THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 ADMIEAL DUNCAN
 
 JotoHoppner R.A.pinx 17 
 
 Walker *.BoutaJl.ph 
 
 <2 
 
 tts ^Z/A
 
 ADMIEAL DUNCAN 
 
 BY THE 
 
 EAEL OF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 WITH THREE PORTRAITS 
 AND A PLAN OF THE ACTION OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 
 
 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON 
 
 NEW YORK AND BOMBAY 
 
 1898 
 
 AH rights reserved
 
 College 
 Library 
 
 ST. I 
 
 D9C1 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 JUST ONE HUNDKED TEAKS have passed since the 
 sea fight off Camperdown on October n, 1797, 
 which decided the fate of the Dutch Navy ; and 
 a Centenary seems a not inopportune moment 
 to place on record some incidents in the life and 
 naval career of Admiral Duncan which have 
 hitherto remained unpublished. 
 
 He had the honour to be one of the great 
 Sea Commanders whom the perils of Great Britain 
 in the eighteenth century called into existence. 
 Boscawen, Hawke, Keppel, Howe, Eodney, Hood, 
 St. Vincent, Nelson, Collingwood, were of the 
 number. Of all these famous sailors there are 
 written memorials, which will keep their memory 
 green as long as there is a British Empire, and 
 which tell how, in the eighteenth century, 
 superior seamanship and daring time after time 
 warded off and finally brought to naught com- 
 binations of Great Britain's enemies which 
 seemed irresistible. 
 
 In Admiral Duncan's case a connected record 
 of his life and service a service which, as he 
 reminded his ship's company when attempting 
 to mutiny, extended over more than fifty years
 
 vi INTRODUCTION 
 
 is unfortunately wanting. It is almost too late 
 to attempt the task now. If a biographer is 
 to achieve any measure of success, he cannot 
 begin his work too soon. Personal reminiscences 
 quickly fade away. Letters and papers are con- 
 stantly being lost or destroyed. Personal anecdotes 
 alter in course of narration, until they can hardly 
 be recognised. As each year passes it becomes 
 more and more difficult to represent a man just 
 as he was, neither adding anything to him nor 
 detracting anything from him to bring him back 
 such as those saw him who lived and served with 
 him. 
 
 It must be admitted, too, that Admiral Duncan 
 himself did not do much to assist anyone who 
 might be desirous of perpetuating his memory. 
 Comparatively little of his handwriting remains. 
 During his earlier service the facilities for writing 
 at sea cannot have been great, nor does he appear 
 to have been at any time much given to placing 
 his thoughts and ideas on paper ; he was a man of 
 action, not of words. Nevertheless, in preserving 
 official letters and orders as a Captain and as an 
 Admiral, he was regular and methodical in the 
 extreme, and endorsed and kept every document of 
 the kind which he received. 
 
 Lord Spencer's private letters to him during 
 his command of the North Sea Fleet, including the 
 dark days of the Mutiny at the Nore, are all 
 preserved, and will be referred to. The Admiral's 
 private letters to Lord Spencer were, unfortu- 
 nately, destroyed by accident at Althorp.
 
 INTEODUCTION vii 
 
 His despatches to the Admiralty during his 
 command in the North Sea, of which some are in 
 his own hand, as well as two or three autograph 
 letters written to the Admiralty at important 
 moments, are preserved in the Public Kecords 
 Office. Amongst his Papers are his plans for 
 the improved administration of the Navy, a subject 
 in which he was much interested, and which he 
 urged strongly upon his relative Mr. Henry Dundas, 
 afterwards Viscount Melville ; the drafts of some 
 letters to the Admiralty and to Lord Spencer ; and 
 the rough drafts of several addresses which he 
 delivered to the ship's company of the ' Venerable,' 
 during the mutiny. 
 
 Nor has much information about him been 
 handed down by his wife and family. Lady 
 Duncan lived until 1832, but, so far as is known, 
 she left no writings behind her and no letters from 
 her husband, although she adored his memory. 
 His eldest surviving son, Eobert, who succeeded to 
 the title, was only twelve years old at the time of 
 the action ; and his father hauled down his flag 
 and came ashore in the year 1800, just four years 
 before he died. Moreover, it was not in accordance 
 with the Admiral's temperament or habits to talk 
 much about himself or what he had seen or 
 done. 
 
 Notwithstanding, however, the absence of infor- 
 mation from family sources, some information of 
 interest is obtained from Admiral Duncan's Papers 
 and in other ways. The secret despatches from 
 the Admiralty and Lord Spencer's private letters
 
 Vlii INTRODUCTION 
 
 to him, which are here published for the first time, 
 tell the history of the mutiny at Yarmouth and 
 at the Nore from a fresh point of view. 
 
 Almost every naval history contains notices of 
 him which are worth collecting and collating. The 
 standard works about the British Navy such as 
 the ' Naval Chronicle,' ' The Annual Eegister,' 
 James' ' Naval History,' Charnock's * Naval 
 Biography,' Beatson's ' Memoirs,' Ealfe's ' Naval 
 Biography,' Schomberg's ' Naval Chronology,' 
 Brenton's * Naval History,' Admiral Sir Charles 
 Ekin's ' Naval Battles,' have been consulted ; and 
 also the Biographies of Viscount Keppel by the 
 Hon. and Eev. Thomas Keppel, and of Earl St. 
 Vincent by Jedidiah Tucker. From all these, as 
 well as from other works, amongst which must be 
 mentioned the ' Arniston Memoirs ' (which are the 
 history of the Dundas family) and the ' Memoirs 
 of E. and J. A. Haldane, by Alexander Haldane, 
 Esq., Barrister at Law,' quotations and extracts 
 have been taken which are acknowledged as far as 
 possible where they occur. 
 
 Some of the naval officers, too, who served under 
 Admiral Duncan have left their impressions and 
 have narrated anecdotes of him in writing, amongst 
 whom may be mentioned Captain Hotham of the 
 1 Adamant ' (to whose Journal access has been 
 obtained through the kindness of Vice-Admiral Sir 
 Charles Hotham), and Lieutenant Eichardson of 
 the ' Circe ' Frigate, afterwards Admiral Sir 
 Charles Eichardson. 
 
 Moreover, it is hardly possible for anyone who
 
 INTRODUCTION ix 
 
 at the present time is describing a British admiral 
 belonging to the last years of the eighteenth 
 century not to have read the three great works of 
 Captain A. T. Mahan, U.S.N., showing the influ- 
 ence of sea power upon history; and it is quite 
 impossible that a reader of those works should 
 not both consciously and unconsciously imbibe and 
 assimilate the suggestive ideas and the philosophy 
 of naval history which are contained therein. It 
 will be seen that Captain Mahan's doctrines, viz. 
 that sailors are made by constantly cruising at sea, 
 and that a maritime nation protects herself best by 
 blockading her enemies' ports, receive abundant 
 illustration and confirmation from Admiral Dun- 
 can's service in the North Sea. 
 
 In an account of Admiral Duncan's life some 
 events must be described which are already 
 matters of history, but as an excuse for the 
 repetition it may be pleaded that it is hardly 
 possible to describe too often a crisis of such 
 superlative and exceeding interest. 
 
 In the eighteenth century France was a power- 
 ful and intriguing rival to Great Britain in almost 
 every part of the world, and became more hostile, 
 more powerful, and more intriguing, under the 
 influence of the Eevolution and of the genius of 
 Napoleon. Spain was more than once drawn into 
 the struggle. Holland, towards the close of the 
 century, was led captive by the French Eepublic, 
 and joined the coalition against Great Britain. 
 Worst of all, it was then that Great Britain 
 threw away her American colonies by a course of
 
 X INTRODUCTION 
 
 stupendous and culpable folly of which the con- 
 sequences still remain, and will be felt as long 
 as there are two divisions of the Anglo-Saxon 
 race. 
 
 After such mistakes as Great Britain had 
 committed in America, and such misfortunes as 
 her allies had experienced on the continent of 
 Europe, any other nation would have given way to 
 despair. Even such a man as William Pitt could, 
 at times, see no bottom to the abyss and no sal- 
 vation but peace. What saved Great Britain 
 and the cause of freedom was her doggedness, and, 
 above all, her command of the sea. No one felt 
 this so bitterly as Napoleon : " Make what efforts 
 " we will, we shall not, for many years, regain 
 " command of the sea. To make a descent upon 
 " England, without being masters of the sea, is 
 " the boldest and most difficult operation ever 
 " attempted." (Napoleon to the Directory, 
 February 23, 1798.) 
 
 Never, too, did Great Britain remain for one 
 moment passive on the sea in the face of any 
 hostile combination. If at war with France, 
 British frigates were at once cruising in front of 
 Toulon, Kochefort, and Brest, while the ships of 
 the line were rocking near the rendezvous at sea. 
 Other squadrons were at the same time destroying 
 French commerce and capturing French colonies. 
 If Spain was added to the combination, Cadiz, 
 Carthagena, Ferrol were blockaded ; Spanish trea- 
 sure was seized, and Spanish trade with South 
 America ruined.
 
 INTRODUCTION xi 
 
 When the Batavian Eepublic declared against 
 Great Britain, she lost the Cape of Good Hope, 
 her possessions in India, Ceylon, and her West 
 Indian colonies, together with much of her com- 
 mercial prosperity. At the same time the North 
 Sea Fleet came into existence, and a blockade of 
 the coast of Holland was established which only 
 terminated with the surrender of the Dutch Navy. 
 
 The crisis, however, became more and more 
 acute in the last years of the century. At any 
 moment the French might have the command of 
 the Channel, or the Dutch might be in the Thames. 
 If the command of the sea were lost, even for a 
 few days, the result to Great Britain might be 
 beyond repair. Her fortunes were embarked on 
 board each and every fleet that she possessed. 
 It is because of the unparalleled excitement and 
 tension of the nation during this crisis that the 
 great Seamen, who by a policy of bold offence 
 so well defended their country, will never be 
 forgotten. 
 
 An attempt, however imperfect and defective, 
 to revive a few incidents in the life of one of them 
 will, it is hoped, meet with toleration and indul- 
 gence, notwithstanding the lapse of years. 
 
 October 11, 1897.
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I. MIDSHIPMAN 1746 LIEUTENANT 1755 COMMANDER 1759 i 
 II. CAPTAIN 1761-1787 16 
 
 III. BEAR- ADMIRAL 1787 VICE-ADMIRAL 1793 APPOINTED 
 
 TO COMMAND OF NORTH SEA FLEET, 1795 THE 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 35 
 
 IV. THE BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL, 1796-7 .... 62 
 V. THE MUTINY MAY AND JUNE 1797 95 
 
 VI. THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN, OCTOBER 11, 1797 . 172 
 
 VII. HOW THE NEWS OF THE VICTORY WAS RECEIVED IN 
 
 GREAT BRITAIN . . . . . . . . 238 
 
 VIII. DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE ADMIRAL DE WINTER 269 
 
 IX. BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL, 1798-9 ADMIRAL OF THE 
 WHITE, FEBRUARY 14, 1 799^ExpEDmoN TO THE 
 HELDER, AUGUST 1799 SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH 
 FLEET IN THE TEXEL, AUGUST 30, 1799 . . . 300 
 
 X. EETIREMENT OF THE ADMIRAL, APRIL 28, 1800 EARL 
 SPENCER LEAVES THE ADMIRALTY, JANUARY 1801 
 DEATH OF THE ADMIRAL, AUGUST 4, 1804 Loss OF 
 H.M.S. 'VENERABLE,' NOVEMBER 24, 1804 . . . 337 
 
 XI. CONCLUSION 357 
 
 INDEX 399
 
 ILLUSTEATIONS 
 
 ADMIRAL DUNCAN, BY J. HOPPNER, R.A. . . . Frontispiece 
 
 CAPTAIN DUNCAN OF H.M.S. 'VALIANT,' BY SIK J. 
 
 REYNOLDS, P.K.A To face p. 16 
 
 PLAN OF THE ACTION OFF CAMPERDOWN ... 172 
 From a drawing in the possession of the autJior. 
 
 ADMIRAL DUNCAN, BY J. S. COPLEY ... 238
 
 ADMIEAL DUNCAN 
 
 CHAPTEK I 
 
 MIDSHIPMAN 1746 LIEUTENANT 1755 
 
 COMMANDEE 1759 
 
 ADAM DUNCAN was bom in Dundee on July i, 1731. 
 He was the third son of Alexander Duncan of 
 Lundie and of Helen Haldane, daughter of John 
 Haldane of Gleneagles, in Perthshire. The Duncan 
 family originally belonged to Dundee, and acquired 
 Seaside in the Carse of Gowrie, and afterwards they 
 resided at Lundie House in the county of Forfar, 
 while they also possessed the upper flat of a house 
 at the end of the Seagait in Dundee, the lower part Thomson's 
 of which was the town house of the Stewarts of 
 G-randtully, where the Pretender lodged when he 
 visited Dundee on January 6, 1716. 
 
 The Duncans of Lundie were staunch Presby- 
 terians ; opposed to King James VII., and, unlike 
 most of the neighbouring County Families, strong 
 supporters of the Protestant Succession and of the 
 House of Hanover. They had for some time taken 
 an active part in the Municipal Government of 
 Dundee, where they resided during the winter
 
 2 FAMILY HISTORY 
 
 months. From 1682 to 1685 an Alexander Duncan 
 of Lundie was Provost of Dundee. He was one of 
 the Bailies when, on May 13, 1689, John Graham 
 Municipal of Claverhouse, who claimed to be Constable of 
 Dundee Dundee, attacked the town with the intention of 
 seizing the Municipal Charters, but found himself 
 obliged to retire ; and on that occasion Duncan, as 
 one of the magistrates by whose authority Claver- 
 house was resisted, sent an express to inform the 
 Committee of the Estates of Parliament of the 
 attack, and to ask for assistance. He died in 
 1696. 
 
 In the year 1716, after the flight of the Pretender 
 and the dissolution of the Jacobite Town Council of 
 Municipal Dundee, Alexander Duncan of Lundie, son of the 
 Dundee Alexander aforesaid and grandfather of Admiral 
 Duncan, was one of the Commissioners appointed 
 by King George I. to conduct a new election of 
 Common Councillors ; was chosen Preses by his 
 tellow Commissioners, and was himself among those 
 elected as Common Councillors. On September 26, 
 1717, he was chosen Provost, and held this office 
 at the time of his death in January 1719. 
 
 From 1744 to 1746 his son, also named Alex- 
 ander Duncan, the Admiral's father, was Provost, 
 and saw the town occupied by the adherents of 
 Charles Edward from July 7, 1745, to January 14, 
 1746. 
 
 His eldest son, John, died early, in China, in the 
 service of the East India Company. The second 
 son, Alexander, obtained a commission in the 55th 
 Eegiment, which was raised in the neighbourhood
 
 FAMILY HISTORY 3 
 
 of Stirling at the time of the rebellion in 1745. It 
 is believed that he owed his commission to the 
 influence of the Duke of Cumberland, to whose 
 forces his father, as Provost of Dundee, had rendered 
 valuable assistance when on the march to the 
 North, both by furnishing supplies and by procuring 
 intelligence. Alexander was present on January 17, 
 1746, at Falkirk, when General Hawley's forces 
 were defeated by the Highlanders ; but although 
 his regiment broke, he with some other ofiicers 
 remained, and came off unharmed. He afterwards 
 served on the Continent and in Canada. He was 
 an excellent regimental officer, devoted both to 
 the officers and men, but seems to have had no 
 opportunity of distinguishing himself in the 
 field, although he was well known in Canada, and 
 was the ' Major Duncan ' of Fenimore Cooper's 
 novel, ' The Pathfinder.' An interesting memoir 
 of him at the time of the French war in Canada, 
 when he was Major of the regiment, is to be 
 found in a book w T ell known in America, ' Memoirs 
 of an American Lady,' by Mrs. Grant of Laggan, 
 whose father was an officer in the regiment, at 
 that time stationed at Albany, and later, at 
 Fort Oswego, on Lake Ontario. " Major Duncan 
 " was an experienced officer, possessed of con- 
 " siderable military science, learned, humane and 
 "judicious, yet obstinate, and somewhat of a 
 " humorist withal. Wherever he went a respectable 
 " library went with him. He took great pains with 
 " the officers and with the men of the regiment, and 
 " when stationed up country strongly inculcated the 
 
 B 2
 
 4 MIDSHIPMAN 
 
 " necessity of not being idle, and taught them to 
 " occupy their time with industries. He taught them 
 " gardening and farming. They all lived in a rough 
 " kind of luxury, and were enabled to save much of 
 " their pay. He set the young officers to read books 
 " which suited their different inclinations. They 
 " loved him, but at the same time they stood in 
 " some awe of him. . . . He was so just, so im- 
 " partial, so free from fickleness and favouritism, so 
 " attentive to their health, their amusements, and 
 " their economy, that every individual felt him to 
 " be necessary to his comfort, and looked up to him 
 " as his guide, philosopher, and friend. 
 
 " The Indian war which broke out after the 
 " peace of 1763 occasioned the detention of six 
 " companies of the regiment at Ontario until 1765, 
 " when Colonel Duncan, who now commanded, 
 " returned with the regiment to Ireland, and soon 
 " afterwards retired from the service. 
 
 " He was frequently visited by his old officers 
 " at his Forfarshire home, who still regarded him 
 " with warm attachment." 
 
 Colonel Duncan, who married a Miss Smythe 
 of Methven, resided at Lundie House after leaving 
 the army. He died in 1796, leaving no children, 
 and was succeeded by his brother, the Admiral, 
 then in command of the North Sea Squadron. 
 
 Adam Duncan first went to sea in 1746, in 
 the ' Tryal,' a sloop-of-war commanded by his 
 cousin, Captain Kobert Haldane. Why he went 
 to sea is not known. One story is that, like many 
 other young men, he was fired with the desire to
 
 MIDSHIPMAN 5 
 
 emulate Commodore Anson, who had returned in 1746 
 June 1744 from his journey round the world with 
 rich prizes taken from Spain ; but it is more prob- 
 able that, his brother having entered the Army, he 
 resolved to try the Navy as a profession, and took the 
 opportunity which offered of serving under a relation. 
 
 The ' Tryal ' sailed from Sheerness on April 10, 
 1746, and convoyed transports to Leith Koads, 
 where Adam Duncan joined, and thence she went 
 north to Inverness. 
 
 On April 16 the rising in favour of Charles 
 Edward was finally crushed at Culloden. The 
 ' Tryal ' then cruised off the Western Islands and 
 off Ireland until September 1747, when she went 1747 
 to Greenock, and reached Plymouth in November. 
 
 On November 22, Captain Haldane obtained 
 the command of the ' Shoreham ' frigate, and took 
 on board with him his cousin, who at once com- 
 menced his experience of active service. In 
 January 1748 the ' Shoreham' started on a cruise 1748 
 in the Channel, and when off Cape Clear on 
 January 17 captured a ship from Brest. On 
 February 24 she chased a French privateer, and 
 forced her to take shelter under the batteries at 
 Belleisle. The ' Shoreham ' at once sent in her 
 boats to cut out the privateer ; and they succeeded 
 in boarding her, but finding it impossible to get 
 her from under the fire of the batteries, took out 
 some of the crew as prisoners and scuttled the 
 vessel. On the next day the ' Shoreham ' fell in 
 with and re-took a North Carolina ship which had 
 been taken by a French privateer. On February 28
 
 6 MIDSHIPMAN 
 
 1748 she chased another ship, which hoisted French 
 colours, and was captured after a short action. 
 The prize, which proved to be ' La Valeur,' a French 
 privateer of sixteen guns and thirty-three men, was 
 taken into Plymouth. On April 5 the ' Shoreham ' 
 fell in with Sir Edward Hawke's squadron off 
 Belleisle, and cruised in company till the squadron 
 returned to Plymouth. On June 22, in Plymouth 
 Sound, the ' Shoreham,' owing to the breaking of a 
 hawser in a gale of wind, drifted ashore and struck 
 on the German rock, but, after her guns and stores 
 had been removed, was successfully towed off by 
 the boats of the fleet. An inquiry followed, and 
 on September 13 Captain Haldane gave up his 
 command, and the ship was paid off at the Nore. 
 
 1749 At this period Adam Duncan became known 
 how and by what means is not recorded to Captain 
 the Honourable Augustus Keppel, and was taken by 
 him as a midshipman on board the ' Centurion ' in 
 January 1749. "He may truly be said to have 
 " received his professional education in Keppel's 
 
 Keppei-s " school, having served under him in the several 
 P. 144* " ranks of Midshipman ; third, second, and first 
 " Lieutenant; Flag and Post Captain; indeed, with 
 " the exception of a short time with Captain Bar- 
 " rington, he had no other Commander during the 
 " Seven Years' War." 
 
 Captain Keppel had just been appointed to the 
 chief command of H.M. ships in the Mediter- 
 ranean with the rank of Commodore, and was 
 directed to proceed in the ' Centurion ' on a diplo- 
 matic mission to Algiers and the Barbary States,
 
 MIDSHIPMAN 7 
 
 with which he was instructed to make treaties for 1749 
 the purpose of checking the piratical expeditions 
 from Moorish ports, and also to obtain the release 1750 
 on the best terms possible of all His Majesty's 
 subjects who had been captured and were held to 
 ransom. Long delays and difficulties occurred, 
 and the treaty with the Dey of Algiers was not 
 concluded until June 1751 ; the treaties with 
 Tripoli and Tunis were signed a few months later. 
 Algiers, Tetuan, Gibraltar, Port Mahon, were the 
 ports chiefly visited during the two years of weary 
 negotiations, at the conclusion of which Keppel 
 returned to England, and was soon afterwards 1751 
 directed to pay off the ' Centurion.' 
 
 Although after the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle 
 (October 7, 1748) France and Great Britain were 
 at peace in Europe, a different state of things 
 prevailed on the opposite shores of the Atlantic. 
 Disputes had arisen and continued with regard to 
 the boundaries of Canada and of British territory 
 in parts of North America. Some fighting had 
 taken place between the colonial forces of the two 
 nations, and reinforcements of troops were arriving 
 from both countries in North America, though no 
 formal declaration of war was made. 
 
 In the latter part of 1754 Captain Keppel was 1754 
 appointed Commodore of the North American 
 station, and the ' Centurion ' put to sea on 
 December 23 with the * Norwich,' Captain the 
 Hon. Samuel Barrington, in company. The day 
 previous to sailing, Mr. Napier, third Lieutenant of 
 the ' Norwich,' being too unwell to proceed on the
 
 8 LIEUTENANT 
 
 1754 voyage, the Commodore gave Adam Duncan an 
 order as acting-Lieutenant on board the * Norwich.' 
 
 1755 On January 10, 1755, Duncan's appointment as 
 Lieutenant was confirmed by the Admiralty, and 
 he was transferred back into the ' Centurion.' 
 
 "After a tedious and tempestuous voyage, in 
 " which the * Centurion's ' foremast and the * Nor- 
 " wich's ' fore and main masts were sprung, Keppel 
 " arrived with both ships off the coast of Virginia, 
 " and anchored in Hampton Eoads on February 19," 
 where the transports conveying the ill-fated 
 General Braddock and 1,500 troops joined him in 
 the middle of March. After the landing of the 
 army, General Braddock and the Commodore held 
 a meeting with the Governors of Virginia, New 
 England, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, 
 to consider the state of the colony and to frame 
 a plan of operations for the summer campaign. 
 It is not necessary to state at length the 
 decisions which were arrived at ; but it will be 
 remembered that General Braddock' s force, while 
 on the march to attack Fort Du Quesne on the 
 Upper Ohio, and not far from Lake Erie, was 
 surprised and routed on July 9, when about seven 
 miles from the Fort, and the General himself was 
 mortally wounded. 
 
 The French were at this time busily engaged 
 in equipping at Brest a powerful fleet destined for 
 America, and Admiral Boscawen being despatched 
 from home with eleven sail of the line to take com- 
 mand on the North American station at the end 
 of July, the Commodore shifted his broad pendant
 
 LIEUTENANT 9 
 
 on board the frigate * Seahorse,' commanded by 1755, 
 Captain Palliser, in compliance with orders from the 
 Admiralty, and arrived in England on August 22. 
 He at once commissioned the ' Swiftsure,' of 70 
 guns, and on January 10, 1756, removed to the 1756 
 1 Torbay,' of 74 guns, in which ship Duncan 
 rejoined him on July 10, 1756, as second Lieutenant, 
 immediately after the commencement of the Seven 
 Years' War. The ' Torbay ' was attached to the 
 Brest fleet under Sir Edward Hawke, by whom 
 Captain Keppel was directed in September to 
 cruise off Cape Finisterre, with the * Eochester ' 
 and ' Harwich ' under his command. Having Keppe i. B 
 parted company with these vessels in November, ^. fe > chap- 
 the * Torbay,' captured several prizes off Finisterre, 
 and after a chase and a night engagement took 
 the ' Chariot Eoyale,' a frigate of 36 guns, bound 
 to Louisbourg. She then returned to Portsmouth, 
 and Captain Keppel was called upon to sit on the 
 court-martial assembled there to try Admiral Byng. 
 
 In June 1757 the 'Torbay' sailed with the 1757 
 Channel Fleet under Admiral Boscawen ; and on ^^ p . 
 June 30 was ordered on a detached cruise with the vm< 
 ' Medway ' of 60 guns. Two days afterwards * Le 
 Commissaire,' a French ship laden with stores and 
 provisions for Louisbourg, was captured. 
 
 In September the ' Torbay ' was attached to 
 Admiral Knowles' division of Sir Edward Hawke 's 
 fleet of eighteen sail of the line, sent on an expe- 
 dition against Kochefort, and after chasing the 
 * Hardie,' 74 guns, off the Isle of Oleron into the 
 Xjlaronne, she took an active part in the successful
 
 10 LIEUTENANT 
 
 1757 attack on the Isle of Aix. After much procrasti- 
 e.^hap. n ation and several councils of war, the generals 
 
 and the Admiral decided not to attack Eochefort, 
 and abandoned Aix, and the consequent failure of 
 ppei's the expedition excited great indignation in England, 
 more especially against Sir John Mordaunt, the 
 General who commanded the land forces. 
 
 When leaving Basque Eoads to return to 
 Portsmouth, Sir Edward Hawke detached Captain 
 Keppel with a squadron of six ships to cruise off 
 the west coast of France. Parting company on 
 October 2, Keppel took several prizes and re- 
 captured the * Levant,' a letter of marque which 
 had been taken by the French off the banks of 
 Newfoundland, and in November returned to 
 England with his squadron and a convoy of East 
 Indiamen. 
 
 At the end of November the ' Torbay ' put to 
 sea again, and captured the French privateer 
 ' Eustan,' of 36 guns, from Bordeaux, after a 
 gallant resistance. 
 
 1758 Early in 1758 the ' Torbay ' cruised again under 
 Sir Edward Hawke with five other ships of the 
 line. On April 4 the squadron arrived in the 
 Basque Eoads, and drove into the Charente five 
 French ships of the line with a large fleet of 
 transports destined for America ; after which the 
 boats landed and destroyed the battery and 
 
 eppei'a fortifications which had been reconstructed on 
 the Isle of Aix. After this Captain Keppel with 
 a small squadron cruised in the Bay of Biscay, 
 and captured part of a convoy from Bordeaux
 
 LIEUTENANT 1 1 
 
 destined for Quebec. On the next day the * Torbay ' 1753 
 chased the * Formidable,' 84 guns, bound for Louis- 
 bourg, but after continuing the pursuit for four 
 days was obliged to desist, having sprung her 
 bowsprit and two of her lower masts, owing to the 
 heavy press of sail which she was carrying. After 
 returning to Plymouth and getting new masts on 
 July 1 6, she joined Lord Anson's fleet starting to 
 blockade Brest. 
 
 On August 4 Keppel proceeded on detached 
 service with the * Medway ' and ' Coventry ' frigates 
 to the Penmarks, and drove ashore a French frigate 
 and the greater part of a convoy of about fifty- 
 three masted vessels. 
 
 On August 2 7 the ' Torbay ' rejoined Lord Anson, 
 and shortly after anchored at Spithead, where the 
 forepart of the ship was blown up by an explosion 
 in the powder-magazine. 
 
 Mr. Pitt had formed the project of reducing 
 the French settlements on. the west coast of 
 Africa, and late in 1758 he determined to send an 
 expedition to take Goree, a small island lying about 
 a mile southward of Cape Yerd, and appointed 
 Captain Keppel to the command. Hoisting his 
 broad pendant as Commodore, Keppel proceeded to 
 sea in the 'Torbay' on October 26 with five sail of 
 the line, three frigates, and some smaller vessels, 
 together with seven hundred soldiers on board 
 seven transports. The squadron was driven back 
 from the coast of Ireland by very heavy gales, in 
 which the ' Fougeux ' ran foul of the ' Nassau,' and 
 the ' Torbay ' struck upon a rock. Putting to sea again
 
 1 2 COMMANDER 
 
 1758 on November u, the expedition experienced very 
 tempestuous weather, in which the ' Lichfield,' 50 
 guns, was lost on the west coast of Africa ; they 
 reached Teneriffe on December 13, and started 
 
 Lindsay's again on the 2oth. " The four following days the 
 Goree 8 " Commodore exercised his ships in lines of battle 
 " and in the use of great guns and small arms." 
 
 On the evening of December 28 the squadron 
 arrived off Goree, and on the morning of the 2 9th 
 a furious bombardment commenced, in which the 
 Keppei's Torbay ' took a very prominent part. At length 
 viii -' the French colours were lowered and the Marines 
 of the ' Torbay' took possession of Fort St. Michael. 
 Duncan, now first Lieutenant of the* Torbay,' was 
 wounded by a musket-ball in the leg. And it 
 is somewhat remarkable, considering the large 
 number of ship and fleet actions more than fifty, 
 as he himself said in which he took part, this 
 was the only wound which he ever received. 
 
 1759 Leaving a garrison in the island, the Commodore 
 landed the remainder of the troops at Senegal 
 under Lieutenant-Colonel Worge, the new Go- 
 vernor of Fort Louis ; and thence returned to 
 England, arriving at Portsmouth on March i, 1759. 
 
 On May 1 8 the ' Torbay ' sailed again with the 
 Channel Fleet under Sir Edward Hawke, and 
 cruised all the summer, sometimes on detached 
 service off Ushant and in the Bay of Biscay. 
 
 On September 21, 1759, Duncan was promoted 
 to the rank of Commander, and left the ' Torbay ' ; 
 and from October 13 to April 1760 he had com- 
 mand of the ' Koyal Exchange,' a hired vessel
 
 COMMANDER 13 
 
 employed in petty convoy service. " The * Eoyal 
 
 " Exchange ' had a miscellaneous ship's company, Dmnt-s 
 
 , f i -if- Dictionary 
 
 " consisting to a large extent of boys and foreigners, of Navai 
 
 Biography 
 
 "many of whom (he reported) could not speak 'Duncan/ 
 
 . inDiction- 
 
 " English, and all of whom were impressed with the y of Na- 
 tional BlO- 
 
 "idea that, as they had been engaged by the 
 " merchants from whom the ship was hired, they 
 " were not subject to naval discipline." 
 
 It is not surprising under these circumstances 
 that difficulties arose with the owners of the 
 ' Eoyal Exchange,' and that her services were 
 dispensed with. 
 
 Duncan left the ' Torbay ' at a very unlucky 
 moment. There can be little doubt that he wished 
 promotion and convoying at a far distance when, 
 two months later, he heard how his old ship had 
 comported herself off Ushant under Sir Edward 
 Hawke's command ; how she was among the fore- 
 most to overtake the enemy ; how she ' silenced ' 
 the ' Formidable,' of 80 guns and a thousand 
 men ; how the ' Soleil Eoyal,' bearing Admiral 
 Conflans' flag, after pouring in her broadside, bore 
 up ; how the ' Thesee ' sank with her colours flying 
 " after a determined fight with the ' Torbav ' yard- 
 
 J J British 
 
 " arm to yardarm," which was only ended by the sea Admirals 
 pouring in through her lower deck ports owing to 
 the violence of the gale ; and how the ' Torbay ' 
 herself was only saved by superior seamanship. 
 " We received," says her log-book, " so much water 
 "in at the lee ports that we were obliged to fling 
 " the ship up in the wind, when she went round." 
 The ' Torbay ' for Duncan was now a thing of
 
 14 COMMANDER 
 
 1759 the past, but she was the school in which he had 
 received his lessons in seamanship and in venture. 
 Every mast and every spar had been at one time 
 or other sprung or shaken out of her in spreading 
 canvas for chase ; her sails and rigging had been 
 cut up by French guns again and again. He had 
 gone in-shore in her boats on daring service time 
 after time ; he had felt an Irish rock in her when 
 on ner wa y to Goree ; and on the same passage a 
 flash of lightning had shivered her main topmast, 
 damaged her main mast, and killed one of her men. 
 She received and she had well earned a very 
 severe battering in the action off Ushant ; and 
 soon after his arrival in England Keppel was 
 ordered to take with him his officers and crew and 
 Keppei's remove into the ' Valiant,' a new ship of 74 guns, 
 Life chap. & ^ considered of greater force, as well from her 
 construction as from her heavier weight of metal. 
 
 Commander Duncan's good fortune was still, 
 however, in the ascendant. Although he was 
 never to sail in the ' Torbay ' again, it was not to 
 be long before he would get back again to her 
 company and her Captain. 
 
 At this time Duncan is said to have been the 
 
 Colby's kigg 68 ^ an< i finest man in the Navy. " He was of 
 
 Monthly " size and strength almost gigantic. He is described 
 
 iBzj?" 16 ' " as six feet four in height and of corresponding 
 
 4 66 u " breadth. When a young Lieutenant walking 
 
 " through the streets of Chatham, his grand figure 
 
 " and handsome face attracted crowds of admirers, 
 
 " and to the last he is spoken of as singularly 
 
 " handsome."
 
 COMMANDER 1 5 
 
 According to Ealfe's ' Naval Biography,' " In 1759 
 " person he was of a manly and athletic form, erect 
 " and graceful, with a countenance that indicated 
 " great intelligence and benevolence, and was con- 
 " sidered one of the handsomest men of the age. It 
 " is reported that on his appointment to a lieu- 
 " tenancy, and passing through Chatham, the in- 
 " habitants were so 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."
 
 1 6 CAPTAIN 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 CAPTAIN 1761-1787 
 
 SOON after the accession of King George III. to the 
 throne it was decided by Mr. Pitt to carry out a 
 design against Belleisle which had for some time 
 been in contemplation. The naval part of the 
 expedition was entrusted to Captain Keppel, who 
 . ' hoisted his broad pendant on board the * Valiant,' 
 with Duncan, now a Captain, as his flag-Captain. 
 The squadron sailed from Spithead on March 29, 
 1761 eleven ships of the line, eleven frigates, and 
 some smaller vessels ; while one hundred transports 
 conveyed about seven thousand soldiers under 
 General Hodgson. Owing to contrary winds 
 Belleisle was only reached on April 7. On the 8th 
 a landing was attempted, but the boats were 
 repulsed with the heavy loss of about five hundred 
 soldiers and sailors killed and wounded. The 
 1 Valiant ' had one midshipman and eleven men 
 killed, the first Lieutenant, two Midshipmen, and 
 twenty-six men wounded, and another Midshipman 
 and fourteen men taken prisoners. On April 22, 
 however, a landing was effected, and General 
 Hodgson proceeded to lay siege to the fortifications ; 
 but it was not until June 7 that the French garrison, 
 which had made a most gallant defence under the
 
 WaJkerftBoutdlph.;
 
 CAPTAIN 1 7 
 
 brave Chevalier de St.-Croix, capitulated, marching ;6i 
 out through the breach in the fortifications of Palais 
 with all the honours of war; after which the soldiers, 
 according to the stipulations of the treaty of sur- 
 render, were transported in the British ships to 
 the opposite French coast. During the siege the 
 Commodore's squadron, which had been strongly 
 reinforced, had prevented any assistance being given 
 from the mainland to the besieged, and after the 
 surrender blockaded Brest and the other ports on 
 the west coast of France. 
 
 On January 12, 1762, the ' Valiant,' which was 1762 
 now very leaky, after experiencing very severe 
 weather, put into Torbay with five feet of water in 
 the hold, and almost in a sinking condition. 
 
 In May 1761 the Governments of France and 
 England entered into negotiations for peace, which 
 were prolonged for several months, but ceased to 
 have any chance of a successful issue from the 
 moment that King Charles III. of Spain was won 
 over to the cause of France and acceded to the 
 treaty, signed on August 15, known as the Family 
 Compact, whereby the two branches of the House 
 of Bourbon entered into a league against Great 
 Britain. 
 
 As soon as Mr. Pitt became aware of what was 
 in contemplation, he urged the Cabinet at once to 
 declare war upon Spain, and to seize the galleons 
 coming from the West Indies ; but he retired from 
 office on October 5, finding himself unable to per- 
 suade his colleagues to adopt this course. 
 
 In a few weeks events proved that his judgment
 
 I 8 CAPTAIN 
 
 1762 had been correct. All information and explanation 
 as to the Family Compact was refused. On 
 January 4, 1762, war was formally declared against 
 Spain, and it was decided immediately to attack 
 the Havannah, as the centre of Spanish colonial 
 trade. 
 
 Lord Albemarle was appointed to command the 
 land forces, and Admiral Sir George Pocock was in 
 command of the fleet, with Captain Keppel in the 
 * Valiant ' as Commodore second in command. The 
 army amounted to 11,000 men, while the fleet 
 numbered twenty-six sail of the line, besides frigates 
 and transports. The expedition started on March 6, 
 arrived on April 26 at Martinico, which had re- 
 cently been captured by a force under General 
 Monckton and Admiral Eodney, and reached the 
 Havannah on June 6. 
 
 To Captain Duncan was entrusted the dis- 
 embarkation of the troops, which was successfully 
 effected on the next day. A long and toilsome siege 
 ensued, with constant fighting, in which both 
 besiegers and besieged displayed great valour and 
 endurance, and in which the sailors of the fleet took 
 an active part, both at sea and on shore. They 
 erected and manned a battery called " the ' Valiant's' 
 "battery," which fired "in the ratio of three to two 
 " oftener than any other work ; " the ships also stood 
 in from time to time and cannonaded the Moro 
 Castle from the sea. Notwithstanding all these 
 efforts the progress made was but slow, and both 
 sea and land forces suffered terribly from scarcity 
 of water and the unhealthy climate, and were
 
 CAPTAIN 19 
 
 decimated by disease. The log-book of the ' Valiant ' 1762 
 shows that hardly a day passed without one or ^ pel ' a 
 more deaths on board ; the Commodore's health 
 was undermined, and his Captain's constitution 
 received a severe shock, which made him unable 
 afterwards to return to the West Indies. 
 
 At last, on July 30, a small breach was effected 
 in the fortifications of the Moro Castle, barely 
 sufficient to allow one man to pass at a time, 
 which the besiegers mounted, and carried the 
 castle by assault ; it is related that Captain 
 Duncan led a storming party from the ' Valiant ' 
 and climbed through the breach at their head, 
 armed only with a heavy stick. 
 
 Even after the capture of the citadel, Don Juan 
 
 de Prado, who was now Governor in place of the History, 
 heroic Don Luis de Velasco, who had been killed, 
 continued to hold out until August 14, when the 
 Havannah was surrendered, and on the i;th 
 Captain Duncan was ordered to take possession of 
 nine Spanish ships of the line in the harbour. 
 Two more ships of the line which were on the 
 stocks were a considerable obstacle to the negotia- 
 tions, until he solved the difficulty by himself 
 landing at night with his boat's crew and setting 
 them on fire, a proceeding about which a discreet 
 silence was preserved. 
 
 The ' Valiant ' had again become leaky, and Keepers 
 
 Life, chap. 
 
 " her condition became more and more unpleasant * 
 "in the hot climate," but on October 12 Keppel 
 put to sea with seven sail of the line, and very 
 
 c2
 
 20 CAPTAIN 
 
 1762 shortly afterwards captured three French frigates 
 and a convoy of merchant vessels, with which he 
 reached Port Eoyal on November 3. 
 
 1763 A cessation of hostilities was now ordered, and 
 by the terms of the Treaty of Paris, signed on 
 February 14, 1763, the Havannah, "the capture of 
 " which had cost Great Britain 10,000 men," was 
 restored to Spain. The British troops soon after- 
 wards returned to England. The Commodore 
 was promoted to flag rank, and being relieved of 
 his command by Sir William Barnaby, set sail 
 
 1764 for England early in 1764, but was compelled 
 to return to Port Eoyal by the dangerous con- 
 dition of the ' Valiant.' In May she again started 
 on her voyage, and arriving in England on June 26, 
 was soon afterwards paid off. 
 
 Up to this time Duncan had no reason to 
 complain of his fortune in the navy. After only 
 sixteen years' service he found himself a Captain 
 at thirty years of age. 
 
 The Seven Years' War had been a time of 
 employment and activity for naval officers, and if 
 it had continued Duncan's services would have 
 been required, and the road up the list of Cap- 
 tains might have been short and easy. But the 
 fifteen years which followed the Treaty of Paris 
 were years of peace in Europe, and of weary 
 waiting and discouragement for the naval service. 
 Captain Duncan applied at the Admiralty again 
 and again for employment, but without success, 
 and he was destined to remain on shore until, in 
 1778, France declared her intention to support
 
 CAPTAIN 2 1 
 
 the cause of the North American colonies against 1764 
 the Mother Country. Another misfortune, too, 
 befell him : his eventful service under Admiral 
 Keppel came to a final close when the ' Valiant ' 
 was paid off in 1764. The Admiral went on shore, 
 and being a member of Parliament, became in the 
 next year a Junior Lord of the Admiralty in Lord 
 Rockingham's Administration, and subsequently 
 occupied himself with his political duties. Al- 
 though only forty years old, he had become infirm 
 owing to severe attacks of gout and ill-health aris- 
 ing from past hardships at sea. Fourteen years 
 passed before his flag was hoisted again, and for 
 the last time, in command of the Channel Fleet, 
 and the indecisive action of July 27, 1778, off 
 Ushant was the closing incident in his naval 
 career. 
 
 Captain Duncan's health had suffered so much 1764- 
 from the climate of the Havannah and from 
 exposure and fatigue that he found it necessary 
 to spend a great part of the next three years 
 at Bath and Cheltenham ; he subsequently lived 
 much at home, visiting London occasionally to 
 ask for employment. After his father's death in 
 1771 he stayed much with his mother, and when a 
 few years later his sister, Mrs. Haldane, lost her Memoirs of 
 husband, he assisted in the education of her ' 
 
 children. In 1774 he went to Italy to visit Lady 
 Mary Duncan, his aunt by marriage, and in the 
 year 1777 he married Henrietta, a daughter of 
 Robert Dundas, President of the Court of Session, 
 and niece to Henry Dundas, afterwards Lord Mel-
 
 22 C ATTAIN 
 
 ville, and the friend of WilliamPitt. It would appear 
 that about the time of Captain Duncan's marriage 
 there was some discussion as to his future, and that 
 Henry Dundas strongly urged his niece not to en- 
 courage her husband to leave his profession, of which 
 he reminded her in a letter on the announcement 
 of the result of the battle off Camperdown. 
 
 Captain and Mrs. Duncan resided at Nellfield, 
 near Edinburgh, after their marriage, until he was 
 recalled to active service. 
 
 By the terms of the Treaty of Paris (February 1 6, 
 1763) the British Empire had been greatly extended 
 and strengthened. In India Great Britain had ob- 
 tained a firm foothold ; Canada had become a British 
 possession ; and the North American colonies 
 had been successfully defended against French 
 aggression. French ambition and Spanish jealousy 
 seemed to be effectually checked. At this moment, 
 however, a fatal colonial policy was devised by the 
 Ministers of George III., and obstinately supported 
 by the King himself, which created internal discord 
 for ten years in the nation, caused the open revolt 
 of the American colonies, and resuscitated the 
 armed hostility of France and of Spain. As 
 soon as it became apparent, in 1778, that the 
 American colonies were able to make some effectual 
 resistance to the Mother Country, France seized ' 
 the opportunity to make treaties of commerce and 
 alliance with them, and thus to acquire the chance 
 of recovering some of the ground which she had 
 lost on that side of the Atlantic. In June of the 
 next year Spain joined the league, and once more
 
 CAPTAIN 23 
 
 Great Britain was compelled to place reliance on 1764- 
 , 1778 
 
 her sea power. 
 
 On May 16, 1778, Duncan was ordered to 1778 
 
 Log of the 
 
 take command of the 'Suffolk,' 74 guns, fitting 'Suffolk 1 
 out at Chatham ; and on August 25 he sailed to 
 the Downs, whence on September 5 he convoyed 
 some merchantmen to Plymouth. On September 
 12 the 'Suffolk' left Plymouth and, joining the 
 Channel Fleet under Admiral Keppel near the 
 Lizard, cruised until October 28, when the fleet 
 anchored at Spithead. 
 
 On December 4 Duncan was appointed to the 
 ' Monarch,' 74 guns, also belonging to the Channel 
 Fleet. 
 
 Strangely enough, almost his first duty was 
 to sit upon the court-martial appointed by the 
 Admiralty to try Admiral Keppel at Portsmouth, 
 on charges put forward by Sir Hugh Palliser, for 
 " neglecting to do all in his power to destroy the 
 " French fleet " in the indecisive action which had 
 taken place off Ushant on the preceding July 27. 
 It is reasonable to suppose that it would have re- 1779 
 quired very strong evidence to induce Captain 
 Duncan, after his experience of Admiral Keppel, to 
 believe that that officer had not done his best to bring 
 on an action or to destroy the enemy. During the 
 sitting of the court-martial Captain Duncan asked court-mar- 
 a few very pertinent questions of many of the Admiral 
 witnesses, but evinced no signs of partiality. 
 
 When the finding of the court-martial was 
 announced on February 1 1, 1779, " that the charge 
 " was malicious and ill-founded, and that the Admiral
 
 24 CAPTAIN 
 
 1779 " had behaved himself as became a judicious, brave 
 " and experienced officer," there was great rejoicing 
 
 ppei's jn Portsmouth. A procession left the court-house, 
 headed by the Duke of Cumberland, Sir Eobert 
 Harland, and Admiral Keppel, in which, besides 
 the Admiral's friends, walked sixty naval captains, 
 lieutenants, and masters. 
 
 It next fell to Captain Duncan to sit upon the 
 court-martial which was appointed in April 1779 
 to inquire into the conduct of Sir Hugh Palliser. 
 
 It is stated in the 'Dictionary of National 
 Biography' that the Board of Admiralty was 
 desirous " that Captain Duncan should not be 
 " present, and on the day before the sitting of the 
 " court-martial ordered the * Monarch ' to go to St. 
 " Helen's. Her crew, however, refused to go until 
 " they had been paid their advance, and as this could 
 " not be done in time, the ' Monarch ' was still in 
 "Portsmouth Harbour when the signal for the 
 " court-martial was made ; so that Duncan, sorely 
 " against the wishes of the Admiralty, sat on this 
 " court-martial also." The court-martial, it will be 
 remembered, acquitted Sir Hugh Palliser of the 
 charges, but observed that he ought to have 
 informed Admiral Keppel of the disabled condition 
 of the ' Formidable,' which made him unable to 
 obey the signals. 
 
 During the summer of 1779 the 'Monarch' 
 was attached to the Channel Fleet, now under the 
 command of Sir Charles Hardy owing to the 
 resignation of Admiral Keppel. 
 
 Spain had declared war in the month of June,
 
 CAPTAIN 25 
 
 and on July 9 it was announced by Eoyal 1779 
 Proclamation that an invasion by a combined 
 French and Spanish force was to be appre- 
 hended. 
 
 The French fleet sailing from Brest under Count 
 D'Orvilliers was permitted without opposition to 
 unite with the Spanish fleet under Don Luis de 
 Cordova, and on August 16 sixty-six sail of the 
 line were off Plymouth. The Channel Fleet 
 had missed them, and was to the south-west 
 of Scilly. 
 
 In the Channel Fleet were men who were 
 burning to engage the enemy. Captain Jervis in 
 the ' Foudroyant ' wrote to his sister : 
 
 " August 24, twenty leagues south-west of Scilly. 
 
 "A long easterly wind has prevented our getting 
 into the Channel, to measure with the combined 
 fleets. What a humiliating state is our country re- 
 duced to ! Not that I have the smallest doubt of 
 clearing the coast of these proud invaders. The first 
 westerly wind will carry us into the combined 
 fleets. ... I and all around me have the fullest 
 confidence of success and of acquiring immortal 
 reputation." 
 
 On August 29 a strong easterly wind forced 
 the combined fleets down the Channel, and on 
 September i they found themselves in presence of 
 the British Fleet a few miles from the Eddystone. 
 
 Sir Charles Hardy had only thirty-eight ships, 
 and deciding that it would be imprudent to risk 
 an engagement, he retreated up the Channel, and
 
 26 CAPTAIN 
 
 1779 on September 3 anchored at Spithead, much to 
 the disgust of some of his officers. Captain 
 Jervis, who in the ' Foudroyant ' was second astern 
 of Sir Charles Hardy in the * Victory,' wrote : 
 " I am in the most humbled state of mind I ever 
 "experienced, from the retreat we have made 
 " before the combined fleets all yesterday and all 
 " this morning." 
 p.andj.A. Captain Duncan told his nephew of his own 
 
 Haldane'a 
 
 Memoirs impotent indignation and shame, and how he 
 could " only stand looking over the stern gallery 
 " of the < Monarch.' " 
 
 This was probably the only occasion on which 
 either of those officers retreated before an enemy. 
 The fundamental article of their nautical creed 
 was that an enemy when once encountered must 
 not be permitted to part company without an 
 action. From this line of conduct neither of them 
 willingly ever deviated one hair's-breadth. It is 
 safe to assert that if either had on that day been 
 in a position to give orders to the Channel Fleet 
 a larger Cape St. Vincent or a larger Camperdown 
 would have been fought off Scilly, though not im- 
 possibly with a different result. If, however, the 
 * Foudroyant ' and the ' Monarch ' had been sunk, 
 it is certain from their record that French and 
 Spanish ships would have gone down as well, 
 and that even if the combined fleets had come 
 off victorious, their condition would have been 
 such as to give England no cause for apprehen- 
 sion on the score of invasion. 
 
 As events happened, the combined fleets
 
 CAPTAIN 27 
 
 held for some weeks undisputed command of the 1779 
 Channel, but, happily for Great Britain, neglected 
 to make any use of their advantage. The 
 Spaniards wished to effect a landing ; the French 
 wished before landing to defeat the British fleet. Mahon-s 
 
 History, 
 
 The crews became sickly ; the ships were voL vi - 
 defective, and the season for equinoctial gales 
 was at hand. The Spanish commander declared 
 to Count D'Orvilliers that he must relinquish 
 the present enterprise and return to the ports of 
 his own country; and the French admiral had 
 no other course open to him but to acquiesce and 
 to retire to Brest. 
 
 Lord North afterwards declared in the House 
 of Commons that " had Sir Charles Hardy known 
 " then, as he did afterwards, the internal state of 
 "the combined fleet he would have wished and voi!57' 
 " earnestly sought an engagement, notwithstanding 
 " his inferiority of force." It is fortunate for Great 
 Britain that other Admirals were less prudent and 
 more adventurous in the face of a superior force. 
 It is uncomfortable to reflect what might and, 
 indeed, would have happened if the command of the 
 Channel had been given to Napoleon even for a 
 few days. 
 
 Towards the close of 1779 the ' Monarch ' was 
 ordered to sail with Sir George Eodney's fleet to 
 the relief of the fortress of Gibraltar. Off Cape 
 Finisterre sixteen vessels were taken, laden with pro- 
 visions for the Spanish force besieging Gibraltar. 
 
 On January 16, 1780, a Spanish squadron of 1780 
 eleven line-of-battle ships, commanded by Don Juan
 
 28 
 
 CAPTAIN 
 
 1780 
 
 Campbell's 
 Lives: 
 ' Duncan,' 
 vol. viii. 
 
 Dictionary 
 of National 
 Biography 
 
 Log of 
 ' Monarch 
 in Public 
 Record 
 Office 
 
 Naval 
 Chronicle 
 
 de Langara, was sighted. Admiral Eodney had 
 under his command twenty-one ships of the line. 
 The wind was rising and night came on, but there 
 was a brilliant moon. A general chase and attack 
 was at once ordered, in which the ' Monarch ' did 
 her full share of the fighting. It has been stated 
 in more than one account of the action that, 
 although she was not copper sheathed, she was 
 the first ship to engage the enemy. 
 
 The ' Monarch's ' log shows that this is a mis- 
 take, though the ship was driven under a heavy 
 press of sail. " At -|- past 3 the headmost ships 
 " began to engage ; at 4 one of the enemy's ships 
 " blew up in action, the headmost ships engaged 
 " and we in chase ; at 5, still in chase ; at ^ past 7, 
 " coming up with the enemy. At 9 the enemy began 
 " to fire their stern chasers at us ; -^ past 9, got up 
 " alongside of 3 of the enemy's ships and came to a 
 " close engagement with them, which continued till 
 " 1 1 .30, when one of them struck, and we brought to 
 " under the mizen, the rest of our sails being shot 
 " and cut to pieces (the other two ships were pur- 
 " sued by some of ours and engaged to leeward), 
 " likewise great part of running rigging, stays and 
 " shrouds shot away, foretopmast wounded with a 
 " large shot, maintopsail yard shot in two, likewise 
 " head of foretopgallant mast ditto, shrouds and 
 " back stays shot, and many shot in the ship's hull." 
 The ship which struck to the ' Monarch ' was 
 the ' San Augustin,' 70 guns. The sea was too 
 heavy to launch a boat to take possession, and she 
 finally escaped into Cadiz. Of the other two, the
 
 CAPTAIN 29 
 
 1 Monarca ' surrendered to the ' Sandwich ' after 1780 
 one broadside, and the l San Julian ' escaped. 
 The * Monarch ' lost her foretopmast, and had 
 three men killed and twenty-six wounded. 
 
 " Langara's own ship was taken, and three 
 " ships of the line besides, while the ' San Domingo ' 
 " was blown up, and three others sunk or driven on 
 " shore. Of the whole Spanish fleet only four 
 
 History, 
 
 " sail escaped into Cadiz Bay." chap. ixi 
 
 The wind had freshened into a heavy gale, 
 and the fleet experienced great difficulty in work- 
 ing off a lee shore. The ships, however, were out 
 of shoal water before the next night fell, and in a 
 few days Gibraltar was relieved. 
 
 After this Sir George Eodney proceeded with 
 four ships to the West Indies, while the ' Monarch ' 
 returned with Admiral Digby and the bulk of the 
 fleet to the Channel. 
 
 It must have been at this time that Duncan 
 became acquainted with young Prince William 
 Henry, who on June 15, 1779, entered as a mid- 
 shipman on board the * Eoyal George,' the flag- 
 ship of Admiral Digby, and so was present at 
 Lord Eodney 's relief of Gibraltar, returning thence 
 to the Channel. 
 
 Duncan's wife and family were then residing 
 at Gosport, and Mrs. Duncan was very kind and 
 hospitable to the young officers, who constantly 
 visited her house. Prince William Henry often 
 called there, and he was always most friendly to 
 his hosts in after-life. He was present as Duke of 
 Clarence when Lord Duncan took his seat in the
 
 30 CAPTAIN 
 
 1780 House of Lords, and moved that the Lord Chan- 
 cellor's speech and Lord Duncan's reply be in- 
 serted in the Journals of the House ; and he always 
 retained a regard for Lady Duncan, and after her 
 husband's death made a point of calling upon her 
 when he was in Edinburgh. 
 
 1781 In the spring of 1781 the 'Monarch' was 
 SeSoTr 8 ordered to the West Indies ; but Captain Duncan's 
 
 health having suffered severely from the climate in 
 Keppel's expedition to the Havannah, he was 
 persuaded by his medical adviser to decline tropi- 
 cal service. It was unfortunate for him that he 
 could not go to the West Indies : the * Monarch,' 
 under Captain Eeynolds, took part in Eodney's 
 action against Comte de G-rasse on April n, 1782. 
 
 1782 In March 1782 Lord North resigned and Lord 
 Kockingham's Administration succeeded, in which 
 Admiral Keppel was the First Lord of the 
 Admiralty. Captain Duncan was immediately 
 appointed to the * Blenheim,' 90 guns. In Septem- 
 ber 1782 the 'Blenheim ' joined Lord Howe's fleet 
 and sailed to take part in the relief of Gibraltar, 
 which was still besieged. The ' Blenheim ' led the 
 larboard division of the centre or Commander-in- 
 Chief's squadron at the relief of Gibraltar, and in 
 the partial encounter with the allied French and 
 Spanish fleets off Cape Spartel on October 21, 
 when coming out of Gibraltar, she found her 
 
 Oharnock s 
 
 tifski wa y m ^ ac ^ on an< ^ l s ^ * wo men killed and three 
 men wounded. 
 
 Arriving at Portsmouth on November 15, 
 Captain Duncan soon afterwards quitted the
 
 CAPTAIN 3 1 
 
 ' Blenheim ' on her being ordered to the West 1782 
 Indies, receiving from Lord Howe a very compli- 
 mentary letter : 
 
 "Bath : December 22, 1782. 
 
 " Sir, Exclusive of the constitutional infirmity 
 which renders it necessary for you to decline the 
 foreign service on which the ' Blenheim ' is ordered, 
 I must so far congratulate myself 011 your sur- 
 render of the ship, as it may afford me a pro- 
 spect of your desirable assistance if I should be 
 called upon again for the Western Station, in con- 
 sequence of a continuance of the war. 
 
 " The concurrent sentiments you do me the 
 favour to express in your obliging declarations 
 relative to our late appointment are infinitely 
 grateful to, Sir, your ever faithful and most 
 obedient servant, 
 
 "HOWE." 
 
 On January 15, 1783, Captain Duncan was ap- 1783 
 pointed to the * Foudroyant,' in succession to Sir 
 John Jervis, and when she was put out of commis- 
 sion in consequence of the peace (January 20, 1783) 
 he received on April i the command of the ' Edgar,' 
 guardship at Portsmouth, and served in her the 
 regular term of three years, during which time he 
 occupied himself in instructing the young officers 
 who were placed under his charge. A few months 
 after he left the ' Edgar ' he was promoted to be a 
 flag officer. 
 
 In reviewing Duncan's service as a Captain 
 it will be seen that, from causes which were
 
 CAPTAIN 
 
 1783 beyond his control, he passed more than half his 
 time on half-pay. It was a great misfortune to 
 an active and enterprising officer thus to waste 
 fifteen of the best years of his life, from the age 
 of thirty-two to forty-seven. That he felt it 
 severely and was much discouraged is shown by 
 his repeated applications to the Admiralty for 
 employment. 
 
 It has been stated more than once that this 
 failure to obtain employment was on account of 
 his adherence to Keppel and on account of his 
 own political opinions. 
 
 It is, unfortunately, too true that in the eigh- 
 teenth century the favours of the Admiralty 
 depended much on the political opinions and con- 
 nections of naval officers, and that naval officers 
 found it worth their while to obtain seats in 
 Parliament, and to take an active part in the 
 political conflicts of the day. About 1780, Keppel, 
 Kodney, Howe, Sir Hugh Palliser, and even Sir 
 John Jervis, sat in the House of Commons. 
 Keppel, a Whig, complained bitterly of the con- 
 duct towards him of Lord Sandwich's Board of 
 Admiralty, and, indeed, after the court-martial 
 declined to serve under that Government. Rodney, 
 a bitter Tory, complained, and apparently with 
 some reason, of the Admiralty of Lord Rocking- 
 ham's Administration, who removed him from 
 command almost at the moment of his great 
 victory in the West Indies. Sir Hugh Palliser 
 was a Lord of the Admiralty, and supported his 
 own case against Admiral Keppel in Parliament.
 
 CAPTAIN 33 
 
 Sir John Jervis entered Parliament in 1783, and '783 
 attached himself to Lord Shelburne and the Whig 
 interest, and voted steadily against William Pitt's 
 Government and with those who declared the war 
 of 1793 "unnecessary impolitic lamentable." 
 
 It is also true that Duncan was a faithful 
 supporter and friend of Admiral Keppel, as he 
 had every reason to be. As a Lieutenant and 
 Captain he had made his way in the Service under 
 his command. He knew him to be a gallant 
 officer, and was no doubt rejoiced at his acquittal 
 of the charges preferred by Sir Hugh Palliser, 
 which were generally regarded as in some measure 
 a political indictment ; and he probably took little 
 care to conceal his satisfaction at the result. 
 
 There is, however, nothing to show that Lord 
 Sandwich took any action opposed to Captain 
 Duncan's interests. After Keppel's court-martial 
 Duncan continued to command the ' Monarch ' ; 
 and if his health had permitted, he would have 
 taken her to the West Indies. Soon after he 
 ceased to command her, Keppel became First Lord 
 of the Admiralty ; and he was appointed to the 
 ' Blenheim,' a ship of 90 guns. 
 
 So far as his own political opinions were con- 
 cerned, he did nothing to attract attention or to 
 excite hostility. Belonging to a Whig family, and 
 being himself a strict Presbyterian, he inclined to 
 Whig principles ; but he made his profession his 
 business, and never at any time in his life took any 
 active part in politics. 
 
 His failure to obtain employment at a time 
 when employment was all-important to him was 
 
 D
 
 34 CAPTAIN 
 
 1783 more probably due to causes which are obvious 
 enough and easily explained. It was his ill-luck 
 to be born at the wrong time for advancement as 
 a Captain. As a Lieutenant he came in for the 
 Seven Years' War, and took every advantage of his 
 opportunities, but he became a Captain just before 
 the peace of 1763, and had only had time for the ex- 
 peditions to Belleisle and the Havannah. Another 
 cruise or two in the * Valiant ' might have produced 
 for him very important results. The number of 
 vessels in commission, and consequently of Captains 
 employed, was largely reduced after the peace, 
 and, except on the North American station, such 
 service as was to be found was of little interest. 
 
 Duncan had to endure another period of in- 
 activity from the time of his becoming a Flag Officer 
 in 1787 until his appointment in 1795 to the com- 
 mand of the North Sea fleet. 
 
 But these years were likewise years of peace ; 
 and a junior Eear- Admiral could hardly expect a 
 command under such circumstances. Nor does it 
 seem that he would have fared better if he had 
 been born ten or fifteen years sooner or later. 
 If he had been a Captain early in the Seven Years' 
 War, he would have had nothing to do as an Admiral. 
 If he had entered the Service at the end of the 
 Seven Years' War, he would have had no oppor- 
 tunity of making himself a name as a Lieutenant. 
 
 Looking at his career as a whole, it may be 
 said that in his earlier service he had some cause for 
 receiving condolence and some reason for receiving 
 congratulation ; while, as an Admiral, he had the 
 opportunity to strike a heavy blow for his country.
 
 35 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 BEAR-ADMIRAL 1787 VICE-ADMIRAL 1793 APPOINTED 
 
 TO COMMAND OF NORTH SEA FLEET, 1795 THE 
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 ON September 24, 1787, Lord Howe, at this time I7 g 7 
 First Lord of the Admiralty, wrote to Captain 
 Duncan : 
 
 " Sir, The King having been pleased to direct 
 that a Promotion of Flag Officers should be made 
 on the present occasion for arming the fleet ; by 
 which promotion you will be advanced to the rank 
 of Bear- Admiral ; I have great pleasure in com- 
 municating this testimony of His Majesty's appro- 
 bation of your services. 
 
 "Being with much esteem, Sir, your most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 "HOWE." 
 
 After Captain Duncan was promoted to Flag 
 rank, nearly eight years elapsed before he hoisted 
 his flag. During these years he lived chiefly in 
 Scotland, and passed much of his time in Edin- 
 burgh, with his wife's relations. His brother-in- 
 law, Mr. Eobert Dundas, was Lord Advocate in 
 Mr. Pitt's Government, and in 1790 was elected 
 M.P. for Edinburgh, in succession to Mr. Henry 
 
 D 2
 
 36 REAR-ADMIRAL 
 
 1787 Dundas, Treasurer of the Navy, and afterwards 
 Lord Melville, who was returned for Midlothian. 
 
 In sympathy with the political upheaval in 
 Europe, two movements commenced at this time 
 in Scotland which were opposed by the Govern- 
 ment : the agitation for Burgh Eeform and the 
 Amiston agitation for Parliamentary Eeform. The Associa- 
 
 Memoirs, J 
 
 p- 226 tion of the Friends of the People, which had 
 recently been formed in England to promote 
 these objects, had established branches in Scot- 
 land. Public opinion being much excited, popular 
 rioting became not unfrequent, and a disturbance 
 
 1792 took place in Edinburgh on June 4, 1792, the 
 King's birthday. The Dundas family was especi- 
 ally obnoxious to the popular party as compris- 
 ing two members of Mr. Pitt's Government, 
 the Lord Advocate, and Mr. Henry Dundas, who 
 had now become Home Secretary ; and on Tuesday, 
 June 5, a crowd having assembled in George 
 Square, proceeded to break the windows of the 
 houses of the widowed Mrs. Dundas of Amiston 
 and of the Lord Advocate, and became so violent 
 that they were ultimately fired upon by the 
 military. 
 
 Admiral Duncan, who was residing with his 
 mother-in-law, went out among the crowd, and 
 had the little finger of one hand broken by a blow 
 from a stick, which obliged him during the rest of 
 his life to wear a double ring, which is still pre- 
 served, to connect that finger with the next. 
 
 1793 On February 3, 1793, Duncan rose to the rank 
 of Yice-Admiral.
 
 VICE-ADMIRAL 37 
 
 The French Eevolution was now in active 1793 
 progress. The King had been beheaded ; and the 
 Directory had assumed the reins of government. 
 At the end of 1 794 Holland was invaded, and on 
 May 16, 1795, an alliance was concluded between 1795 
 the French and Batavian Republics, by the terms 
 of which, among other conditions, it was agreed 
 that Holland should aid France with twelve ships 
 of the line and eighteen frigates, as well as with 
 half the Dutch troops under arms. This alliance 
 having been foreseen, the British Government had 
 on January 19 placed an embargo on all Dutch 
 ships, and in February appointed Vice-Admiral 
 Duncan to " the command of the ships employed 
 " in the North Sea and on the coasts of England 
 " and Scotland from Harwich to the islands of 
 " Orkney and Shetlands." 
 
 Lord Spencer had succeeded Lord Chatham in 
 December 1794 as First Lord of the Admiralty. 1795 
 It is said on the authority of Lady Jane Hamilton, February 
 Admiral Duncan's eldest daughter, that " in going 
 " over the list of Admirals with Mr. Henry Dundas 
 " Lord Spencer said ' What can be the reason that 
 " " Keppel's Duncan " has never been brought for- Lffe p voi i 
 " ward ? ' Upon this Mr. Dundas said that he p - I45 
 " thought he would like employment and added 
 " that he had married his niece. The same night 
 " he was appointed Commander-in-Chief in the 
 "North Sea." 
 
 The duty with which the Admiral was specially 
 charged was to prevent military expeditions being- 
 despatched from the Texel. The Texel was to
 
 38 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1795 be blockaded and the Dutch fleet, if possible, 
 destroyed. 
 
 The plan upon which the Admiral proceeded, 
 and which he never changed until his task was 
 performed, was as follows : His squadron was 
 constantly cruising off the Texel. Almost every 
 day one or more small vessels looked into the Texel 
 and reported on the number and condition of the 
 Dutch ships. When the squadron was obliged to 
 return to the Downs or to Yarmouth for revictual- 
 ling or refitting, the frigates and small craft 
 hovered along the coast, ready to report any 
 change. The ' Active ' and ' Eose ' cutters, the 
 ' Black Joke,' * Spider,' ' Espiegle ' and ' Specu- 
 lator ' luggers, the ' Circe ' frigate, were all honour- 
 ably distinguished and prominent in this service. 
 
 The ships of the North Sea fleet, even tried by 
 the standard of that day, might well have driven 
 an Admiral to despair. In the commencement 
 they numbered only four sail of the line. When 
 their number increased their quality remained 
 worse than indifferent : converted Indiamen, 
 captured prizes, anything that was to be found, 
 had to do duty in the North Sea. The better 
 ships were all wanted for the more distant com- 
 mands, such as the Mediterranean. 
 
 Even such ships as were attached to the North 
 Sea squadron were constantly being taken away. 
 If Admiral Duncan had had a fleet of ships which 
 remained continuously under his orders, it is very 
 probable that the mutiny at the Nore would never 
 have occurred. His influence over those under
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 39 
 
 his command is admitted to have been and was 
 proved to be almost unbounded. 
 
 Admiral Sir Charles Middleton, a naval 
 member of the Board of Admiralty, who seems to 
 have exercised considerable influence in regard to 
 the movement of ships, and who wrote frequently 
 and very confidentially to Admiral Duncan, often 
 lamented the inability of the Board to supply the 
 ships which were required for the North Sea ; on 
 August 27 he wrote : " My own wish is to have 
 " your force very strong, but I plainly perceive 
 " from the many irons we have in the fire that I 
 " shall be overruled. The same cause obliges us 
 " to employ your frigates on many extra services, 
 " and which I have charged the secretary to 
 " acquaint you with as often as it happens ; but, 
 " necessary as this information is for your guid- 
 " ance, I am afraid it is often forgot. I have also 
 " desired a list to be made out to lay at his elbow, 
 " that he may know what ships belong to your 
 " squadron." 
 
 Again on September i : "Your ships are 
 " distributed in all quarters, and I am fearful that 
 " we are not regular enough in acquainting you 
 " with all the services they are ordered on." 
 
 On September 14 : " Notwithstanding every 
 " Admiral can judge of the extent of his own 
 " station, it is impossible he can judge of the diffi- 
 " culties we are under to provide for the variety 
 " of services in hand and daily increasing." 
 
 On October 12 : "We cannot spare the 'Isis' 
 " at present. We have been unfortunate on the
 
 40 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 J 79S " coast of Portugal and to the westward, by the 
 " activity of six French frigates, and if we had 
 " not some in port ready to detach immediately 
 " after them we should have been open to clamour. 
 " In short, we must in our situation look to all 
 " quarters of the compass, which will account to you 
 " for our not following out your suggestions, which 
 " though perfectly right as regards your own 
 " station frequently militate with other services." 
 
 It appears from Lord Spencer's letters that 
 Admiral Duncan occasionally pointed out the 
 shortcomings of his ships, which Lord Spencer did 
 not attempt to deny, and, indeed, not unfrequently 
 admitted. From the beginning to the end, how- 
 ever, the Admiral made the best, in practice, of 
 the tools which he possessed, and made them do the 
 work which was given to him to do. 
 
 In one respect he had reason to be well satisfied. 
 During his command in the North Sea there was 
 at the head of the Board of Admiralty a First Lord 
 who was well worthy of his position. By his 
 appointments, by his management of the Fleets, 
 and by his management of the commanding 
 officers, Lord Spencer inspired confidence in the 
 ranks of the Navy, and thus contributed largely 
 much more largely than has been recognised 
 towards the remarkable successes at sea which 
 occurred during his Administration. 
 
 Of this his intercourse with Admiral Duncan 
 furnishes a good illustration. Almost on the day 
 that Duncan hoisted his flag on the 'Vener- 
 able,' a private correspondence with Lord Spencer
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 41 
 
 commenced which continued without intermission 1795 
 until the Admiral's retirement. Lord Spencer 
 understood well the character of the officer with 
 whom he was dealing. He wrote his own views 
 openly and frankly. He felt confident, and fre- 
 quently, as will be seen, expressed his confidence, 
 that the Dutch would be attacked on the earliest 
 possible opportunity, and also that they would be de- 
 feated, though he did not pretend to say that the 
 North Sea fleet was what he w T ould have liked it to be. 
 
 Throughout the mutiny at the Nore he gave to 
 the Admiral a full and generous support, as will be 
 mentioned hereafter. 
 
 It is abundantly clear that, if the Admiral's 
 letters to Lord Spencer were in existence, they 
 would show that he felt, professionally, deep 
 respect and, personally, entertained the highest 
 regard for the First Lord of the Admiralty. It is 
 impossible to read Lord Spencer's published letters 
 to Sir John Jervis and other naval officers without 
 perceiving that their sentiments towards him were 
 exactly the same. He understood them, their 
 characters and peculiarities. He was large-minded 
 enough to throw aside the pernicious doctrine 
 which had long prevailed that a naval officer's 
 political opinions were a measure of his fitness for 
 employment and which had become so deeply 
 rooted in the naval mind that officers were un- 
 willing to accept command under an unfriendly 
 Government because they feared and not always 
 without reason that the Government would not 
 support them loyally.
 
 42 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1795 When the North Sea fleet returned to an 
 
 English port, it lay sometimes in the Downs, and 
 
 latterly repaired to Yarmouth. It was in 1795 that 
 
 stanhope's Admiral Duncan became acquainted with Mr. Pitt, 
 
 Pitt, no doubt through Mr. Henry Dundas, and when 
 
 vol. iiL 
 
 the fleet was in the Downs he used sometimes to 
 visit at Walmer Castle. 
 
 When Admiral Hotham was recalled from the 
 Mediterranean in the summer of 1795, that corn- 
 Memoirs mand was offered to Admiral Duncan, but was 
 Haidane ' declined, he thinking that the Dutch would before 
 long come out of the Texel. Being asked his 
 opinion by Mr. Pitt, Mr. Henry Dundas, and Lord 
 Spencer, as to the fittest officer for the Mediter- 
 ranean command, he told them that " beyond all 
 " doubt, it was Sir John Jervis." Sir John had also 
 Tucker's been recommended by Lord Hugh Seymour, a 
 ofToT.Tst. member of the Board of Admiralty, and perhaps by 
 C h n vi. n ' others ; but he had been an active opponent of Mr. 
 Pitt's Government and measures in the House of 
 Commons. It is greatly to Lord Spencer's honour 
 that he ultimately decided to overlook this objection 
 and appointed an officer who brought the Mediter- 
 ranean Fleet to the highest state of efficiency, and 
 by this, quite as much as by his victory off Cape 
 St. Vincent, exercised an important influence on 
 the fate of the war. Sir John appears to have been 
 very sensible of the honourable conduct of the 
 Board of Admiralty towards him, and when in 1801 
 Lord Duncan wrote to congratulate him on his 
 appointment as First Lord of the Admiralty in Mr. 
 Addington's Government, he said in his reply :
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 43 
 
 " To Mr. Dundas's partiality I attribute, and ever 1795 
 " shall, my naval career." 
 
 Duncan had always entertained great admiration 
 for Sir John as an officer as well as a friend, and 
 when he gave up command of the ' Monarch ' in 
 the spring of 1781, induced him to take his nephew, 
 Bobert Haldane, as a Lieutenant on board the Memoirs of 
 
 R. and J.A. 
 
 ' Foudroyant.' 
 
 Admiral Duncan was directed to hoist his flag February 
 on board the ' Prince George,' 90 guns, fitting out 
 at Chatham. 
 
 The ' Prince George ' having been deemed 
 unsuitable for the North Sea station owing to her 
 deep draught of water, he was ordered on March 1 1 
 to remove to the ' Venerable,' 74 guns ; and on 
 March 3 1 he hoisted his flag with Captain William March 
 Hope as Flag Captain. 
 
 On June 17, 1795, the Admiralty informed June 
 Admiral Duncan, who on June i had risen to be 
 Admiral of the Blue, that the Empress Catherine of 
 Russia having agreed to furnish twelve sail of the 
 line and six frigates to be employed as occasion 
 might require against the common enemy, he was 
 to take them under his orders. 
 
 On July 29 Vice-Admiral Hanickoff announced July 
 his arrival with Bear- Admirals Mackaroff and Tate, 
 and the Russian squadron, consisting of twelve ships 
 of the line and six frigates, having a complement 
 of 8,000 officers and men, and placed himself under 
 the British Admiral's orders. 
 
 On August 8 the Admiralty directed the Admiral August 
 to get ready for sea, as the Dutch fleet was reported
 
 44 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1795 to have come out from the Texel, and to take with 
 him any portion of the Eussian squadron which he 
 thought proper. 
 
 On August 10 Lord Spencer wrote privately : 
 
 " Admiralty. 
 
 "Dear Sir, Having been extremely occupied 
 by business the whole morning, I have but a few 
 minutes left to acknowledge the receipt of jour 
 letter of yesterday, in answer to which I can only 
 assure you that I should have been very happy if 
 the other pressing calls of the service at this moment 
 had not rendered it impossible to appropriate on so 
 sudden an emergency a larger force to your opera- 
 tions. I hope, however, that your squadron, 
 augmented as I suppose there is every reason to 
 expect it will be by the * Lion ' and ' Grlatton,' whose 
 cruising time is expired, and perhaps the ' Eepulse ' 
 (if she can be manned), together with as many of 
 our good friends the Eussians as you think fit to 
 take with you, will be amply sufficient to give a 
 very good account of these Frenchified Dutchmen, 
 if they should venture to show their faces at sea. 
 Their ships will undoubtedly be but very ill-manned, 
 at least we have every reason to believe from all 
 the accounts we have received that it is impossible 
 for them to find a sufficient number of sea- 
 men to man them as they could wish, and one 
 of the principal objects of their going out will 
 be to secure the return of the valuable fleet from the 
 East, which, as well as riches, is to bring them 
 men.
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 45 
 
 " I cannot but approve highly of your attention 1795 
 and politeness to the Russian Admiral, to whom AU P 
 every possible civility should undoubtedly be paid, 
 and who will, I hope, go on in perfect cordiality 
 and good humour with you. We have sent 
 directions to the proper officers to furnish him 
 with the necessary articles of stores and provisions 
 without delay, but I trust that if the Service 
 should require your putting to sea, our friends are 
 not quite so unprovided as to be unable to accom- 
 pany you, or to occasion any delay which might 
 be attended with very unpleasant consequences 
 both to our numerous convoys in the district you 
 command, and to the general interest by missing 
 the opportunity of falling in with so rich an object 
 as the East India fleet. 
 
 " In short, my dear Sir, I have no doubt of your 
 doing very well even with the force proposed, if 
 you take a sufficient number of the Eussian 
 squadron, and you may depend on every exertion 
 being used here to strengthen you as much as can 
 be done consistently with the demands to the 
 westward, which at this moment are not less 
 pressing. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, 
 
 with great truth and regard, 
 
 your very obedient humble servant, 
 
 " SPENCEK. 
 
 " Admiral Duncan." 
 (Private.) "Admiralty: August u, 1795. 
 
 " Dear Sir, Notwithstanding the various re- 
 ports we have received of the readiness of the
 
 46 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1795 Dutch fleet for sea, I cannot yet help suspecting 
 August that, though their ships appear to he ready from 
 without, they may still be so deficient in point of 
 men as to make it improbable that they will be 
 able to put to sea in a very short time, and to 
 leave the greatest chance of our intercepting 
 their homeward bound Indiamen who are expected 
 North about. It is, however, in the present 
 circumstances absolutely necessary to take all the 
 precautions which would suggest themselves to us, 
 were we perfectly certain that they were about to 
 put to sea ; and in this view I take the liberty of 
 writing these few lines to you to submit to your 
 opinion whether it would be most advisable as 
 you are situated in respect of force to put to sea 
 and cruise immediately for the purpose of locking 
 up their fleet in the Texel &c., or to remain 
 where you are till you receive intelligence of their 
 being sailed, and then immediately to make sail 
 after them. The comparative advantages and dis- 
 advantages of these two plans will readily enough 
 suggest themselves to you, and I should be glad 
 to receive your opinion on the subject in a private 
 letter, as it will greatly tend to influence the 
 determination which may be formed by His 
 Majesty's servants in framing any instruction they 
 may in future judge it expedient to send you. 
 The question, I am aware, is rather a nice one, 
 and much may be said on both sides of it ; but 
 as you must have been led by your situation to 
 consider it with greater attention than any one 
 else, it is very desirable to know your sentiment
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 47 
 
 more particularly as you will be called upon to 1795 
 carry into execution whichever plan or mode of Au s ust 
 operations obtains the preference. I hope that 
 the * Asia,' i Nassau,' * Calcutta ' and ' Jupiter ' 
 will have joined you before this reaches you, and 
 the ' Eepulse ' may, I have no doubt, be soon added 
 to them ; but as I said in my former letter, I am 
 under no apprehension of the event if the Dutch 
 do but give you the meeting, and you may be 
 assured that no one feels more sincerely anxious 
 than I do that you may have an opportunity of 
 performing a brilliant service to your country. 
 
 " I am, (fee., 
 
 " SPENCEB." 
 
 On August 14 the Admiral was directed to send 
 Yice-Admiral Pringle with the 'Asia,' 'Eepulse,' 
 ' Calcutta ' and ' Jupiter ' to cruise between the 
 Orkneys and Norway, and to keep a look-out for 
 the Dutch East India ships supposed to be coming 
 "North about" ; to desire Captain Trollope with 
 the ' Nassau,' ' Glatton,' and ' Lion ' to cruise 
 between the Naze of Norway and the Texel ; also 
 to send seven Russian ships to cruise for three 
 weeks off the Texel. 
 
 On August 1 5 Lord Spencer wrote : 
 
 "Admiralty: August 15, 1795. 
 
 " I have to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 three letters, two of the i3th and one of yester- 
 day, and have little to say in answer to them, 
 except that the arguments used in the two
 
 48 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1795 former on the subject of the employment of the 
 August f orce under your command appeared so forcible and 
 judicious, both to the Cabinet and the Board of 
 Admiralty, that, as you will see by the orders sent 
 you yesterday, the substance of your propositions 
 has been adopted. I shall be glad to have a line 
 from you by the return of post, or rather by the 
 coach of to-morrow, to let me know on what 
 day it is likely that the Eussian squadron will sail, 
 as I should be very glad if possible to have a sight 
 of them before they are separated. I am sorry to 
 find, by a letter received from Count Woronzow, 
 that there has been a misunderstanding between 
 Admiral Peyton and Yice-Admiral Hanickoff re- 
 specting a salute. We must endeavour to do 
 what we can to rectify it, but as Admiral Peyton 
 has abided literally by the naval instructions I do 
 not immediately see what can be done." 
 
 On August 17, Acting-Lieutenant Oswald, who 
 had been sent to the Texel in the ' Spider ' lugger 
 to reconnoitre the Dutch fleet, reported to the 
 Admiralty : " On my way to the Texel, August 15, 
 " 7 A.M., the weather being hazy, Camperdown 
 " S.E. nine or ten miles, I discovered a fleet in 
 " the north-east quarter, the wind then about 
 " south-west. I immediately bore down for the 
 " fleet, and on its clearing away a little I dis- 
 " covered them to be ships of war, standing on a 
 " wind to the westward under easy sail. I hoisted 
 " the private signal and ran down within three 
 " miles of the van ship, and counted five sail of 
 " the line, six frigates, and four cutter-brigs from
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 49 
 
 " eighteen to twenty guns, and one cutter with a 1795 
 " galliott gun vessel," &c. Au3U3t 
 
 On August 1 8 Captain Trollope, of the 
 ' Glatton,' having with him the ' Lion ' and 
 ' Nassau,' fell in with the squadron, " Goree, 
 " bearing S.S.E. about 7 leagues," and continued 
 towa tch them. 
 
 On August 1 9 Lord Spencer wrote : 
 
 "Admiralty: August 19, 1795. 
 
 " I have only time before the messenger goes 
 to acknowledge the receipt of your private letter 
 of yesterday, and to refer you to the orders you 
 will receive, which, as you will see, are calculated 
 to strengthen you as much as the service will 
 admit of. It is most essential to give the Dutch 
 a hard blow as soon as possible, and I cannot 
 help thinking that a few English ships, led as 
 they will be, I am convinced, by you, will be as 
 equal to this service as can be wished. As the 
 wind is fair and our orders are very pressing to 
 the Portsmouth ships, I am in hopes you may 
 see them by to-morrow evening, and even though 
 the ' Eepulse ' should not join you, I should by 
 all means advise your sailing. You will probably 
 hear something more of the Dutch before that 
 time, which may regulate the course you may 
 take when you do sail. The Russian fleet, 
 increased to whatever number of their own ships 
 you and Admiral Hanickoff may judge right, will 
 still be very well placed cruising off the Texel. 
 Dr. Blair, of the Sick and Hurt Office, is gone 
 
 E
 
 50 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 J 795 down to Deal, and will be there to-morrow morn- 
 ing to look after the sick, which I am of opinion 
 will be much better disposed in a hospital 
 ship at Sheerness than crowded on shore 
 at Deal. The least fit ship of the Russian 
 squadron might serve to carry them, if Admiral 
 Hanickoff approves of it. As it is, the danger 
 to be apprehended both to themselves and to 
 our own people from their remaining in their 
 own present situation is too great not to call 
 for some immediate measure being taken to 
 remedy it." 
 
 On August 21 Admiral Duncan sailed from 
 the Downs, taking with him the Eussian squadron, 
 but was not successful in falling in with the 
 enemy. How they escaped is not told. The 
 4 Glatton,' ' Lion,' and ' Nassau ' were in company 
 with the Admiral off the Dutch coast on August 26. 
 On the day before two French privateer brigs, 
 ' La Suffisante ' and ' La Yictorieuse,' were taken, 
 and Mr. Oswald, acting-Lieutenant in command of 
 the ' Spider,' who was reported as having been 
 instrumental in their capture, was promoted to 
 be Lieutenant and retained in command of the 
 ' Spider.' 
 
 Lord Spencer wrote : 
 
 " Admiralty : August 27, 1795. 
 
 " Though it is impossible not to regret that you 
 could not catch Mynheer at sea, yet the exertions 
 you have used endeavouring to do so, and the 
 alacrity and expedition with which you went out
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 51 
 
 after him, do you and your officers great credit, 1795 
 and will I have no doubt be so considered by the Au g ust 
 country. I am much obliged to you for your two 
 letters of the 23rd and 24th, and am very glad to 
 hear that the Eussians have done so well. I am 
 a little surprised that their ships, so long out of 
 dock and uncoppered, should sail better than ours, 
 but I suppose it may have been owing to their 
 carrying more sail in the night or some such 
 circumstance. 
 
 " In order to satisfy Vice-Admiral Hanickoff that 
 it was the difference of rank and not any disrespect 
 to the Imperial Flag that occasioned the differ- 
 ence in the salute, I have imagined the expedient 
 of ordering the Eussian squadron when they re- 
 turn to anchor at the Nore, when, if he salutes, 
 Admiral Buckner may return an equal number of 
 guns without transgressing our rules. As there 
 is time enough for determining on this, I should 
 wish to know what you think of it. 
 
 " Your plan for sending Admiral Pringle 
 Northward seems very proper, and I very sincerely 
 hope he, or some of your other squadrons, may fall 
 in with the homeward bound Dutchmen. I am 
 very glad to hear by the * Mars ' that you have 
 taken two French brigs. We natter ourselves, 
 though their description is not mentioned in 
 Admiral Peyton's letter, that they are two of the 
 armed brigs that have lately been annoying us in 
 those seas." 
 
 B 2
 
 52 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 Admiralty: August 28, 1795. 
 
 1795 "I have only time to say a few words to 
 
 express my satisfaction and congratulate you on 
 the capture of the two French brigs, which will 
 prove a very great service to our trade in the 
 North Sea. I hope Captain Trollope will pick 
 up the Dutch brigs that are cruising there. Your 
 account of the Eussian fleet is very pleasant, 
 and we have left it to your discretion how long 
 you shall continue with them. We have already 
 authorised you to give them positive orders to 
 treat all neutrals as we do, and after the act of 
 hostility with which the Dutch began, all naval 
 stores bound to Holland even in neutrals become 
 contraband of war. 
 
 " You will see that we have heard of a fleet 
 which has all the appearance of being the expected 
 Dutch homeward bound Indian fleet, and I am 
 much mistaken if they do not attempt making the 
 coast of Norway. However, I hope the measures 
 you have so properly taken on that point will 
 intercept them. 
 
 " Mr. James Oswald having only an acting 
 order could only be made a Lieutenant, but to 
 testify our approbation of his conduct we have 
 given him the command of the ' Spider ' lugger in 
 which he may again have an opportunity of distin- 
 guishing himself." 
 
 September On September 4 the Admiral returned in 
 the ' Venerable ' to the Downs. During the 
 remainder of the year the British cruisers were
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 53 
 
 constantly oif the Texel, and the Admiral himself 1795 
 proceeded there in November. The Admiralty Se P tember 
 were very anxious that the squadron should arrive 
 off the Texel as soon as possible, but at this time 
 there was a great scarcity of British ships avail- 
 able for the North Sea. Lord Spencer wrote : 
 
 "Admiralty: November 10, 1/95. 
 
 " I am always very glad to hear your unreserved November 
 sentiments on any subject that concerns your 
 command and operation, and consequently am 
 much obliged to you for your letter of the 7th 
 instant, which I only received yesterday. 
 
 " You are as well apprised as we are here, of 
 the necessity of having a force ready to cope with 
 the Dutch fleet if they should venture out, and 
 you know r all the dispositions which have been 
 made respecting the squadron under your com- 
 mand too well for it to be necessary for me to 
 enter into the detail of it with you. It appears 
 to us here that the Dutch are very likely to put 
 to sea at present, as they know we have several 
 valuable convoys coming over from the Eastward 
 in all this month, and they have the additional 
 inducement of the protection of their homeward 
 bound Indiamen now lying in the ports of Norway. 
 It is also extremely desirable for the sake of 
 appearances that the Eussian fleet, who have 
 now been a considerable time inactive, should be 
 put in motion, and though the late boisterous 
 weather is undoubtedly a very satisfactory reason 
 why they could not be kept complete in stores 
 and in readiness for sea, not a moment's time
 
 54 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1795 must be lost in preparing them, that you may be 
 vember & ^ Q ^ Q j Q j n Admiral Pringle if possible, as soon 
 as he gets off the Texel. 
 
 " I am afraid this easterly wind, which seems 
 disposed to blow hard, will continue to impede 
 your operations in the Downs ; however, I have 
 not a doubt from what I have already experienced 
 of your zeal and activity in the service, that every 
 possible exertion will be used to enable you to 
 carry the late orders into execution as soon as 
 the nature of things will admit of your doing so. 
 Captain Bissett will join you immediately, as the 
 Board have been informed in a letter received from 
 him this morning." 
 
 " Admiralty: November 12, 1795. 
 
 " You will see from the letters of the Board to- 
 day that we deem it so essential to have a squadron 
 at least for a short time off the Texel that we 
 have determined to give up Admiral Tate's cruise 
 off the Naze in order to enable you to make a 
 show of more force in the former quarter. It 
 is to be hoped that the weather will not be so 
 very boisterous as it has lately been, and a short 
 cruise will, I flatter myself, not be attended with 
 any of the bad consequences you apprehend, while, 
 on the other hand, I am sure very bad ones 
 indeed will arise not only from the appearance of 
 the Dutch fleet at sea without our going to sea 
 likewise (and I cannot still help thinking that 
 their late movements are an indication that they 
 intend to come out), but even from the total
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 55 
 
 inactivity of the whole Eussian fleet for the 1795 
 rest of the winter, who will then be very justly November 
 said to have been kept here for no other pur- 
 pose than to eat up our victuals and waste our 
 stores. 
 
 " I don't understand how the ' Venerable ' can 
 want so much caulking, as there is a standing order 
 to employ caulkers occasionally on board all ships 
 when at anchor, and she has had a great deal of 
 leisure time of that sort lately ; and as to her pay- 
 ment, it will hardly make a difficulty for so short a 
 cruise, and the ship's company maybe paid as soon 
 as she returns. I would not be so pressing upon 
 you if I did not feel that the public service abso- 
 lutely required every possible exertion to be made 
 at this moment." 
 
 The Admiral, whose fleet had experienced heavy 
 gales, appears not to have viewed with much satis- 
 faction the prospect of cruising off the Texel in 
 winter with a squadron composed almost entirely 
 of Eussian ships. The draft of part of his reply 
 is written in his own hand on the back of Lord 
 Spencer's letter of November 12 : 
 
 " My Lord, I am honoured with your Lord- 
 ship's letter of yesterday. The Admiralty order 
 shall certainly be complied with about the cruise 
 of Admiral Tate, but I have not received it to- 
 day. In my last letter I gave my opinion about 
 the Eussian fleet going to sea ; and whatever 
 the consequence may be, it must be borne. By 
 the account I send, Admiral Parry and your
 
 56 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1795 Lordship will see the devastation made on those 
 vember g^g we Depend on off the Texel : the * Coro- 
 mandel ' dismasted, and I have no doubt the 
 4 Nassau ' who relieved her is not in very good 
 order. I never could see any reason for the 
 Russian fleet being detained for the winter, but 
 to be ready early in the spring, and it always was 
 my opinion they were unfit for winter cruising. 
 Indeed, they are themselves perfectly satisfied of 
 it. Now as to myself I will say what I once 
 did before : I am the first British Admiral that 
 ever was ordered on service with foreigners only, 
 and I must beg further to say I shall look upon it 
 as an indignity to me if some British ships are 
 not directed to attend me. As to what are to 
 come with Admiral Pringle, very little dependence 
 can be had on them. I find the ' Repulse ' on 
 the 9th had not joined, so that, with all we can 
 muster, were they joined . . . ." (Draft ends with 
 the end of the sheet of paper.) 
 
 On November 1 4 Lord Spencer answered : 
 
 " Admiralty. 
 
 " In consequence of the accident which Admiral 
 Pringle reports to have befallen the ' Repulse ' of 
 having carried away her main yard, which cannot 
 well be replaced at Leith, and in consideration of 
 other circumstances, we have sent a messenger 
 down to him to order him to the Nore, with all 
 the ships that are now with him in Leith Roads. 
 I hope that by the time of his arrival you will be 
 ready to join him, and you may then go to sea
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 57 
 
 and take a short cruise without being exposed to 1795 
 the objections which you state in your letter. November 
 The defects of the ' Venerable ' do not seem to be 
 very material at present, and cannot afford any 
 ground of objection to a cruise not intended to be 
 of long continuance. Notwithstanding the con- 
 voy from Elsineur which has already sailed, we 
 have information of a large number more that are 
 still waiting to come away from thence, and the 
 news of our ships being disabled in the North Sea 
 may make the Dutch feel a little bolder." 
 
 Again on November 24 : 
 
 " Admiralty. 
 
 " I cannot still help thinking that the Dutch 
 fleet may be out, and if they are I have no doubt 
 of your giving a very good account of them, 
 especially as I trust they may have been in the 
 late gale. I am a little anxious to hear that 
 Admiral Pringle's squadron have escaped without 
 much damage. You will in the course of a very 
 few days, even should you not fall in with him, 
 have a very respectable force with you, and, ac- 
 cording to the intelligence you send me by the 
 * Espiegle,' we shall use every exertion to make 
 you equal, and if possible, superior to the enemy. 
 God bless you, my dear Admiral. Every sincere 
 wish for your success." 
 
 A few days later the Admiral sailed for his December 
 station. On December 1 5 Lord Spencer wrote : 
 
 " I send a line to thank you for your letter 
 and for the punctuality and zeal with which you
 
 58 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1795 have, as usual, executed the service committed 
 to your discretion. I fear the south-west winds 
 have detained the Elsineur convoy longer than 
 you were aware of, and the strength of the gales 
 added to the weakness of our allied ships has, I 
 doubt, reduced Her Imperial Majesty's squadron 
 to a very unpleasant state, but I hope they will 
 all get safe in. You will see that there is still 
 an idea of a Dutch squadron sailing for the East 
 Indies, and the accounts brought of the appear- 
 ance of the ships in the Texel by Captain Colville 
 seem a little to confirm the account. If you 
 have anything to suggest on this subject or in 
 general on the subject of your operations for the 
 winter, I shall be very glad to hear from you 
 upon it." 
 
 On November 25 the Dutch East India fleet, 
 having succeeded in eluding the British cruisers, 
 had reached the neutral port of Drontheim 
 safely. 
 
 October It had been decided that the Eussian squadron 
 was to winter in England, of which Admiral 
 Hanickoff apprised Admiral Duncan on October 6 : 
 
 Russian Embassy, London. 
 
 " Sir, On my arrival at London I was 
 informed by His Excellency the Russian Minister 
 Count Woronzow that it was His Majesty's wish 
 signified through my Lord Granville that the 
 squadron under my command should remain to 
 winter here, and that His Excellency in the name 
 of Her Imperial Majesty has given to my Lord
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 59 
 
 Granville his promise to the same purpose. I 
 was likewise informed by Count Woronzow that, 
 agreeable to the treaty between the Court of 
 London and that of St. Petersburg, the officers 
 and the seamen now serving in the Eussian 
 squadron will be maintained at the expense of 
 His Britannic Majesty. That being the case, 
 I think it my duty to mention to Your Excel- 
 lency that I wish to give as little trouble as I 
 can with regard to the victualling of our ships 
 &c., and to avoid making preparations for such 
 articles which are not made use of in His Ma- 
 jesty's Navy, and likewise to avoid procuring on 
 purpose stores, which may be attended with some 
 difficulties, as I am perfectly agreeable that our 
 ships should be supplied with the same articles 
 of provisions &c. as are used in the British 
 Navy. 
 
 " I beg leave however to make my observation 
 upon two articles, namely, bread and corn brandy 
 (whiskey or good gin instead of corn brandy). 
 The Eussian people in general eat more bread 
 than the people of any other country; therefore I 
 must have recourse to Your Excellency to inter- 
 cede at the Admiralty that my people should 
 have the same allowance of bread given them 
 here as they are allowed in Eussia. Charka or 
 a glass of brandy or gin is the moving spring of 
 a Eussian sailor ; it is allowed them daily by 
 the regulations of Peter the Great, who knew so 
 well the disposition of his people and who is adored 
 by them all ; and to deprive a Eussian sailor of
 
 60 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 what is allowed him by Peter the Great, whom 
 they always call their Father, would be taking 
 off at once so much of their courage and diminish- 
 ing their resolution to face the enemy, which 
 thank God they show so much goodwill and 
 readiness to do for the good of their friends and 
 allies, so that I hope Your Excellency will likewise 
 have the goodness to assist me in obtaining that 
 this article might be allowed them in the same 
 manner as it is usually done in the Eussian 
 service. If grits of any kind could be easily pro- 
 cured, I should wish to have them allowed to my 
 crews. It would add greatly to their comfort, as 
 they generally make their hot meat of them. I 
 shall have a few more articles to trouble Your 
 Excellency upon with regard to my officers, 
 which I must defer till I have the honour of 
 seeing you. If Your Excellency should soon be 
 coming to London I shall wait here, otherwise 
 I shall do myself the pleasure to wait upon you 
 at Deal. 
 
 " Your Excellency was always pleased to show 
 me so much attention and friendship that upon 
 every occasion I have recourse to you without the 
 smallest reserve, knowing that whatever I do by 
 your advice and assistance cannot but cement the 
 friendship of the two allied countries and promote 
 their mutual welfare. 
 
 " I have the honor to be &c., 
 
 " (Sgd.) P. HANICKOFF." 
 
 In the month of October it seems to have been
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 6 1 
 
 proposed by some unknown person of influence to 1795 
 give to Admiral Duncan the seat at the Board of October 
 Admiralty vacated by Admiral Sir Charles Middle- 
 ton. In all probability this person was Mr. Henry 
 Dundas, for Lord Spencer's answer, to whomsoever 
 it was addressed, is in the Admiral's collection of 
 Lord Spencer's letters, and had no doubt been 
 forwarded by the recipient to him for his 
 information. 
 
 "Admiralty : October 13, 1795. 
 
 " Dear Sir, The services of Admiral Duncan 
 are so valuable in the situation in which he now 
 acts that he could not possibly be spared from it 
 without detriment to the service ; and it will be 
 absolutely necessary that whoever shall replace 
 Sir C. M. at this Board should have it in his 
 power to give constant attendance here, which 
 could not be the case with an Admiral whose flag 
 is flying. 
 
 " Yours very faithfully, 
 
 " SPENCER." 
 
 The propriety of Lord Spencer's decision was 
 beyond question. The Admiral commanding in 
 the North Sea had abundant occupation on his 
 own station and in his own fleet, and could have 
 no time to bestow upon the general administra- 
 tion of the Navy.
 
 62 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 THE BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL, 1796-7 
 
 1796 IN the early part of the year 1796 matters in the 
 North Sea remained very much in the same state. 
 There were occasional reports of the Dutch fleet 
 having put to sea, and the British squadron was 
 constantly on the alert off the Texel, Lord Spencer 
 urging the Admiral to continue his exertions. At 
 the end of February a small Dutch squadron under 
 Admiral Braak slipped out and, eluding the British 
 cruisers, went North about and escaped, part it was 
 believed being destined for the West Indies, and 
 part for the East Indies. Admiral Duncan himself 
 put to sea on March 14 and relieved Vice- Admiral 
 Pringle off the Texel, who then left the station for 
 another command, and was succeeded by Vice- 
 Admiral Macbride. The Admiral's cruise continued 
 until May 18, when he was relieved and returned 
 to Yarmouth, which now had been constituted 
 the headquarters of the North Sea Fleet. Lord 
 Spencer wrote : 
 
 " Admiralty : April 6, 1 796. 
 
 " I have received your two letters of the i8th 
 and 24th ultimo and have only to regret that your 
 cruise has not hitherto proved more productive. I 
 begin very much to suspect that the Dutch have
 
 BLOCKADE OF TIIE TEXEL 63 
 
 slipped round and are either bound to some foreign 1796 
 destination or mean to make one of the French 
 ports in the Atlantic, which I am afraid they may 
 be able to effect if the present easterly wind does 
 not prevent them, before we can get any squadron 
 to replace Admiral Harvey's, who are returned 
 without having seen or heard anything of an 
 enemy." 
 
 "Admiralty: April 15, 1796: 
 
 " I agree with you in the conclusion that the 
 Dutch fleet which was met by Admiral Pringle on 
 February 24 is certainly gone North about, and 
 there is good reason to believe that some of them 
 at least are destined to the Cape and East Indies. 
 There is, however, another squadron of six or seven 
 line-of-battle ships and some frigates remaining in 
 the Texel, which, if manned (and accounts say that 
 every effort is making to man them), will probably 
 sail from thence the moment they hear of your 
 return. As to Von Dirking I don't know what to 
 make of him, but am not without hopes that before 
 this reaches you he may have fallen in with one or 
 other of the squadrons which you have so judiciously 
 stationed to intercept him. 
 
 "Admiral Pringle's services having been re- 
 quired in another quarter of the world, we have 
 taken him from you, and intend that Vice- Admiral 
 Macbride should hoist his flag under your command 
 in the North Sea, who I hope, from his knowledge 
 of that sea and his well-known activity, will prove 
 a useful second to you. His being a Vice-Admiral 
 will also prevent any difficulties arising in point
 
 64 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1796 of rank between him and the two junior Russian 
 flags. 
 
 " I am very sorry for the loss of the ' Spider ' 
 lugger, as she w r as a very good one. Lieutenant 
 Oswald deserves encouragement, and I think of 
 recommending him to Pringle, who is already 
 apprised of his merits." 
 
 During the earlier months of the year Captain 
 Von Dirking, a Dutch Captain above alluded to, 
 who had under his command a Dutch frigate and 
 three armed brigs, and who was, politically, a 
 partisan of the House of Orange, was engaged in 
 negotiations with the British Consul at Chris- 
 tiansand, where his ships were lying, to surrender 
 them to the British together with several East 
 Indiamen which were under his charge. The plan 
 finally arranged was that when Yon Dirking' s ships 
 sailed they should be met by a superior British 
 force, when Yon Dirking felt certain that he could 
 induce them to surrender without resistance. 
 Owing to various circumstances their sailing was 
 postponed until May 7, when they were met at sea 
 by the ' Phoenix,' Captain Halsted, and two 
 other ships. The frigate 'Argo,' 36 guns, was 
 captured by the ' Phoenix ' after a smart action, and 
 the brigs were chased on shore. The * Phoenix ' 
 had one man killed and three wounded : the * Argo ' 
 had six men killed and twenty-eight wounded. 
 Captain Yon Dirking found that Dutch seamen, 
 even though disaffected towards their own Govern- 
 ment, were not inclined to surrender to an enemy
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 65 
 
 without fighting. On May 18 Lord Spencer wrote 1796 
 to Admiral Duncan : 
 
 " I am very glad your squadron stayed out long 
 " enough to catch Yon Dirking, which service 
 " appears to have been performed in a very masterly 
 " manner, and I sincerely congratulate you on the 
 " success of it." 
 
 A few days before her action with the ' Argo ' 
 the ' Phoenix,' acting according to orders received 
 from Admiral Duncan, seized in a neutral Nor- 
 wegian port the French privateer, ' Petit Diable,' 
 and also a large Dutch cutter called the ' Vlugheid,' 
 together with some British prizes which they had 
 taken. These privateers had given much trouble, 
 and the Admiral had ordered that they were to be 
 taken wherever found. 
 
 Lord Spencer wrote on May 6 : 
 
 " As to the ' Petit Diable ' and Vlugheid,' all I 
 " can say is that I am very glad they are brought in, 
 " though this of course I can only say privately 
 " between you and me, for though nothing can be 
 " more unjustifiable than their method of cruising, 
 " yet I fear that the regular laws of war will not 
 " perfectly justify their capture in the manner and 
 " form in which it was effected. "We shall have a 
 " great noise about it from Denmark, but in the 
 " meantime our trade will be quieter, and in less 
 " danger." 
 
 Lord Spencer's anticipations were soon verified, 
 and a rather angry correspondence with the 
 
 F
 
 66 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1796 Danish Government ensued, which lasted for 
 some time. 
 
 So far as the Dutch coast was concerned hardly 
 a day was allowed to pass during all these months 
 without one or more small vessels reporting upon 
 the number and condition of the ships lying in the 
 Texel. 
 
 The general plan of the blockade, as practised, 
 is clearly told in the following letter from Vice- 
 Admiral Macbride, off the Texel, to Admiral 
 Duncan : 
 
 "August 23, 1796. 
 
 " Sir, Admiral Tate has joined us, which I am 
 very glad of, as it has enabled the * Albion ' to com- 
 plete her water and provisions. She had only 
 thirty tons remaining. 
 
 " These people (the Dutch) have had a fair 
 wind for these eight days past, and we are certainly 
 inferior to them. If they would not come out then, 
 they will hardly do so now. Admiral Tate's party 
 makes us look very big. I have begun to wean 
 them, as I term it, by keeping closer in the cutters 
 as near the Texel as they can safely get, the frigates 
 next them, then two line of battle ships to cover 
 them, and the rest of us without and still farther 
 off so as to be seen from their lookout. This 
 keeps them in suspense as to the amount of our 
 force. To-day we make a grand display. When it 
 is thought right for us to come in, my idea would 
 be for the * Albion ' and one of the line of battle 
 ships and the * Phoanix ' and a few cutters to take 
 the Texel lookout, to send another line of battle
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 67 
 
 ship to join Fairfax, with what he has with him ; 1796 
 that will keep everything sufficiently in check at 
 Helvoet. As the ships are arranged, very few hours 
 can elapse without our receiving news of their 
 moving if they do move at all." 
 
 In the month of September Mr. Pitt's Govern- 
 ment decided upon an attempt to take possession 
 of the Helder shore and the Texel Island, and to 
 destroy the Dutch fleet with fireships. According 
 to secret information which had been received, the 
 people of Holland, and especially of the maritime 
 provinces, were very much discontented with their 
 Eepublican Government. Trade had fallen off and 
 employment had diminished ; taxation pressed 
 heavily on the people, and the price of all articles 
 of consumption had risen greatly. The policy of 
 the country was superintended by France, and 
 seemed to be shaped for the benefit of French 
 interests alone. The army and navy were employed 
 as the French Government chose to direct, while 
 at the same time the presence of large bodies of 
 French troops in garrison was not congenial to the 
 Dutch people. The seamen of the fleet were in a 
 state of insubordination verging on mutiny, being 
 badly fed, badly clothed, and irregularly paid. For 
 a considerable time it had been found impossible 
 to maintain the crews at their proper strength. 
 Moreover, the sailors of the Dutch navy had always 
 been favourably inclined towards the House of 
 Orange, and it was well known that not only the 
 seamen, but the pilots and sailors employed on the 
 
 F 2
 
 68 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1796 inland waters, hated the Eepublican Government. 
 The French garrisons, too, had recently been either 
 withdrawn or largely diminished throughout 
 Holland. All these circumstances taken together 
 pointed to the possibilit} 7 " of striking a severe and 
 effective blow on the side of Holland which might 
 alter the whole complexion of affairs in Europe, 
 and might make peace more desirable in the eyes 
 of France, now elated by the victorious campaign 
 of Napoleon in Italy. 
 
 Lord Spencer, acting on behalf of the Cabinet, 
 had been in communication with Admiral Duncan 
 with reference to the proposed expedition, which 
 it would appear the latter did not regard with 
 favour. It may be gathered from Lord Spencer's 
 letters that the Admiral feared that the heavy gales, 
 which were of frequent occurrence in the late 
 autumn, might blow the squadron off the coast, 
 and leave the land forces unsupported to meet the 
 attack which almost certainly would be made on 
 them. In the operation of landing the forces and 
 seizing the position he probably saw little difficulty, 
 for three years later his fleet landed Sir Ealph 
 Abercrombie and his troops on the Helder shore in 
 face of the enemy. 
 
 However, his objections, whatever they may 
 have been, were overruled, and he was directed to 
 proceed. 
 
 Lord Spencer wrote : 
 
 "Admiralty: September 30, 1796. 
 
 " I send you this by Captain Drury, to whom we 
 have given an acting order for the standard. He
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 69 
 
 will explain to you at large all that has passed here 1796 
 relative to the proposed plan which, upon a mature 
 consideration of all the circumstances both political 
 and military, Government have determined shall be 
 carried into execution if possible. I shall therefore 
 enter into no further particulars about it, knowing 
 full well from what I know of you that all the 
 exertion and ability which can be required will be 
 applied to ensure its success. I say nothing in 
 answer to your letter which I received yesterday, 
 as the development of this plan in a great measure 
 answers everything you have there stated. 
 
 " Captain Drury, whose zeal and spirit upon 
 this occasion do him infinite credit, has thrown out 
 a hint which I therefore think it right to mention 
 to you, that, as he has planned this undertaking, he 
 may be employed to execute it, and in order to 
 that object it may probably be most proper to move 
 him into the ' Redoubt ' when she joins you, or at 
 least before the execution of the project, as she 
 will be the properest vessel to go in with, drawing 
 so little water. I write in haste as Drury wishes to 
 set off as soon as possible." 
 
 " Admiralty: October 3, 1796. 
 
 " Dear Sir, When any enterprise promising 
 considerable advantage is undertaken, more 
 especially in the military line, it is quite impos- 
 sible that some risk should not be the necessary 
 attendant upon it, and in general, the greater the 
 advantage the greater the risk. In the case now 
 before us there will unquestionably be some risk,
 
 70 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 but I think it is hardly fair to suppose that because 
 we are not quite sure of fine weather there must be 
 blowing weather, nor because we cannot bring the 
 successful event of the attempt to a mathematical 
 demonstration that we should despair so much as 
 not even, to take the chance of trying it. We are 
 by no means desirous for you to risk the fleet by 
 going too near the shore in stormy weather, or by 
 exposing yourself more than is absolutely necessary 
 to those dangers which you apprehend and which 
 there is undoubtedly reason to apprehend in some 
 degree. All we wish is this, that, considering the 
 very favourable circumstances of the moment for 
 such an attempt, you should take all the means 
 necessary to carry it into execution if, when you 
 come to the station, you find the weather, and the 
 several other appearances on which success may 
 depend, favourable to the undertaking. The pro- 
 posed advantage from success is very great indeed, 
 almost incalculable, and I cannot help thinking 
 that, if executed (as I am sure it will be) with 
 decision and spirit, the success of it is almost 
 certain. It may chance to be attended with some 
 difficulties, particularly in respect to getting off 
 again, but, as I said before, something must be 
 risked at a moment like the present. The execu- 
 tion will rest with you and those under your orders. 
 The blame of having undertaken a project attended 
 with too much hazard (if it shall hereafter so appear) 
 must lie at our doors, who shall have ordered it. 
 The weather seems now to be set in fine, and it 
 frequently continues so during the greatest part of
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 71 
 
 October. If that should be the case, I shall feel 1796 
 extremely sanguine, and, should we in such a case 
 have determined not to look at this plan for fear of 
 bad weather, we shall for ever have to reproach 
 ourselves with having missed one of the fairest 
 opportunities that ever was offered to distress the 
 enemy in a manner which will produce the best 
 possible consequences to the interests of this 
 country. One great point in this subject is the 
 profoundest secrecy, without which, I am afraid, no 
 such plan can succeed. Therefore, if by any 
 accident it has been already at all mentioned, the 
 idea should be totally destroyed if possible, either 
 by treating it as quite chimerical or by any other 
 way that may occur. One sure means would be for 
 you to express great dissatisfaction at the ' Robust ' 
 and * Eamillies ' being ordered round to Portsmouth, 
 just as you are on the point of sailing, and at the 
 ' Ardent ' being added to them, which ship you 
 have confidently expected to have with you. 
 
 " I should be glad to have another line from you 
 by return of post, and to know when you think you 
 will be ready to put to sea. 
 
 " Yours &c., 
 
 " SPENCEB." 
 
 (Private.) "Admiralty: October 5, 1796. 
 
 " Dear Sir, I have not time to-day (being the 
 first day of the session of Parliament) to do more 
 than acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 
 yesterday, and at the same time to say that I am 
 very well satisfied of the justice of your remarks on
 
 72 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 the subject to which it relates, and can only repeat 
 that, unless the circumstances appear to be favour- 
 able, it cannot be either my wish or that of anyone 
 else to engage in a great difficulty without a pro- 
 spect of at least proportional benefit to the Public. 
 I have seen Captain Drury this morning and have 
 talked it over with him again, and you will of 
 course, before you sail, have full instructions and 
 communications from us on every part of this 
 business. We mean to appropriate the ' York ' in 
 addition to the ' Eobust ' and * Eamillies ' for 
 carrying the troops, and as they are under twelve 
 hundred I should hope these three ships may do. 
 
 " Yours &c., 
 
 " SPENCER." 
 
 Unfortunately, the seaman's instincts proved 
 the more correct, and it soon began to blow hard 
 from the westward. 
 
 "Admiralty: October 8, 1796. 
 
 " Dear Sir, It blows so fresh now that I am 
 very glad you are still in Yarmouth Eoads. When 
 the weather gets moderate we continue to think it 
 extremely desirable that at least a chance should 
 be taken of this very important blow, but by no 
 means wish the fleet to be in danger for that object. 
 If the ships in the Texel Eoads should be in the 
 situation in which they have from so many quarters 
 been represented to be, and the weather should 
 prove favourable, I cannot still help seeing a great 
 probability of a successful attack being made on 
 them by fire-ships, which, if it can be done by
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 73 
 
 surprise, must inevitably (though it should not 1796 
 succeed in burning them) produce so much con- 
 fusion as to be attended with consequences the 
 most favourable to us. A great point therefore to 
 be wished is, now that the weather is such as to 
 make it most advisable for you to remain at Yar- 
 mouth, that you should send out some intelligent 
 officer to look in there and report what is the actual 
 position of the Dutch fleet. In the meanwhile all 
 the preparations towards the undertaking may go 
 on, and when you sail, the three ships with the 
 troops, the fire-ships from the Western squadron 
 which is ordered to the Downs, and the ' Eedoubt ' 
 floating battery, which will probably in a day or 
 two arrive at Yarmouth, may join you at your 
 rendezvous. Mr. Bell, a very clever and intelligent 
 artillery officer, will be sent out to you to assist in 
 fitting the Dutch boats as fire-ships, and the pre- 
 tence for your taking them out with you when you 
 sail may be to see them over to their own shore. 
 It will be most prudent, I think, to take possession 
 of any others you may meet with at sea, at least till 
 it is determined whether anything can be done or no. 
 " The regiments will, I understand, be ready to 
 be embarked by next Monday, but while there is an 
 appearance of blowing weather from the westward 
 I suppose it will be better they should not be taken 
 on board. In the meantime, if we could procure 
 accurate and late intelligence of the Texel fleet it 
 might serve to guide our final determination. This 
 is all of course for yourself alone. 
 
 " I am, yours &c., 
 
 " SPENCER."
 
 74 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1796 (Private.) "Wimbledon Park: October 1 6, 1796. 
 
 " Dear Sir, In answer to your letters of the 
 loth and i3th inst., I have but little more to say 
 than what I have before repeated in the several 
 letters I have written to you since you were in the 
 Yarmouth Eoads, and must therefore only again 
 desire you to consider fully the very great impor- 
 tance of the object in view to the whole future 
 course of the war, not only considered in a naval 
 light, but very possibly even as bearing on the 
 operations upon the Continent ; and as to the 
 doubts you express respecting the effect of any such 
 enterprise on the pending negotiations, I must 
 confess I differ extremely from your opinion on 
 that subject, for nothing can be more true than that 
 till we are at peace we must be at war ; and the 
 more active and vigorous our war is, so much the 
 more advantageous will be our peace. I cannot 
 help thinking that it would be a great and powerful 
 argument in the mouth of any negotiator of ours 
 to have it to say that the navy of Holland was 
 annihilated and the entrance to the port of 
 Amsterdam completely in our possession. And if 
 this attack upon the Helder should be successful, 
 of which, if circumstances admit of its being 
 attempted I have very little doubt, and it should 
 appear possible to maintain possession of it for a 
 certain time, which, from the knowledge we have of 
 the want of troops in that quarter, I cannot help 
 thinking may appear very practicable ; in such a 
 case I think there could be no doubt of the pro- 
 priety of your going in with the fleet, and taking
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 75 
 
 possession of that anchorage. The immediate con- 1.796 
 sequence of this would be either that the Dutch 
 fleet would attempt to come out to attack you in 
 which case I am very confident indeed of the event, 
 especially with those batteries in our possession or 
 they would slip and run up further into the Zuyder 
 Zee, which would leave even the higher anchorage 
 in your hands ; or, if they ventured to remain at 
 anchor under the Texel Island, they would then be 
 very open to an attack by fire-ships, which could 
 not fail of destroying the whole or the greater part 
 of them. In the state of insubordination and 
 mutiny in which the greatest part of that fleet is 
 known to be, such a vigorous and bold attempt as 
 this must inevitably throw them into the utmost 
 confusion, and it is not impossible to suppose that 
 some of them might immediately surrender them- 
 selves ; and the effect which all this would produce 
 at Amsterdam and all over the interior of Holland, 
 already very much indisposed to its new governors, 
 is really incalculable. All this you will see must 
 entirely depend on the event of the attack on the 
 Helder batteries, which if they are carried by a 
 coup de main must immediately be made as secure 
 as possible towards the land by throwing up en- 
 trenchments, which may be done with great ease 
 and in a very short time in a manner effectual 
 enough to prevent an enemy from retaking them 
 without making a regular attack in considerable 
 force, which by taking up time would give you an 
 opportunity of re-embarking the troops and getting 
 off.
 
 76 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 , 79 6 " After all the arguments which you have urged 
 
 against the practicability at this season of even the 
 first and least difficult part of this undertaking, I 
 am almost afraid that you will think me quite wild 
 for having stated all this to you with any idea of 
 its being carried into effect. I feel, however, so 
 strongly impressed with the importance of the 
 object, and so fully persuaded that the very circum- 
 stance of its being a hazardous and bold enterprise 
 will in a great measure ensure its success against 
 an enemy, whom we know to be very much disin- 
 clined to engage us, that I could not rest satisfied 
 without having thrown the idea upon paper for 
 your serious consideration ; that in case the favour- 
 able moment should happen (which I grant is from 
 the season rather less probable than it might have 
 been some months ago) you might at least see the 
 extent of the public benefit, the chance of obtaining 
 which must be taken in counterbalance to even a 
 considerable risk in the execution. 
 
 " I hope this will only reach you at sea, as I 
 conclude the fine settled appearance of the weather 
 yesterday and to-day will tempt you to go out. 
 
 " I shall add no more at present but to say that 
 with respect to the merit you may be entitled to 
 claim for success in this attempt if it should be 
 made, I know so well that you will do all that 
 ought to be done, that I feel perfectly satisfied on 
 that head, and should the event be prosperous you 
 will have the merit of having performed one of the 
 most brilliant services that ever fell to the lot of a 
 British Admiral. " I am, &c., 
 
 " SPENCEB.
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 77 
 
 " P.S. In case of possessing yourself of the 179$ 
 anchorage in question you would of course declare 
 the port of Amsterdam in a state of blockade and 
 stop everything either coming in or going out. 
 
 " I mean this letter as quite confidential to 
 yourself alone, more particularly in the event of its 
 being judged impracticable to carry the first attack 
 into execution. If that attack succeeds, I am per- 
 suaded you will see that the other ideas follow 
 almost of course." 
 
 (Private.} " October 19, 1796. 
 
 " Dear Admiral, I don't know how the wind is 
 with you to-day, but here it is very favourable and 
 fine weather. Colonel Doyle went down last night 
 to go on board the ' Eamillies ' ; and those ships 
 with the troops on board will certainly sail from to- 
 day from the Nore. As it appears by the account 
 from the ' Leander ' that the ' Trusty ' has been 
 blown off her station, we have determined to sub- 
 stitute the ' Leander ' in her room, on the service 
 for which the ' Trusty ' was intended, which has 
 now become very pressing. You will therefore be 
 so good as, in compliance with our order of this 
 day's date, to send Captain Thomson to Spithead 
 as soon as you can, and Captain Osborn will remain 
 under your orders. God bless you, dear Admiral ; 
 I hope you are at sea to-day, but if not I trust you 
 
 will not lose a moment longer. 
 
 " Yours &c., 
 
 " SPENCEE." 
 On October 13 Mr. Evan Nepean, the Secre-
 
 7 8 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 i 79 6 tary of the Admiralty, had forwarded to the 
 Admiral the official orders, together with a private 
 covering letter from himself. 
 
 "Admiralty: October 13, 1796. 
 
 " My dear Sir, I send you the official orders 
 respecting your intended enterprise, which if suc- 
 cessful would be sure to be an important stroke. 
 The plan referred to in Mr. Etches' letter is in the 
 possession of Captain Drury, who will of course 
 deliver it to you. I shall indeed desire him so to 
 do when he calls here to-morrow. 
 
 " I expect the troops will be embarked and the 
 ships be paid in the course of Saturday, and that, 
 if the wind should be favourable, they may sail on 
 that day. 
 
 " The ' Incendiary ' is at the Nore, and the 
 ' Megaera ' in the Downs, both of w r hich fire-ships 
 will be ordered to join you immediately, but, to 
 enable them with certainty so to do, it will be 
 necessary you should send me your rendezvous (if 
 you have not already done it) by the messenger 
 who I hope will reach you to-morrow afternoon. 
 
 " Lord Malmesbury sets off for Paris to-morrow 
 to negotiate. I confess from the temper of the 
 times that I am not very sanguine in my expecta- 
 tions of their listening to any reasonable condition, 
 but we shall soon be able to discover w r hat they 
 wish to be at. The intention of invasion is talked 
 of with confidence, but I think they will hardly 
 attempt it at this moment, nor indeed at any time 
 until they are a little more powerful at sea.
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 79 
 
 " We are all well here excepting poor Sir Philip 1796 
 Stephens, who is very melancholy at the loss of his 
 nephew and heir (Brigadier- General Howe), who 
 has lately died at Jamaica. 
 
 " Yours very sincerely, 
 
 " EVAN NEPEAN." 
 
 " (Secret.) " " By the Commissions for executing the 
 
 office of Lord High Admiral of Great 
 Britain and Ireland, &c." 
 
 " The Eight Honourable Henry Dundas, one of 
 His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, having 
 acquainted us by his letter of this day's date of 
 His Majesty's design that the loth and 8;th 
 Eegiments of Infantry, with a detachment of the 
 Eoyal Eegiment of Artillery under the command 
 of Colonel Doyle, shall be put on board the ships 
 of your squadron, intending that an attempt shall 
 be made for destroying the Dutch squadron now 
 lying in the Texel, and signified at the same time 
 His Majesty's pleasure that instructions should be 
 given to you to take such measures by means of 
 the ships of your squadron as may under the 
 existing circumstances be best adapted to that 
 end ; and having in pursuance thereof directed 
 that the said two regiments shall be received on 
 board the ships named in the margin, forming a 'Eamiiiie 
 part of the force serving under your command ; York/ ' 
 
 " We send you herewith for your information 
 a copy of the instructions which have been given 
 to Colonel Doyle for his direction and guidance, 
 together with sundry papers of intelligence relative 
 to the strength and situation of the Dutch
 
 80 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1796 squadron above mentioned, and of the state of the 
 force and defences by which that anchorage is 
 protected, and do hereby require and direct you, 
 after being joined by the said ships and troops 
 from the Nore, if from any intelligence you may 
 collect you should find that the situation of things 
 has not so changed as to preclude a reasonable 
 expectation of success, to arrange the necessary 
 measures with Colonel Doyle, and avail yourself 
 of the first favourable opportunity of co-operating 
 with him and the troops under his command to 
 obtain possession of the Helder and the Texel 
 Island, and employ the force under your command 
 in such a manner as may on a consideration of all 
 the existing circumstances be most advisable for 
 taking, burning, or otherwise destroying the said 
 Dutch squadron or any other ships or vessels be- 
 longing to the enemy which may be within your 
 reach, taking care, however, not to expose the 
 ships or troops without such prospect shall appear, 
 nor without making the necessary arrangements 
 for securing the retreat of the troops if, after their 
 landing, they should find such a difficulty in 
 carrying their design into execution as cannot be 
 resisted. 
 
 " And whereas by our orders to you of the 8th 
 instant you have been directed to take with you 
 the Dutch fishing boats detained at Yarmouth in 
 consequence of our orders signified to you by our 
 secretary in his letter to you of the 22nd of last 
 month ; you are hereby further required and 
 directed, in case you should judge it advisable so to
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 8 1 
 
 do, to convert the said Dutch fishing boats into 1796 
 fire-vessels, and dispose of them as such, if circum- 
 stances should be favourable for applying them to 
 advantage, or in the event of their being unfit, or 
 of its being found inconvenient to apply them to 
 that service, to employ them in the disembarkation 
 of the troops and stores ; observing, however, that 
 if they cannot be applied to some useful purpose of 
 the nature we have pointed out, or some other 
 equally necessary for promoting the success of 
 your operations, they are in such case to be ordered 
 to return to Yarmouth for our further directions. 
 
 " You are to acquaint our secretary for our in- 
 formation by every opportunity of your proceedings 
 in the execution of the important service now 
 committed to your care ; and if from circumstances 
 which may arise it should be found imprudent 
 to make an attempt upon the Texel, you are in such 
 case to order the ships with the troops and stores 
 attached to them to proceed to Spithead, remain- 
 ing with the rest of the ships and vessels under 
 your command upon your station until you shall 
 receive our further instructions for your guidance. 
 Given under our hands October 12, 1796. 
 
 " SPENCEK. 
 " H. SEYMOUE. 
 " W. YOUNG. 
 
 " To Adam Duncan Esq., Admiral of the Blue, 
 Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's ships and 
 vessels employed in the North Sea. By com- 
 mandof their Lordships. EVAN NEPEAN." 
 
 G
 
 82 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1796 The Instructions to Colonel Doyle, above 
 
 referred to 
 
 (Most secret) "Parliament Street: October 10, 1796. 
 
 " Sir, The intelligence of which I herewith 
 enclose extracts for your information, and the 
 communications I have had with some naval 
 officers of experience, relative to the situation of 
 the Dutch fleet in the Texel and of the batteries 
 and defences which guard the entrance of that 
 port, have induced me to submit to His Majesty a 
 proposal that an attempt should be made to 
 obtain possession of the said batteries, and thereby 
 to enable the naval forces which are intended to 
 co-operate in the expedition to make an attack 
 on those of the enemy, with a view of taking, 
 burning, or otherwise destroying the same, together 
 with any other vessels belonging to the enemy 
 which might be within their reach. 
 
 " The troops which have been selected by His 
 Majesty for the execution of this service are the 
 loth and 87th Eegiments of Infantry, now at 
 Chatham, which will be embarked on board such 
 ships of war, belonging to the fleet under the com- 
 mand of Admiral Duncan, as may be directed to re- 
 ceive them at the Nore, together with a detachment 
 of the Royal Regiment of Artillery which have been 
 ordered for this purpose, and I am to signify to 
 you His Majesty's pleasure that you are, without 
 loss of time, to proceed to Chatham, and, taking 
 the said troops under your command, to super- 
 intend and expedite their embarkation on board
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 83 
 
 the ships above mentioned, which will be directed, 1796 
 as soon as the whole shall be on board, to proceed 
 without loss of time to join the remainder of the 
 fleet destined for the expedition. 
 
 " You will of course take your passage with the 
 persons of your suite on board such ship as the 
 Admiral may appoint for this purpose. 
 
 " As soon as you shall have joined the Admiral 
 you will communicate with him and such officers 
 as he may have more particularly charged to direct 
 any operations necessary to be undertaken on this 
 occasion, and you will, in concert with him and 
 them, endeavour to make every arrangement, both 
 of preparation and co-operation, which in your joint 
 opinions may be conducive to the success of the 
 enterprise. On these points it is impossible for 
 me to furnish you with any specific instructions ; 
 and I can only state generally to you that the 
 great object of the expedition is to enable His 
 Majesty's ships, without too great a risk, to get 
 within reach of the enemy's fleet, so as to attack 
 them in their present anchorage. In case, there- 
 fore, the situation of the latter should not be 
 so changed as to preclude every reasonable hope of 
 success, and provided the state of affairs in other 
 aspects should hold out an expectation which in 
 the opinion of yourself and the Admiral would 
 justify the attempt, you will in concert with him 
 make such dispositions as may appear best 
 adapted to enable you to obtain possession, either 
 by surprise or by a vigorous attack, of the batteries 
 on the Helder and the Texel Island, and for this 
 
 G 2
 
 84 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1796 purpose you will endeavour with the utmost 
 diligence to land such a proportion of the troops 
 as may appear to you requisite at each point ; and 
 should you be so fortunate as to succeed I have 
 strong hopes that you would be enabled to maintain 
 possession of the same, not only as long as may be 
 necessary for the fleet to proceed without danger of 
 interruption or molestation in its operations against 
 the shipping of the enemy, but also until you can 
 have transmitted intelligence of your proceedings 
 to this country, and have received from me further 
 instructions, either for withdrawing the troops or 
 for taking any other steps which the situation of 
 affairs may suggest ; but in this respect you must 
 be guided by circumstances, and act according to 
 your own judgment and discretion, taking care, 
 however, to avoid risking the loss of any con- 
 siderable number of men for an advantage very 
 secondary in its importance to the great object of 
 the expedition. 
 
 " The practicability of retaining these posts is 
 indeed mentioned with so much confidence in the 
 extracts of intelligence which accompany this 
 dispatch, that I own it has much weakened, in my 
 view of the operation, an objection which might 
 otherwise have been found of such weight as to 
 prevent its receiving a fair trial. This objection 
 arises from the extreme difficulty of re-embarking 
 the troops when the surf is violent, which, I 
 understand, is frequently the case on these shores. 
 Should your troops be landed and not succeed in 
 driving the enemy from their batteries, this diffi-
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 85 
 
 culty, it is true, may expose a part of them to be 1796 
 taken; but as you will not attempt a landing 
 without a reasonable chance of success, it is 
 expedient for so great an object to run this risk ; 
 whilst, on the other hand, should you overcome 
 the resistance of the enemy your position, I flatter 
 myself, would be sufficiently respectable to enable 
 you to wait for a favourable opportunity of return- 
 ing on board. 
 
 " The probability of success in this enterprise, 
 you must be sensible, will very much depend on 
 the utmost secrecy being observed until the 
 moment of execution, which His Majesty confides 
 to you and to the commanding naval officer with 
 a perfect reliance that whatever can be expected 
 from zeal and a cordial co-operation on your parts, 
 and from valour and discipline in the soldiers and 
 seamen, will be carried into effect in this important 
 service. 
 
 " You will take every opportunity which may 
 occur of acquainting me with your proceedings for 
 His Majesty's information, and in case you should 
 find it absolutely necessary to relinquish the 
 enterprise you will return with His Majesty's forces 
 under your command to Spithead, and there wait 
 for instructions from me for their further disposal. 
 " I am, Sir, 
 
 (signed) "HENRY DUNDAS." 
 
 The Admiral as soon as he received his orders 
 prepared to carry them out in no half-hearted or 
 hesitating fashion. He put to sea, and on October
 
 86 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1796 21 he was off the Texel. He then issued the 
 following instructions to each captain in the 
 fleet: 
 
 " On board the l Venerable, 1 at sea By Adam 
 Duncan Esq., Admiral of the Blue and Com- 
 mander-in- Chief in the North Sea, c&c., &c., &c. 
 
 " Whereas it is my intention, if favoured by the 
 weather, to attack the Dutch fleet in the Texel 
 Koad, you are hereby required and directed to 
 observe and execute the following instructions, viz. : 
 
 " The ships of the squadron are to have their 
 sheet and stream cables bent to anchors from the 
 stern ports, springs on their cables, and use every 
 precaution that may occur for the better ensuring 
 success in the enterprise by placing their ships 
 properly. They are to hoist out their launches 
 and other boats, which are to be kept in readiness 
 for any service, and any spars &c. that may be 
 detrimental to clearing the ships for action may be 
 thrown overboard, and the cutters will have orders 
 to take them up. 
 
 " On the signal being made to prepare for 
 battle, the ships are to use every exertion in getting 
 them ready accordingly, and, when so, hoist a flag, 
 half blue, half yellow, at the main-top-gallant-mast- 
 head, when the ' Albion,' who is to lead, will hoist 
 a red flag at the fore-top-gallant-masthead, bear 
 away anchor and engage the headmost ship of the 
 enemy ; the other ships are to follow and do so in 
 succession as they arrive up with them agreeably
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 87 
 
 to the order of battle on the other side hereof, and 1796 
 the nearer ships engage the more probability there 
 is of success. 
 
 " As fire-ships will be made use of, the moment 
 one is fired, the ship engaged with the one intended 
 to be destroyed is to cut and take the situation 
 which may appear best for the more effectually 
 defeating the enemy. 
 
 " Should the enemy attempt to get off, great 
 care must be taken to prevent His Majesty's ships 
 from running on shore in the pursuit. 
 
 " As in such an attack much must depend on 
 the skill and bravery of the Captains and Com- 
 manders, the Admiral, having full confidence in 
 their zeal, leaves them to act as circumstances 
 may occur. 
 
 " It is the Admiral's intention not to make any 
 more signals than are absolutely necessary. 
 
 " Frigates to be at all times ready to go to the 
 assistance of any ship in distress without waiting 
 for signal." 
 
 The instructions are so simple that it was im- 
 possible not to understand them. The attack was 
 to take place in shallow water and was full of risk. 
 To succeed it must be pushed home at close 
 quarters. Very much would depend on circum- 
 stances. The Admiral had, no doubt, considered 
 the plan of attack carefully with his captains, and 
 he left full discretion with them as to details. It 
 was his invariable practice to consult with his 
 officers, and after that to throw responsibility upon 
 them.
 
 88 
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1796 It may be observed that quite half of the ships 
 
 had joined the squadron for the first time. 
 
 Unfortunately, the wind blew constantly on 
 shore, and from the westward. It was found im- 
 possible to attempt a landing. The squadron 
 remained off the Texel, beating about, from October 
 2 1 to November 4. 
 
 AN ABSTRACT FROM THE LOG BOOK OF His MAJESTY'S SHIP 
 
 THE 'VENERABLE.' 
 
 Date 1796 
 
 Latitude 
 D. M. 
 
 Longitude 
 D. M. 
 
 Bearing and Distance at Noon 
 
 Oct. 21 
 
 52 35 N. 
 
 2 36 E. 
 
 Texel N. 71 E. 31 Leagues 
 
 22 
 
 
 
 Camperdown SEBE. distance 6 
 
 
 
 
 leagues 
 
 23 
 
 53 oo N. 
 
 3 36 E. 
 
 Camperdown S. 50 E. 13 leagues 
 
 24 
 
 53 13 N. 
 
 3 59 E. 
 
 Texel S. 77 E. 10 leagues 
 
 25 
 
 53 10 N. 
 
 2 12 E. 
 
 Camperdown S. 79 30 E. 39 
 
 
 
 
 leagues 
 
 26 
 
 52 32 N. 
 
 3 38 E. 
 
 Camperdown N. 70 E. 14 leagues 
 
 27 
 
 52 39 N. 
 
 3 42 E. 
 
 Texel N. 57 30 E. 19 leagues 
 
 28 
 
 53 07 N. 
 
 3 57 E. 
 
 Camperdown S. 57 30 E. it 
 
 
 
 
 leagues 
 
 29 
 
 53 3i N. 
 
 3 5i E. 
 
 Camperdown S. 44 oo E. 16 
 
 
 
 
 leagues 
 
 3 
 
 53 4 N. 
 
 4 02 E. 
 
 Camperdown S. 45 oo E. 9 leagues 
 
 3i 
 
 53 39 N. 
 
 4 32 E. 
 
 Texel S. 22 oo E. 10 leagues 
 
 Nov. i 
 
 52 55 N. 
 
 3 15 E. 
 
 Texel N. 78 oo E. 19 leagues 
 
 2 
 
 53 32 N. 
 
 3 45 E. 
 
 Texel S. 64 oo E. 15 leagues 
 
 3 
 
 54 05 N. 
 
 3 29 E. 
 
 Texel S. 48 oo E. 24 leagues 
 
 . 4 
 
 53 45 
 
 4 05 
 
 Texel S. 26 oo E. 13 leagues 
 
 The Admiral was unwilling to relinquish a task 
 when once undertaken, and suggested some other 
 mode of attack, which appears not to have been 
 approved of, and he was directed to bring in his 
 squadron. This he was very reluctant to do, and, 
 in spite of the continuance of storms and heavy 
 weather, he remained off the Dutch coast until 
 November 27, when he brought back the greater
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 89 
 
 part of the fleet to Yarmouth, leaving Captain 1796 
 Knight of the ' Montagu ' with a small squadron to 
 keep up the watch over the Texel. 
 
 Although he was in no way responsible for the 
 expedition, nor for the bad weather, which indeed 
 he had predicted, he was evidently much chagrined 
 at having failed to carry out his orders, and tendered 
 his resignation, which Lord Spencer declined to 
 accept. 
 
 Lord Spencer wrote : 
 
 "Admiralty: November 2, 1796. 
 
 " Dear Sir, I have already so fully explained 
 to you in former letters my views in so much 
 pressing upon you the object of the late intended 
 expedition against the Texel, that it is only now 
 necessary for me to repeat that I was far from not 
 feeling the weight and force of your objection, but 
 wished that at least one chance of being able to effect 
 it might be taken by putting it in our power to make 
 the attempt, if upon the spot the circumstances 
 should appear to favour it. That the circumstances 
 were unfavourable, and so unfavourable as to make 
 it perfectly right and proper to relinquish when it 
 was relinquished, I am fully convinced, and having 
 perceived the turn the weather had taken within 
 the last week, I confess the receipt of your letter 
 was rather a relief to my mind, as I felt a little 
 uneasy upon the result in case the attempt should 
 have been made with the weather so unsettled. I 
 rejoice therefore that no loss was incurred un- 
 necessarily, and so far from having lost any con-
 
 90 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1796 fidence in you in consequence from what has passed, 
 my opinion of your judgment ought in fact to be 
 increased, as it has turned out to be (what was 
 most likely) much more correct than mine. I 
 desire therefore that you will not think of such a 
 measure as you talk of in your letter to me, which 
 letter I shall show to no one but Mr. Dundas, to 
 whom I this morning showed it, and who entirely 
 agrees with me in thinking that the command 
 entrusted to you cannot possibly be placed in better 
 hands. 
 
 " As it appears extremely uncertain whether 
 Macbride will be able to return to his station, we 
 shall authorise some other Yice- Admiral to hoist 
 his flag under you during his absence ; I say a 
 Vice-Admiral, because the return of Bear- Admiral 
 Makaroff, who is senior to all our Bear-Admirals, 
 would occasionally produce inconvenience if we 
 had not a Vice-Admiral for second in command. 
 I have not yet quite fixed upon the person, but I 
 think Admiral Linzee will be as proper a man as 
 any there is to be had, and the * Montagu ' will be 
 the best ship for his flag. 
 
 " Unless the wind should come to the eastward 
 away while you are off the Texel, I think it will be 
 as well for you to come in and not keep your fleet 
 beating about to no purpose with the wind on 
 shore. You will of course leave something to 
 watch the motions of the enemy, and we continue 
 to think Yarmouth the best place for you to 
 return to. 
 
 " I am, &c. 
 
 " SPENCEK."
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 91 
 
 On October 14 Admiral Hanickoff: had written 1796 
 from Copenhagen Eoads to say that he had received 
 orders to send back to England " such ships as he 
 " thought capable of keeping the seas," under 
 Bear-Admiral Makaroff, and that accordingly he 
 had directed the Kear- Admiral to sail with the 
 ' Peter,' 'Philip,' and ' Europe,' and five frigates. 
 These vessels had arrived at the end of the month, 
 and had placed themselves under Admiral Duncan's 
 command. 
 
 On November 1 9 Vice- Admiral Eichard Onslow 
 took the place of Vice-Admiral Macbride, whose 
 health had given way, as second in command, and 
 hoisted his flag on board the ' Nassau.' 
 
 The year 1797 opened much in the same J 797 
 manner as the preceding year so far as regarded 
 the North Sea. Rumours were current of expedi- 
 tions from Dunkirk and from the Texel. "We 
 " hear a good deal of equipments and expeditions 
 " from Dunkirk and we have experienced that the 
 " enemy do not mean to confine themselves to 
 " mere threats," wrote Lord Spencer on January 
 27. It was reported that between twelve and 
 fourteen thousand men were in Dunkirk, and that 
 more troops were coming. 
 
 On March 3 : " The Dutch fleet of eight sail 
 " of the line sailed on Wednesday, March i from 
 " the Texel, and four of the line the same day 
 " from Helvoet ; if you can get to your ships at 
 " Yarmouth, even though those at Hull should 
 " not join, you will be able to give them a good 
 " blow, and if you should I know you will not 
 " miss it.
 
 92 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 " Sir John Jervis with fifteen of the line has 
 " just beat twenty-seven Spaniards and taken four 
 " of their best ships ; I hope soon to be able to 
 " congratulate you upon as brilliant a day." 
 
 On the same day an official order was given to 
 put to sea as soon as a force could be collected 
 amounting to eight two-decked ships. On March 
 4 the Admiral informed the Admiralty from the 
 Nore that he was getting under way with the 
 
 * Venerable,' ' Albion,' * Montagu ' and ' Eepulse,' 
 leaving orders for others to follow as soon as they 
 could, including the Eussian ships under Eear- 
 Admiral Makaroff. He called at Yarmouth and 
 proceeded to his rendezvous off the Texel. On 
 March 21 Lord Spencer had heard from him on 
 his station : 
 
 (Private) "Admiralty: March 21, 1797. 
 
 " I have to acknowledge your two letters of the 
 1 3th and i4th instant, and am glad to hear from 
 you that you got out so well and are on your 
 station. It is in vain to wish, as I suppose the 
 Dutch will not put to sea for some time. It can, 
 however, do no harm your showing yourself in 
 such force ; and if it be true that the ' Scipio ' 
 and ' Yenus ' are coming from the northward home, 
 you may, perhaps, be able to pick them up. As 
 there are some movements at Dunkirk, we have 
 thought it right that for a short time the 
 
 * Adamant ' should lie in the Downs, and we have 
 detained the ' Agamemnon ' in Yarmouth Eoads 
 for the same reason. The number of ships
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 93 
 
 observed by the * Espion,' as mentioned in your 1797 
 letter to the Board, does not appear to agree with 
 what we might have expected, as I think they 
 should by our accounts have had three or four 
 more in all, unless, indeed, some mistakes have 
 before been made by taking frigates for two- 
 deckers ; we shall, however, be more satisfied of 
 these points when you have been able to look in 
 yourself." 
 
 As Lord Spencer feared, the Dutch fleet did 
 not sail from the Texel, nor did the expedition 
 start from Dunkirk. The wind became westerly, 
 and orders were sent to Admiral Duncan to return 
 to Yarmouth. He, however, remained off the Texel 
 for some time longer. 
 
 (Private) "Admiralty: April 10, 1797. 
 
 " I have to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 letters of the 2oth, 24th and 3rd ult., the latter 
 brought by the ' Tisiphone,' which met with a 
 smart action on her way home, but unfortunately 
 without success, as you will probably have heard 
 from Captain Wallis. I am obliged to you for all 
 the information they contain ; and I hope you will 
 have been able to keep your station in this easterly 
 wind, as our secret informer on the Continent 
 mentions this very day as the day fixed for the 
 Dutch fleet to sail, and the wind, if they choose it, 
 is as fair as possible for them to come out ; their 
 destination is said to be an attack on Jersey and 
 Guernsey, but I cannot say I give much credit to 
 it. I noted what you say in one of your letters
 
 94 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1797 about the Due d'Angouleme, and though I feel as 
 much as possible for the unfortunate situation of 
 these illustrious exiles, 1 cannot help thinking 
 that under our present circumstances we have 
 better employment for our frigates than to carry 
 about their coaches and horses. 
 
 " We continue to receive representations of the 
 damage done by privateers on the coast of Norway 
 between the Scaw and the Naze, and though 
 know we cannot expect entirely to prevent it, I 
 mention it because I think occasionally you will find 
 it very good ground to send a cruiser or two upon." 
 
 Except the indecisive action between H.M. 
 1 Tisiphone ' and the ' Naiade,' privateer, nothing 
 occurred worthy of special notice, and on April 
 23 the ships of the line returned to Yarmouth 
 Eoads.
 
 CHAPTEE V 
 
 THE MUTINY MAY AND JUNE 1797 
 
 THE year 1797 is notorious in British naval I797 
 history for the outbreak of the mutiny among 
 the seamen of the fleets. A general and deep- 
 rooted discontent pervaded the whole Navy in 
 connection with almost every subject of interest 
 to the seamen amount of pay, time of pay, 
 clothing, food, leave, prize-money, discipline. 
 This discontent was transformed into open mutiny, 
 first at Spithead, then at Yarmouth, then at the 
 Nore, afterwards in the Mediterranean fleet ; and 
 long after measures of relief had been applied, and 
 open mutiny had ceased, there occurred from time 
 to time all over the world isolated cases of 
 resistance to authority. 
 
 The mutiny at Spithead ended on May 13, a 
 day or two after the mutiny at the Nore began. 
 The mutiny at the Nore is a name which still 
 strikes awe into those who contemplate past 
 history. " No crisis so alarming or nearly so 
 " alarming has ever been known in England since 
 " the Eevolution of 1688. ... In the course of stanhope's 
 
 Life of 
 
 " May the Three per Cents, fell to the extreme Pitt,voi. HI.
 
 96 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 " depression of 48." Not only were the mutinous 
 ships in possession of the Thames, but the whole 
 coast was laid open to the Dutch and the French. 
 Few people probably have paused to consider 
 that the strength of this mutiny was found not so 
 much at the Nore as at Yarmouth. It was the 
 North Sea fleet which ultimately furnished to the 
 Nore mutineers their largest contingent, and at the 
 same time gave to the Dutch a splendid oppor- 
 tunity. It was on Admiral Duncan that the whole 
 brunt of this mutiny fell. He was called upon to 
 provide against his own squadron as well as to 
 keep the enemy within the Texel. The two 
 months of May and June 1797 were beyond 
 question the most trying time in his whole 
 service. Being so close to the mutineers at home, 
 and also so close to the enemy, the causes of his 
 anxiety were two-fold. How he dealt with the 
 crisis the despatches and Lord Spencer's private 
 letters will tell. It appears from these latter 
 that the Admiral was in almost incessant corre- 
 spondence with the First Lord. If the Admiral's 
 letters were in existence, they would add much 
 interesting information as to the development of 
 that rising. 
 
 In order rightly to estimate Admiral Duncan's 
 position at the outbreak of the mutiny, and the 
 course of action which he adopted, it is essential 
 to bear one or two special circumstances in 
 mind. 
 
 In the first place, he never had during his 
 command in the North Sea ships or crews which
 
 THE MUTINY 97 
 
 he could call his own. More than once, when 1797 
 called suddenly to the Texel on some rumour of 
 an expedition, he had to collect ships as best he 
 could. Often, too, it happened that ships were 
 removed from his command, to supply the 
 exigencies of the Service elsewhere. Hence it was 
 that he had not the same opportunity as the 
 Admirals on other stations of bringing his personal 
 influence to bear upon the officers and upon the 
 crews. It is possible that if this had been other- 
 wise, if the North Sea squadron had been (like 
 the Mediterranean squadron) an administrative 
 unit under one control, the mutiny at the Nore 
 might never have occurred, and it is more than 
 possible that it would have been immediately 
 suppressed. 
 
 In the next place, it is essential to remember 
 that the proximity of Yarmouth to the Nore gave 
 to the mutineers there chances of success such as 
 they did not have and could not have abroad. 
 Immediate contact with the headquarters of the 
 conspiracy gave to them boldness and organisation 
 and facilitated escape in case of necessity. They 
 calculated that the closing of the Thames must 
 strike terror into the Metropolis and bring home 
 to the public mind the expediency of conciliating 
 them at any cost. The defenceless condition of 
 the whole east coast would minister to the same 
 result in a different way. 
 
 The mutiny at Yarmouth began on board the 
 ' Venerable ' on April 30. It probably was by 
 design that the first attempt was made on the
 
 98 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 Flagship. The mutiny at Spithead broke out on 
 board the ' Queen Charlotte ' ; that at the Nore 
 on board the ' Sandwich ' ; and at those two ports 
 all the Admirals' flags were without exception 
 hauled down. If at Yarmouth the conspirators 
 could hoist the red flag on the ' Venerable,' they 
 would obtain immediate and full control of the 
 North Sea squadron. 
 
 Admiral Duncan himself broke the bad news 
 to the Board of Admiralty : 
 
 "'Venerable,' Yarmouth Boads: May i, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, I have to desire you will acquaint the 
 Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that 
 yesterday afternoon I was very unexpectedly 
 surprised to hear three cheers given on board the 
 ' Venerable ' by some of the company on board 
 the forecastle and in the foreshrouds without 
 orders. I immediately assembled the officers and 
 ordered the Marines under arms. Being thus 
 prepared I went on the forecastle and demanded 
 to know the cause of such improper conduct, to 
 which they made no reply ; but five of them 
 appearing more forward than the rest I ordered 
 aft on the poop, and directed the others to dis- 
 perse, which they did. Soon after I ordered all 
 hands to be sent aft on the quarterdeck and the 
 five men to be brought from the poop. I then 
 interrogated them on their conduct. They had 
 nothing to say for themselves but that as their 
 friends at Spithead had done so they thought no 
 harm and that they wished to know when their
 
 THE MUTINY 99 
 
 increased pay and provisions was to commence. 1797 
 Having satisfied them on this head, I pointed out 
 the enormity of the crime of mutiny and pardoned 
 the offenders. Good order was again established, 
 and I have the satisfaction to say they have 
 behaved very properly ever since. 
 
 " The ' Nassau ' followed the example of the 
 
 * Venerable,' but on Vice-Admiral Onslow demand- 
 ing the cause, was told that seeing the ' Venerable ' 
 cheer they thought no harm in doing so and had 
 no grievances. The rest of the squadron was 
 perfectly quiet. 
 
 " I beg you will make known to their Lordships 
 that Major Trollope, the subalterns, and private 
 Marines were under arms as quick as thought, and 
 behaved with great firmness and resolution, and I 
 took the opportunity before the ship's company of 
 thanking them for their good conduct. 
 
 "I am, Sir, 
 
 " Your most obedient humble servant, 
 " ADAM DUNCAN. 
 
 " Evan Nepean, Esq. 
 
 "P.S. Vice-Admiral Onslow informed me that 
 the officers and Marines on board the ' Nassau ' 
 conducted themselves with great propriety and 
 spirit on this occasion." 
 
 The Admiral in his report was concise, as 
 usual : he did not tell all that occurred. The 
 
 * Venerable ' w r as not reduced to obedience so 
 easily as he represented. If the mutineers 
 supposed that his flag could be hauled down witll 
 
 H 2
 
 IOO THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 impunity, they soon discovered their mistake. 
 His Admiral's flag was to him the sign of his 
 authority, as he said to his ship's company a few 
 days later " In all my service I have maintained 
 " my authority; which I will not easily part with." 
 He was angered as well as grieved by the mutiny 
 of his own men. He was prevented with difficulty 
 by the Chaplain from plunging his sword into 
 one of them. Violence fortunately proved to be 
 unnecessary. He ordered his ship's company 
 about, and got them under control ; he then 
 lectured them on the enormity of the crime of 
 mutiny and dismissed them. The mutineers had 
 found their master, and though the ship's com- 
 pany clamoured for their pay when ordered to put 
 to sea at the end of May, they dared not 
 disobey. On board the ' Venerable ' no man 
 ventured again to question the Admiral's will. 
 
 The Board of Admiralty " very highly approved 
 " of his proceedings." Lord Spencer wrote on 
 May 2 : 
 
 " Admiralty. 
 
 " Being much engaged to-day I have only just 
 time enough to acknowledge your letter, and to 
 express the satisfaction I felt at hearing that the 
 beginning of a mutinous disposition on board your 
 fleet was so successfully and properly met, in the 
 manner in which such dispositions ought always 
 to be met. A little well-placed presence of mind 
 on these occasions is everything, and I have no 
 doubt that your people will not only obey you 
 better, but like you the better for it."
 
 THE MUTINY IOI 
 
 Lady Spencer, who was always a good friend, 1797 
 wrote on the next day : 
 
 " Admiralty : May 3, 1797. 
 
 " My dear Admiral, You must allow me to 
 thank you for your kind letter and obliging atten- 
 tion to my request, and I am the more eager to do 
 this because, in the same page on which I return 
 you my acknowledgements for these favours, I 
 have an opportunity of expressing to you my 
 delight at your dexterity and spirit upon certain 
 cheerings on board the ' Venerable.' The success 
 attending such well-judged and vigorous conduct 
 makes me lament that we have not more Adam 
 Duncans. However, since we can't cut him up 
 into several pieces (tho' there is certainly enough 
 of him to make many reasonable- sized men), we 
 must be contented with having one of that name 
 who will keep the North Sea fleet in good order. 
 God bless you, my dear Admiral. 
 
 " Believe me sincerely yours, 
 
 " LAVINIA SPENCER." 
 
 Though the mutiny was suppressed on board 
 the * Venerable,' and for the moment on the 
 ' Nassau,' the spirit of insubordination was becoming 
 rife in the squadron. On May 6 the Admiral heard 
 from Captain Parr that there was a mutiny on the 
 1 Standard ' : 
 
 " ' Standard,' Yarmouth Eoads : May 6, 1 797. 
 
 " Sir, I have the unhappiness to inform you 
 that the ship's company of the ' Standard,' under 
 my command, had yesterday morning at four
 
 102 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 o'clock barricaded themselves in the bays, and 
 pointed four guns aft. On my going down the 
 accompanying letter was delivered to me. On my 
 talking to them they returned to their duty, and 
 are now quiet." 
 
 " Honoured Sir, We are sorry to have recorce 
 to this method of disclosing our minds to you, but 
 nessesety demands it to clear ourselves from the 
 infamous imputation of mutney being thrown upon 
 us meaning no sutch thing but the comon caus of 
 the British Navy we being allready the jest and 
 redicule of this whole fleet likewise our boats 
 cannot go on shore but the men are exposed to 
 the scoffts and jests of others and accounted as 
 men that cannot stand up for their own rights 
 threatned that whenever the blessings of peace 
 shall be restord to revenge themselves upon us 
 wherever they meat us for our cowerdliness as 
 they term it theirfore we hope Hond. Sir under 
 theese curcumstances we have stated to you we 
 hope you will not consider us as a rebellious or 
 mutines set of people but as men who without 
 failing in the least in their respect thay owe you 
 and the other officers would wish to do their duty 
 as such Honoured Sir if any cruelty be used against 
 us and any of our lives be taken you cannot think 
 will tamely suffer it no we wil have the life of 
 the person if we suffer for it afterwards theirfore 
 we intend not to die cowerdly but as men that 
 will to the utmost verge of life not only defend 
 their countreys cause but also defend themselves
 
 THE MUTINY 1 03 
 
 against any other internel enemies that may i 797 
 oppose." 
 
 The Admiral had been deeply grieved by the 
 mutiny of his own ship ; he was proud of his men, 
 and during his whole service they were his one 
 thought and constant care. In almost every 
 account of him allusion is made to his affection for 
 his men and his attention to their interests. He 
 was well aware that they had good reason to com- 
 plain, and he sympathised with them, and sup- 
 ported their claims at the Admiralty. But at this 
 moment he had to deal with mutiny, a crime for 
 which so stern a disciplinarian could admit no ex- 
 cuse ; and he proceeded at once personally to take 
 it in hand. Throughout his service it was his 
 custom to take into his confidence his officers, and 
 also his ship's company. When he addressed his 
 ship's company he expected them to reply, which 
 it was their habit to do. At this time he decided 
 not to ignore the mutinous spirit which was known 
 to pervade the whole fleet, but to seek it fearlessly 
 wherever it was to be found. Throughout the 
 critical month of May, in Yarmouth Roads, he went 
 on board every ship which was suspected, hoisted 
 his flag, mustered the ship's company, and ad- 
 dressed them, inquiring whether they had any 
 grievances, and also whether anyone dared to dis- 
 pute his authority or that of their officers. " He Naval 
 
 J Chronicle 
 
 " visited in this way every ship in the squadron." 
 He was interfered with only once or twice, and it 
 was soon considered more prudent to remain quiet
 
 104 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 when he was on board. Very few sailors were 
 inclined to enter into an open contest with a 
 British Admiral, and especially with an Admiral 
 who was known to be in earnest, and who was a 
 giant besides. 
 
 The condition of his own ship concerned him 
 greatly. It was not sufficient to quiet the mutiny 
 there. It was necessary for him to re-establish his 
 influence, which could only be effected by bringing 
 the ship's company to see that they had done 
 wrong. 
 
 Having waited about a week, he mustered the 
 crew and addressed them. The draft of this 
 address is preserved. Like most of his writings, it 
 is written upon the back of envelopes addressed to 
 him by the Admiralty, and other small pieces of 
 paper. 
 
 It must have been delivered about May 7. 
 
 " My Lads, Fearing some part I intend to 
 say to you might escape me, I have written it 
 down. 
 
 " You have had a week coolly to reflect on what 
 happened on Sunday last, and, I doubt not, will 
 agree with me in thinking your conduct was highly 
 improper. I know many of you think so. 
 
 " The redress most graciously given by His 
 Majesty, who you all know is the best of kings, to 
 the requests of the fleet at Spithead, was read to 
 you, and you seemed pleased with it. 
 
 " The bad example from this ship brought others 
 into the same situation, and ended, as in this ship, 
 without its being known what was wanted or in-
 
 THE MUTINY 105 
 
 tended. I will venture to say you was misled by a 1797 
 few designing men, and those not the best cha- 
 racters, some of whom I know and saw active. I 
 would advise them to guard their conduct well, as 
 I shall keep a strict eye on them ; nor can they 
 expect to be longer petty officers in this ship. 
 Others I also know who shrank from the business 
 and behaved as they ought. They shall always 
 have a claim to my favour. I hear it rumoured, 
 though I give no credit to it, that the ship's com- 
 pany will refuse to go to sea. As a matter of that 
 kind should not be doubtful, I ask you, and I shall 
 ask every ship in the fleet, is that your determina- 
 tion? 
 
 " Surrounded as Britain is with enemies, still 
 we have nothing to fear if the fleet strictly adheres 
 to their former character, which never shone with 
 more brightness than during this war. I hope and 
 trust you and others will ever support that cha- 
 racter, which in due time will bring the blessings 
 of peace now so particularly desirable. The regard 
 we owe our country and our families, I think, 
 should animate us to exert ourselves in a particular 
 manner and not flinch at the appearance of danger. 
 You see me, now grown grey with fifty-one years' 
 service. In every ship I had the honour to com- 
 mand I have endeavoured to do justice both to the 
 public and the men I commanded, and have often 
 been flattered with particular marks of their regard ; 
 and i still hope, in spite of all that has happened, 
 this ship's company have not lost their confidence 
 in me. Both my officers and me are always ready
 
 106 THE MUTINY 
 
 to redress any supposed grievances when asked in 
 a proper manner. 
 
 " In all my service I have maintained my 
 authority, which I will not easily part with. I 
 shall take this opportunity of mentioning a thing 
 that has too often offended my ears in this ship : I 
 mean the profane oaths, and I will say blasphemy, 
 that too much prevails, and, I really believe, often 
 without meaning. But if there is a God and 
 everything round us shows it we ought to pay Him 
 more respect. In the day of trouble the most 
 abandoned are generally the first to cry for assist- 
 ance and relief from that God whose name they are 
 daily taking in vain. With what confidence they 
 expect it they know best. I am always happy to 
 see you cheerful and at play, but the noise and 
 tumult that seems at that time to prevail amongst 
 you looks more like a lawless set of men than a 
 well-disposed ship's company. 
 
 " I hope you will attend to this, and if what I 
 have said makes any impression I shall expect to 
 see it by much alertness in doing your duty and in 
 obedience to your officers. God bless you all, and 
 may He always have us under His gracious pro- 
 tection and make us better men. Go to your 
 worthy pastor and hear what he has to say." 
 
 That these simple, strong w T ords produced a 
 deep effect is shown by the reply of the ship's 
 company, which made it plain that one ship at all 
 events was to be depended upon, if only the 
 squadron should be removed from external in- 
 fluences.
 
 THE MUTINY IO/ 
 
 " Most worthy and honoured sir, Not having 1797 
 the gift of speech of accosting you in a proper 
 manner we the ship's company of H.M. ship 
 ' Venerable ' having taken into consideration the 
 weighty affair which was so indiscreetly committed 
 on the 3oth ult. and for which we are sincearly 
 ashamed of we theirfore think it our duty to 
 return you our most sincear and hearty thanks 
 for so graciously forgiving us the rash step which 
 we took 011 that fatel day and so we humbly 
 implore your honour's pardon with hearts full of 
 gratitude and tears in our eyes for the offence we 
 have given to the wortheyest of commanders who 
 as proved a father to us and as such we shall 
 allways honour you we are fully convinced of our 
 error which the shame and disgrace of this un- 
 guided affair as brought on us through some mis- 
 guided circumstance or other while in the state of 
 intoxication which his the ruin of thousands we 
 have theirfore taken a full reasolution to abolish all 
 such indiscreet and diabolical thoughts out of our 
 minds and that our future conduct shall be in every 
 respect worthy of your honour's attention and 
 obtain the same good oppinion of us as before that 
 fatel day we brought this disgrace on ourselves 
 which stings us to the quick as we never had the 
 least cause of complaint since we have had the 
 secret satisfaction of being commanded by so 
 worthy a commander, but sorry are we in our 
 hearts that we should have caused you the least 
 uneasyness and to repair it and fully convince you 
 of our readyness every man as taken a firm resolu-
 
 108 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 tion and his determine! to obay your orders either 
 by night or day. Should it be your honour's orders 
 to go to sea and should it be our fortune to fall in 
 with the enemy we flatter ourselves that their his 
 not one man on board of the * Venerable ' but whaji 
 would loose the last drop of blood in his body 
 before they should obtain any victory over us, 
 theirfore honoured Sir we once more implore your 
 gracious pardon and that you will be plased to 
 think this misconduct to be undertaken without 
 thought or consideration. As far as we can learn 
 no one knows what unforeseen deamon possest our 
 minds to act as we did theirfore we pray and put 
 our trust in the Almighty God that our future 
 conduct may be acceptable to you and suficent to 
 convince you of our fully repenting of our past 
 misconduct and we pray to our heavenly father 
 and almighty protector that his gracious mercy 
 will extend over us and keep us from all such 
 diabolical practices and that we may imprint in 
 our hearts the duty we owe to God and obay his 
 holy commandments and that it may be instilled 
 in our minds the dangerous snare we have so 
 lately escaped from which we are too concious his 
 unbecoming the character of a Christian in whose 
 belief we are taught theirfore we have every 
 reason to return you our sincear and hearty thanks 
 once more for the trouble you give your self this 
 forenoon to bring in our memory the indiscreet 
 behavour of our conduct on the 3oth ult. which 
 we are too concious was not becoming the cha- 
 racter of British seamen theirfore, honoured Sir,
 
 THE MUTINY 1 09 
 
 we once more flatter our selves that we shall 1797 
 obtain your former confidence in us. We cannot 
 conclude this without beging the pardon of our 
 worthy captain, lieutenants and other of our 
 superior officers, which we hope will be the recon- 
 silation of all our past misconduct which his the 
 prayer of us that peace and tranquility will remain 
 with the ship's company of the ' Venerable ' 
 which we flatter our selves we shall obtain. 
 
 "Which honoured Sir we shall be in duty 
 bound ever to pray for your health and prosperity, 
 we are, Sir, with the greatest Respect your Obligd. 
 humble Servants &c. &c." 
 
 On May 4 the Admiral had forwarded to the 
 Admiralty a report from Captain Parr, stating that 
 " the crew of the * Standard ' represent that they 
 " are much in want of necessaries and request to 
 " be paid as soon as the exigencies of the service 
 " will permit." It is to be observed that they had 
 been paid up to March i, 1797. 
 
 The Admiralty replied on May 8 that as soon 
 as the service would admit, the ' Standard ' and 
 other ships which he had mentioned would be 
 ordered to the Nore to be paid. 
 
 Lord Spencer wrote privately on the same 
 day: 
 
 (Private.) "Admiralty : May 8, 1797. 
 
 " I am glad to hear you are still so quiet at 
 Yarmouth ; I hope you will continue so, though 
 I cannot help fearing there may be some means 
 taken to mislead your men while you remain so
 
 110 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 near there. The mutiny has again broken out on 
 board Lord Bridport's fleet at St. Helen's, and 
 some unpleasant circumstances have taken place 
 in consequence of it on board the ships which 
 remained at Spithead. I hope the vote of Parlia- 
 ment which sanctions the increase of pay &c., and 
 which is now passing in the Committee of Supply 
 of the House of Commons, will satisfy them that 
 it neither was nor could be our intention to deceive 
 them. 
 
 " It would be impracticable (without very great 
 inconvenience to the service) to make any such 
 alteration as you propose respecting payments. 
 Your best way will be to send such ships as are 
 really in want of necessaries to the Nore for the 
 purpose, taking proper precautions to have their 
 pay books ready so as not to detain them longer 
 there than necessary. 
 
 " I have not time to-day to add more than 
 this." 
 
 On May 10 the Admiral acknowledged receipt 
 of copies of the Act of Parliament and the Order 
 in Council relating to increased pay and provisions : 
 " The crews under my command are perfectly 
 " satisfied and quiet, and I have no doubt of their 
 " remaining so. I shall enforce obedience and good 
 "order." 
 
 On the next day he wrote that the copies of 
 the Act of Parliament and of the Order in Council 
 had been distributed in the squadron. 
 
 The Admiral was too sanguine. On May 13
 
 THE MUTINY III 
 
 there was a serious rising on board the ' Adamant.' 1797 
 
 The Admiral proceeded on board, hoisted his flag, 
 
 and mustered the ship's company. "My Lads," 
 
 he said, " I am not in the smallest degree appre- 
 
 " hensive of any violent measures you may have 
 
 " in contemplation ; and though I assure you I Ralfe , g 
 
 " would much rather acquire your love than incur g 1 ^ h 
 
 " your fear, I will with my own hand put to death 
 
 " the first man who shall display the slightest 
 
 " signs of rebellious conduct." He then demanded 
 
 " to know if there was any individual who presumed 
 
 " to dispute his authority or that of the officers. A 
 
 " man came forward and said insolently, ' I do.' 
 
 " The Admiral immediately seized him by the collar 
 
 " and thrust him over the side of the ship, where he 
 
 " held him suspended by one arm, and said ' My 
 
 " Lads, look at this fellow, he who dares to deprive 
 
 " me of the command of the fleet.' ' 
 
 A fortnight later, when all other ships de- 
 serted, the ' Adamant ' followed the ' Venerable ' 
 to the Texel. 
 
 "Dear Sir," wrote Lord Spencer on May 15, "I 
 " am too much occupied to-day to do more than 
 " barely acknowledge your letter of yesterday and 
 " express the sincere satisfaction I felt at reading 
 " the very dexterous manner in which you contrived 
 " to get rid of the rising disturbance on board the 
 " 'Adamant.' " 
 
 On May 18 the Admiralty wrote that order 
 was re-established at Portsmouth.
 
 112 THE MUTINY 
 
 " Admiralty Office : May 18, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, I have the commands of my Lords Com- 
 missioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you that 
 the disturbances which of late have prevailed in the 
 Channel fleet have now happily subsided, and that 
 order and discipline being re-established, Lord 
 Bridport with the squadron under his command 
 sailed from St. Helens yesterday morning and has 
 proceeded down Channel ; and I have at the 
 same time their Lordships' commands to express 
 to you the highest approbation of your prudent 
 and judicious proceedings and of the attention 
 shown by the several officers in the fleet under 
 your command during the late interesting 
 period. " I am, &c. 
 
 "EVAN NEPEAN." 
 
 At Yarmouth, however, the trouble continued. 
 
 " ' Venerable,' Yarmouth Eoads : May 17, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, Be pleased to acquaint the Lords Com- 
 missioners of the Admiralty that the crew of His 
 Majesty's sloop * Albatross ' were very riotous and 
 disorderly last evening, but by the determined and 
 officer-like conduct of Captain Scott, who presented 
 a pistol at the first man that appeared, and of 
 Lieutenant Lambert, who cut down another with 
 his hanger, the business was soon settled, and she 
 sailed this morning to put in execution my order 
 of the 1 5th instant, to proceed to Hull and take 
 the ' Trade ' from thence to the Elbe. 
 
 " I am, &c. 
 " ADAM DUNCAN. 
 
 " To Evan Nepean, Esq."
 
 THE MUTINY 113 
 
 Before the date of this last letter the mutiny at ,1797 
 the Nore had become alarming. On May 12 the 
 * Sandwich ' had mutinied ; on May 20 Vice-Admiral 
 Buckner went on board and read the Koyal Procla- 
 mation of pardon to the mutineers at Spithead. 
 " On going on board no respect was shown to me. vice- 
 "... Finding my efforts to restore order of no Buckner'a 
 
 Evidence 
 
 " avail, I went on shore. On May 23 my flag was at Parker's 
 "struck." 
 
 It was also reported that the Dutch fleet was 
 preparing to put to sea. To make the position 
 worse, notice was given that the Eussian squadron 
 under Bear- Admiral Makaroff would shortly leave 
 for home. 
 
 The ' Annual Begister ' for May 18, 1 797, records 
 a strange state of things at Sheerness. " The 
 " delegates go regularly every day to Sheerness, 
 "where they hold their conferences. They then 
 " parade the streets and ramparts of the garrison 
 " with a degree of triumphant insolence, and hold 
 " up the bloody flag of defiance as a mark of scorn 
 "to the military. At the head of these men 
 " marches the person who is considered the admiral 
 " of their fleet. No officer has any command or 
 " authority whatever." 
 
 Vice-Admiral Buckner on May 20 reported 
 to the Admiralty the result of a meeting with the 
 delegates : 
 
 " Sheerness : May 20, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, I beg you to acquaint my Lords Com- 
 missioners of the Admiralty that after conferring 
 with the delegates from the different ships at this 
 
 i
 
 114 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 port, I sent a message to them on Thursday that 
 I should go on board the * Sandwich ' as yesterday, 
 to notify His Majesty's pardon upon the terms 
 expressed in their lordships' direction, contained in 
 your letter dated 1 7th instant. They returned me 
 for answer that they would wait upon me on shore 
 to attend me off. They did not, however, get on 
 shore till about 2 o'clock, and then a committee of 
 the delegates waited on me with a paper containing 
 an account of additional grievances, all of which 
 I discussed with them, and endeavoured by every 
 means in my power to shake their resolution of 
 stipulating for them. I had considerable hopes 
 that I had succeeded in doing this, and received 
 their earnest request to go off to the ships at the 
 Nore this morning, when they expressed that they 
 had no doubt the whole would be satisfactorily 
 settled. At nine this morning I went on board the 
 ' Sandwich,' accompanied by a procession of boats 
 with the delegates, and on my requesting they 
 would attend me on the quarterdeck, one of them 
 was deputed to acquaint me that they still had 
 something to settle, which they would lay before 
 me in half an hour. Having waited a considerable 
 time, they in a body brought me the enclosed paper, 
 and declared with one voice that they would not 
 resign the charge they now had in their own hands 
 till the conditions therein stipulated for were com- 
 plied with, and satisfied by the personal attendance 
 of a Board of their Lordships here, which they 
 insist they have a right to expect, there having 
 been a precedent for it at Spithead, disclaiming at
 
 THE MUTINY 115 
 
 the same time every idea of disrespect or want of 1797 
 confidence towards me, and observing that although 
 fewer in number they are a firm body, determined 
 to persevere in this point. 
 
 " On the article of advance money to impressed 
 men put on board ships going to sea, I gave them 
 an assurance that I would notice it to their lord- 
 ships, and that I did not give it my disappro- 
 bation. 
 
 "For further particulars I take the liberty of 
 referring you to Mr. Stow, my secretary, who will 
 deliver this letter. 
 
 " I am, &c. 
 
 " CHARLES BUCKNER." 
 
 Article i 
 
 " That every indulgence granted to the fleet 
 " at Portsmouth to be granted to H.M. subjects at 
 " the Nore and places adjacent, under command 
 " of Vice-Admiral Buckner. 
 
 " That every man, on a ship's coming into 
 " harbour, shall have liberty (a certain number) to 
 " go and see their friends and families, a con- 
 " venient time to be allowed each man. 
 
 3 
 
 " That all ships before they go to sea shall be 
 " paid all arrears of wages down to six months 
 " according to the old rules. 
 
 i 2
 
 II 6 THE MUTINY 
 
 4 
 
 .1797 " That no officer that has been turned out of 
 
 " any of His Majesty's ships shall be employed in 
 " the same ship again without consent of the ship's 
 " company. 
 
 5 
 
 " That when any of His Majesty's ships shall 
 " be paid, that may have been some time in com- 
 " mission, if there is pressed men on board that 
 " may not be in the regular course of payment, 
 " that they shall receive two months' advance to 
 " furnish them with necessaries. 
 
 6 
 
 " That an indemnification be given to any man 
 " who had run and may not be in His Majesty's 
 " service, and that they shall not be liable to be 
 " taken up as deserters. 
 
 " The committee of the delegates of the whole 
 " fleet in counsel on board H.M.S. * Sandwich' are 
 " unanimously agreed that they will not deliver up 
 " their charge until the appearance of some of the 
 " Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to ratify 
 " the same. 
 
 " By order of the committee of delegates of all 
 " the ships at the Nore. 
 
 " ' Sandwich,' May 20, 1797." 
 
 On May 2 1 the Admiralty replied : 
 
 " Admiralty Office : May 21, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, I received late last night by Mr. Stow, 
 and immediately communicated to my Lords
 
 THE MUTINY 117 
 
 Commissioners of the Admiralty, your letter to me 1797 
 of yesterday's date, stating the proceedings which 
 had taken place during your interview with the 
 seamen deputed by the crews of His Majesty's 
 ships at the Nore and at Sheerness, and enclosing 
 a paper which had been delivered to you on board 
 the ' Sandwich,' containing certain conditions 
 which they expected to be complied with and 
 ratified before they would consent to resign the 
 charge which they had in their hands. After the 
 very liberal attention of His Majesty in increasing 
 the wages and provisions of the seamen and 
 marines in His Majesty's service, for which they 
 have in general expressed themselves not only 
 satisfied but highly grateful, their lordships are 
 extremely surprised to find the seamen and marines 
 of His Majesty's ships at the Nore and Sheerness 
 to be still in a state of disobedience, and bringing 
 forward further requests ; I have it therefore in 
 command from their lordships to signify their 
 direction to you to inform them that since all that 
 could reasonably be expected by the seamen and 
 marines has been already granted them, their 
 lordships cannot accede to any such further 
 requests. 
 
 " With respect to the first article of those which 
 you have transmitted as forming the conditions 
 above alluded to, it is the direction of their lord- 
 ships that you inform the seamen and marines (as 
 has already been explicitly declared) that all the 
 additional allowances of wages and provisions and 
 every other regulation announced at Portsmouth
 
 Il8 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 have been established by His Majesty's Order in 
 Council and by Act of Parliament, and extend to 
 all seamen and marines in His Majesty's service. 
 
 " That with respect to the second article of the 
 said conditions, the nature of the service in time 
 of war does not admit of the men having leave to 
 go to their families except under very particular 
 circumstances, of which the captains or their 
 superior officers alone can judge. 
 
 " That in regard to the third and fifth articles, 
 the ship's companies shall be paid in the manner 
 pointed out in the several Acts of Parliament at 
 present in force for the encouragement of seamen 
 and marines employed in His Majesty's service, as 
 they always are unless some very urgent necessity 
 prevents it ; but as it has ever been the practice 
 of the service to show attention to those who, with 
 the true spirit of British seamen, voluntarily stand 
 forward in the defence of their country, their 
 lordships are desirous of giving every possible 
 encouragement to volunteers, and it is not their 
 intention to direct that advance should be paid to 
 impressed men. 
 
 " That with respect to the fourth article, all 
 arrangements concerning the officers to be em- 
 ployed in the ships of the squadron must be 
 settled by you, or the commanding officer for the 
 time being, conformable to the instructions of their 
 lordships according to the circumstances of each 
 particular case. 
 
 " That with respect to the sixth article, if it 
 should be His Majesty's pleasure to pardon all who
 
 THE MUTINY 119 
 
 may have deserted from the service in the Navy, it 1797 
 must be the effect of His Majesty's royal clemency 
 alone, and not of any requisition. 
 
 " That although their lordships thought proper 
 to go to Portsmouth for the purpose of obtaining 
 more perfect information of the grievances which 
 the seamen and marines in general might have to 
 represent, and of adopting most expeditiously such 
 measures as might be necessary, and granting such 
 further indulgences as might render their situation 
 more comfortable and enable them better to provide 
 for the support of their families, no similar reason 
 exists for their taking such a step on the present 
 occasion. That the representations made at Ports- 
 mouth have been fully considered, and the regula- 
 tions made in consequence have already been 
 extended to the whole fleet and established by the 
 highest authority. It is therefore to you and to 
 the officers under whom they are serving that the 
 ships' companies are to look up. It is to them 
 their petitions are always to be presented. It is 
 through them they are to expect their lordships' 
 determination. After stating these circumstances, 
 you will also inform them that, notwithstanding 
 all they have done, His Majesty's most gracious 
 pardon, and their lordships' order to all officers 
 to bury in oblivion all that has passed, are now 
 offered them, which should they refuse they will 
 have to answer for all the melancholy consequences 
 which must attend their persisting in their present 
 state of disobedience and mutiny. 
 
 "But when the seamen and marines at the
 
 120 THE MUTINY 
 
 Nore and at Sheerness reflect that the rest of the 
 fleet have returned to their duty and have pro- 
 ceeded to sea in search of the enemies of their 
 country, their lordships have no doubt that they 
 will no longer show themselves ungrateful for all 
 that has been so liberally granted to them, but will 
 strive who shall be first to show his loyalty to his 
 king and his love for his country, by returning to 
 that state of obedience and discipline by which 
 British seamen have long been the admiration of 
 the world ; but without which they cannot expect 
 any longer to enjoy the confidence and good 
 opinion of their country. 
 
 " I am, &c., 
 
 " EVAN NEPEAN." 
 
 On May 22 the ships dropped down from 
 Sheerness to the Nore. 
 
 It was under these circumstances that Mr. 
 Nepean, the Secretary of the Admiralty, wrote a 
 private and confidential letter to Admiral Duncan 
 of a very momentous character. 
 
 (Private and confidential.) " Admiralty : May 22. 
 
 " My dear Sir, The ships at the Nore are in the 
 most complete state of mutiny, and it seems to be 
 very difficult to bring them to any reason without 
 submitting to conditions which would be highly 
 disgraceful. You know the state of your fleet, I 
 believe, as well as anyone can do, and what use 
 could be made of it. Do you think that you 
 could depend upon any of the ships if you were to
 
 THE MUTINY 121 
 
 bring them up to the Nore, if it should be necessary 1797 
 to employ them in bringing the two or three 
 ships of the line over there to reason ? 
 
 "You may give me your private thoughts on 
 this head, but the less they are communicated 
 to other people the better. 
 
 " Yours ever most sincerely, 
 
 "EvAN NEPEAN." 
 
 The Admiral replied : 
 
 " ' Venerable ' : May 23, 1797. 
 
 " My dear Sir, Your two letters of the 2 1 st and 
 2 2nd was yesterday secured. The last requires 
 some delicacy to answer. The fleet here continues Letter in 
 
 Public 
 
 to behave well, and I am sure will refuse no Record 
 
 Office 
 
 common service. At the same time, to call them 
 who have kept in order to chastise those at the 
 Nore, in my opinion would subject them to a 
 disagreeable jealousy from all other parts of the 
 fleet who engaged in this unhappy business ; but 
 for all this I don't shrink from the business if it 
 cannot otherwise be got the better of ; and this 
 day having occasion to speak to my ship's com- 
 pany, a thing I have lately practised much, from 
 what happened last night I touched gently on 
 what I might expect from them in support of my 
 flag and self in the execution of my duty. They 
 to a man said they were ready and willing at all 
 times to obey my commands. Captain Bowater 
 last night came to say his ship's company would 
 not weigh anchor. I sent him back to hoist in his 
 boats and I would settle it in the morning. After
 
 122 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 tellingmy ship's company the * Trent's ' grievances, 
 which was only that they had not got proper 
 weights and measures, I asked my people what 
 they thought they deserved. Their general 
 answer was that they should be made to go to sea ; 
 and if I would let them chastise them, they would. 
 However on sending Admiral Onslow on board to 
 see what they wanted, he found all quiet and they 
 answered directly. I fear there is something 
 wrong in the head there. The ' Trent ' was near 
 me and I determined to have enforced my orders. 
 Much harmony is in this fleet, which I think has 
 kept us right. I hear that people from the ships 
 at Sheerness go ashore in numbers and play the 
 devil. Why are there not troops to lay hold of 
 them and secure all the boats that come from 
 them ? As to the ' Sandwich,' you should get her 
 cast adrift in the night and let her go on the sands, 
 that the scoundrels may drown ; for until some 
 example is made this will not stop. 
 
 " God bless you and send us better times, not 
 that I despair. This chastisement is sent us for a 
 warning to mend our ways. 
 
 " I always am most truly and faithfully yours 
 
 "ADAM DUNCAN. 
 
 " To Evan Nepean, Esq. 
 
 "P.S. I have met with so many interruptions 
 I fear you will not be able to make out my 
 letter." 
 
 It was just about this critical moment that 
 the ship's company of the ' Venerable ' presented
 
 THE MUTINY 123 
 
 to the Admiral, probably in reply to some speech 1797 
 from him about his flag and what he might require 
 of them, a declaration of loyalty and affectionate 
 regard which must have moved him deeply. No 
 date is on the address, but the postscript evidently 
 refers to a possible attack on the ships at the 
 Nore. 
 
 " Honoured Sir, 
 
 "With the feelings of men we humbly presume 
 to state to you our general approbation of your 
 Honour's conduct in the late interesting although 
 tumultuous proceedings, our pardon for which we 
 have undoubtedly received through your goodness ; 
 but at the same time are very sorry to think that 
 you should doubt our fidelity in any respect, being 
 so firmly attached to your person and that of our 
 officers and country in general. We have nothing 
 at present to complain of, and if we had we doubt 
 not but your Honour would give us any redress 
 that lay in your power. Fully persuaded in this 
 respect it is with the utmost regret that we observe 
 the proceedings of our brother seamen in different 
 ships and squadrons, but rest yourself assured 
 that we will not, as long as life will permit, in any 
 respect see either you or the flag insulted. You 
 will undoubtedly allow us the feelings of men, and 
 as such it grieves us one and all to see the anxiety 
 of mind which in our opinion you undoubtedly 
 labour under, therefore we hope you may rely on 
 our words and be assured while life remains in our 
 bodies that we will endeavour always to comply
 
 124 THE MUTINY 
 
 J797 with your wish and obey your command ; and if 
 necessity require you may depend on it we will 
 give you a sufficient proof thereof. 
 
 " Eemaining as usual your Honour's most 
 obedient and loving subjects at command, 
 
 " Venerable's. 
 
 " P.S. It is with the utmost regret we hear of 
 the proceedings of different ships in the squadron, 
 but sincerely hope their present agrievances will 
 be redressed as soon as possible, as it would 
 appear unnatural for us to unsheath the sword 
 against our brethren, notwithstanding we would 
 wish to show ourselves like men in behalf of our 
 Commander, should necessity require. 
 
 " ARCHIBALD MOODY, x his mark. 
 
 " JAMES OECHAED. 
 
 " WILLIAM KILGOUB, x his mark. 
 
 "For the ship's 
 
 " WILLIAM MAGEE. 
 
 ^ \" EDWARD GARTHWAIT. 
 
 " ANDREW OLIPHANT, x his mark. 
 " JOHN WOODALL, x his mark. 
 k " JOHN EOSE." 
 
 It would really appear that if the Admiral had 
 so ordered the ' Venerable ' would have attacked 
 any ship or ships in the squadron. 
 
 The Dutch fleet was, if possible, even a more 
 pressing danger than the mutiny. It was reported 
 that the Dutch were ready to put to sea. 
 
 On May 2 1 the Admiralty sent a warning to 
 Admiral Duncan, and enclosed a copy of intelli- 
 gence received from the Foreign Office.
 
 THE MUTINY 125 
 
 (Secret.) "Downing Street : Sunday, May 21, 1797. 1797 
 
 " Information relative to the state of the Dutch 
 Navy in the Texell. Eeceived May 20, 1797. 
 
 " There are now lying in the Texell ready for 
 sea 1 8 ships of the line; 22 frigates, sloops and 
 brigs, from 44 to 10 guns; 42 large transports 
 fitting out for the reception of troops. 
 
 " There is little doubt of a descent upon this 
 country being in contemplation." 
 
 This intelligence having been confirmed on May 
 24, the Board ordered Admiral Duncan to sail to 
 the Texel. 
 
 " Whereas by intelligence which has been 
 transmitted to us from the Captain of H. M. ship 
 ' Minerva,' it appears that the enemy's fleet in the 
 Texel is in every respect ready for sea, we send 
 you herewith copy of the said intelligence for your 
 information, and do hereby require and direct you, 
 if the wind should continue easterly, to lose no 
 time in proceeding with the squadron under your 
 command off the Texel ; using your best endeavours 
 to take or destroy any of the enemy's ships should 
 they attempt to put to sea, agreeably to the orders 
 you have already received for that purpose. Given 
 under our hands, May 24, 1797. 
 
 " AKDEN. 
 " GAMBIEK. 
 " W. YOUNG. 
 
 " To Adam Duncan, Esq., Admiral 
 of the Blue, &c., Yarmouth 
 Roads. By command of their 
 Lordships. EVAN NEPEAN."
 
 126 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 On May 25 the Admiral was warned by the 
 
 Admiralty that some delegates were coming from 
 the Nore to tamper with his ships. He captured 
 most of them. 
 
 " May 27, ii P.M., off Yarmouth. The * Eose ' 
 " cutter has this moment joined me. Her Lieu- 
 " tenant informs me that last evening he fell in 
 " with the cutter, having the delegates on board, 
 " and seized all but three, who had got ashore, but 
 " was in hopes of getting them. The ' Hope ' 
 " lugger was left in charge of them, and I have 
 " despatched the ' Eose ' to her with directions to 
 " convey them to the Downs, and acquaint their 
 " lordships with the particulars." 
 
 The sooner he could sail the better was the 
 chance of re-establishing order in the squadron. 
 He determined to put to sea at once. 
 
 " ' Venerable ' in Yarmouth Roads : May 26, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, I have received both your secret letters 
 of yesterday's date, and in consequence have 
 ordered the ' Vestal ' off the Buoy of the Gunfleet, 
 and the ' Hope ' lugger and * Eose ' cutter to cruise 
 between Lowestoffe and Orford Ness, to prevent all 
 communications from the Nore with the ships in 
 this Eoad. And you will please acquaint the 
 Lords Commissioners that although the wind may 
 be westerly in the morning, I shall put to sea with 
 the whole of the squadron, except the * Nassau,' 
 and I believe the ' Standard,' whose companies 
 appear determined not to weigh their anchors until 
 they are paid the wages due to them. I have,
 
 THE MUTINY 127 
 
 therefore, ordered Vice- Admiral Onslow to hoist 1797 
 his flag on board the ' Adamant ' for the present. 
 
 " To Evan Nepean, Esq." 
 
 On May 26 Lord Spencer decided to send 
 Captain Bligh to consult with Admiral Duncan 
 about the Nore. 
 
 (Private.) "Admiralty : May 26, 1797, 7.30 P.M. 
 
 " We send you Captain Bligh on a very delicate 
 business, on which the Government is extremely 
 anxious to have your opinion. The welfare, and 
 almost the existence, of the country may depend 
 upon what is the event of this very important 
 crisis, but till we know what we can look to from 
 your squadron it will be very difficult for us to 
 know how to act." 
 
 On the next day the Board wrote, ordering the 
 Admiral to prepare to attack the Nore. 
 
 (Secret.) "Admiralty Office : May 27, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, Captain Bligh, who will have had the 
 honour of delivering to you my letter of yesterday's 
 date, will have explained to you the melancholy 
 state of the ships at the Nore, and the views which 
 their lordships then had in respect to the assist- 
 ance of the squadron under your orders for the 
 purpose of bringing the crews of the ships above- 
 mentioned to a sense of their duty. 
 
 " Since Captain Bligh left town, no symptom of 
 contrition has shown itself on board the ships at 
 the Nore, but, on the contrary, measures have
 
 128 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 actually been taken for exciting the crews of the 
 ships in Longreach to join in the mutiny, and have 
 so far succeeded as to prevail on the crew of the 
 * Lancaster ' to follow their example and oblige 
 Captain Wells to quit her and get on shore. 
 
 " The measures which have hitherto been tried 
 to bring these deluded people to a sense of their 
 duty having proved ineffectual, it has been judged 
 expedient that a Board of Admiralty should forth- 
 with proceed to Sheerness, and if the measures 
 which their lordships mean to take to endeavour 
 to bring the crews of the different ships to a due 
 sense of their error, and to induce them to accept 
 His Majesty's most gracious pardon, should not 
 lead to the restoration of order, it is their lord- 
 ships' intention, pursuant to the commands of His 
 Majesty, signified to them on that head, to send 
 orders to you to act against them with any part of 
 your force on which you may think you can rely 
 which may be competent thereto. With a view to 
 this important object, it will be for you to show to 
 the crews of the ships under your command that 
 this mutiny at the Nore rests on grounds different 
 from the complaints or applications which were 
 originally preferred by the seamen at Spithead, and 
 to take such steps as according to your discretion 
 you may think most advantageous in order to be 
 enabled to fulfil such eventual orders as you may 
 expect to receive in the case above mentioned, 
 either by detaching on separate cruises any of your 
 ships on which you may think less dependence is 
 to be placed, or by communicating to those from
 
 THE MUTINY 129 
 
 whom you may expect support the actual state of 1797 
 things, and the Service expected from them. 
 
 " Having stated to you the ideas which have 
 been formed in respect to the Squadron under your 
 command, I have it only farther in charge from 
 their Lordships to signify their direction to you, 
 although they see great objection to your directing 
 your course towards the Nore, to place that part 
 of your squadron which may eventually be called 
 upon to act, in such a situation that their Lord- 
 ships' commands may reach you without any 
 material delay, and to leave a fast sailing vessel at 
 Yarmouth to follow you therewith to such Rendez- 
 vous as you may fix upon for that purpose. 
 
 " I enclose to you a copy of a letter from Admiral 
 Admiral Buckner, which, with the Paper therein to Ad- 
 
 miralty, 
 
 referred to, and a copy of my letter in answer May 20, 
 thereto, will explain to you the nature of the Admiralty 
 demands made by the seamen at the Nore and Buckner,' 
 
 . . . May 21, 
 
 their Lordships' opinion upon the different points, +797 
 to which they positively mean to adhere. I also 
 enclose a printed copy of His Majesty's Eoyal Sign 
 Manual authorising their Lordships to promise his 
 most gracious pardon to them notwithstanding 
 what has passed, on condition of their immediate 
 return to their duty ; to which I have now only to 
 add that I have the honor to be, Sir, 
 
 " Your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 " EVAN NEPEAN. 
 
 " Admiral Duncan." 
 
 The Admiral knew that there was no time to 
 
 K
 
 130 TRE MUTINY 
 
 a 797 lose, and had anticipated his orders. On May 27 
 he wrote off Yarmouth : "I put to sea this morning 
 " with the ' Venerable,' 'Adamant,' ' Agamemnon,' 
 " ' Belliqueux,' ' Lion,' ' Glatton,' < Standard,' <Leo- 
 " pard,' ' Monmouth," Ardent," Isis,' and 'Kepulse.' 
 " The wind is westerly, and whilst it continues I 
 " shall keep near the English coast." 
 
 On May 28 : "I am off Yarmouth, anxiously 
 " waiting to be joined by the * Eussel ' and ' Ganges.' ' 
 
 The ships were still inclined to mutiny. On 
 May 26 Captain Parr reported to the Admiral : 
 
 " ' Standard,' Great Yarmouth : May 26, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, A boat at ^ past eight came along side 
 belonging to the 'Lion,' with several Seamen in 
 her, and wished to speak with the Captain of the 
 Fore Castle. She was of course ordered away, but 
 spoke to the people as they passed under the bows. 
 
 " When our hands were turned up to hoist the 
 boats in, they refused doing it, unless I would 
 promise them a boat to go to the ' Lion ' to-morrow, 
 which I found myself reduced to the necessity of 
 doing. What may have stimulated the people to 
 this or what steps are agreed on by the different 
 ships of the Fleet I know not, but I apprehend more 
 is in agitation than is known or suspected by any 
 of us. The uneasiness it occasions me is far 
 beyond any that could be produced by the greatest 
 private calamity. 
 
 " The consequence may not be so great as I 
 suspect, but I fear the Lions came as delegates ; at 
 least this is advanced by our people.
 
 THE MUTINY 131 
 
 " I did not think I should be right in quitting 1797 
 the ship myself, but thought it absolutely necessary 
 this should be immediately made known to you. 
 
 " I have the honor to remain, Sir, 
 " Your most obedient and very humble servant, 
 
 " THOMAS PAKE." 
 
 What followed is graphically narrated by Mr. 
 Brenton, a Lieutenant on board the ' Agamemnon,' 
 commanded by Captain Fancourt : 
 
 " On 28th May the Fleet sailed for the Texel, and Brenton' 
 " were becalmed outside of the sands off Yar- &*?, 
 " mouth when the ships anchored, except the 
 " ' Standard ' and ' Belliqueux,' of 64 guns each, 
 " which returned into Yarmouth Eoads to ' redress 
 " their grievances ' ; such was the language of 
 " the Mutineers. 
 
 " On the morning of 2gih May, when the signal 
 " was made for the Fleet to weigh, it was reluctantly 
 " complied with, and such ships as did weigh 
 " returned into Yarmouth Eoads. The seamen of 
 " the ' Agamemnon ' cut her cable, though they did 
 " not refuse to make sail on the ship when ordered 
 " to do so, and during the morning the rest of the 
 " ships got under sail and stood to the Eastward. 
 " Before twelve o'clock, however, all of them had 
 "deserted the Admiral, except the 'Adamant,' of 
 " 50 guns, bearing the flag of Vice- Admiral 
 " Onslow ; the ' Glatton,' commanded by Captain 
 " Trollope ; and the ' Agamemnon,' commanded by 
 " Captain Fancourt. At one o'clock the two latter 
 " ships also mutinied, and leaving the ' Venerable ' 
 
 K 2
 
 132 THE MUTINY 
 
 "and 'Adamant' to proceed off the Texel, re- 
 " turned into Yarmouth Eoads. On the following 
 " morning the ' Agamemnon ' in Yarmouth Eoads 
 " joined three other ships, each having a red flag 
 " flying at her fore-top-gallant-mast-head. The 
 " ' Agamemnon ' hoisted one also, which was called 
 " by the Delegates the Flag of Defiance. During 
 " the whole of this time the Officers kept charge of 
 " their watches, the seamen obeying them in any 
 " order for the safety of the ship but no farther. 
 " A meeting of the delegates was immediately 
 " called, at which it was decided that the ' Aga- 
 " memnon ' and 'Ardent,' of 64 guns, and the 
 " ' Leopard ' and ' Isis,' of 50 guns, should go to 
 " the Nore, to augment the number of ships at 
 " that anchorage in a state little short of open 
 " rebellion, but not with any view of assisting or 
 " being assisted by the enemies of their country ; 
 " and it is certain that had these put to sea, we 
 " should immediately have gone in pursuit of them 
 " with the same zeal and loyalty as at the beginning 
 " of the war. 
 
 " As soon as the determination was made known 
 " of taking the ships to the Nore, the Officers of 
 " the ' Agamemnon ' declined doing duty, and 
 " returned to their cabins or the Ward room, where 
 " they remained unmolested, and were even treated 
 " with respect. . . . 
 
 " The four ships anchored at the Nore on the 6th 
 " June, late in the evening, under the entire com- 
 " mand of the Quarter-master and Delegates, the 
 " pilots taking charge as usual."
 
 THE MUTINY 133 
 
 On May 29 the Admiral wrote to the Admi- 1797 
 ralty : 
 
 " Off Yarmouth, 8 P.M. 
 
 " On my putting to sea yesterday the ' Nassau ' 
 and * Montagu ' did not weigh their anchors, and 
 are now in Yarmouth Roads. I anchored the 
 squadron last night about 6 leagues off land, in 
 hopes of being joined by the two ships from Spit- 
 head. This evening an Officer came on board from 
 the 'Belliqueux,' and informed me that her crew 
 were in a state of mutiny, wanting to send a boat 
 on board the ' Lion ' (who, I fear, is not in a much 
 better state), in consequence of which I made the 
 signal to weigh. The ' Belliqueux ' made the signal 
 of inability. Their Lordships will observe from the 
 above statement how little I can depend on the 
 squadron. However, I shall continue off Yarmouth 
 and wait their Lordships' further orders, and in 
 the meantime their Lordships may be assured I 
 shall use my utmost endeavours to persuade the 
 crews of the several ships to act as their Lordships 
 may see occasion to direct." 
 
 Captain Bligh, on returning to the Admiralty, 
 had nothing good to report. 
 
 (Secret.) " 3oth May, 1 797. 
 
 Memorandum by Captain Bligh for the Board 
 of Admiralty. 
 
 " Arrived at Yarmouth, Saturday, 28th May. 
 " Admiral sailed at 5 A.M. with 12 sail. 
 " The ' Standard' and 'Lion' refused to obey 
 the Admiral's orders, but afterwards complied and
 
 134 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 sailed. * Nassau ' refused to obey the sailing order 
 on account of the pay due to the people. The 
 Ship's Company observed on being questioned 
 whether they would resist mutiny in other ships, 
 that every Captain should keep his own ship quiet. 
 
 " ' Montagu ' claims pay although but a month 
 due. The Ship's Company went to their quarters 
 and shotted their guns when the ' Venerable ' got 
 under weigh. 
 
 " The Ships in the Eoad will only permit their 
 own boats to come alongside, and no strangers. 
 The Captain of Marines of the * Standard ' turned 
 on shore, and a lieutenant of the ' Eepulse ' put 
 into the Admiral's ship by command of the people. 
 
 " The ' Glatton's ' company have a remarkably 
 loyal and good character. 
 
 " The Delegates arrived from the Nore, but 
 Admiral Duncan was informed of eighteen coming 
 round in the ' Cygnet ' Cutter, and he had given 
 orders to prevent their communicating with any of 
 the ships (dated 26th May). 
 
 " It appeared to me very doubtful and hazardous 
 what would be the conduct of the favourable party 
 of seamen if employed against the other. 
 
 " The ' Standard ' and ' Lion ' wanted to send 
 delegates to the other ships, but they were refused 
 
 admittance. 
 
 * 
 
 " When I received Admiral Duncan's letters for 
 their Lordships, I thought it advisable to return 
 without a moment's loss of time. ' Montagu ' and 
 ' Nassau ' only in the Eoad." 
 
 On May 29 the Admiral wrote : " Off Yar-
 
 THE MUTINY 135 
 
 " mouth. In course of last night the ' Lion ' and 1797 
 " ' Standard ' parted company, and I find, are gone 
 " into Yarmouth Eoads, and early this morning I 
 " saw the ' Montagu ' a long way to windward of 
 " us, standing to the westward. I therefore con- 
 " elude she is going to the Nore." 
 
 On May 30 he was directed to proceed to the 
 Texel. 
 
 "Admiralty Office: 30 May, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, I have received and laid before my 
 Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your two 
 letters of yesterday's date, acquainting me for 
 their Lordships' information of the Proceedings 
 of the Squadron under your command, and of the 
 
 * J 'Montagu,' 
 
 dissatisfaction expressed by the crews of the ships ; Nassau/ 
 named in the margin, who could not be prevailed ', | t e a 1 "f ard> 
 to accompany you on your intended cruize. 
 
 " From the intelligence which has been trans- 
 mitted to you by Captain Douglas, of the ' Garland,' 
 referred to in one of your letters above-mentioned, 
 and accounts which have been received from other 
 Quarters (copies of which are enclosed), there 
 appears to be the strongest reason to believe that 
 the Dutch Fleet will attempt to put to sea, accom- 
 panied by some transports with troops on board ; 
 and as the wind seems inclined to come round to 
 the Eastward, an opportunity will be afforded to 
 them for carrying that design into execution. 
 Under these circumstances it is highly important 
 that every practicable means should be exerted, 
 without holding out anything that can in the least 
 degree be construed to lead to an expectation of
 
 136 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 farther concessions, to induce the crews of the ships 
 now at Yarmouth to put to sea ; and in case of 
 your succeeding in your endeavours with the whole, 
 or even a considerable part, of the Force now there, 
 you will proceed with it off the Texel without 
 waiting for the junction of the ships expected to 
 arrive from Spithead, leaving orders for them to 
 follow you to such rendezvous as you may appoint, 
 assuring the crew of the 'Nassau,' as also the 
 crews of the other ships in the course of payment, 
 that they will be brought to the Nore to be paid 
 the wages due to them the moment the public 
 service will admit of it, and which has indeed 
 been delayed only by the unfortunate state of the 
 ships now there, and a desire of preventing men 
 who had hitherto conducted themselves so well 
 from being exposed to the risk of being compelled 
 to follow the example of their deluded brethren at 
 that place. 
 
 " By accounts which have been received from 
 Portsmouth this morning, it appears that the 
 ' Eussel ' will be likely to sail in the course of this 
 day from Spithead, and that the ' Ganges ' will 
 follow her, if the wind and weather should permit, 
 in the course of to-morrow. This Eorce will be 
 increased by three other ships of the Line, but the 
 precise time of their being in readiness to proceed 
 on this Service cannot now be ascertained. Per- 
 haps, however, you may calculate upon seeing them 
 in the course of two or three days, if the wind 
 should be favourable for their joining you. 
 
 " By a message which has been received from
 
 THE MUTINY 137 
 
 the Nore ships this afternoon, their Lordships are 1797 
 informed that a ship of the Line is now coming up, 
 supposed to be the ' Montagu,' and apparently in a 
 complete state of Mutiny. The ships now there, 
 at least those of the line, are as refractory as ever ; 
 and notwithstanding the endeavours made by the 
 Board, who proceeded to Sheerness for the purpose 
 of bringing them to a sense of their duty, there is 
 no immediate prospect of their submission, and it 
 is feared that measures of coercion must necessarily 
 be resorted to before it can be effected. This 
 being the case, no expectation ought to be formed 
 by you of the assistance of the ' Montagu ' or 
 either of the other ships which would, under 
 different circumstances, have been ready to have 
 joined you from the Nore upon the present 
 emergency. 
 
 " I have the honor to be, Sir, 
 
 " Your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 " EVAN NEPEAN. 
 
 " Admiral Duncan." 
 
 The * Venerable ' had joined in the general 
 demand that the wages due to the ships should be 
 paid before they left Yarmouth, but when the order 
 to weigh anchor was given, she complied, and led 
 the squadron out to sea. The Admiralty wrote to 
 Captain O'Bryen of the ' Nassau ' : 
 
 "Admiralty Office : 30 May, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, Having read to my Lords Commis- 
 sioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 28th 
 instant, addressed to Earl Spencer, giving an
 
 138 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 account of the various unpleasant proceedings 
 which had taken place on board the ships in 
 Yarmouth Eoads, and stating particularly the 
 conduct of the crew of the ship you command, by 
 which it appears that the only obstacle to their 
 proceeding to sea has been the non-payment of 
 their wages ; I have their Lordships' commands 
 to acquaint you that they very much approve of 
 what you have done, and to signify their direction 
 to you to explain to the crew of the * Nassau ' that 
 orders had already been given by their Lordships 
 a fortnight ago for that ship to be brought to the 
 Nore for the purpose of paying the wages due to 
 her crew, but the Mutiny having broken out before 
 she could be spared from Yarmouth their Lordships 
 had judged it advisable to countermand their orders 
 to her rather than expose them after having con- 
 ducted themselves so well to the risk of being com- 
 pelled to follow the example of the crews of the 
 rest of the ships at the Nore, and that it is their 
 intention to bring her thither as soon as order 
 shall have been restored. 
 " I am, Sir, 
 
 " Your very humble servant, 
 
 " EVAN NEPEAN. 
 
 " Captain O'Bryen, ' Nassau,' Yarmouth." 
 
 The public mind, deeply agitated by the revolt 
 of the ships at the Nore, was still further disturbed 
 by the news arriving from Yarmouth. The ' Times ' 
 newspaper contains the following reports :
 
 THE MUTINY 139 
 
 " Yarmouth : May 29. 
 
 " Admiral Duncan's fleet is now returning into 
 " these Eoads, having been the whole time in 
 " sight of the town. The ' Standard ' and ' Lion ' 
 " are come in and have hoisted the flag of defiance. 
 " The ' Nassau ' lying in our Eoad has done the 
 " same ; it also seems some other ships of the fleet 
 " have the same flag flying. 
 
 " The * Belliqueux ' is come in and with the 
 " ' Comet ' sloop have, in addition to those 
 " mentioned before, hoisted the flag of defiance. 
 " It seems the men treat the officers in general 
 " well and perform their duty regularly." 
 
 "June i. 
 
 " We learn from good authority that the Dutch 
 " fleet is ready to sail from the Texel ; there are 
 " from twenty-six to thirty pendants flying there 
 " and a great number of French troops of whom 
 " 4,000 are said to be actually embarked. This 
 " is the latest authentic advice on the subject." 
 
 " Sheerness : Wednesday, May 31. 
 (By express.) 
 
 " Yesterday afternoon between the hours two 
 " and seven o'clock a part of the ships under the 
 " command of Admiral Duncan arrived at the 
 " Nore from Yarmouth Roads. . . . Immediately 
 " on their coming within hail of the other ships 
 " they expressed their approbation of their proceed- 
 " ings by loud cheers and by display of the red 
 " flag. It is supposed that the remainder of the 
 " fleet with the Admiral himself will be brought
 
 140 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 " to the Nore either this evening or to-morrow 
 " morning." 
 
 The ' Agamemnon,' the * Ardent,' the ' Leopard,' 
 and ' Isis,' after returning to Yarmouth Eoads, pro- 
 ceeded to the Nore, where they arrived on June 6. 
 The arrival of Admiral Duncan's ships raised the 
 mutinous fleet at the Nore to twenty-four sail. 
 
 In the meantime the Admiral was at sea and 
 had anticipated the order to make for the Texel : 
 
 " ' Venerable ' at Sea, 3oth May 9 A.M. 
 " Yarmouth N.N.W. 17 miles. 
 
 " Since my letter of yesterday His Majesty's 
 Ships ' Belliqueux,' ' Monmouth,' and * Eepulse ' 
 have left the Squadron and gone into Yarmouth 
 Eoads. As the wind is northerly I shall stand 
 over towards the Texel with the ships named in the 
 Margin" ('Venerable,' 'Adamant,' 'Agamemnon,' 
 1 Glatton,' ' Leopard,' ' Ardent,' ' Isis,' ' Garland,' 
 'Stork') "therefore any orders their Lordships 
 may have occasion to send me will find me on 
 my rendezvous or in shore of it." 
 
 " ' Venerable ' at Sea, June i, 1797. 
 
 "Texel, E.S.E. 17 leagues. 
 " Wind W.S.W. 
 
 " Since my letter of 3oth ult. all the squadron 
 left me except the ' Adamant,' ' Garland,' and 
 ' Stork ' Sloop, and I was joined by the ' Trent ' 
 yesterday. Nothing can be more orderly than the 
 crews of the ships with me. I looked into the 
 Texel last evening, and saw in the Eoad 14 
 sail of the line and 8 frigates with a number
 
 THE MUTINY 141 
 
 of other vessels amounting in the whole to 95. 1797 
 I shall continue to cruize on my rendezvous 
 until I receive further orders." 
 
 When the Admiral found himself off the Texel 
 with only one ship of fifty guns besides his own, 
 he quickly made up his mind what to do. " Vice- 
 " Admiral Onslow came on board the ' Venerable ' 
 " and suggested Leith Roads as a retreat of security 
 " against either an attack from the Texel or, what 
 " was infinitely more to be dreaded, the return of 
 " a detachment of the rebel fleet from the Nore. 
 " Admiral Duncan instantly declined entering into 
 " anv measure of this kind, and laughingly said captain 
 
 J Hotham's 
 
 " they would suppose he wanted to see his wife B ^ 1 a " 
 " and family and would charge him with being sketches 
 " home-sick." His plan was of a different kind. 
 The great duty with which he was charged was 
 to keep the Texel closed ; and, with ships or 
 without ships, that he intended to do. He sent g alfe ' 3 
 
 Naval 
 
 for Captain Hotham of the ' Adamant ' and Biography 
 ordered him to fight her until she sank, as he 
 intended to do with the * Venerable.' He then 
 mustered the ' Venerable's ' ship's company and 
 told them plainly what lay before them, in an 
 address of which only the substance is preserved ; 
 that the ' Venerable ' was to block the Texel, and 
 that "the soundings were such that his flag 
 " would continue to fly above the shoal water after 
 "the ship and company had disappeared"; and 
 that if she should survive this performance of her 
 duty in Dutch waters, she was then to sail to the 
 Nore and to reduce "those misguided men" to
 
 142 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 obedience. The ship's company replied, as was 
 their custom : they said that they understood him 
 and would obey his commands. 
 
 " On ist June the Admiral anchored the 
 " ' Venerable ' at the outer buoy of the Texel, 
 " having the * Adamant ' in company ; the 
 " Channel being so narrow as not to admit of 
 " more than one ship passing at a time. The 
 " crews were at their quarters three days and 
 
 " three nights Then the wind came 
 
 " round to the westward." 
 
 When the wind shifted out of the east the 
 greatest temptation to the Dutch fleet to come 
 out of the Texel was removed, and to that extent 
 the peril to the ' Venerable ' and the ' Adamant ' 
 became less. 
 
 Although the Admiral's position was critical, 
 there was to be found in the situation both con- 
 solation and encouragement. Of the four ships 
 which had remained faithful to his flag, three had 
 recently experienced his personal indignation. If, 
 however, he had had a severe altercation on board 
 the ' Venerable ' ; if he had very nearly fired into 
 the ' Trent ' ; if he had, in person and not without 
 violence, put down a rising on the * Adamant,' the 
 seamen owed him no grudge, and probably, as 
 Lord Spencer said, respected him the more. 
 After what had passed it was no slight compliment 
 to the ' Adamant ' that when on May 26 the 
 ' Nassau ' passed beyond control, the Admiral 
 directed Vice-Admiral Onslow to transfer his flag 
 to the ' Adamant.'
 
 THE MUTINY 143 
 
 The fourth ship, the ' Circe ' frigate, had been 1797 
 also rebellious, but greatly to the credit of Captain 
 Halket tand her officers, who afterwards received 
 the thanks of the Admiralty, she did not desert, 
 and never actually refused to do her duty. It 
 would appear from the statement of Lieutenant 
 Eichardson that the ' Circe ' mutinied while 
 cruising off the Texel, under the Admiral's 
 orders. 
 
 " Captain Halkett gave positive orders to A Tar of 
 
 the last 
 
 " shoot the first man who attempted to alter the ^ ar ' fe y 
 
 the Rev. 
 
 " course of the ship. For six days and nights he r ^ Arm - 
 
 " and Lieutenant Richardson sat back to back on 
 
 11 the deck, with a loaded carbine in hand and 
 
 " cocked pistols in their belts, issuing orders to 
 
 " the officers and the few men who remained 
 
 " dutiful. The mutineers had possession of the 
 
 " lower parts of the ships and watched every 
 
 " opportunity to gain entire power. After a week 
 
 " of awful suspense some ships were seen in 
 
 " detached portions coming to join the Admiral. 
 
 " Lieutenant Richardson, guessing at once that 
 
 " all was over at the Nore, sprang forward and 
 
 " with a cocked pistol at the head of the ring- 
 
 " leader (who was blustering on deck) dragged him 
 
 " below. The others gave way before the Captain 
 
 " and those who had been passive through intimi- 
 
 " dation, and ere assistance arrived everything 
 
 " was going on in the ' Circe ' as if nothing had 
 
 " occurred to ruffle the general harmony. No 
 
 " serious punishment was inflicted as the mal- 
 
 " contents had abstained from violence ; and the
 
 144 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 " certainty of an approaching engagement required 
 " the goodwill and hearty assistance of the 
 " seamen." 
 
 All the other ships having deserted, it only 
 remained to show how much one British ship of 
 74 guns, supported by a 5o-gun ship and two frigates, 
 could do against a whole fleet. 
 
 On June 3 Admiral Duncan again mustered the 
 ship's company of the ' Venerable,' lying at the 
 entrance to the Texel, from whom he was requiring 
 a great effort, and addressed them in a speech 
 which expressed in language rising almost to elo- 
 quence his own feeling of degradation as a British 
 Admiral, his trust in them, and his belief in the 
 future. He was no orator, but words become elo- 
 quent when they come direct from the heart. The 
 general draft of this address is written on a single 
 sheet of paper ; he added separately, on the back 
 of an envelope addressed to him by the Admiralty, 
 one pregnant sentence : " To be deserted by my 
 " fleet in the face of the enemy I may say is a 
 " disgrace never before, I believe, known by a 
 " British Admiral, nor could I have supposed it 
 " possible." 
 
 He said : 
 
 " My lads, I once more call you together with 
 " a sorrowful heart, from what I have lately seen 
 " the disaffection of the fleet : I call it disaffection, 
 " for the crews have no grievances. To be deserted 
 " by my fleet in the face of an enemy is a disgrace 
 " which, I believe, never before happened to a 
 " British admiral, nor could I have supposed it
 
 THE MUTINY 145 
 
 " possible. My greatest comfort, under God, is, '79? 
 " that I have been supported by the officers, 
 " seamen, and marines of this ship ; for which, 
 " with a heart overflowing with gratitude, I 
 " request you to accept my sincere thanks. I 
 " flatter myself much good may result from your 
 " example, by bringing those deluded people to a 
 " sense of the duty which they owe, not only to 
 " their king and country, but to themselves. The 
 " British navy has ever been the support of that 
 " liberty which has been handed down to us by our 
 " ancestors, and which I trust we shall maintain 
 " to the latest posterity ; but that can only be 
 " done by unanimity and obedience. This ship's 
 " company, and others which have distinguished 
 " themselves by their loyalty and good order, 
 " deserve to be, and doubtless will be, the favour- 
 " ites of a grateful country. They will also have, 
 " from their inward feelings, a comfort which must 
 " be lasting, and not like the fleeting and false confi- 
 " dence of those who have swerved from their duty. 
 " It has often been my pride, with you, to look into 
 " the Texel, and see a foe which dreaded coming 
 " out to meet us. My pride is now humbled 
 " indeed. My feelings are not easily to be ex- 
 " pressed. Our cup has overflowed and made us 
 " wanton. The all-wise Providence has given ua 
 " this check as a warning, and I hope we shall 
 " improve by it. On him then let us trust, where 
 " our only security can be found. I find there are 
 " many good men amongst us ; I have had full 
 " confidence in all in this ship, and once more beg 
 
 L
 
 146 THE MUTINY 
 
 !797 " to express my approbation of your conduct. 
 " May God, who has thus far conducted you, 
 " continue to do so ; and may the British navy, 
 " the glory and support of our country, be restored 
 " to its wonted splendour, and be not only the 
 " bulwark of Britain, but the terror of the world. 
 " But this can only be effected by a strict adher- 
 " ence to our duty and obedience ; and let us pray 
 " that Almighty God may keep us in the right way 
 " of thinking. God bless you all ! " 
 Raife's This address is said to have been delivered 
 
 rfaval 
 
 Biography w ith such impressiveness, and to have had such 
 " an effect upon the crew, that on retiring there 
 " was not a dry eye amongst them. With the 
 " two ships above named the Admiral proceeded 
 " off the Texel to watch the enemy's movements 
 " and by his signals and manoeuvres lulled the 
 " enemy into the belief that he was attended by 
 " several others in the offing. His situation was 
 " now become critical and embarrassing ; the 
 " enemy's squadron was daily expected out, and he 
 " had no fleet to oppose them. In this extremity, 
 " the determined spirit of Admiral Duncan was par- 
 " ticularly displayed ; the two ships were moored 
 " with springs on their cables at the outer buoy of 
 " the Texel ; and he not only resolved to keep 
 " up appearances, but to engage the enemy should 
 " he venture out. He knew the critical state of 
 " public affairs, that it required the most bold and 
 " decisive measures ; and whatever the result 
 " might have been, he determined to abide its 
 " issue."
 
 THE MUTINY 147 
 
 The signals and manoeuvres of the Admiral's 1797 
 
 two ships were recalled to him afterwards by 
 
 Lieutenant Brodie, who had been present in the 
 
 ' Eose ' cutter, in a letter written on February 26, 
 
 1 798. " You passed the Texel in sight of the 
 
 " Dutch Fleet with a Eed Flag, Bear Admiral at 
 
 " the Mizen, this was your First Squadron of two 
 
 " sail of the line : next day you appeared off the 
 
 " Texel with two private ships, the ' Venerable ' and 
 
 " ' Adamant ' with pendants only. This was two 
 
 " English Squadrons by the Dutch account. A few 
 
 " days after we were joined by the ' Eussel ' and 
 
 " ' Sanspareil,' when the wind came Easterly. Then 
 
 " the third Squadron of British ships came under 
 
 " their proper Admiral with Blue at the Main, and 
 
 " anchored in the mouth of the Texel, with four sail 
 
 " of the line, to block up sixteen or eighteen sail of 
 
 " the line, Frigates, etc., in all thirty-seven sail. It 
 
 " was then, my Lord, you confirmed your former 
 
 " mano3uvres by throwing out pendants to your 
 
 " ships or imaginary ships in the offing, for the 
 
 " Dutch believed all your Fleet to be there. The 
 
 " next day, my Lord, all was confirmed by an 
 
 " American Brig which I was sent to board, coming 
 
 " out of the Texel. The Master informed me that 
 
 " the Dutchmen positively asserted that the four 
 
 " ships were only come in there for a decoy, and 
 
 " that there was a large Fleet in the offing, as they 
 
 " saw the English Admiral making signals to them 
 
 " the evening he came to an anchor."
 
 148 THE MUTINY 
 
 " ' Venerable ' at Sea off the Texel. 
 " 4 or 5 leagues. 
 " 4th June, 10 A.M. 
 
 " Since my letter of 1st instant I have been 
 constantly off the Texel and the Dutch Fleet has 
 not made any apparent preparations for putting to 
 sea. I have ordered the ' Trent,' ' Stork,' and 
 ' Black Joke ' Lugger to watch their motions, and 
 intend standing over to the coast of England off 
 Yarmouth Eoads with the ' Venerable ' and 
 ' Adamant,' in order to meet any reinforcements 
 which may be coming to join me, and to receive 
 their Lordships' orders more expeditiously." 
 
 " ' Venerable ' at Sea, 5th June, 1797, 
 " Texel S.S.E., 5 leagues. 
 
 " His Majesty's ships ' Sanspareil ' and ' Eussell ' 
 joined me yesterday afternoon, and should the 
 wind come from the Eastwards and the enemy 
 put to sea, their Lordships may be assured every 
 exertion shall be used with the force I have, to 
 annoy them. I am in hourly expectation of being 
 joined by some more ships from Portsmouth which 
 I understand are ordered, and shall therefore make 
 my rendezvous from 5 to 7 leagues W.N.W. by 
 compass from the Texel for the present." 
 
 " ' Venerable ' at Sea, 6th June, 1797. 
 " Texel Island E.S.E. 6 miles. 
 
 " On the wind coming to the N.E. yesterday 
 afternoon I anchored with the 'Venerable,' 
 'Adamant,' 'Sanspareil,' 'Eussell,' 'Trent,' at the
 
 THE MUTINY 149 
 
 back of the South Hack Sand. The Dutch Fleet 1797 
 in the Texel remains in the same state as men- 
 tioned in my letter of ist instant." 
 
 " ' Venerable ' at Sea, loth June, 1797. 
 " Texel S.E. 10 miles. 
 
 " Sir Eoger Curtis with H.M. Ships, ' Prince,' 
 'Formidable,' 'Caesar,' 'Bedford,' 'Ganges,' 
 ' Grlatton,' joined me yesterday ; and last evening 
 wind N.B. by E. I stood in shore and observed the 
 enemy's fleet in the Texel in the same state as 
 when last seen. I transmit some intelligence which 
 I received from Lt. Brodie of the ' Eose ' Cutter 
 relative to the enemy's force in the Texel, also an 
 account of them taken by Captain Boorder of the 
 ' Espiegle ' and the Master of the ' Venerable.' ' 
 
 (Enclosure.) " ' Eose ' Cutter, 6 June, at Sea. 
 
 " Captain of American brig ' Eliza ' of Phila- 
 delphia informed me that it was reported at the 
 Texel that Admiral Winter had arrived there from 
 Paris yesterday ; that his orders were sealed and 
 not to be opened for a week ; that there were in the 
 Texel all manned and ready for sea 5 ships of 74 
 guns, 12 and 13, of 64 and 50 guns, besides frigates 
 and smaller vessels of war ; that there are 8 India 
 ships at the Texel as transports and 40 sail or 
 Merchants ships were taken up this week as 
 transports, and that about 3 weeks ago 80,000 
 French troops came into Holland and are quartered 
 at and near the Hague ; that this expedition is an
 
 150 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 entire secret in Holland, and that the merchants 
 say that if it does no other good it will keep the 
 British in motion, and that they say the English 
 have more men of war in the Offing; and the 
 Captain of this brig thinks they will not come to 
 sea while we remain here. He also says the Dutch 
 Fleet was ordered to sail the last Easterly winds, 
 but the sailors would not go till they had got their 
 pay which he says they have now got, and high 
 pay and bounty is given to tho&e who enter ; which 
 he says will be the only cause of their being well 
 manned. 
 
 (Sgd.) " J. M. BBODIE, 
 "Lieut." 
 
 (Enclosure in Admiral's Letter, loth June.} 
 
 " State of Dutch Fleet in Texel, 4 June 797. 
 
 " 1 6 large ships, 
 
 " 10 frigates and sloops 
 
 " 3 brigs and i cutter 
 
 " 3 flags and i broad pendant. 
 
 " ' 1'Espiegle,' 4 June 797. 
 
 " JAMES BOOBDEB." 
 
 " Men of War lying in Texel, 5 June 1797. 
 " In the Mars Deep. 
 
 " 1 6 sail of two-decked ships, 
 " 8 frigates 
 " 3 Brigs. 
 
 " In the New Deep. 2 Line of Battle ships viz.
 
 THE MUTINY 151 
 
 one with her main top sail unbent and the other i 797 
 with her top masts struck and no sails bent. 
 " 'Venerable,' 5 June, 
 
 " G. PATTEESON, Master." 
 
 " Agrees with what I saw myself. 
 
 " A. DUNCAN." 
 
 The Admiral wrote on June 4 that he would 
 stand over towards England, but for all that he 
 never quitted the Texel and the enemy. When he 
 said that he would be found " on his rendezvous or 
 " inshore of it," he meant in shore at the entrance 
 of the Texel, where he could make the best use of 
 his two ships if the Dutch fleet came out. He 
 ordered the ' Adamant ' and ' Circe ' to stand off, 
 and kept making signals to them as if his fleet was 
 in the Offing. In a few days Sir Koger Curtis 
 arrived and the most acute stage of the crisis was 
 past. The Dutch had neglected to seize their 
 opportunity ; they thought that there were more 
 British ships in the Offing, as there ought to have 
 been. If their information had been better, an 
 action unique in character would have been fought 
 at the entrance of the Texel; two ships of the 
 British Navy would have been destroyed, and two 
 fresh Admirals would have been required for the 
 North Sea Command. As events happened, a 
 British Admiral, finding himself in extreme diffi- 
 culties, decided to ignore them, and by dauntless 
 behaviour deceived the enemy, saved his ships and 
 the situation, and protected his country.
 
 152 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 All this time the First Lord of the Admiralty 
 
 did everything in his power, by sympathy and 
 praise, to encourage and stimulate Admiral Duncan. 
 
 (Private.) "Admiralty: 1st June, 1797. 
 
 " 6 P.M. 
 
 " I feel much for the very unpleasant situation 
 in which you are placed but I still hope by the 
 same firmness and good sense which has hitherto 
 distinguished your conduct you will be enabled to 
 keep the * Venerable ' and the other ship with you 
 right. We have sent down Sir Thomas Pasley 
 to Yarmouth to use his best endeavours to persuade 
 the misguided crews of the ships there to rejoin 
 you and return to their duty and we are hurrying 
 round all the ships we can get to move from 
 Portsmouth. The ' Sanspareil ' and ' Eussell ' are 
 already passed through the Downs and the 
 ' Bedford,' ' Caesar ' and ' Ganges ' will soon follow 
 them. To them we shall probably be able in a day 
 or two to add one or two more and you will then 
 be in a respectable state again and have it in your 
 power to show these rascals that you can do with- 
 out them." 
 
 (Private.) " Admiralty : 5th June, 1 797. 
 
 " Nothing can be more creditable than the spirit 
 and decision of your proceedings in the very 
 disagreeable situation in which the defection of 
 your squadron has placed you. I hope you will 
 before now have been joined by the ' Sanspareil ' 
 and ' Eussell,' and Sir Eoger Curtis with five more 
 is on his way in addition to them. Captain
 
 THE MUTINY 153 
 
 Trollope in the ' Glatton ' has also subdued the 
 disturbances on board that ship and reports her to 
 be in a state of obedience. Therefore I hope she 
 also will join you, and then even without the four 
 ships at Yarmouth who, I am sorry to say, seem 
 too much disposed to catch the contagion, you will 
 have it in your power to put a pretty good counte- 
 nance on the business if the Texel Fleet should 
 move. 
 
 " The people at the Nore continue very bad, 
 but I am in hopes that the steady and vigorous 
 measures which we are pursuing to show them 
 that we are not disposed to be got the better of, 
 will soon bring them to their senses. 
 
 " Yours etc. 
 " SPENCEE. 
 
 " P.S. I have to acknowledge the receipt of 
 your letters as follows, lyth, 26th, 27th, 28th, 3oth, 
 and 3oth May and ist June." 
 
 (Private.) "Admiralty: nth June, 1797. 
 
 " I have to acknowledge your two letters of 5th 
 and 8th instant and am happy to hear you made 
 so good a countenance with your 4 ships as to 
 keep the whole Dutch Fleet in awe. By this time 
 I conclude you have such a force as will most 
 effectually prevent their coming out, though I wish 
 they would that you might make an example of 
 them. 
 
 " Our business at the Nore is not yet quite 
 settled, though it begins to wear the appearance 
 of breaking up. The ' Eepulse,' ' Ardent ' and
 
 154 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 ' Leopard ' have quitted the rest and surrendered, 
 not without some conflict on board the latter, and 
 with a good deal of hostility from the other ships. 
 The ' Eepulse ' got aground between the Great and 
 Little Nore, and the * Monmouth's ' people were 
 desperate enough to keep up a heavy fire on her for 
 a considerable time in that situation. A Lieutenant 
 had his leg shot off, but there were no other men 
 wounded though the ship was damaged. 
 
 " We shall stand very firm to our point, and I 
 have no doubt of their giving way soon, but perhaps 
 not without some blood-shed. Some examples must 
 be made for the good of the service, and I trust 
 that in the end it may be got over without producing 
 such bad consequences as were at first to be appre- 
 hended. I fear from some hints I have received 
 (the particulars of which, when I get them, I will not 
 fail to communicate to you) that you have now got 
 with you one or two ships which contain a good 
 deal of mischief. If our enemy was only a little 
 more active it would be more likely to keep us 
 right than anything else I believe, but the business 
 of locking up a fleet at anchor, especially when all 
 that comes in or goes is neutral, is very flat work. 
 
 " I admire the sentiments of your last letter 
 and am very glad to find them among us at this 
 time of day ; I sincerely wish they were more 
 prevalent." 
 
 The Admiral wrote, still cruising off the 
 Texel :
 
 THE MUTINY 155 
 
 " Venerable ' at Sea, 
 
 " June 1 3th, 1797, Texel 
 " E. by N. 4 leagues. 
 
 " Eear Admiral Makaroff with his squadron 
 joined me yesterday according to your Lordship's 
 orders, to serve for the present under my command, 
 and offered to co-operate with me until the 25th 
 of this month. I have given him directions 
 accordingly, and am to request their Lordships 
 will be pleased to send me instructions whether I 
 am to detain him longer than the time above 
 mentioned. Whilst the enemy continue in such 
 numbers I trust their lordships will see the necessity 
 of my having numbers to repel them in the event 
 of their coming out." 
 
 In the meantime the Board of Admiralty had 
 displayed great vigour and spirit. 
 
 On May 29 Lord Spencer with two other 
 members of the Board met the Delegates at 
 Sheerness, and offered a free pardon on certain 
 conditions. Their terms being refused, the Board 
 entered into no further negotiations and deter- 
 mined to make no further concessions. It was 
 unfortunately at this critical time that Admiral 
 Duncan's ships had arrived at the Nore. 
 
 On June 14 Lord Spencer announced the final 
 break-up of the Mutiny at the Nore : 
 
 (Private.) "Admiralty: 14 June, 1797. 
 
 " I take this opportunity of acknowledging the 
 receipt of your letter of the 1 2th in order to have 
 the pleasure at the same time of announcing the
 
 156 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 approaching termination of the Mutiny at the 
 Nore in as desirable a manner as could under all 
 the circumstances be wished. In the course of 
 the last 48 hours most of the ships have one 
 after another dropped off and submitted them- 
 selves at discretion, and last night at length the 
 1 Sandwich ' herself unmoored, got under weigh 
 and ran into the Harbour with Parker and his 
 associates on board, who have all been taken into 
 custody and are now safely lodged in different 
 prisons. We shall lose no time in taking the 
 necessary steps for bringing him and the other dele- 
 gates etc. to justice, and I hope some examples will 
 be made in every ship concerned, by which means 
 alone we can flatter ourselves to restore anything like 
 order or discipline again. I wish the Dutch would 
 give you an opportunity of beating them without 
 the assistance of these scoundrels, but I fear there 
 are no hopes of their moving. In a few days we 
 shall I hope be able to send you out some ships 
 and frigates, but there must, be some purging and 
 purifying first. 
 
 " At the Trinity House dinner on Monday last 
 your health was drunk with universal applause. 
 Your firmness on this occasion has indeed most 
 deservedly ensured you the approbation of the 
 country. 
 
 " I have also to acknowledge your letter of the 
 loth. I hope the news I send to-day from the Nore 
 will tend to put a stop to all further grumblings 
 everywhere else. We hear from Admiral Pole 
 that great indignation has been excited in Lord
 
 THE MUTINY 157 
 
 Bridport's Fleet by the accounts they have re- 1797 
 ceived of the lengths to which the Fleet at the 
 Nore have gone." 
 
 On June 17 the Admiral joyfully acknowledged 
 the receipt of the good news : 
 
 " 'Venerable ' at Sea, June I7th, 
 " Texel in sight with wind at the North. 
 
 " Yesterday I had the pleasure to receive your 
 letter of the i4th acquainting me that the Mutiny 
 and Rebellion which have for some time past pre- 
 vailed amongst the crews of H.M. Ships at the Nore 
 have at length been suppressed, and that Richard 
 Parker with others of the ring-leaders were under 
 confinement in the garrison at Sheerness. I 
 immediately communicated the same to the ships 
 of the squadron. The Ship's Company of the 
 * Venerable ' expressed great satisfaction on the 
 occasion." 
 
 On August 24 the Admiralty returned the 
 thanks of the Board to the crews of the ' Venerable ' 
 and ' Adamant ' : 
 
 " I have their Lordships' commands to acquaint 
 " you that three of the Mutineers belonging to the 
 " * Saturn,' who were the most active in bringing 
 " that ship into Port, were executed on Monday last 
 " at Plymouth pursuant to the sentence of a Court 
 " Martial ; and to signify to you that in communi- 
 " eating this circumstance to the crews of the several 
 " ships under your command you are to inform the 
 " Officers and Crews of His Majesty's Ships
 
 158 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 " ' Venerable ' and ' Adamant ' that their Lordships 
 " have seen with the greatest satisfaction their 
 " good conduct during the late outrageous mutiny, 
 " and that it reflects the highest honour on them 
 " that, while so many ships seduced by the acts of 
 " some wicked men, deserted their Admiral and 
 " returned into Port, leaving their country exposed 
 " to the risk of being invaded by her enemies, the 
 " ' Venerable ' and ' Adamant,' steady and deter- 
 " mined in the discharge of their duty, and resisting 
 " all attempts of others to induce them to follow 
 " their bad examples, went, with cheerful obedience 
 " to their Officers' orders, to block up the enemy's 
 " ships." 
 
 In looking back upon the Mutiny at the Nore, 
 it must be admitted that there is much to be said 
 on the side of the seamen. They had undoubtedly 
 good reason to complain of their treatment in 
 several particulars. Many of them had been 
 pressed and were serving in the fleet against their 
 will : their pay was small and frequently in arrear : 
 the whole system of provisioning the ships was 
 most unsatisfactory : leave depended entirely on 
 the will of the individual officer in command, and 
 some officers were unreasonable and harsh, and 
 even guilty of oppression and tyranny. 
 
 Many of their petitions w^ere entirely free from 
 objection. What, for instance, can be said against 
 either the terms or the spirit of the following 
 petition of the crew of the ' Nassau ' ?
 
 THE MUTINY 159 
 
 " ' Nassau,' Yarmouth Roads : 18 May, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, Enclosed is an address from the com- 
 pany of His Majesty's Ship * Nassau ' which you 
 will be pleased to lay before my Lords Commis- 
 sioners of the Admiralty, I having acquainted 
 Admiral Duncan with it who desired me to 
 forward the same. I have much satisfaction in 
 saying they are a very orderly and obedient ship's 
 company. 
 
 " I am, etc. 
 
 " EICHAED ONSLOW. 
 
 " To Evan Nepean." 
 
 " Address of ' Nassau's ' to V. A. Richard Onslow, 
 
 1 8 May, 1797. 
 " On board H.M.S. ' Nassau ' off Yarmouth." 
 
 " The humble address of the aforesaid ship's 
 " company humbly sheweth that from a due sense 
 " of your accustomed clemency and goodness, and 
 " being fully assured that your main object has 
 " always been as much as possible to remove every 
 " inconvenience attending not only your own ship's 
 " company but all those under your command, 
 " therefore actuated by the hope of obtaining re- 
 " dress from your Honour's hands and through 
 " your influence, we the aforesaid Ship's company 
 " do thus humbly beg leave to submit to your 
 " perusal a statement of the present grievances we 
 " labour under. Having had nineteen months' 
 " wages due to the ship and being in general in 
 " want of almost every article of wearing apparel 
 " that may conduce to render our lives comfortable
 
 160 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 " in this situation of life, we flatter ourselves to 
 " think your Honour will be kind enough to take 
 " the same into consideration and remedy that 
 " inconvenience by obtaining leave from the Board 
 " of Admiralty for a Commissioner to come to this 
 " Port if it be not convenient to have the ship 
 " ordered to a King's Port when she might be 
 " paid. Your Honour's compliance with the above 
 " requisition shall for ever be acknowledged with 
 " thanks and we as in duty bound shall always be 
 " found conformable to our duty." 
 
 Numerous instances might be quoted to show 
 that the ships were paid very irregularly. On 
 September 22, 1797, the Admiralty wrote to say 
 " that the ' Nautilus ' had sixteen months' pay due, 
 " and was to be relieved as soon as possible." On 
 August 8, 1797, the captain of the 'Seagull' 
 " represented that she had not been paid since 
 " June 1796." 
 
 If even the most mutinous of the proclamations 
 are read, it will be found that the seamen usually 
 declared themselves at all times ready to fight 
 against the enemies of the country. They had the 
 strongest aversion to being regarded as mutineers. 
 They presented a strange mixture of discipline and 
 disobedience. While in some respects they had 
 taken the command out of the hands of the officers, 
 in other respects they laid down that the orders of 
 the officers were to be strictly obeyed. Subjoined 
 are literal copies of the mutineers' reports of their
 
 THE MUTINY l6l 
 
 proceedings in Yarmouth Eoads, after deserting 1797 
 the Admiral : 
 
 "At a Meeting of the Committee from the 
 " different ships belonging to Admiral Duncan's 
 " Fleet returned to Yarmouth Eoads, on board His 
 " Majesty's Ship the * Isis,' Eobert Watson, Esq. 
 " Commander, on the 3ist day of May, 1797. 
 
 " Eesolved that as the ships so returned have 
 " every wish for the general good so they would 
 " wish to act with that oeconomy which men in our 
 " critical situation should do, that every obedience 
 " must be paid to the Officers in command when 
 " the ships duty is required, so that they may be 
 " convinced and the country at large of these our 
 " unanimous exertions for the safety of the ships 
 " under their command. 
 
 " Eesolved, that the Delegates of the Ships 
 " returned have had a meeting this day on which 
 " it was determined that a certain number of men 
 " should be appointed from each ship, not exceed- 
 " ing four, that the said men should apply to their 
 " respective Captains that they should order a 
 " Cutter to be appointed to carry the said Delegates 
 " round to the Nore, to the intent they may 
 " enquire into the reason or cause, why the said 
 " ships deserted the Fleet, that if the said ships, 
 " when the grievances subsisting among them are 
 " redressed ; are ready and willing to return and 
 " join the Admiral, and convince him and our 
 " countrymen, that when they are pleased to call 
 " us forth in defence of our country against the 
 
 M
 
 1 62 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 " common Enemy, they will ever find us behave 
 " as becomes the character of British Seamen. 
 
 " Eesolved that it may be represented to the 
 " Captain and Officers, that the Delegates so 
 " appointed, are not to be understood as ring- 
 " leaders of a Mutinous Assembly, but as men 
 " appointed by the majority of each ship's company, 
 " in order to prevent confusion and obtain as 
 " speedy a regularity of affairs as possible. 
 
 " Eesolved that no liquor shall be admitted 
 " into the ship, for the use of the ship's company 
 " and that no person do presume to drink more 
 " than the allowance allowed him by the 
 " ship. 
 
 " Articles to be strictly observed and sworn to by 
 the Ship's Company. 
 
 1. "As the Delegates are chosen by the ship's 
 " company, we are to support them and firmly 
 " maintain whatever they shall think proper or 
 " see necessary to be done on this occasion. 
 
 2. "If any person is caught in liquor, or 
 " buying or selling the same from each other, 
 " shall be severely punished till everything is 
 " settled by the Delegates. 
 
 3. " Every person is strictly to attend to his 
 " duty in there several stations and obey every 
 " lawful command of any Officer, on pain of being 
 " severely punished. 
 
 4. " No person whatever, officers excepted, 
 " shall be allowed to go out of the ship on any 
 " pretence whatever, nor any women to go out but
 
 THE MUTINY 163 
 
 " as many to come in as chuses. N.B. Boats 
 " crews excepted when on duty. 
 
 5. " There shall be no quarrelling or fighting 
 " amongst ourselves on any pretence whatever, 
 " on pain of being severely punished. 
 
 6. " Any person found guilty of breaking 
 " any of these articles, shall be punished with 
 " the almost rigour by the ship's company. 
 
 " ' Agamemnon,' the 3oth of May, 1797." 
 
 " At a Meeting of a Committee from the dif- 
 " ferent ships belonging to Admiral Duncan's 
 " Fleet returned into Yarmouth Eoads on 
 " board H.M.S. 'Agamemnon,' May 3ist, 1797. 
 
 " Eesolved that the ships returned have every 
 " wish for the general good so that they should 
 " wish to behave with respect which men in our 
 " critical situation should do, every obedience 
 " shall be paid to the Officers in command when 
 " the duty of the ships is requested so that they 
 " may be convinced and our country at large of 
 " these unanimous exertions for the safety of ships 
 " under their command. 
 
 " Eesolved that the Delegates of the ships 
 " returned had a meeting this day on which they 
 " agreed that a certain number of men should be 
 " appointed for each ship not exceeding four, they 
 " the said men should apply to their respective 
 " Captains to send a Cutter to the Nore with them 
 " for the purpose of enquiring the reason why the 
 " said ships deserted the fleet, that when the said 
 " ships' grievances are redressed we are ready 
 
 H 2
 
 1 64 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 " and willing to join the Admiral and convince 
 " him and our country when we are called forth 
 " in defence of a common enemy they will find 
 " us behave with that caracter which British 
 " seamen are renoun'd for. May it be represented 
 " to the Captains and Officers that the Delegates 
 " so appointed are not ringleaders of a Mutinous 
 " Assembly but as men appointed by the majority 
 " of each ship's company in order to prevent 
 " confusion and obtain a speedy regulation of 
 " affairs as soon as possible." 
 
 The following document is addressed to " Mr. 
 " Thomas Barnes, Chief Botswain's Mate, on 
 " board H.M. Ship ' Adamant,' Yarmouth Eoads." : 
 
 " The Outlines of y e Articles of H. M. Ships 
 " ' Belliqueux,' * Montague,' ' Standard,' ' Mun- 
 " mouth,' and ' Adamant.' 
 
 1. " That no disafection be shown to any 
 " officer what somever. 
 
 2. " That if any officer of officers should behave 
 " (him) themselves in a cruel or oppressive manner 
 " unbecoming the character of a British Officer by 
 " calling a magority of Delegates shall be acted 
 " according as their Judgement best directs. 
 
 3. " That no assembly what somever shall 
 " conveen in the Gaily after nine at night where 
 " there might be any reason of suspecting that a 
 " mutinous or disorderly mind reigned in us more 
 " than our ship-mates at Spithead to maintain
 
 THE MUTINY 165 
 
 " which we here pledge ourselves (unanimous) by i 797 
 " oath one and all. 
 
 4. " That no aclamations or noises or any 
 " expressions such as Grog be used and that good 
 " order and strict dissipline be carried on untill 
 " this business is over. 
 
 5. " That one ship is strictly to look into each 
 " others Gravances, and if possible to remidy on 
 " them directly. 
 
 6. " That directly the above measures is put in 
 " execution above every thing sobriety is to be 
 " observed and that proper people are to be 
 " appointed to prevent the same from coming on 
 " board. 
 
 7. " That no person is to be admitted on to or 
 " from any ship in the fleet without liberty being 
 " asked and obtained from the Delegates. And 
 " that they are to flay to their respective duties 
 " directly the Botswain pipes. 
 
 8. " That as many women may come on board 
 " as please, none to go on shore unless in a bad stat 
 " of health and no hopes of recovery. 
 
 9. " That a rope shall be rove at each yard arm 
 " to hang the first man who shall seem to object, 
 " this after being put in execution and being fully 
 " resolved should the fleet agree never to start an 
 " anchor untill all and every of our grivances be 
 " redressed." 
 
 The above articles were addressed to the Chief 
 Boatswain's Mate of the 'Adamant,' and, pre- 
 sumably, were passed on to the Admiral, amongst
 
 1 66 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 whose papers they are preserved. The mutineers 
 apparently assumed that the ' Adamant ' would 
 return with the other ships to Yarmouth Koads. 
 
 Although Admiral Duncan allowed no expression 
 of sympathy to escape him in the presence of the 
 seamen, he had for long been making representa- 
 tions of various kinds on their behalf. On April 8, 
 1795, in the earliest days of his command in 
 the North Sea, he wrote to the Admiralty : "As 
 " the service on which His Majesty's ships under 
 " my command will be employed, will probably not 
 " admit of their being often in port, their companies 
 " will of course be seldom supplied with fresh 
 " provisions. I therefore think it would much 
 " tend to the preservation of their health could 
 " they be sometimes furnished with fresh fish, for 
 " which purpose I beg leave to suggest to their 
 " Lordships the propriety or ordering such ships as 
 " they may judge proper to be supplied with a 
 " trawl and a proportion of lines and hooks." 
 
 A little later he was making arrangements at 
 the Admiralty about tobacco. 
 
 On June 8, 1795, he wrote asking for wine for 
 the sick, and for a regular allowance of lemon juice 
 and sugar for the ships' companies. 
 
 There are among his papers more than one 
 scheme for improving the organisation of the ships, 
 usually written on small pieces of paper. One of 
 these is written on the spare leaves of " the Log of 
 " H.M. ' Niger ' from July i to July 14, 1797." It 
 begins by limiting the number of lashes that may 
 be given by court-martial. " Grog should be
 
 THE MUTINY" l6/ 
 
 " served in all ships with the same number of 1797 
 " waters. No stopping of grog but for drunkenness 
 " or by the Surgeon's desire, those stopped by desire 
 " of the surgeon to be paid in money. Young 
 " persons under 15 to have half allowance of 
 " liquor. Porter, in my opinion, would be better 
 " than small beer and cheaper to Government. 
 " Provisions of all kinds to be served as agreeably 
 " as possible. The rating of the ship's company to 
 " be much attended to. Midshipmen and young 
 " gentlemen to be put on such a footing as not to 
 " interfere with the ship's company. If women 
 " are allowed to be carried to sea the numbers 
 " should be fixed and an allowance of provisions 
 " for them. No particular men for sweepers, hold- 
 " men, or otherwise, but all to take their turn at 
 " dirty work of certain descriptions ; that is to say 
 " landsmen, and ordinary seamen. More Petty 
 " Officers should be made. The times and 
 " numbers allowed to be on leave to be regulated 
 " as near in every ship as possible. A severe 
 " penalty for selling liquor. Profane swearing to 
 " be discouraged as much as possible and punished 
 " agreeable to the old custom of the Navy. Divine 
 " service to be more attended to. Tobacco and 
 " soap to be served. To be regular payments 
 " wherever their ship is, and particularly abroad. 
 " A more equal distribution of prize money. Boys 
 " to have but half prize money. Public Agents 
 " for prizes to be established. As agents now are, 
 " it is one of the greatest grievances seamen have. 
 " Could the Chaplain also be schoolmaster it would
 
 1 68 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 " be a good thing. As to pressing, if possible 
 " should be put an end to, only in emergency. A 
 " Naval Militia to be abolished. A good body of 
 " Marines always to be kept up, and a large 
 " proportion in every ship ; also Marine Gunners. 
 " Pursers should be employed not only to attend to 
 " Provisions but all the stores of the ship, under 
 " the inspection of the Captain," etc., etc. 
 
 All such matters as the above he was earnestly 
 pressing on the attention of the Government at 
 the time the Mutiny broke out. Mr. Henry 
 Dundas wrote on May 15, 1797 : " My dear Sir, 
 " This return in the Mutiny of the Fleet has kept 
 "us so constantly in hurry and agitation that I 
 " have never been able to acknowledge the receipt 
 " of your letter. I need not enter into a detailed 
 " discussion of the particulars you suggest for the 
 " further satisfaction of the Navy. I concur in 
 " opinion with you on all the particulars and would 
 " long since have taken some steps relative to the 
 " more speedy and just distribution of prize money, 
 " but I have always understood that it was very 
 " adverse to the wishes of the Officers of the Navy 
 " to give up their Prize Agents ; and without that 
 " being done, it is impossible to make any bene- 
 " ficial regulation." 
 
 A man who could see the Seamen's side of the 
 question so clearly had a great advantage when 
 dealing with the Mutiny. Much as Admiral 
 Duncan resented the conduct of the sailors, he 
 could not but feel that they were not altogether to 
 blame. Perhaps this was the reason that he never
 
 THE MUTINY 169 
 
 lost his temper in dealing with the mutinous ships. 1797 
 Looking, as he did, on the Seamen as his children, 
 he could not feel harshly towards them ; and he 
 would not even admit to himself or to the Admiralty 
 that he could not keep order, when he must have 
 known in his heart that mutiny was inevitable. 
 
 His conduct, applauded as it was by the 
 Government and the country, has not altogether 
 escaped criticism. It has been said that " the ^renton's 
 
 Naval His- 
 
 " Admiral who, remarkable for uniting in his own tory > voL ' 
 " person the most undaunted courage with the 
 " most benevolent heart, forgave the mutineers on 
 " the ' Venerable,' would have done better to inflict 
 " speedy and exemplary punishment." 
 
 What were the circumstances of the moment ? 
 Every ship at Portsmouth, at the Nore, and at 
 Yarmouth was steeped in discontent and mutinous 
 feeling, arising in great part, as the Admiral well 
 knew, from neglect of the comforts and want of 
 sympathy with the interests of the seamen. 
 
 He went boldly into the very middle of the 
 mutiny, and his presence had a very important 
 effect. It was well known to the men that if 
 he reasoned with them and behaved calmly, it 
 was not because he was afraid of them. If any 
 insult or opposition had been offered to his flag, 
 it is probable that, as he said on board the 
 ' Adamant,' he would have himself put to death 
 the first mutineer, which he might have been able 
 to do with impunity, because he was personally 
 popular and was a British Admiral. But if at that 
 time he had ordered any mutineers to be hanged,
 
 1 70 THE MUTINY 
 
 1797 it is doubtful whether any ship's company would 
 have obeyed. More probably a general rising 
 of the fleet against the officers would have en- 
 sued, with consequences even more serious than 
 what actually occurred. Though he was unable to 
 extinguish the mutiny, he controlled it to a certain 
 extent wherever he went, and, most important 
 of all, he never relaxed the blockade of the 
 Texel. 
 
 Mr. Pitt said afterwards that the best service 
 which Admiral Duncan ever performed for the 
 country was in respect of the Mutiny at the Nore. 
 A moment's reflection will show that Mr. Pitt was 
 quite right. If, in the outset, the Admiral had 
 surrendered his influence and allowed his flag to 
 be hauled down, there would have been no 
 semblance of British authority in the North Sea. 
 Again, when his squadron deserted on the way to 
 the Texel, the temptation was great to make one 
 of two enormous mistakes. He might either 
 have ret/urned to England to seek reinforcements ; 
 or, in the anger and shame of the moment, he 
 might have applied himself to the task of seeking 
 out his ships at the Nore and forcing them to 
 return to their duty. To attempt to blockade the 
 Dutch fleet with one seventy-four-gun and one 
 fifty-gun ship seemed at first sight to be the act 
 of a madman. His instinct, however, directed him, 
 and directed him rightly, to play the bold game. 
 To acknowledge his impotence and to retreat was 
 to bring upon the shores of Great Britain certain 
 dangers of uncertain magnitude. Moreover, the
 
 THE MUTINY 171 
 
 bold game was the game which he preferred and 1797 
 the game which he knew best how to play. He 
 trusted to the Admiralty to do their part to 
 collect and send assistance from home ; but he 
 made their part easier by letting them know that 
 under any circumstances the ' Venerable ' and 
 'Adamant ' would control the Texel as long as 
 they were able to float. 
 
 Too much praise also cannot be bestowed on 
 the Admiralty for their behaviour throughout the 
 Mutiny. Admitting that at the outset they were 
 insufficiently informed of the pressing necessity 
 for meeting the seamen's demands, they at once 
 put aside all feelings of false pride and conceded to 
 the ships at Spithead what they believed to be 
 right. In regard to the Nore, although in the 
 first instance the Board refused to grant an 
 interview to the Delegates at Sheerness, they 
 wisely altered their decision. When, however, 
 their concessions and offers of pardon were 
 rejected, Lord Spencer rightly gave up all notion 
 of further compromise, and threw himself upon the 
 spirit and good sense of the country. Immedi- 
 ately public spirit revived and the Mutiny began 
 to fade away. 
 
 It will always remain a wonder, but it is 
 nevertheless a fact, that the Mutiny at the Nore 
 and the obliteration for the moment of the North 
 Sea Fleet left unaffected Great Britain's control 
 of the Channel and of the North Sea.
 
 172 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 CHAPTEE VI 
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPEBDOWN, OCTOBER II, 1797 
 
 1797 ADMIRAL DUNCAN'S cruise off the Texel was destined 
 to continue for no less than nineteen weeks ; and 
 indeed his recent experience of the Home Ports 
 was not such as to make him desirous of returning. 
 For the discipline of the ships it was important to 
 keep them at sea; and apart from all questions 
 connected with the British Squadron, the informa- 
 tion from Dutch sources continued to indicate the 
 probability of an early expedition. Captain 
 Boorder, of the ' Espiegle ' sloop, reported that 
 " 1 1,000 French troops are embarked in ships now 
 " lying in the Texel, and 25,000 more are em- 
 " barked in different vessels in the Pampus (an 
 " anchorage close by) ready to drop down and join 
 " them. The idea in general is that the Fleet are 
 " so very averse to putting to sea that they will 
 " not do it unless forced by the French Army, and 
 " have threatened that if they are, they will not 
 " fight." 
 
 On June 13, Eear Admiral Makaroff, with the 
 Eussian ships ' Peter,' ' Philip,' ' Europe,' ' Archi- 
 pelago ' and ' Despatch ' brigs, joined. 
 
 On June 17 the Admiral was informed that 
 " the Mutiny at the Nore having now been happily
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPEBDOWN 173 
 
 " suppressed, measures will be taken for increasing 1797 
 " the force under your orders." 
 
 The threatened expedition did not take place, 
 but the rumours continued of invasion from the 
 Texel, and also from the French Channel Ports. 
 
 (Private.) "Admiralty: 26 June, 1797. 
 
 " I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of 
 the i yth and 2ist, and I am glad to have it in my 
 power to acquaint you that the proceedings on the 
 subject of the late Mutiny seem to be taking the 
 turn we could wish them to do. All Parker's trial is 
 not yet over but the evidence on his prosecution 
 (which is closed) has been so strong that I do not 
 think it possible for him to make any thing of his 
 defence, which is to take place to-day. Two of the 
 ringleaders on board the ' Poupe"e ' will be hanged 
 in two or three days ; there were 4 condemned, 
 but the Court thought fit to recommend two of 
 them to mercy on the ground of their having been 
 misled. 
 
 " I wish I could flatter myself that there was a 
 chance of the Dutch coming out to meet you ; we 
 have lately had a good deal of intelligence from 
 the Hague, Piotterdam etc. of the preparations for 
 embarking troops for an expedition to take place 
 about this time, but your appearance will be an 
 effectual check upon them. 
 
 " I have not time for more at present but that 
 I am dear Sir with great regard 
 
 " Yours etc. 
 
 " SPENCEB.
 
 174 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 " P.S. Just as I finished the above I got your 
 
 letter of the 23rd and am much obliged to you 
 for the intelligence it contains ; it looks a little 
 like their meaning to do something, but I am 
 inclined to believe that Brodie's account with 
 respect to their manning and equipment is well- 
 founded." 
 
 (Private.) "Admiralty: 14 July, 1797. 
 
 July " I write chiefly for the purpose of acknowledg- 
 
 ing the receipt of your letters of the 25th and 3oth 
 ult. and the yth instant, not having any thing 
 very particular to say in answer to them. I agree 
 with you in regretting that so many ships trading 
 under false pretences should slip through your 
 fingers, and I know only one way of putting a stop 
 to it, which would be to declare Amsterdam in a 
 state of blockade, a measure which if earlier taken 
 might probably have been very proper and advis- 
 able, but I doubt whether I should recommend it 
 under all the circumstances existing at this 
 moment. I also agree with you in doubting whether 
 the French are likely to attack Hamburgh by sea 
 when they may so easily accomplish it (if they 
 please) by land ; holding out this is their object is 
 now probably a feint, when their real intention (if 
 they come out) is to make an attempt upon some 
 part of Great Britain or Ireland. I have very little 
 doubt but that they have something in contempla- 
 tion of importance, and some circumstances which 
 have come to my knowledge lately (though they 
 are of a nature which I cannot now distinctly
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 175 
 
 point out) confirm me in that opinion. Our 1797 
 accounts however do not lead me to think that 
 their armament will be very formidable, and if it 
 be true, as it is now stated, that the French Troops 
 are not to make part of it, we have reason to 
 think that a great part of those who will be to 
 compose it are not very well affected to their pre- 
 sent system." 
 
 On June 23 the Kussian ships, being ordered 
 home, parted company, Eear Admiral Makaroff 
 writing to Admiral Duncan : " Your Excellency's 
 " letter of thanks binds me to you feelingly with 
 " gratitude I cannot express. Your thanks for my 
 " poor services done in the service of His Britannic 
 " Majesty will remain indelibly stamped on my 
 " mind." 
 
 It is interesting to read what was occurring 
 inside the Texel at the end of June, as described 
 by the Irish patriot Wolfe Tone in his Journal. 
 At this time he himself had gone to the Hague, 
 and immediately afterwards General Hoche arrived. 
 General Hoche informed Wolfe Tone : " The 
 " Governor General Daendels and Admiral de 
 " Winter by the most indefatigable pains have got 
 " together at the Texel sixteen sail of the line and 
 " eight or ten frigates all ready for sea and in the 
 " best condition. The object they have in view is 
 " the invasion of Ireland." 
 
 Soon afterwards a dispute arose as to whether the 
 French General or the Dutch Admiral was to have 
 the command of this expedition, and finally General 
 Hoche waived his pretensions to the command and
 
 1 76 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 I797 returned to Paris. He was in delicate health, and 
 died at Wetzlar on September 18 following. 
 
 The troops embarked early in July, but the 
 wind proved unfavourable ; Wolfe Tone records in 
 his Journal : 
 
 July 19." Wind foul still." 
 
 July 26. " I am to-day eighteen days on board, 
 " and we have not had eighteen minutes of fair 
 "wind." 
 
 Towards the middle of August, Admiral De 
 Winter pointed out to Tone that " Duncan's fleet 
 " had increased to seventeen sail of the line and 
 " that the Dutch troops, so long pent-up on ship- 
 " board, had consumed nearly all the provisions. 
 " It would be necessary to relinquish the expedi- 
 " tion to Ireland." 
 
 To return to the blockading Squadron. On 
 July 10 the ' Nancy ' cutter had been sent into the 
 Texel under a flag of truce with a letter to Admiral 
 De Winter about some fishing vessels which had 
 been captured, and her master, Mr. Terence O'Neill, 
 reported on returning that " the men of war in the 
 " Texel appeared to be in very good order and to 
 " be well manned, and that all their sails were bent 
 " and perfectly ready for sea except the three 
 " Frigates." His report is interesting as showing 
 the courtesy of the Dutch Admiral and the un- 
 popularity of the war among the Dutch Officers. 
 
 " ' Nancy ' off the Texel : July 13, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, I most respectfully beg leave to inform 
 you that agreeable to the orders I received from
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 177 
 
 Captain Dacres, I proceeded on the tenth instant 
 into the Harbour of the Texel the wind dying away 
 when within two or three miles of the Dutch fleet 
 I proceeded with the necessary Flags in the Boat 
 leaving proper instructions with the Master of the 
 Cutter. Being met by a Boat from the Flag ship I 
 proceeded in her on board, and delivered the English 
 letter to his Excellency Admiral De Winter. He 
 received me with the greatest attention but he not 
 perfectly understanding certain parts of the English 
 letter I delivered the French one, Captain Dacres 
 having previously explained to me that their 
 contents were the same. Admiral De Winter 
 informed me that it would be necessary to forward 
 the letter to the Court and it might be two or more 
 days before I received an answer. I was then sent 
 on board the Cutter in the Admiral's barge, a Dutch 
 Officer attending, who brought us up about half a 
 mile from the shore and a mile ahead of the 
 Admiral. The Officer having noticed the smallness 
 of the cutter asked me how long I had commanded 
 her. I replied about three hours, and he having 
 stayed below three hours I was obliged to apologize 
 for having nothing to ask him to. At ten o'clock 
 the same night I could not be but much surprised 
 at the return of the same officer with a couple of 
 hampers with Admiral De Winter's compliments 
 and he had sent me some refreshments and at the 
 same time to request me on my honour that 
 neither the boat nor people might be suffered to go 
 on shore nor any boats from the shore to come 
 alongside to which I very readily assented. At 
 
 N
 
 178 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 2 A.M. a Brig anchored close alongside of us and at 
 10 A.M. the Captain came on board and informed 
 me that he was sent by the Admiral to know if I 
 wanted anything and to offer me accommodation in 
 the Brig during my stay in the Texel. These offers 
 with the necessary compliments I declined suppos- 
 ing my stay would be very short. I however 
 drank tea with him that evening and I dined with 
 him and a large party of Officers the next day. The 
 Officers expressed their hopes of a speedy peace and 
 by their conversation appeared very averse to the 
 war. They however speak very highly of their 
 Force and they have great confidence in it. I do 
 myself the honor of enclosing for your inspection 
 the number of ships and their classes as clearly as 
 I could make out and also the force of the Batteries 
 within my observation and I beg to remark that 
 as far as I could observe there were not the smallest 
 symptoms of transports fitting out or collecting for 
 troops of which there is said to be a great number 
 on shore. On the i2th at 6 P.M. I received the 
 answer to the letter I had the honour to deliver 
 from you with permission to depart. I immedi- 
 diately got under weigh but the wind dying away 
 I was obliged to bring up abreast of Kickdown Hill 
 for the night. At 3.30 A.M. we again got under 
 weigh with a light air from the East and proceeded 
 with all expedition to join the fleet. I have taken 
 the liberty to trouble you with a minute detail of 
 my proceedings conceiving it to be necessary on 
 this occasion to acquaint you with every circum- 
 stance. Should my conduct on the service you
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 179 
 
 have been pleased to employ me upon merit your 1797 
 approbation, it will ever be remembered as an honor 
 by him who is with the greatest respect your 
 obedient and very humble servant, 
 
 " TEEENCE O'NEILL. 
 
 " Admiral Duncan, etc., etc., etc. 
 
 " List of the Ships lying in the Harbour of the 
 Texel. July nth 1797. 
 
 Flags. 
 
 One Admiral 
 One Vice-Admiral 
 Two Kear- Admirals." 
 
 5 seventy-fours 
 8 sixtys 
 
 6 fiftys 
 4 fortys 
 
 8 Frigates 
 2 ship sloops 
 4 brigs. 
 
 Admiral De Winter's answer was as courteous 
 as his treatment of Mr. O'Neill : 
 
 " On board the Eepublican Ship ' Liberty ' 
 in Texel Roads n July, 1797 3rd year 
 of Bataviaa Liberty. 
 
 " Sir, According to the promise I made you 
 I take the first opportunity to send back to you 
 your Officer and your vessel with the Flag of Truce. 
 I did not think it proper to detain her till an 
 answer could be received from the French Govern- 
 ment, on account of the length of time it will take ; 
 but the Batavian Government has requested them 
 to give the most severe orders against molesting 
 any of the English Fishing vessels. 
 
 " It is with satisfaction that I announce to you 
 that my Government has issued these orders ; and 
 
 K2
 
 l8o THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 that it is their Instructions that Fishing Vessels are 
 not to be molested either by their men of war or 
 Privateers. I shall take care as I have always 
 done, that their orders be faithfully observed, and 
 I have no doubt but that you Sir, on your part will 
 continue to do what is in your power to prevent 
 the detaining of Fishing vessels of every description, 
 as well as Pilot Boats. You know better than any 
 person that vessels of the kind can be noways 
 dangerous ; and to act against them, would not 
 only have the effect of ruining the poor proprietors 
 who are but little disposed to the war, but also 
 hurt a great number of Foreign Merchants who 
 send their vessels on our Coasts and into our 
 Harbours. 
 
 " Persuaded as I am that you are animated 
 with the sentiments of Justice and Humanity^ 
 which you have expressed in your former letter, I 
 hope you will endeavour to cause to be released the 
 Fishing and Pilot vessel ' The Sloop,' Master Henry 
 Janson Kolder, taken on the 1 3 March by the Excise 
 Yacht the ' Eoyal George ' and carried into Leith, 
 where they have detained the vessel (a copy of the 
 condemnation of which I now send you) although 
 they have set the people at liberty. Since writing 
 the above I have received your letter by Captain 
 Ruysen, and I hasten to finish this not to detain 
 your cutter longer. Assuring you of my respect 
 and esteem 
 
 " Health and respect 
 
 WINTER."
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN l8l 
 
 The Admiral wrote on July 18 to the 1797 
 Admiralty : 
 
 "'Venerable' at Sea, Texel east 15 miles. 
 " Intelligence received yesterday that the Dutch 
 " fleet were unmoored, intending to put to sea with 
 " thirty thousand troops embarked in Transports 
 " and in their ships of war and that a French 
 " general had arrived that day and was saluted on 
 " going on board the fleet. We distinctly heard 
 " them salute. Their Lordships being in posses- 
 " sion of their number and force, must know how 
 " inadequate the force I have is to theirs, and 
 " although I have no doubt of giving a very good 
 " account of them in the event of an action, yet 
 " from their great '.superiority of numbers their 
 " Frigates and Transports may proceed on their 
 " intended expedition without my being able to 
 " prevent it." 
 
 The westerly winds which so much annoyed 
 Wolfe Tone were now blowing. The blockading 
 squadron was much incommoded, but remained on 
 its station as well as circumstances would permit. 
 The ships were revictualled from transports at sea ; 
 and very difficult it was, and at times impossible, to 
 bring provisions, and more especially water, on board. 
 
 Some of the ships which had gone to the Nore 
 were now joining the squadron or were on their 
 way. On July 25 Vice-Admiral Onslow shifted his 
 flag from the ' Adamant ' to the ' Monarch,' and 
 on July 29 the 'Ardent,' 'Director,' ' Belliqueux,' 
 and ' Isis ' arrived. The Admiralty at this stage 
 of the proceedings proposed to withdraw Sir Koger
 
 1 82 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 Curtis and his squadron, in order to reinforce the 
 
 July 
 
 Mediterranean Fleet. 
 
 Lord Spencer in the same letter conveyed to 
 the Admiral from the King an offer of an Irish 
 peerage for his services during the late Mutiny. 
 
 (Private.) "Admiralty: 27 July, 1797. 
 
 " Dear Sir, I have to acknowledge the receipt 
 of your letters of the 1 3th and 1 7th instant, and 
 regret that the enemy though apparently prepared 
 for sea have not yet made up their minds to try 
 what they can do, and give you an opportunity of 
 shewing what I know you will do with them when- 
 ever it happens. 
 
 " I assure you it is not owing to any want of 
 approbation of your Proceedings that nothing of 
 that kind has appeared in any of the official letters 
 from the Board of late, as we are all of us fully 
 impressed with the activity, spirit, and skill, with 
 which you have conducted your command through 
 these very difficult times ; but in the course of a 
 dry official correspondence it is not usually the 
 custom to introduce much of compliment and we 
 trusted that you could not entertain a doubt on the 
 subject of our sentiments. 
 
 " This approbation is not confined to the Board 
 of Admiralty alone, and in order to convince you 
 that it is not, I am happy to be authorized by His 
 Majesty to signify his intention of bestowing some 
 publick mark of his favour on you at this time ; 
 what it shall be in some measure will depend on 
 your own wishes on the subject, and if I might
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 183 
 
 venture to offer an opinion to you, I should recom- 1797 
 mend your choice of an Irish Peerage ; in case you 
 should agree with me I must trouble you to let me 
 know by what Title you would wish to be distin- 
 guished. If you should feel any objection to this, 
 perhaps you might better like the Order of the Bath, 
 to which, if you are desirous of an honour which may 
 remain in your family, I have reason to suppose 
 that His Majesty would be pleased to add a 
 Baronetage. I shall be glad of your answer as soon 
 as convenient, and on this subject have only to add 
 that it gives me great pleasure to be the channel of 
 conveying to you the sense I know His Majesty 
 entertains of your Merit and Services. 
 
 " The letters and orders you will receive from 
 the Board will make it necessary for you to part 
 with some of the large ships now with you; we 
 should willingly have left them, if the pressing 
 exigencies of the service westward, and the 
 necessity we are under of re-inforcing Lord St. 
 Vincent did not oblige us to the measure ; how- 
 ever, when the c Warrior ' has joined you, your 
 Squadron even with the diminution of the ' Prince,' 
 ' Formidable,' * Sans Pareil,' and ' Bedford,' will be 
 a very strong one, and undoubtedly quite equal to 
 beat any Force that can be opposed to you ; we are 
 in the mean time using all possible exertions to 
 add more large Frigates to those you have already, 
 and in a very few days I hope some will be able to 
 join you. I have wondered a little as you have 
 now the adequate number of two-decked ships, that 
 you have not applied to have a first Captain, which
 
 184 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 when fifteen sail of the line compose a squadron 
 you are by the late Eegulations entitled to, I 
 should think you might very easily find some upon 
 the List of the young Eear Admirals, who in this 
 capacity would be of great use to you, but of this 
 you are the best judge and I only throw it out as a 
 hint which I trust you will consider quite as it is 
 meant, and merely as private communication from 
 one friend to another. 
 
 " We have sent you out wine, fresh meat, and 
 water, and will continue to supply you with these 
 necessary refreshments on every opportunity, as it 
 would be wrong to quit your station at present, 
 while so excellent an effect is produced not only 
 here but all over Europe by your remaining there. 
 If you should think it of any advantage to 
 declare the Texel in a state of blockade, and that 
 your Force, when the Frigates get out to you, is 
 adequate to watching the Ylie Passage as well as 
 that near which you are anchored, there does not 
 appear the least reason why you should not do so, 
 and if you did you would then have a right to 
 prevent any vessels whatever (whether neutral or 
 otherwise) from going in or coming out. Lord St. 
 Vincent has found great advantage from this at 
 Cadiz, and I do not see why it should not answer 
 quite as well with you. 
 
 " It has been suggested that sinking a few of 
 the large Dutch Fly Boats (as they call them) in 
 the principal passage would effectually prevent 
 large ships from coming out. You are now so 
 well acquainted with the Texel, that any idea of
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 185 
 
 this sort must be entirely left to your judgment w 
 and discretion, but any blow of this kind against 
 them or any other fair way of distressing them, 
 would (especially at this juncture) have most 
 excellent effects in every point of view. 
 
 "Believe me Dear Sir with great truth Your 
 very faithful humble servant, 
 
 " SPENCER. 
 
 " Admiral Duncan." 
 
 On August 7 the Admiral declared a blockade August 
 of the Texel, and directed that all neutral vessels 
 should be prevented from entering or leaving. 
 
 On August 7 the Admiral wrote : " The wind 
 " has blown strong from the northward and west- 
 " ward for these five days past, which has put the 
 " Fleet to the Northward and Eastward. It is 
 " more moderate at present, and I am endeavour- 
 " ing to regain my rendezvous." 
 
 An incident had just occurred on board 
 the ' Venerable ' which is worth narrating. On 
 July 13 the inhabitants of Yarmouth had col- 
 lected a local subscription, amounting to fifty-four 
 pounds (the list of subscribers and their letter to 
 the Admiral are among his papers) for the crews 
 of the ' Venerable ' and ' Adamant,' and had in- 
 formed the Admiral that they proposed to spend 
 it in porter and vegetables. " The subscribers 
 " request the favour of you to point out to them 
 " the best mode to apply it and that you would 
 " have the goodness to order a Cutter to receive 
 " the articles on board. Should porter and vege-
 
 1 86 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 " tables be acceptable, I am desired to inform you 
 " we have both of very good quality here." 
 
 The ' Venerable 's ' company, on receiving their 
 portion, requested the Admiral to return their 
 thanks, in the following terms : 
 
 " ' Venerable ' at Sea : July 23, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, We the seamen and marines of His 
 Majesty's Ship the * Venerable ' beg you will be 
 pleased to communicate to the Gentlemen Mer- 
 chants and Traders of the Town of Yarmouth our 
 most grateful thanks for their liberal present of 
 porter which has (under your own direction) 
 afforded us a seasonable refreshment for ten days. 
 
 " We feel the more happy on this occasion as 
 it is a testimony that our conduct has met the 
 approbation of our countrymen whose liberty and 
 property we conceive ourselves bound to protect 
 and whose confidence it is our utmost pride to 
 deserve. 
 
 " We cannot omit this opportunity to express 
 our gratitude and affection to you our Commander 
 in Chief for your paternal care attention and 
 salutary advice in every stage of that unhappy 
 event which has stained the character of the 
 British Tar, but which we hope and trust may be 
 redeemed by future bravery and a steady persever- 
 ance in their country's cause. 
 
 " We sincerely wish the enemy may give us an 
 opportunity of manifesting our loyalty to our King, 
 our steady attachment to the Constitution and our 
 personal regard for the best of Commanders.
 
 **"' O 
 
 fl O 
 
 o> 
 
 2 
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 187 
 
 "We have the honour to be, with all due 1797 
 
 , . July 
 
 respect, Sir, 
 
 " Your faithful servants at command, 
 
 " THOMAS KNIGHT, Captain of the Forcastle. 
 
 " JAMES OECHAED, do. 
 
 " CHBISTOPHEE WATSON, Captain of the Hold. 
 
 11 JAMES CUBITT, Forecastleman. 
 
 " FEANCIS WILSON, do. 
 
 " ISEAEL LEWIS, Quartermaster. 
 
 " JOHN DONALDSON, do. 
 
 * THOMAS EDWAEDS, Boatswain's mate. 
 
 " JOHN BEATON, Sergeant of Marines. 
 
 " ANDEEW GLASS, Quartermaster." 
 
 Some of the ships suffered severely in the gale August 
 of August 7, and were unable to keep at sea. 
 
 On August 8, Captain Henry Wray, of the 
 ' Seagull ' sloop, reported : " We have not a rope 
 " or a sail to be depended upon. The hull is like- 
 " wise much out of repair. The * Seagull ' refitted 
 " in June 1796, and has not been paid since." 
 
 " The ' King George ' armed cutter, has just 
 " joined me, and Lieutenant Eains officially repre- 
 " sented to me that his vessel is unfit for sea ; 
 "but there being no other cruizers but ourselves 
 " on the coast, I think it improper he should leave 
 " his station until relieved. The enemy's priva- 
 " teers are very numerous." 
 
 " * Hope ' Lugger reported by Lieutenant Keddy 
 " to be unfit for sea." 
 
 Five transports arrived with oxen, sheep, 
 vegetables, and water.
 
 1 88 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 August 22. " The wind has blown strong for 
 
 Admiral " some days from the westward. It is impossible 
 
 Duncan's 
 
 Despat- " to clear the transports at present." 
 
 dies to the 
 
 Admiralty On August 24 three Dutch frigates and four 
 Brigs moved into Texel Eoads, but slipped back 
 again on the approach of the British ships. 
 
 August 28. " The transports with water only 
 "cleared to-day, owing to the south west winds 
 "with a swell." 
 
 August 29. " ' Monmouth ' and ' Agincourt ' 
 "joined on the 26th instant." 
 
 August 31. "A gale of wind came suddenly 
 " on. Several ships parted their cables." 
 September September 4. " It blew hard from the South 
 " West, suddenly changing to the North West." 
 
 September 1 1. " l Venerable ' at sea. 
 
 " On Friday last a strong gale came on at 
 " W.N.W., and for sixteen hours it blew a mere 
 " hurricane, during which period the ' Agincourt ' 
 " and ' Warrior ' made the signal of distress. Yester- 
 " day there was an interval of good weather when I 
 " was informed the latter had sprung all her lower 
 " masts. I therefore ordered her to the Nore. 
 " The former being so far to leeward I did not get 
 " a report from her but I understand she shipped a 
 " quantity of water and was obliged to wear, to 
 " clear her. The * Inflexible ' is very leaky and 
 " her main and mizen mast sprung. The * Naiad's ' 
 " foremast and bowsprit badly so. The ' Circe ' 
 " carried away most of her main shrouds, and the 
 " ' Venerable ' two of hers, which are replaced with 
 "others. I have had no return from the other
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 189 
 
 " ships and therefore cannot say what state they 1797 
 " are in. The wind has shifted to the S.E. with 
 " every appearance of a gale. Indeed it is blow- 
 " ing so hard at present that I am under the 
 " necessity of putting this letter into a keg, in order 
 " to convey it on board the Lugger. Their Lord- 
 " ships will please order a main yard for the 
 " ' Inflexible ' and some top-masts and topsail 
 " yards for the different rates to Yarmouth, as I 
 " apprehend many of the ships will want them." 
 
 September 14. " Very constant and stormy 
 " since i ith from West to W.S.W. Yesterday the 
 " ' Naiad ' made signal of inability. I ordered her 
 " to proceed to the nearest Port. 
 
 " The ' Astrea ' is in want of sails, rigging and 
 " provisions. I ordered her to Port. At present 
 " it is moderate, but so very hazy that I can only 
 " count seventeen sail in company and cannot say 
 " what ships have parted in the late gales, which 
 " have been very constant and stormy, from West 
 " to S.W. since the nth instant. 
 
 " * Veteran's ' bowsprit is sprung. 
 
 " All the cutters but one are missing." 
 
 September 22. "The 'Agamemnon' is sent 
 " into port. 
 
 " The ' Circe ' has sprung her mainmast and 
 " bowsprit, but Captain Halkett informed me he 
 " could fish them so as to keep the sea. She 
 "parted company in chase on the i6th. 'Lion' 
 " has just reported her bowsprit badly sprung." 
 
 September 24. " ' Inflexible ' ordered into Port. 
 " The ' Glatton ' ordered to Portsmouth."
 
 190 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 '797 This list of casualties was serious, yet the 
 
 September 
 
 squadron kept at sea off the Texel or near the 
 rendezvous. 
 
 On September 26 the Admiralty directed 
 Admiral Duncan to return with the squadron to 
 Yarmouth Eoads, to refit and fill up with stores 
 and provisions, and to proceed to sea again as 
 expeditiously as possible. 
 
 In the meantime, intelligence had reached the 
 British Squadron that for the present the Dutch 
 expedition was postponed. On September 23 
 Captain Bradby, of the ' Ariadne,' spoke the 
 1 Independence,' of New York, which had left the 
 Texel on the day before. " The Master says the 
 " troops are all disembarked from the vessels in the 
 " Texel and that he lodged with several of the 
 " Officers who declared that it is not intended the 
 " Dutch Fleet should go to sea, but that 
 " preparations were frequently made for the purpose 
 " of alarming, and that the greater part of the sea- 
 " men were also landed." 
 
 October On October i the squadron arrived off Yarmouth, 
 and the Admiral wrote : " The wind is southward 
 " and westward. I have left the * Circe,' the 
 " ' Vestal,' and two cutters to watch the Texel. 
 " The wind continuing westward I came on and 
 " anchored at the back of Yarmouth sands. Every 
 " exertion shall be used in getting the ships ready 
 " for sea again ; and should the wind come from 
 " the eastward before I reach Yarmouth, I shall 
 " return to my station off the Texel." 
 
 According to the Times, " Admiral Duncan on
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 19 1 
 
 " arriving in Yarmouth Eoads on October 2 in the 1797 
 
 The 
 
 " evening, was visited on board the ' Venerable ' by Times, 
 
 October 16, 
 
 " the Vice Admiral and Captains, when he signified 1797 
 " in his plain and affable way : ' I shall not, 
 " Gentlemen, put foot out of the ship. Your 
 " supplies of water and provisions shall be sent to 
 " you in the morning, and I hope to be able to sail 
 " again in 20 hours, when an early meeting 
 " with the enemy will give us cause to rejoice. 
 " To complete, therefore, my wishes, the caulkers 
 " shall go over my ship's bows in the morning and 
 " do their best to keep her afloat.' " 
 
 On October 3 Duncan informed the Admiralty 
 from "* Venerable' in Yarmouth Eoads": "I 
 " have ordered Captain Trollope of the ' Kussell ' to 
 " take the ' Adamant ' and ' Beaulieu ' and proceed 
 " off the Texel." 
 
 On October 4 the Admiralty wrote : " Cause 
 " the bowsprit of the ' Nassau ' to be supplied to the 
 " ' Veteran,' sending the defective bowsprit of the 
 " * Veteran ' on board the ' Nassau ' to enable her to 
 " proceed to the Nore, to which place she is ordered 
 " for a new bowsprit and to make good her other 
 " defects." 
 
 On October 6. " In case the wind should con- 
 " tinue easterly you are to proceed as soon as 
 " possible off the Texel with such of the ships as 
 " are in a fit condition, and to continue on your 
 " station until the wind shall have shifted to the 
 " westward, when you are to return into Port." 
 
 In the first days of October the Naval Committee 
 at the Hague decided upon a complete change of
 
 192 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 policy with regard to the Dutch Fleet. The 
 troops having been landed from the ships in the 
 Texel, all idea of an invasion of British territory by 
 a combined Military and Naval expedition had been 
 abandoned. It was now decided that the Fleet 
 should put to sea and engage the British Squadron, 
 if there was reasonable prospect of success. 
 
 Vice Admiral De Winter told Admiral Duncan 
 afterwards that this course was adopted against his 
 expressed opinion. He could not but be well aware 
 of the existence of grave disaffection among the 
 sailors, and also that some of the ships were de- 
 fective ; and perhaps he deemed it better policy to 
 keep a considerable British Squadron employed in 
 watching the Texel than to risk everything in a 
 battle with a force which, as he believed, was 
 superior to his own. However, on October 5 he 
 De Jonge'a received orders to put to sea " as soon as the wind 
 " should be favourable," and "when at sea to act 
 "according to Articles 9, 10, and n of the 
 
 Edition) " Instructions given to him on 10 July, 1797," 
 which are as follows : 
 
 Article 9 
 
 "In case the Vice Admiral be returned with 
 " the National Fleet in the North Sea, he shall try 
 " and cause as much damage to the enemy as pos- 
 " sible, and if he be informed that the enemy's 
 " forces are such as to enable him to engage in a 
 " battle with hope of success, he shall at once take 
 " the position he judges useful and necessary ; 
 " he then shall attack, conquer, or destroy the
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 193 
 
 " fleet of the enemy wherever he finds it also the 1797 
 " armed and unarmed ships and boats and shall 
 " try and cause as much hindrance and harm as 
 " he possibly can to the trade and navigation of 
 
 " the enemy." 
 
 10 
 
 " He must always manage his operations in as 
 " far as they are not exactly prescribed to him by 
 " these Instructions, according to the strength of 
 " the enemy's forces ; that is to say, as far as he 
 " can know them by the reports he has obtained, 
 " in order that in the case of the enemy's forces 
 " being far superior to his own, he may carefully 
 " avoid a battle, but in doing so he is to bear in 
 " mind how frequently the Dutch Admirals have 
 " maintained the honour of the Dutch Flag, even 
 " when the enemy's forces were sometimes superior 
 
 " to theirs." 
 
 .11 
 
 " In case of an approaching engagement he 
 " must, as far as circumstances permit, try and 
 " draw the enemy as near to the harbours of the 
 " Eepublic as will be found possible in conformity 
 " with the rules of prudence and strategy." 
 
 At daybreak on Saturday, October 7, the Dutch 
 Fleet left the Texel. The British Cruisers ob- 
 served them as soon as they began to make sail 
 to come out. The ' Speculator ' lugger was the 
 first to give the alarm. 
 
 "Memo. Saturday, 7th Oct., 1797. Light 
 
 breezes 
 
 At 6 o'clock in the morning observed the 
 
 from the 
 
 " Dutch Fleet making sail in the Texel to come weather*
 
 194 
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 
 October 
 
 Wind 
 E.S.E., 
 light wind. 
 (A*. Dun- 
 can's own 
 note) 
 
 Variable to 
 
 E.N.E. 
 
 Sunday, 
 wind 
 W.S.W. 
 a great 
 gale. (A 1 . 
 Duncan's 
 own note) 
 
 October 7 
 All night 
 light wind 
 TV.S.W. 
 (A'. Dun- 
 can's own 
 note) 
 
 Light air 
 N.E., and 
 inclinable 
 to calm. 
 
 At 9, 
 W.S.W. 
 light airs 
 
 At mid- 
 night 
 moderate 
 breezes, 
 W. by S. 
 
 out; at half past six Captain Halkett of His 
 Majesty's Ship ' Circe,' made the signal for the 
 enemy, at 7 sent his Boat on board with an order 
 and a letter to Admiral Duncan, to proceed to 
 Yarmouth with all possible dispatch. I then 
 counted 1 6 sail of ships and eight small sail ; 
 after I made sail the ' Circe ' made different 
 signals and fired guns to deceive the Enemy, 
 which I answered by firing guns and hoisting 
 different Flags ; at 8 the two headmost of the 
 Enemy's ships fired one gun each ; they then 
 being to the westward and southward of Kick- 
 doun coming out of the Texel ; the ' Circe ' and 
 'Active,' Armed Cutter, still watching their 
 motions ; at -^ past 9 lost sight of the 
 Enemy ; at 1 1 saw four sail, which proved to be 
 His Majesty's Ships ' Kussell,' * Adamant,' 
 ' Beaulieu,' and * Vestal ' ; at noon saw the 
 * Circe ' with all sail set, running to W.N.W. ; at 
 3 in the afternoon, went on board the ' Russell ' 
 and acquainted Captain Trollope of the above. 
 Received a letter from Captain Trollope to 
 Admiral Duncan. At 4 came on board and 
 made sail ; the ' Circe ' and ' Active ' had then 
 hauled their wind to the N.N.W. and answered 
 signals from the * Russell.' Nothing more re- 
 markable since. 
 
 " ' Speculator ' Lugger, 
 (Sgd.) " HENRY HALL." 
 
 Captain Halkett at once despatched the
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 195 
 
 ' Speculator ' to Yarmouth with the following i 797 
 
 . . October 7 
 
 letter : 
 
 " His Majesty's Ship ' Circe,' Kickdoun E. 
 by N., 6 miles, past 6 a.m. Saturday, 
 7 Oct. 1797. 
 
 " Sir, Since day break the Fleet in the Texel 
 have been getting under sail, nine are now under 
 weigh, and five more sails loosed ; I dispatch this 
 by the ' Speculator.' I shall as soon as I discover 
 their motions, send the ' Active,' and mean to stand 
 a little way to the N.W. to make Signals as if I 
 saw your Fleet, but I imagine they have already 
 heard you are in Port. There are in ah 1 19 sail 
 with Poops in the Mars Deep, no Troops on board. 
 
 " I am, Sir, in haste, 
 
 "P. HALKETT. 
 
 " Adam Duncan, Esq." 
 
 Captain Trollope sent a line on board the 
 ' Speculator ' as she passed the * Eussell ' : 
 
 " ' Eussel ' at Sea. 7 Oct., 1797. 
 
 " Sir, I have but a moment's time to acquaint 
 you I have learnt by the * Speculator ' Lugger, the 
 Dutch Fleet are now out and that the ' Circe,' who 
 is hull down from us bearing N.B., is in sight of 
 them. It is at present almost calm and very un- 
 certain which way the wind may come, but 
 whether they go North or South you may depend 
 on seeing the ' Eussel ' and ' Adamant ' in sight of 
 them whenever you meet them. The * Vestal ' and 
 1 Beaulieu ' are in company. 
 
 " T am in haste 
 
 " Your most obedient very humble servant, 
 (Sgd.) " HENEY TROLLOPE. 
 
 " Adam Duncan, Esq." 
 
 02
 
 196 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 " ' Circe ' at Sea. Yarmouth 58 miles, Texel 
 
 October 8 54 miles. Sunday Morning, 8 October. 
 
 " Dear Sir, I despatched the * Speculator ' to 
 inform you the enemy were getting under weigh 
 yesterday morning. In the evening I fell in with 
 Trollope, kept sight of the Fleet all night. They 
 stood, with the wind easterly, due west, 10 leagues 
 off shore ; and then closehauled to the northward 
 and westward ; winds from S.W. to west. They 
 tacked an hour since and have shortened sail. 
 Fifteen sail of the line, six frigates, five brigs. 
 Hope to God you will soon be out. 
 
 " I am, Sir, your humble servant, 
 
 " P. HALKETT. 
 
 " To Admiral Duncan." 
 
 October 9 On October 9 Captain Trollope ordered H.M.S. 
 ' Vestal ' to proceed to England and endeavour to 
 find the Admiral. The ' Vestal ' put into Lowes- 
 toffe, and Captain White sent his Despatches to 
 the Admiralty, having failed to meet the Squadron. 
 He narrates what had happened since the Dutch 
 Fleet was sighted by the ships under Captain 
 Trollope : 
 
 " On board His Majesty's Ship ' Vestal,' 
 October 10 off Lowestoffe : loth October, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, I am to request you will be pleased to 
 acquaint their Lordships of my arrival, in com- 
 pliance with Orders from Captain Trollope, a copy 
 of which I have enclosed. 
 
 " As Captain Trollope's time would not permit 
 him to be very particular in stating the circumstances 
 of the Squadron since we first fell in with the Dutch 
 Fleet on the 7th inst., he has desired me to acquaint
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 197 
 
 their Lordships therewith by letter, that they may 1797 
 
 J J October ici 
 
 form a judgment of the Enemy s intentions. 
 
 " We first got sight of the Dutch Fleet about 1 1 
 o'clock at night on the 7th inst., the ' Circe ' having 
 previously sent a boat to us to acquaint us with 
 their position, and I wore round to join the 
 * Kussel ' which was steering for them. A light 
 air springing up from the W.S.W. at day light, we 
 were near enough to distinguish 16 sail of two- 
 decked ships from 64 to 50 guns, 5 frigates and 5 
 brigs standing to the N.W., but about 8 o'clock 
 they tacked and stood to the southward without 
 making any attempts to chase us, some of them 
 carrying sail apparently to get better collected. 
 At about 10, Captain Trollope made our signal to 
 look out to the S.W. and the ' Circe's ' soon 
 afterwards to the N.W., all the Squadron being on 
 the same tack with, and to windward of, the 
 Enemy. At -J past 3, we returned to the Squadron 
 by signal, the land about Wykop Zee then in 
 sight, bearing S.E. by E. about 7 leagues, the wind 
 varying, but in the S.W. quarter. During the 
 night, the Enemy stood off under a very easy sail, 
 as did our Squadron 'til towards the morning, when 
 the wind having drawn round to the W.N.W., 
 and the Enemy little more than two miles upon 
 the ' Kussell's ' Lee Bow, we all made sail to keep 
 clear of them, the ' Adamant ' being so close from 
 the change of wind that they might have cut her 
 off had they made the attempt. 
 
 " At day light on the 9th the Enemy were all 
 standing to the S.W. and during the day kept
 
 198 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 their wind upon the starboard Tack, the wind 
 
 October 10 
 
 gradually changing to N.N.W. I left them about 
 6 in the evening standing to the westward with 
 top gallant sails set, and the ' Bussel,' ' Adamant ' 
 and ' Beaulieu ' standing down for them, the 
 * Circe ' having been previously sent to look out, 
 and had not rejoined the Squadron. I am fully 
 convinced that Captain Trollope will keep sight 
 of them whilst they continue at Sea. It is not 
 possible for me to form any idea what are the 
 designs of the Enemy, but their whole proceedings 
 indicated an intention of making the British 
 Coast, evidently wishing not to go to the north- 
 ward, as they did not avail themselves of the 
 wind which was favorable for that purpose. 
 
 " From the first of our getting sight of them, 
 they appeared much confused, and during the 
 whole time they managed their ships very badly. 
 
 " I am to request you will inform their Lord- 
 ships I shall get under weigh again immediately 
 in compliance with Captain Trollope's orders and 
 endeavour to fall in with Admiral Duncan to 
 acquaint him of the above particulars. 
 
 " I have further to add I did not lose sight of 
 the Dutch Fleet till after 10 o'clock, having then 
 run 14 miles since I left the Squadron ; therefore 
 imagine they must have kept their course to the 
 westward under a press of sail. 
 
 " I herewith enclose a copy of the Log, wherein 
 their Lordships will perceive my having spoken 
 H.M. Ship ' Ethalion,' but not meeting with success 
 in my enquiries after Admiral Duncan, I intend
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 199 
 
 putting into Lowestoffe to forward the Despatches 1797 
 
 October 10 
 
 and to procure every possible intelligence concern- 
 ing the Admiral, intending to proceed to sea 
 immediately to join him. I have given Captain 
 Countess of the ' Ethalion ' a copy of my letter, in 
 case of accidents. 
 
 " I have the honour to remain etc. 
 
 " CHAS. WHITE. 
 
 " Evan Nepean, Esq." 
 
 It is curious to note how audaciously close to 
 the Dutch Fleet the British frigates and cutters, 
 and also the ships under Captain Trollope, ap- 
 proached, and that they continued in near 
 proximity as long as they chose, apparently 
 without being chased. 
 
 On Monday, October 9, the Admiral wrote to October 9 
 the Admiralty : 
 
 " Venerable,' Yarmouth Roads : 1 1 A.M., "Wind North. 
 
 " A Lugger this morning appeared at the back 
 " of the Sands with a signal flying that the Dutch 
 " are either out or preparing for it. The Squadron 
 " under my command are unmoored and I shall put 
 "to sea immediately." 
 
 The ' Nassau,' ' Warrior ' and ' Standard ' 
 were at the Nore, refitting, the ' G-latton ' was 
 at Portsmouth, and the ' Agamemnon ' and * In- 
 flexible ' were also in Port for repairs. At Yar- 
 mouth immediately all was hurry ; even the pro- 
 visioning was abandoned; and with eleven ships 
 of the line the Admiral put to sea, leaving the 
 rest to follow.
 
 200 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 "A number of Officers and men were left on 
 
 Times, 
 
 October ii, shore." 
 
 " 10 Oct. (9 Oct. ?). 'Venerable ' 
 off Yarmouth : i P.M. 
 
 " I left Yarmouth Eoads at 1 1 this forenoon. 
 I shall proceed to the Texel with all possible ex- 
 pedition. A cutter has just come in sight which I 
 take to be the ' Active.' 
 
 "ii (10 ?) October. 'Venerable ' 
 October 10 ' 
 
 at Sea. Texel East 1 1 miles. 
 
 "At 2 this afternoon I was close in to the 
 Texel. It is clear that the ships which lately left 
 it are not returned. I shall therefore keep in such 
 situation as to prevent them and wait their Lord- 
 ships' further instructions ; unless I receive cer- 
 tain information of them, which of course I shall 
 pursue. Several vessels from the Northward have 
 been spoke with by the Squadron this day but not 
 the least information gained of the Enemy." 
 
 The Admiral had not long to wait for certain 
 information. Early in the next morning, Wednes- 
 day, October n, Captain Halkett of the 'Circe,' 
 signalled to the * Venerable ' that the enemy was 
 approaching : 
 
 October H " At daybreak in the Morning (of i ith October) 
 Skeu's " I was about two miles to windward of the fleet, 
 SJSK* " the wind about N.E. The ' Eussel ' made my sig- 
 cSat n " nal to look out N.E. On the Pilot and an officer 
 " going aloft they called down that they saw the 
 " enemy's Mizen top-sails. I immediately made the 
 " signal for a fleet but while in the act of hoisting 
 " it the ' Eussel ' and ' Adamant ' made the same
 
 201 
 
 " signal. The Pilot soon after said he saw an 1797 
 
 October n 
 
 " Admiral's flag. I then made the signal to the fleet 
 "that the enemy was in sight and the signal to 
 " speak the Admiral. After twenty minutes the 
 " British fleet bore down and soon answered the 
 " signal. When the fleet was near enough to dis- 
 " tinguish signals more clearly, I made the signal 
 " of the force of the enemy, which was sixteen sail of 
 " the line. I still carried a press of sail, and about 
 " nine o'clock the ' Venerable ' hailed me. I told 
 " Admiral Duncan the force of the enemy and re- 
 " ceived his orders. At that time we could not see 
 " the enemy from the deck. The morning was dark 
 " but we could distinguish colours, and the weather 
 " was such as just permitted us to carry top-gallant 
 " sails ; it was squally. The enemy were then on 
 " our lee quarter about six miles distant and bearing 
 " S.S.W. ; the wind N.N.W. There were a great 
 " number of signals. Before I spoke the * Vener- 
 " able ' one was made to prepare for battle, this was 
 " before nine. Soon after the signal was made to 
 " form the line S.E. and N.W. and occasionally pen- 
 " dants thrown out for particular ships to alter their 
 " course and make more sail. Thirty-eight minutes 
 " after ten a signal was made for a general chase ; 
 " and at forty-two minutes after ten this signal was 
 " enforced by two guns. At 1 1 o'clock we saw the 
 " land, and at i i-i i the signal was made to shorten 
 " sail and take in two reefs. At this time the Dutch 
 " Fleet was formed in a line on the larboard tack 
 " under top-sails ; but ours bore down a considerable 
 " time before the action. The signal was made to
 
 202 
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 " close a little after eleven ; at half past eleven the 
 " signal to form the line was thrown ; ten minutes 
 " after only three or four pendants were out 
 " when the Admiral hauled it down. The signal 
 " was made to keep in his wake. At twelve the 
 " signal was made to break through the enemy's line. 
 " Before the fleet got into action the signal was made 
 " for several ships to alter from Port to Starboard. 
 " At fifty-four minutes after twelve the * Monarch ' 
 " broke the Enemy's line ; and soon after several 
 " other ships in the rear began to engage." 
 
 The necessarily most exact and instructive 
 account of what immediately followed is to be found 
 in the logbook of the ' Venerable/ where appears 
 a record of all the Signals made by the Admiral 
 during the whole day. 
 
 Hrs. mins. 
 
 Signals by 
 whom made 
 
 To whom 
 addressed 
 
 Number and Signification 
 
 9 o 
 
 ' Venerable ' 
 
 General 
 
 10. Prepare for battle 
 
 9 15 
 
 do. 
 
 ' Circe ' 
 
 47. Come within hail 
 
 9 20 
 
 do. 
 
 ' Russel ' 
 
 101. Close with the Admiral 
 
 9 22 
 
 do. 
 
 General 
 
 48. Line on starboard bearing 
 
 9 16 
 
 do. 
 
 General 
 
 17. Alter the course to port, 
 
 
 
 
 and steer S.S.E. 
 
 9 38 
 
 ditto 
 
 General 
 
 48. With compass signals to 
 
 
 
 
 form the line on star- 
 
 
 
 
 board, bearing N.E. and 
 
 
 
 
 S.W. 
 
 9 50 
 
 do. 
 
 General 
 
 67. Make more sail 
 
 9 58 
 
 do. 
 
 ' Isis ' and 
 
 67. To make more sail 
 
 
 
 ' Lancaster ' 
 
 
 IO O 
 
 do. 
 
 ' Russel ' 
 
 1 6. To steer more to starboard 
 
 10 4 
 
 ' Venerable ' 
 
 ' Isis ' 
 
 67. To make more sail 
 
 10 5 
 
 do. 
 
 General 
 
 1 6. With compass signals, 
 
 
 
 
 the fleet to steer S. 
 
 10 15 
 
 do. 
 
 General 
 
 7. With two guns, general 
 
 
 
 
 chase. 
 
 10 24 
 
 do. 
 
 General 
 
 35. To engage the enemy as 
 
 
 
 
 arriving up with them 
 
 i 33 
 
 ' Venerable ' 
 
 ' Beaulieu ' 
 
 67. To make more sail 
 
 10 38 
 
 ditto 
 
 ' Belliqueux ' 
 
 67. To make more sail
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 203 
 
 Hrs. miiis. 
 
 Signals by 
 whom made 
 
 To whom 
 addressed 
 
 Number and Signification 
 
 ii 45 
 
 ' Venerable ' 
 
 ' Monarch ' 
 
 69. To shorten sail, but 
 
 
 
 and ' Mon- 
 
 hauled down before 
 
 
 
 tague ' 
 
 answered 
 
 10 
 
 ' Venerable ' 
 
 Van 
 
 71. Van to shorten sail 
 
 II 2 
 
 do. 
 
 General 
 
 66. Take in one reef of the 
 
 
 
 
 topsails 
 
 ii 8 
 
 ' Venerable ' 
 
 Genera] 
 
 48. Starboard line of bearing 
 
 ii n 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 81. With preparative, come 
 
 
 
 
 to the wind on the 
 
 
 
 
 starboard tack 
 
 ii 17 
 
 do. 
 
 General 
 
 95. To take stations in the 
 
 
 
 
 line as ships' pendants 
 
 
 
 
 are thrown out, after 95, 
 
 
 
 
 was answered, counter- 
 
 
 
 
 manded 
 
 ii 29 
 
 do. 
 
 Particular 
 
 87. Ships to windward to 
 
 
 
 
 come down 
 
 ii 30 
 
 do. 
 
 General 
 
 36. Each ship to engage her 
 
 
 
 
 opponent in the enemy's 
 
 
 
 
 line 
 
 ii 35 
 
 do. 
 
 General 
 
 14. Bear up and sail large 
 
 ii 40 
 
 do. 
 
 Van 
 
 41. The van to attack the 
 
 
 
 
 enemy's rear 
 
 ii 53 
 
 ' Venerable ' 
 
 General 
 
 34. To pass through the 
 
 
 
 
 enemy's line, and en- 
 
 P.M. 
 
 
 
 gage them to leeward 
 
 12 5 
 
 do. 
 
 General 
 
 5. With red pendant over. 
 
 
 
 
 for close action 
 
 12 30 
 
 The 
 
 action 
 
 commenced 
 
 3 
 
 The 
 
 firing 
 
 ceased 
 
 3 20 
 
 ' Venerable ' 
 
 General 
 
 101. Close round the Admiral 
 
 4 10 
 
 do. 
 
 General 
 
 10. Prepare for battle 
 
 1797 
 
 October n 
 
 At 3 P.M. the Admiral felt sufficiently confident 
 of the result of the action to despatch the ' Eose ' 
 Cutter with the subjoined letter to the Admiralty : 
 
 " ' Venerable,' off the Coast of Holland, the 
 1 2th of October, by Log (nth) Three 
 P.M., Camperdown E.S.E., Eight Miles, 
 Wind N. 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 I 
 got sight of the Dutch Fleet ; at half-past twelve 
 I passed through their Line, and the Action
 
 204 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 commence d, which has been very severe. The 
 Admiral's Ship is dismasted, and has struck, as 
 have several others, and one is on fire. 
 
 " I shall send Captain Fairfax with particulars 
 the moment I can spare him. 
 
 " I am, Sir, your most obedient humble Servant, 
 
 "ADAM DUNCAN." 
 
 October 16 On October 1 6 Captain Fairfax of the 'Vener- 
 able ' arrived at the Admiralty with the detailed 
 account of the battle : 
 
 " ' Venerable,' at sea : 1 3th October 1 797, 
 October 13 ' f 
 
 off the Coast of Holland. 
 
 " Sir, Be pleased to acquaint the Lords Com- 
 missioners of the Admiralty, that, judging it of 
 Consequence their Lordships should have as 
 early Information as possible of the Defeat of the 
 Dutch Fleet under the command of Admiral De 
 Winter, I dispatched the * Eose ' Cutter at Three 
 P.M. on the 1 2th (i ith) Instant, with a short Letter 
 to you, immediately after the Action was ended. 
 I have now farther to acquaint you, for their Lord- 
 ships' Information, that in the Night of the loth 
 Instant, after I had sent away my Letter to you, of 
 that Date, I placed my Squadron in such Situation 
 as to prevent the Enemy from returning to the 
 Texel without my falling in with them. At Nine 
 o'clock in the Morning of the nth I got Sight of 
 Captain Trollope's Squadron, with Signals flying 
 for an Enemy to Leeward ; I immediately bore up, 
 and made the Signal for a general Chace, and soon 
 got Sight of them, forming in a Line on the Larboard
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 205 
 
 Tack to receive us, the wind at N.W. As we ap- 1797 
 proached near I made the Signal for the Squadron 
 to shorten sail, in order to connect them ; soon after 
 I saw the land between Camperdown and Egmont, 
 about Nine Miles to Leeward of the Enemy, 
 and finding there was no Time to be lost in making 
 the Attack, I made the Signal to bear up, break the 
 Enemy's Line, and engage them to Leeward, each 
 Ship her Opponent, by which I got between them 
 and the Land, whither they were fast approaching. 
 My Signals were obeyed with great Promptitude, 
 and Vice- Admiral Onslow, in the * Monarch,' bore 
 down on the Enemy's Eear in the most gallant 
 Manner, his Division following his Example ; and 
 the Action commenced about Forty Minutes past 
 Twelve o' Clock. The 'Venerable ' soon got through 
 the Enemy's Line, and I began a close Action, with 
 my Division on their Van, which lasted near Two 
 Hours and a Half, when I observed all the Masts of 
 the Dutch Admiral's Ship to go by the Board ; she 
 was, however, defended for some Time in a most 
 gallant Manner ; but being overpressed by Numbers, 
 her Colours were struck, and Admiral De Winter 
 was soon brought on Board the 'Venerable.' On 
 looking around me I observed the Ship bearing the 
 Vice- Admiral's Flag was also dismasted, and had 
 surrendered to Vice-Admiral Onslow ; and that 
 many others had likewise struck. Finding we were 
 in Nine Fathoms Water, and not farther than Five 
 Miles from the Land, my Attention was so much 
 taken up in getting the Heads of the disabled Ships 
 off Shore, that I was not able to distinguish the
 
 206 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 Number f Ships captured ; and the Wind having 
 been constantly on the Land since, we have unavoid- 
 ably been much dispersed, so that I have not been 
 able to gain an exact Account of them, but we have 
 taken Possession of Eight or Nine ; more of them 
 had struck, but taking Advantage of the Night, and 
 being so near their own Coast, they succeeded in 
 getting off, and some of them were seen going into 
 the Texel the next Morning. 
 
 " It is with the greatest Pleasure and Satisfaction 
 I make known to their Lordships the very gallant 
 Behaviour of Vice-Admiral Onslow, the Captains, 
 Officers, Seamen and Marines of the Squadron, who 
 all appeared actuated with the truly British Spirit, 
 at least those that I had an Opportunity of seeing. 
 
 " One of the Enemy's Ships caught Fire in the 
 Action, and drove very near the ' Venerable J ; but I 
 have the Pleasure to say it was extinguished, and 
 she is one of the Ships in our Possession. The 
 Squadron has suffered much in their Masts, Yards, 
 and Eigging, and many of them have lost a Number 
 of Men ; however, in no Proportion to that of the 
 Enemy. The Carnage on Board the Two Ships that 
 bore the Admirals Flags has been beyond all 
 Description; they have had no less than Two 
 Hundred and Fifty Men killed and wounded on 
 Board of each Ship ; and here I have to lament the 
 Loss of Captain Burgess, of His Majesty's Ship 
 the l Ardent,' who brought that Ship into Action in 
 the most gallant and masterly Manner, but was un- 
 fortunately killed soon after. However, the Ship 
 continued the Action close, until quite disabled.
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 207 
 
 The Public have lost a good and gallant Officer in ,_ 
 
 October 13 
 
 Captain Burgess, and I, with others, a sincere 
 Friend. 
 
 " Captain Trollope's Exertions and active good 
 Conduct in keeping Sight of the Enemy's Fleet 
 until I came up, have been truly meritorious, and, 
 I trust, will meet a just Eeward. 
 
 " I send this by Captain Fairfax, by whose able 
 Advice I profited much during the Action, and who 
 will give their Lordships any further Particulars 
 they may wish to know. 
 
 " As most of the ships of the Squadron are 
 much disabled, and several of the Prizes dis- 
 masted, I shall make the best of my Way with them 
 to the Nore. 
 
 " I herewith transmit you a List of Killed and 
 Wounded on Board such of the Squadron as I have 
 been able to collect ; a List of the Enemy's Fleet 
 opposed to my Squadron, and my Line of Battle on 
 the Day of Action. 
 
 " I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant, 
 
 "ADAM DUNCAN." 
 
 " A List of Killed and Wounded on Board the Ships 
 of Admiral Duncan's Squadron in an Action 
 with the Dutch on the nth of October, 1797. 
 
 " 'Venerable.' 13 Seamen, 2 Marines, killed; 
 6 Officers, 52 Seamen, 4 Marines, wounded. 
 Total 77. 
 
 " * Monarch.' 2 Officers, 34 Seamen, killed ; 
 9 Officers, 79 Seamen, 12 Marines, wounded. 
 Total 136.
 
 208 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 i Bedford.' 2 Midshipmen, 26 Seamen, 2 
 
 October 13 
 
 Marines, killed ; i Lieutenant, 37 Seamen, 3 
 Marines, wounded. Total 71. 
 
 " * Powerful.' 8 Seamen, 2 Marines, killed ; 
 4 Officers, 74 Seamen and Marines, wounded. 
 Total 88. 
 
 " * Isis.' i Seaman, i Marine, killed; 3 Offi- 
 cers, 1 8 Seamen, wounded. Total 23. 
 
 " c Ardent.' 2 Officers, 33 Seamen, 6 Marines, 
 killed ; 8 Officers, 85 Seamen, 1 1 Marines, 3 Boys, 
 wounded. Total 148. 
 
 " * Agincourt.' None killed or wounded. 
 
 " 'Belliqueux.' 2 Officers, 20 Seamen, 3 
 Marines, killed; 3 Officers, 63 Seamen, 12 
 Marines, wounded. Total 103. 
 
 " 'Lancaster.' 3 Seamen killed; 2 Officers, 
 13 Seamen, 3 Marines, wounded. Total 21. 
 
 " * Triumph.' 15 Seamen, 3 Marines, a Boy, 
 killed ; 5 Officers, 50 Seamen and Marines, 
 wounded. Total 84. 
 
 " Officers Kitted. 
 
 " ' Monarch.' Mr. J. P. Tindall and Mr. Moyle 
 Finlay, Midshipmen. 
 
 " ' Ardent.' Captain Burgess, Mr. Michael 
 Dunn, Master. 
 
 " * Belliqueux.' Lieutenant Eobert Webster, 
 Mr. James Milne, Master's Mate. 
 
 " Officers Wounded. 
 
 " ' Venerable.' Lieutenants Clay and Douglas, 
 Lieutenant Chambers of the Marines, Mr. Stewart, 
 Midshipman, Mr. Brown, Pilot.
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 209 
 
 " ' Monarch.' Lieutenant Eetalick, Lieuten- ! ?97 
 
 October 13 
 
 ant Smith of the Marines, Mr. George Massie, 
 Mr. Benjamin Clement, Mr. Daniel Sherwin, Mr. 
 Charles Slade, Midshipmen, Mr. John Chimley, 
 Master's Mate. 
 
 " ' Bedford.' Lieutenant Keenor. 
 
 " ' Powerful.' Lieutenant Jennings, Mr. Mel. 
 Jones, Boatswain, Mr. Daniel Eogers, Midship- 
 man, Lieutenant Walker of the Marines. 
 
 " ' Isis.' Lieutenant Charles Eea of the 
 Marines, Mr. Simon Fraser and Mr. John Walker, 
 Midshipmen. 
 
 " ' Ardent.' Lieutenant James Eose, Lieu- 
 tenant John Sibriel, Captain Cuthbert of Marines, 
 Mr. John Tracy, Master's Mate, Mr. John Airey, 
 Master's Mate, Mr. Thomas Leopard, Midship,am, 
 Mr. John Taylor, Captain's Clerk, slightly, Mr. 
 George Killiar, Midshipman, slightly. 
 
 " ' Belliqueux.' Lieutenant Eobert England, 
 slightly, Captain James Cassel of Marines, slightly, 
 Mr. James Scott, Midshipman. 
 
 " ' Lancaster.' Lieutenant Morgan, Lieuten- 
 ant Sandys of the Marines. 
 
 " ' Triumph.' Captain Essington, slightly in 
 the Arm ; Mr. Chapman, First Lieutenant, slightly 
 in the Head ; Mr. Trollope, Third Lieutenant, 
 slightly in the Foot ; Mr. Eead, Master, slightly 
 bruised ; Mr. Jones, Midshipman, slightly in the 
 Face. 
 
 " ADAM DUNCAN."
 
 210 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 " List and Disposition of the Dutch Fleet on the 
 
 October 13 
 
 i ith of October, 1797. 
 " Van. 
 
 " VICE-ADMIRAL EEYNTJES, Commander. 
 
 " * Cerberus,' Captain Jacobson, 68 Guns, 450 
 Men. 
 
 " ' Delft,' Captain Verdoorn, 56 Guns, 375 
 Men. Taken. 
 
 " * Jupiter,' Vice- Admiral Eeyntjes and Rear- 
 Admiral Meuses, 74 Guns, 550 Men. Taken. 
 
 " < Alkmaar,' Captain Kraft, 56 Guns, 350 Men. 
 Taken. 
 
 " ' Haarlem,' Captain Wiggerts, 68 Guns, 450 
 Men. Taken. 
 
 " ' Munnikkendam,' Captain Lancaster, 44 
 Guns, 270 Men. Taken. 
 
 " ' Heldin,' Captain Dumisnilde L'Eestrille, 32 
 Guns, 230 Men. 
 
 "'Daphne' Brig, Lieutenant Fredericks, 18 
 Guns, 98 Men. 
 
 " Center. 
 
 " ADMIRAL DE WINTER, Commander-in-Chie 
 
 " * Wassenaer,' Captain Holland, 64 Guns, 450 
 Men. Taken. 
 
 " ' Batavier,' Captain Souters, 56 Guns, 350 
 Men. 
 
 " Vryheid,' (the < Liberty ') Admiral De 
 Winter, Captain Van Rossem, 74 Guns, 550 Men. 
 Taken. 
 
 " ' States General,' Rear-Admiral Story, 74 
 Guns, 550 Men.
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 211 
 
 " ' Leyden,' Captain Musquetier, 68 Guns, 450 1797 
 
 October 13 
 
 Men. 
 
 " ' Mars,' Captain Kolff, 44 Guns, 400 Men. 
 
 " * Waaksaamheid,' Captain Lieutenant Nicrop, 
 24 Guns, 1 50 Men. 
 
 " ' Minerva,' Captain Eilbracht, 24 Guns, 150 
 Men. 
 
 " ' Galatea ' Brig, Lieutenant Eivery, 18 Guns, 
 98 Men. 
 
 " * Atalanta' Brig, Lieutenant Plets, 18 Guns, 
 
 98 Men. 
 
 " Bear. 
 
 " REAR-ADMIRAL BLOYS, Commander. 
 
 " * Admiral Devries,' Captain Zegers, 68 Guns, 
 450 Men. Taken. 
 
 " * Hercules,' Captain Van Eysoort, 64 Guns, 
 450 Men. Taken. 
 
 " ' Brutus,' Eear- Admiral Bloys, 74 Guns, 550 
 Men. 
 
 " * Beschermer,' Captain Hinxtt, 56 Guns, 350 
 Men. 
 
 " ' Gelykheid, (the ' Equality ') Captain Euyse, 
 68 Guns, 450 Men. Taken. 
 
 " ' Ambuscade,' Captain-Lieutenant Huys, 32 
 Guns, 270 Men. Taken. 
 
 " * Ajax ' Brig, Lieutenant Arkenbout, 18 Guns, 
 98 Men. 
 
 " * Haasje,' (' Aviso ') Lieutenant Hartenfeld, 
 6 Guns, 35 Men. 
 
 " ADAM DUNCAN. 
 
 " N.B. Another Line of Battle Ship, reported to 
 be taken, Name unknown." 
 
 p 2
 
 212 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 * 4 Disposition of the Squadron, in the Order of 
 Battle, on the nth of October, 1797. 
 
 " Larboard or Lee Division. 
 " RICHARD OXSLOW, ESQ., Vice- Admiral of the Bed, Commander. 
 
 " i. ' Kussel,' Henry Trollope, Captain, 74 
 Guns, 590 Men. 
 
 " 2. i Director,' William Bligh, Captain, 64 
 Guns, 491 Men. 
 
 " 3. ' Montagu,' John Knight, Captain, 74 
 Guns, 590 Men. 
 
 " 4. ' Veteran,' George Gregory, Captain, 64 
 Guns, 491 Men. 
 
 "5. ' Monarch,' Vice- Admiral Onslow, Edward 
 O'Bryen, Captain, 74 Guns, 599 Men. 
 
 " 6. < Powerful,' William O'Bryen Drury, Cap- 
 tain, 74 Guns, 590 Men. 
 
 " 7. ' Monmouth/ James Walker, Captain, 64 
 Guns, 491 Men. 
 
 " 8. ' Agincourt,' John Williamson, Captain, 64 
 Guns, 491 Men. 
 
 " Repeaters. 
 
 " * Beaulieu ' Frigate. Cutters ' Eose, 4 King 
 George,' 'Active,' ' Diligent ' ' Speculator ' 
 Lugger. 
 
 " Starboard, or Weather Division. 
 
 " ADAM DTTSCAN, ESQ., Admiral of the Blue, and 
 Commander in Chief^ 4c., &C-, &c. 
 
 " 9. ' Triumph,' William Henry Essington, 
 Captain, 74 Guns, 640 Men.
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPEBDOWN 213 
 
 " 10. * Venerable/ Admiral Duncan. William w 
 
 October 13 
 
 George Fairfax, Captain, 74 Guns, 593 Men. 
 
 " ii. 'Ardent,' Richard R. Burgess, Captain, 
 64 Guns, 491 Men. 
 
 "12. ' Bedford,' Sir Thomas Byard, Captain, 
 74 Guns, 590 Men. 
 
 "13. ' Lancaster,' John Wells, Captain, 64 
 Guns, 491 Men. 
 
 "14. ' Adamant,' William Hotham, Captain, 
 50 Guns, 343 Men. 
 
 " 1 6. i Isis,' William Mitchell, Captain, 50 
 Guns, 343 Men. 
 
 " Repeaters. 
 
 " ' Circe ' Frigate.' Martin ' Sloop. 
 
 " ADAM DUXCAX." 
 
 " ' Venerable,' off Orfbrdness : October 15, 1/97. October 15 
 
 " Sir, In Addition to my Letter of the i3th 
 instant, containing the Particulars of the Action cf 
 the i ith, and which I have not been able to send 
 away until this Day, I have to acquaint you, for 
 the Information of the Lords Commissioners of the 
 Admiralty, that, from the Wind continuing to blow 
 on the Dutch Coast, the Ships have had great 
 Difficulty in keeping off the Shore, and that we 
 have unavoidably been separated. On Friday last 
 the wind blew strong from the W.S.W. to W.X.W. 
 and continued so to do until Saturday Morning ; 
 it then shifted to the North, when I made the 
 Signal to wear, stood to the Westward, and for- 
 tunately anchored here last Evening, the ' Vener- 
 able ' being so leaky that, with all her Pumps going,
 
 214 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPEEDOWN 
 
 1797 we could but just keep her free. This Morning I 
 
 October 15 
 
 observed the Ships named in the Margin 1 at 
 Anchor near us. Three near the Kentish Knock, 
 and Three in Hosley Bay. The wind is at N.W. 
 and much against the disabled Ships: I have 
 therefore sent the * Lancaster ' and * Beaulieu ' out 
 to render them Assistance. 
 
 " Sir Thomas Williams, in the ' Endymion,' who 
 joined me the Day after the Action, I also sent in 
 Shore, to keep by and assist the disabled Ships ; 
 and I am informed that, in the Course of the 
 Night, he fell in with a Dutch Ship of the Line off 
 the Texel, and had engaged her, but I have not 
 heard the Particulars. 
 
 " I am, Sir, your most obedient humble Servant, 
 
 " ADAM DUNCAN. 
 
 " Evan Nepean, Esq." 
 
 The Admiral also forwarded a letter to Mrs. 
 Duncan's half-brother, Mr. Eobert Dundas, M.P., 
 the Lord Advocate for Scotland : 
 
 " ' Venerable,' getting up to Sheerness, Sunday, October 15, 1797. 
 
 " My dear Advocate, As I am sure no friend 
 will rejoice more at any good fortune that attends 
 me than you will, I write you these two lines to 
 say I hope the action I have had with the Dutch, 
 who fought with their usual gallantry, is not ex- 
 ceeded by any this war. We have suffered much. 
 The returns I have had, and have not had half, 
 exceed 191 killed, and 565 wounded; from only 
 two Dutch ships, 250 killed, and 300 wounded. 
 We were obliged, from being so near the land, to 
 
 1 ' Monarch,' ' Powerful,' ' Lancaster,' ' Beaulieu.'
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPEKDOWN 21$ 
 
 be rather rash in our attack, by which we suffered _ t J 797 
 
 October 15 
 
 more. Had we been ten leagues at sea none 
 would have escaped. Many, I am sure, had sur- 
 rendered, that got off in the night, being so near 
 shore. We were much galled by their frigates, where 
 we could not act. In short, I feel perfectly satisfied. 
 All was done that could be done. None have any 
 fault to find. I have now in my possession three 
 admirals Dutch, an admiral De Winter, Yice-ad. 
 Eeuter, Keer-adm. Meame. The admiral is on 
 board with me, and a most agreeable man he is. 
 He speaks English well, and seems much pleased 
 with his treatment. I have assured him, and with 
 justice, nothing could exceed his gallantry. He 
 says nothing hurts him, but that he is the first 
 Dutch admiral ever surrendered. So much more 
 credit to me. He tells the troops that were em- 
 barked in the summer were 25,000 Dutch, destined 
 for Ireland, but after August that expedition was 
 given up. The government in Holland, much 
 against his opinion, insisted on his going to sea, to 
 show they had done so, and was just going to re- 
 turn, when I saw him. I am sure I have every 
 reason to be thankful to God Almighty for His 
 kindness to me on this occasion, and all others. I 
 believe the pilot and myself were the only two 
 unhurt on the quarter-deck, and De Winter, who is 
 as tall and big as I am, was the only one on his 
 quarter-deck left alive. After all my fatigue, I am 
 in perfect health, and my usual spirit. Believe me, 
 most faithfully yours, 
 
 " ADAM DUNCAN."
 
 2l6 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 In order to appreciate the mode of attack 
 
 October 11 
 
 adopted by the British Admiral it is necessary to 
 recall the movements of the Dutch Fleet immedi- 
 ately before the engagement. 
 
 As the British Fleet approached, Admiral De 
 Winter drew back towards the Dutch Coast, with 
 the object of making an attack more difficult and 
 dangerous for the British, and also in compliance 
 with the written instructions of the Naval Com- 
 mittee, before alluded to. As the Dutch Fleet 
 changed its position Admiral Duncan promptly 
 altered his plan of attack ; the changes which he 
 made are clearly shown by the successive signals 
 of the * Venerable ' and by her log, and also by 
 the evidence of Lieutenant Renton, her Signal 
 Lieutenant, given subsequently at the Court- 
 Martial on Captain Williamson of the ' Agincourt ' 
 for not obeying signals and for keeping out of the 
 engagement. 
 
 At 9.20 A.M. the Admiral ordered the Fleet to 
 form line preparatory for battle. At 10.15 he had 
 observed that the Dutch were falling back towards 
 land, and he ordered a general chase by signal No. 7, 
 which he enforced " after it had been flying for 
 Lieut. some time " by two guns. "At 1 1 A.M. made the 
 
 Renton a > 
 
 (TimeT " signal f r the Van to shorten sail to let the stern- 
 1797? 5 ' " mos ^ sm P s come up and connect our line as well 
 
 " as time would permit." 
 
 r^gof " By the inequality of the sailing of several of 
 
 bie. 1 " our ships the Squadron was unavoidably going 
 
 " down towards the enemy in no regular order of
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 217 
 
 " battle. Brought to for a short time on the star- 
 
 October n 
 
 " board tack, in order to form them." 
 
 " Q. How long did the Fleet lay to before you Lieut. 
 
 MI n Benton's 
 
 " made No. 14, to sail larger I evidence 
 
 " A. But a short time ; the Admiral was impa- 
 " tient to get down, as the Dutch were drawing 
 " in shore. 
 
 " Q. Did you make No. 34, and for what ? 
 
 " A. We did ; to pass the enemy's line and en- 
 " gage them to leeward, and vice versa. 
 
 " Q. Did you make No. 5, with a red pendant, 
 " and for what ? Was it flying ? 
 
 " A. We did, as the signal for close action ; and 
 " it was repeated by the * Monarch ' and ' Power- 
 " ful,' and kept up on board the * Venerable ' 
 " near an hour and a half, till it was shot away." 
 
 Admiral Duncan was resolved to break through 
 the enemy's line and get in between them and the 
 shore ; and in this he succeeded, Vice-Admiral 
 Onslow breaking through the rear, and the ' Vener- 
 able ' soon after breaking through the van, of the 
 Dutch line ; each being followed by other ships. 
 
 The Article on ' Admiral Lord Duncan ' in 
 1 The Dictionary of National Biography ' contains 
 a good and correct account of the British attack : 
 " The wind was blowing straight on shore, and 
 " though the Dutch, forming their line to the 
 " North, preserved a bold front, it was clear that if 
 " the attack was not made promptly they would 
 " speedily get into shoal water, where no attack 
 " would be possible. Duncan at once realised the
 
 2l8 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 tobw ii " necess ity of cutting off their retreat by getting 
 "between them and the land. At first he was 
 " anxious to bring up his fleet in a compact body, 
 " for at best his numbers were not more than equal 
 " to those of the Dutch ; but seeing the absolute 
 " necessity of immediate action, without waiting 
 " for the ships astern to come up, without waiting 
 " to form line of battle, and with the fleet in very 
 " irregular order of sailing, in two groups, led re- 
 " spectively by himself in the * Venerable ' and Vice- 
 " Admiral Onslow in the * Monarch,' he made the 
 " signal to pass through the enemy's line and 
 " engage to leeward." 
 
 With regard to the action itself, while unfavour- 
 able remarks have been made by some critics 
 upon the loose formation of the British Fleet 
 and upon the absence of tactical manoeuvring 
 before the battle, there are some points on which 
 all authorities are agreed. 
 
 This action was, by general consent, one of the 
 
 most severe actions fought by the British Navy. 
 
 schom- " A more bloody conflict than this is not recorded 
 
 berg's 
 
 Naval " in the Naval History of Great Britain since the 
 
 Chrono- 
 logy " famous Dutch wars." " Both sides fought with 
 
 "great fury. No action can have been more 
 "bloody," wrote De Winter to the Naval Commit- 
 tee. " At half past twelve began one of the most 
 " obstinate engagements, perhaps, that ever took 
 " place on the ocean," wrote Story. 
 
 Admiral Duncan, as has been seen, wrote on 
 October 1 5 to his brother-in-law, the Lord Advocate, 
 to the same effect.
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 219 
 
 Too high praise cannot be given to some of the ct ir 
 Captains, both Dutch and British. " I have assured Admiral 
 " Admiral De Winter, and with justice, nothing the Lord 
 
 Advocate, 
 
 " could exceed his gallantry," wrote Admiral Dun- ct - i s, 
 can. The brave Captain van Eossem of the ' Vry- 
 heid,' whose thigh was shot off, and who died of his 
 wounds, fought his ship long after resistance was 
 hopeless. The 'Jupiter,' 74 guns and 550 men, 
 the Flagship of Vice- Admiral Eeintjies and Eear- 
 Admiral Meurer, which eventually struck to the 
 * Monarch,' greatly distinguished herself ; as did 
 the ' Hercules,' the ' Monnikendam ' Frigate, and 
 several more of the Dutch ships. 
 
 Of the British ships, ' The Monarch,' 74, Cap- 
 tain Edward O'Bryen, bearing Yice-Admiral 
 Onslow's Flag, began the fight with admirable 
 spirit, passing through the rear ships of the Dutch 
 line in silence, and opening fire as soon as they 
 were divided. 
 
 " Q. What were the Dutch ships which the 
 " ' Monarch ' first engaged ? (rl^ 
 
 " A. We opened our fire on the * Jupiter ' and f 7 e 9 c 7) 6 ' 
 " ' Haerlem,' both sides at once." 
 
 The ' Monarch ' was gallantly supported by the 
 ' Powerful,' Captain Drury, who also broke the line 
 at the same point. 
 
 The ' Venerable,' supported by the ' Triumph ' 
 and the ' Ardent,' broke the line of the Dutch Van 
 at the head of another Division. " We intended 
 
 ble s Log 
 
 " to engage the ' Vryheid,' but were prevented by 
 " the * States General ' of 76 guns shooting close up 
 " to the Dutch Commander in Chief. We there-
 
 220 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 octoS- 7 ii " ^ ore P U ^ our ne l m aport, run under his stern, 
 " engaged him close, and soon forced him to run 
 c: out of the line. We then fell alongside the 
 " ' Vryheid,' who was for some time well supported 
 " and kept up a heavy fire upon us." 
 
 ton'? en " " Q- Was not tne ' Venerable ' hard pressed by 
 
 Sourt** " the enemy's van ? Kelate her situation. 
 
 Martial ^ From ^ ^ mQ ^ beat ^ c g^^ 
 
 " General ' out of the line until Admiral De 
 " Winter's ship was dismasted, the ' Venerable ' 
 " had seldom less than two and sometimes three 
 " line of battle ships upon her, besides a Dutch 
 " Frigate and a brig who fired as opportunity 
 " offered." 
 
 The ' Ardent,' 64, which, much to the grief of 
 Admiral Duncan, lost her Captain, Eichard Surges, 
 as well as more than a third of her whole ship's 
 company, proved herself in the fight second to 
 none, even without her Captain. Lieutenant 
 Philips, on whom the command devolved, and who 
 was specially promoted for his gallant conduct, 
 stated in his evidence at the above Court Martial : 
 pl e m P s' " We engaged the * Vryheid,' the Dutch 
 
 rrYmeB, 06 " Admiral's ship. Captain Burges was killed 
 " about ten minutes after the action began. I 
 " then was the Senior Officer. 
 
 " Q. Had the * Ardent ' more than one ship of 
 " the enemy upon her at one time ? 
 
 " A. She had two in the beginning of the 
 " action, and about 2 P.M. she had four line of battle 
 " ships and a Frigate." 
 
 An Officer of the * Ardent ' wrote : " Our loss
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPEKDOWN 221 
 
 " is very great, having 140 killed and wounded on 
 
 " board of us. Among the former was our truly Times, 
 
 _. . _ _ _ _ October 21, 
 
 " good and brave Captain J3urges, and our Master i 797 
 " Dunn. Amongst the wounded are two Lieuten- 
 " ants of the Ship, Eose, and Sidrell ; the former 
 " is much wounded in the shoulder, the latter 
 " rather slightly in the leg. Captain Cuthbert of 
 " the Marines received a flesh wound in the thigh 
 " from a splinter. 
 
 " I am much afraid that a great part of our 
 " wounded will die, as they are in general dreadfully 
 " mangled. One of the men's wives assisted in 
 " firing the gun where her husband was quartered, 
 " though frequently requested to go down below, 
 " but she would not be prevailed upon to do so, 
 " until a shot carried away one of her legs and 
 " wounded the other. 
 
 " As to the damage done to the ship, a descrip- 
 " tion of it would fill sheets of paper. All our 
 " masts were so badly wounded that we could not 
 " set a sail on any of them, and we were towed 
 " into this Port by the ' Bedford.' It is indeed a 
 " wonder from the number of shot holes in her 
 " sides that we had not many more men killed. 
 
 " The first two broadsides of the Dutch were 
 " terrible ; but after that, on an average, the 
 " British fired three guns to their one. Thirteen 
 " of the Dutch ships struck, but no boats could be 
 " put off to take possession of them, by which many 
 " escaped. 
 
 " The action began by the ' Monarch,' which 
 " broke through their line without firing ; as did
 
 222 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPEKDOWN 
 
 v 1797 " also the ' Powerful.' About 40 minutes after. 
 
 October n 
 
 " Admiral Duncan also broke the line." 
 
 The * Belliqueux,' 64, had been amongst the 
 most mutinous of Admiral Duncan's ships, but she 
 took this occasion to redeem her character. Cap- 
 tain Inglis, a Scotsman belonging to East Lothian, 
 Admiral w ^ ^ a< ^ a ra ^ ner hasty temper, " had neglected to 
 Ikins' " ma -ke himself a complete master of the Signal 
 Battles: '* book, and on the morning of the battle found 
 Dean's " himself more puzzled than enlightened by it. At 
 " last throwing it upon the Deck, he exclaimed in 
 
 " broad Scotch, ' D &c., &c., Up wi' the hel-lem 
 
 " and gang into the middle o't.' ' 
 Letter of " Into the middle o't ga'ed" the ' Belliqueux.' 
 
 an Officer " 
 
 of the " By 12.30," wrote one of her Officers, " the action 
 ?Times " was enera l with both Fleets ; by one every ship 
 October is, fa^ broken the enemy's line and had got between 
 " them and the land. . . . We had now sufficient 
 " exercise. By half past two a large two-decker 
 " struck to our ship. ... At 3.10 wore ship and 
 " bore down on Admiral Bloys commanding the 
 " rear Division, which immediately struck, hailed 
 " us and desired us to send a boat on board and take 
 " possession. We were so much disabled that we 
 " could not get a boat out ; but she dropped astern 
 " of us. . . ." 
 
 Another point on which all parties were agreed, 
 was as to the decision and resolution displayed by 
 Admiral Duncan. The Officers of the Squadron, 
 whose lives and whose professional pride were at 
 stake, were delighted with the manner in which he 
 bore down, straight and without a moment's hesita-
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 223 
 
 tion, into action. They believed and as eye- _ 
 
 J October n 
 
 witnesses they are entitled to credit that it was 
 the Admiral who caused the fight and the Victory. 
 
 "Too much credit cannot be given to the 'An officer 
 
 . . w h was 
 
 " British Admiral for his promptitude and present at 
 
 Camper- 
 
 " decision on seeing the Dutch Fleet, as he *""V-! 
 
 Admiral C. 
 
 " took immediately the most effectual means of gj^' 
 " capturing and destroying it. ... He perceived Battles 
 " that if he waited to form the line (the enemy 
 " drawing fast in with the land) there would be no 
 " action. He therefore made the signal, to make 
 " all sail, break the line and engage the enemy to 
 " leeward, and for close action ; which last signal 
 " flew until it was shot away. This signal could 
 " not be mistaken, and coupled with the gallant 
 " Chief's example, superseded all former ones ; and 
 " every ship had then nothing to call her attention 
 " from using every exertion to close speedily with 
 l< the enemy." 
 
 Captain Hotham of the 'Adamant,' who was 
 in the battle, wrote in his memoirs : "In the action captain 
 " of nth October, Admiral Duncan's decision was 
 " evident from the moment the enemy was seen. 
 " There was no time for tactique or manoeuvre : the 
 " day was advanced, the wind on shore, the water 
 " shoal ; and hence the charge against him of 
 " going down in some confusion on the enemy's 
 " Fleet. Had he done anything else but what 
 " he did, the day would not have been so decided." 
 
 " Never were the promptitude, decision, skill 
 
 " and courage of an Admiral more gloriously dis- Biography, 
 " played than on this occasion ; and the example page 328
 
 224 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 October n " wmcn ne se ^ was > m general, most ably followed 
 " by the Captains under him." 
 
 In nearly all the Naval Biographies the same 
 opinion is expressed. 
 
 All authorities, too, are agreed that the victory 
 was complete and conclusive. 
 
 sir 1 ?* 1 " Eleven ships of war were captured by ten 
 
 Natai' " sn ip s f ^ ne British Squadron ; as not more than 
 
 Battles it \fcgfa number were seriously engaged. What is 
 
 " remarkable in this action is that more was ac- 
 
 " complished, in proportion to the means, than in 
 
 " any naval engagement of modern times." 
 
 Times, " Admiral Duncan could not do more with so 
 
 October 18, 
 
 1797 " large a fleet and so near the enemy's shore, and 
 " wind in; if they had been some leagues at sea, 
 " very few would have got into the Texel again," 
 wrote an Officer of the ' Belliqueux ' after the 
 battle. 
 
 Wolfe Tone, in spite of his disgust, wrote the 
 same thing in his Journal : 
 
 " There never was a more complete victory 
 " than that gained by the English. The fleets 
 " were equal in number but they had the advantage 
 " in number of guns and weight of metal. De 
 " Winter fought like a lion and defended himself to 
 " the last extremity : but was at length forced to 
 " strike, as were nine of his fleet out of sixteen of 
 " which it consisted. With him were taken the 
 " Admirals Eeyntjis who is since dead and Meurer. 
 " Bloys lost his right arm, and Story is the only 
 " one who came off clear. The two last were not 
 " taken. I cannot conceive why the Dutch
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 225 
 
 " Government sent out their fleet at that season, . 
 
 7 October n 
 
 " without motive or object as far as I can learn, 
 " My opinion is that it is direct treason, and so 
 " think B arras, Pleville le Pelley and even Meyor 
 " the Dutch Ambassador whom I have seen once 
 " or twice. 
 
 " It was well I was not on board the ' Vryheid.' 
 "If I had it would have been a paltry bit of 
 " business. ... I fancy I am not to be caught at 
 " sea by the English, for this is the second escape 
 " I have had, and by land I mock myself of them." 
 (Alas for prophets ! and for poor Wolfe Tone, 
 whose spirit and courage it is impossible not to 
 admire.) 
 
 " Admiral Duncan trusted that the brave Tucker's 
 
 Memoirs of 
 
 " example which he set would achieve his obiect, EMI st. 
 
 Vincent, 
 
 "which it did completely," observed Lord St. voLli - 
 
 ' ' page 282 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 After the battle, it is well known that, although 
 there continued to be a fairly large Dutch Fleet in 
 the Texel, there never again was serious cause for 
 apprehending an invasion from the side of Holland. 
 The detestation of the Dutch sailors for their 
 Eepublican Government was, no doubt, one cause 
 of their surrender of the Fleet in the Texel without 
 fighting on August 31, 1799 ; but the experience of 
 October 1 1, 1797, was a severe lesson which had not 
 been forgotten. 
 
 It is, however, an undoubted fact that some 
 Naval authorities whose opinion is entitled to 
 respect, and notably Lord St. Vincent, an old 
 friend of Admiral Duncan's, are inclined to depre- 
 
 Q
 
 226 THE BATTLE OFF CA.MPERDOWN 
 
 , T 797 ciate the professional skill and ability of the 
 
 October n * 
 
 Admiral as displayed in the commencement of the 
 action. 
 Tucker's " Lord Duncan's action was fought pell mell 
 
 Memoirs of 
 
 vSIcen*' " (without pl an or system) : he was a gallant 
 voLii. Officer (hut had no idea of tactics, and being 
 
 page 282 
 
 " soon puzzled by them) : and attacked without 
 " attention to form or order, trusting that the brave 
 " example he set would acjiievehis object, which it 
 " did completely." 
 
 When Lord St. Vincent wrote this he was 
 
 perhaps a little biassed by the fact that he was 
 
 engaged at the moment in disproving John Clerk 
 
 of Eldin's theories about breaking the line ; which 
 
 Backer's though ingenious and worthy the study of all 
 
 vSSen't " y un g an< ^ inexperienced Officers," he described as 
 
 pftge U 282. " frippery and gimcrack." He apparently intended 
 
 tSS e on a to imply that Admiral Duncan's breaking the line 
 
 S^vai 9 on this occasion was more or less the result of 
 
 chance, and at all events was not prompted by the 
 
 work of John Clerk of Eldin on Naval Tactics ; 
 
 just as, in the same 'Observations,' he wrote to the 
 
 same effect about Lord Eodney's battle with De 
 
 Grasse in 1782, and about Lord Howe's action on 
 
 June i, 1794. 
 
 So far as John Clerk of Eldin, that celebrated 
 apple of Naval discord, is concerned, Lord St. 
 Vincent might have been surprised to learn that 
 Admiral Duncan possessed a copy of Clerk's 
 * Naval Tactics,' and, judging from the external 
 and internal appearance of the book, which is still 
 with his Papers, studied it carefully.
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 227 
 
 The important question, however, is whether X 797 
 
 October ir 
 
 an action could have been won, or even brought 
 about, in any other way than that which Duncan 
 adopted. It has been already shown by the 
 Signals of the ' Venerable ' on October 1 1 , and by 
 the Admiral's own statements in his letters and 
 despatches, that he at first intended to form line 
 of battle, but changed his plan because he found 
 that " there was no time to lose." It has been 
 shown also that the Dutch ships were rapidly 
 nearing the land. 
 
 If the Admiral had formed line and had begun 
 to manoeuvre, either the Dutch might have, 
 on further consideration, taken shelter in the 
 Texel, or, if they found themselves getting the 
 worst of the action, they could have retreated at 
 their pleasure. 
 
 It must be admitted that to bear down and 
 break their line in shallow water close to the coast 
 of Holland, and on a lee shore, was a risky pro- 
 ceeding, which required strong nerves ; but it was 
 the only course which offered great possibilities. 
 There is considerable evidence to prove that it was 
 this mode of attack which produced the victory. 
 
 Admiral De Winter himself said to Admiral 
 Duncan : " Your not waiting to form line ruined Naval 
 " me : if I had got nearer to the shore and you had Admiral d 
 " attacked, I should probably have drawn both 
 " Fleets on it, and it would have been a victory to 
 " me, being on my own coast." 
 
 Admiral Story in his letter to the Hague on 
 October 14 wrote: "The English Fleet which
 
 228 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 " bore down upon us with the wind abaft, formed in 
 
 October n 
 
 " a line towards the south ; then ranged en echiquier 
 " (chequerwise) it came right upon us. ... The 
 " greater part of the English Fleet broke through 
 " our line." 
 
 The l Leyden Gazette ' of October 20, comment- 
 ing upon the above letter, observed: "It is certain 
 " that the Dutch sailors evinced neither a want of 
 " ardour, of courage, or of fortitude ; and that if 
 " the misfortune of the day be attributable to any- 
 " thing else than the great superiority of the enemy 
 " both in number and force, and to his having the 
 " wind in his favour, it is on the one hand to be 
 " imputed to the order of battle adopted by Admiral 
 " Duncan, and on the other to the Dutch line not 
 " being sufficiently close. The English order of 
 " battle was, according to various reports, such 
 " that the enemy appeared to come down in a 
 " confused manner on our ships. Vice-Admiral 
 " Story informs us, on the contrary, that the 
 " English were really formed in line of battle ; and 
 " that it was the order en echiquier, the most 
 " proper for breaking the Dutch line, that the 
 " British Commander employed." 
 
 Admiral De Winter himself, in his Eeport said : 
 " The Dutch Squadron immediately formed line of 
 " battle. The English did not attack them in 
 " that order, but broke our line by passing through 
 " each of the spaces that separated our ships." 
 
 The effect of the manoeuvre was augmented and 
 intensified by the manner in which the attack 
 was delivered. Neither of the British Admirals
 
 BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 229 
 
 slackened or hesitated : both the ' Monarch ' and '797 
 
 October n 
 
 the ' Venerable ' bore right down, each through the 
 opposing part of the Dutch line, followed by their 
 supporting ships ; and then, wearing, caused the 
 confusion both in the rear and in the van of the 
 Dutch line which has been described. 
 
 The risk which the British Admiral ran was 
 indeed very great. The British ships "were in Admiral 
 " nine fathoms of water and only five miles from 
 
 " the shore." " The Battle was so nigh land that 1797- 
 
 Times 
 
 " thousands of people were on the shore to view Article, 
 
 October 14, 
 " it." ^797 
 
 It was not unreasonable to expect, as Admiral 
 De Winter did, that the British Admirals would 
 run their Fleet on shore : but unluckily for him, 
 they did not. They carried their boldness up to 
 the very verge of rashness in order to cut off the 
 Dutch from retreat, and when the victory was won, 
 worked their ships out of danger, through, the 
 superior seamanship of the Captains, in spite of a 
 rising gale. 
 
 What would not Napoleon have given for an ^ 
 Admiral or two of this kind ? " All naval expedi- Na 
 " tions undertaken since I have been at the head 13,1804. 
 " of the Government have failed because- the Ad- influence 
 
 of Sea 
 
 " mirals see double and have learned in what Power on 
 
 the French 
 
 " school I do not know that war can be made Revolu- 
 
 tion, vol. 
 
 " without running risks." n.pa g e 
 
 " If further proof of the efficacy of such a mode Admiral 
 " of attack be wanting, it is to be found in the hon- EMM* 
 
 Naval 
 
 " ourable testimony of the great Nelson who, though Battle*, 
 " not acquainted with Lord Duncan, wrote to him 2 34-s
 
 230 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 " after the battle of the Nile, to tell him how he 
 
 October ri 
 
 " * had profited by his example.' ' 
 
 It may be observed too in support of the con- 
 tention that in a Naval engagement successful and 
 decisive results are most likely to be produced by 
 attacking a line of ships in column that the 
 attack at Trafalgar was almost identical with that 
 at Camperdown, and that the order of attack was 
 altered at the last moment in the same way and 
 for precisely the same reasons. 
 
 Those who wish to be able to appreciate the 
 attack at Trafalgar must read Captain Mahan's 
 unrivalled ' Life of Nelson,' vol. ii. pages 368, &c., 
 where every particular relating to Trafalgar is given, 
 together with an excellent Plan of the Action. 
 
 For the convenience and guidance of the 
 general reader, a few extracts from Captain Mahan's 
 pages are subjoined, which bring out the features of 
 the attack to which reference has been made, but 
 which cannot and ought not to satisfy a reader 
 who takes an intelligent interest in Naval History. 
 
 " At twenty minutes before seven " (October 21, 
 1805) " Nelson made in quick succession the signals 
 " ' to form the order of sailing ' which by his 
 " previous instructions was to be the order of battle 
 " and ' to prepare for battle.' Ten minutes later 
 " followed the command * to bear up,' the ' Victory ' 
 " setting the example by at once altering her 
 " course for the enemy. Collingwood did the same, 
 " and the ships of the two Divisions fell into the 
 " wake of their leaders as best they could, for the 
 " light wind afforded neither the means nor the
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 231 
 
 " time for refinements in manoeuvring. Fourteen 1805 
 
 October 21 
 
 " ships followed the ' Eoyal Sovereign,' while the 
 "^remaining twelve gathered in Nelson's division 
 " behind the 'Victory.' The two columns steered 
 " east, about a mile apart, that of Nelson being to 
 " the Northward 
 
 " Thus. . . . Nelson at the moment of engaging 
 " changed the details of his plan and substituted 
 " an attack in two columns simultaneously made, 
 " for the charge of Collingwood's Division, in line 
 " and in superior numbers upon the enemy's flank : 
 " to be followed, more or less quickly, according to 
 " indications, by such movement of his own 
 
 " Division as might seem advisable 
 
 "... Villeneuve, wishing to keep Cadiz, then 
 " twenty miles to the northward and eastward, 
 " under his lee, ordered the Combined Fleets 
 " to wear together. . . . Owing to the scanty wind 
 " this manoeuvre was not completed until near ten 
 " o'clock. Nelson, however, noted its beginning at 
 " seven, and with grave concern ; for not only would 
 " it put the Allies nearer their port, but it would 
 " cause vessels crippled in the action to find to 
 " leeward of them, in the gale which he foresaw, 
 " the dangerous shoals off Trafalgar instead of the 
 * open refuge of the Straits. ..." 
 
 " About ten o'clock," says Captain Blackwood, 
 " Lord Nelson's anxiety to close with the enemy 
 
 " became very apparent 
 
 " Owing to the lightness of the breeze the 
 " Allies carried a good deal of sail, a departure from
 
 232 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 ^805 " the usual battle practice. This was necessary in 
 " order to enable them to keep their places at all, 
 " but it also had the effect of bringing them 
 " continually, though very gradually, nearer to 
 " Cadiz. Seeing this, Nelson signalled to Colling- 
 " wood, * I intend to pass through the van of the 
 " enemy's line, to prevent him from getting into 
 " Cadiz,' and the course of the 'Victory ' for this 
 " purpose, was changed a little to the Northward. . 
 
 " At noon the French ship the ' Fougeux,' fired 
 " at the ' Eoyal Sovereign ' the first gun of the 
 " Battle. . . . For ten minutes the latter advanced 
 " in silence, the one centre of the hostile firing 
 " drawing near to the two ships between which she 
 " intended to pass. . . . The ' Victory ' was about 
 " two miles from the ' Royal Sovereign,' when at 
 " ten minutes past twelve, the latter broke through 
 " the Allied order, and she had about a mile and a 
 " half to go before she herself could reach it. ... 
 " At one o'clock the bows of the ' Victory ' crossed 
 " the wake of the ' Bucentaure.' ..." 
 
 At the close of the action off Camperdown 
 both Fleets presented a pitiable spectacle. Mr. 
 Richardson, First Lieutenant of the ' Circe,' to 
 whom Admiral De Winter surrendered on board 
 the * Vryheid,' gave the following description of the 
 scene : 
 
 " The appearance of the British ships was very 
 " unlike what it was when opposed to the French 
 " or Spaniards. No masts were shot away, nor 
 " was the rigging in its usual tattered state : for
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 233 
 
 " the Dutchmen had directed their shot at the .. J 797 
 
 October n 
 
 " hulls of the British, and this so near that no aim 
 " could well miss. Many were pierced by balls in 
 " all directions, and a few had received dangerous 
 " injuries between wind and water, which kept the 
 " pumps in constant employment. With hulls so 
 " shattered the loss of men was very severe, 
 " making two hundred and twenty-eight killed and 
 " eight hundred and twelve wounded. The cap- 
 " tured ships were nearly all dismasted ; the Dutch 
 " Vice and two Eear Admirals were wounded, and 
 " their returns were five hundred and fifty killed 
 " and six hundred and twenty wounded." 
 
 Amongst Admiral Duncan's Papers are pre- 
 served the original lists of the names of the killed 
 and wounded on board of each ship, and of the 
 defects of each ship herself, as reported by the 
 Gunner and the Carpenter, and certified by the 
 Captain. The ' Venerable,' ' Monarch,' ' Powerful,' 
 and several more were in a sad condition. As an 
 instance of what had happened to the ships which 
 had been in the thick of the engagement, the 
 Carpenter's and Gunner's lists of defects on board 
 the ' Ardent ' are interesting. 
 
 " 'Ardent,' Yarmouth Roads : October 18, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, Not having an opportunity of so fully October is 
 informing you of the state of His Majesty's Ship 
 the ' Ardent,' and the conduct and behaviour of the 
 Company and Officers when I made known to you 
 the death of Captain Burges, I avail myself of this 
 opportunity, and am only doing justice when I
 
 234 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 inform you, that I received very great assistance 
 from Lieutenants Morris, Rose and Sibriel, and 
 altho' the two latter were wounded, and Lieutenant 
 Rose severely, they did not quit the deck till the 
 Action was over. To the other officers in general 
 and the Ship's Company I cannot give too much 
 praise for their steady conduct and behaviour during 
 the whole of the Action. 
 
 " I anchored here on the 1 5th in the evening, 
 towed in by His Majesty's Ship ' Bedford,' and am 
 using every exertion in my power to get the 
 ' Ardent ' in a state to proceed from hence. 
 Enclosed I send you the defects of the Ship, and a 
 more accurate account of the killed and wounded. 
 " And have the honour to be, 
 
 with the greatest respect, 
 " your most obedient humble Servant, 
 
 " J. PHILIPS, ist. Lt. 
 
 " Adam Duncan, Esq., Admiral of the Blue, &c., &c., &c." 
 
 " Gunner's Defects of His Majesty's Ship 
 ' Ardent,' Lieutenant John Philips Commander : 
 
 " Two Guns, Lower Gun Deck^ 
 Five Guns, Main Deck 
 
 Three Guns, Quarter Deck 
 
 All disabled. 
 
 One Gun Fore Castle 
 One Gun Poop 
 
 " J. PHILIPS, ist. Lieut. 
 
 " EICHAKD JEW, Gunner." 
 
 " Carpenter's Defects of His Majesty's Ship 
 'Ardent,' Lieut. John Philips, Commander:
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 235 
 
 " The Flying Jibb Boom. Jibb boom and 
 
 J October 18 
 
 Spritsail Yard shot away, 
 
 " Bowsprit wounded in different places, 
 
 " Foretopgallant Mast and Yard shot away, 
 
 " Fore Yard and Foretopsail Yard shot away, 
 
 " Foremast shot in different places, 
 
 " Maintopgallant Mast and Yard shot away, 
 
 " Main Mast and Maintopmast shot in sundry 
 
 places, 
 
 " Mizentopgallant Mast, Topmast, Topgallant 
 
 Yard and topsail Yard with the top and part of 
 
 the Mizen mast shot away, 
 
 " The Cross Jack Yard shot away, 
 
 " The Driver boom and Gaff shot away, 
 
 " Spare Yards and Masts all shot in different 
 
 places, 
 
 " The Quarter-Deck, Poop and Forecastle very 
 
 much damaged, 
 
 " The Wheel and Tiller shot in sundry places, 
 " The Cat heads and Anchor Stocks shot to 
 
 pieces, 
 
 " One of the Anchors shot away, 
 
 " The upper Gun Deck very much damaged by 
 
 the Enemy's shot, 
 
 " The lower Gun Deck very much damaged by 
 
 the shot. 
 
 " A great number of the wood riders shot to 
 
 pieces, 
 
 " The Capsten shot in sundry places, 
 
 " Several of the Iron Stantions shot away, 
 
 " A great number of shot between wind and 
 
 water.
 
 236 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 
 
 1797 " The Fore, Main and Mizen chains shot in 
 
 October 18 
 
 different places, 
 
 " The ship makes from five to six feet of water 
 in 24 hours. 
 
 " J. PHILIPS, i st. Lt." 
 
 The * Venerable's ' " Mainmast, Foremast, 
 " Mizen Mast and Bowsprit were much wounded 
 " and, besides other injuries innumerable, she had 
 " 45 shot between wind and water," and " made so 
 " much water that the chain and two hand-pumps 
 " hardly kept her above water. After the action 
 she made 29 inches of water in 20 minutes," &c., 
 &c., &c. When she reached the Nore, which she 
 did with great difficulty, she was ordered to be 
 dismantled for a thorough repair ; and Admiral 
 Duncan shifted his Flag into the * Kent,' a new 
 ship of 74 guns, then just launched. 
 
 In Chatham Dockyard, up to within a few years 
 ago, stories were still current about the crippled 
 state of the ships which arrived at the Nore. 
 Alison's " The Dutch prizes were either dismasted or 
 
 Euro^ ( of " so riddled with shot as to be altogether unser- 
 Jllgeai* " viceable ; " it maybe observed that not one of 
 them was ever employed under the British Flag. 
 
 Admiral De Winter, in a second report to the 
 Times Committee of Marine at the Hague, attributed his 
 
 Nov. 20, 
 
 1797 defeat in great part to the early retreat of six 
 Batavian ships from the action ; and also to the 
 fact that the British Squadron had been for nine- 
 teen weeks together at sea. 
 
 There is indeed reason to believe that some of
 
 THE BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN 237 
 
 the Dutch ships left the action early ; but some of 
 
 r . J ' October ir 
 
 the English ships also did not take much share in 
 the fighting, as was proved at the court-martial 
 in regard to the ' Agincourt ' and is known in regard 
 to some of the others. With regard to the com- 
 position of the British Squadron, some of the ships 
 had only joined Admiral Duncan after the mutiny ; 
 the ' Standard ' was absent repairing, and the 
 Squadron generally " was formed of very indifferent Admiral 
 " and inadequate ships, many of them having been Ekins- 
 " intended for Indiamen ; it was otherwise ill- Battles 
 " conditioned and deficient. . . . Had that Fleet 
 " been composed of the same material as Lord 
 " St. Vincent's, every Dutch ship would have been 
 " taken." 
 
 Although Admiral De Winter was defeated, he 
 
 Influence 
 
 had no reason to feel ashamed. " The battle was f Sea 
 
 Power on 
 
 " fought with all the desperation that in every 
 " age has marked the meetings of the British and 
 " the Dutch." 
 
 An officer of the ' Belliqueux ' summed up the 
 result with reasonable fairness when he wrote : 
 " The Dutch fought remarkably well, but we fought 
 " better."
 
 238 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 HOW THE NEWS OF THE VICTORY WAS RECEIVED IN 
 GREAT BRITAIN 
 
 1797 THE Victory off Camperdown was won at a moment 
 when the spirit of the Nation was flagging, and 
 it imparted fresh strength to Mr. Pitt and his 
 Government. 
 
 On the Continent of Europe, the French 
 Republic had for some time triumphed everywhere 
 over the Allied Powers. Napoleon's splendid 
 campaign of 1796 in Italy; the failure of Lord 
 Malmesbury's negotiations in Paris at the end of the 
 same year ; the misfortunes of Austria in 1 797, which 
 had obliged her to consent to the Preliminary 
 Articles of Peace at Leoben, resulting in the Treaty 
 of Campo Formio (October 17, 1797) all these un- 
 toward occurrences were discouraging in the extreme, 
 and made the war and the enormous pecuniary 
 sacrifices which it entailed more and more unpopular 
 in Great Britain. 
 
 Even on the sea the supremacy of Great Britain 
 had been somewhat shaken. Spain had now joined 
 her Naval forces to France, and the numerical 
 superiority of the two Navies was such that the 
 British Fleet had been compelled to retire from 
 the Mediterranean. The Channel Fleet also had
 
 Walk'rJcBcutall.ph.i
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 239 
 
 failed to prevent or even to detect the despatch 1797 
 from Brest of a large French expedition to Ireland, 
 which miscarried only because the ' Fraternite" ' 
 frigate with Admiral Morard and General Hoche, the 
 two Commanders of the Forces, on board, was 
 separated in stormy weather from her consorts, and 
 because of the timidity of Admiral Bouvet, the 
 second in command. 
 
 The one redeeming feature had been the memor- 
 able victory gained on February 15, 1797, off Cape 
 St. Vincent, by Sir John Jervis, who, with fifteen 
 sail of the line, routed and drove into Cadiz 
 Langara's Fleet of twenty-seven sail, of which he 
 captured four. Since that success, however, mutiny 
 had occurred in the Home Ports ; the Thames had 
 been closed by British ships of war ; and although 
 the seamen as a body had disclaimed any traitorous 
 intentions, some of their leaders had proposed to 
 take over the ships to the enemy. It is not sur- 
 prising if, under these circumstances, the confidence 
 of the Nation in the Navy had somewhat abated ; 
 though if the Navy, or any part of it, were to fail 
 
 . 
 
 in battle, what might not be the result ? Through- 
 out the anxious summer of 1797 invasion had been 
 threatened from Holland, and had approached so 
 nigh to realisation that French troops had been for 
 some weeks embarked on board the Dutch ships 
 which were to convey them. It seemed as if the 
 days of De Euyter and of Tromp were not unlikely 
 to return. 
 
 As soon therefore as it was known in London 
 that the Dutch Fleet was beyond all doubt at sea,
 
 240 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1797 and that the North Sea Fleet had started from 
 October za Yarmouth in pursuit, the excitement became 
 intense. 
 
 About 4 o'clock on the morning of October 13 
 
 Lieutenant Brodie of the ' Eose ' Cutter arrived at 
 
 the Admiralty with the news of the victory ; and 
 
 Times, at 7 A.M. Lord Spencer waited on the King at Kew 
 
 to communicate the joyful intelligence, and also 
 
 announced it by letter to the Lord Mayor of 
 
 London. The public enthusiasm and rapture 
 
 knew no bounds. 
 
 Times, " At noon the Queen and Princesses drove 
 
 October 14 
 
 " from Kew to Windsor where the bells of the 
 " Church rang the Eoyal Family into the town. 
 " At the same hour the Tower guns were fired, and 
 " the bells of the different Churches about London 
 " rang merrily during the day, and at night the 
 " principal streets were illuminated." 
 October 13 The news reached Mr. Pitt at Walmer in a 
 very strange manner, which is narrated by Mr. 
 John Fordyce to Mr. John Clerk of Eldin in a 
 letter written with reference to the manoeuvre of 
 breaking the line in a naval action, as recommended 
 by Mr. Clerk in his work on ' Naval Tactics.' 
 
 " Putney Hall : nth June, 1809. 
 
 " My good old friend, I happened on another 
 and very remarkable occasion to hear the declara- 
 tion of Lord Eodney that he in his great Action 
 had followed the plans and principles recom- 
 mended in your Naval Tactics, very strongly 
 confirmed by another unquestionable testimony.
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 241 
 
 I happened to be down at Walmer Castle with 1797 
 Mr. Pitt at the time of Lord Duncan's great Octoberi 3 
 battle on the coast of Holland. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Dundas were living with him at the same time. 
 We were sitting drinking a glass of wine, I 
 remember, when a man whose name I do not at 
 present recollect, a smuggler, came rather abruptly 
 into the room and told us he had just come on 
 shore from his vessel, returning from the coast of 
 Holland where he had witnessed the great victory 
 gained by Admiral Duncan. He described the 
 Action and having mentioned breaking through 
 the line, Mr. Dundas took notice of that new 
 instance of the success of your system, and then 
 mentioned Eodney's often having told him that 
 he had taken that mode of attack from you." 
 
 A Memorandum respecting Mr. Clerk and his 
 work on Naval Tactics, certified by Lord Melville 
 in a letter to W. Adam, Esq., dated " 5 June, 1810, 
 " Saville Bow," to be " accurate in every particular 
 " so far as my name is concerned," contains the 
 following : 
 
 " Lord Melville (Mr. Henry Dundas) often dis- Ppew 
 
 now at 
 
 " cussed the subject with Lord Duncan, who had Cam P<*- 
 
 QOWll 
 
 " studied Clerk's system with great care and was 
 " deeply impressed with it. He stated that Lord 
 " Duncan always said he would act upon the 
 " principles laid down in Mr. Clerk's book and also 
 " that the scene described and the different facts 
 " stated by Mr. Fordyce in his letter when the 
 " news of Lord Duncan's Victory was brought to 
 <{ Mr. Pitt at Walmer Castle, are correct." 
 
 B
 
 242 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1797 On the night of October 16, further particulars 
 
 October 16 o f ^g Battle having been received, " the illumina- 
 " tions were general throughout London and the 
 
 October 17 
 
 " mobs jOi course, extremely troublesome. 
 
 (It is hardly possible to read this last sent- 
 ence without comparing and contrasting the 
 manners and behaviour of the vast London crowds 
 of a century later on the occasion of the Diamond 
 Jubilee of Queen Victoria.) 
 
 A public subscription was at once started at 
 Lloyd's Coffee-house for the relief of the families 
 of the killed and wounded seamen, which was 
 supported not only by individuals, but by public 
 bodies and the theatres, and amounted in a short 
 time to 52,609?. 
 
 The rejoicings became general in all parts of 
 Times, the kingdom as the news spread. " The libations to 
 " the health of the gallant Admiral, his officers and 
 " crews would, on a moderate calculation, bring to 
 " the revenue 5,000^. additional revenue on wine 
 " only. Even the mail coach horses at Bath and 
 " Bristol discovered the emblems of victory by 
 " being profusely decorated with laurels." 
 October 19 On October 19 the Court of Common Council 
 resolved to present an address of congratulation to 
 the King, and the Freedom of the City of London, 
 togetherwith a sword of honour, to Admiral Duncan, 
 and also to Admiral Onslow, for their services ; as 
 Time*, also the thanks of the Corporation to the Captains, 
 Officers and Seamen of the North Sea Fleet, and to 
 subscribe 500?. to the Widows' and Orphans' Fund 
 collecting at Lloyd's.
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 243 
 
 " The whole town of Edinburgh was illuminated, 1797 
 " seeming to consider the victory as a national ScTobe^ 
 " honour to Scotland. In each of the lower 
 " windows of Admiral Duncan's house was the 
 " representation of a ship with her streamers 
 " flying." 
 
 The Corporation of the City of Dublin unani- 
 mously voted a congratulatory address to the King, 
 and resolved to present the Freedom of the City Times, 
 to Admirals Duncan and Onslow in decorated oak 
 boxes, for their gallant conduct. 
 
 " In Sunderland the news arrived on Sunday copied 
 
 from the 
 
 " at ii, when the good folks were at worship. A Newcastle 
 
 G . . r Chronicle, 
 
 " loyal citizen elated with the joyful intelligence August 4 , 
 
 " in passing St. John's Church, opened the north 
 
 " door and shouted at the top of his voice : 
 
 " ' Admiral Duncan has defeated the Dutch Fleet 
 
 " at Camperdown.' The congregation were at 
 
 " prayers at the time, when Mr. Has well the 
 
 " organist struck up the air of ' Eule Britannia ' 
 
 " and the congregation responded to the enthu- 
 
 " siasm of the organist by rising while the spirit- 
 
 " stirring air was performed. Prayer was then 
 
 " quietly resumed." 
 
 At the Hague also great anxiety had prevailed 
 after the sailing of the Dutch Fleet, and the public 
 temperature rose to fever height when on October 
 1 1 the booming of the guns was heard in the 
 city: 
 
 " According to information received by several 
 " fishing boats and observations made from the 
 " spires of our maritime villages, the Batavian Fleet 
 
 B 2
 
 244 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1797 " was yesterday engaged with an English Fleet sup- 
 
 october posed to be that commanded by Admiral Duncan 
 
 " though the English Papers state that it has 
 
 " returned to Yarmouth. The action began at ten 
 
 " in the morning and lasted without interruption 
 
 Hague " till four in the afternoon. We are ignorant of 
 
 october'i2 " the force of the English and of the issue of the 
 
 " combat. The cannonade was so vigorous that it 
 
 " was heard distinctly here. Three ships have been 
 
 " seen dismasted, but their colours could not be 
 
 " perceived. The Marine Committee have not yet 
 
 " received any official intelligence. During the 
 
 " whole of the day several vessels have been 
 
 " observed on the coast but there has been no firing 
 
 " heard. Impatience is general." 
 
 On October 13 :" The letter from Vice- Admiral 
 " De Winter addressed to the Marine Committee, 
 r I3 " was communicated to the Convention during the 
 " sitting. . . . The reading of it produced a very 
 " melancholy sensation among the members of the 
 " Assembly." 
 
 The ' Venerable ' anchored in " the Swin, 
 " Beacon of the Gunfleet N.E. by E., distance 3 
 "or 4 miles" on Thursday, October 18, having 
 accomplished the journey from the Texel in six 
 days ! " Ever since my letter of the isth," wrote 
 the Admiral to the Board of Admiralty, " the wind 
 " has blown fresh from the westward and has 
 " retarded my progress to the Nore." 
 
 He struck his flag on the next day, and landed 
 at Margate, proceeding thence to visit Mr. Pitt at 
 Walmer Castle.
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 245 
 
 Mr. Pitt wrote to his mother about this visit : 1797 
 
 " Walmer Castle : October 22, 1797. 
 
 Stanhope a 
 
 " My dear Mother, Lord Duncan joined us very pjS^oi. 
 opportunely on Friday at Dover Castle, where we had m ' p ' 73 
 gone the day before to be present at a feu de joie in October 22 
 honour of his victory. Our Admirals (Hood and 
 Duncan) leave us to-morrow, but we shall probably 
 stay here till the end of the week and shall pro- 
 bably visit the Fleet on our way back to-morrow 
 sen'night when the King intends to go on board. 
 Such a ceremony will be no bad prelude for the 
 opening of the Session. 
 
 " Ever my dear Mother, etc., 
 " W. PITT." 
 
 The King lost no time in bestowing Honours 
 and otherwise expressing his satisfaction. 
 
 The ' London Gazette ' of October 1 7 announced 
 that the King had been pleased to grant the 
 dignity of a Viscount of the Kingdom of Great 
 Britain to Adam Duncan, Esq., Admiral of the Blue 
 Squadron of His Majesty's Fleet, by the name, 
 style and title of Viscount Duncan, of ' Camper- 
 down ' ; and also that the King had been pleased 
 to grant the dignity of a Baronet of the Kingdom 
 of Great Britain to Eichard Onslow, Esq., Vice- 
 Admiral of the Eed Squadron of His Majesty's 
 Fleet. 
 
 " On Monday October 30, the King left Windsor 
 " at half past six in the morning to visit the Fleet 
 " at the Nore. He came the usual road to town
 
 246 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1797 " and passed through Storey's Gate in St. James' 
 
 October 3 i " Park over Westminster Bridge to Greenwich. 
 
 " His Majesty arrived at Lord Hood's apart- 
 
 " ments in the Hospital as the clock was striking 
 
 " nine ; the King remarking to Lord Hood that 
 
 " he was very punctual in keeping his appoint- 
 
 " ment, nine having been the hour fixed. The 
 
 October 3 o Princess of Wales had arrived a few minutes 
 
 " before, in order to give His Majesty the meeting, 
 
 " which appeared to be cordial on both sides. . . . 
 
 " After breakfast the King was conducted on 
 
 " board the ' Royal Charlotte ' Yacht, in a six- 
 
 " oared Barge of which Captain Trollope was 
 
 " coxswain. . . . 
 
 " The ' Eoyal Charlotte ' was commanded by 
 " Captain Trollope and steered by Admiral Duncan's 
 " Pilot (John Porteous) ; the ' Princess Augusta ' 
 " which was fitted up for the accommodation of the 
 "Lords of the Admiralty, was commanded by 
 "Captain Riou, and the 'Mary' Yacht by Lieu- 
 " tenant Philips of the ' Ardent.' 
 
 Times, " Violent and adverse winds blew from the time 
 
 berT " the King embarked, and it was found impossible 
 " to reach the Nore, where most splendid prepara- 
 " tions had been made for the reception of His 
 " Majesty. His Majesty was never able to proceed 
 " fartherthan the Lower Hope, a little below Graves- 
 " end; and on Wednesday morning November i, 
 " the Royal Yacht came up to Greenwich, where 
 " the King landed and returned to London." 
 
 The King was graciously pleased to pardon 180 
 of the mutineers confined at Chatham, whose
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 247 
 
 petition was presented by Admiral Duncan in 17 
 person. g^ 
 
 Before the King disembarked at Greenwich he 
 conferred on Captain Trollope the honour of a 
 Knight Banneret as a special mark of his approba- 
 tion, and Lord Spencer thanked him for the 
 steadiness and skill with which he had kept 
 company with a superior force, and told him that 
 Admiral Duncan both in his private and public 
 letters had given the most handsome testimony to 
 the way in which he had behaved. 
 
 Lieutenant Philips of the * Ardent ' was 
 specially promoted to be Captain; and the first 
 Lieutenants of all the ships were promoted. 
 
 The King ordered a number of Gold Medals to 
 be struck in commemoration of the victory, and 
 desired that the Officers receiving them should be 
 presented, wearing the medals, the first time they 
 appeared at St. James's. 
 
 Parliament was opened by the King on Nove 
 
 ber 2 
 
 November 2, who in his speech made a reference 
 to the victory of the North Sea Fleet. In the 
 House of Lords, Earl Spencer moved the thanks 
 of the House to Admiral Lord Duncan and the 
 Officers serving under him. Similar votes were 
 moved by Mr. Dundas in the House of Commons, 
 " thanking Admiral Lord Viscount Duncan, Vice- 
 " Admiral Sir Richard Onslow, the Captains and 
 " Officers, and highly approving of the services of 
 " the Seamen and Marines," all of which were 
 carried unanimously. 
 
 Mr. Dundas then alluded to the death of
 
 248 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 Captain Burges, and said that " he had the authority 
 " of the gallant Admiral under whose command he 
 " fell, to assure the House that both from public 
 " and private motives Lord Duncan considered 
 " his untimely death as one of the greatest losses 
 " the country had sustained" ; and he concluded 
 by moving that " An humble Address be presented 
 " to His Majesty that he would be graciously 
 " pleased to give directions for a monument in 
 " the Cathedral of St. Paul to the memory of 
 " Captain Burges of the * Ardent,' this House 
 " promising to make good the expenses of the 
 " same." 
 
 This motion was agreed to ; and on November 4 
 His Majesty was graciously pleased to send a 
 favourable reply to the Address, and to issue orders 
 accordingly. 
 
 On Wednesday, November 8, Lord Duncan was 
 introduced into the House of Lords by Lord Hood 
 and another Peer. 
 
 The Lord Chancellor (Lord Loughborough) 
 addressed him in the following terms : 
 
 " Lord Viscount Duncan, I am commanded by 
 " the Lords to give your Lordship the thanks of 
 " this House for your able and gallant conduct in 
 " the brilliant and decisive victory obtained over 
 " the Dutch Fleet on the nth day of October last, 
 " as well as for the zeal, courage and perseverance 
 11 which you have uniformly manifested during the 
 " arduous period in which you have commanded 
 " His Majesty's Fleet in the North Sea. 
 
 " At the same time that this vote passed
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 249 
 
 " unanimously, their Lordships were pleased to i 797 
 " order that all the Peers should be summoned to ^l m ' 
 " attend on the occasion : a distinction unprece- Lords> 
 
 Journals 
 
 " dented, but called for by the general admiration 
 " your conduct has inspired, and strongly expres- 
 " sive of that peculiar satisfaction which the Peers 
 " must feel upon your Lordship's promotion to a 
 " distinguished seat in this House. 
 
 " Splendid in all its circumstances as the 
 " victory obtained by His Majesty's Fleet under 
 " your command has been, important as it must 
 " prove, in its consequences, to the security of all 
 " His Majesty's dominions, and, under the Divine 
 " blessing, to the favourable issue of the arduous 
 " contest in which they are engaged ; the magni- 
 " tude and lustre of these considerations have not 
 " so occupied the observation of the Lords as to 
 " make them unmindful of the constant vigilance 
 " with which your Lordship had, in the whole 
 " course of your command for three successive 
 " seasons, watched and frustrated every design of 
 " the enemy ; nor the manly fortitude with which 
 " you had sustained the temporary defection of the 
 " greater part of your force ; nor, above all, that 
 " undaunted resolution with which) at so momen- 
 " tous a crisis, you proceeded to check and control 
 " the presumptuous hopes of the enemy. These 
 " are merits in which fortune can claim no share ; 
 " they spring from that energy of mind and that 
 " ardent love of your country, which has directed 
 " your own conduct and animated the Officers and 
 " men under your command, whose exertions are
 
 250 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 " entitled to every testimony of public gratitude 
 " and applause." 
 
 Lord Duncan replied : " My Lords Not accus- 
 " tomed to speak in public, though my feelings are 
 " great, my words must be few. 
 
 " Deeply impressed as I am with the high 
 " honor this Eight Honourable House has been 
 " pleased to confer upon me, I shall only say that 
 " I acknowledge it with the most profound respect 
 " and am deeply gratified by it. 
 
 " To you, my Lord, my best thanks are due for 
 " the very nattering and polite manner in which 
 " you have been pleased to convey to me the Eeso- 
 " lutions of this House." 
 
 On the motion of His Koyal Highness the 
 Duke of Clarence, the Address of the Lord 
 Chancellor to Admiral Lord Viscount Duncan, 
 together with his Lordship's reply, was ordered to 
 be entered upon the Journals of the House. 
 
 On Tuesday, December 1 9, the King proceeded 
 in solemn procession to St. Paul's Cathedral to 
 return thanks for the great naval victories obtained 
 during the war over the enemies of the country. 
 
 The day was fine, and there was an enormous 
 concourse of people. " Houses in the line of the 
 " procession were let at the rate of from twenty to 
 " fifty guineas for the day ; and five guineas was 
 " the established price for single places in the 
 " West Gallery of St. Paul's, and two guineas for 
 " single places over the West Portico, from which 
 " there was a complete view of the ceremony." 
 
 The Seamen and Marines with their Officers
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTOEY 251 
 
 assembled in Palace Yard, Westminster, and soon 1797 
 after 8 A.M. the procession began with a Division of JJSem- 
 Marines followed by about 200 Seamen, and then ber20 
 by an Artillery Waggon drawn by four horses, with 
 the French Flags taken during the war ; by a 
 second Artillery waggon with the Spanish Flags 
 taken off Cape St. Vincent ; and by a third 
 Artillery waggon with the Dutch Flags. 
 
 Lord Duncan followed the third waggon in his 
 carriage ; Lord Howe was represented by Vice- 
 Admiral Cal dwell ; and Lord St. Vincent by Vice- 
 Admiral Sir Charles Thompson. 
 
 The procession passed along Charing Cross and 
 the Strand, which streets were lined by the Foot 
 Guards and the Horse Guards. 
 
 From Temple Bar to St. Paul's the streets were 
 lined by the East India Volunteers, the City 
 Militia, and the Artillery Company. The Light 
 Horse Volunteers patrolled up and down Ludgate 
 Hill and Fleet Street to preserve order. 
 
 On arriving at the Cathedral the Lieutenants 
 took the Flags from the waggons, and carried them 
 in procession, " under the loudest shouts of applause Times, 
 " and grand martial music to the middle of the ber 20 
 " Dome, where they were placed in a circle." The 
 Captains passed up the middle aisle and took 
 their seats in the galleries on each side of the 
 choir. 
 
 About 9 o'clock the procession from the Times, 
 
 Decem- 
 
 House of Commons passed through Temple Bar, ber 20 
 consisting of about 130 carriages. Mr. Pitt's 
 carriage was nearly the last, and he was received
 
 252 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1797 with very general applause. The Speaker's state 
 r c i~ carriage closed the procession of the Commons. 
 
 Next came the Masters in Chancery and the 
 Judges ; and then the Peers in their robes, in about 
 50 carriages. The Lord Chancellor closed this 
 part of the procession in his state carriage. 
 
 After an interval of about half an hour the 
 King's procession arrived, having driven from 
 Stable Yard down Pall Mall and the Strand, and 
 reached Temple Bar at about 1 1 o'clock, where the 
 King was received by the Lord Mayor and a 
 Deputation from the City. His Lordship delivered 
 to the King the City Sword, which was returned to 
 him ; and the Royal procession then moved on as 
 follows : the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of 
 Clarence and Prince Ernest, the Duke of York, in 
 coaches and six. The Duke of York was received 
 with great acclamation. 
 
 The Suite and Officers of the Court followed, 
 and then, preceded by a party of Horse Guards, 
 came their Majesties in a State coach drawn by 
 eight cream-coloured horses. 
 
 The City Deputation were next ; after whom 
 the Lord Mayor rode on horseback, carrying the 
 City Sword, dressed in a scarlet velvet robe 
 trimmed with ermine, and accompanied by the 
 City Officers on each side. 
 
 The procession was closed by two coaches and 
 six, containing the Princesses and their suite. 
 
 Their Majesties arrived at the Cahedral about 
 half-past eleven o'clock. 
 
 The Princesses with the Dukes of York and
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 253 
 
 Clarence, Prince Ernest and the Duke of Gloucester 1797 
 and their respective suites, on alighting formed a j^" 
 line within the Church, regularly from the right of 
 the great West Door, with the Lord Mayor, the 
 Sheriffs, and the Admirals on the opposite side. 
 
 The King was received by the Bishop of Lincoln 
 as Dean of St. Paul's and the Bishop of London, 
 who walked on each side of His Majesty, preceded 
 by the Heralds at Arms and the Prebendaries of 
 the Cathedral. 
 
 Her Majesty followed with her Suite, and the 
 Princes and Princesses according to their rank, in 
 procession. 
 
 On the arrival of their Majesties within the 
 circle formed by the Colours, the Colours were 
 lowered, and the Eoyal Family respectively made 
 their obediences to the company assembled in 
 different parts of the Church, " which were re- 
 " turned with the loudest acclamations and con- 
 " gratulations ever perhaps heard on any occasion." 
 
 The Eoyal procession into the Choir was 
 closed by the Colours, which were carried to the 
 
 St. James a 
 
 altar and then presented by Lord Howe, Lord jJj^JS 
 Duncan, and some other Admirals to the Dean, ^t 021 
 who deposited them on the Communion Table. 
 Earl Spencer had the honour to carry the Sword of 
 State, as First Lord of the Admiralty, before their 
 Majesties, and was conducted to the Prebendal 
 Stall on the right hand of the Throne ; Lord 
 Chatham, as President of the Council, occupied 
 that on the left. 
 
 The Throne, which was brought from the Chapel
 
 254 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1797 Eoyal, St. James's, was erected almost under the 
 
 Organ ; and when the Eoyal Family entered the 
 
 choir, a curtain was drawn which enclosed it 
 
 entirely from the Dome. 
 
 Times, The Princesses sat on one side of their 
 
 Decem- 
 
 ber 20 Majesties, and the Princes and Duke of Gloucester 
 on the other, with the Speaker of the House of 
 Commons, the Lord Chancellor, and the Foreign 
 Ministers next to them. 
 
 The Body of the Choir was occupied by the 
 Members of the House of Peers, in nearly the same 
 form as in the House of Peers, the Judges being 
 seated on woolsacks ; the Peeresses were in the 
 seats on each side, and the Members of the House 
 of Commons, and the Lord Mayor and Court of 
 Aldermen and their Ladies, in the Galleries. 
 
 The covering of the seats within the Choir was 
 
 crimson, to correspond with the velvet of the 
 Throne. The other erections in the Cathedral 
 were covered with green baize. 
 
 st. James s " The Queen and Princesses were all dressed 
 " alike in Eoyal purple satin robes, after the latest 
 " fashion, only just meeting in front, and falling 
 " straight downwards, with a rich gold lace trim- 
 " ming and gold belts round the waist. The Eoyal 
 " Family wore bandeaus, with feathers ; the Queen's 
 " was particularly noticed for its elegance, for 
 " though made of gold it moved with the elasticity 
 " of a feather." 
 
 The Communion Service was performed by the 
 Bishop of London, and the Sermon was preached 
 by the Bishop of Lincoln, as Dean of St. Paul's. 
 It lasted thirty-seven minutes.
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 255 
 
 The Anthem was the same as was sung when 1797 
 Queen Anne went to St. Paul's. g^J 1 - 
 
 At half -past two o'clock, a signal being given 
 from St. Paul's that the Service was over, the 
 Park guns were fired. The procession of the 
 Eoyal Family's carriages was reversed on their 
 return, their Majesties going first. 
 
 It was not until long after dark that the 
 company could get away from St. Paul's. 
 
 It was a matter of general surprise that the 
 Prince of Wales did not take part in the proces- 
 sion. 
 
 When Admiral Duncan dined with the Lord 
 Mayor on the evening of Lord Mayor's day, " His Times, 
 
 Novem- 
 
 " chariot was drawn by the mob down Fleet Street ber 10 
 " and all the way to the Guildhall. The Ladies 
 " greeted him from the houses with huzzas and 
 " waving of their handkerchiefs." 
 
 The cities of London, Edinburgh and Dublin 
 presented their Freedom to the Admiral, as did 
 also Glasgow, Liverpool, Bristol, Dundee, Hull, 
 Berwick, Dover, Yarmouth, Worcester, Bath, and 
 Portsmouth. Many Counties, including his native 
 County of Forfar, and other Public Bodies pre- 
 sented addresses of congratulation and subscribed 
 liberally to the Fund for the Families of the killed 
 and wounded. 
 
 The directors of the East India Company 
 entertained him on November 6 at a complimen- 
 tary Dinner at the London Tavern, when between 
 90 and 100 guests sat down, amongst whom were Times 
 the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Buccleuch,
 
 256 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1797 Earl Spencer, Lord Hood, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Dundas, 
 Novem- j^ c annm g, M r> Huskisson, Sir Francis Baring, 
 Sir Stephen Lushington, and Admirals Nelson and 
 Onslow. 
 
 After the Dinner a ballad was sung, written by 
 
 the Earl of Mornington (afterwards Marquess of 
 
 Wellesley), in commemoration of the victory, of 
 
 John Buii, which the history is rather interesting. " Mr. 
 
 October 17 
 
 1842 ' " (afterwards Sir Walter) Scott having been applied 
 " to, wrote some verses for the occasion which were 
 " shown in manuscript by Lord Aberdeen to Mr. 
 " Pitt, at whose house at Wimbledon Lords 
 " Mornington and Morpeth with some other friends 
 " were then staying. The merits of the manu- 
 " script poem were discussed, and owing to some 
 " remarks it was agreed that several of the Party 
 " present should write ballads on the battle of 
 " Camperdown. 
 
 " Lord Mornington's gave such general satisfac- 
 " tion to the company that they were preferred to 
 " the verses of the afterwards great Northern Poet, 
 " and were adapted to music." 
 
 On November 8, at a Court of the East India 
 Directors, &c., &c. 
 
 " 8th November, 1797. 
 
 " The Chairman acquainted the Court that 
 " Admiral Lord Duncan had made it his particular 
 " Eequest that they would indulge him so far as to 
 " confer an Appointment in the Company's Civil 
 " Service on Mr. Samuel Fairfax now in their 
 " Military Service in Bengal the Son of Captain 
 " Fairfax of the ' Venerable ' which Ship bore His
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 257 
 
 " Lordship's Flag in the late engagement with the 1797 
 " Dutch Fleet. ; 8 era - 
 
 " And the Court being very desirous of evinc- 
 " ing the high sense they entertain of the brilliant 
 " merits and services of Admiral Lord Duncan, 
 " from which the Political and Commercial In- 
 " terests of the Country derive the most important 
 " benefits, it was moved, and, on the Question, 
 " EESOLVED BY THE BALLOT UNANIMOUSLY that 
 " Mr. Samuel Fairfax be appointed a Writer for 
 " Bengal and to rank as youngest of last Season." 
 
 The friends of the Admiral were not less kind 
 to him than the public, and congratulations poured 
 in from every side. 
 
 The Captain of the * Standard ' wrote from 
 Yarmouth on October 26 : 
 
 " I beg leave to offer my sincere and most 
 " hearty congratulations on your glorious and 
 " important victory over the Dutch Fleet. I shall 
 " ever have to lament that the ' Standard ' had 
 " not joined you." 
 
 Lord Spencer wrote at once, on receiving the 
 news of the victory : 
 
 "Admiralty: 1 6th October, 1797. 
 
 " Dear Admiral, You have done gloriously October 16 
 indeed, and I really have not words to express 
 what I feel on this occasion ; so great a victory 
 at so critical a time, gained entirely by the 
 unexampled activity of your exertions, comes 
 accompanied with so many circumstances which 
 enhance its value to me as an Englishman, as a 
 
 3
 
 258 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1797 Minister, and as a warm friend of yours, that it is 
 October 16 impossible for me to shape my congratula- 
 
 tions to you in a manner satisfactory to myself ; 
 I will therefore trust to your usual kindness that 
 you will do me credit for thinking as I ought 
 upon it. 
 
 "It is with sincere satisfaction however that 
 I fulfil my duty by announcing to you that I have 
 just received a note from the King in which he 
 signifies his intention of immediately creating you 
 a Viscount of Great Britain, and as His Majesty 
 has expressly desired that it may be announced 
 in the Gazette to-morrow, Mr. Dundas and I 
 have put our heads together, and have determined 
 that your title shall be Viscount Duncan of 
 Camperdown. By this, your own name (much 
 too good an one to lay aside) will be continued to 
 posterity with a title annexed to it marking the 
 glorious occasion by which your honour has been 
 so well earned. 
 
 " Vice- Admiral Onslow, of whom I am happy 
 to see your very handsome Testimony, will in the 
 same Gazette be announced as a Baronet, and his 
 Majesty has signified his intention of conferring 
 the honour of Knighthood on Captain Fairfax at 
 the Levee on Wednesday when I shall present 
 him. 
 
 " When I have the pleasure of seeing you (or 
 at least when you get into Port) we will commu- 
 nicate more particularly about the Promotions in 
 the professional line on board your Fleet. Mr. 
 Dundas is going down to Walmer again and will
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 259 
 
 probably see you if you should reach the Nore i 797 
 to-morrow; if not, as he wishes to see you at ctobei ' 16 
 Walmer, we shall send you down leave of absence 
 which you may avail yourself of when you think 
 fit. It is but fair you should see him first, other- 
 wise there are very few persons in whose favour I 
 should willingly delay the heartfelt pleasure I 
 shall experience in shaking you by the hand. 
 
 " I have not time for more before Post there- 
 fore must conclude with assuring you how sin- 
 cerely 
 
 " I am your very faithful 
 
 and obedient humble servant, 
 
 " SPENCEB." 
 
 Lady Spencer wrote also in a state of great 
 delight and enthusiasm : 
 
 " Admiralty : Monday, i6th Oct., 1797. 
 
 " What shall I say to you my dear and 
 victorious Admiral ? Where shall I find words to 
 convey to you the slightest idea of the enthusiasm 
 created by your glorious, splendid and memorable 
 achievements ? Not in the English Language ; 
 and no other is worthy of being used upon so 
 truly British an exploit. As an English woman, 
 as an Irish woman, as Lord Spencer's wife, I can 
 not express to you my grateful feelings. But 
 amongst the number of delightful sensations 
 which crowd upon me since Friday last, surprise 
 is not included. The man who has struggled 
 thro' all the difficulties of everlasting N. Sea 
 Cruizes, of hardships of every kind, of storms, of 
 
 3 2
 
 260 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1797 cold, of perpetual disappointments, without a 
 October 16 murmur) without a regret, and lastly who most 
 unprecedently braved an enemy's fleet of sixteen 
 or twenty sail of the line, with only two Men of 
 War in a state of mutiny to oppose them : That 
 Man, acquiring the honour and glory you have 
 done on the 1 1 of October did not surprize me. 
 But greatly have you been rewarded for your past 
 sufferings. Never will a fairer fame descend to 
 posterity than yours, and the gratitude of a great 
 nation must give you feelings which will thaw 
 away all that remains of your Northern mists and 
 miseries. God, who allowed you to reap so 
 glorious an harvest of honor and glory, who 
 rewarded your well borne toils by such extra- 
 ordinary success, keep you safe and well to enjoy 
 for many years the fame He enabled you to 
 acquire on this most distinguished occasion. 
 " Ever yours with gratitude and esteem, 
 
 "LAVINIA SPENCEB." 
 
 Mr. Henry Dundas sent his congratulations to 
 his niece : 
 
 "London : i6th October, 1797. 
 
 " Do you remember, my dear Mrs. Duncan, 
 when you first conceived your attachment to the 
 Admiral, then Captain Duncan, and applied to me 
 to speak to your Father, that before doing so I 
 made it a special condition that you would never, 
 directly nor indirectly, use any influence to induce 
 him to give over his profession ? Do you now 
 repent that I made that condition, and that you
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 261 
 
 made that promise ? God bless you, my dear, 1797 
 
 your husband has gained immortal glory, and done October l6 
 
 more signal service to his country than ever any 
 
 man had it in his power to do. In place of being 
 
 an Irish Peeress, don't be surprised to hear in a 
 
 few days that you are a Viscountess in the British 
 
 House of Lords. My love to all the family. Mr. 
 
 Pitt and I are going down to Walmer this evening 
 
 but if we hear that the Admiral is got to the Nore, 
 
 it is our intention to visit him to-morrow morning 
 
 on board the ' Venerable.' 
 
 " I remain, my dear Mrs. Duncan, 
 
 " Yours very sincerely, 
 
 " HENEY DUNDAS." 
 
 Lady Mary Duncan, daughter of the seventh October i 3 
 Earl of Thanet, the widow of Sir William Duncan, 
 M.D., Court Physician to George II. and younger 
 brother of the Admiral's father, wrote a spirited and 
 characteristic letter to Mr. Dundas. Ladies have 
 always excelled in the character of advocates. 
 
 " Hampton Court Green : 
 
 "Oct. 1 8th, 1797. 
 
 " Sir, Tho' I have not the honour of being Armston 
 personally known to you, I can't resist giving you P. 251 
 joy of the signal victory. Report says my nephew 
 is only made a Viscount. Myself is nothing. 
 But the whole nation thinks the least you can do 
 is to give him an English earldom. From the 
 multiplicity of your business, you may have slipt 
 what I am going to lay before your eyes. Please 
 to recollect what a chicken-hearted way all the
 
 262 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1797 nation was in, low spirited by the war, murmuring 
 5 at taxes (tho' necessary), grumbling and dissatisfied 
 in every county. 
 
 " Now comes my hero, the first that attempted 
 to quash the rebellious seamen, locks up the Texel 
 for nineteen weeks ; when he could no longer 
 remain. They came out. He flies after the 
 Dutch ; completely beats them, though they 
 resisted like brave men. I know the little etiquette 
 of not raising gentlemen but by degrees ; a very 
 proper distinction for those thirteen gentle lords 
 you made last week. But what has that to do 
 with a conqueror ? What a different situation all 
 your Ministers are in at the opening of the Parlia- 
 ment. The nation joyful. Not a black democrat 
 dare open his mouth. Even our cowardly allies 
 will be ashamed to have deserted us. All success, 
 under God, owing to my nephew. Lord St. 
 Vincent is a brave man ; he merited it ; was made 
 an earl. I leave to you the comparison. All my 
 ancestors only rose by their brave actions, both by 
 land and sea. Makes me think it is the only great 
 way of rising. Am sure, were this properly repre- 
 sented to our good King, who esteems a brave 
 religious man like himself, would be of my opinion. 
 Therefore, I hope to hear soon of his being made 
 Earl of Lundie, Viscount Texel, and Baron 
 Duncan. 
 
 " The first and last titles he ow r es to his ancient 
 family ; the Viscount, for his successor to remember 
 the great man who locked up the Dutch and 
 bravely defeated them. Don't doubt you are
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 263 
 
 proud, as I am, of being related to Admiral 1797 
 Duncan. I have the honour to be, your most Octoberi3 
 ob. humble servant, MAEY DUNCAN." 
 
 The popularity of the Admiral himself with the 
 people was immense. At every theatre there were 
 representations of the fight off: Camperdown, and 
 all his engagements and movements were chro- 
 nicled in the newspapers from day to day. 
 
 An amusing adventure happened to him, imme- 
 diately after his arrival in London, which was 
 narrated by Mr. William Dundas, the Admiral's 
 brother-in-law, M.P. for Edinburgh, and afterwards 
 Lord Clerk Eegister, to the late Colonel Philip 
 Dundas, who gives it thus : 
 
 " On the Admiral's first arrival in London after colonel 
 " his victory, he came to my Uncle's lodgings in Dundas to 
 " Lincoln's Inn Fields and said * Now William, second 
 
 ' Earl of 
 
 " take me somewhere to dine.' They went camper- 
 
 down, 
 
 " together to the Piazza Coffee House in Covent JJ*^ h *s> 
 
 " Garden and I remember my Uncle describing his 
 
 " dress as somewhat singular. Tho' not in uni- 
 
 " form he had a very nautical look and wore a 
 
 " small cocked hat with a bit of lace. Before their 
 
 " dinner was over, the room became very crowded. 
 
 " It was a very large room, and the people dined 
 
 " in separate parties at small tables. A waiter 
 
 " late in the evening brought a note to William 
 
 " Dundas from one of the tables, asking him if his 
 
 " friend was not Admiral Duncan. On getting the 
 
 " answer the man who made the enquiry and 
 
 " who was unknown to my Uncle got up on the
 
 264 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1797 " table, insisted on all present filling their glasses, 
 October is an( j p r0 p 0se ^ the Admiral's health, telling them 
 " that he was in the room. The uproar was 
 " tremendous ; the Admiral got upon his legs and 
 " in a stentorian voice said, ' Gentlemen I thank 
 " you.' Not another word. They all cheered 
 " louder than ever, and Sheridan who was having 
 " some quieter orgies of his own in a private room 
 " upstairs, sent to ascertain what the tumult was 
 " about. They began vociferating in their turn, 
 " and my Uncle and the Admiral got to a Hackney 
 " Coach at the door to escape. The people outside 
 " heard who they were, took the horses out of the 
 " coach and drew it round Covent Garden, and it 
 " was with difficulty that they were allowed to go 
 " home. I forget whether they were taken home, 
 " or if they made their escape at last." 
 
 It would be easy to add more letters and stories 
 of the same kind, but details enough have been 
 given to prove the excited state of public feeling 
 immediately after the crushing disaster to the 
 Dutch Fleet. 
 
 This excitement may appear to-day a little 
 extravagant, but it is difficult now to realise and 
 feel, as that generation did, the magnitude and 
 imminence of the public dangers of that moment. 
 A foreign invasion was at their doors, and just 
 then it seemed most likely to arrive from the 
 side of Holland. If Admiral Duncan had been 
 defeated, it would have been attempted from that 
 quarter and within a few weeks or even days.
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 265 
 
 After the nth of October it was certain, as far 1797 
 as anything human could be certain, that an in- October 
 vader would not in future attempt to make his 
 descent from the Texel ; and the Admiralty was 
 able to concentrate its attention upon the Channel 
 and the Atlantic. The whole Nation experienced 
 a deep sense of relief and a consciousness of re- 
 viving power, which found expression in the wild 
 rejoicings which followed the victory. 
 
 It required a strong head and sound common- 
 sense to be proof against ovations which proceeded 
 from all classes in the Nation ; and a man whose 
 life had been passed upon the sea might have been 
 pardoned if he had given way to some extent to 
 feelings of pride or exultation. It was, however, a 
 matter of general remark that Admiral Duncan 
 showed no disposition to do anything of the kind, 
 while he accepted, naturally and simply, the public 
 approbation and gratitude, of which it was impos- 
 sible not to be deeply sensible. The ' Times ' re- 
 peated of him the quotation, " This Duncan hath 
 " borne his faculties so meekly " ; and it is probable 
 that he was not tempted to do otherwise, as many 
 others in his position at that moment might have 
 been. He felt sincerely what he wrote to the Speaker 
 in reply to the vote of thanks of the House of 
 Commons : " If in fulfilling the duties of my station 
 " I have been fortunate in rendering service to my 
 " country, I am most truly gratified." 
 
 The deepest feeling in his heart, as he often 
 said, was profound thankfulness to Heaven. 
 
 At the Thanksgiving Service in St. Paul's, where
 
 266 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1797 his towering figure was conspicuous, it was noticed 
 October fa^ j^ was wno iiy absorbed in the Service, and 
 
 was apparently unconscious of anything beyond. 
 
 When the Admiral reached his own home in 
 Forfarshire he was greeted enthusiastically. On 
 November 13, 1797, the Commissioners of Supply 
 of the County of Forfar had held a meeting, at 
 which 200 guineas were voted for a piece of Plate, 
 and it was resolved to have the Admiral's Portrait 
 painted by Hoppner and placed in the County Hall. 
 The Town of Dundee presented him with the 
 Freedom of the Town and a piece of Plate, and 
 hung a Portrait of him in the Town House. 
 Suaiy 17 When he arrived in Dundee early in January, 
 1 798, he was received on the Parade by the 2ist 
 Eegiment, commanded by Captain Meyrick, and 
 the ist Regiment of Dundee Volunteers, com- 
 manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Mylne, under arms 
 and with saluting honours. The Magistrates 
 formed a procession and walked with him up the 
 High Street to the Town House, where they enter- 
 tained him at Dinner, and " he set off for his seat 
 " at Lundee (sic) in the evening." 
 
 1798 The Admiral soon afterwards went to Edin- 
 Febrnary fo^g]^ wnere a demonstration was organised in his 
 
 honour. 
 
 " Edinburgh : Feb. 17, 1798. 
 
 Times, " Yesterday being appointed by the Lord 
 
 i 7 e 9 8 Ua Provost and Magistrates for giving a grand enter- 
 tainment to Admiral Lord Duncan, the brigade of 
 Eoyal Edinburgh Volunteers, accompanied by the 
 Eoyal Edinburgh Light Dragoons, and the Eoyal
 
 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 267 
 
 Edinburgh and Midlothian Artillery, assembled in 1798 
 the Meadow Walk and Lauriston-road at 2 o'clock |J bruar y 
 in the afternoon. 
 
 " When the front of the column came opposite 
 Lord Duncan's house, the different regiments 
 marched past to slow time in open order, the 
 Officers saluting his Lordship, who stood at his 
 door with his hat in his hand to return the com- 
 pliment, attended by the Lord Provost, his Grace 
 the Duke of Buccleuch and a number of other 
 Noblemen and Gentlemen. 
 
 " About a quarter of an hour after the Volun- 
 teers left George's Square, a second Procession 
 commenced, in which were several Noblemen and 
 Gentlemen's carriages. A large carriage with 
 three masts, on the centre one the Noble Admiral's 
 Blue Flag ; Lord Viscount Duncan in his carriage 
 accompanied by John Inglis, Esq. of Redhall, 
 Captain of the ' Belliqueux ' who was wounded on 
 the nth of October. 
 
 " On the North Bridge the people and sailors 
 took the horses out of his Lordship's carriage, and 
 drew it along all through the New Town to For- 
 tune's Tavern, where the entertainment was pro- 
 vided. When he alighted from his carriage, he 
 was saluted by the Volunteers with presented 
 arms ; and at the door of the Tavern, he was 
 received by the Magistrates in their robes, attended 
 by the City Sword, &c. 
 
 " The invitations to the entertainment were 
 very numerous, comprising a great number of the 
 Nobility and principal Gentlemen of this City and
 
 268 NEWS OF THE VICTORY 
 
 1798 its neighbourhood, Naval and Military Officers, 
 
 February 
 16 
 
 " Immediately after dinner, the Lord Provost 
 presented the Noble Admiral with a complimentary 
 letter from the Magistrates and Council. The 
 evening was spent with a degree of convivial and 
 social enjoyment worthy of the occasion."
 
 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 269 
 
 CHAPTEE VIII 
 
 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE - ADMIEAL DE WINTER 
 
 A NAEEATIVE professing to tell the events of 1797 
 October u, 1797, which should omit the Dutch 
 Accounts of the Battle and all mention of the 
 brave Vice-Admiral De Winter, would have the 
 demerit not only of being partial and one-sided, but 
 of leaving out much that is of interest. 
 
 Lieutenant Eichardson of the ' Circe,' who in 
 her jolly-boat boarded the * Yryheid ' after her 
 colours were struck, " found the Admiral on his A Tar of 
 " knees on the Quarterdeck, holding a square 
 
 " sheet of lead which a carpenter was nailing over Armstrong 
 " a shot hole in the bottom of a small punt about 
 " twelve feet in length, which was to have been 
 " launched for his escape." 
 
 " He surrendered, remarking, ' This my 
 " destiny was not foreseen,' and taking leave of a 
 " young Officer (I believe his nephew) who was 
 " desperately wounded, accompanied me to the 
 " gangway, the Officers and Crew making way for 
 " him, and many kneeling to take leave of their 
 " beloved Commander." 
 
 When De Winter came on board the 
 ' Venerable,' he tendered his sword to Admiral 
 Duncan, who refused it, saying, "I would much
 
 270 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 
 
 1797 " rather take a brave man's hand than his 
 " sword." 
 
 On the next day De Winter despatched a letter 
 to the Naval Committee at the Hague by a 
 messenger whom Admiral Duncan sent ashore to 
 convey intelligence to the Dutch Admiral's wife 
 that he was alive and unharmed, a report having 
 spread that he was killed : 
 
 " October I2th. 
 
 October 12 " With the deepest impressure of grief I inform 
 you, that yesterday morning, October n, we 
 discovered the English fleet ; I immediately 
 formed into a line of battle on the starboard tack, 
 and did everything in my power to keep the ships 
 as close together as possible ; but my orders for 
 this purpose could not be completely obeyed, on 
 account of the unsteadiness of the wind, the high 
 sea, and the bad sailing of some of the vessels. 
 At eleven o'clock the enemy attacked the rear of 
 the line, which they broke through with great 
 resolution. This I saw with some pleasure, 
 because I always entertained hopes that the rest 
 of the fleet would close up, and therefore I made 
 the signal to the headmost ships to slacken sail ; 
 this, however, was of no avail ; we came into 
 action successively in an irregular manner : my 
 ship was engaged at one time with two, and 
 afterwards with three : the ' Hercules,' which was 
 the second in the line from me, took fire, and 
 drove towards me, by which means I was obliged 
 to shift my station, and approach a fourth English 
 ship, being that of the Admiral. All my running
 
 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 271 
 
 rigging was now torn to pieces ; and while I was 1797 
 endeavouring to make a signal for some of the October12 
 ships to come to my assistance, the flag line was 
 shot from my hand. In the meanwhile the 
 1 Wassenaar,' by the captain being wounded 
 early, and the loss of a great many people, was 
 obliged to strike ; as did also the ' Haarlem,' the 
 1 De Vries,' the ' Delft,' and the ' Jupiter,' whose 
 main-mast went by the board; this I was in 
 some measure prevented from seeing, by the 
 thickness of the smoke, and the closeness with 
 which I was engaged. Every thing being at 
 length shot away, and having lost a considerable 
 number of men, I nevertheless endeavoured to 
 force my way through the five English ships, with 
 a view of making for port, or of giving an oppor- 
 tunity to some of the fleet not yet disabled, to 
 afford me assistance ; but my attempt was not 
 successful. At two o'clock all my three masts 
 went overboard, but I still continued to defend 
 the wreck for half an hour; when, having no 
 further hope, seeing the rest of the ships at a 
 distance, and finding that my flag was shot away, 
 I ordered the people, one half of whom I had 
 already lost, to stop firing; and at three o'clock 
 an English frigate approached me, the captain of 
 which came on board and carried me to Admiral 
 Duncan. The * Gelykheid ' lay to the windward 
 of me ; I saw also that she made no longer any 
 resistance, and had ceased firing ; her running 
 rigging was all in pieces ; but why she struck I 
 know as little as I do of the ' Admiral De Vries,'
 
 272 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 
 
 the ' Delft,' and the ' Haarlem.' The ' Hercules ' 
 lost her mizen mast, and took fire, which brought 
 her, as well as me, into the midst of the English 
 fleet, and she has also been captured. With the 
 behaviour of my Officers and crew I am perfectly 
 satisfied : I recommend them to you, as men who 
 defended themselves to the last, and continued 
 faithful to their Admiral. Both sides fought with 
 fury, and many men have fallen : the English 
 also have sustained great loss. They had returned 
 to Yarmouth with nine sail of the line, in order to 
 refit. On Saturday evening they received intelli- 
 gence that we were at sea ; on Monday they again 
 sailed, having re-victualled in twenty-four hours, 
 and having received eight other ships from 
 Portsmouth and the Downs, in the room of the 
 eight which were under repair. They had 
 altogether sixteen sail of the line ; among which 
 there was only one fifty, the greater part of the 
 rest being seventy-four guns. Behold then the 
 most unfortunate day of my life : every exertion 
 that depended on manceuvre, or personal courage, 
 was made by myself, and many others on board, 
 but in vain. Our enemies respect us on account 
 of the obstinacy of our defence. No action can 
 have been so bloody, for it was fatal to us. I shall 
 have the honour of sending you a more accurate 
 and minute account, as soon as I find an oppor- 
 tunity. I at present take advantage of a permis- 
 sion from the English admiral, to give you this 
 short notice, and to call your care and attention to 
 a number of prisoners, whose bravery and courage
 
 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 273 
 
 deserved a better fate, and particularly to the 1797 
 crew of the 'Vryheid.' I recommend to you the October12 
 poor widows and orphans, and the wife and children 
 of my worthy captain Van Eossum, whose thigh 
 was shot off at half past two : he is still alive, but 
 there are little hopes of his recovery. Two cadets, 
 one of whom is my nephew, have each lost the 
 left leg ; the rest of my Officers are well. Cranen- 
 burg, the Lieutenant of Marines, only is dead. 
 Of the state of the other ships I can give no 
 account, nor do I know what loss they have 
 sustained : the English do not know themselves. 
 I am informed however, that Vice Admiral 
 Eeintjies has been wounded also, and that he is on 
 board Admiral Onslow. Meurer is well ; but 
 Captain Holland, of the ' Wassenaar,' was mortally 
 wounded in the beginning of the action, and lost 
 a great many men. 
 
 " I trust and hope that I shall be permitted 
 to return to Holland, in order to justify myself 
 further. 
 
 " I am, your unfortunate admiral, 
 
 "DE WlNTEE." 
 
 On October 14 Eear- Admiral Story, who, after October 14 
 his ship, the t States General,' was " beaten out of Lieutenant 
 
 Rentons 
 
 " the line " by the ' Venerable,' had escaped into the gJJfgJ! 
 Texel with some other ships, wrote his account of iatnw?i ap ~ 
 the battle for the Naval Committee : liamson
 
 274 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 
 
 " On board the ' States General ' : 
 
 "Oct. 14, 1797. 
 
 1797 " After having happily gained the Offing with 
 
 October i 4 the squadron of the Eepublic on the ;th of October, 
 we continued to cruize along the coast, by making 
 tacks towards the Bree Veertrin. We fell in with 
 no vessels until the nth, when, at eight in the 
 morning, we were informed by the men upon the out- 
 look at the top-gallant-mast-head, that the English 
 fleet, amounting to thirty sail, was then to the 
 windward of us. The signal for preparing to en- 
 gage was immediately made, and afterwards that 
 for forming a line of battle in three divisions on 
 the larboard tack. The wind was then N.N.E., 
 and the village of Egmont bore East North East, 
 distant two leagues and a half. The English 
 fleet, which bore down upon us with the wind 
 abaft, formed in a line towards the south ; then, 
 ranged en echiquier (chequerwise) it came right 
 upon us. At half past twelve began one of the 
 most obstinate engagements, perhaps, that ever 
 took place on the ocean. At the commencement 
 of the action the greater part of the English fleet 
 broke through our line : two of their largest vessels 
 then engaged one of ours. Their line consisted of 
 twenty ships, six of which carried 84 guns ; the 
 others were 64*8 and 74*8. The ships engaged on 
 both sides throughout the whole line. Thus we 
 were attacked both to windward and leeward. 
 
 " All vessels, as far as I could observe, fought 
 with equal courage. The behaviour of the officers 
 and crews is above all praise. I engaged Admiral
 
 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 275 
 
 Duncan's ship, and another of 84 guns. The 1797 
 ' States General ' was between these two vessels, October 
 each of which was not more than the length of 
 the ship from us. The same thing took place 
 throughout all the line. Every part of my rigging 
 was soon shot away ; but we got a-stern of them 
 in such a manner that the English Admiral was 
 obliged to wear and to drop a-stern. All his rig- 
 ging appeared ready to give way, and most of it 
 came down some time after. The ship of 84 guns 
 with which I still remained engaged, was immedi- 
 ately seconded by a 74, in the room of Admiral 
 Duncan's ship. We maintained a most obstinate 
 action with these two ships, and continued fighting 
 until three o'clock. While we were constantly 
 repeating broadside after broadside, a fire broke out 
 in our stem, and between decks, but it was soon 
 extinguished. 
 
 " All the ships were now so much disabled, that 
 they could no longer be managed, and drove about 
 in the greatest confusion. It was no longer possible 
 to fire a single gun. The standing rigging of each 
 mast was carried away ; the masts, top-masts, and 
 yards were all wounded ; the running rigging was 
 entirely shot away ; and the sails all torn to pieces. 
 I had twenty killed and forty severely wounded. 
 Every brace was shot away ; as were also the wheel, 
 tiller ropes, &c. In a word, everything was car- 
 ried away ; we had shot in every part of the hull ; 
 and in this wretched state we floated about at the 
 mercy of the waves. 
 
 " New braces were got up as soon as possible, 
 
 T 2
 
 276 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 
 
 1797 and at four o'clock we stood towards the English 
 October i 4 fl ee j. . j^f. m y officers then made a report to me 
 
 that the ship was filling fast with water, and I was 
 under the necessity of shortening sail. The even- 
 ing set in with thick rain, which prevented us from 
 seeing any of our ships but a few which had formed 
 the rear of the line. I then collected all the 
 vessels belonging to my division that I could 
 discover. At midnight I found I had got together 
 eleven sail. I endeavoured with them to collect 
 the remainder of the squadron, and stood again 
 towards the English fleet. 
 
 " At day break we saw them to windward of us, 
 at a short distance a-stern. There was then none 
 of our ships of the line a-head of us, but we observed 
 two ships making for the Texel. Upon coming 
 near them we found they were English. They 
 made sail, and we were not in a condition to chase 
 them. I then continued to steer towards the 
 Texel ; and I observed the hulls of three vessels 
 floating near the spot where the battle was fought. 
 On the 1 2th, in the evening, I got safely into the 
 Texel with the ships I had collected. 
 
 " Health and Fraternity, 
 
 " S. STOEY." 
 
 Another account of the Battle, collected from 
 Dutch sources, is to be found in Van Lennep's 
 History : 
 
 BattiTof 01 " Tne Admiral De Winter who was to convoy 
 do^iTvan " the intended expedition with his fleet and indeed 
 Hi^ 8 " all the Naval Officers were of opinion that con-
 
 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 277 
 
 " sidering the great force which the English again Transia- 
 
 i -i n -XT 11 i t -i i T tion ky ^ a 
 
 " had in the .North, sea, it would be very dangerous sir John 
 
 Shaw 
 
 :< to set sail but nevertheless the Committee of 
 " Marine, pressed on the one side by the constant 
 " complaints which were brought against the 
 " inactivity of the naval force and on the other 
 " dazzled by the recollection of former glory and 
 " fancying that it was only necessary to be in 
 " command of a Dutch ship to become a Tromp or 
 " a De Euyter, sent to De Winter an express order 
 " to put to sea with the first favourable wind. 
 
 " De Winter obeyed (6th Oct.) but the event 
 " justified his solicitude. After having cruized 
 " four days in the North Sea they saw off of 
 " Camperdown the British Fleet coming down on 
 " ours (i i Oct.). Both fleets consisted of the like 
 " number of ships of the line namely 1 6. The Dutch 
 " had three, the English only two frigates but the 
 " enemy's ships were generally bigger and provided 
 " with heavier metal and larger crews, and (what 
 " it is of more importance to remark) the English 
 " fleet was composed of practised seamen and 
 " Officers of many years' service whilst they were 
 " commanded by one of their most experienced 
 " Admirals, Duncan. 
 
 " The Dutch seamen on the other hand had for 
 " the most part never been to sea, most of the 
 " Captains had never commanded a vessel. Even 
 " De Winter himself, who as you may possibly 
 " recollect had left the sea service whilst a Lieu- 
 " tenant, and at the very time he was Vice Admiral 
 " was also General of the Land forces, had never
 
 278 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 
 
 " had the command of a ship. And now he was to 
 " command a Meet which had scarcely ever left 
 " the harbour and men and Officers who were 
 " unpractised in their duties. It would have been 
 " a miracle if the contest had been crowned with 
 " success. 
 
 " The Dutch Fleet waited for the enemy in 
 " tolerably good order, who came down upon it 
 " before the wind. The large ships were arranged 
 " in a line in which De Winter's ship had the fourth 
 " place, the ship of Eear Admiral Story the fifth, 
 " and that of Vice Admiral Eeyntjes who com- 
 " manded the rear, the thirteenth. Behind the 
 " ships lay the frigates and the smaller vessels to 
 " support them. Duncan wishing to prevent the 
 " retreat of our Fleet which was only just four 
 " hours from the coast and to throw it into con- 
 " fusion by a bold manoeuvre, gave orders to break 
 " the line. This command was carried into effect 
 " with uncommon bravery by Vice- Admiral Onslow. 
 " Attacking the rear of the Dutch he pushed in 
 " through the space which in consequence of the 
 " bad sailing qualities of the ship ' Haarlem ' was 
 " left open between that and the ship of Van 
 " Eeyntjes the * Jupiter.' 
 
 " Duncan on his part tried to do the same to 
 " our Van and to the Centre division. It failed as 
 " regards the Van, for our ships were there quite 
 " close to each other but Admiral Duncan himself 
 " made a way between Vice Admiral Story's ship 
 " the ' States General ' and that lying next to him 
 " the ' Wassenaer.'
 
 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 279 
 
 " The line was thus broken through in two 
 " places and the battle from that moment was 
 " decided against us. 
 
 " Yet although the battle began with this un- 
 " favourable chance, our Officers for the most part 
 " maintained gallantly the ancient renown of their 
 " country and endeavoured to supply by bravery 
 " what they wanted in experience. 
 
 " Onslow who had come through between the 
 " ' Haarlem ' and the ' Jupiter ' fell upon the frigate 
 " which lay behind, the ' Medemblik,' Commanded 
 " by Captain-Lieut. Lancaster, who did not hesi- 
 " tate to engage in this unequal battle and did him 
 " some damage but not without being severely 
 " treated by the stronger enemy. Eelieved from 
 " this difficulty he brought his frigate under the 
 " lee of the ships ' Alkmaar ' and ' Delft ' which 
 " were fighting at the extreme left wing and he 
 " supported these two ships in their defence till 
 " two others of the enemy's ships came upon him 
 " from behind. The ' Medemblik ' could not stand 
 " against this superior force, especially after the 
 " 'Alkmaar,' falling off owing to the loss of her 
 " steerage wheel, had run against her and caused 
 " her great damage. Lancaster nevertheless con- 
 " tinued the fight for a considerable time, but 
 " when his first Officer was killed, his second 
 " Officer wounded and 50 seamen dead and he 
 " himself with some sixty others injured, the masts 
 " on the point of falling and the ship full of water, 
 " he gave the matter up and struck his flag. 
 
 1 la the British account called ' Monnikendam.' ED.
 
 280 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 
 
 " The * Alkmaar ' and the ' Delft ' which were 
 " the last ships of our line had in the meantime 
 " continued a fierce fight against five of the 
 " enemy's ships. Neither of them gave up until 
 " they were shot through and through, their guns 
 " useless, and the half of their crew dead or Jiors de 
 11 combat. The ships ' Haarlem ' and ' Jupiter ' which 
 " lay next before them had already struck earlier. 
 
 " The * Cerberus ' having fallen out of the line, 
 " for which its commander excused himself on the 
 " ground that he had received an order to join the 
 " centre division of the fleet, caused the ' Jupiter ' 
 " to have two antagonists to deal with. Vice- 
 " Admiral Reyntjes who was on board this vessel 
 " was wounded, and this circumstance perhaps, 
 11 especially after the ' Haarlem ' had already struck, 
 " contributed to determine him to surrender. In 
 " the meantime whilst the Commanders at the Van 
 " acquitted themselves bravely but fruitlessly, the 
 " Flagship of Admiral Duncan attacked the Dutch 
 " ship ' States General,' of which Story had the 
 " command and compelled it to keep off and to leave 
 " the line of battle. He then sailed under the Lee 
 " of the Dutch flagship which had beat off another 
 " English vessel. The battle between the two 
 " Flagships was obstinate and Admiral Duncan's 
 " ship was itself so ill treated that he twice 
 " signalled for help. 
 
 " The ship ' Wassenaar ' which Captain 
 " Holland commanded, owing to the shameful 
 " flight of the Dutch ship next to him was obliged 
 " to contend with two of the enemy's ships and
 
 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 281 
 
 " after a fierce combat was entirely shattered and 
 " obliged to strike, and consequently one of the 
 " enemy's ships which had fought with him was 
 " now able to come to Admiral Duncan's assist- 
 " ance. 
 
 " At the Van of the Dutch fleet Captain Zegers 
 " who commanded the ' Vryheid ' 1 had made head 
 " against two and latterly against five enemies and 
 " had defended his ship to the uttermost, for he 
 " did not strike before he had 130 men Jwrs de 
 " combat. 
 
 11 With no less undaunted courage the Captain- 
 " Lieut. Euysch who commanded the ' Gelykheid ' 
 " the first ship in the Dutch line, defended himself 
 " during an hour and a half against the increasing 
 " strength of the English and only decided to 
 " strike his flag when he had 60 killed and 70 
 " wounded. The * Beschermer ' the 2nd ship of 
 " the Van had at the commencement of the action 
 " defended herself gallantly, but after her com- 
 " mander Captain Hinxt had been mortally 
 " wounded, fell out of the line. The ' Hercules ' 
 " which lay by it had not only acquitted herself 
 " just as bravely but had so handled an enemy's 
 " ship that she was on the point of striking, when 
 " unluckily her bulwarks caught fire and her com- 
 " mander Captain Van Eysoort had his arm shot 
 " off. The Lieut. Musquetier who now took the 
 " command, found himself accordingly obliged to 
 " quit the line of battle in order that the fire 
 " which had communicated itself to the sails 
 
 1 De Vries ' ? ED.
 
 282 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 
 
 " should not extend itself to the ships next to her. 
 " For a long time the burning vessel was driven 
 " hither and thither making both friend and foe 
 " give way before her and not a little increasing 
 " the confusion, especially amongst our ships. 
 " After having tried with uncommon calmness 
 " every means of putting out the fire and when 
 " that was accomplished to defend his ship, 
 " Musquetier found himself obliged to give up as a 
 " prize to the enemy his vessel which had now 
 " become defenceless, inasmuch as they had been 
 " obliged to throw the powder overboard. 
 
 " The Dutch ships ' Brutus,' * Ley den ' and 
 " ' Mars,' which were in the centre division of the 
 " fleet, in the commencement took very little part 
 " in the action and were only cannonaded from a 
 " distance by four or five British ships and were 
 " then kept from being of any essential service. 
 " First after the Dutch ship * Batavier ' had retired 
 " and the ' Wassenaer ' was obliged to hold off, a 
 " more serious fight took place. Captain Lieut. 
 " Kolff, who commanded the ' Mars ' fought with 
 " no unfavourable result. The * Ley den ' after a 
 " brave resistance was obliged to fall out of the 
 " line to repair her damage. The ' Brutus ' also of 
 " which the Bear Admiral Bloys had the command 
 " after having acquitted herself gallantly was 
 " obliged to hold off, the Commander having his 
 " arm shot off. 
 
 " De Winter altho' thus deprived of the help 
 " he so sorely wanted and seeing nothing but 
 " enemies on all sides, fought to the uttermost and
 
 DUTCH ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE 283 
 
 " gave himself up to the enemy after more than 
 " half of his crew were killed. 
 
 " Thus ended this naval engagement, the last 
 " which up to the present time has been fought by 
 " the Dutch, and the first in which England might 
 " boast of seeing a Dutch Admiral of the Fleet 
 " and two Flag Officers brought in as prisoners. 
 
 " But not on the prisoners but on those who 
 " had so recklessly perilled our country's Fleet 
 " rested the disgrace of this defeat. 
 
 " Admiral Duncan himself felt this and the 
 " reception which De Winter met with on board 
 " his ship was in the highest degree courteous, 
 " whilst later our seamen in England were treated 
 " in the most humane manner. 
 
 " The closing in of the evening, the stormy 
 " weather, and the vicinity of the coast prevented 
 " the English from pursuing the Dutch ships 
 " which were on their lee. These therefore had 
 " the opportunity under the command of Eear 
 " Admiral Story to direct their course to the Texel 
 " which they managed to reach. 
 
 " But the ' Brutus ' which had wandered away 
 " from the rest did not get there but into Helvoet, 
 " after having had to encounter an English frigate 
 " which nevertheless he obliged to haul off. 
 
 " The British Fleet reached Yarmouth some 
 " days later, after having contended with bad 
 " weather, whereby two of their prizes the ' Delft * 
 " and ' Medemblik ' became a prey to the waves. 
 " The first of these ships foundered with her 
 " first Lt. Heilberg, 134 of her crew who had
 
 284 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 
 
 " fought so bravely, and five Englishmen. The 
 " ' Medemblik ' ran ashore at Westchapel l where 
 " it was broken up by the sea but the crew were 
 " saved." 
 
 From the moment that he stepped on board the 
 ' Venerable,' Admiral De Winter won for himself 
 universal admiration and respect by an unvarying 
 and remarkable display of fortitude and self-control. 
 In Admiral Duncan's opinion, as has been stated, 
 he had done everything a man could do to secure 
 victory and to avert surrender. From the time 
 that the two Admirals had assumed their respective 
 commands their antagonism had been marked by 
 mutual courtesy on every occasion when communi- 
 cations had passed between them, and in the 
 altered circumstances their relations became still 
 more friendly, and in a short time ripened into 
 intimacy. Both were brave men of large mind 
 and experience, and both knew how much of the 
 result of war belongs to fortune and to circum- 
 stances over which a Commander can exercise little 
 control. 
 
 De Winter's composure and self-restraint were 
 all the more remarkable because he felt his position 
 very keenly indeed. Not only had the Dutch 
 Navy sustained a disastrous reverse, but he was, as 
 he truly said, the first Dutch Admiral brought on 
 board a British ship. That the ' Vryheid's ' 
 colours were ever struck he denied, when he 
 heard that statement read from a copy of Admiral 
 Duncan's Official Despatch of October 13, and 
 
 1 West Kapelle ? ED.
 
 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 285 
 
 affirmed that the flag lines were shot out of his 
 own hand. It was not his fault that he was a 
 prisoner, for when he surrendered there was hardly 
 an Officer unwounded on the ' Vryheid,' and further 
 resistance was impossible. 
 
 He always resented deeply what he considered 
 the defection of Bear- Admiral Story and of four or 
 five of his ships, and in his second and detailed 
 Eeport to the Naval Committee he represented 
 that this was a principal cause of the defeat. It 
 is said that on one occasion he expressed this 
 opinion at dinner, and appealed for support to 
 Admiral Duncan, who was present, and whose reply 
 was characteristic of his nationality : " My dear 
 " Admiral, I am exceedingly happy to drink your 
 " health in this good company." 
 
 Besides the personal chagrin which must be 
 experienced by every defeated Commander of high 
 spirit, however little his own conduct may have 
 contributed to the misfortune, De Winter, who had 
 from his earliest days been an ardent Kepublican, 
 well understood that the Republican cause in 
 Holland had received a severe shock. 
 
 Born in 1761, he entered the Navy at twelve 
 years old, and rising to be a Captain-Lieutenant, 
 actively espoused the Eepublican cause in 1 786, so 
 that when in the next year the Stadtholder was 
 restored by a Eussian Army supported by a British 
 Fleet, De Winter found it necessary to seek an 
 asylum in France. 
 
 Having entered the French Army, he served 
 with distinction in Flanders in the campaigns of
 
 286 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 
 
 1792 and 1793 under Dumourier andPichegru, and 
 commanded a Corps under the latter in 1794 ; after 
 which, along with General Daendels, he rendered 
 invaluable service in the conquest of Holland and 
 in the establishment of the Batavian Eepublic. He 
 was then entrusted with the supreme command of 
 the Dutch Naval Forces, with the rank of Vice- 
 Adrniral. Although his only Naval experience had 
 been gained in his early days as a Lieutenant, he 
 at once showed capacity as a Naval Commander, 
 and, but for the imperious and unwise interference 
 of the Naval Committee, would have allowed the 
 British Fleet to continue its weary occupation of 
 cruising to and fro off the Texel, in the hope that 
 tempestuous weather or some other circumstance 
 might at some time give him an advantage. 
 
 When Admiral De Winter arrived in London 
 he experienced a most flattering reception. During 
 his stay he was entertained privately by Mr. Pitt, 
 Mr. Dundas, Lord Spencer, and many other persons 
 distinguished in the political world and in general 
 society. A banquet was given in his honour by 
 the East India Company, and he was loudly 
 cheered when he visited the Bank of England 
 with Mr. Vandyke, a Dutch merchant, and on other 
 occasions when he was recognised by the public. 
 He conducted himself invariably with great 
 prudence and circumspection, avoiding delicate 
 topics in conversation, and often declaring that he 
 ardently desired peace and an alliance between his 
 country and Great Britain. 
 
 Among many proofs of the good feeling and
 
 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 287 
 
 good taste which were exhibited on all sides, it is 
 worthy of note that the newspapers contain no 
 mention of Admiral Duncan and Admiral De 
 Winter being seen together on any public occasion. 
 
 It may be mentioned that De Winter sat to 
 Mr. Daniel Orme for his miniature, which he 
 presented to Lord Duncan with the following 
 inscription in his handwriting : " Admiral De 
 " Winter Commander of the Dutch Fleet de- 
 " feated by Admiral Duncan nth October 1797 
 " Painted from life in London by Daniel Orme for 
 " the purpose of presenting to Admiral Duncan 
 " born 1 761 6ft. i inch high painted Nov. 1797." 
 
 On November 10 Vice- Admiral Keintjes died 
 of his wounds, and the British Government 
 determined to send his body to Holland with every 
 mark of respect. Admiral De Winter had also 
 received alarming accounts of his wife's health, 
 who had been struck down by paralysis ; and it 
 was decided, it is said on Admiral Duncan's 
 application, to release him and Eear-Admiral 
 Meurer on parole, together with some other Dutch 
 Officers. 
 
 On November 20, Captain Carew received 
 orders to convey them in the Sloop * Swan ' to the 
 Nore, and on the 22nd De Winter was received on 
 board the Sloop ' Kanger ' at the Nore, and sailed, 
 taking with him the esteem and respect of all who 
 had known him. The ' Ranger ' arrived in the 
 Texel on November 30 with the two Admirals, 
 the Dutch Officers, and the late Admiral Ueintjes' 
 coffin.
 
 288 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 
 
 Captain Campbell brought back to Admiral 
 Duncan a letter from Admiral De Winter written 
 at Sheerness : 
 
 " Scheernes : le 22 Nov., 1797. 
 
 " My Lord, Sensible a tous vos bontes vous 
 me permetterez que je vous en temoigne encore ma 
 vive reconnaissance, a jamais jem'en souvienderai, 
 mon respect et amitie pour vous ne cessera qu'avec 
 ma vie. 
 
 " Je suis arrive ce matin a bord du ' Ranger,' les 
 autres Officiers, le fiscal et mon Secretaire n'y 
 etoit point arrive encore, j'espere qu'ils nous join- 
 deront aujourd'hui, parceque le vent etant si 
 favorable j'en voudrois profiter pour mettre a la 
 voile demain matin. 
 
 " Mon cher My Lord, 1'amiti^ avec le quel vous 
 avez bien voulu m'honnorer me fait espererque vous 
 me pardonnerez 1'importunite de vous demander 
 de nouveaux une grace nomemant que vous 
 voudrez vous interesser pour procurer le retour en 
 Hollande sur leur parole les cinq officiers qui ont 
 servi sous mesordres sur le * Vryheid,' et le capitaine 
 Ruysch, que vous connoissez. Je prends la liberte 
 de vous joindre ici leur noms . . . Capt.-Lt. 
 Siccama a Yarmouth, Lieut nts . Dibbets La febre et 
 Glym a Wye en Kent, et le Lieut nt . Sadet a Hamble- 
 don, ces omciers me sont tres cher, leur conduite a 
 ete sans reproches, et vous leur renderez ainsi qu'a 
 moi, une douce satisfaction, en leur redonnant a 
 leur families. 
 
 " Eecevez mon cher My Lord mon eternel 
 respect et amitie, souvenez vous dans vos heures
 
 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 289 
 
 de loisir un homme que vous avez oblige pour la 
 vie et qui ne cessera que d'etre avec I'estiine La 
 plus haute et 1'attachement le plus sincere. 
 " My Lord ! 
 
 " Votre tres humble et tres obeissant 
 " Serviteur, 
 
 " DE WINTEB." 
 
 De Winter made a public entry into Amsterdam 
 on December 7, and delivered a speech, a transla- 
 tion of part of which was given in the * Times ' of 
 January 8, 1798 : 
 
 " Citizen Counsellors and Fellow Burghers, 
 " It is with the most grateful acknowledgements I 
 " receive your congratulations, and I rejoice in the 
 " consolatory reflection that I find myself once 
 " more in my native country, and again in the 
 " midst of my worthy fellow citizens. The fortune 
 " of war formerly forced me for a while to live 
 " abroad and since, having been for the first time 
 " vanquished by the enemy, I have experienced a 
 " second state of exile. However mortifying that 
 " may have been to a man sincerely attached to 
 " his country, I can assure you that the satisfac- 
 " tory treatment I experienced from the enemy, 
 " the English, has been such, and the humane and 
 " faithful support and assistance they have one 
 " and all evinced towards my worthy fellow 
 " countrymen and fellow sufferers whose blood Also in 
 " flowed in torrents in their country's cause, has 
 
 been so great that they have considerably softened 1798 
 and alleviated the horrors of our situation. 
 
 u
 
 290 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 
 
 " Worthy Burgesses, I am bound in honour not to 
 " conceal from you that the noble bearing and 
 " liberality of the English nation since the bloody 
 " contest most justly entitles them to your 
 " admiration." 
 
 A Military inquiry subsequently held on 
 Admiral De Winter's conduct on October n 
 entirely exonerated him from blame : " Le Conseil 
 " de guerre charge d'examiner sa conduite dans la 
 " journee du 1 1 Octobre d6clara qu'il avait glorieu- 
 " sement soutenu 1'honneur du pavilion de la 
 " Bepublique Batave." 
 
 He wrote again to Admiral Duncan from 
 Amsterdam. This letter, as all other extracts, is 
 given with literal accuracy : 
 
 "Austerdam: Le 16 D^cembre, 1797. 
 
 " My lord, C'est a vous My Lord que je dois 
 la permission que le gouvernement Anglois a bien 
 voulu me donner, pour retourner chez-moi, et pour 
 secourir une femme cherie mais malheureuse qui 
 auroient succomb^ aux chagrins de mon absence et 
 aux terreurs journaliers qu'on lui fit souffrir par 
 mille nouvelles Impostures. 
 
 " Recevez done encore mes sinceres remercie- 
 ments et ceux de mon Epouse qui vous cherit 
 quoiqu'elle n'a 1'honneur de vous connoitre que 
 par votre conduite genereuse et loyale envers son 
 mari. Oui cher my-lord vous avez rendu a moi, 
 ainsi qu'a elle un bien grand service ; mon Epouse 
 deja attacquee par une Paralesie qui lui a ote
 
 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 291 
 
 1'usage du cote gauche de tout son corps, auroient 
 succombe infailliblement a sa tristesse si votre 
 amitie ne m'avoit rendu a elle sitot. C'est par ma 
 presence que ses forces commencent a reprendre 
 et que 1'espoir commence a renaitre qu'elle recouv- 
 reras sa Sante primitive, par I'effect de 1'elextricite, 
 la- Medicine, mais sur tout par la tranquillite de 
 son esprit que je lui ai rendu. Ainsi cher Amiral 
 c'est vous qui lui a rendu la vie ; comment vous 
 payer ma gratitude, ou trouverai je des mots pour 
 vous communiquer les sentiments de mon coeur. 
 Combien heureux ne suis je d'avoir rencontre dans 
 L'Amiral Duncan un sincere ami ! Cependant 
 ces m6mes idees me font songer aux autres officiers 
 et Capitaines prisonniers; permettez que jerappelle 
 a votre souvenir les Capitaines Ruysch Lancaster 
 Krafft et les officiers qui out servi sous mes ordres 
 a bord du vaisseaux ' la liberte,' je vous prie de leur 
 accorder votre appuy, pour leur faire avoir la per- 
 mission de retourner chez eux sur parole. Je 
 crainderois de vous etre importun, si je vous de- 
 mandois pour les autres Capitaines, quoique je 
 vous aurois une obligation eternelle si vous leur 
 procuriez aussi cette grace, quand ils demanderont 
 cette permission individuellement, et non a la fois. 
 Ce sont ces Capitaines qui par leur presence, et 
 leur temoignage verbal, justiferons ma conduite et 
 la leur dans la journee du 1 1 Octobre, vous ren- 
 derez par cet acte de generosite Le bonheur et la 
 gayte a leur families, et vous en sauverez par la de 
 leur Kuine certaines, et votre nom leur sera cher 
 a jamais. 
 
 TJ 2
 
 292 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 
 
 " Soyez persuadez My Lord que les Anglois que 
 le sort des armes pourroit faire nos prisonniers, 
 seront trait6 de memes et qu'il trouverons dans 
 1'ami de 1'amiral Duncan leur protexteur. 
 
 " Je connois trop votre caractere, loyal genereux 
 et brave pour que la desertion de quelques chirur- 
 giens-majors qui ont viole leur parole pourroient 
 influencer sur ma demande. II ne faut pas qu'un 
 bonnet bomme soit puni, pour des gens qui ne 
 connoissent pas ce que c'est que 1'bonneur et meme 
 qui n'en ont point d'idee. Cependant j'ai porte 
 mes plaintes a mon gouvernement, j'ai demande 
 qu'on les arrette et qu'on les renvoij en Angletterre, 
 j'espere qu'on m'accorderas mon requete et qu'on 
 vous convaincras, qu'on regarde ici avec mepris 
 sur ces bommes qui abusent de la confiance qu'on 
 avait en eux, du moins My Lord vous et le gou- 
 vernement Anglais peuvent etre assurez que tous 
 ceux qui deserteront de la maniere et qui violeront 
 ainsi leur Parole d'bonneur seront traite ici comme 
 vos prisonniers et qu'ils ne seront employes, sans 
 une exchange a rang Egal, ou bien apres la 
 Paix. 
 
 " Vous vouderez bien assurer My Lady Duncan 
 de 1'estime de mon Epouse ainsi que de la mienne, 
 nous prions dieu qu'elle soit preservee pour des 
 Epreuves aussi fortes, comme celles que nous 
 venons de subir. 
 
 " Soyez cber amiral dans tous ce qui vous 
 regarde a jamais beureux, et que bientot une paix 
 bonnorables pour nos deux Patries, vous assure 
 une vie tranquille et sans cbagrins. Songez alors
 
 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 293 
 
 dans vos heures de loisir que vous avez fait d ? un 
 amiral ennemi, un des vos meilleurs amis. 
 
 " Je serai flatte de recevoir de vos nouvelles si 
 tot que les circonstances des affaires politiques vous 
 permetteront de m'ecrire sans reserve et rien ne 
 me feras autant de plaisir que d'apprendre que je 
 possede toujours une place dans votre estime et 
 ami tie. 
 
 " J'ai 1'honneur d'etre 
 
 " My Lord, 
 
 " Votre tres humble et tres obeissant 
 " Serviteur et ami 
 
 " DE WINTER." 
 
 He wrote again in the following year, expressing 
 his desire for a peace. 
 
 " Amsterdam : Le 8 Mars, 1798. 
 
 " My Lord, Quoique les circonstances et la 
 geurre m'empechent de correspondre beaucoup, je 
 me sens toujours pressant de vous donner de mes 
 nouvelles quand 1'occasion s'en presente si ce 
 n'etoit que pour me rappeller a votre souvenir, et 
 vous assurer de mon amitie et de mon estime. 
 J'ai ete bien en peine quand j'ai vu dans les gazettes 
 que vous vous trouviez indispose, j'espere de tout 
 mon cosur que vous etes retabli parfaitement et que 
 cela n'aura eu aucune suite. Vivez encore long- 
 terns cher Amiral pour la consolation de vos amis 
 et de votre famille, agreez mes respect pour My 
 Lady Duncan, et croyez moi que je souhaite 
 ardemment qu'une paix honorable et solide pour nos 
 deux nations me donne bieatot la satisfaction que
 
 294 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 
 
 je pourrois vous embrasser, et vous dire de bouche 
 que je ne cesserai jamais d'etre avec un sincere 
 attachement. 
 
 " My Lord et cher ami ! 
 
 " Votre tres humble et tres obeissant 
 " Serviteur, 
 
 " DE WINTER. 
 
 " P.S. bien mes respect a Capitaine Fairfax." 
 
 On April 20, 1799, De Winter wrote to tell 
 Admiral Duncan of his wife's death : 
 
 "Amsterdam : Le 20 Avril, 1799. 
 
 " Mon cher Amiral, Dans la supposition que 
 ces peu de lignes ne troubleront point trop vos 
 importantes occupations j'ai era de mon devoir de 
 vous donner connaissance de la perte que je viens 
 de faire de mon aimable et trop sensible Epouse, 
 elle mourut le 29 Janvier dernier aux suites de sa 
 maladie et paralysie, dont elle fut attacquee le 
 moment qu'on lui annonyoit ma mort supposed 
 dans le terrible combat de n Octobre 1797. Tous 
 ines soins n'ont pu la sauver et a la fin elle a du 
 succomber a tous les souffrances Physiques dont 
 elle fut accablee, elle payoit sa tribut a la nature 
 dans la pleine confiance en celui, qui dispose a 
 volonte sur ses creatures, et qui plane sur tout 
 1'univers, 1'oeuvre de ses mains en celui que 
 jamais ne refusa la consolation de la conscience 
 a sa creature vertueuse, changeant 1'esperance 
 sur une vie et gloire eternelle en certitude 
 et realite, c'est dans ce raisonnement mon 
 cher Amiral que je trouve ma consolation.
 
 ADMIRAL DE WINTEH 295 
 
 L'homme doit mourir une fois et payer le tribut de 
 la nature, heureux celui qui meurt sans regrets et 
 sans honte, avec une contience tranquille, et la 
 confiance dans 1'etre supreme. Je prie le bon Dieu 
 et souhaite que le terme de votre vie, soit encore 
 bien Bloigne, jouissez en attendant d'une parfaite 
 sante et parfait contentement, Dieu vous preserve 
 longtems pour des pertes aussi douleureuses que 
 je viens de faire, souvenez vous de terns en terns 
 d'un malheureux ami qui vous porte beaucoup et 
 beaucoup d'estime qui veut merite le votre et votre 
 amitie, qui vous prie de faire souvenir vos amis a 
 lui, et qui n'aura jamais plus de plaisir que de 
 pouvoir vous rendre quelques services, se nomant 
 avec la consideration la plus parfaite. 
 " Cher Amiral 
 
 " Votre tres humble tres obeissant 
 " Serviteur, 
 
 WINTER." 
 
 These letters are given, not because it can be 
 claimed that they contain much that is of public 
 interest, but because they show De Winter's 
 generous, simple nature, which could rise superior 
 to the cares and troubles of life, and which 
 deeply appreciated and clung to the friendships 
 formed in England. 
 
 The Batavian Government in November, 1 799, 
 sent over M. Van Dedem van de Gelder as Com- 
 missary to treat for the exchange of the Dutch 
 prisoners. One of the articles of the arrangement 
 concluded by the Duke of York and General Brune
 
 296 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 
 
 at the Helder provided that the Dutch prisoners 
 should be sent back to Holland, and provided 
 expressly for the liberation from their parole of 
 Admiral De Winter and the other Officers taken 
 at Camperdown. 
 
 De Winter wrote to introduce M. Van Dedem 
 van de Grelder to Lord Duncan : 
 
 " Amsterdam : Le 28 Novembre, 1 799. 
 
 " Mon cher My Lord, Mon Gouvernement 
 ayant nomme le C r Van Dedem son Commissaire 
 pour traiter 1'echange des prisonniers de geurre 
 que 1'angletterre nous a fait je profite de cette 
 occassion pour me rappeller a votre souvenir et 
 vous assurer de mon estime. Permettez qu'en 
 meme terns je vous presente Le C r Van Dedem 
 comme un de mes amis, que je sollicite de vouloir 
 1'honnorer de votre attention, de le proteger dans 
 la marche de sa mission et d'employer vos bontes 
 pour que les vues de nos gouvernements soyent 
 remplies le plutot possible en rendant les 
 prisonniers a leurs families deplorees. Je prends 
 la liberte de rappeller a votre attention quelques 
 Midshipmans Batave fait Prisonnier le 1 1 Octobre 
 1797 et encore retenu en Angletterre, ainsi 
 que quelques Pilotes detenu dans les prisons. Je 
 souhaite bien ardemment qu'une paix honorable 
 et durable pour les deux Nations Anglaise et 
 Batave, mette une terme au fleau de la geurre et 
 me permetteras de cultiver de plus pres 1'amitie 
 dont vous m'avez bien voulu honnorer et etant 
 fondee sur 1'estime reciproque aucune circonstance
 
 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 297 
 
 de la geurre ni rapport politique ne S9aura le 
 troubler, apres avoir remplis la tache que nos 
 patries exigent de nous comme soldats et marins. 
 Eecevez mon cher My Lord les assurances sinceres 
 de ma plus haute considerations avec laquelle 
 j'ai 1'honneur d'etre, mon cher My Lord ! 
 
 " Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur, 
 
 "DE WlNTEB." 
 
 The closing sentence of De Winter's letter 
 the last communication which, so far as is known, 
 Lord Duncan received from him breathes a 
 generosity so open and manly, a statesmanship so 
 wise, and a Christianity so pure, that it deserves 
 to be repeated : "I desire most ardently that an 
 " honorable and lasting peace between the English 
 " and Dutch Nations shall put an end to the scourge 
 " of war and shall allow me to cultivate more 
 " closely the friendship with which you have 
 " honoured me which is founded on mutual esteem 
 " and which neither the circumstances of war nor 
 " the state of Political relations can disturb." 
 
 These are words which all the wise and 
 patriotic men in both nations might then and still 
 may ponder over with advantage. 
 
 Why was there or should there be war between 
 Holland and Great Britain ? Apart from commerce 
 they had no opposing interests. Sprung from the 
 same stock, the habits and feelings of both nations 
 bore much resemblance, and neither aspired to 
 make conquest of the country of the other. In 
 such a war the smaller Nation must in the long
 
 298 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 
 
 run prove the weaker ; while, on the other hand, the 
 Continental interests of Great Britain suggested to 
 her the position of Protector rather than of 
 Oppressor of Holland. 
 
 Their rivalry had been mostly commercial, but 
 in 1795 Holland found herself involved in war 
 chiefly because no silver streak of sea intervened to 
 isolate her from the political infection and aspira- 
 tions of a turbulent neighbour. Little did the 
 Batavian Republicans foresee the fate which they 
 were preparing for their country and themselves. 
 What would De Winter have said in 1 795 if he had 
 been told that he would live to inspect the coasts of 
 Holland as part of France, himself an officer of a 
 French Emperor ? 
 
 The sea struggles between Great Britain and 
 Holland were invariably obstinate and generally in- 
 decisive ; more than once in the times of Cromwell 
 and of Charles II. a sea fight had lasted for several 
 days. And if Blake and Monk and Albemarle and 
 Prince Rupert had had their triumphs, Tromp 
 had sailed in the Channel with a broom at his 
 masthead, and De Ruyter within a short time 
 after a defeat had taken Sheerness, insulted 
 Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth, and had 
 threatened London itself. 
 
 In more recent times, Admiral Zoutman and 
 Sir Hyde Parker had fought a desperate battle 
 (August 5, 1781) near the Doggerbank, in which 
 neither obtained the mastery ; and if Camperdown 
 proved a victory for Great Britain, the losses of 
 the victors were equal to those of the vanquished.
 
 ADMIRAL DE WINTER 299 
 
 On many occasions the Dutch seamen had shown 
 themselves, beyond all comparison, the best and 
 the most hardy sailors of the Continent of Europe. 
 When wars between Great Britain and Holland 
 had thus served no purpose except to furnish splen- 
 did proof of the tenacity and endurance of their 
 common race, might not every Patriot and States- 
 man of both Nations pray, with De Winter, for an 
 honourable and lasting peace and friendship, in 
 which both Nations might, in every quarter of the 
 world, work out their destiny in harmony, mutual 
 forbearance, and goodwill ?
 
 \00 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 CHAPTEE IX 
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL, 1798-9 ADMIBAL OP THE 
 WHITE, FEBEUAEY 14, 1799 EXPEDITION TO THE 
 HELDEB, AUGUST, 1799 SUEEENDEB OF THE DUTCH 
 FLEET IN THE TEXEL, AUGUST 30, 1799 
 
 I79 g IN the first six months of the year 1 798 nothing of 
 special interest occurred in the North Sea. In 
 the early part of the year Lord Duncan was un- 
 well and Sir Eichard Onslow had charge of the 
 Squadron off the Texel. Lord Duncan relieved 
 him in the beginning of August, having hoisted 
 his Flag in the ' Kent,' with Captain William Hope 
 once more as Flag Captain, in place of Sir William 
 Fairfax, who had received an independent com- 
 mand in Scotland. 
 
 On August 20 it was reported that there were 
 lying in the Texel fourteen two-decked Ships, 
 fourteen Frigates, one Brig, and eighteen Trans- 
 ports. 
 
 On August 27 Lord Duncan heard from the 
 Admiralty that three French Frigates ' La Con- 
 corde,' 'La Medee,' 'La Frangoise' had sailed 
 from Eochefort, and had landed a body of troops 
 at Killala Bay, in the North-west of Ireland, 
 and he was directed to watch the Texel and the 
 other Ports of Holland very closely, "so as to pre-
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 301 
 
 " vent any small squadron of Frigates from sailing i 79 8 
 "to the coast of Ireland." 
 
 The Admiral had just experienced a strong 
 westerly gale, and " on the 25th at noon the 
 " ' Kent's ' main topmast went away from its being 
 " a very bad stick," and other ships suffered 
 damage, more especially the Eussian ships, Ad- 
 miral Makaroff being compelled to make for the 
 Nore with two of his vessels, in order to get new 
 masts and to effect other repairs. 
 
 "The wind continued strong until the 27th; 
 " it then came to the northward, and on the 28th 
 to N.E." The ' Kent ' was again on her station 
 on the 2Qth, and, on looking into the Texel, found 
 that there was no change in the number or condition 
 of the Dutch Fleet. 
 
 The French troops who had landed in Killala 
 Bay were only twelve hundred in number, and were 
 commanded by General Humbert. " You will 
 " have heard that the French have made a landing 
 "in Ireland but not of serious consequence," wrote 
 Mr. Harvey, Sir Eichard Onslow's Secretary, on 
 September i from Yarmouth to Lord Duncan's 
 Secretary, Mr. Noble. It will be remembered that 
 on September 8 these troops surrendered to 
 General Lake, and that an auxiliary Squadron 
 commanded by Commodore Bompart, and consist- 
 ing of the ' Hoche' line of battle ship and eight 
 Frigates, with 3,000 soldiers on board, started from 
 Brest on September 15, and reached the North- 
 west coast of Ireland, but was defeated off Loch 
 Swilly, the ' Hoche ' and six of the Frigates being
 
 302 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1798 captured. Wolfe Tone, who was on board, was 
 taken prisoner, and committed suicide while wait- 
 ing for trial. 
 
 Mr. Harvey's letter went on to make reference 
 to the battle of the Nile, which had been fought on 
 August i , but of which the news had not yet been 
 received : " We are yet in a state of suspense 
 " relative to the operations of the Squadron under 
 " Admiral Nelson but are anxiously expecting to 
 " hear something very decisive. The French ac- 
 " count of the Action appears this day in the 
 " Paper ; by it poor Nelson is dead but the victory 
 " very complete." 
 
 Lord Duncan, in pursuance of directions from 
 the Admiralty, returned on September 18 to Yar- 
 mouth, to repair defects in the ships and to re- 
 plenish stores as quickly as possible. He issued 
 orders on arriving in Port that information of all 
 defects and demands for stores in each ship was 
 forthwith to be sent on board the ' Kent.' Each 
 Captain was " always to keep his ship ready for sea 
 " at a moment's warning, with buoys ready in case 
 " of cutting or slipping. On the appearance of an 
 " easterly wind, everybody is to repair on board 
 "their respective ships." Great vigilance was 
 necessary in order to prevent any assistance to the 
 French in Ireland being sent from the Ports of 
 Holland, and Sir Eichard Onslow on September 22 
 resumed observation off the Texel. 
 
 On October i Captain Capel arrived in the 
 ' Kite ' Sloop at Yarmouth, bringing Sir Horatio 
 Nelson's Despatches about the Battle of the Nile
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 303 
 
 to the Admiralty. Lord Duncan wrote to con- 1798 
 gratulate Sir Bichard Onslow, who replied on 
 October 8 from " The ' Monarch,' off the Texel : " 
 
 " Many thanks for your two letters. I congratu- 
 " late your Lordship upon Sir Horatio Nelson's 
 " Victory off the Nile ; nothing was ever more 
 " completely done. Two Naval Victories within 
 " the year merits a promotion which, I hope, will 
 " soon follow." 
 
 Lord Duncan also wrote to congratulate Sir 
 Horatio Nelson ; but no copy of his letter has been 
 preserved. 
 
 Lady Spencer guessed that he would highly 
 applaud Sir Horatio's splendid deed, and she wrote 
 to him on October 7 : "I thank God that your 
 " health is so comfortably re-established. Lord 
 " Spencer assures me that you are forty years 
 " younger than you were a very few months ago. 
 " May you long preserve this renovating faculty 
 " and long continue to be one of your country's 
 " best bulwarks ! 
 
 " You are my great Hero, and what say you to 
 " my little Hero ? but I already know what you do 
 " say to my dear Nelson's brilliant action; and it is 
 " beyond expression animating to hear the applause 
 " of a great and splendid deed given by one whose 
 " own illustrious life exhibits an equally glorious 
 " one. Such praise, so given, is the brightest re- 
 " ward valour can receive in this world." 
 
 Lady Spencer wrote on the same day to Lord 
 St. Vincent, on the Mediterranean Station : 
 
 " I am sure it must be needless to attempt
 
 304 BLOCKADE OF THE TEXEL 
 
 1798 " expressing to your Lordship my delight at the 
 " recollection of the last eighteen months. Lord 
 " Spencer's naval administration has witnessed 
 " during that period three victories, which, since 
 " naval records have been kept in this or any other 
 " country, are not to he equalled. Your magnifi- 
 " cent achievement saved this Country; Lord 
 " Duncan's saved Ireland ; and I must hope Lord 
 " Nelson's saves India." 
 
 On October 9 a Russian reinforcement of five 
 ships under Bear- Admiral Kartzoff arrived at the 
 Nore; unhappily, the 'Prince Gustav,' 74, had 
 been lost on the voyage. 
 
 On October 24, Captain King, of the ' Sirius,' 
 when reconnoitring off the Texel, chased and cap- 
 tured two Dutch Frigates. " The ' Waaksamheid,' 
 " mounting 26 guns, was warped out of the Texel 
 " at night on the 23rd and was captured by the 
 " ' Sirius ' about noon of the 24th, after firing one 
 " gun ; she had on board upwards of two hundred 
 " men, one hundred and twenty of whom were 
 " Dutch Artillery and French soldiers, with a 
 " quantity of arms and ammunition, and was going 
 " North about for Ireland." 
 
 The ' Sirius ' then stood after the other ship, 
 and captured her about 5 P.M., after a running 
 fight of about half an hour. She proved to be ' La 
 Furie,' 36 guns, and had on board a party of 
 French troops and a quantity of ordnance stores, 
 also destined for Ireland. 
 
 The Dutch after this made no further attempts 
 in 1 798 to send relief to Ireland, and on November 9
 
 ADMIEAL OF THE WHITE 305 
 
 Sir Eichard Onslow was ordered to bring his 1798 
 Squadron back to Yarmouth. Having fallen into 
 ill health, he soon after his return applied for sick- 
 leave, and ultimately gave up his command ; and 
 on December 10 he was succeeded by Vice- Admiral 
 Archibald Dickson. 
 
 Lord Duncan had had occasion also to apply 
 for sick-leave, and on December 16 he struck his 
 Mag and proceeded to his home in Scotland for 
 change of air. 
 
 He became Admiral of the White on February 1799 
 14, 1799. 
 
 The Dutch Fleet did not make any attempt in 
 the spring of that year to issue from the Texel or 
 to molest British trade. Vice-Admiral Dickson, in 
 the ' Monarch,' superintended the blockade of the 
 Dutch coast during the early part of the year ; and 
 not only was it difficult to elude the vigilance of 
 the British cruisers, but political disaffection and 
 discontent had made progress, and had produced 
 further demoralisation in the Dutch Navy. The 
 partisans of the House of Orange continued their 
 correspondence with the Stadtholder in England ; 
 and in consequence of the intelligence received, 
 Mr. Pitt's Government endeavoured to effect an 
 arrangement with the Emperor Paul for a com- 
 bined attack upon some part of Holland, as a diver- 
 sion in favour of the armies operating on the Ehine 
 and in the Alps. On June 22 an agreement was 
 concluded between Great Britain and Kussia, by 
 which Great Britain was to provide a force of 13,000 
 andEussia a force of 17,000 troops for this purpose. 
 
 x
 
 306 ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE 
 
 1799 The British Cabinet was encouraged by the 
 
 agents of the Prince of Orange, and, as it proved, 
 not without reason, to hope that the Dutch Fleet 
 might be detached from its allegiance to the 
 Eepublican Government without armed resistance. 
 Lord Spencer on June 25 communicated the design 
 to Lord Duncan, and requested him at the same 
 time to proceed to the Texel : 
 
 " Secret. "Admiralty: 25th June, 1799. 
 
 " My Dear Lord, I write a few lines to pre- 
 pare you for instructions which you will probably 
 receive by to-morrow's post on a subject of con- 
 siderable importance and secrecy. The tenor of 
 them will relate to a communication which has 
 lately taken place between a confidential Agent of 
 the Prince of Orange and M. Van Braam the 
 second in command of the Texel Fleet ; the latter 
 has been long known to be in the Orange Interest, 
 and he now proposes to bring over the Fleet under 
 his orders (that is to say all of them which are in 
 a condition to sail) to join the British Fleet off the 
 Texel and to come into an English Port on condition 
 that they shall be received and treated as Allies. The 
 particulars of this communication with the instruc- 
 tions grounded on it will be by to-morrow's post 
 transmitted to your Lordship, and as in an affair of 
 such delicacy and secrecy it is most advisable that 
 it should pass through as few hands as possible, it 
 will be desirable that you should put to sea and 
 relieve Admiral Dickson as soon as is convenient 
 for the purpose, in case the proposed signal should
 
 ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE 307 
 
 be made of acting upon it ; and we are taught to 1799 
 expect from the present circumstances of that 
 country that the Fleet will very shortly be ready to 
 come out and join you. 
 
 " Believe me, etc. 
 
 " SPENCEE. 
 
 " Viscount Duncan &c., &c., &c." 
 
 Accordingly, on July i the ' Kent ' was off the 
 Texel, and Lord Duncan on the next day wrote to 
 the Secretary of the Admiralty : " Be pleased to 
 " inform their Lordships that I arrived off the 
 " Texel yesterday morning when I was joined by 
 " Vice Admiral Dickson with the ' Monarch,' 
 " ' Belliqueux,' ' Agamemnon,' ' Ardent,' ' Veteran,' 
 " ' Director,' ' Prince Frederick ' and ' Glatton,' 
 " and one Eussian line of battleship. The 
 " weather, having been very hazy ever since, has 
 " afforded me no opportunity to view the enemy's 
 " Force, but the Vice Admiral informs me that no 
 " alteration has taken place since the last Eeports. 
 " The ' Isis ' is now close in shore and the 
 " * Romney ' gone into Yarmouth with a large sus- 
 " picious ship but I shall send instructions to both 
 " these ships to proceed to Spithead agreeably to 
 " their Lordships' instructions." 
 
 On July 1 1 the ' Kent ' worked in shore to get a 
 better view of the enemy's force, and the Admiral 
 wrote to Lord Spencer, who replied on July 1 5 : 
 
 i( Admiralty : I5th July, 1799. 
 
 " I have to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 letter of the nth and I do not yet despair of the 
 
 I 2
 
 308, ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE 
 
 1799 business to which it relates coming to a favourable 
 conclusion. 
 
 " I am glad to hear you have had such fine 
 weather which I hope may continue, and that you 
 may find a Summer Cruize off the Texel agree as 
 well with you as you did before. 
 
 " You will perceive that on the illness of Cap- 
 tain Macdonell I have taken the opportunity which 
 offered for Captain Campbell and Lt. Little, who 
 will obtain their respective Bank when any final 
 determination is come to respecting the ' Ganges ' 
 and ' Kanger.' ' 
 
 On July 19 Lord Duncan reported on the 
 strength of the enemy : 
 
 July, 1799, ' Kent ' off the Texel. 
 
 " Be pleased to acquaint their Lordships that 
 "on the evening of the i7th I had a very good 
 " view of the Enemy's force in the Texel. I found 
 " in the Mars Diep only 12 ships all the others 
 " seemed to be laid up in the Nieu Diep. On the 
 " 1 8th in the morning the 'Director ' joined company, 
 " and as Captain Bligh had been in the habit of 
 " seeing them often previously to his going into 
 " Yarmouth, I ordered him to reconnoitre, and I 
 " here enclose his report, for the accuracy of which 
 " I am ready to vouch and which agrees with my 
 " own observations." 
 
 Lord Duncan returned to Yarmouth about 
 July 20, and issued orders to get ready again 
 for sea at a moment's notice. On the 23rd he 
 wrote to Captain Wood, of the ' Hound,'
 
 ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE 309 
 
 gratulating him on destroying the French 1799 
 privateer * 1'Hirondelle ' of 5 guns and 26 men, 
 and also another Lugger privateer mounting 16 
 guns. Captain Clements, of the ' Cruizer,' also 
 took and sent into Leith Eoads ' Le Courageux ' 
 privateer of 14 guns and 60 men. 
 
 Lord Duncan returned to the Texel on July 24. 
 By an Admiralty letter dated on that day he was 
 informed that in consequence of the combined 
 French and Spanish Fleets having left the 
 Mediterranean and returned to the Atlantic, he 
 was to send as many ships as he could spare to re- 
 inforce the Channel Squadron. The ' Monarch,' 
 ' Monmouth,' ' Director,' ' Belliqueux,' * Agamem- 
 non ' and ' Prince Frederick ' were accordingly 
 despatched to Spithead. 
 
 It may perhaps be of interest to recall the 
 circumstances under which this sudden emergency 
 had occurred. On April 26 the French Admiral 
 Bruix had slipped out of Brest with twenty-five 
 sail of the line and ten smaller vessels, eluding the 
 Channel Fleet under Lord Bridport; after which 
 he made for Cadiz, off which Port he appeared on 
 May 4, intending to effect a junction with the Spanish 
 Fleet. There, however, he found Lord Keith with c ap t. 
 a Squadron of fifteen ships ready to oppose him ; influence 
 and as a gale was blowing directly on shore, and as Power on 
 
 J ' ^ the French 
 
 he had not much confidence in the seamanship of Revolution 
 
 and 
 
 his Captains, he decided not to attack even with a f e> 
 position to windward and with numbers so much in chap> x< 
 his favour, and therefore kept away to the South- 
 east and passed through the Straits of Gibraltar 
 
 * x3
 
 310 ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE 
 
 1799 running before the gale, past Cartagena, on to Toulon, 
 which latter port he reached on May 20. Sailing 
 again on May 26 with twenty-two ships, he directed 
 his course east until he anchored in Vado Bay on 
 June 4, after which a portion of his Squadron threw 
 supplies into Genoa on the 6th. From thence, for 
 some unknown and unaccountable reason, he turned 
 short back and retraced his steps, getting in- 
 formation at Toulon as he passed, and anchored at 
 Cartagena on June 22. Here he found the Spanish 
 Fleet, which had sailed from Cadiz, Lord Keith 
 having been withdrawn from his station by Lord 
 St. Yincent to assist in the pursuit of the French 
 Fleet in the Mediterranean. 
 
 On June 29 Bruix sailed again, having now six- 
 teen Spanish ships in company, and passed through 
 the Straits on July 7, reaching Cadiz on the i ith, 
 whence the Combined Fleets started once more on 
 the 2ist, numbering forty sail, and arrived in 
 Brest Harbour on August 13. Only twenty-four 
 hours later Lord Keith appeared off Brest with 
 thirty-one ships, having searched vainly for the 
 French in the Mediterranean until July 6, when 
 he heard at Port Mahon that they were at Carta- 
 gena, since which date he had been prosecuting an 
 energetic but fruitless stern chase. 
 
 Admiral Bruix' cruise, barren of practical 
 results as it had proved, might, and indeed ought to, 
 have had a very different ending ; but at all events 
 it had greatly alarmed the British Admiralty and 
 created much excitement among the scattered 
 British Naval Forces belonging to the Mediter-
 
 ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE 31! 
 
 ranean command. " The Brest Squadron had such 1799 
 " a game to play at Malta and Sicily," wrote Lord 
 St. Vincent, the Commander-in- Chief on the 
 Mediterranean Station, to Lord Spencer, " that 
 " I trembled for the fate of our ships employed 
 " there and for the latter Island. Your Lordship 
 " made a better judgment by fixing their operations 
 " to the coast of Genoa." 
 
 Although it would appear from Lord St. Vin- 
 cent's statement that Lord Spencer had guessed 
 correctly the actual movements of the Combined 
 Fleets, the First Lord did not place much reliance 
 in his own prognostications. Writing on July 25 
 to explain the situation and his views more fully 
 to Lord Duncan, he said : 
 
 " Private. " Admiralty : 25th July, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lord, You will have learnt by 
 Nepean's letter of our situation here with respect 
 to the French and Spanish Fleets, whose motions 
 have of late been so irregular and unaccountable 
 that they baffle all conjecture. The probability is 
 strong that they passed the Streights on the 
 8 July, but it is not quite sure, and if it should 
 prove otherwise I fancy we shall soon hear of an 
 Action, as our Fleet could not be far behind them. 
 In this state of uncertainty, it is however neces- 
 sary to be prepared in case of their coming into 
 these seas again in Force, which though perhaps 
 not very likely is possible, and at the same time 
 we are desirous of keeping a good look out on 
 our Dutch friends that we may not be disappointed
 
 312 ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE 
 
 1799 in our intention in that Quarter, on the success of 
 which so much depends. 
 
 "I have received your two letters of the igth 
 and 2 1 st, and I rather think with you that what- 
 ever disposition there may be in the quarter to 
 which you allude, the means are not quite so much 
 at hand as we were led to suppose. 
 
 " Captain Winthrop's activity does him very 
 great credit and he would not have been recalled 
 from where he was working so well, if we did not 
 want his assistance shortly in another point of 
 equal importance. 
 
 " Believe me etc., 
 
 " SPENCEB. 
 
 " Viscount Duncan &c., &c., &c." 
 
 The Eussian ships at the Nore under Admiral 
 Makaroff, and at Yarmouth with Admiral Tate, six 
 sail of the line, two Frigates and a Brig, were 
 directed to reinforce the North Sea Fleet, and they 
 joined on August i. 
 
 It would seem that Lord Duncan had no great 
 confidence in the immediate or peaceful surrender 
 of the Dutch Fleet, and Lord Spencer appears to 
 have shared his opinion : 
 
 " Private. " Admiralty : 3rd August, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lord, I have to acknowledge your 
 two letters of the 22nd and 25th July, and am much 
 obliged to you for them ; I believe your conjecture 
 about the Dutch Admiral is not far from the truth, 
 and I think the best way of securing his Fleet 
 from mischief will be to keep them as tightly blocked
 
 EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 313 
 
 as possible, for the present at least (as you will 1799 
 have fully learned from the Board) it will be 
 absolutely necessary. 
 
 " I have not time now to add more than that I 
 hope you find cruizing agrees well with your 
 health and 
 
 " am my dear Lord, 
 
 " Yours very faithfully, 
 
 " SPENCEE. 
 
 " Viscount Duncan, &c., &c., &c." 
 
 It was at this moment that the plan of an 
 Expedition to Holland was put in execution. The 
 British Government placed a Land Force amount- 
 ing in all to about 13,000 men under Sir Kalph 
 Abercrombie, and entrusted the duty of trans- 
 porting and landing the troops to Vice -Admiral 
 Andrew Mitchell, who was directed to hoist his 
 Flag on board the ' Isis,' 50 guns, and to embark 
 the troops at Eamsgate, Margate, and Broad- 
 stairs. Lord Duncan was duly informed by the 
 Admiralty of the approaching departure of the 
 Expedition, and was desired to make a feint upon 
 some other part of the Dutch Coast : 
 
 " Secret. " Admiralty : 6 August, 1 799. 
 
 " My Lord, I have the honour of enclosing to 
 your Lordship by command of my Lords Com- 
 missioners of the Admiralty a copy of their 
 Lordships' Orders to Vice-Admiral Mitchell for 
 employing the force under his command in co- 
 operating with the Troops under Lieutenant- 
 General Sir Ealph Abercrombie in a descent on 
 the coast of Holland.
 
 3 14 EXPEDITION TO THE HELPER 
 
 1799 " The first Division of the troops appointed for 
 
 this expedition consisting of about 12,000 men will 
 embark at Margate and other places in that 
 neighbourhood to-morrow and on Thursday next, 
 and will if the wind continues fair, proceed 
 immediately to the points of destination, so that a 
 tolerably good judgment may be formed by your 
 Lordship of the probable time of their reaching the 
 coast, and as it is of the first importance that 
 measures should be taken for drawing off the 
 attention of the enemy from that part of the 
 coast on which the attack is actually to be made, 
 it is their Lordships' command that you should 
 make such demonstrations of an intention to land 
 on some other part by means of the force under 
 your Lordship's command, as may be best adapted 
 to that purpose. 
 
 " I am etc., 
 
 " EVAN NEPEAN." 
 
 Lord Duncan was also requested by Mr. Henry 
 Dundas to send certain information to Sir Ealph 
 Abercrombie : 
 
 " Secret and Confidential. " Walmer Castle : 9th August, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lord, From every information 
 lately received in this country respecting the dis- 
 positions of the inhabitants of the United Provinces, 
 it is of the utmost importance that the Armament 
 under Sir Kalph Abercrombie should proceed 
 without delay to the coast of Holland, and I have 
 no reason to doubt that it will be ready to sail on
 
 EXPEDITION TO THE IIELDER 31 $ 
 
 Sunday next, unless prevented by circumstances 1799 
 of wind and weather. 
 
 " After the most mature consideration we can 
 give to the subject, it has been resolved that the 
 first landing shall be made on the Island of Goree, 
 and there appears every reason to hope that this 
 operation will be attended with success. After 
 securing Goree, our next wish is that the Island of 
 Voorn with the Fortresses upon it should be 
 reduced, which is the leading object of our present 
 plan and the principal inducement for first taking 
 possession of Goree. From the difficulty of the 
 navigation this attempt however may be found 
 altogether impracticable, or liable to a much 
 greater risk and danger than it would be proper to 
 incur. In either of these suppositions he must be 
 instructed to proceed to some other quarter. The 
 most important in our view of the subject is the 
 Helder and the Texel Island, which would afford 
 him a safe position and communication with the 
 Fleet until he could be reinforced, and, among 
 other striking advantages, by giving him the 
 command of the Zuyder Zee enable him to 
 threaten Amsterdam and the adjacent ports. The 
 importance of this plan as connected with the 
 objects which more immediately occupy your at- 
 tention I need not detail to your Lordship. 
 
 " With a view therefore to this attempt, con- 
 sidered as the next object of the Expedition in the 
 event of a disappointment at Voorn, or, in the 
 event of success, to be prepared for this attempt 
 with some future division of our Forces, Sir Kalph
 
 316 EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 
 
 1799 is anxious to obtain the most accurate information 
 he can upon the subject, and for this purpose Cap- 
 tain Finlay the bearer of this letter is dispatched 
 to you with such queries as have occurred to 
 the General and myself, and is ordered to return 
 with your Lordship's answers to Sir Kalph Aber- 
 crombie at Goree, where I trust he will find him, 
 unless a more rapid success has placed him upon 
 the Island of Voorn. I earnestly request of your 
 Lordship to give every aid and information in your 
 power in the most confidential manner to Captain 
 Finlay for the guidance of Sir Kalph Abercrombie, 
 and to furnish Sir Ealph with any suggestions 
 which may occur to you for the execution of this 
 important service. Having stated to your Lord- 
 ship the probable time of the departure of the 
 Expedition, I recommend to your Lordship as far 
 as it may be in your power, to make such demon- 
 strations upon the coast of Holland as may be 
 judged by you best calculated to distract the at- 
 tention of the Enemy, and to deceive them as to 
 the first and immediate attack on the Islands of 
 Goree and Voorn. 
 
 " I remain my dear Lord, 
 
 " Yours very faithfully, 
 
 "HENKY DUNDAS. 
 
 " P.S. The Russian Marines if wanted for the 
 proposed attack on the Texel, or for a demonstra- 
 tion on any other point may be allotted to either 
 service, as your Lordship will perceive by the 
 Extract I enclose of a private letter from Lord 
 Grenville."
 
 EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 317 
 
 The Admiral about this time began to suffer 1799 
 from another serious attack of illness, as appears 
 from Lord Spencer's kind and sympathetic letter 
 of August 15: 
 
 " Admiralty: 15 August, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lord, I am very sorry that you give 
 so indifferent an account of your health, but as I do 
 not wish by any means that you should injure it by 
 cruizing when there appears so little for you to 
 expect of active service, I have desired that you 
 may be authorized to send in the * Ganges ' to take 
 up Admiral Dickson for the purpose of relieving you. 
 
 " The weather has been uncommonly bad for 
 the season, and it now blows quite a hurricane 
 from the S.W., so that I don't know where this will 
 find you. 
 
 " Admiral Mitchell and his Flotilla sailed the 
 day before yesterday, but the wind will probably 
 have deranged his operations for a time at least. 
 I hope no material mischief will happen from it. 
 
 " Believe me etc. 
 
 " SPENCEB. 
 
 "Viscount Duncan, &c., &c." 
 
 Although it was very improbable, judging from 
 the intelligence which had been received about the 
 Seamen of the Dutch Fleet, and also in view of the 
 condition and number of the Dutch ships, that 
 any fighting would take place on the open sea, the 
 Admiral was unwilling to leave his post at such a 
 moment, and remained there, in order to lend to the 
 Expedition every assistance in his power.
 
 318 EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 
 
 1799 On August 13 Admiral Mitchell's ships put 
 
 to sea with the troops on board, and on the 
 2oth he arrived off the Texel. It would appear 
 that on the passage Sir Ralph Abercrombie, who 
 was on board the ' Isis,' had, after considering his 
 instructions, together with the information received 
 from Lord Duncan, resolved that the best course 
 was to attack both Helder Point and the Texel 
 Island, and had so agreed with Admiral Mitchell. 
 
 " To Vice-Admiral Andrew Mitchell. 
 
 " ' Isis ' at Sea : 14 August, 1799. 
 
 " Sir, After having maturely weighed the ob- 
 jects recommended in my secret instructions of the 
 loth inst., and after considering the information 
 received from Lord Duncan, I have been induced to 
 form a decided opinion that in the present existing 
 circumstances it would tend more for the honour 
 and advantage of His Majesty's Arms and the 
 real interest of Great Britain to attack in the first 
 instance the Helder and the Texel island and by 
 that means to open a communication with Holland 
 and at the same time either to destroy or to ren- 
 der totally unserviceable the Dutch Fleet. 
 
 " On these grounds I have no doubt of your 
 hearty concurrence in this plan and that you will 
 take immediate means to carry it into execution. 
 
 " I am etc., 
 
 "R. ABEKCEOMBIE." 
 
 Lord Duncan's Despatch to the Admiralty of 
 August 24 narrates in detail the events which 
 followed.
 
 EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 319 
 
 " ' Kent,' Texel S.E. by E. 
 distant 7 leagues : 24 August, 1799. 
 
 " Sir, Be pleased to acquaint the Lords Com- 1799 
 missioners of the Admiralty that by the letters I 
 received on the i4th instant I had reason to be- 
 lieve that Vice Admiral Mitchell with the Expe- 
 dition would come my way. The wind being then 
 at S. by E. I stood in for Egmont and anchored 
 about three leagues from the shore with the 
 Squadron. Early on the morning of the i5th I 
 was joined by the c Circe,' whose Captain in- 
 formed me that Vice-Admiral Mitchell was at no 
 great distance. At 8 A.M. I stood out to meet 
 him. We soon got sight of his Fleet, but before 
 we could join it blew a storm at S.W. which con- 
 tinued more or less violent till Tuesday the 2oth. 
 On the afternoon of that day General Sir E. Aber- 
 crombie and Vice-Admiral Mitchell came on board 
 to me. I gave the Vice-Admiral orders to put 
 himself under my command, and at the same time 
 directions to continue conducting the men-of-war 
 and transports as formerly, not intending to inter- 
 fere with his arrangements unless I judged it 
 absolutely necessary. We soon adjusted matters 
 for the attack of the Helder Point as well as the 
 ships in the Texel, with great unanimity, and I 
 furnished the Vice-Admiral with such ships as was 
 thought necessary for his securing the Texel, 
 amongst which were His Imperial Majesty's Ships 
 ' Eatvizan ' and * Mistislaw,' and Vice Admiral 
 Tate was directed to follow with a Reserve of four 
 more line of battle ships in case it should be judged
 
 32O EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 
 
 1799 necessary. We at the same time agreed that the 
 General should summon the land forces, and I the 
 Fleet, to give up, offering the most flattering terms. 
 On Wednesday the weather was fine and all stood 
 towards the shore with the most flattering appear- 
 ances. A flag of truce was sent in, Captain 
 Winthrop having charge of my letter and Colonel 
 Maitland that on the part of the General. About 
 6 P.M. I anchored off the Helder and before mid- 
 night every vessel was in safety off that anchorage. 
 Thursday morning the wind came back to the 
 South West and the weather looked lowering ; by 
 noon it began to blow and the Fleet got under sail 
 to get off the land. Thursday and Friday it blew 
 strong from the S.W. which prevented our ap- 
 proaching the shore. The Flag of truce returned 
 yesterday with an answer from Admiral Story the 
 original of which I enclose for their Lordships' 
 information. From the conversation Captain 
 Winthrop had with Admiral Story and some 
 of the Dutch Captains, there seems no doubt 
 if the Helder Point could be taken the Fleet 
 would soon surrender. It is now Saturday noon, 
 the wind at N.W. with a good appearance of 
 weather. 
 
 " I shall stop to remark that in all the service 
 I ever was on, I never saw more unanimity, zeal 
 and anxiety in all ranks for the public service, and in 
 particular for the success of the expedition. The 
 Kussian Vice-Admirals Makaroff and Tate most 
 cordially agreed to the active part pointed out for 
 them as have likewise all their Officers and men
 
 EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 321 
 
 and have in every instance shown themselves 1799 
 faithful allies to the General Cause. 
 
 " I am etc. 
 
 " DUNCAN. 
 
 " To E. Nepean." 
 
 On Wednesday, August 2 1 , Lord Duncan sent 
 in a flag of truce, with a letter from himself as 
 arranged, summoning Commodore Van Braam to 
 surrender, and with another from Sir E. Abercrom- 
 bie, conveying a similar summons to Colonel 
 Gelquin, who was in command of the Dutch troops 
 on Helder Point : 
 
 " ' Kent ' : 20 August, 1799. 
 
 " Sir, As there are now above 20,000 British 
 troops landed on the Helder and many more will 
 follow, you have a good opportunity to show your 
 zeal for your lawful Sovereign the Prince of Orange 
 by declaring with as many of the Dutch Fleet as 
 will follow your example, for him. All those that 
 now make that declaration will be treated as 
 friends and allies and may hoist the Dutch Flag 
 at the main-top-mast head. After your making 
 that declaration to Sir Ealph Abercrombie the 
 General who commands the British Army on shore 
 and to Andrew Mitchell Esquire Vice- Admiral of 
 the Blue commanding under me the Naval Depart- 
 ment of the expedition, any of the ships that wish 
 it may come out and join me, and shall with the 
 most sincere friendship be treated as Allies and 
 received into the bosom of the British Fleet, there 
 
 y
 
 322 EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 
 
 1799 to remain until they have directions from the 
 Prince of Orange how to proceed. 
 
 " I am etc. 
 
 " DUNCAN. 
 
 " To Commodore Van Braam etc." 
 
 It was not the Commodore but Admiral Story 
 who replied to Lord Duncan's summons, and in 
 honourable and dignified terms : 
 
 Translation. " The ' Washington," Texel Eoads : 22 August, 1799. 
 
 " Admiral, If I acceded to the proposal you 
 make to me, as an Officer I should be unworthy of 
 the esteem of Lord Duncan and would lose the 
 good opinion of every honest man. I know the 
 duties I owe to the Flag under which I have the 
 honour to serve and to my country. 
 
 " Even if your force were to increase to double 
 their number my sentiments will remain the same, 
 therefore expect from me, my Lord, a defence 
 worthy of my honour and my nation. Meanwhile 
 I send instantly your summons to my Government. 
 Should you choose to wait their decision, I will 
 inform you of it. 
 
 " I am with esteem, 
 
 " J. STORY." 
 
 Colonel Gelquin replied to the General at the 
 same time : 
 
 " On board the ' Washington ' in 
 Texel Boads: 22 August, 1799. 
 
 '' General, I received your letter, upon which I 
 have the honour to answer that my life is attached 
 to my country and, General, I expect you with
 
 EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 323 
 
 tranquillity with the troops I have the honour to 1799 
 command. 
 
 " This is my answer. 
 
 " With esteem etc., 
 
 " The Colonel GELQUIN." 
 
 Lord Duncan was premature in stating that 
 20,000 British troops were landed on the Helder 
 Point. On the evening of the 2 1 st it appeared that 
 in a few hours such would be the case, but " on 
 " Thursday the 22nd, it began to blow hard from 
 " the South West and the Fleet was obliged to 
 " put off from land." 
 
 On August 23 Admiral Mitchell made a report 
 to the Admiralty : 
 
 " ' Isis' at Sea off Texel Island, 23 August, 1799. 
 
 " I joined Lord Duncan's Squadron on the 2oth 
 and his Lordship has, in the most handsome 
 manner, left the whole management and direction 
 of the expedition to me, purposing not to interfere 
 unless circumstances should render it necessary, 
 and has reinforced me with the ships named in the 
 margin (' Ardent,' ' America/ ' Veteran,' ' MistisloS/ 
 ' Katvisan,' ' Latona,' ( Lutine,' * Coburg ' Cutter, 
 'Juno'). . . 
 
 " On the evening of the 2oth at the earnest 
 request of Lord Duncan, I sent Captain Winthrop 
 of the ' Circe ' accompanied with Colonel Maitland 
 from the General, into the Texel with a Flag of 
 Truce to the Dutch Commodore with Lord Duncan's 
 propositions and a letter of my own." 
 
 He further proceeded to say that the weather 
 
 I 2
 
 324 EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 
 
 1799 was very rough indeed ; that the victualling ships 
 had not arrived, and that owing to want of pro- 
 visions and other causes his ships containing the 
 troops would not be able to remain off the Texel 
 longer than Tuesday the 27th. " The General and 
 " myself have determined, from the returns of the 
 " Transports, that we cannot without the greatest 
 " risque keep the Convoy on this ground after 
 " Tuesday the 27th, especially as the Victuallers 
 " have not arrived." 
 
 The position of the Expedition had thus become 
 critical, but fortunately the weather moderated on 
 Monday the 26th, and on the 29th Admiral Mitchell 
 was able to report to Lord Duncan that a landing 
 had been effected on the 27th and that the Helder 
 Point and Texel Island were in the possession of 
 the British : 
 
 " ' Isis ' at Anchor off Texel : 29 August, 1799. 
 
 " Fortunately the gale abated on the 26th. . . . 
 
 " At 3 A.M. on 27th the troops were all in the 
 boats, and signal being made to row towards the 
 shore, the line of gunboats, sloops and Bombs 
 opened a warm and well directed fire to scour the 
 beach, and a landing was effected with little loss. 
 "We secured the possession of the whole neck of land 
 between Kykdown and the road leading to Alkmaar. 
 
 " Late that night the Helder Point was evacu- 
 ated and taken possession of by our troops quietly 
 in the morning, as were the men-of-war named in 
 the enclosed list (' Broederschap,' 54, Guardship 
 ' Yerwagting,' 64 ' Heldin,' 32, 'Venus,' 24 
 * Dalk,' 24 * Minerva,' 24 ' Hector,' 44) and about
 
 EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 325 
 
 thirteen Indiamen and transports. ... I must 1799 
 now, my Lord, acknowledge in the warmest manner 
 the high degree of obligation I am under to your 
 Lordship for the liberal manner in which you 
 continued to entrust to my direction the service I 
 have had the honor to execute under your immediate 
 eyes." 
 
 Lord Duncan's Despatch of August 28 gave to 
 the Admiralty a lucid and concise account of what 
 had happened : 
 
 " ' Kent ' at anchor off the Texel : August 28, 1799. 
 
 " Sir, Be pleased to acquaint the Lords Com- 
 missioners of the Admiralty that I shall go on from my 
 letter of 25th inst. and say it blew so fresh on Sunday 
 that we could not approach the land, but the weather 
 becoming more moderate on Monday the whole of 
 the Fleet with the Transports were at anchor close 
 in shore that day. I shall not enter into detail of 
 landing the Troops of what happened on Tuesday 
 as their Lordships will have that stated by Vice 
 Admiral Mitchell ; suffice it to say, the Troops 
 rowed toward the shore at day-break and landed, 
 though immediately opposed by numbers, and from 
 that time till half past four P.M. were continually 
 in action. However the gallantry of the British 
 troops surmounted all difficulties and drove the 
 enemy wherever they met them. 
 
 " The ' Eatvizan,' Eussian ship, got ashore on 
 the South Haik in coming to the anchorage, where 
 she remained for some time in great danger, but by 
 timely assistance of her Captain and Officers in
 
 326 EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 
 
 1799 getting out some of the guns and otherwise lighten- 
 ing her, she was got off and last night reported to 
 be again fit for service. 
 
 " At 5 P.M. the ' Belliqueux ' with her Convoy 
 from the Downes anchored. This day it blows 
 strong from the westward with a great surf, so that 
 I fear little can be done, but I am sure the Vice 
 Admiral will avail himself on every opportunity to 
 carry on the service, as I never witnessed more 
 attention and perseverance in spite of most un- 
 favourable weather, to get the troops landed, and 
 nothing shall be wanting on my part towards 
 furnishing him with every aid in my power, in 
 order to bring the business to a happy termination. 
 
 " I am &c., 
 
 " DUNCAN. 
 
 " To E. Nepean. 
 
 " P.S. 8 P.M. The weather is still bad but a 
 lugger is just returned with an answer to a letter 
 I wrote Yice Admiral Mitchell this morning, by 
 which I find the Helder Point was last night 
 evacuated and the guns in it spiked up. The 
 Lieutenant of the Lugger likewise reports that the 
 General and Vice Admiral had not sent off their 
 Despatches, and as I think it of the greatest con- 
 sequence that the Publick should have the earliest 
 notice, I detach a cutter with this interesting 
 intelligence, although it was my original intention 
 only to have sent one away after the General and 
 Vice Admiral had forwarded their Despatches, and 
 as I have not time to alter my other letter to you 
 of this date, I beg to refer their Lordships to
 
 EXPEDITION TO THE HELDER 327 
 
 Lieutenant Clay of H.M.S. ' Kent/ an intelligent 1799 
 and deserving Officer, for further particulars." 
 
 On August 30 Admiral Mitchell, as his Fleet 
 was entering the Texel, sent a peremptory note to 
 Admiral Story, calling upon him to surrender : 
 
 " ' Isis ' under sail, in line of battle : August 30, 1799. 
 
 " Sir, I desire you will instantly hoist the 
 Flag of His Serene Highness the Prince of Orange. 
 If you do, you will be immediately considered as 
 friends of the King of Great Britain, my most 
 gracious Sovereign ; otherwise take the conse- 
 quences. Painful it will be to me for the loss of 
 blood it may occasion, but the guilt will be on 
 your own head." 
 
 As the Dutch seamen refused to fight or offer 
 any resistance, Admiral Story in despair surrendered 
 the Fleet, answering as follows : 
 
 " On board the ' Washington ' anchored 
 under the Vlieter: 30 August, 1799. 
 
 ' Admiral, Neither your superiority nor your 
 threat that the spilling of human blood should be 
 laid to my account, could prevent my shewing you 
 to the last moment what I could do for my 
 Sovereign, whom I acknowledge to be no other 
 than the Batavian people and its Eepresentatives, 
 when your Prince's and the Orange Flags have 
 obtained their end. The traitors whom I com- 
 manded refused to fight ; and nothing remains to 
 me and my brave Officers but vain rage and the 
 dreadful reflection of our present situation : I 
 therefore deliver over to you the Fleet which I
 
 328 SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH FLEET 
 
 1799 commanded. From this moment it is your obliga- 
 tion to provide for the safety of my Officers and the 
 few brave men who are on board the Batavian ships, 
 as I declare myself and my Officers prisoners of 
 war and claim to be considered as such. 
 
 " I am with respect, 
 
 " S. STORY." 
 
 Admiral Mitchell despatched the news at once 
 to the Admiralty : 
 
 " ' Isis ' at anchor, at the Bed Buoy 
 near the Vlieter : August 30, 1 799. 
 
 " Sir, I have the greatest satisfaction to ac- 
 quaint you for the information of the Lords Commis- 
 sioners of the Admiralty that the whole of the 
 Dutch Fleet near the Vlieter surrendered without 
 firing a gun, agreeable to a summons I sent this 
 morning. 
 
 " List of Dutch ships surrendered. 
 
 . 74 
 
 . 68 
 
 . 68 
 
 . 68 
 
 . 68 
 
 . 68 
 
 . 54 
 
 . 54 
 
 . 44 
 
 . 44 
 
 . 32 
 
 . 16" 
 
 In the last few days Lord Duncan's illness had 
 increased, and had become so serious that as soon 
 as he saw Admiral Mitchell's ships entering the 
 
 Commanders 
 
 ' Washington ' R. A. Story ) 
 Captain Capelle ) ' 
 ' Gelderland ' Capt. Waldeck 
 ' Admiral de Kuyter ' Capt. Huijs 
 
 Utrecht' Capt. Kolf 
 
 ' Cerberus ' 
 
 De Jong . 
 
 ' Leyden ' 
 
 Van Braam 
 
 ' Beschermer ' 
 
 Eilbracht 
 
 ' Batavier ' 
 
 Van Senden 
 
 ' Amphitrite ' 
 
 Schutter 
 
 ' Mars ' 
 
 De Bock 
 
 ' Ambuscade * 
 
 Eivery . 
 
 ' Galatea ' 
 
 Droop .
 
 SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH FLEET 329 
 
 Texel he made sail for home, and on September i 1799 
 he announced his arrival to the Admiralty : 
 
 "'Kent ' off Aldborough : Sunday, ist Sep. 1799. 
 
 "Sir, 
 
 . . . Finding the ' Kent ' with several of the 
 Eussian seventy-four gun ships to draw too much 
 water to be able to get into the Harbour (of the 
 Texel) I have returned with them to this an- 
 chorage ; but previous to my getting under weigh at 
 8 o'clock on Friday morning I had the pleasure to 
 see Vice Admiral Mitchell with all the men-of-war, 
 transports and armed vessels in a fair way of enter- 
 ing the Texel with a favourable wind and have not 
 the least doubt but the whole of the Dutch Fleet 
 were in our possession by noon on that day. 
 
 " These Despatches will be delivered by Captain 
 
 Hope and Oughton, etc. 
 
 " I am etc., 
 
 " DUNCAN. 
 
 " To E. Nepean." 
 
 " ' Kent,' Yarmouth Roads : 5 P.M. 2nd September, 1799. 
 
 " Sir, Be pleased to acquaint the Lords Com- 
 missioners of the Admiralty that I am just arrived 
 at this anchorage, and being at present much indis- 
 posed, have directed Yice-Admiral Dickson to carry 
 on the duty of the post until I am recovered. 
 
 " As it blew fresh on my leaving the Texel and 
 no immediate opportunity offering to communicate 
 with Yice-Admiral Mitchell, I have this day 
 directed him not to consider himself any longer 
 under my orders, and desired him to send all the 
 two-decked ships to Yarmouth Eoads, when the
 
 33O SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH FLEET 
 
 1799 expedition on which he was now employed rendered 
 their services no longer necessary. 
 
 " I am etc., 
 
 " DUNCAN. 
 
 " E. Nepean." 
 
 He was prostrated with illness for some days, 
 and came very near to death. If anything could give 
 him pleasure under such conditions, Lord Spencer's 
 letter of September 3 surely must have done so : 
 
 "Private. "Admiralty: 2 September, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lord, I have to acknowledge your 
 letters of the 24th, 28th, and 3ist of August, and I 
 congratulate you most sincerely on the brilliant 
 success of the landing of our Troops on the Helder, 
 which will I trust end in the possession of the 
 Dutch Fleet and thereby crown your services in the 
 North Sea in the completest manner possible. 
 Your anxiety must indeed have been great during 
 the Action, and I am truly happy to hear that your 
 son was safe after it. 
 
 " Nothing can have been more truly handsome, 
 noble and like yourself, than your conduct to 
 Admiral Mitchell, of which I am sure he will ever 
 have a grateful sense, and for which we give you 
 the fullest credit. I have not time for more than 
 to assure you that I am, my dear Lord, yours ever 
 faithfully, 
 
 " SPENCEB. 
 
 " Viscount Duncan, &c., &c., &c. 
 
 " I was much pleased with the exertions of the 
 Officers who were employed in the Attack at
 
 SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH FLEET 331 
 
 Schievening Bay ; I have given a Post Commission 1799 
 to Captain Mackenzie, have removed Captain 
 Boorder into the ' Pylades,' and appointed Lt. Slade 
 of the ' Latona ' to the ' Espiegle.' " 
 
 " Admiralty: 3 September, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lord, I congratulate you most 
 sincerely on the successful termination of our attack 
 upon the Texel. Much is certainly due to the 
 exertions of Admiral Mitchell and his Officers and 
 men, but I shall never forget the handsome and 
 judicious manner with which your Lordship acted 
 on the occasion. I trust that a little rest will soon 
 restore you to perfect health, and I shall be very- 
 happy when I have it in my power to rejoice with 
 you in person on the completion of all your anxious 
 and meritorious labours by the annihilation of the 
 Force which you have so long been watching. 
 
 " I am in great haste and can only add that I 
 am most sincerely your very faithful humble 
 servant. 
 
 " SPENCER. 
 
 " Admiral Viscount Duncan, &c., &c., &c." 
 
 " Walmer Castle : 6th September, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lord, I received your two letters. 
 The first of them was the only account which for 
 several days reached me of the transactions at the 
 Helder. I sincerely join with you and every lover 
 of his country in congratulations on the glorious 
 transactions which have taken place in that quarter. 
 Never was there a more hazardous enterprise, and 
 never was there one in which the execution was
 
 332 SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH FLEET 
 
 1799 more compleat. It must lead to the most impor- 
 tant consequences. Full justice is done to your 
 liberality in leaving everything to Mitchell. He 
 seems to have done his duty incomparably well. 
 Since Alexander has escaped unhurt, it was 
 fortunate for him that he had a share in so glorious 
 a day. I don't wonder your nerves were put to the 
 trial. I hope you are now perfectly well. My love 
 to all at home ; Lady Jane desires to return her 
 best thanks for your kind attention to her respect- 
 ing her brother. 
 
 " I remain, My dear Lord, Yours very sincerely, 
 
 " HENEY DUNDAS. 
 
 " The Duke of York is here and I am very busy 
 in dispatching him. The Frigate has not got 
 round from Portsmouth that is to carry him, but 
 she is hourly expected. The wind is however at 
 present very adverse." 
 
 The attacks from which Lord Duncan suffered 
 had within the last year or two become more severe 
 and more frequent, and his health was evidently 
 beginning to fail ; but the natural vigour of his con- 
 stitution soon asserted itself on this occasion, and in 
 a week he was able, as appears from Lord Spencer's 
 letters, to write to Lord Spencer that he was 
 already recovering : 
 
 "Admiralty: 12 Sep., 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lord, I received your letter yester- 
 day and am very happy to hear that you are 
 better; I hope a little quiet and land air will 
 effectually restore your health.
 
 SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH FLEET 333 
 
 " No body could be better calculated than 
 Captain Brodie for the service you mention but as 
 yet I fear it might be a little premature, as we are 
 not yet in possession of those passages, all the 
 islands to the Eastward of the Texel being still in 
 the hands of the Enemy, and, till the Provinces of 
 Groningen and Friesland have declared themselves, 
 likely to remain so. 
 
 " I wish I could hear of the arrival of the 
 Dutch ships and our large ships from thence, 
 and I cannot imagine what detains them, as 
 Admiral Mitchell had very pressing orders to send 
 them over as soon as possible. 
 
 " Believe me, etc., 
 
 " SPENCER. 
 
 " Viscount Duncan, &c." 
 
 "Admiralty: 14 September, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lord, I wrote to you in my last 
 my reasons for thinking that sending any one to 
 make a survey of the Ylie Passage would for 
 the present be premature ; I think there may 
 possibly be another objection to surveying the 
 Ems, as it may give a jealousy to the neutral 
 Powers who are concerned in its Banks. 
 
 " I am very glad to hear that you are better 
 and likely to be able to come on shore as to-day ; 
 it is also a good sign that you feel stout enough to 
 think of going to sea again ; on which subject 
 however I cannot help thinking that you will judge 
 it most advisable not to put your idea into execu- 
 tion under the present circumstances. The 
 ' Latona,' you will perceive, is ordered to receive
 
 334 SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH FLEET 
 
 1799 Admiral Dickson's flag for the present till the 
 ' Monarch ' can get back to him, and we have ordered 
 the ' Ganges ' away to the Westward as there is a 
 good deal to do in that quarter yet, and while our 
 land Force is so fully occupied in Holland, we have 
 nothing but our naval Force to depend upon for the 
 defence of Ireland and the Western Coast of 
 England. 
 
 " I hope we shall soon hear of our Army 
 having pushed forward, as it will not do for an 
 invading Army to stand long on the Defensive. 
 
 " Believe me, etc. 
 
 " SPENCER. 
 
 " Viscount Duncan, etc." 
 
 The improvement in Lord Duncan's health 
 continued, and on September 1 6 he wrote from the 
 ' Kent,' Yarmouth Eoads : " Inform their Lord- 
 " ships that finding myself recovered from my late 
 " indisposition I shall carry on the public service 
 " on this Station as usual." 
 
 The Naval part of the Helder Expedition was 
 now complete, and had been attended with success 
 almost beyond the most sanguine expectations. 
 There was no longer a Dutch Navy worthy of the 
 name, and the mission entrusted to Admiral Duncan 
 in 1795 had been amply fulfilled. 
 
 So far as the Admiral and the Navy are 
 concerned it is not necessary, and indeed it is 
 not within the scope of a Biography of Admiral 
 Duncan, to go further, but if the reference to the 
 Helder Expedition were to terminate with the 
 surrender of the Dutch Fleet, it might with some
 
 SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH FLEET 335 
 
 show of reason be said that the unfavourable 1799 
 side of the picture was purposely hidden from 
 view. 
 
 At first it appeared as if the Military part was 
 to be equally successful with the Naval part of the 
 operations. When the British troops disembarked 
 their loss was only 500 men, whereas the Dutch, 
 under General Daendels, owned to a loss of 1,500 ; 
 and on the following night the Helder Point was 
 evacuated by the Dutch Forces and occupied by 
 the British. 
 
 By September 10, however, General Brune 
 found himself in command of twenty-four thousand 
 men, including seven thousand French troops under 
 General Vandamme. 
 
 From the 1 2th to the 1 5th of September seven- 
 teen thousand Eussian soldiers disembarked, and 
 at this time the Duke of York came over in the 
 ' Amethyst ' Frigate and assumed the chief command. 
 On September 19 the Eussians were defeated near 
 Alkmaar, and General Hermann was made prisoner. 
 On October 2 the Allies resumed the offensive, but 
 were unable to obtain any advantage, and by Oc- 
 tober 8 the Duke of York had fallen back to Zuyp, 
 and his Army was suffering from sickness and was 
 without provisions. 
 
 On October 17 there was a suspension of 
 hostilities ; and ultimately the Allies were permitted 
 to evacuate Holland without molestation, on under- 
 taking to leave the works on the Helder Point 
 intact, to exchange prisoners, and to liberate 
 Admiral De Winter from Parole.
 
 336 SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH FLEET 
 
 J 799 All these conditions were performed, and the 
 
 British troops were conveyed home by the ships of 
 the Navy about November 17, the Eussians being 
 landed at Guernsey and Jersey. 
 
 The disastrous termination of this large Expe- 
 dition made it evident that Admiral Duncan had 
 given sound and prudent advice when, in 1796, 
 before the Dutch Navy was paralysed, he warned 
 the Government to the utmost of his power against 
 even attempting to land a few hundred men in the 
 vicinity of the Texel.
 
 337 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 RETIREMENT OF THE ADMIRAL, APRIL 28, l8oO 
 
 EARL SPENCER LEAVES THE ADMIRALTY, JANUARY 
 1 8O I DEATH OF THE ADMIRAL, AUGUST 4, 
 1804 LOSS OF H.M.S. 'VENERABLE,' NOVEMBER 24, 
 1804 
 
 ALTHOUGH Lord Duncan resumed duty in the c Kent ' 1799 
 in Yarmouth Roads in the latter part of September, 
 he had seen the Texel for the last time, and was 
 never again to serve at sea. His attacks of illness 
 had lately been alarming ; and much as he 
 struggled against ill health, and indomitable as 
 was his resolution, age was gradually creeping over 
 him, and he must have been conscious that he 
 was failing. 
 
 He had held out longer than most of the well- 
 known Admirals and Naval Officers of that time. 
 It was not only the rough life at sea which tried 
 and wore out their constitutions : it was the un- 
 healthy conditions under which they served ; the 
 insanitary state of the ships ; the crowding on 
 board ; the want of fresh provisions ; and, above 
 all, the scarcity and bad quality of the water. 
 
 Boscawen died when he was fifty. Keppel, 
 before he was forty, was prostrated by gout and 
 illness contracted in the Service, and never having 
 
 z
 
 338 RETIREMENT OF THE ADMIRAL 
 
 recovered from the shock which his constitution ex- 
 perienced at the Havannah, died at sixty-one. Howe, 
 indeed, lived to the age of seventy-four, but he had 
 been for many years very careful of himself , and, on 
 principle, " steadily resisted the policy of continuous 
 " cruizing before the Ports whence the enemy must 
 
 . . . . . 
 
 ggji^ alleging that the injury received in heavy 
 Revolution W eather, while the French lav at anchor inside, 
 
 and 
 
 voM ire> " would keep the British Fleet constantly inferior " ; 
 
 p- 101 and thereby he avoided the tossings and fatigues 
 which St. Vincent, Duncan, Cornwallis and others 
 belonging to their school underwent. Lord St. 
 Vincent was the exception to prove the rule, as he 
 lived no less than eighty-nine years, from 1734 to 
 1823. But even he found himself unable as early 
 
 ofsea, nc as 1798 to endure the constant cruising, and in 
 the French October of that year he was compelled, sorely 
 
 Revolu- 
 
 tion, vol. i. against his will, to live ashore at Gibraltar, and on 
 
 P. 285 
 
 2i2 June 2, 1799, broke down altogether, and was 
 
 obliged, at a moment when he was in eager pursuit 
 of Admiral Bruix' Fleet, to turn over his command 
 to Admiral Keith. 
 
 Memoirs of In April 1 8oo he took command of the Channel 
 
 viLent. Fleet, but in October he wrote to his Doctor, " I 
 
 Tucker, " am confident another cruize would finish me," 
 
 P. in and came ashore early in 1801, to become First 
 
 Lord of the Admiralty in Mr. Addington's Adminis- 
 
 tration, which office he held until the resignation 
 
 of the Government in 1804. 
 
 ibid.-p.26z When in 1806 he resumed the command of the 
 Channel Fleet, it was on the understanding that 
 when winter set in he should reside on shore near
 
 KETIKEMENT OF THE ADMIRAL 339 
 
 the port of refit ; and he resigned active service 1807 
 altogether in 1807. 
 
 Other causes besides health prompted Lord 
 Duncan to seek retirement. As long before as the 
 month of August 1796 he had succeeded to the 
 family estate by his brother's death, and found 
 himself in comfortable circumstances so far as 
 pecuniary affairs were concerned. At that time, 
 however, it did not occur to him to relinquish his 
 post : his home was on the sea, and his thoughts 
 were fixed on his duty to his country and on the 
 Dutch Ships in the Texel. 
 
 On August 13, 1796, when starting for sea, he 
 wrote thoughtfully and not without a touch of 
 sadness, to his brother-in-law, the Lord Advocate, 
 about his family : 
 
 " ' Venerable ' : August the 13, 1796. 
 
 " My dear Advocate, Many thanks for your 
 very kind letter of the 7th and the attention you 
 have been so kind as to pay to Alexander. You 
 are too affectionate a Parent for me to say how 
 much I am interested in his welfare and must 
 beg you to mention what is best for him to do, 
 which shall be strictly adhered to. This is only 
 the beginning of what will fall to you when I take 
 my departure to another world and I feel happy to 
 think I shall leave him and all my family in so 
 friendly hands. I expect to go to sea immediately, 
 and do think till you make a peace there will be 
 no rest for me. I can not bring myself to believe 
 it will be right to think of retirement till the war is 
 over, however comfortably I may think myself 
 
 2 2
 
 340 RETIREMENT OF THE ADMIRAL 
 
 1796 circumstanced. May God bless you and all your 
 concerns is the sincere wish of, my dear Advocate, 
 your most affectionate and thankful humble ser- 
 vant, in haste, 
 
 " ADAM DUNCAN." 
 
 Much, however, had happened since then, and 
 the shades of evening were beginning to fall. He 
 had finished the work which had been given him 
 to do ; he could not well hope to see the conclusion 
 of any new Naval undertaking; he had a family 
 now grown up which demanded his care ; he had 
 a home to which, since he first left it, more than 
 fifty years before, he had been almost a stranger, 
 and presumably he had in some degree that desire 
 for rest and peace which comes sooner or later to 
 every spirit, however active or ambitious. 
 
 In March 1800 he resolved to haul down his 
 Flag and to retire : a step never taken without re- 
 luctance in any department of life, and inexpressibly 
 painful to a British Naval Officer. 
 
 He wrote to Lord Spencer on March 25, as 
 appears from Lord Spencer's reply. He seems to 
 have said that there was no longer work for an 
 Admiral in the North Sea ; but beyond that there 
 is a tradition in the family that he wrote or said that 
 an old man ought to hoist his Flag only at his own 
 fireside. Lord Spencer replied on March 27 : 
 
 " Private. " Admiralty : 27th March, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lord, I perfectly coincide with you 
 in the sentiments you express in your letter of the 2 5th
 
 RETIREMENT OF THE ADMIRAL 341 
 
 instant on the continuance of an Officer of your 1800 
 rank and situation in the Service in the command 
 of a Fleet which from circumstances is likely to 
 have so little to do; and as the retiring from it 
 will at the same time prove convenient to your own 
 private affairs, I do not see any objection to your 
 striking your Flag, and having permission to look 
 after your concerns in Scotland. 
 
 " You are already so fully apprised of, and as I 
 trust so ready to do justice to the sentiments of 
 regard and attachment with which the official 
 connection between us has for the last five years 
 inspired me, that I shall not think it necessary to 
 detain you at present with any further detail or 
 repetition of them ; suffice it to say, that no one 
 can feel more truly sensible than I do, of the 
 advantage which both in a publick and private 
 view I have derived from the formation of the 
 connection. 
 
 " As I perceived you have ordered the ' Kent ' 
 to the Nore for pay and some refitting, it is prob- 
 able that w T e may take some early opportunity of 
 directing you to strike your Flag (on the ground of 
 there not being at present further occasion for 
 your services in these Seas) unless you wish that 
 such Order should be grounded on any official 
 Eepresentation of your own. 
 
 " I have the honour etc., 
 
 " SPENCEE. 
 
 " Viscount Duncan, &c., &c." 
 
 A few days later Lord Spencer wrote again :
 
 342 RETIREMENT OF THE ADMIRAL 
 
 1800 "Admiralty : 3ist March, 1800. 
 
 " My dear Lord, I think it will be better upon 
 the whole that you should write a publick Letter 
 to the effect you mention, in consequence of which 
 you will be allowed to strike your Flag and come 
 on shore. I am well aware of Captain Hope's 
 merits, and unless it should be to make room for a 
 Flag I would not willingly remove him, though his 
 standing is hardly equal yet to a ship of the 
 ' Kent's ' class. 
 
 " I shall be very happy to shake you by the 
 hand in Town and remain my dear Lord, 
 
 " Your very faithful humble servant, 
 
 " SPENCER. 
 
 " Viscount Duncan, etc., etc., etc." 
 
 It was characteristic of the Admiral that his 
 last act was to recommend his Flag Captain, who 
 had been also his first Flag Captain, to the favour 
 of the Admiralty. 
 
 On April 28, 1800, he wrote to the Admiralty 
 from his house in London : 
 
 " Sir, I have received their Lordships' order 
 " of the 26th to strike my Flag and come on shore 
 " and shall transmit directions by this Post for the 
 " same being complied with." 
 
 From the time he hauled down his Flag Lord 
 Duncan lived chiefly in Scotland, and mostly 
 at his own home in Forfarshire, where his 
 private concerns required his attention. He was 
 surrounded by mementoes of his sea days. The 
 figure-head of the 'Vryheid' the Eed Lion of 
 Holland rampant, supporting a shield with the
 
 RETIREMENT OF THE ADMIRAL 343 
 
 initials of Amsterdam and two crossed anchors, full 1800 
 of shot holes and with half his head shot away 
 had been towed from the Nore to Dundee by the 
 ' Active ' Cutter, and hauled out to Lundie House, 
 against the gable end of which it still stands. The 
 colours of the ' Vryheid,' the swords of the three 
 Dutch Admirals, his own blue Flag, were treasures 
 which he kept and which still remain. The bell 
 of the ' Yryheid ' was hung on Lundie Kirk, whence 
 until recently it summoned the Parish to Divine 
 Service. Lady Mary Duncan commissioned Mr. 
 Copley to paint a picture, which she presented to 
 her nephew, representing the reception of Admiral 
 De Winter on board the ' Venerable ' after the 
 battle. The portraits in this picture were all taken 
 from life, and Lord Lyndhurst, who himself wrote 
 the description annexed to the key, said in after 
 days that he should always remember the men 
 seven of whom are in the foreground coming to sit 
 in his father's studio, and especially John Cresey, 
 the Boatswain, who wore a large pigtail and 
 insisted on being painted in such a position as to 
 display it. 
 
 And here it may be permitted to make a short 
 mention of some of the Officers and men of the 
 ' Venerable ' in the picture ; for no account of the 
 Admiral can be complete which separates him from 
 his Ship's company. 
 
 Captain Fairfax had been Captain of the 
 * Eepulse,' and became Flag Captain of the 
 1 Venerable ' in the autumn of 1795, when Captain 
 William Hope was detached in general charge
 
 ,344 RETIREMENT OF THE ADMIRAL 
 
 1800 of the arrangements of the Eussian Squadron, 
 which then for the first time joined the North Sea 
 Fleet. After the action Captain Fairfax was 
 created a Baronet ; a special pension of 300?. a 
 year was conferred upon Lady Fairfax ; and at 
 the Admiral's request, as has been mentioned, the 
 East India Company appointed Mr. Samuel 
 Fairfax, the Captain's son, a writer in the Bengal 
 Civil Service. Sir William Fairfax left the ' Ven- 
 erable,' having received the command of the Gun- 
 boats on the Scottish Station. John Cleland, the 
 First Lieutenant, was appointed to the ' Venerable ' 
 at the Admiral's request when he hoisted his Flag 
 on March 31, 1795 ; as were William Eenton and 
 John Little. Mr. Cleland was specially promoted 
 to Captain's rank ; and Mr. Eenton, the Second 
 Lieutenant, was promoted also, being treated as if 
 he had been a First Lieutenant in the action. 
 Mr. Little was promoted in July 1799 at the 
 Admiral's request. For some unknown reason^ 
 neither of the last two appears in the picture. 
 
 Lieutenant Oswald, who stands by the mast 
 under the colours, had distinguished himself in 
 command of the ' Spider ' Lugger ; and when he 
 ran her ashore while in chase, the Admiral appears 
 to have regarded it merely as a misfortune, and 
 Lord Spencer generously wrote on April 15, 1796: 
 " Lieutenant Oswald deserves encouragement ; " 
 and on April 20 : "I now find that it will be neces- 
 " sary pro forma that Lieutenant Oswald should 
 " undergo the ceremony of a Court Martial for the 
 " loss of his Lugger, but I think for the present of
 
 RETIREMENT OF THE ADMIRAL 345 
 
 " putting him into another very fine Lugger we 1800 
 " have had offered to us till a better opportunity 
 " shall occur of providing for him." The Admiral, 
 however, found an opportunity to take him into the 
 * Venerable,' and after the action continued to 
 watch over his interests. " Your friend Oswald 
 " shall shortly have an appointment," wrote Lord 
 Spencer on April 19, 1798. Mr. Oswald became a 
 Captain before the Admiral died. 
 
 Major Trollope, who commanded the Marines 
 on board the * Venerable,' was highly esteemed by 
 the Admiral, and specially mentioned to the 
 Admiralty for his conduct at the time of the 
 Mutiny. 
 
 Mr. James Paterson, the Master, stood high in 
 favour, and his failure on one occasion to obtain 
 an appointment for which he had been recom- 
 mended was, as will be related, the occasion of a 
 protest from the Admiral to the Board. 
 
 Mr. Burnet, the Admiral's Secretary, received 
 from Lord Spencer a lucrative appointment. 
 
 James Porteous, the Pilot, went to the * Koyal 
 Charlotte ' after leaving the * Kent,' and a long 
 letter from him to the Admiral, written on March 4, 
 1804, is preserved, at the end of which he begs 
 to be remembered to Lady Duncan and the 
 family. 
 
 John Cresey, the Boatswain, was selected by 
 the Admiral from the ' Seahorse' on May 8, 1795, 
 and in the picture is represented as engaged with 
 three other men in working a gun. It is related 
 of him that when Admiral De Winter, who was
 
 346 RETIREMENT OF THE ADMIRAL 
 
 1800 six feet one, came on board, Cresey muttered to 
 himself as he passed, " Hold up your head, Bed 
 " Breeches ; it took a bigger man than yourself to 
 " bring you on board ; " and that Admiral De 
 Winter, who overheard him and understood English 
 perfectly, turned and made him a bow, to his no 
 small confusion. 
 
 The names of the other three men, and also of 
 a fair-haired young sailor carrying the Dutch 
 colours, are not definitely known ; but it is almost 
 certain that one of the men at the gun is Archibald 
 Moody, and the others are probably the men men- 
 tioned in Lord Duncan's letter to the Admiralty of 
 May 25, 1798: 
 
 " London. 
 
 " Sir, I beg leave to enclose you a list of four 
 very good men who were on board H.M.S. * Vener- 
 able ' in the action of 1 1 October last, and have to 
 request you will solicit their Lordships to give them 
 Promotion. 
 
 " PATKICK BAEEY 
 
 for Boatswains. 
 WILLIAM LIDDLE j 
 
 ARCHIBALD MOODY) . _ 
 
 \ for Gunners. 
 
 GEORGE WEIR j 
 
 In reply Lord Duncan was informed that their 
 names were noted on the list of candidates for 
 warrants ; and on June 6, 1799, he had the satis- 
 faction of sending to the Admiralty Archibald 
 Moody 's certificate of having passed on appoint- 
 ment as Gunner. 
 
 There is a letter from Moody to him written on
 
 RETIREMENT OF THE ADMIRAL 347 
 
 November 23, 1800, from the Bomb Vessel c Terror' 1800 
 
 at the Nore : " understanding that there are 
 
 " several new Frigates nearly ready for launching 
 
 " that will want Gunners, I will thankfully acknow- 
 
 " ledge the favour of your interest to obtain such 
 
 " or any promotion your Lordship may be pleased 
 
 " to suppose me deserving of, as I was of No. 6 
 
 " [presumably means ' one of six '] \vhose conduct 
 
 " met the sanction and approbation of yourself and 
 
 " Officers at a crisis when a Mutiny was approach- 
 
 " ing on board H.M.S. 'Venerable' under com- 
 
 " mand of your Lordship; " of which fact it was 
 
 hardly necessary to remind the Admiral. 
 
 Another sailor standing on the rigging is de- 
 scribed by Lord Lyndhurst as " John Crawford of 
 " Sunderland, Durham, who nailed the colours to 
 " the mast." In the action " the maintopgallant 
 " mast of the ' Venerable ' was shot away six or 
 " seven feet above the topmast cap." Crawford 
 told William Bell of Sunderland, a friend of his, 
 that " he was fighting the after gun on the star- 
 " board side when he was called away to rehoist 
 " the Flag. When he went aloft with the colours 
 " he stood on the cap and with the butt of his 
 " pistol nailed the upper end of the Flag as far up 
 " as he could reach and then nailed the lower end 
 " of the Flag down close to the cap." 
 
 A shot struck the mast close to his face, and a Life of 
 
 Johr 
 
 splinter of the wood passed through his cheek into Crawford, 
 his mouth. Nevertheless, when he jumped down JohnToaa 
 
 of Suudei- 
 
 011 deck among his shipmates, who were cheering land 
 him, he exclaimed, " Never mind, that's nought."
 
 348 RETIREMENT OF THE ADMIRAL 
 
 1800 On the occasion of the procession to St. Paul's 
 he was ordered to hold aloft the Admiral's Flag in 
 an open carriage ; but, unfortunately for him, he 
 was not to be found when the day arrived. The 
 crowd showered money into the carriage all along 
 the route ; and as an old Sunderland keelman friend 
 of his remarked : " Jack at that time might hev 
 " meyd a gintleman ev hissel if he haddent been a 
 "feul." 
 
 He received a pension of 30?. a year, and the 
 Town of Sunderland gave him a large silver medal, 
 about four inches in diameter, which is now in 
 the Sunderland Museum. 
 
 A gallant townsman is not easily forgotten in 
 Durham or Northumberland; and in 1888, ninety 
 years after Camperdown, a large sum was collected 
 locally to erect a monument to his memory in the 
 Public Park. The Admiralty sent three hundred 
 Blue Jackets to attend the ceremony of unveiling 
 the statue, and his Admiral's Blue Flag left its 
 Scottish home, for the first and only time, to drape 
 the headstone which now marks Jack Crawford's 
 grave. 
 
 To return to the Admiral. It was hardly to be 
 expected that retirement and country life would 
 for long satisfy a mind which was still active and 
 vigorous, and which had always been devoted to 
 things of the sea. 
 
 1801 Only a year later, when Eussia with Sweden 
 and Denmark formed the Northern Confederacy to 
 resist the right of search by belligerents for con- 
 traband of war in neutral vessels which should be
 
 EARL SPENCER LEAVES THE ADMIRALTY 349 
 
 under convoy, the Admiral appears to have offered 
 his services to the Admiralty. Lord Spencer 
 replied : 
 
 "Admiralty: 5th January, 1 80 1. 
 
 "Many thanks for your kind letter of the ist 
 and the wishes it contains. The offer you make in 
 it on the new aspect of affairs in the North, is like 
 yourself and does you credit : I however agree 
 with you in thinking that however equal the mind 
 and spirit might be to such an undertaking, the 
 body would scarce be able to keep pace with them, 
 and in that case you could neither derive satisfac- 
 tion to yourself nor as much benefit as you would 
 wish for the public, by stepping forward on this 
 occasion." 
 
 Within a few days of this time Mr. Pitt's 
 Government resigned office in consequence of the 
 King's refusal to sanction a policy of Catholic 
 Emancipation, and the hour had come for Lord 
 Spencer to leave the Admiralty. Lord Duncan 
 wrote to him on this occasion, it is certain with 
 great regret and gratitude. It is only possible to 
 guess at what he wrote from the reply: 
 
 "Admiralty: Feb. 2/th, 1801. 
 
 " I am very much obliged to you for your letter 
 " and the kind sentiments it contains to me and 
 " Lady Spencer. . . . My best respects and wishes 
 " will ever attend you and yours ; " and so ended 
 a correspondence which had dealt with anxious 
 times and had continued for more than six years. 
 
 It is not possible to allow Lord Spencer to pass
 
 350 EARL SPENCER LEAVES THE ADMIRALTY 
 
 i So i off the scene without a word of tribute to his' 
 administration. When he became First Lord of 
 the Admiralty he found the Navy sunk in disorder 
 and neglect, and among the Officers a want of 
 confidence in the Administration at home. He 
 succeeded in selecting capable Admirals for every 
 command, with all of whom he by incessant labour 
 maintained intimate and constant relations. He 
 was full of energy and ideas. If he did not always 
 appreciate and realise so fully as they did through 
 their experience the defects of the ships under 
 their command, both in number and quality, he did 
 the best that he could in the way of apportioning 
 and manipulating the forces which were at his 
 disposal, while he never ceased to urge the 
 necessity of an energetic and vigorous policy, and 
 to express his conviction that the British Fleets 
 would prove victorious. All the Admirals felt 
 confidence in him, as their memoirs and letters 
 show, and at the time of his resignation the Navy 
 was animated by a splendid spirit, and contained 
 a large number of Officers whose names afterwards 
 became household words. He performed a great 
 service to his country, which ought always to be 
 kept in remembrance. To use Lady Spencer's 
 eloquent words, " England, Ireland and India were 
 " all saved by victories won during his term of 
 "office," and in no inconsiderable degree through 
 his means. Taking his administration and policy 
 as a whole, he did as much as any man perhaps 
 more than any one man to ruin the fortunes of 
 Napoleon upon the ocean.
 
 EARL SPENCER LEAVES THE ADMIRALTY 351 
 
 Lord St. Yincent succeeded Lord Spencer as the 1801 
 First Lord of the Admiralty in Mr. Addington's 
 Administration, and Lord Duncan wrote to his old 
 friend on his appointment, who replied : 
 
 "Admiralty : 28th February, 1801. 
 
 " My dear Lord, I feel very sensibly the 
 obliging interest your Lordship takes in a late 
 event. I come here to great disadvantage, the 
 successor of an able and virtuous man with a 
 princely fortune. Nevertheless I feel I can be of 
 use to my country and I have one advantage over 
 most men, viz., that no person existing has any 
 claim upon me except those which arise from 
 meritorious services. I am free from prejudices 
 and have no job whatever to serve. To Mr. Dundas' 
 partiality I attribute and ever shall, all my career. 
 Assure Lady Duncan that I am not insensible of 
 her approbation. Lady St. Vincent went from Tor 
 Abbey to Bath but will be highly gratified by Lady 
 Duncan and your kind remembrances of her. 
 With fervent wishes of health and every other 
 blessing to you both, 
 
 " Believe me, etc. 
 
 " ST. VINCENT." 
 
 As Lord Vincent has been mentioned, it may 
 be permitted to digress so far as to insert, in 
 illustration of his character, a letter written by him 
 soon after to Lady Duncan, who had thought as a 
 good Scotswoman that, having a ' Colony ' of her 
 own, she might apply to an old friend to assist a 
 nephew. It will be seen that Lord St. Vincent
 
 352 EARL SPENCER LEAVES THE ADMIRALTY 
 
 1801 showed himself to be a c kinless loon,' as, much 
 to his honour, petitioners of either sex always found 
 him to be : 
 
 "Admiralty: 1 5th March, 1801. 
 
 " My dear Madam, (For I cannot help 
 addressing your Ladyship with the familiarity of 
 an old acquaintance) be assured nothing will give 
 me more real satisfaction than to advance any 
 relation of Lord Duncan's ; and I thank you most 
 kindly for pointing out Mr. Tait to me. At present, 
 I am under an engagement not to promote to 
 either list of captains, and this measure will be 
 continued until most of the meritorious officers of 
 those Banks, who have been so long out of employ- 
 ment, are provided for. 
 
 " I heartily hope your Ladyship, Lord Duncan 
 and the Colony enjoy health and every other bless- 
 ing, for the continuance of which, no man living 
 wishes more favourably than your Ladyship's 
 " very faithful and obedient Servant, 
 
 "ST. VINCENT." 
 
 Lord Duncan had entered his fourth and 
 youngest son, Henry, on April i, 1800, as a Mid- 
 shipman in the ' Maidstone,' Captain Donnelly, 
 and followed his career with great interest. Lord 
 Spencer very kindly wrote on March 20, 1800: 
 " I own I am glad to hear that we are to keep on the 
 " name of Duncan in the service. I think you could 
 " not have placed your son in a better school than 
 " under Captain Donnelly who I am sure will feel 
 " highly gratified by this mark of your approbation."
 
 EARL SPENCER LEAVES THE ADMIRALTY 353 
 
 Captain Donnelly was transferred from the 'Maid- iSor 
 stone ' into the ' Narcissus ' frigate, and took Henry 
 Duncan with him, who, in 1803, became her First 
 Lieutenant. Lord Nelson, to whom he had the 
 honour of being presented when the ' Narcissus ' 
 was in the Mediterranean, wrote about him to his 
 father : 
 
 " 'Victory' off Toulon: Oct. I3th, 1803. 
 
 " My dear Lord, Before I was honor'd by your 1803 
 Lordship's letter of July i ith which I only received 
 on October 6th I had desired to be introduced to 
 your son whose character stands very high with Capt. 
 Donnelly. Your Lordship will believe that I shall 
 have the very greatest pleasure in giving Mr. 
 Duncan a good sloop, for which purpose I have 
 only to hope that the French Fleet will put to sea, 
 and with the Officers I have the honour to com- 
 mand I think we may fairly presume on some pro- 
 motion, and among the first shall be your son. I 
 am truly sensible of your Lordship's expressions of 
 regard which I shall always endeavour to merit, 
 for I am with the very highest respect and esteem 
 your Lordship's most faithful and obedient 
 servant, 
 
 " NELSON AND BEONTE." 
 
 The last years of Lord Duncan's life were spent 
 quietly in Scotland, but a few months before his 
 own departure a heavy sorrow befell him : his eldest 
 surviving son, Alexander, to whom he was much 
 attached, died at Malta in November 1803. His 
 
 A A
 
 354 DEATH OF THE ADMIRAL 
 
 1803 eldest son, William, had died on January 23, 1789, 
 at the age of nine years. 
 
 1804 In July 1804, having once more proceeded to 
 London to offer his services, he had a short and 
 sharp attack of illness. Mr. Wright, who had been 
 his surgeon in the * Venerable,' and who now , held 
 an appointment at Haslar Hospital, wrote to him 
 the last letter which he preserved ; " the 26th 
 " July " : I was much alarmed by the first account 
 " of your illness till I was relieved next day by the 
 " assurance of your recovery. I much fear London 
 " is now too warm for you although you are so near 
 " the river. Your complaint is very unpleasant, 
 " yet I apprehend not the least danger from it. It 
 " arises merely from spasms of the diaphragm, and 
 " therefore you have only to attend to your diges- 
 " tion. ... I conjure you to take care of your 
 " health. I have only to repeat what I have often 
 " told you that you have been blessed with an iron 
 " constitution, which (unless from accident and 
 " mismanagement) yields to the all-devouring hand 
 " of time only." 
 
 On his way home Lord Duncan was taken ill 
 suddenly, and died at Cornhill, near Coldstream, on 
 August 4. 
 
 Mr. J. Anderson to Chief Baron Dundas. 
 
 " Corn-Hill : August 4th, 1804. 
 
 " I am very sorry for the melancholy occasion 
 which is the immediate motive of my writing to you 
 at present. This morning early I was woke by an 
 express from Lord Duncan's butler announcing the
 
 DEATH OF THE ADMIRAL 355 
 
 melancholy intelligence of his master having died 1804 
 suddenly this morning at one o'clock in the Inn at 
 this place. I lost no time in coming here, and it 
 will I am sure afford you consolation to know that 
 he died in the most tranquil manner and with suffer- 
 ing as little pain as possible. He had arrived here 
 about six in the evening, and after eating a 
 moderate dinner and taking his pint of wine as 
 usual he went to bed about ten in good spirits 
 after expressing to his servant the satisfaction he 
 felt at the prospect of dining with his family to-day. 
 He slept for more than an hour and then, awaken- 
 ing with a sense of pain in his stomach, he rang 
 for his servant, who having given him a few drops 
 of laudanum left him for a little but was soon after 
 alarmed by another ringing of the bell. On his 
 return he declared to his servant he was gone, and 
 that he only regretted dying without seeing his 
 family. The servant sent immediately an express 
 for the surgeon at Coldstream but before he could 
 arrive His Lordship had expired and both the 
 servant and the land-lady assure me that it was in 
 the easiest manner possible." 
 
 It happened by a strange and pathetic coinci- 
 dence that within a few weeks after the close of 
 Lord Duncan's life the ship whose name is 
 intimately associated with his ended for ever her 
 tossings on the sea. It was the tragic fate of the 
 ' Venerable ' to be totally lost in a gale upon an 
 English shore. 
 
 On November 24 the Channel Fleet was 
 
 A A 2
 
 356 LOSS OF H.M.S. 'VENERABLE' 
 
 1804 lying in Torbay, when in the evening a strong 
 north-easterly wind began to blow, and Vice- 
 Admiral Cornwallis made the signal to put to sea 
 and to proceed towards Brest. 
 
 Morning " Owing to the darkness of the night there was 
 
 November, " some confusion, and when endeavouring to 
 " weather one of the ships near her, the ' Vener- 
 " able ' missed stays and went ashore on some 
 " rocks near Berry Head, where she beat violently 
 " and soon went to pieces. Captain Hunter, the 
 " Officers, and the Crew with the exception of 
 " thirteen men, were saved by the boats of the 
 " ' Goliath ' and < Frisk ' Cutter. 
 
 "In the morning there was nothing of the 
 " ' Venerable ' to be seen except her bows sticking 
 " up out of the water. When she went ashore 
 " the winds were very baffling, which was the 
 " principal occasion of her missing stays." 
 
 " ^y ^ ne 2 9 November she had entirely gone to 
 " pieces and the shore for two or three miles was 
 1804 " covered with her wreck."
 
 357 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 CONCLUSION 
 
 THE foregoing account of Admiral Duncan does 
 not profess to be more than an outline of his life 
 and career in the Navy, and it will have been 
 perceived that much is wanting to complete the 
 picture. 
 
 A few details which are known have been 
 omitted by design. In describing the career of a 
 Naval Officer it is not unusual to give all the details 
 of his service, including all the expeditions and 
 proceedings in which he took part. In this instance 
 such descriptions have been abbreviated as far as 
 possible, or omitted ; to give at length all the 
 cruises, chases, and captures by the ships in which 
 Duncan served would be wearisome. 
 
 On the other hand, there are in the narrative 
 of his personal history several gaps and omissions, 
 the material for filling up which cannot be found. 
 The account of his service as a Midshipman and as 
 a Lieutenant is, of necessity, brief, because the 
 individuality of a young Officer is merged in the 
 history of his ship, except on very rare and excep- 
 tional occasions. In this respect Duncan only 
 shares the common lot, but the result, in his case, 
 is to leave unanswered some interesting questions
 
 358 CONCLUSION 
 
 regarding him. For instance, it is not even ascer- 
 tained how he became acquainted with Captain 
 Keppel, with whom he was afterwards closely 
 associated, and to whom he was mainly indebted 
 for his advancement, deserved though that may 
 have been by his own exertions and character. 
 
 This connection furnishes in itself an illustra- 
 tion of the anomalies which at that period were 
 common in the Navy. When Duncan became a 
 Midshipman on board the * Centurion ' in 1 749, 
 Keppel, his Captain, was only six years older than 
 himself, and had commanded the ' Sapphire,' a 
 Frigate of 40 guns, in 1745, when he was twenty. 
 
 But whatever their relative positions, and what- 
 ever may have been the origin of their acquaint- 
 ance, their intimacy was only terminated by 
 Keppel' s death, and in the very last speech that he 
 made in Parliament he spoke of Captain Duncan 
 as a familiar friend. 
 
 There is little doubt that Duncan created for 
 himself a name during the six years he was a 
 Lieutenant. He is only heard of on two occasions : 
 first, when in Sir Edward Hawke's Fleet, on its 
 way to Eochefort in 1757, he was sent from the 
 ' Torbay ' on board Vice-Admiral Knowles' flag- 
 ship off Oleron, to point out that the French ship 
 ' Hardie ' had run within reach of the ' Torbay,' if 
 permitted to chase ; and secondly, at Goree in 1758, 
 when, being First Lieutenant, he was sent in to 
 summon the garrison to surrender, and, on his 
 return to the ' Torbay,' was wounded as he was 
 leaving the boat. One thing is certain, that he at
 
 CONCLUSION 359 
 
 some time acquired a reputation for coolness and 
 courage ; and there is a tradition that he was 
 always first to volunteer for the boats or to lead 
 the boarders. He bore the same character among 
 the seamen of the Fleet to his latest day. After 
 Camperdown a sailor wrote home to his father : 
 
 " Dear Father, I am come off safe and sound Aco pyo f 
 after having had a breeze with the Dutch. The among 
 
 Lord 
 
 Battle lasted two hours when we killed one half Duncan's 
 
 Papers 
 
 and took the other half ; so there is an end of all 
 Dutchmen. As to the particulars I can't tell you 
 them just now, but when I get leave to go ashore 
 and can come by a Newspaper you shall have them 
 all. For my part I minded nothing but my gun, 
 except when we gave shouts of Victory as the 
 Enemy's ships struck to us. 
 
 " They say as how they are going to make a 
 Lord of our Admiral. They can't make too much 
 of him. He is heart of oak ; he is a seaman every 
 inch of him, and as to a bit of a broadside it only 
 makes the old cock young again." 
 
 Cool and fearless as Duncan was, nothing is 
 related of him which makes it probable, or even 
 likely, that he was inclined to rashness, or to seek 
 danger for its own sake. From what is known of 
 his temperament it is probable that he did not 
 think much about danger in the execution of his 
 duty, or about anything except the task in which 
 he was engaged. And this indifference to risk left 
 his judgment calm and clear, as was proved in
 
 360 CONCLUSION 
 
 every ship he commanded, and especially at Cam- 
 perdown. 
 Raife,voi; " As an Admiral he was bold and daring but 
 
 i.,' Admiral 
 
 Duncan' neither rash nor precipitate ; he saw in a moment 
 " every possible advantage, seized it instantly, 
 " pursued it to the extremity but never attempted 
 " impossibilities. He met obstructions with tem- 
 " per and submitted to hardships with fortitude ; 
 " and his intrepidity was accompanied with a 
 " calmness which peculiarly fitted him for those 
 " seasons of danger which he experienced." 
 
 It is hardly possible to conceive an ordeal which 
 could more thoroughly test the decision, the 
 judgment, and the courage of an Admiral than 
 that which he went through on October n, 1797, 
 apparently without difficulty or effort. The wind 
 was blowing direct on shore ; the water was shoal ; 
 the enemy was close to his own coast ; if any mis- 
 fortune should befall the British Fleet in battle, 
 every ship must of necessity be captured, while it 
 was not unlikely that, even in the midst of success, 
 the Fleet might be lost by running ashore, as De 
 Winter believed it would be. Duncan, however, 
 showed no disposition to hesitate ; " his decision 
 " was evident," as Captain Hotham perceived on 
 board the ' Adamant,' " from the moment the 
 " enemy was seen," his only anxiety being lest the 
 Dutch should escape into the Texel. 
 
 When also it is remembered that Admiral 
 Duncan was above sixty-six years old, it will be 
 admitted that his behaviour at Camperdown was 
 not an ordinary display. On this point an inter-
 
 CONCLUSION 361 
 
 esting piece of evidence was given by the Eeverend 
 William Harvey in 1863, before a Select Committee 
 of the House of Commons, which was considering 
 the question of the promotion and retirement of 
 Naval Officers : "I recollect one morning when select 
 " I was with Sir Charles Napier, not long before 
 
 . . , Promotion 
 
 " his death in the summer of 1860 ... he men- andKetire- 
 
 ment, 1863. 
 
 " tioned many cases of Officers in the Actions of Minutes of 
 
 Evidence 
 
 " the late war, Lord Nelson and others, who had 
 " gained brilliant actions as very young men, and 
 " who, he said, he felt certain, would not have 
 " gained those actions if they had not been young 
 " men ; and he said that the only case that struck 
 " him at the time of men really between 60 and 
 " 70 fighting an action which a young man would 
 " not have done better, was that of Lord Duncan 
 " at Camperdown." 
 
 So far, however, from furnishing an argument 
 against retirement, Admiral Duncan's behaviour 
 in his sixty-seventh year only excites a regret that 
 he had not risen to command a Fleet twenty years 
 before. 
 
 In Captain Hotham's Reminiscences a striking 
 account of Admiral Duncan occurs : " I first 
 " remember this Officer Captain of the ' Edgar,' 
 " a Guardship in Portsmouth Harbour, in 1785, 
 " and twelve years afterwards I was ordered in the 
 " ' Adamant,' fifty guns, to put myself under his 
 " command in the North Sea. The very active 
 " and eventful Summer of this year 1797, brought 
 " us a good deal together and gave me an opportu- 
 " nity of seeing much of his character.
 
 362 CONCLUSION 
 
 " In domestic life I believe he was very 
 " amiable ; and though he did not bear the 
 " reputation of possessing much professional skill 
 " as an Admiral of a Fleet, his zeal was pure and 
 " his conduct spirited. 
 
 " During the most dangerous Mutiny that 
 " ever threatened the existence of the Navy and 
 " the Empire his conduct was beyond praise, and 
 " when the whole Fleet left him one by one, 
 " excepting the * Adamant,' he bore this humiliat- 
 " ing reverse of professional fortune with dignified 
 " composure, and anchored in spite of it off the 
 " Texel with the two ships, in sight of the Dutch 
 " Admiral De Winter with a Fleet of fifteen sail of 
 " the line, some Frigates and Transports. . . . 
 " He ordered the ' Circe ' in the Offing and every 
 " now and then made signals to her and the 
 " ' Adamant,' which for a few days deceived the 
 " enemy till a reinforcement under Sir Roger 
 " Curtis from Spithead joined him. His personal 
 " intrepidity had saved the ' Venerable ' before 
 " that in Yarmouth Roads. . . . Lord Duncan 
 " was a remarkably fine man in his person, and 
 " though impetuous in his temper, exceedingly 
 " good-natured. He kept very little state either 
 " in his establishment or his person and lived in a 
 " very frugal manner. He was however always 
 " cheerful and kind at his Table." 
 
 It is rather a matter for regret that Captain 
 Hotham did not enter into particulars or produce 
 some facts or evidence in support of his statement 
 that Duncan did not bear the reputation of
 
 CONCLUSION 363 
 
 possessing much professional skill as an Admiral 
 of a Fleet. If such an opinion existed, it is 
 material to know on what it was founded, as 
 otherwise it is not possible to inquire whether the 
 reputation was deserved. 
 
 That Duncan was all through his life a good 
 seaman can be shown abundantly. Admiral 
 Keppel was not likely to have asked for his pro- 
 motion and at once to have taken him as Flag 
 Captain to Belleisle and the Havannah, if he 
 had not been a good seaman and able to manage 
 ships. 
 
 The ' Yaliant ' under his command distin- 
 guished herself both at sea and in action through- 
 out the Commission. 
 
 The ' Monarch ' was a notoriously indifferent R. & J. 
 
 Haldane's 
 
 sailer, and uncoppered when Duncan commanded Memoirs, 
 
 ... . page 28 
 
 her ; and yet he was able in sailing to hold his Eaife, 
 own with ships far superior to her, in Rodney's 'Admiral 
 action with Langara off Cape St. Vincent in 1780, 
 and 011 other occasions. As an instance of her 
 smartness, his nephew, Mr. Haldane, has narrated 
 how on one occasion, when pursuing some French 
 men-of-war, " the ' Monarch,' outsailing the rest of Memoirs of 
 
 "R fa T 
 
 " the Squadron, got into the midst of a Convoy, Haiaane, 
 
 " and her discipline was such that boats were let 
 
 " down on each side without swamping, filled 
 
 " with armed crews to take possession of the 
 
 " prizes, whilst the * Monarch ' never slackened 
 
 " her speed, but with studding sails set, bore down 
 
 " on the flying ships of war." 
 
 In the ' Blenheim ' Duncan was ordered by
 
 364 CONCLUSION 
 
 Lord Howe, no doubt for good reason, to lead the 
 Centre Division of his Fleet in 1782 at the relief of 
 Gibraltar. When in 1799 Sir John Jervis resigned 
 the command of the ' Foudroyant,' the finest 
 ship of the day, to hoist his broad pendant as 
 Commodore on the ' Salisbury,' 50 guns, Duncan 
 was appointed to the ' Foudroyant.' 
 
 All this would surely go to prove that Captain 
 Duncan knew how to handle and manage a ship 
 either when alone or in company ? 
 
 sir Charles As Admiral, Duncan had little opportunity of 
 Navai handling Fleets, for he only held one command, 
 camper- and the North Sea Squadron always contained 
 
 down ' 
 
 some of the most indifferent ships in the Navy. 
 The ' Venerable ' herself never at any time ceased 
 to leak, and was constantly in want of docking for 
 repairs. 
 
 To manoeuvre at all with such ships was not 
 an easy task; their sailing qualities varied so 
 much that, in approaching the enemy off Camper- 
 down, the Admiral was obliged to heave to in 
 order to get them into something like a line. 
 When also it is remembered that the Eussian 
 ships generally formed a considerable part of the 
 Squadron, he would indeed have been a wonderful 
 Admiral who could have obtained a reputation for 
 professional skill and smart manoeuvring, with 
 such vessels to command. 
 
 It is not improbable that the irregular form of 
 attack at Camperdown, which proved thoroughly 
 effectual, may have created or encouraged an idea 
 that Admiral Duncan was not skilful in handling a
 
 CONCLUSION 365 
 
 Fleet. If on that occasion he had employed the 
 orthodox tactics of the day, he would have 
 manoeuvred in front of the Enemy's line, until 
 either he was worsted or it suited them to with- 
 draw; for which latter their position, close to their 
 own coast and to the Texel, afforded singular 
 facilities. He would have added one more to the 
 long list of indecisive actions, after some firing 
 and possibly the capture of a ship or two. The 
 manoeuvring would have been admirable, and the 
 result more than unsatisfactory. 
 
 It is not too much to assert that the most 
 skilful manoeuvre is that which is best suited to 
 the circumstances and effects the most complete 
 victory. There was at Camperdowii no time to 
 spend in manoeuvres and no sea on which to 
 perform Naval evolutions. To declare him incap- 
 able of handling a Fleet because he elected an 
 instant close engagement where there was no sea 
 room would hardly raise the reputation of the 
 critic. 
 
 If Admiral Duncan had been entrusted with the 
 command of the Channel or Mediterranean Fleet, 
 he would have had an opportunity of displaying 
 or acquiring powers of Fleet-manoeuvring. Emi- 
 nent skill in Naval tactics, as in other occupations, 
 is only obtained by practice. 
 
 All that can be affirmed with certainty of 
 Duncan as an Admiral of a Fleet is that he kept 
 a number of indifferent ships cruising together for 
 several years without material loss, and that when 
 after Camperdown the Fleet found itself in shoal
 
 366 CONCLUSION 
 
 water close to an enemy's coast, with an adverse 
 wind which became a gale, and embarrassed with 
 Prizes, it worked off a lee shore under his guidance 
 without disaster, 
 e, vol. With regard to Admiral Duncan's disposition 
 
 i.,' Admiral 
 
 Duncan 1 and behaviour, all authorities are agreed that he 
 was good-humoured and kind, and had a great 
 distaste for violent measures, while at the same 
 time he enforced strict and regular discipline. 
 
 Dr. camp- Dr. Campbell says of him : " As an Officer 
 
 bell's Lives ., -, -, 
 
 of British bearing command, no person ever more en- 
 " deared himself to those whom he was appointed 
 " to conduct ; for while benevolence and good 
 " humour had acquired for him the universal love 
 " of all who knew him, a regularity of government 
 " and discipline, unalloyed by severity and un- 
 " mixed with the smallest portion of that species 
 " of conduct which too often appears in very 
 Naval " humane and well disposed men, perpetually re- 
 \-oi. iv. " minding those over whom they are put in 
 " authority, of the great inferiority of their station, 
 " had rendered him revered as well as adored." 
 
 Captain Brenton, who considered that he ought 
 to have adopted more stringent measures in deal- 
 ing with the mutiny, did not impute this to weak- 
 Brenton's ness ; he wrote that the Admiral was " remarkable 
 tory*voi!t " for the most undaunted courage with the most 
 " benevolent heart.' 
 
 All the other Naval Histories mention him in 
 similar terms. 
 
 In ' The Times' ' description of him on 
 October 19, 1797, it is said: "His manners are
 
 CONCLUSION 367 
 
 " simple, easy and obliging, equally free from 
 " affectation and roughness, the natural expression 
 " of unfeigned goodness of heart." 
 
 Many stories are narrated of his good humour 
 and good temper. " When a Captain, and at that 
 " time reckoned the handsomest Officer in the 
 " Navy, his assistance was required by the Civil 
 " Power to quell some insurrection at Portsmouth. 
 " The brave Commander at the head of his crew 
 " with his sword in his hand, convinced the mob 
 " that he had spirit and firmness to enforce obedi- ScSr 19, 
 " ence if they were determined to resist. His I797 
 " frankness and generosity spared that alternative ; 
 " he joked them into good humour, and they 
 " separated in peace." 
 
 As the ' Venerable ' was going into action at 
 Camperdown, an Officer asked him what number 
 of ships they were going to engage. He replied : 
 " Eeally, Sir, I cannot ascertain, but when we 
 " have taken them we will count them." One of J^dy 61 
 the Midshipmen began ducking his head under fire, Duncan's, 
 on which the Admiral said : " Very well, my boy, 
 " that is very well ; but don't do that again. You 
 " might put your head in the way of the shot." 
 
 His management of the Eussian Squadron 
 may be cited amongst other proofs of his geniality 
 and his power of adapting himself to different per- 
 sons and circumstances. From June 1795 a 
 Eussian Force was under his orders during the 
 whole of his command, except when the ships 
 returned to Eussian Ports, which they sometimes 
 did for the winter. 
 
 October 29, 
 1797
 
 368 CONCLUSION 
 
 Of the Eussian ships themselves it is not pos- 
 sible to say much that is favourable. They were 
 constantly in dock or in want of repairs, and were 
 a source of much anxiety to the Admiral and to 
 the Board of Admiralty, as well as to their own 
 Officers, whenever heavy weather was experienced. 
 The Russian Squadron was not present at 
 Camperdown, and the only record of its active 
 service is that two Eussian ships, the * Eatvizan ' 
 and ' Mistisloff,' sailed with Vice- Admiral Mitchell 
 into the Texel on August 30, 1799, when the Dutch 
 Fleet surrendered ; the ' Eatvizan,' however, un- 
 luckily ran on shore. 
 
 To act in concert with a foreign Squadron or 
 Squadrons has always been a task of difficulty, and 
 has required the constant exercise of tact, patience 
 and good temper ; and this case proved to be no 
 exception to the general rule. 
 
 It happened more than once that the Eussian 
 Admiral received orders from home with which he 
 was bound to comply at a moment very incon- 
 venient for his British allies. To give an instance. 
 Eear-Admiral Makaroff sailed away with his ships 
 on June 23,1 797, from the Texel to Eussia, although 
 Admiral Duncan was only beginning to collect a 
 Fleet after his recent severe experience of the 
 mutiny, and had not yet sufficient ships to main- 
 tain the blockade with safety. 
 
 Occasionally, too, some professional difficulty 
 arose, such as the never-ending question of Eelative 
 Eank, or whether the Eussian Flag Ship was to fire 
 the evening gun when in Port ; matters on which
 
 CONCLUSION 369 
 
 Admiral Hanickoff very sensibly pointed out in 
 private that he could not afford to give way, for 
 fear of unfavourable criticisms at home. Notwith- 
 standing, however, a few such occurrences, the 
 general relations between Admiral Duncan and the 
 Officers of the Eussian Fleet were always har- 
 monious and friendly ; he wrote and spoke very 
 highly of them personally, and of their zeal, and 
 throughout his correspondence with the Admirals 
 nothing but good wishes and honest endeavours to 
 co-operate for the general good are to be found. 
 
 Each Eussian Admiral who left the Station 
 sent to Admiral Duncan most flattering testimony 
 of his regard and esteem ; and after Camperdown 
 Admiral Tate wrote to him from Eussia, congratu- 
 lating him warmly on the victory. 
 
 Admiral Duncan's tact and good management 
 obtained recognition both at the British Admiralty 
 and at St. Petersburg. More than once Lord 
 Spencer congratulated him on his success in this 
 respect, and on July 19, 1797, the Emperor Paul 
 addressed to him an autograph letter, in which he 
 was created a Knight of the Imperial Order of St. 
 Alexander Newsky, " for the honourable and dis- 
 " tinguished manner with which you have dis- 
 " charged the command over the Squadron of my 
 " ships intended to act in conjunction with you 
 " against the enemies of your country, and the 
 " zeal you have so strongly evinced for the benefit 
 " of my Officers and Seamen. I flatter myself that 
 " this act of Justice done to you will be considered 
 " as a most convincing proof of my high regard.''' 
 
 B B
 
 370 CONCLUSION 
 
 That every instinct of Admiral Duncan's mind 
 was generous is proved by his actions at all times. 
 After Camperdown he displayed the most simple 
 kindness as well as delicacy of feeling towards 
 Admiral De Winter. 
 
 Again, when Yice-Admiral Mitchell arrived off 
 the Texel in August 1799 with the troops for the 
 Helder Expedition on board, and placed him- 
 self under his orders, he, as Commander-in- 
 Chief, directed what was to be done by the Fleet, 
 and then handed over to Admiral Mitchell all the 
 ships of his Squadron which could enter the Texel, 
 informing him that he should entrust the operations 
 in the Texel to him, and should not interfere with- 
 out absolute necessity. In this he only acted on 
 his usual plan of taking the Officers commanding 
 under him into his confidence beforehand about 
 any operations to be executed, and then throwing 
 upon them full power and responsibility. 
 
 Again, when serving under Lord Howe at the 
 relief of Gibraltar in 1782, although the ' Blenheim ' 
 leading the Centre Division of the Fleet brought 
 the enemy to action and was probably recalled 
 not without difficulty, he loyally supported his 
 chief afterwards when attacked, and maintained 
 that Lord Howe was quite right in not forcing on 
 an engagement with the superior Spanish Fleet. 
 Lord Hervey on April 10, 1783, commented 
 severely on Lord Howe's conduct in a letter 
 addressed to him, and on August 31, 1783, was 
 obliged to make a humble apology ; on which Lord 
 Howe wrote to Captain Duncan, as having been a
 
 CONCLUSION 371 
 
 leading Officer in his Fleet, and requested him to 
 publish the apology as widely as he could. 
 
 " Graf ton Street : 5th Sep. 1783. 
 
 " Sir, Having received a very rough comment 
 from Lord Hervey upon the operations of the 
 Channel Fleet last Summer, which he did not 
 scruple to communicate when he wrote it, to 
 several persons whose names he does not now 
 recollect, it has become a matter of necessity with 
 me to take such steps for making the acknowledge- 
 ment he has subscribed, as generally known to the 
 chief Officers of that Fleet as the offence which 
 gave occasion for the requisition. 
 
 " Under these circumstances I take the liberty 
 to trouble you with the particulars more at large 
 in the copies of the two papers l enclosed and to 
 solicit your assistance for rendering the latter of 
 equal notoriety with the former, where such inter- 
 position of your testimony under this authority 
 is requisite. You will therein confer a lasting 
 obligation on Sir your most faithful and obedient 
 
 Servant, 
 
 " HOWE. 
 
 " Captain Duncan." 
 
 Captain Duncan wrote a reply, of which Lord 
 Howe sent the following grateful acknowledg- 
 ment : 
 
 " Weymouth : i6th Sep. 1783. 
 
 " Sir, The letter upon which you express 
 your sentiments in such obliging terms in your 
 
 1 Lord Hervey's letter of April 10, and his apology of August 31, 
 1783, ED. 
 
 BBS
 
 372 CONCLUSION 
 
 favour of the 1 2th, was intended to have been sent 
 from Town by Saturday's post on the 6th, when 
 one to the same effect was to go to Vice Admiral 
 Milbank at Plymouth. But as I went into the 
 country on the Friday I don't yet know from what 
 cause it was so long delayed in its passage to 
 you. 
 
 " As I can never esteem a man who could show 
 such a letter as that of the loth of last April from 
 Lord Hervey, before he could know whether the 
 reflections in it would be submitted to by him to 
 whom they were addressed, however pertinent they 
 might by himself be deemed, the good opinion of 
 such commentators would not have engaged my 
 thoughts for a moment. But finding from your 
 previous knowledge of the circumstance, that the 
 effect of this illiberal communication has not been 
 confined to the foreign quarter where it was first 
 made, I feel an interest in your kind attention to 
 my late request that adds much to the very grate- 
 ful regard with which I am your most obliged and 
 obedient servant, 
 
 " HOWE." 
 
 Any success of a brother Officer always afforded 
 to Admiral Duncan intense gratification. His 
 congratulations to his former chief, Lord Howe, 
 after the action of June i , 1 794, evoked the follow- 
 ing response : 
 
 " Portsmouth: 4th July 1794. 
 
 " Dear Sir, I am much obliged to you for the 
 favour of your friendly congratulations on our late
 
 CONCLUSION 373 
 
 good fortune. It is undoubtedly very grateful to 
 be deemed worthy of applause. But it is equally 
 certain that the commendations of those who 
 condemn without knowledge of the subject on 
 which they presume to be judges or approve with 
 as little cause, does not make the impression their 
 benevolent prejudices intend. If our success had 
 excited a disposition in the description of people 
 whose personal service would be useful in the 
 Fleet, much benefit would have resulted from our 
 success. But I fear little advantage will be 
 derived to the State from the addition of the 
 serviceable ships brought into port, for a long time. 
 Wishing you all the comforts of a peaceful l retreat 
 I remain dear Sir your most obedient Servant, 
 
 " HOWE." 
 
 The victories of his old friend Sir John Jervis 
 off Cape St. Yincent, and of Sir Horatio Nelson at 
 the Nile, gave him the most unalloyed satisfaction. 
 The victory of the Nile he celebrated by a dinner 
 at the ' Duke's Head' at Yarmouth, with the Officers 
 of his Fleet, on October n, 1798, the first anni- 
 versary of his own Action. The proprietor of the 
 Telegraph Coach, ' Star ' Tavern, Yarmouth, wrote 
 offering to drive the Admiral and his friends down 
 from London : 
 
 " 2nd October, 1798. 
 
 " My Lord, I hope you will pardon the liberty 
 taken of thus troubling you, but hearing this morn- 
 
 1 Admiral Duncan was on half-pay. ED
 
 374 CONCLUSION 
 
 ing of your Lordship's intention to celebrate the 
 glorious nth October I beg leave to offer the 
 service of my coach free of expense from London 
 to this place on Tuesday the 9th and Wednesday 
 the loth inst. ; by well loading of which on both 
 days by your Lordship's friends and provisions 
 (which no other business shall interfere with) would 
 be the highest gratification I ever received for any 
 two journeys' loading over this road. The honour 
 of a line to-morrow morning, if he (sic) will accept 
 my small services as above, will confer a high 
 compliment done your Lordship's obedient humble 
 servant, 
 
 " JOHN EGBERTS." 
 
 The Admiral wrote to express his thanks, but 
 said that his friends were all upon the spot. 
 
 A graphic account of this dinner is given in 
 ' Colburn's Magazine' in March 1836, by a mer- 
 chant who was present, and who also had in the 
 preceding year seen and described the departure 
 of the British Fleet from Yarmouth Eoads on the 
 arrival of the tidings that the Dutch were at sea, 
 as also its return after the battle, " the rigging in 
 " disorder, the masts sticks, the decks bare." 
 
 " Twelve months after this happened the Battle 
 " of the Nile, and it was celebrated by Admiral 
 " Duncan and the Officers of the English and 
 " Eussian Fleets which then lay in Yarmouth 
 " Eoads, on the nth October the anniversary of 
 " Lord Duncan's engagement. The Town of 
 " Yarmouth was illuminated and the Party dined
 
 CONCLUSION 375 
 
 " together at one of the Hotels. Chance led me 
 " there and the Mayor took me with him to the 
 " Dinner ; when it happened that there being no 
 " other person in plain clothes in the room I was 
 " placed on the left hand of the Admiral. He was 
 " without exception the finest man in his person I 
 " ever beheld. Imagine a man upwards of six feet 
 " two inches in height (I think he was six feet 
 " four) with limbs of proportionate frame and 
 " strength. His features were nobly beautiful, his 
 " forehead high and fair, and his hair as white as 
 " snow. His movements were all stately and 
 " unaffected, and his manner easy though 
 " dignified. . . . The cloth drawn, the Admiral 
 " gave ' The King,' with heartiness. . . . One 
 " delightful trait of the gallant old man was that 
 " he took the earliest occasion to turn towards his 
 " own home and his affections. ' Gentlemen,' said 
 " he, ' I'll give you the best woman in the world : 
 " * I'll give you my own wife, Lady Duncan.' He 
 " then gave Lady Anne Hope (the wife of the 
 " Captain of the Fleet, his Vice President) ' who,' 
 " he said, ' was as good a woman as Lady Duncan,' 
 " not forgetting to repeat, however, that ' she was 
 " the best woman in the world.' ... I used the 
 " opportunity his affability afforded me, to enquire 
 " some particulars of his own state of feeling 
 " before and after the Action. He said he went 
 " upon deck about six o'clock, having had as sound 
 " a night's rest as ever he enjoyed in the whole 
 " course of his life. The morning was brilliant, 
 " with a brisk gale ; and he added that he never
 
 376 CONCLUSION 
 
 " remembered to have been exalted by so exhilara- 
 " ting a sensation as the sight of the two Fleets 
 " afforded him. He said however that the cares 
 " of his duties were too onerous to allow him to 
 " think of himself ; his whole mind was absorbed 
 " in observing and in meeting the occasion by 
 " orders ; all other feelings were lost in the neces- 
 " sity of action. 
 
 " The night after the Battle he never closed 
 " his eyes his thoughts were still tossing in the 
 " turmoil through which he had passed ; but his 
 " most constant reflection was a profound thank- 
 " fulness to God for the event of the engagement. 
 
 " All this was said in so perfectly natural a 
 " tone, and with a manner so simple that its truth 
 " was impressed at once, together with veneration 
 " for a man who could regard thus humbly an 
 " event in which much of human life had been 
 " sacrificed, so much of personal honour and 
 " so much of national glory and advantage 
 " attained. . . . 
 
 " When the moment arrived for the departure 
 " of Lord Duncan he rose slowly from his seat, 
 " drew himself up to his full height, and in a few 
 " simple words announced that he must take his 
 " leave. A dead silence ensued. He turned to 
 " the Eussian Admiral, and folding his vast arms 
 " round him, expressed his farewell in this solemn 
 " embrace. It was then that the voices of his 
 " companions in arms broke forth, and he was 
 " saluted with three such cheers, so hearty, so 
 " regular, so true, that they vibrated through
 
 CONCLUSION 377 
 
 " every fibre of my frame. The venerable man 
 " bent his head upon his breast for a moment, and 
 " seemed deeply impressed : he then bowed low 
 " and majestically, tucked his triangular gold-laced 
 " hat under his huge arm and walked gravely down 
 " the room to the door amid a silence so intense 
 " that his measured tread sounded like minute- 
 " drops. He stopped ; he turned ; he again reared 
 " himself to his noble height, took his hat from 
 " under his arm, waved it over his head, gave three 
 " loud, articulate, and distinct hurrahs in return for 
 " the former salutation, placed his hat upon his 
 " brow and closed the door. It was the last time 
 " I ever beheld him, but the vision still remains 
 " with me." 
 
 A prominent feature both in his private and 
 professional life was his earnest and unaffected piety, 
 which appears in his whole life and conversation. 
 At home he is said to have been rather strict in 
 requiring attendance at Church, family prayers, 
 and other religious observances, to all of which he 
 himself paid most earnest and devout attention. 
 On board ship his conduct was the same, and his 
 deep religious feeling found its way into his 
 addresses to those under his command (as has been 
 seen in his speeches to the seamen at the time of 
 the mutiny), and imparted weight to all that he 
 said and did. When the * Venerable ' was bearing 
 down at Camperdown, " he called all his officers Naval 
 " upon deck, and in their presence prostrated him- Raife, vol.' 
 
 i. page 333 
 
 " self in prayer before the God of Hosts, committing 
 " himself and them, with the cause that they main-
 
 378 CONCLUSION 
 
 " tained, to his Sovereign protection, his family to 
 " His care, his soul and body to His Providence, and, 
 " after the action, he, in presence of the Dutch 
 " Admiral, ordered the crew on deck, and again upon 
 " his bended knees solemnly, with fervour and 
 " humility, offered up praise to the God of Battles 
 " for the success." 
 
 In society Admiral Duncan was happy and 
 
 cheerful. It has been already stated that when 
 
 his Fleet lay in the Downs he used sometimes to 
 
 visit Mr. Pitt at Walmer Castle. Lord Wellesley, 
 
 then Lord Mornington, met him there, and wrote 
 
 stanhope'a afterwards in 1836, that he was "a constant and 
 
 vol. in. '' " favourite guest, and a lively and jovial com- 
 
 " panion, seeming quite delighted with Mr. Pitt's 
 
 " company." 
 
 An anecdote is told of the Admiral at Walmer 
 which illustrates his supreme confidence and belief 
 in British ships and seamen. On the i6th and 
 1 7th of June, 1795, Admiral Cornwallis with five 
 ships of the line and two frigates executed his 
 famous retreat up the Channel, during which he 
 kept off thirteen French ships of the line and four- 
 teen frigates, which in the end sheered off and left 
 him unmolested. News of his isolation and probable 
 capture had reached Walmer, and Mr. Pitt was 
 very despondent. " Admiral Duncan was present 
 " and scouted the idea of the capture of five British 
 
 Memoirs 
 
 otR&j. " s hips of war. 'What,' said Mr. Pitt, ' do you 
 
 Haldane 
 
 " think that against such odds, they have a 
 " chance ? ' 'A chance ! Sir : Frenchmen do not 
 " yet know how to take a British ship.' '
 
 CONCLUSION 379 
 
 Coming to dine a day or two afterwards, when 
 the news of Cornwallis's safety had been received 
 but had not arrived at Walmer, the Admiral on 
 shaking hands with Mr. Pitt, said : " Give you joy, 
 " Sir ! " " Joy, Admiral, what joy ? nothing is yet 
 " known of the fate of Cornwallis." " On hearing 
 " the news, he said that the Admiral had taken a 
 " load off his mind and that he never sat down to 
 " dinner with a lighter heart." 
 
 Throughout Admiral Duncan's papers not a 
 line of writing appears reflecting upon or disparag- 
 ing, or even criticising, others. He was also very 
 reluctant to find fault with subordinates, though 
 he could be very severe when he thought that they 
 had failed in their duty. It is said that after 
 Camperdown he wished to try by Court-martial 
 more than one of the Captains who had kept aloof 
 from the heat of the engagement, and that he was 
 only dissuaded by Lord Spencer, who thought that, 
 considering the completeness of the success, it was 
 better not to have a public trial. The Officers of 
 the ' Agincourt ' having, however, insisted on the 
 prosecution of Captain Williamson and Captain 
 Hopper, the Captain of Marines on board that 
 ship, having preferred a charge of neglect of duty 
 and cowardice as Prosecutor, it is said that Captain 
 Williamson appealed to the Admiral to give evi- 
 dence in his favour, and received as a reply : 
 " For myself I do not care, but how can I bring my 
 " ship's company to life again ? " 
 
 Although modest and unpretending as regarded 
 himself he was very mindful of the dignity of a
 
 380 CONCLUSION 
 
 British Admiral, and considered that in professional 
 questions the Board of Admiralty ought not, with- 
 out grave reason, to disregard the recommendations 
 of a Coinmander-in-Chief. When, after the sur- 
 render of the Dutch Fleet in the Texel, Lieu- 
 tenant Clay of the ' Kent,' whom he had sent home 
 with Despatches, was not promoted, and Mr. 
 Paterson, the Master of the 'Venerable,' had been 
 passed over for an appointment for which he had 
 recommended him, his zeal on behalf of his Officers, 
 together with what he considered a slight to the 
 Commander-in-Chief in the North Seas, prompted 
 him to address the following letter to the Board of 
 Admiralty : 
 
 "Yarmouth Eoads : September 22, 1799. 
 
 " I beg you will be pleased to inform the Lords 
 Commissioners of the Admiralty that I can no 
 longer refrain from representing how much I feel 
 hurt at the indignity put upon me by Vice Admiral 
 Mitchell's Lieutenant being promoted and Lieu- 
 tenant Clay, first of the ' Kent,' the bearer of the 
 first advice to the Government which diffused such 
 general joy all over the Kingdom of the success of 
 our Army in Holland and consequent surrender of 
 the Dutch Fleet without bloodshed communicated 
 by him at least forty-eight hours before the 
 General's and Vice Admiral's Despatches were 
 received. I therefore hope that their Lordships on 
 reconsidering the case will remove the occasion of 
 this representation, in the full persuasion they will 
 not think it ill grounded, and that the circumstance 
 of this officer still remaining a Lieutenant has
 
 CONCLUSION 381 
 
 been rather the effect of oversight than of intention, 
 for in justice to Mr. Clay's pretensions to prefer- 
 ment I must add he was so severely wounded in 
 the Action of nth October 1797 that a pension 
 was then ordered by his Majesty in Council and 
 since withheld in consequence of undergoing a 
 second survey by their Lordships' order. 
 
 " I am your obedient servant, 
 
 " DUNCAN. 
 
 " Evan Nepean, Esq., &c., &c." 
 
 This letter the Admiral backed up by a private 
 communication to Mr. Nepean, the Secretary of 
 the Admiralty, which, however, was treated as 
 ' officious,' and is now in the Public Eecords Office 
 with the words * His Followers ' endorsed. 
 
 "Yarmouth Roads: 2 October, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Sir, I am much obliged to you for 
 your kind wishes about my health. I have been 
 seriously ill indeed and still weak, nor has the way 
 I have been treated by the Admiralty contributed 
 to hasten my recovery. After all the flattery 
 given me for the way I behaved to Admiral 
 Mitchell, not to make my Lieutenant Clay who 
 was the first who brought the news of success 
 at the Helder, a Captain, and for which intel- 
 ligence Mr. Dundas expressed himself in strong 
 terms of approbation ; next, when I wrote a public 
 letter on the subject to the Admiralty they have 
 ever since remained in the most contemptuous 
 silence. Had they given a good reason I must
 
 382 CONCLUSION 
 
 have been contented, but I well know they cannot. 
 Now again Mr. Paterson who was my Master 
 on the nth October, was appointed Master 
 Attendant here ; another is put into a permanent 
 situation at Sheerness and no notice taken of him, 
 though by his activity and diligence has taken up 
 a number of anchors and cables which must have 
 cost Government a great sum of money besides 
 removing a number of wrecks from the Eoads 
 which might have much incommoded both men-of- 
 war and merchant ships. 
 
 " I am etc., 
 
 " DUNCAN. 
 
 "E. Nepean." 
 
 Although the Admiral's interest in the advance- 
 ment of his Officers was in itself laudable, the tone 
 of his official letter can hardly be justified, and 
 was not in accordance with his own ideas of 
 discipline. Moreover, he seems to have pressed 
 Mr. Clay's claims for promotion rather unduly, 
 inasmuch as the ' Kent ' was unable, owing to her 
 draught of water, to take part in the operations on 
 which Admiral Story's surrender of the Dutch 
 Fleet followed. 
 
 Lord Spencer showed a becoming dignity, and 
 also his knowledge of Lord Duncan's character, by 
 addressing to him, a short time after, a very friendly, 
 while open and forcible, remonstrance : 
 
 "Admiralty: November 30, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lord, After the very friendly and
 
 CONCLUSION 383 
 
 confidential footing on which I have had the 
 satisfaction of acting with your Lordship ever 
 since you were called to the Chief Command of the 
 North Sea Fleet, you may easily suppose that it 
 has not been without very considerable regret that 
 I have observed a discontinuance on your part of 
 that confidence which appears to me to have taken 
 place so entirely without any plausible ground for 
 it that I confess I have for some time past been 
 led to expect that whatever mistaken cause has 
 given rise to it might have ceased to operate and 
 that I might have had the pleasure of hearing from 
 you again as usual, feeling as I do perfectly un- 
 conscious of having given you any cause for dis- 
 satisfaction. I very readily now resolve to break 
 the silence by expostulating with you in the most 
 friendly manner possible on the subject and by 
 assuring you that it is impossible (whatever you 
 may have been led to suppose) that any other 
 sentiment than that of regard and respect can be 
 harboured by me towards you, but I cannot help 
 saying that considering the habit of confidential 
 intercourse in which we had been, I could not but 
 be extremely surprised as well as concerned to see 
 such a letter from you as you thought fit to write 
 to the Board on the subject of Lieutenant Clay, 
 which from anyone except from yourself I could 
 have looked upon in no other light than an inten- 
 tional slap in the face to the first Lord of the 
 Admiralty, conveyed officially through the Board, 
 to which I should think myself entirely undeserv- 
 ing of holding my situation here if I had yielded
 
 384 CONCLUSION 
 
 by promoting any officer on such a ground. The 
 proper and regular mode of conveying your wishes 
 for the Promotion of any Officer is through me in 
 a private communication, and I think that from 
 your private experience that to that mode I am 
 as ready to pay attention as I believe that any one 
 situated as I am ever was, and therefore I could 
 not but feel surprised that the means of an official 
 letter should in this instance be resorted to and 
 that we should at once be charged with inflicting 
 an indignity upon a person to whom I have with 
 the greatest pleasure shown every wish to pay 
 every respect and attention in my power. I have 
 thought it right to express myself thus freely to 
 you, my dear Lord, because I wish very sincerely 
 to maintain the same confidence and friendship 
 with you which I have ever done ; it will rest with 
 you to enable me to do so and I know you well 
 enough to be fully sure that you will have as much 
 pleasure in returning to our former friendship as I 
 shall myself. We have ordered Admiral Mitchell 
 to strike his flag as there does not appear to be 
 any further occasion for his services at present 
 and it will soon be necessary to make some other 
 arrangements for the North Sea Service, the cir- 
 cumstances of which are now so different from 
 what they were before the late Expedition. 
 
 " I am etc., 
 
 " Viscount Duncan." " SPENCEE. 
 
 The Admiral's reply of course does not exist, 
 but it is clear from Lord Spencer's letter of Decem-
 
 CONCLUSION 385 
 
 ber 3 that he had recognised that he had made a 
 mistake and had hastened to repair it : 
 
 "Admiralty: December 3, 1799. 
 
 " My dear Lord, I have only time before post 
 to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 
 2nd, which has removed a considerable deal of 
 uneasiness from my mind in a very full and satis- 
 factory manner. I also take the opportunity of 
 informing you that having a vacancy in the 
 ' Zebra ' Bomb Vessel by the promotion of Captain 
 Sparkes, I have availed myself of it for the purpose 
 of appointing Mr. Clay to the rank of Commander 
 in that Vessel. 
 
 " I am etc., 
 
 Viscount Duncan, etc." DPENCEE. 
 
 The distinctive feature in Admiral Duncan's 
 character as an Officer was his intense regard for 
 the Officers and men under his command. His 
 pride and interest in the ' Venerable,' and in all on 
 board her, have been already alluded to ; this was 
 extended to all the Officers and men of the Fleet. 
 Judging from his papers, he seems to have taken 
 especial interest in the Commanders of the smaller 
 ships, whose audacity and activity at the mouth of, 
 and sometimes even inside, the Texel were to him 
 invaluable. Captain Halkett of the ' Circe ' frigate, 
 Captain Halsted of the ' Phosnix,' Mr. Hamilton 
 of the ' Active ' cutter, Captain Boorder of the 
 ' Espiegle,' Lieutenant Brodie of the ' Eose ' cutter, 
 Mr. Hall of the ' Speculator ' lugger, and several 
 
 c c
 
 386 CONCLUSION 
 
 others, are constantly mentioned in his corre- 
 spondence. Most of them obtained promotion or 
 advancement of other kinds by his means. Mr. 
 Hamilton was in 1 800 appointed Superintendent of 
 the Packet Service at Dover ; Captain Boorder was 
 moved by Lord Spencer into the ' Pylades ' ; Lieu- 
 tenant Brodie was promoted on being sent home 
 with the news of the victory, and Lord Spencer 
 found him a ship at Lord Duncan's request. On 
 April 19, 1798, Lord Spencer wrote : "When I get 
 " anything proper for Brodie I will employ him 
 " under you." 
 
 All his Officers respected and believed pro- 
 foundly in the Admiral. Mr. Hamilton talked of 
 him to the end of his days, and was never tired of 
 spinning endless yarns to the late Lord Camper- 
 down about his grandfather and the North Sea 
 Fleet. He looked upon himself as Admiral Duncan's 
 right hand, and, by whatever means, the * Active ' 
 appears in every picture existing of the action. 
 
 " Hope to God you will soon be out! " wrote 
 Captain Halkett to the Admiral on October 8, 1797, 
 when he had discovered the Dutch Fleet putting to 
 sea, not doubting what would happen as soon as 
 his chief could be brought upon the scene. 
 
 Lieutenant Brodie, who, in his little vessel the 
 1 Rose,' hovered on the outskirts of the action on 
 October n, wrote in February 1798 to the Admiral 
 a vivid account of his experience : "In order I 
 " might be near to assist or carry any message 
 " from ship to ship while in Action, I was nearer 
 " the ships engaged than any ship or vessel which
 
 CONCLUSION 387 
 
 " was not in the fight. . . . From the time you 
 " went into action till I saw you after, I prayed 
 " more than once that God would preserve your 
 " gray hairs and grant you Victory, and those of 
 " my little Ship's Company who heard me prayed 
 " as well, and indeed my Chief Mate and Boat- 
 " swain lamented that we was too insignificant to 
 " assist you. ... I now come to the painful part ; 
 " this was when the * Hercules ' took fire ; I thought 
 " it was the ' Venerable.' . . . What a thought it 
 " was, while it lasted. I bore right down on you 
 " then, my Lord, I thought I might pick you up, 
 " for we all thought you was blown up, for that 
 " ship appeared to us to blow up through the 
 " masts ... I was however certain it was not 
 " the ' Venerable ' before any of my Officers and 
 " Crew would believe it. ... After this tre- 
 " mendous seeing was over, for it was a glorious 
 " though tremendous sight, the enemy's Admiral 
 " totally dismasted and his second ahead in flames, 
 " I ran down to look for my Admiral and would 
 " have been with you some minutes sooner, had 
 " not the * Bedford ' waved me to her to know what 
 " ship it was on fire, when I assured him it was a 
 " Dutch Ship. 
 
 " I then came under your stern and had almost 
 " passed it, with a very sore heart, not seeing you 
 " there, when all at once you appeared and ordered 
 " me on board. If ever I was happier than when 
 " I saw you safe, I hope for no happiness in this 
 " world or the next, and I believe your Lordship 
 " saw it, for you was quite cool and collected, and 
 
 c c 2
 
 388 CONCLUSION 
 
 " when I took hold of your left arm, I really could 
 " not speak. . . . ' 
 
 Throughout the Admiral's whole service the 
 seamen of the Fleet, and especially his own ship's 
 company, were always uppermost in his thoughts. 
 He devoted endless labour and time to plans for 
 improving the condition of the seamen and of the 
 Navy. At one moment he was having a difference 
 with the Victualling Office about fresh meat for his 
 crews, which he prosecuted in his vigorous way : 
 
 " loth June, 1799. 
 
 " Sir, Finding the little chance there was of 
 the ships off the Texel being regularly relieved to 
 get refreshments and considering of what conse- 
 quence it was to send as much fresh beef as 
 possible to them at no public expense, I directed 
 sixteen oxen and a small proportion of vegetables 
 to be shipped in the ' Agamemnon ' for the use of 
 the Squadron of which I acquainted you for their 
 Lordships' information, but finding by a letter I 
 received yesterday from the Victualling Board that 
 their Lordships disapprove of such supplies I shall 
 for the future cause them to be discontinued. At 
 the same time I cannot help being of opinion that 
 exclusive of that great consideration the health of 
 the crews, fresh beef is cheaper to Government 
 than salt meat, and by the mode I have adopted by 
 sending the cattle by King's ships the enormous 
 expense incurred for freight in Victuallers would 
 
 have been avoided. 
 
 " I am etc. 
 
 " E. Nepean." " DUNCAN.
 
 CONCLUSION 389 
 
 At another moment he was writing short 
 minutes for his own guidance or for transmission 
 to the Admiralty with regard to the domestic 
 economy of the Fleet. " As few of criminals 
 " from gaols as possible " is a recommendation 
 that ought not to have been necessary. It is a 
 disgrace to the Nation that in those days the King's 
 ships were manned in any and every way. 
 
 Sometimes even Greenwich Hospital pensioners 
 were called upon to serve on board the Fleet : 
 " By Eobert Eoddam Esq. Eear Admiral of the' 
 " 'White ' and Commander-in- Chief of H.M. Ships 
 " and vessels in the River Medway and at the 
 " Buoy of the Nore. 
 
 " You are hereby required and directed to 
 " receive all such Greenwich hospital pensioners 
 " as shall from time to time be sent on board H.M. 
 " Ship under your command in order to assist in 
 " fitting out H.M. said ship, bearing them on a 
 " supernumerary list until further order. 
 
 " Dated on board H.M. Ship the ' Con- 
 questador' at the Nore loth June 
 1778. E. Eoddam. 
 
 " To Captain Duncan or the Command- 
 ing Officer of H.M.S Suffolk.' " 
 
 Sometimes the seamen were impressed at sea 
 and taken out of merchant or fishing vessels : 
 
 " From Lt. Rickard, Kirkwall, to E. Nepean. 
 " nth July 1797 
 
 " You will be pleased to inform their Lordships 
 " that if any more men are wanted from this
 
 390 CONCLUSION 
 
 " country for the Navy, there are nearly 300 good 
 " men, and most of them Seamen, in the ships 
 " now at Greenland and Davis Strait, who can be 
 " easily impressed if a vessel was sent for that 
 " purpose which generally arrives here about the 
 " middle of this month and continues until the 
 " loth of August. The Heritors of Orkney will 
 " not deem it a hardship or inconvenience on them 
 " if such steps were put into execution, as they are 
 " rather a nuisance than a service to the country." 
 Sometimes recourse was had to the general 
 press gang ; and, much as he disliked it, Duncan 
 in his time had been obliged to take part in that 
 service. 
 
 " By the Commissioners for executing 
 the Office of Lord High Admiral of 
 Great Britain and Ireland, etc. 
 
 " Whereas we intend that a General Press 
 " shall be made on Wednesday night next the 2/th 
 " inst. upon the Eiver Thames, towards supplying 
 " the want of Men in the King's Fleet, and have 
 " fixed upon you to conduct and carry the same into 
 " execution ; and whereas we have directed the 
 " Regulating Captains in London to advise, settle 
 " and adjust with you, the best methods of making 
 " the said Press ; to station their Tenders as shall 
 " be judged best for the reception of the Prest 
 " Men ; and to have their Lieutenants and Gangs 
 " ready at the hour which shall be agreed upon ; 
 " You are therefore, hereby required and directed 
 " to advise with the said Regulating Captains, and 
 " to adjust matters with them accordingly ; and to
 
 CONCLUSION 391 
 
 " take care to prepare everything in such manner 
 " as may be most likely to be attended with success ; 
 " and then you are to impress or cause to be 
 " impressed, as many seamen, seafaring men and 
 " persons whose occupations and callings are to 
 " work in vessels and boats upon Rivers as you 
 " shall be able, without regard to any Protections 
 11 save such as have been granted in consequence of 
 " Acts of Parliament ; excepting, however, the 
 " following persons, viz. : 
 
 " First Mates, Boatswains and Carpenters of 
 " such ships and Vessels as are of 50 tons and 
 " upwards ; all persons belonging to Transports or 
 " other ships or vessels, in the actual service of 
 " the Offices of the Navy, Ordnance, Victualling, 
 " Customs, and Post Master General ; all persons 
 " belonging to any Storeships, Victuallers, or other 
 " ships or vessels employed under the direction 
 " of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's 
 " Treasury ; and all persons belonging to merchant 
 " ships and vessels loaded, and cleared out by the 
 " proper Officers of the Customs. 
 
 " The more effectually to enable you to do 
 " which, we send you herewith a letter from our 
 " Secretary addressed to the respective Captains 
 " and Commanders of any of His Majesty's Ships 
 " or Tenders in the Eiver Thames to whom you 
 " shall think fit to show it, requiring them to 
 " furnish you with any assistance you may 
 " want ; and also two other letters addressed 
 " to the respective Officers of His Majesty's 
 " Yards at Deptford and Woolwich to furnish,
 
 392 CONCLUSION 
 
 " upon your requisition, any vessels, boats, 
 " stores or necessaries from those Yards, which 
 " you may have occasion for ; that you may 
 " make such use of them as circumstances may 
 " require. 
 
 " And whereas we have sent Orders to Eear 
 " Admiral Eoddam, Commander-in-Chief of His 
 " Majesty's Ships and Vessels at Sheerness and 
 " the Buoy of the Nore, to cause a similar press to 
 " be made there and in the adjacent parts at the 
 " same time ; and to direct the Parties which he 
 " sends into the Eiver Thames, to proceed on 
 " upwards till they meet those employed by you 
 " to proceed downwards, in order to sweep the 
 " whole of that Eiver ; You are, therefore, to 
 " direct the parties, which you send down, to 
 " proceed until they meet those coming up from 
 " the above-mentioned Eear Admiral ; to the 
 " end that such general sweep may be made ac- 
 " cordingly. 
 
 " You are to cause all the men, who shall be 
 " pressed, to be put on board the Tenders which 
 " the Eegulating Captains shall station as above- 
 " mentioned for their reception, or any other Ten- 
 " ders which may be in the Eiver Thames ; and to 
 " send them away to the Nore, to be put on board 
 " the ' Conquestador ' or disposed of in such other 
 " manner as the above-mentioned Eear Admiral 
 " shall direct ; and, in case there shall be more 
 " than the said Tenders can conveniently carry, 
 " you are to cause the Surplus to be received on 
 " board the Ship you command and safely kept
 
 CONCLUSION 393 
 
 " there till the Tenders return and there shall be 
 " an opportunity of sending them down also ; 
 " which you are to take care to do as soon as pos- 
 " sible afterwards. 
 
 " As it is of the utmost consequence to the 
 " success of this Business that the same be kept 
 " as secret as possible 'till the moment of its 
 " execution, you will take particular care, in 
 " every preparatory step, to act with all the 
 " caution in your power, and to manage the 
 " whole in such manner, as, if possible, to prevent 
 " any suspicion of what may be intended ; and 
 " finally you are to transmit to our Secretary, as 
 " soon after the Business of the night shall be over 
 " as you can possibly collect it, an account of the 
 " number of men who may have been procured, 
 " and in what manner you shall have disposed of 
 " them. Given under our hands the 25th May 
 " 1778. 
 
 " SANDWICH. 
 
 " LISBUENE. 
 
 "J. H. PENTON. 
 
 " To Captain Duncan, commanding 
 His Majesty's Ship the ' Thunderer,' 
 at Woolwich. 
 
 " By command of their Lordships. 
 " ROBERT STEPHENS." 
 
 How much Duncan disliked the press gang the 
 following letter from Mr. William Brandreth, a 
 Naval Officer, shows :
 
 394 CONCLUSION 
 
 " Gosport: October i7th 1787. 
 
 "Sir. 
 
 ... On the 22nd September we were alarmed 
 in the morning by a vigorous impress which con- 
 tinued for some days with great heat. On the 27th 
 I was sent for to Southampton, where the next 
 day I received from the Mayor, Aldermen and 
 Common Council assembled at their Hall, a very 
 honourable and strongly enforced testimony of my 
 conduct during the last war, while on the impress 
 service in that Town. I enclosed it to my Lords 
 Commissioners of the Admiralty in a letter offering 
 my services, at the same time expressing an 
 humble hope that the enclosed would be admitted 
 as a plea for my soliciting to be employed again 
 on the same service at that Port. . . . Now, Sir, if 
 I did not presume too much I would ask a line 
 from you to Eear Admiral Gower ; my present 
 recommendations urged by an Officer of your 
 highly respected character would make assurance 
 doubly sure, and although I know your objection 
 to that mode of raising men, yet, as it is adopted, 
 I hope and trust I should bring no additional 
 odium on it nor do aught unworthy of the man 
 who is honoured with your friendship. 
 
 " I am your most obedient servant, 
 
 " WILLIAM BBANDBETH." 
 
 With regard to the pay and position of the 
 seamen continual notices occur : "I do think 
 " danger remains whenever anything having the
 
 CONCLUSION 395 
 
 " appearance of a grievance occurs ; mutiny will 
 " be the consequence if not redressed." 
 
 " More pay must be found somewhere, and 
 " more regular ; that is to say payments should be 
 " made abroad also at all the ports in Great 
 " Britain and Ireland." 
 
 " I should wish a gratuity of good and long 
 " service." 
 
 " Could Seamen have more liberty, the excess 
 " mentioned would not exist." 
 
 " Certainly the Petty Officer's pay should be 
 " raised, and indeed every description should be 
 " raised." 
 
 " Clearly agree that the number of Petty 
 " Officers should be increased." 
 
 " Am rather inclined to give rewards for long 
 " service than bounty." 
 
 Jottings of the above kind are to be found in 
 every part of the Admiral's papers, sometimes 
 collected together, sometimes recorded singly on 
 small pieces of paper. Not unfrequently a man's 
 name is written down on a piece of paper by itself, 
 presumably for reward or other such purpose 
 4 Archibald Moody ' is on more than one slip of 
 paper. What the Officers and men of the 55th 
 Eegiment were to his elder brother, the ship's 
 company of the * Valiant,' the ' Monarch,' the 
 ' Venerable,' were to the Admiral. British Officers 
 of the highest type have always been remarkable 
 for the sympathy between them and their men. 
 Intimate acquaintance and mutual confidence 
 have enabled British forces often to sweep away or
 
 396 CONCLUSION 
 
 overcome obstacles which were, humanly speaking, 
 insuperable. The belief among the men that their 
 comfort and interests are in safe and vigilant 
 keeping, and that everything is being done which 
 calm judgment and decision can suggest to 
 minimise the inevitable risks of daring enterprise ; 
 the confident knowledge of the Officers that all 
 orders will be obeyed without hesitation or question 
 these together produce a reciprocal respect and 
 affection, which grows with time and with the 
 memory of dangers incurred in common, until it is 
 elevated almost into passion. It is at its flood- 
 tide at the moment preceding desperate service or 
 when meeting again after separation, and finds 
 expression on the one side in a sensation of stern 
 pride, and on the other in spontaneous outbursts 
 of wild enthusiasm. Although many of the sea- 
 men of those days had been recruited by means not 
 likely to conduce to patriotism, contentment, or 
 discipline, and although, judged by present 
 standards, they might be considered rather a 
 rough crew, when it came to action they were more 
 than serviceable under the right sort of Officers. 
 Mr. Pratt ^ n ^e ' Venerable ' at Camperdown " A Seaman 
 Becrad " f * ne name of James Covey was brought down, 
 hS U Gkan- " says the Doctor, to the surgery deprived of both 
 " his legs ; and it was necessary some hours after 
 " to amputate still higher. ' I suppose,' said Covey 
 " with an oath, c those scissors will finish the busi- 
 " ness of the ball, Master Mate.' * Indeed my brave 
 " fellow ' said the Surgeon ' there is some fear of 
 " it.' ' Well, never mind ' said Covey, ' I have
 
 CONCLUSION 397 
 
 " lost my legs to be sure, and mayhap may lose my 
 " life, but we have beat the Dutch, so I'll have 
 " another cheer for it ; Huzzah, Huzzah.' ; 
 
 The Merchant who has been mentioned as 
 having been present at Admiral Duncan's banquet 
 at Yarmouth " met several parties " on the return 
 of the Fleet after Camperdown, " bearing wounded 
 " men to the hospital, whose haggard and pale 
 " though weather-beaten faces indicated heroically 
 " suppressed pain. I shall not cease to remember 
 " the bearing of one gallant fellow, on being 
 " accosted by a stranger who was induced to 
 " inveigh against war ; " ' Only a leg,' exclaimed 
 " Jack, endeavouring to lift himself upon his 
 " elbow ; ' only a leg ; hurrah, Duncan for 
 " ever.' " 
 
 Such were some of the * Yenerable's ' men. 
 
 And so ends the record of a British sailor ; 
 resolute, fearless, honest, true ; who lived in a time 
 of national peril and crisis, and, after a protracted 
 and arduous service, now lies sleeping his long 
 sleep near his Scottish home, with his task per- 
 formed and his duty done.
 
 INDEX 
 
 ABERCEOMBIE, Sir Ralph, 68 ; 
 
 invasion of Holland, 313, 315, 
 
 316,318,321 
 
 ' Active,' H.M. cutter, 38, 212 
 ' Adamant,' H.M.S., 92 ; goes to 
 
 the Texel with the ' Venerable,' 
 
 in, 130; 362 
 1 Admiral de Ruyter,' Dutch ship, 
 
 surrenders, 328 
 'Admiral de Vries,' Dutch ship, 
 
 211. See also ' De Vries ' 
 Admiralty, wise behaviour of, 
 
 during mutiny, 171 ; orders to 
 
 Duncan, 191 
 'Agamemnon,' H.M.S., 92, 130, 
 
 189, 307; sent to Spithead, 
 
 309 
 ' Agincourt,' H.M.S., 188; none 
 
 killed or wounded, 208 ; her 
 
 captain court-martialled, 379 
 Airey, John, master's mate, 
 
 wounded, 209 
 
 Aix-la-Chapelle, Treaty of, 7 
 ' Ajax,' Dutch brig, 211 
 'Albatross,' H.M. sloop, mutiny 
 
 of crew, 112 
 
 Albemarle, Lord, leader of ex- 
 pedition against the Havannah, 
 
 18 
 Albion,' H.M.S., 66; to lead 
 
 attack, 86 ; returns to the Texel, 
 
 92 
 
 Algiers, 6 ; Dey of, 7 
 Alison's ' History of Europe ' 
 
 quoted, 236 
 
 Alkmaar, Russian defeat at, 335 
 ' Alkmaar,' Dutch ship, 210 
 'Ambuscade,' Dutch ship, 211; 
 
 surrenders, 328 
 America, North, disputes, 7 
 'America,' H.M.S., 323 
 
 ' Amethyst,' H.M.S., 335 
 
 ' Amphitrite,' Dutch ship, surren- 
 ders, 328 
 
 Amsterdam, 343 
 
 Anderson, Mr. J., letter intimat- 
 ing Lord Duncan's death, 354 
 
 ' Annual Register' quoted, 113 
 
 Anson, Commodore, 5, n 
 
 'Ardent,' H.M.S., 74, 130; num- 
 ber of killed and wounded, 208 ; 
 at the Texel again, 307, 323 
 
 'Argo,' Dutch frigate, captured, 
 64 
 
 'Ariadne,' H.M.S., 190 
 
 Armstrong's 'A Tar in the last 
 War' quoted, 143, 269 
 
 Arniston ' Memoirs ' quoted, 214, 
 261 
 
 ' Asia,' H.M.S., 47 
 
 'Astrea,' H.M.S., 189 
 
 ' Atalanta,' Dutch brig, 211 
 
 BARBARY STATES, 6 
 
 Baring, Sir Francis, 256 
 
 Barnaby, Sir William, 20 
 
 Barras, 225 
 
 Barrington, Hon. Captain, 6, 7 
 
 Barry, Patrick, recommended for 
 
 boatswain, 346 
 Basque Roads, 10 
 ' Batavier,' Dutch ship, 210 ; 
 
 surrenders, 328 
 Bath, 21, 242 ; freedom of, to 
 
 Lord Duncan, 255 
 ' Beaulieu,' H.M. frigate, 191, 
 
 195, 212 
 ' Bedford,' H.M.S., 149 ; number of 
 
 killed and wounded, 208 
 Bell's 'Weekly Messenger ' quoted, 
 
 250
 
 4OO 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Bell, William, 347 
 
 Belleisle, 5,6; expedition to, 16, 
 
 363 
 
 ' Belliqueux,' H.M.S., 130; in 
 mutiny at Yarmouth, 135 ; num- 
 ber of killed and wounded at 
 Camperdown, 208 ; at the Texel 
 again, 307 ; sent to Spithead, 
 309 ; arrives at the Texel, 326 
 
 Bengal Civil Service, 344 
 
 Berry Head, 356 
 
 Berwick, freedom of, to Lord 
 Duncan, 255 
 
 ' Beschermer,' Dutch ship 211; 
 surrenders, 328 
 
 Bisset, Captain, 54 
 
 ' Black Joke,' H.M. lugger, 38 
 
 Blair, Dr., to care for the sick, 49 
 
 Blake, 298 
 
 Blasphemy, Admiral Duncan a 
 foe to, 1 06 
 
 ' Blenheim,' H.M.S., commanded 
 by Duncan, in action, 30, 364 
 
 Bligh, Captain, 127, 212; reports 
 on the mutiny at Yarmouth, 
 133 ; at the Texel, 308 
 
 Bloys, Hear- Admiral, Dutch, 211, 
 
 222 
 
 Bompart, Commodore, French, 
 301 
 
 Boorder, Captain, 149, 172, 331 
 
 Boscawen, Admiral, 8, 9 ; death 
 at fifty, 337 
 
 Bourbon League, or Family Com- 
 pact, 17 
 
 Bouvet, Admiral, French, 239 
 
 Bowater, Captain, 121 
 
 Braak, Dutch admiral, escapes 
 with small squadron, 62 
 
 Bradby, Captain, 190 
 
 Braddock, General, 8 
 
 Brandreth, William, 393 
 
 Bravery of British officers, sea- 
 men and marines at Camper- 
 down, 206 ; of Dutch captains, 
 218, 219; of seaman's wife, 
 221 
 
 Brenton, Lieutenant, his graphic 
 account, 131 
 
 Brenton's ' Naval History ' 
 quoted, 131, 169, 366 
 
 Brest, French fleet equipped at, 
 8 ; another leaves Brest for 
 Ireland, 301 ; fleet leaves, 309 ; 
 Channel Fleet leaves for, 356 
 
 Bridport, Lord, mutiny on board 
 
 his fleet, no; misses French 
 
 fleet, 309 
 Bristol, 242 ; freedom of, to 
 
 Lord Duncan, 255 
 British Channel Fleet permits 
 
 French and Spanish fleets to 
 
 unite, 25 ; retreats up Channel, 
 
 26 
 
 Empire greatly extended, 22 
 
 killed and wounded at Camper- 
 down, 207-209 
 
 ships and seamen, Admiral 
 Duncan's confidence in, 378 
 
 Brodie, Lieutenant, 147, 149 ; 
 
 arrives with news of victory, 
 
 240 ; Captain, 333 
 ' Broederschap,' Dutch ship, 
 
 taken, 324 
 
 Brown, Pilot, wounded, 208 
 Bruix, French admiral, 309, 310, 
 
 338 
 
 Brune, General, Dutch, 335 
 ' Brutus,' Dutch ship, 21 1 
 Buccleuch, Duke of, 255, 266 
 ' Bucentaure,' 232 
 Buckner, Admiral, 51, 113 ; 
 
 evidence, 113; letters to and 
 
 from Admiralty, 1 29 
 Burgess, Captain, his gallantry 
 
 and death, 206 ; monument in 
 
 St. Paul's, 248 
 Burnet, Mr., Admiral Duncan's 
 
 secretary, in Copley's picture, 
 
 345 
 Byard, Captain Sir Thomas, 213 
 
 CADIZ, 28, 29, 239, 309, 310 
 
 ' Caesar,' H.M.S., 149 
 
 ' Calcutta,' H.M.S., 47 
 
 Campbell's ' British Admirals ' 
 quoted, 142, 366 
 
 Campbell, Captain, 288, 308 
 
 Camperdown, 22, 26 ; Dutch fleet 
 sighted off, 48 ; cruising off 
 Camperdown for nineteen weeks 
 before Battle, 172; Battle of 
 Camperdown, with list of killed 
 and wounded, 200-214; great 
 effect of victory on the nation, 
 238, 264 ; battle very bloody, 
 272 ; enthusiasm and devotion 
 of the men at, 396 
 
 Campo Formio, Peace of, 238 
 
 Canada, 7 
 
 Canning, Mr., 256
 
 INDEX 
 
 4OI 
 
 Capel, Captain, of the ' Kite ' sloop, 
 302 
 
 Carew, Captain, 287 
 
 Carnage in battle off Camper- 
 down, 206 
 
 Cartagena, 310 
 
 Cassel, James, Captain, wounded, 
 209 
 
 Catherine, Empress of Russia, 43 
 
 Catholic Emancipation, refused 
 by the King, 349 
 
 ' Centurion,' H.M.S., 6, 7 ; dis- 
 abled, 8 
 
 'Cerberus,' Dutch ship, 210; 
 surrenders, 328 
 
 Chambers, Lieutenant, wounded, 
 208 
 
 Chapman, First Lieut., wounded, 
 209 
 
 ' Chariot Royale,' French frigate, 
 taken, 9 
 
 Charles Edward, his adherents in 
 Dundee, 2 
 
 Charles II., King, 298 
 
 Charles III., King of Spain, in the 
 Bourbon League with France 
 against Great Britain, 17 
 
 Cheltenham, 21 
 
 Chevalier de St. Croix, com- 
 mander of Belleisle, capitulates, 
 
 17 
 
 Chimley, Master's Mate, wounded, 
 209 
 
 ' Circe,' H.M. frigate, 38 ; crew 
 mutinied, addressed by Captain 
 Halkett, 143 ; watching the 
 Texel, 190; at Camperdown, 
 213; again at the Texel, 319, 
 
 323 
 
 Clarence, H.R.H. the Duke of. 
 See Prince William Henry 
 
 Clay, Lieutenant, wounded, 208 ; 
 of the ' Kent,' 327 ; correspond- 
 ence regarding him, 380-385 
 
 Cleland, John, Captain, in 
 Copley's picture, 344 
 
 Clement, Midshipman, wounded, 
 209 
 
 Clements, Captain, 309 
 
 Clerk, John, of Eldin, on naval 
 tactics, 226, 241 
 
 ' Coburg,' H.M. cutter, 323 
 
 Coldstream, 354 
 
 Colville, Captain, reports as to 
 Dutch East Indian squadron, 
 58 
 
 Common Council, Court of, ad- 
 dress to the Xing, 242 ; presen- 
 tation of sword to Admiral 
 Duncan, 242 
 Copley, J. S., artist, 343 
 Cornhill, near Coldstream, 354 
 Cornwallis, 338 ; commands the 
 
 Channel Fleet, 356, 378, 379 
 ' Coromandel,' H.M.S., dismasted, 
 
 56 
 Courtesy of Dutch admirals, 176, 
 
 177 
 
 ' Coventry,' H.M. frigate, 1 1 
 Crawford, John, of Sunderland, of 
 H.M.S. ' Venerable,' in Copley's 
 picture, 347 ; nailing the colours 
 to the mast, 347 ; not in the 
 procession to St. Paul's, 348 ; 
 pensioned, 348 ; monument to 
 him, 348 
 
 Cresey, John, boatswain of 
 'Venerable,' 343; in Copley's 
 picture, 343, 345 
 Cromwell, 298 
 ' Cruizer,' H.M.S., 309 
 Culloden, Battle of, 6 
 Cumberland, Duke of, 3, 24 
 Curtis, Sir Eoger, 149 ; proposed 
 to be sent to the Mediterranean, 
 182 
 Cuthbert, Captain, wounded, 209 
 
 DAENDELS, Governor-General, 175, 
 
 335 
 
 ' Dalk,' Dutch ship, taken, 324 
 Damage to North Sea fleet at 
 
 Camperdown, 234-236 
 D'Angouleme, Due, 94 
 Danish Government remonstrates 
 
 as to capture of privateers, 65, 
 
 66 
 
 ' Daphne,' Dutch brig, 210 
 De Cordova, Don Luis, Spanish 
 
 commander, 25 
 De Grasse, Comte, 30 
 'Delft,' Dutch ship, strikes, 271 
 ' De Vries,' Dutch ship, strikes, 
 
 271 
 Dickson, Vice-Admiral Archibald, 
 
 305-307, 329, 334 
 ' Dictionary of National Bio- 
 graphy ' quoted, 217,218 
 Diep, Mars, Nieu, 308 
 Digby, Admiral, 29 ; at Gibraltar, 
 
 29 
 
 D D
 
 402 
 
 INDEX 
 
 'Diligent,' H.M. cutter, 212 
 Dinner at Yarmouth to celebrate 
 the victory of the Nile, 373- 
 
 377 
 
 ' Director,' H.M.S., at Camper- 
 down, 212 ; at the Texel again, 
 307, 308 ; at Spithead, 309 
 
 Doggerbank, 298 
 
 Donnelly, Captain, 352, 353 
 
 D'Orvilliers, Count, French com- 
 mander, 25 ; retires to Brest, 27 
 
 Douglas, Captain, 135 
 
 Douglas, Lieutenant, wounded, 
 208 
 
 Dover, freedom of, to Lord Dun- 
 can, 255 
 
 Doyle, Colonel, 77 ; in command 
 of troops for the Texel, 79 ; 
 instructions to him, 82 
 
 Drury, Captain O'Bryen, 68, 69, 
 
 72, 78, 212 
 
 Dublin Corporation, address to 
 the King, presentation of swords 
 to Admirals Duncan and 
 Onslow, 243 ; freedom of City 
 to Lord Duncan, 255 
 
 Duncan, Adam, Admiral, birth 
 and parentage, I ; ancestry, 2 ; 
 goes to sea at fifteen in sloop 
 ' Tryal ' as midshipman, 4, 5 ; 
 cruise in the Hebrides, 5 ; joins 
 the frigate ' Shoreham,' 5 ; 
 becomes known to Admiral 
 Keppel, 6 ; midshipman in the 
 ' Centurion,' 6, 358 ; acting 
 lieutenant in the ' Norwich,' 8 ; 
 lieutenant in the ' Centurion,' 
 8 ; joins the ' Torbay ' as second 
 lieutenant, 9 ; wounded by mus- 
 ket ball at Goree, 12; returns 
 to England, made commander, 
 and leaves the 'Torbay,' 12; 
 short time in command of the 
 'Royal Exchange,' 13; his 
 experiences in the ' Torbay,' 14 ; 
 his handsome appearance, 14, 
 15; made captain, 16; flag- 
 captain on board the ' Valiant,' 
 16; disembarks the troops in 
 the Havannah expedition, 18 ; 
 leads a storming party at Moro 
 Castle with a stick, 19 ; exploit 
 in the harbour, 19; returns to 
 England, 20 ; applies repeatedly 
 for employment, 20 ; ill-health, 
 21, 30, 300, 317, 328, 330, 354 ; 
 
 visits Italy, 21 ; marriage, 21 ; 
 resides at Nellfield, 22 ; com- 
 mands the ' Suffolk,' 23 ; ap- 
 pointed to the ' Monarch,' 23 ; 
 his impartiality on both courts- 
 martial, 23, 24 ; indignation at 
 retreat, 26 ; takes Spanish ship, 
 ' San Augustin,' 28 ; returns 
 home, 29 ; becomes acquainted 
 with Prince William Henry, 
 29 ; commands the ' Blenheim ' 
 in action off Cape Spartel, 30 ; 
 leaves the ' Blenheim,' receives 
 complimentary letter from 
 Lord Howe, 31 ; appointed 
 to the ' Foudroyant ' and 
 'Edgar,' 31; promoted to be 
 a flag-officer, 31 ; causes of 
 failure to obtain employment, 
 32-34 ; promoted Rear- Admiral, 
 35 ; life in Scotland, 35 ; at- 
 tacked by rioters, 36 ; Vice- 
 Admiral, 36 ; given command 
 of North Sea Fleet, 37 ; his plan 
 for Texel blockade, 38 ; personal 
 influence, 38 ; private corre- 
 spondence with, and his regard 
 for, Lord Spencer, 41 ; becomes 
 acquainted with Mr. Pitt, 42 ; 
 declines command of Mediter- 
 ranean Fleet, and suggests Sir 
 John Jervis, 42 ; ' Prince 
 George ' and ' Venerable ' his 
 flagships, Admiral of the Blue, 
 43 ; sails from the Downs, 50 ; 
 returns in 'Venerable,' 52 ; not 
 satisfied as to blockade of Texel 
 with so many Russian ships, 
 55 ; sails for his station, 57 ; 
 proposed for seat at the Board 
 of Admiralty, but could not be 
 spared from his proper work, 
 6 1 ; returns to Yarmouth, 62 ; 
 captures Von Dirking and his 
 ships, 64, 65 ; does not favour- 
 ably regard Government plan : 
 his objections overruled, 68 ; 
 correct about the weather, 74 ; 
 receives secret orders and in- 
 structions 79-85 ; prepares to 
 obey them, 85 ; instructions to 
 his captains, 86 ; his practice 
 to consult with them, 87 ; ex- 
 pedition impossible on account 
 of weather, 88 ; returns to 
 Yarmouth, 89 ; oifers to resign,
 
 INDEX 
 
 403 
 
 but Lord Spencer declines to 
 accept, 89, 90; returns to the 
 Texel with four ships, 92 ; fleet 
 back to Yarmouth, 94 ; bears 
 brunt of mutiny, 96 ; his posi- 
 tion, 96, 97 ; mutiny began in 
 the ' Venerable,' 97 ; informs 
 the Admiralty, 98, 99 ; his con- 
 duct approved, 100; his affec- 
 tion for his men, 103; addresses 
 them, 104-106 ; the men's 
 reply, 107-109 ; deals with a 
 mutineer on the ' Adamant,' 
 in; Admiralty approves of his 
 conduct, in, 112; grave in- 
 structions given, 1 20 ; his reply, 
 121, 122; men of the 'Vener- 
 able ' present him with address 
 of loyalty, 123, 124; prompt 
 capture of mutineers from the 
 Nore, 126; puts to sea, 130; 
 left alone with the ' Venerable ' 
 and the 'Adamant,' 132, 140, 
 141 ; examines the Texel, 140; 
 his jocular reply to Onslow, 
 and orders to Hotham of the 
 ' Adamant ' to fight till he sank, 
 as the ' Venerable ' would do, 
 141 ; again addresses the crew, 
 144-146; deceives the enemy, 
 151 ; anxious to redress griev- 
 ances of men, 166-168 ; regards 
 the seamen as his children, 
 169; 'his best service to his 
 country,' 170; offered an Irish 
 peerage, or a baronetage, 183; 
 despatches to the Admiralty as 
 to casualties, 188, 189; arrives 
 at Yarmouth, 190 ; decision 
 there, 191 ; informed at Yar- 
 mouth of escape of Dutch Fleet, 
 195 ; reports news to the 
 Admiralty and puts to sea with 
 eleven ships, Oct. loth, 200 ; 
 engages and defeats the enemy, 
 200-202 ; receives De Winter's 
 sword, 269, 270 ; his letter to 
 the Admiralty announcing vic- 
 tory, 203, 204-7 ; supplemen- 
 tary letter, 213, 214; letter to 
 Mr. Dundas, 214, 215; his 
 tactics at Camperdown, 217- 
 237 ; decision and resolution, 
 222, 223 ; risk he ran, 229 ; 
 his house in Edinburgh illu- 
 minated, 243 ; arrives in Eng- 
 
 land, 244 ; created Viscount 
 Duncan of Camperdown, 245 ; 
 intercedes for mutineers, 247 ; 
 thanked by Houses of Parlia- 
 ment, 247 ; introduced to 
 House of Lords, 248 ; Lord 
 Duncan's reply to Address, 250 ; 
 at Thanksgiving Service, 251, 
 253; dines with the Lord 
 Mayor, 255; freedom of burghs, 
 255; entertained by East India 
 Company, 255; universal con- 
 gratulations, from Captain of 
 the ' Standard,' Earl Spencer, 
 Lady Spencer, Mr. Henry 
 Dundas (to his niece), Lady 
 Mary Duncan (to Mr. Dundas), 
 257-263: Admiral's popularity, 
 263 ; his own feelings, 265 ; 
 welcomed by County of Forfar, 
 266 ; characteristic reply to 
 De Winter, 285; proceeds to 
 the Texel, 300; returns to 
 Yarmouth to refit ships, 302 ; 
 congratulates Nelson, 303 ; 
 letter from Lady Spencer, 304 ; 
 applies for sick-leave, 305 ; 
 Admiral of the White, 305 ; 
 proceeds again to the Texel, 
 307 ; letter to Lord Spencer, 
 307-308 ; reports as to the 
 enemy, 308 ; returns to Yar- 
 mouth, 308 ; returns to the 
 Texel, 309 ; letter from Lord 
 Spencer as to French and 
 Spanish fleets, 311 ; informed 
 of departure of invading forces, 
 313; despatches to Admiralty 
 as to military expedition, 319- 
 326; serious illness, sails for 
 home, 328, 329 ; arrives at 
 Aldborough, 329; serious ill- 
 ness, 330 ; congratulations from 
 Lord Spencer, 330 ; recovers 
 health, 332; resumes service. 
 334; warns the Government 
 against military expedition to 
 the Texel, 336 ; his retirement, 
 337-342 ; his saying as to 
 hauling down his flag, 340 ; 
 Lord Spencer's letters on Lord 
 Duncan's retirement, 340- 
 342 ; his last act as Admiral, 
 342 ; offers for service again, 
 348 ; Lord Spencer's reply, 
 349 ; Lord Duncan congratu- 
 
 D D 2
 
 INDEX 
 
 lates Lord St. Vincent, 35 1 ; 
 last years in Scotland, 353 ; 
 death of two sons, "William 
 and Alexander, 353, 354 ; 
 proceeds to London to offer 
 services again, seized with ill- 
 ness on way home, and dies 
 suddenly at Cornhill, near 
 Coldstream, 354, 355; sum- 
 mary of his character 3 58-397; 
 many details of his life not 
 known, 357, 358 ; Keppel and 
 Duncan familiar friends, 358 ; 
 Duncan's coolness and courage, 
 359, 387 ; not given to rashness, 
 359) 360 ; a sailor's letter to his 
 father about Battle off Camper- 
 down, 359 ; calm and clear 
 judgment, 359, 360; his deci- 
 sion, 360 ; his victory remark- 
 able at his age, 361 ; cheerful 
 and kind, 362 ; a good seaman, 
 363, 364 ; opportunity for 
 Duncan had he obtained Chan- 
 nel or Mediterranean com- 
 mand, 365 ; his real achieve- 
 ments, 365 ; good-humoured 
 and kind, while a disciplin- 
 arian, 366 ; anecdotes, 367 ; his 
 tact and good management, 
 368 ; created a Knight of the 
 Imperial Order of St. Alexander 
 Newsky, 369 ; his generous 
 instincts, 370; correspondence 
 between Lord Howe and Cap- 
 tain Duncan, 371-373; his 
 joy over the victories of his 
 friends, 373; his feelings during 
 and after the Battle off Camper- 
 down, 375 ; his earnest and 
 unaffected piety, 377, 378 ; 
 happy and cheerful in society, 
 378 ; his confidence and belief 
 in British ships and seamen, 
 378 ; reluctance to find fault, 
 379 ; his reply to Captain Wil- 
 liamson, 379 ; personally un- 
 pretending, yet jealous of the 
 dignity of a British Admiral ; 
 letter to Admiralty as to Mr. 
 Clay, 380, 381 ; its tone not to 
 be justified, 382 ; Lord Spen- 
 cer's remonstrance, 382-384 ; 
 Lord Duncan's admission, as 
 proved by Lord Spencer's reply, 
 385 ; his great regard for his 
 
 officers and men, 385 ; promo- 
 tions due to him, 385 ; regard 
 of the officers for him, 386-388 ; 
 dislike of the press-gang, 390, 
 393 ; his concern for pay and 
 position of seamen, 394, 395 ; 
 effect on the men under him, 
 396 ; their enthusiasm, 396 ; 
 resolute, fearless, honest, true, 
 397 ; private letters to Lord 
 Spencer, Introduction, vi, des- 
 patches, Introduction, vii. 
 Duncan, Alexander, great-grand- 
 father of Admiral Duncan, pro- 
 vost of Dundee from 1682 to 
 1685, 2 ; as bailie in 1689 
 resisted Graham of Claver- 
 house, 2 ; death, 2 
 
 Alexander, grandfather of 
 Admiral Duncan, provost of 
 Dundee, 1717-1719, 2 
 
 Alexander, father of Admiral 
 Duncan, I ; provost of Dundee 
 from 1744-1746,2; sons, John, 
 2; Alexander, 2; Adam, 1,3; 
 death, 21 
 
 Alexander, son of Admiral 
 Duncan, 339; death, 353 
 
 Alexander, brother of Admiral 
 Duncan, 55th Eegiment, 2; at 
 Battle of Falkirk, 3 ; in Canada, 
 3 ; his character, by Mrs. Grant 
 of Laggan, 3, 4 ; married Miss 
 Smythe, 4 ; death, 4 
 
 Baron, 262 
 
 family, Presbyterian, r, 33; 
 opposed King James VII., i ; 
 Admiral Duncan's father, 
 grandfather and great-grand- 
 father provosts of Dundee, 2 
 
 Henry, fourth and youngest 
 son of Admiral Duncan, 
 enters the Navy, 352 ; joins the 
 ' Narcissus,' 353 
 
 John, eldest brother of Admiral 
 Duncan, 2 
 
 Lady, Admiral Duncan's wife, 
 Introduction, vii. 351, 352, 
 
 375 
 
 Lady Mary, Admiral Duncan's 
 aunt, 21 ; her spirited letter, 
 261 ; commissions picture of 
 Battle, 343 ; letter, 367 
 
 Robert, eldest surviving son 
 of Admiral Duncan, Introduc- 
 tion, vii.
 
 INDEX 
 
 405 
 
 Duncan, William, eldest son of 
 Admiral Duncan, death, 354 
 
 Sir William, M.D., uncle of 
 Admiral Duncan, 261 
 
 Dundas, Henrietta, married to 
 Admiral Duncan, 21 
 
 Henry, Lord Melville, 21, 22; 
 Treasurer of the Navy, 36 ; 
 Secretary of State, 79, 168, 241 ; 
 moves vote of thanks, 247 ; 
 East India Company dinner, 
 256 ; letter to Lord Duncan, 
 314-316; congratulates Lord 
 Duncan, 331, 332 ; letter of J. 
 Anderson to Chief Baron Dun- 
 das, 354, 35.5 
 
 Colonel Philip, 263 
 
 Robert, President of Court of 
 Session, 2 1 ; letter from Admiral 
 Duncan, 214 
 
 - William, M.P., 263 
 
 Dundee, birthplace of Admiral 
 Duncan, i ; family house there, 
 i ; visited by Pretender, i ; 
 freedom of burgh to Lord 
 Duncan, 255 ; town's gifts, 266 ; 
 procession to receive Admiral 
 Duncan, 266; figurehead of 
 ' Vryheid ' towed to, 343 
 
 Dunkirk, 91, 92, 93 
 
 Dunn, Michael, Master, killed at 
 Camperdown, 208 
 
 Dutch accounts of the Battle 269- 
 285 
 
 East India Fleet eludes British 
 cruisers and reaches Dront- 
 heim, 58 
 
 fleet, reported in motion, 44 ; 
 its numbers, 48 ; eludes Dun- 
 can, 50; insubordination of 
 sailors, 67 ; reports as to move- 
 ments, 91, 113, 124, 125; report 
 of strength at Texel, 139, 149, 
 150; O'Neill's report, 176-179; 
 Dutch Admirals' courtesy, 1 76 ; 
 supposed to have abandoned 
 the expedition, 190; change of 
 policy, 192 ; leaves the Texel, 
 October 7, 193 ; closely followed 
 by British ships, 196-199; 
 approaches the British Fleet, 
 200 ; defeated off Camperdown, 
 204-207; ships engaged, 210- 
 2 1 1 ; ships taken at Camper- 
 down, 2 10-21 1 ; pitiable spec- 
 tacle after Battle, 232, 233 ; 
 
 another fleet, 300 ; no further 
 attempts of Dutch fleet on Ire- 
 land, 304 ; further demoralisa- 
 tion in, 305 ; likely to join the 
 Prince of Orange, 306 ; surren- 
 ders, 328 ; no longer a Navy, 
 
 334 
 
 Dutch seamen, best on the con- 
 tinent of Europe, 299 ; refuse to 
 fight, 327 
 
 ships, embargo laid on, 37 
 
 troops, destined for Ireland, 
 215 
 
 Du Quesne, Fort, 8 
 
 EAST INDIA COMPANY, entertains 
 Lord Duncan, 255 
 
 'Edgar,' H. M. guardship, com- 
 manded by Duncan, 31, 361 
 
 Edinburgh, riot on King's birth- 
 day, 36 ; illuminated for victory, 
 243 ; freedom of City to Lord 
 Duncan, 255 ; reception there, 
 266-268 
 
 Ekins' ' Naval Battles,' 222-224, 
 
 364 
 
 Elsineur, (Elsinore), 57 
 England, Robert, Lieutenant, 
 
 wounded, 209 
 Enthusiasm in London over the 
 
 victory, 240 
 'Espiegle,' H.M. lugger, 38, 57, 
 
 33i 
 
 ' Espion,' H.M.S., 93 
 Essington, Captain, wounded, 209 
 'Ethalion,' H.M.S., 198 
 
 FAIRFAX, CAPTAIN W. G., 67 ; 
 arrives with Admiral Duncan's 
 account of the Battle off Cam- 
 perdown, 204 ; commended by 
 Admiral Duncan, 207 ; Sir 
 William, in command in Scot- 
 land, 300 ; in Copley's picture, 
 
 343 
 
 Lady, pension conferred on, 344 
 
 Samuel, son of Captain Fairfax, 
 
 256, 344 
 
 Falkirk, Battle of, 3 
 Family Compact, or Bourbon 
 
 League, 17, 1 8 
 Finlay, Captain, 316 
 
 Moyle, Midshipman, killed at 
 Camperdown, 208
 
 406 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Flag, Blue, Admiral Duncan's, 
 347 ; at Camperdown, 348 
 
 Fordyce, John, letter to John 
 Clerk of Eldin, 240 
 
 Forfar, County of, congratulations, 
 
 255 
 'Formidable,' French ship, n, 
 
 13 
 
 H.M.S., 24, 149 
 Fortune's Tavern, Edinburgh, 
 
 266 
 ' Foudroyant,' H.M.S., 25, 26; 
 
 commanded by Duncan, 31, 
 
 364 
 
 ' Fougeux,' II, 232 
 
 France, at peace with Great 
 Britain, 7 ; at war, 8, 9, et seq. ; 
 negotiations for peace, 17; hos- 
 tilities resumed at the Havan- 
 nah, and suspended by Treaty of 
 Paris, 20 ; fleet sails from Brest, 
 
 25,309 
 
 Fraser, Simon, Midshipman, 
 wounded, 209 
 
 Fraternite,' French frigate, 239 
 
 French and Spanish fleets hold 
 Channel, 27 ; in alliance off 
 Cape Spartel, 30; in alliance, 
 238 ; return to the Atlantic, 
 309, 310; frigates sail from 
 Eochefort and land troops in 
 Killala Bay, 300 
 
 troops on board Dutch fleet 
 at the Texel, 139 ; at the 
 Hague, 149 ; at the Texel, 172 ; 
 French general at the Texel, 
 181 ; expedition to Ireland, 
 
 239 
 
 Friends of the People, 36 
 ' Frisk,' H.M. cutter, 356 
 
 ' GALATEA,' Dutch brig, 211; sur- 
 renders, 328 
 ' Ganges,' H.M.S., 130, 149, 308, 
 
 334 
 
 'Garland,' H.M.S., with the 
 ' Venerable,' 140 
 
 ' Gelderland,' Dutch ship, surren- 
 ders, 328 
 
 Gelquin, Colonel, Dutch, 321 ; 
 summoned to surrender, 321 ; 
 his reply, 322, 323 
 
 ' Gelykheid,' Dutch ship, strikes, 
 271 
 
 Genoa, 310 
 
 George II., King, 261 
 
 George III., King, 16 ; to visit the 
 fleet, 246 ; pardons mutineers, 
 246 
 
 Gibraltar, 7 ; besieged, 27 ; re- 
 lieved, 29 ; Straits of, 309, 338 
 
 Glasgow, freedom of, to Lord 
 Duncan, 255 
 
 'Glatton,' H.M.S., North Sea 
 fleet, 44, 47, 130, 149, 189, 307 
 
 ' Goliath,' H.M.S., 356 
 
 Goree, n; taking of, 12, 358; 
 (Dutch), 49, 315, 316 
 
 Gosport, Mrs. Duncan and family 
 reside in, 29 
 
 Graham, John, of Claverhouse, 
 attempts to seize municipal 
 charters of Dundee, 2 
 
 Granville, Lord, 58 
 
 Greenwich Hospital pensioners 
 to serve in the fleet, 389 
 
 Gregory, Captain George, 212 
 
 Grenville, Lord, 316 
 
 Grievances of the seamen, 159, 
 160; Admiral Duncan's sugges- 
 tions, 1 66, 167 
 
 Guernsey, 93 ; Eussian soldiers 
 landed at, 336 
 
 'HAARLEM,' Dutch ship, 210; 
 strikes, 271 
 
 ' Haasje,' Dutch ship, 211 
 
 Hague, Naval Committee of the, 
 191 ; anxiety, impatience, dis- 
 may at, 243, 244 ; ' Courant ' 
 quoted, 243 
 
 Haik, South, 326 
 
 Haldane, Helen, mother of 
 Admiral Duncan, I 
 
 John, of Gleneagles, Perth- 
 shire, maternal grandfather of 
 Admiral Duncan, i 
 
 Mrs., sister of Admiral Duncan, 
 21 
 
 Captain Eobert, cousin of 
 Admiral Duncan, commander 
 of sloop ' Tryal,' 4 ; of frigate 
 ' Shoreham,' 5 ; captures a ship, 
 5 ; recaptures a North Carolina 
 ship, 5 ; takes French privateer, 
 6 ; ' Shoreham ' on the rocks, 
 6 ; Haldane gives up com- 
 mand, 6 
 
 Haldane's, E. and J., ' Memoirs,' 
 363, 37&
 
 INDEX 
 
 407 
 
 Halkett, Captain, H.M.S. 'Circe,' 
 his heroic conduct, 143, 189, 
 197 ; made signal for the enemy, 
 194; informs Duncan, 195; 
 evidence as to beginning of 
 battle off Camperdown, 200-202 
 
 Hall, Henry, of the ' Speculator ' 
 lugger, 193, 194 
 
 Halsted, Captain, of H.M.S. 
 ' Phoenix,' 64 
 
 Hannickoff, Vice-Admiral, Rus- 
 sian squadron, 43, 47, 49, 50 ; 
 letter to Duncan on supplies for 
 his crews, 58-60; sends ships 
 to England, 91 
 
 ' Hardie,' French ship, chased, 9, 
 358 
 
 Hardships of cruising, 337, 338 
 
 Hardy, Sir Charles, commands 
 Channel Fleet, 24 ; declines 
 battle, 25, 26 
 
 Harland, Sir Robert, 24 
 
 Harvey, Secretary, 301 
 
 Rev. William, quoted, 361 
 
 ' Harwich,' H.M.S., 9 
 
 Haslar Hospital, 354 
 
 Hasley Bay, 214 
 
 Havannah, expedition against 
 the, 1 8, 363 ; capture, 18, 19, 
 
 338 
 
 Hawke, Sir Edward, 6, 9, 10; 
 commands Channel Fleet, 12, 
 13 ; on the way to Rochefort, 
 
 358 
 
 Hawley, General, 3 
 
 ' Hector,' Dutch ship, taken, 324 
 
 Helder shore, 68, 83, 315, 318; 
 point, 321, 323; occupied by 
 British troops, 324, 326 ; 
 evacuated, 335 ; unfavourable 
 side of Helder expedition, 335 
 
 'Heldin,' Dutch ship, 210; taken, 
 
 324 
 
 Helvoet, 67, 91 
 'Hercules,' Dutch ship, 210; 
 
 takes fire, 270 
 Hermann, Russian general, taken 
 
 prisoner, 335 
 ' Hoche,' French ship, leaves 
 
 Brest for Ireland, defeated and 
 
 taken, 301, 302 
 Hoche, General, 175; returns to 
 
 Paris, 176; expedition to Ire- 
 land, 239 
 
 Hodgson, General, 16 
 Holland, invaded, 37; Holland 
 
 and France in league, 37 ; 
 discontent of people of, 67 ; 
 British invasion of, 305, 313 ; 
 Allies to evacuate, 335 
 
 Hood, Admiral, 245, 256 
 
 Hope, Captain William, flag- 
 captain to Admiral Duncan, 43 ; 
 again, in the ' Kent,' 300, 329 ; 
 recommended by Lord Duncan, 
 342 
 
 'Hope,' H.M. lugger, 126 
 
 Hopper, Captain of Marines in 
 H.M.S. ' Agincourt,' 379 
 
 Hotham, Vice Admiral Sir 
 Charles, Introduction, viii. ; re- 
 called from Mediterranean, 42 
 
 Captain, of H.M.S. 'Adamant,' 
 Journal, viii., 141, 213; 'Bio- 
 graphical Sketches," 141 ; 
 'Reminiscences,' 223, 224, 361 
 
 ' Hound,' H.M.S., 308 
 Howe, Brigadier General, death 
 in Jamaica, 79 
 
 Lord, complimentary letter 
 to Duncan, 31 ; promotes him 
 Rear-Admiral, 35 ; orders Dun- 
 can to lead Centre Division, 
 364 ; death at seventy-four, 
 338 
 
 Hull, freedom of, to Lord Dun- 
 can, 255 
 
 Hunter, Captain, of H.M.S. 
 'Venerable,' saved, 356 
 
 Huskisson, Mr., 256 
 
 ' INCENDIARY,' H.M.S., 78 
 
 'Inflexible,' H.M.S., 188 
 
 Inglis, Captain John, in the 
 middle of the fight, 222; in 
 procession in Edinburgh, 266 
 
 Introduction, v.-xi. 
 
 Invasion, French and Spanish, 
 apprehended, 25 
 
 Ireland, defence of, 334 
 
 'Isis,' H.M.S, 39, 130; number 
 of killed and wounded, 208 ; at 
 the Texel again, 307 ; leaves 
 England, 313 
 
 JAMES VII., King, I 
 
 Jennings, Lieutenant, wounded, 
 
 209 
 Jersey, 93; Russian soldiers 
 
 landed at, 336
 
 INDEX 
 
 Jervis, Captain, of H.M.S. ' Foud- 
 royant,' letter to his sister, 25 ; 
 succeeded by Duncan, 31 ; in 
 Parliament, 32 ; letters from 
 Lord Spencer, 41 ; appointed 
 to command Mediterranean 
 Fleet on Duncan's suggestion, 
 42 ; takes Robert Haldane on 
 board ' Foudroyant,' 43 ; beats 
 Spanish fleet, 92 ; victory off 
 Cape St. Vincent, 239 ; resigns 
 command of ' Foudroyant,' 
 
 364 
 
 Jew, Eichard, Gunner, 234 
 4 John Bull ' quoted, 256 
 Jones, Mel., Boatswain, wounded, 
 
 209 
 
 Midshipman, wounded, 209 
 Jonges, De, ' History of the Dutch 
 
 Navy ' quoted, 192 
 ' Juno,' H.M.S., 323 
 'Jupiter,' Dutch ship, 210, 211; 
 
 strikes, 271 
 
 H.M.S., 47 
 
 KARTZOFF, Eussian rear-admiral, 
 
 with reinforcements, 304 
 Keener, Lieutenant, wounded, 209 
 Keith, Lord, 309, 310, 338 
 ' Kent,' H.M.S., Admiral Duncan's 
 flagship, 236, 307, 326, 329, 
 337 ; to be refitted, 341 
 Kentish Knock, 214 
 Keppel, Captain the Hon. Augus- 
 tus, of H.M.S. ' Centurion,' 6 ; 
 Mission to Algiers, 6, 7 ; 
 Commodore of North American 
 Station, 7 ; at Hampton Eoads, 
 Virginia, 8 ; on board H.M. 
 frigate ' Seahorse,' arrives in 
 England, 9 ; cruises off Finis- 
 terre, 9; at court martial of 
 Admiral Byng, 9; cruising off 
 West of France, 10 ; captures 
 prizes, 10 ; leads expedition 
 against Goree, 1 1 ; takes it and 
 returns to England, 12 ; his 
 victory off Ushant, 13 ; removes 
 into H.M.S. ' Valiant,' 14 ; 
 expedition to Belleisle, 16 ; 
 second in command in the 
 Havannah expedition, 18 ; cap- 
 tures French frigates, 19 ; 
 reaches Port Eoyal, 20 ; pro- 
 moted to flag rank, and re- 
 
 lieved of command, 20 ; M.P. 
 and Junior Lord of Admiralty, 
 21 ; ill-health, 21 ; commands 
 Channel Fleet, 23 ; court-mar- 
 tialled and acquitted, 23, 24 ; 
 First Lord of the Admiralty, 
 30 ; his politics, 32 ; died at 
 sixty-one, 338 
 
 Kickdown Hill, 178, 194 
 
 Killcar, Midshipman, wounded, 
 209 
 
 King, Captain of H.M. ' Sirius,' 
 captures two Dutch frigates, 
 
 304 
 ' King George,' H.M. armed 
 
 cutter, 187, 212 
 Knight, Captain John, 89, 212 
 Knowles, Admiral, 9, 358 
 
 'LA FURIE,' Dutch ship, cap- 
 tured, 304 
 
 Lake, General, French troops sur- 
 render to, 301 
 
 Lambert, Lieutenant, his prompt- 
 ness, 112 
 
 ' Lancaster,' H.M.S., crew mutiny, 
 1 28 ; number of killed and 
 wounded at Camperdown, 208 
 
 Langara, Don Juan de, Spanish 
 Admiral, 28 ; ship taken, 29 ; 
 driven into Cadiz, 239, 363 
 
 Larboard division of British fleet 
 at Camperdown, 212 
 
 ' La Suffisante,' French privateer 
 brig, taken, 50 
 
 'Latona,' H.M.S., 323, 331, 333 
 
 ' La Valeur,' French ship, 6 
 
 ' La Victorieuse,' French privateer 
 brig, taken, 50 
 
 ' Leander,' H.M.S., 77 
 
 'Le Commissaire,' French ship, 
 taken, 9 
 
 ' Le Courageux,' French privateer, 
 
 39 
 
 Leoben, Preliminary Peace of, 
 238 
 
 'Leopard,' H.M.S., 130 
 
 Leopard, Thomas, Midshipman, 
 wounded, 209 
 
 ' Leyden,' Dutch ship, 211; sur- 
 renders, 328 
 
 ' Leyden Gazette,' on Battle, 228 
 
 ' L'Hirondelle,' French privateer, 
 
 39 
 'Lichfield,' H.M.S., lost, 12
 
 INDEX 
 
 409 
 
 Liddle, William, recommended 
 
 for boatswain, 346 
 Linzee, Admiral, 90 
 'Lion,' H.M.S., 44, 47, 130; in 
 
 mutiny, 135 
 Lisburne, Lord, 393 
 Little, Lieutenant, 308 ; not in 
 
 Copley's picture, 344 
 Liverpool, freedom of, to Lord 
 
 Duncan, 255 
 Log Book of ' Venerable,' extracts 
 
 from, 88, 202 
 London, excitement in, over the 
 
 victory, 240 ; illuminated, 242 ; 
 
 freedom of City to Lord 
 
 Duncan, 255 
 
 Lords' Journals quoted, 248, 250 
 Loss of H.M.S. 'Venerable,' 355, 
 
 356 
 
 Loughborough, Lord Chancellor, 
 address to Lord Duncan, 248, 
 249 
 
 Louisbourg, 9, 1 1 
 
 Lundie, near Dundee, the Duncan 
 property, I ; Earl of, 262 ; pro- 
 cession to, 266 ; parish church, 
 
 343 
 
 Lushington, Sir S., 256 
 ' Lutine,' 323 
 Lyndhurst, Lord, description of 
 
 picture, 343 
 
 MACBRIDE, Vice- Admiral, succeeds 
 
 Pringle, 62 ; letter to Admiral 
 
 Duncan, 66 
 
 Macdonell, Captain, 308 
 Mackaroff, Russian Eear- Admiral, 
 
 43 ; joins Duncan at the Texel, 
 
 155 ; again at the Texel, 300; 
 
 at theNore, 312 ; at the Texel, 
 
 320 
 Mackenzie, Captain, given a post 
 
 commission, 331 
 Mahan's, Capt., ' Life of Nelson,' 
 
 230-232 ; ' Sea Power,' 237, 309, 
 
 338 
 
 Mahon, Port, 7 
 ' Maidstone,' H.M.S., 352 
 Maitland, Colonel, 320, 323 
 Malmesbury, Lord, 78 ; failure of 
 
 Paris negotiations, 238 
 Malta, 311 ; death of Alexander 
 
 Duncan at, 353 
 Manning of the Navy, a disgrace, 
 
 389 
 
 Manoeuvre at Camperdown, 364 
 
 Mars Diep, 308 
 
 'Mars,' Dutch ship, 211; sur- 
 renders, 328 
 
 -H.M.S., 51 
 
 ' Martin,' H.M. sloop, at Camper- 
 down, 213 
 
 Martinico, captured, 18 
 
 ' Mary,' Eoyal Yacht, 246 
 
 Massie, Midshipman, wounded, 
 209 
 
 Meame, Rear-Admiral, Dutch, 
 215 
 
 Medals, gold, struck, 247 
 
 Mediterranean, mutiny of fleet, 
 95 ; British fleet compelled to 
 retire from, 238 
 
 ' Medway,' H.M.S. , 9, 1 1 
 
 ' Megffira,' H.M.S., 78 
 
 Melville, Lord. See Henry Dundae 
 
 Meurer, Rear-Admiral, Diitch, 
 219 ; sent home on parole, 287 
 
 Meyor, Dutch Ambassador, 225 
 
 Middleton, Sir Charles, his opinion 
 of North Sea fleet, 38, 39 
 
 Milne, James, Master's Mate, 
 killed at Camperdown, 208 
 
 'Minerva,' Dutch ship, 211; 
 taken, 324 
 
 H.M.S., 125 
 
 ' Mistislaw,' Russian ship, 319 
 
 ' Mistisloff,' 323 
 
 Mitchell, Captain William, 213 ; 
 Vice- Admiral, 313, 318, 319, 
 321 ; reports, 323, 326; summons 
 Admiral Story to surrender, 
 327 ; despatch to the Admiralty, 
 328 ; sails into the Texel, 329 ; 
 success at the Texel, 331, 332 
 
 ' Monarca,' Spanish ship, sur- 
 renders, 29 
 
 ' Monarch,' H.M.S., 23, 24, 25 ; 
 ordered to Gibraltar, 27 ; in 
 action, 28 ; returns home, 29 ; 
 ordered to West Indies without 
 Duncan, 30 ; in action, 30 ; 
 number of killed and wounded 
 at Camperdown, 207 ; at the 
 Texel again, 305, 307 ; sent to 
 Spithead, 309, 334 ; indifferent 
 sailer, but handled well by 
 Duncan, 363 
 
 Monckton, General, 18 
 
 Monk, 298 
 
 'Monmouth,' H.M.S, 130, 188, 
 212 ; sent to Spithead, 309
 
 INDEX 
 
 ' Montagu,' H.M.S., to watch the 
 Texel, 89 ; returns to the Texel, 
 92 ; at Yarmouth, mutiny on 
 board, 135 ; at Camperdown, 
 212 
 
 Moody, Archibald, seaman, recom- 
 mended for Gunner, 346; his 
 letter to Lord Duncan, 347 
 
 Mordaunt, Sir John, indignation 
 against, 10 
 
 Morgan, Lieutenant, wounded, 
 209 
 
 Mornington's, Earl of (Marquess of 
 Wellesley), ballad, 256, 378 
 
 ' Morning Herald ' quoted, 356 
 
 Moro Castle, West Indies, 18, 19 
 
 Morrard, Admiral, French, 239 
 
 Morris, Lieutenant, 234 
 
 ' Munnikkendam,' Dutch ship, 
 
 2IO 
 
 Mutiny, crisis in funds caused by, 
 95 ; did not affect Great Britain's 
 hold of the Channel and the 
 North Sea, 171. See Nore, 
 Spithead, Yarmouth, Mediter- 
 ranean 
 
 Mylne, Lieut.-Colonel, 266 
 
 'NAIAD,' H.M.S., 1 88 
 
 ' Nancy,' H.M. cutter, with flag of 
 truce, 176 
 
 Napier, Sir Charles, opinion of 
 Lord Duncan, 361 
 
 Third Lieutenant of H.M. 
 ' Norwich,' 7 
 
 Napoleon, successful in Italy, 68, 
 238 ; correspondence quoted, 
 229 
 
 ' Narcissus,' H.M. frigate, 353 
 
 'Nassau,' H.M.S., II, 47 ; not in 
 good order, 56 ; flagship of 
 Onslow, 91 ; mutiny, 135, 138 
 
 ' Nautilus,' H.M.S., 160 
 
 ' Naval Chronicle ' quoted, 103, 
 366 
 
 Neale's ' Mutiny at the Nore ' 
 quoted, 140 
 
 Nellfield, near Edinburgh, 22 
 
 Nelson, Lord, 229 ; at East India 
 Company dinner, 256 ; death, 
 302 ; Lord Nelson and Bronte's 
 letter to Lord Duncan, 353 
 
 Nepean, Evan, Secretary to the 
 Admiralty, 77, 81, 99, 112, 120, 
 121, 122, 125, 129, 137, 159, 199, 
 214; informs Lord Duncan of 
 
 invasion of Holland, 313,314; 
 Lord Duncan to, 320, 329 ; con- 
 cerning Mr. Clay, 381, 382 ; 
 concerning victualling, 388 
 
 Neu Diep, 308 
 
 ' Newcastle Chronicle ' quoted, 
 
 243 
 
 'Niger,' H.M.S., log of, 166 
 
 Nile, Battle of the, 230, 302 ; 
 despatches of Sir Horatio 
 Nelson, 302 
 
 Noble, Lord Duncan's secretary, 
 301 
 
 Nore, 6 ; mutiny at, 38, 41 ; dis- 
 content in whole Navy, 95 ; 
 mutiny alarming, 113; momen- 
 tous instructions to Admiral 
 Duncan, 120; his reply, 121, 
 122 ; communication between 
 Yarmouth and Nore cut off, 
 1 26 ; ships still refractory, 1 37 ; 
 ' Agamemnon,' ' Ardent,' ' Leo- 
 pard ' and ' Isis ' join muti- 
 neers at, 1 40 ; mutiny still bad, 
 153; some fighting, 154; muti- 
 neers offered pardon on con- 
 ditions, but negotiations broken 
 off, 155 ; mutiny broken up, 
 1 56 ; seamen had much to com- 
 plain of, 158; submission of 
 ' Nassau's ' men to Onslow, 
 159; mutineers' reports, 161- 
 165; 'Admiral Duncan's best 
 service,' 170; 'Venerable' 
 reaches, 236 
 
 North, Lord, 27 ; resigns, 36 
 Sea fleet, commanded by 
 Admiral Duncan, 37 ; its small 
 size and poor quality, 38, Sir 
 Charles Middleton's opinion, 
 38 ; in the Downs or Yarmouth, 
 42 ; scarcity of ships for, 53 ; 
 mutiny at Yarmouth, 139; at 
 Texel, 172-190, directed to 
 return to Yarmouth ; victorious 
 off Camperdown, 204-207 ; dis- 
 position of, on nth Oct., 212, 
 213; pitiable spectacle after 
 Battle, 232, 233 ; at the Texel, 
 312 
 
 Norway, Naze of, 47 ; privateers 
 there, 94 
 
 ' Norwich,' H.M.S., 7, 8 
 
 O'BRYEN, CAPTAIN E., 137, 212 
 Ole"ron, 358
 
 IKDEX 
 
 411 
 
 O'Xeill, Terence, of H.M.S. 
 ' Nancy,' his report on the 
 Dutch Fleet, 176, 179 
 
 Onslow, Vice-Admiral Kichard, 
 succeeds Macbride, 91 ; letter, 
 1 59 ; gallantry of, 206 ; presen- 
 tation of sword, 242 ; created a 
 Baronet, 245 ; thanked by 
 Houses of Parliament, 247 ; at 
 East India Company dinner, 
 256 ; in charge of the Squadron 
 off the Texel, 300 ; gives up his 
 command, 305 
 
 Ontario, 4 
 
 Orange, Prince of, 305, 306, 321, 
 
 327 
 
 Orme, Daniel, miniature painter, 
 287 
 
 Osborn, Captain, 77 
 
 Oswald, Lieutenant of H.M.S. 
 ' Spider,' reports as to Dutch 
 Fleet, 48 ; promoted to be lieu- 
 tenant for capture of French 
 brigs, 50; in Copley's picture, 344 
 
 Oughton, Captain, 329 
 
 PALLISER, CAPTAIN, 9; accuses 
 Keppel, 23 ; court-martialled 
 and acquitted, 24 ; in Parlia- 
 ment, 32 
 
 Paris, Treaty of, 22 
 
 Parker, mutineer, 156, 173 
 
 - Sir Hyde, 298 
 
 Parliament opened, 247 
 
 Parr, Captain, 101 ; deals with 
 mutiny, 130 
 
 Parry, Admiral, 55 
 
 Patriotism of the Seamen, 160 
 
 Patterson, Master of the ' Vener- 
 able,' 150; in Copley's picture, 
 
 345 
 
 Paul, Emperor of Russia, 305, 369 
 Peace concluded, 31 ; reasons for 
 
 peace between Holland and 
 
 Great Britain, 297-299 
 Pelley, Pleville le, 225 
 Penton, J. H., 393 
 Peter the Great, 59, 60 
 Peyton, Admiral, 47, 5 1 
 Philips', Lieutenant, evidence 
 
 quoted, 220; letter, 233, 234; 
 
 commands' Mary,' Royal Yacht, 
 
 246 ; promoted to be Captain, 
 
 247 
 ' Phoenix,' H.M.S., in action, 64 ; 
 
 seizes French privateer ' Petit 
 
 Diable ' and Dutch cutter 
 ' Vlugheid,' 65 ; off Texel, 66 
 Picture of Battle off Camperdown, 
 
 .343 
 
 Pitt, William, sends expedition to 
 Goree, 1 1 ; his scheme against 
 Belleisle, 1 6 ; retires from 
 office, 17 
 
 William, the younger, becomes 
 acquainted with Duncan, 42 ; 
 decides to take Helder and 
 Texel Island, 67 ; opinion of 
 Duncan's service, 170; hears 
 of victory at Walmer, 240; 
 letter to his mother, 245 ; East 
 India Company dinner, 256 ; 
 arranges with Eussia military 
 expedition against Holland, 
 305 ; ministry resigns, 349 ; 
 Stanhope's ' Life ' quoted, 378 ; 
 joy at Cornwallis's safety, 379 
 
 Plymouth, 6, 1 1 
 
 Pocock, Admiral Sir George, 18 
 
 Porteous, James, Pilot of Admiral 
 Duncan, 246 ; in Copley's pic- 
 ture, 345 
 
 Porter, present of, to the men of 
 the ' Venerable ' and the ' Ada- 
 mant,' 185, i 86 
 
 Portrait, Hoppner's, of Admiral 
 Duncan, 266 ; in Dundee Town 
 House, 266 
 
 Portsmouth, 30; 'Edgar,' H.M. 
 guardship at, 31 ; order re- 
 established at, in; freedom 
 of, to Lord Duncan, 255 
 
 ' Poupee,' H.M.S., 173 
 
 ' Powerful,' H.M.S., number of 
 killed and wounded, 208 
 
 Press-gang, 390 ; disliked by 
 Admiral Duncan, 390; orders 
 for, 390-393 
 
 Pretender, The, I, 2 
 
 ' Prince,' H.M.S., 148 
 
 ' Frederick,' H.M.S., 307, 309 
 
 ' George,' Admiral Duncan's 
 flagship, 43 
 
 1 Gustav,' Russian ship, lost, 
 
 34 
 
 ' Princess Augusta,' 246 
 Pringle, Vice- Admiral, 47, 51, 
 
 56 ; ordered to the Nore, 56, 
 
 57 ; relieved of command off 
 
 the Texel, 62, 63 
 Prisoners, exchange of, 295 
 'Pylados,' H.M.S., 331
 
 412 
 
 INDEX 
 
 QUEEN CHARLOTTE,' H.M.S., mu- 
 tiny at Spithead, 98 
 
 BAINS, LIEUTENANT, 187 
 Balfe's ' Naval Biography ' quoted, 
 
 141, 146, 223, 360, 363, 377 
 ' Bamillies,' H.M.S., 77 
 4 Banger,' H.M. sloop, 287, 308 
 ' Batvizan,' Bussian ship, 319, 
 
 323 ; ashore, 326 
 Bea, Charles, Lieut., wounded, 
 
 209 
 
 Bead, Master, wounded, 209 
 Beddy, Lieutenant, 187 
 ' Bedoubt,' H.M. floating battery, 
 
 69,73 
 
 Beform agitations in Scotland, 36 
 
 Begiments to be employed at the 
 Texel, 82 
 
 Bejoicings, general, over the vic- 
 tory off Camperdown, 242 
 
 Benton, Lieutenant, his evidence 
 quoted, 216, 220, 273; not in 
 Copley's picture, 344 
 
 Bepeaters at Camperdown, 212, 
 213 
 
 Bepublican Government, hated by 
 the Dutch, 68 ; by Dutch 
 sailors, 225 
 
 ' Bepulse,' H.M.S., 47, 49, 56 ; 
 returns to the Texel, 92, 130 
 
 Betalick, Lieutenant, wounded, 
 209; his evidence, 219 
 
 Beuter, Dutch Vice-Admiral, 215 
 
 Bevolution, French, 37 
 
 Beynolds, Captain, commands 
 ' Monarch,' 30 
 
 Beyntjes, Vice-Admiral, at Cam- 
 perdown, 210; death, body 
 conveyed to Holland, 287 
 
 Bichardson, Lieutenant, of H.M.S. 
 ' Circe,' his heroic conduct, 
 143 ; receives De Winter's sur- 
 render, 232 ; how he found 
 Admiral De Winter, 269 
 
 Biou, Captain, 246 
 
 Boberts, John, letter to Lord 
 Duncan, 373 
 
 ' Bobust,' H.M.S., 71 
 
 ' Bochester,' H.M.S., 9 
 
 Bockingham, Lord, 21 ; comes 
 to power, 30; his administra- 
 tion, 32 
 
 Boddam, Bear- Admiral, 389 
 Bodney, Sir George, 18; to 
 
 relieve Gibraltar, 27, 28 ; re- 
 lieves Gibraltar and goes to 
 West Indies, 29 ; in Parliament, 
 32 ; his politics, 32 
 
 Bogers, Midshipman, wounded, 
 209 
 
 ' Bomney,' H.M.S., 307 
 
 ' Bose,' H.M. cutter, 38, 126; 
 carries news of victory, 203 ; 
 arrives, 240 
 
 Bose, James, Lieut., wounded, 
 209 ; his bravery, 234 
 
 'Boyal Charlotte,' Boyal Yacht, 
 246 
 
 ' George,' H.M.S., 29, 180 
 
 ' Sovereign,' H.M.S., 232 
 
 Bupert, Prince, 298 
 
 'Bussell,' H.M.S., 130, 148, 212 
 
 Bussian Admirals, their esteem 
 for Admiral Duncan, 369 
 
 Squadron, to co-operate, under 
 Admiral Duncan, 43 ; off 
 the Texel, 49 ; unfit for winter 
 cruising, 56 ; to winter in 
 England, 58 ; officers and sea- 
 men to be maintained by 
 Britain, 59 ; allowances of 
 bread, brandy or gin to them, 
 59 ; squadron reported going 
 home, 113 ; ordered home, 175 ; 
 one ship at the Texel again, 
 307 ; at the Nore, 312 ; soldiers 
 defeated, 335 ; landed at Guern- 
 sey and Jersey, 336 ; Admiral 
 Duncan's management of, 367, 
 368 ; constantly out of order, 
 368 ; not present at Camper- 
 down, 368 ; difficulties with, 
 368, 369 
 
 ' Bustan,' French privateer, 10 
 
 Buysen, Captain, 180 
 
 Buyter, de, 239, 298 
 
 SALUTING, differences about, 48, 
 
 ' San Augustin,' Spanish ship, 
 
 struck to ' Monarch,' 28 
 ' Domingo,' Spanish ship, 
 
 blown up, 29 
 Sandwich, Lord, 32, 393 
 ' Sandwich,' H.M.S., 29 ; mutiny 
 
 broke out in, at the Nore, 98, 
 
 113 ; men's reply, 114 
 Sandys, Lieutenant, wounded, 209 
 ' San Julian,' Spanish ship, 29
 
 INDEX 
 
 413 
 
 Sanspariel,' H.M.S., 148 
 Schievening Bay, attack on, 331 
 Schomberg's ' Naval Chronology ' 
 
 quoted, 218 
 Scilly, 25 
 
 ' Scipio,' H.M.S., 92 
 Scott, Captain, his promptness, 
 
 112 
 
 James, Midshipman, wounded, 
 209 
 
 Mr. (afterwards Sir) Walter, 
 256 
 
 ' Sea-Gull,' H.M. sloop, 1 60, 187 
 ' Seahorse,' H.M. frigate, 9 
 Seamen's claims, 1 34 
 Seaside, Carse of Gowrie, Duncan 
 
 family property, i 
 Seven Years' War, 6, 9, 20 
 Sheerness, state of things at, 113 
 Sherwin, Midshipman, wounded, 
 
 209 
 
 Ships damaged in gale, 187 
 Sibriel, Lieutenant, wounded, 
 
 209 ; his bravery, 234 
 Sicily, 311 
 Signals, deceptive to imaginary 
 
 ships, 147 
 
 of the ' Venerable ' during the 
 Battle, 202, 203, 227 
 
 ' Sirius,' H.M.S., 304 
 
 Slade, Midshipman, wounded, 
 209 ; Lieutenant, 331 
 
 Smith, Lieutenant, wounded, 
 209 
 
 Smythe, Miss, 4 
 
 ' Soleil Royal,' French ship, 13 
 
 Sources, Introduction, viii. 
 
 Spain, war declared by Great 
 Britain against, 18 ; coalition 
 of France and, 22, 238 ; declares 
 war, 24 
 
 Spanish fleet, 309, 310 
 
 Spartel, Cape, action off, 30 
 
 ' Speculator,' H.M. lugger, 38 ; 
 first sees the Dutch fleet coming 
 out of the Texel, 193 ; at Cam- 
 perdown, 212 
 
 Spencer, Lady, letters to Admiral 
 Duncan, 101, 303; to Lord 
 St. Vincent, 303, 304 
 
 Spencer, Lord, First Lord of the 
 Admiralty, 37 ; his opinion of 
 North Sea fleet, 40 ; his 
 efficiency as First Lord, 40 ; 
 private correspondence with 
 Duncan, 41 ; letters to Sir John 
 
 Jervis, 41 ; private letters 
 to Admiral Duncan, asking 
 opinion, 44, 45 ; urging a ' hard 
 blow ' at once, 49 ; regrets 
 escape of Dutch fleet, 50 ; 
 congratulations on capture of 
 French brigs, 52 ; further let- 
 ters, 53,54; on defects of the 
 ' Venerable,' 57 ; on probable 
 escape of Dutch fleet, 63 ; on 
 proposed attack on Dutch fleet, 
 68-77 ! letters on the mutiny, 
 I oo, 1 73 ; nobly supports Duncan, 
 I 5 2 > 1 S3 > offers Irish peerage to 
 Duncan, 183 ; announces vic- 
 tory to the King, 240 ; moves 
 vote of thanks to Lord Duncan, 
 247 ; at East India Company 
 dinner, 256; letters to Lord 
 Duncan, 306, 311,312; sympa- 
 thetic letter to Lord Duncan, 
 317; congratulates Lord Dun- 
 can, 330, 331 ; leaves the Ad- 
 miralty, 349 ; his great services 
 to the Navy and the Nation, 
 350 ; Lady Spencer's tribute 
 to her husband, 350 ; dissuades 
 Admiral Duncan from court- 
 martialling, 379 ; private letters 
 to Admiral Duncan, Introduc- 
 tion, vi. 
 
 ' Spider,' H.M. lugger, 38 ; lost, 64 
 
 Spithead, mutiny at, 95 
 
 ' Standard,' H.M.S., mutiny on 
 board, 101 ; men wish to be 
 paid, 109 ; goes to the Texel, 
 130; in mutiny at Yarmouth, 
 
 135 
 Stanhope's ' Life of Pitt ' quoted, 
 
 245 
 Starboard division of British 
 
 fleet at Camperdown, 212 
 ' States General,' Dutch ship, 
 
 210 
 Stephens, Robert, 393 
 
 Sir Philip, 79 
 
 Stewart, Midshipman, wounded, 
 208 
 
 of Grandtully, i 
 
 Stores, naval, bound to Holland 
 to be contraband of war, 52 
 
 ' Stork,' H.M. sloop, with the 
 'Venerable,' 141 
 
 Story, Dutch Admiral, letter, 227 ; 
 his account of the Battle, 274- 
 276 ; accused by De Winter of
 
 INDEX 
 
 defection, 285 ; at the Texel, 
 320; summoned to surrender, 
 322 ; surrenders his fleet, 327 
 4 St. James's Chronicle ' quoted, 
 
 253 
 St. Vincent, Cape, 26 ; victory at, 
 
 239, 363 
 
 Lord, 183, 184; his opinion, 
 226, 262, 310, 338; succeeds 
 Lord Spencer, 351 ; his charac- 
 teristic letter to Lady Duncan, 
 
 '352 
 
 Subscriptions of money for fami- 
 lies of killed and wounded, 
 242 
 
 ' Suffolk,' H.M.S., 23 
 
 Sunderland, rejoicings in, 243 
 
 4 Swan,' H.M. sloop, 287 
 
 4 Swiftsure,' H.M.S., 9 
 
 S willy, Loch, 301 
 
 TACTICS at Camperdown, 217, 
 218 
 
 Tait, Mr., Lady Duncan's nephew, 
 351,352 
 
 Tate, Russian Rear-Admiral, 43, 
 66; at Yarmouth, 312 ; at the 
 Texel, 319, 320 
 
 Taylor, John, Captain's Clerk, 
 wounded, 209 
 
 4 Terror,' H.M.S., 347 
 
 Tetuan, 7 
 
 Texel, blockaded, 38 ; cruising off, 
 47 ; Duncan proceeds thither, 
 53 ; British fleet watching, 62, 
 89, 91, 92; number of Dutch 
 fleet there, 1 50 ; declared 
 blockaded, 185 ; Dutch fleet 
 still there, 225 ; Dutch fleet 
 escapes from, 193 ; again 
 blockaded, 300 ; blockade very 
 close, 302 ; Admiral Mitchell 
 arrives off, 318 
 
 Baron, 262 
 
 Island, 83, 315, 318; in pos- 
 session of British troops, 324 
 
 Thames, closed by British ships 
 
 of war, 239 
 Thanet, Earl of, 261 
 Thanksgiving Service in St. Paul's, 
 
 250-255 
 
 4 Thesee,' French ship, 13 
 Thomson, Captain, 77 
 4 Thunderer,' H.M.S., 393 
 4 Times,' report of Duncan at 
 
 Yarmouth, 191 ; report of the 
 British Fleet engaging the 
 enemy, 200-202; quoted, 216, 
 219, 220, 222, 224, 229, 236, 
 240,242, 243,246,251,254,255, 
 266-268, 289, 366, 367 
 
 Tindall, Midshipman, killed at 
 Camperdown, 208 
 
 ' Tisiphone,' H.M.S., indecisive 
 action with privateer, 94 
 
 Todd, Captain : ' Life of John 
 Crawford ' quoted, 347 
 
 Tone, "Wolfe : account of doings 
 in the Texel ; an invasion of 
 Ireland intended, 175; unwill- 
 ing testimony, 224, 225 ; taken 
 prisoner and commits suicide, 
 302 
 
 Torbay, 356 
 
 ' Torbay,' H.M.S., 9, 10 ; her 
 forepart blown up, 1 1 ; goes to 
 Goree, 1 1 ; strikes on a rock, 1 1 ; 
 prominent at taking of Goree, 
 12 ; in the Channel Fleet, 12 ; 
 her exploits off Ushant, 1 3 ; the 
 school for Duncan, 14; 358 
 
 Toulon, 310, 353 
 
 Tracy, John, Master's Mate, 
 wounded, 209 
 
 Trafalgar, 230 
 
 Treason, suspected, of Dutch Go- 
 vernment, 225 
 
 'Trent,' H.M.S., 122; at the 
 Texel, 140, 142 
 
 Tripoli, 7 
 
 * Triumph,' H.M.S., number of 
 killed and wounded at Cam- 
 perdown, 208 
 
 Trollope, Captain Henry, 47, 48, 
 52, 191 ; informs Duncan of 
 escape of Dutch Fleet, 195 ; 
 orders ' Vestal ' to proceed to 
 England, 196 ; recommended 
 by Admiral Duncan, 207 ; at 
 Camperdown. 212 ; coxswain 
 of Royal Barge, 246 ; made 
 knight banneret, 247 ; in Cop- 
 ley's picture, 345 
 
 Third Lieutenant, wounded, 
 209 
 
 4 Trusty,' H.M.S., 77 
 
 ' Tryal,' H.M. sloop, Duncan's 
 first ship, 4 
 
 Tucker's ' Memoirs of Earl St. 
 Vincent,' 225, 226, 338 
 
 Tunis, 7
 
 INDEX 
 
 415 
 
 1 UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE,' 289 
 Ushant, 12, 21 
 
 ' Utrecht,' Dutch ship, surrenders, 
 328 
 
 VADO BAY, 310 
 
 ' Valiant,' H.M.S., 14, 16 ; leaky, 
 17; in the Havannah expedi- 
 tion, 1 8 ; sufferings on board in 
 the Havannah, 19 ; again leaky, 
 19; returns to Port Royal and 
 arrives in England, paid off, 20 ; 
 distinguished under Duncan's 
 command, 363 
 
 Van Braam, second in command 
 of the Texel Fleet, 306 ; sum- 
 moned to surrender, 321 
 - Lennep's ' History,' account of 
 the Battle, 276-284 
 
 of Dutch Fleet at Camper- 
 down, 210 
 
 Rosern, Dutch captain, 219 
 Tromp, 239, 277, 298 
 
 Vandamme, French general, 335 
 ' Venerable,' H.M.S., Admiral 
 Duncan's flagship, 43 ; wants 
 caulking, 55 ; Lord Spencer on 
 her defects, 57; returns to the 
 Texel, 92 ; mutiny at Yarmouth, 
 97; puts to sea, 130; at the 
 Texel, 140; address to the 
 men of, 141 ; anchored at The 
 Buoy, 142 ; at sea, 188 ; in Yar- 
 mouth Roads, 191 ; meets 
 H.M.S. 'Circe,' 201 ; log of, 
 202, 216, 219 ; number of killed 
 and wounded, 207 ; leaky, 213, 
 364 ; arrives in England, 244 ; 
 Copley's picture, 343 ; lost in a 
 gale, 355, 356 
 ' Venus,' Dutch ship, taken, 324 
 
 H.M.S., 92 
 
 ' Verwagting,' Dutch ship, taken, 
 
 324 
 
 'Vestal,' H.M.S. , 126; watching 
 the Texel, 190; goes to Eng- 
 land to find Admiral Duncan, 
 196 
 
 'Veteran,' H.M.S., 189, 191, 212, 
 
 307 
 Victoria, Queen, Diamond Jubilee, 
 
 242 
 
 ' Victory,' H.M.S., 232, 353 
 Victualling, Admiral Duncan's 
 
 caro for his men, 388 
 
 Vlie Passage, 333 
 
 Von Dirking, Dutch captain, 
 
 proposes to surrender Dutch 
 
 frigate and brigs, 63, 64 
 Voorn, Island, 315, 316 
 'Vryheid,' Dutch ship, 210, 219, 
 
 225; taken, 210; figure-head 
 
 of, 342 
 
 ' WAAKSAMHEID,' Dutch ship, cap- 
 tured, 304 
 
 Walker, Captain James, of H.M.S. 
 ' Monmouth,' 212 
 
 Lieutenant, wounded, 209 
 
 Midshipman, wounded, 209 
 
 Walmer Castle, Duncan's visits 
 to, 42, 378 
 
 "War, the, unpopular in Great 
 Britain, 28 
 
 ' Warrior,' H.M.S., 183 
 
 ' Washington,' Dutch ship, 327 ; 
 surrenders, 328 
 
 4 Wassenaar,' Dutch ship, strikes, 
 271 
 
 Watson, Robert, Commander of 
 H.M.S. 'Isis,' 161 
 
 Webster, Lieutenant, killed at 
 Camperdown, 208 
 
 Weir, George, recommended for 
 Gunner, 346 
 
 Wellesley, Lord, 378 
 
 Wells, Captain John, 213 
 
 White, Captain of the 'Vestal,' 
 196, 199 
 
 William Henry, Prince, 29 ; 
 friendly to Duncan, 29, 30 ; 
 present at relief of Gibraltar, 
 29 ; as Duke of Clarence in 
 House of Lords, 30, 250 
 
 Williams, Sir Thomas, of the 
 ' Endymion,' 214 
 
 Williamson, Captain John, of 
 H.M.S. ' Agincourt,' 212 ; court - 
 martialled, 216, 379 
 
 Winter, Admiral De, 149 ; reported 
 arrival at the Texel with sealed 
 orders, 149, 175 ; thinks ex- 
 pedition to Ireland must be 
 abandoned, 176 ; receives 
 O'Neill, 177; his letter to 
 Duncan, 179, 180; opposed to 
 new policy, but ordered to sea, 
 192 ; his instructions, 192, 193 ; 
 defeated off CHmperdown, sur- 
 renders to Admiral Duncan's
 
 INDEX 
 
 205 ; description of him, 215 ; 
 his opinion of Admiral Duncan's 
 tactics, 227 ; gives reasons for 
 defeat, 236 ; no cause for shame, 
 237 ; letter from, announcing 
 defeat, 244 ; comes on board 
 the ' Venerable,' 269, 270 ; letter 
 to the Hague giving account of 
 the Battle, 270 ; his fine bearing, 
 284 ; the first Dutch Admiral 
 brought on board a British ship, 
 284 ; denies that the ' Vryheid's ' 
 colours were struck, 284 ; his 
 early life, 285, 286 ; reception in 
 London, 286 ; desired peace and 
 alliance with Great Britain, 286, 
 297 ; miniature portrait pre- 
 sented to Lord Duncan, 287 ; 
 his wife paralysed, 287 ; sent 
 home on parole, 287 ; letter to 
 Lord Duncan, requesting return 
 of Dutch officers, 288 ; enters 
 Amsterdam, 289 ; military in- 
 quiry on his conduct, 290 ; 
 letters to Lord Duncan, 290- 
 297 ; his generous, simple nature, 
 2 95> 2 97 ; liberation of, 335 
 
 Winthrop, Captain, 312, 320, 323 
 
 Wood, Captain, 308 
 
 Worcester, freedom of, to Lord 
 
 Duncan, 255 
 
 Woronzow, Count, 48, 58 
 Wray, Captain Henry, 187 
 Wright, Mr., surgeon on board the 
 
 ' Venerable,' letter to Lord 
 
 Duncan, 354 
 
 YARMOUTH, rendezvous of the 
 North Sea fleet, passim ; 
 mutiny strongest there, 96; 
 began in the ' Venerable,' 97 ; 
 continued trouble, 112; freedom 
 of Yarmouth to Lord Duncan, 
 255; 'Kent' arrives at, 329, 
 
 337 
 
 York, Duke of, 332 ; in chief com- 
 mand, 335 ; falls back to Zuyp, 
 335 
 
 ZOUTMAN, ADMIRAL, Dutch, 298 
 Zuyder Zee, 313 
 
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