Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez. Vol II
by Sir John Ross · English · Gutenberg #27151 · 773,238 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez. Vol II
Author: Sir John Ross
Release date: November 4, 2008 [eBook #27151]
Language: English
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Transcriber's note:
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abbreviation key for the tables was added on pages 411 and 412, as
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MEMOIRS
AND CORRESPONDENCE
OF
ADMIRAL
LORD DE SAUMAREZ.
FROM
ORIGINAL PAPERS IN POSSESSION OF THE FAMILY.
BY SIR JOHN ROSS, C.B. K.S.A. K.C.S. F.R.A.S.
CAPTAIN IN THE ROYAL NAVY.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,
Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty.
1838.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY SAMUEL BENTLEY,
Dorset Street, Fleet Street.
CONTENTS
OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
CHAPTER I.
News of the Battles of the 6th and 12th of July reach
England.--Rejoicings on the occasion, particularly described in a
letter from Mrs. Saumarez.--Promotion of Lieutenant Dumaresq.--Letters
from Earl St. Vincent, Mr. Tucker, and others.--Remarks on the conduct
of the Governor and Garrison at Gibraltar.--State of the crew of the
Caesar.--Ship refitted.--Appointments of officers to the St. Antoine,
and other vacancies.--Correspondence with the Spanish Governor at
Cadiz on the subject of red-hot balls.--Accusation refuted.--Letters
from Lord Keith, Sir John Warren, and Captain Dixon.--Squadron off
Cadiz reinforced.--Sir James resumes the blockade of Cadiz.--His
proceedings.--Remarks on the result of the two Actions. Page 1
CHAPTER II.
Despatches arrive from England.--Sir James superseded by Sir Charles
Morice Pole.--Remarks and correspondence on the subject.--The
St. George and four sail of the line arrive.--Blockade of Cadiz.--Sir
James continues as second in command.--His appointments not
confirmed.--Injustice of his treatment.--Letters from various
persons.--The Caesar arrives at Gibraltar. 23
CHAPTER III.
Preliminaries of peace.--Sir James created a Knight of the
Bath.--Remarks on that Order.--Ceremony of investiture.--Action
of the Pasley and Rosario.--Sir James receives the thanks of both
Houses of Parliament.--Speeches of Earl St. Vincent, Lord Nelson,
and Mr. Pitt.--The freedom of the city of London,--and a
sword.--Address from Guernsey and Jersey.--Silver vases.--Inscriptions
thereon. 36
CHAPTER IV.
Sir James disappointed in not returning home.--Extract of a letter to
his brother.--The French send ships to the West Indies.--Squadron
detached after them.--Death of General O'Hara.--Sir James receives
orders to superintend the evacuation of Minorca.--Arrival of H.R.H.
Duke of Kent.--Sir James arrives at Minorca.--Definitive treaty of
peace.--Proceedings there.--Island given up to Spain.--The Caesar
arrives at Gibraltar.--Proceeds to England.--Anchors at Spithead. 56
CHAPTER V.
Commencement of Hostilities with France.--Sir James hoists his Flag at
Sheerness.--Proceeds to Guernsey.--Flag in the Grampus.--Anecdote
of Captain Caulfield.--Sir James visits Jersey, &c.--Diomede arrives
as Flag ship.--The Admiral examines the Defence of the Island.--Loss
of La Minerve.--Attack and Bombardment of Granville.--Cerberus
gets aground.--Narrow Escape from a Shot.--Public and Private
Letters.--Blockade of the Coast.--Loss of the Shannon and
Grappler.--Conclusion of 1803. 72
CHAPTER VI.
Sir James continues in the command at Guernsey.--Proceedings of his
Squadron.--Letter from Lord Nelson, dated two days before he was
killed.--Capture and destruction of La Salamandre.--Sir James's
benevolent conduct at Guernsey. 84
CHAPTER VII.
Sir James is called into active service.--Joins the Channel Fleet
as second in command.--Shifts his Flag from the San Josef to the
Prince of Wales.--His decisive conduct.--Anecdote of the Prince of
Wales' Men.--Change of Ministry.--Sir James leaves the Channel Fleet,
and returns to Guernsey.--Is offered the Command in the East
Indies.--Letter on that occasion. 91
CHAPTER VIII.
State of Affairs in Sweden.--Alarm of the King.--Sir James selected
to command the Baltic Fleet.--Correspondence with Lord Mulgrave.--Sir
John Moore's Expedition.--Arrives at Gothenburg.--Capture and
destruction of a Danish seventy-four.--Sir John Moore goes to
Stockholm.--Is arrested, and escapes.--Expedition returns to
England.--Disposition of the Fleet.--Sir James proceeds to
Carlscrona.--Rescue of Romana's Army.--Sir James proceeds to
the Gulf of Finland.--Capture and Destruction of the Russian
seventy-four, Sewolod.--The combined Swedish and English Fleet off
Baltic Port.--Reconnoitres the Russian Fleet in the harbour, and
determines to attack them.--Prevented by change of winds.--Proceeding
off Baltic Port.--Letter to the Emperor of Russia.--Fleet returns to
Carlscrona. 98
CHAPTER IX.
Sir James at Carlscrona.--Arrangements.--Author left in Sweden.--Letter
from the Swedish Admiral.--Sir James leaves Carlscrona.--Arrives
at Gothenburg.--Makes arrangements for the protection of the
Trade.--Leaves Rear Admiral Keats in Command.--His departure from
Sweden, and arrival in the Downs.--Proceeds to the Admiralty, and
receives their Lordships' high approbation.--Proceedings of the
Fleet.--Revolution in Sweden.--Sir James reappointed to the command
in the Baltic.--His correspondence with Mr. Foster.--Official notice
of the Duke of Sudermania being elected King of Sweden.--He confers
upon Sir James the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sword. 126
CHAPTER X.
Blockade of the Russian fleet.--Swedes' expedition, under Admiral
Puke and General Wachtmeister, sails,--is unsuccessful. Private
correspondence with Mr. Foster.--Armistice and Peace with
Russia.--Peace with Denmark.--Proceedings of the Fleet.--State
of affairs in Sweden.--Fleet returns to Carlscrona, and subsequently
to England. 164
CHAPTER XI.
Sir James's third year in the command of the Baltic Fleet. Proceeds
to Gothenburg and Havre.--Correspondence with Mr. Foster, Admiral
Krusenstjerna, and others.--Swedes shut their ports.--Death of
the Crown Prince.--Murder of Count Fersen.--Restrictions of the
Swedish commerce.--Sir James's judicious conduct in that and in
several disputes.--Election of Bernadotte, and his entry into
Sweden.--Correspondence on the subject.--Sir James returns to
England, and receives the approbation of the government and the
nation. 187
CHAPTER XII.
Buonaparte declares he will conquer a "Maritime Peace."--Illness
of George III.--Prince of Wales Regent.--Sir James obtains leave
of absence.--The Victory sent to Lisbon with troops.--Attack on
Anholt.--Gallant defence of the garrison.--Sir James continues in
the Baltic at the request of ministers.--Letters respecting
Anholt.--Letters from the Duke of Brunswick and answers
thereto.--Arrival in Sweden of Sir James.--Letters to Mr. Yorke and
Admiral Reynolds.--Negotiations on the sequestration of English
ships at Carlscrona.--Conference with Baron Tawast.--Written document
from the Baron unsatisfactory.--Letter from the Admiralty.--Sir James
remonstrates with the Swedish Government.--Evasive answer.--Further
correspondence.--Value of sequestered property.--Capture of two
Danish privateers.--Gallant conduct of Lieut. St. Clair and Mr.
Purcell.--Determination of Russia not to accede to the terms of
France.--The Crown Prince places implicit confidence in Sir
James.--Arrival of Mr. Thornton.--He is smuggled into the city of
Gothenburg.--Amicable confirmation of the Ghent treaty.--Situation
of the fleet.--Sir James's letter.--Disaster of the St. George
and convoy.--Admiral Reynolds's letter.--Arrival of St. George at
Wingo.--Sailing of the fleet.--St. George and Hero's convoy put
back.--Sail again.--Melancholy wrecks of the St. George and
Defence.--Captain Pater's narrative.--Remarks.--Loss of the Hero
and convoy.--Proceedings of the Victory.--Remarks on crossing
the North Sea.--Sir James arrives at Spithead. 222
CHAPTER XIII.
State of Europe in 1812.--Critical situation of Sweden and
Russia.--Advance of Buonaparte.--Sir James Saumarez resumes the
command in the Baltic.--Attack on Anholt prevented.--Proceedings of
the advanced squadron Arrival of the Victory at Gothenburg.--Capture
and destruction of a Danish frigate and two brigs.--Captain Stewart's
gallant conduct.--Official letters.--Capture of a ship in Pillau
Roads.--Lieut. Jones's gallant conduct.--Official letters.--Peace with
Russia.--Correspondence with Mr. Thornton and Earl Cathcart, who is
appointed Ambassador to the Court of St. Petersburg.--Proceedings of
the hostile armies on the frontiers of Russia.--Admiral Byam Martin
sent to co-operate.--Siege of Riga.--Diversion made by Admiral
Martin in Dantzig Bay.--Capture and destruction of four French
privateers.--Ratification of peace with Russia and Sweden.--Sir
James named Knight Grand Cross of the Sword of Sweden.--His Swedish
Majesty's letter and the answer.--Emperor Alexander sends the Russian
fleet to England.--Defeat of the French at Polosk, Borodino,
Moscow.--Retreat of Buonaparte.--Archangel fleet arrives.--Earl
Cathcart.--Mr. Saumarez's tour to Abo and St. Petersburg, and return
to the Admiral with despatches.--Afflicting news from England.--Sir
James's conduct on that occasion.--He is relieved by Sir George
Hope.--Returns to England.--Strikes his flag. 271
CHAPTER XIV.
State of the Continent after the defeat of Buonaparte.--Sir James's
services in the Baltic no longer required.--Retires from service,
but not from public life.--His various occupations.--His claims for
a Peerage disregarded.--Correspondence and observations thereon.--His
residence in Guernsey.--Visit to Oxford.--Letter from Lord
Nelson.--Captain Miller's monument.--Political opinions.--Letter from
Earl St. Vincent.--Is appointed to the command at Plymouth.--Speech
of Earl Grey.--Receives a visit from Lord Exmouth.--Strikes
his flag.--Claims for a Peerage again disregarded.--Returns
to Guernsey.--His reception there.--Death of George IV.--Accession
of William IV.--Is created Baron de Saumarez.--Letter from Lady de
Saumarez.--His reception at the Island of Guernsey, and rejoicings
there. 297
CHAPTER XV.
Political opinions and conduct of Lord de Saumarez.--Death of his
second son.--His letter on that occasion.--Anecdotes of his carriage
being robbed.--Of Sweden.--The King of Sweden presents him with his
portrait.--Count Wetterstedt's letter and Lord de Saumarez's
answer.--Lord de Saumarez's last illness and death.--His Christian
fortitude.--His professional character.--Moral and religious
character.--Remarks and conclusion. 315
ADDENDA.
Memoir of Sir Thomas de Saumarez. 332
Memoir of Captain Philip de Saumarez. 348
APPENDIX. 369
INDEX. 421
LIST OF PLATES.
Portrait of Lord de Saumarez _Frontispiece_.
Battle of the 12th July 1801 in the Straits of Gibraltar Page 6
Harbour of Rogerwick, showing the positions of the
English, Swedish, and Russian fleets, 31st August 1808 115
ERRATA.
Page 130, l. 4, _for_ "Eurthalms" _read_ "Eartholms."
182, l. 8, -- "Stedriegh" _read_ "Stedinck."
184, l. 3, -- "remaininig" _read_ "remaining."
187, l. 5, -- "Krusensbyerna" _read_ "Krusenstjerna."
APPENDIX.
396, _for_ "T. Manzell" _read_ "T. Mansell."
397, -- "Michaer," _read_ "Michael."
THE LIFE
OF
LORD DE SAUMAREZ.
CHAPTER I.
1801.
News of the Battles of the 6th and 12th of July reach
England.--Rejoicings on the occasion, particularly described in
a letter from Mrs. Saumarez.--Promotion of Lieutenant
Dumaresq.--Letters from Earl St. Vincent, Mr. Tucker, and
others.--Remarks on the conduct of the Governor and Garrison at
Gibraltar.--State of the crew of the Caesar.--Ship
refitted.--Appointments of officers to the St. Antoine, and
other vacancies.--Correspondence with the Spanish Governor at
Cadiz on the subject of red-hot balls.--Accusation
refuted.--Letters from Lord Keith, Sir John Warren, and Captain
Dixon.--Squadron off Cadiz reinforced.--Sir James resumes the
blockade of Cadiz.--His proceedings.--Remarks on the result of
the two Actions.
The news of the splendid victory of the 12th of July was received in
England with enthusiasm. After it became known that the squadron under
Sir James Saumarez had been so materially damaged at Algeziras, it was
thought impossible that the ships could have been prepared to meet
the enemy in so short a time. The Admiral's despatches, subsequently
to the first battle, stated that an overwhelming force had been sent
to Algeziras from Cadiz; and, consequently, the news of his subsequent
triumph over so great a superiority of force struck every person with
astonishment.
[Illustration]
The Louisa brig, Lieutenant Truscott, having on board Lieutenant
Dumaresq, arrived off Mount's Bay on the 30th July. This officer
landed with Sir James's despatches, and immediately proceeded to
London. He was received at the Admiralty by Earl St. Vincent in the
most gratifying manner. Mr. Addington, then prime minister, sent an
express to Sir James's youngest brother at Brighton, requesting his
presence in London; and, on his arrival, he in the handsomest manner
presented him with a situation of trust and importance in the island
of Ceylon, with a salary of two thousand pounds per annum. Lieutenants
Dumaresq of the Caesar, Jackson of the Superb, and Lillicrap of the
Venerable, were promoted to the rank of commanders.
The extraordinary public sensation which this important and unexpected
victory created, is described in the following letter from Mrs.
Saumarez of Newington, (Sir James's sister-in-law,) to whom Lieutenant
Dumaresq paid a visit on leaving the Admiralty.
London, 5th August 1801.
MY DEAR SIR JAMES,
It is impossible to express the admiration and enthusiasm which
your late despatches have excited in the breasts of all ranks
of people. You are now the theme of every conversation, the
toast of every table, the hero of every woman, and the boast of
every Englishman. When Dumaresq waited on Lord St. Vincent, his
lordship squeezed his hand in the greatest rapture, exclaiming,
"I knew it,--I knew it,--I knew the man,--I knew what he could
do! It is the most daring thing that has been done this war. It
is the first thing.--I knew it would be so!" He then gave
Dumaresq his commission, and wrote a letter of congratulation
to Lady Saumarez, which he charged Phil. Dumaresq to deliver
with his own hand. I trust they are now both together; and,
after staying there one day, Phil. is to return to town.
Lord St. Vincent also sent Dumaresq to Mr. Addington, who
received him in the most gracious manner. He told Phil.
everything that man could say in terms of approbation; and
justly added, that, however the multitude might estimate and
admire the last action, yet the first, in his own mind, and in
the minds of men who understood the matter, was equally
deserving of praise, and would have fixed their approbation of
Sir James's conduct, even though he had failed in his second
attempt. At the same time he owned, that the exertions made by
the men after the first action, in order to meet the second,
were beyond conception or example. Indeed, they must surpass
Mr. Addington's conception, since even Lord St. Vincent told
Dumaresq that it was far beyond what he himself could imagine.
In short, my dear Sir James, you have been achieving a deed
that has held you up to the contemplation of mankind, and that
secures you the gratitude of your country.
You will, no doubt, soon receive very distinguished marks of
the royal and the national favour. In the mean time you will be
delighted, equally with ourselves, to find that the stream of
prosperity, beginning to flow towards you, has already involved
your brother Nicholas, who was sent for yesterday from
Brighton, in order to wait on Mr. Addington to-morrow morning.
It can be for no other purpose than to make his fortune. God
knows the poor fellow has suffered enough on your account! for
we had the rascally French despatches full ten days before we
received yours; and, when we did receive the first account,
your brother Richard was not satisfied. He feared the business
was not done, and his mind dwelt upon it with anxiety. At last,
on the 1st of August, and not before, all our fears were
removed; and yesterday we received the news that Mr. Addington
had sent for Nicholas.
Indeed, Sir James, you have electrified your whole circle of
friends in a masterly manner; for the very great success you
experienced at last, came with double effect upon those who had
greatly feared for you at the first: and, let me add, that not
only your actions, but your letters also, are very much
admired, and, I think, most deservedly.
Dumaresq is just like yourself,--unassuming and unaffected. He
had been with us an hour with his commission in his pocket,
without telling us of it; and it was only accidentally that we
discovered he had been promoted.
And now, my dear Sir James, let me speak like an _old woman_. I
tremble for you. Had you only dangers and difficulties to
encounter, I should not fear; but now you are going to be
overwhelmed with wealth, titles, fame, adulation, and
distinction; with everything, in short, that can make a man
forget himself;
"And Satan, wiser than he was of yore,
Now tempts by making rich, not making poor!"
Now, if in such a situation you can retain the two pillars of
your Christian faith, namely, humility and patience, you will
then be the first of human characters. Alas! how seldom it is
that we see the characters of the hero and the philosopher
blended in one! When the head monopolises the spirits, the
heart often wants courage; and, if the heart is strong, the
head is weak. But, as no part of you has yet betrayed signs of
weakness, endeavour to preserve yourself the same in future as
you have been in the past, however your fortunes may alter.
God bless you, my dear brother! and God bless also Captain
Brenton, and all the heroes that are with you, and bring you
safe back again to enjoy the favours of your grateful country!
M---- is here very happy. She sent to the Bank yesterday for
money, and requested to have cash instead of notes. She was
refused of course, at first; but when Mr. Brock said, that,
upon his honour, the money was for Sir James Saumarez's
_sister_, the guineas made their appearance immediately. I give
you this as a specimen of what people think of you. Two
engravers have called on us for your picture; and I have
written to Lady Saumarez to let them have it. I hope her
ladyship and Captain Dumaresq are now in high chat.
I remain, dear brother,
Ever truly yours,
M.S.
P.S. Richard desires his love; but you have deprived him of
sleep.
As you could think on Mrs. Pope at the time you were
undertaking the most desperate attempt that ever was made, you
may probably find time to inquire for Horace T. who is now at
Gibraltar hospital mending two broken thighs. He is the son of
Mrs. T. whom you have met at our house. She keeps a ladies'
school next door to us; and, could you serve her son, you would
help the widow and the fatherless, and please me at the same
time.
The following letters from Earl St. Vincent, and his secretary Mr.
Tucker, will demonstrate the high estimation in which the victory of
the 12th of July was held at the Admiralty.
Admiralty, 5th August 1801.
MY DEAR SIR,
I have to acknowledge your letters of the 30th June, 5th, 6th,
7th, 9th, 13th July, and to congratulate you most heartily on
the career of glory you and your gallant squadron have run in
the course of those periods. The hardy enterprise of the 6th
merited complete success; but all who know the baffling winds
in the Bay of Gibraltar can readily account for the event of
it. The astonishing efforts made to refit the crippled ships in
Gibraltar Mole surpasses everything of the kind within my
experience; and the final success in making so great an
impression on the very superior force of the enemy crowns the
whole. I have great satisfaction in reporting to you that I
have received the most gracious and full approbation of his
Majesty this morning of your whole conduct, and that of every
officer and man under your command, and I hear nothing but
praise and admiration from every quarter.
We wait impatiently the arrival of Vice-admiral Pole from the
Baltic to detach a powerful reinforcement to you, and we are
not without hopes that four ships of the line are on their
passage from Cork to join you before Cadiz, or at Gibraltar.
Having, from the moment of your departure, felt the most
perfect confidence that everything would be performed for the
honour and success of his Majesty's arms within the reach of
human power, I have only to add my anxious wish that another
opportunity will present itself, ere long, for a further
display of that talent and intrepidity from which the country
has, upon so many occasions, received important benefits.
I have the honour to be,
With the most perfect regard and esteem,
Very sincerely yours,
ST. VINCENT.
To Sir James Saumarez.
Admiralty, 10th August 1801.
DEAR SIR,
I congratulate you from my heart and soul, and assure you that
I rejoice most sincerely in the glorious events you have
achieved. I but feebly express what I feel on this occasion. It
has been your good fortune, sir, to bear so large a part in
accomplishing the most glorious actions of this eventful war,
that you can scarcely have had an opportunity of witnessing
their immediate effect on the public mind; but, be assured, in
no instance has there been more lively admiration expressed of
the intrepidity and indefatigable zeal of our navy, than has
been shown by all ranks, of your most gallant enterprises, even
before the account of your first action was received; and I am
sure you will excuse me for adding the tribute my noble lord
paid on that occasion, who, when he read the French account
that they had taken the Hannibal, exclaimed, "We may have lost
a ship, but I well know the man and the men who are there, and
I'll pledge my life the nation has lost no honour!" The instant
despatch of the ships from Ireland will prove that it was not
conceived possible for you to have so soon refitted the
squadron, which has been the subject of great admiration and
surprise.
The noble and liberal conduct of the squadron in admitting the
Pompee and Hannibal to partake of their prize-money is an
honourable and beautiful contrast to the bickerings which have
arisen lately respecting joint captures, and must ensure
success to every claim that can be made out; but I am afraid we
shall not be able to find a precedent for anything beyond
head-money being given for ships which have been blown up in
action.
B. TUCKER.
We shall now return to the proceedings at Gibraltar, where we left the
squadron of Sir James Saumarez, after the glorious battle of the 12th
July.
The extreme degree of excitement and enthusiasm, sharpened by revenge,
which supported the gallant crew of the Caesar, and enabled them to
perform such prodigious labour during the last seven days, had now
subsided. The incessant fatigue which they had endured, both of body
and mind, their long abstinence from their natural sleep, and the
sudden change from bustle to inactivity, threw the whole of the men
into such a state of languor and debility, that they were found lying
on the bare planks of the deck, having sunk exhausted, and incapable
of making any exertion. This state of stupor continued several hours;
some days, indeed, elapsed before many of them regained their usual
strength and spirits. At length, however, the men again began to
refit the ship, and prepare for resuming the blockade of Cadiz.
Nothing could surpass the attention, kindness, and hospitality of the
governor and garrison of Gibraltar, who were, by the signal defeat of
the combined squadron, happily relieved from a state of siege.
Invitations from every quarter were given; but Sir James, who was
averse to adulation, declined all except those of the governor, which
he considered it his duty not to refuse. No time was lost in sending
the men who were saved from the unfortunate Real Carlos to Algeziras;
and Sir James entered into a correspondence with the governor, and
subsequently with the commander-in-chief at Cadiz, for an exchange of
prisoners, which, as the circumstances were now different from those
which lately existed, was acceded to without waiting for the
permission of the Minister of Marine at Paris. Consequently the whole
of the Hannibal's men were sent to Gibraltar, in exchange for the crew
of the San Antonio, which ship was surveyed, taken into the service,
and commissioned. On this occasion the following promotions took
place.
Commander the Hon. Geo. H.L. Dundas, of the Calpe, was appointed
captain of the San Antonio, now called the St. Antoine; Lieut.
Lamburn, first of the Caesar, to command the Calpe; Mr. Beard, master's
mate of the Caesar, to be lieutenant of the St. Antoine, to which ship
the purser and warrant officers of the Thames, also, were appointed.
Mr. Champion, secretary to Sir James, was made purser of the Thames,
while warrant officers were selected from the class of petty officers
in the Caesar; Mr. John Brenton was appointed to fill the vacancy of
lieutenant in the Caesar; Lieutenant Janvrin was made first lieutenant
of the St. Antoine; and the other vacancies for lieutenants were
filled up from the other ships, viz. Messrs. Curry and Hillier of the
Pompee, T. Dowel of the Venerable, E. Donovan of the Superb, and Mr.
J. Crawfurd, master of the El Carmen, were made acting lieutenants to
the said ships; while the marine officers of the Hannibal, Lieutenant
(now Colonel) Connolly, and Lieutenant Dunford, were also transferred
with the marines of that ship to the prize. All these appointments
were transmitted to, but not confirmed by, the Admiralty, excepting
Captain Dundas, and Captain Dumaresq, who was subsequently appointed
to the Calpe.
As the correspondence between Sir James and the Spanish
commander-in-chief is highly creditable to both, and as it clears up a
doubt which may still exist, we give an exact copy from the original
letters, which were exchanged by a flag of truce.
H.M.S. Caesar, off Cadiz, 17th August 1801.
Having been informed that reports were circulated in Spain,
ascribing the destruction of the two first-rates, Real Carlos
and San Hermenegildo, in the engagement of the 12th July last,
to red-hot balls from his Majesty's ships under my command, I
take this present opportunity to contradict, in the most
positive and formal manner, a report so injurious to the
characteristic humanity of the British nation, and to assure
your Excellency that nothing was more void of truth. This I
request you will be pleased to signify in the most public way
possible. To assuage, as far as lay in my power, the miseries
that must necessarily result from a state of warfare, has ever
been my strenuous endeavour, and such will be the rule of my
conduct in carrying on the blockade of Cadiz, or any other
service committed to my charge.
I beg your Excellency to accept the renewal of my respectful
regard; and I have the honour to be,
With the highest consideration,
Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To his Excellency Don Joseph de Mazzaredo, Commander-in-chief
of his Most Cath. Maj. ships, Cadiz.
The flag of truce, which had been sent into Cadiz with some
passengers, taken in a small vessel, and with the above letter,
returned with the following answer, of which we give a verbatim copy,
as a specimen of a foreigner's English:
ESTEEMED SIR,
The reports which have been current, that the burning of the
two royal ships, on the nights of the 12th and 13th, arose from
the use of red-hot balls, which were fired at them, have
existed only among the ignorant public, and have not received
credit from any persons of condition, who well know the manner
of combating of the British navy. At the same time they give
the greatest credit to the assertion of your Excellency that
nothing could be more foreign from the truth, and the
characteristic humanity of the British nation. I have myself
experience of the particular conduct of your Excellency,
conformable to your personal character, and to that of your
late commander-in-chief, his Excellency Lord St. Vincent, in
the manner in which, in the last blockade of Cadiz, he
reconciled with the duties of a state of war those attentions
and considerations to alleviate miseries not connected with the
great object, and to secure that good intelligence and
friendship with which two powers may suspend for a time
treating each other as enemies; and I have no doubt that such
will always be the rule of your Excellency's conduct.
In my particular circumstances, with an obligation to reside in
this capital, as Captain-general of the Marine department, the
correspondence in any urgent case of a flag of truce might
suffer delay; and it would be convenient for your Excellency to
address yourself directly to Don Joseph Herryar,
Commandant-general of the province and army of Andalusia, qui
(who) resides in Cadiz.
I will avail myself of every occasion to assure your Excellency
of the esteem and consideration which I profess for your
person.
God grant you may live a thousand years!
Your most obedient servant,
JOSEPH MAZZAREDO.
Isle of Leon, 17th August 1801.
The following reply was sent by Sir James to the Spanish Admiral:
Caesar, off Cadiz, 18th August 1801.
SIR,
I have received the honour of your Excellency's letter, by
which I am extremely happy to find the reports of the Real
Carlos and San Hermenegildo having been destroyed by red-hot
balls from the squadron under my orders have only been credited
by the ignorant public, and not by persons of higher condition
in Spain. But as such reports, if permitted to gain ground
without being contradicted, must tend to irritate the minds of
the public, and occasion an animosity between the two nations
that ought not to exist, I trust your Excellency will be
pleased to comply with my request in causing the formal
disavowal of it to be publicly notified.
The very flattering manner in which your Excellency is pleased
to express yourself at my endeavours to alleviate the miseries
attendant on a state of warfare during the former blockade of
Cadiz, under the orders of the Earl of St. Vincent, afford me
infinite satisfaction. It is by pursuing similar conduct that I
hope to deserve the approbation of the King my royal master,
and that of the English nation.
I shall comply with your Excellency's desire in order to
accelerate the communication of flags of truce, that they in
future be addressed to his Excellency the Governor-general of
the province of Andalusia.
I beg your Excellency to accept my sincere and fervent wishes
for your health and every possible happiness, and my assurance
of the sentiments of most perfect regard with which I have the
honour to be
Your Excellency's most obedient
and most humble servant,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
To his Excellency Don Joseph Mazzaredo, &c. &c. &c.
We need only add that Sir James's request was complied with, and that
several communications were subsequently made by flags of truce for
the exchange of prisoners, by which the sufferings on both sides were
much alleviated.
* * * * *
News of the battle of Algeziras, and of the loss of the Hannibal,
having reached the Admiralty through the French papers, their
lordships despatched a vessel with orders to Captain Tyler of the
Warrior, who with six sail of the line was cruising off Ireland, to
proceed with his squadron to reinforce Sir James Saumarez off Cadiz.
These ships, viz. the Warrior, Captain Tyler; Defence, Lord H. Paulet;
Bellona, Captain Bertie; Russell, Captain Cuming, all of seventy-four
guns, and Eling, schooner, joined Captain Stirling of the Pompee on
the 9th; who, with Captain Keats in the Superb, had resumed the
blockade. Intelligence of this reinforcement was sent to Sir James at
Gibraltar.
A claim was made for prize-money, by Captain C. Duncan of the
Portuguese frigate Carlotta, but was not admitted; because, having
been informed that peace had been made between Portugal and France,
Captain Duncan had refused to take any part in the action, and had
been requested by Sir James merely to carry his despatches to Lisbon.
The Caesar being refitted, Sir James made two attempts to join his
squadron off Cadiz; but it was not until the 15th of August that he
reached his station, having, in the mean time, twice visited Tangier.
The Thames had been sent with despatches to Lord Keith, who had
ordered the Genereux, Captain Manly Dixon, to leave Mahon, and join
the squadron off Cadiz; but this officer having heard of the second
action, and conceiving it would be unnecessary, did not join, but
wrote a letter, of which the following is an extract.
H.M.S. Genereux, Minorca, E.N.E. 50 leagues, 24 July 1801.
This evening, being distant from the west end of Minorca, on my
passage to join you, I fell in with the brig with your second
letter, addressed to the senior officer at Mahon; and taking
the same into consideration, and the great advantage which your
glorious and most brilliant action with the French and Spanish
squadrons must give you over the enemy off Cadiz, I judged it
best for his Majesty's service to return to my station at
Mahon, and act conformably to the last orders I received from
Sir John Warren,--which were, to hold the Genereux in constant
readiness to join him on his appearance off that port.
I beg leave to congratulate you, and the captains of your
squadron, on the great success which has attended your first
dash at the enemy in their strong position off Algeziras, and
the very important consequence of it.
At the same time Sir James received the first of the following letters
from Lord Keith, who had not yet received the accounts of the second
battle:
Foudroyant, Bay of Aboukir, 4th August 1801.
SIR,
I yesterday received your letters of the 7th and 9th ultimo, by
the Delight, from Minorca. The letter has given me much
concern, in consequence of the unfortunate issue of your
gallant endeavours. I am still in hopes that it will not turn
out so favourably for the enemy, and that some of their ships
will be lost.
You will know, before this reaches you, that Cairo is
evacuated. The greatest part of its garrison is now embarked.
When that is accomplished, I see nothing to prevent our
beginning to attack Alexandria; and I am sanguine that it
cannot hold out long: but, until it is in our power, I can
detach nothing from blockading that port, and covering this
immense fleet of transports, store-ships, victuallers, &c.
which have no other protection. Besides, the army cannot exist
without our protection.
Sir John Warren sailed from hence on the 12th May. I have since
heard from him, at sea and at Malta; and I have lately
understood that he was off Cape Spartavento, where he may have
heard of Gantheaume's squadron; but his ultimate orders are for
Mahon, at which place he must now be with seven ships of the
line. The Athenian must now be ready to join, from Malta.
Should the enemy sail up the Mediterranean, Carthagena or
Toulon must be their first rendezvous, where you will be able
to observe them, when joined to Sir John; and, from all
information, their objects of attack must be confined to
three,--Egypt, Turkey in Europe, or Sicily, in the event of a
renewal of hostilities: and to those objects I recommend the
strictest attention; because, after the island of Minorca is
sufficiently reinforced, it may be left, for a longer time than
before, without very much danger: but I must recommend that the
strictest secrecy is observed on my intended operation, and
that frequent information is transmitted to me.
Were the enemy once collected at any one point, I could venture
to detach from hence; but, unsettled as they are at present,
it would be a measure of much danger. The ships last from
England sail very ill; and, if met with, would be taken. The
Hector, Ajax, and La Diane, lately ran foul of each other at
sea, and are not yet in a state to act.
It will be proper to keep the cruisers active off Carthagena,
Barcelona, and Crette, whence the enemy must derive their
supplies; and whichever port the enemy's squadron goes into,
must be blockaded _de facto_; and any vessels that attempt to
enter, after due warning, must be detained. I beg to mention
that the anchorage of Alendia Bay is good. If not better
defended than I have known it to be, the batteries might be
destroyed by a few soldiers from General Fox: a position there
covers both sides of the island. The idea of an attack on
Maracoa, or Algiers, I discredit: at the first place their army
would be lost; at the second they could not trust their fleet
in so open a bay even for a week.
I hope you will send to the Admiralty copies of all your
letters to me on points of service, whilst I am at such a
distance from you.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
KEITH.
Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.
Foudroyant, Aboukir Bay, 17th August 1801.
SIR,
I have had the honour of receiving your letter of the
19th ultimo, acquainting me with the measures which you
had adopted for opposing the return to Cadiz of the combined
French and Spanish squadrons lately anchored in
Algeziras Bay; and with the fortunate result of your attack
on them, with an inferiority of force that little encouraged
an expectation of so distinguished an advantage.
I beg to offer to you my sincere congratulations on the successful
issue of an enterprise, so honourable to yourself;
and request you will accept the tribute of my perfect approbation
of the ardent zeal and determined resolution
which animated you on that important occasion; and that
you will communicate my full satisfaction and approbation
to all the captains and officers, seamen and marines, of the
ships of the squadron under your orders, who, by so eminently
distinguishing themselves, have merited and obtained
yours.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
KEITH.
To Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.
(Same date.)
SIR,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of the various enclosures in
your letters of the 19th July; and approve of the exertions to
resume the station before Cadiz with the ships of your
squadron, which, I have reason to believe, has been seasonably
reinforced by the Genereux.
The Honourable Captain Dundas shall receive an appointment for
the San Antonio, which, I have no doubt, the repeated
meritorious conduct of that young officer will induce their
lordships to confirm; and I shall have pleasure in paying
attention to the other officers, to whom you have given acting
orders, when a compliance with their lordships' commands, and
an attention to prior engagements, shall enable me so to do.
I have the honour to be your obedient servant,
KEITH.
To Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.
Sir James, at the same time, received the usual order, dated 3rd
August, to place himself under the orders of Lord Keith; by which it
was supposed that his lordship had no right to share, as
commander-in-chief, for the prizes antecedently taken by the squadron.
This question, however, was decided in favour of his lordship.
The Bellona, Penelope, and Mermaid successively joined the squadron;
and the latter, having a convoy from Lisbon, was despatched with it to
Malta. The Audacious and Bellona were sent to Gibraltar to refit; and
subsequently the Penelope, to be hove down. Sir James received letters
from Mr. Frere, at Lisbon, by the Phaeton, Captain Morris, informing
him of the conclusion of peace between Portugal and France; and of a
report that some of the enemy's ships had escaped from Brest, which
was however contradicted by despatches of later date from the Channel
fleet, and from England. The enemy's designs had been completely
frustrated, and vessels employed in the commerce of Great Britain
proceeded to their various destinations without molestation. The
Phaeton was also despatched up the Mediterranean with a convoy, and
with information of importance for Lord Keith, from Mr. Frere. By the
return of the Thames, Sir James received from Sir John Warren, whose
absence from Toulon had permitted Admiral Linois' squadron to escape,
the following letter, dated,
Renown, Port Mahon, 18th August, 1801.
SIR,
I have the honour of informing you of my arrival here with the
squadron under my command, being ordered by the
commander-in-chief on this part of the station, and to assist
and communicate with anything stationed without the Straits'
mouth.
I received, with much satisfaction, the intelligence of your
zealous and gallant efforts with the squadron under your orders
in the several actions you have had with the enemy, the result
of which has proved so successful and honourable to all who
assisted in them.
I therefore beg leave, sincerely, to offer you my
congratulations on this occasion; and trust you have received
the stores sent from this dockyard, and the supernumeraries
which were conveyed in the Mermaid.
I am sorry to add that the Swiftsure was captured by Gantheaume
in her passage with some merchantmen, on the coast of Barbary;
and that the enemy were fortunate enough to carry her into
Toulon.
I have the honour to remain,
Your obedient humble servant,
J.B. WARREN.
To Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.
The ports of Cadiz and St. Lucar were now declared to be in strict
blockade, which was rigidly enforced, in order to prevent supplies
being thrown in for the repairs of the damaged fleet; and serious
disputes frequently took place between the French and Spaniards in
these harbours.
Although the battles of the 6th and 12th of July were not in magnitude
to be compared to those of the Nile and Valentine's day, they were to
the nation actually of no less importance, by having put an end to the
well-laid plan of Buonaparte for the destruction of our commerce and
the reinforcement of his army in Egypt, which Gantheaume had
unsuccessfully attempted.
Peace having been made between France and Spain, it was agreed that
the fleet of the latter nation, partly manned with French crews and
officers, should be joined by Linois' squadron from Toulon, and then
proceed off Lisbon, which they were to sack, and destroy or capture
the British merchant-ships lying there with rich cargoes; then, being
reinforced by the Brest fleet, they were to pass the Straits of
Gibraltar, and with an overwhelming force steer direct for Alexandria,
where they were to land such a body of troops as would raise the
siege, and drive the English out of Egypt. This would certainly have
succeeded had the squadron under Linois not encountered that of Sir
James, which led to the total defeat of their combined fleets, and to
the abandonment of the grand plan: events which may be said to have
brought about the conclusion of peace, first, with Portugal, and
subsequently with Great Britain, as it was found impossible to
relieve, or reinforce, the French army in Egypt before the
capitulation of Alexandria, and the final expulsion of that army. But
the reader will be surprised to find that the meritorious services of
Sir James, although fully acknowledged, were not so fully rewarded.
CHAPTER II.
1801.
Despatches arrive from England.--Sir James superseded by Sir
Charles Morice Pole.--Remarks and correspondence on the
subject.--The St. George and four sail of the line
arrive.--Blockade of Cadiz.--Sir James continues as second in
command.--His appointments not confirmed.--Injustice of his
treatment.--Letters from various persons.--The Caesar arrives at
Gibraltar.
Since the signal defeat of the French and Spanish combined squadrons
on the 12th of July, Sir James had passed seven most anxious weeks
without having received any communication from England.[1] His
sufferings on that account, and his impatience for letters, as well
from his family as from the Admiralty, were, according to his own
admission, more intolerable than he had ever experienced.
[1] The letters, which have already appeared, were received on
the 31st of August.
The enemy's force at Cadiz being now so inferior, even to the squadron
he at first commanded, he was enabled to send the Audacious and
Bellona to refit at Gibraltar; while he detached the Warrior and the
Phoebe to cruise off Lisbon, and other smaller vessels in different
directions. He never doubted that he should be continued in the chief
command; and his hopes of the pleasing intelligence had been raised to
the highest pitch, when the long-expected despatches arrived. His
surprise and mortification, therefore, may be imagined, when, on
opening the very first letter from the Admiralty, he found himself
superseded by a senior officer, on a plea which had no just
foundation, namely, _the increase of the enemy's force at Cadiz_!
whereas, on the contrary, that force had not only been decreased by
the loss of two of its largest ships, but _all_ the rest had been so
materially damaged in the late actions as to be rendered for the
present unserviceable.
As might be expected, Sir James felt so indignant at this, to say the
least of it, ill-timed arrangement, that he considered it a duty he
owed to his character to express his feelings strongly in a respectful
answer to this communication, both to the Board, and to Earl St.
Vincent; which produced an explanation, in which it appeared that the
Admiralty, having determined to make Cadiz a separate command from
that of the Mediterranean, it became necessary to employ two
flag-officers. Sir James being the last on the list, none could be
found junior; and they were, therefore, under the necessity of
appointing a senior officer.
As it could not be disputed that the Admiralty had a right to make the
dispositions for which they alone were responsible, the correspondence
in which Sir James's services were acknowledged, and wherein regret
was expressed by their lordships at the necessity they had been under
of appointing a senior officer, ended in a satisfactory manner; and
Sir James was contented to remain as second in command under
Vice-admiral Pole, who arrived on the 31st August, in the St. George,
to assume the chief command of the squadron.
Two of the letters which Sir James received on this occasion have been
given in the preceding chapter, in order to show the reception which
the intelligence of his victory met with in England. The following are
copies of the official letters alluded to, and also of some private
letters, which express his feelings on the occasion.
Admiralty, 2nd August 1801.
SIR,
I received, yesterday, by Captain Ferris, and immediately
communicated to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, your
letters of the 5th, 6th, 9th, and 10th instant, acquainting me,
for their lordships' information, that, having received
intelligence of three French line-of-battle ships and a frigate
having anchored off Algeziras, you had proceeded through the
Straits, with the squadron under your orders, for the purpose
of attacking them, which you had accordingly done on the
morning of the 6th; but that the Hannibal having unfortunately
taken the ground, and all the endeavours you had exerted with
the Caesar and Audacious having proved ineffectual, you had been
compelled to withdraw from the attack, and to leave the
Hannibal in possession of the enemy; transmitting, at the same
time, a list of the killed and wounded, with a copy of a letter
you had received from Captain Ferris, giving an account of his
proceedings: and, in answer thereto, I have received their
lordships' commands to acquaint you that, although your
endeavours to destroy the enemy's ships, above-mentioned, were
unsuccessful, they cannot too much applaud the spirit and
activity with which the attack was conducted; and that, however
they may regret the loss of the Hannibal to his Majesty, their
lordships have the satisfaction of knowing that you, and all
the officers and men employed under your command, have
faithfully and zealously discharged your duty, and although by
unfortunate circumstances a ship has been lost, as well as the
lives of many gallant officers and men, the national character
has in no degree suffered from the disaster.
Their lordships have the fullest confidence that every exertion
will be made for repairing the damage which the ships now with
you have sustained; and have commanded me to inform you that
you may rely on their taking measures immediately for
reinforcing you, and for sending such supplies of stores as the
squadron may be likely to require.
I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
EVAN NEPEAN.
To Sir James Saumarez, Bart.
Admiralty Office, 4th August 1801.
SIR,
After I had closed my despatch of the 2nd instant, Lieutenant
Dumaresq arrived, and delivered to me your letters of the 13th
and 14th of last month: the former, giving information that
the three French ships of the line and, a frigate, at
Algeziras, having been joined by five Spanish and one French
sail of the line, with other smaller vessels, had sailed on the
morning of the 12th with his Majesty's late ship Hannibal, for
Cadiz; that, by the great exertions of the officers and men of
the squadron, you had been able to proceed to sea at the same
time, with all the ships under your orders, except the Pompee,
in pursuit of the enemy; and that, after a partial action, two
Spanish ships of a hundred and twelve guns had been blown up,
and one French ship of seventy-four guns had been taken by his
Majesty's ship Superb: the latter transmitting a letter which
you had received from Captain Keats, of the last-mentioned
ship, containing an account of his proceedings on that
occasion.
I lost no time in laying your said despatches before my Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty; and I have received their
lordships' commands to express to you their highest approbation
of the gallantry and good conduct which were displayed by you,
and the captains, officers, and men under your orders, in
engaging and defeating so superior a force of the enemy; and to
desire that you will signify to them, particularly to Captains
Hood and Keats, in the strongest terms, the sense their
lordships are pleased to entertain of their meritorious
services on this important occasion.
Their lordships have commanded me further to inform you that,
in consequence of the favourable mention you have made of the
services of the Honourable Captain Dundas and Lieutenant
Dumaresq, they have been pleased to promote the former to the
rank of post-captain, and the latter to command the Calpe.
I am, sir, your obedient humble servant,
EVAN NEPEAN.
To Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. &c. &c. &c.
Admiralty Office, 14th August 1801.
SIR,
My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having judged it
necessary, from the present circumstances of the war, and
preparations now making by the enemy in Cadiz, to augment the
squadron serving on the coasts of Portugal and Spain bordering
on the Atlantic, and to place the ships and vessels on that
station under the command of Vice-admiral Pole, I have received
their commands to acquaint you of this arrangement, and to
enclose their orders to you, to put yourself, and the ships
with you, under the Vice-admiral's command.
So many objections occur to the allowing a force of the extent
necessary to be so employed, with only one flag-officer, that
their lordships have felt themselves reduced to the necessity,
from your standing on the list, of sending a senior officer to
you; which, on considering the proofs you have given of your
zeal and ability, and the advantage which the public has so
recently derived from your very distinguished services, they
would, if possible, have avoided.
I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Evan Nepean.
To Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.
The enclosures mentioned in the above letters being the usual official
order for Sir James to put himself under command of Vice-admiral
Charles Morice Pole, need not be inserted; nor the consequent order
from that officer to Sir James. The squadron was now augmented by four
sail of the line; namely, the St. George, 98 (flag-ship), Captain
Nichols; Dreadnought, 98, Captain Vashon; Russell, 74, Captain
Cuming; and Powerful, 74, Sir Francis Laforey: and on the 10th of
September the St. Antoine, Audacious, Zealous, and Bellona joined;
which, with the Caesar, Superb, Venerable, Spencer, and Pompee, made
twelve sail of the line.
The subjoined extract of a letter which Sir James wrote to his brother
Richard, is sufficiently expressive of his feelings:
2nd September 1801.
Nothing can be more strongly penned than the letters, both
public and private, which I have received. If I had destroyed
thirty sail of line-of-battle ships, they could not have been
in a higher strain of praise and admiration. But is it not
surprising they should cease there? Not a syllable is said of
the first lieutenant, or anything intended for myself. Your
letter seemed to make certain of it, and you fully expect that
a peerage will be conferred on me at the meeting of Parliament,
with the grant of a suitable pension. I cannot but feel
surprised that Phil. Dumaresq should have been detained so long
in London, and not be charged with the smallest hint on the
subject, which almost makes me fear my services will be
disregarded in the same manner I experienced after the Nile.
I declare to you that on no service wherein I have been engaged
have I found any situation equally arduous as that of
Algeziras, nor have known any in the naval history of my
country. Its consequences have been equal to the most complete
victory; for, with seven sail, of which my squadron was
composed, we have frustrated two important expeditions, the
naval force of which consisted of sixteen sail of the line.
I have been encouraged to expect this mark of distinction by
all on this station, and I cannot express my feelings should it
not be conferred. I shall, however, follow my sister's advice
of "patience and humility" in either instance, and I trust to
my resignation should the injustice be done to me.
With regard to Mr. Pipon, he cannot do better than follow
Captain Martin in a line-of-battle ship as first lieutenant; it
will not prevent my exertions to serve him: but judge of the
injustice to those officers who have shared in this and several
other battles with me, to place a stranger over their heads.
The Caesar will, I hope, in a short time, be ordered to England;
and I have written to be permitted to proceed in her, which I
trust will be complied with.
Is it not hard I should have been deprived of Lady Saumarez's
letters? It is, however, a consolation to know that she was in
good health so late as the 14th, by a letter to Captain
Dumaresq.
The loss of Lady Saumarez's letters, which had been sent unfortunately
to Plymouth, where the squadron which sailed from Portsmouth did not
touch, as was expected, added greatly to Sir James's disappointment;
as did also the information that Mr. Lamburn, who had been appointed
to the Calpe, was to return to the Caesar, being superseded by Captain
Dumaresq; and that _none_ of the appointments of the warrant-officers
to the St. Antoine were confirmed. It was, from these facts,
sufficiently evident that Sir James, in his honourable desire to
benefit those under his command, particularly Captains Hood and
Keats, had materially injured his own interest by permitting these
officers to make their own reports of the action at which he was
present commanding, and taking part. By thus omitting to give himself
and his own ship the full share of credit due to both, he actually
threw his officers and himself so completely into the back-ground,
that people were led to believe the Caesar and the Admiral had little
or nothing to do with the battle. It is to this, and not to any
disinclination of Earl St. Vincent to reward Sir James, that his
services were on this occasion unrewarded,--the success being, by
these documents, attributed entirely to the Superb and Venerable; in
contemplation of which, the heavy responsibility, the ardent zeal, the
determined resolution Sir James had evinced, and, above all, the
important advantages gained to the nation by that victory which his
bravery and perseverance had obtained, were entirely overlooked. We
may justly ask, were the merits of the first lieutenant of the Superb,
which, in conjunction with the Caesar, made an easy capture of the San
Antonio, and with a trifling loss,[2] greater than those of the first
lieutenant of the flag-ship, which was engaged far more severely at
Algeziras, who exerted himself most zealously in refitting the ship,
besides assisting in the capture of the French ship? Yet the promotion
was only given to the first lieutenants of the Venerable and Superb,
although the former ship would probably have been taken had it not
been for the Caesar, and the latter was not in the action of Algeziras
at all! These circumstances, and the fact that his appointments to the
St. Antoine were not confirmed, seem to have given Sir James more
concern than even the total neglect of his own meritorious services.
[2] It was reported that the San Antonio had struck before the
Caesar came up, but this cannot be true; because, when the Caesar
came up, both ships were still before the wind, firing at each
other, and the Caesar had her cross-jack-yard shot away.
Taking into account every circumstance regarding the actions of the
6th and 12th July,--the severity of the former, the intermediate
exertions, the professional skill, the daring and the tact displayed
in the latter, and the complete discomfiture of the enemy's
well-arranged plans for the destruction of our commerce at Lisbon and
the subsequent relief of their army in Egypt,--this victory was equal
to, if not greater in importance than, either the battles of St.
Vincent or the Nile, for the former of which Jervis was created an
earl, and Nelson a baron for the latter, immediately on the arrival of
the news in England. Yet after a lapse of several months, after
praises had been heaped upon Sir James, after the thanks of both
houses of parliament had been voted to him for the fifth time, after
his eminent services had been acknowledged by every large corporation,
and generally throughout the kingdom--after the highest encomiums had
been pronounced on him by Earl St. Vincent and Lord Nelson,--instead
of a peerage, which he as richly deserved as either of the other two,
he was decorated only with the red riband.
We shall close this subject for the present by giving an extract from
a letter Sir James wrote to his friend Sir Thomas Troubridge, after
his correspondence with the Admiralty on the subject of his being
superseded had ended, and subsequently to his correspondence with the
Navy Board on his having commissioned the St. Antoine to employ the
crew of the Hannibal, which had been exchanged.
Caesar, 7th October 1801.
I leave it to you to decide whether I had not just cause for
additional disappointment to find no notice taken of the
services of the squadron by the promotion of any of the
officers; and what I must feel at this moment to find Mr.
Lamburn sent back, and the lieutenants of the Superb and
Venerable alone promoted. I cannot but view it as a great
injustice done me, and I am sorry to say it mortifies me more
than I can express.
With regard to the St. Antoine, allow me to bring to your
recollection under what circumstances she was commissioned. At
that time I was ignorant of any part of our force having been
withdrawn from the Baltic, or that any ships could be spared
from the North Sea or the Channel fleet, and consequently could
not expect but that a very small, if any, reinforcement could
be ordered to join me; and to have left an efficient ship,
which, with the Hannibal's ship's company, could be brought
forward for service in so short a time, I should have deemed
myself very reprehensible, All the appointments were made in
the most fair and impartial manner; and I solemnly declare that
the sole view to the good of his Majesty's service was what
actuated the whole of my proceedings, which I am certain Hood
will also declare. I am truly grieved at the manner the
warrant-officers I appointed to that ship are ordered to be
superseded, and I shall feel it as long as I live.
Believe me, my good friend, my heart is incapable of harbouring
so heinous a vice as ingratitude, and I shudder at the thought
of being taxed with it: but when I consider the treatment I
have received on this occasion, I feel it difficult to support
myself; and what adds to my distress is, to find by your
private note of the 19th that I am likely to remain longer in
this country. Let me assure you that I shall ever retain a
grateful sense of the many and uniform proofs of your
friendship for me, which I can truly say are not misplaced;
there being no one among your numerous friends who can have a
more true regard and sincere esteem for you than myself.
J.S.
Sir James continued with the squadron under Sir Charles Pole, employed
on the blockade of Cadiz, until the 14th November 1801, when he went
in the Caesar, in company with several other ships to Gibraltar.
The following letter from General O'Hara gave Sir James the first news
of the capitulation of Cairo, and the death of Sir Ralph Abercrombie,
on the 21st of August
Gibraltar, 30th August 1801.
If you have seen either the Hebe or Mendovia, you are
acquainted with the success in Egypt; and, if you have not, the
enclosed Gibraltar Chronicle will inform you of all those
particulars: and when we consider the great disparity of
numbers between English and French, particularly detailed in
the Chronicle, we must conclude ourselves greatly indebted to
good fortune for having got well through that very arduous
enterprise.
As the French troops, who capitulated, are nearly double the
number of our people employed on that service, I cannot help
having apprehensions till they are fairly embarked, and we are
quit of them; for it is impossible to trust that scoundrel race
if they can reap any advantage by breaking their faith. I am
sorry to find, from several reports, that our great men don't
draw together very well; I mean the chiefs of our army. It
should seem we have more reasons than one to lament the loss of
Sir Ralph Abercrombie,--the cause of clashing parties between
Scotch and Irish, which is too commonly the case in our
service; and I am afraid something of that sort now and then
arises in the navy. I send you, likewise, our Chronicle of last
Friday, because you will there see the honours that have been
paid to the French officers for the action at Algeziras, as
well as the one of the 13th. You will there perceive that the
French Formidable was attacked by four English ships of war! It
is quite wonderful what improbable lies those rascals do
propagate.
Sir James found at Gibraltar H.M.S. Renown, Sir John Borlase Warren,
whose flag he saluted.
CHAPTER III.
1801.
Preliminaries of peace.--Sir James created a Knight of the
Bath.--Remarks on that Order.--Ceremony of investiture.--Action
of the Pasley and Rosario.--Sir James receives the thanks of
both Houses of Parliament.--Speeches of Earl St. Vincent, Lord
Nelson, and Mr. Pitt.--The freedom of the city of London,--and
a sword.--Address from Guernsey and Jersey.--Silver
vases.--Inscriptions thereon.
The fleet, with the exception of a small squadron off Cadiz, had
returned to Gibraltar on the news that preliminaries of peace were
signed. This was the consequence of the surrender of Alexandria to his
Majesty's arms, and the final expulsion of the French from Egypt; on
which account general rejoicings had taken place. But that which most
strongly excited feelings of joy and exultation in the garrison and
inhabitants of Gibraltar was, the information that his Majesty had
been graciously pleased to honour Sir James Saumarez with the red
riband and star of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath,--a
distinction which, at this time, was very limited, and conferred only
on those who had highly distinguished themselves in battle. There was
then only one class, designated by the letters K.B.; but, in 1815, the
order was, under certain regulations, extended to three classes. The
former Knights of the Bath (K.B.) were made Grand-Crosses, (G.C.B.);
the second, Commanders of the Bath, (K.C.B.); and the third,
Companions of the Bath, (C.B.); by which the value of the original
order has been much depreciated. The honour of knighthood, however, of
whatever description, depends greatly on the brilliancy of the deed
which it is intended to commemorate; and, certainly, on no occasion
has it been destined to perpetuate the memory of a victory more
splendid or more important than that achieved by Sir James. As the
ceremony, both on account of the peculiar circumstances under which it
took place, and the intense interest which Sir James's late actions
had created, was of the most imposing nature, we shall give the reader
the fullest account of it which we have been able to collect.
Gibraltar, 16th November 1801.
The following is the purport of garrison orders issued this day.
The Governor having been honoured with a commission from his
Majesty, empowering him to invest Rear-admiral Sir James
Saumarez, Bart. with the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, the
royal standard will be hoisted, at gun-firing to-morrow morning,
on the flagstaffs at Waterport and Europa. None of the working
parties are to be employed. The whole of the troops off guard in
the garrison will be formed on the Great Parade, under arms,
with their colours, and two deep, exactly at twelve o'clock. The
troops will march by their right to the Convent, when they will
line the streets from thence to the South Port, and from the
Barrier to the Grand Parade. They will be formed in the street
precisely at a quarter before one o'clock, and at one o'clock
the procession will move from the Convent in the following
order,--viz.
ORDER OF PROCESSION.
Ensign Bruce, town-adjutant.
Music,--5th regiment.
One hundred seamen, with warrant-officers.
A captain and two subalterns of the royal artillery,
with four field-pieces drawn by artillery soldiers.
Town-major and garrison quarter-master.
Judge-advocate and chaplain.
Mr. Ross, ord. store-keeper; and Mr. Pownall, N. officer;
Mr. Sweetland, commissary; and Mr. Cutforth, agent victualler.
Dr. Pym and Dr. Weir.
Rev. Mr. Frome and the chaplain of the Caesar.
First division of Officers of the squadron,
youngest first.
First division of Captains in the royal navy, and
Field-officers--youngest first.
Major Bellew and Major Geraghty.
Lieut.-colonel Leyborne and Lieutenant-colonel Basset.
Lieutenant-colonel Ballingal and Captain Oliver.
Sir Francis Laforey, Bart. and Sir Thomas Williams.
Captain Taylor and Captain Vashon.
Music,--Banffshire band.
Mr. Raleigh.
The Commissioner's secretary,
bearing a crimson velvet cushion, with the commission.
The Governor's aides-de-camp.
The Governor as the King's commissioner.
The secretary to Sir James Saumarez, bearing on a velvet
cushion the insignia of the Order of the Bath.
Captain Linzee and Captain Brenton, esquires.
SIR JAMES SAUMAREZ, BART. the knight elect, supported by
Major-generals Stewart and Barnett.
B. major and aides-de-camp to the Major-generals.
Second division of Captains in the royal navy, and
Field-officers,--eldest first.
Captain Darby and Captain Bertie.
Sir R. Barlow and Right Hon. Lord H. Paulet.
Captain Thompson and Captain Cartier.
Lieut.-colonel Grant, Lieut.-colonel Zouch, and Major Bury.
Music,--Cambrians.
Second division of Staff.
Captain Mouat and Mr. Wooden.
Mr. Consul Budd and Mr. F. Raleigh.
Lieutenant Crawford and Mr. Stones.
Dr. White and Dr. Vaughan.
Mr. Keys and Mr. J. Bolton.
Mr. Edward Bolton and Mr. Thomas Bolton.
Music,--Argyleshire.
One hundred marines commanded by a captain.
Second division of the Officers of the squadron,
eldest first.
Drums and fifes.
The grenadiers.
The regiments and corps will present arms, and the officers
salute the King's commissioner as he comes on the right of each
corps successively. The colours will also salute, and drums beat
a march.
As soon as the grenadiers have passed the royal marine
artificers, the latter will form in two lines or four deep, and
march in column in their rear; the 5th regiment will likewise
fall in and march in the rear of the royal marine artificers;
and each other corps will in succession fall in and march to the
Grand Parade, where they will form in a semicircle, the centre
of which will be the throne. The diameter will be occupied by
the seamen royal artillery, grenadiers, and marines.
When the procession has arrived opposite to the centre of the
Parade, it will move down towards the Royal Pavilion; the seamen
marching to the right flank of the diameter, the marines to the
left, and the guns to the left and right of the seamen and
marines, and the grenadiers on the right and left of the
Pavilion.
The music will play "See, the conquering hero comes!" until the
procession arrives opposite to the Royal Pavilion, when they
will play "Rule Britannia." As soon as the knight is seated,
the music will play "God save the King;" and immediately after
the ceremony, the grenadiers will fire a volley, followed by a
salute of one round from the four field-pieces, which will be
the signal for a salute, from the Sea-line Walls, of
sixty-three guns, viz. twenty-one guns from the Saluting
Battery, twenty-one from the South Bastion, and twenty-one from
Jumper's Battery and those to the southward. Whilst the salute
is firing, the troops will file off from the Parade, and return
to their former position in the streets; and, after the salute,
the procession will move back to the Convent.
In this manner the procession moved on to the Grand Parade,
where, in front of the Royal Pavilion, a chair of state was
raised on three steps, covered with crimson velvet and rich
gold lace. Over the chair a canopy richly embroidered with
gold, and a floor-cloth of the same. Before this chair, but on
the right and left sides, two other chairs were placed, covered
also with crimson velvet and gold lace; over these were two
banners, with the arms of the commissioner upon the right, and
of the knight elect on the left chair. The first division of
the procession having drawn up on the right, the King's
commissioner, the knight elect, the general officers, and their
suite facing to the King's state, and the rear division halting
and drawing up on the left side of the front of the Pavilion,
the whole made three reverences to the King's state, the music
playing. Then the ensigns of the order, and the commission,
were laid on the table before the sovereign's state; at which
time General O'Hara and Sir James Saumarez sat down in their
respective chairs, the music playing "God save the King." The
general officers and suite divided, falling back on each side
to leave the front open to the King's chair. After a short
pause, General O'Hara standing up, Sir James Saumarez also
rising from his chair, they both advanced before the table;
turned about, and made three reverences to the King's state.
General O'Hara then directed his secretary to read the King's
commission. Sir James Saumarez's secretary attending with a
riband, presented it to General O'Hara, who, as soon as the
commission was read, received the riband, with which he
invested Sir James Saumarez; making at the time the following
short speech.
"It is most gratifying to me that, in obeying his Majesty's
commands, I perform this highly honourable duty so near the
scene of your heroic achievements, and before troops who were
witnesses of your distinguished conduct and eminent valour."
To this, Sir James replied in a short complimentary speech
suitable to the occasion.
After the salute, the commissioner and Sir James Saumarez stood
up, and walked to the front of the Pavilion, made three
reverences to the King's state, and the procession returned to
the Convent.
The number and martial appearance of the troops; the multitude
of spectators of both sexes, and of all nations and countries,
who crowded the surrounding heights, and the lower part of the
mountain that overlooks the sands; the roar of the cannon from
our batteries, and from the shipping in the bay; the presence
of those brave seamen and marines, so worthy of the gallant
chief under whose command they fought; but, above all, the
proximity of Algeziras and the Straits, and the train of ideas
awakened by the sight of those places where the new knight, but
a few months before, had entitled himself to the honourable
tokens of gratitude now bestowed by his King and country; every
circumstance contributed to render this scene one of the most
solemn and most affecting that it may be the lot of men to
behold.
Of the knight himself nothing needs be said in this garrison.
"Dans les murs, hors des murs; tout parle de sa gloire."
_Corneille._
The following irregular stanzas on the occasion were written
extempore by an officer of the royal navy.
Ye valiant martial bands, all hail!
Britannia's sons, renowned in arms;
Dreadful in war when foes assail,
Rejoiced when peace resumes her charms:
Salute th' auspicious day with warlike strains,
Which thus a King's munificence displays;
When Saumarez his just reward obtains,--
Unfading laurels, and unenvied praise!
And thou, oh vet'ran, not unknown to fame!
Thou chief, well chosen to confer the meed!
Be thine the honour of a spotless name,
And thine the conscience of each virtuous deed!
Long may'st thou live to share thy sov'reign's smiles,
Whom Heav'n preserve to bless his subject isles!
The salutes from the batteries being returned, the ceremonies
ended and other festivities commenced.
Sir Charles Morice Pole being informed by the governor of Cadiz that
the preliminary treaties of peace had been acceded to by Spain, and
that hostilities had ceased between the two nations, proceeded to
England on the 11th of November, leaving the chief command to Sir
James Saumarez; who, pursuant to orders, proceeded to Gibraltar Bay
with the following ships, Caesar, Dreadnought, Spencer, Vanguard,
Defence, Bellona, Zealous, Warrior, Trial, Powerful, and St. George;
which, besides the four ships belonging to the squadron of Sir John
Warren, were present on this occasion. This formidable squadron having
been replenished with provisions, remained at Gibraltar for further
orders.
On the 27th of November, Lieutenant Wooldridge, of the hired armed
brig Pasley, arrived with her prize the Spanish privateer Rosario,
which he captured, after a gallant action, on the 30th October, in
which the former had four killed and six wounded, while the latter had
twenty-one killed and thirteen wounded, in a crew of ninety-four
men,--forty more than the Pasley. Lieutenant Wooldridge, who so
gallantly concluded the hostilities on this station, was, at the
recommendation of Sir James, promoted to the rank of commander.
The next arrival from England brought the gratifying intelligence that
the thanks of both Houses of Parliament had been unanimously voted to
Sir James, and the captains, officers, and crews of his squadron. The
following account is rendered more interesting by the part taken on
this occasion by his late Majesty, then Duke of Clarence, Earl St.
Vincent, and Viscount Nelson, in the House of Lords, and by Mr. Pitt
in the House of Commons.
_30th October 1801.--House of Lords._
The First Lord of the Admiralty (_Earl St. Vincent_) rose to
move the thanks of the House to Admiral Sir James Saumarez for
his gallant and spirited conduct in his late actions with the
united fleets of France and Spain, in which he had destroyed
two Spanish men-of-war and taken a ship belonging to France.
His lordship, with much feeling, stated the particulars of the
engagement in the Bay of Algeziras, in which, notwithstanding
the loss of one of his Majesty's ships, owing to a matter which
Sir James could not prevent, that meritorious officer displayed
the most dauntless courage and energy: that in the first
engagement the fleet of Sir James was much crippled and
disabled; but that, nevertheless, he made such wonderful
exertions to repair his damages, that he was soon afterwards
enabled to pursue the French and Spanish fleets, and to engage
them with the most decisive success, although greatly his
superiors in numbers and weight of metal. The gallant
achievement, he declared, surpassed everything he had met with
in his reading or service; and when the news of it arrived, the
whole Board, at which he had the honour to preside, were struck
with astonishment to find that Sir James Saumarez, in so very
short a time after the affair of the Bay of Algeziras, had been
able, with a few ships only, and one of them disabled,
especially his own, to come up with the enemy, and, with
unparalleled bravery, to attack them, and obtain a victory
highly honourable to himself, and essentially conducive to the
national glory.
His lordship said, the merit of the brave Admiral spoke so
strongly for itself, that it would be unnecessary for him to
take up more of their lordships' time respecting it. He should
also move the thanks of the House to the captains who served
under Sir James; but he could not forbear to give his highest
applause to the captains whose conduct was so gallant and
successful on that day. There was no invidious distinction in
this. Every captain on that service, he was persuaded, would
have done his duty in the same signal manner had he been
fortunate enough to get into action. But it was not less his
duty to notice the conduct of these gallant officers, on whom
the fortune of the day fell, and who contributed to make the
event so glorious by their conduct. Lord St. Vincent then
formally moved the thanks of the House to Rear-admiral Sir
James Saumarez.
_Lord Viscount Nelson_ immediately rose to support the
character and conduct of Sir James Saumarez, on which his
noble friend had just expressed himself in such handsome terms.
He said he was under particular obligations to that gallant
officer, who had been second in command under him in one of his
most important and successful engagements; that in the action
in Algeziras Bay he was persuaded Sir James would have achieved
his object, and carried the enemy's ships into Gibraltar, but
for the failure of the wind; an accident which the Admiral
could not prevent, and which enabled the enemy to haul their
ships so close within the shore as to defeat his purpose.
Nothing dismayed or dispirited, however, with the unfortunate
event of that attempt, Sir James made wonderful exertions to
put his few ships into a condition to sail after a fleet of the
enemy and to attack them, though their fleet consisted of ten
ships, and Sir James had but five, and his own ship greatly
disabled. The glorious result their lordships well knew. But he
was not surprised at the matchless intrepidity and skill of his
gallant friend when he considered the professional school in
which he had been bred, viz. the late Lord Howe, Lord Hood,
Lord Bridport, and his noble friend the noble earl who sat next
him. (Earl St. Vincent, feeling the full force of the
compliment, made the noble and gallant lord a very low bow.)
From such masters he could not but have learned everything that
was courageous, spirited, and magnanimous. His lordship added
some further panegyrics; and, after apologising to the House
for having intruded on the time of their lordships, concluded
by saying it was with the greatest satisfaction he voted for
the thanks of the House to that meritorious officer.
_Earl St. Vincent_ next moved the thanks of the House be given
to Captains Hood and Keats, and such of the officers as
principally distinguished themselves in the two engagements in
the Bay of Algeziras and off Gibraltar. The _Duke of Clarence_
rose, and said he should have given his testimony in an ample
manner, both of the gallant officer Sir James Saumarez, and the
captains who had the good fortune to be in the action, if the
noble lord at the head of the Admiralty and the hero of the
Nile had not been present to do them greater justice than his
praise could afford. He could not, however, give a silent
assent to the motion. He rose now, as a professional man, to
express his entire concurrence with every syllable that had
fallen from his two noble friends in commendation of the
gallant Sir James Saumarez, and to declare the satisfaction he
felt in the thanks of the House being voted, to those brave
officers Captain Hood and Captain Keats, for their
distinguished conduct in the two engagements. They were both as
deserving officers as any in his Majesty's service; but he
could speak more particularly to the merit of Captain Keats,
having served under him for four years and a half during a
former war as midshipman in the same watch. He was persuaded,
whenever the country should be engaged in another war, Captain
Keats would eminently distinguish himself.
The motion was agreed to, _nemine dissentiente_; as were
likewise two other motions, made of course in applause of the
men serving in the fleet of Sir James Saumarez, and to request
that gallant Admiral to communicate the sense the House
entertained of the other officers, seamen, and marines.
In the House of Commons Mr. Pitt said he would make a motion in which
he was sure he was anticipated by the expectations of the House and of
the public: it was for the thanks of the House to Rear-admiral Sir
James Saumarez. On the merits of the gallant Admiral, and those who
served under him, there could, he was sure, be no difference of
opinion. He was equally sure that there was no difference of opinion
respecting the merit of Sir James Saumarez in the attack which he made
upon the French squadron in Algeziras Bay a few days previously to the
signal advantage which he obtained over the combined squadrons of
France and Spain, and for which he would now, he trusted, receive the
thanks of the House. It was impossible for him, in making this motion,
not to advert to the attack, in which the zeal and ability of the
commander, and the spirit and intrepidity of the officers who served
under him, were so eminently displayed. That attack failed; but the
failure was owing, as Sir James Saumarez stated, to the failure of the
wind and a sudden calm which came on. It was the misfortune of the
gallant Admiral on that day to lose one of the ships under his
command; but the officers and crew of that ship defended her until
they had lost half their numbers. Sir James Saumarez was not
disheartened, as must always be the case with men of true courage and
vigour. He waited for an opportunity to make amends for his failure;
that opportunity offered; and he availed himself in a manner worthy of
him who had been the companion of, and sharer in the glory of, Lords
St. Vincent and Nelson on the 14th of February and in the Bay of
Aboukir. These events were still so fresh in the memory of every man
that it would be unnecessary for him to enlarge on them. He should
therefore conclude with moving
That the thanks of the House be given to Rear-admiral Sir James
Saumarez, Bart. and Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the
Bath, for his alacrity and zeal in pursuing, and for his able
and gallant conduct in the successful attack on, the combined
squadrons of the enemy in the Straits of Gibraltar on the 12th
and 13th days of July last, by the squadron under his command.
In like manner the thanks of the House were voted to the
captains, officers, seamen, and marines, _nemine
contradicente_; as also that the Rear-admiral should
communicate the same, and that the Speaker do send the
resolutions to Sir James Saumarez.
The thanks of the House of Lords were conveyed to Sir James in the
following letter from the Lord Chancellor, dated 30th October 1801:
SIR,
I have the honour to obey the commands of the House of Lords in
transmitting the enclosed resolutions.
In communicating these resolutions, whilst I obey their
lordships' orders, I cannot but feel most highly gratified by
the opportunity which the discharge of this duty affords me of
expressing to a person to whom the country is so deeply
indebted the personal interest and veneration with which I have
the honour to be, &c.
ELDON, C.
To which Sir James returned the following answer:
Caesar, Gibraltar, 6th January 1802.
MY LORD,
I yesterday had the honour of your lordship's letter,
transmitting to me the resolutions of the House of Lords on the
victory obtained by the squadron under my orders, on the 12th
and 13th of July last, at the entrance of the Straits of
Gibraltar.
Having on four occasions been honoured with the thanks of their
lordships when commander of a line-of-battle ship in different
general actions, this very high mark of distinction cannot but
be more particularly gratifying to my feelings when entrusted
with the command of his Majesty's squadron; and I am at a loss
to express the deep sense I entertain of so flattering an
instance of their lordships' approbation.
I shall have great satisfaction in conveying to the captains,
officers, and men under my orders the vote of the august House,
expressive of the sense their lordships are pleased to
entertain of their general conduct.
In returning my most particular thanks for the very polite and
obliging manner in which your lordship has been pleased to
signify the resolutions of the House of Lords, I beg to assure
you of the profound respect and veneration with which I have
the honour to be, &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To the Right Honourable Lord Eldon, &c. &c. &c.
From the Speaker of the House of Commons Sir James at the same time
received the following letter:
Palace-yard, 31st October 1801.
SIR,
In obedience to the commands of the House of Commons, I have
the honour of transmitting their vote of thanks for your
alacrity and zeal in pursuing, and able and gallant conduct in
the successful attack on, the combined squadron of the enemy in
the Straits of Gibraltar, on the 12th and 13th days of July
last, by the squadron under your orders; and also their thanks
to the captains and officers of that squadron, and their
acknowledgment and approbation of the services of the seamen
and marines.
I feel the highest personal satisfaction in transmitting these
resolutions to an officer who has on so many occasions done
distinguished honour to his country, and to a service in which
the nation feels the most important and anxious concern, and in
the character of which I must individually be much interested.
I have the honour to be,
With the highest respect and esteem,
Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
JOHN MITFORD, Speaker.
Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, &c. &c. &c.
The next flattering compliment which Sir James received was of a more
substantial nature, and not less honourable, being the thanks of the
lord mayor, aldermen, and commons of London with the freedom of the
city, &c. accompanied by a sword, value one hundred guineas. The
resolutions were conveyed to Sir James in the following letter from
Sir John Eamer, then lord mayor:
Mansion House, 2nd December 1801.
SIR,
I feel a peculiar satisfaction in having the honour of
transmitting to you the unanimous thanks of the lord mayor,
aldermen, and commons of the city of London, in common council
assembled, for the very important services you have rendered
your country, as expressed in their resolutions; agreeable to
which I have the honour to request you will have the goodness
to communicate to the officers, seamen, and marines under your
command the unanimous thanks of this court for their bravery
and uncommon exertions displayed in those memorable
engagements.
On your return, sir, to this country, I shall be proud in
having the opportunity of presenting you with the sword so
deservedly voted to you, with the freedom of this great city,
in which we shall have the honour of having your name enrolled
amongst us; and I trust you will permit me to nominate you as a
brother-liveryman in the worshipful company of salters, of
which I have the honour to be a member.
I have the honour to be,
With the highest esteem and respect,
Sir, your most obedient servant,
JOHN EAMER, Mayor.
To Sir James Saumarez, Bart. &c. &c. &c.
A Common Council holden in the chamber of the Guildhall of the
city of London, on Friday the 27th day of November 1801;
John Eamer, Esq. Lord Mayor.
Resolved, unanimously, that the thanks of this court be given
to Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. Knight of the Most
Honourable Order of the Bath, for the very important and
splendid victories obtained by the squadron under his command
over a Spanish and French fleet of superior force, on the 6th,
off Algeziras, and on the 13th July last, off Cape Trafalgar.
Resolved, unanimously, that the freedom of this city, with a
sword of the value of one hundred guineas, be presented to
Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. Knight of the Most
Honourable Order of the Bath, as a testimony of the opinion
this court entertain of the eminent services rendered by him to
his country.
Resolved, unanimously, that the thanks of this court be given
to the several captains, officers, seamen, and marines, for
their brave exertions on the days of the above celebrated
victories.
Resolved, unanimously, that the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor
be requested to transmit the above resolutions to Sir James
Saumarez, and to request him to communicate the same to the
officers, seamen, and marines of his squadron.
Resolved, unanimously, that the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor
be requested to provide the sword on this occasion.
Signed, by order of the Court,
EDWD. BOXLEY.
His Majesty's ship Caesar, Gibraltar Bay, 6th January 1802.
MY LORD,
I have received the letter your lordship has done me the honour
to write to me, transmitting the unanimous thanks of the lord
mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London, in common
council assembled, for the successful attacks made by the
squadron under my orders upon the superior forces of the enemy,
on the 6th and 12th of July last, off Algeziras, and at the
entrance of the Straits of Gibraltar.
I beg leave to return my most grateful acknowledgments for so
flattering a mark of distinction; more particularly for the
high honour conferred upon me in the freedom of the city of
London, and permitting my name to be enrolled with its loyal
and brave citizens.
I also beg to offer my sincere thanks for the present of a
sword, which I shall ever consider it my greatest pride to
have been found deserving of; and I trust to use it with every
success in the service of my King and country on any future
opportunity requiring its being unsheathed. I shall not fail to
communicate to the captains, officers, and men under my orders
the resolutions you have been pleased to enclose to me; and I
beg to express how truly gratifying it is to me to have the
honour of being nominated a brother liveryman in the worshipful
company of salters, of which your lordship is a member.
I have the honour to be,
With sentiments of the most respectful regard and esteem,
Your lordship's most obedient
and most humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, &c. &c. &c.
The inhabitants of the channel islands, justly proud of their heroic
countryman, were not behind in acknowledging the high sense they
entertained of his services. The following is a copy of the resolution
of the States of the island of Jersey:
Aux Etats de l'ile de Jersey.
L'an Mil huit cent un, le vingt-deuxieme jour d'Aout, les
Etats, a leur premiere tenue depuis la nouvelle de la victoire
qu'a remportee l'Amiral Sir James Saumarez sur la flotte
combinee de la France et de l'Espagne, dans les Passages de
Gibraltar, ont un devoir de manifester la joie et la
satisfaction que leur inspire cet heureux evenement. Les divers
exploits qui ont signale les armes de sa Majeste ont toujours
excite la plus vive allegresse dans le coeur des habitans de
cette ile. Mais ce qui releve infiniment a leurs yeux le prix
de cette derniere victoire est la consideration qu'elle est
due a un natif de l'ile de Guernesey, a laquelle ce pays se
sent etroitement attache par les liens d'une commune origine,
de la proximite, de l'amitie. Cette assemblee n'a pu manquer de
remarquer les actions eclatantes qui ont distingue la carriere
navale de Sir James Saumarez dans sa qualite de capitaine. Elle
voit enfin que, parvenu au premier rang, il a su y briller d'un
nouveau lustre, et s'y acquerir de nouveaux droits a la
reconnaissance de la patrie. On a surtout admire l'etonnante
celerite avec laquelle cet amiral a repare les damages de son
escadre apres la sanglante journee d'Algeziras; l'intrepidite
avec laquelle il a ose poursuivre une flotte doublement
superieure par le nombre, la grandeur, et l'equipement parfait
des vaisseaux; la promptitude avec laquelle il a saisi le
moment favorable de l'attaque dans l'obscurite d'une nuit
orageuse; et finalement le succes decisif qui a couronne ces
nobles efforts. Considerant tout ce qu'a d'honorable pour l'ile
de Guernesey d'avoir mis au jour un de ces grands hommes qui
ont illustre leur nation en la defendant, et dont la Providence
s'est servie pour reprimer l'insatiable ambition de l'ennemi,
les Etats ont unanimement resolu d'offrir dans cette occasion
aux habitans de la dite ile leurs sinceres et cordiales
felicitations; et, afin de leur faire connaitre la part que
prend cette assemblee a cet evenement memorable, le greffier
est charge de transmettre le present acte a Robert P. Le
Marchant, ecuyer, bailli de Guernesey, pour qu'il veuille bien
le communiquer a ses compatriotes de la maniere la plus
convenable.
JEAN DE VEULLE, Greff.
The address of the loyal inhabitants of the Channel islands was
followed by a liberal subscription for the wounded, and the widows and
orphans of those who fell in the actions. Large sums were also
subscribed for the same purpose in Great Britain; while the island of
Guernsey presented Sir James with a very handsome silver vase, being
the second time the high sense entertained of his services had been
thus expressed. The inscription on the first vase, which has not been
before given, is as follows:
_Presented to Sir James Saumarez, Knt._
of his Majesty's frigate the Crescent,
by the subscribers to the fund for encouraging
the capture of French privateers, in testimony
of their sense of his gallant conduct in the
action of the 20th October last with La Reunion,
French frigate, of considerable force, and the
protection thereby afforded to the
commerce of Great Britain.
London, 14th Nov. 1799.
On the second vase the following inscription:
The
Inhabitants
of _Guernsey_
to their gallant countryman,
Rear-admiral
_Sir James Saumarez, Bart. and K.B._
whose suavity of manner and private virtues have long
engaged their esteem and affection,
and whose brilliant achievements have not only immortalized
his name, but will for ever reflect lustre on his native isle,
and add to the glory of the British empire.
June 1802.
CHAPTER IV.
1802.
Sir James disappointed in not returning home.--Extract of a
letter to his brother.--The French send ships to the West
Indies.--Squadron detached after them.--Death of General
O'Hara.--Sir James receives orders to superintend the
evacuation of Minorca.--Arrival of H.R.H. Duke of Kent.--Sir
James arrives at Minorca.--Definitive treaty of
peace.--Proceedings there.--Island given up to Spain.--The
Caesar arrives at Gibraltar.--Proceeds to England.--Anchors at
Spithead.
Destined to remain with his squadron at Gibraltar, Sir James suffered
a severe disappointment in being prevented from returning home. He
occasionally visited Tetuan; and, after the preliminaries of peace
were signed, he had communication with the Spanish authorities. On the
19th of January he was surprised by the appearance of four French
line-of-battle ships in the eastward, which passed through the Straits
of Gibraltar; on which he wrote a letter to his brother, whence the
following is extracted:
Caesar, Gibraltar, 20th January 1802.
I had the pleasure yesterday to receive your affectionate
letter, by way of Malaga, which, although of an old date, was
very acceptable. The letter it enclosed from our brother Sir
Thomas was the first I have seen from Guernsey for several
months. Our accounts from England extend to the 6th instant, by
way of Lisbon. Although no public despatches have been
received, we have reason to expect the next arrival will bring
the news of the definitive treaty being signed; at the same
time it is rather surprising to see the French detaching ships
from all their ports. Yesterday, four sail of the line and a
frigate appeared to the eastward, which unquestionably must be
Gantheaume's squadron. I detached the Phaeton with the
intelligence, and am preparing four ships to follow them to the
West Indies, taking it for granted they are going to St.
Domingo.
I enclose a letter for Nicholas, who I hope has arrived before
this time. It is satisfactory to be informed that Ceylon is a
healthy situation. I hope before many years we shall see him
amongst us in the enjoyment of good health and a competent
fortune, for few are more deserving than he is.
Nothing has joined from Lord Keith since my last; but I
understand his lordship is expecting his orders of recall,
which will leave me no chance of going to England for some
months. I have no apprehensions of being ordered to Jamaica;
but, if I should, I hope none of my friends will suffer
uneasiness on my account. My chief dislike to the station would
be its prolonging my absence from home, as, in other respects,
I would as soon be there as in any other station whilst I
remain employed.
I am well pleased with the motto ("In Deo spero") you have
substituted. It is the one I had fixed upon before; but wishing
to have reference to the action made me adopt the other, though
not without much consideration, as I allow it appeared as if I
no longer had that TRUST which I hope will never forsake me in
any event through life.
On the 21st of January Sir James detached the Warrior, Defence,
Bellona, and Zealous, of 74 guns each, to follow the French squadron
to the West Indies. These ships were placed under the command of
Captain Tyler, of the Warrior, who was senior officer, and had
directions to proceed to Jamaica and join Sir John Duckworth, the then
commander-in-chief on that station: at the same time the Phaeton,
Captain Morris, was despatched to England with the intelligence of the
above circumstances. The Leda, Captain Hope, had been sent to Cadiz to
receive for safety the specie belonging to the merchants, and to
obtain information respecting the movements of the ships in that
harbour. It was then ascertained that the French ship Duquesne, of 80
guns, had arrived there in distress, having parted from a convoy bound
to St. Domingo. She was accompanied by a French frigate; and, both
having troops on board, no doubt could be entertained of their
destination, as well as that of the squadron under Rear-admiral
Gantheaume. Several transports and troop-ships arrived from Malta and
Egypt, having on board part of the army employed on the reduction of
Alexandria, and were despatched to England.
An unexpected event now plunged the garrison of Gibraltar into deep
affliction. The gallant and highly-respected governor was seized with
a malignant illness, which terminated his life in five days. With this
mournful intelligence Sir James despatched the Penelope frigate to
England, and another frigate to Lord Keith, at Malta. The following is
a copy of his letter to Mr. Nepean on that occasion:
SIR,
I request you will be pleased to inform my Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty that I have thought it necessary to despatch
the Penelope to England, in order that the King's ministers may
be apprised as speedily as possible of the loss his Majesty's
service has sustained in the death of Governor O'Hara, who
departed this life early this morning. I cannot on this
occasion refrain from expressing my deep concern at the loss of
an officer from whom the naval service in particular has always
experienced the utmost attention.
I am, sir,
Your obedient humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
General Burnet succeeded, _pro tempore_, to the command of the
garrison; and Captain Gaskill, the late governor's aide-de-camp, was
the bearer of the despatches to Government. It was about this time
that the 54th regiment, commanded by Colonel Ross, arrived from Egypt
to relieve the Cambrian Rangers, part of which went home in the
Penelope, and the remainder in the Dido, troop-ship.
The colours were hoisted half-mast on board all the ships until the
3rd of March, when General O'Hara's funeral took place; on which
occasion the boats of the squadron, joined by those of the foreign
men-of-war, rowed in procession to the Ragged Staff, while minute-guns
were fired by the flag-ship and the garrison. The solemnity of this
scene could not but be rendered more impressive by the recollection of
the investiture of Sir James with the Order of the Bath, in which the
venerable and gallant general had performed so distinguished a part
only a short time before.
This event was followed by one of the same mournful description,
namely, the death of Admiral Brenton, father to the gallant captain of
the Caesar, a venerable and highly-respected officer. As family affairs
required Captain Brenton's presence in England, he exchanged with
Captain Downman, of the Dorothea, by mutual consent, and with
permission from the Admiral. This exchange accordingly took place on
the 17th March 1802, when Captain Downman joined the Caesar.
On the 22nd of March Sir James received orders from Lord Keith to
proceed with the Caesar to Minorca, for the purpose of superintending
the various duties that might become necessary on the evacuation of
that island; but as the order was grounded on a report which had
reached his lordship from Toulon and Marseilles that the definitive
treaty of peace was signed, which proved to be premature, Sir James
postponed his departure until more authentic information should
arrive, and he acquainted the Lords of the Admiralty of this
circumstance by a letter to the secretary, dated on the following day.
Lord Keith himself, however, arrived in the Foudroyant, from Malta, on
the 26th of March, and, being in expectation of orders to proceed to
England, he did not interfere with the duty of the squadron.
On the 24th of April, there being no doubt that Minorca would soon be
given up to Spain, Sir James received the following orders from Lord
Keith, appointing him to conduct that service:
By the Right Hon. Lord Keith, &c.
Whereas orders may be immediately expected for the evacuation
of the island of Minorca, and as I think it indispensable that
that service should be conducted by an officer of rank,
ability, and experience, you are hereby required and directed
to proceed thither in his Majesty's ship the Caesar, to be in
readiness to take upon you the charge and execution of that
duty, following such directions in that behalf as I have
already forwarded to the senior officer there, copies of the
most material of which are herewith enclosed, and such other
instructions as you may hereafter receive from me;
communicating with me or with Rear-admiral Sir Richard
Bickerton, at Malta, on all occasions when the necessity of
the service on which you are employed may so require.--Given on
board the Foudroyant, Gibraltar, 24th April 1802.
The following is a copy of the orders alluded to:
In the event of orders being received by you over land, or the
arrival of instructions by sea which may not have reached me,
for the evacuation of the island of Minorca, you are hereby
specially instructed to carry them into effect in the manner
most consistent with the directions which you shall receive.
You will enter into immediate communication with the officer
commanding his Majesty's land forces, and co-operate with him
on all necessary occasions for carrying the evacuation into
effect; and you will furnish to him, and to other officers of
rank and their families, the best accommodation of which the
disposable room in the ships will admit. In such case it will
be incumbent on you to obtain, without a moment's loss of time,
an exact estimate of the tonnage that will be required as well
for the embarkation of the troops as of the stores, &c.
The above will be sufficient to show the arduous duty Sir James had to
perform. The number of troops to be embarked at Minorca was 5,247; at
Malta, 6,529; at Elba, 418; and at Egypt, 4,631; in all, 16,845. These
were destined partly to England, and partly to Ireland; to transport
which, men-of-war and merchant-ships were collected from all quarters.
On the same day Sir James received from Lord Keith a copy of a letter
from the secretary of the Admiralty, dated 1st April 1802:
I transmit to your lordship herewith, by command of my Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, for your information, a Gazette
Extraordinary, containing an account of the signature of the
definitive treaty of peace at Amiens, on the 27th of last
month, by the Plenipotentiary of his Majesty, and the
Plenipotentiaries of France, and Spain, and the Batavian
Republic. If no unforeseen event should happen, their lordships
think it probable that the ratification will be exchanged in
the course of three weeks from this time; but, whenever it
shall take place, the earliest notice thereof shall be given to
your lordship, &c.
The same despatch brought information that his Royal Highness the Duke
of Kent (father of her present most excellent Majesty) had been
appointed governor of Gibraltar; and, in consequence, the following
orders were issued by Lord Keith:
Foudroyant, Gibraltar, 28th April 1802.
General Memorandum.
When his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, who is expected at
Gibraltar, arrives in this bay, the flag-officers and captains
then at the anchorage are to attend in their boats with their
flags and pendants hoisted, and to row in succession, the
flag-officer or officers following the commander-in-chief, and
the captains next, two by two, according to seniority; and, as
soon as his Royal Highness shall have landed, the officers are
at liberty to return to their ships.
When the royal standard is hoisted in the boat in which the
Prince is to land, the ship he came in is to fire twenty-one
guns; and, as the boat passes the flag-ship, twenty-one guns
shall be fired from all the ships commanded by post-captains,
beginning when the Foudroyant shall have fired her second gun;
the guards to be turned out, and the drums to beat a march, but
the ships' yards are not to be manned.--By order of the
commander-in-chief.
We need scarcely add that his Royal Highness was received with every
mark of respect due to his illustrious name, and to the high situation
in which he had been placed.
The Caesar sailed from Gibraltar about the 1st of May, and on the 6th
arrived at Mahon. When Sir James entered upon his important mission,
he communicated immediately with General Clephane on the subject of
the evacuation of the island of Minorca; and measures were taken for
the embarkation of the troops and stores as soon as the ratification
of the treaty of peace arrived, which took place on the 17th of May.
Sir James at the same time received the welcome information that he
was, with the Caesar, to carry the last division to England. It was
determined to send the Dreadnought and Genereux with the first
division of transports, consisting of ten sail, in which were the 79th
regiment and ordnance-stores, under command of Captain Cornwall
Berkeley, of the Genereux. These were to proceed to Gibraltar; but the
Dreadnought, Captain Vashon, had orders to proceed direct to England
with the second battalion of the 40th regiment, which was embarked in
that ship at the same time the troops at Porto Ferrajo and Elba
sailed on the 2nd of June. Some of the transports having returned
from Gibraltar, the embarkation continued, and the island was finally
given up on the 16th June. The orders given on this occasion, will be
perused with interest.
Copy of articles agreed upon between Rear-admiral Sir James
Saumarez and General Clephane, for the evacuation of the island
of Minorca, and for delivering it to the authorities of his
Catholic Majesty the King of Spain.
Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart, and K.B., Commanding his
Britannic Majesty's squadron in the port of Mahon, and
Major-general William Douglas Maclean Clephane, commanding the
troops upon the island of Minorca, being duly authorised on the
part of his Britannic Majesty by his royal sign manual, and Don
Juan Miguel de Nines y Felia, &c. having communicated his power
and authority to receive the same, have agreed to the following
arrangements, viz.
1st. Brigadier-general Moncreiffe is appointed to arrange with
his Excellency the Captain-general, &c. &c. the speediest time
for admitting his Catholic Majesty's troops by the gate at
Ciudadela, and the troops of his Britannic Majesty will
evacuate at the same time by the gate of Mahon.
2nd. On the following day Major-general Clephane will be ready
to receive his Excellency the Captain-general upon the glacis
of Fort George, and deliver the keys thereof in due form;
immediately after which the British troops will embark.
3rd. The fort of Fornells, and the towers on the coast, will be
given up in due time to the engineer, Don Raman.
4th. Captain Framingham, Royal Artillery, will deliver up the
ordnance and the ammunition found on the island at the time of
the capture thereof as nearly as possible, and now collected at
the following places, viz. Fornells, Buffera, Adaya, and Fort
George.
5th. The royal arsenal shall be given up in its present state.
Two line-of-battle ships' lower-masts and bowsprits, British
property, will be left in store until means be furnished by the
British Government to remove them.
6th. The papers found in the secretary's office will be
restored.
7th. The revenues of the island are to belong to his Catholic
Majesty from the 23rd day of May last, that being the day
appointed by the definitive treaty for the cession of the
island. In consequence of the judge and other civil officers
having been employed by the British Government, their salaries
have been paid up to the 17th June.
Signed and sealed at Mahon, the 14th day of June
one thousand eight hundred and two.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
Caesar, off Port Mahon, 16th June 1802.
SIR,
I beg to acquaint you, for the information of my Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the island of Minorca has
been this day given up to the Spanish Government; and
Major-general Clephane, with the last division of troops,
embarked immediately after having put them in possession of
Fort George. I shall proceed with all despatch to Gibraltar
with his Majesty's ship Caesar, and the Pomone, and Port Mahon
brig; and have detached the Camelion to Barcelona, to land
Major-general Clephane's and my despatches.
I have detached to the island of Malta 3,250 tonnage of
transports not required for the services of this island; and I
have given directions to Captain Bowen, of his Majesty's
troop-ship Alligator, to remain in Mahon harbour ten days from
the time of the embarkation, and then proceed for Malta, and
follow the orders of Rear-admiral Sir Richard Bickerton.
I herewith have the honour to enclose, for their lordships'
information, a copy of the articles agreed upon with his
Excellency Don Juan Miguel de Nines y Felia, the Spanish
Captain-general; and I have the satisfaction to observe that
the utmost good order and harmony has prevailed between the
forces of our respective nations.
I have the further satisfaction to inform their lordships that,
during the arduous service of embarking the numerous stores
from Minorca, in which the seamen of the ships of war and
transports have borne a considerable share, there has not been
the smallest cause of complaint of any irregularity whatever
having been committed.
Enclosed is a return of troop-ships and transports destined for
Ireland, which embarked the last division of troops.
Major-general Clephane takes his passage to England on board
the Pomone. I have to express my acknowledgments to that
officer for the alacrity with which the embarkation of the
various stores from the different ports of the island has been
effected.
I am, sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To Evan Nepean, Esq.
By the Right Honourable Lord Keith, K.B. Admiral of the Blue,
and Commander-in-chief.
Whereas I have obtained permission from the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty to return to England, and have been
authorised by their lordships to leave such directions for the
governance of the station till their further commands are
ascertained as I shall judge fit and proper for the execution
of the Board; you are hereby required and directed, after my
departure, to regulate the service in this bay, and pay
attention to the instructions that follow, viz.--You will, on
all proper and necessary occasions, communicate with his Royal
Highness the Duke of Kent, governor of this garrison, and in
particular yield all the accommodation of which ships passing
from Minorca or Elba can admit for the reception of parties of
the 5th regiment of foot, which are ordered to return to
Britain from hence.
When the Acasta returns from Malta, she is not to be detained,
the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having expressly
directed her return; and, as she will be able to accommodate a
considerable number of men, I recommend that she receive part
of the 5th regiment; and also; the Diane and Carriere, if they
arrive here, and that you forthwith direct them to proceed.
Captain Dundas, of the Solebay, has my orders to repair to
Lisbon to receive for Britain part of the troops who are there;
and the accompanying order, addressed to Captain Hope, directs
him to proceed with the Leda on the same; service. Captain
Beanes, of the Determinee, and Captain Provost, of the Bonne
Citoyenne, are instructed to proceed to Britain forthwith.
You will order the Milbrook to Lisbon with the letters from
hence by the next Levant wind, and from thence to Spithead. The
Pigmy will return to you with the first English mail that
arrives in the Tagus.
You will inform yourself, from the officers of the yard, of the
quantity and species of stores that they may be desirous of
sending home; and direct them to be embarked in his Majesty's
ships and transports that are returning, in such proportions as
can be conveniently received.
You will allow no ships to sail for Great Britain with more
than six weeks' provision on board, till the agent victuallers
shall be provided with a sufficient supply for the ships that
remain here.
All transports, victuallers, and other vessels arriving here on
the public account, are to be cleared with the greatest
despatch; and, if any unnecessary delay appears on the master's
part, you will cause protest to be made, and acquaint the
transport board thereof.
As it is probable that Rear-admiral Sir Richard Bickerton may
send down troop-ships to this place for the removal of the 5th
regiment of foot, and as some part of the regiment is already
embarked, and more of them may be forwarded by other
opportunities, of which you may be able to avail yourself; it
is my direction that such troop-ships, when they arrive, as
they are not wanted for the conveyance of the 5th regiment, may
be either returned to Malta or sent to Lisbon for the
embarkation of troops under the command of Lieutenant-general
Fraser, as existing circumstances may recommend as the most
needful to be done. You will take care that no ships pass
without having as many men as they can receive; and you will
have the means of completing them by separate embarkations of
the regiment above-mentioned, observing that the destination is
the same; and, for your better guidance in this particular, I
enclose herewith a state of the troop-ships, with the freights
and the destinations appointed for them.
Till special orders are received from the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, the ships and vessels, as per list enclosed,
are to remain upon the service of the station; and if any of
them arrive with contrary instructions from Rear-admiral Sir
Richard Bickerton, or Sir James Saumarez, before that was
known, you are to retain them here accordingly.
You will open all public despatches which may be addressed to
me, and carry them, as far as depends upon you, into effect at
this place. Such as are addressed to Rear-admiral Sir Richard
Bickerton you will forward to him at Malta. Maintain a
correspondence with him, as the officer charged with the chief
command on the station, by all convenient opportunities, and
follow such orders and directions as you may receive from him.
Given on board the Foudroyant,
Gibraltar, 15th June, 1802,
KEITH.
Sir Jas. Saumarez, Bart, and K.B.
Rear-admiral of the Blue;
and, in his absence,
To John Aylmes, Esq. Captain of H.M.S. Dragon.
List of ships to remain on the station till further orders:
Kent, Hector, Diana, Greyhound, Camelion,
Dragon, Anson, Narcissus, Victorieuse, Weazle,
Superb, Medusa, Thames, Cynthia, Delight,
Triumph, Active, Maidstone, Port Mahon, Vincego.
N.B. Such others as may arrive here with troops may be sent to
the destinations of the regiments.
Keith.
No duty on which Sir James was ever employed was executed with more
address, or more completely to the general satisfaction. The honour of
the British flag was maintained in a manner which could not be
questioned, being borne away mounted on a cannon, on which it was
embarked without the necessity of striking it, when the keys of the
fortress were delivered to the Spanish commander-in-chief, while the
Spanish standard was hoisted at the flag-staff. The greatest decorum
was preserved on both sides.
The Caesar left Mahon on the 17th June, with the last division of the
troops, and arrived at Gibraltar on the 24th, when Sir James found
that Lord Keith had already sailed, leaving orders for him to follow
to England with the last division, which consisted of three sail of
the line and six troop-ships.
After exchanging complimentary letters with his Excellency the
Captain-general and Governor of Andalusia, Sir James took leave of his
Royal Highness the Governor of Gibraltar. He sailed on the 30th of
June, anchored at Spithead on the 23rd of July 1802, and reported in
the usual manner the arrival of the Caesar to the Admiralty.
CHAPTER V.
1803.
Commencement of Hostilities with France.--Sir James hoists his
Flag at Sheerness.--Proceeds to Guernsey.--Flag in the
Grampus.--Anecdote of Captain Caulfield.--Sir James visits
Jersey, &c.--Diomede arrives as Flag-ship.--The Admiral
examines the Defence of the Island.--Loss of La
Minerve.--Attack and Bombardment of Granville.--Cerberus gets
aground.--Narrow Escape from a Shot.--Public and Private
Letters.--Blockade of the Coast.--Loss of the Shannon and
Grappler.--Conclusion of 1803.
Hostilities with France were about to be resumed early in the year
1803, and Sir James was called into active service. On the 11th of
March he hoisted his flag at Sheerness, on board the Zealand, in order
to expedite the preparations that were going on in the Medway. Soon
after this, the Zealand went to the Nore. She was at that time
commanded by Captain, afterwards Admiral, William Mitchell, an officer
who had risen to the rank of Rear-admiral by his good conduct, after
having been flogged through the fleet for desertion.
The great preparations now making at St. Maloes rendered it probable
that the intention of Bonaparte was to attack the Channel Islands;
Sir James was therefore appointed to the command at Guernsey, and,
proceeding from the Nore in the Kite brig, he fell in with the
Grampus, which was destined, _pro tempore_, for his flag. Both ships
arrived at St. Pierre's roads on the 19th of May. Here the Admiral's
squadron consisted of six frigates, and six brigs and cutters, which
were chiefly employed in blockading the adjacent coast, and in
preventing the concentration of the enemy's force at St. Maloes and
Granville, the two principal places whence it appeared an attack would
be made.
The Grampus was commanded by Captain Thomas Gordon Caulfield, who had
notions of discipline peculiar to himself, with which Sir James, who
lived on shore with his family, did not interfere. The following
anecdote will serve to show that these deviations from the laws and
customs of the navy are seldom attended with success.
It was Captain Caulfield's positive instructions that no boatswain's
mate, or other petty officer, should carry a cane, the usual emblem of
their authority; and that he would not punish any man unless convicted
by the testimony of two witnesses, while the man himself might bring
others to contradict the assertion of the officer making the
complaint: in short, that the single testimony of an officer could not
be taken without a majority of evidence in its support. The ship had
just been manned by impressed seamen, and her complement was completed
from the prisons: it may therefore be supposed, that these regulations
were not calculated to bring the ship speedily into a state of
discipline. It must be remembered that the captain had not the power
of administering an oath, and, when a complaint was made, men were
soon found who would come forward, and prove, according to this
system, that the accusation was groundless; and thus the culprit
always escaped. The ship accordingly fell into a complete state of
insubordination.
On one occasion a man was brought up on the quarter-deck in a state of
intoxication, when the captain, as if he could not believe his own
eyes, thought it necessary to call two of the officers as witnesses.
The man was put into confinement; and next morning, at eight, he was
brought up to be punished at the gangway. The offender being tied up,
and the article of war under which he had fallen being read, the
captain took the opportunity of assuring his assembled crew, that when
_legally_ convicted they were sure of punishment; but that no man
should be struck.
At this moment the sentinel on the forecastle called out that "a prize
was driving towards the ship." The danger of collision was the more
imminent, inasmuch as a heavy gale was blowing at the time. The
master, who sprang forward, called aloud, "Veer away the small
bower-cable, or she will be on board of us!" The pause which had been
made in the captain's speech was broken by orders from him to veer
away the cable _quickly_. "Down, my lads, veer away!" was repeated by
every officer; but the men, not aware of the fatal consequence, and
knowing that they could not, after what the captain said, be
_started_, moved very leisurely to perform the duty, which, to save
the ship, it was absolutely necessary should be done with the utmost
alacrity. Meanwhile, Captain Caulfield, looking over the back of the
culprit, and viewing the supineness of the men, who were totally
regardless of his repeated injunctions to veer the cable _quickly_,
began to be indignant; and when the master repeated, "If you do not
veer away at once, we shall lose the bowsprit and all the masts," he
called to the officers in the waist "to start the rascals down to the
cable:" but, as it may be supposed, their unarmed endeavours would not
have been successful, had he not, as the crisis approached, jumped
down himself among the men, and, with the end of the thickest rope he
could find, become the transgressor of his own laws, of the absurdity
of which he was now so fully convinced, that he acknowledged he was
wrong, and completely reversed his system.
No ship ever had a more narrow escape of being wrecked; the prize
drifted so close to the Grampus as to carry away her spritsail yard,
and, drifting on the rocks, about three cables' length astern, was
totally lost, and every man perished, among whom were a midshipman and
four of the Grampus's crew. Had the prize, which was a large Dutch
ship, came athwart-hawse of the Grampus, both, instead of one, would
have been wrecked. No alternative was therefore left to Captain
Caulfield but the rope's end, which he employed in violation of his
own rules of discipline.
Sir James was extremely averse to innovations of this kind, and he
took occasion to point out the propriety of officers being supported
in the execution of their duty, and the danger of interfering with the
excellent laws enacted for the government of the navy.
In the Grampus, Sir James visited the island of Jersey, and, after
cruising to examine the coast of France adjacent to the islands, he
returned to Guernsey; soon after which, the Grampus, being a new ship,
was selected to convoy the East India fleet, and was relieved by the
Diomede of fifty guns, Captain Thomas Larcom, on board which ship the
flag was shifted, on the 19th of June, 1803.
As the summer advanced, the preparations of the enemy became more
formidable, and the island was minutely examined by Sir James. The
following anecdote may serve to prove how much officers may be
mistaken as to the natural defences of a sea-coast.
Some differences of opinion having arisen respecting the possibility
of the enemy landing on the south side of Guernsey, where the land is
high, it was proposed to put the question to the test by actual
experiment. Sir James, and the Governor (Sir John Doyle), accordingly
proceeded to the spot with the boats of the squadron. On arriving at
the alleged inaccessible position, Sir James proposed that the seamen
should be landed, and ordered to ascend what appeared to be a
precipice; when, to the astonishment of the General, the whole body of
men mounted to the top with apparent ease: it was consequently found
advisable to fortify that, as well as other points which had been
before deemed unnecessary.
About this time (3rd of July) the Minerve, Captain Brenton, one of Sir
James's squadron, stationed off Cherbourgh, got aground in a fog, from
a mistake of the pilot, and, after a gallant resistance, was taken by
the enemy. The account of this unfortunate circumstance is so fully
detailed in Captain E.P. Brenton's work, that it need only be
mentioned here as having given great concern to the Admiral, who had
the highest regard for his former companion in arms.
A considerable flotilla of armed vessels, destined for the invasion
either of the Channel Islands or of England, had assembled at
Granville; and Sir James, having shifted his flag from the Diomede to
the Cerberus of thirty-two guns, Captain W. Selby, sailed with a
small squadron, consisting of the Charwell, eighteen, Captain Phil.
Dumaresq; the Kite, eighteen, Captain Philip Pipon; the Terror and
Sulphur bombs, Captains McLeod and Hardinge; Esling, Lieutenant
Archbold; and Carteret, Lieutenant Burgess.
On the 14th September, the frigate having anchored as near as the tide
would admit, and the other ships taking their stations, the
bombardment began on the harbour of Granville, and lasted from eleven
till five in the afternoon. On the 15th another attack of the same
kind was made with more effect, as will be seen by the following
official letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty, dated
Cerberus, off Granville, 15th Sept. 1803.
I beg you will be pleased to inform my Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty, that, having been joined by the Terror bomb on
the 8th instant, and the Sulphur on the 12th, I embarked on
board the Cerberus, and sailed from Guernsey roads the
following morning, with the Charwell and Carteret cutters in
company.
It blowing a strong breeze from the eastward, it was not until
Tuesday evening I was enabled to get off Granville; when,
having had an opportunity to reconnoitre the enemy's
gun-vessels and other craft within the pier, and the different
batteries by which they were protected, I anchored the Cerberus
as near the shore as the tide would admit, having only sixteen
feet at low-water. At eleven, the Terror came up, but, having
grounded, it was not until two o'clock that Captain Hardinge
was able to place his ship in the position assigned; this he
now did in a most judicious manner, and opened a brisk fire
from his two mortars; which was returned from the mortar and
gun-batteries on the heights near the town, and also from some
guns on the pier, and the gun-vessels placed in the entrance.
From the number of well-directed shells thrown from the Terror
into the pier and parts of the town, I am persuaded they must
have done very considerable damage. The fire was kept up till
after five o'clock, when I thought it advisable to recall the
Terror, and anchored with this ship and the Charwell a short
distance from the town. The Sulphur bomb, whose bad sailing
prevented her from beating up, joined shortly after, and also
anchored. The loss on this occasion was two men wounded by
splinters on board the Terror.
A few shells were thrown in the evening, but the tide prevented
the ship getting sufficiently near to be attended with much
effect.
This morning the squadron was under sail before dawn of day,
and all circumstances concurred to enable them to take their
respective stations with the utmost precision. The two
mortar-vessels opened a brisk and well-directed fire soon after
five o'clock; which was unremittingly kept up till half-past
ten, when the falling tide rendered it necessary to withdraw
from the attack. Twenty-two gun-vessels, that had hauled out of
the pier, drew up a regular line, and kept up a heavy fire,
jointly with the batteries around the port, without doing much
execution.
The Cerberus, after getting under sail, grounded on one of the
sand-banks, and remained about three hours, before she floated:
nine of the gun-boats, perceiving her situation, endeavoured to
annoy her, and kept up a heavy fire upon her for some time; but
were silenced by the Charwell and Kite, and also by the fire of
the Sulphur and Terror bombs, and by the carronade launch of
the Cerberus, under the orders of Lieutenant Mansell, assisted
by the Eling and Carteret, which obliged them to take shelter
in their port.
In the performance of this intricate service, I cannot too
highly applaud the zeal and persevering exertions of all the
officers and men under my orders; and I should not do justice
to the merits of Captain Selby, were I not to acknowledge the
able assistance I have received from him since I had the honour
of being in his ship: the steadiness and good conduct of all
the officers and men in the Cerberus, during the time the ship
was aground, do them infinite credit. The various services in
which Capt. McLeod of the Sulphur, and Hardinge of the Terror,
have been employed this war, are already sufficiently known:
but I will venture to assert, that in no instance can they have
displayed greater zeal and gallantry than on the present
occasion. Great praise is due to Lieutenants Macartney and
Smith, and the parties of artillery embarked on board the
respective bomb-vessels.
It is not possible to ascertain the damages the enemy has
sustained; but, as a very few of the shells missed taking
effect, they must have been very considerable.
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
During the period the Cerberus was aground the tide fell six feet, and
at one time she was in the greatest danger of upsetting; the topmasts
were immediately struck, and the vessel shored up by the lower yards
and spare spars. While heeling over more than forty-five degrees, the
bottom of the ship was exposed to the shot of the enemy, and was
struck in several places. Sir James himself had a very narrow escape
from a shot, which grazed his legs as he was standing on the gangway
with the purser and the secretary, whose dismay and quick retreat from
so dangerous a situation only produced a smile from the Admiral, who
would not listen to proposals subsequently made to him for quitting
the Cerberus while in that situation. The coolness with which he gave
his orders, and his presence of mind on this trying occasion, tended
materially to save the ship, by exciting the officers and men to exert
themselves; while the most perfect order was maintained under
circumstances which often cause disorder and confusion.
The Cerberus received no material damage in the bottom from being
aground: she was soon repaired, and returned with the squadron to
Guernsey on the 17th, when the flag was again hoisted in the Diomede.
We subsequently learned that the flotilla at Granville was so much
damaged as to delay its arrival at Boulogne, which was its ultimate
destination, until a late period of the year; and that many of the
vessels were lost in and near the Race of Alderney, on their passage,
by a storm in which they were overtaken.
The following is extracted from a letter which Sir James wrote to his
brother, describing this action:
Cerberus, off Granville, 15th Sept. 1803.
You will be glad to find that, thanks to Providence, the
business of Granville has gone off as well as possible,
although we have not succeeded in entirely destroying the
enemy's gun-vessels. I have to regret that, in the execution of
my orders, many of the harmless inhabitants of the town, and
their dwellings, must have suffered very considerably; having
bombarded it nearly four hours on Wednesday, and six hours this
morning, with scarcely any intermission.[3] This ship (the
Cerberus) was for three hours on shore, and the tide left her
six feet less than she drew. She was at the same time assailed
by some of the enemy's gun-boats, but without great mischief. A
shot was very nearly taking off both Mr. Champion and myself:
how our legs escaped is inconceivable, having come through the
part of the quarter-deck close to which we were standing.
Our friends Dumaresq and Pipon were in company, the former
having joined early this morning. I am quite exhausted with
fatigue, having had no rest since I left the island. Lady S.
was unapprised of what was going forward, as well as yourself;
but you must approve of the motives which urged me to conceal
it from you. I am on my return to the island, which I hope to
reach to-morrow evening.
[3] Before commencing the bombardment, Sir James sent in a flag
of truce, to inform the governor of it, and requesting that he
would send the women, children, and inoffensive inhabitants
away from the scene of action.
The blockade of the French coast between Havre-de-Grace and Ushant,
which was intrusted to Sir James, was kept up with rigour; and the
Channel islands put into such a state of defence, as to defy all the
projects of the enemy. In the performance of this service, the Admiral
had to regret the loss of the Shannon, which was wrecked on the 10th
December in a gale, under the batteries of Cape La Hogue; and of the
Grappler, which was lost on the 31st, at the Isles de Choisey: the
crews of both these vessels were saved, but made prisoners.
The Diomede was sent to refit at Portsmouth; and, at the end of 1803,
Sir James's flag was flying on board the Cerberus, while he lived at
his own residence on shore with his family, carrying on the duty as a
port-admiral.
CHAPTER VI.
1804 to 1806.
Sir James continues in the command at Guernsey.--Proceedings of
his Squadron.--Letter from Lord Nelson, dated two days before
he was killed.--Capture and destruction of La Salamandre.--Sir
James's benevolent conduct at Guernsey.
The year 1804 is remarkable in the annals of the empire for the
extraordinary exertions made by the First Consul of France to collect
a powerful flotilla at the ports between Flushing, Cherbourg, and
Boulogne, with the avowed intention of invading England. The vessels
so collected were intended to convey the "Army of England," as it was
called by Bonaparte, across the channel. We have already mentioned the
fate of the Granville flotilla, after the attack made on it by Sir
James. Early in this year it was discovered that one of the vessels
belonging to it, a brig of 200 tons, had been driven on shore in the
Bay of Dillette, adjacent to Alderney; that the enemy had succeeded in
drawing her up to repair, and that she was nearly ready for launching.
The commander of the Carteret cutter, who first discovered this,
having represented it to Captain Bennet of the Tribune, (senior
officer of the detachment which Sir James had placed off Cherbourg,)
proposed to take advantage of the first nocturnal spring-tide, either
to launch her, if ready, or to destroy her. The Carteret was
accordingly reinforced by two midshipmen and ten men from the Tribune;
a landing was effected, and the guard defeated: but the brig was found
to have a plank out on each side of the keel, and she was therefore
destroyed. This service was performed with the loss of one of the
Carteret's men, Mr. Parker (a midshipman), and two men of the Tribune;
while the enemy's loss was five killed and ten prisoners, who were
afterwards released.[4]
[4] It is worthy of remark, that the French commanding officer,
who was killed, had in his pocket a watch belonging to the
commander of the Carteret, of which he had been robbed when
taken prisoner in 1800.
The Diomede, of fifty guns, having been refitted at Portsmouth,
returned to take Sir James's flag. Her former commander, Captain
Thomas Larcom, died at Portsmouth; and Captain Hugh Downman, who had
succeeded Captain Brenton in the Caesar, was, at Sir James's request,
appointed his flag-captain. The Cerberus was sent to refit at
Portsmouth, and on her way thither she captured a gun-boat.
During the years 1804 and 1805 the following vessels were taken and
destroyed by the squadron:
31st January.--The Hydra and Tribune captured four gun-boats.
17th March.--The Loire captured the Brave of St. Maloes, of
sixteen guns and 110 men.
18th March.--The Tartar lugger captured the Jeune Henri,
twelve, and 64 men.
-- April.--The Sylph destroyed several gun-vessels in the Race
of Alderney, in which she had one man killed and two wounded.
The Hydra captured a privateer off Cherbourg.
On the 9th October, the Albicore, Captain Henniker, destroyed
five French gun-vessels near Grosnez de Flamanville, without
any loss in men, although considerably damaged in the rigging
and hull.
In the course of this eventful year, Sir James kept up a constant
correspondence with his friend Lord Nelson, whose glorious career was
now near its close. Availing himself of the opportunity of a vessel
from Guernsey bound to Gibraltar, he sent his lordship a supply of
wines and other good things which that fertile island produces,
together with newspapers, &c. These reached the Victory only a few
days before the memorable battle of Trafalgar; and Lord Nelson's
answer, which we here transcribe, was dated only three days before the
action, and is probably the last but one ever written by him.
Victory, off Cadiz, Oct. 18th, 1805.
MY DEAR SIR JAMES,
You may rely upon it that, when I can, I will remove Lieutenant
Fisher of the R.M. into a frigate; at present, I fear the
frigates are full, and the line-of-battle ships empty: but in
whatever manner, my dear Sir James, I may be able to meet your
wishes, I desire you will let me know. Our friends at Cadiz are
ready to come forth, and I hope they will not again escape me:
the career of the Rochfort squadron, I think, has been several
days stopped by Sir Richard Strachan, but I wish his force had
been more equal to the contest. I have to thank you for your
great attention about my wine, and for recommending me some
excellent champagne. I beg my most respectful compliments to
Lady Saumarez; and, believe me ever, my dear Sir James, your
most faithful and obliged friend,
NELSON & BRONTE.
To Sir James Saumarez, Bart. & K.B.
Since writing my letter, I have to thank you for your packet of
newspapers and your letter of October 1st; nothing could
possibly be more acceptable. I hope we shall see Bonaparte
_humbled_. The Guernsey vessel has made a very valuable
recapture of a vessel loaded with cloths, bound to Lisbon.
Your's faithfully,
Nelson & Bronte.
The above was probably finished on the 19th, the day on which the
Penelope frigate left the fleet with despatches for England,--the last
his lordship ever sent.
During the year 1805 Sir James continued in the command at Guernsey,
having his flag in the Diomede, and occasionally on board a frigate in
her absence. The preparations of the French for invasion, which were
continued with unremitting vigour, made this station of more
importance than it would otherwise have been. Spain, having declared
war early in January, joined Napoleon in the grand object of invading
England; and it was calculated, including the Dutch fleet, that the
united force, which could be ready in the month of April, would amount
to seventy-five sail of the line, fifty frigates, and 2,300 smaller
vessels; and that the invading army would consist of 200,000 men.
It was evident that, without a junction of all his naval forces in the
British Channel, Napoleon had no chance of being able to make a
descent on the adjacent coast; and, to effect this, it was necessary
to draw off a part of our blockading fleets. With this view the Toulon
fleet went to the West Indies, whither it was pursued by Nelson; and,
after an action with the squadron under Sir Robert Calder, it entered
the port of Cadiz. The effectual blockade of that port and of Brest,
together with the interruptions his flotilla met with in its progress
towards Boulogne, defeated Napoleon's plans; and the Channel islands,
which were now in a complete state of defence, continued unmolested.
The only losses on this station were the capture of two gun-brigs,
after a very gallant defence, by a flotilla of very superior force,
off Granville; and the Pigmy cutter, which was wrecked near Jersey.
The memorable battle of Trafalgar at once put an end to all the
speculations of the ruler of France. The projected invasion was now
impossible; and, consequently, the force which had been requisite for
the station Sir James occupied, was no longer necessary. The Diomede,
of fifty guns, and several other vessels, were withdrawn, and Sir
James shifted his flag to the Inconstant. The year 1805 terminated
without any other remarkable occurrence.
During the year 1806 the enemy's convoys were proceeding in a westerly
direction; the victualling the French fleet at Brest, which had
considerably increased, being the principal object, the squadron under
Sir James was actively employed in intercepting these convoys. On the
9th of September the Constance, Captain Burrowes, fell in with Le
Salamandre, French frigate store-ship, of twenty-six guns; and,
assisted by the Strenuous and Sharpshooter, drove her on shore under a
battery; and, believing her destroyed, returned to Jersey. It was,
however, ascertained that she was floated off; and, returning to St.
Maloes, repaired her damages. On the 12th of October, when again
attempting to make her passage, she was attacked by the Constance,
Sheldrake, and Strenuous, and having taken shelter under the fort of
Equi, in the Bay of Brehat, the engagement, in which the gallant
Captain Burrowes was killed, became severe. Le Salamandre, after
running on shore, was compelled to strike, and was taken: but the
wind began to blow hard directly on the land; the Constance parted
her cables, which had been damaged by the shot from the batteries, and
drove on shore. It became therefore necessary, after taking out the
men, to burn both the Constance and the prize. In this affair ten men
were killed, and twenty-three wounded, exclusive of thirty-six men
made prisoners in the unsuccessful attempt to save the Constance. The
captain (M. Saloman) of the Salamandre and twenty-nine men were
killed; but of the wounded there is no account, excepting of nine, who
were among the prisoners taken on board the Sheldrake. Captain
Thicknesse, of that sloop, was made post-captain on this occasion.
Nothing else worthy remark, connected with the subject of this memoir,
happened during the year 1806: and Sir James had now enjoyed the
society of his family and friends at his native island for three
years; during which time his mind was not only actively employed in
the performance of his duty as commander-in-chief on this important
station, and in rendering his native island more capable of defence,
but also in the establishment and support of its charitable
institutions.
CHAPTER VII.
1807.
Sir James is called into active service.--Joins the Channel
Fleet as second in command.--Shifts his Flag from the San Josef
to the Prince of Wales.--His decisive conduct.--Anecdote of the
Prince of Wales' Men.--Change of Ministry.--Sir James leaves
the Channel Fleet, and returns to Guernsey.--Is offered the
Command in the East Indies.--Letter on that occasion.
Early in the year 1807 Sir James was called into more active service.
The enemy's fleet at Brest had again become formidable. Earl St.
Vincent was appointed to command the Channel fleet, and immediately
applied for Sir James to be second in command. To make him eligible
for this, he was promoted to the rank of Vice-admiral; and on the 7th
of January he received orders to hoist his flag, blue at the fore, on
board the San Josef, of 112 guns. As the noble Earl was unable from
ill health to keep the sea in the Hibernia, his flag-ship, the whole
responsibility fell on Sir James.
The San Josef, one of the finest ships in the navy, had been taken in
the battle of the 14th of February 1797; and, having since that
period been almost constantly employed, was in need of a thorough
repair. In February she became so leaky, that Sir James was obliged to
shift his flag into the Prince of Wales, Captain Bedford, and send the
San Josef into Plymouth to be repaired; and, it being ascertained that
it would take more than a year before she could be ready, the officers
and men were turned over to the Ville de Paris, which was ordered to
fit for his flag.
Sir James's activity in blockading the enemy was unremitting. The
fleet consisted of twenty-seven sail of the line, nine of which were
three-deckers. It was his custom, every day that the weather
permitted, to stand towards the Black Rocks in a line of battle, and
off in a line of bearing, always communicating with the in-shore
squadron.
On one occasion, while the weather had been thick for several days,
the signal was made from the Hibernia for the enemy's fleet to
leeward. The English fleet bore up in chase; and, although the Prince
of Wales was the worst-sailing ship in the fleet, by carrying a great
press of sail she became the headmost. The wind was from the west, and
the fleet was standing in for Brest, the French coast being a lee
shore. Captain Bedford, who was not so well acquainted with the coast
as Sir James, represented the danger that the fleet was running into,
as it was blowing hard at the time; when Sir James replied, "There is
good anchorage in Douvarnenez Bay," and continued his course: but it
was soon after discovered that the strangers were the Plantagenet and
in-shore squadron, and the fleet was still able to weather Ushant.
Captain Bedford, who, like other promoters of a religious feeling on
board ship, was liable to be imposed upon by hypocrites, had on board
the Prince of Wales a set of individuals among the seamen, who, taking
advantage of his desire to encourage piety among the crew, ingratiated
themselves so far by their outward manifestations as to induce him to
appropriate a convenient berth in the ship, where they might sing
psalms and perform other devotional exercises unmolested. This place
virtually served as a depot for the hypocrites, who had for a long
time unsuspectedly committed divers acts of depredation. Just before
the ship went into port, either to refit or replenish the water and
provisions, the secretary's gold watch disappeared, as well as a
considerable sum of money; and the complaint being made by him to the
Admiral, the latter commanded the captain to call all hands on deck,
and make a strict search for the stolen property.
The men being reported on deck by the officer who had charge of the
lower decks, Captain Bedford said, "Where shall we begin to search?"
to which the lieutenant replied, "My cabin, sir; then your's; and
then the _religious berth_." This answer drew forth a rebuke for even
_suspecting_ these "good Christians," as the captain emphatically
called them. The examination was however persisted in: the officers
went to the berth, the keys were demanded, and could not be found; but
an iron crow-bar was effectually substituted; and the whole of the
missing property, besides many other stolen articles, were discovered
in the chests of these miscreants, to the surprise and mortification
of the worthy Captain Bedford, who did not fail immediately to make
his report to the Admiral then on the quarter-deck.
Before punishment of criminals takes place in a flag-ship, it is usual
for the captain to carry the particulars to the Admiral. It was the
practice of Sir James Saumarez to examine these reports minutely, and
convince himself of the necessity of the punishment before giving it
his sanction; which was always done with that painful reluctance so
natural to his humane disposition. In this instance, however, his
feelings of indignation were more than usually roused: he emphatically
said, "Captain Bedford, I desire that you will immediately give each
of these wretches such a punishment as will effectually put a stop to
this unparalleled wickedness."
We need scarcely add that his orders were implicitly obeyed; and such
was the indignation of the crew, that there was no necessity for
urging the boatswain's mates to do their duty, while Sir James, who
never could witness punishment without extreme pain, retired to his
cabin. He did not fail, however, to point out to every one how much
the offence of theft had been aggravated by being committed under the
cloak of religion, for which no punishment within the limited power of
the captain could be too severe.
A change of ministry having taken place, Lord Gardner was appointed to
command the Channel fleet; and, as his lordship chose the Ville de
Paris for his flag, Captain Conn and the other officers were turned
over to the Hibernia: three of Lord St. Vincent's officers were
superseded; and Sir James joined his new flag-ship at sea. During the
summer, when the wind came from the westward, and blew strong, the
fleet bore up for Torbay. On one of these occasions Sir James showed
much decision. The captains and officers of the fleet had sent their
chronometers on shore to be cleaned and regulated, not expecting that
there would be much occasion for them: it happened, however, that the
fleet was blown off the coast by a strong north-east wind, which
lasted more than a week. During this the ships, by chasing and
performing various evolutions, had lost the reckoning, which differed
from the true position by the chronometer of the Hibernia, which
happened to be the only one in the fleet. After the easterly wind, a
heavy westerly gale came on; and before Ushant could be made, the
weather became thick, and the signal was made to bear up for Torbay,
and at the same time for the longitude.
Sir James had now to decide: if the reckoning was right, the course by
chronometer would have wrecked the fleet in Bigberry Bay; and if the
chronometer was right, the course by reckoning would have carried the
fleet on the Bill of Portland. Under these circumstances Sir James
carefully examined both, and at once decided on following the course
by chronometer; and the fleet safely anchored in Torbay in the middle
of the night.
Lord Gardner took a house near Brixham, and Sir James continued for
some time to carry on the duty as usual; till at length Lord Gardner
apprised Sir James that he had applied for his old friend, Sir John
Duckworth, to be his second in command: on which Sir James wrote to be
superseded; and in August, the same year, he struck his flag, to
rehoist it on board the Inconstant at Guernsey. His old flag-ship was
during the winter prepared for him, and in February 1808 he proceeded
to Guernsey.
During this period, war with Russia broke out. Affairs in the north
wore a serious aspect, and it was evident that the Baltic must soon
become the seat of war.
Sir James received the following letter from Lord Mulgrave, offering
him the command in the East Indies, which was the most lucrative
station; but prize-money was always a secondary consideration with
the Admiral. He declined accepting the offer, as will be seen by his
answer.
Admiralty, January 23rd, 1808.
MY DEAR SIR,
Sir Edward Pellew having expressed a wish to be relieved from
the command in the East Indies, I am desirous (before I think
of another arrangement) to learn whether that station would be
agreeable to you; in which case I should have great
satisfaction in giving you that appointment.
I have the honour to be, with sincere regard and the highest
esteem, Dear sir,
Your most obedient and faithful servant,
MULGRAVE.
To Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez, K.B. &c.
Guernsey, 30th January 1808.
MY DEAR LORD,
I am honoured with your lordship's private and confidential
letter, and I cannot sufficiently express my grateful
acknowledgements for the obliging manner in which your lordship
has been pleased to propose to me the command in the East
Indies, which I should be most happy to profit by, did the
state of my health hold out any prospect of my fulfilling so
important a trust with satisfaction to myself or to the benefit
of my country. I am therefore, though reluctantly, compelled to
decline this mark of your lordship's kindness.
I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
James Saumarez.
To Earl Mulgrave.
CHAPTER VIII.
1808.
State of Affairs in Sweden.--Alarm of the King.--Sir James
selected to command the Baltic Fleet.--Correspondence with Lord
Mulgrave.--Sir John Moore's Expedition.--Arrives at
Gothenburg.--Capture and Destruction of a Danish
seventy-four.--Sir John Moore goes to Stockholm.--Is arrested,
and escapes.--Expedition returns to England.--Disposition of
the Fleet.--Sir James proceeds to Carlscrona.--Rescue of
Romana's Army.--Sir James proceeds to the Gulf of
Finland.--Capture and Destruction of the Russian seventy-four,
Sewolod.--The combined Swedish and English Fleet off Baltic
Port.--Reconnoitres the Russian Fleet in the harbour, and
determines to attack them.--Prevented by change of
winds.--Proceeding off Baltic Port.--Letter to the Emperor of
Russia.--Fleet returns to Carlscrona.
The success of Buonaparte in Austria and Prussia, by which he was
enabled to force Denmark to join him against Great Britain, and which,
in the preceding year, led to the capture of Copenhagen and to the
possession of the Danish fleet, had now induced Russia to accede to
the proposal of declaring England to be in a state of blockade: Sweden
alone remained faithful. The preparations for invasion which were
making at St. Petersburg having alarmed King Gustavus Adolphus, the
most earnest solicitations were made for a large naval and military
force to be sent from England for its protection. A fleet was
accordingly ordered on that important service, and Sir James Saumarez
was selected as the commander-in-chief best qualified to undertake it.
The Victory, which had been thoroughly repaired after the battle of
Trafalgar, was commissioned at Chatham early in March, by Captain
Philip Dumaresq, for Sir James's flag, which was soon after hoisted:
Rear-admirals Sir Samuel Hood, R.G. Keats, M. Dixon, and A. Bertie,
were placed under his command. The fleet consisted of sixteen ships of
the line; and, including frigates, sloops, and gun-vessels, the number
amounted to sixty-two sail.
Admiralty, February 20th, 1808.
DEAR SIR,
I am in daily expectation of receiving accurate intelligence of
the present state of the naval arsenal at Cronstadt. In the
event of this information being as satisfactory as I have
reason to hope, it is my intention to send a squadron into the
Baltic, consisting of not less than twelve or thirteen sail of
the line. If your health should be such as to admit of your
taking the command of this fleet, I know of no arrangement
which I can make that would be so satisfactory to myself, as to
intrust the important service of attempting to destroy the
Russian fleet, and of affording protection to his Majesty's
firm and faithful ally, the King of Sweden, to your direction.
It will not be necessary that you should come immediately to
England, (in the event of your undertaking the command,) as
all the necessary preparations may be forwarded beforehand; and
your coming immediately over might tend to excite a premature
suspicion of the object we have in view. I have not yet opened
this project to any officer, but those on whom I have fixed my
views to assist you, are Rear-admirals Sir Samuel Hood and
Keats, who, besides their great professional merits, have the
additional advantage of being well acquainted with the Baltic.
I have the honour to be,
With great truth and regard,
My dear sir,
Your very faithful and obedient servant,
MULGRAVE.
Guernsey, 27th February 1808.
MY LORD,
I have had the honour to receive your lordship's private and
secret letter of the 20th instant, and I feel most deeply
impressed with the very obliging manner in which your lordship
has been pleased to offer me the command of the squadron
proposed to be sent to the Baltic. Although it is with great
diffidence that I undertake a trust of so high and great
importance, having ever made it the principle of my life to go
upon any service where my exertions for my king and country
would be deemed most useful, I cannot for a moment hesitate to
comply with the commands of your lordship, and I shall hold
myself in readiness to proceed from this station whenever
called upon; requesting your lordship will have the goodness to
allow me sufficient time to make such arrangements as may be
required in London, previous to my going upon the proposed
service. The two officers selected to co-operate with me, are
possessed of the highest merit; and, of all others, those I
should have been happy to apply for, had they not been
previously appointed. I shall be obliged to your lordship to
mention the ship intended for my flag, as also such further
information as may be judged necessary for me to know, with the
probable time that I may be required to go to London; all which
shall be held by me in the strictest confidence.
I have the honour to be,
With the highest regard,
My dear lord,
Your faithful and most obedient servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
The ships composing this force proceeded to Gothenburg (the general
rendezvous) as they were ready to sail. The Victory arrived in April,
and was followed by an expedition consisting of 10,000 troops,
commanded by the gallant Sir John Moore, who arrived on the 17th of
May.
In the mean time, the body of French and Spanish troops, which, as
part of the army of Marshal Bernadotte, had marched to the shores of
the Belt, were obliged to halt, in consequence of the interposition of
the English fleet; and the Danish 74, Prince Christian Frederick, was
taken and destroyed, after a gallant resistance, by the Stately, 64,
Captain George Parker, and the Nassau, 64, Captain R. Campbell. On the
other hand, the Russians, who had laid siege to Sweaborg, in the Gulf
of Finland, which was justly called the Gibraltar of the North, had
induced the governor, Admiral Count Cronsted, to sign a capitulation,
that, if not relieved by the 6th of May, which was next to an
impossibility, the fortress was to be delivered up, and as a
compensation he was to receive an estate of great value in Russia. The
reason which has been assigned for this act of treachery was, that,
having refused to meet the English fleet under Lord Nelson, he had
been superseded in command of the fleet at Carlscrona, and removed to
Sweaborg, as a kind of banishment.
This unfortunate event paralyzed the plans of the King of Sweden; and
Sir John Moore was sent for to Stockholm. As the King of Sweden would
not give permission to land any of the troops which were on board the
transports at Gothenburg, excepting a part of the cavalry, their
detention was irksome; and the Admiral waited with much anxiety for
the return of the General, when he heard of his having been arrested,
or, at least, detained by order of the king at Stockholm. In a few
days, however, Sir John made his appearance on board the Victory; when
it was found that his Swedish Majesty had made several absurd
propositions to him, such as an attack on Copenhagen and upon
Cronstadt, for which his force was inadequate, especially since the
arrival at the former place of several regiments of French and Spanish
troops, and at the latter of the flotilla taken at Sweaborg. As Sir
John declined to undertake these expeditions, he was ordered to
remain at Stockholm until he had received instructions from England
respecting the disposition of his troops. Thus circumstanced, Sir John
begged permission to send his aide-de-camp, Col. Graham, (now Lord
Lynedoch,) to the Admiral with despatches; which being granted, he
changed coats with the aide-de-camp, proceeded to Gothenburg himself,
leaving the colonel in his stead, and arrived safely on board the
Victory, to the great joy of Sir James, who was no less alarmed for
Sir John's safety, than puzzled as to what measures would be most
advisable to effect his release from unwarrantable confinement.
The following extract of a letter from Sir James to his brother,
written from Gothenburg, will afford the best account that can be
given of the state of affairs at the time he arrived there:
14th May 1808.
I fear you will be disappointed at the little information I can
give you; it will, however, be satisfactory to know that none
of the enemy's troops have, as yet, been enabled to cross the
Sound, or get a footing on any part of Sweden. The Danes have
about 30,000 troops in the island of Zealand; and at Funen and
Holstein there are about 30,000 French, Spaniards, and Dutch:
but the Sound and Belts are so closely watched, that it will be
very difficult for any number of vessels to escape our
different cruisers stationed to intercept them.
The Swedish troops on the frontiers of Norway, under the orders
of General Armfeldt, have had several skirmishes with the
Danes, which have in general proved very favourable to the
former; but nothing of importance has yet taken place, owing to
the roads being almost impassable from the depth of snow and
ice, which, even at this advanced season, cover them. Last
Wednesday, accounts were received from Stockholm, of the
surrender of Sweaborg! It was the more unexpected from the
garrison having withstood two assaults, in which the Russians
are said to have lost a great number of men. This event decides
the fate of Finland. Sweaborg was considered a fortress of
great importance.
The following extract, on the subject of Sir John Moore's detention
and escape, shows the state of affairs up to his departure from
Gothenburg on the 1st of July:
Victory, 30th June 1808.
You will have been surprised at the length of time we have been
detained here, and particularly so when I inform you that the
troops are returning to England, owing principally to this
government not choosing to accede to the terms upon which it
was proposed they should be employed in this country. It is
truly to be lamented that so much delay should have taken
place, and so much time lost, when their services might have
been so well employed elsewhere. Between ourselves, much
irritability has been shown by the King of Sweden in the
different conferences Sir John Moore has had with him. Finding
Sir John earnest in his intentions to return to England, he
sent one of his officers to signify to him, he was not to leave
Stockholm till his pleasure, which, of course, was considered
as putting him under an arrest, a most unprecedented measure,
and an outrage certainly offered to a friendly nation. Sir
John, however, took a favourable opportunity to get away from
Stockholm, and arrived here last evening.
I trust and hope this will not lead to a rupture between the
two countries; but so unwarrantable and violent a proceeding
cannot easily be settled. I own to you, I never formed any
expectation that the troops would be of essential service in
this country. They were too few in number to act separately;
and it would not have been right to commit them with the
Swedish army, at the will and disposal of the monarch.
Sir James writes thus to his son; Sir John Moore's expedition being
still at Gothenburg.
Victory, Gothenburg, 23rd May 1808.
I trust that we shall be enabled to defend Sweden during the
summer; but, when winter sets in, we shall be compelled to
withdraw our ships from the Baltic: this will expose the
country to the attack of the enemy from Zealand and the ports
on the south of the Baltic. The Swedes are a brave and upright
people; they are faithful to their prince, and are very averse
to any change in their government, and still more so to French
principles. I have been twice on shore; but being near ten
miles from Gothenburg, makes it inconvenient: it is a place of
great trade; at this time, at least twelve hundred sail of
vessels of different nations are in the port.
The above is a sufficient proof of the good opinion Sir James had
formed of the Swedish character, and which, he often said, he never
had occasion to alter.
Sir James was now placed in one of the most anxious and arduous
situations which it was possible to imagine. He had to protect the
commerce of both nations in a dangerous and intricate navigation, with
which his ships were but little acquainted, opposed on every side by
Russians, Prussians, French, Danes, and Norwegians. It was requisite
that his forces should be most judiciously disposed; and great tact
and firmness were indispensable to conduct affairs under the existing
circumstances. His conduct on this, as well as on every former
occasion, was such as to deserve and obtain the high approbation of
the government, and the people of both Great Britain and Sweden. The
first letter Sir James received from Gustavus Adolphus was written in
French, of which the following is an exact copy:
Chateau de Stockholm, le 6 Mai 1808.
MONSIEUR L'AMIRAL,
J'ai ordonne a mon aide-de-camp general de la marine, le
Vice-amiral Baron de Rayalin de se rendre en Sconie, pour se
concerter avec vous sur les operations des flottes Swedoise et
Anglaise contre l'ennemi commun. Il est indispensable de
deployer la plus grande activite et energie proportionnees au
danger; le Baron Rayalin vous montrera un plan a cet effet, que
j'ai arrete, et dont communication a ete faite au Ministre de
sa Majeste Britannique, resident aupres de moi, qui'il a du
vous envoyer. Je suis persuade que vous saisirez avec plaisir
cette occasion pour remplir a ce que l'honneur et le devoir
vous prescrivent. Et sur ce je prie Dieu qu'il vous ait,
Monsieur l'Amiral, en sa sainte et digne garde; etant votre
bien affectionne,
GUSTAF ADOLPH.
A l'Amiral commandant les forces navales de sa
Majeste Britannique, dans le Sund.
Baron Rayalin having, with this letter, transmitted his _expose_ of the
situation of the Swedes since the capture of Sweaborg and the recapture
of Gothland, states that the Russians and Swedes had each eleven sail of
the line: it was agreed that the Swedish fleet should be reinforced by
two ships, the Centaur of 74 guns, Rear-admiral Sir Samuel Hood, and the
Implacable 74, Captain Byam Martin, and take a position at Hango-udde, a
small, ill-fortified harbour at the north-west point of Finland, round
which the Russian flotilla must pass to attack Abo and Aland; and that
the English commander-in-chief should employ the rest of his fleet in
blockading the enemy's coast from the Gulf of Finland to Norway,
including the coasts of Prussia, Pomerania, Denmark, the Belt, and
Sound, for the protection of commerce and the defence of the kingdom of
Sweden.
These matters being arranged, Sir James left Gothenburg on the 2nd of
July, in the Victory; and, passing through the Great Belt, visited the
different stations where ships were to be placed. Having taken
possession of the small island of Sproe, he proceeded to Carlscrona, the
principal naval arsenal of Sweden, and arrived there on the 10th July.
The ensuing extract of a letter from Sir James to a friend, on leaving
Gothenburg, will be read with interest, as it will throw some light on
the important and difficult line of conduct he had to pursue on this
occasion.
Victory, off Gothenburg, 2nd July 1808.
You will, I am persuaded, feel much concern at the untoward
circumstances that have occurred, and the impossibility that
must now exist of the troops being of any service in this
country. Every arrangement is made for their sailing the moment
the wind will enable the transports to get out of the harbour;
and I shall proceed at the same time for the entrance of the
Sound, off Helsinburg, which is the station whence I can most
easily communicate with the different detachments, and at the
same time receive the despatches from England.
The only part for me to act in the present state of things, is
to uphold the honour of the country, and, as far as lies in my
power, keep up the friendly intercourse that has hitherto been
maintained with our only ally.
In what light the business will be taken up at home it is
impossible for me to say. It is certain that a most flagrant
outrage has been offered by the King of Sweden in the detention
of Sir John Moore; and how far his Majesty can justify himself
in the eye of our government for so great an insult to an
officer of Sir John's rank, entrusted with the command of an
army, ordered from England for the defence of Sweden, and who
went to Stockholm to confer in a confidential manner on the
measures to be adopted for putting the orders he had received
into execution, is at present difficult to conceive.
He had doubtless, in his own opinion, good grounds for having
taken so strong a measure, but which scarcely can be admitted
when the whole transactions that may have led to it are known
to our government. This misunderstanding is the more to be
lamented at this time, that unanimity with our ally was the
only point on which we could form our expectations of success;
besides the advantage that the enemy may take of it, and the
ridicule they will of course throw upon it.
Sir John Moore has been embarked with me since his return,
besides General Hope. The former takes his passage on board the
Audacious, which convoys the transports to Yarmouth.
During the months of June and July, Sir James had much correspondence
with the ex-King and Queen of France, the Duchess d'Angouleme, and his
old friend the Duc d'Havre. Some difficulty attended their transport
to England; the Euryalus only being allowed to proceed on that
service, and the suite of his majesty, and the royal family amounting
to above a hundred persons. The correspondence, however, does not
possess sufficient interest to dwell further on it; suffice it to say,
that Sir James gave them all the assistance and accommodation in his
power, and that they had left Carlscrona before the Victory arrived.
About this time Admiral Cederstroem, who had vanquished the Russians at
Gothland, was called to Stockholm, and Rear Admiral Nauckhoff was
appointed in his stead, with whom Sir James exchanged letters of
congratulation. The King had gone to Aland; and, as no more was said
about the affair of Sir John Moore, things went on smoothly: Baron
Rayalin accompanied the King, and Mons. Gullenstolpe acted as
adjutant-general of the marine.
The Swedish fleet now consisted of eleven sail of the line and five
frigates, which were reinforced by the Centaur and Implacable; and
proceeded to the station before agreed on.
Towards the end of July, Sir James was aware of the refractory conduct
of the Spanish troops, under the Marquis of Romana, in the island of
Funen, where they had been arrested in their progress to Zealand by
the appearance of the English fleet. Rear Admiral Keats was ordered to
communicate, if possible, with Romana, who was known to be disaffected
since the news had reached him of the revolution of affairs in Spain,
and to offer every assistance to rescue the troops under his command.
It was a great satisfaction to Sir James, that, on the arrival of the
next packet, he found he had anticipated the desire of government,
from whom he received instructions to the same intent, after Sir
Richard had been detached.
The address and tact which Rear-admiral Keats displayed on this
occasion is well known. As soon as he had succeeded in rescuing the
Marquis of Romana, by seizing on the vessels at Nyborg, and
transporting his troops to the defenceless island of Langeland, he
despatched a vessel to Sir James, who immediately sailed from
Carlscrona, leaving behind Captain Hope, who went home in consequence
of the illness and subsequent demise of his wife, Lady Jemima, and
made all sail for the Belt. On this occasion Sir James gave a proof of
the decision of his character, which could not but make a deep
impression on all who were present.
The Victory, about sun-set, had doubled Dars Head, forming with the
opposite point in Zealand the entrance of the Great Belt from the
eastward. The wind was fresh and directly adverse, when Mr. Squire,
master of the fleet, acquainted the Admiral that the ship must anchor
for the night, as he could no longer take charge as pilot. Sir James,
who had examined the chart, and could see no great risk in working as
far as Femeren, where the channel became narrow and the soundings more
regular, demanded his reason; which being unsatisfactory, he sent for
Mr. Nelson, the master, and Mr. Webb, the north-sea pilot, but neither
would undertake the charge, or give any satisfactory reason. Sir James
immediately ordered the one master into the starboard, and the other
into the larboard main channels, to see that the lead was correctly
hove; and having directed the Cruiser brig, then in company, to keep
right a-head, he kept the ship under sail till midnight, when she had
worked up tack by tack to Femeren, a distance of six leagues. He was
thus enabled to reach Sir Richard Keats's division on the following
day in time to concert measures for the removal of Romana's army to
Gothenburg.
The conduct of these inferior officers could only arise from a desire
to make themselves appear of importance, especially in the absence of
the captain of the fleet; and their messmates could not but rejoice at
their failure, as it brought them sooner to the scene of action.
On the 14th of August, when the Victory arrived off the battery near
the centre of Langeland, an officer was despatched to the
head-quarters of the Marquis, who embarked on board that ship on the
following morning, and before night the whole of his troops were
afloat; the Marquis was then removed to the Superb, and the convoy
proceeded to Gothenburg, under the orders of Sir Richard Keats. It was
much to be regretted that the fine regiment of Asturias could not be
rescued; but, having reached Copenhagen, they were disarmed by the
Danes and French the moment the intelligence of Romana's rescue was
known.
The following extract of a letter from Sir James to his brother gives
an interesting account of the rescue of Romana's army:
Victory, off Langeland, 21st August 1808.
I returned to the Belt from Carlscrona, in consequence of
information from Admiral Keats, which reached me on the 6th,
that an overture had been made by a Spanish officer for their
troops to be withdrawn from these islands. The following day
the Musquito joined me from the Admiralty, with directions upon
that subject, and to make trial if any thing could be done;
fortunately, duplicates were sent to Admiral Keats, which he
received in the Belt.
On the 14th, having been detained by contrary winds, I received
accounts from Admiral Keats, that they had been withdrawn from
the island of Funen, and landed on Langeland. I joined last
Thursday, and the same evening an express reached me by the
Mosquito, with the information that the Russian fleet from
Cronstadt had sailed, and had been seen off Hango Udde, the
station occupied by the Swedish squadron; these last having
gone within the small islands to complete with water. Judge of
my anxiety, particularly having detached those ships to join
them, under Sir S. Hood, who received the advice at Carlscrona,
in the Centaur, and was on the point of sailing to join the
other two ships, who had proceeded some days before. I trust
they will find their way to join the Swedes in safety; but it
is an anxious moment.
I am proceeding with this ship and the Mars to endeavour to
fall in with them; all the other ships here have the Spanish
troops embarked on board them, and on board several small
vessels taken at Nyborg. It certainly is of the greatest
importance to have succeeded in withdrawing so large a portion
of the Spanish army, upwards of 9,000. About 4,000 are left in
Zealand and Jutland.
I hope it will not have led to any disaster. I have guarded
against any to the utmost of my power, but we cannot answer for
events; and in the course of my service I have never
experienced greater anxiety than since I have been on this
station: first, with regard to the expedition and the business
of Sir John Moore, which for a time paralysed all the naval
operations, and certainly might have been attended with the
worst consequences. We must however hope for the best, and
trust all will turn to good.
Added to the despatches acknowledging this letter, was the following
private note from Lord Mulgrave:
Admiralty, August 25th, 1808.
MY DEAR SIR JAMES,
I cannot let despatches go from the Admiralty without conveying
to you my hearty congratulations on the important event of the
deliverance of so large a body of the Spanish troops.
Rear-admiral Keats has conducted this service with admirable
talent, zeal, and judgment. We have a report here that the
Russian fleet has put to sea; and are in anxious hope that they
may have fallen in your way. The enemy's fate and the public
interests cannot be in better hands than yours.
I am, dear Sir James, with great truth,
Yours very sincerely,
MULGRAVE.
This service being completed, Sir James hastened back to the Baltic,
and, arriving off Carlscrona, received additional intelligence of the
position of the Russian fleet. Taking along with him the Mars,
Goliath, and Africa, Salsette, Rose, and Ariel, he proceeded to the
northward; and, passing between Gothland and Sweden, made for the Gulf
of Finland, expecting to fall in with the Centaur and Implacable at
certain places of rendezvous. He was not a little disappointed at not
finding them, even at Hango Udd. On the 30th of August he fell in
with the Swedish frigate Camilla, Captain Troile, who came on board,
and gave him the first information of the action which had taken place
between the two fleets; it appeared that the Sewolod, a Russian
seventy-four, which had been disabled by the Implacable, had been
taken and burned by that ship and the Centaur, and that the Russian
fleet had been pursued into Rogerwick, (or Port Baltic,) where they
might be successfully attacked.
This joyful news was communicated to the squadron, and every ship was
instantly cleared for action. The signals were successively made to
bear up, let out reefs, and make more sail. The pilot at the same time
informed the Admiral that he had been often in Rogerwick, which is a
bay in the south side of the Gulf of Finland, formed by the islands of
East and West Roge and the main, and that he could easily take the
fleet in.
At two o'clock, the Swedish fleet,[5] consisting of ten sail of the
line and three frigates, together with the Centaur and Implacable,
were seen at anchor off Rogerwick; a plan of which is given, showing
the position of both fleets. The general signal was made to prepare
for battle; but the Centaur telegraphed that "you must anchor in
thirty-five fathoms," in reply to the Admiral's signal to weigh: this
having been repeated, the signals were made to anchor, furl sails, &c.
[5] See Appendix, for a list of the English, Swedish, and
Russian ships.
[Illustration: Harbour of Rogerwick, showing the positions of
the English, Swedish, and Russian fleets.]
Sir Samuel Hood, the Swedish Admiral and captain of the fleet, now
came on board; what occurred at this consultation is only known to
themselves. Subsequently, Sir James went on board the Rose; but it was
then too late to reconnoitre the enemy. Next day (31st August) was
spent also in consultation; and on the 1st of September the Victory
and Goliath got under weigh, and stood in to the entrance of the
harbour; and, having silenced a battery on the west side with one
broadside, the Admiral had, for the first time, a good view of the
position of the enemy's fleet, and was convinced that they might have
been attacked. He immediately made known his determination to attack
them on the following day, and orders were accordingly issued to that
effect; the Author was sent on board the Swedish Admiral's ship, not
only with these orders, but to remain on board to explain signals, and
assist in bringing the Swedish fleet into action. Captain Martin, of
the Implacable, was appointed acting captain of the fleet, and Captain
Pipon succeeded him.
In the mean time, the Russians sent on board an officer with a flag of
truce, on pretence of treating for exchange of prisoners: when he came
on board the Victory, he addressed Capt. Dumaresq in the French
language, saying that he did not understand English. Soon after
which, the Author, happening to come on deck, recognised in this
officer Mr. Skripeetzen, his old shipmate on board the Penelope; where
he had been two years a signal midshipman; and, before that, as many
on board the Leviathan. Of course he could speak and understand
English perfectly, and he had actually his signal-book in his pocket.
This discovery afforded no small amusement. It was now evident that he
came on board to make _useful observations_, and his object was
completely obtained. The officers took him below, and showed him the
ship clear for action, each deck having a thousand extra shot added to
the usual number; on some of which the sailors had been exercising
their wit by writing in chalk, "Post-paid"; "Free, George
Canning";[6]--jokes which Mr. Skripeetzen did not seem to relish; and
he quitted the ship evidently confused and mortified.
[6] The lamented Mr. Canning was then secretary of state for
foreign affairs; and it was a seaman of the Victory of the same
name that _franked_ the shot: sailors having an idea that to
stop a letter post-paid, or franked, is _death by the law_.
The hopes of the Admiral and his officers were now raised to the
highest pitch; every preparation had been made, and the dawn of day of
the 2nd September was waited for with anxious expectation. The wind,
which in the evening had been favourable for the enterprise,
unfortunately veered to the southward before day-break; and, as it
was directly against going in, an attack was impossible. As this
hard-hearted gale continued for eight days, all hopes of being able to
attack the enemy vanished.
The enemy in the mean time moored his ships in a compact line, with
booms moored outside; and, having marched six thousand troops from
Revel, threw up strong batteries on each side, so that his position
was soon rendered impregnable.
Sir James now sent, by a flag of truce, the following letter to the
Emperor Alexander:
His Britannic Majesty's ship Victory, off Baltic Port,
17th September 1808.
SIRE,
Your imperial Majesty is probably uninformed of the events that
have recently taken place in the southern parts of Europe.
Spain has succeeded in rescuing herself from the usurpation and
tyranny of the ruler of France. Portugal has also extricated
herself from the baneful hands of the enemy of all independent
states; the whole of the French forces in that country having
been compelled to surrender to the British army under Sir
Arthur Wellesley. It is to be hoped that those events will
induce the powers of the Continent to unite with Great Britain
to restore that peace so highly to be desired for the welfare
of mankind.
Knowing it to be the object most at heart of my gracious
sovereign, and that of his Majesty's ally, the King of Sweden,
should your imperial Majesty be impressed with the same
sentiments, nothing will afford me greater happiness than to
have the honour of imparting them to my government, and to
desist from further hostile operations, upon condition that
your Majesty will give orders to your forces to desist from
hostilities against England and her ally, and to withdraw your
forces from Swedish Finland.
I have the honour to be,
With the most profound respect,
Your imperial Majesty's
Most devoted and most obedient humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ,
Vice-admiral and commander-in-chief of his
Britannic Majesty's ships in the Baltic.
To his imperial Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias.
This appeal to his imperial Majesty unfortunately did not reach St.
Petersburg until the day after the Emperor Alexander had left it, on
his journey to meet Buonaparte at Erfurth; and, in consequence, Sir
James received the following answer from the Russian Admiral
Tchitchagoff, the minister of the Marine:
St. Petersburg, 12/27 Sept. 1808.
MONSIEUR,
La lettre que votre excellence a adresse a sa Majeste
l'Empereur m'est parvenu a mon retour a St. Petersburg
conjointement a celle que m'a ecrit Monsieur Thornton. Sa
Majeste n'etant plus dans sa capitale depuis quelque jours, je
me suis empresse de la lui expedier.
Pendant mon sejour au Port Baltique, ayant appris que votre
excellence desiroit savoir si l'echange de nos equipages pris
sur le vaisseau Le Sewolod, contre des sujets de sa Majeste
Britannique ou Swedoise pourroit avoir lieu, je suis bien-aise
de lui annoncer que des ordres ont ete donnes au general en
chef commandant en Finlande de rendre un nombre egal, et rang
pour rang, des sujets de sa Majeste Swedoise contre les
prisonniers Russes faits dans le dernier combat.
En priant votre excellence de vouloir bien transmettre la
ci-jointe au ministre de sa Majeste Britannique, Monsieur
Thornton, je dois la prevenir que je n'ai point recu les
gazettes que ce dernier m'avoit annonces dans sa lettre.
Je saisis avec empressement cette occasion pour assurer votre
excellence de la consideration la plus distinguee avec laquelle
j'ai l'honneur d'etre, De votre excellence,
Tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur,
P. DE TCHITCHAGOFF.
A son Ex. Mon. le Vice-amiral Saumarez.
The letters addressed to Mr. Thornton, being to the same effect, need
not be given. The exchange of prisoners took place at a subsequent
period.
A negociation now ensued between the Russian and British
commanders-in-chief, for permission that the blockaded fleet should
return to St. Petersburg unmolested, on condition that a part should
be given up by the former. In answer to this proposition, his Swedish
Majesty requiring that the whole should be given up, and Sir James's
demand being for both the three-deckers and half the remainder, the
negociation was broken off, and fire-ships were fitted out as the only
chance of destroying them.[7] In the mean time, the Thunder and
another bomb-ship, covered by the Goliath and Salsette, continued to
throw shells into the fortress, and on one occasion a magazine was
blown up; but the fleet was too far within the harbour for the shells
to reach them, or to prevent their extending a barricade of booms to
prevent the approach of fire-ships. The Erebus and a brig having
however been prepared, an attempt was made on the 20th Septemb
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