RowM-
of 26 guns each.
,p 4 llOCRArHlCAL MEMOUS
the enemy enjoying the privilege of withdrawing themselves
from the encounter whenever they thought proper, the con-
test terminated in what might be called a drawn battle ; the
combined fleet having sustained no material loss, and that of
the British being incapable, from its situation, of driving
them, into one.
Soon after the fleet arrived in England, Captain Duncan
removed into the Foudroyant, of 84 guns, one of the most
favourite Ships in the British Navy at that time, which had,
during the whole preceding part of the war, been commanded
by Sir John Jervis. He continued in that Ship no longer
than till the cessation of hostilities ; an event which, it may
be well remembered, took place in the ensuing spring. He
then removed into the Edgar, of 74 guns, one of the Guard
Ships stationed at Portsmouth, and continued, as is cus-
tomary in time of peace, in that command during the
three succeeding years. This was the last commission he
ever held as a private Captain ; and notwithstanding it might
naturally be supposed that such an appointment could have
afforded him little opportunity of being serviceable to hii
country, and his private friends, or of displaying those highly
laudable those benevolent qualities no person will deny
he possesses ; his station, though apparently an inactive one,
afforded him the means of training, and bringing forward, a
number of young gentlemen, who have since distinguished
themselves very highly, as well in the Royal Navy as the East
India service; these persons have all been very justly consi-
dered, in the different lines their genius or connexions have
placed them, an ornament to the stations they severally hold.
On the fourteenth of September, 1789, Captain Duncan
was promoted to be Rear- Admiral of the Blue, as he moreover
was, to the same rank in the White Squadron, on a second
advancement of flag-officers, which took place on the twenty-
second of September, 1790. He was raised to be Vice- Admiral
of the Blue, on the first of Feb. 1793 ; of the White, on the
twelfth of April, 1794; to be Admiral of the Blue, on the first
OF ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUNT DUNCAN. 9$
of June, 1795; and, lastly, to be Admiral of the White, on
the I4th of Feb. 1 799. During all these periods, except the two
last, singular as it may appear to posterity, the high merit Ad-
miral Duncan possessed, continued either unknown, or, to
give the treatment he received what may perhaps be a more
proper term, unregarded. Frequently did he solicit a com-
mand, and as often did his request pass uncomplied with.
It has even been reported, that this brave man had it once in
contemplation ta retire altogether from the service, on a
very honourable civil appointment, connected with the Navy,
but, as this circumstance has no better foundation than
mere rumour, it cannot be given to the world as n anec-
dote to be implicitly credited.
At length, however, his merit burst through the cloud
which had so long obscured it from public view. He re-
ceived, in the month of February 1795, an appointment,
constituting him Commander in Chief, in what is called the
North Seas, the limits of his power extending from the
North Foreland, even to the Ultima Tbule of the ancients,
or as far beyond, as the operations of the enemy he was sent
to encounter, should render necessary. He accordingly
hoisted his flag on board the Prince George, of 98 guns, at
Chatham ; but that Ship being considered too large for the
particular quarter to which the Admiral was destined to ac~t,
he removed soon afterwards into the Venerable, of 74 guns,
and proceeded to carry into execution the very important
trust which was confided in him.
When the patience and unwearied constancy with which
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, as well as the judgment, he displayed on the
only opportunity the enemy afforded him of contesting with
them the palm of victory, ought most to render him the
of his country's love and admiration, The depth oi
y BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
winter, the tempestuous attacks of raging winds, the danger
peculiarly attached to a station indefatigably maintained off
the shoals and sands which environ the coasts of the United
Provinces, added to many dark and comfortless nights, all
united to render the situation, even of the common seaman,
peculiarly irksome ; what then must have been the situation
of the Commander in Chief? Yet, in the midst of fiese dis-
couraging inconveniences, surrounded, as he stood, on every
ide, by perils of the most alarming kind, he never shrunk,
even for a moment, from his post, during the whole time
he held the very consequential command allotted to him.
There does not appear to have been a single month in which
he did not ^liow himself off die hostile coast he insulted ;
though he was, through necessity, compelled to be content
with die secondary consideration, of having dared a foe to
a contest, which diey very wisely, prudently, or timidly,
shrunk from.
The effeds, politically, though differently impressed on the
minds of die whole human race, of that event known by the
name of the French Revolution, are still too recent to require
much description. Never will they be forgotten, not only
on account of their execrable motives and mischievous ten-
dency, but the pains, almost amounting to incredibility,
which had been taken to disseminate similar principles over
the face of the whole country. They had very justly excited
the greatest agitation in the minds of all men; for diose who
were the friends of peace, were racked by the apprehensive
tortures of anxiety, while such as were not ashamed to profess
a contrary mode of thinking, were on the tiptoe of expec-
tation and hope, that anarchy would annihilate all good
and regular government, leaving the needy, the daring, and
the ambitious, to fatten on the spoils of their country, and
triumph in its ruin.
In counteraction of this impending storm, different alli-
ances were prudently formed by Britain; and in 1796, a
formidable Russian squadron arrived in the Downs,
4
OP ADAM DUNCAN, LORb VI3COUSJT DUNCAN. 97
instu&ions that its Admiral should put himself totally
under the orders of the British Commander in Chief, in the
same quarter. To command a body of men whose manners,
whose customs, whose discipline was totally dissimilar to
those of his own people, must have required no common share
of judgment, patience, benevolence, and every other good
quality that can form an ingredient in the character of what
may be called a perfect man ; and though we by no means
wish to be so fulsome in the rage of panegyric, as to attri-
bute infallibility to Admiral Duncan, it must be evident that
he actually possesses, in a very eminent degree, those quali-
ties just alluded to. So highly did he acquire the love and
the respeft of his foreign associates, that in consequence
of a representation made by their Admiral to the Empress
Catherine, of the satisfaction he felt in acting under the
orders of Mr. Duncan, she thought proper, though unsoli-
cited, to honour him with the Imperial Order of Alexander
Newski, being the second, in point of rank, among the
degrees of Russian knighthood.
It were too tedious a detail to enter into the minutiae of
those numerous services he rendered his country during the
more early part of his command. They were, at least, proofs
of his diligence ; though the inferior force of the many
prizes made by the Ships he commanded *, might render
any exertion of gallantry on his part unnecessary. A sad, a
dreadful occurrence, however, which took place in the
* Among which may be reckoned the capture of the Dutch Commodore,
Vanderkin; the Argo, of 32 guns, taken by Captain Halstead, in the Phcenir,
May, 1796 ; and the Mercury, of 16 guns, a brig sloop of war, taken by the
Sylph on the same day ; the Echo, of 18 guns, and De Gicr, of 14 ; two sloops
of war were driven on shore by the Pegasus at the same time. To these w
may add a considerable number of very valuable trajing vessels, as well at
others of Inferior consequence.
From the French, the Victorieuse and Suffisante French national brigs,
mounting 14 guns each, were captured in August, 1795, soon after he put to sea.
The Pandora, a vessel of the same force and description, in the month of De-
cember following. The Jalousie corvette, mounting 18 guns, in the month of
May, X 796.
/9at>.<ZF&ron,&ol IV. o
t)g !OGRAFHICAL MEMOJR3
month cf May 1797, called forth all ihose powers which
had so long lain dormant : the urgency and peculiarity of
the case might be said far to exceed, in difficulty and danger,
any situation in which an officer could be thrown, who had
to contend with only the public and avowed enemies of his
country. It is almost needless to say \ve advert to that
dreadful mutiny, or commotion among the seamen, which,
after having raged some time with tremendous fury on board
the Channel fleet at Portsmouth, had spread its deleterious
contagion through the Ships employed under the orders of
Admiral Duncan.
Fain would the historian pass over, in the strictest silence, an
event, the recital of which brands with shame that character,
which, till then, stood foremost in the ranks of honour, and
whose very failings fascinated beholders, till they were almost
induced to consider them virtues. Fain would we ourselves
banish the recollection of it from our minds, and consign to
everlasting oblivion an aft, which, by comparison, raises
rebellion almost into a venial offence, and effaces from the
treasons committed by our ancestors, the charge even of
impropriety. Desperate was the situation of the country j
but the firmness and intrepidity of those noble-minded per-
sons, who preferred a loyalty, though dangerous to them-
selves, to any situation in which appeared a single particle
of dishonour, saved it from the abyss of destruction. No
one contributed more eminently to effed this excellent ser-
vice, than Admiral Duncan. The dangers, the difficulties,
he had to encounter, were new and unprecedented ; and
never did the conduct of any man burst forth with more
conspicuous lustre. Foreign to the present purpose would
be any attempt at tracing the primary cause of this grand
..onvuision to its fountain head ; suffice it to say, the seeds
or sedition had been widely and most industriously scattered,
and on such soils as appeared best appropriated to the suc-
cour and maintenance of the deleterious plant. A Govern-
mental measure, honestly suggested, and not unwisely
though perhaps incautiously carried into execution, cori-
9F ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUNT DUNCAN. 99
tributed very materially to aid the dreadful conspiracy.
In aid of those necessities, in respeft to the want of seamen,
which the continuance of the war had, at that time, brought
on Britain, every parish or district throughout the kingdom
was, by law, compelled to send, in proportion to their ex-
tent and population, a certain number of persons to servfc on
board the fleet.
The consequence had nearly proved fatal ; among the
quota men, as they were calledj were a number of persons,
bankrupts as well in character as fortune, who had before
figured in what was considered an higher sphere of life,
having been either petty merchants or attorn ies. These men,
not contented with the iniquities they had been guilty of,
and the depredations they had committed on society, in their
former occupations, joyfully accepted the prodigious bounty
of thirty guineas, or upwards, per man, offered by dif-
ferent parishes, who were anxious to be rid of a business
which they considered as an incumbrance, and entered into
the Navy, in the certainty of obtaining a better maintenance
than they had, many of them, been for some time accus-
tomed to. They entertained also the hope that their intro-
duction would afford some opportunity of disseminating those
principles, which, if once established in any degree of force,
would render them an opportunity of becoming more dis-
solute, abandoned, and mischievous, than even their former
situations in society had permitted them to be.
Their views were, in no inconsiderable degree, furthered, by
the privilege they enjoyed of sending and receiving all their
letters free of postage; by these means the conspiracy found
means to extend itself unseen ; cherished and encouraged by
those equally dangerous characters whom they had left on
shore, to act their part in a different quarter, a chain of cor-
respondence was formed, and the flame of rebellion, smoking
in dangerous concealment, was daily acquiring strength,
while its source was undiscovered, and its extent unknown.
The hidden fire received no small encouragement from the
serious cause of discontent which the enrollment of these mis
ICO BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
chicvous characters, and the circumstances attending it, was
supposed to have occasioned among those who were justly
esteemed British seamen. These valuable persons, many of
whom had been compelled to enter into the King's service,
had received no higher bounty than five pounds per man,
and had been obliged, at the same time, to relinquish an
employment, the pay of which amounted to three or four
pounds per month, for the King's pay of twenty-two shil-
lings and six-pence. These hardships, which the situation
of the country required should be submitted to with pa-
tience by those whose service was required, were eagerly em-
blazoned in all the disgusting colours sedition could paint,
through the hopes of acquiring proselytes to her hellish pur-
pose : but though expectation was sanguine, and that expec-
tation, in all probability, promoted the eagerness with which
the dangerous and hellish emissaries just alluded to, engaged
in a service completely incompatible with their former situ-
ations in life, yet the event proved, in a great measure, con-
trary to their hopes. The thorough-bred seamen, notwith-
standing the disadvantages under which they laboured, nearly
without an. exception, were steady in their conduft, and
uniform in their loyalty. As it has been quaintly though
truly remarked, the core of the mutiny was formed of land
lubbers, or half and half sailors, who, in a gale, are almost
impediments to the honest and spirited exertions of good
and practical seamen.
The tumour, however, having burst, it required the most
consummate skill to prevent its fatal effects from overpower-
ing and corrupting the whole body. As an officer bearing
command, no person had ever more endeared himself to
those whom he was appointed to conduct, than Admiral
Duncan; for, while benevolence and good humour had ac-
quired him the universal love of all who knew him ; a regu-
larity of government or discipline, unalloyed by severity,
and unmixed with the smallest portion of that species of
condud which too often appears in very humane well dis-
posed men, perpetually reminding 'those over whom they
OF ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUXT DUNCAN. lot
are put in authority, of the great inferiority of their station,
had rendered him revered, as well as aaored.
On the instant the baneful influence of this disease made its
appearance, he visited every Ship in the fleet; his presence
had the temporary effect of Ithuriel's spear ; it compelled the
dsmon of discord to quit the more pleasing shape which it
had taken, and resume its natural one, disgusting, loath-
some, and terrific ; its idolatrous worshippers became, for a
short space, ashamed of their deity, and returned to their
duty without apparent reluctance. The disease, however,
was only checked, not cured ; for when the fleet put to sea,
it renewed its appearance, attended by all its former virulent
symptoms, the Venerable and Adamant appearing the only-
Ships that were not thoroughly tainted with the infection.
On the evening before the Admiral himself intended to put to
sea, he made the signal for the Trent frigate to get under
weigh : his commands were not complied with ; and on
inquiring into the cause, it was found that the crew peremp-
torily refused obeying their officers, on pretence that the
regulation established immediately before, by Act of Parlia-
ment, in respect to the weight and measure of provisions, had
not been adopted with respect to them. The fact really was,
the augmentation had so very recently passed into a law,
that the particulars of it had not been at that time officially
notified to the officers whose particular duty it was to attend
to it. The fomenters of dissension, eagerly snatching at the
only existing chance of exciting farther tumult, had set fire
to the train, by merely suggesting the hardship, and the con-
flagration spread to the utmost of their wishes.
The Admiral, on this alarming occasion, ordered all
hands to be called upon deck ; he publickly made known to
them the delinquency of their companions; he informed
them of his intention to go alongside the frigate early in the
ensuing morning, and compel the rebellious crew to return
to their duty. " Who is there," said he, " that on this oc-
casion will desert me ?'' The question was immediately an-
swered in the negative; his people, with one accord, de-
102 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
elating their utmost abhorrence of such conduct, and their
assurance of support, to the utmost of their power, in the
punishment of it. In the course of the evening, however,
a letter, couched in the properest terms possible, was trans-
mitted to him from his Ship's company ; they offered, by
way of satisfying the discontent which pervaded the crew of
the Trent, and to shew them they fared no worse than all
others embarked in the same cause did, to deliver to him
the different weights and measures used by the Purser* in
the allotment of their provisions, and depend entirely on his
justice and candour, far as regarded their own allowances. This
offer convinced the mutineers of the impropriety of their
conduct i the effusion of British blood, and by the hands of
Britons, was happily prevented ; for before the ensuing
morning, the frigate proceeded on the service whither she
was ordered by her Commander in Chief.
Towards the end of May, Admiral Duncan quitted Yar-
mouth Roads by order of the Admiralty Board, with instruc-
tions to cruise off the back of those sands which at some dis-
tance environ that anchorage, till he should be reinforced.
The Nassau and Montague, one of 64, the other of 74 guns,
refused to put to sea, under pretence that they were in the course
of payment, though there were at that time scarcely ten shil-
lings due to each man on board. This sad example induced
the rest of the Ships to pursue the same line of conduct ; so
the Venerable and Adamant, whose crews, as already observed,
never relaxed from their duty, were left to proceed by them-
jelves off the Texel, whither the Admiral, unattended as he
was, immediately repaired.
Stratagem supplied, on this occasion, the place of numbers;
for the Admiral, by making a variety of signals, as to Ships
in the offing, cffe&ually duped Admiral De Winter, as he
himself afterward 5 ; confessed, into the belief that the Channel
of the Helder was blocked up by a force superior to that he
^ r r. Here, \vho; honour ar.d charsSer could rot po^ibly receive ar.y
greater pnegyric than th-y did, f: : ,rccd and natural condud of the
on :Y.'\t occas ; op.
OF ADAM DUMCAM, LORD VISCOUNT DUNCAN. 1OJ
himself commanded. At this critical period, the only symp-
torn of mutiny that ever was observed on board the Venerable,
made its appearance. It becomes, indeed> rather a matter
of wonder, considering how prevalent is the force of example,
that it should have been so tardy, or so languid, as it for-
tunately proved : a plot, however, was actually on foot, and
was happily discovered by some truly valuable men belong-
ing to the Gunner's crew. The Admiral, as he had before
been frequently compelled to do, during the critical period
alluded to, ordered all hands to be turned upon deck. He
immediately addressed them in the firmest, and, at the same
time, the coolest terms : after a few minutes, six men, among
the stoutest in the Ship, and who were charged with being
the ringleaders of the conspiracy, were brought before him.
It was, at that time, impossible to say what height the dis-
ease had reached j the moment was more than critical ; it
was awful; and, while the delay of an instant might have ren-
dered it fatal, a strong measure too hastily or unadvisedly
taken, might have been equally injurious to the cause of
tranquillity.
" My lads," said the Admiral, '* I am not, in the smallest
'degree, apprehensive of any violent measure you may have
in contemplation; and though I assure you I would much
rather acquire your love than incur your fear, I will, with my
own hand, put to death the first man who shall presume to dis-
play the slightest symptom of rebellious conduct." Turn-
ing round immediately to one of the mutineers ; "Do you
Sir," said he, " want to take the command of this Ship out
of my hands?" "Yes, Sir," replied the fellow, with the
greatest assurance. The Admiral immediately raised his
arm, with an intent to plunge the sword into the mutineer's
breast: he was prevented by the Chaplain and Secretary, who
seized his arm, from executing this summary act of justice ,
an aft rendered, at least, justifiable, if not necessary, by the
particular situation in which not only himself, but the greatest
part of those whom he commanded, were at that time placed.
The blow being prevented, the Admiral attempted not to
104. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
make a second, but immediately called to the Ship's company
with some agitation : " Let those who will stand by me,
and my officers, pass over immediately to the starboard sid _*
of the Ship, that we may see who are our friends, and
who are our opponents." In an instant the whole crew,
excepting the six fomenters of the disturbance, ran over with
one accord. The culprits were immediately seized, put in
irons, and committed to the gun-room ; from whence they
were afterwards liberated, one by one, after having shewn
those signs of real penitence, which induced the Admiral,
by well-timed afts of lenity, to endear himself, if possible,
still more to a faithful crew, who, in the midst of tumult,
had stood faithful to their trust, uncorrupted in the very
focus of seditious seduction.
The instance of mild forbearance and forgiveness just re-
lated, may not impossibly be thought censurable by the stern
and rigid disciplinarian ; when, however, the existing com-
plexion of the times, added to the very exemplary conduct of
the remaining part of the crew, are considered, together with
the little danger that was to be apprehended from any
disturbance that could "be excited by six headstrong per-
sons, surrounded as they were, by as many hundreds, who
revered their Commander as a father, and loved him as a
friend, it certainly was worth making the experiment,,
whether even dissolute morals might not be reclaimed by
lenity. The motive was benevolent, and the effed happy ;
for, except in the slight instance already related, not the
smallest symptom of discontent ever appeared on board the
Venerable.
Let us now turn our minds from a most disgusting sub-
ject, and hasten to the account of one of those events which
will, to the latest posterity, continue to grace, with the
utmost splendour, the page of British Naval History the
engagement with the Dutch fleet off Camperdown. The
fleet of the enemy had long been in a complete state of equip-
ment for actual service ; it consisted of fifteen Ships of the
line, six frigates, and five sloops of war j the wind was fa-
OF ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUNT DUNCAN. IOC
vourable for their putting to sea; and nothing but the in-
genious artifice already related, in all probability prevented
it. At length the Admiral, in the hope of annoying them
very materially, if they attempted to come out, the channel
being so narrow as not to admit of more than one Ship
passing at a time, anchored, having the Adamant in com-
pany, at the outer buoy of the Texel, both Ships having
springs on their cables. What the event of so unequal a
contest would have been, is now of little consequence; but
whatever it might have proved, the measure certainly relieved
the highest honour on the man whose gallantry not only
projected it, but made every possible preparation in his power
to carry it into execution in the most advantageous manner
possible.
The crew were at their quarters for three days and three
nights, almost in momentary expectation that the enemy
would come out. Their Admiral even made the preparative
signal for sailing; but a few hours before the time when
their intention was to have been executed, the wind came
round to the westward, and prevented it. During the eight
following days, the Admiral and his consort were on the tip-
toe of expectation, waiting for a reinforcement, when at
length, to their great joy, they were joined by the Sans Pareil,
of 84., and the Russel, of 74 guns. Other Ships comingin soon
afterwards, the disparity of numbers so far decreased, as to
annihilate all anxiety for the event of the expeled contest.
The Venerable herself kept the sea during eighteen weeks and
three days, without intermission, in which time many of
the Ships which had joined the Admiral after the mutiny,
had been compelled to make a temporary return into port,
either on account of a want of provisions, or the damage
they had received in the gales of wind which happened
about that period.
At length the Commander in Chief, in spite of all the
care and ceconorny he could contrive, found himself under a
necessity of returning into port, to revi&ual and procure a
tol, IV. r
JO6 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
supply of stores, the Venerable being in want of nearly
every species of necessary requisite to a Ship employed on
so active a service. The Dutch Admiral, who had accurate
information from small vessels, which were kept out as
scouts, of all the motions which the British fleet made;
wearied by his long confinement in port, urged by the re-
presentations made from his own Executive Government,
and stimulated by the influence of the French faction in Hol-
land, ventured at last to put to sea. Though a man inferior
to no one, perhaps, in personal courage, he knew too well the
superiority of the British Ships, and the crews which navi-
gated them, both in respect to equipment and nautical know-
ledge, to suppose that the event of an action would be con-
formable to the wishes or interests of his countrymen, unless
he outnumbered his antagonists far higher than he could
expect or hope. But by putting to sea, he considered that he
should at least quiet the minds of his countrymen for a time ;
and that calm he hoped to produce, without putting his arma-
ment to the risk of a defeat : this he was induced to flatter
himself with, under the reflection that the same wind which
wafted his enemy from the British shore, would render
his return into port so easy, that he might avoid an action.
The activity of Admiral Duncan rendered these expecta-
tions futile. Having previously dispatched orders to Yar-
mouth for the preparation of the different articles he stood
in need of, so that as little time as possible might be lost, the
fleet had no sooner got to an anchor, than the vessels em-
ployed in victualling, were alongside. The Commander in
Chief setting the first example of assiduity, quitted not his
ship for a moment; he continued almost constantly on
deck, encouraging the men, and promoting every possible
exertion, insomuch, that the Venerable herself was ready
for sea in four days, and the whole of the fleet in less than
eight. He lost not a moment in getting out to his' station,
having received early intelligence that the event he had so
long wished for, had actually taken place.
OF ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUNT DUNCAN.
107
Fortune propitiously decreed that the zeal and unremitting
perseverance of the Admiral should not pass without ac-
quiring the reward of viftory, which he had so long and so
diligently laboured to win. On the eleventh of October, at
nine o'clock in the morning, the headmost Ships of the fleet
made the signal of having discovered the enemy, and after a
pursuit of three hours, succeeded in the well-judged operation
of cutting through the enemy's fleet, by which means they
were cut off from their own ports. The subsequent events
of the glorious victory obtained on that occasion, and the
minute, though highly interesting particulars with which the
contest abounded, will be best explained by the annexed ex-
trad! from the log-book of the Venerable :
1797
Oftober 1 1 .
i>ntiih North bea
> leet.
Repeaters.
No.
SIU P 3.
C.irtains.
Gui.s.
Di'/isioliui Commanders.
Beau ieu. Circe. Manin sloop,
Black Joke lugger, RO-.C anJ Aftive cutte
and tnutver.
I
3
4
5
f
7
H
9
!I
IJ
14
I 5
16
Russcl - - -
Director- - -
Montague - -
Veteran ...
Monarch - -
Powerful - -
Mouinouth -
Agincnurt - -
Triumph - -
Venerable - -
ArJer,t - - -
toedtord ...
Lancaster - -
amiqimix- -
Adamant - -
ISIS - - - -
Henry Tr.>llupe
William Jilu !i -
John Knitht -
Geo. Gregory -
( VKC Adin. Oii'low rf
1 Kdw. Ohryen, Capt /
Win. o'iJ. ury -
Janiei v\ al. er -
Jo. ,illi.nn un
W. H. Ks-ii.glon
f Admiral Dui.can }
(Wm. ^. Far.tix j
R. R. Jiuines -
Sir The.. Byard
John Wtlls - -
Juhn I; BUS - -
\.\m. H. it am -
Win. Mkch.'ll -
74
C4
74
64
74
7-1
04
4
74
74
4
74
4
64
50
RICHARD ON'SLOW, ES).
Vice a.nii'al lit the KJ.
ADAM DUNCAN, Esq.
Admiral uf the liluc, eommauLcr in Chief,
&<.. &.e. iic.
i
"
***
i^uUu i-'iC t.
Cap'aim. |
Guns.
1
2
\ryj-.cul - -
Adm. 1-e Winter -
ViceAdm.Rcynties
/near Aim. l-liss O
74
74
ti-und in Command ----- Taken.
4
itatts General
ivan Treslms - -/
Ke-r Adm. Storej
74
The first Shin drcve out of the line
b> .is Hajtnty's Ship Vcnerabie - Escape^.
6
A^m. l>e Vries
Zegiis - -
M
------------ Taken.
7
K
Gleikheirt - -
i-cyrten - - -
6S
68
Taken.
............ Escaped,
y
Cerberus - -
J.COb.01. -
;.^i
E-c-peU.
assenaar
-1-illQ
S6
n
H.'.Uvii - - -
Alkma:ir - -
56
S''
- - tscapid.
-.--.- Taken.
ii
Keuge^t -
S6
------------ Escaped.
the ii,c)
il
ieiuin -
K.oWI -
3J
21
i\ aky.imi.fid
Minerva
ElbrUihts -
34
24
Uim<iraiidi.m. T c Dutch had ttu guns murt
in their Line (it batt.e ^hips thin the British,
2>
24
AJ..X - -
Althelante -
i| i,'" - -
16-
16
u.d hri.s. Scv. ral ot tntir bnips crncd
nirt>-six and twenty fo..r pnunocrs on tlieir
26
Haiige - -
HHUunea
6
tl. B The iii->tii. a..ip4 ul/ thirty-two's
ana cichtecnii.
io8
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
1797
__.__
Jiy wtii.m
IUUiC
To whom
addiessed
Number and Signification.
Hours
Mm.
9
9
9
O
15
20
22
VenerabJ
Ditto
Diito
Ditto
General
Circe
Russel
General
10. Prepare for battle.
47. Come within hail,
id. Close with the Admiral.
48. Line on *tarboard bearing,
9
16
Ditto
General
17. Alter the course to port, and steer
S.S. E.
9
38
Ditto
General
48. "With compas* signals to form the
line on starboard, bearing N. E.
and S. W.
9
9
50
S
Ditto
Ditto
General
Isis and
67. Make more sail.
67. To make more sail.
Lancaster
10
Ditto
Russel
1 6. To steer mor to starboard.
JO
4
/cne rablc
Isis
67. To make more sail,
1O
5
Ditto
General
1 6. With compass signals, the fleet to-
teer S.
IO
ij
Ditto
General
7. With two guns, general chase.
10
24
Ditto
General
35, To engage the enemy as arriving
up with them.
10
33
Venerable
Beaulieu
67. To make more sail.
10
1 1
38
45
Ditto
Ditto
klliqueux
Monarch
67. To make more sail.
69. To shorten sail, but hauled down
and
before answered.
Montague
IO
Ditto
Van
7T. Van to shorten sail.
It
2
Ditto
General
66. Take in one reef of the topsails.
II
8
Venerable
General
48. Starboard line of bearing.
11
i\
Ditto
Ditto
8 1. With preparative, come to the wind
on the starboard tack.
II
I 7
Ditto
General
gj. To take stations in the line as Ships'
pendants are thrown out, after
ninety-five, was answered, coun-
termanded.
1 1
29
Ditto
-articular
87. Ships to windward to come down.
II
3c
Ditto
General
36. Each Ship to engage her opponent
in the enemy's line,
II
35
Ditto
General
14. Tear up and sail large.
II
4^
Ditto
Van
41. 1 he van to attack the enemy's rear.
1 1
53
Venerable
General
34- To pass through the enemy's line,
and engage them to leeward.
p.
M.
12
.5
Ditto
General
5. With red pendant over, for close
a&ion.
12
30
The
.A a ion
ommenced.
a
The
Firing
eased.
3
SO
Venerable
General
01. Close round the Admiral.
I 4
IO
Ditto
General
lo. Prepare for battle.
ff. , The wind veering round, and blowing upon the shore, made the
signal from the Venerable to the Ships of our fleet, not disabled
to tow off the Prizes,
OF ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUNT DUNCAV. 109
REMARKS Oaober 1 1 , 1797.
The enemy at this time in a line of battle on the larboard
tack, with their main-top-sail yards square, but keeping them
shivering, and sometimes full, by which their line was gradually
advancing towards tiieir own shore, which, at this period, was
r.ct seven miles distant. The land in sight was situated be-
tween the village of Egmont and Camperdown. By the in-
equality of sailing of several or our Ships, the squadron was
unavoidably going down towards the enemy in no regular order
of battle. Brought to for a short time on the starboard tack,
in order to form them ; but the enemy bieng still advancing
towards their own shore, it was determined by our Admiral to
get between them and their own land, at all events, to prevent
their escape. The signal for bearing up was therefore made
before our Ships could possibly get into any regular order of
battle. Had our time been lost in making a regular diatribu
tion of our Ships, the Dutch fleet must have got so near their
coast, it would have been impossible to follow them with any
4
Wind
*, W.
bjN.
Fresh
Breeze*
and
squally
weather
At seven A. M. saw three large ships to leeward, standing
to the squadron ; on nearing them, found they had each a red
flag flying at the main-topgallant-mast-head, being the signal
for an enemy. These Ships proved to be Captain Trollope's
squadron, consisting of the Russel, Adamant, and Beauieu
frigate, who had kept sight of the Dutch fleet, and watched
their motions. His Majesty's Ship Circe, likewise one of that
squadron, joined us afterwards. At half past eight o'clock
A. M. saw the Dutch fleet to leeward; make the signal,
bore up with the fleet, and stood towards them. At fifty mi-
nutes past nine, made the signal for the fleet to make more sail.
On approaching the enemy's fleet, saw them forming their line
of battle on the larboard tack ; their force consisting of sixteen
sail of the line, three stout frigates, and two smaller ones, with
five brigs, having four flags flying, viz. one blue at the main,
one white at the mizen, one blue at the mizen,and one blue at
the fore-top-gallant-mast-head. Their frigates and brigs drawn
up to leeward of their line of battle Ships, and placed opposite
to the intervals, which rendered them a great annoyance to our
Ships, especially while passing through their line, and during
the greatest past of the action. At eleven A. M. made the
signal for the van to shorten sail, to let the sternmost Ships
come up, and conned our line as well as time would permit,
N. W.
Squally
weather
with
Ram.
JJO BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
view of advantage. At fifty-three minutes past eleven, made
the signal to pass through the enemy's line, and engage them
to leeward. Soon after the signal was made for close aftion,
and repeated by the Monarch and Powerful ; it was kept flying
on board the Venerable near an hour and a half, when it was
shot away. About thirty minutes past twelve, the action
commenced by Vice Admiral Onslow, in the Monarch, who
broke through the enemy's line, passed under the Dutch Vice
Admiral's stern, and engaged him to leeward. The Venerable
intending to engage the Dutch Commander in Chief, was pre-
vented by the States General, of 76 guns, bearing a blue flag
at the mizen, shooting close up with him ; we therefore put
our helm aport, run under his stern, engaged him close, and
soon forced him to run out of the line. The Venerable then
fell alongside the Dutch Admiral De Winter, in the Vryheid,
who was for some time well supported, and kept up a very
heavy fire upon us. At one o'clock, the aftion was pretty
general, except by the two or three van Ships of the enemy's
line, which got off without the smallest apparent injury.
About half an hour after the commencement of the aftion on
the part of the Venerable, who began only five minutes later
than our own Vice Admiral, the Hercules, a Dutch Ship of
64 guns, caught firs ahead of us ; she wore, and drove very
near our Ship to leeward, while we were engaged, and very
roughly hand led, by four Ships of the enemy. A little before
three o'clock, while passing to leeward of the Dutch Admiral
and Commander in Chief, on the opposite tack, our starboard
broadside was fired, which took place principally among t!-.e
rigging, as all her masts came immediately by the board ; soon
after he struck his colours, all farther opposition being vain and
fruitless. Admiral Duncan dispatched the Rose cutter with a
note to the Secretary of the Admiralty, containing account
of his having obtained a victory over the Dutch fleet. During
the greatest part of the action, the weather was variable, with
showers of rain, till half past two o'clock, when it fell almost
calm. On its clearing up, we perceived nine Ships of the enemy's
line, and one stout frigate, had struck. About four o'clock
P. M. Admiral De Winter was brought on board the Vene-
rable by Mr. Charles Richardson, first Lieutenant of the Circe,
in the boat of that frigate, whose signal had been made for that
purpose. The Venerable wore with the fleet, turning our heads
o ff shore, which was not then distant above four or five miles*
OF ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUNT DUKCAN. lit
Began repairing the rigging, which, with the sails, masts, and
yards, had suffered mucH in the aftion. The people likewise
constantly at the pumps, having received a number ofshot-holes
below our water-line. Made the frigates and undisabled Ships
signals to take possessipn of prizes. During the battle, the
Venerable was gallantly supported by the Ardent and Triumph,
Admiral Duncan's seconds, and afterwards, by his Majesty's
Ship Powerful, who had taken her opponent, then runup, and
rendered effectual assistance to us, while surrounded by ene-
mies. The Powerful and several others showed by their gal-
lant conduct, that they perfectly understood the signal for close
a<5lion. Could a doubt remain in the minds of any person in
the fleet, about the meaning of any signal or manoeuvre, they
could not possibly mistake the gallant example of the two
English Admirals, and several others, who entered completely
into the meaning of the signal No. 34, and immediately pushed
through the enemy's line, as the only method of defeating the
Dutch fleet in the situation in which they wore. It was per-
feclly in the power of the whole British fleet to have put
signal 34 into execution. The enemy was diteclly to leeward*
and openings to pass through their line in several parts of it;
but some of our Ships, it is said, did not put No. 34 into exe-
cution. Notwithstanding, the nth of October, 1797, will be
remembered with pleasure by our friends, und regretted by our
enemies.
The foregoing account is so full, that it requires no ad-
dition or remark ; suffice it, that we briefly slate the a&iou
commenced between twelve and one o'clock in the after-
noon, and after continuing rather more than three hours
with unceasing violence, was at last closed by the surrender
of nine Ships of the line, with two frigates; the remainder,
though not without much difficulty, succeeding in effecting
their escape.
It has been remarked, and with some truth, that the laconic
manner in which the gallant Admiral first announced his
success to the Admiralty Board, in no small degree resem-
bled the celebrated letter of Captain Walton, written in con-
sequence of his having attacked, taken, or destroyed, a de-
tachment of the Spanish fleet off Syracuse. " We have
112 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
taken," said that brave officer, " and destroyed all the Spa-
nish Ships and vessels that were upon the coast; the number
as per margin^ Yours &c. G. Walton " That which we
bring into comparison with it, was to the following purport :
Venerable, tfftbe coast of Ho!lanJ,tl>e 12(b of O&ootr, ty tag ( \ lib) taret
P. M. Camptrdinun E. S E. eight miles. IVlndN. by E.
SIR,
I have the pleasure to acquaint you, for the information of the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that at nine o'clock this
morning, 1 got sight of the Dutch fleet ; at half past twelve I passed
through their line, and the adion commenced, which has been very
severe. The Admiral's Ship is dismasted, and has struck, as have
several others, and one on fire. I shall s^nd Captain Fairfax with
particulars the moment I can spare him. I am,
ADAM DUNCAN.
The Admiral, as a public and proper reward for his very
brilliant conduct on the foregoing occasion, was raised by
patent bearing date October the thirtieth, to the dignity of
a Baron and Viscount of Great Britain, by the titles of
Baron Camperdown and Viscount Duncan. The Vene-
rable had received so much damage, and had become so
leaky, owing to the number of shot she had received in
her hull, that she was, with the greatest difficulty, brought
into port ; and being found unfit for further service, with-
out previously undergoing a thorough repair, was, of
course, ordered to be dismantled for that purpose. His
Lordship, who continued to retain his command, shifted his
flag into the Kent, a new Ship of 74 guns, then jusf
launched. Soon as the Ships destined to remain under his
orders were refitted, he returned again to his station;
and by his continued vigilance, the Dutch trade was
almost annihilated : their vessels, whenever any were found
hardy enough to attempt putting to sea, were captured in
sight of their own ports ; for the whole coast was so com-
pletely blockaded, that instances very rarely occurred of
their being able to elude the extreme vigilance of the British
cruisers.
Ofr ADAM DUNCAN, LORD VISCOUNT DUNCAN. 113
A very singular proof of this fail took place about twelve
months after the Camperdown fight ; two Dutch frigates,
the Furie, of 36, and the Waakzamheid, of 26 guns, had
been lying in the Texel many weeks with troops on board.
Eager to seize the first probable opportunity of escape, in
order to effect a desultory descent on some part of the British
dominions, being at last favoured by a strong eastern gale,
which they flattered themselves had blown the English
cruisers off their coast, they ventured out to sea on the
twenty-third of Oftober, 1798, under cover of a thick fog.
but were both captured on the following day, by Captain
King, in the Sirius. His Lordship continued to retain the
same command till the commencement of the present year,
but the extreme caution of the enemy prevented him from
finding any second opportunity df completing the destru&ion
of the Dutch maritime power; and the surrender of their
Ships at the Texel, in the month of August, 1799, has, to a
certainty, removed to a more remote period, the possibility
of acquiring in the same quarter similar honours to those
gained off Camperdown.
Heraldic Particulars relative to Lord discount Dttncan
On the sixth of June, 1777, he married Miss Dundas, daughter
of Robert Dundas, Esq. Lord President of the Court of Session in
Scotland.
On the twenty -third of December, 1787, his eldest son> Mr.
Henry Duncan, died at Edinburgh.
A R MS.] In the centre of his paternal coat (being Gules, two cinque foils in
chief, and a bugle horn in base, stringed Azure], pendant by a ribbon Argent
and Azure, from a naval crown Or, a gold medal, thereon two figures, the
emblems of Victory and Britannia ; Vi&ory alighting ori the prow of an an-
tique vessel, crowning Britannia with a wreath of laurel; and below, the word
" Camperdown."
CR EST.] A first rate Ship of war, with masts broken, rigging torn and in
disorder, floating on the sea. all proper ; and over, the motto " Di*ce pati "
SUPPORTERS.] On the dexter side an Angel, mantle purpure; on the head
a celestial crown ; the right hand supporting an anchor proper ; in the Jeft a.
palm branch Or. Qn the sinister a sailor, habited and armed proper ; his left
hand supporting a staff, thereon hoisted a flag azure; the Duteh colomfi
wreathed about the middle of the staff.
" Secundis dubiisque redus."
. Qol. IV. <u
C H4 1
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL TACTICS,
Draiunfrom aSual Events, aud the Success which has attended particular
Manoeuvres praflitedin Engagements between T-wo Fleets. From the
Revolution down to the present Time. Arranged In Chronological Order.
(Continued from page 47.)
AFTER the conclusion of the third Dutch war, no opportunity
offered itself either to the British fleet, or that belonging to
any among their different enemies, of carrying the same manoeuvre
into execution, till the engagement between Mr. Byng and the
French Admiral Gallisoniere. The Beachy-Head fight, the naval
battles which txnk place off La Houe and Malaga, were, of neces-
sity, conduced on different principles, which will be explained under
a different head from the present.
In the action off Minorca, Mr. Byng had very judiciously con-
trived to keep the advantage of the wind ; and such was the relative
position of the two squadrons, that if he had, immediately after mak-
ing the signal for his Ships to go about, which consequently brought
them on the same tack with the enemy, followed it with another for
the whole fleet to make all the sail they could, without subjecting
themselves to confusion, and fall upon the van of the enemy, there
seems but little doubt that Mr. West's division alone would have
insured the victory. This unfortunate man, without doubt, com-
mitted an irremediable suite of errors, in ordering the Deptford tocuit
the line ; in bearing away with the Ramilies for the rear of the enemy ;
and in making the signal for the rest of the Ships in his division ta
follow his example. This conduct, however ill-judged it might be,
perfectly emancipates him from the illiberal charge which his enemies
laboured so powerfully to fix on him a want of personal courage ;
for the fact is, if he had kept on the same course after the van be^an
to engage, which he held before the action commenced, the battle
would, in all probability, have been nearly over, and the enemy de-
feated, ere he could have got nearer to them than within random shot.
" At two," says this unhappy man, " I made the signal to engage,
as I found it was the surest method of ordering every Ship to close
down on the one that fell to their lot ; and here I must express my
great satisfaction at the very gallant manner in which the Rear Ad-
miral et the van the example, by instantly bearing down on the Ship
he was to oppose, with his second, and who occasioned one of the
French Ships to begin the engagement, which they did, by raking
ours as they went down. / bore down en the Ship that lay opposite tt
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL TACTICS. II
m*." This last aft gave the fatal check tQ the vt&ory, which he
therwise would in all likelihood have obtained.
On the sixteenth of March, 1781, the French squadron employed
in America, completely bafiL-d the British squadron under Mr. Ar-
buthnot, by making use of this manoeuvre. The enemy, who wer
really inferior in point of force, but had the advantage of the wind,
attacked with all the Ships they could bring into action, the Robust,
the Prudent, and the Ettrope : the former of these was engaged at
one time by the French Commodore, in a Ship 01*84 g uns supported
by one of 74, and another of 64 ; the other Ships had the remainder
of the enemy's squadron to contend with ; the consequence was, that
all those Ships, but more particularly the two former, were completely
crippled before their companions could get up to support them ; and
the French, perfectly well satisfied with having saved themselves from
a more serious loss, were enabled to make good their retreat without
farther molestation.
*' At two o'clock," says Mr. Arbuthnot, " the van of my squadron
wore in the line, and in a few minutes the Robust, which led the fleet,
and afterwards behaved in the most gallant manner, was warmly en-
gaged with the van of the enemy. The Ships in the van and centre
of the line, were all engaged by half an hour past two, and by three
the French line was broke; their Ships began soon after to wear, and
to form their line again with their heads to the south-east into the
ocean.
" At twenty minutes after three I wore and stood after them. I
was sorry to see the Robust, Prudent, and Europe, which were the
headmost Ships, and received the whole of the enemy's fire at their
rigging as they bore down, 50 entirely disabled, and the London's
main-top-sail-yard being carried away, (the two first unmanageable,
laying with their heads from the enemy) as to be incapable of pursuit,
and of rendering the advantage we had gained decisive."
The engagement off the Che-apeak, on the 5 th of September, 1781,
is a still corroborating proof of the correctness of this principle : the
van and centre of the fleet, commanded by Rear Admirals Grave*
and Drake, opposing Ship to Ship with the enemy, forced them to
give away ; w hile the seven sternmost Ships of the British fleet, under
Sir Samuel Hood, kept twelve of the enemy's rear at bay.. It may
be remembered that there was no small degree of murmur excited
among the uninformed, because those Ships were not actually en-
gaged ; but it must be evident to all candid inquirers, now reason has
supplanted the rage of passion, that if the rear had borne a* ay, and
closed with us antagonists, as the van did, it might, and most probably
Il6 ILLUSTRATIONS OF KAVAL TACTICS.
would have been inclosed between two fires, through which an ad-
vantage might have been gained which would have been productive
of the most serious consequences to the whole fleet.
In short, the particular condudl of the rear proved the preservation
of the whole fleet It will be hereafter necessary to speak more fully
of this encounter in treating of the manoeuvre lately introduced and
practised with so much success, that of" cutting through the tnemfs
lint."
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL HISTORY.
'TPHE first letter, in particular, is of the most interesting kind, as
* it tends to prove the high injury wantonly inflicted by the rage
of party on one of the bravest and worthiest men that ever held a
naval command Arthur Herbert, Earl of Torrington. The honest
and uns ught for testimony borne by a person of Admiral Shovell's
description, outweighs the slanderous and envenomed clamour of
millions.
&>CLOUDESLEV SHOVELL to the ar/e/"ToRRiNGTON, July 31,
1650.
MY LORD,
I MUST believe you a person so stcdcly for y e preservation of their
Maj* and their kingdoms, that the breath of ten thousands of the
better sort of the unthinking mobb cannot shake your loyalty; and
for your corrage, ware I worthey to be your Lordship's bayle, I durst
with my life be bound to answer for your default] though I suppose
t'.s not unknown to your Lordship that both your loyaltyand corrage
are questioned. My Lord, I have been so unfortunate as not to have
had one line from any one of my frisnds in y e fleet; nor till within
this week have I spoke with any one man that was in y e late action,
with your Lordship; and now am, as have been all along, well satis-
fied that your retreat was absolutely necessary, and for the servL of
our country j but till now knew not the reason of your fighting.
When your Lordship was first in sight of the French, I was then
of y e Land's End, with 3 fregatts in my company ; and by small
vessells than cam from tr.e eastward, I had still nottis of your seeing
the French fleet fur 5 or 6 days together ; and nothing more rejoiced
me then that your Lordship declined fighdng them ; and S r , in any
other country but oar's, your declining fighting would have shown
your General, hip, and been esteemed as it deserved. My Lord, here
are many people in. these parts ?an very well remember that it was
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL HISTORY. JIJ
my opinion that nothing could be more to your Lordship's hon r . nor
to our country's safety, then your keeping out of the reach of them ;
and nothing could hurt us but fighting them ; and one need not goc
.far for a very substandall reason, which is, you wanted about 25 sail
of good Ships that were designed for the line of battle ; and if it was
thought you could beatt the French without this 25 sail, why ware we
at the unnecessary charge of so many supernumv Ships ? My Lord,
J have not else at press', but to assure your Lordship I am, as ever,
My LORD,
Your Lordship's most faithfull and obedient Serv%
C. S.
^M^
Sir CLOUDESLEV SHOVELL to Sir FRANCIS WHEELER.
DEAR SIR FRANCIS, December 12, 1692.
I SUPPOSE your West India voyage goes forward, and all things,
to your satisfaction. I question not but you believe next to myself,
I wish your welfaire before any man's. God bless the King ; and,
upon my word, I am not of the common opinion, which makes your
voyage such a bug-bear ; but, to the contrary, I expeft your return
with a great deal of reputation, much to your satisfaction, about twu
years hence, or there abouts ; I expeft so, which pray order your
buissness so as to stay no longer ; for after two years your Ships will
be out of order, your stores expended, your men will dye; and iff
may call it so, course of nature will bring you an account of wants
everyday; but while you are abroad, make me your Solissitor at
home for your reall wants, and be assured I will heartily devoatt my-
self to your service. I will only caution you in what I am assured
you can very well perform, if you give your mind to it ; that is, leu
no frivolous miscarriages give you any manner of disturbance; nei-
ther be disturbed at any unfavourable misfortune. I assure myself of
your aplycation to your buissness ; and I will once more repeatt my
opinion, which is, that I shall se my dear friend S r Francis return from
the West Indies with (in short) a great deal of satisfaction both to
himself and friends, amongst which I subscribe myselfe one of your
faithfullest. . c - &
SIR, Viflory, ojfof Beacby, z6tb February, 1743.
I SAILED from the Downs the 24'" inst. in the morning, the wind
at W. N. W, upon receiving intelligence that fifteen Ships of the
Brest squadron were at an ancnor off of Dungeness; and at two in the
afternoon came to an anchor about eight miles short of them, the tide
of flood then being against us, and the wind at W. S. W. they bear-
IlS ILi.UTRATIOR8 Of NATAL HISTORY.
ing from us, W. f S. At eight at night the wind shifted to N. B.
and about one in the morning, a violent storm came on, with thick
dark weather, that soon drove most of us from our anchors ; it con-
tinued the greatest part of the day, so that we could carry no sail ;
but towards evening the weather abated, and this day (the 26) we
have little wind, and variable. I inclose to you an account of the
damage that has happened to such of our Ships as I have spoke with,
and hope their Lordships will order an immediate supply of anchors
and cables to us in the Downs, whither I am returning. It was
fortunate we did not meet with this storm off Dunkirk, or in
the Downs, in either of which places all our pilots are of opinion the
trhole fleet would have been in imminent danger. The Roebuck*
from Portsmouth, joined me the 24% when we were in sight of
the French. We cannot tell when the French broke way, notwith-
standing all the endeavours I used to be informed of it ; but the
Anglesea, whose cable parted the 25* , at seven in the morning, run
close by Dungeness, and viewed both sides of it, and found them
gone. The Duke, Princess Royal, Prince Frederick, and Medway,
not being in a condition to go into the Downs, I have ordered Sir
Charles Hardy with them into Spithead, and the Gibraltar to attend
him. I am, Sir,
Your most humble servant,
JN NORRIS.
An Acnmt of Damagn tie Ship* itndermtntlaiud rettlvid the 2$ Fct^ % 1743-4 t
SHIPS' NAME*. ACCIDENTS.
Victory ... Lost two anchors and three cables.
Duke ... Lost two anchors, four cables, and the davitt.
St. George - - Lost two anchors, four cables.
Princess Royal - Lost three anchors and cables, and broke her tiller.
f"Lost two anchors, two cables, and the small bower un-
\ serviceable; carried away the jibb-boom, sprit-sail-
rince Frederick -I yard> and l6 foot of the kncft o the head> ind sprufl&
I the bowsprit.
SnfToIk ... Lost two anchors and three cables,
Captain ... Lost two anchors and three cables.
Dreadnought - - Lost one anchor and cable.
Jersey ... Lost one anchor, one cable and half.
Worcester - . Lost one anchor and three cables.
Roebuck- . . Lost her longboat.
Anglesea . . Lost one anchor, one cable and half, and her longboat.
Gibraltar Lost one anchor and cable.
Princess Mary - Lost two anchors and three cables.
Medway . . Lost three anchors, four cables, and her long boat.
Deptford - - Lost three anchors and four cablei.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL HISTORY.
IT 9
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NA^AL CHRONICLE.
MR. EDITOR,
IT is with pleasure I congratulate you on that useful and very
valuable work, the Naval Chronicle, which at length has nude its
. appearance in this quarter of the world; and I can assure you., has
met with universal admiration by the officers in our marine service, as
well as all classes connected with it. A work of that nature had long
been wanted, to record the many gallant exploits which have in times
past, and continue to adorn your Navy ; and with a well-grounded
hope that our's may imitate, and ever aft in unity with it, I have trans-
mitted for your insertion, if approved of, the Official Letter and
Report of the Secretary of the American Navy, together with the two
Official Letters written by that gallant officer, Commodore TRUXTUIU
I am, Sir,
Yours,
Btittn, North Amt. ', Junt 21, l8oo. T.
<^*
Letter and Report of tie Secretary of the Navy*
Navy Department, 2o/ March, 1800.
IN obedience to the order of the House of Representatives of the
United States, of the eighteenth inst. the Secretary of the Navy has
the honour to lay before the House, a copy of Captain Truxtun's
letter of the third of February, together with a copy of the extract
from his journal, referred to in the said letter, detailing the particulars
of the engagement between the Constellation under his command,
and an heavy French Ship, mounting, as he supposed, 54 guns.
The Secretary has received a number of letters, too voluminous to
trouble the House with, of dates both prior and subsequent to the
action, which leave no doubt on his mind that the French Ship, so
gallantly defended against the bravery and superior skill of Captain
Truxiun, is the same that arrived at Guadaloupe from France, hi
the month of December last, called La Vengeance, mounting 50 guns
or upwards.
In confirmation of this opinion, the Secretary takes the liberty of
stating the substance of letters received from Captain Baker, of the
Delaware sloop of war, from B. H. Phillips, Esq. American Consul
at Curracoa, and from D. M. Clarkson, Esq. Navy Agent at St.
Kfett,
Captain Baker, in a letter dated Curacoa, eighth of February,
mentions that a French Ship, called La Vengeance, of 54 guns, had
left Guadaloupe on her return to France, about the first of February ;
4
,30 ILLUSTRATIONS OF KAVAL H1STORV.
had a very severe aftion with the Constellation the following night,
and arrived at Curracoa on the sixth, in a most shattered condition ;
that he understood she had lost one hundred an d forty men in the
aftion, and when she escaped from the Constellation, had eight feet
water in her hold.
Mr. Phillips, in a letter dated Curracoa, ninth of February, to tho
Secretary of State, announces the arrival there of the French Ship,
La Vengeance, of 56 guns, bound from Guadaloupe to France, with
a valuable cargo, and a large sum of specie, in a very distressed situ-
ation, having lost one hundred and sixty men killed and wounded,
and her masts and rigging nearly all shot away in an engagement of
five hours, within pistol shot, with the Constellation.
Mr. Clarkson, at St. Kitts, in a letter dated sixteenth of February,
states, " We are certain Captain Truxtun's gallant action was fought
with La Vengeance, a French man of war of 54 guns, and five hun-
dred picked men, from Guadaloupe to France."
As to the condudl of any particular officer, or other person on
fcoard the Constellation, the Secretary has no information, except
what is to be found in the communications from Captain Truxtun,
by which, but still more by the result of this heroic aftion, it appears
that all the officers and men on board the Constellation must have
nobly performed their duty.
The praise of having pursued, for many hours, a Ship known to be
of force so greatly superior to his own, to bring her to action, and
of conducting that aftion with so much skill as to compensate for hjs
great inferiority of force, belongs exclusively to their gallant com-
mander.
It cannot be necessary for the Secretary to add to the eulo^iuij
bestowed by Captain Truxtun on the brave young Midshipman,
James Jarvis, who gloriously preferred certain death, to an abandon-
ment of his post.
All which is respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN STOOD ERT.
Tl>f Honourable lie Sf cater of Secretary of the Navy.
tie IIonu of Refretentatives of the United Statet.
Copy of a Letter from Captain THOMAS TRUXTUN, to tie Secretary
of the Navy.
United States' Sfnp Constellation^
S'* at Sea, Feb. 3, 1800.
I HAD the honour to address you the day after my arrival at
St. Christopher's, the twenty-first ult. as per copy annexed -, afte*
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL HISTORY. 121
which I made every exertion in my power to get the squadron, as
well as my own Ship, to sea, in the shortest time possible; and gave
all the commanders of the different vessels orders, to cruise separately*
in certain situations, agreeably to the copies inclosed.
On the thirtieth, I left St. Christopher's with the Constellation in
excellent trim for sailing, and stood to windward, in order to occupy
the station I had allotted for myself, before the road of the enemy, at
Guadaloupe, where I was informed a very large and heavy frigate, of
upwards of 50 guns, was then laying; and early on the next day I fell
in with L'Insurgent, Captain Murray, and the prize brig, Conquest,
of Italy, that had been fitted out to cruise with him in those seas.
After a short interview with Captain Murray, I requested him to pro-
ceed to St. Christopher's without loss of time, and call on our agent
there Mr. Clarkson, for letters that I had lodged for him, which
pointed out his further destination. On our parting, he immediately
made sail to leeward, and I continued plying to windward. At half
past seven A. M. of the following day, 1 discovered a sail to the S. E.
to which I gave chase ; and for the further particulars of that chase,
and the action after it, I must beg leave to refer you to the extracts
from my journal, which is also inclosed, as being the best mode of ex-
hibiting a just, fair, and candid account of all our transactions in the
late business, which has ended in the complete dismantlement of the
Constellation, though, I trust, to the high reputation of the American
flag.
I have just fell in with the Enterprize, Lieutenant Shaw, returning
from Curracoa, who I send off to you with my dispatches, and I shall
be obliged, by your sending him again to me at Port Royal, Jamaica,
as early as possible, as I shall be impatient to hear from you, especially
as we are now in want of every thing, being a mere wreck.
If I had met Captain Morris, of the Adams, I should have taken
the command of that Ship, and kept the station to windward, leaving
him in charge of the Constellation, to be refitted at Jamaica ; but I
have not been so fortunate.
I have the honour to be,
With great respect and esteem,
Your very obedient humble servant,
(Signed) THOMAS TRUXTUN.
1Tie Honourable Benjamin Stoddert, Ety.
Secretary of the Navy, Philadelphia.
l. IV,
lit ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL HISTORY.
A Circumstantial Account of the Engagement between the United States
Frigate Constellation, 0/38 Guns, and a trench National Frigate,
of 54 Gum, on the 1st February, 1800; taken from Commodore
Taux TUN'S Journal, v:z.
Saturday, 1st February y I 8co,
AT half past seven A. M. the road of Basseterre, Guadaloupe,
bearing east, five leagues distance, saw a sail in the S. E. standing to
the westward, which, from her situation, I at first took for a large
Ship from Martinico, and hoisied English colours, on giving chase,
by way of inducement for her to come down and speak me, which
would have saved a long chase to leeward of rny intended cruising
ground; but finding she did not attempt to alter her course, I ex-
amined her more attentively as we rpproached her, and discovered her
to be a heavy French frigate, mounting at least 54 guns; I imme-
diately gave orders for the yards to be slung with chains, top-sail
sheets, &c. stoppered, and the Ship cleared ready for a&ion, and
hauled down the English colours. At noon the wind became light,
and I observed the chase that we had before been gaining fast on,
held way with us; but 1 was determined to continue the pursuit,
though the running to leeward, I was convinced, would be attended
withrrany strious disadvantages, especially if the object ot my wishes
was not gratified.
Sunday, zd February. Atone P. M. the wind being somewhat
fresher than the noon preceding, and an appearance of its continuance,
our prospeft of bringing the enemy to aclion began to brighten, as I
perceived we were coming up with the chase fast, and every inch or
canvas being set that could be of service, except the bag reefs, which
1 kept in the top sails, in case of the enemy finding an escape from
our thunder impracticable, should haul on a wind, and give us fair
battle; but this did not prove to be her commander's iutention : I
however got within hail of him, at eight P. M. hoisted our ensign,
and had the candles in the battle lanthorns all lighted, and was in the
lee gangway ready to speak him, and to demand the surrender of his
Ship to the United States of America, when at that instant he com-
menced a fire from his stern and quarter guixs, directed at our rigging
and spars. No parley being then necessary, I sent my principal Aid-
de-camp, Mr. Vandyke, to the different officers commanding divisions
on the main battery, to repeat striftly my orders before given, not to.
throw away a single charge of powder and shot, but to take good aim,
and to fire direftly into the hull of the enemy, and load principally
with two round shot, and now and th;n with a round shot and .1
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL HISTORY. I2J
stand of grape, &c. to encourage the men at their quarters, and to
cause, or suffer no noise or confusion whatever, but to load and fire
as fast as possible, when it could be done with certain effect.
These orders being given, in a few moments I gained a position on
his weather quarter, that enabled us to return effectually his sa!uce ;
and thus as close, and as sharp an action as ever was fought between
two frigates, commenced, and continued until within a few minutes
of one A. M. when the enemy's fire was completely silenced, and he
was again sheering off. It was at this moment that I considered him
as my prize, and was trimming in the best manner, I could, my much
shattered sails, when I found the main-mast was totally unsupported
with rigging, every shroud being shot away, and some of them in
many places so as to render stoppers useless, which in fact could not
be applied with effect; I then gave orders for all the men to be sent
up from the gun deck to endeavour to secure the mast, in order that
we might get alongside of the enemy again as soon as possible ; but
every effort was in vain, for it went over the side in a few minutes
after, and carried with it the topmen, among whom was an amiable
young gentleman, who commanded the main top, Mr. James Jarvis,
son of James Jarvis, Esq. of New York. This young gentleman, it
seems, wasapprizedof his danger by an old seaman, but he had already
so much the principle of an officer ingrafted on his mind, not to leave
his quarters, that he replied, if the mast went, they must go with it^
which was the case, and only one of them was saved. I regret much
his loss, as a promising young officer, and amiable young man, as well
as on account of a long intimacy that has subsisted between his father
and myself, but have great satisfaction in finding that I have lost no
other, and only two or three were slightly wounded, out of thirty-nine
of the crew, killed and woanded, fourteen of the former, and twenty-
five of the latter. As soon as the main mast went, every effort was
made to clear the wreck from the Ship as soon as possible, which was
effected in about an hour ; and as her security was then the great ob-
ject, it being impossible to pursue the enemy, I immediately bore
away for Jamaica, for repairs, &c. finding it impracticable to reach a
friendly port in any of the islands to windward.
I should be wanting in common justice, was I to omit hereto
journalize the steady attention to order, and the great exertion and
bravery shewn by all my officers, seamen, and marines in this action,
many of whom I had sufficiently tried before on a similar occasion
(the capture of the Insurgente), and all their names are recorded in
the muster-roll I sent to the Secretary of the Navy, dated the nine-
teenth of December last, signed by myself.
(Signed) THOMAS TRUX UN.
C "4 3
BIOGRAPHICAL ANECDOTES OF
NAVAL OFFICERS
XVHO HAVf HITHERTO PASSED NEARLY UNNOTICED BT HISTORIANS.
The following Account of Lord CLINTON, some time Lord High Admiral
of England, is taken from the elegant Collection of Biographical Trails
'written by EDMUND LODGE, Esq. Lancaster Herald^ and F. 5. A.
and illustrated by BARTOLOZZI'S exquisite Imitations cf Portraits by
HOLB i E N, in bis Majesty's Collection. We may probably hereafter pre-
sent our readers <vailb tome more extraSs relative to Naval Eiogra-
grapby,from that superb publication, as the -very high price of it must
always render it, in a certain measure, scarce.
EDWARD, Lord Clinton, was the only son of Thomas, the
eighth Baron of his family, by Mary, a natural daughter to Sir
Edward Poynings, Knight of the Garter. He was born in 1512,
and, at the death of his father, within five years after, fell in wardship
to the crown. Educated in the court, his youth was passed in those
magnificent and romantic amusements which distinguished the be-
ginning of Henry's reign ; nor was it till 1544. that he appeared in a
public character : in that year he attended the Earl of Hertford, and
Dudley, Lord Lisle, in their expedition to Scotland, and is said to
have then entered into the naval service, in consequence of his inti-
macy with the latter, who at that time commanded the fleet : with
these noblemen he scoured the coasts of Scotland, and afterwards
lanJed at Boulogne, which was then besieged by the King in person.
At the commencement of the following reign, he was appointed
Admiral of the fleet which aided the Duke of Somerset's great irrup-
tion into Scotland ; and, owing to a singular circumstance, is said to
have had a considerable share in the viftory atMusselburgh, without
quitting his Si.ips ; for the van of the English Army having changed
its situation, the Scots imagined it was flying to the fleet, and there-
upon forsook the high ground on which they had been advan-
tageously posted, and following the English to the sea-side, were
received wiiha furious discharge of cannon from the Shipping, which
threw them at once into irrecoverable disorder. Soon after this pe-
riod, Lord Clinton was constituted Governor of Boulogne; and at his
return from thence, after the peace of 1550, was appointed of the
King's Privy Chamber, Lord Admiral of England for life, and a
Knight of the Garter : to these dignities were added grants of estates
to a very considerable value. In 1551 he represented his royal master
ANECDOTES OF HAVAL OFFICERS. !2-
at Paris, as godfather to the third son of France, afterward Henry III.
He negotiated at the same time the treaty of marriage intended
between Edward VI. and Elizabeth, daughter of Henry II. of France,
and brought home with him the instrument of its ratification.
Edward died soon after the commencement of this embassy ; and
Lord Clinton, having recommended himself to the favour of thac
Prince's successor, by hisearly expressions of attachment to her tide,
was sent in 1 554, with some others of the loyal nobility, against Sir
Thomas Wyat. In the autumn of the next year he carried the Order
of the Garter to Emmanuel, Duke of Saxony; and in 1557, had a.
principal command in the English army at the siege of St. Quinton.
On the thirteenth of February 1558, O. S. his patent of Lord Ad-
miral was renewed ; and on the twelfth of April following, he was
appointed Commander in Chief, both by sea and land, of the forces
then sent against France and Scotland. Elizabeth continued him in.
the post of Admiral, chose him of her Privy Council, appointed him
a commissioner to examine Murray's charges against the Queen of
Scots, and joined him to the Earl of Warwick in the command of
the Army sent in 1 569 against the rebellious Earls of Northumberland
and Westmoreland. On the fourth of May, 1572, he was advanced
to the title of Earl of Lincoln; in the next year was a commissioner
for the trial of the Duke of Norfolk; and in 1574, went Ambassador
to France, to ratify the treaty of Blois. His last public service was
in the ineffectual negotiation for a marriage between Elizabeth and
the Duke of Anjou. He died on the sixteenth of January, 1584,
O. S. and was buried in St. George's Chapel, Windsor, under a
superb monument of alabaster and porphyry, which has lately been
repaired with great nicety, by order of his descendant, the present
Duke of Newcastle.
He was three times married : first, to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir
John Blount, and widow to Gilbert, Lord Palboys. By this lady,
who had formerly admitted the caresses of Henry VIII. he had three
daughters ; Bridget, married to Robert Dymock, of Scrivelsby, in
Lincolnshire ; Catherine, to William Lord Borough ; and Margaret,
to Charles Lord Willoughby, of Parkam. By his second wife,
Ursula, daughter to Edward Lord Stourton, he had three sons ;
Henry, who succeeded him ; Edward and Thomas ; and two daugh-
ters; Anne, wife of William Ayscough, of Kelsay, in Lincolnshire;
and Frances, of Giles Burges, Lord Chandos, He married, thirdly,
Elizabeth, daughter of Gerald Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, who diwd
without issue.
NAVAL LITERATURE.
AH Essay OH Fevers, wherein: heir JLtcretic Genera, Species, and various
Df laminations, are./rtm Observa ion and Experience for Thirty Tears
in Europe, Africa, and America, and on the intermediate Seas, reduced
under their character i:tic Genus, Feinle Infeftion ; and the Curt estab-
lished ty Philosophical Induction. By ROBERT KOBERTSON, M . D.
Physician to the Royal Hospital, Greenwich. Oftavo. 286 Pages,
5-r . J 790. G. G. J. and J. Robinson.
(Concluded from page 60.)
IN the course of the work the ingenious author describes at some
length, the means of detecting febrile inftftion, and distinguish-
ing it from other diseases.
i. When one, or more (says the Doflor) in a family, or in any
large society, whether school, college, university, religious seminary, re-
giment, on board of Ship, or elsewhere, complain of fever and whe-
ther the symptons are less or more severe preclude not the necessity
of inquiring, with all possible stridness, if they have been seeing, or
in company with sick, or in any part where sick have been ; or with
people who have been visiting or attending sick; or if they have worn
sick people's clothes ; or if they have lain in bed clothes or beds
which the sick lay in ? Should the answer be in the affirmative, there
will be no reason to doubt of their being infefted ; and suitable
methods to render it as mild as possible, and to prevent it from spread,
ing, cannot be too speedily adopted. Should the answer be in the
negative, the circumstances previous to their being taken ill, both as
to temperance and exercise, season and climate, &c. are to be dili-
gently inquired into, and the symptoms about the sick attentively
considered, as well as the patient's constitution.
a. To the experienced and discerning practitioner, the state of the
countenance exhibits the most certain diagnostic and invariable pa-
thognomonic symptom of the degree of virulence of the infection,
which becomes almost hourly moie and more obvious ; and the more
obviously it is diseased, the greater da'nger the patient is in. There
is a je ne sai quoi in it, expressing more disease than the patient ge-
nerally complains of, or can be conveyed in words. To say the
countenance is either greatly dejefted or depressed, is not enough ;
much more is discernible to a person who reads it carefully; much
more at least is obvious to a person who is well acquainted with febrile
infeftion.
NAVAL LITERATURE. 12 y
3. Rigours, or chilliness, succeeded by heat, in a less or greater
degree, and for a short or longer duration, are generally the harbin-
gers of fever.
4. The head is affected almost invariably with some degree of pain,
heaviness, or confusion.
5. Retching, less or more, or sickness at stomach, seldom fails to
accompany the chilliness.
6. Universal pains, or as the sick express themselves, pains all over
them, or wandering pains, or pains mall their bones, or in their joints^ but
fsfecially in the small of their back, are very early concomitants of febrile
infection.
7. Debility and lassitude are less or more complained of from the
moment they are first seized.
The:e are the symptoms chiefly complained of at first by the sick;
and according to their mildness or vehemence, shew the degree of viru-
lence of the infection, and therefore I term them diognostic, or pa-
thognomonic. It is true, many other symptoms o r ten accompany
fever from its commencement; but as they are rather exceptions from
the primitive symptoms, I omit them here, and beg leave to repeat,
That whenever men on board of a Ship, or in a regiment, or in any
society or family, fall down, and complain of being seized with rigourt,
or chilliness, or alternate chills or heats, head-achs, heaviness or con-
fusion of the head, sickness at stomach, or retching, universal pains, or
as the sick express themselves, paint all overtbtm, or pains in all their
bones, or joints, especially in their loins and backs, and with less or more
debility; and if their countenance is at the same time obviously dis-
eased, whatever the other symptoms accompanying theseare, I can, from
experience, assure the reader that a most virulent infection is present.
If it is further observed in the course of the fever, that they who
attend, or aave communication with the sick, are seized with similar
symptoms ; and if the sick, after arriving at a convalescent state, are
not only very long in recovering perfectly, but are found liable, from
the slightest cause, to relapse, they must have very little di.cernment
who doubt of there being a most virulent infection present.
To this succeeds a synoptical view of the Dolor's own observations
made in the course of thirty-years practice on Shipboard, from the
year 1759, to tne vear 1 7$9' -^ series of very judicious remarks on
the remote causes of febrile infection ; the general, as well as particular
affections attendant on the disease ; a statement of symptoms termi-
nating falsely ; prognostics, &c. After all which is added instrnc-
tions for the proper mode of treatment and cure.
Sick or well (says the Doctor), our very existence depends on
air; unless, therefore, the greatest attention is paid to it, the most
Ijg KAVAL LITERATURE.
judicious practice, in other respefts, is rendered not only ineffectual,
but the health, and even the lives of the medical professors, are greatly
endangered. All possible means ought to be constantly used to render
it as pure and salutary as the situation and circumstances of the sick
will admit. Various are the means with authors have recommended
for this purpose, either to be burnt, fumigated, or evaporated, in the
chambers or apartments of the sick, in wards of hospitals, and in the
ick births on board of Ships; all of which may be more or less use-
ful ; but as I have already mentioned them on board of different Ships,
I shall refer the reader to the observations on Jail, Hospital, and
Ship fever.
The sick are to be got up every day, at least once, if possible, and
to be kept out of bed as long as prudence will admit, to allow time
to air their beds and bedding, either in the sun, or at fires. When
they are so weak that they cannot set up, they should be removed
either into another bed, or upon a couch of some sort, that their beds
and bedding may be aired. I not only have had the beds and bedding
aired as often as possible, but I have had two sets of some patients'
beds and bedding destroyed before they recovered. Provided proper
care is taken in doing it, and when the circumstances of the sick will
admit, neither the chambers, the beds and bedding, nor the linen of
the sick, can be too often aired or changed.
When the lives of valuable subjects are in danger, expences or trouble
bear no competition with the consideration of preserving them.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXXIX.
E encounter between the Dutch fleet, under the orders of
Admiral De Winter, and that of Great Britain, commanded
by Adam, now Lord Viscount Duncan, which took place off Cam-
perdown on the eleventh of October, 1797. '^' ne particular period
which it represents of the aclion, is about four o'clock in the after-
noon, not long before the contest ceased. The flag Ship of Admiral
De Winter, which was the last of the enemy that surrendered, is seen
nearly in the centre, returning the fire of the Venerable very feebly ;
while the Hercules, a Dutch ship of 64 guns, on fire abaft, is drift-
ing across the bows of both those Ships. On the right hand are
seen, in the back-ground, some of the enemy's Shpis which had then
surrendered ; and on the left is the Monarch, together with her prize
the Jupiter.
The British fleet consisted of sixteen Ships of the line ; the ene-
my's of the same number; the latter were superior in the number of
guns, the former in men, Nine Ships of the line and two frigate?
belonging to the enemy surrendered.
C 9 1
jfrafta!
TO THE MEMORY OF
GEORGE W. A. COURTENAY,
CAPTAIN OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP THE BOSTON-,
WHO fll.1. AT SEA IN AN ENGAGEMENT WITH TH* FRENCH iO.lt
AMBUSCADE, AUGUST I, 1793-
"OTHEN daring valour meets an early bier,
Who can refuse the tribute of a tear ?
When gentle virtues grace the young and brave,
We melt with pity o'er th' untimely grave.
Midst all the praises honour could attain,
Courtenay, for you I pour the plaintive strain :
Too soon, alas ! you fell in manhood's bloom,
And British sailors bend around your tomb ;
With you their ardour fled, their hopes expir'd,
Your kindness won them, and your courage fir'd *:
No servile press disgrac'd your gallant crew ;
Freely they came, to fight, to bleed with you :
Around you throng'd a firm intrepid corps,
The native guard of Albion's sea-girt shore.
When Rodney's genius forc'd the Gallic line,
In VicYry's van he saw you early shine ;
When haughty France, leagu'd with imperious Spain, "
Struck to his flag, and own'd Britannia's reign,
He fondly mark'd you with a father's eyes,
And saw in you his noble spirit rise ;
While Glory's path he pointed to your view,
That brilliant path you saw himself pursue :
This proud incentive, to your latest breath,
Kindled the flame that brightly gleam'd in death.
* " About an hour and a half after the a&ion commenced, a fifteen pound
hot from the enemy struck one of the Boatswain's hammock stantions, and
broke a piece off; the shot passed through the Marine officer's (Mr. Butler's)
breast, and the piece of iron stantion struck Captain Courtenay between the
shoulders: they both fell at the same instant. At the moment they were
struck, they were singing ' Rule Britannia" to the Ship's company. After this
fatal accident, it was with much difficulty that they could be kept to their
quarters. The first Lieutenant was obliged to come on deck, wounded as he
was, and fight the Ship." Extrdft of a Letter from an Ojfitrr cftLt E:ti*.
(Bol. IV. s
NAVAL LITERATUR.I.
Alas ! what words, what numbers can impart,
A balm to sooth a widowM mother's heart ?
While dark Despair on her pale cheek appears,
And grief itself the mem'ry endears :
No more she hopes, in smiles of welcome drest,
To clasp her husband to her faithful breast j
No more, array'd in Beauty's winning charms,
To speak her joy, and fold him in her arms ;
And bid her anxious throbbing fears to cease,
Blest in his love and sweet domestic peace.
Delusive Fancy still the scene pursues,
Tho' still the scene your piercing grief renews,
While sad Rememb'rance paints the blissful time,
When first you met in India's flow'ry clime *;
When the warm Lover, in the glow of youth,
Breath 'd the soft sigh, and vow'd eternal truth :
For you his passion still increas'd thro 1 life
The beauteous maid was blended in the wife.
Ev'n when his orphans meet your fond embrace,
You sec his image in each blooming face.
How gladsome once on his return you flew,
To point the semblant feature to his view,
As round his knees they clung, and sweetly strove
To lisp their joy in half-form'd words of love !
They smile, unconscious of the fatal blow,
Or only weep to see your sorrows flow.
Your heart-felt plaints a gen'rous Nation hears,
Adopts your Babes with sympathetic tears :
Their Father's deeds her Naval Trophies grace,
And throw a splendour round his infant race ;
With tearful pride in future days they'll tell
How in his country's cause he greatly fell ;
And pleas'd they'll say, the Bard who chants his praise
From friendship, kindred, pour'd these plaintive lays.
A Parent's woe new streams of grief supplies f,
While hopeless sorrow dims her aching eyes ;
Dear to her soul, she weeps a gallant son,
Too soon, alas ! his course of glory run j
t Udy Jane Courtenay, $i,ter to the late Earl of Bute.
NAVAL LITERATURE. IjX
Those aged orbs her darling view no more,
And the last charm of ebbing life is o'er :
His sire rever'd, now sunk to endless rest,
No longer shares the pangs that rend her breast :
" O spare her sighs!" with fault'ring voice he cry'd,
When gen'rous Love one parting look deny'd *.
Can melting strains a lenient balm impart,
To ease the anguish of a bleeding heart ?
Can flowing verse a poignant grief erase,
Or chase the gloom that clouds a mother's face ?
Vainly the Muse her soothing art employs ;
With flow'rs she only strews our faded joys.
Tho* your brave Sons expir'd in manhood's bloom,
In Britain's cause they met an envy'd doom ;
With pride you saw them emulous of fame,
To prove their title to a splendid name ;
That shines, like your's, rcnown'd thro' many an age,
Deriving lustre from th' historic page.
Fair valour's meed your Conway toil'd to gain f;
His distant tomb adorns St. Lucia's plain :
Round their lov'd chief the hardy veterans mourn.
And scatter laurels o'er his sacred urn.
For you Religion yields consoling peace,
And points to realms, where all afflictions cease ;
The good no more at prosperous vice repine,
And kindred spirits meet in bliss divine :
There, faith celestial bids her mansion rise,
And souls immortal claim congenial skie.s.
Yet for your latest hope the tear will flow,
Who fell, when conquest hover'd o'er his prow !
Dearer each day his social merits rose,
And spread the charm that sympathy bestows ;
* Alluding to a particular circumstance in which Mr. Courtenay shewed
great fortitude and tenderness at the moment of his death.
f Captain Conway Courtenay, of the fifteenth regiment, served during the
whole American war, in the brunt of every action, and distinguished himself
by his spirit and abilities, He was esteemed and beloved both by the officers
and privates of the corps. He 'was present at the attack of St Lucia, and wa
afterwards sent on a particular service, with a flag of truce to Martinico, by
General (now Sir William) Meadows. Captain Courtenay died soon after-
wards, on his return to St. Lucia, universally regretted. He had the honour of
Sir William Meadows's friendship and esteem no higher eulogiura can be paid
him.
For he was vers'd in every pleasing art,
That native sweetness lends th' untutor'd heart j
From him, distress still drew the pitying tear,
And friendship found him zealous and sincere :
With innate virtues rich from Nature's mine,
The vivid stamp confess'd her Hand divine.
Oft have I seen the master passion rise,
Light up his frame, and sparkle in his eyes,
As round him Honour threw her brightest beam,
When Albion's triumphs were the glorious theme ;
Her foes alone provok'd his generous ire,
Then sudden burst the patriotic fire ;
Through his bold crew th' ele&ric fervour darts,
Shoots thro' each breast, and warms their dauntless heart*,
Firm at his side with ardent hope they glow,
And safety scorn, when commerce dreads a foe :
Hence with exulting glance and proud disdain,
He crouds each sail, and tempts the western main ;
Heroic skill to Gallia's sons displays,
Who hail his name, and crown his fall with praise ;
* Ev'n to the last his gallant band he fires,
Exults in England's glory, and expires ft
* VARIATION.
For England*! glory every danger bravei,
And his last words " Britannia rules the waves. 1 *
| Extrafl of a Letter from bis Excellency, Mr, Hammond, lit Majesty** Minister
Plenipotentiary to the United States of America, to C. S. Courtcnay, Etq ,
" I cannot content myself with merely transmitting to you an extract of a
letter I have received from Mr. Edwards, (first Lieutenant of the Boston)
which contains an account of your brother's death, because I conceive it incum-
bent on me further to add my testimony of the zeal for the service of his country
which Capfcin Courtenay manifested in this last action of his life. Being
on the Newfoundland station, and learning that a French frigate (the Ambus-
cade, of 36 guns,) had for some time greatly harassed the commerce of his Ma-
jesty's subjecti in those seas, Captiin Courtenay immediately determined
(though it was not within the strict line of his duty) to proceed to the American
coasts, engage the French frigate, and repress her depredations. In the per-
formance of this duty he lost hj "life: but his esfrtions, though unsuccessful,
have been such, as to merit th:- gratitude of every British subject interested in
the protection of the commerce of his fellow citizens, or the glory of his coun-
try. It may perhaps be some consolation to you, Sir, to learn that the ability
and gallantry which your late brother displayed during the occasion, have been
acknowledged by the enemy."
C '33 ]
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS,
AND USEFUL NAVAL PROJECTS.
70 THE EDITOR OF THE NAVAL CHRONICLE.
MR. EDITOR,
S a constant reader of your Naval Chronicle, and an
admirer of the plan on which it is conducted, I cannot
but express ray satisfa&ion at the sentiments of approbation
with which I have heard it spoken of by those whose expe-
rienced judgment in matters which relate to naval subjects,
invests them with the right of criticising, and the ability to
render it of weight and influence with others.
Should the publication of the inclosed scheme for improving
the NAVAL SIGNAL BALLS prove beneficial, you will enjoy
the satisfaction of aiding the service, added to that of obliging
a correspondent. 1 remain, &c.
Ltndon, July II. J. E.C.
IT frequently happens that improvements of use and importance
are but carelessly adopted, and soon intirely disregarded, owing to the
imperfect state in which the original idea is first introduced into
public notice, and afterwards reduced to practice.
The external regularity and good management of our fleets, are
strongly connected with the exercise of the present naval signals ;
they are the only organs by which our most skilful Commanders can
communicate to their Ships such movements as the various prevailing
circumstances are continually rendering necessary, or advantageous.
The national concern therefore evidently attaching to any useful in-
vention of this nature, should act as a powerful stimulus, and a con-
tinual incentive, towards carrying it zealously, and as far as possiblei
effectually into execution.
Much admiration is due to the excellent order and perspicuity
displayed in our present code of signals, which does credit to the pro-
fessional abilities of its authors ; yet the recent contrivance of balls,
to be used in hazy weather as a substitute for the usual numerary
flags, appears to be open to an improvement which will obviate the
strongest objection against them an improvement easy to be adopted
by rendering them more portable, and of less weight.
Should this be effefted without diminishing their strength, it is
probable that they will come into more constant use, and establish a
source of communication during that hazy channel weather, which
,,, - FHILOSOfHICAL PAPERS.
obscures and renders the colours of our ordinary signals very indistintf,
and often unintelligible, at a small distance.
It is with a view to establish this benefit more firmly, that I take
the liberty of making public a simple contrivance of this nature,
which, as the materials are neither expensive, nor difficult to be pro-
cured, will be considered, I presume, at least worthy of the experiment.
In the first place, if these balls are very large, there will be a danger
of the hawlyards giving way, owing to their weight, and the increased
power of the wind on their surfaces ; yet they should be of a size to
be sufficiently conspicuous at a distance ; and a diameter of about four
feet is approved as the most eligible medium.
In pursuance of this, I would provide seven or eight pieces of com.
mon thin rattan, each six feet in length, also an iron ring about two
inches in diameter, round which seven or eight small rings should be
strung, having attached to each a kind of ferrule, or cap, to admit one
end of every piece of rattan, whose other ends are to turn in the same
manner upon another large ring similar to the first.
But the ferrules should be so fixed to the smaller rings, that when
the two large rings are drawn towards each other by means of a line
of communication, the rattans may be forced outwards, and gradually
welled into the form of a globe.
The two rings should be crossed each by a little tongue or bar,
and the standing-part of the communicating line being fastened to one
of them, should lead up through the middle of the machine, over the
opposite bar, and return back to its former place ; so that by pulling
on this leading part, the ball will be formed ; and when sufficiently
distended, a becket spliced into it should be hooked to a catch made
in the bar, which will retain the frame in its spherical position.
Jn this distended state it should be covered with the lightest kind
of canvass, painted black ; and when dry, it is ready for use. If not
wanted, by relaxing the line of communication, the canes become
straightened, and the canvass folds up like the skin of an umbrella.
The bars of the rings at each end should be provided with spring
hooks or beckets, to bend the hawlyards to.
Five or six of these balls, when in their relaxed state, might be
stopped up snugiy to the beams under the half deck, in the manner
it is usual to do worms and sponges, where they would be at hand on
any emergency ; and a Quarter Master could carry a couple on deck
at a time, and extend them with quickness and ease.
The weight of the balls will be found to be very inconsiderable,
especially when compared with those which are constructed according
to the common method, by fixing several large wooden hoops together
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS. 135
In transverse dire&ions, and crossing them in different places with
twine. I once had the curiosity to weigh a middling sized ball of
this description, and found it to be twenty-two pounds and a half.
Now the' small weight of cane, added to the very trifling quantity of
iron which is required to be used in these (and whichia irnl-l I
caused to be made, did not weigh above nine ounces avoirdupois), will
justify what I advanced concerning their lightness.
A narrow canvass band might be bound round them in a horizontal
direction, and would tend very much to their strength, should it be
thought necessary ; but there is no occasion for this, unless the co-
vering is either old or rotten.
^^<
NEW INVENTED DIVING MACHINE.
AN experiment was lately tried at Rouen, upon a new invented
Diving Machine, called Bateau- Poisson, or Fish-boat. This boat
gunk of itself seven or eight times, and then rose of itself. The longest
time it remained under water was eight minutes. The descent into
the inside of this machine, is by an opening made in the form of a
tunnel, which is about a demi-metre above the surface of the water.
When those who conducted the experiment wished to descend altoge-
ther into the river, and disappear, they let down this opening, sunk
entirely under the water, and lost all communication with the external
air. The inventors of this ingemious machine are Americans, the
principal of whom is called Fulton. Three of them went into the boat
and remained during the experiment. The Prefeft, and a vast con-
course of spectators were present.
THE TRANSIT.
IN page 50, an account was given of the advantages, which, accord-
ing to the opinion of the ingenious Inventor, this vessel possessed :
since then, we have been favoured with his reasons for giving the
Transit her peculiar form, which we are happy to state have been
verified by the vessel itself.
" A Theory," says Admiral Chapman, in his elaborate Treatise
concerning the true Method of finding the proper Area of the Sails
for Ships of the Line, *' which does not agree with prnftice, does
not deserve the name of a Theory." A charge of this kind Captain
Govver appears by no means likely to incur.
Arguments tending to illustrate <wbat ought to be the proper Shape of a
Vessel intended to sail ivith celerity,
TO me (says our Author) the grand question appears to be, What
shape ought a certain capacity to have, that it may meet with the least
resistance in its progress through the water, at a given velocity ?
/2
/3
/4
j-5 FHILOSOPHICAt PATE*S.
It will be necessary first to prove that the deeper a moving body be
immersed -in the water, the greater resistance will it meet in propor-
tion to the depth. This I think will appear clear from the f<
considerations :
Let A, B, fig. I, be a tube,
open at each end, and immersed
perpendicular in water, the upper
edge A, being on the surface ; and
let C, be a solid cylindric body,
(made nicely to fit the tube, that
water may not pass its sides) of
equal weight with its bulk of
water : to this body let a fine line
be attached, to move it upwards,
by weights hung on at E. Let us
presume the body is immersed in
the tube, its bottom being even
with the division 16, and that
the weight of water contained be-
tween each division of the tube is
exaftly one pound, then the whole
weight in the tube, above the bot-
, torn of the body, willbe 1 6 pounds;
] of course, before it can be moved
" upwards, a weight, or power, of
something more than 16 pounds
must be applied to the line. How-
ever, for the sake of avoiding frac-
tions, we will admit that 16 pounds
would be sufficient: then, if the
body has moved upwards one divi-
sion, one pound of water will be
delivered at the top of the tube,
leaving but 1 5 pounds weight upon
the line : when it has moved up-
2
J
A-
6-
1
8
Awards another division, 14 pounds
0,
&
/6
_ /only will rest upon the line ; and
so on, the weight of water to be removed will gradually lessen in
proportion as the body rises towards the surface. Again, did the body
move horizontally, the weight of water to be removed will still be n
proportion to the depth. To explain which, admit that the tubes, F and
G, be fixed rectangularly to the perpendicular tube, at the divisions 9 and
16 ; then, were bodies moved horizontally in these tubes, the weight of
water above them to be rtmoved, would remain the same throughout
C-
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS. jaj
their motion ; the body in the tube F, would be continually displacing
9 pounds of water, which is proportional to its depth ; and the body
in the tube G, 16 pounds of water, which also is proportional to its
depth. Admitting that the substance of the tubes is suffered to
vanish, leaving only the idea of their shape, still the argument will
hold good, for the circumambient water will surely perform the duty
of the solid tubes, neither admitting the water displaced to go down-
wards, nor laterally! Evidently then the body in motion, must give
motion to a volume of water to the very surface ; and as power and
resistance are equal, while a body moves uniformly, it follows that
the deeper a moving body be situated, the greater resistance will it
meet in proportion to its depth.
This being admitted, let the certain capacity have, in the first
instance, the form of a double cube, as Fig. 2, and let it have nearly
the specific gravity of water, so that when immersed and drawn
PJ 2t horizontally, its upper side, A B, may
A float even with the surface : with a
given velocity, admit that the resistance
3 I on the upper half of the/row/ be consi-
f 9 dered as three, (then since resistance is in
proportion to the depth immersed) that
on the lower half will be six, making the total resistance on the front
equal to nine.
It now remains to give the capacity of Fig. 2. such a shape,
that it may meet with less resistance while moving at the same velocity.
Suppose that it be cut through the dotted line E C, and that the pieces
be placed end to end, forming the shape of Fig. 3 ; if this be drawn
through the water with
Fig. 3. the same velocity as Fig.
i -\ 2, then the resistance on
- ........_.. .... V 3 l ls j~ ron f w jn De but three;
one on the upper half,
and two upon the lower Again : divide Fig. 3. in the direction of
the dotted line, and place the pieces end to end, forming the shape
Fig. 4 ; then, with the same velocity, the resistance on its front will
be but one; and by thus continuing to spread the capacity lengthwise
on the surface of the water, the resistance on \\izfront might nearly
be done away.
A resistance will also arise from the adhesion of the water to the
sides of the body, which, with the same velocity, will increase with
ol IV. T
jjg FHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS.
the extension of the surface. In the three figures last given, the touch-
ing surface is composed of all the sides, except the upper one; and if we
admit that Fig. 2. be two cubic feet, then its surface which touches the
water, will be 8 feet; Fig. 3. will be 9 feet;J and Fig. 4. will be i zf feet.
Since then the total resistance on the body arises from two causes
(the most powerful of which is decreasing in the rapid ratio of 9, 3, I ;
while the other, trifling in itself, particularly if the surface be even
and glib, is increasing only in the much slower ratio of 8, 9, \z\ ;) it
follows, that however small the original resistance of adhesion^ and
however slow the increase of it be from the augmentation of the sur-
face, yet, as the resistance on the front decreases, in time their
powers must be equal. This period then must lirr.it the extension of
the capacity ; for was it still continued to be increased, the resistance
arising from adhesion would preponderate, and consequently the total
resistance on the body be increasing) to the detriment of its velocity.
As velocity does not increai; proportionally with the decrease of re-
sistance, let us examine, by way of removing any false impressions that
might arise, what velocity Fig. 4. will move with, if drawn by the same
power as Fig. 2. It must be considered that power and resistance are
alike, while a body moves uniformly ; therefore, (neglecting the resist-
ance arising from adhesion) one and nine are the powers which main-
tain these two bodies at the same velocity ; vix. a velocity of two.
Now, were the power nine applied to the body, Fig. 4, it would
move with a velocity of 6 ; for the velocity will increase as the square-
root of the increased power; and the square-root of the first power,
or i, is to the square -root of the increased power, or 3, as the first ve-
locity, a, is to the acquired velocity, 6.
Notwithstanding the extension of the capacity of a vessel length-
wise, at the surface of the water, is so material to fa-t sailing, yet
it must not be overdone : it must be kept within such limitations, as
shall be consistent with the necessary strength required, and celerity of
manoeuvring, for vessels will stay and veer slower in proportion to their
length. I have thought
proper to confine the
limits within five breadths
: to one length of the keel,
giving the hull a midship
frame, resembling Fig. 5,
which continues the same
full half the length. Such a
midship form, continuing
so great a part of the length
of the vessel, will produce
considerable stability, as the space C is sufficient to hold the iroa
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS. IJQ
ballast, which being placed below the principal floating capacity of
the vessel, must, in effect, give the same stiffness that would arise from
its having a deep iron keel. The depth of the under water shape,
C, will naturally cause the vessel to be weatherly, and will prevent
her from rolling with violence. To such a midship form is attached a
bow, well calculated to divide the water, and prevent the vessel from
diving; together with a stern sufficiently fine to admit of quick
steerage.
FRENCH MARINE.
T appears sufficiently obvious that the Government of Francr
has lately bestowed much energetic attention to the im-
provement and encouragement of their Marine. A variety of
new regulations have been recently adopted, and the minds, as
well as pens, of many ingenious individuals employed to
promote the extension of the same grand principle. All
these efforts we consider it our duty to lay before the public,
in order that our countrymen in general, and our officers as
well as seamen in particular, may view those proceedings,
which, however ridiculous and futile they may be considered
in many instances, have as their avowed objeft the humilia-
tion of our National bulwark. The First Consul has pub-
lished a new list of Admirals, Inspectors of Marine, Com-
missaries, Chiefs of Administration, &c. &c. in the dif-
ferent ports of France*; while the Minister of Marine has
The Consulsof the Republic, upon the report of the Minister of Marine and
of the Colonies, and the Council of State having deliberated on the suLjed, de-
cree as follows :
Title I . There shall be maintained for the service of the Navy, the number of
1354 officers, agreeable to the law of the 3d Brumaire, Year 4.
Title II. The number of officers shall be fixed as follows :
8 Vice-Admirals.
16 Rear-Admirals.
150 Captains de Vaisseaur, ships
180 Captains of Frigates.
400 Lieutenants de Vaisseaux.
6x> Euscignes de Vaisseaux.
of the line.
Promotion shall take place by seniority, or by appointment, in the following
proportion :
The superior officers (Admirals) shall be in the choice of the Chief Consul
The Captains of Ships (of the line) shall be appointed onc.fourth by seniority,
and three-fourths by the choice of the Chief Consul
Captains of frigates one half by seniority, one half by choice.
Lieutenants three fourths by seniority, one-fourth by choice.
Midshipmen seven-eighths by seniority, one-eighth by choice.
No person can be promoted a step without being two years in the preceding.
No Midshipman to be appointed without having been four years in naval em-
ployment ; or two years entirely active service by sea.
Distinguished aftions are not subject to these conditions, &c. &c.
140 FKKNCB MARINE,
issued regulations respecting the use of the great guns, the
exercise of the small arms, and the manoeuvres of the fleet.
The following STATE PAPER appeared July 24.
THE CONSULS TO THE MINISTER OF MARINE.
"THE Consuls cannot perceive without concern, Citizen Minister,
that several vessels of the Brest Fleet have been disarmed ; and that
at a moment in which more than ever it was essential to complete the
organization of our Fleet, we have suffered ourselves to be discouraged
by the first difficulties which have presented themselves.
" It is at a moment in which the Continental War absorbs the princi-
pal resources of the Nation and the principal attention of Government,
that the Ministers of the Marine, the Admirals, and the Administrators,
ought to redouble their courage, and to surmount ever)' obstacle.
" Cause an inquiry to be made into the conduct of those admi-
nistrators, or officers, who have ordered the disarming of the four
vessels which have quitted the road, and gone into the harbour, and of
those who would have authorised the dismissal of the sailors. Such
operations could not be legal without the special order of Government.
" Take measures that Sailors may be raised at the same time on
all our Coasts, and that also our Ships may be equipped and stored
with every thing necessary for their navigation. The French people
wish for a marine. It eagerly wishes for it. It will make all the
necessary sacrifices, that its wish may be gratified.
*' Keep a just, but strict, eye upon all our officers, and upon the
different branches of the Administration. It is time that dilapida-
tions should be put an end to. Dismiss those persons who have long
been too clearly pointed out by public opinion, as participating in
fraudulent transactions. Since the law cannot reach them, let us de-
prive them at least of the power of doing injury. In the course of
Fructidor, if circumstances permit it, the First Consul will go to
visit the Fleet at Brest.
Rewards shall be adjudged to the Ship which shall be best con-
ducted, and the crew of which shall be best disciplined.
" Order the Commander of the Squadron at Brest, as well as all the
other Commanders and Captains of Ships, to remain constantly on
board, to sleep in their vessels, and to exercise their crews with in-
creased activity. Establish prizes for the young Seamen who
shall most distinguish themselves by their exertions, and for the Gun-
ners who shall fire most correctly. Let not a day pass without their
exercising themselves at firing at marks on the coast, and in the open
-Eta. BONAPARTE, First Consul.
(Signed) ' H. B. MARET, Secretary of State,"
FRENCH MARINE. .} t
IN consequence of the preceding State Paper the following
ORDERS of the MINISTER of MARINE were issued:-
OF THE EXERCISE OF MUSO^UETRY.
1. THE exercise of musquetry shall take place three times each
decade on board all the vessels of the Republic, both by the soldiers
and the sailors.
2. All those who are sufficiently instru&ed in the exercise of arms
shall be allowed to fire at a target. This shall be always done on
board ; and if the position of the vessel will not permit it, the officer
commanding in the road shall point out another vessel for that
purpose.
3. A double ration shall be given to all those who shall hit the
mark.
THE EXERCISE OF THE CAXNON.
1. The exercise shall be divided into the great and small exercise.
2. The small exercise shall take place six times every decade on
board of each vessel ; it shall be performed by the whole crew upon
four guns of every calibre.
3. The grand exercise shall take place three times every decade.
It shall be general, and every man shall occupy his post, as if in aclion.
4. Besides the great and small exercise, they shall exercise firing
under sail, in squadrons and divisions.
5. A strong corvette shall be ordered to manoeuvre in the road, so
that they may fire at greater or less distances.
6. This exercise is to take place every .day in the morning and
evening. The commander in the roads will point oat the vessels
which are to furnish detachments proportionable to the number of
their crews.
7. Once every decade daring the summer, and once a month during
the winter, there shall be in the corvette of instruction an extraordi-
nary exercise.
8. Every vessel in the road shall send on board the corvette the
number of men sufficient to manoeuvre a cannon.
9. When the exercise is over, two prizes shall be given to the twp
who shall fire best.
10. The first prize is to be ten francs, and the second five. They
are to be decreed by a chief officer, appointed by the commanding
officer of the road.
1 1 . The vessel to whom the best cannoneer shall belong shall be
decorated with flags the whole day.
4
1 4 2
FRENCH MARINZ.
MANOEUVRING EXERCISE.
1. There shall be performed in every vessel everyday the man-
oeuvres necessary in time of action.
2. The commander of the road shall direct the manoeuvres which
are to be made.
3. The commanding officer shall, by a signal, point out the vessel
which shall manreuvre best, which vessel shall have the signal flag fly-
ing all day at the mast head,
4. The captain of that vessel shall cause to be given to the twenty
men who performed the best a double ration.
5. The commander of the road shall, the ensuing day, publish in
general orders the names of the vessels, according to the degree of
skill with which they shall have manoeuvred.
EXERCISE OF SWIMMING.
1. The commander of the road shall give orders for the exercise of
swimming, and similar orders shall be given by the Maritime Prefect.
2. This exercise shall take place when circumstances shall permit
it; and precautions shall be taken for the safety of the swimmers.
3. During the summer months there shall be a general exercise of
swimming, and prizes shall be distributed.
4. Whoever shall swim farthest in a given time, shall receive i olivres.
5. The same prize shall be given to the man who dives best, and
nails a plank to a part of a vessel under water.
6. A chief officer shall have the distribution of the prizes,
7. The cabin-boys shall be exercised every day.
(Signed) FORFAIT, Minister of Marine.
FRENCH NAVAL TACTICS.
A STIMULATION of spirit among the people in France
to a new organization of their Marine, to attain which
ends, the most vigorous and energetic measures are resorted
to by the Consulate, appears to engage the pens of individuals.
These, however, are probably in the pay of government, as
they have chosen the official paper (the Moniteur] in that
country, for a discussion on the subject. The first Essay,
the writer of which flatters himself that he has disco-
vered . What is the cause of the Naval superiority of
the English over the French," is here presented:
ESSAY I.
REDUCING the possible Causes of this Excellence to Three, he
considers that in the two first of them, the superior architefture of the
ships and the superior theoretic skill of the officers, the advantage is
on the side of the French. In the third, the direction of the artillery
on board ship, he considers the whole superiority of the British Navy
to consist.
1 The French," he observes, " direct their guns at the rigging,
H-hich^is above all the body of the vessel. Three-fourths of the space*
thus aimed at, form avoid, so that three-fourths of the balls thus fired
lose themselves in the air. From the uncertain elevation which is
given to the guns when they are directed against the rigging, the balls
which strike the masts, must necessarily strike them one above the
other; and experience proves, that fifty strokes of this kind against
a mast do not break it, for though they may make the mast useless
for the future, they do not dismast the vessel during the combat.
The Yards are still less exposed than the masts, on account of the
oblique manner in which they present themselves to the enemy. The
damage done to the cordage is not difficult to be repaired, especially
as the enemy must commonly be -in a line from which they cannot
depart, in order to profit of this momentary advantage. Notwith-
standing the great number of balls which pass through the sails, they
generally serve till the end of the engagement.
" Thus it appears, from the effect of directing the cannon in this
manner, that it cannot secure the dismasting of the vessels, and that
the damage which it does to the yards, the cordage, and the sails, is
not of great consequence. And thus also it is evident, that when the
guns are pointed principally against the rigging, the hulk of the Ship
cannot be struck, the guns cannot be dismounted, nor any considerable
number of men killed or wounded : from which it follows, that the
crew of the enemy being so little injured, his valour, his force, and
consequently the briskness of his fire, cannot be much enfeebled.
" The English direft their shot always against the hull of the ves-
sel. It is thus that they succeed in striking between wind and water,
in dismounting guns, and in killing such a number of the crew. la
the first case they force their enemy to take away a number of men
from the management of the guns for the service of the pumps,
and nothing is so fatiguing or dispiriting as this. When a fear of
sinking is induced, men are not much disposed to contend for vidlory.
The dismounted guns cannot then be replaced. The carnage which
is produced among the crew diminishes its number, and spreads ter.
ror and alarm among the survivors to such a degree, that their courage,
their force, and consequently the briskness qf their fire, must abate.
j^4 FRENCH NAVAL TACTICS.
" When the cannon are directed against the hull of the vessels, the
balls which pass above must pass almost at the same height, so that
those which strike the mast hit them nearly at the same point, and it
is this which injures the mast precisely in the manner which can bring
it by the board.
" It appears to follow, from the above reasonings, that the manner
in which the English direft their guns must produce a much greater
effeft than that employed by the French, and that the superiority of
the English Marine in battle consists in the better employment of its
artillery, that is to say, in the better directing of it. The fa&s which
have taken place in the principal combats of this war support
these reasonings. On the ist of June, 1794* the English had two
vessels dismasted, the French had eleven. In the battle of the Nile the
former had one, the latter had six. The English dismasted vessels
were those which lost the greatest number of men .Other similar
fafts might be added, but they are so well known that it is unneces-
sary to enter into so wide details.
" In order to make the truth of the preceding reasonings, and the.
utility of their application more full, let us examine into the conduct
of the English Admirals in battle, with a view of seeing whether
they have sought by fineness of manoeuvring, the advantages of posi-
tion, &c. or if they have depended upon the manner of directing their
artillery. On the ist of June, 1794., Admiral Howe, being to wind-r
ward of the French, who expefted him, made the signal to his fleet,
that each ship should manoeuvre in such a manner as to attack his ad-
versary in the enemy's line. Thinking himself secure of victory, he
only added to this signal another which instructed them to get to lee-
ward of the French, with a view of rendering their retreat, after de-
feat, more difficult. Admiral Duncan, in the battle of the Texel,
afted precisely in the same manner with Howe, believing himself,like
him, sure of success, he passed to leeward of the Dutch, in order to
prevent them, after the battle, from retreating into their ports, which
ivere to leeward. When the advantage of the wind is in possession, a* in
the two preceding cases, and when, instead of profiting of the Advan-
tage which this position affords, it is only sought to oppose ship to
ship, itis to be presumed that great confidence is placed in the manner
of directing the guns.
" Admiral Nelson did not attack the whole French line but why
flid he not do it ? It was because his enemy being at anchor, allowed
hra to employ all his vessels against a part of theirs, and because the
French rear-guard, from its position and the state of the wind, could
only be a speclttor of the destruction of the advanced guard and of
the centre.
fRENCH NATAL TACTICS. I^JJ
*' The condu.fi of Admiral Rodney on the 1 2th of April 1782, and
of Howe on the 291*0 of May, 1794, may be opposed to the ordinary
tactics of the English ; but it ought to be examined why they acted in
this manner. On the izth of April 1782, the French had the advan-
tage of thi wind, and sailing better than the English could keep them-
selves at a distance, which was not consistent with the English tactics.
Rodney found himself obliged to break their line, in order to fight
than nearer. The conduct of the French enabled him to succeed.
On the 29 th of May, 1794, the French had also the advantage of the
wind over the English, and as they did not show themselves disposed to
comesufficiently near, to engage in a decisive affair, Admiral Howe in
order to force them to it, endeavoured to break their line. This man-
oeuvre did not succeed, it is known in what confusion his fleet then
was, and what the French Admiral had in his power to do. It may be
supposed, from the conduct of the French in the battle, that their in-
tention was only to get clear of the English vessels, so as to avoid a
decisive affair, and they have so much this habit, that in the battle of
the Nile in which almost all the vessels were at anchors they nearly
gained it. The headmost vessel ofthe English line, to which a French
vessel surrendered, and which, on the following morning, set sail to
prevent the flight of the two French ships and of the two frigates
which escaped, and whose fire she received in passing, had only one
irun killed and a few wounded. The second vessel a head of the
English line had only two men killed, though a French vessel surren.
dered to her alone. Other similar examples might be adduced.
" To convince one's self of the superior utility of killing as many
as possible of the enemy, rather than of injuring their Ships, it is only
necessary to read the official account of the English Captains who have
been tak^n, to show that it is always the greatest loss of men which
has forced them to surrender. If the superiority of the English Ma-
rine does not depend OP. the manner of their directing their artillery,
upon what does it depend ? Why are the continual defeats which
their enemies experience never interrupted by the chances of war ?
The French have reduced naval tactics to a system. The English
never study it ; they have not even a school for the Marine. The
facility with which they triumph over their enemies, has made them
neglect the study of a theory surely necessary for the perfect
knowledge of the practice which it teaches.
" It may be said, perhaps, that the English vessels are manned with
better sailors, and a greater number of them, than the French but,
in a battle, there is only a certain number chosen to perform the man-
ceuvies, the remainder attend to the guns, and a sailor is not better
for this than another man. The French have cannoneers; the
oi. IV. *
English have none. Are theEnglish sailors more brave than theFrench ?
They should be, if bravery consists in a great measure in the confi-
dence which one has in themeans of display ing it, and in thesmallness
of the danger which a person believes that he runs. The habit ot
conquering also makes them engage in battle with an enthusiasm and
courage, which men accustomed to defeats and sever* losses cannot
have. Do the English soldiers resemble their sailors ? No ; the
French troops are to them, in this respect, what the English sailors
are to the French sailors, and for the same reasons.
" It appears, from these new observations, that the superiority of
the English Marine consists in the manner of their directing their
guns, and that the excellence of its officers and sailors in the day of
battle, is only the natural consequence of this.
" If its own means of victory -were employed against this Marine,
it would not long continue to be the principal support of a Govern-
ment which is the greatest obstacle to the Triumph of the Cause of
Liberty."
ESSAY II.
In answer to tke preceding, by a French duthcr.
" TO THE FDITGR OF THE MONITEUR,
" IN conformity with your invitation, I intreat you to have the
goodness to insert the following reply to the memoir upon the
Marine which lately appeared in your Journal.
" The English Marine was defeated by the French Marine under
Louis the XIV. It has been defeated in our times by Suffrein, and
De Estaing since the Revolution, by Richery> Lejoiaille, Richer,
and Sirie. .
" The Author of the Memoir has forgotten to mention among the
qualities necessary to form a good Marine, is:. Presence of mind, for
improving every favourable circumstance, and remedying any un-
favourable one, in the officer who commands. 2d. Practice in thofe
who execute orders, sdly, and lastly, The military spirit in both,
without which all other qualities become of no use.
"The French vessels are better than the English; but every
Captain in England, along with his crew, sees to the fitting out, the
rigg' n g anQl the stowing of his Ship. This rs not the case in France.
" Though the best books ou tactics have been written by officers of
the French Marine, it does not follow that the acting Naval officer*
are the best tacticians. Unfortunately those who have practice, are
unacquainted with theory; and those who are acquainted with theory,
have not hitherto attained practice. This remark applies to all, from
commanders in chief to the lowest who aspire to this dignity, but
there must be excepted from it, a small number of officers of merit,
FRENCH NAVAL TACTICS. 14.7
in different ranks, who could form an excellent squadron, were they to
employ themselves in sea affairs.
" The French sailors are composed of conscripts and requisitionaries,
who are novices in the art of sailing. The largest number and the
best part of the old French sailors, disgusted with the little atten-
tion paid' to the Marine, and the kind of contempt in which it has
been hitherto held, have passed into foreign service, and are uni-
versally much esteemed wherever they are employed. And in oppo-
sition to the opinion of the Author of the Memoir, I am persuaded
that the skill of private individuals has great influence on the success
of a Naval engagement, though less than on that of a land action.
" The success of a sea-fight depends on the talent cf the commander
in chief, for making arrangements; on that of the Captains for
executing orders, and supplying, by their own intelligence, what is
wanting in them; and on that of the crew for managing and
manoeuvring the vessel, and directing the artillery.
' There is no order in the Mai ine for directing the fire rather in
one way than another. The exercise teaches to fire a-head, in stern
or in broadside, to dismast, at the hull or at the rigging, and to sink.
In an engagement the guns are pointed in one or other of these
manners, according to circumstances.
" There is no infiance, as has been alledged by the author of the
memoir, of a mast having received fifty shots without falling. A
single shot is sufficient for the purpose.
*' 1 shall now explain why soflw cannon shots have effect at sea:
" In the month of Frimaire, year 7th, the small division armed at
Toulon to carry ammunition to Bonaparte, was lying in the Road
when orders were received from the Minister to prove the powder of
a magazine. The commander of that division, Citizen Hubert,
having at that time observed the bad quality of the powder of his
division, demanded that it should be proved. I assisted at that proof,
and the most favourable trials did not carry the balls so as to have
effect above seventy-Eve toises, whereas they ought to h:ive been car-
ried one hundred and fifteen toises. But a Commissary of Marine
was employed to receive the powJer, and a contractor had manu-
factured it.
" The powder of our division was the same with that of the fleet
of Aboukir. Thus you perceive that it is not necessary ro suppose
a defect in the manner of pointing the cannon at sea. The balls of
the enemy strike on board ; curs fall halt way.
" The English have no Maritime Prefects, nor Superintundants,
nor even Commissaries.'
" They have no Marine Artillery- men, because their sailors kno\v
the management of the guns, and if they did not recruit by pressing,
j^l FRENCH NAVAL TACTICS.
they would have no naval troops. The commanders take care of th
arming of their fleets and Ships ; and except the Treasurer, they have
no administration either at sea or in port. They have not attained
the highest point of perfection, but at least they have not sacrificed
the leading, to secondary points. They have thought with reason,
that he whose head is responsible for the success of an operation,
ought alone to be trusted with the choice of the materials, and the
execution of the movements which are to conduce to that success.
" Though these Reflexions are rather long, they are necessary to
reply to the Memoir which you have inserted ; and though you do not
know me, I hope the subject is interesting enough to procure them a
speedy insertion. Health and respeft,
" RIVORE, a Sailor."
MR. EDITOR,
UNDER the head of " American Marine," in the " Monthly
Register of Naval Events," page 76, there is an error in the
calculation. The statement is as follows:
Dolls. Cts.
Amount of labour, materials, freight, and fixtures, 7 ,
of the frigate Conptisution - - - - 5
Ditto of the United States - 178460 07
Ditto of the Constellation - - - - 221513 85
Total amount of the three frigates 607049 18
You say, " being for the three frigates about 67000!." Now, Sir,
you will find it to be for the three frigates, nearer 136586!. is. 3|d.
sterling, than 67000!. viz.
J)t/ls. Cls. . s. d.
Constitution - - 207075 26 - - 46591 18 8 Sterling.
United States - - 178460 07 - - 40153 1O 33
Constellation - - 221513 85 - - 49840 12 4
Dollars 607049 18 - - 136586 i 3^
100
J do not know where you had the statement of the amount of cost
of each Ship individually ; it may be coired for any thing I know to
the contrary. It is to be observed, however, that the three Ships
carry 124 guns; they consequently cost the United States above
I icil. sterling per gun. 'I conceive they must have cost a great deal
more, when I consider that many of their materials are imported from.
Europe, viz. sheathing copper, canvas, spikes, bolts, cordage, &c.
together with the high price of labour. They manufacture cordage
in America, and canvas ; but they at present give the preference to
English manufacture. : From these conjectures I think they cannot
cost the United States less than 1200!. per gun, and then be at
leait 20 per cent, worse than English Ships, \vhen unseasoned timber
&c. &c. is considered. Yoars.
August 25, 1800. W. H.
[ H9 J
iUttcrg,
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JULY 81.
Copy of a Letter from Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, Commander in Chief of bit Ma-
jesty's Sbif; and Vends at Jamaica, to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated on beard tbf
<%ucen, in Part-Royal Harbour, the l8/A of May.
SIR,
T HAVE the honour to transmit you copies of two letters, one from Captain
Baker, of his Majesty's sloop Calypso, and the other from Capt. Loring, of
the Lark, which, in justice to the gallantry and good conduct of the officers
and boat's crews therein mentioned, I am to request you will be pleased to lay
before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
I am, Sir, &c. H. PARKER.
SIR, Cjlyfuo, Port-Royal, April 21.
I have the honour to inform you, that on the nth inst. at night, Cape
Tiberon bearing S. by E. distance four or five L-agues, I dispatched Mr. William
Buckly, Master of his Majesty's sloop under my command, in a six-oared
cutter, with ten men, properly armed and provided, and a swivel in her bow,
to cruise for two days under the Cape, with a view to intercept some of the
small craft, which navigate in general within a mile of the shore.
In pursuance of this intention, on the i3th, at ir P. M. they perceived it
schooner becalmed under the land, and pulled immediately towards her ; as the
boat approached within hail she was desired to keep off, and upon their not
complying, a discharge of musquetry commenced upon them, under which they
boarded, and after a short, but very smart conflict upon the schooner's deck,
the gallantry of the attempt was rewarded, by gaining complete possession of
her. She proved to be La Biligente French armed Schooner, of about 70
tons, mounting six carriage guns, 30 stand of arms, and laden with coffee, hav-
ing on board, when she was captured, 39 men.
Of the boat's crew, one mau only was wounded, and seven dangerously oa the
side of the enemy.
The great disparity of numbers and force in this little enterprise places the
very spirited conduct of Mr. Buckly in so strong a light, that it has left me no-
thing to say, but to express my hope, Sir, that it will recommend him to your
notice. I feel much pleasure in adding, that by his report he was most gallantly
seconded by the few brave men under his orders.
I have the honour to be, Sir. &c.
J. BAKER.
Admiral Sir Hyde Purler, Knt. &c.
SIR, His Majesty's sloop Lark, of St. Jago de Cxha, March 2O.
On the I4th instant, observing a privateer in shore, I sent the boats, under
the command of Lieutenant Lane, to bring her out. The enemy had taken an
advantageous position of two heights forming the entrance of the bay, where
fhe schooner was lying, and notwithstanding the gallant attack of Lieutenant
Lane and his people, the boats were repulsed and returned, he himself being
shot through the heart. The service in him has lost a bravfe and good officer.
Mr. Fasley, the Junior Lieutenant, was landed with a party of m^n in a bay,
at 10 m;les distance, to march round and attack the enemy in the rear, whilst I
went myself in the boats to repeat the attack in their front. On my arrival,
Mr. Pasley had executed his orders with such expedition and judgment, that he
left me no other employment than that of being a satisfied spectator to the
steady and good conduct of himself and his people. The ves'el mounts two
carriage guns, a great quantity of small arms, and is one of those which has so
long infested the coast of Jamaica. I have destroyed her, that she may not
agiiin fall into the hands of the enemy. .
I have the honour to be, Sir, &c.
Admiral Sir Hyde Parker ; Kut. Ji W
squ
113 in number.]
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JULY 22.
Cofy of a Litter from Admiral the Earl of St. fincent, K. B. to Mr. Ncfcan,
J.-,t*J AM An^lftf tflf Vtllf // Pnrtt fit K/t 1 I/A Tr//4t
j'O CA/ETTE LETTERS.
[Then follows a list of vessels taken and destroyed between March pth and
zotb, by Captain Loring, being six in number.]
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JULY 22.
CPy f frtbcr Letter from Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, to Evan Ntpein, Esquire,
dated May 20.
SIR,
I have the honour to transmit you herewith, for the information of the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, an account of armed and other vessels that
have been captured, sunk, or destroyed by his Majesty's ships and vessel* uu-
dcr my command, since the last return by the Greyhound.
J have die honour to be, Sir, &c.
H.PARKER.
[Here follows a list of the vessels captured, detained, or destroyed by the
uadron under the command of Sir Hyde Parker, since Feb. 28, 1800, being
J
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JULY 22.
from Admiral tie Earl of St. Vincent, K. B.
dated on board tbi Villc de Paris, at Sea, l^tb July.
sin,
I herewith transmit, for the information of the lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, a letter, with its several inclosures, which I have received from Rear
Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, giving an account of an attack made by
the boats of his Majesty's ships under his orders on a convoy, near the island
of Noirmoutier, of which I highly approve, and of the spirited conduft shown
oo the whole occasion. I am, Sir, &c.
ST. VINCENT.
MY LORD, JRenetun, flour neuf- Bay, July 2.
Ibeg leave to inform your Lordship, that, having received information that a
ship of war, with a large convoy of the enemy, were lying within the island of
Noirmoutitr, which had assembled there from Sable D'Olonne, destined for
Brest, I judged the destruction thereof might be of great consequence to hi*
Majesty's service : 1 anchored therefore with his Majesty's ships named in the
margin *, on the 1st inst. in the bay of Bourneuf, and directed the boats of the
squadron to follow Captain Martin's orders for their further proceedings ; and I
take the liberty of referring your Lordship to the inclosed letter for a particular
account of the transactions on the 1st and id inst.
Although pwing to an accident a part of the men have been made prisoners,
and four wounded in their retreat upon this occasion ; yet, from the loss the
enemy has sustained, J hope the enterprise will meet your Lordship's approba-
tion, a* well as the gallantry and presence of mind displayed by Lieut Burke
upon the above critical service, with the zeal and bravery of the several officers
and men employed under him, and J trust will recommend them to your Lord-
ship's notice and protection I have the honour to remain, &c.
J. B. WARREN.
SIX, Fiigard, at Anclor, in Bourneuf- Bay, July 2.
I beg to inform you, the boats of the ships named in the margin*, were
Jormcd into three divisions yesterday evening, under the directions of Lieut.
Burke, to attack the armed vessels and convoy lying within the Smds, in Bour-
neuf-Bay, moored in a strong position of defence, and under the protection of
*ix heavy batteries at the South east part of Noirmoutier, besides flanking guns
n every projeding point. At twelve o'clock, after much resistance and con-
siderable loss on the part of the enemy, we had possession of 1 a Ttrtse, four
armed vee!s, and 15 sail of Merchantmen, the whole of which were burnt
oil Sliding it impossible to bring them cut; and this essential service would ha vq
Renown, Fisgaj-d, and Defence
GAZETTE LETTERS. 151
been accomplished in the most satisfactory manner, if the boats in returning,
could have found a passage over the Sand Banks ; but unfortunately they took
the ground, and in less than ten minutes were perfectly dry, at the same time
rtposed to a continual fire from the forts, and 403 French soldiers formed in th
rear : but in opposition to this they determined to attack other vessels of th
enemy, and secure one sufficiently large to receive all the party, which they
did; and with great intrepidity, exertion, and strength, drew her upwards of
two miles over the sands, until they were up to their necks in water before she
would float ; but I am sorry to add, that four officers and 88 of the valuable
men employed in this glorious enterprise are prisoners, though from every report
there are only a few wounded.
I sincerely congratulate you on having succeeded with so little loss in this im-
portant service, all the vessels being laden with corn and valuable cargoes, much
wanted for the fleets in Brest; and I am sure you will be highly gratified with
the gallantry and uncommon perseverance manifested by the officers arid rncH
upon this occasion. I have the honour to be, &c.
T. B. MARTIN.
A List of Vessels taken and burnt by the Boat] of bit Majesty's Ship Renown, Fiigard t
and Defence , tie ^J July 1 8oO, toitb tie number of Officers and 'men employed on
that set-vice under the orders of Captain Martin.
Armed fessels.
Ship La Tercse, 20 guns; a lugger of 12 guns; two schooner gun boats of six
guns each; one cutter of six guns. Total, 50 guns.
Merchant Veuels.
Fifteen sail, all laden (as well as the armed vessels) with flour, corn, pro-
visions, bale goods, and ship timber, for the fleet at Brest.
Number of Mm employed.
Renown Three officer?, fwur petty officers, 37 seamen, and 20 marines.
Fisaard Two officers, two petty officers, ^\ seamen, and 13 marines.
Defence Two officers, five petty officers, 45 seamen, and 28 marines.
Total. Seven officers, n petty officers, 113 seamen, and 6j marines.
Number of Men ivbo forced a Retreat.
Renown 28. Fisgard 46. Defence 26. Total 100.
Number of Men taken Prisoners.
Xcrotcn. One officer, one petty officer, zr seamen, and 73 marines. Total, 36.
Fisga rd. Two seamen. Total, 2
Defence. Three petty officers, 30 seamen, and 21 marines Total, 54.
Total One Officer, four petty officers, 53 seamen, and 34 marines.
OJJicers Names employed.
Rcnoivn. Lieutenants Burke, Thompson, and Eallinghall, marines (wounded
and prisoners.)
Fisgard. Lieutenants Dean and Gerrard, marines.
Defence. Lieutenants Garrett and Hutton, marines.
T. B. MARTIN.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, JULY 26.
Cof.y of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord Keith , Commander in Cbief of bis Ma-
jnty's Skips and ftsitls in the Mediterranean, to Evan Nepcan, Esq. dated on board
the" ' Minotaur t at Sea, the ^J t tl of June.
SIR,
I have the honour of inclo.-ing, for their Lordship's information, a list of ves-
tels capcuied by his iYiajesty's ships employed under my command, between the
1st of April and the I4th of June, except those of which returns have already
been transmitted. I have the honour to be, Sir, &c.
KEITH.
FHere follows a list of the vessels captured by the ships under the comman.1
of Lord Keith, from the 1st of ^pril to the I4th of June, being 96 in number.]
4
LETTERS.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, AUG.
C,*, f a LttUr from Captain Cockburn, of hi, Majesty* ibip La Miners, Jatat i*
tie lagus, the 2<)tl> of June, to Evan Nefean, sg.
I have the honour to enclose, for their Lordships' information, the copy of 4
kttcr I have received from Captain Middleton, of the Flora, and which I have
thi. day transited te Lord Keith.-I have the honour to be, 8 C & C BURN>
J1R His Majesty's Slip Flora, at Sea, June 23.
I have'the pleasure to inform you, that last night 1 fell in With and captured
' "' r r. _ ----- inded
her mail overboard upon our hailing her.
She is of such value that 1 thought it necessary to see her safe oft the bar
Lisbon, but will lose no time in putting your farther orders in execution.
1 have the honour to be, Sir, &c.
Georre Cockburn, Eta Captain of bis MajtSty't
Ship La Miners f ROB. MIDDLETON.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, AUG. 2.
Copy of a Letter from Mr. Jelbua Hocquard, Commander of t?,e Hazard Privatt
Ship of War, to Evan Ncpean, .'j. dated at Jeney the \-Jtb of July.
SIR,
I beg leave to acquaint you for the information of my Lords Commissioner*
of the Admiralty, that on my return from a cruise in the cutter Hazard, pri-
vate letter of Marque, from jersey, under my command, on the 4th instant, at
half past three A. M. the Westwardmost point of Guernsey bearing S. E. by E.
four or five miles, we fell in with, and after a chase of an hour, captured the
Ajax French lugger privateer from fee. M aloes, mounting four caniage brass
guns, and 23 men ; sailed the night before from Bocha, and had not taken any
thine. I have the honour to be, Sir, &c.
JOS. HOCQUARD.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, AUG. 2.
Copy of a Letter from Capt. Ferris, of bis Majesty's Ship Ruby, to Evan Nepean,
Esq. dated of the Start, July 30.
SIR,
I beg leave to acquaint you for the information of their Lordships, that being
on my passage from St. Helena to England, at five A. M. on Sunday the I3th
inst. in latitude 45 deg. N. and longitude 29 W. I observed a strange sail
to windward, which, by her motions, appeared to be an enemy's cruiser ; J
therefore thought it right to make all possible sail to reconnoitre her.
Night coming on before 1 could well discover what she was, I shortened sail
for the convoy; and at day-light, in the morning of the I4th (it having been calm
during the greatest part of the night) 1 saw the same ship about three miles
a-head, who, upon my making sail in chase, and firing several shot, showed
national colours.
Light winds having prevailed during the whole of the day, she was enabled
by her sweeps, to keep just without gun-shot ; but towards evening a breeze
springing up in our favour, I gained on her fast, and at one A. M. on Tuesday
the ijth, took possession of her.
She proves to be La Fortune privateer, of Bouideaux, a very fine ship, mount-
ing 16 eight potnders, four long twelves, and two thirty-six pound carronades,
all brass; her complement 202 men; but had on board, when taken, only 188,
the rest having been sent on board the Fame brig from Sierra Leone, bound to
London, the only capture she had made in a ciuise of one month from Bour-
deaur.
CV12ETTE LETTERS. \$$
T beg leare to add, that she appears to me to be a ship well calculated for his
Majesty's service, being remarkably strong built, coppered, and copper-fastened,
and a very excellent sailer : the present is only the second cruise since she was
built. I am, &c.
SOL. FERRIS.
ADMIRAtTY-OmCE, AUG. 9.
Cepy of a Letter from Earl St. f^incemt, K. B Admiral of the JVLite, &c. to Evan
Nefean, Etq. dated on board bii Majesty's Ship Royal George, at Sea, tie ^tb iittt.
SIR,
I did not think the enterprise of Sir Edward Hamilton or of Captain Campbell
could have been rivalled, until I re id the enclosed letter from Sir Edward Pel-
lew, relating the desperate service performed by Acting Lieut. Coghlan, of the
Viper cutter, on the 29th July, which has filled me with pride and admiration;
and, although the circumstance of his not having completed his time in hit
Majesty's J^avy operates at present against his receiving the reward he is most
Ambitious of obtaining, I am persuaded the Lords Commissioners of the Ad-
miralty will do all in their power to console him under his severe wounds, and
grant him promotion the moment he is in capacity to receive it.
I am, Sir, &c. ST. VINCENT.
MY LORD, ImpctucuX) Paltls Road, lit Aug.
I have true pleasure in stating to your Lordship the good conduct of Lieut.
Jeremiah Coghlan, to whom, for former gallant behaviour, you had given an
acting commission to command the Viper cutter, from this ship.
This gallant young man, when watching port Louis, thought he culd suc-
ceed in boarding some of the cutters or gun-.vessels which have been moving
about the entrance of that harbour, and for this purpose he entreated a ten*
oared cutter from me, with la volunteers ; and on Tuesday night the zgth inst.
he took this boat, with Mr. Silas H. Paddon, Midshipman, and six of his men,
making, with himself, 20, and accompanied by his own boat and one from the
Amethyst, he determined upon boarding a gun-brig, mounting three long 14
pounders and four six-pounders, full of men, moored with springs on her cables, in
a naval port of difficult access, within pistol-shot of three batteries, surrounded by
several armed craft, and not a mile from a seventyfour and two frigates, bear-
ing an admiral's flag. Undismayed by such formidable appearances, the early
discovery of his approach, (for they were at quarters), and the lost aid of the
two other boats, he bravely determined to attack alone, and boarded her on the
quarter; but unhappily, in the .dark, jumping into a trawl net, hung up to dry,
he was pierced through the thigh by a pike, and several of his men hurt, and
all knocked back into the boat.
Unchecked in ardour, they hauled the boat further a-head, and again board-
ed, and maintained against 87 men, 16 of whom were soldiers, an obstinate
conflict, killing six and wounding twenty, among whom was every officer be-
longing to her. His own lots, one killed and eight wounded ; himself in two
places ; Mr. 1'addon in six. I feel particularly happy in the expected safety of
all the wounded. He speaks in the highest terms of Mr. Paddon, and the whole
of his party, many of whom were knocked overboard, and twice beat into the
boat, but returned to the charge with unabated courage. 1 trust I shall stand
excused by your Lordship for so minute a description, produced by my admira-
tion of that courage which, hand to hand, gave victory to a handful of brave
fellows over four times their number ; and of that skill which formed, con-
dueled, and effected so daring an enterprise.
La Cerbere, commanded by Lieutenant de Vaisseau, and towed out under*
a very heavy fire, is given up as a prize by the squadron, to mark their admira-
tion, and will not, 1 know, be the only reward of such bravery ; they will re-
ceive that protection your Lordship so liberally accords to all the young men in
the service who happily distinguish themselves under your command.
1 enclose Lieut. Coghlan's letter, and have the honour, &c.
(Signed) EDWARD PELI.EW.
Jdmiraiibr Earl St. f?",n;tnt t K. B. &c.
J-+ GAZETTE LETTERS.
Hit Majesty's Cutter Viper, Tuesday Morning, Eiglt iCeat.
PEAR SIR,
I have succeeded in bringing out the gun brig Le Cerbcre, of three guns (i4-
pounders) and four six-pounders, and 87 men, commanded by a Lieutenant dc
Vaisseau. Pray forgive me when I say from under the batteries of Port Louis,
and after a most desperate resistance being made, first by her, and afterwards by
the batteries at both sides, and a fire from some small vc.-sels which lay round
her ; but nothing that 1 could expert from a vessel lying in that ina.Sive situa-
tion, was equal to the few brave men belonging to your ship, whom I so justly
confided in, assisted by six men from the cutter, and Mr. Paddon, Midshipman;
who, I am sorry to say, was wounded in several places, thuugh I hope not
mortally. I am sorry to state the loss of one man belonging to the cutter, who
was shot through the head, and four of your brave men, with myself, wounded
in different parts of the body ; the principal one I received was with a pike,
which penetrated my left thigh. JVir. Patteshall, in the cutter's small boat,
assisted with two midshipmen from the Amethyst in one of their boats. The
loss of the enemy is not yet ascertained, owing to the confusion.
I remain, &c. J. COGHLAN.
N. B. Then are five killed, and 21 wounded; some very badly.
A Return of Killed and Wounded in a Ten-oared Culler belonging to bit Majesty* t
Ship Impetueux, under the- Command of Lieut. 'Jeremiah Coghlan y on the nigbt of
the "itjtb July, in boarding the National gun brig Le Cerbere, commanded by Lieut,
Je Vaiueau Menage.
Viper Cutter One seaman killed; Lieut. Jeremiah Coghlan, Mr. Silas H.
Paddon, Midshipman, two seamen wounded.
Impetufux Four seamen wounded.
Total.. One killed, eight wounded.
ADMIRALTY-'>FF1CE, AUG. l6.
Copy of a Letter from the Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. Admiral J the Wlite, We. to
Evan Nepean, Esq. dated on board Us Majesty's Sbtp Royal George, at Sea t the
otb instant.
SIK,
I enclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
a letter which I have received from Capt. 1'owry, of his Majesty's ship Uranie,
transmitting the copy of one which he had s;nt to Captain Keats, of the Boa-
dicea, giving an account of the capture of La Revanche Trench Schooner
Privateer. 1 am, Sir, &c.
ST. VINCENT.
MY LORD, Uranie, at Sea, July 28.
I have the honour to enclose you a copy of my letter of this date to Captain
Keats, and am, my Lord, &c.
flit Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. \f c . G. H. TO WRY.
SIR . Uranie, at Sea, July 28.
CruiMiijt according to your instructions in his Majesty's ship under my com-
mand, I beg leave to acquaint you of my having captured this day La Revanche
Irei-ch bchooncr Privateer, mounting 14 six pounders, with 80 men, belonging
onne ; had been put from thence about four months, but last from Vigo
(^9 days), into which port she had carried three prizes, an English brig called
t.-e Marcus, a Portuguese ship, and a Spanish brig, prize to the Minerva.
I have the honour to be, &c. G. H. TO WRY.
K. G. Kt>its, Esq. Caftain of hh Majesty's Slip Boadicea.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, AUG.*2J.
Ext ra {}ofaL,lt?rfrom tie Ra,lof St. Vincent, K B. Admiral of tie White, \<fc.
to F.-van Ntfein, :y. dated c,i bourd his Majesty's Slip R uya l George, at Sea, the
1 have tlm instant received the inclosed letters by his Majesty's ship Unicorn
from Capiain Keats of the Boadicea.
CAZETTI LETTERS. j^j
* Y LORI *. Boadicea, at Sea, Auguit 4.
The Fisgard, which had been stationed conformable to your Lordship'g
dire&ipns, rejoined the squadron this day with the prizes and recaptures, at
itated in Captain Martin's accompanying letter.
I have the honour to be, &c.
lit Earl of Si. riniint, K. B. &<. R Q. KEATS.
81 R F'ugard, at Sea, ^d Aug.
I have to inform you, that his Majesty's ship under my command has captured
the following vessels since the ioth of last month.
St. John Baptiste, Spanish lugger ^burnt).
La Gironde, i6guns, 141 men, French privateer.
L'Alerte, 14 guns, 84 men, French privateer.
The Joseph, an hnglish South sea ship, prize to the Minerve French privateer
It will, I am sure, give you particular satisfaction to find La Gironde one of
the number, as she has long been an adive and successful cruiser against the
commerce of our country, and was now returning to port with 53 Fnglish pri-
soners taken in the vessels hereafter specified. L'Alerte is only six days from
Bourdeaux, and was fitted purposely to cruise for the homeward- bound West-
India convoy.
1 have the honour to be, &c>
T. B. MARTIN.
R. G. Keati t Esq. Captain ef tii Majeityt Ship Boadieta.
Lht of festels caf tared by La Gironde French frfoateer trig.
Swan sloop, Andrew Miller, Master, from Oporto, laden with wine.
Countess of Lauderdale, Thomas Bennett, Master, from Demerary, laden with
sugar and cotton.
Active Brig, Benjamin Tucker, Master, from Bermuda, laden with sugar
and cotton.
Young William, Charles Bacon, Master, from the South-seas, laden with
oil, &c.
ADMIRALTY-OfFICI, AUG. 2j.
Cefy of a Letter froth Captain John Wiglt, Commander of bit Majesty's Sloop Wtl*
wrene, to Evan Ncpean, Esq. dated at St. Mar ecu, tie igtb init.
I beg you will be pleased to inform my Lords Commissioners of the" Ad-
miralty, that this morning, having been informed by Captain Price, that some
part of the enemy's convoy, consisting of two large sloops, were attempting to
make their escape from the mouth of the river Isigny, and proceeding along shore
to the eastward, I lost no time in giving chase, having in company the Sparkler
aud Force gun-brigs. The enemy finding themselves so hard pressed, and no
probability of escape, run themselves on shore in the bay of Grand Camp, com-
manded on both sides of the entrance by heavy batteries, which I attacked for
near an hour, and was ably assisted by Lieut. Stephens, of the Sparkler, and
Lieut. Tokeley, of the Force, covering Lieut. Gregory of the Wolverene,
with the cutter and jolly-boat with a party of Marines, who gallantly boarded
the largest vessel under the fire of three field pieces, and near zoo men with
musquetry, within half pistol-shot of the shore, and set her on fire and other-
wise disabled her. The other was so completely shot through as to stop her
further proceedings.
I am happy to have it in my power to inform their Lordships, that neither
the vessels, or men suffered any thing, excepting three of the Wolverene's, who
were a good deal burnt on board the sloop by an explosion of gunpowder. The
enemy lost four men killed on the beach.
I am, Sir, &c.
JOHN WIGHT.
t *$* 1
Courts martial.
FORTSMOUTH, JDLT 30.
THIS day a Court Martial was held on board his Majesty's ship Gladiator fa
this Harbour, for the trial of BARTHOLOMEW POUTER, a seaman belonging to
the Svfilt, for desertion.
President, Rear- Admiral JOHN HOLLOWAY.
The charges not being proved, the prisoner was acquitted.
ARTHUR HUGHES, another seaman belonging to the Sopbie, was also tried
the same day for desertion, and being found guilty, was sentenced to receive
300 lashes.
THOMAS NiLiov, a supernumerary seaman belonging to the Royal WMlann
*ras also tried the same day for having, on the 14th ult. used reproachful and
provoking speeches to a man who had given evidence before a Court Martial
held for the trial of one of the Mutineers of the Hermionc. The prisoner being
found guilty, he was sentenced to be imprisoned two years in the Marshalsea.
MUTINEERS.
31. A Court Martial was held on board the same ship, for the trial of JOH M
WATSON and JAMES ALLIN, two seamen late belonging to the Hermione, for
being concerned in the mutiny on board the said ship, and in carrying her into
La Guira. The charges being proved against the prisoners, they were sentenced
to suffer death, by being hanged by the neck, on board such ship or ships as the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty should dircft. The prisoner, John
Watson, appeared to be nearly 60 years of age, and, previous to the mutiny, had
pretended to be afflided by blindness, on which account he had been excused
doing duty aloft ; but he took a very aclive part in the mutiny. The prisoner,
James Allen, had been servant to the second Lieutenant previous to the mutiny,
and was then about 14 years of age ; but, it appeared, he had also been very
a:5livc in the mutiny, and had even assisted in the murder of his own master.
The principal witness against Allen was Parrot, late butcher on board the
Hcrmione, who deposed, that on the night the mutiny took place he was seated
on a chest in the gun-room. He then observed a band of murderers dragging
the second Lieutenant across the deck, who repeatedly stretched out his hand,
crying, " Mercy! Mercy!" He was drawn up the ladder by the hair of his
head, after receiving many wounds. Parrot declared that at this moment he
stw the second Lieutenant's servant, James Allen, with a tomahawk or hatchet
in his hand, and that he exclaimed, " let me have a cut at him;'' on saying which
he dreadfully wounded hi own master. On receiving this deposition from Parrot,
a general groan of horror was heard in Court. Every thing, however, that
naval justice could devise was exercised on behalf of the prisoner; but the very
witnesses called by him ultimately proved of disadvantage to himself! Both
Allen and Watson came home to England in the Prince of Wales, bnt were not
recognized till their arrival. Allen, to the last, denied having struck his master.
As to the particulars of the murder of Captain PIGOT, of the Hermione, it ap-
peared, that hearing a noise upon deck, he immediately ran out of his cabin,
when being badly and repeatedly wounded, he was at length obliged to return.
He had reached his cabin, and was sitting on a couch, faint with the loss of
blood, when four men entered with bayonets fiied. Crawley headed them.
Captain PIGOT, weak as he was, held out his dirk, and kept them off They
seemed for a moment appalled at the sight of their Commander, when Crawley
exclaimed, " What, four against one, and yet afraid ? Here goes then," and
buried his bayonet in the body of Captain PicoT. He was followed by the
others, who, with their bayonets, thrust hiru through the port, and be was hear*
to speak as he went a- stein.
MONTHLY REGISTER
OF
FROM JULT 14 TO AUCIU1T
DANISH AND SWEDISH CONVOYS.
E live in such an eventful period, that occurrences which in
usual times could not fail to produce the most lively sensa-
tions, now pass with little observation. It will, however, be won-
dered at in future times, if the circumstances we are about to relate,
and the events which appear so evidently connected with them, excite
no attention.
On the *5th ult. about 6 P. M. off Ostend, his Majesty's ship the Nemttit t
Capt. BAKER, Terpsichore, La Prevoyant, the Arrow, of 40 guns, and Nile lugger,
fell in with the Freya, a Danish frigate, having under convoy, two ships, two
brigs, and two galliots. The Nemesis hailed her, and said she would send her
boat on board the convoy. The Danish Commander replied, that if he attempted
it he would fire into the boat. The Nemesis's boat was then lowered down,
with four men and a midshipman in her, ready to go on board the convoy ; the
Danish frigate immediately fired several shot, which missing the boat, struck the
Nemesis, and killed one man. The Nemesis, immediately gave the Dane a
broadside, when a most spirited aftion took place, which lasted for about twenty-
five minutes, at the end of which time the Danish frigate being much crippled
in her masts, rigging, and hull, struck her colours.
The Danish frigate and convoy were brought into the Downs on the 6th inst.
By the conduct of the Danish Commander it appeared to be the in
tention of the Court of Denmark, in conjunction with that of Sweden,
to try the question of the right of British ships of war to examine
Neutral vessels, which opinion is strongly strengthened by the follow-
ing extract of a letter we have received from Gibraltar.
" A Swedish frigate, of 44 guns, having some vessels under convoy, was met
by the Leviathan, commanded by Admiral DUCKWORTH, who hailed the
Swedish frigate, desiring to know what were the ships that were under convoy.
Not receiving a satisfactory answer, Admiral Duckworth said he should send a
boat on board. The Swedish Captain replied, he would fire into any boat
that should attempt to do so; which threat he carried into effect, and killed one
of our seamen in the Leviathan's boat. Upon this, Admiral Duckworth order-
ed his ship to be laid alongside the Swede, informed the Captain that he had com-
mitted murder on a British subjedt, and that it would only be doing him justice
to open the lower deck ports of the Leviathan, and give him a broadside. He
insisted, however, that the Swedish Captain should follow him into Gibraltar,
and there explain his conducl. The result is not known."
To form a decisive opinion of the cause which actuated the above
Powers in refusing to permit English cruisers to search their con-
voys is impossible. In consequence of this and other circum-
stances, the Baltic fleet, which was on the eve of sailing, received
orders to remain in port ; this detention was, however, on the ijth
relinquished, and the fleet sailed from Yarmouth under convoy of the
Shark and Lynx sloops of war. From this latter event it may rea-
sonably be hoped that some satisfactory information has been received
by Government, whish will put an end to thi$ unpleasant business.
Ijg MONTHLY REGISTER
FORCE OF THE NORTHERN POWERS.
MR. EC1TOK,
AT the present critical situation of this country, with respect to the
arming of the Powers of the North, and the dispute at present existing
with Denmark and Sweden, relating to their convoys being taken and
detained, &c. the force of their Navy (as near as can be known)
seems to be anxiously wished for : under I send you a correft statement
of their naval force in the beginning of the year 1799, and which I
believe has not been much augmented since that time, as also an esti-
mate of the whole force that can be brought against England, sup.
posing Russia, Denmark, and Sweden, were to join in alliance with
her present enemies.
Statement of the Force of the Navy of Russia, Denmark, and Sweden, in the
beginning of the year 1799.
Russia. Fifty Ships of the line, 50 frigates, and a number of galleys.
Denmark Thirty-eight ships of the line, 20 frigates, and 60 xebecs and cut-
ters. The total number of seamen, 12, oo, of guns 3000.
Sweden. Twenty-seven ships of the line, iz frigates, and 40 armed gallics,
Mounting in ill 3000 guns, and manned by 18,000 seamen.
Supposing Russia, Denmark, and Sweden, therefore, to join in alliance against
England, 1 estimate the whole naval force that can be brought against her, by
all her enemies (and which number, I think, a the very utmost they can bring],
will be as follows :
By France, Spain, and Holland, about 60 sail of the line.
Russia - .... 40 D.
Denmark - - - 30 Do.
Sweden ..... 20 Do.
Total 150
In opposition to this great force I conceive England alone (without the
assistance of any foreign power) can bring, in the channels only, 100 sail
of the line, (if it should be necessary) which will be equal to cope with
her enemies, without recalling home any of her ships from the West
Indies, Mediterranean, or any foreign station.
In my opinion there is nothing to fear from the armed Neutrality,
the whilst we have such a good supply of the Wooden Walls on our
side, and such brave officers and seamen to command them.
If you deem this worthy of a place in your Chronicle, it will add to
the obligations already conferred on,
Mr. Editor,
Your constant Reader,
And very humble Servant,
t, 1800. J. R.
DENMARK.
The following Articles of the Treaty of Commerce, between Great
Britain and Denmark, relate to the present subject supposed to be in
dispute :
Art. III. The undersigned Sovereigns engage mutually for themselves, their
heirs, and successors, not to furnih their respective enemies, if they shall be ag-
gressors, with any assistance in war, such as soldiers, arms, cannons, ships, or
other articles necessary to the carrying on of war. If the subjects of either
of the undersigned Sovereigns shall a& in contravention with the pre-
cnt article, the King, whose subjects shall so a<ft, shall be bound to proceed
i
OF NAVAL EV*ENTS. IJp
against them with the greatest severity, and to treat them as seditious persons,
and persons guilty of an infraction of the alliance.
Art. XX. And in order to prevent the freedom of navigation, and the free
passage of either ally and his subjects from becoming prejudicial to the other, in
case of war on the part of one of the undersigned Sovereigns against any other
power by sea or land ; and in order to prevent any goods and merchandizes, the
property of the enemy, from being fraudulently concealed under pretence of
alliance ; and, finally, in order to prevent all fraud, and to remove all suspicion,
it is thought fit that the ships, merchandize, and subjects, belonging to the
other confederates, shall be accompanied by passports and certificates in the
following form, &c. &c.
It is hardly necessary to observe, that the requisition of these passports and
certificates includes a right to search for them, if such right were not fully re
cognized to be part of the general law of nations.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS on the Condufl of the NORTHERN POWERS.
The British Navy in the zenith of its power, with nearly its full
force, ready for action, has little to apprehend from a confederacy,
merely now beginning to arm j and let it be remembered, that for
nearly half the year, the very elements themselves suspend the action
of these dreadful antagonists ; the ice is, for many months, an im-
penetrable blockade ; and for the remainder, it is more easy, after
having laid Copenhagen in ashes, to block up the Sound, (a strait of on-
ly four miles broad, with convenient anchorage,) and shut them up to
quarrel with each other, than it is at present to guard the entrance of
Brest harbour, or was heretofore to coop in the Dutch. Not all the
Ghosts in the Castle of Elsineur, would, we believe, prevent this project
being executed by less than twenty sail of the line.
SECRET EXPEDITIONS.
THE two Naval Expeditions, which have been so long in preparation,
have at length put to sea. The first, with the troops which had been encamped
at Southampton, and those assembled at Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight,
sailed from St. Helens on the 8th instant, and was to proceed to Plymouth for
the purpose of receiving additional forces, making in the whole 17,000 men.
The fleet employed on the second expedition appeared off Yarmouth on the
9th, when, a frigate bearing signals having fired four guns, it was speedily joined
by the whole of the squadron, under the command of Admiral Dickson, then
in that harbour, and immediately made sail to the eastward.
No official information has hitherto transpired respecting the destination or
success of either of these fleets. '1 he troops they carry consist chiefly of the
Dutch regiments, under the command of the Hereditary Prince of Orange.
VAN DIEMAN'S LAND, DISCOVERED TO BE AN ISLAND.
GOVERNOR HUNTER, who continues indefatigable in his exertions for
the improvement of Botany-Bay, having entertained a conjecture that the land
called Van-Dieman's-Land was not a part of the coast of New Holland, but
probably a group of islands separated from its southern extremity by a strait,
fitted out a two-decked boat of 15 tons burden, built at Norfolk Island, and sent
her to the southward, under the direction of the second Lieutenant and
Surgeon of the Reliance man of war. The boat passed through a wide and
extensive strait, and completely circumnavigated Van Dieman's-l.and, entered
two of its rivers, and went many miles up the country. '1 he south extremity
of this country lies in latitude 39,00 exatfly ; and the strait is, in some places,
more than a dc-gree and a half wide; but studded with a few scattered steep
islands. A chart of this discovery is preparing to be scut home.
l6(> MfrNTWLr REGISTER
Itjfs with particular satisfaction we insert the following communica-
tion as it contains a most interesting testimony of that meritorious
conduct which distinguishes the character of the British Navy, for
tfieir laudable humanity towards those whom the chance, of war sub.
Haiti to their power.
MR. EDITOR,
As the friend of Captain WALLIS, who some time since experienced siwh
hardships in the Proserpine, I am anxious that the following testimony, to the
boootir of his professional chara&er, should be recorded in your useful work :
Captain WALUS left the Decade, a frigate of 36 guns, which he commanded
co the Jamaica station, and having, on account of his health, exchanged for the
fcnuwwick, brought home with hm two 1-rench prisoners of rank, Gen. la
VIAUX. a General of Division, who had been commander in chief of St. Do-
mingo, and latterly of Guadaloupc, with his son, and Aid-de-Camp OKMANCI N ;
who having obtained permission to return to/ France on their parole, they sent a
complimentary letter to Captain WALLIS, of which the following is a transla-
tion :
** Portsmouth, on board the Brunt-wick, Aug. J, l&OC.
** Suptt* La fctiux, Gtneral tf Division, t Captain Wallis, Commandtr of tit
Brunt-wick .
* CAPTAIN!
*' Gratitude is a debt incumbent on all to render : receive then that which
my son, which ORMANCIN, and myself wish to offer with a sensibility equal to
what we feel, for all the obligations we lie under to you The delicacy of your
conduct so much alleviated our situation, as, at tiroes, to make us forget that we
were your prisoners. You are a father and a husband ! and therefore feel
already the joy I have in view, to behold again a wife and two beloved
daughters. It shall be in the union of this dear family, that we will repeat all
we owe to you for such happiness.
'* We wili incessantly recal your humanity, your actions, your virtues, and the
lore which you possess for your country. .Like you, we regard our own ; and
you have had the generosity to allow us to speak of it before you. Nations may
declare war ; but wise and virtuous men will always esteem each other.
44 Receive, CAPTAIN, the sentiments with which we three have the honour
*o rcmjia,
' IT. LA VEAUr,
" OKMANCIN,
" J.A VAUX F1LS."
BRUSSELS, J^g. $. We hear from Rotterdam, that two ships of the line, the
Chatham, of 80 guns, and the Peter Paul, of 74, newly launched from the dock
*ird of thut port, will on be completely armed and equipped. A vessel of
go guns, built at Amsterdam, will be equally soon ready for sea. It has been
reaiaikcd, thai the navy of Holland never had ships carrying more than 74 guns,
a. is not long since two of greater force were built. On the other side, there
lias sailed from the Mcuse a division of small ships and sloops of war, to repair
to the Western bcheldt, for the defence of the island of Zealand.
ft appears that the unfortunate survivor* of the crew of his Majesty's ship
Ktsiitjncr, after being taken by the Malay pirates, were carried to Penobang,
and there sold to different Rajahs, in the common market place. Thomas Scott ,
a neairaii, sold for 35 rix dollars, and unexpectedly met with a kind matter :
lamenting his fate at being parted from the few of his countrymen who survived
the explosion of the Jtfsistanct, the Rajah encouraged him, by the assurance that
whenever he (Scott J should be able to pay him back the amount of his purchase,
e woul.i immediately release him. On the next day, to his unspeakable joy,
Je lound the SI/LTAN had become his ransomer from the Macassar Rajah, who
had. n like manner, procured the release of his other companions We have the
pleasure to Karri, that the c ui TAN has rec< .ivcd from our Government the re-
ward due to his humanity. A circumstantial narrative of the blowing up of
this ship ia our next.
OF NAVAL EVENTS.
PLYMOUTH REPORT,
BROM JULY II TO AUC0ST IJ.
July ii. Wind Variable. Fair. Arrived the Folly cutter frcm the fleet v
left them all wll yesterday. Sailed on a cruise the Telegraph, of 18 guns,
Lieutenant Corsellis. Arrived from a cruise, ihe Childers, of 16 guns, Captain
Crawford.
12. Wind Variable. Fair. Arrived with dispatches for Rear Admiral
\Vhitshead, the Unicorn, 32 guns, Captain Wilkinson : she sailed again this
evening for the fleet. Letters received from the Elephant, 74 gu:is, Captain
Foley, state the fleet was all well the icth inst. She sailed thkt day to join the
squadron under Rear Admiral Sir J. B. Warren, off Quiberon.
13. Wind Variable. Fair. Arrived the Cultivateur West Indiaman, Smith.
Master, from Dcmerara and Issequibo, with a cargo valued at 20,0. ol. captured
by a French privateer, and recaptured by the Indefatigable, 44gun, Honourable
Captain Curzon ; and Boadicea, .38 guns, Captain Keats, close in with the
French coast. Sailed to join the fleet, the Temera*ire, 98 guns, Rear Admiral
\Vhitshead; and the Marlborough, 74, Captain Sothtby. Arrived from the
Downs, the Plymouth lugger, Lieutenant Elliot, with a convoy.
14. Wind S. W. Rain. Arrived from a cruise off Isle Bas the Spitfire, 24
guns, Captain s'eymour. Arrived the Bellona brig, Dean, Master, from Gal-
way to Londonderry, with a cargo of kelp, oats, bread, herrings, hides, rosin,
and flannel, captured by J.a Ruse French piivateer, of 14 guns and 75 men,
and retaken by the Doris, 44 guns, Captain Lord Ranelagh. Al^o La i'avorie,
of six guns, and 45 men, from Cayenne to Bourdeaux, with a va.uablc cargo of
cotton, indigo, and camphor, prize to the birius, 36 guns, (Japt iin King.
15. Wind E. N- . Fair. This morning presented- a fine gratifying sighf,
by the appearance off the Sound of anc.ther homeward-bound Jamaica fleet, of
84 sail, richly laden, valued at near a million and a half, convoyed by the
Brunswick, 74 guns, Captain Wallis ; and the Retaliation, 36 pur, s, Captain
Forster. Arrived the Cxsar, 84 guns, Sir J. Saumarez, from the fleet.
16. Wind E.S. E. and S. E. Fair. Arrived from sea, the Alert, from Cadiz
to Boston, detained by the Anson, 44 guns, Captain P. C. Durham, which was
gone on to Gibraltar, all well, the 8th i:;st.
17. Wind Variable. Fair. ( rders came down thi.v day for the flotilla of
gun-boats to get into the Sound, under the command ot Captain J. Hawker.
Sailed on a cruise, the Lady Charlotte, 14 guns.
1 8. Wind Variable. Fair.
19. Wind N. W. Fair. Came in from -off Brest, the Prince, 98 gun?, Rear
Admiral Cotton; the Defence, 74, Captain Lord H. Pawlett; Excellent, 74,
Honourable Captain Stopford. bailed the Amazon, 38 gu:is, Captain Riou, with
her two prizes, for ^>ichead.
20. "\\indN.\V. Fair. Letters from the Triton, 36 guns, Captain Gore,
dated at anchor off Hrest, the i6th in-tant, state, that the gallant . jn.iin had
perfectly recovered from a violent blow he received in his head some tune sn; t e,
by the fall of a block ; he retains the command of the in shore, or fly:ng
squadron, which communicates by signal to Earl St. Vincent the movements of
the combined fleets, as this squadron occasionally anchors Rear Admiral
Berkeley, in the Mars, 74 guns, commands a fiymg detachment offshore.
21. WindN. W. Far. Arrived from Quiberon, the Shannon, 44 gun-,
Captain liters; she brings nothing new. Sailed the inunortaliti, 44 gui-,
Captain Hoth-r.vu on a crui ,c. Arrived the Rusbd, 74 gun?, Cai-tam bawycr,
}>om the Channel fleet, to refit '.nd Victual.
l6i MONTHLY REGISTFR
zi. Wind X. W. Fair.
ij. Wind S. E. Fair. Arrived the Harriet, Atkins, of Boston, from Isle de
France, last from Boston, with a valuable cargo for Rotterdam; detained and
sent in by the SuSisante, 14 jruns, C aptain Whitman. Sailed to join the Chan-
nel fleet, the Cassar, 84 guns, Captaia Sir J. Sauraarez, Bart. Arrived the
John lugger Elliot, from Earl St. Vincent, with dispatches. She left the fleet
all well on Sarurday last. On Sunday, at four P. M. she spoke the Dido, 44
guns, armed en flute, Captain Calby, from Minorca, with three sail under
convoy. On Monday, at eleven, she spoke the Sheerness, 44 guns, Captain
Garden, from the Straits; she had recaptured a valuable ship, called the Pearson
of London, which had been in possession of the French tea days.
25. Wind E. S. E. Fair. Arrived the Megura fire-ship, the Excellent, 74
guns, and Triumph, 74, from the Channel fleet.
26. Wind S. E. Fair.
27. Wind S. E. Fair. Arrived the Windsor Castle, 98 guns, Honourable
Captain Bertie, from the Channel fleet, to refit. Also the Bourdelais, 28 guns,
Captain Manby, from the westward islands. Off Corunna, she captured the
Phoenix, a Danish schooner, from St. Thomas for Altona, but evidently bound
to Bourdeaux, having a French pilot on board. She is laden with coffee, sugar,
indigo, &c. Sec.
28. Wind S. E. Fair. Arrived the Glory, 98 guns, Captain T. Wells, and
Neptune, 98, from the fleet off Brest, to refit. By an officer of the Bourdelais,
28 guns, ju^t arrived from a cruise off the western islands, is l'-arnt that she
looked into Corunna and Fcrrol the izth and I4th ult. ; in Ferrol Harbour
Captain iVianby saw six sail of the line and five frigates, with topsail yards
acros. On the I5th ult. fell in with the Boadicea, 38 guns, Captain Keats;
Indefatigable, 44, Honourable Captain Curzon ; and Sirius, 36, Captain King,
the advanced squadron of frigates of F.arl St. Vincent's fleet : ?.8th ult. fell in
with the Straits convoy, homeward bound, under care of the Endymion. 44
guns, Captain Sir T. Williams, Knt. in lat. 48. 10. N. long. 7. 30. W. going
large, with a fresh breeze.
29. Wind N. E. Fair. This morning arrived from the Straits, the Cul-
loden, 74 guns, Commodore Sir T. Trowbridge, Eart. This gallant officer was
rcceive'd by his townsmen with great respect on his landing. In pursuance of
nrJers from Earl St. Vincent, Rear Admiral Cotton shifted his flag from the
Prince, 98 guns (she not being ready to join the fleet) to the Russel, 74,
Captain H. Sawyer, and sailed directly to join the fleet.
30. Wind Variable, Fair, and Sultry. Sailed the Dasher, 18 guns. Captain
Tcbin, on a cruise. Passed the Sound, to join the Channel fleet, that beautiful
new ship, the Courageux, 74 guns.
31. Wind Variable, Fair and Sultry. Passed up, La Loire, 48 guns, Cspt.
Newman, with the Lisbon and Oport.o fleets, all well ; also the valuable Straits
flett, with several rich silk ships from Smyrna-
A, : gjit i. Wind Variable. Extreme Heat in the Sun. Arrived the Royal
Sovereign, no guns, Admiral Sir Alan Gardner, Bart. Captain T. Bedford ;
and the Pompee, 84, Captain Stirling, from the fleet.
2. Wind Variable. Fair and, Sultry. Sailed the Windsor Castle, 98 guns,
iiiiourable Captain Bertie, to join the fleet. Arrived a very fine schooner
j.nvdtcer, of 16 guns, prize to La Loire, 48, Captain Newman, taken on her
passage home with the Lisbon fleet.
3. Wind W. Fair and Sultry. Arrived from the Channel fleet, the Mars,
74 guns, Rear Admiral Berkeley ; and the Cumberland, 74, Captain T. Graves,
This day orders came down for three line of battleships, and a fri-
OF NAVAL EVENTS. 165
4. Wind Variable. Arrived the Three Friends smuggling lugger, with
one hundred and fifty anchors of spirits, captured by the Spitfire, 24 guns,
Captain Seymour; she had landed part of her cargo at Palperno; but seTcral
boars were tak-;, in endeavouring to escape, and one smuggler was unfortunately
killed. The Spitfire spoke in the Channel, the Ruby, 64 guns, Captain Ferris,
with three East Indiamen under convoy from Bengal ; last from the Cape- of
Good Hope. She had captured on her passage, I, a Fortunie French privateer,
of 16 guns, and one hundred and sixty men, belonging to Bouideaux.
5. Wind N. lair, with light Breezes. Arrived the Ajax, 84 guns, Captain
Cochran, from the fleet. Sailed the Bourdelais, 28 guns, Captain Mauby, for
the Powns. Came in La Revanche French schooner privateer, of 10 guns, and
seventy-five men, (formerly La Hawke privateer, of this port) captured by
the ranic, 44, Captain To wry. Arrived from the fleet the Terrible, 74 guns,
Captain Sir R. Bickerton. Passed by for the Downs, the Spy, 18 guns, with a
large convoy from JVIiiford andFalmouth.
7. Wind Variable. Arrived the Plymouth lugger, Lieutenant Elliot, from
a cruise off Mnrlaix.
8. Wind S. W. Fair and Sultry. Arrived the Formidable, 98 guns, from the
Channel fleet; the isuffisante, 14 guns, and Reynard, 18, from a cruise.
9. Wind Variable. Fair and Sultry. Letters from the Impetueux and other
ships speak in the highest terms of Lieutenant Coghlan an'd his little crew's gal-
lantry, in boarding and carrying off La Cerbere gun brig, of infinitely superior
force, near Port Louis. Admiral Earl St. Vincent, with his ut>u.:l zeal for the
service, presented him with a sword worth one hundred guineas for his bravery,
and, with Sir E. Pellew's squadron, very generously gave up their shares of the
prize money.
10. Wind Variable. Extremely sultry. Arrived the Chapman, 24 guns,
with a convoy from Milford.
n. Wind S. E. Sultry. Arrived from the Channel fleet, the Barfleur, 98
guns, Magnificent, 74, and Saturn, 74. to victual and refit. Letters from the
fleet state, that the look-out cutters venture very near the outer road of jJrcsc
without molestation. '1 he Triton frigate, Captain Gore, is moored next, then
five frigates, five sail of the line, two sail of the line off the Black Rock, and tru'
remainder of ths fleet in line of battle in two lines; so that nothing can move
without observation.
12. WindS. .Sultry. Sailed for the fleet, the Pompee, 84 guns, London, 98,
Mais, 74, Rear- Admiral Berkeley, and Ajax, 84.
13. Wind Variable. Fair and Sultry Came in frojn a cruise, the Dasher,
18 guns, Captain Tobin, and Telegraph, ifc, Lieutenant Lorsellis. Arrived
from Newfoundland, after a good passage, the Voltigcur, iB guns, Captam
yhortland, with three vessels under convoy with fish ; left the Island all well,
tailed the Chapman, with a convoy forihe Uowns.
14. Wind S. Fair, and very Sultry. Arrived the Sirius, 36 guns, Captain
King, from a long cruise off the coast of dpain. Letters from the Fi.sgard,
48 guns, Captain Martin, state, that the following frigates were left cruising on
tiiat btation, viz. Boadicea, 38 guns, Commodore Keats ; Indefatigable, 44,
Hon. Captain Curzon; Fisgard, 48. Captain Martin; Umt:ie, 44, Captain
Towry; and Unicorn, 32, Captain Wilkinson. By this very judicious arrange-
ment of this well appointed squadron, the whole coast of tpain may be consi-
dered as absolutely in a state ot blockade.
15. Wind Variable. Fair and Sultry. The Sirius, 36 guns, which arrived
last night, convoyed three prizes to the squadron, which are hourly cxpede,!.
Sailed the Plymouth lugger, Lieutenant Elliot, with a convoy for die I/owns,
iailed the Diamond, 36 guns, on a cruise.
164 MONTHLY REGISTER
PORTSMOUTH REPORT,
FKOM JDNE 23 TO AUGUST 2J.
"June 23. -Sailed hL> Majesty's ship Experiment, Captain SavilJe, and Thetis,
Capr.'.iti Bjker, for Cowes, to take troops for the secret expedition. Also the
Crapplcr gun- vessel for Marcou, and Plover sloop of war, on a cruise.
24. Arrived the Beaver, Captain Jones, from a cruise.
25. Arrived the Plover, Captain Galway, from the eastward. Sailed the
America, of 64 guns, Vire-Adin .sir Wn>. Parker, with the fleet for Halifax i
amongst which are the Laughton, Rutland, Diamond, and Laurel transports
28. Sailed the Achilles, of 74 guns, Capt.iin Murray, to join the Channel
fleet ; the Harpy. Captain Birchall, and Fly, Captain Mudge, on a cruise; and
the Adive, of 38 guns^Captain Davcrs, with the following Fast Indiamen under
crnvoy : Lord Walsingham, Earl Spencer, MelvilU Castle, Herculean, Ske!-
tcn Ca^'Ie, -nd Tellicbeiry; Cornwall!*, extra ship, and Margaret brig.
33. Arrived the Termagant, Capuin Skipsey ; Terpsichore, Captain Gage ;
and Ash brig, from a cruise.
July i. Sailed the Plover, Captain Galway : also the Eugenie, Captain
Somerville, and Atalante, Captain Griffiths, with a convoy for the Downs.
2. His Majesty's ship Endymion, of 58 guns, Captain Sir Thomas Williams ;
Topaze, of 38 guns, Captain Church ; and Castor, of 32 guns. Captain Gower,
sai'ed to Cowes. Was paid, and afterwards sailed, the Juste, of So guns, Captain
Sir Henry Trollope, to join the Channel fleet.
3. Arrived his Majesty's ship Melpomene, Captain Sir Charles Hamilton,
elder brother to Sir Edward Hamilton, (who so gallantly recovered the Her-
niionc), from the coast of Guinea, w'.th the account of his having taken Goree,
in company with the A'agnanimc and Ruby.
4. .Arrived the St. Fiorenzo, Captain Paterson, from the Channel fleet, to
refit. A'so L'Auguste Spanish letter of marque, of 10 guns and <;o men, cap-
tureH by the Me.pomenc. bhc is a remarkable fine vessel, and was bound to
.e. Arrived the Champion cutter, with dispatches from Marcou: also the
Triiicc of Wales, of 98 guns, Captain Renou, from the West Indies, last from the
Dowcis.
7. Arrived the Harpy, Captain Eirchail, and Fly, Captain Mudge, from a
cause, and brought in with tlu-m a Prussian vessel, laden with salt.
8. Sailed the Tickler gun- vessel, to join the Channel fleet; and the Rambler,
Captain Schomberg, with * convoy for the Downs.
9. Arrived the Hu^ar, of 38 guns, Captain Lord Garlics, from Madeira;
and the Constance, Lieutenant Alt, from a cruise.
10. Arrived the Aim, Lieutenau: Clark, from a cruise, with upwards of 7CO
cask* of spirits, which he had seized.
n. Arrived the Hinde, Captaiu l.arcom, from Halifax.
12. Arrived the Earl St. Vincent cutter, Lieutenant 1 eekoy, from a cruise.
14. Failed the Agincourt, of 64 guns, Vice- Admiral Pole, with a convoy
for Newfoundland; the Hussar, of 38, Lord Garlics, for Ireland ; and the
Arclhusa, of 38, Captain Wolley, on a cruise.
16, Sailed the Discovery, Captain Dick, for the Needles, where she is to lie
as a guardship ; and the liarl St. Vincent, Lieutenant Leekey, on a cruise.
17. Sailed the Circe, Captain J. Wolley; Venus, Captain Graves; and
rromp, Captain O Neil, with a convoy for the West Indies; and the Hugenie,
with ditto, to the eastward,
OF NAVAL EVEKTS. I<5j
18. Arrived the Brunswick, of 74 guns, Captain Rutherford ; and Aquilon,
Captain Boys, with a convoy from the West Indies.
19. Arrived the Cambrian, of 44 guns, Hon. Captain Legge, from the
Channel fleet.
20. Arrived the Osprey, of 18 puns, Captain Watts ; and Jalouse, of i2
guns, Captain Temple, with a convoy from the Downs.
*l. Arrived the Syren, Captain Josselin, from cruising off" Havre de Grace.
She was relieved by the Proselyte. The Cambrian, Hon Captain Lcgge, and,
St. Fiorenzo, Sir Harry Nealc, are appointed to attend their Majesties at
VVeymouth.
22. Arrived the Thames, of 32 guns, Captain Lukin, from the Channel
fleet; Beaver, of 18 gun?. Captain Jones, /rom a cruise; and the Fury, of 16
guns, Captain Curry, from Jcrsev : also the Amazon, of 38 guns, Captain
Riou, with her two prizes, from Plymouth; and Sophie, of 18 i*uns, Captain
Burdett, with the Sea JNymph, Howard, IVuddleton, and Diligence (Navy trans,
ports), under convoy, from Ireland. Sailed the Wolverene, of 16 guns, Captain
Wright, for IVlarcou; Redbridge schooner, for Jersey; Asp gun-brig, oa a
cruise; and Malony cartel, for cherburgh.
23. Arrived the Courageux, of 74 guns, Captain Hood, from the Downs;
Triumph, of 74 guns, Captain E. Harvey, from the Channel fleet; and Bruns-
wick, of 74 guns, Captain Rutherford, from the West Indies, last from the
Downs; and thi Grand Falconer cutter, Lieutenant Chilcott, from Marcoii.
Sailed the ivioc^e;te, armed en fate, for Cork ; a Russian man of war, for the
Baltic; and the Beaver, of 18 guns, Captain Jones, on a cruise.
26. Arrived the Eurydice, of 28 guns, Captain Talbot. from the Downs ;
the Eugenie, of 18 guns, Captain Somerville, with flat-bottomed boats from the
Downs; and the Fly, of 18 guns, Captain Mudge, from cruising ofFCherburgh.
Sailed the Earl St. Vincent cutter, Lieutenant Leekey, on a cruise off Cher-
burgh; the Courageux, of 74 guns, Captain Hood, to join Lord St. Vincent'*
fleet ; and the London Packet armed ship, with a convoy for the Downs.
28. Arrived the Resource armed enfute, Captain Crispo, from Minorca ;
and Far! Spencer cutter, Lieutenant Rye, from a cruise. Sailed the Prince
George, of 98 guns, Captain Walker, to join the Channel fleet ; and Fly, of
16 guns, Captain Mudge, on a cruise off Cherburgh.
29. Arrived the Ville de Paris, of no guns, Captain Grey, from the Ckannel
fleet. Captain Bathurst, Second Captain to Lord St. Vincent, landed from her,
ynd immediately went to town with dispatches from his Lordship. Previous to
the Ville ds Paris sailing, his Lordship shifted his flag to the Royal George.
Sailed the Cambrian, of 44 guns, Hon. Captain Legge ; St. Fiorenzo, of 44,
guns, Captain Patterson ; .-yren, of 33 guns, Captain Gossclin; and two cut.
ters, to attend his Majesty at Weymouth.
30. Arrived his Majesty's sloop Seaflower, from a cruise.
31. Sailed all the Russian men of war and transports, for their own country.
Aug. I. Hailed the Rambler, of 16 guns, Captain Schomberg, on a cruise ;
aho the Earl Spencer cutter, Lieutenant Rye, on a cruise.
3. Arrived his Majesty's ship La Loire, of 40 guns, Captain Newman, from
the Mediterranean ; on 1'hursday she was cleared from quarantine, and on Fri-
day came into haibour. Captain Retalick, of the Royai Navy, came passenger
in her.
5. Sailed the Dictator, Delft, Trusry, Astrea, Termagant, Fury, and Tor-
toise, on a secret expedition.
6. Sailed the Eury.iice, with the transports, having on board the troops for
the secret expedition, from St. Helens, with the wind at N. N. E. and in the
evening hud got entirely round iitmbridge Ledge, with a light breeze to carry
them down Channel.
7. This morning, at nine o'clock, a gun was fired on board the Royal William,
at Spithcad, and toe yellow flag hoisted as a signal for executing J WA r %
and J. ALLEN, who were condemned by a Court lY.artui as benij; cor.cerii-d
l66 MONTHLY REGISTER
in the mutiny on hoard the Hermlone. T he signal beinp repeated, the yellow
flag was hoisted on board the Pui^nt at Spithtad, and the Braatcl in the . ar-
bour, on board which chips they were executed, boats from all the ships at
Spithead, manned and armed with marine , attended the Puissant^ a- those in
the Harbour did the Braakel. At ten o'clock Watson was launched into eter-
nity ; but, as the same Pruvost Marshal was obliged to aiuud both nun, Alien
was not executed until eleven o'clock. He came in an armed boat on board the
Braatcl, Captain GEORGE CLARKE ; attended by Mr. ILL .AM < wtn., Cl.ap-
lain of the Royal William They both behaved very penitent, and ack.io., led<-d
the justice of their sentence. Allen was born at Chatham, and but twenty years
of age the day he was tried. His brother was on board the whole oi the trial,
and was extremely affeded ; and, at the time of the execution, he wa^ at -he
Dock-Yard, direilly opposite his brother, and, on the gun's firing, he fell down
speechless in the yard, from whence he was taken home in aeta: .iity.
The hand of Providence has evidently shewn itseii in the i
atrocious wretches, the shame of England and of humanity I'hey lad "all made
their escape, and were in an enemy's country; yet, by various ways, <>!!d hidden
in unaccountable means, Divine vengeance has purs-ued and delivered them up
to the arm of .their offended country! We trust this strong and memorable
document will not be lost upon the Navy, and that it will recur in the very first
moment of artful mutiny and political seditiou. We shall hortly have an oppor-
tunity of shewing how great a part of the crew of that ship, recovered by the
gallantry of true British seamen, has already been overtaken by justice.
8. Arrived the Beaver, Captain Jones, from a cruise.
9. Arrived the Sheerness, Captain Garden, from Gibraltar, last from the
Downs.
10. Arrived the Concorde, from St. Martin's, laden with salt, a prize to the
Ant schooner; the Catherine, from Bourdeaux, with wine, prize to the Wol-
verene.
1 1. Sailed the Termagant, Captain Skipsey, with dispatches for Lord Keith.
13. Arrived the Triton, -, from Havre, laden with mahogany, prize
to his Majesty's frigate Proselyte.
1 8. Arrived the Dart sloop, of 18 guns, Captain Devonshire, from the Downs ;
and Voltigeur, of 18 guns, Captain Shortland, from having convoyed the home-
ward-bound Newfoundland ships. Sailed the Seaflower brig, Lieutenant Mur-
ray, with General M'Donald and suite on board, for Jersey.
19. Sailed the Alert Cutter, Lieutenant Clark, with a convoy for Plymouth ;
and the Warrior, of 74 guns, Captain Tyler, to join Lord St. Vincent's fleet.
20 Arrived the Farl St. Vincent cutter, Lieutenant Leekey, with the
Friendship, a Danish galliot, her prize, laden with merchandize, from Amster-
dam, for Lisbon, tailed the Dart sloop, of 18 guns, Captain Lever: shire, for
the Downs.
21. The Ville de Paris, no guns, Captain Grey, went out of Dock. It is
supposed she will go out of harbour in the course of ten days.
21. Arrived the Scourge, of 18 guns, Captain S. Warren, from convoying
part of the homeward-bound We$r India fleet, safe up Bristol Channel. She
parted, on Saturday last, off Cape Clear, with the Invincible, and the West India
fleet, bound for the River, and proceeded as far as I.undy with two West India-
men, bound for Bristol. She sailed iroai thence on Tuesday last for this port,
.-he brings intelligence of the outward-bound West-India fleet, that sailed in
April under convoy of the Scorpion, Severn, and Dromedary, having arrived at
jViartinique on the aoth of May. The Scourge made her passage in six weeks
from the Islands. The West India fleet consisted of about ninety-one sail :
great part of them were Guinea-men, bound to Liverpool and Glasgow. The
>courge has been out ever since April 13, 1797, and has taken two Spanish let-
ters of marque. Sailed the Grand Falconer cutter, Lieutenant C hilcott. for ct.
Marcou.
23. Arrived the Alert cutter, Lieutenant Clark, from the Downs.
OF NAVAL EVENTS. 167
IPromotiona anU appointments.
ADMIRAL SIR ALAN GARDNER is appointed chief on the Irish station
in the room of Admiral Kingsmill,
The Prince of Wales, of 98 guns, is ordered to be fitted for the flag of Rear
'Admiral Sir Robert Calder, Cart, and Captain Penrose is appointed to com-
mand the ship. She is to be employed in the Channel fleet under Earl St.
Vincent.
Sir Thomas Trouhridgc, Bart, lately returned from the Mediterranean, is
appointed Captain of the Channel fleet, and will sail from Portsmouth in a few
days in the Ville de Paris, of up guns, Captain Grey.
Captain Sir Home Popham is appointed to command the Romney, of 50
guns.
Captain Freemantle is appointed to the Ganges, of 74 guns, fitting at Forts-
mouth.
Captain Patrick Campbell, late of his Majesty's sloop Dart, who so gallantly
captured the fine French frigate Destree, under the very guns of Dunkirk, and
in view of a number of the enemy's ships, is appointed by the Lords of the
Admiralty to the command of his Majesty's frigate Ariadne.
Captain M. Seymour, of the Spitfire, 24 guns, is appointed by the Lords of
the Admiralty a Post Captain in the Royal Navy.
Captain Kun, of the Chapman, 24 guns, is appointed to the command of the
Spitfire, 24.
Captain W. H. Webley is appointed to the command of his Majesty's sloop
Savage, on the Irish station, in the room of Captain Norman Thompson, who is
promoted to the rank of Post Captain.
Lieutenant Conn, of the Formidable, is promoted to the rank of Master and
Commander, and appointed to the Discovery bomb.
Captain Dick, of the Discovery, is appointed to the Cynthia; and Captain
Malbon, of the Cynthia, is promoted to the rank of Post Captain.
Lord Cochrane is promoted to the rank of Master and Commander, and ap-
pointed to the Speedy sloop of war.
Honourable G. L.Dundas, one of the Lieutenants of his Majesty's late un-
fortunate ship Queen Charlotte, is promoted to the rank of Master and Com-
mander, and appointed to the Camelion sloop of war.
Browne, Esq. first Lieutenant of the Elephant, is promoted to the
rank of Commander ; and Lieutenant William Wilkinson, who was so severely
wounded in the ever-memorable battle of the Nile, on board his Majesty's ship
Goliah, and who was first Lieutenant of that ship for many months before she
was paid of at Portsmouth, succeeds Mr. Browne as first Lieutenant of the
Elephant.
The Rev- H. Don is appointed Chaplain of the Royal Oak, and the whole of
the prison ships commanded by Captain Rawe.
Mr. Fisher, of the Rowcliffe aimed brig, is promoted to a surgeon, and ap-
pointed to the Wolverene, on the Marcou station.
Lieutenant Alt, of the Royal William, who has for a considerable time com-
manded the Ant schooner, with great credit to himself, and advantage to the
public service, is put on half pay; and William Hird, Esq. is appointed to the
command of the Ant.
Captain Mouat is appointed Resident Agent for transports at Gibraltar.
W. P. Wallis, Esq. Secretary to Admiral Sir Roger Curtis, in the room of
Mr. J. Williamson, who is appointed Purser of the Orestes.
In consequence of the death of Colonel Painter, of the Marine Forces, the
following officers have been promoted : Major Munro succeeds Colonel Painter;
'- aptain Winter gets the majority; Captain-Lieutenant Wardlace has a full
company ; and Lieutenant Griffiths is made Captain-Lieutenant.
l68 MONTHLY REGISTER OF HAVAL EVENTS.
MARRIAGES.
LATELY at Malvern, Thomas Lynne, Esq. of the Navy, to Miss Mary
Warren, third daughter of the Rev. Erasmus Warren, Rector of Hampstead,
near 1 ondon, and of Great Bromley, in Kent.
The a8th ult at Kingston, Vice-Admiral Bligh to Miss Golightly, of Ham
Common, Surry.
The 4th inst. at Plymouth, Dr. William Knighton to Miss Dorothea Hawker,
youngest daughter of the late Captain Hawker, of the Navy.
At Mary-le-bone Church, Captain Sabine, of the Guards, to Miss Paisley,
daughter of Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Paisley, Bart.
At fotness, Devon, Mr. Fitzgerald, Purser of L'Achille, of 74 guns, to Miss
Toms, of that place.
OBITUARY.
June 25. AFTER a lingering illness, George Bowen, Esq. Commander of
his Majesty's ship Trusty, of 50 guns. He was nephew to Rear Admiral
Bowen ; and made a Post Captain in 1795.
A few days since, at Bristol, Colonel Peter Painter, of the Marine forces. He
is greatly regretted by his brother Officers, and a numerous acquaintance.
At Cosham, Mrs. Orrock, widow of Captain Orrock.
At Greenwich, the Lady of Captain ^ir H. Linzee.
At Chatham, Mr. H. Watson, foreman of the dock-yard.
Lately, at sea, returning from Honduras, Captain Pierson, aged 27 years. He
served under Lord Nelson, in the Captain, of 74 guns, in the action between
the British and Spanish fleets, on the 141!) of February, 1797- Captain, then
Lieutenant Picrson, of the 6o.th regiment, accompanied the brave Nelson, when,
sword in hand, he boarded and captured a Spanish 84 and 112 gun ship.
The 1 6th inst. in the ?ist year of his age, at Bath, the Honourable Samuel
Batring:on, senior Admiral of the White, General of his Majesty's Marine
Forces, and brother to the Lord Bishop of Durham ; he was the fifth son of John
Lord Vissount Barrington, of the Kingdom of Ireland, and consequently brother
to the late Lord. Owing to an infirm state of health, he had, for the last ten
years of his life, declined accepting of any naval command ; but the records of
his various and eminent services performed in the earlier period of it, are inde-
libly imprinted in the page of history, and still more honourably preserved in
the minds of his countrymen. This gentleman wa never married ; but though
he hath left no children to lament his loss, all those who have ever served under
his orders, and survive, will supply the want of relative Rricf, and lament his
death as a foster parent, whom they loved, honoured, and revered. As nn
officer, exceeded by none, and equalled by few, in the different requisites of
nautical knowledge, experience, ability, and gallantry; it becomes a matter of
no small difficulty to decide whether his loss be more to be deplored as a mis-
fortune to that abstract, though more public branch of society, the naval service,
or to the general community, in which his conduct displayed a rare and valuable
instance of uninterrupted benevolence, friendship, and philanthropy, raised to an
height which few have been able to rival, and none to excel- He was the inti-
mate friend of the Marquis of Lansdown, Colonel Barre, and some of the most
respectable persons for talents and integrity which this country can boast ; but
by no person will Admiral Harrington's loss be more regretted than by the
present gallant Commander of the Channel fleet, with whom, till the day of
his death, he lived in habits of the srricte^t intimacy and friendship.
The Admiral was one of five brothers who rose to the highest dignities that
can be conferred in their respeSive lines. The eldest was a Peer ; the second,
John, a General ; the third, Dairies, a Judge ; the fourth, Samuel, an Admiral ;
and the fifth, khute, the present Bishop of Durham, and the only survivor of
this illustrious family. The first Lord Barrington, the father of these, was the
son of a merchant, end himself, independent of the other honours he attained, a
writer of great eminence:
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS Of
THE HONOURABLE
SAMUEL BARRINGTON,
ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE SQUADRON, AND GENERAL OF MARINE*.
When greatness is to goodness near allied,
The man that has them, is a man indeed ! Hu R D I s.
Be these thy honours, Harrington ! and these
The liberal Muse, that never stain'd her page
With flattery, fhall record. A\o:v.
"y^TITH whatever willingness the contemplative mind may
join in the general fhout which attends an hero's
triumph, it not only dwells with very high and peculiar
complacency but heartfelt satisfadion on the character in.
which the milder virtues are no less conspicuous than the
martial. There is a particular species of goodness that the
cynic may attribute to an indolence of mind, and of valour
which the philosopher feels himself sometimes compelled to
regard as ferocity ; but when benevolence and bravery are
found forming ingredients and qualities in the same person,
the greatest sceptic dare not withhold his tribute of applause
and admiration.
In regard to the man who is equally admirable " in glorious
war, and still more glorious peace," the reludant praise of
the cynic, and the hesitative determination of the philoso-
pher, are completely done away. Praise, the just tribute of
his high merit, is fairly and liberally bestowed by the com-
mon consent of all parties and descriptions of his country-
men. The character of a patriot may be falsely thought to
exist in the greatest brilliancy when elevated on the stilts of
what is called popularity, but it must be obvious to every
sincere and true philanthropist, that he alone is deserving of
the title, who in all cases and at all risks to himself, is ready
and anxious to promote what are the real interests and ad-
vantages of his country. The man who, when his country-
men are threatened by surrounding foes, stands forward in
their defence, and who, when public tranqu 1 ty again
re-assumes its reign, unceasingly labours to promote tha
i. IV. z
IJfl BIOGRAPHICAL MBMOIR8
comfort of individuals ; as his claim to the character is built
on the strongest foundation, so has envy never dared to
whisper a syllable in detraftion of his merits, but allows the
uninterrupted enjoyment of that pleasure which the triumph
of benevolence and virtue cannot- fail to excite.
Such was truly the character of the subject of the present
Memoirs. He was the fifth son of John first Lord Viscount
Barrington, of the kingdom of Ireland, and Anne his wife,
daughter and coheiress to Sir William Daines. The family
from whence he was descended was of very remote antiquity,
it was of Norman extraction, and its original name Shute.
Having settled in the county of Cambridge, the first person
who rendered himself conspicuous among them, was Robert,
son to Christopher Shute, of Stockington, in that county.
This Robert was a Barrister, and appointed a Baron of the
Exchequer anno 1579, from which Court he removed into
the King's Bench in 1585. John, the grandson to this Robert,
was made a Commiflioner of the Cuftoms in 1708, and be-
came in 1710 legatee to John Wildman, of Becket, in the
County of Berks, Esq.; who, though no relation, bequeathed
to him a very noble landed property in that county, after
having made a declaration in his will most highly honourable
to the objeft of his bounty. He expressed on that occasion,
that his only reason for so doing, was because he considered
Mr. Shute as the man of all others most deserving of being
adopted by him.
Some years after this a second very considerable estate was
bequeathed to the same honourable person by Francis Bar-
tington, of Tofts, in the county of Essex, Esq. who had
married his aunt. In compliance with the deed of settlement
by which the eftate was conveyed, Mr. Shute then assumed
the name of Barrington, and on the ist of July, 1720, was
created an Irish peer, by the titles of Baron Barrington of
Newcastle, and Viscount Barrington of Ardglass, in that
kingdom. John, the first Lord, died December the I4th,
1734, leaving several children, of whom particulars will be
hereafter given.
OF THE HON. SAMUEL BARRINGTdfr. IJl
Samuel, the fifth son, being intended for the naval service*
Was entered in 1740^ being then scarcely eleven years old, on
board the Lark, a fifth rate, of 40 guns, commanded by the
Right Honourable Lord George Graham *. The first ser-
* This Nobleman was the fourth son of James, fourth Marquis, and first Duke
of Montrose, by the Lady Christian Carnegie, daughter of David Earl of Nor-
thesk. He was the descendant of one of the most ancient families in North
Britain.
No sirname in Scotland claims a higher origin than Graham. The tradi-
tional account thereof handed down to us by our historians is, that they artt
descended of the renowned Graeme, who in the year 404 was general of King
Fergus the Second's army, and was Governor of Scotland in the minority of his
grandchild King Eugene II. He fought with the Romans and defeated the
Britons. In the year 420, he made a breach in and forced that mighty wall
which the Emperor Severus had reared up between the rivers Forth and Clyde
as the utmost limits of the Roman empire, to keep out the Scots from molesting
them in their possessions, which wall has ever since retained, and to this day
goes under the name of Graeme's Dyke*
The foundation of this great rampart has been of late traced from one river
to the other^ and is fully marked by several stones found therein, which have
Roman inscriptions cut out upon them, denoting the limits where and by whom
they were set, &c. A good many of these stones arc at present to be seen in th
college of Glasgow, and are well described in Mr. Gordon's Itinerarium Sep.
tentrionale.
1 his great man is said to have married a lady of the Royal House of Den-
tnark, and was progenitor of all the Grahams in the kingdom of Scotland.
His Lordship impelled by his natural spirit, inherited as it were from his
brave and truly noble, though unfortunate ancestor, James the first Marquis,
entered at an early age into the navy, and was advanced more in consequenea
of his own merit and worth, than any advantage he derived from his noble
birth, through the different subordinate stations till he at length became com-
mander of the Mercury fireship. He was promoted on the I5th of March 1740,
to be Captain of the Adventure, a fifth rate, and in the ensuing month mad
Governor of Newfoundland. He held that station only for the current season,
for he was some time in the ensuing removed into the Lark, of 40 guns, and
sent to convoy the outward-bound Turkey trade. There is no subsequent ae-
count of him till the beginning of the year 1745, when he was appointed to the
command of the Cumberland, of 60 guns, which he soon declined j and chose ra-
ther, as better suited to his active turn of mind, to accept that of the Bi idgewater :
some persons erroneously say he commanded the iheerness, a frigate of 24 guns,
itationed in the channel. In June following, he di.stingwished himself exceed-
ingly in the attack and capture of several privateeis and their prize?, of which
brilliant adion there is the following account in an official jitter from Ostend :
Yesterday afternoon Lwd George Graham* in his Majesty's ship the Bridge-
water, of 24 guns, Captain Gordon, in the Sheerness, of 24 guns, and LiiU-
tenant Fergusson, in the Ursula armed vessel, of 16 guns, anchored in sight of
this town. This morning about half past one, the town was alarmed with
firing, which arose from the three above-mentioned ships being engaged with
*kree Dunkirk privateers, the Royal, of 28 <juns, the Duchess dc Pcflthievre, of
17* BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
vice in which that ship was engaged after Mr. Barrington's first
connexion with it, was as one of the convoy to the outward-
bound Turkey fleet j and soon after his return from that voy-
age he removed into the Leopard, a fourth rate, of 50 guns,
one of the fleet employed on the Mediterranean station *.
a6 guns, a logger of j a guns, and seven prizes, which they had taken, and
were carrying to Dunkirk.
The fight was obstinate till about four o'clock, when the four large prizes,
three of them Virginia ships, struck to the Sheerness, the two large privateers
to the Bridgewater, two Bremeners and a Scotch brig to the Ursula, but the
dogger privateer made her escape. The Bridgewater, Sheerness, two large
privateers, and four large prizes, struck the ground, but were all got off the
following tide, except one of the privateers.
He was immediately after this promoted to the Nottingham, of 60 guns, and
in the course of a short cruise, on which he immediately proceeded, sunk a large
French privateer, ca.led the Bacchus ; all the crew were, however, saved, ex-
cept the Lieutenant. His Lordship was taken ill on his return into port, and
unhappily did no: long survive this exploit, dying January 2, 1746-7.
It is elsewhere remarked, that from a multitude of concurrent testimonies, he
appears to have been an officer who attained a great share of popularity, and
was indeed very deservedly the idol of all seamen who knew him, as well on
.account of the high opinion entertained of his gallantry, as an invincible fund
of good humour, which latter quality conciliated the affections of men in the
same degree that the first related excited their admiration and esteem.
* This ship" was then commanded by Lord Forrester, which Nobleman was
the eldest son of George, fifth Lord Forrester, who was a military Officer, and
signalized himself in a very remarkable manner under the Generals Wills and
Carpenter, at Preston, in Lancashire, during the rebellion which broke out in
1715. As a reward for his very great bravery, he was advanced to be Colonel
of the fourth troop of Horse Guards. George, his son, the sixth Lord For-
rester, having entered into the navy, was on the Z4th of November 1741, pro-
moted to be Captain of the Biddeford frigate. He was soon afterwards ordered
to Gibraltar and the Mediterranean, on which station he contirtued during the
following year; during this time no mention is made of him, except his having
been concerned with Captain Norris of the Kingston, in the capture of two
Spanish prizes, the St. Anthonio and Senora Rosaria, which they carried into
Gibraltar. Early in the year 1742, he became Captain of the Leopard, of 50
uns, and still continued on the same station, where, in the month of August,
he captured a valuable prize. Of this circumstance he gave the following re-
port in a letter written to the Secretary of the Admiralty, which is worthy of
insertion as well on account of the fad itself, as of the singular style in which
the memory of it is'prc served :
On the 9th instant, between Cape St. Mary's and Cadiz, I saw a ship stem-
ming right in for the latter placg, and as she lay immediately in my route, I
futd two shot at hsr, and brought her to. On examination, I found her to be
a Spaniard, of about two hundred and odd ton's, laden with logwood, cochineal,
and cocoa, and several other sorts of dyes, the names I do not know, Canary
wines, four camels, and a great present, yet unknown, for the King of Nuple;
6* THE HON. SAMUEL BARKINGTON. i;j
Mr. Barrington continued there and in the same ship tills
the year 1746, and then returned to England, having been a
short time before promoted by Admiral Rowley to the rank
of lieutenant ; but neither is the time known with precision
when this advancement took place, nor the name of the ship
(to which he was appointed.
At the latter end of the year 1746, or the beginning of the
ensuing, he was raised to the rank of commander, and ap-
pointed to the Weazle sloop, from whence he experienced a
Hill farther promotion on the 2O,th of May 1747, when he
became a Post Captain, being commissioned to die Bellona, a
fifth rate, of 30 guns. This vessel had been a private ship
of war, captured from the French a short time before, but
being thought an excellent sailer, and well fitted for war,
was received into the Royal Navy. Soon as Captain Bar-
rington had entered upon his command, being then scarcely
more than eighteen years old, he was ordered out on a
cruise off Ushant, and distinguished himself exceedingly in
a very smart adtion which took place on the iSth of August
following, between the Bellona and the Duke de Chartres, a
French East India ship of considerable force.
Of this encounter the following official particulars are
given :
At nine in the morning his Majesty's ship Bellona, commanded by
the Honourable Captain Barrington, gav chase to a sail standing to
the eastward, and at one discovered her to be an enemy. In three
quarters of an hour the chase hoisted French colours, and fired at the
Bellona, -vhich Captain Barrington, not thinking himself near enough,
as also a bishop, a priest, a Spanish general, and other officers, with great sum*
of piastres.
He is said to have continued Captain of the Leopard till the beginning of the
year 1745, when he was promoted to the Defiance, of 60 guns. Having un-
happily contracted an habit of intemperance, which occasionally rendered him
very unfit for command, and betrayed him into several breaches of duty ; hi
misconduct at last became so apparent and glaring, that he was brought before a
Court Martial, of which .Mr. Griffin was President, held on board the Tilbury,
at Portsmouth. The charge against him being incontrovertibly proved, he wa*
sentenced to be dismissed the service on the 28th of March 1/46. He did not
long survive this disgrace, the cause of which all benevolent men, while they
condemn, must at the same time compassionate,
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
did not return (being but just within point-blank), till about tfrd
o'clock, when Ushant bearing E. distance three leagues, he began to
engage her closely, anJ continued to do so till half past four, when she
truck. She proved to be a French East India ship from port TOrientj
called the Duke de Chartres, of 700 torts, 30 guns, nine and twelve"-
pounders, with one hundred and ninety five men, laden with beef, flouf,
brandy, wine, and oil, and had on board three mortars, and a great
cumber of shells.
Killed of the French 25 Wounded I&
Bellona 3 }
Not long after the return of Captain Barrington into port
with his prize, at least before the conclusion of the then,
current year, he removed into the Romney, a large fifth rate,
mounting 44 guns, in which ship he continued till the con-
clusion of the war ; but unfortunately without meeting with
any second opportunity of distinguishing himself so con-
spicuously as he had before done. Not long after the cessa-
tion of hostilities he was appointed to the Sea-horse, of 20
guns, and Ordered to the Mediterranean with the late Admiral
Keppel, who was appointed to command on that ftation,
with the established rank of Commodore ; while employed
in that quarter he was particularly occupied in the civil
capacity of a negotiator with the different piratical States of
the coast of Barbary for the ransom of many British subjects
who had been captured at different times, and were then held
in a state of slavery. This occupation, melancholy and dis-
agreeable as it might on some accounts be considered, was
on others far from unacceptable to a man of Mr. Barring-
ton's benevolent turn of mind. After much difficulty he
prevailed in effecting his purpose, if not so completely a$
he himself might wish, at least he succeeded as well as the.
peculiar nature of his commission allowed, which appears by
the following extracts from official documents :
(rlbr altar t Aug. 16, 1750.
In four or five days Captain Barrington will sail from hence in a
man of war for Tetuan, and will carry with him Mr* Pettigrew, his
Britannic Majesty's Consul'General to Morocco, Fez, and the AI-
garves, in order to treat for the redemption of all British captives whick
e now in slavery at those places.
I
P THB HON. SAMUEL BARMMGTOW. ; lyf
* Gibraltar, Oft. 9, 1750.
Yesterday Captain Barrington, in the Seahorse man of war, re-
turned hither from Cadiz, having on board a considerable sum of
money, to be applied for the redemption of all the British subje&s who
are in slavery at Tctuan.
C'ibr -altar ', Dec. 9, 1750.
Captain Barrington in the Seahorse man of war, who sailed from
lience on the 7th instant in the morning for Tetuan Bay, .in order to
bring over the British slaves, is returned hither this morning, and has
brought with him Mr. Latton, and twenty-seven captives.
On his return from the ftation last mentioned, he was ap-
pointed to the Crown, a fifth rate, of 44 guns, and ordered
to the coast of Guinea, a quarter, more particularly in time
of peace, where he could have no opportunity of being
otherwise than very uninterestingly employed. He did not
however, long remain on that station, and immediately on
his return to England was promoted to the Norwich, a
fourth rate, of 50 guns, one of the ships ordered to be put
into commission and equipped for immediate service, in con-
sequence of the various encroachments made by the French
on the British settlements in North America. The squadron
destined on this occasion to assist in punishing the insult
which the honour of the nation and the property of plundered
individuals had received, was put under the command of Com-
modore Keppelj who was intrusted at the same time with die
protection of a fleet of transports, having on board a number
of troops with their camp equipage and artillery. This army
was commanded by the brave but rash and imprudent Gene-
ral Braddock ; and the quarter in which it was destined to
a&, being so far removed from the coast as to render any
plan of co-operation impossible, the naval transactions of
that expedition were necessarily confined to the mere pro-
teftion of the troops on their passage, and providing for their
different wants, far as circumstances would permit, after
they were landed.
Captain Barrington, after having remained for a short time
subsequent to his return to Europe without holding any com-
inission, was, in 1757, appointed to the Achilles, a new ship
X7$ BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRf
of 60 guns, onft of the fleet destined for the home or channel
service. As soon as it was equipped, he was ordered on the
successless expedition sent against Rochfort. Independent of
that reluctance with which it is natural for all people to
enter into any detail of an occurrence on which the wishes
and expectations of a whole nation, after being anxiously
xed, were chilled by the severest disappointment, Captain
Barrington was so trivially concerned in it, as to render any
enlarged account of the transaction irrelevant and improper.
He was afterwards employed as a channel cruiser during the!
remainder of the year, and at the commencement of the
ensuing, was occupied in a similar kind of service, under the
orders of Captain Pratten, who was senior Officer of one of
the small squadrons which were constantly kept in the
channel and off the coast of France, to prevent as much as
possible the depredations that might otherwise have been
committed by the enemy's cruisers.
This little armament had the good fortune to fall in with
the Raisonable, a French ship of war, mounting 64 guns,
which the Dorsetshire, commanded by Captain, afterwards
Sir Peter Denis, was immediately ordered to chase, but in
consequence of its being discovered that the object of pursuit
was a very large vessel, Captain Barrington was ordered to
follow in pursuit, and support the Dorsetshire if necessary.
The superior sailing of the latter ship, and the briskness of*
her attack, prevented Captain Barrington from acquiring that
opportunity of distinguishing himself which his gallantry
and natural spirit flattered him with the hopes of, when first
ordered to pursue. He continued occupied in the same line
of active service till the }ear 1760, when he was ordered to
Louisburg, which fortress had not long before been captured
from the enemy. Previous, however, to his quitting a
station on which he had been so long employed, he had the
happiness in the month of April 1759, f foxing in w ^ tn a
French ship of war, called the St. Florentine, which was of
equal force with the Achilles. After a short chase he got
close up with his antagonist, whom he brought to a very close
OF THE HON. SA'MUEL HARRINGTON. 177
Sclion, which was closed after a continuance of contest for
two hours, by the surrender of the enemy.
The peculiar manner and address with which the Achilles
was manoeuvred during the encounter, reflected a brilliancy
on the character of her commander superior, if possible, to
the lustre produced by any cotemporary atchievement*
Furious and uninterrupted as the aftion had raged for so
long a space of time, two persons only were killed, and
twenty-three wounded- among Mr. Barrington's crew; while
on board the French ship the carnage had exceeded five times
that number ; the vessel itself being reduced at the same time
almost completely to a wreck, not only by the loss of all her
masts, but by the extreme injury she had received in her
hull. Prudence and ability, connected with a proper por-
tion of spirit, render the character of a comrmnder perfect ;
and in few men have these united qualities appeared with
greater advantage than they did in that of Captain Barring-
ton, on the different occasions he met with of displaying
them.
After the return of Captain Barrington from Louisburg,
at the close of the year 1760, the Achilles was taken into
dock for repair, a necessary operation, in which the greatest
part of the winter was consumed. As soon as it was com-
pleted, he was ordered to put himself under the command
of Commodore Keppel, with whom he accordingly pro-
ceeded on the Expedition undertaken against Belleisle. Here
he again signalized himself, particularly in the 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. As a maik of Mr.
Keppel's esteem for his condudt, he was chosen by that
gentleman to be the bearer of his official dispatches, in
which he pays Captain Barrington the following concise
and l well deserved compliment, " Captain Barrington having
been employed in many of the operations on this service, I
have sent him home with this letter, and beg, Sir, to refer
you to him for the particulars." He continued in the same
U IV, A A
f^8 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR!
ship till nearly the conclusion of the war, but was, generally
speaking, very uninterestingly employed, owing to that in-
aftion of the enemy, which was naturally consequent to
the heavy losses their Marine had sustained.
In the early part of the year 1762, he served in the small ar-
mament to which those causes which have been just mentioned
had enabled Britairf to" reduce her naval force stationed in the
channel, but before the aftual cessation of hostilities took
place, he was appointed to the Hero, of 74 guns, one of the
ships employed in the same line of service the Achilles had
been, and under the same Flag Officer, the late Sir Charles
Hardy. His ship being put out of commission and dis-
mantled as soon as jhe definitive treaty of peace had taken
place, Mr. Barrington did not take upon him any subsequent
command till the year 1768, when he was appointed to the
Venus frigate, of 36 guns, which was at that time considered
as the finest ship of her class, which had ever belonged to
the British Navy.
The cause of this appointment was, in order that Captain
Barrington might aft as instructor or tutor to his Royal
Highness the late Duke of Cumberland, who had then de-
termined on entering into the naval service. No person
more fit or more capable of undertaking such a charge,
could have been found. The preparatory service in the
navy, far as regarded a personage of his Highness's elevated
rank, was at that time a mere matter of form, for it had been
customary, as in the case of his Royal brother the Duke of
York, to promote Princes to the rank of Flag Officers, almost
as soon as those temporary inconveniences generally experi-
enced by persons on their first going to sea, had worn off. But
in proportion as this preliminary service was dispensed with
and shortened, by so much the more did it become incum-
bent on the preceptor to be diligent in communicating his
instructions, and on the pupil to be attentive in receiving
them. This appointment, therefore, which by some persons
might be cursorily passed over as a circumstance of trivial or
no consequence, will be found on closer examination, one of
OF THE HON. SAMUEL BARRINGTON. 179
the greatest compliments that could have been bestowed on
him.
Captain Barrington, that the rules of the service might be
preserved, at least on such occasions as it had been un-
customary to dispense with, resigned the command of the
Venus for a few days, in the course of the month of Odto-
ber following his appointment, in order to afford an op-
portunity to his Royal pupil of being promoted to the rank
of Post Captain. The Duke being quickly afterwards ad-
vanced to the station of Rear Admiral of the Blue, Mr.
Barrington resumed his former station as commander of the
Venus, and had the honour of attending his Royal Highness
to Lisbon. < After his return to England, he continued
without holding any commission till theyear 1771, when, in
consequence of an apprehended rupture with Spain relative
to the Falkland Islands, he was appointed to the Albion, of
74 guns, one of the ships ordered to be equipped at Chat-
ham on that occasion. The dispute being accommodated,
the ship just mentioned was ordered to be retained in com-
mission as a guardship stationed at Plymouth, where Captain
Barrington continued to command her during the three
Succeeding years.
In 1777, all prospeft having vanished of terminating the
contest which had then "so long subsisted between Great
Britain and the American Colonies, and it becoming every
day more and more probable that France had resolved on be-
coming a party in the dispute, Great Britain applied herself
with no inconsiderable degree of earnestness to the equip-
ment of a formidable naval force. Mr. Barrington was
accordingly commissioned to the Prince of Wales, a third
rate, of 74 guns, one of the ships ordered to be fitted for
immediate ser.vice. As soon as the ship was ready for sea, it
was ordered out on a cruise in the Bay of Biscay, for the
purpose of distressing the Americiu commerce, and met with
no inconsiderable share of success. Mr. Barrington, how-
ever, was on the point of engaging in a far mure atiive scene^
I?.0 BIOSR.APHICAL MEMOIRS
which consequently was much more agreeable to his a&ive
turn of mind. 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 proceeded to the West Indies,
having been invested with the chief command of the naval
force employed in that quarter, as successor to Admiral
Young. The rupture with France, an event which had
been so long meditated by that country, and considered as
inevitable by Britain, having commenced in 1778, the force
under the orders of the Vice- Admiral became totally inade-
quate to the protection of such valuable possessions as the
West India islands. Mr. Hotham was accordingly detached
te reinforce him from North America, with two ships of 64
guns*, three of 5<D,guns each f? 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-nine transports, having on board a,
considerable land force, intended not merely for the protec-
tion of the British possessions, but the annoyance and attack
of any colonies, the property of the enemy, which should
be considered as vulnerable.
A junction being happily formed with Mr. Barrington at
Barbadoes, where he had collefted the whole force under his
command, which previously consisted of no more than two
ships of the line, the Prince of Wales and Boyne, with six or
seven small frigates and sloops of war, it was resolved to com-
mence operations against the enemy, by an immediate and
powerful attack on the French Island of St. Lucia. Scarce
had the troops obtained a footing on the island, when the
whole attention of the Admiral was through necessity di-
verted to a sudden, though not totally unexpe&ed enemy, in
the Count d'Estaing, who had arrived at Martinico a few
days before. The following plain unadorned account, offi-
cially given by Mr. Barrington, of the principal transactions
* The St. Allans and Nonsuch. t The Isis, Centurion, and Presto*,
OF THE HON, SAMUEL BARRINGTON. j$f
which took place on this eventful occasion, cannot fail of
proving interesting in the extreme, to every lover of his
country, and every admirer of gallantry :
Prince of Wales, in tli Grand Cut de Sac in tie L/auJ
of S(. Lucia, December aj, 1778, at Nigbt.
SIR,
In my letter of the 24th of last month from Baibadoes, I informed
you of the Venus's arrival there, with an account of Commodore
Hotham's being on his way to join me ; and you will now please to
acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the Com-
modore arrived there the loth instant, with his Majesty's ships the
Nonsuch, St. Albans, Preston, Centurion, Isis, and Carcass, and
fifty-nine transports ; having on board 5000 troops, under the com-
mand of Major-General Grant.
To save time and prevent the confusion naturally arising from a
change of signals among the transports, I adopted those of the Com-
modore, and directing him to lead with the landing division, put to
sea the I2th in the morning, in order to carry into execution their
Lordships secret instructions, and about three o'clock on the follow-
ing day anchored here with the whole squadron ; except the Ariadne,
Ceres, Snake, Barbadoes, and Pelican, which I had stationed along
the coast to intercept any vessels attempting to escape from the
Island.
More than half the troops were landed the same morning, under
the direction of the Commodore, assisted by the Captains Griffith,
Braithwaite, and Onslow, and the remainder the next morning (the
1 4th), when they immediately got possession of the Careenage ; and it
was my intention to have icmoved the transports thither as soon as
possible, had not that measure been prevented by the appearance of
the French fleet under Count d'Estaing, of whom I received notice
in the evening, by signal from the Ariadne.
It therefore became necessary to secure the transports as well as we
could in the Bay, and the whole night was accordingly employed in
warping them within the ships of war, and disposing the latter in a line
across the entrance in the order they stand in the margin * ; the Isis
to windward, rather inclining into the Bay, and the Prince of Wales,
being the most powerful ship, the outermost to the leeward, with the
Venus, Aurora, and Ariadne, flanking the space between the Isis and
the shore, to prevent the enemy's forcing a passage that way.
Almost all the transports had fortunately got within the line be-
fore half past eleven in the morning of the I5th, when the Count
f Isis, St. Allans, Boyne, Nonsuch, Centurion, Preston, Prince of Wales.
i
,g 2 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
thought proper to bear down and attack us with ten sail of the h'ne,
happily without doing us any material injury, and at four in the after-
noon he made a second attack upon us with twelve sail of the line*,
with no other success, however, than killing two men and wounding
seven on board the Prince of Wales, and wounding one also on board
the Ariadne, who is since dead ; but I have reason to believe the
enemy received considerable damage, as their manoeuvres betrayed great
confusion, and one of their ships in particular, which fell to leeward,
seemed disabled from carrying the necessary sail to get to windward
again.
The next day (the 1 6th), the Count shewed a disposition to attack
us a third time, but on the appearance of a frigate standing for his
fleet with several signals flying, he plied to windward, and in the
evening anchored off Gros Islet, about two leagues from us, where he
still continues, with ten frigates, besides his twelve sail of the line.
Notwithstanding this superiority of force, he has been accompanied
from his first appearance, by several American privateers, one of them
commanded by the outlaw Cunningham, who last winter infested the
coast of Portugal.
That night and the following day, the enemy landed a large body
of troops from a number of sloops and schooners, which had anchored.
in Du Choc Bay, and on the 1 8th made a spirited attack both by sea
and land on our post at the Careenage, but met with a very severe
check, having been repulsed with great courage by a small detach-!
tnent of our troops under Brigadier- General Meadows.
They have attempted nothing of consequence since, and what may
be their future plan of operations I cannot conjecture ; but their con-
tinuance at anchor has offered us an opportunity not only of getting
in all the cruisers, except the Ceres, and all the transports, except one
(with only the baggage of the officers of three companies on board),
which has fallen into the enemy's hands, but also of strengthening
ourselves by warping the ships of war farther into the Bay, and,
making the line more compact, removing the Venus astern of the
Prince of Wales to flank that passage, and erecting batteries at each
point of the Bay, that to the northward under the direction of the
Captains Gumming and Robertson, and that to the southward under
Captain Ferguson.
This being the situation of the squadron, and the army being in
possession of all the strong holds in the neighbourhood of the Bay,
such a spirit of chearfulness, unanimity, and resolution, actuates the
whole of our little force, both by land and sea (notwithstanding the
amazing fatigue they have undergone), that we are under no appre-
hensions from any attempts the enemy may meditate ; and from th,Q
OF THE HON. SAMUEL HARRINGTON. j8j
Accounts which have been transmitted to me from Captain Linzee of
the Pearl, who arrived at Barbadoes the i3th instant, that Vice- Ad-
miral Byron was to sail from Rhode Island for Barbadoes, the joth of
last month, with sixteen sail of the line and several frigates, there is
every reason to hope he will soon be here, in which case affairs in
this country must take a very decisive turn in favour of his Majesty'*
arms.
Should any unforeseen accident, however, prevent the Vice-Ad-
miral's arrival, their Lordships will, nevertheless, be pleased to assure
his Majesty, that every thing which can ppssibly be done by so small
a body of troops and so few ships, against a force so very superior,
will be effected.
I cannot conclude my letter without acquainting you, that in all
probability our operations here, have hitherto saved the Islands of St.
Vincent and Grenada, which we understand from some officers who
are prisoners, were the objects of Count d'Estaing's expedition, when
a sloop that had escaped from this island falling in with him, and
giving him notice of our being here, directed his attention towards us,
I am, &c.
SAM. BARRINGTONV
P. S. I have the satisfaction to add, that this morning the squadron
got possession of an American privateer of eighteen guns, called the
Bunker Hill, which at day-br;ak was discovered within reach of our
guns, and having struck upon finding she could not escape, the boats
towed her within the line before any of the French fleet could get to
her assistance. She sailed from Salem the zd instant, and was in-
tended to cruise fifteen leagues to windward of Barbadoes, but had
missed that island and fallen to leeward.
December 14, 1778. SAM. BARRINGTON.
Philip Stephens, Efq. Secretary to ihe Admiralty.
The critical situation in which the Admiral found him-
self placed on this occasion, was such as to call for the ut-
most exertions and demand the greatest vigour both of body
and mind. Attacked by an enemy's fleet more than doubling
his own in force, he had not only the safety of his ships to
attend to, but his anxiety received considerable augmentation
from the reflection that the preservation of an army, on
whose fate that of all the British possessions in that quarter
depended, rested merely on the event, not barely of his
baffling or evading the force of the attack, but of his repul-
sing the assailants with disgrace. His own abilities, se-
184 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
conded by the bravery and intrepidity of those whom hd
commanded, proved fully competent to the execution of this
apparently arduous task. Foiled in every attempt, the
French commander in chief, after a series of reiterated attacks,
made in his amphibious capacity of Admiral and General^
by sea and land, all of which ended in his discomfiture}
was obliged to retreat from the fury of an antagonist, the
inferiority of whose force almost induced contempt previous
to the actual commencement of the first attack.
The ensuing brief and modest account of the circum-
stances which attended this memorable event, will probably
transmit it to posterity with more advantage than any other
more enlarged and florid detail :
Prince of Wales, in tie Grand Cul dt Sac, in tfr
I.landofSt. Lucia, January 6, 1779.
You will herewith receive the duplicate of a letter I wrote to you
the 23d and 2^th of last month (No. 23), and dispatched to Governor
Hay of Barbadoes, to be forwarded from thence to England by some
fast sailing vessel, that my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
might have it in their power to refute any misrepresentation whicn
Count d'Estaing may have transmitted to his Court of the situation
of his Majesty's forces in those seas.
From the state of inactivity in which the Count continued for
several days after, I began to conceive it was his intention to form a
blockade, with a view of starving us into a surrender ; but to my utter
astonishment, on the morning of the 2gth (having re- embarked his
troops during the preceding night), he retired with his whole force
towards Martinique, and left us in quiet possession of the Island,
which capitulated whilst his fleet was still in sight, upon the terms I
have the honour to inclose.
I should be very much wanting, were I on the present occasion to
omit acknowledging the assistance I received from Major- General
Grant, and the forces under his command, as well as expressing my
entire satisfaction with the conduct not only of Commodore Hotham,
the several commanders, and the rest of the officers of the squadron,
but also of the people in general, who never in the least repined at
their precarious situation, and the difficulties they hourly encountered,
but still performed their duty with alacrity and spirit. Sensible of the
additional fatigue the trpops underwent in occupying more extensive
posts for the security of the squadron than there would otherwise have
been occasion for, the seamen laboured with the utmost chearfuliiebs in
OF THE HON. SAMUEL BARRINGTOX- 1 85
conveying provisions, &c. for them through roads that were almost
impassable.
I likewise beg leave to mention to their Lordships, the very great
assistance I received from Captain Barker, the Agent of transports,
and the services of Lieutenant- Governor Stuart, of the Island of
Dominica, who has done me the favour of officiating as an honorary
aid-de-camp between the General and myself. He accompanied me
upon this expedition in hopes that his Majesty's arms might after-
wards be employed in recovering that island, where, from his perfeft
knowledge of it, he must be particularly useful, and therefore offered
himself as a volunteer.
What has become of the enemy's fleet since its departure from
hence, I have not had it in my power to learn, but I hope Vice- Ad-
miral Byron, who, I have the pleasure to acquaint you, arrived here
this morning, with nine sail of the line, will very soon be able to give
their Lordships that information; and that Rear- Admiral Sir Paer
Parker, and the Governor of Jamaica, may be upon their guard in case
of its appearance in those seas, I have sent ihe Ariadne to Antigua
with letters, to be forwarded from thence by some fast sailing vessel,
which I have requested Governor Burt to dispatch for that purpose
I have great satisfaction in hearing since the capitulation, that when
Count d'Estaing was direfted hither by the sloop I mentioned in my
letter, he was bound first of all to Barbadoes, in expectation of finding
there only the Prince of Wales, the Boyne, and some frigates, of
which he had received intelligence from a French flag of truce I had
ordered away immediately on the arrival of the Venus.
I am sorry to add, that the Ceres, which was missing when I sent
away that letter, appears by the Martinique Gazette, to have been
taken, after a chase of forty-eight hours, by the Iphigenie, a French
frigate, of 36 guns, but I have no account of it from Captain Dacres,
or any of his officers.
I cannot help regretting the loss of this sloop, not only as she sailed
remarkably well, but as Captain Dacres is an officer of infinite merit ;
I have, however, in order to replace the Ceres, as the Bunker Hill
privateer has the reputation of being a fast sailer (which her log book
confirms), commissioned her as a sloop in his Majesty's service, by the
name of the Surprise (being expressive of the manner in which she
came into our possession), and appointed Lieutenant James Brine,
First Lieutenant of the Prince of Wales, to be master and commander
of her, with a complement of 135 men. She mounts eighteen car.
riage and eight swivel guns.
For further particulars I beg leave to refer their Lordships
Captain Robertson, of the Weazel, who will have the honour of
Clol. IV. B B
livering these dispatches, and whose conduct as an officer merit*'
their Lordships' protection, as well as every favour they can poffibly
shew him.
I am, Sec.
SAM. BARRINGTON.
When the reflecting mind of a Briton shall coolly and
deliberately draw a comparison between the termination of
this contest, and of that, which under nearly similar circum-
stances, took place twenty years afterwards on the coast of
Egypt, it becomes as it were bewildered between gratitude
and admiration, whether the formeralone is to be poured forth
in acknowledgements, that those events were solely con-
dufted by a predisposing Providence, succouring the weak
and punishing the guilty, or the latter should claim some
share in the effusions of the heart beholding the ex-
tent of that fortitude, prudence, and general ability, with
which the supreme directing Power can, and does on special
occasions, influence and direct the minds and the exertions
of its humble though favoured agents.
The attention of the Admiral during the foregoing perilous
service was not, as is apparent from the latter part of his
dispatch, coldly confined to the narrow limits of his own
command, but prudently extended to every quarter where
supposition could suggest the vengeance of an irritated and
disappointed foe was likely to fall j but, as is also explained
in the same dispatch, the apprehension of any future attack
"from the enemy in that quarter had been completely quieted
by the arrival of Vice-Admiral Byron with his squadron,
from North America. The gentleman last mentioned being
of higher rank in the service than Mr. Barrington, naturally
took upon him the chief command, on which occasion he
paid the following proper and well deserved compliment to
the abilities of his predecessor.
" As I found it necessary," said Mr. Byron, " to take
the Prince of Wales, and all the ships of the line, with me to
meet Mr. d'Estaing, upon his coming out of Fort Royal
Harbour i Rear-Admiral Barrington (who had shifted his
OF THE HON. SAMUEL HARRINGTON. l8j
flag to the Isis), expressed a desire to return to the Prince of
Wales, and aft with me rather than remain at the Cul de
Sac : I granted his request, and must acknowledge myself
very unhappy at being so circumstanced as to be under an
indispensable necessity of interfering with a command in-
trusted to an officer, who has done his duty with singular
advantage to his country and honour to himself."
Thus did the active spirit of this gallant Gentleman vo-
luntarily court, as it were, danger and fatigue, because he
conceived it probable, an opportunity might occur of his
being able to render service to his country. Mr. Barring*
ton continued to aft as second in command of the fleet
long as he remained on that station, and was, on the igth
of March following, advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral
of the Blue. For several months the British armament was
obliged to content itself with the troublesome task of watch-
ing the motions of the French fleet in Port-Royal, and pre-
venting the possibility of its effecting any mischief against .
the British possessions, by any small squadrons which
might be detached from it. As summer, however, advanced,
affairs appeared to wear a more serious aspect, and promise
an appearance of some more active scene. This appear-
ance was, unfortunately from the events which attended its
realization, not fallacious. The Count d'Estaing, who had
been considerably reinforced from Europe, till the armament
under his orders had swelled to nearly thirty ships of the.
line, took advantage of the partial absence of the Bri-
tish fleet from its station off Martinico, and put to sea with
his whole force. A considerable body of land forces had
been taken on board the ships previous to their putting to
sea; for the French commander in chief had projected an
attack on several of those British Colonies, which appeared in
the most defenceless state. The superiority of his force
enabled him to execute his project with success, for he made
himself master of St. Vincents and Grenada, which the
counter attack made by Mr. Barringtqn on, St. Lucia, had on
a former occasion preserved.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
The moment Mr. Byron became informed of the French
fleet being at sea, he immediately sailed in search of it,
though the force under his orders was nearly one-third in-
ferior to that pf the enemy. Mr. Barrington commanded,
as the post naturally allotted to the rank he held, the van
division, and the two fleets having met off Grenada on the
6th of July, he began the aftion by a most spirited attack on
the enemy, in which he was very bravely supported by the
Sultan and Boyne. When the comparative strength of the
two fleets is considered, it might at first be thought an al
somewhat bordering on rashness, to attempt bringing the issue
of the campaign to such a decision. But Mr. Byron,
well aware that the situation of public affairs demanded a
speedy exertion, and feeling that a vidlory might be attended
by the most solid advantages, while even a discomfiture,
though of the worst kind he could forebode, would be pro-
ductive of little inconvenience, resolved to engage them,
though his force amounted to no more than twenty-one
ships of the line, many of them sixty-fours, and much
out of condition, opposed to twenty -seven ships under the
Count d'Estaing, all of them in good repair, and very few
of less force than 74 guns.
The Count, in addition to that advantage which he de
rived from his superiority of force, possessed the weather-
gage, and being resolved that nothing should divert his
attention from the favourite object, very cautiously avoided
any thing like a close aclion, so that, notwithstanding the
very spirited manner in which Mr. Barrington and his com-
panions assailed the enemy, the contest ended without any-
important benefit being obtained by either party. But
though the general termination of the encounter was
such that Britain derived no advantage from it, except
the honour of having compelled so superior a force to de-
cline all further contest, may be deemed one ; few superior
instances of personal exertion have ever been displayed than
were on that occasion. The van of the foe fled in dismay
from the tremendous fire of the Prince of Wales, and its
4
OF THE HON. SAMUEL HARRINGTON, |8o
associates, for the subsequent caution appeared nearly a?
much owing to an apprehension or encountering too closely
that hardy spirit of which the enemy had received so strong
and powerful a proof, as it did to any other secret plan of
future operations, then buried in the bosom of their com-
mander in chief.
Among the ships which were enabled to close so
sufficiently, as to share in the laurels earned in conse-
quence of this event, was to be reckoned the Lion, of 64
guns, at that time commanded by Captain, now Admiral
Cornwallis. She had the misfortune to be reduced almost
jfo a wreck, and being nearly unmanageable, was, when in
this deplorable situation, attacked by a French ship, of
80 guns, which bore down with a very evident in-
tention of raking her. Dreadful was her condition, and
nothing short of the most prompt and spirited exertions
could possibly have preserved her from destru&ion almost
instantaneous, for the only opposition that could have been
made by Captain Cornwallis to so powerful an attack, was
from four guns, which were all that could be brought to
bear from the Lion on this new and tremendous antagonist.
Admiral Barrington caw the danger, and with the most
marked decision resolved to parry the stroke. He imme-
diately put his helm a-weather, and bearing down on the
French ship, had the good fortune to interpose his own
broadside. at the instant the enemy was preparing to throw
the whole of his fire into the Lion's stern. Having thus
sustained the first shock of the enemy's fury, Mr. Barrington
immediately began to attack the assailant, and retaliated on
him so severely, that after a very warm but short aftion,
the French ship thought proper to sheer off in a very shat-
tered condition.
So heavy a share did the Prince of Wales sustain in the
whole of this engagement, which could by no means be
considered as a generally serious action, that seventy-two
persons on board that ship, were either killed or wounded;
among the latter was the Admiral himself; fortunately for
his country, for his numerous friends, and for himself, the
IQO BI06RAPHICAL MEMOIRS
injury he sustained was too slight to affect his future health.
The Admiral returned to England not long afterwards, and
did not hold any subsequent appointment till the middle of
the ensuing summer, when he was nominated second in
command of the main or channel fleet, under Admiral,
afterwards Sir Francis Geary. He did not long retain this
station, having quitted it after a short cruise, in consequence
of Mr. Geary being obliged to resign his command in conse-
quence of ill health, and his own unwillingness at that time to
take upon himself so responsible a situation as that of com-
mander in chief. On the i6th of September in this year, he
was advanced to be Vice-Admiral of the White, and after
a retirement of nearly two years continuance, re-hoisted his
flag, in the month of April 1782, on board the Britannia, a
first, rate, being appointed once more to command in the
home or channel fleet.
Intelligence had been received by the British Ministry
just before this time, that a convoy was then on the point
of sailing from the Port of Brest bound to the East Indies.
Mr. Barrington was ordered to put to sea in the hope of his
being able to intercept them. He accordingly sailed from
Spithead on the I3th of April, with the following ships
under his command :
_, . . Gun$ - f Admiral Barrington.
Butanaia, 100 { n _ . .
\ Captain Hill.
Royal George, 100 .[Admiral Kempenfelt.
(.Captain Cromwell.
Ocean, 90 Phipps.
Union, 90 Dairy mple.
Foudroyant, 80 . Jervis.
Edrar -7A f Commodore Elliot.
O > /^ 1 _ Tk/r
\ Captain Moutray.
Alexander, 74 Lord Longford.
Bellona, 74 , Onslow.
Fortitude, 74 Keppcl.
Goliah > 74 Sir H. Parker.
Sampson, 64 . Harvey.
La Prudent, 36 Lord Fitzgerald.
Recovery, 32 __ HorK Q Berkeley .
Crocodile, 24
OP f HB HON. SAMUEL BA&RlNCTOJT. igt
He had the good fortune to fall in with the objeft of his
pursuit on the 2Cth of the same month. The force of the
enemy consisted of two ships, of 74 guns, the Protefteur
and Pegase ; L'Andromaque frigate of 32 guns, L'Ac-
tionaire, of 64 guns, arme enjlute t with seventeen or eighteen
vessels under their convoy, the whole bound to the East
Indies. Through the a&ivity of the officers afting under
the orders of Mr. Barrington, the Pegase*, the Actionairej
and twelve of the inferior vessels were captured. Mr. Bar-
rington continued in the same station, but rather unin-
terestingly employed, till the month of September, when he
sailed from Spithead as second in command of the formidable
fleet sent under the orders of Lord Viscount Howe, to at-
tempt the relief of Gibraltar, then closely pressed on the
land side by a Spanish army, while the combined fleets of
the enemy, amounting together to nearly fifty sail of the
line, blockaded it by sea, and flattered themselves with the
hopes of being able to prevent the introduction of any suc-
cour whatever.
The events of this momentous crisis are briefly given
by Captain Drinkwater in the following terms: " The
intelligence of Lord Howe being so near, now, for the first
time, gave us sensible pleasure ; not so much on account
of our personal situation, as of the advantage which the
enemy's recent misfortunes would give his Lordship over his
opponents, as well toward accomplishing the objeft of
his orders, as affording him a farther opportunity of adling
as his Lordship's well known abilities might dictate. We
were so elated by our enemy's distress, that some were so
sanguine as to anticipate the most glorious conclusion of
the war, and of our own sufferings. Our hopes, however,
were soon depressed, by the intelligence of Lord Howe's
great inferiority in number. Thirty-four sail to oppose
forty-two, which still remained at anchor in the Bay, gave
us reason to be apprehensive for the safety of the British
* For a particular account of the capture of this ship, sec the Memoirs of
Earl St. Vincent, page 9.
jg2 llOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR*
fleet. The navigation of the Straits was so precarious that
if his Lordship once entered the Mediterranean, he might
probably be prevented from returning for a considerable
time ; and the enemy> though now distressed, might, by the
assistance of the camp, soon refit, and attack him under
every advantage.
' About sunset, several large ships were discovered
through the haze, and soon afterwards, the Latona frigate,
Captain Conway, anchored under our guns, and informed us
that the ships to the Gut were the van of the British fleet,
commanded by Lord Howe, consisting of thirty-four sail of
the line, including eleven three-deckers, with six frigates,
and thirty-one ordnance transports, and a reinforcement of
upwards of 1600 men for the garrison. Captain Conway
farther told us of the anxiety which prevailed at home,
relative to the situation of Gibraltar ; and that it was only
off the southern coast of Portugal that Lord Howe had his
doubts removed, by receiving intelligence of the enemy's
late defeats. This welcome information, he said, was ac-
companied by advice, that * the combined fleets had taken
their station in the bay of Gibraltar, resolutely determined
to prevent, if possible, the intended relief.' We learned
that upon receiving the latter intelligence, the Admirals and
principal officers were summoned on board the Victory,
where particular instructions and orders were communicated,
in expectation of an engagement, which was considered as
unavoidable.
" Although the enemy's signals for the approach of the
British fleet were made early in the afternoon, yet the
Spanish Admiral exhibited not the least appearance of op-
position to any reinforcements being sent into the Bay.
This favourable opportunity was, however, lost ; owing, as
Lord Howe expresses in his official letter, to the want of
timely attention to the circumstances of the navigation.
Only four or five transports reached the Bay, the rest, with
the fleet, were carried by the current into the Mediterranean.
At night, or early on the I2th, Captain Curtis sailed in the
OF THE HON. SAMUEL BARtUNGTON. I^J
Latona, to inform Lord Howe of the calamity which had
befallen the enemy's fleet. At noon, the British fleet appeared
in good order off Estepona or Marbella, and the transports,
with the frigates, were working to windward to gain the
Bay. As they approached the isthmus, the enemy saluted
them from their mortars, and fired upon them from behind
the eastern advanced guard -house.
** While the British fleet, with the transports, were thus
critically situated, the combined fleets were a&ive in repair-
ing their damages, and in forming a line of battle along the
shore. In the morning, a number of troops were embarked
on board them from the camp. Their xebecs, cutters,
armed brigs, and gun-boats, also assembled in Sandy Bay,
with an intention, probably, of picking up our straggling
transports. In the close of the day, however, this fleet of
craft returned to their main fleet. At night the Panther
man of war, and several transports, anchored in the Bay.
" The British fleet, at day-break on the I3th, was still
off Marbella, with the wind at West. About nine o'clock
A. M. the Spanish Admiral made the signal for the com-
bined fleets to weigh anchor. By one o'clock, the whole
were under weigh. At three, a French Rear-Admiral,
being the last of the rear division, cleared the Bay. Their
number in all amounted to eighty sail, of which the fol-
lowing, I believe, is an accurate account : six three-deckers,
thirty-eight two-deckers, including several fifties ; total,
forty-four men of war, five frigates, twenty-nine xebecs,
cutters, armed ships, and brigs, also two imagined to be
fireships. Notwithstanding little doubt was to be enter-
tained of the enemy's intention of leaving the Bay, the
Panther man of war remained at anchor, with several
officers of the garrison on board, whom the Governor had
O
permitted to aft as volunteers in the engagement* When
the combined fleets had cleared the Bay, they stood some
time to the southward, and leaving a line of battle ship and
two igates to prevent the Panther from joining her Ad-
miral, drove with the current some leagues to the eastward.
IV. c c
^ 1IOCRAPH1CAL MEMOIRS
They then appeared to edge down toward the British fleet,
which was in close line of battle upon a wind with their
heads to the southward ; the transports, with the frigates
which had been beating up, falling behind them to leeward.
Thus were both fleets situated at the close of the evening.
Before the enemy had totally quitted the Bay, Captain
Curtis landed in a small boat from the Latona frigate, with
2O,oooI. in specie for the garrison, having narrowly escaped
being cut off by the combined fleets. He told us the British
fleet were in high spirits, and impatient to engage, not-
withstanding the enemy's great superiority. When the
combined fleet first appeared in motion, the Spanish pri-
soners who had been landed from the St. Michael, were so
overjoyed, that they could not forbear expressing their
ecstacies in so riotous a manner, as to call for some severity
to confine them within the limits of their camp.
** Part of the combined fleets, in the morning of the I5th,
were seen, though the weather was very hazy, cfF Marbella.
The British fleet was out of sight, the Panther, neverthe-
less, attempted to join them. About seven, A. M. the wind
came about to the eastward. In the forenoon, nine polacres
sailed from the Spanish camp, with troops on board, for
Ceuta. This brought to our recolle&ion the critical state
of that garrison, both as to men and provisions, when Ad-
miral Rodney was in their neighbourhood in 1780; and
the enemy, from embracing this opportunity of sending
supplies, appeared not entirely to have forgotten it. About
noon, the British fleet was discovered in the offing, to the
south-east of Ceuta, standing under an easy sail toward the
rock. At night, the Latona, with eight or ten transports,
anchored in the Bay. They informed us, that the Buffalo
man of war, with the remaining twelve ships, had separated
by order, from the fleet, but had not afterwards joined.
This intelligence gave us some uneasiness for their safety,
but we flattered ourselves they were gone, agreeably to in-
structions, to the Zafarine Islands, the place of rendezvous in
case the fleets engaged. Captain Conway, after a short con-
ference with the Governor, returned in the morning of the
P THE HON. SAMUEL HARRINGTON. I9
loth to the British fleet, which was cruising to the east-
ward of the rock, with the wind at east. The combined
fleets were not in sight ; we concluded, therefore, they
were gone to Malaga to make farther repairs, and join
those ships which had been forced from the Bay on the nth.
Since the arrival of the first transports, the garrison had
been busily employed in disembarking the supplies. The
former had principally brought us only men and ammuni-
tion, which probably might, without this supply, have
become as scarce articles as the former had been.
" On the 1 8th, the wind again came about to the north-
east, and the Buffalo, with eleven of the missing transports,
arrived in the course of the day. These ships, as we had con-
je&ured, had separated from the fleet, and were proceeding to
the place of rendezvous, when, not hearing the engagement,
and the wind veering about, they returned, and were very
near joining the combined fleets, but discovered their error
time enough to reftify it. The missing vessel, they in-
formed us, had been taken by the enemy some days before,
off Malaga ; and having on board the wives and baggage
of the two regiments which were on board the fleets, and
were intended for our reinforcement, her capture greatly
distressed those corps, and the garrison heartily condoled
with them. The Latona, in her return to the fleet, chased
and boarded a vessel which proved to be a Spanish fireship.
The crew deserting her, were conducted by two gun -boats
attending, to a xebec at some distance, which afterward
went into Ceuta. The prize was sent into the Bay. About
noon, four or five men of war arrived from the fleet, witli
the 25th and 2gth regiments. Lord Mulgrave, who com-
manded the disembarkation, landed the troops with the
greatest expedition under the lime wall at the New Mole,
Rosia, and Camp Bays, and returned to Lord Howe off
Tetuan. We now learned that the Admiral, having ac-
complished the objeft of the expedition, intended to embrace
the favourable opportunity of the wind, and immediately
return to the westward.
196 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
" At day-break on the ipth, both fleets, to our great
astonishment, were in sight; the combined fleets being
some leagues to windward. When the British fleet was
abreast of theEuropa, Lord Howe dispatched the Tisiphonc
fireship with a farther supply of powder, collected from the
fleet. The British fleet afterwards put before the wind, and
stood under an easy sail, in close order, to the westward.
The van of the combined fleets, composed of French ships,
followed with a press of canvass at some distance. By two
o'clock, P. M. Lord Howe was out of sight ; but the
Spanish ships sailing heavily, it was night before they dis-
appeared."
In the subsequent skirmish which took place on the 2Oth
of O&ober, immediately after the service last mentioned
was completed, Mr. Barrington was more materially engaged ;
the Britannia had a greater number of men killed or wounded
than almost any ship in the fleet, the Buffalo excepted,
twenty-one of the crew being either killed or wounded.
Peace succeeding almost immediately to the return of the
fleet into port, Mr. Barrington consequently struck his flag,
and held no farther naval appointment till 1790, when, on
the apprehension of a rupture with Spain, he re-hoisted it
on board the Ro)al 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 pur-
pose of inquiring into a system of national defence, brought
forward under the auspices of the Master- General of the'
Ordnance, and on the 24th of September 1787, was ad-
vanced to the rank of Admiral of the Blue.
Far, far, however, more consequential to the character of
this good iran, 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. Unpro-
tected by any public aid, the promoters, among the first and
OF THE HON. SAMUEL BARRINGTO1T. 197
most aftive of whom was Mr. Barrington, had to contend
with those difficulties which all societies, notwithstanding the
benevolence of their tendency, scarcely ever fail to meet
with on their first introdu&ion to the world. Neverthe-
less, 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, far as its
strength and magnitude permitted, to all objedts who sought
its friendly shelter and support.
The dispute with Spain having been amicably concluded
without the necessity of even sending the armament to
sea, Mr. Barrington struck his flag, and owing to his
infirm state of health never took upon him any subsequent
command. On the aad of April 1794, he was, in conse-
quence 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
that preceded him. In the month of October 1770, he
received the honourable appointment of Colonel to the
Chatham division of marines, a station, in which he suc-
ceeded the late Earl Howe, who was then promoted to be
Rear-Admiral of the Blue, and consequently became in-
competent to hold that station any longer. Mr. Barrington
held that post till his own promotion to the rank of a
Flag Officer, in the month of January 1778. In 1785, he
succeeded Admiral Sir Thomas Pye then deceased, as Lieu-
tenant-General of the same corps, and on the death of Earl
Howe on the 5th of August 1799, succeeded him to the,
Generalship thereof. Such were his appointments, sucli
were his services, and such were his honours. However
worthily and truly the latter were acquired, he gained to
himself a far superior title to any that even a monarch
could bestow, and as though the family motto had been
pointedly applied in allusion to himself: that of a benevolent
and an honest man.
198
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
Heraldic Particulars relative to Samuel Barrlngton, Esq. Admiral
of the White Squadron, &c.
His brothers were William, the late Lord ; John, a General Officer,
who died April the d, 1764, and whose son William succeeded^ to
the title, and is now Lord Viscount Harrington ; Daines, some time
a Welsh Judge, a Gentleman of great worth and ingenuity, who died
a short time since ; Shute, now Lord Bishop of Durham ; Sarah,
married to Robert Price, of the county of Hereford, Esq. ; Anne,
married to Thomas, only son to Sir Thomas Clarges, Baronet ; and
Mary, who died unmarried. The Admiral himself died at Bath on
the 1 6th of August 1800*, in the yist year of his age.
ARMS.] Argent, three chcvronels Gules, a label of three points Azure.
CREST.! A Capuchin Friar Proper, with black hair, a band about the neck
Argent; vested Pales of six Argent and Gules; with a cap or cowl, of the
same.
MOTTO.] " Honesta quam splendida."
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL TACTICS,
Drawn from aSual Events, and the Success which has attended particular
Mantzttv res practised in Engagements between two Fleets, from the
Revolution down to the present Time. Arranged in Chronological Order*
[Continued from Page n6.J
INDEPENDENT of the instances already adduced in proof of
the efficacy and advantage with which a partial and spirited attack
on an enemy's line has rarely failed to be attended, there are two other
events which place the propriety of the measure in perhaps a still
more striking point of view than any of the preceding have done.
They are the exaft counterpart of each other, the first, which hap.
pencd in the late war, shewing the mischief resulting from the neglect
of it; the second, which took place during the present, the glorious
success occasioned by an observance of it. " At daylight on the
morning of the igth," says Sir George Bridges Rodney, in his letter
to Mr. Stephens, dated off Port- Royal Bay, Martinique, April 26,
1780; "we saw the enemy distinctly, beginning to form the line
a-head at two cables length distance ; at forty-five minutes after six
I CAVE NOTICE BY PUBLIC SIGNAL THAT MY INTENTION WAS
TO ATTACK THE ENEMY'S REAR WITH MY WHOLE FORCE, which
was answered by every ship in the fleet. At seven A. M, per-
* See page 168,
ILLUSTRATIONS Of NAVAL TACTICS. Ig*
teiving the fleet too much extended, I made the signal for the line
of battle at one cable's length asunder only. At thirty minutes after
eight A M. I made the signal for a line of battle abreast* each ship
bearing from the other N. by W. and S. by E. and bore down on the
enemy. This signal was penetrated by them, who discovered my
intention, wore, and formed a line of battle on the other tack."
The latter circumstance, added to the mistake afterwards com-
mitted by the leading ship in the British fleet, which stood on for the
enemy's van, contrary to the intention of the British commander in
chief, and thereby compelled the whole of the fleet to follow him,
rendered the whole of his plan abortive. The contest ended inde-
cisively, and the enemy, though worsted, might be said to deriTC
every advantage which they could have expefted even from a
positive victory. Sir George, in the latter part of his letter,
inserts what amounts almost to a confession of this being the true
state of the case. " At the conclusion of the battle, the enemy
might be said to be completely beaten, but such was the distance of
the van and rear from the center, and the crippled condition of
several ships, particularly the Sandwich, who for twenty-four hours
\vas with difficulty kept above water, that it was impossible to pursue
them without the greatest disadvantage.'*
Let us now direct our minds from an event which cannot be
otherwise than unpleasant to every lover of his country, to one more
recent, than which none was ever more productive of glory, and of
substantial advantage the battle of the Nile ; a contest brought to
the most glorious issue, by an attention to the very principle which
is here attempted to be recommended. The French fleet lay at anchor
in an open bay, and Lord Nelson with great judgment, conceived and
arranged his plan of engaging the weathermost ships of the enemy's
line with his whole force, justly concluding that he should make
himself master of them before any succour could be afforded by
their companions, even if they should attempt it ; and that he might
afterwards pursue the same measures with the remainder, attacking
them progressively in the same manner. The event fully proved the
ability of the arrangement, notwithstanding the advantage the
enemy derived from their batteries on shore, the ereaion of which
was a full and convincing proof that they were apprehensive of and
expeded an attack. Their van was assailed with so much spirit,
that after a contest almost incredibly short, the British commanders
were perfeftly convinced they had secured a viftory, though they
knew not to what extent. According to a very con-eft account of
the adion, drawn up from the minutes of an officer on board the
Kjuadron, the Goliath and Zealous, followed by the Orion, Auda-
2CO . ILLUSTRATIONS OF NATAL TACTICS.
cimis, and Theseus, took their stations between the shore and the
enemy's van, anchoring close alongside Le Guerrier, Le Conquerant,
Le Spartiate, L'Aquilon, and Le Souverain Peuple ; while the
Vanguard, the Minotaur, Defence, Bellerophon, Majestic, Swiftsure,
and Alexander, bringing up on the outside of the same ships, joined
in so furious an attack that all those vessels might be considered as
completely in the power of the assailants in less than a quarter of an
hour after the action commenced, notwithstanding some of them
till continued to keep up a feeble resistance.
As the van ships were progressively subdued, the assailants, who
had anchored by the stern, moved onward to contest with new an-
tagonists, where they experienced a repetition of the like success,
and in less than two hours after the first gun had been fired, three
other ships, L'Orient, L'Heureux, and Le Tonnant, were also
silenced and subdued, though they were not absolutely taken pos-
session of. A continuance of the same mode of conduct, and the
spirited manner in which the Leander, of 50 guns, brought up
athwart the hawse of the Franklin, of 80, produced the subse-
quent surrender of that ship, together with the Mcrcure, and the
destruction of the Timoleon. Thus were eleven ships of the line,
out of thirteen which composed the enemy's squadron, either captured
or destroyed. The means by which this most glorious defeat and
conquest were effected, are concisely but clearly pointed out in the
narrative : " After the victory had been secured in the van, such
British ships as \verc in a condition to move had gone down upon the
fresh ships of the enemy."
The uninterrupted success which has attended the application of
the foregoing system of attack, incontrovertibly proves its utility.
To convert theoretical observation and the workings of cool reflecting
genius into real practice, requires an additional talent beyond what
would be necessary in the more quiet occupations of life. It is. re-
quisite that no inconsiderable portion of native genius, improved by
mental application, should direct the arm of war and support that
bravery, that personal gallantry, which, deprived of such aid, and act-
ing only according to its natural dictates, might not improbably be
termed rashness. The qualities just mentioned conjunctively form the
character of an able commander.
After having adduced the foregoing abstract instances, where such
qualities existing in the same person, seizing the proper and fortunate
moment of application, have rendered the particular system of
Naval Tactics just treated on, more eminently conspicuous in the
maritirr.e annals of Britain, because it has been most frequently
brought forward into practice ; it would be an act of injustice to
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL TACTICS. 2OI
the abilities of an enemy, were this brief narrative of the advantages
resulting from the use of it, to be concluded without adding to the
list an account of the success which attended an adoption of the same
measure by a French officer. I mean the Count De Suffrein, and
however generally improper it may be to speak in the superlative
degree of comparison, with regard to the abilities of any individual,
there would perhaps be less cause for reprobation in the present in-
stance than in any other, were I to pronounce that officer the ablest
in his particular line to whom France ever gave birth.
The system of arranging his squadron in a double line to effeft
this purpose, was certainly new, not only in practice but in contri-
vance : the effeft of it will be very conspicuous by the following ex-
traft from the official dispatches of Sir Edward Hughes :
" At ten, the enemy's squadron having the advantage of the squalls
from the N. N. E. which always reached them first, and in conse-
quence continued longest with them, neared us very fast, and I made
the signal for our line to alter the course two points to leeward,
the enemy then steering down on the rear of our line, in an irregular
double line abreast. At half past noon I made the signal for our
squadron to form the line of battle abreast, in order to draw the rear
of our line closer to the centre, and prevent the enemy from breaking
in on it, and attacking it when separated. At three in the afternoon,
the enemy still pushing on to our rear in a double line abreast, I
again altered my course in the line, in order to draw our rear ships
still closer to the centre, and at forty minutes after three, finding it
impossible to avoid the enemy's attack under the disadvantages of
little or no wind to work our ships, and of being to leeward of
them, I made the signal for our squadron to form at once into the
line of battle ahead.
" At four, the Exeter, which was the sternmost ship in our rear,
when formed in line of battle on the larboard tack, not being quite
closed to her second ahead, three of the enemy's ships in their first
line bore right down upon her, while four more of their second
line, headed by the Hero, in which ship M. Suffrein had his flag,
hauled alongside the first line towards our centre. At five minutes
past four, the enemy's three ships began their fire on the Exeter,
which was returned by her and her second ahead. At ten minutes
past four, I made the signal for battle, and at twelve minutes past, the
adion became general from our rear to our centre ; the commanding
ship of the enemy, with three others of their second line, leading down
on our centre, yet never at any time advancing farther than opposite
the Superbe, our center ship, with little or no wind, and some heavy
rain during the engagement.
IV. D
2O1 ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL HISTORY.
c Under these circumstances, the enemy brought eight of their
best ships to the attack of five of ours, as the van of our line, con-
sisting of the Eagle, Burford, and Worcester, could not be brought
into adiion without tacking on the enemy ; and although the signal
for that purpose was at the mast-head ready for hoisting, there was
neither wind sufficient to enable them to tack, nor for the five ships
of our centre and rear, then engaging with the enemy, hard pressed,
and much disabled in their yards, sails, and rigging, to follow them,
without an almost certainty of separating our van from our rear."
Though on the foregoing occasion the gallantry of British officers
and seamen preserved their ships from becoming a prey to this able
and enterprising foe, yet the difficulty with which their safety
was effected, sufficiently proves the merit of his attempt, the ability
with which it was conducted, and that portion of success, which will
rarely fail to attend it when the force of the contending parties, and
the general condition of their shipsj in respec\ to equipment, can in
any degree be considered as equal.
, ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL HISTORY.
f 1PHE annexed letters, which form part of a private correspondence
* between those two very renowned naval characters, Admiral
Russel, afterwards Earl of Orford, and Sir Cloudesley Shovell, become
extremely interesting, not merely as they contain the secret and un-
veiled opinions of two men deservedly considered the ablest com-
manders of their time, but as the events to which those letters allude,
were certainly among the most momentous of those which took place
during the period of history which they are intended to illustrate.
Sir CLOUDESLBY SHOVELL to Admiral RUSSEL. Written immediately
after the VtSory off La Hague.
SIR,
I HERE deliver my opinion to the best of my judgment, first that
we follow the blow, by landing in the enemy's country near Brest. Ir
their fleet be abroad then certainly 6 or 8000 men doe their pleasure
w tt that town and country ; but if their fleet be in there, w 111 I sup.
pose to be still about 70 saile, line of battle ships, and modestly cal-
culating 150 land souldiers abord each ship one w* y e other, com to
upwards of tenn thous d disiplyned men, which will render our attempt
there unreasonable.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NATAL HISTORY. 203
Then, Sir, for attempting any thing upon Rochford, I doe not
se there is any liklyhood of success, unless you have force enough to
master Rochell also ; for from Rochford to Rochell is but 6 leage,
and Rochford lys so far up the river Sharante, and the passage to it
so difncult, that you can never supprize it, nor com at it before they
have timely notiss to draw all the strength of Rochell to their
assistance.
Besides, if while an attempt is making on the other side of Brest,
which I suppose will not be so much as thought on, except their
whole fleett be in Brest, and we resolved to keep them there, which
I would not have you undertake, for I can plainly demonstrate, that
with a light squadron, they will be able to com out notwithstanding
all your indeavours to the contrary, which will give you great care,
and will be eaqually dangerous to us, if they follow our transports or
com up our chanell, and here have been a late demonstration, that if
they gitt the start, they may also gitt out of sight , but if your
decent be to the eastward of Brest, and a squadron of their ships start,
we know where they must goe to harme us, and can take measures
accordingly. Further more, every thing duly considered, you may
make your decent between Brest and Callis, with many thousand
men more then ought to be ventured into the Bay, for from these
coasts on urgent occasions men are recalled as easey as comand from
Plymouth to London ; but if in the Bay you must have two winds,
and may be two months to gitt them back lett your occasions be never
so urgent. ,
Therefore, if their fleett be in Brest, I am not for making any
attempt with our land forces on that place, or any place on the other
side of it, but reither if our strength would reach, to attempt S l Malo,
the destruction of which Den of theirs, would be of more import,
ance both to us and our sea alleys then the destruction of Parris ;
but wisser heads then mine must be consulted, 1 have no manner of
knowledge of the place ; but, Sir, if our strength be not sufficient to
attempt this masterpiece, tis certaine Deep is a town pritty large,
and stand on y e strand, and may casiley be destroyed, and if the
armey that is with King James will give us too great trouble in our
attempt, yett I doe not se how it can give any assistance to Deep,
they having the Saine to pass ; this is to ye best of my judgment in
answer to what you ware please to propose. I remain,
S r , your humble Serv',
CLOUD. SHQVELU
204 ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL HISTORY.
From the Same to the Same.
SIR,
I MUST acknowledge tis one of my greatest faults in not paying
my dutyfull respects to you by letter before this time, and notwith-
standing I know such neglects have else where been very pernitious
to me, yet I find it is my fate, and I cannot withstand it ; but since
tis a fault of nature predestinatted, and not premeditated, I am very
confident vour goodness will forgive so faithfull and so just an humble
servant as I ever was, and shall continue to the end. I will not use
much argiment to discurs you I have often wished myself with you,
I will only tell you, contrary to my nature, I have been grave, and
have not had above one fitt of mirth since your departure.
Your coming home in your person, not with the fleet, was much
talked on y e beginning of the winter, and Sir George Rook, or my
Lord Berkely, to com abroad and command in your roome ; but,
S' r , be assured this was so much disliked by (I may justly say) all
sorts of people, that the counsell (if they did intend it), I believe,
dare not doe it. 1 doe assure you that the saving Bassalona, the
putting up the Turkey ships, and your vigilence in keeping the
French from not coming out the Straights (for we love to have danger
as far from us as possible), and the success of your crussers, which is
known to be your industrious cleaning your ships, is by all esteemed
your prudence, mixed with some good fortune, which is become a
virtue mightily esteemed in England.
And assuredly your conduct is so commended by every body, that
your enemys can say nothing against you, but insinuatt the destruc-
tion of the fleet by the worme, which your creening will prevent, if
their weake and rottenness will indure it ; this with a thousand par-
dons for my neglect, and my most humble and hearty service. From,
Nov. 3, 1 694. &c. &c.
Admiral RUSSEL to Sir CLOUDESLEY SHOTELL.
SIR,
SINCE you left London we are daily alarmed with thes French
preparation, I think it no longer a question that they designe upon
England, tho' I differ in opinion w th some other people as to the
time. You will find by the order of last night, that the King is very
impatient for your being gone, tho' with a smaller strength then was
tirst proposed. By the advice we have from Capt. Cross, who has
had it from a pilott of a man of war, of 50 guns, that they run upon
a rock neare the Scarncs and sunck. Tis said Ponteau's squadron at
Brest consists of fourteen shipps, from 5^ to 80 guns, the biggest
shipp not having above 200 seamen, and so per rate the rest of the
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NAVAL HISTORY. 2OC
ships, the other part of the men being land soldiers, with four trans-
ports, and two bomb vessels.. How farr this advice may be depended
upon, I cannot tell, but I believe it pritty certain they designe for
England, tho* the same intelligence from Cross says they goc for
Scotland.
I think if the wind be any thing to the northward of the east, they
cannot fetch any part of England from Brest, and if to the southward
at this time of the year, it generally produces such sort of weather as
may make it not very safe venturing in with the land. I wish you
good luck for your own sake, and for all our sakes ; I think the
preparations tl.ey make a little too formidable to be despised, I have
ordered Captain Belhvood and Captain Pedder to goc down to you j
I think them both very good men, and have long laboured in vain to
have them restored to their employments, I think their constant
forwardness to goe where there may be any probability of service
will remove that difficulty.
I am, Sir,
Your humble Servant,
Cevcnt-GarJtn, tl'u ij December, 1696. RUSSELL.
ZO/Y/ORFORD to &>CLOUDESLEY SHOVELL.
DEAR SIR CLOUDESLEY,
I HAVE received your too leters, the last came to me just as I
came to towne from Tunbridge, whare I have been thes thre -weeks,
and from thence with the matters I could not right. I wonder you
shoud dout that your leters was not welcome to me, I assure you I
allway receive you with great satisfaction, and I hope you know me
too well to think I am weary of y e friedshipp I have pressed to you.
I ever was your friendd and servant. I agree in every part of your
leter with you ; but the difficulty how to send cleane shipps to see is
great, for after they are cleane, the time they stay for men and pro-
visions is soe long, that they are foule before they goe to see. I
wonder Sir George Rooke would not in the summer, when no a6Uon
could be expected for the whole fleete at Plymouth and Portsmouth,
cleane all his 3 rates and 4, it would have been a very good servis to
the publick ; I believe y e great shipps will be ordered upp, but
y e L ds Justices are not as yet come to any resolution of y l kind. I
shall do you all the servis 1 can in what you desire, that you may
come to town to put 'out your money, or to make another purchass.
In Kent, at Tunbridge, ye gentlemen of y c country tell me you
will have it all in a short time. Dear Shovell, I wish you all y e good
fortune imaginable. And am most sincerely,
Yours most faithfully, whilst
?fcr 3*2,97. ORFORD.
C 206 3
MARITIME RIGHTS OF
BELLIGERENT NATIONS, RELATIVE TO NEUTRALS.
HP HE case of the Maria Swedish merchantman, lately heard in the
Court of Admiralty, before Sir WILLIAM SCOTT, being in all its
circumstances (except the incident of an actual engagement taking
place) similar to that of the Danish convoy lately captured, and the
question being of the highest importance to this country, and most
likely to be decided by that ultima ratio to which recourse must
of necessity be had, when the law of nations is violated, we think
it will gratify our readers to present them with an extract from the
judgment of the Court of Admiralty.
Having stated the case of the Swedish Sliip> the learned Judge
proceeded to reason upon it as follows :
* The aftual state of the faft being ascertained, it is proper for
me to examine what is the legal statement, in other words, to what
considerations are neutrals justly wibje&, according to the law of na-
tions ; for which purpose I state a few principles of that system of
law which I take to be incontrovertible.
" ist. That the right of visiting and searching merchant Ships upon
the high seas, whatever be the Ships, whatever be the cargoes, what-
ever be the destinations, is an incontestible right of the lawfully com-
missioned cruisers of a belligerent nation. I say, be the Ships, the
cargoes, and the destinations what they may : because, till they are
visited and searched, it does not appear what the Ships, or the
cargoes, or the destinations are ; and it is for the purpose of ascer-
taining these points that the necessity of this right of visitation and
search exists. This right is so clear in principle, that no man can
deny it who admits the legality of maritime capture ; because if
you are not at liberty to ascertain by sufficient inquiry whether there
is property that can legally be captured, it is impossible to capture.
Even those who contend for the inadmissible rule, that free Shift
make free goods, must admit the exercise of this right, at least for the
purpose of ascertaining whether the Ships are free Ships or not. The
right is equally clear in practice ; for practice is uniform and universal
upon the subjeft. The many European treaties which refer to this
right, refer to it as pre-existing, and merely regulate the exercise of
it. All writers upon the law of nations unanimously acknowledge it,
without the exception even of Hubner himself, the great champion of
MARITIME RIGHTS Of BELLIGERIJfT NATIONS.
nevrtral privileges. In short, no man in the least degree conversant in
subje&s of this kind has ever, that I know of, breathed a doubt
upon it.
" The right must unquestionably be exercised with as little of per-
sonal harshness and of vexation in the mode as possible ; but soften it
as much as you can, it is still a right of force, though of lawful force
something in the nature of civil process, where force is employed,
but a lawful force, which cannot lawfully be resisted.
u adly. That the authority of the Sovereign of the neutral country
being interposed in any manner of mere force, cannot legally vary
the rights of lawfully-commissioned belligerent cruisers ; I say le-
gally, because what may be given, or be fit to be given, in the ad-
ministration of this species of law, to considerations of comity, or of
national policy, are views of the matter which, sitting in this court.
I have no right to entertain. All that I assert is, that, legally, it can-
not be maintained, that if a Swedish commissioned cruiser, during
the wars of his own country, has a right by the law of nations to
visit and examine neutral Ships, the King of England, being neutral
to Sweden, is authorised by that law to obstruct the exercise of that
right with respecr. to the merchant Ships of his country. I add this,
that I cannot but think, that if he obstructed it by force, it would
very much resemble (with all due reverence be it spoken) an op-
position of illegal violence to legal right. I am not ignorant, that
amongst the loose dodlrines which modern fancy, under the various
denominations of philosophy and philanthropy, have thrown upon
the world, it has been within these few years advanced, or rather
insinuated, that it might possibly be well if such a security were ac-
cepted. Upon such unauthorised speculations it is not necessary For
me to descant : the law and praftice of nations (I include particularly
the practice of Sweden when it has happened to be belligerent) give
them no sort of countenance ; and until that law and practice are
new-modelled in such a way as may surrender the known ancient
rights of some nations to the present convenience of other nations,
(which nations may, perhaps, remember to forget them, when they
happen to be themselves belligerent) no reverence is due to them ;
they are the elements of that system, which, if it is consistent, has
for its real purpose an entire abolition of capture in war that is, in
other words, to change the nature of hostility, as it has ever existed
amongst mankind, and to introduce a system of things not yet seen
in the world, that of a military war, and a commercial peace.
" 3dly, That the penalty for the violent contravention of this
right, is the confiscation of the property so withheld from visitation
4
208 MARITIME RIGHTS OF BELLIGERENT NATIONS.
and search. It is a principle, not only of the civil law, (on which
great part of the law of nations is founded) but the private juris-
prudence of most countries in Europe that a contumacious refusal
to submit to fair inquiry infers all the penalties of convicted guilt.
Conformably to this principle we find in the celebrated French Ordi-
nance of 1688, now in force, Article 12, " That every vessel shall if
good prize in case of resistance and combat ;" and Valin, in his smaller
Commentary, p. 8 1, says expressly, that although the expressioais
in the conjunctive, yet that the resistance alone is sufficient. He refers
to the Spanish Ordinance in 1718, evidently copied from it, in which
it is expressed in the disjunctive, " in case of resistance or combat."
And recent instances are at hand and within view, in which it ap-
pears that Spain continues to act upon this principle. The first time
in which it occurs to my notice on the inquiries I have been able to>
make in the institutes of our own country respecting matters of this
nature, except what occurs in the Black Book of the Admiralty, is
in the Order of Council 1664, Article 12, which directs, "That
when any Ship met withal by the Royal Navy, or other Ship com-
missioned, shall fight or make resistance, the said Ship and goods shall
be adjudged lawful prize." A similar article occurs in the Procla-
mation of 1672. And it is observable that Sir Robert Wiseman,
then the King's Advocate-General, who reported upon the Articles
in 1673, an( ^ ex P rcsses a disapprobation of some of them as harsh
and novel, does not mark this article with any observation of censure.
I am therefore warranted in saying, that it was the rule, and the
undisputed rule, of the British Admiralty. I will not say that that
rule may not have been broken in upon in some instances by con-
siderations of comity or policy, by which it may be fit that the ad-
ministration of this species of law should be tempered in the hands of
those tribunals which have a right to entertain and apply them ; for
no man can deny that a State may recede from its extreme rights,
and that its supreme councils are authorised to determine in what
cases it may be fit to do so, the particular captor having in no case
any other right or title than what the State itself would possess under
the same facts of capture. But I stand with confidence upon all fair
principles of reason upon the distinct authority of Vattel upon In-
stitutes of the great maritime countries, as well as those of our own
country when I venture to lay it down, that by the law of nations,
as now understood, a deliberate and continued resistance to search, on
the part of a neutral vessel to a lawful cruizer, is followed by the
legal consequence of confiscation."
[ 209 1
A CIRCUMSTANTIAL NARRATIVE
OF THE TRANSACTIONS ON BOARD
HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP RESISTANCE,
CAPT. E. PAKENHAM, COMMANDER,
From December 1797, to the Time of her Blowing up in the Straits of
JSanca, July 2th, 1798; with the subsequent Escape and Deliverance
of four of her Crew, the only Survivors of that Catastrophe.
TN consequence of certain intelligence brought from the Eastward
* by Captain Shepherdson, of the Venus, that a part of the crew of
an English ship of war (supposed to be his Majesty's ship the Re-
sistance), which had the misfortune to be blown up in the Straits of
Banca some months before, had been picked up by some pirate prows
and carried to Lingan, where the survivors still existed in a state of
slavery, Major Taylor, commanding the garrison of Malacca, imme-
diately dispatched a prow to that island, for the relief of those unfor-
tunate men.
In this prow, suitably stored with supplies, he sent a sepoy,
who being well acquainted with the Malay tongue, was charged with
a letter to the Sultan of Lingan ; entreating that Prince to assist in
the most effectual measures for the recovery and release of such of the
Resistance's ship's company, as he might be able to discover in this
calamitous situation.
On the cth of December the prow returned to Malacca, bringing
with her one seaman, late of the Resistance's crew, from the declara-
tion of whom the following Narrative is taken.
The detail given by this man appears entitled to the greater share
of credence, as no deviation from the circumstances related in his
story was to be found upon the several interrogatories put to him
from time to time afterwards. It comes very near to the floating
report which Captain Shepherdson had of the Malays at Rhio ; and
coincides remarkably in many of its principal points with that
which had already come round to Malacca from Pinang, as there
related by his three comrades, who had not less providentially arrived
in safety at that settlement.
As the complexion of the several unpleasant situations, if not actual
distresses, into which the Resistance was eventually cast ; and as the
sad disaster itself of that ill fated ship seems to derive much of its
tinclure, or may perhaps be deemed to have originated, with the gale
which she encountered almost a year ago in the Pacific Ocean, on her
way to China ; her story is on that accou.it brought down from, *
ttJol. IV. E E
2IO A CIRCUMSTANTIAL NAR1ATIV1 Of THE
date more remote than it may probably appear of sufficient interest
to the public that it otherwise should be.
In such a case, candour will be nevertheless disposed to make due
allowances for (if such it should prove) a too minute and circumstantial
account of whatever might seem, though remotely, to affe& or con-
cern the loss of so valuable a Commander, officers, and ship's com-
pany, as perished in the Resistance ; when the Recorder of this
mournful Narrative (taken by himself from the lips of the person
here mentioned) adds, that while his country has to lament, as it must
deeply feel, the misfortune of that intelligent, gallant, and worthy
Commander, it is not less his mournful task to mix the tear of private
friendship and sincere esteem for that officer in the individual ; and
for more than one active and deserving character besides, serving with
him, whose memory will ever remain not less dear, than their cruel
fate is to. be regretted.
Thomas Scott, seaman, aged 22 years, a native of Wexford in
Ireland, relates on examination as follows :
That he formerly belonged to the Chesterfield South-Sea whaler j
from which he remained at Timor Besar for three years, in the Dutch
employ, till the capture of that place^ when he entered on board the
Resistance.
That she met with a heavy gale of wind on the of hst
December, which continued for four days unabated ; and in which
she proved so leaky that her chain pumps were kept constantly at
work, night and day ; at length, in order to lighten her, they were
obliged to, heave a number of her upper- deck guns overboard. She
then bore away for the Philippines, intending, as he believes, after-
wards to sail for Malacca. Being in want of wood, water, and pro-
visions, Captain Pakenham tried the expedient of hoisting Spanish
colours, as he cruised along shore, till he came to anchor nearly
wthm reach of the guns of Antego. The Deputy Governor of
this town, and the Captain of a Spanish brig, then lying at anchor in
the Bay, accordingly came off to them ; but discovering their mistake
when too late, upon endeavouring to escape, were soon brought back
and put on board by a boat from the Resistance. Upon their assurances
that they would do their utmost to have the wants of Captain Paken-
ham amply supplied, he generously suffered them to return the same
evening to the shore. No part, however, of the e fair promises being
fulfilled, nor the likelihood cf it, at five o'clock the next evening,
Captain Pakenham sent his third Lieutenant, Mr. Cuthbert, in the
gutter, with an armed party, to cut out the Spanish brig ; in which
attempt they succeeded, though fired upon smartly by the guns of
LOSS OF HIS MAJESTV's SHIP RESISTANCE. l\l
t*ie fort, within range of which she had anchored. Scott remembers
tin's event to have happened on Christmas Day.
The Resistance and her prize sailed from thence, immediately after,
for Balambangan ; at which place they arrived in four days. Having
wooded and watered there, and procured a partial supply of rice as well
as live stock, the ship continuing leaky, with blowing weather, Capt.
Pakenham and the prize set sail from this place for the Celebes ; and
arrived in about eighteen days at Limby, near Munadoo, on that
island. The same evening that he anchored here he dispatched the
brig to Amboyna, to signify his distress for supplies ; in consequence
of which, the Bombay frigate was sent off from thence, on the ar-
rival of the brig, to his relief. After staying a week or more at
Limby, and having with some difficulty collected what he could pro-
vide for the remaining part of his voyage to Amboyna> he weighed
anchor, and sailed from that place, falling in with the Bombay frigate
and the supplies sent him on board her, in seven days after, off the
island of Booroo.
Having arrived at Amboyna, and remained there about two months
repairing and refitting, the Resistance sailed to Booroo ; where re-
freshments and stock, as well as wood and water, were mote abun*
dantly and conveniently to be procured than at the former place.
From Booroo she departed for Banda about a fortnight after, but
springing a leak off Amboyna, was obliged to put back again to
the former island.
Early in July she sailed from thence again ; and running close
along the shore of Jaca, took a Dutch brig off the town of Serrabi*
which, being in ballast and of little value, was released the same night*
The Resistance next steered her course for the Straits of Banca,
which having made in about five days, she there fell in with a fleet of
about fourteen pirate prou-s at anchor under the land of Bar.Ca, each
capable of containing fifty or sixty men k In order to board and
examine one of the largest of these, Captain P. manntd three of his
boats ; but the Malays in the prow for some tune refused permission
to Lieutenants Cuthbert and Mackay to come on board them. As
these officers, however, persisted in accomplishing their orders, the
Malays at length suffered it without opposition, but ic was found im-
possible to effeft their purpose of searching them for Dutch pro*
perty and papers ; for such was the ferment among the Malays on
board, that to avoid the consequence with which they were threatened
for insisting on this examination, they were obliged to insure their
safety by a hasty retreat over the side, and return to their own sh.p*
Captiin P. resented this conduct by the discharge of some of hw
2 |j A CIRCUMSTANTIAL NARRATIVE OF THE
twelve pounders, which soon dispersed the pirates, and sent them into
shoal water under the land.
Having weighed anchor about nine o'clock next morning, and cut
out a Malay sloop that had been captured by the pirates on her way
from Batavia, and was left at her anchors when they deserted
her the preceding night, Captain P. proceeded with her on his voyage
down the Straits. As the sloop was presumed to be Dutch pro-
perty, the paptrs belonging to which her Malay captain was suspected
of having destroyed, and if condemned would have been of some
value, being laden with cloth, salt, and other merchandize, she was
detained till the evening after the second day from her re-capture,
when it was intended that her commander (still on board the Resistance)
should be restored to his vessel, and herself released. With a view to
this, the Resistance came to an anchor in the Straits of Banca at an
early hour in the evening on the 2jd of July, as the sloop had at
that time fallen so much astern as to be entirely out of sight ; and the
latter joined, about one o'clock the next morning, and dropped
anchor under the stern of the Resistance.
The officer of the deck, Lieut. Cuthbert, hailed the sloop in
order to put her commander on board, but not being heard, re-
conciled the Malay Captain to this short further detention by the
assurance that he should depart for his vessel with the morning's
dawn : a dawn, alas! neither was to see. For Scott, the narrator,
sleeping at the larboard side of the quarter-deck (as it was so fine a
night that he did not wish to retire to his berth below), was suddenly
awakened by a fierce blaze, that seized his clothes and hair, suc-
ceeded in an instant by a tremendous explosion, from .the shock of
which, he conjectures, he became utterly senseless for five minutes or
more.
He computes this dreadful accident to have taken place about four
o'clock in the morning (24111 July 1798), from the day appearing
about an hour after he was blown up ; but how it did or could hap-
ptn, circumstanced as the ship then was, he professes himself totally
in?.ble to cfFer an opinion, or hazard a conjecture.
When lie recovered a little, he found himself half suffocated with
water, floating and struggling with twelve others in the same situation,
the small remainder cf the fine ship's company to which they had just
belonged. He made shift with these to reach the nelting of the ship
on the starboard side, which just remained above the water.
At the dawn of the day the people belonging to the sloop, then not
out of hail astern, who must easily have discovered the co dition of
the wreck, ar,d heard the repeated shouts of the wretched beings who
tvcre clinging to it, callous to every impulse of humanity, after the dis-
LOSS op HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP RESISTANCE. 215
charge of a single musket, having weighed anchor, stood over, with-
out regarding their situation, to the Island of Banca. The weather
continuing mild and the water smooth, they set to work about eleven
o'clock in the forenoon, to make a raft of such pieces of timber as they
were able to pick up around them : they were fortunately enabled
to accomplish this by means of the main-yard, which, lying along-
side the wreck, furnished them with ropes sufficient for lashings ; it
also gave them cloth for sail, which they fixed to the mast of the
jolly boat, and they completed their task by making a platform upon
it of such planks as they could find.
From the shock and severe scorching that one and all of the sur-
vivors had experienced, they were unable to accomplish their work
before one o'clock P. M. in fad, four or five only of the number
were left in any circumstances to bear a part in it, the united labour
of whom was very insufficient to secure, as it ought, the raft they had
thus contrived. The solicitude they must have felt in their distressful
condition, to reach the shore before night, was considerably augmented
by the circumstance that the piece of the wreck by which they clung
would only bear the weight of two of the most shattered amongst them
(James Sullivan and Robert Pulloyue, seamen), and whom the compas -
sion of their comrades had agreed, accordingly, to give the preference
to, by mounting them upon it : a single pumkin being at the same time
the amount of all the sustenance the whole party had to depend on.
Having committed themselves to this raft, they made sail for the
nearest shore, which was the low land of Sumatra, distant about three
leagues, and about six leagues to the southward of the Dutch settle-
ment of Palambang. About seven o'clock it came on to blow fresh,
and the sea ran high, with a strong current then setting in against
them. They were yet a considerable distance from the land, when
the lashings of their raft began to give way, and itself to part.
Not only every plank of the platform was presently washed
off; but to complete the misery of their situation, their mast and
sail were carried away. But resource, not despair, is the character
of a British seaman. Seeing an anchor-stock, which had been lately
a part of the raft, and which promised more security to those who
might be able to reach it, floating a considerable way from them, S.
Scott, being the stoutest of the party, resolved to swim after it, and
encouraging Quarter- master Alexander M'Carthy, John Nutton, and
Joseph Scott, seamen, to follow his example, they all four brought it
in safety.
It was at this time one o'clock A. M. and clear moon-light, eight
poor souli still remained by the raft (PuUoyne being dead), who
seeing this part of their number, from whose exertions alone a ray of
* CIRCUMSTANTIAL NARRATIVE OF THE
liope appeared, thus consult their own safety by the only possibltf
chance for it, bewailed their separation bitterly.
The adventurers on the anchor-stock tost sight In another hour
of the forlorn companions of their distress, and never heard nor saw
them more.
By means of two spars, lashed across to keep the stock from rolling,
they continued to be borne in safety upon it till about nine o'clock next
morning ; when the current, changing again, set them fast towards
the land ; under the lee of which, though they had been driven out
further to sea than they were when they left the wreck, they fortunately
arrived, with the help of a paddle, about nine o'clock the same
flight (25th). Some surf running along the shore, they found it a
matter of no less difficulty, in their exhausted and weakly state, after
again betaking themselves to swimming, to reach the beach.
Having thus providentially effefted their escape from the dangers
of the deep, others no less formidable stared them in the face upon
this desert coast ; or a coast, if not desert, prefied only by the foot-
tteps of men scarce less savage than the wild beasts that roamed its
adjoining thickets. The first care of the seamen, after their fatigues
and sufferings, xvas to gather leaves and dry grass* with which they
made themselves a bed, whereon to repose. On this they slept sound
till morning, when awakened by the call of thirst, they went to look
for water, which they found at hand ; but no manner of refreshment
could they discover besides, not even a single shell fish.
In this deplorable condition, and almost naked (a single jacket and
couple of shirts being their whole stock of clothes), they remained
starving till about four o'clock the same afternoon (26th), being a
term of three whole nights and two days from the time of their being
blown up, when straggling along the shore, and almost in utter
despair of all human succour, one of the party discovered a Malay
prow, lying in a Bight, hardly a quarter of a mile from them. Upon
this they consulted what was best to be done ; and it was resolved
that T. Scott, being able to talk the Dutch and Malay tongues
fluently, should approach it singly, while the rest kept out of sight.
And wrll it was for them that such was the plan and precaution they
observed; for, had they all advanced together, unarmed and de-
fenceless as they were, it is almost a moral certainty that not a life
would have been spared. On a nearer approach he presently dis-
covered four more pirate prows with the first, some of the people
belonging to which were at work on the shore, repairing a boat. O
perceiving Scott, their head man immediately made towards him,
with an uplifted axe in his hand ; upon a loud shout given by whom,
a crowd followed, equally determined to put him to death. But
loss OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHI? RESISTANCE* 215
Falling upon his knees, and supplicating for mercy in their own
tongue, the Chief relented, and forbad any of his people to do their
prisoner harm. They asked him earnestly what countryman he was ?
From whence he came ? And what he wanted among them ? He re-
plied he was an unfortunate Englishman, one of a small remainder that
survived the accident which had lately befallen his ship. They
repeated the question, whether he was a&ually an Englishman ? And
charged him, if a man of the Dutch Nation belonged to, the number
saved, that he should discover him to them, at his peril. Beino- an-
swered in the negative, the Chief (or Rajah, as they styled him)
enquired particularly whether their Captain survived ? In which case
he would undertake himself to convey them all safe to Malacca ; but
his people, as well as the Malay Chief himself, vowed that if the
party that accident had thus put into their hands had been Dutch,
no consideration should have induced them to shew quarter to a single
man.
Some of the pirates were now directed to where the seamen were,
who presently returned with them, trembling under the most alarming
apprehensions, that they should be massacred, as they conceived Scott
had already been ; for they had seen the latter surrounded by an
angry and threatening crowd, themselves then being undiscovered.
On their arrival, all four were made to sit down, till they fully
satisfied their curiosity, by asking a thousand questions relating to the
ship, and their prisoners. The next step the pirates took, was to
divide the captives ; each of the Rajahs taking two into his own
boat ; the quarter-master and Hutton into one, the two Scotts into
the other.
It was now past six o'clock P. M. when the almost famished
seamen at last had the wants of nature relieved by a plentiful
meal of fish and rice, which was served to them in each of the
boats.
The time allowed for this refreshment being expired, the five prows
immediately put off for the Resistance's wreck; but after a vain
search of two whole days, they returned without being able to pick
up any part of the ship, or of her contents. Some seamen's chests,
containing a few dollars and articles of little value, however, and a few
of the bodies, continued to be washed on shore, from time to time,
for some days after.
While these five prows, which formed a part of a fleet of eighteen
or twenty, that were distributed along the land, remained cruising
separately up and down the Straits, on the look out for trading craft
from China, Java, &c. (which might be about three weeks) , the
2I< 5 A CIRCUMSTANTIAL NARRATIVE OF THE
Malays continued to behave so well towards their prisoners, as to leave
them no great cause to complain.
About the 25th of August, the prow Rajah, or principal prow, in
which the narrator was, at nine A. M. fell in with a sloop from Java.
The crew of this vessel, under cover of the preceding night, had
abandoned her, betaken to their boats, and escaped to the nearest
shore, making the best of their way (probably with what specie they
possessed) for the neighbouring town of Banca, whither it was believed
they were bound, and where they were secure of protection. Imme-
diately on seeing this formidable prow, which carried one twelve-
pounder, two swivels, and a proportion of musketry, swords, &c.
lying at anchor to windward, and it being well ascertained, from her
strength and appearance, what she was, as well as that no mercy was
to be expected from the sanguinary band aboard her, they wisely made
this sacrifice to their personal security.
Before the prow Rajah boarded the sloop, the English seamen re-
ceived a promise of a small dividend of any cloth or provisions that
might be found on board. Being laden, however, only with salt and
oil, a small proportion of fowls, rice, and cocoa nuts, part of her stock,
came to their share, in common with the other hands. The prow
proceeded from thence, with the sloop, for Penobang, a town on the
Island of Lingan ; which they reached in three days, and where their
prize fetched the captors 1500 rix-dollars. Here the two Scotts were
separated, Joseph being sent en in the prize to the town of Lingan,
and Thomas remaining with the Rajah of the prow behind at Peno-
bang. The pirates have a small fort or block house at this place,
surrounded by water, mounting several guns, which are occasionally
run out of their houses, which are eredled universally upon stakes or
piles.
Thomas Scott remained as a slave here with the Rajah of the
prow, his master, four or five weeks, when he had the news of
Quarter- master M'Carthy and Hutton arriving in the small prow at
Lingan ; that the young Rajah who commanded that prow, had very
liberally and humanely rejected any ransom for his captives, and freely-
presented them to the Sultr.cn.
A few days afterwards he heard that his namesake (Joseph) Scott
had been ransomed of the Timormcn on board the prize, where it
was his fate to be disposed of for fifteen rix-dollars ; and, finally, that
the Sultaun of Lingan had (with an alacrity and generosity which at
once stamps the natural disposition of his heart, and the regard and
refpt-cl he bears in it towards the British Nation) provided all the
surviving seamen of which he appears to have had any knowledge,
with a prow to transport them to Pinang.
LOSS OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP RESISTANCE. 217
Thus did the national charafter of the land from whence these
poor fellows sprang become a blessing to its individuals, in the most
trying and perilous situation imaginable: it would not become , us
to reverse the medal, and make the allusion, however it might apply,
to any other country, whose condudl towards the Malay Islanders
has been been so widely different, and in consequence of which they
experience very different effefls.
It was not till nine days after the liberation and departure of his
comrades for Pinang, that Thomas Scott was brought up by his
owner from Penobang to Lingan, about half a day's sail, and there
sold in the market for thirty-five rix-doUais.
His purchaser was another Rajah, or head mate, who proved to him
a kinder and more considerate master than the former ; he had now
a better allowance of victuals, more liberty, the gift of a cloth to
cover him, with an handkerchief. Lamenting the hardship of his fate,
in being the sole person of his countrymen left behind in bondage,
lu's new master encouraged him by the assurance, that whenever he,
Scott, should be able to pay him back the original amount of his
purchase, he would immediately release him. But his deliverance,
and that from a quarter totally unimagined and unexpected, was,
under the dispensation of Heaven, then at hand ; for the next
day, to his unspeakable joy, he found the Sultaun had become his
ransomer also from the Macassar Rajah. Being ordered into the
presence of his benefactor, he was given to understand, that in conse-
quence of a letter received by the Sultaun the preceding day from
Major Taylor, commanding at Malacca, requesting the Sultaun's t
attention and relief to any of the crew of his Majesty's ship which
might be found in those parts (too certain intelligence of which had
been given him at Malacca), he, the Sultaun, was happy to discover '
that there yet remained another Englishman, of whom he before had
no knowledge, on the island ; and to whom he could have the
pleasure of bestowing his liberty. Several other kind expressions
were at the same time used by him.
Accordingly, after a delay of nine days of the prow dispatched
by Major Taylor to Lingan, Scott had the Sultaun's permission to
depart for Malacca. The prow arrived with him there on the $th of
December, after a tedious passage of fourteen days, and where,
upon official examination, he delivered in the above report to the
commanding officer, offering to attest the same (to tht best of his
belief and knowledge) at that time, or whenever after he might be called
upon.
l. IV. F F
2lS
ANCHORS AND CABLES.
Officers, Ship's Company, &c, belonging to, or on beard, his Majfsfy'f
Ship Resistance, ix>h;n she blew vp, as 'well as Scott can recollici :
Captain Edward Pakenham,
Commander.
Mr. Haughton, ist Lieut.
Mr. Cuthbert, 2d ditto.
Mr. Mackay, 3d ditto.
Mr. Powis, Surgeon.
Mr. Hust, Master.
Mr. Rosenhagen, Lieut, of
Marines.
Mr. Brown, Master at Arms.
Mr. Dawson, Gunner.
Mr. Pike, Boatswain.
Mr. , Carpenter.
Mr. Mercer, Purser.
Mr. Hargood, Master's Mate.
Mr. Walsh, Midshipman.
Mr. Derham, ditto.
Malacca, December 8, f 798.
Mr. Courtenay, ditto.
Mr. Woolfe, ditto.
Mr. , ditto.
Mr. , ditto.
Three Master's Mates.
Mr. Evans, Coxswain.
Mr. , Surgeon's Mate.
Serjeant Stevens, of Marines.
Five Quarter-masters, the 6th
(Mr. M'Carthy) being saved.
Four Boatswain's Mates ; about
30 Marines; and 25oSeameiu
Three Englibh women, mar-
ried on board one Malay
woman, of Amboyna.
Fourteen Spanish prisoners,
taken in the prize biig.
MR. EDITOR,
TN offering to your notice a few remarks on the Cables and Anchors
of Ships in the Royal Navy, 1 cannot but feel the disadvantage
under which I may lie when thus attempting to show that objects of
so much importance, after having for ages, nay centuries, employed
the most sagacious and minute observers > and received the benefit of
their inquiries and experience, still admit of farther improvement.
But if, as. I conceive, any ckfecl still exists in matters of this mo.
rnent, you will allow that a man of principle may feel anxious for
the disclosure of those idf.as which he, rightly or otherwise, imagines
essential to its remedy. Under this impression, I take the liberty of"
requesting you to insert the following letter, in which I have thrown
together my reflections on the subject, and the facts by which those
reflections have been suggested.
The fii\st position which I shall attempt to establish is one that has
every claim to prior consideration, and which, if admitted, of itself
points out the necessity of some such other new regulations as those
that I am about to piopose.
I. it appears to me, after the fullest consideration and research,
that his Majesty's ships are insufficiently cabled. In support of this
ANCHORS AND CABLES. 2 IQ
opinion 1 must remark, i. That merchant ships, being from three
hundred tons to seven hundred and fifty, which latter description
includes the smaller vessels of the East India Company, are certainly
not provided with cables of a strength more than adequate to their
size, wants, and degrees of exposure ; 2. That these degrees of ex-
posure, and consequent wants in the merchant vessels are far from
being equal to those of his Majesty's ships ; 3. That merchant vessels
are not over cabled ; but that on the contrary, as all who are ac-
quainted with them readily agree, could they manage them, cables of
a still larger size would be desirable ; now, these postulates being
granted, it follows that his Majesty's ships, not having cables of:
one-half, nor in some instances of one-third, of the strength of those
on board such merchant vessels, are not cabled to one-half, and in some
instances to one-third, of the requisite strength. This is a fact which,
as rumour has said a redu&ion of the cables in the service has been
proposed, seems to be either unknown or unregarded. This I know,
that the relative proportion of strength between the single cables of
ships of the line and those of merchant ships of 3 or 4co tons, is not
more than as three, or even two to six ; and that in length and
number, they hardly exceed the actual length and number of an East
India ship of 750, and have not at the same time, more than one half
or a third proportion of relative strength ; whence it follows, I con-
ceive, that if an India ship is not greatly over-cabled, a ship of the
line is greatly deficient.
If I am right in this idea, it will no longer be urged against me,
that the subject has been already completely examined. If this dis-
proportion is really productive of the evils which I attribute to it, it
will be allowed that even though the fads alleged are weaker, and
the arguments inferior, it would become the duty of every friend to
his country and his countrymen, to stand forward in such a cause.
What relates to the most important branch of the navy, to the
general defence and welfare, and to a point so interesting to their
safety, as firm anchorage and retention, can be of no slight or trivial
consideration. Single ships of the line of battle arc of a value, and
what is more, include a population equal to those of some states that
have a name in Europe. United, they are the greatest of the
national energies, the acknowledged support, if not the source, of the
wealth and power of the nation. They contain an assemblage of
men forming a body not to be paralleled for force, bravery, and
skill ; and which, should any misfortune overwhelm, ages to come
might not replace. Ought a pledge of such immense worth, and a
pledge too for the public safety, the guaranty of wealth, liberty, and
glory, and, as things now stand, of every thing near and dear m
22 O ANCHORS AND CABLE*.
private as well as public estimation, to be permitted, if the contrary
is possible, to exist a moment in danger of suffering from the Ju-
commodiousness or inadequacy of the instruments they employ.
In watching the enemy's coast, which is become a usual duty, and
in many exposed situations both at home and abroad, our ships want
retaining po'wers of the greatest strength j and ihould these powers,
from error in calculation, or any other cause, be formed of less than
that required strength, and much more if, in the most important in-
stances, it is less than half of what it ought to be, it would be extremely
criminal were we passively to witness so great an evil. It is not ex-
travagant to suppose, that such a distribution of the navy may be occa-
sionally required, as would leave half of it or nearly the whole, upon
the shores of the enemy, or in our own roads, exposed to the necessity
of outriding the most destructive gale ; and a gale of that increased
violence which late instances lead us frequently to expeft. Tn such a
case, the flower of the heroism of Great Britain might be buried in the
ocean : a catastrophe too dreadful for thought, but which, as far as
second causes are concerned, must be influenced by the hold of
anchors, and the strength of cables.
II. It is my opinion, that the complicated nine-strand lay of
cables is of inferior strength, and coiled with greater difficulty than
simpler combinations.
III. That it would be highly for the good of the service, and is
practicable, to adopt, for sheet and spare cables, if not for bowers,
cordage of double or more than double substance.
IV. That the bitts might be altered to that end, and in;i man-
ner beneficial to all cables, according to the recommendation of Mr.
Snodgrass, and that these improvements might be carried still
farther.
V. That anchors of the present magnitude, being much more than
adequate to cables now in use, would be sufficient, or nearly so, for
those of the proposed fabric.
VI. That an alteration might be made, which, though the anchor
is in my judgment, nearly perfect in its common forms, would, in
some cases, aid its office ; and,
VII. That ships, to ride secure, do not want so great a scope of
cable as is commonly supposed.
The anchors of ships of the line are,, it is allowed, in tolerable
proportion, though perhaps rather below what their circumstances
require ; a ship of 300 tons possessing anchors of twelve or fourteen
cwt. ; East India ships, of 750 tons, anchors of thirty-two or thirty-
four cwt. ; seventy. fours, of 1800 tons, from seventy to eighty cwt. ;
ANCHORS AND CABLES. 221
second-rates, from eighty to ninety ; and, as I have been informed,
the anchors of first- rates, which are of 2200 or 2300 tons burden, lately-
approached to five ton weight. These respective weights, common
arithmetic shews, are nearly proportional to those of the merchant
and East India Company ships ; and perhaps nearly sufficient ; for I
never heard that, except in very loose ground, where the form of
an anchor is of more consequence than its weight, the anchors
of merchant ships are not sufficiently powerful for the cables to which
they are attached. They have appeared in all the instances re-
specting which I have either had experience, or opportunity of
making inquiry, to be what they ought to be that is, completely su-
perior to the cables ; and, consequently, till farther experience -
amends present conceptions, it may not be improper to receive them
as sufficient in all instances for the equivalent proportions of cable.
Such have they at least, been proved, for those which the ships of the
East India Company annex, and which are the best in all respefts for
comparison with his Majesty's ships, as well on account of their size,
methods, and habits, as of the reasoning and experimental inquiry
which has been made in this service, and the knowledge which is
generally possessed, or easily obtained, respecting the properties and
powers of those ships, and their instrumental parts.
To these c< mparisons J now proceed, by means of which I shall
point out that his Majesty's ships fall beneath others in the propor-
tion of their cables ; and that those ships bting barely sufficiently found,
the King ? s being still interior, must be obviously defective.
The East India Company's shijrs, I mean the smaller, preserve
pretty nearly the proportion customary in the merchants' service,
and this is scarcely sufficient ; but they can take better stations for
riding than can the ships of the line, and have none of those pressing
occasions for extreme power in their retainers, which occur perpetually
in the public service.
The elevation of the lowest ships of the line, joined to the in-
creased proportion of their masts and yards, the superior measure
allowed in his Majesty's tonnage, added to their outside berth, cause
the least disadvantage they sustain in riding to be not reasonably less
than a fourth more than their nominal tonnage compared with the
East India ships adduced ; while second and first rates may be reason-
ably set at a third more than theirs. This statement, indeed, does
not greatly exceed their real tonnage in merchant measure, and these
considerations will cause seventy- fours to be rated at 2100 tons of
East India tonnage, according to the strain they exert in cables;
second rates at not less than 2600 ; and first rates- not below 3000.
C zzz ]
FRENCH NAVAL TACTICS.
ssavs en " tie Cause of the Naval Superiority of England over the
French," extracted from the MONITEUR, by French Writers In
continuation from page 148.
ESSAY III.
SIR,
"TpHE Author of the Memoir upon the Marine, some time ago m-
serted in the Moniteur *, has treated this interesting question so
as In some measure to awaken the attention of every sailor, and of
every Marine Artillery Man. This subjeft appearing to be rather
out of the sphere of a private officer, I may be blamed for publishing
the following observations, which I would not presume to hazard did
not I believe that they may be of greater utility than those contained
in the Memoir. But this is of little consequence. Should they
only attract the criticism of the Officers of the Marine Artillery, I
shall have attained my objeft ; for this would be one means of draw-
ing them from the apathy in which they seem to be held.
The Author has fixed upon three causes, which he thinks sufficient
to give superiority in naval combats : ist, A superior excellence of
ships, zd, A more profound knowlrdge in the officers of Naval
Ta&ics ; and ^d, The more advantageous use and direction of the
artillery.
The Author next having, in some way or other, demonstrated
that the two first causes are in favour of the French, concludes that
It is the bad use we make of our artillery that is the cause of our
reverses.
It appears to me that he would have been more just had he con-
eluded, that our defeats arise merely from the inferiority of our ar-
tillery.
The two first points not being within my sphere, and having been
already resolved, I shall now, in concert with the Author, examine
what is the influence of the third.
It cannot be doubted that this influence is very great in naval en-
gagements, since it is well known that artillery is employed in them
as the principal agent that if it often prepares the victory to land
armies, it must by sea not only prepare but determine it. I am far
from thinking that much does not depend upon the skilful manoeuvring
of the ships, but can these manoeuvres be always executed under the
wperior fire of an enemy's artillery ?
* See page 146 of this Work.
FRENCH NAVAL TACTICS. 22$
The Author states, that " The French dlreff their guns at tie
tvhicb comprehends every thing that is above the body of th?
vessel^ that three-fourths of this space is a void, and consequently t thai
three -fourths of the balls so direcJed, must lose themselves in air."
The last phrase is not correct, for the balls do not lose themselves
in air, but in water, " From the vague elevation which is given to tie
balls when they are f red at the rigging-, the balls ivhkh hit the mails
must necessarily strike them one above the other ; and experience proves,
that fifty cannon shots received in this manner by a mast will not break
it, WV,"
When the rigging is fired at, It is only at a distance from which
some kind of advantage may be expected by this direction of shot.
Thus, when a vessel is precisely distant from its adversary that space
which a gun will carry without giving it elevation, then it is unneces-
sary to allow much, and the degree necessary may be exaclly deter-
mined. But when the guns are fired beyond this distance it be-
comes necessary to give them elevation, on account of the distance.
Then it is that their muzzles conceal the hull of the enemy's vessel,
and even its rigging, if the distance is considerable, from the eye of
the officer who points the guns, and it is from hence, no doubt, that
the Author has supposed the fire was directed at the rigging of
the enemy's vessel when it is only proposed to reach it. J will agree
that when the Marine cannoneer fires beyond the distance of point-
blank shot, he has nothing which indicates to him how much he
elevates or lowers his piece ; that he does not know the precise degree
in which he has elevated or lowered it at the moment of the departure of
the ball. Hence it follows, that besides its being possible that he may
be able to bring back, for several shots, his piece to the same degree
of elevation that it had before, it necessarily follows that the balk
must lodge in the masts, or strike them precisely one above the other.
" Tie English always direct their guns at the butts of the vessels, &c."
The Author ought to have established a term of comparison from
which we could set out, in order to estimate the effecls of artillery.
Let us suppose any fixed distance ; it is evident that every shot directed
at the hull of the enemy's vessel at the distance of two cables length,
cannot miss it, since it is impossible that the balls can miss it by
diverging laterally, and as the degree to which they fall cannot exceed
seventeen or eighteen feet ; but if we suppose a distance of six cables
length, the guns ought no longer to bt directed at the hulls of the
enemy's vessels, for the balls would touch the water at about a third
part of that distance, and would never reach the vessels. It would
be necessary in this case to give the guns a certain elevation.
Their muzzles will then conceal the objed from the cannoneer, who
224
\vill be obliged to take his aim by the sides of the gun a method
which cannot but produce error, and of which, the pn~.ftice is only
recommended for want of better means. It is not uncommon, with
such uncertain methods of pointing, for the best trained cannoneer to
mistake one degree or even more in the elevation of the gun, which
causes him to miss every part of the enemy's vessels ; since at the
distance we are supposing, the fall of the balls must be from two to
three hundred feet. I think it too tedious and useless to point out all
the errors which might arise from lateral pointing.
When guns are fired at a greater distance than the gun carries'
point-blank, they are almost always aimed by chance. There can
therefore be no security that they will strike any determined part of
the enemy's ship ; but they are fired in the hope that they will strike
it some where or other. It is easy to see from this, how ridiculous
it would be to aim so as to sink it in this case.
< When the guns are directed at the body of the enemy's vessels t the
lolls which pcss above must pass almost at the same height, so that those
which strike the masts must strike them nearly in the same place."
What the Author says here is true ; when the guns are fired at a
distance which they will carry point-blank, I think I have already-
proved, that beyond this distance there can be no security that the balls
v ill in any degree strike.
Thus the instructions which the Author has given respecting the
management of artillery at sea, only relate to firing point-blank.
His views are undoubtedly not confined to this point, he has given
room to hope that in a second Memoir he will explain them for the
instruction of the Officer* of the Marine Artillery'.
" // may be supposed from the condufl of the French in battle, that their
intf niton -was only to get clear of the English vessels, in order to avoid a
decisive aSion"
I suppose that the intention of the French sailors when they are
tngagtd, is to do all the ill possible to the enemy, and that if the
effect does not correspond with their intention, it is the fault of thr
arms which they use.
I shall only cite one fact to give an idea of the effect of our ar-
tillery. Upon the return of the Trench and Spanish fleets, com-
manded by Admiral Bruix, they fired 900 cannon shots at least, at
an Algerine corsaire, without the smallest effect. I do not believe
that in a combat of this nature, there was ever so much unavailing
firing.
Though the preference ought to bs given to directing the guns so
as to make them strike the hull of the enemy's vessel, I do not think
that this opinion of the Author ought to be considered as an exclu-
FRENCH NAVAL TACTICS. 3*5
aive principle. For instance, in a particular engagement the com-
mander of a ship, the superiority of whose artillery over that of its
antagonist is discernible, ought, it appears to me, to save the enemy's
vessel, and only to fire at the rigging.
The Author, in examining the conduct of the English Admirals in
battle, asserts that they have negltctul manoeuvring, with the advanU
ages of position, and that they have reckoned solely on the superiority
of their artillery. The English Admirals have done what -every able
General will do, when having the superiority of force, he can, by
combating the enemy's armament in parallel order, fight it along the
whole extent of its front and destroy it completely.
The Author observes, " that the English have only produced one
contemptible work upon Naval Tallies." But they have produced
several excellent ones upon Artillery, which is at least as essential.
*' That they have no Marine School." We have in opposition to that, '
no School for Artillery. " Lastly, that they have no Naval Corpt of ~~
Artillery." It may now be asked, if we have any f If that Body
which we know by the name, is organized as it ought to be ? If the
men who compose it are chosen, and if they are commanded at sea by
the officers who trained them ?
The only French Author who has written upon the subject of the
Naval Artillery is Citizen Tcxier Norbie. His vyor}c, though mo-
dern, appears tp me incomplete, because he has not taken notice of
the great changes made in the Land Artillery in 1765, and since that
period* nor of the discoveries which have arisen from the discussions
which the subject of artillery has undergone, although he could not
be unacquainted with them. It is true that it does not seem tq have
been his object in his researches to appreciate the importance or ad-
vantage of these changes, nor to make any application of them to the
Naval Artillery.
The Laud Artillery having been carried to a pitch of perfefHon,
which has attracted the attention of all military men, and even of the
learned of Europe, it would have been surprising, if the Naval Ar-
tillery had not reaped some Improvement from this perfection, were
it only in those parts of its construction or management which are
analogous or similar to those of the Land Artillery, if it had had 3
corps destined particularly to its service, of which the officers had
been artillerers. This corps} not having existed, the Naval Artillery
has undergone very little change.
I have proved that our Naval Artillery does not furnish any means
of taking a sure aim. It is still more defective with respect to its
mounting, because this is not established on any rational principle ;
some of them being contrary to the simplest rules of Mechanics, it
IV. G O
226 FRENCH NAVAL TACTICS.
would be impossible to resolve them all into one. I conclude, that
ia every respect it is inferior to that of the English. We have
indeed the melancholy experience of this. It would not then be
sufficient to secure us constant success, merely that we have perfected
the construction of our vessels, that we have investigated deeply into
Naval Tallies, and formed good Naval office iv, ; it would still remain ne-
cessary to improve our artillery, and to render it, if possible, superior
to that of the enemy. I shall offer some leading ideas as to the means
which I think best adapted to make it regain this superiority.
It will be necessary to make our artillery lighter, which may be
done without danger, as is proved by the example of the English,
and of our allies the Spaniards, whose artillery-is one fourth lighter than
ours/; to fix the dimensions of the guns upon an accurate knowledge
of the laws of cuhtsion, of the force of tenacity in the particles of
ca.5t iron and of the effeft of the powder- which tends to brcvk them.
It will be necessary to adapt to our guns Loutous de mire * and
'&amses mobiles, similar to those with which field-pieces are provided,
but of which the properties will be more extended, and the use more
sure, without requiring any greater skill on the part of the cannoneer.
The next thing requisite will be, to facilitate the means of taking
aim by the sides cf the gun ; some method of rr.aking fast the guns, so
.that their weight being nearer to the centre of gravity as to the vessel,
the motion may be made less, which must also be provided.
The carronndes ought to be cast a-new, as their construaion, as
well as that of their frames, is evidently bad.
Schools of Artillery for the Naval Service ought to be established,
in which officers, by being taught a good theory, may be prepared for
serving usefully.
A corps of Marine Artillery, of chosen men, ought to be formed ;
to the officers of which ought to be granted, the power of dire:
the artillery at sea, and that of commanding and disciplining their
cannoneers. These officers not being then so completely null as they
are at present on board cur vessels, would have the glory of being able
to contribute to our success, the only one cf wlych they could, bj
jealous.
' The zeal which animates me for the honour of the corps to which,
I am proud of belonging, will plead my pardon for the faults of tbu?
:.y. If I am deceived in the conclusions which 1 have dr&wa, I
eagerly wish tint seme officer?, more masters of the theory and ;
tice of the profession, may, by making it known, propose better.
BY AN OFilCER OF THE' MARiNfc ARTILLIRY,
The Translator is unacquainted with the Eng!!sh terms for this and the f5-
lowirg expression (bauaa mcMct}, hut what is meant by loutcxi dt mire is tLs
un.ll mark near the muzzle of the gun, to dired more steadily the aim of ths
person \vho points it.
( 227 )
FOR THE NAVAL CHRONICLE.
MR. EDITOR,
E Moniteur, or, in other words, the official Gazette of France,
of which you have given a translation *, having thought proper
to obtrude some observations upon the comparative Naval Talics
of France and England, and to draw from those observations a
particular inference, the remarks with which I shall trouble you
are intended as an answer to those observations. I shall, how-
ever, answer the Moniteur rather substantially than regularly, and
shall reply more to the result of his arguments, than criticise his
individual paragraphs. The remarks of the Moniteur are evidently
the language 01 Consular command. It is an obvious finesse of
Government, to excite their navy to the hope of rivalling their army.
*The Moniteur insists that the superiority of a marine force, when in
aftion, must depend on three things : i. The better condition of the
vessels 2. The greater naval skill of the officers 3. The better use
of the artillery. I grant to the Consulate Gazette that such things
are the causes, but not the only causes of superiority. There is one
other cause, and that, fortunately for this country, a cause which is aa
much a property of our nature, as fog and beef are the characteristics
of our island : that cause, Sir, is the matchless firmness of our seamen !
The Moniteur remarks, that the continual victories of the English
at sea must arise from the imprudence of the French in firing at our
rigging, rather than at our hulls ; but English seamen are disposed to
insist, that fire as they may, at hull or rigging, the French fleet always
shall, and always must, be beaten. England, says the Moniteur, has
had but one author who has written on Naval Tafcics, and he was
not a seam'an : all their knowledge, therefore, he adds, must be drawn,
from French authors. The author alluded to by the Gazette of'
France is Clarke. Cbrke has written a book, and a most excellent
book it is, upon Naval Tadics ; and by the principles of that book, in
some measure, have the French, Spaniards, and Dutch, been severely
chastised. But Clarke is not the only author, although the others
have not published any elaborate treatises on the subject. Admiral
Russel (not to go farther back.) was an author. on Naval Tadics.
Boscawen, Hawke, Rodney, were authors of the same sort. Howe,
Hotham, Jarvis, Duncan, and Ntlson, have published upon the same
topic. There is a publication called /} Quarter Boardy composed of
pages of most important composition. The authors above-mentioned
have been rather nervously concise than eloquently diffuse. " i o;nt
your guns well, my laclr, ; don't throw away a single shot ; see but
their whiskers and you will singe them."
The letter of th$ Moniteur insinuates, that the cause of the inva-
riable defeats of the Frcr.ch proceed from their firing at our masts and
* See Page 143.
228 FRENCH NAVAL TACTICS.
rigging ; and that the uniform victories of the English arc the natural
result of firing at the French hulls. It is not here intended to reply
to the individual arguments used in the Moniteur to substantiate his
' statement. It is more to the purpose to resort, in the first instance,
to the truer source of British triumph, and the cureless cause of French
defeat. When a very valiant Captain of a French line of battle ship*
whose vessel was sunk, after a most handsome resistance, was saved
from the impending peril of drowning, by the Commander of a British
ship, in Lord Howe's memorable action, the prisoner, in the fullness
of his gratitude for his life preserved, and a 'great part of his crew
rescued from perdition, having thanked the English Captain with a
candour correspondent to his courage, very frankly declared, that
nothing in the world could stand against the broadside of a British man
of war, which he pronounced to be a perfect bait-storm of bullets*
When the surviving first officer of a line of battle ship, taken in an
a&ion between the French fleet in the Mediterranean, and the British
fleet under Admiral Hotham, had, some days afterwards, his sword
returned to him, he congratulated himself upon receiving it, and at the
same time observed, that he had been obliged to thrust that sword
through the bodies of several of his seamen, to mak^ the remainder
stand to their guns : he at the same time a&ked the First Lieutenant
of the Admiral's ship, on board of which the Frenchman was prisoner,
how the English officers contrived to keep their men to their
guns ? " We have no necessity to keep them to their gnns," replied
the Lieutenant, " for the Devil himself could not drive them from
them ;" and, pointing to his speaking trumpet, said, " We have only
to make them he-ar, they will be sure to obey." In short, Sir, the
hail-storm, as the first- mentioned officer emphatically described it, is
the trne and only cause of conquest on one side, and the irresistible
impulse that dismays, disconcerts, and defeats the other party ; and
as to John Bull, the hail-storm, with all its concomitant thunder
and lightning of artillery, has no other effeft upon him than to
make him pelt away in return till he h;is silenced and subdued his
antagonist.
It is not here intended to draw illiberal or national comparisons j
the letter in the Monitenr has set no such example, mid requires
no such return : much less is it designed to vaunt any preternatural
prowess ; and, less than all is it meant to allude to the numbers
sacrificed to give a temporary colouring of success to the French
armies. There is no affinity between the two services. The hail-
storm here alluded to, is the hail-storm of the main. It is sufficient
just to observe, that pushing hundred upon hundred, and devoting
to death thousand after thousand, to fatigue the enemy by continuation
of slaughter, may answer the purposes of desperation on shore ; but
JFRENCB NAVAL TACTICS* 2 2 9
such temerity afloat, whether applied to the hull or rigging of the British
ships, will only augment destruction, and ensure defeat to their assailants
The Moniteur states, that this superiority of the English, in firing
at the hull, was evinced in the combat with Lord Howe* and in that
with Nelson, at the Nile : but here, in joining with the Moniteur, as
to the incontrovertible superiority manifested by the British squadron
upon the latter unparalleled day, I must dissent from him in affixing
the glory of it to that cause to which he assigns it j to no defection
on the part of his countrymen's tactics, to no indiscretion of firing at
the rigging instead of the hull, was the event of that matchless
transaction to be attributed. No, Mr. Editor, to the hail- storm
alone must we apply for an explanation of that proud and unexampled
manoeuvre*
As to Howe's renowned battle in the Channel, be it remembered,
that the ships of France were, on that occasion, better found and
better fought than they had ever been under the old regime ; every
national, every republican, every pecuniary nerve was strained, to
empower that formidable fleet to resist the English ; every exertion
was made to lay their ships close to the enemy ; the old practice of
firing at the rigging was completely abandoned. The prisoners in
that well disputed combat unanimously declared, that the substituted
system of firing at our hulls had been adopted, and executed with as
much precision as the French seamen could be prevailed on to perse-
vere im But they did not, they could not persevere ; the hail-storm
totally defeated the design.
As to the fight of the Nile, be it recollected that the French ships
were at anchor ; that they had a three-decker of very heavy metal ; that
Nelson had two-deckers only ; that the French purposely, declaredly,
and universally pointed their whole numerous and ponderous artillery
at our hulls, their broadsides at our hulls, end on : Jt was, at first,
hundreds of shots to one, broadside to bow, point blank aim at ships
necessarily less certain in their aim, because steering, and occasionally
yawing ; some length of time brought our ships hull to hull : then
came on the aforesaid hail-storm : then might any Frenchman, a !-
vanced in the elegances of the English tongue, have exclaimed, "From
Hell, Hull, and Hail-storm, good Lord deliver us !"
In short, Sir, the Moniteur is correct in his data, but has erred in
his conclusion, like Monsieur D'Arcon, who sug;;c^ttd and super-
intended the floating batteries at Gibraltar. That able Engineer pro-
nounced his batteries (no doubt upon plausible data) to be impene-
trable, incombustible, and insubmersible ; whereas the batteries of
Monsieur D'Arcon were shot through) set on fire, and sunk.
I am, Sir, your humble servant,
HAIL-STOHM.
C 230 1
GREAT BRITAIN,
A POEM.
VINCIT AMOR PATRIJE.
HAIL ! happy land, around whose rocky shores
The restless wave of hoary Ocean roars,
How shall the Muse recount thy endless praise ?
Weak is her fancy, low her loftiest lays ;
To Britain's glory, strains sublime belong ;
Heroic verse, and richer streams of song.
Here, from the earliest age, was ever seen
The martial form of liberty serene
Here^the brave Chief, whose steady valour bore
Rome's haughty eagles to the German shore,
Tam'd the fierce Gaul, and saw Pharsalia's day,
And broke of Munda's war the firm array
Here found that courage, warm'd with Freedom's fire?,
The fearless minds with scorn of death inspires.
Unskilled in every art of civil life,
The savage Britons in the noble strife,
The well-train'd legions gallantly withstood,
The Seas ran purple with the Roman blood.
Here too these dauntless heroes could restrain,.
The sweeping ravage of the cruel Dane.
Thee, Alfred ! fam'd in learning and in war,
That rough and hardy race was taught to fear,
Scar'd at thy warlike voice in dire dismay,
The Northern Raven * droop'd and fled away.
Name, to the sacred Muse, for ever dear,
Who 'raid the gloom of ignorance so drear,
Could teach the light of Science how to shine,
The wild Barbarian polish and refine,
Pour each fair moral on the human mind,
And ruffian rage with legal sanftions bind.
* The Danish Standard.
Z
KAVAL LITERATURE. 33!
But, all ! unfriendly to each gcn'rous art,
When death unspairing chill'd thy glowing hcart ?
The age to fierce barbarity return'd
No more with love qf ancient glory burn'd.
' Now brighter aeras claim my willing lays ;
See heroes born the race of happier days.
In pomp majestic see the Chief* advance,
Whose courage shook the throne of haughty France,,
See Poi&ier's plain and Cressy's glorious field ;
See the young Victor f with the sable shield,
Unmatch'd in valour as in courtly grace, i
'* The first in combat, as the first in place."
See from his ashes too, , whose deeds adorn
'1'h' historic page, another hero born.
He, the fifth Henry, on the frighted shores
Of hostile France, his well-train'd army pours ;
Who knows not Agin'court ? there nobly brave,
Ten thousand warriors found a glorious grave ;
There fell the weight of that destructive blow,
That humbled France, and laid her heroes low ;
There Bourbon fell on heaps of Princes dead ;
There Dalbr^t died and bold Alencon bled.
But endless were the task, O Land of Fame 1
Thy warriors' valiant aftions to proclaim ;
France and Iberia feel their matchless force,
And climes far distant tremble at their course.
Not the stout Flemish on his wasted fields,
Nor German bold, the glitt'ring sword who wields,
Nor Swiss descending from his mountain's brow,
Clad in fierce tempests, and a waste of snow,
,Nor hardy Russians, nor intrepid Swedes,
Of Chaiks still boasting high the warlike deeds.
Nor ruthless Turk, nor Austrian firm in fight,
Could of thy heroes quell the dauntless might :
Germania's plain, and Flanders dy'd in blood,
The Danube rolling slow his sanguine flood,
And Ganges' broken wave, that murm'ring flows,
Clogg'd with dire carnage of thy slaughter'd foes,
Pear thro' recording times thy fair renown,
Arid Nations yield to thee the martial crown.
* Edward III. t Edward the Black Prince.-
JUVAL LITERATURE.
But while thy valour sways the tide of war,
Illustrious Country ! o'er the regions far,
With sheet expanded to the blowing gales,
Thy fleet triumphant on the ocean sails ;
Bold are thy fearless seamen on the wave,
Bold on that furious clement they brave,
They court fair honour, 'mid the roaring sound
Of surging billows, on the seas profound,
Firm aud.experienc'd in the naval art.
They guide their daring course with steady heart i
Firm and intrepid they direct the heLn,
Far to that cold inhospitable realm :
The seat of Winter bleak> where mountains glow,
Bright with eternal f;-ost and hoary snow ;
Far to the polar regions of the skies,
Where waste impassive continents of ice
Stretch to the chilling North in dreary view*
Thy sailors glory in those tra&s pursue.
'Tis Britain's honojtir to make discord cease.
And join the Nations in the league of Peace ;
Bid harvests flourish where the desert scowl'd,
And plant fair cities where the savage howl'd;'
Spread each ennobling virtue of the mind,
And the vast world in social commerce bind ;
For this Drake ventur'd to the Western shore,.
Thro' seas that never felt the keel before ;
For this too, Raleigh, wise experienced sage,
The pride and stain of a degen'rate age ;
For this, of equal fame tho' later time,
Thy Cook undaunted $i avcrs'd every clime.
Muse! at that name let tears eternal flow,
Pay to the sacred dead the meed of woe ;
See Commerce weep, and drooping Science njournj
With hair dishevell'd o'er his silent urn.
But when incens'd to punish lawless pride.
Thy fleets, Oh Britain ! on the oc, j an r^de,
Fierce from their ports the blasting vengeance flits,
Then wild defeat and desp'rate rout arise ;
Death on the deck assumes his dreadful stand,
And points the cannon with his slaughtering hand.
Thus fell the armament of boasting Spain,
Brave Howard whelm'd them in the British main j
NAVAL LITERATURE. 233
So where Domingo rises o'er the flood,
France shed in copious streams her flowing blood,
When gallant Rodney thro' her centre broke,
In vollied thunder, and a night of smoke :
Great Naval Hero ! to thy deathless name,
The rescued Nation plans the bust of Fame ;
Still shalt thou live, while time shall flow along,
In lays historic, and the Poet's song ;
But while thy Britain glories in her Chief,
Her feeling bosom throbs with tender grief;
She weeps her warriors in the raging fight,
Who nobly perish'd in their country's right ;
She sees her Blair among her Heroes dead,
And stretch'd with Blair, on Honour's a\vful bed,
Her Manners too, the gallant, young, and brave,
Who fell to conquer, and who died to save.
Ah ! virtuous heat, and Valour's gen'rous flame ;
Ah! daring lust of honourable fame.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XLI.
rpHIS Plate represents the situation of the William Tell, French
* ship of war, of 84 guns, as disabled by his Majesty's ship the
Penelope, of 36 guns, Captain Blackwood, on the night of the 29th of
March, 1 800, on her endeavour to escape from Malta. The Lion,
of 64 guns, Captain Manly Dixon, and the Foudroyant, of 74 guns,
Captain Sir Edward Berry, are seen coming up from a distance at
day-break. For Gazette account of the engagement, we refer our
readers to vol. iii. page 500 ; also for minute particulars, see page 508
of the same volume, given in a letter from onboard the Foudroyant.
The following is the French account of this memorable capture, as
transmitted to the Minister of Marine, by which our .readers, on
comparison, may form an idea of the fallacy of republican official,
veracity.
yice-.4dmiralDzcn.ES to the Minister of Marine and the Colonies.
" C IT I Z E N M I N 1ST E R, Hi Floreal, %th year.
I HAVE the misfortune to transmit to you an account of the
capture of the ship William Tell, commanded by Captain Saunier,
and on board of which I had recently hoisted my flag. It was on
the 8th Germinal, at eleven at night, when the ship left the port,
the moon had gone down about an hour, scudding before the wind, she
had already doubled a part of the enemy's fleet; when she was re-
cognized by a frigate, which immediately pursued her, at the same
IV. H H
2J4- FRENCH ACCOUNT OF THE
time firing her guns in order to point out the chase, and bring up
the enemy's ships. It was the Penelope, of 44 guns, which unfor-
tunately gained ground of the William Tell ; she gained so fast upon
her, that at one o'clock of the morning of the gth, she was near
enough to fire right into her stern. The William Tell returned the
fire from her stern chases ; her shot several times struck the Pene-
lope, but did not prevent her repeating her fire during the whole of
the night, with all the advantage which she derived from her superior
style of sailing and the choice of position, as well as from the neces-
sity which compelled me to fly. An hundred times I was tempted
to manoeuvre in order to cripple her from righting, as well as some
cutters that folio ived her and annoyed us with their fire, but as the
wind blew fresh, and I observed, notwithstanding the darkness of the
night, several ships at the extremity of the horizon in full sail to
support her, I was sensible that by lying to, I should be giving them
all time to come up, and that my escape would be impossible. We
were thus annoyed during the whole of the night by this frigate,
whose fire brought down our main-top-mast about five in the morn-
ing. At that moment the Lion, of 64 guns, came up within musket
shot to the larboard of the William Tell, while the Penelope con-
tinued firing astern. For three quarters of an hour, during which
the Lion was on our quarter, a brisk fire was maintained on botk
sides. At last her's slackened, and we were within pistol-shot of each
other, when, perceiving that there was not a single person on the
quarter-deck, I ordered Captain Saunier to seize the first opportunity
of boarding. The first attempt made by that gallant officer did not
succeed, owing to the precautions of the enemy, but having tried a
second effort, the William Tell's bowsprit was entangled in the
shrouds of the Lion, and we should certainly have succeeded in
boarding if our bowsprit had not gone in two and disengaged the
ships, at the moment when one of our sailors had reached a part of
their rigging, and a troop of brave fellows were preparing to follow
him. This coup de main failing, the Lion, without a single sail, her
rigging cut to pieces, and her mast ready to go by the board, was
compelled to fall back without firing a single cannon. The William
Tel] for some minutes pursued her, but was soon compelled to quit
her, in order to receive the Foudroyant, who now took part in the
engagement. It was about six o'clock ; the Foudroyant, of 84 guns,
one of the finest vessels in England, passed astern of the William
Tell, calling out to her to strike, and at the same time pouring in her
whole broadside. In consequence of their manoeuvres the two ships
were soon alongside of each other, the Foudroyant on the starboard,
and the Penelope on our quarter ; the fire at that moment on both
sides was terrible, we continued as close to each other as it was
possible without being able to board. In about thirty- six minutes
CAPTURE OF THE WILLIAM TELL. 2$$
the fore- mast of the William Tell gave way, and at three- quarters
past six her main-mast shared the same fate. The sails and rigging
of the Foudroyant were cut to pieces, and she was for some time un-
governable, and as her stern was towards us, her mizen-mast was
divided, and several of her yards were hanging in different directions.
In the mean time the Lion, which had retired from the engagement
for more thau an hour, had repaired her damage, and returned to
attack us on our larboard. In the state in which the William Tell
was, I confess I had but little hopes of the issue of so unequal a
combat, but the determined resolution of her crew was such, that I
was certain she would be dearly purchased by the enemy ; besides,
while the ship was manageable, we were capable of any bold attempt,
without dread of the consequences. It was for that reason I ordered
Captain Saiuiier to board the Foudroyant, whose fire I perceived had
abated. The Commander seized the first opportunity that presented
itself, and rushing suddenly on her starboard, he crossed her bow.
sprit. The enemy judging of our intentions, manoeuvred in order
to prevent our boarding ; the two vessels nearly touched each other,
but could not absolutely meet. The result of this manoeuvre was,
that the Foudroyant, which had already lost her mizen-mast, was
terribly mauled both fore and aft, her fore-top-mast had fallen, and
she was fain to sheer off with what masts she had standing. During
the rest of the engagement she kept at a distance, which did not
admit of our boarding her. It was then that Captain Saunier, who
had direded the manoeuvre with uncommon ability, was severely
wounded. He was immediately replaced by Lieutenant Donadieu,
an officer of very great merit. From seven o'clock the William Tell,
having only her mizen and mizen-top-mast left, had to engage two
ships of the line and a frigate ; she answered their fire by both her
broadsides, and frequently by her guns astern. The rigging had
several times taken fire, and had been repeatedly extinguished ;
several explosions which I had heard on board the enemy's ships,
assured me that the same accident had happened to them. Unfor-
tunately the falling of the masts obstructed the working of several of
ur larboard guns, and we were obliged to be continually throwing
water on that side where the ruins of the masts and rigging, which
we were unable to remove with sufficient speed, threatened every
moment to set fire to the ship. At eight o'clock (and I mention
this moment because I cannot determine what was the state of the
guns at the end of the aftion), there were two destroyed by the
enemy's shot, and nineteen dismounted, without reckoning those on
the quarter-deck. As the main- mast had been twice cut, one of the
pieces, which was fourteen feet long, lay across the quarter-deck,
and so entirely obstructed it, that it was impossible to move. Not-
2j6 FRENCH ACCOUNT, &C.
withstanding tin's accident, and the appearance of the blood, which
overflowed all the decks, the resolution of the crew seemed to -
crease ; and notwithstanding the united fire of three ships of the line,
the defence of the William Tell, at half past eight, was still vigorous ;
at that moment her mizen-mast fell on the larboard side. The whole
of that side against which the fire of the Lion was directed, was
obstructed by the masts. The enemy taking advantage of our em*
bairassed situation, were enabled to chuse that which was most con-
venient for them, while it was impossible for us to avail ourselves of
the same advantage. The Foudroyant, which had received the most
of our fire, was unable to haul on our starboard, but the Lion was on
our larboard quarter, though her sails, ligging, and yards, were cut
to pieces. At length the Penelope, which had received but little
damage, headed us, and the William Tell received the fire of all
three : without a mast standing, the ship ungovernable, and reeling
from the violent motion of the waves, which she had no mast or sail
to counteract:, we were obliged to shut her lower ports in order to
prevent her filling. In this situation it was too evident not only
that it was impossible to save the ship, but that it was out of my
power further to injure the enemy. I was sensible that the men I
might lose by a longer resistance, would be the useless victims of a
vain obstinacy ; upon this conviction, and persuaded that the de-
fence of the WilLam Ttll had been in every respe& truly honour-
able, 1 thought it my duty to submit to fortune, and about thirty-
five minutes past nine, after the ship was a wreck, the flag was struck.
The Penelope was the only ship able to take possession of her, and
board her with a sufficient number of sailors to cany her to Syracuse.
The enemy did not attempt to conceal the considerable loss they
sustained, and from what 1 have seen, and what I was informed im-
mediately after the affair, it is certain that in this respeft the van-
quishers have not been more fortunate than the vanquished. I deem
it superfluous to make any encomiums on the conduct of the crew
of the William Tell; the faft alone of the engagement, and of the
three attempts to board, which, notwithstanding the superiority of
the enemy, piomised success, will sufficiently inform you, Citizen
Minister, what confidence I was justly inspired with by the talents
of the Captain, the devotion of the officers, and the bravery of the
whole of the crew I had the .honour to command.
DECRES.*'
In our next Publication we shall give some critical remarks and
observations on the preceding statement ; and by comparing the two
accounts, that of Captain Dixon's with the French, shew at one view
the ialsehood and absurdity of the lutttr.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICK, AUG. Zj.
Ce/<y C/ 1 a Letter from Captain Durham, of tis Majesty's Ship Anton, to Evan
Wcfearif jjr. dated Gibraltar, 2Jt& June.
MI. 1141
kvvwvu Titty >111 Ui UlllWlUHb \l^D\-iiyn\Jit3, Alt \.u\, uuans ux lULdlLdi. X
immediately got under weigh and gave chase ; on our approach they got under
the batteries, where they were covered by twenty-five gun-boats, who, together
with the forts, very much annoyed us; notwithstanding, with the assistance
of two Gibraltar row-boats, we captured eight, one of which was afterwards
re-taken^ they prove to be Spaniards, bound from Malaga to Cadiz.
I have the satisfaction to inform their Lordships, that I have this moment
returned to my anchorage with the prizes.
I feel much obliged to Captain Hay, of the Constance, for his disposition of
the armed boats, which, had it been calm, would have rendered our success
much more complete.
I am, &c.
P. C. DURHAM.
-
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, AUG. 23.
Cefy of anotber Letter from Captain Durham, of bis Majesty's Slip An'.on, to Evan
Nepean, Esq. dated Gibraltar, 30/A June, &t.
SIR,
I have great satisfaction to inform my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
that last night I had an tpportunity of cutting off two of the Spanish gun boats
(the Gibraltar, and alvador) who had been for several days a very great an-
noyance to my convoy ; they are fine vessels, commanded by King's Officers,
mounting two eighteen pounders in the bow, and eight guns of different di-
mensions, manned with sixty men. They defended themselves very gallantly,
and 1 am afraid have lost a number of men.
I^am, &c.
P. C. DURHAM.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, AUG. 30.
Copy of a Letter from Captain Mudge, Cotr.mjnJer of bh Majesty's Sloop Fly, to Evan
Nepean t Esq dated Guernsey Radi, the ^^tb instant.
SIR,
The heavy gales from the N. E. to N. N. W. obliged me to quit the coast of
Cherbourg, and with much difficulty cleared l.a Hogue, off which place I cap-
tured the Trompeur French cutter privateer ; had been from Cherbourg two
days, and had taken nothing. It blows still hard from the Northward, but the
moment it moderates wrll proceed as before.
I am, with respect, &c.
ZACHARY MUDGE.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, SEPT. 6.
Copy of a Letter from the Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. Admiral of the White, &c. to
Evan Nepean, Esq. dated off Usbant, Sept. 2.
SIR,
For the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, I enclose
a letter this moment received from Rear-Admiral Sir John Borhse Warren,
of his Majesty's ship Renown, and another fron* Captain Keats, of his Majesty's
ship the Boadicea. I am, &c.
4 ST. VINCENT.
238 GAZETTE LETTERS.
Cff>y f a Lcfttr from Rear- Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, K. B. t Admlrelf
the Earl of St- Vincent, K. B. dated Renown, Bay of Playade Dominot, Aug. 27.
MY LOSD,
I beg Jcave to inform you, that the squadron and convoy under my command
arrived off this Bay on the 2jth instant, without having fell in with any thing
excepting the St. Vincent Schooner, who had parted from Captain Curzon.
General Sir lames Pulteney having desired that the troops might be disem-
fcarked, I dire&ed Sir Edward Pellew to superintend that service, assisted by
Captains Hood, Dalrymple, Fyffe, and Blackpool, with Captains Guion, Searle,
and Young, which was most ably performed on the same night in the Bay
above-mentioned, after a fort of eight twenty-four pounders had been silenced
by the fire of the Impttueux, Brilliant, Cynthia, and St. Vincent gun-boat ;
the whole army were on shore without the Joss of a man, together with sixteen
field-pieces, attended by seamen from the men of war to carry gcaljng-ladders,
and to get the guns up the heights above Ferrol.
On the morning of the 26th the General informed me, by letter, that from
the strength of the country and works, no further operations could be carried
on, and that it was his intention to re-embark the troops, which I ordered to
take place, and the Captains of the squadron to attend ; and I have the satis,
faction to add, that, by their indefatigable exertion, the whole army, artillery,
and horses, were again taken on board the transports and men of war before
<tey-break on the 27th.
I shall immediately proceed with the squadron and convoy, in pursuance of
the latter part of your Lordship's orders.
I have the honour to be, &c.
J. B. WARREN.
M7 LORD, Boadhea, of Ferrol, August 2O.
I have the honour to inform your Lordship of the capture of the Spanish
hip La Union, of 650 ton?, 22 guns, and 130 men, by his Majesty's ship under
my command, on the i-jth instant ; the ship sailed from Corunna on the JJth,
was bound to Buenos Ayres, and has oil board various merchandize.
I have the honour to be, &c.
rit Earl / St. Vincent i X. B. &c. R. G. KEATS.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, SEPT. 1^.
Cof>y of a Letter from tie Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. Admiral of tls IVlite, &C. to
van Ncpeait, Efj. datid an board the Royal George, off U*bant, Sept. "J.
SIR,
I enclose letters from Rear- Admiral Sir John Warren, this moment received
ty the Brilliant. I am, &c. :
ST. VINCENT.
MY LORD, Rsnovjn, Vigo Bay, Srfit. 2, l8CO.
I beg leave to inform you, that, on having ordered Captain Hood of the
Courageux to lead into this Bay, I received a letter from him on the same even-
irg, and immediately ordered two boats from this ship, the Impetueus, and Lon-
don ; and refer your Lordship to aletter which accompanies this, for the account
of 2 gallant action performed by the boats of Captain Hood's detachment
under Lieutenant Burkc's orders, whose merit upon this as well as former oc-
casions will, I trust, induce your Lordship to recommend him to the favour of
the 1 ords Commissioners of the Admiralty, more especially as he has been
severely wounded in the service.
1 h-ive the honour to be, &c.
Earl of St. Vincent, X. B. JOHN WARREN.
SIR, His J\I 'jetty's Sblp Cauragcux, Vigo-Bay, Aug. 30. l8Co.
Perceiving yesterday afternoon 'the 1 rench privateer in the harbour had re-
moved for security near the Narrows of Rcdondella, close to the batteries,
where I thought there was a probability of her being attacked with success ; I
ordered two boats from each ship numcd in the margin *, with those of the
Kcnown, J-np'etueux, and l.ondcti, you sent me, and lour from the Courageux,
*' Amethyst, Staj:, Amelia, Brilliant, and Cyathia.
GAZETTE LETTERS. 239
commanded by Lieutenants volunteering their services, to be ready at nine
o'clock, and phced them under the direction of I ieutenant Burke, of the Re-
nown, whose gallant conduct has so often merited your commendation.-
About forty minutes past twelve they attacked her with the greatest bravery,
meeting with desperate resistance, her Commander having laid the hatches over
to prevent her people giving way, and cheered as the boats advanced ; but not-
withstanding this determined opposition, she was carried in fifteen minutes.
I am sorry to add Lieut. Burke his received a severe wound, but I hope not
dangerous. Our loss has been as per enclosed list, the greater part occasioned
by the desperate conducl. of her Commander, who was mortally wounded.
Too much praise cannot be given to these deserving Officers and men, who o
gallantly supported Lieut. Burke, and towed her out with much coolness
through the fire of the enemy's batteries. I need not, Sir, comment on the
ability and courage of the commanding Lieutenant, his former services having
gained your esteem; and I have no doubt the sufferings of his wound will be
alleviated by that well-known attention shewn to Officers who have so gal-
lantly distinguished themselves, for which I beg leave to offer my strongest re-
commendation.
The privateer is a very fine ship, named La Guipe, of Bourdeaux, with a
flush deck, 300 tons, pierced for 22 guns, carrying 18 nine-pounders, and 161
men, commanded by Citoyen Dupan, stored and provisioned in the completed
manner for four months. She had twenty five killed, and forty wounded.
I have the honour to be, &c.
SAMUEL HOOD.
A Report of tie lilleJ, ivoimded, and misting in tie Boats employed in taking tie Ft end
Privateer La Guipe, in Vigo-Bay, on tie Evening of the 2<)tb of August, j 3oo.
Lieut. Henry Burke, of the Renown, wounded.
Lieutenants John Henry Holmes and James Nourse, of the Courageux,
slightly wounded.
Three seamen and marine, killed.
Three Officers, twelve s;amen, and five marines wounded.
One seaman missing.
(Signed) SAMUEL HOOD.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, .SEPT. 13.
Copy of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour, Commander in Cl',ef of Lit
Majesty 's Slip* and Ve:seh at the Leeward Islands, to Evan Nefican, Esq. daiui
fort-Royal Bay, Martinique, "June 15, 1800.
SIR,
SI IV,
I have the satisfaction to enclose to you, for the information of my Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, a letter which I have received from Captain
Western, of his Majesty's ship Tamer, acquainting me, that he had on the ist
instant, fallen in with and captured, after a chace of eight hours, the 'Frcnck
privateer ship General Massena.
N I am Sir, &c.
H. SEYMOUR.
MY LORD, Tamer, Barbadcef, June 3.
I have the honour to inform your lordship, that on Sunday last, the ist
instant 1 fell in with and captured, after a chace of eight hours,' within gun-
shot (his stern-chaces constancy flying over the Tamer), the French private,
ship General JV'assena, pierced for eighteen guns, besides a bridle port, but
only sixteen on board, and 150 men ; his guns, except four brass twelve-
pounders, with all his boats, spars, &c. he threw overboard during the ch:
he is forty days from Bourdeaux, and coming as a cruiser amongst these lands,
he had captured the Adventure of Liverpool, laden with coals, bound to Dt
merara, and burnt her ; and two Americans, one of which he burnt, and tl
other he sent to Guadaloupe.
I am, &c.
T. WESTERN.
240 3
JOURNAL OF 'THE PROCEEDINGS
or
VICE-ADMIRAL DICKSON's SQUADRON.
Extrafi of a Letter from Yarmouth^ Sept: 14.
" '"THE return of the squadron under the command of Vice-Admiral Dickson
to Yarmouth Roads enables me to furnish you, for the information of the
"public, with an account of its operations from the time it quitted England to
this period.
' [ shall begin by informing you, that we sailed from Yarmouth with the
ships and vessels named in tha margin *, on the gth of August, at seven in the
morning: we had a fair wind, though but little of it during our passage;
nevertheless, by ordering the fast sailing ships to tow the slow sailing ones, we
reached the Skaw on the 151 h following, having previously dispatched Sir
Home Popham, in the Romney, to advance as high as to the entrance of the
Sound, for the purpose of procuring intelligence of the strength and position
of the Danes, and for forwarding such dispatches, as he might meet with from
Lord Whitworth.
" On the 1 4th we had received information, that three sail of Danish 74
gun ships were moored with springs on their cables, across the narrowest part
of the Sound, extending from Cronberg Castle to the Swedish shore; and that
the guardship (a frigate of 40 guns) was moored so as to defend that flank of
their line next the Castle.
" On the i6th, at four o'clock in the morning, the whole of the squadron
had advanced as high as the Kholt ; it blew hard at N. W. which \vind is di-
revSly through the Sound, and it would appear the Admiral's orders were not
to enter it.
" On Saturday the I7th, a Danish 74 gun ship passed through the squadron
and proceeded to E sineur, where she took her station in the line: for two
days, during a hard gale of wind at N. W. did the squadron continue to beat
against it, and by great exertions nearly held its ground ; but it continuing to
blow with equal violence on the third day, and the Ardent and Glatton (two
bad sailing ships) being in a very dangerous and critical situation, and the
masters, pilots, and others in the fleet, having already declared that the Sound
afforded no anchorage for the squadron, the Admiral dispatched a letter to Sir
Home Pophani in the Romney (who, on account of the gale, had entered the
Sound), desiring him to apprize Lord Whitworth and the Panish Commodore
of his intention to proceed to Elsineur : a situation the Admiral chose for three
reasons (I apprehend) : first, to afford security and protection to the British
trade in the Baltic ; secondly, for safety to the squadron ; and, lastly, by
his aftual presence, to give weight to the negotiations 1 ord \Vhitworth was
charged with. With this view the Admiral caused the squadron to bear up on
the igth for Elsineur; it proceeded accordingly to the Sound, in which it an-
chored at 3 P. M. and rode in safety, notwithstanding the pilots had asserted
it to be impossible. The Admiral stopped here for the purpose of making his
arrangements for passing the Castle and the Danish squadron, in the event of
hostile proceedings on their part; but he had scarcely anchored, before he
* Monarch, Glatton, Polyphemus, A/dent, Veteran, Ronney, T ~'?, Waakzam-
heid, and Martin; Volcano, Hecla, Sulphur, and Zebra bombs; Boxer, Furious,
Griper, Swinger, and Haughty gun- vessels.
JOURNAL OF VICE-ADMIRAL DICKSON's SQJJADRON, 24!
received a very polite letter from Commodore Leiken, commanding the
Danish ships, inviting him, in the name of his King, to come to Elsineur
Roads.
__ *' I shall not take upon me to decide, whether this measure was dictated by
sincerity, or whether it was an acl arising from necessity, on the part of the
Danish Court; but I fancy it did away a difficulty in the Admiral's orders.-
Here Sir Home Popham went on board the flag ship ; the Admiral also re-
ceived dispatches from Lord \Vhitworth, requesting him to come to Elsineur.
He now determined to put his plan into execution ; diredions were therefore
given this evening, accompanied by an order of anchorage, for the ships to
weigh separately on the succeeding morning, and passing the fort and Danish,
line, to anchor above them, agreeably to the prescribed order : in the morn-
ing the Admiral went on board the Romney, and passing very near the Castle,
proceeded about twelve miles up, and anchored off Sophienberg, in expeifta-
tion of seeing Lord Whitworth ; but his Lordship being engaged with the Da-
nish Ministers this day, could not meet him. He went the next, when he met
his Lordship, when a plan of co-operation was agreed upon, in consequence of
which the Romney advanced to Copenhagen, and four bombs and two gun-
vesstls occupied the intermediate space between that ship and the squadron, for.
the purpose of communication, which, by means of a telegraph established by
$ir Home Popham, was both rapid and correcl. Matters being carried thus
far by way-of demonstration, the Danish Court, which at firs: treated with
ridicule our pretensions, began to see things in. a serious point of view ; it had
inquired, and found that our vessels chosen for communication were composed
of bombs, placed also in a situation to bombard the city of Copenhagen, and
the squadron advanced, so as to be able to protect and cover them, in the exe-
cution of such service.
" On the aad, the Danish men of war seeing themselves cut off, made a
movement, anchored above the liritish squadron, and moored up and down
the channel leading to Copenhagen : they gave as a reason for this movement,
that they had anchored on bad holding ground ; the Admiral therefore pleaded
the same excuse, and made a counter-movement, and placed the squadron in
its relative position to that of the Danish ships; but from our numbers, we were
much advanced above them, and in a situation to cut them oif as cffeclually as
at first, without the fear of being annoyed by the fort.
" On the 24th the Danish ships made another movement, which the Ad-
miral intended in the evening to counteract, ;md weighed for that purpose, but
they again got under sail, and ran higher up. As enough had been done, 1
apprehend, by way of demonstration, I conclude the Admiral intended to let
them rest here ; but their movements and the several positions they had taken,
were merely feints to disguise their real intentions, for the next day they ran
up to Copenhagen, passed the .Ronincy, and moored across the harbour. The
Dani h Court now held a different language ; it fame into terms, and matters
were amicably adjusted.
" It is common in Denmark, during the harvest, to permit the free men be,
longing to the army to assist in getting in the corn; the whole of them, on this,
occasion, were called in to join their several regiments, and all the country
round was employed in repairing anil strengthening the fortress of Cronberg,
and the works around Copenhagen. A great expence has been incurred by
Denmark, which they have levied a tax of two and a hall' per cent, on ail trade
c defray."
I I
Courta
PORTSMOUTH, SEPTEMBER $.
THIS day, pursuant to an Order from the Lords CommlsiioRers of the
Admiralty, a Court Martial was held on board the Gladiator, in this Harbour,
on Mr. GEORGE HUDSON, Surgeon of His Majesty's ship Btavtr, for striking-
and using reproachful language to Lieutenant SYMONS, of the said ship.
Admiral HOLLOWAY, President,
Capt. E. HAXV.EY, Capt. PICKMORE,
. . . T. S. YoRtcs, GREY,
MACNAMAKA, LORI NO,
LAKCOM, '. MAINWARING,
POYNT?, PKOUSE.
M. GREETHAM, Esq. JiMge Advocate.
The charge having been proved against the said Mr. GEORGE Han SON, and
a* the offence faih under the aad Article of \Var, the Court did, therefore,
adjudge him tosuQer JJtatl, on board such ship of His Majoty, at Spithead. or
in Portsmouth Harbour, and at such time, as the Commissioners for executing
the office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland, <kc. or any three
of them for the time being, bhould direift. But it appearing that the offence
proceeded from an error in judgment of the said George Hudson.; and the Court
bting fully convinced thereof, by the contrition he repeatedly exhibited as soon
as he was aware of the same, and by his very earnest desire to make atonement
for the offence the Court did, in the most earnest and impressive manner,
recommend the said George Hudson for mercy. Since which we are happy to
say he has received His .Vajesty's most gracious pardon.
n. A Court Martial was held on board the Gladiator on Lieutenant E. H.
CLAKK, of the Alliance, fur absenting himself without leave.
.-. dmiral HOLLOWAY, President.
The charge being fully proved, he was sentenced to be dismissed His Ma-
jesty's service, and rendered incapable of serving in any capacity whatever in
the Royal Navy.
16. Lieutenant PACY, of the Scai-er, was tried by a Court Vartial, held on
board the GlaJiiftor, for Disobedience of Orders; and being lound Guilty, he
was dismissed his ship, and put at the bottom of the list.
PLYMOUTH, SEPTEMBER 2.
This Day a Court Martial was held on board .he Cam'jriJgt flag ship, in Ha-
r'..".3/e, Admiral Sir T. PARKER, Bart, on JOHN BARNET, one of the AiUtinters
of the ZW.V. Captain 1 ord PROEY.
Vice Admiral Sir HENRY HARVEY, K. B. President
BARNETT was discovered in-iViil prison on Sunday the 24'h ult. the day
previous to his marching 4 for Stapleton prison with 400 other prisoners, by
Lieut. NEVILLE LAKE, fust of the Dan^c. Mr Cieverton, at hi* request, with
his usual promptitude, had the prison mustered in his presence; after ":
through the ranks, he fixed on 1 arnett as the man who steered the ship into
r-.marct Kiiy, and a principal ringleader in ti.e A.utiiiy: it was niore than pn>-
babie he would have escaped, as he is a Jersey man and speaks ! rcnch fluently.
lie was taken in La J-~j::y-.-ur French privateer about 3 months since. The Court
'Mi.niai s.iitenced him, after a fair and impartial trial, to be hanged at the yard-
arm of suci; ship as the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty shall appoint.
EXECUTION.
9 This morning pursuant to Orders from the Lords Commissioners of the
Admi;a'ty, the above unhappy man was conveyed on board La Pique oi $
guns. Captain YOUNG, attended by all the boats of the fleet, manned and armed
to witness the awful sight. The signal for punishment was flying from day-
break on board the Ctu.'.znJgc and LJ Piyue. At half past ten o'clock, the pri-
f<::er, accompanied by the Chaplain, proceeded a!oi,g the gangway to the
platform on the forecastle when the Pio>o.-t artial placed the rope round his
i.tck. He the n pra)ed fervently for s-)iv.e time ; afrer which the fatal gun fired,
and he was it.srantly run up to the fort yard arm, a dreadful example t> ail
Motioccrk. After hanging one hour, his body was lowered into a shell, a^J
convey^ to the Royal Kavil lio.-pital for interment,
C *43 3
'MONTHLY REGISTER
OF
DENMARK.
IN our former number we had the disagreeable task of relating some
unpleasant circumstances which had threatened to be the forerun-
ners of a serious rupture between Denmark and Great Britain. It is
exceedingly gratifying to us that, in the present, we are enabled to
v iud up our narrative with an account of a favourable termination of
the affair j and that the situation of things seems to warrant a hope that
the two countries will preserve a good understanding with each other.
It was not that Britain had any tning to fear: a single effort of her
power must have crushed so weak an enemy; but the feelings of hu-
manity recoiled from the necessity of extending the horrors of war.
Happily, that dreadful alternative, that " last," and deservedly last,
" argument of kings," has been avoided.
The decided conduft of our Cabinet has dissipated every apprehen-
sion, and, if we do not greatly err, averted all danger of the threat-
ened Armed Neutrality. No time was lost in deputing Lord Whitvvorth
to the Court of Denmark, accompanied by the Fleet under Vice-Ad-
miral Dickson*, consisting of seven sail of t:ie line, besides bomb
and gun-vessels, to procure a full explanation. The Danish govern-
xuent inmu-di. .tcly dispatched messengers to the court of Petersburgh,
;md appeared to rest its proceedings on the result of those communi-
cations. On the 29th of August, however, the British Envoy had the
satisfaction of signing a convention with the Danish minister, Count
Bernstoff.
The following are the principal articles of the Convention :
" '1 he Danish frigate and convoy, carried into Deal, shall be repaired at the
expence of Great 1'ritain, and then released.
" M,he discussion res-petting the asserted right of the Fnglish to visit con-
veys, shall be adjourned to a farther negotiation in London.
' Until this point is decided, Danish ships shall only sail under convoy in
the Mediterranean seas, to protect them frc.m the Algerine cruisers, and shall
be liable to be searched as heretofore. . ,
" The convention shall be ratified by the two courts within three weeks "
We are sorry to observe that the court of Denmark stili considers
" the right of the English to visit convoys 1 ' as a point that requires
discussion. That such a right necessarily exists, seems evident from the
plain consideration suggested by Sir William Scott, in his very able and
intelligent speech delivered on a kte occasion, and which we have
already iusei ted.f j " that unless neutral vessels be visited, it is imr
possible to ascertain their neutrality/'
Extracl of a Letter from an Officer on board the Trusty.
f r ho Bay, Aug. 3 I.
We arrived here last night, when some boats were maimed vith sailors, and
sent to cut out seme vessels that were observed lying under the batteries. They
returned this morning with a sloop of war ; and sorry 1 am to state, that v c
lost in this service eight men, and seven are wounded. '1 he fjrst Lscutciia t
of the Renown was shot through the thigh with a musket-ball. \Ve expect
more sport to-night, as orders are given to make another attack upon two nu're
sloops of war and some me;chr.ntmen, that are lying under the batteries, \\ here
we go next i* uncertain,; but it is generally supposed Malta vnl be our ucsti.
'nation from this place.
* See Journal cf Proceedings, page 240. t See page 2c6.
244 MONTHLY REGISTER
BLOCKADE OF CADIZ.
Copy of the Notice sent by Rear Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, to
Consuls of Neutral Nations at Cadiz.
jffis Britannic Majesty's Ship, S'ciftmre, off Cadiz,
GENTtEMEN, July 22., l8cO.
I have this moment received your letter of the i$th instant, and in reply,
fccg leave to refer you to Lord Keith's letter of the jth of December, 1799, in
which you will observe that the Consuls of all the nations in amity with Great
Britain, have been duly informed of the Blockade of Cadiz, and that any vessel
attempting to enter or sail from that port would be detained, and proceeded
against according to law. I am dire<5led, as far as possible, to enforce the
blockade, and I cannot allow any laden vessel to depart from Cadiz, unless she
has a pass from the Commander in Chief of his Britannic Majesty's fleet in the
^Mediterranean ; but neutral vessels without cargoes will not be molested, the
Prosper American ship escepted, which entered Cadiz after being warned not
to do so, and was cleared out for Algiers. It is very possible several vessels
may have escaped our cruisers, and got into Cadiz ; but some of his Britannic
Majesty's ships have always been off the Port. Vessels departing from Cadiz
in ballast, are to endeavour to speak any British man of war they may fall in
with in the neighbourhood.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble servant,
(Signed) R. BICKERTON, Rear-Adni.
To fLe rcspifUve Neutral Consult resident at Cadiz.
Extract of a Letter from an Officer of one of the Ships of War that
have arrived in Cawsand Bay.
Caiviand Bay, Sept. 1 1.
We arrived on Monday from the fleet : you, of course, wiH'expeCt some-
thing new; but all the information I had to give has already appeared in the
papers. I have, however, an opportunity of sending you the following port
intelligence :
LIST or SHIPS IN CAWSAND BAV.
&'** Guns. Commanders.
Ramilies ... - _ 74 Capt. Grindall.
Captain 74 Sir R. Strachan.
Bellona - - - - - 74 Sir T.I hompsou.
IN PLYMOUTH SOV'ND.
Brilliant - - - - _ 28 Capt. Hon. C. Paget.
Havick ..... : 8 P. Bartholomew.
IN STONEHAM TOOL.
Viper Cutter - - - - 14 Lieutenant Coghlan,
Several Gun- Vessels, Hired Cutters, &c.
I.\ JIAMOAZE.
ta Pique ..... 4O Capt. Young.
1. 'Ambuscade - . - 40 Hon. J. Colvili*.
Jhffibe ' 36 R. Barlow.
Eur >'dice -4 -J. Talbot.
1,'Heurcux - - - - 24 L. O. Bland.
L Vidoneuse - . . Jz J.Richards.
2 . c an Joseph is in great forwardness, and will be undocked shortly. It b
said the Nemesis ship's company will be turned over to her, on her arrival
J he Garland, (late Mars,) of 24 guns, and the Raven, of 18 guns, arc fitting
in dock. 1 he Culloden, of 74 gum, is in dock also, to have hu- leaks stopped
it is said she is quite unserviceable. 1 he shipwrights are employed in getting
the irame of the Hibernia up. The Sampson, Lienfaisant, t.urope, and Pru-
<kr.t, have had their prisoners taken cut : it is thought they will be raid off.
ine Kesoiue, ct 36 guns, is fitting for a slop-ship. The Myrmidon, of 20
gur.s, is to be paid off.
" the rwowagwc, of 74 c^s, Capt. Knight, to join the Channel Fleet.
OF NAVAL EVENTS." 2^
A List of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels now on the Lisbon,
Gibraltar, and Mediterranean Stations.
Those marked thus * arc on their passage.
Those marked thus f are armee enjlute.
Name. Guns.
Commanders.
j
Name. Guns. Commanrftraj
fceTigre, - - -
Foudroyant, - -
.Alexander, ...
Audacious,
Dragon, ...
So
So
74
74
74
f Com. S,ir Sjdney Smith.
1 Capt. E. J. Canes.
Sir E. Eerry.
A. I. Ball.
D. Gould.
G.Campbell.
L'AUrore (pris. sh.) 3
Couraceux, - . 5
Mermaid, ....
* Greyhound, - -
t Nieer, - - -
Pearl, ....
i
2 Capt. J. Richardsi
R. T>. Oliver.
Charles o^le.
2 James Hillrar.
S. J. Ballard.
Genereux, . .
74
M. l.'ix ,n.
Success, - -
S. Peard.
Kent, - - . -
74
W. Hope.
Aurora, ....
i P. Beaver.
leviathan, ...
74
CRear-Adm. I. T. Duck-
2 worth;
Mercury, ...
+ Pegasus, - - -
T. Rogers.
J. Pengelly.
tCapt. I. Carrenter.
' Thisbe, ....
J. Monison.
Minotaur, - - -
74
f-Vice-Adm. Lord Keith,
^ K. B.
t Vestal, ...
Alliance (st. ship),
O. Col lard.
? J. Melhui h.
/Capt. T. Louis.
Champion, ...
G. E. Hamnnd.
Swiftsure, - - -
74
CRear-Ad. Sir R. Bicker-
< ton.
Coromandel(ar. tran.)
La Comtance, - -
J. Mortimer.
J. E. Hay.
Northumberland,
Theftus, - - -
74
74
Capt. B.HilloweH.
G. Mai tin.
John Stiles.
La Bcrr.e Citoyenne,
Cormorant, - - -
Perseus (bomb), -
Robert Jackson.
Hon. C. Koyle,
o H. Compton,
5 Stately, -
64
G. Scott.
Corso, ....
W. Ricketts,
^f Wassenaer, -
H
J. Larmour.
Cameleon,
Hn. G.H. L.Dundas.
Xion, ...
64
I ord w. Stuart.
La Fortune,
Ceo. Davies.
f Charon, - .
44
Richard Bridges.
Port Mahon, - -
W. Buci.anan.
Dover (armed trar.
) 44
Lieut. H. Kent.
El Vincelo, - -
Geo. Lent.
Expedition (st.-shi]
l 44
Cupt. T. Wilson.
Minorca, ...
Geo. Miller.
t Experiment, do
44
I.G. Saville.
La Mondovi, - -
John Stewart.
Immortalite,
44
K. Hotham.
Netley, - - - -
6 Lieut. F.G. Bond.
I. a Minerve,
Santa Dorothea,
4 2
42
G. Cockhurn,
M. Downn.an.
La Sakmine, - -
Jeterell, - - -
6 Capt. T. Briggs.
6
Sanra Theresa,
Princess Charlotte,
42
4
R. Campbell.
T. Stepnenson.
Incendiary (firesliip),
La Mutit.e, - -
4 R. D. Dunn.
Wm. Hoste.
t Hebe, ....
Phsron, - .
33
George Reynolds.
I. N. MBlTll.
Speedy, ....
Transfer, ...
Kt. H- id. Cochrane.
.
-t Pallas, ...
I. Edmonds.
Bulldog (bomb), -
B. nacres.
Thetis, ...
38
H. E. R. Parker.
La Fulmiante (cut.) S Lieut, win. Robinson.
' La Topize, - -
3t
S. G. Church.
Strombolo (bomb), 8 Capt. A. Thompson.
Caroline, - -
Emerald, - -
36
16
W. Bcwen.
T. M. \va!.er.
Thunder (bomb), 8 F. Kewcon.be.
Torride, .... 7
Flnra, ...
36
R. G. Middi--ton.
La Legere (gun-ves.) 6 Lieut. Geo. Lansford.
Florentia,
36
J. BrfjU['l.tc>n.
Urchin (giui-vcssel) Daviei,
Plxrnix,
36
L. w. luhtnd.
V'iftoire (tender),
Pent'lope, . .
t Romulus,
Thalia, . . .
,6
It
H. Blac!;woOJ.
J. Culv.rhouse.
.'. Nesbitt.
Lady Nelson (cutter), >
L'Entrepenante.
RECAPITULATION.
15 Sail of the line.
s 39 Frigates.
26 Sloops &c.
Total 80
I. R.
QUARANTINE.
A PROCLAMATION has been recently published on the subject of qua-
rantine. It orders that all vessels coming irom or through the Mediterranean,
or from \Vcs>t Barbary on the Atlantic Ocean, and all ships whatsoever having
cotton or cotton articles on board, not coming diredly from the East and West
Indies, and having on board clean bills of health, are to perform fifteen days
quarantine at the places appointed, viz. those bound to the port of London, or
to any part of the Thames or Medway, in Standgate Creek ; those bound to
Ipswich, Yarmouth, Lynn, Boston, Hull, Newcastle or Berwick, in White-
booth-road, between Hull and Grimsby; those bound to Chester, Liverpool,
Lancaster, Carlisle, and the Isle of Man, at Highlake, near Liverpool ; those
to the Welch ports and Bristol, at Kingroad and Porshute-hill ; thore to Exeter,
Plymouth, &c. at St. Ives Pool ; those for Portsmouth, Southampton, &c. at
the Mother-bank; those for Leith and all the eastern coast of Scotland, at in-
verkeithing Bay ; those to Glasgow, and the western ports of Scotland, in the
Isle of Arran ; those to the northern ports of Scotland, in Cromarty bay ; those
to Dumfries or Kircudbright, at the mouth of the river Nith. Atid ait vessels
whatsoever coming from the Mediterranean or West Barbary, rot being fur-
nished with clean bills of health, are to perform quarantine in Standgate Creek,
and no where else.
j^6 MONTHLY REGISTER
Extract of a Letter from an Officer of one of the Frigates employed in
the Blockade of Malta.
His Maje
We arrived off this place
taking it by storming, for the walls and batteries are all bombproof; and the
only way that it is likely to be taken, is by starving them out ; and as there
an be no communication whatever, either by land or sea, it is supposed that .
they cannot hold out much longer, for they have very little provisions now left.
On the 1 6th of June our batteries opened on them, and a very heavy cannon-
ading continued for a_long time, and every three or four days they are batter-
ing at one another;
,^-^x*
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NAVAL CHRONICLE.
tribute publicly paid to the gallantry and al.ility of an Officer becomes
historical favft, which it is the duty of every writer to transmit to
posterity, I have enclosed you the copy of a letter, officially written by the in-
nitants of the hhnd of Trinidad, to Captain Dickion, of his Majesty's brig
"Victorieuse, which accompanied the present of an elegant sword, voted him
by the same Colony, as a small and very inadequate testimony of -the high
respect which they entertained for, and the value they set on, the services which
he had rendered them. 1 trust, Sir, I may be permitted to say without in-
curring any charge of interested flattery, for I really have not the honour of
being personally known to Captain Dickscn, that no man in any station has
ever been more respe&ed, more loved, and more revered : that there is not an
fcnglish inhabitant of the Island of Trinidad, who would not as much re-
joice on receiving the news of his promotion and advancement, as if he were
their own immediate relative. His mildness and suavity of manners have
been only exceeded by his gallantry, and thi? latter only equalled by his bene-
volence.
To EDWARD STERLINT, DJCKSON, Esquire, Captain cf kit Majesty's Brig La
Viclorieuse, and Senior Officer of tic Nti-val Department at '1 rinidad.
SIR, Tiii'.idad, 1st January 1799*
Tfie English inhabitants of Trinidad, impressed with a due sense of the
activity and diligence with which you discharge the duties cf the service com-
mitted to your care, and convinced of the important obligations which the
Colony at large owes you, have resolved to present you a sword (the reward
of military virtue) of the value of one hundred guineas, in testimony of their
gratitude and esteem, and they will have it iminediately prepared and deli-
vered to your agen* in London.
(Signed) JOHN NIHELL, Chief Justice, and by all the
principal English Inhabitants of Trinidad.
To the above Letter Captain Dickson returned the following Answer :
SIR, La Vifiorieuie, Port cf Spain, Trinidad, qtb July .1799.
I have this day received your Letter of the first of January, informing me
that the English inhabitants of Trinidad had presented me a sword, value owe
hundred guineas, as a reward of military virtue. I have to beg you will d"o
-me the favour to convey to them the high sense I have of the honour they have
.conferred on me, and accept my most grateful acknowledgment for the same.
I have the honour to be, with great regard, Sir,
Your most obedient. and humble servant.
(Signed) EDWARD STERLING DICKSON.
To Join Niljell, Et quirt, Chief Jmtict, ijV. cT 5 ... \^c. Trinidad.
The zeal of Captain Uickson in protecting the coast of Trinidad, and driving
from them the French privateers, carried him a little too far to leeward, in
January 1799. In beating up he hud the misfortune to lose one of his masts,
in a heavy gale of wind, and was obliged by this circumstance to bear away
for Jamaica to rep.iir. He did not return to Trinidad till the be<yi!inin<r of July
following. This is mentioned to ;u-coti:it for the difference of dates in the
letter, which was written to communicate the vote cf a sword, unii his aaswer
to it. 2
OF NAVAL EVENTS.
ADMIRAL KINGSMILL.
Cork, Sept. 9.
THIS day Admiral Kingsmill gave a splendid entertainment to the
Merchants, Mayor, Sheriffs, and principal inhabitants of this city j at
which Major-General Myers and his Staff, Major-General Sir Charles
Ross, and all the principal Naval and Military Officers in this neigh-
bourhood were also present. The dinner was such as might have beer*
expedted from the munificence of the dignified and respected charaftep
who presided. It was equal in splendor and elegance to any entertain-
ment ever given in this country, and, while it bespoke the high estima-
tion in which the worthy Admiral holds the inhabitants of Cork, it
reflected the highest honour on his liberality. The entertainment was?
provided by Mr. Scraggs, who -had his rooms prepared with uncommon
magnificence for the occafion. At the upper end of the table was a
beautiful transparent painting of Commerce, under the figure of
Minerva, protecting by her JEgis the trade of Ireland (the JEgis bearing
the Arms of Cork) from the attacks of her enemies : above was seen a
winged genius, soaring aloft, holding out a laurel wreath. At the
lower end of the table was another transparent painting, representing
an Admiral's ship in the centre, a Seaman on each side, standing on the
pedestals of Fortitude and Valour, supporting an Admiral's flag. Over
the ship was displayed a naval crown, and beneath, two dolphins hold-
ing a labelj on the one side of which were the words; < ; Our Trade pra-
and on the other, " Our Enemies "
The wines were of the greatest variety, and of the utmost excellence.
Amongst a great number of loyal, patriotic, and mirth-inspiring toasts,
the following were given by Admiral Kipgsmill -.
Kis Majesty, and God bless him, with three times three.
The Lord 1 ieutenant, and Prosperity to Ireland, with three times three.
The City of Cork, and may its Commerce be as prosperous as my wishes for
it are unbounded ! with three times three.
The Army and Navy of the United Kingdoms, with three times three.
The Mayor and Corporation of Cork.
Sir Alan Gardner, my worthy intended Successor.
Lord Shannon, and the County of Cork.
Lord St. Vincent, and his Squadron, with three tunes three.
By the President of the Committee of Merchants
The Irish Squadron, and the worthy Admiral who commands it.
Toast by Sir Pa: rick O'Connor
May the Trade ai;d pommerce of Cork continue to be protected as it has
ver been, by the vigilance, attention, and ability of Admiral Kinjrsmill, in the
judicious disposition of his squaJ.ron ! and may the People of Ireland ever
retain a grateful recollection of the eminent services he has done them, and of
the valour of the gallant Officers and Seamen under his command I
Never was there a scene witnessed of more social happiness, or of more
perfect harmony, than this entertainment exhibited. The Admiral,
feeling himself among p-uests whom he regarded, omitted none of those
attentions, which, while they infuse pleasure, impel regard ; and his
guests, feeling that they were entertained by a mitn who, by his activity
and talents, had protected their trade, and, by the wisdom of his
arrangements, had preserved their country, were animated to a degre*
of enthusiastic affection, which could only be repressed by the painful
recollection that they were soon to be deprived of those services, and
those social virtues, which had raised him in their gratitude as aA
AdrjUial, and in t^it estimation as a M;m,
MONTHLY REGISTKR
PLYMOUTH REPORT,
FROM AUGUST l6 TO SEPTEMBER ig.
Augujt 16. WIND Variable. Sultry. Came in Mr. W. Pring, prize master
of L'Alert French privateer, of 14 guns, and 75 men, prize to Commodore
Keats' squadron. Also La Gironde, 18 guns, and fjo men, taken off Cap*
Ortugal, by the Fisgard, 48 guns; she also re-captured the Joseph, Humphries,
laden with skins and oil, taken by the Minerve French privateer, of 22 guns,
and 160 men, and re-taken by the Fisgard three weeks since. Sailed the Suf-
fisante, 14 guns, on a cruise off St. Maloes.
17. Wind Variable. Sultry, with Thunder Clouds. Came in the Caisar,
84 guns, Captain Sir J. Saumarez, from the fleet, to refit. She left them all
well on the I5th inft. Also the Santa Margaretta, 36 guns, with a convoy
from Quebec, after a passage of six weeks. Also, from the squadron off the
Coast of Spain, the Unicorn, 32 guns, Captain Wilkinson. From the fleet the
.Atlas, 98 guns, Captain Jones. Also theSuwarrow, 18 guns. Lieut. Nicholson,
with dispatches from Earl St. Vincent for the Admiralty, which were forward-
ed directly by express.
1 8. Wind N. W. Sultry. Sailed the Saturn, 74 guns; Magnificent, 74
guns, on a cruise. Arrived the Arethusa, 36 guns, Captain Woolley, from a
cruise off the Coall of France.
19. Wind N. W. Cloudy, with Hail, Thunder, and Lightning.
zo. WindN. W. Cloudy, with Thunder and Rain. Passed up the Invin-
cible, 74 guns, Captain Cayiey, from Martinique, with forty sail under convoy.
Eleven sail were convoyed up the Briftol Channel by the Scourge, 18 guns.
Arrived from off Corunna the Triton, 32 guns, Captain Gore; and from Isle
Bas the Spitfire, 24 guns, Captain Seymour, both to refit. Sailed to join the
fleet the Formidable, 98 guns; and the Barfleur, 98 guns Arrived 1 Belas
Spanish packet, from the Havannah, with a cargo of coccu, 6cc. prize to the
Clyde, 44 guns, Cunningham, bound to Corunna.
21. Wind N. W. Cloudy and Cool. Went into Cawsand Bay the Princess
Royal, 98 guns, Captain M. Russell ; she has received the crew of the Culloden,
74 guns, Sir T. Trowbridge, iSart. lately paid off, Alio the Centaur, 74 guns,
Captain iVlarkham, having repaired her damages in running foul of the JV;arl-
borough, 74 guns, near the Black Rocks, a few weeks since. Arrived from a
cruise the Arethusa, 38 guns, Captain Woolley; Triton, 32 guns, Capt. Gore,
from off Brest; and the Spitfire, 24 guns, Captain Seymour, from Isle Jb as.
Passed up the Invincible, 74 guns, with a fleet from Martinique, all well, after
a fine passage.
22. Wind N, W. Cloudy. Arrived the Spanish packet El Belas, from
the Havannah to Cprunna (with dispatches, which were sunk), and a valuable
cargo of cocoa, indigo, &c. prize to the Clyde, 38 guns, Captain Cunningham.
.Sailed to join the Channel fleet Barfleur, 98 guns, Rear-Admiral Collingwood ;
Formidable, 98 guns, Captain Thornborough ; and Unicorn, 32 guns, Captain
Wilkinson. R ear-Admiral Culder hoisted his flag en board the Caesar, 84 guns,
Captain Sir James Saumarez, Bart, in Cawand Bay. Admiral Sir A. Gardner,
Bart, struck his flag on board the Royal .Sovereign, no guns, Captain \V. Bed-
ford, and set off this morning to pay his respeib to their Majesties at \Vey-
mouth. He is to succeed Admiral Kiugsmill on the Irish station.
23. Wind N. W. Cloudy and Temperate. .Sailed the Sinus, 36 guns, Capt.
King, with the Fisgard's prize masters of 1 a Gironde r.nd L'Alerte, viz. Mr.
\V. Pring, (one of the little heroes of the Nile in the Majestic, 74 guns, a/ro-
ftW of the late lamented Captain Westcott), and two others; she joins the
squadron off Corunna. Letters from the fleet state, that 100 sail of transports,
with troops under Litut. Gen. Sir J. Pulteney, passed thrcu^h Earl St. Vincent's.
ov NAVAL EVENTS^'
249
fleet the I4th. The men of war manned ship and cheered them as they passed,
which the troops returned with great -vivacity. A spectator says it was the
most animating sight he ever beheld - 3 the weather being remarkably fine, with
a gentle rippling breeze.
24. Wind N. Fair. Flying Clouds. Arrived from Earl St. Vincent's fleet
the Suwarrow schooner, Lieutenant Nicholson, with dispatches, which were
forwarded to the Admiralty express. Lieut. N. had reconnoitred the Island of
Belleisle about three months ago, 'and again, per order, within these ten days.
He says, every point of land or creek that was not fortified at the former period
is now put in a respectable flate of defence. Sailed the Arethusa, 38 guns, Capti
Woolley, on a cruise.
25. Wind N. W. Cloudy. Arrived from Earl St. Vincent's fleet the Lady
Duncan lugger, Lieutenant Coot, with dispatches to Admiral Sir T. Paisley.
26. Wind N. Fair, with flying Clouds. By the French officers of La Gi-
ronde. prize to the Fisgard, 48 guns, is learnt that she had captured the follow-
ing vessels in her late cruise, viz. owan, Milton, from Oporto, with wines ; the
Counters of Lauderdale, Runnett, from Demarary, with sugar, tobacco, &c. ;
Active brig, Tucker, from Burmuda, with sugar and t >bacco; William, Bacon,
from the Southern Whale Fishery, captured by La Gironde after a most gallant
and spirited action of three hours and a half; the W-lliam and Active are since
re-taken and carried into Cork. Sailed the Duke of Clarence Weft ndia packet,
Captain Dennis, for Falmouth, to wait for the mails for the I. eeward Islands.
5 P. M. This moment arrived, after a fine passage, the following East India-
men : F-arl Howe. Captain Burrows; Earl Mornington, Captun Carnegy;
Caledonia, Haweis, all from Bengal; Hercules, M'Farlane, from Bombay, under
convoy of the Cerberus, 32 guns, Captain M'Namara ; and Reliance, 14 guns,
Captain Waterheuse.
27. Wind N. W. Cloudy. The Cerberus, 33 guns, Capt. M'Namara. fell
in with the four East indiamen between the Western Islands and Cape Clear.
The Heliance, Captain \Yaterhouse, left Port Jackson, New Holland, the
6th of February, when the settlement was in good order, and the harvest
well got in ; but East and West India produce, as well as European, sold extra-
vagantly dear. The Reliance doubled Cape Horn in dreadful weather in the
midst of v. inter, and, after a passage of three months arrived at St. Helena,
joined tise four Indiamen, and put into this port after a voyage of eleven weeks.
^afled this afternoon for the River the Cerberus, 32 guns, Captain M'Namara,
with the Fast Indiamen which arrived yesterday.
28. Winds. W. Cloudy. Arrived the Prince, 98 guns, Rear-Admiral Sir
C. Cotton ; Prince George, 98 guns, Captain Walker ; and Achilles, 74 guns,
Captain G. ^Murray, from the Channel fleet. Sailed the Venerable, 74 guns,
Captain Sir G. Fairfax, to join the Channel fleet. Arrived the Albion, with
rum and sugar, from Jamaica, captured by la Braave French privateer, of 44
guns, and re-taken by the Dryad, 36 guns, Captain J. Mansfield.
29. Wind S. W. Cloudy. ^Arrived the Spy, 1 8 guns, Captain Hay, with 3
convoy from Falmouth. Also the Eugenie, 18 guns, Captain Somerville, w/'th
a convoy for tfee Downs. Spy sailed again directly with those convoys ready for
their different stations. The celebrated Musical Figure, a most curious piece
of mechanism, late the property of Tippoo -aib, and taken among his trea-
sures at the storming Serjngapatam,'is on board the Earl Howe, and, it is said,
is meant as a present to her Majesty. Sailed on a long cruize to the Southwai d
the Lucky Triton, Capt. Gore.
30. Wind S. E. Cloudy. This day Vice- Admiral Sir H. Harvey, Bait,
hoisted his flag on board the Royal Sovereign, ir^ guns, in Cawsand Bay.
Sailed the Atlas, 98 guns, Captain Jones; and Centaur, 74 guns, Captain lyiark-
ham, to join the Channel fleet; on a cruise, the Santa Margarita, ,6 guns,
Captain Parker. Arrived from convoying out the outward-bound Halifax fleet*
thePhcebe, 36 guns, Captain Barlow Came in from a ruise, the ^caGull, 18
guns, Captain Lavie ; and Serpent, 18 guns.
3r. Wind S. S. E. Rain. Cloudy. Sailed, the Caesar, 84 I? 5 . Rear-Ad-
jteiral Sir R. Calder, to join the Channel fleet. Arrived the Dasher, i gun,
l IV, K K
JO MQKTHLY REGISTER ,
Captain Tobin, from a cruise. This forenoon arrived from Halifax, after a.
passage of six \vecks, the Assistance, of 50 guns, having the royal standard
flying at the main, in compliment to his Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke
ot "Kent. As soon as she anchored, the royal standard was hoisted at Govern-
ment House, Dock ; at the Victualling Office, Plymouth ; and at Pridham's
Long Rooms, Stonehouse. A colour guard was mounted at the Citadel from
the North Hants regiment : the Plymouth (or Prince of Wales's own) volun-
teers, I.icutcnant-Colonel Hawker, were also under arms, with their colours, to
receive his Royal Highness with every mark of respect due to his rank. At
eleven o'clock A. M. the men of war in Cawsand Bay, the Sound, and Hamo-
aze, with the citadel, fired a royal salute of twenty-one guns. At half past six
1'. M. his Royal Highness embarked in the Assistance's twelve-oared barge,
when the royal standaid xvas struck on board her, and hoisted in the stern sheets
of the barge ; on which the citadel and the fleet again fired a royal salute,
which the Assistance answered, when all the men of war manned their yards,
and cheered his Royal Highness as he passed into Stonehouse Pool to the
Admiral's r ard. where he landed, amidst the acclamations of thousands of spec-
tators, who cheered him to his carriage ; his Royal Highness politely bowing
on each side to the multitude. He was received on landing by General Gren-
ville, General England, Admiral Sir T. Paisley, Bart, and their suites. At a
quarter before seven, his Royal Highnes? passed through Plymouth in his phae-
ton, on his route to \Yeymouth, to pay his duty to their Majesties At the east
end of the town, a concourse of young men and women were collected to see
him, and as the carriage passed slowly on, he was received with nine hearty
cheers, and loud plaudits, at which he seemed particularly pleased, repeatedly
bowing to the spectators. He looks a little pale, but is far better hi health than
was expected.
Sept. i. Wind S. E. Cloudy. Sailed the Assistance, of 50 guns, Captain Hall,
for Portsmouth. Arrived this day to inspect the dock-yard, victualling-office,
&c. General Bentham and suite. The General has proposed a plan to the Cor-
poration of having a pipe conveyed to the victualling-office of two inch bore,
sufficient to turn a steam engine to grind all the wheat wanted by Government
for the use of the Navy : the water thrown off from the engine is to be em-
ployed in scalding and cleaning the casks of the cooperage. It is understood the
saving to Government will be very great.
2. Wind S. E. Cloudy. La Resolue, of 44 guns, is appointed as a slop and
receiving ship at this port, under the direction of that indefatigable officer, Dr.
J. Law M'Clellan, surgeon of the Myrmidon slop ship. La Resolue is fitting
up for this purpose, as the Myrmidon is to be put out of commission.
3. WindN. W. Fair. Last Saturday the Havick, 1 8 guns, Captain Bayly,
and Suffisante, 14, Captain Wittman, fell in with a French frigate, armee
enjlute, of 18 guns, a corvette of 18 guns, and a gun brig of 14 guns, having a
convoy of fourteen sail with provisions and stores for the French fleet at Brest.
They brought them to action in a gallant style, and drove them under the batte-
ries near Morlaix, which annoyed the Havick and Suffisante very much. Cap-
tain Bayly was wounded in the arm, one Midshipman lost his leg, and two
seamen were killed.
4. Wind N. E. Fair. This evening was launched from Oreston
-fine West Indiaman, called the Admiral Sir J. B. Warren, the property of
T. Lockyer, Esq. This is the first ship of her burthen, 300 tons, ever launched
%o high up Catwater as Oreston.
5. WindN.W. Fair. Arrived the Montague, 74 guns, Captain Knlghf.
express from Earl St. Vincent. She brought the duplicates of the dispatches
from General Sir James Pulteney, Bart, and Rear-Admiral Sir J. B. Warren,
Uart. to Admiral Sir T. Paisley, Bart, containing an account of the troops having
effected a landing at Ferrol, but finding it too strong, the troops, artillery, and
stores, were re-embarked with little lo?s. Earl St. Vincent sent in positive
orders for all ships ready for sea to join him directly, without delay. In conse-
quence of these orders the following sailed from Cawsand Bay immediately, viz'.
Royal Sovereign, 1 10 guns, Vice-Admiral Sir H. Harvey ; Princess Royal, 98,
OF NAVAL EVENTS. 25!
Captain M. Russell ; Prince, 98, Captain Sutton ; Prince George, 9*?, Rear-
Admiral Sir C. Cotton, Bart. ; Bellona, 74, Captain Sir T. B. Thompson, Bart ;
and Achille, 84,. Captain G. Murray. They were all clear of Penlee Point by
night-fall. Arrived from the River, for Bengal and Bombay, the Gcorgiana
East India packet, to wait for the Hon. W. Wellesley and dispatches from Go-
vernment and the East India House.
6. Wind S. E. Fair. Letters from the fleet off Brest, dated Black Rocks,
the ad inst. state, that Rear Admiral Sir R. Calder, Bart, is appointed to the
command of the in-shore or flying squadron, consisting of the Cxsar, 84 guns,
Excellent 74, Marlborough 74, Defence 74, and Elephant 74. The Britisk
fleet were so moored that nothing could escape them.
7. Wind N. E Rain. Sailed to join the squadron off Weymouth, the
Anson, 44 guns, Captain P. C. Durham.
8. Wind N. E. Fair, Arrived the Ramilies, 74 guns, Captain Cjrindall from
the Channel fleet, which she left all well Saturday the 6th. Amved La Dra-
gon packet, 14 guns, from Guadaloupe, for L'Orient, in twenty-five days, laden
with cocoa, coffee, indigo, and cotton, prize to the Brilliant frigate, Hon.
Captain Paget.
9. Wind Variable, Rain.
' 10. Wind N. W. Fair. Came in the Eurydice, of 24 guns, Captain Talbot,
from a cruise; and the St. Antonio, Spanish lugger, in ballast, captured by the
Argo, Captain Bowen, from which she parted all well on the 191!! ult. Arrived
the Polly from Teneriffe, with wine, for Hamburgh, detained by the Plymouth
lugger, Lieutenant Elliot. Passed up the Castor, of 32 guns, Captain Gower,
with the Oporto fleet all well.
n. Wind variable. Fair. Came in the Huckamida, Groot, from Bourdeaux,
with wine and brandy, detained by the Excellent, of 74 guns, Hon. Captain
Stopford. Letters from off Vigo, dated the 3d of September, state, that a
French corvette, of 20 guns, and 160 men, being discovered in a bay, was
attacked and carried by the boats of the frigates, manned and armed, under the
command of Lieutenant Burke, of the Renown, of 74 guns, Rear- Admiral Sir
John Eorlase Warren, after an obstinate resistance. The enemy lost seventy
men killed and wounded. Lieutenant Burke was badly wounded in the thigh
with a pike, but will do well, See Gazette Letters, page 239.
12. Wind S. W. Cloudy. Arrived the Suffisante, of 14 guns, Captain
Wittman, with a Danish galliot, from Bourdeaux, for Embden, with wines and
brandies. Came in the" Henrietta, Poppins, with deals and timber for the
dp.ck-yard. Sailed the Penguin, of 1 8 uns ; Pelican, j 6. ; and Spider schooner,
on a cruise. Arrived La Guipe, of 20 guns, gallantly cut out oi a bay near
Vigo, by the boats of the fleet, under Lieutenant Burke.
Wind S. W. Cloudy. As a striking proof among many others, of the
their duty at their respective stations, it is a tact worm rcLonm.g, .... - -- -
Tuesday there was only the Montague, of 74 guns, Captain Knight; and Ka-
milies, 74, Captain GrindaU, in Cawsand Bay. In the Sound not * ship ol
war of any sort. And in Hamoaze only the Phoebe, 38 guns; Ambuscade,
44; Eurydice, 24; and Vicftorieuse, 18, fitting for Sea. Sailed t he Havi ck
of 1 8 guns, Captain Bayly, on a cruise. Went into the Sound the W*'
38 guns. Arrived La Providence French brig, with wine soap, and brandy
for the Brest fleet. .She was discovered under the guns of two batteries near
Camaret Point, by the Mnvarrow, of J 4 guns, Lieutenant Nicholson who
gallantly resolved to cut her out with his boats, which he effected, notw
Ending the heavy fire of the batteries. The Elephant, of 74 guns, Captain
Fpley; and the Naiad, 38, Captain Pierrepoint were m sight m t ' O?g
The 0%ers and ships' companies very generously relinquished <luir *n.ai
2^2 MONTHLY REGISTER
the prize-money to Lieutenant Nicholson and his gallant crew, in testimony
of their approbation of their conduct.
14. Wind E. Fair. Sailed for the coast of Ireland on a cruise, the Phcebe,
of 36 guns, Captain Barlow. Went into the Sound the Fanny, tf 14 guns;
Lieutenant Frissell I-he goes convoy to Cork Arrived from London
P. Birdwood, Fsq. foint Agent to the n-oiiourable East India Company, with
th.-ir dispatches. Also the Honourable W. U'ellesley, who went with the
dispatches on board the Georgiana East India packet, which sailed directly for
Bombay and Bengal.
15 Wind E. 3. E. Fair. Captain Stanhope, commander in chief of all
the Sea Fencibles in the district of Devon and Cornwall, reviewed the two
companies of Hymouth Sea Fencibles, trained by that veteran Officer Lieut.
Nev. ton "J hey exercised the great guns at the Lunette battery of eighteen-
poundtrrs in the lower fort of the citadel, with great skill ; the review finished,
Captain Stai..*Tope made them a suitable speech from the battery, and thanked
them for the great impiovement they had made in the exercise of great guns,
which was received with three cheers, and the corps was then dismissed.
j6. Wind S. E. Rain. Arrived from the Channel fleet off Brest the Royal
George, of no guns, Captain Domct, to refit ; she left them all well on Satur-
day last. The VHe de Paris, 11: guns, ir T. Trowbridge, was arrived, and
had joined the fleet, and Earl .St. Vincent had shifted his flag oil board her.
Came in the Plymouth lugger, Lieutenant tliot, from a cruise. Sailed the
Ramilies, of 74 guns, Captain Grindall, to join Earl St. Vincent. Sent back to
be paid, the Lellona,of 74 guns, Sir T. B. Thompson.
17. Mind variable. Cloudy. Arrived an American from Morlaix. She
brings account that the French seamen at Brest were very turbulent at not
being paid.
18. Wind S. E. Rain. Sailed to join the Channel fleet, the Captain, of 74
guns, Captain Sir R. Strachan. Letters from the advanced squadron on?
.Brest, dated Monday last, state that a movement had been made by several
French men of war in the outer road, but on ours standing in they all came
too again
. 19. Wind vaiiable. Cloudy. Letters from the Cresar, of 84 guns, Rcar-Ad-
miral Calder, dated the 1 6th, state, that she, with the F.xcellent, of 74; Marl-
borough, 74; 1 lephant, 74; and Defence, 74, composing the squadron off the
Black Rocks, were all well. They had taken possess ; on of a small island about
twr inile? from the coast, where there was plenty of game, rabbits, pigeons, &c.
which, with fish and vegetables, affords, them many comforts. Just arrived
the Uprightly cu ter, Lieutenant junk, from Jamaica, in forty-five days, with
the mails and passengers.
PORTSMOUTH REPORT.
FROM AUGUST 25 TO SEPTFMBER 29.
Aug. 45. Arrived the Penguin, Captain Mansell, with'a convoy from the
Downs; and afterwards sailed for Ireland.
26 Arrived the Harpy, Captain Pirchall, from a cruise.
27. Sailed the Dido, Captain Colby, for Cowcs. The Osprey, Captain
Watts, with the fhips bound to the Cape of Good Hope and the South Seas,
went down to St. Helens.
a8. Arrived the Modeste, Captain Hinton, with 300 riflemen from Cork;
29. Arrived the Solebay, Captain Poyntz, from Jamaica; and the Rambler,
Captain Schomberg, from a cruise, totally di-iviastcd in a gale of \\intl off the
Race of Alderney, where she parted with the Fly, Captain Mutige, and a
French privuteer, which they captured oil the coast.
OF NAVAL EVENTS*
Sept. a. Arrived the Cerberus, Captain Macnamara : and Beaver, Captain
Jones, from a cruise.
3. Arrived the Eugenie, Captain Somerville ; and Spry, Captain Grosvenor
from Plymouth.
4. Arrived the Sea-horse, Captain Foote, from the Mediterranean.
5. Sailed the Greyhound, Captain Ogle, with a convoy for the Mediterra-
nean ; and the Santa iviargarita, Captain Parker, with the outward-bound
East India ships under his convoy.
6. Sailed the Spencer, Captain Darby, .to join the Channel fleet; and the
Osprey, Captain \Vatts, with several vessels under his convoy, for Africa, and
the Cape 'of Good Hope.
7. Sailed his Majesty's ship Harpy, Captain Birchall, with sealed orders.
Also, I, a Loire, Captain Newman, for jersey ; Hind, Captain Larcom, with a
Convoy for the \V est Indies ; and Voltigeur, Captain Thompson, with a convoy
for Newfoundland and Halifax.
8. Arrived the Proselyte, Captain Fowke, from Havre, having been relieved
on that station by L'Oiseau, Captain Lin zee.
9. Arrived the Anson, Captain Durham, from Gibraltar ; and the Endy-
inion, Captain iir 'Ihomas Williams; and Aclive, Captain Davers, from a
cruise.
r~. Arrived the Swan, Captain Walton, with the Commerce under convoy,
from Halifax; also the John, from Mew Voik, for Amsterdam, detained by the
Swan.
.11. Arrived the Champion, with dispatches from Marcou. On Tuesday
last, in company with the iJolphin cutter, and Sparkler and Bouncer gun-brigs,
he drove on shore and destroyed two sloops, laden with barilla.
12. Arrived the Hindostan, Captain Mulock, from the Mediterranean.
13. Sailed the Cerberus, Captain Macnamara, for Cowes, to take troop*
from thence to Jersey, and then proceed to Ireland.
14. Sailed the Earl St. Vincent cutter, Lieutenant Leekey, to join the
Harpy, Captain Eircha.l, who sailed a few days sines with sealed orders.
The .scourge, lately returned from the West Indies, is paid off, and her crew
turned over to the Ganges ; and the Solebay, Captain' Poyntz, is gone to Chat-
ham, to be paid off.
IS- Arrived the Earl Spencer cutter, Lieutenant Rye, with a neutral ves-
sel, which he detained .
16. Arrived the P : aidstone, Captain Donelly, with a convoy from Qutbecj
and Bittern, Captain Kittoe, from the West Indies.
1 7. Arrived the Wolverene, Captain Wight, from a cruise ; and has brought
in with him the Neptunus, laden with naval stores, which he captured going
into Havre de Grace. Sailed the Reliance, Captain Waterhouse, with a con-
voy for the Downs ; and the Beaver, Captain Jones, on a cruise.
1 8. r l hursday arrived the Resource and Dido, from Guernsey.
31. Sailed the Hindostan, Capt. Mulock, with a convoy for the Downs.
22. Arrived jhe Modes>te, Captain Hinton, with four transports from Guern-
ey, and a Danish vessel, prize to the Yopaze, Captain Church.
23. Sailed the Prince of Wales, Captain Prouse, to join the Channel fleet.
24. Sailed the Discovery, Captain O'Bryen, to lie as guard-ship at the
Needles.
25. Arrived theCulcutta, Captain Anderson, with several transports from
Guernsey.
36. sailed the Wolverene, Captain Wight, on a cruise off Havre.
27. Went out of Harbour, after being refitted, the Ganges, Captain Free-
mantle ; Triumph, Captain Harvey; 1 homes, Captain Lukin ; and Rambler,
Captain Schomberg. .. .
28. Sailed the Triumph, Capt. Harvey, and Thames, Capt. Lukin, tojou
the Channel Fleet,
EAST- INDIA REPORT.
AUGUST a8.
THE Purser of the Caledonia, extra ship, Captain Stephen Haweis, from
China and Bengal, arrived at the East-India House with his dispatches. Thi*
*hip put into the Cape of Good Hope, hrjiieward-bound, on the igth March
last, in great distress, having lost her masts, and been rendered a complete
wreck, in several furious storms, \yhich she encountered in her passage from
Bengal. The Caledonia sailed from the Cape the 2Qth of May, and from St,
Helena the jyth of June, at which time she made twelve inches water per
hour, which, during her voyage home, encreased to thirty inches, so that the
ship was only kept above water by continually pumping. The following ships
have also safely arrived in Plymouth Sound, in company with the Caledonia^
*nd under convoy of his Majesty's ship Reliance, viz. the Earl Howe, Captain
Robert Burrowes, from Bombay, Madras, and Bengal ; Hercules, extra ship,
from Bombay ; and the Lord Mornington packet, Captain Simson, from Bengal
and Madras, after a remarkable quick passage, having sailed from this country
on the iSth of November last.
Sept. i. The Pursers of the undermentioned ships attended at the Eajf India
House, and received their final dispatches for the governments of Bengal, Madras,
and Bombay, wkh which they immediately proceeded to Portsmouth to join
their respective ships, viz. The Sir Edward Hughes, Capt. James Urmston ;
Prince William Henry, Captain Robert Baskctt ; and Hawke, Capt. David;
Bristow Baker.
Sept 23. Arrived under convoy of his Majesty's ship Madras, Capt. Dilkes,
the undermentioned ships, viz.
From BENGAL. The Minerva, Captain Kinnard Smith; Princess Char-
ctte, Captain Charles Elton Prescott; Rose, Captain Wemyss Orrok ; Lord
Thurlow, Captain William Thomson ; andLprd Hawkesbury,, Captain William.
Donaldson^
From BENCooiiN. The Sir Stephen Lushington, Captain George Gooch.
From MADRAS. The Charlton, Captain Thomas Welladvicc ; and the Asia,
Captain Robert Wardlaw.
From CHINA. The True Briton, Captain Henry Farrer (who did on hi*
passage) ; the Alfred, Captain James Faicjuharson ; the Warley, Captain Henry
Wilson; the Hindostan, Captain George Millett; the Hope, Captain James
Horncastle; the Earl of Abcrgavenny, Captain John Wordsworth ; and the
Duke of Bnccleugh, Captain i homas Wall ; together with the Percher and
Britannia, country ships, from Madras ; and the Cartier, from Amboyna.
The above ships left -St. Helena on the zad of July, ajt which time the Island^
Was in perfed tranquillity.
LOSS OF THE CORMORANT.
We are extremely sorry to state, that His Majesty's ship Cormoraat, of. 20
guns, has run on shore three miles and a half from the Bogaz of Rosetta, and i*
totally lost. We have, however, the pleasure of stating, that the worthy
Commander, the Hon. Captain Boyle, his Officers, and .chip's Company, are
all saved, after exerting, in vain, every effort for her preservation. >'<he waa
formerly the L 'Etna corvette, built at Havre de Grace in the year 1793.
LOSS OF THE STAG.
It is with extreme regret we have to state the loss of another of His Ma,
jesty's ships : the Stag, of 32 guns, Captain \Vinthrop, was driven on shore the
6th of September, in Vigo Bay, in a violent gale of wind. We are, however,
happy to hear no lives were lost. Lieutenant M. Smith, of the Milbroolj
schooner, was very active, and saved a great many of the crew. They are dis.
tributcd among the fleet. The ship was totally destroyed by the Officers, and
M*. Pym, the fiwt Lieutenant, was blown up.;' but is quite recovered.
OF NAVAL ETENTS.
_ WE have the particular satisfaHon of being enabled to insert the
following important Article, containing, not only the ships of war
their force, and the names of their Commanders, but also the exact
arrangement of the line of battle of the CHANNEL FLEET, commanded
by EARL ST. VINCENT.
Ships.
Barflevr, . - -
Gun?
98
Commanders.
(Rear-Ad. Collingwood.
Capt. Stephens.
Ships.
Royal George, -
Courageux, .
Guns. Comman4ere
too Domett.
74 !i,n ,(
Superbe, - - - .
ExccJjent, - -
74
74
Suttoa.
Stopfbrdi
Beilona, - -
Atlis, - g-
74
9*
Thompson.
Namur, - - - -
9
Lute.
Marlhorough,
74
Sothehy.
Warrior, - - -
74
Tyler.
Canada,
74
jDe Courcy.
Neptune, - - -
98
Vashon.
Venerable, -
74
Fairfax.
Royal Sovereign, -
too
rVice-Admiral Sir Henry
< Harvey.
Glory,
Russel, - -
74
Wells. '
Sawyer.
tCapt .
Pompee,
So
Stirling.
Ramilies, - - -
Ksfiance, - - -
Elqilianr, - - -
74
74
74
Grindall.
Shivers.
Foley.
Renown, - '- -
74
rRear-Admiral Sir 1. Jf 4
< Warren.
CCapt. Eyles.
Centaur, - - -
74
Markham.
London, - - . .
&
Pums.
Temeraire, - - -
9
Marsh.
Magnificent,
74
X.*Achil!e, - - -
74
Murray.
it
"* -t/ *
Edgar, ....
Prince, - - - -
74
98
Puller. 1
Walker.
Triumph, - - -
Speucer, ...
* -T
74
74
Harvey.
Formidable, - -
Rotvsst, - . - -
M.,rs, ....
9*
74
74
Thornborough.
Countess.
Moockron.
Windsor Castle, -
If
CKear- Admiral Sir Aatttm
< Mitchell.
CCaptain Norton.
Prince George,
9*
r&ear-AJmiral Sir Charles
1 Cotton.
(.Capt. Surtun.
Montague, - - -
Princess Royal,
Defence, - - -
74
ft
74
Knight.
Russell.
Paulett.
Impetueux, - -
74
Peilew.
Juste, - . . .
m
Trollope.
C'ptain, - -
74
Strachan.
CRear-Aamiral Sir Ratfrt
St, George, - -
Ctsar, . . . .
98
80
Edwards.
Siumarer..
Princ of Wales, -
fiS
< Calier.
CCapt. Plows*.
CArtm. Earl St. Vincent.
tille rie Paris, -
ICO
< Sir T. Trowbridge.
CCpt. Grey.
PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.
ADMIRAL Sir Henry Harvey, K. B. is appointed Second in Command In tfie
Channel Fleet, and has hoisted his flag on board the Royal Sovereign of 109
guns, Capt. Bedford, late the flag ship of Admiral Gardner, appointed to the
Irish station.
Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell, K. B. is also appointed to a command
in the Channel Fleet, and has hoisted his flag on board the Windsor Castle of
98 guns.
The Right Hon. Lord Hugh Seymour, Vice of the Blue, is Chief in Com-
mand on the West India station, in the room of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker.
J. T. Duckworth, Rear of the White, succeeds Lord H. .Seymour on the
Leeward Island station. He arrived at Tortola in the Leviathan of 74 guns.
Captain Carpenter, the a8th of July.
Rear-Admiral Sir R. Bickerton, Bart, has taken the command of the ships OB
the Lisbon station, aad hoisted hi flag on beard the Swiftsure of 74 guns,
Capt. B. Hallowell.
Admiral Sir C. Cotton, who is serving in the Channel Fleet, has shifted his
flag from the Prince to the Prince George of 98 guns.
TKe Right Hon. the Earl of Northesk is appointed to the command of the
Prince of 98 guns, vice Walker.
Captain Retalick is appointed to the leis of 50 guns, vice Oughton.
.Captain H. Hill, late of the Gorgon, is appointed to the Megxra fire-ship.
Capt. Geo. Hope is appointed to the Prince of Orange (late Washington} of
74 guns, one of the Dutch ships taken at the Helder.
Capt. Lenox Thompson, late of the Aledlo (F. S.) is appointed to the Volti-
geur of 14 guns, vice Shortland.
Lieut. Edward O'Brien, Esq. late First of the Melpomene, is promoted t
the rank of Master and Commander, and appointed to the
itft MONTHLY REGISTER OP NAVAL EVENTS.
Capt. E. S. Dickson, late of La Viorieu;e, is promoted to the rank of Post
Captain.
Capt. Keen, of the Chapman, is appointed to the Spitfire, and not Kun, a*
mentioned In our last.
' Capt. Bland, who so gallantly captured the Ligurian Pirate, and prote&ed a
valuable convoy in the Mediterranean, is appointed to the Heureux.
Capt. S. Forster is appointed to the Retribution (late the Hcrmione) of 44
guns, at Jamaica.
Capt. R. Mends, at Jamaica, is also promoted from the Abergavcnny, of 44
gnns, to the Thunderer of 74.
Captain Bover, of the Megsera, who was First Lieutenant with Admiral
Colpoys, is acling in the Windsor Castle.
Lieut R. T. Hancock, of the Prince of Wales, of 98 guns, is promoted to
the rank.of Master and Commander.
' Lord Faulkland is promoted to the rank of Master and Commander, and ap-
pointed to the Busy.
Lieutenant Alt, late of the Royal William, is appointed to the Carteret cut-
ter; and Palmer, Esq who particularly distinguished himself under Sir
Charles Hamilton, at Goree, is made a Lieutenant of the Melpomene.
Captain Malbon, of the Cynthia, is made Post.
Captain Searle is appointed to command the La Deferminie, fitting at Ports-
mouth ; and Captain Giffard, pro temfore, to the Active, in place of Captain
Davers, who is indisposed.
Lieutenant Haweis, of the Renown, of 74 guns, is made a Master and Com-
Blander.
Lieutenant Hancock, late of the Queen, on the Jamaica station, is promoted
to the rank of Master and Commander.
Captain Prowse is appointed to the Prince of Wales, and not Penrose, as
stated in our last.
Lieutenant-Colonel Flight, of his Vajesty's Marine Forces, has just been
appointed Adjutant- General of the Channel Fleet, and in consequence has
taken post on board the Ville de Paris, the flag ship of the Commander in
Chief.
J. Sedgewick, Esq. one of the Clerks of the Admiralty, is appointed Purser
cf the Ville de Paris, of no guns.
MARRIAGES.
Lately, Sir Charles Henry Knowles, Bart. Rear-Admiral of the White, tn
Miss Charlotte johnstone, daughter of Charles fohnstone, Esq. of Ludlow.
At Weymouth, Captain Fitzgerald, of the Royal Navy, to Miss Jane Webbi
OBITUARY.
A few days since died at Bristol, Captain Knighton, of the Marine Forces,
who, in consequence of ill-health, had lately gone out on the retirement. Co-
lonel Dawes, of the Plymouth Division, gets the retirement, and Captain Foy
tucceeds to the company of Colonel Dawes.
A few days since died, at Plymouth, J. Kcmpthorne, Esq. a Purser of z. ship'
in ordinary, and Lieutenant of the Cornish Miners.
In April last died, off Cape St. Vincent, aged 19, Mr. Philip Henry Trant,
only son of Mr. James Philip Trant ; he was doing-duty as Captain of Marines
in the Queen Charlotte, private ship of war, when by some accident he fell
everboard, and was unfortunately drowned.
Lately, Mrs. Wray, wife of Capt. Wray, of the Royal Navy.
At Portsmouth, Lieutenant Syme, of the Marines, in a fit ; and on Thurs-
day he wa.s buried with military honours, at the Garrison Chapel, attended by
his two brothers, and all the officers and privates of the corps. The pall wa
supported by six Lieutenants, his particular friends. He was a fine promising
young man, and much respeclcd.
On the ztst of May last, on his passage from China, much lamented, Hcnrjr
Farrer, lisq. Commander of the True Briton East Indiaman.
On Tuesday last died, at Plymouth, the Lady of Captain H. Hill, o th
Royal Navy.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF
SIR ERASMUS GOWER, KNIGHT.
The Heavenly maid, with strength divine endued
His daring soul ; there all her powers combin'd :
Firm constancy, undaunted fortitude,
Enduring patience, arm'd his mighty mind,
Unmov'd in toils, in dangers undismay'd.
SPENCER.
CjIR Erasmus Gower is the eldest son of Abel Gower,
Esq. of Glandoven, in the county of Pembroke, South
Wales, and Lsetitia Lewes Gower, only daughter to the Rev.
Erasmus Gower, D. D. William Gower, the grandfather
to Mr. Abel Gower, was representative in Parliament for
the borough of Ludlow, in the county of Salop, during an
uninterrupted period of twenty-six years. Sir Erasmus
having been destined by his father for a naval life, was sent
to sea at a very early age, under the protection of Captain John
Donkley, his uncle * ; he served after the death of his relative,
under a variety of other commanders, on the North Ame-
rica, the home or channel station, in the Irish, and the
North Seas. And during the time he continued, according
to the rules of the service, in the subordinate stations of
midshipman and mate, acquired the universal love and
esteem of all those under whose orders he chanced to be
placed. In the month of August 1762, being then very-
young, he passed through the necessary examination to
* Captain Donkley was appointed a lieutenant in the Navy on the 2d of
June 1742, and from that station was promoted to be commander of a sloop of
war on the 5th of July 1745. We find no subsequent mention made of him for
ten years after the above time ; at length, about the month of September 1755,
he appears to have been commissioned as commander of the Brilliant ; of what
force or class this vessel was, docs not particularly appear, but certainly held no
higher rate than that of a sloop of war. On the 27th of March 1756, he v/as
promoted to be Captain of the Nightingale frigate, as successor to Captain
Digges. In this ship, however, he never proceeded to sea, having been in the
.course of the ensuing month, appointed to the AlJl.crough, a frigate of the
same force, just before launched He was some time aftervards removed into
the Enterprize, and ordered to America, on his return from which station he
died, having lived only to resch the entrance of the channel, on the I7th of
March 1758.
i, iv. L L
2$t BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
qualify him for the rank of Lieutenant, and was soon
afterwards selected as one of the officers whom it was deemed
expedient to send into the Portuguese service. The station
allotted to Mr. Gower, was that of second Captain on board
a ship of the line, an appointment which, considering his
youth, certainly reflected on him the highest honour.
The apprehension of an attack made on Portugal, or
some of its transmarine possessions, by a Spanish fleet,
having been prevented by the assiduity as well as the success
which marked and attended the different enterprises under-
taken by the British navy, Mr. Gower, after continuing in
tedious suspense for the space of five months, returned to
England. Soon after peace was concluded, as he had not
obtained that promotion he so well deserved,, to the rank of
Lieutenant, and at the same time disdained to lead an inactive
life, he went on board the Dolphin, of 20 guns, then
equipping for a voyage of discovery round the globe, under
the command of Commodore Byron.
On his return from this fatiguing, and troublesome ser-
vice in the year 1766, he was at last promoted to the rank of
Lieutenant, being one of three persons only who were
seleftedjfrom among the mates or midshipmen belonging to
the Dolphin, to be honoured with that advancement. He
was immediately appointed to remeasure nearly the same
course which he had just concluded, and was sent out
Lieutenant of the Swallow, commanded by Captain Car-
teret. The sufferings and distresses experienced by that
gentleman and his crew, during their perilous voyage, which
commenced in 1766, and was not concluded till 1769, have
been already related, though but imperfectly and faintly,
in the account written by the late Dr. Hawkesworlh. On
the arrival of the ship in port, the journals as well as all
private memorandums made by the different officers, were
ordered to be delivered in to the Admiralty Board without
reserve, and promises of immediate promotion being uni-
formly held out to all, the commands were most rigidly
complied with, without hesitation or murmur ; these pr-
i
OP SIR. ERASMUS COWER, KNIGHT. 2 $<)
raises were not fulfilled, owing to certain causes, which it
would be irrelevant to the present purpose to repeat here.
As some alleviation, however, to the disappointment ex-
perienced by Mr. Gower on this occasion, he was informed
that the lieutenancy of the Swift sloop, then under orders
for the Falkland Islands, where she was to continue three
years, was vacant , and as the Captain of her was to be the
commanding officer on that station, if Mr. Gower thought
proper to accept of the appointment of Lieutenant, he might
depend on promotion in case of any vacancy taking place
during his absence; and that his appointment, whatever it
might be, should certainly be confirmed by the Board of
Admiralty as soon as it was known.
Mr. Gower closing with this proposal, accordingly embark-
ed as Lieutenant of the Swift at the end of the year 1769, and
arrived at the place of destination very early in the ensuing
spring. On the 13111 of March, the Swift had the misfortune
to be wrecked in Port Desire, on the coast of Patagonia, a
misfortune owing to her having grounded on a sunk rock
just as it was high water. The officers and crew remained
during the whole of the ebb in the most anxious and dreadful
state of suspense; but though their situation was considered
dangerous when the fatal accident had taken* place, no sinister
subsequent occurrence led them to apprehend the destruction
of their vessel was so near at hand. At length, however,
when hope appeared to reanimate each countenance, and
give the crew almost an assurance of deliverance, the vessel
suddenly slipped off the rock, overset, and went to the
bottom in nine fathom water.
The greater part of the unfortunate crew were at this
time nearly naked, as they had been indefatigably endea-
vouring, though fruitlessly, during the whole of the tide, to
guard against the very accident which had so fatally befallen
them. The situation of Mr. Gower himself may serve to
point out that of his wretched co-sufferers. He had on
nothing more than his shirt, a waistcoat without sleeves, a
pair of trowsers, and an old pair of shoes, but neither hat.
260 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
breeches, nor stockings. In a nearly equal state of equip*
ment, with respect to apparel, were the whole of the eighty-
eight unhappy persons composing the crew of the Swift, at
the time they might be supposed to consider themselves fortu-
nate in reaching the shore. The sun was within a few days of
entering into the winter quarter of that part of the globe : the
country on which they were thrown was dreary, desolate, and
inhospitable, unproductive of provisions necessary for their
sustenance, and destitute even of water *. The same dreary
scene uninterruptedly presented itself for the extent of several
degrees both to the northward and southward* Added to
which the weather was so cold and inclement, that long
before these apparently devoted sufferers were enabled to quit
that coast, the ground was uninterruptedly covered with
snow.
Many a long ling'ring Jay in lonely vale,
Stunn'd with th' eternal turbulence of waves,
Lo, with dim eyes that never learn'd to smile,
And trembling hands, the famish'd sailor craves
j Of Heaven his wretched fare ; shivering in caves,
Or dreary rocks, he pines from day to day ;
But Science gives the word ; and lo he braves
The surge and tempest, lighted by her ray,
And to a happier land wafts merrily away.
BEATTIF.
Thus fared it with Mr. Gower and his distressed com-
panions during their continuance of twenty-nine days on
that wretched spot, almost without clothes or other pro-
tection from the weather, save what they were fortunate
enough to meet with, in the cavities of the rocks j deprived of
that palliating comfort fire, save what was produced from
a scanty pittance of the tang or sea-weed torn by the tur-
bulence of the waves from the rocks, and left on the
shore above high- water murk. Added to these accumulated
circumstances of distress, their store of provisions, parti-
* The only supply of this grand preservative of life which these unhappy
people were capable of procuring, was from two old wells dug by some per-
sons who had formerly landed on the same spot. It was brackish and so dirty,
as to be loathsome in the extreme.
OF SIR ERASMUS COVER, KNIGHT. 26t
cularly bread *, became so scanty, that they were reduced to
the wretched allowance of a biscuit a day for each man.
On the I2th of April, however, their distresses drew in
great measure to a close. The Favourite sloop of war ar-
rived and conveyed them all to Falkland Island in safety.
This relief was obtained by the very gallant exertions of
Mr. William White f, the master, who, with six volunteers,
proceeded in an open boat to the island, though the distance
was nearly one hundred and fifty leagues. When the season
of the year, the tempestuous climate, and the length of the
run, are taken together, and compared with the means pos-
sessed by these gallant adventurers for the accomplishment
of their purpose, it will become a difficult matter, perhaps,
to decide which is most worthy of admiration, the gallantry
of tne undertaking itself, or the prudence and skill with
which it was carried into execution.
No situation hardly could be more hopeless than that of
those who remained behind ; they had nearly given up all
idea of relief from their countrymen at the Falkland Islands,
and had projected a variety of romantic schemes to further
their deliverance, none of which probably could ever have
. been carried into execution. The arrival, however, of their
companions closed at once their fears, their chimerical
projects, and their distresses. Mr. Gower remained at the
settlement on the Falkland Islands till the month of June
ensuing, when, as it is well known, a squadron consisting of
three Spanish frigates, a xebec, and a sloop of war, arrived
there, and forcibly dispossessed the English, whose whole
* They were able to save but a very small quantity from the ship, and even
that was considerably diminished by mice, which infested them in great num-
bers.
| Now Captain White, who has been employed during the greater part of
the present war, as regulating officer or. the impress service at the port of
Liverpool. He served in the late war on the Lisbon station, was promoted to
the rank of commander by Commodore Johnston, and appointed to the Porto
sloop July 17, 1780. He afterwards commanded the Hound, and was ordered
to the East Indies with Vice-Admiral Parker, where he was raised to the rank
of Post Captain Aug. 28, 1783, by appointment t the San Carlos.
262 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
strength amounted only to two sloops of war, with their
crews, to whom were added Mr. Gower and his fellow-
sufferers, who had served on board the Swift.
Almost immediately after the violent measure just men-
tioned had been taken, the Favourite sloop was dispatched
home to England with the interesting intelligence, and Mr.
Gower, together with the crew of the Swift, took their pas-
sage on board her ; it was extremely prosperous and speedy,
that vessel having arrived at the Motherbank on the 22d of
September, after a voyage of seventy days. Mr. Gower
continued unemployed after his arrival till the appointment
of Sir George Rodney to the Jamaica command, which took
place in the year ensuing.
An instance of the ill-luck, with respe& to promotion,
which attended Mr. Gower on this occasion, is of too sin-
gular a nature to be passed over unnoticed. He was ap-
pointed second lieutenant of the Princess Amelia, which was
the ship of the commander in chief, so that he consequently
might be considered in the direct and certain channel for
advancement. At the time Sir George first hoisted his
fiag, the late Sir Robert Harland was on the point of pro-
ceeding to the East Indies as commander in chief of a
squadron ordered thither to watch the motions of the French.
The present Sir John Colpoys, Vice- Admiral of the Red
Squadron, was at that time third lieutenant of the Nor-
thumberland, and being ordered out with a party to press
men for the purpose of manning the squadron, an affray
took place, in consequence of which a man unfortunately
lost his life.
It then becoming necessary, pro forma, that the conduct
of Lieutenant Colpoys should be legally investigated, he was
obliged to remain in England for that purpose, and a pro-
posal was made to Mr. Gower, that he should exchange
situations, as the trial would be over in sufficient time to
permit Mr. Colpoys to proceed with Sir George Rodney,
who was not quite ready for sea, to the West Indies, while
on the other hand, the detention would prevent his accom-
OF SIR. ERASMUS GOWER, KNIGHT. 263
panying Sir Robert to the East. The chance of promotion
which Mr. Gower possessed in his own station, being
ostensibly so much superior to that which was offered him,
he naturally rejected the proposal, and Mr. Colpoys, soon as
the trial was over, followed his Admiral, having taken his
passage on board an Indiaman. The event, however, proved
directly contrary to human foresight, one vacancy only hap-
pened on the West India station during the whole time of
Mr. Gower's absence. He consequently experienced no
farther advancement than from the station of second to that of
first lieutenant, while Mr- Colpoys had the good fortune in
the same interval of time to be advanced to the rank of Post
Captain, by commission bearing date August 25, 1773, ap-
pointing him to the Admiral's ship the Northumberland.
Mr. Gower of course returned to England a lieutenant,
and not having obtained promotion, was obliged to remain
inaftive on half-pay till the month of March 1775. He was
then appointed first lieutenant of the Levant frigate, com-
manded by Captain George Murray, uncle to the present
Duke of Athol. He sailed on the 4th of June following,
and continued during the space of nearly four years on the
Mediterranean station, under the progressive commands of
Vice-Admiral Man and Rear-Admiral Duff. The Levant
was, after the commencement of the American war, ex-
tremely successful, having captured so considerable a number
of prizes, that few vessels, perhaps, have ever quitted
a station with more eclat respefting herself, and more regret
from the officers and other persons concerned, who derived
advantage from her good fortune, and the activity of her
people.
The Levant having been ordered to England in 1779,
was sent immediately after her arrival, with many other in-
ferior ships and vessels, under the command of Captam
Murray, over to Helvoetsluys. The objea of this errand
was to escort from thence the packet on board which t
present Dutchcss of Devonshire, with many other personages
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
of high rank, had embarked, and whose passage was rendered
somewhat precarious, on account of the many ships belong-
ing to the enemy which then swarmed in the North Sea.
The Levant, however, was prevented from executing this
service by a contrary wind.
Sir George Rodney, the former friend and patron of Mr.
Gower, received about this time his well-known appoint-
ment to the chief command on the West India station, and
immediately chose Mr. Gower to be his first lieutenant on
board the Sandwich. The fleet, with a considerable number
of merchant vessels under its protection, sailed the latter end
of December, and on the 8th of January had the good for-
tune to fall in with a Spanish convoy belonging to the Royal
Company of Garaccas, bound from St. Sebastian's to Cadiz.
Of twenty-seven sail which composed this fleet, twenty-six
were captured, seven of which were armed, and completely
fitted according to their different rates, as ships and vessels
of war. The Commodore's ship, called the Guipuscoana,
mounted 64 guns, and being deemed in every respect fit
for service, was immediately commissioned by Sir George
as a British ship of the line, and called the Prince Wil-
liam, Mr. Gower being appointed her Captain.
This commission being confirmed without hesitation by
the Admiralty, Mr. Gower, as some recompence for those
manifold disappointments he had before experienced, escaped
passing through the intermediate rank of commander of a
sloop of war, a circumstance very unusual in the service.
On the 1 6th of the same month in which Captain Gower
met with that well deserved advancement just mentioned,
the memorable aftion took place off Cape St. Vincent be-
tween the Britsh fleet and the Spanish armament, commanded
by Don Juan de Langara, an event so recent as not to require
any farther account than what has been already given in the
Memoir of Lord Rodney, more particularly as the Prince
.William was not fortunate enough to have any interesting-
share in the action.
OF SIR ERASMUS COWER, KNIGHT. 26$
The fleet soon afterwards reached Gibraltar with the
prizes it had so successfully made, and effectually relieved
that fortress from the famine-like distress which the hosti-
lities with the Court of Spain, and the close blockade conse-
quent to them had necessarily occasioned. During the con-
tinuance of the fleet in Gibraltar Bay Captain Gower was re-
moved first into the Porcupine, of 24 guns, secondly into
the Enterprise of 28; and lastly, on the I4th of February
1.780, into the Edgar, of 74, as Captain under Commodore
Elliot, who hoisted his broad pendant on board that ship,
being left behind the fleet as commander in chief of a small
force which it was supposed would assist in the defence of the
fortress.
It being experimentally found, after a few months con-
tinuance there, that to persist in the same measure, was to
render so fine a ship nearly useless, Commodore Elliot
returned to England. Captain Gower continued in the
same command, sometimes serving under the Commo-
dore himself, and during his absence, commanding the
Edgar as a cruiser or a private ship in the channel
fleet, till the year 1781, when Mr. Elliot having struck
his broad pendant and resumed his station of a private
Captain, Mr. Gower of necessity quitted the Edgar, and
continued till the month of November 1781, on half-
pay. He was then appointed Captain of the Medea, a
frigate, of 28 guns, under orders to join the squadron
fitting out for the East Indies, under the command of
Commodore Sir R. Bickerton. Accidents,' however, pre-
vented Captain Gower from joining his companions,
and he accordingly proceeded alone as far as Rio Janeiro
on the coast of Brazil, where he met with the Sceptre,
x)f 64 guns, one of the ships composing the same arma-
ment. After continuing at the same port for six weeks,
in daily expectation that the squadron which had sailed from
England three days before the Medea, would arrive, the two
ships proceeded to India in company; when on their passage,
in doubling the Cape of Good Hope, the Medea captured,
IV. MM
266 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
on the fcist of May 1782, a large French ordnance storeship,
bound also to India. This vessel had parted company only
on the preceding day from several others of the same de-
scription, under convoy of a small squadron of ships of war.
The prize proved so dull a sailer as to retard very consi-
derably the passage of Captain Gower; the Medea being
obliged to take her in tow, and continue that measure with-
out interruption till they jointly arrived at Madras, the
passage thither was accordingly prolonged to no less a space
of time than four months. But the tediousness and diffi-
culty of this operation was fully compensated by the injury
the enemy sustained from the capture, not only in the in-
trinsic value of the cargo, but the grievous necessity they
were under for a considerable part of those articles which
composed it. The first service in which the Medea was
employed subsequent to her arrival in India, was to attend
the army, which was then on the point of proceeding under
the command of General Sir Eyre Coote, on the expedition
sent against Pondicherry. This event took place in the
month of September, and the season of the year made it a
task of the greatest difficulty to fulfil the order.
Captain Gower, according to his instructions, used every
possible endeavour to reach Pondicherry by a limited day.
His exertion was peculiarly necessary, for the soldiery had not
been able to carry with them more than a very limited pro-
portion of provision from Madras, and the monsoon,
which then blew contrary to the Medea's intended course,
threatened very powerfully to impede and prolong her pas-
sage. What then must have been the fate of those troops,
had he not resorted to extraordinary means for their sup-
port? To have waited for the storeships and vessels which
he was ordered to protect, would but have increased his
difficulties and his delay ; to quit them was dangerous ; but
the special emergency determined him to adopt the latter
measure. He communicated to the General his opinion of
the small chance there was of his arrival at the place of his
destination by the limited time, provided he was not freed
from his incumbran.ee ; but as the safety of the whole army
OF SIR ERASMUS GOWER, KNIGHT. 267
depended on at least a partial succour, Captain Gower under-
took to relieve their most pressing necessities by converting
the Medea herself into a storeship, and leaving the convoy
to creep along shore, that it might seize all favourable op-
portunities of proceeding on its route.
In order to accomplish the important service he had
undertaken, he himself, his officers, and all his crew, were
obliged to forego every accommodation, and repose them-
selves in the best manner they could on the deck itself.
The cabins, the decks, in short the whole ship, was com-
pletely filled with rice, or other articles of the first necessity,
and through the most diligent exertions, actually arrived at
her place of destination before she was expefted. The ex-
pedition, however, was unfortunately obliged to be laid aside,
in consequence of the commander in chief becoming so
indisposed as to be totally incapable of assuming the com-
mand, and the officer next in point of rank was under the
necessity of returning to Madras with the troops.
On the agth of September, the Medea was ordered to
Bengal, having the General, Sir Eyre Coote, on board as a
passenger, that change of air being considered as indispensa-
bly necessary to the recovery of his health. Captain Gower
was ordered to remain afterwards on the coast of Coro-
mandel, for the better protection of the coasting trade during
the continuance of the south-west monsoon ; the British
fleet having proceeded to Bombay in order to avoid that
tempestuous weather to which the former coast is so ex-
tremely liable during the three months then ensuing.
Early in the month of January 1783, the French fleet,
which was then under the command of the Count de Suf-
frein, anchored in Ganjam road, one of the northern set-
tlements on the coast of Coromandel. The Chef d'Escadre
intended to continue there for some time in the hope not
only of being able to intercept and disturb the British com-
merce, but of efFe&ing some depredation or confusion
among the settlements in that quarter, and Captain Gower
entertaining not the most distant idea that the enemy were
268 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
even in those seas, the Medea came to an anchor a little way
without them. The night was foggy, but notwithstanding
the haze, the British frigate was visible from the French
fleet, in consequence of the latter being tinder the land.
Suffrein being well assured that she did not belong to his
squadron, very vigilantly formed his plan for securing her
the next morning.
Great indeed was the astonishment of Captain Gower and
his people when they discovered, on the approach of day,
several ships moving towards them, while the appearance of
others in the offing, which had been detached thither during
the night, appeared totally to preclude all possibility of es-
cape. The Medea being, however, a very swift sailer, and
extremely well managed, was fortunate enough to efFet
her escape, though at one time within cannon-shot of the
ships which were in chase of her, and her capture was con-
sidered by the pursued, as well as the pursuers, inevitable.
On the i6th of the same month (January) the Medea was
again chased by a French cruiser, but as the vessel did not
appear larger than a frigate, Captain Gower ordered the ship
to be put about, and stood for her. He brought the enemy
to a&ion in the evening, and after a contest of eighteen
minutes, had the pleasure of seeing his antagonist surrender.
The prize proved to be the Chaser, a ship of war, mounting
20 guns, six pounders, charged with dispatches from the Isle
of France for the French commander in chief. The Medea
immediately proceeded to Madras, and dispatched the Chaser
from thence to Bombay, where the British fleet still con-
tinued, with an account that a French armament was on the
Coromandel coast on the 23d of January.
The Earl of Macartney, who was then Governor of Fort
St. George, having received intelligence that three large
storeships belonging to the enemy, and arm'ec enfnte, were then
at Goudelour, or Cudclalore as the English term it, a French
settlement distant about twenty-eight leagues from Madras,
he immediately communicated this intelligence to Captain
Gower, who put to sea the same evening, notwithstanding
OF SIR ERASMUS GOWER, KNIGHT. 269
his complement of officers and seamen was very much re-
duced in consequence of his having in great measure manned
the Chaser. He had laid his plan with much care and pre-
caution, hoping that he should be able to get up with the
enemy before daylight, and make himself master at least of one
of them before he should be heard of, or discovered. The
whole of the plan, however, was unfortunately frustrated by
the failure of the vrind. The Medea, therefore, sheltered
herself near the coast during the whole day, and the time
was consumed in assiduously attempting to disguise and
disfigure the vessel in such a manner that its real character
and condition should not be discovered by the enemy. In
this project also Captain Gower had the misfortune to be
disappointed. The enemy received intelligence of every
circumstance that occurred, but ignorant of this, and con-
sidering himself perfectly secure, he again made sail as, soon
as it became dark. The wind failed a second time, and
the Medea was more than three miles distant from the road
of Cuddalore at the dawn of the day.
Instead of finding three ships in the road, as the information
promised, there remained but one, apparently a very large
vessel, having her topsails loose, and with every other indica-
tion of being prepared to put to sea. She had a complete tier of
lower-deck ports hauled up, and was at anchor with springs
on her cables under the protection of the forts ; the vessel had
Dutch colours hoisted, and began to fire at the Medea the
instant she arrived within gun-shot. The situation of the
frigate was critical, the enterprise was extremely arduous,
and nothing but the greatest and most prompt exertions
could render success even probable.
To have attacked the enemy according to the previously
proposed plan, by running on board her, and entering
a sufficient number of men, appeared not only dan-
gerous but impradticable, first, on account of the high
state of preparation in which the ship of the enemy appeared,
and secondly, from her extreme loftiness or elevation above
the surface of the water. It was therefore resolved, as the
2JO BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
only method that could be adopted, desperate as it appeared,
to run between the forts and the ship, receiving the joint
fire of both at the same time. The shore was so bold and the
objecl: of attack lay so near to the batteries, that the shot from
the latter went through both sides of the Medea ; she re-
served her fire till she got abreast of the enemy's ship, and
dropped anchor close to her so as to preserve that situation :
then for the first time did Captain Gower commence his
cannonade, which was well directed, and kept up with so
much animation, that in a very short time victory declared
itself completely in his favour.
The enemy was instantly boarded, and the cables of both
ships being immediately cut, they ran out into the offing, till
they were so far distant from the forts as to be under no
apprehensions whatever from their fire. Here they again
came to anchor in order to arrange, and set matters to rights
in the best manner circumstances would admit of. The
prize proved to be the- Vryheid, a Dutch East India ship,
pierced for 64 guns, but having no more than 32 mounted.
She had brought a cargo of ordnance stores to Cuddalore,
and was to have quitted it on the very day she was captured,
being bound for Trincomale in the Island of Ceylon. The
lower masts and bowsprit which formerly belonged to a
French ship of the line, that had been stranded and lost near
Pondicherry, were secured alongside; the lower-deck guns and
carriages were some of them on the lower deck of the prize,
the remainder were in the hold, and those guns with their
carriages, were fortunately as well fitted and adapted to the
ports of the prize as though they had been purposely intended
for her.
This circumstance would have rendered the Vryheid com.
pletely effe&ive as a ship of the line the instant the guns
were ran cut of the ports : it was even intended she should
have joined the French fleet and been stationed as a vessel
of that class, so that the loss of her must have been
much felt by the enemy. The merit of the foregoing trans-
?.&ion, independent of the great inferiority of the Medea's
4
OF SIR ERASMUS GOWER, KNIGHT. 2?!
force in comparison with that of her antagonist, and the
peculiar circumstances and disadvantages under which she
was compelled to commence her attack, was considerably
heightened by the disadvantage of a very short complement,
the first lieutenant, together with thirty of the b-st seamen,
having been dispatched to Bombay, as already related, in the
Chaser.
The crew had experienced a scarcely less consequential
diminution, owing to the master, the boatswain, the gunner,
and many other persons belonging to the ship, being ashore at
Madras when the intelligence was received : notwithstanding
which Captain Gower resolved to put to sea without them,
fearing that if he used not the utmost expedition, the enemy
might receive intelligence of his intention at Cuddalore.
What must be the anxiety of a commander in so trying a
situation with so reduced a number of men ? He had to
navigate a ship which was three times the burden of that
he commanded, in addition to his own ; he had more than,
one hundred prisoners to guard, and was to effedl: his pas-
sage into Madras Road against the monsoon, with a French
fleet to windward of him upon the same coast. The only
officer that continued in the Medea, exclusive of Captain,
Gower himself, was the Lieutenant of Marines, so that
these two gentlemen were obliged to take watch and watch
during the whole passage, which continued five days, and
Captain Gower himself is said to have scarcely quitted the
deck for the whole time.
The conduft of this gentleman on the occasion just men-
tioned, as well as his former services, were considered so highly
meritorious that the Governor and Presidency of Fort St.
George requested Sir Edward Hughes, the naval commander
in chief, to convey to him their sincere thanks ; and the
Lords of the Admiralty themselves, as soon as they became
acquainted with the different circumstances which attended
the transaflion, were equally forward in shewingsimilar marks
of approbation with regard to Captain Gower himseli, to-
gether with the officers and people whom he led to viftory.
272 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
The prize, through the possession of which he had very
justly acquired so much honour, got safe to Madras, where
the captors were offered the sum of thirty-six thousand
pounds for the hull and furniture, but Captain Gower fear-
ing that the proposed purchasers intended, through the
noxious medium of a neutral power, to resell the vessel im-
mediately to the enemy, who at that time stood grievously
in need of some reinforcement, most patriotically rejected
the personally advantageous offer. It was then proposed to
him, that he should permit the vessel to proceed to Bengal
and bring back a cargo of rice ; for this voyage 6ooo/. were
offered, with a farther proposal, that as the French fleet was
then in the neighbourhood, the sum which had been before
offered for the purchase of the vessel, should be paid to the
captors in case she was unfortunate enough to fall into the
hands of the enemy, or meet with any other untoward ac-
cident.
All these offers also were peremptorily rejefted on the
instant they were made, through an apprehension of the
same insidious kind of contrivance which Captain Gower
was fearful of in the former instance. An account of these
different offers, together with a description of the vessel
herself, were immediately conveyed both by sea and land,
for the puYpose of more effectually securing their arrival, to
Sir Edward Hughes. It was accompanied by a declaration
of Captain Gower's opinion, that the vessel in question
was in every respel properly adapted for his Majesty's ser-
vice, and that in consequence of that idea, he would continue
to decline any proposal whatever that might be made for
the purchase of it till the pleasure of the commander in
chief should be fully known. The ship continued for three
months after this in the possession of the captors, when a
squadron of French ships having stood into the Road of Ma-
dras, merely with a view of insulting that port, and fired a few
shot at the different vessels which were anchored there, they
themselves continuing under sail the whole time, the people
on board the prize were so strongly apprehensive that the at-
OF SIR ERASMUS GOWER, KNIGHT. yj9
tack of the enemy was principally intended against their ves-
sel, which was the only one in the road that appeared worthy
the attention of a foe, that they accordingly veered away 'the
cable in the hope of preserving her by getting nearer to the
shore.
The apprehension probably was groundless, but the mea-
sure taken for her preservation was certainly fatal. The
ship unfortunately got into the surf and was totally lost.
Thus did the brave captors, owing to their over zeal for the
service, lose that valuable and well earned pecuniary re-
ward which their gallantry so justly merited. Previous to
the loss of the Vryheid, the Medea had on the 5th of Fe-
bruary very narrowly escaped being captured by the French
fleet herself, when they were on their passage from the
Ganjam to the southward ; though nearly surrounded she
was, however, fortunate enough to effect her escape. On
the i6th of March she, for the third time, experienced a
similar instance of good fortune off Pondicherry. Two
French frigates, under cover of the night and a thick haze
which then prevailed, got within hail of the Medea before
they were discovered.
Early in the month of May following, owing to the great
exertions which the French were then making, it became
natural to expe6l that an action must inevitably take place
between the two fleets, and as the British force consisted at
that time of eighteen sail of the line, divided into three
squadrons, under an Admiral and two Commodores, it was
strongly recommended to Sir Edward Hughes that he should
appoint an additional or first captain to his own ship, by way
of lessening liiat fatigue of body and mind which he must of
necessity undergo in case of an a&ion, as having so exten-
sive a command to attend to. This honourable station was
accordingly offered, as is customary on such occasions, to
several of the senior Captains; they declined it in the hand-
somest manner, and at the same time unanimously joined
in recommending Captain Gower, as the fittest person to
take upon him so important a trust and office.
2301. IV. N N
274 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
The arrangement was made accordingly, but the appoint-
ment did not actually take place, owing to the extreme deli-
cacy of the commander in chief, who, notwithstanding the
arduous task which presented itself to him, hesitated to
comply with. his own wishes and inclination, as well as those
of every person under his orders, because he did not actually
command at the time that sufficient number of ships which,
according to the rules of the service, would have rendered
such a measure a mere matter of course.
From the I3th to the 2ist of June, both fleets were
manoeuvred in sight of each other, in the mutual hope of
being able to seize some moment and opportunity pecu-
liarly favourable to attack ; an aftion certainly appeared
unavoidable, but the enemy, though they possessed the
weather-gage, not thinking even that advantage sufficient
to warrant their hazarding an action, appeared to decline a
contest till some' occasion additionally favourable should
occur. Under these circumstances the engagement was de-
ferred till the evening of the list. During the whole of the
period in which the two fleets had been in sight of each
other, the Medea had been uniformly employed during the
night in watching the motions of Monsieur de SufFrein.
The service was of the most important nature, and the risk
proportionably great. The squadron of the enemy was ex-
tremely alert, and the Medea from her situation was, un-
avoidably, in hourly danger of being captured.
The unfortunate alion which followed the exertions just
mentioned, was productive of what the enemy had never,
before that time, been fortunate enough to acquire in any-
part of the world an advantage over the Britiih fleet with a
force evidently inferior. This unprecedented event was
occasioned not only by the bad condition of several ships
which composed the British fleet, but also by the dreadful
sickness and mortality which then prevailed among the
crews. The disgrace at least, for the enemy reaped no ad-
vantage whatever but the honour of having obliged the
British to decline all farther contest, might have been hap-
OF SIR. ERASMUS COWER, KNIOHT. 2*] $
pily prevented had the intelligence that the articles of peace
were signed, arrived from England within the time generally-
required to convey it from thence. But though private
accounts. and newspapers, which had reached India over-
land before the adlion took place, all agreed in asserting the
same event, yet the official account that tranquillity was re-
established between the contending nations, did not reach
Madras till the 3151 of August following.
This interesting intelligence was brought by his Majesty's
ship Crocodile, and pending her arrival no inconsiderable
share of address and management had been necessary to
induce M. de Bussy, who then held the supreme command
of the' French naval force in that country, to consent to a
truce before the pleasing intelligence was officially confirmed.
His hesitation and demur was the natural consequence of the
late advantage which his countrymen had obtained by sea,
and the successes which had, for a short time preceding, at-
tended their land operations also in the same quarter. So
that good fortune naturally gave birth to the most imperious
assumption which haughty pride could diftate.
The probability of peace being, however, established, the
Medea was ordered to be dismantled early in the month of
July, and being converted into a flag of truce, was ordered to
convey a part of the Council of Fort St. George up to Cud-
dalore, for the purpose of treating with General de Bussy
as to the farther terms of pacification, Captain Gower being
commissioned by Sir Edward Hughes to ad in the same
capacity, with regard to the naval department, between him-
self and Monsieur de SurTrein. A common newspaper,
which had reached India from Europe, was the most au-
thentic document which Captain Gower possessed in proof
of the treaty of peace being concluded in Europe; but he-
contrived with the best address to carry his point and pre-
vent any recommencement of hostilities. This delicate and
interesting business being concluded, he was next employed
in negotiating the exchange of prisoners, a species of
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
diplomatic occupation in which he was equally as successful
as he had been in the former instance.
On the 8th of September he sailed from India in the
Medea, being chosen by the commander in chief to be the
bearer of his duplicate dispatches for the Admiralty Board,
together with his letters for the Secretary of State ; the
originals had been sent away three weeks before, but the
Medea having arrived at the Cape on the 25th day of Octo-
ber she there overtook them. No material or interesting
occurrence took place with regard to Captain Gower, who
continued his voyage to England, till the ijih of December,
when the Medea being off the Western Islands, had the mis-
fortune to encounter a most dreadful gale of wind, in which
she not only lost her main and mizen-masts, but was in
other respe&s so materially injured, as to be in the most
perilous state. An event took place on this occasion which
is far too interesting, too instructive to mankind, in respeft
to that providential care which so frequently snatches them
from the very jaws of death, and preserves them safe and
unhurt in the midst of a myriad of surrounding perils, to
be omitted in this place.
At the time the masts went overboard there were thirty-
six of the crew employed aloft, every man of whom were, as
a natural consequence, instantly precipitated into the sea,
but were all of them taken up without having sustained
the s :.ailest injury, one person only excepted. The ship
being refitted as well as circumstances would permit, as soon
as the gale had in some degree moderated, she proceeded on,
her course to England, and had the good fortune to arrive
at Spithead without having met with any other sinister
accident, on the ^th of January 1784. Notwithstanding the
delay occasioned by the misfortune just related, which had
so nearly proved fatal to Captain Gower and all his crew,
he had the satisfaction to find that he preceded the original
du atclies, which did not reach England till three weeks
after his arrival. In 1785 Captain Gower had the honour
OF SIR ERASMUS GOWER, KNIGHT. 277
of being nominated by the late Earl Howe, at that time first
Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty, to go to India with a
broad pendant as senior officer of a squadron consisting of
five ships of the line, but with only those emoluments at-
tached to a Commodore who has not a Captain under him
on board his own ship.
Captain Gower was kept for a considerable time in a state
of suspense, no equipment of the ships in question taking
place. At length, Commodore Elliot being in 1786 ap-
pointed governor and commander in chief on the New-
foundland station, the solicitation made by the latter that
Captain Gower would accompany him thither as his Captain,
put an end to the embarrassment. The Admiralty Board
being immediately informed of the proposal consented to his
accompanying his friend thither, and were more particu-
larly induced to comply with the request, the service being
considered so nearly allied to the home station as to afford
an opportunity to the Board of recalling, and sending him
into any other quarter, provided it should be deemed ex-
pedient and necessary at a notice extremely short.
An appearance, however, of some commotion or disturb-
ance in the East Indies, rendered it expedient to send out an
officer of higher rank in the service than that which Captain
Gower then held, so that he continued in his station, and
continued to serve under Mr. Elliot, who was afterwards
promoted to a flag, long as he himself retained his appoint-
ment, which he did till the month of November 1788 ;
when the Salisbury, which was the Admiral's ship, was
paid off. During the time he was thus engaged, the idea of
sending out an ambassador to China had suggested itself to
the British Government. It was after some debate and de-
liberation positively determined on. Colonel Cathcart was
the person at that time fixed upon to fill this diplomatic
character, and he having held various conversations with
Captain Gower on the subjeft, conceived, from his manner
of expressing himself, that the command of the ship intended
4
2y8 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
to be employed on that occasion, would be an appointment
by no means disagreeable to him.
The business had proceeded so far that the Vestal frigate
was ordered to be equipped for the service, and Captain
Cower was not only nominated to the command, but a
gentleman for whose nomination to the station of lieu-
tenant under him he had intended to solicit, received that
commission. Affairs being in this situation it was resolved
to send out a vessel to Newfoundland, where Captain Gower
then was, in order that he might return to England, and
enter upon the duties of his function.
Farther consideration caused, however, as much of the
plan as related to Captain Gower to be abandoned. Such
expedition was used in fitting the ship, that it was found
she would be ready for sea long before he could return to
England, and as it was conceived that nothing would con-
tribute to the success of the plan so much as the prompt
execution of it, lest, other nations taking the alarm should
use means to frustrate the intention, the ambassador was
induced, for the purpose of saving time, to consent to the
appointment of another gentleman as Captain. It would
certainly have been immaterial to relate this circumstance, had
not the singularity of his commission in the same line of
service five years afterwards, sanctioned the recital. Lord
Macartney being then nominated ambassador to China, Capt.
Gower took upon him the command of the Lion, of 64 guns,
which ship was ordered to be equipped for the purpose of
conveying his Lordship to the scene of negotiation.
Previous to his departure he was honoured by his Majesty
with knighthood, as well, perhaps, in testimony of the sense
which was entertained of those services which the object of
the honour had rendered to his country, as to stamp a
consequence on the embassy itself. The Lion sailed in
the month of O&ober following, and proceeded to the Yellow
Sea, distant from the city of Pekin, where the Emperor cf
China frequently resides, about one hundred arid twenty
OF SIR ERASMUS GOWER, KNIGHT, 379
miles. On their outward voyage they called at Madeira, and
the remarks made by this gentleman relative to their passage
thither, with other particulars, are too interesting and curious
to be omitted.
All ships bound from Europe for the Island of Madeira will dis-
cover that their way is influenced by a current, or* set from the
Western Ocean into the Bay, formed between Ushant and Cape
Finisterre, and into the Mediterranean ; and as well as the observations
made by Captain Gower, in five visits to Madeira, could enable him
to ascertain, that current should be estimated as setting south-east
about eleven miles in fifty leagues.
All ships bound for the Island of Madeira should endeavour to
make or steer for Porto-Santo, and then proceed for the Brazen Head,
or eastern point of the Road of Funchal, the capital of the island, by
going between it and the Desertas, off the northernmost of which is
a high rock that is frequently mistaken for a sail. The passage is
about nine miles wide but without soundings, except in very deep
water close to Madeira. The latitude of the Road is thirty-two de-
grees, thirty-seven minutes, thirty seconds North, and the longitude,
ascertained by several eclipses of the satellites of Jupiter, and an
eclipse of the sun on the ^.th of June 1788, is seventeea degrees,
thirty-five minutes West of Greenwich. The compass has eighteen
degrees thirty-five minutes variation to the westward of the Pole.
The tide flows, at the full and change of the moon, north-north west,
and south-south-east; spring tides rise perpendicularly seven feet*
The flood sets to the eastward. The regulations of the port require
all ships, before, or immediately on anchoring, to send to acquaint
the Governor of the Island with an account of what they are, and
their reasons for stopping there. Men of war are not to send their
boats to vessels coming into the Road, until they are visited by thr
pratique- boat, or boat whose business it is to inquire, lest any in-
fectious disorder should be on board.. The same ib to be observed
respecting vessels that are departing, which are not to be boarded
after the visiting officer has been to search for natives leaving the
Island clandestinely, and for prohibited goods. Englishmen of war
salute with thirteen guns, after receiving an assurance of the return of
an equal number.
Ships' boats may land on the beach during the summer months ;
but when there is no landing of goods to make it necessary, it is better
to be avoided at all seasons, both for the safety of the boats, which
are driven by a violent surge upon a shingly shore, and for preventing
the common men from having the opportunity of frequenting the
28O BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
disorderly houses in the neighbourhood of the beach, and drinking
the pernicious spirituous liquors vended thereabouts. The landing
near the Loo Rock, being defended from the surge, is very safe and
easy ; and though there are cottages near to it, the boats' people
may be easily kept from them. Caution is necessary, likewise,
against the boats coming on board, under pretence of selling fish,
fowls, and vegetables, for their chief objeft is the sale of the worst
Spirituous liquors, and often concealed goods. Fresh beef, water,
and vegetables, are to be procured here for the ship's company, and
are sent on board in boats belonging to the place. The British
Government allows the contractor five shillings a ton for water, and
sixpence a pound for beef, for the use of the crews of his Majesty's
ships of war. The contract wine is of a weak quality, and will not
keep; and the price is 1 61. for a ton, containing one hundred and
twenty gallons. A fleet of twenty sail of men of war may be amply
supplied with refreshments here, if their stay should not exceed ten
days.
The Road is open from the west to the eouth-south-east. The
winds blow strongest here from south-west to south-east. Ships
obliged to anchor in the winter in Funchal Road, should be very at-
tentive to the dark gloomy appearance of the weather to the south-
ward, with a swell setting in ; for it^is'very dangerous remaining at an-
chor with these prognostics.
The Lion proceeded afterwards to TeneriiFe, St. Jago, one
of the Cape de Verde islands, Rio Janeiro, the Capital of
Brazil, the Tristan d'Acunha Islands, hardly ever touched
at, and but little known by Europeans ; the extraordinary
island of Amsterdam ; the Straits of Sunda, Banca, Formosa ;
the eastern extremity of Asia ; and lastly, the Yellow Sea.
None of the navigation from Chusan to the extreme point of
the voyage had ever been traversed before by Europeans,
and as these enterprising men received no assistance what-
ever from the Chinese, who were extremely astonished at the
attempt, the particulars of this tedious passage cannot fail to
prove extremely interesting.
The Yellow Sea is bounded by China, Tartary, and the peninsula
of Corea. It takes its name from the prodigious quantities of
yellowish mud which is brought into it by the Whang- Ho, or Yellow
River of China. Beyond the Chusan Islands, the whole of this sea,
for about ten degrees of latitude and six of longitude, was before this
OP SIR ERASMUS GOWER, KNIGHT. 281
expedition utterly unknown to Europeans ; and it may be considered
as no trifling advantage gained by the Embassy, that it afforded an
opportunity of exploring, without giving offence or exciting suspi-
cion, even under the guidance of those who were constantly em-
ployed in its navigation, a tradl of so considerable extent.
At Chusan, the mandarin had compelled two native pilots to under-
take the care of the Lion and Hindostan. Though forced into
this service, they appeared, when on board the ships, extremely ready
to perform as well as they were able.
On the 9th of July 1793, the squadron under Sir Erasmus Gower
entered this sea. The weather was dark and cloudy. A thick fog
covered the horizon. A heavy swell came from the east- south east.
The departure, or point whence the progress of the squadron is to be
computed, is the isle called Patch-Cock, lying in twenty-nine degrees
fifty-two minutes north latitude, and one hundred and twenty degrees
fifty-two minutes east longitude. The ships when sailing in six
fathoms water, drew up the mud in such quantities, that each left in
her wake a streak of yellowish brown for near half a mile. A cir-
-cumstance which, to persons not apprized of it, would be apt to create
alarm, lest it should denote a sudden shoaling of water.
Wednesday the loth of July. Thick hazy weather, and a constant
heavy swell from the eastward. In the morning two islands were
perceived, which the pilots called Tchin-San and Shoo-Tong-Yang,
bearing north-west by west, distant eight or nine leagues. Soundings
from thirty-two to thirty-seven fathoms; bottom fine sand.
Thursday the i ith of July. Light airs and calms during the first
part of the day. In the evening a breeze sprung up from the south-
\vaid. At five in the morning two new islands, small and rocky, were
discovered to the westward, seven or eight leagues distant. The pilot
called those islands Pa-Tcha-San and Te-Tchong.
On Friday the izth of July, the pilots observed that the squadron
was then opposite the Chinese province of Kiang-Nan ; and that in
the neighbourhood were large shoals, the approach to which was an-
nounced by the bottom being sandy. In the morning the fog be-
came so thick that it was scarcely possible to see from one end of the
Lion to the other. It may be difficult to explain why a shallow sea
generally has the atmosphere over it foggy ; but the facl: has been
observed likewise upon the banks of Newfoundland, and other places
covered with little water. Another circumstance took place almost
as difficult, perhaps, to be accounted for. In the shallowest parts,
but where no land was visible above water, swarms of the dragon fly
suddenly appeared about the ships, which, in deeper water, quickly
disappeared.
K IV. o o
2#2 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
Efforts were made to keep the ships together during the 'fog, by
firing guns in the way of fog -signals ; notwithstanding which, the
Hindostan was separated this day from the rest of the squadron.
Shortly afterward she perceived three large Chinese vessels, which by
choice or accident had deviated from the usual system among them
of sailing near the coast. The soundings hereabouts were found by
all the squadron to vary so frequently and suddenly, that, notwith-
standing the presence of the pilots, it was thought expedient to pro-
ceed with uncommon caution, and even sometimes to lie to. The
soundings throughout this sea never exceeded forty-two fathoms ; in
the deepest water the bottom was usually muddy, and was generally
sound where the water shoaled. The pilots observed that the thickest
fogs accompanied the south-east winds, which generally lasted four or
five days at a time.
On Saturday the wind and fog continued as before. In the morn-
ing the fog being for a time dispelled, several land birds appeared,
and sea- weed and bamboos were seen floating upon the water ; to
gether with other indications of being near land.
The Endeavour, which had called at Chusan, brought from thence
such a pilot as was first offered to the squadron. He conducted her
close to the shore with little danger to the Endeavour, as she drew
but a few feet water. She passed near the island of Tsung-Ming,
opposite the river Kiang. This island, unlike those of Chusan, is
very low, and to all appearance, formed of earth which is brought
down by the current of the river, between the mouth of which and the
island, the water is extremely shallow. The land seemed to be gain-
ing upon the water very fast ; and it is not unworthy of notice, that
in the map preserved in the Ducal Palace of Venice, supposed to be
taken, so far as relates to China, in great measure, from the draught
made by the celebrated traveller of that city in the thirteenth century,
Marco Polo, no traces are found of the Island Tsung-Ming, though
those of Chusan, not much to the southward of it, are distinctly
marked ; whether it was at that period so small as not to be thought
worthy of notice, or so low as to remain unobserved, is uncertain.
The Lion kept to the eastward of the track of the Hindostan, and
nearer, though not in sight, of the western coast of the peninsula of
Corea, which stretches from Tartary in a southern direction. The
peninsula of Shan Tung extends from the main continent of China so
far to the eastward, as to reduce the breadth of the Yellow Sea to
about forty leagues or thereabouts, between the eastern extremity of
Shan-Tung and the opposite part of the peninsula of Corea.
Both divisions of the squadron had on the i5th a wind from the
southward, attended, during part of the day, with a fog. While it
OF SIR ERASMUS GOWF.R, KNIGHT. 283
Vrtis clear the Hindostan perceived a small cone-sliaped island, called
by the pilot Ka-Te-Noo ; and on the next day came in sight of the
rugged land of Shan-Tung promontory, as well as of a small island to
the southward of it. At this place a slight current was observed to
8?t to the northward. The longitude here was 122 degrees, forty
minutes east. The latitude was thirty-five degrees ten minutes
north. From hence the Lion steered north-west by compass, until
she got into the latitude of thirty- six degrees twenty minutes north.
The water then began to shoal rapidly from forty to sixteen, four-
teen, and twelve fathoms, there being a difference of two fathoms
every quarter of an hour ; the bottom sandy. Such a sudden shoaling
of the water naturally occasioned apprehension. It was, however,
calmed, more by the reports of the brigs which were kept going
a-head, and constantly heaving the lead, than by the assertions of the
pilots, whose ignorance of the English language made them some-
times to be considered as unacquainted with their business.
On the 1 6th, the island which the Hindostan observed to the
north-east, appeared at the same time from the Lion being to the
eastward, to the north-west. The ships and brigs all joined on
Wednesday the i ;th. They perceived on that day two headlands, or
capes, which, together with the island above mentioned, are likely to
be the first lands made by ships navigating dire&ly from the south-
ward toward the gulf of Pekin ; it was thought desirable, therefore,
by Sir Erasmus Gower, to ascertain their situation with exactness,
and to grft each a name. These three points of land, with their
latitudes and longitudes, are as follow r
C,pe Macartney, ,. 54 ) , H"' } g ^" rf - *
f. j. ( ' J i2Z IJ ? By sun and moon.
Cape Gower, 3* 57 >|< IM B y time-piece.
1 S I IZ2 Q / By sun and moon.
aunton s Island, 36 47 J w (_ IM ,J J B y time-piece.
Cape Macartney, when bearing from north-north-east to north-
west, has a remarkable appearance of six pointed peaks. Within this
Cape is an inlet, in which several small vessels were descried at anchor.
Near Cape Gower is a reef of rocks running out from a neck of land.
The ground being foul, it was deemed prudent not to approach too
near ; but a snug harbour appeared to be within the low point, the
entrance to which was between Cape Gower and the reef already
mentioned. A great number of vessels were perceived within the
harbour, behind which was seen a town of considerable extent.
Thursday the 1 8th of July. The wind was for the most part easterly,
and the weather foggy. In the course of the afternoon, the squadron
passed another harbour, which was spacious, and contained several
284 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
large junks. At this time the northernmost extremity of Shan-
Tung promontory bore north by west about eight leagues. When
seen from this situation, the highest and most proje&ing point of
land appears in the form of an oblate cone., with its vertex elongated,
as if on the summit were erefted a spire or pagoda, and it was fami-
liarly compared to a mandarin's bonnet. Between Cape Macartney
and the above point the coast in general is bold ; the mountains ap-
pearing to extend far into the country. They were interspersed with
beautiful vallies along the shore, highly cultivated, with inlets fit for
the reception and security of flat-bottomed vessels, such as those of
the Chinese.
Friday the igth of July. The wind from east-south-east to
north ; the weather hazy. The squadron now considering itself as
sufficiently clear of the Shan-Tung peninsula, and having rounded
the extreme eastern land of China, steered west by north. At mid-
night there was so thick a fog that it was thought advisable to lie
to ; when in the course of the following morning it cleared up, the
ships and brigs found themselves close upon a small rocky island,
bearing south-east, half east, two miles, and from a point upon the
continent within it, south-east, half east, five miles. Here is an ap-
pearance of a convenient harbour, at least for vessels not drawing-
much water. Soundings, three miles from the shore, sixteen and
eighteen fathoms ; bottom soft mud.
The weather being now perfectly clear the squadron made sail and
stood to the westward, in a course parallel to the coast, at the
distance of five or six miles. From the small island last mentioned,
the westernmost visible point of land is a remarkable cone-shaped hill,
which terminates a range of broken mountains, distant from the
island about eight leagues west by south. Part of this coast is rocky
and barren, but in general it is level cultivated ground, terminating in
a sandy beach. As soon as the last conical point was doubled by
the squadron, a second came in sight, having near it a small hill with
a knob upon its top. Between these two points, a course was steered
nearly due west, within two or three miles of the shore, in seven or
eight fathoms water. Vast crowds of people were here assembled
on the rising grounds to see the European vessels pass. Beyond the
last point, the squadron got into a deep bay, which the pilots were
understood to say was the harbour they had mentioned before they
left Chusan, as fit to receive the squadron ; but it was soou dis-
covered by means of the people whom curiosity had attracted from
the shoie, that this was the Bay of Ki-San-Seu ; and that the har-
bour of Mi-A-tau was in an island distant fifte n leagues farther to the
Vestward, and differing in latitude a few miles only to the northward.
OF SIR ERASMUS COWER, KNIGHT. 38$
The Bay of Ki-San-Seu is spacious, and well sheltered from every
wind, except from east-north-east to east-south-east, being the direc-
tion of the entrance into the Bay. It is shut in to the northward by
a group often or twelve small islands, and a number of large rocks;
and is inclosed by the continent on the western and southern sidts.
This Bay extends from east to west at least ten miles, and nearly as
much from north to south. Within it are two harbours ; one behind
a high bluff point, called Zeu- A-Tau, which has four fathoms depth
of water, and had in it a great number of Chinese vessels ; the other
behind a small projecting tongue of land on the south-east side of the
Bay, in the mouth of a river called Ya-Ma-Tao. The number of
junks perceived in almost every bay along this coast, indicates a con-
siderable interchange of commodities between this and other provinces
of China. Such a circumstance, beside adding to 'the population by
the many who are necessarily employed in carrying on this intercourse,
introduces more of the movement and bustle of busy life than is
generally observed among the quiet though industrious cultivators of
the soil. Across the mouth of the Ya-Ma-Tao is a bar, over which
are only two fathoms and a half of water, but immediately without
it are four and five fathoms ; the width of the river from a quarter to
half a mile. The country immediately behind the Bay, though not
very mountainous, has yet a barren aspeft, and the inhabitants bear
strong marks of poverty. Between Zeu -A-Tau point, and one of
the islands to the eastward, forming the group already mentioned,
there is a narrow passage, lying directly north and south, leading out
of the Bay of Ki-San-Seu, and through which there are eight, nine,
and ten fathoms water close to the shore on either side } but near the
eastern islands of the same group there are small sandy keys or banks,
which are observed only when they are very near, as they are almost
even with the surface of the water. The bluff point, or Cape of
Zeu- A-Tau, is the extremity of a small but bold and rugged penin-
sula, stretching to the northward. Along the centre of the great
peninsula of Shan-Tung, in the direction of east and west, ran a high
range of mountains, the sides of which consist in great measure of a
perpendicular and naked mass of granite.
A day was consumed in the Bay of Ki-San-Seu ; but on Sunday
the 2 i st, the squadron, after being provided with new pilots, stood
out through the passage between Cape Zeu- A-Tau and the islands,
keeping nearer to the former than to the latter. A little to the
westward of the most northern point of Zeu- A-Tau, was a bay, into
which several vessels were seen entering ; and upon the original map
of China, on a very large scale, construed with great apparent
fclbGRAFHlCAL MEMOIRS
accuracy, and now in the possession of a great and revered per*
sonage, a convenient and safe harbour is here laid down.
The course, after clearing the east point, was north-north-west for
two miles, then north-vest by north, north-west and west, keeping
the coast well on board all the way. After continuing thus till the
evening, the squadron hauled round a projecting headland, very
similar to that of the entrance of Ki-San-Seu. Here also, all the
rising grounds were covered with spectators. The hills behind the
coast, along which the ships sailed this day, had a peculiar character,
and appeared to be rather the work of art than of nature. Their
tides were rounded off as with a spade, and on the summit of each
stood a small heap of earth in form of a barrow, or ancient burying
place.
After having hauled round the last projecting headland, another
bluff point appeared due west from the former, and about eight miles
distant from it. The shore between these two points formed a kind
of bay, called Teu-Choo-Foo Bay, which is open to the east and west,
but partly sheltered in the northern quarter by groups of small
islands, scattered about at different, distances, from five miles to twice
as many leagues off the main shore. These islands extend two-thirds
cf the breadth of the sea in this part, leaving only a streight between the
opposite projecting point of the province of Le-A-Tung, and the
northernmost cluster of those islands. Among these are two islets
remarkable for the regularity of their form, as truncated cone's, and
looking like glass-houses rising from the sea. They were, most
probably, produced by the explosion from volcanoes of matter of so
light weight, and impelled with so moderate a force, as to continue
where first it fell ; and thus gradually rising into a heap, and assum-
ing the regular figure just mentioned.
The squadron came to anchor in seven fathoms water, in the Bay
of Teu-Chco-Foo, within two or three miles north-east of the city
of that name. The anchorage was foul, with hard ground and shells.
The road was found so unsafe, that little apprehension being enter-
tained of the possibility of changing for the worse, the determination
was taken of entering without farther delay into the gulf of Pekin.
In the evening of the 23(1 of July, the wind being easterly, and
the weather moderate, clear, and pleasant, the squadron made sail,
keeping the Mi-A-Tau islands on the right. On Thursday the 2jth
the squadron stood to the westward under easy sail, inclining a little to
the southward, to keep clear of the low islands. The depth of water
regularly decreased from fifteen to seven fathoms, when another small
low island appeared, bearing north, and distant about six miles.
OF SIR ERASMUS GOWER, KNMJHT. jjg*
The squadron stood on a western course from thence till mid-
night, when, though the Lion's depth of water was six fathom^
the Clarence made the signal of danger. The ships consequently
hauled their wind to the south-east, and deepened the water to ten
fathoms ; standing on this course about four miles, and then bearing
away west- north-west four miles more, the depth of water was de-
creased to six fathoms and a half, when they came to anchor.
On reaching the gulf, it was found that no secure harbour was to
be expected upon its shores. A good harbour is generally found by
the means of massy rocks, or at least of considerable mounds of
compact earth, thrust forward by some irregular operation or in some
convulsion of nature, and leaving within them an inlet of the sea,
which those projecting points may protect from the violence of the
winds and waves ; whereas the country which terminates this gulf
is utterly devoid of any solid and elevated masses capable of becoming
a bulwark, behind which there might be a safe retreat for shipping.
Instead of such a bulwark nothing is seen but a low and level surface,
the natural effeft of a gradual deposition of soil washed down from the
interior of the mountains, which soil fills up every original inequality,
and meets afterwards in a regular line the open sea, where no shelter
is afforded. A part, no doubt, of the' waters falling from tic
mountains, is collected into streams which swell by their union in'o
rivers; but the motion which had been acquired by such waters in
their descent from the heights, will, in some degree, be afterwards
retarded according to the extent of flat country which those riveig
have to traverse. The land here appearing to gain gradually upon
the sea, and consequently the extent of flat country being upon the
increase, the river (the Pei-Ho) may be supposed to lose somewhi.t
of the force with which it used to carry and disperse into the gulf the
earth it had brought with it from the mountains. This earth is at
length accumulated a little below the river's mouth, and forms the
bar which crosses it completely.
The mandarins, upon being informed that the English ships cou ! d
not cross the bar, immediately conceived their s"ize to be immense,
and formed a proportionate idea of the quantity of presents necessary
to fill them. They gave orders for preparing junks to bring these
presents, as well as the passengers and baggage, on shore. A con-
siderable building near the river's mouth, was provided for the recep-
tion of the Embassador, where it was expected he would remaia
some days to recover from the fatigues of so long a voyage.
The Lion returned to England in the month of Septem-
ber 1794, and Sir Erasmus had the satisfaction of bringing
home with him in safety, a valuable convoy of ships from
2?g BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
China and the East Indies, whose cargoes were valued at
five millions sterling. Late in the month of November
following, he was appointed to command the Triumph, of
74 guns, in which ship he afterwards joined the Grand or
Channel Fleet, then under the orders of the late Earl Howe.
Sir Erasmus afterwards served in the same station with Lord
Bridport, who, on the retirement of that nobleman, suc-
ceeded to the important trust. The Triumph was one of
the small detached squadron, consisting of five ships of the
line and two frigates, under Admiral Cornwallis at the time
he made his masterly retreat on the iyth of June 1795, in
the face of a French armament, composed of thirteen sail of
the line, fourteen frigates, two brigs, and two cutters,
which pursued, and had it aaually in their power to bring
the British ships to aftion from nine o'clock in the morn-
ing, when the firing commenced, till eight at night, when
they abandoned all farther contest against so judicious and
determined a foe.
The conduft of Sir Erasmus on this very trying occasion
was so highly meritorious, as to draw the following very
justly deserved encomium from the commander in chief:
The Mars and Triumph," says he, tf being the sternmost
ships, were of course more exposed to the enemy's fire ; and
I cannot too much commend the spirited conduct of Sir
Charles Cotton and Sir Erasmus Gower, the Captains of
those ships;" and again, " The Triumph has shifted and
repaired some of her sails, but any damage she has received
is so trifling, at least in her Captain's eye, that Sir Erasmus
Gower has not thought it worth reporting; indeed, the
cool and firm condud of that ship was such, that it appeared
to me the enemy's ships dared not come near her." Sir Eras-
mus, with the Admiral, and the rest of the officers, received
the thanks, of both Houses of Parliament for their great
gallantry and good conduct on the foregoing occasion.
When the dreadful mutiny at the Nore broke out in
1798, Sir Erasmus quitted the Triumph, and hoisted his
broad pendant on board the Neptune, of 98 guns, in the rive
OF SIR ERASMUS COWER, KNIGHT, 289
Thames, and took upon him the command of all his Ma-
jesty's ships and vessels, amounting to at least fifty, that
were equipped or equipping to at against the mutineers.
The insurre&ion having happily terminated without
bloodshed, he continued second in command in the same
quarter, under the orders of Vice Admiral Sir Thomas
Pasley, Bart, in which capacity he tried sixty-eight of the
mutineers. That duty being ended, he struck his broad
pendant, and served in the grand or channel fleet, as a
private captain in- the same ship, the Neptune, until he was
promoted, on the i4th of February 1799, to the rank of
Rear-Admiral of the White. He has not held any active
employment since he became a Flag-Officer.
Of his gallantry and very meritorious public services, the
foregoing detail has been sufficiently illustrative; of his
private virtues, all who have ever been connefted with him
in service, either in a subordinate or superior station, uni-
formly render the most unequivocal testimony. Few are
the persons, however correft their conduft and complacent
their behaviour may be, who are fortunate enough to pass
through life without attracting the malignity or obloquy of
the envious ; and though aspersion may be considered as no
proof of real demerit, yet it certainly stands forth as no
slender mark of worth, never to have in the slightest degree
incurred it.
Heraldic Particulars relative to Sir ERASMUS GOWER.
Mr. Gower, father to the subjeft of the present Memoirs, had by
his wife, Lxtitia Lewes Gower, niHeteeu children, ten of whom were
gons, and the remainder daughters. Of the former six are now
living, and of the latter five. Sir Erasmus is, at present, unmarried.
ARMS.] Azure, a chevron, between three wolves head* erased Cr.
CE K t T .] A wolf's head, erased Or.
.IV.
C 290 ]
ON THE MARITIME CHARACTER Of
THE MODERN GREEKS.
[Concluded from Page 480, Vol. III.]
TTTOMER, who was the first to lay all nature under contribu-
JLJL tion, ; n order to furnish that crowd of images which are
dispersed over his works ; did not forget the fishes. Describing the
defeat of Penelope's suitors, he represents them after the combat,
" scattered upon the ground and panting for breath, like fishes taken
from the net, just thrown upon the shore. Laid in heaps on the dry
*and," says Homer, " the finny race thirst for the moist element
which they so recently enjoyed. They palpitate in every part, from,
the heat and aridity of the air, just ready to destroy them. Thus
fell the lovers of Penelope : Thus they found one common
grave *." Homer then mentions the fishing with nets, which
practice was very ancient in Greece and in Egypt. But the Greeks*
according to Athenaeus, existed some time before they could eat
fish. And Mad. Dacier observes, that at the time of the siege
of Troy, warriors abstained from the use of fish, as a food of
too delicate a nature for men of that profession. Menelaus, in the
Odyssey, excuses his companions who remained with him at the island
of Pharos, for fishing with the line ; by saying, that hunger carried
them such lengths, they were to eat whatever they could find t.
After the Greeks had adopted the art of fishing, they brought it to
the greatest perfe&ion. Pollux has been more particular than even
Theocritus, in his account of the utensil necessary for carrying on
this employment. But you will, I hope, excuse me from displaying
my erudition on this occasion. I shall only observe, that they had
mazes wherein the fish were snared. They also made of rushes or
netting, a sort of circular inclosure in order to keep the fish alive, in
the same manner that cattle are shut up in a fold. And here we find
the origin of our maaraques for the tunny fishery, clearly explained.
Let us follow these Greeks to Marseilles, and confine ourselves to that
fisher}', which is the most remarkable in nature.
Oppian has not omitted mentioning the fishery for the xiphias, or
sword-fish, carried on by the people of Marseilles. He calls this the
Sacred City. Next to the xiphias and the pilchard fishery, carried
on by the Greeks in the Black Sea J, there is no species of fishing
Odyssey, 1. z.
f Ibid. 1. 4. t. i. p. 298. Tradu&ion de Madame Dacier.
J S. Basil, orat. 7. in Arist. S. Hist. Aniin. cap. 13. Kittersh. halicut, Thi
fishery cannot fail to be very abundant, because it comprises the fish of that,
sea, a* well a those of the rivers which empty themselves into it. It was from
4
CHARACTER OF THE MODERN GREEKS. 391
more ancient than that for the tunny. They were esteemed the best
and the largest fish of the sea. They appeared formerly in shoals*;
and according to Pliny, a company of them once pursuing the ships
of Alexander, his whole fleet were seized with terror, and formed
themselves into a line as if attacked by an enemy f . 1 have indeed
observed that the tunny fish delights in following ships ; which, m
some degree accounts for the decline of that fishery upon our coasts
since the war with England.
This fish was in as great estimation among the ancients as now with
the moderns. They were served at the best tables ; and the Romans,
like ourselves, greatly esteemed the flavour of them. According to
Aulus Gellius, our pickled tunny J, and botargo, are more ancient
than we imagine.
Formerly, as at present, there was a certain season for the capture
of this fish ; and the days were fixed on which it should commence
and finish. We cannot be surprised that the Baeotians should sacri-
fice their largest eels to the gods ; seeing that our people of the tunny
fishery, after drawing their nets, offer one of their fish to Neptune .
This sacrifice was called StwAalo*. They had also oblations which
they preferred to the Sovereign of the sea at the commencement of
the season, imploring his assistance to keep their nets clear of the
sword-fish, which never failed to tear and destroy them.
The tunny-fish still continue to pass through the Straits of Gi-
braltar in large companies, about the commencement of spring.
There is a great fishery of them at a village called Conil, about seven
kagues from Cadiz. Particular days are fixed for the captures j and
the spectators, who are generally numerous, consider themselves
fortunate to be present. I have been assured that the Duke of Me-
dina Sidonia draws from that village and its environs, the clear sum of
eighty thousand ducats yearly, by means of this fishery alone; not-
withstanding the tuilny is a fish in no great repute with the Spaniards.
this circumstance that an ancient author makes the fish speak, and mutually
invite each other to a rendezvous in the Euxir.e sea ; under an assurance of
finding the water more soft and agreeable than the water cf other sets.
* Et pavidi mugno fugientes agminc thynni. Ovid, halicut.
f Plin. hist. 1. 9. c. 3.
^ Porrd Thunnorum abdomina salita (Greci a, poretftyoi} apud Yeteret in
deliciis habita sunt. Id. facile inulligas, ex Lucilii versibus apud Nonniaso,
Ct Aul. Cell. 1. 10. c. z.
Ad ccenam adducam, et primura hie abdomina Thunni,
Advenientibus priva dabo ;
Poutarque, salsamentum pischun ; S/^et,
./'/} defoisscni ftttetlt talft,
$ Athen. 1, 17, c. 137.
tgt OK THB MARITIME CHARACTZR OF
It is generally bigger and coarser in Spain and Portugal than in
Provence, but not so subtle, and therefore easily taken. The water
of the Mediterranean is supposed to purge off those oily particles,
which communicate bad flavour. The tunny is still poorer about the
island of Sardinia than in Provence; but by the time it has reached
the Black Sea it becomes fat, and often of a very insipid flavour.
The tunny fish pass the Dardanelles into the Black Sea early in the
spring. Like the sword-fish, they avoid the adverse stream, there-
fore come with the currents in the early part of the year, and follow
those in their return at autumn. They are caught in large nets; with
which they arc surrounded during the night.
Diodorus, speaking of the Ichthyophagi, a people who inhabited
the country from Caramania and Gedrosia, to the borders of the
Black Sea, gives this account of them :
" Their houses," says he * are situated near the sea 5 interspersed
with deep vallies, precipices, slopes, and hollows, naturally oblique.
The inhabitants, profiting by the disposition of the country, stop all
the outlets of the vallies and precipices with great stones, thus pre-
venting the retreat of the fish, which the sea may have poured in
upon them.'*
The same historian proceeds with an account of the progress of
that infant fishery ; and gives a very ample description of an inven-
tion, since brought to great perfection.
* On the coasts of Babylon," says Diodorus, " is a country well
cultivated, and enriched with trees. The inhabitants have such an
abundance offish, that they find it difficult to preserve them. They
stick an innumerable quantity of reeds into the earth, along the banks
of the sea, which appear like nets spread on the ground. In this
fence are a great number of doors, in form like a hurdle, which are
easily opened and shut. When the tide comes in, it opens them, and
at its return they naturally close ; by which means the fish thrown
in from the sea are detained in these inclosures. At low water, you
may see an immensity of the finny tribe panting in heaps in the snare.
The people draw great profit from this fishery, and those whose huts
are distant from the sea make trenches, which admit the fish up to the
very doors of their houses.
" They stop this trench with a door made of willows, which they
open when the tide comes in, and shut again as soon as it begins to
ebb. The water escaping through the doors, leaves the fish behind *.
This method was made use of by the northern people, according to
Pliny, to supply themselves with that article of life +."
* Diod. 1. 3.
f Fugientesque cum rnari pisecs circum, Tuguria venantur. Died. 1. 16. c. i.
THE MODERN C&ECKI.
The Greeks were not the last to adopt this manner of catching
and detaining the inhabitants of the watery element ; and they have
continued that, like most of their customs, to this day. (See Tournc-
fort ou that head.) At Salines, a port .in Naxos, an island of the
Archipelago, they have a great fishery for eels and mullet, by the
means of snares made of reeds, and manufactured into a certain form.
Those snares are very pliable, and so disposed, that the fish once
lodged in them, cannot get out. The Provencals make use of the
ame kind of machines in the canal of Martiques ; but their'a arc
much larger and stronger. The invention is very ancient, as you have
already seen.
We find the same practice among the Cossacks. The Cossacks
have a fishery at Citchon in Circassia ; and, according to M. Pey-
sonnel, are called Sacrisnadl, and subject to the Cham of Tartary.
They follow this employment from the beginning of May to the last
day in October. It is not practicable the rest of the year, by reason
that the river Kouban is generally frozen during that interval. At
the opening of the fishery every year, the Bey gives a great entertain-
ment. The sturgeon fishery is also carried on in a very singular
manner. An inclosure of willows, with a door, being placed in the
water, is so contrived as to admit all the fish that come that way, with-
out the possibility of their getting out again *.
You will see by the description I shall give you of our Madraque f,
to what a degree of perfection it is brought by the Marseillians, for
the capture of the tunny, and all other species of fish that swim in
shoals.
The inhabitants of the coasts, and the shepherds themselves, who
live near the borders of the sea or great rivers, we may easily suppose,
might acquire a knowledge in the art of fishing, by which means
their families were more easily supported ; in those places where the
tide brings up the fish, their first care must have been to find some
method of detaining them ; and they accordingly formed a close,
much resembling the folds used for enclosing cattle in the middle of a
field. The Greeks had the same idea, and have preserved it.
Mandra in Greek, signifies a stable or fold, and from the words f**fy
and X<u, we undoubtedly derive the Provengal term Madraque,
originally received from the Greeks. Thus, in tte word alone we
find the history of the thing. Originally, the Madraque was nothing
more than an inclosure, which being placed in the water, received the
* Lett 5 . v. i. p. 248.
f "Manuscript Memoirs on the Port* and Commerce of the Black CM,
394 ON THE MARITIME CHARACTER OF
fish, and prevented their escape. There cannot be a doubt, but thrs
was first formed upon the model of the mandra, or sheep-fold.
A remark made by M. Hardion*, upon the loth idylltum of Theo-
critus, confirms this opinion : *< There is," says he, " in the Greek,
the word partya, which signifies a stable or sheep-fold. The Italians
lare retained this word in their language. Sannazar has the same
word in his Arcadia. And Tasso uses it both in his Amintas, and
bis Jerusalem Delivered."
Compare our fishery with that which Oppian has so minutely
described : " The tunny-fish," says he, " press in multitudes to the
nets laid for them, and into the snares, from whence they can never
withdraw +. They leave the great ocean in the spring, when they
visit our seas. The haughty Spaniard waits for them at the Straits,
and gets the first draughts. Soon after they become the prey of the
Celtas, who live near the mouth of the Rhone. And then to the
Marseillians, a race descended from the ancient Phocians. At length
they reach the Sicilian shore, and serve to fatten the inhabitants of
the Tyrrhenian coasts.
" The arrival of this vernal animal is matter of joyful intelligence
to the fishermen. They wait for them on the coasts, and choose a
situation neither too much confined, nor greatly exposed to the wind ;
some kind of open bay. The person appointed to watch their ar-
rival, gets on the top of a neighbouring mountain J, and as soon as he
perceives them, a concerted signal is given. The nets being already
pread, form, as it were, apartments in the sea ; for you will find a
porchresembling the entrance of a house, rooms within, and at the
bottom another chamber ."
You will, perhaps, not be displeased with Oppian's elegant verses
on the tunny fishery. The beautiful translation of Maria Salvini,
will, at least, make them worthy your attention ;
De Tonni la progenie e pur del vasto,
Oceano, ed all* opre del mar nostro
J)i pnmavera Marciano i furore,
Quando assilo di nozze ne li pungc.
Questi preiidono in pria ncl mar Ibero,
Komini Iberi per valor superbi.
A bocca poi di Rodano i caccianti
Celt!, egli abitatori di Focca,
Amicameati rinomati ; e in terzo
Mem. dc 1'Acid. des Inscript.
f Cupient irremcabilium insidiarum irruere htibulum. Opp. 1. >
| Sx'jvs^xoTor, Thunnis pcx.
5 'i he fishermen of Marseilles czll it ttrfcu*
THE MODERN CRSEM. 2 <vy
Qaoqo prendougli quanti in la Trinacria,
Isola albcrgano, del mar Terreno
Nelle ondc ; quindi in infiniti fondi
Qucsti, c quelli di qua, di la, si spargono,
E cobi empion tutto quanto il mare.
Molta, e stupenda caccia e apparecchiata,
Ai pescator i, quando se ne vienc,
Di Tonni alia stagion di primavera
L'escrcito. II paese in primo luogo
Disegnavo del mar nc moho angusto
Sotto ombrose riviere, ne anco molto
Corsa da venti, e a lor carriere esposto.
Ma chc tenessc in se giuste misure
Tra'l sereno scoperto, ed 51 bacio.
AlLora in pria sorr'erto ed alto colle
Sale il perito spiator di Tonni,
Che de diversi branch! la venuta.
Conosce e quali essi si sieno, e quanti,
Ed a. compagni i porge avviso.
Ora tulle le reti, di cittade,
A quisa, su pe' flutti ne caminano.
Avvi recetti, ed avvi postc, ed avvi
Profende gallerie ed atrii e costi ;
Quelli veloumcnte in schiere muovonBij
Come falangi d'uomini chc marcino
Schicrati, &c.
You may see at any time the modraque of Oppian upon our coasts.
Which, however, we did not borrow from him, but received from the
Greeks our ancestors. There is this difference only between us, that
the look-out is from a bark a-head of the madraque, instead of being
made from the mountain. The dexterity with which the sailors seize
the fish would astonish you ; and the moment fish are in the fold they
turn it, whereby the fish lose their force insensibly. This ingenious
manoeuvre would, I am certain, afford you great entertainment.
You will, probably, doubt the truth of this derivation of the ma*
draqut, unless accompanied by some corroborating circumstances, to
how that the terms in general made use of by the professors of this
art, are derived from the Greek. The names of the several species of
sh in the Provencal language, are evidently taken from the Greek,
as are most of the Latin words for the same particulars. I foresaw
that I should not be able to follow o.ur Greek friends to Marseilles,
without writing in the Provensal, before the conclusion of my letter.
You may talk on this subject to our philosophers in the language of
Provence, they will certainly understand you, and take it for Greek.
SICGRAPHICAL ANECDOTES Of
NAVAL OFFICERS
YIWO HATE HITHERTO- FASSLP NEARLY UNNOTICED BY HISTORIAN*.
f We commenced our promised Publication of such Circumstances as could b
gathered relative to eminent Naval Officers hitherto nearly unnoticed,
with some. Memoirs of Lord Clinton, some time Lord High Admiral of
England, from the Colle&ion of Biographical Trads by Mr. Lodge,
Lancaster Herald, lately published, with Bartolozzi's fine Imitations of
Holbein's Portraits, in the Royal Cabinet. We now beg leave to offer to
our Readers the Life of Fitzwilliam Earl of Southampton, taken from th*
same magnificent Work.}
WILLIAM Fitzwilliam, Earl of Southampton, and Knight of
the Garter, descended from a very ancient and powerful
northern family, and was the second of the two sons of Sir Thomas
Fitzwilliam, of Aldwarke in Yorkshire, Knight, and Lucy, daughter
and co-heiress of John Neville, Marquis Mountacute. Some short time
before the death of his elder brother, who was slain at Flodden-field,
he was introduced at the Court of Henry VIII. who appointed him
one of the Esquires for the body, which office was confirmed to him
for life, by a patent dated 1513. The fashion of that day requiring
that a courtier's education should be finished in a campaign against
France, Fitzwilliam accordingly obtained some respectable situation
in the fleet which sailed thither in the following year, and received a
severe wound in an action near Brest, where, as well as at the siege of
Tournay, he gave such proofs of his gallantry and discretion, that
Henry, at his return, conferred the honour of Knighthood upon
him, and made him Vice- Admiral, in which character he commanded
the squadron which attended the King to Boulogne in 1523. He
was soon after sent Ambassador upon some matters of no great im-
portance to Paris, from whence, as Lord Herbert informs us, he re.
turned in 1523, to take the command of a strong fleet, destined to
protect the English merchant ships in the channel, as well as to support
the Earl of Surrey, General of the Forces, at Calais, in concert with
whom he made a predatory descent on the coasts of Normandy and
Britanny. In the beginning of the following year, he was made Ad-
miral of the fleet, which was sent to intercept the Duke of Albany,
who had projected the invasion of Scotland with a French army ; and
in 1525 went on a second embassy to France, to receive the Queen
Regent's ratification of the treaty lately concluded with England.
He is named about this time as Captain of the Castle of Guisnet,
and Treasurer of the Royal Household j but the date ef those ap-
pointments are not known.
ANECDOTES or NAVAL OFFICERS. 297
The private life of an eminent Englishman of 'that day affords us
but little worthy of note. The gallant Fitzwilliam returned from
his embassy probably to become the silent spectator of balls and
tournaments, since for ten years after that period, we have scarcely
any intelligence from history concerning him, except that in 1550
he subscribed the articles against the Cardinal. In 1536, however,
be was once more sent to Paris, with* the Duke of Norfolk and Dr.
Cox, to treat of a league between England and France, which was
to have been cemented by the marriage of the Duke of Angouleme,
third son to Francis, with the Princess Elizabeth. In the ensuing
year he was constituted Admiral of England, Wales, Ireland, Nor-
mandy, Gascony, and Aquitain ; on the i8th of Odober 1538, he
obtained the Earldom of Southampton, and was soon after appointed
Lord Privy Seal.
In the autumn of 1543, ne commanded the vanguard of the army
then sent against Scotland under the Duke of Norfolk, and assisted
in the management of a treaty at York, by which the Scots had vainly
hoped to avoid the terrors of Henry's resentment, but the negotiation
proving abortive, Southampton marched on with his power to New-
castle-upon-Tyne, where he died after a short illness, having ordered
by his will that his body should be interred at Midhurst, in Sussex,
in a chapel, for the building whereof he allotted five hundred marks.
The great Earl married Mabel, daughter of Henry Lord Clifford, -
and sister to Henry, the first Earl of Cumberland of that family, by
whom having no issue, the daughters of his deceased brother,
Margaret, wife of Godfrey Foljambe, and Alice, wife of Sir Jamea
Foijambe, Knight, became his heirs.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XLIII.
'TPHIS Plate represents the British Fleet, consisting of two sail of
-** the line, three of fifty guns, besides frigates, under the command of
Rear- Admiral Barrington, at anchor across the mouth of the Bay of
the Grand Cul tie Sue, in the Island of St. Lucia, on the 15th of Dec.
1778. The French Fleet, in number twelve sail of the line, under
the command of the Count d'Eslaing, bearing down with an inten-
tion of breaking the English line to cut out the transports then at
anchor in the Bay. The leading ship of the Enemy finding she could
not succeed in her attempt on the British line, is represented standing
off; the rest of the fleet followed her example *.
* For Admiral Harrington's official Account of the above Action, see
page 181 of this Volume.
IV.
NAVAL LITERATURE.
THE NAVAL GUARDIAN, in Two Volumes, ly Charles Fletchef,
M.D. Author of " A Maritime State considered as to the Health of
Seamen," &c. Ofiavo, 1 800. Price 143. Chapman.
IPO give our readers a thorough idea of the nature of the work
before us, it will only be necessary to observe that it is formed
upon the model of those miscellaneous sketches of life and manners
which have been called Periodical Papers, and among which the
GUARDIAN appears to have furnished the found-.tion of its title ;
the plan of adapting this sort of composition to naval readers must
be confessed a very happy one ; and Dr. Fletcher has certainly pro-
duced upon it a "book of considerable information and amusement.
Having embraced every subject that can be interesting to seafaring-
persons, whether as matter of instruction or of curiosity, his pages will
afford a valuable supply of knowledge ; and the manner in which it is
written, the agreeable form of correspondence, and the enlivening
introduction of narrative and poetry, will render it one of the most
plea&ing books to which an intelligent man can resort for an hour's
amusement. Dr. Fletcher has contrived to weave much moral dis-
quisition into several parts of his work, and is always as much the
friend of virtue as of seamen. His account of the mental and cor-
poral progress of man, will greatly attract his readers, and we can
justly mention a judicious selection of anecdote, much naval criticism,
history, and animadversion, as forming the principal features in his work.
All plans relating to the Navy are noticed, various improvement*
proposed, and many subjects of dissatisfaction discussed in a conciliating
manner. From among the paper* of this latter description we shall
make an extradl that will at once serve as a specimen of the work
under review, and form an interesting article among the contents of
our own Publication. The passage we are about to present belongs
to the service professionally ; we could with pl.-asure, did our limits
permit, transcribe many articles of a lighter kind ; and even refraining,
as we are compelled to do, from this indulgence, we cannot turn over
the page without reciting one spirited remark. Speaking of the
dishonesty with which Europeans are but too well known to
deal with other nations, and to the experience or wtli- founded
apprehension of which, among other important causes, he justly attri-
butes the coolness manifested by the Chinese Government to the
virtues of the British, he observes, that " When men are in the
habit of taking advantage of each other, when at home and among
NATAL LITERATURE. 399
themselves, and which, I am sorry to say, is but too much the case,
such dealers will not scruple to carry the like principles to foreign
markets ; so that, when I have seen an advertisement in a Paper an-
nouncing an Association for the ProteSlon of Trade against Swindles,
it has often occurred to me, that there should be formed a similar
Association for the ProteSion of the Public against Swindlers in Trads."
p. 212. vol. ii.
We now subjoin the extract which we have already anticipated.
On the Case of a Lieutenant iuho was broke on the single Testimony of
his Captain.
" I have said that you had almost persuaded me to be a convert on
the side of the Navy, as to superiority of moral conduct ; but the
following circumstance should rather incline me to recant, and wear
ship about, to run foul of breakers.
*' The case I allude to is that of a Court- Martial, held a few
days past upon a Lieutenant of the Navy, for having given the lie to
his Captain privately. This Court-Martial is said to have been
instituted at the suit of the Lords of the Admiralty, as prosecutors,
on complaint preferred by the Captain ; when the Lieutenant, upon
the sole testimony of the former, was broke ; and this case being, it
should seem, without a precedent, will stand upon record as one in all
future cases of a like nature.
" In this case, it is alleged, by the friends of the defendant, that
having been treated with the most galling indignities, they could not
be brooked by so spirited a young man as he was ; and that the case, as
before observed, being moreover without precedent, the punishment,
it was said, exceeded the offence.
" Upon this extraordinary affair, and as a subject of farther dis-
cussion for your little academy on board, of which, by the way, I
request to be admitted an honorary member ; I shall beg leave, with
all deference, to offer a few remarks. First, I shall even suppose that
the commanding officer or captain, had treated his lieutenant in
rather a rigorous manner, by putting him upon unnecessary duties,
and for the express purpose of degradation ; yet, was such mode of
redress proper or compatible with the dignity of the service, which
points at Courts-Martial for relief in cases of cruelty and oppression ?
Did not such conduft likewise go directly to the infra&ion of that
article of war which states, * That any man in or belonging to the
fleet, who shall use provoking speeches or gestures, tending to pro-
mote quarrel, every such person, being convi&ed thereof, shall, &c. ?'
If such is the prohibition among those of equal rank, how much
more is it to be understood of an insult offered by such means to a
uperior officer, while in the execution of his office ? For it appears
3OO NAVAL LITERATURE.
that this covert an was done in the great cabin, when the commanding
officer is consequently supposed upon guard or duty ; and when snch
conducl was likewise 'destructive to the issuing of all orders or com-
mands.
" Let us now suppose this scene to have taken place on board a
ship of war having a separate command upon a foreign station ; that
the commanding officer had accepted the challenge couched under this
abusive language ; that he had also fallen, and that the lieutenant, as
second in command, had succeeded to the same ship ; with what
sentiment., I ask, would that ship's company look up to such an
officer, thus stained with the blood of his predecessor ? Or, what
kind cf order or subordination, could be expected from a man so
principled? Or, lastly, with what feelings could the Lords of the
.Admiralty confirm such a one in his post ? Nay, rather let us suppose
that the Board of Admiralty, disgusted with such conduct, would
upon this occasion, by instituting a Court-Martial, become his pro-
secutors ; in which case, could there remain a doubt of the justice
of that Court who should sentence such an officer to be broke ?
" But still it is contended by the friends of the defendant> that
being without proof or precedent, a Court- Martial is incompetent to
take cognizance of the matter. With regard, however, to the latter,
or the precedent, it must be obvious that the same might once have
been said of every existing law, as well as the continued extension or
creation of laws throughout the kingdom, which, for the good of the
whole, the multiplied crimes, trespasses, or misdemeanors of indi-
viduals tender necessary, as in the present case under consideration ;
with regatd to the former, or proof, it is to be recollected, that
though, indeed, the case may stand without a precedent, and though
the testimony of bye-standers would have rendered it more plain, yet
perhaps, from the frequency of the crime, and of the complaints
^hereof to the Admiralty, the latter, from a sense of its pernicious
consequences to the Navy, might have thought it expedient to en-
deavour to check that mode of revenge so much in violation of the
rights cf Courts-Martial, by submitting it at once to their authority.
*' But, farther, there are not wanting instances of offences being
admitted upon single testimony on oath, especially where society may
be deteriorated, as in the case of rape ; and even strong circumstances,
as in the case of murder^ in which not the individual alone, but the
society at large is supposed to suffer a deep stab, are accounted suffi-
cient to convift.
" It must likewise occur to thought, that a British Naval Com-
mander must feel himself placed in a very awkward situation by such
treatment before he can bring himself to prefer a complaint of the
NAVAL LITERATURE. gOI
km'3 ; yet being in a high state of responsibility to his country, and
no shadow of want of courage attaching to his person from choosing
to decline a challenge so couched by an inferior officer, he conse-
quently stands without any alternative of redress from daily insults of
the kind.
Upon the whole then, it is to be presumed, that as the bare
testimony of the captain would not be considered by the Court as
sufficient ground of condemnation, without some collateral circum-
stances in proof of the fact ; such as the character in which he stood
with his officers and men, together with some traits of general dit-
respeEt on the side of the lieutenant ; I say, that if such circum-
stances can be substantiated in favour of the commander, and which
leading questions must, I think, have been put, then it follows, that
there is something more than prtsumptwe proof of guilt in this case ;
and that, as it is highly improbable that any undue advantage would
be taken by a superior to crush an officer who might be obnoxious
to him, by such arrangements in his favour, and as such mode of
redress on the side of the lieutenant must be admitted as unfair, il-
liberal, and by no means aboveboard, there consequently seems no
great grounds for murmuring or discontent upon such case going into
precedent.
t( Or, lastly, if the justice of a Court could be arraigned for such
sentence by saying that, had the case been tried by lieutenants, or
those of his own corps, he would have got off more leniently, or by a
reprimand ; then, such need only turn over to the numerous instance*
of Courts- Martial upon Captains and Admirals now upon record, in
order to convince them of their error, by proof of the impartiality
of such process. 1 he very recent circumstance of a captain, who
having while on shore at Portsmouth, abused his surgeon in a very-
gross manner, and who having been caned by said surgeon, and a
court of inquiry being the result ; the latter, all the circumstances
duly considered, was acquitted by the Court, and a very severe re-
primand to the captain implied in said acquittal.
" To these remarks I shall just add, that this unhappy affair
having, it is said, originated in an order to the lieutenant to supeu'n-
tend the issuing of grog to the people ; and this duty being usually
assigned to the mate, the office was considered by the lieutenant as
degrading, and resented in the manner above-mentioned ; but might
it not have been possible that the mate at such time being absent
from sickness or otherwise, and irregulatities in the distribution of it
having occasioned such degree of murmuring among the ship's com-
pany, as to have rendered it necessary for the good of the service
that the lieutenant should, fro tem/ore, superintend that duty. If
5<32 STATE PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE
such was the case, and the purity of motive farther evinced by a
uavity or gentleness in the delivery of the order ; then, it is only
to be lamented that the commanding officer had not waited for a more
ample proof of disaffection in his officer ; and which such a vindictive
spirit must soon have afforded.
" On the other hand, if the lieutenant was really aggrieved by the
imposition of any humiliating duty, and this was farther confirmed by
the manner of enforcing it ; then, it is only to be equally regretted that
he had not remonstrated in an amicable manner upon the hardship of
the case ; and if, after such remonstrance, a similar treatment should be
persisted in, it is to be presumed that a commanding officer so afting
would have committed himself; and that the lieutenant, instead of
having preferred so unwarrantable, so disorganizing a revenge, might
Juive gone into Court for legal redress." Vol. i. p. 279.
STATE PAPERS
RELATIVE TO THE DISPUTE BETWEEN
ENGLAND AND DENMARK.
r "flpHE differences between these two powers relative to the affair
- of the first Danish frigate, taken by the English in the neigh-
bourhood of Gibraltar, but which have since been adjusted, in conse-
sequence of a due explanation on the part of the Court of Denmark,
are thus stated to have arisen, by Mr. Meriy, the British Minister at
Copenhagen, in the following ktter addressed to Count Bernstorff,
viz.
" Copenhagen, April i o, 1 800.
" The importance which the Danish Court must necessarily attach
to the event which happened in the month of December last, in the
neighbourhood of Gibraltar, between some frigates of the King and
the frigate of his Danish Majesty, named Haufersen, commanded by
Captain Van Dockum, and the orders which, in consequence, have
been sent me by my Court upon this point, impose upon me the
painful duty of repeating t.o you, in writing, the complaint which I
had the honour to make to you upon this point by word of mouth,
in the audience which you had the goodness to grant me for this
purpose three days ago.
" The fa&s of this affair are in themselves very simple, and I think
that we are already agreed on them. The fafts are, that the English
frigates met the Danish frigate in open sea, having under her a con-
voy of vessels. The English commander, thinking it proper t
DISrUTE BETWEEN INCLAND AND DENMARK. 303
exercise the right of viJting this convoy, .sent on board the Danish
frigate, demanding from the captain his destination. The latter
having answered that then he was going to Gibraltar, it was replied,
that since he was going to stop in that bay, no visit should be paid to
his convoy, but that if he did not mean to cast anchor there, the yisit
should be paid. Captain Van Dockum then informed the officer
who went on board him, that he would make resistance to such a step.
Upon this answer, the English commander made the signal for ex-
amining the convoy. A boat from the Emerald frigate was proceed-
ing to execute this 1 order : a fire of musketry from the Danish frigate
fell upon them, and one of the English sailors was severely wounded.
This frigate also took possession of a boat belonging to the English
frigate the Flora, and did not release it till after the English commander
had given Captain Van Dockum to understand that if he did not im-
mediately give it up he would commence hostilities. The 'Danish
frigate then went with her convoy into the Bay of Gibraltar. There
some discussion took place on this affair, between Lord Keith,
Admiral and Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Naral Forces in
the Mediterranean, and Captain Van Dockum, whom Lord Keith
could not but consider as personally responsible, and guilty of the
injury done to one of the King's subjects, not thinking it possible
that this captain could have been authorised by instructions fiom his
Court. To clear up this point, Admiral Keith sent an officer to
Captain Dockum to entreat him to show, and to explain the nature
of his instructions ; but he said to the officer, that they were in sub-
stance, that he should not permit his convoy to be visited, and thar, in
firing upon the boats, he had only dischtrged his orders. The same
captain afterwards made a similar reply, upon his word of honour, in
speaking with Lord Keith, and in the presence of the Governor of
Gibraltar, but he promised at the same time to appear before the
Judge, and to give security for his appearance, and upon this promise
he was told that he might return on board. Having entered hi
boat, he sent a letter to the Admiral, in which he refused to give the
necessary security. These discussions were terminated by a declara-
tion which Lord Keith made to Captain Van Dockum, that if he
failed to surrender himself, thus wishing to frustrate justice, the affair
should be represented to his Court.
<f Such, Sir, is the state of facts which have given rise to the com-
plaint that I am commissioned to urge to the Danish Government.
I flatter myself that you will find it correct and conformable to what
is stated in the Correspondence between Lord Keith and Captain Van
Dockum, of which, as you did me the honour to tell me, you are in
possession.
STATE PAPERS RELATIVE TO THB
' The right of visiting and examining merchant ships in open s,
of whatever Nation they may be, and whatever may be their cargoes
and destination, is considered by the British Government as the in-
contestible right of every Nation at war a right founded on the
Law of Nations, and which has been generally admitted and re-
cognised. It follows, therefore, that the resistance of a Commander
of a ship of war, offered by a Power at amity, must necessarily be
considered as an aci of hostility, and such as the King persuades him-
self cannot be enjoined to the Commanders of the ships of war of his
.Danish Majesty in their instructions. His Britannic Majesty there-
foie entertains no doubt that his Danish Majesty will have felt much
displeasure at hearing of this violent and insupportable conduct on
. the part of an officer in his service ; and the King is persuaded of the
alacrity with which his Danish Majesty will afford him that formal
Disavowal and that Apology which he has so good a right to expect
in such a case, together with a Reparation proportioned to the nature
of the offence committed.
" I am specially commissioned, Sir, to demand of you this Dis-
avowal, Apology, and Reparation. The confidence which I must
feel in the known justice of his Danish Majesty, leads me to hope that
this simple and amicable representation will be sufficient to obtain it
with that dispatch which so important a case requires ; but I must
not at the same time conceal from you, that great and sincere as is
the desire of the King my Master, to maintain and cultivate the most
strict harmony and friendship with the Court of Denmark, nothing
shall induce him to depart from this just demand.
(Signed) " ANTH. MERRY*'*
+^"+^-^*^>
Reply of the Danish Minister to the above Note of Mr. MERRY.
" BOTH custom and treaties have no doubt conferred on the
Belligerent Powers the right of searching neutral vessels, not under
convoy, by their ships of war, &c but as this right is not a natural
one, but merely conventional, its effects cannot be arbitrarily extended
beyond, what is agreed to and conceded, without violence and in-
justice. None, however, of the maritime and independent Powers of
Europe, as far as the undersigned has observed, have ever acknow-
ledged the right of permitting neutral ships to be searched, when
escorted by one or several ships of war ; and it is evident they could
not do so without exposing their flag to degradation, and without
forfeiting a certain essential proportion of their own rights.
" Far from acquiescing in these pretensions, which at present are
ao longer acknowledged, most of those Powers have been of opinion,
4
DISPUTE BETWIEH ERGLAND AKD DENMARK. 30$
t'nce this question has been stirred, that they ought to hold out an
opposite principle In all their conventions respecting objefts of this
nature, in conformity with a number of treaties concluded between
the most respedable Courts of Europe, which contain proofs of the
propriety of adhering to that principle.
^ " The distinction attempted to be established between ships
with and without convoy, is moreover equally just and natural
for the former cannot be supposed to be in the same predicament as
the latter.
! The search insisted upon by the privateers or state ships of the
Belligerent Powers, with respect to neutral bottoms not accompanied
by convoy, is founded on the right of acknowledging their flag, and
of examining their papers. The only question is to ascertain their
partiality and the regularity of their instructions. When the papers
of these ships are found in strict order, no further examination can be
legally enforced ; and it is consequently the authority of the Govern-
ment, in whose name these documents have been drawn up and issued,
that procures for the Belligerent Power the required security.
" But a neutral Government, escorting by the armed ships of
the state the commercial ships of the subject, thereby alone holda
out to the Belligerent Powers a more authentic and positive pledge
than that which is- furnished by the documents with which these shipa
are furnished. Nor can a Neutral Government, without incurring
dishonour and disgrace, admit, in this respect, the least doubt or sus-
picion, which must be as injurious to that Government as they
would be unjust on the part of those who should entertain or mani-
fest them.
" Again, if it were to be admitted as a principle, that the convoy
granted by a Sovereign does not secure ships of his subjects from
being visited by the state ships or privateers of foreigners, it would
follow that the most formidable squadron should not have the right
of relieving from a search the ships entrusted to its protection, if that
search was exacted by the most pitiful privateer.
*< But it cannot be reasonably supposed that the English Govern-
ment, which has uniformly, and on the most just grounds, shewn a
marked jealousy for the honour of its flag, and who in the maritime
wars, in which it has taken no part, has nevertheless asserted with
vigour the rights of neutrality, would ever consent, should such
circumstances occur, to an humiliating vexation of that nature ; and
the King of Denmark reposes too much confidence in the equity and
justice of his Britannic Majesty, to harbour a suspicion that it is his
intention to arrogate a right which, under similar circumstances, he
would not grant to any other independent power.
mi iv. R R
306 STATE PAPERS PtLATlTE TO THK
" It seems sufficient to apply to the fact in question, the natural
result of these observations, in order to make it evident that the
Captain of the King's frigate, by repulsing a violence which he had
no right to expect, lias done no more than his duty ; that it was
on the part of the English frigates, that a violation of the rights of
a neutral Sovereign, and of a power friendly to his Britannic Majesty,
has been committed.
" The King has hesitated to signify any formal complaint on this
head, as long as he regarded it as a misconception which might have
been done away by amicable explanations between the respective
Commanders of the naval force which the two Governments kept up
in the Mediterranean ; but seeing himself, much to his regret, dis-
appointed in that hope, he has only to insist on the reparation that is
due to him, and which the justice and the friendship of his Britannic
Majesty seem justly to be called upon, to secure to him.
(Signed) C. BERNSTORFF."
Reply of Lord GRF.NVILLF, to the Note of the Count DE WEDEL JARLS-
BOURG, hit Danish Majesty's Minister, resfeQlng the Capture of the
Freya Frigate.
" THE Undersigned, his Majesty's Principal Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, has had the honour to lay before the King the
note which he received yesterday from Count Wedel Jarlsbourg,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from the King of
Denmark.
" It was with the greatest surprise and concern that his Majesty
received the first accounts of the transaction to which that note re-
lates. Studiously desiring to maintain always with the Court of
Copenhagen those relations of friendship and alliance which had so
long subsisted between Great Britain and Denmark, his Majesty has,
during the whole course of his reign, given repeated proofs of these
dispositions, which, he had flattered himself, were reciprocally en-
tertained by the Government of his Danish Majesty. Notwith-
standing the expressions made use of in Count Wedel's note, his Ma-
jesty cannot even yet persuade himself that it is really by the orders
of the King of Denmark, that this state of harmony and peace has
been thus suddenly disturbed, or that a Danish officer can have acted
conformably to his instructions, in actually commencing hostilities
against this country, by a wanton and unprovoked attack upon a
British ship of war, bearing his Majesty's flag, and navigating the
British seas.
" The impressions which such an event has naturally excited in hi
Majesty's brtust have received additional force from the perusal of a
DISfrUTE BETWEEN ENGLAND AND DENMARK. 307
Note, in which satisfaction and reparation are claimed as due to the
aggressors from those who have sustained this insult and injury.
" His Majesty allowing for the difficulty in which all Neutral
Nations were placed by the unprecedented conduft and peculiar
chara&er of his enemy, has on many occasions, during the present
war, forborne to assert his rights, and to claim from the Danish Go-
vernment the impartial discharge of the duties of that neutrality which
it professed a disposition to maintain. But the deliberate and open
aggression which he has now sustained cannot be passed over in a
similar manner. The lives of his brave seamen have been sacrificed,
the hdnour of his flag has been insulted, almost in sight cf his own
coasts ; and these proceedings are supported by calling in question
those indisputable rights founded on the clearest principles of the
Law of Nations, from which his Majesty never can depart, and the
temperate exercise of which is indispensably necessary to the mainten-
ance of the dearest interests of his empire.
" The Undersigned has, in all his reports to his Majesty, rendered
full justice to the personal dispositions which he has uniformly found
on the part of Count Wedel, to remove all grounds of misunderstand-
ing between the two countries. He cannot, therefore, now forbear
to urge him to represent this matter to his Court in its true light, to
do away those false impressions, under which (if at all) a conduct so
injurious to his Majesty can have been authorised; and to consult the
interests of both countries, but especially those of Denmark, by bear-
ing his testimony to the dispositions with which his Majesty's Go-
vernment is animated ; and by recommending to his Court, with all
that earnestness which the importance of the occasion both justifies
and requires, that these dispositions may, in so critical a conjuncture,
find an adequate return ; and that a speedy and satisfactory answer
may be given to the demand which his Majesty has directed to be made
in his name at Copenhagen, both of reparation for what is past, and
of security against the repetition of these outrages.
" In order to give the greater weight to his Majesty's representa-
tions on this subject, and to afford at the same time the means of such
explanations respecting it, as may avert the necessity of those ex-
tremities to which his Majesty looks with the greatest rcludance, his
Majesty has charged Lord Whit worth with a special mission to the
Court of Denmark, and that Minister will immediately sail for his
destination.
" That Court cannot but see in this determination a new proof of
the King's desire to conciliate the preservation of peace with the
maintenance of the fundamental rights and interests of his empire.
(Signed) " GRENVIJ.LE."
1800.
RIGHTS
OF
THE BRITISH FLAG.
AS this subjeft, which has lately agitated all ranks of society, mnst
be peculiarly interesting to all concerned in the Navy, the fol-
lowing observations have been collected from the best authors and from
authentic records, in order to point out the antiquity, the exercise,
and the recognition of the RIGHTS OF THE BRITISH FLAG by
the Commercial States of Europe : Rights, which, after a full,
clear, and impartial investigation, we are convinced it is the bounden
duty of Britons to maintain and support inviolate :
When Caesar intended the invasion of this island, he summoned the
Gauls who dwelt in the sea-ports, to inform him of the shores, havens,
&c. imagining their information might accelerate his conquest. The
sea-faring men answered, " that all commerce and traffic was inter-
dicted before licence had, nor could any but merchants enter the British
ports*." This is a sufficient proof that the antient Britons possessed
traffic and commerce, and also the power of protecting it. The very
first classical author who speaks of Britain, says, that when the Romans
became masters of this island, they, in conjunction with the Britons,
built a fleet, and frequently sailed round it, making every nation,
tributary for several centuries, and commanding their obedience f.
As the view of this disquisition is candour and truth, it must be
acknowledged that the immense power of the Romans at this period
was fully sufficient to produce such an effe6t. That mighty empire,
in the impenetrable scale of human and physical vicissitudes, becarre
subject, to fate. The continual supply of Britons to replenish the
Roman legions, enfeebled the country, and made it an easy prey to
their pretended friends the Saxons. The dreadful struggles between
the natives and their treacherous visitors, and also the no less dreadful
havock between the Princes of the Heptarchy, when it was estab-
lished, permitted no opportunity of displaying the British Flag,
until the reigu of the great Alfred, who was, in fa, the founder of
the Anglo-Saxon Navy, and the first that repulsed and held in check,
the pirates and infidels of Denmark and Norway.
Edgar, who was crowned King of all England, in Wittenagemote,
at Winchester, A. D. 800 (one thousand years since), firmly estab-
lished Alfred's noble plans, and continually kept up a navy of four
Lundred stOut ships, with which he asserted the entire and uncon-
* Gall, Bell. lib. 4, fol. 72. f Tacitus in Vita Agricol*.
RIGHTS OF THE BRITISH FLAG. 309
trolled sovereignty of the British seas, and vindicated his Naval do.
minion, visiting all shifts, and making them pay obedience to his flag.
The very style which he assumes, and which is recorded, is the best
and most convincing proof*.
The use which Edgar made of his power was truly worthy of him-
self. It is recorded by two of the best narrators of the history of that
time t, " that immediately after Easter, he commanded his ships from
every shore to be brought into two collefted bodies. He then sailed
with the eastern fleet to the western coast, where they were dismissed ;
and from thence he proceeded with the western fleet to scour the sea
around the island to the northern and eastern parts ; being exceeding
diligent to prevent the incursion of pirates J, courageous in the de-
fence of his kingdom against foreigners, and receiving the submission
of the chiefs of the islands. Legancester (West Chester) was his
principal northern port, where he had a palace, and where, in one of
his voyages, he received the oaths of six petty kings to serve him by
sea and by land." Those Kings rowed him in a stately barge, himself
being at the stern steering the vessel, attended by a cloud f boats
and subjects, with minstrels and other music j. His constant maxim
was, that no Prince could boast of being truly a Monarch of England,
unless, like him, he was Lord of the British Seas ; a maxim which
ought to be impressed upon the mind of every sound-hearted British
subject, and citizen, particularly at the present momentous period.
Here we dismiss the Anglo-Saxon dynasty with thin short observa-
tion, that during the reign of Ethelred, a very large fleet was main-
tained and supported ; but through the sluggishness and personal
cowardice of that King, " who distressed rather than governed the
kingdom thirty-seven years |)," the nation was continually harassed
by sea and land with the incursions of the Danes. He saw his error
too late ; and in the year 1008, he commanded ships to be built in all
the seaports of England, and the produce of the land to pay for them,
* " Ego Eclgarus Anglorum Easileus, omniunique rerum, insularum Ocean!,
qu.-E Britanniam circumjacent, cunctarumque natiouum, qua; infra earn in-
cluduntur, Imperator etDominus. "--Pre served by Sir John Boroughs, fol. 21.
f William of Malmsbury, and Florence of Worcester ; but they have jncrcas:d
his fleet to the number of four thousand stout ships.
J Pira, in the Attic tongue, signifies craft or art. Afterwards U was applied
to such as were sea-robbers.
At this .-era of our history it was held impossible to rank with Gentleman
if a person was ignorant of music.
,! William of Malmsbury's charader of that King: ' His life was cruel a:
the beginning, miserable in the middle, and dishonourable in the cone
RIGHTS OF THE BRITISH FLAG.
namely, every hundred and ten hides of land one ship *. The Danes
had at last settled themselves in the greatest and best part of England,
until Canute was elefted King of all England, A. D. 1017, which
formed the third conquest of the country. A most immense power-
ful fleet was kept up during the whole of this reign, with which he
protected and maintained the empire of the seas in its fullest extent.
He governed by the antient Anglo-Saxon laws, which to this day are
the foundation of the common, law of England ; and it may fairly
be said of him, what a Roman author does of one of his Emperors,
' It would have been well for this kingdom if he had never reigned
at all, or else had continued longer."
That faithful collector of antient history, Henry of Huntingdon*
relates a story, which has generally been considered as a mark of the
King's vanity and weakness ; but upon a closer review, perhaps, it i*
a proof to the diredl contrary, and that he meant it as the severest
reproach which he could cast upon his venal flatterers and parasites.
It is as follows : in the very zenith of his power> being at Southamp-
ton, his nobles in attendance declared to him, that being Lord of the
Sea, he could command the waves. This being frequently impressed
upon his mind, in order to confound and put to shame those base
court minions, he caused a royal seat to be placed upon the shore
whilst the tide was coming in, and being surrounded by the venal
nobles, with a majestic air he said, " That sea belongs to me, and the
land whereon I sit is mine ; nor hath any one unpunished resisted my
commands f. I charge thee, therefore, come no further upon my
land, neither presume to wet the feet of thy Sovereign Lord." But
the laws of nature would be obeyed, and the sea came rolling on and
dashed over him. The King rose up and reminded his flatterers of
their treachery, telling them that the sea would obey none but Him
whose eternal laws created heaven and earth. After this he never
wore his crown J.
We now pass over the following reigns, during which time very-
large sums were raised upon the people to support the fleets, until we
arrive at the death of Harold, and the accession of William of Nor-
mandy, which forms a new epoch in our history, io which the doeu-
Thus the ship.inoney originated ; a measure as weak as it was wicked,
and which has been therefore very justly exploded by the whole nation.
t That part of the story being literally true, it shews the immense power of
bis naval force,
This was a more manly and noble action than the cockle-shell story of the
ula.
RIGHTS OP THE BRITISH FLAC. f
tnents and proofs of the sovereignty of the sea will be confirmed
beyond the possibility of contradiction.
William the First became possessed of the Crown by acquisition,
and not by conquest , A. D. 1066. There is not a single record
before Edward the First that gives him that denomination; nor did
he ever style himself a conqueror. His power, when added to that of
Duke of Normandy, was immense. Amidst the tumults of his reiVn.
he maintained a very powerful navy, which" he frequently commanded
in person, by means of which he defeated the confederacy of si* Kings t
four of whom were northern, who, with a navy of 1 800 sail, at-
tempted to invade him. In his turn he invaded Philip of France f ,
and committed great devastations, until he died at Rouen, in 1087 J.
William Rufus had no wars with France, nor can any thing ma-
teriaj be adduced from his history. He lived despised, and died by
the stroke of an arrow, unlamerited.
The reign of Henry the First is also barren as to our immediate
pursuit ; suffice it that, during his twenty years reign, no power what-
ever pretended to dispute the empire of the British seas ; a very suffi-
cient proof of itself, by what we have already seen, that no Monarch
durst attempt it. This King sweetened his government by relieving
the people from all unjust taxes, and punishing the principal agents.
Being an Englishman born, he acted as became one, by severely
* Sir William Temple justly observes, ' who was invidiously termed the
Conqueror, by the monks of those times." His submission to the Kentish-
men's claims ; his Charter of Confirmation of St. Edward's laws ; his abolishing
the tax of Danegelt ; his confirming the power of Aldermen, Sheriffs, and
Juries; all tend to prove the facl. Sir William Churchill, grandfather to the
great Duke of Marlborough, in the history, called Divi Britannici, says, " he
was an imaginary conqueror." See also Argumentum Anti Normanicum,
Petit's and Atkins's Works, and Tyrrell's History of England.
f This was the very origin of all the subsequent wars between England and
France, which arose from those Norman and continental connexions, that have
continually deluged both countries with blood.
\ In him we behold the sad vicissitudes of human affairs, the contemplation
of which ought to humble proud looks, and lofty eye-brows. This King, with
all his greatness, was deserted by the world, almost as soon as his immortal
spirit had left it, even by two of his own sons ; it was three days before his son
Henry could get the body removed, and nine days before he could prevail
upon any person to convey it to Caen to be interred, where it was left in the
street, the people having all ran away to quench a fire. When brought to the
grave, the funeral was forbad till the ground was paid for. The grave was too
small, the body burst, and the people ran away a third time. One hundred
years afterwards, some drunken soldiers, in search of treasure, dug up the re-
mains, but finding none, they scattered the ashe& and the bones about the burial
ground !
j !2 RIGHTS OP THE BRITISH FLAG.
treating evil Ministers, particularly the Bishop of Durham, who being
raised from a base condition by baser means, btcame chief minister to hi
brother William. His charter, in which he abolished all bad customs,
is a bold proof that his love for the people was substantial *.
Stephen's reign was taken up with intestine broils and contestt
with the Empress Maud and her son.
Henry the Second, who succeeded to the Crown, was the first of
the Plantagenets. His dominions of England, in France, and of
Ireland (which he conquered) were so equally divided by the two
seas, that they may be said to have ran as a great river between them*
He maintained a very large navy, with which he scoured those
seas. So powerful was his navy, and so well appointed, that although
he had a great part of the naval force under his own commandupon
the first expedition against King Louis of France f, yet when the
Earls of Bolloign and Flanders attempted to make a descent upon
England with 600 sail of stout ships, there remained sufficient force
under the High Admiral Lacy, who was made Regent, to baffle theij
attempt and punish their temerity ; nor was the French expedition in
the least deranged. Thus we behold of what immense consequence a
strong navy, brave tars, and able commanders, is to the honour aad
safety of our country, yea to its very existence.
The unnatural conducl of his two sons, and his two brothers,
Richard and John, proved a sad alloy to all Henry's human greatness.
The beautiful but miserable Rosamond was one of this meretricious
King's numerous fair companions, by whom he had nineteen base
children.
After the Royal crusader, Richard the First's return from that
mad and ruinous expedition, he was re-crowned, and to revenge an in-
sult offered by Philip of France against Normandy in his absence ,
he passed into France with two hundred sail of very stout ships, full
of horsemen and valiant archers, which so frightened the French, that
the commander raised the siege of Vernuil and ran away. R?hard
in return committed great depredations. After this he fitted out
one hundred sail of ships for Normandy, to chastise the rebellions
of his brother John, and the Barons of Poi6liers, and was shot with
an envenomed arrow, of which he died, in the tenth year of his reign,
* Art. II. " Et omnes males consuetudlnes, quibus Rcgnum Anglise injuste
opprimebatur, in de Aufero, quasmalas consuetudines in parte hie pono." Mati
1 aris, p. 55.
f Upon this occasion, Malcolm, King of Scotland, and a Welch King, with
the Earls of Normandy, Aquitain, Anjou, and Gascony, accompanied him.
* Here we perceive, that during the six reigns, a!l the foreign wars, and
many of the domestic broils, sprung from one and the game cause, namely, thfr
fatal and destructive continental conneclions.
RIGHTS OP THE BRITISH FLAG. 313
We now arrive at the reign of King John, who, notwithstanding
all the dreadful perturbations of his time, hath carefully recorded in
the Ordinances of Hastings*, the duty of salutation, which anciently
had been paid by foreign vessels, as well as natural born subjects, to
* the Royal British Flag. The record is preserved in the Tower, and
copies of it In Matthew Paris and Selden's Mare Clausum. It is
exadtly of eight hundred years standing, and the following is the
translation: " Item, If a Lieutenant in any -voyage, being ordained
by Common Council of the kingdom +, do encounter upon the sea
any ships or vessels, laden or unladen, that will not strike and veil
their colours (bonnets) at the commandment of the Lieutenant of the
King, but will fight against them of the fleet, that if they can be
taken they shall be reputed as enemies, and their ships, vessels, and
goods taken and forfeited as the goods of enemies, although the
masters or possessors of the same should come afterwards and allege
that they are the ships, vessels, and goods of those persons who arc
friends to our Lord the King ; and that the common people in the
same ships be chastised by imprisonment of their bodies, at dis-
cretion of the King, for their rebellion."
And here we must observe, that if the greatest caution had been
used at the late unpleasant disagreement with the Court of Denmark,
to confirm and sustain by a law the honour of our Sovereign and the
National Flag, it seems impossible that it could be more closely or
effectually applied, than this law of eight hundred years standing (and
then only a recognition of still older well-known rights and laws) is
to the late crisis of affairs, and the immensely important question
agitated at that awful conjuncture.
The unfortunate King John was now in full possession of the British
Seas, confirmed by precedents for a long series of years, which he
fully maintained. The greater part of this reign was what Pope calls
a regular confusion ;" but from this domestic and foreign perplexity
sprang the glory of the English law, Magna Charta, the golden
anchor J of ancient British liberty ; at the confirmation of which,
* Inter. Leg. Marinas sub une anni regni Regis Johannis Secundi.
f The authority of Parliament was infinitely superior a that time, compared
with the present; and it also indubitably shows that there were ParliamenU
long before the 49th Edward III. when the records begin.
| Lord Bacon.
$ Lord Coke says, as the refiner carefully sweeps up all the durt, and citra<a
the precious metals from it, so ought the good and diligent lawyer to preserve
every line and syllable of the Great Charter.
314 RIGHTS OF THE BRITISH FLAG.
in Runney Mead (the Mead of Council) the 1 5th of June 1215, on
the part of the King, were two Archbishops, seven Bishops, and
fifteen Peers ; but on the part of the people, the Barons and great
men were innumerable *. The balance of power and politics was at
this sera held by the citizens of London +.
Edward the First was a wise and victorious Prince J. During his
thirty-four years reign, he maintained the empire of the Biitish sea
with a steady and unerring hand. The statutes passed in his reign
fully prove that he was by no means the dupe of the clergy .
During this reign a document appears, containing a solemn ad-
judication, that never was or can be contradicted, in which ALL the
maritime and commercial nations in Europe confirm the ancient Rights
of the British Flag over the narrow seas. The record is too diffuse
to insert, but the following is a faithful account of it y :
During the reign of Philip the Fair, King of France, a war broke
out between him and Guy, Earl of Flanders. Grimbald, then Ad-
miral of France, captured or despoiled all the Earl's merchants
ships which his fleet found in the narrow seas. The nations of Eu-
rope complained of this infringement of the law maritime. Philip
and Edward caused a meeting at Westminster of certain Judges,
chosen by the Proctors, Prelates, and Nobility of all England and
France ; and unto these were joined the suffrages of the following
maritime nations : Genoa, Catalonia, Spain, Almaign, Zealand,
Holland, Friezland, Denmark, and Norway, and other States of lebs
note. After long and solemn consultation, the Assembly ALL jointly
declared and affirmed, that, without all controversy, the Kings of
England and their predecessors, beyond the memory of man, have had
the Supreme Government of the English Seas and the Islands thereof.
j * Totius Nobilitas Angliz in unum collefia, M. Paris, p. aj6.
f London-bridge was now built with stone. In iai6, when the King
inarched to I ondon to besiege it, the citizens manfully threw open their gates;
but when he beheld their courage and their numbers, he with great difficulty
retreated. The citizens at that time knew the value of liberty, and the Great
Charter which confirmed it. In this year the Londoners with their own ships
utterly destroyed sixty-five pirates, which the King had hired to block up the
Thames.
J He conquered all Wales and Scotland; the latter four times.
The law against ravishment makes it felony to commit a rape upon a lay-
woman, and only a trespass to commit the same crime upon a Nun. 3d Edw. I.
Cap. 13 and 33. The latter is omitted in the Statute Book. The Statutes of
IVortmain, which restrain persons from giving lands to the church, was a very
severe check upon the pride and insolence of the dignified clergy. 7th, jut, ani
34th of Edw. 1.
U RoL Abridg. 538.
RIGHTS OF THE BRITISH FLAG. 315
They further adjudged, that Grimbald's patent was an usurpation upon
the King of England's dominion. It was also further decreed, that
the French Admiral should make satisfaction, and if he proved unable,
that King Philip, his master, should.
Here, is an universal consent of every neighbouring nation, which
forms a stronger basis to this Right of the British Flag than the Laws
of Oleron, or all the laws that ever were, or could be ena&ed by in-
dividuals who were interested. The extent of this right is the Four
Seas, from Cape Finisterre, in the west, to the middle point of the
land Van Staten, in Norway *.
The Empire of the Narrow Seas was now acknowledged and con-
firmed by all Europe.
Edward III. ascended the throne in 1326. Early in his reign he
listened to the voice of his people ; and as Roger Mortimer, Earl of
March, the Queen Dowager's paramour, had been the author of most
of the evils which the nation endured in the preceding reign, Edward
punished him in an exemplary manner.
Edward claimed the Crown of France in the right of his mother,
Queen Isabel, the sister to Charles. King of Fiance, in whom the
masculine line of Hugh Capet failed. Philip, the uncle by affinity,
seized the French diadem, and at a solemn assembly of the French
Parliaments it was decided, that, by the Salique law, Edward was not
eligible f . A war was the consequence.
The first: a&ion was naval. Philip had fitted out seven hundred
ail of ships to invade England ; Edward equipped a fleet equally-
powerful, and sent a message to the enemy not to dare to hoist the
French flag in the British Channel Philip's fleet was consecrated by
the Pope, like the Spaniards of 88 ; but Edward's navy was com.
manded by himself, and direfted by an immortal Deity, the wind
* Queen and Sir John Constable's Case, apth EHz. reported by Leonard, b. 3,
part 7*. Selden de dom. Mails, L ^. c. 14, 27, 28. 4th Institute, p. 1403.
Burroughs, fol. 42.
f Philip also wanted to strip Edward of his patrimonial territories in France.
SaligyeA law which Michael Drayton, in Poly- Albion, says everybody speaks
*f, but few or none understood an ancient and fundamental law of France,
by which the Crown cannot fall from the lance to the distaff, /. t. be inherited
by a woman. In fad, neither Edward or Philip had any just right to the
Crown for Queen Joan, the dowager of the late King Charles, was left with
child which proved a female, and being named Blanch, was afterward*
Dutches* of Oilcans. Added to that circumstance, Hugh Capet, the founder
of that family, from whom both the Kings formed their claim, was him
an usurper of the French Crown. 4
316 RIGHTS OF THE BRITISH FLAG.
and sun being in his favour. The whole French navy perished, with
above thirty thousand men. With this most memorable action we
dismiss the historical part of the inquiry. Let us now consider the
effect of the dominion and superiority over the narrow seas. Sove-
reigns cannot alienate this right, because it is not simply their oiun t
but it really appertains to the whole empire, and the dereliction of
the most slender part of it might in the event prove fatal. First,
Such as are born within this regal jurisdiction are natural-born sub-
jects of England. Secondly, The right of prescribing laws and rules
for navigation to the vessels of strangers, as well as those of the
English. This most evidently appears by the solemn and authentic
record between Edward the First and Philip the Fair of France*, and
all the other maritime nations, which we have quoted Thirdly, The
regality of fishing. Fourthly, The power of imposing customs and
other imposition upon those who navigate. Fifthly, The right of
restricting the navigation in part, or altogether. These are some of
the effects resulting from a real and absolute Sovereignty. The latter
consideration induced Henry VIII. to introduce a port-cullis into the
Royal Banners of the Navy. The glorious Elizabeth followed her
father's example, and stamped a port-cullis upo those dollars which
were intended for the East India trade, both those Monarchs inti-
mating their power to shut up the narrow seas as they thought fit.
Elizabeth maintained this right so strictly *, that when the King of
Denmark and the Hanseatic Towns solicited her Majesty's per-
mission to transport corn into Spain, she refused them ; and when a
Protestant fleet of the Hanse Towns, notwithstanding the refusal,
presumed to do so, she ordered her fleet to seize, take, burn, and
destroy them; which was executed within sight of Lisbon. This
Queen justified her conduct in a Manifesto, stating, " that they had
not only relieved her enemy with provision, but had presumptuously
made use of her seas, without obtaining her Royal permission."
After these irrevocable proofs, let no nation on earth dare to dis-
pute the RIGHTS of the ROYAL BRITISH FLAG to the end of
time.
* 40th Eliz. June 30, A. D. 1598. Portugal was then under the dominio*
f Philip 11. King of Spain.
C 317 J
CRITICAL REMARKS
ON
THE OFFICIAL VERACITY OF THE FRENCH;
PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT TO NAVAL TRANSACTIONS.
Illustrated by Extr ads from the Public Letters of Captain DJXON and
Admiral D E c R E 8.
npHAT the defence of Le Guillenme Tell was creditable to the
French, appeared sufficiently from the account given in our
Gazc.te Letters *. Captain Dixon, of the Lion, in his account of
the capture of this admirable vessel, says, The French ship of war,
Le G'illaume Tell, of 86 guns, and 1000 men, bearing the flag of the
Contre Admiral Decres, surrendered, after a most gallant and ob-
stinate defence of three hours and a half, to his Majesty's ships
Foudroyant, Lion, and Penelope."
With this lesson of more than justice, of high liberality, before his
eyes, the Republican commander, a month after, has given an ac-
count, the errors of which, a Briton, feeling for the slandered cha-
ra&er of his country, naturally endeavours to correct
The French Admiral, treating of the fire, during the night, of the
Penelope, Captain Blackwood, whose merit is beyond our praise, says,
that at five o'clock in the morning (March 310, 1800), it occasioned
him to lose his main top-mast.
The subsequent contradictions respecting the time at which Ad-
miral Decres mentions that the fore and main-masts of his ship were
carried away, together with her having at half past eight o'clock
sustained " the united fire of three sail of the line," instead of two
of the line and a frigate, though important, by showing that this
officer did not write from book, we pass without a comment, confining
our investigation to the most material passages in a statement which
represents our brave defenders as a parcel of poltroons.
We might here observe, that the admitted veracity of our naral
narrations, leaves little to be apprehended in the eye of Europe on a
contrast with the proverbial poetical licence of the French ; even before
the memorable ist of June, when, in accounting for the absence of
the numerous ships we had taken from them, it was asserted, that
they had been dispatched in pursuit of tbefying English ; but we wave
the question of national character, and go to the mere consistency of
the French Admiral's own statement. He says, that at the expire-
* Vol. III. page 500. Also page 508, for minute particulars, in a letter
from on board the Foudroyant, Captaiu Sir Edward Berry, dated Syricu.;,
April 2, 1800.
CRITICAL REMARKS ON THB
tion of three-quarters of an hour's fight, he, in the second attempt t
board, run his bowsprit in the shrouds of the Lion ; whilst Captain
Dixon mentions this event to have taken place at the very commence-
ment of the action, owing to his (Captain Dixon's) endeavour to place
the Lion in the advantageous position which she in consequence ob-
tained. Continuing, however, to suppose that the statement of each
officer deserved an equal degree of credit, and even that Captain
Dixon could desire, or would dare to tell a falsehood, which not only
every ma in his own ship, but in each of our two others, could and
caould have disproved, it requires all Admiral Decres' ingenuity to
reconcile other parts of his statement. He says, that being withii*
pistol-shot of the Lion, and her fire slackened, he perceived that there
Was NOT A SINGLE PERSON ON THE QUARTER-DECK } and that 1)C
failed in his attempt to board owing to the frecautitns of the enemy.
Where, we would ask the narrator, could precautions be adopted,
xcept upon the quarter deck, in which place not only the ship is
steered, but some of the principal sails arc directed ; and how could
precautions be made if there was not a single person to make them ?
admitting, as in other instances, for the sake of argument, the pro-
bability that the quarter-deck of a British ship of the line, with an
enemy almost touching her, should have been entirely deserted. He
ays that " the Lion, without a single sad t her rigging cut to pieces, and
her mast ready to go by the board, tuas compelled to fall back, without
fr'mg a single cannon ; tlie William Tell for some minutes pursued her."
How, we would again ask, in the wholly ungovernable state in
which the Lion is here represented, was it possible she could sue-
cessfully retire from a ship so near her, and which is not stated to have
been disabled ?
Nor is consistency more attended to in this narration (not written
in the heat of the fight, but several weeks after) in the conducl of
the Foudroyant, so ably commanded by Sir Edward Berry. It ap-
pears by the excellent letter from Captain Dixon, that the Pentlope
had, during the night, shot away the main and mizsn-top-masts and
main-yard of the enemy* Admiral Decres says, that at six o'clock the
Foudroyant was close as possible alongside of him ; that in thirty-
six minutes the fore- mast of the William Tell gave way, and at three-
quarters past six her mam-mast shared the same fate. The sails and
rigging of the Foudroyant were cut to pieces, and she was for some time
ungovernable." He continues to observe, " the Lion, which had
retired from the engagement for more than an hour, had repaired her
damage, and returned to the attack on us." Notwithstanding which,
with one ship close alongside, and one on each quarter, he says,
perceiving that the fire of the Foudroyant " had abated," and feeling
ftbat without dread of the consequence he was equal to any bold
CAPTURE OF THE WILLIAM TBLL.
attempt " WHILE THE SHIP WAS MANAGEABLE," he directed
Captain Saunier to seize the first opportunity to board the Fou-
droyant, "and RUSHING SUDDENLY on her starboard, he crossed
her bowsprit. The enemy, judging of our intention, manccu<ured t ia
order to prevent our boarding." How, in the name of common
sense, was it possible for a ship which, having lost her fore and main-
masts and mizen-top-mast, could only set her mizen and mi/en-stay-
sails, and must have lain nearly as unmanageable as a log upon the
water, to RUSH SUDDENLY upon another ? And how was it possi-
ble for that other, which he represents to be " UNGOVERNABLE,"
to manawvrt ?
The William Tell, unquestionably, did more than bear a great
deal of beating ; she fought gallantly, and had the French Admiral
been satisfied with a statement of fads, he would have stood amongst
the most prominent of his country for honourable distinction. As it
is, we shall merely observe, that we conceive we should be always
eompens tod for the effect of his valour by a continuance of his pre-
sent system of proclaiming it.
From the long time our ships had been on service, it is probable
that, though with their full complement they would have had about
1,500 men, they actually did not contain a greater number than was
on board the enemy; their mode of fighting, therefore, was the
most judicious to prevent her escape, and to obtain her ultimate pot*
session with the smallest sacrifice.
The following interesting Particulars of the melancho-y Fate of his
Majesty's Ship TRINCOMALE, have been received at the India House.
Bombay, Jan. 18.
BY a dingey, which arrived a few days ago, a letter has beta
received from Mr. John Cramlington, late chief officer of the
Pearl, dated Muscat, November 10, containing a confirmation of the
capture of that ship, and the melancholy fate of his Majesty's sloop
the Trincomale, Captain J. Rowe ; the particulars of which are as
follow :
The Pearl left Bushire on the 4th ult. and was proceeding on her
voyage with light winds from the W. and N. W. On the 7th, at
hah past eight in the morning, the great Tomb bearing 6. distant
about two miles, they were surprised by the sudden appearance of a
ship right a-hcad, and close to them, which it afterwards appeared
had been lying at anchor under the great Tomb, and had seen the
Pearl at sun- set, but was concealed from the Pearl's view by the land,
and the hazy state of the atmosphere. The two ships soon ap-
proached, and Captain Fowler of the Pearl, on hailing the stranger,
was answered, The Swift, Company's cruizer, from Bombay," IB
- 20 ACCOUNT OF THE LOSS OF
good English ; Captain Fowler being hailed in his turn, answered,
< The Pearl ;" on which the enemy instantly hauled his courses up,
and discharged his broadside with a volley of musketiy into the
Pearl ; some guns were without loss of time returned, and Captaio
Fowle'r gave orders for getting the tacks down, to trim the sails on a
wind, and thus endeavour to escape ; with which view Captain
Fowler took the helm himself, but was unfortunately soon afterwards
killed by an eight-pound shot, which struck him on the breast ; the
maintop-sail-tye was shot away about the same time, and the ship
taken aback ; oa which the crew all quitted the deck, and the chief
officer had no alternative but to surrender, having previously thrown
overboard three packets which Captain Fowler had in charge for
Government. Six men were killed and several wounded. On the
following day the freight-treasure was removed on board the priva-
teer which proved to be the Iphigene, Captain Malroux, from the
Isk of France,mounting 22 guns, four of which were 4 8lb. carronades,
the rest twelves and sixes, and 200 men. Mr. Cramhngton, wit
the gunner and some of the crew, were shifted to the pmateer.
enemy, elated with his success, had determined to quit the gulf in
company with his prize, when on the loth at midnight, being off
the Coins, the Pearl, about two miles a-head of the privateer, fell
with his Majesty's sloop Trincomale, and the Comet cruizer, whc
Sing the Pearl, and not receiving a ready or savory answer,
fc3 into her ; on which the privateer fired two guns in that direftion,
and put about and stood from them, judging one of them to be an
English frigate, and that the Pearl was retaken.-Contrary to Qapt.
Malroux'sexpedation, however, the Pearl was nearly up with tl
privateer at daylight in the morning, the Tnncomale and Comet at
the same time considerably to windward, bearing down ; from which
circumstance it would appear, that on the privateer discovering ; 1
self by the firing of the two guns, the gallant but unfortunate Captam
Rowe left the Pearl to pursue what he probably deemed a more nob <
objea, which he might think had a chance of escaping ten, if
any time by taking possession of the Pearl.
About eleven o'clock iu the forenoon several shots were .
changed between the Trincomale and Comet, and the Iphigene,
without cffea. Light and baffling winds and calms, and the tardy
manoeuvres necessary under these disadvantages to favour the d,
views of the respedive commanders, the French captaw being, no
doubt, desirous to a.ail himself of the assistance of his prize, whicl
ta" well armed, and Captain Rowe being, in all hkehhooc, as desirous
of separating them, for the same reason, prevented the.r coming t
close adion till about ten o'clock on the night of the ,2th, when a
furious cannonade commenced, which lasted for about two hours :
the Trincomale and her adversary then fell on board of each other,
HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP TRi.NCOMALE* 321
land remained in that situation some time, the privateer having her
ttudding-sail boom rigged out, and grappling irons fixed to their ex-
tremities, when she engaged. The strength and number of her crevr
encouraging them to place great confidence in boarding, it appears
they were in the aft of making an attempt of that kind, when the
Trincomale blew up, and every person on board perished, except one
English seaman and one Lascar : the ships touching each other at
this time, the shock stove in the side of the privateer, and forced the
main and mizen-masts clear out of the ship. Mr. Cramlington was
then on the orlop, or platform appropriated for the wounded,
whom he describes to have been numerous ; he consequently had
two decks over his head, and the hatchway was suddenly choaked
with lumber ; but in the midst of this wreck and desolation he provi-
dentially, by a ray of light which the moon afforded through the
shattered side, discovered a hole in the deck, through which he as-
cended, and finding a corresponding opening in the upper deck, he,
with five or six others, succeeded in extricating themselves from their
dismal situation. The Iphigene was at this time going forward, and
Mr. Cramlington ran aft over heaps of dead and dying, and jumped
overboard, when he made every exertion to swim from the sinking
vessel, which soon disappeared ; four minutes having elapsed, as near
as Mr. Cramlington can guess, from the moment of her receiving the
shock. This Gentleman owes his safety to a piece of the floating
ruin, by which he supported himself for about two hours and a half,
with thirty Frenchmen in a similar situation. The Pearl and Comet
were in the meantime firing at each other, which prevented their
sending immediate relief to the sufferers 5 but at length the Comet
made sail. The Pearl then sent her boats, and took all the survivors
off the wreck. The privateer, according to their own account, lost
about 115 men, among whom were the captain, surgeon, boatswain,
gunner, carpenter, and seven other officers. By information received
from the French survivors, it appears that there were eight privateers
fitted out at the Isle of France this year, two of which were intended
to cruise on the Malabar coast ; one of them a brig, named the
General Muiat, mounting twenty guns, and a fast sailer. The
Iphigene was the other proposed for that cruise, after her visit to the
Gulf. A J^vv passenger, whom the Pearl had received on board at
Bussora, and several of the Pearl's crew, went down in the Iphigene.
The Pearl anchored at Muscat on the i jth of O&ober, from whence
she soon after sailed for the Isle of France, after landing all the
Lascars, Sepoys, horse- keepers, and Scacunnka, retaining the gunner
and carpenter."
IV. Jr. T T
C 3" 3
STANZAS
On the Capture of the FOUDROYANT, of $4. Guns, ly the MONMOUTH,
of '64, Anno 1758.
S LOUIS sat in regal state,
The Monarch, insolently great,
Accosts his crouching slaves,
' Yon stubborn Isle at last must bend,
" For now my Foudroyant I send,
" The terror of the waves.
*' When once he bursts in dreadful roar,
** And vomits death from shore to shore*
' My glory to maintain ;
' Repenting Britons then will see,
" Their folly to dispute with me,
' The empire of the Main."
He spake, th' obedient sails were spread,
And Neptune rear'd his awful head,
To view the glorious sight ;
The Tritons and the Nereiads came y
And floated rcund the high built frame,
With wonder and delight*
When Neptune thus the Gods adtJress'd :
" The sight is noble 'tis confessed,
" The structure we admire ;
" But yet this monstrous pile shall meet
' With one small ship from Britain's fleet,
And strike to Britons' fire."
As from his lips the sentense flew,
Behold his fav'rite sails in view,
And signal made to chace ;
Swift as Camilla o'er the plain^
The Monmouth skimm'd along the Main*
Unrival'd in the race*
NATAL POETRY.
Close to her mighty foe she came,
Resolv'd to sink or gain a Name
Which Envy might admire ;
Devouring guns tumultuous sound,
Destru&ive slaughter flam'd around,
And seas appear'd on fire.
When lo ! th' heroic Gardner fell,
Whose worth the Muse attempts to tell,
But finds her efforts vain ;
Some other bard must sing his praise,
And bold as fancy's thoughts must raise,
The sadly mournful strain.
Carket *, who well his place supply 'd,
The mangling bolts of death defy'd,
Which furious round him rag'd ;
While Hammick + points his guns with care,
Nor sends one faithless shot in air,
But skilfully engag'd.
Baron J and Winzar's conduft show'd
Their hearts with untam'd courage glow'd,
And manly rage display'd ;
Whilst every seaman firmly stood,
'Midst heaps of limbs and streams of blood,
Undaunted, undismay'd;
Austin j| and Campbell ** next the Muse
Thro' fiery deluges pursues,
Serenely calm and great ;
With theirs' the youthful Preston 'sH name
Must shine, enroll'd in list of fame,
Above the reach of fate.
Hark ! how destruction's tempests blow,
And drive to deep despair the foe,
Who trembling fly asunder ;
The Foudroyant her horror ceas'd,
And whilst the Monmouth's fire increas'd,
Lost all her pow'r to thunder.
* First Lieutenant of the Monmouth.
f Second ditto, who commanded the lower gun-deck.
$ Third ditto ditto. Fourth ditto ditto.
|| Captain of Marines. Lieutenant f Soldien.
|f Lieutenant of Marines.
NAVAL fOETlY.
Now haughty Louis cease to boat>
The mighty Foudroyant is lost,
And must be thine no more ;
No gasconade will now avail,
Behold he trims the new-drcss'd sail.
To deck Blitannia's shore.
If e'er again his voico be heard*
With British thunder-bolts prepar'd,
And on thy coast appears ;
His dreadful tongue such sounds will sendj
As all the ncigbb'ring rocks shall rend,
And shake all France with fears.
VERSES
ON LAUNCHING A SHIP OF EIGHTY GUNS AT CHATHAM*
HILE acclamations rend the vaulted skies,
The vast mass moves and swift as light'ning fliesj
The crowd affrighted, shun its smoking course,
Admire its form, and dread th' impetuous force }
Beneath its weight the lab'ring shore gives way,
And yields its passage to the subjedl sea,
Smote by its fall, the waves on either side,
Break, foam, and whiten the receding tide.
Go, pompous fabrick, spread the op'ning sail^
Display thy pomp and glitter in the gale,
Britannia's cross to distant regions show,
Far as the billows roll, or breezes blow,
And let thy thunders teach her foes to yield,
To her the empire of the azure field.
So when led on by valiant Jason's power,
Greece bent her vengeance to the Colchian shore,
Dodona's grove (Jove's consecrated wood),
Forsook its place, and rush'd into the flood ;
In vain wild Boreas from his cave withdrew,
And to his lov'd Nerea's succour flew,
The victor vessel all his efforts braves,
Sustains the tempest, and subdues the waves,
Thro' dangers joys its steady way to keep,
And awes the god whose trident rules the deep.
t 325 3
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, SEPT. 20.
Cpy of a Letter from tie Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. Admiral of tie IPTtile, tsV. fr
Evan Nepean, Esq. dated on board his Majesty' i Ship nil e de Paris, at Sea tbt
J^tb instant.
SIR,
I herewith transmit a letter which I have received from Captain Fayerman.
of his Majesty's ship Beaulieu, giving an account of his having captured the
Dragon French Letter of Marque, from Guadaloupe bound to Bourdeaux.
J am, Sir, &c.
ST. VINCENT.
MY LORU, Seaulien,atSea,Aug.^T.
. I have the honour to inform your Lordship, that I captured in his Majesty's
ship under my command this morning (his Majesty's sloop Sylph in company),
the Dragon, a very fast sailing copper-bottomed sloop letter of marque, fn m
Guadaloupe to Bourdeaux, laden with sugar, coffee, and cotton, out tiirty-two
days, and am now hastening to go in chase of a ship and a schooner.
I have the honour to be, &c,
Vht Earl of Si. Vincent, K. B. &c. F. FAYERMAN.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, SEPT. ig.
Copy of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord Keith, K. B. Commander in Chief of lit
Majesty's Ships and Vessels in the Mediterranean , to Evan Nepean, jj. dated OM
board the Minotaur, in Leghorn Reads, $d Aug.
SIR,
The inclosed letter received by me from Captain Ballard, of his Majesty't
ship Pearl, will inform their Lordships of a gallant and successful attack made
by the boats of that ship on two Spanish xebecs and six small vessels under
their protection.
I have the honour to be, &c.
KEITH.
MY LORD, Pearl, off M ah on, 'July 23.
The aoth instant, being of Couronne, in his Majesty's ship under my com-
mand, the boats with their gallant crews, under the direction of Lieutenanc
Crawley, captured two .Spanish xebecs, one mounting eight guns, and six settees,
mostly armed and deeply laden. Five of them anchored with me here this
day, ai.d the other three I was obliged to scuttle, owing unfortunately to a
gale of wind coming on, by which, 1 am sorry to say, James Parker, seaman,
was drowned, and the most valuable boat I had (the yav.l) sunk.
J have the honour to be, &c.
S. J. BALLARD.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, SEPT. 2O.
Copy of a Lttter from Captain Price, of b'n Majesty's Slip Badger, to Evan Nefean t
Mfg. dated at St. Marcou, Sept 1 6.
SIR,
I beg leave to represent to you, for the information of their Lrdships, the
account of a very gallant action performed yesterday by two of the boats be-
longing to his Majesty's gun-vessel, within four miles of the West Island,
under the command of Lieutenant M'Cullen, of the Marines.
About two P. M. of the 5th, 1 observed a long lugger between Fssegney
and us, and thought I could cut her off from La Hogue ; 1 directed Lieutenant
M'Cullen, with twenty-four picked men in my ten-oared galley and sir-oared
cutter, to endeavour to board her, and directed Lieutenant btevens (by signal)
%o slip and cover the boats with his Majesty's gun-brig Sparkler, then for aU
boats manned and a^med to support the leading boats.
326 GAZETTE LETTERS.
The service was so Well performed, that the Sparkler took the fire of tw*
batteries of two twenty-four-pounders and two twelve-pounders, which pre-
vented its being directed against the boats : the lugger perceiving the boat*
determined, lowered her sails, rowed on shore, cut away all her masts and
rigging, and got on shore ; our cutter immediately boarded her under the fire of
several hundred musquetry, and towed her off. She proves to be La Victoire
privateer (row-boat), Captain Barier, belonging to Boulogne, mounting four
swivels, rows twenty-six oars, quite new, from appearance had at least forty
men on board ; she is sixty feet long, nine feet beam, and the completes! boat
for the service of the islands that could possibly be constructed.
In performing this, I beg you will mention the gallant manner Lieutenant
Stevens ran the gun-brig into two fathom water ; kept up a continual fire for
one hour under the batteries, which diverted their fire from the boats; Lieut.
M'Cullen, of the Marines, who so determinedly led the boats ; and the good
condudt of the twenty- four men, who so well pei formed the service ; and, from
the continual fire of musquetry, I am happy to find so small a loss as my gun-
r.er's mate (Joseph Silki wounded by a musquet-ball in the shoulder. The
Spnrkler has received no other damage than a few shot through her sails, and
some of her rigging cut.
I am, &c.
CHARLES P. PRICE.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, SEPT. 2J.
Copy of a Letter from Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, late Commander In Chief of bit
Majesty's Ships and Vessels at Jamaica, to van Nepean, tq. dated on board the
Trent, at Spitbead, the l^tb intt.
SIR,
I have the honour to enclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioner*
of the Admiralty, an account of armed vessels and merchant vessels which
were taken, sunk, or destroyed by his Majesty's squadron under my command,
from the 2Oth day of May to the 3d of August last, the day 1 sailed from
Jamaica. I am, Sir, &c.
H. PARKER.
An Account of Armed Vessels captured, detained, 6r deitroyed since tie istb of
May, 1800.
Diligent, French National Corvette, mounting twelve long twelve-pounders,
and 1 30 men : taken by the descent.
Spanish Felucca Del Carmen, mounting two four-pounders, and 30 men ;
destroyed by the Bonetta.
Spanish gun-boat, mounting two guns : taken by the Rattler.
Row-boat privateer, with small arms, and nineteen men: taken ty the
Quebec.
Spanish Felucca privateer, mounting one gun, and thirty-five men : taken
by the Melampus,
Spanish ship of war, eighteen guns, no men, with a valuable cargo : taken
by the Apollo.
("Here follows an account of merchant vessels captured, detained, or destroyed,
since the aoth of May, 1800, amounting to 87.]
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, SEPT. 23.
Copy of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour, late Commander in Cliff of
his Majesty's Ships and Vessels at tie Leeward Islands* to E-van Ncpean, Efq. dated
at Port-Royal Harbour, Jamaica, the 1st of August, 1800.
SIR,
Herewith you will receive, for the information of the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, an account of the vessels captured and re-captured, as well as
a list of those which are detained upon suspicion, between the -zjth day of
May, i8oc, and the aoth day of July following, by the ships of the squadron
lately employed under my command at the Leeward Islands, amounting to-
gether to sixty-two sail, of which fourteen were enemy's privateers, eight
<JAZKTTE LETTERS.
I ana, Sir, &c. H, SEYMOUR
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. 4.
^! Z /'/r/7" ''''"-MMral Lvrd KeM, C mma nd er in Chief of hi,
******* r eit ,h,n the Mediterranean, to E van Nefean, E tq . dated on b
Minotaur % in Leghorn Roads, tbe lOtb of July 18:0.
SIR, _';
- C ? y f A K"\ r from Ca P tain Halsted of h Majesty'
mtwith. National
KEITH.
MY LORD,
) ) j
nff th g H- aVe t , , ac 5 uaint / ur , Lordship, that early yesterday morning. beb e
bL fH er nd , & ' 5? d i" k id. I nt Lieutenant Thompson, with thf
boats of his Majesty's sh,p Phan.x, in chase of a small vessel standing in for
Hicres Bay ; and at nine A. M. they captured her. She proved to bll.a Re-
ie 1-rench National vessel, coppered, mounting four carriage jmns and
four swivels, with twenty-seven men, partly laden with brandy, wine, cheese
and pork, two days from Toulon, and bund to Malta with dispatches which
were thrown overboard.
I am sorry to add, that in capturing the above vessel we lost one man and
iintortunatcly this morning, it blowing strong, she overset, but happily na
lives were lost.
I have the honour to he, &c. '
Sight Hon. Lor J Keith, K. B. L. W. HALSTED.
y ice- Admiral of the Red, l3"c.
ADMIRA1TY-OFFICE, OCT. II.
Cofy of a Letter from Captain George Martin, of bis Maj-sty's Ship Nirtliualfrhruf,
to Evan Ncpean* sy. dated ojf St. Paul's, the $tb Heft.
SIR,
As my Lord Keith is now at Mahon, and it may be some time before he ha
an opportunity of communicating with their Lordships, I have the honour to
enclose a copy of my letter to his Lordship, giving an account of the surrender
of the French garrison of La Valette, and one of the ajth August, acquainting
him of the capture of La Diane French frigate.
I am : ir, &c.
GEORGE MARTIN.
MY LORD, Northumberland, off Malta, S;ft. 5.
I have the honour to acquaint you. that the French ganison of La Valeite
surrendered yesterday to the allied forces serving at Malta, and to enclose the
copy of the Articles of Capitulation.
I have not yet been able to obtain an account of the ordnance and stores in
the garrison ; the moment it can be prccured I will transmit it to your
Lordship.
I enclose a list of the ships and vessels found in the harbour.
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signcdj OJKORGE MARTIN.
37 1 Ri?Lt Hon. Lord Kiiib, K* B.
Commander in Chief, J^V.
$2$ GAZETTE LETTERS.
A List of Vessels found in tie harbour of La Valette, ivten tit Place capituteitieti
L'Atenian, Maltese ship of sixty-four guns, in good condition.
Le Dego, Maltese ship of sixty four guns, not in a state to proceed to scSfc
La Cattagenoise Maltese frigate, not in a state to proceed to ssa.
Two merchant ships, wanting repair.
One brig, fit for sea.
One xebec and two other small vessels.
Five or six gun- boats, not fit for service.
MT LORD, Northumberland, off St* Pdufs^ ZQtb Aug. l8o(X
I have the honour to acquaint you, that the frigates La Justice and La Diane
sailed from the harbour of La Valette on the night of |he I4th, and were im-
nediately pursued by his Majesty's ships off that port ; and that the latter, after
a chase of some hours, and a running fight with the Success, struck to that ship,
the Genereux, and Northumberland. La Justice, I am sorry to add, escaped
under cover of the night, and has not since been heard of.
La Diane mounts 43 guns, eighteen and nine-pounders, but had only 1 14
men on board, having left the remainder to assist in the defence of the garrison.
I have the honour to be, &c.
(bigncd) GEORGE MARTIN.
fke Right Honourable Lord Keith, K. B.
Commander in Chief, {&c.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. II.
Co fiy of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord Keith, Commander in Chief of his Ma'
' j'-'ty't Ships and fcssets in the Mediterranean, to Evan Nepean, sy. dated fon-
droyant, Gibraltar-JBay t Sept. 15, l&OCu
SIR,
My letter of the i ith instant, will have acquainted their Lordships of my
having formed the resolution of attempting an enterprise against two armed
vessels, reported to be receiving stores in the Road of Barcelona for the relief
of Malta. I have now the satibfa3ion of informing you, that this service has
been very judiciously arranged by Captain Louis of the Minotaur ; and most
gallantly and successfully executed by Captain Hillyer of the Niger, and Lieut.
Schomberg of the Aiinotaur, in the boats of these ships, as will appear by the
report made to me thereon by Captain Louis, a copy of which is herewith in-
closed. I have no doubt that their Lordships will justly appretiate the meriss
of the Officers by whom this gallant and enterprising service has been per-
formed.
1 have the honour to be, &c.
KEITH.
J*Y LORD, Minotaur, Sept. ft.
Knowing how anxious and desirous your Lordship was, as well as the service;
to my country, by cutting out or destroying the two corvettes, lying in Barce-
lona Road, mentioned in your Lrdship*s orders to Captain Oliver; and, in
order to check the two ships sailing upon this intended Secret Expedition, in-
duced me to persevere in rhe following attempt :
On the evening of the jdinst. after having delivered Captain Hillyer of the Ni-
ger his orders to join your Lordship, a breeze sprung up from the westward, with
every appearance of a close night. 1 again called him on board, with the signal
at the same time to prepare boats. Captain Hillyer and Lieutenant Schomberg
volunteered the service, assisted by Lieutenants Warrand, Lowry, Lieutenant
Hcaly of the Niger, Mr Reid, \i aster, and Lieutenant Jewell of the Marines.
The boats left the Minotaur about eight o'clock in the evening. The firing
began fr*m all quarters at near nine ; about ten o'clock I had the pleasing satis-
faction to see two ships dropping out of the Road under a heavy fire from the
ships, four strong batteries, ten gun-boats, two schooners, with two forty-two
pounders each the fort of Mount Joui the same time throwing shells. The
Minotaur and Niger were well placed ir. good season to cover the party. The
GAZETTE LETTERS.
329
service was performed throughout with an enterprising spirit, good condutf,
and in a gallant style. The loss, which I shall inform your Lordship, of killed
and wounded, fell principally upon two boats, not great, when compared to the
situation the number of boats, and so many men, were placed in for a consider-
able time. The ship* about eleven o'clock were perfectly free from the fire of
the enemy's batteries and gun -boats, the men of war checking the movements
of the latter : the ships captured, named Conception, alias Esmiralda, and La
Paz, about 400 tons each, mounting 22 brass guns, twelve and nine-pounders,
laden with provisions and stores, &c. supposed for Batavia, and on Dutch ac-
count ; they were to have taken 300 troops of the regiment of Batavian Swiss
on board from the Island of Majorca. I found several Dutch officers on board
the Esmiralda. The officers and several of the men of La Paz, during the
action, quitted her in boats. La Paz is a very fine ship, quite new, never at
sea before, sails remarkably well, and I make no doubt your Lordship will find
her in all respects calculated for his Majesty's service; the Esmiralda is also a
very fine ship. I beg leave strongly to recommend to your Lordship's notice
Captain Hillyer and Lieutenant Schomberg; their services upon this occasion
deserve the first attention and highest praise ; at the same time I cannot pass
without notice the general good conduct of every officer and man serving under
iiiy command.
I herewith send the list of killed and wounded.
1 have the honour to be, &c. &c.
THOMAS LOUIS.
Viet- Admiral Lord Keith, Commander
in Chief ; fcV. &c.
List of Killed and Wounded.
Minotaur. Mr. Reid, Master, slightly wounded.
Niger. Two seamen killed; four seamen and one marine (since dead),
wounded.
Killed and Wounded on board the Enemy's Slips,
La Paz. One seaman killed ; four seamen wounded.
Esmiralda. Two seamen killed i seventeen seamen wounded.
(Signed) THOMAS LOUIS.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, OCT. 14.
Copy of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord Keith, K. B. Commander in Cliff of lit
Majesty': Ships and Vessels in the Mediterranean, to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated on
board the Foudroyant, at Sea, $d Sept. l8oO.
SIR,
T have the honour of inclosing, for the information of their Lordships, a
list of merchant vessels and others, captured by his Majesty's ships on _this
station, under my command, so far as the same have been reported to me since
my last return.
I have the honour to be, KC.
KEITH.
[Here follows a list of merchant vessels captured by his Majesty's ships and
vessels on the Mediterranean station since the last return, so far as the same
have been reported to the Right Hon. Lord Keith, K. B. Vice- Admiral of the
Red, Commander in Chief, &c. &c. &c. except those of which returns nave
been akeady transmitted, amounting to 84.]
IV. u u
C 330 ]
FRENCH MARINE.
TN a former part of this Work, we presented to our Readers a
variety of new regulations then adopted for encouraging the
French Marine *, and remarked that it appeared to be the intention
of the ruling Powers there, to continue actively employed on that
head until its regeneration should be complete : since our publication
of those papers, the following Articles have been decreed by the Con-
suls of the Republic ; the principles of which our Readers may wibh
to be acquainted with, as affording an insight into their proceedings :
ART. I. The Gunnery Department shall be composed of three
ranks of Marine officers, 'viz. an Aid-Gunner, a Second Master,
and a Master Gunner. There shall be three classes in each of these
ranks.
II. No one shall obtain the station of Aid-Gunner who has not re-
ceived a year's instruction in the Theoretical Schools of Gunnery,
unless he has obtained a certificate of merit, and fulfilled the other
conditions required by the law respecting the promotion of sea-
men.
III. First-rate seamen, who in time of war shall have served twelve
months as loaders on board ships of the Republic, may be made Aid-
Gunners, though they have not been at the Theoretical Schools, nor
obtained a certificate of merit.
IV. Seamen who shall obtain the rank of Aid-Gunner, shall, at first,
have only the pay of the third class of that rank 5 tiie farther increale
shall be according to the rules established for promotion in the Marine
Service.
V. Half the number of Masters, Second Masters, and Aid-Gunners
necessary for the armament of ships and other vessels of the Republic,
shall be taken from the seamen who have attained rank from their
service.
The 6th and jth Articles relate to their comparative ranks with
Officers of the Artillery.
VIII. There shall be maintained in the different ports of the Re-
public fifty-four Master Gunners.
Their Pay 'will be divided into four Classes.
3 of the first, at _.-_._ 1080 francs.
5 of the second, at ------ 960
23 ofthetiiird, at ------ 84.0
23 of the fourth, at ------ 720
* Sec Official Papers, Regulations, &c. page 739. and Essays on the Cause of the
Naval Superiority of the English over the French, by French Authors, pages 14* 146,
22 226. Answer to ditto, 227229.
FRENCH MARINE.
They shall be distributed as follows :
33 1
c
'*
C
i>
u
2
O
&
U
B
ctf
u
Q
M
1
05
U
o
9
ffi
u
i-1
c
3
-Q
O
H
I. Class.
i
I
i
o
o
3
II. Idem.
2
1
i
I
o
o
5
III. Idem.
9
5
5
2
I
1
IV. Idem.
9
5
5
2
I
I
23
21
12
12
5
2
2
54-
Their destination may be changed as the exigency of the service may
require.
IX. The Master Gunners maintained shall be attached to the park
of artillery, and employed there in the different details of the service.
They may, nevertheless, be embarked to discharge the functions of
First Masters on board the ships of the Republic when the Maritime
Prefect may think necessary. They shall have the rank of Subaltern
Adjutants, and not change their uniform.
X. The places of Regular Master Gunners shall be given to Master
Gunners of the Maritime Inscription, having the rank of Master of
the First Class, able to read and write, and who shall be distinguished
for their talents, their services, and their good conduct.
XI. When the place of a Master Gunner maintained in a port shall
be vacant, the Maritime Prefeft shall make it known to the officer of
the administration of the Maritime Inscription employed in the circle
of the prefecture. The latter shall without delay send him the state of
service, and justificatory pieces of the Master Gunners who shall have
sufficient pretensions to the vacant place. The chief of the park shall
also send him those of the Master Gunners domiciliated in the port.
These shall be examined by a council under the presidency of the
Maritime Prefect of the port, and composed of the Military Chief, the
Chief of the Park of Artillery, the Chief of the Administration, and
two Naval Officers named by the, Maritime Prefeft. The Council
shall make choice by the absolute plurality of suffrages of the three
candidates who unite the best titles to their favour. The Maritime
Prefeft shall send the list, together with his opinion to the Minister,
who shall nominate the person whom he shall judge intitled to the
preference.
COMPANIES OF APPRENTICE GUNNERS.
XIII. There shall be maintained, for the instruction of young sea-
men, four companies of apprentice gunners two at Brest, one at
Rochefort, and one at Toulon. Each of these companies shall be com-
posed as follows :
1 Chief of Company Captain of Artillery.
2 Subaltern ditto Lieutenants of Artillery.
4 Regular Master Gunners.
4 Master Gunners not Regular.
8 Second Masters.
16 Apprentices Chiefs of Squadrons,
104 Apprentice Gunners.
33* FRENCH MARINE.
Amongst whom are two officers and four regular Master Gunners, be-
sides 552 men, eight Officers, and sixteen Regular Master Gunners.
XIV. There shall only be admitted into these companies, in quality
of Apprentice Gunners, young seamen from eighteen to twenty years
of age.
Those who announce a disposition for the sea service, and know
how to read and write, will have the preference.
XV. There shall be chosen from the apprentices sixteen of those
most distinguished for their application and good conduct, to be Chiefs
of Squadrons, with an additional pay of three francs per month.
The Chiefs of Squadrons may be kept for eighteen months in the
companies of Apprentice Gunners; but in that case they shall, when
their time is out, be capable of a higher promotion than a simple Ap-
prentice Gunner.
XVI. The Apprentice Gunners shall remain at the Theoretical
School of Gunnery for a year, then sent to quarters, and their places
filled up by others j but in such a manner, that no whole company
shall be received at a time.
XVII. They shall be allowed, according to the book of rates,
travelling expences, from their quarters to the port of their destination,
and back again when their time of service is expired.
The 1 8th, i9th, zoth, aisr, and azd Articles, relate to the manner
of filling up vacancies.
XXIII. The posts of Lieutenants in the companies of the Apprentice
Gunners shall be given to the regular Master Gunners.
When a Lieutenancy is vacant, the Minister of the Marine shall
present to the First Consul a list of the regular Master Gunners,
capable of that promotion from the nature of their service ; the First
Consul shall make choice of the person most proper to be appointed.
XXIV. The vacant places of Captains in the companies of Ap-
prentice Gunners shall be bestowed according to the choice of the
First Consul, either on the Lieutenants of these companies, or on
officers of the Marine Artillery.
XXV. The promotions of Captains in these companies to the rank
of Chief of Battalion, shall be according to the regulations for or-
ganizing the Marine Artillery.
XXVI. The pay of each company of Apprentice Gunners shall be
regulated as follows :
DESIGNATION OF RANK. PAY.
Individ. Total.
i Captain, .._-_.-__- 2500 fr. 2500 fr.
i Lieutenant, _-___._. - 1500 1500
4 Regular Master Gunners, -----
4 Ditto, not regular, ....... 576 2304
8 Second Masters, ---*--._- 456 3648
1 6 Apprentice Gunners, Chiefs of Squadrons, 324 5184
104 Apprentice Gunners, -_.--_ 288 29,952.
Total pay of a company, _---__, 45,088
Pay of the four companies, ----- - 180,352
FRENCH MARINE. 333
In consequence of the above rate of pay, no supplement will be
allowed to any Officers, or Master Gunners employed in these com-
panies.
XXVII. The irregular Master Gunners, Second Masters, and Ap-
prentices, shall have no other food at the expence of the Republic, but
twenty-four ounces of bread per day.
Government will be at the expence of barracks and firing, in the
same manner as provided for the Subalterns, Officers, Bombadeers,
and Gunners of the Marine Artillery.
XXVIII. The Apprentice Gunners shall wear a blue jacket, and a
leather cap, with a brass-plate, with an artillery device, which shall be
furnished from the general magazine. The price of the jacket will be
deducted monthly by an eighth of their pay. The cap will be supplied
at the expence of the Republic.
XXIX. The Apprentice Gunners must, on no account, be per-
mitted to sleep out of their barracks, nor more than one half $f the
Masters and Second Masters.
The three next Articles respect the services in which they may be
occasionally employed.
XXXIII. The companies of Apprentice Gunners may also be em-
ployed, when the exigencies of the service require it, in working the
vessels in the harbour. When they are in a condition to furnish de-
tachments for that purpose, they shall be employed under the orders
of the officers of the port, and shall always be led to their work by an
Officer, or Master Gunner, who must himself lend a hand in ex-
ecuting such orders as may be given.
XXXIV. They shall be under the same regulations as the troops of
the park of artillery.
XXXV. They shall, at stated times, undergo an examination before
the Subaltern Chief, and the Adjutant of the Park, and the Officers
and Master Gunners of the company. It shall extend to all the
theoretical and practical parts of gunnery for which they are de-
signed.
XXXVI. The Chief of the park of artillery shall report such ex-
amination to the Maritime Prefect, who is to deliver the certificates of
merit, and allow an increase of pay to those who distinguish them-
selves by their improvement and good conduct.
XXXVII. A statement of such increase shall be sent to the proper
officer, and the Chief of the Administration shall send extracts of them
to the native places of those who shall have obtained them.
The remaining Articles grant proportionate increases to the su-
perior Officers of the different Classes who shall be found deserving of
them.
Thus far we have collected and presented to our Readers what has already
taken place in France relative to the recruiting and spiriting up of their humir
Hated Marine, not doubting but that whatever energy and effect they may be
enabled to give to it, will only add fresh laurels to our gallant tar.
334 1
MONTHLY REGISTER
OF
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS FOR OCTOBER.
HOWEVER highly the Naval Transactions of Britain, and the
conduct of her officers during preceding wars may have tended
to raise her consequence, and to inspire foreign countries at once
with awe and with admiration, it may he fairly asserted, without
the smallest degradation of those very renowned characters who in
earlier contests have so splendidly distinguished themselves, that
no war has ever been so productive as the present, of exertions, many
of them so extraordinary as to become almost incredible. Early in
this month, an official account, which had been preceded for some
days by the repeated murmurs of the Spanish Gazette, was re-
ceived of the capture of two Spanish corvettes, cut out of the Road of
Barcelona, by some boats belonging to the Minotaur and other ships
of war, detached by Lord Keith, from the fleet under his command.
^The circumstances of the attack were singular and unprecedented :
the skill and adroitness with which it was conducted, may challenge
the admiration of ages to come, while it may almost defy being sur-
passed on any future occasion whatever.
It were immaterial to enter into any particular detail of the circum-
stances attending the transaction, as they will be found sufficiently
Fecorded in the very brief and modest official account transmitted by
Captain Louis *, who superintended and directed the operations j but
the conduct of the Spanish Court on this occasion cannot fairly be
passed over so silently. Irritated and provoked, as it Is not unna-
tural to suppose the Government of a country must be on finding
the batteries, even of their principal ports, not capable of afford-
ing protection to their vessels of war, they have endeavoured, by
every species of obloquy that disappointment and resentment could
invent, to persuade the rest of Europe, that this very extraordinary
success was effected by means injurious to the rights of neutral powers,
and such as it was highly incumbent on a variety of other States, in-
sulted as they \verje in what may be considered the person of an indi-
vidual, to resent, as a common and general cause of affront. The
fact, when simplified, appears nothing more than that the Captain of a
British ship of war, having casually met with a merchant vessel be-
longing to Sweden, confessedly a neutral power, thought proper to
seize on, and compel the service of that vessel for a certain period, in
aid of his projected enterprise. This procedure, it seems, has been
loudly complained of as a direct violation of the rights of neutral
Nations. Had the ship in question belonged to the State of Sweden,
there might then have been some ground of complaint as an insult
offered to the Swedish flag 5 but, in the present case, the objection, or
charge, is so ridiculous as to render it not a little extraordinary, that
the most extravagant political partizan could entertain, and foster the
idea even for a moment.
It may be asked, If this doctrine were admitted, and if it were decided
that the Swedish flag was insulted in consequence of a British ship of
war compelling a merchant vessel of that nation to perform any ser-
vice which should be dictated to her, how are those rights to be de-
fined, since it has been the invariable practice of the powers at war
* Gaactte Letters, pag^zS.
MONTHLY REGISTER OF NAVAL EYZNTS. Jj^
ivith each other to hire, and even compel, the service of neutral vessels
as transports j and since those vessels have without hesitation been cap-
tured by the enemies of the compelling power whenever they fell ia
their way ? Two of the principal storeships belonging to that armament
intercepted by the late Admiral Barrington, on its passage to the East
Indies, in 1782, were Swedish vessels. They had been forced to engage
in the service of France, and as they were captured without hesitation,
so were they condemned without complaint. The cases appear as nearly
parallel as the diit'erence of the services will admit : and it is certainly
no unfair inference to say, that if the Law of Nations depends on an
unwritten and ill-defined code, recourse must be had to that best
system of explanation, precedent and general usage.
Information of the foregoing event was attended by one of in-
finitely superior consequence. A success which, resting on a ground
materially different from the former, tends to elevate the character and
consequence of the British Navy far higher than ever it has been before
raised, even in its proudest days of success. The capture of the
Island of Malta, principally owing to the indefatigable exertions of die
British Navy *, will stand on the page of history as a most incon-
trovertible proof of its own consequence, as well as of the mnremittinjj
assiduity of its commanders.
Unassailable with any prospeft of success, on account of its natural
and artificial strength, the fortifications of Valette, which had bade
defiance to the assaults of the most powerful armaments, scowled de-
fiance on the usual methods of siege. To have proceeded according to
the accustomed mode of attack, would have caused only the need-
less sacrifice of the lives of thousands, without materially advancing or
furthering the wishes of the assailants. A more sure but infinitely
more tedious method was prudently resolved on ; and a determinate
perseverance effected that purpose which the utmost effort of human
gallantry might probably have been unable to attain. _ When the
labour, the difficulty, and the manifold impediments which naturally
.oppose the blockade of a port in a far distant quarter of the world, ia
defiance of an enemy, assiduous, enterprizing, brave, and anxious ia
the extreme to render the project abortive, are considered, the success
which attended it cannot tail to reflccl the highest honour on those
who undertook the arduous task, as well as on that country possessed
of sufficient resources to render it, in spite of every surrounding ob-
stacle, eJfeclual and decisive.
The following is a List of his Majesty's Ships which formed the Blockad*.
Northumberland, - 74 Captain Martin.
Genereux, - 74 - Dixon.
Stately (armee tnfiitc} - 64 - - Scott.
Charon (ditto), - - 44 ' - Bridges.
Princes* Charlotte, - 3 ' - Stevenson.
Pallas (an*fl*rf<) - 3 - Edmund*.
Penelope, - - - - 3 6 - Blackwood.
Santa Teresa, - - - 36 - Campbell.
Success, ..... 3* --
i c
Champion, - - - - 4 - Lord W. Stewart.
Bonne Citoyennc, - 18 - - Buchanan.
PortMahon, - - - 16 - Jackson.
Vincelo, --- - 16 - Long-
Minorca, - - - - 16 - Migr.
Strombolo (bomb), - 8 - Thompson.
336 MONTHLY REGISTER
The situation of the conquered country renders it of the highest
consequence to Britain. Though of the most immaterial value on
any other ground, it insures to her the free navigation of the Levant,
and of the Adriatic. It seems by its position totally to preclude any
second attempt being made by European invaders on Egypt, and
insures the tranquillity of the East India possessions of Britain
from any disturbance of the same nature with that already pro-
jected. It serves, in great measure, to afford protection, if not to
all the Italian states, at least to the kingdom of Naples, and gives an
authority to Britain, which the aspiring temper of other powers has
rendered it necessary for her to assume, contrary, perhaps, to her own
natural inclination.
- The maritime events in other quarters, however less consequential
in their interest, have proved no less glorious and honourable to
Britain. The navies of her opponents have been content to owe their
safety, as heretofore, to the protection t>f their ports, and Britain has
enjoyed the negative satisfaction of meeting with no competitor or rival
daring enough to contend with her the empire and dominion of the
seas.
While on the one hand, the bravery and general spirit of enter-
prise has been so conspicuously displayed, the philanthropy and bene-
volent disposition of British Officers has been.no less prominent.
An account published by the French themselves, states, that in the
beginning of the month of September, a flag of truce arrived at Barce-
lona from Port-Mahon, bringing thither more than one hundred
prisoners, Spaniards, Ligurians, and French, who had been rescued by
the English from the possession of the Turks. The cruelties they
are said to have experienced, according to their own report, and the
very expressions used in depicting them, " would freeze the very soul."
Among the miserable captives, was a person of the name of Theve-
mrd, son to an inhabitant of Toulon 5 he was one of the unfortunate
men sent by the French on the luckless expedition to Egypt. His
brother had fallen in the battle of Aboukir, and he himself had lan-
guished in captivity for a considerable space of time, till Sir Sidney
Smith, fortunately for him, became apprized of his distressed situa-
tion. This truly great man immediately exerted every nerve to pro-
cure his release, and was, as might be expected, successful ; bur his
generosity did not stop here : he supplied him with necessaries, with
money, with recommendations to a variety of persons at Con-
stantinople, and afterward caused him to be conveyed to Rhodes, in
a. vessel purposely equipped for his use. The conduct of Sir Sidney
on this occasion has been attended to with the utmost gratitude by the
French; and the following" letter, selected from among many others
equally benevolent and philanthropical, has been published in the
French papers.
Copy of a Letter from Commodore Sir Sidney Smith to Captain
Gabriel Thevenard.
" On board tie Tigrt, June 15, l8oO.
" M. Thevenard is requested to come and.dine with bir Sidney ''mith on
board the 1 igrc this day, at three o^ciock. Sir Sidney takes the liberty to
Send some clothes, which he supposes a person just escaped from prison may
require. 'J he great coat is not of the best ; but excepting English naval
uniforms, it is the only one on board the 'I igre, and the same Sir Sidney wore
during his journey from the Temple till he reached the sea. It will have
done good service, if it a^ain serves a similar purpose, by restoring another toe
to the arms of his aged father, dying with chagrin."
Such conduct must Silence the breath of envy, and render all ar.
plause nugatory \ 4
OF NAVAL EVENT*. 337
It is with pleasure we find, that those gallant veterans, the Officers of Green-
wich Hospital, are likely to obtain a reiteration of their half-pay, which has
been hitherto stopped from them, upon their being admitted members of that
great national institution. All who have the good and honour of their country
at heart, must be gratified by every instance of public munificence shown to so
highly valuable a class of men as the Captains and t ieutenants of the Navy ;
from among whom the veterans in question have been selected, as possessing
uncommon merit, and as having signalized themselves in the service of their
country in the most extraordinary manner. Men who answer to this descrip-
tion cannot be sufficiently rewarded.
Soundings have been lately taken along the Welch coast, as a chain of
shipping is to be established, for the purpose of a complete communication be-
tween hngland and France. By this means the enemy will find it difficult to
escape from Brest without our fleet having immediate intelligence.
It is reported, that in consequence of particular orders from Lord Keith*
commander in chief in the Mediterranean, all marines landed on service, under
his command, are to share whatever prizes may be captured by their respe<5tive
dhips. This, though a new thing, is but just.
HOUND SLOOP OF WAR.
It is with concern we are under the necessity of recording the follawing
particulars respecting the Hound sloop of war, as transmitted in a letter from
Edinburgh, dated October the lyth.
" On the 2jth ult. his Majesty's ship Hound sailed from Brassy Sound,
having in company the Lerwick packet, of Lerwick, and the Eliza, of Ler-
wick, with the mail for Aberdeen. The Eliza returned to Brassy sound on
the morning of the 2;th ult. wind S. S. E. blowing a storm, and heavy rain.
It is now reported from the Island of Unst, that a topmast. cap, and part of an
arm-chest, with the word " Hound" upon each of them, are drove on >hore,
in and near the island of Baity, and in Baity Sound ; as also some hammocks,
pillows, and slips, a hen-coop, &c. It is likewise reported, that a cow, which
was sold by a ~\lr. Thomas Edmonstone, of Buncs, to the purser or some other
gentleman of the Hound, the last time she was in Baity Sound, is found among
the wreck, and, by marks that were previously cut on the horr.g, they know it
to be the same cow that was delivered on board the Hound by Mr. Edmon-
stone. From these reports it is feared the Hound has experienced a melancholy
accident. Beside the ship's company, there were on board forty-five Dutch
fishermen, prisoners."
Captain Turquand, of the above sloop, was first Lieutenant of the Canada,
of 74 guns, commanded by Sir J. B. Warren, when he engaged the French fleet
off Tory Island, and brought the Hoche safe into port, for which he was made
Commander, and appointed to ad in the room of Captain Raynor of fhc
Railleur sloop, during his illness ; Captain Raynor having joined her on the
apth of May, the above sloop, with the Trompeuse, commanded by Captani
Robinson, and the Lady Jane cutter, parted with the Channel Fleet in a heavy
gale of wind, and have not since been heard of.
CAPTURE OF THE ALBION SLOOP OF WAR.
We are concerned to state, that letters have been received from Captain M.
Smith, at Tranquebar, announcing the capture of his Majesty's ship the Albion,
by a French pnvateer, the Malartique, on the 6th of March, in lat. 20. 24.
north, and long. 90. o. east. The privateer fell in with the Albion on the j-th
February and the chace (during the whole of which the privateer had English
colours flying, and under them kept up a constant fire) lasted until the lol-
lowing day at one i'.M. when the enemy being within pistol shot, Captain
Smith found h'mself under the necessity of surrendering his ship,
before, the Malartique took a vessel from Pe o ue, belonging, to the K:n^
Tsavancore, and, after dismantling her in a great measure, put Capum
. iv. x x
338 MONTHLY REGISTER
and his crew on board, requiring his parole of honour, that nc would proceed
to the poit of 'I ranquibar; and for the purpose, it would seem, of preventing
Captain t-mith's speedy arrival, lest intelligence of the privateer's motion*
might thereby be given, the French Commander ordered the vessel's main-yard
to be thrown overboard. The Malartique had captured a very rich Dane and
a Portuguese ship, with many chests of dollars on board.
Courts partial*
PORTSMOUTH, OCTOBER Ig.
A Court Martial was held on board the Gladiator, in Portsmouth Harbour,
n Thomas M'Carty, a seaman belonging to his Majesty's ship Mclfemcnt, for
desertion,
Admiral HOI.LOWAY, President.
The charge being completely proved, he was sentenced to be hanged. Thi
was the third time of his desertion, after receiving each time the bounty for hi*
entering into the service. The last time, he entered into the Marines, and
consequently swore, agreeably to orders of admitting men into that Corps, that
he did not belong to the Navy or Army, and that he was an Englishimn, and
not a Roman Catholic. He has, however, proved his own ad: of perjury, by
wnce confessing that he is an Irishman, and of the Catholic persuasion, in addi-
tion to the circumstance of his being a seaman at the time.
1 5. Another Court-Martial was held on board the same ship, for the trial
nf Joseph WKIGHT, alia* Marr, a Seaman belonging to his Majesty's fire-ship
Otter, tor desertion, and on suspicion of running away with one of the ship'i
boats The prisoner was in part found guilty, and sentenced to receive zo
lashes, and to forfeit all his pay.
James KEETJNO, a private Marine belonging to his Majesty's ship Terrible,
was also tried the same day, on a charge of disobedience of orders, and (It iking
his Serjeant ; and being found guilty, was sentenced to receive 2,00 lahcs.
SHEERNBSS, SEPTEMBER lj.
A Court Martial was held on board His Majesty's ship Lit Sensible, in the.
Harbour, to try JAMS* BLEW, belonging to the Poumer gun vessel, for deser-
tion ; when the Court, in consideration of the extreme good character given
him by his officers, only adjudged him to receive zoo lashes.
Off. a6. A Court Martial was held on board his Majesty's ship Sijnrton. in
Sheerness harbour, to try Lieutenant JAMES RYDER, of his Majesty's ship Zea-
ianJ, for absenting himself from the ship without leave, when, the charge being
proved, he was rendered incapable of serving in the Naval Service of His Ma-
jesty, his heirs and successors, for ever; but the Court recommended him t
orne consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
"J he same day another Court Martial was held on board the ame ship, to try
Alexander Brown, a seaman belonging to His Majesty's ship Jiolebay, for de-
if-rtion, and for running away with a prize belonging to that ship ; but th
hirges not being proved, he was acquitted.
T. TRING, a eaman belonging to the Centurion, was, on the zist of January,
executed on board the Suffolk, at Bombay, pursuant to the sentence of a Court
Martial. Tring, with some others, was sent with a prize to the Centurion for
the Cape of Good Hope, but the vessel wa re-captured on her passage, and
carried into the Mauritius : the Prize-master and his crew shortly after received
permission from the French Commander to return home ; but Tring and
another, instead of doing so, entered on board the French frigate La Pnidente,
and which was afterwards captured by the Daedalus, Tring entered as an
American on board the Daedalus, and proceeded with her into the Red Sea,
where joining the Centurion, he WAS recognized, Hi& companion was killed i ; ,
the aion between the frigate*.
OF NATAL BYKNTS.
PLYMOUTH REPORT,
FROM SEPTEMBER 23 TO OCTOBER 32.
Stft. 24. Wind S. W. Blows a gale. Passed up for tke Downs, th
Madras, of 54 guns, Captain Dilkes, after a fine passage from St. Helena, with
sixteen sail of East Indiaman, all well, valued at three millions sterling ; one
Indiaman has on board spices to the amount of 500,000!. sterling, from Ceylon.
By letters from Jamaica, dated the jd of August last, it appears that the Au-
gust fleet of 170 sail, sailed from Bleuficlds the ist of that month under care of
the Queen, of 98 guns, Captain Dobson, two frigates, and the Busy, of 18,
Captain Ommaney. (They have since arrived.) Several of the Mutineers of
his Majesty's late ship Hermione, had been tried, executed, and to operate as
a terrible example, their remains had been suspended in chains from gibbets,
erected on the Coral Keys or Rocks, lying off Port- Royal harbour. Captain
6. Foster, was promoted to the command of the Retribution, of 44 gun?, late
Hermione. (Vide NAVAL CHRONICLE, page 256.) Captain R. Mends, of the
Abergavenny, of 54 guns, had been promoted to the Thunderer, 74, and had
sailed on a twelve weeks cruise.
25. Wind S. W. Blows hard. Owing to the very heavy gales of wind,
and the unsafe riding of the gun-boats, the whole cordon of those vessels is
broke up for the winter, and they are gone into Yealm River, Catwatcr,
Finisterrc Bay, and Mill Bay. Arrived the Spanish packet El Carlos, of iS
guns, and ic o men, richly laden with cocoa, indigo, cotton, and Soool ster'ing
in dollars, prize to the Doris, of 36 guns, Captain Lord Ranelegh. She was
bound from the Havannah to Corunna, and was captured off the latter port
the i7th instant. She threw her dispatches overboard.
26. Wind S. W. Cloudy. Arrived the Sprightly, of 14 guns, Lieutenant
Jump, from a cruise. The Robuste, of 74 guns, Captain Thornborough, from
the Channel Fleet. The Louisa, of 14 guns, Lieutenant Truscott, just come
from the Straits, is fitting for the same service. Passed up for Torbay, Admiral
Earl St. Vincent, with part of the Channel Fleet.
27. Wind S. W, Blows hard- Arrived from off Brest, and anchored in
Cawsand Bay, awing to very heavy gales of wind at S. W. the Temeraire, of
98 guns, Rear-Admiral Whitshed; Namur, 98, Captain Luke; Prince, 98,
Rear-Admiral Sir C. Cotton, Bart.; Barfleur, 98, Rear-Admiral Colling-
wood; Royal George, no, Captain Domett; Neptune, 98, Captain Vashon ;
La Juste, 84, Captain Sir H. Trollope ; Russel, 74, Captain H. Sawyer; Mars,
74, Captain Monkton ; Marlborough, 74, Captain Sotheby ; Defence, 74,
Captain Lord H. Paulet; Elephant, 74, Captain r'oley; Excellent, 74, Hon.
Captain Stopford. Came in, in damage, the Mercury of and from Quebec,
with timber for London. She was taken the i6th instant by La Bellone,
French privateer of 36 guns, and 30x3 men ; and retaken the 20th imtant, by
L'lmmortalite,of36 guns, Captain Hotham.
28. Wind W. Cloudy. Arrived here a mate and six men, part of the
Spitfire's crew, which were put on board the Robust, an American, from Haiti-
more to Amsterdam with tobacco, and detained and sent f.>r Plymouth by the
Spitfire of 24 ~ftns, Captain Keen, off the hddy stone ; while three of the crew
were aloft trimming the sails two in the hold stowing the cable tier, one at tl
helm and the prize-master at breakfatt, the Americans, armed with pistols,
seized the steersman and prize-master, and threatened to shoot the men aloft
and below, if they did not give up the ship, forced them into a boat, and it >
upposcd steered for Amsterdam (she is since arrived there). The poor fellows
after a long pull, got into Salcombe. Passed up Irom Minorca, where she
landed General Sir Ralph Abercrombic and suite, the Seahorse, of 38 guns,
Captain Foote.
20 N. N, W. Blows hard. Arrived th? Eeaulieu, of 44 F, Capta.n
Skynner, frow cruise. Went into the *oun4, La ?!, * 44 gu> Captwn
540 MONTHLY REGISTER
Young; she is victualled for foreign service, and goes to Portsmouth to com-
plete her complement of men.
30. Wind variable. Cloudy. Letters from the Csesar, of 84 guns, Com*
modore Sir J. Saumarez, Bait, dated the 26th, state, that the Caesar, 84;
Fompee, 84; Captain, 74; Montague, 74; Sinus, 36; and Megsera, 24; com-
' pose the in-shore flying squadron in Dauarnez Bay, near Brest, where, in the
late heavy gales of wind at S. W. they by as snug as in Torbay or Cawsand
bay, without splitting a rope yarn. The Megasra in expelled in soon to refit.
05. i. Wind S. W. Rain. Arrived a French brig cartel from Nantz, with
114 British seamen and Marines, all of whom were taken prisoners about three
months since in the boats of Rear- Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren's squadron,
in endeavouring to cut out a French convoy from Isle Nourmouticr, but the
tide' making a great out, the whole were [taken by the French troops; who,
while .our poor fellows were in the mud and sands, fired upon them in their
defenceless situation, and killed and wounded several. .Lord H. Paulet's
coxswain of the Defence was killed.
i. Wind S. W. Rain. Arrived the Scorpion, of 1 8 guns, Captain Finley ;
parted company with the West India fleet in a violent gale of wind off the
'Western Islands. Arrived the Cerberus, of 33 guns, Captain Macuamara, from
a cruise. Sailed to join the Channel FJeet, the Elephant, of 74 guns, Captain
Foley ; also the Fanny, 14, Lieutenant Frissel, with a convoy for Dublin.
3. Wind S. W. Rain. Arrived the Marlborough, of 74 guns, Captain
Sotheby, from off Ushant ; and Spitfire, 24, from a cruise, with the Anna, Gil-
dea, Master, from Amsterdam, bound to Philadelphia, supposed with Dutch pro-
ptrty; also the Aiaris, Torney, with fish from Newfoundland. Sailed the
Canada, of 74 guns, Hon. Captain De Courcy, to join the flying squadron in
Dauarnez Bay, to watch the motions of the combined fleets in Brest harbour.
4. Wind S. W. Rain. Arrived the Dasher, of 18 guns, Captain Tobin, and
the La Rose French schooner from Bourdeaux, bound to Gaudaloupe, with
wines and brandies, prize to the Clyde, of 44 guns, Captain Cunningham.
Sailed the Indefatigable, of 44 guns, Hon. Captain Curzon, for Torbay.
j. Wind S. E. Rain. Pursuant to orders from Admiral Earl St. Vincent,
the following ships sailed from Cawsand Bay to join his Lordship in Toibay,
viz. Prince, of 98 guns, Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Cotton ; Prince George, 98 ;
Edgar, 74; Barfleur, 98, Rear-Admiral Collingwood ; F-xcellent, 74 ; Neptune,
98; Elephant, 74; and Doris, 36.
6. Wind S. E. Rain. Letter* received from the Cxsar, of 84 guns, dated
off Brest, the 1st instant, state, that the Captain, 74, Captain Sir R. Strachan,
spoke on the 30th ult. a large West Indiaman from Jamaica, of 600 tons, taken
by La Grand N'ouche French privateer of Bourdeaux, and recaptured going
into that port, by the Alarm, Dispatch, and Marquis of Townsend privateers,
of Guernsey : when the West Indiaman was boarded by the above privateers,
the prize-master found seven of the mutineers of his Majesty's late ship Danae,
who on being discovered, were immediately put in irons. It should be ob-
served, that the Danae's mutineers entered at Bourdeaux, principally on board
the French privateers La Grand Mouche, of 36 guns, and 300 men. and La
Belloue, of 36 guns, and 300 men ; by these letters it appears that the combined
fleets were in stJtu quo.
7. Wind variable. Rain. Arrived the Britannia of and from Glasgow,
for Charlestown, prize to La Eraave, of 36 guns, and 300 men. of Bourdeaux,
and retaken by La Nymphe. of ? 6 guns, Captain Frazer. Arrived aUo La
Nymphe from a cruise off Corunna. Arrived from Gibraltar express, with dis-
patches for Government, in ten days, the Thalia, of 36 gur.% Laptain Nisbet ;
as soon as the dispatches and letters are fumigated, they will be forwarded im-
mediately express.
8. Wind N. W. Fair. The Captain, of 74 guns, and M ars, 74, appeared
off the Sound from the westward, laid to for orders, and then sailed for Tur-
bay. Sailed for Portsmouth with tick men, the Ramilics, of 74 guns.
HAVAL EVIITrS.
$. "WindS. W. Fair. Sailed for Portsmouth, the Royal George, of uo
guns, Captain Domett, to take Rear-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker on board, who
then will join the Channel Fleet. Two boats a few days since in a gale cf
wind, were upset near Redding Point, and every soul perished. Thejearaa
$o high at the same time that it made a clear breach over the Barbican Pier
from the youth west. Arrived from the secret expedition the Amethyst, of
38 guns, Captain Cooke; she aud La Nymphe will receive their prize-monej
for a French East Indiaman, th ir prize. During their stay in port she netted
36,000!.
10. Wind S. W. Rain. Came in La Racoon French privateer, of 14 vmt,
and 90 men, captured by the squadron off Corunna. Also La Magiciennc
French schooner Letter of Marqne, Citizen Andoin, richly laden with gurt,
ivory, and natural curiosities, from Senegal to Bourdeaux, prize to the Clyde,
of 44 guns, Captain Cunningham. Also the Juffrow Dierde, 1 russian galliot,
with salt from Croisir, detained and sent in by the Fanny, of 14 guns, Lieut.
Frissell. And in damage in a heavy gale of wind, the Danish brig Vrow
Elizabeth, with brandy and wine from Teneriffe to Altona. Also a sloop with
timber, detained by the Clyde, of 44 guns.
1 1. Wind S. W. Blows hard. Sailed La Juste, of 84 guns, Captain Sir H,
Trollope ; and Saturn, of 74, Captain Totty, for Torbay. Arrived the Kan-
garoo, 1 8, Captain Pulling, from the Downs for Belfast, to wait for order*. Came
in the El Vivo, Spanish brig of war, of 14 guns, eighteen-poundcrs, and 100
men, bound with dispatches from Coranna to Havannah, captured by the
Fisgard, of 48 guns, Captain T. B. Martin. She threw her dispatches over-
board.
i. Wind S. W. Blows hard. Arrived the Renown, of 74 guns, Rear-
Admiral Sir J. Borlase Warren, Bart. ; Impeteux, 84 ; Captain, 74 ; Courageux,
74 ; Superb, 74; from the secret expedition. Since the failure at Ferro) the
above squadron have been cruising in the Bay. L'Impeteux, of $4 guns,
knocked off her false keel on some rocks in a bay near Ferrol. Arrived the
'Telegraph, of 18 guns, Lieutenant Corsellis, from a cruise.
13. Wind S. W. Rain. Blows hard. Went into Barnpool the Amethyst,
of 38 guns, Captain Cooke. Also the Jmpetueux, of 84 guns. It blew so hard
this morning;, that the flotilla of trawl-boats fishing off the Eddyttone, were
obliged to bear away without being- able to draw their trawls. Sailed for Bel-
fast, the Kangaroo, of 18 guns, Captain Pulling. Also on a cruise the Tele-
graph, of 1 8 guns, Lieutenant Corsellis. Parsed by the Channel Fleet for their
station off Brest. Arrived the 1 .ondon Packet, of 10 guns, Lieutenant Fegen,
with a fleet of coasters from the Downs Also the Chapman, of 24 guns,
Captain Brown, with a fleet from Milford Haven.
14. Wind variable. Mild. Arrived from Torbay, with the loss of anchor*
and cables in a gale of wind on Saturday at S. . the . uwurrow, of 16 gun?,
1 jeutenant Nicholson.
i$. W r ind 8. E. Fair. Arrived from the Channel Fleet, with orders for all
the ships in the bound and pawsand Bay to sail directly, the Megsera fircship,
Captain Hill. After delivering her orders she sailed again directly, bailed
the Dasher, of 18 guns, Captain Tobin, on a cruise. Arrived 1 a i oire, of 48
guns, Captain Newman, to refit. Went up the harbour the impetueux, of 84
guns. She stripped directly, and goes into the large dock the next tide to have
her keel and bottom examined. Came in the sir Sidney Mmth schooner with
a convoy.
1 6. Wind variable. Fair. Came in the Juno, Patterson, from Riga, with
hemp and iron for the dock-yaid. Sailed the Defence, of 74 guns, Captain
Lord Paulet, to join the Channel Fleet. Arrived the Plymouth Lugger,
Lieutenant Elliott, from a cruise off i ourdeaux; and the Pelican, of 16 guns,
Captain Thickness, from Jersey, left all well at the latter place. The Hanger
cutter, Captain ! razer, arrived from a cruise alter smugglers, and brought in
140 ankers of spirits. Sailed on a cruise, the Cerberus, of 32 guns, Captain
Macnumara 5 and George cutter, of iz gung, with a fleet to the eastward.
54* MOHTHLT RtGlSTER
17. Wind N. W. Fair. Sailed with dispatches for Gibraltar, the Sir
Thomas Pasley cutter, Lieutenant Nevin. This day prize-money to a large
amount was paid to the Captains, officers, and crews of the Amethyst, of .,8
guns, Captain Cooke, and La Nymphe, of 36 guns, Captain P. Frazer. The
great sales for prize goods captured in different vessels of the enemy by our
cruisers and sent in here, began this day. The prize-vessels and goods of
different kinds fetched great prices; and were bought np with avidity by
purchasers from London, Liverpool, Bristol, 1-almouth, Exeter, &c. much te
the satisfaction of the captors.
18. Wind E. S. E. Cloudy. Came in and wnt up the harbour, the
Kanrnr, of 98 guns, Captain i.nke. Her crew is to be turned over to the St.
Joseph, of 1 12 guns, lately repaired, and now fitting for sea in Hamoaze.
19. Wind E. N. E. Fair. Arrived the Neptune, of 98 guns; Tcme-
raire, 98 ; Atlas, 98 ; and Centaur, 74 ; from Earl St. Vincent's fleet. The
latter has sprung her fore mast and bowsprit in a gale of wind.
zo. Wind E. N. E. Fair and mild. Arrived six chasse maries, part of a
convoy of eleven sail, laden with salt- fish, cord, wood, and other stores, for the
Combined fleets at Brest. They were cut out by the boats of the Magnificent,
ef 74 guns, Captain Bowater, and the Montague, of 74 guns, Captain Knight,
on Sunday the I3th instant, near L'Orient. One chasse marie burnt, two. sunk,
two fitted as armed tenders, and six brought into Plymouth eleven sail.
The most material fadl is, that there is now fitting out at L'Orient, a new ship
f large dimensions, called L'Argonaut, of 74 guns, and 750 men, launched
about three months since, and was the i ith instant, with top-sail-yards across,
fitting for sea. It is said she means to try to escape these dark nights for
Brest.
21. Wind W. Fair. Arrived from of Corunna, with 1 60 Spanish prisoners,
the Unicorn, Captain Wilkinson. Sailed to join the Channel Fleet, with dis-
patches, the Magicienne, of 32 guns, Captain Ogilvie. Letters from the flying
squadron off the Black Rocks, dated the i4th instant, state, that the squadioy
had a peep into the Brest Outer-road, the loth inst. when the combined fleets
were in stain quo. Sailed the London, of 98 guns, to join the Channel Fleet.
In deck refitting this day, St. Joseph, of in guns; Culloden, 74; La
Nymphe, 36; Scout, 16; Sprightly, 14. The frame-work of the Hibernia, of
120 guns, is up and complete, and will remain for seasoning according to the
rales of the Navy. P. M. Sailed for Guernsey La Loire, of 48 guns, Captain.
Newman.
PORTSMOUTH REPORT.
SEPTEMBER 29 TO OCTOBER 27.
Sept. 50. Arrived La Pique, of 38 guns, Captain Young, and Sea-Guli,
Captain Lavie, with the Howard transport under convoy from Plymouth.
Off. z. Arrived the Pelican, of 18 guns, Captain Thicknesie, from a cruise,
with the Resolution, a Swedish ship, laden with masts, which she detained in
the Channel ; and a smuggler, laden with 400 cask* of spirits. Also I a
Vidoire, French cutter privateer, prize to the Badger, Captain Price. Sailed
the Fairy, Captain Warren, to put himself under the orders of the Prince d
Bouillon, at Jersey.
' 3. Sailed the Bouncer, with a convoy for the Downs; and the Farl St.
Vincent cutter, with a convoy for the westward.
4. His Majesty' ship Melpomene, Captain Sir Charles Hamilton ; and
Tly, Captain Mudge, went oat of harbour to iipithead.
6. Arrived the Topaze, of 36 guns, Captain Church, from Lisbon, last from
the Downs; and the Cumberland, of 74 guns, Captain Graves, fio:n the
OF .NAVAL ETENTS..
Jailed his Majesty's ships Triumph, of 74 guns, Captaia E. Harvey; and
Thames, of 32 guns, Captain Lukin, to join the Channel Fleet ; and th Pelkan,
Captain Thicknesse, for Jersey.
?. Arrived the Terrible, of 74 guns, Captain Walseley, and Burdcla, of
3* guns, Captain Manby, from the Downs. Also the Earl St. Vincent cutter,
Lieutenant Leekey, with the Ocean transport, with troops for Jersey.
8. Arrived the Jason, of 40 guns, Captain Yorke, from a cruise on th
coast of France ; and the Rowcliffe, Lieutenant Donavan, from Guernsey. Sir
Hugh Dalrymplc, and suite, came home passengers, and were landed at Wey-
Biouth.
9. Arrived the Juste, of 80 guns, Captain Sir Henry Trollope, from the
Channel Fleet ; Cambrian, of 40 guns, Hon. Captain Legge ; St. Fiorenzo, 40,
Captain Patterson : and Syren, 36, Captain Gossclin, from Weymouth, where
they have been attending their Majesties.
1 1. Sailed the Ganges, of 74 guns, Captain Freemantlc, to join the Channd
Fleet.
13. Arrived the Harpy, Captain Birchall; Resolution, Captain Gardner;
Gorgon, Captain Hidl.and Alkmaar, Captain Maling, from the Downs.
14. Arrived the Lion, Captain Hammond, with dispatches from the Me-
diterranean ; and the Snake sloop of war, Captain Lewis (so long given up ac
totally lost), from the coast of Africa. She sailed from Spithead on the j jth
f February, and had not been heard of since the ijth of the following month,
when she parted with the ships in her company during a most awful storm.
She brought in with her a prize.
ic. Arrived the Dolphin cutter, Lieutenant Jasrctt, and Farce gun-rrijr f
Lieutenant Tokley, from Marcou. Sailed the Castor, Captain Gowcr; Prose-
lyte, Captain Fowke, for Jersey ; and Active, Captain Giffard, on i cruise.
16. Sailed the Modeste, Captain Hinton ; Dido, Captain Colby, and Re-
source, Captain Crispo, with troops for the Mediterranean.
17. Sailed the Rambler, Captain Schomberg, and the Rowcliffc, Lieutenant
Donovan, with four sail of transports undei convoy, for Guernsey, with troops.
20. Arrived the L'Oiseau, Captain Linzee, from her station off Havre de
Cracc. She was relieved by the Proselyte, Captain Fowke. Earl St. Vincent,
Lieutenant Leekey ; and Earl Spencer, lieutenant Rye, from a cruise. Sailed
the Hazard, Captain Butterfield, with a convoy for Newfoundland.
21. Arrived the Serpent, Captain Roberts; and Weazle, Captain Durban,
Irom the eastward. Sailed the Ikjuncer gun-vessel, with a convoy for the Downs,
22. Arrived the Emerald, Captain Waller; and Niger, Captain Hillyar,
from the Mediterranean; and Phcebe, Captain Barlow, from Ireland. Sailed
the RowclifFe, Lieutenant Donovan, with troops for Jersey.
23. Arrived the Sensible, Captain Sauce ; Sheerness, Captain Garden; and
Dj-omedary, Captain Taylor, from the Downs. Sailed the Lion, Captain
Hammond, for Chatham, to be paid off: Braakcl, Captain Clarke, to 6t.
Helens ; the Harpy, Captain Birchall ; and Earl St. Vincent cutter, Lieutenan:
Leekey, on a cruise.
24 Arrived the Constance brig, Lieutenant Wright, from Jersey ; and the
Andromeda, Captain Bradby, from the Downs. Sailed the Jason, of 40 guns,
Captain Yorke, for Cowes She is appointed to convoy the Cornwallis and
General Boyd; the former bound to Botany Bay, and the latter to the Soutk
Seas.
5 . Arrived the Plover, Captain Galway, with a Urge convoy from th
Downs.
26. Sailed on a cruise the Cambrian, Hon. Captain Lcgge ; and St. Fio-
renzo, Captain Patterson.
The Pbcebe, Captain Barlow, is appointed to take Admiral Sir Alan Gardner
to Ireland, to succeed Admiral KiDgsmill as commander ui " " n " at
344
LOSS OF THE QUEEN.
The following is an extract of a Letter from an Officer on board the Kent
Fndiaman, dated from St. talvadore, on the coast of Brazil, the lyt
We should have left this place ere now, but for a melancholy accident which
has befallen the Queen Indiaman, which had put in here with us a few days
since, For want of water. On the 9th, between two and three o'clock A.M.
oar Officer who had the watch on deck, discovered a smoke issuing from the
Gun-room ports of the Queen, which was moored a little way from us.
Immediately we called the Captain and Officers, for although no alarm was
given from the Queen, yet as she was evidently on fire, every exertion was
made to man our bouts, with the fire-engines, buckets, &c. for their assistance ;
but within a few minutes of our discovering the smoke, she was completely i
/Tames from stern to the bows, and in a few minutes more, the three masts were
overboard. Unfortunately it blew very fresh, and a current of at least three or
four knots. This of course rendered it difficult for the boats to get along side to
save the people, and so rapid were the flames, that about thirty soldiers
perished below decks, being unable to get up the hatchways. All the Officers
of the ship are saved ; and fortunately for us, the current carried her clear of
the Bay, and she drove a considerable distance before she blew up, about 7
A. M. The cause of the fire U not ascertained, as no person had been in the
gun-room after eight o'clock ; and although several people slept over the gun-
room scuttle, the smoke was not discovered till near three o'clock. The scene
was dreadful, from the cries of between 2 and 300 men, and many perishing in
the flames or sea. Those that are saved are almost entirely naked, from being
hurried out of their beds. The remaining troops, and all the passengers, (about
jco), proceed in the Kent to India. There are five Ladies, and General ST,
JOHN and Family, are accommodated by the Captain of the Kent with his
cabin apartment.
Most of the passengers, Captain Craig, and some of the Officers were
ashore at the time, V nfortunatcly six of the passengers and seventy of the
crew perished. The First Mate, Mr. John Craig, was on board, and did
not leave the ahip till the very last moment, after having done every thing
that it was possible for a man to do. The only way in uhich this dreadful
disaster can be accounted for is, that immediately upon the arrival of the Queen
at St. Salvadore, a guard of Portuguese were sent on board, to prevent, as
they said, smuggling, and a gun-boat at the same time was laid alongside of
her, the crew of which kept a fire of wood constantly burning- ; some of it, it
is supposed, they threw in at the scuttle-hole of the gun-room, for it was there
the fire was first discovered, and no one of the ship's company had been near
it with a candle.
Amongst the unfortunate sufferers on board was EdwarJ Maync, Eq.
jun. of Powis Logic, in Scotland, writer in the service of the Hon. East
India Company. When just about to step into the boat which was to carry
him from the awful scene, he recollected that there was an unfortunate pas-
senger confined by sickness to his cabin. He flew to rescue him from the im-
pending destruction, and in a short time appeared with the hapless invalid on
his shoulders. Alas! it was too lute ; the boat had put off, and in a few
minutes the ship blew up.
The fate of Mr. Smith also, a gentleman of the Bar, was truly deplorable :
In endeavouring to get from the ship, one of his amis was jammed between
her and a boat lashed alongside, whilst the fire was raging near him, so that
apparently, he was precluded from a possibility of escaping. In this dreadful
dilemma, he intreatxd some of the people, who were getting over the ship's
side into another boat, to cut off his arm, that he might join them ; which not
being complied with, he contrived to take a penknife from his pocket, and put
aa- immediate cod to his. life, by cutting his throat.
4
OF NAVAL EYENTJJ 345
This is the third East Indiaman which has been destroyed by fire since the
"year 1701 The two former were the Princess Amelia, and the Earl Fitzwil-
liahi. The Commanders of all the three ships were, however, saved.
OCTOBER 8th, 1800.
A Court of Directors was held at the East India Ifvuse, this day, at which the
following Ships were taken up and consigned as under- mentioned :
BOMBAY AND CHINA.
SJjifs. Tens. Commanders. To be in ti't
Doiuns.
New Ship, ...
iaoo Capt. Thos. Wakefield,
Dec. 7th.
New Ship, -
1200 Andrew Patten,
ditto
Nottingham, -
John Barfoot,
ditto
ST.
HELENA, BENCOOLEN, AND CHINA.
Carnatic, ...
1 1 89 Capt. James Jackson,
ditto
COAST AND CHINA.
True Briton,
1198 Capt. Wm. Stanly Clarke,
Jan. 2 lit.
Hindostan, -
1248 Geo. Millett,
ditto
Hope, ....
1 200 James Horncastle,
ditto
Boddam, ...
ion Geo. Palmer,
ditto
CHINA.
Taunton Castle,
1189 Capt. ,
March ;th
Albion, ...
96 1 Andrew Timbrill,
ditto
\\^r*r*r? fnr^l
* -r <?"* T im f*c; Tl^**I
ditto
Alfred, '- - -
7c~ T n tfc~.. T7^^.,ul^.^
ditto
I j otj ' j allies i rtr<jun<trson|
Earl of Abergavenny,
1 200 John Wordsworth,
ditto
Duke of Buccleugh -
Warley, - - -
! j 82 Thomas Wall,
Hco Henry Wilsou,
ditto
ditto
Belviderc,
ditto
COAST AND BAY.
Charlton, ...
818 Capt. Thomas Welladvice,
Feb. Jth.
SirS. Lushington,
608 George Gooch,
ditto
Duke of Montrose,
762 Patrick Burt,
ditto
Dover Castle,
820 . Peter Sampson,
ditto
Calcutta, -
819 . William Maxwell,
ditto
Admiral Gardner,
813 . Edward Bradford,
ditto
J,ord Thurlow, - -
805 - William Thomson,
Feb. aoth.
^Tr_ _,-],,
ditto
vv aipoic,
"Venner
dicto
'1 he M,orris, - -
Asia, -
. gi cj . Robert Wordlow,
ditto
COAST AND MOLUCCA.
Princess Charlotte -
610 Capt. Charles E. Prescott,
March ;th.
sr.
HELENA, BENGAL, AND BENCOOLEV.
New Ship (Mr. Wigram)8oo
Feb. aoth.
BENGAL.
Henry Dundas, - -
Preston,
8^2 Capt. Walter Carruthcrs,
671 Thomas G. Murray,
April 6th.
ditto
BOMBAY.
Lord Hawkebbury, -
803 Capt. W. Donaldson,
Jan. 2 1 st.
Airly Casle,
Fort William,
813
pg ___ George Simson,
ditto
Feb. aoth.
Worcestw, - - -
^yg . John Hall,
~
iv.
MONTHLY REGISTER.
Managing Owners,
Sir A. Hamilton - -
"U'm Fraser, ^ sq. -
Tim. Curtis, Esq
Jn. Jackson, Esq.
Rt. Wigram, , sq. - -
Rt. Wullams, Esq.
Alex Hume, Esq. - -
Wm. Palmer, tsq. - -
Fir Wm. J.eighton - -
P. K. Mestaer, Esq.
John Atkins, V S q. - -
Rt. fcharuock, i-sq.
with the number of Ships they husband, viz.
- i Ship J. Woolmore, Esq. - - - i Ship
- 4 ditto W. Moffatt, Esq. - - - 2 ditto
i ditto R. Anderson, Esq. I ditto
- i ditto R. Donald, Esq. - j ditto
- i ditto H. Eoulton, Esq. - - - 2 ditto
- a ditto Peter Esdaile, Esq - i ditto
i ditto Rich. Lewin, Esq. - - - i ditto
- i ditto Sir R. Preston, Bart. - - j ditto
- i ditto Wm. Dent, Esq. i ditto
2, ditto Sam Bonham, Esq. - I ditto
- i ditto Thos. Newte, Esq. I ditto
- i ditto W. Hamilton, Esq. - - i ditto
Total - 33 Ships
The total amount of regular tonnage engaged by the Company to proceed t
the different r residencies this season for cargoes, is twenty-nine thousand five
hundred and fifty-five tons. Thirteen of the ships taken up are of the great
burthen of upwards of one thousand two hundred tons each, three are new
ships and on their first voyage, seven are on their second, six on their third,
four on their fifth, and thirteen on their sixth and last voyages.
The ship Venus, commanded by A'r. Charles Bishop, has been licensed to
proceed to the Cape of Good Hope this season with stores, &c. after which she
is to proceed to the South Seas, for the purpose of fishing.
The following are the only ships now on their way to India, and returning to
Europe, viz.
From Bombay and China. Of c eason, 1798-9. The CufFneh, Captain C.
B Cotton': Royal Charlotte, Captain Wm Roper; Thames, Captain Robert
Williams ; Walmer Castle, Captain George Bonham. Of Season 1799-1800.
The anton, Captain Thomas Lushington ; Ganges. Captain Alex. Gray ; harl
Talbot, Captain J. H. Dempster ; Cirencester, Captain Thomas Robeitson.
Total eight ships
From China direA Of Season 1799-1800. The Neptune, Captain Natha.
niel Spens; Coutts. Captain Robert Torin ; Dorsetshire, Captain John Rams-
den; Exeter, Captain Henry A! eriton; Bombay Castle, Captain John Hamil-
ton, ' otal five ships.
From C'oat and China. Of Season 1799 1800. The Ceres, Captain George
Stevens ; Waltharnstow, Captain W. T Money; Lady Burges, Captain A. F.
W. Swinton ; Marquis Wellesley, Captain Bruce Mitchell ; Lord Nelson,
Captain Robert Spottiswoode ; Earl of St. Vincent, Captain J. B. Samson ;
Brunswick, Captain James Ludoyick Grant. Total eight ships.
From St Helena, Beucoolcn, and China. The Arniston, Captain Campbell
Marjoribanks. i Ship.
From St. Helena and China. The Hugh Ingli;, Captain William Fairfax.
I Ship.
From Coast and Bay. .Qf Season 1798-1799. The Britannia, Captain Tho-
mas Barrow. i S-hip.
From Bengal diredt. Of Season 1799-1800. The Lady Jane Dundas,
Captain the Hon. Hugh Lindsay ; Bengal, Capt. Adam Cumine ; Lord Wal-
si'ijjham. Ca;t:iin Thomas Smalcsj Earl Spencer, Captain Charles Raitt ;
Rockm^hani, Captain Thomas Sutler; Melville Castle, Captain John Lamb ;
Tellicherry, Captnin Sampson Bak^r; Travt-rs, Captain T. Sanders; Skelton
Custle. ' aptain \ atthew Isaacke ; and Herculean, Captain John R. F. Frank-
lin. Total 9 hips.
fin Bengal and Bombay Of Season *7O9-i8co. The Phcenix, Captain
"WiilLm Moffatt ; Castle Eden, Captain Alexander Cuming; and City of Lon-
don, Captain Abraham Greeo. TQU! 3 Ships.
OF NAVAL EVENTS. 347
From Madras.- Of Season 1799-1800. The Sir Edward Hughes, Captain
James Urmston ; Prince \Villiam Henry, Captain Roger Baskett ; and Hawkc
Captain David Bristow Baker. Total 3 hips Making in the whole 39 Si jps!
Packets new proceeding to and returning from India. 1 he Swallow, Prin
ess A.ary, Earl of Mornington, and Georgiana.
IM*BWM*IIWWI> ^M.WWM
PRESENTATIONS TO THE KING AT THE LEVEE.
Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, on his return from the West Indies.
Sir Home Popham, on his arrival from the Court of Denmark.
PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.
Admiral Sir Hyde Parker is appointed second in command in the ChannoJ
Fleet, and his flag will be hoisted on board the Royal eieorge, of iiOguns.
Captain Qtway, of the Trent, is appointed Sir Hyde's Captain.
Captain Sir Edward lamihon, who so gallantly distinguished himself in the
West Indies, succeeds Captain Otway, in the 1 rent, of 36 guns.
Captain William Bedford, late of the Royal Sovereign, is appointed to the
command of the i.eyden, of 64 guns, at Chatham.
Admiral Holloway's flag is removed from the Determinie, to the Alkmanr,
of 64 guns.
Captain Walker, of the Prince, is appointed to the Isis, of 50 guns,
J. A. Ommaney, Esq. late commander of the Busy sloop, is made post.
Henry Burke, ts<j late i.ieutenant of the Renown, with Admiral ;>ir J. B.
Warren, is promoted to the rank of Master and C'ornmander.
Captain Honeyman is appointed to the Garland, of 28 guns, fitting in Ply-
mouth harbour.
Captain Lewis, of the Snake, is promoted to the rank of a Post Captain, and
appointed to the Leda, a new frigate.
Lieutenant Nokes is appointed to the Signal-house at Cumberland Fort, in
the room of Lieutenant Dunn, who has resigned.
Captain Kinneer, of the Royal Navy, is appointed the Inspecting Naval
Officer at Exeter.
J. Wathen, Esq. is appointed Judge of the Admiralty Court at Minorca.
, Mr. Somerville (late of the Renown), is appointed to be Purtcr of the Cano
pus, of 80 guns.
MARRIAGES.
At Culcutta, George Poyntz Rickctts, Fsq eldest son of the late Governor
Ricketts, to Miss Sophia Peirce, youngest daughter of the late Captain Peirce,
f the Halsewell East Indiaman.
At Glasgow, Mr. Archibald Galbraith, of Balgair, to Miss Catharine GaU
braith, only daughter of the late Rear-Admiral Galbraith.
At Mevagissey, in Cornwall, Lieutenant Philip Lyne, of the Navy, to Miss
Slynian, of Penwarne, in that county.
Captain Beaver, of the Navy, to Miss Elliot, of Gibraltar.
Mr. Christie, of the Naval Hospital, Minorca, to Miss Jane Gray, .of
Mincing-lane, London,
At Norwich, Captain Fimpson, ot the Marine Forces, to Miss Harriet Case,
daughter of the late Edward Case, Esq. of Great Fransham, N
348 MONTHLY REGISTER oir KAVAL EVENTS.
OBITUARY.
Lately, at West Hatch, in Essex, Lady Hughes, the widow of Admiral
Sir Edward Hughes, K. B. deceased.
At a friend's house, in Stanhope-street, in the 14th year of his age, R. E-
Porter, of the Victualling Office. He lost a leg on board the Valiant, in the
early part of the ever memorable a&ion under Lord Howe, the ist of June,
1794.
Lately, at his house in Devonshire-place. T hn Carter Allen, Fsq\ Admiral
of the White rfquadron. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on (he
J4th of June 1745, and to that of Commander on the 5th of April 1757 He
was advanced to the rank of Post Captain on the 2 ist of March 1758, when
he was commissioned to the Kxperiment, and from thence soon after removed
into the Repulse In the month of August 176 , being then Captain of the
same frigate, he distinguished himself extremely under the command of Com-
modore Byron, on the Halifax station, in the attack and destruction of three
French frigates, with a considerable number of small craft, in Chalure ' ay.
IH 1770, he was appointed to the Ajax, and proceeded in that ship to Gib-
raltar, having some troops on board, which were sent thither as part of the
garrison. In 1779, he was appointed to the Albion; but he quitted that ship
very soon afterward, and removed into the 1-gmont, on board which ship he
served under the orders of Mr. Keppel, at the time of the engagement with
the French fle t offUsham, on which occasion he very materially distinguished
himself. In 1782, he commanded the Royal William, one of the fleet sent to
the rtlief of Gibraltar, under the orders of the late Earl Howe Peace having
taken place ooon after the retun. of that armament into port, A.r. Alien never
held any subsequent command, either as a Captain or Flag Officer. On the Z4th
of" September 1787, he was advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral of the
"White; in ; 790, to that of Rear- Admiral of the Red; on the ist of Fe-
bruary 1793, to that of Vice-Admiral of the White; on the i2.th of April
1794, to the same of the Red; on the ist of June 1795, to that of Admiral of
the Blue ; and on the I4th of February 1799, to the same rank of the U'hite.
In the month of beptember 1788, his daughter was married to Robinson,
Esq. Banker, of Arundel, Sussex.
The ist inst. on board his Majesty's ship Veteran, Captain George Young,
ef the Marine Forces. His remains were interred at Yarmouth with every
military honour that could be paid to his rank and talents. Among the many
friends that attended his corpse to its place of interment, were Colonel Bewicke,
and all the Officers of the Purham militia ; and the Captains of the Navy who
were at that port. '1 he chief mourners were, Captain Dixon, and the Officer*
of the Veteran's ward-room. His loss, as an able officer, is greatly regretted by
his corps, and all his other friends and acquaintances.
Lately, Charles Peter Handley, Esq. of Howland street, son of the late Thomas
Handley, J ?q. of the Six Clerks Office. 1 his gentleman was one of the first of
those Officers in the naval employ of the Fast India Company, who volunteered
their services during the alarming mutiny at the Nore, and while he was com-
manding a gun-boat on that alarming occasion, he himself seized a packet of
important corresponder.ee. His activity and zeal were, indeed, so conspicuous
at that awful crisis, that Admiral Buekner, who witnessed his gallantry and'
kill, honoured him \\ith his thanks personally, and earnestly exhorted him to
enter into the British Navy, of which his bravery and professional knowledge,
qualified him to become a distinguished ornament.
I aily Douglas, relict of the late Sir Charles Douglas, Bart. Rear-Admiral of
the Blue.
At his apartments in Wardrobe-place, Do&cr's Commons, EdwdRcddislfc
Esq. late Lieutenant in the Navy, upon the Pention List.
T EJO M AH
-
1^
v MA R
' ^ o
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF
SIR THOMAS PASLEY, BART.
VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE RED SQUADRON.
The generous love of fame the noble strife,
That grasps at honour at the risk of lit'-,
To vulgar souls unknown inspires the brave.
CRANK.
[IR Thomas Pasley is the descendant of an ancient and
honourable family in North Britain ; and having from
his earliest youth entertained a strong predilection for the
naval service, he entered in 1752, as a midshipman, on board
the Garland, a small frigate, at that time commanded by the
late Captain Saltern Willet. He removed very soon after-
ward into the Weazle sloop of war, a vessel at that time
under orders for the Jamaica station ; and in which he served
progressively under the Captains Cockburn, Webber, and
Digby. The latter being in a short time raised to the rank
of Post Captain, and appointed to the Biddeford frigate,
took with him Mr. Pasley, for whom he had conceived a
strong attachment, and promoted him to the rank of adling
lieutenant. The frigate was almost immediately afterward
ordered to England, having on board 300,000!. in bullion.
As soon as the vessel arrived at Portsmouth, Mr. Pasley
was dispatched to London with the treasure, having a
Serjeant and twelve marines assigned him for his guard.
His valuable charge being lodged in the bank, he returned
back to Portsmouth without delay, and embarked on board
the Dunkirk, to which Captain Digby had been appointed
during his. absence, on the successless exepedition in the
month of September 1757. The force of the armament
was fully sufficient to strike the enemy with dismay. It
consisted of sixteen ships of the line, two frigates, five large
sloops of war, two bomb-ketches, as many fins'. ips and
busses, one storeship, and fifty-five transports, independent
of the Jason of forty guns, armee en fi-'te^ and employed in
the same line of service, together with the Chesterfield, pro-
iv. z z
35 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
vided for the purpose of repeating signals. The land force
displayed a parity of strength. Ten regiments of infantry*
two of marines, with a train of artillery every way adequate to
the possible emergencies of the service, formed the invading
corps. The fleet sailed from St. Helens on the 8th of Sep-
tember, and bore away to the westward with a fair wind.
Owing, however, to the number of ships composing the
armament, it did not reach the Isle of Oleron till the 2Oth.
Rear-Admiral Knowles, who had been appointed to cover the
landing of the troops with his detachment, was accordingly
ordered to proceed for that purpose to Basque Road *. The
destruction of an insignificant fort was first to be attempted,
and was accomplished with the utmost ease, by Captain, after-
ward Earl, Howe, who commanded the M^nanime. After
this prelude to success, nothing farther was attempted till
the evening of the 23d, when Mr. Broderic, who had then
the rank of Rear- Admiral, with the Captains Dennis,
Douglas, and Buckle, was ordered to sound along the coast,
and to fix on ?. proper spot for the debarkation of the troops.
Some difference of opinion unfortunately arose among the
sea officers, and raged in a still more violent degree among
those of the army. This circumstance, in all probability,
proved the bane of the expedition ; for it was agreed
in a council of war, held on board the Neptune on the
25th, that any farther attempts on Rochefort were neither
advisable, nor indeed practicable : and though a subsequent
order was issued on the 28th by the commander in chief for
the troops to prepare for landing, yet a sudden freshening
of the wind about midnight, rendered that spirited resolu-
tion of Sir Edward Hawke abortive, and the whole arma-
ment quitted the French coast on the ist of October. Dis-
agreeable as the event of this expedition Was, and ill calcu-
lated to procure either honour or promotion to those who
\vcre unfortunate enough to be engaged in it, so highly had
the merit of Mr. Pasley attracted the notice of his com-
manding officer, that he found, on the return of the Dunkirk
* See Naval Chronicle, Vol. I. page 119.
Of SIR THOMAS PASLEY, BART. JI
to Portsmouth, a commission as an established lieutenant,
lying there for him, by which he was appointed to serve on
board the Roman-Emperor fireship.
He was quickly afterwards removed from this vessel at his
own special request into the Huzzar, a frigate of twenty-
eight guns, commanded by that illustrious naval character,
Mr. Elliot. This station, as might be expefted from
his wish to obtain it, was particularly agreeable to him;
and Captain Elliot being soon after put in command of
the Eolus, of thirty-six guns, Mr. Pasley removed with
him into that ship. On the I5th of March 1769, being
then stationed on a cruise off the coast of France, he
had the good fortune to fall in, near Basque Road,
with two French frigates, the Blonde, of 36 guns, and
Mignone, of 20. Notwithstanding the disparity of force,
Captain Elliot, fully confiding in the spirit and conduct
of the officers and men whom he commanded, hesitated
not a moment in giving chase. The enemy, on the con-
trary, crouded all the sail they could set, in the hope of de-
clining any contest whatever, and making their escape.
The Blonde was fortunate enough to succeed; but the
Mignone, after sustaining a short though smart action, in
which her Captain, the Chevalier deTransanville, and a con-
siderable number of his people were killed, and the second
Captain, with twenty-five of the crew materially wounded,
was compelled to surrender. The singular disparity of loss
sustained on board the pursuer and her prize, deserves not
to be passed over in silence. Incredible as it may appear,
in the latter, it exceeded not one or two persons slightly hurt :
an incontrovertible proof of the superiority with which the
English ship was manoeuvred and conduced, comparatively
with that of her opponent.
At the commencement of the year 1760, the Eolus was
employed on the Irish station, and having accidentally put
into the port of Kinsale to refit, had the good fortune, as
subsequent events proved it to be, to rind the Brilliant, com-
manded by Captain Logie, and the Pallas, by Captain
Clements, both being: frigates of thirty-six guns each, lying
352 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
in the same port. Very soon after Captain Elliot's arrival,
he received intelligence from the Duke of Bedford, then
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, that a French squadron, under
the command of that well-known character the brave
Thurot, was not only off the coast, but had actually effected
an invasion of the island itself, by landing more than TOOO
troops at Carrickfergus. The chief command of the English
squadron rested with Captain Elliot, as being the senior
officer ; and such diligence was used after receiving the in-
teresting intelligence, that all the frigates were under weigh,
though one of them was in an actual state of refitment, in
little more than one hour.
Having proceeded in quest of the enemy, their squadron
was fortunately discovered on the 28th of February. Its
force was found to consist of the Belleisle, of 44 guns, the
Blonde, of 36, and the Terpsichore, of 28. Thurot him-
self, with a gallantry that merited a better fate, seemed as
little inclined to avoid an engagement as Mr. Elliot. It
commenced about nine o'clock in the morning, the Eolus
engaging the French Commodore, and her two companions
the remainder of the squadron. It was contested with much
spirit and ability for an hour and a half, when the brave, the
humane, and generous Thurot having fallen, his death
appeared to operate as a stroke of thunder among his people.
The Belleisle immediately surrendered, and her comrades
followed her example.
An event which took place during the encounter reflects
too much honour on the judgment of Mr. Pasley to be
omitted in this place. The Eolus had fallen on board the
Belleisle, the bowsprit hanging over that ship's quarter-
deck, and was consequently not only left exposed to the
whole weight of the enemy's fire, without being able to
bring, a single gun to bear on her antagonist ; but also
compelled to engage the Blonde at the same time with her
aftermost guns, that frigate having fallen on board the Eolus.
In this perilous situation, Mr. Pasley called the men from die
foremost guns, which he at that time commanded, and having
OF SIR THOMAS PASLEY, BART. 353
boarded the enemy at their head from the bowsprit, made him-
self master of the deck, and obtained intire possession of
the ship. As soon as this success was achieved, he sent on
board the Eolus for an English jack, which was immediately
hoisted on board the prize, as the signal of her surrender.
Before it was possible, however, to effeft this necessary pur-
pose, Captain Logic in the Brilliant, seeing the dangerous
situation of the Eolus, and remaining unacquainted with
the surrender of the enemy, bore up to the Belleisle, and
poured the whole of his fire into her. The jack, however,
being immediately hoisted, a repetition of the same tre-
mendous salute was happily prevented, and the victory re-
mained complete. The injury sustained by the prize was
so serious, as to render it extremely difficult to carry her
into port; but exertion prevailed over the weight of disaster,
and the captors, together with the captured, reached Ram-
sea Bay in the Isle of Man in safety. The whole of them
being repaired as well as circumstances would permit, pro-
ceeded in triumph to Portsmouth, where they arrived on the
26th of March.
Captain Elliot was soon after his arrival, removed into
another ship ; but Mr. Pasley continued to retain his
station under Captain, now Lord Hotham, who was ap-
pointed to succeed him, and with whom he remained till
the year 1762. In the Eolus Mr. Pasley returned to his
former occupation of cruising, but was not concerned in
obtaining any advantage more material than that of capturing
five or six privateers of insignificant force.
Toward the end of August 1762, being off the coast of
Spain, near Cape Ray, in the Bay of Aviles, two large
Spanish West India ships, of considerable value were dis-
covered, and after a long and tedious pursuit, driven on
shore. The Eolus was brought to an anchor as near as it
was judged her safety would permit, in order to cover both
of the frigates ; the attempt was arduous and dangerous in
the extreme ; but the consequence of it. induced the assailants,
who were put under the command of Lieutenant Pasley, to
spurn at difficulty and defy danger. The largest of the West
Indiamen was homeward bound from the Carracas, deeply
and richly laden with hides and cocoa, and of immense
magnitude for a ship of that class, being of nearly 1200
tons burden. She was protected by a formidable battery,
situated on an eminence ; but the fire of the Eolus having
in some measure checked the ardour of the enemy in that
quarter, they quickly abandoned their guns, and the ship
was left to her fate. The prize having unfortunately
bilged, her gallant captor was obliged to set her on fire,
as, indeed, had been first projected; but her consort,
being of lighter draft of water, got afloat during the night,
and was successful enough to effect her escape. In
recompence for this disappointment, the Eolus captured,
on the 2Cth of the same month, a very valuable French
ship outward bound, from Bourdeaux to St. Domingo,
called the Formidable ; and in two days after their success,
met with a French convoy, consisting of eight sail, one of
them a ship of the line, which was very gallantly and
judiciously attended for the space of five days in the hope of
an attack becoming feasible and proper. On the return of
the Eolus to England, Mr. Pasley had the satisfaction of
finding that he had been promoted during his absence, to the
rank of commander, and was appointed to the Albany sloop of
war ; a vessel that was employed in the useful though little de-
sirable occupation of convoying vessels to and from the port of
Milford. After some continuance in that sloop, he removed
into the Weazel, on board which vessel he had served almost
immediately after his first entrance into the navy in the
capacity of midshipman; and soon after he had taken upon
himself the command of her, proceeded to the coast of
Guinea. The season was so dreadfully sickly, and the time
of year when he was ordered out so peculiarly dangerous,
that all the engineers (four in number) whom he carried
out as passengers, together with a considerable part of the
ship's company, died. The remainder, who still survived,
were so sickly, that Captain Pasley was under the sad nex:es-
Or SIR THOMAS PASLEY, BART. 355
ity, though in a time of profound peace, of impressing
men from many of the merchant vessels that he met with,
in order to enable him to bring his vessel home to England.
After a second voyage to the same unhealthy quarter, but in
which he was not so unfortunate as to experience the
former evils, he removed into the Pomona, of eighteen guns,
and was ordered to Greenock on the impress service, in con-
sequence of the apprehension of a rupture with Spain re-
specting the Falkland islands. In 1771, he was very de-
servedly advanced to the rank of Post Captain, and being
appointed to the Seahorse, of twenty guns, was ordered to
the West Indies, where he rendered very material service,
by his manifold exertions during the contest with the
Caribbs. Having returned to England in the ensuing year,
and the Seahorse being put out of commission, he continued
unemployed till 1776 : being then appointed to the Glas-
gow, he was sent out to the West Indies with two sloops of
war under his command, to convoy thither a valuable
merchant fleet, consisting of 120 sail.
By his care and unremitting attention to this valuable
charge, he had the satisfaction of receiving the very unusual
honour of thanks not only from the persons whose pro-
perty he protected, but from the cities of London and
Bristol, and other ports, the wealth of whose inhabitants
he had so materially contributed to preserve. Their gratitude
was not confined to this empty compliment of words ; but
a piece of plate being prepared by order of the different com-
mittees, was presented to Captain Pasley's lady during his
absence, as a more substantial proof of mercantile favour and
approbation. Singularly marked must have been the con-
duct of that man who could on all occasions attend so
striaiy to his duty, as to acquire the most general and un-
qualified approbation from men, who, however highly we
may regard many of them as individuals, considered as a
corporate body, are by no means the most ready to allow
merit, even where it is due.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
On the return of Captain Pasley to England, he performed
a similar service ; and, with the exception of the present
alone, had the satisfaction of receiving similar honours.
Soon after his arrival in England, he was appointed to the
Sybil, a new frigate, of 28 guns, and was sent with Admiral
Edwards on the Newfoundland station ; on his voyage from
thence to Lisbon, according to the customary routine of
service in time of war, he had the good fortune to capture
not only an American privateer, which had for a considerable
time dogged his convoy in the hope of carrying some of
them under cover of the night, but a Spanish packet also,
with dispatches of consequence, which he carried with him
into the Tagus. After having repaired to England, he was
immediately ordered to the Cape of Good Hope, and returned
back from thence with two very valuable India ships, which
lie was sent out to proteft.
In 1780, he was promoted to the Jupiter, of 50 guns;
and after a short continuance under the orders of Admiral
Digby, was, at the commencement of the ensuing year,
ordered to put himself under the command of Commodore
Johnson, who was then on the point of sailing upon a secret
expedition to the southward, with a squadron consisting of
two ships of the line, three of 50 guns, including the Jupiter,
with several frigates, armed storeships, and transports.
The attack made on this armament by Monsieur de Suffrein,
while it lay in Porto-Praya Road, at the head of a squadron
consisting of five ships of the line, is too recent to render
any recital of the circumstances necessary. Suffice it to say,
that the Jupiter was very materially distinguished for the
power and force of her fire ; and during the torrent of ob-
loquy which was indiscriminately, and certainly undeservedly
thrown on some persons concerned in that encounter, the
condul of Captain Pasley was very justly applauded by the
friends and by the enemies of all parties. The subsequent
events which took place during the remainder of the voyage,
which was successless as to the point for which it was under-
OF SIR THOMAS PASLEY, BART.
, have not sufficient interest to engage the attention of
the hearer, or to repay the trouble of particular recital.
ley were confined to the mere capture of a fleet of
utch India ships, surprised in Saldanha Bay, and which
>emg totally incapable of making effective defence, sur.
idered without resistance. A considerable space of time
was unavoidably consumed in the tedious passage to and
from Saldanha Bay ; a circumstance that must have been
peculiarly irksome to an officer of so aftive a mind. The
Jupiter having returned to England in 1772, was, in the
month of May, ordered to proceed to the West Indies with
the late Admiral Pigot as a passenger, he being appointed
commander in chief of the fleet employed in that quarter, as
successor to the late Lord Rodney, who was recalled.
The Jupiter, soon after her arrival, was ordered on acruise
off the Havannah, and Captain Pasley had the good fortune
to capture five vessels out of thirteen which he fell in with,
all of whom he would in all probability have taken, had the
commander of an armed brig, then in company with the
Jupiter, observed Captain Pasley's instructions properly.
This expedition, however, had nearly proved extremely
disastrous ; for the prisoners which were taken on board the
brig, having risen on the commander and the crew, ob-
tained possession of the vessel, which they carried into an
enemy's port ; and the people on board one of the prizes
having also risen, succeeded, and carried her into the
Havannah. Upon getting into that harbour, they in-
formed the Spanish Admiral of the situation in which
the Jupiter was ; he accordingly dispatched two ships of
the line, one of eighty-four, the other of sixty-four
guns, to capture or destroy her. Captain Pasley had for-
tunately succeeded in getting the Jupiter afloat during the
interim ; but almost immediately afterwards he fell in with
the Tiger, which was the largest of the Spanish ships. The
enemy immediately gave chase, and gained considerably on
the Jupiter, which, owing to the injury she had sustained,
IV. 3 A
358 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
in consequence of the misfortune just related, sailed very
heavily. At the dawn of day, the Tiger was within gun-
shot, and Captain Pasley finding escape impossible, called
together his crew, whom he spiritedly harangued for a few
moments. Their approbation of his declared intention
as to engaging the enemy, which was warmly manifested by
three hearty cheers, encouraged him in the desperate attempt.
The Jupiter brought to, and prepared for action. The
enemy, probably intimidated by this appearance of resolution,
which they knew not how to account for, immediately
hauled their wind, fired two guns, and suffered the Jupiter
to continue her voyage unmolested. Captain Pasley ac-
cordingly sailed to Antigua, for the purpose of repairing
his shattered vessel : and, as some palliation for the disap-
pointments he had met with, and the perils he had survived,
he made prize of a mast-ship in his passage, and carried it iu
safety to the port to which he was bound. Hostilities
ceased soon after the last of these events, and the Jupiter
went to Chatham, where she was put out of commission
and dismantled.
The five years which immediately succeeded to the cessa-
tion of hostilities were passed by Captain Pasley in that re-
laxation of domestic retirement, which is absolutely neces-
sary to recruit and recover an active mind from the fatigues
it has undergone. In 1788, however, he was invested with
the chief command of his Majesty's ships and vessels in the
Medway; and hoisted his broad pendant in consequence of
his appointment, on board the Vengeance. His nomination
to this station reflects on him the highest honour ; when it
is considered that it is the only home command ever be-
stowed on any person in timeof peace, not previously holding
the rank of a Flag Officer. From this station he removed,
first into the Scipio, and secondly into the Bellerophon i and,
while in the latter ship, was ordered to join the main or
Channel Fleet, in consequence of the apprehended ruptures
first with Russia, and afterwards with Spain. The disputes
OF SIR THOMAS PASLBY, BART. 359
being both compromised, he repaired to Chatham, where he
continued during the customary period allotted to such a
command. Retiring temporarily from the service, he
again continued unemployed, till the commencement of the
dispute with France, at the beginning of the year 1793,
served once more to call .forth his exertions and his
abilities. He was appointed as an established commodore,
to hoist his broad pendant on beard his former ship the
Bellerophon, and being immediately ordered to join the
main fleet under the orders of Lord Howe, was frequently
detached with small squadrons on various services, which it
were immaterial td enter into any detail of.
On the 1 8th of November in the same year, the British
fleet had the fortune to fail in with a detachment of the
enemy's ships of war, consisting of six sail of the line besides
frigates. Earl Howe immediately made the signal for par-
ticular ships to chase the enemy, and soon afterward the
whole fleet followed their example. The Latona frigate,
however, commanded by Captain Thornborough, was the
only vessel which was able to get up and exchange any shot
with the enemy, as it presently became so totally dark as to pre-
vent a farther continuance of the aftion. Earl Howe having
at the close of the day made a signal that the ships under his
orders should use their utmost endeavours to keep sight of
the French during the night, but not to come to any engage-
ment, the Bellerophon, with the utmost diligence, accom-
plished the instructions ; but Captain Pasley was extremely
surprised at finding himself close to his antagonists and
'accompanied only by the Latona and Phoenix frigates.
Though every other ship composing the British fleet .was out
of sight, not the smallest attempt was made on the part of
the enemy toward entering into any contest; nor did he
again fall in with Earl Howe, or any of the fleet under his
outers, till they all returned to Torbay, when he had the
satisfaftion of receiving the thanks of that nobleman for his
conduft on the preceding occasion, expressed in the most
flattering and handsome terms.
360 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
On the 1 2th of April 1794, being advanced to the rank
of Rear-Admiral of the White Squadron, he hoisted his flag
on board the same ship to which he had been so long at-
tached, and was appointed to command a detached or re-
connoitring squadron. The events which took place during
the a&ion that happened on the first of June following, are
top deeply graven, perhaps, in the mind of every Briton at-
tentive to the welfare of his country, to render any recital at
this shortly distant period necessary. With the events
which immediately preceded it, the case is different; nor can
those occurrences that so materially conduced to so signal a
victory be considered less interesting than others which in
the hour of contest procured it.
On the evening of the 28th of May, the enemy's fleet
being discovered to windward, the Rear-Admiral led on his
own division with firmness and intrepidity to the attack.
The Bellerophon being the headmost, brought the Revo-
lutionaire, of no guns, which was the sternmost of the
enemy's fleet, to a&ion, and engaged her singly for more
than an hour before any other ships of the British fleet could
get up and support her. Being then disabled by a contest
with so superior a foe, signal was made by the commander
in chief for the Rear-Admiral to desist. Lord Hugh Sey-
mour, who commanded the Leviathan, also a fourth rate,
of 74 guns, was at that time nearly up, and soon after-
ward engaged theRevolutionaire, as did Captain Parker also,
who commanded the Audacious. The darkness of the
night in great measure contributed to put an end to this
partial contest. At the dawn of the ensuing day, both fleets
appeared drawn up in line of battle, and an engagement
partially commenced. Earl Howe having made the signal
for the British ships to pass through the enemy's line *, the
Bellerophon immediately obeyed and passed through in close
* A correct description of this attempt is given in the Naval Chronicle,
vol. i. page 24. The mannei* will be found clearly exemplified in the plate
annexed to it, where the Bellerophon is seen in the *<5t of firing from botk
bides at once as she is passing between the ships of the enemy.
OF SIR THOMAS PA6LEY, BART.
aftion, accompanied by the Royal Charlotte and the Levia-
than. Of the circumstances that prevented a farther con-
tinuance of this encounter, and of those which preceded it,
Earl Howe gives the following account in his supplementary
dispatch :
" The British fleet appearing on the morning of the agth,
when in order of battle, to be far enough advanced for the
ships in the van to make some farther impression on the
enemy's rear, tacked in succession, with that intent. The
enemy wore hereupon from van to rear, and continued
edging down in line ahead to engage the van of the British
fleet. When arrived at such distance as to be just able to
reach our most advanced ships, their headmost ships as they
came successively into the wake of their respe&ive seconds
ahead, opened with that distant fire upon the headmost ships
of the van, after bringing about on the starboard tack, and
would have come abreast of the Queen Charlotte, had she not
kept to the wind ; and the appointed movement conse-
quently be liable to fail of the purposed efFeft. The Queen
Charlotte was therefore immediately tacked, and followed
by the Bellerophon, her second astern (and soon after
joined by the Leviathan), passed through in aftion between
the fifth and sixth ships in the rear of the enemy's line.
She was put about on the larboard tack forthwith after the
enemy, in preparation for renewing the aftion with the
advantage of that weathermost situation. The rest of the
British tieet being at this time passing to leeward, and with-
out the sternmost ships, mostly of the French line, the
enemy wore again to the eastward in succession for succour-
ing the disabled ships of their rear ; which intention, by
reason of the disunited state of the fleet, and having no more
then the two crippled ships, the Bellerophon and Leviathan,
at that time near me, I was unable to obstruct."
During the two succeeding days, the long and tedious
interval between the skirmish last mentioned, and the final,
36l BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
the glorious, termination of this so long pending contest, a
thick fog prevented a renewal of the action ; but the hostile
fleets in the short spaces of time when the atmosphere be-
came less obscure, were constantly visible to each other.
Early in the morning of the ist, a day generally and with
much justice styled the glorious, the ever glorious, FIRST oP
JUNE, the British fleet having had the fortune to obtain the
weather-gage in the course of the preceding day, bore up
for the purpose of bringing the enemy to a general and de-
cisive action, between seven and eight o'clock in the morn-
ing. Needless is it to say, that after one of the longest,
bloodiest naval battles ever recorded in history, a total
defeat of the enemy's armament was effected. The loss was
trivial considering the magnitude of the advantage, and
would have been still less to be lamented, had it not
fallen particularly heavy on officers of high rank, revered
by their crews and adored by their fellow subjects.
Three Flag Officers, one of whom was Mr. Pasley, were
severely wounded: fortunately was it for his country,
and equally fortunate was it considered by himself, that
the injury he sustained did not take place till the en-
counter had nearly been brought to a conclusion. Jt,
nevertheless, may be considered unlucky, that after having
on so many occasions, and so eminently distinguished him-
self, escaped unhurt through the hottest fire, during a great
part of which time he had to contend at the same moment
with two of the enemy's ships, he should have the misfor-
tune to lose his leg when the victory, might be said to have
been obtained. He had, however, the satisfaction of re-
ceiving every palliative to his wound which the attention
of his Sovereign, his commander, and his country could
bestow. Of these, the following authentic copies of letters,
the first written to him by his noble commander, the second
by the British Minister, may form a small and truly ho-
nourable specimen.
T SIR THOMAS I'ASLEY, BART. $6j
*' Portsmouth, June 1 6, 1794.
** Lord Howe being again prevented in his intention of waiting on
Admiral Pasley to day, to have had the pleasure of seeing him, if hi
state of health had admitted of it, he is obliged to postpone calling on
him till to-morrow, when he flatters himself his time will be more at
his command.
" He will not trouble the Admiral either with expressions of the
sensible concern he felt that the services of a friend he so highly
esteemed, and so gallant an officer, capable of such spirited exertions,
should be restrained by any disaster from the continued exertion of
them ; nor will he dwell on the great pleasure he has received on the
assurances given him, that the misfortune was likely to prove aa
little injurious as could be looked for under similar circumstances."
To the praise of a commander, certainly the most
honourable existing, was added the just applause of his
Sovereign ; an applause not given in words only, but ac-
companied by an incontrovertible proof of its sincerity
dignity and honour, the proper reward of a warrior's labours.
Verbatim Copy of the Right Honourable Will'iam Pitt's Letter tg
Admiral Pasley.
u S1R , " Downing- street, 26th July, '794-
" I HAVE received his Majesty's commands to intimate to you
liis gracious disposition to confer on you the dignity of Baronet of
Great Britain, as a mark of the sense which his Majesty entertains of
the distinguished share which you bore in the late successful and
glorious operations of his Majesty's fleet under the command of Earl
Howe.
" Permit me to assure you of the sincere satisfaction which 1
personally feel in executing this commission ; and of the regard with
which J am,
Sir,
" Your most obedient humble Servant,
(Signed) " W. PITT."
" Rear- Admiral Pashy."
The reward bestowed by his Sovereign was not confined
to the mere honorary creation just mentioned; a pension c
loool. a year was granted to him, and never, perhaps, h
there been one more fairly bestowed, or that met the general
approbation of the whole nation more fully.
364 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS, &C.
An injury so peculiarly detrimental to the services of a
naval Officer, as the loss of his leg of necessity must be,
naturally deprive the public of those farther a&ive exertions
.which might otherwise have been expefted from a person so
enthusiastically attached to his profession as Sir Thomas
confessedly is. In 1798, he was, in consequence of the
mutiny at the Nore, appointed for a short time commander
in chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels in the rivers
Thames and Medway. This was merely for the purpose of
carrying on the customary etiquette of the service; and
having quitted it soon as the trials of the different mutineers
were over, he was appointed, in the month of March
1799, Port-Admiral at Plymouth, which station he has
continued to hold to the present time ; uniformly displaying
the same activity and ability which constantly marked his
character, while the unimpaired state of his body per-
mitted him to engage in a more interesting department of
the service.
On the 1 2th of July, subsequent to the a&ion, Sir
Thomas Pasley was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral
of the Red. On the ist of June 1795, to be Vice-Admiral
of the White, and lastly, on the 14th of February 1799,
to that of Vice of the Red, which station he at present
holds.
Heraldic Particulars relative to Sir THOMAS PAS LEY.
Sir Thomas is the fifth son of James Pasley, of Craig, in the county
of Dumfries, who died in the year 1773, aged 80, arid was buried at
Westerkirk, in the said county. His mother was Magdalen,
daughter to Robert Elliot, of Middleholm Mill, in the county of
Roxburgh. She was married at Langholm castle in the county of
Dumfries 1726.
Robert Pasley, of Craig aforesaid, Esq. the eldest brother, was
bom on the 3d of January 1727 ; and dying in the month of March
1792, was buried at St. Mary-le-bone, London.
James, the second brother, died in Virginia about the year 1756.
John Pasley, of Gowsr-street, Bedford-square, and of Colney
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &C. 36*
Hatch Middlesex, Esq. i. now living. Gilbert, the fourth son,
d at Madras, Surgeon-general to the army in the East Indies, in the
month of September 1781.
Sir Thomas, the subjedl of the present Memoir, was born at Cra.V,
em the 2 d of March ,734. By his lady, Mary daughter of Thoma,
Hey wood, Esq. Chief Justice of the, Isle of Man, who died about
the year 1788, and was buried at Avignon in France, he has had
two daughters, Maria, married in the month of August to Captaia
fcabme of the Guards, and Magdalen.
William, the immediate younger brother to Sir Thomas,, died in
East Florida, about the year 1775.
Charles, the seventh son, was born at Murtholm, in the county of
Dumfries, on the 2 5 th of January , 74 o. He married Jean, daughter
to John Carlyle, of the county of Dumfries, and is we believe still
living.
ARMS.] Azure on a chevcron between two roses in chief Argent, barbed
Vert, seeded Or, and an anchor erefk in base, gold, three Thistles proper.
CREST.] Out of a Naval Crown Or, the sails argent, vanes Gules, an armed
arm embowed, the hand supporting a staff proper, thereon hoisted a white fla*
iowing to the sinister, charged with a cross wavy couped Gules, on a canto!-
azure a human leg proper, couped below the knee.
MOTTO.] Pro Rege et Patria pugnans.
NAVAL ANECDOTES,
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, &c.
NANTES IN GURGITE VASTO!
3150, XVI.
Sir G. Rooke was sent into the Sound in the year 1700,
to assist the King of Sweden, who was threatened with ruin by
the King of Denmark, his firmness, and the appearance of the force
he commanded, soon effe&ed the treaty at Travendaht. Previous to
the execution of it, a few shells were thrown in terrortm over Copen-
hagen. Charles complained that they did no mischief; and Rooke
coolly answered him : " Sir, I was sent here to relieve you, not to
ruin the King of Denmark."
On the 1 3th of August I 789, died Lieutenant G. Green, of New-
castle, in the Russian service. He led the van of the Russian fleet in
the attack of that of Sweden on the I3th of August, and was killed
before the enemy was defeated. He was one of the few persons
who escaped from the wreck of the Sterling Castle man of war in the
IV. 3 B
'366 NAVAL ANECDOTfiS,
West Indies, 17799 after undergoing incredible hardships. Htf
served on board the Formidable in the engagement with Count dc
Giasse, wSien his cool intrepidity and resolution recommended him to
the notice of Sir Charles Do'iglas, and Admiral Rodney, \vho got
him promoted to a Lieutenancy. At the conclusion of the war he
entered into the Russian service, as the best means that then remained
of obtaining honour, where his abilities soon recommended him to Ad-
rniiai Greig, who gave him the rank of Captain in that service. His
life was glorious, his actions noble, and his merit deserved those re-
wards in our service which, doubtless, had the war continued, he
would have obtained.
+^^-^-***
MR. EDITOR,
PHILIP BROWNE, Esq. Captain of the Rose frigate, died in
consequence of the fatigue he underwent during the attack of the port
and town of Savannah in North America by the Count D'Estaing.
Caprain Browne never took off his clothes for three weeks. He
sickened with a fever, and died in a few days. I well remember
lieaiing a Scotch Officer declare, " that the place would have
fallen into the hands of the French but for the astonishing and un-
wearied exertions of Captain Browne, of the Rose frigate." He mar-
ried one of the beautiful twin daughters of the late John Dalby, Esq.
of Hurst Park ; who on hearing of her husband's death, being then
pregnant with her fourth child, was taken ill and died, as did her
infant, leaving three little orphan sons, the eldest only seven years
old. It was at length determined, after an unsuccessful application
to the Admiralty, that the three orphans should present a petition to
his Majesty some Sunday when walking on the Terrace at Windsor ;
accordingly, in their deep mourning for both father and mother, the
little children knelt and presented their petition, which was graciously
accepted. The eldest has been many years in the army, the second
entered on board a man of war when only eleven years old ; and when
he visited me some time since, apologized for his ignorance of courtly
rr.anners, by saying, that he had almost uniformly lived on the Ocean
from eleven years old to his present ago twenty-seven. He was at
that time a Lieutenant in the Nassau, then commanded by his rela-
tion Captain Herbert Sawyer, son to the worthy Admiral of that
name. I remember, Mr. Editor, an anecdote of this Lieutenant
when only seven years old : I applauded his spirit for flying like a
lion, on a mischievous old buck, in his grandfather's park, butting
furiously at his eldest brother ; throwing his arms around the animal's
neck, he roiled down on the ground, and stedfastly kept hold. On
being asked by a relation how he ventured to do it, the spirited boy
exclaimed, " Do you imagine I could bear to see that nasty beast kill
iny brother ? No, I would do it again." N.
3 6 7
X
MR. EDITOR,
IN addition to your Life of Lord Nelson *, you should, I think,
preserve the prayer that was used on account of his glorious vi&ory
on the rst of August 1798.
*' O ! Almighty God, the sovereign Ruler of all the world, in
whose hands is power and might, which thou hast vouchsafed to the
fleet of thy servant, our Sovereign, in distant seas, we offer thee,- as
we are most bound, thanks and prasie ; for of thee alone conv.t.h both
counsel and strength for the fight ! Thou alone givest viclory unto
Kings, and deliverest thy servants from the peril of the sword. \Ye
beseech thee, give us grace to improve this, and all thy great mercies
to thy glory, the advancement of thy Gospel, the honour of our
Sovereign, and, as far as in us lieth, to the good of all mankind : and
keep alive, we pray thee, by thy sanftifying spirits in our hearts,
such fear of offending thee, such reliance on thy help in time of need,
as may daily appear in the conformity of our lives to the doflrine of
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ ; to whom with theeY O Father,
and thee, O Holy Ghost, three persons and one only God, be all
honour and glory, world without end. Amen."
MR. EDITOR,
/ send you the following Extraft from the ANTIQUARIAN REPERTORY,
Vol, I. page 60.
SIR,
THE following gallant and almost incredible aftion and signal
viftory gained by an English Captain, commanding one small priva-
teer, over a large Turkish fleet, is related by Roger Earl of Castle-
mayne, in his account of the war between the Venetians and Turks,
diawn up in form of a letter, dated 2j|d May 1666, and addressed to
King Charles the Second. As the bcuk is rather scarce, ami the fad
not much known, I have transcribed it for your Work, and if you have
a spare corner should be glad you would insert it.
Yours, c.
B.L.
Among the English that fought bravely, Captain Thomas Mi. die-
ton (who had hit, ship hired in the service) did a most p
adion It happened that the Admiral, intending a des
the Dardanels, put Middleton in so desperate a place, d*
danger from land to be sunk at every shot. He admed t
* See Life, Character, and Services of the Right Hon. Lord NcUon d
Nile, vol. iii. page 157. or No. XVI.
368 NAVAL ANECDOTBS, *
mander of it, and withal told him that the peril of himself and ship
did not so much trouble him, as to be set where it was impossible for
him to offend the enemy. Having no answer, or at best, a bad one,
and seeing it could not prejudice the fleet, he drew off a little the
vessel (his own livelihood), from the needless danger it was in.
When the business was over, they dismissed him (in a council of war),
with the title of coward, and all the soldiers being taken away, he
was left with only some fifty English to return home, or whither else
he pleased. He had not parted long from the Armada, but in a stark
calm met with twenty-five sail, of which eighteen were the best
gallies the Great Turk could make in all his fleet; these crying out in
derision that they would eat English beef for dinner, fell upon him,
wanting no assurance, being assisted with the stillness of the air, and
their own strength and number. But for all this confidence they
missed their aim, for, after a long and sharp encounter, the two
Bassas that commanded were killed, with 1500 to accompany them ;
and besides the many that were wounded, the whole squadron was so
shattered, that they had hardly oars to get off, and were all unfit to
serve, at least for that year. The Captain had neither wind, sails, nor
tackle left to follqw them ; but with much ado he yet afterwards came
safe to Candie, and there presented to the General a whole ton of
salted heads of those he had killed in their often boarding. His Ex-
cellency was astonished at the thing, and after all the caresses ima-
ginable, he acquainted the Senate with it, who, with universal con-
sent, ordered him a chain and medal of gold, as a testimony of their
high esteem and his own commendable valour. Middleton afterwards
died on his journey home, leaving a son, who commands here a ship,
and is very well esteemed by all the Nobility for his resolution and
conducl."
ANECDOTE OF THE EARL OF CLOXCARTIE.
WHEN this nobleman was Captain of a man of war, and wat
cruising off the coast of Guinea, he happened to lose his chaplain,
who was carried off by the yellow fever ; upon which the Lieutenant,
who was a Scotchman, gave him notice of it, by saying at the same
time, '" that he was sorry to inform him, that he died a Roman
Catholic." " Well! so much the better," said his Lordship.
'* Oot aw.i, my Loid, how can you say so of a British clergyman ?''
" Why," says his Lordship, " because I believe I'm the first Captain
of a man of war that could boast of a chaplain, who had any religion
at all."
COMMERCIAL HINTS, RECOLLECTIONS, & C . 5$*
AN EXTRAORDINARY UNDERTAKING.
' THE propositions of Captaine John Bulmcr, in the Office of
Assurance, London, for the blowing up of a boat and a man over
London Bridge. In the name of God, Amen. John Bulmer, of
.London, Esquire, Master and Surveiour-generall of the Kind's Ma
jestys mrnesroyall and engines for waterworks, propound^, (by
God s assistance), that he, the said John Bulmer, shaU and will at
and m a flowing water, set out a boat or vessel with an engine floating
with a man or boy in and aboard the said boat, in the river of Thaw,
over against the Tower-wharf or lower; which said boat, with the
*aid man or boy in or aboard her, shall the same tyde, before
low water againe, by art of the said John Bulmer, and helpe of the
said engine, be advanced and elevated so high, as that the same shall
passe and be delivered over London bridge, together with the said
man or boy in and aboard her, and floate againe in the said river of
Thames on the other side of the said bridge in safety. And the said
John Bulmer, for him, his heires, executors, and administrators, doth
hereby covenant and promise, that he, the said John Bulmer, shall and
will performe and accomplish the premises within the space of one
month next after he shall cawse intimation to be given into the Office
of Assurance, London, that he is about, or intends to put the same
in practice ; which intimation shall so by him be given at such time,
and so soone as the undertakers against him, wagering six for one,
shall have deposited and left in the said office such a considerable
summe of money as the said John Bulmer may compute will counter-
vale the charges of contriving the said boat and engine, and such
other disbursements as shall arise and grow in prosecution of the said
businesse, and he, the said John Bulmer, shall and will deposite his
proportion of monies in the said office accordingly ; and the said
monies so deposited by the said undertakers and the said B aimer,
shall remaine fa the said office until the said Bulmer shall either have
accomplished the same, or the time expired for accomplishment
thereof; and the said undertakers, and every of them, shall subscribe
and underwrite such summe of money as they, or any of them, shall
deposite, adventure, and wager, against the said Bulmer ; which said
monies so deposited by the said undertakers and the said John Bul-
mer, shall be delivered to the said Bulmer (in case of performance of
the premises), otherwise to the said undertakers. Dated the 6th of
November 1^43.
' And all those that will bring in their monies into the faid
office, shall there be assured of their losse or gainc, according to the
conditions above mentioned."
[ 370 ]
ANCHORS AND CABLES.
(Concluded from p. zat.)
THE thickness of a cable of an East India ship of 700 tons bur-
den, is seventeen and a half or eighteen inches. Yet even in
this case the strength of the cable is proportionably less than that of
smaller ships ; for a ship of 300 tons, which has greater advantages
of secure and smooth riding than the Indiaman, has a cable the
square of the diameter of which is not less than seventeen and oftener
eighteen inches, while the square of that of the latter is only thirty-
six ; whereas, if the other is only sufficiently cabled, which is known
to be the case, it ought to be forty-two.
Taking, however, the India ships as sufficiently cabled, it is to be
observed, that twenty-two-inch cables were some years ago the largest
made, and were then, I believe, in general use among shipi of the
line of whatever rate ; but seventy -fours, in some instances, had
cables of only 'twenty or twenty-one inches. The strength of the
cable of a seventy four, may, therefore, in a cursory estimate, be ex-
pressed by the number fifty-one, or fifty-seven, and of first and second
rates by only that of fifty-six or fifty-two ; but the real strength of
a seventy- four, to be proportionable to her strain, ought to have been
108 ; that of a second rate, at the least, 130 ; and of a first rate,
in stead of fifty- six or fifty-seven, 144, or upward.
It appears, then, from the above statement, that a seventy-four has,
at most, only half the, strength iu her cable that her tonnage strength
requires ; a second rate less than half, and a first little more than one-
third. It may occur to the reader, perhaps, on a slight view of the
subject, that these ships make up the deficiency of their single
cables by superior lengths on them, and a greater number ; but this
opinion I shall endeavour to prove erroneous.
In Falconer's Diftionary is an assertion, the belief of which is, in
all probability, the a&ual cause of the evil of which I am complain-
ing : it is there said, that " THE RELATIVE STRENGTHS OF CABLES
ARE AS THE CUBES OF THtiR DIAMETERS*;" and on this prin-
*This is taken, it may he presumed, from Savenier, Duhamel, and Morogues.
English authors I know, have laid the square which is the true one, or nearly
so. The benefits conferred upon science by the Academicians, in giving a
large display of nautical matter, must be allowed ; but many false positions and
principles obtain in various parts of their works, which must be credited with
caution. The error, I am fearful, has been widely extended, and carried into
practice, as I have heard muny se,ameu and manufacturers express their belief in
its truth.
ANCHORS AD CARLESi
eiple it is, perhaps, inferred that the relative proportion is preserved,
For, thus, upon assuming that a twelve-inch cable is proportioned to a
ship of 300 tons, the cube of its diameter being sixty-four, and the
cube of the diameter of a first rate's cable from 420 to 430, then
there would be the power of nearly seven of the cables of 300 ton
ships in one of those of first rates, which will not be much out of the
due proportion with their respective nominal tonnage : that is to say,
300 and 2,200, which is only a little more than as one to seven ; but
it appears from the indubitable and invariable results of experiment,
that so far from an augmenting ratio of power being the consequence
of the conduplication of materials, even the squares of their diameters
absolutely expresses too favourably the relative powers of large rope*
against small. Strength, instead of being gained, is lost in com-
bination ; for the sum of the aftual strength of the parts of a rope,
separately taken, is more than that which their union will produce ;
and a small cable is stronger for its size than a large one. It would
be much too hasty a deduction, however, to conclude from this
position that two or more small cables of a certain strength are
therefore preferable for the service in question, to one large cable
containing the united materials ; yet this appears to be resorted to as
a principle, and brought forward, no doubt, as an argument to justify
the current practice, if the propriety of that has at any time been
questioned.
In truth, it is of the highest importance that a ship should possess a
single cable to enable it to ride against the utmost force of wind and
sea ; for from the strength of two or more cables joined to support
the same strain, a considerable deduction, on account of three principal
disadvantages, is to be made.
1. There is not, perhaps, rock, and, some clays excepted, fifty, or
I may say ten, square yards of ground, either above or below water,
of an equally tenacious quality. The anchor that lies in ground
stiffer, in ever so small a degree, than that in which its companion is
dropped, will necessarily have the strain upon its own cable, and this
will indisputably part before the other. This circumstance accounts
for the faft, that ships, in long riding or hard gales, sometimes part
one or more of three cables ahead, and are reduced to the security of
a single one, and that one, not unfrcquently, the worst, which, after all,
holds them in safety. In this case we ought to suppose that the
anchor of the successful cable lay in easy ground, which gave way
and eased the strain.
2. The superior hold of the better anchor produces exadly the
same effecl: as the unequally stiff ground just adduced; and, that an-
chors generally diifer from each other iu degrees of excellence, will
be allowed.
'37* ANCHORS AND CABLE!.
3. The extreme difficulty of stoppering two cables at equal strains,
and keeping them in this condition, and the obviously greater, if not
impossibility, of doing it upon three or more.
From these causes, the dependance placed upon the number of
cables ought to be greatly lessened.
It may be supposed, however, to have been hitherto assumed on
mere conjectural grounds, that his Majesty's ships ride more insecurely,
and part more cables than merchant and East India ships of the
tonnage described ; but this is by no means the faft. If reference be
made to the log-books of ships of each kind that may have been, at
the same time in similar circumstances, enduring great strain on their
cables, and riding out hard gales together, it will appear that his Ma-
jesty's ships break two good cables at least, or more, to one of the
Indiaman's, and that the latter, if in trim and well found, can con-
tinue to ride long after the ships of the line are blown from their
anchors.
I do not assert, on the other hand, that the King's ships break
their cables in full proportion to that of the relative strength here
calculated to be allowed to them and to the merchant ships ; since,
in that case, they would break more than two or three for one of the
traders : and the reasons that they do not break in this proportion, are,
I believe, that they are made of the best hemp, and replaced on
sustaining the most trifling damage ; are defended in a completer man-
ner, and with better materials ; attended during gales with greater
care, and managed with more exquisite skill. Cn all trying occa-
sions, the safety of the ships may be said to depend wholly upon the
dexterity with which the officers and crew manage the reins of pre-
servation, keeping up in the best possible manner an equality of strain
on the retaining powers. This, in difficulties of long duration, is
more than they can effeft ; and when it is effected, and ships of the
line ride as long as well-found merchant ships, in trim for riding, it is
to be attributed intirely to the art of the mariner, and not to the in-
herent power of the retaining mediums.
So far as relates to my personal knowledge and evidence of the
fafts in question, I declare that I have seen his Majesty's ships part
on occasions, which I, who at that time was little acquainted with
the true causes, thought extremely trivial, and inadequate to the
ruption of a good cable ; and when no such misfortune threatened
either ourselves or the neighbouring ships, whose situation was nearly
as much exposed as theirs, but who conceived that double the strain
then suffered would scarcely have broke us loose. Upon inquiry, I
found, that notwithstanding the high character which is constantly
allowed to his Majesty's cables, parting is a disaster that very frequent-
ly befalls his ships, and much more so than it does merchant vessels.
ANCHORS AND CABLES. 379
There were in the Downs a few years since, during a week or more
of blowing weather, two or three ships of the line, and oo or more
merchant vessels : his Majesty's ships frequently parted ; bat if such
an accident happened to a single merchantman, it, at least, escaped
tny observation and inquiry.
If the fafts and arguments here adduced, and which more exten-
sive information, there is little reason to doubt, would stil\ more
strongly confirm, support the position, that his Majesty's greater
ships require stronger cables than those now in use, and show that it
would be highly advantageous to them to possess one cable, if not
two, of sufficient strength to retain the ship against the utmost force
of wind and sea, it only remains to be considered how such cables
may be procured : some impediments being to be removed, and a
new fabric to be composed.
Before I proceed, however, to this discussion, I may be allowed to
call the aitention of the reader to the advantages that would accrue
from their use, to those ships which we justly regard with the greatest
pride, as well as attachment, as the foundation of glory, defence, and
safety, to the British people ; and which ought, if possible, to pos-
sess such a hold as will enable them to ride with security on continued
stations, and preserve them from wrecking in the most desperate
moments. There are very few places of refuge in which the danger
or the strain is reduced to less than half the portion of either that is
to be encountered in the open sea ; and what I contend for is, that,
with cables of double strength, our ships could sustain themselves in-
the open sea, with as much security as they can in these retreats : a
position that will scarcely be questioned, since, as slims in open situa-
tions have ridden out considerable gales ; such, perhaps, as nature in
our climates never exerts in double force ; it is not unreasonable to
cxpedl, that with double powers of retention, they would be able to
brave a nearly double fury of the elements.
That ships may, indeed, ride firmly in much deeper water, and with
less quantity of cable than is commonly supposed, will appear, when I
proceed to show the angle of riding or that beyond which the power
of retention being lost, rather than gained, by veering the cable, ships
may bring up at such a distance from the land, as, if driven from their
tation, would allow them room and time to get under sail and beat up,
if the wind blew in shore ; or, perhaps, to. ride out a gale against which
they could not beat up, and bid defiance to the shore : since, v.-ith the
length of cable they possess, they may ride as securely in fifty
fathom water as in fifteen, a depth that in almost every part of the
world gives a vast offing from the shore. That ships of the line
574 ANCHORS AND CABLE:.
would be capable of riding longer than all others, were they furnished
with adequate instruments, is an observation that forces itself upon
the mind. We cannot contemplate their prodigious fabrics, their
proud elevation above the surges of ihe ocean, and not feel that they
are able to defy the utmost fury of the elements. Thoroughly, how-
ever, to equip these ships for service thus daring and exposed, re-
quires other alterations and additions than in the article of cables ; but
these are foreign to our present inquiry. What I state at present is,
that for the current occasions they would be in a very superior degree
of safety, were their cables, as they really ought, of double, or nearly
double strength.
The principles on which the acquisition of this strength is recom-
mended, are certain and invariable : they are founded not upon
opinion, but experiment.
To increase the strength of cables, their dimensions must be
enlarged ; but, in order to procure a cable that, with dimensions thus
enlarged, will be manageable, a fabrication different from the present
inu c t be introduced. For every quality requisite in a cable, except,
perhaps, those of repelling warerand enduring the necessary washing,
the construction now in use is the worst that can be adopted. Our
cables have nine strands, which is the greatest complication of yarns
that is laid ; but, in facl, every departure from a single simple twist,
though requisite for work and wear, takes from their strength. The
fairer that yarns lay to their strain the better : when they lay dia-
gonally to their strain they sustain great injury. The difference in
strength of yarns laid in three strands and in nine, their length and
quality being the same, is, according to the hardness or moderate,
ness of its twist, from a seventh to a twelfth against the latter. It
is, besides, fathom for fathom the heavier, in the length of a whole
cable some fathoms shorter, and the stiffer in such a ratio, that
J conceive half as much more yarn, laid in a three strand-rope, would
bend with greater facility ; and I doubt not that twice the quan-
tity, laid in three strands of a moderate twist, would bend as easily
as the present nine strands ; and moderation of twist, as I have already
observed, is an advantage to the strength.
If it be objected, that these cubles of a three-strand lay would not
wash and wear so well as the nine ; I answer, i . Positively, that they will
do both much longer than the latter are now expected to do service on
board ship of war ; and, 2. That unless hereafter approved, the
fabric proposed is by no means intended for common use. As sheet
and spare cables they would seldom be wetted, and when wetted
their strain would prevent absorption and spunginess : so that these
difficulties can be of no weight.
ANCHORS AND CABLES. 3--
I have already hinted that a report has reached me of an improved
lay of cordage, and coincident reduction of size. I congratulate his
Majesty's service on the alteration, so tar as it is an improvement :
the improvement was wanting ; but I am impelled to protest against
the reduction. It is beyond the power of art to tnake, by any lay
of yarn, a variation that will be constantly and uniformly advantageous
i* a greater degree ti.an one-sixth, unless it be done in the salvage,
which, if at all, will not answer for a great length, and need only,
perhaps, be mentioned to be condemned. The practice of bringing
all the elepientaiy fibres into order by machinery, and of procuring,
by a peculiar mode of combing, and a judicious and assiduous
sele&ion of materials, yarn of a superior description, may produce
cordage of a quality very extraordinary when compared to other
ropes ; but it is to be remembered, that, that part of the process
which depends upon the sehSlon must be of a nature somewhat acci-
dental, and liable to various occasional and individual failures ; and
trnt, therefore, the expectation of a constant supply of cables of equal
excellence with the samples, will only be a source of disappointment.
It is most ardently to be wished, that cables of from three to four
thousand yarns, that is, from twenty-eight to thirty-four, and, if
manageable, to thirty-six inches in circumference, and of three, or,
at most, four simple strands, were fabricated for sheet and spare cables
of ships of the line.
Twenty eight inch cables of this fabric would, for their size, be
stronger than ordinary ones. The yarn that will form a nine-
strand of twenty-eight inches, would, if laid in a three strand, produce
a cable not only stronger but more pliant. It would bend as easily
as a twenty-inch nine-strand, if not as a still smaller. The diameter,
indeed, of the same number of yarns will be greater if laid in three
than if in nine, by half an inch, more or less. It is conceived, that a
thirty-six-inch cable of three strands might be laid so as to be
managed with nearly as much ease as the usual cables of twenty-two
inches; and, if this be true, the difficulty of coiling that might be
apprehended is obviated at once.
The principal impediment to the prosecution of this design, con-
eists in the too great acuteness for a rope of such magnitude of the
angle of the head of the bitt. The alteration proposed by Mr.
Snodgrass would almo&t wholly remove the inconvenience, but tin*
may be carried a little farther. If both the bitt-hcads were rounded
with additional timber to two and a half or three feet diameter, it
would be far the better in every respeft. It is not impost ut,
upon trial, a thick coating of lead round them m.ght be found to
the fccUon of the cables very sufficiently ; it wears wcl] m the
376 ANCHORS AND CABLES.
hawse, and might do there ; and then the cables would not fire in a
quick run. If lead round the bitt-heads should not be found to
answer, a 'close welding of compaft cordage might ; and that, being
of an absorbent nature, would probably carry moisture sufficient for
the intire removal of all danger of firing. It should be observed, that
io-nition is excited upon hard-rubbed wood sooner, perhaps, than
upon any other substance whatever, steel excepied.
With respect to anchors, I wish to suggest that a great improve-
ment might be made in them by the introduction of stocks of iron,
tapering from five inches in the middle to four at the edge :
Seven feet long.
Seven feet long.
The two parts of which stock might be bolted with four bolts and
forelocks.
With this sharp form, angulated every way, the stock would sink,
in loose ground, deep into the earth, and make a prodigious resistance ;
by means of a proper scope of cable, it would continue this resistance
till the fluke of the anchor was almost so much elevated as to lose its
hold, and at the same time help to i etard its elevation as well as
preserve its hold *.
To speak of the fluke's quitting the earth in a strain before the stock
be elevated, may seem singular, but we must judge from fact rather
than from surmise. The aclion of an anchor can be comprehended
only by experiment. By the kindness of Providence, it seems to be
governed by laws peculiar to itself, and adapted to its uses. Its
manner of resisting is so favourable, that the retainer annexed may,
without making a very acute angle with the earth, have all the bene-
fit of its powers. The cable being an hypotheneuse of twice and 'a
* This observation on the fluke's rising before the stock, is only applicable to
loose ground ; in hard, the stock rises in a small degree ; in the first, stocks f
wood rise sooner than those of iron.
ACCOUNT OF HB1LIG ISLAND. ,7,
talf the length of the perpendicular height from tke hawse to the
ground, is not,, perhaps, sufficient. If the cable veered be three times
the length from the ground to the hawse, and it docs not appear that
any advantage can be gained by additional extent, ships of war may-
work their cables on any deck they please *, and obtain firm ar.chnr-
age in forty-fathom water, or deeper. If this position be Hue, as it
will most assuredly be found to be, veering a vast length of cable, tu
or three on one anchor, as has commonly been done, in twelve or fewer
fathom water, is not only unnecessary, but injurious ; sines great
lengths of rope, become weaker in a ratio proportioned to that length.
To frame experiments that shall demonstrate the truth of the
principles here laid down is by no means difficult ; and, if they were
thought useful, I should have no objection to pointing out or sup-
plying them.
I am, &c.
T. C. PHILONAUT.
ACCOUNT OF
HEILIG- ISLAND.
[From the History of the ANGLO-SAXONS.]
r TT*HE most celebrated, and the most frequented of the Saxon
-*- islands, wasHeilig-island. The words literally mean the sacred
island, but the date and reason of this epithet are now lost f . In the
eleventh century it had two other names ; Farria, and Fossetis-land .,
which have been written with various orthography.
In the German ocean , not forty miles distant from Eiderstadt,
and rather farther from the mouth of the Elbe, stands this venerated
* Safety of riding would be greatly promoted by raising the hawses higher.
f Some derive the name from Hilgo, a bishop of the place ; others, and in
the opinion of Pontanus, verier, from some holy virgins who inhabited ir.
Their sacred steps their respe&ful grass never covered, as all the natives will
attest and show. Pontanue Chorog. 739. The name Fossctislaud arujc rout
its idol Fosete. AltfridiU, in Spener's Notitia, 371.
| Ought we not rather to read Fosset island, or still rather, Fosete -island ?
See note f, which also, with deference to the Author, seems sufficiently to ac-
ceunt for the epithet Leilig (or holy), 01 sacred. EDITOR.
This description is colle&ed from Adam Bremen, p. 64. Pentium Cho-
rog. 738740. i Busching's Geography, 166 168, and from the commu-
nications of some gentlemen who have frequented the coast. Nieuwerk, at the
very mouth of the Elbe, is a mere sand, with a beacon upon it. In 1714 th
island was annexed to the crown of Denmark. : it had been
fcy the duke of HoUtein-'JoUo, r . Bur.hing.
378 ACCOUNT OF HEIL1G-ISLAND.
place If a line from the Elbe to the peninsula of the Eider were
supposed to form the base of an equilateral triangle, Heilig-lanrl
would be nearly at the vertex. In the middle of the sea, an abrupt
projection of lofty rocks rises awfully from the bosom of the waves,
and, strong with the inassailable fortifications of nature, it presents
one entiance only to the friendly navigator. Viewed distinctly, t\vo
divisions of the stony mass are remarked ; one, the highland surtiamed
Klif, coloured by its red strata of earth, which is every year disclosing
more and more of its solid base to the invading waters, seerrK-J once
like a mighty wall erected to coerce the ocean. It ascends towards
the sky with an elevation of forty-six German ells.
A scanty covering of rich clayey mould, from (wo feet and a half to
four in depth, produces some species of corn, wliich once excelled the
harvests of the Eiderstadt, and a few vegetables, but not sufficient
for the demands of its small population ; no trees provide their grate-
ful shade and agreeable prospetl ; their absence is compensa; ed by
the happy want of all noxious reptiles. The domesticated animals of
our food and labour equalled the best produce of Fricsland ; they are
now reduced to about sixty cattle, and as many sheep, the sudden
steeps occasion their wanderings to be restricted. This spot was
formerly famous for the capture of herrings j it is still abundant in
fish.
The other part, the Duhnen or Downs, is sandy, with a small part
of rocky ground, on which stands a fourth of the dwellings of the
inhabitants, with the apparatus of their fishery. One hundred and
eighty steps compose the descent from the Klif. The red portion
detains the waters of the sky when they fall. The Duhnen was
formerly full of the sweetest fouutainsj but at present the water of its
two springs serve only the cattle and common uses. It affords no
pasturage, but it ;dmits the vegetation of hemp, and shelters the
harmless colonies of the rabbit. A mole secures it from the sea, and
a channel deep enough for moderate vessels, and about three quarters
of a mile broad, has, since 1728, separated the Duhnen from the Klif.
In the autumnal season it is visited by innumerable successions of
winged emigrants *, who hope to find on a rock so secluse, a safe
asylum and more congenial atmosphere ; but its promises are deceit-
ful, for man occupies it, and the pleasure of the monarch of creation
demands a lavish sacrifice of animal life : yet moralists admit, that the
quantity of general happiness is in all probability augmented in that
system, whi$:h commands one being to become the food of another.
* The officer, whose account Pontanus has preserved, particularizes the sea-
birds, cranes, swans, ducks, larks, and thrushes, among those which perform this
autumnal journey, p. 730.
ACCOUNT OF HEILIG-ISLAND. 370
To censure the established order of nature is to put our wisdom in
absurd competition with omniscient benevolence.
Its inhabitants imbibe health and vigour from its salubrious sky.
They are indefatigable in their occupations, which are generally those
of the fisherman and the pilot. Perpetually at sea, like their Saxon
ancestors, they disregard the terrors of the ocean, and delight to
display their intrepidity when the agitated waters intimidate others.
Frugal in their domestic oeconorr.y, the harvest of their nets, and the
friendly corn of the poor husbandman of the north, compose the food
which contents them. Their agriculture is too simple to boast of
th ise instruments, which diminish the labour without, perhaps, im-
pairing tl.f. supply. The horse is wanting. They have not even the
universal plough ; the nature of the country may prescribe it. The
fair sex are the farmers of the island ; they condescend, or submit, to
dig the land, sow, harrow, and reap, and even patitntly thresh, and
with handmills giind what their industry has obtained : but it seems
not to be brutality of disposition, but the imperious necessities of
situation, which impose such revolting toil upon the weaker sex.
The men, in equal but in varied difficulties, employ their activity, and
add the bounty of Neptune to the gifts of their Ceres *.
A numerous population is not compatible with a life of such hazard
and labour. The families who inhabit the rocks arc few ; the ag-
gref?io;is of the waves concur to prevent a multiplication. In ancient
times, the extent of soil capable of cultivation was much larger than
th< small portion which at present is visible. Though sacred in the
estimation of man, the elements have not respe&ed it. In the year
800, a furious tempest from the north-west occasioned the greater
portion to be swallowed up by the waves. In 1300 and 1500, it
suffered materially from the same cause ; but the inundation of 1649
was so destructive, that but a small part of the island survived it. If
another attack should wash away the sandy downs, scarce one-sixth
of the present population could subsist.
Surrounded by nations highly civilized, this island exists for the
benefit of all who navigate the Elbe. This commercial river, from its
* The island contained many curious minerals, some petrefa&ions of filbert*
and waxen tapers, and an ore of gold, which was sent to the dukes of Holstein,
and in the processes of smelting yielded so much sulphur as to discharge the
expence of obtaining the pure gold. Pont.mus 739. This is singular, as gol<
Js seldom found united with sulphur, though auriferous pyrites have b
with in Peru, Siberia, Sweden, n,d Hurpary. a Schn-.cifter, Mineralogy, z 5 .
* Chaptal. Chero. 441- Among the substances indurated by the
careous matter, we read of human hands. Pont. 739.
3&> ACCOUNT OP HEILIG-ISLAND.
dangerous coast, could not be entered without it. A sea-mark by-
day, a light -house by night, it points out the path of safety to the
anxious mariner, and abounds with skilful pilots, who possess the
local knowledge which he needs. They condu& vcsstls to the T< Ibe,
the Weser, the Eider, or the Hever. But though now so useful to
the navigator, it was in distant times his most fatal terror. Its
capacious port, whi h opens to the south, will contain above an
hundred vessels of burden within its sheltering arms, and defends them
from ;he north and west. So safe an harbour, a situation so con-
tiguous to many marts of wealth and industry, invited the adventurers
of promiscuous piracv. From the age of the Saxons almost to our
own it was thronged with maritime depredators*. The writers of
every period annex this dismal feature to its description ; and though
we must condemn with delicacy the national employment of our fore-
fathers, we may rejoice that the energies of their posterity have been
directed to colonize, not to ravage ; to explore with insatiable ardour
the boundless fields of science and commercial industry, not to watch
Eke the sanguinary tyger for its unsuspecting victim, and prosper by
human misery.
It is a subject of geographical contest, whether it be the Aftania
tf Pliny and the island of the Castum Nemus of Tacitus f, p. 28.
* It has been often the ?eat of royal residence. Radbodus, king of Frisia,
Iiad his last sovereignty upon it. The Sea-kengs also frequented it. But this
island has been often confounded with Helgoland, a populous district of Norway.
Pontan. 739. This Helgoland is mentioned in Ohther's Voyage, Alfred's
Orosius, 24; and in Sir Hugh Vi'illoughby's Voyage, Hackluyt, p. 268. The
kings of Helgoland, mentioned in the Norwegian Chronicle, were kings of
this province. Pont.
f See Pontanus, 665, 73.7. Cluverius gives Heiligland as Actania, and
flagen from its wood and lake, as the island designated by Tacitus, Ant. Ger.
107.97. Heiligland has no woods. Pontanus, while he hints the pretensions
of Zealand, seems to prefer Heiligland, because it is near the Elbe, and is a
translation ofcaslum nevius.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XLV.
HP HE annexed view of Gibraltar is taken from the westward. The
portrait of a bomb-ketch on the old construction is introduced,
with the fleet under the command of Admiral vSir George Rooke,
itanding into the Bay. The following History and Topographical
Account of this important forttess will, we doubt not, be found,
kighly interesting to our readers :
E 381 3
HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF GIBRALTAR.
THE rock at the foot of which this memorable fortress Is ercfted,
forms a part of the province of Andalusia. Europa Point, which
it its southern extremity, is that of Spain also. The rock itself,
which lies in north lat. 35. 50. west long. 5. 35. being the Mons Calpe
of the Antients, is nearly seven miles in circumference, forming a
promontory of very singular shape, three miles in length, which is joined
to the main land by an isthmus of sand very little elevated above the
surface of the ocean. Its natural strength appears to have been very
little noticed in ancient times. The situation did not afford advant-
ages sufficient to induce either the Carthaginians, its neighbours, or
the Romans themselves, who subdued them, and reduced Spain be-
neath its yoke, to fortify it or make a settlement there. The Saracens
were more sagacious ; and an invasion of Spain being made soon
after the commencement of the eighth century by a considerable
force, commanded by a Saracen chief, named Tarif Ebn Zarca, he
immediately availed himself of the encouragement afforded as it were
by nature to his projeft, and erefted that fortress on the face of the
hill which is to this day called the Moorish castle. This ereftion
was called by the Saracens, in compliment to their General, Gibel-
Tarif, and from thence, by an easy alteration, is derived the word
Gibraltar. A place of arms, established by a powerful and warlike
people, on a spot which has latterly proved so impregnable to the im-
pressions of every modern improvement and horrid invention of war,
rendered considerable service to the invaders, who extending their con-
quests, soon became possessed of all the open and most fertile parts of
the kingdom. The aboriginal inhabitants, after a bondage, or, if not
so, a deprivation of the most valuable part of their possessions for more
than five centuries, roused themselves to so high a pitch of national en-
thusiasm and valour, as not only to attack but defeat their oppressors in
a variety of engagements ; and even to take from them Gibraltar itself.
This event is said to have happened at the commencement of the
fourteenth century ; but it continued in the hands of the Spaniards
no longer than till the year 1333 ; when it was besieged and com-
pelled to surrender, after an attack of five months continuance, by
Abomelique, son of the king of Fez. Alon*o XI. then king of
Castile, was on his march to relieve it at the time of Us surrender ;
but he desisted not in his approach toward it, hoping to repossess
himself of it by a co^-^naln. ere the Moors could establish
themselves sufficiently in their new conquest. The attempt was
spirited, but the event had nearly proved fatal to him. Mahomed,
mi iv. 3
382 HISTORY AD TOPOGRAPHIC AL
the Moorish king of Granada, having entered into an alliance with
Abomelique, marched toward Gibraltar with a numerous army, and-
encamped in the rear of the Spaniards ; so that famine, and the in-
ternal commotions which then prevailed in his kingdom, compelled the
brave Alonzo, after having fruitlessly persisted in his attempt for a
fe\v months, to enter into a convention, by which the confe Jerated
Moors very honourably permitted him to retire in safety with his
army. He renewed the attempt fifteen or sixteen years afterward,
but was then also equally unsuccessful ; the Moors, sensible of its
value, had paid considerable attention to the fortifications, which they
had increased to such an extent as to render it, according to the
system of military tadtics then practised, as impregnable to human
idea, as it is considered at present. Still, however, this sovereign
bore his former disgrace so ill at heart, that he resolved to exert every
nerve in what he considered as a recovery of hir- honour ; the Moorish
garrison was numerous and biave, the fortiess extremely well stored
both for its own defence and the annoyance of its enemies ; but such
was the spirit of the as.-ailants, and the unremitted perseverance of
Alonzo, that the Moors were upon the point of capitulating, when a
pestilential disorder having broken out in the Spanish camp, swept
away a multitude of their troops, caused the death of their brave but
unfortunate leader, and compelled the miserable remainder te raise
, the siege in dismay. No farther attempt was made by the Spaniards
to re-possess themselves of this fortress for nearly ninety years ; when
the Count De Niebla resolved to attack it by sr a, while his son pressed
it on the land side with an army he was advancing at the head of.
The intemperate precipitancy of the father caused the failure of the
whole projecl. He attacked the garrison with his gallies ere the
troops arrived to co-operate with him, and was not only defeated, but
lost his life in the hasty retreat he was compelled to make.
In the year 1462, however, it finally reverted into the hands of the
Christians ; the garrison which defended it had been withdrawn, for
the purpose of joining the party of one of the Moorish competitors
for the crown of Granada, and this circumstance coming to the
knowledge of the Spaniards, an army was quickly levied, which soon
reduced the inhabitants to the last extremity, for though destitute of
proper military protection, they defended themselves with the greatest
resolution. Henry the Fourth, King of Castile and Leon, was so
rejoiced at the intelligence of this conquest, that he added it to his
Royal titles.
In the year 1540, Piali Hamet, a Mahometan chieftain, serving 1
under Barbarossa, surprised Gibraltar by a desultory attack, but con-
*
ACCOUNT OF GIBRALTAR. 383
tented himself with pillaging the town, and carrying off the principal
part of the inhabitants as prisoners. In the reign of Chu;les the
Fifth, this fortress was almost intirely rebuilt, and a variety of addi-
tk>ns made according to the modern improvements in military archi-
tecture then practised. The whole work was superintended and
directed by the celebrated Daniel Speckel, chief engineer to Charles
the Fifth. A variety of additions and improvements were afterward
made, but no subsequent evtnt seems to have taken place in its
history that is sufficiently consequential to require any particular
detail, till the year i 704, when it was suddenly attacked and wrested
from the crown of Spam, after an assault of very short duration, by
a detachment from the combined fleet at that time under the orders of
Sir George Rooke. Of this memerable event, no better, perhaps,
and certainly no more curious, account can be given than in the
following letter written by Sir Edward Whitaker, who was there pre-
sent, to Sir Richard Haddock. It is a curious and original record
of this great event, and may serve to show how far the account
generally given by historians of it, agrees with the real fad.
" Dated on loard ler Majesty's Ship Dorut:bire t in
"SIR, ' Gibraltar Bay, July ye ^<)tb, 1704.
" I HERE give you an account of our good success, especially
what has related to my own particular part : July 2ist, we anchored
here in the Bay, and about four in the afternoon landed about 2000
marines, Dutch and all ; I commanded the landing, with three captainea
more, all which was don with little opposition, about forty horse
came downe from ye towne, which was all, and they run away soe
soon as our guns began to play upon them ; we landed about two
miles from ye towne , in ye Bay, and marched dirtdly to the toot of
the hill, where they posted themselves, within muskett shott of the
gates, so cutt off all manner of communication from the land ; we
hove into ye towne this evening about 17 shells. The Prince of
Hesse landed with us, and immediately sent in a summons to the Go-
vernor, which did not return any answer tell the next morning, and
then the Governor said he would defend the towne to the very last ;
then Admiral Byng, who commanded the cannonading, began to draw
up all his ships in a line before the towne, but it proving little wind
could not get in with them all, so that we did little this day; there
was three small ships in the Old Mold, one of which annoyed oui
camp by firing amongst them, having about ten guns lying c
the Mold, and just under a great bastion at the north corner ,
towne, I proposed to Sir George the burning her m ye night, h
itt, accordingly ordered what boats I would have to my uniuncc, and
584 HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHICAL
about twelve at night I did itt effe&ually, with the loss of but ontf
man, and five or six wounded. July 23, at four this morning Ad-
miral Byng began with his ships to cannonade a Dutch Rear- Ad-
miral, and five or six ships of their's along with him, which made a
noble noise, being within half-shott of the towne, my ship not being
upon service, I desired Sir George to make me his aducon, to carry
his commands from tyme to tyme to Admiral Byng, which he did
accordingly, and after about two hours continued firing, sent me with
orders to forbare ; upon this I went to every ship in the line with this
orders and coming on board Capt. Jumper in the Lenox, found him
extraordinary well posted, and within muskett shott of ye New Mold
head, and had beat them all out of the battery, and off the Mold, so
that I beleived we might attack it with our boats, I went imme-
diately and acquainted Admiral Byng with it, who ordered all ye
boats to be manned and armed ; from him I went to Sir George and
gave him my opinion that the Mold might be attacked, he imme-
diately made the signal for all the boats in the fleet, and gave me yc
command of ye attacke, with three or four Captaine's along with me,
I made all ye hast I could with orders lo Admiral Byng to send me
accordingly, but some of the boats got ashore before I could reach
them with little or no opposition, severall of our men got into ye
castle, upon which it blew up ; we had killed between forty and fifty
men (most of all ye boats that landed first were sunk), about 100 or
200 wounded, upon which all that remained came running downe and
leaped into ye water ; being so mightily surprized, I landed within a
minute after ye accident, and rallied our men, we went over a breach
in ye wall but one at a time, and took possession of the hill ; I imme-
diately sent Capt. Roffy and Capt. Afton with between forty and
fifty men, and took possession of a bastion of eight guns, within lest
than half muskett shott of the towne wall, and there we pitched our
colours ; soon after Admiral Byng came ashore to me, and sent in a
drummer with a summons, who returned in about two hours with a
letter in answer, that they would surrender the next day, which they
accordingly did ; I beleive I had with me at the first onset between
two and three hundred men, but we grew in a very little tyme to neare
1000 ; this was the manner we took Gibraltar, which I hope we shall
maintaine. I hope, Sir, youle excuse this trouble I give, but beleiving
that every boddy will right att this tyme upon this occasion, I could
not forbeare giving my very good friend, Sir Richard, this particular
account of ye whole matter, which I don't doubt but Capt. Had-
dock will give much the same account. Pray please to favour my
spouse with a line or two, fearing mine should miscarry, my most
ACCOUNT OF GIBRALTAR. 38$'
Immble service to my good lady and all ye good family, I begg youle
make use of this as furr as you shall think fitt, it being a true account
of ye whole matter.
I am,
" Your most harty humble Servant
*
'* And Kinsman to serve, whilst
" EDWARD WHITAKER.
'* P. S. This is rite all in a hurry, Sir, yet I hope youle excuse me."
An attempt was immediately made by the enemy to re-possess
themselves of this important fortress ; but after a variety of losses,
both by sea and land, they were content to raise the siege, after having
lost before the fortress not less than ten thousand men, ^ogether with
nearly twenty ships of war, taken or burnt by Sir John Leake and
other officers at different times, five of which were of the line. In
1726, a second attempt was made, and a siege was regularly com-
menced by a Spanish army under the command of Count DC Las
Torres. From, this time, till the long and celebrated siege which
it sustained during the late war, against the combined fleets and
armies both of France and Spain, nothing appears to have materially
interrupted the tranquillity of the garrison. During the two inter-
vening wars, the Spaniards were two well aware of its strength, and
Lad too much occupation for their force in other parts, to permit
their employing any part of it in so fruitless an attempt.
The views, however, of the enemy became materially altered on
the commencement of the dispute between Great Britain and Spain
In 1779* The assistance expelled to be derived from the co-opera*
tion of France, and the diversion which the dispute with the Ameri-
can colonies would necessarily occasion, created in the minds of the
ancient possessors the most sanguine hopes of success, and they ac-
cordingly commenced their attempt with a force that was considered
as adequate to the completion of it.
When reflection becomes coolly direfted even for a moment to the
exertions required from a force never exceeding 7,000 men, to op-
ponents who, when reckoned in the aggregate, amounted to at least
fourteen times that number, the report of a successful resistance, had
it happened in a more remote age, might have appeared fabulous.
Although the Spaniards had been foiled in every previous effort to
re- possess themselves of a fortress which, while in the power of their
enemy, must be an objed of perpetual disgust, yet they were not
to be deterred by their preceding ill-success, from a repetition of the
same species of attempt in the year 1779, soon as hostilities were
j85 HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHICAL
p'."v- T y commenced be 4 "^een that people and Great Britain. The
nnval force at that time on the station, consisted merely of an old
sixty gun ship, the Panther, three frigates, which were occasionally
employed as cruisers, and on which occupation two of them were at
that time absent, together with a single sloop of war, called the
Childers. This naval force was never expected to contribute ma-
terinlly to the defence of the fortress ; the n:mbst limit of its supposed
tervices extended not beyond the casual interception of vessels laden
with provisions or stores, whose cargoes might be considered service-
able to the garrison, or the prevention of desultory harassing attacks
from any flotilla which the enemy might think proper to equip.
Both these expectations were completely answered during the siege.
A variety of prizes were brought in, and the enemy were consider-
ably restrained in those annoyances from the sea, which would
have been inconceivably numerous and troublesome to the utmost de-
gree, had they not stood in awe of opposition. After the siege, or
rather the blockade, had continued for some months, a British arma-
ment under the orders of Sir George, afterward Lord, Rodney, en-
tered the Bay in spite of every opposition that could be made to it by
the enemy, and afforded a relief 'to the garrison, which proved effeo
tual for more than the space of twelve months.
The British Admiral had the fortune to fall in on his passage, first
with a Spanish convoy, principally laden with provisions or stores,
which he carried with him to the place of his destination, and thereby
more effectually fulfilled the objeft of his mission ; secondly, with a
squadron composed of ships of war belonging to the same country,
which were stationed off Cape St. Vincent, for the special pin-pose of
intercepting him on his passage, and which he completely defeated,
and indeed almost annihilated. The victor, with his prizes, entered
the Bay in triumph. The petty armament belonging lo Spain,
Which had been previously occupied in what was called the blockade,
trembling for its own existence, sought security under the caimou of
Algesiras and the adjacent batteries.
The inconvenience, and the varied insults, to which the garri-
son had been subject during the preceding part of the siege, in-
duced the British Government to strengthen the maritime force
that was stationed there for its support. The Edgar, a new ship of
74. guns, commanded by one of the most enterprising office! s in the
British service. Commodore, afterward Admiral, Elliot, remained
behind the fleet. Experience proved the reinforcement was of no
matciial coaKquence to the defence of the place ; so that after an uti-
ACCOUNT OF GIBRALTAR. ,g 7
Interesting nation there for a few months, the Edgar returned to
England, leaving the naval force employed in that quarter precisely
as she found it. Reduced as it was, it still remained sufficient to ex.
cite the jealousy, and create a spirit of enterprise in the Spaniards,
which seemed to rise somewhat above the national character. 1 hey
fitted out nine fireships *, at a very considerable expencc, some of
them being vessels of large dimensions. These were conducted, under
cover of the night, against the British squadron, which was at that
time moored under the very walls of the garrison. The- vigilar.cc of
the officers and people, together with the adivity they displayed in the
hour of danger, rendered the attempt completely harmless. The
fireships were towed off by the boats of the squadron without effed-
ing the smallest injury, and the failure of the enterprise seemed to
promise the prevention of any similar attempt. The sole honour of
defeating it was very justly attributed to the exertions of the navy ;
and it proved of no small advantage to the besieged that the enemy-
had planned so destructive a projeft ; for the hulls of the different
vessels employed on the occasion, at least such part of them as re-
mained unconsumed, being broken up, afforded very material assist-
ance to the garrison, as well as to the inhabitants, for fuel. As it
was found that very little succour could be expected from ships so
large even as the Panther, while moored under the waDs of the gar-
rison, and as it was very properly expected that the destruction of so
large a ship might prompt the enemy to a repetition of the same
alarming measure, the Panther repaired to England almost imme-
diately afterward, and the subsequent defence of the place, far as
regarded the navy, was left intirely to a few frigates, two or three
sloops of war, and a number of gun- boats fitted out on the spot.
No very material occurrence happened after this time, till tht
month of April 1781, when the British fleet, commanded by Vicc-
Admii al Darby, consisting of more than thirty-four ships of the line,
besides having a fleet of transports of more than loo sail under their
convoy, entered the Bay in spite of all opposition from the enemy,
and effectually relieved the garrison from a famine, which was then
rapidly approaching, and which, had not the critical arrival of the
transports prevented it, must soon have reduced this otherwise JD>
piegnable fortress to the utmost extremity of distress.
Hitherto the enemy had principally confined their attempts to a
mere blockade, having contented themselves with firing vtry slowly
* See Naval Chronicle, vol. iii. p. 145. Life of Captain Harvey.
388 HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHICAL
on the town at intervals, without occasioning any loss deserting- of
mention among the defenders, or the smallest injury to the fortifi-
cations. Failing, however, in their first hope, they immediately
changed their system of assault, and commenced a wanton bombard-
ment on the town ; which, though it materially afflicted and de-
stroyed a considerable number of the inhabitants, tended not iu the
smallest degree to accelerate the surrender of the place itself. In-
deed, the measure appeared rather as the mean revenge of a vindic-
tive disappointed enemy, than as the fair efforts of ao honourable foe,
eeking to acquire victory and reputation.
To enter into a regular detail of the various instances of heroism
displayed, not only by naval officers in the King's service, but by a
variety of other gallant persons employed on board vessels belonging
to merchants, and sent thither for the purpose of relieving the wants
of the straitened garrison, would far exceed the limits of the present
narrative.
Amid this multitude of encounters, each of them exalting the cha-
racters of the persons concerned almost beyond the power of praise,
it were improper to pass over in silence one or two occurrences, more
on account of the singularity, than from any wish to attribute pre-
eminence or superiority to any, where all were so equal ; for such a
measure would certainly be an invidious one. On the morning of the
7th of Angust 1781, the atmosphere being then somewhat hazy,
and obscuring the vessel in question from the view of the garrison, a
signal was made by the Spaniards to their gun-boats, that an enemy
was in sight. The fog being somewhat dispelled as the day ad-
vanced, a vessel was discovered at a considerable distance, rowing with
the current for Europa point. Fourteen gun-boats belonging to the
enemy put out from Algesiras, for the purpose of intercepting her ;
on perceiving which, Captain, now Sir Roger, Curtis, who com-
manded the Brilliant, of twenty eight guns, and was at that time the
icnior naval officer on the station, ordered Sir Charles Knowles to
row out to meet the vessel, and endeavour to receive any dispatches
which she might be bringing for the Governor. Captain Curtis him-
self was employed in directing the Vanguard and Repulse prames, for
the purpose of protecting and covering the approaching stranger.
The boats of the enemy approached the vessel in question, which wa*
discovered to be a sloop of war, and afterward proved to be the He-
lena brig, commanded by Captain Roberts, much faster than the
prames, which were only capable of being towed out. Before eight
o'clock, the headmost of them, being then within gun-shot, began to
fire on the Helena. The latter returned the compliment with gre%t
ACCOUNT OF GIBRALTAR. 389
deliberation and ef&&, the crew still continuing to make the same ex-
ertions in rowing, as before. The greater part of the flotilla soon
afterward surrounded the vessel, and a tremendous fire of grape
as well as other shot appeared to threaten her with almost im-
mediate annihilation. As some deliverance, however, from this
very unequal contest, the Repulse and Vanguard soon got near
enough to support her. The enemy did not yet desist ; but the
contest soon began to slacken, and before ten o'clock the enemy
abandoned their attempt as hopeless. The most singular circum-
stance attending this event is, that notwithstanding the long and very
heavy fire of the enemy, directed by some of the ablest artil-
lerists in the Spanish service, the Helena, though she had received
considerable injury in her hull, her masts, and her rigging, had
only two persons wounded, and one, the boatswain, killed. It
is on account of this singular instance of good fortune that the story
has been related ; and for a similar reason it will be no less interesting
as well as instructive, perhaps, to mention, that in spite of every
attention that could be paid by an alert and irritated enemy to
prevent the arrival of any succours, the garrison was kept so well sup-
plied during the whole of the siege, by means of the judicious and
enterprising conduct in the commanders of other small vessels sent
thither for that purpose, that no a&ual want of fresh provisions, or
even the luxuries of life ever prevailed. These articles were always to
be purchased, though it must be confessed at rather an extravagant
price. Commercial speculation felt the risk, and well knew how to
make the best advantage of the plausible pretence.
After a fruitless expenditure of blood, as well as of treasure, the
besiegers had the mortification to find that the surrender of the place
was not in the sm.illeat degree mote probable than when they had first
at down before the place three years before. They were determined
jto make one violent and desperate assault, hoping that, with a
species of coup-de-main, they might, by assaulting the garrison on all
quarters at the same instant, be fortunate enough to find some spot less
capable than the rest of resisting their fury. An army of 40,000
men, seconded by the countenance of a fleet of nearly fifty ships of
the line, appeared in themselves a force sufficient to appal the hearts
jof the wearied and almost exhausted garrison. Thtse ordinary and
regular instruments of assault were deemed, however, insufficient for
the purpose. Thirteen vessels, many of them of large dimensions,
which had been originally constructed for Spanish ships of war, were
cut down and converted into floating batteries, under the dir ftion of
one of the ablest officers then known. Every attention was paid by
mi iv. 3 *
39 HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHICAL
m
him to render them as destructive as ingenuity applied to the most
dreadful purposes could make them. They were covered above
in such a manner as to, bid defiance to any impression of shells ; and
their sides were also fortified to prevent the red-hot shot, which it was
apprehended the garrison would use against them, from taking any
effect. The onset commenced ; the moment was critical ; but the
event did not long continue doubtful. The perseverance of the de-
fenders quickly taught the assailants how unequal these mighty float-
ing machines were to the task of subduing the fortress ; the greater
part of them being set on fire solely by the heated shot poured into
them without intermission, and those which escaped the first cause of
conflagration, fell within a few hours victims to the British torch.
Sad was the reverse to the enemy, who had vainly flattered themselves
but a few hours before, that their measures were so judiciously ar-
ranged, that human art should in vain attempt to baffle them. In all
the pomp and arrogance of expected victory, the assailants considered
the surrender of the fortress as almost inevitable ; but those that on
the morning of the igth of September 1782, beheld the British
already vanquished in idea, crouching with submission at their feet,
were compelled to solicit the protection of, and owe their lives to the
exertions of the persons, whose resistance to them they had considered
almost as an act of unjustifiable desperation.
The misfortunes of the enemy did not cease with this defeat. On
the loth of October following, a dreadful hurricane materially da-
maged the combined squadrons of France and Spain, which still lay
at anchor in the Bay of Gibraltar, as if determined to oppose the en-
trance of Lord Howe, who was then daily expected with the British
fleet. One of their ships, the St. Michael, of 70 guns, was forced
by the hurricane under the walls of the garrison ; and compelled to
surrender, in order that the lives of the distressed crew might be pre-
served. Several others, some of them of still superior force, received
considerable injury ; and on the following day, Lord Howe, wuh
thirty-four British ships of the line, and a numerous convoy under his
protection, made their appearance off this so long-blockaded fortress.
In a very short space of time the whole of this much-expected
succour of troops, of stores, and of provisions, was safely conveyed to
the point of its destination, In defiance of every opposition that could
be made tp its introduction. Baffled in the last remnant of their hope,
the enemy could scarcely flatter themselves with success ; and from'
this time, during the short continuance of hostilities, the siege might
be regard. d as carried on rather for form sake, than with, any seriyu*
expectation or hope of success.
ACCOUNT OF GIBRALTAR. Jgi
When it is considered that a garrison never exceeding eight thousand
men, withstood the most strenuous efforts made for so long a space of
time by a besieging army of five times its force, possessing the constant
power of having its losses repaired) and its deficiencies made up ;
when it is remembered, that in addition to this land attack, the
operations of the enemy were supported by the presence of a fleet
consisting of fifty ships of the line ; that the assailants had, during
the grand assault, upward of three hundred pieces of the heaviest
artillery playing on this distracted force ; it must be fairly admitted
that victory is in the hands of Providence alone, and that the utmost
of all human efforts are not able to direct or obtain it, in opposition to
its immutable decrees.
The great disparity of loss is a matter of no less wonder than that
of the successful resistance made by the English. While that of the
assailants was reckoned by thousands, the numbers of the garrison
killed, or who afterward died in consequence of their wounds, during
the whole siege, amounted to no more than 333 men.
The immense bass or rock, at the foot of which stands the town of
Gibraltar, is of singular shape and appearance ; the idea of which
will be better conveyed by the annexed view of its western front, than
mere description can possibly effect. It is upwards of 1,300 feet m
height, and extends into the sea for a considerable length, as a species
of terrene exuberance. Being connefted with the continent, as has
been already observed, by a low isthmus, it has been supposed by
many inquirers, that it was in former ages wholly surrounded by
the sea. The rock, at the foot of which the fortress of Gibraltar
is situated, is so nearly perpendicular on the side of the Mediterranean,
as to render all artificial mode of defence on that side totally unneces-
sary The western front is less precipitous; and in this quarter
human ingenuity has been exerted to a very great extent, in order to
render it, if possible, impregnable. The space between the lower par
of the north-west front and the sea, is completely occupied
formidable line of heavy guns, called the Grand Battery The appi
to them is rendered ineradicable by an extensive inundation, occupy-
n* the whole space between the most northern part of the rock and
h? sea-beach. A mound only being left, merely sufficient to confine
h water, and separate it from the sea. The approach to the munda-
adon itself is prevented by a secondary battery, also of very heavy guns
M in what is called the Old Mole , and all Ability of app^h
on the part of the enemy may be said to be totally prevent e
b r of Lvy batteries, many of them ereded dunng the late ege, oa
39 a HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHICAL
the King's, Queen'% and Princesses' lines, together with others of su-
perior consequence if possible, because constructed at a greater eleva-
tion of the rock above the enemy's approaches, at Willis's*
The long and unremitting attempt made by the besiegers experi-
mentally suggested to the attacked every defeft which had escaped
the notice of engineeis pteviously employed there. Guns wore con-
veyed, with incredible labour, to the very summit of the rock, frofn
whence the enemy's approaches were so completely commanded, as
to render it dangerous in the extreme for the soldiers to work the
cannon in the batteries, although they were covered with every
species of epaulement and traverse military ingenuity c^uid contrive.
The advantage derived by the besieged from the possession of so
elevated a post, was too conspicuous to be overlooked by the Go-
vernor, at that time Sir George Augustus Elliot, and the rest of the
officer! under his command. Excavations of considerable magnitude
were made near the surface of the rock, at a great height zbove the
level of the isthmus ; and the necessary galleries of communication
being also formed between the works less remote from the town itself^
a numerous and, on account of its situation, particularly formidable
line of artillery has been added to those previous defences which had
before baffled the utmost efforts of the assailants.
Few situations, perhaps, in the whole world have been so peculiarly
adapted by nature to withstand an attack. On the sea, a shoal of
rocks, extremely dangerous, extends far into the bay along the
western front, and totally secures the fortress from the near approach
of large ships, whose attacks, especially in conjunftion with the efforts
of a land force, might render the situation of the ganison precarious.
The channel by which a ship may enter is extremely narrow and diffi-
cult ; so that, although a siiip of the line may actually heave down at
the New Mole, yet the batteries judiciously erected tu defend those
accessible quarters, totally prevent any apprehension of an hostile
approach.
The town itself occupies about one- third of the most northern
part of the rock, toward the Atlantic. It was considerably injured,
and indeed almost totally destroyed, by the apparently wunton bom-
bardment of the enemy during the late siege ; but this, as well as the
fortifications which defend it, have risen, like the fabulous phoenix,
with greater lustre, as it were, out of its own ashes, and boasts a con-
siderable number of buildings, which might be considered an orna-
ment to the handsomest city in Europe.
Although the barrenness of the rock might forbid the traveller
from settling there as a grateful and a pleasant retreat, yet the
ACCOUNT OF GIBRALTAR. 4<jt
climate is peculiarly wholesome. During the summer months, that
heat which even in hi, aci latitudes is frequently intolerable, is so
considerably moderated by a constant sea-breeze, that those diseases
frequently attendant on hot countries are here totally unknown. On
the other hand, though the mountains in Spain itself, and those of
Africa also, are ofieu covered with snow for many months in the year,
it is very seldom known to fall in Gibraltar; and in December and
January, notwithstanding heavy rains, attended by violent storms of
thunder and lightning, frequently take place, yet being of very short
duration, they prove but of the slightest inconvenience.
The town, in consequence of its situation is, during peaceable
times, extremely well supplied with fish. Turbot, dories, soals, sal-
mon, cod, mu lies, with many other kinds of less estimation, are
caught in jjreat plenty along the Spanish shore ; and in the Bay, at
a very inconsiderable distance from the town itself. Mackarcl also
resort thither in shoals at the proper seaso . Frui s >f all kinds, as
well as fresh provisions, are also brought in sufficient plenty from
Portugal, as well as the Barbary shore ; and the prices, except on
some tew, and those very extraordinary occasions, are far from being
exorbitant.
The Bay of Gibraltar is extremely commodious for shipping ; and,
as it has been remarked by many, appears as if designed by nature to
command the entrance of the Straits, but the thick mists which fre-
quently prevail, render the utmost alertness necessary, and may some-
times enable an enemy, notwithstanding all the vigilance of his
opposer, to pass through unobserved. This had nearly been the case
in 1 758, with regard to M. Dt la Clue, who had almost baffled the at-
tention of Admiral Boscawen, then laying in the Bay for the express
purpose of intercepting him, and effected his passage unobserved and
consequently unmolested.
Upon the whole, whether Gibraltar, considered in a political
light, is regarded as he key to the Mediter anean commerce ; or,
impregnable as it has been rendered by art in aid of nature, it is
thought a post or advantageous station from whence a British
armament may issue to the terror of its foes, or retire in perfect
safety irom the insults of a superior enemy ; it has certainly be-
come a place of considerable consequence to Britain. Though pos-
sessed of no trad- or aclual commerce which may return a pi<- .Tuury
advantage resulting from itself, equivalent to the expencc of maintain-
ing it, yet there can be no doubt, that, contrary to the opinion of
some who pr fess such a different way of thinking, rvcn the stc.>ndary
benefits arising from the possession of a post so situated, would fully
warrant a tenfold expenditure on its support.
C
AUTHENTIC NARRATirE
THE LATE PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE OF
CHARLES STURT,
WeymtutJ}, Sept. 2?,
PIS Majesty and the Royal Family embarked on board the Cam.
brian frigate ; received by the St. Fiorenzo and Syren with a
Royal salute ; the Cambrian slipped her cable, as did the two frigates,
and stood to sea on the starboard tack. A convoy from Portland Roads,
bound to Guernsey, with the 8jth regiment OH board, sailed in com-
pany ; about ten got under weigh in my yacht, and stood for the
Cambrian ; sailed round her, sometimes on her quarter ; saw Mr.
Weld's yacht to leeward upon a wind, bore away to her ; when close on
her quarter, hauled my wind, and sailed in company; she had her top-
mast down and boat hoisted in, my top-mast up, and boat towing
astern, a fresh breeze and a short sea running ; observed Mr. Weld's
cutter fore-reached, but I gained to windward : struck my top-mast,
passed under the stern of the Cambrian, Mr. Weld to leeward, still
rather fore-reaching, but my cutter gaining to windward, we beth
stood to sea; finding my boat a great impediment to my cutter's
sailing, I proposed to one of my sailors to get into the boat and carry
her to Weymouth, this he seemed to hesitate at, upon which I imme-
diately observed, " Damn you, you ought to know me better, than
to think I would desire you to do a thing I would not do myself,
therefore reef the sail, slip the mast, I will go myself." However, in
justice to my master, Robbins, he offered to go, and desired me to
take the helm, and laughed at the other man for not going, Robbins
being a better helmsman than myself, and feeling very anxious my
cutter should beat Mr. Weld's, I determined to go myself ; took my
pocket compass in my hand, and got into my boat ; my servant, Ben,
desired me to change my coat, " Never mind, Ben, I can swim in
this as well as any I have :" they let go the painter, and I hoisted my
sail, charging Robbins to beat Mr. Weld, and steered N. 'N. E. to go
clear of a shoal called the Shambles ; found a good deal of sea run-
ning, but nothing my boat was not equal to, as she never shipped a
thimble-full of water till I got into the Shambles ; a very strong ebb-
spring tide running carried me to the westward, and bodily on for
the shambles, which I wished to avoid, put before the wind, but being
under a very low sail, for fear of broaching too, I dare not shake the
reefs out of the sail to enable m boat to stem the tide, which wa
running very strong, End carrying me dead upon the Shambles, where
PROVIDENTIAL I8CAPE OF CHARLES. STURT, $<*. 395
^the sea was running tremendously high, and breaking horridly ; no
"time to be lost, sensible of my .danger, convinced I could neither get
to the westward or eastward of them, I prepared to meet the danger,
and to make my boat as lively as possible, thiew overboard my ballast,
which likewise prevented her from sinking ; the dismal sound of tie-
breakers I began to hear, and soon saw,them right a-head ; aware of
the danger, and convinced my boat could not exist many minutes,
and nothing but the interposition of Providence save me, to divert
my thoughts from the horrid idea of an immediate death, I began
singing the sea song of Cease rude Boreas," at the same time
keeping the boat's quarter to the surf ; as I was singing the second
verse, a dreadful sea ail foaming took my boat on the larboard quar-
ter, I hauled aweather my helm, she lost her steerage-way, broached to,
and upset, and both overwhelmed, the sea rolling both over and over.
Recovering from my alarm, without the smallest hopes of escaping,
I swam to my boat, which was laying on her broadside, with difficulty
I got to her, and with the greatest difficulty I was able to hold fast by
her ; I immediately pulled off my coat, waitscoat, shirt, cravat, and
shoes, this I accomplished with some trouble, my things being wet.
After this I began to consider what could be done, no sail near me,
above fifteen miles from the nearest land, a dreadful hollow brokea
sea, running in every direction, frequently overwhelming me, gave me
no hopes of saving my life ; to surrender without a struggle I considered
weak ; the recollection of those I loved, which at that moment struck
me very forcibly, for I fancied I saw them ; recollecting the difficul-
ties I had surmounted two years before in saving some men from a
wreck off my house, and knowing that Englefield, Riou, and Bligh,
were saved from situations as dreadful as my own, by the assistance
of Divine Providence, gave me resolution and fortitude to exert my-
self ; I began to clear away the boat's masts and sails, which I ac-
complished at last, after being repeatedly washed off the boat ; when
I had cleared the wreck, I got on her gunwale, and by my weight
brought her to right ; I got into her, and sat in the middle of her,
attending to her motion, to prevent her rolling over, but the violence
of the sea, and coming on so repeatedly, overwhelmed me ; the diffi-
culty of regaining my boat against such broken seas exhausted me,
and the salt water affected my sight, that it was some time before I
could recover my boat ; looking round for a sail, seeing none, the
Jand above fifteen miles off, and increasing my distance, I began to
think it folly to struggle any longer for a miserable existence of pro-
bably a few minutes ; however, the love of life, the hopes of some vt-s-
fe.1 heaving in sight, got the better, and I resolved to use everj
PROVIDENTIAL BSCAPB OF
possible means of preserving my life ; to continue in the boat, re-
peatedly washed out and burie< in the waves, I knew could not be
much longer supported, I must give way. I then recollected that
fishermen in small boats, when caught in a gale, ft.-q-iently let a spar
or a mast, fastened to their boat's painter, go ahead, and the spar
broke the force of the sea before it came to the boat. Having been
by this time near two hours in tta water, for 1 upset about twelve
o'clock, I felt myself much fatigued, and that it was absi lutely neces-
sary I should tiy ?ome scherre to relieve me a little from such violent
exertions, I accordingly got forward to the head of my boat, took her
painter, and passed it under and over the after-thwart or seat of the
boat; in doing this I was frequently buried under the waves for many se-
conds, and the seas following each other so repeatedly, my breath
was nearly exhausted, and my sight weakened ; about this period several
garnets, a very large specie of gull, hovered close to me, and so bold
as to come within two or three feet of my head, I imagined they an-
ticipated a good feast on me ; however, by hallooing and screaming
pretty loud, I convinced them I was not yet dead, for they took
fright and flew away, I never saw another bird after my visitors were
gone. I tried how my scheme answered ; when I observed a heavy
breaker coming, I got out of my boat and swam to leeward, holding
by the painter 1 had made fast, the boat's hroadside being to the sea,
and bottom upwards, for v.-hen I quitted her she rolled over, on my
pressing her gunwale down the surf broke with violence against her,
and or'y a part came over me ; finding this answered my fullest expec-
tations, I saved myself from many a heavy sea, and my spirits kept
up ; but alas, when 1 could discover no sail in sighc, the sea breaking
with the same violence, evening drawing on, and the land at a great
distance, my mind was much afftfted ; struggling so long without a
prospect of saving my life, now almost insupportable, was but little
encouragement for me to persevere. I had been now three hours in
this distressed situation, very much weakened from my exertions, and
severely bruised by my boat ; about three o'clock I saw two sloops
pass me going up channel, no exertion of mine could make them hear
me or see me I knew, I therefore made none. Beating about for
such a length of time, without having the good fortune to see any
sail approaching, gave me slender hopes of saving my life ; contin-
ually washed out of my boat, often buried under the waves, and re-
peatedly obliged, to avoid the seas that were breaking with prodigious
violence, to quit my boat and swim to leeward of her, necessarily
diminished my strength ; about a quarter after four a brig came within
half a mile, I hailed her, stood as high out of the water as I could,
CHARLES STURT, E3Q. 399
moving my hands, and using every means for her crew to sec me ; 1
succeeded, I observed men go up the main- shrouds, and the cre;r
stand close together, but she passed me without offering the smallest
assistance ; this, indeed, was enough for me to surrender up a life
scarcely any longer supportable such inhumanity excited tlic
strongest emotions of anger ; but alas ! I felt I had no means of re-
dress. I gave up all hopes of being saved the land further from me,
a gale of wind coming on, the tide conveying me on to Portland
Race, I took a valuable diamond watch, belonging to Lady Mary
Anne, out of my fob, tied it securely round the waistband of my
trowsers, pulled them off, and tied them well round the thwart of the
boat ; when I had done this I made a running knot with the painter,
intending to put it round me in my last moments, knowing that my
boat, as the wind was, would be driven near Lyme or Bridport, that
then my watch and seal might lead to a discovery of whom I was.
Having done this, I became quite indifferent, death was no longer
terrible to me, I saw no chance of being saved, I therefore sat qiiittly
in the boat, immersed under water all but my head and shoulders,
patiently waiting for the next wave to put an end to my sufferings.
Still buffetted about, sometimes in the boat, sometimes holding on her
keel, washed off and losing her for several minutes, I still found my re-
collection and memory sound, and my strength had .not failed me, for
I always raised myself up to discover my boat by treading water,
which when I did, I swam up to her. About half after four, after
experiencing a very severe and long struggle to recover my boat, I saw
eight sail to windward ; it was a long time before I discovered whether
they were standing from me or towards me, at length I discerned thty
were standing towards me, this gave me great spirits as well as
strength, for it was the first time I saw a chance of my life being
saved, and that Providence had watched over me through all my
struggles. At five three or four ships passed me, but without seeing
me or my being able to be heard, the sea running high, and breaking
so violently ; three or more vessels passed me close to windward, my
voice was too feeble to make myself heard, and I reserved my strength
for the only two vessels of the eight that had not passed me. A brig
eame by, I hailed her, lifted up my hands, and used every possible
means of making myself heard or seen ; fortunately I was successful,
'for I observed they saw me ; her men went up aloft to see wkat I
was, they then shortly tacked and stood towards me, but did not
hoist a boat out ; this alarmed me, for having some hours before been,
passed by one unfeeling wretch, I almost gave myself up to despair ;
there was only one more vessel astern, the evening setting in, a disnul
IV. 3 F
398 PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE OP
sea running, and within two miles of Portland Race ; if this sWp
passed me, all was over, I was irrecoverably gone. I roused myself
on this occasion ; as she approached I began hailing, got on the boat's
bottom and endeavoured to stand upon her, was washed off, got on
her again, and again washed off; however, life was still desirable to
me, as long as I saw a chance of being saved, I therefore per-
severed, and after experiencing great difficulty, I observed a great
bustle among the soldiers, and some of them run up the main and
fore rigging ; shortly after I observed four men get into a boat hang-
ing' astern, and lowered down ; at that period I was much agitated, my
firmness seemed to forsake me, for I burst out in a flood of tears> and
was seized with a violent vomiting from the vast quantity of salt water
I had swallowed ; as the boat approached, I recovered ; the sea running
high they could not see me, till the men on board the transport moved
their hats and pointed to the spot ; when they came near me I untied
my trowsers from the thwart, desired them not to come broadside to,
for fear of swampir.g, but come stem on ; I threw my trowsers into
the boat, and endeavoured to spring into her, but was too weak, the
crew pulled me in by the legs. When in the boat I found myself not
so much exhausted as I expedited, or my recollection so lost, as not to
be able to steer the boat through a rough sea, and lay her alongside
the transport, which I did. I was very humanely received by Lieut.
Colonel Jackson, of the 851!! regiment, and the whole crew expressed
a sincere and honest gladness at my providential escape. A very few
minutes longer she must have passed me, for the afternoon was very
gloomy, and the day shutting in fast, had I not made myself heard,
there would not have been the smallest chance of my being saved,
Mv limbs benumbed, a dizziness in my sight, with a violent pain in my
side, and an inclination to sleep, convinced me that it was impossible
to survive ai>hour longer. I had been full five hours and a half naked
in the water, scarcely ever more than my head and shoulders above
water for any time, obliged (to prevent the boat dashing against me,
or myself against the boat) to be constantly attending to the direction
of the sea when it broke, and always, when in the boat, attending to
keep her in an equilibrium to prevent her rolling over ; the exertion
v/as extremely fatiguing and difficult. The ship Middleton came to
an anchor in Portland Roads about eight o'clock with her convoy.
Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson's kindness and attention was extremely
great ; warm blankets, hot water in bottles applied to my feet, re-
covered me very soon. About nine arrived at Weymouth, with Col.
Jackson, in the Middleton's six-oared boat, who accompanied me to
try friembj Mr. and Mrs. Smith, from whom 1 received the kindest
attention. They thought I was irrecoverably lost, as well as their
CHARLES ST0RT, ESQ^ 399
Majesties) particularly as Captain Ingram declared he saw my boat
seme time, and afterwards disappear : it certainly was extremely rea-
sonable to believe I was lost, the sea running very high, and breaking
tremendously on the Shambles, it was known no boat could live in it,
the wind increasing with the sea. Indeed nothing but this convoy,
that sailed in the morning from Portland Roads, returning (from the
wind leading them) to Weymouth Roads, could have given me the
slightest chance of being saved. Their Majesties very kindly sent to
know how I was, the moment they heard of my landing. No-
thing could be more obliging and kind than their Majesties were on
my seeing them on the Esplanade. The Dukes of Kent and Cumber-
land ; Lord and Lady Paulet ; Lords Cathcart and Powis ; Generals
Goldsvvorthy and Garth ; Colonels Desborough and Wynyard ; Lady
Hugh Dalrymple, Lord and Lady Radnor, Mrs. Freemantle, Lord
Loughborough ; in short, every soul in Weymouth, most kindly con-
gratulated me on my providential escape. I was dreadfully bruised, and
very much agitated from the kind solicitude of my friends. Tuesday
23d, went on board the Middleton, Captain Rankin, with Colonel
Jackson : distributed fifty guineas amongst the Captain and crew.
. ,.
Captain Rankin, - - - 10 10
BOAT'S CREW.
John Jones, - - - -55
James Napper, - --55
John Dayly, - - - -55
John Woodman, - - - 5 S
And to the remaining part of the crew twenty guineas ; and gave
the boat's crew that carried me on shore to WtymoUth, bed and
board for two days,
N. B. This copy taken from Mr. Sturt's, corrected at Critchill,
Odoberthe 24th, 1800.
Outlines of a Plan for the Support of decayed and infirm Shipwright in
his Majesty's Dock-yards^
MR. EDITOR,
IN a country where charity and humanity are its greatest character.
istics, whose existence and safety depends on its navy and com-
merce, it has long been a subjeft of astonishment to me, that one of
Its most useful, loyal, and meritorious classes of men, should never
hitherto have found a friend to step forward towards the attainment
of an obied which has for its end the preservation of hundreds of
jcd, infirm, aad faithful servants of the public, from misery and
10O OUTLINES OF A PLAN >OR THE SUPPORT OF
want, affording them comfort at a time when there is greatest need
for it, their latter days ; a comfort which their hard services dearly
purchases. I hope in thus offering sentiments flowing spontaneous
From my heart, I may not be thought guilty of partiality to, or
casting reflections on any particular class of men whatever far from
it ; several melancholy and distressing circumstances which have re-
cently, and I may say unfortunately, come to my knowledge, are my
principal inducements for interesting myself in their behalf. I could
mention one very cogent reason why I do it, or why it should be
done, but an earnest wish to avoid offence increases the necessity
bf omitting what would otherwise be thought a most powerful
inotive.
I shall now proceed to point out who are the men I could wish to
see provided for, and offer a few suggestions on the mode of accomplish,
ing so glorious an end ; trusting (should you think it worthy a place
therein) that through the medium of the Naval Chronicle, my propo-
sition may engage the attention of some more able person, from whose
pen, and through the same channel, I shall eagerly expect to see some
farther observations.
Our sailors and soldiers, both equally distinguished for bravery in
their separate occupations, have been thought deserving of au
asylum in their age : Greenwich and Chelsea Hospitals are the
monuments of British munificence, at the foot of which they offer
up their tribute of gratitude for the happiness their country ul-
timately ensures them. They have bravely fought and bled, it is
true ; danger has opened its dreadful prospects to their eyes ; valour
and loyalty have supported them through their trials. But what
would become of our <( Little Ifland," without a navy, and that
numerous? Why then should that loyal and hard-labouring body of
men, to whom we are alone indebted for it, be passed over and neg-
lected ? Danger is a Shipwright's constant attendant from the mo-
ment he rises, till he retires to rest ; men more attacntd to thtir
country never existed ; their labour is unparalleled, as are the dangers
and accidents they experience, various, unforeseen, a:id beyond their
power to guard against ; still, not a murmur escapes them, cheaful
they go to labour, contented they return from it ; but alas ! after
having passed many years of fatigue and hazard of tlieir lives, upon a
pittance scarcely sufficient to afford them sustenance, they are found
incapable of farther duty, superannuated as a reward for their services,
and left to starve on a pension to the amount of half their former pay;
early and late, through all the vicissitudes of seasons, their duty calls
them ; every thing is required of them that can possibly be required
of man; still, when age overtakes them, they are forgotter, and east
DECAYED AND INFIRM SHIPWRIGHTS.
upon a wide world to pine away the remainder of their existence,
friendless, iu misery, and want. This treatment to a single man is bad
enough, how much worse must it be, where probably he has a wife
and perhaps daughters to maintain ? I say nothing of his sons, we
may suppose them already provided for. Will any man then who can
boast but of common humanity, or fellow feeling, say, that this most
useful class of men are not deserving of some national recompence for
their past, faithful, and laborious services, equal to the sailor or the
soldier ? Let it be asked, What could we do without sailors or soldiers?
Does not our existence almost depend on them ? I answer in the af-
firmative. But ask again, What should we do without shipwrights?
To answer this question, will immediately show their importance. la
a primitive view, they claim our first attention, or ought to do so, and
I am sorry it has not yet been thought so by one, wlio seldom suffer*
merit to go unrewarded.
Having endeavoured to show <u>Jy this class of men are entitled to
their country's protection, it remains to ascertain the means that might
be adopted to procure it for them, least burthensome to the state,
and most advantageous to themselves. The plan I propose is the
creftion of an hospital, conducted in a similar manner to Greenwich
or Chelsea Hospitals, and appropriated solely to the use, and for the
comfort, of decayed and wounded shipwrights. I am aware the grand
objection will be expence, and God grant it was only the effusion of a
few penurious and contracted minds, but I too much fear, the great
are infefted with it. However, to avoid digression, let me proceed
and endeavour, by pointing out a few resources, to eradicate this bane-
ful obstacle to generous and noble aftions.
For Greenwich Hospital, we are indebted to King Charles II.
and William III. who being defirous to promote the trade, navigation,
and naval strength of this kingdom, gave this noble palace, and several
other edifices, for the use of those English seamen and th-ir children,
who by age, wounds, or other accidents, should be disabled from otlur
service at sea. King William also, by letters patent in 1694, ap-
pointed commissioners, and therein desired the assistance of his sub-
jeds. In conformity to this request, many bepefadions were made
to this noble charity, both in that and succeeding reigns. For the
better support of this hospital, every seaman in the royal navy ar.d
merchants' service, pays 6d per month ; therefore ever-; one who can
produce an authentic certificate of his be-in j disabled and rendered
unfit for the sea service, by defending any ships belonging to his Ma-
jesty, or his British subject, or by taking a ship from the enemy,
may be admitted into this hospital, and receive the same benefit as ;f La.
4O2 OUTLINES OF A PLAN FOR THE SUPPORT OF
had been in his Majesty's immediate service. It has about one hun-
dred governors, composed of the nobility, great officers of state, and
persons in high posts under the king.
Chelsea Hospital was originally founded by Nell Gwynn, one of
King Charles the Second's mistresses, confirmed and endowed by him,
and finished by King William III. The pensioners of this hospital
consist of superannuated veterans, who have been at least twenty years
in the service. The expences are supported by a poundage, dedu&ed
out of the pay of the army, with one day's pay once a year from each
officer and common soldier, and when there is a deficiency, it is sup-
plied by parliament.
What I have said of those two hospitals is not by way of de-
scribing them ; but, by showing their immediate use, and the means
by which they are supported, some judgment may be formed of the
iitHity of such an establishment as I am now proposing, and a clue
is given by which we may readily observe the various modes to 'which
recourse might be had for its maintenance.
In order to lessen the expence to the utmost, great care should be
taken to avoid the admission of improper objects, such as persons
whose wounds are not of a nature to prevent their following any other
occupation, or who have friends capable of contributing to their sup-
port. Age should be attended to in preference to every considera-
tion. As an heavy expence is frequently incurred in hospitals by
nurses, servants, &c. I would, as an additional help to those for whose
benefit I am now writing, propose, that they be chosen from the
wives and children of the pensioners ; this method, it is my opinion,
would be attended with very inconsiderable expence, as many would be
happy in such an asylum to perform the offices of it gratis, or for a
trifling gratuity; and none but shipwrights' wives or children should have
any concern therein whatever. The money which is now appropri-
ated to pay superannuations, might be applied to the use of the hos-
pital. A small deduction from the pay of every shipwright, suppose
it to be one shilling a quarter, would contribute largely towards de-
fraying the expences ; and no man, I am confident, would object to so
inconsiderable a sacrifice when he reflected on the comfortable refuge
he might have some day or other occafion for. In order to form some
idea what aid this single contribution would afford, I compute the
number of shipwrights to be about 4,000, which, multiplied by
4, gives the sum of 16,000 shillings, or 800 pounds, the annual
amount of the whole subscription. Voluntary subscriptions or con-
tributions might likewise be admitted from any quarter. Money
prising from the sale of old ships should be appropriated to this use.
DECAYED AND INFIRM- SHIPWRIGHTS. 40}
or if not the whole, a part. No persons whatever fhould be permitted
to view the dock-yards without contributing a certain sum towardi
the relief of the charity, for, as they come to gratify curiofity, they
cannot refuse assistance to the very men who excite it. As our placet
of entertainment are all authorized by government, one night in every
season should be claimed by the state for the benefit of this establish-
ment ; this method would not affe& any one, but on the contrary, I
am certain, in confideration of its being for the service of men to
whom we are indebted for the navy, which protects us, the houses
would experience on those occasions a far more numerous attendance
than on any other throughout the season.
Thus far I have only suggested some means which might be
adopted in aid of the government supplies which an establishment of
this kind must necessarily require, aware that some might be objc&ed
to, while many others might be discovered more efficient.
Having now, as I should hope, partly removed the most important
obstacle in the way of so desirable an end as the founding of an asylum
for our aged and infirm countrymen, to the ' sweat of whose
brows" we are indebted for the many comforts we enjoy ; it remain*
now to confider of the most eligible plan to be pursued in order to
obtain a beginning thereof, which I fear will be attended with some
difficulty ; I must therefore solicit the assistance of such persons, who,
a&uated by ideas similar to my own, may not think it beneath their
notice so much as to refuse what will at least be no expence to them,
namely, their own suggestions or opinions.
Had I not been well acquainted with the exalted character of that
benevolent, humane, and noble spirited personage, who presides at
the head of the Admiralty, and to whom the Naval Chronicle is so
justly dedicated, I might never have attempted to propose a thing of
this kind ; but sensible how true a friend he is to every man concerned
in naval affairs, I am encouraged to hope my projeft may yet excite
attention. The only contribution I can at present make, is a tender
of my services, in any manner whatever within my power ; and t
success may attend this, my humble effort, is the sincere and heartfelt
prayer of
Yours, &c.
28,1800. NEPTUNE.
Note. The above writer', laudable and humane endeavour towards raisin* an
establishment lor the support of superannuated and casualty Shipwng
Majesty's dock-yards, is well deserving of a place in our Work ; aud je hop,
V ill be noticed by those emulous to forward so charitable and glor
undertaking.
r -P4 3
NAVAL LITERATURE.
THE SPIRIT or MARINE LAW; or, Compendium of the Stalutet
relating to the /Idmiralty ; being a concise but perspicuous Abridg-
mtrtt of all the A '8s relative to Navigation, alphabetically arranged, and
the Substance and References placed in the Margin. By John Irving
Maxwell, of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, and late of
the Royal Navy, Chapman, 1800. Offavo. pp. 562. Price izs.
TN a work like that which is at present before us, the only points
that can lead to applause are perspicuity of arrangement and cor-
redness ; and the labours of the auchor appear well intitlcd to praise
in both the points just mentioned. We perft&ly agree with Mr. M.
that it must have appeared very extraordinary, that while other
branches of the law, connected with interests of infinitely less conse-
quence to the country than its maritime power, should have been most
accurately digested and explained by some of the ablest men that
ercr graced the British bar, the marine code should have conti-
nued, till the publication of the Work in question, in so diffuse and
scattered a state through a variety of law books, forming of them-
selves almost a library. " To obviate these objections," says the
.Author in his Preface, which forms an ample key to the work, " and
to diffuse more generally the principles of the Marine Laws, hitherto
confined to particular classes of the navy, the present publication
was commenced, and advanced up to a certain period ; but other
avocations preventing the author from completing his design, the
manuscript was liberally presented to the present Editor, to intro-
duce such alterations and additions as might be deemed necessary, and
to bring down the several acls of Parliament to the present date.
" With respect to the utility of a publication of this nature to
those persons who are immediately interested in the operation of the
laws here abstracted, any introductory observation would be super-
fluous. The elegant and learned Author of the Commentaries has
observed, that a knowledge of the law is an indispensable part of
education, in a country where it is an established maxim, that
ignorance of the law excuses no man, and where a law is supposed to be
promulgated the moment it is enacted." The superior officers of his
Majesty's navy are, therefore, peculiarly interested in thoroughly
comprehending these laws, which it is their province to enforce and
execute, otherwise that navigation and commerce of which they are
the executive guardians, would be injured and impeded.
OF NAVAL XVENTS, ^QJ
But it is not only to the superior officers of the navy that a know-
ledge of the Marine Laws is necessary, but to that class of Gentle-
men upon the quarter-deck, who, merely as a term of distinftion,
are denominated petty officers, that the study of the Mai ine Laws
becomes indispensably necessary, because in many instances they also
are to enforce the laws, and to aft as officers of the revenue, by
seizing vessels not conforming to the regulations prescribed.
For the use, then, of such whom inclination or professional habits
may lead to consult the several subjects here enumerated, the present
Compendium of Marine Law has been compiled, arranged, and di-
gested. For greater facility of reference, the alphabetical order of
arrangement has been adopted, the several afts have been given, some
few instances only excepted, in the chronological order in which they
have been enacted ; and the numerical references to the afts, and the
substance of the respective clauses, have been placed in the margin ; .
so that while this work contains the Spirit of the Marine Laws, suffi-
ciently dilated to be praftically useful, it will serve at the same time
as a copious index to those Gentleman who wish more minutely and
at large to consult any particular aft.
In detailing the several afts, the technical formalities of legisla-
tion have been every where rejefted, while at the same time the very-
words of every clause, in the several original afts, have been adopted,
as best calculated to point out more particularly the precise meaning
of the Legislature.
To make any extraft from the body of a work of this nature,
would be frivolous, since it would be the transcript only of some aft
of parliament, in the arrangement of which, and not in the matter,
the merit of the author must appear. It will be sufficient, both for
the information of our readers, and the advantage of the writer, that
we content ourselves with, bearing testimony to the truth of what has
been urged respecting the utility of the book. For a more full ex-
planation of the undertaking, it may be proper to observe, that it
comprises the following heads: Admiralty; Apprentices; Articles
of War ; Ballastage on the Thames ; Boats, Barges, &c. ; Bullion j
Bum-boats on the Thames ; Burning, destroying, or molesting ships ;
Canvas and Sail-cloth ; Coasting Trade ; Convoys ; Cordage ; Courts-
Martial ; Customs ; Desertion ; Fish, Fisheries, and Fishermen, Green-
land and Davis's Straits, Southern Whale, Newfoundland, British Her-
ring, Mackarel, Oyster, and Thames ; Freight, Charter-party, and
Demurrage ; Greenwich Hospital ; Gunpowder, Combustibles, 5;c. ;
Harbours; Hovering; Embezzling Stores; Importation and Ex-
portation; Impressing of Seamen ; Insurance; Longitude; Mani-
i iv. 3 G
406 KAVAL POBTRV.
and
fest ; Mediterranean Passes ; Navigation and Plantations ; Pilots
Pilotage ; Pirates ; Privateers and Letters of Marque ; Prizes ;
Poor Mariners and Soldiers ; Quarantine ; Seamen's Wages, Allot-
ment of Pay, Wills and Powers, &c. ; Seamen Merchant Service ;
Seducing Artificers, and Exportation of Tools ; Swearing ; Smug-
glers ; Smuggling and Run Goods; Stranded Ships and Salvage ; Safe
Conduces and Passports ; South Sea Company ; Transport Service ;
Wandering Mariners or Soldiers ; Watermen on the Thames ; Wool ;
Wet Docks.
THE ORPHAN BOY'S TALE.
BY MRS. OPIE.
[TAY, Lady ! Stay, for pity's sake,
And hear a helpless orphan's tale ;
Ah ! sure my looks must pity wake,
'Tis want that makes my cheek so pale !
Yet I was once a mother's pride.
And my brave father's hope and joy ;
But in the Nile's proud fight he dy'd,
And I am now an orphan boy !
Poor foolish child ! how pleas'd was I,
When news of NELSON'S vi&ory came,
Along the crowded streets to fly,
And see the lighted windows flame.
To force me home my mother sought-
She could not bear to see my joy ;
For with my father's life 'twas bought,
And made me a poor orphan boy !
The people's shouts were long and loud ;
My mother, shudd'ring, clos'd her ears :
" Rejoice, rejoice," still cry'd the crowd
My mother answer'd with her tears.
" Oh, why do tears steal down your cheek,"
Cry'd I, " while others shout with joy ?"
She kiss'd me, and in accents week,
She call'd me her poor orphan boy !
NATAL POETRr. _
' What is an orphan boy ?" I said ;
When suddenly she gasp'd for breath,
And her eyes clos'd ; I shriek'd for aid ;
But ah ! her eyes were clos'd in death !
My hardships since I will not teD ;
But now, no more a parent's joy,
Ah ! Lady, I have learnt too well
What 'tis to be an orphan boy !
Oh, were I by your bounty fed!
Nay, gentle Lady, do not chide ;
Trust me, I mean to earn my bread
The sailor's orphan boy has pride.
Lady, you weep what is't you say ?
You'll give me clothing, food, employ !
Look down, dear parents, look and see
Your happy, happy orphan boy !
LINES WRITTEN AT SOUTHAMPTON.
JIT THE REV. W. L. BOWLES.
C2MOOTH went our boat upon the summer seas,
Leaving (for so it seem'd) the world behind,
In sounds of mingled uproar : we, recb'n'd
Upon the sunny deck, heard but the breeze
That o'er us whisp'ringpass'd, or idly play'd
With the little flag aloft. A woodland scene,
On either side drew its slope-line of green,
And hung the water's shining edge with shade.
Above the woods, Netley ! thy ruins pale
Pear'd, as we pass'd ; and CE&a's * azure hue,
Beyond the misty castle +, met the view ;
Where in mid channel-hung the scarce seen sail.
So all was calm and sunshine as we went
Cheerily o'er the briny clement.
Oh ! were this little boat to us the world,
As thus we wander'd far from sounds of care,
Circl'd with friends and gentle maidens fair,
Whilst morning airs the waving pendant curl'd ;
How sweet were life's long voyage, till in peace,
We gain'd that haven still, where all things cease !
Iile of Wight. t Kelshot Castle.
40| KAVAL
THE SAILOR's PRAYER BEFORE ACTION.
BY DR. YOUNG.
OO form'd the bolt ordain'd to break
Gaul's haughty plan, and Bourbon shake,
If Britain's crimes support not Britain's foesj
And edge their swords. O Power Divine !
If bless'd by thee the bold design,
Embattled hosts a single arm o'erthrows.
Ye Warlike Dead ! who fell of old,
In Britain's cause, by Fame enroll'd,
In deathless annal ! deathless deeds inspire ;
From oozy beds, for Britain's sake,
Awake, illustrious Chiefs ! awake,
And kindle in your sons paternal fire.
The day commission'd from above,
Our worth to weigh, our hearts to prove,
If war's full shock too feeble to sustain ;
Or firm to stand its final blow,
When vital streams of blood shall flow,
And turn to crimson the discolour'd main.
That day's arrived, that fatal hour !
" Hear us, O hear, Almighty Pow'r !
" Our guide in counsel, and our strength in fight !
" Now war's important die is thrown,
" If left the day to man alone,
" How blind is wisdom, and how weak in Might ?
" Let prostrate hearts, and awful fear,
" And deep remorse, and sighs sincere,
" For Britain's guilt the wrath Divine appease ;
" A wrath more formidable far
" Than angry Nature's wastful war,
'* The whirl of tempest, and the roar of seas*
'< From out the deep to thee we cry,
< To thee, at Nature's helm on high !
" Steer thou our conduct, dread Omnipotenee J
" To thee for succour we resort ;
" Thy favour is our only port ;
" Our only rock of safety, thy defence,
NATAL POETRY.
O Thou ! to whom the lions roar,
* And, not unheard, thy boon implore!
1 Thy Throne our bursts of cannon loud invoke ;
" Thou can'st arrest the flying ball,
* Or send it back, and bid it fall,
" On those from whose proud deck the thunder broke,
" Britain in vain extends her care
" To climes remote *, for aids in war ;
" Still farther must it stretch to crush the foe :
" There's one alliance, one alone,
" Can crown her arms, or fix her throne,
" And that alliance is not found below.
" Ally Supreme ! we turn to thee ;
'* We learn obedience from the Sea ;
" With seas and winds henceforth, thy laws fulfil j
f< 'Tis thine our blood to freeze or warm,
" To rouse or hush the martial storm,
" And turn the tide of conquest at thy witt.
*' 'Tis thine to beam sublime renown,
'* Or quench the glories of a crown ;
" 'Tis thine to doom, 'tis thine from Death to free,
M To turn aside his levell'd dart,
{ Or pluck it from the bleeding heart :
" There we cast anchor, we confide in thee.
' Thou! who hast taught the North to roar,
' And streaming t lights no&urnal pour,
" Of frightful aspeft ! when proud foes invade,
" Their blasted pride with dread to seize,
Bid Britain's flags as meteors blaze,
" And George depute to thunder in thy stead.
* The right alone is bold and strong ;
Black hov'ring clouds appal the wrong
" With dread of vengeance. Nature's awful Sire !
Less than one moment should'st thou frown,
Where is Puissance and Renown ?
Thrones tremble, empires sink, or worlds expire.
* Ru5t + Aurora
4
{tO NATAL POETir.
" Let George the just chastise the vain :
" Thou ! who dost curb the rebel main,
*' To mount the shore when boiling billows rave!
<{ Bid George repel a bolder tide,
" The boundless swell of Gallic pride,
'* And check ambition's overwhelming wave.
" And when (all milder means withstood),
" Ambition, tam'd by loss of blood,
" Regains her reason ; then, on angels' wings,
" Let Peace descend, and shouting greet,
' With peals of joy, Britannia's fleet,
" How richly freighted ; it triumphant brings
" The poise of kingdoms, and the fate of kings.'*
DESCRIPTION OF A CALM SEA AT MORN:
From the POEM OF THE SEA, by the Rev. S. BIDLAKE, A.M,
Chaplain to his Royal Highness the Duke ofCLA&ENCi.
' N silv'ry veil, see virgin morn arise !
Fresh as a new creation, wash'd in dews
Etherial, baltn'd in rosy sleep she treads,
Forth darting heav'n-born joy, and looking softness :
Hush'd Nature listens ; calm reflection smiles.
She lifts her golden eye, and beams abroad,
And tips with tint the sluggish mists,
And rolling clouds, that ling'ring cling around
Yon mountain's base, yon wide horizon's verge.
What kindling glories gild the glowing skies !
What blushes fill the smooth expanse below !
The wide-spread mirror wherever modest face
With answering beauty shines a perfect calm.
Not fluid mercury boasts more polish'd gloss.
Abroad no zephyr steals ; no dimple curls
The now quiescent wave, that sleeps along
The placid shore, with pendant verdure crown 'd;
No more repugnant or averse ; but deep
Within its winding arms, encircling warm
The glassy green ; well pleas'd itself to vievr
In shadowy length, with the mimic plain,
Saunt'ring, the fisher in his idle bark,
Awaits the whisper of the fav'ring gale ; ,
Nor spreads the sail, that of the sluggish hour
KAVAL POET8.Y.
Impatient hangs. But stealth of fav'ring gale
The perfect plain denies, such quiet reigns.
Or if a vagrant solitary breeze
Perchance pass light its momentary way,
Yon skimming main its secret kiss avows ;
And, like offended chastity, shudders
At every wanton wish that rudeness breathes.
Or leaps a fish, a spreading ringlet runs,
And wid'ning trembles to the distant shore,
The air no clamour wounds. Ye lighter barks !
That with the finny oar glide smooth along,
Spare the rude stroke, nor spoil the level wave ;
Nor break the solemn silence of the scene.
See vermil morn yet gladdens into birth,
For lo ! the lazy fogs steal soft from view,
And as they fade brightens the gorgeous scene,
And stately all the naval pomp appears ;
Wars awful ensigns. By more grateful fleets,
Thy better pride, all humanizing commerce !
Green islands lone ; tall cliffs ; the circling port,
Where traffic lavish spreads his crowded wharfs,
Inverted all in imitative shade.
ENGLAND AND SWEDEN.
NOTE transmitted by the Swedish Ministry to the Minuter of tit
CATHOLIC MAJESTY at Stockholm^ in Answer to the Representation
of the Spanish Court, dated St. Ildefonso, September 17,1 800.
" Drottingltlm, Off. , l8oO.
" T "JTIS Swedish Majesty has understood with the utmost concent
**- the violence used by some Officers of the English navy to-
wards a merchant ship from Swedish Pomerania, by employing the same
in an hostile enterprise against two frigates in the Road of Barcelona.
He perfectly accords with his Catholic Majesty, with respeft to the
light in which this new abuse of power is to be considered, and the com-
mon danger which such examples must occasion both to neutral and
belligerent powers. His Majesty will, therefore, immediately make re-
monstrances to the Court of London, to which he is equally induced by
his friendly connections with the Spanish Court, and the violation of
the neutrality of his flag. In these remonstrances, which will have for
their first objeft the right of the Swedish flag,'and of Swedish subjects,
Lie Catholic Majesty will certainly admit it to be right that the King
4*2 STATE
ehould consider himself as the principal party j, but while he attends t
his own interests, he will not neglect those of Spain. Justice requires
that what has been obtained in an unjustifiable manner shall be
restored. His Majesty will demand, but without answering for the
consequence of this measure. He will, when it shall be time, make
confidential communications to the Spanish Court with respeft to the
dispositions which the English Government shall manifest on the sub-
ject j but the justice of his Catholic Majesty will undoubtedly leave
to him the free choice of the forms and means to be employed in his
negotiation, nor attempt to limit any precise time and mode of
restitution. Spain and all Europe are acquainted with the long
process which Sweden has carried on in London on the subject of
restitution ; and there can be no reason to expect that speedier justice
will be done in a cause which requires restitution to be made to an
enemy. In the mean time, his Swedish Majesty cannot consider
himself as liable to any kind of responsibility with respect to an affair
to. the causes of which he was entire stranger. According to the
statement of the Spanish Court itself, it was, under the circumstance
in which it took place, not supposed that the Swedish Government
and Nation were involved in it. It would be much to be lamented
should the injustice of a third power be able to break connections
which several direct discussions during the present war have not
altered. Unfortunate events of this nature have frequently taken
place, and seem as if they were peculiar to Spanish ports. A Swedish
ship, which was taken by the English in the harbour of Passage itself;
a second Swedish ship plundered and entirely destroyed by the French
in Alicant ; and several others taken by French privateers at the
entrance of the harbour of Malaga, have occasioned his Swedish Majesty
to make friendly representations and remonstrances to the Court of
Spain, to procure respect and security to the trade of his kingdom.
His Majesty would have been happy to have seen the Court of Spain
manifest in his favour the same energy with which it now makes
complaints ; but the fruitlessness of his remonstrances never induced
him to pass the bounds of the moderation and candour which should
be cultivated by friendly Courts, and to which his Majesty trusts the
Court of Spain will return, when it shall have carefully inquired into
the true causes of the different accidents which have occasionally taken
place in its ports. The undersigned Chancellor of the Court has the
honour to make the present representations to the Chevalier de la
Huerta, Envoy Extraordinary from his Catholic Majesty, as an
answer to his communications of the 17th of September, and avail*
himself with pleasure of the opportunity to express hisestetm, &c.
(Signed) " F. Vow EHR.KNHKIM."
letter*.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. 14.
Copy of a Letter from William Ricketti, E,q. Commander \f la Majettjt Stttb l
Corso, to E-van Nepean, tq. dated Trieste, Sept. 14.
SIR,
I herewith inclose you a copy of a letter to the Right Hon. Lord Keith,
K. B. Vice- Admiral of the Red, and Commander in Chief of his Majesty'* hip
and vessels in the Mediterranean.
I am, Sir, &c. &C 1 .
W. RICKETTS/
MY LORD, El Corn, AKCO*a, 8tf A:g.
In compliance with your order to destroy the vessels in the harbour, and
make a proper example of the town of Coicnatico, I proceeded with his Ma-
jesty's cutter the Pij ;ny, off that port; but findiyg it impossible to ^et within
grape-shot of the Mole, was under the necessity of deferring the attempt till
the night of the 26th, when the boats of br-th vessels, under the oidcrs'of
Lieutenant Yeo, I'irst of J-.l Corso. proceeded to Ccsenatico and soon after
day-light I perceived 'hem in possession of the town, successfully maintaining a
position against some French troops in the neighbourhood ; hut about eight, ob-
serving a party of horse in full speed from Cervia, I judged it prudent to call
them immediately on board, though not before we had the satUfa&ion of seeing
that the gallantry of Lieutenant Yeo, aided by Mr Douglas, Master of the
Pigmy, had been crowned with the fullest success, the vessels and harbour at
that time forming but one flame ; and that the intent of this cnterprizc might
toot be lost on the coast, I shortly afterwards sent in the attached Note.
1 have the honour likewise to inclose the Report of Lieutenant Yeo, and
remain, &c.
(Signed) W. RICKETTS.
To tie Inlalitantt rf Cefenatico,
The treachery of your Municipality, in causing to be arrested an Officer
ivith dispatches, has been long known to the British Admiral in these seas.
The Municipality may now sadly know that the severity of judgment, long
delayed, is always exemplary.
That the innocent suffer with the guilty, though much to be rfjrretted, is the
natural feature of war ; and the more terrible infliction on this ocr.iion, the
inore striking the example should prove to surrounding Municipalities.
(.signed) W. RICKhTTS.
REPORT.
Of thirteen vessels of different descriptions laying within the MoleofCese-
hatico, two were sunk and eleven burnt, one of them deeply laden with copper
money and bale goods ; the harbour choaked by the wreck of four, sunk in the
mouth of it, and both pieis entirely consumed.
(Signed) JOHN LUCAS \EO.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. 14.
fo*V of a Letter from tie Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. Admiral of the /*<&* H
Evan Nefea*, Efj. dated on board tic Kile <U Paris, Tcrtay, ICttOff. l8o<X
I inclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty-
letters which 1 have this day received from Captain Keats, of esty .
.hip Boadicea, giving an account of the capture of the Spanish br.g .~P of
war El Vivo, and Rancune French privateer, by hii Majesty s .hips ui
lam.&c.&c, ST. VINCENT.
l. IV. 3
414- GAZETTE LETTERS.
MIT LORD, Boadicca, at &a, \th Oft.
I have the honour to inform you, that the Fisgard chased from the squadron^
on the 3<Dth ultimo, and on tl'c day following brought in the Spanish brg (sloop
of war) El Vivo, as reported in Captain Martin's accompanying letter, and
also that Captain Griffiths, of the Diamond, returned to the squadron on the
ist inst with a French brig privateer, of fourteen guns, and sixty men, named
I. a Rancune, taken by that ship on the 27th ultimo.
1 have the honour to be, &c. &c.
R. G. KEATS.
Right Hon. Admiral Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. &c.
SIR, Fisgard, at Sea, ^OtL Sept.
I beg to inform you, that his Majesty's ship Fisgard, under my command,
has captured the El Vivo, Spanish brig of war, of 14 eighteen-pounder car-
ronades, and one hundred men ; two days from Ferrol, bound to America, witfe
sealed orders and dispatches, which they threw overboard in the chase.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Caft. Keats, Boadicca. T. B. MARTIN.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, OCT. l8.
Caff of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord Keith, K. J3. Commander in Chief of his
Majesty's Ships and Vessels in the Mediterranean, to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated
Port Mahon, zgtb Aug. l8oo.
SIR,
I inclose, for the information of their Lordships, a copy of a letter received
by me from Captain Cockburne, of his Majesty's ship La Minerve, reporting
undry captures made by that ship, and inclosing one from Captain Middleton,
of his Majesty's ship Flora, stating the capture of the San Antonio y Animes
Spanish privateer.
I have the honour to be, &c.
KEITH.
MY IORD, La Miner-ae, ojf Vigo, April 1 6.
I have the honour to inclose, for your Lordship's information, a letter I have
received from Captain Middleton, acquainting me of the capture of the San
Antonio y Animes Spanish privateer, by his Majesty's ship Flora, under his
command.
As your Lordship may not have received my letters on the subject, I send, per
margin*, a list of the privateers taken by his Majesty's ship unde-r my com-
mand, since cruising on this coast.
I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
G. COCKBURNE.
Lord Keith, K. B. &c. bV.
SIR, His Majc'.tys SJjip Flora, at Sea, April 9.
I have to acquaint you that this day, at eleven A. M. Vigo bearing E. by S.
distance thirty leagues, I discovered a schooner in the act of boarding two
brigs; after a chase of five hours [ had the satisfaction of capturing her. She
proves to be the San Antonio y Animes, alias Aurora, belonging to Vigo, com-
manded by Don Francisco Fernendcz Ferros, mounting ten guns, three of
tvhich she hove overboard during the chase, manned with fifty-five men; has
been out three days from Vigo, without making any capture,
I am, &c.
Cockburne, Esq. Captain of his ROBERT MIDDLETON.
Majesty's Ship La, Minerve.
* La Mouche, of Bourdeaux, of twenty guns, and 145 men,
Nosfta Signora dcj Carjao, of Mores, 01 one gun, and thirty-four mes.
GAZETTE LETTERS.
4'5
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. 2J.
Ctfy of * Letter from tie Earl of St Vincent, K. B. Admiral ./ tie Wbitt, Ut. /
Evan. Nrpean, Esq. dated tbe IJtL instant.
C
By the Lord Nelson cutter I have this day received the inclosed letter from
Captain Knight, of his Majesty's ship Montague, detailing a very meritorious
piece ot service performed by the boats of that ship and of the Magnificent ; and
Lieutenant ' ercy informs me, that on the ist instant, in the Lord Nelson, he
captured and burnt a sloop from Camarct, bound to Bourdeaux, laden with
empty casks ; and on Monday last drove on shore, under a battery, three brig
and three sloops, apparently empty, which had made their escape from within
the Penmarks during the late gales of wind.
I am, &c.
ST. VINCENT.
MY LORD, Montague, at &a, 0<. 13.
On returning westward yesterday beforo L'Orient, 1 *aw at noon a small
k convoy of brigs, sloops, &c. taking refuge in Port Dar.enne, which I approached
and prepared the armed boats of the two ship* to attack, and while placing
this ship to cover them, dispatched the Montague's boats under the diredioa
of Lieutenants Bysett and Knight, who were followed and ably supported by
those of the Magnificent, in which were Lieutenants Dunlop and Griffiths,
who, notwithstanding the fire kept up from two of the vessels who were armed,
and a battery firing round and grape, under which the vessels lay touching the
ground, they boarded, took possession, and brought out eleven vessels, and
burnt one ; another had been sunk by the enemy's shot, leaving only one, whose
situation in the Creek would not admit of getting her out.
This little piece of service, completely and expeditiously performed, with the
loss ot only one seaman killed and two wounded of the Montague, and one of
the latter of the Magnificent, has won my approbation, and 1 trust will merit
your Lordship's. On this duty, Lieutenants Alexander, Montgomerie, Mit-
chell, and Jordan, of the marines, were employed, as was Lieutenant Samarin,
of the Russian navy, who volunteered his service, all entitled to applause, as
were the seamen and marines, for their regular and spirited conduct.
I have the honour, &c.
JOHN KNIGHT.
Admiral tbe Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. We. We.
List of Vessels.
Three sloops (one of them sunk), three brigs, and five luggera.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, OCT. 2J.
Copy of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord Keitl, Commamder in Cbtefoft'u Majrttyi
Sbipf and Vessels in tbe Mediterranean^ to Evan Neftan, Eiq. dated Gibraltar,
Sept. 30, 1800.
SIR,
I have the honour of inclosing a copy of a letter from Captain Skipsey, of h
Majesty's sloop Termagant, reporting the interception of a French national
vessel, destined with supplies for Egypt.
1 am, &c. &c.
KEITH.
MY LORD, Termagant, Leglr* t Stft. 6.
I have to acquaint your Lordship, that on the ist instant, in his Majesty's
sloop under my command, thirty leagues to the westward of Corsica, af
chase of two hours, I captured a French national polacre, called
cicue commanded by Citizen (iandferrand, Enseignc dc Vais*au, m
L au'ns, manned with sixty-eight men, was victualled for two months, had
left 9 ! oulon three days, and was bound to Egypt
She had on board 35 "and of arms, a quantity of shot, a French
and a Chef de Batailion ; but the dispatch^ (except the two letter* 1 have the
honour to inclose), were destroyed before I boarded her.
416 GAZETTE LETTERS.
I have also to add, that on the 4th inst. after a short chase, ten leagues from,
this place, I took the General Holtz French privateer, with two guns and
twenty-sit men, which I scuttled and sunk.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Ri s bt Hon. LordKcitb, K- B. & c . W. SKIPSEY.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. 2J.
Coty of a Letter from Admiral Milbantc, Commander in Chief of bis Majesty's Stifl
and Vessels at Pott. mouth, to Evan I\'efeaa, Esq. tinted tie 2 1st hut,
SIR,
Inclosed I beg leave to transmit, for their 1 ord^hip's information, a letter
which I have received from Captain Durban, of the Weazle sloop, with an
account of his having taken a small trench privateer, and re-captured her
prize.
I am, &c. &c.
M. M1LBANKE.
SIR, His Majesty's Sloop Weazle, Sfitbead, Off. 21.
I beg to inform you of my arrival here, and that on the 191)1 ir.st 1 captured
off Portland, the small French cutter privateer, etit Chasseur, of Granville,
Pierre Antonare, Master, armed with one carriage' gun, muskets, and sabre?,
&c. ; she had taken a brig belonging to Suriderland, which 1 re-captured : her
Dame unknown, it being late when we boarded her.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Admiral MUoanlte, &c. W. DURBAN.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. 25.
Ctpy of a Letter from Captain Cunningham, of bis Majesty*! Slip Clyde, to Evan
Nefeatt, Esq. dated Plymouth Sound, Off. 22.
SIR,
I beg you will be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Ad-
miralty of the arrival of his Majesty's ship Clyde under my command, having
towed in the Dick Guineaman, which was made quite a wreck in a very gallant
resistance against a French privateer before she was captured.
I inclose, for their Lordships' further information, a copy of the letter ad-
dressed to the Earl of St. Vincent, upon my arrival.
I have the honour to be, &c.
C. CUNNINGHAM.
MY LORD, Clyde, Plymouth Sound, 0<9. 22.
I have the honour to transmit, for your Lordship's information, a list of
vessels destroyed, captured, and re-captured curing the late cruise of his Ma-
jesty's ship under my command: Deux Amis Spanish letter of marque, four
funs and twenty-seven nien, from Yera Cruz to tt. Andero, burnt in the har-
our of St. Vincent; captured El Beloz, rpanish packet, four guns and thirty
men, from the Havannah to (Jcrunna; La Rose French schooner, from Bour-
deaux to Gaudaloupe; and La Magicienne French schooner, from Senegal to
Bourdeaux; recaptured the Tick Guineaman, of Liverpool, taken by the Grand
Decide privateer; at this time the Fisgard was in sight, who, 1 apprehend,
captured the latter about two hours aff;r.
I have the honour to be, &c.
C. CUNNINGHAM,
JRigbt Hon. Earl of Si. Vincent, K. 3. ^'e.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, OCT. 25.
Copy of a Letter front Captc.in CoMurne, of his Majesty's Ship La Minerve, to Eva*
Neiean, Esq. dated at Sea, 29 f Se^t.
SIR,
1 have the honour to inclose, for their Lordships' information, a copy of my
letter to Captain Haisuad, dated the zSth inst.
J have the honour to be. &c.
Gi-ORGt 'COCKBURNE.
CAZ1TTE LETTERS.
? l *' La Minerve, at Sea, Sift. 48.
T K- VC ^ , H , r t0 5nf rm yml ' that * th ' 8 da y "ptured, off Cape Fmi.tcrre.
1 ^ 1Ve . , relKh lctter of m;ir <l ue > fr Guadaloupe bound to Bourdeaux
loaded w.rh sugar and coffee I beg leave to add, that on the 2 6th I captured'
the J idoneux French merchant brig, from Cayenne bound to Lourdeaux laden
With cotton, coffee, and sugar ; and on the , 6th I re-cuptured, in company with
the Doris, El Key Carlos Spanish packet, loaded with sugar, indieo, an<J
cochmcal.
I have the honour to be, &c.
GEORGE COCKBURNE.
fapt. Halstead, of Its Majesty's Slip Pbanix.
ADMIRALTY OFFICB, OCT. 25. *
Extra of a Letter from Captain Foiike, of bh Majesty's Skip Protege, to Eva*
A'eptan, E.<q dated ojf Havre, the Kjt/j instant .
I beg also to inform their Lordships, that the Victor Natalie, a small French
cutter, from Dieppe bound to Concalle, in ballast, was captured by his Ma.
jesty'sship under my c, mmaud this morning.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. JI.
Copy of a Letter from Admiral the Earl of 6V. Vincent, K. B. t Evan Nepean, Etq.
dated Villc dt Paris, in "Torbay, Ott. 37.
SIR,
1 enclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
a letter I have received from Captain Cunningham, of hi< Majesty's ship Clyde,
giving an account of the vessels captured and recaptured by that ship during her
last cruise.
I am, Sir, &c. &c. ST. VINCENT.
MY LORD, Clyde, Plymouth Sound, 03. M.
\ have the honour to transmit, for your Lordship's information, a list of ves-
sels destroyed, captured, and recaptured during the late cruise of his Majesty'*
ship under my. command :
Deux Amis Spanish letter of marque, four guns and twenty-seven men, front
Vera Cruz to St. Andero, burnt in the harbour of St. Vincent.
Capfured Fl Beloz pani&h packet, from the I-favannah, bound to Corunna,
four guns and thirty men.
La Rose i-'rench schooner, from Bourdeaux to Guadaloupe, and La Magi-
cienne French schooner, from Senegal to Bourdeaux.
Recaptured the Dick Guineaman, of Liverpool, taken by the Grand Decide
French privateer ; at this time the Fisgard was in sight, who, I apprehend,
captured the latter about two hours after.
I have the honour to be, &c.
CHARLES CUNNINGHAM.
Admit al tie Earl of St. Vincent, K. B.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, NOV. I.
Copy of a Letter from the Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. Admiral of tbt Wtlfe, V(. H
JL-uan Nepeati, Esq. dated in lor bay, ibt $Qtb Oflobcr.
SIR,
I enclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
a letter which I have received from the Hon. Captain Stopford, of his Majesty'*
ship Excellent, giving an account of the boats of that ship having cut out three
brigs from a creek to the eastward of Abreverak.
1 have the honour to be, &c.
ST. VINCENT.
Mv LORD, Excellent, of Abrevcral,0a. 11.
I have the honour to acquaint your Lordship, that I sent the boats of his Ma
iesty's ship under my command, last night, under the diredion of Lieutenant
Bain, to cut out three large brigs, which I had observed in a reek to the caite
ward of Abreverak.
4.18 GAZETTE LETTERS.
The service was very dexterously and completely executed, and they were
all brought out through a very intricate navigation.
One of the brigs mounts three carriage guns, and her crew being in great
measure prepared for the attack, made some resistance, which was, however,
soon overcome by boarding, but (I am sorry to add; with the loss of one sea-
man (a quarter-master), who was mortally wounded.
One of the vessels is loaded with biscuit for Brest ; another with wood for
the same place, .and the third is in ballast.
I have the honour to be, &c.
R. STOPFORD.
Right Hon. tie Earl of Si. Vinient, K. B. l*c.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, NOV. 4.
Cfpy of a Letter frtm Vice-Admiral Lntividgc, Commander in Chief of ' bis Majesty**
Shift and Vesicit in the Downs, to Evan Ncfrean, Efq- dated the id instant.
SIR,
I beg leave to inclose to you, for the information of my Lords Commissionerj
of the Admiralty, a letter which I have received from Air. Stephen Butcher,
Master of his Majesty's hired lugger Nile (3), giving me an account of his
having last night fallen in with and captured the Renard French cutter priva-
teer, of Calais, mounting two three-pounders, and having on board thirteen men.
I am, Sir, &c. &c.
S. LUTWIDGE.
SIR, Nile Lugger {^d} Downs, Nov. 2.
Lieutenant Whitehead being sick on shore, I beg leave to acquaint you, that
at nine o'clock last night, while in the execution of your orders, I fell in with
and captured, off Folkstone, the Renard French cutter privateer, of Calais,
Michael Bernard Hamelin, Commander, carrying two three-pounders, and'
thirteen men, at the time she was alongside a laden merchant ship standing in
for the Downs; the privateer left Calais at four o'clock yesterday afternoon.
I am, Sir, &c. &c.
STEPHEN BUTCHER.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, NOV. 7.
Bpy of a Letter from Admiral tbe Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. &c. tSV. to Evan Ae-
fean Esq. dated Torbay, Nov. 4.
SIR,
I inclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
letters which I have received from the Captains Knight, Hotham, Bowen, and
Lurin, cf his Majesty's ships Montague, Immortalite, Argo, and Thames, giving
an account of the vessels captured and re captured by them during their re-
spective cruises.
I am, Sir, &c. ST. VINCENT.
Extra fi of a Litter from Captain Kniglt, of tis Majesty's Slip Montague, to Ad-
miral tbe Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. &c. &c. dated at Sea, 0<3. 21.
MY LORD,
Since my letter of the 1 3th instant, informing your Lordship of having cut
eleven vissels out of the port of Danenne, the boats of the Montague, under the
command of acting Lieutenant Wells, have taken from under the walls of Port
Louis a large brig, laden with wine and brandy; in covering whom the ship
has only received two shots in her hull, without any other damage.
I have the honour to be, &c.
JOHN KNIGHT.
Extract of a Litter from Captain Join Kniglt, of bis Majetsy'i Ship Montague, it
tie Riglt Hon ibe Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. dated at Sea, Oii. 26.
Since my letter of the 2 ist instant, a lugger going to Palais with firewood
was- cut off, which I destroyed ; and the Marlborough, while in company,
captured a French brig laden with butter, tallow, and hides. I have now th
hoiiour to state, that, on returning Irom the Loire, which is very shallow at iti
3
GAZETTB LETTERS.
419
*ntraiice, in hauling round Croisic, the several batteries opened their fire with a
View to defend a brig and two sloops that lay under them, waiting the
Hood to get mto the port; however the boats of the Montague, with great in-
trep.dity and alacrity, brought them out. In this affair I have to lament the
Joss of a valuable seaman killed, one seaman and a marine badly wounded, and
two slightly. While drawing near to those vessels, and previous to their crewi
abandoning them, it was observed the brig hauled down French colours at the
ensign-staff, and substituted those of Hamburgh at the matt-head.
I have the honour to be, &c.
JOHN KNIGHT.
fxtraa of another Letter from Captain Join Knight, of tie Montague, dated oftb
Isle ,Grca, Off. 36.
On the z8th instant, a small ship and a few chasae marees were the only YC-
els that could be seen above Point Nazairc, in the Loire : within the Isle
Noirmoutier I saw two brigs and a galliot (French), which the boats of the
Montague boarded ; and although in possession of them for a whole flood, so
intricate and shallow were the channels on the flau where they lay, it waf
judged expedient to fire them.
I have the honour to be, &c.
farlofSt. Kncent, K. . JOHN KNIGHT.
MY LORD, fmnortalifc, at Sea, Oft. 30.
I have the honour to report to your Lordship, that on the uth of September
, I captured a small Spanish vessel laden with stone, which I was obliged to
cuttle, to enable me to chase two French privateer ships (l.e Brave and La
Bellone), who hove in sight (coming out of the Geronde) at the time 1 was
boarding the Spaniard ; but as it was late in the evening, and as they tacked,
and stoodfrom me under every sail, as soon as they discovered L'Immortalit
to be a rnan of war, they did not leave it in my power to get near them, al-
though by steering the course that I judged they would adopt to avoid me, I
kept them in sight all the next day, but in the second night they escaped, after
my having chased them 259 miles to the westward. However, oa the aoth, I
retook an English ship (the Monarch) of 645 tons, laden with timber, which L*
Bellone had captured four days before on her passage from Quebec to London.
On the zad of the same month, in the latitude of Cordouan Light-house, blow-
ing hard from the westward, a French brig of war came in sight to the north-
ward, to whom I got near enough by sun-set to keep sight of after dark, and to
insure my coming up with her ; bnt at half past nine o'clock, when 1 wai with-
in musket shot, and about to bring her to, we both unexpectedly took the ground
(going nine knots,) on Noirmoutier, where she was totully dismasted and de-
stroyed, but I had the good fortune to get off at day-light the next morning,
without any material damage, and with the loss only of a bower anchor and
cable, and a boat. Not having seen the lani before dark, and not having run
the distance of it by the reckoning, I was unable to ascertain what was my exact
situation till the day broke, and as it was ebb tide when we went on shor-.-, I
was prevented from getting off before. In the morning, having got the ship
under weigh, and worked off from the land, finding myself able to keep the
sea, I returned to my station ; and the next morning (the 24th) I fell in with a
French schooner letter of marque, bringing coffee and sugar from Guadaloupe
to Bourdeaux, but a Guernsey privateer lugger, who was also in sight, and
nearer to the schooner than I was, brought her to before I got up with her.
I am, &c &c.
Marl of St. rincent, K. B. fcrV.
MY LORD, Hit Majesty i Ship Argo^ at Sea, 0<3. r.
I have the honour to inform your Lordship, that yesterday his Majesty's ship
tinder my command captured (after fifteen hours chase, blowing ire&h; the
Spanish letter of marque, San Fernando, mounting twelve long six ponnderg
and fifty-three men, pierced for and shows twenty-two guns on one deck, five
days from St. Andero, bound to La Vera Cruz, laden with bar iron and bale
foods, of considerable value, belonging to the Royal Phillipine company, they
ad Government dispatches on board, which they sunk; she i a fine v sel,
^uite pew, measures near 300 tons, coppered, and fit for his Majesty'* Krvice,
42O GAZETTE LETTERS.
The vessels taken and destroyed as per margin *, exclusive of the above caj J
ture, is the suw of our success
I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
J. BOWEN.
P. S. We have not seen an enemy's cruiser during our cruise.
Earl of St Vincent, &f.
MY LORD, Themes, at Sea, 2-jtL 08.
I have the honour to acquaint your Lordship, tint on the 26:h ir.stant, the
tower of Caduan E S. E. 36 leagues, his Majesty's ship I command fell in with
and captured i e Diable a Quatre French ship privateer, of sixteen twelve and
ix-pounders, and 150 men; she was discovered at half pa-it nine A. M. and
after a chase of five hours with the wind on the quarter, bloX-ing fresh, the Im-
mortalite was seen directly a -head cf the enemy ; she iniineiM ittly joined in the
pursuit, and much facilitated the capture of this privateer, which is a fast sailer,
and is extremely well found, having been out from J ourdeaux only one day.
1 am &c. &c.
tie Earl of Si. Vinctnt. \V. LUK.X.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, KOV. 8.
Ctpj of another Letter from tbe Earl of St. Vincent, K B. Admiral of tlte White,
&c. to Evan Nepeaa, Esq. dated Tori/ay, the 466 instant.
SIR,
I inclose, for the information of the I ords Commissioners of the .Admiralty, a
letter I have received from Captain Keats, of his Majesty's ?hip Boadicea, trans-
mitting one from the Hon. apt Curzon. of his Majesty's ship Indefatigable,
giving an account of his having captured La Venus French frigate, of 34 guns,"
and 200 men, from Rochfort, bound to Senegal
1 am, &c.
ST. VINCFNT.
MY LORI), Boadicea, off ferrol, Off. 2$.
The Indefatigable, which left the squadron in chase on the 2f,d instant, hag
just rejoined with the Fisgard, and the French prize reported in Captain Cur-
zon s inclosed letter. I have the honour to be &c.
Right Hon; Admiral Ear I ef St. Fincent, &c. R. G. KEATS.
*IR, Indefatigable, at Sea, Ofi. 23.
The ship to windward I made the signal for, and afterwards chased, was La"
Venus French national frigate ; carrying 32 guns and 200 men, from R chfort,
tound to Senegal, and accounted a very fast sailer, which I had the good for-
tune to come up with and capture so early as seven in the evening, owing to the
Fisgard having come in sight in the afternoon dircclly in the wind of the chase,
and turning her, so that both ships crossed upon her course : we arrived up
with her nearly at the same time.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Captain Keats, Boadicea. H. CURZON.
Copy of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour, to R-jan Nepean, sf,
dated on board the Aberga-venny, Port Royal Harbour, Jamaica, August 3 !
SIR,
I have very sincere pleasure in forwarding to you, for the information of the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a letter which I have received from
Capt. Milne, of his ' ;i)esty's ship Seine, describing an atftion which does great
honour to him, his Officers and ship's company, and which ended in the capture
of the French Republican frigate the Vengeance, a ship of a very superior force
to that which he commanded. Captain Milne has dofte so much justice to his
Officers and men by his report of their conduct on that occasion, that I have
only to offer my congratulati ins to their Lordships upon the success which at-
tended their exertions, and to express my hope that it will receive ma r ks of
their Lordships' favour proportioned to the satisfaction which they must derive'
from the event, which has brought forward the merit of those engaged in it.
I am, Sir, &c. &c. H. SEYMOUR.
* French brig Maria Louisa, in ballast, sent in ; Spanish barque, Sel Vincento, laik
With iron ove, seat in ; two Spanish barques, aames unknown, laden with iron ore; suk.
CA7ETTE LETTERS.
4JI
MY LORD, His Majeity't Ship Stine, of St. Damingo, Aug, a?.
I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Lordship, that on the morning of the
20th inst. I observed a ship on the starboard tuck standing to the northward
through the Mona Passage ; I soon perceived she was an enemy, and nude all
sail.in chase, with very light breezes; the wind having come to the northward
.obliged her to tack, as she could not wearier Cape Raphael on the St Domingo
shore; she then stood S. S. E. and made all sail ; by thi time it was near *uti-
set, and 1 could perceive she was a large frigate; it was n*ar midnight before
I could bring her to a&ion, and then not so close as 1 could wish, as he alwajs
bore up and kept at long shot ; she however did us considerable damage in our
rigging an d sa i' s > but to appearance he suffered equally ; we separated for
some time, and ; took that opportunity to get our rigging, c. again in com-
plete repair. On the morning of the 25th, 1 had the pleasure of bringing hini
to close action : and after about an hour and a half hard fighting, an Officer
came out on her bowsprit (the only place he could be se;n from, owing to the
mass of confusion, by the loss of her fore-must, mizen-mast, and main-top-mitt
having fallen on board), and said they had struck to the British flag, .^he wa
immediately taken possession of, nd proved to be the French frigate the Ven-
geance, Citizen Pitot, Capitaine dc Vaisscau, Commander, mounting 28 ei^h-
teen-pounders on her main deck, 16 twelve -pounders, and eight fnrty-two-
pounders catronades on her Quarter-deck arid forecastle, and brass swivel* on
the gunwhale, with shifting guns on the main and quarter-decks. The weight
of metal I have mentioned in French pounds. The behaviour of the Officer*
and ship's company was such as has always characterised the British seamen.
To my First Lieutenant, Mr. Chcethatn, I am greatly indebted for his coo!
teady behaviour, and for the amazing fire kept up from the main deck, which
bothing could surpass. My Second Lieutenant, Mr. Oeo- Milne, fell fighting
nobly about the middle of the action. In him his Majesty has lost a valuable
and as zealous an Officer as any in the service. '1 o my 1 bird Lieutenant, Mi.
Jideveair (whom I mentioned on a former occasion, when Gunner of the I'ique),
1 am equally indebted for his services; as ikewise Mr. Barclay, the Master,
and Mr. M'Donald, Lieutenant of Marines, who was ukeii down wounded,
and came up again when dressed, but was obliged from a sttond wouiiH to be
taken below. But, I am happy to state, the life of this valuable v fficcr will be
saved to render further services to his Majesty. The behaviour of the Petty
Officers, Seamen, and Marines, were such as docs them the highest credit.
The Vengeance is a very large frigate, five years old, and cxa21y the dimen-
sions of the Fisgard in his Majesty's service, and is the ship which had the adioa
some time since with the American frigate the Constellation. Previous to her
leaving Cnracoa, she h:id a hrge supply of seamen from Guadaloupc, and wa
every way completely found, and bound to France. His Majesty's ship under
my command has suffered much in her mast and hull; sails and rigging cntirc!f
cut to pieces. Your Lordship will perceive ihe Vengeance is superior in size,
yuns, and number of men to his Majesty's ship 1 hav^ th- honour :o command*
but nothing could withstand the steady behaviour of this Jup crew. I h-ve
the honour of enclosing a list of the killed and wounded. The loss of the ene-
my hus been very great, but I hav^ rot yet got a return.
J have the honour to be, &c.
DAVID MILNE.
Riglt Hon. LerJ Hugb S-ymour, '"f.
A Rt'ur* of Killed and VCunded on board hh M.'jttty's &!!> bine, in the AXitn -Jiitk
the Freixb Republic* fri^Jte the Vtngemct, 2 lit August.
Killed. One Officer and iz seamen.
Wounded. Three Officers, z^ teamen, three manner, and one boy.
Andrew Barclay, Master ;
I. IV*.
t 4 J
THE NAV.^L ARMISTICE.
A S the Correspondence between our Government and that of
Jt A France, respecting a NAVAL ARMISTICE between the two
Nations, is the most important and interesting subjeft of political
curiosity, we have selected, as under, the First Projet off" red by
France, the Counter-Pro'et by England* and the Second Prujei trans-
mitted in answer by France, which has been finally rejefted by our
Government, in consequence of its requiring us to enter into a sepa-
rate Treaty, contrary to our honour and interests.
TRANSLATION.
PROJET.
" ART. i. There shall be a suspension of hoftilities between the
fleets and armies of the Fiench Republic and those of Great Britain.
' t. The ships of war and merchant vessels of each nation shall enjoy
a free navigation, without being subject to any search, and shall obferve
the usage established previous to the war.
" 3. All vessels, of either nation, captured after the of FrucYidor,
thai! be restored.
" 4. The places of Malta, Alexandria, Belleisle, shall be assimilated
to the places of Ulm, of Philipsburg, and of Ingoldstadt ; that is to say,
all neutral or French vessels shall have permission freely to enter them
in order to furnish them %vith provisions.
*' 5. The squadrons which blockade Brest, Cadiz, Toulon, Flushing^
shall return into their own harbours, or at least shall keep out of sight
ef the coart.
* 6. Three English officers shall be dispatchedj one directly to the
Admiral commanding in the Mediterranean, another to the Commander
of the squadron before Malta, the third to the commander of the
blockade of Alexandria, to notify to them the present Armistice, and
to convty to them orders to conform themfclves thereunto. The faid
officers lhall pafs through France, in order the more expeditiously to
arrive at their destination*
" 7. His Catholic Majesty and the Batavian Republic are included
in tiu pr^nt Arniiiticc.
COUNTER-rROJET.
It having been agreed that Negotiations for a General Peace be
immediately set on foot between the F.mpercr of Germany, his Bri-
tannic Majesty, and the French Republic, and an Armistice having
been already concluded between the forces of his Imperial Majesty
and those of the French Republic, it is agreed that an Armistice shall
also take place between the forces of his Britannic Majesty and those
of the French Republic, on the terms, and in the manner following,
That is to say,
ART. i. All hostilities, both by sea and land, between the forces
vt the two contracting parties shall be suspended, and shall not be re-
newed until after fourteen davs notice given of the termination of th
Armistice. This notice, in so far as relates to the parts of Europ-
THE NAVAL ARMISTICE. 423
North of Cape St. Vincent, must be given by one of the two Govern-
ments to the other, and is to be reckoned from the day In which the
same shall be received by the Government to whom it is givtn. In the
Mediterranean, or other parts of the \vorld, the notice must be given by
the respeftive Commanding Officers. But in case of the renewal of
hostilities between Austria and France, the Armistice between Great
Britain and France is likewise to be considered as terminated, so soon as
such renewal of hostilities shall be known to the Officer commanding the
British forces ; except only in so far as relates to prizes of merchant
vessels, which shall be regulated by the third Article of this Con-
vention.
" 2. Orders shall be immediately sent by the two Governments to
their Officers in the different parts of the world, to conform themselves
to this agreement ; sea-passes shall be given to the ships which are to
carry these orders; and His Britannic Majesty's Officers to be sent for
that purpose through France, shall be furnished with the necessary
passports and facilities to expedite their journey,
' 3. All prizes made in any part of the world during the continuance
and operation of the Armistice, by any officers having actually received
due notice of this agreement, shall be restored ; and generally, whether
such notice shall have been received or not, all prizes made in the
Channel, or in the North Seas, after twelve days (to be reckoned from
the exchange of the ratifications of this Convention), shall be restore*! ;
and the same periods shall be allowed in this respedt for the other parts
of the world, as were stipulated by the azd Article of the Prelimina-
ries of the last Peace,
" 4. Malta, and the maritime towns and ports of Egypt, shall be
placed on the same footing as those places which, though comprised
within the demarcation of the French army in Germany, are occupied
by the Austrian troops, consequently nothing shall be admitted by st*
which can give additional means of defence j and provisions only fat
fourteen days at a time, in proportion to the consumption, as it shall be
ascertained by C om mission crs to be named foi the purpose, who shal 1
have power to establish the necessary regulations for (giving efffft to thin
stipulation, conformably to the principles of the 4th Article of the Con-
vention. 1 '
TRANSLATION,
PROJET.
V In consideration of its having been agreed that Negotiations for
a general Peace (hall be immediately opened between ;he French
Republ c and its Allies on one fide, and his Imperial Majesty, his
Britannic Majesty, and their Allies, on tue other side ; and that the
Armistice which has a ready been concluded between the Armies of
the French Republic, and those of his. Imperial Majesty, may be
prolonged, if any equivalent Armistice fhou d r>e concluded between
the forces of the French Republic and those of his Britannic Ma-
jesty, the two Governments have agreed to conclude the said Armi-
stice upon the following conditions :
V i. All hostilities by sea and land between the two nations shall be
suspended, and shall not DC renewed until after a month's notification
prior to the end of the Aimistice. In all parts of the world the Arnv.
stice shall not be broken without the express order of the contracting
^overnmentsj and hostilities shall not be renewed until a month after
424 THE NAVAL ARMISTIC?.
the nrtihcaticn which may have been given by the General or Command-
ing Officer of one> of the two nations to that of the other nation.
'* 2. Orders shall be immediately trsnsmitted by the two Governments
toihe Commanding Officer* in the several parts of the world, dire^ing
them to aft in conformity with this Convention. Passports shall be-
given to the pe^s ns who shali carry out these orders : and the OfT.^ers
of his Britannic M*jesry who <-hull travel through Frnicc for this pur-
p-> r >e bh'ill receive sale conilucls and the necessary facilities for accelerat-
ing their journey.
*' 3. All prizes mide in anyp^rt of the worM, during the continuance
cf the Armistice, by any Officer having actually received the notinca-'
li:>n of this Convention, shall be restored. j\n<\ generally (whether this
notification shall have been madi or not) all prizes made in the Channel,
or in the North Seas, afrer twelve days, to be computed from the ex-
change of the ratifications of tnis Convention, shall be restored ; and. in
retard to this objeft, the ttrms shall be fixed for tiie other parts of tire
v.orld conformably to the stipulations of the isd Article of the Prelimi-
naries of the l.'St Peace ; whence it results, that, c nputing from the
cUv ; of the saul exchange, alt trading \'esse!s of either nation shall have
the power of putting out to sea, and of navigating freely as before the
\v a r..
" 4. Malta and Egypt shall be assimilated to the places in Germany*
which, although blockaded by the French Army, have been permitted to'
enjoy the benefit of the Continental Armistice. Malta shall be furnished
>vuh provisions for fifteen <!ays at a time, ac the rate of 10,000 rations
pc-r diem. With regard to Egypt, fix French frigates shall have the li-
berty of sailing from Toulon, of unlading at Alexandria, and of re-
tinning without being starched, and without suffering any oppofition
during their passage, eitlur from English s>h;'ps or from tho^e of the Al-
)HS or Great Britain. An English Officer t.f rank shall for this purpose
emb rk on board one of the frigate*,' ami thall travel through France on
l.is way to Toulon.
" 5. The blockade of Brest, of Toulon, and of every other French
port, shall be razsd j and all the British Captains shall receive instructions
nut to interrupt the trade of any vessel eittur entering therein or going
out thereof. No ship of the line, however, of two or three decks, ac-
Juaily at anchor in the said ports, shall be at liberty to go out before the
renewal of hostilities, for the purpose of changing its liation ; but fri-
gates, sloops, and oihcr small ships of v\sr, may freely go out and navi-
gate, and in the event of their meeting at sea with ships belonging to
his Britannic Mjtfty, they shall observe the cuftoms established before'
the war.
<; 6. The land forces in the pay of his Britannic Majesty shall not have
the powtr of disembarking in atiy Port of Italy during the continuance of
the present Armistice.
"7. The AH'us of France, namely, Spain, the Batavian Republic,
find Genoa, shall participate in the benefit of the present Armistice. (If
' -, Britannic Majesty insist upon including his Allies in the Armistice,
fhy shall enjoy the same advantages with those of France.)
" 8. The present Convention shall be ratified, aad the ratification*
>'nall be exchanged ip the space of ten days, or sooner if it should be,
MONTHLY REGISTER
OF
GF.NERAl, OBSERVATIONS FOR KOVI Mi:VR.
THE month of October concluded with the receipt of intclli.
which, though it were improper under the circumstances that
attended it, to consider unfortunate, was at least contrary to the hopes
and the expectations of Britain. A junction between the fleet and tne
army which had proceeded from England several months since, under
the command of Sir Ralph Abercrombie, having been eft'ccied with
that more numerous corps since dispatched to the same quarter under
the command of Sir William Pulteney, the whole, protected bv the
principal part of the naval force commanded by Lord Keith, took it$
Cation otf Cadi?, early in the month of Oftober. The port had beea
previously blockaded by a detached squadron under Sir Richard!
Bickerton, and had created no inconsiderable degree of alarm on th
part of the Spaniards. Thus far had reached the knowledge of the
English for some days, previous to the arrivd of that information
which at one instant annihilated their hopes of fancied conquest.
Disappointment, as a natural consequence, creates a momentary un-
easiness j but a short reflection rarely rails to produce comfort, and
tiot unfrequently serves to convince the most eager, and consequently
the most distressed, that the occurrence is either immaterial in itself,
or, perhaps, not in the smallest degree disastrous. The facl ap;> us
simply to have been, that the prospect of success depended on a coup-
de-main! that from unavoidable delays which took place in the junction
of the two armaments, the Spaniards were enabled to make every pre-
paration to withstand the attempts of their assailants j that owing to
these, which are the ostensible causes, the attempt could not be said
to have failed, because it really never was made; that it extended not
beyond the preparation to land scarce an eighth part of the whole force^
and that that preparation exceeded not the mere act of receiving the
allotted division froin, the transports into the boats intended to convey
them to the scene of attack.
The abandonment of the enterprise could neither be called a check
nor a failure ; and though such a reason has never been avowed, it
may not, perhaps, be unfair to suggest (as a mere supposition), that
the dangerous and miserable calamity which then visited the inhabit-
ants of that quarter, and the soldiers which defended it, might have
no small weight with the British commanders, who might, even by
the most bloodless success, have sacrificed the lives of thousands
to the most inglorious end, and augmented, without benefiting their
own countrv, the calamities of a people whom Heaven had visited
with the neatest of all scourges. The very tenor of the letters win.
passed on the occasion between the British commanders in cni
those of the Spaniards, appear in great measure to warrant the I
that humanity operated at least as strongly as any other cause in pre
vention of the farther prosecution of this projeft. The 1
extraft of a letter from Port Real, will give the reader a more sucunft
iccountofthe operations of the^attempt.
426 MONTHLY REG1STIR
Port Real, O{. y,
The fleet under Admiral Keith lay at anchor for several days be.
tween Tetuan and Ceuia. On the 3d instant, it weighed anchor, and,
took a station in the line of battle between Cadiz and Saint Pictri.
On the 4th it advanced into the Bay cf Cadiz, as far as the point of
Rotta.
The fleet consisted of fourteen ships of the line, eighteen frigates,
and ninety transports. We supposed that it might carry about
iS,ooo tryops.
On the 5th a.nd 6th the fleet remained in. the same position, and
seemed to make preparations for a descent between Rolta ^nd Port
Saint Mars.
The Spaniards are ready to receive them ; their troops are in motion,
and every thing is in the greatest forwardness. The Governor is not
inaclive, but is employed in making all necessary dispositions. Fort
St. Sebastian is entrusted to an experienced officer.
During our station off this plage the following copies of letters
passed between the Governor of Cadiz, a.nd our Admiral Lord Keith
and General Abercrombie, which terminated this affair.
[ No. I. ]
TO THE ENGLISH ADMIRAL.
" The afflidHon which carries off in this city and its environs
thousands of victims, and which threatens not to suspend its ravages
until it has cut off all who have hitherto escaped, being calculated to
excite compassion, it is with surprise that I see the squadron under
tlie command of your Excellency, come to augment the consternation,
of the inhabitants. I have too exalted an opinion of the humanity of
the English people, and of yours in particular, to think that you
would wish to render our condition more deplorable. However, if,
in consequence of the orders which your Excellency has received,
you arc inclined to draw down upon yourselt the execration of all
nations, to cover yourself with disgrace in the eyes of the whole
universe, by oppressing the unfortunate, and attacking those who
are supposed to be incapable of defence ; I declare to you, that the
garrison under uiy orders, accustomed to behold, death with a serene
countenance, and to brave dangers much greater than, 'all the perils o
war, know how ro make a resistance which shalj not terminate but
with their entire destruction, I hope that the answer of your Ex-,
ceilency will inform me, whether ^am to. speak the language of conso-
lation to the unfortunate inhabitants, or whether I ara to rouse then*
to indignation and vengeance.
" May God preserve your Excellency.
Oflober 5, iSoo. THOMAS DE MORLA."
" The vessels employed in the blockade have not, till now, pre-
vented the fishers from exercising their harmless industry. It mut
excite astonishment, that your Excellency should deprive us of thii
small comfort."
OP NAVAL EVERTS.
4*7
[ No. II. ]
THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF OF THE SEA AND LAND FORCES OF HM
BRITANNIC MAJESTY, FORMING THE EXPEDITION BEFORE CADIZ.
" On board bis Britannic Majestfi Ship tiit
" Foudroyant, off Cadiz, O3. 5.
" We have had the honour of receiving your Excellency's letter of
this date, in which you describe to us the deplorable state of this city.
We are deeply afflicted at this calamity, though we have good reason
to believe that its effects have been much less disastrous^
" We are not ignorant that a great number of his Catholic Ma-
jesty's vessels are armedj in order to join the naval forces of the
French, and to be employed in prolonging the troubles which afflift
all the nations of Europe, disturb public order, and destroy the happi-
ness of individuals. We have received orders from our Sovereign to
use every effort to defeat the projects of the common enemy, by endea-
vouring to take or destroy the ships of war which are in the harbour
and arsenal of Cadiz.
" The number of troops intrusted to our command, leaves but
little doubt as to the success of the enterprise. We are iittle disposed
to multiply unnecessarily the evils inseparable from war. ShoxUjour
Excellency consent to give up to us the vessels armed or arming, in orJer to at
Agaitist our King, and h prolong the misfortunes of neighbouring nations, jov
creivs and officers shall be at liberty, and our fleet shdH withdraw ; otherwise
we must aft 'conformably to the orders which have been given to us,
and your Excellency 'cannot attribute to any other than yourself th
additional evils which you fear.
" We have the honour to be, with respeft, &c
" R, ABERCROMBIE.
" KEITH."
" A frigifte will remain in the harbour, to wait for the answer of
your Excellency, that there may bfcno delay."
[ No. III. ]
TO THE COMMANDERS OF HIS BRITANXIC MAJESTY'S SEA AND
LAND FORCES.
' When I represented to your Excellencies the melancholy condi-
tion of this city, witli the view of engaging your humanity not to
aggravate it by afts of hostility, I could not have supposed that my
request would have been regarded as the efieft of fear or weakness.
Unfortunately I rind that your Excellencies have misinterpreted my
expressions, since they have led to a proposal as inculting to the person
to whom it is addressed, as it is but little honourable to those who
have made it. Your Excellency will take this as a sufficient n,:
tion that you must make more suitable propositions, it you intend
that they shall be accepted.
I have the honour to be, &c.
QOoter 6, 1800. " THOMAS DE MORLA. '
Thus terminated the whole of this business. The fleet and trans-
ports, after some little consultation between the English Admiral;
Generals commanding the land-forces, weighed anchor and
U> sea.
4*5 MONTHLY REGISTER
i v
To approach .near home : the British fleet under the orders of tlifi
Earl of St. Vincent, which has been for so long a. space of" time suc-
cessfully occupied in watching the motions and confining the conij
bmed armaments of France and Spain to the harbour of Brest, were
compelled, on the i3th of October, to put into Torbay. The enemy
showed no disposition to avail itself of the temporary absence of its
guard ; and the greater part of the fleet resumed its original station
and system of action. The pursuit of this necessary plan of opera*
tions has not, however, been unattended during this inclement
season of the year, with circumstances somewhat disastrous. Several
ships have receivejd considerable damage during the gales of wind that
have taken place during the month. The Marlborough, of 74 guns;
a ship so much distinguished in the memorable action on the ist of
June 1794, being then commanded by the Honourable Captain
George Berkeley, has been driven on shore and completely wrecked
off the coast of France *. Other ships have very narrowly escaped the
same miserable fate ; but it is some consolation to reflect that these
misfortunes have been inflicted by the hand of Providence and not by
that of our enemies f .
Amidst these uncomfortable occurrences, anxiety feels some conso-
lation on finding that on every possible occasion of contest afforded by
the enemy, the arms of Britain have been uniformly successful. The
capture of the Vengeance, a French ship mounting fifty-two guns,
by the Seine frigate, mounting forty two, commanded by Captain
David Miine, a ship taken in 1798, from the French themselves, adds
another leaf to that laurel crown with which Fame will, to the most
remote ages, decorate the memory of British naval heroism. Other
successes and captures, though inferior in .consequence J, prove at
once the activity as well as the intrepidity which uniformly pervades
the character of the British seamari, and renders it so formidable to
its enemies.
Among the incidents of the present month, the arrival of the Right
Hon. Lord Nelson from the Mediterranean, after witnessing the com-
plete annihilation or capture of that armament, which he so gloriously
and successfully gave -the death-blow to off the mouth of the Nile,;
ought not to be passed over in silence. Eager, while life remains, to
* The MarlborouR?i, while cruisin- on the 4th instant, in company with the Captainj
<>f 74 guns, Captain Sir R. J. Strucrun, struck on a sunken rock near Belleisle, wheri
she hung for several hours, but bygrcar exertion';, and throwing several of-her guus over-
bo.ird, was got oft", and cleared thtretl'on which she h'ii struck. She was Sound, how.
evtrr, to have received so much damage, that it was deemed necessary to cutaway the
mists, and throw the remainder of the suns overboard, which was done, and the ship
brought to anchor ; but finding on the following day that the water gained on her con-*
siderably, a signal for assistance was made to the Captain, and she immediately ran
down and took out the officers and crew, by which time the ship was in a sinking state,
and i* supposed to have gone down a few hours afterwards. Provideutially all the cr<-w
Avere saved. A Lieutenant and nineteen seamen, lately belonging to her, ure arrived at
Plymouth in the Danish brig Amity, Captain Hblsen, frorrTMalaga, which vessel was
detained some days since by the Captain. The remainder of the crew are 0:1 board the
latter.
The Marlborough was one of the old class of seventy-four's, and built in the yeac
1767.
f See our Plymouth and Portsmouth Reports for an account of th dreadful storm
which raged on the 8th and gth of November, pages 434, &c.
f t The gallantry of Lieutenant Beaufort of the Phaeton, who, with the boats of that
ship, captured a Spanish armed vessel belonging to the King, mounting fourteen guns.
Wist not be forgotten. See Gazette Letters.
OF NAVAL BVINTS. ,~
C*ert himself in the service of his country, he ' ' - 1 not an instnv
after reaching .his native shore, to soHcita re-apoo.ntmen to ac ral
command. HIS request, it is almost needless to say, 2Ti2akSr
complied with 8 and the San Josef, of no guns, , , ', , J
first rate, and one of the ships boarded and taken hv hi
the adhon off Cape bt. Vincent, is appointed to receive his
.It cannot be considered as improper in us to have recorded the
circumstance just mentioned/ in a professed Register of N,\d
Events ; for though an account of that nature mi -in be thought pro-
perly confined only to the occurrences of active service, and the events
wf encounters, yet a short notice of an appointment apparently so
>>rteimve of future consequence, ought, when candidly regarded, not
to be censured as either impertinent or misplaced.
i. The chamber, where
The GOOD man meelfc his doom, is priviicg'J
Beyond the common -walks ot" lite.
rovxc.
We are favoured by a correspondent with the following slu>;
'count of some circumstances attending the arrival of this illustriou*
person *:
His Lordship, with the Hon. Sir WILLIAM HAMILTON and L-.dv,
LiridecJ at Yarmouth, OR the 6th of November, after an absence of. three
years. The instant he stepped on shore, the populace assembled in
crowds to greet the gallant Hero of the Nile, and, taking the horses
from his carriage, drew him to the Wrestler's Inn amidst bursts of ap-
plause. The Mayor and Corporation immediately waited on his Lord-
ship and presented him with the freedom of the town, some time since
voted to him for his eminent services.
The infantry in the town paraded before the inn where he lodged,
with their regimental b.ind, &c. &c. 5 firing fcux de joje of musquetry
and ordnance till midnight.
The Corporation in procession, with the respectable officers of the
navy, went to church with him, accompanied by Sir William and Lady
Hamilton, to join in thanksgiving. An excellent sermon was preached
on the occasion by Mr. Turner.
On leaving the town, the corps of cavalry unexpectedly drew up,
saluted, and followed the carriage, not only to the town's end, but to
the boundary of the county.
All the ships in the harbour had their colours flying, and the reader
(who has a heart to rejoice on the successes of merit so transcer.da.it
as Lord Nelson's) will of course conclude that the Admiral of the
fleet,. Dickson, also endeavoured to distinguish himself hy salutes, &c.
to his superior officer.
On the 3th his Lordship arrived in London, in the travelling carriage
of Sir William Hamilton, and alighted at Ne.ot's hotel, King-street,
JSr. James's. The noble Admiral, who w.^s dressed in full uniform,
with three stars on his breast, and two gold medals, was welcomed
by repeated huzzas from the crowd, which the illustrious tar returned
with a low boAv. Lord Nelson looked extremely well, but in perfm i>
very thin; so is Sir William Hamilton; but Lndy H-imilton lo<
charmingly, and is a very fine woman. These distinguished perfon
travelled very easily, only two stages a-d:;y, in their way to town ; the
As It is a prominent feature of this \Vcrk to record all the gallant r xj^oit* of
cur Naval Heroes, we deem it rot k,sm:r duty to attend to tho>e ,
which the o-ratitude of the Country bestows on them; byvhu.'i n: ; .i.s they
may be handed down to posterity as example* for future characleii to IM* : t.
IV. 3 *
43O MONTHLY REGISTER
carriage stopped at the house of Lord Nelson's father, who they
hud left it ou Friday morning for town. The iirst interview between
Lady Nelson, the Admiral, and his father, took place in the hall of
Nerot's hotel. About ten minutes after their arrival his Grace the
Duke of (Vueensberry paid them a visit, and staid about an hour.
At five o'clock, Lord and Lady Nelson, Sir William and Lady Ha-
milton, dined together. At half after seven his Lordship went in a
chariot to Earl Spencer, and about half an hour after Lady Nelson paid
a friendly visit to the Countess Spencer, where with a seleft party they
passed the evening. .
The 9th, being Lord Mayor's day, his Lordship was invited to the
Civic Feast and joined the cavalcade in its way to Guildhall. When
the procession reached the top of Ludgare-hiil, the mob took the horses
from the carriage of Lord Nelson, and drew him to Guildhall, amidst
repeated huzzas. All the way he passed along Cheauside, he was
greeted by the ladies from the windows with their handkerchiefs, and
the loudest acclamations- At six o'clock the company sat down to a
very elegant dinner, which was extremely well conducted. After the
visual toasts had been drank, the company were gratified by the pre-
sentation to Lord Nelson of a very elegant Sword, voted to his Lord-
ship by the Corporation, after the Battle of Aboukir, which was deli-
vered to him by Mr. Chaaiberlain Clarke, who addressed his Lordship
as follows
" LORD 1 NELSON',
* In cheerful obedience to an unanimous resolution of the Right Hon. Lord
Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, of the City of London, in Common Council
assembled, I present your Lordship with the Thanks of the Court, for the very
impurunt victory ohtained by a squadron of his Majesty's ships under your
command, over a supeiior French fleet, off the TvTouth of the Nile, on the ist
f August, 1 798 a victory splendid and decisive unexampled in Naval History
and refleding the highest honour on the courage and abilities of your l.ord-
*liij- :ti-'J your Officers, and the discipline and irresistible bravery of British
Joanna; and which must be productive of the greatest advantages to this
ioimtiy, and etery part of the civilized world, by tending to frustrate the
designs of our implacable enemy, and by rousing other nations to unite and re-
sist iheir unprincipled ambition !
" .-Mid, as a further testimony of the high esteem which the Court entertains
of your Lordship's puMic service?, and of the eminent advantages which you
have rendered your country, 1 have the honour to present to your Lordship
Till' SWCRD!
" 'J he const qucnces of the action I am thus called on to applaud, are, perhaps,
BNFQU.XI.I.KD IN THE uisTOKV or MANKIND! A numerous army, which hatl
triumphed in .Europe over brave and veteran troops, commanded by officers of
the most CptaMis-hed reputation, landed in Egypt, under the command of him
who now sways the Gallic Sceptre, with designs of the most ambitious and ex-
pensive nature. One of their objects, as ackno\vl< dged by themselves, was t
annihilate, by degrees, the English East-India trade, and, finally, to get int
their possession the whole commerce of .Africa and A^ia.
" Such were the gigantic views of our implr.cable foe; and such confidence
had they in the ficct which conveyed them, and in the station it took on the
coast of the devoted country, that it bade defiance to the whole Navy of Britain.
But, at this momentous period, the Almighty directed your I.ordthip, as his
chosen instrument, to check their pride, and crush their force, as a maritime
power, during the present contest
" The circumstance s attending this gi and display of Providential interposition
and British prowess, mu^t nuctcst the feelings of every Englishman.- Had a
tj):ice bfceii cho.-en to cxhihit to the World a struggle for superiorly in nauticivl
skill and personal valour, between the two greatest Naval Powers of the Globe,
no- c c< u d Ivive been mere happily selected. 'I he three gr<ind divisors o. 1 the
Ancient World were wiener* , aud the shores which Lad beheld ths destine-
OT NATAL rvrxrs. ^
lon or the Persian Navy by the Greeks and the heroic as of Sesortri, t mw r
sounded with the echo erf British thunder ! '1 o your Lordship belong, the pr li
of having added glory to such a scene ! The h-.-roi. we applaud would thc-
selves have applauded us ! a IK! he who, ajes smce, led l.i< three hanJn.
,
an ajmost countless host, might, on that proud day, have wished himself a Briton.
'Jhe thanks of your Country, my Lord, attend you; its honour* await
you ; hut a higher praise, than even these imply, is yours. In the moment of
your unexampled victory, you saved your Country In the n-.-xt moment you
did still more you exemplified that virtue which the heathen world could nol
emulate ; and in the pious " Nan 4/i, Da-xiae" of your modest dispatches, y<.*
have enforced a most important truth, that the mos,t independent Conqueror
felt, in the most intoxicating point of time, the influence and protection of him,
whom our enemies, to their shame and their ruin, had foolishly and impiouJy
defied.
" May that same Power, my Lord, ever protect and reward you ! May it
long, very long, spare to this Empire *o illustrious a teacher, and o poteut a
champion !"
After which Lord Nelson, amidst the plaudits of the Company, ad-
dressed Mr. Chamberlain Clarke in the following short but impressive
Speech :
'SIR,
" It ii with the greatest pride and satisfaction J receive from the Honourable
/' C A ourt THJS TSSTIMONY of their approbation of my conduct ; and with i u is
" VERY SWORD holding it up in his left and remaining hand) I hope 1009
" to aid in reducing our implacable and inveterate enemy to proper and due
," limits \Vithout which THIS COUNTRY call neither hope for, nor expeft, a
*' solid, honourable, and permanent peace !"
The above sword, which is of admirable workmanship, cost io
guineas. It is richly ornamented ; the handle gold, with blue enamei,
studded with diamonds. The crocodile appears as emblematical of the
grand event ; and the guard is supported with anchors.
OEl. 25. Captain Sir Edward Hamilton, whose brilliant exploit in
cutting out the Hermione * (that very day twelvemonth), dined at the
Mansion-House, London. The Chamberlain was invited to thz enter-
tainment, for the purpose of delivering the Freedom of the City, which
was voted to him, in a gold box. After the oath of a free:nan hid
been administered with due solemnity, the Chamberlain, in an appro-
priate speech, delivered the thanks of the Corporation for his conduS
in an aftion, which, in the language of Sir Hyde Parker, " must ever
rank among the foremost of the gallant actions executed by our Navy
this war." Sir Edward expressed his sense and satisfrciion of tn
honour done him in being carolled as a freeman of the first commer-
cial city in th world ; which honour was rendered more valuable to
him, because it was conferred during the mayoralty, and presented to
him in the hospitable Mansion-house of a Chief Magistrate, whote
public services have so justly obtained h&i the approbation of his
fellow-citizens.
Court* rpartiaK
PORTSMOUTH, OCTOBER 2 1 }.
THIS day a Court-Martial was held on board his Majesty's ship G/*Stt*:'m
this Harbour, for the trial of JOHN BROWN, a private marine belonging to h,
Majesty's ship Cvmtela* frr writing a disrespectful letter re
ondud of Captain GARDINER, of the Marines, and. Captain
* See Official Account, vol. iri. page 310.
4g2 MONTHLY REGISTER
on WILLIAM DEAN, *ud THOMAS TAYLOR, private marines, for abetting a.Jt
advising the said John Brown in his libellous and seditious conduct, and tot
endeavouring tJ propagate the same disrespectful spirit amongst the ship'*
company.
Admiral Ho L IOWA Y, President.
M. GKEKTHAM, Esq. Judge- Advocate.
The charges being proved against the prisoners, Brown was sentenced t
receive too lashes, aud the two others 50 lashes each.
The same day, WILLIAM M'MILLADOE. a seaman belonging to his Ma-
jesty's ship Trent, was tried for having, ivith two others, not yet taken, run
away with the King's boat from alongside the Perseverance hulk. The charge
not being proved against the prisoner, he was acquitted.
30. JOHN SHOWN, a seaman of his Majesty's ship L"Oieau, was tried on
bonrd the Gladiator, for having left his duty when on shore, and absented him-
elf from the ship without leave ; and, being found guilty, was sentenced to
forfeit three months pay for his services on board the said ship, and to be re-
primanded and admonished to be careful of his conduct in future.
THOMAS POWELL, a corporal of marines, and JOBS HERBERT, a private
marine, belonging to his Majesty's' ship Juste, were at the same time tried for
having deserted from the said ship while on shore on duty at the dock-yard,
and found guilty, but in consideration of their good characters, the Court sen-
tenced the former to be teduced to a private marine and receive fifty hshe,
and the latter to receive fifty lashes.
AW. 14. A Court-Martial was held on board the Gladiator, in this harbour,
for tlic trial of WILLIAM lii-ns, who was taken as one of the crew onboard
L'Eolc French privateer, at her capture on the zyth of June last, by his Ma-
jesty's ship Dr\.-:J, 'and sent to Spithcad in the Serpent sloop, and who tuincil
out to be a subject of this country, and had deserted from the fame prison ship
in the month of December, 1798.
'I he Court being of opinion that the charges had been proved against the
prisoner,' did therefore adjudge him to suffer Dratb, by being hanged on board
such of his Majesty's ship* at Spithead as the Lords Commissioners of the Ad-
miraky should direct.
On the morning of the I7th the above unhappy man was executed on board
the Puissant, at Spithead, pursuant, to his sentence.
22.. A Court-Martial was he'd on board the Gladiator, in this harbour, for the
trial of ANDREW DRYDKX. belonging to the S^nta Margarita, for desertion.
'! he charge being proved, he was sentenced to receive fifty lathes, and forfeit
all his pay.
SHF.ERNE:s, OCTOBER 24.
This day a Co'.irt-Vartial was held on board his Majesty's ship Shannon, in
this harbour, to try Lieutenant JAM is RYDER, of his Majesty's ship /-;.tlan3,
for absenting himself from the ship without leave, when the charge being
proved, he was rendered incapable of serving in the naval service of his .\ . a-
jesty, his heirs and successors, for ever ; but the Court recommended him tc
the consideration of the Lords Commissioner* of the Admiralty.
The same day another Court-Martial was held on board the same ship,to try
ALEXANDER BROWN, a seaman belonging to his Majesty's ship So'ttbay, for
desertion, and for running away with a prize belonging to that ship ; but the
charges not being proved, he wa* acquitted.
Nov. 2,0. A Court-Martial was held on board the Shannon, in this harbour,
to try Mr. SAMUEL PORTER, Carpenter of his Majesty's ship Madras, for
drunkenness; when the charge being proved, he was rendered incapable of
ever jerving again as an officer in his Majesty's Navy.
Same day another Court-Martial was held on RICHARD HALL, a seaman
r>e!<.njrin<? to his Majesty's ship Ze.'knJ, for desertion ; when the charge being
proved-, the Court, in consideration of the goad character given him b'y hia
fficcrs, only adjudged him to receive 20O la&hes.
PLYMOUTH REPORT,
PROM OCTOBER 21 TO NOYEMBEK 20*
^| U. - ft""" ' \*i* lVMj tftltWA
as desperate an aclion as ever wa$ fought for seven hour* and a half. The
Dick <M not strike till after every thing Was carried way, and she was reduced
to a mere wreck. The brave Captain Grahme and eleven of his crew were
ieverely wounded *. La Grande Decide had twenty-seven killed and wounded.
Fortunately the Clyde, of 44 guns, and Fisgard, of 48, hove in sight; the
former soon took possession of the Dick apd brought her in here. The latter wa
left in chase of the former and firing at her, and it was hoped she would not
escape. Captain Cunningham took all care of the wounded men, and entered
them as supernumeraries, by which humane conduct they arc comfortably
lodged in the Royal Naval Hospital, where every care will be taken to complete
the cure of their wounds.
23. Wind N. W. Fair. Arrived the Assisthausen, Swede, from Bayonne,
detained by the Nile, of 14 guns, Lieutenant Armies. Sailed the c uwarrow,
of 14 guns, Lieutenant Nicholson, with dispatches for the Channel Fleet.
Sailed the Havick, of 18 guns, Captain Bartholomew, for Guernsey and Jersey.
And Ravage, of 18 guris, with a convoy lor the Downs.
24. Wind E. N. E. Fair.
25. Wind S. W. Blows hard. Arrived the Alcmcne, of 36 guns, Captain
Pigby. The Revolutionaire, of 44 guns, Captain Twysden ; and Sirins, of 36,
Captain King; from off Ushaut ; last from the squadron off the Ijlack Rocks.
Being the anniversary of his Majesty's accession to the Throne was observed
accordingly.
26. Wind S. W. Cloudy. Sailed the Neptune, of 98 guns, Captain Vashon ;
Temeraire, 98, Rear- Admiral Whitshcd ; and Centaur, 74, Captain :. arkliam,
to join the Channel Fleet. Arrived two brigs with xvhcat, part of six sail cut out
in a very gallant style from a bay near Camaitt Point, by the boats of the MOD-
tague, of 74 guns, Captain Knight. They were laden with stores for the Brest
iit-et. Letters from the squadron off the Black Rocks state, that they arc
plentifully supplied with fresh beef from a neighbouring island. They piy in
ready money on the average about three guineas a bullock, from two to three
hundred weight each. Arrived the Joseph cutter, with dispatches from Earl
St. Vincent. It appears that the last time the combined fleet* were reconnoi-
tred, there appeared forty sail of the line and fifteui irigates with topsail-yard*
across.
27. Wind S. W. Cloudy. Letters from the flying squadron off the Black
Rocks, dated the 2jd, statr, that on that day the hips composing it were the
Cxsar, of 84 guns, Com. Sir J. Saumarez, Eart. ; l-omprc, 84, Captain Stir-
ling Canada, 74, Hon. DC Courcy ; Defence, 74, Captain Lord H. Faulett;
Edgar, 74, Captain Bulier ; Warrior, 74, Captain Tyler ; DeBance, 74, Capt.
Shivers; and Nimrod cutter; the weather then off Dcuarncz Bay w*s very
fine.
28. Wind W. S. W. Cloudy. Passed up for Torbay, the Channel Fleet,
under the Riglk Hon. Earl St. Vincent. Arrived from off Sound _frn
fleet,
i>{ Vice-Adr
iu La Belle l._. , ,
ihip Excellent, of 74 guns, Hon. Captain Stopford.
* Since which we have to lament the death of the gallant comnjwder. *V* Obi nury.
1
43-f MONTHLY RS6UTEK. %
29. Wind S. E. Blows hard Sailed to join the fleet in Trbay, the Atlat*
ef 98 guns, Captain Tone?. Arrived with wine for the French fleet, a brig, cat
out of a bay near Brtst, by the bonts of the Magnificent, Qf 74 guns, some time
since. Sailed the Sirius, of 36 guns, on a cruise to the 'westward. Arrived
from the Channel Fleet the Russell, of 74 gur.s, Captain Sawyer. The fleet
had very blowing weather their last cruise.
30. Wind S. E Cloudy. Letters from the expedition off Cadiz, dated the
jth Instant, state that the men of war had borne away for Gibraltar and the
Bay of Tetuan. Went into the Sound La Victorieuse, of 18 guns. Captain
Richards, bailed for Torbay, with fifteen tons of vegetables for the fleet, and
beer, several gun-vessels.
31. Wind W. N. W. Cloudy. Wcr.t down the Grand Fleet for the static?
cff Brest. The vessels which sailed yesterday with stock, fcii in with the fleet
off the Ftart, and shipped on board all their fresh stock and beer ; Earl S^.
"Vincent has hoisted his flag on board the Leliona. of 74 guns, hav ; ng takes
a. house at Torbay for the winter ; Admiral Sir H. Parker, Bart, will have the
command protempore. Vice-Admiral Vitchell goes <v.t this cruise Arrived
the Fanny, of 14 guns, Lieutenant Frissell, with a convoy from Milford.
Nov. i. Wind S. W. Rain. Arrived a. fine French frigate La Venus, of
32 guns, and 3^0 men, from Bourdeaux to Senegal, with dispatches and a
valuable cargo, on account of the French Republic, taken by the Fisgard, of
48 guns, Captain Martin, after a long chase, and the Indefatigable, of 44 guns,
Jiou. Captain C,ur?on. She threw her dispatches overboard. La Venus fired
one broadside before she struck. Arrived in the afternoon the Fisgard, of 48
guns, after a long and successful cruise off the coast of Spain of tlmtctu weeks.
2. Wind S. W. Blows an hurricane with heavy rain. 1 ast night it blew
a very heavy gale of wind at 3. W. with a heavy pitching sea in the Sound,
the men of war rode out the storm in safety in the oouad, Cawsand Bay, and
Hamoaze, till it abated, and the wind hifted to the west and moderated Ar-
rived the Admiral Mitchell, of 14 guns, from the squadron off the Black Rocks,
with dispatches for Admiral I'arl iit. Vincent. The squadron was all well and
rode out the late gales of wind in Deuarnez Bay in perfect safety.
3. Wind Q . W. Blows hard. Arrived a beautiful ship corvette, of 20 gun*,
(16 mounted,) and t6omen, called i.a Liable a Quatre, captured after a very
long chase by the Thames, of 32 guns, Captain Lukin. She was only two days
from Bourdeaux, and eighteen months old, well found in all kind of- stores for
a cruise of three months, .she had not made any captures. 1 'Immortalire, of
44 guns, Captain ''otham, was insight at the capture. The i.'lmmortalite
ran a famous French privateer, of 1 8 guns, called Las Trors Diabl.s, on the
coast of France, where she was totally destroyed. Our frigates grounded also,
but got off without drmagc in the morning. By la Diable a Quatre it is learnt
that 1 a Bellone, of 36 guns, and 300 mea, is at t'assage in Spain refitting for a
cruise, and La Braave of the same force, was cruising off the coast of Spain.
4. Wind W. S. W. Cloudy. Arrived a deep laden brig with rosin, pitch,
&c. ; and a sloop with 30' sacks of flour, part of a convoy of six sail third con-
voy,) cutout by the boats of the Lxcellenl, of 74guns; and Montague, 74, in
a bay near Brest. In tr) ing to turn up Catwater they missed stays, r.nd not
answering the helm, it blowing hard, they tailed ashore on the Cobler's
1 edge and bilged ; it is feared they will be both lost. A third brig wirh flour ,
is just gone up Catw ater, part of the same convoy. Having lost her main-mast
and her bowsprit in a gale of wind. Five P. M. just arrived a fine French
schooner, called L'Unique, of six guns and eighty men, with a very valuable
rargo of coffee, elephants teeth, cocoa, &c. &c. from Guadaloupe to lourdeaux.
She sails like the wind, and was captured the 3ist of O&ober within thirty-six
h'ours sail of Bourdeaux, by the Thames, of 32 guns. L'lmmortalite, 44, in
tight at the capture.
5. Wind W. S. Rain. Mr. Whitford, Coroner for Devon, took an incjjv-
sition on the bodies of three seamen who were killed on board La Nyriipnc,
Of NAVAL EVENTS.
f J6 gfihs, Captain Frasar, while in'Parnpool; The accident wai owine to
i Hawser ihppiflg. hy which means rhe main-top-mast fell with a jerk through
Me mam-cap and jammed two seamen to death, the sudden shock threw tho
tmra seaman on the quarter-deck with such force, that the body rebounded
several feet high, and tdl !>r. at bless on the <icck. Verdicl by the jury ( takin*
an the rircmmtances of this unfortunate accident into their consideration?)
accidental death.
6. \Yind S. W. Fair but blows hard. Came in the Busy cutter, Captain
Frazer, with a large seizure of spirits, taken from a raft found off the Deadman.
Fussed up the Channel Fleet, for Torbay, being driven off their station by the
violence of the gales at S W. Also a fleet from the Straits under the convoy
f.fthe Pawns frigate, they parted with La Guillaume Tell, of 86 guns, in a gala
i wind off Cape Finisterre.
7. WindS. W. Blows hard. Rain. Mr. Whitford took an inquisition on
the body of a seaman, washed ashore at Yealm ; it appeared from the best evi-
dence that could be produced, that he was the boatswain's mate of the
Clyde, of 44 guns, Captain Cunningham, washed overboard two months since
from the sprit. sail yaid, whilst trying to take in the sprit-sail, which Sapped and
knocked him overboard. Wrdi accidental death . Arrived La Pompce, 84, from
off the coast of France. In the gale of wind on the zd instant she was laid on
her beam eids between Conquet and Ushant, but being a ttiff ship she oo
righted and bore away for Cawsand Bay to refit. Also she Magnificent, of 74
guns, having carried away her fore-top-sail-yard and fore-top-sail, in a gak oi
wind. Orders came down this day for the troop ships to sail the first fair
wind.
8. Wind S. W. F.lows a gale. Arrived from Torbay the Warrior, of ^4
Captain Tyler, to refit. >he left there thirty-one sail of th line ready for >c*.
.Mr. Whitford, Coroner, took an inquisition on the body of a seaman washed
on shore on the coast near Revelstock. Verdict accidental dtatb. Hi* body was
mo*t curiously tattooed with figure , of Romish priests, &c. and his arms with
crucifixes. This forenoon I. a ViiSoireuse, of 18 guns, Captain Richards, in *
heavy sea, parted one of her cables in the f'ound, but by the attention of the
people of the dork yard, who brought down ftesh anchors and cablet, and the
exertions of the officers and crew, they secured her at one P. M. in safety.
9. Wind W! S. Blows an hurricane with rain. The gale of last night and
this morning was awfully grand, accompanied by * heavy rolling sea ; the most
tremendous this season. It b ew with incredible fury till seven A. M. when
hi a moment the wind shifted from S. and S. W. diredly to N. W. by which
-
.
ened in the ni^ht, every soul must have pcr
lying in Bair.pool, by the
ks iYr M. Nicholas* Island,
unown, of 74 gum, I* ear- Admiral Mr J Warren
pcncnc Jd a violent gale of Wind o the .6th ult. by which some
KffSSSl SrieS away, but they r.dc ut the gale hct;r; th,.
436 MONTSLY REGISTER
/
have been expe&cd. The Admiral Pasley, extraordinary to relate, was oriTy
twenty six days absent from this port to her return. She sailed the I5th of
October for Lisbon, Gibraltar, and Tetuan Bay, and returned with answers to
the Government dispatches this forenoon.
11. Wind W. S. \V. Hard rain. The tide yesterday rose near the Pier
Head three feet, and as suddenly receded. At Monwelham Quay on the river
Tamar, the river rose six feet, and meeting the freshens from the mountains;
entered the cellars of Gill and Rundle, and washed away near joo/. worth of
salt into the river. It lifted on New Quay a sloop of ninety tons, when th<$
tide as suddenly fell back and left her quite dry. The sime sudden rising and
recession of the tides at this port and its vicinity preceded the dreadful earth-
quake at Lisbon iu 1755; al1 ^ tne earthquake at Quito in South America in
J"8:v Arrived the Meg.iira, of 16 guns, Captain HiUJ from Torbay. She was
Wown on ." unday by the violence of the wind at .V. W. off Portland, and with
difficulty bore away for Plymouth Sound. Also from the coast of France, the
Centanr, of 74 guns, Captain Mark ham, having sprung her ivtain-mast ; and
the Defence, 74, Captain Lord H. Paulett, having sprung her bowsprit in a
gale of wind. The Centaur spoke the Perseus, of 32 guns, Captain Compton,
with the Straits fleet all well, off the Lizard, on Monday last. Arrived the
Santa Margarita, of 36 guns, Captain Parker, having convoyed out the East
Jnuiamen the 4th of last -September.
12. \VindW.S.\V. Cloudy. Arrived a brig frdm Jersey. The account
ihe brings of the effects of the late hurricane on that coast are dreadful ; La
Loire, of 48 guns, Captain Newman, parted all her cables and anchors ; at high
tide she passed over a ledge of rocks, the night being pitchy dark, and got safe
to Spithcad, after 'they had given themselves up. M he Havick, of itf guns*
Captain Bartholomew ; the 1-elican, 18, Captain Thicknesse ; the Lion, 14,
Lieutenant Tathum : and a Guernsey privateer, were all driven from their
4nchors on shore on the rocks, where they lie bilged. The officers and crews'
^'ith difficulty saved their lives. The tide ro&e several feet in the height of
the gale. The Redhridge, a schooner, Lieutenant Lempriere, drove to sea mid
was supposed to have foundered, (since arrived at Spithead with the loss of all
her guns.) The Telegraph, of 18 guns, Lieutenant Gorscllis, brought up with
her best bower anchor, and was saved by cutting away her main- mast. Ar-
rived the Providence, John, Smuggling lugger, of Palperro, with 970 ankers of
brandy, and three tons of tobacco, sent in by L'Oiseau, of 36 guns, Captain
Linzec, (since restored, being taken out of the limits.)
13. Wind S. W. Rain. Accounts brought by one of the cruisers, state
that a large smuggling lujjger in alternating to weather Ram Head in the late
storm, got embayed in Whitsund Bay, and went down, and every soul
perished. Came in from the westward in great distress, the Speedy, . v alter, of
London, from Faro, with fruit. Spoke the Straits fleet, homeward hound all
well, the 1st instant, off Cape Finistcrre. Letters from Torbay state that in
the late gale the Ramilies, of 74 guns, Captain Grindall, after parting her
cables, was driven out to sea, without a rag of sail set, but the wind shifting
she put back again without damage.
14. This day spare anchors, cables, .cordage, sails, and other store's, were
shipped on board the Dido, Resource, and IVIodeste, troop-ships, lying in the
Sound, for the men of war and transports at Gibraltar. Arrived, after a short
pas'-age, from Malaga, in only twenty-two days, the Neptunus, a .Swedish
schooner, with a very valuable cargo of fruit, (the first for the season.) She
left Malign in a very healthy state, and no appearance of the plague there.
This day prattique i:*ived from 1 ondon for the Admiral Pasley, of 14 guns,
Lieutenant Ncvin, when Earl Cavan and suite landed and set off for town. Tt
juit the minds 01 thos.- concerned for their friends in the expedition, Lieutenant
Kevin hat requested the writer of this article to assure all his friends, that the
representation of the disastrous state, of the fleet and transports in some prints,
after the gale of the i6th ult. was unfounded to the degree mentioned. A few
afitturs, cables, &c. had bc.cn 4*t, but the vci.cls of all descriptions were in <*
OF NAVAL KVBNTf.
order as could be expefted after so violent a gale of wmd, anJ the troot
in n.gh health and spirts. The provisions were rather short, on account of the
want of communication with the Birbary shore. Lieutenant N. lett Te;uao
Bay ine 2 9 th ult. received his dispatches from Lord. Keith the i it, and wired
here the ioth inst.
was floated off by c<sks, and warped into Sutton Pool, through the sluice 01 the
Pier Heads. Her cargo will mostly be saved.
1 6. Wind W. N. W. Cloudy, Blows Hard. Came in LMmmortalite, 44
guns, Captain Hotham, in damage, and the Indefatigable, 44, Hon. Captain
Curzon. The latter parted her cables and anchors in a gale of wind ott the
.Coast of France. She is gone between the Island and Main to refit.
17 Wind W. N. W. Fair. Arrived the Amity Dan'sh btig, from Malaga,
.detained by the Captain, 74 guns, Captain . c ir R. Strachan. he brought
Lieutenant Williams and twenty men of his Majesty's late -hip Marlborough,
04 guns, Captain Sotheby, shipwrecked on a ledge of rocks near Isle Grouat, in
a violent gale of wind, on the night of the 4th inst. Dreadful wa their situa-
tion for several hours, in a perfe& hurricane, the sea making a clear breath over
her. But by throwing her guns overboard, and clearing the wreck, she light-
ened a little, yet >till stuck fast in a kind of cove on some sharp rock*. In the
morning, the -boats of the Captain,, the weather having moderated, pushed
through the surf with great perseverance and gallantry, and, fortunate t> relate,
brought off safe to her all the Officers and crew ; Lieutenant W. and twi-i.ty
men were put on board the Dane, and suffered extreme hardships for eleven day*
previous to their arrival here. The Marlborough went to pieces soon after they
left her. On the arrival of the Amity, Mr. P. Symons, merchant and broker,
waited on Admiral Sir T. Pasley, who directed Captain Wickey to send off
two gun-boats to relieve them from their unpleasant situation, having brea on
board the Dane twelve days on the deck, in shocking we-ther, and not able to
take off their clothes. Fresh provisions were also sent to them ; and they are
now performing quarantine till they receive prattiquc.
18. Wind N. N. W. Fair, and a Summer's Day. Sailed on a crui, the
fanny, 14 guns, Lieutenant i rissell. Passed by the Channel fleet to the wet-
\varJ, thirty-two sail of the line. Went up the Harbour to refit, the Edgar, 74
guns, Captain Buller. Arrived from 1 orbay, the Glory, 58 gun, Captain
"Weils, to refit. She went up Hamoazc diredly.
19. Wi'.idN. N. E. Fair. Sailed on a cruise, the Spitfire, 24 guns, Captain
Keen. Also for jersey, L'Ambuscade, 44 guns, captain Hotham, to ukc
stores saved from the wrecks of the Havick and , -elicaii, lost on th
Also for ipithead, the anta Margarita, 44 guns, Captain G. . arker, to
. , pitneaa, tne anta ,\iargaru<i, <H- &""
docked. Arrived from a cruise, La Renard, 20 guns, Captain Spicer. Sail'
to join the Channel fleet, the Excellent, 74 guns, Captain atopford, aud t
sell, 74 guns, Captaiu Sawyer.
ao. Wind N. N. E. Fair. The San Josef, i u ?uns i, to go out of dock
the next spring tide. She is to be fitted for the <Ug of R^r-Admural 1
Nelson; the Jew of the Namur, 98 guns, now in tfamouc, ,..
over to her. Captain Luke, of the Namur, will succeed Capta.u N
the Mars, 74 guns. Sailed to join the fleet, the fcagdificent, 74 g. ^
Bovvater the g PonuA, 84, Captain Vashon ; ^.^^^J^^i
Knight Went to Dock last night, to be overhauled, the Auinira
guaf Lieutenant Nevin. bhe is fitting again for the Stra ltt to carry
to i,oid Keith and General bir Ralph Abcrcrombic.
IV. 3 fc
43* MONTHLY REGISTER
PORTSMOUTH REPORT.
% FROM OCTOBER 27 TO NOVEMBER ij.
Oft. 27. Arrived his Majesty's i4iip Rambler, of 14 pun?, Cap'ain Scliort-
. berg, with four transports, containing Dutch troops under convoy from Jersey.
28. Arrived his Majesty's ship Poyal Georre, of IT^ gnn, Captain Otwar,
from the Channel fleet ; Theseus, Captain Stiles, from the Mediterranean ; and
the Harpy, of 16 guns, Captain Eirrhall, from z cruise.
29 Sailed the Cambrian, of 40 guns, Hon. Captain I c^pe ; St. Fiorenzo,
of 4ogurts, Captain Patterson ; Aclivc, of 38 guns Captain GitTord ; and Harpy,
of 3 2 pirns, Captain Birthall.cn a cruise; and the Terrible, of 74 puns. Cap-
tain Wolesley. to join the Channel fleet. Also the Earl Spencer, Lieutenant
Rye, and Earl St. Vincent, Lieutenant Lackey, for the coast of France.
30. Arrived the Asia, of 64 jruns, Captain Murrav, from Halifax. She
failed with the following transports under convoy five veeks since, viz.
Alary Ann, with the 24th regiment on board ; Duchess of Rutland, with the
26th regiment ; Diamond, with the Duke of Kent's horses and effects ; l.eigh-
ton, Laurel, and Duke of Kent : the two former arrived here, and the latter are
gone for the Downs.
31. 'Arrived the Fairy, of 16 guns, Captain Warren, from T ersey, with the
los of three anchors ; the Hussar, of 38 guns, Captain Lord Garlie.% with a
convoy of Vest India ships from Ireland; and Grand Falconer cutter, Lieute-
nant '.hiltott, from Marcoii. Abo the Constitution cutter, Lieut. YV. H.
Faulknor, from a cruise.
Nov. i . Arrived the Gi'illaume Tell, of 86 guns, Captain Elphinstone, from
the Mediterranean, ^he was immediately put under quarantine.
2. Arrived the -Wolverene, of 16 guns, Captain Wight, from a. cruise.
Sailed the Bittern, of 16 guns, Captain Kittoe, with a convoy for the Downs.
3. Arrived the Argo, of 44 guns, Captain Rov-'en. She has captured a; d
brought in with her, the Spanish letter ef marqne St. Fernando, of 18 guns
(pierced for 22), laden with silks, from St. Andtro, bound to Vera Cruz. Her
cargo is very valuable, and will prove a good prize to the captors. Also the
'Serpent, of 16 guns,' Captain Roberts, from a cruise.
4. Sailed the Endymion, of 44 guns, Captain Sir Thomas Williams, on a
cruise, the was forced to return, owing to strong gales at V. . t-. W.
6. Arrived La Loire, of 44 guns, Captain Mewman, from Jersey, with
the loss of her anchors and cables. i ailed the Plover, of 16 guns, Captain
Cialvvey, for the Dowrs.
8 Arrived the Anson, of 44 guns, Captain Durham, and Constitution, cf
14 guns, Lieutenant Faulknor, from a cruise.
9. ' Arrived the Active, of 38 guns, Captain Giffard, from a cruie.
10. Arrived the Harpy, of 18 guns. Captain Birchall. from P. cruise ; and
Redbridge schooner, I ieutenant Len^pricre, irorn Jersey, with ths loss of all her
guns, which she threw overboard in a ::e.ivy gale of wind, and otherwise much
damaged. Also the Perseus, of 20 gun,Captain Compton, from Gibraltar, i-he
tailed from thence with a fleet of merchantmen under convey, but parted -with
tlum in a gale of wind.
1 1. Arrived the Zarl Spencer cutter. Lieutenant Rye, ft cm a cruise, and the
Ecifiower brig, Lieutenant Murray, from Gtu'n^ey.
12. Came into harbour the Hussar, of 38 guns. Captain I. rd Garlics ;
Bourdelais, of 32 guns. Captain . . r . .nby ; RcdUridge schooner. Lieutenant Lem-
priere ; and Requin brig. Lieutenant Fowell, to repair the dair.a^-s they sus-
tained in the gale of wind on .^unday last.
13. Sailed the Royal ''eorge, of too guns, A 'miral Sir Hyde Parker, Cap-
tain Otway ; Phoebe, of 5 6 guns, Adtairal iir Aian Gardner, C-r tain Uzrluvr,
OF NAVAL ETENTS.
paid off > n ilM - for
i J. Sailed the Earl St. Vincent cutter, Lieutenant Lackty, on a crui.e.
17- > rrivcd his Majesty', ship Agincourt, of 64 ^uns, Admiral Pole, from
Newfoundland, with only two s!n, s out of fourteen merchant |M P , chat M ilcd
under her convoy; the rest parted from her in a gale of wind. Ai-o the Ca.>tor,
Captain Gower, from Jersey, and Santa .Margarita, 'Japuin Parker, Iron con'
voymgthe outward bound hast Indiamen. tihc cap:urcd <> her voyage and
sent into Cork, the sinp , oote, from Bourdcuux, laden with wine and brand v.
Sfilcd the Royal George of no guns, Admiral ,,r Hyde Parker, to join the
Channel Sett ; Phoebe, of 36 puns, ..aptain Barlow, with Admiral Gardner on
board, for Ireland j and Auson, Captain Durham, on a cruise.
19. Sailed the Braakcl, Captain Clarke, for Ireland ; Adivc, Captain Gyf.
lard ; and Constance brig, Lieutenant Wright, for jersey.
20. Arrived the Atalante, Captain Griffiths, with near two hundred tail of
outward-bound merchant ships under her convoy, from the Downs.
21. Bailed the ;uste, of 84 guns, Sir Henry Trollope, an i Cumberland, of 74
guns, Captain Greaves, to join the Channel fleet ; i.a Pique, Captain oung,
Sea Horse, Captain Foote, and .Maidstone, Captain Donnelly, with a laigc convoy
for Lisbon, Oporto, and the Aieaiterranean.
21. Arrived the Anson, Captain Durham, from a cruise off 'avre ; and
Rose cutter. Lieutenant Richardson, from Marcou She fell in yesterday with
a French privatter, of ten gmis, off . uiu'.cne.--, which she engage! !,'r two
hours. The privateer afterwards made oft"; and the Rose, from her i.!;jttend
condition, was unable to pursue her.
23. Sailed the Constitution, Lieutenant Faulknor, on a cruise ; and Earl
Spencer cutter, Lieutenant Rye, in quest of a pnv-t-jer oS the back of the Isle uf
Wight.
WEST INDIA REPORT.
CAPTURE OF THE DUTCH "ISLAND OF CURACOA.
ON the 7th instant arrived the Gmntbam packet, from Jamaica ; and,
anu>ng other interesting intelligence, brought an account of the Dutch Island
of Curacoa, in the West Indies, which was lately tak n pos, C s*ion of by the
French, having fallen into the hands of the English. We are ei.abled to tatc
Some of the particulars of this capture. :n the following cxtradl of a letter from
Lieutenant i j aul to his father, from on board La Nereidc irigate, Captain Wat-
ki::s, of 36 guns ;
" We last night cut out a schooner from Curacoa Ray, and thi* morning we-
sailed in*o the Bay, and found the French and the Dutch firing upon on,.- an-
other. Captain Watkins called a Council, and it wai determined to attack both
parties, which we did with great success. I he Dutch soon offered to surrender
UP the whole island, provided we would nrotecl them agiiin-t the French, which
\v- arn-eed to ; and the whole of the treasure, dollars, plate, Jkc. belonging to
tiio v-ttlement, is now on board La Nercide; and the union flag is Hying on all
the forts.
" I was dispatched with this intelligence to Admiral Lord Huj;h Seymour,
commanding on this station, who immediately ordered three frigate* to our
' 1 a'm nnw keeping gtprd over the famous French Black Captain, VICTOR
HUGUES who has done so much mischief t< oisr country this w^r, and who ha
bet-u so ion" Commander in Guadaloupe : he was taken on hi-- pw.i;;e to avumc
the cioverninent of Curacoa; which Maud he imagined, by the time ot hi*
arrival, would have been in quiet possession of the French.'
Thi* is the only instance, perhaps, of tb,e surrender of a whole Uland to a
single frigate. Curacoa was the only settlement belonging to the D
West Indies ; it is situated to the north of Terra Flrma ; is about thirty mile*
in length, and fourteen in breadth, with a good harbour and port, which may be
rendered of considci able importance to us in the protection of our merchantmen
from the depredations of the enemy's privateers. It is thought capable of great
improvements, being little more in the hands of the Dutch than a rendezvous for
smugglers.
CAPTURE OF LA VENGEANCE.
THE following particulars of the action between La Sims and La Vtngeanse*
inay be depended on lor their correctness :
' Mcf.tcgo Bay, Sept. 6.
" Cn the morning of the aoth of August, a strange sail v, as observed from
the Seine, stindmg to the northward, on the starboard tack, through the Mona
fat t'ge, .d which she immediately gave chace : it was sun-set before they got
Stitiic.ci.tly near tn rn :ke her out plainly, when they perceived her to be a large
frigate. About mi-i^'ight the Seine brought the cha:-e to action, brt not so close
as Captain Miir.e v\i-hed ; the sVi'>s suffered considerably in their rigging and
sails during this brush ; and, from that circumstance, departed for some lime.
On ;he morning of ;he 2ist, the ,-eine brought the chase to close a&ion ; and^
after j MVi-rt. contest lor ?.n hour and a half, she struck, and proved to be the
Vm e rce French fiigate, commanded by Cit:/.en Fitot, Capital e de Vais-
feau, mounting twenty-eight eighteen- pounders on the main-deck, sixteen
twelve-pounders and eight forty-two pound carrouades on her quarter-deck
and forecastle, w.th brass sv- ivels on her gun -wale.
" I\T. <.;eorge A iine, . etond Lieutenant of the Seine, and twelve seumen^
\v.ere killed in th a&icn, and twenty-nine wounded ; ainorfg \vhnm is the
Lieutenant of Matines. The particulars of the loss on tl:e part of the enemy
are not yet ascertained, but it is supposed mast be considerable, from the loss of
her fore mast, mizen mast, and njan-top-mast, which all fell on board Cap-*
tain Milne speaks in very high terms of the good conducl of his Officers and
hip's company.
" The French frigate, out of a complement of 453, lias only brought into
port 2i i men. On hoard La Vengeance were five or six Generals, and several
other Officers of the French army, who ..ssisfcd \\. erever theii talents couid be
of use during the tngagement. i.a Vengearre had. we understand, near ten
feet warer in her hold when she came into Port Royal.
" v. a, tain Pilot has mentioned, that in the action he had with the Constella-
tion, fhc ^ruck three times ; that he saw her in the iv.orning, when his ship
was entirely dismasted, and might have been made a prize of; but that the
Constellation did not appear anxious to renew the struggle.
" i he Captain of i.a Vengeance is the $au;e Oflicer \\ho commanded La
Rcnommee when taken by his Majesty's ship Alfred.
" Oap:ain DJVH! JVhine, who. brought i a Vengeance French frigate intd
Port R yal, on ti.e 27th ult. is the same v -entl< man who was Second Lieutenant
of; a iiiai.che, at the capture of La Pique, oil iVarigatante, 6th January 1795,
after a u:ost obstinate aciion of five hours ; in the middle of which CaptJirt
Faulknor was shot through the heart, ju*t us he had lashed La Hque's bowsprit
to i a Blanche's capstern, with his own hands. 'J he i irst ; icuteijant, \\iitkins
(now e apt,iin of the Kefourcej, continued the action three hours longer, when
La ique surrendered, and Lieutenant ',:lr.c wit I: ten men, swam on board,
ami t< ok }.<;.-s>. *!;(. r. of her; s-!.e liad 76 men hilled, and 113 wounded, and 30
lest, when her ma.it wtr.t overbojrd, having had a complement of upward 1 * of
400 men <it the ccmihencemer.t ; 26 twelve-pounders, three nine-pounders,
four twtlvj-pouna carr< i.aiis, be-iues a number of bra^s swivels ; and was fitted
but from Gu-daioupe, for the declared purpose of taking La Blanche, whose
loss waseifh; kilud. inciudii;g Captain Faulknor, and 21 wounded (two prize-
tnasters a r J 12 mm being absent).
" On the 6th ji-ly, 179^, 1 a t ique, commanded by Captain David Milnc 4
came up v.ith La ;,eine . rci.ch frigate, off the taiiites, near iirest, at eleven at
* See Captain Milne's official Letter to Uie Admiralty.
3
Ofr NAVAL EVENTS. ^,
right, and engaged her until the Tason frigate, Captain StirW, ran between
.them La erne wa, drove on shore ; and the Jason drifted <* betVcen t^em
in such a positu>n that La .Seine could annoy La Pique, ove7and through the
Jason, wh, st La P.que could do very little injury to La Seme. la ZTua!
tion, at half past two ,n the mmning, i.a Seine struck : She had 4 z gun,, , ,
and 9 Pounders wtth carronades, and 610 men, (including soldier* of which,
170 were k.lled, ana about , - o wounded, many of them mortally The V&
naid frigate, Cuptam Newman, who belonged to Commodore Stirlin c ', soua-
cron came up after the aclion was over, and then was so fortunate a, tog off
the Jason; La Pique being bulged, was destroyed; but Captain Milne, with
his gallant crew, had the sauskdion to get La Seine afloat, the command of
Kvhich frcgate was soon after given to him ; and we rejoice that in her he ha.
Uded another capital French frigate- td our triumphant N^vy."
LOS-: OP THE CHARLES BARING WEST INDIAMAN.
^ We are favoured by ;.ir. Thoma* Bennett and Mr Fitzmaurice. Passenger*
in the Ch-rlr- Caring, Captain Ans, wirh an authentic narrative of the loss of
her. She sailed from Port Royal, amaica. o:> the oth of September. Nothing
material occurred until about the 151!! of Odober, when we found the sl.ip ro
make a considerable quantity of w^tcr, which increased so much, that on the
i-th both pumps could scarcely free her In this situation we continued until
the morning of the aoth, when on sounding, we found five feet water in her
hold. The Cap:?.m immediately ordered the gun-deck to be scnttled, that we
might get to the pump well; that being .lone, we sluno two large casks with
tackles, which we found to answer our purpose very well, for by twelve o'clock
we had reduced the water to three fett. We kept Her from gaining on u until
the next morning, the 2 1st, when the pumps were rendered almost uscles-,from
the quantity of coffee and cocoa which continually got to them I he danger of
our situation now increasing, it wa* thought advisable to heave tlie guns over-
board, which was done about ten o'clock, and also a considerable quantity of
wood from the Fore Peak. .-U about dark the pump- were quite choaked and
entirely useless We now found the leak to gain considerably on us; ill hands
that could be spared from baling were employed in clearing the fore hatch- way,
which by day-light wass-o far completed, as to enable us to ^..-t two more casks
to work. At this time the water wa* up to the orlop-deck beams, and by the
most unremitting exertions of ti.e J asseii^ers and cre>v, was kept from gaining
until the night of the 23d, when it came on to blow i heavy gale of wind, which
heeled theship so much, that thegreatest part of the water we baled returned back
to thehold. The water gaining f.'St, the people almost tired to death, and the gale
increasing, there was now no hopes of saving the ship, bur only care was how
to save ourselves. About the dawn of day the main-mast went over the side,
and it v as with much difficulty we could clear it from the ship The water by
this time had reached the gun deck; we had no time to ios< in providing for
our safety : the boat was got out, and at eight o'clock, much to Captain Aris'i
credit, his first objed was to have the Ladies put ;nto it, remarking at the same
time to all of us, that there could he no possibility of saving them othcrwie,
and that it was also impossible for the boat to contain the entire. He therefore
recommended all hands to make a r.<ft w.th spar* and cotton-bags ; but before
that could be accomplished, she completely foundered, and every man attempted
to swim to the boat, the Captain himself being the last (hat siiitud the *hip;
and, miserable to tell, twenty-seven of our number perched. We feel it a duty
incumbent on us, to acknowledge, that, under Divine - rovidcnce, we feel
much indebted to Captain Aris for his foresight, ready condud, and coolness
in so perilous a .situation.
MR. EDITOR,
A most important service to the Naval concerns of thi* Country hi
lately effected by the quadras of advanced ships under the r
miral Berkeley, livery possib e opportunity wh.Ji could be obi,
the other parts of its duty, wa, employed in .urv-yia- and Sounding t
Ciunuel uear die Trench Loub The icwlt ha*, most lufptf, been, that he
MONTHLY REGISTER
has discovered, between Ushar.t and the small Islands, a Channel tliat wa
never known before. It is sufficiently deep to admit hips of the ! ine to pass
through it, when navigated by such as have a competent knowledge of its
different sounding and bearings. And, as this discovery will most mater-ally
facilitate the attainment of our object to keep a perpetual watch ever the
sailing of the French Fleet, I hare the plea-lire of informing you, that a Chart
of this important passage will shortly be published, engraved from the actual
Surveys And, as they were taken by the most celebrated Officers in his squa-
dron for Nautical .Surveying, thuy may be e peeled to piove the greatest Na-
tioual Utility of any thing that has been published for several years relative to
IV.arine Discoveries.
NAUT1CUS.
FUMIGATING '.AVPS.
Obifrvationt on tie l>pertc.nee of tie !, minting Lamps, invented ty Sir 7. PUz-
fatrick, tthicb are,fortbejirit Time, introduced, by Order of ibe Duke of Portland,
ta board ibe Earl CertrwalKl Can-vifi Siif.
"WHERE many persons breathe in a confined phce, the air is deprived of its
oxygen or animating principle. And as this destructive esfe<S is still more in-
creased by fl?.me *, used to illume the darkness of places where person* are ne-
cessarily confined, these lamps an' provided with b-vsl tubes, to trefcnt this
jr.convenience to those prisoners who ?.re on the orlop <k;!;, which is nearly
dark, and beneath the surface of the wate". And, to prevent the necessity of a
number of lights which would thus still more deprive t'.ie air of its ox.'g-.'U or
vital principle, Sir [erome has introduced reflectors into these lamps, by which
means, the li< ht isoi: ' !y increased, wuh^ut the rcspirable air being
diminished. Ai;d by well pl.'ci- g the i..n:p li.:i.^ ov;-r the pi.n containing oil
of vitriol and nitre, a proportion of oxyf en is'l.us produced, surfi.ient to supply
what the air lose-, by the forc-nicntii. ncd s-polutiou ; and corrective, according
to Dr. CarmlUiel, of its malij/nant priii;
The utility f thes^ binps nii'.^t, wiiere !i;/ht and sulubrity of air are so esscn- -
tial as in convict ships, be incalculable. 'J'lie lamps, it must be cb'crveil, arc
so contrived as f> prevent the men from enuangciing tlie ship by lighting their
f ipes clandestinely.
tions r mfa.
PRESENTATIONS TO HIS MAJl
OJ7. 30 Admiral Sir Alan O. miner was pr; . he honour ta
kiss their Majesty's hands at the I.evee, on beir
On his arrival in Enghnd, the gallint Admiral .ord J "c-ired
in his full naval uniform, decorated with the d':urond ' - wore
in his hat, presented to him for hi? services bv the cvjrt of N h tie
Ve ! diions of the K^g-and Que^li of thit Court, u" with
vhich he has been invested with, as Knight ol Jerusalem, the r !'l. nd of the
Order of the Bath, and the elegant sword presented ro him by the I ity of
London.
Captain Es^ington, by -Vd-niral ^ 'ackcnzie and Captain Hervey.
.Captain Wallis, late of the Brunswick, on his ar ival from Jamaica, by the
Right Hon. Thomas Grenville.
NO-J. 19. HisFxcellency Hadge Tbrahira Candiot, Admiral of Algiers, Am-
bas'ador and Minister Flenipt tentiary to the Dry, was presented to his Majesty,
who had his first audience to deliver his credentials.
AW 4. 'I he Kins: was pleased to gr?nt the dignity of a Parrnet of the
kingdom of Great Britain to Robert Kingsmill, Esq. Admiral of the Blue
Squadron.
* A Pimr of a hrrrpor' candle inclosed in a hogshead, will first lose its splendour,
and alierwa^s be touay
OP NAVAL EVENTS. AJ9
445
of hi '
Captain Domett, to the command of the Belleisle, of 74 <runs flate Le F
midable) taken from the French off L'Orient, by Lord B^idort in The
795
Captain J. C. Wh-teto the command of the Renown, of 74 gun, the flar-
ship of bir John Borlase Warren, in the room of Captain Eyles.
Captain William Browne, late of the Vang nan!, is appointed and has taken
the command of the Robust, of 74 guns vice Captain Countess.
Captain Irwin is appointed to the Barflcur of 98 guns.
Lord Hugh Seymour has appointed Lieutenant Colin Mackenzie, of the
Sans Pareil, to La Seine frigate, vice Lieutenant Viilne, killed in afiion.
Captain Mufdge, of the Fly sloop, is promoted to a Post Captain ; and Cap-
tain Puval, who brought the overland dispatches from Lord Nelson, is ap-
pointed to the Hy.
G. Onmby, Fsq is appointed to the command of his Majesty's schooner
Scout, of 1 8 guns, fitting at Plymouth.
Edward Kindall, E*q. late First Lieutenant of the Royal Sovereign, is pro-
moted to the rank of Commander.
Lieutenant Strachey, late of the Resource, i appointed First of tho Helder,
fitting for sea at Deptford. ahe is a iiae *hip of her class, aud built much after
the English model.
Mr. Thomas IToskins, Master of the Syren, is removed to the Trent ; and
Mr. Hodgson, late of the Fairy, is appointed to succeed him.
S. Pryme, Esq. is appointed Purser of his Majesty's ship Renown, of 74 gun*.
H. Somerville, Esq is appointed Purser of his Majesty's ship Canada, of 74
guns.
R. Park, Esq. is appointed Purser cf his Majesty's ship Canop-os of 74
guns.
Mr. Chapman, Purser of the Snake, is appointed to the Lcda, of 38 gun*.
William Dawes, Esq. an officer in the Marine service, is appointed Governor
of Sierra 1 eone, with a very liberal salary.
The Lords of the Admiralty have been pleased to appoint the ons of Cap-
tains Miller, Patten, and Wymes, Lieutenants of the Marine Forces j in
.which corps their respective fathers have served many years, with honour to
themselves and service to their country. -
In consequence of the death of George Ma^sh, Esq. one of the Commii*
tioneis cf the Navy, the following arrangement will take place : Commis-
sioner Hartwell, from Chatham, to the Navy Board; Duncan,
from Halifax to Chatham: Inglcfield, feom Gibraltar to Halifax;
and Captain Coates, who is Agent for Prisoners, of War, now in France, a
prc-noted to a Commissioner, and appointed to Gibraltar.
The statement, which, in our last, mentioned tl' appointment of Ctpuia
Lewis, of the t nake, to the command of the Leda, a new 33, fil
at Chatham, was not qin.e torreA, that ship having been given to Capuia O.
Hope, who resigns the i Tiuce of Orange, of 74 guns, to obtain her.
444 MONTHLY REGISTER OF NAVAL EVENTS,
MARRIAGES.
Lately, the gallant Robert Hope, Esq. Purser of his Majesty's ship Puissant,
aged fourscore, to the lovely and amiable Miss Fanny Paul, of Portsmouth)
aged 13!
EPIGRAM ON THE ABOVE.
Said an ancient Apostle,
Of Faith, Hope, and Love,
The latter by far
IViust all ages approve.
But one Angel (Miss Paul)
Adled quite the reverse;
For old Hope above all
She preferr'd with hisfurse /
Captain Anderson, to MissEggleston of Kiiham.
At Greenwich, Lieutenant Alexander Robert Kc.rr to Miss Raison.
At St. John's Church, Westminster, by the P.ev. Dr. Vincent, Subalmoner
to his Majesty, Lieutenant John Hotchkis, to Miss Pearce, danghter of the
late Richard Pearce, Esq. of Westminster.
James Lucas, Esq. Lieutenant of his Majesty's ship Ardent, to Miss S. Lanov
Jum, youngest daughter of >.;r. 1 angham, of Cockfield, Suffolk.
The jst instant, at Doncastcr, by the Rev John Eyre, Captain George Eyre,
to Miss Georgiana Cooke, daughter of Sir Ueorge Cooke, Bart, of Wheatly, in
the country of Yoik.
The i5th ult. at Minorca, Lieutenant Francis Hastings, to Leonora St r
Croix, only daughter and heiress of Don Emanuel St. Croix, of that island.
OBITUARY.
Lately in Holland, Admiral Dedel, many years in the service of the Dutch
Marine.
At Gibraltar, Francis Adams, ship-builder. He is greatly lamented by hit
relatives and a numerous acquaintance. Lord Keith has appointed the car-
penter of the Kent to do the duty.
At his house, at Blackheath, near London, in the ySth year of h's age,
George Marsh, Esq. one of the Commissioners of his iYiajesty's Navy.
On the i7thult. at Greenwich, Mrs. Brathwaite, wife of Admiral Brath.
waite.
At Newbury, on his way to Bath, Captain John Hall, of the Worcester East
ID daman
Lately, the only son of the Hon. Captain Paget Bayly, nephew to the Earl
of Uxbridge.
In Horse street, Bristol, William Evans, late a mariner under the memorable
Captain Cooke, who accompanied him in his three voyages round the world,
was present at the time of his death, and was one of those sent on shore to re-
cover his remains.
On the ist instant, at Hill House, near Dumfermline, in the 72d year of her
age, universally lamented, Mrs. Mitchell, relid of Charles Mitchell, E-q. and -
mother to Sir Charles, and Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell, who have both
distinguished themselves in their King a,nd Ccuntry's service.
It is with infinite concern and regret we have to announce the demise of the
brave Captain William Grahme, who so gallantly defended the ship Ditk in a
seven hour's engagement with La Grande Decide, famous French privateer, of
much superior force, in which contest he was wounded in the head, and of
which he died six days afterwards en board the privateer ; the intelligence was
Drought to Liverpool by Captain Grahme'smate, \vho was, with many others,
put by the French captain into a prize, which he sent off as a cartel for
England. ,
The 23d instant, at Greenwich, Captain John Lee, commander of his Ma-
jesty's ship Camel.
,,
-/ . s x > / ' ,( /
) // / f>/~ ' '//'S'/'/'//
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF
SIR WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH,
CROSIO* THK ROYAL MILITARY SWID1SH OROI* Ot TI IWkO
AND COMMANDER.
He, high in soul, was mated with the best :
First in the lists, where'er those lists were fining
He claim'd the prize, nor ever yielded ground j
Nor, for the biting sword, nor thrilling spear,
With helm on head, was ever known to fear.
WAY'S FABLIAUX*
By Heav'n, to me it were an easy leap
To pluck bright honour from the pale-fac'd moon ;
Or dive into the bottom of the deep,
Where fathom-line could never touch the ground,
And pluck up drowned honour by the locks !
SHAKSPCA.KK.
HPHE Author of the State Worthies of England, David
Lloyd, a biographer not less remarkable for acutencss
of observation than for a forcible singularity of expression,
nearly drew the portrait of this gallant officer by anticipation,
a century and a half since. It is no disparagement that
Sir Walter Raleigh sat for the picture.
" As for his native parts," says Lloyd, " and those of
his own acquiring, he had in the outward man a good
presence, in a handsome and well compared person; a
strong natural wit, and a better judgment ; with a bold
plausible tongue, whereby he could set out his parts to the
best advantage ; and to these he had the adjuncts of some
general learning, which by diligence he enforced to a great
augmentation and perfection, for he was an indefatigable
reader, whether by sea or land, and none of the least ob-
servers both of men and the times. No soldier fared or
Jay harder, none ventured farther; what is not extraordinary,
he would say, is nothing. So contemplative was he that
you would say he was not active ; so aclive, that you would
say he was not prudent." Such was Sir Walter Raleigh ;
and such, with the addition of undeviating honour and
loyalty, is Sir SIDNEY SMJTH.
itol. IV. 3 M
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOFRS
The father of Sir Sidney was bred to the army, and
served during the early part of the war of 1756, as aid-de-
camp to the Right Hon. Lord George Sackville., When the
Court-Martial was held on the conduct of that nobleman
at Minden, Captain- Smith came forward in the most zealous
manner, not only as an evidence in his behalf, but as a
warm and aive friend. The charge againft Lord Sackville
is well known to have consisted in an imputed disobedience
of the orders received from Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick,
whom by his commission and inftruftions he was directed to-
obey.
Captain Smith quitted public life soon after this period, if
we except an office which he now holds in the Royal House-
hold. He has had the happiness to be a living witness of
the gallantry and the well-earned popularity of his son ; and
enjoys the blessing of a vigorous old age at a villa near Dover,
built, and fitted up by himself with equal tafte and sin-
gularity.
Sir William Sidney Smith, the subject of the present
Memoir, entered into the navy at the early age of thirteen
years. He was born about the year 1764; and received the
first rudiments of his education at Tunbridge school,, then
kept by Mr. Knox. In 1773, he wa removed to Bath, where
he was placed under the tuition of Mr. Morgan ; and in 1777
having commenced his maritime career, he not long afterward
removed into the Sandwich, commanded by Captain Young *.
Previous to his actual embarkation, he had gone through a
* This gentleman was very deservedly considered as one of the ablest officer*
at that time in the British service. Though, extremely young, in respeS to
rank as a captain, he received the very honourable .Appointment just mentioned
under the late Admiral Rodney, when that gentleman was first appointed to
the chief command on the West India stafioji. Such was the estimation in
which his talents and abilities were held by his Lordship, that it has been con-
fidently reported, no measure of any material consequence was ever taken
without the concurrence of Captain Youfog, whom he considered on all
occasions as a most able and honest adviser, fate unhappily pi:t a period to
his services, and the hopes of his country, by a premature but natural death,
the consequence of disease, to which he fell a victim ataut the latter end of the
year 17 So, or the beginning f the ensuing.
O? SllfcrittlAW SIDNEY SMITH. 41)
Bourse of maritime ftudics, and had accordingly been rated for
some rime as belonging to the service, in conformity with the
indulgences and allowances then made which permitted them.
In 1780, he was promoted to the rank of fifth lieutenant on
board the Alcide, a ship of 74 guns, at that time under orders
for the West Indies, whither she was to accompany the late
Lord Rodney. The Alcide was commanded by that very
able and worthy officer the late Sir Charles Thompson, but
Mr. Smith did not remain in the rank of lieutenant more than
two years, and being advanced to that of commander, was
appointed to the Fury sloop, of 18 gun*, on the Jamaica sta-
tion. Without removing from that quarter of the world,
he was again promoted on the 7th of May 1783, to the
higher station of Post Captain, by commission, appointing
him to the Nemesis frigate, of twenty-eight guns.
Peace having at this time taken place between all the l -
gerent powers, the Nemesis after a short interval was or-
dered to England ; where she was immediately put out of
commission and dismantled. After an irksome inactivity of
nearly five years, on the prospeft of a rupture between
Sweden and Russia, Captain Smith, in 1788, with the per-
mission of his own Government, entered into the service of
the former.
As his conduct during the period of that northern war,
in the complicated objefts of which, so many of the powers
of Europe were interested, was of such a nature as to bring
his character into general notice, and even procure his ad-
mission into an order of Knighthood of the Court which
he had served ; it will be necessary to enter into a brief
narrative of the several naval operations, but more particu-
larly of the action commonly called the Battle of the Gallics,
in which he most eminently distinguished himself.
Toward the latter end of April 1790, the grand fleet of
Sweden, under the command of the Duke of Sudermania,
consisting of twenty-three ships of the line and eighteen
frigates, sailed for Carlscrona, in the province of Smaland.
The pretended objeft of the expedition was that of obstrudin g
44& BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
the jun&ion of two divisions of the Russian fleet, one of whicfe
was then riding at anchor in the port of Revel, the other in the
port of Cronsradt ; the real views, however, were more exten-
sive, being no less than the capture of Revel, and the ruin of
the enemy's fleet there. Both the latter designs were put into
execution ; and though they were not attended with all the
desired success, the conduft of them did not by any means
tarnish the credit of the officers concerned. On the 3d of May
the Duke reached the heights of Hengo, and on the I3th
carried his fleet into the port of Revel. The Russian fleet at
anchor there consisted of three three-decked ships, eight
others of the line, and five large frigates : independent of
their own force, they were defended in a very advantageous
manner by several batteries in the harbour, and the fortifica-
tions of the place, all of which were planted with heavy can-
non. On the approach of the Swedes, a tremendous fire com-
menced from both sides, notwithstanding which, the Duke
continued the attack with the utmost intrepidity, and would
in all probability have succeeded, had not, in consequence of
the wind changing, a violent storm arose, which prevented
several vessels from using their lower tiers, and kept others
from taking any share in the aftion, so that in the end the fleet
was forced to retire at the very moment in which the enemy
was in a manner totally defeated. Nor was this all : through
the fury of the elements, one ship *, of iixty guns, after
being dismasted, fell into the hands of the enemy ; an-
other f of the same force, being also wrecked, was by his
highness's orders, set on fire and abandoned, and a third J ran
on shore, but was enabled to escape to sea again, by throw-
ing overboard part of her guns. On the very next day,
such was the diligence and the zeal of the Duke with the
commanders under his direction, that the fleet was again
under sail, a league and a half from Norglon, and so com-
pletely repaired from all damage, that it. waited with im-
patience for a second attack.
The Pricce Charlw. 4 The Rickct Stander. J Tlk Valeur.
OP SIR WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH. 449
Of the intervening engagements we shall not enter into *
particular account, but proceed to that principal and suc-
cessful battle in which Captain Smith was more immediately
concerned, premising only that an unsuccessful attempt had
been made by the King of Sweden, who commanded in per-
son, to destroy the Russian coasting squadron at Viborg. The
approach of the Prince of Nassau with the Cronstadt division,
had already rendered the position of the Swedes at the en-
trance of Viborg bay extremely critical, when the scarcity of
ammunition, and the want of provisions, made their return
to their own ports a measure of the first necessity. In this
situation of affairs, the King resolved to avail himself of a
strong easterly wind, which set in on the 3d of June, to gain
Swenksund and Sweaborg. It was necessary for the fleet to
penetrate through a narrow pass, and to sustain the fire of
four Russian ships of the line, two of which were placed on
each side the streight ; and after this to engage the whole of
Admiral Tschitschakoff's line, which was drawn up along
the coast at a small distance, while his frigates were ranged
among the islands which lie nearer the shore. The Swedish
van, under Admiral Modee, passed the Narrows without
suffering any essential loss, firing with great spirit both
broadsides, at the same time, against the enemy. The can-
nonade from the four Russian ships was, however, so
powerful and so well supported, that it was resolved by
the Duke of Sudermania to attempt their destruction ; but
this operation proved o unsuccessful that the fireslup*
employed in it, were driven upon two of his Royal
Highness'* own fleet, a ship of the line and a frigate, both
of which blew up. Confused in a considerable degree by
this peculiarly distressful accident, the *hips that were to
follow were unable to proceed with the necessary order
and circumspeaion ; four struck upon the rocks, and were
left to the mercy of the enemy. During their further
course along the coast, already diminished in their force,
three more vessels of the line surrendered to the Russian flag.
MiMOJRS
The engagement continued all night and part of the next
day ; and it was not till the evening that the Duke ar-
rived at Sweaborg. The King himself, at the same time,
after having lost six gallies and a large number of smaller
vessels *, reached Swenksund with a considerable part of his
remaining fleet f.
Though the events of the aftions on the 3d and 4th of June
were thus unfortunate to the Swedes, his Majesty was in a
short time enabled to re-appear at sea in an effective con-
dition to re-contest the victory, and obtain ample compensa-
tion for his former loss. Having supplied his ships with
provisions and ammunition, and being joined by the divi-
sion under Lieutenant-Colonel Cronstadt, which had not
been able to reach the Bay of Viborg, he sailed immediately,
with a view to prevent the Prince of Nassau, who was
advancing with the Cronstadt and Viborg squadrons, from
getting into the port of Frederickham. This he was fortunate
enough to accomplish. An aftion took place on the Qth of
July, in which the King commanded in person. It began
* With the gallies were taken eight hundred men of the guards. Of the
small vessels taken or sunk, the number was reported to amount to sixty. The
whole loss in men, on the part of the Swedes, was estimated at seven thousand.
j- Swedish Return of the Losses*
SHI I'J Of THE LINE.
Eningheid, (or Union) - - Blown up.
Gerechticheght, (or Justice) - -\
Sophia Magdalena, - > Tifcen.
Finland, - * - 3
Louisa Ulrica - - ) ,
_,.,,.,_, v f Lost on the
Zarthchkeit, (or Tenderness) - > SandBankfc
Hadwig Eliza Charlotte - /
TRIGATES.
Zcmire, r Burnt.
Jaroslaw * Taken.
Upland, - - Stranded.
MISSING.
Dragon Cutter. Cossack Schooner
Thirty Swedish officers were among the killed, wounded, and missing ; and
all the baggage of the fleet, amounting to several millions of dollars, likewiw?
fell into the hands of the Russians.
OF 31% WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH. 4^
at half past nine in the morning, and lasted twenty-four
hours, with the intermission or a short space at midnight,
when darkness imposed a temporary ai;nistice.
On the preceding day, several vessels of the Russian shore-
fleet were discovered at Aspo ; on which the King, attended
by M. de Cronstadt, went to reconnoitre. On the gth the
Prince of Nassau advanced toward the Swedish shore, and
the signal was made for the fleet to arrange itself in order of
battle. The enemy formed the line by nine o'clock in the
morning, and advanced toward Cape Musalo. The right
wing of the Swedes advanced to meet them, and the firing
commenced. The King, on board the Seraphim galley,
made the signal for a general attack. The enemy approaclicd
with a brisk fire, which was so warmly returned by both
the Swedish wings, that at noon the left of the enemy began
to give way. Both the right and left of the Swedes, being
reinforced by several divisions posted in the Sound, were
enabled to continue the aftion with great spirit. Tle
Russian line having likewise received some assistance, the
larboard wing advanced again, and returned to the charge.
About four o'clock some of their larger gallics quitted
the line and struck their colours. Several of these after-
wards foundered, and others were taken by the Swedes.
The Udema, one of the Swedish gallies, caught fire at
about six o'clock, and sunk *. The same fate befel one of
the Russian xebecs, and after this accident the smaller vessels
began to sheer off. Many of the heavy gallies continued firing
till ten in the evening, and then got under sail. Some rail on
the shoals and struck their flags. At eleven the cessation
produced by the darkness took place. The prisoners were
removed, and the conquered vessels taken possession of.
At three the next morning the cannonade was renewed
One of the Russian frigates surrendered, and several of the
* The crew wre saved.
4J2 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
small craft were taken ; the enemy retreated on all sides,
and set fire to their stranded ships. They were pursued till
ten at night, and forty-five captured. Out of the Russian
vessels which were sunk, one officer only and one surgeon
were saved. Six of the stranded vessels were burnt by
the Swedes. The viftors computed the number of their
prisoners at four thousand and five hundred, including two
hundred and ten officers *.
This advantage being quickly succeeded by the peace of
Reichenbach, Captain Smith retired from the Swedish ser-
vice, and on account of his marked and very intrepid con-
dut during this successful battle, was complimented with
the Grand Cross of the Swedish Order of the Sword. He had
the additional honour of receiving the insignia of his knight-*
hood from his own Sovereign at St. James's.
During a short period which intervened between the
conclusion of the Swedish war and that which has agitated,
and still continues to agitate all Europe, Sir Sidney, fol-
lowing the bent of that enterprising mind with which
nature has endowed him, became a volunteer in the marine
of Turkey. Toward the conclusion of the siege of Toulon,
he came from Smyrna for the express purpose of offering
his services to Lord Hood, and acquired considerable
reputation by the bold and spirited manner in which he
burnt the arsenals, dock-yards, with the several vessels in the
bason.
Having obtained Lord Hood's permission to undertake
the destruction of the ships, Sir Sidney proceeded with the
force put under his orders, and effected the dreadful
enterprise in as great an extent as his powers and peculiar
circumstances permitted ; having the satisfaction to ac-
* c Amflion, Sclnvcnk Sound, lotb July 1790. Five frigates, fifteen gallics,
one henneraa, one chebec, one brigantine, nine galliots, one tsohaike, two
floating batteries, four cutters, and four shallops, were cither destroyed or
taken by the King of Sweden, with a great quantity of stores," &c.
OF SIR WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH. ^-j
complishthedcstruaion of ten of the enemy's ships of the
line, then in the arsenal, with the mast, principal store,
and hemp, houses *.
In 1794, Sir Sidney was appointed to the Diamond, of 38
guns, m which ship he was fortunate enough to effeft fre-
quent services to his country, under the orders of dif-
ferent officers, seniors to him in rank. On the 4th of July
1795, he distinguished himself exceedingly in a bold but
ineffectual attempt on two French ships with their convoy
near the shore of La Hogue -f-, and continuing on the same
station, as well as occupied in the same species of service,
he had in the month of September following the more
* See Vol. II. p. 35, and Toulon Paper*, No. XIX. p. 293.
f " SIR, " DlamonJ, at anchor off tie Itlandt of St. Marctu, July 5, 1795.
In pursuance of the orders of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, I
sailed from St. Helens on the evening of the ist instant, and stretched acron
the channel toward Cherbourg, his Majesty's ships Syren and Syhillc, also four
gun-boats, in company. On looking into that port we found that one of the
three frigates which had been seen there the last time we were off, WD
missing: the master of a neutral vessel just come out informed me she had
tailed to the eastward, and I accordingly proceeded in quest of her. Going
round Cape Barfleur we saw two ships, one of them having the appearance of
the frigate in question, at anchor under the sand, and immediately made sail
toward them ; we soon after saw a convoy coming along shore within the
islands of St. Manjou. The wind dying away and the ebb-tide making against
me, I was obliged to anchor, and had the mortification to see the enemy's
vessels drift with the tide under the batteries of La Hogue, without being able
to approach them. At four o'clock in the morning of yesterday the breeze
springing up with the first of the flood, I made the signal to the squadron,
weighed and worked up toward the enemy's shi^s, which we observed warping
closer in shore under the battery on l.a Hogue point. As we approached, I
made the signal for each ship to engage as she came up with the enemy, and at
nine o'clock began the aciion in the Diamond. The other frigates having
been sent in chase in different quarters the day before, hid not been able to
anchor so near in as we did, and were consequently to leeward, as were two of
the gun-boats. The Fearless and Attack were with me, and their commander*
conducted them in a manner to merit my approbation, by drawing off the
attention of the enemy's gun-boats, of which they had two also. The unall
vessels of the convoy ran into the pier before the town ; the largest, a c.
continued warping into shoal water ; we followed, engaging her and
teries for three quarters of an hour, when finding that the enemy's hp
attained a situation where it was impossible to get fa.rly alongiid
without grounding likewise, and the pilot!, being positive a to die Dcce*wiy ol
l. IV. 3
"454 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOrRf
fortunate opportunity of destroying a French corvette*,
which the squadron under his orders fell in with on the morn-
ing of the second. A chase of three-quarters of an hour
brought him within gun-shot of her. She endeavoured
to elude his pursuit in the labyrinth of rocks before Treguier,
but the attempt proved fatal to her, for she struck on the
Roenna, and soon after filling, fell over. Sir Sidney, with
that generous humanity which, even among British officers,
may be justly said to render him pre-eminent, immediately
ceased firing, and sent the boats of the several vessels to the
relief of the crew. Her own boats, which were towing her,
saved as many as they could contain ; those of Sir Sidney
were not able to preserve more than nine in addition to the
former. According to the account of the survivors, about
hauling off from the shore, where the water had already began to ebb, I ac-
quiesced under their representations, and wore ship. The Syren and Sybille
were come up by this time, and the zeal and ability of their commanders would,
I am persuaded, have carried them into action with some effe5t, if I had not
annulled the signal to engage, which I did to prevent them getting disabled, as
we were, when we had no longer a prospe<5L of making ourselves masters of
the enemy's ship. She had suffered in proportion, and we now see her lying
on her broadside with her yards and top-masts struck, but I am sorry to say so
much sheltered by the reef which runs off from La Hogue Point, that I cannot
indulge a hope of her being destroyed. In justice to my officers and ship's
company, I must add, that thsir conduct was such as gave me satisfaction. I
received the most able assistance from the First Lieutenant, Mr. Pine, and
Mr. Wilkie, the master, in working the ship, on the precision of which evc'rjr
thing depended, circumstanced as we were with respect to the shoals and the
enemy. The guns of the main-deck were well served under the diretflion of
Lieutenant's Pearson and Sandsbury, and the men were cool and collected. No
officer was hurt, but I am sorry to say I have lost one of the best quarter-
masters in the ship, Thomas Gullec, killed, and two seamen wounded ; the
enemy fired high, or we should have suffered more materially from their red
hot shet, the marks of which were visible in the rigging. We have shifted
our fore and main-top-masts, which, with t\vo top-sail-yards were shot through,
and having repaired our Other more trifling damages, I shall proceed in the
attainment of the objects of the cruise. Fishing-boats, with which we have
had an intercourse, confirm all former accounts of distress for want of provi-
sions, and the consequent discontent in this distracted country.
' I have the honour, &c.
V Evan Mfn t Etj." " W. SIDNEY SMITH.':
L,' Assemble c Kitionale, of aa guns.
OF SIR WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH. 455
twenty perished, exclusive of the Captain, who was washed off
the wreck a few minutes before the English could reach him.
The swell was so great that the vessel went to pieces very
soon, and Sir Sidney was obliged to anchor to avoid a
similar fate.
The genius of this gentleman appears, from his earliest
entrance into the service, to have been particularly adapted
to the most arduous and desperate enterprises. Fortune
too, seems to have favoured his inclination ; and though she
has denied him that opportunity of enriching himself, which
has fallen to the lot of many, by capturing vessels, even
superior to their own force, in regular combat, she has not
withheld those opportunities of contest, which though in-
finitely less advantageous, are certainly no less glorious and
honourable both to his country and to himself. In the
month of March 1796, he distinguished himself extremely
in the attack of a French squadron which had taken shelter
in Herqui, of which very spirited transaction he himself
gives the following account :
SIR, " Diamond, ojf Cape Trehel, March 18, 1796.
Having received information that the armed vessels detached by the
Prince of Bouillon had chased a convoy, consisting of a corvette, three
luggers, four brigs, and two sloops, into Herqui, I proceeded off that
port to reconnoitre their position and sound the channel, which I founc
very narrow and intricate, I succeeded however in gaining a know-
ledge of these points sufficient to determine me to attack them in the
Diamond without loss of time, and without waiting for the ji
of any part of the squadron, lest the enemy should fortify tl
rtiU farther on our appearance. Lieutenant M'Kinley of the Liberty
brier, and Lieutenant Cosset of the Aristocrat lugger, jc
th^Cape, and though not under my orders very handsc
their services, which I accepted, as small vessels were e .
ss?^^^ 5 ^^ 1 ^
IJOGRAPHltAL MEM0IK3
others opened on us as we came round the point, and their command-
ing situation giving them a decided advantage over a ship in our
position, I judged it necessary to adopt another mode of attack, and
accordingly detached the marines and boarders to land behind the
point, and take the batteries in the rear. As the boats approached
the beach, they met with a warm reception, and a temporary check,
from a body of troops drawn up to oppose their landing ; the situa-
tion was critical ; the ship being exposed to a most galling fire and in
intricate pilotage, with a considerable portion of her men thus de-
tached, I pointed out to Lieutenant Pine the apparent practicability
of climbing the precipice in front of the batteries, which he readily
perceived, and with an alacrity and bravery of which I have had
many proofs in the course of our service together, he undertook and
executed this hazardous service, landed immediately under the guns,
and rendered himself master of them before the column of troops
could regain the heights. The fire from the ship was directed to
cover our men in this operation, it checked the enemy in their ad-
vancement, and the re- embarkation was effected as soon as the guns
were spiked, without the loss of a man, though we have to regret
Lieutenant Carter of the marines being dangerously wounded on this
occasion. The enemy's guns, three twenty four pounders, being
silenced, and rendered useless for the time, we proceeded to attack
the corvette and the other armed vessels, which had by this time
opened their fire on us to cover the operation of hauling themselves
on shore. The Diamond had anchored as close to the corvette as
her draught of water would allow. The Liberty brig was able to ap-
proach near, and on this occasion I cannot omit to mention the very
gallant and judicious rranuer in which Lieutenant M'Kinley, her
commander, brought this vessel into action, profiting by her light
draught of water to follow the corvette close. The enemy's fire
soon slackened, and the crew being observed to be making for the
shore on the English colours being hoisted on the hill, I made the
signal for the boats, manned and armed, to board, directing Lieut.
Cosset in the lugger to cover them. This service was executed by
the party from the shore, under the direction of Lieutenant Pine, in
a manner that does them i. nnice credit, and him every honour as a
brave man and an able officer. The . nemy's troops occupied the
high projecting rocks r.ll roiv.d the << .Is, whence they kept up an
tncessant fire of musketry, and the utmost thnt could be effefted at
the moment was to set fire to the corvette (named L'Etourdie, of
1 6 guns, twelve- pounders, on the main deck), and one of the merchant
bri-s, since, as the tide fell, the enemy pressed down on the sands
OF SIR WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH. ^j,
clofce to the vessels ; Lieutenant Pine therefore returned on board,
having received a severe contusion on the breast from a musket-ball.
As the tide rose again it bccvme praaicablc to make a second attempt
to burn the remaining vessels, Lieutenant Pearson was accordingly
detached for that purpose with the boats, and I am happy to add, hit
gallant exertions succeeded to the utmost of my hopes, notwithstand-
ing the renewed and heavy fire of musketry from the jhorc. ThU
fire was returned with great spirit and evident good effeft ; and I
was much pleased with the condud of Lieutenant Cosset in the hired
lugger, and Mr. Knight in the Diamond's launch, who covered the
approach and retreat of the boats. The vessels were all burnt except
an armed lugger, which kept up her fire to the last. The wind and
tide suiting at ten at night to come out of the harbour again, we
weighed and repassed the Point of Herqui, from which we received
a few shot, the enemy having found means to restore one of the gun
to activity. Our loss, as appears by the inclosed return, is trifling,
considering the nature of the enterprise, and the length of time we
were exposed to the enemy's fire. Their's, I am persuaded, must
have been very great, from the numbers within the range of the shot
and shells. The conduct of every officer and man under my com-
mand meets with my warmest approbation : it would be superfluous to
particularize any others than those I have named. Suffice it to say,
the characteristic bravery and activity of British seamen never was
more conspicuous. Lieutenant Pine will have the honour to present
their Lordships with the colours which he struck on the battery, and
I beg leave to recommend him particularly to their Lordships, as a
most meritorious officer.
" I have the honour to be, &c.
< Evan Nepean, Efq. Secretary " W. SIDNEY SMITH."
to the Admiralty."
A Rtturn of the killed and wounded belonging to bit Majettft S
Diamond, in the three Attach of tie Enemy's Batteries and Shipping i<
Herqui, the "Jth of March 1796.
Killed two seamen. Wounded First Lieut. Horace 1
Lieut. Carter of the Maiines, and five seamen.
W. S. SMITH."
The period of his services was now unfortunately drawing
to a temporary stand. Eager in the pursuit of that syst.
warfare which he had already proved himself so comple
master of, he had in the ensuing month the misf
into the hands of the enemy. Being stalioned off
/ * BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
Grace, he captured, on the i8th of April 1796, with the boats
of his squadron, being then on a reconnoitring expedition, a
French lugger privateer, which by the strong setting of the
tide into the harbour, was driven above the forts. In this
situation he remained the whole night ; and the dawn of day
discovering Jo the French the lugger in tow of a string of
English boats, a signal of alarm was immediately given.
Several gun-boats and other armed vessels attacked the
lugger and the boats; and another lugger of superior force
\vas warped out against that which he had captured. By
this vessel he was engaged for a considerable time, with so
much heavier metal as to render all resistance unavail-
ing j and he had the mortification of being obliged to
surrender himself a prisoner of war, with about nineteen of
his people and companions *. The Diamond, in the mean
while, remained in perfect safety, but was totally unable to
afford assistance to her commander, on account of the dead
calm which prevailed during the whole of the unfortunate
transaction f. When the officers on board the Diamond
heard of the disaster which had befallen their gallant com-
mander, they sent in a flag of truce to inquire whether he
was wounded, and to pray that he might be treated with
kindness. To this message the Governor answered, that
Sir Sidney was well, and that he should be used with the
utmost humanity and attention.
Of the history of his long and well-known imprisonment,
including a period of two years of his life, in which the
several and successive rulers of France thought proper to
deviate from the established custom of permitting the ex-
change of prisoners of war; and of his no less extraordinary
and celebrated escape, the following singularly interesting
particulars are gathered from a paper drawn up a short time
after his return to London, by an intelligent French
* Among the officers captured with Sir Sidney, were Messrs. \V. Moory,
R. Kenyon, and R. Barrow.
f Four cf the seamen irere killed, and oce officer and ux eamcn slightly
Wounded.
OF SIR. WILLIAM SIDHEY SMITH. 459
Royalist. This gentleman collelcd his information from
the lips of Sir Sidney himself; and when he had reduced the
several particulars into writing, he presented him the narra-
tive for his perusal. Sir Sidney allowed its veracity, and
expressed his admiration at the fidelity with which th
memory of his friend had enabled him to relate the whole of
the circumstances.
When he was taken, the gallant Captain was accompanied
by his clerk and M. de Tr , a French gentleman, who>
had emigrated from his country, and who, it had been agreed,
was to pass for his servant, in the hope of saving his life by
that disguise. Their expectations were not frustrated ; for
John, as Sir Sidney called him, was fortunate enough to
escape all suspicion.
On his arrival in France, he was treated at first with un-
exampled rigour, and was told that he ought to be tried by
a military commission as a spy. The Government, how-
ever, gave orders for his removal to Paris, when he was
sent to the Abbaye, and, together with his two companions
in misfortune, kept a close prisoner.
The means of escape now became the constant objcft on
which Sir Sidney and his friends employed their minds. The
window of their prison fronted the street, and from this cir-
cumstance they derived a hope sooner or later to effcft theii
purpose. They presently .contrived to carry on a silent
and regular correspondence by means of signs with s
women, who could see them from their apartments, and v
seemed to take the most lively interest in their fat
themselves proposed to assist in the liberation of Sir Sidnc>,
an offer which he accepted with great pleasure; and
declared, that notwithstanding the enormous expenc(
casioned by their unsuccessful attempts, they have not
less claim to his gratitude. Till the time of his deliver
in which event, however, they had no share, the.r wh<
employment was that of endeavouring to save him ; and
had the address at all times to deceive the vigilance
4
460 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
keepers. On both sides borrowed names were used, under
which, correspondence was carried on. Those of the women
were borrowed from the ancient mythology ; so that Sir
Sidney was now indulged with a direct communication with
Thalia, Melpomene, and Clio.
At length, he was removed from the Temple, to which
prison his three Muses soon contrived means of conveying
intelligence, and plans for effecting his escape. On the first
reception of these interesting projects, Sir Sidney, as was
natural, uniformly accepted them all, and enjoyed for a
time the prospect of success-; but reflection soon destroyed
the hopes to which the love of liberty had given birth. He
was also resolved not to leave his English companion in
prison, and still less poor John, whose safety, for being
a Frenchman it involved his life, was more dear to him than
his own emancipation.
In the Temple, John was permitted to enjoy a consider-
able degree of liberty. He was dressed in the light costume
of an English jockey, and knew how to assume the manners
which belong to that character. Every one was fond of
John, he drank and fraternized with the turnkeys, he made
love to the keeper's daughter, who was persuaded he would
marry her; and as the little English jockey was not sup-
posed to have received a very brilliant education, he had
learnt by means of study sufficiently to mutilate his native
tongue. John appeared very attentive to his service, and
always spoke to his master in the most respectful manner.
The master, on his part, scolded him from time to time
with much gravity ; and to use his own words, frequently
surprised himself in the act of forgetting the friend, and
seriously giving orders 10 the valet.
At length John's wife, Madame deTr***, a very interest-
ing woman, arrived at Paris, and made uncommon exertions
for the liberation of the companions. She dared not come,
however, to the Temple, through fear of discovery ; but
from a neighbouring house she daily beheld her husband,
who, as he walked to and fro, enjoyed alike in secret the
OF SIR WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH* ^j
pleasure of contemplating the friend of his bosom. Madame
Tr*' * soon communicated a plan for their escape to a sen-
sible and courageous young man of her acquaintance, who
acceded to it without the smallest hesitation. This French-
man, who was sincerely attached to his country, said to
Madame de Tr***, I will serve Sidney Smith with
pleasure, because I believe the English Government intends
to restore Louis XVI II. to the throne ; but if the Com-
modore is to fight against France, and not for the King of
France, Heaven forbid I should assist him !"
Ch. L'Oiseau (for that was the name which the young
Frenchman assumed) was connected with the agents of the
King then confined in the Temple, for whom he was also con-
triving the means of escape, and it was intended they should
all attempt to get off together. M. La Vilheurnois *, being
condemned to only a year's imprisonment, was resolved not
to quit his situation ; but Brothierf and Duverne de Presle
were to follow the example of Sir Sidney and his friends.
Sir Sidney has since remarked, that had this scheme suc-
ceeded, this Duverne would not, perhaps, have ceased to be
an honest man, for till then he had conducted himself as
such. His condition at an after-period Sir Sidney thought
must be truly deplorable, as he did not believe him formed
by nature for the commission of crimes.
Every thing was now prepared for the execution of their
projecl. The means proposed by Ch. L'Oiseau appeared
practicable, and it was resolved to adopt 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 their disposal. Mademoiselle D*, laying aside
* La Vilheurnois had formerly been a master of requests. As an agent of
Louis XVIII. he was condemned by a military commision ; but was on the
revolution of the i8th Frudidor, deported to Sinammry, where he died.
t Brothier was a miuifter of religion, ex-profeor of mathematics, and n
agent to Louis XVIII. He was condemned to ten year* imprisonment ; and
before the end of his term was deported like La Vilheurnois, and on the me
occasion, to Sinamary, where also, like La Vilhcurneu, he d
. 3
462 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
every prudential consideration, generously came to reside
there for a week, and being young, the other lodgers attri-
buted to her alone the frequent visits of Ch. L'Oiseau.
Thus every thing seemed to farour their wishes. No one
in'the house in question had any suspicions ; and the amiable
little child which Mademoiselle D*** had with her, and
who was only seven years old, was so far from betraying
the secret, that she always beat a little drum, and made a
noise, while the work was going on in the cellar.
Meanwhile, L/Oiseau had continued his labours a con-
siderable time without any appearance of day-light, and he
was apprehensive he had attempted the opening considerably
too low. It was necessary, therefore, that the wall should be
sounded ; and for this purpose a mason was required. Madame
de Tr*** recommended one, and Ch. L'Oiseau not only
\indertook to bring him, but to detain him in the cellar till
they had escaped, which was to be effected that very day. The
worthy mason perceived the object was to save some of the
victims of misfortune, and came without hesitation. He
only said, " If 1 am arrested, take care of my poor children."
But what a misfortune now frustrated all their hopes !
Though the wall was sounded with the greatest precaution,
the last stone fell out and rolled into the garden of the
Temple. The centinel perceived it, the alarm was given,
the guard arrived, and all was discovered. Fortunately,
however, their friends had time to make their escape, and
none of them were taken.
They had, indeed, taken their measures with the greatest
care ; and when the commissaries of the Bureau-Central came
to examine the cellar and apartment, they found only a few
pieces of furniture, trunks filled with logs of wood and hay,
and the hats with tri-coloured cockades provided for their
flight, as those they wore were black.
This first attempt, though extremely well condufted^
having failed, Sir Sidney wrote to Madame de Tr***, to
console both her and their young friend, who was miserable
at having foundered just as he was going into port. The
OF IIR WILLIAM SIDN1Y SMITH. 463
confederates were so far, however, from suffering themselves
to be discouraged, that they still continued to form new
schemes for his deliverance. The keeper perceived it,
and Sir Sidney was frequently so open as to acknowledge
the fad : Commodore," said he, your friends are de-
sirous of liberating you, and they only discharge their duty :
1 also am doing mine in watching you still more narrowly."
Though this keeper was a man of unparalleled striftness, yet
he never departed from the rules of civility and politeness.
He treated all the prisoners with kindness, and even piqued
himself on his generosity. Various proposals were made
to him, but he rejc&ed them all, and kept the closer watch ;
disdaining at the same time, no less decidedly, to report
the attempts that were made either to corrupt himself,
or to break from his custody. One day, when Sir Sidney
dined with him, he observed that the attention of his pri-
soner was fixed on a window then partly open, which
looked upon the street. Sir Sidney saw his uneasiness, and
suffered himself for a few moments to enjoy the amuse-
ment that it afforded ; however, to put an end to it, he said
to him, laughing, " I know what you are thinking of, but
fear not. It is now three o'clock, 1 will make a truce with
you till midnight; and I give you my word of honour that
till that time, even were the doors open, I would not escape.
When that hour is passed, my promise is at an end, and we
are enemies again."
" Sir," replied he, * your word is a safer bond than
my bars and bolts ; till midnight, therefore, I am pcrfcflly
easy."
When they rose from table, he took Sir Sidney aside, and
speaking with warmth, said, Commodore, the Boulevard
is not far; if you are inclined to take the air there, I will
conduft you.'*
Sir Sidney's astonishment was extreme ; nor c
conceive how this man, who appeared so severe, could thus
suddenly persuade himself to make him such a proposal.
464 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
He accepted it, however, and in the evening they went out;
From that time forward, this confidence always continued.
Whenever Sir Sidney was desirous to enjoy perfect liberty,
he offered his keeper a suspension of arms till a certain
hour. This his generous enemy never refused; but when,
the armistice was at an end, his vigilance was unbounded.
Every post was examined, and if the Government ordered
that he should be kept closer than before, the command was
executed with the most rigid care. Thus Sir Sidney was
again free to contrive and prepare for his escape, and the
keeper to treat him with the utmost rigour.
This man had a very accurate idea of honour. He often
said to him, '* were you even under sentence of death, I
would permit you to go out on your parole, because I
should be certain of "your return. Many very honest pri-
soners, and I myself among the rest, would not return in
the like case, but an officer, and especially an officer of
distinction, holds his honour dearer than his life. I know
it to be a fact, Commodore, and therefore I should be less
uneasy if you desired the gates to be always open."
His keeper was right. While he enjoyed his libertv he
endeavoured to lose sight of the idea of his escape; and he
even felt that he should have been averse to employ for that
object, means that had occurred to his imagination during
the hours of freedom. One day he received a letter contain-
ing matter of great importance, which he had the strongest
desire to read without delay ; but as its contents related to
his intended deliverance, he asked leave to return to his
room and break off the truce. The keeper, however, re-
fused : saying, with a laugh, he wanted to take some sleep.
Accordingly, he lay down, and Sir Sidney postponed the
perusal of his letter till the evening,
Meanwhile, no opportunity of flight offered. On the
contrary, the Directory ordered their truly noble prisoner to
be treated with severity. The keeper punctually obeyed all
th$ orders he received ; and he, who on the preceding evening
OF SIR WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH. ifit
had granted him the greatest liberty, now doubled his
guard, in order to exercise a more perfect vigilance.
Among the prisoners, was a man condemned for certain
political offences, to ten years confinement, and whom all
the other prisoners suspefted of afting in the detestable
capacity of a spy -upon his companions. Their suspicions,
indeed, appeared to have some foundation ; and Sir Sidney
felt the greatest anxiety on account of his friend John.
He was, however, fortunate enough, soon after, to obtain his
liberty. An exchange of prisoners being about to take place,
he applied to have bis servant included in the cartel ; and
though this request might easily have been refused, happily,
no difficulty arose, and it was granted.
When the day of the kind and affeclionate John's de-
parture arrived, he could scarcely be prevailed upon to
leave the Commodore, till at length he yielded to his most
earnest entreaties. They parted with tears in their eyes,
which to Sir Sidney were the tears of pleasure, because his
friend was leaving a situation of the greatest danger. The
amiable jockey was regretted by every one ; the turnkeys drank
a good journey to him, nor could the girl he had courted
help weeping for his departure; while her mother, who
thought John a very good youth, hoped she should one day
call him her son-in-law.
Sir Sidney was soon informed of his arrival in London,
and this circumstance rendered his own captivity less pain-
ful. He would have been happy to have also exchanged his
secretary : but as he had no other dangers to encounter
than those which were common to them both, he alwayt
rejeaed the idea, considering it as a violation of that friend-
ship, of which he had given Sir Sidney so many proofs.
On the 4 th of September 1797 (ith Frudlidor)
rigour of his confinement was still farther increased.
keeper, whose name was Lasne, was displaced j
was again kept a close prisoner, and, together with b.s ty.
Jost the hopes of a peace, which he had thought apprc
and which the revolution that then took place contnbuted
to postpone,
466 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
At this time, a proposal was made to him for his escape,
which he adopted as his last resource. The plan was, to
have forged orders drawn up for his removal to another
prison, and thus to carry him off. A French gentleman,
M. de Phelipeaux*, a man of equal intrepidity and genero-
sity, offered to execute this enterprise. The order being
accurately imitated, and, by means of a bribe, the real
stamp of the minister's signature procured, nothing re-
mained but to find men bold enough to put the plan in
execution. Phelipeaux and Ch. L'Oiseau would eagerly
have undertaken it ; but both being known, and even
notorious, at the Temple, it was absolutely necessary to
employ others. M. M. B*** and L***, therefore, both
men of tried courage, accepted the office with pleasure and
alacrity.
With this order, then, they came to the Temple, M. B***
in the dress of an adjutant, and M. L*** as an officer. The
ke'eper having perused the order, and attentively examined
the minister's signature, went into another room, leaving
the two deliverers for some time in the crudest uncertainty
and suspense. At length he returned, accompanied by the
register (or greffier) of the prison, and ordered Sir Sidney
to be called. When the register informed him of the
orders of the Directory, he pretended to be very much
concerned at it; but the adjutant assured him. in the most
serious manner, that " the Government was very far from
intending to aggravate his misfortunes, and that he would
be very comfortable at the place whither he was ordered to
conduit him." Sir Sidney expressed his gvititude to all the
M. Phelipeaux was an officer of the Engineers in the service of Louis XVI.
He was a man of talents, and very worthy, of a mild engaging countenance,
and of tried undoubted courage. His health appeared extremely delicate ; and
though young, he had been engaged in many extraordinary adventures ; having
served in all the campaigns of the army of Conde. He commanded in Eerri,
and escaped death by breaking out of a state prison. He was offered the rank
of a brevet Colonel from the British Government, which he declined, saying,
he was in the service of the King of France, He accompanied his friend,
liowever, to the coast of Syria, and served as a volunteer in the defence of
Aera, where he died, lamented by all to v, horn his amiable chara<Ser was knowo.
OF SIR WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH. 467
Servants employed about the prison, and, as may be imagined,
Was not very long in packing up his clothes.
On his return, the register observed, that at least six men
from the guard would be requisite ; and the adjutant, with-
out being at all confounded, acquiesced in the justice of the
remark, and gave orders for them to be called out* On re-
fefiion, however, and remembering, as it were, the laws of
chivalry and honour, he addressed himself to Sir Sidney,
saying, " Commodore, you are an officer, I am an officer
also : your parole will be enough ; give me that, and I have
no need of an escort."
" Sir," replied Sir Sidney, " if that is sufficient, I swtir
upon the faith of an officer to accompany you wherever you
choose to conduft me."
Every one applauded this noble a&ion, while Sir Sidner
and his friends found considerable difficulty in maintaining
a serious deportment.
The keeper now asked for a discharge, and the register
gave the book to M. B**, who boldly signed it, with a
proper flourish, L'Oger, Adjutwt-G -entrai: Meanwhile,
Sir Sidney employed the attention of the turnkeys, and
loaded them with favours, to prevent them from having ti
to refleft ; nor indeed did they seem to have an}
attention than their own advantage. The register and !
accompanied the party as far as the second court. At 1
the last gate was opened, and they were 1<
long interchange of ceremony and politeness.
They instantly entered a hackney coach, and the aJjvtaut
ordered the coachman to drive to the suburb of Si
but the fellow had not gone an hundred paces I
broke his wheel against a post, and hurt an unfo
passencer. This unlucky accident brought a croud
them, who were very angry at the injury the strar
tained They quitted the coach, took their portuw.
ther LdVd went off in an instant. Though UK
^ple observed the party much, they did not say a.
La, but only abused the coachman. When the
MEMOIRS
raanded his fare, M. L***, through an inadvertency that
might have caused them to be arrested, gave him a double
louis-d'or.
Having parted when they quitted the carriage, Sir Sid-
ney arrived at the appointed rendezvous, with only his secre-
tary and M. de Phelipeaux, who had joined them near the
prison ; and though very desirous of waiting for his two other
friends, to thank and take his leave of them, yet M. de
Phelipeaux having justly observed that there was not a
moment to be lost, he postponed till another opportunity
his expressions of gratitude to his deliverers, and imme-
diately set off for Rouen, where M. R*** had made every
preparation for their reception.
At Rouen, Sir Sidney and his friend were obliged to stay-
several days ; and as their passports were perfectly regular,
they did not take much care to conceal themselves ; but in
the evening walked about the town, or took the air on the
banks of the Seine.
At length, every thing being ready for him to cross the
channel, Sir Sidney quitted Rouen, and without encountering
any farther danger, arrived in London in May 1798, together
with his clerk and his friend, M. de Phelipeaux, who could
not be prevailed upon to separate. He was welcomed in
England by the general congratulation of the people. His
arrival was considered a miracle, which few who heard
of it knew how to believe. His Sovereign received him with
the warmest afFe&ion, and afforded him every mark of atten-
tion, not only by his behaviour at his public presentation, but
by honouring him with an immediate and private interview
at Buckingham-house.
In the month of June following, he was appointed to the
command of the Tigre, of 80 guns * ; and in November
sailed for the Mediterranean, where he was honoured with
a distinct command as an established Commodore on the
coast .of Egypt.
* This fhip was one of those captured off Port I/Orient by the Right Hon.
Lord Bridport, on the 2jd of June 1795. See the Naval Chronicle, vol. i.
p. 179, ago.
Ot II K WILLIAM I1DKIY SMITH,
Sir Sidney repaired to Constantinople, where he was received
Vith the most heartfelt satisfaaion by the Turks, to whom, as
it will be remembered; he was already known. In the month
of March 1799, having received intelligence from Ghezzar*
Pasha f, Governor of Syria, of the incursion made by Bona-
parte's army into that province, and its approach to Acra, its
capital, Sir Sidney hastened with a part of the naval force
under his orders to its relief, and had the satisfaaion of ar-
living there two days before the French. In the defence of
this ancient place of strength, one of the first abodes of the
Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, from whom it derives its
prenomen, the Commodore was enabled, with the assistance
of Captain Miller J of the Theseus, to give the most effec-
The real name of this eminent old man is Abdallah-Selira Bisilcnco; th
pithet " Gbezzar" signifies " the butcher;" a name commonly bestowed, by
hc Arabs and their neighbours, upon a destructive warrior.
+ This title is commonly written PacLa, and ' Pacca." The mistake has been
occasioned by copying the French, who write Packa, because with them thote
letters are pronounced Paiba. The title is the same with that which on other
occasions we call Bashaw ; of which one of the true spellings is Paithwa ; and
cf all those several words the true pronunciation is Paiba,
4 Captain R. W. Miller was made post in 1796, and distinguished himself
very remarkably in the memorable engagement which took plice between the
Spanish fleet, and that under the orders of Sir John Jervis, off Cape ^t. Vin-
cent, on the i4th of February 1797. (Sec vol. iv. p. 3*.) The Captain
having lost her foremast, and not having a sail, shroud, or rope left, so that
the ship, her wheel being shot away, was incapable of farther service, either
in the line or in chase, the Commodore (the present Lord Nelson \ dirtdeJ
Captain Miller to put the helm a starboard, and calling for the boarders, ordered
them to euter the .San Nicholas, which they were then alongside of. '1 he succetc
was, as is well known, rapid and complete, nor did it end with the capture of tht
San Nicholas ; for a fire of pistols or musketry having opened from the stern of
the San Josef, immediately as the first ship had completely surrendered, the Com-
modore calling to Captain Miller, ordered him to send more men into the Saa
Nicholas, which reinforcement being supplied with the utmost promptitude,
the ship of the Spanish Admiral fell as speedy a vidim to British bravery, at
her consort had before done. Although the part borne by Captain Miller in
these transadions, was necessarily from his station of the lew adive kiad, yet
it must be allowed that the cool and steady suppoiter of determined enterpm
in the midst of hurry and confusion, where the smallest mistake m.ght
misfortune, is entitled to unqualified praise.
Captain Miller was afterward appointed to the Theseus, which
commanded at the Battle of the Nile. (See vol. i. p. S3-) ' *'
he en-aged and" blew up the Timoleon, from the eiploskm ol
principal part of the injury suffered on board hit owu ship ww
DIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
tual assistance. The Turks are brave, and, believing the period
of their lives appointed, habitually, as it were, regardless of
danger; but they are little capable of making resistance
against the more artificial warfare of European armies and
tacticians. They form a good breast-work, to use a military
phrase, but are not to be reckoned upon in any other light.
In the siege of Acra, it was observed, with astonishment
and vexation, that the walls, almost abandoned by their
natural defenders, were left to the care of the English*
while the Turks, by some strange want of judgment, mistake,
or peculiarity of generalship, acted in the rear of the
enemy, and thus presented themselves at the same mo-
ment with the besiegers, to the guns of the allies. Perplexed
by the impossibility of sparing their friends while they
poured destruction on their foes, the English refrained for
sometime from discharging their artillery. Distressing as
the situation was, it very soon, however, became unavoidably
necessary to fire indiscriminately. The French commenced
an assault, advanced to the mouths of the cannon, and threvr
their ladders against the walls, while their companions fell
in heaps beneath the stones hurled down upon them by
the defenders. The daring intrepidity of the enemy mad
a sensible impression upon the garrison. In this extremity,
recourse was had to stink-pots, a combustible machine filled
with sulphur and mealed powder, great numbers of which
being thrown among the French they were compelled to re-
tire. Bonaparte led his men several times over piles of dead to
a repetition of the fruitless attack ; for after the failure of the
grand assault just mentioned it is well known that the hitherto
victorious Corsican was compelled to relinquish his design*.
he was also instrumental in securing the Tonnant. (vol. i. p, 57.) After
having been three days off Jaffa, whither he was dispatched by Sir Sidney
Smith, the blue flag was confided to him. This was an honour never befor
conferred upon a Christian ; it imparts the power of a Pasta over the subjects
vf the Porte. The subsequent death of this meritorious officer and worthy
man, was occasioned by the blowing up of part of the quarter-deck of the
Theseus, while lying off Jaffa, whither she had been dispatched by Sir Sidney.
* The siege of St. John D'Acre lasted, almost without intermission, for irty
jlays, and was raised on the 20th of May 1799, gee. QfiUiai Accounts, toi. &
p. 1<). 029.
Or SIR WILLIAM SIDNIY SMITH* 47!
To the general feelings of approbation which the conduft
of Sir Sidney on this occasion excited In the hearts of his
countrymen, the recent debates of Parliament bear unequivo-
cal testimony. His Majesty himself, on the opening of tht
session, in September following, noticed the heroism of this
officer, and the advantage which the nation had derived from
his success *. His Majesty's Ministers, the friends and even
the opponents of those Ministers, joined in paying their
tribute of applause ; and if some of these indulged them-
selves in hasty dedu&ions from one prosperous event, the
future historian will readily forgive the first transport* of
elated men. The gratitude of the nation, of both Houses of
Parliament, was unanimous ; and Sir Sidney, with the British
officers, seamen, and troops under his command, received a
vote of thanks from both branches of the legislature f.
From the termination of this siege to the present time, Sir
Sidney has continued on the same station, and amid anunin-
termitting succession of interesting Service. In the latter part
of the month of Odober he accompanied the Turkish Vice-
Admiral seyd-Ali bey, in a second maritime expedition des-
tined for the recovery of Egypt; but of this enterprise tb
disastrous recital having been already given, we may be
spared a painful repetition J.
The events which for the last ten years have
themselves upon each other in rapid and numerous succc
render the present period one of the most extraordinary that
occurs in the history of the world. This is an observa
that must have forced itself upon every man's mind ; a
these events, thus numerous and extraordinary, tue uui MI, .
which these Memoirs bring before oar view, b
arms of Christians and Mahometans, is not
markable. We hear with an interest almost bordering on am
nent, that the sons of the crusaders of Europe in anuty v
Te followers of the Prophet, the descendants of the Saraceru,
for their new allies the walls of a city of Palesune,
.S WT ol.ii.p.43U
47* BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
while, to complete the prodigy, an infidel chief was heard to
exclaim with rapture, "Brave, brave, Christians !" From
the moment in v,hich Bonaparte invaded the shores of Hgypt,
the grand and nearly primary source of all human know-
ledge, our ears have listened with unwearied solicitude to
every particular of his progress. V/c gather with avidity the
detail which regards the pyramids of the Pharaohs, the
palm-trees, and the clesart. We read with the most lively
sensation that a flag of truce has been presented by an Arabian
dervish, our imagination is awakened by the sound of
words which, by the association of ideas, bestow a splendour
upon our language ; and, influenced by these feelings, we dwell
with complacency upon every sentence in which they occur.
To follow, however, the almost daily transa&ions of our
countryman, placed in a situation thus favourable to story,
to enumerate the services he has rendered the Ottoman
Government and his own, to detail the honours that he has
in consequence received, were a task too extensive for the pre-
sent limits. That they are so recent as to be matter of public
conversation may be a sufficient apology for the omission ;
unfortunately, too, all his gallantry and judgment, though
exened with incessant assiduity, have not yet been able to
accomplish any decisive event.
Wearied with the hopeless contest, Kleber, who, after the
departure of Bonaparte had assumed the command of the
French forces, agreed to evacuate Egypt on certain condi-
tions, which were assented to by Sir Sidney, but the whole
of the treaty was afterwards declared null and void by Lord
Keith, the naval commander in chief on the Mediterranean
station, and hostilities of course recommenced.
On this subjet, which has become a source of Parlia-
mentary dispute, and which still remains a matter of, perhaps,
unavoidable concealment on the one hand, and of reproach
on the ether, it might seem necessary to speak with much
caution and reserve; but, regarding it as one of those unto-
ward accidents which, since no prudence can foresee, nor no
skill prevent, an enlarged aud honest mind may fearlessly
OF SIR WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH. 473
avow, we shall relate without hesitation a transaction which
makes so considerable a figure in Sir Sidney's life, and which
presents him to us in a new character, if not, as is asserted
by some to be the fa&, in a new office.
Whether Bonaparte *, fired by the extensive design which
his subsequent conduct in Europe and his fortune might
tempt us to suspcft, or wearied with the difficulties and dis-
tresses of his situation, a motive which his general character
will scarcely permit should be attributed to him ; whether in
secret, through a coward's fear, or the rational desire of
avoiding his enemies, he fled from Egypt, for the purpose of
grasping at the Consular throne, is immaterial in the present
instance. Kleber, left in the most trying situation, at the
head of a dispirited, if not a murmuring army, by th
mysterious, and perhaps disgraceful, absence of a com-
mander, " himself an host," left
" To look upon the hideous god of war with disadvantage,
To abide," perhaps, " a field,
Where nothing but the sound of Hotspur's name
Did seem defensible ;"
accepted with eagerness the offer of a safe conduft to Franc*
as the condition of evacuating Egypt. A convention to this
efTecl was signed between that General and the Porte, as
well as by Sir Sidney on the part of Britain, her ally.
By an accident, certainly to be deplored, a packet of let-
ters, direfted from the army to the Government of France,
was about this junfture intercepted. The contents of the*
letters, which purported to represent the aflual state of tht
French in Egypt and Syria, were of such a natu
induce a persuasion that the enemy could by no meant
maintain his post, and must immediately submit upon t
most unfavourable terms. The consequence of this unhappy
discovery was a positive dired.on immediately ,
474 BIOGRAPHICAL MIMOIRS
the officers on the station, to make no conditions with the
French, and to cease hostility only when they should ac-
knowledge themselves prisoners. It has been loudly insisted
by some, but it certainly cannot be credited, that ministers
were already acquainted with Sir Sidney's convention j they
refused, however, to ratify it ; they denied the authority
of Sir Sidney to enter into the engagement j and in
consequence of their instrutions, Lord Keith peremp-
torily informed the French that a passage to France
would not be allowed *. Rendered desperate by necessity, and
forced into aftion against their inclination, Kleber and his
followers immediately sought security and relief in the
destru&ion of their enemies ; a carnage ensued, in which
thousands of the partizans of the Porte were killed, and
Considerable wealth fell into the hands of the invaders.
The authority of Sir Sidney to sign a convention M'ith the
French is a point upon which, of course, no opinion can be
given. It has been said in the House of Commons, that he
possesses a joint diplomatic power with his brother, who is
the English Minister at Constantinople ; but by Ministers, to
whom the truth or falsehood of such a fat must be known,
it is denied. Whether the non-delegation of such power
to an officer in his situation, or at least to his brother, the
Civil Minister, is to be blamed, is a question on which it
would be highly improper in us to decide. The blessings,
however, that would have attended the fulfilment of the corn-
pad arc obvious ; the misfortunes that have hitherto followed
the breach of it are known. It is easy to conceive that the
situation of Kleber might be such as to render his submission
indispensable j under the circumstances in which he stood,
he might not have a man upon whom he could rely as a
soldier, or who could be kept within the bounds of order
upon any other promise than that of a speedy departure. It is
no less easy to guess the influence which the breach of what
was considered the British faith might produce. It might in-
Set Lord Keith'* letter to Gcaicral Kleber, yeL iv. p. 76.
of lift WILLIAM IIDMET tiiiTR. 479
>pire fidelity in the midst of disaffeaion ; it clearly exonerated
their general ; it gave, the courage of anger ; and it united
all persons concerned by the general bond of necessity.
It furnished matter for plausible harangue, a fair pretext
for continuing the war ; and softened the view of their
surrounding miseries, by changing the alternative of a return
to their homes, for that of an enemy's prison.
Such was the immediate influence that the feelings of
human nature might lead us to expeS from the misfortune.
The a&ual result, is an improvement in the condition of tljc
foe to such an extent as to enable him to refuse a renewal
of the convention; and to place him in such a situation,
as to render the prospeft of re-conquest obscure. The
fate of Egypt still continues undecided, but we may yet
hope that at some approaching period, British exertions
may effeft that service, which, considering the distratcd and
tottering condition of the Turkish empire, it would hardly
be able to efFeft without powerful assistance.
As it has moreover been said that the situation of Egypt
is now almost the only barrier that impedes the return of
peace, it is impossible not to feel the utmost regret at any
circumstance by which that barrier is still preserved ; yet
tn impartial judgment will not feel inclined to exprc
iorrow by condemning the persons by whom the calamity
appears to have been innocently caused. An error i
calculation of future events, is a crime which has
claim to pardon; and a mistake arising from mis-
tion, where the truth is of difficult accesses a f
which human nature does not seem to be answerable.
French were supposed to be utterly incapable of persever
in their attempt, the natural laws of war d
fullest advantage should be taken of their over
Something, perhaps, even in the striae* instru* ns, o.
to have been left to the discretion of an able officer, a<
.ot only on the spot, but in unison with the ally who,
^mediate mterest was concerned. How far, however, such
476 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
a rule of state, surveyed in every point of view, might be
advisable, must not be hastily determined. All that we can say
is, the conduct of Sir Sidney was evidently intended for the
best ; and if he had not authority to al with promptness and
decision in a situation at so great a distance from his supe-
riors, that the time spent in making representations, must
in all instances produce the most dangerous delay. As the
commander in chief of that part of the British naval force
employed to co-operate with the Porte, those only who are
unacquainted with the regulations of the naval service may
think it strange, that he should be considered subordinate to
an officer totally unengaged in that branch of the war,
with whom he could not communicate without a considera-
ble loss of time. For the rest, it has been declared by the
administration, that, whether Sir Sidney was authorized or
not, had the convention been known it should not have been
broken ; and that as soon as it was known, counter-orders
were sent, agreeing to its fulfilment. Unhappily, those
counter-orders arrived too late; as the subsequent success
and strength of the French general induced him to refus*
submission*
Sir Sidney is at present, according to report, on his
passage to England, being succeeded in his command by Sir
Richard Bickerton. Whether this be true or not, it is cer-
tain that whenever peace, or the want of necessary relaxation,
shall call him from a station in which he has gained so many
laurels, he will have the enviable felicity of leaving a shore
on which foreigners and men of a different creed have
learnt to forget, in their just admiration * of his character,
* On the ayth of July last, his Highness the Captain- Pacha, on board the
Sukaun-Selim, gave a grand entertainment to Sir iidney, whom, with strong
xpressions of admiration and attachment, he presented with a valuable
cymerar, and, what was considered as the greatest compliment that he could
tenfcr on him, one of his own silk flags ; a badge of distinction which claims
from all Turkish Admirals and other commanders, an equal respcdl with
that which they owe to his Highness the Pacha ; such as the ceremony of
personally waiting upon him previous to their departure from the fleet, and
n tbeir rejun&ion with it.
OF SIR WILLIAM SIDNIT SMITH. 477
all popular and even religious prejudices. I am happy,"
said the same intelligent Frenchman already mentioned, I
am happy in frequent opportunities of seeing Sir Sidney,
who is a brave and generous-hearted man, with a fine
countenance, and eyes that sparkle with intelligence. Hi*
very appearance shows that he has an ardent imagination,
which naturally prompts him to form and execute bold
and important enterprises ; he seems as it were to be bora
to deserve glory, and to acquire it."
Heraldic "particulars relative to Sir WILLIAM SroKir SMITH.
Sir Sidney's mother was Miss Mary Wilkinson, daughter of
Pinkney Wilkinson, an opulent merchant, who had another daughter
married to the late Lord Camelford. The union between Sir Sidney's
father and mother, which took place in 1760, being effe&ed without
the consent of Mr. Wilkinson, the great property left by that gen-
tleman, devolved on Lady Camelford. Previous to Mr. Wilkinson's
death, Sir Sidney and his brother being withdrawn from his protec-
tion, he cancelled a codicil to his will, by which he had made some
provision for them.
Sir Sidney's brother, as has appeared in the course of these Me-
moirs, holds a diplomatic situation at the Porte.
[The following interesting paper we have been favoured with by a
respeftable Naval Officer long employed on the Mediterranean station,
which we flatter ourselves will be found highly interesting t
readers, particularly as it accompanies the biographical acc<
of an Officer who has borne $o conspicuous a part towards its im-
portance.]
70 THE EDITOR.
Sin,
ON our putting Into Lisbon from our iast cru.se, yoc
valuable 'and useful Work was introduced on board, b
Captain, and I assure you met with universal appmbat
whole quarter-deck. On perusal, many scenes and
to our reconeftion, that we have borne a share ,n, wmch.ou
IV. 3 *-
47$ SUPPLEMENT TO TOULON PAPERS.
our being engaged on aftive service, and for so long a time on this
station, were almost obliterated from our minds.
The Toulon Papers we derived great pleasure from, and much
admired their accuracy and interest ; these, but for your Work, would
have been almost forgotten. I assure you the perusal of them brought
to our recollection the whole business of the enterprise, which we re-
peated with much pleasure and wonder ; for of that mighty arma-
ment lying in Toulon harbour, when we took possession of it, con-
sisting of upwards of thirty sail of the line, and neatly half as many
fine frigates,, besides a considerable number of other armed ships, few
have escaped either being taken, sunk, burnt, or destroyed, by our
navy. Your account is tolerably accurate, but if you deem the follow-
ing paper of sufficient importance for insertion, it will completely
sum up the whole of the account to the present time ; its authenticity
you may rely on. With well-wishes for the success of your under-
taking,
I am, Sir, ^ our's,
A NAVAL OFFICER.
Supplemental and additional Notes to TOULON PAPERS, No. XXI.
in Volume II. page 297, of this Work.
LIST (A).
Ships- Guns. Remarks.
Le Hereux, should be"! f This ship was burnt after the battle
Le Heureux, - /' \ of the Nile, by Lord Nelson's orders.
LeCommerce de Bour- T
deaux, since named > 74 Blown up in the battle of the Nile.
Le Timoleon, - J
fSet fire to, but not destroyed; sht
Lc Dugay Trouin, - 74 < has been detached to Brest by the
French since the evacuation.
["Taken by Lord Nelson off Malta,
Le Genereux, - "74- Feb, 18, 1800, in attempting to
L escape from that ibland.
LaBelleisle, 26
should be La Bellete, 24
La Lampraye, should! f Has been detached to Brest since the
be L'Empraye, J 1 evacuation.
The two following Corvettes are omitted in this List.
{Sent by Lord Hood with four sail
of the line to Brest, with dis-
affected seamen.
{Had been taken from the Sardinians
at the commencement of the war,
since taken by the Egmont off
Tunis, March 1 796.
SUPPLEMENT TO TOCL9N PAFIR1.
479
Ships.
Lc Mercure,
La Couronne,
Le Di&ateur,
Lc Languedoc, -
Le Censeur,
LIST (CJ.
Gum.
- 74
- 8o
74
- 80
- 74
Lc Guerrier, / 4
Le Souverain, now ~\
called Le Guerrier, J ' 4
L'Iphigenie, - - 32
L'Alerte, brig, now! ,
called The Minorca, J
La Brctonne, - - 28
RemarLs.
'This ship was burnt after the battle
of the Nile, by Loid Nelson'*
orders.
"She was not destroyed on the iRlh
of December, 1 793 ; but was re-
paired, and taken in an action
with Admiral Hotham's fleet off
Corsica in 1 794, under the name
of Ca Ira, and was afterward* burnt
by accident at St. Fiorenzo.
Not destroyed, but afterwards detach*
ed to Brest by the French.
" Burnt and destroyed at Toulon the
1 3th of December 1793.
Left at Cadiz in 1 799, not being
able to proceed with the combined
fleet, the Spaniards giving them
the Saint Sebastian, 74, in lieu,
which they took with them to
Brest.
Burnt by Lofd Nelson's orders after
being taken in the Battle of the
Nile.
Cut down and employed as sheer-
\ hulk at Gibraltar.
Destroyed on the iFth of Dec. 1793.
(Taken by Lord Keith's fleet off
Genoa, in July 1790. The *hip
ran on shore by the Flora, off
Brest, must consequently be a-
other of the same name.
("Now belonging to the Brest Depart-
1 ment.
BUILDING.
One ship, named Lei Has been since detached to Brest.
Barras, - - J '
La Diana,
La Minerve,
Le Duquesne,
For one Frigate read two Fngaltt.
- 48 Taken at the capture of Malta, iSooi
f Taken by the Dido and Lowestofie,
-44 [ June 1795.
LIST (D).
f Detached to Brest by the French
- 74 since the evacuation.
La Junon, now called ~\
Princess Charlotte, J
LaVestale, r *
^ ^ ^ Qj . dc off
\ August 1799.
SUPPLEMENT TO TOVLON PAPERS.
Recapitulation of tie Number of Ships belonging to the Department of
Toulon, at the time Lord HOOD entered that Port; and the Number
taken and destroyed while in Possession, and since the Evacuation.
I
Total number of ships in Toulon when taken pos-1
session of,
Total stationed in the Levant, Corsica, &c. including
one corvette taken from the Sardinians,
Hoia disposed of.
Sent as cartels to the ports in the Atlantic, Sep."]
tember i 793.
Taken into the British service previous to the evacua- "]
tion, besides eleven xebecs, gun-boats, and galleys, I
Taken into the Spanish service,
jriven to the King of Sardinia, as a compensation
for one taken from him ; she was afterwards taken
by the French, and from them again by the Cen- I
taur, June 1799. J
Brought away by Lord Hood at the evacuation,
}urnt and totally destroyed at the evacuation,
jurnt by accident at Leghorn,
Taken, burnt, sunk, or destroyed since the evacua- )
tion (exclusive of Le Ceiueur, which has been
since retaken and exchanged with the Spaniards f
for the Saint Sebastian, of 74. guns, now at Brest, J
"he above ship accounted for, -
Detached to Brest since the evacuation,
upposed still to exist in the French service in the]
Mediterranean, - - J
'aken by Lord Hood's fleet previous to the capture 1
of Toulon, - . J
till existing in the French service in the Mediterra-"!
nean, and ports of the Atlantic, - J
-xchanged with the Spaniards,
10
'4
20
1 1
20
9 I
C 481 3
Jtttoanj of the Signals math at Bamlrough Castle in tie County of
Northumberland, in ca.e Shift or Vent It are perceived in &stresi, end
of the Charitable Institutions established there for their Atiutance and
ReRef, first published by the DireSion of the Trustees of Nathaniel
late Lord Crcive, -with the Approbation of the Matttr, Pilots, and
Seamen, of the Trinity House, Newcastle,
SIGNALS.
I. A GUN (a nine-pounder), placed at the bottom of the tower,
+^> to be fired as a signal in case any ship or esscl be observed
in distress, viz.
Once, when any ship or vessel is stranded or wrecked upon the
islands, or any adjacent rock.
Twice, when any ship or vessel is stranded or wrecked behind
the castle, or to the northward of it.
Thrice, when any ship or vessel is stranded or wrecked to the
southward of the castle, in order that the custom-house officer*
and the tenants, with their servants, may hasten to give aO
possible assistance ; as well as to prevent the wreck from being
plundered.
2. In every great storm two men on horseback are sent from the
castle to patrole along the coast from sunset to sunrise, that in case of
any accident one may remain by the ship, and the other return to alarm
the castle. Whoever brings the first notice of any ship or vessel being
in distress, is entitled to a premium in proportion to the distance from
the castle, and if between twelve o'clock at night, and three o'clock ia
the morning, the premium to be double.
3. A large flag is hoisted when there is any ship or vessel seen in
distress upon the Fern Islands or Staples, that the sufferers may have
the satisfaction of knowing their distress is perceived from the shore.
and that relief will be sent them as soon as possible. In case of bad
weather, the flag will be kept up, a gun fired morning and evening,
and a rocket thrown up every night from the north turret, till
time as relief can be sent. There are also signals to the Holy Island
fishermen, who, from the advantage of their situation, can put off
the islands, at times when no boat from the main lai.d can get over tfr
breakers. Premiums are given to the first boats that put off for t
Islands to give their assistance to ships or vessels in distrew, and
provisions and liquors are sent in the boats.
4 A bell on the south turret will be rung out in every
a signal to the fishing-boats, and a large swivel, fixed on the easl
will be fired every fifteen minutes a a ^nal to the slaps without t
Islands.
4$2 BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION OF LORD CREWE.
c. A large weather-cock is fixed on the top of the flag-staff, for
the use of the 'pilots.
6. A large speaking-trumpet is provided, to be used when ship?
are in distress near the shore, or are run aground.
j. An observatory or watch-tower is built on the east turret
of the castle, where a person is to attend every morning at day-
break during the winter season, to look out if any ships are in distress.
8. Masters and commanders of ships or vessels in distress, are de-
sired to make such signals as are usually made by people in their
melancholy situation.
Assistance ', Stores, and Provisions, prepared at Bamlrougk Castle, for
Seamen, Ships, or Vessels^ 'wrecked or driven ashore on that Coast or
Neighbourhood.
1 . Rooms and beds are prepared for seamen shipwrecked, who
will be maintained in the castle for a week (or longer, according to
circumstances), and during that time be found with all manner of
necessaries.
2. Cellars for wine and other liquors from ship- wrecked vessels, in
which they are to be deposited for one year, in order to be claimed
by the proper owners.
3. A store-house ready for the reception of wrecked-goods,
cables, rigging, and iron. A book is kept for entering all kinds of
timber and other wrecked goods, giving the marks and description of
each, with the date when they came on shore.
4. Four pair of screws for raising ships that are stranded in order
to their being repaired. Timber-block- and tackles, handspikes*
cables, ropes, pumps, and iron, ready for the use of ship-wrecked
vessels.
JV. . But if taken away to be paid for at prime cost.
5. A pair of chains, with large iron rings and swivels, made on
purpose for weighing ships (of 1000 tons burden), that are sunk
upon the rocks or in deep water.
N. B. These chains are to be lent (gratis} to any person having
occasion for them, within forty or fifty miles along the coast, on
giving proper security to re-deliver them to the trustees.
6. Two mooring-chains of different lengths are provided, which
may occasionally be joined together when a greater length is re-
quired.
7. Whenever any dead bodies are cast on shore, coffins, &c. will
be provided gratis, and also the funeral expences paid.
483 ]
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XLV1I.
npHE annexed Plate is a representation of the interior harbour of
^ Brest. In the distance, inclining to the left, is seen the dock-
yard, with the sheer-hulk, and vessels of war in ordinary. Extending
towards the right is the town with its fortifications. To the left,
approaching the fore-ground, is the guardship ; and on the rirht a
frigate is seen proceeding to sea. For a view of the outer ha. jour,
see vol. i. page 1 44.
TOPOGRAPHICAL DISCRETION AND HISTORY OF t r
THIS port, which is the principal naval depot, or arsenal, belong-
ing to France, on the side of the Atlantic ; or, as it might, pcrhap^
with truth be added, throughout the whole of its territory, is situated in
long. 13 9' 10," lat. 48 2Z 2?." To the N. W. of St. Matthew*,
which forms the north point of t t Bay, at the distance of little
more than four leagues N. W. lies the island of Ushant, between which
and the coast, are a number of rocks and small islands, which would
render the passage of a fleet between that and the mam, extremely
difficult and dangerous. Almost at the entrance of Brest harbour,
are two bays nearly opposite each other ; that to the northward,
called Berthaeume Road, that to the southward, Camaret Bay The
whole of the coast is extremely well fortified, and defended by innu-
merable batteries. The harbour is capacious, and the port furnished
with immense magazines for the reception of naval stores of every
kind. The rope-yards are extensive. The store-hcusei, the docks
and every other necessary contrivance and erection for the eqotpna
of a fleet, have been rendered as perfed, probably, as human in-
genuity and the liberal expenditure of an immense sum could efTed.
The town itself is extremely well fortified according to the system
of Vauban, and a very considerable part of the works
stored under the aftual inspcaion of that celebrated engm
labours, however, under the same species of inconvenience whi.
vents the town of Toulon from being tenable aga.nst a b
army, sufficiently strong to defy any efforts that can b
country itself to afford a diversion in its favour. An iMltefo*
powerful enough to gain possession of the haght, on the tad .
after having made good its tading to the -rthward of
and marched a short distance across the country for t ~>
in a very short tin- compel thi, important fortress tosu kr,
t place have heretofore^
by the Englil, but they have all of them L
TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION AND
and have therefore failed* The most formidable of these took place
in the year 1694 ; when William III. very inadvisedly ordered an
attack to be made on it by a detachment from the main fleet, then
commanded by Admiral Russel. The Lord Berkeley, who was the
ill-fated officer destined to attempt the execution of this perilous
enterprise, parted company with the rest of the armament on the
5th of June. The force put under his orders, was, it must be con-
fessed, extremely formidable. It consisted of no less than twenty-
nine English or Dutch ships of the line, independent of a very
sufficient portion of frigates, fire-ships, machine vessels, tenders, and
bomb- ketches. After some consultation, it was determined the landing
should be attempted in Camaret Bay ; for it was considered by all
persons impracticable for the ships to penetrate farther. The forts
and batteries of the enemy having been previously reconnoitred by the
Marquis of Caermarthen, eight ships of the line, English and Dutch,
were ordered to bring to against the different batteries, and cover the
landing. One of the ships, finding her station far too warm, very
improperly deserted the post assigned to her ; the remainder, how-
ever, proceeded to their several posts, and were placed by the Marquis
with the greatest ability and judgment. The enterprise was unfor-
tunately discovered, though too late to prevent mischief, to be far
more dangerous than it had ever been considered. Exclusive of
those numerous batteries, the existence of which was known to the
assailants, several others still more formidable en account of their
concealed situation, and the very heavy guns mounted thereon, opened
on them the instant they commenced their attack. Tnis being an
enemy totally unexpected, had considerable effeft in frustrating the
expedition. The fire from the forts, however, being in some measure
silenced, the first dis- embarkation of troops, which amounted to no
more than eight hundred men, commanded by General Tallmash in
person, rowed toward the shore. Here fresh misfortunes befel them,
and completely put an end to the whole attempt. The boats stuck fast
on the mud, and a body of troops posted behind the intrenchments,
nnore numerous than that of the assailants themselves, not only drove
back to their boats the very small portion which were able to effect
their landing, but destroyed the remainder, while remaining so fair a
mark for slaughter, without their ever being able to^extricate themselves
from their perilous situation. In short, of the eight hundred which
attempted to make the assault, nearly seven hundred were either
killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. The General himself, a man.
of the most distinguished character, received a wound in his thigh,
which unhappily proved mortal in a very few days afterward. The ship*
employed in the attack were scarcely less unfortunate. The Monk,
of 60 guns, lost every yard and sail she had, and was so materiajly
HISTORY OF iREST, SlC. 4 g.
Damaged in her hull, that it was with the utmost difficulty she wa,
prevented from foundering. A Dutch ship, of thirty guns,
the Wcsep, having twelve feet watrr in her hold, was through neccs-
wty abandoned, and soon afterward sunk; exclusive of this low the
remainder of the whole dct,chmcnt h ; M much j, u
to be Bought off without considerable difficulty. Since that tir:
British, warned by the fatal experience of this mufortu.'.e, have con-
faned themselves in time of war, to tie mere blockade of it* port
which the enemy, partially during the j : , ' oavc foum j
themselves compelled to submit to, without making the smal'
tempt to retrieve their honour or prevent a repetition of disgracs.
DIRECTIONS FOR ENTERING THE POXT OF BREST.
THOSE who wish to enter the Bay of Brest, may run along the
Coast on either side with safety ; but not through the mid-channel,
on account of the rocks called the Fillets, which arc only perceptible
at low water, as aho of one, called the : ;,i c h, except at
high water, is always above the si: . n-ho come from
the northward, should keep alorig the north coa.t, carcf i!ly, but
without apprehension ; and such as run in from the southward,
should in the same manner coast along the Camaret side, keeping
the castle of Brest always within sight; Without the point of Pcr.a-
kucbj when the two steep points which stand close together on the
coast to the east of Camaret, are made, and the castle of Brest is lost
behind the point of Penaleucb, a vessel is in danger of being on the
Fillets. Between the Fillets and tht Mingan, the passage is ex-
tremely dangerous ; numerous rocks being concealed beneath the
water. When the Bay is open you may cast anchor at plo> ; ::
eight, ten, fifteen, or sixteen fathom water: tfie : mud.
The tide flows for four hours and a b*lf, and rises five fathom,
pendicularly.
CHART' OF THB ROAD AKD PORT OT RST.
THIS excellent Port, which forms the grand receptacle for the
.French Marrne on the side of the Atlantic, is sitmtc-1 in the
province of Brittany ; it is, perhaps, one of the most comrnodiooc in
Europe ; for in the part called the road, the whole of that n*vy f when
in its most flourishing state, which France possessed, might lye in the
most perfeft safety, in a complete state of equipment for immediate
service. The annexed chart may be considered one of the most.
accurate existing, the soundings and every other ]
being derived from an adual survey*
Wol IV. 3 n
E 486 ]
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS,
Experitntnt coneirn'mg the luminous Appearance cf the Sea. From the
Journal of the Marquis de COURTANVAVX.
'"TPHE sea; near Calais and Boulogne is subject to the quality of
*. being luminous in the night. In some particular parts of it/
every stroke of an oar excites this luminous appearance, but at the
distance of, perhaps, twelve feet from thence, it ceases, but re-appears
again at a little farther distance. What is the nature and cause of
this ? Is it caused by any little animals, or, as some pretend, by the
spawn of fish. M, Rigaud maintains that it arises from real animal-
cules One should suppose that a microscope might determine this,
but the misfortune is, that the experiment is difficult to make, for it
is not easy to catch hold of these atoms so as to place them properly
within the microscope ; M. Courtanvaux at least could not succeed
in it, he discovered, indeed, some animalcules with little feet or fins,
but M. Rigaud says, that these are not the objects in question. They
therefore tried another, which M. Rigaud pointed out to them, this
was by placing a glass of this sea water upon a table in the dark ; on
shaking it, the luminous appearance began, and disappeared as soon as
it was again at rest. M. Rigaud then poured in some vinegar, the lumi-
nousness immediately began seemingly with greater vivacity than
before, but after some minutes disappeared altogether, and it was im-
possible to excite it again, although they agitated the glass ever so-
much. Hence M. Rigaud concludes that the acid killed the animalcules,
Account of a very extraordinary Marine Production found at the Llanck
of Barbadoes.
DESCRIPTION Or THE ANIMAL FLOWXR.
AS in man, the most perfect part of the sublunary creation, there
are apparently seen several different degrees of perfection both of body
and mind, and in animals the sagacity of some is evidently superior to
that of others, so likewise in this seemingly-confused species of animal
life, and vegetable appearance, the chain gradually descends with a
surprising mixture of connexion.
Whoever hath leisure and abilities to pursue a general inquiry of
this nature, will soon find that this progressive series runs through the
whole creatieo ; from the most exalted genius to the almost senseless^
fHILOSOl'HICAL PAPERS. ^gj
from the most sagacious sensible creature to the almost inicnti-
ble muscle ; from tlie towering cedar to the hyssop springing from the
wall, or the humble moss.
Such is that universal harmony and connexion which run* through
the mimberles* ranks and orders of beings, till we come at last to
inanimate matter.
This surprising creature that I am to treat of, hath for a long time
been the objedl of my own silent admiration, and it would even now
be thought chimerical to mention much more in description of the
qualities of so strange a phenomenon, if the polypus of late yean
had not afforded a surprising instance of Almighty Power.
The cave that contains this animal, is near the bottom of an high
rocky cliff, facing the sea in the north part of the Island of Barba-
does in the parish of St. Lucy ; the descent to it is very steep and
dangerous, being in some places almost perpendicular ; and what adds
an horror to this dreadful situation is, that the waves from below
almost incessantly break upon the cliff, and sometimes reach its
highest summit.
As soon as you are freed from this complicated apprehension of
danger (in your way down), you enter a cave spacious enough to
contain five hundred people. The roof of this is in some places im-
bossed with conglaciatcd incrustations, intermixed with small tubes,
through whose extremities a small quantity of the most limpid water
drop ..
From this you enter another cave, small in comparison of the
former. The bottom of this is a natural baeon of water of about
sixteen feet long and twelve in breadth ; this at low water is. about
ekven feet perpendicular height from the sea, which, when the wim
is high on that point, dashes into it, so thai the water in it is entirely
salt, except a small mixture of fresh which ouses and drops through
the roof of the cave.
In the middle of this bason there is a fixed stone or rock (as I
call it), which is always under water.
Round its sides at different depths {seldom exceeding eig
inches), are seen at all times of the year several seemingly finerad
of a pale yellow, or a bright straw colour, slightly tinged
with green.
These have in appearance a circular bordv-r of thick set pa
about the size of, and much res bling, those of a single g d
Petals are the fine coloured leaves which compose m a mari^oM, md
,ach like flowers, the yellow circular border. They arc called peta*
tinjjuish them from the green leaves of the plant.
488 PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS.
marigold, except that the whole of this seeming flower is narrower at
the discus or setting on of the leaves, than any flower of that kind.
I have often attempted to pluck one of these from the rock, to
which they are always fixed, but could never effeft'ir, for as soon as
my fingers came within two or three inches of it, it would imme-
diately contract and close together its yellow border, and shrink back
into the hole of the rock, but if left undisturbed for the space of about
four minutes it would come gradually in sight, expanding, though at
first very cautiously, its seeming leaves, till at last it appeared in its
former bloom ; however, it would again recoil with a surprising
quickness when my hand came within a small distance of it.
Having tried the same experiment by attempting to touch it with
my cane, and a small slender rod, the efFecl was the same.
These were strong appearances of animal life, yet as its shape and
want of local motion classed it among vegetables, I was for some
time in suspense, and imagined it might be an aquatic sensitive plant ;
and though its contraction to avoid the touch was quicker than any
plant of that kind, yet as its seeming leaves might be, and in reality
were, of a far thinner and more delicate * texture than those of any
plant, and as water is eight hundred times heavier than air, the sudden
weight of so thick a medium, by its undulation, caused by the pres-
sure of my hand or stick, might very well account for its sudden
contraction.
This was my opinion till a subsequent visit cleared my doubts, for I
plainly saw four d;.- k coloured resemblances of threads, something like
the legs of the spider, rising out of the centre of what I have termed
a flower. Their quick spontaneous motion from one side to the
other of this circular yellow border of seeming leaves (which in
reality were so many arms or feelers), and their closing together in
imitation of a forceps, as if they had hemmed in their prey (which the
yellow border likewise soon surrounded and closed to secure), fully
convinced me that it was a living creature.
Its body at a distance appears to be about as big as a raven's quiiJ,
and of a blackish colour, one end sticking to the rock, the other
extending a very small distance from it, and encircled round with a
yellow border, as above described.
Thus what in its first appearance seems to be of the vegetative kinJ,
by its motion and quick sense of self preservation, proves an animal.
* Though 1 could not by any means contrive to take or pluck from the rock
one of these animals entire, yet J once cut off (with a knife which I had for a
long time held' out of sijht near the mouth of the hole out of which one of these
aninv' 1 , rv/.- ,f these seentifig lei ves ; these when out of the water
retai: .oe anu colour, \.\it being composed of a membrane-like sub-i
t;iEce smprisiagiy thin, it soon shrivelled up and decayed.
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS. 4*9
Now since the same wisdom and goodness which give being to
creatures, often preserve them in that existence, by ways and means as
wonderful as their creation was before ; this lca<' me to offer a pro-
table conjedure why God's amazing providence (wlrch doth nothing
in vain) endued the arms or feelers of this animal with a fine yellow
colour, and hath ordained it to differ in this particular from the
several tribes of fungous animals that are always found cleaving to
the rocks in the sea.
As these latter may be fed with spawn or some animalcules which
the flux or reflux of the waves may throw in their way, there was no
need of any uncommon means to entice their prey (if animals) within
their reach, whereas the water in the cave is for the most part void of
any motion that can convey food for these animals ; therefore there
was a necessity of some extraordinary temptation to allure their prey
yvithin their power to seize it, otherwise they might have starved in
the midst of plenty.
To this end, that Divine Goodness which fills every thing living
with plenteousness, has finely devised this pi evidential stratagem (if
I may be allowed the expression), and given these animals that fine
transparent colour to be a means of providing for them their daily food;
for as bright rays of light (or some thing similar in its effcfl), are
very inviting to several animals, especially those of the aquatic kind*
the beautiful colour of this circular border, may serve as a decoy for
very young fish or other animalcules to divert themselves (as fliet
about the flame of a candle), in swimming about the verge of this
seemingly harmless flower, until they come within the circle, when
these bright leaves in appearance, prove in reality so many arms or
feelers, that with a quick motion close together and surround their
prey, which being thus secured, is conveyed to the mouth as above
mentioned.
There are likewise on the uppermost part of the rock in the above
described bason, innumerable clusters of what are here called water.
bottles, very much resembling scattered clusters of unripe grapes, the
outside consisting of a bluish skinny ligament like that of a grape ;
the inside full of water, somewhat turbid.
Among these also, 'are a great number of animal flowers of the
arne species with the yellow large ones. These to be dcscr.bed, are
likewise fixed to the rock, not in a hole as the above-mentioned, but
sticking to the surface among these water-bottles, and generally not
above nine inches under water.
' The leaves or rather feelers of these are of a greyish purple colour,
variegated with black spois. Thtir motkm likewise to avoid I
touch is not so quick.
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS*
Having plucked one of these fiom the rock, I perceived the body",
which was about an inch long, to have, whilst between my finger an4
thumb, a sensible vermicular motion. The feelers likewise whick
decorated one end of it, when exposed to the air, shrunk up and re-
mained as liftless j but as soon as tiie whole was dipped in their proper
clement, the water, they would immediately, as it were, assume a new
life, and appear again in their full vigour.
Soon after the discovery of these surprising animals, a great num-
er of people came to view them ; but as this was attended with some
tmall inconveniency to a person through whose land tlu-y were ob-
liged to pass, he, therefore, to get rid of the company, resolved to
destroy the object of their curjosity ; in order to do so effectually, Ive
took a piece of iron prepared for that purpose, and then carefully
bored and drilled every part of the holes where these seeming flowers
were bred, but to his great surprise, they in a few weeks appeared
again issuing from the same holes.
Let us here for a while stop and see whether our boasted reason can
ftnd out how even a latent principle of life can be preserved after the
whole organic body is torn to pieces.
When we see this animal in a short time after resuscitate, and ap-
pear in its former proportion, beauty, and life, can we, after such an.
pcular demonstration of so astonishing a change of a creature destined
for this life only, and removed (in all appearance) but a few degrees
from the vegetable creation, any longer entertain doubts about the
possibility of another doctrine of a far greater consequence ; and as
every past age has been, so, undoubtedly, every future will be blessed
with some surprising new discover)' of God's unsearchable power and
wisdom.
Our own has produced a wonderful instance of this, for what
sceptic some years ago would have believed the possibility of so ex-
traordinary a produftion as the polypus. Who would not have said,
with the unbelieving Jews in the wilderness, can God do this ? and
yet we find that, this surprising generation is now a known matter of
faa.
That the above mentioned conjecture about the use and efficacy of
its colour is not groundless, may be made still more evident by many-
analogous striking instances.
For these ingenious gentlemen, Mr. Turberville Needham ajid Mr,
Trembley, observe, that polype and aquatic insedts kept in glass ves-
sels, by excluding the light from every part except one little opening,
after some time, all assembled at this opening, and yet these polypes
have not perceptibly to the strongest magiutier, any organ tU^t in tlxe
least resembles eves.
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS. , g|
If light u, therefore, so attract to these animals, which are n-
w I T 7 , ^ n0t bC Kkcwl " e S t0 thcr leule. to u. imper-
ceptible ? And may we not further suppose that the appearance of the
former towards the light may be in search of these animalcule,, their
destined prty.
But in what manner the rays of lijht affcft these animal;, ffhethe*
by its motion aAing upon their whole exceedingly delicate ncrvoirt
) stem, winch like the retina of the human eye, u in etety part
Sensitive, fs, I believe inexplicable.
Where Right is apparently warning as in the pulyptfc, a delicacy of
touch may, for ought we know, and hidecd, in all probability, doth
take up the gradual chain, and in a surprising manner supply its place.
Sucli is the insensible gradation which is progressively continued by
imperceptible Degrees through the whole creation, from animate to-
inanimate, rational to irrational, that we know not where precisely to 1
determine their respective boundaries. In like manner light and daik.
ness, motion and rest, we speak of as things very different and oppo.
site ; yet no one will presume to say what is the precise and'
absolute boundary between languid motion and absolute rest, or deter.
mine the period where the last dying sound expires in dtad silence.
Perhaps this gradual chain and connexion terminates not with'
sublunary things, but may be progressively continued far above the
ken of the most exalted genius, or even the comprehension of, perhaps^
Celestial beings, till all-created perfection is lost in him who is per-
fection itself.
THE SMALL BLUISH ANIMAL SLOWER.
These grow in clusters upon the rocks between high and lotr
water mark. The edges of each are composed of a circular bordet''
of small ftstular thread-like brown petals (if I may so call them,) stnr-
I'ounding a fungus substance of about the breadth of an English/
silver two-pence, and of a bluish-green colour. This species is by*
far less quick in avoiding approaching danger than those already'
described, consequently their organs of sensation are less perfecl, fur
they will suffer themselves to he touched before their guardian petal*
close together to defend or preserve the whole I have observed
larger sort of the same species, having their brown petaV, or army
longer than the above described, as well as of an irregular unequal
length. These likewise gradually lessen in their sensitive perfection,
and are generally found at some distance under water, wbcrens the
former i,i neap-tides are often for a short time exposed to the air, and-
t!mt seemingly vvithou'. any prejudice.
NAVAL LITERATURE.
A Voyage to ike East Indies, containing, an Account of tie Man,.
Customs, &c. of the Natives, with a Geographical Description of the
Country, collided from Observations made during a Residence of thirteen
Ytars, between 1776 and 1789, in Districts little fm's'jcntetl by
Europeans. By Fra. Paolinino da San Bartolomeo, Member of the
Academy of Felistri, and formerly Professor of the Oriental Languages
in the Propaganda at Rome. With Notes and Illustrations by John
Reinhold Forster, LL. D. Professor of Natural History in the Uni-
versity of Halle. Translated from the German by William Johnston.
03avo. pp. 478. Price 8s . i8co. Vernor and Hood.
'TPHIS Book is of the most valuable kind, without displaying any
of those literary embellishments, through the aid of which it has
been, not unfrequently, the practice to swell out a trifling portion of
knowledge or amusement into the pompous dress of Imperial quarto.
It gives to the world at the most moderate expence, as much real
information as would> according to the accustomed manufacture
of productions having a similar tendency, we had nearly said,
warrant an impost on public curiosity of ten times the amount,
This book is replete with interest, and in an age like the present,
when the highest honours to which a literary candidate for fame
appears to aspire, are well-turned periods, elegance of diction, a well
chosen type, and a margin of extravagant breadth, such a production
is certainly necessary, were it for no other purpose than that of
rescuing the age from the charge of encouraging frivolity. The
curious account of the method practised by the natives in carrying
their boats through a surf impassable by the means practised in more
civilized countries, deserves particular attention.
' On the z6th of June I left the ship about noon, and, in com-
pany with M. Berteaud the Captain, went on board a small Indian
vessel of that kind called by the inhabitants slnlinga. As it is ex-
ceedingly dangerous and difficult to land at Puduceri and Madras -
patnam, these thilingas are built with a high deck, to prevent the
waves of the sea from entering them. This mode of construction is,
however, attended with one inconvenience, which is, that the waves
beat with more impetuosity against the sides ; raise the slnlinga some-
times towards the heavens ; again precipitate it into a yawning gulph,.
NATAL LITEIATUH. 493
and, at length, drive it on shore with the utmort violence *. In such
cases the vessel would be entirely dashed to pieces, if the mucoa, or
fishermen, who direct it, did not throw themselves into the sea, forc
it back by exerting their whole strength, and in this manner Icsicn
the impetuosity of the s>urf. I was greatly alarmed before I reached
shore : and was so completely drenched by the waves, that the water
ran down my back."
" In order that our departure might not be delayed, we got ctery
tiling ready to go on board on the zist, at a time when there wa a
very hollow sea. In that neighbourhood the waves are sometimes to
furious that they tear up trees on the shore, and hurry them along
with them into the harbour of Puduceri : we employed therefore
a shlKng a to convey us to the ship. Besides such articles as were
necessary for my voyage, I carried with me a small packet containing
two thousand scudi sent from Rome for the missionary establishment
on the coast of Malabar, and which was entrusted to my ewe. \
Father Medardus, who was fond of a joke, saw this packet, he ob-
served that I h^d done a very imprudent thing in taking it with me,
as the Capuchir.s generally experienced some misfortune when they
carried money with them. " And as that is the case," said he, " I
would rather dispense with your company and pursue my v
alone." We rallied each other on this subject, and got on board
about five in the afternoon. The crew, who seemed to be expert
seamen, avoided with great dexterity the first wave that dashed iuelf
against the mast ; but the sea raged with the utmost fury ; and as
these people were obliged to row in an opposite direftion, their
strength was soon exhausted. We, however, got over the second
billow, after great labour and exertion ; but the thiid and most dan-
gerous beat with such impetuosity against our jbifinga, that it wat
thrown on its end, and stood almost in a perpendicular direction.
Just as this happened we were all in the fore part of the vessel. Every
thing in the shilinga, therefore, rolltd over us ; the waves forced
themselves into it, and we were surrounded by chests, caski
bales all in confusion, so that we could not stir. As i
lightning, we stood pale and motionless, staring at each other, without
On the flat coast of Coromandcl there are no harbours; and, for that rea-
son, neither people nor goods can be conveyed on shore from A
Minai. Tins labour is very dangerous even for such mull veMeU,
L> rf the coast for so great an e*ent renders the break,
The heir wan have lost many of the.r sh.p. fo
n the east side of the island of
l. IV. 3 s
494 VAVAL LITERATURE.
being able to utter a single word. Our rowers, who had bee*
thrown into the sea, clung to their oars, or endeavoured by swimming
to overcome the v.-aves, while we almost gave ourselves up as lost.
The third wave at length disappeared ; our shiUnga again recovered
its proper position ; our rowers got back to their places ; and being
a!l gradually freed from our terror, we returned thanks to God for
having rescued us from the jaws of death."
Nor is the philosophical explanation of the reason why that por-
tion of sea nearest the equator, contains a greater quantity of salt
than any other part of it, less attractive.
" The Brahmans are not ignorant that the sea, under the equator,
is much salter than towards the poles ; but they explain this physical
phenomenon by a very ridiculous fable, for they say that Gashyaba,
one of their munis (who is nothing else than the star which we call
Canopus), lets his urine fall into the sea under the equator, which \i
never the case in the neighbourhood of the north pole. The real
cause why it was established by the all- wise Creator of the world,
that the sea at the equator should contain a greater quantity of salt
than elsewhere, and that it should be exposed to greater agitation
from its flux and reflux, and also 'from strong currents, winds, and
storms, was undoubtedly to prevent the atmosphere from being cor-
rupted and impregnated with infectious vapours in so hot a climate,
and to render that part of the world as agreeable a residence for man
PS either of the poles, where, on account of the severity of the coldj
po corruption can take place."
VERSES
JST GEORGE KEA<TE,
TO
CAPTAIN BLIGH.
On reading bis Narrative of tie Mutiny on board the Bounty, andofJni
Passage (in an open Boat] across the Pacific Ocean.
npHOSE who their dubious track thro' oceans urge,
-" And face the perils of the changeful main ;
Who brave the tempest's howl, and foaming surge,
So flow'd great Israel's harp in plaintive strain :
Such, God of Nature. 1 mark thy dread controul,
Curbing or letting loose the warning wind,
'In terrors bid the waves licentious roll,
Or in a calm their chrystal surface bind,,
NAVAL FOBTHY. 4g
By turns anxiety, fear, hope, dismay,
The mariner's conflicting bosom rend ;
While dangers, black with fate, obstruct his way,
And half his wonted fortitude unbend.
Yet scenes far more severe may meet his eye,
Scenes over which humanity must weep,
When mutiny, renouncing <Vry tye,
Makes man to man, more hostile than the deep.
With the fell spirit of the first-born wretch,
Who 'gainst a brother rais'd his murd'rous hand,
When power usurp'd its rebel arm dares stretch,
TV unaided ruler can no more command ;
Then ev'ry chain of social life is broke,
Afloat each passion of the alicn'd heart ;
E'en kindest deeds recall'd, but more provoke,
As more the traitor', pain* d by mem'ry's smart.
Bay, gallant sailor) wh?.t w r; thy a'.nrms,
When round ihy bed the ruffian band npp?ar'd|
Guilt in each look ; binding t'.,y cr: ,
And led by one thy fost'ring hnncl had rear'd ;
Then turn d adrift upon the ruthless
Far, far remov'd from every frki.dly shore.
To meet, thro 1 ling'ring death, a certain grate,
Or combat horrors scarce conceiv'd before.
Say, how remembrance pi&ur'd to thy view,
Those ties of love no distance can efface :
liow to thy agonizing fancy drew,
Thy widow'd partner, and thy helpless race.
No, shift the thought and rather say, what rays
Of hope shot round thee by a hand Divine ;
Bade thee thy spirits 'mids- the struggl? raise,
And whisper'd, preservation miglu be thine.
And thine it was ; beaming from thee to all,
The same bright hope their drooping strength susta
The sufferings that oppress'd could not appal,
And Timor's long-sought coast at last wa. gam d.
With what sensation did each heart then melt,
The past, as well as present, scetn'd a dream ;
Thy mercies, Providence, so strongly felt,
As must to Life's last moment be their ihcrac J
496
No stranger then to toil, for at his side,
Whose thirst for glory prob'd the southern
Thy youth adventur'd, each distress defy'd,
f roud on his banner thy own name t' enrol.
O gallant sailor, urge thy bold career ;
If the prophetic Muse aright foresee,
Thro' seas untry'd, thou still thy course may steer,
And what Cook was, hereafter, Bligh may be.
Where cannot Britain's dauntless sails extend ?
Go, search out tradls, and nations yet unknown,
'Midst her proud triumphs some fresh laurels blend,
And with thy country's fame augment thine own.
ELEGY
On the Death of fame Sailors, ship-wrecked on the Coast of Cornwall.
HERE lie in peace, life's changeful voyage o'er,
The tired wanderers of the faithless main j
They find a shelter on that peaceful shore,
Where rest the weary from their toil, and pain.
With courage fir'd, at honour's great commmand,
They left the bowers of indolence and ease,
Forsook the pleasures of their native land,
And plough 'd, with dauntless heart, the foaming, seas,
Britannia's thunder, dreadful to the foe,
Unwearied o'er the pathless deep they bore ;
Full oft they aim'd the well-directed blow,
Full oft they bid the murd'ring cannon roar.
Amid the scenes of danger, and of death,
Where hostile squadrons meet in dread array,
Dauntless they stood, prepar'd to yield their breathy
Or follow still, where danger led the way.
The fierce extremes of every clime they bore,
The burning rage of equinoctial skies,
Of where the polar billows ceaseless roar,
Where horrid mountain* piled of ice arise.
When rising tempests vex'd the briny tide,
And shook old Ocean with tremendous sound,
WeH were they skill'd the shatter'd bark to guidr.
Where hidden dangers coropaw'd them around.
NAVAL POET*Y.
Far from the comforts of their native soil,
Amid the scenes of elemental strife,
Still pain and penury, and ceaseless toil,
Mark'd the unvaried tenor of their life.
But now the fury of the savage blast,
No more shall rouse them from their bed of clay ;
Their weary wand'rings, and their toils are past,
And all the storms of life are blown away. J.
WRITTEN
On reading the interesting Anecdotes in the Life of Earl St. Vwcaf *.
tho* the Grove of Fame its laurels gave,
To grace victorious Nelson's favour'd brow,
Tho' with exulting wing she sweeps the wave,
Where Nile's triumphant streams serenely flow.
Yet, them Majestic Ocean, thou shah hear
Her echoing voice thy great St. Vincent hail,
Alike to valour and to virtue dear,
The chosen subjeci of her proudest tale.
Bright dawn'd his sun in that eventful hour,
When valour sparkled in his youthful eye ;
He fought, regardless of superior pow'r,
As if to gain the conqu'ror's wreath, or die.
The strength of manhood scarce had nervM his frame,
When honour's freshest laurel bound his brow,
And, hov'ring round it, mercy's softest flame
Bad its pure buds uiistaia'd, and vig'rous blow.
But when he sought the sweet abodes of peace.
The social virtues made his breast their throne,
He bad his ardent love of glory cease,
And all the soft domestic graces shone.
When honour cafl'd him from his calm retreat,
He sprung from all but her divine coiitroul,
Laid Spain's proud laurels at his country's fcrt.
And show'd th' heroic texture of his soul.
flit Naval Chronicle, vol. IT. page I-
HAVAL POETRY.
Not only great in battle's fearful scene,
Whose dangers stalk in various terrors drest J
Strong judgment, temper'd zeal, and courage reign
With watchful patience, in St.' Vincent's brtast.
Fearless he views the elemental war
That heaves the vessel on the lofty wave ;
His soul, illum'd by Faith's benignant star,
Dreads not the horrors of the wat'ry grave.
No earthly ill that noble mind can fear, ,
Which truth and tenderness alike inform^,
Which gives to war's sad viftima many a tear,
Arid the cold heart with lib'ral bounty warms.
O happy few who feel his gen'rous sway,
And share with him the smiles of well-earn'd fame J
Heroic TYowbridge, well thy heart can pay
The friendly praise that consecrates his name.
His the proud claim to love and just renown,
Whose bosom gives the mildest virtues birth ;
St. Vincent's name the purest honours crown,
Who to the Hero joins the Christian's worth.
> Nv*. 3, 1 800. HARRIET WALKER.
SIR,
If you do not consider the inclosed unworthy of notice, yu will greatl/
oblige me by inserting it in the Naval Chronicle. Your's, &c.
X>tb Nwcmbtr, 1800. NEPTUNE.
EPIGRAM.
IT blew an hard storm, and in utmost confusiort,
The sailors all harried to get absolution ;
Which done, and the weight of their sins they'dccmfessM
Were transferr'd, as they thought, from themselves to the priest^
To lighten the ship, and conclude their devotion,
They toss'd the poor parson souse into the ocean.
>x->^^
EPITAPH ON AN HONEST SAILOR*.
Whether sailor or not, for a moment avast,
Poor Tom's mizen-top-sail is laid to the mast j
He'll never turn out, or more heave the lead ;
He's now all-a-back, nor will sails shoot ahead ;
He ever was brisk, and tho' now gone to wreck,
When he hears the last whistle he'U jump upon deck.
( 499 )
NORTHERN CONFEDERACY.
JPHE discus&ion concerning the privileges of NEUTRAL FLACS*,
which was settled or suspended at Copenhagen, is now suddenly
revived by the Emperor Paul of Russia, aud eagerly seized upon as
a pretext for breaking with Great ihitain, and fur shaking off all
alliances that might impede or discountenance his ambitious view*.
Varieus are the reasons assigned for this conduct on the part of
Russia ; but the abrupt and violent manner which he has adopted, are
sufficient to rouse our vengeance without entering into the causes that
may have provoked it. Tin's magnanimous ruler, if so he may be
called, has, with a cruelty unheard of, not only laid an embargo on all
British ships in his ports, to the amount of nearly 300 sail f ; and all
* The reader is referred to page 157 of the present volume, for the origin
of this Confederacy, which at the time was artfully adjusted by the Court of
Denmark, until a proper opportunity occurred for this tyrannical aud impotent
Monarch to throw off the mask. In the following page (158), i* a correct
statement of the force of the Northern Powers by sea, at the commencement of
the year 799 ; which force has not been improved by more than ten tail of the
line, and about the same number of frigates since. This statement it accom-
panied with general observations on the conduct and me;ns of these powers,
as to any impression they can make on the Naval force of this country. In
Jiage 302 to 307, are State Papers r< helve to the dispute between England
and these Courts, by which the reader will be convinced that thit Confederation
has for some time been acquiring a systematic consistency. 1'aje 308 contains
an Essay, pointing out the antiquity, the exercise, and the recognition of the
f Rights f the British flag," by the CommerciM .^tate. of Europe. Right*
which it is the bounden duty of Britons to maintain inviolate
( On the jth of November the embargo wa laid on at Cronitidf , coodttiaf
of the following British ships :
Hcfuo-e, Bowser Britannia, Allison Centurion, Brambles
Fcrina, Aukin Manchester, Brown Lolphin, Artley
Prince-* of Wales, Her- Concord, Nicholion Herald, Wayte
; wood Shakespeare, Evison John aad .Sarah, Bell
Kingston, Appkton Ploughman, Thompson Betsey, Bnc-y
l-'bxton, Stcphensan Admir.il Nelson, Fullam Ammtor, Evans
Echo, Anlaby Triton, Garner Ann.Kiiton
jane, Lun Race Horse, Read Providence, CUrk
Minerva, Brats Perseverance, l'carin V mum, I ully
John and Richard, Grinby Port of Sundorland, Hann Harpooner, Knecthaw
Dwina, -^haru ' P : ^'Hy Vertumuut, Lee
Betsey Wood Ariel, .\uktll Tagus Stractun
JMaria, Stork Jane, GrinJlay Amaithaa Steward.
Williamson, Wranghom Pilgrim, Bcvcndge
Northumberland, Robson Oomnurcf, Howe *ry, Byle
Mary ! ranees, Bunney Mary, Huul.in^on Requt, f., :rb f
Baltic Merchant, Atkin- Aquilon, Cuthbmson Lord Carrujgton, B.
^ ou 'I hair, rcaron
500
NORTHERN CONFEDlRACr.
British property on shore put under sequestration, but the captain*
smd crews have been distributed into the interior of the country, where,
unprovided with proper clothing for so rigid a climate, they are now
exposed to the most pinching hardships of every kind *. Such is the
Commerce, Hopper
txpcdition, Rcnnaison
Benson, Hildreth
Edward, Fowler
Hope, Winteringham
Walker. Hardy
Ancona, Street
Oeconomy, Grove*
Haddock, Harrison
Desire, Dickinson
Claude Scott, Finlay
Jane, Helsoti
Carolinc,Virttridore
gambler, Appletnn
Albion, Fothergill
Urania, Thompson
Tiber, Trotter
Minerva, Watson
Supply, Beaveridgc
Progress, Lacy
Zephyr, Brown
Commerce, Loft
Jane, Spittall
Fortitude, Duncanton
Fupply, Billard
Progress, Bathe
Minerva, Anderson
Nanny, Kilpatri<,k
Laurel, Headley
Iselly, Pixby
Isabella, Broderick
Catherine, Russell
Campion, Gibgpn
Perseverance, Garbutt
The 2<)tb 0}. arrived from Riga ivitb ballast,
Lively, Oliphant Chance, Lambert
Thomas and Mary, Pindar
Bush & Drcghorn, Earbcr
John and iViary, Hanson
friendship, Coats
.Ann, Duvyer
IV.inerva, Bodie
Betsey, Put
Robert and Elizabeth,
Davis
Haddock, Dunning
Charlotte Ann, Vv orts
Jtfary Ann, Taylor
Aid, Broivn
Prosperity, Mallet
Union, Harrow
Britannia, Dale
In addition to the above, n'nety-one ye?sel* are detained at Riga, but vrtt
fcave not hitherto been able to procure their names.
f TO THE EDITOR.
i,
Various reports having been circulated rcspe&ing the unfortunate BritisI)
jnhjcfisnow in Russia, I send you the following authentic information, which I
request you will insert in your Chronicle.
The persons of the Briti-h merchants have hitherto remained unmolested ;
and what ready money they had in their possession has not been seized; but
their warehouses are sealed, apd all their property is under sequester. All the
British ships and their cargoes are seized by ^he Russian Government. The
captains ^nd crews are marched into the interior of the country in companies
cf one captain and ten or twelve seamen. They are distributed in above a
hundred different towns, from one hundred \o two thousand miles distance from
the capital. The Russian Government allows for their subsistence daily five
copeaks in money (about three halfpence) a small measure of rye flour, and one
of buck wheat.
My brother and some other British merchants, at St. Petersburgb, advanced
about 40,000 rubles (a rouble is as. 6d.) for their better accommodation, from
which he furnished every captain with two hundred roubles for the use of him-
self and ten men, and bought for every man a sheep's-skin coat, a fur-cap, a
*ah,a pair of gloves, seme warm shoes, and two pair of stockings. Kibitkas,
or common carts of the country, are bought for most of the captains, and some
old men ; the rest walk, and the peasants furnish horses for the baggage. On
the 2 ist of November, fifty captains, and joe sailors, were thus dispatched from.
St. Pctersburgh, and the remainder were daily setting off on their melancholy
journey.
STEPHEN SHAIRP,
No. 73, Gwtr-strt.-t, Xev. 17, i8oo. Consul-General in Rustif.
NORTHERN CONFEDERACY.
5*1
Jghfefid conduft of this tyrant for all the civilities he ha, received
from th,s country. His ostensible object is the renewal of the A
Neatly, and from the activity of naval preparations!**
a' d R '" P rti 1 . 0f thC Northeni Poww * **
f 80 r ia n T r V an c no doubt bllt ft willbc 8erio
so, ,t will afford more opportunities for our gallant and oo.
:o gather fresh laurel,, and to chastise such 'dastardly and in*'
distmbers of our repose.
On November the 7 th, the Court Gazette of Petersburg!, con.
tamed the following order :
IN consequence of accounts received from the Chamberlain
Itahnsko., at Palermo, respecting the capture of Malta, his Imperial
Majesty has been pleased to order that the following note, ligncd by
the First Presiding Mister at the department for Foreign Affair.,
Count Rostoptschin, and the Vice-chancellor, Count Pai.in, be
delivered to the diplomatic corps at the Court of his Majesty :
PROCLAMATION**
His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russia* has received circum.
stantial accounts respecting the surrender of Malta, by which it
aaually confirmed, that the English Generals, notwithstanding the
repeated remonstrants on the part of his Majesty's Minisfer at
Merino, as well as from the Ministry of his Sicilian Majesty, hai
possession of Valetta, and of the Island of Malta, in the name of th-
King of Great Britain, and have hoisted his flagon' . neri-'l
Majesty's just indignation having been raised by this violation ot good
confidence, he has resolved not to take off the embargo that has been
laid on all English vessels in the Russian ports, until the ngree,;
the convention concluded in 17^8, shall be completely carried into
execution."
By letters from Petersburgh of the T4th it is stated : " that the
treaty of a Confederacy and Armed Neutrality between the Emperor
of Russia, Sweden, Denmark, and Prussia, had been signed a few
days before, and was said to contain such stipulations as were dircclly
inimical to the naval prosperity of England."
" From the preparations making in all the maritime departments
of Russia, notwithstanding the advanced state of the season, it appears
evident, that the Cabinet of St. Petersburgh intends to wage war as
soon as its seas shall be again open.
" At Cronstadt, Riga, Revel, and Petersburgh, the artificers 2nd
workmen were constantly employed iu the arsenals and dock- yards,
and an equal activity prevailed in the military department."
Whatever other designs this Confederation may be intended to
promote we cannot yet discover, but when we reflect on the spirit of
cruelty and injustice that has a&uated the late conduft of the Emperor
Paul, against the British subjcfts who arc now unfortunately cxpcicd
l. IV. 3 T
02" ADMIRALTY SESSIONS'*
to the wild caprices of his tyrannic disposition, his spleen and indigna-
tion against this country appear as unequivocally manifested as we
trust they will prove impotent and ill-advised. The most perfect
concert seems indeed to subsist between him and the other potentates
of the north, and so guarded is the secrecy in which they endeavour
to enwrap their designs, that mutual .arid personal interviews are
resorted to for their safer disclosure. At such preposterous and
provoking conduct our utmost indignation is naturally excited, and
we as naturally feel surprised at the moderation and patience with
which Government seem to view the barbarous treatment our ftllow-
subjefts have been doomed to on the frozen confines of Siberia ; but
on calmer reflection, we must recollect that wisdom first prescribe*
moderation, and that if wise forbearance should not avail, that ven-
geance which unmerited insults and unprovoked cruelties so loudly
call for, will not be the less certain and exemplary for having been
delayed that is, the vengeance of our Navy} the right arm of Old
England ; in whom our chief strength and hopes securely lay. This
may incline us to prosecute the contest merely as a naval war, and
then at least, we shall have the consolation of foreseeing that the
successes and victories we may justly hope for, will be intrinsically our
own, and redound solely to our own profit as well as to our security.
OLD BAILEY, DEC. IO.
WILLIAM Scarle, Thomas Potter, and Thomas Ventin, were
indicted for the wilful murder of Humphrey Lynn, upon the
hi^h seas.
It appeared, that on the night of the z6th of December, i 798, a
Custom-house officer went in a boat to look after smugglers, near
Cawsand Bay, on the coast of Cornwall ; that he saw a sloop lying at
anchor, the people of which hailed him, and asked whose boat it was ?
when he answered that it was a King's boat. They said they would
fire upon him if he came near them ; he was twenty yards off at this
time ; his men rowed up towards the vessel, while he held the Re-
venue colours in his hands. They fired at him from the vessel with
muskets, and one out of the four men who rowed the boat was killed,
a great part of his skull being shot off. The vessel in the mean time
slipped her cable, and got off before the wind. The officer then took
up the buoy of her anchor and marked it ; so that he could swear to
it when now produced in Court.
The only witness who could bring the charge home to the prisoners*
was a man named Roger Toms, who swore that he had been ai
ADMIRALTY SESSIONS. y O |
mariner on board the vessel (which was called the Lottery) on the
night in question. The three prisoners, together with four or five
others, were also on board of her. She had just returned from
Guernsey, with a cargo of smuggled spirits, and was at the time in
question lying at anchor, and delivering out some of the tubs to boau
alongside. She was commanded by a man named Richard Oliver.
At the time when the Custom house boat came up, the witness was
down in the cabin, and the prisoner Ventiu was along with him ; the
other two prisoners were on deck. The witness heard several
musket-shots fired from on board the Lottery, and some fired from
the King's boat. When the Lottery made her escape, he went on
deck, and heard Searle say, he was glad they had kept off the boat ;
that he had fired, but he meant to do no harm, and he hoped he had
done none. But at the same time Porter said, he had fired, that he
took a good level, and that after he fired, he looked and saw a
man drop in the boat. The Lottery arrived the next morning at
Pole Ferro, where she delivered her cargo ; she afterwards made a
voyage to Guernsey. In the month of May following, she was taken
by Captain Bray, who commanded a Custom-house cutter. The
witness on his cross-examination sa>d, that Captain Bray, on taking
the Lottery, had put him and the rest of the crew in irons ; and then,
for the first time, he gave this account to save his own life. He
swore to the buoy of the anchor being the same which belonged to
the Lottery.
On behalf of the prisoners, Mr. Gurney called four or fire wit-
nesses to speak to the character of Roger Toms, in order to show
that he was a person not to be believed on his oath. They all swore
that he was a thief, a liar, and a man of infamous chara&cr. AH
these witnesses were closely cross-examined by the counsel for the
crown ; and the objeft of the ctoss examination was to show that
they, as well as every person residing near the coast, were smugglers,
and consequently interested in protecting the prisoners.
Mr. Justice Rooke summed up the evidence, and told the jury that
every person on board at the time those shots were irrd, by which
the man was killed, were equally guilty with the person who fired the
shot that caused the death of the deceased. The question was,
whether the prisoners were on board at this time ; and tliai
depend on the evidence of Roger Toms.
The Jury acquitted Searle and Ventin, and found Potter guilty.
Sentence of death was then passed upon Potter, and on the i8t
was taken from Newgate to Execution Dock, and there
he conduaed himself with gicai penitence, and was
Romaa Catholic pricsu
ilettirg.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, NOV. 8.
Copy ef a Letter from Captain Wight, of hh Majesty's Sloop Wotlvtrint, tf vam
Nepean, Etq. dated at St. Helen' t } the qth instant.
SIR,
T HAVE to acquaint you, for the information of their Lordships, that on Sun-
day morning, Cape Barfleur Light-house W. N. W. about four miles, I di-
corered a French cutter bearing under the land ; from my situation to wind-
ward, I was happy to have it in my power to prevent her getting round the
Cape ; I got so close up with her, that she ran on shore inside of a reef of rock*
Under the village of Gouberville, and under a battery, while my shot was going
over her. She appeared to strike very hard on the shore, as the.j was a great
sea running, and a fresh gale of wind coming on in the evening, she must in-
evitably be rendered useless. 1 am, &c.
JOHN WIGHT.
ADMIRALTY OFflCE, NOV. 15.
defy of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord Keith, K. B. Commander in Chief of hit
Majesty t Ships and Vesieh in the Mediterranean, to Evan Nepean, Esq.
SIR, Foudroyant, at Gibraltar, Ogl. 29.
I have just received a letter, of which the inclosed is a copy, from Captain
Morris, acquainting me with the capture of a Spanish vessel of war by the
boats of the Phaeton, under circumstances very highly creditable to Lieutenant
Beaufort, and the officers and people who were employed on the occasion. I
regret with him the loss and injury which has been sustained in the attack, but
I anticipate with equu! satisfaction the approbation with which I am sure their
Lordships will regard the gallantry that has been evinced in the execution of
the enterprise. I have the honour to be, &c.
KEITH.
MY LORD, Phaeton, off Malaga^ Z%th Off. i8oo.
I have the honour to acquaint your Lordship, that on the 2jth instant, hi*
Majesty's ship under my command chased a ship polacre, which showed Spanish
colours, ensign and pendant, to an anchor under the fortress of Fangerollo,
vvhoie a French privateer brig also took refuge. As the wind was on shore,
and they were close into the surf, and dircdly under a battery of five heavy
guns, there was no prospect of bringing them off then ; the following night
the brig escaped to the westward, and the ship made two attempts for Ala-
laga, but was driven back ; last night the land breeze appearing favourable, I
sent the boats under the command of Lieutenant Francis Beaufort, who, at
five o'clock this morning, in opposition to a very obstinate resistance on first
boarding at the hatchways with musketry, and from rising the quarter deck,
with sabres, got possession, and brought her out; she proves his Most Catho-
lic Majesty's armed ship the San Josef, alias L'Aglies, mounting two twenty-
four pounder-, iron ordnance in the bow. two brass eighteens for stern chase,
four bras* twelves, and six four-pounders, and most completely found in small
arms of ail kinds, commanded by an auxiliary Officer of the Navy, and manned
by forty-nine seamen (of which fifteen were absent in her boat) and twenty-two
soldiers as marines, employed as a packet, and carrying provisions between
Malaga and Melila. From the force of the ship, her state of preparation, and
situation with respcift to the foit, also the unfortunate circumstance of the
launch (fr^m whote carronade much was expected in the plan for the attack),
having not been able to keep up with th>. other boats, and being distant when
they wtie discovered and fired on by a rrench privateer schooner that had come
ill unseen by us in the night, and was placed to flank the ship, and gave the
alarm, on which the barge and two cutters immediately pulled to the ship and
GAZETTE LETTtRJ. jrjj
Voirded ; I am convinced more determined bravery could not hare been di-
playd than has been shown by Lieutenant* Beaufort a-id Hui^li, Lieutenant
Duncan Campbell of the Marii: lamilton and Stanton. Midshipmen,
and Mr. Deagon the gunner, und the boat's crew employed upon the service ;
and it is with extreme concern 1 add, that one seaman was killed on coming
alongside, and that their vrry gallant leader (in whom I have ever found -
most capable and zealous assistant) was firt wounded in the head, and after-
wards received severa. slugs through hi* left arm and ',>ody ; Lieutenant Campbell
received several slight sabre WD-M-U; Mr. Augustus Harrington Hamilton WM
shot, while in the boat, through the thigh, notwithstanding which he bozrded,
and his conduct is highly spoken of: and John Wells, a seaman, aUo ihot
through the thi^h. The loss of the enemy appears to have been thirteen
wounded, six badly, and some ar supposed to have been wounded and driven
overboard.
I give your Lordship the detail of this service, feeling i^incnmbent on me to
do so, to do justice to the parties employed upon it. humbly hoping that Mr.
Beaufort's conduct and wounds will entitle him to the protection given in th
present war to officers of distinguished merit ; and I regret exceedingly that
IVir. Hamilton wants fome considerable purt of his servitude, as he U of an ag*
and in all other respects well qualified fora l.icuten'
Towards day-light, the signal being made to m: rhat our people were in full
possession of the prize, I chased a vessel that had passed ut an hour before,
and brought her to, under a battery, in t'ape Molcno. She prove* a lijjht
polacre, from Ceuta bound for .Viaiagi. Afterward*, running down to pick
up our boats and people, we were carried so far to Iccwr.rd, that the French
schooner (which we had not en from the ship] pawed to wiudward aloof
shore to Malaga, quite oat f our reach.
I have the honour, &c.
rice-Adm. Lord Kiitb, K. B. &e. JAMES N. MORRIS.
Copy of an Enclosure front tie Earl of St. Vincent ', * Evan Ntftox, Xtf.
MY LORn, His Majesty's Ship CbiUeri, at Sea, OJ? 14, iSoo.
Yesterday at noon his Majesty's sloop under my command captured a
Spanish lugger privateer named L/iligentc, mounting two four-pounders, foot
swivels, and having on board thirty nun ; had been out two days from Vijo,
and had made no prize.
I have the honour to be, &c.
,r! of St. rinceat, K. JB. &. J. C. CR AWI ORD.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, NOV. IJ.
Letter from Mr. TbomaJ AM, Commander of the Htnote fr'tvait Stlf / Wtr,t
Evan Nepceut, EJJ. dated fijii, in Portugal, tit lldff OUober, l too.
You will be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admirslty,
I yesterday afternoon fell in with and captured the Spanish L-.
called the Atalante, of Pontc VetJra, Captain Don Barnardo I ope*, of
and fifty-six men, having come out of the port of Aresa the day before, and wra
just on the point of capturing a British vessel when 1 fe-1 in wuh
running from me she threw six of her guns overboard ; the four
loaidwere long sixes and nine*. I brought her ia here, and deltvere.
fifty-six men to his Britannic .\ aj'.--iy'> Consul.
1 have the honour to be, &c.
THOMAS AI.1 1.
JinMIRALTT OFFICF., MOV. 59.
C/ ./ ' Letter fro* Caft.in freJnict Wttk,*,, C.nm**Ur of bit Mjjaty'i SL'f
XcieiJc, to EVJ* Nffean, Liq.
j,
506 GA7ETTE LETTERS.
I beg leave to transmit duplicates of all my letters to the P Jght Hon. Lord
Hngh Seymour, and the Articles of Capitu.'atioa agreed between his Excellency
Johan Rudolph Lauffer and myself; as also inventories of warlike-stores, ship-
ping, &c. I hope their Lordships will sanction my conduct in taking possession
of thi^ centrical and valuable island in his Majesty's name.
Lieutenant Paul I cannot recommend in too strong a language to their I ord-
ships, for his zealous exertions during the whole of the siege ; and for any
further information he is perfectly able to describe every thing their Lordship*
may be desirous of knowing respecting Curacoa.
I have the honour to be, &c.
FRED. \V ATKINS.
MY LORD, NcreiJc, *jf Amiicrdam, Idand of Curacoa, 1 lib Sept.
I wish not to lose a moment in sending a fast sailing vessel to inform yonr
I,ordship, that the Island of Curacoa has claimed the protection of his Britannic
Majesty. I have in consequence felt it my duty to take possession of it in his
name.
I am now running for the harbour, as it is absolutely nedessary to lose no
time to save the island from the enemy, who threaten to storm the principal
fort to-night ; but I trust the N'ereide's assistance will be the means of frustrating
the enemy's views, and saving a most valuable colony L r his Majesty.
I compute the force of the French to be about 150 now in possession of the
west part of the island ; but no strong post of any consequence to prevent my
holding the forts commanding Amsterdam, until I am konoured with an answer
from your Lordship.
There is great property afloat belonging to the Spaniards.
Lieutenant Paul will have the honour of delivering this dispatch to your
Lordship, of whose exertions and zeal for the iervkc J cannot speak in too
jtrong terms. I havt the honour to be, Ac.
(Signed) F. WATKINS.
fbe Right Hon. Lord Hugb Seymour, tsV.
MY LORD, NereiJe, off Amsterdam t Sept. 14.
Since sending my last dispatch of the nth instant, Governor Johan Rudolph
Itauffer has finally surrendered the Island of Curacoa and its dependencies to
his Majesty's arms. Enclosed I have the honour of transmitting to your
Lordship a copy of the terms of capitulation.
I have the honour to be, &c.
RigltHon. Lord Hugh Seymour, &e. FRED. WATKINS.
[Here follow the Articles of Capitulation, by which it is agreed that Curacoa,
and its dependencies, shall be placed under the protection of, and submit to the
government of his Britannic Majesty. That the inhabitants shall be secured
in their persons, property, and religion, " except such as shall appear to belong
to the subjects of the Powers now actually at war with Great i ritain ; such
property only excepted as was on board the vessels in the harbour on the loth
inst." All vessels of war, artillery, &c. to be delivered for the use of the King.
All debts due by the Government of the Island to be paid out of the revenue.
No regulations to be made in the laws, except by mutual consent, so long as the
I-land, &c. shall remain under the protection of his Majesty ; its inhabitants
shall enjoy the same rights and privileges as his subjects in the West Indies.
The laws heietofore observed respecting property shall remain in full force.
Private. As it is impossible for the inhabitants of the said island and its de-
pendencies to subsist without a free intercourse wish the Spanish main, the
ports of Curacoa and its'- dependencies shall be open to all Spanish vessels-
Answer. Agreed to be allowed the same free trade as the Island of Jamaica.]
MY LORD, His Majesty's Sbip Ntreide, Curacoa Harbour, &>/>/. 13.
I have now the satisfaction to inform your Lordship that the English colours
are flying in this island, and that 1 have entered this harbour, in consequence
of the total evacuation of the French forces last night. I am now arranging
affair* in such a manner as to tranquilize the minds of the inhabitants, and
restore perfect peace, in the name of his Majesty, in thii valuable island. I
OAI8TTE LETTERS, r O j
have been received with great faith : and will do my utmost in establishing the
secur.ty of the principal fortress till I receive your Lordship's answer for rev
further condud. Enclosed I have the honour of trantmitt.ng lo you an in-
ventory of warl.ke stores, ammunition, &c. in the garrison, except thoc Utelf
in possession of the enemy, which I have not yet received the regular returns ot
but have given the necessary orders. It was my intention to kave sent any
further dispatch to your Lordship by the remaining Lieutenant, Mr. lime.
Hodgson; but, as I do not exactly conceive myself in a pcrfcd state of safety.
without having perfed possession of the principal fortress which commands die
town, I have appointed him, with a party of my own men, to that command :
his zeal, brnycry, and universal steady conduA in any service he is ordered on,
makes my mind perfectly cay in doing so ; he has been of the utmott service
in a new erected battery in annoying the enemy, and indeed may be considered
the principal cause of their retreat. Lieutenant Fitton, commanding the Active
tender, I have much pleasure in recommending to yor Lordship's notice,
from his activity and spirited conduct since he kas joined me. From him,
ny Lord, you will receive material information as to all situations cf the
island and its valuable harbour.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Jon. Lrd Hvgb Seymour, &c. (Signed) F. W ATKINS.
The vessels of various si/es found in the harbour of Curacoa consisted of
eight belonging to Holland, eight to Denmark, seven to America, eleven to
France, seven to Spain, and three English prizes which had been sold at that
port.
The stores comprise two I4lb. and two i81b. brass guns, with four defcdive.
Iron guns, five 24lb. ninety-eight i81b. forty-six ixlb. forty-four Ulb. twenty-
four 61b. two 4lb. twenty-one 3lb. and two alb. besides thirty-eight of different
calibre defective. On the batteries, not including Forts Fiscadera, St. Michael, or
False Bay, five 24lb. sixty-three iSlb. (many of them ships' n), twenty-
eight nib. twenty-six 81b. and twenty-seven of lesser bore. There are alto a
great quantity of ammunition and ordnance stores.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, DEC. 1.
ExtraSl of a Litter from tie Earl of St. PJHcent, K. B. Admiral tf tin Wlitt, \ft .
to Evan Nefcan, Esq. dated in Tartay, lit 27/4 nit.
SIR,
I enclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioner! of the Admiralty,
a letter which I have received from Captain Sir Richard Strachan, giving an
account of the boats of his Majesty's ships and vessels employed under his
erders having destroyed a French corvette and two merchant vessels.
MY LORD, Caftaim, at &d, 2f*f. l8-
Your Lordship will perceive, ir the narrative of my proceedings, that a con-
voy of the enemy had got through the Teigouse passage yesterday,
was endeavouring to intercept them from the Morbihan, or passage alon
coast. I had the mortification in the morning to perceive that the grc ter part
got into the Morbihan ; and lhat the others at the entrance wen
ihe tide, protected by the batteries on each side, and a ship corvette of r
guns, the Commodore of the convoy. By the skilful managcmen
cutter the first vessel up, under the command cf 1 I.UUT..
vettewas kept from the n.uih shore; and soon after, upon the Mag
Betting near her, she ran into Port Navale, where she took the gi
Ser people began to quit her, and her colours were struck; the I
Ma&ienne, tnder Lieutenants Skottowc and Rodney, attempted t
but the corvette fired upon th.m, having re hoi :cd her colours, and i
sail, ran farther into the port : the Ma R icic-iine recall*
Rodney gallantly took a merchant vessel from under one ol
W As re sot ni as g i could get the boat, out, I sent them all to be under the .rfcr.
of CapS Og Ivy, wkh direflions for them to be sent under the orders of the
Knio officerof Ais ship, Lieut. Hennah.to deroy the corvette h * v ' n K. und <
bU orde s L cut. Clvdc of this ship, and Lieut. Claik, f the Marborough, aad
ft>8 GAZETTK LETTERS.
the boats were manned by the Captain and -larlborough's men. The enter-
prise was conduced with great ability by ieut Hennah, who, notwithstanding
a heavy fire from the shore on ail side, bravely boarded the corvette, and
having set fire to her. she so. n af :r tvj'v up. He speaks in high terms of
commendation of those under his oruers ; ynd I admire the spirit that pervaded
all v the officers and men employee upon tho occasion. No prisoners were,
taken ; and the condacl of Captain (h ilvy in th~ guidance and management of
the Magicienne, by drawing the fire of the hattcrie, from the boats, contributed
to the service being effeflcd with very little loss. I am, &c.
The Earl of Si. VUeni, K. X. &c. R, J.STRACHAN.
A Lit of Men killed and ivounded in taking the Result named Leloio.
One killed belonging to the uw irrcnv.
Seven wounded belonging to the Captain.
List of Pcsself.
A ship corvette ; destroyed by the boats of the squadron.
A merchant ship ; taken by the Magicienne's boat under Lieut. Rodney,
mnd afterwards burnt.
A merchant vessel ; taken by the Nile cutter, and afterward* burnt.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, BEC. 6.
Copy of a Letter from Lieuttnan t Bond, com/a ind'uig bh Majesty 'j Scbtoncr tit
Netley,to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated at Lisbon, Nov. II, 1800.
SIR,
I have the honour to forward, for the inspection of the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, copies of two letters which I have written to Captain Halsted,
of his Majesty's ship Phoenix ; and have the honour to be, Sir, &c.
F. G. BOND.
SIR, Kellcy, in tie Tagus, AW. 9.
After receiving your orders to put myself under your command, I sailed
hence on the 5th of September with a convoy for Oporto, at which place they
arrived safe on the nth following.
1 have the pleasure to acquaint ydu, that in his IV^ajesty's schooner we cap-
tured, on the 28th of the same month, the Spanish privateer Nostra Senora del
Carmen La Confianza, of two guns and twenty-six men ; and that on the 1 6th
ult. we retook the brig Mary from Dublin, and the Lial Iiivi&a Yianna, a
Portuguese Government lugger of seven guns, both which had been captured
the preceding day by a French privateer of fourteen guns, the latter after an
action of half an hour.
As the Mary had on the i4th been cut from her anchorage under the fort of
St. John's by a Spanish row-boat, the Governor of Vianna thought it necessary
to intercept her, and accordingly sent the lugger on that service, when both
fell into the hands of the French : the crew of the Netley have in consequence
given up, free of salvage, the Lial Invicta Vianna, to the order of his Excel-
lency M. Pedro de Millo.
I have the honour to be, &c,
L. W. Hoisted, Esq. Captain of bis Majesty's Ship Phoenix. F. G. BOND.
SIR, Netley, River Tagus, iVe*. 18.
In addition to my letter of yesterday's date, which I had the pleasure of
writing, I beg leave to acquaint you, that on my arrival off the Rock of Lisbon,
on the 7th instant, information was given of a Spanish privateer schooner
lurking in the neighbourhood, and that the Newfoundland convoy being dis-
persed, were daily approaching the Tagus; "at night a pilot boat acquainted
me of the capture of a brig loaded with fish, which induced me to close with
the shore, in the hope of intercepting her j she had been taken 1 8 hours before,
during light winds, in sight of a remnant of the convoy then in the offing. '
The privateer and her prize (the Hunter, ef Greenock) were discovered by us
in the dark at anchor. While the boat was dispatched to the brig, we ran the
other on board, dropped our anchor, and, without mischief or firing, took posses-
ionofher, though they were at quarters ; she is called the St. Miguel, alia*
Alerta, of nine guns, eighteens and sixes, and 65 men, had been off the stocks
"about two months, and sailed from the river Pontevedra ; we all three anchored
within St. Julien's the same day. 1 have the honour to be, &c
Gift. HaUtJ, of liis Maje;tft Skip Pbxnis.
F. G. BOND.
( 5*9 )
STATE PAPERS,
Relating to tic Right of BELLIGERENT POWERS to ftarck anJ J f( ,u
Neutrals*
The following Note was lately delivered by the Swedifh Minifter for
Foreign Aifairs, to the Miniller of his Pruffian Majdty at Stock-
holm, on the fubjeci of the Affair at Barcelona.
M Having stated to the King the manner in which his Prussian \Tajetr fiai
Viewed the Memorial of the Court of Spain on the subject of an insult offered
to the Swedish flag by the English; the undersigned, Chantellor of the Court.
has been commanded to express to M.de Tarach the grateful acknowledgment,
of his Majesty for the constant attention which the Court ( Berlin hat'shuwn
to the interests of the neutral flags, and the full confidence which he rcpo*e* in
the mode in which they are regarded by that Court. The King hat viewed
with surprise the public responsibility to which the Court of Spain has called
Sweden upon this occasion, and the menaces which it has thereto added ; not-
withftanding all the vexations to which neutral flags have been exposed during
the present war, this is the most oppressive proceeding which they have yet
experienced. Being thus incessantly placed between the offence and the repa-
ration, they must soon be dragged into a concern in the war, or cease to ap-
pear on the seas where it is carried on. These truths involving consequence* to
important to the other neutral Powers, as well as to Sweden, his Swedinh Ma-
jt-sty could not, in general, take upon himself any share of responsibility for
the improper use which the belligerent Powers may make of the Swedish ves-
sels which they may seize upon Thi< principle appears to his Swedish Majesty
so well founded, that he flatters himself the Court of Berlin will give it all the
support which justice and the common interest appear equally to demand; and
it has been hitherto respected amidst all the utragcs which have been commit-
ted on both sides, without which the war must have become general, ilad the
Ottoman Porte, Russia, and England, attached such responsibility to all the flag*
in the port of Alexandria had they claimed the restitution of fcgypt from the
respective Governments, because their merchant vessels had been compelled to
carry French troops to take that country by surprise and had they u*cd the
same forms of application, and insisted on the same peremptory term* and con-
ditions-all commerce, all neutrality must have bten at once annihilated ll.<
Majesty, therefore, conceived that the violence offered to the >wedih flag at
Barcelona was not to be treated in any other manner than that of which he had
previously to complain ; and he reserves to himself the privilege of demanding
reparation for the injuries done to his subject- or his flag, at such opportunity,
and by such means, as his particular situation may afford. His Majesty, how-
ever, ought not to conceal, that, in the present case, the injury which lu
thence resulted to a friendly Power gives him so much more uneasiness, as he
regards the capture made by the English as very illegal, and he i> uxiowty de-
sirous of being able, by his representations, to contribute to it rc'tmr.
His Majesty will certainly make every exertion to effect an arrangement, up-n
which the continuance of amicable relations between Swede. ,- un-
expectedly made to depend; but he cannot at present take those tcp with re-
spec* to the two frigates, which he has not hitherto taken with rctped
own convoys, nor give the Court of Spain any better hopes than lie ha, hiin-
iclf The Undersigned embracti this occasion, &c.
D'EHRENHI l.M."
I 5' )
A Letter from Stockholm, dated Nov. 30, fays, " Our Government
has just published an'O.Ecial Note, which has been handed, to his
Swedish Majesty by Citizen Buys, the Minister of the Batavian Re-
public. It is as follows :
" The Br.ivian Republic, being aware of the chara&er of her enemy, and
to what point she p'rcter.ds to exercise her dominion over the seas, even with re-
aped: to neutrr.l and allird powers, has hitherto abstuined, through a regard for
peace, to enforce thi.se rights which she might in justice have reclaimed.' But
as the enemy has no longer set any bounds to her pride or to her insatiable ava-
rice, the Batavian Government would deem itscif criminally responsible to the
Nat.cn, the interests- of which are confided to its care, if it did not raise its
voice in order to obtain reparation for so many outrages.
" As to you, Sire, Europe has its eyes upon you, and expedis with impa-
tience t'.vj prompt satisfaclicn*vhich is due to yob. If the ^-ngiish Government,
deaf to the voice of honour, and to the representations of your Majesty, do not
make, before trie expiration of one year, the reparation w landed, the
Batavian Government will find iiscif reduced to the harsh necessity of concert-
ing with i* lies : - ; :ry means tor securing its ports from any violence
similar to th;;t \\. D cxeicised against the Swedish flag. The under-
signed flatters hims-ii that his Sv.-ctiisii Mcjctty will communicate to the Ba-
tavian Government the result of his appiic-uion to the Court of London. He
wishes to his Majesty t:.e most complete success, as his > 'ajesty will thereby ac-
quire a new right to the. public esteem, and to the gratitude of a Republic which
he ha* always honoured 1 ; ! -;-> jjo d will.
) BUYS."
*< The Chancellor of our Court has answered by a Note, in which
he thinks the Batavian Govc nment, in the name of his Master, for
the part which the former has taken res^ecTiing the insult offered to the
Swedish flag. Kis Majesty tiun proceeds to declare, that, with rcFpt-Ct
to the term of a year, pointed out for the purpofe of obtaining a repa-
ration from England, he dors not think himself by any means circum-
scribed in point of time. If unexpected obstacles should interfere to
prevent the removal of the existing difficulties, he should not deem-
hinr-"'.f ;my more responsible for any abuse of the Swedish flag, which
the Belligerent Powers may choose to employ by way of reprisals
against England, more than he does for the abuse which Great Britain
has committed against Spain. But if the fear of iiich events mould
lend some Stater, to measures mere or less vigorous, the Batavian Go-
vernment has given too many proofs of the wifdom of its Administra-
tion, to suffer his Swedish Majesty to believe that it will have recourse
to any measures which in their consequences may tend to involve the
Neutral Powers."
It is now ascertained, that by the laudable foresight and vigilance of
Government, o;ir navil stores and arsenals are completely stocked for
eighteen months to conic; and that there are about 100,000 barrels of
tar more than it is probable will be consumed within that time. Should
a War break out between us and the Northern Powers, we are there-
fore secured against any embarrassments in the naval service for a
much longer period than thole Powers could afford to pursue the
contest.
5" 3
MONTHLY REGISTER
OF
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS FOR DECEMBER.
THE winter season, particularly at so advanced a period as the
present, can rarely be expected produftire of much interest on
the score of naval enterprise or events, at least in those seas imme.
diately contiguous to Great Britain. The arrival of intelligence
indeed from distant quarters of the world may contribute to add spirit
to the almost lifeless scene, by presenting us with the n.ost unequivo-
cal proofs of an unremitting perseverance in the same line or" conduct
which has rendered the exertions of the British Marine so peculiarly
successful during the present contest. Thus has it proved in the
present instance.
The very conclusion of the month of November brought t England
the interesting and truly important intelligence of the surrender of the
valuable Dutch island of Curasoa, under terms of capitulation, to
Captain Watkins commanding the Ncreicie frigate. The singular ad*
'dress with which the possession of this important settlement was ac-
quired, if the circumstances which attended it are truly reported to
us, reflects no less honour on Captain Watkins, than the success itself
produces advantage to bis country. The Nereide, being on a cruise
off the Island, Captain Watkins had the good fortune to ?cquire in-
formation that .1 French banditti amounting to 15(0 in number, had.
made good their landing a short time before, and were at that very
moment in actual contest with the Dutch inhabitants.
The British commander, with the most prompt decision, seized the
favourable moment of joining the latter, and having enabled them by
the addition of his force, and the succour which he afforded tiiem to
expel their invader, received as the jnst reward of his gallant $
the submission of the whole island. The capture, for such it may be
in great measure considered, of so much advantage, stands, we be-
lieve, xinprecedented, as having been effected by so slender a force.
Humanity must most highly rejoice at a conquest which ir
prevented instead of being the cause of bloodshed, and feel the satis-
t'uctkiu resulting from smxess, augmented in a tenfold degree by the
reflection of having rescued even a foe from the jaws of a tygtr.
One event indeed connected with the navy, and that of the most
singular kind, has happened, or to speak mo:e piv tntic
information of its having taken place, has been ; . (he con-ie
of" the month the embargo which the Emperor of Ku?sia has chosen
to lay on all British vessels throughout his dominion,. Some of the
particulars which have marked his very extravagant conduc: ou th'.s
occasion, will be found in the preceding pages. They hrtray an
eccentricity which renders comment unnecess
not the subieft so extremely serious, would cc . subject of
ridicule and contempt, rather than of" anger. J 'nent mujt,
wwin .to the interposition of nature, be o:
on the side of the Baltic, till the approach.-
the avenging arm of the British navy to render us country th
it ckwunds, and convince the world that those x%ho pretend to d
the laws and the fight* of Nations, should be careful not t frieze
nntjji.
512 MONTHLY REGISTER
The rest of the naval occurrences, far as has hitherto come to our
knowledge during the month, have been confined to the captures of
privateers, many of which have scarcely ventured out ere they have
fallen victims to their own temerity, and the very gallant preservation
of several merchant vessels off Oporto, from falling a prey to the
enemy, which was effected by the spirited resolution of Lieutenant
Smith, in the Milbrook schooner, who, romantic and almost incredi-
ble as it may appear, engaged, and actually compelled a French frigate
of more than three times her force, to surrender, though from the
very disabled state of his own vessel, he was incapable of reaping the
advantage his valour most truly merited.
This action, with many others during the present war, almost anni-
hilate applause/ for on occasions where it is impossible the tribute
should equal the merit, gratitude feels herself compelled to be mute,
and contemplates the debt she has incurred with silent admiration.
Falmoutb, Dec. 8. Arrived the Lady Frances packet, Captain Hall,
from Jamaica, last from Torbay, where she landed her mail ; she
passed this port in a gale of wind, and arrived at Torbay on Thursday
last, from whence she sailed on Saturday morning : one man and a
boy died on the passage, and she is in consequence thereof ordered
into the quarantine pool. She fell in with, and was boarded by the
Lark sloop of war, after leaving Jamaica. Several of her men left her
in consequence of the alluring advantages held out to them by the
Captains of merchant ships ; fifty guineas being a common price
offered to a seaman, at Jamaica, for the run from thence to England.
Also the Prince Ernest, Pctrie, from New York and Halifax, in 23
d;iys, with mails, had three Scotch gentlemen passengers ; the London
packet, Faggen, from the eastward, with several vessels under her
convoy j the Spider brig, from a cruize ; Fairy sloop, from Torbay ;
And the Rasper, Duff, from Cork. Sailed the Duke of Clarence,
Faulkener, with mails, &c. for New York ; Reluctance, Horsewell,
for Oporto.
Hull, Dec. \6. We are happy to announce the arrival at this port of
twenty-seven sail of vessels from the Baltic. They sailed from Elsi-
heur on the i5th ult. in company with near two hundred sail of ships,
which were fortunate enough to have reached that place when the
embargo was laid on in the ports of Russia.
Copy of a Letter received by express from Scarborough, on Saturday
Evening, by the Mayor of this Town.
" SIR, Scarborough, Die. 13, l8oo.
" About an hour ago. two large (-hips (evidently from the Baltic), wetc
discovered from the Castle, distance eight or nine milts, at the same time a
lugger rigged privateer attacked and captured one of them ; and, as the other
skip is not more than one mile to the southward of the privateer, it is apprehend-
ed she may be captured also. There are also many other ships in sight, coming
from the- northward, and the signal for an enemy is now flying, and the alarm
puns fired from the Castle to warn them of their danger, which is all that can
he done here for their preservation. We trust you will have the goodness to
dispatch any men of war, if there be any in the Humbcr ; and if you will have
the goodness to forward a copy of this letter to Yarmouth, to the Admiral
commanding there, it might be the means of recapturing the ship or ships. The
wind js now from the N. E. a light breeze and fine weather, but rather foggy
towards the sea. We are, c.
(Copy) JOHN COUPON, > B u . ff
JOHN TRAVIS, )
76e iror&itfil tit Mayer of Hull.
J'S
On the receipt of which, a copy was immediately forwarded by
express trom the Mayor to Admiral Dickson at Yarmouth.
K w r lettcr wa$ received from Admiral Dirkson.
by the Worshipful the Mayor of this town, in answer to the inform*.
ion, sent by express, respecting the French privatceri t
IIR Monarch, Tjrmeulk RoaJi, Dtt. If
" I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, ky exprcti, which I
received this morning at seven o'clock, acquainting me of an enemy', privateer
having captured, off Scarborough, a merchant ihip from the Baltic, and of the
probability of her doing further mischief on the coast : and, in return, 1 am
to acquaint you, that, in addition to the ships and vtbseli named in the margin *.
cruizing for the purpose of affording protedion to the homeward-hound Baltic
convoys, I have ordered out the Inspector loop, and Hazard and Diligence
cutters ; and that so soon as I am enabled, by the arrival of cruixcrs, I thai I
extend them from the l.emon and Oats to the Scaw. The Courier, hired armed
cutter has been obliged to quit her station, between FlamborouRh Head and
the Humber, in consequence of an action fought with a French privateer brie.
a few days back.
" I am, Si*, &c.
ARCH. DICKMN.
Bristol, Dec. 23. Yesterday his Majesty's sloop Kangaroo arrived at
King Road, bearing the flag, and having on board Admiral Sir Robert
Kingsmill, Bart, with his suite, and Captain Lumsdaine of the Royal
Navy, from Cork.
Boston, Nov. 20. A gallant action was fought on the nth of
October, in lat. 22. 50. long. 51. between the American frigate, the
Boston, Captain Little, and the French National corvette Le Berceau,
Captain Stein. The ships, which were of nearly equal force, con-
tinued the action an hour and forty minutes ; when Lc Berceau,
having lost all her masts, surrendered. Both were much disabled,
and lost several men. Le Berceau is considered as one of the fastest
sailing corvettes in the French navy. She served as a look out vessel
to the French fleet tor eighteen months, has been frequently chased
by the British cruizers, and was never before overtaken. She ha
been very successful in capturing British, Portuguese, and American
Tessels.
MUTINY ON BOARD THE THUNDER BOMB VESSEL.
It is with much concern we state, that a serious mutiny lately brok
out on board his Majesty's bomb vessel the Thunder, Captain New-
combe, and that the mutineers, consisting of the principal part of ti
crew, having succeeded in overpowering the Commander and the other
Officers, traitorously carried the ship into Bilboa, in Spain, and deli,
vered her into the hands of the enemy. We fe*l ourselves wholly it
a loss to find language with which to give an adequate expression oi
our indignation alid horror at the vile conduft of the wrctchr t
ha\e thus indelibly disgraced their character, by one of the fouics
of perfidy of which human nature, perhaps, can IK deemed capab
Among Englishmen there can be but one sentiment of abnorre
towards the infamous traitor, who, by so flagrant a breach of every
sacred obligation, could basely bring himself to tarnish the honour o
his country, diminish its resplendent glory, and injure it
surest engine of security. Happily there are, in the annals
aavy, but few instances of this horrid specie* of crime.
, Phoenix !
574 MONTHLY RKGISTEi
never prove another ; and may the perpetrators of the disgraceful
outrage in question meet the prompt and necessary vengeance of the
violated laws of their country I
The Expedition under the command of Captain Sir Home Popham
has sailed from Weymouth. South America is understood to be the
destination of this force. The valuable Spanish settlements in that
quarter r.re at present in a very defenceless situation, and the most
reasonable hopes are of course entertained of the success of the en-
terprise.
Important orders have been dispatched by Government to Admiral
Lord Keith in the Mediterranean. They are said to contain instruc-
tions relative to the conduct to be adopted by our fleet with respect
to the Russian squadron and transports in the "Dardanelles, and the
trade and fortresses of the Emperor Paul in the Black Sea.
The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have ordered the
Guillaurne Tell's name to be changed to the Malta.
His Majesty's Post-Master General, with a view to maintain the
communication with the Continent in case of severe weather, have
ordered two of the Yarmouth packets of the smallest draft of water,
to be stationed in the Weser during the winter, to sail to and from
Bremerlehe and Heligoland, whenever there shall be obstructions to
the passage of the Elbe.
The prizes taken in the harbour of Curacoa are so valuable, that the
Lieutenants of the Nereide frigate, we are happy to learn, are likely
to make from twelve to fourteen thousand pounds each.
The custom of the French, of giving absurdly false accounts of
their naval actions, is by no means new. The writer of the life of
the famous French Captain Duguay Trouin gives an account of a
long and very desperate engagement between two French frigates, one
of w'r.ich was commanded by Duguay Trouin, and an English fieet^of
twenty-one sail of the line. Fifteen English line of battle ships
engaged Trou in Y frigate the whole afternoon, and at length night put
an end to the engagement. The writer then goes on to state, that it
was Duguay's intention to have boarded the English Admiral the next
morning ; but a gale of wind Bringing up, he was separated from the
English fleet.
Couttg partial
fORTSMOUTl!, NOVEMBER 29.
. THIS morning a Court-Martial wa held on board His Majesty's ship Glatli*
mtvr, in this harbour, lor the trial of Mr. WILLIAM MATTHEW, gunner of the
Strptnt, tor drunkenness. The charge being proved, the Court sentenced him
to be publicly reprimanded on board the ship to which he belongs.
Dee. 6. A Court-Martial was held on board the Gladiator, for the trial of
JOHM H.VULEN, boatswain of the Hvtjar, for drunkcuness ai:d disobedience of
orders, at different times.
Admiral HOLLOWAT, President.
The Charges being proved against the Prisoner, he was adjudged to be dis*-
missed from his Majesty's service, And rendered incapable of ever serving as an
Officer in the Royal Navy again.
- - J > A Court-Martial was held on board His 3t r ajesty's ship Gladiator, in thi
harbour, for the trlui of JOHN HUBBARD and GEORCK HYNES, two seauie*
belonging to the St. Geergi, for an unttutur&l triau.
OP MATAl EVENTI. 5,*
Admiral HOLLO WAT, President.
The charge being fully proved against the Prioneis, they were sentenced to
be hanged on board such *hip or ship*, and at uch times, at the Lord* Com-
missioners oT the Admiralty shirili! il.
The President, in a very appropriate speed), mot severely commented OB dia
atrocity and depravity of thr crime, and expoicd iti enormity in a manner tMt
raised the greatest compunction in the PrUoncrs.
Same day, JERKM i \u CRONINO, a H-aman belonging to the RamiHct, was
also tried, for insolent and contemptuous behaviour to the first Lieutenant of that
ship, and taking him by the collar.
The charge being proved, the Prisoner was vntenceii to receive one hundred
and fifty lashes, to forfeit all bis pay, and to suffer two yean solitary confinement
in the Marhalsea.
PLYMOUTH, DECEMBER 1.
The Surgeon and Master of His Majesty's sloop Viairiiux, in this harbour,
having been brought to a Court- Martial, and found guilty of disrespect to their
Captain, are sentenced to serve as Mates in their different professions. Being
in every other r-.spe.rt worthy Officers and promising young men, they arc much
pitied by all their acquaintance.
YARMOUTH, DECIMBER 8.
A Court-Martial wa held on board His Majesty's ship Princeti of Ora-jt, in
Yarmouth Roads, for the trial of .Captain HOITKR, of the Marines, criiig oa
board His Majesty's ship Ardent, on a charge brought against him by Captain
BERTIE, of that ship, for contemptuous language.
PRESIDENT,
CHARLES COBB, Fsq.
Captain of His>iajesty' ship Princut tf Qrwigi.
MEMBERS,
Capt. JAMES R. MOSSE, Capt. R. C. REYNOLDS,
GEORGE HART, CHAS. BOTLI,
JOHN LAWFORD, A. C DICKSO.
The Court proceeded to inquire into a charge exhibited by the Right H*n. fn
Lord, Commissioners of the 'dmirJtr, against Captain inoM AS Ho?fE of
the Marines, belonging to Hii Majesty's ship Jr.i'tnt, for contemptuou* language
contained in a letter dated the a6th November, 18 o, addrcsed toTMoMAt
BERTIR, Esq. Captain of ! 'is \iaje.-ty 's ship Ardent, to try bin
And the Court h iving heard the evidence, and the prisoner's defence,
turely and seriously considered the whole, are of opinion that the
language alluded to in the aforesaid letter, was not meant for Captain Bi
but for Lieutenant MAHBIE, of the \ arines, as it appeared by tl
produced. The Court therefore acquit ( aptain HOPPI of any in
veying any disrespectful or contemptuous language to Captain B TIE, hi
Captain, and he is hereby acquitted accordingly.
TORBAY, DECEMBER IO.
A Court-Martial was held, on I.iei-tcnant DII.TIL, of I
sliip tormUMt, on the charge of speaking very disrespectfully <
Captain.
Admiral Sir HENRT HAEVIY, President.
The char-e being fully proved, he was sentenced to be dianmed f
Majesty's service, Tendered incapable of .crying again, and to be .mpn*,
two years in solitary confinement.
SHKERNESS, DECEMBER, 2$.
ai an
MONTHLY REGISTER
WEST INDIES.
LOSS OF THE DROMEDARY.
The following extraft of a Letter, dated Trinidad, Septembers?,
says,
" You will possibly have seen by the paper, our misfortune of shipwreck in
coming to the relief of this island, supposed to be attacked by a force from Gua-
daloupe, on endeavouring to get through Abacas, (one of the mouths of the
Gulf of Paria). His Majesty's ship Dromedary was carried by the current into
the midst of the breakers on thedesart rock, and completely wrecked, at ten at
night of the 10th of August. You will think it extraordinary, that the patient
obedience and fortitude of the soldiers of the id West India Regiment, con-
tributed much to the saving of every soul on board, which was despaired of for
many hours. Our escape was considered the most miraculous that ever occurred ;
Captain Taylor, his officers and seamen, behaved with a coolness and intre-
pidity unexampled in such circumstances. The ship continued beating to pieces
among the rocks and breakers against a coast, which to gain by swimming
would have been attended with inevitable destruction. She was at laft driven
in such a situation, that her bowsprit approached a rock, which a man gained
by swinging from a rope; several got to it by that means till a spar was launch-
ed from the bow, by which the whole escaped from the wreck. There we
were, above 500, clinging to the rock, surrounded by breakers which no boat
dare venture to approach ; with not quite a hogshead of water, every moment
expecting the wreck to break up and go to sea with the change of current, and
leave us to perish by a more deplorable fate. In this state we remained fifteen
hours, when, to our great joy and surprise, we discovered a flotilla dispatched
by Governor Keton to our relief, in which we embarked before night, by re-
gaining the wreck, which still stood our friend, as nothing could come near the
rock we were on, to take us off: incredible to imagine ! though there were
several women and children, not one life was lost ; the children were tied on
their parents backs with the officers' sashes. I cannot avoid mentioning a cir-
cumstance of one of the seamen who was tying his wife to him, and was on the
point of committing themselves to the waves, but by which I pointed out to
him both must perish, adding, that if he would leave his wife with me, and
take the soldiers, I would give him leave to get a spar, by which he would save
fcer life and every woman and child on board ; he did so, and succeeded, and
after leaving her in safety returned to the wreck, and would not quit me till I
got on shore. When the ship became full of water, and people were preparing
to swim, however fruitless the attempt, several soldiers, expert swimmers,
came and stood by their officers, declaring they would not leave them. Poor
fellows ! their good nature and fidelity would avuil but little. Lieutenant-
Colonel Carmichael was present at the whole of this miserable tcenc, and acted
with his wonted presence of mind and manly fortitude."
^***^^**+
MR. EDITOR,
The following Letter reflects so much honour on Capt. B. W. Taylor,
kis officers and ship's company, that I trust you will insert it in the
Chronicle .
" DKAR SIR, TriniJaJa, Port of Spain, I4</C> Augu:t, iScO.
" I most cordially unite with the unanimous desire of the officers of the
Second West India Regiment in offering our condolence with you, on the late
unfortunate event in the loss of his Majesty's ship Dromedary, under your com-
mand, at the moment of your ardent zeal to effect the service in which we were
engaged, and was supposed to require the most decided endeavours.
' I have great pleasure in also complying with their request in returning our
most sincere thanks to you, Sir, the officers, and ship's company of the Drome-
dary, for their attention and humanity in their unexampled efforts (after every
hope of saving the ship vanished) to preserve the lives of his Majesty's troops in
the most imminent danger ; and which, beyond credibility, or any expectation,
wai attended with *UCCCM. The cool and colle&ed manner in which your orderi
OF flATAL
Vere conveyed, and the prompt obedience of your officer* and eamen in their
execution, inspired confidence in all person* on board, and evidently prevented
the unhappy fate that awaited every individual.
^ " It is their wish to assure you, that their esteem for yow chara^er will ever
toe warm in their hearts; and I beg leave to add, that I shall ever remain,
My dear Sir, your faithful and very sincere humble servant.
H. L. CARMICHAEL,
Lieut. CoL ad Wcjt India Keg.
Extraft of a Letter from Guadaloupe, dated October 8th.
" A Boat being sent from the Hornet, Capt. Nash, on the imprest ttrvicr,
am! having taken some men from the New Cere*, belonging to Lancaster, had
a blunderbuss fired into her by one of the crew the lamentable consequence wa,
that the second Lieutenant (Croxall; was killed : Mr. Finegar wounded through
both thigh? ; but he is, we arc happy to hear, in a ttatc of recovery. 1 ha
Hornet's people went in the rrlornihg alongside the Cere*, when they found all
the men had left her, except the chief mate and die steward, whom Capt. Nub
ave up to the civil power.
" Two boats of the Hornet, with two of the Daphne, performed ammtgal-
lant service. Being dispatched after a ship c!oo under seven batteries, they
boarded her amid- 1 a most formidable fire, and, after cutting with their cot-
lasses her cables, they brought her away. One of th: boau returning under the
command of Mr. Graves (son of Lord Graves), a midshipman, and for talent*
and spirit a very promising young man, was fired into by an armed schooner.
\Ve are sorry 'to state, the consequence wi, two killed, and the irm c.f
entirely shot away. Considering this is the lint s:ep Mr. Grave* ha* made to
sea, we cannot but give him our tribute of praise, for the gallantry he diip.ayed
on the above occasion.
" Captain Carpenter, of the Leviathan, being indisposed, and who is com-
ing home for the benefit of hi* health, and Capt. Taylor, whose ship the Drome-
dai-y ha, been wrecked on the toast of Trinidad, are coming passenger* in the
Charlotte merchant ship."
LOSS OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP EL GA.LCO.
We are sorry to announce the loss of this ship, of which melancholy event a*
official account has been received at the Admiralty.
List of the Officers drowned on board bit Majesty's late Skip El Gdgo.
Captain G. S. Stovcn Mr. Edward*, Gunner
Lieutenant Barne Mr. Roberts, Boauwain
Mr. Gibson, Surgeon Mr. Hnghon, Master'* Mate
Mr. Roberts, Purser Mr. Simson, Carpenter
List of Passenger s drvwntd.
Mr. Grimshaw, f Martinique A French Lady
Mr. Poymer, of ditto A Serjeant and eleven private* of
Mr. Osborne, of Antigua i uh Regiment of Fool
Mr. Ross, a Clergyman of Jamaica Two Soldier*' Wive*
List of Persons saved from El Galgo.
Mr T. Forrest, Master T- Williams, Capt. Afterfnard
Mr. T. Clark, Midshipman H. Dowling, Lieutenant s Servant
1. Edwards, Carp. Crew J. Otway, (Boy)
C I ondon, Capt. Foretop O. Hurd. Gunner * Mate
T. Griffith* J- Can, Cooper
\V. Comerford. Afterguard R Fox, Seaman
3) Dehy, Seaman A. Isaac, (Negro) ditto
P. Brown, ditto W- *'
T. Murray, Afterguard S. Bu-,by, d.tto
Tack Toe fXeero) Cook T. Guy, d.tto
B Andrew, Q^ai-ter^^ter R- H.*gt. Capt. M.mtop
R. White, Capt. I-'orec ,stlc A Slave.
^, two Officers and twenty-three mea.
3 *
t s J
PLYMOUTH REPORT,
FROM NOVEMBER 20 TO BECKUBER 22.
ov. at. Wind variable. Fair. This day Rear Admiral Sir J. Warres,
Bart, hoisted his flag on board the Renown, of 74 guns, in Cawsand Bay.
.Last night the Flora, armed brig, of 14 guns, Lieutenant Carpenter, at anchor
in Hamcaze, by some accident drifted on shore, on the rocks between Mount
Wip and the Old Gun \\harf, to prevent her from falling over, the crew cut
away her masts, notwithstanding which she soon afterwards hauled off, and sunk
in deep water, on her larboard beam-ends. She was a well equipped brig,
found in all stores,' and bound for the Strjits. At low water she appeared not
the least billed and hopes are entertained she will be soon weighed up, by
means of casks and Jig'-.ters. It was a most fortitnate circumstance it did not
happen iu the night, as the whole crew must have been drowned in their
hammocks.
22- Wind N. N. E. Great fag. Dispatches came down, this day, for the
Straits, which were to have been put on board the Flora (wrecked? ; they
immediately sent to the Admiral Paisley, armed bri^, of 14 guns, Lieut.
Nevin. She sailed directly for Lisbon, Gibraltar, and Malta. She v. r ?s docked
the 1 9th ins:. ; out the morning of the zoth ; victualled and watered for four
months, last evening; and sailed this morning, at two A. Al.
23. Wind 5. S. W. Kard rain, and blcws a gale. Arrived from Jersey.
L'Airibnscade, of 40 guns, Hon. Capt Coiville, with the OSicers and crews of
the Havick, of iS guns; and Pelican, of 16 guns, *.. t. Aubyn's Bay.
Their description of the storm is dreadful : for nearly six hours, after all their
ni3>ts were gone, they were exposed to the drifts of a ^ca running mountain'-,
high, which made ?o clear a breach over each ship, that the Officers . :id crew*
exp*:>ited every moment would be their last ; providentially the tide, which had
risen thirty-two feet perpendicular, suddenly receded, and the Officers and
crews saved their lives, hut lost ail their property. The Kavick is a total
wreck ; but the Ptlican is towed along-side the Pier of St. Helier, though so
much damaged that it is thought she cannot be repaired.
24. Wind S. E. Hard rain. Arrived a French brig, with biscuit, taken
by the Excellent, of 74 guns, Captain Stopford. Arrived a Ftench brig pri-
vateer, of 14 guns, prize to the Nile cutter, Lieutenam . L : I ,!JS; and Lurcher
cutter, Lieutenant Forbes Came in irom C u. . F six weeks,
the Wilmington, a sclu oner, Lieutenant Paul, with dispatches for the Admiralty,
from Captain Watkins, of La Nereide, cf 36 guns, dated Curacoa, containing-
the official account ef that island and its dependencies, w''h forty-four sail of
merchantmen, richly laden, for Europe, having surrendered to La Nertide
alone; Lieutenant Paul set off express for London. Letters from Jersey state
the safe arrival there, after the tcrai of the.jth, of the .Lurydice, of 24 guns,
Captain Talbot,-
25. Wind 3. W. Cloudy. Orders came down this day for LMmmortalitc,
of 40 guns, Captain Hothzm, to fit for foreign service. St. Joseph, of 12.3
guns, is now in dock, completely coppered, and pa:r.ted, with a light figure
head of St. Joseph. What is remarkable-, when t!;s Spanish Admiral Dos
Gravina visited the Dock Yard, in 1791, he was particularly requested to look
at the New Dock (then jast finished, in which th-=. St. Joseph has been re-
pairing;, and was asked if it was not the largest dock he ever saw? Hii
answer, though e i not prophetical: he said in French, ' Thii dock,
though confessedly very Isrge, would not hold the at. Joseph, cue ot" the first
class of Spanish men ef war.'"
OF NAVAL EVENTS.
the Ch
rt to the wett
, rkpr
'' ru : with
dated Cm -ber.
i ' * o*iteniiff tra^n
r.ui alongside tiic Ntr ' - iv '
" le . "' jmg off and
Citizen Pitot (since captured DV ill's ^ -^f
Mr Rav-n, Master of La N, rt ii c , tvur.lcd^.f
S- id nT,r fl '
fading them, flour appear,-,! at tl.c top; Mr. R.-.vcn thr-.
K '
fciOf joined by the Dutch settlers, drove the Irene';
Guadaloupe) <> the interior of the island ; finding the
tht - r : rtreated on k
were , r ' ' J loupe ap,n The Dutch Governor and inhabitant*
were so rejoiced at getting rid of their French friend., th
of capitulation, giving up the Mand to his Bruam
public property, in cojoni il pro luc.; and money
Fterhnjr.Uo Captain \Vatkins, and !.
had been sent off for Jamaica, and arrived safe. Th,- rent-
close prisoner ; General Jomet wa admitted to hi i
was taken by the Dutch, am! h.in-cd for a spy.
left Curacoa, the Melca^r In^.c,'
there trom Jamaica, to secure ti-is important
interests of this countr.
Hebe,
otn
7. \TindN. \V Hard Fro*t A, Rain at Noon. Arr-e,l th
e, orfeignmouth, from Newfoundland, v.itl, oil and fi.h. Sh- pl .-:rd tj.
inst. from the convoy in a gale of wind, an.:
O. Bland. Owing to the hard weather, the mail did cot arrive till
eleveu o'clock.
28. Vind N. N. W. Hard Frost. Bailed for th- "
guns, Rear Admiral -ir J. \Va;ren, B.*rt Alo for the < ham
Centaur, 74 guns, Captain Markham; and Warrior, 74 j,
The former fell in with Admiral P.rkvr, \vho ordered him to Torbay to wait
for orders, supposed tor the North Sea.
29. Wind W. N. W. Cloudy. Sailed on a cruise I.'Hrrru*, of 14 guns
Captain Bland ; Beaiilieu, of 44 g'
of 44 guns, Hon. Captain Curzon. Arrived from off the <
Amelia, of 44 j:uns, Hon. ( aptain Herbert, h .
masts in the gale of wind on the 9th in*?.
of Spain, the Fisgajd. of 48 guns, Captain 'I'. B. Martin. 1 'Iniprtueux. of 84
guns, Captain Sir E. Pellew, ..imoazc, ha received order* to
relieve the C.xsar, of 84 guns, Captain Sir J. Saummz, Bart, on the kiation
. off the Black Rocks
30. Wind W. N. W. Cloudy. Sailed the Sav?ZT, ft" 18 guns Captain
Webley, on a cruise. I etters from the squadron off the Black Rock*, dated
the 24th inst. state, that an armed boat g. I !reh Hock at thf
Quemines Islands, fell in with and ca; tured a bo.tt lot on board.
going frcm l;.-li..i;r to ! ie>r. !>.-:, ,,:.-: to the Spanish Admiral; by him wai
learnt that the Combined Fleets h:il struck yards and topnuM< It V
observed this h^s been an invariable custom with the French fleet when thcd
529 MONTHLY REGISTER
wished to push out a'detached squadron. This, however, is certain, that scve*
ail of tlie line and three frigates are nearly ready for sea in the inner road, of
which the flying squadron has notice, and no doubt these dirk nights Commo^
dore.Sir ]. Saumarez will keep a good look out for them, if they should try to
escape.
Dec. I. Wind XV. N. W. Variable Weather. Letters from the squadron
off the Black Rocks, dated the 27th ult. state, that to" the 27th no move-
ments hnd been made by the combined fleets, and that the Canada, of 74
gun*, Hon. Captain De Courcy, is to take the Marlborough's late station. The
Success, of this port, with earthen ware and coals, was captured on th
ult. within two miles of the land, 'by a French row-boat, and carried to A!or-
laix. This day the Flora, of 14 guns, Lieutenant Carpenter, was weighed up,
and towed into Catwater, to be repaired; fortunately, from the ground v
he lay being pretty clear, her damage is trdling.
i. Wind W. N. W. Rain and Sleet. Letters received this day from the Suwo-
row, of 1 4 guns, Lieutenant Nicholson, dated the 14th ult. state, that near the
C-lenan IsJes, the Captain, of 74 guns, Captain bir R. Strachan, Bart, chaccd
a fine French corvette, of 24 guns, on shore. Conceiving it possible to destroy^
her,- the Suworow towed in four boats, with Lieutenant Haunah, and a parl^
of marines and seamen. The Nile, of 14 guns, Lieutenant Argles, and Lur-
cher, of 14 guns, Lieutenant Forbes, towed in four other boats, manned and
armed, close in shore, though annoyed by a tremendous fire of grape, round,
and muaquetry, from a battery high above her. They however succeeded ill
landing, set her on fire, and, after seeing her blow up with a dreadful cxplo^
sion, the seamen and marines gave three cheers and re-embarked with their
gallant leaders, with the loss of only one man killed by a shot striking the fiutr.
of the Suworow's anchor through his head, and seven men wounded, thrcd
dangerously. The Suworow was much cut up in her sails and rigging ; and
having all her anchors shot away, was fastened to the Captain by an hawser.
Arrived the El Eicho a Sociedad, or Happy tociety, .-panish schooner, froai
Bourdeaux to New Orleans, with a valuable cargo of sundries, prize to the
Maria privateer, of this port. She was one of a convoy of 14 sail under con-
voy of a schooner of twelve guns ; and as the Maria is a fast sailer, hopes arc
entertained of her picking up some more of the convoy.
3. Wind W. Fair. Arrived from Earl St. Vincent's fleet, which passed
yp for Torbay, the Barfleur, 98 guns, Rear Admiral Collingwood ; London;
98, Captain C. Purvis ; Afontague, 74, Captain Knight ; Courageux, 74,
Captain Hood ; and Russel, ^4, Captain H, Sawyer. Admiral Sir H. Parker,
who has the command of the Channel Fleet, does uot mean to risk flaying
with the whole fleet off Brest at this season of the year, when it blows hara
at W. or W. s. W. Arrived from a cruize the Fanny, of 14 guns, Lieutenant
Frissell.
4. Wind W. Cloudy, with Rajn. Came in the Patriomoso, Batch, a Prus-
sian, from Lisbon for Embdcn, detained by the Ferret privateer, of 14
Captain Hosier, who has attained two Danish vesscis, with cotton, not yet
arrived.' A court of enquiry was yesterday held on i ieuter.ant Carpenters, of
his Majesty's hired brig Flora, bound to the Straits, which drifted, tailed
ashore, swung or'r at low water, ancj overset on her larboard beam ends, near
the old gun wharf The Ccurt, after taking the existing circumstances of the
tae into their serious consideration, did not attach b.ame personally to Lieu-
tenant C. in the business, but diJ honourably acquit him- The Officers and,
crews of the Sylph, of 18 guns, Captain Dashwood. and the Telegraph, 18,
Lieutent Corsellis, were very active in getting out the -men from the Flora^
when she upset, or the whole crew \vould have btcn drowned. The Flora is
Bow refitted, and almost ready for s-.-a.
5. Wind W. N. W. Cold. This afternoon an express arrived at Admiral
fir T. Paisley's office from Government, with dispatches for Lisbon and the
gtraits. 'ilici are said to be of die highest imj Oi'uacc, and arc for Ad;
D? MAVAL BrENTf.
Lord Keith, General Sir R. Abercrombie, and General Sir T. Pultenev
and we re immcd jatc ly shipped on board i.a Vidorieuse, of ,8 iun, C
Richards, who sailed diredly, though the wind
-'-^vityhewent out to sea, '
Wind N. N. W. Fair. Clear, and Frosty. Came in the Conntmqf
Jute, of Glasgow, from Newfoundland, Jadcu with barrelled salmon, oil, and
buccalo, for Naples and Lc-ghmn : she parted convoy ou the lOdi uit. in a vio-
lent gale of Wind, off the banks of Newfoundland; was captured on the tutjt
pit. by La Braaye French privateer, of 36 guns and 350 men, off Bourdcaut;
she was recaptured QU the 26th ult. by the Doris, of 36 guns, Capuia Lord
Rancbgh. La Kraave, juft after her refitting at Passage, in Spain, wiled on a
iresh cruise, and captured the Caledonia, of and to l.unjon, from Jamaica,
which had parted her convoy in a gale of wind, with a valuable cargo of rum
-.'.rid sugar ; she was sent for, and arrived safe at Bilboi. La Lr.avc ha* escape d
all our cruisers, as s,hc sails so fast upon any wind on tack.
8. Wind N. N. K. hair and Frosty. Orders came down thi* day to vicinal
he Russel, of 74 guns, Captain Sawyer, now in Cawsand Bay, for six ir.
It is supposed she is destined for the Straits or the Cape of Good Hope.
9. Wind N. N. F.. Fair. That very fine ship the Admiral Sir John BcrUse
"Warren, built by Mr. Lockyer, merchant and broker, H taken up and char*
>ered for Calcutta, to bring home rice, &c ; she mounts ia eighteen- pound
irarronadcs. The San Josef, of 120 guns, did not go out of dock the latt
spring tide, as it did not rise high enough. There have been employed in cop-
pering her two tons, 660 pounds weight of sheet copper, and upward* of a to*
of copper nails, bolts, and fastenings.
10. \Vind E. S. F. Rain, and Fog. Passed by to Westward, the immense large
fleets for Oporto, the Straits, Lisbon, and the West Indies, nearly 550*811, under
"convoy of the Seahorse of 36 Runs; Maidstone 32 ; Alliance 44; Chichestcr 44;
Serapis 44; La Pique 44 ; Harpy 18 ; and Dromedary 34 ; a dead calm took
iheni aback off the Edystonc, and the whole horizon was covered with the
floating commerce of Albions proud Isles. The fog cleared off about noon, and
presented with the setting sun, a spectacle from the high points of land, round
this port, at once grand, picturesque, and interesting to eveiy lover of hit
country's commerce and welfare.
ii. Wind S. E. Cloudy. The wind last night having sprung up at E S E.
The above fleets went clean off the Dedman by day-break. Arrived the Sowar-
row of 14 guns, Lieutenant Nicholson, from off hrest ; left the ( zr of *4
gun?, Commodore Sir J. Saumarez, and the flying squadron off the 1 lack
Kocks They had looked into Brest the yth inst \\hni there did not appear th
any movement had I>. ,-n in;.<ie. bailed, to join the flying squadron and relieve
the Cxsar, of 84 guns, L'lmretueux, of 84 guns, Captain iir F.. I'clltw.Bi
' 12. Wind W. N. W. Pleasant, with clouds. Arrived, last night, the
Montreal, Captain Boyd, from Quebec, in thirty-five day*, rLhl) Udcn i:h
furs &c she sailed the 7th of October with the following tur sh.ps vi.
kweritta, Adeona, Ariadne, and Pelican, all very valuable; she separated
a violent gale ef wind, the ijth of O&. and ran it the whole voyage.
mails were landed and forwarded by the mail coach. The settlement waj I
in fine order, and the crops of all kinds of grain abundant.
Antigua, dated OS. 13. from an eminent Sur^on of that island, le
Mrs! g C. of Saltash, state the arrival there of the <5 >r *y, armed .chooncr.io
four-pounders, and 4 men, Lieutenant C. Bogcr.w.ti, a 1 rcnch brig pnvW.
ofYnto * nd a four-pouudcr*, 4j teamen, and j~, ~Li.:., return^ from
522 MONTHLY REGUTER
Rigaud's expedition against Curacoa : this action was well fought on both siclet
for nearly two hours, and the fire of the musquetry of the Freuui chasseurs was
well kept up, and very severe; the privateer attempted to run the (iypsey
pn board, but by the Gypsey's manoeuvring, and the perscvc: Ty of
Lieutenant Boger, his Officers, and crew, a severe contest obliged her to
strike her colours. Lieutenant Boger and his master were wounded, and three
men ; but they were, by the Surgeon's account who attcndi-d thtm, in a fair
way of recovery. Lieutenant B. is son of Captain to^cr, of the tea Itncibles,
at Fowey, and manyyears a Lieutenant with Earl St. Vinccn:.
13. Wind W. N W, Fair and fine. There is every reason, from the best
authority, to suppose that the Belliqueux, of 74 gun*. Captain R ukcel, in
convoying out thirteen sail of *- ast l.idiamcn, for China, has fallen in v, ith and
captured two French frigates, viz. i.a Medee, of 44 guns and La Concorde,
of 56 gun?, rcrurn'.i.;; irom cruizing off ,'. their con-
sort. La Franchise, of 44 guns (whicr. escaped and got into RoJi fort) have
realized a great deal of treasure, &c. plundered fh; ortuguesc J3r:wjil
inen, besides the plunder they got on the coasts of - fnca last buninuT. Ey the
Clyde, of 44 guns, Captain Cunningham, i< since karntd, that in October last
she chased La Franchise. 48 hours off Rochtfort, but she escaped by throwing
some of her guns overboard ; and a very heavy fog, with rain and squalls
arising at the same time, she changed her course, and got into port. Arrived
1,' dif, of 16 guns, and 120 men, prize ;o the Thames, of 32 guns, Captain
Lukiu ; she is vuite new rigged : on the stocks at Bourder.ux, launched and
fitted in seven days, out of port one day, and in Plymouth the third day from
her leaving Eourdeaux; on board her was discovered one of the n:i.tinecrs of
the Hermione. Sailed the Boadicea, of 44 guns, and Magiciuune of 33 guns,
ou a cruize.
14. Wind S. E. Blows hard, with rain. Arrived the New Lioness, from
London to Jamaica; she passed by with the fleet on Wednesday last, and on
Thursday night ran foul of a brig of the convoy, which stove in her hows,
and carried away her foremast and bowsprit. Arrived the Danish brig St. Cart,
Tvith hides, from Lisbon to Hamburgh, prize to the Kerret, of 14 mm* (private
ship of war), Captain Hosier. Came in* from a cruize the Amethyst, of 36
guns, Captain C. Cooke (ist) ; and Thames, of 32 guns, Captain i.ukin.
Passed up for Torbay, after a twenty weeks cruize off the Black Rocki, the
Cxsar, tif 84 guns, and Fompee, of 84 guns.
15. "Wind E. S. E. Clouds with rain. Arrived the J 'n? cutter,
with 200 ankers of spirits, prize to the Mary and Betsy gun-bout*; hc -uas
taken off Salcombe. Arrived the Tamen Galliot, from Quebec, with pot and
pearl ashes ; she fell in with the Mary, Davis, from Barbadocs, in a sinking
state, to Newfoundland, with sugars ; the Master and ten men were taken out
of her, and she foundered in a few minutes after. Arrived the Lord Duncan,
Eesant, master, after a short passage from Riga (having escaped the cm 1 .
with a valuable cargo of hemp and iron, for the Dock-yard 1 a-t Thursday,
in the grey of the morning, the Start Points bearing six leagues, W. and by N.
saw a brig privateer, of 16 guns, full of men, board a deep laden brig and send
her off; she then made sail after the Lord Luncan, but, fortunately for her,
discovering three sail to leeward, she changed her course and dodged them ;
night coming on, the Lord Duncan shaped her course for this port, and arrived
safe.
16. Wind variable. Arrived the Defiance brig, from Padshow to London,
with tin, &c. captured by the schooner piivatecr i/Keros, of St. Maior
retaken by the Sufiisante, of 14 guns, and sent in here. The other brig, prize
to L'Heros, but retaken by the Plymouth lugger, 1 ieuteuunt Eiiot, in trying
to weather the May Stone, missed stays and went onshore, and was wrecked.
She was from Bristol to London, with iron and potters ware.
17. Wind S. E. Cloudy. Accounts from Oporto, by the Ferret, of 14^
puns, Captain Hosier, arrived last night, st^te the following very gdiant action
of the Milbrcok, of 18 guns, and 45 men, Lieutenant M. Smith ; she sailed oa
OF JUVAL STEVTS.
Bdtona landed her first and second 3UE?iRTSC ""'A'
^%^SSSfr3SS:
i. i i .. Kingdom 5 she can fight fifty-eight poi ts on f%f h
DroaUsiue, incjudinp her mmrf^r_/l*/L. ..*.i r,.~. _.*i_
^
C '& TV"* 1 fijy ."*. ""dor Fort St. Julicn, by '
ns, Captain Hosier, during twelve day*, fifteen tail of transput,
troop, and thirty M il ef the dispersed Xewfoundlaod fleet, whicViepartted
irom die La bapphire frigate, arrived in damage at Lisbon;, wt wfe imo the
Jag;U5. This condud of Captain Ho-.. '.for hid i.c
prekned mere profit to the protedion of the commercial interetU of hit
country he would most likely have made a great deal of money by recapture*.
Sailed the Naiad, of 3 S gun$, Captaip Rickets, on a cruise.
19. Wind variable, mostly S. and S. E. Cloudy. Sailed the Urania, of 44
guns, Captain fowry, and Anulia, of 44 gum, Hon Captain Herbert, on a
cruise. Came in a Spanish biig packet, with iron and bale goods, p-ize to the
of 36 guns, Captain King. Order* came down thi day for all crnizcr*
to detain and send in ail Russian vessels, or vessels with Ru<*ian property oa
board. Arrived the Plymouth lugger. Lieutenant Eliot, from a cruuc; alto
the America, of Greenock, from Halifax, with masts for the dock yard
ran it. Came in the ProspeA, of Hull, one of the LUbon fleet. ,"he patted
from them under convoy of the Audacious, of 74 gun*, Captain Gould, off the
Eddystone.
20. Wind \V. Rain. Arrived a sloop with wine and brandy, prize to the
Canada, f 74 guns, Hon. Captain DC Courcy. Sailed on a cmitc, the i
Vincent, of i;> };uiis i Boys. Went down into thie Sound La
Kymphe, of 36 gu; -it oa leave.)
She received thu alteri. . , ,0 oL prize-money, aud. &atkd dirc&lj cm
a cruise.
zi. Wind. S. W. Cloudy with Rain. Sailed on a cruic off the PeviauSM,
the Suwarrow, of 14 guns Lieutenant Nicholson, .vhc i< tu : r the
squadron under Sir K Pellew, Bart. Letters re - j y iroui K
mii-al Sir T. Paisley, of 16 guns, Lieutenant Ncvin, dated Lisbon, r
arrival therewith his tiispatches from this port i:; : - "> wil
the next ciay for Uibrakr and .\.ulta, with !i
manders on tho^e stations, 5 f. M. Jusrairi..
Bourdeaux, with Russian cargoes, detained and sent into ihis poit by the
graph, of jS jjuns, Lieutenant Corscllif.
a
MOJJTHLT REGISTER
PORTSMOUTH REPORT,
FROM NOVEMBER 26 TO D'ECEXJBER 28.
Nov. if. .Arrived the . c uperb, Captain Sutton, from the Channel Fleet, is
refit ; and the Wolverene, Captain Wright, from a cruise.
28. The Hussar, Captain Lord Viscount -Garlics, is come out of dock, having
had a through repair j and the Snake, Captain Lewis, and the Sea Gull, Capt.
Lavie, taken in.
39. Sailed the Syren, Captain Goselcn, for Cork, to take the trade under hi*
convoy from thence to Jamaica.
30. Sailed the Fairy, Captain Warren, to Falmouth, to collect the outward-
bound ships; who, with the Andromeda, Captain Bradby, and Bourdelais,
Captain Manby, will convoy them to the West Indies, as soon as the wind
permits.
Dec. t. Sailed the Endymion, Sir Thomas Williams; La Loire, Captain
Newman; and Gorgon (store-ship), Captain Hill, for St. Helens; and Earf
Spencer, Lieutenant Rye, on a cruise. Also, the Andrcmeda, with LorJ
Lavington On board, for the West Indies.
a. Arrived the St. George, Captain Edwards ; Defence, Captain Lord H.
Paulctt; Ramilits, Captain Grindall; Robust, Captain Browne ; Mar;, Captain
Monckton; and Saturn, Captain Totty, from the Channel Fleet. Also the
Grand Falconer cutter, Lieutenant Chilcott, from Marcou, with the Champion
cutter in tow, dismasted.
3. Sailed the Atalanta, Captain Griint!?, for the Channel Fleet; and the
Niger, armed en flute, Captain Hilyar, for Gibraltar.
4 Arrived the Princess Charlotte, Sir Edward Berry, with dispatches front
Lord Kerth ; and the Adventure, armed enf.ute, Capt. Carter, from Gibraltar.
5. Arrived the Hazard, Captain Butterfield, from the Downs, f he saw
the Newfoundland and Halifax convoy 100 leagues to the westward, off Cape
Clear, all well. Also the Beaver, Captain Jones, from a cruise.
7. Sailed the Sea-Horse, Captain Foote ; La Pique, Captain Young ; Maid-
Stone, Captain Donelly; Harpy, Captain Birchall ; and the Chichester and
Serapis, store-ships, with 317 sail of merchantmen under convoy, for Lisbon,
Oporto, and the Mediterranean. The Harpy is only to see them down Chan-
nel, ar.d then return. Also sailed the Andromeda, Captain Bradby, and Bour-
delais, Capt-ain Manby, with a convoy for the West Indies.
1 1. Arrived the Earl St. Vincent cutter. Lieutenant Lackey, from a cruise ;
and Nemesis, Captain Baker, with the Eliza, Ann, and Mornington, East In-
diamen, under convoy, from the Downs.
12. Arrived, and sailed again on a cruise, the Constitution cutter, Lieut.
W. H. Falknor.
14. Sailed the Princess Charlotte, Captain Sir Edward Berry, for Chatham,
to be repaired ; and the Beaver sloop, Captain Jones, on a cruise.
15. Arrived the Porcupine, of 24 guns, Captain Evans, with the America,
Lord Macartney, and Diamond, laden with naval stores, under convoy, front
Halifax. Commissioner Duncan came home passenger in the Porcupine, and
landed at Plymouth ; also the Rambler, of 1 6 guns, Captain Schomberg, from
Falmouth ; and the Audacious, of 74 guns, Captain Gould, from the Mediterra-
nean, and last from Lisbon.
16. Sailed the Argo, of 44 gun=, Captain Bowen, with sealed orders. The
Eliza, Ann, and Mornington, with stores for the Cape of Good Hope, sailed
under her convoy ; and the Nemesis, of 28 guns, Captain Baker, on a cruise.
19. Sailed the Sea-Gull, of 1 8 guns, Captain Lavie, ar.d Rambler, of r<>
guns, Captain Schomberg, on a cruise ; but a "contrary wind catised them to
return.
MATAL 1Y1XTI."
-ulngoff
UM" Ca^ln'f La ^^ f 44 gU " 3 ' C4pUin N 6 *""". ^ the Bearer, of it
^fo^'i^ f SS3T'' """'" ^ *< D ermiD < e ' f '* I--
24. Arrived the Bellona, o
e> r tc r *u
on the preceding Friday, off the Start, a hrecch l
oi 16 guns, wh.ch she would have captured, had not a thick
d ' and
to w
JPromotiono anu appointmratfl.
Admiral Whitshed is appointed to succeed Ad;niral Gtmbier it the Ait
tairalty Board.
Admiral Gambier succeeds Sir Roger Curtis at the Cape of Oood Hop ; and
Sir Roger succeeds Admiral Rainier, in the East Indies, who is coming l.o-r.e.
Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton is gone up thc Mediterranean, to rcliere Sin
Sidney Smith, at Egypt.
Admiral Sir John B. Warren succeeds Sir Richard in the commiri'l off Cadis.
Admiral Sir KrasmusGower is appointed to a command in the Channel ' leet,
and will hoist his flag on board the Princess Royal.
Captain Hardy is appointed to the San Josef, of 112 gun*, as mention:,! ia
our last.
Captain Retalick is appointed to thc Defence, of 74 gunr.
Captain Ommaney is appointed to thc Barfleur, die Sag-ship of Rear- Admiral
Collingwood.
Captain Stephens, of the Barfleur, is appointed to thc GLtton.
Lord Amelias Beauckrk is appointed to thc Fortur.cc, of 43 gun*, fitting for
sea at Wochvich.
Captain Rowley is appointed to thc Prince George, in the room of Captain
ut:on.
Captain Cobb, of the Glatton, it appointed to thc Prince* of Orange, in the
room of Capt-in hope.
Captain Hammond, late of thc Lion, is appointed to the Blanche, a new
frigate.
Captain Rickets is appointed to the Naiad, of 38 guns.
Captain G. Hope is appointed to thc I.eda fiigafe, jut launched at Chatham.
Captain F. Halliday is appointed to the command of the Thames frigate.
Captain John O'Brien is appoir.'ed to the Emerald.
Captain Monday is appointed to the Swan.
Captain E. D. King, of the Gaiete, is appointed to the Leviathan, W Cape.
James Carpenter; and Lieutenant Peacockc of that h.p. to thc command
thc Gaic:t.
Captain Durban, of the Weazle sloop, i made Port,
I ieutenant Butcher, of the San. Pareil, U promoted to a eommAcder, a4
appointed to the Gujfchapin brig.
MONTHLY REGISTER
Lieutenant Edward Chatham, who so gallantly distinguished himself in the
action of La Seine frigate with La Vengeance, of 50 guns, is promoted to the
of Commander.
I icutenant Folvil, of his Majesty's ship Superb, is promoted to the rank of
Commander, and appointed to the Sally armed ship.
Lieutenant Bond, of the Netlcy schooner, is promoted to the rank of Com-
mander. ,
Lieutenant Mein is appointed to the Netley.
Lieutenant E. Kindall, late First of the Royal Sovereign, is made Master and
Commander.
Lieutenant Paul, who brought the dispatches from Captain \Vatkin, of the
Ncreide, from Curacoa, is promoted to the rank of a Commander.
Lieutenant Richards, late First of the Cambridge, is appointed to the command
ef La Reaolue, commissioned as a slop and receiving ship at Plymouth.
Mr. M. White, of the Topaze, is made a Lieutenant, and appointed to the
Py lades sleep of war.
Sir Richard Pearson succeeds to the Lieutenant-Governorship of Grer nwich
Hospital, vacant by the death of William Locker, Esq. Sir Richard, during
the last war, commanded the Serapis, of 44 gun, and very much distinguished
himself by his engagement with Paul Jones, off Scarborough.
F. Atkins, Esq. is appointed Purser of the Saturn, of 74 guns.
Mr. Wisey is made a Purser, and appointed to the Fortunee.
Mr. J. Meik, Clerk of the Foudroyant, it appointed Purser of the Caroline
frigate.
Mr. Archibald Telfer, oftheVille de Paris, is made a Lieutenant, and ap-
pointed to the Spy sloop.
Mr. Duncan, late Commissioner at Halifax, Nova ?cotia, is, we hear, ap-
pointed a Comptroller of the Navy. He is succeeded in his late office fay
Captain Inglefield.
MARRIAGES.
Lately, Captain Anderson, of the Navy, to Miss Eggleston, of JCi'ham.
The fth instant, at Stoke Damerell, Devonshire, William M'Donald, E*q,
Furgeon in the Royal Navy, to Miss Knight, daughter of Captain JCnight, of his
Majesty's ship Montague.
T he gth inst. at St. James's Church, Captain Temple Hardy, of the Navy, only
surviving son of the late Sir Charles Hardy, to Miss Warre, of Belmont Lodge,
Herts.
Lately, Sir Thomas Williams, Captain of the Endymion, at Salisbury, to Misi
Whapshare, eldest daughter of the late Lhailes Whapshare, Es<j.
15. By special licence, G. Nelson, Esq. of the Temple, London, brother
to the Secretary of the Navy, and a relative of Lord Nelson, to Misi Browne,
of Stoke Newington.
The *3d inst. Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, to Miss Onflow, daughter of his
brother .Admiral. The difference of their ages is exactly forty-three years.
Lady Parker has a settlement of 2000!. per annum.
54. At Kingston, by the Rev. W. Fussell, Lieutenant A. Wilson, of the
Kavy, to iV.iss E. B M'Kay, of Gibraltar.
The Z5th, at St. Martin's in the Fields, Captain Dundas, of the Navy, t
Miss Charlotte Wood.
At Truro, Tames Obrien, Esq. Captain in the N r avy, and nephew to the Ear!
f Inchiquin, to Miss Bridgmaa William?, daughter of James Williams, Esq.
Ml the tzmi place.
Or NAVAL EVENTS.
At Shrewsbury, Francis Parry, Eiq. Captain in the East India Company'*
, to Miss Lloyd, of Fitz.
S. Warren, Esq. late Commander of the Scourge, to Mm Barton, daughter
.of Mr. Barton, Clerk of the Survey, Chatham Dock-yard.
OBITUARY.
On the ist irst. at Salisbury, John c tanhopc, Esq. Re3r.Adn.ira! of the RH
Squadron. After continuing a very limited time in the progressive ranks of
Lieutenant and Commander, he was on the fth of >'arch 1799, rl '*^ to that
of Port Captain. A singular anecdote is related of him while holding thU ita-
tior. : 1'eino- appointed to command some ship which had beca equipped
either at Greenwich or Dcptford, he was lying in Long Reach ready for tea,
when some of the 1 ords of the Admiralty, amonjf whom wa$, we believe, the
jate Bamber ('ascoync, having proceeded down the P iver on a party of pleasure
in the Trinity Yacht, that vessel passed the ship commanded by Captain Staa-
hope with her pendant dying. Mr. Stanhope fired a shot a-head of her, a* an
order for her to strike her pendant. This not being complied with, he fired a
second, which passed through her rigging. Some of the patsengen, and Mr. G.
in particular, feeling their consequence hurt by thi violence, brought to, and
having either sent or proceeded in person on board the ship, complained in very
warm terms of the affront, insisting loudly ou their own privilege a Lords of the
Admiralty, and the insult offered to it. Captain J>. coolly replied, he knew
them not in other charader than that of private individuals, except when a&iof
in an official capacity ; and that no vessel whatever, except she belonged to h
Majesty, should pass the ship he commanded with her pendant flying. -Captain
{Stanhope was advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral of the Blue on the itt of
June 1795, and on the ?4th of February 1799. to the same rank in the Red
Squadron; but never held any command after he became a flag officer.
On the 6th inft. Sir George Bowyer, Bart Admiral of the Blue 'quadron.
This Gentleman was the descendant of a very ancient and rcfpedable family in
the county of Berks. He was appointed a Lieutenant in the Navy on the ijth of
February 1758, advanced to :he rank of Commander on the 4th of May 1761,
and to that of Poft Captain on the a8th of October 1761 His first hip was the
Shecrness, and after quitting that command, he held no other of any material
consequence till after the commencement of the dispute with North America in
1775, when he was appointed to the Burford of 70 guns. I ie removed in 1778
into the Albion of 74 guns, and proceeded almost immediately to North America
under the orders of V ice-Admiral Byron. Having at the close of the same year
accompanied that Gentleman to the West Indies he consequently became con-
cerned in all the actions which took place in that quarter previous to the end of
the year 1781, and diftinguishcd himself so highly on all occasions, as to draw
from the different Commanders under whom he served the warmest ccmmenda.
tions. Having returned to Europe in 1781, he did not receive any othe
mission during the war, but after its cessation was appointed to command in the
Madway, with the rank of Commodore, and accordingly hoisted his flag 01
board the Irresistible. After quitting this honourable Mation, as i cuttoi
at the end of three years, he held no further command till 17901 when, on
idea being entertained, that a war with Spain was more than probable, he WM
appointed to the Boync of 98 guns. The storm dispersing, th ship was put
of commission.-On the eve of the present conteit with France. Captain 1
being advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral of the White, homed 1 his flag -,*
board the Prince of 8 o guns, being appointed to command the Channel ,
xmdcr the late Earl Howe. He distinguished himself most gallantly in
morable defeat given to the French Fleet on the ist of June 1794; on *
*.,%, >.,.---, in
occasion he had the misfortune to lose a leg,
from again taking upon him any farther adivc service
Ltly rewarded with the applause of his country and the favour of h,, fcovcrr,,
A gold chain and medal, with the rank of *"*"****?*
deservedly upon him, together with a pennon .f loocl. a year^ioaic
<-S8 MONTHLY REGIST2SI
fatioft for the bodily injury he had sustained in his country's service. *-$lt
George was advanced to be Rear-Admiral of the Red on die nth of April 1794,
Vice of the Blue on the 4th of July following, Vice of the-Rcd on the m of
June 1795, and Admiral of the Blue on the i4th of February 1799.
On the 7th instant, at Hastings, in Sussex, Penjamin Robertson, Esq. a Justice
of the Peace for the county of Surrey, and many years a Navy Agent.
On the 2jd u!t. at Haddington, Mrs. Anne Campbell, rclicl: of Mr. S. Brown,
fiurgeon in the Navy.
At his father's house, Stocket Side, near Aberdeen, on the i8th instant, after
a long illness, Mr. Walter Mitchell, in the 3910 year of his age. He wa*
many years an Officer in the Honourable East India Company's Service, and
last in the Navy.
On the 4th ult. at Brompton, the Hon. Lieutenant A. J. Stewart, son of the
Earl of Londonderry j and Lieutenant in the Navy.
Of a fever, in the East Indies, in his z$th year, Mr. James Geddies, midship-
man of his Majesty's ship Trident. He was a descendant of one of the most
aiitient clans in Scotland, from which the town and parish of Gecfburg or Jed-
burg takes its name. He had nearly completed the time which is required tti
Serve as Midshipman previous to being made a Lieutenant ; was an active and
deserving Officer, and an excellent seaman. Mr. G. had been in several
engagements j was at the taking of <he island of Corsica, and at that time
Served on board his Majesty's ship Fortitude, which was laid against Fort
Fiorenzo for the space of three hours, and was on fire in several places with the
ted-hot shot from the foft; when they were obliged to cul their cable ; Mr.
G. was slightly wounded on the occasion.
Lately, a South Shields, Mr. Jolin Miller, ship-owner. By a sudden motion
6F his vessel, he was thrown into the sen, through the rriain chains, in the pre-J
sence of his wife and children, arid sunk before any assistance could be given
him.
The aoth inst. at his house, in Park-street, Westminster, Captain John
Hallam, of his Majesty's Navy, aged 8a.
At Portsmouth, late of Teddington, Middlesex^ Lieutenant William Mac-
pherson Rice, of the Royal Navy.
On board the GiiillaumeTell, the -i6th of Oflober last, on his passage home
from Minorca, Lieutenant Francis Lloyd, aged 31 years, eighteen of which
he had been in actual service.
In September last, at Jamaica, Mr. Adam Dickson Dobie, Midshipman on
board bis Majesty'* ship Apollo.
34. The Earl of Ranclagh, at the Fountain Inn, at Portsmouth. His Lord-
shrp was Captain of the Doris frigate, the command of which is given to Capt.
Lukcn. Lord Ranelagh's title devolves on his brother, Major Jones, who is
how on duty with his regiment the 66th, in the island of Newfoundland.
On the zftth, of a paralytic complaint, William Locker, Esq. Lieutenant-
Governor of Greenwich Hospital. He was appointed a Lieutenant in the Navy
in 1758, a Commander in 1762, and a Post Captain in 1761, While his private
virtues entitled him to the higheft honour in civil society, his abilities as an
officer justly acquired him the most distinguished reputation in respect, to the
public service. This gentleman was the nautical tutor of Lord Nelson, who
loved him with the sincere affection of a friend, revered him as a foster parent,
and has seized with avidity every possible opportunity of publicly declaring he
was indebted for every honour he had been fortunate in acquiring to the in-
strudhons and knowledge he had received from this gbod and gallant man.
Such a tribute, and so justly bestowed, reflects equal honour on the gratitude
which pays it with the worth that requires it. He succeeded the late Lieu-
tenant-Governor Ferguson in his station at Greenwich Hospital in tke month of
February 1793.
TO THE
MEMOIRS, HINTS, PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS, NAVAL
LITERATURE, POETRY, REMARKABLE INCIDENTS.
fcfc. &c. IN VOL. IV.
A.
ADMIRALTY, High Court of, con .
viftions at, 76. Condemnation of
vessels at, 78.
ADMIRALTY SESSIONS, proceedings at
the, 502.
ALEXANDER OF ALTONA, THE, con-
demned, 78.
ALBION sloop of war, capture of, 337.
AMERICAN MARINE, particulars of, 76,
119, 148.
ANCHORS AND CABLES, letter on, uS,
370.
ANIMAL-FLOWER, description of the, 4.86.
ARMISTICE, NAVAL, 412.
6.
BAKER, Admiral. SeBvNC.
BAMBOROUGH CASTLE, account of the
signals, &c. at, 481.
B ARRINGTON, the Honourable SAMUEL,
his letter, praising Capt. Jerris, .
Notice of his decease, 168. Enters the
service, 171. Made a commander, 173.
Appointed to the Bellona, and engages
the Due de Charrres, ib. Removes into
the Romney, 174- M^e an established
Commodore, and sent into the Mediter-
ranean, ib. Negociates for the release
of British subjects in slavery, ib. Ap-
pointed to the Crown, 175- To tlie
Norwich, ib. Sails to North America,
under Admiral Keppel, ib. Appointed
to the Achilles, ib. Captures the St.
Florentine, 176. Proceeds against .
Isle, 177. Appointed to the Venus, i;
Receives the late Duke of Cumberland
on board his ship, ib. Appointed- to t
Prince of Wales, 179- P'' oted to {
rear-admiralship of the White, 180.
Serves in the West Ind.es, '*. H^
official letters from the Grand Cul-de
Sac, 181, 184. Engages Count L
taing. 1 88. Is second m command
undtr Lord Howe, in the : relief
hraltar 179. Made admiral of the
Promotes the insutution ot
a socety for the relief of indigent rural
officers, their widows, ami children,
ib. Raised to the r.u.k of admiral of
the White, 197. Appointed colonel of
the Chatham division of maiines, ib.
General, ib. Heraldic particulars re.
speeding, 198.
BARTOLOMEO'S, FKA. PAOLININO DA
SAN, voyige to the East Indies, 49:.
BELLIGERENT NATIONS, maritime rights
of, u-lativc to neutral*, 206.
BERK ELY, Hon. Adm. discover* a new
chasm on the coast of France, 44.
BERK ELY, Lord, commands a detach-
ment against Brest, 484.
BIOGRAPHICAL ANECDOTM OF NATAL
OFFICERS, from Mr. Lodge** Illustra-
tions of Holbein*.; Portraits, 124, 196.
Memoirs of the Earl of
St. Vincent, i . Of Lord Viscount Dun.
can, 82. Of the Honourable Admiral
Barrington,i69. Of Sir Erasmus Cower,
258. Of Sir Thomas Paslry, 349- of
Sir William Sidney Smith, 445.
BREST, view of the harbour of, Plate
XLVII. 43-
History and topographical descnp'
tionot", 483.
, directions for entering the port of,
485. Description of the chart of th
h:irbotir, ib.
BROWN, Capt. PHILIF, biographu
tice of, 3*6.
BVLMEI, Cant. JoHX, extraordu
dei taking of, 369.
BYSG, Sir GEORGE, original I or,
addressed to A-.i.n i.-l BArr, 4*.
, Admirji, his aftion off Mta m,
BARCKLONA, capture of two Spanish cor.
VC-M in the road of, 3J*- bwedrtbnoit
respcdling the same, 411.
C.
CABLBS AND ANCHORS, letter on, i,
37- CADII.
INDEX,
CADIZ, blockade of, 144. Expedition
?. linst, 425.
CAERMART'HEN', Marq:iis of, reconnoitre*
the 1: -. lirest, 4.84.
CAMP.'-. R DOWN, i !>! se -Mti-n of the ac-
tion off. Piate XXXIX, 328.
CHANNEL FLEET, arrangement of the
linenf, 255.
CHARLES BARING West Indiaman* loss
of, 441.
CLINTON, Lord EDWARD, life of, 1*4.
CLONCARIIF, Earl of, anecdote of, 368.
CONFEDERACY, NORTHERN, particulais
respiting, 499.
CoiiMOKANT, lofcs of, 254.
COURTS MARTIAL, NAVAL, their pro-
cecdings on the trials of Captain Alms,
Mr. Rothery, Mr. Frims, and the rest
of the officer* and ship's company of his
Majesty's ship Repulse, 74. Mr. W.
Krlly, Mr. John Skea, Lieut. William
Wa.ker, John Duncan, and Joseph
Brow, 75. Bartholomew Porter, Ar-
thur Hughes, Th-.imas Nelson, John
Watson, and James A leu, 156. Mr.
George Hudson, Lieut. E.Clu'ke, Lieut.
Pacy, John Bvirnet, of the Danae, 245.
Thomas M'Carty, Joseph Wright, alias
Marr, James Keeling, James Blew,
Lieut. James Ryder, Alexander Blown,
T. Tring, 338. John Brown, 432.
William Dean, Thomas Taylor, Wil-
liam Millage, John Brown, Thomas
Pomek, William Ellis, Andrew Dryden,
Alexander Brown, Mr. Samuel For ster,
Richard Hall, 43:.
CREWE, Lord, benevolent institution of,
481
CRONSTADT, embargo at, 499.
CURACOA, capture of, 439. 505.
D.
DENMARK, a convoy of, disputes the rights
of the British flag, 157. Articles in her
treaty of commerce with Great Britain,
158. Temporary convention with, 243.
State papeis relative to the dispute, 302..
DICKSON, Vice-Admiral, journal of the
p oceedings of nis squadron, 240.
-, Captain EDWARD STIKLIVG,
receives the ilunks of tne inhabitants of
TrinUada, 24.6.
DIVING MACHINE, newly invented, 135.
DOCKS, West iridin, ceremony on laying
the first stone of, 64.
DONKLEY, Capt. biographical notice of,
*57-'
DUNCAN, Lord Viscount, ancient history
c.f his family, Si. Js educated at Dun-
dee, 82. Entei'b with Captain Rebert
Baldanes, 83. Promoted to'be a lieute-
n'tnt, 84. Advanced to the rank of
commander, 85. Post captain, ib. Ac-
companies an expedition against the Ha-
vannah, ib. Private anecdote of, 86. Is
a member of the court martial held on
At'n'iril Keppel, 87. Is engaged in
the aclion with Don Juan de Langata,
88. Lo<es his pri/e, 91. Appointed
to the Blenheim, 93. Removes to the
Foudreyam, 94. Promoted to be rear-
admiral of the Blue of the White vice
of the Blue of the White, 94. Ad-
miial of the Blue, ib. Of the White,
95. Is appointed to the chief command
in the North Seas, ib. Assumes ths
command of the Russian squadron, 96.
His conducl during the mutiny in his
fleer, 97. His victory off Cimperdown,
104. List of the English and Dutch
fleets, 107. Signals employed, 108. Ex-
tiacl from the log-book of the Venera-
ble, 107. His official letter, 112. Is
created Baron Camperdown, and Vis-
count Duncan, ib. Heraldic particulars
of, 113.
DUNKIRK ROADS, attack of the enemy's
fleets in, 77.
DUTCH account of their engagement with
the British fleet on the i4th of June 1666,
44.
E.
EAST INDIES, n*.arine regulations there, 77.
. , voyage to, by Fra. Paoli-
nino da San Bartolomco, 492.
EAST INDIA REPORTS, 254, 344.
EMBARGO at Cronstadt, 499.
EXPEDITIONS, SECRET, 159-
F.
FEVER, essay on Dr. Robertson'?, 57, 126.
FORRESTER, Lord, some notices concern-
ing, 17;.
FRANCE, new channel discovered on the
coast of, 441.
FRENCH, critical remarks on their official
veracity, 317.
FLAG, BRITISH, rights of, 308.
FbtTCiif.R, Dr. account of his work, in-
titled THE NAVAL GUARDIAN, 298.
G.
GALLIES, battle of the,' 450,
GHEZZAR, his real name, 4*19.
GIBKALTAR STATION, list of ships on
the, ^45. View of the rock of, Plate
XLV. 380.
, history and topographical ac-
count of, 381.
GOWER, Sir ERASMUS, his descent, 137-
Enters
INDEX.
Enters the service, il>. Sent Into the
Portuguese service, 258. Made a lieu-
tenant, . Appointed to the Swallow,
I*. Appointed to the Swift, * 59. Wreck-
ed on the coast of Patagonia, ib. Con-
veyed to Falkland Island, i6 t . Ap-
pointed second lieutenant of ihe Princess
Amelia, 261. Appointed to the Levant,
463. TotheSindwich, 164.. Appointed
captain of the Prince William, ib. Serves
at Gibraltar, 165. Ordered for me East
Indies in the Medea, ib. His hold at-
tack cf a Dutch vessel at Cuddalort, 268.
Unfortunate engagement with the French,
474-. Negotiates with M.-de S.iffiein,
275. Providential escape off the V>
Islands. 276. Serves on the Newfound-
land station, 277. Sent for to Eng-
land, on the first project of an embassy
to China, 27?. That projeft abandoned,
ib. Appointed to the command of the
Lion, for the purpose of conveying Lord
Macartney to China, ib. His remarks
en the passage to Madeira; 179. Parti-
cularly his passage through the Yellow
Sea, 280. Returns to England, 187.
Appointed to the Triumph, 288. His
meritorious conduct on the 17111 of June
1795, *^' Commands the vessels equip-
ped against the mutineers at the Nore,
a?9 Promoted to the rank of rear-
admiral of the White, ib. Heraldic par-
ticulars of, ib.
GOWER, Mr. his principles of ship build,
ing, 50. His essay on naval signals, 133.
GRAHAM, the Right Honourable Lord
GEORGE, some notices conctrning, 171.
GREEKS, MODERN, maritime ch.u.ictn
of, 290.
GREEN, Lieutenant G. biograpkical notice
of, 365.
GREENWICH HOSPITAL, new regulations
>n, 337-
GUILLAUME TELL. See WILLIAM
TELL.
GUNNERY, NAVAL, questions and an-
swers relative to, 53. Orders of the
French government resptclmg, 143, 144,
& sea.
H.
HAIL STORM, his letter on the French
lucubrations in naval taSic$, 227.
HAMILTON, Capu Sir EDWARD, dines
at the Mansion Houe, 431.
HEILIC; ISLAND, account of, ;, -
HISTORY, NAVAL, illustrations of, 48,
Il6, 202, 383.
HOLLAND, intelligence ot ships launch
in, 160.
HOUND SLOOP OF WAR, intlligencre.
, 337.
HOWE, Earl of, private letter of tiofficv
on board the fleet of, 4!.
I.
JERVU. See ST. VIMCIWT.
INMAN, his condua in the capture of tht
Deiiie*c, 77-
K.
KEITH, Lord, his Inter to General Kle-
ber. 76.
MILL, Admiral, gives n entrrtiin-
ment to the principal inhabitant* of Cork,
147. Is created a baronet, 441.
L.
LAMPS, FUMIGATING, 449.
LKPUR, HL'MPH , of, 50*.
LISBON STA i ion, lut of Ships on, 145.
LITERATI-RE NAVAL, 57, 116,404,49*,
M.
MALTA, blockade of, 146, 33 j.
MARINES, Lord Keith' regulations coo
cerning, 337.
MAIIN E.FRENCH, regulation in the, 139,
330.
..... LAW, spirit of, 404.
MARITIME RIGHT* of belligerent nation*
:o6.
MARLBOROUCH, loss ri', 418.
MAXWELL'S SPIRIT OF MARINE LAW,
404.
MEDITERRANEAN STATION, list of thrpc
on, 245.
MILLER, Capt. bio^ph : nl notice of, 145.
MONARCH, three Dutch Aagt at different
time* surrendered to D .-: .
MUTINY on board Adr.nral Duncan's
fleet, some account of, 97.
N.
NARROWS, return of the lot* of the Swede*
in the passage of, in 1790, 450.
TIR\-
TURE.
NAVAL POETRY. See POETRY.
NAVAL GUAKDIA*, D; s 198.
NAVAL HH IORY. S c HUTORY.
NAV.U. TACTICS. So:
NELSON, Lerd, prayer Ufed on aidAintof
the victory of, 367. Arrives in Bug-
h'ul, 428. Is entertained by r -
Mayor, 419. 1 presented with a rwocd
nf Cnainberlam of London, 430-
Ntui RALS, nuritime nghts of belbjffes<
n itioiu rr rive to, 106.
NORRIS. Sir JOHII, oi'ginal letter of, 117.
NORTHKHN
concerning, 499.
NORTHERN POWERS, their naval force,
I.VDEX.
158. General observations on their con-
duit, 159.
NOVEMBER, general naval observations
for, 425.
O.
OCTOBER, general naval observations for
334-
OR FORD, Lord, original letter of, to Sir
Cloucksly Shovel, 205.
P.
PAS LEY, Sir THOMAS, Bart, enters the
service, 349. Removes into the Wea-
zel, ib. Follows Captain Dighy itito the
Dunkirk, ib. Is engaged in the expe-
dition of September 1757 against Roche-
fort, ib. Appointed to the Roman Em-
peror fireship, 351. Removes into the
Huzzar, ib. Follows Captain Elliot into
the Eolus, ib. Engages two French fri-
gates, ib. Employed on the Irish sta-
tion, ib. Engages Thnrot's squadron,
ib. Captures two Spanish West India-
men, 353. Made a post captain, 355.
Convoys a West India Fleet, ib. Re-
ceives the thanks of the merchants of the
cities of London and Bristol, 355. Con-
voys a second fleet, and is again thank-
ed, 356. Appointed to the Jupiter, tb.
Is attacked by Suffrein in Porto-Praya
Road, tb. Captures five Spanish ves-
sels, 357. Invested with the chief com-
mand in the Medway, 358. Ordered
to join the main fleet, ib. H'-ists his
btoad pendant on bourdthe Belleiophon,
under the orders of Lord Howe, 359.
Chases a detachment of the enemy ? fleet,
ib. Made rear-admiral of the White,
360. Engaged in the aflion of the First
of June, ib. Loses his leg, 362. Re-
ceives a complimentary card trom Earl
Howe, and a letter from the Right Hon.
< Mr. Pitt, signifying his Majesty's gra-
cirn.s disposition to confer on him the
d : gnity of B.ironet, 363. Has a pen-
sion granted to him, ib. Appointed
commander in chief in the Medway, 364..
Made port-admiral at Plymouth, ib.
Rear admiral of the Red, ib. Vice of
the White, ib. Vice of the Red, ib.
Heraldic particulars respecting, ib.
PHELIPEAUX, M. a slight accoun of,
PHILOSOPHICAL PAPERS AND USEFUL
NAVAL PRojecT.s, si> 56, 123, 2iS.
PLATE XXXVi. Portrait of Earl St. Vin-
cent, i.
XXXVJT. Representation of the
ad ion fought off Cape St. Vincent, 14
Feb. 1797, 47.
XXXVIII. Portrait of Lord Dun-
can, 81,
XXXIX. Representation of the
aclion off Camperdown, 128.
XL. Portrait of Admiral Barring-
ton, 169.
XLI. Situation of the William
Tell on the 14th of March, iSoo. 233
XLTI. Portrait of Sir Eiasmus
Gower, Knight, 257.
XLIII. Representation of the Bri-
tish and French fleets at the Grand Cul
de Sac, on the 15th December 177?!. 297.
XLIV. Portrait of Sir Thomas
Paisley, 34.9.
XLV. View of Gibraltar, 381.
XLVI. Portrait of Sir Sidney
Smith, 445.
XLVII.
View of the Interior
Harbour . Brest, 483.
XLVI II. Chart of Brest, 485.
PLYMOUTH REPORT, 78, if i, 339, 433,
518.
POETRY : On Rear- Admiral Lord Nel-
son's victory, 60. Elegy on Captain
Courtenay, 129. Great Britain, 230.
Stanzas on the capture of the Foudroyant,
of 84 guns, by the Monmonth of 64,
anno, 1758, 322. Verses on launching
a ship at Chatham, 314. The Orphan
Boy's tale, 406. Sonnet on leaving
Southampton, 407. The Sailor's Prayer
before aclion, 2cJ8. Description of a
Calm at Sea, at morn, 41 1 . Verses by G .
Keate, Esq. to Capt. Bligh, 494. Elegy
on the death of some sailors wrecked near
the coast of Cornwall, 496. Verses
written on reading some interesting anec-
dotes in the lift 1 o- Karl St. Vincent, 497.
Epigram, 498. Epitaph on an honest
sailor, ib.
POTTER, THO. executed for murder, 503.
POR i SMOU rn REPORTS, 164, 339, 438,
524.
PROCLAMATION, RUSSIAN, relative to
M.dca, and the e^nhaigo, 510.
Ql
QUARANTINE, proclamation mi the sub-
ject of, 24.5.
QUEEN INDIA.VIAN, loss of, 344.
R.
RES i STANCE, narrative of her loss, 209.
i , crew of, account.ot the sur-
vivors of tlir, 160, 209.
RIGA, vessels detained at, 500.
ROBERTSON, Dr. his essay on fevers, 57.
ROOKE, Sir GEORGE, anecdote of, 36^.
RUDDER, description of an artificial one,
56.
RUSSEL, Admiral, original letter of his
to Sir Cloudesly Shovel, 204.
RUSSIA, condition of the British subje&s
detained in, 500.
SEA,
IXDtX.
S.
SfcA, experiments concerning the luminous
appearances of the, %6
SF.ARLE, \V. indifted for murder, 50*.
SHAIRP, STEPHEN, Esq. his letter re-
speclmg the state of the British subjefts
detained in Russh, 500.
SHILINGA, an Indian vessel, 491.
VtxrRis, THO. indifled for murder, 501.
ST. VINCENT, JOHN JERVIS, Earl of,
enters the service, 3. Accompanies Sir
Charles Saunders in the expedition against
Quebec, ib. Made a commander, and
appointed afting captain of the Experi-
ment, ib. Captures a large xebec, 4.
Entertains the Duke de Chablais, 5.
Promoted to the Foudroyant, ib. Joins
the Channel fleet under Admiral Kcppel,
6. Gives evidence at the subsequent
court martial, 7. Afts a distinguished
part in an engagement with a French
fleet off Brest, 8 . Is promoted by Vice-
Admiral Barrington, 9. Is wounded,
10. Investedwiththe order of the B ath ,
n. Attends Earl Howe to Gibraltar,
ib. Advanced to the rank of commodore,
afid hoists his broad pendant on board the
Salisbury, ib. Elected a member of par-
liament, ib. Opposes the fortification of
the dock yards, 12. Befriends Captain
Brodie, ib. Made rear-admiral of the
Blue, ib. Of the White, ib. Is appointed
captain of the fleet under Admiral Bar-
rington, in the expeft.v.ion of a nipture
with Russi?, ib. The fleet dismantled,
ib. Accepts the command of a squa-
dron equipped for the West Indies, ib.
Conquests of the islands of M.iitinico,
, St. Lucia, and Guadeloupe, 13. A
French force eludes the British fleet, and
reaches Guadeloupe, ib. The character
of Sir John Jervis, together with that of
the general of the army, traduced by cer-
tain planters and merchants, 14 Sig-
nified and satisfactory reply of the naval
and military commanders, ib. Several
of the persons who had joined in the
clamour wait on Sir John Jervis, and
express their approbation of Ins conduct,
jc. The House of Commons renews
its vote of thanks, 31. Speech of Mr.
Wilks on presenting the freedom of the
city, ib. Sir John takes the Meditw-
ranran stition, 31. Js niade vice admi-
ral of the White Admiral of the Blue,
ib. Defeats the Spanish h\ct, 35. His
official letter, ib. Combative view of
the force of the British and Spanish fleet$
on this occasion, 36. Sir John is created
Baron Jen-is ot'Meaford, and Earl St.
Vincent, 40. A pension bestowed on
him by parliament, ib. Blockade* CidJj,
41. Sail* in search of the Brett flm,
ib. Commandt the Channel fleet Ar-
rangements of its line ot battle, ajj.
Heraldic particulars, ib.
ST. VINCENT'S, representation of the ac-
tion off, Plate XXXV JI, 47.
SHIPWRIGHTS, decayed, pUo for the sup-
port of, 399.
SHOVEL, original letters of Sir CLOUDIS-
LY, 116.
SIGNAL BALLS, scheme for improving,
m-
SIGNALS, Mr. Gown's scheme of naval,
133-
SMITH, Sir WILLIAM Siniur, his knar
to Capt. Thevcuard, 336.
--- , enters the
service, 446. Made a fifth lieu-
447. Enters the Swedish service, /*. It
engaged in the battle of the gallics, 450.
Receives the grand cross of the order of
the sword, 452. Serves as a volunteer,
ib. Volunteers his service at Touimi,
ib. Destroys the enemy's arter.
453. Appointed to the Diamond, tb.
Makes ait attempt on two ships near La
Hogue,/'&. Attacks a French i <j
in Hirqui, 455. Captuies a French lug.
ger at Havre, 45!. Is taken privoner
by the Frrnch, in. Imprisoned in the
Temple, ib. Enters into cerera
for his escape, 459. Means by
his escape was etfecled, 466. K-
Roucn, 468. Arrives in Londjjt, tb.
Has a private audience with i
ib. Appointed to the Tigrc, /*. M*de
a commodore, and sent to the c
Egypt, ib. Defends Acra, 469
> the thanks of , 470.
Enters mt'i a convention
Kleber tm tt.e evacuation ot Kjcy;
Its ratihc-.tion r. fused, 4-5. K
to be succeeded in h * coir
R. Bickatoi), 477- Hermldk parocular*
of, ib.
STAG, loss of , 254-
STURT, CHAKLKS, Esq. providential e*.
c.tpe of, 394.
SWMIEN, convoy of, disputes th.
of Me Bntishti.g, i
SWEDISH note to. the Spunsh MinUter,
resi>efting the affair at barcclon.-..
SWIMMING, French prizes :
SouTHAurroN, Ea ,5.
T.
TACTICS, NAVAL
114, ly8.
'
a*:,
INDEX.
T8MPLE, account of Sir William SiJney
Smrh's imprisonment in the, 458.
TIGRE, when taken, 468.
TORRINGTON. See BYNG.
TOULON PAPERS, supplemental notes to,
478.
TRANSIT, a newly invented vessel, the
principles upon which it is constructed,
5' '35-
TRUXTON, Commodore, of the Ameri-
can service, official letter of, 120.
TRINCOMALE, particulars or" the melan-
choly fate of the, 319.
V.
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND discovered to be
an island 159-
VAN, pressure upon the, examples of the
success of a, 42.
VENERABLE, extracts from the log-book
of, 108.
VENGEANCE, capture of La, 440.
VESSEL, intending to sail -with celerity,
arguments tending to illustrate what
ought to be the shape of, 135.
VICTORY, extraordinary, of an English
captain over a numerous Turkish fleet,
367.
VIGO-BAY, sotve vessels cut out of, 243.
VINCENT. See ST. VINCENT.
W.
WALLIJ, Captain, testimony of his ex-
cellent charafter, 160.
WALTON', Capt. his laconic dispatch, in.
WELCH COAST, soundings taken of the,
337-
WEST INDIA DOCKS, ceremony of laying
the first stone of, 64.
WEST INDIA REPORT, 439.
WHITAKEK, Sir EDWARD, original letter
of, 383.
WILLIAM TELL, French account of the
capture of, 233. Remarks on the same,
317.
. " , situation of on the night
of the 29111 March, 1800, Plate XLI.
*33-
WHITE, captain, account of, 261.
Y.
YOUNG, capt. biographical notice of, 446.
INDEX to the GAZETTE LETTERS, in VOL. IV. ; containing
Accounts of the Captures, Proceedings > &c. by and of the under-
mentioned Officers and Ships.
A NDROMEDA, 72
** Anson, 237
Argo, 419
Badger, 325
Biker, Capt. 149
Ballard, 325
Be:-uilku, 325
Bondicea, 155. 238. 414
Bond, Lieut. F. G. 508
Bower., 419
Butcher, 41 8
Calypso, 149
Campbell, Capt. 74
Captain, 507
Childers, 505
Clyde, 416, 417
Cockburne, Capt. 154, 414,
416.4-17
Coghlan, Capt. 145
Constance, 68
Courageux, 238.
Cunningham, Capt.4i6,4i7
Cur7on, 71. 420
Dart, 73
Defence, 67
Durban, Capt. 416
Durham, 137
El Cor so, 413
Excellent, 417
Fayerman, Capt. 325
Ferris, Capt. 152
Fisgard, 67. 70. 150. 155.
414
Fly, 237
Flora, 152. 414
Fowke, Ca;>t. 417
Hais'cd, Capt. 327
Hamilton, 71, 72
Hazard, 15*
Hccquard, Mr. 152
Hood, C:ipr. -38
Hotham, Capt. 419
Imrnonaliic, 419
Impetueux, 153
Indefatigable, 171
Inman, 153
Ke*l3, Caf 153. 238. 327,
32$, 319.414,41-5
Keith, Lord, 69, 74. 150.
325. 504
Knight, Capt. 41 5. 41 8. 415
Lark, 149
Loire, 72
l.oring, Capt. 149
Louis. Capt. 328
Liikii 1 , Capt. 420
L'ltwvche, vice-ad. 418
Martin, Capt. 67. 70. 150.
i55' 3^7. 328- 4H
Melpomene, 71, 72
Mermaid, 69, 74
Middleton, Cipt. 152. 414
Milbank, 68. 416
Milne, 421
Minime, 152,414. 416, 417
Minotaur, 69. 150. 328
Montague, 415. 418. 419
Mudge, Capt. 237
Nereide, 505, 506
Netley, 508
Newman, 7*
Nils,
Nile, 418
Norris, Capt. J. N. 504
Northumberland, 327, 3a g
Oliver, Capt. 69. 74,
Parker, Sir H. 149,150,326
Pasley, Sir T. 68
Pearl, 325
Pellew, SirG. 153
Phaeton, 504
Phoenix, 327
Price, Capt. 325
Proselyte, 417
Queen, 149, 150
Renown, 67. 70. 150. 153,
J54.138
INDEX.
Rickets, Capt. 413
Royal George, 153, 154
Kubv, 152
St. Vincent, Earl of, 7 . 70 .
*S- '53. 154- *37- JiJ.
4'3- 4>5-4 1 7 418. 507
Seme, 4*1
Seymour, Lord, 68 239.316.
420
Skipsey, Capt. 415
Spitfire, 68
S'.opfoicl. 418
Stiachan, Sir R. 507
Tamer, 239
Termagant, 415
Towry, Cap. 1 54
V|Ut <Je Parif, * 7 . 70. ,5.
V.per. 154
Unicorn, 67
Uranie, 154
Warren, SirJ.B. 67. 70.
150- 3*
Wkin,, Capt. P. $05 , 5 o4
weazel, 410
Western, T. j 9
Wight, Cnpt. Jubn, SH
Wolverene, 155. 504
Wright, CpL 6t. 155
Yco, Lieut. 413
INDEX to the PROMOTIONS and Af POINTMENTS.
A LT, Lieut. 167. 256
- rv Atkins, F. Esq. 526
Beauclerk, Lord Amel. 525
Bedford, Cape. 347
Bickerton, Adm. Sir R. 525
Bickerton, Sir H. 255
Bland, Capt. 256
Bond. Lieut. 526
Borer, Capt. 256
Broughton, Capt. 80
Browne, Lieut. j67
Browne, Capt. 443
Burke, Lieut. 347
Butcher, Lieut. 515
Calder, S rR. 167
Campbel, C<pt. 80
Camphel, Capt. P. 167
Chapman, Mr. 443
Chatham, Lieut. E. 516
Coats, Com- 443
Cobb, Cipt. 525
Cockrane, Lord. 167
Conn, Lieut. 167
Cotton, Sir C. 255
Dsws, Col. 256. 44.3
Devonshire, Capt. 80
Dick, Capt. 167
Dickson, Capt. E. S. 525
Domet, Capt. 4*3
Don, Rev. H. 107
Duckworth, Adm. 255
Duncan, Com. 44}
Duncan, Mr. 516
Dundas, Hon. G. L. 167
Durban, Capt. 525
Faulkland, Lord, 256
Fisher, Mr. 107
Flight, Lieut. Col.
Folvil, Lieut. 516
Forster, Capt. S. 155
Foy, Capt. 156
Freemantle, Capf. 167
Gambier, Ad. 515
Gardner, Sir A. 167
Gower, Ad. Sir Eras. 525
Griffiths, 167
Halliday, Capt. F. 525
Hamilton, SirEJ. 347
Hammond, Capt. 545
Hancock, Lieut. R. T. 156
Hancock, Lieut. 156
Hardy, C ipt. 525
Hardy, Capt. 443
Harvey, Sir H. 155
Hartwell, Com. 4*3
Haweis, Lieut. 256
Hill, Cipt. H. 155
Hird, Lieut. W. 167
Holloway, Adm. 347
Honeyman, C ipt. 347
Hope, Capt. 443
H >pe, Capt. G. 255. 513
Hoskins, Mr. 443
Inman, Capt. 80
Ingleriel I, Cam. 443
Irwin, Capi. 44)
K.i.11, Ca|>r. 156.
Kindall, L cut. 443
Kiiuiatl. Lieut. E. 526
King, Cipf. E.D.
King.mill, Sir K. 44%
Kinnear, Capt. 347
Lewis, Capt. 34-7
Linzie, Lady, 168
Mainwaring, Cap:. So
Malton, Capt. 156
Meek, Mr. J. 516
Mein, Lieut. 516
Miller, Capt. 443
Mitchel, Sir A. 255
Mouart, Capt. 117
Monday, Capt. 5:5
Munro, Capt. 167
Nokes, 347
Northcsk, Ead, 155
O'Brien, Capi. 525
O'Brien, Lieut. .15$
O.nmaney, Capt. 347. 5 ij
Ormsly, Lieut 443
Pilmrr, Lieut. 156
Park, Mr. 443
Parker, Sir H. 347
Patten, Lieui. 443
Paul, Lieut. $26
Pearson, Sir Richard, 516
Phillip*, Capt. 44)
Popham, S:r H. 167
Prowde, Capt. 156
Pryinc, Mr. 443
Rainier, Ad. 525
Retalic, Capt. 155
Retalich, Capt. 595
Richards, Lieut. $i<
Rickett, C J;-
Rowd tf, 167
Rowley, Cipf. $15
RuiSef, Cipt. 44J
Scaile, Cjpt. 156
ScJgewick, Capt. 25$
Scy .wur, Lord, 155- 441
Seymour, Capt. M-
441
S'cph, s j
Thomson, Capt. A. 1 9
Thorn p . >'. 166
Thompson, i .'t. L. 155
Troubridgc, 167
Watkcr, Clfl
Wallis, Lieut. P. Eq. 1*7
Wardiace, Capt. 167
INDEX.
Warren, Sir J. B. 525
Wiithen, Capt. 347
Weobly, Capt. 167
White, Capt. 443
White, Mr. M. 526
Whitshed, Ad. 525
Wilkinson, J. Esq. 187
Wilson, Capt.J. 80
Winter, Capt. 167
Wisey, Mr. 526
Wright, Capt. J.
Wymes, Lieut. 443
Young, Capt. So
INDEX TO THE PRESENTATIONS.
Tj' ASTNGTON, Capt. 142
-^ Gardner, Lord, 442
Nelson, Lord, 442
Parker, Sir H. 347
Popham, Sir H. 347
Wallis, Capt. 441
INDEX TO THE MARRIAGES.
A NDERSON, Capt. 444
A 5a
Beaver, Capt. 454
Bligh, Vice-Adm. 168
Cliristie, Mr. 347
Donald, Mr. 526
Dundas, Capt. 526
Eyre, Capt. 444
Farrer, Capt. 256
Fitzgerald, Capt. 256
Fitzgerald, Mr. 168
Hardy, Capt. 516
Hastings, Lieut. 444
Hill, Mrs. 256
Hope, Mr. 444
Knowles, Sir C. H. 256
Kerr, Lieut. 444
Lucas, Capt. 444
Lynne, Capt. 167
Nelson, Mr. 526
Nichol, 168
Obrien, Capt. t*6
Parker, Adm. Sir Hyde,526
Parry, Mr. 527
Pasley, Miss, 168
Pierce, Miss, 347
Simpson, Capt. 347
Warren, Capt. 527
Williams, Capt. SirTho.526-
Wilson, Lieut. A. 526
INDEX TO THE OBITUARY.
A DAMS, Capt. 444
** Allen, Adm. 348
Barrington, Adm. 168
Bayly, Mr. 444.
Birch, Lieut. 168
Bowen, Capt. 168
Boyd, Cipt. 1 68
Boyer, Adm. Sir G. 527
Braithwaite, Mrs. 444
Campbell, Mr. A. 528
Dedel, Adm. 444
Dobie, Mr. A. D- 5-8
Douglas, Lady, 348
Evans, Lieut. William, 444
Geddies, Mr. 528
Grannie, Capt. 444
Hall, Capt. 444
Hallam, Capt. 528
Handley, W. 348
Hughes, Lady, 348
Kempthornc, J. 256
Knighton, Capt. 256
Lee, Capt. 444
Lloyd, Lieut. 528
Locker, Governor, 528
Macpheison, 528
Marsh, Com. 444
Miller, Mr. 528
Mitchel, Mrs. 444,
Mitchell, Mr. 528
Painter, Capt. P. 168
Pierson, Capt. 168
Porter, Mr. 348
Ranelagh, Earl of, 528
Reddish, Lieut. 34.8
Robertson, B. Esq. 528
Stanhope, Adm. 528
Stewart, Lieut. A. J. 528
Syme, C.tpt. 256
Trant, P. H. 256
Wray, Mr. 256
Young, Capt. 348
OMISSION, page 365, Life of Sir Thomas Pasley. Magdalen, second daughter to
Sir Thomas, was married in the month of September 1798, to Thomas Dowdeswell,
Esq. eldest son and heir to the Right Honourable Dowdeswell, Chancellor of the
Exchequer, of Bull Court, in the county of Worcester. Charles, the seventh son, is
Still Jiving, v<i his three sons, together with as many daughters.
Print ta by BONNIV
ilm*- Lt/!f t Lwttttn,
APPENDIX.
CHRONOLOGICAL LIST
OF THE
Ropal Ba&p of eccat ^Britain,
At the Commencement oj 'the prefix t JTa/r 1800.
(Concluded from our lajl )
Arranged according to the Years in which the Ships were built, with their D
IONS; and the NAMES of the several COMMANDOS appointed to them, from th*
Beginning of the PRISKNT WAR.
0. IV.
1794 iOHt'mueJ.
LA RKV01UTIOVAIRK, 44 Gun. f. Captured by :h* Amis, Ciptala *. ftaatt* a*4 Often, off aVct, Otaol*
sift. C.pMin Francis Cole appointed to her in January 1796. Captain T. TVraca to )*** ma,
commands her. Chanml,
I. A SYBILLE, 44 Guns. F. Captured by the Romney of 50 Cuw, Ike Hoaoarabie Capraia W.
di-.crranean, June 171(1. capuio Ednar.1 Cooke appointed to kcr In Marth i Tif *
Septemhcr 1799 jf Jnttic*,
SANFIORSIZO, 40 Guns. F. Late U'f.ir.i. Captured at San FiOKnzo Ftt : . . >.
ippointed to her li Auv'Jrt i ;.;;, anil RiU comiraiul: Mr. Hf^iltrrM^
L'EXGAGIANTE, j* Gun . : y the Contort*, CaftaiB
\\ . Fry appointed to her in June 17,5. Vice A.
MATILDA, 24 Guns. F. La:t Joe- 1 in. Captured by the Cafe*,
Oftubcr jorh. Captain 0. Vautf.an appnted to txi u . -" * W. OWyi
Ca;uin H. Mitlbrd in May 1796. t*fttM>. ^^ ^^
IE BABE'J-, 20 Guns F. Cr.rf J-t.! by the Flora, Commodore Sir J. B. Warn
Honourable Ciptai', J. Murray appoiMrd tohtr in Fcfcruiry 179$. Ct,
*_ j_: _... /._..:.. i r- *,!.; r%. rwr.f . f^fifin I. W .! I7fl7t W^ *
Honourable Cipta', J. Mumy apfnMr totr n crui '9- ,
Codring-on in M G. L bh in D<.cemlwr. C.ptain J. B. Maiimtftfi 1 JM l7, .
1 ;i, c nSi.'-2SS?
. -.
;
:.ry ;miu; u^^t*.i*.-.u vw ,* TUOT f -.
BELLEISLE,74G- F- ifl; - -. ' ' ' '
evCKYSSl:L, (4 Gur-. D. C | OCWbcr. . A*a*tl !*T*'
W. SwaffieM af pointed to Mr in Aupi 1706. tip. L_J_iaUjU f lil. > M !? tmm.
Captain J. Bawly in De^-mber 17^. ..
IA MINKRVE, 4^ Gun,. F. Captured by th
in the Mea.terranein, June j^tti. Captain G. H- To* . ta DUPiir ldi aT. Jfc.
,4ouuns. r. V.H *ythe Aftrej.CapaiDPowlett.ln
AN It, 4<)0vtn. F. r.
nl^iToftober 11 :- ^ "i^aV^St Caf* of Out
20" Guns. D- i"V ^JfTOfaji A- 1o*d .
N. K-mpe in MarO : .
Davreil in December i- v ptaia J. F. UrM
1A RAISON, : 4 nua. * L,j
"4B^SS^-^?
iurchV?^ C^ato D. W.4r. in April 17S9- -^' i J
her. .>lid::.rrtu::an.
I-ENGUi
CHRONOLOGICAL LIST or THE ROY At NAVY.
) iS Gum. F, A Sloop,
Captain J. Younc app
mands her. Plymtulb
lirii t'Effi-n. Captured by the Lively, Captain G. Burtton, rff Breft, Mrch id.
Captain J. Younc appointed to her in January 1796. Captain W. Gror/enor in January 1797, who ftill com-
mands her. Plymtulb.
14 Guns. D. A Sloop. Lett Star. Captured by Admiral Elphinftone, at the Cape of Good Hope, Sep.
tember I4th. Captain J. Turner appointed to her in January 1796. Captain J. A. Alexander in Mrcn.
Captain W. Granger ia January 1797. Captain A. Brine in March 1798, whoftill commands her. Capttf
Gci Hvpt.
HOPE,
IA SUFFISANTE, 14 Guns. tt. Captured by Admiral Duncan, in the North Seas, Auguft istli. Captain J. Witt-
man appointed to her in January 1797, who ftill commands her. Channel.
VICTORIF.lfiE, 12 Guns. F. Captured by Admiral Duncan, in the North Seas, Augaft 25th. Captain J. B.
M.i.nwaring appointed to her in oftober 1795. Captain E. S. Dicki'on in November 1796, who (kill com-
mand', h.r. Jamaica.
REQUIN, 12 Guns F. Captured by the Thalia, Captain R. Grindall, in February 1795. Lieutenant W. Champain
appointed to her in January !79<5. Lieutenant W, W. Senhoufc in Auguft 1798. Lieutenant F. Thefiger in
December 1799, who now commands her. Sfithead.
CRACHE FEU, 3 Guns. F. Captured by Sir R. Stiachnn's Squadnm off the Coaft of France May gth. Lieutenant
Lewis Mortlock appointed to her in January 1796. Weft Indies,
1796.
'DORDRECHT, 64 Guns. D. Captured by Admiral Elphinftone, in Saldinha Bay, Auguft 17th. Captain J. .
Rainier appointed to her in April 1797* Captains. H. I.inzee in September. C.iptain C. Brishane in January
1798. Ciptain D. Atkins in July. Captain R. Honeyman in January 1799, w ho ftill con.mancis h?r. Nirtb ifa>.
PRINCE FREDERICK, fi4 Guns. D. L rte Rtvoiuticn. Captured by Admiral Elphinftone, in Sald.tnha Hay, Auguft
I7th. Captain E. Ramage appointed to her in September 1797. Captain C. Hare in January 1798. Captain
T. S. Hall in Tune noS. who ftili commands Ver. Plirmutb.
toner in May 1797. viaptain j, K. wioue in uciooer. uapiam j. waiKer in june 1790, wno irui commands
her. T.rnrutb,
TROMP, S4G"ns. D. Captured by Admiral Elphinftone, in Saldanha Bay, Auguft I7th. Captain ;. Turner appointed
to her in February 1797. Captain B. Douglifs iu November. Captain R. Hill in April 1798. Captain R.
Wn.-fl*v in Tnnp t-rnrt. flkafhatn.
her. Wep Indies.
ri.EN, 36 Guns. D. Taken pofl'efUon of by Admiral Onflow at Plymouth. Receiving Ship. Plymouth.
.I'S, .n Guns. D. LatiZi-'-yr. Taken polTeirion of hy the Andromeda and others in the Frith of Korth. Captain
J. Kofo appointed to rer in December 1796. CaptaUi R. Sauce in Augult 1799. Captain )). O. Guion in
Oflober. who ftill commands her. Sutbea-l.
Capt
THAMtS
iiiuiMji oy LIU- reiiRuin, v-apzain ruiiu*B June ^n. t^puua j i-'"'iir; appointed to ner 111 aepiemoer i/yn,
apt;'in G. Fowke in December 1798, who ftill commands h;r. Downj.
., 32 Guns. Built in 1758. Captured by three French frigates i" 1793, and re-captiired by the Santa Mar-
..OTta, Captain T. B. Martin, in 1796. Captain W. Lukin appointed to her in January 1707, who ftill com-
mands her. Channel.
VINDICTIVE, 2S Guns. D. Late Btihna. Captured hy Admiral Elphinftone, Augu-t 17111. Captain J. S. R linier
appointed to her in March 1797. Captain S. O'horne in February 1798. Captain J. Gardner in March. Cap-
tun A. P. Hollis in June. Sheernef-.
JAMAICA, 3* Guns. F. Late PerdMte Captured hy the Intrepid, Captain C. Carpenter, in the Weft Indies.
Captains. Breaking appointed to her in January 1797. Dcptford.
LA LEGERE, 24 Gunj. F. Captured by the Apollo, C.iptain Mauley, off Scilly, June 2jd. Captain J. R. Watfon
ajvpoime: 1 to her in December J797. Captain C. OJiinton in June 1 79}, who ftill commands her. Jornada,
MUSETTE, 24 Gum. F. Receiving Ship Plfmwtb.
SURPRIZE, 24 Guns. /'. Latt I^Unitc. Captured hy the Hiconftant, Captain T. F. Frermantl.:, in tl-e Mediter-
ranun, April 20th. Captain E. Hamilton appointed to her ;n December 1797, who ftill commands her.
J&xaifa
SARDI>'F , 11 Guns. F. A Sloop. Captured by the Egmont, Captain J. Button, near Tunis, March gth. Captain
A'. \Mikii fon aj pointed to her in December 1796. Captain A. Kcmpe in March. Captain E. Kilwickin May.
Pirtfmanb.
SCOURGE, 22 Guns. F. A Sloop. Lite La Xekuftf. Cap-urcd by Sir J. B. Warren off ths Saints, April nth.
Cauuin H. R. Gljnn appnintcd to her in Dec:mher 1706. Captain S. Warren in May, who ftill commands her.
LA BONNE CITOYENNE, JO Guns. F. Captured by the Phaeton, the Hon. Captain R. Stopford, off Cape Finif-
ten-e, March inh. Captain C. Lindfay appointed to her in January 1797. Captain R. Ketalick in May 1797.
Captain J- Nesbitt in MJV 1799. Captain T. 3. Maling in Auguft, who rtill com?nand^ her. Utdlirmman.
CORMOKANT, ;o Gui'S. A Sic<np. F. Late V tr.a. Captured by the Mclampus, Captain J. Moore, in the Chan-
nel, November i.itli. Captain J. C. Searle in Oftober 1797. Captain Lord Robert Mark KMT in January i7 9 s.
The Hon. Captain C. Boj'le in September 1799, who ftill commands her. Sfilhtad.
CORSO, iS Guns. S. Capturrd by the Southampton, Captain Macnamara, in the Mediterranean, December jd.
Captain B. James appointed to her in December 1797. Captain Lord W. Stuart in January 1799. C,,prain
W. Ricketts in November, who ftill commands her. Medittrrantcm.
HAVICK, i3 Guns. D. Captured by Admiral Elpbinftont in Saldanha J3ay, Aiiguft I7t. Captain P. Birtholomew
appointed tD her in Marc!, 1797, who ftill commands her. Channel.
""S, 16 Cuns. X>. Takeo jx)ffffin of by Aomjrml enHow at Plymouth. ~
ekOMotooieAt inr or THI toYAt WAVY.
zszSrszz ' "- ***zz-** .rt.
,te2 ftS* 1 * * *
am HeywuM to *>ll.iir ITt% . fty ta
rmJUnel7i>8 ' whofli " <:omm:ln< " 11 "- '" ' ' 'Ml IIH
FTSCARD, ^ Gur,-. F. Lait trfjlaiu, CaaMinX br the . rtarew* ami La Mawte aff *. Tanaia T
Martin appointed to her in Deceir.her i w , wt*> M COMB** her. CtSSt ** T. .
"^r^-^sawSaffriS-^^ar ~
Frederick Wattina, her prelim contniindfr, appoint* to her to May i;L. c* -.J.
LA CONbTANCC, uGuns. F. Captures by Bit 5:. Furoro tnd Li N>a.MKO Brert CUCM! - -- -
pra'eru commander, appointed to her in Augu* /i- "
^- A.I-T.^ - *<yy ^
GAIETE, ao Guns. F. A Corvette. Captutcd by the Antaufa, cp<aia T. WoBtr, MT ..
Captam E. D. King appointed her in AuW 179^ rTUUomLl, S,! AM
BONETTA, IS Guns. F. Captain H. Vanfittart appo-nttdw her in OtUbe! MM
EUGENIE, 18 Guns. F. A Brig. Captain r. ScoMrrUk apectaod to her to KmoBter
Channel.
L'ESPOIR, 16 Guns. F. A Sloop. Captured by the Thalii, Captain K. rwkt, Wawaaar MOu CaiMa* Laftve
Ot ...y hnd appointed to her in June 179*. Captain J. Moan lapJat.4 to Bar Mu IM*. raj
LA MUTINE, 14 Guns. F. Corvette. Cut cut of Sant* Cruz by tM ann uf tac Unt? aM MawnaT May M.'
Lieutenant T. M. Hardy appointed t her in AuguA 1797. Ctpoin W. tio m Otc*ata<r tfaB, vaMI(aBV
mands her. Me4i:cmtntjr..
ROSARIO, 14 Gur.s. 5. Captured by the Romulus and MahoniCi iM
to her in November 1797. Capnin J. Carrbew in Jl]
TRANSFER, 14 Guns. F. Last Qu.U'e Frera. Captaia O
Moore in January :799> Cut.
1798.
CANOPUS, foGuns. F. La, Fratilin. Captured hy Rev Admiral Sir
B.)y. c.iprain B. Jime< appointed to hrr Hi January 179* FaMa\
DONNEG AL, 8a Gun-. F. Late Hxke. Captured by Rear Admiral Mr JO* aVwUft Warm, v f>ff
tohcr 1 2th. Pljmattt.
TONNANT, So Gun-. F. Captured by Rear Admiral sir H. Ndfoa, AmcMt it.
oiCi -,r CaT, May talk. r^oi. r. Mn *
y .yyi. .ko .il^uZii* kZ.Mn^.
. tow*. iffUiM J J* !;,. C^Ca. w.
ippointed to her in January 1709. C--tiin R. L. K:r/(raU ia nbrMfj. Hfmttt.
ABOUKIR, 74 Gun?. F. Late Jftilm. C.ptured by Rear A *>*< T > tflfti. <! it. CafOM *. Ikvai
appointed to her in January 1799. Ptjrt tttf.
CONQUERANT, 74 Guu. F. Captured by (ear Admiral Sir H. ,
pointed to her in Ja.nuary 1799. ftjmmitli.
L'HERCULE, 74 Guns F. Ciptiired by the Mart, Captain Akxaaan Hoot. * Bmt, Aanl 11*.
LE SPARTIATE, 74 Guns. F. Captured by Rear Admiral Sir B. NcUba, Aiat If). Tat
C. H. 1'itrreptint appointed to her in January 1799* The Bicat "uiili Claiaal LM . mart - lav
vember, and 11 ill command* her. /-.yimwf*.
LA LOIRE, 46 Guns. F. Captured by the Anton, Captain P. C. Durham, off Caat daw, OOato
J. N. Newman appointed to her in May 1799, and till rnmaialdi ar. Ilaa.
LA SEINE, 42 Guns. F. Captured by the Jafcn and athcri of the Brian. JWW I.IB. Caataia P.
to hrr in Oflober 1798, and dill command, her. jtf-ia.
SANTA DOROTHEA, 42 Guns. S. Captured by the Lioo, Ciauia Maatrr Mao*, aear Cottiana, J^ tyk.
Captain H. DJ nman appointed to her in November iTv*, M rmninli her. * <Ma*.
L'AMBUSCADE, 40 Guns. F. Captured by Riar Adm r,. > r J. I. Wtrrca, OOataT lam. Ffatat*
LA DECADE, 3 Ouni. F. Ciptured.hy the Mayuxamt, tbc HoaounMc Cpo D< Cmy, mt Kaax.
\v. Pierrepoint, off Cape ruuiierrt, Auu 14*- Captato W. Warn*, her arfftat caaaiini. aKaMMM
L'IMMORTAL 7 ITE/'jrG*n!. F. Caprarrt bf the Tilfcir., CayCain T. B. Martto, of Bn, CA
Captain J. Draper appointed c l.er in Ocr*r 1799. WjiiiMl
PROSERPINE, 36 Guns. F. Lou BiUuit. Captured by the Kkafaa, Caaola O. Ceaatel
; .... u :
fENSIBLV, 3 f.uns. F. Captured by the Seafcorfr, C^ptaia E. J. ra,to IM
Captain J. B. Hay .ppoioted to ber i> <X**ef 179*. &*** B, MMT to K*
mir.rh her. OMiaaV
CBJlOHOtoeiCAi. LIST OF THK ROYAL
UYtHET.MINAi ;* Gun>. D. Late furii. Captured by the Sirius, Captain F. King, io th* North Seas.
24th. StXlHUfl.
WAAKSAAMHEID, 2 Guns. D. Captured by the Sirius, Oftober J4th. Sheetrefs.
IA VOLAGE, 22 Guns. F. Captain P. Woduhoufc appointed io her in November 1798. Captain F. Vefcy, k
prelent commander, in Au tuft 1799. Jamaica.
DANAE, 20 ' : uns. F. Late Kiillante. Ciptured by the Indefatigable, Captain Sir E. Pellew, Auguft 7th. Wotlidib,
LA FORTUNE, 18 *lu:is. F. Captured by ne S-virtfjre, Captain B. Hallowell, off the Nile, Auguft nth. Ciptaia
G. Divies appointed to her in July 1799, and now commanding her. Mediterranean.
LA SOPHIE, IS Guns. F. Captain George Burdett, her prefent commander, appoin;cd to her in oftobcr 1700.
Cbamtl.
tA FULMINANTE, 8 Guns. P. A Cutter. Captured by L'Espoir, Captain Loftus Otway Bland, in OSober.
Lieutenant W- Robinfon Appointed to her in Auguft 1799, and ftill commands her. tlfdiHrrane.-.n,
RIGARDj 6 Guns. Navy Tranfport. Porlfmaak.
1799.
I. A FORTE, so Guns. F. Captured by the Sybille, Captain E. Cookc, io the Bay of Bengal, February a8th, an*
Li'utenant, now Captain L. Hardyman, appointed to command her. Maf. India.
SANTA TERESA, 42 Guns. S. Captured by the Argo, Captain G. Bowen, February 6th. Captain G. Barker
appointed to her in July 1799. Captain R. Campbell, her prelent commander, in October. Miditcrranean.
JRINCESS CHARLOTTE, 40 Guns. F. Late Jumn. Captured by the Centaur, Captain J. Markhim, June iStb.
Captain T. Stephcnibn, her prefent commander, appointed to her in September 1799. Meiiurrancan.
L'ALCESTE, 36 Guns. F . Captured by the Centaur June iSth. Captain T. Bailey appointed to her in September
1799. and ftill commands her. Mediterranean.
COURAGEUX, 32 Guns. F. Captured by the Centaur, Captain J. Marlcham, June i8th. Captain J. Richards
appointed to her in September 1799, and ftill commands her. Receiving Ship, iltditerranean.
IE BOURDELAIS, 28 Guns. F. Plymouth.
DOLPHIN, 24 Guns. D. Captured by the Arrow and Wolverine, at the Vlie Ifland, September isrh. Lieutenant
R. M'Dougall appointed to her in November 1799. Sbttrncp.
SURINAM, 18 Guns. F. Late ffuf:r. Lieutenant Charles Cole appointed to her in November 1799, and ftill com-
manning her. Martin yu.
EL VINCELO, 18 Guns. S. Captured by the Cormorant, Captain Lord R. M. Kerr, March igth. Captain G.
Long, her prefent commander, appoi'.ted to her in November 1799. Mediterranean.
CAMPHAAN, i6Gu;S. D. A Brig. Captured by Vice Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour, at Surinam, Auguft joth.
Lieutenant R. Thwaits appointed to her in November 1799, and IHil commanding her. ffejl India.
I'EPERVIER, 16 Guns. F. Plymutb.
MINORCA, 16 Guns. F. A Brig. Late Altrt. Captured by Lord Keith, June iSth. Medittrranean.
LA SALAMINE, 16 Guns. F. A Brig. Captured by Lord Keith, June iSth. Mediterranean.
ANACREON, 14 Guns. F. A trig. Lieutenant Simpfon appointed toner in November 1779, and ftiU commandine
her. Plyimutti.
6IER, 14 Guns. D. A Brig. Captured by the Arrow and Wolverine, September 1 2th. Stterneft.
POKP01SE, io Guns. S. Late Infanta Amelia. Captured ky the Argo, Captain J. Bowen, off the Coaft of Portu
gal, in Auguft. Lieutenant William Scott appointed to her in October 1799, and tlill commanding Her.
firtjtmutb.
AMOUNT OF CAPTURES FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OP THg
PRESENT WAR TO JUNE l8oO.
Line. |
Fifties.
Friiate
(Sloops, Sec. 1
TotaJ.
From the French
Sa
1
131
!28
3'
From iJie Spaniards
8|
o
14
19
41
From the Dutch
I?!
7
31
32 1
n 1
I 177
1
179 1
4 1
Privateers o
falln
ations, 770 Grand Total,
I2II fail.
SHIPS BUILDING AT THE COMMEWCEMENT OF
CALEDONIA, no Guns. King's Yard, Plymouth.
HIBKRNIA, no Gun-. King's Yard, Plymouth.
BO YNE, 98 Guns. King's Yard, Purifmrn tt.
DREADNOUGHT, 9? Guns. King's Yard, Pcrtfmvtb.
EUROPE, 08 Guns. Kinp's Yard, Chatham.
OCEAN, 9!* Gun?. King's Yard, mthaiih.
AUGUSTA, 74 Guiis. icing's Yard, P rijinwtb.
CONQUEROR, 74 Guns. Gr.,ham's Yard, HaruaOl.
COURAGEUX, 74 Guns. King's Yard, Deflfcrd.
MII.FORD, 74 Guns. Jacob's Yard, Milf.rd.
PRINCESS AMELIA, 74 Guns. King's Yard, Cbatbav.,
Tl.ANTAGENET, 74 Guns. King's Yard, WKiiou.*.
REVENGE, 74 Guns. King's Yard, Ch.Mtjm.
SPENCER, 74 Guns. Adam's Yard, BwkUrJbjrd.
ANTELOPE, S* Gun'!. Kin s 's Yard, Sheeriitfi.
TIGER, 50 Guns. King's Yard, Pcr'.Jtrautb.
I.AVINIA, 44 Guns. Jacob's Yard, lfilf t rd.
LEKA, 38 Guns. King's Yard, CbM.un.
JASON, ,-6 Gun-i. King's Yard, Psrtfmeutb.
JCARCISSUS, 33 Guns. King's Yard, Dtptfvrd.
, 74 Guns. King's Y;-.rd, Dtftfcrd.
tmt $8 Qua Ship, six 0^74 Owns, and 8v griynu* nkatmtd, boildinj in Mvckisu Yitds.
H****.
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